GENERAL ARTICLES

Smoke Free Israel

The cabinet will upgrade the fight against smoking.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

The cabinet discussed a new plan, prepared by experts within and outside the Health Ministry, to reduce smoking by the public and minimize damage to health of smokers and nonsmokers.The recommendations include building a special unit to supervise the effort to reduce smoking, which has dropped to about 23 percent of the adult population in Israel. It is still behind other Western countries.If accepted, the plan will strengthen the protection of nonsmokers from exposure to tobacco. Many laws passed years and even decades ago are not implemented. There is a lot of work yet to be done to get in line with the regulations of the World Health Organization reform about smoking and tobacco that Israel is signed on.The report, along with its recommendations, has been ready for publication since February, but it was postponed at the last minute because “the Justice Ministry was not ready” with the legal work.Other recommendations include banning cigarette vending machines, having tobacco products show graphic images of the damage of smoking (such as yellow teeth and black-stained lungs), limiting duty-free sales of tobacco and limiting tobacco advertising more.The report also recommends limiting smoking by teachers in educational institutions and banning smoking at covered, outdoor bus stations and at train stations. It even recommends making tobacco importers and producers report everything they put in their products.The health minister will propose more ways to reduce the exposure of nonsmokers to tobacco smoke. The finance minister will also try to raise the tobacco tax to reduce the buying of tobacco.The environmental protection minister will prepare ways to fight the cigarette butts thrown in public spaces. Proposals for new laws in these areas must be discussed by the government within 90 days, with the bills must be prepared within a year.Many middle-aged adults have stopped smoking – making the number of past smokers larger than actual smokers, but tobacco use is still strong among teens and young adults in their 20s and 30s.The health damage caused by smoking can be lung cancer, sudden infant death syndrome, lung diseases and other problems.The report says that the economic aspects of smoking and its effects are huge and must be dealt with.

Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz has already said he is not against the Health Ministry’s proposals, except for the creating of a fund to reduce smoking. Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman, Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan and Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar support the report, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Shalom Simhon has said he is not against it.Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz supports the proposals but is against the section that would ban smoking at train stations and at covered, outdoor bus stations.Caption:NO MORE CIGARETTES!

Discussed דן דיסקסטExperts מומחים אקספרצ Reduce להפחית רידיוס Damage 'נזק דמגRecommendations המלצות רקומנדישנזInclude כוללות אינקלודSupervise לפקח סופרביזPopulation אוכלוסיה פופיולישןExposure חשיפה אקספווז'רDecades עשורים דקידזImplemented נאכפים אימפלמנטד Regulations צווים רגיולישנזPublication פרסום פבליקישןPostponed נדחה פווסטפוונדVending מכירה ונדינגProducts מוצרים פרודקצAdvertising פרסום אדברטיזינג Educational institutions מוסדות חינוך אדיוקישנל אינסטיטיושנזImporters יבואנים אימפורט רז Propose יציע פרופווזEnvironmental סביבה אנבירומנטל Bills הצעות חוק בילזSudden פתאומי ("מוות בעריסה") סדןInfant תינוקות אינפנט Diseases מחלות דיזיזזFund קרן פנדSupport תומכים ספורטTransportation תחבורה טרנספורטישן

Summer Break Shortened

The upcoming school year will start on Friday, August 26, nearly a week earlier than the usual starting date of September 1. The earlier starting date does not mean a longer school year though, because the vacation days taken from the summer will be added on to holiday vacations throughout the year.These include three days between Yom Kippur and Sukkot, meaning students will have a holiday from October 7 to 23. Also, the Hannukah holiday will also start a day early, on December 21, and the Passover holiday will begin a day early on March 28.The Education Ministry said that the school year will begin as usual on September 1 in the Arab, Druse, and Beduin school sectors, because of religious holidays at the end of August.The Education Ministry said that a proposal to change the structure of the school year was presented to Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar a year ago. He appointed a committee to look into the issue and present him with suggestions.The ministry said that the committee suggested re-structuring the semester to let studies up until the High Holy Days go without break. It will also let schools teach about the holidays before they come.News of the plan was received less happily by Meny Kazaz, a 42-year-old owner of a real estate business in Ra’anana and father of two daughters, Tal, 13, and Mor, 16. Kazaz said that he does not support the plan, and that it will create unnecessary problems for parents like him."I think the Education Ministry made a big mistake. Working people plan vacation times far ahead, and our children are in summer camp until August. We need those last two weeks for vacations we take as a family."Kazaz said that he would support shortening the summer vacation “if the goal of it was to add school days and teaching hours to the school year, but it’s not."He also said that the holidays where the extra days will be added are already very long, so it will be difficult for parents like him to take time off.

Throughout לכל אורך ת'רואאוטInclude כוללות אינקלודProposal הצעה פרופווזל Structure מבנה סטרקצ'ר Presented הוצגה פריזנטדAppointed מינה אפוינטדCommittee ועדה קומיטיSuggestions הצעות סג'סצ'נז Owner בעלים אוונרReal estate נדל"ן ריל אסטיטSupport תומך ספורטUnnecessary מיותרות אנססרי

Reading comprehension

Use the context to help you choose the correct meaning of each word in bold.

1. In a democracy, the people choose their government. In order to make intelligent choices, the people need to know what those who are running the government are doing. They must be able to get news that is not controlled by the government. Newspapers and other news organizations must be able to report all the news. Freedom of the press is a very important part of any democracy.PRESS means:a. To pushb. A strong forward movementc. To keep askingd. News reporting organizations

2. Freedom of speech is just as important as freedom of the press. That means that all citizens should have the right to inform others of what they know and express their opinions. That doesn’t mean being able to lock yourself in a closet and whisper. It means being able to get your thoughts out to as many people as possible. Beware of politicians who want to repress that right.REPRESS means:a. Control, or hold downb. Push againc. Fight to protectd. Say again

3. In a free society, people can practice their religious beliefs without fear. They may also elect to belong to no religion at all. Freedom of religion is safest in democratic nations.ELECT means:a. Voteb. Askc. Findd. Choose

4. In order for people to be able to exercise their rights, they must be able to work together. They must be able to form groups to give strength to their causes. That right is known as freedom of assembly.ASSEMBLY means:a. A concertb. Speakingc. Listeningd. Joining together

5. Where there is no democracy, the

type of control they could be jailed. JAILED means:a. Given a prizeb. Shot deadc. Put in prisond. Sent to the army

Answers:1.d, 2.a, 3.d, 4.d, 5.c

Organizations ארגונים אורגניזישנז Citizens אזרחים סיטיזנזInform ליידע אינפורםExpress להביע אקספרסOpinions דעות אופיניונז Whisper ללחוש וויספר Practice לקיים מנהגים פרקטיס Exercise לממש אקסרסיז Exist קיים אגזיסט Salary משכורת סלרי Transportation תחבורה טרנספורט ישן

BUSINESS ARTICLES

On business, Biotech and the Israeli Wild Card.By Gil Gilead

For over three decades scientists in the biotechnology field have been holding experiments related to enhancing man's ability to produce food which is better: Better in quality. Better in shelf time. Better even in taste.

Breeding, genetic engineering and economics: How does it tie together?

Without going too much into the specifics, the more traditional method to get a better characteristic involves hybridization of species over and over again until a species with the required characteristic is achieved. In this sense it's not really an "engineering process" and is more known simply as breeding.

For example, this process is used in Israel to make superior seeds for tomatoes for export. The seeds are then sold, shipped and planted in countries like Romania. The tomatoes that come out enjoy a longer shelf time. However, the tomatoes seeds which grow in the tomatoes which have been bred are not of the same quality as those originally sold. Thus the client will always be buying the seeds from the source.

In the United States monopolies have been created by farmers who use genetically engineered soy beans, causing other farmers to either buy their superior product at high cost or be pushed out of the market. A similar process may be starting now with tomatoes in Europe.

So what is genetic engineering after all?

Actual genetic engineering involves inserting specific genes in a laboratory to achieve the required trait. The process changes the DNA of the plant and there are several methods to do so, one of which includes using a gene gun which injects cells with genetic information. After the insertion of the new cells these cells are re-collected and selected for integration of new DNA using biochemical techniques. Israel is only

starting research in this field and has no local food on the shelves with this type of process; but certain foods made in Europe and the United States such as soy are genetically engineered and are on the shelves in Israel.

There are over 20 other types of plants which have been engineered for commercial growth and are in various stages of authorization for use as food.

Is it dangerous?

Is genetic Engineering dangerous? It might be, under the wrong hands, and that is why there are committees which regulate the process and what goes out to the market at the end of the day. For instance, in Europe when you go to the super-market and buy food which has been genetically engineered, you will know it by a special label on it. According to this method, any products with genetically modified (GM) content of more than 0.9 percent must be labeled. This method has yet to be instated in the United States. Products that have been derived from GMs but where the GM content might no longer be detectable (such as soy oil produced from genetically modified soy) require labeling as well. This labeling method assists people who buy these products and are worried that the product may not be kosher according to the standards they are familiar with, so next time you buy these products make sure to look at the label.

In addition there are conflicting opinions when looking at the integration of genetically developed plants in general. Some argue that developing species with specific genes and decreasing diversity is dangerous. Lack of diversity increases the dependency of farmers on insecticides and may lead to a condition where entire crops may be needed to be destroyed, increasing the danger of unsafe environmental changes and even world hunger. Others argue that in order to feed the third world eventually we will have to resort to using genetically engineered products so that world hunger can be avoided.

Can I have two 20 killowats please, and be quick about it, Mr Robot .

Here are some bold statements:Electric energy technology is the best solution for countries wanting to rid themselves of the dependence on oil coming from unstable countries.Electric energy is cleaner than energy produced by oil.

You be the judge

Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of alternative energy

Green technology sounds great on paper. Countries in the western world can use resources which won't cause more pollution such as electricity and solar energy and can steer their way towards a more self sufficient economy .

What alternative energy solutions are offered right in our backyard ?

Along side with the hybrid cars which are already in use, one of the most interesting prospects is developing car technology that will replace cars using fuel with cars using only electrical power. Of the companies in the forefront of the race for an electric car (EV), Better Place stands out as a prominent company which offers a solution of battery switching stations spread across the country. Customers who see their battery is low can enter these stations and simply swap the battery for another one and continue their ride. The company even offers GPS devices for the car in order for the driver to locate the closest station for swapping. Given the limited range of a fully charged vehicle (around 160 kms) that, the solution offered by better place solution seems like a better alternative to charging the battery which at this point could take hours

So what are the prospects of this initiative in Israel?

Swap you Or charge you sir ? Currently Better place has already completed 9 out of its 40 planned stations and they can be found in Hadera, Modi'in, Mahanaim, Mitzpeh Ramon, Be'er Sheva, Yavne, Beit Shean and Bilu Junction. One battery can be switched at a time in each station and the swap, which is done by an automatic mechanism, takes 5 minutes. One can only hope Better Place will increase the number of battery swapping facilities in each station once they start to have more than one or two customers. Better Place CEO Moshe Kaplinsky promises full deployment by the end of the year. There are already 200 charging stations and 400 more are expected.

How does a driver know when to switch or charge ?

An In-car software platform provides the interface between the customer, the battery, the car and Better Place. The combination of GPS, navigation, and energy management eliminates range anxiety by letting the driver know how much energy they have at any given time and the location of the closest Battery Switch Station or Charge Spot.

So who else is a player in the field ?

You won't find Bekham or Ronaldo playing this game but there are some very promising American companies in various stages of production of an electric vehicle (EV). One interesting car out there is the Tesla produced in the Silicon Valley. This is a good prospect for customers, assuring more competition over a better product but it's highly unclear how it will affect the local market for electric vehicles here in Israel .

And one last thought. Is the EV cleaner for the environment? Well, that depends. On the one hand the EV car runs on a battery and there is no internal combustion so there's release of carbon dioxide, on the other hand the process necessary to produce the electricity largely depends on what is available in the country, and in Israel electricity production is a major polluter.So what's the verdict?

Hard to tell at this point, but you can expect some interesting developments during this year .

Hot Earth Highest greenhouse gas levels in history push global warming to 'dangerous' levels.

By JOHN MCDONNELL

Global warming is fast heading towards 'dangerous' levels owing to the emission of a record amount of greenhouse gases last year, according to new reports.Estimates from the International Energy Agency show that 30.6 gigatons of carbon dioxide went into the atmosphere last year - a worrying rise of 1.6Gt on 2009.The IEA has warned that yearly emissions should be no higher than 32Gt by 2020 if the world is to avoid the most damaging effects of global warming.At the current rate of carbon dioxide production, the level of 'dangerous climate change' - a global temperature rise of 2˚C - looks almost impossible to avoid.'It is becoming very challenging to stay below 2 degrees. The outlook is getting less optimistic,' said Fatih Birol, chief economist of the IEA.It had been hoped that the global recession would have a better effect on emissions - but the effect so far is very small.If we continue the way we're going, there is a 50 percent chance that the global average temperature will rise by more than 4C by 2100, according to Professor Lord Stern of the London School of Economics. He is the author of the Stern Report into the economics of climate change in 2006.'Such warming would disrupt the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people across the planet, leading to mass migration and conflict,' Stern told the Guardian.Meanwhile, the thawing of billions of tons of frozen plant matter in the Arctic could end in making the climate change quicker. Locked away organic carbon goes into the atmosphere, according to scientists.The ice in the north is melting so quickly that a critical point - when the place will no longer be a ‘sponge’ for carbon dioxide - could happen within 20 years.By 2200, around two-thirds of the world's permafrost will have melted. This will send close to 200 billion tons of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. This is a process which cannot be undone.'Once the frozen carbon thaws out, there is no way to put it back into the permafrost,' Kevin Schaefer of the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Centre in Boulder, Colorado told The Independent.

The nuclear crisis at the Fukushima plant in Japan is also adding to global warming. Countries turn their back on the 'cleaner' power source, according to Dr Birol.'People may not like nuclear, but it is one of the major technologies for producing electricity without carbon dioxide,' he said. As well as Japan, Germany has stopped its nuclear power program, and a number of other European countries are considering whether or not to follow it.

D ictionary:

Emission פליטה אמישןRecord שיא רקורדAccording על פי אקורדינגEstimates הערכות אסטימיצAgency סוכנות איג'נסיCarbon dioxide פחמן דו חמצני קרבון דיאוקסידWarned הזהירה וורנדAvoid להימנע אבוידCurrent נוכחי קרנטProduction ייצור פרוטקשן Challenging מאתגר צ'לנג'ינגEconomist כלכלן איקונומיסטRecession מיתון ריסשןAverage 'ממוצעת אברגDisrupt תשבש דיסרפטMass migration הגירה המונית מס מיגרישןThawing הפשרה ת'ואינגPermafrost קרחוני עד פרמפרוסטProcess תהליך פרווסס Nuclear גרעיני נוקליאר Considering שוקלות קונסידרינג

Head: All content on this page is satirical and written by the Jerusalem Post Lite Staff

Head: - של הטור השמאליMy grill of the week

Anat ShalevThe Destructive power of commercials

Advertising companies create cultural images to sell products. They connect different products with needs, thoughts and feelings a person might have, so it will push him into buying something. For example, eating cottage cheese will make you feel at home. The advertising world's image of a woman in the year 2011 is pretty depressing: she's only a caretaker, taking care of everybody else's needs, cooking and cleaning. She can’t even handle a task such as putting the car in the garage for repair without spending too much money (she'd rather go shopping). At most, if she really wants to treat herself', she'll buy some shampoo, so she can look nice for her man. This is a demeaning and untrue portrait of a modern woman that causes a lot of damage. The advertising world has such power over us, we're not even aware of. Someone should take some responsibility and stop sending such messages to young girls.

Nimrod GanzarskiSalesmen (and women)

When I go to buy something in a shop, I expect the salesperson to help me choose the right product. But what really happens is that the salesperson directs me towards the product that if sold, will give them a larger commission. He then tries to convince me why this product is better than the rest. When talking about clothes or shoes, I really can't do anything to fight it. But in the technology world I know my way around. The salesperson thinks I'm just another gullible customer. The lies I hear from them and the exaggerations coming out of their mouths can really make me mad. The payment method based on commissions must end. It has a large potential for making salespeople lie to customers who do not know any better.

Laura Rosbrow"I don't trust politicians"

You hear this all the time. They're all corrupt. A bunch of crooks. All they want is power, and more than anything, they're egotistic. What would have made them become politicians if not that?So who expects politicians to bring peace? Peace requires sacrifice; A lot of sacrifice. Only rare leaders have that quality. And for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, you need not just one of those leaders, but two at the same time. This is becoming more and more frustrating. I suggest that we elect two social workers to manage the peace talks. Peace needs people who are generous. Social workers know how to listen, compromise, and best of all, they have little ego. I call for a new election: for social workers! But maybe we should get them a raise first…

****

טור ימני

Weekly Horoscope

Aries – טלהIf you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.

Taurus – שורThis week your boss will be wearing a new red shirt. Don't look at it, you might get angry.

Gemini – תאומיםThe stars believe you have an imaginary friend. Go see a doctor, we think your "friend" is sick.

Cancer – סרטןThis week will be the highlight of your career. Next week, you will begin your descent into a life of unemployment.

Leo – אריהThe stars think you look sad. Smile. Even when everything is black. Smile.

Virgo – בתולהThis week you will receive a package from Europe with a lot of vegetables. Try them out, people say they're tasty.

Libra – מאזנייםThe stars say that this week will be a happy one. The only one.

Scorpio – עקרבIf you believe you could fly – let us see, so we could believe also.

Sagittarius – קשתThe stars say that you are an imaginary friend of someone else. Get a life.

Capricorn – גדיThis week you will fail in everything you do. It's no different than any other week.

Aquarius – דלי"Who do you think you are? Do you think you a-are?!?" (Spice girls, 1997)

Pisces – דגיםDo you like chips? Because they like you.

Destructive הרסני קטיבדיסטרCommercials פרסומות לזרשמקוAdvertising פרסום יזינגרטדבאProducts מוצרים קצדרופDepressing מדכא סינגרדיפHandle להתמודד לנדהDemeaning משפיל דימינינגDamage נזק ג'מדAware מודעים ראואResponsibility אחריות יליטינסיבוריספCommission עמלה ןמישקוConvince לשכנע נבינסקוGullible פתי לליבגCustomer לקוח רמסטוקExaggerations הגזמות ןיש'רגגזאCorrupt מושחתים טפרקוCrooks נוכלים קסקרוRequires דורש רזיאריקוSacrifice הקרבה יסקריפסQuality תכונה ליטיאקוFrustrating מתסכל יטינגסטרפרSuggest מציעה 'סטגס

Generous נדיבים סרו'נגCompromise להתפשר יזמרומפקוClap מחא פקלImaginary דמיוני ג'ינריאימ Descent ירידה נטדיסUnemployment אבטלה נטימלומפנא

Articles

Attached are some articles from previous edition of the Jerusalem Post Lite newspaper.

When taking part in a conversation with one of our trainers it is important that the conversation is based on a specific subject. If you have something that you wish to talk about then it is important to ask yourself, is it going to improve my English, or will it only help me practice what I already know. Try to pick a subject that you feel you would like to improve your vocabulary regarding that particular subject.

If you do not have a subject to talk about, then choose one of the following articles, read it carefully, make sure you are familiar with all the new words; if not then write sentences for each to help you feel more familiar. This way when you come to talk to the coacher you will feel more confident and feel more at ease to discuss the chosen subject. This method gives you, the student, a complete study circle; this is how we acquire a language.