"Resistance is greatest just before the finish line", said American Author Steven Pressfield. The story of Roy Ngerng, a Singaporean blogger and activist, is a clear example of the power a mass movement can have, especially in the age of internet and social media.&nbsp;

Ngerng moved to Taiwan after he lost his job when he was sued by the Prime Minister of Singapore&nbsp;Lee Hsien Loong, becoming the first ordinary citizen to be sued by the PM of the country.

He was charged with libel damages amounting to&nbsp;S$150,000 in&nbsp;addition to S$29,000 in legal fees.&nbsp;&nbsp;He announced in a Facebook post on Friday that he had raised S$144,389 ($108,200)&nbsp;through social media to cover the defamation damages.&nbsp;

In an exclusive chat with WION, Ngerng talks about why he thinks people chose to support him, even the ones who didn't agree with his advocacy and boasts with pride when he says even if the court saw him guilty of defaming the Prime Minister, the people's support vindicated him.&nbsp;

 
The following are excerpts from the interview:

 
WION:&nbsp;You have been paying the installments for the fine for five years, what triggered the idea to crowdfund it now?

Roy:&nbsp;Recently the Singapore PM sued another blogger. I was the first blogger, an ordinary citizen to be sued by the prime minister and in 2018 there was another blogger who was sued. His damages were recently announced, he had to pay Singapore $ 1,33,000 to the prime minister. So, he crowdfunded for the damages as well and he raised it in 11 days. So, at a point there were some supporters and friends who said I should do it too because the damages awarded to me were S$ 1,50,000. I had paid S$ 6000 upto this month so they encouraged me to do so. I was hesitant because I wasn't sure if there would be traction. When we started, I realised that there were many people who still remembered the advocacy ideas on Singapore pension funds and the lack of transparency came aboard to support and contribute. So I am very touched by it.

WION:&nbsp;Since you've given the world this innovative an idea, how do you think it can be used or misused in the future by others considering the power social media has in the current era?

Roy: [The] government's method of political prosecution is slightly different from other authoritarian regimes. In other authoritarian regimes, they are more forceful, they put dissidents into jail, perhaps even kill them. But in Singapore, because it is an apparent developed country, the methods the government uses are more sophisticated in order to ensure that they are still able to do business and trade investments. So the methods they have used put high financial penalty on the person who criticises the govt so that can stop them from criticising the govt or to put their job or livelihood at risk to stop them or to push them out of the country. This month, me and another blogger, we managed to crowdfund S$ 3,00,000 and it is a sign that the Singaporeans feel that there needs to be a platform for them to be able to resist. We are not able to protest in Singapore, even a one-person protest in Singapore is illegal and there is only one place, a park where protests are allowed and even then two of us were charged. I was charged in 2014 on the basis of public nuisance. It has been difficult. Recently Jolovan Wham was also charged for holding a piece of paper with a smiley face. I think it's an organic process, it has come to a point when Singaporeans feel that since there is no physical ability to protest and if the govt is to put a financial penalty on the person who speaks up, the resistance will come in a targetted form as a financial resistance back towards the government.

Malaysia just a few months ago also had a similar crowdfunding which was also a success. I think it is not unique in the world because of how authoritarian governments are still structured.

Singapore and to some extent Malaysia represent a form of soft authorotarianism where these matters have to be therefore be developed. In other countries, they do not resort to such methods, say in Hong Kong, the current oppression is so direct that there is very little form of resistance that can be developed and perhaps therefore those places can be used to challenge the current space in Singapore, though there is a conversation. Some people are saying what if the govt decides to come up with a new law to make it difficult for crowdfunding to be used as a form of resistance. And knowing the Singapore government, they have developed innovative ways of persecution that allows them to maintain an image of sophistication yet be able to effectively persecute.

I think whether or not this means of resistance is acceptable to other countries depends on their level of authoritarianism and also the solidarity that people have.

I have to say that in Singapore it is also difficult because people are actually quite scared to protest and even using financial means as a resistance, the fact that we were able to do it, has shocked many of us and it reflects a changing sentiment that has begun since the last election in Singapore.

WION:&nbsp;Do you think this idea can work in democracies? If yes, then how is it going to be different from the one that you experienced?

Roy:&nbsp;If you look at Taiwan, I am staying in Taiwan right now because after I was sued, I was fired from my job the govt sent out press releases saying that I defamed the prime minister. So, it was dificult to look for a job and I had to move to Taiwan. I was just having this discussion with my colleagues today and they were saying that it would be difficult or unimaginable for a politician to actually sue a citizen because there's free press, there's freedom of speech and there would be a lot of social retaliation from the citizens against the politician who would do that.

Therefore, there already is a form of a gate keeping preventing the politicians from abusing their power but if that were to happen, a person who is being persecuted is able to go out and put out his stand in a very transparent manner it would encourage a lot of support from the public as compared to a regime like Singapore where there is still that fear.

I think the trick about self authoritarian countries is that they are able to appear as if there is semblence of democracy by maintaining elections but there is no free press in terms of state control, citizens who protest or speak up are persecuted using different means. So the very fact that we were able to do this within 10 days is a success.

In a democracy they are not incumbent by the state control, I think the ability to crowdfund would move up much faster.

For example, in Malaysia, if I'm not wrong the amount was close to a million Malaysian dollars and they managed to do it within a month. The difference is that Malaysia went through a relatively democratic process in a sense that in 2018 they had a change of government, a government that had a little more respect towards human rights and they have had more movements and protests in the past few years and they have moved towards more representation from the opposition government.

Therefore, there was this space that allowed people to push and donate and be braver to step up using financial resources as a form of resistance.

WION:&nbsp;Now that your purpose for the crowdfunding has been achieved, do you have plans to continue using your strength for any other purpose?

Roy:&nbsp;Well, I think, hopefully not. I hope that this will send quite a strong signal to the govt that Singaporeans over the last two years have developed a different form of understanding of what they expect of their political leaders. It shows that they do not tolerate the use of such fotrms of persecution on people who speak up or people who question issues.

What is quite apparent this time is that people across the political spectrums supported. There are people who do not agree with the advocacy that I did but they supported because they wanted to send a statement that they believe that there needs to be transparency, discourse, critical debates, that I hope the govt is taking in.

The blogger before me who managed to crowdsource the funding announced yesterday that the prime minister's lawyer is asking for S$1,30,000 in cost.

Previously he managed to raise the amount in damages and now there is this cost that the prime minister wants.

I hope this is not a sign that the pm or the govt doesn't understand that there needs to be a different approach that people want and if the govt continues to use such an approach it would be very detached from the sensibilities of the citizens.

There is also an independent media- the online citizen, the editor of which is also facing a civil defamation suit from the prime minister. He might also have to raise a crowdfunding like that to deal with the damages as well. We will see if we are able to repeat this process.

Many people who have supported me say that they have done it for the previous blogger as well. They say they are taking a stand because of advocacy I did. There was someone from the opposition, very well-respected person who said he has donated because he wanted to appear forward to how other people have supported.

It is very sensitive for opposition politicians to be appearing in such campaigns. Therefore, I will also take the same step and pay it forward for someone else. Gradually we might see people who are motivated become more confident in being a part of a process like that. Since there are about four thousand people who supported both me and the other blogger, hopefully this will create momentum and send the govt a signal to stop using defamation suits. Though they might progress to other forms of persecution that they would have more control over.

WION:&nbsp;You were fined by the court and you paid through crowdfunding, how do you justify that?

Roy:&nbsp;when we started a crowdfunding, I was hesitant, uncomfortable, I think that was the same discomfort I had in 2015 when the damages were announced that I had to pay the prime minister because I didn't think that people should be contributing to the damages to pay to a personal suit of the prime minister because why should we lavish this money on the prime minister? But as we progressed, I realised people felt contributing to this campaign was a form of protest, as a form of someone describing a minor resistance. Eventually it was also how I supported the previous blogger, his campaign and I shared the post and talked about how it was a form of protest as well.

They send a signal, it's a form of resistance, a form of civil disobedience movement. Many people who donated to the cause, wrote about how they felt there was injustice, to prove that there was equality and fairness, in restoring hope. I think that's the kind of sentiment people have when they contributed. When the whole episode was over today, I felt I was vindicated. Even though I was found to have defamed the prime minister in the court but in the public opinion, the fact that we were able to raise this amount made it look like the public was vindicating me and this could be the sentiment the govt might be very displeased with and they will try to find ways to push back that form of empowerment. So that negotiation of power that's happening right now is interesting to see how it will develop from here.

"Resistance is greatest just before the finish line", said American Author Steven Pressfield. The story of Roy Ngerng, a Singaporean blogger and activist, is a clear example of the power a mass movement can have, especially in the age of internet and social media.

"Resistance is greatest just before the finish line", said American Author Steven Pressfield. The story of Roy Ngerng, a Singaporean blogger and activist, is a clear example of the power a mass movement can have, especially in the age of internet and social media. Ngerng moved to Taiwan after he lost his job when he was sued by the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, becoming the first ordinary citizen to be sued by the PM of the country. He was charged with libel damages amounting to S$150,000 in addition to S$29,000 in legal fees. He announced in a Facebook post on Friday that he had raised S$144,389 ($108,200) through social media to cover the defamation damages. In an exclusive chat with WION, Ngerng talks about why he thinks people chose to support him, even the ones who didn't agree with his advocacy and boasts with pride when he says even if the court saw him guilty of defaming the Prime Minister, the people's support vindicated him. The following are excerpts from the interview: WION: You have been paying the installments for the fine for five years, what triggered the idea to crowdfund it now? Roy: Recently the Singapore PM sued another blogger. I was the first blogger, an ordinary citizen to be sued by the prime minister and in 2018 there was another blogger who was sued. His damages were recently announced, he had to pay Singapore $ 1,33,000 to the prime minister. So, he crowdfunded for the damages as well and he raised it in 11 days. So, at a point there were some supporters and friends who said I should do it too because the damages awarded to me were S$ 1,50,000. I had paid S$ 6000 upto this month so they encouraged me to do so. I was hesitant because I wasn't sure if there would be traction. When we started, I realised that there were many people who still remembered the advocacy ideas on Singapore pension funds and the lack of transparency came aboard to support and contribute. So I am very touched by it. WION: Since you've given the world this innovative an idea, how do you think it can be used or misused in the future by others considering the power social media has in the current era? Roy: [The] government's method of political prosecution is slightly different from other authoritarian regimes. In other authoritarian regimes, they are more forceful, they put dissidents into jail, perhaps even kill them. But in Singapore, because it is an apparent developed country, the methods the government uses are more sophisticated in order to ensure that they are still able to do business and trade investments. So the methods they have used put high financial penalty on the person who criticises the govt so that can stop them from criticising the govt or to put their job or livelihood at risk to stop them or to push them out of the country. This month, me and another blogger, we managed to crowdfund S$ 3,00,000 and it is a sign that the Singaporeans feel that there needs to be a platform for them to be able to resist. We are not able to protest in Singapore, even a one-person protest in Singapore is illegal and there is only one place, a park where protests are allowed and even then two of us were charged. I was charged in 2014 on the basis of public nuisance. It has been difficult. Recently Jolovan Wham was also charged for holding a piece of paper with a smiley face. I think it's an organic process, it has come to a point when Singaporeans feel that since there is no physical ability to protest and if the govt is to put a financial penalty on the person who speaks up, the resistance will come in a targetted form as a financial resistance back towards the government. Malaysia just a few months ago also had a similar crowdfunding which was also a success. I think it is not unique in the world because of how authoritarian governments are still structured. Singapore and to some extent Malaysia represent a form of soft authorotarianism where these matters have to be therefore be developed. In other countries, they do not resort to such methods, say in Hong Kong, the current oppression is so direct that there is very little form of resistance that can be developed and perhaps therefore those places can be used to challenge the current space in Singapore, though there is a conversation. Some people are saying what if the govt decides to come up with a new law to make it difficult for crowdfunding to be used as a form of resistance. And knowing the Singapore government, they have developed innovative ways of persecution that allows them to maintain an image of sophistication yet be able to effectively persecute. I think whether or not this means of resistance is acceptable to other countries depends on their level of authoritarianism and also the solidarity that people have. I have to say that in Singapore it is also difficult because people are actually quite scared to protest and even using financial means as a resistance, the fact that we were able to do it, has shocked many of us and it reflects a changing sentiment that has begun since the last election in Singapore. WION: Do you think this idea can work in democracies? If yes, then how is it going to be different from the one that you experienced? Roy: If you look at Taiwan, I am staying in Taiwan right now because after I was sued, I was fired from my job the govt sent out press releases saying that I defamed the prime minister. So, it was dificult to look for a job and I had to move to Taiwan. I was just having this discussion with my colleagues today and they were saying that it would be difficult or unimaginable for a politician to actually sue a citizen because there's free press, there's freedom of speech and there would be a lot of social retaliation from the citizens against the politician who would do that. Therefore, there already is a form of a gate keeping preventing the politicians from abusing their power but if that were to happen, a person who is being persecuted is able to go out and put out his stand in a very transparent manner it would encourage a lot of support from the public as compared to a regime like Singapore where there is still that fear. I think the trick about self authoritarian countries is that they are able to appear as if there is semblence of democracy by maintaining elections but there is no free press in terms of state control, citizens who protest or speak up are persecuted using different means. So the very fact that we were able to do this within 10 days is a success. In a democracy they are not incumbent by the state control, I think the ability to crowdfund would move up much faster. For example, in Malaysia, if I'm not wrong the amount was close to a million Malaysian dollars and they managed to do it within a month. The difference is that Malaysia went through a relatively democratic process in a sense that in 2018 they had a change of government, a government that had a little more respect towards human rights and they have had more movements and protests in the past few years and they have moved towards more representation from the opposition government. Therefore, there was this space that allowed people to push and donate and be braver to step up using financial resources as a form of resistance. WION: Now that your purpose for the crowdfunding has been achieved, do you have plans to continue using your strength for any other purpose? Roy: Well, I think, hopefully not. I hope that this will send quite a strong signal to the govt that Singaporeans over the last two years have developed a different form of understanding of what they expect of their political leaders. It shows that they do not tolerate the use of such fotrms of persecution on people who speak up or people who question issues. What is quite apparent this time is that people across the political spectrums supported. There are people who do not agree with the advocacy that I did but they supported because they wanted to send a statement that they believe that there needs to be transparency, discourse, critical debates, that I hope the govt is taking in. The blogger before me who managed to crowdsource the funding announced yesterday that the prime minister's lawyer is asking for S$1,30,000 in cost. Previously he managed to raise the amount in damages and now there is this cost that the prime minister wants. I hope this is not a sign that the pm or the govt doesn't understand that there needs to be a different approach that people want and if the govt continues to use such an approach it would be very detached from the sensibilities of the citizens. There is also an independent media- the online citizen, the editor of which is also facing a civil defamation suit from the prime minister. He might also have to raise a crowdfunding like that to deal with the damages as well. We will see if we are able to repeat this process. Many people who have supported me say that they have done it for the previous blogger as well. They say they are taking a stand because of advocacy I did. There was someone from the opposition, very well-respected person who said he has donated because he wanted to appear forward to how other people have supported. It is very sensitive for opposition politicians to be appearing in such campaigns. Therefore, I will also take the same step and pay it forward for someone else. Gradually we might see people who are motivated become more confident in being a part of a process like that. Since there are about four thousand people who supported both me and the other blogger, hopefully this will create momentum and send the govt a signal to stop using defamation suits. Though they might progress to other forms of persecution that they would have more control over. WION: You were fined by the court and you paid through crowdfunding, how do you justify that? Roy: when we started a crowdfunding, I was hesitant, uncomfortable, I think that was the same discomfort I had in 2015 when the damages were announced that I had to pay the prime minister because I didn't think that people should be contributing to the damages to pay to a personal suit of the prime minister because why should we lavish this money on the prime minister? But as we progressed, I realised people felt contributing to this campaign was a form of protest, as a form of someone describing a minor resistance. Eventually it was also how I supported the previous blogger, his campaign and I shared the post and talked about how it was a form of protest as well. They send a signal, it's a form of resistance, a form of civil disobedience movement. Many people who donated to the cause, wrote about how they felt there was injustice, to prove that there was equality and fairness, in restoring hope. I think that's the kind of sentiment people have when they contributed. When the whole episode was over today, I felt I was vindicated. Even though I was found to have defamed the prime minister in the court but in the public opinion, the fact that we were able to raise this amount made it look like the public was vindicating me and this could be the sentiment the govt might be very displeased with and they will try to find ways to push back that form of empowerment. So that negotiation of power that's happening right now is interesting to see how it will develop from here.

Singapore activist who crowdfunded PM defamation penalty says people contributed to show resistance

The central bank adjusts its policy via three levers: the slope, mid-point and width of the policy band, known as the Nominal Effective Exchange Rate, or S$NEER.

Singapore’s central bank leaves policy unchanged

Hoping to capitalise on a surge in demand for home deliveries, a&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;technology company has deployed a pair of robots to bring residents their groceries in one part of the city state.

Developed by OTSAW Digital and both named "Camello", the robots' services have been offered to 700 households in a one-year trial.

Users can book delivery slots for their milk and eggs, and an app notifies them when the robot is about to reach a pick-up point,&nbsp;usually the lobby of an apartment building.

The robots, which are equipped with 3D sensors, a camera and two compartments each able to carry up to 20 kg (44 lb) of food or parcels ordered online, make four or five deliveries per day on weekdays and are on call for half day on Saturday.

They use ultraviolet light to disinfect themselves after every trip, said OTSAW Digital's chief executive, Ling Ting Ming.

"Especially during this pandemic period, everybody is looking at contactless, humanless," he said.

For the time being, staff accompany the robots on their rounds to ensure no problems arise.

Tashfique Haider, a 25-year-old student who has tried out the service, said it could be particularly helpful for the elderly so they wouldn't have to carry goods home.

But a passerby worried the technology might be too much trouble for some.

"The younger customers will like it. I don't think they (the older generation) will, because these are gadgets that younger people like," said 36-year-old housewife Xue Ya Xin.

Similarly,&nbsp;Domino's Pizza Inc and Nuro Inc, a Silicon Valley startup, said on Monday they will launch a robotic pizza delivery service in Houston this week as they seek to satisfy increasing online orders during the pandemic.

With small, low-speed vehicles to carry packages instead of people, Nuro has been pulling ahead of other autonomous vehicle startups in gaining regulatory approvals. It won US&nbsp;clearance last year to start unmanned delivery services.

Nuro recently secured a $500 million including an equity investment from Woven Capital, the mobility investment arm of a Toyota Motor Corp subsidiary, which made its total valuation more than $5 billion, a person familiar with the matter said.

The delivery service will begin at a Domino's outlet in Houston before expanding to serve customers in many other locations as part of a long-term partnership, said Cosimo Leipold, Nuro’s head of partner relations.

"It’s generally difficult for large companies to hire enough drivers to fill their delivery demand," Leipold said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

Leipold said Nuro, which has already partnered with retailers Kroger Co, Walmart Inc and CVS Health Corp to deliver groceries and prescriptions, said its weekly deliveries had nearly tripled in the first three months of the pandemic.

Houston, the fourth-largest US&nbsp;city, has one of the country's highest road fatality rates. "Houston’s roadways create challenging scenarios for our technology to work with," Leipold added.

Nuro and&nbsp;Domino’s&nbsp;had said in 2019 they expected to launch robot pizza delivery late that year. "Nuro and&nbsp;Domino’s&nbsp;have taken a measured approach to prioritize a smooth and safe deployment," Leipold said.

Nuro, founded by two former Google engineers in 2016, previously raised $940 million from the SoftBank Vision Fund.

(With input from agencies)

Hoping to capitalise on a surge in demand for home deliveries, a Singapore technology company has deployed a pair of robots to bring residents their groceries in one part of the city state.

Hoping to capitalise on a surge in demand for home deliveries, a Singapore technology company has deployed a pair of robots to bring residents their groceries in one part of the city state. Developed by OTSAW Digital and both named "Camello", the robots' services have been offered to 700 households in a one-year trial. Users can book delivery slots for their milk and eggs, and an app notifies them when the robot is about to reach a pick-up point, usually the lobby of an apartment building. The robots, which are equipped with 3D sensors, a camera and two compartments each able to carry up to 20 kg (44 lb) of food or parcels ordered online, make four or five deliveries per day on weekdays and are on call for half day on Saturday. They use ultraviolet light to disinfect themselves after every trip, said OTSAW Digital's chief executive, Ling Ting Ming. "Especially during this pandemic period, everybody is looking at contactless, humanless," he said. For the time being, staff accompany the robots on their rounds to ensure no problems arise. Tashfique Haider, a 25-year-old student who has tried out the service, said it could be particularly helpful for the elderly so they wouldn't have to carry goods home. But a passerby worried the technology might be too much trouble for some. "The younger customers will like it. I don't think they (the older generation) will, because these are gadgets that younger people like," said 36-year-old housewife Xue Ya Xin. Similarly, Domino's Pizza Inc and Nuro Inc, a Silicon Valley startup, said on Monday they will launch a robotic pizza delivery service in Houston this week as they seek to satisfy increasing online orders during the pandemic. With small, low-speed vehicles to carry packages instead of people, Nuro has been pulling ahead of other autonomous vehicle startups in gaining regulatory approvals. It won US clearance last year to start unmanned delivery services. Nuro recently secured a $500 million including an equity investment from Woven Capital, the mobility investment arm of a Toyota Motor Corp subsidiary, which made its total valuation more than $5 billion, a person familiar with the matter said. The delivery service will begin at a Domino's outlet in Houston before expanding to serve customers in many other locations as part of a long-term partnership, said Cosimo Leipold, Nuro’s head of partner relations. "It’s generally difficult for large companies to hire enough drivers to fill their delivery demand," Leipold said in an emailed statement to Reuters. Leipold said Nuro, which has already partnered with retailers Kroger Co, Walmart Inc and CVS Health Corp to deliver groceries and prescriptions, said its weekly deliveries had nearly tripled in the first three months of the pandemic. Houston, the fourth-largest US city, has one of the country's highest road fatality rates. "Houston’s roadways create challenging scenarios for our technology to work with," Leipold added. Nuro and Domino’s had said in 2019 they expected to launch robot pizza delivery late that year. "Nuro and Domino’s have taken a measured approach to prioritize a smooth and safe deployment," Leipold said. Nuro, founded by two former Google engineers in 2016, previously raised $940 million from the SoftBank Vision Fund. (With input from agencies)

New normal? Robots being used for home deliveries due to surge in COVID cases

"Camello", the autonomous delivery robots created by local technology company OTSAW are giving a helping hand to around 700 households in a residential area for a trial, one-year period. They will bring shoppers items they've bought online from a nearby supermarket as well as online shopping parcels, at no extra cost.

Too tired to carry groceries? Singapore robots will bring them to you

Singapore blogger Leong Sze Hian’s lawyer said he raised money from fellow citizens to cover damages awarded to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a defamation trial.

On March 24, Singapore’s high court ordered Leong to pay S$133,000 (US$98,800) to Lee for posting a link to a Malaysian news website that alleged the city-state’s leader had helped launder Malaysia Development Berhad funds.

Lim Tean, Leong’s attorney posted on Facebook on Monday that since then, around 2,000 people donated to a crowdfunding campaign on social media to raise the amount. Lim said, “A new Singaporean has emerged.”

“Every citizen can now have the confidence that their fellow men will be their shield and bulwark against those who attempt to suppress their speech,” added Tean.

The Office of the prime minister declined to comment.

The Singaporean leader was personally cross-examined in court during the trial in October, and his lawyers said, the accusations are false and baseless. In the trial, Lee said it was his right to defend himself and he called it a ‘grave attack’ on his integrity and reputation.

In his defence, Leong denied he was being malicious. Although he removed Facebook post, the court documents show he didn’t comply with the demand sent by Lee’s lawyers to make a public apology.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Singapore blogger Leong Sze Hian’s lawyer said he raised money from fellow citizens to cover damages awarded to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a defamation trial.

Singapore blogger Leong Sze Hian’s lawyer said he raised money from fellow citizens to cover damages awarded to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a defamation trial. On March 24, Singapore’s high court ordered Leong to pay S$133,000 (US$98,800) to Lee for posting a link to a Malaysian news website that alleged the city-state’s leader had helped launder Malaysia Development Berhad funds. Lim Tean, Leong’s attorney posted on Facebook on Monday that since then, around 2,000 people donated to a crowdfunding campaign on social media to raise the amount. Lim said, “A new Singaporean has emerged.” “Every citizen can now have the confidence that their fellow men will be their shield and bulwark against those who attempt to suppress their speech,” added Tean. The Office of the prime minister declined to comment. The Singaporean leader was personally cross-examined in court during the trial in October, and his lawyers said, the accusations are false and baseless. In the trial, Lee said it was his right to defend himself and he called it a ‘grave attack’ on his integrity and reputation. In his defence, Leong denied he was being malicious. Although he removed Facebook post, the court documents show he didn’t comply with the demand sent by Lee’s lawyers to make a public apology. (With inputs from agencies)

Singapore blogger crowdfunds S$133,000 for PM Loong’s defamation award

Singapore and Australia are discussing the possibility of an air travel bubble that would allow residents to travel between the two countries without the need for quarantine, the city-state`s foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Singapore is discussing with Australia the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and resumption of travel with priority for students and business travellers, the ministry said in a statement.

The Australian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Singapore, an Asian transportation hub, is keen to revive its travel and tourism industry. After bringing its COVID-19 infections under control, it has been unilaterally easing quarantine requirements for travellers from Australia and a handful of other countries, such as New Zealand and China.

A planned Singapore-Hong Kong air-travel bubble, which had been set to begin last November, has stalled after Hong Kong saw a resurgence of COVID-19 infections.

Singapore and Australia are discussing the possibility of an air travel bubble that would allow residents to travel between the two countries without the need for quarantine, the city-state`s foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Singapore and Australia are discussing the possibility of an air travel bubble that would allow residents to travel between the two countries without the need for quarantine, the city-state`s foreign ministry said on Sunday. Singapore is discussing with Australia the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and resumption of travel with priority for students and business travellers, the ministry said in a statement. The Australian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Singapore, an Asian transportation hub, is keen to revive its travel and tourism industry. After bringing its COVID-19 infections under control, it has been unilaterally easing quarantine requirements for travellers from Australia and a handful of other countries, such as New Zealand and China. A planned Singapore-Hong Kong air-travel bubble, which had been set to begin last November, has stalled after Hong Kong saw a resurgence of COVID-19 infections.

Singapore says discussing possible air travel bubble with Australia

The fight against climate change is a mammoth global effort. But some countries are ahead of others. Singapore is building floating solar farms to cut down its greenhouse gas emissions.

Singapore builds mammoth floating solar farms

Thousands of panels glinting in the sun stretch into the sea off Singapore, part of the land-scarce city-state's push to build floating solar farms to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

It may be one of the world's smallest countries, but the prosperous financial hub is among the biggest per capita carbon dioxide emitters in Asia.

And while authorities have been pushing to change that, renewable energy is a challenge&nbsp;in a country with no rivers for hydro-electricity and where the wind is not strong enough to power turbines.

So the tropical country turned to solar power -- however, with little land space in a place half the size of Los Angeles, it has resorted to setting up energy plants off its coasts and on reservoirs.&nbsp;

"After exhausting the rooftops and the available land, which is very scarce, the next big potential is actually our water area," said Jen Tan, senior vice president and head of solar in Southeast Asia at conglomerate Sembcorp Industries, which is building a project.

An island-state threatened by rising sea levels because of climate change, Singapore is aware of the urgency of cutting emissions, although critics say authorities' environmental commitments have thus far fallen short.

The government last month unveiled a wide-ranging "green plan" that included steps such as planting more trees, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and building more charging points to encourage the use of electric cars.

Among the measures is increasing solar energy use four-fold to around two percent of the nation's power needs by 2025, and to three percent by 2030 -- enough for 350,000 households per year.

As well as on water, solar power plants have already been built on rooftops and on the ground.

- 'New frontier' -

One newly built solar farm spreads out from the coast into the Johor Strait, which separates Singapore from Malaysia.&nbsp;

The 13,000 panels are anchored to the seabed and can produce five megawatts of electricity, enough to power 1,400 flats for an entire year.

"The sea is a new frontier for solar to be installed," said Shawn Tan, vice president for engineering at Singaporean firm Sunseap Group, which completed the project in January.

"We hope that this will set a precedent to have more floating projects in the sea in Singapore and neighbouring countries."

Under development at Tengeh Reservoir is a far bigger project -- once completed later this year, the 122,000-panel solar farm will be one of the biggest in Southeast Asia covering an area the size of 45 football pitches.

The project, developed by Sembcorp and the national water agency Public Utilities Board, will generate enough power to meet the energy needs of Singapore's water treatment plants, said the agency's senior planner Sharon Zheng.

This will lead to a reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to removing 7,000 cars from the roads.&nbsp;

The solar panels are imported from China, the world's largest manufacturer of the technology, and anchored to the floor of the reservoir with blocks of concrete.

- 'Insufficient' targets -

But the maritime hub could even face some space constraints when it comes to floating solar, said Subhod Mhaisalkar, executive director of the Energy Research Institute at the city-state's Nanyang Technological University.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Do you use the ocean waters for deploying solar, or do you use it for shipping?"&nbsp;he told AFP.

And despite the push for green power, the city-state will struggle to wean itself off a reliance on climate-damaging natural gas, and to cut emissions without impacting its refining and petrochemical sectors.&nbsp;

In addition, projects such as floating solar farms are not enough unless backed up with a greater official commitment to cut emissions, said Red&nbsp;Constantino, executive director of the Philippines-based Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities.&nbsp;

Singapore has pledged to halve its 2030 peak greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and achieve net zero emissions "as soon as viable" in the second half of the century.

But this is behind other developed economies, and the Climate Action Tracker, which tracks governments' commitments, has classified its targets as "highly insufficient".

Singapore is not doing its "fair share", Constantino told AFP, adding the solar farms risked becoming "mere bling" unless the government moved faster.&nbsp;

"They need to set a higher absolute target. Such a target sends a signal to the very business community by which Singapore's economy thrives."

Thousands of panels glinting in the sun stretch into the sea off Singapore, part of the land-scarce city-state's push to build floating solar farms to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Thousands of panels glinting in the sun stretch into the sea off Singapore, part of the land-scarce city-state's push to build floating solar farms to cut greenhouse gas emissions. It may be one of the world's smallest countries, but the prosperous financial hub is among the biggest per capita carbon dioxide emitters in Asia. And while authorities have been pushing to change that, renewable energy is a challenge in a country with no rivers for hydro-electricity and where the wind is not strong enough to power turbines. So the tropical country turned to solar power -- however, with little land space in a place half the size of Los Angeles, it has resorted to setting up energy plants off its coasts and on reservoirs. "After exhausting the rooftops and the available land, which is very scarce, the next big potential is actually our water area," said Jen Tan, senior vice president and head of solar in Southeast Asia at conglomerate Sembcorp Industries, which is building a project. An island-state threatened by rising sea levels because of climate change, Singapore is aware of the urgency of cutting emissions, although critics say authorities' environmental commitments have thus far fallen short. The government last month unveiled a wide-ranging "green plan" that included steps such as planting more trees, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and building more charging points to encourage the use of electric cars. Among the measures is increasing solar energy use four-fold to around two percent of the nation's power needs by 2025, and to three percent by 2030 -- enough for 350,000 households per year. As well as on water, solar power plants have already been built on rooftops and on the ground. - 'New frontier' - One newly built solar farm spreads out from the coast into the Johor Strait, which separates Singapore from Malaysia. The 13,000 panels are anchored to the seabed and can produce five megawatts of electricity, enough to power 1,400 flats for an entire year. "The sea is a new frontier for solar to be installed," said Shawn Tan, vice president for engineering at Singaporean firm Sunseap Group, which completed the project in January. "We hope that this will set a precedent to have more floating projects in the sea in Singapore and neighbouring countries." Under development at Tengeh Reservoir is a far bigger project -- once completed later this year, the 122,000-panel solar farm will be one of the biggest in Southeast Asia covering an area the size of 45 football pitches. The project, developed by Sembcorp and the national water agency Public Utilities Board, will generate enough power to meet the energy needs of Singapore's water treatment plants, said the agency's senior planner Sharon Zheng. This will lead to a reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to removing 7,000 cars from the roads. The solar panels are imported from China, the world's largest manufacturer of the technology, and anchored to the floor of the reservoir with blocks of concrete. - 'Insufficient' targets - But the maritime hub could even face some space constraints when it comes to floating solar, said Subhod Mhaisalkar, executive director of the Energy Research Institute at the city-state's Nanyang Technological University. "Do you use the ocean waters for deploying solar, or do you use it for shipping?" he told AFP. And despite the push for green power, the city-state will struggle to wean itself off a reliance on climate-damaging natural gas, and to cut emissions without impacting its refining and petrochemical sectors. In addition, projects such as floating solar farms are not enough unless backed up with a greater official commitment to cut emissions, said Red Constantino, executive director of the Philippines-based Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities. Singapore has pledged to halve its 2030 peak greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and achieve net zero emissions "as soon as viable" in the second half of the century. But this is behind other developed economies, and the Climate Action Tracker, which tracks governments' commitments, has classified its targets as "highly insufficient". Singapore is not doing its "fair share", Constantino told AFP, adding the solar farms risked becoming "mere bling" unless the government moved faster. "They need to set a higher absolute target. Such a target sends a signal to the very business community by which Singapore's economy thrives."

Singapore builds floating solar farms in climate fight

According to Customs officials, they intercepted a Singapore-bound cargo at the Air export shed, based on intelligence. The cargo which was declared to contain 600 cotton bed sheets was packed in 12 cartons were examined, as it was found unusually heavy. &nbsp;

On opening the cartons, wooden cut logs with red color, off white marks were found concealed beneath the bedsheets. Forest officials certified the wooden logs as Red Sanders ‘Pterocarpus Santinalus’. Total 25 cut logs weighing 495 kg of Red Sanders valued at Rs. 25 lakhs were recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 read with Foreign Trade (D&amp;R) Act.

Red Sanders is classified by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “endangered” and falls under Red list. The Exporter M/s Omsrisai Enterprises has been detained to ascertain his role in smuggling and further investigation is in progress, said officials.&nbsp;

Red sanders, which are found in southern Indian states are of high demand in the international market and are used for medicinal and decorative purposes.

According to Customs officials, they intercepted a Singapore-bound cargo at the Air export shed, based on intelligence. The cargo which was declared to contain 600 cotton bed sheets was packed in 12 cartons were examined, as it was found unusually heavy.

According to Customs officials, they intercepted a Singapore-bound cargo at the Air export shed, based on intelligence. The cargo which was declared to contain 600 cotton bed sheets was packed in 12 cartons were examined, as it was found unusually heavy. On opening the cartons, wooden cut logs with red color, off white marks were found concealed beneath the bedsheets. Forest officials certified the wooden logs as Red Sanders ‘Pterocarpus Santinalus’. Total 25 cut logs weighing 495 kg of Red Sanders valued at Rs. 25 lakhs were recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 read with Foreign Trade (D&R) Act. Red Sanders is classified by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “endangered” and falls under Red list. The Exporter M/s Omsrisai Enterprises has been detained to ascertain his role in smuggling and further investigation is in progress, said officials. Red sanders, which are found in southern Indian states are of high demand in the international market and are used for medicinal and decorative purposes.

495kg of Red Sanders bound for Singapore seized in Chennai

A lion cub was welcomed to the Singapore Zoo recently and&nbsp;was born through artificial insemination, which is reportedly the first ever for the city-state.

The cub is named Simba based on the Disney film “The Lion King”. Conceived with semen from an elderly African lion, this is the first such insemination to successfully yield results in Singapore.

Lions are barely conceived through artificial insemination. The first such instance was recorded in 2018, when two cubs were born in South Africa.

Over the last two decades, populations of lions in the wild have gone down by over 40 per cent.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-defrost-25000-year-old-woolly-rhino-in-worlds-coldest-region-359575" hreflang="en">Scientists defrost 25,000-year-old woolly rhino in world's coldest region</a>

According to an estimate by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are 23,000 to 39,000 mature lions left.

The Union also categorises lions as a ‘’vulnerable species’’.

Just like the cub, the father also borrows his name from “The Lion King”.&nbsp;Mufasa the father could not survive the procedure, and had remained in poor health recently, AFP cited the zoo as saying.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-of-smuggled-chameleons-discovered-in-suitcase-at-vienna-airport-359559" hreflang="en">Dozens of smuggled chameleons discovered in suitcase at Vienna airport</a>

Simba was born at the zoo in October, and is now being taken care of by his mother Kayla, along with zookeepers.

As of now, the cub is “healthy and inquisitive”. Recently, a clip of Simba being fed from a bottle, and playing with a ball went viral on social media.

A lion cub was welcomed to the Singapore Zoo recently and was born through artificial insemination, which is reportedly the first ever for the city-state. The cub is named Simba based on the Disney film “The Lion King”.

A lion cub was welcomed to the Singapore Zoo recently and was born through artificial insemination, which is reportedly the first ever for the city-state. The cub is named Simba based on the Disney film “The Lion King”. Conceived with semen from an elderly African lion, this is the first such insemination to successfully yield results in Singapore. Lions are barely conceived through artificial insemination. The first such instance was recorded in 2018, when two cubs were born in South Africa. Over the last two decades, populations of lions in the wild have gone down by over 40 per cent. Also read: Scientists defrost 25,000-year-old woolly rhino in world's coldest region According to an estimate by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are 23,000 to 39,000 mature lions left. The Union also categorises lions as a ‘’vulnerable species’’. Just like the cub, the father also borrows his name from “The Lion King”. Mufasa the father could not survive the procedure, and had remained in poor health recently, AFP cited the zoo as saying. Also read: Dozens of smuggled chameleons discovered in suitcase at Vienna airport Simba was born at the zoo in October, and is now being taken care of by his mother Kayla, along with zookeepers. As of now, the cub is “healthy and inquisitive”. Recently, a clip of Simba being fed from a bottle, and playing with a ball went viral on social media.

Meet Simba, Singapore's first lion cub to be conceived artificially

It may take four to five years for the COVID-19 pandemic to end and the world to look to a post-Covid normal, a senior Singaporean minister has warned.

Speaking at the Singapore Perspectives 2021 conference hosted by Singapore's Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) on Monday, Singapore's Education Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force, said there are still many uncertainties to contend with in the next few years, while sharing his hopes about how the future can be "reset" once the pandemic is over, the Channel News Asia reported.

"At some point of time the pandemic will pass, but it may take four to five years before we finally see the end of the pandemic and the start of a post-Covid normal. What will this new post-Covid world look like? No one can tell," Mr Wong said.

He said there was still a great uncertainty about how the coronavirus will shape society in the coming years.

He said adhering to safe management measures like mask-wearing and avoiding crowds will continue for this year and "maybe a good part of next year".

"Beyond that, the availability of COVID-19 vaccinations will progressively restart global travel, but getting the world vaccinated won't be quick or easy," he said during the conference.

The Government has planned for everyone in Singapore to be vaccinated by the third quarter of this year, but Mr Wong conceded that there could still be "bumps along the way".

He noted that the current vaccines may not be so effective against new mutant strains of the virus, and will have to be modified to counter them.

"In the positive scenario, this means the vaccine becomes a bit like an annual flu jab ... or perhaps we develop a vaccine that works for all strains. But in the worst case, we end up always a step behind an evolving virus, and you will not be able to catch up in time," he said.

"So there are still tremendous uncertainties ahead of us. And the bottom line is that we live in a shared world and no one is safe until everyone is safe," the report quoted the minister as saying.

Looking ahead to the post-pandemic future, Mr Wong said the current crisis can set the stage for a "software update" or a "reboot" of Singapore after the damage inflicted by the virus.

"We must reset our social compact to emerge as a fairer and more equal society. The pandemic may be indiscriminate about who it infects but its impact is anything but equal. It has, in fact, widened the gulf between the haves and the have-nots," he said.

Mr Wong said that Singapore started to prioritise reducing inequality a decade ago, and that last year, many emergency measures were introduced to help lower-income groups.

But this year, the temporary measures will have to "taper down" as the economy improves.

However, the minister foresees that Singaporeans will need more assurance and support in a more uncertain and volatile world.

"The impact of the pandemic has created an added impetus to strengthen our social support system. There will be a permanent shift towards further strengthening of our social safety nets in Singapore to protect the disadvantaged and vulnerable," he said, adding that it will have to be done in a "sustainable manner over the long term".

It may take four to five years for the COVID-19 pandemic to end and the world to look to a post-Covid normal, a senior Singaporean minister has warned. Speaking at the Singapore Perspectives 2021 conference hosted by Singapore's Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) on Monday, Singapore's Education Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force, said there are still many uncertainties to contend with in the next few years, while sharing his hopes about how the future can be "reset" once the pandemic is over, the Channel News Asia reported.

It may take four to five years for the COVID-19 pandemic to end and the world to look to a post-Covid normal, a senior Singaporean minister has warned. Speaking at the Singapore Perspectives 2021 conference hosted by Singapore's Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) on Monday, Singapore's Education Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force, said there are still many uncertainties to contend with in the next few years, while sharing his hopes about how the future can be "reset" once the pandemic is over, the Channel News Asia reported. "At some point of time the pandemic will pass, but it may take four to five years before we finally see the end of the pandemic and the start of a post-Covid normal. What will this new post-Covid world look like? No one can tell," Mr Wong said. He said there was still a great uncertainty about how the coronavirus will shape society in the coming years. He said adhering to safe management measures like mask-wearing and avoiding crowds will continue for this year and "maybe a good part of next year". "Beyond that, the availability of COVID-19 vaccinations will progressively restart global travel, but getting the world vaccinated won't be quick or easy," he said during the conference. The Government has planned for everyone in Singapore to be vaccinated by the third quarter of this year, but Mr Wong conceded that there could still be "bumps along the way". He noted that the current vaccines may not be so effective against new mutant strains of the virus, and will have to be modified to counter them. "In the positive scenario, this means the vaccine becomes a bit like an annual flu jab ... or perhaps we develop a vaccine that works for all strains. But in the worst case, we end up always a step behind an evolving virus, and you will not be able to catch up in time," he said. "So there are still tremendous uncertainties ahead of us. And the bottom line is that we live in a shared world and no one is safe until everyone is safe," the report quoted the minister as saying. Looking ahead to the post-pandemic future, Mr Wong said the current crisis can set the stage for a "software update" or a "reboot" of Singapore after the damage inflicted by the virus. "We must reset our social compact to emerge as a fairer and more equal society. The pandemic may be indiscriminate about who it infects but its impact is anything but equal. It has, in fact, widened the gulf between the haves and the have-nots," he said. Mr Wong said that Singapore started to prioritise reducing inequality a decade ago, and that last year, many emergency measures were introduced to help lower-income groups. But this year, the temporary measures will have to "taper down" as the economy improves. However, the minister foresees that Singaporeans will need more assurance and support in a more uncertain and volatile world. "The impact of the pandemic has created an added impetus to strengthen our social support system. There will be a permanent shift towards further strengthening of our social safety nets in Singapore to protect the disadvantaged and vulnerable," he said, adding that it will have to be done in a "sustainable manner over the long term".

Covid pandemic could last 4 to 5 years: Singapore minister

Every day, Tan Eng Chye, president of the National University of Singapore, scans his online dashboard to see how crowded the cafeterias are.

If the real-time map shows that one cafeteria is too packed, he has administrators send out an advisory to avoid it and to remind students that there are campus-run food delivery services, free of charge.

Following the government’s lead, universities in Singapore, a semi-authoritarian city-state of almost 6 million people, have taken a top-down approach to managing the coronavirus. The result: Since the start of the pandemic last year, not one person has been found to have contracted the virus at any of Singapore’s three major universities.

While Singapore’s universities have benefited from a generally low caseload in its broader population, their experience and stringent measures stand in stark contrast to many campuses across the United States. A number of U.S. universities experienced an explosion in cases almost as soon as students returned last fall.

The National University of Singapore, or NUS, describes its strategy as containment, decongestion and contact tracing. The university has harnessed technology to enforce social distancing measures, assigned students to different zones on campus and imposed tough penalties for flouting the rules. Like some U.S. colleges, it is testing people extensively and even sifting through sewage for traces of the virus.

The goal, Tan said, “is to make sure there are no infections” among the students, faculty and staff members at NUS.

“We are very mindful that we are a big population of 50,000 just on campus, and whatever we do also has a bearing on the larger community outside the campus,” he said in an interview.

The relative safety of the three Singapore universities — NUS, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University — comes with certain trade-offs.

Kathlyn Laiu, a 19-year-old freshman who lives on the NUS campus, said the only party she attended last year was on Zoom, for Halloween. She spent her first semester eating most meals in her dorm room, counting the number of people in the dormitory lounge before entering, and reporting her temperature twice a day through a university app.

The zoning restrictions made it complicated for students to access banking services, eat in their favorite cafeterias or organize meetings, though they could meet friends and classmates off campus. A petition last October to lift the restrictions was signed by more than 800 students.

“I think it’s quite hard to live with, honestly,” Laiu said. “It’s a very different idea of college.”

One major reason for Singapore universities’ success in keeping the virus at bay, experts say, is the aggressive pandemic response in society at large. The government offers free testing and medical care to all citizens and long-term residents, and it quickly isolates infected people and traces their contacts. It punishes those found to have violated restrictions, including by deporting foreign nationals and revoking work passes.

“We have not had any outbreak in the universities because the government has taken very good care of the policies,” said Rajesh Krishna Balan, an associate professor of information systems at Singapore Management University.

Singapore has had almost 59,000 coronavirus cases and 29 deaths, according to a New York Times database. Of those cases, 93% were among migrant workers from South Asia and elsewhere, whose dormitories were the site of severe outbreaks that caught the government off guard.

Since those outbreaks were extinguished last fall, Singapore has averaged fewer than one locally transmitted case each day. On Dec. 28, the country began its final phase of reopening, though migrant workers continue to live under harsher restrictions than the rest of the population.

As reopening proceeds, Singapore Management University is planning more face-to-face classes, while NUS has lifted its zoning restrictions. But the universities are also maintaining caution. Nanyang Technological University said it would offer free testing to all students returning to the dormitories this semester.

Professors in Singapore say one major thread connects all three universities: a cooperative student population.

David Tan, vice dean of academic affairs at the NUS faculty of law, noted that students at Harvard Law School had vocally opposed plans to hold classes online last fall. In contrast, he said, his students did not utter a word of protest.

“In Singapore, we just roll with it,” he said. “I think we are blessed with rather compliant students.”

Another advantage is that unlike in the United States, most students in Singapore do not live on campus. Those who do must comply with more restrictions, such as limits on the number of visitors to their dormitories. Singapore also does not have fraternities and sororities, which on U.S. campuses have hosted large parties that led to major outbreaks.

“You just wouldn’t see 500 people at a party with loud music and drunk in Singapore,” said Dale Fisher, a professor in the NUS Department of Medicine. “It probably wouldn’t even happen in normal times.”

Olyvia Lim, a senior at Nanyang Technological University, said she and her classmates were baffled by reports about U.S. college students partying amid a pandemic.

“We all said, ‘Why would they risk themselves to do such a thing?’” Lim said. “It’s a bit hard to believe because we are of similar ages, but I think it’s culture. They are all about freedom, but when the government here says, ‘Wear a mask,’ we all do.”

Students say they comply with the rules because of the threat of punishment. Some of their classmates have been evicted for hosting visitors.

“The consequences are severe, so people are scared,” said Fok Theng Fong, a 24-year-old law student.

Things do slip through the cracks. At NUS’ U-Town campus, a popular section of the university with several restaurants and cafes, students said it was clear that many had come from other zones without permission. Several admitted that they did not faithfully report their temperatures.

To control campus crowds, the universities have relied heavily on technology. It began last spring with the Singapore Spacer project, which used public Wi-Fi networks to collect anonymized location data from people’s mobile phones.

The project, developed by Michael Chee of NUS and Balan of SMU, went live in April as a way to monitor crowds “as passively as possible and with minimum inconvenience,” Chee said.

NUS now encourages students and staff members to check an app with a platform called CrowdInsights, which was developed by administrators at the university. But more important than technology, Chee said, is the attitude among students that the collective good matters.

“We don’t have this militant ‘We must have freedom’ approach that the West has,” he said. “The technology supports the mission, but it’s useless if people don’t have that ethos and culture to apply it.”

At NUS, many students said they put up with the restrictions because they recognized the need to safeguard public health.

Valencia Maggie Candra, a 20-year-old freshman who returned to Singapore in September from her native Indonesia, said she “definitely felt a difference” in people’s attitudes.

Candra said she was studying alone in her dormitory lounge in November when a security guard came in and told her to wear her mask. She readily complied.

“Everyone is just relatively more socially responsible,” she said. “Even though the rules are not 100% followed, everyone still respects it.”

Every day, Tan Eng Chye, president of the National University of Singapore, scans his online dashboard to see how crowded the cafeterias are. If the real-time map shows that one cafeteria is too packed, he has administrators send out an advisory to avoid it and to remind students that there are campus-run food delivery services, free of charge.

Every day, Tan Eng Chye, president of the National University of Singapore, scans his online dashboard to see how crowded the cafeterias are. If the real-time map shows that one cafeteria is too packed, he has administrators send out an advisory to avoid it and to remind students that there are campus-run food delivery services, free of charge. Following the government’s lead, universities in Singapore, a semi-authoritarian city-state of almost 6 million people, have taken a top-down approach to managing the coronavirus. The result: Since the start of the pandemic last year, not one person has been found to have contracted the virus at any of Singapore’s three major universities. While Singapore’s universities have benefited from a generally low caseload in its broader population, their experience and stringent measures stand in stark contrast to many campuses across the United States. A number of U.S. universities experienced an explosion in cases almost as soon as students returned last fall. The National University of Singapore, or NUS, describes its strategy as containment, decongestion and contact tracing. The university has harnessed technology to enforce social distancing measures, assigned students to different zones on campus and imposed tough penalties for flouting the rules. Like some U.S. colleges, it is testing people extensively and even sifting through sewage for traces of the virus. The goal, Tan said, “is to make sure there are no infections” among the students, faculty and staff members at NUS. “We are very mindful that we are a big population of 50,000 just on campus, and whatever we do also has a bearing on the larger community outside the campus,” he said in an interview. The relative safety of the three Singapore universities — NUS, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University — comes with certain trade-offs. Kathlyn Laiu, a 19-year-old freshman who lives on the NUS campus, said the only party she attended last year was on Zoom, for Halloween. She spent her first semester eating most meals in her dorm room, counting the number of people in the dormitory lounge before entering, and reporting her temperature twice a day through a university app. The zoning restrictions made it complicated for students to access banking services, eat in their favorite cafeterias or organize meetings, though they could meet friends and classmates off campus. A petition last October to lift the restrictions was signed by more than 800 students. “I think it’s quite hard to live with, honestly,” Laiu said. “It’s a very different idea of college.” One major reason for Singapore universities’ success in keeping the virus at bay, experts say, is the aggressive pandemic response in society at large. The government offers free testing and medical care to all citizens and long-term residents, and it quickly isolates infected people and traces their contacts. It punishes those found to have violated restrictions, including by deporting foreign nationals and revoking work passes. “We have not had any outbreak in the universities because the government has taken very good care of the policies,” said Rajesh Krishna Balan, an associate professor of information systems at Singapore Management University. Singapore has had almost 59,000 coronavirus cases and 29 deaths, according to a New York Times database. Of those cases, 93% were among migrant workers from South Asia and elsewhere, whose dormitories were the site of severe outbreaks that caught the government off guard. Since those outbreaks were extinguished last fall, Singapore has averaged fewer than one locally transmitted case each day. On Dec. 28, the country began its final phase of reopening, though migrant workers continue to live under harsher restrictions than the rest of the population. As reopening proceeds, Singapore Management University is planning more face-to-face classes, while NUS has lifted its zoning restrictions. But the universities are also maintaining caution. Nanyang Technological University said it would offer free testing to all students returning to the dormitories this semester. Professors in Singapore say one major thread connects all three universities: a cooperative student population. David Tan, vice dean of academic affairs at the NUS faculty of law, noted that students at Harvard Law School had vocally opposed plans to hold classes online last fall. In contrast, he said, his students did not utter a word of protest. “In Singapore, we just roll with it,” he said. “I think we are blessed with rather compliant students.” Another advantage is that unlike in the United States, most students in Singapore do not live on campus. Those who do must comply with more restrictions, such as limits on the number of visitors to their dormitories. Singapore also does not have fraternities and sororities, which on U.S. campuses have hosted large parties that led to major outbreaks. “You just wouldn’t see 500 people at a party with loud music and drunk in Singapore,” said Dale Fisher, a professor in the NUS Department of Medicine. “It probably wouldn’t even happen in normal times.” Olyvia Lim, a senior at Nanyang Technological University, said she and her classmates were baffled by reports about U.S. college students partying amid a pandemic. “We all said, ‘Why would they risk themselves to do such a thing?’” Lim said. “It’s a bit hard to believe because we are of similar ages, but I think it’s culture. They are all about freedom, but when the government here says, ‘Wear a mask,’ we all do.” Students say they comply with the rules because of the threat of punishment. Some of their classmates have been evicted for hosting visitors. “The consequences are severe, so people are scared,” said Fok Theng Fong, a 24-year-old law student. Things do slip through the cracks. At NUS’ U-Town campus, a popular section of the university with several restaurants and cafes, students said it was clear that many had come from other zones without permission. Several admitted that they did not faithfully report their temperatures. To control campus crowds, the universities have relied heavily on technology. It began last spring with the Singapore Spacer project, which used public Wi-Fi networks to collect anonymized location data from people’s mobile phones. The project, developed by Michael Chee of NUS and Balan of SMU, went live in April as a way to monitor crowds “as passively as possible and with minimum inconvenience,” Chee said. NUS now encourages students and staff members to check an app with a platform called CrowdInsights, which was developed by administrators at the university. But more important than technology, Chee said, is the attitude among students that the collective good matters. “We don’t have this militant ‘We must have freedom’ approach that the West has,” he said. “The technology supports the mission, but it’s useless if people don’t have that ethos and culture to apply it.” At NUS, many students said they put up with the restrictions because they recognized the need to safeguard public health. Valencia Maggie Candra, a 20-year-old freshman who returned to Singapore in September from her native Indonesia, said she “definitely felt a difference” in people’s attitudes. Candra said she was studying alone in her dormitory lounge in November when a security guard came in and told her to wear her mask. She readily complied. “Everyone is just relatively more socially responsible,” she said. “Even though the rules are not 100% followed, everyone still respects it.”

How Singapore has kept the coronavirus off campus

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong received his first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, and urged others to take the jabs in a country that has largely brought the pandemic under control.

Unlike other mass vaccination programmes in the United States and Britain, Singapore is administering the jabs having largely eradicated the disease and has reported only a handful of local cases in recent months.

The government has said its studies show nearly 60% of residents are willing to be vaccinated. But the plans have stirred rare hesitancy among some due to the low risk of infection in the island nation and concern about any possible side effects from rapidly developed vaccines.

"It will make us safer, and it will make you and your loved ones safer too, so please take it when you can," Lee, 68, said after receiving the jab at a local hospital.

Singapore has only approved Pfizer-BioNTech`s vaccine but has said it has secured enough doses for its 5.7 million population including from other vaccine-makers like Moderna and Sinovac.

The city-state did some initial vaccinations of frontline workers at the end of December. But Lee said broader vaccinations of healthcare staff would start on Friday, with the elderly to follow next month, and vaccines to be available to all residents by year end at the latest.

"We got vaccinated early to show Singaporeans we are confident that the vaccine is safe and effective," Lee said in a Facebook post, adding that he had been vaccinated alongside the country`s top health official, Kenneth Mak, and "felt fine".

The vaccinations are voluntary but authorities have said they will consider relaxing travel restrictions for people who have been vaccinated against the disease which has killed around 1.9 million people globally.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong received his first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, and urged others to take the jabs in a country that has largely brought the pandemic under control.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong received his first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, and urged others to take the jabs in a country that has largely brought the pandemic under control. Unlike other mass vaccination programmes in the United States and Britain, Singapore is administering the jabs having largely eradicated the disease and has reported only a handful of local cases in recent months. The government has said its studies show nearly 60% of residents are willing to be vaccinated. But the plans have stirred rare hesitancy among some due to the low risk of infection in the island nation and concern about any possible side effects from rapidly developed vaccines. "It will make us safer, and it will make you and your loved ones safer too, so please take it when you can," Lee, 68, said after receiving the jab at a local hospital. Singapore has only approved Pfizer-BioNTech`s vaccine but has said it has secured enough doses for its 5.7 million population including from other vaccine-makers like Moderna and Sinovac. The city-state did some initial vaccinations of frontline workers at the end of December. But Lee said broader vaccinations of healthcare staff would start on Friday, with the elderly to follow next month, and vaccines to be available to all residents by year end at the latest. "We got vaccinated early to show Singaporeans we are confident that the vaccine is safe and effective," Lee said in a Facebook post, adding that he had been vaccinated alongside the country`s top health official, Kenneth Mak, and "felt fine". The vaccinations are voluntary but authorities have said they will consider relaxing travel restrictions for people who have been vaccinated against the disease which has killed around 1.9 million people globally.

Singapore PM receives Covid vaccine, urges his countrymen to get it too

After repeated assurances of selective data access, the Singapore government has admitted that the data collected for&nbsp;contact tracing can be accessed by their local department, causing concern for privacy.

The city started a programme called "TraceTogether" which was to be used to track close contacts for the COVID-19 patients in the city. The platform was launched to ease the process for everyone and allowed people to access it through a mobile phone app or a dongle.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/portuguese-nurse-dies-two-days-after-getting-the-pfizer-covid-vaccine-354526" hreflang="en">Portuguese nurse dies two days after getting the Pfizer Covid vaccine</a>

Initially, the app did not gain much popularity as people were sceptical about their personal information being shared with the government and/or the police department. However, after repeated assurances by the government, the take-up of the app rose to almost 8- per cent. The app was also made compulsory in public places such as malls.

However, now, after months, a senior government official has admitted that the local police can "obtain any data" if a criminal investigation demands data sharing. The data shared will include everything which is gathered through this contact-tracing programme.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-and-malaysia-scrap-high-speed-railway-after-delays-353732">Singapore and Malaysia scrap high speed railway after delays</a>

When the news broke out, the city state's&nbsp;Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishan admitted that the data has been accessed only once till now by the local police during a murder probe.

This admission has sparked concerns from locals and various human rights group who claim this is a breach of privacy in the disguise of security and assistance. It "exposes how the government has been covertly exploiting the pandemic to deepen its surveillance and control over the population,"&nbsp;Phil Robertson, the group's Asia deputy director said.

Balakrishan took this admission as a way of assuring locals that their elected has been transparent with them. "We want to be completely above board and transparent," he said in the Parliament on tuesday.

After repeated assurances of selective data access, the Singapore government has admitted that the data collected for contact tracing can be accessed by their local department, causing concern for privacy.

After repeated assurances of selective data access, the Singapore government has admitted that the data collected for contact tracing can be accessed by their local department, causing concern for privacy. The city started a programme called "TraceTogether" which was to be used to track close contacts for the COVID-19 patients in the city. The platform was launched to ease the process for everyone and allowed people to access it through a mobile phone app or a dongle. Also read| Portuguese nurse dies two days after getting the Pfizer Covid vaccine Initially, the app did not gain much popularity as people were sceptical about their personal information being shared with the government and/or the police department. However, after repeated assurances by the government, the take-up of the app rose to almost 8- per cent. The app was also made compulsory in public places such as malls. However, now, after months, a senior government official has admitted that the local police can "obtain any data" if a criminal investigation demands data sharing. The data shared will include everything which is gathered through this contact-tracing programme. Also read| Singapore and Malaysia scrap high speed railway after delays When the news broke out, the city state's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishan admitted that the data has been accessed only once till now by the local police during a murder probe. This admission has sparked concerns from locals and various human rights group who claim this is a breach of privacy in the disguise of security and assistance. It "exposes how the government has been covertly exploiting the pandemic to deepen its surveillance and control over the population," Phil Robertson, the group's Asia deputy director said. Balakrishan took this admission as a way of assuring locals that their elected has been transparent with them. "We want to be completely above board and transparent," he said in the Parliament on tuesday.

Singapore's contact tracing app data accessible by police: Government

Singapore and Malaysia have scrapped plans for a high-speed rail line after failing to agree on changes.

The 350-kilometre (217-mile) rail network was expected to cut travel time between Singapore and the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to 90 minutes from the four or more hours by car.

The neighbours have had fractious relations since Malaysia evicted Singapore from the Malaysian Federation in 1965, ending a brief and stormy union of the former British colonies.

Singapore and Malaysia signed a deal to build the bullet train line in 2016, but its fate was thrown into doubt after the election of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad two years later.&nbsp;

Mahathir said he wanted to scrap the project as part of an effort to review major infrastructure projects approved by his scandal-tainted predecessor in a bid to cut the country's debt.&nbsp;

Construction was then suspended for two years at Malaysia's request, with plans to commence service in 2031.&nbsp;

The project was terminated after a final deadline on December 31, and after both governments failed to reach an agreement over changes proposed by Malaysia.&nbsp;

Both governments had conducted several discussions with regard to these changes and had not been able to reach an agreement.

Malaysia must compensate Singapore for costs already incurred by the city-state in accordance with the agreement, Singapore's Ministry of Transport said in a press release, without mentioning a figure.

Malaysia may have to pay as much as 500 million ringgit ($125.7 million) in compensation if the project is scrapped, former Prime Minister Mahathir previously said. He had estimated the railway would cost Malaysia around 110 billion ringgit ($27 billion) in 2018.&nbsp;

Singapore and Malaysia have scrapped plans for a high-speed rail line after failing to agree on changes. The 350-kilometre (217-mile) rail network was expected to cut travel time between Singapore and the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to 90 minutes from the four or more hours by car.

Singapore and Malaysia have scrapped plans for a high-speed rail line after failing to agree on changes. The 350-kilometre (217-mile) rail network was expected to cut travel time between Singapore and the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to 90 minutes from the four or more hours by car. The neighbours have had fractious relations since Malaysia evicted Singapore from the Malaysian Federation in 1965, ending a brief and stormy union of the former British colonies. Singapore and Malaysia signed a deal to build the bullet train line in 2016, but its fate was thrown into doubt after the election of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad two years later. Mahathir said he wanted to scrap the project as part of an effort to review major infrastructure projects approved by his scandal-tainted predecessor in a bid to cut the country's debt. Construction was then suspended for two years at Malaysia's request, with plans to commence service in 2031. The project was terminated after a final deadline on December 31, and after both governments failed to reach an agreement over changes proposed by Malaysia. Both governments had conducted several discussions with regard to these changes and had not been able to reach an agreement. Malaysia must compensate Singapore for costs already incurred by the city-state in accordance with the agreement, Singapore's Ministry of Transport said in a press release, without mentioning a figure. Malaysia may have to pay as much as 500 million ringgit ($125.7 million) in compensation if the project is scrapped, former Prime Minister Mahathir previously said. He had estimated the railway would cost Malaysia around 110 billion ringgit ($27 billion) in 2018.

Singapore and Malaysia scrap high speed railway after delays

Professor S Jayakumar is the former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. He has authored a book on governance titled, Governing: A Singapore Perspective. He talks to WION about the challenges of governance in a post-pandemic world. He also discusses the global impact of the U.S-China cold war; and the strong ties between India and Singapore.

Exclusive: Professor S Jayakumar discusses tactics of governance with WION

A restaurant in Singapore became the first to commercially serve lab-grown chicken. While the restaurant owner swears by the taste and quality, concerns remain over affordability and safety standards. WION's Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you the whole story.

Gravitas: Lab-grown meat debuts at Singapore diner

Staying overnight at an airport isn`t unheard of, especially if you miss a flight. But choosing to spend your holidays there in a tent is something entirely different. 
 
With the coronavirus pandemic severely limiting trips abroad, some in Singapore this holiday season are going "glamping", or glamourous camping, staying overnight in luxury tents at the retail and leisure wing of the city-state`s Changi Airport. 
 
"Usually we go out of the country every holiday but since we can`t travel much and it`s a school holiday, I thought why not do something different for the children," said Fadlina Musa, standing under twinkling fairy lights. 
 
Her husband, Khairil Anuar Malek, said it was nice to get out of the house. "It has been very tough for all of us, so we wanted to experience closeness at a different level," he said. 
 
Glamping isn`t cheap. Guests spend up to S$360 ($269) a night for queen-sized beds, shopping discounts, a cool box for picnics and plenty of festive Christmas lights. Private bathroom facilities are not provided. 
 
Air-conditioned gardens, walking trails and an indoor waterfall provide a sense of the great outdoors, minus the bugs, rain and humidity. 
 
Serene Beh, an accounting manager visiting the mall with her family, said she liked the idea, at the right price. 
 
"I will look at the package," she said. "If it`s worth it, then I think it`s a good experience for the children who have never been camping before." 
 
The `glamp-cations` at Changi Airport were sold out until Dec. 28, reflecting appetite among Singapore residents for creative distractions that have included flights and cruises limited to the country`s airspace and waters. 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Staying overnight at an airport isn`t unheard of, especially if you miss a flight. But choosing to spend your holidays there in a tent is something entirely different.

Staying overnight at an airport isn`t unheard of, especially if you miss a flight. But choosing to spend your holidays there in a tent is something entirely different. With the coronavirus pandemic severely limiting trips abroad, some in Singapore this holiday season are going "glamping", or glamourous camping, staying overnight in luxury tents at the retail and leisure wing of the city-state`s Changi Airport. "Usually we go out of the country every holiday but since we can`t travel much and it`s a school holiday, I thought why not do something different for the children," said Fadlina Musa, standing under twinkling fairy lights. Her husband, Khairil Anuar Malek, said it was nice to get out of the house. "It has been very tough for all of us, so we wanted to experience closeness at a different level," he said. Glamping isn`t cheap. Guests spend up to S$360 ($269) a night for queen-sized beds, shopping discounts, a cool box for picnics and plenty of festive Christmas lights. Private bathroom facilities are not provided. Air-conditioned gardens, walking trails and an indoor waterfall provide a sense of the great outdoors, minus the bugs, rain and humidity. Serene Beh, an accounting manager visiting the mall with her family, said she liked the idea, at the right price. "I will look at the package," she said. "If it`s worth it, then I think it`s a good experience for the children who have never been camping before." The `glamp-cations` at Changi Airport were sold out until Dec. 28, reflecting appetite among Singapore residents for creative distractions that have included flights and cruises limited to the country`s airspace and waters.

Singapore's happy 'glampers' pick airport stays for year-end holidays

Singapore's tradition of communal dining at hawker centres, open air food courts popularised by celebrity chefs and hit films such as 'Crazy Rich Asians', has been recognised by UNESCO for its cultural significance.

Singapore's foodie 'hawker' culture given UNESCO recognition

Singapore has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a>, and expects to receive the first shipments of the shots by the end of December, the prime minister said Monday.

The city-state joins a handful of other countries around the world, including Britain and the United States, which have approved the jab.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-govt-releases-guidelines-for-covid-19-vaccination-check-out-all-the-details-349741" hreflang="en">Indian govt releases guidelines for Covid-19 vaccination: Check out all the details</a>

Singapore hopes to have enough vaccines for its 5.7 million population by the third quarter of 2021, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a televised address.

Priority will be given to those at most risk, such as health care workers, the elderly and vulnerable.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/next-four-to-six-months-could-be-worst-of-coronavirus-pandemic-bill-gates-349593" hreflang="en">Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates</a>

Vaccination would be voluntary, Lee said, but he was "strongly" encouraging people to get the shot.

"Because when you get yourself vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself. You are also doing your part to protect others, especially your loved ones," he said.

Lee also announced a further easing of virus curbs from December 28 as Singapore's outbreak slows markedly, with weeks of barely any local transmissions.

The maximum number of people who can gather outside their homes and the number of visitors a household can host will be raised from five to eight, he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-to-distribute-40-million-vaccine-doses-by-2020-end-349713">WATCH|</a>

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The number of people allowed in shopping malls, places of worship and attractions such as museums will also be raised.

Singapore initially kept Covid-19 in check through rigorous contact tracing but the virus later swept through dormitories housing low-paid migrant workers, prompting authorities to implement a partial lockdown.

Many businesses and schools were allowed re-open in June but Monday's announcement is the biggest easing of curbs for months.

But Lee warned the situation was volatile and urged residents to continue to keep their guard up.

"This is absolutely not the time to relax and let our guard down, or to hold a big party imagining the problem has disappeared," he said.

Singapore has reported more than 58,000 cases and 29 deaths.

While the city-state's borders remain closed to most international visitors, life has slowly been returning to normal for many.&nbsp;

Singapore has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, and expects to receive the first shipments of the shots by the end of December, the prime minister said Monday.

Singapore has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, and expects to receive the first shipments of the shots by the end of December, the prime minister said Monday. The city-state joins a handful of other countries around the world, including Britain and the United States, which have approved the jab. Also read| Indian govt releases guidelines for Covid-19 vaccination: Check out all the details Singapore hopes to have enough vaccines for its 5.7 million population by the third quarter of 2021, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a televised address. Priority will be given to those at most risk, such as health care workers, the elderly and vulnerable. Also read| Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates Vaccination would be voluntary, Lee said, but he was "strongly" encouraging people to get the shot. "Because when you get yourself vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself. You are also doing your part to protect others, especially your loved ones," he said. Lee also announced a further easing of virus curbs from December 28 as Singapore's outbreak slows markedly, with weeks of barely any local transmissions. The maximum number of people who can gather outside their homes and the number of visitors a household can host will be raised from five to eight, he said. WATCH| × The number of people allowed in shopping malls, places of worship and attractions such as museums will also be raised. Singapore initially kept Covid-19 in check through rigorous contact tracing but the virus later swept through dormitories housing low-paid migrant workers, prompting authorities to implement a partial lockdown. Many businesses and schools were allowed re-open in June but Monday's announcement is the biggest easing of curbs for months. But Lee warned the situation was volatile and urged residents to continue to keep their guard up. "This is absolutely not the time to relax and let our guard down, or to hold a big party imagining the problem has disappeared," he said. Singapore has reported more than 58,000 cases and 29 deaths. While the city-state's borders remain closed to most international visitors, life has slowly been returning to normal for many.

Singapore approves Pfizer-BioNTech virus vaccine

Singapore has approved a Covid test kit for use in testing saliva from deep within the throat.

The test is the first of its type to receive approval from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority, Advanced MedTech said in a statement on Thursday.

As it looks to ramp up testing to help re-open its borders and resume more economic activity, Singapore has made testing a pillar of its strategy to gradually re-open its borders that have been largely shut for most of 2020. The island-state is hosting the World Economic Forum in May next year and has said safety protocols will include on-arrival tests, as well as pre-event and periodic antigen testing.

Patients will need to draw out saliva from deep within their throat and spit into a specimen bottle for the test, Advanced MedTech said.

This would make specimen collection much less invasive and more comfortable for patients than the current method of collection through swabs inserted into the back of the nose or throat.

Hong Kong and Taiwan are among the other places in the world that have been using deep-throat saliva samples to test for the coronavirus.

The new Singapore tests, which will be used in Changi Airport in 2021, were able to accurately identify all the known positive cases in clinical studies. 
&nbsp;

Singapore has approved a Covid test kit for use in testing saliva from deep within the throat. The test is the first of its type to receive approval from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority, Advanced MedTech said in a statement on Thursday.

Singapore has approved a Covid test kit for use in testing saliva from deep within the throat. The test is the first of its type to receive approval from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority, Advanced MedTech said in a statement on Thursday. As it looks to ramp up testing to help re-open its borders and resume more economic activity, Singapore has made testing a pillar of its strategy to gradually re-open its borders that have been largely shut for most of 2020. The island-state is hosting the World Economic Forum in May next year and has said safety protocols will include on-arrival tests, as well as pre-event and periodic antigen testing. Patients will need to draw out saliva from deep within their throat and spit into a specimen bottle for the test, Advanced MedTech said. This would make specimen collection much less invasive and more comfortable for patients than the current method of collection through swabs inserted into the back of the nose or throat. Hong Kong and Taiwan are among the other places in the world that have been using deep-throat saliva samples to test for the coronavirus. The new Singapore tests, which will be used in Changi Airport in 2021, were able to accurately identify all the known positive cases in clinical studies.

Singapore approves Covid test using saliva from inside throat

Britain has signed a free trade deal with Singapore -- the latest in a series of agreements it is trying to broker around the globe as it prepares to end its transition out of the European Union on December&nbsp;31.

Britain`s secretary of state of international trade Liz Truss and Singapore`s trade minister Chan Chun Sing signed the deal at a ceremony in the Southeast Asian city-state on Thursday.

The Singapore deal comes as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the European Union`s chief executive gave themselves until the end of the weekend to seal a new trade pact after failing to overcome persistent rifts.

Britain formally left the European Union at the end of January and has spent the year negotiating its future relationship with Brussels and striking trade agreements with major economies such as Japan and Canada.

The deal with Singapore largely mirrors a standing agreement the Southeast Asian nation has with the European Union.

But it is an important deal for Singapore, which counts Britain among its top trading partners for goods and services globally and its top investment destination in Europe.

Britain has signed a free trade deal with Singapore -- the latest in a series of agreements it is trying to broker around the globe as it prepares to end its transition out of the European Union on December 31.

Britain has signed a free trade deal with Singapore -- the latest in a series of agreements it is trying to broker around the globe as it prepares to end its transition out of the European Union on December 31. Britain`s secretary of state of international trade Liz Truss and Singapore`s trade minister Chan Chun Sing signed the deal at a ceremony in the Southeast Asian city-state on Thursday. The Singapore deal comes as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the European Union`s chief executive gave themselves until the end of the weekend to seal a new trade pact after failing to overcome persistent rifts. Britain formally left the European Union at the end of January and has spent the year negotiating its future relationship with Brussels and striking trade agreements with major economies such as Japan and Canada. The deal with Singapore largely mirrors a standing agreement the Southeast Asian nation has with the European Union. But it is an important deal for Singapore, which counts Britain among its top trading partners for goods and services globally and its top investment destination in Europe.

Britain signs free trade deal with Singapore as EU talks falter

A passenger who tested positive for COVID-19 aboard a `cruise-to-nowhere` from Singapore, forcing the ship to return to dock and nearly 1,700 guests to isolate, has been found not to have the virus, Singapore`s health ministry said on Thursday.

Passengers on Royal Caribbean`s Quantum of the Seas vessel were held in their cabins for more than 16 hours on Wednesday after an 83-year old man, who sought medical help on the ship for diarrhoea, tested positive for COVID-19.

When the ship returned to port on Wednesday, the passenger was taken to hospital where he took two further tests which did not reveal infection. A third negative test on Thursday led authorities to declare him virus free.

"A final confirmatory test ... has confirmed that the 83 year-old male Singaporean...does not have COVID-19 infection," the health ministry said in a statement, adding it would help review testing processes aboard the ship.

All guests and crew that had come into close contact with the patient would no longer have to quarantine as previously instructed, the ministry said.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement it welcomed the news and that it would continue to work with the government to "refine" its protocols.

Royal Caribbean had cancelled a cruise leaving on Thursday, but the city-state`s tourism board said the pilot schemes, which offer round trips from Singapore and make no stops, could continue as planned.

Genting Cruise Lines is also offering the trips which are only open to Singapore residents and are part of the country`s effort to revive a tourism industry which has been battered by the pandemic.

The resumption of Royal Caribbean`s cruises in Singapore last week were the Miami-based company`s first sailings globally since it halted global operations in March due to the pandemic.

Precautions involved pre-departure testing and requirements that guests carry an electronic contact tracing device, wear masks and social distance at all times.

Authorities said the incident was a learning experience and validation of the safety protocols in place.

"Yesterday`s incident has given us valuable learnings for future sailings...It has also given assurance that our established response to any future COVID-19 case is swift and effective," said tourism board chief Keith Tan.

A passenger who tested positive for COVID-19 aboard a `cruise-to-nowhere` from Singapore, forcing the ship to return to dock and nearly 1,700 guests to isolate, has been found not to have the virus, Singapore`s health ministry said on Thursday.

A passenger who tested positive for COVID-19 aboard a `cruise-to-nowhere` from Singapore, forcing the ship to return to dock and nearly 1,700 guests to isolate, has been found not to have the virus, Singapore`s health ministry said on Thursday. Passengers on Royal Caribbean`s Quantum of the Seas vessel were held in their cabins for more than 16 hours on Wednesday after an 83-year old man, who sought medical help on the ship for diarrhoea, tested positive for COVID-19. When the ship returned to port on Wednesday, the passenger was taken to hospital where he took two further tests which did not reveal infection. A third negative test on Thursday led authorities to declare him virus free. "A final confirmatory test ... has confirmed that the 83 year-old male Singaporean...does not have COVID-19 infection," the health ministry said in a statement, adding it would help review testing processes aboard the ship. All guests and crew that had come into close contact with the patient would no longer have to quarantine as previously instructed, the ministry said. Royal Caribbean said in a statement it welcomed the news and that it would continue to work with the government to "refine" its protocols. Royal Caribbean had cancelled a cruise leaving on Thursday, but the city-state`s tourism board said the pilot schemes, which offer round trips from Singapore and make no stops, could continue as planned. Genting Cruise Lines is also offering the trips which are only open to Singapore residents and are part of the country`s effort to revive a tourism industry which has been battered by the pandemic. The resumption of Royal Caribbean`s cruises in Singapore last week were the Miami-based company`s first sailings globally since it halted global operations in March due to the pandemic. Precautions involved pre-departure testing and requirements that guests carry an electronic contact tracing device, wear masks and social distance at all times. Authorities said the incident was a learning experience and validation of the safety protocols in place. "Yesterday`s incident has given us valuable learnings for future sailings...It has also given assurance that our established response to any future COVID-19 case is swift and effective," said tourism board chief Keith Tan.

Coronavirus scare on cruise ship a false alarm, Singapore says

Ivan Ayr's&nbsp;drama movie 'Milestone'&nbsp;(Meel Patthar) won the best&nbsp;movie at the Silver Screen Awards, the closing occasion of the Singapore Worldwide Film Pageant. The event&nbsp;is a cornerstone of the Singapore Media Pageant shopper and trade occasion.

Directed by Ivan Ayr, “Milestone” recounts the foretaste of doom that follows a veteran truck driver when his automobile passes half 1,000,000 kilometres and he’s requested to coach a youthful operator. The movie additionally earned lead actor Suvinder Vicky, the Silver Screen award for the finest performer. 
 
&nbsp;

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The film has been edited and directed by Ivan Ayr and produced by Kimsi Singh. Starring Suvinder Vicky and Lakshvir Saran in major roles, the story follows a truck driver who tries to cope with the tragic death of his wife. The film premiered in the Orrizonti (Horizons) section of the 77th Venice International Film Festival on 3 September, 2020. It will be also screened at the 25th Busan International Film Festival and the Pingyao International Film Festival.

The film is partially in Punjabi language as the protagonist is Punjabi who is working in the New Delhi region.&nbsp;It was shot in January and February in 2020.&nbsp;Ayr said that the film "tells you where you are and how much further you have to go." Further explaining: "Like how we say there is a significant moment or milestone one has crossed, that is there in the film. He gets to a certain milestone which he is unaware of and certain things begin to happen which makes things uncertain." After the nationwide lockdown was imposed, Ayr got the film edited and sound-mixed from a remote location. The film was shot in a village in Haryana. 
 
To get into how truck drivers operate, Ayr spent time with several one of them for the research in Delhi and Chandigarh. Both the actors took truck driving lessons for their role.

&nbsp;Ayr made his feature debut with the 2018 Delhi crime drama “Soni.”

The prize for best director went to Dea Kulumbegashvili for 'Beginning'&nbsp;the feature debut of Georgia’s Dea Kulumbegashvili. The film is the story of a woman in the midst of a circle of crises – personal, community and religious. It was given an M18 rating in Singapore for its depiction of sexual violence.

The festival was held as a hybrid event that included in-person screenings and online presentations. The Silver Screen Awards were held as a closed-door virtual event, but with the full ceremony recorded. It will be made available in the week of Dec. 7.

Ivan Ayr's drama movie 'Milestone' (Meel Patthar) won the best movie at the Silver Screen Awards, the closing occasion of the Singapore Worldwide Film Pageant. The event is a cornerstone of the Singapore Media Pageant shopper and trade occasion.

Ivan Ayr's drama movie 'Milestone' (Meel Patthar) won the best movie at the Silver Screen Awards, the closing occasion of the Singapore Worldwide Film Pageant. The event is a cornerstone of the Singapore Media Pageant shopper and trade occasion. Directed by Ivan Ayr, “Milestone” recounts the foretaste of doom that follows a veteran truck driver when his automobile passes half 1,000,000 kilometres and he’s requested to coach a youthful operator. The movie additionally earned lead actor Suvinder Vicky, the Silver Screen award for the finest performer. The film has been edited and directed by Ivan Ayr and produced by Kimsi Singh. Starring Suvinder Vicky and Lakshvir Saran in major roles, the story follows a truck driver who tries to cope with the tragic death of his wife. The film premiered in the Orrizonti (Horizons) section of the 77th Venice International Film Festival on 3 September, 2020. It will be also screened at the 25th Busan International Film Festival and the Pingyao International Film Festival. The film is partially in Punjabi language as the protagonist is Punjabi who is working in the New Delhi region. It was shot in January and February in 2020. Ayr said that the film "tells you where you are and how much further you have to go." Further explaining: "Like how we say there is a significant moment or milestone one has crossed, that is there in the film. He gets to a certain milestone which he is unaware of and certain things begin to happen which makes things uncertain." After the nationwide lockdown was imposed, Ayr got the film edited and sound-mixed from a remote location. The film was shot in a village in Haryana. To get into how truck drivers operate, Ayr spent time with several one of them for the research in Delhi and Chandigarh. Both the actors took truck driving lessons for their role. Ayr made his feature debut with the 2018 Delhi crime drama “Soni.” The prize for best director went to Dea Kulumbegashvili for 'Beginning' the feature debut of Georgia’s Dea Kulumbegashvili. The film is the story of a woman in the midst of a circle of crises – personal, community and religious. It was given an M18 rating in Singapore for its depiction of sexual violence. The festival was held as a hybrid event that included in-person screenings and online presentations. The Silver Screen Awards were held as a closed-door virtual event, but with the full ceremony recorded. It will be made available in the week of Dec. 7.

'Milestone', another gem from 'Soni' director, wins best film at Singapore’s Silver Screen Awards

US start-up Eat Just Inc., a maker of meat and egg substitutes, has been approved to sell its laboratory-created chicken in Singapore. With this, the country has become the first government to allow the sale of cultured meat.&nbsp;

The product, created from animal cells without the slaughter of any chickens, will debut in Singapore under the GOOD Meat brand as a chicken bite with breading and seasoning in a single restaurant.

Demand for alternatives to regular meat is surging due to consumer concerns about health, animal welfare and the environment. Plant-based meat options, popularised by Beyond Meat Inc and Impossible Foods, increasingly feature on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus.

But so-called clean or cultured meat, which is grown from cells outside the animal, is still at a nascent stage.

"The first-in-the-world regulatory allowance of real, high-quality meat created directly from animal cells for safe human consumption paves the way for a forthcoming small-scale commercial launch in Singapore," Eat Just said on Wednesday.

The firm said the meat would be sold as nuggets, adding that launch details for the product will follow later. It has previously said that each nugget will cost $50.

US start-up Eat Just Inc., a maker of meat and egg substitutes, has been approved to sell its laboratory-created chicken in Singapore. With this, the country has become the first government to allow the sale of cultured meat.

US start-up Eat Just Inc., a maker of meat and egg substitutes, has been approved to sell its laboratory-created chicken in Singapore. With this, the country has become the first government to allow the sale of cultured meat. The product, created from animal cells without the slaughter of any chickens, will debut in Singapore under the GOOD Meat brand as a chicken bite with breading and seasoning in a single restaurant. Demand for alternatives to regular meat is surging due to consumer concerns about health, animal welfare and the environment. Plant-based meat options, popularised by Beyond Meat Inc and Impossible Foods, increasingly feature on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus. But so-called clean or cultured meat, which is grown from cells outside the animal, is still at a nascent stage. "The first-in-the-world regulatory allowance of real, high-quality meat created directly from animal cells for safe human consumption paves the way for a forthcoming small-scale commercial launch in Singapore," Eat Just said on Wednesday. The firm said the meat would be sold as nuggets, adding that launch details for the product will follow later. It has previously said that each nugget will cost $50.

Singapore becomes first country to approve sales of lab-created meat

A Singaporean woman, who had contracted the COVID-19 in March when she was pregnant, has now given birth to a baby with antibodies against the virus. The latest result now offered a new debate on whether the infection can be transfer from mother to child.

Singapore : Baby born with Coronavirus antibody

A woman in Singapore, who contracted the novel coronavirus in March when she was pregnant, has given birth to a baby with antibodies against the virus.

Scientists are considering this as a new clue to decipher how the infection transfers from the mother to the child.

The baby was born this month without COVID-19 but with the virus antibodies, the Straits Times newspaper reported on Sunday.

"My doctor suspects I have transferred my COVID-19 antibodies to him during my pregnancy," Celine Ng-Chan told the paper.

Ng-Chan had been mildly ill from the disease and was discharged from hospital after two-and-a-half weeks, the Straits Times said.

The World Health Organisation says it is not yet known whether a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her foetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery.

To date, the active virus has not been found in samples of fluid around the baby in the womb or in breast milk.

Doctors in China have reported the detection and decline over time of COVID-19 antibodies in babies born to women with the coronavirus disease, according to an article published in October in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

A woman in Singapore, who contracted the novel coronavirus in March when she was pregnant, has given birth to a baby with antibodies against the virus. Scientists are considering this as a new clue to decipher how the infection transfers from the mother to the child.

A woman in Singapore, who contracted the novel coronavirus in March when she was pregnant, has given birth to a baby with antibodies against the virus. Scientists are considering this as a new clue to decipher how the infection transfers from the mother to the child. The baby was born this month without COVID-19 but with the virus antibodies, the Straits Times newspaper reported on Sunday. "My doctor suspects I have transferred my COVID-19 antibodies to him during my pregnancy," Celine Ng-Chan told the paper. Ng-Chan had been mildly ill from the disease and was discharged from hospital after two-and-a-half weeks, the Straits Times said. The World Health Organisation says it is not yet known whether a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her foetus or baby during pregnancy or delivery. To date, the active virus has not been found in samples of fluid around the baby in the womb or in breast milk. Doctors in China have reported the detection and decline over time of COVID-19 antibodies in babies born to women with the coronavirus disease, according to an article published in October in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Woman in Singapore gives birth to baby with COVID-19 antibodies

Singapore and Hong Kong postponed the start of an air travel bubble meant to boost tourism for both cities -- citing a spike in coronavirus cases in the Chinese territory as the reason.

The travel bubble, originally slated to begin Sunday, will be delayed by at least two weeks, Hong Kong's minister of commerce and economic development, Edward Yau, said at a news conference on Saturday.

Hong Kong reported 43 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, including 13 untraceable local infections.

The travel bubble arrangement is meant to allow travellers between the two cities to enter without quarantine as long as they complete coronavirus tests before and after arriving at their destinations, and fly on designated flights.

Under the initial agreement, the travel bubble was to be suspended if the number of untraceable local infections in either Singapore or Hong Kong exceeded five on a seven-day moving average.

Hong Kong has confirmed a total of 5,561 cases, including 108 deaths. Singapore has reported 58,148 cases, but only 28 fatalities.

Singapore and Hong Kong postponed the start of an air travel bubble meant to boost tourism for both cities -- citing a spike in coronavirus cases in the Chinese territory as the reason.

Singapore and Hong Kong postponed the start of an air travel bubble meant to boost tourism for both cities -- citing a spike in coronavirus cases in the Chinese territory as the reason. The travel bubble, originally slated to begin Sunday, will be delayed by at least two weeks, Hong Kong's minister of commerce and economic development, Edward Yau, said at a news conference on Saturday. Hong Kong reported 43 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, including 13 untraceable local infections. The travel bubble arrangement is meant to allow travellers between the two cities to enter without quarantine as long as they complete coronavirus tests before and after arriving at their destinations, and fly on designated flights. Under the initial agreement, the travel bubble was to be suspended if the number of untraceable local infections in either Singapore or Hong Kong exceeded five on a seven-day moving average. Hong Kong has confirmed a total of 5,561 cases, including 108 deaths. Singapore has reported 58,148 cases, but only 28 fatalities.

Spike in cases delays Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble

The Singapore high court has ordered water treatment firm Hyflux&nbsp;to be placed under judicial management, according to a stock exchange filing on Tuesday, after more than two years of the company unsuccessfully trying to restructure its debt.

The court appointed restructuring firm Borrelli Walsh as the judicial manager, which will take over its operations, according to the filing.

Debt-laden Hyflux, once seen as a national champion running a strategically important water resource for Singapore, filed for a court-supervised financial restructuring in 2018 and defaulted on its debt payments.

The company`s total liabilities stood at S$2.6 billion ($1.93 billion) at the end of March 2018.

Hyflux`s financial distress has battered the holdings of nearly 50,000 retail investors including shareholders and bond holders, according to an investor body.

Over the last two years, the company has attracted the attention of several investors, but has not been able to finalise any deals.

Earlier this year, Singapore authorities launched an investigation into the firm and its current and former directors for suspected false and misleading statements and disclosure breaches.

The Singapore high court has ordered water treatment firm Hyflux to be placed under judicial management, according to a stock exchange filing on Tuesday, after more than two years of the company unsuccessfully trying to restructure its debt.

The Singapore high court has ordered water treatment firm Hyflux to be placed under judicial management, according to a stock exchange filing on Tuesday, after more than two years of the company unsuccessfully trying to restructure its debt. The court appointed restructuring firm Borrelli Walsh as the judicial manager, which will take over its operations, according to the filing. Debt-laden Hyflux, once seen as a national champion running a strategically important water resource for Singapore, filed for a court-supervised financial restructuring in 2018 and defaulted on its debt payments. The company`s total liabilities stood at S$2.6 billion ($1.93 billion) at the end of March 2018. Hyflux`s financial distress has battered the holdings of nearly 50,000 retail investors including shareholders and bond holders, according to an investor body. Over the last two years, the company has attracted the attention of several investors, but has not been able to finalise any deals. Earlier this year, Singapore authorities launched an investigation into the firm and its current and former directors for suspected false and misleading statements and disclosure breaches.

Singapore court orders embattled Hyflux into judicial management

Hit by cabin fever, hundreds of Singapore residents itching to get out of the tiny country boarded a “cruise to nowhere” on Friday, a rare chance to sail the seas after the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the cruise industry.

Before starting their short “seacation” on the 335-metre (1,100 ft) World Dream, passengers underwent coronavirus swab tests before boarding the vessel, which was operating at half capacity to prevent crowding.

Retiree Ang Sen Hock, 73, said he had no fear about getting infected and had booked several more trips later in the month.

“Not worried. Because earlier this year I was also a passenger on this cruise ship and, coincidentally, there were two suspected cases,” Ang said, while waiting for his test.

“But we still boarded and they had special measures.”

The global cruise industry has taken a major hit from the coronavirus pandemic, with some of the earliest big outbreaks found on cruises.

Singapore’s special cruises, classed as “round trips”, are open only to its residents and sail for a few days in waters just off the city-state.

They follow “flights to nowhere” in some parts of Asia that take off and land at the same airport.

The 1,400 guests are required to carry an electronic contact tracing device and to social distance at all times.

Self-serve buffets have been suspended and Dream Cruises has upgraded medical facilities to include testing and isolation units.

“The idea of just getting out of Singapore, even just for a little bit, a few days, it’s really an attractive thing,” said passenger Robert Gaxiola.

The president of Dream Cruises, Michael Goh, said the crew would respond decisively to any sign of infections.

“Passengers will be back into the cabin and the ship will do a deep cleaning and sanitisation,” he said. “Within less than six hours we can be back at Singapore.”

&nbsp;

Hit by cabin fever, hundreds of Singapore residents itching to get out of the tiny country boarded a “cruise to nowhere” on Friday, a rare chance to sail the seas after the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the cruise industry.

Hit by cabin fever, hundreds of Singapore residents itching to get out of the tiny country boarded a “cruise to nowhere” on Friday, a rare chance to sail the seas after the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the cruise industry. Before starting their short “seacation” on the 335-metre (1,100 ft) World Dream, passengers underwent coronavirus swab tests before boarding the vessel, which was operating at half capacity to prevent crowding. Retiree Ang Sen Hock, 73, said he had no fear about getting infected and had booked several more trips later in the month. “Not worried. Because earlier this year I was also a passenger on this cruise ship and, coincidentally, there were two suspected cases,” Ang said, while waiting for his test. “But we still boarded and they had special measures.” The global cruise industry has taken a major hit from the coronavirus pandemic, with some of the earliest big outbreaks found on cruises. Singapore’s special cruises, classed as “round trips”, are open only to its residents and sail for a few days in waters just off the city-state. They follow “flights to nowhere” in some parts of Asia that take off and land at the same airport. The 1,400 guests are required to carry an electronic contact tracing device and to social distance at all times. Self-serve buffets have been suspended and Dream Cruises has upgraded medical facilities to include testing and isolation units. “The idea of just getting out of Singapore, even just for a little bit, a few days, it’s really an attractive thing,” said passenger Robert Gaxiola. The president of Dream Cruises, Michael Goh, said the crew would respond decisively to any sign of infections. “Passengers will be back into the cabin and the ship will do a deep cleaning and sanitisation,” he said. “Within less than six hours we can be back at Singapore.”

Singapore launches its first 'cruise to nowhere'

Sri Lanka is building a new city on the land reclaimed from the Indian Ocean. Once completed it is expected to be an international business hub much like Dubai & Singapore. Watch the report to know more.

Sri Lanka: Port city Colombo expected to be an international financial hub

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