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I came across this article about Ikea cabinets killing children in the US. Ikea USA issued a recall on it some time ago (now "relaunching" that recall). The recall for similar cabinets was extended to China but Ikea Singapore still claims it is safe to use in Singapore. Some questions come to mind: 1. How can the same item be unsafe in USA and China but safe in Singapore? Our children are made tougher than ang mo and PRC children? 2. Ikea Singapore says there are no incidents in Singapore except one from 10 years ago. Are they waiting for something to happen before they act? 3. People have been saying that consumer safety is lacking in China. Guess what, Singapore is worse! (at least in this case). Disclosure: have a toddler and ikea stuff at home

Alamak... Just came across this. Hope when i go NZ in Dec, won't kanna bullied by these people... Those who are not aware, better take note. The problem is, the article doesn't really say what are the rights one has when really faced with such situations. It's mentioned the devices can be: - out of sight for minutes - confiscated and returned after a few days If go on a trip, they take your phone, then even if can get around, will sure disrupt plans and spoil the trip... https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/new-zealand-border-customs-digital-device-passwords-fine-10803570 Commentary: Know your rights when a border agent demands access to your digital deviceVisitors entering New Zealand will have to disclose passwords for their electronic devices if they asked to by customs officials, or risk being slapped with a fine - but they should also be aware of their rights, says one observer. ARIZONA: Imagine arriving in Australia or New Zealand after a long-haul flight, exhausted and red-eyed. You’ve just reclaimed your baggage after getting through immigration when you’re stopped by a customs officer who demands you hand over your smartphone and the password. Do you know your rights? Both Australian and New Zealand customs officers are legally allowed to search not only your personal baggage, but also the contents of your smartphone, tablet or laptop. It doesn’t matter whether you are a citizen or visitor, or whether you’re crossing a border by air, land or sea. New laws that came into effect in New Zealand on Oct 1 give border agents: … the power to make a full search of a stored value instrument (including power to require a user of the instrument to provide access information and other information or assistance that is reasonable and necessary to allow a person to access the instrument). Those who don’t comply could face prosecution and NZ$5,000 (US$3,220) in fines. Border agents have similar powers in Australia and elsewhere. AdvertisementIn Canada, for example, hindering or obstructing a border guard could cost you up to C$50,000 (US$38,514) or five years in prison. DEVICE INSPECTION A GROWING TREND Australia and New Zealand don’t currently publish data on these kinds of searches, but there is a growing trend of device search and seizure at US borders. There was a more than fivefold increase in the number of electronic device inspections between 2015 and 2016 – bringing the total number to 23,000 per year. In the first six months of 2017, the number of searches was already almost 15,000. In some of these instances, people have been threatened with arrest if they didn’t hand over passwords. Others have been charged. In cases where they did comply, people have lost sight of their device for a short period, or devices were confiscated and returned days or weeks later. On top of device searches, there is also canvassing of social media accounts. In 2016, the United States introduced an additional question on online visa application forms, asking people to divulge social media usernames. As this form is usually filled out after the flights have been booked, travellers might feel they have no choice but to part with this information rather than risk being denied a visa, despite the question being optional. SEARCHING SMARTPHONES AN INVASION OF PRIVACY Border agents may have a legitimate reason to search an incoming passenger – for instance, if a passenger is suspected of carrying illicit goods, banned items, or agricultural products from abroad. But searching a smartphone is different from searching luggage. Our smartphones carry our innermost thoughts, intimate pictures, sensitive workplace documents, and private messages. The practice of searching electronic devices at borders could be compared to police having the right to intercept private communications. But in such cases in Australia, police require a warrant to conduct the intercept. That means there is oversight, and a mechanism in place to guard against abuse. And the suspected crime must be proportionate to the action taken by law enforcement. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS If you’re stopped at a border and asked to hand over your devices and passwords, make sure you have educated yourself in advance about your rights in the country you’re entering. Find out whether what you are being asked is optional or not. Just because someone in a uniform asks you to do something, it does not necessarily mean you have to comply. If you’re not sure about your rights, ask to speak to a lawyer and don’t say anything that might incriminate you. Keep your cool and don’t argue with the customs officer. You should also be smart about how you manage your data generally. You may wish to switch on two-factor authentication, which requires a password on top of your passcode. And store sensitive information in the cloud on a secure European server while you are travelling, accessing it only on a needs basis. Data protection is taken more seriously in the European Union as a result of the recently enacted General Data Protection Regulation. Microsoft, Apple and Google all indicate that handing over a password to one of their apps or devices is in breach of their services agreement, privacy management, and safety practices. That doesn’t mean it’s wise to refuse to comply with border force officials, but it does raise questions about the position governments are putting travellers in when they ask for this kind of information. Katina Michael is professor at School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and School of Computing, Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering in Arizona State University. This commentary first appeared on The Conversation.

To Register: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/car-accident-rally-tickets-31837090595

Singapore PR ask why they cannot vote for government since they have vested interest in our little red dot. Read already angry a not? from: https://www.facebook.com/AllSingaporeStuff/photos/pb.487870694661330.-2207520000.1394120473./520591754722557/

Was reading CNA on-line when came upon this ............. Indonesia jails man who fought off mob attackers SERANG, Indonesia: An Indonesian court on Monday jailed a minority sect member for six months for defending himself and others from a lynch mob which killed three of his friends earlier this year. The sentence was the same or stiffer than those handed out last month to 12 Islamic extremists who led the mob in the February rampage, including a teenager who was filmed crushing one victim's head with a stone. Human rights activists expressed outrage that one of those wounded by the mob should be jailed for longer than the leaders of the violence. A panel of judges found Ahmadiyah sect member Deden Sudjana guilty of ill-treatment and ignoring an order to evacuate the sect's property in Cikeusik, western Java, as the armed mob arrived. "The defendant failed to act following the police order to evacuate," one of the judges told Serang district court. "Video footage shows the defendant started punching a man with a black jacket," the judge added. Wearing a traditional batik shirt, the 48-year old defendant heard the sentence in stunned silence. Later he told AFP he was "disappointed" with the ruling. "It's embarrassing. I'm purely a victim who has been criminalised in my own country," he told AFP. Ahmadiyah, unlike mainstream Muslims, do not believe Mohammed was the last prophet and are regarded as heretics and blasphemers by conservatives in countries such as Indonesia and Pakistan. Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Elaine Pearson said: "The inconsistency between the trials of those who killed the Ahmadiyah and the trial of Deden Sudjana is appalling and smacks of injustice. "Those responsible for the deaths of three Ahmadis got three to six months, and Sudjana also got six months - seems like the Ahmadiyah face blatant discrimination not just from Islamic militant mobs, but also from an Indonesian court." One of the mob, members of Indonesia's majority Sunni sect, almost severed Sudjana's left hand with a machete during the February 6 onslaught, which pitted about 20 Ahmadiyah followers against around 1,500 enraged fanatics. A secretly filmed video of the Cikeusik rampage sparked international concern when it appeared online within days of the attack. The footage shows police fleeing the scene as the mob - armed with machetes and knives and shouting abuse at the "infidels" - launched their attack. A handful of Ahmadiyah men tried to defend the property with stones and slingshots but were quickly overwhelmed. Pearson said the Indonesian government "should clean up its justice system", which President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono admits is at the mercy of a "court mafia" of corrupt police, prosecutors and judges.

SingTel wins exclusive rights to broadcast UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup SINGAPORE: Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) has won exclusive rights to broadcast UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup 2009-2012 on its mobile, internet and mio TV platforms. SingTel also plans to stream UEFA Champions League games both

What are rights? I googled, read all the shares technical jargon but still don't understand... real noob here :p 1) let say, I've been allocated 100 rights share... if I take up, I pay $7.65 x 100. upon ex-rights, these 100 shares will be automatically go into my CDP as normal shares and I can trade it as normal trading price after that ? 2) if I don't take up, it will not convert into cash for me, right? 3) Excess rights... what is this? Any shares guru can help a bit?

What happened to angmoh standard of Human Rights? Britain's MI6 aided torture of Nepal Maoists, book claims British authorities funded a four-year-long intelligence operation in Nepal that led to Maoist rebels being arrested, tortured and killed during the country's civil war, according to the author of a new book on Kathmandu. Launched in 2002, "Operation Mustang" targeted Maoist guerillas and saw British intelligence agency MI6 fund safe houses and provide training in surveillance and counter-insurgency tactics to Nepal's army and spy agency, the National Investigation Department (NID), writer Thomas Bell told AFP Saturday. Nepal's decade-long civil war left more than 16,000 dead, with rebels and security forces accused of serious human rights violations including killings, rapes, torture and disappearances. "According to senior Nepalese intelligence and army officials involved in the operation, British aid greatly strengthened their performance and led to about 100 arrests," said Bell, whose book "Kathmandu" hits stores in South Asia on Thursday. "It's difficult to put an exact number on it, but certainly some of those who were arrested were tortured and disappeared," he said. Maoist commander Sadhuram Devkota, known by his nom-de-guerre "Prashant", was among those captured during "Operation Mustang" in November 2004. Six weeks later, he was found hanging from a low window in his cell, with officials saying he had committed suicide. Despite protests, no independent investigation was ever carried out. British authorities helped construct a bug-proof building in the NID headquarters, created a secure radio network for communications and supplied everything from cameras to computers to mobile phones and night vision binoculars, according to Bell's sources in the Nepalese security establishment. "The agency also sent a small number of British officers to Nepal, around four or five -- some tied to the embassy, others operating separately," Bell said. The officers gave the Nepalese training in how to place bugs, how to penetrate rebel networks and how to groom informers. - 'They knew what was happening' - Bell spent about a year interviewing some 20 highly-placed sources to corroborate the details of the operation, and said a senior western official told him the operation was cleared by Britain's Foreign Office. A Foreign Office spokeswoman told AFP: "We do not comment on intelligence matters but, as we have repeatedly made clear, the UK does not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. "In no circumstances will UK personnel ever be authorised to take such action; we neither condone such activity, nor do we ask others to do it on our behalf. "We would never authorise any action in the knowledge or belief that torture would take place at the hands of a third party." A Nepalese general with close knowledge of the operation told the writer there was no doubt that British authorities realised that some of the arrested suspects would be tortured and killed. "Being British they must have thought about human rights also, but they knew exactly what was happening to them," the general said. "The thing must have been approved at a high level." Bell said it was "a peculiar contradiction that while calling for an end to abuses... the British were secretly giving very significant help in arresting targets whom they knew were very likely to be tortured". The British-born writer covered Nepal's civil war from 2002 to 2007, reporting for The Economist and the South China Morning Post before moving to Bangkok for a two-year stint as The Daily Telegraph's Southeast Asia correspondent. Tejshree Thapa, senior researcher at the Asia division of Human Rights Watch, said: "Nepal's army was known by 2002 to be an abusive force, responsible for... summary executions, torture, custodial detentions". "To support such an army is tantamount to entrenching and encouraging abuse and impunity," Thapa told AFP. Nepal army spokesman Jagdish Chandra Pokharel denied all knowledge of the operation, which apparently continued even after a coup in February 2005 by the then-king Gyanendra seizing direct control prompted the British to publicly suspend all military aid to the country. "I have no idea about MI6 training the Nepal army or any Operation Mustang," Pokharel told AFP. Nepal is in the process of drafting a new constitution, a key step in a stalled peace process begun after the end of the civil war in 2006. http://news.yahoo.com/britains-mi6-aided-torture-nepal-maoists-book-claims-025143311.html

FRom CNA : SingTel secures BPL broadcasts rights for 3 more seasons Posted: 10 October 2012 2252 hrs SINGAPORE: SingTel on Wednesday announced that it has secured the broadcast rights to all 380 Barclays Premier League (BPL) matches for the next three seasons commencing August next year. These rights were acquired on a non-exclusive basis, meaning that SingTel is not obliged to share the content with their competitors. Mr Allen Lew, SingTel's country chief officer (Singapore) and CEO of Group Digital L!fe, said: "We are delighted to bring all the BPL matches 'live' to Singapore for another three seasons. "Along with our recent acquisition of the rights to the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, FA Cup, Serie A, Ligue 1 and other prominent football tournaments, fans can be assured of SingTel's strong commitment to deliver the most comprehensive football experience on mio TV, the home of football." The matches will continue to be available online on miostadium.com and on mobile via SingTel's BPL application. Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "mio Stadium has provided Singapore fans with great local programming and coverage of the Barclays Premier League action in a comprehensive and innovative manner. We are pleased to be continuing our partnership with SingTel for another three seasons." In response to SingTel's announcement, StarHub issued a statement saying: "We are surprised that FA Premier League (FAPL) did not conduct a tender for Singapore, departing from all past practice. We will be seeking clarification from FAPL before deciding on our next course of action. We will be keen to acquire the BPL only if the price is right." Well............. have to stick with SingTel for the next 4 years.... I subscribe MIO TV only for BPL but it seems getting better deal now with Champion League, Europa Cup, La Liga, Serie A and French Ligue 1 thrown in starting this year ...

There is always this huge debate on the rights of smokers versus those of non-smoking folks'. So where do you stand? Typical of those arguing their cases are portrayed here: From ST Forum: Smoker's view: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Online...ory_747947.html Don't use health as a proxy to browbeat smokers socially Published on Dec 23, 2011

Interesting POV coming from a non-smoker: From ST Forum: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_739049.html Extending smoking ban indoors: Rights of the few count too Published on Nov 29, 2011 WITH regard to Mrs Sherley Servos' appeal ('Ban smoking inside homes too'; yesterday), I suggest that the Government not do so. It would be better for the authorities to tackle smoking issues with neighbours individually. As Singaporeans, we have been spoilt by immediate, punitive responses to problems. I too have a neighbour who smokes and the second-hand smoke comes into our home. Some of our neighbours burn incense or joss sticks when observing their religious practices. As a result I have had to close the windows. Should the Government ban these too? What about those whose children practise on musical instruments late into the night? Where does it stop? I can appreciate the concern about second-hand smoke, but I feel that appealing to the Government on such matters sets an unhealthy precedent. Tolerance is not a dirty word - it simply means that as humans, we learn to adapt, improvise and overcome. Knowing when to tolerate requires the maturity and wisdom we have accumulated over the years. The rights of the few should not outweigh that of the many - at least not too often. Lau Jiamin

Malaysia always have the more fun and happening clubs than us. ----- Malaysia's "obedient wives" anger rights groups Reuters Sun, Jun 05, 2011 Tweet KUALA LUMPUR - A Malaysian group urging wives to avoid marital problems by fulfilling their husbands' sexual desires like prostitutes has angered politicians and women's rights groups, the New Straits Times reported on Sunday. The Obedient Wives Club, which was set up by a group of Muslim women, said domestic violence, infidelity and prostitution stemmed from a lack of belief in God and a failure of women to satisfy their husbands. The club's president, Rohaya Mohamed, said it was open to women of all religions and would conduct seminars on how to be a good wife as well as offer marriage counseling. "A man married to a woman who is as good or better than a prostitute in bed has no reason to stray. Rather than allowing him to sin, a woman must do all she can to ensure his desires are met," Rohaya told the newspaper. Females outnumber males in Malaysian higher education institutions, comprising 65 percent of the intake at public universities last year, according to government data. But rights groups say women are still often victims of gender bias, and have protested what they considered the club's demeaning portrayal of women as a cause of social problems. "Abusive men often use women's behaviour as a sick justification, but in the end, their actions are their responsibility," said Ratna Osman, acting executive director at rights group Sisters-in-Islam. "To hinge fidelity, domestic violence and the fulfilment of a husband's responsibilities purely on a wife's capacity to be obedient, stimulate sexual arousal ... is not only demeaning to wives, but to husbands as well," said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Jalil.

........Khaw calls for AVA to review culling of cats By Fann Sim | SingaporeScene

like that consider threatening with their vote or not??

Quite ridiculous right? I quote from stomp ChinaSeenStompCN said on 28 Sep, 2010 Report as offensive KAO PEI LAH! Naive young people. IF YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER, THEN PLEASE, DON'T HOPE FOR ANYTHING IN RETURN. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING IN RETURN, YOU DON'T CALL THAT VOLUNTEER WORK, YOU CALL THAT A JOB. AND YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE VOLUNTEERED IN THE FIRST PLACE IF YOU HOPE FOR ANYTHING. UGLY FAKE VOLUNTEERS, GO CHECK DICTIONARY FOR THE MEANING OF "VOLUNTARISM" before you all cry father cry mother here!~!!

Today went to cheers outlet at bukit batok. Saw Coke Zero can in the fridge priced $1.3. Took one to the counter shafted $2 note to the counter girl. She gave me back 50cents. I opened the can drinks and then took one mouth and say I want to see the cheers manager as I am cheated of 20cents! She went to the backroom to call her manager. The manager immediately asked her to refund me the 20cents difference. He took out the price tag and said price increased Liao. He said he will honour the advertised price for me. Make me feel so shiok today. Lately, many provision shops started to selly favourite coke zero at higher prices. Haiz lesson in inflation 101 for the common consumer like me today!

Can someone explain the rights and obligations of volunteering? If I volunteer for X but get assigned to do Y instead, can I un-volunteer? Who should get the crap job? Volunteer or professional? Can I expect a certain level of leeway because I am going out of my way to help, or should I take whatever gets thrown at me because I volunteered?

After reading a post by a bro on how in Europe they even have a mark in certain drink cups to fill until before adding ice, I suddenly feel that Singapore really got no customer protection. Any bros have any bad experiences to share? Together with this info we will not be made us of again

After so long, they have finally secure rights to broadcast all 64 World Cup Matches across their platforms. Early bird package priced at $66 before 31st May. After which will be $88. Abit chor right...

My fren brought in this brand of products from overseas directly from the manufacturer with exclusive disty rights in Singapore. Currently, another competitor is also selling these products in sg but goods were sourced from parallel import. My fren has already registered himself as the trademark owner for this brand in SG. My fren has also registered the ingredients of the products via gov authority but not the competitor. can anyone advise me what sld my fren do to drive this competitor out of the field as this is unfair playing field.

It was reported in ST , 16 Jan 2009, that the purported amounted sought by FIFA is $100 million, hence explain the current stalement in the bidding. Crazy isnt it ?

Singapore Telecommunications Limited Page 1 of 1 Company registration number: 199201624D News Release SingTel wins exclusive rights to the Barclays Premier League Singapore, 1 October 2009 -- Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel) today announced that it has won the bid for the rights to the Barclays Premier League matches for three years commencing August 2010. These include rights for mio TV, as well as the Internet and mobile.

Here it goes again, after world cup come african cup than south america cup.

Parliament to debate over EPL rights, standards of local pageants By Li Jiamei, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 October 2009 1627 hrs SINGAPORE : Questions over the rights to air the English Premier League (EPL) as well as other sports channels will be raised when Parliament sits on Monday. At least three MPs will ask the Acting Information, Communications and the Arts Minister about the recent successful bid by SingTel over the EPL rights. MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Zainudin Nordin, for instance, wants to know if consumers will benefit from the competition between the operators. Other questions tabled include concerns over the prices of HDB flats, the revenue generated from the Formula 1 night race, as well as the recent controversy over the Ms Singapore World pageant. MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC Baey Yam Keng has asked the Trade and Industry Minister if there is a need for greater supervision by local organisers to ensure that Singapore's brand name will be protected. Parliament is also expected to introduce the Singapore Armed Forces Amendment Bill and the Medical Registration Amendment Bill. The changes to the Medical Registration Act seek to improve and streamline the Singapore Medical Council's existing disciplinary processes. Parliament will sit at 1.30pm on Monday. - CNA /ls --- I am sure there are other more important things to debate???? Football is a national issue????

Hi guys, need to check with you. My last day with my ex company was 31st Mar. Up til now no payment has been received. Checked up on MOM but they only cover employee <$2500 mthly pay. Can legal gurus here can advise how I can go ard pursuing my $$$? As of now my Mar salary,outstanding claims, leave wages have not been paid.