Established in 2005

Public Others Government Business Arts Community
Entertainment Lifestyle Services People Travel Internet Stuff

 

 

     Travel - News

Singapore Airport Flight Information     Local Internet Cafes

Airport     Getting Around Singapore

     Articles/Announcements/Surveys   (Latest on top)

 

          - Changi Airport is Best Airport in the World for past 20 years

          - Singapore Airlines to review creative agency

          - Genting International and Star Cruises wins Sentosa IR bid

          - Changi Airport's Terminal 2 completes S$240m makeover

          - Inaugural Changi Airline Awards

          - First Gate at Singapore Changi Airport ready for Airbus A380

          - Changi Airport's no-frills terminal ready in early 2006

          - Singapore Airlines to be first to fly Airbus A380

 

     News Snippets

     2008

 

New CEPAS-compliant ez-link card

The Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) next-generation e-payment system for public transit, Symphony for e-Payment (SeP), is ready for implementation...
With SeP, commuters will be able to use cards issued by any card issuer for transit purposes as long as the card complies with the CEPAS standard and includes the transit application. Commuters can eventually use CEPAS-compliant cards for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) payments in vehicles fitted with the new generation In-vehicle Unit (IU), Electronic Parking System (EPS) carparks and other electronic payment systems that support the CEPAS standard...

More.....

 

Pilot scheme makes it mandatory to give way to buses

To give more priority to buses on our roads the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will introduce a pilot scheme to make it mandatory to give way to all buses exiting at 23 selected bus stops located along three roads...

More.....

 

Increase in HIV testing In Singapore

In the first 10 months of 2008 (January-October), there were a total of 382 reported new HIV cases among Singapore residents. In comparison, there were 423 HIV cases notified for the whole of 2007. It can be expected that the total number of notified HIV cases in 2008 will exceed that of last year.
There has been an increase in the number of HIV tests done in Singapore in 2008, compared to 2007. The total number of HIV tests carried out for Singapore residents by local laboratories from January through September 2008 was 124,559, compared to 102,490 over the same time period in 2007. This represents a 22% increase this year...

More.....

 

Enhancing public health measures against Tuberculosis

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will place tuberculosis (TB) under the Sixth Schedule of the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA) with effect from 1 December 2008, This will further strengthen public health measures against the spread of the disease, especially amongst air travellers...
There were 700[2]new cases of TB notified among Singapore residents in the first 6 months of 2008, as compared to 1,256 cases last year. The projected incidence of TB in 2008 is 38.4 per 100,000, which is higher than the 35.1 per 100,000 in 2007...

More.....

 

Imposition of visa requirements for Nigerian Ordinary Passport holders

With effect from 1 December 2008, Nigerian nationals who are holders of Nigerian Ordinary Passports will require visas to enter Singapore.

More.....

 

 

More clinics to offer anonymous HIV testing

The Ministry of Health will increase the number of anonymous HIV test sites in Singapore from the current three - Anteh Dispensary, Cambridge Clinic, and the Action for AIDS Anonymous HIV Testing and Counseling Clinic - to seven, with effect from 1 November 2008...

More.....

     2007

     - Singapore welcomes 10 millionth visitor

 

PrimaDeli allowed to resume factory operations

The outbreak of Salmonellosis linked to the Prima Deli factory has ceased. There have been no new cases with reported onset of illness following the factory closure on 4 Dec 07...
AVA will allow the company to resume its factory operations in two stages under supervision.
With immediate effect, Prima Deli will be allowed to produce food products that undergo high heat treatment such as baked products and frozen dough to be baked in the outlets. If there is no operational hygiene deficiency, full factory operation may be resumed to produce the other products containing ingredients not subjected to heat treatment such as cakes with toppings...

More.....

 

Police advise festive revellers to remain vigilant against crime

Police would also like to advise revellers and shoppers to be vigilant against opportunists who might commit molest in crowds. Most of these molest cases happen in crowded areas where the suspect would touch the victim and move away. In some, the suspect would spray foam onto the victim and commit molest in the process...

More.....

 

 

Comfort and CityCab taxi fares to go up on 17 Dec 2007

Basic Fare

Current

Revised

Flag Down: $2.50 for 1st km

1km to 10km: $0.10 for every 210m

Above 10km: $0.10 for every 175m

Waiting time: $0.10 for every 25sec

Flag Down: $2.80 for 1st km

1km to 10km: $0.20 for every 385m

Above 10km: $0.20 for every 330m

Waiting time: $0.20 for every 45sec

More.....

 

Taxi enforcement update

In enforcement operations conducted over a 13 day period, 14 errant taxi drivers were nabbed at several spots such as Boat Quay, CHIJMES, Clarke Quay, Mustafa Centre, Orchard Towers and Shenton Way.
Of these, 6 taxi drivers were found overcharging and 8 were caught for refusing to convey passengers. None was found touting...

More.....

 

MOH advise public to discard chocolate cakes from Prima Deli

MOH and theAgri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) conducted joint inspections of Prima Food Pte Ltd which produces the chocolate cakes for all Prima Deli retail outlets.
Food and environmental samples were taken for laboratory analysis. Preliminary results on 03 December 2007 for the food samples are suggestive of Salmonella as the likely causative agent...
As at 03 December 2007, there were a total of 106 cases including six hospitalised cases, all of whom have been discharged. Six cases tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis. The last case had onset of illness on 26 November 2007.

More.....

 

HIV cases on the rise in 2007

Out of the164 Singaporeans detected to be HIV infected in the first six months, about 93% of the new cases detected this year were males and 7% were females.
Sexual transmission remains the main mode of HIV transmission among Singaporeans.  Of the 164 cases reported in the first 6 months of 2007, 155 cases acquired the infection through the sexual route, with heterosexual transmission accounting for 67% of infections, homosexual transmission 24% and bisexual transmission 3%.  Intravenous drug use (4 cases) accounted for 2%...

More.....

 

Road closures for ASEAN Summit meetings

Apart from the meetings held in Shangri-La Hotel, there will be several other key events, which the Leaders and delegates will attend as part of the official programme. They include the following:
a Gala Dinner at Raffles City Convention Centre on Tuesday, 20 Nov 2007 .
b Reception at the Asian Civilisations Museum on Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007.
c Dinner at Istana on Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007...
As part of the security and traffic arrangements, Police will deploy resources to conduct roadblocks and security checks at and around all the event venues.

More.....

 

Stiffer measures to deter errant taxi drivers

  • Stiffer penalties for errant taxi drivers
  • Taxi advisories for the public
  • More taxi stands within the Central Business District (CBD) / Street hail of taxis on CBD roads disallowed from 1 March 2008
  • Enhanced taxi QoS requirements fully phased in from 1 January 2008
  • Taxi Mystery Customer Audit kicked off

More.....

 

Crackdown on errant taxi drivers

Over a five day period from 30 October - 3 November 2007, 26 taxi drivers were found overcharging, seven were found touting while the rest were caught for refusing to convey passengers, in enforcement operations conducted at several spots such as Sentosa, Clarke Quay, Orchard Towers and Boat Quay...

More.....

 

S$40 million infrastructure upgrade for Orchard Road

With the planned landscape and infrastructural enhancements, Singapore’s premier shopping street will have state of the art lighting highlighting its lush tree-lined boulevard, new creative spaces for staging events and a more integrated and engaging pedestrian mall...
Orchard Road's infrastructure works will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to businesses and the public, while access points to buildings will be maintained at all times...
Works are expected to be completed by April 2009.

More.....

 

Travellers to declare currency or bearer negotiable instruments over S$30,000

From 1 November 2007 onwards, persons who move into or out of Singapore physical currency1 or bearer negotiable instruments2 (CBNI) the total value of which exceeds SGD 30,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) will be required to give a report by filling up a form and submitting it to the authorities.
The form is available at all checkpoints, police establishments, Singapore Visitors Centres and branches of Singapore Post...

More.....

 

Singapore Airlines A380 enters commercial service

The Singapore Airlines A380 enters commercial service today (25 Oct 2007), with its first flight – SQ380 – from Singapore to Sydney, Australia...
The majority of the seats on the two legs of this flight were sold on eBay, the global online marketplace, with all proceeds donated to charities...

More.....

 

Annual Firewalking Festival 2007

The Annual Fire Walking Festival will be held on Monday, 29 October 2007 between 12.30am and 12noon...

More.....

 

The Penal Code (Amendment) Bill passed

The new section 376C (Commercial sex with minor under 18 outside Singapore) will have extra-territorial effect so that it would be an offence for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents to solicit or engage in commercial sex with minors under 18 in other countries...
Feedback received highlighted concerns over female sexual abuse of male minors. On further consideration, we accept that these younger male children could be exploited by older women. Consequently, we have decided to make it an offence for a woman to engage in penile penetrative sexual acts with a male minor under 16 and to have commercial sex with a male minor under 18...
Whilst prostitution per se is not an offence, new section 376B (Commercial sex with minor under 18) will make it an offence for a person to solicit, communicate or obtain sexual services from a minor under 18 years of age...

More.....

 

Experience Changi Airport's new Terminal 3 on microsite

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has launched a dedicated microsite1 for Changi Airport's Terminal 3 or T3 to provide visitors the opportunity to explore Changi's newest and largest terminal from anywhere in the world.
Themed "Explore Paradise", the microsite is an interactive one-stop link for visitors to intimately discover T3 through virtual tours, fun downloads, visuals and contests. Visitors can also obtain informative details of the new terminal from the microsite...

More.....

 

New 550-bed Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

MOH is building a regional hospital in Yishun to better serve residents from the Northern region of Singapore. Spanning over 3.4 hectares, the 550-bed hospital will offer a comprehensive range of medical and healthcare services.
The new public sector hospital will be named Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, following the promise of a donation of $125 million from the family of the late banker and philanthropist Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat...

More.....

 

Start of road works for Singapore Formula One Race

A series of road works will be undertaken in the city centre, which includes road widening works along Raffles Boulevard from Nicoll Highway to Temasek Avenue.
Other works in the city centre will include modifications to existing roads, such as the removal of road kerbs and traffic islands along the confirmed F1 track alignment...

More.....

 

Changi Airport is Best Airport in the World for past 20 years

Singapore Changi Airport marks a page in the Business Traveller United Kingdom (UK) magazine for being the longest "Best Airport in the World" title holder for the past 20 consecutive years...

More.....

 

Singapore and UK conclude landmark Open Skies Agreement

Singapore and the United Kingdom (UK) have concluded a landmark Open Skies Agreement (OSA) on 2 October 2007, removing all restrictions on air services operated by carriers of both countries.
With this agreement, Singapore Airlines (SIA) will now be able to operate as many services as the Singapore-UK market could support...
Similarly, UK carriers will be able to operate any number of services beyond Singapore to any other city in the world. These rights, which will be effective from end-March 2008, come nearly two decades after Singapore first made its request to the UK...

More.....

 

Singapore's seaport to be world's first Wi-Max-Ready by 2008

By early 2008, all ships in Singapore can have access to mobile wireless broadband, allowing real-time and data-intensive communications between the ships and their customers and business partners...
WISEPORT is one of the initial projects under the Infocomm@SeaPort programme, which aims to provide a mobile wireless broadband network within 15km from Singapore's southern coastline...

More.....

 

Summary of key amendments to the Penal Code

It will be made an offence to engage in penetrative acts such as oral and anal sex with a minor under the age of 16, with or without the consent of the minor;

It will be made an offence to obtain commercial sex from a minor under the age of 18, or communicate with any person for such a purpose; and

A new offence of sexual grooming of minors under the age of 16 will be introduced...

More.....

 

Cancellation of licence for public lecture by Prof Emeritus Douglas Sanders

Our laws are an expression and reflection of the values of our society and any public discourse in Singapore on such matters should be reserved for Singaporeans.
Foreigners will not be allowed to interfere in our domestic political scene, whether in support of the gay cause or against it.

More....

 

Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act passed

Clause 11 of the Bill makes it mandatory for anyone physically carrying currency and bearer negotiable instruments or CBNI, above S$30,000, into or out of Singapore, to declare this to the authorities at the checkpoints...

The threshold amount of S$30,000 is based on the recommendation by the FATF, and includes not only currency in circulation, but also bearer negotiable instruments such as travellers cheques, money orders, cheques, bonds and promissory notes...
Hence, for clarity, a crossed cheque made payable to a specific person with the word “bearer” deleted is not considered a bearer negotiable instrument because only the person named on the cheque can receive the amount stated on it.
The new measure would be non-discriminatory and will be imposed on all travellers, including citizens, residents and foreigners, entering and exiting the country.
The penalties for non-declaration and false declaration are a maximum fine of S$50,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to 3 years or both...

More.....

 

1 to 2 cents increase in bus fares and no increase in rail fares

The PTC approved a 1 to 2 cent increase in adult EZ-Link fares for buses. Senior citizen concessionary EZ-Link bus fares, which are flat fares pegged to the lowest adult EZ-Link fare band will also increase by 2 cents...
There will be no increase to all rail fares, some EZLink adult bus fares, as well as cash fares for buses, child/student fares and the prices of monthly student/NS men concession passes...

More.....

 

Safety and security measures for Formula One races

"For the safety of spectators, safety barricades will be lined up around the perimeter of the race circuit. This is similar to the arrangement adopted by most of the countries hosting F1 races...
"To ensure security for the event, Police will conduct checks on bags and personal belongings at designated access points to prevent smuggling of any weapons or prohibited items. Spectators who refuse to have their bags check can be denied entry. Spectators who appear to be highly intoxicated could also be denied entry..."

More.....

 

Rapid HIV testing now available in medical clinics

"As of 1 Aug 2007, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is allowing HIV testing with rapid HIV test kits to be offered in medical clinics. Rapid HIV tests are screening tests that produce very quick results, in approximately 20 minutes...
"Rapid HIV testing can only be conducted in a medical clinic by trained clinic personnel, and only clinics which have participated in an MOH training workshop on Rapid HIV Testing are allowed to offer rapid HIV testing..."

More.....

 

Police investigating illegal Myanmese assembly at Orchard MRT Station

"On 25 Aug 2007, a group of Myanmese dressed in similar white attire had assembled around Orchard MRT Station.
"The intent of the assembly, which did not have a police permit, was to show support for fellow Myanmese who had been protesting back in Myanmar...

More.....

 

Changi Airport to be corporatised

"After careful consideration, the government believes that it is necessary to corporatise Changi Airport and to re-structure CAAS’ existing regulatory and strategic functions under a new regulatory body...
"Corporatisation will enhance Changi Airport’s ability to compete in this changed landscape. In being more nimble the new entity will further strengthen Changi’s position as a premier air hub...
"Corporatisation is a complex process. We will plan carefully and explore all possible options. The entire process is expected to take 18 to 24 months..."

More.....

 

Drug addiction situation in Singapore

"The drug addiction situation in Singapore is under control, even though 999 drug abusers were arrested in the first half of this year, compared to 446 over the same period last year.
"Of the total number of abusers arrested, Buprenorphine abusers formed the majority, at 41%, with heroin abusers at 30% and synthetic drug abusers at 25%.
"One reason for the increase of 553 abusers is that the Central Narcotics Bureau gazetted Buprenorphine as a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in August last year..."

More.....

 

Singapore Airlines A380 First Flight Charity Auction Starts

"The Singapore Airlines A380 flies its First Flight from Singapore to Sydney on Thursday 25 October and the return leg on Friday 26 October.
"A majority of seats on both legs of the First Flight will be auctioned on eBay, the global online marketplace, progressively over two weeks from Monday evening (Singapore time), 27 August 2007..."

More.....

 

Sleight Of hand culprit nabbed

On 19 August 2007 at about 3.15pm, an Iranian man was arrested for an offence of theft by sleight of hand. The man had earlier managed to steal money from foreigners by asking to see their foreign currency.

More.....

 

Singapore Fireworks Celebrations 2007

"The Singapore Fireworks Celebrations has lined up two fireworks displays, on 17 and 18 Aug, at the Marina Bay area to tie in with this year's National Day celebrations..."

More.....

 

Formula One (F1) levy on hotel room revenues

"Following consultation with the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has decided on the following rates for the Formula One (F1) levy on hotel room revenues:
a. 30% of the total revenues from rooms and room packages for trackside hotels; and
b. 20% of the total revenues from rooms and room packages for all other tourist hotels[1]..."

More.....

 

Inaugural F1 Singapore Grand Prix to be held on 28 Sep 2008

"A fortnight ago, on 27 July 2007, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA, or the World Motor Sports Council) set the date of the first Singapore Grand Prix as 28 September 2008.
"The 5.05km long street circuit offers a number of overtaking opportunities, fast turns and technically challenging sections for F1 race drivers, which, in turn, will present viewers with compelling race action to keep them on the edge of their seats.
"More than 70 per cent of the street circuit is made up of Singapore’s existing road network. The Paddock building will house the control tower, garages for the teams, hospitality lounges, Press Room and other facilities..."

More.....

 

Good growth for Changi Airport in first half of 2007

"More than 17.7 million passengers went through Changi Airport in the first six months of the year, representing a 5.4% increase over the same period last year..."

More.....

 

New dog licensing rules from 1 Sep 2007

"All licensed dogs must be microchipped with an ISO compliant microchip.
"Dogs that were licensed before 1 Sep 07 will be exempted from the requirement. However, owners of such dogs are strongly encouraged to have their dogs microchipped for better traceability...
"Under the new Rules1, the annual licence fee for all unsterilised dogs (both male and female) is $70 while the licence fee for sterilised dogs is $14..."

More.....

 

 

Iconic Hotel Phoenix closes on 1 August 2007

"In line with the major construction that is happening on our neighbouring sites, the owners of Hotel Phoenix Singapore will be discontinuing operations at the Hotel on 1 August 2007 for a refurbishment.

"While we are sad to do so after 35 years of operations, we believe the refurbishment of Hotel Phoenix will add value to the rejuvenation of Orchard Road and contribute to the Government's vision of strengthening Orchard Road's appeal as a major retail, commercial and entertainment belt..."

More.....

 

Rehabilitation regime for first and second-time abusers of cannabis and cocaine

"The aim of the treatment and rehabilitation regime is to give first and second time abusers a chance at rehabilitation without the stigmatisation of a criminal record...

"Recalcitrant abusers with two previous records for consumption of cannabis or cocaine or that of opiates, synthetic drugs or buprenorphine who are arrested again for the consumption of any of these drugs would be liable for long term imprisonment under the Long Term (LT) Imprisonment Regime, if convicted..."

More.....

 

Minister answers questions on Singapore permanent residents

"In 2006, about 57,000 persons were granted permanent residency status in Singapore. These new permanent residents (PRs) came predominantly from Asian and South-East Asian countries...

"In 2006, about 13,000 persons were granted Singapore Citizenship (SC). These new SCs came predominantly from Asian and South-East Asian countries..."

More.....

 

Passports (Amendment) Bill passed

"Thus, this Bill repeals the existing Act, and re-enacts a new Passports Act which introduces measures against the abuse and misuse of Singapore passports and travel documents, as well as foreign travel documents...

"Clause 45 of the Bill makes it compulsory for Singaporeans, or a person who has parental responsibility for a Singaporean aged 16 and below, to report the loss or theft of a passport within 14 days when he first knows of the fact...

"Clause 23 of the Bill allows the Controller to refuse passports to persons for law enforcement reasons, such as to persons who have been placed under supervision under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This will ensure that they do not indulge in drug-related activities overseas. Others who may be refused passports include those who are the subject of warrants of arrest issued for seizeable offences...

"A person who is found guilty of giving away his Singapore passport or travel document and is reckless as to whether it will be misused by another person for travel or for identification purposes will face a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both..."

More.....

 

Five Vietnamese nationals arrested for stealing spree

"Police arrested two men and three women, aged 22 - 37 at the airport yesterday after they were found with nine pieces of luggage containing more than 350 pieces of new garments...

"Preliminary investigations revealed that about 30 of the items in their possession were found to be stolen from shops in the Orchard area..."

More.....

 

Changi Airport launches new lifestyle magazine Changi Class

Singapore Changi Airport has launched a new magazine for passengers, entitled Changi Class. Changi Class replaces the fortnightly tabloid, Changi Express. The complimentary monthly publication will be available at Changi Airport's Departure Transit Malls from 5 July 2007..."

More.....