TBR (To Be Read): Light reads powered by female rage explain why women are angry
SINGAPORE – Women are angry. Furious enough to kill. In books, at least.
In the past couple of years, there has been a distinct strand in mainstream light fiction which I have been categorising as 'madsploitation' reads.
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Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
HSA will not trace vape users who throw away e-vaporisers in disposable bins at 23 CCs
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE - Those who throw their vapes into designated disposal bins installed around Singapore can be assured their identities will not be traced, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on July 26. HSA said this in response to The Straits Times' queries about the 'Bin the Vape' initiative, regarding concerns about possible repercussions if vape users surrendered their devices. Launched by HSA, the Ministry of Health and the People's Association (PA) on July 25, bins were placed at 23 community clubs (CCs) and one residents' network centre around the island. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000, but the authorities said during the launch that no action will be taken against those who voluntarily dispose of their vapes. On July 26, HSA said: 'We would like to assure members of the public that the Health Sciences Authority will not be tracing the identities of any persons who had binned the e-vaporisers. 'We strongly encourage the public to dispose of their e-vaporisers, if any, using these disposal bins as they offer a confidential, secure and responsible disposal method.' The red bin resembles a normal trash bin – but with posters of the initiative plastered on its front and top, promising a safe and confidential disposal of vapes. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar A CCTV camera aimed at the bin deters theft of the disposed vapes and tampering, but had sparked concerns among some about being watched or identified. Privacy issues involving the use of data came up during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, regarding data collected by contact tracing app and token TraceTogether. The authorities had originally said there was no intention to use TraceTogether data as a means of picking up breaches of existing rules, but later said it could be used for criminal investigations. This was because the Singapore Police Force is empowered under the Criminal Procedure Code to obtain any data, including TraceTogether data, for criminal investigations. HSA also addressed concerns about theft and tampering of the vape disposal bins. It said they are locked and secured to fixtures such as pillars. Once the vapes are dropped inside the bins, they will not be retrievable. Cases of tampering or theft will be referred to the police. HSA said vapes may contain illicit substances like etomidate or controlled drugs and should be disposed of properly in the bins. HSA added: 'These designated bins ensure these items are properly contained and destroyed, preventing them from being retrieved and potentially misused.' It added these bins will be emptied regularly, and the disposed vapes will be sent to the incineration plants for proper destruction under close supervision. The 'Bin the Vape' initiative is meant to encourage vape users to quit before the law catches up with them. The authorities noted that etomidate, a listed poison increasingly found in vapes here , will be classified as a Class C illegal drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in the coming weeks. On July 25, the authorities reminded vape users and those consuming etomidate to give up their habit immediately. Members of the public can visit to locate the nearest bin. HSA said the locations are not a reflection of rates of vape usage around Singapore, but were decided based on available and convenient locations island-wide and in consultation with the PA. The bins will be progressively placed in other locations, such as at institutes of higher learning. Since July 21, HSA has extended the operating hours for its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 to report vaping-related offences. The hotline operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. HSA has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Driver escapes with minor injuries after car plunges off ferry in Switzerland
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A 50-year-old man drove too far onto a Lake Zurich ferry and tipped his car over the bow of the ferry into the lake. ZURICH - A car plunged off a ferry into Lake Zurich on July 26, Swiss police said, with the driver able to escape with only minor injuries. The incident happened in Horgen, south of Switzerland's biggest city Zurich, shortly before 7am (1pm in Singapore), with the car going straight through and overshooting the end of the boat. A 50-year-old man drove his car onto the ferry and 'for reasons still unknown, he drove too far and tipped his vehicle over the bow of the ferry into Lake Zurich', a police statement said. 'The injured man was able to exit the vehicle by his own efforts and was rescued and brought to shore,' Zurich Cantonal Police said. There he received initial medical treatment before being taken to hospital for further assessment. Police said he sustained only minor injuries. The car was later recovered from a depth of around 30 metres, the statement said. Police and public prosecutors have opened an investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident. AFP Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Motor rally accident in France kills three spectators
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Two brothers, aged 70 and 60, and a 44-year-old man were killed when a rally car veered off the road in Saint-Just, France. SAINT-JUST (AUVERGNE-RHONE-ALPES), France - Three spectators died in central France on July 26 after a car driven by a 22-year-old woman racer veered off the road during an auto rally, authorities said. The driver of the modified Peugeot 208 that hit the spectators and her 51-year-old woman co-driver were taken to hospital but without life-threatening injuries, prosecutors said. Two men died at the scene and prosecutors later announced that a third man, airlifted to hospital, succumbed to his injuries. The three killed were two brothers, aged 70 and 60, and a 44-year-old man, according to the public prosecutor's office, which opened an investigation. Several people who witnessed the accident near the town of Ambert in central France were in shock, a local official told AFP. In total, a dozen people were taken to a psychological support unit set up in the nearby village of Saint-Just. The accident occurred around 11am on July 26 (5pm in Singapore). Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar 'This is a tragedy for the world of racing,' said Mr Joel Mathurin, the local prefect, or top government official for the area. Regional prosecutor Laure Moisset said the accident was 'very violent'. In a short statement, the rally organisers said that the race was halted at 10.49am. All spectators were asked to leave the scene and the event's award ceremony was cancelled. Dozens of firefighters and police were dispatched to the scene. The investigation was 'in its early stages,' the prosecutor said. The Peugeot 208 car was to be examined. The road where the accident took place, almost a straight line according to authorities, has been closed. Prosecutors said they would have to determine whether the spectators were in an authorised area during the rally. 'I prefer to remain cautious,' Ms Moisset told reporters. 'It is still a little too early to be precise,' she added. Organised since 1965, the motor rally attracted 167 teams for its 32nd edition. In the rally held in 2024, a race marshal died. AFP
