31/07/2021
30/07/2021
World Press Freedom Index 2021
An alternative way to curtail press freedom
Singapore has been coloured black on the World Press Freedom Index map since 2020, meaning the situation there is now is classified as “very bad”. Despite the “Switzerland of the East” label often used in government propaganda, the city-state does not fall far short of China when it comes to suppressing media freedom. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s government is always quick to sue critical journalists, apply pressure to make them unemployable, or even force them to leave the country.
The Media Development Authority has the power to censor all forms of journalistic content. Defamation suits are common and may sometimes be accompanied by a sedition charge that is punishable by up to seven years in prison. The political control is coupled with an economic straitjacket. Two business groups control all of Singapore’s print and broadcast media. One, MediaCorp, is owned by a state investment company. The other, Singapore Press Holdings, is supposedly privately-owned but the government appoints those who run it. As a result, self-censorship is widespread, including within the alternative independent media, which are intimidated by the judicial and economic pressure.
The red lines imposed by the authorities, known by Singapore’s journalists as “OB markers” (for out-of-bounds markers), apply to an ever-wider range of issues and public figures. After 2015, the authorities have also started sending bloggers emails threatening them with up to 20 years in prison if they don’t remove annoying articles and fall into line. Finally, the Orwellian provisions of the “anti-fake news” law adopted in 2019 forces all media outlets and digital platforms to post “corrections” to any content that the government may arbitrarily deem to be “incorrect”. This censorship bureau 2.0 has enabled the government to impose its own version on a range of subjects including the death penalty, the salary paid to the prime minister’s wife, and its handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
Singapore falls to 160 in 2021 World Press Freedom index; situation classified as “very bad”
Singapore continues its descent at the World Press Freedom ranking in 2021, dropping from 158 to 160
The index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is a barometer that gives an annual ranking of countries based on the organisation’s assessment of the press freedom records of those countries, which is based on several categories including media independence, legislative framework, abuses against the media/reporters, infrastructure, and more.
Singapore has consistently ranked poorly on this index for the past few years. The city-state dropped to 158 in the last ranking from 151 in 2019 – a position that is below countries such as Russia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
In its ranking last year, RSF noted that Singapore had its colour on the Index changed to black, which signifies that the situation in the country is classified as “very bad”.
related:
World Press Freedom Index finds journalism blocked in over 100 countries
Reporters Without Borders said the global level of media freedom had remained largely stable overall for the past year. PHOTO: AFP
The annual report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Tuesday (April 20) that journalism was at least partly blocked in nearly three-quarters of the 180 countries surveyed. Its World Press Freedom Index found that journalism was "totally blocked or seriously impeded" in 73 countries, while it was "constrained" in 59 others. Many governments had used the pandemic to worsen repression. "Journalism is the best vaccine against disinformation," RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said in a statement.
Top 10 countries in World Press Freedom Index 2021
- 1. Norway
- 2. Finland
- 3. Sweden
- 4. Denmark
- 5. Costa Rica
- 6. Netherlands
- 7. Jamaica
- 8. New Zealand
- 9. Portugal
- 10. Switzerland
Worst 10 countries in World Press Freedom Index 2021
- 1. Eritrea
- 2. North Korea
- 3. Turkmenistan
- 4. China
- 5. Djibouti
- 6. Vietnam
- 7. Iran
- 8. Syria
- 9. Laos
- 10. Cuba
Freedom in the world 2021
Overview - Singapore’s parliamentary political system has been dominated by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and the family of current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong since 1959. The electoral and legal framework that the PAP has constructed allows for some political pluralism, but it constrains the growth of opposition parties and limits freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.
Key Developments in 2020:
- The COVID-19 pandemic was most acute from March to August, with a lockdown imposed from early April to the beginning of June. Migrant workers were disproportionately affected by both the virus and the related movement restrictions. As of late December, there had been a total of nearly 59,000 cases and 29 deaths.
- In the July parliamentary elections, the ruling PAP won 83 of 93 seats, the same number as in 2015 despite the addition of four new seats to the legislature. The party garnered 61 percent of the popular vote, down from nearly 70 percent in 2015.
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29/07/2021
5 emotions that deliver plenty of healthful benefits
When you experience love for someone, your body produces adrenaline and norepinephrine, which makes your heart race, plus dopamine, which makes you feel euphoric. PHOTO: REUTERS
You may have heard this before. Being optimistic helps you steer clear of heart diseases, reduces stress and keeps blood pressure low.
Here is how these five positive emotions - love, hope, empathy, gratitude and happiness - benefit your body.
- WHEN YOU ARE IN LOVE
- WHEN YOU FEEL HOPEFUL
- WHEN YOU FEEL EMPATHETIC
- WHEN YOU FEEL GRATEFUL
- WHEN YOU ARE HAPPY
28/07/2021
Too little sleep in middle age linked to raised dementia risk
Sleeping six hours or less per night in your 50s and 60s is associated with an increased risk of dementia, according to a new study of nearly 8,000 British adults followed for more than 25 years. Scientists said that while the research, which was based on data from a long-running survey, could not prove cause and effect, it did draw a link between sleep and dementia as people age.
The study, published on Tuesday (Apr 20) in the journal Nature Communications, showed a higher risk of dementia in those sleeping six or fewer hours per night at the ages of 50 or 60, compared to those who have a "normal" seven hours in bed.
There was also a 30 per cent increased dementia risk in those with consistently short sleeping patterns from the age of 50 to 70, irrespective of cardiometabolic or mental health issues, which are known risk factors for dementia.
27/07/2021
Artificial ripening of fruits
Know About Fruit Ripening Agents & The Harmful Effects Of Artificial Ripening Of Fruits
Food safety and health security should be top concerns of any Government for its citizens. But still, most of the fruit sellers use Chemicals like Calcium carbide for ripening the fruits. This Chemical is extremely hazardous to the human body as it contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus. Although it is banned in many countries of the world, it is freely used in Indian Subcontinent. Thus, we are at a greater risk of short-term as well as long-term health effects simply by eating fruits that are artificially ripened. Artificial ripening of fruits is done to achieve faster and more uniform ripening characteristics at the cost of its Nutritional Values.
So, what is the basic difference between the Natural and Artificial ripening of the Fruits?
Natural ripening is a physiological process which makes the fruit edible, palatable and nutritious. In nature, fruits ripen after attainment of proper maturity by a sequence of complex physical and biochemical events. Whether fruits ripen on the plant or after harvest, the general ripening changes associated with the process are easily recognisable. During ripening fruits soften, changes colour, and characteristic aroma and flavours develop. During the process of ripening several factors like temperature, humidity etc. acts as a catalyst. Whereas in the case of artificial ripening, fruit ripening agents promote ripening and induce colour changes. Although the appearance of such artificially ripened fruits has been found to be improved, the taste and smell are found to be impaired especially when harvested fruits were subjected to treatment without considering their maturity status. Besides, the quantity required of the ripening agent to induce ripening will be much more than the conventional dose, when the fruits are not mature enough.
Ripening
Lemons turn yellow as they ripen
Ripening is a process in fruits that causes them to become more palatable. In general, fruit becomes sweeter, less green (typically "redder"), and softer as it ripens. Even though the acidity of fruit increases as it ripens, the higher acidity level does not make the fruit seem tarter. This effect is attributed to the Brix-Acid Ratio. Underripe fruits are also fibrous, less juicy, and have tougher outer flesh than ripe fruits.
Early in the ripening process, fruit synthesizes compounds, including alkaloids and tannins. These compounds, which are antifeedants, fight infections and cause underripe fruit to taste bitter and astringent. These adaptations are an essential tool for the plants to ward off eager eaters who might take the fruit and the undeveloped seeds before they're ready. At the molecular level, climacteric fruit ripening is controlled through a multilayered regulatory cascade that involves the interaction of several positive and negative regulators of ethylene biosynthesis.
Ripening agents accelerate ripening. An important ripening agent is ethylene, a gaseous hormone produced by many plants. Many synthetic analogues of ethylene are available They allow many fruits to be picked prior to full ripening, which is useful since ripened fruits do not ship well. For example, bananas are picked when green and artificially ripened after shipment by being exposed to ethylene. Calcium carbide is also used in some countries for artificially ripening fruit. When calcium carbide comes in contact with moisture, it produces acetylene gas, which is similar in its effects to the natural ripening agent, ethylene. Acetylene accelerates the ripening process. Catalytic generators are used to produce ethylene gas simply and safely. Ethylene sensors can be used to precisely control the amount of gas. Covered fruit ripening bowls or bags are commercially available. These containers increase the amount of ethylene and carbon dioxide gases around the fruit, which promotes ripening. Climacteric fruits continue ripening after being picked, a process accelerated by ethylene gas. Non-climacteric fruits can ripen only on the plant and thus have a short shelf life if harvested when they are ripe.
Wax On Apples & Fruit waxing
We've all heard that saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Apples are supposed to be one of the healthiest fruits on the market but are they also dangerous for you?
Certain videos popping up online would have you believing they are not only dangerous, they could cause cancer. All you have to do is type "apple" and "wax" into the YouTube search bar and hundreds of search results will load.
The people in the video pour boiling hot water on apples, wait a few minutes and you'll see the apple appears covered in wax. The narrators then go on to make claims about the dangers of eating the wax-covered apples. What’s true is that apples are in fact covered in wax.
26/07/2021
10 tips to have a happy family
Making your own family can be easy as long as you are willing to work for it.
Here are some tips on how to acieve this:
- Be there for one another
- Express affection always
- Communicate effectively
- Equality
- Constant family bonding
- Go one-on-one
- Sorry is not enough
- Rewarging good behavoir
- Exercise together
- Have fun
25/07/2021
Pasir Panjang Park: Designed & built with the community, for the community
New Pasir Panjang Park to feature elements of natural and cultural history
The new Pasir Panjang Park, scheduled to open in phases from 2021, will include features that allow visitors to experience the natural and maritime history of the area.
The park, stretching from West Coast Park to Labrador Nature Reserve, is part of the Greater Southern Waterfront.
Pasir Panjang, which means long sand in Malay, used to be a long stretch of sandy beach. The area was rapidly developed from the 1970s through land reclamation and the building of Pasir Panjang Terminal.
24/07/2021
Hong Lim Market Beer Lady
Update 25 Aug 2024: Pretty Beer Lady Promoters
Cindy Tong, a beer promoter at Blk 491 Jurong West Ave 1 gained an online following for her doll-like looks, spills on how she deals with handsy drunk customers and jealous wives
“Some people say beer girls are very unprofessional and we are sleazy. But it’s a proper job, and I just focus on selling beer,” says Cindy Tong, 27.
The Johorian has been working as a beer promoter for two years, shuttling back and forth Johor Bahru in Singapore twice a day, six days a week. Her bus journey each time takes over an hour.
Previously, she was sent by her beer company employer to different coffeeshops in Singapore but is now based permanently at a kopitiam at Blk 491 Jurong West Ave 1.
Bye Hong Lim Market, says sexy beer stall operator as she focuses on vlogging
This is going to put a damper on the Friyay mood of those who like to hit Hong Lim Market & Food Centre for drinks
Yumi the sexy Vietnamese beer stall operator has shuttered her business for good this week. Running the business by herself for long hours over the past year has left her exhausted, she told Shin Min Daily News on Thursday (Dec 2). "What I'll miss the most are the fellow stallholders here and the yummy food," Yumi said.
On Wednesday, in a video bidding goodbye to Hong Lim Market, the woman said that an encounter with an angry man near her stall frightened her so much, she "didn't dare to go to the toilet by herself". Her risque outfits and friendliness drew crowds to the stall when it opened last August, however, the young woman called customers out in February for tricking her into exposing her breasts and filming her.
While some questioned her wardrobe choices, Yumi said at the time: "Regardless of what I wear, customers should show basic respect."
Sexy Vietnamese Hawker At Hong Lim Told To “Go Back Home”
Don’t judge the owner of drinks stall Yumi by her appearance: “Why blame all Vietnamese girls? Why scold me like a dog?” rages the articulate woman in a series of videos
Vietnamese eateries around the island have been feeling the heat in the wake of last week’s KTV lounge cluster (totalling 215 Covid-19 cases at press time). Cancelled reservations and reduced patronage aside, the bosses of said eateries 8days.sg spoke to didn’t receive any nasty comments directed at their nationality.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for a famous scantily-clad Vietnamese hawker known only as Yumi — she opened an eponymous beer and juice stall in Hong Lim Food Centre last August (according to a video she posted on her popular Facebook page with more than 100K followers). Yumi has had to close her stall and serve a quarantine order at home from July 17 to 31, along with the rest of Hong Lim Food Centre’s hawkers after a cluster related to the Jurong Fishery Port one emerged.
She’s been living in Singapore since 2017 and earned her fame — or notoriety — thanks to a spicy combination of spunk and risqué fashion sense that wouldn’t look out of place at a cosplay convention or sexy night club, all while doling out mugs of beer. She declined to reveal personal information apart from what’s available on her FB page, citing privacy reasons. “What I want to say, [I’ve] already put in my latest video,” she tells 8days.sg.
BEER STALL OWNER ANGRY AFTER MEN UPLOAD FOOTAGE OF HER
Hong Lim’s famous lovely beer lady recently stated on how a man asked to take a photo with her and his friend deliberately aimed his mobile phone at her chest and took footage of her breasts.
The video was uploaded to the internet and the beer stall lady, Yumi, found out about it and was furious. She then vented angrily on Facebook.
She has reservations about wearing sexy tops after the incident but she said she will still wear sexy outfits in the future. “I like dressing like this. I’m here running a legitimate business, I have nothing to fear,” she added.
Never wear bra, wear sibei fitting and short shorts, this beer lady not only attracted lots of customers but also stirred controversy
According to Zaobao, videos of this said beer lady were seen circulating online. Apparently, the lady is working as a beer lady in Hong Lim Market and Food Centre and was seen dressed in super “cooling” outfit every day – sometimes she will even go braless.
Known as Yumi, the beer lady when interviewed said that she’s from Vietnam. She started working at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre in August this year. She also revealed that the videos circulating on the Internet were shot and uploaded to social media by herself. “I like wearing sexy clothes since I was a child. It is not to show off my figure, I just feel comfortable when I am dressed this way.”
Yumi is also a YouTuber who owns her own YouTube channel. You see you see? Besides being a beer lady, Yumi also pick up new skills and is a YouTuber wor. Who knows, if she decides not to sell beer anymore, she can become full-time YouTuber and earn her own keep!
'Dressing sexy and respect are 2 separate things': Female beer stall operator angry after men uploaded footage of her
Just because something is out there in plain sight, doesn't mean you can abuse it
A young Vietnamese woman operating a beer stall at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre has gained some fame, or notoriety, after her sartorial preferences made the local news.
Local Chinese evening papers reported recently that Yumi enjoys wearing hot pants and revealing tops at work, even going braless at times. This led to some of her male customers conspiring to take and leak videos of her breasts. In a Lianhe Wanbao report published on Feb 27, Yumi told reporters that a man asked to take a photo with her on Jan 16, and his friend then took the opportunity to record the video.
Last week, Shin Min Daily News also reported on an eyebrow-raising job advertisement that Yumi posted on Facebook for a part-time stall assistant. "You'll get extra points if you, like me, don't like wearing a bra," she wrote, adding that it wasn't a prerequisite.
Sexy dress is exposed and photographed and taken away by light beer girl changed to wear tights
Beer girl Yumi said that she was wearing a sexy top and was secretly photographed on her breasts by alcoholics, and then she changed to tights. (Photo by Rao Jinli)
The clothes were too revealing. They were secretly photographed and put on the Internet after being exposed to the light. The Vietnamese beer girl "kicked the iron plate" last month and was scared to change to tights. Some netizens ridiculed her for "putting the blame on her own", but she ridiculed her, claiming that even if she loves dew again, there must be mutual respect between people, "Sexy and respect are two different things"!
Vietnamese beer girl Yumi has been operating a beer stall in Hong Lim Food Center for about half a year. She is “famous” for her sexy wear. She loves to wear short hot pants to show her beautiful legs, her top is often crisp and her breasts are half exposed, and she is even accused of not wearing a bra. “Vacuum” "Go into battle.
In an interview with Lianhe Wanbao a few days ago, Yumi said that on January 16 this year, a male customer asked to take a photo with her, but his other boyfriend took the opportunity to sneak a photo of her breasts. On that day, she wore an ultra-short white top, showing the lower part of her chest, and she did not wear a bra, so she would easily "dew points" when she raised her hand. She said: "The man deliberately asked if the electric light in front of my booth was broken. I inadvertently raised my hand to the electric light and said yes. As a result, he deliberately aimed at my chest with his mobile phone, and all the lights were taken." Yumi learned that the video was posted online a week later and complained about the matter in her Facebook angrily. Many people responded to the post. Some people sympathized with her experience, but many people ridiculed her for taking the blame.
Selling of beer at Hong Lim Hawker Center provokes criticism from a large number of male customers
"Since I was young I like to wear sexy clothes"
Qingliang female name is Yumi. When she was interviewed, she said that she was from Vietnam and started selling drinks at Hong Lim Hawker Center in August this year.
She also revealed that the videos circulated on the Internet were actually shot by herself and uploaded to social media. "I have liked wearing sexy clothes since I was a child, not to show off my figure, but to feel more comfortable to wear like this."
Cool Girl is also a Youtuber. The video has more than one million views, and she is also sexy and hot.
Shin Min Daily News 22 February
The cool female stall owner of the beer stall recently publicly asked for assistants on the Internet. One of the "extra points" application conditions was "in a vacuum", which caused controversy again.
The female internet celebrity Yumi from Vietnam opened a stall to sell drinks at the Chinatown Hong Lim Hawker Center. She likes to go in a vacuum and wear tight shorts, causing controversy.
She posted on Facebook last Wednesday saying that she was looking for a part-time helper. The post wrote: "If you don't like to wear underwear like me, you will get extra points." Yumi said that this is just "plus points", not a requirement. However, some netizens left messages and questioned that her dress and the terms of invitation are all gimmicks to attract customers. (Wu Ruiming/Report)
Yumi Diary 1 June 2021
Yumi Nuts all 100% natural ingredients 🍀
All products have arrived!!!
💙Anyone want self-collect at my stall please book me the date and time then I will be there for you 😘
Today & tomorrow I will be at my stall 6pm-8pm ( Hong Lim market #01-42) - I will update you all daily on Facebook
💙Anyone order delivery : I’ll be arranging deliveries this week.
If you order delivery please paynow me FIRST and msg me the preferred timing, delivery address and payment screenshot ( Paynow UEN 53312026L)
Please message me again if I haven’t replied your message orders 👍🏻
My stall still selling beers , cashew nuts, cuttlefish, masks ( can see details at my last posted
Tks you for support me 💚💚💚💚💚
Sexy Vietnamese Hawker At Hong Lim Told To “Go Back Home” Goes On Epic Rant
Don’t judge the owner of drinks stall Yumi by her appearance: “Why blame all Vietnamese girls? Why scold me like a dog?” rages the articulate woman in a series of videos
Vietnamese eateries around the island have been feeling the heat in the wake of last week’s KTV lounge cluster (totalling 215 Covid-19 cases at press time). Cancelled reservations and reduced patronage aside, the bosses of said eateries 8days.sg spoke to didn’t receive any nasty comments directed at their nationality.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for a famous scantily-clad Vietnamese hawker known only as Yumi — she opened an eponymous beer and juice stall in Hong Lim Food Centre last August (according to a video she posted on her popular Facebook page with more than 100K followers).
Yumi has had to close her stall and serve a quarantine order at home from July 17 to 31, along with the rest of Hong Lim Food Centre’s hawkers after a cluster related to the Jurong Fishery Port one emerged.
Vietnamese woman who is first Covid-19 case in KTV cluster entered S'pore in February via familial ties lane
The woman who is the first case linked to the growing KTV cluster of Covid-19 infections is a short-term visit pass holder from Vietnam who entered Singapore in February via the familial ties lane, sponsored by her Singaporean boyfriend.
In a joint statement on Friday (July 16), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said that police investigations into possible illegal, including vice-related, activities within this KTV cluster are ongoing.
"If the investigations show any criminal offence on the part of these foreigners, ICA and MOM will take firm action against them, including cancelling their work pass, student pass or visit pass, and deport them," they said.
23/07/2021
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
related: Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
TOKYO 2020 PARALYMPIC MEDALS
The official Paralympic medals, medal ribbon and medals case were revealed to the public on 25 August 2019, exactly one year before the start of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. The medal design is centred around the motif of a traditional Japanese fan, depicting the Paralympic Games as the source of a fresh new wind blowing through the world as well as a shared experience connecting diverse hearts and minds. As well as the official Paralympic medals, the medal ribbon and medals case were also revealed on Sunday.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch
The Paralympic Torch will be lit for the first time in Tokyo in August 2020, based on the “Share Your Light” concept of the Paralympic Games. Uniting tradition and modern technology, the shape of the torch resembles that of a Japanese traditional “Sakuramon” cherry blossom emblem. The name of Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games mascot SOMEITY and its design also come from this flower. It was shaped into this form using the same aluminium extrusion technology used in the manufacture of Shinkansen bullet trains. It forms a seamless, single piece in a form that symbolises the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay, created by fusing Japanese tradition and modern technology
THE TOKYO 2020 PARALYMPIC MASCOT
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic mascot's name is Someity, (pronounced soh-may-tee) which comes from someiyoshino, a popular cherry blossom variety, and additionally echoes the English phrase “so mighty”. Someity has tactile cherry blossom sensors and exhibits enormous mental and physical strength. It represents Paralympic athletes who overcome obstacles and redefine the boundaries of what is possible.
Singapore at the Olympics
Singapore's first Olympic medal was won by Tan Howe Liang, who won silver in lightweight weightlifting in 1960 Summer Olympics. The first and to date only Olympic gold medal was won by Joseph Schooling in the men's 100 metre butterfly at the 2016 Summer Olympics. In table tennis, Jing Junhong, Li Jiawei and Yu Mengyu came close to winning medals by finishing in fourth place for the women's singles events at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2004 Athens Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics respectively.
In the 2016 Rio Olympics, Olympic swimmer Joseph Schooling won a gold medal in the Men's 100 metre butterfly in an Olympics record of 50.39 seconds, becoming the first gold Olympic medallist of Singapore. This was also the first gold medal by a Southeast Asian male swimmer and the first Olympic gold that Singapore achieved. During the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, Singapore sent 23 athletes to the Games but did not manage to win any medals
Singapore in the Olympics
Singapore’s past Olympic medallists
Singapore made its Olympic debut as a British colony at London 1948 with its sole representative, fireman Lloyd Valberg, who was the late grand uncle of Olympic champion Joseph Schooling. He finished joint-14th out of 27 high jumpers with a 1.8m leap.
Since then, the Republic’s athletes have competed in every edition of the Games, except in Moscow 1980 when Singapore joined a United States-led boycott.
The Straits Times looks at the medallists through the years:
- Tan Howe Liang, weightlifting (1960)
- Feng Tianwei, Li Jiawei, and Wang Yuegu, table tennis (2008, 2012)
- Feng Tianwei, table tennis (2012)
- Joseph Schooling, swimming (2016)
- Max Maeder, kitefoiling (2024)
Paralympic Games Medals
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