![Video: ACRES appalled by dolphins' condition, supports Wildlife Watcher campaign]()
The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society of Singapore (ACRES) has shown its support for local organisation Wildlife Watcher, who released a 30-page report yesterday filled with disturbing photos of the animals currently being held at the Underwater World (UWS) and Dolphin Lagoon attractions in Sentosa.
Chief executive Louis Ng said, "ACRES is appalled by the conditions of the dolphins at Dolphin Lagoon", adding that the organisation supports the campaign by Wildlife Watcher.
In the report, Wildlife Watcher urges UWS and the company that manages it Haw Par Corporation, to cease all animal shows with immediate effect and begin a rehab-and-release programme for the dolphins.
Ng encourages this, according to a video interview with Channel NewsAsia. "A real positive step that we can take is to phase out... the captive dolphin industry. We're not saying, 'close the marine parks and zoos down'— let's focus only on keeping species (that) can cope with captivity. Dolphins... is clearly one group of animals (that) can't," he said.
Ng also said that other countries have agreed on this, citing India and Switzerland as examples.
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Post by Channel NewsAsia Singapore.
Interested in joining the campaign? ACRES is organising a Q&A session on Ot. 30 at the M Hotel, where the team behind Blackfish, a documentary revealing the horrors of the captive cetacean industry, will be taking questions. A former Seaworld trainer and marine mammal expert will also be on hand to clear any doubts. Find out more on the ACRES Facebook page.
Photo: Video screenshot
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These photos of sick animals and dirty enclosures at Underwater World are seriously disturbing
UWS spokesperson: Apart from CANCER, dolphin's in good health
Animals at Underwater World Singapore living in stressful conditions: Report
Both the Underwater World Singapore (UWS) and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority have offered vague responses to the fuss caused by a 30-page report accusing the former of poor animal welfare.
The report, jointly produced by local non-profit organisations the Wildlife Watcher Singapore or WW (SG), and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS), details the ways in which UWS has been treating the dolphins, fur seals and otters under its care.
Possibly the most critical observation made was that of adult dolphin Han, who can be seen in pictures performing for an audience despite injuries to the head and mouth, as well as a skin condition, identified as a non-contagious form of skin cancer by a spokesperson speaking to The Straits Times.
The spokesperson said, "Health checks are conducted regularly and the results show that, apart from the cancer, which is being specifically treated, the dolphin is generally in good health."
The only other public statement we've observed from the parties involved, which include the Haw Par Corporation (they manage UWS), is from AVA, who only said they've inspected the facility and "found the dolphins to be in satisfactory condition".
Photo: Han, whose injuries and skin condition could be seen by show audience; WW (SG) & SSCS
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Six Singaporeans, including political activists Roy Ngerng and Han Hui Hui attended court this morning to face charges under the Public Nuisance act for their roles in the protest that took place at Hong Lim Park on Sept 27.
The protest entered headlines for the fiery demonstrations lead by Han and Ngerng that saw rallygoers from the #ReturnourCPF protests marching in a Young Men charity carnival held in the adjacent lawn at the park. In addition to the charges for public nuisance, Han and Ngerng are also charged with allegedly organising a demonstration without a valid approval from National Parks.
The four other accused only face charges of public nuisance.
According to The Online Citizen, the lawyer representing the six defendants M Ravi had informed the presiding judge that they are not taking any plea of guilt to the charges, and asked the court to allow the case to be adjourned for a month to prepare for a pre-trial conference.
M Ravi will be meeting with the prosecution to further understand the basis of the charge and find out more details.
Roy Ngerng, the high-profile blogger behind the protests has posted on his Facebook page about the moral injustices and “unwarranted” charges. Indirectly, he has also asked for further financial assistance to pay for the legal fees for all six of them, which could go up to $30,000.
“It is time you step up, my friends,” he writes. “My friends, help us help yourself. It is time. Help us.”
The case has been adjourned to Nov. 24.
Photo: Roy Ngerng Yi Ling Facebook page
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You might've already heard of the Mat & Minah, a dating app that works just like Tinder, which launched in Singapore last month.
It's only available on iPhone, but the Android version should be rolling out in the next couple of weeks. "Mat" and "Minah" are colloquial slang for Malay men and women, but the play on stereotype doesn't end there.
The app, developed by one Zuraimie Ismail to cater to the increasing number of Muslim singles in Singapore, also has a funny promo video poking fun at Malay stereotypes like "Mat Rock" and "Mat Motor".
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YouTube stars Munah Bagharib and Hirzi Zulkiflie, now legit players in the Singapore theatre scene, have rolled out a parody of Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" video and it's seriously out of this world.
SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT:
'nuff said.
Moving fast towards 50,000 views, folks.
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After completeing their quarterly review of traffic conditions, the Land Transport Authority has announced revisions in the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates in selected roads and expressways that will kick off in Nov. 3.
Motorists will be happy to see reduced rates at certain ERP gantries along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), Central Expressway, Pan-Island Expressway and East Coast Parkway. The Thomson Road gantry however will see an increase by $1, and the same applies for AYE on certain timings.
The rates for other ERP gantries remain safe and unchanged. The next ERP review will take place next month for the December school holiday period.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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Singapore’s online shopping has just gotten a huge boost: the world’s largest online marketplace Taobao partnered with SingPost earlier in May. As a result of that, customers who purchase products from the China-based marketplace can now choose to pick up their items from SingPost’s POPStations located in various locations around the country.
Popstation by SingPost; Kai Hendry via Flickr
Previously, customers buying from Taobao can only opt for door to door delivery. Through the POPStation by SingPost, customers now can pick up their purchases anytime they want. They can also download the POPStation mobile app, which allows them to monitor status of their parcels, be notified when their parcels arrive, as well as unlock the locker remotely.
Photo: biancazenkees
“We are grateful for the support of SingPost, which allows us to provide a convenient, localised service for our Singaporean consumers in locations across the city,” said Mr Simon Qi, Director for International B2C Division at Taobao International.
According to ZDnet, Taobao has over 280,000 registered users in Singapore, and another 210,000 registered users in Malaysia.
Story: Vulcan Post
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A follow-up video posted by local actress and video blogger Gia Salamat reveals that "Rachel", the KOI Café employee who used vulgarities on her while serving at the Boon Lay MRT station branch, has been fired.
The five-minute video posted on Gia's Facebook page SSS Suara Sexy Show shows her sitting with a friend and her husband, who'd been there when the incident took place. Here, Gia explained how two representatives from the beverage company had apologised to her, as well as presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a letter apparently handwritten from Rachel herself. "I'm very sorry about my actions and words towards you that day," Gia read live on camera. "I'm deeply regretful for causing you stress and indignity over my unfair behaviour towards you (sic).""I admit that I've crossed a boundary and I've no right to as a staff member to speak to you so rudely and aggressively. My actions have brought unnecessary trouble for you and Koi Cafe. I hope you understand that I was under immense pressure."
WATCH:
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Post by SSS SUARA SEXY SHOW bersama Gia Munaji Salamat.
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Animal rights lobbyists here have appealed against the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) decision to leave the Road Traffic Act unchanged in regards to the definition of animals.
Activists have fought for penalisation of motorists who negligently run over animals by suggesting that the scope of definition be widened for animals under the Act, but MHA has rejected the calls, citing that it may not always be safe for motorists to stop their vehicles. The current definition of animals under the act only constitute those with farm value — dogs, horses, mules, sheeps, pigs, goats and cattles — and failure to stop and help them is considered a crime. Drivers could face a hefty fine of $3,000 and imprisonment for up to a year.
Channel NewsAsia reports that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) have issued a joint statement, stating that other pets and and wildlife including cats, monkeys, birds and rabbits should also be included in the Act.
“The current legislation, as it stands now, is archaic. MHA has to contemporise the law to place significant value on community animals and wildlife that extends beyond utility,” they wrote.
The groups have mentioned that they recognize the concerns for the safety of motorists, but take issue with the perception that farm animals have higher value than other animals, who are also as susceptible to road accidents.
And though the pink dolphins at Underwater World Singapore may not have anything to do with the Road Traffic Act, the authorities should take a deeper look into how they're being treated anyway.
Photo: epSos.de via Flickr
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Animals at Underwater World Singapore living in stressful conditions: Report
Apart from CANCER, dolphin's in good health: UWS spokesperson
The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society of Singapore (ACRES) has shown its support for local organisation Wildlife Watcher, who released a 30-page report yesterday filled with disturbing photos of the animals currently being held at the Underwater World (UWS) and Dolphin Lagoon attractions in Sentosa.
Chief executive Louis Ng said, "ACRES is appalled by the conditions of the dolphins at Dolphin Lagoon", adding that the organisation supports the campaign by Wildlife Watcher.
In the report, Wildlife Watcher urges UWS and the company that manages it Haw Par Corporation, to cease all animal shows with immediate effect and begin a rehab-and-release programme for the dolphins.
Ng encourages this, according to a video interview with Channel NewsAsia. "A real positive step that we can take is to phase out... the captive dolphin industry. We're not saying, 'close the marine parks and zoos down'— let's focus only on keeping species (that) can cope with captivity. Dolphins... is clearly one group of animals (that) can't," he said.
Ng also said that other countries have agreed on this, citing India and Switzerland as examples.
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Post by Channel NewsAsia Singapore.
Interested in joining the campaign? ACRES is organising a Q&A session on Ot. 30 at the M Hotel, where the team behind Blackfish, a documentary revealing the horrors of the captive cetacean industry, will be taking questions. A former Seaworld trainer and marine mammal expert will also be on hand to clear any doubts. Find out more on the ACRES Facebook page.
Photo: Video screenshot
Read Also:
Sentosa is Southeast Asia's most expensive island: TripAdvisor
These photos of sick animals and dirty enclosures at Underwater World are seriously disturbing
UWS spokesperson: Apart from CANCER, dolphin's in good health
Animals at Underwater World Singapore living in stressful conditions: Report
Singapore was crowned Destination of the Year at the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards for its work in promoting cruise across Southeast Asia.
The Republic is the first Asian country to claim this prestigious award.
Through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Singapore has helped support the cruise industry by creating multiple port infrastructures for bigger ships to be deployed in the region.
Singapore was also commended for its efforts at addressing business needs — in 2013, the country facilitated a trade visit that benefitted international cruise lines and shore excursion planners with first-hand involvement with the latest cruise itineraries across places such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Along the lines of building knowledge within the trade, Singapore and ASEAN have come together to publish a new monthly e-newsletter – ASEAN Cruise News – to educate travel agents, cruise operators and industry professionals about the latest cruise trends and developments in the region.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has also been using print and broadcast advertising channels to keep consumers more informed about cruising.
"We are incredibly honoured to receive this award and would like to share it with all our stakeholders and regional partners. This award is recognition not just for Singapore, but for the whole of Southeast Asia, as it underscores our collaborative efforts in promoting our region as an attractive cruising destination," said Ms. Neeta Lachmandas, STB’s Assistant Chief Executive.
Photo: Singapore Cruise Centre
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A controversial video uploaded just two hours ago on the Temasek Review Facebook page is swiftly gaining eyeballs.
Lasting one and a half minutes, it shows a boy believed to be in his early teens, moving as though he's masturbating, in an MRT train.
There didn't seem to be anyone else in the part of the train other than the boy and the person taking the video.
The video has gained over 5,000 views and 200 shares, but netizens are mostly showing their disdain for the Facebook page and uploader, not for the boy.
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Singapore billionaire Peter Lim,who's just completed his purchase of Valencia FC, was given a hero's welcome when he visited the home of the Spanish club recently.
On Oct. 25, a huge crowd not only applauded his arrival at the Mestalla Stadium for the game against Elche, they also chanted his name.
According to The New Paper, Valencia locals regard Lim as the "messiah", probably because he's somewhat saved their beloved football club from an unfavourable end.
FourFourTwo also reports that Valencia coach Nuno Santo is sure the team will be stronger everyday with Peter Lim. The 3-1 triumph against Elche itself seemed to have put a lot of confidence back into the team, who played on home ground, to an incredible atmosphere.
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At the Productivity and Innovation in Daily Efforts (PRIDE) Day award ceremony held at Nanyang Polytechnic today, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced the upcoming launch of a new surveillance programme – the Aerostat System – that will help counter aerial and maritime threats.
The 55m-tethered balloon utilises low-level radar to measure threats up to 200km away. A group of eight ground crew members will be required to operate the system, which rises as high as 600 metres.
The 24/7 airborne machine, which complements the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) existing line of in-flight and ground-based radars, will save almost $30 million in operating costs a year.
"For a small island-state like Singapore, surveillance and early warning to give us sufficient reaction time to respond will always be a challenge but the Aerostat will improve our surveillance capabilities significantly," he said to Channel NewsAsia.
The Aerostat System will be deployed early next year.
Photo: Ng Eng Hen's Facebook page
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Photo: Screenshot of original Facebook post, featuring a picture of the half cup of coffee
Over the weekend, one Huixin Yap wrote a complaint to Starbucks via Facebook, citing an incident that happened at the CityLink Mall outlet of the coffee chain. "My friends and I were studying and we bought drinks while studying, we left the place for about 30 minutes and when we came back, our stuff were cleared and being kept in a basket, with all our belongings messed up (sic)," she wrote.
Yap said while she understood she was in the wrong for "hogging on to the seats" and that Starbucks had "the right to chase (them) away", she thought it rude that the staff touched the group's belongings without permission.
She also expressed her dissatisfaction over the following lecture that came from the outlet manager. "I find it very ridiculous because we are customers after all. What right does have to lecture us?", she wrote in the Facebook post, which has so far gotten over 160 shares.
Yap was also unhappy that the manager had thrown away a friend's coffee, and only replaced it with half a cup of fresh coffee when it was requested. "Serving a paying customer with half a cup of coffee when (the manager) was the one who threw away the drink first, is displaying a severe lack of work ethic," she complained.
Strong conviction, but netizens are not buying it. Many have taken to the original Facebook thread to berate the student for her 'entitled' behaviour, and to show support for Starbucks:
Starbucks has since responded to the student's post: "While we understand it's important to enforce store security policies, we also believe that our team should do better in connecting and communicating with our customers as you pointed out.
We're sorry if you felt unwelcome and we will speak with the store's manager and the management on improving our team's communication skills at the CityLink Mall."
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Kinokuniya’s flagship bookstore at Ngee Ann City is closed for now but on Nov. 1, they re-open with a brand new look that pays homage to traditional Japanese architecture.
The new store, soon to be located at the fourth floor at the shopping mall, is dubbed the “Neo Chapter”, having undergone a massive makeover 15 years after it was first launched in Singapore.
TODAY reports that the new look is inspired by traditional Japanese tea rooms, machiya-style book houses and other design forms, with ceiling and floor designs said to be influenced by tatami mats.
The popular bookstore is celebrating the re-opening with exclusive giveaways and events at the Neo Kinokuniya Singapore main store, including storewide discounts at all branches and performances by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Japanese singer songwriter Sachiyo.
Photo: Kinokuniya
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The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Migrant Workers Centre (MWC) have created a 14-minute pre-departure video to educate potential and current migrant workers here about the proper employment practices and workers’ rights in Singapore.
MWC explained that although some organisations have the legal rights to demand compensation for abuses that occur in here, there isn’t much they can do to recoup overpaid agency fees done overseas.
According to Channel NewsAsia, chairman of MWC Yeo Guat Kwang said, “Because many of them told us before they come, they are already locked in with a big sum of money. And at the same time, they really do not know the terms and conditions that they will face when they come to Singapore and work."
MWC said it hopes to broadcast the video – which will come in different languages – in their native countries. Locally, the organisation aims to make the “MWC Pre-Departure Video” available in workers’ dormitories and in buses that transport migrant workers to and fro dormitories and work places.
Photo: Screengrab from video
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The Dorsal Effect, a shark conversation project led by visionary Kathy Xu, has taken to the seas, thanks to its win at last year's Young Social Entrepreneurs programme.
Xu is currently working towards reducing shark kills in Indonesia and all you need to do to contribute, is to go on vacation in Lombok.
There, Xu is working with local fishermen to turn away from catching sharks and to lead tourism trips around remote spots of the island instead. Bali may be super built up with tourists running amok but its sister island to the east still has that local charm that hasn't been spoilt by Lonely Planet and McD's quite yet.
In this video made by Our Better World, you can see the former teacher realising her vision, made possible with direction and funding from the Singapore International Foundation.
"Over time I saw that the fishermen were getting happier doing this, and they started taking ownership over the boat trips," Xu told The Huffington Post.
Xu's project is a part of a larger movement to protect the ever increasingly-endangered sharks. Millions of sharks are hunted solely for their fins, a major delicacy in countries like Hong Kong and China. In Lombok, local fishermen have been dependent on sharks for their bread and butter.
Not only does The Dorsal Effect shift fishermen’s attention from hunting sharks to sustainable tourism, it also negotiated best practices like picking up trash (god only knows there are islands of it around Bali) and anchoring boats on sand instead of coral.
So take a trip to Lombok, revel in its beauty and charm, and help save a shark.
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1. When the hawker uncle ties a dead knot on our bag of curry
HATE IT WHEN I DAPAO THEY WANNA PUA STUNT TIE LIKE THIS EH I WANNA EAT EH CB THEN IF I CUT THE THING EXPLODE pic.twitter.com/ooJCXg85Zw
— uʍɐp (@Dtynx) September 21, 2014
2. When Uber offers free rides, but there are no UberTaxis available
Tried getting my free @uber_sing ride for 4 times since this morning, at different times and locations. No luck. Why liddat?
— Terence Lee (@terenceleejx) October 8, 2014
3. Just the taxi situation here in general
4. When we decide to take the MRT, and everyone else does the same
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Post by Joel Rasis.
5. When we're too damn tired to look out for our station
Will someone please mass-produce these boards. I'll buy a hundred. (cr: @cheatcodeA) #Singapore #MRT pic.twitter.com/kpWXyYzlVw
— POPSPOKEN (@popspoken) October 28, 2014
6. When we want a cup of coffee, but there are too many options
7. When we resort to Starbucks and all the tables have been chope-d with textbooks
And as usual, best seats at #starbucks Singapore taken up by students who ordered their last drink in 2009.
— Arnout Mostert (@arnoutmostert) April 21, 2012
8. When we fork out $190 to swim with a dolphin and it has skin cancer
Dolphins should NEVER be kept in captivity for our own entertainment #FreeTheDolphins pic.twitter.com/5a0iM4PwQY
— Mr. SGAG (@SGAG_SG) October 28, 2014
9. When we painstakingly dress according to forecast and weather still punks us
10. Stomp
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It’s been a while since live music fans get to experience a show in the iconic Victoria Theatre, which only recently opened its doors again after a four-year long refurbishment.
Come Jan. 15 next year, Singapore’s oldest performing arts establishment plays host to the ultra-modern, super-sleek tunes of electronic producer Tycho, aka Scott Hansen. Thanks to Secret Sounds Asia, the San Franciso native will dropping by with his full band to flesh out his shimmering, dreamlike melodies in a classy marriage of electronic rhythms and organic riffs.
His latest release Dive only cements his finesse in painting pastoral, nostalgia-driven soundscapes, and the Victoria Theatre should more than enhance all the sights and sound of the live Tycho experience. Tickets go on sale from Nov. 3 at $65 via Sistic; stay updated on the show on the Facebook event page.
Photo: Tycho Facebook page
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Dive deep into Singapore’s historical journey from the 14th century till now when the 'Singapura: 700 Years' exhibition kicks off today at the National Museum of Singapore.
The interactive exhibition will allow attendees to immerse themselves in an exploration of the nation’s transformation through the ages from humble fishing village, to its colonial ages, and to the flourishing city-state it is today. Visitors will have hands-on experiences in the six sections of the exhibition in accordance to Singapore’s major milestones including the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945 and the road to independence from 1946 to 1965.
Special tours, talks, workshops and other special programmes will be held during the 10-month-long historical exhibition, which will end the day after National Day 2015, Singapore’s 50th birthday celebrations.
Admission to 'Singapura: 700 Years' is free for citizens, permanent residents and visitors aged 6 years and below, while international audiences will have to pay $6 to enter. More details available on the National Museum Of Singapore website.
Photo: National Museum Of Singapore Facebook page
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Late nights at National Museum of Singapore this weekend and next
