UN human rights expert Rosa Kornfeld-Matte says there is a need for laws and policies “grounded in a human rights-based approach” to address the needs of Singapore’s ageing population.
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Life 'remains a struggle' for many old Singaporeans: UN expert
Singaporean arrested in Bali for drug possession
The Singaporean man was nabbed by authorities when he arrived at the Ngurah Rai International airport on Friday night (Sep 30) from Singapore.
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Tennis: Sharapova's doping ban cut to 15 months
LAUSANNE – Maria Sharapova had her two-year tennis ban for doping reduced to 15 months by the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Russian tested positive for the banned medication meldonium during January’s Australian Open, but the world’s top sports court cut the initial two-year ban by nine months.
In its verdict the CAS “found that Ms Sharapova committed an anti-doping rule violation and that while it was with ‘no significant fault’, she bore some degree of fault, for which a sanction of fifteen months is appropriate”.
Sharapova openly admitted she had been taking meldonium for 10 years to help treat illnesses, a heart issue and a magnesium deficiency.
She also claimed it had entirely escaped her attention that the product had been added to the banned substance list published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on January 1, just before the Australian Open.
The initial ban was imposed by an independent tribunal appointed by the International Tennis Federation and the reduced ban following her appeal means the Russian, who has spent most of her life in the United States, will be free to resume competition at the end of April 2017.
Tennis star Sharapova fails drug test
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Philippines' Duterte tells Obama to 'go to hell'
MANILA – Firebrand Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte told US President Barack Obama to “go to hell” Tuesday, as he threatened to end his nation’s decades-old alliance with the United States in favour of China and Russia.
The fresh tirade came as the Philippines and the United States launched annual war games that Duterte had already warned may be the last of his presidency, in response to US criticism of his deadly war on crime.
“I have lost my respect for America,” Duterte said as he complained at length in two speeches about calls by the United States, the United Nations and the European Union to respect human rights.
“Mr Obama, you can go to hell.” Duterte also branded Americans “hypocrites” and warned there may come a time when he would completely break the two nations’ alliance, which includes a mutual defence pact.
“Eventually I might in my term, break up with America. I would rather go to Russia or to China. Even if we do not agree with their ideology, they have respect for the people. Respect is important,” he said.
Anti-crime blitz sweeps Philippines as Duterte comes into power
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AFP, Reuters
Duterte, who took office on June 30, has said the top priority of his six-year term is eradicating illegal drugs in society, and he is “happy to slaughter” three million addicts to achieve his goal.
More than 3,000 people have died in the crime war so far, according to official figures, with rights groups warning of vigilante death squads carrying out mass murder and a general breakdown in the rule of law.
Although he uses fierce rhetoric, Duterte insists he is not breaking any laws, that police are killing only in self defence and many of the other deaths are as a result of gang wars.
Nevertheless, a UN rights envoy has warned Duterte may be breaking international law with incitements to kill.
Obama also last month urged Duterte at a regional summit in Laos to respect the rule of law and carry out his drug war “the right way”.
A few days earlier, Duterte had branded Obama a “son of a whore” after being told the US president would raise the rights concerns at the summit.
Military ties between the Philippines and the United States had grown stronger in recent years partly in response to China’s expanding presence in the strategically vital South China Sea.
China claims nearly all of the sea, even waters close to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations, and has in recent years built artificial islands in the disputed areas that are capable of hosting military bases.
To counter China, the Philippines’ previous president, Benigno Aquino, sought to draw the United States closer.
This included the signing of a new defence pact that allowed thousands more US soldiers to rotate through the Philippines and for American military hardware to be stationed on Filipino bases.
Aquino also launched international legal action that in July saw a UN-backed tribunal declare China’s vast claims in the sea illegal.
However Duterte has reversed course, warning he wants to scrap the new pact and that he will not allow any more joint patrols with the United States in the South China Sea.
On Tuesday, Duterte told Filipinos they could not count on the United States, the Philippines’ former colonial ruler.
“Don’t believe in those Americans. they will not fight to die for us,” he said.
About 2,000 American and Filipino troops are taking part in the eight-day war games, which will be held partly in waters near the disputed areas of the South China Sea.
In speeches to launch the exercises in Manila, military chiefs from both sides acted as if relations were normal.
“I am confident that we will continue to build our partnership and capabilities together,” the 3rd US Marine Expeditionary Force deputy commander, Brigadier General John Jansen, said at the opening ceremony.
However a statement released by the US Embassy in Manila, hinted at the tensions.
“We will continue to honour our alliance commitments, and we expect the Philippines to do the same,” embassy spokeswoman Molly Koscina said in the statement.
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S’pore and India to explore new ways to deepen financial cooperation
NEW DELHI – Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley have been tasked to explore “new and innovative ways” to enhance financial cooperation between the two countries and create mutually beneficial outcomes.
This…
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Unilever: Warehouse Sale – Up to 70% Off Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Lux, Lipton & More (8 – 9 Oct)
THIS WEEKEND: UP TO 70% OFF Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Best Foods, Dove & many more at Unilever’s warehouse sale (8 – 9 Oct)
Unilever: Warehouse Sale – Up to 70% Off Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Lux, Lipton & More (8 – 9 Oct)
Unilever will be having a Massive Warehouse Sale featuring discounts of up to 70% off on over 16 brands from 8 & 9 Oct 2016
Salaries in S’pore expected to rise 4% next year: Survey
SINGAPORE – Despite the uncertain global economic outlook, salaries in the Republic will still rise next year, although the increases are likely to lag behind that of other Asia-Pacific countries, according to a survey by recruitment consultancy Willas Towers…
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Fandi takes over as head coach for youth footballers
The Singapore legend will help oversee the development of youth teams bound for the 2018 Asian Games and the 2019 SEA Games.
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S’pore-born manatee that died in the Caribbean was in good health before transfer: WRS
SINGAPORE – A Singapore-born manatee that died after it was sent to the Caribbean for a pioneer repopulation programme was in good health before it embarked on its journey, Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which manages River Safari park, said.
It was one…
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Pet owners, are your homes pet-proofed?
SINGAPORE – They say a cat has nine lives but one lucky kitty narrowly putting that to the test after being stranded on a precarious ledge of a Housing Board flat.
SPCA Singapore dispatched a rescue officer to the unit which was on the 12th storey, while two police officers assisted with an opened blanket on the ground floor in case the kitten fell.
See also: Bedok flat with 30 cats raises a stink
SPCA’s video on Facebook revealed that the rescue officer easily drew the kitten up with a pole, reuniting it with its owner.
While a certain tragedy was prevented this time, the incident reveals a larger safety concern, especially where hyperactive pets are involved.
The rescue officer noticed that the owner’s home was not adequately equipped with pet-proofing measures, and recommended meshing up the windows and gate to prevent future incidences.
See also: SPCA joining scheme to sterilise stray cats
SPCA said: “Cats and kittens are curious animals and they risk falling out of an open window by simple acts such as chasing a bird that was flying past.”
Meshing up windows and installing a sturdy grilling system may not be aesthetically pleasing, but for pet owners living in high-rise apartments, this simple measure can save a life.
Pet owners can find out more about pet-proofing equipment here.
debwong@sph.com.sg
Singapore’s leopard cats
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The Straits Times, Acres
Cats of St John’s Island
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SPH Razor
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