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NEWS SNIPPETS
2007
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A healthy life and a good, dignified and discreet
death |
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First, their traditional diet: they eat more
pork, more tofu (bean curd), more dark green vegetables and
more seaweed than other Japanese... |
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Second, they are physically active. They
exercise a lot and keep active all their lives. They work for as long as
there is work available. |
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Third, their active daily life in turn
benefits their sleep at night. They sleep easily and while they do not
sleep long, they sleep soundly with little interruptions. |
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So this is the Ogimi secret to longevity: a
healthy diet, an active life and good quality sleep... |
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End-of-life issues are deeply emotional. But
at the Ogimi village, I did not find the villagers squeamish when
talking about it. They laughed and joked about it. |
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They realise that treating death as taboo
does a disservice to both the dying and the living, adding to
loneliness, anxiety and stress for all. They are grateful for a healthy
life and pray for a good, dignified and discreet death, a “pokkuri”
moment. |
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It takes humility to acknowledge that
medical science, however advanced, has its limits. For the most
vulnerable group of patients at the close of their lives, for whom
curable treatment is no longer an option -- their last moments matter... |
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More..... |
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Safety and security measures for Formula One races |
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"For the safety of spectators,
safety barricades will be lined up around the perimeter of the race
circuit. This is similar to the arrangement adopted by most of the
countries hosting F1 races... |
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"To ensure security for the event,
Police will conduct checks on bags and personal belongings at designated
access points to prevent smuggling of any weapons or prohibited
items. Spectators who refuse to have their bags check can be denied
entry. Spectators who appear to be highly intoxicated could also be
denied entry..." |
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More..... |
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Rapid HIV testing now available in medical clinics |
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"As of 1 Aug 2007, the Ministry of Health (MOH)
is allowing HIV testing with rapid HIV test kits to be offered in
medical clinics. Rapid HIV tests are screening tests that produce very
quick results, in approximately 20 minutes... |
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"Rapid HIV testing can only be conducted in a medical clinic by trained
clinic personnel, and only clinics which have participated in an MOH
training workshop on Rapid HIV Testing are allowed to offer rapid HIV
testing..." |
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More..... |
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Dunman High School joins Chinese language elective
programme |
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"The Ministry of Education will be
establishing a 5th Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP) Centre to
nurture the language talent of students with an aptitude for Chinese
Language. From 2008, the Dunman High School will be offering the CLEP... |
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"The CLEP is a two-year programme, which
includes the study of classical and modern literature (poetry, prose,
novels, and drama) and Chinese culture..." |
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More..... |
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The Private Security Industry Bill 2007 passed |
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"Should a private investigator or security
officer be charged with or convicted of a prescribed offence which makes
his continued employment as a private investigator or security officer
undesirable, his licence can be suspended with immediate effect. This
power is provided in Clause 24(5) of the Bill. |
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"With the introduction of the licensing
schemes for security officers and private investigators, more than 500
private investigators and 30,000 security officers will need to apply
for a licence..." |
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More..... |
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Two new specialty centres for cancer and heart disease |
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MOH is setting up two new specialty centres
for cancer and heart disease at the National University Hospital to meet
the rising demand for tertiary care in these specialties... |
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Cancer and heart disease are the top
two killers, with cancer taking 4000 lives in Singapore each year.
They will remain the major causes of death and morbidity. New
cancer cases are projected to increase from 9,000 per year to
13,000 by 2015. For cardiology, outpatient attendances are
projected to grow from 200,000 per year to 320,000 by 2015. We
must ramp up our capacity and capabilities to meet this rapidly
growing demand... |
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More..... |
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Changi Airport to be corporatised |
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"After careful consideration, the government
believes that it is necessary to corporatise Changi Airport and to
re-structure CAAS’ existing regulatory and strategic functions under a
new regulatory body... |
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"Corporatisation will enhance Changi
Airport’s ability to compete in this changed landscape. In being more
nimble the new entity will further strengthen Changi’s position as a
premier air hub... |
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"Corporatisation is a complex process. We
will plan carefully and explore all possible options. The entire process
is expected to take 18 to 24 months..." |
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More..... |
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No plans to change minimum annual income requirement
for credit cards |
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"First, let me clarify that the minimum
annual income requirement to qualify for a credit card has not been
relaxed, and remains at $30,000. |
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"There are no plans to change this. When Mr
Palmer mentioned the relaxation in the minimum annual income for credit
cards, I presume he was referring directly to payment instruments with a
maximum credit limit of $500. |
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"MAS has exempted payment instruments with a
credit limit of less than $500 from MAS' rules to provide some leeway to
the market to innovate and develop convenient payment instruments..." |
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More..... |
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Singapore CPI for households in different income
groups in 1st half 2007 |
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"The difference in the inflation rates
between the lowest 20% and the higher income groups also narrowed. |
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"This was due primarily to lower electricity
tariffs and domestic refuse removal fees which have relatively larger
weights for the low income group. |
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"The main items contributing to the price
increases during the first six months of 2007 for all income groups were
taxi fares, cooked food, holiday travel, accommodation, school & tuition
fees as well as hospitalization fees..." |
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More..... |
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Drug addiction situation in Singapore |
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"The drug addiction situation in Singapore
is under control, even though 999 drug abusers were arrested in the
first half of this year, compared to 446 over the same period last year. |
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"Of the total number of abusers arrested,
Buprenorphine abusers formed the majority, at 41%, with heroin abusers
at 30% and synthetic drug abusers at 25%. |
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"One reason for the increase of 553 abusers
is that the Central Narcotics Bureau gazetted Buprenorphine as a
controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in August last year..." |
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More..... |
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Beware of kidnap scam calls |
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"Police want to alert the public about a
cheating ruse employed to induce people to part with money by alleging
their next-of-kin had been kidnapped... |
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"The allegations were untrue and no one had
been kidnapped. Unfortunately, one person was cheated of nearly $50,000
before realising it was a ruse... |
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"Another five kidnap scam calls were
reported today, bringing the total number of cases to over ten reported
since last Saturday..." |
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More..... |
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Proposed amendments to the Human Organ Transplant Act |
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"Following the recent ruling by the Fatwa
Committee of MUIS that Muslims can be included under the Human Organ
Transplant Act (HOTA), the Ministry of Health intends to amend HOTA to
improve the access of Muslim patients to donated organs... |
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"MOH proposes to amend the HOTA to include,
upon death, Muslims who are Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents
(PR) between the ages of 21 and 60 years, who are of sound mind, and who
have not opted out... |
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"The inclusion of Muslims under HOTA is
expected to provide up to five additional organ donors per year
(yielding up to 10 kidneys, 10 corneas, 5 livers and 5 hearts)..." |
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More..... |
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Singapore conducts major multi-agency maritime
security exercise |
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"Led by the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN)
Coastal Command (COSCOM), this annual exercise involves some 2,000
personnel from the RSN, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and
the Army, as well as the Police Coast Guard (PCG), the Maritime and Port
Authority of Singapore (MPA), and the Immigration & Checkpoints
Authority (ICA)..." |
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More..... |
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Police seek two teenagers in bomb hoax case |
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"Police are investigating a false call of a
bomb threat that was made on 17 August 2007 at about 11.16 pm from a
public telephone at the Concourse Area of Outram Park MRT Interchange
(East West Line). |
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"Police seek information on the identities
and whereabouts of the two persons shown in the photographs attached who
can assist Police in investigations..." |
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More..... |
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Significant changes to the CPF system |
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"By 2012, we will require employers to offer re-employment to workers
reaching 62, up to age 65, and eventually to 67. This change will
precede the raising of the Draw Down Age (DDA). By 2012, employers
will be required to offer re-employment up to age 65 but the DDA to
65 will only be effected in 2018 – a significant time lag to help
workers and employers adjust... |
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"1% additional bonus interest will be
paid on the first $60,000 in a CPF member's combined accounts, with not more than
$20,000 from the OA accounts. This will enhance CPF's existing
risk-free framework... |
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"While our employment rates are among the highest in the world, our
residents are also among the longest living. The present DDA of 62
years is hence too early and results in the majority of members
prematurely depleting their savings. Thus, we will do the following: a.
progressively raise draw down age.. |
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"Even after changes to DDA, there will be those who live longer than
85. We want to ensure that they have a stream of income for life. The Government will therefore be looking at making annuities
compulsory for members to protect them against outliving their
retirement savings... |
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More..... |
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Singapore to have fourth university |
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The Ministry of Education (MOE) is
increasing the number of publicly-funded university places to cater to
30% of each cohort of Singaporeans by 2015... |
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The increase to 30% of cohort translates to
about 2,400 additional university places per year for Singaporeans. |
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More..... |
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Sleight Of hand culprit nabbed |
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On 19 August 2007 at about 3.15pm, an
Iranian man was arrested for an offence of theft by sleight of hand. The
man had earlier managed to steal money from foreigners by asking to see
their foreign currency. |
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More..... |
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Draft Mental Capacity Bill for public consultation |
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"Currently, under the Mental Disorders and
Treatment Act (MDTA), the High Court can appoint a Committee of Person
or Committee of Estate to manage the personal welfare of or make
property related decisions for a person who is incapable of managing
himself or his affairs. However, the appointment can only be done after
a person has lost his mental capacity. |
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"One of the key features of the draft Mental
Capacity Bill is that it will provide a statutory framework to allow a
person to voluntarily make advance plans for his financial and personal
welfare..." |
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More..... |
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Update on the Norovirus outbreak at Pioneer Primary
School |
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Norovirus was confirmed in the stool
of six food handlers. These findings highlight the importance of
good food and personal hygiene. In particular, symptomatic persons
should refrain from handling food when they are not well. |
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The six infected food handlers have
been issued orders prohibiting them from working until they are
certified free of infection. MOH has also advised the school on
the necessary prevention and control measures to avoid future
outbreaks. |
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Pioneer Primary School recorded a
total of 147 Norovirus gastroenteritis cases, comprising students,
staff and food handlers, during the recent outbreak. The illness
is self-limiting and most recovered within 1-3 days. None was
hospitalised..." |
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More..... |
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Singapore Crime Situation for first half 2007 |
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"While the figures for outraging of modesty
and cheating and related offences were not significantly different,
index crimes that were significantly higher in Jan-Jun 2007 from the
same period in 2006 were rape, motor vehicle theft, robbery and snatch
theft. |
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"However, there is no cause for alarm. For
rape, which saw the greatest percentage increase of 32%, the vast
majority of cases (90%) involved offenders who are known to their
victims..." |
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More..... |
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Formula One (F1) levy on hotel room revenues |
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"Following consultation with the
Singapore Hotel Association (SHA), the Ministry of Trade and
Industry (MTI) has decided on the following rates for the Formula
One (F1) levy on hotel room revenues: |
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a. 30% of the total revenues from
rooms and room packages for trackside hotels; and |
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b. 20% of the total revenues from
rooms and room packages for all other tourist hotels[1]..." |
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More..... |
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Inaugural F1 Singapore Grand Prix to be held on 28 Sep
2008 |
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"A fortnight ago, on 27 July 2007, the
Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA, or the World Motor
Sports Council) set the date of the first Singapore Grand Prix as 28
September 2008. |
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"The 5.05km long street circuit offers a
number of overtaking opportunities, fast turns and technically
challenging sections for F1 race drivers, which, in turn, will present
viewers with compelling race action to keep them on the edge of their
seats. |
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"More than 70 per cent of the street circuit
is made up of Singapore’s existing road network. The Paddock building
will house the control tower, garages for the teams, hospitality
lounges, Press Room and other facilities..." |
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More..... |
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Prime Minister's National Day Message 2007 |
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"Economic growth in the first half of this
year was 7.6%, higher than we had expected. For the whole year, MTI has
raised its growth forecast to between 7 and 8%. |
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"The good news is that we have added 111,000
jobs in the first half – the highest number ever. Unemployment is very
low, at 2.4%. Workers are enjoying good wage increases and higher
bonuses because businesses are doing well... |
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"One reason our income gap is widening is
our ageing population. Singaporeans are living longer than ever. We must
help our elderly live comfortably by keeping medical care affordable,
making our city barrier-free, and our public transport wheelchair
friendly. Those with enough savings will feel secure about their
future..." |
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More..... |
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PACE releases report on English TV and Radio
programmes |
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"In recommending the areas for further
improvement, PACE noted that vacant timeslots left when a
programme series ends are still repeatedly filled with the same
type of slapstick programming like Mr Bean and Just for Laughs... |
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"The Committee applauded MediaCorp TV
for working with schools to involve youths in the revamped debate
programme The Arena. However, the Committee noted that there is
still a lack of quality programmes that address the issues which
youths face, and those that cater to children aged eight to 12
years old... |
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"Recommendations from the Committee
included a clear distinction between 'live talk' on air and
advertisements, as well as longer stretches of music play with
interruptions only for informative commentaries..." |
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More..... |
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Licence for public forum with foreign speaker
cancelled |
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"Police has cancelled a licence under the
Public Entertainments and Meetings Act to organise a public forum on 7
Aug 2007 at 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road on gay issues by a foreign
participant. |
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"A Singaporean, Mr Au Wai Pang, had applied
for the licence. He had separately applied to ICA for a professional
visit pass for the foreign national to speak at the forum..." |
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More..... |
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New dog licensing rules from 1 Sep 2007 |
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"All licensed dogs must be
microchipped with an ISO compliant microchip. |
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"Dogs that were licensed before 1 Sep
07 will be exempted from the requirement. However, owners of such
dogs are strongly encouraged to have their dogs microchipped for
better traceability... |
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"Under the new Rules1, the
annual licence fee for all unsterilised dogs (both male and
female) is $70 while the licence fee for sterilised dogs is
$14..." |
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More..... |
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Special and Express courses at secondary schools to
merge |
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"Starting from the Secondary One students in
2008, the Special and Express Courses will be merged into the "Express
Course"... |
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"For the 2007 Secondary 1 cohort, there are
4,466 Express Course students and 4,410 Special Course students offering
HMTL. |
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"In addition, some schools have placed
Special and Express Course students in the same classes. Thus, there is
now little distinction between Special and Express students in secondary
schools..." |
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More..... |
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Lottery Scam Alert - A Crime Prevention Advisory |
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"From January to July 2007, Police
have received 23 such reports, of which 31 victims have parted
with amounts ranging from $32 to $52,800. |
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"The fraudsters would typically call
the victims on the pretext of conducting surveys or inviting the
victims to attend overseas events, by claiming to be staff of
overseas companies.'' |
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"To claim their prizes, the victims
were requested to make up-front payments as administrative or
processing fees via remittance companies to China. In some
instances, local accounts were also used..." |
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More..... |
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Police seek three men in unlicensing moneylending and harassment cases
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Online submission of school choices for Sec 1 posting |
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"Parents of Primary 6 pupils will have an
additional channel of submitting their child’s school choices for the
Secondary One posting exercise at the end of this year. |
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"The Ministry of Education (MOE) will be
introducing a new Internet System to make it more convenient for parents
to be able to submit their child’s Secondary One school choices online. |
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"The new Internet System will also give
parents the option of checking their child’s Secondary One posting
results online... |
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"Parents who wish to use hardcopy forms
to submit their child’s school options to the primary school can
still do so. The Secondary One posting exercise procedures remains
unchanged..." |
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More..... |
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Employment situation in 2nd Quarter 2007 |
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"Preliminary estimates show that total employment grew
by a record quarterly high of 61,900 in the second
quarter of 2007, as the economy continued its strong
growth... |
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"Employment grew in all
the major sectors, led by services which added 33,600
workers. Manufacturing posted gains of 16,600, higher
than earlier quarters..." |
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More.... |
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HDB releases public housing data |
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"30% of all resale cases in 2nd Quarter
2007 were transacted at or below valuation, with an overall median
Cash-Over-Valuation (COV) of about $7,000... |
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"The number of resale transactions
increased by 38% from 6,300 cases in 1st Quarter 2007 to 8,700
cases in 2nd Quarter 2007 (see Annex D). |
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"This is indicative of a more active
HDB resale market, and the availability of more resale flats to
meet the location and flat type preferences of flat buyers..." |
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More..... |
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Inaugural study on work-life harmony in Singapore |
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"The study, which involved 1,601 respondents,
was conducted in partnership with the Family Studies Centre of Brigham
Young University in the United States1... |
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"This inaugural study revealed that the
benchmark work-life harmony score for Singapore for 2006 is 64,
with 0 indicating “no harmony” and 100 indicating "total harmony"..." |
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More..... |
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Rehabilitation regime for first and second-time
abusers of cannabis and cocaine |
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"The aim
of the treatment and rehabilitation regime is to give
first and second time abusers a chance at
rehabilitation without the stigmatisation of a
criminal record... |
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"Recalcitrant abusers with two previous records for
consumption of cannabis or cocaine or that of opiates,
synthetic drugs or buprenorphine who are arrested
again for the consumption of any of these drugs would
be liable for long term imprisonment under the Long
Term (LT) Imprisonment Regime, if convicted..." |
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More..... |
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library@orchard ends stay at Ngee Ann City on 30 Nov
2007 |
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"The
National Library Board (NLB) announced today that
after eight eventful years at Ngee Ann City, the
library@orchard will be moving out from its current
premises at Ngee Ann City on 30 November 2007... |
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"The
library@orchard will re-open in 2010 at a new location
– *scape the youth community space, and possibly
another redeveloped site along Orchard Road..." |
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More..... |
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SingTel launches pay TV service |
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"Subscribers who opt for the Set-Top Box with
recording function can pause, rewind and record live
TV programmes so that they no longer have to miss
anything. |
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"The mio
TV website allows subscribers to programme their
recordings even when they are not at home, and an
upcoming service that will enable them to do it via
their mobile phones..." |
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More..... |
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Key indicators on marriages and divorces 2001 - 2006
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Public consultation on proposed National Registry of
Diseases Bill |
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"The Ministry of Health is proposing to
introduce a National Registry of Diseases (NRD) Bill... |
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"Currently, the NRD includes registries for
cancer, renal failure, heart disease and stroke. |
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"The information captured by the NRD is
mainly from public sector healthcare institutions who submit data
on a voluntary basis. |
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"There is a need for data from the
private sector to be included so that the dataset is complete and
useful for national level planning..." |
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More..... |
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Compensation for dead and injured SAF servicemen |
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"MINDEF
applies similar principles and practices used by the
civil courts or the Workmen's Compensation Act (WCA)
to determine compensation for deaths and injuries due
to service... |
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"MINDEF
does not buy insurance for its servicemen because
MINDEF itself takes on the liability of paying
compensation its servicemen for deaths and injuries
arising from service through MINDEF's compensation
framework..." |
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More..... |
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Revision of Development Charge (DC) |
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"The DC was lowered from 70% to 50% in
1985 to avoid eroding the share of value enhancement
that accrued to developers in a declining market. |
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"With the current buoyant property
market, the converse is true. Thus, the Government has
decided to reinstate the DC to its original rate at
70%..." |
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More..... |
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Optometrists and Opticians Bill 2007 passed |
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"For optometrists, those
with recognised qualifications and at least a year of
optometry experience will be fully registered.
Optometrists with less than a year of experience will
be provisionally registered, and will have to work
under supervision for 1 year before they become fully
registered... |
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"For opticians, those with
work experience of at least 5 years will be fully
registered as opticians if they pass a competency
test. Those with between 2 to 5 years of experience
will need to undergo a part-time modular upgrading
course. There may be some opticians who do not intend
to do any refraction but wish to do only dispensing;
they will need to undergo a competency test or failing
which, an upgrading programme but without the
refraction component. This will ensure that they can
uphold safe standards in dispensing. |
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"Opticians with less than
2 years experience and all new entrants to the
profession will need to attend a certificate course in
opticianry in order to qualify for registration.
Singapore Polytechnic has organised a course to cater
to these opticians. Such a course can be completed in
9 to 24 months..." |
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More..... |
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Minister answers questions on Internet-related sexual
crimes |
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"There
were 124 reported cases of females becoming victims of
sex crimes as a result of them knowing the offenders
through the Internet between 2001 and 2006... |
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"Of these
reported cases, 80 cases (or about two-thirds)
involved victims who were below 16 years of age. Of
these 124 cases, two of them also involved the
victims’ property being stolen..." |
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More..... |
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Minister answers questions on Singapore permanent
residents |
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"In 2006, about 57,000 persons were granted
permanent residency status in Singapore. These new permanent residents (PRs)
came predominantly from Asian and South-East Asian countries... |
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"In 2006, about 13,000 persons were
granted Singapore Citizenship (SC). These new SCs came
predominantly from Asian and South-East Asian
countries..." |
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More..... |
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Passports (Amendment) Bill passed |
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"Thus, this Bill repeals the existing Act, and
re-enacts a new Passports Act which introduces measures against
the abuse and misuse of Singapore passports and travel documents,
as well as foreign travel documents... |
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"Clause 45 of the Bill makes it compulsory for
Singaporeans, or a person who has parental responsibility for a
Singaporean aged 16 and below, to report the loss or theft of a
passport within 14 days when he first knows of the fact... |
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"Clause 23 of the Bill allows the Controller to refuse passports to
persons for law enforcement reasons, such as to persons who have
been placed under supervision under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This
will ensure that they do not indulge in drug-related activities
overseas. Others who may be refused passports include those who
are the subject of warrants of arrest issued for seizeable
offences... |
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"A person who is found guilty of giving away his Singapore
passport or travel document and is reckless as to whether it will
be misused by another person for travel or for identification
purposes will face a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to
three years, or both..." |
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More..... |
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Braddell Road Angsana tree to be removed |
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"When the construction for the new
Lornie-Braddell Road Interchange began in 2005, LTA and NParks had opted
to save the Angsana tree by bifurcating the slip road around the tree... |
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"Based on LTA’s observations and the
public feedback, LTA and NParks came to the conclusion that
removing the tree is the most prudent course of action to prevent
any future accidents..." |
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More..... |
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Five Vietnamese nationals arrested for stealing spree |
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"Police arrested two men and three women,
aged 22 - 37 at the airport yesterday after they were found with nine
pieces of luggage containing more than 350 pieces of new garments... |
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"Preliminary investigations revealed that
about 30 of the items in their possession were found
to be stolen from shops in the Orchard area..." |
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More..... |
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Advance GDP estimates for second quarter 2007 |
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"Advance estimates1 show that real
gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 8.2 per cent on a year-on-year
basis in the second quarter, up from 6.4 per cent in the previous
quarter... |
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"Underpinned by strong growth in the
biomedical manufacturing and transport engineering clusters, the
manufacturing sector is estimated to have grown by 10.2 per cent the
second quarter, up from 4.4 per cent in the previous quarter..." |
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More..... |
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1 SIR
turns 50 |
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"Formed on 12 March 1957 as a regular
infantry battalion, 1 SIR was involved in protecting Singapore's
internal security during the tumultuous period of the 1950s and the 60s... |
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"Operations that the unit undertook before
independence included enforcing curfews during the racial riots in
Singapore in 1964, as well as patrolling areas of Sabah and Johor during
the Confrontation between 1963 and 1964..." |
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More..... |
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Payout period for IDAPE claimants extended to 6 years |
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"IDAPE is
fully funded by the Government: those who are eligible
for IDAPE benefits are not required to pay premiums.
IDAPE is means-tested as it is targeted at helping the
low-income elderly who are severely disabled... |
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"The claims criteria for
IDAPE are the same as ElderShield. IDAPE claimants are
those who are unable to perform at least 3 out of the
6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). They receive $100
to $150 per month depending on their monthly per
capita household income..." |
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More..... |
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Singapore in a period of good economic growth and
social development |
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"We are
into a period of good economic growth and social
development. Singapore made 6.6% growth in the last
quarter of 2006 and 6.1% in the first quarter of 2007. |
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"If there are no wars or
oil crises, this golden period can stretch out over
many years. Investors from developed economies are
pouring money into East and Southeast Asia through
fund managers who are investing in the stock markets
of the region..." |
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More..... |
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New Woodlands mini checkpoint for motorcyclists opens |
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"Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will open
an additional clearance zone for motorcyclists with
effect from 5 July 2007. |
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"This new
mini checkpoint will be an extension of the existing
Woodlands Checkpoint, and will operate up to five
hours daily from 5am to 10am..." |
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More..... |
|
-
Economy drive saves the Government $559m in FY06
|
Singapore Food Festival 2007 |
|
"Other
themed events held over the weekends of the Singapore
Food Festival include Curry Fish Head Mela (5-8 July)
at the Banana Leaf Apolo at Little India Arcade, Yuk!
Makan Festival (7-8 July) at Malay Heritage Centre,
Tantalising Treats of Singapore Chinatown (13-15
July), Rasa Satay Singapura (19-22 July) at Lau Pa Sat
Festival Market and Singapore Seafood (27-29 July) at
VivoCity..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Local university places offered to UNSW Asia students |
|
24
students who had been affected by the closure of the
University of New South Wales (UNSW) Asia have been
offered places by the three local universities,
National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang
Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore
Management University (SMU). |
|
More..... |
|
-
Application period for SME rebate scheme starts
-
Licence needed for 15 chemicals (explosive precursors) in
Singapore
-
Third local dengue death reported
-
Higher starting pay for those joining Mindef and SAF
-
Thieving cabby nabbed by police
-
National Health Surveillance Survey 2007
-
Apple Scam Cheats Nabbed
|
$60 million ElderShield premium rebates |
|
"Our preliminary computations suggest that
the total ElderShield rebate amount is likely to exceed $60 million.
When confirmed, it will be distributed to the existing policyholders
numbering some 770,000. |
|
The rebates, when confirmed, will be given
out in proportion to each policyholder’s contribution during the 5-year
period..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Primary 1 registration exercise for 2008 |
|
"Under the
Compulsory Education Act, Singapore Citizens born
after 1 January 1996 and residing in Singapore are
required to attend national primary schools regularly. |
|
"Thus, a child born
between 2 January 2001 and 1 January 2002 has to be
registered at the 2007 Primary One Registration
Exercise for admission to Primary One in January 2008.
Children born between 2 January 1999 and 1 January
2001 (both dates inclusive), who have not previously
been registered for Primary One classes, may also be
registered for admission to school in 2008..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
Company using pirated software raided by police
|
Update on growth of Infocomm industry in Singapore |
|
 |
|
"The Infocomm Development
Authority of Singapore’s (IDA) Annual Survey on
Infocomm Industry shows that in 2006, the total
revenue for our infocomm industry shot up almost 20%
to S$45.4 billion (US$29.5 billion). |
|
"The strong performance
was driven by healthy growth in our export market. The
export market accounted for some S$29 billion compared
to S$22 billion in 2005 while the domestic market
accounted for S$16.4 billion compared to S$15.8
billion in 2005..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Shell LiveWIRE Awards 2007 launched |
|
"Jointly organised by Shell Companies in
Singapore, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), the ITE Alumni
Association and the Singapore Press Holdings Chinese Newspapers
Division, the prestigious Shell LiveWIRE Awards 2007 aims to groom,
recognise and reward promising young entrepreneurs and promote the
spirit of enterprise... |
|
"To qualify for the Awards, applicants should
be 35 years or below and have been in business from three to 36 months.
The Top Award is $10,000. There will also be four Merit Awards of $2,000
each. The Closing Date of the Awards is 31 July 2007..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Funding and mentorship for Casual Games development |
|
"Game studios and independent developer teams
are invited to submit their concept proposals from 16 June to 10 August
2007, and successful applicants will be eligible for up to S$35,000 in
prototype development funding. |
|
"Each of the 10 project teams that receive
funding under INVIGORATE will be expected to produce a playable PC demo
by 25 January 2008..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Phasing out of temporary registered doctors for
service provision |
|
"Only temporary medical registration for service provision is being
phased out by 31 Dec 2007. |
|
"Existing temporary registered doctors brought in as service providers
before 1 Jan 2008 can still continue to work here until they either
become conditionally registered (acquired recognized postgraduate
qualifications) or they have completed their 4-6 years of service in
Singapore..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Tightening of security of Non-Biometric Passports |
|
"ICA will be
tightening the security of non-biometric passports by adopting the same
security measures as those implemented on the Singapore biometric
passport (BioPass). |
|
"Hence, with effect from 1 September 2007
(Saturday), photo update services for non-biometric passports will no
longer be available. Non-biometric passport holders who no longer
resemble their passport photo are advised to update their photos before
1 September 2007... |
|
More..... |
|
-
Apple scam
cheats nabbed by police
-
Statistics on number of persons jailed for unlawful assembly
-
Update on dengue situation in Singapore
|
1st Quarter 2007 Real Estate Statistics |
|
"Overall prices of
private residential properties rose 4.8% in the 1st Quarter 2007,
compared with the 3.8% increase in the previous quarter |
|
"Prices of non-landed properties rose 5.3%
in the 1st Quarter 2007, compared with the 4.3% increase in the previous
quarter. Prices of apartments rose 5.1% while those of condominiums rose
5.4%..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Survey on conditions of employment for older workers in 2006 |
|
"As at June 2006, nearly all private sector
establishments surveyed (97%) hired Singapore citizens aged 40 to 49.
However, the proportion employing workers in their 50s declined to 89%
and more sharply to 54% for those older. |
|
"Seven in ten employers cited relevant skills
and work experience as the most common reason workers in their 40s and
50s fit into organisations. Although this was also important for older
workers aged 60 & over (52%), the top reason cited for employing them
was their lower likelihood to job-hop (61%)..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Further detentions and releases under the Internal Security Act |
|
"In Feb 2007, ISD arrested and subsequently
detained one self-radicalised Singaporean under the Internal Security
Act (ISA) – Abdul Basheer s/o Abdul Kader (Abdul Basheer), aged 28... |
|
"At the time of his arrest, he had purchased
an air ticket to Pakistan, where he intended to make contact with a
militant group – the Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT) - that could help him train
for ‘militant jihad’ and to cross over into Afghanistan to fight
alongside the Taliban..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Suspension of poultry and egg imports from Selangor, Malaysia |
|
"The Malaysian Department of Veterinary
Services (DVS) informed the Agri- Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) this
morning (6 Jun 2007) that it had detected an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu
in chickens in a village household in Sungei Buluh, Selangor. |
|
"About 60 chickens had died as a result of
the outbreak. Although the poultry and layer farms in Selangor that have
been approved to export to Singapore are bio-secured, AVA is suspending
poultry and egg imports from Selangor as a precautionary measure with
immediate effect..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Singapore
Art Show 2007 |
|
"Held at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) from
2 August to 3 September, SAE comprises an Open section and a Curated
section. Singaporeans and residents can be a part of SAS2007 by
submitting their works for the Open section. |
|
"To ensure the wide-ranging and inclusive
nature of the Open section, the public can submit any form of visual
artworks. |
|
"These include works of painting,
calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, batik, photography, printmaking, mixed
media, installation and new media art..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Growth of structured finance products in Singapore |
|
Ms. Tay Bee Bee,
Director Monetary Authority of Singapore |
|
"Over the last 3 years, Singapore managers
originated more investment CDOs than any other country in Asia ex-Japan,
with an estimated S$6 billion of CDOs in 2006... |
|
"In Asia, Singapore has been pro-active in
providing clarity and certainty on the treatment of CDOs into our
regulatory regime. Banks have been allowed to invest in all tranches of
CDOs, while insurance companies have been permitted to invest in the
equity tranches of CDOs since January 2006..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Man arrested for making bomb hoax calls |
|
"At about noon on 2 June 07, the culprit, a
freelance web page designer, called the SCDF control room to inform that
there was a bomb at Raffles Place. SCDF immediately reported the call to
the Police... |
|
"Subsequently, around 2.30pm, the same
caller made a second call to the SCDF control room informing that
someone had planted bombs at Orchard Road and the Tanjong Pagar area..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Home for children and the elderly under one roof opens |
|
"The
4-storey purpose-built facility comprising 2 homes,
Sunbeam Place and Evergreen Place, was completed in
May 06 and commenced operations a month later. |
|
"Sunbeam Place is a group home for children
and young persons run by Singapore Children's Society. Evergreen Place
is a home for the aged run by Singapore Amalgamated Services
Co-operative Senior Citizens Home..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Adequacy of subsidised B2 & C beds in public hospitals |
|
"Our current bed situation is tight,
particularly in the Tan Tock Seng Hospital as it is the only hospital
serving the large population in the north besides its own catchment
area. |
|
"The over-crowding in TTSH in turn causes spill-over to the other
hospitals, especially National University Hospital and Changi General
Hospital. There will be relief when the new general hospital in Yishun
opens in 3 years time..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
MAS and SGX to oversee corporate governance for listed companies |
|
Oversight of corporate governance of listed
companies will be transferred from the Council of Corporate Disclosure
and Governance (CCDG)[1] to the Monetary Authority of
Singapore (MAS) and the Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) with effect from 1
September 2007... |
|
The Code of Corporate Governance will
continue to be implemented through the SGX Listing Rules via the “comply
or explain” approach[2], as is currently the practice... |
|
More..... |
|
|
Changi Airport's Terminal 3 to start operations on 9 Jan 2008 |
|
"Airlines, airport agencies, ground
handlers, shop tenants and other airport business partners operating at
Changi Airport's new Terminal 3 can start to move in and set up their
offices and systems to prepare for operations... |
|
"Terminal 3 and its associated works cost
S$1.75 billion. It will have a handling capacity of 22 million
passengers per year, bringing the total annual passenger handling
capacity of Changi Airport to about 70 million..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
MOE Selects First Five FutureSchools@Singapore |
|
From 2008, students at Canberra Primary
School, Crescent Girls’ School, Jurong Secondary and Hwa Chong
Institution can look forward to even more innovative teaching methods
and engaging lessons – made possible through more widespread use of
Information and Communications Technology (ICT). |
|
"These four schools will join a new primary
school, Beacon Primary School, as the pioneer FutureSchools@Singapore..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
EDB on
closure of UNSW Asia |
|
The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Australia has taken the decision to discontinue the operation of its
Asia campus in Singapore with effect from 28 June 2007. UNSW has taken
this difficult decision on business grounds after careful thought and
due consideration. |
|
Mr Ko Kheng Hwa, Managing Director, EDB
said, “We regret that UNSW has decided to close the Singapore campus.
EDB has been fully committed and has worked closely with UNSW from day
one towards the establishment of its Singapore campus.”... |
|
More..... |
|
|
Site preparatory works start on Gardens by the Bay |
|
"Marina City Park will close from 1 June 2007
for the Gardens by the Bay’s site preparatory works. Marina South
Promenade facing the Marina Channel, the playing fields and waterfront
promenade will be closed to the public... |
|
" 'The public can look forward to the Gardens
by the Bay when its first phase opens in 2010. Meanwhile, we urge the
public to bear with the temporary inconvenience and encourage them to
visit other parks in the vicinity for recreation,' said Dr K Ismail
Sudderuddin, Assistant Director of Gardens by the Bay..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
920 persons arrested for drink driving in 1st quarter
2007 |
|
"For the first quarter of 2007, SPF arrested
920 persons for drink driving, an increase of 22% over the same period
in 2006. Slight injury accidents related to drink driving increased from
about 200 cases in 2004 to 260 cases in 2006. |
|
"Fatal and serious injury accidents related
to drink driving have remained stable over the past 3 years, registering
38 cases, 28 cases and 32 cases in 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
$210 million rebates for 800,000 households in FY2007 |
|
"For fiscal year (FY) 2007, 800,000 eligible
households will receive $210 million worth of Service & Conservancy
Charges (S&CC), rental and Utilities-Save (U-Save) rebates as part of
the GST Offset Package announced in the Budget Statement 2007. |
|
"Households can get up to 4 months of S&CC
rebates, 4 months of rental rebates and $220 worth of U-Save rebates.
These rebates will cost the Government $210 million in FY2007 and $800
million in total over 5 years..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
Govt accepts NWC recommendations for 2007/2008
|
Optometrists and Opticians Bill |
|
"In May this year, the Ministry of Health
will propose legislation, in Parliament, to regulate the practices of
optometrists and opticians. If passed in Parliament, it will be called
the Optometrists and Opticians Bill..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Exhibition on infectious diseases and their impact on
Singapore |
|
"Hosted at the Central Lending Library in
Basement 1 of the National Library at 100 Victoria Street, the
exhibition will be open to the public from noon of Thursday 24 May until
Sunday 8 July from 10am to 9pm daily... |
|
"Through text panels, photographs, artefacts,
interactive displays, video clips, documents and news reports, visitors
to the exhibition will be able to learn how and what they can all do to
fight and prevent diseases, individually and as a nation..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Direct School Admission Exercise 2007 for admission to polytechnic |
|
"The first Direct Polytechnic Admission (DPA)
Exercise will commence on 11 July 2007, for admission into polytechnics
in 2008... |
|
"The five polytechnics – Nanyang Polytechnic,
Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and
Temasek Polytechnic – will each admit up to 2.5% of their Academic Year
2008 intake through DPA, or about 100 students per polytechnic on
average..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Direct School Admission Exercise 2007 for admission to JC1 |
|
"The Direct School Admission Exercise 2007
for admission to JC1 and its equivalent level (DSA-JC) will be held from
Monday, 25 June 2007, to Friday, 5 October 2007... |
|
"Similar to last year’s exercise, Government
and Government-aided junior colleges (JCs) 1 will be
admitting up to 10% of their 2008 JC1 intake using schoolbased criteria
under the DSA-JC Exercise..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Singaporeans can sign up for GST Credits from 15 May 2007 |
|
"2.4 million Singaporeans will be eligible
for $650 million of GST Credits and Senior Citizens Bonus in 2007... |
|
"Eligible Singaporeans will receive a
letter from the CPF Board by 15 May 2007 on how much GST
Credits/Senior Citizens’ Bonus they can receive and how to sign
up. |
|
"From 15 May 2007, Singaporeans can
sign up at any DBS/POSB/UOB/OCBC ATM or through the GST Offset
Package website at
www.gstoffset.gov.sg. They need to do so by 25 June 2007 to
get the GST Credits/Senior Citizens’ Bonus if they would like to
receive these on 1 July 2007..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Pilot project allowing cycling on all footways in Tampines |
|
"Land Transport Authority (LTA), Traffic
Police (TP) and the Tampines Grassroots Organisations (GROs) will be
conducting a study in the Tampines Town to assess the feasibility of
allowing cycling on footways with effect from 27 May 2007. |
|
"The study will last for one year and end on
30 May 2008... |
|
"Currently, under Rule 28 of the Road Traffic
Rules, enacted in 1981, cycling on footways is prohibited. Like any
other vehicles, bicycles are to be ridden on the roads and cyclists are
required to abide by all relevant traffic rules and regulations..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
The future is looking bright for the infocomm industry |
|
"In a recent survey conducted by IDA, the
number of infocomm job vacancies has more than doubled, from 2,100 in
2004 to 5,700 in 2005.. |
|
"Overall, the infocomm industry has put
in a sterling performance. Its revenue grew from $38 billion in
2005 to cross the $40 billion mark for the first time in 2006..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
MOH drafting a National Disease Registry Bill |
|
"We support the stand that personal
information identifiable to an individual participating in human
biomedical research should be safeguarded. |
|
"Proper rules governing the access and use of
personal information and a secure system of information protection would
re-assure research subjects on the confidentiality of personal
information. |
|
"In this connection, MOH is drafting a
National Disease Registry Bill to provide an overarching legal framework
for the collection of epidemiological information on key diseases for
public health policy and planning purposes..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Two SAF servicemen die in incident in Taiwan |
|
"At 9:25 am this morning, a Taiwan Air Force
F5F aircraft crashed into a storeroom located within a Taiwanese
military facility, resulting in a fire at the storeroom... |
|
"Two SAF servicemen are injured and are being
treated in hospital. Seven others have minor injuries. Two bodies have
been found and their identities are being verified. The next of kin of
the affected servicemen have been informed. The rest of the SAF
personnel in Taiwan are safe and accounted for...." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Direct School Admission Exercise for Secondary 1 in 2008 |
|
"This year, 56 schools, 9 more than last
year, will be participating in the Direct School Admission Exercise for
admission to Secondary One in 2008... |
|
"This year’s DSA-Sec Exercise will be
extended to the new School of the Arts (SOTA), a specialised Independent
School for talented youths in the visual and performing arts. SOTA will
start in January 2008..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Changes to childcare subsidies for PRs |
|
"From 1 January 2008, PR children aged 2
months to below 7 years will only be eligible for half the current
amount of centre-based child care subsidy. |
|
"From January 2009, such children will not
be eligible for the subsidy..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Calculators for Primary 5 and 6 Mathematics |
|
"To align assessment with the curriculum, the
use of calculators will be allowed in part of the Primary School Leaving
Examination (PSLE) Mathematics and Foundation Mathematics examinations
from 2009. |
|
"These examinations will be revised from the
current single paper to a two-paper format from 2009. Calculators will
only be allowed in Paper 2 of the examinations, which will contain
questions for which a calculator can be used..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
New Burial System using concrete crypts for all burials |
|
"The New Burial System (NBS) introduced in
2002 for the re-internment of exhumed remains from the Bidadari Cemetery
will now be extended to all burials from the end of this month. |
|
"The system will first be implemented in the
Muslim Cemetery end of May. This will be followed by the Chinese
Cemetery in August, Christian and Lawn Cemeteries in October, and Hindu
Cemetery in December..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
World’s largest floating stage being built at Marina Bay |
|
"The Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA)
conceptualised the design and managed the development of the new
multi-purpose facility at the Marina Bay. The facility comprises a
seating gallery and a floating platform... |
|
"DSTA worked closely with the Ministry of
Defence, Singapore Sports Council and Urban Redevelopment Authority to
conceptualise the innovative solution to address the need for a
temporary facility to hold mass spectators events over the next five
years in view of the expected demolition of the National Stadium..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Commissioner of Charities deregisters three dubious
charities |
|
"Following the implementation of new
regulations governing charity registration, public fund-raising appeals
and large charities on 1 May 2007, the Commissioner of Charities (COC)
announces today the removal of three charities from the Register of
Charities with immediate effect. |
|
"These are the Children of Singapore
Foundation, Children's Lukaemia Foundation Limited, and Club Sunshine
Limited (previously known as Kids-In-Distress Foundation Limited[1]). |
|
"The COC has also decided not to grant
charity status to Kidney Fund Organisation..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Employment situation in 1st quarter 2007 |
|
"Preliminary estimates show that total
employment grew by 48,000 in the first quarter 2007. This is higher than
the gains of 45,000 in the same period a year ago, but seasonally lower
than 51,500 in the fourth quarter of 2006. |
|
"All major sectors added workers, led by
services with gains of 33,400 workers. Manufacturing posted increases in
employment of 9,500..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Niche schools recognised for 2007 |
|
"Thirteen primary schools
have been awarded the Programme for School- Based
Excellence for 2007. In addition, the 24 schools which
received the award in 2005 and 2006 had their awards
renewed this year. |
|
"Nine secondary schools
have been recognised as Niche Programme Schools for
2007, in addition to the 12 schools that were
recognised in 2005 and 2006..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Schools may hire full-time Infocomm Technology
executives |
|
"From July 2007, schools
will have the option to engage full-time Infocomm
Technology (ICT) Executives. |
|
"The ICT Executives will
provide schools with professional ICT support and
additional technical expertise to handle the
increasingly sophisticated ICT implementation in
schools..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Rise in number of metal theft cases in 2007 |
|
"Jan-Mar
2007 recorded 294 reports of metal thefts, which is
110 cases more than the same period in 2006. |
|
"Just recently on 22 April
07, 50 copper covers from fire risers were stolen from
a block of flats in New Upper Changi Road..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
Singapore
Public Holidays 2008
-
Monograph on supervisory framework for financial institutions
-
Inaugural Singapore Day at Central Park in New York
|
Inaugural Singapore Business Events Awards |
|
"The inaugural Awards
ceremony will be held some time in early August 2007
and thereafter, it will be held annually... |
|
"The Awards will
recognise industry players that are innovative in organising
business events and whose expertise and service levels meet global
standards..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Retrenchment and Re-employment in 2006 |
|
"Specifically, the re-employment rate of residents
retrenched from PMET jobs rose from an average of 65%
in 2005 to a post-Asian crisis high of 73% in 2006. |
|
"This exceeds the rate
for the other two occupational groups, unlike in past years when
clerical, sales & service workers were the most re-employable... |
|
"In 2006,
private sector establishments each with at least 25
employees retrenched 12,359 workers..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
Public forum on democracy organised by the Singapore Democratic Party
|
Impact of the two Integrated Resorts in 2010 |
|
"Together with the two IRs, these will help
us achieve our target to attract 17 million visitors and generate S$30
billion in tourism receipts by the year 2015... |
|
"In terms of manpower, the two IRs
combined are expected to create some 50,000 to 60,000 additional
jobs throughout the economy when both are fully operational..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
Commemorating 40 years of National Service
|
Two policemen die in boat collision while pursuing
illegal immigrants |
|
"Two Police Coast Guard (PCG) officers had
been killed and an unknown number of illegal immigrants gone missing
after the boats which the PCG officers and the illegal immigrants were
in respectively collided at the sea off Tuas last night... |
|
"Two other fellow crew mates on board the
same PCG boat had been rescued. Three illegal immigrants had also been
rescued, together with the recovery of a body of a fourth illegal
immigrant..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Police bust unlicensed moneylending syndicate |
|
"Seventeen Chinese men aged between 17 to 38
years old believed to be members of an unlicensed moneylending (UML)
syndicate were arrested in an island-wide operation conducted on 12
April 07. More than $130,000 in cash was seized... |
|
"Fifteen premises in Woodlands, Sengkang, Ang
Mo Kio, Toa Payoh, Hougang, Yishun, Sembawang, Serangoon and Changi were
raided during the operation, which lasted from 8pm on 12 April 07 to 1am
on 13 April 07..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Spam Control Bill 2007 passed |
|
"Part I of
the Bill defines spam. A message is “spam” when it is
an unsolicited commercial electronic message sent more
than 100 times, with the same or similar
subject-matter, during a 24-hour period, or more than
1,000 times during a 30-day period, or more than
10,000 times during a one-year period... |
|
"An opt-out approach
is adopted under the Bill as it balances the need of companies and
marketers to send unsolicited messages for business reasons... |
|
"In order to balance
between consumer interests and industry needs the Bill will
require that each message contains a valid unsubscribe facility,
an ‘<ADV>’ label to mark it out as an advertisement,
accurate header information or subject titles and functional
contact details of the sender... |
|
"The unsubscribe
process has been structured to be consumer-friendly so that even
individuals who receive small volumes of spam have a means of
recourse, without resorting to legal action. The Bill makes it
mandatory for senders to allow recipients to unsubscribe via the
same medium through which the spam was received. This ensures that
unsubscribing from spam can be done easily and conveniently by
replying to an email or SMS..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
Film "Zahari's 17 Years" banned from 12 April 2007
|
Man to be charged for importing pellet guns |
|
"When asked, the man did not declare any
items. Subsequent screening revealed images that appeared to be guns
within his baggage. A physical check of his check-in carton revealed 20
sets of pellet guns and 5 bottles of pellets. He was subsequently
detained for investigation. |
|
"Police investigated a total of 38 cases
involving airsoft guns in 2006. Since the beginning of this year (2007),
Police have investigated 21 such cases. Most of these airsoft guns were
detected at the airport and other checkpoints, as well as the Singapore
Post Centre..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Pay rise for ministers and civil servants |
|
"The resignation rate of the Management
Executive Scheme (which employs graduate officers across the
ministries) was 10.6%, up from 7.4% in 2005. At some of our entry
grades, the situation is quite serious, with resignation rates as
high as 25%. |
|
"Members of the House would also have
read from the newspapers[4] that for our Home Team, there has been
a 40% increase in the resignation of junior officers in January
and February this year, compared to the same period last year. |
|
"We need to act before the situation
becomes more serious. The Government, as an employer, has to
respond quickly and decisively to stay competitive and close the
wage gaps. Otherwise, we will deplete the Service of the able
people we need, and the service level to the public will be
affected..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
The Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on
Society formed |
|
"A new Council, The Advisory Council on the
Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS), will be formed on 1 April 2007 by
the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA), to
study the far-reaching social, ethical, legal and regulatory
implications of a rapidly growing Interactive and Digital Media (IDM)
sector..." |
|
More..... |
|
Singapore first country to host Toon Boom Animation Festival |
|
 |
|
"Singapore will be the first country to
host the inaugural Toon Boom Animation Festival, which kicks off
on 2 April 2007... |
|
"Free workshops will be conducted by
ITE to train students who are not familiar with the Toon Boom
software. Said Mr Bruce Poh, Director & CEO, ITE..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
Decline in Tuberculosis incidence in Singapore
-
140 Foreign Medical Schools recognised in Singapore
|
Changes to Bus Lane Scheme from 1 April 2007 |
|
ADJUSTMENTS
TO
BUS LANE
HOURS
|
|
Days
|
Existing
Operation Hours
|
New
Operation Hours
|
|
Mondays to
Fridays
|
7.30am to
9.30am
|
7.30am to
9.30am
(No Change)
|
|
4.30pm to
7.00pm
|
5.00pm to
8.00pm
|
|
Saturdays
|
7.30am to
9.30am
|
No Longer
Applicable
|
|
11.30am to
2.00pm
|
|
Indicated
by a continuous yellow line
|
|
|
More..... |
|
|
New Maritime Command and Control Centre in Changi |
|
 |
|
"The
SMSC will bring together elements from key domestic
maritime agencies such as the Republic of Singapore
Navy, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and
the Police Coast Guard under one roof... |
|
"The
Changi C2 Centre is expected to become operational
in 2009..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Public consultation on draft Postal Services
(Amendment) Bill |
|
"The Postal Services will be fully
liberalised when Singapore Post Ltd (SingPost)’s monopoly license for
Basic Mail Services expires on 31 March 2007. |
|
"The Postal Services
(Amendment) Bill will provide the legislative framework for liberalising
Basic Mail Services... |
|
"MICA will
take into account the comments provided during this
public consultation when finalising the draft Postal
Services (Amendment) Bill in preparation for its
consideration in Parliament..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
RFID tags to replace paper HDB season parking tickets |
| "HDB is
introducing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags
to replace the current paper disc issued to season
parking tickets (SPT) holders... |
|
"SPT holders will be notified by post
closer to the time when the RFID tags are implemented at their car
parks. New SPT applicants will be given RFID tags when they apply
to purchase season parking..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
National Piano & Violin Competition 2007 |
|
"Organised by the National
Arts Council (NAC), the competition serves as a
valuable platform to nurture and showcase young
musicians in Singapore. NAC is now inviting
participation in the prestigious event to be held from
5 to 15 December 2007... |
|
"Registration for the
Competition is now open. Applications close on 6pm, 31
August 2007..." |
|
More..... |
|
|
Paying our public servants competitive salaries |
|
|
|
"We know from head-hunters
that the entire top managements of some of our
agencies are being targeted. The Middle Eastern
countries are particularly interested. They have
studied Singapore’s success story. They want to tap
our people to join them and replicate the miracle, and
money is no object... |
|
"This is an urgent
problem. We have experienced on previous occasions the
painful consequences of responding too slowly when the
private sector surged ahead. |
|
"For example in the early
1990s, the Administrative Service lost entire cohorts
of good officers. This showed up in the age profile of
the Service – broad at the young and older age groups,
but narrow at the mid- to late-30s range. We took many
years to recover from the loss. This must not happen
again..." |
|
More..... |
|
-
TAF & Mindef physical fitness performance awards for schools 2006
|
Recall of pet foods manufactured by Menu Foods, Inc. |
|
"The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of
Singapore has been informed that Menu Foods, Inc., a manufacturer based
in Canada is recalling all its "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat food
produced at its facility in Emporia, Kansas between December 3, 2006 and
March 6, 2007... |
|
"According to the recall information
available so far, the products are sold in the United States,
Canada and Mexico. |
|
"Nevertheless, the AVA is currently
carrying out investigations to determine if the products had been
exported to Singapore..." |
|
More..... |
|
News Snippets 2007
- Part 1
News Snippets 2006 - Part 2
News Snippets
2006 - Part 1
News
Snippets 2005 - Part 2
News Snippets
2005 - Part 1
News Snippets 2004
News
Snippets 2003
|
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