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Commuters with mobility issues can learn to take buses at Jurong East interchange

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4 minutes

SINGAPORE - Commuters with mobility issues can practise boarding and alighting from buses at the interim Jurong East interchange as part of bus operator Tower Transit Singapore's efforts to boost their confidence when taking public transport. It is part of a free course, with trainers guiding such commuters through the layout of public buses and the interchange, which is located next to JCube along Jurong Gateway Road. The two-session course is open to the public, as well as social service agencies and hospitals looking to equip their clients and patients. Tower Transit launched the programme on Saturday (Jan 30), along with several other initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity in the public transport sphere. For the first run of the course, Tower Transit has partnered SPD, a charity which helps people with disabilities, to coach its clients. Mr Kishon Chong, Tower Transit's customer experience and inclusivity officer who will facilitate the course, said it would help commuters with mobility issues to "regain some independence and confidence to travel on public buses". Mr Chong, a wheelchair user, added: "It will teach participants to board, ride and alight from a moving bus saf...

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Man arrested in Malaysia for allegedly extorting from woman in Singapore he met on dating app

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3 minutes

SINGAPORE - A 33-year-old man in Malaysia has been arrested for allegedly extorting sexual favours and money from several women he had befriended online. Among the victims is a woman from Singapore. She was persuaded to travel to Malaysia, where compromising videos she had sent him earlier were used to extort from her, the Singapore Police Force said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 30). To stop him from circulating the videos, the woman transferred about $200,000 to a bank account provided by the man. Police here were alerted to the incident when the victim made a report on Oct 19 last year. The victim said she had met the man via a dating app, and claimed he told her to send compromising videos of herself. After doing so, he suggested they meet, but in Malaysia. When she got there, the man sent a male driver to pick her. The suspect then purportedly threatened to circulate the videos she had sent him, unless she had sex with the driver. She relented to the demand. After she returned to Singapore, she said she continued to receive threats from the suspect and was told to transfer money to prevent circulation of the videos. Between February and October last year, the victim transfer...

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Singapore to suspend green lane arrangements with Germany, Malaysia and South Korea for 3 months from Feb 1

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2 minutes

SINGAPORE - Singapore's reciprocal green lane arrangements with Germany, Malaysia, and South Korea will be suspended for three months from Monday (Feb 1). This is in view of the resurgence of Covid-19 cases worldwide, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Saturday. Singapore will review the reciprocal green lane arrangements at the end of the suspension period. Green lanes allow essential travel for business or official purposes between two countries. Travellers who have already been approved to enter Singapore under these arrangements can continue to do so, MFA said. Singapore had agreed on a green lane with Germany in October last year. Green lanes with Malaysia and South Korea were operational from August and September last year respectively. More on this topic Related Story Malaysia records new high as daily cases exceed 5,000 Related Story Outbreaks in South Korea’s Christian schools drive surge in Covid-19 cases Related Stories: Related Story Hong Kong’s Covid-19 pandemic management disappointing: Carrie Lam Related Story Outbreaks in South Korea’s Christian schools drive surge in Covid-19 cases Related Story Panic buying, circuit breaker and reopening: A timeline of ...

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Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on Jan 30

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2 minutes

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Saturday, Jan 30. 409 staff working at Jewel Changi Airport, T3 test negative for Covid-19 after special testing op The testing was a precautionary measure after 3 past cases were found to have the UK strain. READ MORE HERE Will the Covid-19 pandemic derail plans to raise retirement and re-employment ages in Singapore? Companies short of manpower would welcome the extension of retirement and re-employment ages. READ MORE HERE Anaphylaxis and other Covid-19 vaccine side effects: Should I be worried? Allergic reactions are a common risk for all vaccines, and allergies may or may not be known. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news ST-WEF webinar: How America can win back Asia Geopolitical Reset 2021: Implications for Asia | ST-WEF Webinar | Davos Agenda 2021 Offer global leadership in economic development, focus on the positive and start listening to allies again. READ MORE HERE EU tries to restrict vaccine exports to Britain with emergency Brexit rules in 'act of hostility' The move is a steep escalation of the bloc's battle to secure vaccine supplies. READ MORE HERE Asia...

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Employers urged to help disadvantaged groups gain new skills

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3 minutes

After a stroke left him with speech difficulties and weakness in one hand, Mr Ang Kuan Heng struggled to find employment. That was until he landed a job with social enterprise Spic & Span, which yesterday received a visit from President Halimah Yacob. The head of state met employees of the cleaning firm, which creates job opportunities for people with disabilities and marginalised groups. She called on more social enterprises to harness technology to run businesses that do good. She also urged employers to spend time during the pandemic redesigning their work processes and jobs to prepare for future opportunities and help disadvantaged workers acquire new skills. In Mr Ang's case, he had physiotherapy for a year but continued to feel flustered when meeting people, making it hard to find work. Mr Ang joined Spic & Span as a project coordinator in October last year. He gained newfound confidence to try new things, even picking up computer skills despite the weakness in his right hand. "I was initially very worried about finding a job, but when I joined the company, I found people who accepted me just as I am and understood my condition," said the 57-year-old. During her visit to the ...

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Two F&B outlets to be charged, four ordered shut, six others and 131 individuals fined for Covid-19 breaches

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4 minutes

SINGAPORE - Two food and beverage (F&B) operators are to be charged on Tuesday (Feb 2) for allegedly breaching safe management measures, one of them while continuing to operate despite being ordered to close for multiple infringements previously. They were among 12 F&B outlets sanctioned, four of which were ordered to close and six fined. A further 131 people have also been fined for flouting Covid-19 rules. The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) in a statement on Friday (Jan 29) said all were nabbed as part of stepped up inspections by government agencies on F&B premises, malls and other public spaces last week on Jan 22 and Jan 23. The two F&B operators to be charged on Feb 2 are Mark Enterprise and Kim's Place Seafood Restaurant. Mark Enterprise had allegedly continued operations on July 18 despite having been issued an order to close for breaching multiple safe management measures. Kim's Place Seafood had allegedly allowed gatherings of more than five people split across multiple tables. It also allowed karaoke activities on its premises in September last year. For the breaches, Kim's Place Seafood was issued two closure orders totalling 30 days, from Jan 6 to...

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SIT introduces new degree programme to prepare students for era of automation

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2 minutes

SINGAPORE - A new degree programme will be offered by the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to fulfil the anticipated demand in automation engineering in the future by training students to develop, deploy and maintain field robots. The Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics Systems is a four-year programme offered by SIT and designed in consultation with key partners such as the National Robotics Programme (NRP) and Economic Development Board (EDB), SIT said on Friday (Jan 29). "Robots are no longer just operating in the factory shop floor, but are also required to work for, and alongside humans in various field applications," said Professor Chua Kee Chaing, deputy president (academic) and provost of SIT. Figures by the Ministry of Trade and Industry Singapore showed over 4,400 industrial robots were installed in 2017, representing an increase of 72 per cent from 2016. Already widely used in manufacturing, Professor Quek Tong Boon, chief executive of NRP, said there will likely be an even greater adoption of industrial robots in the coming years. "With advances in technology that enable robots to interact more naturally, intelligently and safely with humans in people-centric env...

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Two men in Singapore charged with cheating and forgery in Covid-19 funds ruses

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2 minutes

SINGAPORE - Two men were charged in court on Friday (Jan 29) with forgery and cheating-related offences in their attempt to receive monies from the Covid-19 Support Grant (CSG) and the Temporary Relief Fund (TRF). In a statement, police said a 43-year-old man was charged after he allegedly attempted to cheat the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) into disbursing funds from the CSG. He is said to have falsely declared in his application that he had lost his job due to the pandemic. "He is also alleged to have submitted a forged retrenchment letter and provided additional false information to MSF to support the false declaration in his CSG application. "MSF did not approve his CSG application," said the police. The grant supports those who had lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 situation, as well as employees placed on involuntary no-pay leave for at least three consecutive months and employees who have had their salaries reduced by at least 30 per cent for three consecutive months. These changes must have taken place after Jan 23 last year. Under the scheme, workers receive up to $800 a month for three months if they meet the job loss or no-pay leave criteria. The othe...

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New BHG concept store replaces Robinsons at Raffles City Shopping Centre

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2 minutes

SINGAPORE - A new concept store selling beauty, fashion, as well as home and living products is now occupying shop units vacated by Robinsons at Raffles City Shopping Centre. One Assembly is the product of a partnership between BHG Singapore and Raffles City Singapore. It is located at levels one and two at the mall. The store will officially open in early February but a soft launch was held on Wednesday (Jan 27). On Friday, The Straits Times spotted around 10 people waiting for the store to open at 11am. Ms Judy Lau, 65, said she was there out of curiosity. She had previously frequented the Robinsons store to shop for clothes to mark Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 12 and 13 this year. "We need to go in and take a look and see how it is different. By bringing in new brands, the store will elevate the shopping experience," she said. Robinsons, which occupied three levels at the mall, closed its store there on Jan 9, bringing 162 years of history to an end. The main store at The Heeren was shuttered earlier. Like its predecessor, One Assembly will offer a range of products including kitchenware and mattresses. There will also be items from Osim and luxury brand Tiffany & Co. A ...

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More than 1,000 job and training opportunities to be created for those with disabilities

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4 minutes

SINGAPORE - About 1,200 job and training opportunities will be created for people with disabilities by the end of this year, said Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli on Friday (Jan 29). This is part of efforts by the National Jobs Council that was set up last May to focus on creating jobs and building skills during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as existing schemes by SG Enable. The Government is currently working to provide people with disabilities 150 new opportunities for employment, training and skills upgrading under three programmes, said Mr Masagos during a visit to Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, managed by the Pan Pacific Hotels Group, on Friday. The group employs 27 people with disabilities in its corporate office as well as across its various hotels and serviced suites. They are in roles such as housekeeping and administrative work. Nine more will be joining in the coming months. The newly announced programmes - Place-and-Train, Attach-and-Train and Skills Development - are meant to complement existing efforts under the Open Door Programme administered by SG Enable that provides employment and training opportunities for people with disa...

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Singapore ranked third as least corrupt country in the world, top in Asia: Transparency International

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3 minutes

SINGAPORE - Singapore has again made it to the top ranks of the least corrupt countries in the world based on a global survey released annually. The Republic along with Finland, Switzerland and Sweden scored 85 points each, tying for third place in the 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index released by the global anti-graft movement, Transparency International (TI), on Thursday (Jan 28). Denmark and New Zealand earned 88 points each to tie for top spot among the 180 countries and territories surveyed. Singapore took top spot in Asia, and was the only Asian country to make it to the top 10. TI chair Delia Ferrerira Rubio said the Covid-19 pandemic in the past year was as much a health and economic crisis as well as one of corruption which the world was failing to manage. "Those with higher levels of corruption have been less able to meet the challenge," she noted. "But even those at the top of the (index) must urgently address their role in perpetuating corruption at home and abroad." Corruption often intensifies the effects of a crisis, and when combined with a public health emergency like Covid-19, poses a threat to lives and livelihoods, said TI. The Berlin-based non-governmental orga...

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3,000 hotel staff in S’pore receive Covid-19 vaccination

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4 minutes

SINGAPORE - About 3,000 workers in the hospitality industry have received the Covid-19 vaccine as at Monday (Jan 25), after an inoculation programme for the industry was rolled out on Jan 15. About two-thirds are staff in stay-home notice (SHN) dedicated facilities, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan on Thursday. He was speaking on the sidelines of a visit to the vaccination centre at Raffles City Convention Centre, where he witnessed hospitality staff receiving their first shot. The industry was picked as an early recipient of the vaccine, as its workers have been on the front line since March last year, with 70 hotels serving as SHN dedicated facilities, said Mr Tan. He emphasised that vaccination is just one of the country's pillars in the fight against Covid-19, alongside testing, contact tracing and safe management measures. Mr Tan said the inoculation programme will give workers in the industry confidence, especially with the risk of exposure to the virus when attending to those travelling from overseas. Singapore Hotel Association president Kwee Wei-Lin hopes the vaccination programme will also help return the industry to some normalcy. "We hope it bring...

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‘Wait for your whole family to die’: Woman convicted after spitting at KFC staff in Nex

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3 minutes

SINGAPORE - A woman who was caught on video spitting at KFC staff last year was convicted on Thursday morning (Jan 28). Lin Si Ting, 43, pleaded guilty to one count each of harassment and using criminal force on the staff. A third charge under the Covid-19 regulations will be taken into consideration for sentencing. At about 12.40pm on April 22 last year, Lin went to the KFC outlet at Nex Shopping Centre and placed her order at the counter. After just six minutes, she approached the counter again and shouted at the staff, asking why her order was taking so long and demanding that it be served to her immediately. The service manager, a 40-year-old woman, apologised and explained to Lin that there were orders ahead of hers. She told Lin to wait about five more minutes for her food. The accused became unhappy, and demanded a refund if she was not served her food immediately. The service manager agreed to give Lin a refund and asked for the receipt, which the accused threw at her. While the refund was being processed, Lin pulled down her mask and spewed a string of vulgarities at the staff. She also pointed at the service manager and said: "Wait for you to die, wait for your whole fami...

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Co2Bitcoin(Co2B) 提供应对全球变暖新思路

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1 minute

Co2Bitcoin将于 2021 年 1 月 28 日在 www. coinsbit.io 交易所上市。 纽约 - Co2Bitcoin是一种新的金融工具。该工具由具有创新精神的去中心化团体创立，专注于缓解气候变化带来的不利影响。加密货币Co2Bitcoin将于2021年1月28日向公众开放，将为参与各国提供资金，应对全球变暖问题。Co2Bitcoin已经被用于收购和保护巴西雨林中的1亿多棵树。该项目通过维护灌木、控制山火，从而达到为子孙后代保护巴西雨林的目标。  该 货 币 的 流 动 性 将 受 到 各方面支持，包括投 资 者 对 加 密 货 币和去 中 心 化 金 融 (DeFi)的追捧，以及对'环境、社会和公司治理(ESG)'日益增长的需求。和其他货币一样，Co2Bitcoin 货币取决于其效用，当然还有供求关系来决定其汇率。 Co2Bit (http://www.co2bit.com/news)已经与多个地区的权威机构签订合作协议。Co2Bit (http://www.co2bit.com/news)已经与马达加斯加、冈比亚、津巴布韦、肯尼亚、尼日尔、苏丹、几内亚比绍、刚果布拉柴维尔、马里、科摩罗、冈比亚、吉尼、加蓬、象牙海岸、尼日利亚埃多省、索马里、刚果（金）等国政府签署了合作协议，并分别与宽果省、马尼埃马省、下乌莱省、奎鲁省、赤道省以及黎巴嫩能源保护中心签署了合作协议。预计在2021年2月底前将有30多个国家签署，Co2Bitcoins的目标是在2021年底前与一百多个国家合作。 Co2Bit 有许多优势： - 它是第一个得到许多地区正式支持的加密货币。各权威机构将成为主要的加密货币持有者。这一点让该加密货币更加安全。 - 它有一个公益目标。该项目通过资助旨在减少全球变暖消极影响的项目，达到保护地球的目的。 - 该项目具备'环境、社会和公司治理(ESG)'的愿景，保护公募基金和机构基金的长远利益。 - 该项目将创建一个更有效、流动性更强的碳信用体系。大型碳排放机构除了选择传统的碳信用(carbon credits)交易平台外，还可以购买 Co2Bitcoins。这将对这些大企业维护品牌形象起到正面效果。 过去 4 年，碳信用证(carbon credit certificates)的价格稳步上升。但碳信用(carbon credits)市场仍然是一个专业市场，私人投资者极难进入。基于市场对于碳信用交易增长的需求，Co2Bitcoin 可能会成为一种新的金融工具， 被公司用作自愿碳信用。具体来说， Co2Bitcoin  资产可以在公司的环境年度报告中提及，以提高其 ESG评级。这将最终导致这种加密货币被越来越多地使用，增加其流动性和实用性。对于投机者来说，这种需求...

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Make the most out of your shopping weekend at Scotts Square to get Chinese New Year-ready

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5 minutes

Chinese New Year festivities might be a lot more subdued this year, but there’s no reason why you can’t still treat yourself to your usual pre-CNY ritual: shopping for new clothes, pampering yourself with skin treatments and indulging in good food. After all, embracing the self-confidence and belief that 2021 will be a better year than the last will kick off the new year on a good note. And a little help from beautiful clothes and good food will go a long way to helping you achieve that. As one of the Orchard Road belt’s boutique luxury shopping malls, Scotts Square is home to a well-curated mix of fashion labels, specialty services and dining selections, with the added bonus of a good location that makes it a shopping haven. Looking to get Chinese New Year-ready? One shopping weekend is all you need there, — so you hit all the must-visits and check off that Chinese New Year to-do list at the same time. Friday Night Fun Get a headstart on the shopping weekend by kicking things off on a Friday evening, when your spirits are still high from the end of a work week. Here’s how to make things strategic: PHOTOS: OCD To start off your weekend, go low-key. Update your wardrobe with casual ...

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Transport workers in S’pore recognised for kind acts

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4 minutes

SINGAPORE - Taxi driver Henry Koh, 44, was returning to his vehicle after getting coffee in West Coast last June when he was approached by a migrant worker who was clearly agitated. The worker said his friend was extremely unwell, pointing to another migrant worker on the other side of the car park who was barely on his feet. The ComfortDelGro cabby soon learnt that the man was suffering from an acute asthma attack. Without hesitation, Mr Koh immediately helped the sick man into his taxi and sped off to the National University Hospital. "I was a bit worried at first because then there was the Covid-19 outbreak in dormitories," the cabby told The Straits Times. "But I quickly put that out of my mind and did the right thing." Mr Koh did not charge for the ride, and made sure the sick man was being treated before leaving the hospital. The cabby was among a record 530 transport service staff who had their kind acts in the past year recognised during the 21st National Kindness Award Transport Gold ceremony at the Land Transport Authority auditorium in Hampshire Road on Wednesday (Jan 27). The award is given to those in the sector who were commended by members of the public for their kin...

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S’pore starts Covid-19 jabs for seniors, with AMK, Tanjong Pagar residents receiving shots

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3 minutes

SINGAPORE - Seniors in Ang Mo Kio began receiving Covid-19 jabs at the Ang Mo Kio polyclinic on Wednesday (Jan 27), under a pilot scheme that will eventually be expanded to seniors in other precincts. With appointment letters in hand, they began streaming into the polyclinic from as early as before 9am. This includes retiree Ang Beng Giap, 73, who received the Covid-19 vaccine at around 9.30am. "I wanted to get the jab so that my family members won't have to worry about me getting the virus," he said. The process of booking an appointment was a smooth one, he said. "I received a letter on Monday and went down to the community centre the next day to book a slot. It wasn't much trouble at all," said Mr Ang, who used to run his own business. Seniors in Ang Mo Kio as well as Tanjong Pagar have been invited to get vaccinated under the scheme, and between 5,000 and 10,000 in each of the two towns will receive letters inviting them to book appointments to do so, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said last week. This number may increase or be reduced, depending on the response. The two pilots will help the Ministry of Health (MOH) iron out operational processes before it proceeds to scale up th...

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Singapore rolls out Covid-19 vaccine for seniors: How to get your jab

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3 minutes

SINGAPORE - Two community vaccination centres began operations on Wednesday (Jan 27), in the latest phase of Singapore's Covid-19 vaccination drive. The two venues, at Teck Ghee Community Club in Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar Community Club, will cater to elderly residents aged 70 and above, and can give jabs to 2,000 residents daily. This is how the process works: Step 1: Booking your appointment Elderly residents who require help in booking their appointments can head to the community clubs where volunteers will help them with the process. You must bring along your NRIC. Step 2: Vaccination day Volunteers waiting to receive the Covid-19 vaccine during a trial run at the vaccination centre at Tanjong Pagar Community Club on Jan 26, 2021. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Head to the venue with your vaccination card and NRIC. After answering a few questions about your medical history, you will be directed to a waiting area. Step 3: At the vaccination booth A medical professional will administer the vaccine. Roll up your sleeve, and after an alcohol swab is rubbed on your arm, you will be given the injection. Step 4: 30-minute observation period You will then proceed to wait in an observation area...

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Lion cub born in S’pore Zoo is first to be conceived through assisted reproduction

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3 minutes

SINGAPORE - A lion cub has for the first time in the history of the Singapore Zoo been conceived through assisted reproduction. The birth of the cub - named Simba - last October preserves its bloodline at the zoo, Wildlife Reserves Singapore said on Tuesday (Jan 26). But, unlike his fictional equivalent in the movie Lion King, Simba will never meet his namesake father in the zoo, Mufasa, which died after his semen was collected. The 20-year-old lion's deteriorating health, which included muscle atrophy, was a key factor to ending his life, said WRS. The decision to euthanise Mufasa was not an easy one, and zookeepers and veterinarians took some time to decide. African lions in the wild usually live between 10 and 14 years. While Mufasa lived to a ripe old age, it did not sire any cubs because of his "aggressive behaviour", which did not bring about successful pairings with any female, said WRS. It added that Simba's birth was the product of the fourth and only successful assisted reproduction attempt involving Mufasa, whose genes are extremely valuable to the genetic diversity and sustainability of African lions in zoological institutions. The species is listed as vulnerable under ...