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MOE says will not revisit names of merged JCs

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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) will not be revisiting the names of merged junior colleges (JCs), its senior minister of state Janil Puthucheary said in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 6).

He was responding to Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol Zainal Sapari, who asked whether the ministry is willing to reconsider the names of merged schools to manage “ground sensitivities”.

“We should let the schools focus on their teaching and learning programmes to benefit their students,” Dr Puthucheary said. MOE announced the names of the four merged schools last month. 

Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary in Parliament.

He said that the three options when choosing a name are retaining one of the two names, coming up with a new name and combining names. He said that in the combining of names, the ministry ensures the name is meaningful, and that it is not repetitive.

The factors that go into the decision include the age profile of the students, the history and heritage of the schools and stakeholders’ interests, he added. He also said that similar factors go into naming primary and secondary schools as well as JCs.

In the case of the recent JC mergers, he said stakeholders including the students, alumni and parents were engaged in the process of deciding the name. School leaders engaged stakeholders on key elements of the merger including programmes and values to be retained and names, he added.

“On balance, a decision was made to have a combined name to allow the merging JCs to move forward as a combined entity,” he said. 

He was responding to Mr Zainal’s questions on why there is inconsistency in the approach adopted in finding an appropriate school name for different educational levels and whether the respective schools’ stakeholders, including alumni, staff, parents and pupils, are engaged in the process of naming the merged schools.

MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol Zainal Sapari in Parliament.

Mr Zainal also asked what support is being given to the affected merged JCs alumni associations to help them retain the history of their schools. 

Dr Puthucheary said that there will be a “localised” and a personal effort by the schools in the development of materials for this purpose.  “We will work with both schools, both sets of alumni to try to find some way of commemorating the heritage and history of both schools,” he added. 

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Woman develops life-threatening skin condition after consuming unregistered 'smart drug'

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SINGAPORE – The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) issued an advisory on Tuesday (Feb 6), warning consumers not to use the unregistered drug modafinil, after a woman in her 30s who consumed it developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

SJS is a life-threatening skin condition with blistering and severe peeling of the skin.

According to the HSA, the woman obtained the product, marketed as “Modalert 200”, from her friend, and was taking it on alternate days for more than three weeks to increase alertness for her long hours of work. 

She first developed an itchy rash which subsequently spread to the whole body. This was followed by severe peeling of the skin, accompanied with painful throat, multiple mouth ulcers and conjunctivitis. She was subsequently admitted to a hospital for her condition. 

Modafinil has been used in some countries to treat narcolepsy – a neurological condition which causes excessive daytime sleepiness – and other sleep disorders. 

More recently, it has been reported that healthy individuals are turning to the potent medication as a performance-enhancing drug.

“Inappropriate use of modafinil by healthy individuals to stay alert or improve focus can be harmful,” said HSA in the statement.

It added that consumers should be cautious when obtaining or purchasing health products from unfamiliar sources, including online, even if they are recommended by friends or relatives.

The authority also warned that potent medicines should not be shared or supplied to friends and relatives, “even if their medical condition may seem similar to yours”. 

Unless authorised by HSA for use in special circumstances by a doctor for patients under his care, the supply and sale of an unregistered health product such as modafinil is an offence under the Health Products Act. 

If convicted, the person can face a fine up to $50,000 or jail term up to two years or both.  

According to a Straits Times report last year, similar pills containing modafinil were found to be available on online marketplaces such as Carousell. Students here were believed to be misusing the drug to improve concentration and alertness during examinations.

But usage of such pills can cause other side effects such as heart problems, headaches, irritability, difficulty in breathing and insomnia, said one doctor. 

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Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – 12:01

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MOE will not revisit names of merged JCs: Janil Puthucheary

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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) will not be revisiting the names of merged Junior Colleges (JCs), its senior senior minister of state Janil Puthucheary said in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 6).

He was responding to Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol Zainal Sapari, who asked whether the Ministry is willing to reconsider the names of merged schools to manage “ground sensitivities”.

“We should let the schools focus on their teaching and learning programmes to benefit their students,” Dr Janil said. MOE announced the names of the four merged schools last month. 

Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary in Parliament.

He said that the three options when choosing a name are retaining one of the two names, coming up with a new name and combining names. He said that in the combining of names, the Ministry ensures the name is meaningful, and that it is not repetitive.

The factors that go into the decision include the age profile of the students, the history and heritage of the schools and stakeholders’ interests, he added. He also said that similar factors go into naming primary and secondary schools as well as JCs.

In the case of the recent JC mergers, he said stakeholders including the students, alumni and parents were engaged in the process of deciding the name. School leaders engaged stakeholders on key elements of the merger including programmes and values to be retained and names, he added.

“On balance, a decision was made to have a combined name to allow the merging JCs to move forward as a combined entity,” he said. 

He was responding to Mr Zainal’s questions on why there is inconsistency in the approach adopted in finding an appropriate school name for different educational levels and whether the respective schools’ stakeholders, including alumni, staff, parents and pupils, are engaged in the process of naming the merged schools.

MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol Zainal Sapari in Parliament.

Mr Zainal also asked what support is being given to the affected merged JCs alumni associations to help them retain the history of their schools. 

Dr Janil said that there will be a “localised” and a personal effort by the schools in development of materials for this purpose.  “We will work with both schools, both sets of alumni to try to find some way of commemorating the heritage and history of both schools,” he added. 

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Korean actress Min Hyo-rin shines in wedding gown

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Actress Min Hyo-rin shared photos from her wedding on her social media account Monday.

Min updated two photos with a caption that reads, “Thank you and thank you again.” In the photos, the bride is wearing a white wedding gown, embroidered with a modest flower pattern.

It was reported Tuesday that Min’s husband, Big Bang’s Taeyang, sang the legendary song “Eyes, Nose, Lips” for the bride at the big event. The groom had revealed to the public that he wrote the song thinking about Min.

The actress tied the knot with Taeyang in a church last Saturday. The after-party took place at a luxury hotel in Incheon.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – 10:54

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These name predictions for Kylie Jenner's baby girl are so good

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It’s been 24 hours since Kylie Jenner announced the birth of her baby girl. The video, which features never-before-seen footage from the last nine months, now has 30 million views and is still being talked about today.

And of course, fans are starting to speculate on the baby’s name.

One possible hint is “Butterfly,” which seems to be a significant symbol in Kylie and rapper Travis Scott’s relationship. Tattoo artist Jon Boy congratulated the couple with a photo of tiny butterfly ink behind their ankles.

Travis also gave Kylie a butterfly necklace for her birthday and released a song titled “Butterfly Effect” which is hinted to be about his girlfriend.

Meanwhile, fans also became creative and made polls to predict which Lip Kit shade will be the baby’s name. (My idea of a new Kylie Lip Kit collection or shade inspired by the baby is still on the table.)

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She can also have a K-name or, as one netizen suggested, named something “weird” since the Kardashians apparently have a penchant for unique baby names. You know, like North and Chicago.

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Fans already have the perfect “weird” name: Kiwi Jenner.

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Knowing the Kardashian-Jenner clan, they’ll have us waiting for the official baby name. But which do you like from the speculations above? Or do you have your own prediction?

 

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – 10:47

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'Frasier' dad John Mahoney dies at 77

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Chicago – Actor John Mahoney, who portrayed the no-nonsense father in the TV sitcom “Frasier,” has died in Chicago at the age of 77, his longtime theatre company said Monday.

Mahoney played the iconic role of Martin Crane for all 11 seasons of the popular sitcom until 2004. He won numerous acting accolades including nominations for Emmys and Golden Globes.

The Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago said Mahoney, who was a member of the ensemble for 39 years, died Sunday due to complications from cancer while in hospice care.

The character actor was born in England, but moved to the United States at the age of 19 to teach English at a college in Illinois, according to Variety.

Chicago was his longtime home, and he had said he felt happiest when in the Windy City.

“John Mahoney was a fixture on the Chicago stage,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in remembrance. “Even as his fame grew through his fantastic work in movies and television, John stayed connected to his artistic home here in Chicago.

“Though he will be missed, his work and impact will endure for generations to come.” Mahoney got his acting start in Chicago relatively lately, when he was 40 in the late 1970s, after fellow actors John Malkovich and Gary Sinise invited him to join the then-nascent Steppenwolf, according to the Chicago Tribune.

“So many wonderful plays together over the years,” Sinise reminisced on Twitter. “A wonderful actor I’ll never forget his 1985 performance in Orphans (Chicago and New York).” Mahoney appeared in more than 30 productions at the prestigious theatre, including “The Rembrandt” in September.

“John was a beloved member of our Steppenwolf family who was known for his extraordinary kindness, generosity of spirit and quick smile,” Steppenwolf spokeswoman Madeline Long said in a statement.

“John’s impact on this institution, on Chicago theatre, and the world of arts and entertainment is great and will endure.” Mahoney appeared in numerous films and TV shows, and continued to appear on television as recently as 2015 in the TV series “Foyle’s War.”

His more than three-decades-long career in film saw him appear in movies such as “The American President,” “Moonstruck” and “Say Anything.” “Rest In Peace, John Mahoney. ‘Say Anything’ is one of my favourite films of all time,” said actor Ken Jeong.

Mahoney won a number of acting awards, including Tony and Screen Actors Guild trophies.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – 11:00

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Malaysia-Singapore to establish trading link between exchanges: Najib

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KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Tuesday that Malaysia and Singapore are working on establishing a trading link between the exchanges of both countries.

“A regulatory arrangement will be worked on by the countries’ relevant regulatory authorities, to pave the way for the establishment of this trading link,” Najib said in his speech to investors and business leaders at the World Capital Markets Symposium in Kuala Lumpur.

He said this ‘Malaysia-Singapore Connect’ will provide investors in both countries easier and seamless access to each other’s markets with a combined market capitalisation of more than $1.2 trillion and 1,600 public listed companies.

No further details or timeline for this project were immediately available.

Najib Razak also announced that margin financing rules would be liberalised and intraday short selling allowed for all investors in Malaysia’s market to make it more attractive.

New investors would also be given a fee waiver on trading and clearing fees for six months to encourage trade, Najib said.

Singapore

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – 10:42

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Indonesian rapper Rich Brian is first Asian to top iTunes hip-hop chart

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Indonesian rapper Rich Brian, previously known as Rich Chigga, made history as his debut album Amen has become the first album released by an Asian artist to top the iTunes Hip Hop Chart. 

88 Rising, the music management company overseeing Rich Brian’s career, shared on Twitter that the 18-year-old singer “is the first Asian artist in history to ever reach #1 on the iTunes Hip Hop Chart.” 

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To coincide with the release of his album Amen, which dropped on Feb. 2, Rich Brian performed a medley of his songs, including “Amen” and “Cold,” on The Late Late Show with James Corden the previous day, as reported by kompas.com.

Wearing a suit, Brian, whose full name is Brian Imanuel, performed alone on a stage that was set up like a bedroom. On the wall, the words “Amen” and “Rich Brian,” along with the 88 Rising logo, were displayed.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – 10:08

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Singapore says no strong case to ban cryptocurrency trading

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SINGAPORE – Singapore’s central bank has been studying the potential risks posed by cryptocurrencies, but there is as yet no strong case to ban trading of the digital coins in the city-state, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said.

“Cryptocurrencies are an experiment. The number and different forms of cryptocurrencies is growing internationally. It is too early to say if they will succeed,” Shanmugaratnam said.

“If some do succeed, their full implications will also not be known for some time,” the deputy prime minister said in a written answer to questions from members of parliament on banning the trading of bitcoin or cryptocurrency.

“The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has been closely studying these developments and the potential risks they pose. As of now, there is no strong case to ban cryptocurrency trading here.”

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Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – 10:15

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AGC looking into Facebook post with doctored headline of City Harvest news article

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Singapore

Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – 09:45

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