If you're studying Chinese, or if your child is studying the language, chances are, you would have some views about the state of Chinese education in Singapore. Well, one former Chinese newspaper journalist had some pretty strong views and hashed them out in a forum letter to Lianhe Zaobao earlier in May 2022. Spoiler alert: She doesn't hold it in high regard. But here's the more interesting bit: Her letter prompted a rebuttal -- from a Primary 4 student. Former journalist: Chinese classes today are "dull" Let's start from the beginning. The former journalist, Li Minwen, has three children who are in primary and secondary schools. And looking at the state of their Chinese education, Li felt "anxious for the generation's level of Chinese proficiency". "The contents of my children's Chinese textbooks have not changed in the last 30 years, even the pedagogy remains largely unchanged from my time in school. Aside from the usual themes of respecting the elderly … [Read more...] about Pri 4 student writes to Zaobao to rebut woman who said Chinese standards in doldrums
Jerry Yan, 45, looks like he has not aged in new, viral pictures dressed as Meteor Garden’s Dao Ming Si
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg It turns out that 45-year-old Jerry Yan looks exactly like 23-year-old Jerry Yan. Well, almost. Déjà vu Here's some major throwback. Yan played Dao Ming Si who was the male protagonist in the 2001 cultural phenomenon and television hit series Meteor Garden. While the television series may be 21 years old now, Yan appears not to have aged at all. Fast forward to 2022, the Taiwanese actor and F4 singer was recently pictured dressed and looking exactly like Dao Ming Si. In a series of photographs, Yan can be seen spotting his signature wavy long hair and red bandanna. The pictures have now gone viral and spread like wildfire on Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo. According to online sources , he was dressed like this for the filming of Chinese variety show "The Detectives’ Adventure". Other "F4 members" also made an appearance and were seen on set during filming, … [Read more...] about Jerry Yan, 45, looks like he has not aged in new, viral pictures dressed as Meteor Garden’s Dao Ming Si
Supporters of banned Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara stage protests in Medan, Indonesia to criticise S’pore
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg Supporters of Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara staged protests in Jakarta and Medan on Friday (May 20), a few days after Somad was denied entry into Singapore due to his history of extremist teachings. This also came a day after Somad's supporters spammed Singapore President Halimah Yacob and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's social media accounts to show their displeasures. Medan According to CNN Indonesia , Somad's supporters held a protest outside the office of the Singapore Consulate-General in Medan on Friday (May 20). Prior to that, about 250 protestors gathered at Medan Grand Mosque, reported The Straits Times . Pictures and videos of the protest were posted online , showing many protestors holding up placards and banners. Aksi save Uas di Pekanbaru, Medan, dll pic.twitter.com/CKGkIwZ6HT — Ustadz Abdul Somad (@UasAbdulSomad) May 20, 2022 … [Read more...] about Supporters of banned Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara stage protests in Medan, Indonesia to criticise S’pore
Elon Musk denies groping & exposing himself to SpaceX flight attendant
Elon Musk took to Twitter to deny accusations of sexual harassment. In a tweet on May 20, Musk said that the "wild accusations are utterly untrue". He also called the person who made the accusations a 'liar" and claimed that the alleged incident "never happened". But I have a challenge to this liar who claims their friend saw me “exposed” – describe just one thing, anything at all (scars, tattoos, …) that isn’t known by the public. She won’t be able to do so, because it never happened. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 20, 2022 The allegations were first published in an article by Business Insider . The article stated that SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Musk, had paid an ex-flight attendant USD250,000 (S$344,897) to settle the sexual misconduct claims outside of court. Purportedly groped the woman and exposed himself The alleged sexual misconduct occurred in 2016, according to Business Insider . At the time, the woman was a member of the cabin … [Read more...] about Elon Musk denies groping & exposing himself to SpaceX flight attendant
LTA books motorist for improper lighting, says it may affect visibility for other road users
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg Multiple motorists have been booked by officials from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for offences including illegal modifications to their vehicles and being overloaded. According to a Facebook post , the bookings took place during a 16-hour joint operation that the LTA carried out with the police against errant motorists islandwide. In total, almost 200 offences were detected. Supposedly found vehicles with non-compliant window tinting and improper lighting systems The LTA said that it found vehicles that "may have" undergone illegal exhaust modifications, installed non-compliant window tinting and licence plates and gave several examples of motorists who were booked and the rationale behind taking action against them. In addition, some vehicles were found to be overloaded. In the case of a motorist booked for non-compliant tinting of his windows, LTA said that such an act could … [Read more...] about LTA books motorist for improper lighting, says it may affect visibility for other road users
How S’pore won ‘the war on piss’ & cleaned up urine-soaked HDB lifts
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg In 1997, a 36-year-old man found himself trapped in a lift at Henderson Drive. He had answered the call of nature and, thanks to the lift's urine detection device, found himself in a stalled cabin with no choice but to wait for authorities to free him from his puddle of shame. This scenario now seems mundane. It's a given that lift urination would most likely lead to a stuck lift and a not-insignificant fine. However, this wasn't always the case. Man's inhumanity to man In 1971, an absolutely harrowing tale was published in The Straits Times . The forum letter writer, "Simply Frusting", had gotten stuck in a lift at an HDB block. To make the name shorter and more thematically relevant, we will be calling "Simply Frusting", Peeter. According to Peeter, the six-by-four lift was mostly covered in urine and faeces — not an uncommon scenario in the 70s. Three-quarters of the floor was … [Read more...] about How S’pore won ‘the war on piss’ & cleaned up urine-soaked HDB lifts
Asian-American man, 61, brutally beaten & ‘left for dead’ wakes up from coma
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg A 61-year-old man of Chinese descent in Chicago named Jin Yut Lew has awakened from a coma after being brutally beaten up in a violent carjacking. According to his GoFundMe page, Lew was attacked repeatedly with a blunt object to the head and face and "left for dead". Out of coma CBS Chicago received news from a family spokesperson that he has awakened from his coma. Lew can follow commands with small motions with his hands and respond to some questions with head nods, they said. His memory and speech have yet to return but doctors are pleased with the progress. Reported missing & found "bleeding from the head" Chicago Police Department stated Lew was found by street cleaners on a sidewalk just before 6:30am on April 7 in Chicago's Chinatown, NBC News reported. Lew was found "incoherent and bleeding from the head" before being sent to a hospital in critical condition. … [Read more...] about Asian-American man, 61, brutally beaten & ‘left for dead’ wakes up from coma
Changi Airport Terminal 2 to reopen in phases starting May 29, 2022
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg The first phase of the reopening of Changi Airport's Terminal 2 will commence on May 29, 2002. According to a press release by Changi Airport, the move is part of the airport's preparation to meet an increase in passenger traffic in the months ahead. Terminal 2 has been closed for upgrading works since May 2020. When it is fully completed in 2024, the expansion will raise the airport's capacity by five million to 28 million passenger movements per year. Changi Airport Group's (CAG) Executive Vice President of Airport Management, Tan Lye Teck, was further quoted as saying: "CAG is encouraged to see the strong pickup in travel demand and has worked closely with our partners to bring forward the progressive reopening of Terminal 2 ahead of the June travel peak to meet this demand. The start of flight operations at Terminal 2 will provide more capacity to support our airline partners, who are … [Read more...] about Changi Airport Terminal 2 to reopen in phases starting May 29, 2022
Green transition the only pathway ahead
PTSC, a unit of PVN, is installing underwater cables for an offshore wind turbine of the Tan Thuan Project. — Photo pvn.vn Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung made the remark at the Vietnam – Singapore Board Forum (VSBF) 2022 on Friday. Tùng underlined innovative start-ups as the catalyst for the efficient use of resources, management enhancement and the better allocation of capital and technology, enabling the business sector to speed up on the path towards sustainability. In this regard, his ministry and its Singaporean partners have cooperated to introduce the concept of an “open innovative startup ecosystem” (OISE) and launched many OISE-related initiatives in Vietnam. “The notion of openness in OISE means the involvement of businesses in innovative start-ups. Start-up founders in Vietnam have excellent ideas but they need the support of businesses to bring the ideas into life,” he said. The deputy minister also revealed that the ecosystem has 79 … [Read more...] about Green transition the only pathway ahead
Mekong Delta craft villages key contributors to sustainable growth
Carpet weaving helps people in Đức Mỹ Commune in Càng Long District improve their income. — Photo courtesy of nhandan.vn The preservation and development of craft villages in the Mekong Delta has not only made significant socio-economic contributions, they also play a key role in promoting sustainable development. Local officials say the villages enable economic restructuring in a positive direction as they use local materials and generate stable employment for many residents. An Giang Province currently has recognised 29 craft villages with 3,846 households that provide jobs for more than 12,000 people with an average monthly income of VNĐ3.5 to 5 million (US$160-220) per person. Most of these make products for the domestic market. A number of relatively large-scale establishments are actively seeking wider markets through fairs and promoting products such as fish sauce, jaggery and handicrafts. An Giang Province is famous for the jaggery made in Tri Tôn and Tịnh Biên … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta craft villages key contributors to sustainable growth