Yesterday marked the union of the five stars with the five rings as Singapore won the bid for the 2010 Youth Olympic games. It triumphed over its main rival, Moscow in a closely fought battle to become the first country ever to host the inaugural Youth Olympics.
Continue reading "High Five: Singapore WINS the 2010 Youth Olympic games" »
It is claimed that thousands thronged the Singapore Zoo last afternoon, hoping to catch a final glimpse of a beloved creature, close to the hearts of many Singaporeans and zookeepers alike. Grieving on such a scale would not have been possible if the persona herself had not been charismatic, influential and loving to grab the hearts of so many.
Ms Fanny Lai, executive director of the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari commented, " Usually we try not to get emotionally attached to the animals. However, Ah Meng was different".
About 4000 visitors gathered at the Garden With A View yesterday morning to pay their respects to Ah Meng, who was laid to rest in a coffin with a bronze statue marking the spot. Plans have also been made for a durian tree to be planted near the gravesite. (Durians were Ah Meng's favourite fruit).
The 48 year old orang utan has been an iconic representation of the Singapore Zoo. In fact, Ah Meng was the first non-human to be crowned Tourism Ambassador for Singapore. Sumatran orang utans are a dying breed in the wild and many have been reared in captivity in order to preserve their species. Ah Meng had played a crucial role during her lifetime in promoting the conservation of her species in the region and further on in Australia.
There has been some discussion over who should take over the reigns of Ah Meng as icon of the Singapore Zoo. Some name Chawang, the 35-year old elephant that resides there or Chomel, Ah Meng's grandaughter and favourite or Inuka the polar bear. There are still other possible candidates who reside in the zoo.
However, one thing is clear: Singapore has lost an icon dearly treasured by all those who were acquainted with her. She exuded warmth and personality that struck a chord with everyone. Today we bid farewell to a HUMBLE CREATURE and a FRIEND- Ah Meng
New Media includes a wide variety of open sources, for example, Second Life, Creative Commons and Wikispaces. Teachers could harness these New Media options as teaching aids, or introduce them to their students for their project work. Organizations turn to corporate blogging to engage a new generation of clients. Political blogs have been featured in election campaigns worldwide while other Singaporean blogs with a touch of local flavour have been recently archived by the National Library Board.
Yes, archived blogs now equate National Treasure.
Here, we explore the blogosphere in all its shapes and sizes. And the gravity that we are moving beyond the paper and pen to keyboard and computer screen.
You must be wondering as to how there is yet another public holiday-Hari Raya Haji, coming up on the 20th December, commemorating a Muslim religious event, when Hari Raya Puasa just ended 2 months ago?
Singapore gets in - principle approval to host F1 night race
"Singapore will host the first Formula One night race next year.
The sport's governing body, FIA, has given the in-principle approval to Singapore to host the September 28 race under the floodlights.
Lighting trials have been conducted overseas to assess if a night race could be staged in Singapore.
Singapore had earlier said that a night race will be unique, different and allow the Singapore event to reach out to television audiences in Asia, Europe and the US.
And Singapore would proceed with a night race only if the safety and operational requirements of all parties including the FIA, FOA and Formula 1 teams were fully met."
Read the full article at LexisNexis.
Popular band makes surprise visits to two schoolsChannel NewsAsia
"Screaming fans were seen at St Joseph's Convent when popular American teen band, The Click Five, paid a surprise visit to the school on Tuesday morning as part of a MediaCorp Radio contest for the most number of The Click Five fans in school.
The students were expecting the band's autographed merchandise, but got a big surprise when band members turned up in person instead.
Clara Li, a Secondary Four student at St Joseph's Convent, said: "This is the first time I'm seeing them. It was quite a shock to see them because I thought it was just 'The Muttons' who would come and give us the stuff. I'm really happy that they are here."
Read full article at Factiva.com
Singapore to invest $246 mln in tourism over 3 yrs
"The Singapore government is investing about S$360 million ($246 million) to train workers in the tourism sector over the next three years as the city-state heads towards receiving a record number of visitors this year.
The Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency said in a joint statement on Thursday that 60,000 tourism jobs will be created and 74,000 workers trained by 2010 under the investment to meet an expected rise in demand for labour in the sector."
Read the full article at Factiva.com
Singapore Airlines' superjumbo A380 completes maiden voyage to Sydney
"The world's biggest jumbo jet landed safely in Sydney on Thursday, ending its first commercial flight from Singapore.
The Singapore Airlines' Airbus A380 superjumbo [ARBU.UL] emerged from low-lying cloud to touch down on time on a damp Sydney afternoon, completing its flight from Singapore's Changi Airport.
The aircraft will return to Singapore on Friday."
Read the full article at Factiva.com
"The National Library Board (NLB) and PUB have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a collection on water management resources, as well as to promote public education on water issues.
NLB and PUB hope that the move, which allows greater accessibility to local materials on water, will help contribute towards new cutting-edge developments in water technology.
A bibliography was also unveiled on Thursday.
It consists of the latest resources on PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme and other water-related topics.
A two-week public exhibition on the ABC Waters Programme is being at the National Library from 11-28 October."
DIrect Link:
"NLB, PUB sign MOU to build collection of water management resources." Channel NewsAsia, Mediacorp News Pte Ltd. 11 October 2007.
Fireworks explode over the Marina Bay stage and city skyline during the National Day Parade in Singapore August 9, 2007. Singapore celebrated the 42nd anniversary of its independence on Thursday. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash
National Day’s over, and we have to wait in vain for another year to pass, before we can catch those beautiful fireworks again, a visual treat for all in Singapore when the nation celebrates its birthday in a large scale and grandeur manner.
Well that’s not exactly how it is this year. Surprise surprise, you are in for a treat this weekend.
Expect a fascinating display of fireworks at Marina Bay, on both Friday (17 August 2007) and Saturday (18 August 2007) at 9pm. Organisers of the Singapore Fireworks Celebration will be unleashing the pyrotechnics, which costs a whooping $1 million. It was mentioned in The Straits Times today that viewers could expect a visual feast of over 130 different types of fireworks, which will be synchronized to a music score.
Speaking of fireworks display, we searched and picked out some amazing photographs from the eDatabases, that captured moments during some spectacular displays in Singapore.
19th July 1973 was the official opening of the National Stadium by then president, President Benjamin Sheares. She gave Singapore the best years of her life, through rain or shine.
34 years later, on the 30th June 2007, over 45,000 people gathered to say a final goodbye to the Grand Old Lady of Kallang as she made way for the new Sports Hub. The national icon had been an integral part of most Singaporeans’ lives. It was the very place where major events like the National Day Parade, Singapore Youth Festival, Singapore Armed Forces Day, SEA Games, ASEAN Football Championships, the Big Walk and many other programs were hosted.
As the saying goes, “The old has to go for the new to come.” However, memories of the Great Dame will definitely remain etched in the minds of many Singaporeans. Here are some of the glorious memories.
Image taken from Factiva.com
Education:
Wheelock College opens at Ngee Ann Polytechnic
“The Wheelock College Centre for International Education, Leadership and Innovation has opened at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
It will be offering the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Educational Studies and Leadership.
This is the first-ever full-time degree course in early childhood education in Singapore.”
Read the full article at Factiva.com
Canadian animation school to set up campus in Singapore
“One of the world's leading animation schools is investing S$2.8 million (US$1.8 million) to set up a campus here in September 2008.
It is also receiving support from Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB).
The Sheridan College from Canada boasts many students who have gone on to work for major animation studios such as LucasFilms, Pixar and Disney.”
Read the full article at Factiva.com
Government:
Singapore in good position to be regional centre of arts
“Singapore is well-positioned to be a centre of arts in the region due to its diverse and rich cultures, said Minister of Manpower Ng Eng Hen at the launch of UOB's 26th Painting of the Year.
Singapore's arts scene will not only serve as a foundation for its identity as a nation but also pave the way for the development of local creative industries.”
Read the full article at Factiva.com
Summit of 300 water industry global leaders here next June
“SINGAPORE'S reputation as a world water-technology leader will get an extra boost in June next year at the first Singapore International Water Week.
Next year's event will focus on urban water-management solutions. It will feature a Water Summit, where 300 of the world's top water-industry leaders and government officials will meet to discuss technologies and policies.”
Read the full article at Newsbank
Society:
No fines issued on first day of new smoking ban in bars and clubs
“Smokers seemed to be complying with the new rules on lighting up in bars and clubs.
Officers from the National Environment Agency (NEA) inspected 112 of 895 entertainment outlets across Singapore on 1 July, the first day the new rules went into effect.
They did not have to issue any fine as most smokers seemed to be aware of the new restrictions.”
Read the full article at Factiva.com
Social harmony: Races must mix more
“The detention of a well-educated Muslim who had planned to pursue a "holy war" in Afghanistan, under the Internal Security Act (ISA), could have been a threat to Singapore's efforts to promote racial harmony, but the nation has "fundamentals" in place to deal with such dangers.
Speaking at the launch of the North East District's Racial Harmony Month yesterday, North East District Mayor Zainul Abidin Rasheed said that Singaporeans were not "easily shaken" by such incidences of extremism.”
Read the full article at Factiva.com
How many times have we logged into discussions forums only to be left flabbergasted, with the vast amount of colourful (from what we found out, there’s a huge list) obscenities uttered everywhere? This is not only happening in discussion forums, but in blogs, chatrooms, just about everywhere that allow Internet users to leave behind their “thoughtful” comments.
The Internet has developed into something so important today, that one could even feel handicapped without it. Internet users come from various parts of the world, from many walks of life with different cultures, and belong to diverse age groups. Each group of users has their own expectations, characteristics and habits.
"Get them while they're young" department
In the spirit of enterprise and making the most of your spare time. Singapore's Ministry of Manpower has put out the welcome mat for young folks between 17 and 30 to get a taste of what it's like to work in Singapore. The invite has been sent out to Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. 2,000 places for university students and graduates are up for grabs
Turf Accounts
Japanese horse wins the Singapore International Airlines Cup despite "awkward draw" and in other news ..... as they say...a celebration of the the short and sweet career of Noel Callow, who, after a mere six months, "reigns supreme over Singapore racing." winning 38 races from 154 rides!
2025
This article looks ahead into the future of Canberra where distinguishing the filthy rich from the mere filthy is a preoccupation of the future state How do they do it? "They give them a dictation test,'' the cloned guide says. ''If they can't spell the names of 20 prominent visual artists and professors of sociology they're obviously impostors.'' Makes mention of Singapore seeking "arts bureaucrats" from Canberra;
Piratical Singapore
As everyone will know by now, Singapore gets name-checked in the third "Pirates of the Caribbean" flick as the home of the Chinese branch of the pirate family. This review refers to it as "..a film without elegance, grace, finesse or a real sense of fun"
Check out what's hot in the local newspapers today...
EDB working to help UNSW students - S'pore universities extend deadline for applications for 2007 admissions
By Charmian Kok, for Business Times, The (Singapore)
THE Economic Development Board (EDB) yesterday said that it has been working closely with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Ministry of Education to help affected students who wish to remain in Singapore and provide options for them to consider their university studies...
Check out the full article at Newsbank!
Pilots petition SIA bosses to correct 'negative impressions' - Group wants public correction for remarks made at court hearing
By Karamjit Kaur, for Straits Times, The (Singapore)
THE year-long pay dispute between Singapore Airlines and its pilots has been settled. But it has also left a bitter aftertaste.
Late last week, a group of SIA pilots submitted a petition to the airline's management expressing their concerns about remarks made by airline representatives during the two-day High Court hearing last month over pay and benefits for Airbus 380 pilots...
Check out the full article at Newsbank!
New fee hikes at public hospitals and polyclinics - Consultation fees are up at most of them, as demand and costs rise
By Salma Khalik, for Straits Times, The (Singapore)
A NEW round of fee hikes is underway at most public hospitals and some polyclinics. This time, it is consultation fees that are going up, as demand and operating costs continue to rise, say health-care providers.
Subsidised patients at four public hospitals will now pay $24 or $25 for every visit to a specialist clinic, up from about $21. Attendances at specialist clinics have gone up from 2.8 million in 2003 to 3.5 million in 2005...
Check out the full article at Newsbank!
Teachers should use new media to engage students
By Ho Ai Li , for Straits Times, The (Singapore)
IF YOU can't get students to stop listening to trashy pop songs, join them.
Listen to the songs in class and give students the skills to analyse the songs for themselves, said Dr Maha Sripathy, president of the English Language and Literature Teachers Association, Singapore...
Check out the full article at Newsbank!
Ah Ma wins at Cannes - Anthony Chen's short gets Special Mention award at film fest
By Boon Chan, for Straits Times, The (Singapore)
FILM-MAKER Anthony Chen has done Singapore proud at the Cannes Film Festival with a first-ever Special Mention award for his short film, Ah Ma.
The Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduate's second film is based on his memories of his grandmother's death in 2005, and is the first Singapore film to take part in the Official Competition at Cannes...
Check out the full article at Newsbank!
Need help with navigating Newsbank? Well fret no longer, allow our tutorial on using Newbank to be of assistance to you.
Well has has been a while since we pulled together some tittle tattle from outside our island about our island so I here we go with a little update
Just to get your attention ... we loved the piece from the Sydney Sunday Telegraph which in the course of its review of a Singapore heritage restaurant it makes mention of a "very short, half-nude, bodybuilding celebrity chef from Singapore" dishing up a "fusion of all Asian food'';
a couple of weeks back ... the Sydney Morning Herald gave a promotional "puff" to SIA's new 2-D coded boarding pass
and while we are on about airlines .... the Sunday Times of Perth comes over all congratulatory about the Budget Terminal and Tiger Airways...
and while we are on the subject of Asia.... this piece from the Indian Express muses on the strongest root for the idea of Asianess looking beyond the urban definition to a deeper root in the writings of Tagore and the Japanese thinker, Okakura Tenshin
and last but not least (as they say).....the Sydney Sunday Telegraph which pays tribute to Singapore's gabby cabbies who will give any traveller a city tour at the drop of a sunhat..
until we meet again.....
ALL of these articles are available through Newsbank
All this while, some of us may have been under the notion that most NSmen can hardly wait to, to put it in local singlish terms, “ORD, loh!” (which refers to the operationally ready date of those who have served 2 ½ or 2 years of full-time National Service also fondly known as NS, made mandatory for all Singaporean men). Now, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all, after all.
Image taken from Factiva.com
Some 360 gung-ho NSmen have gone beyond the call of duty by serving past their National Service training cycle (which is of up to 20 years) and this makes Minister of Defence, Teo Chee Hean, a happy man. (1)
The FY2007 budget has been the talk of the town for the past several weeks, here in our Lion City. Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong has described this year’s budget as a fair package, carefully balanced to provide something for everyone (1).
According to analyst Claire Innes, from Global Insight World Markets Research Center, the FY2007 budget continues aggressive policy measures to bolster the economy’s competitiveness. She mentions that major social security reform is introduced in the form of the Workforce Income Supplement Scheme, which aims to give direct credits to low-income employees, to eventually increase the incentive to work and participation levels. The FY2007 budget also allocates a further S$800 million to projects, to support the elderly. (6)
Definitely generous giveaways for Singaporeans in the low-income group indeed, but these are “to meet a pressing need,” said MPs. They also added that fears of breeding a crutch mentality could be overcome with various measures. Referring to the Workfare Bonus, they noted that it is tied to work and is a one-off bonus. (For more on the Singapore budget, visit here.)
A mixed bag this time around from the newspapers beyond Singapore shores courtesy of Newsbank
No nudes is good nudes - Directions
Singapore's foray into the seedy world of adult entertainment ended last week with the closure of the city's first strip joint. The Crazy Horse Paris Cabaret, on Singapore's glitzy riverfront, blamed advertising restrictions forits closure, saying that a ban on promoting the charms of its topless cast had forced it out of business with losses of Pounds 2.3m.
Sunday Times, The (London, England) ... February 4, 2007
Private eyes and public affairs - Interview
Vikram Singh, private investigator, shadowed a fraudster through Delhi's chaotic streets. It had taken him four months to track down his mark, a Sikh conman, who had defrauded several Singapore banks of $24m (Pounds 12m). The chase had taken him to the Far East, Mumbai and eventually to Chandigarh in the Punjab. There, Singh had discovered a chink in his quarry's armour.
On apprehending the fraudster Singh said:
"It was like a Bollywood film. When we finally caught him, he offered me half his fortune to let him go free."
Sunday Times, The (London, England) ... February 4, 2007
Good, clean fun - DESTINATION ASIA: Travel & Indulgence Special
Anita Roberts tracks down 10 kid-friendly experiences in Singapore HOW can you beat Singapore as a destination for young kids? It's safe, friendly and staggeringly clean with accessible transport, world-class attractions and a fascinating mix of cultures -- all of this, and a year-round climate that favours, even demands, swimming and ice cream. Singapore Botanic Gardens The fabulously stroller-friendly Singapore Botanic Gardens offer 52ha of tropical vegetation and
Australian, The (Australia) ... February 2, 2007
Under the title "Harry's Island - is PBL dinky-di? The Sydney Morning Herald comments as the pace hots up for the appointment of a consortium to deliver Singapore's new Integrated Resort. The iconoclastically named Eighth Wonder are looking to Deepak Chopra and Pele to be the "aum" and "oomph" factors.
Read the full story at Newsbank [cut and paste the article title above into the Newsbank search box]
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The Integrated Resort is a hot topic in Singapore right now for those who have not been following the events of the last few months below are a sample of articles from
"Forget your worries" exhorts the The Economic Times of Bombay, as they look at GPS and mobile devices which come together to make sure that you can keep track of your kiddos. Singapore is mentioned as one of the countries where the technology is being used.
Read the full story at Newsbank [cut and paste the article title above into the Newsbank search box]
J. Frank Brown, newly appointed Dean of Insead, in a recent interview "A Global Casting Call For Corporate Boards," reflects on the appeal of the multinational board, asking why more 30 Dow Jones industrial companies do not consider putting more directors from their target international markets on their boards.
Read the full story at Newsbank [cut and paste the article title above into the Newsbank search box]
The Canberra Times, in a piece entitled "Orient Express," celebrates the wonders of Fried Rice beloved of everyone from 1 to 91 via a recent cookbook from the renowned chef Tham Yui Kai
Read the full story at Newsbank [cut and paste the article title above into the Newsbank search box]
