SINGAPORE: The first shipment of live pigs from Malaysia in 18 years arrived in Singapore on Saturday (Nov 18), said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA). 

Imports of live pigs and raw pork from Malaysia were suspended in 1999 due to a Nipah virus outbreak. Since then, Singapore’s only source of live pigs has been from Pulau Bulan in Indonesia. 

Even though there have been no reports of new Nipah virus outbreaks in Malaysia, the import suspension stayed because of Foot Mouth Disease (FMD).

However, Sarawak in East Malaysia was declared free of FMD in 2010 by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

AVA then approved frozen pork from Sarawak in 2015 and earlier this year, it gave the go-ahead for live pigs from a farm in the state. 

“The import of raw pork from other parts of Malaysia is not permitted as they are not free of FMD,” said AVA. “Only processed pork products from approved establishments in Malaysia that have been heat-treated to inactivate FMD are allowed to be imported from Malaysia.”

Singapore’s pork supply comes from 24 countries that have been accredited by the AVA to export frozen pork products. Six countries, including Australia, the US and Canada, are allowed to export chilled pork to Singapore.

With the approval of imports from Sarawak, Singapore now has two sources of live pigs. They are slaughtered locally and sold as chilled pork, said AVA. 

“Source diversification is a key food security strategy. Purchasing from diverse sources provides a crucial buffer against potential short-term overseas food supply disruptions from any one source,” it added.

SINGAPORE: A heavy downpour on Saturday afternoon (Nov 18) caused flash floods at Yishun and along Mandai Road, said national water agency PUB.

In warned in a Facebook post at about 4.45pm that water level at Yishun Avenue 2, Yishun Avenue 5 as well as Mandai Road had risen, and there was a “high flood risk”. 

At one HDB carpark in Yishun, the wheels of vehicles were partially submerged, as seen in a video by Facebook user Sadali Yobahs.

Heavy rain fell over many parts of Singapore in the afternoon. 

The National Environment Agency (NEA) had put out a heavy rain warning at about 4.15pm, saying that moderate to heavy thundery showers with gusty winds were expected over many areas.

Amid the rain, several accidents were reported, including one at Sembawang Road at around 4.55pm. 

Two people were taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force. 

According to the Met Service in an advisory on Friday, the wet weather experienced in the first half of November is expected to persist for the rest of the month. 

With November usually being the second-wettest month of the year after December, “moderate to heavy thundery showers” are expected mostly in the afternoons on six to eight days of the month, said the Met Service. 

SINGAPORE: Hello Kitty and her Sanrio friends landed at Changi Airport on Friday (Nov 17) to bring festive cheer to travellers and airport visitors.

The cute-fest lasts till Jan 5 next year.

Here’s what visitors can expect:

SINGAPORE’S LARGEST INDOOR DRONE SHOW

Forty drones will light up the airport’s Terminal 3 Departure Hall, forming various shapes such as a snowflake and a Christmas tree, every night at 7.30pm and 9pm.

Popular Sanrio characters will also dance to Christmas tunes.

ACTIVITIES AND PRIZES TO BE WON

Next to check-in row 11 at T3’s Departure Hall, a series of games have been planned for visitors, with attractive prizes to be won.

The games include a human claw-machine called Tree House Catcher. Instead of a mechanical claw, a human (who has to be less than 60kg and at least 1.2m in height) is suspended from a device acting as a “crane”. Another person then controllers the human “claw” to choose a variety of gifts hidden in capsules.

Visitors can also customise their own tote bags with stamps or get glitter tattoos done, as well as take photos with miniature versions of their favourite characters. 

SANRIO-THEMED PLAYGROUND

According to Changi, the playground is a “first in any airport in Asia”.

SELFIE TIME!

The airport’s terminals are filled with decor themed after Hello Kitty and her friends, so whip out that phone / camera.

These include a 4m-tall Hello Kitty topiary at Terminal 2…

And a Christmas tree made of plush toys at Terminal 1.

Every weekend, visitors will also get to cuddle up to a selected Sanrio character.

SANRIO PLUSH TOYS UP FOR GRABS

Eight limited-edition Sanrio characters are up for grabs with a minimum spend at Changi Airport.

All of the above will be at Changi Airport until Jan 5, 2018. Visit their website for more details. 

On Friday, an EVA Air aircraft decked out in livery featuring Sanrio characters also landed at Changi Airport. Invited guests, including Channel NewsAsia, got a peek at what the aircraft had to offer for passengers who flew with the specially-themed Taiwanese airline.