SINGAPORE - More than 82,000 people have set sail on cruises, with no Covid-19 cases on board since the pilot programme started last year. Singapore kicked off its "cruises to nowhere" pilot in November, with two operators - Genting Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International - given the go-ahead to offer round trips with no ports of call. 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.
Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Tuesday, Feb 23. Biden calls for national moment of silence for 500,000 US Covid-19 deaths More people have died in the US due to Covid-19 than any other country in the world. READ MORE HERE Singapore begins islandwide Covid-19 vaccination drive for seniors aged 70 and above This next phase in the inoculation drive comes after a pilot in Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar. READ MORE HERE Husband of SIA cabin crew who previously tested positive for Covid-19 is sole community case The other nine cases are all imported. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Two wild boar attacks in a night shock Punggol residents The boar has not been found despite a 20-man effort to track it down over the weekend. READ MORE HERE Kranji woodland cleared by mistake: How it happened Here is a timeline of what transpired, according to JTC. READ MORE HERE 'Monstrous' fish at MacRitchie: Don't breed species if you can't keep them, say fish collectors Owners who can no longer care for their pets can ask for help from a community dedicated to rehoming fish. READ MORE HERE Nasa releases first audio and video of Perseverance rover landing on Mars Perseverance Rover's Descent and Touchdown on Mars (Official NASA Video) The video clip showed the deployment of the parachute and the rover's touchdown on the surface of Mars in a cloud of dust. READ MORE HERE Indonesia calls for Asean to hold Myanmar junta to election pledge But the proposal falls short of demands for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the recognition of the Nov 8 ballot her party won. READ MORE HERE How to get the best value out of your SingapoRediscovers vouchers There is still time to redeem the vouchers for child-friendly activities, unusual adventures and staycations. READ MORE HERE '123456' is still top password worldwide after 10 years; S'pore fares better in password security The No. 2 password was three characters longer - "123456789" - while No. 3 was "qwerty". READ MORE HERE
MELBOURNE • The intimidation factor of Serena Williams lasted two games for Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open yesterday before she turned the tables on the American great, storming into her second Melbourne final with a dominant 6-3, 6-4 win at Rod Laver Arena. After dropping serve and falling 2-0 behind, the Japanese told herself she needed to focus on her own game to end the former world No. 1's latest bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title and it was when her suffocating power took over. "I was definitely really nervous," the three-time Major winner said. "It's very intimidating to serve for the first game and see her on the other side of the net. "I was worried about what she would do if I were to hit a soft ball. Yeah, I think when it was like 2-0, I was just telling myself to control what I can control and try to play within myself instead of thinking about what she would do or anything like that." Williams made 18 unforced errors, including 10 on her forehand, considered one of the fiercest strokes in the women's game but Osaka's power-hitting contributed to that as she underlined her status as the new queen of women's tennis. This was a rematch of their tumultuous 2018 US Open decider and the first time they had met in a Major since New York but there was none of the drama here as the Japanese ace broke her opponent four times, including twice in the first set. The reigning US Open champion has now beaten Williams at two Slams, including that 2018 final, has a 3-1 lead in head-to-head clashes and holds a 4-0 record in Major semi-finals, going on to win in her past three trips to the finals. Set to battle American 22nd seed Jennifer Brady, who beat 27th-ranked Czech Karolina Muchova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the other semi, tomorrow for her fourth Slam by the age of 23, Osaka is rapidly developing the aura that helped Williams to 23 Majors - the last in Melbourne in 2017. Certainly, she played her idol's role of aggressor in their match, firing down laser forehands that the 39-year-old struggled to retrieve. She showed Williams-esque ruthlessness too, hammering down four first serves to close out the match. The third seed will be heavily favoured to defeat Brady, who she beat in three sets in the semis of last year's US Open and is making her maiden appearance at this stage, as her mindset sets her apart from her peers. "For me, I have this mentality that people don't remember the runners-up," said Osaka, unbeaten in all three of her Slam finals. "You might, but the winner's name is the one that's engraved. "I think I fight the hardest in the finals. I think that's where you sort of set yourself apart. It's something that I think... I don't know, it's like the biggest fight." In relentlessly moving her from side to side on the court, she may have also pushed Williams closer to retirement. Since returning to competition in 2018 after a difficult childbirth, she has now played in 11 Slams, getting to the semis or finals in six of them without finishing the job. Asked later if this was her Open swansong, Williams tearfully said that if she "ever say farewell, I wouldn't tell anyone" before leaving abruptly. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, NYTIMES, REUTERS AUSTRALIAN OPEN Day 12: Singtel TV Ch114 & StarHub Ch208, noon & 4pm KEEPING MUM If I ever say farewell, I wouldn't tell anyone. SERENA WILLIAMS, who at 39 is not far from calling it a day. FIGHTING SPIRIT For me, I have this mentality that people don't remember the runners-up. NAOMI OSAKA, world No. 3, on being extra motivated in finals. She faces American Jennifer Brady tomorrow.
Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Sunday, Jan 31. Singapore's nightclubs and karaoke outlets in the dark after pilot fails to take off Many had invested a significant amount in preparing for the pilot, which was to have started this month. READ MORE HERE Singapore's teen ISA case: Is the Internet to blame for youth self-radicalisation? News that a Singaporean teenager had planned to carry out a terror attack has parents worried about their children’s activities online. But is the Internet solely to blame? READ MORE HERE Do not lay out trays of CNY goodies; practise strict hand hygiene during visits, say experts This is because this kind of communal eating increases the risk of spreading Covid-19. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Lunch With Sumiko: Hip-hop and honesty go hand in hand, says rapper Yung Raja Yung Raja’s uniquely Singaporean English-Tamil hip-hop is inspired by his own experience as the son of immigrant parents. READ MORE HERE askST: What is a stay-home notice and how is it enforced in Singapore? The government has been constantly updating quarantine requirements for travellers as the coronavirus situation develops overseas. READ MORE HERE Keeping a more diverse, complex Singapore together In a time of rapid change, solidarity and the will of the people to overcome the odds will be critical to a country's survival, says ST editor Warren Fernandez. READ MORE HERE Changi Airport T1 officer among 3 new Covid-19 community cases; he met 12 others for tennis MOH is investigating if there had been any breach of prevailing safe management measures. READ MORE HERE Biden's Asia team filled with experienced hands, signifying continuity They include Secretary of State Antony Blinken and "Asia czar" Kurt Campbell. READ MORE HERE How to make your resume stand out when applying for a job in a new sector It is crucial to ensure that your resume provides what the prospective employer is looking for. READ MORE HERE Covid-19 drives demand for night-time childcare in Singapore More people could be working nights to try to make up for income loss during the pandemic. READ MORE HERE
SINGAPORE - The Cherryloft Resorts & Hotels in Pasir Ris has been fined $1,000 and ordered to suspend bookings for a month after it breached multiple safe management measures and allowed 19 people to gather on its premises. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on Sunday (Jan 17) said the resort will not be allowed to accept new bookings for 30 days between Sunday and Feb 15. It may continue to fulfil existing bookings made before Sunday. A joint operation by STB and the police last Friday found that 19 people had gathered in two adjoining units at the resort, which was formerly known as Costa Sands. All 19 were fined $300 each for breaching the maximum group size of eight people allowed under Singapore's Phase 3 restrictions. Hotels here are currently not allowed to have gatherings of more than eight people in a room or adjoining rooms, except where the gathering consists of people from the same household. Cherryloft had also failed to conduct entry screening and ensure its guests performed SafeEntry check-ins for contact tracing, STB added. On its Facebook page, the resort says it has 180 villas. The law requires visitors entering hotels or hostels to be screened, including having their temperature taken, before they enter the premises. All businesses also have to log the check-in of employees and visitors using SafeEntry. STB's director of hotel and sector manpower, Ms Tan Yen Nee, said the board takes a very serious view of any lapse of safety management measures, and will not hesitate to take enforcement action for non-compliance. "Hotel operators and members of the public are required to strictly observe prevailing Safe Management Measures at all times during their hotel stays, such as ensuring that group sizes do not exceed the permissible limit," she said. First-time offenders who breach laws under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act may face a fine of up to $10,000, up to six months' jail, or both. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $20,000, sentenced to a maximum of a year in jail, or both. "Businesses that do not comply with the Government's safety management measures may also be ineligible for government grants, loans, tax rebates and other assistance," said STB. More on this topic Related Story Two RWS hotels ordered to suspend new bookings for a month after allowing large gatherings in rooms Related Story Bencoolen Street hostel suspended for letting guests check in for leisure purposes Related Stories: Related Story All travellers to S'pore need to take Covid-19 PCR test on arrival from Jan 25 Related Story Norway warns of Covid-19 vaccination risks for sick patients over 80 Related Story Should I get the Covid-19 vaccine? What you need to know Related Story Britain orders all arrivals to quarantine, provide negative tests as Covid-19 deaths rise Related Story WHO stops short of advising proof of Covid-19 vaccine shots for travel Related Story WHO-led team in China will start meetings online from quarantine Related Story Missionary school emerging as new Covid-19 hotbed in South Korea Related Story Thailand offers its lush golf courses as quarantine centres to woo tourists Related Story 3 in 4 Covid-19 patients suffer from at least one symptom six months after infection: Study Related Story Philippines extends travel ban to prevent spread of more contagious coronavirus variant
The number of people involved in the Phase 3 trial globally of the Covid-19 vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech - the only vaccine approved for use in Singapore The number of people involved in the Phase 3 trial of another vaccine front runner, developed by Moderna 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.
LAUSANNE • For the Olympics, adding breakdancing to the competition roster is a choreographed move to get more young people involved in sports. Breakdancing, officially known in sport terms as "breaking", appeared at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, in the form of head-to-head "battles". It cleared its final hurdle to feature in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games last week, bringing the wholly original, electric art form to sport's biggest stage. International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach believes that its introduction is "one of the results of the Olympic Agenda 2020". "We had a clear priority to introduce sports (that are) particularly popular among the younger generation and taking into consideration the urbanisation of sport," he said. Considered one of the pillars of hip-hop culture, breaking originated in New York in the 1970s and has spread globally, enjoying enormous popularity beyond the United States. A 2019 Olympic Programme Commission Report estimated there were roughly one million participants in breaking worldwide and the 2019 Red Bull BC One World Final in Mumbai racked up more than 50 million views across online streaming platforms. "It can resonate with a lot of people because hip-hop culture resonates with a lot of people," said Logan Edra, a 17-year-old American dancer who goes by the performance name Logistx and who aspires to win Olympic gold. "It being in the Olympics, it makes sense that people would refer to it as (a sport) but I think one thing for the breaking community is we want to make sure that it's not known as just a sport but an art, a sport, a culture." Richard "Crazy Legs" Colon, one of the pioneers during his upbringing in the Bronx in the 1970s, said he applauded breaking's inclusion in the Olympics - which inevitably would give more exposure to the sport - but wanted to ensure its cultural core remained intact. "This is true folk art from the music to the dance, to the DJ to the rapper," said Colon, who appeared in dance films of the 1980s including Beat Street and Flashdance. "We've already legitimised ourselves so we're not looking to the Olympics for legitimacy." Key elements in breaking include top rocks - typically a competitor's introductory dance moves - footwork, power moves and freezes. Power moves are explosive displays such as spins, while freezes are when a performer sticks a pose. In a blend of artistry and athleticism, competitors are evaluated not only on technical skill but also creativity and style, with strength, speed, rhythm and agility providing an edge. Paris Games chief Tony Estanguet said that organisers had been on the hunt for new sports to broaden the appeal of the Olympics and were drawn to breaking's potential to attract a younger fan base and grow the Olympic audience in the Internet age. He added that though the decision had come in for some criticism, most of the feedback he had received had been overwhelmingly positive. He said: "It's a sport that is widely watched on all digital platforms, widely consumed by young people... we are really adding events that come from a completely different world, with fans, who would not necessarily be connected to the Olympic Games otherwise." AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
About 91 per cent of those diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) here are receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy for it, and 91 per cent of this group have suppressed the virus. This exceeds two of the United Nations' three "90-90-90" goals, the Health Ministry's director of communicable diseases Vernon Lee said on Saturday. But Singapore still falls short of the third goal, which is to have 90 per cent of all people living with HIV know their status. Speaking at the 12th Singapore Aids Conference, held virtually this year, Associate Professor Lee said only 80 per cent of HIV-positive people here have been diagnosed. This number was calculated using data from the national HIV registry database and modelled using a tool that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control uses. Prof Lee said Singapore's 80 per cent statistic for this goal is around the global average, while the Republic has generally surpassed other regions with its achievements for the other two targets. He also noted that Singapore has progressed in terms of the percentage of people who have HIV that have been diagnosed, which has increased every year, up from 66 per cent in 2014. "The progress we have made in terms of getting people tested and diagnosed with HIV has improved across the years, but this is something that we need to continue to push because we want people to get diagnosed so that they can move towards treatment and viral suppression," he said. The percentage for the three groups was calculated based on data from 2018, as it takes several years for it to be processed. So it is not yet clear if Singapore will meet the UN's goals for this year. But Professor Roy Chan, president of Action for Aids Singapore, said hitting the UN's targets is not as important as seeing an improvement over time. "The important thing for us to understand is - are we doing better? Ninety per cent is (just) the first target... We can do much better than this; I think as a small country we can hit 95 per cent," he said. Prof Chan, who is also a senior consultant at the National Skin Centre and head of its Sexually Transmitted Infection Control Programme, said there is a need to reduce the stigmatisation of people living with HIV, and also to correct the misunderstanding that treatment is expensive. He added that self-testing kits could help reduce fear. Prof Chan said: "We have some ways to go, and it's the job of everybody... to work together to try and get this done."
MANILA, Nov 18, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - A safe, decent, and healthy home has been the first line of defense for families around the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the work of Habitat for Humanity, more than 5.9 million people accessed better housing in the last year, according to the global nonprofit's fiscal year 2020 annual report released today. In Asia and the Pacific region, Habitat has helped more than 1.9 million people have access to better housing.The report highlights how the organization addressed the need for safe, decent and affordable shelter worldwide, under mounting headwinds from the pandemic that restricted some of the ways Habitat traditionally executes its mission. With many of the organization's usual activities affected by the spread of COVID-19 over the course of the fiscal year (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020), its affiliated organizations in more than 70 countries and 1,100 communities across the United States found ways to adapt and continue serving."While this year has brought many challenges and heartaches to communities we serve across the world, I'm grateful that Habitat has had an opportunity to serve so many families when they needed it most," said Jonathan T.M. Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "At Habitat, we are religious about our principles, but not about our tactics. I've been inspired by the ingenuity and flexibility of Habitat organizations around the world who quickly adapted to the crisis and built new strategies to carry out our mission. We are clear-eyed that the future will bring more headwinds, but I know that the people who enable our mission -- our donors, staff, volunteers, advocates and the people we serve -- are as dedicated as ever to our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live."While the COVID-19 pandemic greatly curtailed traditional volunteer experiences, with build sites largely closed to general volunteers since February, Habitat still benefited from the hands and hearts of nearly 1 million volunteers before the shutdowns began.In the fiscal year 2020, Habitat for Humanity International reported US$287 million in revenue, along with an estimated US$2.3 billion in total revenue through the organization's federated network in the U.S. and around the world. Program spending at Habitat for Humanity International accounted for 74% of total expenses, including the distribution of US$193 million in cash and donated product to Habitat organizations.The 5.9 million people who accessed new or improved housing through new home construction, rehabilitation, incremental improvements and repairs helped the organization reach the milestone of 35 million people served since its founding in 1976.Description automatically generatedHabitat views access to safe, decent, and affordable housing as the cornerstone of strong, thriving communities. Senghouch, Cheat, and their two young children are among the many families served by Habitat's global network. Senghouch's family built a new home with the help of Habitat for Humanity Cambodia. Living in a small village in Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia, Senghouch is now able to work comfortably on her weaving loom inside her home to earn more income for the family's daily expenses. The training in water, sanitation, and hygiene practices conducted by Habitat has also helped to improve the children's overall health. In fiscal year 2020, Habitat continued to enable access to better housing for millions through its Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter. To address the impacts of COVID-19, the Center developed nearly 40 activities, from issuing small grants to shelter-related innovators to prototyping temporary shelter concepts.Habitat's impact is felt well beyond the individuals that it serves. Habitat's work promotes and drives social and economic outcomes by stimulating other sectors of the economy through spending and job creation associated with home construction, renovation, and repair.Findings from a recent Habitat report determined that emerging economies that have been struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic may be significantly underestimating their housing sector's contribution to the gross domestic product of a country. The report, titled Cornerstone of Recovery: How Housing Can Help Emerging Market Economies Rebound from COVID-19, found that inclusive financial interventions in the housing sector can stimulate economies while also improving the wellbeing of families through healthier housing conditions.Habitat is continuing its work in the face of growing need. Even before the pandemic, more than 1.6 billion people globally lack adequate shelter. The economic impact of COVID-19 has substantially increased the number of people struggling with the impossible choice of covering the cost of housing and other basic needs, like food, water, heat, and health care."These are our friends, our family and our neighbors, who now more than ever, could use the hand up that we can offer," Reckford said. "The pandemic may have spread us apart physically, but we have never been more united it our work to build strength through shelter."To learn more and to read the full 2020 annual report, visit habitat.org/multimedia/annual-report-2020.Note to Editor:To set up an interview, receive photos or for further information, contact Michele Soh MSoh@habitat.org, +65 9233 1544 or Rona Azucena, RAzucena@habitat.org.About Habitat for HumanityDriven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort and has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported millions of people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org/asiapacific. Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
TOKYO • International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach yesterday expressed confidence that the Tokyo Games will be held successfully next year, with spectators allowed to attend as the world grapples with a sharp rise in coronavirus infections. While his two-day visit to Tokyo, which concludes today, is likely to bolster Japan's efforts to stage the Olympics, it will do little to assuage the concerns of a public deeply worried about Covid-19's spread. The IOC president spent the day with Tokyo organisers discussing how to stage the massive sporting event during an unprecedented pandemic and ensure safety for a gathering of more than 11,000 international athletes. The visit is Bach's first to the Japanese capital since he and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided in March to postpone the Games to next year. With hygiene in mind, the German elected for fist and elbow bumps over handshakes with both new Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, telling them they could be confident a vaccine would be available by next July. The IOC will arrange to ensure vaccination of both athletes and visitors before they arrive in Japan, he added. "In order to protect the Japanese people, and out of respect for the Japanese people, the IOC will undertake great effort so that... the Olympic participants and visitors will arrive here vaccinated if, by then, a vaccine is available," Bach said. However, at a news conference later, the 66-year-old stated he would not make vaccination a requirement for the Games' participants. News of potentially successful vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna has lifted hopes for the Games to be held, but public opinion in Japan remains mixed. While Japan has largely avoided the high death tolls recorded in the western hemisphere, the country has topped 1,000 cases for each of the past six days, with records set for the last three days. SAFETY FIRST In order to protect the Japanese people, and out of respect for the Japanese people, the IOC will undertake great effort so that... the Olympic participants and visitors will arrive here vaccinated if, by then, a vaccine is available. THOMAS BACH, IOC president, declaring the organisation's consideration for the Japanese public. Nearly 60 per cent of respondents in a poll by TV Asahi earlier this month said the event should be further postponed or cancelled. After meeting Ms Koike, Bach approached a handful of protesters who were holding banners and using loudspeakers to press their demand for the Olympics to be axed. "Do you want to speak or do you want to shout?" he asked, as security guards stood between him and one protester, while the group rebuffed his offer for dialogue. However, Bach later insisted after the confrontation that next year's Games will be the "light at the end of the tunnel", pointing to recent sporting competitions like the gymnastics meet earlier this month as proof events can already take place safely. He also claimed the IOC was now "very confident" spectators would be able to attend in person, but told reporters it was not realistic to put a figure on the cost of the postponement until next year's virus precautions are ascertained. During his visit to Tokyo, Bach also awarded Mr Abe the Olympic Order, the IOC's highest accolade. As premier, Mr Abe made himself all but synonymous with Tokyo 2020, even famously appearing as video game character Mario at the closing ceremony of the Rio Games in 2016. He also played a critical role in Tokyo's bid to win the Olympics, making the campaign a national priority. A few years later, a French investigation into doping by Russian athletes revealed evidence of two payments totalling US$2.3 million (S$3.1 million) by the Tokyo bid committee to now-defunct Singaporean firm Black Tidings. France is investigating if that money was used to win the backing of an influential IOC member, former Dentsu executive Haruyuki Takahashi, for Japan to host the 2020 Games. Bach said that the payments did not infringe any of the body's rules, adding the matter was an "internal affair". Takahashi now sits on the board of the organising committee of the Games. REUTERS
Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Monday, Oct 19. Only 3 community care facilities remain in S'pore - with 36 Covid-19 patients The only facilities operating are at D'Resort NTUC, Singapore Expo and Big Box. READ MORE HERE NUS sacks Tembusu College don accused of sexual misconduct Configure The university conducted an internal probe after it received two complaints against Dr Jeremy Fernando. READ MORE HERE Union leaders unhappy with Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim's remarks on minimum wage Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news They especially took issue with his choice of words in characterising their views as "folksy wisdom and beliefs". READ MORE HERE Umno set for showdown talks as Malaysian PM Muhyiddin teeters on the brink Key meetings at the start of this week could determine whether Muhyiddin Yassin remains in power. READ MORE HERE 15 days to US elections: Hint of tide turning against Trump in Florida One key driver is the US President's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. READ MORE HERE Batam prepares to welcome essential travellers from Singapore Applications for reciprocal green lane will begin on Oct 26, and travel will start soon after. READ MORE HERE France to expel 231 suspected extremists after attack on teacher: Source 180 people are currently in prison and 51 were due to be arrested in the next hours. READ MORE HERE More people overeating or binge eating to cope with greater stress during pandemic Binge eating provides a temporary escape but may leave you feeling trapped and depressed. READ MORE HERE Children who are weak in mother tongue get a leg-up A new support programme weaves more activities and games into lessons in small group sessions. READ MORE HERE Caregivers need to seek support to avoid burnout: Experts Frustration or guilt may lead a caregiver to harm a person with mental health issues or become suicidal. READ MORE HERE
SINGAPORE - Over 1,000 delegates from all around the world participated in an unprecedented, fully virtual three-day summit organised by Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) from Tuesday to Thursday (Oct 13 to 15). The summit, which is into its 12th edition, featured a series of panel discussions and virtual site visits led by leaders in the fields of corporate sustainability. An average of 575 viewers globally tuned in daily for the live sessions. The purpose of this annual summit is to facilitate conversations on the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For the first time, GCNS also organised a youth track at the summit to engage young people aged between 18 and 35. The young men and women discussed food sustainability issues, such as food security and the circular economy. Nearly 500 participated in the youth track, approximately half of whom hailed from Singapore. Delivering the opening keynote address on Tuesday, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee spoke about how the Covid-19 pandemic has led to significant global shifts, pushing everyone to re-examine how they work and live. He also highlighted how Singapore set up the Emerging Stronger Taskforce in May under the Future Economy Council to examine how the nation can stay economically resilient and seize growth opportunities arising from the crisis. People from all walks of life were also encouraged to share their ideas and aspirations for Singapore through the newly launched Emerging Stronger Conversations initiative, Mr Lee said. "A common theme that has emerged quite strongly across all these (Emerging Stronger) conversations is sustainability. Many participants pointed out the need to redefine measures of success beyond economic growth," he said. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu also spoke on Thursday, the final day of the summit, sharing how young people can be powerful agents of change. She reiterated the Government's commitment to a low carbon and climate resilient future, touching on how the Government is putting in place energy efficiency schemes to help companies become more energy and carbon efficient. Ms Fu also announced the winners of the City Developments Limited (CDL)-GCNS Young SDG Leaders Awards. In its 10th year, this annual case competition offers young people a platform to champion sustainable development and SDG integration into business. More on this topic Related Story Sustainability still vital to firms despite challenges, say experts Related Story Programme that weighs students' food wastage takes top prize at sustainability challenge Related Story New institute to groom talent in green finance The competition saw participants submitting business case proposals, with selected finalists participating in practical work attachments and mentorships. Of the 64 teams that applied this year, a team comprising students from the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University and London School of Economics emerged victorious.