Singapore to curb arrivals from 7 African countries over variant

Singapore will restrict arrivals from seven African countries, health officials said Friday, after South Africa discovered a new Covid-19 variant with a large number of mutations.

All non-Singaporeans and people without permanent residency in the city-state who have recent travel history to the seven countries will be barred from entering or transiting through Singapore, the health ministry said. 

The new restrictions, which will take effect from Sunday, apply to South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, the ministry said.

Singapore citizens and foreigners holding permanent resident status in the city-state of 5.5 million arriving from those countries can still enter, but will have to undergo a 10-day quarantine. 

Singapore currently has no cases of the new variant, but officials are seeking to "take the necessary precautions to reduce the risks" of it spreading to the country, the ministry said.

The city-state has had a mild outbreak of Covid-19, reporting almost 260,000 cases and 681 deaths.

Scientists in South Africa announced the discovery of the variant, which goes by the label B.1.1.529, on Thursday, and are blaming it for a surge in infections.

In response, Britain announced a ban on travel from six southern African countries. 

Agence France-Presse

Singapore gets Asia's first batch of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine

SINGAPORE - Singapore received its first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, according to its flag carrier, ahead of a rollout in the city-state that health officials have said could be as soon as two-three weeks away.

Singapore Airlines, which carried the vaccines on board one of its freighters from Belgium, did not specify the size of the batch.

Singapore is the first Asian country to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech shots after it said last week that it had approved the companies' vaccine.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 68, has said he would be among the early recipients of the vaccine in the nation of 5.7 million people, which has one of the lowest coronavirus fatality rates globally.

"Delighted to see the first shipment of vaccines arrive in Singapore," Lee posted on Facebook on Monday, adding that the authorities will announce details of a rollout in due course.

He reiterated that the vaccination will be voluntary, and that he encouraged Singaporeans to take it.

The government plans to first administer the vaccine to healthcare workers and the elderly. Health ministry official Kenneth Mak had last week said the first jabs could be given "within the next two to three weeks" if safely delivered.

Singapore has kept new local infections to almost zero each day in recent months and will further ease restrictions next week.

It has signed advanced purchase agreements and made early down-payments on several vaccine candidates including those being developed by Moderna and Sinovac, setting aside more than S$1 billion ($746.16 million) for shots.

Most of the city-state's more than 58,000 coronavirus cases occurred in cramped migrant worker dormitories, but there are some concerns about asymptomatic carriers and undetected transmission taking place.

The government said on Saturday it was investigating whether 13 travellers who tested positive at a five-star hotel in November may have been infected there during their mandatory quarantine, rather than prior to their arrival in the country.

-reuters-

Singapore’s ‘fake news’ laws upset tech giants

SINGAPORE — Tech giants have reacted with horror after Singapore proposed laws against “fake news” allowing authorities to order the removal of content and impose hefty fines, in what critics say is an assault on free speech.

The government unveiled a bill last week containing tough measures, including powers for ministers to order social media sites like Facebook to put warnings next to posts authorities believe to be false and in extreme cases take them down.


If an action is deemed malicious and damaging to Singapore’s interests, companies could be hit with fines of up to Sg$1 million ($740,000). Individuals could face jail terms of up to 10 years.

Authorities in the tightly-controlled country — long criticized for restricting civil liberties — insist the measures are necessary to stop the circulation of falsehoods which could sow divisions in the multi-ethnic city-state.

But press freedom groups condemned the proposals, saying they could stifle online discussion, as did tech companies which have big investments in the ultra-modern city.

“As the most far-reaching legislation of its kind to date, this level of overreach poses significant risks to freedom of expression and speech,” said the Asia Internet Coalition, an industry association whose members include Facebook, Google and Twitter.

AIC: As the most far-reaching legislation of its kind to date, this level of overreach poses significant risks to freedom of expression and speech, and could have severe ramifications both in Singapore and around the world.#Singapore https://t.co/rUhN4XeOFf

— Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) (@asia_aic) April 2, 2019

Simon Milner, Facebook’s vice president of public policy in Asia-Pacific, said the social media giant was concerned about potentially being compelled to remove content.

“Giving people a place to express themselves freely and safely is important to us and we have a responsibility to handle any government request to remove alleged misinformation carefully and thoughtfully,” he said in a statement.

The internet is a relatively free space in Singapore and there are some local alternative news sites, which are typically more critical of the authorities than the traditional, pro-government newspapers and TV.

Singapore is among several countries pushing legislation to fight fake news, and the government stressed ordering “corrections” to be placed alongside falsehoods would be the primary response, rather than jail or fines.

A government decision can also be appealed to the courts.

‘Courts will decide’

K. Shanmugam, law and home affairs minister, said in a Facebook post that “the proposed law targets false statements of fact — not opinions, not criticisms.


“Ultimately, disagreement over truth and falsity will be decided by the courts”.

Google, Facebook and Twitter have their Asia headquarters in Singapore, a city of 5.6 million which is popular with expats as it is developed, safe and efficient.

But there were already signs of tensions with tech companies as the government prepared to unveil the laws. During parliamentary hearings last year about tackling online falsehoods, Google and Facebook urged the government not to introduce new laws.


In November, Facebook refused a request to remove an article linking Singapore to a financial scandal in Malaysia which the government said was untrue — prompting the law ministry to say the firm “cannot be relied upon to filter falsehoods”.

Critics say one of the most worrying aspects of the new legislation is that it is up to authorities to decide what is false and what is not.

While authorities insist decisions can be appealed, Kirsten Han, the Singapore-based editor of regional news site New Naratif, said most people do not have the resources or will to fight the government.

“Even if you are convinced that your Facebook post is in the right, how many average Singaporeans would appeal to the minister, and then spend thousands of dollars to hire a lawyer and file an application in the court?” she told AFP.

Human Rights Watch has described the bill as “sweepingly broad” while critics note Singapore already has tough laws against sedition, defamation and disturbing racial harmony, that can be used to police the web.

But it is not yet clear how the legislation — which is likely to pass easily through the ruling party-dominated parliament — will be used in practice, and some believe authorities will wield it cautiously.

“I think that the government will be very careful in their implementation of the law,” said Professor Ang Peng Hwa, from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information in Singapore.

“I think, in general, there’s a very high level of trust in the government and its institutions by foreign entities, and so I don’t see them… being too trigger-happy about the implementation of this bill.”


source: technology.inquirer.net

Power bank explodes inside back pocket of man using, charging phone while eating

A middle-aged man dining at Bedok Interchange Hawker Center in Singapore was rushed to the hospital after his power bank exploded inside his back pocket.

The man, who was in his 40s, burned his palm while removing the power bank from his pocket during the incident which happened on Jan. 11, as reported by Lianhe Wanbao via The Straits Times yesterday, Jan. 12. He was taken to Changi General Hospital for the treatment of his injuries.

The report did not state the reason why the man’s power bank exploded.

An assistant for a duck rice stall, Huang Jia Qiang, recounted the man was using his phone while eating. His phone was connected to a power bank in his back pocket.

Suddenly, Huang heard an explosion from where the man was seated, the report said. He also noted that he smelled something burning.

Another diner, Wendy Hong, said she also got a whiff of burning chemicals. “There was a thick, gray smoke, and I could also smell a very strong stench of burning chemicals,” she told the publication.

Diners immediately helped the injured man who was in a lot of pain. They put ice on the victim’s palm before bundling his hand in food wrap.


They then called the authorities for help, as per the report. The Singapore Civil Defense Force responded not long after and rushed the man to the hospital. Kate Matriano/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Singapore PM says China-US rivalry ‘awkward’

SINGAPORE —  Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong  has said the rivalry between the US and China for influence in Southeast Asia is proving awkward for countries that do not want to have to choose between them.

Lee told reporters at a news conference Thursday that Asia is struggling to adapt to a “deal oriented” US diplomacy under President Donald Trump from the more generous American approach of the past.


He says it’s “easier not to take sides when everyone is on the same side.”

Lee made the comments as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ended its annual summit in the city state. Vice President Mike Pence attended in place of Trump.

ASEAN members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. /ee

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Radwanska vs Kvitova in WTA Finals decider; Sharapova bundled out

SINGAPORE— Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic will chase her second WTA Finals title after outplaying third-seeded Maria Sharapova 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the semifinals Saturday.

The fourth-seeded Kvitova, who won this title on her first attempt in 2011, plays fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the final.

Radwanska advanced to the final for the first time in seven appearances, beating second-seeded Garbine Muguruza of Spain 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-5.

Sharapova had a 5-1 lead in the second set but couldn’t push the match into a decisive third set.

The Russian served for the second set in the eighth and 10th games, but didn’t reach set point in either game.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Nose gear of Singapore Airlines plane collapses at Changi Airport

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) plane was seen lying awkwardly on its front end at Changi Airport, after the aircraft’s nose gear collapsed on morning.

The Airbus A330-300 was at a gate at around 8:00 a.m. when the incident happened, according to an SIA spokesman.

“There were no passengers or crew on board at the time. One engineer who was on the aircraft was not injured,” added the spokesman.

“Singapore Airlines will be cooperating fully with the authorities in their investigations.”

The plane had been due to operate flight SQ890, which was scheduled to depart for Hong Kong from Changi Airport’s Terminal 3, at 7:35 a.m., following its arrival from Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport after midnight on the same day.

Another aircraft was used for the flight instead.

According to records, the collapsed plane had been in service for more than six years. Its maiden flight was in April 2009.

It is understood that damages to the plane are unknown at this point. An assessment will be carried out once it has been removed from the gate.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

951 people to be screened for hepatitis C in Singapore

SINGAPORE—A total of 951 people—almost twice as many as an estimate on Tuesday—will need to be screened for the hepatitis C virus in the wake of an outbreak that has possibly killed at least four patients, Singapore General Hospital (SGH) said on Thursday night.

This includes both patients and healthcare workers.

In a statement sent at 10 p.m., SGH said it is “proactively contacting” 678 patients who stayed in wards 64A and 67 from January to June this year.

Of the patients, 267 were admitted from January to March, while another 411 were from April to June.

Ward 64A is the hospital’s renal ward, but was renovated from April to June. The patients were transferred to Ward 67 during the renovation period.

As of 6 p.m. on Thursday night, SGH has already contacted 298 patients, with 251 of them confirming their screening appointments.

To date, 78 patients have been screened, it said, with results to be out a week after the test.

A group of 273 healthcare workers will need to be screened too, it added.

Of this pool, SGH said it has already screened 169 of them, including doctors and nurses who had directly cared for renal patients, and other doctors who had covered the wards in the six-month period.

SGH had announced on Tuesday that 22 of its patients were infected with hepatitis C in an outbreak. All of them had been hospitalized for kidney problems between April and June.

Eight of them have died. Four of the deaths are linked to the viral infection, while three were due to unrelated causes. Another death is pending investigation.

On Tuesday, Professor Fong Kok Yong, chairman of SGH’s medical board, said the hospital is screening 411 patients who had passed through the affected wards between January and June, as well as 42 doctors and 51 nurses who had cared for the affected patients.

He had said then that the hospital had looked through its records of all patients who had passed through the affected wards and had “identified 411 of them, whom we’ll be calling back just to check.”

Patients have also been calling SGH to enquire about the hepatitis C cluster since it made the announcement on Tuesday.

The hospital said it has received such calls from 157 patients who did not stay in the affected wards during the period.

It said: “The hospital reassured them that patients in other wards and visitors need not be screened as the hepatitis C virus is not air-borne.”

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Sharapova blows chance at year-end number one

SINGAPORE —Maria Sharapova’s hopes of becoming the year-end world number one went up in smoke Tuesday when she crashed in straight sets to Petra Kvitova at the WTA Finals in Singapore.

The Russian superstar needed a win to have any chance of overtaking top-ranked Serena Williams but she blew up in spectacular fashion as Kvitova won 6-3, 6-2 in 75 minutes.

It was the second upset in quick succession at the season finale after Simona Halep stunned Williams 6-0, 6-2 on Wednesday, the 18-time Grand Slam-winner’s worst defeat in 16 years.

Kvitova’s first win over Sharapova since 2011 also left the Russian’s bid for a second year-end title — a decade after the first — hanging by a thread after her opening defeat to Caroline Wozniacki.

Earlier, Wozniacki beat Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 7-5, 6-3 to take top position in the White Group round robin as the resurgent Dane neared a spot in the semi-finals.

Sharapova won the first two games against Kvitova but then went to pieces as the Wimbledon champion won the next five straight and took the first set 6-3.

Another run of five games put Kvitova on the verge of victory before Sharapova finally earned a break of her own, and then saved two match points as she clung on in a 10-minute hold of serve at 5-1 down.

However, her resistance was broken when on the third match point, Kvitova blasted a magical looping forehand which landed on the baseline and beyond the crestfallen Russian.

Wozniacki took more than three hours to beat Sharapova on Tuesday and another long match looked likely when she fought with Radwanska in a tight opening set which featured five breaks of serve.

But the super-fit former world number one, who is training for the New York marathon, raced through the second set to step towards her first semi-final at the year-ender since 2009.

“I knew from the start that this wasn’t going to be an easy match,” Wozniacki said.

“I came out there a little bit nervous, but you know, I just did my best out there,” added the world number eight.

source: sports.inquirer.net

George Lucas inaugurates ‘Sandcrawler’ in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Renowned filmmaker George Lucas thanked the government of Singapore for “so clearly” delivering on its promise of support, as he inaugurated the spanking new Sandcrawler building in the bustling Mediapolis district today, Thursday.

The creator of “Star Wars” said the building–inspired by the desert-scavenging vehicles in the beloved film franchise and already a winner of six architectural awards– was a symbol of the collaboration between Singapore and Lucasfilm in promoting and nurturing the “talent ecosystem” in the digital entertainment arts.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who attended the ceremony, said his government sought to cultivate a “vibrant community of talents” in the entertainment arts, and that Lucasfilm had been a dynamic partner in seeing this through.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and general manager David Anderman met regional media representatives and discussed the company’s Jedi Masters Program for visual artists and the future of “Star Wars.”

It was previously announced that the seventh episode would be released in December 2015.

Sandcrawler will house the business offices of The Walt Disney Company, which now owns Lucasfilm and ESPN.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Oil prices climb in Asian trade

SINGAPORE – Oil prices rose in Asian trade Monday as robust US jobs data boosted hopes for stronger energy demand in the world’s biggest economy.

New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for January delivery, was up 23 cents at $97.88 a barrel in mid-morning trade, while Brent North Sea crude for January rose 13 cents to $111.74.

Singapore’s United Overseas Bank said in a research note that prices were supported “by the outlook for increased demand after strong jobs data from the US, the world’s top oil consumer.”

The US government reported last week that the unemployment rate fell sharply to 7.0 percent in November from 7.3 percent in October.

The data, which pointed to further strength in the US economy, also saw a better-than-expected surge of 203,000 jobs generated.

As the world’s largest oil consuming nation, the health of the American economy has a major influence on the crude oil market.

source: business.inquirer.net

China, Singapore to allow direct trading between currencies

SINGAPORE—China and Singapore have agreed to allow direct trading between each other’s currency, Singapore’s central bank said Tuesday.

The move, along with other agreements on financial cooperation, is expected to bolster Singapore’s status as a leading offshore trading center for the Chinese yuan, officially called the renminbi(RMB).

“China and Singapore will introduce direct currency trading between the Chinese yuan and Singapore dollar,” the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in a statement, adding that details will be announced separately.

The statement was issued after a meeting between senior officials from both countries led by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.

China will also grant Singapore-based investors a 50 billion yuan ($8.2 billion) investment quota under its Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor program, MAS said.

This would allow investors based in the city-state to use the yuan to invest in Chinese stocks and bonds.

The program “will help to diversify the base of investors in China’s capital markets and promote adoption of the RMB for investment”, MAS said.

Chinese institutional investors will also be allowed to use the yuan to invest in Singapore’s capital markets.

“The new initiatives will further promote the international use of the renminbi through Singapore,” the MAS said.

Its managing director Ravi Menon added: “Financial ties between the two countries have deepened considerably and Singapore is well placed to promote greater use of the RMB in international trade and investment in the years to come.”

China’s rise as the world’s second-biggest economy has seen the yuan take on a bigger role in international financial markets.

Britain last week said that direct trading between the yuan and the British pound will be allowed.

China also has similar direct trading arrangements for the yuan with the US dollar, the Japanese yen and the Australian dollar.

source: business.inquirer.net

Megadeth Singer Obama 'Staged' Aurora Shooting Massacre

Dave Mustaine -- the lead singer of Megadeth -- believes Barack Obama "staged" the massacre in Aurora, CO in a sick, twisted plot to pass a gun ban.

Mustaine made the comments on stage at an August 7 performance in Singapore ... when he told the crowd, "Back in my country, my president ... he's trying to pass a gun ban, so he's staging all of these murders, like the 'Fast And Furious' thing down at the border ... Aurora, Colorado, all the people that were killed there ... and now the beautiful people at the Sikh temple."

He continued, "I don't know where I'm gonna live if America keeps going the way it's going because it looks like it's turning into Nazi America."

Obviously, Mustaine is not an Obama fan ... and recently bashed the President during an interview with Alex Jones ... saying, "With all of the proof about his birth certificate being fake. And you see the signs in Kenya that say 'the birthplace of Barack Obama.' Hello?! C'mon, guys. How stupid are we right now?"

article source: TMZ

Smart, Western Union launch remittance service with rewards

Manila, Philippines - If you’re expecting remittances from relatives in Singapore, now’s the best time to encourage them to send the funds to your Smart mobile number via Western Union.

Smart Money and Western Union are raffling off 15 Samsung Galaxy Mini 5570 units to people in Singapore who will use Western Union’s mobile money transfer services to send remittances to a Smart number from now until August 26.

Each transaction made in participating Western Union agent locations will earn the money sender one electronic raffle entry to the Western Union and Smart Money Free Phone Promo.

The 15 lucky winners announced by the end of the promo period must present the winning transaction’s original receipt and a valid ID to claim their prize.

Smart subscriber-beneficiaries, who already have a Smart Money card, can withdraw the remittance from more than 10,000 BDO, BancNet, Megalink, and ExpressNet automated teller machines (ATMs) nationwide, and from almost 5,000 Smart Money Centers in the country.

They can also use their Smart Money account to do cashless shopping in more than 32 million MasterCard merchants worldwide.

Funds transferred to Smart Money electronic wallets – which are linked to the account holder’s Smart mobile phone – can also be used for mobile payment of utility bills (Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, etc.), reloading Smart prepaid accounts, and money transfers to other Smart Money accounts.

Smart subscribers without a Smart Money account yet can still receive overseas remittances via Western Union’s mobile money transfer service. If a loved one abroad sends funds to their mobile number, they will receive a text notification advising them to open a Smart Money account and get the funds in any of the 100 Smart Stores nationwide.

Money senders from Singapore will not be the only ones receiving perks from Smart Money. Beneficiaries of all international remittances received via Smart Money will get international text credits worth P150 plus a chance to win up to P45,000 in cash, via Smart Money’s Doble Todo Panalo Promo* which is open until August 15. For more information about the promo and Smart Money’s services, please visit www.smart.com.ph/money

source: philstar.com

Oil prices up in Asia as US-British crude pact denied

Singapore - Oil prices rose in Asian trade Friday after the US and Britain denied reports that the two countries had agreed to release strategic reserves of crude, analysts said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in April up 36 cents to $105.47 while Brent North Sea crude for May delivery gained 37 cents to $122.97 on its first trading day.

The White House confirmed the issue was discussed by US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron, but denied that there was a pact.

"I can tell you that among the many topics of discussion that the British prime minister and the president had were energy issues. And the situation globally with the rise in the price of oil," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

"But I can say very clearly that the report suggesting that any kind of an agreement was reached on a course of action with regard to those energy issues, that any agreement was reached with a timetable associated with it, that report is false. It is not accurate."

Victor Shum, senior principal of Purvin and Gertz energy consultants in Singapore, told AFP: "Oil has been rebounding since that denial."

Crude prices -- which have risen in recent month amid concerns over a stand-off between the West and Iran -- had fallen by more than $2 in New York and more than $4 in London before the denial. — AFP

source: gmanetwork.com

Multi-Cultural Chicken

MANILA, Philippines — Alfonso Hortaleza was just looking for something different to satisfy his hunger after watching the 2010 Singapore Gran Prix. Little did he know that he would stumble upon his future business endeavor when he discovered 4 Fingers Chicken.

It was “love at first dining,” says the president of Mindblowing Delicious Food Corporation, who was so impressed with the brand—“we ate there for three straight days”—that he grabbed the opportunity to bring it to the Philippines when he found out they were planning to open a store here.

New York Meets Korea

“A chicken basically has four fingers; and when you eat our delicious chicken, you always use your four fingers,” Hortaleza says when asked for the reason behind the restaurant’s name. Introduced in 2009, 4 Fingers was conceptualized by four business partners who loved the Korean-style fried chicken they discovered in New York. Using various Asian flavors, they came up with a taste that became the signature 4 Fingers Chicken.

The store’s interiors transport you to the New York subway scene—complete with graffiti art, industrial lamps and upbeat music in the background. What seals the deal, however, is the way the chicken is served—hand-painted with your choice of either soy garlic or spicy sauce on customized military-inspired plates. The coating technique makes the chicken “crunchy on the outside and juicy in the inside.” They also offer Kim Chi Coleslaw, Katsu Chicken Sandwich, Calamari and Shrimp, Tofu Salad and Seafood Rice Box, among others.

The scene back in Singapore (half of the people lining up for 4 Fingers were Filipinos) and the fact that people in the Philippines love chicken were enough for Hortaleza and his partners to believe that the brand will be a hit here. True enough, a few weeks after the soft opening, Horataleza shares that they have already gained loyal customers. In fact, within a month of operations, they would already get an average of 150 orders of chicken per day.

Passion For Business

One of the original partners and the current 4 Fingers director, Jord Stefan Figee, recently visited the country for the launch of its flagship store in SM North EDSA. “This is the biggest store so far,” says Figee of the 180-square meter store with a 110-seating capacity that adopted the same look of the stores in Singapore, Indonesia and India.

It was the growth of the Philippine food service industry in the past years and the Filipinos’ knack for good food that brought Figee here. He says that the Philippines is a very interesting market and that it greatly helps that it is an English-speaking country. “We also recognize the huge interest and demand for international chain stores, especially those that offer non-traditional Filipino food,” he adds.

They also shied away from the bigger corporations for a partner. Figee asserts that they chose Hortaleza’s company because they were not just passionate about the business, but the group also understands the brand. He says even though having experience is definitely a plus, it’s not always necessary. “When we signed up with Alfonso, the most important criterion for us was that they do understand the brand and [that] they love it,” says Figee. “It’s not important to be the biggest, it’s important to have a quality product,” he concludes.

For more information, like 4 Fingers Chicken on Facebook (4 Fingers Crispy Chicken Philippines) and follow them on Twitter @4FCCPhilippines.

source: mb.com.ph