VIDEO | ‘Indian guy from India NEA officer wants to catch Singaporean’ — Man insults NEA officers after being told to stop smoking at void deck

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June 28, 2022

Screen Shot 2022-06-28 at 14.33.41_censored — Photo: Instagram screengrab/@wadsial.sg

A video of a man caught smoking in an HDB void deck and focusing on the race of the National Environment Agency (NEA) officers putting him to task is circulating online.

The man appeared to be clueless about the law prohibiting smoking at void decks as he repeatedly asked the officers for an explanation even though he kept cutting them off.

The video uploaded by Instagram page @wadsial.sg began with the man filming the two officers. “Anyway, got one Singaporean, got one Indian, India from India, NEA officer, want to catch people,” he said.

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“The Indian guy want to catch Singaporean; it’s okay, no worry,” he added.

As one of the officers tried informing the man that he could not post the video he was taking, the man cuts him off to ask, “Why we cannot smoke under the block?”

The officer replied that it is the law. He tried explaining again, but the man retorted, “Excuse me, sir, my reason is because this (void deck) is for everybody.”

The man then points the camera to the other NEA officer, saying, “India, right?”

The officer corrects him and says he was from Malaysia.

“Now, tell me. You Malaysian right… you want to catch Singaporean…”, he commented, before asking the same question why he couldn’t smoke at the void deck.

The other officer tries to get the man’s attention, but he responds, “Quiet, I’m talking to (the) Malaysian.”

The video ends with the man repeating his question to the officer.

According to MustShare News, NEA was aware of the incident, clarifying it took place at Block 908 Jurong West Street 91 on June 22.

“Our enforcement officers had observed the subject smoking in a prohibited place at the HDB void deck, and proceeded to engage the subject by identifying themselves and informing him of the offence he had committed,” said NEA.

“During the engagement, the subject used vulgarities on our officers. The incident has been reported to the police for the abusive language used on the officers.”

The man has been charged with a smoking offence, and his case is currently pending in court.

Under the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Regulations, smoking is prohibited at HDB void decks and common areas such as corridors and staircases.

“We are mindful that smoking facilities at these locations may result in void decks and common areas becoming congregation points for smokers and affecting residents adversely,” said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu in a Parliamentary reply last year February.

“Moreover, the proliferation of smoking facilities at void decks and common areas may inadvertently normalise smoking and give our young the impression that smoking is an acceptable habit.” /TISG

Circuit breaker: Man threatens sisters who were smoking at void deck

UN official blasts U.S. ruling on ending the right to abortion

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The Independent

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June 28, 2022

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un-official-blasts-us.-ruling-on-abortion

GENEVA, Switzerland — UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday denounced the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end the federal constitutional right to abortion, saying that it is a huge blow to women’s human rights and gender equality.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that established a constitutional right to abortion in the nation nearly 50 years ago.

“Access to safe, legal and effective abortion is firmly rooted in international human rights law and is at the core of women and girls’ autonomy and ability to make their own choices about their bodies and lives, free of discrimination, violence and coercion,” Bachelet said in a media statement.

“This decision strips such autonomy from millions of women in the U.S., in particular those with low incomes and those belonging to racial and ethnic minorities, to the detriment of their fundamental rights,” she added.

According to the UN, more than 50 countries with previously restrictive laws have liberalized their abortion legislation over the past 25 years.

“With today’s ruling, the U.S. is regrettably moving away from this progressive trend,” the UN rights chief stressed.

A group of UN human rights experts on Friday also issued a joint statement, describing the U.S. Supreme Court decision as a shocking and dangerous rollback of human rights that will jeopardize women’s health and lives.

“What has happened in the United States today is a monumental setback for the rule of law and for gender equality,” the experts, including members of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls and a number of UN Special Rapporteurs, said in the joint statement.

“The intimidation and stigma that will be faced by pregnant women and girls in need of safe abortion services and abortion providers will create a nightmare scenario for those dealing with the uncertainty and trauma of an unplanned pregnancy,” they stated.

Friday’s ruling came after the U.S. Supreme Court had considered an appeal case involving a Mississippi law banning all abortions over 15 weeks gestational age except in certain circumstances.

With the ruling, more than two dozen states in the United States – primarily in the south and midwest – are expected to tighten abortion access. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, contact the Editor at [email protected] Manila Bulletin

The post UN official blasts U.S. ruling on abortion appeared first on The Independent News.

Marvel’s Eternal co-stars Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek reunite for film

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The Independent

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June 28, 2022

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marvel’s-eternal-co-stars-angelina-jolie-and-salma-hayek-reunite-for-film

Marvel’s Eternal co-stars Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek are reuniting for a new movie. This time around, Jolie will be directing and Hayek will be acting in the film with Demian Bichir.

The film titled Without Blood is an adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s book, and the story revolves around a young girl on a quest for revenge deep in the Italian countryside.

Without Blood is entirely Jolie’s effort, as she has written and produced the film.
“I’m honoured to be here in Italy to bring this very special material to film and to have been entrusted by Alessandro Baricco with the adaptation of his book — with its unique poetry and emotion and way of looking at war, and the questions it poses about what we search for after trauma or loss or injustice.”

This is the sixth time that Jolie has become a director and is part of a three-year deal between her and distributor Fremantle Media.

“Without Blood is the first production under our partnership with Angelina, and we are excited to work with her and the incredible international team she has assembled,” said Fremantle CEO Jennifer Mullin.

Jolie first made her directorial debut in 2011 with the release of In the Land of Blood and Honey, a romantic war movie starring Gorman Kostic and Zane Marjanovic.

She then went on to direct three major pictures, including Unbroken, and First They Killed My Father. In 2015, she directed as well as starred in By the Sea with her ex-husband Brad Pitt. She joined MCU’s Eternals last year when she starred as Thena opposite Hayek’s Ajak.

It is not yet certain how the plot will differ from the original novel, but the story opens with Nina as she is struggling to recover from a horrifying yet-to-be-revealed conflict. Filming is already underway across Rome and Southern Italy.

Hayek’s co-star Demian Bichir was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in A Better Life, and he is currently set to begin work on Let the Right One In.

The post Marvel’s Eternal co-stars Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek reunite for film appeared first on The Independent News.

Grow a backbone: Public on ex-NOC Ryan Tan being ‘officially broke’

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The Independent

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June 28, 2022

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Former co-founder of Night Owl Cinematics (NOC), Ryan Tan, announced on social media that he was “officially broke.” According to Mr Tan, he had lost “more than 90 per cent” of his money and was affected by costs from legal fees, starting up new companies and not having an income.

Netizens however had a different definition of what being broke is. One asked, “Have hands and legs, physically intact cannot find a job?” while another said, “Broke? Nahhh…. Find a better word, he still has that remaining 10% which could very well be a few hundred thousand $$$.”

When asked to define “broke,” Mr Tan the former NOC co-founder wrote in another Instagram story, “I lost 90 per cent of what I used to have, and each month I have to pay rental, salary, loans, bills and legal.” He added that he was in an industry where clients don’t necessarily pay on time.

“But freedom is priceless, so I’m not really super depressed, haha,” Mr Tan added in a series of Instagram stories uploaded on June 24 and was reshared by a netizen on Hardwarezone.

He also noted that his current team consisted of about 12 individuals, which is where his money went to.

Mr Tan also shared screenshots of people helping him out with donations. One was Mentai-Ya Japanese Cuisine founder Khoo Keat Hwee who gave him S$1,000.

Mr Khoo said in a separate TikTok video that he didn’t know much about NOC or Mr Tan, but came across his stories. “Bro lets jiayou and pick up from where we all fell. Let’s learn and grow from our pain and mistakes,” he said in the caption.

Members from the online community didn’t share similar definitions of being broke as Mr Tan.

“Is this some publicity stunt? He can’t be as broke as the 75-year-old auntie near my home clearing cardboards from morning till 8:30 pm every day,” said Facebook user Andrew Chan in a comment with over 200 likes.

“I thought this chap was showing off his condo and all the modern expensive things inside?” he added, noting that the remaining 10 per cent of Mr Tan’s assets could very well be a few hundred thousand dollars.

“Generally, people who say they are broke on Instagram are not really broke,” noted Facebook user Jevan Li. “They are just “Instagram broke” for their followers and sycophants.”

One Zig Steenine advised in a comment with over 120 likes, “There are people out there sweating it out come rain or shine delivering food, and here you are complaining about being broke. Grow a backbone.”

“Sell the penthouse and downgrade to rental flat if THAT poor… Pls don’t wayang,” added another netizen.

Meanwhile, Facebook Billy Lee noted that being officially broke can happen due to many reasons. “But starting up new businesses shouldn’t be included as part of the reasons.”

/TISG

NOC saga: ‘This is not humane, it’s sickening & disgusting how much you disrespect our concerns’ ― co-founder Ryan Tan speaks up against Sylvia Chan’s NOC staff treatment

Booster jabs play a vital role in ending the pandemic, expert says

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The Independent

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June 28, 2022

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booster-jabs-play-a-vital-role-in-ending-the-pandemic,-expert-says

Apart from protecting the people against the severe form of Covid-19, booster jabs also play a crucial role in ending the pandemic, health reform advocate and former special adviser of the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 Dr Anthony “Tony” Leachon said.

Among the strategies that may help end the Covid-19 pandemic is to increase the vaccination and booster rate of Filipinos. This, according to Leachon, may actually be achieved within the first 100 days of incoming President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration.

When will the pandemic end? That depends on our booster rate. Now, if president-elect Bongbong Marcos mandates the vaccination to all cabinet members, employees, private sector, schools, medical communities, we could hit almost 70 or 80 percent of the vaccination rate in 100 days,” said Leachon in an interview over DZRH on Saturday, June 25.

Leachon, in the same interview, said that Filipinos should not just wait for the pandemic to end, adding that it has been more than two years since the country has been placed under a public health emergency.

“It has been more than two years since the Philippines was placed under a state of public health emergency. That brings a stigma to the country. We cannot always be in a pandemic. We need a deadline on when it will end,” he furthered.

The controversial mask-wearing mandate was also discussed by the expert, reiterating that among the country’s health protocols, this would be the last one to be lifted.

“The mask, this will be the last one to go. What we need to do is make the Filipinos resilient and responsible. We should not just count and count cases. If we do not call for a deadline, this will remain open ended,” said Leachon.

The health reform advocate likewise reiterated that the country will not be able to move forward with the long-desired economic recovery if Filipinos are always afraid.

“We must end this by protecting Filipinos and making them resilient by completing the booster program,” he added.

For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, contact Editor at [email protected] Manila Bulletin

The post Booster jabs play a vital role in ending the pandemic, expert says appeared first on The Independent News.

18-month-old boy in Singapore dies after suffering high fever and recurrent seizures from COVID-19

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The Independent

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June 28, 2022

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TISG — Photo: Taken from Canva.com/for illustration purposes only

Singapore has reported its first death by Covid-19 in a patient aged 12 years old and below on Monday (June 27). The patient had no other past medical history and was previously well, said MOH.

The one-and-a-half-year-old male Singaporean who contracted the virus passed away on Monday; the cause of death was encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) due to Covid-19, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).

He was conveyed to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) Children’s Emergency Department on June 21 due to a high fever, recurrent seizures and a subsequent drop in consciousness.

The child was admitted to the intensive care unit in critical condition the following day. He was diagnosed with severe meningoencephalitis, a severe neurological condition resembling both meningitis and encephalitis.

The polymerase chain reaction test for the patient was positive for Covid-19 as well as two other viruses – Rhinovirus/Enterovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus, said MOH.

It noted that Covid-19 could result in severe disease, even in children and those without pre-existing medical conditions.

“Vaccination substantially reduces the likelihood of severe disease when one is infected,” said MOH.

It is recommended for all children aged five to 11 years to be vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine, especially children with underlying chronic medical conditions.

The authorities will study the safety and effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines for young children under five once the dossier is submitted to us for evaluation by the manufacturers, added MOH.

“MOH extends our deepest condolences to the patient’s family. We understand that KKH is in contact with the family to provide the necessary support.”

MOH reported 5,309 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, indicating a recent surge in infections due to the newer Omicron subvariants known as BA.4 and BA.5.

The child’s death brings Singapore’s total Covid-19 deaths to 1,409. /TISG

COVID death toll: How the funeral industry has changed since the pandemic began

VIDEO | Elephant herd provides security to calf, surrounds it on walk

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Hindustan Times

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June 28, 2022

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elephant-herd-provides-security-to-calf,-surround-it-on-walk.-clip-wows-netizens

Elephants are such majestic animals, and they fiercely protect their young ones. A video of a herd of elephants walking on the road with a calf walking between them surfaced online and has been winning hearts. The video shows the herd of elephants walking like they are providing security to the young one.

The video was shared on Twitter by Indian Forest Service officer Susanta Nanda on June 22, and it has received close to 600K views so far. The clip was shot in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore. It shows the herd of elephants walking on the road while the calf tries to walk as quickly as it can to match the steps of the adult elephants.

“No body on earth can provide better security than an elephant herd to the cute new born baby. It’s Z+++. Said to be from Sathyamangalam Coimbatore road,” Susanta Nanda wrote as the caption to the video.

Here is the 1st part of the clip shared by a colleague. Just see how it started & the way additional reinforcements come in at 0.12 sec to escort the kiddu. Fascinating. pic.twitter.com/VC0w3R48Et

— Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) June 23, 2022

The clip shared by the IFS officer shows how the elephants gathered around the calf in the beginning.

Netizens loved the protective nature of the elephants and posted several comments.

“So beautiful. Elephants have such a strong bonding that every female elephant in the herd is a mother to all the calves. They are so very protective of their calves and this video says it all. God bless them,” commented a Twitter user. “This is a pure dose of positivity. That picture is so perfect. God bless them all,” wrote another. “Magnificent show of Majesty,” posted a third.

For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, contact Editor at [email protected] HT Digital streams Ltd

The post Elephant herd provides security to calf, surround it on walk. Clip wows netizens appeared first on The Independent News.

Hougang man loses 50 prized goldfish worth $5000 after otters feast on them

By

Anna Maria Romero

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June 28, 2022

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Screen Shot 2022-06-27 at 11.44.41 AM — Photo: Unsplash / Dear (for illustration purposes only).

A man received unpleasant news on Sunday morning (June 26) from his helper, who told him that all of his prized goldfish had been killed by otters.

Unfortunately, the otters may have had ample opportunity to carry out their attack on the goldfish in the absence of the dog of the owner, Mr Lim, as his bulldog had died just a week ago. His rare ryukin goldfish cost $100 per fish, which means his losses amount to around $5000.

Mr Lim resides at Gerald Drive in Hougang, Shin Min Daily News reported. It was Mr Lim’s helper who made the discovery of the attack on the goldfish.

When she was cleaning his yard at around 7 o’clock on Sunday morning, she noticed the disarray in the fish pond.

Mr Lim told Shin Min Daily News that the helper said many of the fish were floating on the water’s surface, and just a few were struggling to say alive.

The helper at once went inside the house to tell Mr Lim about her discovery.

“She saw the goldfish floating on the water and only one or two of them were still alive. She came into the house to alert me.

I believe the otters came in the middle of the night, we were all sleeping so we didn’t hear anything,” he said.

Mr Lim also told the Chinese-language publication that it was not the first time that otters had entered his property to attack the goldfish sometime before, which is why he not only placed safety nets on his gate to prevent them from entering but also raised their height as an extra precaution from unwanted otter visitors.

But the otters, which are likely to have come from Sungei Punggol, may have got through the net by biting holes into them.

And when Mr Lim’s bulldog was alive, it had been able to prevent an otter invasion simply by barking at the small animals.

“There are always seven or eight otters along the road at night, the bulldog would bark at them.

If not for the bulldog, the goldfish wouldn’t have survived the last time,” he said, adding, ”I don’t know how to get compensation for this, I’m not sure if the authorities will do anything to resolve the issue.”

This is not the first time this year that such an otter attack has happened.

In March, otters raided a pond on the grounds of a home in Seletar Hills, killing the fish that the family had long taken care of. /TISG

Still find otters cute? They’ve just savaged a family’s prized koi and goldfish

‘Is this how much cleaners earn?’ — Shocked netizens share a hiring poster for 6-days a week, 8 hours a day cleaning job

By

Obbana Rajah

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June 28, 2022

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Netizens were shocked to learn that cleaners at food courts or hawker centres were only paid about $1500 a month from a poster that looked to hire.

While it was unclear which food court or hawker centre was hiring, the job advertisement was for dishwashing and dish-collection staff. The poster advertised ‘Hire with high salary’.

The job was for a 6-day work week, for an 8-hour shift. Cleaners were to work two shifts – 7 am to 3 pm or 3 pm to 11 pm. The poster advertised “Generous benefits” such as a bonus, sick leave, CPF contributions, annual leave and insurance and medical benefits.

The poster itself had four images of elderly people washing dishes, cleaning tables and returning plates. Netizens were quick to point out this fact and said: “And the photos used are elderly only. Are they targeting this group more? So I guess it’s their favorite exercise like they claim it is?”

The netizen made reference to then-Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin who posted on his Facebook page in 2015 about elderly cardboard collectors in the Jalan Besar area. He said: “The normal perception that all cardboard collectors are people who are unable to take care of themselves financially is not really true. There will be some who do this as their main source of income. Some do so to supplement what they have. Some prefer to earn extra monies, treat it as a form of exercise and activity rather than being cooped up at home. They do this to remain independent, so that they can have dignity and not have to ask their families for help.”

Other netizens also asked what happened to the $3,500 dishwashing job previously offered. Earlier this year, some Food & Beverage establishments took to offering $3500 for a dishwasher job. In one Japanese restaurant on Orchard Road, the co-owner herself had to wash dishes while they waited for a dishwasher.

A May 25 report in Shin Min Daily News said that there have been very few people interested in the position, despite a salary that rivals some university graduates. However, weighing in on the matter, netizens say that given the long hours and backbreaking work dishwashers do, they are unsurprised that there are very few who are interested in the position.

Here’s what other netizens said:

Dishwashing job offers S$3,500 salary @ Orchard Rd restaurant and yet no takers – Netizens fear it may be long hours & backbreaking work

Netizen comments that CPF life “has a major flaw, as the payment is fixed by default despite the inflation”

By

Obbana Rajah

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June 28, 2022

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Elderly woman wearing a mask to protect from coronavirus covid-19 — Photo for illustrative purposes only

One netizen took to social media commenting that they thought CPF life was a good scheme, except that it had one flaw: the payment is fixed by default despite inflation.

The netizen, who goes by the name of Wong Boon Hong on social media, wrote: “This means for those who live longer, they will start to notice that their allowance is shrinking every year due to inflation”.

“Even for those on the more realistic escalating plan of 2% per annual, it may not catch up when inflation is high”, Mr Wong added. He also said that the escalating plan puts those unable to live past 90 at a disadvantage, as their starting allowance is much lower than the fixed allowance. The allowance for those on the escalating plan only increases after they turn 85.

Mr Wong opined that “The root cause of our asset rich but cash poor situation is mainly due to our flawed unsustainable housing policies, where our retirement funds are compromised for our housing need, that has been turned upside down as an investment instead”. He shared that he thought high inflation did not impact young workers as much as older ones, as wages will catch up to them, and they would still have many years to save up.

He added: “But for the seniors, they no longer have sufficient years to catch up, while they see their years of saving and retirement fund shrinking every year.

Worse for those who have retired and no longer have any income to catch up”.

Along with his comments, Mr Wong shared an image of the following Straits Times article: ‘Rising food, energy prices drive S’pore core inflation to 13-year high’.

Some netizens agreed while others disagreed. Here’s what they said:

VIDEO | ‘Indian guy from India NEA officer wants to catch Singaporean’ — Man insults NEA officers after being told to stop smoking at void deck

UN official blasts U.S. ruling on ending the right to abortion

Marvel’s Eternal co-stars Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek reunite for film

Grow a backbone: Public on ex-NOC Ryan Tan being ‘officially broke’

Booster jabs play a vital role in ending the pandemic, expert says

18-month-old boy in Singapore dies after suffering high fever and recurrent seizures from COVID-19

VIDEO | Elephant herd provides security to calf, surrounds it on walk

Hougang man loses 50 prized goldfish worth $5000 after otters feast on them

‘Is this how much cleaners earn?’ — Shocked netizens share a hiring poster for 6-days a week, 8 hours a day cleaning job

Netizen comments that CPF life “has a major flaw, as the payment is fixed by default despite the inflation”

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