Latest news with #publicoutrage
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Singapore reckons with animal cruelty as abuse cases surge: ‘we can do better'
They don't yell or protest. They don't hold signs or march. But in Singapore , a chorus of concern is rising on their behalf. From living rooms to parliament, the country is facing hard questions about the way animals are seen, protected and valued. Advertisement In February, a 32-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to 14 months in jail for abusing five community cats – a spree of violence that culminated in the horrific act of throwing two of them from high-rise public housing blocks in Ang Mo Kio. Just three months later, in May, a 20-year-old man pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a neighbour's cat in Bukit Panjang, an act captured on surveillance cameras. These disturbing events, along with other recent high-profile cases, have triggered widespread public outrage and prompted a national reckoning over animal welfare. Campaigners warn that not only are abuse cases becoming more extreme, but they are also exposing gaps in Singapore's animal protection laws – and underlining the need for a cultural shift in how animals are treated. Animal cruelty reports reached a 12-year high last year, according to figures released in January by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The surge has galvanised Singaporeans, with some signing petitions and others submitting proposals to parliamentary representatives, demanding reforms and tougher enforcement. Advertisement Authorities have acknowledged the public concern. A legislative review is now under way, examining the penalties for animal cruelty and the extent of current animal welfare laws. Under current legislation, those convicted of animal cruelty in Singapore can face up to 18 months in jail, a fine of up to S$15,000 (US$11,700), or both. Repeat offenders risk three years' imprisonment or a fine of up to S$30,000.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Japan's anti-stalking law under fire after Asahi Okazaki's murder, record case numbers
Japan 's anti-stalking law is coming under fire as cases have surged to their highest levels since the law was introduced in 2000, amid public outrage following the tragic death of a 20-year-old woman, which highlighted shortcomings in law enforcement's handling of these incidents. According to data released on Thursday, police detained 1,341 individuals for violations of the law, reflecting a sharp 24.1 per cent increase – or an additional 260 cases – compared to 2023, the National Police Agency (NPA) reported. Restraining orders issued under the law surpassed 2,000 for the first time, reaching 2,415, a 23 per cent increase from the previous year. Notably, around 60 per cent of these cases were emergency orders issued in urgent situations. Separately, police investigated 1,743 stalking-related crimes under other laws, including 378 home intrusions, 187 instances of intimidation and 122 assaults, according to The Mainichi newspaper. The data also included 63 investigations into rape and 11 for attempted murder. Nationwide, police recorded 19,657 stalking reports last year, a figure nearly unchanged from 2023. However, arrests related to violations of restraining orders increased to 233. Around 8 per cent of these arrests involved repeat offenders, leading authorities to persist in monitoring the conditions of offenders while encouraging them to pursue treatment or counselling at healthcare facilities. Officers now make regular calls or home visits to all individuals under restraining orders to assess the offender's obsession with the victim.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
PETER HITCHENS: The police are revolting against the people of this country. They have failed to do their jobs and now they dare threaten us... the time has come for change
Our police chiefs have now quite obviously grown too big for their helmets. Their heads have got too swollen, while their feet, which they barely use any more, have gone soft from lack of contact with the pavement. The sheer nerve of their new threat to stop investigating some crimes if they don't like the size of their budget is an outrage. If Sir Keir Starmer wants to evoke a great cry of 'At last!' from the people of this country, he will very swiftly squash this disgraceful revolt against the public and Parliament by three of the most senior figures in the police hierarchy.
Times
22-05-2025
- Times
Hide your pets, owners told — ‘cat serial killer' is on the loose
Pet owners in southern California have been warned to keep their animals close while the authorities search for a suspected cat serial killer who failed to turn up to a court appearance while out on bail. Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 46, was arrested last month on charges of felony animal cruelty, theft of a companion animal and methamphetamine possession in connection with the attacks and killings of up to 20 cats in the cities of Santa Ana and Westminster, 35 miles south of Los Angeles. His release from jail on bail only a day after his arrest drew public outrage due to the violent nature of the allegations against him. A warrant for Acosta's arrest was reissued after he missed an arraignment hearing on Wednesday and
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Adidas ad showing shoe on Acropolis sparks outrage in Greece
A military helicopter flies in front of the Parthenon temple on the ancient Acropolis hill in Athens, Wednesday Oct. 28, 2020 during a national holiday. (AP Photo/ Petros Giannakouris) A promotional video for Adidas featuring a multicoloured trainer on the Acropolis has sparked public outrage in Greece, prompting the government on Friday to announce legal action as no filming permit was granted. 'The legal procedure was not followed,' Culture Minister Lina Mendoni told Skaï radio, describing the imagery as 'extremely unpleasant' and likening it to 'the Adidas shoe... kicking the Acropolis'. She said a legal complaint would be filed against 'all those responsible,' with the judiciary expected to investigate how the incident occurred. Adidas's Greek subsidiary did not respond to AFP requests for comment. The image, splashed across the front pages of several Greek media outlets on Friday, was captured during a drone show held Thursday evening at the Zappeion Hall. The neoclassical building in central Athens is used for events and managed by a state-run legacy commission under the supervision of the Finance Ministry. The drone display was staged by the company Essence Mediacom as part of a campaign for an Adidas product. According to some reports, Essence Mediacom applied on April 30 for permission to hold the show and was granted approval in exchange for a fee of 'just 380 euros ($423)'. Essence Mediacom also did not respond to AFP's inquiries. Mendoni said: 'The Zappeion administration should have sought approval from the Culture Ministry before granting such authorisation.' 'There has been a violation of the law on archaeological heritage,' she added. Greek law regulating the use of archaeological sites -- many dating back more than 2,500 years -- is particularly strict. The Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 5th century BC, received over 4.5 million visitors in 2024. 'The Acropolis, a global symbol of culture and democracy, cannot be treated as a backdrop for commercial use,' said the opposition Pasok party, accusing the government of negligence. 'Serious questions arise about the role and responsibility of the Culture Ministry,' the party added. In early April, the Culture Ministry had rejected a request from Oscar-winning Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos to film at the Acropolis, arguing that the scenes did not reflect the historic site's image. The incident has also sparked criticism on social media, with users posting: 'No to Yorgos Lanthimos. Yes to Adidas. No to art, yes to money.'
