Man accused of stealing vitamins claims Watsons staff were hallucinating

SINGAPORE - A man who is accused of stealing vitamins from a Watsons claimed that the staff were hallucinating. Maniram Kese Sunar, 50, faces one charge for theft and another for skipping bail. He is alleged to have stolen two bottles of multivitamins from Watsons in Tampines Mall on the evening of June 15 last year. The bottles, one for men and the other for women, were worth about $46 each. He is also accused of failing to report for bail in July last year. On Tuesday (April 13), Maniram appeared in court and began addressing the judge while another case was ongoing, saying he was late for his hearing because he was lost. He only quietened down after the court officers told him to take a seat. When his case was heard, Maniram denied stealing the vitamins. "The staff of Watsons are under a lot of stress. I think they were hallucinating. I don't remember taking the items," he said. "I am a true blue Singaporean, I speak the four languages here, I will not do something like that." He also repeatedly asked for security camera footage from the Watsons outlet to be played. District Judge Kessler Soh noted that he was not pleading guilty. Maniram is expected to be back in court on April...

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Covid-19 national testing lab can be repurposed for other infectious diseases outbreaks: A*Star

SINGAPORE - The Covid-19 vaccination drive in Singapore is well underway, putting the country on track to a semblance of pre-pandemic normalcy. But the Republic is continuing to beef up its preparedness for infectious diseases of the future. For instance, the Stronghold Diagnostics Lab used for Covid-19 testing can be deployed for other screening efforts in the future, said Professor Patrick Tan, founding programme director of the lab and executive director of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research's (A*Star) Genome Institute of Singapore. The lab was set up to boost national polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing capabilities and has been operational since mid-2020. Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat toured the lab at Biopolis, Singapore's biomedical hub in Buona Vista, on Monday (April 12). In a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, he thanked the scientists and researchers at A*Star and other research institutions in Singapore for their work, calling them "silent heroes" in the nation's fight against the coronavirus. "They have made a real difference to our pandemic response. I was fascinated by their sharing of the science behind innovations such as the Fortitude diagno...

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Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on April 13

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Tuesday, April 13. Panel to study licensing, mandatory theory tests for road cyclists as part of review The review comes on the back of a recent spate of complaints about errant road cyclists. READ MORE HERE Covid-19 vaccines vital but aren't designed to fully prevent infection: Experts Those who have had the jabs are much less likely to get seriously ill than unvaccinated patients. READ MORE HERE Buffets are back in S'pore, but self-service still not allowed under Covid-19 measures Staff-served food lines can resume at F&B outlets, corporate and work-related events, and Mice events. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Malaysian PM Muhyiddin to visit Singapore on May 4 to discuss reopening of border The pandemic is also making it difficult for Malaysia to send a representative to fill the High Commissioner position here. READ MORE HERE Most people wash their hands more than 3 times a day, soap still the 'gold standard': ST poll Three-quarters of people surveyed said they have developed better hygiene habits over the past 12 months. READ MORE HERE Duterte resurfaces af...

SGUnited traineeship and attachment schemes benefit 9,500 job seekers

SINGAPORE - Some 9,500 job seekers have participated in two SGUnited schemes launched last year to tackle weakened hiring demand caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Four in five of those taking part in the SGUnited Traineeships and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways programmes are recent graduates, while the rest are mid-career workers. As of end-February, about 200 have found full-time employment while still undergoing training in these programmes, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) in a jobs situation report on Monday (April 12). Another 160 have completed the programmes. The SGUnited Traineeships programme provides recent graduates or those who will soon graduate with opportunities to gain industry-relevant work experience amid weaker hiring sentiment, while the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways programme allows mid-career job seekers to gain in-demand skills and widen their professional networks while waiting for permanent jobs. About 2,500 organisations, including public agencies, have participated in the two schemes by offering traineeships or attachments. Nearly nine in 10 of them are small and medium-sized enterprises. The top sectors offering these opportu...

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Museum of Ice Cream to open in Dempsey in August

SINGAPORE - The Museum of Ice Cream will be setting up shop in Dempsey in August, making it the first time the United States-based attraction is venturing abroad. It is one of four new attractions that Singaporeans can expect from this year, as the Republic seeks to enhance its attractiveness to prepare its hard-hit tourism sector for recovery. Announcing the launch on Monday (April 12), the museum said plans to open in Singapore have been three years in the making. Welcoming the launch of the attraction, Mr Keith Tan, chief executive of Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said: "The opening of such innovative attractions adds vibrancy to our city, and underscores the tourism industry's confidence in Singapore's continuing appeal as a top travel destination." Also set to open in the second half of this year is the Slingshot, a thrill ride in Clarke Quay, which will be the tallest in Asia, catapulting riders to a height of almost 70m at a speed of 160kmh. Visitors to the Museum of Ice Cream will be guided through 14 multi-sensory installations spread over 60,000 sq ft of space, all dedicated to ice cream, which they will also get to try during their visit. While the museum originates fro...

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New initiative to get residents to pick up after their dog

SINGAPORE - There have been calls over the years for harsher penalties for dog owners and walkers who fail to pick up after their dogs in public spaces. Such behaviour can also cause friction among neighbours. To encourage dog owners to clean up their act in Bukit Timah, where up to a third of the households are dog owners, a group of young people launched the PAWsitive Norms campaign last Saturday (April 10). They aim to get dog owners to abide by what they describe as previously unwritten social norms - namely keeping dogs leashed on walks, cleaning up any dog waste and throwing it away in designated bins. "For a lot of us in the area, this issue (of dog waste littering) is a longstanding one so we decided to take it into our own hands," said Mr Tatum Khoo, chairman of the Bukit Timah Youth Network behind the campaign. The 24-year-old public servant said the idea had been in the works for a while, but was firmed up at the end of last year. For a start, the campaign has invited people to make virtual pledges to express their support for the guidelines. The campaign has started in the Mayfair Park Estate in Upper Bukit Timah, and organisers hope to take it throughout the estate and...

MHA calls tender for trial of fully automated motorcycle riding test circuit

SINGAPORE - Learner motorcyclists and drivers could in a few years' time be assessed for a road licence without the presence of a human tester, if a trial here proceeds smoothly. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has called a tender for a trial of a fully automated circuit that will use technology to test motorcycle riders. The Intelligent Driving Circuit (IDC) will eventually replace the current testing method, which involves a human assessor, for both car drivers and motorcyclists. According to the tender documents on government procurement portal GeBiz, the trial is to be conducted on selected Class 2, 2A and 2B motorcycles, which are to be fitted with analytical equipment such as sensors and cameras. The tenderer is expected to supply two motorcycle units for each class and set up automated testing systems at the motorcycle course stations within the test circuit at the Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) in Woodlands Industrial Park. The tender documents set out the riding errors that the automated testing system must be able to detect at the emergency stop station in a proof-of-concept test. These include failing to attain a minimum speed of 30kmh for Class 2B motorcycles...

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Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on April 12

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Monday, April 12. New laws planned to curb unethical adoption practices in Singapore Such practices will be made a crime, with fines or jail terms. READ MORE HERE Crowds return to Lucky Plaza, Peninsula Plaza after lifting of weekend entry curbs There were so many visitors to Lucky Plaza on Sunday morning that the mall had to close briefly. READ MORE HERE Migrant worker who received Covid-19 vaccine among 20 new cases in S'pore "This case is a reminder that it is possible for vaccinated individuals to get infected," said MOH. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Schools in Singapore continue to reap benefits of remote learning But it doesn't replace face-to-face lessons and CCA sessions, said teachers. READ MORE HERE ‘I still can’t call myself a Hong Konger’ Despite years of living in Hong Kong, some foreign-born residents continue to be treated like outsiders. READ MORE HERE Amid Covid-19 pandemic, South-east Asia's drug scourge proves resilient The region's US$61.4 billion (S$82.7 billion) narcotics trade is in full swing. READ MORE HERE Microbes on masks highlight n...

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Local retailer Naiise closes last store at Jewel Changi, may wind up operations

SINGAPORE - Multi-label retailer Naiise may wind up, after years of payment delays to its vendors. It said on Friday (April 9) that it is closing its last store at Jewel Changi Airport. Jewel Changi Airport confirmed to The Straits Times on Saturday that the retailer will be closing its outlet at the mall. "A tenant has been found to take over the space and this will be shared when the store is ready to open," its spokesman said. In a video posted on Facebook on Friday by debt collectors, Naiise founder Dennis Tay could be seen explaining that he is unable to pay back their client Bespoke Parfums Artisanaux, which said it is owed about $10,000. Citing factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic and weak retail sales, Mr Tay explained that he was unable to honour the debt repayment plan he had promised some vendors due to a lack of funds. Another man in the video who identified himself as Mr Tay's financial advisor added: "When a private limited (company) closes, the liquidator will split whatever assets we have." Asked if Naiise was taking the path that department store operator Robinsons took, the man said: "It is exactly like Robinsons." Last October, Robinsons said it had been put und...

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Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on April 11

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Sunday, April 11. Heng Swee Keat steps aside as 4G leader: What comes next for PAP and Singapore? What are the implications of his move? We tackle the key questions. READ MORE HERE Govt to decide on wearing of tudung for nurses by National Day Rally in August: PM Lee "We want to avoid creating unintended consequences when we make well-intentioned moves," he said. READ MORE HERE Singapore to work on a charging model for disposable carrier bags in supermarkets The Govt will consult supermarkets and the public on the mode of charging, whether it is per bag or per transaction. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Demand for help with kids, pets up as people head back to workplace Sales of childcare items have risen while childcare centres and maid agencies are fielding more inquiries. READ MORE HERE BTO project delays dash hopes of moving in, starting families Some buyers have turned to resale flats amid uncertainty about completion dates of new BTO flats. READ MORE HERE Some businesses going fully cashless during Covid-19 to speed up transactions Industry experts, however...

Some businesses in S’pore going fully cashless during Covid-19 to speed up transactions

SINGAPORE - When engineer Japheth Ang visited sports retailer Decathlon at City Square Mall last week, he was happy to see it had gone fully cashless. Unlike most retail outlets which have cashiers, Decathlon has switched to cashless, self-checkout kiosks for all its 12 branches. 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.

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BTO project delays dash hopes of moving in, starting families

SINGAPORE - Ms Ellen Neo, 29, and her fiance, operation executive Felix Lua, 36, were supposed to receive the keys to their three-room Build-To-Order (BTO) flat last December, and move in early this year. The couple, who have been together for six years, got a unit in Pine Vista in Geylang on their third try in 2017. They first balloted in 2015. But last June, Ms Neo, an administrative executive, was told the flat delivery would be delayed to the second quarter of this year. Ms Neo said: "I was really looking forward to seeing my finished home as it has been years in the making. I have been looking through Pinterest for home decor ideas and talking to my neighbours about them." She was hoping against hope that their project would not be one of the delayed ones but it was not to be. "Part of the reason I liked Pine Vista was that I could get it earlier than the others (in the area). But it seems like it doesn't matter any more." Last Monday, the Ministry of National Development (MND) said in a parliamentary reply that about 85 per cent of the 89 ongoing BTO projects are around six to nine months behind schedule. National Development Minister Desmond Lee said on Wednesday the Covid-1...

Higher demand for childcare, maids and gadgets in S’pore as more people return to workplace

SINGAPORE - When Ms Pamela Wah, 26, heard that she could return to the workplace from last Monday, she immediately ordered a portable breast pump costing $92. The accounts manager at a tech company, who has a seven-month-old child, has to return to the office for five days a week. She said the wired pump she uses at home would be inconvenient to use in the office or at a client's place. 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.

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Over 7 in 10 cabbies and private-hire drivers receive first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

SINGAPORE - More than seven in 10 cabbies and private-hire car (PHC) drivers here have received their first Covid-19 vaccination dose, with almost half of them having completed both doses. Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung gave an update on the ongoing vaccination exercise in a Facebook post on Saturday morning (April 10), thanking the drivers for volunteering to get vaccinated. "The next time you take a taxi or private-hire car, it is very likely that your driver has been vaccinated against Covid-19," he said. "Thanks to our drivers for stepping up and making taxi and PHC rides safer." Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor also posted on Facebook on Saturday, saying she was encouraged that close to 85 per cent of active taxi and PHC drivers have registered to be vaccinated. She said around 40,000 of the more than 50,000 drivers have received their first dose, and more than 25,000 of them have already taken their second dose. She said: "This will give our drivers additional peace of mind, and better protect themselves, their families and their commuters from Covid-19. "We hope the rest of the drivers who have yet to sign up will step forward soon. Take care and drive safe." ...

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Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on April 10

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Saturday, April 10. PAP East Coast team committed to delivering promises made at GE2020: DPM Heng His team told their activists during various meetings that "nothing has changed". READ MORE HERE Observers express surprise at DPM Heng stepping aside but say policies on track They said it should not rattle investor and business confidence. READ MORE HERE 8 in 10 polled feel PAP should pick its 4G leader in next 2 years About half the respondents also said they were at least somewhat concerned about succession in Singapore. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband and confidant, dies at 99 The College of Arms said the duke will not have a state funeral, with arrangements revised to meet Covid-19 restrictions. READ MORE HERE Rootless aristocrat, naval hero: British Prince Philip's life in five snapshots Learn about his nomadic upbringing through World War II and how he became the British royal family's patriarch. READ MORE HERE Infrastructure wars: Competitive plays in US, Asia and what drives them The US wants to prove that democracies...

IP insurers’ small panels irk some policyholders

SINGAPORE - When lawyer Leslie Tham, 48, needed to go for an urgent medical procedure last year, his agent told him he needed to get pre-approval to make a claim on his Integrated Shield Plan (IP). He checked his insurer's website and made calls, and waited for the pre-authorisation, not knowing how long it would take, or if it would even come. 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.

Doctors v insurers: When did the fight start?

SINGAPORE - A group of private sector doctors has taken issue with what it calls "highly exclusive" panels of doctors, approved by Integrated Shield Plan (IP) insurers, in a bid to counter their rising costs. The specialists blame insurers for creating plans that led to excessive claims and excluding too many doctors from their panels, while insurers blame doctors for overcharging and over-treatment. 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.

Panel options uneven across IP insurers, numbers far shy of the whole

SINGAPORE - Patients can access doctors across most specialisations on Integrated Shield Plan (IP) insurers' panels, but their options might sometimes be limited. Areas with the most panel specialists across the board include oncology, cardiology and orthopaedic surgery, according to data compiled by The Straits Times. 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.

83 women and 1 man arrested for vice-related activities in month-long police operation

SINGAPORE - Police have nabbed 83 women and a man for suspected involvement in vice-related activities after a month-long operation. They were rounded up at condominiums, hotels and residential units in areas, including Jurong East, Orchard Road, Tanjong Pagar and Woodlands. The suspects, aged between 26 and 54, were arrested in raids that took place from March for vice-related offences under the Women's Charter. Investigations are ongoing. In a statement on Friday (April 9), police said that all property owners are responsible for ensuring that such illegal activities do not take place in their units. They should exercise vigilance and look out for suspicious or dubious tenants. This can be done by personally inspecting the prospective tenant's documents of identity or having a face-to-face interview with the tenant. Those who live off earnings from prostitutes could face a mandatory jail term of up to seven years and a $100,000 fine. Property owners who knowingly allow their premises to be used for vice-related activities face a jail term of up to five years, fines of up to $100,000, or both, if convicted under the Women's Charter. More on this topic Related Story 30 women arrest...

Singapore and US to deepen transport cooperation, work to revive air travel

SINGAPORE - Singapore and the United States will deepen bilateral cooperation in the transport sector, working together in areas such as reviving international air travel in a safe manner amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The two countries will also strengthen cooperation in multilateral organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Ministry of Transport and the US Department of Transport said in a joint statement on Friday (April 9). The statement, which followed an introductory virtual meeting between Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung and his US counterpart Pete Buttigieg on Thursday, said the countries will build on the excellent cooperation established over the years by agencies and officials on both sides, including in areas such as the exchange of best practices on urban transport systems. In a Facebook post on Friday morning, Mr Ong said he had a fruitful discussion with Mr Buttigieg despite the 12-hour time difference between Singapore and the US. It was 8pm in Singapore and 8am in Washington when they met virtually. "Secretary Buttigieg and I are in full agreement on the need to safely restore international air travel and to strengthen our collabor...