North Korea’s Kim orders ‘fundamental transformation’ of agriculture amid reports of food shortages

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged government officials to engineer a “fundamental transformation” in agricultural production, state media reported on Tuesday (Feb 28), amid fears that the country’s food shortage is worsening. Kim said hitting grain production targets this year was a top priority and emphasized the importanceContinue Reading

Disputing neighbours in certain cases to face mandatory mediation with penalties for no-shows: Edwin Tong

Mr Tong acknowledged that by making mediation mandatory, the overall settlement rate of the Community Mediation Centre may come down from its current rate of 80 per cent since not everyone will want to go through mandatory mediation. “Nonetheless, it is important to provide parties with that platform to seekContinue Reading

About 4,400 BTO flats launched for sale, including prime location units in Kallang Whampoa and Queenstown

FRESH START HOUSING SCHEME Families under the Fresh Start Housing Scheme will have the additional option to buy three-room flats on a shorter lease starting from this sales exercise. The scheme, for second-timer families with young children who are currently living in public rental flats, previously offered the sole option of buying two-roomContinue Reading

About 4,400 BTO flats launched for sale, including prime location units in Dover Forest and Farrer Park

FRESH START HOUSING SCHEME Families under the Fresh Start Housing Scheme will have the additional option to buy three-room flats on a shorter lease starting from this sales exercise. The scheme, for second-timer families with young children who are currently living in public rental flats, previously offered the sole option of buying two-roomContinue Reading

Hong Kong to scrap COVID-19 mask mandate from Mar 1

In mainland China residents are not required to wear masks outdoors, although authorities encourage them to do so in public indoor areas such as airports and train stations. Hong Kong’s move to scrap masks comes after its government this month launched a promotional campaign called “Hello Hong Kong” to bringContinue Reading

Income, spending in China grew far slower in 2022

BEIJING: Income per capita in China grew by just 2.9 per cent in real terms over 2022, after increasing by 8.1 per cent a year earlier, returning to a growth rate similar to that of 2020 when China was battling COVID-19 and introducing sweeping lockdowns and other restrictions. Per capitaContinue Reading