China courts a shaken Europe after Trump-Zelenskyy row, slams US tariff moves

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After a writer from US information store NBC News inquired if taxes would be a vital topic at this year’s Two Sessions, NPC director Lou criticized Washington’s decision to impose punitive tariffs as a infraction of global trade rules.

The United States ‘ unilateral imposition of tariffs violates the WTO’s ( WTO ) regulations and impairs the stability and security of the world’s industrial chain and supply chain, according to Lou.

Lou advocated for a balanced approach and expressed hope that” the United States and China will match each other half and discover a solution to the problem through similar conversation.”

Lou emphasized Beijing’s commitment to international cooperation and a rules-based world trading system as tensions between the world and shifting political dynamics continue to impose on international relationships. &nbsp,

China” will even work together to promote equitable economic globalization by strengthening cooperation with all countries in the world to simultaneously guard the hard-won multilateral trading system, oppose unilateralism and isolationism, and promote cooperation in this regard,” he said.

DEALING WITH ECONOMIC PRESSURES

In light of this situation, the Chinese government acknowledged on Tuesday that the country’s business, which is already grappling with local difficulties, has been negatively impacted by external pressures.

According to Lou, the NPC spokesperson, “internationally, rising economic and political difficulties make it harder to stabilise outside demand.”

He continued,” some businesses are experiencing operational difficulties, and domestically, demand is insufficient, and.”

However, Lou emphasized the tenacity of China’s economic bases despite the persistent difficulties.

He cited the country’s” super-large market” and” complete industrial system” as cases as examples, noting that the country’s economic foundation is stable, has many advantages, strong endurance, and great potential, and the long-term aid situations and fundamental changes have never changed.

Lou cited the a number of steps that were announced in September of last year as one of the steps taken to boost the Chinese market. He even brought up the national effort to “use new productive makes,” or” xin zhi wen chan li” in Mandarin.

” China’s market has often grown stronger through testing and ups and downs. We are comfortable in the state of the Chinese economy,” Lou said.

Premier Li Qiang will deliver the government function statement at the NPC beginning on Wednesday, when China is expected to outline its economic priorities and commitments for the year. These include goals for important measures like GDP growth and fiscal gap.

Experts have told CNA that they anticipate that Chinese policymakers will introduce new measures aimed at a more violent, household-focused fiscal strategy as authorities increasingly look to collect money from their own citizens to boost the economy.

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First look: Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree has over 300 guest rooms including 24 tree houses

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Thanks to the hotel’s 300-seater Meranti Ballroom, you can also carry events at Mandai Rainforest Resort. The unusual Bridal Veil Stinkhorn, a fruit known for its triangular veil, influences its centerpiece style.

The Bridal Room is close enough to the Meranti Ballroom to accommodate a wedding party for both private and ease of access, all while being only a few steps from the primary function.

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree might be the solution you’re looking for next day you need some much-needed R&R without having to keep Singapore.

Banyan Tree’s Mandai Rainforest Resort is now accepting doubts via its website and nbsp, and it will actually open its doors in April 2025.

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Singapore launches S million research programme to predict extreme weather

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SOUTH-WEST SINGAPORE AND SENTOSA Reports

The government announced plans to increase southern safety measures in response to rising sea levels, including two brand-new site-specific research for Sentosa and Singapore’s south-west coastline.

According to the second national study on climate change, mean sea levels around Singapore could increase by up to 1.5 meters by 2100 and 2 meters by 2050.

Singapore is vulnerable to the effects of sea level rise, according to MSE, with 30 % of our property lying less than 5 meters above mean sea level.

Some places, like East Coast Park, have” irregular” incidents of coastal flooding when great sea and heavy snowfall occur, it added. &nbsp,

In his budget speech on February 18, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund did receive an additional S$ 5 billion. To guard Singapore from rising sea levels and increase storm tenacity, the bank received an initial treatment of S$ 5 billion when it was first announced in 2020.

By 2026, the two new blog research will be complete. The island’s function as a leisure and hospitality destination may be taken into account in the Sentosa study, which will include about 16 kilometers of the coastline, according to MSE. Sentosa Development Corp will be in charge of it, and its future growth plans will be integrated with that company’s programs.

The south-west beach review will cover both fun places like West Coast Park and industrial and port places like Tuas Port and Pasir Panjang Terminals, as well as 116 kilometers of Tuas to Pasir Panjang. Ms stated that it will examine how to balance maritime protection measures with the development plans for the area. &nbsp,

For the city’s east coast, north-west coast, and Jurong Island, PUB and various government agencies have been conducting site-specific studies since 2021 to assess southern risks.

Details of the Greater Southern Waterfront and Changi maritime safety plans, which are included in the city-east beach research, are anticipated to be made in the second quarter of this year.

The producer of PUB’s Coastal Protection Department, Hazel Khoo, responded to CNA’s questions by saying that maritime safety procedures will be gradually implemented starting in the 2030s.

Beginning with steps at the city’s east coast, which include” Long Island,” the execution will span a number of years.

Grace Fu, the chancellor for sustainability and the environment, stated that funding for these steps will be derived from the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund, the monthly budget, and through loans.

We will also use the previous resources where appropriate, such as for costs incurred in land reclamation, she told legislature on Tuesday. &nbsp,

We will continue to research how to best funding these initiatives so that decades can benefit financially.

NEW COASTAL Safety Regulations

In the second half of this year, MSE and PUB may offer the Coastal Protection Bill to support the implementation of southern safety plans. &nbsp,

The policy will set out stakeholder responsibilities, protect land for seaside protection measures, and enforce compliance with southern safety standards.

By the first quarter of 2026, PUB intends to publish a code of practice for maritime security, which will set up a set of standards for the industry for the design, construction, and operation of different coastal protection structures in Singapore, similar to what it does for surface water drainage.

A flood-resilient developments guidebook, with case studies and recommendations for landowners, will be created to complement this.

MSE will also gradually implement infrastructural measures to improve Singapore’s resilience to rising temperatures, according to Ms Fu. &nbsp,

By 2030, all existing Housing and Development Board estates in Singapore will be covered with cool coatings.

According to Ms Fu, the ministry is looking into the impact of cool coatings on other infrastructure archetypes like schools and hawker centers.

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SM Entertainment to launch a K-pop training academy in Singapore this June

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The academy will offer students “first-class comprehensive learning opportunities developed and delivered by K-pop industry veterans,” according to SM Universe ( Singapore ) in a statement.

These include a 21-week aggressive program that includes lessons in vocal, dance, music production, and stage appearance.

Students will begin a one-week coaching program at the SM Universe’s Seoul school to kick off the program. The leading candidates will then be able to interview with South Korean entertainment companies.

The 21-week program will cost roughly US$ 10, 000 ( S$ 13 450 ), according to SM Universe ( Singapore ) spokesperson, according to a CNA Lifestyle interview.

The spokesperson continued,” While there is no set time for the program, we anticipate that the majority of the students will be between the ages of 13 and 18 .”

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At China’s annual Two Sessions, what policy actions do workers, businesses and analysts expect to see?

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They need to actually make fiscal policy more valuable, make it more expansionary, according to Huang, and they have gradually come to realize that their long-standing fiscal conservatism is difficult.

Senior economist Xu Tianchen of the Economist Intelligence Unit ( EIU) agreed with this and predicted that this year’s lianghui would spark more government discussions on spending, which could lead to more action on this front.

Xu also made note of China’s intention to increase exclusive treasury bond funding this year. They represent additional governmental firepower, he told CNA,” While that is not within the article budget.”

According to a source cited in a Reuters report from December last year, Taiwanese officials agreed to challenge 3 trillion yuan value of specific government bonds in 2025. That would be the highest ever recorded amount, representing a significant boost over the 1 trillion yuan issued in 2024.

Chinese state organizers have not disclosed the anticipated value, merely stating that the release will aid in encouraging business expense and consumer-boosting initiatives.

” GREATER EMPHASIS ON HOUSEHOLDS”

Observers claim that these actions are intended to promote household-driven growth, which is gaining traction in China as a stressed external landscape, especially US tariffs, threatens to undermine its export prowess.

Previously, China’s policies were strongly geared toward purchase in the manufacturing field, according to EIU’s Xu.

” But we’re starting to see a more focused focus on folks, on families.” That is perhaps quite crucial to China’s long-term growth, Xu said.

Chinese leaders have never made a remark about their force for local consumption.

Premier Li Qiang made the most recent exhortations during a study program in the late February State Council, where he argued that” use must be placed in a more notable position,” with more resources and more targeted measures required.

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Officers, leaders involved in NRIC unmasking saga may face financial consequences

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ADDRESSING THE Inadequacies

Additionally, MDDI and ACRA shared the actions they will get in light of the Bizfile event.

The government stated that it is developing additional instructions for government agencies on how to use the NRIC number policy. &nbsp,

Nearly 800 existing apply cases of limited NRIC numbers in public-facing systems have been identified, each with their own particular perspective and features. &nbsp,

MDDI promised better cooperation with organizations to assist them in carrying out the project.

Additionally, it will improve interior controls and staff instruction to give clear explanations of the wider scheme context and concerns when issuing commands. &nbsp,

The government has also reaffirmed the administration’s current data management guidelines for obtaining, using, and disclosing personal information, including NRIC numbers, to organizations. To improve understanding, it will hold guide briefings.

According to MDDI, the state continues to support the privacy of its members. Before making any changes to the rules for the use of NRIC numbers in the private market, it will counsel with industry and the public. &nbsp,

ACRA announced improvements to communications both internally and externally to ensure that key knowledge is adequately shared so that officials can make wise decisions. &nbsp,

Additionally, it will do more frequent system checks to assess the risks of data security and protection and put forth suitable security measures if vulnerabilities are discovered. These reviews may be conducted in particular before, during, and following significant changes to the IT program.

ACRA announced stronger vendor monitoring to ensure that systems are put in place correctly and according to criteria. The Government Technology Agency&nbsp ( GovTech ), according to a review conducted for Bizfile, found that some security features were not properly implemented.

The organization may develop more security measures to enhance its supplier management framework.

The MOF stated that it would help ACRA in its follow-up initiatives and reveal the findings with other MOF organizations.

” We are taking the necessary steps to prevent these situations from occurring again.”

CNA has contacted ACRA and MOF to inquire about modifications to Bizfile in response to complaints that the search results don’t display the full or partial NRICs, making it difficult to choose a page to buy.

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Pregnant and looking for a job: What are a woman’s chances of getting employed in Singapore?

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Businesses must continue to treat women fairly, according to the director.” There are laws and guidelines in position. The fresh Workplace Fairness Act, which was passed in Parliament, builds on the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to further enhance the laws against discrimination based on sex, marital status, maternity position, and caregiving obligations, and will become effective in the next year or two.

TAFEP argued that job seekers are not required to tell their prospective employers about their pregnancy, but they can do so with their potential employers. ” Having an open conversation establishes clear objectives for work objectives and fosters respect and understanding between both events.”

Yet though potential employers doesn’t or intend to hire individuals, Eugenia Ng, director of recruitment firm Michael Page Singapore, said “unfortunately in Asia, there are still many recruiters who ask this question.”

Ng advised you to respond politely but properly if you are the subject of a problem like this:” I’m not comfortable answering private questions about my conception plans. I’m thrilled to have the chance to work in this position and am totally committed to carrying out my duties. I’m happy to give more information about my education and experience.

This answer keeps things professional and places the emphasis on your credentials while also establishing a private interview threshold, said Ng. You may graciously rise if such inquiries make you feel uncomfortable, but you should take into account whether the company’s culture and values align with your beliefs.

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What’s lost when sacred objects are stolen from Bali’s temples? More than one may think

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SINGARAJA, Bali: Before sunrise every morning, Mangku Borden Cahyadi walks from his home to the nearby Mas Penyeti Temple in Singaraja, a waterfront city in northern Bali.

As the Hindu temple’s priest, Cahyadi ensures the compound is ready to welcome worshippers looking to offer prayers to the gods before their morning commute to work.

On Apr 7 last year, Cahyadi arrived to find the contents of a drawer where he kept his keys disturbed, and the door to the temple’s storage room improperly shut.

“I immediately rushed to the storage room to make sure everything was there,” the 45-year-old priest told CNA. His heart sank when he realised some items were missing.

Among the stolen artefacts were two ceremonial plates made of silver, a centuries-old kris dagger and 12 figurines of Hindu gods and goddesses – all of which were adorned with jewels, gold and ancient coins.

“(The theft) has been very devastating for us, because (these objects) have been passed down for many generations. And now they are gone,” said the temple’s caretaker Putu Bagus Arya.

Cases of artefact theft like the one at Mas Penyeti Temple are rampant in Bali, a Hindu-majority island where every village has its own temple and every household, its own family shrine. According to some estimates, there are at least 10,000 temples in Bali. 

The vast number of temples  – most of which are outdoor and not well-guarded – and the countless artefacts they contain make Bali more prone to theft than other parts of the country, where similar objects can only be found in museums and historical sites.

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