Parents seek answers after sudden closure of preschool in Bishan
Parents affected by the sudden closure of a preschool in Bishan are seeking answers, after they were initially given just a day's notice of the closure. Little Paddington Preschool has since delayed the closure by a week, and offered enrolment at its other branch at Thomson Walk around five kilometres away. It will also arrange transport for affected students. The Early Childhood Development Agency said it will take action against the preschool, if it is found not to have done its due diligence. At least six months' notice must be given to both parents and the Early Childhood Development Agency for preschool closures. Chloe Teo reports.
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CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Thousands show up in support of LGBTQ community at annual Pink Dot rally
SINGAPORE: Heavy rainfall on Saturday (Jun 28) afternoon halted just in time as the 17th edition of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rally Pink Dot began. Thousands of supporters brought Hong Lim Park to life with bold outfits in different hues of pink. They lounged on picnic mats, reconnected with old friends and made new ones, while children ran around with balloons in hand and pet dogs trotted alongside their owners. This year's theme, "Different Stories, Same Love", aims to celebrate love in all its forms as the LGBTQ community comes together to share hopes for a more inclusive future. This is the third year of Pink Dot since Section 377A, a decades-old law criminalising gay sex, was repealed in November 2022. Two Members of Parliament (MPs) from the People's Action Party (PAP) were spotted visiting booths and engaging with committee members from Pink Dot. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, MP for Potong Pasir SMC Alex Yeo said he was 'very happy' to be at the rally to engage and listen to the concerns of the LGBTQ community. 'They are part of the Singaporean community, very important part of our community, our overall social compact in our community. And so therefore we are very happy to be here,' Mr Yeo said. MP for Sembawang GRC Ng Shi Xuan said Pink Dot has deepened understanding and created more awareness surrounding topics of inclusivity. 'Conversations will help us to understand each other better. And conversations means two-way right? You talk and you listen. So that's very important,' Mr Ng said. Workers' Party MPs for Sengkang GRC Louis Chua and He Ting Ru were also seen at the rally, but declined to speak to the media. STRONGER ACCEPTANCE, BUT STILL WAYS TO GO Members of the LGBTQ community told CNA they felt more accepted in recent years, with some saying they no longer shy away from attending the rally. Ms Ann, who attended Pink Dot for the fourth time, said she used to feel scared and would only walk outside of Hong Lim Park, but has gained the courage to show up in recent years. 'I know a lot of people who exist very separately from issues that are happening in the queer community,' she said. 'Showing up just helps people remember that there is a community here.' Mr Benjamin Lee, who has been with his male partner for 25 years, said he feels that Singaporeans are more accepting towards the gay community compared to more than two decades ago. 'We had to be more prudent 25 years ago, but we're more open now,' the 53-year-old said. Accompanied by her husband and five-year-old son, 35-year-old Ms Gladys said they attended the rally on Saturday to spend 'family time' together. 'I always believed in freedom to love and to show support towards friends and family. These are the lessons I want to teach my son.' However, others said that more acceptance of the LGBTQ community is needed. Ms Diana said Singapore is a lot more tolerant, which is a "good step forward". "(But) I think Singapore is still conservative. It still takes time for the older generation to get used to us," she said. Ms Diana added: "The inertia, the resistance, is a normal state of mind. But if you close yourself up from the onset, the only person who loses out is you." For Ms Cally Cheung and Ms Ching Sia, two women who are raising a daughter together, having her at Pink Dot with them gives them hope for a future where their family will be legally accepted. 'Someone recently asked me, 'What is the hope for the future?' She is the hope. Just looking at her and thinking about how we are raising her, she is the hope for us,' Ms Cheung said. 'It's a privilege to be able to raise a child and to be able to have a family. And we don't take that privilege lightly,' Ms Sia added. A big part of this year's rally is also aimed at sending a message to Singaporeans of the future, 'to let them know that we are thinking about them, that we are fighting for a future where they can feel more free and more equal and more included than our own community today', said Pink Dot spokesperson Clement Tan. This message was showcased in the form of a time capsule at Hong Lim Park, where almost 70 objects ranging from jewellery to clothing items were placed inside and sealed until 2050. The night ended with attendees holding up pink lights as they enjoyed a performance on stage. 'Pink Dot here exists today because we can prove that what was impossible is possible. In 25 years' time, who knows what may change," said Mr Tan.
AsiaOne
10 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Biden joins thousands paying final respects to slain Minnesota lawmaker and husband, World News
ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Thousands of mourners, including former US President Joe Biden, filed through Minnesota's state Capitol Rotunda on Friday (June 27) to pay final respects to slain lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were gunned down by an assassin earlier this month. The couple lay in state in St. Paul on the eve of a private funeral set for Saturday morning, two weeks after a man impersonating a police officer shot them to death at their home in what authorities are treating as a politically motivated murder. For several hours, members of the public lined up in a column of mourners stretching across the front plaza of the state Capitol building and along an adjacent boulevard. After entering the building, people walked single-file past the Hortmans' flower-bedecked caskets. A portrait of each stood next to their respective coffins. Perched between them was an urn bearing the remains of their golden retriever, Gilbert, along with a photograph of the pet. The dog, too, was shot in the attack and later euthanized. Biden arrived at the statehouse late in the afternoon. After the public was cleared from the rotunda for security purposes, the Democratic former president was ushered in alone. He paused for a moment in front of the caskets, then exited the building. Following his departure, the rotunda was reopened to the public, and the procession of mourners resumed. Still more people joined the line outside, hoping for a chance to pay their respects. The viewing was scheduled to end at 5 pm (6am Singapore time) local time. Representative Hortman, the top-ranking Democrat in the Minnesota House, became the first woman to lie in state in the St. Paul Capitol Rotunda, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Her husband was believed to be the first person other than a military figure or public official to be so honoured. The suspect in their June 14 killings, Vance Boelter, 57, is also accused of shooting and wounding a second Democratic legislator, state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, in their home a few miles away.' The accused gunman was arrested on the night of June 16 following a massive two-day manhunt that was the largest in state history. Boelter faces state and federal murder charges. According to prosecutors, investigators recovered notebooks from his car and residence that included the names of dozens of Democratic legislators, along with abortion-rights advocates. [[nid:719153]] The shootings unfolded against a backdrop of increasing political violence in the US in an era of extreme social and partisan polarisation.
CNA
15 hours ago
- CNA
To the rescue: These women save and rehome hamsters that have been abused, dumped or neglected by their owners
They are small, furry and cute, but like any other pet, hamsters need a lot of love and care. And sadly, they are often neglected or abandoned by owners who don't understand them. The volunteers of Hamster Society Singapore (HSS) know this too well. The non-profit society is led by a core team of five women: President Cheryl (who declined to give her full name and photo for this story), 32, vice-president Gladys Lam, 30, and board members Chen Soong Fee, 37, Kwa Li Ying, 29 and Sim Jia Yi, 27. The team, said Sim, comes from diverse professional backgrounds, from design to healthcare. Lam, for example, is a professional race car driver. 'This diversity strengthens our ability to approach animal welfare from multiple perspectives,' she added. All are passionate about hamsters and are involved in fostering. A VOICE FOR HAMSTERS Chen told CNA Women that, 'despite being one of the most common pets, hamsters are often misunderstood and overlooked in the broader animal welfare landscape'. HSS started in 2019, and currently has 35 volunteers, including the core team. It was founded as there was no dedicated rescue group for hamsters, and due to the glaring lack of education and proper standards for hamster husbandry in Singapore. 'Many people underestimate the level of care hamsters require, often leading to their poor welfare,' said Kwa. 'Through outreach and accessible resources, we aim to raise awareness about proper hamster husbandry and advocate for more informed, responsible pet ownership.' A common misconception is that hamsters make good starter pets for children. The truth is hamsters are fragile, nocturnal, easily stressed, and not ideal for young children who may mishandle them. While small, hamsters are very active and need large enclosures. Most cages people buy from pet shops are too small, leading to stress or behavioural issues in hamsters. Then there are owners who think that hamsters don't require veterinary care, assuming that the rodents are too small to treat and not worth the cost. In reality, vet care for hamsters can be just as expensive as treating cats or dogs. A consultation can cost hundreds of dollars and go into the thousands for hamsters with chronic illnesses. Surgeries such as tumour removals or spaying can cost about S$2,000. HSS noted that owners are often unprepared for these expenses, leading to delayed treatment or them surrendering their pet to HSS. EDUCATION ON HAMSTER CARE AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH 'As a volunteer-run non-profit, we rescue, foster, and rehome hamsters that are abandoned, neglected, or in need of medical care. Equally important is our mission to educate,' said Lam. On the HSS website are hamster care articles including information such as creating the ideal cage for these pets and recipes to make them delicious snacks. The team also has visited schools to give talks on proper care for hamsters. The team said many adopters and members of the public have found the articles useful in helping them better understand proper hamster care, especially as pet shops and online sources may provide outdated or inaccurate information. For example, the hamster's cage needs to be cleaned every one to two days, and while they may initially look docile and cute, hamsters can suddenly fight, leading to severe injuries. Another misconception is that hamsters stop growing their teeth in adulthood. The reality is, without proper items to chew on, their teeth can become overgrown, leading to dental issues and difficulty eating. 'We're extremely happy that our resources have helped raise the standard of care in Singapore, and we've seen more adopters coming in already equipped with suitable enclosures and proper knowledge – something that wasn't common just a few years ago,' said Cheryl. CASES OF NEGLECT AND ABANDONMENT STILL HIGH But more needs to be done. HSS said cases of neglect and abandonment remain common. In 2024, the society rescued 74 hamsters, including cases of abandonment, surrenders, and referrals from the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS). 'Unfortunately, we continue to receive a high number of surrender requests (85 surrender applications for 128 hamsters in 2024) citing reasons that reflect a deeper issue of underestimation and misunderstanding of the responsibilities involved in pet ownership,' said Sim. Reasons for owners surrendering their hamsters include relocating overseas, allergies, a lack of time, school or work commitments, and even cases of owners surrendering sick or aggressive hamsters they feel unequipped to care for. Sim noted that in some instances, hamsters are surrendered because the families' domestic helpers are returning home, or because the pet is 'no longer manageable' or 'not tame'. 'While some are genuinely unavoidable situations, many stem from impulse purchases or misconceptions that hamsters are easy, low-maintenance pets ideal for young children,' she added. Most of the rescue cases by HSS begin with tip-offs on Facebook Messenger or their website from concerned members of the public, and some are referred by the AVS. Recent cases of abuse include two hamsters abandoned in a stairwell, another hamster was found in a plastic bag, while a third was dumped in a park. The rescued hamsters are often found in poor health, such as bacterial infections, paralysis, broken legs, and even cancer. As with other cases of pet abandonment, HSS sees noticeable spikes during the year-end school holidays and festive season, particularly from December to January. Some realise only after the holidays that they aren't able to commit to the pet gifted or bought impulsively during the festive period. In addition, illegal backyard breeders and pet shops failing to educate buyers on proper care, also lead to increased cases of hamster neglect. 'The reality is that caring for these animals isn't just emotionally intensive – it's financially demanding. Many of these medical cases cost us hundreds to thousands of dollars in vet care, medication, and long-term housing. And yet, we continue to take them in, because every life matters,' said Sim. Despite their size, these hamsters feel pain and fear just like any other animal. Sim added: 'Our hope is that by sharing these stories, more people will come to understand the weight of pet ownership and the responsibility it entails.' GIVING RESCUED HAMSTERS A FOREVER HOME Sim, together with about 22 HSS fosterers, nurse the rescued hamsters back to health, before they are put up for adoption. Hamsters with known pre-existing medical conditions will always be declared. HSS has strict guidelines – such as a cage that is at least 90 cm by 90 cm by 50 cm and with a lid, a wheel that is at least 27 cm in diameter, and unscented bedding – to create the right environment for the hamsters before allowing anyone to adopt them. Adopters must also be committed to responsible pet care, which includes bringing the hamsters for medical treatments when necessary. Each month, about four to six hamsters find a loving forever home. The society cautions people from rushing to adopt a hamster if they're not ready. Instead, they can help by donating to HSS to fund veterinary care, rescue operations, and daily supplies. A big part of preventing neglect starts with awareness. Many hamsters suffer in silence due to a lack of understanding, such as how hamsters prefer to be housed individually rather than as a pair, and that not every hamster enjoys being handled. 'By learning and sharing correct hamster care information, you help dismantle harmful myths and promote responsible pet ownership,' said Sim. HSS recommends calling out poor husbandry when you see it, direct interested buyers to proper resources, such as its website, which includes a list of recommended vets that have knowledge caring for exotic pets, and share its articles and rescue stories. 'Advocacy doesn't always mean doing big things. It can start with one conversation that changes a pet's life,' said Sim. 'Together, these actions – no matter how small – create real, lasting impact for hamster welfare in Singapore.'
