Ministry of civil aviation

SINGAPORE - During the debate on the budget for the Ministry of Social and Family Development on Friday (March 5), MPs called for coordinated community initiatives and accessibility to social services. They also noted the stress that the Covid-19 pandemic has placed on families. Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC) Better coordinate community initiatives Ms Phua noted that on the long weekend before Chinese New Year, she met groups distributing lunch bento boxes to the same group of rental residents. She said: "A common sight on the ground especially in rental housing estates is an overlap of services such as free distribution of food, masks and groceries; health screening and home cleaning." She asked if there was an effective way of coordinating such initiatives so there is less wastage and better allocation of precious resources. Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC) Have mini social service offices To make it easier for families and persons in need to seek help, Ms Pereira ... » Learn More about MPs call for focus on domestic violence, supporting marriages during pandemic

SINGAPORE - Residents were startled by a loud bang after 45kg of chlorine powder was poured into the public sewers by a swimming school. A maintenance keeper at the site in Jurong East had discarded it without realising it would cause a reaction. The Happy Fish Swim School worker acted at about 8.30pm on Friday (March 5), after noticing a strong smell from the chlorine drum, which had been in contact with moist air. No injuries or damage were reported. School founder Tan Jian Yong said the maintenance keeper "took the initiative to discard the chlorine powder into the sewage without knowing that it will cause issues". He wrote on Facebook: "Chlorine is very reactive to germs, bacteria and other chemical compounds which can be found in general sewers. As a result, it inevitably caused a chemical reaction. A loud sound alarmed neighbouring residents." Mr Tan said the school's operations were unaffected and classes would run safely as normal. He added that the maintenance keeper ... » Learn More about Loud bang as chlorine powder poured into public sewers by Jurong East swimming school

SINGAPORE - Like other athletes in Singapore, Netball Super League club Swifts Barracudas were relieved when the restrictions to stem the spread of Covid-19 were eased in June, allowing them to gather in groups of five to train. However, safe-distancing measures remain in play for almost all aspects of local sport, and with that, several team sports are now racking up increased costs. For the Barracudas, expenses have doubled as the club have to book an additional court for 20 players to train twice a week at the Kallang Netball Centre, said coach Geraldine Ng. Only five players are allowed on one court at any one time. The team have had to halve training time to just one hour to accommodate more players for each two-hour booking. The club use club funds contributed by members to cover costs, said Ng, 28, who has been coaching the Barracudas for three years. When asked how they have had to adapt their training to fit the arrangements, she said: "We build up from small-group ... » Learn More about Coronavirus: Local sports teams racking up extra expenses, modifying training structures due to safe distancing measures

SINGAPORE - Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) hockey player Tanya Lee was mentally prepared for another quiet season this year after her sport was left out of the National School Games (NSG) calendar. The pandemic had already led to the cancellation of the NSG last year and Tanya was looking at a second straight missed opportunity to compete in the Schools National A Division Championships. But she and her fellow student athletes have earned a reprieve thanks to the newly-launched Under-19 3v3 Hockey League organised by the Singapore Hockey Federation (SHF). It began on Saturday (Jan 30) with 28 teams (16 girls and 12 boys). Tanya's Oldham B team beat Oldham D 9-6, with the 18-year-old scoring seven goals, at Sengkang Hockey Stadium. While pleased to be back on the pitch and with the win, she said the sense of camaraderie was unusual. "Usually, we get to train together as a whole team and we prepare for matches together and go for team dinners together. These are the ... » Learn More about Hockey: New 3v3 league offers reprieve after NSG halt

SINGAPORE: The peaceful protest in Hong Kong that began on Sunday (Jun 30) has slid into anger and disobedience. Amid the unfolding outrage apparent in the storming of the Legislative Council Building, however, is an emerging consciousness of self-determination, something not usually seen in Hong Kongers. A CHANGED PEOPLE Hong Kong’s geographical location and historic particularity as a city under British rule for so long have been key strengths that have transformed it into a hub for international finance, and since its return to China in 1997, a door for the mainland to engage with the world. Hong Kongers have been known to be ruthlessly pragmatic people who prioritise stability, obedience to authority and indifference to each other’s business. The long colonial period has left Hong Kongers to become followers, a people who have stringently observed the law and left public policies largely to be meticulously worked out and implemented by administrative bureaucrats. ... » Learn More about Commentary: Storming of LegCo building a turning point in Hong Kong politics

LONDON: I do not know Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s embattled chief executive, very well. She worked for my administration when I was governor there. Diligent and well regarded – and Catholic, like many others in the then-colony’s civil service – she had been educated at Hong Kong University and at Cambridge. When I left in 1997, after sovereignty over the city was returned to China, she was rising through the ranks of the Treasury. In most administrations, the cleverest usually seem to gravitate to the economic departments, looking after the cash. I do not recall ever hearing a bad word about her. READ: Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s steely leader meets her match, a commentary Yet today, Lam finds herself lonely and beleaguered, although it is unclear whether she should take all the blame for what has happened to her. In any case, she must now display real leadership to ease the heightening tensions in the city. Lam must have known what she was in for when she became chief ... » Learn More about Commentary: What Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam should do next

U Sat Maung Swe said the centre may be physically open for business but there is no one working due to the ongoing protests in the country. “There is no trading today because members of the association are protesting. Although the wholesale centre is operating, there is no trading inside. There was regular trading in the past few days. There is no one inside today so no trade is being conducted,” he said. The secretary pointed out that the prices of commodities have also been unstable due to the country's political unrest. “There are changes in the prices of the commodities. Prices are unstable because the banks are closed,” he said. Many banks across Myanmar recently suspended their services due to a majority of their staff participating in the civil disobedience movement as a sign of protest against the Tatmadaw's forced transfer of power. U Sat Maung Swe said this has led to difficulties for those requiring daily sales for their livelihood. “There are ... » Learn More about Protests hinder trade at ‘operating’ Mandalay market

Companies are moving to remote work to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the number of workers who are being laid off has started to creep up due to the economic upheaval caused by this outbreak. At the same time, someone might be wondering if they should continue to send out resumes or just assume that no one is hiring for the foreseeable future. Although economists are predicting an economic downturn, career experts say it’s best to keep networking and applying for new jobs. It is said that there is always a calm after the storm, so the reversible situation happening now won’t last forever. However, if we carefully handle the current uncertainty, the current situation could mean opportunity as well. So, here are three tips to turn the table for your job search in your favour. 1. Keep Searching, and Keep Searching some more Not every industry slows down in this economic downturn. Yes, certain sectors such as aviation or the hotel and ... » Learn More about Prepare for Job Searching during Uncertain Economic Times

Myanma Port Authority Deputy General Manager U Arkar said that staff and personnel crucial to the running of ports are doing their best to carry out their daily tasks to prevent the disruption of trade. Terminal operators, shipping lines and agents are working everyday for the placement of ships at Yangon’s various ports, he said. There are seven jetties at various ports in Yangon catering to container ships. Myanmar has closed aviation routes for international trade due to the ongoing political unrest. Only maritime channels are available for international trade but there has been no additional traffic of container ships, said U Arkar. “Container ships have been entering the ports as scheduled. There have been no changes and we are seeing the usual traffic,” he said. Yangon ports processed 81,751 containers in December last year, compared to 95,625 containers in January 2021. The Myanma Port Authority expects similar figures for the month of February. - ... » Learn More about Yangon ports operating as usual