Suspension lifted for Edge restaurant at Pan Pacific Hotel after gastroenteritis cases

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After a month of being suspended due to reports of gastroenteritis, the Pan Pacific Hotel’s Edge restaurant was reinstated on Thursday ( Jun 27 ).

The suspension, which started on May 24, was lifted after the restaurant complied with food safety requirements, said the Singapore Food Agency ( SFA ) and Ministry of Health ( MOH).

According to updated figures released on Thursday, authorities reported receiving reports of hepatitis involving 39 individuals who had consumed meals prepared by the cafe between May 1 and May 23.

In the joint press release released on Thursday, MOH and SFA stated that one man was also in the hospital and has since been discharged.

It was previously reported that 16 customers at the restaurant suffered a health issue between May 2 and May 18.

MEASURES Applied

During the expulsion period, the cafe disposed of all set- to- have food, thawed food and fragile food items, said MOH and SFA.

It even cleaned and sanitised the facilities, including equipment and utensils, and cleaned food preparation surfaces, furniture and flooring.

Food managers re-apply for and pass the Level 1 Food Safety Course, and meals health officials re-apply for and pass the Level 1 WSQ Conduct Food &amp, Beverage Hygiene Audit program.

SFA may continue to “place Edge cafe under close monitoring to ensure that they adhere to food safety specifications.”

The expert said it” will never hesitate to take police action” if it is determined that meal operators are in violation of economic public health regulations. It is also taking the findings from investigations into the epidemic of gastroenteritis into account.

Those convicted of that may face a fine not exceeding S$ 2, 000 ( US$ 1, 474 ). For a continuing offence, an additional fine of up to S$ 100 per day may apply after conviction.

Food safety is a shared responsibility, and SFA would like to remind food producers to always adhere to good food and personal hygiene standards.

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Labour ministry says anti-trafficking capacity improving

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Thailand’s position unchanged on US monthly statement but agencies stepping up sufferer protection

PUBLISHED: 27 Jun 2024 at 18: 16

Labour ministry says anti-trafficking capacity improving
Workers in Samut Sakhon state prepare to remove their get at a port. One of the many issues the Ministry of Labour has been addressing is the safety of fish staff. ( Photo: Reuters )

The Ministry of Labour has made significant progress in improving its capacity to prevent prostitution of persons for workers but more can be done, says Pairoj Chotikasathien, the agency’s continuous minister.

He was commenting on the launch of the 2024 Trafficking in People Report&nbsp, by the US state, on which Thailand remains on Level 2 for the second consecutive year.

Since being removed from the Tier 2 watch list three years ago, the Thai government has made significant efforts to improve its performance, according to the report, but it has n’t yet fully met the minimum requirements for eradicating trafficking.

Mr. Pairoj said the United States had advised Thai organizations to enhance their efforts to locate and protect victims of labor oppression when they return to the country.

According to the Ministry of Labour, the National Referral Mechanism ( NRM ) should be in place and victim identification centers that are focused on victims ‘ psychological trauma. Authorities on the front lines may be trained to adhere to the same rules as victims.

In the fish market, laws governing labor protection should also be put in place. According to the report, sea-based transfers may be prohibited, and options for digital payments should be made available to employees.

One of the three major organizations, according to Mr. Pairoj, is Thailand’s Ministry of Labour, which is charged with preventing and combating people prostitution.

According to him, the government has made significant progress in recent years in strengthening the capacity of the Secretariat of the Command Center of Prevention on Labour Prostitution to streamline operations and advance protection laws.

Standard operating procedures were even put in place to improve the ability of law enforcement in prostitution cases.

He explained that the government has increased the number of labor inspectors to focus on at-risk groups like migrant workers, baby labor, and those employed in the fishery industry, adding that this was done to ensure that workers receive legal protection that is compliant with global standards.

He claimed that the ministry is collaborating with other organizations to strengthen the Port-In-Port-Out ( PIPO ) Control Centers in 22 coastal provinces. Additionally, it has inspired private companies to work with US organizations in the protection sector and uphold good labor practices.

” I’d like to applaud representatives from all sectors for their work and commitment in tackling all forms of human trafficking,” he said.

According to Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who has given instructions to all important organizations to work harder to stop people smuggling in the nation,

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Singapore’s Ivan Heng and Pooja Nansi conferred knighthood for promoting French arts and culture

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Heng, a former performer, was commended by the Embassy of France for playing a “key function” in promoting French opera in Singapore. La Cafe aux Folles ( 2017 ) and Tartuffe ( 2022 ) are two well-known productions.

In a job spanning over three years, he has staged several productions in Singapore and has even brought some of them&nbsp, – including the works Hotel and&nbsp, Emily Of Emerald Hill&nbsp, – elsewhere.

Heng was named a victim of an honorary degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, which is regarded as one of the world’s top performing art institutions in March. And again in 2013, he was awarded&nbsp, the Cultural Medallion which is&nbsp, Singapore’s highest social glory.

Nansi was the Singapore Writers Festival‘s previous producer. During her four- year career, she was “instrumental” in the success of the Focus France sector, which featured around 20 European and Francophone artists from 2019 to 2022, &nbsp, said the Embassy of France.

Her devotion to French poetry has considerably strengthened Singapore’s and France’s cultural ties.

Nansi won the 2016 Young Artist Award. The Ministry for Culture, Community, and Youth presented the award, which is Singapore’s highest honor for young artists under the age of 35, and is administered by the National Arts Council. &nbsp,

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Bhutan premier backs sustainable tourism push

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The Himalayan nation supports sustainable development by imposing high everyday taxes on visitors.

PUBLISHED: 27 Jun 2024 at 18: 05

Bhutan premier backs sustainable tourism push
Tshering Tobgay, the prime minister of Bhutan, delivers a unique presentation on Thursday in Chulalongkorn University’s conference room. ( Photo: Apichart Jinakul )

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said on Thursday that the two countries may work together to advance green hospitality.

He made the remarks at a” Intelligent Management” event held by Chulalongkorn University’s Institute of Asian Studies, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Royal Bhutanese Embassy.

Mr. Tobgay was questioned how Thailand could learn from Bhutan, which is renowned for its unspoiled surroundings and exceptional principles for ensuring sustainable tourism.

He claimed that the two nations could work together to share their knowledge and success stories despite the various circumstances, including Bhutan’s people of 700, 000 people versus the 67 million in Thailand, for instance.

In contrast to Bhutan, a rocky nation, Thailand’s physical landscape is more varied.

According to the Bhutanese Tourism Department, 70 % of its area is covered by jungle with more than a second under biological protection.

Tourists, defined as “responsible journey to healthy areas and ecosystems, which conserves the environment, respects the culture and traditions of its people”, has been adopted by the Bhutanese government for the development of sustainable tourism.

Its strict hospitality tax policy, called the sustainable development fee ( SDF), also helps improve the country’s “high benefit, low level” tourism principle and ensures exclusivity for high- quality visitors, Mr Tobgay said.

Visitors to the Kingdom of Bhutan are required to pay the SDF, which is currently$ 100 per day for adults and$ 50 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. The charge, which is paid straight to the government, is distributed to numerous projects for their long-term, sustainable development in order to support the local people’s well-being and livelihood as well as boosting the economy.

That includes providing free care, education, and improvements to the tourism industry’s amenities and services.

According to Mr. Tobgay, the price is also a significant source of income for the country’s carbon-neutral status and forest preservation.

Although Thailand and Bhutan are distinct, he continued,” It is important that we exchange information and collaborate to advance issues of green tourism.”

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Bhutan premier sees potential for sustainable tourism push

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The Himalayan country supports sustainable development by imposing high everyday taxes on guests.

PUBLISHED: 27 Jun 2024 at 18: 05

Bhutan premier sees potential for sustainable tourism push
Tshering Tobgay, the prime minister of Bhutan, delivers a specific presentation on Thursday in Chulalongkorn University’s conference room. ( Photo: Apichart Jinakul )

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said on Thursday that the two countries may work together to advance green hospitality.

He made the remarks at a” Enlightened Management” event held by Chulalongkorn University’s Institute of Asian Studies, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Royal Bhutanese Embassy.

Mr. Tobgay was questioned how Thailand could learn from Bhutan, which is renowned for its unspoiled surroundings and excellent principles for ensuring sustainable tourism.

He claimed that the two nations could work together to share their knowledge and success stories despite the fact that Bhutan has a population of 700, 000 individuals compared to 67 million in Thailand, for instance.

In contrast to Bhutan, a rocky nation, Thailand’s geographical landscape is more varied.

According to the Bhutanese Tourism Department, 70 % of its area is covered by jungle with more than a second under biological protection.

Tourists, defined as “responsible journey to healthy areas and ecosystems, which conserves the environment, respects the culture and traditions of its people”, has been adopted by the Bhutanese government for the development of sustainable tourism.

Its strict hospitality tax policy, called the sustainable development fee ( SDF), also helps improve the country’s “high benefit, low level” tourism principle and ensures exclusivity for high- quality visitors, Mr Tobgay said.

Visitors to the Kingdom of Bhutan are required to pay the SDF, which is currently$ 100 per day for adults and$ 50 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. The payment, which is paid straight to the state, is used to fund various projects in order to promote local people’s well-being and livelihood as well as boosting the economy.

That includes providing free care, education, and improvements to the tourism industry’s amenities and services.

According to Mr. Tobgay, the price is also a significant source of income for the country’s carbon-neutral status and forest preservation.

Although Thailand and Bhutan are distinct, he continued,” It is important that we exchange information and collaborate to advance problems of green tourism.”

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China’s Communist Party expels former defence ministers Li Shangfu, Wei Fenghe for corruption

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Wei, Li’s father, had disappeared from public perceive since he was replaced next March during a planned Cabinet change. From 2015 to 2017, he was in charge of the corporate Army Rocket Force.

President Xi Jinping, even the military’s commander- in- chief, appointed a fresh head and social commissar of the Rocket Force past July, in a big shake- up of the unit that oversees China’s conventional and nuclear missiles.

Wei’s direct reappearance in May of this year, in which his name appeared on a top official’s funeral wreath, suggested the veteran was socially safe, according to the South China Morning Post last month. &nbsp,

His gift, obvious alongside those from other previous state ministers, hinted that he may have escaped the cleanse. &nbsp,

However, according to Xinhua, a&nbsp analysis launched into Wei in September found that he had accepted” a lot of money and belongings” in money and “helped others get poor advantages in personnel arrangements.”

Xinhua added that his steps were “extremely serious in nature, with a very harmful effects and great harm.”

Li and Wei were even found to have another unknown violations, the reports said without elaborating.

The seven-member Politburo, the Communist Party’s peak of strength, approved the decisions to remove both of their group membership on Thursday. Additionally, the Politburo gave both of their circumstances to military prosecutor.

According to CCTV, Li had “betrayed his original vision and lost his party nature and guidelines.”

He” really polluted the social environment and professional ethos in the field of martial equipment,” according to CCTV, and” seriously damaged the party’s cause, national defense, and the construction of the military forces.”

The party’s Next Plenum, which will take place on July 15 and 18, will confirm the decision, which will also include publicly announcing removals from the Central Committee. Past US ambassador Qin Gang is still a part of the Central Committee.

Qin was removed from his post after only seven months, &nbsp, amid speculation he had an adulterous affair that likely compromised national protection, &nbsp, making him the shortest- serving overseas secretary in the country’s modern history. &nbsp,

Xi last week said the PLA faces “deep- seated” political problems and vowed there must be” no hiding place” for corrupt officers.

Li was also stripped of his membership of the national legislative body, Xinhua added, after being removed from the Central Military Commission, China’s top military body, earlier this year. Additionally, Wei was removed from the legislative body.

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Indonesia commission opens probe into alleged death of schoolboy, 13, as case shines spotlight on cop brutality

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In response to growing calls for justice, the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights has opened an investigation into the alleged shooting of a 13-year-old child in the hands of the police earlier this month.

The event has also highlighted an increase in abuse cases by law enforcement in Indonesia over the past three years.

Mr Hari Kurniawan, an established at the fee, on Tuesday ( Jun 25 ) told local media that they are investigating the death of Afif Maulana- a boy in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province- reportedly in the hands of the police.

” Afif’s dying was strange, and we suspect immoral activities by the police”, he was quoted as saying by The Jakarta Post. &nbsp,

Since then, payment investigators have been dispatched to the province to collect evidence, but it’s not yet clear when they will make their findings. &nbsp,

Inspector General Suharyono, West Sumatra police chief, who goes by the name of some Indonesians, denied that his soldiers had a role in Afif’s death while defending the police power.

However, he added that the unit is presently looking into 45 officers and that there may have been “procedural errors” in how to handle the adolescent brawl. &nbsp,

” If found guilty, we will get strong action and inform the public about the punishment”, said Mr Suharyono.

Mr. Suharyono previously warned that his group was searching for the individual responsible for the media coverage of the abuse allegations. He further explained that the police force believed they had been a target of a press trial. &nbsp,

Mr. Suharyono said quite allegations had harmed the police force because there was no evidence to support their claims. &nbsp,

A senior national at Indonesia’s Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection said the case may be made known in response to CNA’s inquiries. &nbsp,

” This case may be made known to the public so that it becomes apparent, and if it involves kids who are breaking the law, make sure the rights of children are upheld,” said Mr. Nahar, Deputy Minister for Child Protection at the government.

All HAPPENED&nbsp,

People of Padang, West Sumatra state, discovered Afif’s bruised body on June 9 under a bridge.

According to an article published by the Padang Legal Aid Institute, which assists in providing legal help for cruelty crimes that took place in West Sumatra, Afif died after being tortured by the authorities, who stopped him and his friends on fear of attempting to instigate brawls, according to Indonesian media outlet Kompas. &nbsp,

Afif and his companion, who was identified as” A,” were approached by officers on guard when they were riding a bicycle across the Batang Kuranji Bridge, according to Ms. Indira Suryani, director of the institute. &nbsp,

” When the police approached, ( one of the officers ) kicked the victim’s vehicle. According to Ms. Indira,” Afif was thrown to the side of the road.” &nbsp,

Based on A’s speech, he was separated from Afif, who was then surrounded by some officers wielding bamboo wheelchairs. He was conscious of his brother’s state until Afif’s body was discovered under the gate.

It is very likely that Afif Maulana was mistreated before he died, according to Ms. Indira, based on that information and the scars all over the system. &nbsp,

Seven different people, including five youngsters, had related encounters with the police that day, according to independent investigations conducted by the Padang Legal Aid Institute. &nbsp,

There were also accounts of physical abuse, with victims reportedly being forced to love police officers. The wounds sustained by Afif and other victims reportedly resulted from bamboo beatings, blows, electric shocks, and cigar burns. &nbsp,

” This mistreatment was aimed at forcing confessions about the ( suspected ) brawl”, said Ms Indira. &nbsp,

Police have since refuted the allegations, and said a team was put together to stop and manage numerous brawls that take place every Sunday night.

Deddy Adriansyah Putra, the mind of the Padang Police Criminal Investigation Unit, claimed that the soldiers left after they saw them and that many of them left their weapons. &nbsp,

” Various weapons, such as celurit ( sickle ), were secured by officers at the scene, and 18 individuals were detained …”, he said.

The police even obtained data from Afif’s companion, who was with him during the event. &nbsp,

” We learned that when officers approached, the target asked his friend to bounce ( into the river ). However, his friend chose to sacrifice instead”, said Mr Deddy. &nbsp,

Since Afif’s dying, Ms. Anggun Anggriani has alleged that police have not contacted the home for information. &nbsp,

The Padang Legal Aid Institute, along with kids, have since held a show demanding justice for the schoolboy’s dying in front of the West Sumatra Police Station, with members dressed in black. &nbsp,

INCREASE IN TORTURE CASES INVOLVING LAW ENFORCEMENT&nbsp,

Over the past three decades, Indonesian law enforcement agencies have been reporting an increase in abuse situations. Amnesty International Indonesia has learned more about this. From 2021 to 2022, there were at least 15 situations involving 25 patients.

The amount then rose to 16 cases with 26 patients between 2022 and 2023, before surging to 30 situations with 49 patients in the past year. &nbsp,

According to information from Amnesty International Indonesia, the police force made up 75 % of the perpetrators, followed by military personnel ( 19 % ), a combination of military and police personnel ( 5 % ), and prison officers ( 1 % ).

Earlier this year, a presumed criminal was returned useless to his relatives by police officers in Ketapang, West Kalimantan. Following this affair, five soldiers were removed from their posts, and legal proceedings are ongoing.

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Former head of space tech agency accused of graft

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Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, an anti-corruption organization, claimed costs for personal use of a federal vehicles.

PUBLISHED: 27 Jun 2024 at 16: 54

Former head of space tech agency accused of graft
Former director-general of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency ( Gistda ), Anont Sanitwong na Ayutthaya, is accused of claiming a sizable sum of money for personal travel while driving for an agency. ( Photo: Gistda )

Officials said on Thursday that the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) is looking into a former director-general of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency ( Gistda ) in connection with personal use of an official vehicle.

NACC secretary-general Niwatchai Kasemmongkol discovered that Anont Sanitwong na Ayutthaya claimed personal travel costs of more than 250, 000 ringgit despite using an agency vehicles as his official car as he led Gistda between 2013 and 2015.

Mr. Anont requested a request to use an agency vehicle for his specific use when he took office in 2013, according to Mr. Niwatchai, the then-director of the core administrative section at Gistda.

Ms Niramon approved the demand, and even reimbursed gas prices, toll charges and other traveling expenses throughout Mr Anont’s moment as chairman. Between December 2013 and November 2015, the payouts totalled 254, 685 ringgit, according to the NACC.

The requests were approved despite the fact that under Mr Anont’s work deal, he was privy to benefits equivalent 37, 500 ringgit on top of his monthly income of 150, 000 ringgit, to go towards covering his traveling expenses.

As per the regulations governing the use of state vehicles, Mr. Anont was not permitted to use any Gistda-owned car as his standard vehicle.

According to Mr. Niwatchai, Mr. Anont’s actions constituted a violation of the Organic Anti-Corruption Act ( 2018 ) and the Act on Offences Committed by Officials of State Organizations or Agencies ( 1959 ).

The NACC did request that Mr. Anont be sued by the Office of Attorney-General and that Gistda be notified to demand payment from Mr. Anont, he said.

In terms of Ms. Niramon, Mr. Niwatchai said that while the NACC stated that her behavior did not constitute a criminal act, she may face disciplinary actions.

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Driver jailed over fatal accident involving 15-year-old jaywalker

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A driver in Singapore hit and killed a 15-year-old boy when he failed to keep a watch out for the pedestrian who was jaywalking across the road and jailed him for two months on Thursday ( Jun 27 ). &nbsp,

Tan Joo Sing, 57, was even disqualified from driving for eight times. &nbsp,

Tan previously admitted guilt on one count of operating a vehicle while using the path without due consideration for other people. &nbsp,

Tan was driving to collect his daughter from work when the&nbsp, injury occurred on Oct 27, 2020. &nbsp,

When he failed to notice the sufferer first step onto the three-lane street, he was driving along Queensway in the direction of Jalan Bukit Merah around 10:30 p.m. that morning. &nbsp,

Even though the traffic light sign was efficient in Tan’s favor and dark for walkers, the girl started crossing the signalized pedestrian cross. &nbsp,

When Tan’s vehicles struck him, he walked for about four hours. The girl was then thrown onto the highway and left unconscious. &nbsp,

According to court records, the speed limit for automobiles traveling between Jalan Bukit Merah and Portsdown Avenue was 60 km/h. &nbsp,

Tan’s speed was thought to be between 64 and 79 kmh, but he only applied his pedals for 0.5 % of the time before the incident. &nbsp,

The girl passed away the following morning at the National University Hospital. &nbsp,

He died from head injuries after various skull fractures. &nbsp,

Yeow Xuan, a deputy public attorney, requested two to four months in prison in addition to an eight-year driving ban. &nbsp,

Ms. Yeow claimed that the prosecution had considered the victim’s trespassing behavior. &nbsp,

Nevertheless, she made reference to the coroner’s remarks at the coroner’s investigation’ conclusion, which stated that even when traffic light signals are favorable, drivers should keep an eye out for pedestrians and other road users. &nbsp,

The accused had actually noticed the victim when he entered his leading lane, but he had already failed to spot the sufferer before that, according to Ms. Yeow, never entirely severe. &nbsp,

She added that the defendant’s conduct, in turn, was a factor in the sentence’s sentencing and that it so reduced Tan’s carelessness.

According to an earlier report by TODAY, Tan’s lawyer Thangavelu of Trident Law Corporation had sought the maximum fine of S$ 10, 000&nbsp, ( US$ 7, 366 ).

Mr. Thangavelu claimed that the collision occurred shortly after Tan had turned his head away to watch for oncoming cars. Since therefore, Tan has been&nbsp, “extremely traumatised” and has had to live with the guilt, anxiety and stress over the affair, the prosecutor said. &nbsp,

For driving without due care or reasonable consideration, Tan could have been jailed up to three years, or fined up to S$ 10, 000 ( US$ 7, 368 ), or both. Additionally, the offense results in a minimum eight-year driving restrictions. &nbsp,

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