Incentives, expectations and reality: Will China’s new push to boost birth rates deliver results?

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Experts cautioned against policies in China’s circumstance, which might have faced the same problems as those in South Korea and Japan, where declining delivery and fecundity rates have not been reversible. &nbsp,

The Chinese government has already done what the Taiwanese government intends to do, according to Dr. Yi. ” China’s newly-introduced policies have been largely economic ( in ) trying to reduce the cost of childcare for families”.

” Japan’s strategy has proved costly and inefficient, only briefly boosting fertility costs”.

Dr Gietel-Basten cited South Korea’s continued fertility problems and warned against adopting a strictly “pronatalist” method, referring to laws designed with the purpose of increasing the delivery rate.

What has changed about Korea’s reproduction level? It just keeps going down and down and over”, he said, noting that, despite plan opportunities, the underlying problems often remain unanswered. &nbsp,

” I believe we must take fresh people’s issues into consideration and incorporate them into the decision-making process.”

WHAT OTHER CANINA Accomplish? &nbsp,

A number of family planning policies, including pregnancy plan, expanded care, and tax deductions for families, were unveiled by China’s State Council in an official statement on October 19.

Some local administrations have also used targeted opportunities to go further. If the wedding is younger than 35 and registers her second marriage in Luliang, Shanxi province, financial incentives of up to 1,500 Yuan may be given to newlyweds who register their first wedding.

With beautiful locations and setting off for the event in gorgeous parks, beaches, and historical landmarks, marriage registrations have also been simplified and yet glamorized, making it easier for couples to enjoy the occasion. &nbsp,

Despite these initiatives and guidelines, some Chinese ladies still have reservations about changing their lifestyle priorities. &nbsp,

Mr Ya Nan, a working and married 29-year-old from Hangzhou, has grown extremely frustrated with societal expectations. ” To me, wedding is basically relationship and it’s for passion. It might not have anything to do with having children”, she told CNA. &nbsp,

” If I want to own children, I did. If I do n’t, I wo n’t. I do n’t pay attention to policies, only to what I truly feel”, she said. ” Just because I now have the legal right to bear children does n’t mean that’s my purpose” .&nbsp,

Instead of rushing to adopt a child out of fear of being pressured by society,” Can’t I wait until I really want one before doing so?”

She even made the point that many people in her city were unable to overcome the system because of her work for a foreign corporation. ” Currently, maternity benefits are n’t even given directly to us ( mothers ), they go to the company”, Ms Ya said. &nbsp,

” In Zhejiang, we simply get one pay: either the pregnancy benefit or six times ‘ salary—whichever is higher, paid by the business”, she said. &nbsp,

” Compared to our acquaintances in Dalian and Shanghai, we end up receiving about 100, 000 yuan less”.

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Former actor Huang Yiliang fined and banned from driving after colliding with cyclist

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SINGAPORE: Former professional Ng Aik Leong, better known as Huang Yiliang, was up in court again on Friday ( Nov 15 )- this time over a customers motion.

Huang, a 63-year-old Singaporean, was sentenced to a fine of S$ 3, 000 ( US$ 2, 230 ) and a driving ban of five years for driving his van into a cyclist as he exited a slip road, fracturing the victim’s elbow.

He admitted guilt on one count of driving without giving another road consumers a due respect, as required by the Road Traffic Act.

On September 20, 2013, the judge learned that Huang was driving a truck along Cavenagh Road’s pass street onto Bukit Timah Road at around 8:20pm.

The target, a 27-year-old Singaporean, was riding on street 4 of a four-lane route along Bukit Timah Road, towards Serangoon Road.

The prosecutor was informed that Huang, who was traveling on driveway 1, of a two-lane pass road leading to Bukit Timah Road, did not appear to stop before the “give method” line.

The victim’s kept side collided with the front left side of his bike as he continued to drive out of the pass road.

After the crash, Huang looked after the biker.

The rider suffered bruising over his right hip, with swelling, and an scratching.

When he arrived at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, he was informed despite having a correct hip fracture. He was afterward given a seven-day hospitalization left afterward.

He was afterwards seen at an orthopedic doctor, where he was given 50 times ‘ hospitalisation left.

His vehicle sustained bruises on both edges, while Huang’s de suffered no harm.

For Huang, the deputy public prosecutor, requested a great of between S$ 3, 000 and S$ 4, 000 as well as a five-year driving ban.

He noted that Huang does not have previous beliefs for this infraction, and that the injury,” though severe, is not very significant”.

Mr. James Gomez, a Sidereal Messiah from Edmond Pereira Law, defended Huang. His prevention argument was “taken as read,” which means that it was not read out entirely in court.

The attorney said it was daytime and Huang could not see plainly, and that Huang had been “blinded” by signals.

CNA contacted Huang’s attorney for the prevention appeal and a speech, but was told that Huang declined both calls.

He paid the fine in total.

After being found guilty of assaulting a Bangladeshi employee in 2018, Huang was given a 10-month prison sentence in February 2021. He was also ordered to pay the target S$ 3, 300 as payment.

He had hired a lawyer to defend his case against the verdict and word, but his arguments were voided.

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St Joseph’s Church stabbing: Man who intervened was retired cop, headed Lee Kuan Yew’s police security team

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SINGAPORE: A member of the congregation who intervened during the St Joseph’s Church stabbing was a retired officer who headed the Singapore Police Force ( SPF ) team responsible for the security of Singapore’s founding prime minister&nbsp, Lee Kuan Yew.

In a LinkedIn article, SATS, the current boss of Mr Richard Tan Chai Boon, said that he&nbsp, was originally from the SPF Special Operations Command.

He is also well known for being a former officer in charge of the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s protection group, according to the blog.

Mr Tan is now the head of studies, training and safety at SATS Security Services.

According to inquiries from CNA, SPF confirmed that Mr. Tan was a police commander and that he retired on May 3, 2018. Mr. Tan opted not to speak with CNA.

On his Linkedin report, Mr Tan described himself as a “veteran legal inspector” who served 38 times in the SPF. &nbsp,

According to the Prime Minister’s Office ( PMO ) website, Mr Tan had received National Day Awards- the Efficiency Medal in 2006 and the Long Service Medal the following year.

If not for members of the church community who stepped up to assist, the startling knife attack on a Catholic priest in Singapore on November 9 could have had tragic effects, according to SATS’ Singapore Hub CEO Henry Low.

” On behalf of the SATS staff, I would like to congratulate Richard Tan… for his confidence, noble nature and professional inclination in mitigating a harmful situation. Richard has two years of experience with SATS. We are pleased that Richard and the rest of the Exams team share our values.

The Singapore Police Force’s ( SPF ) Public Spiritedness Award was presented to Mr. Tan and Mr. Damien Liew Khee Rui on Sunday, November 10.

” We saw our pastor being attacked. After that, Mr. Tan told writers,” We had to go and destroy this man.”

” I needed to do something to make sure that no one else gets hurt, &nbsp, or ( that ) &nbsp, nothing bad further happens”, added Mr Liew.

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First pre-trial conference held in Ong Beng Seng’s case, tycoon makes no indication of plea

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His solicitor, Mr Aaron Lee from Allen &amp, Gledhill, had sought agreement for him to leave the country in order to head to London, Boston for health care, Gibraltar and Spain for company.

Ong was scheduled to return to Singapore on November 9th.

Last week and before this year, CNA inquired whether Ong had returned and turned his card over to the research officer in accordance with the Attorney-General’s Chambers ( AGC), the officers, and Ong’s professionals.

A spokeswoman for Ong declined to comment.

Before District Judge Chee Min Ping, District Judge Ong held his first pre-trial event in chambers on Friday morning, away from the usual media and the public.

By November 29, the defense had received instructions to make any images. By that time, the trial must respond by December 20.

Images refer to words the defense has sent to the AGC regarding criminal investigations or proceedings.

The defense typically requests consent from AGC before stating the reasons for their desired results.

Images, if successful, can result in lowered costs, dropped charges or in more unusual outcomes- a dropping of the case immediately.

Ong’s minute pre-trial meeting was scheduled for January 3, 2025.

Ong may receive a sentence in prison of up to two years, a great, or both if found guilty of the crime committed under Part 165 of the Penal Code for aiding Iswaran in obtaining goods. &nbsp,

If convicted of obstructing justice, the cost under Section 204A, Ong may face a prison expression of up to seven years, a great, or both.

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UK government discloses crimes allegedly committed by foreign diplomats

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A British government official said on Thursday ( Nov. 14 ) that people with diplomatic immunity in the UK allegedly committed crimes last year, including sexual assault, indecent exposure, and child cruelty.

In a written statement to congress, young foreign minister Catherine West claimed that the foreign ministry had recorded nine” serious and significant crimes” committed by suspects under political shelter in 2023.

A Syrian man is accused of sexual assault, an Iraqi man is accused of distributing or possessing child pornography, a Spanish man is accused of child pornography, and a Singaporean is accused of child cruelty or neglect.

” The vast majority of officials and dependants comply by UK law”, said West, referring to the 26, 500 people in Britain who have political or international organisation-related immunity from prosecution.

She said that when alleged unlawful conduct is brought to the agency’s interest” we ask the appropriate international government or foreign organisation to cancel immunity, where appropriate, to help further investigation”.

” For the most serious crimes, and when a related cancellation has not been granted, we request the quick departure of the minister or dependant”, West added.

CNA has contacted Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information.

West also revealed that diplomatic missions owe more than £152 million ( US$ 193 million ) in unpaid congestion charge fees in London, from its introduction in 2003 to last month.

The US embassy owes more than £15 million only. Because it believes that the £15 daily fee may be deducted from diplomatic missions, it refuses to provide central London.

Japan owes £10.4 million while China owes £9.3 million.

At the end of June, West also made it known that officials owed nearly £1.5 million in unpaid driving fines. Saudi Arabia owed the most at £196, 000, she said.

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CNA Explains: The dangers of volcanic ash to planes

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When Airlines halted flights on Wednesday ( Nov 13 ) after a nearby volcano erupted, causing a 9 km ash tower to fall into the sky, hundreds of travelers were stranded or had their Bali vacations cancelled.

The next day, however, many flights were quick to resume airlines to the Indonesian vacation place, with some providers noting “improved” conditions.

What does geological dust do to an airport?

Volcanic dust contains great ash and strong glass-like particles. That can seriously harm a jet engine and possibly cause it to malfunction.

Air is drawn in by aircraft engines, compressed, mixed with energy, and ignited. High-pressure exhaust gases are produced by this method, which propel the aircraft and the engine forward.

To function effectively, motors rely on a specific balance of gas and airflow. Disrupting this air, as geological dust does, may create problems.

Aviation security consultant Michael Daniel told CNA that in the worst-case situation, the abrasiveness of volcanic dust on the website swords can cause an motor “flame-out”, or stoppage.

And indeed, he continued, there have been instances where engines blew up as a result of flying through clouds of volcanic ash.

Flame-outs, among others, can result in lower force, engine, and altitude drops.

Moreover, the high temperature inside the motor also melt the volcanic cup in the ashes, causing it to adhere to and jam engine parts, &nbsp, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Meanwhile, the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ) reported in a publication that volcanic ash can block plane sensors, leading to inaccurate airspeed predictions and errors.

Windscreens may become partially or completely opaque, which causes an immediate presence risk, and yet pollute the cabin air.

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‘Wallaby nasi lemak’: How an Australian military camp kitchen whips up Singapore fare

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SHOALWATER BAY, Queensland: In a flawless home tucked away in a military station in Queensland, Australia, a handful of restaurants occupied themselves preparing breakfast for the day. &nbsp,

At one end, chicken feathers coated in flour are dropped into heavy grills, at another, greens stir-fried and dish prepared. &nbsp,

It culminates in nasi lemak&nbsp, – but this is no common manifestation of the corn meal.

It’s a” completely various” sambal paste made from Bee Bee Jan Abdul Kadir’s secret recipe, and it comes with vegetables on top of the typical vegetables. &nbsp,

Soldiers here in the camp, in particular those from the Singapore Armed Forces ( SAF ), call it” Wallaby nasi lemak”, Madam Bee Bee told reporters on Monday ( Nov 11 ) evening. &nbsp,

And it’s just one of many dishes prepared by restaurants from the expanded Shoalwater Bay Training Area, including SATS Food Services at the novel Camp Tilpal, SATS Food Services at the restaurant.

The camp is provide 2, 000 persons, and hosts the SAF, Australian Defence Force and another visiting forces for activities.

These include Exercise Wallaby, the SAF’s largest international practice which runs for nine months. &nbsp,

A diplomatic military training between Singapore and Australia that took place between November 6 and November 15 is the last phase, known as Exercise Trident. &nbsp,

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3 reasons to watch Inside Woodlands Checkpoint, at world’s busiest land crossing

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However, it turned out to be one of the ICA’s largest busts, according to research and investigation official Mohd Masri Mohd Rahman. Finally, about 3, 250 boxes of illicit tobacco were extracted from the car.

The officers were unable to rule out the possibility of additional hidden illegal because the cartons had various presentation than the ones that had been declared consigned.

Therefore, they had to take the vehicle to a safe location for a thorough evaluation, with officers in the operations space locking down the area to stop the motorist from departing while being escorted.

As customers is stopped, any lockdown affects other cars, which “makes us want to get this quarantine and escorting done as quickly as possible,” Erica said.

The recovery required more labor and was challenging given the volume of the containers of beverages. ” But at the same moment, I feel it’s fulfilling because we managed to extract but little contraband”, Erica added.

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