Thursday, June 30, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-30



    Some of the key changes
- Estate agents and salespersons are required to obtain the owner's prior consent before advertising any property for sale or rental. - In the case of leased property which is sought to be sublet, the estate agent or salesperson is required to......

    New guidelines for real estate agents: CEA
Come August, real estate advertisements proclaiming "advance loans available", "real estate specialist" and "king of XX (name of estate)", could become a thing of the past, as the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA)........

    Man jailed 2 weeks for filming up woman's skirt during job interview
A 29-year-old woman who went for a job interview got a rude shock when her interviewer used a mobile phone to film up her skirt. Vernon Loh Chiang Meng, 40, a business development manager with Italia World, was yesterday jailed two........

    Man jailed for housebreaking, theft
An unemployed man was jailed Thursday for seven months for breaking into a security services company and stealing more than S$7,000 in cash and electronic items......

Woman nabbed for hoax 999 calls
Police have arrested a 53-year-old woman for making hoax calls to the '999' police emergency hotline......

Alleged thieves held
Police have arrested two Vietnamese men, who are believed to be responsible for a series of cases involving the theft of excavator parts island-wide, amounting to more than S$100,000......

Medisave use for mammograms & colonoscopies
SINGAPORE : With effect from July 1, patients can use their Medisave for screening mammograms and colonoscopies......

800,000 households to receive U-Save rebates in July
SINGAPORE : Some 800,000 Singaporean HDB households can expect to receive S$35 million of Utilities-Save (U-Save) rebates in July......

Electricity tariffs to go up from July 1
SINGAPORE : Households can expect to pay an average 6.6 per cent more for their electricity in the July-September quarter as tariffs go up......

Son claims he is fighting for dad's interest in $7m house lawsuit
One of the sons testifying in the High Court on the ownership of a S$7 million house said he was going to court to stand up for the interests of his father and not to pick on his father's mistress......

S'pore explores new technology to treat drinking water
A new technology is being tested for its potential to treat drinking water in Singapore......

Total wages in private sector up 5.5% in 2010
The strong Singapore economy and the tightening labour market raised workers' wages last year......

Taskforce aims to shorten deadline for implementation of Fall Prevention Plan
Twelve workers have died from falls at the workplace since the start of the year......

Much more needs to be done for climate change says UN Sec-Gen
Climate change and nuclear disarmament will be high on the agenda for United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon as he enters his second term of office......

PUB extends implementation date for securing water tanks
National water agency PUB said it is extending the implementation date for the bolting of water tank covers and the replacement of locksets till the end of the year......

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-29



    Ong Keng Yong appointed next High Commissioner to Malaysia
The Government has appointed Mr Ong Keng Yong as Singapore's next High Commissioner to Malaysia. He will assume post in Kuala Lumpur on July 18, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. Mr Ong is currently........

   
    Man killed wife, then fell to his death
A troubled marriage that left a Malaysian couple dead in March, almost claimed the lives of their two children as well. The double tragedy at Bedok North Road happened after Teng Chu Leong, 37, and his wife, Madam Tan Bee Chan, 33,........

    Man arrested for pawning fake gold jewellery
SINGAPORE : Police have arrested a 49-year-old man who is believed to be responsible for a spate of cheating involving pawning of fake gold jewellery......

Past, present and future Singapore in a Cube
What's a birthday without a little song and even a dance? So, as Singaporeans return to the Marina Bay floating platform on August 9 to celebrate the nation's 46th birthday, celebrations will focus on a seven-storey high musical box called The Cube......

Ex-bank manager jailed 7 years for cheating, money laundering
SINGAPORE : A former OCBC relationship manager was jailed seven years on Wednesday for cheating and money laundering......

2 security officers awarded Commissioner of Police's Commendation Certificate
For the first time, two private security officers were presented with the Commissioner of Police's Commendation Certificate......

Ong Keng Yong appointed High Commissioner to Malaysia
The Singapore Government has appointed Mr Ong Keng Yong as the next High Commissioner to Malaysia......

Man charged with theft from vehicles
A 38-year-old man was charged in court on Wednesday for a series of thefts from vehicles, amounting to S$200......

Man jailed 2 weeks for filming upskirt video during job interview
A 29-year-old woman who went for a job interview got a rude shock when her interviewer used a handphone to film up her skirt......

CEA raises bar for real estate agents
More measures are being taken to raise the professionalism of the real estate agency industry......

Plants galore at Gardens by the Bay
Visitors to Gardens by the Bay at Marina Bay can look forward to seeing 162,900 plants comprising more than 200 species and varieties planted on 18 Supertrees, when it opens next June......

S$20m programme to implement standards in emerging areas
SINGAPORE : SPRING Singapore has launched a new S$20 million funding programme to help local companies implement standards in emerging areas such as carbon reduction and energy efficiency......

CPF keeps 4% Special and Medisave Account interest rate
CPF members will continue to enjoy a risk-free interest rate of four per cent on their Special and Medisave Accounts (SMA) from July to September......

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-28



    A new beginning for S'pore, M'sia
PUTRAJAYA - Four days ahead of the historic handover, Malaysia and Singapore have officially sealed the Points of Agreement (POA) on Malayan railway land in Singapore. At a signing ceremony yesterday in Putrajaya, Malaysia officially marked an.......

   
    'No M'sian airspace violation'
Investigations have not found any incidents of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft violating international air traffic rules or entering into Malaysian airspace without permission, according to a statement from the Singapore High........

    US human trafficking report "riddled with inaccuracies"
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) says it is dismayed to find the US "Trafficking in Persons Report 2011" riddled with inaccuracies in the section on Singapore......

AETOS police constable who shot himself heavily in debt
SINGAPORE : A police constable with AETOS, who was about S$40,000 in debt and had often joked about shooting himself if he couldn't settle it, eventually did so in a toilet at Corporation Road, last year......

Young Singaporeans chronicle Singapore's old haunts
SINGAPORE : Four young Singaporeans have launched online, a 10-part mini-series which chronicles Singapore's old haunts and sights......

Singapore Airshow 2012 expected to be most expensive
PARIS : Asia's biggest air show next year will indeed be the biggest, and probably also the most expensive......

Human trafficking a repugnant crime
The Singapore government says trafficking in persons is a repugnant transnational crime and it adopts a holistic strategy against it......

Bedok twin tragedy almost claims 2 children's lives
A troubled marriage which left a Malaysian couple dead in March last year almost claimed the lives of their two children as well......

URA launches tender for commercial site at Robinson Road/Cecil Street
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Tuesday launched the tender for a commercial site at Robinson Road and Cecil Street......

Resale prices of private homes continue to rise
Resale prices of private homes continue to rise in the second quarter of this year......

CDCs need to evolve to meet changing needs of society: PM Lee
SINGAPORE : More targeted help for the elderly and better ways to connect the community - these are among the key priorities of the five mayors who were sworn in on Tuesday......

"C.L.I.F." is Channel 8 most-watched drama for first half of 2011
With officer Leow Xin Yi's climatic rescue from the terrorists on Monday night, "C.L.I.F." has concluded its successful run on Channel 8 as the most-watched drama series of the first half of this year......

SSC launches first-of-its-kind development programme for children
The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) on Tuesday introduced a development programme for children aged two to 10......

Dr Tan Cheng Bock determined to run for President
Former MP Dr Tan Cheng Bok said he is never more determined to contest the upcoming presidential election which must be held by August 31......

Lim Hng Kiang appointed acting Chairman of GIC Real Estate
The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) on Tuesday announced that Trade and Industry Minister, Lim Hng Kiang, will be acting Chairman of GIC Real Estate......

Monday, June 27, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-27



    Who pays for whom, in a greying world
MY father-in-law fell ill recently and although not life-threatening, it led my wife and I to consider for the first time that one day, our families might have to take priority over our careers. It is an issue hundreds of thousands of........

   
    S'pore to house regional office to top travel site
Skyscanner, one of Europe's leading travel search sites, will open a new regional operation here in September, in a nod to the strong demand for online travel services in the Asia-Pacific. The announcement was made yesterday as the........

    Woodlands Train Checkpoint all set
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said it expects a smooth transition when the Woodlands Train Checkpoint begins operation on Friday......

Drowned NSF was drunk: Inquest
An inquest into the death of a man who drowned early this year in a river near Great World City revealed that the alcohol level in his blood was nearly three times the permitted limit for driving......

S'pore-Johor rapid transit link by 2018
The Singapore and Malaysian governments plan to open a rapid transit link between the city-state and the neighbouring city of Johor Bahru in Malaysia's south by 2018, both governments said in a joint statement on Monday......

Ex-cabby charged with molest
A former taxi driver was charged on Monday with molesting an 18-year-old girl in broad daylight on September 27, last year......

Foreigner jailed for credit card fraud
For a reward of about S$11,000, a jobless Turkish national had been tempted into coming to Singapore so that he could make use of counterfeit credit cards to buy luxury items......

MediaCorp to fund creative projects
Singapore's leading media company MediaCorp will launch a S$5 million fund to search for the best creative entertainment ideas and concepts for all its media platforms......

HSA's warning on two TCM products
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has warned the public against taking two health products sold as traditional Chinese medicines, after three elderly women developed adverse reactions to them......

Man Utd star Nani surprises Northlight students
Students at Northlight School got a surprise on the first day of the new term when Manchester United star Nani visited them for a talk on Monday morning......

Job seekers need to keep realistic salary expectations
Recruitment firm Hays said candidates need realistic salary expectations or risk pricing themselves out of the jobs market......

SBS Transit, SMRT made improvements to 17 bus services
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said SBS Transit and SMRT have made improvements to 17 bus services between April and June this year......

ComfortDelgro introduces contactless credit card payment
Taxi operator, ComfortDelgro, is making it easier for passengers to make payments by credit cards......

Government to commit S$400m on urban sustainability R&D
The government will commit S$400 million to spearhead research and development (R&D) in urban sustainability......

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-26



    Goh Meng Seng steps down as NSP chief
Opposition figure Goh Meng Seng has stepped down from his post as Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) for a breather and to take stock of his future. Mr Goh also said in his blog on Sunday that he would not be........

   
    Singapore pledges support to strengthen nuclear safety standards
Singapore will support the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) proposal to strengthen nuclear safety standards, with nuclear energy remaining an important source of energy for many countries, even in the wake of the Fukushima Dai-ichi........

    S'pore to get Rugby Village
Singapore will soon get a taste of the culture and spirit of the 2011 Rugby World Cup hosted by New Zealand......

MP to follow up on bus frequencies
Member of Parliament for Mountbatten Lim Biow Chuan will be back at the bus stops when the new school term starts on Monday......

Hazel Poa is NSP chief
Opposition figure Hazel Poa has been elected as the new secretary-general of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) after the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the party met on Sunday......

Students, don't take drugs
"Life does not rewind" - that's the latest message from the National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in their latest anti-drug abuse campaign, which targets students......

Minister Lui leads 77-member team to China
Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Lui Tuck Yew, is leading a 77-member delegation to China on a business mission......

Goh Meng Seng steps down as NSP chief
Opposition figure Goh Meng Seng has stepped down from his post as Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) for a breather and to take stock of his future......

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-25



    Former TODAY columnist launches book on his struggles and triumphs
SHARON SEE sharonsee@mediacorp.com.sg SINGAPORE - This is a dream come true for Jeremy Lim as he turns 21 next week: His first book on his struggles and triumphs with a disease he was born with, Osteogenesis Imperfecta........

   
    HDB should have greater control over DBSS prices: Tin Pei Ling
Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC Tin Pei Ling has suggested that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) take back the right to price units under the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) or include a clause to compel price........

    Tony Tan will be unifying figure if elected: PM Lee
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he has no doubt that former deputy prime minister Dr Tony Tan will be a unifying figure for all citizens and will bring honour and credit to Singa­pore if he is elected as Singapore's next president......

HDB to combine BTO launches for June, July
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) will combine the Build-to-Order (BTO) flat launches for June and July, for release in mid-July. National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said this in his blog on Saturday......

Singapore backs proposals for stronger global nuclear safety framework
Singapore has supported proposals to strengthen the global nuclear safety framework in the wake of Japan's Fukishima crisis......

Building pro-family environment goes beyond govt measures
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has said that the drive to build a pro-family environment goes beyond government measures......

Guide on setting up home for Next Gen NBN
From August, homeowners will get a guide on how they can set up their homes to tap on the ultra high broadband speed delivered over the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN)......

Singapore launches electric vehicle test-bed
Singapore is testing out several electric vehicle (EV) prototypes and technologies. The inter-agency Electric Vehicle Taskforce announced the launch of the electric vehicle test-bed on Saturday......

Friday, June 24, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-24



    Profile of Dr Tony Tan
Dr Tony Tan, 71, entered politics when he was put up as a People's Action Party candidate in the 1979 by-election. Dr Tan garnered 78.4 per cent of the votes against Opposition candidate Harbans Singh. After the election, Dr Tan........

   
    No further legal action against British author
The police said no further action would be taken against British author Alan Shadrake following investigations against him for criminal defamation. Although investigation papers reviewed by the Attorney-General showed the commission........

    ASEAN can help manage South China Sea dispute: Shanmugam
INDONESIA: Singapore said ASEAN can play a role managing territorial disputes in the South China Sea......

Foreigners jailed for theft
Three Filipino men were sentenced on Friday to between 16 and 44 months' jail for offences including theft......

New regulatory framework for amusement rides to kick in on July 1
From July 1 2011, there will be a new regulatory framework for amusement ride safety, which aims to protect the safety of ride-goers in Singapore as more large-scale theme parks are being developed and more complex amusement rides introduced......

Charity sector to get public confidence boost
Singapore's Accounting Standards Council (ASC) and the Office of the Commissioner of Charities (COC) have announced a new financial reporting framework for charities......

Bail skipper nabbed in JB
A man who skipped bail and fled to Malaysia has been arrested in a joint operation between the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and its Malaysian counterpart......

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat to attend 14th OECD-Japan Seminar
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat will lead a delegation of senior educators and officials from his ministry to attend the 14th OECD-Japan Seminar......

Lee Kuan Yew to join LKY School of Public Policy as Distinguished Fellow
Mr Lee Kuan Yew is joining the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore as a Distinguished Fellow......

Woman convicted of cheating bank gets jail term reduced
A Filipino who was convicted for being part of a scam to cheat Standard Chartered Bank had her jail term reduced in the High Court on Friday......

Potential buyers should look at shoe-box units with caution: Khaw
National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan urged potential buyers to weigh the benefits and risks carefully of the so-called shoe-box units, amid suggestions that the government steps in to impose a minimum size......

Singapore, Indonesia reaffirm Defence Cooperation Agreement
JAKARTA: Singapore and Indonesia re-affirmed on Friday, their commitment to the Extradition Treaty and Defence Cooperation Agreement which was signed by the two countries in 2007......

MCYS to identify gaps on women's issues
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Halimah Yacob, said her ministry will identify gaps in policies and programmes affecting women in Singapore......

10,000 to get skills upgrading by WDA
Some 10,000 port industry employees will stand to benefit from training and skills upgrading under the first Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) collaboration among industry players......

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-23



    Tony Tan to run for President
Former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan went to the Elections Department this morning at about 10.25am, where he collected forms and announced his intention to contest the upcoming Presidential election.Dressed smartly in a dark blue........

   
    Body found floating in Sungei Punggol
The body of a man was found floating in Sungei Punggol near Sengkang West Avenue yesterday morning. The police received a call at 7.10am from a member of the public requesting for assistance. The man, believed to be 83-year-old Lim........

    Temasek names endowments in honour of two S'poreans
SINGAPORE : Temasek Holdings has named two existing endowments under Temasek Cares after two Singaporeans in honour of their roles and contributions in social service and healthcare......

President Nathan says Tony Tan has the qualities to lead S'pore
SINGAPORE : Singapore's President, S R Nathan, says Dr Tony Tan has the qualities to lead the country......

SPRING Singapore, WDA launch CCI Plus for SMEs
SINGAPORE : The Workforce Development Authority (WDA) and SPRING Singapore have started a pilot programme called Customer Centric Initiative (CCI) Plus targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)......

Man sentenced to five years' jail, caned eight stokes for molesting boy
A part-time cleaner was jailed for five years and ordered to be given eight strokes of the cane for molesting a young boy......

Three people arrested for robbery
Police have detained three suspects aged between 15 and 30, who are believed to be connected to a robbery outside a gaming arcade at Yishun Central which happened earlier this month......

New device promises quick testing for food-borne pathogens
Health authorities and the food industry can now quickly check for the E. coli strain responsible for the recent severe food poisoning outbreak in Europe......

13-year-old boy investigated for making false report
SINGAPORE : A 13-year-old boy is being investigated by the police for making a false report claiming he was robbed......

Recalcitrant housebreaker gets hefty punishment
Twelve years ago, Bay Buck Siong was sentenced to nine years' corrective training and 24 strokes of the cane for housebreaking, only to repeat the offence six months after his release......

ASEAN Schools Games in S'pore for the first time
The ASEAN Schools Games will be held in Singapore for the first time......

Presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian to fight on
Former NTUC Income Chief, Tan Kin Lian, said the decision by former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan to contest the presidential election, will give Singaporeans a wider choice......

Fishmonger charged with selling poisonous substances without licence
A 45-year-old fishmonger has been charged with selling two different poisonous substances without a licence from his stall on March 3......

Cham Tao Soon appointed acting chairman of SPH
Singapore Press Holdings said Dr Cham Tao Soon will be appointed acting chairman with effect from July 1......

READ! on the go
Book lovers can now read on the go with the launch of MobileRead......

No further action against British author Shadrake, says police
The police said no further action will be taken against British author Alan Shadrake following investigations against him for criminal defamation......

Visa application process to study in UK made simpler
Singapore students studying in the UK will benefit from a new streamlined visa application process......

Tony Tan to contest Presidential Election
SINGAPORE : Former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan has confirmed he will be running for President......

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-22



    Singapore, a regional natural gas hub?
Abundant enough to sustain world production for over 250 years and available all over the world, natural gas produces one of the lowest levels of carbon emissions when burnt for electricity production. And Singapore is........

    Roadshows at migrant workers' dorms
A series of dormitory roadshows is being held by the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) to promote workplace harmony through the integration of migrant workers within their living and working environments. Some 12,000 foreign workers are........

    Thomson Medical Centre fined S$20,000
Thomson Medical Centre was yesterday slapped with the maximum fine of S$20,000 for breaching a condition of its Ministry of Health (MOH) licence. It had failed to comply with directives that require it to ensure suitable practices........

    KTM station braces for goodbye
The food stalls at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station will be moving out by Sunday, as the station prepares for its final week of operations......

MCYS to increase eldercare staff
The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is studying ways to increase the number of caregivers in the labour-intensive eldercare sector......

From F&B diploma to degree
Workers in the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector in Singapore can now pursue related degree courses after they complete their Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) diplomas with At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy......

COEs mixed in latest open bidding exercise
COE premiums ended mixed in the latest open bidding exercise......

MOH monitoring scarlet fever outbreak in HK closely
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Wednesday it's monitoring the scarlet fever outbreak in Hong Kong closely......

Marriage rate sees first decline since 2003
Marriages registered in Singapore last year suffered their first annual decline since 2003......

Man charged with maid abuse
A 30-year-old man accused of two counts of maid abuse on Wednesday is believed to have kicked his domestic helper's forehead, punched her left eye and even stepped on her upper back after she was pushed onto the floor......

Suicidal man placed on probation
Instead of being jailed, a man has been placed on six months' probation for attempting suicide twice at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH)......

More than S$75,000 worth of drugs seized
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) arrested five suspects and seized about 490 grammes of heroin and some five grammes of 'Ice' worth over S$75,000, in an operation launched Tuesday......

Monday, June 20, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-20



    To turn a spectre into opportunity
Picture this: Marquee international law firms bountiful on our shores and snapping up all the legal work involving mega-transactions between major institutions, reducing local firms to picking up cases for local businesses or the man on the street......

   
    New Malay MPs called on to bring community forward
The two new People's Action Party Malay Members of Parliament from this year's General Election will be expected to build on the foundation laid by their predecessors and Malay/Muslim organisations in Singapore. At a reception organised on........

    LTA awards contracts to widen PIE
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded two contracts worth S$77.96m to widen the stretch of the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) between Clementi Avenue 6 and Adam Road......

Football: Bidding for Euro 2012 TV rights set to benefit fans
Telco giants SingTel and StarHub could be set for another bidding war over next year's European Football Championships, which will be jointly hosted by Ukraine and Poland......

Winston Hodge is ACS (Independent) new principal
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) has appointed Mr Winston James Hodge as its new principal. The appointment takes effect on Tuesday......

Half a body found floating in Bedok Reservoir
SINGAPORE : A decomposed partial body was found floating in Bedok Reservoir on Monday morning......

Mover jailed 9 months after punching man for being 'too noisy'
A noisy drinking session led to an assault on a man and 9 months jail for his attacker, 31-year-old Thibakar Sockalingam......

Singapore govt hops on social media bandwagon
Information, Communication and the Arts (MICA) Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said on Monday the prevalence of social media and increasing volume of online engagements have transformed the way governments conduct their business......

Man jailed 12 months for punching and kicking taxi driver
A 42-year-old man was jailed Monday for 12 months, for punching and kicking a taxi driver's face and body several times......

E2i aims to help 50,000 workers this year
Singapore's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) said it aims to help 50,000 workers this year to upgrade their skills so that they get good jobs......

Primary One registration starts June 29
The registration of children for admission to Primary One classes in 2012 will open from June 29......

New primary school in Jurong West opens for registration on July 18
A new primary school in Jurong West will take in its first intake of primary one students next year......

What's the buzz over Haixun 31?
Singapore's Foreign Ministry said recent incidents over claims in the South China Sea involving China, Vietnam and the Philippines are the reasons for the great interest in the port call in Singapore by Chinese maritime surveillance vessel, Haixun 31.....

Get connected to govt data with new online platforms
SINGAPORE : Singapore's e-government masterplan for the next five years aims to bring government services and information closer to the people......

Train finally arrives at Woodleigh MRT station
Its been an eight-year wait for commuters who have been waiting for MRT trains to stop at the Woodleigh Station along the North-East Line (NEL)......

Why electing a President is different from electing an MP
Another Cabinet minister has given his take on the role of the Elected President ahead of the coming polls......

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-19



    On one side, North Korea. On the other, 'SingaporeCity'
Few would expect a Singapore developer to be building houses right on China's border with North Korea. But then, Mr Koh Tiak Chye, known to his friends as TC, sees opportunities where others see danger.In fact, Dandong in Liaoning province, where........

    From frequent flier to family champion
You can tell that a man means business when the first thing he does on meeting you is hand you two of his business cards, a complete biodata and a book he published on a collection of his views over the years. Looking unusually tanned (it is from........

Tough love, velvet gloves
Ask an old boxer to reveal his most significant career moment and don't be surprised if you are served up a tale of defeat rather than victory.This common occurrence is born out of the fighter's natural reflex to be better - achieve more. It is........

    Police look into alleged derogatory remarks in online forum
Police are investigating the case of a Chinese national who allegedly posted derogatory remarks about a Malay man on an Internet forum. In a statement yesterday, a police spokesman said: "In response to media queries, police confirm........

    South West CDC to spend S$1m to help the needy
The South West Community Development Council (CDC) has set aside S$1 million to help low-income families in the district......

President Nathan to visit KL
President S R Nathan will be in Kuala Lumpur from 20-22 June to attend the University of Malaya-National University of Singapore (NUS) Golf Tournament in his capacity as NUS Chancellor......

High tea reception for new Malay MPs from PAP
A high tea reception was organised on Saturday to welcome the two new People's Action Party Malay MPs......

Maritime officials from S'pore, China to exchange views on navigation safety
A ship belonging to China's Maritime Safety Adminstration (MSA), Haixun 31, will be visiting Singapore......

S'pore must remain vigilant as terrorist threats are real: DPM Teo
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has urged Singaporeans to be more vigilant, following the jailing of Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir on Thursday......

Central CDC reaches out to elderly
The elderly should be spending more time on activities like qigong. With about 1,600 senior citizens in a mass qigong exercise, being in the company of friends and residents keeps them active, healthy and socially connected......

SBS Transit celebrates 8th anniversary of North East Line
SBS Transit will be giving commemorative pass holders to commuters on Monday as part of celebrations to mark the 8th anniversary of the North East Line (NEL)......

Goh Chok Tong to receive award from Japanese emperor
Singapore's Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong will be visiting Tokyo next week to receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of Rising Sun award from the Japanese Emperor......

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-18



    S$776m in donations received last year
Corporations as well as members of the public contributed more to charitable causes last year - a year when the economy rebounded and grew at a record 14.7 per cent - the Commissioner of Charities reported yesterday. According to........

   
    Fees at My First Skool centres to go up
From next month, fees at all 77 branches of the largest childcare operator here will go up to match the rising qualifications of educators, underscoring a clear trend in the industry. NTUC First Campus is increasing monthly fees at........

    Khaw mulls larger combined BTO launches
National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan says he is considering moving away from the current practice of monthly launches of Build-To-Order HDB flats and explore ways to have larger combined launches......

Important to channel energy of animal lovers constructively
Mr K Shanmugam, Law and Foreign Affairs Minister and MP for Nee Soon GRC, has said it is important to channel the energy of animal lovers towards constructive and feasible solutions to resolve concerns over the treatment of animals......

Police investigate derogatory remarks posted in online forum
A Chinese national is assisting Police in investigations into a case where derogatory remarks about a Malay man were allegedly posted online in a forum last week......

New parking coupons to deter forgery
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Housing & Development Board (HDB) will release new parking coupons incorporating a security watermark feature to deter the forgery of parking coupons......

Friday, June 17, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-17



    'Joint development' is key
Amid rising tension in the South China Sea, former Senior Minister S Jayakumar yesterday called on the countries concerned to consider the option of joint development. Territorial disputes and disputes over maritime delimitation are highly........

   
    Elderly woman dies after being hit by train at Yio Chu Kang
About 680 passengers were affected by train service disruptions after an elderly woman was hit by a south-bound train at Yio Chu Kang MRT Station on Wednesday night. The SMRT said the incident occurred at about 11.20pm......

    IBM celebrates centenary by giving back to community
Computer giant IBM plans to give back to the community through volunteer work and grants as part of its centennial celebrations......

Private education watchdog cancels ALG's registration
A private school, ALG Education Centre (ALG), will no longer be able to offer private education programmes in Singapore......

South West CDC rolls out healthy lifestyle programmes for families
The South West Community Development Council (CDC) will be rolling out a series of programmes to help families, beginning with low income families, adopt a healthy lifestyle......

Two men charged with GST fraud
Two men were charged in a district court Friday with Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud......

Suspected loanshark runner arrested
Police have arrested a 43-year-old man for his suspected involvement in loansharking activities......

Lorry driver arrested for trying to bribe traffic cop
A 26-year-old lorry driver who was booked for inconsiderate driving thought that he could get away by offering a bribe to a traffic police officer......

Female teens arrested for suspected motorcycle theft
An alert police officer who was on his way to work helped nab two female teenagers suspected of stealing a motorcycle......

Cabby accused of impersonating police superintendent to cheat
A 48-year-old taxi driver has been charged with pretending to be a police superintendent attached to the Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) to cheat a man of S$24,000......

S'pore and Australia strengthen partnership in casino regulation
The Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore (CRA) Friday inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Queensland's Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation......

Donations to charities up 13% to S$776m in 2010
Organisations as well as members of the public contributed more to charitable causes last year in tandem with the recovering economy......

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-16



    Strike in Canada affects mail delivery
Mail and parcels to Canada will not be delivered because Canada Post has suspended operations, following a strike by postal employees. Canada Post is not accepting inbound and outbound international mail and Speedpost items, and........

    Singapore organisers looking to the Paris Air Show for opportunities
Organisers of the 2012 Singapore Airshow are looking to secure S$10 million in exhibition contracts and sponsorships when they attend the Paris Air Show next week, even as the International Air Transport Association recently slashed its profit........

NAFA receives four-year EduTrust certification
The 73-year-old Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) has received the four-year EduTrust certification, the arts institute announced yesterday. Awarded by the Council for Private Education (CPE), the certification is the second........

    Illegal set top boxes no match for StarHub
An underground trade in illegal cable television decoders appear to be thriving - a few years after it was wiped out from the retail market. Such devices claim to offer free access to all of StarHub's cable TV channels - which........

    Woman killed by train could be listening to music via earpiece before she was hit
A 40-year-old woman who was killed after being hit by a Malaysian Railway (KTM) train on September 7 last year could have been listening to music through an earpiece just before the tragic incident......

Singapore hockey coach wants fitter, stronger team
The Singapore squad preparing for the Under-18 Asia Cup have their work cut out for them. And their new coach feels they need more muscle to bolster their raw talent......

Three men charged with offering private bets at casino
Three men have been charged with engaging in a conspiracy in March to facilitate illegal bookmaking activities......

Former cabby jailed 16 months
Taxi driver Jaffar Kassim could have surrendered to his company's lost and found department, a green haversack that he had found lying on the floor near a Changi Airport drop-off point on February 19......

Rapid Transit System Link to JB to be located near Republic Poly
SINGAPORE : Residents living near Republic Polytechnic in Woodlands could see greater interest in their properties......

Khaw Boon Wan may revise BTO income ceiling
National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the rising age of first time Build-to-Order (BTO) applicants justifies revising the HDB income ceiling......

Close to 90 arrested in islandwide drug bust
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) has arrested 79 suspected drug abusers and 10 suspected drug traffickers in an islandwide operation......

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-15



    OMG, the news is making itself new!
Standing on the shifting sands of media, I am constantly reminded of what the late Tuli Kpuferberg once said: When patterns are broken, new worlds can emerge. The truism of changing paradigms becomes starker once you consider Kpuferberg's life......

   
    Still business as usual for PAP grassroots members in Aljunied
The Workers' Party's (WP) announcement that it had set up its own grassroots committee in Aljunied did not come as a surprise to the People's Action Party (PAP) grassroots leaders. "I see them as parallel importers. But I would have........

    Thumbs up for Singapore's tennis academy plans
PARIS: Singapore recently announced plans to set up a tennis academy to groom future champions in the sport......

Badminton: Hidayat's outburst at Singapore Open
SINGAPORE - Top seed Taufik Hidayat endured some harrowing moments before reaching the last 16 of the US$200,000 Li-Ning Singapore Open 2011 badminton championship's men's singles event on Wednesday......

Badminton: S'pore pair enter last 16 of Singapore Open
SINGAPORE - Defending women's doubles champions Shinta Mulia Sari and Yao Lei are through to the last 16 of the US$200,000 Li-Ning Singapore Open 2011 badminton championship......

CRA reviewing potential casino junket operators
Singapore's Casino Regulatory Authority says it is reviewing "more than a handful'' of junket operators to see if they can be given licences to work with the casinos here......

Thomson Medical Centre charged with breaching licence condition
Thomson Medical Centre has been charged with breaching a condition of its Health Ministry licence......

S'pore unemployment rate falls to three-year low
Singapore's overall unemployment rate fell to a three-year low of 1.9 per cent in March amid healthy economic growth and a tight labour market......

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Singapore Local News, 2011-06-14



    Store assistant fined S$1,000 for entering female toilet, filming victim
A Malaysian store assistant was fined S$1,000 on Tuesday for criminal trespass, after he entered a female toilet and insulted the modesty of an 18-year-old girl. Wong Poy Hao, 17, committed the offence at a female toilet on the........

    Four public hospitals recognised for their electronic medical records systems
Four public hospitals in Singapore have become the first in the Asia Pacific region to receive international recognition for their electronic medical record systems. Singapore General Hospital, KK Women's and Children's Hospital,........

One week's jail for breaking personal protection order
His intention was to save his marriage but he now has to spend a week behind bars. Mainland Chinese Cao Xiaodong, 28, had wrongfully restrained his ex-wife, Pan Yinhong, also a China national, at a coffeeshop at Blk 631 Ang Mo Kio........

    Girl who lost both legs in MRT accident returns to Thailand
Fourteen-year-old Nitcharee Peneakchanasak, the Thai girl who lost both her legs in an MRT accident, left Singapore for home with her father yesterday but still unsettled are the medical bills accumulated, as well as the cost of fitting her........

    ROM and ROMM resume operations at new building
SINGAPORE : The newly-renovated Registry of Marriages (ROM) and Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) resumed operations on Tuesday, and 23 couples solemnised their marriages on the first day......

Hong Kong Disneyland alerts public of alleged scams
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has issued a warning of a scam which makes use of its name......

Top shuttlers conduct badminton clinic
15 boys from Boys' Town got a chance of their lifetime on Tuesday morning to meet top badminton players......

More moneylenders doing checks on loan applicants
Licensed moneylenders are becoming more careful about who they lend money to. Over half of them have joined credit bureaus, giving them access to credit checks and the payment history of individuals applying for loans......

Four public hospitals lauded for their electronic medical records systems
Four public hospitals in Singapore have become the first in the Asia Pacific region to receive international recognition for their electronic medical record systems......

Diabetics at higher risk for flu-related complications
Doctors are advising diabetics to get their annual flu shots as they are at higher risk of serious health complications from the flu......

Peeping tom fined S$1,000 for entering female toilet
A Malaysian store assistant was fined S$1,000 Tuesday for criminal trespass, after he entered a female toilet and insulted the modesty of an 18-year-old girl......

LTA to study noise levels along elevated MRT tracks
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it will conduct a noise measurement study along the entire length of all elevated MRT tracks island-wide to identify locations that require special attention......