Tuesday, December 4, 2012
You are Good
Lyrics:
You are Good
Brian Johnson, Jeremy Riddle Bethel Music Publishing c 2010
I want to scream it out
From every mountain top
Your goodness knows no bounds
Your goodness never stops
Your mercy follows me
Your kindness fills my life
Your Love amazes me
I sing because You are good
And I dance because You are good
And I shout because You are good
You are good to me to me
Nothing and no one comes
Anywhere close to You
The earth and oceans deep
Only reflect this truth
And in my darkest night
You shine as bright as day
Your Love amazes me
With a cry of praise my heart will proclaim
You are good You are good
In the Sun or rain my life celebrates
You are good You are good
With a cry of praise my heart will proclaim
You are good You are good
In the Sun or rain my life celebrates
You are good You are good
Workers injured in rig accident will get assistance: MWC
Workers injured in rig accident will get assistance: MWC
Posted: 04 December 2012 1100 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) has assured workers injured in Monday's rig accident at Jurong Shipyard that they'll get the assistance they'll need.
It said in a statement on Tuesday that it's confident that their employer will do all that's necessary to see to their needs in this critical time.
MWC said it's in touch with the Manpower Ministry on the provision of assistance.
Eighty-nine workers were injured in the accident on Monday, when a jack-up rig that was being constructed tilted to one side.
MWC was set up in 2009 by the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation to improve the welfare of migrant workers in Singapore.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 04 December 2012 1100 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) has assured workers injured in Monday's rig accident at Jurong Shipyard that they'll get the assistance they'll need.
It said in a statement on Tuesday that it's confident that their employer will do all that's necessary to see to their needs in this critical time.
MWC said it's in touch with the Manpower Ministry on the provision of assistance.
Eighty-nine workers were injured in the accident on Monday, when a jack-up rig that was being constructed tilted to one side.
MWC was set up in 2009 by the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation to improve the welfare of migrant workers in Singapore.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Carnivorous killer algae found in Danish waters
Carnivorous killer algae found in Danish waters
May 8, 2012 - 06:27
We know that fish eat plankton and plankton eat algae. Think again, says researcher, who has spotted a form of algae so ferocious that can they overpower animals 10,000 times their own size.
Biologist Terje Berge compares the killer algae to carnivorous plants. But his research shows that some carnivorous algae can be even more horrifying because they do not just eat – they also hunt. (Photo: Colourbox)
Algae are a vital part of the life cycle. They are the food source for larger zooplankton such as copepods, which are eaten by fish larvae, so they can grow to become the fish we see on our dinner tables.
But apparently it works the other way round too. There are actually algae that are the ocean equivalent of carnivorous plants.
This is the startling conclusion from biology post doc Terje Berge, the leading author of a brand new study, which has just been published in the scientific journal International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) Journal.
When the grass eats the gazelle
“What’s really quite sensational about this discovery is that algae, which appear to be animal and plant at the same time, attack and eat zooplankton,” says Berge.“If we imagine an African savannah, this would roughly correspond to the grass suddenly jumping up, attacking and starting to eat the gazelle.”
This is what it looks like when the algae attack. Beneath the brown hazy swarm of carnivorous killer algae we glimpse a copepod. (Photo: Terje Berge/International Society for Microbial Ecology Journal)
The alga, which goes by the latin name Karlodinium armiger, has so far only been found on the Spanish coast, where it is suspected of having caused extensive fish die-offs in the region. ‘Armiger’ is latin for ‘The armed’.
Now Berge has discovered that this kind of combative algae also exists in Danish waters.
Studying the hungry algae under a microscope has provided Berge’s team with a clear answer to how algae can turn into carnivores. Their eating sprees offer a tremendous insight into the world of biology.
Killer algae suck the life out of their prey
First, the algae locate their prey by sensing their chemical traces in the water. Then the algae kill the animal – and the animal’s size is of little importance. Sometimes the prey can be up to 10,000 times larger than the algae themselves.This, according to the new study, means that the algae are capable of eating animals the size of copepods or perhaps even fish larvae.
If we imagine an African savannah, this would roughly correspond to the grass suddenly jumping up, attacking and starting to eat the gazelle.
The algae then start eating from the still living animal by poking holes into it and sucking the nutrients out of it through a kind of straw – much like mosquitoes do with us humans.
When the algae conspire, they are deadly. As soon as the nutrients start to seep out of the animal, the nearby algae are triggered, and before long they form a giant swarm around the attacked animal.
As the prey is being consumed, the algae start growing – now they grow not only through photosynthesis like other algae, but also from the nutrients from the animal they’re eating.
The food chain can go both ways
As long as the algae don’t attract too many of its co-combatants, there is no danger – the animals just eat the algae.Facts
When algae don’t eat, they usually survive by means of photosynthesis, which sends light, CO2, nutrients and water to all of the algae’s building blocks.Algae create oxygen through photosynthesis – in fact, algae are responsible for almost half of the world’s oxygen production.
On the east coast of Spain, scientists have found concentrations of between 10 and 100,000 algae per millimetre. These high concentrations have yet to be observed in Scandinavian waters, but the new discovery is likely to explain why the growth of algae related to Karlodinium is being associated with fish die-offs in Scandinavian countries too.
Carnivorous algae have grave consequences
Berge is keen to stress that the algae pose no particular threat to humans. But the discovery plays an important role in our understanding of how nature works.”It’s remarkable that the algae can turn the food chain around this way,” he says. “And they don’t do it just by spreading poison, but simply by hunting – it’s a completely new perspective on what algae are capable of.”
There are isolated examples of other microscopic animals that can attack animals further up the food chain. But unlike with the carnivorous algae, this doesn’t have any serious consequences, such as extensive fish die-offs.
Berge and his colleagues will now try to learn more about how strong the algae poison is. The stronger the poison, the larger the animals the algae can kill when they band together.
In the novel and the movie "Life of Pi",Pi encountered a floating island of carnivorous algae that is inhabited by meerkats while shipwrecked somwhere in the Pacific Ocean. I was curious if there is such thing as carnivorous algae and decided to find out. In fact, there are people posted in different forums asking if there is such thing as carnivorous algae. No, I was not interested what the island signified. It turned out there is such .....
- wong chee tat :)
裕廊船厂升降式钻油台倾斜事故 陈川仁：这是一起严重事件
Updated: 12/04/2012 03:30
裕廊船厂升降式钻油台倾斜事故 陈川仁：这是一起严重事件
针对裕廊船厂发生的升降式钻油台倾斜事故，人力部代部长陈川仁形容这是一起严重的事件，有大约90人受伤。
针对裕廊船厂发生的升降式钻油台倾斜事故，人力部代部长陈川仁形容这是一起严重的事件，有大约90人受伤。
陈川仁在社交媒体Facebook的个人页面上帖文说，当局目前的首要任务是照顾好伤者，尽量确保他们得到最好的护理。部长说，稳定局面和保障其他人的安全也是重要的。
他表示，将在稍后提供更多有关事件的最新讯息。
- wong chee tat :)
裕廊船厂升降式钻油台倾斜事故 陈川仁：这是一起严重事件
针对裕廊船厂发生的升降式钻油台倾斜事故，人力部代部长陈川仁形容这是一起严重的事件，有大约90人受伤。
针对裕廊船厂发生的升降式钻油台倾斜事故，人力部代部长陈川仁形容这是一起严重的事件，有大约90人受伤。
陈川仁在社交媒体Facebook的个人页面上帖文说，当局目前的首要任务是照顾好伤者，尽量确保他们得到最好的护理。部长说，稳定局面和保障其他人的安全也是重要的。
他表示，将在稍后提供更多有关事件的最新讯息。
- wong chee tat :)
人力部：裕廊船厂发生的工业事故，是本地历来最严重的工业意外之一
Updated: 12/04/2012 07:57
人力部：裕廊船厂发生的工业事故，是本地历来最严重的工业意外之一。
人力部表示，裕廊船厂发生的工业事故，是本地历来最严重的工业意外之一。
当局表示，不论意外规模大小，将严正看待所有的工业意外事故。
共有89名船厂员工昨天在升降式钻油台突然倾斜后受伤，其中80人已经出院，6人在普通病房留医，其余3人还在接受观察。
人力部高级政务次长贺华吉过后到新加坡综合医院探访受伤的船厂员工时说，伤者当中，包括一名22岁的新加坡籍女工程师。她也是唯一在事故中受伤的本地人。
贺华吉探访这名本地员工和其他孟加拉籍员工后说，伤者情况稳定，他们正在接受观察。
贺华吉提醒所有的雇主，员工的安全是非常重要的，人们应该从所有已经发生的意外中吸取教训，才能避免类似意外再次发生。 他也表示，当局已经封锁事发地点进行调查。
另外，人力部代部长陈川仁形容这是一起严重的事件，当局目前的首要任务是照顾好伤者，尽量确保他们得到最好的护理。部长说，稳定局面和保障其他人的安全也是重要的。
- wong chee tat :)
人力部：裕廊船厂发生的工业事故，是本地历来最严重的工业意外之一。
人力部表示，裕廊船厂发生的工业事故，是本地历来最严重的工业意外之一。
当局表示，不论意外规模大小，将严正看待所有的工业意外事故。
共有89名船厂员工昨天在升降式钻油台突然倾斜后受伤，其中80人已经出院，6人在普通病房留医，其余3人还在接受观察。
人力部高级政务次长贺华吉过后到新加坡综合医院探访受伤的船厂员工时说，伤者当中，包括一名22岁的新加坡籍女工程师。她也是唯一在事故中受伤的本地人。
贺华吉探访这名本地员工和其他孟加拉籍员工后说，伤者情况稳定，他们正在接受观察。
贺华吉提醒所有的雇主，员工的安全是非常重要的，人们应该从所有已经发生的意外中吸取教训，才能避免类似意外再次发生。 他也表示，当局已经封锁事发地点进行调查。
另外，人力部代部长陈川仁形容这是一起严重的事件，当局目前的首要任务是照顾好伤者，尽量确保他们得到最好的护理。部长说，稳定局面和保障其他人的安全也是重要的。
- wong chee tat :)
钻井台倾斜酿90人受伤 总理：要查出问题所在
12/03/2012 22:30
钻井台倾斜酿90人受伤 总理：要查出问题所在
裕廊船厂的一个钻井平台星期一早上突然倾斜，导致大约90名工人受伤。李显龙总理表示，这是一起严重的事故，调查会查出问题所在，哪些需要改正。而人力部代部长陈川仁也说，当务之急是确保伤者获得最好的照顾，稳定情况并确保其他人的安全。目前大部分伤者已经出院。
今天上午10点半左右，位于丹戎吉宁路的船厂，一个钻井平台突然向一边倾斜，导致当时正在平台上作业的90多人受伤。伤者随后被送往本地四家医院治疗，包括国大医院的45人和亚历山大医院的17人。
伤者大多是印度和孟加拉的客工，多数遭拉伤或擦伤。初步调查发现，意外的发生是由于一个有三个支柱的自升式平台，一个支柱发生故障所导致的。目前发生事故的平台已经停止运作。
总理李显龙较后在Facebook上页面上说，这次的事故，再次给我们敲响警钟，时刻保持警觉，更好地确保工作场所的安全。
“每个人，包括雇主，工人和安全检查员，都应在保持工作环境的安全上尽一己之力。虽然很多方面已经取得了进展，但还可以做得更好。”他这么表示。
他也说，接下来的调查将会查出哪里出了问题，哪些需要改正。总理希望受伤的工人能尽快康复。
另外在傍晚，人力部高级政务次长贺华吉也前往中央医院，探望由于钻井平台倾斜事故，而入院接受检查或治疗的工人。他表示，这是本地近来发生的最大型事故之一。
事故发生后，共有九人被送往中央医院，当中包括一名新加坡籍工程师，她目前情况稳定，正留院观察。除了提供伤患及时治疗外，贺华吉还提醒雇主，一定要重视员工的工作安全。
“我想提醒所有的雇主，工人的安全是非常重要的。我们需要从每个意外中学习，这样才不会让类似的事情再度发生。” 贺华吉强调。
- wong chee tat :)
钻井台倾斜酿90人受伤 总理：要查出问题所在
裕廊船厂的一个钻井平台星期一早上突然倾斜，导致大约90名工人受伤。李显龙总理表示，这是一起严重的事故，调查会查出问题所在，哪些需要改正。而人力部代部长陈川仁也说，当务之急是确保伤者获得最好的照顾，稳定情况并确保其他人的安全。目前大部分伤者已经出院。
今天上午10点半左右，位于丹戎吉宁路的船厂，一个钻井平台突然向一边倾斜，导致当时正在平台上作业的90多人受伤。伤者随后被送往本地四家医院治疗，包括国大医院的45人和亚历山大医院的17人。
伤者大多是印度和孟加拉的客工，多数遭拉伤或擦伤。初步调查发现，意外的发生是由于一个有三个支柱的自升式平台，一个支柱发生故障所导致的。目前发生事故的平台已经停止运作。
总理李显龙较后在Facebook上页面上说，这次的事故，再次给我们敲响警钟，时刻保持警觉，更好地确保工作场所的安全。
“每个人，包括雇主，工人和安全检查员，都应在保持工作环境的安全上尽一己之力。虽然很多方面已经取得了进展，但还可以做得更好。”他这么表示。
他也说，接下来的调查将会查出哪里出了问题，哪些需要改正。总理希望受伤的工人能尽快康复。
另外在傍晚，人力部高级政务次长贺华吉也前往中央医院，探望由于钻井平台倾斜事故，而入院接受检查或治疗的工人。他表示，这是本地近来发生的最大型事故之一。
事故发生后，共有九人被送往中央医院，当中包括一名新加坡籍工程师，她目前情况稳定，正留院观察。除了提供伤患及时治疗外，贺华吉还提醒雇主，一定要重视员工的工作安全。
“我想提醒所有的雇主，工人的安全是非常重要的。我们需要从每个意外中学习，这样才不会让类似的事情再度发生。” 贺华吉强调。
- wong chee tat :)
李显龙总理：裕廊船厂的工业事故是严重的意外
4/12/2012
李显龙总理：裕廊船厂的工业事故是严重的意外
李显龙总理说，裕廊船厂的工业事故是严重的意外，当局进行调查后，将找出问题所在、以及需要改进的地方。
李总理在社交网站Facebook的个人页面上载帖文，对事故中受伤的船厂员工表示同情，并希望他们早日康复。
总理说，工作场所的安全非常重要，当局必须确保工作环境是安全的，所有人也必须遵守工作安全守则。这是政府在2008年设立工作场所安全与卫生理事会的原因。
过去4年来，当局在工作安全方面已经取得进展，并成功降低工业意外事故、以及伤者的数目。不过，总理说，今天的事故提醒各方，必须保持警惕和不断改进，而所有人都应该扮演好各自的角色。
裕廊船厂发生的升降式钻油台倾斜事故，造成89人受伤。其中80人已经出院，6人在普通病房留医，其余3人还在接受观察。
- wong chee tat :)
李显龙总理：裕廊船厂的工业事故是严重的意外
李显龙总理说，裕廊船厂的工业事故是严重的意外，当局进行调查后，将找出问题所在、以及需要改进的地方。
李总理在社交网站Facebook的个人页面上载帖文，对事故中受伤的船厂员工表示同情，并希望他们早日康复。
总理说，工作场所的安全非常重要，当局必须确保工作环境是安全的，所有人也必须遵守工作安全守则。这是政府在2008年设立工作场所安全与卫生理事会的原因。
过去4年来，当局在工作安全方面已经取得进展，并成功降低工业意外事故、以及伤者的数目。不过，总理说，今天的事故提醒各方，必须保持警惕和不断改进，而所有人都应该扮演好各自的角色。
裕廊船厂发生的升降式钻油台倾斜事故，造成89人受伤。其中80人已经出院，6人在普通病房留医，其余3人还在接受观察。
- wong chee tat :)
89 workers injured in Jurong Shipyard accident
89 workers injured in Jurong Shipyard accident
By S Ramesh/Kimberly Spykerman | Posted: 03 December 2012 1442 hrs
SINGAPORE: Eighty-nine workers were injured in a rig accident at Jurong Shipyard on Monday morning.
Eighty have since been discharged. Six remain in normal wards while another three are under observation.
The injured workers were sent to four hospitals, including the National University Hospital and Alexandra Hospital.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Monday afternoon that the accident happened at the worksite of Jurong Shipyard in Tanjong Kling Road.
Preliminary findings indicate that the jack-up mechanism of one of the legs of a three-legged jackup rig had failed, causing the rig to tilt to one side.
MOM said most of the workers had minor injuries.
Officers from its Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate are at the site to investigate the accident. All work has stopped at the rig.
Sembcorp Marine, which owns the shipyard, said the incident happened at about 10.30am during a test to jack up the rig which was under construction.
It said all personnel working on board are accounted for - with no fatalities.
The shipyard is investigating the cause of the incident.
Channel NewAsia understands that most of the injured workers are from India and Bangladesh.
Workers told Channel NewsAsia that they were conducting welding, fitting and piping works on the rig when it started to tilt.
In response to media queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it did not receive any calls for assistance.
However, it acted on information of a large number of casualties in an industrial area in 29, Tanjong Kling Road.
The SCDF said it sent officers from Jurong Fire Station to the scene at 12.48pm. By the time they arrived, all the casualties had already been sent to hospital.
- CNA/xq/de
- wong chee tat :)
By S Ramesh/Kimberly Spykerman | Posted: 03 December 2012 1442 hrs
SINGAPORE: Eighty-nine workers were injured in a rig accident at Jurong Shipyard on Monday morning.
Eighty have since been discharged. Six remain in normal wards while another three are under observation.
The injured workers were sent to four hospitals, including the National University Hospital and Alexandra Hospital.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Monday afternoon that the accident happened at the worksite of Jurong Shipyard in Tanjong Kling Road.
Preliminary findings indicate that the jack-up mechanism of one of the legs of a three-legged jackup rig had failed, causing the rig to tilt to one side.
MOM said most of the workers had minor injuries.
Officers from its Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate are at the site to investigate the accident. All work has stopped at the rig.
Sembcorp Marine, which owns the shipyard, said the incident happened at about 10.30am during a test to jack up the rig which was under construction.
It said all personnel working on board are accounted for - with no fatalities.
The shipyard is investigating the cause of the incident.
Channel NewAsia understands that most of the injured workers are from India and Bangladesh.
Workers told Channel NewsAsia that they were conducting welding, fitting and piping works on the rig when it started to tilt.
In response to media queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it did not receive any calls for assistance.
However, it acted on information of a large number of casualties in an industrial area in 29, Tanjong Kling Road.
The SCDF said it sent officers from Jurong Fire Station to the scene at 12.48pm. By the time they arrived, all the casualties had already been sent to hospital.
- CNA/xq/de
- wong chee tat :)
Top accounting firms face charges over China data
Top accounting firms face charges over China data
Posted: 04 December 2012 0134 hrs
WASHINGTON: US market regulators charged the China affiliates of five top accounting firms Monday with violation of securities laws for refusing to provide audit data related to China-based companies.
"The audit materials are being sought as part of SEC investigations into potential wrongdoing by nine China-based companies whose securities are publicly traded in the US," the Securities and Exchange Commission said.
The five firms charged were BDO China Dahua, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants, Ernst & Young Hua Ming, KPMG Huazhen, and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian.
The SEC said they violated the Securities Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires foreign public accounting firms to provide the SEC upon request with audit work papers involving any company trading on US markets.
SEC investigators have been trying to obtain the data for months from the audit firms but they have refused to cooperate, it said in a statement.
"Only with access to work papers of foreign public accounting firms can the SEC test the quality of the underlying audits and protect investors from the dangers of accounting fraud," said Robert Khuzami, director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement.
"Firms that conduct audits knowing they cannot comply with laws requiring access to these work papers face serious sanctions."
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 04 December 2012 0134 hrs
WASHINGTON: US market regulators charged the China affiliates of five top accounting firms Monday with violation of securities laws for refusing to provide audit data related to China-based companies.
"The audit materials are being sought as part of SEC investigations into potential wrongdoing by nine China-based companies whose securities are publicly traded in the US," the Securities and Exchange Commission said.
The five firms charged were BDO China Dahua, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants, Ernst & Young Hua Ming, KPMG Huazhen, and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian.
The SEC said they violated the Securities Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires foreign public accounting firms to provide the SEC upon request with audit work papers involving any company trading on US markets.
SEC investigators have been trying to obtain the data for months from the audit firms but they have refused to cooperate, it said in a statement.
"Only with access to work papers of foreign public accounting firms can the SEC test the quality of the underlying audits and protect investors from the dangers of accounting fraud," said Robert Khuzami, director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement.
"Firms that conduct audits knowing they cannot comply with laws requiring access to these work papers face serious sanctions."
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Kate and Prince William expecting a baby
Kate and Prince William expecting a baby
Posted: 04 December 2012 0028 hrs
LONDON: Prince William's wife Catherine is expecting a baby and is in hospital suffering severe morning sickness, St James's Palace announced on Monday.
The royal family are "delighted" by the news of the baby, who would be the third in line to the British throne currently occupied by Queen Elizabeth II.
"Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," St James's Palace said in a statement.
"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news."
William, the son of heir to the throne Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, married the former Kate Middleton in April 2011 and there has been intense speculation about when the couple, who are both 30, would have a baby.
The statement added: "The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (severe morning sickness).
"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter."
The palace refused to say exactly when the couple became aware she was expecting a baby, saying that it was only "recently".
But Britain's Press Association news agency reported that the pregnancy has not passed the 12-week point, the traditional time for making a pregnancy public, and the announcement was prompted by Kate's medical condition.
"The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum," the statement said.
It defined the condition as "very acute morning sickness, which requires supplementary hydration and nutrients".
"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter," the statement said.
The statement said the queen, her husband Prince Philip, William's father Prince Charles, Charles's wife Camilla, William's brother Prince Harry "and members of both families are delighted with the news."
The baby would be third in line to the throne after Charles and William, irrespective of whether it is a girl or a boy following a change of the rules of succession last year.
Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "delighted" and the royal couple would make "wonderful parents".
Speculation about a royal pregnancy intensified last week when the couple were given a baby's romper suit during their first visit together to Cambridge, the historic English university city which is home to their dukedom.
William laughed and said "I'll keep that" after accepting the tiny hand-stitched outfit with the words "Daddy's little co-pilot", a reference to his job as a Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter pilot.
The baby news comes just over one year since Commonwealth nations agreed to scrap centuries-old laws barring first-born daughters from inheriting the British throne.
The 1701 Act of Settlement had formalised the policy of male primogeniture, although the tradition dates back even further to feudal times and beyond.
Under the law, female heirs to the throne had been passed over if younger male heirs were available.
The queen, whose husband Prince Philip is officially titled the Duke of Edinburgh, was crowned in 1953 only because she did not have any brothers.
Royal commentator Kate Williams said William and Kate's child would be unique due to its place as the first possible heir to be born after the change in the succession laws.
"I think what's politically and constitutionally important is that this child, whether it's a little girl or a little boy, will come to the throne," she told the BBC.
Williams added it was an "ideal time" for the couple to have a baby following months of public duties with the London Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee marking the queen's 60th year on the throne.
The speculation about a baby has been particularly intense because Britain's royals have had a habit of producing heirs to the throne soon after marrying.
William was born barely 11 months after his mother Diana married his father Prince Charles in 1981. Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 and Charles later married Camilla, now known as the Duchess of Cornwall.
And Prince Charles himself was born almost exactly a year after his parents married in 1947.
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 04 December 2012 0028 hrs
LONDON: Prince William's wife Catherine is expecting a baby and is in hospital suffering severe morning sickness, St James's Palace announced on Monday.
The royal family are "delighted" by the news of the baby, who would be the third in line to the British throne currently occupied by Queen Elizabeth II.
"Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," St James's Palace said in a statement.
"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news."
William, the son of heir to the throne Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, married the former Kate Middleton in April 2011 and there has been intense speculation about when the couple, who are both 30, would have a baby.
The statement added: "The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (severe morning sickness).
"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter."
The palace refused to say exactly when the couple became aware she was expecting a baby, saying that it was only "recently".
But Britain's Press Association news agency reported that the pregnancy has not passed the 12-week point, the traditional time for making a pregnancy public, and the announcement was prompted by Kate's medical condition.
"The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum," the statement said.
It defined the condition as "very acute morning sickness, which requires supplementary hydration and nutrients".
"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter," the statement said.
The statement said the queen, her husband Prince Philip, William's father Prince Charles, Charles's wife Camilla, William's brother Prince Harry "and members of both families are delighted with the news."
The baby would be third in line to the throne after Charles and William, irrespective of whether it is a girl or a boy following a change of the rules of succession last year.
Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "delighted" and the royal couple would make "wonderful parents".
Speculation about a royal pregnancy intensified last week when the couple were given a baby's romper suit during their first visit together to Cambridge, the historic English university city which is home to their dukedom.
William laughed and said "I'll keep that" after accepting the tiny hand-stitched outfit with the words "Daddy's little co-pilot", a reference to his job as a Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter pilot.
The baby news comes just over one year since Commonwealth nations agreed to scrap centuries-old laws barring first-born daughters from inheriting the British throne.
The 1701 Act of Settlement had formalised the policy of male primogeniture, although the tradition dates back even further to feudal times and beyond.
Under the law, female heirs to the throne had been passed over if younger male heirs were available.
The queen, whose husband Prince Philip is officially titled the Duke of Edinburgh, was crowned in 1953 only because she did not have any brothers.
Royal commentator Kate Williams said William and Kate's child would be unique due to its place as the first possible heir to be born after the change in the succession laws.
"I think what's politically and constitutionally important is that this child, whether it's a little girl or a little boy, will come to the throne," she told the BBC.
Williams added it was an "ideal time" for the couple to have a baby following months of public duties with the London Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee marking the queen's 60th year on the throne.
The speculation about a baby has been particularly intense because Britain's royals have had a habit of producing heirs to the throne soon after marrying.
William was born barely 11 months after his mother Diana married his father Prince Charles in 1981. Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 and Charles later married Camilla, now known as the Duchess of Cornwall.
And Prince Charles himself was born almost exactly a year after his parents married in 1947.
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Competition in EC market likely to heat up, say analysts
Competition in EC market likely to heat up, say analysts
By Lip Kwok Wai, Karen Ng | Posted: 03 December 2012 2247 hrs
SINGAPORE: Competition in the Executive Condominium (EC) market is likely to heat up, say analysts.
Four EC sites have already been sold while bids for two sites have opened, indicating that at least six EC projects will be launched in 2013.
Popular with developers, ECs like Heron Bay in Hougang which have five-bedroom units sell especially well.
Less than a month after its launch last October, all 16 of its five-bedroom units were sold out.
ECs with five-bedroom units are also expected to be rolled out in Tampines and Woodlands.
Though more expensive to build, five-bedroom units have more appeal due its capacity for multi-generational families and its rental potential, say developers.
"All the ECs are very well-received, the bids are going up and up. The only challenge is how do we focus on the other factors like design to deliver homes that meet expectations," said Albert Teo, developer of CityLife@Tampines and CEO of Amara Holdings.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
By Lip Kwok Wai, Karen Ng | Posted: 03 December 2012 2247 hrs
SINGAPORE: Competition in the Executive Condominium (EC) market is likely to heat up, say analysts.
Four EC sites have already been sold while bids for two sites have opened, indicating that at least six EC projects will be launched in 2013.
Popular with developers, ECs like Heron Bay in Hougang which have five-bedroom units sell especially well.
Less than a month after its launch last October, all 16 of its five-bedroom units were sold out.
ECs with five-bedroom units are also expected to be rolled out in Tampines and Woodlands.
Though more expensive to build, five-bedroom units have more appeal due its capacity for multi-generational families and its rental potential, say developers.
"All the ECs are very well-received, the bids are going up and up. The only challenge is how do we focus on the other factors like design to deliver homes that meet expectations," said Albert Teo, developer of CityLife@Tampines and CEO of Amara Holdings.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
Global supply chain SDV opens new warehouse facility in S'pore
Global supply chain SDV opens new warehouse facility in S'pore
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 03 December 2012 2139 hrs
SINGAPORE: Global supply chain firm SDV has opened a new warehouse facility in Singapore, in a bid to serve the region's growing luxury retail industry.
SDV, a subsidiary of French conglomerate Bollore Group, said that it has invested S$55 million into the facility.
The facility will serve a 'limited number' of premium brands in the cosmetics and luxury fashion industries, said the company
Market leaders such as Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), Diageo, Unilever and Remy Cointreau already have logistic hubs in Singapore which cater to their consumer and luxury sectors.
"We strongly believe that Singapore is the ideal location to operate a regional distribution centre for Asia Pacific" said SDV South East Asia Director Mr Yves Laforgue.
"For the luxury retail industry, this new warehouse is integral to fulfilling our commitment to offer sustainable solutions to these clients with a 20 per cent growth over the next five to six years," he added.
SDV also provides transport and logistics solutions for the aerospace, healthcare and the oil and gas sectors in addition to luxury retail.
The supply chain firm forms a major component of its parent company Bollore's transport, forwarding and logistics division.
In 2011, transport and logistics activities contributed 57 per cent, or 4,872 million euros, to Bollore Group's turnover.
The Asia Pacific region currently represents over 15 per cent of SDV's global turnover and workforce.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 03 December 2012 2139 hrs
SINGAPORE: Global supply chain firm SDV has opened a new warehouse facility in Singapore, in a bid to serve the region's growing luxury retail industry.
SDV, a subsidiary of French conglomerate Bollore Group, said that it has invested S$55 million into the facility.
The facility will serve a 'limited number' of premium brands in the cosmetics and luxury fashion industries, said the company
Market leaders such as Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), Diageo, Unilever and Remy Cointreau already have logistic hubs in Singapore which cater to their consumer and luxury sectors.
"We strongly believe that Singapore is the ideal location to operate a regional distribution centre for Asia Pacific" said SDV South East Asia Director Mr Yves Laforgue.
"For the luxury retail industry, this new warehouse is integral to fulfilling our commitment to offer sustainable solutions to these clients with a 20 per cent growth over the next five to six years," he added.
SDV also provides transport and logistics solutions for the aerospace, healthcare and the oil and gas sectors in addition to luxury retail.
The supply chain firm forms a major component of its parent company Bollore's transport, forwarding and logistics division.
In 2011, transport and logistics activities contributed 57 per cent, or 4,872 million euros, to Bollore Group's turnover.
The Asia Pacific region currently represents over 15 per cent of SDV's global turnover and workforce.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
SMRT：中国司机获调薪 基薪千一元
新闻视频
SMRT管理层星期一与中国籍司机举行对话会，宣布他们的起薪调整到1100元。SMRT强调，上调25元薪金原本就在计划中，原定这个月向员工宣布消息，这项举措不是受非法罢工的影响。公司也考虑允许司机把年假折换成现金。
SMRT在对话会上，向中国籍司机解释了长期和短期雇佣合约在薪金上的差异。总裁郭木财指出，公司每月承担中国籍司机近300元的交通、住宿和水电费，同没有获住宿安排的马来西亚籍车长、薪金相等，条件是公平的。
SMRT解释，公司无需为合约员工加薪，但为跟进市场标准，公司还是调整了司机的薪金。7月前加入的车长都获得75元加薪。公司也准备在11月中旬，上调多25元，并且让这项调整追溯到7月起生效。
也就是说，今年7月起，中国籍车长的薪金上调了100元。而加上多数中国籍司机，每月平均加班60个小时，总收入可达1800元。
郭木财承诺改善沟通，加强同员工的互动，确保住宿条件获改善。针对宿舍和车厂距离太远，因轮班不同而干扰其他房客的休息等课题，SMRT将在物色新住宿环境时，一并考虑在内。
另外，兀兰巴士转换站，星期一运作如常。早上尖峰时段，由SMRT经营的巴士路线，候车时间似乎不受车长人数减少所影响。
一司机认罪监六周 被告庭上洒泪向各造致歉
在另一边厢，一名SMRT中国籍巴士司机今天面控。他承认非法罢工，被判坐牢六个星期。现年38岁的包锋善，被控在上星期一参与非法罢工表示认罪。他是五名被控中国籍巴士司机中，第一个认罪的司机。
控状指他在上星期一清晨6点至7点间，在兀兰宿舍参与罢工，控方以华语念出控状。育有一名女儿的被告没有聘请律师，他承认罢工带来负面影响，并通过通译员深表忏悔，还含泪向新加坡政府、SMRT及他的家人道歉。
被告被指在11月26日拒绝上班，而事前并没有表明有意要在26日和27日罢工。控方指出被告虽然不是罢工煽动者，但也并非只是一个被动的参与者。法官强调，被告的行动妨碍了交通服务。
尽管在SMRT和人力部的劝导下，被告隔天还是没有回到工作岗位，他还发出威胁的言论，警告如果诉求未获得回应，将进一步罢工。不过，对于被告求情从轻发落，法官给予确认，因被告在面控后就深表悔意并认罪。被告自2008年就开始为SMRT服务。
其他四名涉嫌教唆非法罢工的中国籍巴士司机，已经在上星期四被控。
- wong chee tat :)
五房式EC渐受青睐 两个月供应增三倍
12/03/2012 22:15
五房式EC渐受青睐 两个月供应增三倍
随着国人要求更大的居住空间，越来越多发展商推出五个卧房的执行共管公寓单位。短短两个多月，市场上已有四个项目，推出约60个五房单位，增幅将近三倍。
第一个推出五个卧房的执行共管公寓项目"鹭鸶苑"，10月接受公众认购后，16个五房单位全部售出。这种单位的面积从1470平方尺起跳。除了后港的"鹭鸶苑"，榜鹅、淡滨尼和兀兰的几个执行共管公寓也将建有五房单位，其中，以兀兰的数量最多，其余的数量则介于五个到16个，占总项目约5%。
分析师认为，这种大型单位的数量不多，因为售价容易突破百万元，销售有一定的限度，但空间大适合多代同堂居住。
“因为这个共管公寓的价格每平方尺是介于700元到800元左右，跟私人公寓比起来，还是便宜20%到30%，如果建比较大间的公寓，它还是能够吸引一些提升者来买。” 欣乐国际执行董事麦俊荣这么认为。
发展商也推出五个卧房的双钥匙单位，以满足一些有意将小单位出租的买家。有发展商指出，国人对空间和设计的要求越来越高，但成本也相应增加，要维持低房价不容易。
据了解，执行共管公寓的市场竞争激烈，目前已售出四幅地段，还有两幅供发展商竞标。这也意味着明年将有至少六个执行共管公寓项目注入市场。
- wong chee tat :)
五房式EC渐受青睐 两个月供应增三倍
随着国人要求更大的居住空间，越来越多发展商推出五个卧房的执行共管公寓单位。短短两个多月，市场上已有四个项目，推出约60个五房单位，增幅将近三倍。
第一个推出五个卧房的执行共管公寓项目"鹭鸶苑"，10月接受公众认购后，16个五房单位全部售出。这种单位的面积从1470平方尺起跳。除了后港的"鹭鸶苑"，榜鹅、淡滨尼和兀兰的几个执行共管公寓也将建有五房单位，其中，以兀兰的数量最多，其余的数量则介于五个到16个，占总项目约5%。
分析师认为，这种大型单位的数量不多，因为售价容易突破百万元，销售有一定的限度，但空间大适合多代同堂居住。
“因为这个共管公寓的价格每平方尺是介于700元到800元左右，跟私人公寓比起来，还是便宜20%到30%，如果建比较大间的公寓，它还是能够吸引一些提升者来买。” 欣乐国际执行董事麦俊荣这么认为。
发展商也推出五个卧房的双钥匙单位，以满足一些有意将小单位出租的买家。有发展商指出，国人对空间和设计的要求越来越高，但成本也相应增加，要维持低房价不容易。
据了解，执行共管公寓的市场竞争激烈，目前已售出四幅地段，还有两幅供发展商竞标。这也意味着明年将有至少六个执行共管公寓项目注入市场。
- wong chee tat :)
SMRT says no further adjustments of pay for China bus drivers
SMRT says no further adjustments of pay for China bus drivers
By Sharon See | Posted: 03 December 2012 1854 hrs
SINGAPORE: SMRT will not make further adjustments to the salaries of its drivers from China, despite an illegal strike last week over pay and living conditions.
But the company will look into the possibility of allowing its drivers to encash their unused leave.
This was the decision communicated to drivers by SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek at a townhall meeting on Monday morning.
Describing what has been a difficult week for everyone in SMRT, Mr Kuek said the management team is surprised and saddened that the situation had reached the point of an illegal strike.
He stressed that the existing compensation and contract terms are fair.
He also said SMRT reviews the salaries of its drivers regularly to keep pace with the market.
This year, it raised the starting pay of those who joined before July by $75, even though there's no contractual obligation to do so for short-term contract workers.
In mid-November, it decided on a second increment of $25 to their basic salary out of goodwill, backdated to July.
This is being communicated to the drivers and will be implemented in December.
Mr Kuek said the full monthly increase in salary from July 2012 would therefore be $100, and this will be implemented as planned.
With these increments, their starting pay is now $1,100.
He stressed that the remuneration package is fair and equitable, including transport, accommodation and utilities amounting to about $275 borne by the company.
Drivers from Malaysia, said Mr Kuek, are not provided accommodation by the company.
With many drivers clocking an average of 60 hours in overtime a month, their gross pay can reach $1,800 or more.
Member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, told Channel NewsAsia he agreed with SMRT's decision not to raise the pay of drivers from China.
Mr Lim said: "What the CEO has done is the right thing. From the perspective of the employee, if you feel that your salary is not right, you should actually speak to your employers about it. And if at the end of the day, employers are not prepared to increase the salary, you should then look for other employment.
"I think it is also a wrong signal to send if the company adjusts its salary upwards because of actions by employees to force their opinion on their employer to make adjustments to the salary."
Mr Lim said many drivers from China came to Singapore initially satisfied with their salary, and that it is not right for them to compare with their colleagues later and demand a change in the terms of employment.
"When you take up an employment with any company, you don't know what your future colleagues will be earning. You look at what you're offered, and you ask yourself, am I happy with this salary that I'm getting. If you say "yes", then you go in with your eyes open that this is the salary you take when you start work," he said.
Addressing complaints from some drivers about misrepresentation by agents in China who had hired them, Mr Kuek said SMRT will raise this matter with the relevant agencies to investigate further.
He also urged drivers to use the right and proper channels of communication and feedback to voice their unhappiness.
SMRT, he said, acknowledged that its managers and supervisors down the line could have been more sensitive and responsive to the needs of drivers.
It will address this shortcoming with priority and is strengthening its staff communications and engagement.
Turning to the living conditions of the drivers, Mr Kuek said he visited the drivers' rooms and surroundings recently and agreed with them that things can be improved.
As for bed bugs, the dormitory rooms were fumigated last month and again last week.
Mr Kuek said this appears to be a more persistent problem and SMRT will continue to monitor and act on this.
The Singapore Human Resources Institute said companies that employ a large number of foreign workers can do more to ease them into life in Singapore, such as through induction programmes and English lessons.
Mr David Ang, Executive Director of Singapore Human Resources Institute, said: "It is also very important that companies also explain to them that if you are working in the industry which is very important to the public, such as the essential services, then the rules and regulations as well as the law governing work in a company that is providing essential services should be explained to them."
Mr Ang added that companies' communications plan should not only include employment terms and the law, it should also explain their pay structure.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
By Sharon See | Posted: 03 December 2012 1854 hrs
SINGAPORE: SMRT will not make further adjustments to the salaries of its drivers from China, despite an illegal strike last week over pay and living conditions.
But the company will look into the possibility of allowing its drivers to encash their unused leave.
This was the decision communicated to drivers by SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek at a townhall meeting on Monday morning.
Describing what has been a difficult week for everyone in SMRT, Mr Kuek said the management team is surprised and saddened that the situation had reached the point of an illegal strike.
He stressed that the existing compensation and contract terms are fair.
He also said SMRT reviews the salaries of its drivers regularly to keep pace with the market.
This year, it raised the starting pay of those who joined before July by $75, even though there's no contractual obligation to do so for short-term contract workers.
In mid-November, it decided on a second increment of $25 to their basic salary out of goodwill, backdated to July.
This is being communicated to the drivers and will be implemented in December.
Mr Kuek said the full monthly increase in salary from July 2012 would therefore be $100, and this will be implemented as planned.
With these increments, their starting pay is now $1,100.
He stressed that the remuneration package is fair and equitable, including transport, accommodation and utilities amounting to about $275 borne by the company.
Drivers from Malaysia, said Mr Kuek, are not provided accommodation by the company.
With many drivers clocking an average of 60 hours in overtime a month, their gross pay can reach $1,800 or more.
Member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, told Channel NewsAsia he agreed with SMRT's decision not to raise the pay of drivers from China.
Mr Lim said: "What the CEO has done is the right thing. From the perspective of the employee, if you feel that your salary is not right, you should actually speak to your employers about it. And if at the end of the day, employers are not prepared to increase the salary, you should then look for other employment.
"I think it is also a wrong signal to send if the company adjusts its salary upwards because of actions by employees to force their opinion on their employer to make adjustments to the salary."
Mr Lim said many drivers from China came to Singapore initially satisfied with their salary, and that it is not right for them to compare with their colleagues later and demand a change in the terms of employment.
"When you take up an employment with any company, you don't know what your future colleagues will be earning. You look at what you're offered, and you ask yourself, am I happy with this salary that I'm getting. If you say "yes", then you go in with your eyes open that this is the salary you take when you start work," he said.
Addressing complaints from some drivers about misrepresentation by agents in China who had hired them, Mr Kuek said SMRT will raise this matter with the relevant agencies to investigate further.
He also urged drivers to use the right and proper channels of communication and feedback to voice their unhappiness.
SMRT, he said, acknowledged that its managers and supervisors down the line could have been more sensitive and responsive to the needs of drivers.
It will address this shortcoming with priority and is strengthening its staff communications and engagement.
Turning to the living conditions of the drivers, Mr Kuek said he visited the drivers' rooms and surroundings recently and agreed with them that things can be improved.
As for bed bugs, the dormitory rooms were fumigated last month and again last week.
Mr Kuek said this appears to be a more persistent problem and SMRT will continue to monitor and act on this.
The Singapore Human Resources Institute said companies that employ a large number of foreign workers can do more to ease them into life in Singapore, such as through induction programmes and English lessons.
Mr David Ang, Executive Director of Singapore Human Resources Institute, said: "It is also very important that companies also explain to them that if you are working in the industry which is very important to the public, such as the essential services, then the rules and regulations as well as the law governing work in a company that is providing essential services should be explained to them."
Mr Ang added that companies' communications plan should not only include employment terms and the law, it should also explain their pay structure.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
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