Month: April 2020
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
UK PM Boris Johnson ‘still in charge’ while in hospital with COVID-19
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LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent the night in hospital after being admitted for tests following 10 days of persistent symptoms of coronavirus, but the government insisted on Monday (Apr 6) he remained in charge. The Conservative leader announced on Mar 27 that he had tested positive for COVID-19, and has been self-isolating in his
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
Singapore must be ready for supply disruptions due to global COVID-19 lockdowns: Chan Chun Sing
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SINGAPORE: Singapore needs to plan and be ready for more disruptions to its supply of food and other essentials, as lockdowns continue in exporting countries, said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Apr 6), Mr Chan noted COVID-19 has “severely diminished global production capacities and disrupted global supply chains”
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
Japan prepares for state of emergency over virus
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TOKYO: Japan’s government began preparing on Monday (Apr 6) for the declaration of a state of emergency over the outbreak of the new coronavirus, as infections spike in the capital Tokyo and elsewhere. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was expected to meet late Monday with a panel of experts advising the government on the global pandemic, with
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
MSF outlines stepped-up assistance to vulnerable groups affected by COVID-19
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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and other Government agencies have stepped up measures to address various needs arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, said Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee on Monday (Apr 6). Mr Lee was responding to questions in Parliament from Nominated Member of Parliament Anthea Ong. Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
Solidarity Budget to cost S$5.1 billion, S$4 billion more needed from reserves
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SINGAPORE: A third tranche of COVID-19 support measures that includes cash payouts and additional support for jobs will cost the Government S$5.1 billion, with S$4 billion to be drawn from Singapore’s reserves. The additional measures – which include wage subsidies for every local worker, cash payouts for all adult citizens and more help for the
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
About 3,300 devices loaned out to students following announcement of full home-based learning: Ong Ye Kung
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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has loaned out about 3,300 devices, including tablets and laptops, to students since Friday, following the announcement of full home-based learning, said Education Minister Ong Ye Kung on Monday (Apr 6). Responding to a parliamentary question about ensuring that all students have computer and Internet access for full home-based
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
Solidarity Budget: Bill to allow firms, individuals to defer contractual obligations such as rent ‘for a period’
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SINGAPORE: The Government will introduce a Bill on Tuesday (Apr 7) to allow businesses and individuals to defer certain contractual obligations such as rent “for a period”, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat on Monday (Apr 6). Speaking in a ministerial statement in Parliament on Monday, Mr Heng said the Bill will be introduced by the Minister for Law and
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
US faces ‘really bad’ week as coronavirus deaths spike
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NEW YORK: The United States on Sunday (Apr 5) entered one of the most critical weeks so far in the coronavirus crisis, with government officials warning that the death toll in places such as New York, Michigan and Louisiana was a sign of trouble to come in other states. Still, governors of eight states resisted issuing
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
Solidarity Budget: Criteria broadened for freelancers’ financial assistance scheme
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SINGAPORE: The Government will expand the criteria of self-employed people who are eligible for cash support, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Monday (Apr 6). Under the previously announced Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS), 88,000 freelancers such as taxi drivers, real estate agents and sole proprietors will receive S$1,000 a month over nine months
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
Commentary: China’s COVID-19 push for global influence
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CANBERRA: The coronavirus pandemic is a “black swan” moment. It is a rare and unpredictable event that could have momentous, system-wide, and unforeseen consequences. China deserves credit for having mobilised quickly, efficiently, and effectively after initial missteps to defeat the COVID-19 disease. Domestically, the early cover-ups and punishment of whistle-blowers have been displaced by the
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
5 dengue deaths since start of year; 2020 cases more than double the same period last year
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SINGAPORE: Five people have died from dengue this year, as the number of cases weekly “remain high”, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Monday (Apr 6). As of 3pm last Friday, there were 5,033 dengue cases in Singapore this year – more than double the reported number of cases in the same period in
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
‘We’re not hungry, we need masks’ says Australian doctor on coronavirus frontline
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SYDNEY: Australian hospital workers on the coronavirus frontline say they daily receive letters of thanks, some people even bring them pizzas, but what they really need is proper respiratory face masks to replace faulty and homemade face shields. While doctors and nurses in some hospitals struggle to obtain respiratory N95 face masks, Australians walking the
Written by Gabriel HerveyApril 6, 2020
Football: Walker faces Man City probe after hosting ‘sex party’ during lockdown
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LONDON: Kyle Walker is facing disciplinary action from Manchester City after reportedly breaking Britain’s coronavirus lockdown conditions by hosting a “sex party” even though he has advised people to stay at home during the pandemic. The England defender, 29 has apologised after the Sun newspaper reported that he invited two call girls to the party at
Commentary: COVID-19 slaps a stress test on the Malaysian economy
SINGAPORE: With the COVID-19 outbreak, Malaysia’s new Perikatan Nasional (PN) government has entered a perfect storm of global and national economic challenges with serious socio-political implications. Given the sudden and forced economic slowdown globally, Malaysia, like most countries across the world, may be heading towards a sharp recession. Advertisement Advertisement The Malaysian government has responded