27/04/2021

PM Lee Speaks At ASEAN Summit In Jakarta

Myanmar junta chief 'not opposed' to visit by ASEAN delegation to help resolve crisis, says PM Lee
Meeting among leaders of ASEAN member states in Jakarta on Saturday (Apr 24)

Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has said he is not opposed to a visit by a delegation from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to help resolve the crisis in the country.

This came out of a meeting among leaders of ASEAN member states in Jakarta on Saturday (Apr 24), said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

During the meeting, attended by General Min Aung Hlaing, member states outlined six outcomes they would like to see in Myanmar, including a visit by an ASEAN delegation facilitated by Myanmar authorities.


PM Lee Asks Myanmar Junta To Stop Violence & Release Detainees, Work Towards Peaceful Solution
He was speaking at an ASEAN meeting in Jakarta

Since a military coup in Myanmar on 1 Feb, tensions have escalated dramatically, with peaceful protests often ending in bloodshed.

PM Lee attended the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, and called for Myanmar authorities to cease further bloodshed.

He also called for the immediate release of political detainees like Aung San Suu Kyi.


ASEAN leaders call for immediate end to violence in Myanmar
This handout photo taken on April 23, 2021 and released by the Indonesian Presidential Palace shows Indonesian President Joko (AFP/Handout)

ASEAN leaders held a special meeting on the Myanmar crisis on Saturday in which they called for an immediate end to the violence against protesters in the country and for special envoys to be sent to push for the inclusive dialogue there.

The in-person summit in Jakarta of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations also included Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's military leader who sparked the ongoing crisis in the member country by staging a coup in February.

The meeting was held amid a sense of urgency within the regional bloc as more than 730 anti-coup protesters and others have reportedly been killed by Myanmar's security forces since the mitltary ousted the civilian government led by Aun San Suu Kyi in Feb 1 coup.


ASEAN demands ‘immediate cessation of violence’ in Myanmar
The ASEAN leaders met at the organisation's secretariat building in Jakarta [Laily Rachev/Indonesian Presidential Palace/Handout via Reuters]

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has released a five-point statement on the crisis in Myanmar, demanding the “immediate cessation of violence” and calling on all parties in the country to exercise “utmost restraint”.

Myanmar – part of the 10-nation ASEAN – has been in turmoil since the military overthrew civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup on February 1, triggering a mass uprising from all corners of society demanding a return to democracy. The ASEAN document, issued on Saturday following an ASEAN emergency summit in Jakarta, also called for “constructive dialogue” to resolve the crisis.

“[All] parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people,” ASEAN said. It added that “a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the Secretary-General of ASEAN”.
ASEAN also said it would provide humanitarian assistance, and said that the special envoy and delegation would visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned.


ASEAN leaders reach consensus to end Myanmar crisis, demand junta end killings
President Joko Widodo (second left) delivering his speech at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Myannmar crisis talks in Jakarta on April 24, 2021. © AFP

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killing of civilian protesters.

"It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was also attended by Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

"We tried not to accuse his side too much because we don’t care who’s causing it," Muhyiddin added. "We just stressed that the violence must stop. For him, it’s the other side that’s causing the problems. But he agreed that violence must stop."


Myanmar: Military chief urged to stop violence on first foreign trip
The general (left) is in Jakarta for a regional summit that is expected to focus on Myanmar

South East Asian leaders have urged the head of the Myanmar army, which took power in a coup in February, to end the violent crackdown in the country.

In his first known foreign trip since the takeover, General Min Aung Hlaing heard calls for the military to stop killing protesters and to release political prisoners. More than 700 people have been killed and thousands detained since the coup. The talks in Indonesia were the first big effort to address the crisis.

A statement released after the summit said the leaders and foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had reached a consensus on five points. They included asking for an immediate stop to the violence and opening a dialogue between the military and civilian leaders, with that process overseen by a special Asean envoy who would also visit with a delegation. The group also offered humanitarian assistance.


ASEAN leaders' meeting on Myanmar begins in Indonesia
Myanmar’s junta leader is participating in meeting as well as premiers, foreign ministers of member states from bloc

The Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) leaders has begun a meeting in Indonesia on Saturday to seek a solution to the Myanmar crisis, which has killed more than 700 people since the Feb. 1 military coup.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah from Brunei Darussalam, the current chair of the regional bloc, is presiding over the meeting at the office of ASEAN Secretariat in Indonesian capital Jakarta.

Saturday's meeting "consists of three segments, namely ASEAN community development, ASEAN external relations, and regional and international issues," the Indonesian presidency said in a statement.


Lee Hsien Loong is in Jakarta, Indonesia Yesterday at 06:11

Attended the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia today. My first trip out of Singapore in over a year since the pandemic started.

The recent events and bloodshed in Myanmar are deeply concerning. It can affect stability, security and prosperity not only in Myanmar, but also ASEAN and our region.

Our open, frank and sincere dialogue today is just one step, but a key one. We hope that sense will prevail, and a durable and peaceful political solution can be found soon. – LHL


leehsienloong @leehsienloong Apr 24

At the @ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting in Jakarta tdy, we shared our views directly with Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Our dialogue is just one step, but a key one. We hope that a durable & peaceful political solution can be found soon. – LHL
https://go.gov.sg/gnj2yo


ASEAN leaders arrive in Jakarta for emergency summit on Myanmar
Myanmar junta chief 'not opposed' to visit by ASEAN delegation to help resolve crisis, says PM Lee

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26/04/2021

What causes Air-Conditioner fires?

Air conditioning unit on fire (Singapore, Bukit Panjang)

Update 4 Jan 2022: Explosion from air-con compressor heard in Hougang, 30 people evacuated from fire

30 people had to be evacuated after a fire broke out in Hougang on Monday (Jan 3) night.

The origin of the fire reportedly came from an air-conditioner compressor outside a senior activity centre along Hougang Avenue 3, according to Lianhe Zaobao.

Speaking to the Chinese daily, a resident said that the senior activity centre was closed prior to the incident. His brother immediately called the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) after hearing an explosion and experiencing a wave of heat.


Fire involving air-conditioner breaks out at Woodlands HDB flat, explosions heard
The fire at Block 842 Woodlands Street 82

A Woodlands HDB flat resident came face to face with a raging fire after hearing a series of explosions coming from one of their bedrooms.

The fire, which occurred at Block 842 Woodlands Street 82 on Monday (Sep 23), saw two people declining to be taken to a hospital.

Lianhe Wanbao reported that the fire involved an air-conditioner unit in the bedroom.


What Causes Fire in an Air Conditioner?

In addition to posing a threat to your life and those of your family members, a house fire can leave you in financial ruin and destroy irreplaceable items such as family photos and keepsakes. A faulty air-conditioning system places you at risk of just such an occurrence. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that from 2005 through 2009, over 2,300 house fires were caused by air conditioning systems. Over this four-year period, only two people were killed by air conditioning fires, but 99 were wounded. Property owners suffered approximately $53 million in damages.

Most air conditioning fires are caused by a short circuit in the wiring that causes the appliance to overheat and subsequently ignite. Frequent power surges or fluctuation in the amount of voltage the air conditioner receives can also overheat the unit. Portable air conditioning units are a greater fire risk than stationary units or central air. These units are typically smaller than their permanent counterparts – making it more difficult for the unit to keep up with cooling demands. The longer the air conditioner runs, the more likely it is to overheat or suffer a mechanical failure that ultimately causes a fire.

Routinely maintaining your air conditioning unit and having it inspected at least every 12 months will help you catch problems with the unit before those problems result in a house fire.


Common Causes Of Air Conditioner Fires

Most property owners would not feel comfortable in their interiors without air conditioning. You need it to generate just the right of cold or warmth to keep your interiors within the ideal temperatures. Even so, air conditioners are among the leading causes of property fires.

They account for the ignition of approximately 2800 fires annually. This is only about 2% of property fires, but it is still a devastating statistic. Professional air duct cleaning for your Reno property might not seem like much towards the safety of your property from fires. For most people, in fact, this sounds like a waste of their precious cash. Even so, air duct cleaning by professionals can save you thousands of dollars’ worth of fire damage to your property. Moreover, with a report on your property’s duct cleaning, you have more proof of your contribution to fire damage protection and are thus better-placed to win compensation for a property fire.

The following are the common causes of air conditioner fires:
  • Storage of Flammables Near Air Conditioners
  • Dirty Air Conditioners
  • Electrical Issues
  • Overheating


Your Air Conditioner is Actually a Major Fire Hazard

As most of the country struggles with record-breaking low temperatures and wintry weather conditions, it might seem premature to discuss the health of your air conditioner. However, far away as it seems, summer will be here again before we know it and it never hurts to be prepared.

Linked to a number of deaths, triple-figure injuries and hundreds of millions in property damage, fires caused by air conditioners (ACs) are more common than previously thought. In 2010 alone, roughly 7,400 fires were the result of the operation of faulty air conditioning systems. According to experts, window air conditioning units are often the culprit of these fires, with some studies suggesting that they are 1.8 times more likely to cause a house fire than their central AC unit counterparts.

According to research, these AC unit fires can be caused by some of the following:
  • Maintenance/Cleaning
  • Size
  • Flammables
  • Equipment and Parts
  • Faulty Wiring
  • Installation


Poor install makes ac biggest fire risk
Air conditioning units are reported to pose a greater fire risk than any other common household appliance in Singapore

A new report from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) says that its fire-fighters, rescue and emergency medical services deal with about 2-3 cases per month. In 2014, there were 29 reported cases. Poor installation and bad wiring practices are said to be major contributory factors. The SCDF maintains that proper installation of the air conditioning system is the critical first step in the prevention of fires.

A prominent root cause of the fires is blamed on the use of intermediate connections, by means of twisting wires together and insulating them with electrical tape, within the fan coil unit. Such a technique for creating an electrical splice is said to be widely practised in Singapore but can be problematic especially when it is applied in FCUs.

Described as a flagrant violation of both regulation and good sense, the SCDF says the use of such splices in FCUs may greatly heighten fire risk, particularly when water from condensation is involved.


Experts warn rising temperatures can turn air conditioners into fire hazards
Fire officials say proper unit maintenance is the key to preventing fires

The appliance many people rely on to keep their homes cool could potentially pose a fire risk. Air conditioners cause an average of 20 deaths, 140 injuries, and $82 million in property damage annually, according to a 2016 report by the National Fire Protection Association.

Experts warn that rising temperatures can strain air conditioning units and, if they are not properly maintained, can turn them into fire hazards. "If they are overworked and overheated or there are some electrical issues, it can catch nearby combustibles on fire," Pete Piringer, chief spokesperson for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service in Maryland, told ABC's "Good Morning America."

But fires can be prevented through proper maintenance, Piringer said. Changing the filter and ensuring adequate power supply to the unit are two safety measures that can help avoid potential problems. Avoiding the use of extension cords or power strips is also important, he said. "When you start using extension cords, it can be problematic," Piringer said. "They can overheat and start a fire."


FIRE STATISTICS AND STUDY ON AIR CONDITIONING FIRES
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921

Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations cited several possibilities for the cause of air con fires:
  • Dust or contamination in the airflow path can settle over electrical components and cause tracking faults leading to a high-resistance fault that could ignite nearby combustibles.
  • Excessive temperature rise may also occur in compressor and fan motors due to bearing friction, increase in load of capacitor degradation.
  • Motor capacitors can develop internal resistance over time and cause sufficient
  • heating to self ignite if encased in plastic.
  • One prominent cause of FCU fires seen in Singapore is the use of intermediate connections.
  •  (e.g twisting wires together & insulating them with electrical tape).
  • By applying such a technique – can be problematic in FCUs


Fires Involving Air Conditioning Fan Coil Units
Fires originating from the FCU

Key Findings:
  • Air conditioning (A/C) fires are most prevalent among the common electrical household appliances in Singapore with about 2 – 3 cases per month.
  • Various parts of the A/C system can catch fire but fires involving the Condensing Unit (CU) and Fan Coil Unit (FCU) account for most of these fires.
  • Fires involving the CU are all localised but over a quarter of all fires involving the FCU resulted in secondary fires, causing more damage to the premises.
  • Over a quarter of all the FCU fires came about when the FCU was not in use, but on standby mode.
  • The use of intermediate connections, by means of twisting electrical wirings together and insulating them with electrical tape, within the FCU was found to be 1 root cause of the FCU fires.


Air Conditioners Information

Air conditioners (also referred to as AC) provide thermal and humidity management in spaces, such as industrial facilities and data centers, where temperature and humidity control is necessary. They can be used to supplement HVAC systems, supplying spot or space cooling if existing HVAC is inadequate, or to provide air temperature and humidity control where HVAC is unavailable.

Air conditioners chill air by passing indoor air over evaporator coils, returning the chilled air to the room and exhausting the heat removed to the outside.

The components of an air conditioner include:
  • Evaporator coils are filled with a refrigerant that changes phase from liquid to gas as warm air passes over them.
  • A fan or blower returns cooled air to the room.
  • A compressor moves the heated gas to the condenser coils, which condense the refrigerant from gas to liquid.
  • A fan pushes warm air out the exhaust.


4 totally unexpected (and deadly) home fire hazards

When you buy a home appliance, you’d have some basic expectations about it. You’d expect air-conditioners to cool the air, and water heaters to give you a nice warm shower. Sure, they might malfunction, but what you probably don’t expect is for these sleek-looking appliances to become potentially deadly.

Here’s what these unexpected home fire hazards are and the steps you can take to keep you and your family safe.

Home fire hazard:
  • Air-conditioner
  • Garbage chute
  • Washing machine
  • Water heater


Five common appliances that cause house fires

Our homes today are filled with electronics and appliances that make our lives easier and provide us with entertainment. DVD players, big screen TVs, video game systems, and cable/satellite TV boxes overload our electrical outlets and fill up our entertainment centers.

If you bought a new appliance lately, you'll see that technology has changed them, as well. Our new washer and dryer consists of a few buttons and touch screens. While the touch screens look cool, there's more circuitry in them, which could lead to a fire. According to the National Fire Protection Agency(NFPA), 501,500 structure fires were reported in the U.S. in 2015. These fires resulted in 2,685 deaths, 13,000 injuries, and $10.3 billion in property damage; $7 billion in property losses were caused by home fires. Based on these statistics, a fire was reported every 63 seconds.

Here's a list of common appliances and how they can be start fires in your home:
  • Dishwashers
  • Dryers
  • Microwaves
  • Refrigerators
  • Toasters


What causes Refrigerator fires?
Fridge causes fire at Upper Serangoon Crescent condo

About 25 people were evacuated after a fire broke out in a unit at the Riversails condominium at Upper Serangoon Crescent on Tuesday evening (Apr 13).

A Stomper alerted Stomp to the incident and shared a video of smoke rising from the affected unit. In response to a Stomp query, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to a fire at 4 Upper Serangoon Crescent at 6.40pm.

"The fire, which involved a fridge in the kitchen of a unit on the sixth floor, was extinguished by members of the public using a hosereel and a fire extinguisher prior to SCDF's arrival," an SCDF spokesman said.



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25/04/2021

Now Tak Boleh (That's Amore)

Now Tak Boleh Alvin Oon of Penarakan Sayang

That's Amore Dean Martin

Curry Curry Night

COVID-19 Lockdown Laughs
COVID-19: Stay Home For Me

Singlish-slinging minister praised for calling outbreak panic buyers ‘idiots’
COVID-19 compared to other major viruses
Singapore urges calm after panic buying hits supermarkets
Singapore reports its first cases of local COVID-19 transmission
Singapore confirms cases of COVID-19 Virus
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24/04/2021

How to keep wasps at bay

And prevent getting stung

Are you one of those people who starts screaming as soon as they see a wasp? Do you sit still or do you flail around because you’re panicking? We have some bad news for you: more and more wasps will come out of hiding now the larvae are full-grown. We can’t change the fact that these nasty stingers exist, but we can give you tips to keep the chance of being stung to a minimum.

It’s easier said than done, but don’t panic:
  • Keep calm
  • Sugar
  • Flower
  • Food
  • Tomato and mint
  • Ground coffee
  • Burn incense
  • Cloves
  • Water and coins
  • Syrup or orange juice
  • Wasp trap

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23/04/2021

Singapore to bar long-term pass holders, visitors travelling from India

"Use Singapore as a quarantine centre for Australians to return from India"

Curry Curry Night

Update 22 May 2021: ‘Black fungus’ disease linked to Covid spreads across India
7,200 mucormycosis cases reported, usually in patients with diabetes or compromised immune systems

States across India have begun declaring a “black fungus” epidemic as cases of the fatal rare infection shoot up in patients recovering from Covid-19. The fungal disease, called mucormycosis, has a 50% mortality rate. It affects patients initially in the nose but the fungus can then spread into the brain, and can often only be treated by major surgery removing the eye or part of skull and jaw.

It is usually a rare disease, but more than 7,200 people in India have now been reported with mucormycosis and 219 have lost their lives. The rise in black fungus infections, mostly in patients who had severe cases of Covid-19, has been linked to an overuse of steroids in the treatment of the coronavirus, which can acutely compromise the immune system if taken over a prolonged period. The high incidence of diabetes in India has also been blamed, with high blood sugar levels linked to susceptibility. India has the second highest rate of diabetes in the world. It has also been reported in Covid patients who were on ventilators in intensive care units, due to their airways being exposed to humidity and moisture.

The disease is caused by fungal spores found in soil and organic matter, usually inhaled by humans from the air. The mould enters the body and then manifests around the nose and eye sockets, causing the nose to blacken, and if not stopped will move fatally into the brain. Healthy individuals will usually fight off the fungus but it can spread fast in those with compromised immunity.

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What is 'black fungus' and why India?

Several thousand coronavirus patients in India have contracted a deadly and aggressive fungal infection, compounding the country's woes as it reels from the pandemic.

What is the fungus? Mucormycosis, dubbed "black fungus", is caused by a mould found in soil and in decaying organic matter like rotting leaves, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People get mucormycosis, of which there are several types, by breathing in the fungal spores. They can be spread in hospitals and homes by air humidifiers or oxygen tanks containing dirty water.

How dangerous is it? The infection needs to be caught early as it is aggressive and dead tissue has to be scraped away. Surgeons sometimes have to remove patients' nose, eyes or even their jaw to stop it getting to the brain. The average fatality rate is 54 percent, according to the CDC. Once infected, people can die within days. However it is not contagious, according to the CDC. India normally deals with a few dozen cases a year. Generally the body's defences repel the fungus and only those with severely weakened immune systems -- for example organ transplant or cancer patients -- are affected.

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No truth to Delhi official’s claims of new Singapore Covid-19 variant: Ministry of Health
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the new variant could result in a third wave in India. PHOTO: AFP

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has rebutted claims by a politician in India, which were carried by several media outlets, of a new Covid-19 strain in Singapore.

“There is no truth whatsoever in the assertions found within the reports. There is no ‘Singapore variant’,” an MOH spokesman said on Tuesday (May 18).

“The strain that is prevalent in many of the Covid-19 cases in recent weeks is the B16172 variant, which originated in India. Phylogenetic testing has shown this B16172 variant to be associated with several clusters in Singapore,” the spokesman added.


Ministry of Health rubbishes claims of a 'Singapore variant' that would cause third Covid wave in India

THE Ministry of Health (MOH) has refuted claims of a "Singapore variant" of the coronavirus, saying there is "no truth whatsoever" in the assertions found within the reports.

In response to media queries on reports by the Hindustan Times and NDTV on Tuesday, MOH said "the strain that is prevalent in many of the Covid-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant which originated in India". "Phylogenetic testing has shown this B.1.617.2 variant to be associated with several clusters in Singapore," added MOH  in a statement issued late on Tuesday.

Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said a new Covid variant detected in Singapore may "come as a third wave" in India. No medical evidence nor authority was cited in the claim. In his tweet, the minister added that he is appealing to the central government to take "immediate" measures, including suspension of flights to and from Singapore.

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Chee Hong Tat 徐芳达 9 hrs

It is disappointing to see such nonsense coming from Chief Minister Kejriwal.

Full article to the news: https://www.hindustantimes.com/…/singapore-virus-can-be-ind…

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No new work pass holders allowed in from high-risk places

Singapore has stopped accepting new entry applications for work pass holders from countries or regions at higher risk of Covid-19, given the resurgence of the virus in several countries and the emergence of new virus variants.

In this period of heightened alert, only workers needed for key strategic projects and infrastructural works will be allowed entry, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) yesterday.

All countries and regions are considered to be at higher risk, except Australia, Brunei, New Zealand, the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

related: S’pore stops accepting new work pass holders from high Covid-19 risk places, including maids

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Lawrence Wong says SG didn’t close border with India due to need for migrant workers, but traveller stats shows otherwise

At a press briefing on Tuesday (4 May), Minister Lawrence Wong told the media that Singapore can’t afford to shut its borders as the country needs migrant workers to build homes.

Mr Wong was trying to explain why Singapore did not close its border to India earlier, given the record new outbreaks happening there. “We are small… We need migrant workers to build our homes,” he said, adding that foreign workers are also needed for a range of other essential services, including caring for the elderly.

For example, four days before the the ban on 23 April, with regards to long-term and short-term pass holders who flew directly from India, many of the infected were not migrant workers:
  • Infected travellers from India on 19 Apr
  • Infected travellers from India on 20 Apr
  • Infected travellers from India on 21 Apr
  • Infected travellers from India on 22 Apr

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Singapore bars non-residents with recent travel in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to, or transited in, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be barred from entering or transiting through Singapore from 11.59pm on Saturday (1 May).

In a press release on Friday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said border measures with respect to these countries were tightened as there have been recent sharp increases in cases reported by them. The ministry added that the restrictions will also apply to those who had obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore. It will not apply to Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents.

In addition, all travellers with recent travel history to Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka who have yet to complete their 14-day Stay-Home Notice by 11.59pm on Sunday will need to complete an additional seven-day SHN at dedicated facilities. "They will undergo COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests on-arrival, on Day 14 of their SHN, and another test before the end of their 21-day SHN period," the MOH said.

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Social media influencers kicked out of Bali for face-mask prank
JOSHPALERLIN FAKE MASK,PRANK security in bali

A pair of social media influencers will be booted from Bali over a prank video that featured one sporting a painted-on virus mask that broke Covid-19 rules.  Authorities in Bali said Friday that they would deport US-based Taiwanese YouTuber Josh Paler Lin and Russian influencer Leia Se over the stunt that went viral.

In the video, Lin expresses surprise that few people seem to notice Se walking around a Bali supermarket with the painted-on blue mask.  She applied the make-up after store security initially turned away the maskless Russian. The clip sparked outrage in Bali, where virus cases and deaths have been climbing. Foreigners can be hit with a fine of one million rupiah ($70) for not wearing a mask in Bali and face deportation for the second offence. But authorities decided to boot out the pair over their prank.  "We plan to deport them," said Jamaruli Manihuruk, head of Bali's legal and justice office. "It has to wait until flights to their respective countries are available -- hopefully soon."

Lin, 32, who regularly posts prank videos to his 3.4 million subscribers on YouTube, has already deleted the clip and apologised.  "I made this video to entertain people because I'm a content creator and it is my job to entertain people," Lin said in an online apology. "However, I did not realise that what I did could actually bring a lot of negative comments," he added.


Indians use Nepal to circumvent travel bans
Stuck by coronavirus restrictions, Indians use Kathmandu to fly abroad

Indians with jobs or families abroad are using Kathmandu transit to go to countries like Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Hong Kong that have banned direct flights from India which is battered by a second wave.

Despite Nepal itself seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases and fatalities, and a week-long lockdown in New Delhi, neither India nor Nepal and destination countries have so far stopped the roundabout route.

This has led to a several-fold increase in air fares for the daily two flights between New Delhi and Kathmandu. While the 1 hour and 15 minute Kathmandu-Delhi flights cost Rs9,000 this week, Delhi-Kathmandu tickets are selling for up to Rs45,000.

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Singapore's COVID-19 measure barring visitors from India is not based on nationality - Ong Ye Kung
Changi Airport staff members wearing personal protective equipment assist travellers at the check-in counters. (File photo: Calvin Oh)

Singapore’s move to stop the entry of visitors who have recent travel history to India is not based on nationality, said Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung on Monday (Apr 26).

As of 11.59pm last Friday, all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have travelled to India in the last 14 days are not allowed to enter Singapore. This includes visitors who transit in India and those who had earlier obtained approval for entry into Singapore. The border measure was implemented amid a spike in COVID-19 infections in India. On Monday, the country's daily coronavirus cases set a new global record for the fifth straight day.

With 352,991 new cases, India's total caseload has crossed 17 million. Deaths rose by a record 2,812 to reach a total of 195,123.

related: India records more than 300,000 new COVID-19 cases for 6th consecutive day

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Indian nationals use Nepal to circumvent travel bans resulting in crowding in hotels at Kathmandu

The Nepali Times reported on Wed that many Indian nationals who are stuck in India due to the coronavirus travel restrictions imposed by a number of countries, are now using Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, to fly abroad (‘Indians use Nepal to circumvent travel bans‘, 21 Apr).

It said that they are using Kathmandu as a transit point to fly to countries like Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Hong Kong, which have all banned direct flights from India. As of today (24 Apr), India reported more than 340,000 cases of coronavirus, setting a world record for a third day running.

“Despite Nepal itself seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases and fatalities, and a week-long lockdown in New Delhi, neither India nor Nepal and destination countries have so far stopped the roundabout route,” Nepali Times wrote.

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India COVID-19 cases set new global record for 4th straight day
A person wearing a protective suit stands next to an ambulance carrying a family member who died from COVID-19, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India Apr 24, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Adnan Abidi)

India set a new global record of the most number of COVID-19 infections in a day, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (Apr 25) urged all citizens to be vaccinated and exercise caution, saying the "storm" of infections had shaken the country.

The United States said it was deeply concerned by the massive surge in coronavirus cases in India and was racing to send aid to India.

India's number of cases surged by 349,691 in the past 24 hours, the fourth straight day of record peaks, and hospitals in Delhi and across the country are turning away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds.

related: India's daily COVID-19 death toll hits new record as shortages bite

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As Covid-19 cases there surge
The move takes effect from 11.59pm on April 23, 2021.PHOTO: ST FILE

All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have travelled to India within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore, as the country goes on "heightened alert" against Covid-19.

This move takes effect from 11.59pm on Friday, and includes people who have prior approval to enter Singapore, said Education Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday (April 22).

In addition, people who have recently travelled to India and have not completed their 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) by 11.59pm on Thursday night will have to complete their additional seven-day SHN at a dedicated facility rather than their places of residence.

related:
Entry approvals for non-S'poreans, non-PRs travelling from India cut due to Covid-19
India reported 314,835 new Covid-19 cases, the world's biggest single-day surge
The worsening Covid-19 situation in India
The emergence of new virus variants in India

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India's daily COVID-19 death toll hits new record as shortages bite
People queue up for COVID-19 vaccine in Mumbai, India, on Apr 22, 2021. (Photo: AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

India's daily COVID-19 death toll passed a new record on Saturday (Apr 24) as the government battled to get oxygen supplies to hospitals overwhelmed by the hundreds of thousands of new daily cases.

Queues of COVID-19 patients and their fearful relatives are building up outside hospitals in major cities across India, the new world pandemic hotspot which has now reported nearly 1 million new cases in three days.

Another 2,624 deaths, a new daily record, were reported, taking the official toll to nearly 190,000 since the pandemic started. More than 340,000 new cases were also reported, taking India's total to 16.5 million, second only to the United States. But many experts are predicting the current wave will not peak for at least three weeks and that the real death and case numbers are much higher.

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Singapore to block all non-resident entry, transit from India 'until further notice' from Friday night

SINGAPORE is closing its doors indefinitely to all non-residents who have been in India in the last two weeks, starting from 11.59pm on Friday night. The border curbs came amid a fresh Covid-19 outbreak at a dormitory for foreign labourers, including infections among workers who had already recovered from earlier bouts of the virus.

"There is no evidence that the recent cases at the Westlite Woodlands Dormitory are linked to the new strain from India," the Ministry of Health (MOH) noted in a statement on Thursday. "But many of the arrivals from India are workers in the construction, marine and process (CMP) sectors. There is still a risk that a leak may happen, and cause another wave of infection in the dormitories."

As such, Singapore will further tighten its border measures with India, it added.

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Singapore to disallow entry for all long-term pass holders, short-term visitors with recent travel history to India
People look at a Singapore Airlines plane, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a viewing gallery of the Changi Airport in Singapore October 12, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su

All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to India within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore from Apr 24, announced the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday (Apr 22). This includes visitors who transit in India, and all who had obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore, he said.

India's COVID-19 situation has worsened in recent days, with daily records of new cases.

Noting that many of the new arrivals from India work in the construction, marine and process sectors and live in the dormitories, COVID-19 multi-ministry task force co-chair, Lawrence Wong, said on Thursday: “We know that this major move will have an impact on our construction, marine and process sectors. And many local SMEs and contractors will be badly impacted.

related: India's COVID-19 situation has worsened with daily records of new cases

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Fewer travellers from India to be allowed into Singapore due to Covid-19
The entry approvals are being reduced in response to the worsening Covid-19 situation in India

Entry approvals for non-Singapore citizens and non-permanent residents are being reduced with immediate effect, in response to the worsening Covid-19 situation in India and the emergence of new virus variants, the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday (April 20).

From 11.59pm on Thursday, all travellers from India will also have to serve an additional seven-day stay-home notice (SHN) at their place of residence, following the usual 14-day SHN at a dedicated facility. Those who have yet to complete their 14-day SHN by that time will also have to serve the extra seven days.

The travellers will be tested for Covid-19 at the end of the initial 14-day SHN and at the end of the additional seven-day SHN. Migrant workers arriving from India who work in the construction, marine and process sectors will continue to be subjected to a 21-day SHN. These measures will minimise importation risks and protect public health, the MOH said.

related:
Travellers from India to take Covid-19 test before entering S'pore; citizens, PRs excluded
New Covid-19 cluster in Singapore linked to man who was probably reinfected in India

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Netizens urge a ban on flights from India; slam experts who say it is not yet necessary
All of the passengers who tested positive flew into Hong Kong on a flight run by Indian operator Vistara on 4 Apr 2021 (Source: AFP)

Expert say it is not yet necessary to ban flights from India or tighten social distancing or gathering guidelines, according to a report by The Straits Times (ST) on Thursday (22 April).

This follows as several countries around the world, such as Hong Kong as New Zealand, have imposed stricter measures on incoming travelers from India as the number of daily cases in the country continue to soar, reaching a world-record high of over 300,000 cases a day today. Both countries have banned flights from India. However, Singapore has not.

On Tuesday, Singapore announced new safety measures including fewer entry approvals for non-permanent residents coming in from India where a second wave is believed to be driven by a variant of the COVID-19 virus with a double mutation. These new measures include a 7-day isolation at home after the 14-days of serving Stay-Home Notices (SHN) at a dedicated facility upon arrival.

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Countries, including S'pore, on guard against India's new 'double-mutant' Covid-19 variant
India now accounts for one of three new cases in the world.PHOTO: EPA-EFE

A new "double-mutant' variant that is fueling India's terrifying second wave has led to various countries, including Singapore, taking measures to guard against it.

Called B1617, the new variant is the first to have two mutations E484Q and L452R, which have been seen in other variants.

It has not yet been classified as a "variant of concern" - a term used for other variants like the B117 that was first detected in the United Kingdom and found here - but it is proving to be worrying.

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India's Covid-19 surge hits new record of over 2,000 deaths in a day as oxygen supply runs short
People refill medical oxygen cylinders for Covid-19 patients at an oxygen refill station in Allahabad, India, on April 20, 2021.PHOTO: AFP

India’s brutal new Covid-19 outbreak set new records on Wednesday (April 21) with more than 2,000 deaths in 24 hours as hospitals in New Delhi ran perilously low on oxygen. 

India has been in the grips of a second wave of infections blamed on lax government rules and a new “double mutant” virus variant, adding almost 3.5 million new cases this month alone.

Health Ministry data on Wednesday showed 295,000 new cases in 24 hours and 2,023 fatalities, among the world’s biggest daily totals of the pandemic and on a par with numbers seen in the United States in January.

related:
India hits new record of over 2,000 Covid-19 deaths in a day

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'Double mutant' Covid-19 strain raises concerns in India
India has been reporting more than 200,000 Covid-19 cases daily for six consecutive days since April 15.PHOTO: AFP

More countries are snapping travel links with India as it records a devastating and unprecedented spike in new coronavirus infections. The United States and Britain placed travel restrictions on India on Monday (April 19), with the US advising travellers against heading to the South Asian country even if they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Hong Kong has already banned flights from India for two weeks beginning on Tuesday and New Zealand has an ongoing suspension on travel from India, including on its own citizens, until April 28.

Singapore also said on Tuesday it is reducing with immediate effect the number of entry approvals for those who are not Singapore citizens or permanent residents, but have recent travel history to India.

related:
Should we be worried about India's double mutant Covid-19 variant?
Blame game over India's Covid-19 handling leaves Modi government unscathed

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India records world's biggest single-day rise in COVID-19 cases
India's daily jump in cases surpasses the previous highest one-day rise in the world posted by the United States in January. (Photo: AP)

India recorded the world's highest daily tally of 314,835 COVID-19 infections on Thursday (Apr 22) as a second wave of the pandemic raised new fears about the ability of crumbling health services to cope.

Health officials across northern and western India including the capital, New Delhi, said they were in crisis, with most hospitals full and running out of oxygen. Doctors in some places were advising patients to stay at home while a crematorium in the eastern city of Muzaffarpur said it was being overwhelmed with bodies and grieving families had to wait their turn. "Right now there are no beds, no oxygen. Everything else is secondary," Shahid Jameel, a virologist and director of the Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University, told Reuters.

"The infrastructure is crumbling."

related:
India COVID-19 variant: What we know so far
S'pore tightens travellers from India, cuts entry approvals for non-S'poreans & PRs
New, more infectious virus variants, "double mutant" originated in India

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350 cases of COVID variants in Singapore, including 8 local so far
A man wearing a mask passes a flight information board at Changi Airport, following the coronavirus outbreak in Singapore on 5 March, 2020. (Reuters file photo)

A total of 350 local and imported cases of various COVID-19 variants have been detected in Singapore as of Tuesday (20 April), according to data from the Ministry of Health (MOH). These include eight local cases of two variants – seven cases of the UK variant and one case of the South African variant – along with 342 imported cases with various strains.

The ministry was on Thursday responding to media queries by Yahoo News Singapore on its latest update on variant cases in Singapore since end-January, and its first confirmation of other variants detected here apart from the UK strain. The MOH did not specify in its latest update when the cases were detected.

Yahoo News Singapore on Wednesday reported that the first case of the Indian variant – or B.1.617 – in Singapore was detected on 26 February, while the first case of the South African variant – or B.1.351 – was detected on 7 February, according to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), the world's largest database of novel coronavirus genome sequences.

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Singapore confirms first case of Wuhan virus on 23 Jan 2020
Guests at Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa yesterday. A man from China who is the first to test positive for the Wuhan virus in Singapore had stayed at the resort, said the Health Ministry. ST PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID

A China national has tested positive for the Wuhan virus in Singapore, with another likely to have the virus.

The 66-year-old man, a Wuhan resident, arrived in Singapore with nine travelling companions on Monday (Jan 20), and stayed at Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa resort, the Ministry of Health said at a briefing on Thursday night (23 Jan 2020).

All the rooms at the hotel where the man and his travelling companions stayed in have been sanitised and sealed off.

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Singapore reports deaths from COVID-19

20 May 2021: 70-yr-old S'porean man dies of Covid-19, 32nd death in Spore
01 May 2021: 88-yr-old S'porean woman dies of Covid-19, 31st death in Spore
13 Mar 2021: 61-yr-old S'porean man dies of Covid-19, 30th death in Spore
28 Nov 2020: 68-yr-old Spore man dies of complications, 29th death in Spore
12 Oct 2020: 64-yr-old man dies, 1st such fatality in 3 mths, 28th deaths in Spore
15 Jul 2020: 62-yr-old S'porean man is Singapore's 27th Covid-19 death
13 Jun 2020: 73-yr-old S'porean man is Singapore's 26th Covid-19 death
06 Jun 2020: 41-yr-old Chinese national is Singapore's 25th Covid-19 death
02 Jun 2020: 51-yr-old Chinese national is Singapore's 24th Covid-19 death
21 May 2020: 73-yr-old S'porean man dies of Covid-19, the 23rd death here
15 May 2020: 67-yr-old S'porean man dies of Covid-19, the 22nd death here
11 May 2020: 68-yr-old S'porean man dies of Covid-19, the 21st death here
06 May 2020: 2 die of Covid-19 complications, bringing Spore's death toll to 20
03 May 2020: 86-yr-old S'porean woman dies from coronavirus, the 18th death
02 May 2020: 76-yr-old S'porean man dies from coronavirus, the 17th death
01 May 2020: 60-yr-old S'porean man dies from coronavirus, the 16th death
30 Apr 2020: 58-yr-old S'porean woman dies from coronavirus, the 15th death
27 Apr 2020: 2 seniors die from coronavirus complications bringing total to 14
23 Apr 2020: 84-yr-old woman is 12th person to die from coronavirus
18 Apr 2020: 95-yr-old S'porean dies, is 11th death
15 Apr 2020: 70-yr-old S'porean man from Safra Jurong cluster is 10th to die
14 Apr 2020: 65-yr-old S’porean man 9th person to die, record 386 new cases
11 Apr 2020: 90-yr-old man becomes 8th death, 191 new cases
10 Apr 2020: 7th patient dies as infections in Singapore cross 2,000
04 Apr 2020: 88-yr-old man dies of Covid-19, 6th such death in Singapore
03 Apr 2020: 86-yr-old woman dies of coronavirus, 5th such death in S'pore
02 Apr 2020: 68-yr-old Indonesian dies of Covid-19, 4th such death in S'pore
29 Mar 2020 Singapore reports third death from COVID-19
21 Mar 2020 Singapore reports first two coronavirus deaths

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COVID-19 Lockdown Laughs

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