Bangladesh has begun preparations to repatriate an initial batch of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar on Thursday, but it is still unclear if any of them want to return, humanitarian officials said.
Rohingya refugee children fly kites on top of their shelter at Balikhali camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, November 14, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain
Bookmark
COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh: The repatriation of Rohingya Muslims back to Myanmar will not begin on Thursday as planned, said a source directly briefed of the matter late on Wednesday.
“It is not happening tomorrow as nobody wants to go back,” said the source, who spoke on condition on anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The Bangladesh government was not immediately reachable for comment. Bangladesh had begun preparations to repatriate an initial batch of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar on Thursday, in line with a plan agreed by the two governments in October.
(Reporting by Ruma Paul; Writing by Euan Rocha; editing by John Stonestreet)
SINGAPORE: Yu sheng, laksa, kueh pie tee and kaya toast all got a nod at the ASEAN Summit gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday evening (Nov 14).
From start to finish, each of the four courses served to delegates put their own spin on local favourites.
Appetiser served at the ASEAN Summit gala dinner at Suntec City. (Photo: Hanidah Amin)
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Mrs Lee at the ASEAN Summit gala dinner on Wednesday (Nov 14). (Photo: Hanidah Amin)
The appetiser was described on the menu as a “fresh approach to the traditional yu sheng”, with diver scallops, smoked salmon, pomelo, mango and vegetables drizzled with plum vinaigrette and accompanied by lime sorbet.
The next course was a soup inspired by local favourite laksa. Delegates were served an oven-roasted pumpkin bisque with rice noodles and prawn ravioli laced with laksa leaves – dubbed “deconstructed laksa”.
The main course was an Asian take on the “surf and turf” theme, featuring slow-cooked grain-fed Angus beef short ribs with black pepper sauce, line-caught Boston lobster seared with garlic butter and garden vegetables stuffed in a crispy kueh pie tee shell.
ASEAN Summit delegates watch a performance at the gala dinner on Wednesday (Nov 14). (Photo: Hanidah Amin)
The typical local breakfast of kaya toast and kopi served as inspiration for dessert. Delegates had a smooth egg and coconut dessert infused with pandan, paired with wafers and topped with coffee ice cream.
Leaders of the ASEAN nations attended the dinner at Suntec Convention Centre, along with others including Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, US Vice President Mike Pence, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde.
SINGAPORE: Singapore and Canada on Wednesday (Nov 14) signed a two-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cybersecurity cooperation, agreeing to share and exchange information to counter threats.
The signing took place on the sidelines of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to Singapore, in conjunction with the 33rd ASEAN Summit.
Witnessed by Mr Trudeau and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the MOU was signed by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore’s (CSA) chief executive David Koh and the High Commissioner of Canada in Singapore Lynn McDonald.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Photo: TODAY/Najeer Yusof Muallim)
The agreement covers cybersecurity cooperation in several key areas, including the sharing and exchange of information on threats and attacks, sharing of best practices on human resource development, technical and certification provisions, development of cybersecurity standards; and collaboration on regional cybersecurity capacity building.
The bilateral cooperation will help strengthen Singapore’s operational cybersecurity capabilities, including critical infrastructure protection, said CSA in a statement. It will also help enhance Singapore’s cybersecurity ecosystem development efforts and help advance the development of a secure regional cyberspace in ASEAN, it added.
“With cybersecurity as a transboundary issue, strong international partnerships remain key to navigating the increasingly complex cyber terrain. The MOU will help to strengthen the cybersecurity landscape of both countries. We are also happy to be working together on cybersecurity capacity building initiatives in the region,” CSA’s Mr Koh said.
CSA had previously signed MOUs with Australia, France, India, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States, a joint declaration on cybersecurity cooperation with Germany and a memorandum of cooperation on cybersecurity with Japan.
SINGAPORE: The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) on Wednesday (Nov 14) launched the Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) implementation plan to encourage companies in the built environment sectors to go digital.
The IDD implementation plan is one of the thrusts of the Construction Industry Transformation Map announced in October last year.
To help more companies adopt the plan, BCA and the Infocomm Media Development Authority launched a S$4 million joint call to develop digital platforms for the building sector.
“This will enable firms across the construction project-cycle to communicate and exchange information with various partners and innovate by pioneering new ways to work,” BCA said.
This announcement came after Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee visited the construction site of the upcoming JTC Logistics Hub at Gul Circle to find out how JTC and its contractor Kimly Construction has benefited from the implementation of IDD.
When completed in mid-2020, the hub will be Singapore’s first high-rise multi-tenant facility that incorporates storage of containers, warehouses and a heavy vehicle park.
INTEGRATED DIGITAL DELIVERY
IDD refers to the use of digital technologies to integrate information and work processes among all stakeholders throughout the lifecycle of a building – from the design of the building to its construction, and facilities management once it is completed.
The stakeholders include the developer, contractors, architects, engineers and facilities managers.
The Integrated Digital Delivery aims to integrate information and work processes between all stakeholders throughout the whole lifecycle of a building. (Photo: CNA/Shukry Rashid)
BCA CEO Hugh Lim said that IDD puts “all stakeholders on the same page from the start to the end of the building lifecycle”.
Besides improving collaboration, it also improves construction efficiency, minimises costly rework, improves safety through site monitoring, and maintains quality through timely inspections and rectifications of defects, BCA said.
During the site visit, a quality assurance or control engineer demonstrated how when a defect was lodged using a mobile device, sub-contractors will be alerted in real-time to rectify it.
The defect data will also be updated in a project database so that workers and supervisors can easily view the defect data and other statistics and generate reports.
Sharing data using IDD has saved them time as well as improved quality and safety, according to Kimly.
Kimly construction director Roy Khoo said: “IDD enables us to better visualise, coordinate, communicate and construct together with all stakeholders … productivity throughout the value chain is raised as all stakeholders are able to perform efficiently and effectively.”
With the Integrated Digital Delivery, workers at the upcoming JTC Logistics Hub can monitor construction, and detect and rectify defects in real time. (Photo: CNA/Shukry Rashid)
Other projects using IDD include the upcoming Kallang Polyclinic, Bukit Canberra – an integrated sport and community hub in Sembawang – and Sloane Residences, a condominium in Balmoral Road.
BCA targets to implement 40 to 60 IDD projects by 2020.
SINGAPORE: A 19-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday (Nov 13) for his suspected involvement in a series of online scams involving the purported sale of Bruno Mars concert tickets and Universal Studios Singapore (USS) e-tickets.
The police said that in May and June, several victims had reported being cheated by sellers on online marketplace Carousell.
After payments were made for the tickets via bank transfers, the seller became uncontactable, said the police in a news release on Wednesday.
In the scam involving the Bruno Mars concert tickets, the seller on Carousell claimed to offer two Category 1 e-tickets for S$400 each, as seen in an image provided by the police.
Tickets sold through the official ticketing channel ranged from S$168 to S$348 for the concert in May 2019.
The suspect was arrested along Kallang Road on Tuesday. He is believed to have been involved in at least 60 cases of e-commerce scams, said the police.
One laptop, one tablet and four mobile phones were seized.
Items seized from the scamming suspect include one laptop, one tablet and four handphones. (Photo: SPF)
The suspect will be charged on Thursday with abetment to cheating. If found guilty, he faces a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine.
The police have advised consumers to take precautions while shopping online, such as finding out how such sites can safeguard their interests or resolve disputes. They should also insist on cash upon delivery for online classified advertisements.
If advance payments are required, consumers should use shopping platforms that allow the payment to be released only after receiving the item, said the advisory.
SINGAPORE: An autonomous robot has been deployed by the Singapore police to patrol Suntec City, where the 33rd ASEAN Summit is taking place.
The robot navigates independently on a pre-mapped route, and is able to detect and avoid obstacles, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a media release on Wednesday (Nov 14).
It is equipped with cameras that can transmit a 360-degree view of the deployment area. It also has an intercom and can function as a police command post.
The robot complements the work of ground officers in looking out for suspicious activities and projecting the police’s presence, SPF says. (Photo: Jeremy Long)
The robot complements the work of ground officers in looking out for suspicious activities and projecting the police’s presence. Police officers would be then able to focus on higher-value work, SPF said.
The prototype was designed in a collaboration between the police and industry partners. It is part of an ongoing trial to explore the potential of robotics in enhancing SPF’s operational capabilities, it added.
“This is a positive step in our efforts to build up our robotics assets that can be used in different aspects of policing such as security operations during major events, community engagement, and protective security,” the police said.
SINGAPORE: Pokemon character Pikachu will be coming to Sentosa’s Palawan Beach in December for the first Pikachu Night Parade outside of Japan, said Sentosa in a news release on Wednesday (Nov 14).
The Pikachu Night Parade will be on from Dec 14 to 16 and from Dec 21 to 23, and will feature nine Pikachus dressed in LED lights as they march and dance along a 100m route, past water play area Palawan Pirate Ship and Palawan Kidz City.
Visitors can take pictures of the Pikachu parade along Palawan Beach Walk, said Sentosa.
“The Palawan Pirate Ship, in the spirit of all things Pokemon, will also be decorated with Pokemon fan favourites such as Pikachu and Eevee,” said the news release.
The parade is part of Sentosa’s Island Lights party – an event with 10 visual “Instagrammable” installations. The Island Lights party will take place between Nov 16 and Dec 31 at Palawan Beach.
Harmony, an art installation by Tina Fung. (Photo: Sentosa)
An artist’s impression of Sam Lo’s logic-defying structures. (Photo: Sentosa)
These installations range from logic-defying structures from Singapore-based visual artist Sam Lo, better known as the “Sticker Lady”, to a set from designer Tina Fung that interacts with the sunlight and sea to transform throughout the day.
“Nights at Sentosa this year-end period offers more fun and excitement as we continuously bring unique, after-dark leisure experiences to our guests,” said chief marketing officer of Sentosa Development Corporation Ms Lynette Ang.
“We look forward to welcoming more locals and tourists to Sentosa during the upcoming holiday period.”
THE World Bank recently released its annual Ease of Doing Business list covering the period from June 2 last year to June 1 this year.
The list, which compares business regulations for domestic firms in 190 economies, tracks key indicators for areas such as the ease of starting a business, getting electricity, contract enforcement, taxes and bankruptcy proceedings.
In the list, China was found to be one of this year’s top 10 improvers, advancing more than 30 spots to 46th place in the global rankings, while India became South Asia’s top-ranked economy, advancing 23 spots to 77th place in the global ranking.
Elsewhere, other countries like Taiwan (15th), Malaysia (24th) and Thailand (26th) were also ranked high in the report.
The report said between June 2, 2017, and May 1 this year, 128 governments introduced a record 314 reforms benefitting small and medium business and entrepreneurs, enabling job creation, and stimulating private investment.
“Governments have the enormous task of fostering an environment where entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises can thrive,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim.
“Sound and efficient business regulations are critical for entrepreneurship and a thriving private sector. Without them, we have no chance to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity around the world.”
Other than the countries listed above, here are the nations who fared best and worst according to the rankings:
Best
1. Singapore
Singapore came in second in the overall list of 190 countries. Source: Shutterstock
Singapore has been ranked as the second best country to do business after New Zealand. The report states that the tiny island-state made starting a business easier by abolishing the corporate and made enforcing contracts easier by introducing a consolidated law on voluntary mediation.
2. Hong Kong
A general view of Hongkong International Terminals (HIT), owned by Hutchison Port Holdings, as part of the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals for transporting shipping containers in Hong Kong, China July 25, 2018. Source: Reuters/Bobby Yip
With a Ease of Doing Business Ranking score of 84.22, Hong Kong is at fourth place in the overall list, just behind wealthy European country Denmark. The report highlighted that Hong Kong made the process of getting an electricity connection faster by establishing a specialised task force to undertake the trenching, excavation and reinstatement of the underground cables.
3. South Korea
(File) Sunset over Seoul, South Korea. Source: Dmitriy Berdnik / Unsplash
With a Ease of Doing Business Ranking score of 84.14, South Korea comes in fifth in the overall list after Hong Hong. South Korea is among 70 countries to have formed regulatory reform committees in the past 10 years that use the Doing Business indicators as one input to inform their programs for improving the business environment.
1. Bangladesh
A man rides a trishaw on the street in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 15 December, 2017. 36 percent of the country’s urban population live in Dhaka, making it the world’s most crowded city. Source: Hanafi Latif/ Shutterstock
At 176th place, Bangladesh is the worst performing Asian country with a score of 41.97. But despite coming in last, the report said Bangladesh has identified its top priorities for trade facilitation. This includes capacity building activities at ports and customs offices as well as communicating with relevant actors to ensure the proper adoption of regulations.
2. Burma (Myanmar)
A man skippers a ferry boat to go through Myanmar Industrial Port (MIP) in Yangon. Pic: AP.
The Southeast Asian country has come in 171st place in the overall list with a score of 44.72. But on a more positive note the World Bank noted that Burma made starting a business less expensive by reducing the registration fee and improved the monitoring and regulation of power outages.
3. Afghanistan
This photo taken on June 19, 2018 shows a general view of the city from a hillside in Kabul. Source: AFP
After two nearly two decades of war, it’s little wonder why the South Asian country came in at 167th place. However, the World Bank noted that the country is one of the top 10 best improvers this year.
European shares recovered on Tuesday after feeling the strain of a tech rout on Wall Street, while political risks in Europe helped the dollar as investors dumped riskier assets.
The German share price index, DAX board, is seen at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, March 21, 2018. REUTERS/Tilman Blasshofer
(Updated: )
Bookmark
NEW YORK: Wall Street stock prices shed earlier gains on Tuesday while oil prices plunged on persistent concerns of weakening global demand.
The U.S. benchmark S&P 500 stock index turned negative after energy stocks were depressed by falling Brent and U.S. crude futures. Oil prices tumbled 7 percent, with U.S. crude touching its lowest level in a year.
Brent and U.S. crude extended their fall from Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump put pressure on OPEC not to cut supply to prop up prices. Both crude benchmarks have fallen more than 20 percent since peaking at four-year highs in early October.
“It’s like a run on the bank,” said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. “It’s getting to the point where it doesn’t seem to be about fundamentals anymore, but a total collapse in price.”
U.S. natural gas futures, however, soared to their highest since November 2014 on forecasts for colder weather.
Earlier, U.S. stocks had risen after White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow said Washington had resumed trade talks with China and characterized the development as “very positive.” Technology stocks bounced back a day after a rout that led the S&P 500’s nearly 2 percent decline.
The U.S. dollar index , which has steadily climbed as the U.S.-China trade dispute has escalated, dipped 0.2 percent.
“To the extent that we get movement in the tariff discussion the market will view that as a positive,” said Bucky Hellwig, senior vice president at BB&T Wealth Management in Birmingham, Alabama.
The pound rose 0.8 percent to US$1.2953 after reports that the United Kingdom and the European Union had agreed upon the text of a Brexit agreement and that British Prime Minister Theresa May would hold a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
The euro also rose from a 16-month low, last up 0.4 to US$1.1264, though its gains were capped by concerns over Italy’s budget and downbeat German investor sentiment data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 112.53 points, or 0.44 percent, to 25,274.65, the S&P 500 lost 3.22 points, or 0.12 percent, to 2,723 and the Nasdaq Composite added 3.79 points, or 0.05 percent, to 7,204.66.
MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe shed 0.12 percent.
Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury notes last rose 12/32 in price to yield 3.1452 percent, from 3.189 percent late on Friday. The Treasury market was closed on Monday for the Veterans Day holiday.
U.S. crude fell 7.88 percent to US$55.21 per barrel and Global benchmark Brent crude fell US$5.12 a barrel to a session low of US$65 a barrel in post-settlement trade.
But front-month gas futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange jumped 7.7 percent.
(Reporting by April Joyner; Additional reporting by David Gaffen and Stephen Culp in New York and Tom Finn and Marc Jones in London; Editing by David Gregorio and Cynthia Osterman)
SINGAPORE: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called on ASEAN to work together with China on free trade and maintaining peace in the South China Sea.
Delivering the 44th Singapore Lecture on Tuesday (Nov 13), he confirmed that leaders are hoping to conclude talks on a 16-country trade pact – known as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – next year.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean delivered the opening remarks and chaired the question & answer session after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s lecture. (Photo: ISEAS)
Amid the backdrop of a trade war with the United States, trade was front and centre of Premier Li’s speech as he reiterated the call to protect free trade and multilateralism.
This is something that countries like Singapore have thrived on and has been critical for China’s opening up.
“China is ready to work with all parties to discuss how we can improve free trade and make globalisation healthier,” said Mr Li.
“We are also willing to work with others on how we can make trade fairer so that free trade will receive a stronger boost and grow at a higher level. We need to send out a strong message internationally.”
But while the Chinese leader made no direct reference to the US in his speech, he was asked about the China-US relationship during the question and answer session that followed.
“It is of course the most consequential relationship of the 21st century. But it is not in a good place now. What is the cause of the friction? Is it just trade? How do you see the way forward?” asked Singapore’s former ambassador to the United States Chan Heng Chee.
Mr Li replied that the China and US relationship has gone through ups and downs but, on the whole, has seen stable development.
“I think that likewise as long as we uphold equality to manage disagreements and differences, and expand common interests and benefits, this will benefit both countries and the world,” said Mr Li.
“As long as we respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, then we will be able to manage and even resolve these disagreements.”
Mr Li is making his first bilateral visit to Singapore as Chinese Premier and will attend the ASEAN meetings taking place in the country.
His visit is widely seen to rally support for the RCEP – a trade pact that involves the 10 ASEAN states and six other Asia-Pacific countries, including China, and covers a third of global trade.
Talks are set to take place on Wednesday and the Chinese Premier confirmed that leaders hope to conclude negotiations on the pact next year.
He said that a peaceful environment is needed to push free trade forward and expressed China’s willingness to work with ASEAN countries to maintain stability in the South China Sea, adding that he hopes consultations on a code of conduct can be completed in three years.
The territorial dispute has often been a hot topic at ASEAN summits, as China and several member states face competing claims.
China has also come under criticism for its militarisation of islands in the waters.
Mr Li stressed twice in his speech that China does not and never would have the intent of occupying other nations.
“I know that many of you are wondering that given what is going on, what is China’s attitude towards other countries and its neighbours?” said Mr Li.
“I want to reaffirm here that China will stay firm on the course of peaceful development. In the Chinese culture, we value peace as of paramount importance and we don’t do to others what we don’t want others to do to us.”
Mr Li also called on the world to view China in an objective light, adding that the country is concentrating on its development.
Premier Li was asked about how China and ASEAN can continue to extend trade, beyond, for example, the RCEP trade pact.
The Chinese Premier said there is more room for cooperation as China continues to open up various sectors.
“Since my meetings with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other leaders yesterday, I believe I have answered all your concerns, but for me I have only one request for our Singaporean friends – that’s for you to invest more,” said Mr Li.
The Chinese Premier’s visit comes as China marks the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening up of its economy. Mr Li reiterated his message that China will not stop opening its doors to the world.
He also assured businesses that taxes and fees will be cut, fair regulations stepped up and that China will crack down on any intellectual property rights infringements.
“If any of you encounter any unfair treatment when investing in China or any unfair treatment when investing in the business environment, feel free to contact any of the ministers here and even directly to me,” said Mr Li.
