26/08/2024

Jack Ma: From Poor to one of world's Riches

Success story of Jack Ma

Jack Ma Biography
Born 10 Sep1964 in Hangzhou, China (Co-founder and Former Executive Chairman of 'Alibaba Group')

Jack Ma is a Chinese businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Once a poor lad who survived by guiding tourists, Jack went on to rise above his humble condition and achieve success. He started off by improving his communication skills and also learned English.

Jack was one of the first few individuals who saw the Internet as a business opportunity even at a time when the rest of the world didn’t believe in his vision. After starting his first venture with a mere $20,000, the entrepreneur went on to earn around $800,000 in just three years. In the late-1990s, he founded the e-commerce based venture ‘Alibaba’ which catapulted him to global fame.

The revenue generated by the firm helped him reach the zenith of success and made him the richest man in China. He even co-founded other similar ventures which were also successful to a great extent; one of these was an e-commerce website called ‘Taobao.’ Jack is the recipient of many awards. He has also been featured in world-renowned magazines, such as ‘Forbes’ and ‘Time.’


Jack Ma's Net-Worth and Influence

What is Jack Ma, founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA), worth? As of Jun. 21, 2023, Jack Ma's net worth is $34.1 billion as the 39th richest person in the world, according to an article from Bloomberg.

Much of Ma’s wealth is linked to Alibaba. He used to own the largest controlling interest in the company and its subsidiaries, though he has been divesting his shares over time. In July 2020, he sold another $8.2 billion worth of shares. According to the company's 13D filing in February 2022, he now ownes 3.9% of the business. The firm's roots date back to 1995, when Ma and his wife started a site-creating company called China Yellow Pages. Less than five years later, Ma co-founded Alibaba with 17 friends in Hangzhou.

Alibaba’s holdings now include outright ownership and or important ownership stakes in a movie studio, venture capital funds, Yahoo! China, healthcare technology makers, Internet messaging and voice apps, supply chain management companies, taxi-hailing app services, video streaming sites, social media apps, and online clothing retailers. Ma stepped down as Chairman of Alibaba on Sept. 10, 2019, on his 55th birthday, as part of a long-standing succession plan.


Jack Ma

A former English teacher, Jack Ma cofounded Alibaba Group, now one of the world's largest e-commerce businesses, in 1999.

The former high-flying billionaire stepped down as Alibaba's executive chairman in 2019. After approximately a year overseas, Ma returned to China in March 2023 just as Alibaba unveiled a plan to split itself into six businesses.

Ma, whose travels to Japan, Thailand and Europe were tracked by media, made a surprise trip to a school in China the day before Alibaba announced the group split.


Jack Ma: Alibaba founder seen in China after long absence
Jack Ma had rarely been seen in public since late 2020

Alibaba founder Jack Ma, who has rarely been seen in public in the past three years, has resurfaced at a school in Hangzhou, a report says.

The 58-year-old has kept a low profile since criticising China's financial regulators in 2020.
Mr Ma was the most high-profile Chinese billionaire to have disappeared amid a crackdown on tech entrepreneurs. He recently returned to China after more than a year overseas, according to the South China Morning Post.

The Alibaba-owned newspaper said he had made a short stopover in Hong Kong, where he met friends and also briefly visited Art Basel, an international art fair. It added that Mr Ma has been travelling to different countries to learn about agricultural technology but made no reference as to why he had disappeared from public view in recent years.
Mr Ma, a former English teacher, met staff and toured classrooms at the Yungu School in Hangzhou, the city in which Alibaba is headquartered.



Jack Ma

Jack Ma Yun (Chinese: 马云; pinyin: Mǎ Yún; born September 10, 1964) is a Chinese business magnate, investor and philanthropist. He is the co-founder of Alibaba Group, a multinational technology conglomerate. In addition, Ma is also the co-founder of Yunfeng Capital, a Chinese private equity firm. As of February 2024, with a net worth of $30.1 billion, Ma is the sixth-wealthiest person in China, as well as the 50th wealthiest person in the world, ranked by Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Ma was born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang on September 10, 1964, as Ma Yun. He became interested in learning the English language as a young boy and began practicing it with English-speaking visitors who frequented the Hangzhou International Hotel. Ma's grandfather served as a security guard during the Second Sino-Japanese War. At the age of 12, Ma bought a pocket radio and began listening to English radio stations frequently.

For nine years, Ma rode 27 km (17 miles) on his bicycle every day to work as a tour guide of Hangzhou for foreigners in order to practice his English. He became pen pals with one of those foreigners, who nicknamed him "Jack" because he found it hard to pronounce his Chinese name.[16] When Ma was 13 years old, he was forced to transfer to Hangzhou No. 8 Middle School as he kept getting in fights. In his primary school days, Ma struggled scholastically, and it took two years for him to gain acceptance at an ordinary Chinese high school, as he only got 31 points in mathematics on the Chinese high school entrance exam.


Alibaba - More Than Two Decades of Track Record of Innovation

Alibaba Group was established in 1999 by 18 people led by Jack Ma, a former English teacher from Hangzhou, China.

From the outset, the company’s founders shared a belief that the Internet would level the playing field by enabling small enterprises to leverage innovation and technology to grow and compete more effectively in the domestic and global economies.

Since launching its first website helping small and medium-sized enterprises in China to sell internationally, Alibaba is a holding company of six major business groups: Taobao and Tmall Group, Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, Cloud Intelligence Group, Local Services Group, Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Limited, and Digital Media and Entertainment Group, along with various other businesses.


Alibaba shares jump after founder Jack Ma reemerges with praise of Chinese giant’s ‘transformations’
Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, reappeared in the public view in China for the first time in months. Alibaba then announced a huge reorganization of its business. Experts see the move as a signal that the Chinese government is softening its stance toward tech giants after a crackdown that began in late 2020

Alibaba founder Jack Ma on Wednesday praised the company’s reorganization and change over its tumultuous past year, marking the billionaire’s second major public statement to employees in just a few months.

In the past year, Alibaba underwent a historic overhaul and sweeping management changes in a bid to return the Chinese technology giant to growth.

“Over the past year, amid external and internal doubt and pressures, I have witnessed the birth of a strong and courageous Alibaba team,” Ma wrote in an internal memo to employees, a translated version of which was seen by CNBC. Alibaba’s U.S.-listed shares were nearly 2% higher in morning trading Wednesday.


Alibaba Group
"Taobao City", the main corporate campus of Alibaba Group at Xixi, Hangzhou

Alibaba Group Holding Limited, branded as Alibaba, is a Chinese multinational technology company specializing in e-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology. Founded on 28 June 1999 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, the company provides consumer-to-consumer (C2C), business-to-consumer (B2C), and business-to-business (B2B) sales services via Chinese and global marketplaces, as well as local consumer, digital media and entertainment, logistics and cloud computing services. It owns and operates a diverse portfolio of companies around the world in numerous business sectors.

On 19 September 2014, Alibaba's initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange raised US$25 billion, giving the company a market value of US$231 billion and, by far, then the largest IPO in world history.[8] It is one of the top 10 most valuable corporations,[9] and is named the 31st-largest public company in the world on the Forbes Global 2000 2020 list. In January 2018, Alibaba became the second Asian company to break the US$500 billion valuation mark, after its competitor Tencent. As of 2022, Alibaba has the ninth-highest global brand valuation.

Alibaba is one of the world's largest retailers and e-commerce companies. In 2020, it was also rated as the fifth-largest artificial intelligence company. It is also one of the biggest venture capital firms and investment corporations in the world, as well as the second largest financial services group behind Visa via its fintech arm Ant Group. The company hosts the largest B2B (Alibaba.com), C2C (Taobao), and B2C (Tmall) marketplaces in the world. It has been expanding into the media industry, with revenues rising by triple percentage points year after year. It also set the record on the 2018 edition of China's Singles' Day, the world's biggest online and offline shopping day.

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25/08/2024

Pretty Beer Lady Promoters

Xiaohongshu-Famous ‘Prettiest Beer Promoter’ Tells Us What It’s Like To Work In Her Job
Cindy Tong, a beer promoter at Blk 491 Jurong West Ave 1 gained an online following for her doll-like looks, spills on how she deals with handsy drunk customers and jealous wives

“Some people say beer girls are very unprofessional and we are sleazy. But it’s a proper job, and I just focus on selling beer,” says Cindy Tong, 27.

The Johorian has been working as a beer promoter for two years, shuttling back and forth Johor Bahru in Singapore twice a day, six days a week. Her bus journey each time takes over an hour.

Previously, she was sent by her beer company employer to different coffeeshops in Singapore but is now based permanently at a kopitiam at Blk 491 Jurong West Ave 1.


Beer lady in Jurong West dubbed S’pore’s ‘Xi Shi’
Business has been brisk since the 27-year-old Malaysian's photos went viral online

While coffee shops have always had female beer promoters to draw customers, one beer lady in Jurong West has gained particular attention in recent months. So much so that she has been dubbed Singapore’s “Xi Shi” by patrons.

The beer lady, Ms Tang Xinyi (transliterated from Mandarin), works at a coffee shop in Block 491 Jurong West Avenue 1. The 27-year-old Malaysian told Shin Min Daily News that she has been working as a beer promoter for two years but started working in Jurong West about eight months ago.

She was puzzled when in recent days, she suddenly received many messages online, she said. Besides local customers, several friends from Malaysia had also reached out to her to express concern. She found it strange at first but then realised that it was because someone had posted her photos online, and they had gone viral.


UNCLES FLOCK TO HONG LIM MARKET TO SUPPORT LOVELY BEER LADY

Pictures of a beer lady were recently uploaded after she was spotted working at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre. She would be scantily clad and her dressing attracted many uncle customers to her store to drink beer.

According to a customer, most of the vendors in the hawker center have closed at 8pm leaving nly the beverage stall ran by its beer lady operating with a massive crowd and lots of customers patronizing the stall. The beer lady was seen in a fluorescent greenish crop top and tight denim trousers yesterday, which highlighted her exquisite figure. At that point in time, there were close to 30 customers which were approximately 6 tables.

Many customers were seen patronizing the beverage stall and they would sit at their table for hours. In addition to drinking and chatting with their companions, they would also chit-chat with the beer lady from time to time. The beer lady, known as Yumi has her own Youtube channel stated that she loved to wear s*xy clothes since she was young. You can take a look at the most recent video that she uploaded.


Hong Lim Beer Lady making a comeback! This time at Mei Ling Market as a restaurant owner!

Ever since she zup lup (close down) bid goodbye to her beer stall at Hong Lim Market she has been quite busy selling nuts and also trying out her new role as an influencer. It seems like this Yumi Jie Jie is quite adventurous because she is going to start a new venture again this time! Tia gong hor this time, she is going to start a new business – as a restaurant owner.

On 15 October, Yumi Jie Jie took to a Facebook post to share that she is looking for Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents to fill up some of the job roles for her new restaurant, Yumi Yummy. In her post, she revealed that she is hiring Satay Chef, Kitchen Cleaner, and Food Service Crew for her brand new restaurant located at Mei Ling Market & Food Centre, a two-story establishment located along Mei Ling Street in Queenstown. Salary is negotiable

According to Yumi Jie Jie, the work environment she provides at her new restaurant will be a “vibrant and fun” one, and the salary she is paying will be “negotiable” as it will be based on the working hours. For those who are keen to join Yumi Jie Jie’s “vibrant and fun” restaurant, you can refer to the Facebook post below for more details.


Braless beer lady at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre sparks debate

According to Zaobao, videos of this said beer lady were seen circulating online. Apparently, the lady is working as a beer lady in Hong Lim Market and Food Centre and was seen dressed in super “cooling” outfit every day – sometimes she will even go braless. In one of the videos, the beer lady was seen wearing a black long-sleeve top which revealed half her neh neh, while in the other video, she was in a pinkish top and her boobs maciam playing hide-and-seek – sometimes can see, sometimes cannot see.

According to the reporter who visited the store on Dec 7 at 8pm, most of the vendors in the hawker center have closed their stalls. Only the beverage stall ran by the beer lady is operating with massive crowd and lots of customers patronizing the stall. The beer lady was seen in a fluorescent greenish crop top and tight denim trousers yesterday, which highlighted her exquisite figure. As the reporter took a closer look, the beer lady was indeed braless. Despite so, she kept her composure and did not appear shy at all. Unsurprisingly, the tables in front of the beer lady’s stall were full of customers. There were more than 30 customers, but no more than 5 people per table. For the customers who were not able to get a “good seat”, they had no choice but to sit behind or away from the stall.

One particular customer known as Mr. Jian, who is a 66-years-old retiree, revealed that he came to patronise the stall with a few other friends out of curiosity. According to him, the beverage stall which operates from 4.30pm to 10.30 pm daily is full of people every day. He said, “It’s my first time here. Besides alcohol, they also sell sugarcane juice here. Although the price of beer is more expensive than normal coffee shops, but the guests are here to meet the lady boss”. According to observations, the customers patronizing the beverage stall will have more than 5 bottles of beer on the table and they would sit at their table for hours. In addition to drinking and chatting with their companions, they would also chit-chat with the beer lady from time to time.


Sexy Vietnamese Hawker At Hong Lim Told To “Go Back Home” Goes On Epic Rant

Don’t judge the owner of drinks stall Yumi by her appearance: “Why blame all Vietnamese girls? Why scold me like a dog?” rages the articulate woman in a series of videos.

Vietnamese eateries around the island have been feeling the heat in the wake of last week’s KTV lounge cluster (totalling 215 Covid-19 cases at press time). Cancelled reservations and reduced patronage aside, the bosses of said eateries 8days.sg spoke to didn’t receive any nasty comments directed at their nationality.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for a famous scantily-clad Vietnamese hawker known only as Yumi — she opened an eponymous beer and juice stall in Hong Lim Food Centre last August (according to a video she posted on her popular Facebook page with more than 100K followers). Yumi has had to close her stall and serve a quarantine order at home from July 17 to 31, along with the rest of Hong Lim Food Centre’s hawkers after a cluster related to the Jurong Fishery Port one emerged.


Bye Hong Lim Market, says sexy beer stall operator as she focuses on vlogging

This is going to put a damper on the Friyay mood of those who like to hit Hong Lim Market & Food Centre for drinks. Yumi the sexy Vietnamese beer stall operator has shuttered her business for good this week.

Running the business by herself for long hours over the past year has left her exhausted, she told Shin Min Daily News on Thursday (Dec 2). "What I'll miss the most are the fellow stallholders here and the yummy food," Yumi said.

On Wednesday, in a video bidding goodbye to Hong Lim Market, the woman said that an encounter with an angry man near her stall frightened her so much, she "didn't dare to go to the toilet by herself". Her risque outfits and friendliness drew crowds to the stall when it opened last August, however, the young woman called customers out in February for tricking her into exposing her breasts and filming her.


Braless beer lady at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre sparks debate

According to Zaobao, videos of this said beer lady were seen circulating online. Apparently, the lady is working as a beer lady in Hong Lim Market and Food Centre and was seen dresses in super “cooling” outfit every day – sometimes she will even go braless.

In one of the videos, the beer lady was seen wearing a black long-sleeve top which revealed half her neh neh, while in the other video, she was in a pinkish top and her boobs maciam playing hide-and-seek – sometimes can see, sometimes cannot see. According to the reporter who visited the store on Dec 7 at 8pm, most of the vendors in the hawker center have closed their stalls. Only the beverage stall ran by the beer lady is operating with massive crowd and lots of customers patronizing the stall.

The beer lady was seen in a fluorescent green short top and tight denim trousers yesterday, which highlighted her exquisite figure. As the reporter took a closer look, the beer lady was indeed braless. Despite so, she kept her composure and did not appear shy at all. Unsurprisingly, the tables in front of the beer lady’s stall were full of customers. There were more than 30 customers, but no more than 5 people per table. For the customers who were not able to get a “good seat”, they had no choice but to sit behind or away from the stall.


Hong Lim Market Beer Lady
This is going to put a damper on the Friyay mood of those who like to hit Hong Lim Market & Food Centre for drinks

Yumi the sexy Vietnamese beer stall operator has shuttered her business for good this week. Running the business by herself for long hours over the past year has left her exhausted, she told Shin Min Daily News on Thursday (Dec 2). "What I'll miss the most are the fellow stallholders here and the yummy food," Yumi said.

On Wednesday, in a video bidding goodbye to Hong Lim Market, the woman said that an encounter with an angry man near her stall frightened her so much, she "didn't dare to go to the toilet by herself". Her risque outfits and friendliness drew crowds to the stall when it opened last August, however, the young woman called customers out in February for tricking her into exposing her breasts and filming her.

While some questioned her wardrobe choices, Yumi said at the time: "Regardless of what I wear, customers should show basic respect."

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24/08/2024

Adventure solo in forest

Amazing catch a big catfish for food of survival
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23/08/2024

Low risk of Mpox in Singapore

Precautionary mpox screening to be set up at Changi, Seletar airports and sea checkpoints from 23 Aug 2024
Returning travellers, especially those coming back from countries affected by mpox, should seek immediate medical attention if they develop fever or rash within 21 days of their return

Temperature and visual screening will be carried out at Changi and Seletar airports from Aug 23 as a precautionary measure against the import of mpox from abroad. The Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Transport and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said they will enhance Singapore’s surveillance capabilities against the infectious viral disease at the borders.

Similar screening measures will also be implemented at sea checkpoints for crew and passengers arriving on ships from mpox-affected areas. MOH said that while there are no direct flights between Singapore and any country with an mpox outbreak, there will be temperature and visual screening at Changi and Seletar airports for inbound travellers and crew arriving on flights from places that may be exposed to the risk of mpox outbreaks.

Health advisories have also been put in place at air checkpoints, so that travellers will take the necessary personal precautions to avoid being infected. Travellers are strongly advised to follow the advisory, especially if they are travelling to and from affected countries.


Singapore steps up mpox precautionary measures; temperature and visual screening at air, sea checkpoints
Thirteen confirmed mpox cases have been detected in Singapore so far this year, all of which are of the less severe Clade 2 infections

Temperature and visual screening will conducted from Friday (Aug 23) for certain inbound travellers and crew at Changi and Seletar airports as a precautionary measure against mpox. Such screening will be conducted for those arriving on flights from places which may be exposed to the risk of mpox outbreaks, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday night.

So far, there are no direct flights between Singapore and any mpox outbreak country. Similar screening measures will also be implemented at sea checkpoints for crew and passengers arriving on ships from mpox affected areas. These precautionary measures will enhance Singapore's "surveillance capabilities" against mpox at its borders, said MOH.

Health advisories have been put in place at air checkpoints so that travellers will take the necessary personal precautions to avoid being infected. "Travellers are strongly advised to adhere to the advisory, especially if they are travelling to and from affected countries.


Singapore sets up precautionary border screenings for mpox virus
Singapore will set up mpox screening at border checkpoints, including Changi Airport

Singapore will screen for mpox symptoms at border checkpoints, boosting precautionary measures against the virus after its outbreak was declared a global health emergency.

Temperature and visual screening will start Friday at the island nation’s 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. Asian countries like China, India and Pakistan have boosted surveillance for mpox recently. Thailand became the first country in Asia to detect a new mutated strain of the virus, clade Ib.

As of Thursday, “13 confirmed cases of mpox have been detected this year, all of which are of the less severe Clade II infections,” MOH said, adding that no Clade I cases have yet been detected in Singapore.


Singapore ramps up mpox screenings at airports, border checkpoints amid global outbreak
Travellers who have fever, rash or symptoms compatible with mpox will be referred for medical assessment

Singapore will screen for mpox symptoms at border checkpoints, boosting precautionary measures against the virus after its outbreak was declared a global health emergency.

Temperature and visual screening will start on Friday at the island nation’s 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.

Asian countries like China, India and Pakistan have boosted surveillance for mpox recently. Thailand became the first country in Asia to detect a new mutated strain of the virus, clade Ib. As of Thursday, “13 confirmed cases of mpox have been detected this year, all of which are of the less severe Clade II infections,” MOH said, adding that no Clade I cases have yet been detected in Singapore.


Singapore reports first local linked case of monkeypox; total of 15 infections confirmed since June

Singapore on Friday (Aug 5) reported two new cases of monkeypox, including its first local linked case - a contact of a man whose infection was confirmed earlier this week. 

The 54-year-old man had no recent travel history, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in an update on its website. He tested positive on Friday and is a contact of a 33-year-old man known as Case 13. The other case that was confirmed on Friday is a 25-year-old man. He had no recent travel history and his infection is classified as local unlinked, said MOH.

The two new cases bring the total number of infections in the country since June to 15. Of the 15 cases, five are imported while 10 are local.


Singapore says it has detected 13 cases of mpox Clade 2 infection in 2024
A test tube labelled "Mpox virus positive" is held in this illustration taken August 20, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Singapore has detected 13 cases of mpox Clade 2 infections this year, the health ministry said in a bulletin on Thursday. To date, all mpox infections in the city state have been the "less severe" Clade 2 infections, it added.

Earlier on Thursday, Thailand confirmed an mpox case reported this week was the Clade 1b strain of the virus, the second confirmed case of the variant outside of Africa. Clade 1b has triggered global concern due to the ease with which it spreads though routine close contact. The World Health Organization declared the recent outbreak of the disease a public health emergency of international concern after the new variant was identified.

Singapore said it was monitoring the global situation closely. The health ministry said that as a precaution, it will from Friday screen the temperatures of travellers arriving at Changi and Seletar airports from places exposed to the risk of mpox outbreaks.


Singapore Detects 13 Cases Of New Deadly Variant; Precautionary Measures Imposed
Despite confirmation of the new variant, the health ministry has stated that the infections have been "less severe."

As mpox continues to spread across the globe, Singapore has detected 13 cases of the new deadly variant of the monkeypox virus. As per the Health Ministry, a total of 13 cases of the Mpox Clade 1b have been confirmed in the country.

Despite confirmation of the new variant, the health ministry has stated that the infections have been "less severe." Following the uptick in monkeypox infections, Singapore has also imposed precautionary measures. Temperature and visual screening will be conducted from Friday onwards for certain travellers and crew at the Changi and Seletar airports. The screenings will be conducted for those arriving on flights from places where mpox cases have been reported.

As per Singapore's Ministry of Health, the precautionary measures will "enhance Singapore's surveillance capabilities". "Travellers are strongly advised to adhere to the advisory, especially if they are travelling to and from affected countries. Travellers who have fever, rash and/or symptoms compatible with mpox will be referred for medical assessment," said the health ministry.


MOH says low risk of severe mpox variant spreading to S’pore
Singapore has had 10 cases of mpox since January 2024, which MOH confirmed were all from the milder form of the virus, known as Clade II

Despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring mpox a global public health emergency on Aug 14, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said the immediate public health risk of the outbreak in Africa to Singapore is assessed to be low.

“While there is cross-border spread of a potentially more severe mpox clade I in parts of Central and East Africa, the outbreak has thus far remained within the African continent, with no reported cases of clade I exported out of the African continent,” the ministry said on Aug 15. Singapore has had 10 cases of mpox since January 2024, which MOH confirmed were all from the milder form of the virus, known as clade II.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. There were 32 cases here in 2023, and 19 cases in 2022 from the time reporting of the disease started at the end of June that year. To date, all infections detected in Singapore have been the milder clade II infections, mostly coming during the 2022-2023 global outbreak.

related:


Low immediate risk of mpox, but Singapore likely to see cases due to global connectivity: Ong Ye Kung
Mpox is expected to spread to Europe and the Middle East, and "probably Singapore will be one of the first places to find cases because of our flight connections", says the Health Minister

The immediate risk of mpox to Singapore is low, but given the country's global flight connections, it is likely the virus, which is rapidly spreading in parts of Central and East Africa, will make its way here soon. Speaking at an Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) event in Sembawang on Saturday (Aug 17), Health Minister Ong Ye Kung noted that the current risk is low as Singapore does not have any direct flights to and from the affected areas in Africa.

The situation, however, is "very worrying", said Mr Ong, adding that the infectious disease is expected to spread to Europe and the Middle East, and "probably Singapore will be one of the first places to find (mpox) cases because of our flight connections". The surging mpox outbreak in Africa was declared an emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this week and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said on Friday said more imported cases to Europe were "highly likely".

A new variant, known as clade Ib, is also spreading and it appears to be more contagious through routine close contact, particularly among children. The Congo has recorded more than 15,600 potential cases and 548 deaths from mpox since the beginning of the year.

related:


25 cases of mpox in Singapore from September to December
Singapore made the viral disease a reportable disease in mid-2022 following a global outbreak when the disease appeared in many countries where it is not endemic


Twenty of all the cases were locally transmitted, although not all sources of infection are known, said a Ministry of Health (MOH) spokesman. He said the “majority” of the 12 imported cases were local residents who had travelled to countries in South America and South-east Asia. Of the known local transmissions, one case was linked to an imported case, and two cases were linked to an earlier local unlinked case. Both clusters are now closed, as there have been no new cases linked to them for the last 42 days, or two incubation periods. There were no family clusters, and the rest of the cases were unlinked.

Monkeypox was renamed mpox in Singapore in February 2023, in line with World Health Organisation guidelines that aim to avoid the stigma linked to the original name.


2022–2023 mpox outbreak in Singapore

The 2022–2023 mpox outbreak in Singapore is a part of the global outbreak of human mpox caused by the West African clade of the monkeypox virus. According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore's first imported mpox case was reported on 20 June 2022. It was the first ever confirmed case in Southeast Asia.

Mpox (/ˈɛmpɒks/, EM-poks; formerly known as monkeypox) is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and other animals. Symptoms include a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. The illness is usually mild, and most of infected individuals recover within a few weeks without treatment. The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms ranges from five to twenty-one days, and symptoms typically last from two to four weeks. However, cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women, or people with suppressed immune systems.

The disease is caused by Orthopoxvirus monkeypox, formerly "monkeypox virus", a zoonotic virus in the genus Orthopoxvirus. The variola virus, which causes smallpox, is also in this genus. Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with infected skin or body fluids, including sexual contact. People remain infectious from the onset of symptoms until all the lesions have scabbed and healed. The virus may spread from infected animals through handling infected meat or via bites or scratches. Diagnosis can be confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing a lesion for the virus's DNA.


What to know about monkeypox

Monkeypox, typically rare, is spreading around the world. Here’s a quick look at everything you need to know about this viral disease.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox is a “rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.” Part of the same family of viruses as smallpox, monkeypox has similar yet milder symptoms and is seldom deadly. Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 in research-lab monkeys. Despite the name “monkeypox,” the origins of the pox-like disease are still unknown but are believed to have come from rodents in Africa. The first case of monkeypox in a human was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Before the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox was limited to cases in African countries, linked to travel to countries where the disease is prevalent, or connected to animals imported from such countries. The 2022 outbreak has now spread throughout the world. People can get the disease from infected animals in several ways. Transmission could occur if a person is scratched or bitten by an infected animal, or if they prepare or eat meat or use products from an infected animal.


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22/08/2024

Do you dare drive the highest roads in the world?


Nature presents us with some formidable obstacles, not least the incredible mountain ranges found scattered across the world.

These precipitous and often remote regions are some of the most inaccessible on the planet. But even here you can find roads that climb the steepest of slopes to conquer the tallest of peaks. Indeed, these high altitude mountain passes represent some of the greatest engineering achievements of the modern age—and a motoring challenge that tests even the most daring and experienced of drivers.

So, what are the highest points on Earth accessible by car?

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