Nation

WELL-organised and friendly – that was the verdict by those who turned up for their vaccination at the KL Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme. Lee Cal Vin, who took his grandparents to the centre, said he was relieved to find a team of volunteers waiting at the front entrance to offer assistance while he parked his car. The couple were among hundreds who had been inoculated at the hall belonging to the Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia. The foundation had offered its premises for free to the Health Ministry (MOH) to carry out and expedite the government’s vaccination programme. Revealing that his grandparents were late for their appointment as they had not checked their MySejahtera app earlier, Their next appointment is scheduled for July. “I also found the doctors on duty to be very knowledgeable. Overall, the volunteers were kind and helpful,” said Lee. Giving an in-depth view into the operating procedure, Ee ... » Learn More about Thumbs up for service at NGO’s vaccination venue

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed 18 new cases of Covid-19 infection in Singapore as of 12pm on Tuesday (June 22). This brings the total number of cases to 62,448. There are 15 cases in the community today, of whom 10 are linked to previous cases and five are currently unlinked. Five currently unlinked cases Case 64374 Case 64374 is a 26-year-old female Singapore Permanent Resident who works as an analyst at Deutsche Bank, and is a household contact of Case 64373. She developed a fever and sore throat on June 15, and subsequently a runny nose and cough on June 17. She sought medical treatment at a General Practitioner (GP) clinic on June 17 but declined to be tested for Covid-19. She was given five days’ medical leave and advised to self-isolate. After Case 64373 tested positive for Covid-19 infection on June 21, the bank analyst visited a GP clinic on the same day, where she underwent both an antigen rapid test (ART) and polymerase chain reaction ... » Learn More about 2 new clusters including Redhill Close, driver & Deutsche Bank analyst among 5 new unlinked Covid-19 cases

The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed 18 new cases of Covid-19 infection in Singapore on June 22, 2021. The total number of Covid-19 cases reported in Singapore is now 62,448. 16 new locations added to list of places visited by infectious Covid-19 cases MOH regularly updates a list of public places visited by confirmed Covid-19 cases for more than 30 minutes while they were infectious. 16 new locations were added to the list on June 22: Those who had been identified as close contacts of confirmed cases would already have been notified by MOH. As a precautionary measure, visitors to these locations during the specified timings should monitor their health closely for 14 days from their date of visit. They should see a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of acute respiratory infection (such as cough, sore throat and runny nose), as well as fever and loss of taste or smell, and inform the doctor of their exposure history. Individuals may also access ... » Learn More about Redhill Market & Tiong Bahru Plaza among 16 new locations visited by infectious Covid-19 cases

Ever wondered how astronauts aboard the International Space Station do their laundry? Well, they don't, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is working hard to solve what is one of the most thorny tasks in space – washing clothes. The space agency is planning to conduct a series of experiments using specially designed detergents from Procter and Gamble to find a long-term solution to the problem, the US consumer goods giant said on Tuesday, June 22. The vital nature of water on space missions has meant that astronauts have simply jettisoned used clothes, happy in the knowledge they will disintegrate as they re-enter the atmosphere. As a result, NASA sends 160 pounds of clothing per crew member to the International Space Station per year. For the longer run, with the US agency and Elon Musk's Space X eyeing manned missions to Mars, there needs to be a more sustainable solution. Labeled NASA Tide after P&G's main ... » Learn More about The final frontier: Doing laundry in space

SEOUL: South Korea's three major non-life insurers told Reuters on Tuesday (Jun 22) they will no longer provide coverage for new coal power projects, including their construction and operation. DB Insurance, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance and Hana Insurance said they will stop underwriting coal power projects. DB Insurance added it will gradually retract its existing insurance coverage to operating coal plants, while the other two said they will keep their existing insurance coverage. The confirmation follows pressure from a network of civic groups named Korea Beyond Coal, which has advocated for a complete coal phase-out in Korea by 2030. READ: From coal to clean energy - Can South Korea's mining towns make the switch? In a statement on Tuesday, the network said the three major insurers, together with Hanwha General Insurance, had said they would no longer insure the construction and operation of new coal power projects. Hanwha General Insurance could not ... » Learn More about South Korea’s major insurers say they will stop underwriting new coal power

REUTERS: Li Tie will continue to lead China's national team after steering his side into the final round of Asia's preliminaries for the 2022 World Cup, the president of the Chinese Football Association confirmed on Tuesday. The former Everton midfielder, who took over as head coach following Marcello Lippi's resignation, led the Chinese to four straight wins this month to secure a berth in the next round of qualifying for Qatar. "We evaluate the coaching staff every year and as long as the team is making progress, the coaching staff will stay as they are," CFA president Chen Xuyuan told state news agency Xinhua. "We won't change the coach for just losing a game or two. "Li is now focusing on the team's preparations for the final round of the World Cup Asian qualifiers." China will join 11 other Asian nations in the draw on July 1 for the final phase of the continent's preliminaries, when four guaranteed places in Qatar will be at stake. A potential fifth berth is ... » Learn More about Soccer-CFA president confirms Li to remain at China’s helm

LONDON: Formula One has extended a partnership with sports merchandise retailer Fanatics after a U.S.-led surge in sales, the Liberty Media-owned sport said on Tuesday. Formula One said sales on its official online store had grown 40per cent globally in 2020. "This strong performance has accelerated in the first six months of 2021, with sales on the official online F1 store growing by triple digits compared to the same period in 2020," it added. The United States had become the most significant market, it added. Formula One is adding a second U.S. race in Miami next year and has gained a higher profile thanks to the popularity of the Netflix series "Drive to Survive" which is now filming its fourth season. The sport has a record 23 races scheduled for this season, with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton chasing an unprecedented eighth title but locked in a thrilling battle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Florida-based Fanatics operates online stores and sells products for ... » Learn More about Motor racing-Formula One extends deal with Fanatics after surge in sales

REUTERS: Japan women's international forward Kumi Yokoyama has come out as a transgender man and says they want to help raise awareness in their home country. The 27-year-old, who plays for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) side Washington Spirit, said living in the United States and Germany had shown that it was possible to be more comfortable with their identity. They were speaking in a video interview on former team mate Yuki Nagasato's YouTube channel. Yokoyama had surgery to remove breast tissue seven years ago without hormonal treatments, as that would have meant there was a risk of failing doping tests, and plans to undergo more gender-affirming procedures after retiring as a player. "I've dated several women over the years but I had to stay closeted in Japan," Yokoyama said in the interview, which was translated by the Japan Times. "In Japan I'd always be asked if I had a boyfriend, but here (in the U.S.) I'm asked if I have a boyfriend or girlfriend. When ... » Learn More about Soccer-Japan’s Yokoyama comes out as transgender man

MUNICH: UEFA have turned down a request from the mayor of Munich for the city's stadium to be lit up in rainbow colours for Wednesday's (Jun 23) Euro 2020 match between Germany and Hungary. Munich mayor Dieter Reiter had said that he wanted to light up the stadium in the colours in protest against a new law in Hungary that bans the dissemination of content in schools deemed to promote homosexuality and gender change. The stadium, known as the Allianz Arena, home to Bayern Munich, is configured to allow the entire external area and roofing to be lit up in various colours. In a statement, UEFA suggested alternative dates for the gesture during the tournament. "UEFA, through its statutes, is a politically and religiously neutral organisation. Given the political context of this specific request - a message aiming at a decision taken by the Hungarian national parliament - UEFA must decline this request," the organisation said in a statement on Tuesday. "UEFA has nevertheless ... » Learn More about Football: UEFA turn down request for ‘rainbow lights’ in Munich

GLASGOW: Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday (Jun 21), dealing a huge blow to Scotland's hopes of making it beyond the group stages of a major tournament for the first time at Euro 2020. Gilmour picked up the man-of-the-match award in Friday's 0-0 draw against England at Wembley in his first international start. But he will miss Tuesday's clash against Croatia at Hampden Park with Scotland needing to win to have any chance of progressing to the last 16. "The Scottish FA can confirm that a member of the Scotland national team playing squad, Billy Gilmour, has tested positive for COVID-19," the Scottish Football Association said in a statement. "Having liaised with Public Health England since the positive test was recorded, Billy will now self-isolate for 10 days and therefore miss tomorrow's UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match against Croatia at Hampden." No other members of the squad have been required to self-isolate as a result of coming into ... » Learn More about Football: Scotland’s Gilmour tests positive for COVID-19, misses Croatia clash