Reticulated python curled up in netizen’s chicken coop after breaking through fence

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July 7, 2022

Watch the video of the python here.

Screenshot 2022-07-06 at 10.35.50 PM — Photo: FB / Singapore Wildlife Sightings

A reticulated python was caught on camera after it broke through a small opening in the fence of a netizen.

In a post to Facebook group Singapore Wildlife Sightings, a netizen who went by the name of Aaron Tyw shared that the python had broken through a small opening in the fence and had found its way to his chicken coop.

In the video, the python could be seen lying on the coop, curled up with its body full. As the camera panned in the 21-second clip, the python could be seen snoozing, followed by the carcass of a chicken on the ground below.

Reticulated pythons are among the most commonly sighted snakes in Singapore. They are found in almost all habitats from forests to mangroves and also in urban areas.

According to wildsingapore.com, these snakes grow to about 10m long, but those we might see are usually much shorter and rarely exceed 5m. Among the longest snakes in the world, this powerfully muscled snake is non-venomous and kills by constricting its victims in its coils. Large adult ones can be dangerous to humans. Even though it is non-venomous, it can give a nasty lacerating bite with its powerful jaws filled with sharp long fangs. Don’t disturb a python. It has a pretty net-like pattern (‘reticulatus’ means ‘net-like’) and scales that are iridescent in the sunlight.

The reticulated python hunts small warm-blooded animals and is said to eat nearly anything it can catch, from mice, and rats to deer and pigs. A good climber, even tree dwellers are not safe from it. It is also an excellent swimmer. It is considered a pest on poultry farms. And it is mainly nocturnal.

Others who commented on the post urged Mr Aaron to contact the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES).

In the comments, Mr Aaron updated that the python had indeed been caught and sent to ACRES. When weighed, it came up to about 8kg, and under 3m long, he said.

Man shouts vulgarities and punches security guard because he was told to put on mask

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July 7, 2022

291635153_3255384944737124_2166575552948661415_n — Photo: FB/ Security Association Singapore

A video of a man shouting at and hitting a security guard went viral on Tuesday (Jul 5).

In an incident that took place at Tampines Retail Park on Monday (Jul 4) night, the security guard on duty told a man not wearing a mask to put one on or purchase one from the pharmacy at the entrance of the building.

In a media statement, the Security Association Singapore said that security officer Sures Perimal was on duty at the main entrance of Giant Hypermart at the Tampines Retail Park at around 10.20 pm on Monday. His duties included ensuring that people entering the building wore their masks as per the relevant safe management measures, it added.

Mr Sures saw the man approaching the building without a mask and advised him accordingly.

However, the man was “unhappy” that the security officer had called him out for not wearing a mask, and shouted some vulgarities at Mr Sures before entering the building, said the Security Association Singapore (SAS).

“After a short while, the said person suddenly rushed out of the building and without warning, pushed SO Sures, while shouting vulgarities at him. He then started shoving and punching SO Sures,” said the association.

“A member of the Giant Hypermart staff and members of the public intervened to stop his assault on SO Sures. SO Sures suffered from bruises and contusions arising from the attack”, the association said.

In addition, SAS President Raj Joshua Thomas said: “This is yet another sickening incident of abuse against a security officer who was merely carrying out his duties. New penalties for abuse against security officers came into effect this year. The police attended to the matter at the scene, and we will leave it to the authorities to investigate and take the appropriate action.

While shocking, I am also heartened that a Giant staff member and members of the public stepped in to defend the officer. SAS thanks them for their civic-mindedness and responsibility.

In response to media queries, the police said they have apprehended a 57-year-old man under the Mental Health Act. Police investigations are ongoing. /TISG

‘Serial high-rise litterbug’ — Poop bags allegedly thrown to the ground in Fernvale

By

Anna Maria Romero

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July 7, 2022

Screen Shot 2022-07-06 at 11.52.53 AM — Photo: TikTok screengrab/TracedTogether

A ‘serial high-rise litterbug’ has become TikTok famous, but perhaps not famous enough for action to be taken yet.

Therefore, residents at Block 471C Fernvale Street are banding together to file a case through the National Environment Agency’s OneService app when the pooper strikes again.

On the TikTok account of TracedTogether, there’s a montage posted on July 5 of plastic bags on the ground, allegedly containing feces, from different dates from May 5 to July 1.

@tracedtogether

💩 POOP POOP POOP, not pop pop pop. #tiktoksg #fyp #sengkang

♬ POP! – NAYEON

It also contains a screenshot of complaints files via the OneService app.

Nothing about the complaint was reportedly done, save for sending cleaners to remove the poop, according to @TracedTogether.

The video has been viewed over 93,500 times.

On July 6, a follow-up video was posted.

@tracedtogether

Reply to @tracedtogether This morning, the litterbug threw down two bags – containing ur1ne and faece5. Based on last video, yall might have thot that it was a sporadic behaviour but nope! It’s a thrice-a-day act. Really hope @nea_sg could take action. Thank you! 🙏🏽 #tiktoksg #fyp #fypsg #sengkang

♬ The Poop Song – The Toilet Bowl Cleaners

It was captioned, “This morning, the litterbug threw down two bags – containing ur1ne and faece5. Based on last video, yall might have thot that it was a sporadic behaviour but nope! It’s a thrice-a-day act. Really hope @nea_sg could take action. Thank you!”

A contributor to the crowdsourced news site Stomp named Adriel said that this happens daily and has been going on for months.

Adriel told Stomp that reports have been lodged with the Ang Mo Kio Town Council, the NEA, and the police.

But it appears that “more” is needed in order for the case to be lodged.

“NEA replied last month. They stated that only two members of the public reported the case through OneService app.

They need more in order to lodge the case.

So when the next case happens, the residents will gather together and log another case through the OneService app.

I have spoken to the town council and they too brought this matter up to NEA.

NEA replied the same thing to the town council. Lack of complaints through OneService app,” STOMP quotes Adriel as saying.

He added that he brought the story to STOMP in the hopes that “through the media, we can put a stop to this inconsiderate action.”

STOMP reached out to the Ang Mo Kio Town Council, which confirmed incidents reported of high-rise littering on May 20 and June 26.

“We had referred both incidents to NEA for their assistance. At the same time, we have been liaising closely with NEA and had put up notices to remind residents of the risks that high-rise littering posed to public health and safety,” the Town Council added. /TISG

Someone is leaving poop parcels around Bukit Merah HDB block

Netizen warns: ‘Don’t ever stay with parents-in-law because they’re very stubborn, unreceptive of change or suggestions’

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July 7, 2022

Screen Shot 2021-10-29 at 8.29.03 AM — Photo: Pixabay (for illustration purposes only).

A netizen who had a bad experience after staying with their in-laws took to social media to warn others not to do the same.

In a post to popular confessions page SGWhispers, the netizen wrote: “Don’t ever stay with parents in law. Their way of thinking is too different from ours and they’re very stubborn, unreceptive of change or suggestions”.

They added that when they left their child with their in-laws, they gave the baby food that adults eat, that was loaded with sugars and salt “without my knowledge”.

The netizen continued, “When we came back, they even “bragged”about it. And in subsequent meals, they keep saying that it is ok, they have fed before & nothing went wrong”.

“Beware guys”, the netizen warned, “Don’t stay with parents in law. No Matter how nice they are before marriage”.

Netizens who commented on the post seemed to be divided. Here’s what they said:

In May, another netizen suffered the same fate. A woman whose mother-in-law knew not the meaning of boundaries took to social media after she had enough.

In an anonymous post on popular confessions page SGWhispers on Sunday (May 15), the woman wrote that she felt “so fed up with a marriage where my MIL does not respect boundaries”. She qualified her post by saying that her mother-in-law (MIL) was “nice” but went on to add that her MIL would feed her 8-month-old child fast food.

Referring to her child as ‘LO’, the daughter-in-law wrote: “Milk, she insists on using formula because “convenient”, but LO is used to & prefers to look for me for feeds. She fed my LO water before 6mths old. Even though we told her not to. She fed my 2yo nephew coffee saying that there’s no cream or sugar. Just pure coffee. I don’t understand. Do kids drink coffee nowadays?”

Help, my mother-in-law feeds my 8mth old baby fast food, gives away my clothes and does not respect boundaries, husband sides his mum too

VIDEO | Woman gives sister S$16,500 multi-tiered cash cake for her 26th birthday

By

Anna Maria Romero

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July 7, 2022

Screen Shot 2022-07-06 at 10.49.13 AM — Photos: IG screengrab/ viviantong9960, cocotong00

Most people would be delighted to receive a money cake for their birthday, but if a loved one gives them a multi-tiered cake worth thousands, we can only imagine their joy.

This happened to one very lucky Malaysian woman, whose “beloved sister” gifted her with a cake made up of RM52,000 (S$16,500) in bills.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vivian Tong (@viviantong9960)

Ms Vivian Tong posted a photo of herself on Instagram on June 19 hugging the enormous money cake, which had been given by her younger sister, Ms Coco Tong.

“Grateful for the unexpected surprise,” she wrote in Chinese.

In another photo, the two sisters stand back to back beside the cake.

Ms Vivian also posted a video of the cake being brought. Over it, she wrote, “Money cake RM52 thousand from beloved sister. Thanks (sic) you sister.”

Ms Coco also featured the cake on her own Instagram account.

Malaysia’s SAYS.com quotes Ms Vivian as saying she “was amazed and delighted” to have received the money cake.

The sisters are co-founders of Kireina International, a health and beauty product company.

Ms Vivian is also the company’s chief executive officer.

SAYS added that the amount of RM52,000 is significant because it has come to be synonymous with “I love you” in Mandarin.

After the birthday party, Ms Vivian and her loved ones who celebrated with her had to take the tiers apart, so she could take them home.

And while that probably only took a short while, removing the carefully placed bills from the cake formation and taking away the tape that held everything together took considerably longer.

Ms Vivian is quoted in SAYS as saying that she had to take the bills from the cake one by one, and that her family had to help her to speed up the process.

All in all, it took the family almost a week to complete the task and bring the RM52,000 to the bank for depositing. /TISG

Carouhell experience: Tiny $125 birthday cake looks nothing like photo

Maid says she’s exhausted after her employer’s family visits and stays for months; her contract states she only has to care for 3

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July 7, 2022

maid-1 — YouTube screengrab for illustration purposes only.

A domestic helper, whose workload turned out to be more than what was agreed upon, took to social media to ask others what to do.

The helper, who seemed to use a throwaway account to post her query, shared it on Wednesday (Jul 6). She shared that her boss was not local and that in her contract it was stated that she would only have to care for two adults and a child.

When initially speaking to her, the employers told the helper that their parents would only visit them every six months or so, and this would only be for short periods of time. However, the helper added that at first, her employer’s parents stayed for three months, but then this turned into a stay for six months.

She wrote that she was exhausted and said: “I really don’t like old folks..”.

In addition, she asked others in the FDW in Singapore (working conditions forum) group if they too had experienced anything similar, or if their employers paid them extra for the work.

Here’s what others said:

In March, another foreign domestic helper said that she was told she would be caring for a two-year-old boy and had no idea her employer was already expecting another child.

Then months later, the second kid arrived. And only then she was told that she would be expected to look after the newborn at night as well.

In a post to Facebook page FDW in Singapore (working conditions forum), the maid wrote: “time check it’s 00:27 and still helping my boss to look after a newborn”.

She has been with her employer for four months. She said that during her interview, she was never told that she would be expected to help with a newborn, or even that her employer was pregnant. In her contract, she said, it was only stated that she was to look after a two-year-old child.

Maid: When I was hired, contract said I only had a toddler to care for, but 4 months later, I also have a newborn to look after at night

Another foreign domestic helper who has more work thrust upon her than she signed up for took to social media to ask if it was worth it to remain in that household.

The domestic helper, who went by the name of Shi E Ra, posted on Facebook that her employer’s eldest daughter’s family would come to the house she was working at almost daily, doubling the helper’s work.

In her post to Facebook page FDW in Singapore (working conditions forum) on Thursday (May 19) the maid wrote: “My employer has 3 children. The eldest daughter is married already & having 3 children(6yr old, 4 yr old& 1 yr old) and one more thing is she is pregnant in their 4th child”.

She added that despite her employer’s daughter having her own home, the latter, her husband and three children are “always in the house of my employer”.

Maid workload doubled after employer’s daughter, son-in-law & 3 grandchildren come daily for 3 meals, asks: “Is it worth renewing (contract) or not?”

Morning Digest, July 7

By

Nick Karean

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July 7, 2022

TISG - Morning Digest - LANDSCAPE — Photo: Pexels/Nataliya Vaitkevich (for illustration purposes only)

Kidnapped woman repeatedly raped and forced to cook & eat human flesh

When speaking to the UN on the conflict-torn east of Congo, Julienne Lusenge, the president of a women’s rights organisation, revealed the woman’s chilling experience and shared it with the audience.

According to a Congolese rights organisation, the story involves a woman who was twice kidnapped by militants in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Africa, repeatedly raped and forced to cook and consume human flesh.

Customer shocked to find worm in laksa, netizens reveal it’s a secret ingredient

Photo: FB screengrab/Complaint Singapore

A customer was shocked to see a worm in her bowl of laksa which she had almost finished eating; however, not everyone from the online community was as disgusted because laksa gravy was apparently made with worms in the past.

“OMG. Almost finished eating this bowl of laksa, then (I) saw this at the bean sprout. OMG, so disgusting lo,” wrote Facebook page Complaint Singapore member Veron Lok on Monday (July 4).

He Ting Ru: Some residents feel they have to go through many hoops in order to get help

He Tng Ru. Photo Fb screengrab/ hetingru

Senior Minister of State for Manpower Koh Poh Koon pointed out in Parliament on Monday (July 4) that Workers’ Party MP He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC) had made an unfair characterization of Singapore’s society as being uncaring in a speech she made on February 28.

He added that Ms He had not given the government agencies sufficient time to respond to the case she cited.

Defence Minister: MINDEF prepared to allow NS disruptions for international competitions

Photos: L- Fb screengrab/ Ng Eng Hen, R- IG screengrab Loh Kean Yew

For athletes or artists who want to do well in international competitions as well as in their National Service, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen says MINDEF is ready to allow for both.

Progress Singapore Party Non-Constiuency Member of Parliament Leong Mun Wai posed a question in Parliament, asking if the government would be more flexible in its criteria for deferent to Singaporeans who have the possibility of success in sports and arts.

Desmond Lee says ‘too high rents could result vacant stalls for owners’ while netizens worry multi-million dollar sale of coffee shops would ‘become the norm’

Several questions were posed in Parliament recently after it was reported that a Yishun coffee shop was sold for $40 million, while a Tampines one went for a whopping $41.68 million.

National Development Minister Desmond Lee told Parliament that the resale market for HDB coffee shop transactions is monitored by the Housing Board. Also monitored are the prices of food sold at these shops.

K Shanmugam: No fans & mattresses inside prison for safety & hygiene reasons

By

The Independent

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July 7, 2022

Prison cell with barred windows, jail interior — Photo: freepik/upklyak (for illustration purposes only)

Members of the public had mixed opinions on Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam’s statement that mattresses in Singapore prisons are not ideal due to hygiene and security issues.

Many said that imprisonment was not a holiday vacation; hence inmates are not supposed to have luxurious treatment. At the same time, others expressed concern that not showing humanity towards prisoners could mean they don’t act better upon release.

Mr Shanmugam said in Parliament on Monday (Jul 4) that prison cells don’t have fans and mattresses to reduce security risks such as contrabands or suicide.

Questions regarding the prison conditions and rehabilitation arose following a Channel News Asia documentary “Inside Maximum Security”, highlighting the country’s prison living conditions.

Member of Parliament Murali Pillai (PAP – Bukit Batok) asked if prison conditions reflected Singapore Prison Service’s standing as a leading correctional agency. Other MPs also inquired about the support inmates receive towards their mental health or medical conditions.

Singapore’s hot and humid climate makes mattresses in the cells not ideal. Furthermore, fans can’t be installed on cell walls as they could be dismantled and possibly used for weapons or “potential anchor points for suicide,” explained Mr Shanmugam.

Instead, he noted, there is a combination of natural and mechanical ventilation inside the compound. At the same time, inmates are given straw mats to rest on.

Inmates needing extra care have beds at medical wards and correctional units, he added.

“Our assessment is that the conditions are acceptable and fit in with our philosophy of how prisons ought to be,” said Mr Shanmugam, noting that inmates’ “essential needs” are met. At the same time, all prisoners are assessed on their physical and mental health upon admission.

Commenting on his statement, netizens expressed varying opinions on the matter.

“If you committed a crime, you should be punished. That should include physical discomfort. Is discomfort inhumane? No,” noted Facebook user Kathleen Kwan.

One David Chang added that a prison term was not a holiday resort. “If they are so fond of luxurious treatment, then don’t break the law. Period.”

“The purpose of a prison is to discourage people from staying in. It’s not about comfort or welfare. Want comfort, then stay out,” said Facebook user Joe Basara.

Meanwhile, others highlighted a more long-term perspective on the topic.

“If you don’t show humanity and the chance for redemption towards prisoners, how do you expect them to become better people once they get out?” asked Facebook user Stefan Ansorge. /TISG

K Shanmugam’s defence of Singapore’s policies on BBC’s HARDtalk wins praise from netizens

Famed Hong Kong director Alex Law dies at 69

By

The Independent

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July 6, 2022

famed-hong-kong-director-alex-law-dies-at-69

Hong Kong director and screenwriter Alex Law died on July 2 at the age of 69. Law was best known for his work in Echoes of the Rainbow, Painted Faces and An Autumn’s Tale.

According to the South China Morning Post, Law died on Sunday with his long-time partner Mabel Cheung by his side. Cheung is also a director and has worked on many projects with Law.

Law and Cheung created some of the most famous Hong Kong films, among them, The Migration Trilogy. Their movies were known for being realistic and romantic, tapping into the nostalgia of Hong Kong pre-1997.

Another breakthrough film for the pair was Illegal Immigrant, which was released in 1985. This was the first of the Migration Trilogy series, which highlighted the plight of the Chinese diaspora.

The film was written by Law and directed by Cheung and revolved around the story of illegal immigrants in New York’s Chinatown. This was followed by An Autumn’s Tale in 1987, a romantic drama set in New York with Chow Yun-Fat, Cherie Chung and Danny Chan.

The third film in the series was Eight Taels of Gold in 1989 which was about a man returning to China after spending years living abroad as an illegal immigrant.

Later on, Law directed Painted Faces, a biopic of Peking Opera legend Master Yu. He won the best director prize for the movie at the 25th Golden Horse Film Awards.

In 2010, Law directed and Cheung produced the very famous Echoes of the Rainbow, set in the 60s, the film revolved around a working-class family. That film won him a Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

Born in 1952, Alex Law Kai-yui studied at the University of Hong Kong, graduating in 1976 with a degree in Chinese and English studies and comparative literature. He went on to do his master’s in film at New York University, where he met Cheung. This was the beginning of what was to become a lasting relationship, both personally and professionally.

The post Famed Hong Kong director Alex Law dies at 69 appeared first on The Independent News.

Stories you might’ve missed, July 6

By

Nick Karean

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July 6, 2022

TISG - Stories you might’ve missed 3 - LANDSCAPE — Photo: Pexels/Thirdman (for illustration purposes only)

Hawkers say rent was doubled after Tampines coffeeshop sold for $41.6 mil; can they survive?

A coffee shop in Tampines was sold for a record S$41.68 million last month. Some tenants say that since then, rent was just about doubled.

We spoke to two hawkers there to find out if their businesses can survive.

‘Hopefully, petrol prices will reduce’ — Drivers affected by Singapore’s petrol price hikes struggle

In Parliament on Tuesday (Jul 5), Low Yen Ling said that Singapore will not consider controls on petrol and diesel pump prices, even as fuel costs here climb on the back of higher global crude oil prices. The Minister of State for Trade and Industry said that “The government’s approach is to ensure that we have a competitive fuel retail market”.

TISG talks to the everyday man to find out how he’s coping amidst rising fuel prices in Singapore.

Singapore workers consider resigning if bosses insist on daily work from office instead of flexible work from home

Photo: freepik.com/Telework (for illustration purposes only)

One thing the Covid-19 pandemic taught us well is that many of our jobs can be flexible and that working from home is not just a possibility but a workable reality.

And for the younger generation of workers in Singapore, this type of flexibility may just be non-negotiable.

Need a job? At least 7 positions open at TESLA Singapore

Tesla just lost S$616 million due to the ongoing cryptocurrency crisis, announced last month that its new plants are losing billions of dollars, and fired its country manager in Singapore in a round of job cuts—but if you’re looking for a new job, you may just want to apply.

At least seven openings for Tesla in Singapore have been listed on LinkedIn, including positions in sales, marketing, operations, delivery, and project management. The company’s job listings in Singapore may be found here.

Fans of overnight busking sensation Jeff Ng say he deserves another chance

It’s been quite the roller coaster lately for busker Jeff Ng—from becoming an overnight sensation as he drew thousands when he played at The Cathay on Saturday nights in June, to profiles in the media, to sudden blowback due to accusations of abuse from a former partner as well as allegations of entitlement.

Last Saturday (July 2), shortly after allegations from his ex-girlfriend, the singer, 32, abruptly cancelled his live performance, citing rising Covid cases as the reason. A July 4 concert at Dhoby Gaut Green was also cancelled.