TODAY’s brief, Tuesday, Dec 29

Suspected cat abuser in court

A 40-year-old man suspected of being involved in a string of cat abuse cases in Yishun in recent months will be charged in court today for animal cruelty. Since Sept 24, there have been 17 reported incidences of cat abuse in the town, ranging from strangulation and poisoning to severed limbs. Under the Animals and Birds Act, anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to S$15,000 and/or jailed up to 18 months, for the first offence. For second and subsequent offences, the maximum penalty is S$30,000 and/or a jail term of up to three years.

Funeral of family killed in M’sia car crash

The funeral of the Singaporean family killed in a car crash near Mersing, Malaysia, on Christmas morning will be held today. Ng Khai Leng, 39; her husband Barnabas Lim Ah Huat, 45; and their elder son Rayshon Barnabas Lim, 6, died in the accident, leaving younger son Evan Barnabas Lim, 3, as the sole survivor.

Myanmar protests Thai court ruling

Anti-Thai protests across Myanmar are expected to continue today following a Thai court ruling last week that sentenced two Myanmar migrant workers to death for murdering a pair of British tourists. The ruling sparked a surge of sympathy for the defendants in their homeland, and even a public intervention on their behalf by senior Myanmar leaders. Defence lawyers have accused the Thai police of bungling their investigation and using the men as scapegoats – a charge that authorities deny.

More to seek apology from Tokyo

Following Japan’s landmark deal with South Korea to finally resolve the issue of ‘comfort women’, or women who were procured for Japanese wartime military brothels, other countries who also suffered similar atrocities are likely to lodge their intent with Tokyo to negotiate on the issue. Yesterday, Taiwan was among the first countries to convey their intent to the Japanese government to seek an official apology and suitable compensation for Taiwanese ‘comfort women’.

Future of Singapore football

The Football Association of Singapore will be holding its Annual General Meeting at Jalan Besar Stadium this evening. The local football governing body is expected to address questions on the future of Singapore national coach Bernd Stange and the future of the S-League.

EPL action

English Premier League leaders Leicester City host Manchester City tonight in a match which gives the visitors a chance to make up ground in the title race.

Weather forecast

Occasionally windy conditions with chance of showers mainly over northern and western Singapore in the afternoon, with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 32°C.