POSB Passion cardholders: Grab your 1-for-1 coupons from 9am onwards tomorrow (10 Mar)! There’s also Comfort Delgro taxi vouchers!
POSB: 1-for-1 Tickets to Zoo, Jurong Bird Park, Cable Car & More on 10 Mar 2017
On the 10th of the month, POSB Passion Debit Card cardholders can redeem 1-for-1 limited tickets to various islandwide attractions from 9am onwards. Membership is free for a limited time.
Barcelona – Few believed Barcelona could achieve the impossible against Paris Saint-Germain, including former German international and ex-Barcelona star Bernd Schuster.
The former midfielder turned pundit said the team were a dying force after their first leg 0-4 rout in Paris and promised to appear at his regular Spanish radio show in a thong if they won the return leg.
Schuster, who appears as a pundit on “El Transistor” (The Radio) programme on the Onda Cero Spanish radio station was true to his word after the Spanish giants won the return leg 6-1 for an aggregate 6-5 triumph.
“Like a man you said you would come in (to the show) in a thong and you have come into the show in a thong,” said the programme’s presenter Jose Ramon de la Morena, who promised “don’t worry, there will be no photos.” “It’s a bit cold in here,” replied Schuster on the show late Wednesday.
The former player and manager, aged 57, was not the only man who found himself out in the cold after Barcelona’s miracle win.
Barcelona’s former president Joan Gaspart, 72, went for a midnight dip off Barcelona’s main beach after the game, fulfilling his promise to take an icy swim if his team did the impossible.
“Well done dad, you kept your word,” said son Guillermo on Twitter with a photo of the event.
Others who had the temerity to bet against Barca were also left to pay the price.
Former Inter Milan and AS Roma midfielder Herbert Prohaska, a commentator on Austrian TV network ORF, dropped his trousers when Barcelona scored the winning goal and finished his live commentary in his underpants. His two other pundits on the show also dropped their pants in solidarity.
SINGAPORE: The current outbreak of bird flu in Kelantan does not have any impact on Singapore’s poultry and egg supply as Singapore does not allow the products to be imported from Kelantan, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on Thursday (Mar 9).
Poultry and poultry products in Singapore are safe for consumption, said AVA in a media release.
It added that Kelantan is not an approved source for poultry and eggs, and that Singapore allows the import of poultry and eggs only from the disease-free zones in Malaysia – Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Selangor and Perak.
AVA added that it will continue to work closely with Malaysia’s Department of Veterinary Services to ensure that the poultry and eggs imported do not compromise public or animal health.
The authority added that Singapore has stepped up its existing measures against bird flu in response to the Kelantan outbreak.
Surveillance and inspections at the points of entry have been increased, and local poultry farms have been asked to beef up their biosecurity measures. These include disallowing non-essential visits to the farms, as well as ensuring that their “bird-proofing” measures are intact, AVA said.
An AVA officer inspecting imported live poultry arriving at Tuas checkpoint. (Photo: Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore)
It added that while Singapore is free from bird flu, AVA will continue to monitor the situation and work with stakeholders to prevent the virus from spreading to Singapore.
Earlier on Thursday, Malaysia reported that the outbreak in Kelantan has been contained and that the virus had not spread to humans.
KEEPING BIRD FLU OUT OF SINGAPORE
Singapore imports about 35 per cent of its chicken and 93 per cent of its ducks from Malaysia, said AVA, adding that 76 per cent of its eggs come from Malaysia and local farms account for the remaining 24 per cent of its egg supply.
AVA noted that while Singapore is free from bird flu, it is endemic in the region.
Existing measures against the virus include source accreditation, import control, routine inspection and surveillance at points of entry, local farms, poultry slaughterhouses and pet shops, AVA said.
(Photo: Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore)
There are also regular checks on migratory birds as well as common ones such as crows, mynas and pigeons, and free-roaming chickens are also monitored.
The ongoing scourge of Japan’s Fukushima- radiation – now roaming the disaster-hit area on four legs.
Hundreds of radioactive wild boars moved into deserted towns after the nuclear crisis. Now they scour the empty streets and overgrown backyards of the Namie town for food, an unexpected nuisance for those returning home six years after the meltdown.
Namie and another town, Tomioka, both located within the 20 kilometers exclusion zone from the Fukushima plan, both set to partly reopen for nuclear refugees towards the end of the month. But these boars have been known to attack people.
Local authorities are hiring teams of hunters to clear out the uninvited guests.
Local hunter Shoichi Sakamoto said: “After people left, their ecosystem changed. They began coming down from the mountains and now they aren’t going back. They found plenty of food, and no one will come after them. This is their new home now.”
They say since last April they’ve caught 300 animals just in Tomioka.
The boars have been destroying local farms and eating plants contaminated with radiation. Some tested by the government showed levels of radioactive material 130 times above Japan’s safety standards.
Five towns in Fukushima have partially reopened since the disaster so far. But three weeks before the evacuation order is to be lifted here in Tomioka, the average radiation level is still well above Japan’s goal.
Homes are still damaged or abandoned, and the streets are littered with bags of radioactive waste.
Old wives’ tales and hearsay on health matters can seem strange when seen from the medical point of view.
Take menstruation, one of the most common women’s health topics, for example. It is a response of the uterine lining to hormonal changes. But some people still believe it to be the body’s monthly cleansing process, a myth that has no scientific basis, said Dr Julinda Lee, an age management specialist from Singapore Medical Group’s (SMG) Wellness and Gynaecology Centre by Dr Julinda Lee.
In certain situations, trusting the wrong information can be dangerous. “Some patients have allowed themselves to bleed heavily each month, perhaps resulting in severe anaemia and tiredness. If long-standing and severe, anaemia can result in heart failure,” said Dr Lee.
We ask experts to debunk some myths here.
Wearing underwired bras, dyeing your hair and using antiperspirants can cause cancer: MOSTLY MYTH
According to Dr Wong Seng Weng, medical director at SMG’s The Cancer Centre, the belief that wired bras may lead to an increased breast cancer risk started when African countries — where the use of bras is less common than in the West — were observed to have lower breast cancer rates compared to the West. However, further studies have not shown such a link.
As for antiperspirants, the misconception started with paraben. This preservative is commonly used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, and has a chemical structure similar to female hormones, said Dr Wong.
“Since the increased exposure to female hormones is known to increase breast cancer risk, there is a concern that applying paraben-containing substances around the breasts and armpits would trigger such an effect. But this is unlikely since the hormonal stimulatory effect of parabens is very low compared with natural female hormones,” he said.
There is, however, some truth in cancer-causing hair dyes. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that some hair dye substances could possibly cause cancer, in particular, bladder cancers. But the risk only applies to certain occupations such as hairdressers where the exposure is high. The WHO does not consider the personal use of hair dyes as potentially carcinogenic.
Dr Wong’s breast cancer prevention tips:
1. Start a family before age 35
Pregnancy and breastfeeding have been shown to reduce the cancer risk as it interrupts the menstrual cycles early in life, thus reducing fluctuating levels of female hormones associated with menstrual cycles.
2. Maintain a healthy weight
Fat tissue in women’s bodies can convert substances in the blood into female hormones, which when in excess, increase cancer risk.
3. Have regular work and sleep hours
The World Health Organization classifies working night shifts as “probably carcinogenic”, due to the impact of light exposure at night on the hormonal balance of the body.
You can snap out of depression: MYTH
Anyone struggling with the condition will not be able to “snap out” of it on her own, said Dr Lim Boon Leng, a psychiatrist at Gleneagles Hospital.
“When a person has clinical depression, her judgement may become impaired and her views, unduly negative. To recover, she needs treatment that may include medications and/or therapy,” he said.
Compared to men, women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression, probably due to a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors. Women at risk of depression include those going through major life changes like childbirth, loss of a loved one, and during the period before and after menopause. Depression is also likely to recur.
“A depressed person is unable to handle the stress in her life and this can lead to more problems and stress, and increase the severity of depression, resulting in a vicious cycle. The consequences of depression are dire when untreated and can result in loss of job, failure of marriage and even suicide,” said Dr Lim.
Seek help if these signs persist for more than two weeks:
– Persistently low mood
– Loss of interest in work, social life or hobbies
– Sleep and/or weight issues
– Poor concentration and attention
– Easily tired and/or irritated
– Excessive guilty feelings and loss of confidence
– Suicidal thoughts or behaviour
Getting fat, feeling moody and no sex drive are inevitable during menopause: SOMEWHAT TRUE
This may not apply to all women. According to Dr Lee from SMG’s Wellness and Gynaecology Centre by Dr Julinda Lee, dwindling oestrogen levels during menopause can lead to symptoms like mood swings, fatigue and weight gain, especially around the waist.
It can also take a toll on a woman’s sex life, in the form of lower libido and painful sex due to vaginal dryness. “Some patients may transition into menopause without so much as a bump,” said Dr Lee.
“Others will have years of symptoms before they stop menstruating and continue to have symptoms after. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing menopause,” she said.
In addition, the hormonal changes increase a woman’s risk for inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory joint conditions, bone loss, osteoporosis and heart disease, said Dr Lee.
Dr Lee’s menopause-transiting tips:
1. Reduce inflammation
Do so by improving the four pillars of health: Diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management.
2. Get the right information
Seek professional help instead of getting information and advice from friends as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing menopause.
3. Use topical vaginal oestrogen
It is a safe option for women experiencing vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.
Heart disease is a man’s thing: MYTH
Along with stroke, heart disease is the top killer of women in Singapore, accounting for one in three deaths. While heart disease and stroke are more common in men than women in the younger age group, a woman’s risk catches up after menopause and becomes as high as that of men, said Dr Goh Ping Ping, medical director of Board of Directors at Singapore Heart Foundation.
Women also tend to have more subtle and atypical symptoms of heart disease, said Dr Goh, who is also the official spokesperson for Go Red For Women Singapore, the local chapter of an international campaign to empower women to take better care of their hearts and their families. They include breathlessness, indigestion, arm numbness, neck or jaw discomfort, irregular heartbeat or simply unexplained tiredness.
“These symptoms may mimic other disease such as gastric problem, which is why heart attacks in women tend to be deadlier than men. Detection is usually later due to subtle symptoms,” said Dr Goh. Seek medical attention if these symptoms persist or if there is an unexplained drop in stamina, she said.
Dr Goh’s tips for a healthier heart:
1. Tweak your diet
Lower your intake of sugar, salt and saturated fats. Avoid trans fat, which is usually found in processed foods and baked goods.
2. Get screened yearly if you’re above 40
Check your body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels. Ask for a stress test such as a treadmill test if you have one or more risk factors, and especially if there is a family history of early heart disease.
3. Exercise right
Do moderate-intensity exercise that causes you to perspire and breathe deeply without discomfort. For maximum benefits, go for a mix of aerobic (jogging, cycling, swimming) and muscle strengthening (lifting weights) exercises. Exercise for 30 minutes five times a week.
Osteoporosis is an old woman’s disease: SOMEWHAT TRUE
In Singapore, the number of osteoporotic hip fractures has increased five-fold in women aged 50 and above over the last 30 years, according to the Osteoporosis Society (Singapore). While thinning bones typically occur with age, it is never too early to start building a solid bone bank from childhood.
The body’s bone mass grows and peaks around the age of 30. Thereafter, the body starts to lose more bone than form new ones. This process speeds up with age, and even more so in postmenopausal women when the female hormone oestrogen declines, said Dr Leon Foo, an orthopaedic surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.
According to Dr Foo, the higher a person’s peak bone mass, the better start she has as age catches on and bone density inevitably starts to decline.
Dr Foo’s brittle-bone prevention tips:
1. Have adequate calcium and Vitamin D
The recommended daily intake for calcium is 800mg for adults aged 19 to 50, and 1,000mg for teens, breastfeeding and pregnant women, as well as adults above the age of 50. As for Vitamin D, the Health Promotion Board advises getting some sunlight on the arms and legs twice a week for about five to 30 minutes each time.
2. Screen bones regularly
Opt for a bone density scan around menopause. If the result is within the normal range, repeat the scan every two to three years. An annual bone density scan is recommended if it is within the osteopenia (moderate degree of bone mass loss) or osteoporosis range.
3. Control existing medical conditions
Health issues like thyroid and malabsorption disorders — as well as the prolonged use of steroids — can impact bone health.
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Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Galaxy have made a bid to lure Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Major League Soccer in a record deal, Sports Illustrated reported on its website Wednesday.
The magazine’s soccer correspondent, Grant Wahl, reported that “multiple sources” had confirmed the Galaxy’s move to pry the striker away from Manchester United.
Ibrahimovic joined the Premier League giants last year on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, signing a one-year contract with an option for a further year.
Reports in British media recently have said the 35-year-old Swedish star is keen to negotiate a new deal at United.
But, speaking after the Red Devils’ recent League Cup victory over Southampton at Wembley, Ibrahimovic was reluctant to be drawn on his future.
“Let’s see what happens. We have another two months of the season to go,” said Ibrahimovic, who has scored 26 goals in all competitions for United this season.
Sports Illustrated said the proposed deal for Ibrahimovic would make him “easily” the highest-paid player in MLS history but did not give a figure.
Although MLS teams have a salary cap, each team is allowed three designated players who are exempt from wage rules.
Orlando City’s Brazilian former world footballer of the year Kaka is the highest paid player in the history of the league, commanding a salary of around US$7.2 million (S$10.23 million).
SINGAPORE – The Health Ministry (MOH) will propose changes to existing legislation that will raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor said in Parliament on Thursday (Mar 9).
The change will be implemented by phases over a few years, and is part of the ministry’s plan to reduce, if not eliminate, opportunities for Singapore youths to pick up the habit.
Ms Khor, in her speech, cited a report by the World Health Organisation that found that those who do not start smoking before the age of 21 “are unlikely to ever begin”.
She also noted that there was “considerable support” for raising the minimum legal age for smoking during a public consultation conducted by the Health Promotion Board between Dec 2015 and Mar 2016.
“We want to protect our young from the harms of tobacco, and lay the foundation for good health,” she said.
Reaction to the move online was somewhat mixed. On Facebook, Member of Parliament Louis Ng, who previously spoke in Parliament about his experience of quitting smoking, lauded the decision.
Some users also wondered whether the Government would be raising the legal age for drinking alcohol as well.
However, a number of users questioned whether such a rule would be an effective deterrent, with some suggesting that even greater restrictions on lighting up should be imposed.
seanyap@sph.com.sg
Elmo really, really wants to meet you, Adele.
Both the singer and the monster toddler are in Australia at the moment: Adele has been tearing up in her nationwide tour, while Elmo is helping promote Sesame Street’s 47th year on the air.
Despite the Sesame Street’s many recent big time guests like Sia, Jason Derulo and James Corden, Elmo is desperate to hang out with the English singer-songwriter. So much so, that he made a public plea on TV.
“Adele! Elmo loves you with all of Elmo’s heart. Elmo wants to sing “Rolling In The Deep” with you, wherever you are. Elmo will fly there. Call Elmo! Thank you,” he said down the camera on The Project Wednesday.
Then he launched into his own version of “Rolling In The Deep.” Perhaps a duet is on the cards.
Not content to leave it at that, Elmo sent follow-up tweets on Thursday morning.
So Adele, wherever you are. Won’t you hang out with Elmo?
Read the full article here.
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SINGAPORE: The legal age for smoking and buying tobacco products in Singapore will be raised from 18 to 21, Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor announced in Parliament on Thursday (Mar 9).
“We want to protect our young from the harms of tobacco, and lay the foundation for good health,” she said.
The restrictions, which will be phased in over the next few years, will cover the purchase, use and possession of tobacco products, for both retail and social supply, the Ministry of Health said.
Dr Khor said that in Singapore, 45 per cent of smokers become regular ones between the ages of 18 and 21 years. Research has also shown that adolescent brains have a heightened sensitivity to the effects of nicotine, with a World Health Organization (WHO) report stating that people who do not start smoking before the age of 21 “are unlikely to ever begin”, she added.
She also noted the Health Promotion Board conducted public consultation on further tobacco control measures between December 2015 and March 2016, and feedback showed “considerable support” for raising the minimum legal age for smoking in Singapore.
As such, to further de-normalise tobacco use and reduce the number of youths from picking up the habit, the ministry will propose legislative changes to Parliament within a year to raise the minimum legal age to sell tobacco products to minors from 18 to 21 years, Dr Khor said.
Dr Khor also gave an update on standardising tobacco packaging, saying the ministry had studied closely the experience of Australia, France and the United Kingdom as countries that had implemented this.
“(We) see significant value in moving in this direction, so as to reduce the appeal of tobacco products, particularly to youths, and raise the visibility and effectiveness of health warnings,” she said.
“We will conduct a further public consultation on standardised packaging this year to seek additional and more detailed views on possible standardised packaging measures,” Dr Khor added.
