SeaPRwire

Online training for Home Team officers likely to continue amid Covid-19 pandemic

aseanpr 15 3 月

4 minutes

SINGAPORE - Since Covid-19 hit and took in-class sessions out, Home Team Academy (HTA) trainers have had to adapt their programmes so officers could still receive training essential to their work. From Zoom to digital journal mobile apps and even video calls, Home Team officers from agencies such as the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore Police Force and Singapore Prison Service tapped every tool at their disposal to keep the training momentum going. The officers described how they did it in interviews with The Straits Times over two days from Thursday (March 11). Ms Seah Wang Ling, a psychologist who works with CNB, said training had to continue following a 2019 amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act, which saw drug supervision extended from two years to five years after an abuser's release from DRC or prison. The 29-year-old said CNB officers had to be trained under the Community Supervision Skills course to better identify the needs of the drug supervisees, so they can be referred to social service agencies. They also needed to learn to work with the supervisees in long-term pro-social behaviour to stay drug-free, added Ms Seah. With face-to-face sessions out, she took to v...

Trainer kept Singapore Prison officers fit via Zoom

aseanpr 15 3 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE - When the circuit breaker last year put a halt to face-to-face classes and physical training sessions, Assistant Superintendent Venu Arsh got creative to keep his trainees physically and mentally fit. The senior trainer with the Singapore Prison Training Institute conducted daily hour-long live Zoom fitness sessions for his prison officer trainees from his home. The 41-year-old also used a digital journal mobile app, so trainees could enter password-protected reflections to share with trainers. When in-person training resumed in August last year, ASP Venu, with a team of trainers, put together a revamped physical training session to incorporate technical manoeuvres the trainers would need on the job. ASP Venu was named Home Team Trainer of the Year (Full Time) in December last year. Following a demonstration of the new tactical physical training session at Home Team Academy last Thursday (March 11), ASP Venu said: "When an officer is suddenly faced with an adversity or confrontation, he will not know what to do for a few seconds, and a lot of things can happen in those few seconds. "What can we do to eliminate this combat freeze is to infuse tactical techniques into the ...

askST: What are the job prospects for those who get their degrees through the private school route?

aseanpr 15 3 月

1 minute

SINGAPORE - What are the job outcomes for those taking the private school route to a degree? Internships, career coaching help prospects. Find out more: A: You asked about doing two years overseas. Two years of study in the United States, Britain or Australia is expensive, so make sure you are able to afford it. 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.

askST: What to look out for before signing up for a degree course at a private school

aseanpr 15 3 月

6 minutes

SINGAPORE - In the last part of the series on university education, The Straits Times responds to readers' questions on taking the private school route to a degree. Q: My daughter wants a business degree, but she did not do well enough to get into the business course at the local universities. I cannot afford to send her overseas, so she is thinking of one of the more established Private Education Institutions (PEIs) like the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) or Kaplan Singapore. What should she look out for before signing up for a degree course at a PEI? A: Business is a popular course of study, so it is quite competitive at the local universities. I presume she has also tried the aptitude-based admissions route at the local universities. The six local universities, including the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, are considering more applicants based on more holistic admission criteria other than their grades. There are various options available in the private-education sector and it is good she is looking at the more established institutions, which have a track record. She should also check if the PEI offers the specific course and speci...

Dovish Fed standing firm on inflation fears

elean 15 3 月

4 minutes

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Skittish investors have see-sawed between celebration about the expected US economic recovery and nail-biting over a possible price spiral, but the Federal Reserve is standing firm on keeping interest rates low. In the balance between allowing faster growth - and rising prices - in order to restore some of the more than nine million jobs still missing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Fed Chair Jerome Powell's message has been clear: he wants to see more people back to work. Analysts are expecting the Fed's policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to maintain its very "dovish" stance when it holds its two-day policy meeting starting on Tuesday (March 16). Mr Powell on Wednesday is expected to stress once again that the Fed is willing to accept higher inflation to get back to full employment, a goal that took a decade to achieve following the 2008 global financial crisis. "I think it's 'markets be damned' at this point," said Robert Frick of Navy Federal Credit Union. "The Fed has said that until the real improvement in employment and in the economy, they're not going to budge," Mr Frick told AFP. "I really don't think they're going to waver." From a 50-yea...

Strategists see upside for equities from broad economic rebound

elean 15 3 月

4 minutes

SINGAPORE - Market turbulence continued through last week with sentiment swinging between euphoria over potential economic recovery and fear over inflation. United States President Joe Biden's US$1.9 trillion (S$2.6 trillion) Covid-19 rescue package fuelled hopes of supercharging the economic recovery, while also stirring up concerns that adding more liquidity to a system already floating on some US$4 trillion of cash could further add to inflationary pressures. Treasury yields, especially that of the 10-year bond, continued to trend upwards, testing the key 1.6 per cent levels. The number of people making initial claims for jobless benefits fell the previous week to its lowest level since the pandemic, but US consumer prices rose by just 0.4 per cent last month, in line with expectations. Despite inflation concerns, most market strategists see an upside for the equity market in the foreseeable future, largely supported by a broad economic recovery. Here is how BlackRock put it last week: "Nominal yields have been climbing since September, but the magnitude has lagged that of the rise in inflation expectations during the period. Inflation-adjusted yields remain deep in negative ter...

Recharging Asean’s approach to climate transition

elean 15 3 月

1 minute

SINGAPORE - Covid-19 has had a devastating toll on Asean economies but it's easy to forget that another crisis looms - climate change - to which the region is deeply vulnerable. While all Asean members have made Paris pledges, implementation has not been easy with huge infrastructure and funding gaps. If nothing is done, the economic impact of climate change will be profound - estimated GDP per capita loss for Asean members range from 0.7 per cent to 8.5 per cent by 2100. And this doesn't even take into account societal or environmental impacts. 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.

Singapore recalls eggs from Malaysian farm over salmonella contamination

aseanpr 14 3 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE - Eggs from the Lay Hong Berhad Layer Farm Jeram in Malaysia have been recalled by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) after it detected the presence of bacteria that can cause food-bourne illness. The SFA has directed several importers to recall these eggs, which have the farm code "CES008" on them, after discovering the presence of Salmonella enteritidis (SE), which may cause illness if food is consumed raw or undercooked. Malaysian authorities said on Sunday (March 14) that they are monitoring the situation. The importers are Ang Seng Eggs Supplier, Dasoon, Heng Guan Food Industrial and Lam Leng Trading. "The farm is also suspended and SFA will lift the suspension only when the farm has rectified the SE contamination issue," the agency said in a statement. The bacteria can be present inside the egg as well as on its shell, and the SFA advised those who have already purchased these eggs to cook them thoroughly before consumption, as heat destroys the bacteria. SE can survive in raw and undercooked eggs and may cause foodborne illness, noted the agency. Symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. Said the agency: "While we cannot tell if eggs are ...

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

aseanpr 14 3 月

2 minutes

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Sunday, March 14. S'pore will use Covid-19 vaccines from any source, so long as they are safe and effective: PM Lee Vaccines do not carry a nationality. Is it good or is it no good? Does it work? If it does, then we will use it, he said. READ MORE HERE Births in Singapore hit decade low as deaths climb to historic peak Recession, uncertainties due to the pandemic may be leading some to put off having kids, say experts. READ MORE HERE En bloc fever making cautious comeback in Singapore But cooling measures, uncertain economy and talks of new curbs make developers wary. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news 61-year-old S'porean man who returned from work in the UAE dies of Covid-19 complications This is the 30th such death in Singapore. READ MORE HERE Up in flames: The high cost of residential fires in Singapore Unattended cooking, discarded items and electrical fires were the top three types of fires in residential premises last year. READ MORE HERE New extension to Botanic Gardens opens, with artwork dating back to colonial period on display Sited in repurposed colonial...

Risky for workers in dorms to mix freely with general population amid Covid-19: PM Lee

aseanpr 14 3 月

4 minutes

SINGAPORE - With Covid-19 still circulating in Singapore, it will be too much of a risk to have migrant workers from dormitories mixing freely with the general population, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. "We are actively working to make sure that their welfare is looked after," Mr Lee said of the workers living in dorms. But, he added: "To have them living in a communal setting like this, and at the same time be able to mingle completely unrestrained with the rest of our population outside of the work setting, is risking going back to where we were." He was speaking in an interview with the BBC broadcast on Sunday (March 14) where he also said the Government was very grateful to the workers for their cooperation in coping with tight constraints during the pandemic. Almost a year after Covid-19 cases surged in foreign worker dorms last April at the peak of Singapore's coronavirus outbreak, migrant workers living in dorms are still not allowed to leave their compounds freely. Asked about this, Mr Lee said about 50 per cent of migrant workers have tested positive in serological tests, indicating they had been infected with Covid-19 in the past. This means half of them are still v...

Not possible for S’pore, many countries, to choose between US and China, PM Lee tells BBC

aseanpr 14 3 月

6 minutes

SINGAPORE - It will not be possible for Singapore to choose between the United States and China, given the extensive ties the Republic has with both superpowers, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (March 14). Many other countries are in a similar situation, he added during an interview with the BBC, saying they would be hard pressed if forced to pick a side. "I hope the time does not come," he said when asked which one Singapore will choose when the time comes. "I do not think this is a dilemma only for Singapore. It is a problem for many countries, which is why we are all hoping and encouraging the two large powers to think very carefully before deciding that the other one is an adversary which has to be kept down, if not put down." The past few years have seen a significant deterioration in ties between the US and China, with their rivalry set to continue in spite of the change in administration in Washington. With both sides exerting their influence on allies and partners, it has become harder for countries to stay in the middle. The administration of US President Joe Biden, for instance, has called for a review of how the country buys strategic goods, saying that it ...

Singapore will use Covid-19 vaccines from any source, as long as they are safe and effective, PM Lee says in BBC interview

aseanpr 14 3 月

5 minutes

SINGAPORE - Singapore will use Covid-19 vaccines no matter where they are made, as long as they are safe and effective, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in an interview with the BBC broadcast on Sunday (March 14). "We will use vaccines from any source. Vaccines do not carry a nationality. Is it good or is it no good? Does it work? If it does, then we will use it," he added. Singapore has placed orders for vaccines against the Sars-CoV-2 virus from multiple suppliers to hedge its bets, and has received supplies of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, which have been approved for use. Late last month, it received its first shipment of China's Sinovac vaccine, which has not yet been authorised by the Health Sciences Authority for use in Singapore. The agency is in the process of evaluating it for safety and efficacy. With mass vaccination campaigns under way around the world giving rise to vaccine diplomacy - countries using vaccines as instruments of influence - some commentators have suggested that China may be pushing for Singapore to approve the Sinovac product. Asked by BBC World News Asia Business correspondent Karishma Vaswani if Singapore was under pressure to use a Ch...

The costs of doing your own trades

elean 14 3 月

1 minute

The global pandemic was the spark that accelerated two trends in financial market participation: technology-enabled, lower-cost trading and the rising cost of attention. Having more people take part in the economic and financial market growth is a democratic way for the entire population to grow their wealth. But, on the other hand, uninformed amateur stock trading may also result in exposing one's life savings to risks. 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.

Seeking career coaching early can shorten your job search

elean 14 3 月

3 minutes

SINGAPORE - A Workforce Singapore career coach says: Career coaching is a multi-step process that involves a series of sessions to help you understand your needs and chart your journey towards achieving your career goals. A coach can help you spot gaps in your skills or job search techniques, as well as challenges you may be facing, such as emotional barriers, limited networks or a lack of confidence about adapting to new work conditions. The process will help you to identify and connect your values, interests, personality and skills, and find jobs that can bring you career fulfilment. It also guides you in planning for career transitions in this ever-changing economy. By reaching out earlier in your job search, you can kick-start this process sooner and possibly shorten your job search. It does not matter which career stage you are in. Job seekers who approach Careers Connect or any of Workforce Singapore's 31 touchpoints around the island are from all walks of life and in different phases of their career - fresh graduates, mid-career switchers, those who were retrenched or are at risk of being retrenched and those who are employed but want to plan their career further. The job se...

Me & My Money: Spending within his means and being cautious help him grow his business and finances

elean 14 3 月

1 minute

SINGAPORE - Business owner Desmond Tay believes in keeping it simple when it comes to personal finance - spend within your means and do not over-leverage. Its an approach that he extends to running his firm, with risks carefully calculated and financial outlays made cautiously. 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.

Me & My Career: Helping job seekers find careers that bring out their best

elean 14 3 月

8 minutes

SINGAPORE -Career coach Elaine Ng found that most of the people seeking help when she started out in her field in 2012 were rank-and-file workers needing a new job, fast. Her main focus was to source for suitable positions and help them prepare for interviews. There has been a sea change since then, with more professionals, managers, executives and technicians coming for coaching amid the more volatile and dynamic job market. Ms Ng, 41, says better education and wider exposure to world developments mean job seekers now have more sophisticated employment needs. "Clients don't just seek jobs; they seek careers that will leverage effectively their values, interests, personality and skills to bring out the best in their potential," she says. "We have to ensure that we are equipped with the right competencies and skill sets to support our client's career direction, personal development and progress." Her job at statutory board Workforce Singapore (WSG), which offers free career services for locals, involves using tools such as behavioural and interest assessments to provide clients with ideas and processes to help them with their career direction. One of the key challenges she sees toda...

Motorcyclist killed after accident with minibus on PIE; driver arrested

aseanpr 13 3 月

1 minute

SINGAPORE - An accident between a minibus and a motorcycle on the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) on Saturday morning (March 13) resulted in the death of the 57-year-old male motorcyclist. A police spokesman said it was alerted to the accident at around 6.45am along the PIE towards Tuas before the Bukit Timah Expressway exit. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedic. The police said the 38-year-old male minibus driver was arrested for careless driving causing death. Investigations are ongoing. An SCDF spokesman told The Straits Times a man was trapped under the vehicle and SCDF used lifting tools to rescue him. But he was pronounced dead at the scene. More on this topic Related Story Jail for negligent driver who caused accident seriously injuring 5 men Related Story Man arrested for dangerous driving after motorcyclist killed in Farrer Road accident

Teen among 253 people being investigated for involvement in scams

aseanpr 13 3 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE - Over 250 people, aged between 14 and 74, are being investigated by the police for their roles as either scammers or as money mules. On Saturday (March 13), the police said the suspects are believed to be involved in 560 scam cases with the victims suffering more than $4.1 million in losses. The police said the suspects were picked up in an islandwide enforcement operation over a two-week period from Feb 27 to March 12. It said the scams they were involved in were mainly Internet love scams, e-commerce and job scams, High Court and China official impersonation scams, and fake gambling platform and loan scams. The 172 men and 81 women are being investigated for the offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence. The offence of cheating carries a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine. If convicted of money laundering, a person can be jailed for up to a decade, and/or fined up to $500,000. Those convicted of carrying on a business of providing a payment service without a licence can be fined up to $125,000, and/or jailed for up to three years. The police said they take a serious stance against anyone who may be involved in scams an...

Man who allegedly refused to wear mask in Sentosa bar to be charged with being public nuisance

aseanpr 13 3 月

2 minutes

SINGAPORE - A 48-year-old man was scheduled to be charged in court on Saturday (March 13) with being a public nuisance and refusing to wear a mask in a bar at Sentosa. On Thursday, the police were alerted to an incident where the man allegedly refused to put on a mask despite being asked to do so by staff of a bar in Siloso Beach Walk. Preliminary police investigations showed he had also allegedly pointed his middle finger at a safe distancing ambassador (SDA) after being asked to put on his mask. The man is scheduled to be charged with causing a public nuisance, and if convicted, can be jailed for up to three months and/or fined up to $2,000. He can also be charged with intentionally causing alarm for his abusive behaviour towards the SDA. For this, he can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed for up to six months. The man can also be charged with refusing to wear a mask - an offence under the current Covid-19 regulations. If convicted, he can be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed for up to six months. Police investigations into his second and third charges are ongoing. On Saturday morning, the police said they take a stern view of abuse directed at SDAs and that offenders will be de...

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

aseanpr 13 3 月

2 minutes

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Saturday, March 13. Stretching the healthcare dollar with targeted subsidies in S'pore With limited resources and growing needs on every end, it has become more crucial than ever to make every dollar count. READ MORE HERE Lower costs for most with S'pore's healthcare subsidy revision, and some who pay more can afford it: Experts 15% of patients, who are mainly from households with higher per capita income, will pay about $200 more out of pocket. READ MORE HERE IT engineer who declined Covid-19 test despite runny nose is S'pore's sole new community case The Deutsche Bank employee had a runny nose on March 1, visited a GP and was given five days of medical leave. READ MORE HERE What does the future hold for Fukushima 10 years after nuclear disaster? Some evacuees have returned, while others cite concerns over food safety for staying away. READ MORE HERE Biden says free Indo-Pacific essential as he meets India, Japan, Australia leaders Virtual meeting of the Quad will focus on the Covid-19 pandemic, economic growth and the climate crisis. READ MORE HERE Two women being investigated for illegally collecting free face masks; more...

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