Effort

Effort

Put your utmost effort into doing good deeds and do not slack. Print more virtuous books and distribute them.

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- wong chee tat :)

SBS Transit and SMRT submit applications for fare adjustments

SBS Transit and SMRT submit applications for fare adjustments

The PTC commenced its annual fare review exercise on Nov 19, and Friday (Dec 19) is the deadline for public transport operators to submit their applications for fare review for consideration.

SINGAPORE: The Public Transport Council (PTC) has received applications for fare adjustments from Singapore's two public transport operators - SBS Transit and SMRT.

SBS Transit submitted its application for bus and rail fare adjustments "amidst an environment of rising costs", it said in a press release on Friday (Dec 19).

SMRT said last month that it is seeking "a better alignment of fares and operating costs".

The PTC commenced its annual fare review exercise on Nov 19, and Friday is the deadline for public transport operators to submit their applications for fare review for consideration. The decision will be announced in the first quarter of next year, according to the PTC.

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew previously told Channel NewsAsia that the maximum allowed public transport fare increase for 2015 is 2.8 per cent.

To evaluate applications, the PTC will take guidance from the fare review mechanism and fare adjustment formula recommended by the Fare Review Mechanism Committee and accepted by the Government in Nov 2013.

- CNA/dl


- wong chee tat :)

Hiring outlook: More short-term contracts on the cards

Hiring outlook: More short-term contracts on the cards

Labour market watchers say companies in Singapore may increase headcount in the coming months, as economic activity picks up towards the year-end. However, they expect that some of the hiring will lean towards short-term contracts.

SINGAPORE: With economic growth seen picking up, after a weaker than expected start to the year, firms may be more willing to hire towards the year-end. Human Capital Singapore, the national human resource training centre, says vacancies may open up in banking and finance, among other sectors.

"If you look at some statistics that were released in the market, it has indicated that at least about 53 per cent have indicated that they will hire more. And out of this 53 per cent, 33 per cent of them are saying that, they are looking at, at least hiring another 10 additional headcounts," said Chief Executive of Human Capital Singapore, Ms Ho Geok Choo.

With foreign worker limits in place, service-oriented industries like food and beverage may feel the squeeze. And so, to cope during busy festive seasons, more firms may look at stop-gap solutions.

"What is very fashionable nowadays is where, they are beginning to bring in people on a short-term basis - that means contract-for-service, rather than contract-of-service. So they might hire them for six months to 12 months," Ms Ho said.

However, one sector with a tepid hiring outlook may be manufacturing, with growth relatively sluggish as firms restructure.

"There is drag coming from the electronics cluster in the overall manufacturing sector. On the other hand, we are seeing some upside surprise coming from the pharmaceutical cluster, as well as the marine, offshore marine engineering cluster," said Mr Irvin Seah, a senior economist at DBS Bank. "But that being said, these two clusters tend to be quite volatile."

Economists expect the unemployment rate to be 1.9 per cent at the end of 2014. This, they say, is pretty much a situation of full employment, which means there'll be no letup in the tightness of the labour market.


- CNA/ly

- wong chee tat :)

Teacher charged for sex acts with student

Teacher charged for sex acts with student

The 32-year-old man allegedly committed various sexual offences with the underage girl

PUBLISHED: MARCH 31, 3:56 PM

SINGAPORE — A school teacher was today (March 31) charged with a slew of sexual offences involving a student.

The 32-year-old teacher faces 10 charges of various sexual offences involving the underage girl, which took place between September 2012 and January 2013.

According to court documents, he allegedly had sex with the girl eight times, as well as committing obscene acts with her twice.

The girl was 15 at the time.

The alleged acts took place at various locations, which included hotels.

The accused’s lawyer, Roy Neighbour, asked for the case to be adjourned for him to make representations.

The accused is out on bail of S$20,000 and will be back in court on April 28.

If convicted of having sex with an underage girl, he could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined on each charge.

For committing an obscene act with a child, he could be fined S$10,000 and jailed five years on each charge.

CHANNEL NEWSASIA

- wong chee tat :)

NUS scholar found dead in UTown campus

NUS scholar found dead in UTown campus

Yahoo! NewsroomYahoo!

UPDATED [11:25am 24 April 2013. Adds information from police and acquaintances of the deceased.]

A Year One student from the National University of Singapore (NUS) University Scholars' Programme (USP) was found dead in the varsity's UTown campus.

21-year-old Peter Huen Kam Fai was found dead in his room late Tuesday afternoon at the Cinnamon College. The cause of death has yet to be confirmed but Yahoo! Singapore understands he was found hanging.

Police said they received a call on Tuesday at 5:06pm requesting for assistance at College Ave East.

Upon arrival, they found a male Chinese motionless at the location. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said they are investigating the "unnatural death".

An NUS spokesperson revealed, in an official statement, that "the student was found in his room by a university staff" and that "police investigations are ongoing."

Huen, who was majoring in Political Science, is also understood to have been an active sportsman, and was part of the USP Foosball Club.

An NUS graduate who used to play floorball in school with the deceased but did not want to be named told Yahoo! Singapore Huen's death was "really unexpected because you could never tell he was suicidal". Huen had also stopped turning up for games "for a while", the person added.

The source further pointed out that Huen's "last Facebook post was in mid-March", despite being someone who "used to post pretty often".

News of Huen's death quickly spread on social media.

A post on popular local forum Eat Drink Man Woman by his former teacher at Hwa Chong Institution, Charles Low, said the "world has lost a good man today".

He added that Huen would be missed for his quiet confidence, his wit and self-deprecating humour and willingness to help others. It's also understood he had a passion for writing and the humanities.

A fellow resident of Cinnamon College, who also did not wish to be named, described Huen as "always well-liked... always with a smile."

This was the second piece of tragic news to hit NUS this week.

On Tuesday, the wife of NUS professor, Gong Jiangbin, was killed in an accident with an SBS double-decker bus.

Zhang Hui Rui, 43, died after being hit and dragged by bus service 78, which was turning into Clementi Avenue 3.




- wong chee tat :)

Shit Singaporean Girlfriends Say (Behind The Scenes)

- wong chee tat :)

Shit Singaporean Girlfriends Say

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Asians more likely to use e-mail for romance: Microsoft survey

Asians more likely to use e-mail for romance: Microsoft survey
By Dylan Loh | Posted: 13 February 2011 2149 hrs

SINGAPORE: Valentine's Day is on Monday but being a working day, some may be hard-pressed to find time for romance. E-mail may be the quick fix for those seeking romance.

A survey conducted in Asia and Europe by software giant Microsoft said three in 10 Asians exchange images with their love interest via e-mail. This compared to Europe, where the figure is two in 10.

The survey also revealed that a third of Asians said "I love you" for the first time via e-mail. The survey polled over 9,000 people in six countries across Asia.

About four in 10 Asians have romanced electronically. The same number have confessed to also flirting with co-workers through email.

By contrast, only 17 per cent of Europeans polled tried an e-romance.

While some may like expressing their love via electronic means, like e-mail or social media platforms, it's clear that there are a few who are a little bit more "old school".

Alfred and Angel Lam, who have been married for two years, took a trishaw ride together with other couples as a way to express their love.

Mr Lam said: "It's more original because not everybody would do this kind of things, like taking the trishaw to go out."

Old-fashioned or not, it seems everyone has their means of expressing love in a heartfelt way.

-CNA/ac

- wong chee tat :)

373 S'poreans infected with HIV in first 10 months of 2010

373 S'poreans infected with HIV in first 10 months of 2010
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 28 November 2010 1848 hrs
 
SINGAPORE : About 373 Singaporeans were infected with HIV from January to October this year, bringing the total number of HIV cases in Singapore to 4,777.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said it expects the total number of new HIV cases for this year to come close to that of last year's figure of 463.

Of the 169 cases reported between January and June this year, about 60 per cent of the cases had late-stage HIV infection.

And of these, about 90 per cent were men and the rest, women.

Sexual transmission remains the main mode of HIV transmission.

Of the 169 cases reported in the first six months of this year, 166 acquired the infection through the sexual route, with heterosexual transmission accounting for 56 per cent of infections, homosexual transmission acounting for 33 per cent of infections, and bisexual transmission 9 per cent. One was infected through intravenous drug use.

The MOH has urged those at risk of HIV infection and those who engage in risky sexual behaviour to go for regular HIV testing.

- CNA /ls

Companies brace themselves for staff attrition as economy improves

Companies brace themselves for staff attrition as economy improves
Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: Companies are bracing themselves for staff attrition as the economy improves. A poll by global management consultancy, Hay Group, said they are doing so by investing to retain high performing employees.

Dr Stephen Choo, regional director of Hay Group Insight, said employees in Singapore feel that they have stretched themselves to the limit to help their companies in the downturn, and a talent exodus might happen if nothing is done to reward and recognize the sacrifices made by employees.

According to Dr Choo, companies need to think of more ways to engage their employees.

"Talent are certainly very motivated to remain with the company if there are lots of development opportunities — that the company could actually work with them in terms of enhancing their skills and talent," said Dr Choo.

"Also, training is very important. Certainly leadership is still very important because lots of talent are motivated to stay with the company if there is a good role model they can look up to," he added.

Other motivating factors include offering employees more resources to work with, creating an environment that promotes greater teamwork, and also giving them more empowerment and authority.

Dr Choo said that companies polled are planning on average to give a salary increase of 3 per cent in 2010, as compared to 2.3 per cent this year.

The sectors doling out the highest salary increases will be the Oil & Gas, Chemicals and Insurance sectors.

The poll also showed that the percentage of companies cutting or freezing pay has dropped from 58 per cent in March to 18 per cent in October.

According to the Hay Group’s survey, variable bonuses for this year will remain modest at 1.8 months, and are forecast to be marginally lower at 1.5 months in 2010. The lower bonus predicted in 2010 is due to the unclear economic outlook for the next three to six months, explained Dr Choo.

He said: "As a whole, most industries are quite conservative about their forecast because there is no clear indication at this point in time that the economy is certainly moving up north.

"What we can see so far is that there are conflicting stories about some industries seeing an upturn, but at the same time there are also companies which are laying off staff as well."

— CNA/sc

- wong chee tat :)

Verses on Cause and Effect

Then the Buddha spoke these verses on cause and effect:
Wealth and dignity come from one's destiny
From causes planted in lives in the past.
People who hold to this simple principle
Will reap good fortune in lives in the future.
Kind men and women, listen to the causes,

Hear and remember this Sutra's reminder
Of the causes and effects of karmic deeds
In the past, in the future, and in the present.
Cause and effect is no small care.
True are my words; don't take them lightly.
Why are some people officials at present?
Because with gold they gilded the Buddhas

In their past lives, long long ago.
It's from their practice in lives in the past
That they reap in this life a rich fruition.
The purple gown and golden cordon--
The honored marks of higher office:
Should you seek them, seek with the Buddhas.
Gilding the Buddhas is your own gain;
Robing Thus Come Ones, you robe yourself.
Don't say it's easy to become an official;

It cannot happen if causes aren't planted.
What are the causes of owning a carriage
And riding on palanquins? People like that
Were builders and menders of bridges and roads.
Why are some people wearers of satin?
That is because in times in the past,
Robes they save as gifts to the Sangha.
Sometimes people have plentiful goods,
The reason, in fact, again is quite fair.
In the past those people gave food to the poor.
Others don't have food or drink,

Who can guess the reason why?
Before those people were plagued with a fault:
Stingy greed made them squeeze every penny.
The well-to-do among us dwell
In very tall mansions and vast estates.
The reason is they gladly gave rice,
Lavishing gifts of grain on monasteries.
Enjoying blessings and justly prosperous,
Are People who reap a fitting reward.
In times now past they helped build temples
And saw that the Sangha had huts and shelters.

Some people's features are fine and perfect,
Surely the reason for such rewards
Is that beautiful flowers they offered to Buddhas.
Why are some people gifted and wise?
In former lives they ate pure food
And remembered the Buddhas with mindful regard.
Look at men whose wives are loyal,
Their reward comes now for what happened before:
Their conditions are strong in the Buddha's door.
Some have marriages lasting and meaningful.
Their happiness doesn't happen by chance.
The cause this time is the hanging of canopies
And streamers before the Buddhas' statues.
Some happy fellows' fathers and mothers

Enjoy long lifespans, contentment, and ease.
Where is the source for rewards such as these?
They protected orphans in times now past
And regarded all elderly ones as their own.
Orphans must live without fathers and mothers
Since before they shot down birds for sport.
How does one set lots of children and grandchildren?
By letting birds fly from their cages to freedom.
In raising children, some really fail badly.
It's because before they drowned female infants.
When barren, people won't bear any children.
That's their due for committing promiscuous deeds.
Some have long lifespans, why are they lucky?

Liberating creatures, they ransomed lives.
Have you seen how many suffer short lifespans?
Their wanton slaughter of beings is why.
Lonely are men whom no women will marry.
They're paying their debt for committing adultery.

Widows bear a sad retribution.
They held their past lives' husbands in scorn.
Servants and slaves made that bondage themselves
By neglecting repayment of goodnesses done them.
Bright are the eyes of some fortunate beings.

Before Buddhus they offered lamps filled with oil.
The blind of this world bear a heavy burden
For past failure to tell the way clearly to travellers.

Some people's mouths are very misshapen.
They blew out lamps on the Buddhast altars.
To be deaf and mute is a dreary existence.
Reward appropriate for scolding one's parents.
How do people get to be hunchbacks?
They berated and laughed at those bowing to Buddhas.
Take heed of malformed hands, my friend.
They betray people prone to evil.
Fellows with crippled and useless feet
Ambushed and robbed with reckless abandon.
Most cows and horses were humans before--
People who didn't settle their debts.
Many former people are now pigs or dogs
Because they injured and cheated others.

Illness and pain: an effect inevitable
For bestowing meat and wine on the Buddhas.
Freedom from illness: a fine reward
For relieving the sick by bestowing medicines.
The fate of imprisonment catches some people
Due to fiendish deeds and a failure to yield.
Death by starvation: due retribution

For stopping up holes of rats and snakes.
Appropriate that a victim of poisoning
Caused aquatic poisoning; dammed up waters.
Abandoned, forlorn, rejected beings
Were cruel of old, abusing others.
The stature of some
is extremely short.
Before, they read Sutras spread out on the floor.
Vomiting blood? Believe it's from first
Eating meat, then reciting the Sutras.
Anotherdeed that determines deafness:
To not listen well to Sutra recitals.
Sores and scabies bother some people
Who gave stinking fish and flesh to the Buddhas.

People who reek with a terrible stench
Sold inferior scents and phony goods.
Why do some by their own hand hang themselves?
Before, they used nooses to capture their prey.
All those widowed, alone, unwed, or orphaned,

Are now paid Justly for former jealousy.
Those struck by lightning, consumed by fire,
Rigged their scales to better their business income.
Fierce tigers and snakes that feast on people
Are enemies bearing resentments from lives before.
In our myriad deeds, whatever we do,
We reap our own rewards, it's true.
Who can we blame for our woe in the hells?
Who can there be to blame but ourselves?
Don't say that cause and effect is unseen.
Look at you, your offspring, heirs, and grand children.
If you doubt the good of pure eating and giving,
Look around and find those enjoying fortune.
Having practiced of old, they now harvest abundance.
To cultivate now will bring blessings anew.
Those who slander the cause and effect in this Sutra
Will fall and have no chance to be human.
Those who recite and uphold this Sutra

Are supported by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Write out this Sutra, study it hard
And in the future your families will flourish.
Uphold this Sutra atop your heads
To avert disasters and fatal accidents.
To lecture this Sutra on Cause and Effect
Is to sharpen your wits in successive rebirths.

Chanting this Sutra on Cause and Effect
Will make one revered, well-regarded by all.
Print and distribute this precious Sutra
And reap rebirth as a ruler or king.
To verify former cause and effect,
Regard Mahakashyapa's golden body.
A case of future cause and effect:
Bhikshu Good Star slandered the Dharma
And lost his chance for human life.
If cause and effect contained no truth,
Why did Maudgalyayana seek to rescue his mother
From the hells to save her from suffering?
Those who trust the words of this Sutra us true,

Will all be reborn in the Western Land of Bliss.
To speak of present cause and effect
To proclaim future and past as well,
Is a deed that could never be done to its end.
Join at the door of the Triple Gem.
With blessings and wholesome belief one can enter
The door, supported by gods and dragons,

Dragons and gods who won't let you down.
For every part of giving you practice,
You'll reap ten thousand parts reward.
Such blessings are stored in a solid treasury,
For enjoyment in future rebirths without end.
If you care to know of past live's causes,
Look at rewards you are reaping today

If you wish to find out about future lives,
You need but notice what you're doing right now.


This verses on Cause and Effect posted above are interesting. What are your thoughts?

- wong chee tat :)