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2005
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Prime Minister's New Year Message 2006 |
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"We grew
by 5.7% in 2005, better than expected. Growth was
broad-based. Manufacturing output rose sharply and
the services industries also did well... |
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"In the
first three quarters, we created 78,000 jobs. This
reduced the unemployment rate to 3.3%. For the whole
of 2005, employment creation should match or even
exceed the 108,500 jobs recorded in 2000. |
| "Wages increased by
around 4% and many workers enjoyed good bonuses.
Overall, Singaporeans have become more confident and
optimistic..." |
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More..... |
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Schools to get more say in design of school facilities
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CPF Board tightens admission criteria for new CPFIS funds
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Key data of 100 Singapore charities to be listed on MOH Website
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New Singapore Sports Hub to be completed in mid 2011
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New terminal for low-cost carriers to open on 26 March 2006
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Singapore Labour Market 3rd Quarter 2005
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Pay half-hourly rates for night parking at HDB/URA carparks
Changes proposed for nomination of beneficiaries in
insurance policies |
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"Presently,...a nomination by a policyholder
of his spouse and/or children will automatically
create a statutory trust in favour of the spouse and/or children governed by section 73 of the
Conveyancing and Law of Property Act (CLPA). |
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"The creation of a statutory trust
effectively causes the policyholder to lose all rights to and control
over the policy. This means that without the consent of all the
beneficiaries, he cannot make any change to his nomination or the terms
of the policy... |
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"MAS proposes to amend the Insurance Act to
bring under its purview the nomination of
beneficiaries in respect of the proceeds of
insurance policies..." |
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More..... |
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52 illegal foreign workers nabbed in raids at 13 coffee shops
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MAS releases Financial Stability Review for 2nd half 2005
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Manpower Ministry responds to HRW's report on maids in Singapore
Impact of HIV epidemic on men, women & children in
Singapore |
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"Previously, some wives were not aware of
their spouse's HIV status and so they were at risk of the HIV infection.
Since July this year, we have informed the wife when the infected
husband had not informed her of his positive HIV status. |
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"Over the last 5 months, 41 women have been
informed by hand-delivered letters that their partner is infected and
that they should go to CDC for testing..." |
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More..... |
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Significant trends in the Singapore labour market |
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"Today, services make up seven out of every
ten jobs, compared to six out of ten jobs in 1990. In particular,
employment within the financial and business services sector has more
than doubled since 1990... |
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"But there is also a third, important trend,
and that is that people will have to change jobs more often in their
lifetimes..." |
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More..... |
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Nguyen Tuong Van Case: Separating fact from fiction |
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"If we let off a convicted courier because of
age, financial difficulties or distressed family background, it will
only make it easier for drug traffickers to recruit more "mules", with
the assurance that they will escape the death penalty..." |
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More..... |
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Woman fined $3000 for hindering ICA officers in
their duties |
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"Mdm Tan had returned to Singapore from China
on 30th September 2005 at about 7.40 pm through the Changi International
Airport Terminal 2. ICA officers noticed that she had brought two roast
geese from China with her to Singapore. |
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"Mdm Tan was informed she had to surrender
the two roast geese for disposal, as she did not have a licence to bring
them in. She hindered the ICA officers in the execution of their duties
by refusing to surrender the roast geese brought from China and
subsequently throwing the roast geese onto the floor..." |
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More..... |
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Small Claims Tribunal to cover short-term residential tenancy agreements
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Performance of Singapore economy in 3rd quarter 2005
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PSLE 2005
Results
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Buangkok MRT Station to open in January 2006
Law amended to impose heavier penalties on
loansharks |
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"But the number of unlicensed moneylending
and related harassment cases continues to rise: from some 1,500 cases in
1995 to almost 6,000 cases in 2004. |
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"In some instances, parties who did not
borrow money were also harassed; for example, new occupants of dwellings
that were formerly occupied by debtors and people who had lost or
misplaced their identity cards. |
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"In addition, the number of arrests made in
harassment cases more than doubled from 123 arrests in 2003 to 284
arrests in 2004..." |
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More..... |
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NUS Corporatisation Bill |
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"The new legislation aims to safeguard the
Government’s strategic interest in the university
sector and yet, give the universities the autonomy
to be nimble and responsive to the dynamic
landscape... |
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"The NUS Bill also provides the legislative
provisions to transfer NUS’ property, rights and liabilities to the
successor university company, and will repeal the existing NUS Act which
establishes NUS as a statutory board..." |
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More..... |
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'Designing The Arts School' Exhibition
Prevention of child abuse and neglect in Singapore |
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"Over the last 5 years, my Ministry
investigated an average of 188 complaints of alleged child abuse each
year. Only in 40% of cases did our investigations reveal real evidence
of abuse. |
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"Granted, the number of cases with evidence
of abuse increased by about one and a half times from 61 in 2000 to 90
in 2004. This is due largely to greater awareness among those who have
regular contact with children and who reported the incidents to the
authorities for intervention..." |
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More..... |
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Singapore Tourism Board launches 'Unique2Me' Photo Contest
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Creative Industries in Singapore over the years
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Five HIV-positive blood donors prosecuted
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Foreigners to get no subsidy at polyclinics from 2006
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Recovery of the Property Market |
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"The
property market recovery is not confined to the
private housing sector. All the other sectors of the
property market are recovering in tandem with the
strong growth of our economy... |
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"In
2006, Singapore’s GDP is projected to grow by
another 3% to 5%. Robust growth in the
manufacturing, tourism and financial sectors, and
the diversification of our economy into new areas
like the life sciences, education and health, are
helping to drive growth in our economy..." |
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More..... |
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Survey shows some companies infringing software
copyright law |
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"...a recent survey highlighted that for
small medium enterprises, nearly a third of them are
still not fully compliant in the proper usage of
software products in their business environment.
This could be as a result of the use of illegal
software or under-licensing the use of software
products... |
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"The survey also found that among those who
were non-compliant, a significant number were
smaller companies, averaging ten workstations or
less. 47.3% of this group were non-compliant... |
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More..... |
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51 new school principals for 2006
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New Drama Centre
opens
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Press Freedom and Good Governance
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Employment Situation in 3rd Quarter 2005
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New speed limits for 55 roads in southern Singapore from 1 Nov
2005
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Update, renew & terminate 45 different licences online
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Recent
trends in employment creation
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Singapore household debt and credit card bankruptcies
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Compulsory registration for pre-paid SIM card
holders |
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"From 1 November, mobile service providers,
such as the Singapore Telecom Mobile Pte Ltd, StarHub Mobile Pte Ltd and
MobileOne Ltd, will be required to ensure compliance in recording the
personal details of all customers who buy prepaid SIM cards... |
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"...all existing prepaid SIM card users are
required to re-register at retail outlets which sell prepaid SIM
cards sold by their respective mobile service providers. |
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"Customers must be at least 15 years old
before being eligible to purchase a prepaid SIM card..." |
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More..... |
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Key indicators on Singapore's Corporate Sector 1999-2003
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MFA comments on New Straits Times article: Bridge Talks End on
Promising Note dated 20 Oct 2005
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Treasury survey shows foreign exchange trading reaching 7 year
high
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2nd reading of Public Transport Council (Amendment)
Bill 2005 |
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"The 2 PTOs estimate
that fare evasion on buses occurs on about 1.8% of passenger trips. Even though this figure may appear to be low, we should not condone
fare evasion. Otherwise, the majority of commuters who pay the
correct fares will be subsidizing the small minority who abuse
concession passes, avoid paying or intentionally underpay fares.
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"Hence, to provide
greater deterrence against fare evasion, the PTC
will be introducing a penalty fee of $20 for the
underpayment and non-payment of fares; and $50 for
the abuse of fare concessions..." |
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More..... |
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Salary dispute resolved with Manpower Ministry's intervention
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Draft Casino Control Bill released for public consultation
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Law to let criminal records of minor offenders be rendered spent
Bicycle thefts in Singapore |
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"The
number of cases of bicycle theft averaged around 400
cases a year from 2000 to 2004. In the first half of
this year, 435 cases were reported... |
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"In
2004, 9 out of 10 bicycles stolen in public places
were not secured at designated bicycle bays.
Instead, the vast majority of those stolen were
secured to lamp posts, railings and pipes..." |
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More..... |
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Study Mum Situation in Singapore |
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"As at
end Jul 05, there were about 6,800 study mothers in
Singapore of whom some two-thirds were from the PRC... |
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"As at
end Jun 05, less than 1,000 study mothers were
holding Work Permits..." |
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More..... |
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58 foreign workers arrested for having no work permits
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Changi Airport to introduce self-service check-in kiosks in 2006
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Transit passengers at Changi Airport get to explore Singapore
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25 primary schools to pilot new Chinese Language curriculum
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Medical subsidies for foreign workers being reviewed
CPF -
Future Directions |
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"By 2030, one in
five Singaporeans will be at least 60 years old. With families
getting smaller, we will have fewer children around to support
us in our old age. |
| "Part of the answer is to get
workers to work longer and retire later. But another part is
to ensure that Singaporeans have enough savings to continue
enjoying financial security and good medical care throughout
our lives..... |
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More..... |
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MOE opens more gates for secondary students
- School
Achievements in 2005
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Biometric passports likely to debut in later half of 2006
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Police raid company using pirated software
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MAS enhances corporate governance for banks & insurers
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Singapore's first desalination plant for water supply opens
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Singapore Labour Market - 2nd Quarter 2005
- Launch
of Eyes In The Sky Initiative
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60th Anniversary of the End of World War II
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Educational Performance by Ethnic Group 1995 - 2004
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Body
parts found near Orchard MRT Station
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“White Elephants” Outside
Buangkok MRT Station |
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Some members of public have
expressed surprise and unhappiness upon learning that
Police are investigating into the recent incident
involving a few white elephant placards erected outside
Buangkok MRT station. A few have also commented that this
is a 'peaceful, humourous' and 'innovative way by ordinary
residents' to 'express public feedback' and questioned the
need for Police to 'over-react' and take the matter so
seriously. |
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The Police received a 999 call
complaining about the presence of the white elephants
placards along the road divider outside Buangkok MRT
station. When a complaint or report is received or lodged,
Police will have to look into the matter to determine
whether any offence has been committed. As we have stated
earlier, Police are presently investigating the matter
under the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act. The
Police must be fair and transparent at all times and not
investigate cases selectively. |
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
7 September 2005 @ 12.00 pm |
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Source:
www.spf.gov.sg Media Release 7 Sep 2005 |
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Workfare to help low wage workers in six key areas
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Prepaid Phone Cards To Be Controlled |
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"I had previously
raised the issue of prepaid phone cards as an area of security
concern. The exploitation of the anonymity given by prepaid
cards to avoid detection is not new. Criminals have exploited
this. And terrorist groups like the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) have done so too... |
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"The Homefront
Security Division in MHA has been working closely with the IDA
and the commercial service providers to work out a practical
regulatory regime. |
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"These regulatory
controls are likely to be implemented from early November.
Details will be announced next month..." |
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More..... |
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New speed limits for 27 roads in the northeast
Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre launched |
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"First, by
handling all disputes that relate to forms of financial
transactions, it provides consumers the convenience of a
one-stop centre... |
| "Third, FIDReC is affordable.
To ensure easy access, mediation services will be free. If
current trend continues, it means that 95% of all cases
handled by FIDReC will be free. Should adjudication be needed,
consumers will pay just $50." |
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More..... |
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Emergency ambulance statistics for 1st half 2005
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Review of housing options for the elderly |
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"To encourage extended family living, HDB
will extend the $12,000 monthly income ceiling to extended families
buying resale HDB flats with the CPF Housing Grant. The revised policy
will apply with immediate effect... |
| "To facilitate the elderly to buy SAs, buyers
aged at least 55 years will now be able to use their CPF to buy SAs
after they have set aside at least the full cash component of their
Minimum Sum... |
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More..... |
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Is Singapore a literate society? |
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"...But if you define “literate” as meaning a
well-read society, your answer would probably be “no” and you would be
quite right. |
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"A Population Survey on the Arts by the
National Arts Council in 2002 found that only 40 per cent of 1,527
people surveyed had read a novel that year. |
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"In 2003, a nation-wide survey of 1,500
Singapore residents by the National Library Board revealed that the
strongest motivation to read was neither for leisure nor for literary
appreciation. Rather, it was for career development..." |
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More..... |
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Man arrested for using counterfeit credit cards in Sim Lim Square
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New dengue alert map on MOH & NEA Web sites
Rising number of HIV positive young people |
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"Young people are vulnerable to AIDS. Locally, 1 teenager under
19 years was tested positive for HIV in first 6 months of 2005
bringing the total number of young people in the 10-19 age group
who are HIV-positive to 19 as of June 2005. In addition, there are
also 458 young people in the 20-29 age group who are infected.
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"The increasing numbers of HIV positive young people are a
worrying trend. It is tragic for a young life, so full of
potential, to be limited by a positive diagnosis of HIV. It is
even more tragic when the infected person unknowingly spreads HIV
to other young people, like himself or herself, by engaging in
casual sex or sex with multiple partners. However, we believe no
one can help young people more than themselves. Young people have
the ability and courage to take difficult issues head-on and come
up with bold and innovative solutions..."
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More..... |
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Regional ITE colleges to be completed earlier
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Post Secondary Account for every eligible child
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Prime Minister's National Day Rally Speech 2005 |
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If you compare us with other countries, you
go to Thailand, for example, whether it's a man or woman, the man will
say Sawadikup or the woman will say the Sawadika. You go to
Japanese restaurant, Irrashaimasse. Or you go to India, they say
Nemeste or Varnakam. You go to Australia, they say Good Day mate! |
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In Singapore, they go straight to the point.
“How can I help you?” Or if you're not so lucky, “What you want?” |
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More..... |
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Police act against unlicensed second-hand handphone dealers
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Three arrested for illegally distributing copyrighted songs
online |
| "A pre-dawn raid on 3
locations by the Police on 17 August 2005 saw the arrest of 3
male subjects aged between 16 and
22 years old for distributing infringing copies of copyrighted music on
the Internet. |
| "The 16 year-old student, 21 year-old
unemployed man and 22 year-old factory operator were arrested in their
respective residences..." |
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More..... |
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Key Survey Findings on Services Sector 2003
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Private sector to build and sell HDB flats
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Armed police patrols on MRT trains from today
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Presidential Election: Only S R Nathan qualifies
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In-camp Training for National Servicemen cut to 10 years
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Performance of Singapore Economy in 2nd Quarter 2005
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Employment Situation in 2nd Quarter 2005
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Prime Minister's National Day Message 2005 |
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"...Every
Singaporean – and not just a select few – must receive the
best education that he is capable of. |
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"So we are investing heavily in polytechnics and
ITEs, and not just in universities. We are paying attention to Normal stream
students, and not just those in the Express and Special streams. We are
emphasising lifelong learning, and not just pre-employment education. |
| "We also need to remake our city, so that it is
vibrant, cosmopolitan and throbbing with energy, with our own distinctive
X-factor that makes us stand out from other cities. |
| "Global cities like London, Paris, New York and
Shanghai are continuously re-making themselves, so all the more must we. This
is the deeper reason, beyond attracting tourists, why we are developing
integrated resorts..." |
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More..... |
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RSN receives first of six new frigates
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Findings of First National Financial Literacy Survey |
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"The majority of Singaporeans save, monitor
their spending and are generally responsible in the use of credit... |
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"While these findings are positive, the
survey showed that many do not have a clear idea of how much they would
need for their retirement. |
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"Many have also not set aside sufficient cash
savings to meet emergency needs. In addition, the majority are not aware
of the key features of common financial products such as life insurance
policies and unit trusts..." |
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More..... |
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Presidential
Election 2005 - Polling Day on 27 Aug 2005
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Smoking ban to be extended to hawker centres, coffeeshops &
entertainment outlets |
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"The ban at hawker centers and coffeeshops
will take effect from 1 July 2006, while the ban at entertainment
outlets will start on 1 July 2007... |
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"The smoking ban at coffee shops will come
into effect on 1 Jul 06. Smoking will be banned within the indoor
refreshment areas (IRA) of coffeeshops. However, coffeeshop operators
may designate up to 20% of the seats in their outdoor refreshment area (ORA)
as a smoking corner..." |
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More..... |
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Code of
Conduct for Ministers
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Evening ERP on northbound CTE from 1 Aug 2005
Singapore Crime Situation in 1st half 2005 |
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"The total number
of seizable offences in Jan – Jun 05 has risen by 28.1% or
4,668 cases, as compared to the same period last year... |
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"The Police are
also concerned about the 44% rise in handphone crimes and the
9% increase in youths arrested for crime..." |
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More..... |
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Strong performance in financial services sector in 2004
- 2nd
Quarter 2005 Real Estate Statistics
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HDB & URA outsource car park enforcement services from 1 Aug 2005
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NKF - Investigations into allegations
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New NKF Board appointed
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Policy changes affecting the property market |
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increase the housing
financing limit to 90% of the property value |
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lower the cash
payment for private residential properties from 10% to 5% |
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allow CPF members to
use their CPF savings to purchase private residential properties
with remaining leases of 30 to 60 years |
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allow non-related singles to use
their CPF savings to jointly purchase private residential
properties |
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phase out the
Non-Residential Properties Scheme (NRPS) by 1 Jul 2006 |
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allow foreigners to
purchase apartments in non-condominium developments of less than
6 levels without the need to obtain prior approval |
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More..... |
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News Snippets
2005 - Part 1
News Snippets 2004
News
Snippets 2003
|
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