11/06/2021

Having chronic back pain?

It could be rare inflammatory arthritis
Mr Tan Chun Hau, an AS patient, with his wife and son. Mr Tan's struggle with AS initially took a toll on his work and family life. PHOTO: COURTESY OF TAN CHUN HAU, TNP FILE

When Mr Tan Chun Hau first started experiencing back pain in March 2019, he dismissed it as a typical muscle ache. As recommended by a polyclinic doctor, he took painkillers and applied plasters, expecting the discomfort to ease. Instead, the pain persisted and spread from his lower back area to his chest.

The 35-year-old mechanical engineer told The New Paper: "The pain in my chest made it very, very hard to breathe. I couldn't sleep well at night." Over the next three months, Mr Tan had two X-ray tests, four electrocardiogram tests and one computerised tomography scan, but received inconclusive results.

It was only after a blood test in June 2019 that he was given a confirmed diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a rare type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine, back joints and pelvis.


10 AS facts for World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a form of inflammatory arthritis that primarily targets the back and pelvic joints. More than 3 million people in the United States live with AS.

World AS Day usually occurs on the first Saturday of May, but it moves to the second Saturday if the first one falls on May 1. In 2021, World AS Day will take place on May 8.

According to the Axial Spondyloarthritis International Federation, World AS Day aims to:
  • raise awareness of the condition
  • help people connect to support and care
  • share information about AS

08/06/2021

Horrible: Interracial dating is 'racist'


Update 7 Mar 2022: S’pore Woman Allegedly Cheated By Grab Driver Makes Racist Comments

Taking to social media to complain about unpleasant experiences isn’t uncommon, but some people may take things too far. This seemed to be the case for one Grab customer, who was accused of making racist remarks in several rants about her driver.

In a series of complaints on her Instagram stories, Ms Wong alleged that she had received unfair treatment after her driver charged a higher fare than what was quoted on the app. Sharp-eyed netizens who saw her stories noticed her use of racially insensitive language, and proceeded to call her out. Even famous local comedian Kumar had something to say.

In the process of calling out the Grab driver, Ms Wong pointed out the fact that he was Malay, before following up with a racially charged comment.
Bro I know you poor but don’t need to resort to lying and deceit.
She later claimed that the driver had insulted her too by calling her a “cheapo”, an accusation she described to be “libel”.


Woman makes racist comments about Grab driver who “swindled” her

Praise Wong (@reiwng_ on Instragram) posted a series of Instagram stories containing various racist remarks directed at her Grab driver, and the Malay community at large. These stories, as of 4.00pm on 5 March 2022, are still visible on her Instagram Highlights titled “GRAB & matt Saga”.

According to Praise, her grab driver, one Abdul Aziz Bin Ahtam, charge her an additional $7 from the listed price because the vehicle was a large one. She claimed that she took a GrabXL the day prior and she was not charged extra. In calling out her grab driver, she made some racist and incendiary remarks:
The rate grab quoted me was $13+ but the fucking malay driver (bro I know you poor but don’t need to resort to lying and deceit if you want me to tip you lmk?)
She went on to claim that the driver insulted her, and called her a “cheapo” when she informed the driver that she intends to dispute the charge. She characterised this remark as “libel” and said the man does not “deserve to earn this income”.


Woman shames catcaller who made kissy noises and told her, 'I wanna lick your p***y'

Enraged by a man she claims made a lewd and obscene remark to her in public, a Singaporean woman took to social media to shame the alleged offender. The woman, whose TikTok handle is n00tison, posted a video on March 2 where she reveals that a man catcalled her from inside his car while she was in Yio Chu Kang on the way to the gym.

She claims the man made kissy noises at her before saying: “I really like your tights man, I wanna lick your p***y.” “This man, this person, decided that he (wanted) to be an idiot today,” she said, pointing to a clear picture of a man inside his vehicle. She added that she plans to make a police report.

According to her, the man appeared shocked when she responded with “what the f**k did you just say?” He then corrected himself and said he merely thought she was beautiful, before driving off. His shocked response could mean that no one had stood up to him before, she said.


Netizens outraged after F45 fitness studio posts racially insensitive video of two women shaking their heads side to side, while saying “Happy Deepavali”

A video circulating online of two women at F45 Fitness Studio in Serangoon Garden has made its way around the internet, drawing the ire of netizens for being insensitive.

The fitness studio, which is part of a chain, uploaded a 14-second Instagram Story – which has since been taken down – featuring two women on Thursday (Nov 4). In the clip, the two women, presumably members of the studio, could be seen shaking their heads side to side vigorously, while saying “Happy Deepavali”.

Other voices can be heard laughing in the background. Whilst doing the head movement, one of the women said: “My head/hair cannot turn”. The head bobble or Indian head shake derogatorily refers to a common gesture found in South Asian cultures, most notably in India.


S'pore's racial harmony not yet on 'knife's edge' despite spate of racist incidents: K Shanmugam

Is Singapore's racial harmony on a "knife's edge", especially after the recent spate of high-profile racist incidents in Singapore? Not yet, according to Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam, who said that claiming so would be "overdramatising" the issue, given that Singapore has made many positive steps towards being a multiracial society over the years.

In a 12-minute interview with CNA938 on Thursday (June 10), Shanmugam said that he was not surprised by the recent racist incidents in Singapore, and that they were "predictable" for those who have been following developments around the world. He did not elaborate on those developments, but said that the recent incidents here were due to "external developments", as well as "some things that have been happening within Singapore".

When asked whether members of the public should always call out racism, he agreed, but added that it is important to do so "sensibly".


K Shanmugam responds to video of man claiming interracial dating is 'racist'
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam has weighed in on the video, saying that "(if) it's accurate – it's horrible". (PHOTOS: YouTube screengrab, Facebook / Dave Park Ash)

Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Sunday (6 June) weighed in on a video circulating online of a man claiming that interracial dating is "racist", stating that what he saw in the video is "quite unacceptable" and "very worrying".

The nine-and-a-half minute video posted on Facebook by user David Parkash shows him arguing with another man outside Far East Shopping Centre. Parkash appears to be offended by the other man's claim that interracial dating between Indian men and Chinese women is "racist".

"I have nothing against you personally but I think it's racist that the Indians prey on the Chinese girls," says the other man, who is wearing a red shirt with "Singapore" on the front of it. "You don't see a Chinese guy preying on the Indian girl," the other man also claims.



Ngee Ann Polytechnic suspends teaching staff member who made racist remarks to couple in viral video
In the video, a man in a red polo T-shirt tells Mr Dave Parkash (in white) that it is "racist that Indians marry Chinese girls". (Photo: Facebook/Dave Parkash)

A man who made racist remarks towards an interracial couple is a staff member at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and the school has suspended him from teaching duties. The incident was captured on a video that was widely circulated online over the weekend.

The polytechnic is aware of the video, said an NP spokesperson on Monday (Jun 7). “We regret that the individual in question is a member of our staff. “We take a very serious view of the matter as the remarks made by the individual are highly offensive, disrespectful and goes against our staff Code of Conduct and values as a community,” said the spokesperson.

“We are investigating this matter internally, including considering the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken. Meanwhile, the staff in question has been suspended from his teaching duties.”



Police investigating incident in which racist remarks were made to interracial couple
In the video, a Chinese Singaporean man accused Mr Parkash of "preying on a Chinese girl". PHOTOS: DAVE PARK ASH/FACEBOOK

The police are investigating an incident in which a Chinese man was caught on camera, making racist remarks to an interracial couple. A video of the incident has been circulating on social media.

Commenting on the video in a Facebook post on Sunday (June 6), Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said that while he does not have the full facts of the story, it seems like more people are finding it acceptable to make "in-your-face" racist statements openly.

Describing the incident as "quite unacceptable" and "very worrying", Mr Shanmugam said that he used to believe that Singapore was moving in the right direction in terms of racial tolerance and harmony, but in the light of recent events, he is "not so sure" anymore.



Ngee Ann Polytechnic suspends racist lecturer who confronted interracial couple in viral video
Ngee Ann Polytechnic has suspended a teaching staff who was filmed hurling racist insults at an interracial couple last week

Identified as engineering lecturer Tan Boon Lee, he was filmed in the nearly 10-minute-long video telling off a man named Dave Parkash, who was of mixed Indian and Filipino heritage, for going out with his Chinese-Thai girlfriend while walking along Orchard Road on Saturday. The video was shared online by Parkash on Sunday, and drew tens of thousands of shares.

Both Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the police have launched investigations.

“We are aware of the video circulating on social media of an individual making racist remarks against an interracial couple. We regret that the individual in question is a member of our staff,” the school told Coconuts today. “We are investigating this matter internally, including considering the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken. Meanwhile, the staff in question has been suspended from his teaching duties.”



Viral video showing racist remarks made towards interracial couple, “Chinese” man tells them to date people of their own race

A Singaporean man, Dave Parkash, shared a video of him on Sunday (6 June) being confronted by a male, who made racist remarks about him and his girlfriend in public, telling the interracial couple to date people of their own race.

The video, which was posted on Facebook, has gone viral with over 144k views and over 8k shares at the time of writing. In the video, the man who refers himself as a Chinese, is shown confronting Mr Dave and his girlfriend in public and said that “it is racist that the Indian prey on Chinese girls”.

This is despite Mr Dave has clarified that he is half-Indian and half-Filipino, while his girlfriend — who recorded the incident — is half-Chinese and half-Thai.


‘Find woman of your race’: Indian-origin man abused in Singapore over Chinese-origin girlfriend
The Singaporean man of Chinese origin accused Indian men of “preying” on Chinese girls (Photo: Facebook/Screengrab)

Only last month, Singapore witnessed an alleged racially motivated incident against an Indian woman. Rising suspicion due to the spread of Covid and fears of losing out jobs have started turning a small percentage of Singaporeans against other communities the sentiment often being aided by small-time politicians.

Around the time the Indian woman was heckled, the two countries were involved in a mini diplomatic fiasco sparked by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s comments on the “dangerous Singapore strain” of coronavirus.

And now, yet another alleged incident of race-inspired faceoff has come to the fore in the multi-cultural country, evoking strong reactions from the Singaporean Home minister.


Viral racist video draws concern, including from Shanmugam who's 'not so sure anymore' about 'direction' of Singapore's racial harmony
Screenshot of the video showing Mr Dave Parkash (in white T-shirt) being confronted by a man

A video of a confrontation between a self-proclaimed racist and an inter-ethnic couple has gone viral and raised concerns among many, including Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, about racism in Singapore.

The video was shared nearly 3,000 times less than three hours after it was shared onto Mr Dave Parkash’s Facebook page on Sunday (June 6).

In his post, Mr Parkash, a Singaporean who is half-Indian and half-Filipino, said he was confronted by a man about the fact that Mr Parkash was with his girlfriend, who is half-Chinese and half-Thai.



Man makes racist remarks to interracial couple in viral video; Shanmugam says incident is 'very worrying'
In the video, a Chinese Singaporean man accused Mr Parkash of "preying on a Chinese girl".
Facebook/ Dave Park Ash

A video has been circulating on social media of a Chinese man making racist remarks to an interracial couple.

Commenting on the video in a Facebook post on Sunday (June 6), Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said that while he does not have the full facts of the story, it seems like more people are finding it acceptable to make "in-your-face" racist statements openly.

Describing the incident as "quite unacceptable" and "very worrying", Mr Shanmugam said that he used to believe that Singapore was moving in the right direction in terms of racial tolerance and harmony, but in the light of recent events, he is "not so sure" anymore.


Video of Singaporean Man Making Racist Remarks Against Indian-origin Man Sparks Concern

A video of a Singaporean man allegedly making racist remarks against an Indian-origin man for dating a Chinese woman has gone viral here, drawing a strong reaction from the Home Affairs and Law Minister who described the incident as "quite unacceptable" and "very worrying". The video of the confrontation, which lasted over five minutes, was shared on Facebook by Dave Parkash, 23.

In the video, a Chinese Singaporean man accused Parkash of "preying on a Chinese girl". The man also added that a Chinese woman should not be with an Indian man, The Straits Times reported. The video was shared nearly 3,000 times less than three hours after it was shared on Sunday. Commenting on the video, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam said that while he does not have the full facts of the story, it seems like more people are finding it acceptable to make "in-your-face" racist statements openly.

Describing the incident as "quite unacceptable" and "very worrying", Shanmugam said that he used to believe that Singapore was moving in the right direction in terms of racial tolerance and harmony, but in the light of recent events, he is "not so sure" anymore. In the video, Parkash also clarified that he is half-Indian and half-Filipino while his girlfriend is half-Singaporean Chinese and half-Thai.


Dave Park Ash 23 hrs

My name is Dave Parkash. I am a Singaporean. Today i feel embarrassed, humiliated and hurt by how i was treated by another fellow Singaporean. My girlfriend and I was confronted by a man who told us that we should only be dating with people of our own race. He called himself a racist and even blamed us for being racist just because my gf and I are from different races. He humilated us in public by shaming both her and I like as though we did something wrong. I come from a mixed race background and so is my gf. We both are mixed race but we are proud to be Singapoeans. I feel we shouldn't be publicly shamed just because of our skin colour. Love is love. Love has no race love has no religion. You and I should be able to love whoever we wanna love. Lets not become like this man in the video. To this man who may end up watching this, I hope you learn to stop being a racist and let us all live in harmony. Last but not least life's too short, LET US SPREAD LOVE AND NOT HATE AND MAY THIS MESSAGE EDUCATE. #STOPRACISM #Sharethisvideo #SGUnited


The 3Cs of Racism in Singapore: CECA, COVID-19 and Culture clash
Fighting racism means calling it out, in public and online, rather than shrugging it off to keep up the pretence of getting along

Racism has been much in the news after a video was widely circulated of a Chinese man scolding an Indian man, who was out with his girlfriend, for preying on Chinese girls. The Chinese man was heard on video calling their relationship a disgrace and saying they should date within their own race.

Mr Dave Parkash, 26, is of Indian-Filipino descent and his girlfriend Jacqueline Ho, 27, is half-Thai and half-Chinese Singaporean. The encounter was filmed by Ms Ho and made public by Mr Parkash, and rapidly went viral.

This came after an incident last month, when a Singaporean Indian woman out exercising with her face mask on that left her nose uncovered, was asked to wear her mask properly, and then reportedly kicked in her chest by a Chinese man uttering racial slurs. Many have spoken up against these incidents, which are being investigated by the police.


Spate of Racist Incidents

Is Singapore's racial harmony on a "knife's edge", especially after the recent spate of high-profile racist incidents in Singapore? Not yet, according to Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam, who said that claiming so would be "overdramatising" the issue, given that Singapore has made many positive steps towards being a multiracial society over the years.

In a 12-minute interview with CNA938 on Thursday (June 10), Shanmugam said that he was not surprised by the recent racist incidents in Singapore, and that they were "predictable" for those who have been following developments around the world. He did not elaborate on those developments, but said that the recent incidents here were due to "external developments", as well as "some things that have been happening within Singapore".

When asked whether members of the public should always call out racism, he agreed, but added that it is important to do so "sensibly".

Curry Curry Night

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Man allegedly confronted woman and insisted her 7-month-old baby wear a mask
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07/06/2021

Kena Arrow: 'I had a good laugh'


'Kena arrow': Lawrence Wong, Ong Ye Kung comment on Covid-19 press conference memes
(From left) Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung at the MTF press conference on May 31, 2021. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION

A look to the right by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong at a press conference on Monday (May 31) after a reporter posed a question has sparked several memes, suggesting the two men were "bosses" delegating work to Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.

It had happened just before Mr Wong answered the question, on whether the new coronavirus variants may cause another spike in cases, when measures would be relaxed and if the supposed new variant from Vietnam has been detected in Singapore. The three ministers, who co-chair the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19, were giving updates on Singapore's Covid-19 situation at a virtual press conference that was broadcast live to the public.

Mr Ong, on hearing the question, looked to his right at Mr Wong. Mr Gan, who was seated in between both men, also looked at Mr Wong, who paused before answering the question.



LAWRENCE WONG RESPONDS TO MEME OF HIM KENA ARROW DURING PRESS CONFERENCE

A video of Lawrence Wong being “arrowed” to answer questions during a press conference has taken the meme-niverse and social media by storm.

A reporter was posing a question to the Multi Ministry Taskforce when Ong Ye Kung glanced at Gan Kim Yong, who then glanced at Lawrence Wong, to answer the question. Wong’s reaction had us in stitches, and he has since taken to Instagram to respond to the meme.

Kudos to him for being able to laugh at himself, with many netizens applauding him for not taking the meme seriously and reacting gracefully.


Lawrence Wong 1 June at 22:28

Had a good laugh when I saw this meme of the MTF press conference on Monday. It’s really not about who answers the questions. My fellow co-chairs and I work closely together to fight the pandemic. We are all in this together, and teamwork makes the dream work. 💪 Let’s continue to stay united in this challenging time!
@Ong Ye Kung, Gan Kim Yong


Lawrence Wong 'kena arrow' by Ong Ye Kung, Gan Kim Yong during Covid-19 press conference: 'I had a good laugh'

A look to the right by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong at a press conference on Monday (May 31) after a reporter posed a question has sparked several memes, suggesting the two men were "bosses" delegating work to Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.

It had happened just before Mr Wong answered the question, on whether the new coronavirus variants may cause another spike in cases, when measures would be relaxed and if the supposed new variant from Vietnam has been detected in Singapore.

The three ministers, who co-chair the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19, were giving updates on Singapore's Covid-19 situation at a virtual press conference that was broadcast live to the public.


Matthew Wee @themattwee


Dog-tired formula produces dog-tired results

At the age of 68, Khaw Boon Wan has been called out of retirement to chair the new media entity of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH).

He is considered the best man for the job. They would have us believe that it has nothing to do with the fact that Khaw is a former heavyweight Minister and former Chairman of the People’s Action Party (PAP).

The current Chairman of SPH is Lee Boon Yang, yet another former Minister.

06/06/2021

Warning Signs of a Troubled Marriage

5 warning signs you are frustrated in your marriage
5 red flags indicating you are frustrated in your marriage

Frequent fights, cold shoulders, silent rooms and a house that seems to be in the gloom — an unhappy marriage can be a major contributor to your mental health issues. A toxic, emotionally abusive environment not only aggravates your anger and resentment against your partner but also increases internal frustrations.

Toxic relationships can induce stress and shorten lifespans, and can also create a dent in your self-esteem if you do not take control at the earliest. While every marriage will have a bad phase, one with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel can make you feel lost.

It can lead to more serious problems like depression and anxiety. But how do you know if you are frustrated in your marriage? Make sure to watch out for these signs:
  • Your partner dominates what you do
  • Your partner offers unconstructive criticism
  • Your partner is controlling
  • Your partner has the last word in an argument
  • Your partner is depressed



6 Signs You’re in a Loveless Marriage and What You Can Do About it Now

Surviving a loveless marriage is perhaps one of the toughest challenges some couples face. From cheating and lying to working sixteen hours a day and spending too little time doing the things that bring you closer, there are numerous reasons why the love that brought you together can run thin. In fact, there are times when you can’t even put your finger on a specific reason why you no longer feel physically or emotionally attracted to your partner.

And the worst part is that many couples don’t even realize that the small day-to-day arguments and criticism are the tinder that will eventually cause their marriage to crash and burn. Before you can bring your loveless marriage back to life, sit down with your significant other and have an honest conversation about how things have been between you lately.

A marriage doesn’t turn sour overnight. When two people who love each other so much that they’ve decided to spend the rest of their life together begin to feel like strangers, there’s always a history of arguing, criticism, and other dysfunctional attitudes; kind of like a prologue to disaster. If you learn to spot these signs, you can avoid reaching the point where your relationship is beyond repair. Let’s look at six telltale signs of a loveless marriage:
  • Criticism
  • Contempt
  • Defensiveness
  • Stonewalling
  • Lack of Intimacy
  • Time Spent Apart



8 Warning Signs of a Troubled Marriage

Every marital relationship is unique. However, there are common warning signs and red flags that could indicate there are serious problems in a marriage. If you find yourself with these concerns, do not ignore them and hope that they will simply go away. They usually do not, and left unacknowledged, they could even get worse.

Instead, you need to have an open, honest, and respectful talk with your spouse about the problems in your marriage. It can be a difficult conversation to have, but it is necessary.

Every relationship will have its ups and downs, but there are some signs that you will want to look at closely to determine if they are the result of something that is not working well in your marriage. Here are 8 common signs of marriage trouble to look out for:
  • You're Always Criticizing Each Other
  • You Don't Have Sex Anymore
  • You Have the Same Argument Over and Over (and Over)
  • You Don't Argue Anymore
  • You Don't Enjoy Spending Time Together
  • You Start Keeping Secrets
  • You Think About Having an Affair
  • They're Not The First Person You Call



The Happiest Couples Do These 7 Things Every Day

Every couple is different. While your perfect date night out might be a raucous night on the town, that could be a Netflix-loving couple's nightmare. And while your combined styles and tastes may be different, there is no denying that every couple is searching for the same thing: the key to happiness. Because #couplegoals is always a smiling partnership, right?

So no matter what you two are into, we recommend you take a look at these seven habits and acts that our experts say the happiest couples partake in daily.

Discover what these happy couples do to maintain their joy and keep their bond strong, according to experts Lesli Doares and Toni Coleman:
  • Always Say "Hello" and "Goodbye"
  • Touch Base Throughout the Day
  • Embrace Uninterrupted One-on-One Time
  • Laugh Together
  • Compliment Each Other
  • Go to Bed at the Same Time
  • Say "I Love You" in Their Partner's Love Language