|
Back
 x 0
 x 0
|
mAn
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
By Flora McCraith, MSN, 18/05/2011
Make your guy feel like a man
Boost his self-image and make him feel essential
iStock
It goes without saying that women are a lot more independent than they used to be and in some aspects of women’s lives, the man has been made superfluous. We don’t need them to provide in all areas any more and because of that, they may be made to feel a little redundant. The male ego needs to have a boost every once in a while and they need to be made to feel manly. Show your love and appreciation and boost that ego at the same time.
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
| Honey, the foods' burnt! |
Watch the stove: Share price of Hong Kong-listed fruits and vegetables producer, Chaoda Modern Agriculture Holdings, " chaoda-ed' today in Singlish terms. The shares fell the most in two years this morning after Next Magazine said it overstated the amount of land it controls in China. Chaoda has responded to the report, saying that " a lot" of the report is untrue. Shares of Chaoda closed 21% lower at HK$3.67 at the lunch break.
No sympathy in Singapore:
SGX-listed companies that can be lumped in the same space as Chaoda did not see too much collateral damage this morning. China Minzhong fell 1.9%, Sino Grandness fell 1.0% and Yamada Green was unchanged.
|
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
Will there be a housing market overhaul?
COMMENTARY
The biggest news for the real estate industry after the General Election has to be the appointment of Mr Khaw Boon Wan as the new Minister for National Development.
Colin Tan is head, research and consultancy, at Chesterton Suntec International.
Together with other new ministers, he will “have a free hand to rethink and reshape policies”, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said.
Mr Khaw has acknowledged that the issue of housing is red hot with widespread unhappiness and he has pledged to make “housing and HDB Singaporeans’ popular icon again”.
He will have his work cut out for him.
We are already into our fourth set of cooling measures and have progressively and significantly ramped up housing supply — both for the private and public housing sectors.
In the space of four years, we have had three very good years of new private housing sales. And judging from the sales figures for the first four months of this year, we are right on track to achieve yet another good year. For a good number of market players — home buyers, investors, bankers and developers, the roots have sunk in deep and, in my opinion, we are almost at the point of no return.
Over the past four years, our housing policies have elevated Singapore very rapidly to be among the most attractive property investment destinations in Asia, if not the world. It is no wonder that investors are flocking to buy properties here.
I am told that some overseas buyers do not even come here to visit. Such is the reputation that we have cultivated for ourselves that these investors simply instruct their lawyers to arrange for some monies to be invested in properties here.
It has been that simple.
In hindsight, it was too much, too quickly. It was never going to work because given the current income levels of the general population, it was always going to be at odds with providing affordable housing and satisfying the upgrading dreams of citizens.
In my opinion, Singapore is too small geographically.
Our public and private markets cannot be strictly segregated as they are more intertwined than we think.
The more policies we have to promote one set of objectives, the more the other has to give.
I have seen this in other countries.
It came to a point where developers needed to guarantee a certain number to be built for locals before they can even gain approval for their projects that were mainly targeted at foreign investors.
In the eyes of foreign buyers, Singapore is one of the most investor-friendly environments in the world, if not the most attractive. Even in some major economies, where land is aplenty, they have more foreign ownership rules and restrictions than Singapore.
I have been asked what I hoped for in new policies under Mr Khaw. I say, put aside for the time being, our goals of elevating Singapore to hubs of excellence in the various fields. Let us get our priorities right first. The rest will follow naturally.
As I see it, our new minister has two major problems that he has to deal with urgently — the seemingly unabated robust demand for new public housing flats despite the significant rise in supply. He has to isolate those buying in advance or panic buys from those needing their flats urgently and to help this latter group first.
The second is how to deal with the excessive liquidity that is flowing into property — primarily into housing.
We have thrown a lot of supply at the problem but it does not seem to have worked — at least not without other accompanying measures.
Some of us in the real estate industry already think we have set off a ticking time bomb with the amount of supply we are pushing out and — if nothing changes — even more supply right up to the end of this year.
If you believe that our objectives have been radically re-prioritised under our new minister, then do expect possibly wholesale changes, including the rolling back of some of policies which are at odds with the new priorities.
Do not expect more of the same type of cooling measures that I suspect some analysts are anticipating.
In fact, the rules of the game may be changed.
Inconceivable?
Well, many would not have thought that our two former Prime Ministers leaving the Cabinet so soon after the General Election was conceivable.
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
WORLD No Tobacco Day is on May 31.
Sadly, Singapore seems to be lagging in the global drive towards tighter smoking control.
Over the last six years, smoking prevalence here shot up from 12.6 per cent in 2004 to 14 per cent last year as the population grew from 4.2 million to 5.1 million.
In this densely-populated city-state, non-smokers are constantly exposed to harmful second-hand smoke.
There is no escaping at pedestrian crossings, on overhead bridges, and at bus stops where smokers congregate near dustbins positioned at the edge of the shelters.
Since more than nine in 10 live in mass housing, nonsmokers are also not spared at home, with toxic second-hand smoke drifting in through open windows, air-conditioning trunking and other gaps.
Singapore has signed The World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, but seems to fall short on its obligation to “protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke”.
Blatant flouting of the smoking ban can be seen everywhere.
Furthermore, in a 2009 poll conducted by Pfizer and Restroom Association (Singapore), one in five smokers light up in public toilets. There appears to be a lack of enforcement in apprehending the offenders.
According to the Health Promotion Board, secondhand smoke contains 50 times more cancer-causing chemicals than the smoke inhaled directly from the cigarette tip.
To better protect nonsmokers, may I suggest setting up a compliance monitoring system as recommended by the WHO in its policy guidelines
putting up posters indicating the number of offenders apprehended at hot spots, to send a deterrent message
regularly publishing in the newspapers the number of offenders caught and extending the smoking ban to pedestrian crossings, overhead bridges, and within five metres of bus shelters and parks.
More of the nearly S$1 billion in tobacco duty collected each year should be spent on beefing up our enforcement personnel, public education and smoking cessation programmes.
Smoking rooms could also be built at crowded public places.
As for the argument that smoke-free laws violate smokers’ personal rights, smoke-free legislation does not say that smokers cannot smoke it only limits where smoking is permissible to prevent harm to others.
In addition, there is no “right to smoke” in any national constitution or international human rights law.
Conversely, the right to life and the “enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health” are found in numerous international human rights laws.
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
OVER HEARD
CIGARETTE brings in HUGE TAX REVENUE & GST
CHEWING GUMS is low volume
BAN CHEWING GUMS because the kIds can be bUllied ? ? ? ?
BAN CIGARETTE will entagonise many POWER PEOPLE ? ? ? ?
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
WHY CIGARETTE cannOt be BANNED ? ? ? ?
pharoah88 ( Date: 27-May-2011 10:27) Posted:
|
Live up to WHO standards
Better compliance monitoring needed to protect non-smokers
Letter from Liu I-Chun
Singapore has signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, but seems to fall short on its obligation to ‘protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke’.
Blatant flouting of the smoking ban can be seen everywhere. |
|
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
Live up to WHO standards
Better compliance monitoring needed to protect non-smokers
Letter from Liu I-Chun
Singapore has signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, but seems to fall short on its obligation to ‘protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke’.
Blatant flouting of the smoking ban can be seen everywhere.
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
Hello, a world of regions
The days of US global dominance are over, and each region must increasingly secure its own future
Jeffrey D Sachs
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
Saudi deaths: MOH gathering facts
Neo Chai Chin
chaichin@mediacorp.com.sg
Grieving after their daughters died, the parents of Rawabi Al Hazmi, 9, and Darin Al Areeni, 5, told Mr Abdul Rahman Hamad Al Farag not to let his son undergo a bone marrow transplant at the hospital.
Mr Al Farag arrived here on March 16 from Saudi Arabia with his wife and eight-year-old son, Khaled Abdul Rahman Al Sraj.
His son stayed for two months at the private hospital but plans for the bone marrow transplant were stopped after the deaths of the two girls, with the doctor recommending that his son undergo the operation in Germany instead, Mr Al Farag, 47, told MediaCorp yesterday over the phone.
The family returned to Saudi Arabia last week and his son is now scheduled to undergo the transplant in Germany next month, said Mr Al Farag, an electrician.
Other Saudi families who were originally seeking medical treatment at the private hospital here are also going elsewhere the Saudi Health Ministry had ordered a halt to all medical treatment of its citizens at Mount Elizabeth, following the deaths of three Saudi children — Rawabi, Darin and Muhammad Abu Zinadah — at the hospital within a week of each other earlier this month.
Yesterday, MediaCorp reported on the deaths, which were first brought to light by the
Another boy, Ibrahim Al-Shar’aan, also died on March 26, the newspaper report said.Saudi Gazette report were critically ill when they were admitted, with some limited chance for survival. He said the hospital’s bone marrow transplant team had done over 150 transplants since 2005 with a 77-per-cent success rate.
Replying to queries last night, Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) said it is gathering the facts of the three cases. “No complaints have so far been lodged with the MOH,” said a spokesperson.
Speaking to MediaCorp over the phone on Wednesday, Ibrahim’s father Ahmed Ibrhaeem said he remains “very angry” with the hospital and is no longer in touch with it.
“We also feel very angry with our government” for entering into an agreement with Parkway Holdings, said Mr Ahmed, referring to the memorandum of understanding signed last October enabling both sides to engage in a shared care programme of patient referrals. Parkway runs Mount Elizabeth Hospital.
Ibrahim was two-and-a-half years old and the youngest of three children, said Mr Ahmed, 32, a teacher. Ibrahim received treatment at the hospital for three months before he died, said Mr Ahmed.
Mount Elizabeth Hospital’s chief executive officer Kelvin Loh said on Wednesday that the children cited in the
Dr Loh said last night that the hospital has attempted to provide the grieving parents with “information and support”, and are ready to provide further assistance.
He added: “When the patients passed away, or upon request by the families at anytime, we had assisted the families in making the necessary arrangements to return to their home country. These included reports detailing the medical history, conditions, treatment progress and cause of death of the patients.”
Dr Loh added: “However, we regret if this was not enough, and fully understand that the families are still mourning the loss of their loved ones.
This is a difficult period, sometimes filled with anguish and anger.” SINGAPORE — One by one, they came crying to the Mount Elizabeth Hospital room where his son was warded.Saudi Gazette newspaper.
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
Susan Lim loses bid to block inquiry
NG JING YNG
jingyng@mediacorp.com.sg
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
OVER HEARD
PM Ministers MP are ALL listening and reflecting and responding
bUt
civil service boards are still nOt listening and nOt responding ? ? ? ?
utilities authorities are still nOt listening and nOt responding ? ? ? ?
towncouncils are still nOt listening and nOt responding ? ? ? ?
GROs are still nOt listening and nOt responding ? ? ? ?
school principals and teachers are still nOt listening and nOt responding ? ? ? ?
WHO ELSE are still nOt listening and nOt responding ? ? ? ?
Laulan ( Date: 26-May-2011 10:29) Posted:
I heard alot of deputies in every ministry were headed by one FT. You know FT, they care nothing about the effects or the impacts of their policies. The Ministers and MPs left everything to the FTs thinking everyone will be like our Thaman. But unfortunately they become like KBW, MMO, etc.
A word of caution: FTs who are naturalised normally don't behave natural!! Watch out pitfalls from their policies which may mostly be based on their countries' models. |
|
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
| CIMB Squawk Box... |
|
| Middle East troubles back to haunt? |
The news: It was reported in " The New York Times" that Egypt will permanently open its border with the Gaza Strip on Saturday despite Israeli protests, Egypt's transitional government confirmed on Wednesday, upending the dynamics of regional politics in a bid to shake up the deadlocked peace process and better respond to Egyptian public opinion. Israeli officials have warned repeatedly that they consider any opening of the border a grave threat to their security.
What we say: Our regional political analyst expects more negative news flow from the Middle East following this latest development which may spur negative sentiments on markets. Any escalation of tensions with threats of military intervention could affect Singapore Companies with projects in Middle East/Africa. Higher oil price on the back of tensions could hurt oil-heavy stocks.
So, what names to take note of?
Companies with MENA links are CSE Global, Hiap Seng, Hyflux, Keppel Corp, Olam, Rotary Engineering, Sembcorp Industries.
Other than Hyflux which has Algeria and Libya links, the others are mostly exposed to the oil-rich states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.
Obvious victims of higher oil price are airlines such as Tiger Airways and Singapore Airlines.
|
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
| CIMB Squawk Box... |
|
| Middle East troubles back to haunt? |
The news: It was reported in " The New York Times" that Egypt will permanently open its border with the Gaza Strip on Saturday despite Israeli protests, Egypt's transitional government confirmed on Wednesday, upending the dynamics of regional politics in a bid to shake up the deadlocked peace process and better respond to Egyptian public opinion. Israeli officials have warned repeatedly that they consider any opening of the border a grave threat to their security.
What we say: Our regional political analyst expects more negative news flow from the Middle East following this latest development which may spur negative sentiments on markets. Any escalation of tensions with threats of military intervention could affect Singapore Companies with projects in Middle East/Africa. Higher oil price on the back of tensions could hurt oil-heavy stocks.
So, what names to take note of?
Companies with MENA links are CSE Global, Hiap Seng, Hyflux, Keppel Corp, Olam, Rotary Engineering, Sembcorp Industries.
Other than Hyflux which has Algeria and Libya links, the others are mostly exposed to the oil-rich states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.
Obvious victims of higher oil price are airlines such as Tiger Airways and Singapore Airlines.
|
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 25/05/2011
Premature ejaculation drug sold out
SINGAPORE: The premature ejaculation (PE) pill, Priligy, has sold out in Singapore within its first month of release.
Premature ejaculation is believed to be one of the most common male sexual health problems globally.
According to a study, about one in three men in Singapore suffer from premature ejaculation.
The survey conducted prior to the launch of Priligy also found that 77 per cent with PE never discussed their sexual health with a medical practitioner.
One reason PE sufferers may not seek medical treatment is because they believe PE is not a physical problem that can be treated by a doctor.
Its manufacturer, Janssen, said the drug’s strong sales now indicate that a growing number of local men are willing to discuss treatment options with doctors.
There could also be growing recognition that PE is a medical problem.
—CNA/ac
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
dId he have
SELF-CONFIDENCE
and
STEPPED OUT OF hIs
OWN COMFORT ZONE
? ? ? ?
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 25/05/2011
Teo Ser Luck engages students in candid discussion at forum
Teo Ser Luck (front centre) engages students in candid discussion at forum
SINGAPORE : Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck has defended his support for Singapore’s decision to bid for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore last year.
Speaking to about 200 students from 19 schools at a leadership forum on Wednesday, he cited it as an example where he had to stand up for what he believed in.
He said: " There are those who said, why even do this? But now YOG is over, the benefits are never ending. First our young athletes, (there’re) so many chances to go overseas now. The football players for example, the European clubs are looking at all of them. And that’s a dream.
" For Singapore, (YOG) opened up more doors in sports. For example, we get people invited to sit on international committees and all that. And a lot of different sports say, can we hold this world championships in Singapore? We have more vibrancy in our sports and activity calendar now.
" We did alright, I wouldn’t say top marks. I say it’s really good enough. Everybody seems to appreciate, but you still have detractors in Singapore. Then you must stand up for what you believe in. So I stand up for what I believe in.
" We believe that we have to spend the money where it’s worth, and we believe that this money has been worth it, to place Singapore on the world map. And we believe this has built Singapore a lot of credibility, of course, intangible goodwill as well, and it benefitted a lot of people, not just athletes but businesses."
Mr Teo also related the story of how he entered politics by chance.
He told them he met current Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam at Frankfurt Airport while waiting in a queue.
But it was only after attending one of Mr Shanmugam’s Meet—the—People session that he realised his interest in wanting to serve the community.
He said young people need not have to wait to be discovered and can contribute right away.
" If you want to do something, I’m sure there’s a platform for you. You don’t have to be an MP, minister, whatever. You can always contribute and make a difference in a small way (or) big way, (it) doesn’t matter in your own community, in your own group, you can make a difference," said Mr Teo.
Mr Teo encouraged students to challenge the status quo in all aspects of life.
He was also asked his take on cultivating risk—taking among today’s youth.
Mr Teo reflected on the many priorities students have nowadays — having to balance between studies, sports and other activities.
But he said it helps to have an end objective in sight.
Mr Teo later reiterated that risk—taking attitude in the business sector is also something that he is concerned about in his new position.
He cited Hong Kong and Taiwan as an example of how the culture leans more towards owning a business rather than climbing the corporate ladder.
Mr Teo said: " In my view, it’s self—confidence and stepping out of comfort zone.
I think the environment is there, I think the encouragement is there, the government support is there.
" I think it’s the question of whether they have the confidence to want to take that step out of the comfort zone, and be receptive towards whatever the outcome — could be failure, could be success. But to be ready for the worst—case scenario, I think maybe that adaptability and receptiveness towards failure is not there."
So did Mr Teo, an old boy of Nanyang Junior College (NYJC), manage to engage the students?
" He managed to bridge the age gap between himself and us. And given that he was from NYJC itself, I believe that he has really done a good job by trying to engage us and making us feel at home with his presence," Muhd Mirza Syafiq Rahmad, an NYJC first year science student.
The youth forum was organised by NYJC’s REACH Youth Ambassadors and student leaders.
— CNA /ls
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
POLICY MAKING
should be by
BORN SINGAPOREAN ONLY
Laulan ( Date: 26-May-2011 10:29) Posted:
I heard alot of deputies in every ministry were headed by one FT. You know FT, they care nothing about the effects or the impacts of their policies. The Ministers and MPs left everything to the FTs thinking everyone will be like our Thaman. But unfortunately they become like KBW, MMO, etc.
A word of caution: FTs who are naturalised normally don't behave natural!! Watch out pitfalls from their policies which may mostly be based on their countries' models. |
|
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
OPPOSITION SOARS
when LEADER EXUBERATES
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
x 0
x 0
|
Genting Plantation: Good deal on downstream acquisition, but now what? Market Perform
4QFY11 Results/Briefing Note
¨ 1QFY11 net profit was in line with expectations, coming in at 21-22% of our and consensus FY11 forecasts. Core net profit rose 36% on the back of a 28% increase in turnover due to higher CPO (+44% yoy to RM3,682/tonne) and PK (+116% yoy to RM3,038/tonne) prices achieved, offset slightly by a decline in FFB production (+3% yoy).
|
|
Good Post
Bad Post
|
|
|
|
