The Big Read: Singapore has been buttressing its food security for decades. Now, people realise why
SINGAPORE: On most days, visitors to Yili Farm are a rarity given its remote Lim Chu Kang location and the unsavoury odours of vegetable fertilisers permeating the farm. But Feb 7 and Mar 17 were not like most days, recalled Miss Toh Yingying, 24, business manager of Yili Vegetation and Trading. Advertisement Advertisement Many people rushed
Johnson warns of tougher action to prevent coronavirus spread
LONDON: Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Sunday (Mar 22) he may impose tougher controls on the British public as packed parks, markets and cafes at the weekend showed thousands of people defying government warnings about social distancing. Johnson gave notice of potential tougher action as the latest health department figures revealed that 281 people
IOC admits postponing Olympics an option, but not cancellation
LAUSANNE: The International Olympic Committee said on Sunday (Mar 22) that postponing the 2020 Olympics is one its options as the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, but that cancellation of the Tokyo showpiece was “not on the agenda”. The IOC has faced strong pressure to push back this summer’s Tokyo Games, scheduled from Jul
Ohio, Louisiana declare coronavirus lockdowns
NEW YORK: As US cases of coronavirus spiked on Sunday (Mar 22), Ohio and Louisiana became the latest states to announce broad lockdowns to slow the spread of the virus with nearly one in three Americans under orders to stay at home. The two states join New York, California, Illinois, Connecticut and New Jersey, home to
Merkel goes into quarantine after contact with infected doctor
FRANKFURT: German chancellor Angela Merkel went into quarantine on Sunday (Mar 22) after coming into contact with a coronavirus-infected doctor shortly after announcing more curbs on social interaction to slow the spread of the disease. Merkel, 65, will continue her work from home and will submit to repeated tests over the next few days, her
Schools remain safe places for children, additional precautionary measures implemented: Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE: Schools remain safe places for children and many “significant additional precautionary measures” have been implemented to safeguard the entire system, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Sunday (Mar 22). In a Facebook post a day before schools were due to reopen after the March holidays, Mr Ong said he had received many emails
COVID-19: MPs and political parties implement precautionary measures during community outreach
SINGAPORE: Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Members of Parliament (MPs) and political parties are putting in place various precautionary measures as they continue outreach activities. These measures include safe distancing at meet the people sessions (MPS), eliminating handshakes as well as refraining from entering residents’ homes. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to CNA on Sunday (Mar 22), Jurong GRC MP Ang
Scoot temporarily suspends flights to 49 destinations amid COVID-19 outbreak
SINGAPORE: Scoot will “temporarily suspend” flights to 49 destinations as countries tighten border restrictions amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. In an announcement on its website, Scoot listed out the affected routes, with many of the flights between Singapore and China. Outside of Asia, Scoot flights to Greece and Germany are also affected. Advertisement Advertisement The suspension
Emirates to suspend all passenger flights amid COVID-19 outbreak
DUBAI: Emirates announced on Sunday (Mar 22) that it will “temporarily suspend” all its passenger operations from Wednesday in light of the COVID-19 outbreak that has forced countries to close their borders. The deadly coronavirus has caused the world to go “into quarantine”, affecting business for the airline, the chairman and CEO of the Emirates Group Sheikh Ahmed Saeed Al Maktoum said. Advertisement
COVID-19: Eight Singaporeans evacuated from Iran on flight arranged by Malaysia
SINGAPORE: Eight Singaporeans were evacuated from Tehran on a flight arranged by Malaysia, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Sunday (Mar 22). The Singaporeans arrived in Kuala Lumpur after boarding the flight arranged for Malaysian nationals. Advertisement Advertisement “Eight Singaporeans have safely arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from Tehran, Iran, after boarding a repatriation
France appeals to workers as COVID-19 claims first doctor
PARIS: The COVID-19 outbreak has claimed its first fatality among French medical personnel, Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Sunday (Mar 22), as the country prepares for an expected surge in cases. The minister, who paid tribute to front-line medical staff during an appearance on LCI television, also said the country was counting on workers
Malaysia reports 123 new COVID-19 cases; national death toll at 10
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia on Sunday (Mar 22) reported 123 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the national total to 1,306. Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah also confirmed that two patients had died on Sunday, bringing the national death toll to 10. Advertisement Advertisement The ninth death was 48-year-old man with a travel history to Turkey. The doctor,
More than 4,000 dengue cases in Singapore since start of 2020 as new virus strain emerges
SINGAPORE: More than 4,000 dengue cases have been reported since the start of 2020 – about twice the number of cases seen within the same period a year ago. A key concern is the growing evidence of a sustained switch in the predominant dengue virus serotype, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a news release on
China embarks on clinical trial for COVID-19 vaccine
BEIJING: China has started the first phase of a clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine, records show, as the world’s scientists race to find a way to combat the deadly pathogen. It comes after US health officials said last week they had started a trial to evaluate a possible vaccine in Seattle. Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese effort
