Month: March 2020
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Google, Walmart join government effort to speed up coronavirus testing, Trump says
News Business Article
WASHINGTON: Corporate America joined the fight against the spread of coronavirus on Friday (Mar 13) , as President Donald Trump and executives announced that Google would offer a website to help people determine whether they needed tests and retailers set up drive-through tests in parking lots. Shares of Google parent Alphabet Inc, Walmart Inc ,
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Why Manila is at risk of becoming an underwater city
News Business Article
MANILA: Saturnino Espiritu remembers a time when he could walk to the nearby church in his neighbourhood. But now he must reach it by boat. The coastal village of Sitio Pariahan, about 17 kilometres north of Manila, is where he built a home and a family. Today, its streets are gone, submerged under water. Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Commentary: UAE fights COVID-19 while the rest of the Middle East drags its feet
News Business Article
DUBAI: As new COVID-19 cases spread outside of China, the Middle East has become a hotspot for infection. The virus has appeared in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lebanon, Israel, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia, and sickened people in Algeria, Egypt and Morocco. Advertisement Advertisement Iran, however, has been disproportionately affected and is
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Commentary: COVID-19 could force difficult choices on health systems
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Commentary Commentary COVID-19 presents a defining challenge for any government, says the Financial Times’ Anjana Ahuja. A medical official wearing protective gear stands outside an emergency tent, which was installed for patients infected by the suspected coronavirus infection (COVID-19) near a hospital in Czestochowa, Poland, Mar 11, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Grzegorz Skowronek/Agencja Gazeta) 14 Mar 2020 06:17AM(Updated: 14
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
This startup wants to help differently abled people stay employed
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Mr Wee Pang Chun has had so many jobs that he cannot remember all of them. The 25-year-old, who has mild intellectual disability, started working after graduating from secondary school. Until recently, he worked at NTUC FairPrice as a store assistant for two years, his longest stint yet. But he found the work boring
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
Is antibacterial soap better at killing germs, hands down?
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: With the focus on keeping our hands clean amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak, antibacterial soaps have been flying off the shelves. These soaps use chemical agents like chlorhexidine, which supposedly make them better germ killers than normal soap. Advertisement Advertisement They are also sold, on average, at a premium of about 2.6
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 14, 2020
13 new cases of COVID-19 in Singapore, 1 more discharged from hospital
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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced 13 more cases of COVID-19 in Singapore on Friday (Mar 13), bringing the total number to 200. One more patient has been discharged from hospital. Advertisement Advertisement A total of 97 patients have fully recovered to date, said MOH. Of the 103 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 13, 2020
COVID-19: Singapore widens travel restrictions to Italy, France, Spain, Germany
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SINGAPORE: Singapore will block entry or transit for visitors with travel history to Italy, France, Spain and Germany within the last 14 days, amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in Europe. The new border restrictions, which take effect on Sunday (Mar 15) at 11.59pm, come after an increase in imported cases in Singapore, particularly of those
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 13, 2020
Smaller GRCs, more SMCs may boost GE contestability, a positive step for democracy in Singapore: Political observers
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: The removal of six-member Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and smaller constituencies could be a good thing for opposition parties that typically have difficulties forming bigger teams, political observers said on Friday (Mar 13). There will be 14 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), one more than the current 13. The two existing six-member GRCs – Ang
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 13, 2020
More electoral divisions, no 6-member GRCs in coming election: EBRC report
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SINGAPORE: There will be more electoral divisions and no six-member Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) in the coming election, according to the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee’s (EBRC) report released on Friday (Mar 13). The committee recommended the adoption of 31 electoral divisions, up from 29, with a total of 93 seats in Parliament, four more than
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 13, 2020
Malaysia cancels mass gatherings as spike in COVID-19 infections brings total to 197
News Business Article
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reported 39 new COVID-19 infections on Friday (Mar 13), its highest increase in a single day to date. The national total now stands at 197 cases, with four patients in the intensive care unit currently receiving breathing support and anti-viral treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Explore: Real-time interactive map of all the confirmed cases
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 13, 2020
Lam Pin Min expects fierce competition from opposition parties in Sengkang GRC
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SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Sengkang West Single Member Constituency (SMC) Lam Pin Min said on Friday (Mar 13) that he expects fierce competition from opposition parties in the newly formed Sengkang GRC. The formation of the new GRC was announced by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee earlier on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Sengkang West has been an SMC
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 13, 2020
Singapore has ‘promptly shared information’ with Indonesia on COVID-19 cases involving Indonesians: MOH
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SINGAPORE: Singapore “has promptly shared information” with Indonesia on all the confirmed COVID-19 cases involving Indonesians, to facilitate contact tracing, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Friday (Mar 13). In a statement to media, MOH noted that Singapore and Indonesia are parties to the World Health Organization International Health Regulations (IHR). Advertisement Advertisement “Singapore
Commentary: Few bad dogs but many bad owners. But even that can be changed
SINGAPORE: Earlier this week, dog lovers rejoiced as the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) announced that larger dogs can now be rehomed in HDB flats. Dogs with heights 55cm and below are now eligible for adoption into HDB flats under the ADORE (Adoption and Rehoming) programme. Advertisement Advertisement This is a 10 per cent increase