Singapore Local News, 2013-03-08

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Two new libraries to be built in Tampines and Punggol The government will be developing two new libraries in Tampines and Punggol over the next few years......     Pilot programmes initiated to promote flexible work arrangements Under the Communications and Information Ministry's Budget 2013 initiatives, pilot programmes have been initiated to promote flexible work arrangements in six companies...... Important to change motorists' habits to make roads safer, says Iswaran The requirement to pass driving tests will not be made more stringent, even as the government is pushing for safer roads in Singapore...... National Development Minister Khaw announces several new housing measures A scheme that gives priority allocation for new HDB flats to first-timer married couples with a citizen child below the age of 16, will be extended to pregnant mothers from May this year...... IDA will enhance wireless infrastructure by expanding capacity & speed The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) will be enhancing the wireless infrastructure by expanding the capacity and speed of the free Wireless@SG system...... Jurong Bird Park successfully incubates wild hornbills found on Pulau Ubin For the first time, three Oriental Pied Hornbill (OPH) eggs rescued from Pulau Ubin have been artificially incubated at the Jurong Bird Park...... 21 rare European masterpieces in Singapore Twenty-one rare masterpieces, worth some S$8.5 million, from European painters have made their way to Singapore. They include paintings from the Baroque and Renaissance period dated some 400 to 500 years ago......

Committee identifies 3 strategies to grow IP sector The steering committee tasked with charting a master plan to develop Singapore's intellectual property (IP) sector, has submitted its proposals to the government, identifying three strategic outcomes to work on......     Govt to pump in S$182m for Public Service Broadcast programmes The government will pump in S$182 million over the next four years for Public Service Broadcast programmes...... S'pore to maintain strong links with world's major powers: Shanmugam Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC Lim Wee Kiak wanted to know if there will be any changes in US engagement of the region in view of the recent appointment of John Kerry as the new Secretary of State...... Govt to help needy, low-income households switch to digital TV The government will announce help schemes for the needy and low-income households to switch to digital television next year...... More demanding for prompt, effective consular service: Sam Tan The Foreign Affairs Ministry handled close to 4,000 consular cases in 2012...... Use video recordings to record statements by law enforcement officers, say MPs The issue of using video recordings by law enforcement officers when taking statements from accused persons and witnesses was brought up in Parliament on Friday...... 2 men jailed, fined for duty-unpaid cigarette scam Two men formerly employed by a licensed warehouse company were each sentenced to 56 months' jail and fined S$25,000 for their roles in diverting duty-unpaid cigarettes that were meant for export to the local market...... Bankruptcy and insolvency regime a major area of review, says Shanmugam Singapore's bankruptcy and insolvency regime will be a major area of review in 2013 for the Ministry of Law, says its Minister K Shanmugam...... Trial involving City Harvest Church leaders to start on 15 May The high-profile trial involving six City Harvest Church leaders is now slated to start on 15 May...... Singapore to open consulate-general in Oman Singapore will open a consulate-general in Muscat, Oman later this year...... Number of child care centres that changed ownership constant: Chan Chun Sing The number of child care centres that have changed ownership remained constant at about 4 to 5 per cent of the total number of centres...... K Shanmugam stresses importance of strengthening regional ties Foreign Minister K Shanmugam has stressed the importance of strengthening regional relationships to protect Singapore's interests in an unpredictable environment...... Mandatory treatment ordered for man who pushed elderly woman The young man who came under the spotlight last year after he pushed an elderly woman in a bus was on Friday ordered to undergo mandatory treatment......