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https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Philippines-Maria-Ressa-Russian-journalist-share-Nobel-Peace-Prize?utm_campaign=GL_one_time&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=3&pub_date=20211008183000&seq_num=2&si=44594 Philippines' Maria Ressa, Russian journalist share Nobel Peace Prize Prominent Duterte and Kremlin critics win for defending freedom of expression From left, the Philippines' Maria Ressa and Russia's Dmitry Muratov have won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) Nikkei staff writersOctober 8, 2021 18:12 JSTUpdated on October 8, 2021 18:51 JST TOKYO -- Philippine journalist Maria Ressa has won the Nobel Peace Prize, alongside Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday. The pair were recognized for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace." Ressa, 58, heads Philippine news website Rappler and is a prominent critic of President Rodrigo Duterte. "I am in shock," she said in response to the Nobel announcement, in a Rappler broadcast quoted by Reuters. Ressa and Muratov were honored for their "courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia," Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairwoman Berit Reiss-Andersen told reporters. She said they represent all journalists who defend this ideal at a time when democracy and freedom face "increasingly adverse conditions." Last year, Ressa was found guilty of "cyberlibel" in a high-profile case that stirred concern over press freedom in the Southeast Asian country. While the case was brought by a businessman over a 2012 story, many believe Ressa and Rappler were targeted over their extensive reporting on Duterte's deadly drug war and other politically sensitive issues. Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa is escorted by police after posting bail in 2019. © Reuters Human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, as well as foreign press clubs, condemned the conviction as a blow to free speech. Muratov, for his part, is editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, which the Committee to Protect Journalists describes as "the only truly critical newspaper with national influence in Russia today." The paper is known for in-depth investigations into corruption, human rights violations and abuse of power, according to the CPJ, which notes that three of its reporters have been killed. Dmitry Muratov, the founder of Novaya Gazeta, earlier this year: His publication has been called "the only truly critical newspaper with national influence in Russia today." The Kremlin, according to Reuters, released a statement congratulating the 59-year-old and said he "consistently works in accordance with his own ideals," and is "brave and talented." Explaining the decision to award the Peace Prize to journalists, the Nobel committee said in a statement, "Without freedom of expression and freedom of the press, it will be difficult to successfully promote fraternity between nations, disarmament and a better world order to succeed in our time."

Such a big news created here locally. Apparently, this office was invited by his superior to go to a dinner with the influential guy. He was then shot dead in the dinner and his superior could not forgive himself and committed suicide. 25 other officers were in the dinner but the mastermind still got around destroying evidences. Poor policeman, he was said to be an upright and honest guy. But just got killed because he refuses a promotion for the nephew of the mastermind. Just for thots, we are really lucky to be around on SG with no such nonsenses going around. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2023/09/08/thai-policeman-and-gunman-shot-dead-local-influence-is-apparent/

So 2020 has been awfully eventful so far! Five months in and already, 2020 is proving to be life changing. Here's a recap of what's happened so far. Carrying on from end of 2019 to 2020, Dec 31, 2019: A cluster of severe pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China is reported to the World Health Organization. Doctors do not yet know its cause. Truth be told, before 2020, I've never heard of Wuhan. Jan 2: Third state of emergency in New South Wales, Australia as bushfires threatened the country. Donations all over the world poured in. We saw devastating images of thousands of animals dying or already dead. We read about the Koalas pushed to the brink of extinction by drought and bush fires. More species and subspecies would be endangered and even extinct. What could possibly be worse to the start of the year? Fire Tornadoes! Bushfires, ash rain, dust storms and flash floods: two weeks in apocalyptic Australia. Was this a warning sign from earth to clean up our acts if not the world will heal itself? #prayforaustralia was going around. Mother nature sure is angry. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. . . . . Meanwhile in Singapore, MOH says it will screen all inbound travellers from Wuhan, China, from the evening of Jan 3. There are no cases in Singapore. Jan 3: US kills Iran general Qassem Suleimani in drone strike ordered by Trump. Iran vows vengeance. . . . Somewhere else in the world, trouble was brewing. Jan 3: @Carbon82 started a new thread on a novel Coronavirus with SARS link from Wuhan. Not much interest generated. Jan 7: WHO notified of the novel coronavirus, then known as 2019-nCoV, in China *"Soft launch" of COVID-19 ahem. But the world was too occupied with the impending WWIII, or so we thought. Jan 8: Iran launches ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq, injuring American soldiers. At the same time.... . . . Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight crashed shortly after taking off from Iranian capital Tehran, killing all 176 passengers and crew members on board. It came in the midst of escalating tensions between US and Iran. Conspiracy theories started flying around. Was it a mistake, was it an attack, was it related to Jan 3? Also Jan 8: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce they are stepping down from their duties as royals in Buckingham Palace. You can always count on the Royal family for some commercial break. Jan 10: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau says Iranian missle brought down the airliner. *Cue World War 3* The only time I came close to being a part of any World War was playing Command & Conquer: Red Alert when I was younger. Jan 11: China records its first coronavirus death, 11 days after WHO learned of the virus outbreak. Jan 16: The impeachment trial for Donald Trump begins - on his abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Jan 20: MOH announces it will expand temperature screening to all travellers coming in from China from Jan 22, in light of the Chinese New Year holidays and expected influx of Chinese travellers. Jan 22: A multi-ministry task force, chaired by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong and National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, is formed. Jan 23: FIRST CONFIRMED CASE IN SINGAPORE A 66-year-old Chinese national from Wuhan arrived in Singapore on Jan 20. He is warded at the Singapore General Hospital and tests positive for the yet unnamed novel coronavirus. Contact tracing begins. Temperature screening is implemented at all sea and land checkpoints, it is announced. . . Wuhan, China goes under an unprecedented lockdown, impacting 11 million residents, on the eve of the Great Migration. Chinese New Year is cancelled for the factory of the world. Transportation in and out of the city was shut down. The live animal and seafood market in China was placed under international spotlight of being a possible point of origin for the virus outbreak. The hunt for patient zero is still ongoing with suggestions indicating the outbreak may not have started from the seafood market. Wuhan experienced food shortages and hospitals saw an overwhelming number of patients. Foreigners visiting the city were evacuated and repatriated to their countries. It was Chinese New Year at this point in Singapore (24th Jan) and I spent the four days of holiday reading and watching up on reports of Wuhan hospitals being overwhelmed and thousands of people falling sick. In Singapore, people celebrated Chinese New Year as per normal, except me. Four days of staying home alone eating pizza watching Netflix and reading up on this "Wuhan virus". Jan 26: Kobe and Gianna, along with seven other passengers, died in a helicopter crash in California. The death of Kobe Bryant halted all coronavirus news for almost two days as the entire world mourned for him and his daughter Gianna. Jan 31: The United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union. The move was met with mixed reactions as celebrations and protects sparked across the country. Feb 5: In 2020, we learnt that cruise ships are breeding grounds for the coronavirus. The Diamond Princess Cruise was the first cruise ship to have a major outbreak of the virus. Over 700 people became infected, with 14 people dead. As of May 2nd, over 40 cruise ships have had confirmed cases on board. Feb 7: DORSCON ORANGE IN SINGAPORE!!! 33 CASES IN SINGAPORE. Shit hits home real hard, that is the reason why you need to panic buy toilet paper. . . . . Dr Li Wenliang, a doctor from the Wuhan Central Hospital. Dubbed a whistle blower was one of the first who tried to warn and share information about the novel coronavirus to fellow colleagues. He was reprimanded by the police. He died on February 7. Feb 11: The novel Coronavirus finally gets its name, COVID-19. The name is a shortened version of coronavirus disease 2019. The virus itself is called 2019-nCoV. Before this it was referred to as the Wuhan virus. Feb 21: 0 new confirmed case in Singapore. During this period we were being hailed as the 'Gold Standard' and litmus test for coronavirus containment. If Singapore can't do it, no one else can, they say. Feb 24: Dr Mahathir quits as Prime Minister. Mahathir resigns but is asked to stay as Interim Prime Minister. His resignation and appointment was accepted by the King all in a day's work. Political drama and confusion in the midst of a pandemic? March 1: Muhyddin Yassin is sworn in as Malaysia's 8th Prime Minister. Don't know much about Malaysia's politics but one thing I do know is that if Mahathir is still in power, Malaysia would probably still be in verbal war with Singapore even in this crisis, likely gloating about our current predicament "I told you so hehe". March 11: Italy becomes the first country to implement a nationwide lockdown as the outbreak surged in Italy, making them the second-worst hit country by the virus after China. Several countries began to follow suit. . . . WHO declares the coronavirus a pandemic. I think at this point most people regarded Who's advisory and announcement as, "As good as not saying anything." By this point the virus had already spread to more than 100 countries around the world, with more than 120,000 people infected and over 4,300 dead. Mar 5: Everything went downhill for Singapore from this point onwards, starting with the SAFRA Jurong cluster. Mar 6: Double figure spike in Singapore. At this point, we're seeing a total of 130 cases. Mar 13: USA declares national emergency. In most Hollywood movies, USA is depicted as saving the world but don't be expecting that anytime soon. New York is always the target for most catastrophes in movies, well guess what, Corona didn't miss that out. In 2020, we also learnt that it's hollywood for a good reason. Leadership matters. Mar 15: Acceleration time. Figures shoot up to 226, doubling within a week. Gold standard no more? From this point on, cases spiked further from imported cases - Singapore residents and students return from abroad. Welcome home, for better and for worse, for the good and the bad times. Mar 16: US stocks took a major plunge amid mounting fears surrounding the coronavirus. The Dow fell a sharp 2,997 points, the biggest drop since 1987. Mar 18: Malaysia's MCO, causing another panic both in Malaysia and Singapore. Supply chain disruption has never been so threatened before. The stakes are high now. Malaysia is our closest neighbor after-all. We share close ties, much closer than we initially thought. An eerie calm. On hindsight, was this a loophole when we allowed Malaysians to rush in to Singapore and possibly bringing the virus in before MCO kicked in? Nothing much we could do then but to hold our breath for the next two weeks for a possible surge in virus cases. Mar 20: Imported cases continued to spike. Singaporeans are advised to defer all travel abroad. Mar 21: Singapore announces our first two death from the coronavirus. Mar 22: Singapore closes borders to short term visitors. All short-term pass holders are barred from entering or transiting in Singapore. March 24: The 2020 Olympics delayed until 2021. It was originally set to take place at the end of July in Tokyo, Japan. . . . Returning Singapore residents who have travelled to the United Kingdom and United States will be taken from the airport to hotels to serve out their 14-day stay-home notice. Mar 31: Singapore's Imported cases start to drop, but local transmission cases rise. There are now 926 COVID-19 cases in Singapore, and another cluster in a dormitory is discovered. April 2: COVID-19 cases surpass one million globally after just a little over three months since the first case was reported back in China. Apr 3: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announces a “circuit breaker” will run from Apr 7 to May 4. Only essential services can continue to keep their premises open, and all schools will close and students shift to home-based learning. Masks should be used when people leave the house for essential needs, but Singaporeans are urged to stay at home as much as possible. . . . Cue PANIC BUY part 3. Apr 5: 120 new cases are announced in Singapore – the biggest spike yet. Apr 7: CIRCUIT BREAKER COMMENCES - What does this means? Full home based learning for schools. 80% of Singapore's workforce to work from home or shut. Only essential services will continue to operate. . . . Ironically, the city-wide lockdown in Wuhan is lifted after 76 days. Traffic will be allowed in and out of the city. Apr 9: The biggest spike yet in Singapore, with 287 cases. Of these, 217 are linked to known clusters, with those linked to the dormitories continuing to grow. All Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders will have to serve a 14-day self isolation at dedicated Stay Home Notice facilities. . . . The state of New York alone has the highest number of coronavirus cases than any country in the world, with more than 160,000 people infected. More than 7,000 people have been killed by the virus. Apr 13: Singapore reports 386 infections with the vast majority linked to dormitories. Apr 15: Singapore reports 447 new cases, with 404 linked to foreign worker dormitories. Apr 16: The record numbers continue to grow, with 728 new cases reported. Apr 18: A record 942 new COVID-19 cases are reported, with the "vast majority" being work permit holders living in foreign worker dormitories. April 20: 1,426 new coronavirus cases in S'pore in new daily high. This is the highest recorded so far to date. Is the peak over in Singapore? We certainly hope so. Apr 28: Crisis in the North Peninsula?! Where is Kim Jong Un? Kim Jong Un was last seen on Apr 11. Reports of the North Korean leader to be in grave health following an emergency heart surgery sent international media into a frenzy. There were unverified reports of his death citing "reliable sources". Unimaginable. What happens to North Korea if he dies? Who is going to be his successor? His sister? Apr 30: Singapore Airlines is in the red. PM Lee announced that Gov is determined to see SIA through this COVID-19 crisis. In general I think most Singaporeans will agree SIA is the gem and pride of Singapore, as much as Changi Airport is. May 2: Kim Jong Un appears in public. What's next? May 15: USA to China: I don't want to friend you anymore (Trump says doesn’t want to talk to Xi right now, could even cut China ties) . . . . The total number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore stands at 26,891 as of 15th May. We are not out of the woods yet (a phrase so loosely used in 2020). In fact, we're not even halfway there. . . . . Well when I started this thread, it was meant to be a summary and timeline of events in 2020 so far. Didn't expect it to be this long and so much about COVID-19 but I guess it's just the inevitable. I know how it's like scrolling through your Facebook newsfeed and all you read are news on the COVID-19 and people dying. Coronavirus news fatigue and compassion fatigue is real and may very well be setting in. All these news leaves people feeling depressed, people feel powerless that they cannot influence change in the country, in the world. People become increasingly immune in bad things happening around us and in the world. The public distrust in news media starts to grow - inaccuracy, fear mongering, conspiracy theories starts to take over. So is there a correlation between over-consumption of news and general anxiety? I would certainly think so. However, as much as news fatigue and anxiety is setting in, it is more important than ever for our journalist and news media to continue the COVID-19 coverage. Hope I didn't miss or mess up any milestone. Wishing for World Peace used to be a Miss Universe Q&A textbook answer but right now that's all I want. What's your prediction for 2H? What else can possibly happen in 2020?

Enjoy!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yst9d8KyxSw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNpXHowPBFw A peace gesture took an ugly turn on Sunday when two white doves, released after Pope Francis addressed a crowd in Saint Peter's Square, were attack by other birds. Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-the-popes-peace-doves-were-attacked-2014-1

Family together at home in girl's last days Mr Juraimy and Madam Raba'ah, holding the diary that their daughter Amy Nabel'la Juraimy, 13, kept. Stricken with bone cancer, Amy chose to go home and managed to spend quality time with her family in her last days. -- ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH TWO days into intensive care in National University Hospital, it was clear Amy Nabel'la Juraimy, 13, was not going to make it. She was dying of bone cancer. Her mother, Madam Raba'ah Abdul Ghani, 39, told her in tears that her doctors could not do anything more for her. Amy, struggling to breathe, said to her mother: 'But you always asked me to fight.' Her mother replied: 'Mummy will always fight with you.' That was when Amy asked to go home. The choice, made last month, was the right one. Her father Juraimy Difari, 39, said: 'Amy was very happy when she came home.' In the last week of her life, Amy asked for - and got - her favourite foods and soft drinks, which the hospital would not have served. More importantly, she spent quality time joking around and having meals with her parents and six siblings. A nurse from HCA Hospice Care made daily visits. Madam Raba'ah said: 'We wanted us all to be together, under one roof.' She recalled how it pained her then to leave Amy in the hospital when the time came daily for her to go home to her other children. 'When I came back, I saw her struggling to breathe. It made me very regretful that I didn't stay with her,' she said. Mr Juraimy said he had wanted to take his daughter home when she was diagnosed with end-stage bone cancer last July, 'but we didn't want Amy to think that we didn't love her'. 'We wanted to show her we were fighting with her.' And fight, they did. After the medical treatment failed, her parents spent money on health supplements and traditional remedies for a sliver of hope - not that there was much money to spare. Mr Juraimy, who earns about $850 a month as a cleaner, worked seven days a week, and rode a bicycle to save on bus fare. Thankfully, Amy's medical bills have been covered by the Children's Cancer Foundation. Amy had no illusions about her chances. Three days after she returned home, she called her parents to her side to give them each a traditional greeting in which one kisses the hand of an elder as a mark of respect. Kiss me on the cheek, she asked of her mother. She then placed her father's hand over her mother's and said: 'Take care of Mummy.' She made her family members promise they would not cry when the time came. The next morning, she told her father that she had seen men in white coming to carry her away. Amy was lucid, free of tubes that would have tethered her to life-support machines, and free of sedation. Her mother whispered: 'If you love me, go. Don't fight it.' Holding her parents' hands, Amy took three slow breaths and then a final one at 4am on a morning in March. Her family was quiet. No one sobbed. It was just the goodbye she had wanted. POON CHIAN HUI

My car has been emitting constant 'chiak chiak' sound from the engine bay since about 3 weeks ago, especially in morning cold start. Previously was very quiet that was why I chose this car. Very irritating and it got louder when aircon is turned on, and when I accelerate the car. You can hear a distinctive booming sound coming from the aircon filter area under dashboard. Last few days cannot tahan so sent it for checking. The SE subsequently informed the aircon compressor assembly was replaced. The best part was that it was FOC since it is still under 3 years! I was very happy as the warranty would have expired in 3 months time and I would have to cough up the $1k bill. I am now able to enjoy peace and quiet in my car once again. This incident reinforced my positive vibes about Kia, will definitely consider the brand again when it comes to changing car later on. The car is not perfect and the few times when there are with minor issues, the SEs in different centers have been accommodating though not every time obliged of course. Definitely not much different or losing to the Nissan service quality. BTW, my car is latest Kia Carens (non-Elite version).

Bros and Sis, Any good JPs to recommend for solemnisation of marriage? Preferably English and Chinese speaking.... and friendly?

The St cite a rise in Mag compaints filed...by... Who else but.... Sinkie against Sinkie or Sinkie against FTs...or whatever. This has been a rising trend and shows no signs of abating. Although this IS a small place to live in, Sinkie has apparently shown their displeasure by failing to live .. ....simply with tolerances and patience with others and even with their own family members. Even revenge and counter revenge and vengeful acts are on the rise and all these indicate that this small place is begining to be, untolerable for folks that wanted to just live in peace and harmony. This is BAD....this is very bad. Seems like with more campaigns to be more courteous and gracious...Sinkie have instead gone the other way! Crime among youths have also gone up, coupled with the behaviour of grown ups, who are supposed to set a better examples to the youths, have instead set worse example by being exactly what they are not supposed to be. With divorce rate rising and old folks abandoned and/or sent to nursing home, it is no wonder there are untold level of consequences, for a nation so set to pursuing riches, that come with a price to dear for most to pay!

"OUR WORDS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CHOSEN FOR PEOPLE WILL HEAR THEM AND BE INFLUENCED BY THEM FOR GOOD OR ILL."

Panty Protest Sunday October 21, 2007 CityNews.ca Staff Some hockey players don't shave during the play-offs. Many hotels are missing a 13th floor. And some generals in Myanmar refuse to touch women's underwear, believing it reduces their power. This superstition has led to a wide scale protest against the military government in Myanmar. Lanna Action for Burma encourages women to "post, deliver or fling!" their panties to Myanmar embassies. Thailand, Australia, Singapore, England and other European countries have already sent out their delicates in this "Panties for Peace" drive. No word yet on the military response, though, or if the General himself wears boxers or briefs. http://www.citynews.ca/news/features_15959.aspx wat if throw the ATK wrong kena ang chia.

Can we nominate Singapore Govt for Nobel Peace prize? CPF ... ERP ... GST ... blah blah blah