℡〆Leo独自的舞台

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HEAD LINES:

国内新闻，国外新闻;

政治，经济，文化。

-One of China’s top government departments published on Sunday a list of eight schools, which charged students a total of 22.7 million Yuan in the extra tuition

Fees last year.

-The Chinese government issued strict guidelines for the nation’s entertainment

Venues last week.

- Pakistan’s president Pervez Musharraf is now in China on a five-day state visit.

- Health officers in Hong Kong and Singapore warned this week the solution of contact lens may not be safe anymore.

- A mother from the UK lost her High Court battle last month for a parent’s right to be informed about girls under 16 seeking advice on abortion.

News

1. One of China’s top government departments published on Sunday a list of eight schools, which charged students a total of 22.7 million Yuan in the extra tuition fees last year.

This is the first time step in a campaign by China’s State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) to crack down on this banned practice.

According to the commission, in the first seven months of 2005, 23.8 percent of all the pricing complaints it received were about schools’ arbitrary fee collection.

One typical case involved a student majoring in art and design at China Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts. The school’s standard fees were 9,000 Yuan last year, but the student paid 15,000 Yuan.

According to the Ministry of Education, universities can only charge tuition and accommodation fees.

Illegal extras:

Charging other fees, such as for transferring majors, using accommodations during vacations, admission registration and compulsory laundry fees, is all illegal.

One of the reasons that schools charge extra fees, according to some experts, is that some schools are underfounded.

Compared with many developed countries and even some developing countries, China’s expenditure on education is low. The world’s educational spending as a percentage of GDP is above 5 percent on average. China spends about 3.5 per cent in 2003.

The blacklist has triggered much online discussion. The BBS board has become a place for unhappy students to expose schools’ unreasonable fees.

The commission is encouraging people to report illegal fees through hotline “12358”.

2. The Chinese government issued strict guidelines for the nation’s entertainment venues last week. One of the rules says that businesses like disco and karaoke clubs will be closed between 2:00 am and 8:00 am. This news has spurred different opinions. Officials say that it’s a great harm to health if people stay up all night and will affect their working spirit. But many respondents say since many consumers are adults, it should be their own choice whether to stay late or not. And they also doubt whether many entertainment venues will follow the rules.

3. Pakistan’s president Pervez Musharraf is now in China on a five-day state visit.

During the visit, Musharraf is expected to strengthen the country’s close relationship with China.

The president voiced his regret on Monday over the murder of three Chinese engineers in his country. He said Pakistan was committed to strong relations with China. The two countries went on to sign several co-operative pacts.

The incident was not the first tough spot Musharraf has handled.

He has survived numerous assassination attempts. It is reported that he carries a gun all the time.

The key to understanding Musharraf is his background as a military man. He still bids farewell to civilians, and even foreign journalists, with a crisp salute.

He joined the military at the age of 18. He took over the government through a bloodless military coup in 1999. He was elected as president in a referendum in 2002. He didn’t take off the uniform until the end of 2004.

Although he announced he would leave the military staying president of the country only, he still holds considerable influence over the army.

On the other hand, Musharraf is a natural sportsman, who loves to spend most of his leisure time playing squash, badminton or golf.

4. Health officers in Hong Kong and Singapore warned this week the solution of contact lens may not be safe anymore.

 Think twice before using Bausch and Lomb’s ReNu multi-purpose contact lens solution.

Health officers in Hong Kong and Singapore warned this week the solution may be unsafe.

Over the past two months, the number of fungal eye infections related to contact lens use has jumped in both areas.

In Singapore alone, seven cases were reported last month and three more in the past week. Most of those affected sued the ReNu product.

Current batches of ReNu in Singapore are being tested, and so far have passed. Hong Kong is carrying out similar tests.

Bausch and Lomb’s Bain Levy said ReNu was subject to stringent cheeks in the US, and that the solution worked better against the particular fungus than other brands.

Bausch and Lomb China said that ReNu sold in Hong Kong and Singapore is imported from the US.

However, 98 per cent of the ReNu sold on the mainland is made in China. The company has not planned to suspend sales of the product here.

Medial experts suggest the eye infection could also be caused by poor hygiene on the part of contact lens users. Some also say the tropical climate might also be the cause of the infection.

5. A mother from the UK lost her High Court battle last month for a parent’s right to be informed about girls under 16 seeking advice on abortion.

The case has raised the issue of what parents are entitled to be told about their daughter’s sex lives.

The judge said that informing parents without their children’s consent “may lead (a girl) to make a decision that she later regrets or seek the assistance of an unofficial abortionist”.

But a Times newspaper survey of readers’ opinions last month found little agreement on the best approach.

Ian Allen from the UK said British society was “deeply confused about our attitude to the sexual behaviors of teenagers under 16”.

“Parents don’t have to be consulted by doctors when they give advice on contraception or abortion to girls aged 14 or 15. Is there any lower age limit where parents will be consulted?” he asked.

Briton Katie Majersk argued differently: “if to have an abortion under 16 requires parental consent, then that implies that consent could be denied. This would force a child to be pregnant, give birth and become a mother.

An anonymous teenage girl reader said: “I personally would inform my parents if I became pregnant and was considering an abortion. I hope I am in the majority there...”

However, “the decision to tell parents should remain the girl’s choice,” she continued. “If a girl does not want to tell her parents there may be a good reason for this.”

“It is a sad fact, especially in American culture that a girl under 16 having any kind of sexual experience is frowned upon. It is this prevalent social attitude that has driven every back-alley abortion ever performed.

“This attitude has never gone away. Until this attitude is completely eradicated, the need to obtain sexually related advice [from parents] will remain necessary.”

Culture

Evaluation on Overseas study

New friends. Fresh lifestyle. Better career opportunities… Those are the attractions of overseas study for young people. Like Zhangxiao.

Zhangxiao is only a sophomore student from Beijing Normal University, but he’s already considering studying abroad. “Start early, finish strong.” He says.

He said that last weekend’s international education exposition was a starting point.  More than 300 universities from 27 countries and regions were represented at the expo. Zhang explored and shared what he learned with us.

1.The US

The US has always been on the top destination list for Chinese students, with its high education standards and abundant scholarships.

Good news: It’s easier to get a US student visa nowadays. Last year, the refusal rate was only 20 to 30 per cent, much lower than a couple of years before, according to US embassy.

Concerns: They’re a lot to prepare. The TOEFL, GRE…its longer time to apply to US universities than schools in the UK or Australia.

2.The UK

Easier access to visas and international environment are the UK’s great attractions for Chinese students.

Good news: There are many new scholarships this year, both from the government and universities, such as the Scotland International Scholarship.

Concerns: Money. Money. Money. It’s expensive to study in the UK, with an average cost of 200,000 to 300,000 Yuan a year.

3. Canada

Canada’s multicultural environment is good for students’ study and careers.

Good news: Students are allowed to take off-campus part-time jobs during their studies from last year work permits after graduation.

Concerns: Only a limited number of scholarships are available. They rarely cover the full cost of a study program.

4. Australia

Good climate, high quality education, favorable immigration policy: these make Australia one of the most popular choices among Chinese students.

Good news: A new E-visa policy ensures a quicker application process (4weeks compared with 12 weeks before).
Concerns: Tuition fees have risen in past year. The total cost is about 200,000 Yuan to attend a university located in big cities like Sydney or Melbourne.

5. Singapore

You’ll feel at home if you study in Singapore. The bilingual (Chinese and English) environment will ease you from culture shock.

Good news: Government grant program helps to pay your tuition fees and allows you to work for a Singapean company after graduation. And a newly-established help centre for international students provides more aids.

Concerns: Singapore is too close to home. Maybe I’d prefer a more different life.

6. Italy

Italy is getting a lot of attention this year in China, with the China-Italy year. Its art, culture and fashion appeal too many.

Good news: China and Italy will recognize each other’s educational certificates soon. Its government-funded universities are tuition-free to international students.

Concerns: The language is a problem. Most classes are taught in Italy.

Entertainment

English brands and their Songs:

(Back street boy and West life)

Nearly 5 years after their last studio album, the Backstreet Boys mark a resolute return with their 5th disc June 14 on Jive Records. The 12-song "Never Gone" reflects the adult ideals of a quintet that broke music and concert sales records the world over, moving more than 73 million albums (30 million in America) since their introduction in 1997.

Certainly, pop culture remains on a first-name basis with the five singers that comprise BSB: Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson. When they scored in the U.S. with the debut platinum single "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)"-followed by such radio staples as "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," "All I Have To Give" and the No. 1 (in 18 nations) "I Want It That Way"- the Backstreet Boys grew to personify an unprecedented and celebrated youth-driven era in popular music.

As teen idols, they sold more than 13 million copies each of their first two U.S. albums, "Backstreet Boys" (1997) and the No. 1 (in 25 nations) "Millennium" (1999). "Black and Blue" followed (2000), moving 8 million copies, and then "Hits: Chapter One" (2001), another platinum triumph. Along the way, the group logged12 top 40 hits, 8 of those reaching the top 10.

Today, nearly a decade since their initial success-and following a healthy 3-year breather-each group member admits that they needed time to catch up, grow up and gain some perspective on the whirlwind of fame.

"We had been touring pretty much non-stop for 7 or 8 years and we were almost living in a bubble; we had lost perspective on a lot of things," Kevin says. "You need to take care of yourself and rest and be able to reflect. This time off gave us a chance to recharge our batteries and step away and see what has happened in our lives, what we have accomplished and to be thankful for the opportunities that we have had and thankful for each other."

Brian became the first Backstreet Father during the break, Kevin took on Broadway and London抯 West End with a starring role in "Chicago," Nick put out a solo project and Howie continued his efforts with the Dorough Lupus Foundation after the loss of his oldest sister Caroline in 1998. AJ McLean worked through personal demons with a well-publicized stint in rehab.

"I've been sober for 2 ?years," AJ says. "I appreciate my family more, these guys more and myself more. Life is great. It's worth living again."

"Never Gone," which BSB spent more than a year recording, accomplishes the formidable task of moving beyond pop idol notoriety to reflect what is happening in the group's lives and in the world. The project features intensely personal, upfront vocals, coupled with production that spares drum loops and synthesizers for a mature, live, more rootsy vibe. Don't worry-the pandemic hooks and velvet harmonies are still there, behind lyrics that tell universal stories of hope, loss, redemption and love.

First single "Incomplete," released in April, proves Backstreet Boys' enduring relevance; in its first week out, the ballad was most-added at radio. By the end of May, the song was climbing the top 10 on Billboard's mainstream top 40 chart as well as the top 5 of Top Digital Downloads. The accompanying video clip reached No. 1 on AOL and garnered rotation on MTV, VH1 and MuchMusic.

Title track, "Never Gone," is among the most moving songs on the album. Written by BSB's Kevin Richardson with Gary Baker and Steve Diamond, the harmony-drenched ballad pays tribute to the death of Kevin's father. It is produced by Mark Taylor.

"That song has really been important to each one of us," AJ says. "In addition to the loss of Kevin抯 father, I lost both of my grandparents, Nick his grandmother and Howie his sister. We've all experienced great losses, so this song really touches us personally."

Additional name-brand collaborators that assisted in launching the Backstreet Boys' Chapter 2 include Billy Mann on "Poster Girl", and Switchfoot's John Fields on "Lose It All". Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik contributes "Weird World," a song that examines in life in post 9/11 society.

The guys also worked with John Shanks, the 2005 Grammy Award Producer of the Year ("Safest Place To Hide"); and the venerable Max Martin, who helped catapult to fame Ace of Base, Britney Spears-and BSB, with "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," "As Long As You Love Me" and "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)."

Martin collaborated on 4 of the 12 songs on "Never Gone," including "Climbing the Walls," a tour de force of conflicting emotion, coupled with a melody so immediately gratifying, you'll be singing along by the second chorus; and the melancholy love song "I Still," which features skyscraping vocals and a magical mesh of harmonies that should be a patented trademark for the Backstreet Boys. Martin also worked with BSB on "Just Want You To Know" and "Siberia."

Being in the studio together for the first time in years, it took the group some time to integrate their different musical influences. But according to AJ, "Once we got with Max, everything shifted and we started going more toward contemporary, alternative pop with a little R&B. We found exactly what we are supposed to be doing for this album. It's more organic, with more live instruments, and a nice departure for us. If we kept on doing what we used to do-with the way music sounds today-people wouldn't care anymore. We had to step ahead of ourselves."

Brian adds, "It was essential for us to grow. If we're not getting better and challenging ourselves, what are we here for?"

Certainly, the average life span of most acts in popular culture is far less than a decade, but the Backstreet Boys are proving that growing with your audience-while staying true to a track record of timeless melodies-cultivates the rare gift of endurance. Indeed, Backstreet's back... again.

"We're excited and we hope our fans are, too," Kevin says. "We're looking forward to a happy, prosperous 2005."