30/09/2019

6 travel essentials to help us sleep on long flights


Bright lights and loud announcements; noisy neighbors and crying children; barely enough legroom to actually fit your legs... Traveling by plane isn't always the most comfortable experience, especially when you're trying to sleep.

In the past month, I've taken a few red-eyes — both domestic and international — and was quickly reminded how difficult it is to get some shuteye in the air. After a rough six hours of tossing and turning, I wondered — how do some people do it? To find an answer, I decided to turn to a reliable crowd of frequent flyers and discerning shoppers: my coworkers.

Truth is, there are some things about flying you can't change. The guy sitting next to you may decide to keep that bright overhead reading light on the entire flight. Turbulence might jolt you out of a great nap. A flight attendant might have to wake you up for a number of reasons. While all of this is out of your control, you can get some of that control back with a little preparation and the right products on hand. Below are 6 products we actually use to help us sleep better on flights:

  • A hooded pillow for support and comfort
  • A quality set of earplugs that help you get some peace and quiet
  • A sleep mask that blocks out bright light
  • A non-habit-forming sleep-aid that’ll help you stay asleep for hours
  • A nice pair of noise-cancelling headphones to block out loud sounds
  • A supportive neck pillow

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29/09/2019

10 CLASSIC S’PORE JOKES TO START A DAY

‘COZ S’PORE IS TOO STRESSFUL

Need some laughter on your way to work?

Here’s our 10 curated funniest classic Singapore jokes. Enjoy them!
  • Romantic Date
  • Doctor’s Visit
  • Li Bai’s Poem – Army Style (Hokkien)
  • Visit to McDonalds’
  • M18 Movie
  • Coke Can
  • Mistaken Identity
  • Palm Tree
  • Football Dream
  • Parking Fine

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28/09/2019

NUS Molester Avoids Jail As He Has “Potential to Excel”

Update 12 Apr 2021: 71 sexual misconduct complaints involving students in past 5 years: NUS
NUS said in its report that it received 12 sexual misconduct complaints last year. Seven cases took place on campus while the rest occurred either off campus or online

A total of 71 sexual misconduct complaints involving students were made to the National University of Singapore (NUS) in the past few years. About a third of these complaints, or 24 incidents, involved verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature, NUS said in its first report on sexual misconduct which was sent to students and staff members on Wednesday (Jan 6).

The report covered complaints made between 2016 and 2020 involving students and staff members. Eighteen complaints were linked to voyeurism while six were related to taking upskirt photographs or videos. Five were classified under sexual assault.

Two reports were made regarding rape where the victims alleged that they had non-consensual sex, said NUS, adding that no further action was taken following investigations by the university and the police.

related:

NUS had 71 complaints of sexual misconduct involving students in past five years
The number was highest in 2019, when 25 such reports were made.ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH

A total of 71 complaints of sexual misconduct involving students were made to the National University of Singapore (NUS) in the past five years. The number was highest in 2019, when 25 such reports were made. This was the year former NUS student Monica Baey sparked a discussion about sexual misconduct by voicing her frustration that the university had not done more against a male student who had filmed her in the shower at the Eusoff Hall student residence.

In its first report on sexual misconduct, sent to students and staff on Wednesday (Jan 6), NUS laid out a summary of past and present cases, including the type of complaints it received, and a breakdown of last year's cases. The university said the report will be provided every six months, with the hope of strengthening and deepening trust within the NUS community.

NUS had 12 complaints of sexual misconduct in 2020. During the year, its board of discipline or disciplinary appeals board also dealt with another three cases involving students, acting on complaints made before 2020.


The judge said the molestation were “minor intrusions”


This young lady was just going about her day and minding her own business on the train when she got sexually harassed by a pervert. This pervert is Terence Siow Kai Yuan, a student at National University of Singapore (NUS) who has been accused of molesting the woman three times but was spared from jail because he has the “potential to excel in life”.

According to The New Paper, District Judge Jasvender Kaur sentenced him to 21 months of supervised probation and said that his actions towards the woman were considered as “minor intrusions” even though he had purposefully touched her three times. The 23-year-old had pleaded guilty to one charge of outraging the modesty of a 28-year-old woman while two other charges were taken into consideration.

The incident had happened on September 12th last year when Siow was on the North East Line heading towards Punggol station at about 11.30pm. He had noticed the victim who was wearing shorts and said that she had “very long legs”. And no, this is not about what she was wearing because she can wear whatever she wants!

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Singaporeans decry judge’s move to spare NUS student Terence Siow from jail for molest charge
The offender is a student at the National University of Singapore. Photo: Facebook

A Singapore judge’s decision to sentence a university student who molested a woman to probation instead of jail has sparked outrage, with prosecutors on Friday appealing and the law minister endorsing their move.

Terence Siow, 23, who attends the National University of Singapore (NUS), was convicted on one count of outraging the modesty of the woman by following her after she got off a subway train and using his finger to touch the part of her shorts covering her buttocks.

On Wednesday he was given a 21-month probation order by District Court judge Jasvender Kaur, who found Siow had not been able to control his urge but that the molestation was “minor”.

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Ruling for NUS undergrad’s ‘minor intrusion’ molestation case sparks nationwide anger, petition goes viral

If you live in Singapore, there’s no way you would have missed today’s most talked-about story: National University of Singapore (NUS) undergrad Terence Siow Kai Yuan yesterday received a mere slap on the wrist for having repeatedly molested a woman in a public space, as the judge presiding over his case looked to Siow’s accomplishments as a student to determine that he has “potential to excel in life.”

The Case - Siow, 23, was sentenced to 21 months probation by District Judge Jasvender Kaur, who cited his solid academic records, as well as his molestation of a 28-year-old woman in 2018 as “minor intrusions” to explain how she arrived at the decision.

The probation was meted despite the prosecution’s request to have Siow jailed for six weeks, which the prosecution asked for since the defendant had allegedly made an unsettling habit of molesting unsuspecting female victims in public spaces. Apparently, Siow had admitted to committing similar offenses at NUS since 2016.

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'Potential to excel in life': NUS undergrad who molested woman gets probation for 'minor intrusion' offences
National University of Singapore student Terence Siow Kai Yuan was given 21 months of supervised probation after pleading guilty to one charge of outraging the modesty of a 28-year-old woman.TNP PHOTO: DAVID SUN

A university student who molested a woman was given probation on Wednesday (Sept 25) after the judge rejected the prosecution's call for a custodial sentence.

Citing her reasons, District Judge Jasvender Kaur described Terence Siow Kai Yuan's offences as "minor intrusions" several times.

She also noted that the probation report had found Siow suitable for probation as his academic results show he has the "potential to excel in life".

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NUS Student Who Molested A Woman Will Not Be Jailed As He Has 'Potential To Excel In Life'
A 23-year-old student from the National University of Singapore (NUS) who pleaded guilty to outraging the modesty of a woman at Serangoon MRT station last year will avoid jail time

District Judge Jasvender Kaur instead sentenced him to 21 months of supervised probation, saying that the NUS student, identified as Terence Siow Kai Yuan, has the "potential to excel in life".

According to a report in The New Paper, judge Jasvender rejected calls from the prosecution for Siow to be handed a jail term. She justified her decision by describing his three instances of touching his victim as "minor intrusions".

The judge said:
  • "Looking at the nature of the intrusion, I would say it is minor,"
  • "He was 22 years old when he committed the offences... and the nature of the acts (is) relatively minor," she added while noting his academic results.
  • "I think there can be no doubt that there is an extremely strong propensity for reform."

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NUS undergrad molester avoids jail because he has good grades & ‘potential to excel in life’

A student from the National University of Singapore (NUS) who repeatedly molested a woman at Serangoon MRT station in September 2018 was on Wednesday (Sep. 25) sentenced to probation.


According to The New Paper, the judge rejected calls from the prosecution for 23-year-old Terence Siow Kai Yuan to be handed a jail term.

Justifying her decision, District Judge Jasvender Kaur reportedly on multiple occasions described Siow’s three instances of touching his victim — twice on her thigh and once at her private parts – as “minor intrusions”.

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74,000 signatures in 6 days on petition against sentence of molester from NUS

More than 74,000 signatures have been registered on an online petition within six days after it was launched against the sentence received by a molester from the National University of Singapore.

The online petition is calling for signers to take a stand against “favouritism” for sex offenders. The petition was started on Thursday, Sep. 26, 2019.

The convicted molester, Terence Siow Kai Yuan, 23, who is an NUS student, received his sentence the day before.

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More than 40,000 sign petition against NUS student's sentence in molest case

In less than two days, tens of thousands of people have signed an online petition calling for signatories to take a stand against what was termed as "favouritism" for sex offenders.

The change.org petition comes after a National University of Singapore (NUS) student was sentenced to probation on Wednesday (Sep 25) for molesting a woman at an MRT station. The petition was started on Thursday afternoon, and by 9.30am on Saturday, it had gathered more than 40,000 signatures.

The student, 23-year-old Terence Siow Kai Yuan, was charged with using criminal force with intent to outrage the modesty of his victim.

related: Shanmugam ‘surprised’ at verdict in the case of NUS student molester, says AGC intends to appeal

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Shanmugam 'surprised' by molest case outcome; AGC files appeal against sentence
The Attorney-General’s Chambers has filed an appeal against the sentence imposed on Terence Siow

Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam said on Friday (27 September) that he was “surprised” by the verdict of a molest case, in which a university student was given probation after the judge rejected the prosecution's call for a custodial sentence.

In a Facebook post, Shanmugam also revealed that officers at the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) told him that they disagreed with the verdict as well, and intend to appeal.

Following the minister’s post, the AGC said in response to media queries that it has filed an appeal against the sentence in the case.

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AGC appeals against verdict of 'minor intrusion' molest case

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has filed an appeal against the verdict in the case involving molester, Terence Siow Kai Yuan

The intention to file the appeal was revealed in a Facebook post by Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam.

Mr Shanmugam said AGC officers disagreed with the verdict and added this was consistent with his own views.

An AGC spokesman told TNP:  “The Attorney-General’s Chambers has filed an appeal to the High Court with respect to the sentence imposed on Terence Siow Kai Yuan. We are unable to comment further as the matter is before the Courts.”

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NUS student’s molest victim: I had no idea he wrote an apology
The woman molested by a university student on a train has said that she had not received a letter of apology written by the offender from him

The letter, reportedly handwritten by Terence Siow Kai Yuan, 23, earlier this year, was part of the defence's mitigation during sentencing, Chinese-language newspaper Shin Min Daily News reported on Saturday. Shin Min sent the victim, Ms Karmen Siew, 28, a copy of the letter via a messaging app.

Ms Siew said on Facebook yesterday it was the first time she had heard of the apology. "I was never given a copy and had no idea it existed prior to Shin Min bringing it up," she said.

Ms Siew told The New Paper that she had not read the copy of the letter sent to her. "I think it's strange that a handwritten letter that was supposedly meant for me did not reach me, but instead got to Shin Min first," she said.

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Probation for NUS student who molested woman, victim says she is “disappointed but not surprised” by decision
Victim “disappointed but not surprised”

The victim, who revealed her identity as Karmen Siew (28) in a report by The New Paper, said that she suffered from the incident  and is now “mildly paranoid” whenever she rides the train.

In a Facebook post responding to the news, she expressed her disappointment in the system where the molester received a “get out of jail free card” because of his academic qualifications. She also referred to Brock Turner, an Stanford university athlete and convicted rapist who was jailed for a mere six months.

“I’m not angry anymore. I am just disappointed that the courts are choosing to treat and adult who has committed multiple sexual offences (not only on me, but on others) as a child, but I am not surprised.”

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Karmen Siew September 26 at 1:13 PM

(** I've edited the post for various reasons.)

Yes, it's me.

1) It was not my buttocks. He ran his finger along my genital area.

2) I was offered $5,000 to compound the case for a lighter sentence. I refused to do so, and this is the resulting (read: not light) sentence.

3) He literally got a "get out of jail" free card because of his academic performance.

4) Brock Turner.

5) I'm not angry anymore. I am just disappointed that the courts are choosing to treat an adult who has committed multiple sexual offences (not only on me, but on others) as a child, but I am not surprised.

6) He is a math tutor.

read more
related:
Spate of NUS molestation cases
Sexual Harassment Scandal At Singapore's Top University
NTU investigating inappropriate student behaviour
NUS Molester Avoids Jail As He Has “Potential to Excel”
NUS probes students for alleged stripping
At least 14 NUS undergrads disciplined over risque orientation games
Sexualized Freshman Orientations at NUS

27/09/2019

8 warning signs you’re about to visit a tourist trap


Merriam Webster defines a tourist trap as "a place that attracts and exploits tourists." It's easy to fall into a tourist trap while traveling.

When experiencing a new city, you can get drawn into famous landmarks, expensive restaurants, and crowded areas. Before long, you've wasted money and time at inauthentic and even overrated establishments.

But there are ways to avoid these touristy spots by looking out for these red flags while traveling:

  • If a landmark, restaurant, or even a city is overcrowded and filled with people, you've probably ended up at a tourist trap
  • If you're only staying around famous landmarks, then you're going to fall into tourist traps
  • If a destination or landmark keeps popping up in your social media feeds, then it's probably for tourists
  • If the landmark or restaurant has its own hashtag, you should stay away
  • If the location you're heading to has a gift shop, it's a tell-tale sign that it's a tourist trap
  • If there are more t-shirt shops than local crafts in the town or city, you should reconsider your destination
  • If blogs and travel guides say you should only visit at a certain time of the year, then it's probably a tourist destination
  • If a person is outside an establishment telling people to come inside, it's most likely a tourist trap

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26/09/2019

Singapore population hits 5.70m

Update 20 Sep 2023: Singapore population hits 5.92m

Singapore’s total population hit a record 5.92 million, a 5 per cent increase from a year ago. The population rebounded from declines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since exceeded the 2019 population of 5.7 million.

"The total population of 5.92 million as at June 2023 is the highest recorded figure in Singapore’s history," said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The figures were published on Friday (Sep 29) in the annual Population in Brief report by the National Population and Talent Division, Prime Minister’s Office. Of the 5.92 million, there were 4.15 million residents and 1.77 million non-residents, which comprise the foreign workforce, dependants and international students.

Singapore citizens made up 3.61 million or 61 per cent of the total. This is a 1.6 per cent rise from last year. The permanent resident (PR) population increased by 3.7 per cent to 538,600 in June 2023. The report said that with the easing of travel restrictions related to COVID-19, more citizens and PRs living overseas returned to Singapore. This was the largest contributing factor to the increases in the citizen and PR populations.



Singapore 'Stop at Two' Policy

The two-child policy was a population control measure introduced by the Singapore government during the 1970s to encourage couples to have no more than two children. It was part of the second Five-Year National Family Planning Programme (1972–75) that was unveiled at the launch of the 1972 National Family Planning Campaign.

As part of the two-child policy, the government introduced a set of disincentives pertaining to childbirth fees, income tax, maternity leave and prioritisation of public housing allocation aimed at penalising couples who had more than two children from 1 August 1973 onwards. In addition, the government launched an array of family-planning events to garner public support for the policy.

Among the most notable activities were the publicity campaigns that carried messages such as “Small families, brighter future – Two is enough” and “The more you have, the less they get – Two is enough”.


New towns, industries are being built, now what S’pore needs are new people - PM Lee


There are many new plans to build Singapore for the next generation, but the country first needs birth rates to rise so that the population can grow “a little bit”, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday (Oct 10).

“We have so many plans for Singapore, in terms of new industries, new businesses, new schools, new opportunities, new towns to live in, new parks — a new society to be built for the next generation. And what we need are new people — our children,” Mr Lee told Nikkei Asian Review editor-at-large Takehiko Koyanagi at a dialogue held at the National University of Singapore.

Laying out the state of Singapore’s demographic challenge today, Mr Lee said that the population is growing slightly. Each year, there are around 35,000 Singaporeans born and 35,000 new permanent residents — out of which about 20,000 become citizens.

related: Singapore's total population grows to 5.7 million mainly due to more foreign workers

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PM Lee: SG needs “new people” to fill new towns and industries; population can grow “a little bit” more

At an event organised by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Singapore yesterday (10 Oct), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told the audience that Singapore needs new people to fill up the new towns and industries his government is building (‘New towns, industries are being built, now what S’pore needs are new people: PM Lee‘).

“We have so many plans for Singapore, in terms of new industries, new businesses, new schools, new opportunities, new towns to live in, new parks — a new society to be built for the next generation. And what we need are new people — our children,” he said. He opined that Singapore’s population can grow “a little bit” more.

Each year, there are around 35,000 Singaporeans born and 35,000 new permanent residents — out of which about 20,000 become citizens, he revealed. In other words, out of 55,000 new Singaporeans added to Singapore every year, 36 per cent were foreign immigrants.

related: PM Lee says PAP will walk with workers “all the way” while continuing to import foreign ones

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PM Lee Says Singapore Needs New People: Is He Hinting At Increase Birth Rates, Or More PRs?

In a recent dialogue held at the National University of Singapore (NUS) PM Lee spoke with Nikkei Asian Review editor-at-large Takehiko Koyanagi, where he said that Singapore are nicely building new towns and industries to help Singapore move forward, but they still lack the numbers that make up Singaporeans.

While he said that the birth rate among Singaporeans couples need to rise in order for the population to grow a little, he also alluded to the fact that each year, 20,000 Singapore PR became Singapore citizens. While PM Lee focused extensively on the birth rate for Singaporeans, his government does do much to help. The rising cost of living, the fact that both sets of couple in a marriage needs to go out and have careers for themselves just to make a comfortable living, and the difficulty one may face to have careers and children at the same time does not help in trying to increase the number of couples actually having babies.

While PM Lee and his government can remain deluded and say that women nowadays are more educated, and thus, wish to have careers of their own, the fact is that mothers and fathers both have to work just to make sure they can survive in Singapore, what with the high cost of living and all that. Having children? It will just add to financial strain already felt by many Singaporeans.

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Singapore’s population grows to 5.7 million, boosted by increase in foreign workers

Singapore’s population grew by 1.2 per cent to reach 5.7 million in June, boosted by a jump in the number of foreign workers, according to official statistics released on Wednesday (Sep 25).

At the same time, the number of Singapore citizenships granted was the highest in at least 11 years, said the annual Population in Brief report.

As of June 2019, there were 3.5 million Singapore citizens, an increase of 0.8 per cent from the previous year. The permanent resident (PR) population remained relatively stable at 530,000, while non-residents – which include dependants, international students and people working in the country – rose by 2 per cent to 1.68 million.


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Singapore population reaches 5.7 million, with 22,550 new citizens in 2018

The population in Singapore has crossed the 5.7 million mark, buoyed by a rise in the citizen population and an increase in foreign workers, according to the annual Population in Brief report released on Wednesday (Sept 25).

Total population grew by 1.2 per cent from June last year to June this year, an increase of 65,000. This new rate is more than double that of the previous 12-month period when the population grew by just 0.5 per cent.

Citizen population grew by 0.8 per cent between June last year and June this year, to reach 3.5 million. There were 22,550 new citizens in 2018.

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The Singapore population is now 5.7 million strong

And we took in 22,550 new citizens in the last year.

Some interesting numbers about Singapore’s population were released in the annual Population in Brief report by the Prime Minister’s Office today. This report covers our population numbers from June 2018 to June 2019.

Just in case you’re too busy to pore over everything, here are some quick figures and statistics for you to chew on.

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Online users concerned over the rise of Singapore’s population to 5.7 million, due to higher number of foreign workers

Based on the official figures released on Wednesday (25 September), it was found that the Republic’s population rose by 1.2% as it reached 5.7 million in June this year. This happened with the help of larger number of foreign workers in the country.

Additionally, the number of Singapore citizenships granted was also at its peak in 11 years, said the annual Population in Brief report, which was published by the Prime Minister’s Office Strategy Group.

There were a total of 3.5 million Singapore citizens in the country as of June 2019, which is an increase of 0.8% from the year earlier. As for the permanent resident (PR) population, the figure stayed quite steady at 530,000, while non-residents like dependants, international students and individuals working in the country went up by 2% to 1.68 million.

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Singapore population hits 5.61m

There were 3.41 million Singapore citizens as of end June 2016. Together with 0.52 million permanent residents (PRs), there were 3.93 million residents. Non-residents totalled 1.67 million, and include dependants, international students and individuals who are here to work. Singapore’s total population stood at 5.61 million.

The citizen population grew by 1.0% due to citizen births and immigration. The PR population remained relatively stable The non-resident population grew by 2.5%.

There was stronger growth in the number of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) and dependants of Singaporeans who are on Long-Term Visit Passes. The increase in FDW population growth reflects Singaporeans’ rising desire to augment their own care for their children and elderly.

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Singapore population hits 5.54m

As at end-June 2016, Singapore citizens numbered 3.41 million (Table 1.1). Along with 0.52 million permanent residents, there were 3.93 million residents. Non-residents totalled 1.67 million. Altogether, Singapore's total population stood at 5.61 million.

Compared to last year, the resident and citizen population growth for 2016 remained the same at 0.8 per cent and 1.0 per cent respectively. Total population growth has remained relatively stable at about 1.2% to 1.3% since 2014.

Total population comprises Singapore residents and non-residents. Resident population comprises Singapore citizens and permanent residents. Non-resident population comprises foreigners who are working, studying or living in Singapore but not granted permanent residence, excluding tourists and short-term visitors.

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