22 9 月, 2021

Spritzer Joins Hands with NGOs and Pledges Aid for Vulnerable Groups Affected by COVID-19

The Company, which turns 32, affirms commitment to help communities in distress KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21, 2021 – (ACN Newswire) – Spritzer Malaysia (“Spritzer” or the “Company”), which produces Malaysia’s best-selling natural mineral water, is committed to the wellbeing of the community and has endeavoured to send aid to the vulnerable and less privileged in society during these challenging times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is especially poignant for Spritzer as the Company turns 32 today, that the best way of celebrating another milestone in its corporate journey is to continue the commitment to support fellow Malaysians, especially those who have been marginalised by society and lack the basic necessities such as food, shelter or even safe drinking water. Spritzer Malaysia recognises that the pandemic has been especially hard on those in the Bottom-40 income bracket, the Orang Asli, the homeless and those living in rural areas. The Company escalated its community outreach programme in April 2021 by working through non-governmental organisations (“NGOs”) to send them aid in the form of clean drinking water amid the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company has, to-date, sponsored more than RM60,000 in aid nationwide that has been distributed through NGOs, food banks and restaurants on top of the other donation outreach activities, and will continue to support initiatives and community outreach programmes that targets marginalised or vulnerable groups. Hakim JuraimiEmail: h.juraimi@swanconsultancy.biz

8 7 月, 2021

452 suicides reported in Singapore in 2020 amid Covid-19, highest since 2012

SINGAPORE - A total of 452 suicides were reported in Singapore last year, the highest figure since 2012. In a statement on Thursday (July 8), non-profit suicide prevention centre Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) said this was a 13 per cent increase from 2019's 400 cases. It added that the increase in suicide deaths was observed across all age groups. In particular, the number of suicide deaths among the elderly - aged 60 and above - hit 154, the highest recorded figure among this age group since 1991 and a 26 per cent increase from 2019. SOS chief executive Gasper Tan said: "Covid-19 has severely affected the nation's economy, lifestyle and mental health. We are extremely worried about how our elderly are coping during this public health crisis. "During the pandemic period, the elderly were more likely to face social isolation and financial worries. Difficulty in constantly adapting to changes as well as prolonged feelings of loneliness may be devastating." While there was an increase in suicide deaths among the elderly in 2020 compared with 2019, SOS said its 24-hour hotline received fewer calls from them. In its 2020 financial year from April 2020 to March 2021, 4,455 calls were made by the elderly, compared with 4,816 in the 2019 financial year. SOS added that elderly callers expressed difficulty coping with loneliness and inactivity due to isolation, psychological distress, and impaired social and family relationships - which were compounded by the pandemic. The Institute of Mental Health's clinical director in the Office of Population Health, Adjunct Associate Professor Lee Cheng, said that the elderly who are living alone may lack support to deal with the pandemic. "Those who are used to attending social activities outside on a regular basis will also likely feel socially isolated during this period," he added. Said SOS' Mr Tan: "Since the pandemic, many in-person activities and initiatives for the elderly have moved digitally. Those with limited proficiency with technology may find themselves lost and helpless. He added that given the uncertainty of how long more the pandemic will last, it is important to build on existing efforts and find new ways to support the mental health of the elderly. More on this topic Related Story Spike in calls to suicide prevention agency SOS in 2020 as more in distress amid Covid-19 Related Story Don't be afraid to ask for help, says mother who contemplated suicide Singapore University of Social Sciences' Associate Professor Helen Ko said it was important to find as many ways as possible to connect with the elderly who are lonely and socially isolated. "Very often, most elderly persons want to hear a human voice and they long to hear the familiar voice of a loved one," she said. "For those who are not digitally savvy, please be very patient as they may need more time to pick up digital skills." From July 26, those who need emotional support may call SOS at its new four-digit hotline at 1-767. SOS said the shortened hotline will help make seeking help more convenient. The old hotline number, 1800-221-4444, will remain operational even after the four-digit hotline is launched, and both numbers will be toll-free. Helplines Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800 283-7019 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) TOUCHline: 1800 377-2252 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm) More on this topic Related Story Mental wellness an important issue amid Covid-19 pandemic: Shanmugam Related Story How to keep calm and carry on amid the pandemic

26 6 月, 2021

NUS holds first-ever online graduation ceremony for 186 students

SINGAPORE - 186 students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) graduated in a virtual ceremony on Saturday (June 26) morning. This is the first time NUS has held a graduation ceremony in this manner. Saturday's was the first among 60 online ceremonies that will see more than 23,500 students from the classes of 2020 and 2021 graduating. Those from the class of 2020 had their graduation ceremonies postponed to this year. President Halimah Yacob, who is also NUS Chancellor, gave a speech to the graduating students, in which she noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had up-ended Singaporeans' way of life and altered the face of an already disruptive future. "It is a reminder that sometimes even the best laid plans can be overturned by events that are not within our control," she said. Addressing 154 graduates from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and 32 graduates from the Master of Science in Industry 4.0 programme offered by the NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education, Madam Halimah encouraged them to hold steadfast to values of respect, integrity, innovation, excellence, and resilience during these challenging times. She said: "I encourage you to embody these traits in the path ahead, strive to give your best in whatever you do, stay curious, and keep learning. More importantly, show respect and humility to all you meet along the way." The class of 2020 comprises 11,582 graduates, of whom 6,973 have been conferred Bachelor's degrees and 4,609 have been conferred graduate degrees. The class of 2021 comprises 11,990 graduates, of whom 6,982 will be conferred Bachelor's degrees and 5,008 will be conferred graduate degrees. NUS had originally planned for in-person graduation ceremonies to take place from June 17 to the end of July, but had made the switch to online amid a spike in Covid-19 cases last month. Mr Vincent Cai, 31, was among Saturday morning's graduands. He had completed a Masters in Public Health while working as part of the contact tracing task group tackling the Covid-19 pandemic here. Mr Cai, who did his undergraduate degree in sports science and management, said he took up the Masters degree as public health has a wider impact and reach in improving the health of people through policy and control measures. Mr Vincent Cai, 31, was among Saturday morning's graduands. PHOTO: COURTESY OF VINCENT CAI He joined the communicable diseases division at the Health Ministry in November last year after learning about infectious diseases through the course. He had been focused on diseases like measles and rubella when the pandemic hit and resources were channelled to tackle Covid-19, so he was shifted to do contact tracing. When asked about his biggest takeaway from the course, Mr Cai said: "It is to do the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people. "For example, the measures we are now taking amid the pandemic may be an inconvenience to most but overall the benefits of protection and prevention outweigh the benefits of not taking any control measures." Mr Cai said he would continue his work with contact tracing until the end of the pandemic and would then return to his area of interest in tackling measles, rubella, and other droplet-borne diseases. More on this topic Related Story Graduating in the midst of a pandemic: What's next? Related Story Thousands of polytechnic, SUSS students graduate amid pandemic At the ceremony, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said he was proud of how the cohorts of 2020 and 2021 had shown resolve, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence during this difficult period. He added: "Many of you have had to make major adjustments to your plans and career pathways… I would urge that you nurture a new mindset, be prepared to chart new paths, and move boldly to seize emerging opportunities." More on this topic Related Story From home-based farming to virtual museums, NUS grads think of ideas for a post-Covid-19 world Related Story SUTD's sixth batch of students graduate amid Covid-19 pandemic; more than half have secured jobs

26 6 月, 2021

‘Global effort’ needed to fight fake goods amid Covid-19 pandemic

SINGAPORE - Criminal networks have continued to cash in on illicit trade during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as in counterfeit and contraband goods. On June 8, Interpol announced that its Operation Pangea XIV had resulted in 113,020 Web links being removed owing to ties to counterfeit and illicit medicines. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

9 5 月, 2021

What Mother’s Day means to mums on front line of Covid-19 pandemic in S’pore

SINGAPORE - Some of them have not seen their families for more than a year since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Others are worried about bringing the virus home with them. Three nurses, a bus captain and a community police officer tell their Mother's Day stories. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

22 4 月, 2021

Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat, Perm Sec Aubeck Kam to receive May Day honours

SINGAPORE - Senior Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs Chee Hong Tat and Permanent Secretary for Manpower Aubeck Kam will receive the Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest accolades in this year's May Day Awards. Mr Chee has been a strong advocate for the protection of healthcare and public transport workers against abuse, while Mr Kam has made significant contributions towards improving the wages and work prospects of workers. The Distinguished Service Award is conferred by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) on those who are still active and continue to make significant contributions for three years or more after receiving the Meritorious Service award. Mr Chee and Mr Kam are among the 143 individuals and organisations who will receive awards next Wednesday (April 28). Other recipients include union leaders, government officials and firms advancing workers' interests amid an uncertain economic outlook brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as workers who are role models at their workplaces. The recipient of the Medal of Honour - the top May Day accolade - will be announced on Tuesday, a day before the awards ceremony. It is given to individuals who have rendered distinguished services to the labour movement. The ceremony will be held over two sessions - at Downtown East as well as online on Zoom. Last year, the physical ceremony was cancelled due to tightened Covid-19 measures, but awardees were still recognised for their contributions. Mr Chee told The Straits Times that he looks forward to "continue working closely with brothers and sisters in the labour movement to improve the lives of our workers". He has been closely involved in advising the Union of Power and Gas Employees (Upage) and Healthcare Services Employees' Union (HSEU). Over the years, Mr Chee has worked with HSEU leaders to ensure that the well-being of healthcare workers are taken care of, especially those at the frontline in the fight against Covid-19. He has also lent his support for Upage in the areas of skills upgrading and re-employment of older employees, said a citation for his award. Mr Chee said the tripartite partnership has been "a source of pride and competitive advantage" for Singapore. "Because our tripartite partners trust one another, we are able to create a pro-business, pro-worker environment which is trusted by overseas investors and customers," he added. "This is important when the seas are calm, but it is even more critical when we are sailing in rough waters to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic and to build back stronger after the crisis." Mr Kam has played a vital role in formulating and implementing timely advisories and schemes on safe management measures for workplaces, manpower management and foreign worker dormitory needs since the coronavirus outbreak, said his citation. This has ensured that workplaces remain safe and businesses can continue to operate amidst the pandemic. He has also been involved in major tripartite efforts such as the enhancements of the progressive wage model, and raising of the retirement and re-employment ages to ensure continued employability. Mr Kam credited his colleagues at the Manpower Ministry for the award. He told ST: "They work tirelessly with the unions and employers to advance the interest of workers and businesses, and contribute to the success of Singapore." More on this topic Related Story NTUC honours 29 organisations with May Day Awards Related Story Maritime sector remains resilient during Covid-19 pandemic: Chee Hong Tat

12 4 月, 2021

HKTDC International Sourcing Show: Fashion industry experts reveal post-pandemic moves

HONG KONG, Apr 12, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - As the fashion world continues to react to the impact of the pandemic, a new paradigm is emerging within the industry. The HKTDC International Sourcing Show | ONLINE hosted three fashion-related webinars last month, with industry experts revealing the changes and opportunities that the pandemic has brought to the fashion arena.At "The Perfect Storm: Future-Proofing Your Fashion Business" webinar, Harvey Mok, Senior Vice President, Business Development at CASETiFY, shared insights into the online-and-offline shopping experience and retail trends.Edwin Keh, CEO of the Hong Kong Research Institute at Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), showcased an innovative clothing material.Industry experts including Michael Leow, Asia/Pacific Sales & Marketing Head at Fashion Snoops, Matthew Olivier-Lovett, Director of Retail at Omnilytics, and Jaana Jatyri, CEO at Trendstop, shared the latest trend forecasts at "The Visionary Fashion Trends: Lifestyle and Retail" webinar.Expand product categories and enhance online salesIn the webinar titled "The Perfect Storm: Future-Proofing Your Fashion Business", Michael Ho, Marketing & Brand Partnerships Manager at ZALORA, described 2020 as a year of expansion. Thanks to more brands setting up shopfronts on ZALORA, the product categories carried by the platform expanded from fashion to luxury, beauty and lifestyle. Mr Ho explained that with consumers unable to travel during the pandemic, sales at many of the physical stores of global brands have plummeted. This prompted the brands to look for new sales channels, with ZALORA becoming an attractive choice. For ZALORA, this development not only enabled it to cover the losses in fashion sales, it also boosted consumers' average order frequency from three times a year to 3.3 times a year. According to the company's Q4 2020 figures, sales on ZALORA's Hong Kong platform grew 60%, with further growth expected in 2021.Last year, CASETiFY, a brand known for its smartphone cases and tech accessories, opened five physical shops in Hong Kong despite the adverse economic conditions and achieved remarkable sales. "When there is a need in the market, we address it," said Harvey Mok, Senior Vice President of Business Development at CASETiFY, adding that the brand released a UV sanitiser for smartphones and reusable cotton face masks in 2020 to address customers' safety concerns.The company also observed that although Hong Kong's consumers were shopping online, they still missed travelling and visiting physical stores. Accordingly, CASETiFY offered experiential purchases at its shops, decorating each one differently to provide a unique consumer experience. Customers can try out different smartphone cases and buy in-store or online. Mr Mok believed this "try offline, buy online" model will continue after the pandemic and that the two sales models can complement each other. "Many people in Hong Kong are hesitant about spending HK$400 on a smartphone case. But once they try our case in a store, they will be convinced of its value over a HK$40 case." This, he said, will directly increase their desire to buy.Innovative clothing materials give sustainability boostSpeaking during the webinar "What's In for Fashion: Sustainability is the New Normal?", Edwin Keh, CEO of the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), noted that the pandemic has changed the sentiment of many industry practitioners and consumers. They have gone from focusing purely on aesthetics to emphasising comfort and safety, and have also become more discerning about the materials used and the manufacturing process employed. In the face of the pandemic and the world's mounting environmental problems, consumers are participating more in creating solutions, which is helpful to companies conducting research and development (R&D) on different materials.Mr Keh brought along some of the materials developed by HKRITA to illustrate how materials R&D can address the needs of both the market and society. He showed one material that can absorb carbon dioxide from the ambient environment, and another made from post-consumer waste that feels like cotton to the touch. When asked if only large companies can afford the resources to innovate, he said that organisations of all sizes can all play a role in tackling the challenge of sustainability. "A lot of innovations are coming from small start-ups that have great ideas. There is nothing wrong with being small, but one must make sure that the innovation can be adapted to the marketplace," Mr Keh said.Global fashion retailer H&M is striving to lead the fashion industry into a circular economy. Malin Lundahl, Sustainability Manager of H&M Greater China, said that with the continued growth of the global population, H&M must become 100% circular if it is to sustain its success. Presently, most clothes end up in the landfill. H&M wants to change this by turning products that have reached the end of their lives into resources for something new. The company encourages customers to bring used clothes to their stores, and H&M will take care of collection and recycling.For example, 20% of the jeans the brand produces are made from recycled cotton. This saves 1,000 litres of water for each pair of jeans during production, reducing the impact on the environment. The products are also fitted with green hang tags that show the materials used in the products. Ms Lundahl explained that the company's goal is to engage customers and invite them to contribute to sustainability as they shop. H&M has also developed a material called Desserto, which is made from cactus and can be used as a vegan alternative to leather. "Our goal is to use only recycled or sustainably sourced materials by 2030, and we passed the halfway point in 2019 when we reached 57%," she said.2022 trends: minimalistic and soothingMany people experienced separation and loss in 2020, which will have a direct impact on future trends. Speaking at the webinar "The Visionary Fashion Trends: Lifestyle and Retail", Michael Leow, Asia/Pacific Sales & Marketing Head at trend forecaster Fashion Snoops, said the four key trends they identified for Spring/Summer 2022 are all related to the restoration of humanity and morality.The first theme is "Essential". As countries went into lockdown, people went through separation and craved intimacy, meaningful relationships and protection. Consumers are now shifting towards a simplicity of choice and a quest towards "less but better". The second theme is "Nourish". In addition to health, consumers cherish the well-being of their mind and soul. Consequently, there needs to be more human-centred designs with soothing colours that calm the senses without being too sweet. The third theme is "Liberate", reflecting people's desire to be free of pandemic-induced restrictions. Accordingly, brands should provide tools that proactively empower customers to contribute to social and creative issues. This leads to the last theme of "Rebirth". With people becoming increasingly concerned for the environment, brands will need to demonstrate their commitment towards issues such as sustainability and fair trade.Trendstop, a trend and consumer taste forecasting agency, predicted that 50% of fashion businesses and jobs may be gone in the next five years. Jaana Jatyri, Trendstop's CEO, remarked that after the pandemic, "having a great brand does not guarantee success. The product must be perfect and match the tastes of consumers." Ms Jatyri cited the example of a famous brand that released a clothing item with a star pattern. The quality was good, but the product did not sell. A simple search on Trendstop's online platform showed that the last time a star pattern trended was five years ago, which explained why the product did not become popular.She suggested that fashion suppliers use trend data to understand the colours, prints and graphics, materials, shapes and detailing that are coming into fashion. "This way, everyone can produce only items that consumers will want to buy and not waste time, money or resources on creating products that are not going to sell. This is also better for the planet and can avoid unwanted products ending up in the landfill or having to be burned."The International Sourcing Show | ONLINE hosted a total of 17 webinars with more than 60 industry luminaries invited to share their insights and ideas. All the webinars are available for replaying now at the fair website: https://isshow-online.hktdc.com/en/intelligence-hub.Websites:International Sourcing Show: http://isshow.hktdc.com/Intelligence Hub: https://isshow-online.hktdc.com/en/intelligence-hubPhoto download: https://bit.ly/3fLvgRNAbout the HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly SMEs, in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn.Media enquiriesPlease contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:Janet Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.orgAgnes Wat, Tel: +852 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

22 1 月, 2021

Nearly one-third of Singaporeans gained weight during Covid-19 pandemic: Survey

SINGAPORE - Covid-19 has been a weighty affair in more ways than one, with almost one-third of Singaporeans saying they have piled on the kilos during the pandemic, at an average increase of around 5kg. And while many would point their fingers at how lifestyles have become more sedentary with many working from home, four in 10 reported that they are exercising more often. These are among the findings from an online study by marketing research company Ipsos, which looked at how health choices have changed during the pandemic. A total of 500 respondents, aged between 21 and 74, were interviewed between Oct 23 and Nov 6. More than half of those surveyed also said they were trying to lose weight but a majority of these - more than 70 per cent - added that this was unrelated to gaining weight during the pandemic. More exercise was the most popular way to slim down, followed by reducing one's food intake and eating healthily without dieting. However, these Singaporeans were least willing to give up meat and alcohol to lose weight. Only 10 per cent said that they could abstain from meat and alcohol, while 65 per cent of them could cut down or forgo sugar. Cheaper healthy food topped the list of 12 possible initiatives that companies and governments could introduce to help people shed the kilos. The proposal was significantly ahead of others, with nearly half of the respondents opting for it. This was followed by around 20 per cent hoping to see more green public spaces available for exercise and 15 per cent wishing for healthier ingredients in processed foods. "When it comes to food, eating out is a common practice for Singaporeans... But healthy options with lower sugar, lower carbohydrates and less processed foods are still limited within a more affordable price range," said Ms Melanie Ng, director of public affairs at Ipsos in Singapore. "Having access to cheaper healthy foods is likely to make most impact to Singaporeans trying to achieve their health goals." More on this topic Related Story Putting on the quarantine kilos? It's a weighty matter Related Story More people overeating or binge eating to cope with greater stress during pandemic

19 1 月, 2021

Probation for youth who used bogus Covid-19 grant applications to cheat MSF of $2.5k

SINGAPORE - A full-time national serviceman (NSF) who duped the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) into disbursing $2,500 from the Temporary Relief Fund (TRF) for his benefit was sentenced on Tuesday (Jan 19) to 18 months' probation. The court heard that Yee Jia Hao, 20, used his ill-gotten gains to gamble and has not made any restitution. Yee had submitted four bogus Covid-19 grant applications in April last year to receive monies from the TRF, a fund to deal with the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. Three applications were accepted while one was rejected. The fund is administered by MSF and the People's Association. As part of his probation, the Singaporean has to remain indoors from 10pm to 6am every day and perform 60 hours of community service. He must also attend a gambling-relapse prevention programme. His parents and brother were bonded for $5,000 to ensure his good behaviour. Yee had pleaded guilty last year to three counts of cheating and one count of attempted cheating. Six other charges, mainly for cheating, were considered during sentencing. The TRF, a financial support scheme the Government announced in March last year as part of the Resilience Budget, opened its application from April 1 to 30, 2020. The court heard that Yee first accessed the online TRF portal using his own SingPass credentials on April 17 last year where he made a false declaration, claiming that he had lost at least 30 per cent of his personal income owing to the outbreak. Among other things, an applicant for relief must have a household income of up to $10,000 or earn up to $3,100 a month before losing his or her job. The applicant must also be retrenched or suffer at least 30 per cent loss of personal income due to the pandemic after Jan 23 last year. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin said that Yee was aware that he did not meet the eligibility criteria and had not lost his personal income due to the pandemic. The prosecutor said: "Rather, his personal income had increased, as he had been unemployed prior to Covid-19, and was a full-time NSF thereafter. "Furthermore, the accused declared that his income prior to Covid-19 was $960, and his income after it was affected by Covid-19 was $672, exactly 30 per cent less. These numbers were fictitious." More on this topic Related Story Five months' jail for man who tried to cheat MSF into disbursing Covid-19 related support funds Related Story Woman jailed four months for cheating MSF of over $29,000 MSF disbursed $500 to Yee three days after he submitted his application. He then continued cheating the ministry of more money but used SingPass credentials belonging to other people, including his father. The DPP said Yee had deliberately sought to exploit the Covid-19 pandemic and the Government's response to it for financial gain. He added: "The TRF is not 'free money' to be taken at one's whim and fancy. It was a specific scheme to help those truly in need to tide over the short-term financial impact of losing income or jobs." Yee was caught after an MSF officer lodged a police report on May 27 last year. For each count of cheating, Yee could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined. More on this topic Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories

27 12 月, 2020

Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on Dec 27

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Sunday, Dec 27. S'pore's sea cargo one bright spot amid pandemic but reviving air travel remains a challenge Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said ridership on public transport has bounced back. READ MORE HERE What happened to the McDonald's boys and other S'pore missing persons cases still unsolved? For cold cases, the police said they regularly review missing person reports. READ MORE HERE Malaysia records highest daily Covid-19 case count; KL most affected The capital city Kuala Lumpur made up one-third of country's total number of cases on Saturday. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Roller coaster of emotions for S'poreans spending year-end in UK amid tight lockdown "This has been the most challenging Christmas I've had in my life," said a Singaporean student. READ MORE HERE Covid-19 pandemic will not be the last: WHO chief Tedros Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was time to learn the lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. READ MORE HERE Lebanese man who stayed at Mandarin Orchard among new Covid-19 cases in S'pore Saturday's cases also include two Singaporeans who had returned from the United Kingdom. READ MORE HERE Turning trash to treasure Find out how four groups have added value to Singapore's food waste. READ MORE HERE Good riddance, 2020 This is the year life got put on hold, when nearly everything that could go wrong did, says Jeremy Au Yong. READ MORE HERE Good to buy homes with the 'wow' factor For many Singaporeans, their first home is unlikely to be their last and so it is always better to buy with the foresight that you will need to sell it in the future. READ MORE HERE Pandemic Power List: Who rocked the year of the great Covid-19 shake-up? ST shortlists the 10 who hogged headlines in lifestyle, arts, entertainment and food. READ MORE HERE

14 11 月, 2020

Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on Nov 14

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Saturday, Nov 14. Will Covid-19 create a 'lost generation' in Asia? What is the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the young people of Singapore and Asia? READ MORE HERE Trump appears to acknowledge for first time that Biden could succeed him He appears to acknowledge the possibility of a Biden administration, in first public remarks since election loss. READ MORE HERE Hospitals should have flexible designs to adapt to changing needs, says Gan Kim Yong Changing demographics and disease patterns will require a changing model of care, he said. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Biden solidifies US election victory over Trump, with 306 electoral votes to 232 Biden wins Georgia, while Trump claims victory in North Carolina. READ MORE HERE More than 130 US Secret Service agents struck by Covid-19: Media Numerous agents had travelled to campaign rallies with Trump where many officials and most of the attendees went maskless. READ MORE HERE Family takes Covid-19 pandemic in its stride for Deepavali festivities While some customs have been disrupted this year, the spirit of the festival remains unchanged, they said. READ MORE HERE Dazzling start to Orchard Road Christmas light-up amid Covid-19 pandemic The festive lights will come on nightly from now until Jan 1 next year. READ MORE HERE Singaporean students disappointed after Australia scraps plans to allow foreign students back Australia wants to give priorities to Australians stuck overseas to return as there are not enough quarantine facilities. READ MORE HERE NParks releasing over 280 gardening plots in 4 parks The plots will be made available in Bedok Reservoir Park, Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, one-north Park and East Coast Park. READ MORE HERE 3 delightful, nature-filled trails around MacRitchie Reservoir Explore gorgeous flora and see interesting fauna with these three trails to suit people of all fitness levels. READ MORE HERE