As China’s Golden Week begins, its ‘tiaoxiu’ policy dulls holiday glow for some. Is it time for change?

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SINGAPORE:” Primary 1 kids feel it the most. After every National Day vacation, you’ll discover some kids whining and in weeping”, said Chinese professor Ou Yang Hui Er, who teaches at&nbsp, Liwan Overseas Chinese Elementary School in Guangzhou, China.

Post-holiday music are not uncommon, but they are frequently felt more keenly in China as a result of the country’s historic exercise of “tiaoxiu” or adjusted sleep, where work and school days are adjusted to cut out long, unbroken blocks of time off.

After the week-long” Golden Week” National Day holidays that started on Tuesday ( October 1 ), workers and students are subject to a make-up day of work and school, respectively. As per this policy, workers and students are subject to a make-up day of work and school. They were required to record a day like that straight before the break. &nbsp,

According to Ms. Ou Yang, it’s not uncommon to see many kids become ill after the break. While her 20-plus years of teaching encounter means she’s properly prepared for the common rise, the 47-year-old feels the condition may be improved.

” What we can do is slow down the pace”, she said. ” Anyone needs a day or two to recuperate- not only physically, but to recover our spirits to”.

Although there is occasional criticism of tiaoxiu, the training has come under particular scrutiny this year as a result of the adjustments made to the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, which have had an impact on five right workweeks.

Some Chinese analysts have also made public criticism of the plan, adding to the chorus of virtual complaints as users express their frustration.

Watchers told CNA that China must measure the effectiveness of tiaoxiu in rousing consumption, a trend that has been increasing in response to economic woes, and whether such loud appeals accurately reflect the opinions of the general public.

” TOO TIRED TO SPEND”

But what exactly is tiaoxiu? &nbsp,

Just put, it is a technique used in China to change public holidays. Running days are shifted to produce more breaks when public holidays occur in the middle of the month, typically by having employees work on weekends before or after the holiday period.

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As Malaysia’s VEP policy kicks in today, what can Singapore drivers expect?

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The roadblock gate may then start after the RFID sensor at these booths detected the tags and may automatically withdraw the required amount. &nbsp,

Did VEP be used to track whether or not individuals have received traffic fines? &nbsp,

Indonesian authorities can also use the VEP system to track foreign-registered cars that have not paid fines for transportation offenses. &nbsp,

Singapore drivers with excellent traffic fines in Malaysia will be subject to enforcement action starting on January 1, 2025, according to JPJ in a statement released in August. &nbsp,

Drivers who have paid fines may be denied entry to Malaysia starting next year, and in severe cases, Malaysian authorities properly imprison them. &nbsp,

How to apply for VEP? &nbsp,

Singapore owners who have not yet applied for a VEP you sign up for an account at the company’s official website, vep. jpj. gov. my.

Before entering Malaysia, masters of all car types, including personal and commercial ones, must first enroll for a VEP. Registration is also required for federal and embassies. &nbsp,

Once the account is authenticated, applicants can log into a portal to upload a vehicle log card or manually fill in information, including the vehicle’s model, certificate of entitlement ( COE ) and chassis numbers.

The Land Transport Authority’s OneMotoring site can be used to retrieve the vehicle log cards.

A rep you apply for a VEP on the vehicle’s representative.

Long lines may be formed while owners can choose to collect RFID keywords by mail, but many people favor having them installed at authorized centers. &nbsp,

What documents are needed for the VEP program?

All VEP applicants may have their NRIC, card, vehicle highway tax, insurance, car model and Technical details available.

When an application is approved, what is vehicles do? &nbsp,

Individuals may receive an email alert once the application is approved to choose a method for bringing the VEP RFID tag home: self-collection at one of the four VEP series centers, or couriered by article to your target. &nbsp, &nbsp,

The top left corner of the visor or the remaining lamp of the vehicle is neither house the RFID label. &nbsp,

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Joseph Schooling starts new career in venture capital after retiring from swimming

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SINGAPORE: Following his pension from swimming in April, Singapore’s first Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling has started a new job in venture capital. &nbsp,

Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India announced on Monday ( Sep 30 ) that Schooling has joined the company as an associate in its investment team in a LinkedIn post. &nbsp,

As he moves forward with this new endeavor, he will collaborate with our experienced purchase practitioners to gain more knowledge and insights into evaluating and investing in high-growth startups, the post read.

One of the six main funds in Vertex’s worldwide system of venture capital funds is Vertex Holdings, a wholly-owned company of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, with the outlet investor being Vertex Holdings, a wholly-owned conglomerate of Vertex Holdings. The bank ‘s&nbsp, opportunities focuses on healthcare, banking, conservation among other things. &nbsp,

Schooling, who is also a part of the Texas Longhorns floating group, studied economic at the University of Texas from 2014 to 2018.

Schooling won gold in the 100-meter moth at the 2016 Rio Olympics, beating his former teammate Michael Phelps, in history.

He holds eight unique information, six for specific activities, and two for circuits.

In 2018, he launched his personal snorkeling school for children called Swim Schooling, which offers a 10-week project for kids.

Schooling announced his retirement from competitive swimming in April to concentrate on his swim class and other business endeavors. He stated in a report published by The Straits Times on April 2 that he would work with two lovers in the fields of “health and healthcare, technology and sustainability” and” the venture capital industry.”

CNA has reached out to Schooling for opinions. &nbsp,

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Ex-oil tycoon OK Lim and children to file for bankruptcy as judgment for US.5 billion entered against them

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SINGAPORE: Former oil tycoon Lim Oon Kuin, better known as OK Lim, and his two children have consented to a judgment of US$ 3.5 billion ( US$ 4.5 billion ) being entered against them.

In addition, 82-year-old Lim and his two children, Lim Huey Ching and Evan Lim Chee Meng, announced in statements on Monday ( Sep 30 ) that they will file for bankruptcy because they do not have enough assets to pay all of their claimants.

Any usable amounts will likely be made up of goods that have been reclaimed by the Insolvency &amp, Public Trustee’s Office, despite the trustees of Fine Lim’s former oil firm Hin Leong Buying having received a assessment for the US$ 3.5 billion owed.

The court’s determination came at the start of a civil trial in August of 2023, which was being brought by the Lim family’s brokers. The acceptance view replaced that and brought the prosecution trials to a close, though Lim and his two children were scheduled to testify next in the test.

Accept wisdom is intended to be the concluding statement of a dispute and the expression of an understanding between all parties involved.

Hin Leong lost US$ 808 million in costs between 2010 and 2020 from prospects and swaps, which the company claims were hiding due to US$ 2.1 billion in profits overreported.

Direct counsel for the liquidators, Drew &amp, Napier’s chief executive officer and Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull, had stated in his opening declaration that the community had deliberately concealed Hin Leong’s losses and portrayed the business as successful when it was, in truth, “massively bankrupt”.

The number of US$ 3.5 billion is the same number Hin Leong, which is in forced bankruptcy, had sought the Lims to pay, and was the total number of the company’s unsecured debt as of April 2020.

LIMS ‘ Comments

The Lims claimed in individual statements to the media that they were continuing to oppose the civil lawsuits brought against them but that they were willing to accept the view for a variety of reasons.

The senior, who is represented by doctors from Davinder Singh Chambers, was convicted in May this year in a distinct criminal prosecution for lying and fraud.

On October 15, he is scheduled to be sentenced.

The Lim patriarch claimed to have spoken with his family about the situation and had chosen to concentrate solely on the prosecution’s second civil lawsuit.

I do not want to waste any more of the court’s time and resources, Lim said, despite the civil suits that have been brought against me. &nbsp,

I therefore assured all of the defendants who had sued me that I would consent to a judgment without making any admissions as to liability. I also informed these claimants that I will file for bankruptcy if I do n’t have enough money to pay them all.

He claimed that Credit Agricole and Sembcorp Cogen made up his offer last week, and that judgments are pending to be entered regarding amounts of about US$ 142. million without admission of liability.

The other claimants have requested time, and I have requested that they respond to my offer by this week, according to Lim.

In her statement, Lim’s 57-year-old daughter, who is facing a criminal charge for obstructing justice, claimed that she had been fighting against numerous proceedings against her in the past few years.

” The protracted proceedings have taken a toll on my physical and mental well-being,” said Ms. Lim, who is represented by a team from Advocatus Law led by managing partner Christopher Anand Daniel.

I’ve decided after taking the matter seriously that I need to concentrate on my health, fight the criminal justice system’s demands, and pursue my claims in ( other suits ),” said Ms. Lim.

She also stated that she would file for bankruptcy if she did not have enough assets to pay all of her claimants.

Lim’s son, who was represented by the Damodara Ong law firm, claimed that he did not have enough money to pay all of his claimants and that he had decided to concentrate solely on one claim that he is raising with his father.

CNA has contacted the liquidators for a statement.

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With better protections, can platform work in Singapore now be a lifelong career?

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SINGAPORE: They both became software personnel to make money while between work. Then they discovered making their future career move more challenging than they anticipated, but that’s where the similarities end.

Mr Kelvin Lee, 50, has made his living as a shipping horse for four years, while Raj ( who asked not to be identified by his full name ), 33, has been a private-hire vehicle for nine months.

The older man is a diploma-holder who spent most of his job in design. &nbsp, He lost his lease job in hospitality in 2020, during the pandemic, and thought he would return to the business after COVID-19 blew over. However, Mr. Lee discovered that his interests had changed and that he wanted to spend more time with his family. &nbsp,

He now earns S$ 3, 000 ( US$ 2, 330 ) to S$ 4, 000 a month working eight hours a day. He does n’t take any vacations, but he claims to work for the same amount of money as he did at his previous job.

Mr Lee sees supply work as a method- to long-term career, and has accepted that he may be doing this until pensions, which he expects to be in his 60s or 70s.

Raj, but, was sure he’s simply driving for the short term, after leaving a high-pressure work in sales at a digital analysis company. He then earns on S$ 6, 000 a fortnight driving every week and half-days on vacation.

The student was enthusiastic about working toward the end of her senior year for a full-time position in business development or online marketing. He claimed he was putting in the long run for an expected monthly income of S$ 10, 000, which he used to get.

Raj and Mr Lee are part of a diverse team of around 70, 000 software staff in Singapore.

Singapore passed policy earlier in September earlier that year to strengthen its rights and recognize platform workers as a specific group.

Increased contributions to the required Central Provident Fund ( CPF ) savings plan, including from employers, mandatory work injury insurance coverage, and better representation in labor negotiations are now part of their protections.

Questions have been raised about whether system work has evolved into a viable, yet lifelong career option as a result of these moves, particularly those that aim to better meet pension and housing needs through CPF.

Planning IN WITH “EYES WIDE OPEN”

Mr. Lee is happy with his delivery work because his financial obligations are minor, he earns more than he would in other jobs, and he does n’t anticipate much career advancement at this young age. Additionally, he’s confident that platform jobs wo n’t dry up.

But he would n’t recommend young people be full-time platform workers. ” There’s no career progression, and there’s always a limit ( to what ) you can earn”.

Raj was just as anxious for fresh, better-educated system workers.

” I do worry about people who have studied, who could contribute in a much larger fashion to the economy, but are deciding to just continue driving private-hire (vehicles ) because they enjoy the flexibility of this job”, he said.

He knows two individuals who are graduates, one with a master’s level, who have stayed on despite no first approaching system function as a second option.

Aged around 30 and childless, these friends of Raj’s are content to keep at it as they also have no family-related agreements nor costs however.

While some treat platform work as transitional, a substantial portion see it as a long-term career choice, said Dr Mathew Mathews, principal research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies ( IPS) and head of its Social Lab.

They find the earnings comparable to those of other jobs, he added, and they have a preference for work where you do n’t have to directly report to someone because it has much lower barriers for entry, he added.

Koh Poh Koon, the senior minister of state for labor, addressed the “finely healthy end ground” between support and versatility in the new collection of protections that the government has introduced in parliament.

However, software workers have already expressed concerns about how higher Pension contributions will affect their monthly pay. Some people have said they wo n’t participate in the program, which is required only for platform workers who turn 30 or younger in 2025.

The Land Transport Authority has set a minimum period of 30 for private-hire generating applications since 2020. &nbsp,

When questioned about the new safeguards ‘ policy objective, Dr. Mathews, whose analysis includes system work, said he did not believe it was intended to nudge employees aside from what is legitimate work that benefits the economy.

” Yet, the Bill does make some corrections, at least in terms of opinions, for younger employees who may be eager to enter full-time platform work based on the false notion that system work is much more lucrative than traditional job.

That definitely seemed to be the case when system work earnings did not qualify for Psc deductions. Then, with CPF assumptions, the average earnings for system work and standard professional work will not be too far apart, “he said.

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Chinese tech firms’ ‘digital humans’ who look and sound like you: What are their uses and pitfalls?

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Tencent’s Global Digital Ecosystem Summit took place earlier this month in Shenzhen, where I had the opportunity to see their Digital Human display at the Shenzhen World Exhibition &amp, Convention Center.

We were given a modern version of Mr. Dowson Tong, CEO of Tencent Cloud, along with other foreign media, including reporters from Malaysia and Indonesia. Huge crowds gathered to watch a digital version of Mr Tong appear on a big screen and give a lecture in three languages: Chinese, English, and therefore Bahasa Indonesia.

Then it was my turn ( I was quite eager to try out the technology ).

With my phone, I scanned a QR code which directed me to Tencent’s site where I submitted a current photo, a 30-second words tracking, and 100 words of text article for my online human to claim. &nbsp,

I also had the freedom to choose from nine various cultures for my online people: Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Thai, French, or German. There was even an option to switch the message to a different sex, which I found interesting.

However there were technical problems. I was unable to create my digital human on site, despite assistance from Tencent staff, so the work had to be done electronically after I arrived in Singapore.

The Google Cloud and Smart Industries Group staff assisted me. I provided a one-minute words tracking, along with a 30-second picture. &nbsp, I was told that my face and lips had to be clearly apparent throughout. &nbsp, And for enjoyment, &nbsp, I&nbsp, decided to read mouth twisters&nbsp, —making certain my face moved in tune with my terms.

I recited the following sentence:” I, Melody Chan, am informed that Google Cloud does use recordings of my voice to create and apply a chemical version of my voice.” Before the final step, I had to ask for permission to use my voice.

When the last solution arrived, it was strikingly vivid, almost a reflection of the movie I had submitted. The tone, while somewhat robotic, was impressive yet. Hearing myself speak fluently in languages I do n’t know, like Thai, Arabic, and French, was surreal.

But, there were a few little glitches. The word breaks felt a little strange, and if you paid close attention, you could place my hands movements repeating themselves.

In the end, creating my own hyper-realistic online ghost was certainly fun, but even a small dystopian. It resembled something straight out of Black Mirror.

How long until AI is needed for our jobs? seeing” Digital Melody” come to life made me wonder.

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East Asia drawing more Indonesian and Filipino maids from the Middle East, but will they be treated better?

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Over the years, home worker abuse in the Middle East has led to a number of political disputes between host nations like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and those who send domestic workers worldwide, such as Indonesia and the Philippines. &nbsp,

Local workers from Southeast Asia experiencing cases of victimization and injustice that occasionally sparked widespread public outcry at home. In most cases, Indonesia or the Philippines lodge proper protests.

In response to the implementation of an Indonesian local worker, Ruyati Sapubi, who was accused of killing her company, Jakarta took things one step further by recalling its then-ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Gatot Abdullah Mansyur. &nbsp,

Indonesia maintained that it was only made aware of the murder after Mdm Ruyati was murdered, denying its diplomats the ability to defend her.

After the Egyptian country issued a formal explanation and promised to examine the circumstances against 12 Indonesian girls who were also on death row at the time, the Indonesian embassy was redeployed to Saudi a few days afterwards. &nbsp,

However, Indonesian home workers who were executed in Saudi Arabia for murdering their organisations continued after normalization. According to Jakarta, these home workers should not have received the death penalty because the girls were abused, so Jakarta argued that the murders were self-defense.

Indonesia put a ban on the giving of home employees to Saudi Arabia along with 18 different Middle Eastern and North African nations in 2015.

More than a year after the demise of a Filipina girl, Joanna Demafelis, whose dead body was discovered inside a fridge in her employer’s room, the Philippines and Kuwait also had a political column. The dying sparked a ferocious public protest in the Philippines.

Rodrigo Duterte, the then-president, responded by enforcing a ban on new regional employees entering Kuwait in February 2018.

After the Filipino official in Kuwait assisted the escape of three people who had been abused and held hostage by their respective employers in May, the conflict turned into a full-blown political problems.

Manila acknowledged that the rescue efforts were not coordinated with Kuwaiti government, but argued that the girls ‘ lives were in danger and that action was required right away.

Kuwait responded by expelling Renato Villa, the Spanish ambassador, and is is issuing an imprisonment warrant against some military employees for violating their sovereignty. &nbsp,

After the Philippines agreed to raise its ban, both sides made the decision to restart relations, with Kuwait agreeing to give home workers more rights and benefits, including health insurance and a weekly day out. &nbsp,

Despite the disagreements, Southeast Asia and the Middle Eastern countries ‘ relationships in other industries were essentially unaffected. &nbsp,

Even after the original imposed the eight-year restrictions on sending new regional staff to the Gulf state, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia remained important trading and investment lovers. &nbsp,

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority land, even continued to send more and more acolytes for the quarterly Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia’s Mecca and Medina.

Despite the political crises, the Philippines and Kuwait remained important trading partners in the fields of oil, gas, clothing, and fruits.

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Search underway for missing Singaporean in Everest region of Nepal

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A Singaporean who went missing in the Everest region of Nepal is currently being searched and rescued.

The gentleman was identified as Harry Tan in a number of social media posts. Mr Tan, 76, is believed to include &nbsp, gone missing near the Kongma La Pass&nbsp, trekking route.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MFA ) announced on Saturday ( Sep 28 ) that it has been in close contact with the family of the missing Singaporean and Nepal authorities through the Singapore High Commission in New Delhi in response to CNA’s inquiries.

MFA continued to observe developments and offer consular assistance to the home, noting that search and rescue operations are ongoing.

At about 5, 550m above sea levels, &nbsp, Kongma La Pass is one of the&nbsp, highest rock runs in the Mountain area.

Adventure web Nature Lovers Treks &amp, Tours pointed out that it is known for its” steep climb and rugged terrain,” and that hikers may have a “high level of physical fitness and strength” before embarking on it.

Wan Rizal, a member of Parliament ( MP), said he was praying for Mr. Tan’s safety while trekking at Nepal’s Everest Base Camp on Friday night on Facebook. &nbsp,

” May he be safe and sound, and may the search and rescue work been sharp and successful”, he said. &nbsp,

This keep him in our thoughts and prayers as we go through this difficult time.

A Singaporean man went missing in May 2023 after climbing Mount Everest, and the search and rescue team was unable to find him.

According to his wife, he developed high altitude cerebral edema ( HACE), a high-altitude illness that can lead to fatigue and loss of coordination, and” could not make it down”.

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This 27-year-old woman is the keeper of lions at Night Safari: ‘They are like house cats, but 30 times bigger’

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Mariappan works in a group of 11 animal guards. Between them, they care for all the Night Safari’s animals, including the white lions and American light cats.

The zookeepers ‘ night shift begins at 9 am, and their day switch begins at 3 p.m. One of the first points the zookeepers do in the evenings is check up on any minor wounds the cats may have sustained at night to help them immediately call the vets if needed.

For body inspections, zookeepers use a specific stick, which is a rod with a ball at its conclusion.

” We put the target stick higher on the grid to get the tigers on their hind feet,” the statement read. and test their hands and ugly, rewarding them with foods along the way”, she said.

Mariappan’s work also includes entertainment – for the creatures, that is.

” Our cats love paper containers. Often, we hide the lions ‘ meals in recovered cardboard boxes, and dismiss it at a level. You can see the lions jumping, grabbing, shredding the containers into pieces, and devouring the meal in it.

” Maybe, they make a mattresses with the crushed boxes and sit on top,” she said.

A lot of this occurs before the garden opens, so the zookeepers work harder in the evenings to get the animals closer to area visitors so they can see them better.

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