THOUSANDS RALLY FOR US IMMIGRATION REFORM

Image by jmtimages via Flickr

Image by jmtimages via Flickr

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WASHINGTON - Tens of thousands of people marched outside the White House on Sunday to press Congress to move on a long-delayed immigration reform, which United States President Barack Obama told the protesters "won't happen overnight".

Organisers hope the 100,000-strong "March for America" will put immigration reform, which failed in Congress in 2006 and 2007, back on the agenda after a year dominated by healthcare reform, the economy and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some lawmakers oppose any attempt to help an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants become US citizens while others insist on stronger border controls first.

Mr Obama, who promised to make overhauling the immigration system a top priority in his first year as president, sought to reassure those at the rally with a video message presented on giant screens at the National Mall.

"I've always pledged to be your partner as we work to fix our broken immigration system and that is a commitment that I reaffirm today," Mr Obama said to the cheers of thousands of demonstrators.

But he warned that a long haul was in store for the reform legislation.

"It won't happen overnight," he said.

Lawmakers failed to agree in 2006 and 2007 when they last tried to overhaul the immigration system.
Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham released an outline of a Bill last week that calls for illegal immigrants who want to get on the path to legal status to admit they broke the law by entering the US, pay fines and back taxes, and perform community service.

They also would be required to pass background checks and be proficient in English before working toward legal residency, required before becoming a citizen. AGENCIES

From TODAYOnline.com, Tuesday, 23-Mar-2010----------

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A cool getaway

A late posting, but would be something to catch up on, or to put in your next itinerary…

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TWO DAYS AWAY

Cameron Highlands

GIVEN the hordes of tourists trooping up the winding roads to Malaysia's most well-known hill station, you would expect Cameron Highlands to be positively mobbed. Surprisingly, the first thing that hits you when you arrive is the pervading calm.

Overdeveloped? Yes, to some extent. But, rolling greens still dominate the landscape, and the lodgings here are pretty scattered, out of town and secluded. Choose the right place to put up and tranquillity's a given. This, and the cool climate, makes the hill retreat a good weekend getaway from the sweltering heat and bustle of cities.

However, just in case you do tire of holing yourself up in comfortable lodgings and enjoying the air, here are five other things to do. Tan Chui Hua

1 Sunrise from the peak

Take a drive up to Gunung Brinchang (2,032m) for sunrise. On a good day, you get a breathtaking view of the Titiwangsa range, with swirling thick, white mists, dubbed the "White Witch" by locals.

The snag? You have to drag yourself out of those warm covers and reach the peak before 7am. Bring a windcheater.

Cameron Highlands Resort

2 Tea and scones

Cameron Highlands is famous for its tea plantations. Set aside one afternoon to savour freshly brewed tea - try local brands such as Boh, Blue Valley and Bharat.

For best views of the highlands, drive up to the Boh tea plantation at Sungai Palas. Its tea house with glass walls may look out of place, but you get a pretty backdrop as you go "ummph" with every cup of lime and ginger tea, lychee rose blend or just plain Sungai Palas afternoon tea.

The most atmospheric spot goes to the Smokehouse Hotel, a Tudor-style lodge built in 1939. Colonial charm oozes, or rather, what we usually imagine colonial charm to be. In any case, it lives up to its reputation and its gardens are very picturesquely English, interspersed with some tropical blooms.

Have a cup of tea with Devonshire cream, along with scones and jam. Bring a book along to while away time in very pleasant surroundings.

3 Strawberry moments

There are a number of small strawberry farms, more for local produce than anything else.

The fruits here are tangy rather than sweet, but you get to pick the berries yourself. You can also stop by bee farms and nurseries.

Sample strawberry-inspired snacks from strudels to chocolates at Strawberry Moment, a theme cafe in Brinchang town.

Strawberry moments

4 A walk in the clouds

Moss drape from one tree to another, while heavy mists render the scenery surreal. Gunung Brinchang's fantastical cloud forest, referred to locally as "Mossy Forest", is one of the few cloud forests in Malaysia. Such forests are often swathed in clouds and characterised by dwarfed trees, orchids, mosses, liverworts and ferns.

Go on a guided trek up through the forest to Gunung Irau (2,110m), the highest peak here. The less adventurous can explore the fringe on a newly-built forest boardwalk.

5 Knead those knots away

Go for a foot reflexology and massage treatment after your trek. There are a number of parlours in Tanah Rata town with decent menus.

Or, splurge on an appointment at The Spa Village. Located at the Cameron Highlands Resort, it offers exotic treatments such as mint and thyme body scrub and strawberry aroma massage. You can also soak in a tea bath and listen to music on headphones.

Getting there

Take an eight-hour overnight bus from Golden Mile Complex to the hill station.

5 things to bring

• Light cold wear for night time.
  
• Books for whiling away afternoons.
  
• Sunblock - it's cool, but the sun's still shining strong!
  
• Lip balm, moisturiser and hand cream to keep the skin from drying out.
  
• Good walking shoes for long strolls in the mountains.
  

Stay

There's a glut of choices. Guiding criteria include pretty gardens, location and views. For rock-bottom-basic backpacker lodges, check out Tanah Rata town. Upscale stays are centred in Brinchang town. En route to Brinchang, there are picturesque home and farm stays. Families and big groups can consider renting a villa or apartment.

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From TODAY, Living – Weekend, 29/30-Aug-2009

Snapshot Sorrento

If you're shopping for a million-dollar Bulgari necklace, Rome is the place.

But my favourite souvenir spot in southern Italy is Sorrento, especially during the uncrowded spring or fall.

Sorrento, 48km south of Naples on the Amalfi Coast, is perched precariously on a cliff, the azure Mediterranean sloshing below.

Its cobblestone-paved, walkable shopping district — small enough to enjoy in a couple of hours — is just off the main square, Piazza Tasso.

Stroll down the narrow shopping streets with names like Via San Cesareo and Via de Maio. See signature marquetry work — intricate wood-inlay jewellery boxes, music boxes and furniture. There's a shop that makes cameos and another creates jewellery out of red coral. You can buy local embroidery and lace.

At a shop or the city-owned lemon grove, buy the local liqueur called limoncello, a bitters the colour of a smoky sun made of lemon peels.

My favourite purchases were purses I bought for my four daughters in a little shop that had only the English word "Gloves" out front. They were made of smooth Italian leather, quite inexpensive, US$20 ($30) — one tan, one red, one black, one white — and the shopkeeper carefully wrapped each in a fabric drawstring bag.

I lugged them from Italy all the way home in a big shopping bag, stuffing them into the overhead compartment on the plane. Four years later, those purses still get compliments.

For additional information, see the Sorrento Tourism Office website at www.sorrentotourism.com. Ellen Creager, MCT

From TODAY, Traveller – Thursday, 14-May-2009

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