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Weekly news round-up: Osama bin Laden dead, strong Aussie dollar hurts parents’ pockets, and Sony PlayStation back in the game

Meld Magazine

Mon May 02 2011

osamabinladen

WONDERING what’s happening around the world this week? We thought we’d give you a hand and fill you in on items big and small, near and far. This week, Jowee Tee and Karen Poh discuss Osama bin Laden’s death and what it means, the strong Aussie dollar and its impact, and Sony Playstation getting back in the game.

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Osama Bin Laden, dead.

Have you heard? Osama bin Laden is dead.

The leader of al-Qaeda and mastermind behind September 11 was killed in Pakistan, where he was staying in a compound outside the capital, Islamabad.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLrd87bSixU[/youtube]

The Guardian has provided some comprehensive coverage of the issue, including US president Barack Obama’s late-night address to the nation, live news and reaction, and the timeline of events tracing the decade-long manhunt.

The dramatic news may have closed a chapter in the global turmoil sparked by the 2001 attacks on America, but the implications of bin Laden’s death and how it will or not affect American foreign policy and relations with Pakistan will only become apparent in the days to come.

As one commentator puts it: “The death of Osama Bin Laden deprives Islamic fundamentalist terrorism of a key symbol but its impact will be rather more obvious in the Western media than either in the threat posed by Islamic fundamentalists, or in the military ventures and systematic restrictions on civil liberties occasioned by the “war on terror” launched by 9/11”.

What are your views?

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Aussie dollar on the rise

HAS the rising Aussie dollar and the higher exchange rates hurt your pocket?


The Australian dollar has risen to a new high today, climbing above the US$1.10 mark as the US dollar continues to weaken.

It marks a historic new high for Australia since its currency was floated in December in 1983 (read BBC’s report on the dilemma it’s created for the Australian economy).

But not everyone is smiling.

In a Sydney Morning Herald report, currency traders are warning of the toll it is likely to take on education.

In Malaysia for example, the strengthening of the ringgit has been outpaced by the Aussie dollar’s appreciation, making tuition and living in Australia comparatively more expensive.

In some cases, parents have had to fork out an extra RM 20,000 more this year compared to 2009.

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Sony back in the game

Sony has announced it will shortly begin a phased restoration by region of PlayStation Network and Qriocity services this week, beginning with gaming, music and video services.

The company also announced both a series of immediate steps to enhance security across the network and a new customer appreciation program to thank its customers for their patience and loyalty.

The PlayStation Network and Qriocity streaming music service have been shut down since April 20, after Sony discovered hackers had stolen the names, addresses and other personal data of some 77 million PlayStation users worldwide.

The PlayStation Network, otherwise known as PSN, is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service owned by Sony Computer Entertainment. The network, together with Qriocity provides online video gaming services as well as allowing the streaming of films and music. To subscribe, it requires members to submit credit card and other personal details.

There have been concerns of deeper ramifications for people who use the same passwords for other online platforms such as email and online bank accounts.

Do you own a Playstation, and have you been affected?

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