Selangor fire: Despondency, fear and relief permeate Putra Heights day after huge blast

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Zainab Manap was at her house in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, Puchong, on the next day of Hari Raya when a massive explosion shattered the colorful atmosphere. &nbsp,

She immediately assumed that the audible noise was a result of a plane accident. Little did she realize that the dreadful noise was the gas pipeline explosion, an ominous event that would immediately garner national attention. &nbsp,

Zainab and her family, which includes her three children, managed to flee in a vehicle driven by one of her brothers.

” I don’t know how my house is in good shape, but I may only wish it is.” It was supposed to be a time of celebration, but instead, she told CNA.

She is still unable to return to her household as of the time of writing because the authorities consider it illegal to do so.

A palpable mixture of sadness, comfort, and anger hung in the air as residents rested in the tents set up for them at the Putra Heights shrine, a temporary shelter for victims of the event.

This is not Zainab’s second day going through hardship. She claimed that her home was heavily flooded in December 2021, and that it was later rebuilt.

” I believe this is a more difficult exam than the storms, but one that we must recognize from God,” he said. I have reason to be thankful because some people were killed by the embers,” she continued.

Zainab and another Putra Heights residents who have been affected by the massive fire in Selangor are anxious to return home, unsure of what has left or how much of the hard reconstruction work is still to be done.

The authorities had earlier reported earlier that 399 vehicles were damaged by the hearth, while 235 full were affected by the fire. &nbsp,

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‘No end in sight’: What happens when labour drags on and the baby’s delivery is prolonged

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Other risks that mothers face contain postpartum haemorrhage due to breast atony, a condition that occurs when the womb fails to deal properly after delivery and can lead to increased bleeding, she said. In rare cases, parents may experience a break in the uterus, known as ovarian rupture.

Continuous labour may cause baby distress due to reduced air supply during long cramps, said Dr Lin.

Another problem called make dystocia may also arise when the baby’s head is delivered, but one or both shoulders get stuck behind the family’s genital bone, impeding the delivery of the rest of the body, added Dr Thain. &nbsp,

Continuous time in the birth canal may deprive the child of air, while setting may increase the risk of nerve injuries or fractures, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Shoulder dystocia can also result in more severe vaginal tears.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF PROLONGED LABOUR

Prolonged labour can leave a deep emotional impact on some women. Dr Lin said that longer and more difficult labour leads to greater physical and emotional strain, making women more likely to feel overwhelmed and experience more pain.

” It can lead to feelings of disappointment or trauma, particularly for first-time mothers. This experience may even influence their attitudes or plans for future pregnancies”, he said.

For instance, women who go through prolonged labour may opt for a planned caesarean delivery in subsequent pregnancies while others develop a fear of childbirth or increased anxiety during subsequent pregnancies, Dr Lin added.

For 32-year-old Sarah, who requested not to state her full name, the emotional toll of prolonged labour is something she still remembers vividly three years on. She spent nine hours being” stuck” at 5cm dilation. A call was made for her to undergo a caesarean section.

What overwhelmed Sarah the most was the moment she had to sign the consent form for a caesarean section, deviating from her original plan of a vaginal birth.

Seeing her disappointment and sadness over the turn of events, her doctor Assoc Prof Su offered words of encouragement and support. ” She reminded me that what was most important was that my baby is delivered safely”, Sarah told CNA Women. &nbsp,

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IN FOCUS: Silver, debut, ice and snow – can these ‘economies’ boost China’s domestic consumption?

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DEBUT ECONOMY: NEW PRODUCTS, STORE LAUNCHES

New services, goods launches, the beginning of lineup stores- Foreign shoppers ‘ appetite for new things and trends powers what policymakers call the album business design. &nbsp,

” Its success can be tracked through the number of premier business openings, solution launches, business exhibitions and location innovations like the fall of Hangzhou’s ‘ Six Little Dragons'”, said Prof Wang, referring to a coalition of technical start-ups, including Deepseek whose AI robot roiled Silicon Valley companies earlier this year, that transformed the historic city into a creative innovation hub. &nbsp,

In December, a fresh business square opened to many suffer in Guangzhou as part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ( GBA )- featuring more than 80 stores- premier, concept- spanning across luxury retail, excellent dining, and experienced offerings. &nbsp,

The Canton Tower Plaza achieved an occupancy rate of over 95 per cent by the end of last year, Project Manager Jiang Nan told local media earlier in March. &nbsp,

The plaza also drew 310, 000 visitors on opening day and over 800, 000 in the first three days, generating more than 12 million yuan in sales. Daily foot traffic typically ranges from 40, 000 to 60, 000 visitors, rising to 80, 000 to 100, 000 during holidays, and peaking at nearly 280, 000 on occasions like New Year’s Eve.

” In the consumer sector, it is actually supply that determines demand”, Wang said. &nbsp,” The debut economy ( model ) requires further enhancement of the supply-side innovation ecosystem, particularly in terms of financial support, venture capital, and patient capital” .&nbsp,

Shenzhen Tonghe Indoor Ecological Technology, an environmental and social-focused startup, is preparing to open its first physical office space in Shenzhen within the next two years. &nbsp, combining research and experiential functions to refine its smart ecosystem.

General manager Li Hechen says the company sees the debut economy model as a key catalyst driving China’s evolving retail landscape. ” It meets diverse consumer demands, unlocks new spending potential and ( has become ) a new driver of consumption growth”, Li told CNA. &nbsp,

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‘Stay strong, my loved ones’: Anguish in Myanmar as hopes fade for quake victims

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” I have not been able to eat after this happened, I don’t eat at all”, she told CNA, her voice organic with pain. &nbsp,

” But the sight of this resort reminds me that I have to take. I tried to eat. I told them ( my family ): ‘ Mama is coming to you. I am doing everything in my strength. Stay powerful, my loved ones.’ I am hanging onto this belief” .&nbsp,

MINUTE OF SILENCE

Myanmar on Tuesday ( Apr 1 ) held a minute’s silence for those who lost their lives in the country’s worst earthquake in more than a century.

Lights blared across the country at 12.51pm native time, marking the exact time of the earthquake that struck next Friday. &nbsp,

The military has declared a year of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast on standard houses until Sunday.

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‘As long as there’s a minute chance of survival’: SCDF team in Myanmar presses on with quake rescue

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CHALLENGES

As they race against time, firefighters in Myanmar are even operating under tough circumstances.

One of the problems the group faced was the warm weather. ” It is 41 degrees ( Celsius ), so we had to institute a certain work-rest cycle in order to keep ourselves going for the prolonged ops and we also need to hydrate ourselves very frequently”, said Col Tay.

The force was also one of the first groups on the ground and was requested to begin work quickly, so it had little time to set up and create connection with its foundation camp, he said.

However, the confidence of the soldiers are “extremely high”, said Col Tay. The security of the staff was also taken care of as it was finally able to set up its basic camp near a guesthouse, enabling the team to use services such as the function room and car park.

” In general, the feeling is very focused on our mission at hand”.

In response to a CNA comment on how this procedure differs from previous versions, Col Tay noted that the group was escorted by the local fire services wherever it went.

” That works for us because… they may have a good understanding of the position on the ground and they will take us to focused places where they think there are life to be saved”.

For the contingent’s 48 Muslim officers, there were also efforts to keep morale high over Hari Raya Puasa- which fell on Monday.

” It was an extremely busy&nbsp, day and ( rescue operations ) took us all the way until nightfall before we returned back to base”, said Col Tay.

The team, however, was able to conclude their day with a few Hari Raya messages for Muslim teammates, which gave them a “boost”, he added. &nbsp,

SAVING A LIFE

Sharing their experience on rescuing a man from under a collapsed building on Sunday after an eight-hour operation, Col Tay said it happened at just the second site the team went to.

Before that, what they saw had worried them.

” The first site that we visited, there were residential buildings and what we observed was that the second floor came down to the first, and the first floor completely gave way”, he said.

” We were thinking, if all the buildings were like this, it would be a significant challenge for us to conduct any search and rescue ops”.

When they arrived at the second site, to their surprise, the man was able to respond despite him being in a “precarious position”. &nbsp,

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Increased demand for vehicle rentals, food catering as families seek convenience this Hari Raya

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SAVING TIME AND MONEY

Mr Jitesh Dhillon, producer and owner of vehicle rental company Singapore Bus Charter, said the number of rent has gone up about 30 per cent. His whole ship was completely booked over Hari Raya, and require remains great for vacation for the rest of April.

” This year, demand is quite high, ( compared ) to last year … all of them want to be together in one place, and they want to travel together. Thus, I think this would be a more viable solution for them”, he said.

Some automobile rental companies told CNA that they had to install their backup cars for the holiday. &nbsp,

Car rental company Ride Then said that their rentals have become more common amid rising Department prices.

” So often, we have the tickets two months in advance, but this year, we are seeing the orders come in earlier, like three to four months. They were already inquiring for Hari Raya ( months ahead )”, said the firm’s sales manager Travis Seah.

People told CNA that higher costs for gas, parking and servicing have driven them from vehicle ownership towards renting on an ad-hoc schedule.

Larger Cars are the most popular rented option during the Hari Raya vacation, followed by regular automobiles.

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Five key executives leave SingPost amid restructuring exercise

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SINGAPORE: Five key managers have left Singapore Post amid a reform exercise&nbsp, at the company.

CNA understands that the deviations include&nbsp, Mr Noel Singgih and Ms Sehr Ahmed, party chief knowledge officer and party chief people officer both.

Mr Audrey Teoh, Ms Michelle Lee and Mr Lee Eng Keat, who were chief information security officer, chief conservation officer and head of approach and connections respectively, have even left SingPost.

All five executives were no longer listed on SingPost’s website as of Tuesday ( Apr 1 ). &nbsp,

Mr Lee and Ms Teoh announced their absences on LinkedIn on Tuesday.

Ms Teoh said she was stepping aside for a “well-deserved split to refill and train” and that she was open to new possibilities in security and business endurance.

In his article, Mr Lee wrote that he had” concluded my book” with SingPost and is moving on to “explore new options”.

In response to CNA’s questions, a SingPost director said that the firm is “undertaking an operational restructure” that may take several months.

” Out of regard for staff privacy, we do not disclose certain details on specific personnel. Our focus remains on maintaining operating power and conservation while managing this approach with care for our people”, the spokesperson added.

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Celebrity food travels: Actor Zhang Zetong’s best places to eat in Penang and KL

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He’s visited all of its well-known holiday sites,” but in the ending, it’s the people who make me feel right at home. Penangites are only more comfortable and welcoming”, he said.

One inside pro suggestion:” If you want to experience Penang in a less popular manner, you can visit the island. There’s not much for travelers to perform, but there are plenty of smaller towns to fly around and have a look-see at how the visitors live”.

If you’re hankering after a bit of experience,” I remember going to the Snake Temple in Penang when I was a child and, man, I was just in wonder and in dread of the large number of lizards you see. I’m never sure if it’s still the same currently – I haven’t been there in long– but there were so many reptiles in a single room, it was crazy”.

He added:” I recently read that Andy Lau has sponsored a foundation in the church, and apparently this church brought success to his job and even increased his chances of having a baby – but kindly fact-check me on this”!

When it comes to good swallows, while, Penang doesn’t reign supreme – it’s tied in his heart with Malaysia’s capital city.

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GE2025: PSP’s Hazel Poa open to contesting single-seat ward to ‘walk my talk’

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Hazel Poa, a candidate for Progress Singapore Party ( PSP), declared on Monday ( Mar 31 ) that she would support a candidate for Single Member Constituency ( SMC) to “walk my talk.” &nbsp,

She claimed that during a walkabout in Jurong West, the Public Service Minister in charge of Chan Chun Sing had previously implied that she had benefited from the Group Representation Constituency ( GRC ) system because she “rode on the coattails” of PSP founder Dr. Tan Cheng Bock. &nbsp,

” I do think like I have to move my speak.” So I did inform the group that I wanted to run for an SMC, but it is still possible, Ms Poa said.

The group is also weighing whether she should relocate to an SMC or sit in West Coast-Jurong West GRC, she continued. &nbsp,

In order to end the GRC method in 2023, PSP made a movement. Ms. Poa claimed at the time that the GRC system” sets higher and higher barriers” for the opposition parties, preventing some candidates from riding on the bandwagon of more established or well-known candidates, and preventing voters from being held at compensation to voting for ministers.

Mr. Chan disagreed that ministers who are in GRCs support the current People’s Action Party ( PAP ), noting that Low Thia Khiang’s” star power” would have contributed to his team’s victory in the 2011 General Election in Aljunied GRC.

Few would dispute the star power of Dr. Tan Cheng Bock, which has made Mr. Leong Mun Wai and Ms. Hazel Poa the two NCMPs ( Non-Constituency Members of Parliament ) in our House today, he said during the debate in August 2023. &nbsp,

The GRC system was established in 1988 to ensure the picture of ethnic minorities in parliament. &nbsp,

The senator designates the GRCs by law, for which at least one of the MPs may be members of a minority racial group, such as the Malay or the Indian and other minority communities.

With 51.69 % of the vote in West Coast GRC, the PAP team led by then-transport secretary S Iswaran defeated their PSP foes in the COVID-19 General Election, making it the most competitive election of the year. &nbsp,

The party won two of the two existing NCMP votes now held by Mr. Leong and Ms. Poa thanks to the effectiveness by PSP, led by former PAP MP Dr. Tan.

After winning re-election as the group’s chief on March 26, Mr. Leong does lead PSP to the future General Election. Prior to joining the group, Ms. Poa held the position as evil chair.

Ms. Poa shared last week that she has some new duties as a foster family and is pleased with the new design at the news.

When asked on Monday how her new tasks and the management change may change PSP’s strategy, she responded,” I’m excited to be a foster parent, and I’m confident in Mun Wai’s abilities to handle the party – we also work together on geopolitical issues.

The largest criticism slate ever faced at the 2020 General Election, which included 24 individuals. Ms. Poa reiterated that PSP wants to become “more focused” in its work this time in response to a query about whether their future strategy may be comparable.

Additionally, Ms. Poa confirmed that the party is still in talks with another opposition events about avoiding three-cornered conflicts.

” I didn’t tell you when it’s going to happen that, in some ways, we ourselves need to finalize our own plans before we start negotiations,” she continued.

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