Meltdowns and moments of joy – the journey of millennial caregivers to siblings with special needs

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Ms Chandramogan, a independent psychological doctor, had much decided that she would take care of her elder stepson, 37-year-old Balamurugan Chandramogan, for the rest of her career.

Seven years ago, their diabetic family had to have her legs amputated below the knee, which made her wheelchair-bound, and in 2023 their father passed away quickly in his slumber, making Ms. Chandramogan the primary carer in the family.

She previously considered placing her brother in a facility for adults with disabilities, but the lengthy waiting lists and overpowering” sense of guilt” led her to reconsider.

She told CNA, “I’ll inquire myself why I’m not ready to do enough for him so I have to move to houses for assistance.” And I regret knowing that he will be there for a long time with tight visiting restrictions, and that I would be concerned if he is being cared for.

Her nephew has the mental age of a three- to four-year-old, and can do simple everyday functions like showering, eating and wearing clothes. However, learning how to handle money, feel secure, and understand interpersonal signals are still difficult. &nbsp,

” I know his medications, how comfortable he is feeling and even his spice tolerance when he comes to food” ,&nbsp, said Ms Chandramogan. &nbsp,

” So it’s a combination of being the younger child, the older child, and the family at the same time,” he said.

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From foster care to forever home: Meet 3 youths whose families changed their lives for good

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One thing is clear for these previous foster children for certain: The stable, loving properties that their facilitate families have provided have had a revolutionary impact on their lives.

” Without my develop kids, I don’t think I’d be able to do what I’m doing now”, said Ong-Nonis. ” Without them, I can’t be who I am”.

Tan said,” It makes me want to be like my kids because they have always taken care of me and the persons around them.”

As for Alejado, church and counselling have helped her cope with ancient scars.

She has come to understand that her facilitate household represents” a new life or a new beginning,” while her birth family represents the tough times she had experienced.

“( It’s ) like there’s a future for me, and it’s not just about surviving”, she said. ” They’re the family I want to be with forever, and I know they feel the same way”.

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Commentary: Let’s cut parents some slack about kids’ screen time

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Being current and watching press up is another experience. Desktop quality issues. When bolstering classes or new thoughts, acquaintance with the characters and stories is also helpful, as well as providing inspiration for activities in real life.

Families, CHECK YOUR BEHAVIOUR TOO

My personal technique has also been to teach my kids how to self-regulate. Growing up as a latchkey children of the 90s, the broadcast was readily available. Boring free-to-air software was the normal regulator.

Self-regulation becomes a necessary talent to understand because video platforms serve up content that is optimized to enchant and keep them connected.   When my kids request screen time, they are asked to set their own maximum number of videos to see, and the assumption is that they will unprompted switch it off.

No, it doesn’t work all the time. But they almost always choose to turn the unit off themselves rather than let me do it when I’m asked to do it again. I like to believe this gives them a sense of organization, and they seem more willing to self-engage later.

As my children get older, began requesting individual devices, and get exposed to the risks of social media, things only get worse.

And I’m aware that I didn’t appear trustworthy from where I’m standing: I work at a job where everyone else is staring at their screens, and I take a unique screen for entertainment.

” Mama, may you put down your phone and perform with me”? The other night, my girl called me out. Obviously, I’ll have to work on myself also- but allow me be the judge of that.

Charlene Tan is a senior director at CNA Digital where she oversees&nbsp, writings.

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Credit card services disabled on Koufu app amid police investigation into unauthorised transactions

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He once more attempted to get another SMS with an OTP. This day, he managed to add his cards to the game. &nbsp,

He was informed on December 21 that he had received two credit cards messages indicating an amount of €1 035 had been made. He also discovered that two trades, totalling about €237, were made on Dec 18. &nbsp,

He returned to test and realized that the initial OTP was for adding his passport to Google Pay. &nbsp,

Another sufferer, who wanted to be known simply as Larry, described a similar experience. &nbsp,

On November 25, he received an OTP to contribute his POSB credit cards to Google Pay and connected it to Koufu Eat. He thought the communication was for adding his cards to the game, and he keyed it in. &nbsp,

Similar to Mr. Teh, his first attempt was unsuccessful, but his passport was added on his third test. &nbsp,

On Dec 7, he was notified that a deal of €1, 480 was made on his cards. &nbsp,

One victim, who wanted to be known just by her first title Celine, said she had tried adding her father’s debit card to the game.

When her father received the OTP alert, he read out the six figures to Celine.

Every moment she entered the OTP, the game kept crashing. She eventually gave up and didn’t put the cards.

But, at about 2am on Dec 21, her father was notified that his cards had been charged about €500 without his approval. &nbsp,

Eventually, the couple discovered that the OTP information they had received on Koufu Eat was also used to add their cards to Google Pay. &nbsp,

Celine came away with a rude surprise from the event. &nbsp,

” We are both in our mid-30s … We are quite IT savvy”, she said. ” The chances of us getting scammed is like close to a minimum” .&nbsp,

” But seemingly it also happened because we didn’t actually read the messages properly”.

After the false purchases, all three victims filed police reports.

Koufu told CNA that Apple Pay and Google Pay are the only e-wallet payment methods that are available through the game.

Additionally, it added that since Koufu Eat uses eNETs as its repayment gate, it does not store any of its clients ‘ credit card information. &nbsp,

Consumers are directed to the eNETS repayment gateway to process their payments once they have completed their purchases using the software.

Baskets claimed its investigation revealed that eNETS did not handle the reported false transactions.

The payment gateway is certified in accordance with the latest business rules, it added.

The eNETS spokesperson stated that the payment gateway does not store card verification value ( CVV ) credentials in any way, and that the credit card information is encrypted and tokenized.

&nbsp,” The situation is now under inspection. We will continue to give the Singapore Authorities Force our aid as needed,” according to NETS.

None of the patients have received compensation. The bank explained to the customers when they spoke with DBS that it was unable to withdraw or cancel the transactions.

Celine and Mr. Teh claim that they were informed that they had authorized adding their cards to Google Pay because they had entered the OTP, and that these purchases were deemed to be genuine.

Mr. Teh was informed that the card holder would continue to be responsible for the purchase because it was classified as secured, but the authorities may suggest a” special design” to the lender for consideration.

DBS said on Tuesday that it is aware of recent reports of illegal purchases on its users ‘ cards after they were added to the Koufu software in response to CNA’s questions.

” We have been working closely with Koufu and the authorities to thoroughly evaluate this matter,” said the bank.

According to DBS, studies show there has been” no compromise” with its card and payment systems and that they are safe.

” Instead, affected users had authorised the addition of their card to an unfamiliar third-party Google Pay budget. When a passport is added to a portable budget, it is akin to having the card on hands”, said the bank.

” For this reason, later card bills made via the wireless wallet may be disputed. &nbsp, We have been in touch with impacted customers to give support and assistance”.

It encouraged users to be vigilant and to report them to its 24-hour scam reporting line at&nbsp, 1800 339 6963 if they are within Singapore or on 65 6339 6963 from abroad.

” We also suggest turning on purchase warning alerts to keep abreast of all cards activity and regularly monitoring obligations for any suspicious task,” said DBS.

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Joo Chiat, Tanjong Pagar shophouse rentals outpace average market rates

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ATTRACTING HIGH-END BRANDS

Some researchers noted that these regions have also caught the attention of high-end companies as they seek to establish their brands and establish connections. &nbsp,

Earlier this month, for example, a Louis Vuitton pop-up appeared in Joo Chiat. In 2023, luxury company Coach opened a shop along the busy Keong Saik Road. &nbsp,

The trend toward innovative retail spaces is especially important in nations like Singapore, where shopping malls “often lack variety in design and experience,” according to Ms. Ginette Chittick, program leader for the diploma in artistic direction for fashion at LASALLE College of the Arts.

This move is also driven by the interests of Gen Zs, who “prioritise integrity, dignity and important engagement with companies”, she added. &nbsp,

” In Singapore, where malls tend to follow a formulaic method, brands setting up in these innovative spaces, such as history shophouses, repurposed commercial buildings or outside pop-ups, you break away from the monotony and have out”.

These places feel “more authentic and unadulterated” with their own distinct styles, according to Dr. Samer El Hajjar, senior marketing lecturer at the National University of Singapore Business School, which some brands desire. &nbsp,

They “want to offer something new to consumers.” Because they all appear the same, shopping malls can feel monotonous, he continued. &nbsp,

” By using a unique space, these brands can surprise customers ( and ) give them an experience that they will remember” .&nbsp,

However, according to experts, traditional shopping malls still have a place in today’s society despite the growing number of hotspots for storefronts. &nbsp,

” It’s all about providing different experiences for different consumer segments”, said Dr El Hajjar.

” I still think Orchard Road and the common shopping roads in Singapore will always be popular for shopping, but we will also have other neighbourhoods, other new hotspots for shopping that offer different experiences for the consumers,” he said.

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‘So shocked by increase’: No easy solutions as Malaysians grapple with sharp spike in medical insurance costs

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GREATER TRANSPARENCY NEEDED, CONSUMER GROUP SAYS

The complicated problem is being worked out while efforts are being made.

Insurance companies have been required to offer customers the option to purchase heath insurance items with a co-payment have since September of last year.

According to Bank Negara Malaysia, prices for items with co-payment features range from 19 % to 68 % lower than those for items without these features.

Researchers have argued for greater accountability in the calculation of insurance premiums as well as for the establishment of an independent body to oversee the private medical industry.

An independent committee to review charges and price increases in personal care was suggested by Azrul of the Galen Center. &nbsp,

He suggested that the payment may have authority related to Malaysia’s Competition Commission and get over takaful and health insurance legislation from Bank Negara Malaysia.

Sim Tze Tzin, a member of the Bayan Baru legislator, has stated to CNA that the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee may be hearing testimony next month. Various stakeholders will be asked to comment on the story’s side. &nbsp,

” It is ( an ) entire ecosystem and on the receiving end are the patients and policyholders”, he said. &nbsp, While carriers and private institutions are profit-driven, their income should not be “excessive”.

In 2023, carriers Prudential, Fantastic Eastern, and AIA made net income of RM963 million, RM1.123 billion, and RM1.41 billion respectively.

When asked about carriers ‘ profits, MarkO’Dell, the CEO of the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia, claimed the profits came from the business’s another branches. &nbsp,

” A business could very easily be making 500 million dinars a year,” the statement read. But they’re losing wealth on their health organization. And therefore, he told CNA, you are asking the owners to give or receive subsidies from the profits of different lines of business by not raising the premium.

Sim noted in a presentation to parliamentarians last year that one aspect that needs to be looked into is the disparity in charges between those who file claims with insurance and those who pay out-of-pocket.

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‘A bit of dread’ watching Manchester United now, but fans in Singapore sticking with team

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Mr. Chin pointed out that all of the current crop of people were acquired by various managers.

” In terms of building a team, you need to bolster that trust in each other… it’s the trust that is missing ( and ) a lack of familiarity with each other”, he said.

Amorim also now doesn’t have the types of players appropriate for his favored 3-4-3 formation.

But unfortunately, for enthusiasts like Mr Chin, nothing did sever their relationship to Manchester United.

” I grew up supporting them and there’s that connection to the team today”, he said. ” It doesn’t change my help”.

Jersey profits in Singapore support this increase.

At big sports merchandise retailer Weston Corp, that ‘s&nbsp, been a” little decline” in the number of Manchester United kits sold this season&nbsp, – but it remains the most popular team in terms of sales.

We sell more United kits than any other team, according to Weston producer Ami Chopra, who spoke to CNA.

” Supporters are quite loyal. When they support the pub, they support the club”.

WHAT ABOUT FUTURE FANS?

Mr James Walton, Deloitte’s activities business team leader for Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia, noted that Manchester United’s possible problems with&nbsp, revenue and sustainability rules could also have an effect on its fans.

These Premier League rules prohibit irresponsible spending and prevent wealthy donors from giving large sums of money to clubs. They also place restrictions on how much money a club can drop over the course of three seasons.

Last year, United wrote to buff parties warning that the team was at risk of breaching&nbsp, the laws.

Fans who want the group to be built around the two skills may be offended by its willingness to sell two of its brightest fresh stars, 20-year-old wing Alejandro Garnacho and 19-year-old playmaker Kobbie Mainoo, said Mr. Walton, Mr.

And attracting younger generations to the United fans may be a problem if performances keep falling.

” The challenge for sports team is that your older supporters usually stay loyal through the thick and thin, but perhaps the younger followers will be the ones you won’t get,” he said.

They may rather seem to just more powerful teams like Liverpool and Manchester City because they are just starting out and finding a group to support them, according to Mr. Walton.

” But ultimately, Man United is one of the two or three largest brands of football clubs in the world, and will always have a large support”.

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Tanglin Club’s ‘toxic’ workplace culture under scrutiny after member allegedly abused employee

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SINGAPORE: Tanglin Club’s” dangerous” work society is facing scrutiny by people after an incident of workers abuse that contributed to the withdrawal of the team’s general manager.

Founded in 1865, the exclusive members ‘ team has more than 4, 000 users and about 200 employees.

A part of the Tanglin Club’s general committee reportedly verballyabused another member on June 28, 2023, according to a report from the Tanglin Club’s general manager David Brightling.

Mr Brightling resigned on Sep 27, 2023. He said that” a dangerous job culture” was the primary “push” issue, according to internal documents seen by CNA.

The general manager was also hired and fired from Hong Kong’s private members ‘ club.

After a ballot called by the team’s leader Chong Zhi Cheng on October 16, 2023, the participant involved was removed from the standard commission.

The vote was called on the grounds that his alleged verbal altercation was in violation of membership rules that no club member should “reprimand or overuse” any associate of the staff.

On January 30, 2024, a commissioned separate assessment committee was established to examine the removal of the member in question.

After investigating, the review committee found that the alleged misuse did take place, according to its document dated May 23, 2024.

According to Mr Brightling, he sent an internet on Jun 28, 2023 about the league’s treadmill. The assessment agency’s report&nbsp, indicated&nbsp, that this was because a part had been seen “moving the practice bike around”.

The member in question finally called Mr. Brightling to schedule a meeting later that day after receiving a call. The representative allegedly had an issue with being named and accused in the internet. &nbsp,

The review committee found that Mr Brightling was apparent in his proof that the part used the words “evil”, “incompetent” and” stupid” towards him at this meeting.

The basic director was even yelled at over the telephone, and the member in question “banged down” the phone on him.

The review committee made up of three regular team members and determined that this constituted “plainly aggressive conduct” together with the rhetorical abuse.

In a legal charter, the public administrator stated that in about three decades working at the league, he had come across “many occurrences” of harassment and bullying.

He said the Jun 28, 2023 affair was “certainly the most severe case” in his whole career.

Mr Brightling’s study of a” dangerous” work society at Tanglin Club was also supported by people the committee interviewed, who said that staff, including management, were “afraid” of people.

If a club member misbehaved, staff had apparently tend not to make a proper complaint, but tell their head of department and allow their manager handle the matter, or just resign.

According to the assessment committee, this negatively impacted staff morale and caused the club to lose staff members.

They suggested that the team’s general committee establish a harassment policy for both employees and members, as well as a procedure for employees to report misuse without filing a strong complaint against a member.

They also suggested creating a common method to handle administrative complaints against team members to confirm “fairness and transparency” and establish expected timelines.

The review committee also pointed out that it was a problem to “get the correct folks” into the common council, as just about 300 out of 4, 000 people voted in elections.
 
Members of the general committee “tend anecdotally to be male and older”, in their 50s and 60s, so there was a need for more emphasis on diversity.

According to the report, “work needs to be done” to encourage female and male members to run for president and, in doing so, contribute to the club.”

The review committee noted that “factions, cliques and political in-fighting” were affecting working relationships within the general committee, and between the committee and the club’s president.

Members of the general committee may take into account mediation “or other efforts to heal divisions, rather than exacerbate them,” according to the report.

Finally, the review committee suggested looking into the suitability of a code of conduct” to set the right tone and improve the dynamics underlying the relationships at the club.”

CNA has reached out to Tanglin Club to ask about the implementation of the review committee’s recommendations.

Before, there have been controversy-filled disputes involving Tanglin Club members.

Yeoh En Lai, the club’s former president, resigned in 2022 amid concerns about his academic credentials, according to the Straits Times report.

Mr Brightling, then the general manager, reportedly made a police report over this.

A member sued Tanglin Club and its general committee after going through disciplinary proceedings after being subject to disciplinary proceedings in 2018, TODAY reported.

According to reports, this occurred after he was accused of sending “offensive and disrespectful emails and WhatsApp messages.”

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