Singapore starts precautionary border screenings for mpox virus; lowering of CPF daily withdrawal limit: Singapore live news

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Singapore sets up precautionary border screenings for mpox virus: Singapore live news
Singapore sets up precautionary border screenings for mpox virus: Singapore live news

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Hello to all our readers, Yahoo Singapore will be bringing you live news updates today.

First up, Singapore has started screening for mpox symptoms at border checkpoints, after its outbreak was declared a global health emergency.

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) has announced the lowering of the Daily Withdrawal Limit (DWL) for online CPF withdrawals by CPF members aged 55 and above. With effect from 25 September 2024, the maximum DWL for online CPF withdrawals will be set at $50,000 to strengthen safeguards against scams, CPF said in a statement.

The Nutri-Grade label, used for pre-packed and freshly made beverages in Singapore, will be extended to salt, sauces, instant noodles and cooking oil. Why? Read on to find out.

In the US, vice-president Kamala Harris has formally accepted her party's nomination for president on Thursday with a rousing call to end the war in Gaza and to fight tyranny around the world.

In China, officials have warned that "throwing eggs" is an addictive waste of time and a drain on productivity. But, er, what is it?

Speaking of productivity, official data on Friday showed that Singapore's July core inflation rose 2.5 per cent year-on-year, the lowest rise in more than two years.

And what will green energy look like in Singapore in the future? Well, we are already looking to Australia's deserts and Malaysia's rainforests for clean power. This week, Australia announced a massive solar farm that it hopes will eventually offer two gigawatts (GW) of power to Singapore via undersea cable.

According to a Reuters report, Singapore Airlines is one of several airlines that have increased their flights over Afghanistan after years of largely avoiding – and that's because the Middle East conflict has made it seem a relatively safe option.

Finally, if you're looking for new makan places to explore this weekend, consider the revamped Tampines 1, now open after a $38 million renovation.

Highlights include Hawkers' Street, which boasts 12 stalls offering a diverse range of culinary delights. Vendors include Michelin Bib Gourmand awardees such as Tai Wah Pork Noodle and Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER9 updates
  • Featured

    Singapore starts precautionary screenings for mpox virus at border checkpoints

    A test tube labelled
    A test tube labelled "Mpox virus positive" is held in this illustration. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

    Singapore has started screening for mpox symptoms at border checkpoints, after its outbreak was declared a global health emergency.

    Temperature and visual screening starts Friday at Changi and Seletar airports, as well as sea checkpoints, for inbound travellers and crew arriving from places where there’s risk of mpox outbreaks, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. Travellers who have fever, rash or symptoms compatible with mpox will be referred for medical assessment, it said.

    Read more about the mpox measure here.

  • Featured

    Nutri-Grade label to be extended to salt, sauces, instant noodles, cooking oil

    Soy sauce and beans. (PHOTO: Getty)
    Soy sauce and beans. (PHOTO: Getty)

    The Nutri-Grade label, used for pre-packed and freshly made beverages in Singapore, will be extended to salt, sauces, instant noodles and cooking oil.

    This is aimed at reducing sodium and saturated fat intake among Singapore residents, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) in a joint statement.

    "We will likely retain the key features of the existing Nutri-Grade measures, and will be conducting further consultations with the industry over the coming months. The consultations will focus on the implementation details, including the nutrient thresholds underpinning the Nutri-Grade measures, to ensure that the measures are practicable and feasible. More details will be announced when ready," they said in the statement.

    Meanwhile, the MOH's National Population Health Survey (NPHS) 2023 has shown that Singapore residents are healthier. Key findings from the survey highlight that there was significant increase in Singaporeans’ total physical activity, reduced prevalence of smoking, improvements in the state of mental health, as well as increased vaccination rates.

    Find out more about these health indicators and what's upcoming from MOH and HPB.

  • 10 must-eat places at the revamped Tampines 1 mall

    Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice.
    Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice.

    This weekend, if you're looking for new makan places to explore, consider the revamped Tampines 1, now open after a $38 million renovation.

    Highlights include Hawkers' Street, which boasts 12 stalls offering a diverse range of culinary delights. Vendors include Michelin Bib Gourmand awardees such as Tai Wah Pork Noodle and Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice.

    And located in the basement, San.wich is brought to you by the folks behind the famous local bakery Swee Heng. San.wich prides itself on using freshly baked bread daily, with creative and healthy bases like beetroot, sweet potato leaf, and even tomato.

    Read on to find out what other foodie offerings are in store at the revamped Tampines 1.

  • Airlines, like SIA, increase flights over Afghanistan as Middle East riskier: Report

    A Singapore Airlines aircraft flies past the Frankfurt Arena on June 17, 2024. (PHOTO: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
    A Singapore Airlines aircraft flies past the Frankfurt Arena on June 17, 2024. (PHOTO: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

    According to a Reuters report, Singapore Airlines is one of several airlines that have increased their flights over Afghanistan after years of largely avoiding – and that's because the Middle East conflict has made it seem a relatively safe option.

    Many airlines increasingly consider the skies between Iran and Israel riskier than Afghan airspace.

    The shift began in mid-April during reciprocal missile and drone attacks between Iran and Israel, a Reuters analysis of flight-tracking data showed.

    Some pilots are concerned though.

    Read more on the routing considerations of airlines such as Singapore Airlines.

  • Singapore eyes deserts, forest for renewables

    This photograph taken on January 22, 2021 shows a worker pulling a cable along a floating solar power farm at sea off Singapore's northern coast just across from the Malaysian state of Johor.
    This photograph taken on January 22, 2021 shows a worker pulling a cable along a floating solar power farm at sea off Singapore's northern coast just across from the Malaysian state of Johor.

    What will green energy look like in Singapore in the future? Well, we are already looking to Australia's deserts and Malaysia's rainforests for clean power.

    This week, Australia announced a massive solar farm that it hopes will eventually offer two gigawatts (GW) of power to Singapore via undersea cable.

    Demand is set to rise, particularly from data centres. Singapore's Energy Market Authority has already granted conditional approvals to import 1GW from Cambodia, 2GW from Indonesia and 1.2GW from Vietnam.

    Read more on the challenges and opportunities facing Singapore when it comes to clean energy.

  • Singapore July core inflation lowest in more than two years

    Urban skyline and skyscrapers in Marina Bay Singapore. (PHOTO: Getty)
    Urban skyline and skyscrapers in Marina Bay Singapore. (PHOTO: Getty)

    Singapore's key consumer price gauge rose 2.5 per cent in July from a year earlier, the smallest increase since February 2022.

    Official data showed that the core inflation rate – which excludes private road transport and accommodation costs – was lower than the 2.9 per cent seen in June.

    What does the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) expects, moving forward?

  • China's 'throwing eggs' card game gets official censure. But what is it?

    This photo taken on August 15, 2024 shows people playing Guandan or the
    This photo taken on August 15, 2024 shows people playing Guandan or the "throwing eggs" card game at a clubhouse in Hangzhou. (PHOTO: JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images)

    In China, officials have warned that "throwing eggs" is an addictive waste of time and a drain on productivity.

    Well, it's not throwing eggs per se; rather, it's a card game that's been played since the 1960s in the eastern provinces of Anhui and Jiangsu. The popularity of Guandan, the game, has skyrocketed in recent years, becoming a national sensation.

    Local media estimated that over 140 million people are hooked on its combination of strategic acumen and social fun.

    The relatively simple game pits two teams of two against each other in a race to shed their cards by throwing various combinations referred to as "bombs" on the table.

    Learn more about why officials think "throwing eggs" can be addictive.

  • US vice-president Kamala Harris formally accepts Democrats' nomination for president

    Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Kevin Wurm)
    Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Kevin Wurm)

    United States vice-president Kamala Harris has formally accepted her party's nomination for president with a rousing call to end the war in Gaza and to fight tyranny around the world.

    "In the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand and I know where the United States belongs," Harris said, accusing Trump of cozying up to dictators.

    Find out what she said about the Israel-Gaza conflict.

  • CPF daily withdrawal limit to be capped at $50,000 from 25 September

    The CPF (Central Provident Fund) Maxwell Service Centre in Club Street Singapore. (PHOTO: Getty)
    The CPF (Central Provident Fund) Maxwell Service Centre in Club Street Singapore. (PHOTO: Getty)

    Singapore's Central Provident Fund (CPF) has announced the lowering of the Daily Withdrawal Limit (DWL) for online CPF withdrawals by CPF members aged 55 and above. With effect from 25 September 2024, the maximum DWL for online CPF withdrawals will be lowered from $200,000 to $50,000 to strengthen safeguards against scams, CPF said in a statement.

    Lowering the DWL will not inconvenience the majority of members currently making withdrawals, CPF added. "Since the implementation of the default DWL of $2,000 in November 2023, vast majority of CPF members have maintained a DWL of $50,000 or less. For the very small group of members who have set their DWL above $50,000, they will be notified in advance that their DWL will be automatically lowered to $50,000 on 25 September 2024."

    Read on for more details on the lowering of the CPF DWL.