An inside look at how Singapore’s egg farms keep out bird flu

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SINGAPORE: In the far north-west, Singapore’s only three egg farms sit within a 4km distance of one another, in surroundings largely untouched by the rapid urbanisation seen elsewhere in the country.  

This Lim Chu Kang area has been earmarked by authorities for development into a high-tech agri-food zone, to raise production and strengthen Singapore’s food security. 

But an evolving development around the world threatens to upend those plans – by threatening the existence of the egg farms.

The spread of avian influenza, or bird flu, has killed or led to the culling of hundreds of millions of poultry globally in recent years.

Over a century old and carried mainly by migratory water birds, the disease has also increasingly been infecting mammals not previously thought susceptible, like alpacas, house cats, and cows.

Human cases are rare, but have been reported in nearby countries. Singapore, however, is currently free from bird flu.

And its egg farms have stringent measures as a first line of defence, to prevent the spread of infectious diseases that could compromise the health of its fowl. 

These safeguards are the “most important” strategy preventing the entry of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), said Dr Michael Banawa, head of poultry business for ASEAN, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand at pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.  

“Humans can act as mechanical vectors, meaning they can carry the virus on their skin, clothing or equipment … This can potentially lead to the spread of the virus to other birds,” he added.

Donning a hair net, rubber boots, latex gloves and a mask, this CNA reporter got a rare look at how one of Singapore’s few egg farms stops any such transmission from happening.

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Irresponsible or necessary? Viral video of passengers locking up crying toddler in airplane toilet sparks debate in China

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It’s the perpetual problem of every backpacker: What do you do when there’s a crying baby on your trip? &nbsp,

The position became intimate for the two female customers on a domestic flight in China. &nbsp,

The women were seen carrying a wailing child into the aeroplane bath and scolding the frightened baby in a recently removed movie that has sparked outrage and heated discussion on Chinese social media.

In the one-minute picture, seen by CNA, the trio, dressed in black, were overheard severely telling the baby to stop crying. ” Shut your mouth! Do n’t cry. We’ll let you out when you stop crying”, one of the people said, while the other continued shooting. &nbsp,

Juneyao Airlines confirmed the incident on its established Weibo section on August 24 when it took off from Guiyang, China’s southwest city, for a morning domestic flight to Shanghai. &nbsp,

According to the airline’s speech, the young child had been throwing a tantrum, prompting the two sexual people to take matters into their own fingertips. According to the airport, they took her away from her mother and took her into the restroom. &nbsp,

The ladies had acceptance from the girl’s mother, the flight said. ” Her mother had been waiting outside the potty” the entire time, it added.

The initial video, which has since been deleted from Douyin, Tiktok’s girl software, was first uploaded by one of the people who shared their version of the questionable event. &nbsp,

The little girl was” spoiled by her grandmother” and had been” crying very loudly and disturbing other passengers”, the woman wrote. ” So ( we ) took her from her grandmother and brought her into the toilet”, she said. ” We did n’t allow her grandmother to follow, but I recorded the whole thing while the aunty and I and disciplined her” .&nbsp,

The mother of the child has even broken her silence and claimed to be aware of the event. In the speech released by Juneyao Airlines, the lady, who was not named, said she had been aware of the incident and expressed her “understanding” towards the people for their “assistance and behavior” during the trip. &nbsp,

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Pacific island nations call for greater focus on sea level rise as UN and experts warn of urgent global threat

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It was no accident that Mr. Guterres had chosen to once again visit the area back of important conferences in upcoming months, according to Dr. Meg Keen, a senior fellow in the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute.

These include the UN Summit for the Future in New York, which takes place from September 22 to September 23, and the COP29 weather agreements in Azerbaijan every year from November 11 to 22.

It serves as a means of putting social pressure on the system, it says. He’s trying to create speed, which has helped in the past to draw attention to nations whose very life is in jeopardy, she said.

” And he’s trying to build that momentum in every tangible way, and it’s just not in the Pacific. This is very important here, but it’s important for you too, and I think that’s why he’s trying to make it as substantial as feasible.

” These are about real people, authentic sites. This is significant, and this is a world problem. And so he goes on to say that the Pacific demonstrates why we need to work.

‘ Have OF RESEARCH, LACK OF ATTENTION ‘

A new complex report from the UN, which showed that sea level rise may be occurring more quickly than originally thought, was the catalyst for the mutual offensive.

A international status update was provided by the professional lecture, which incorporated previously unreleased scientific research and highlighted the Pacific region as being especially vulnerable.

It found that waves between 1990 and 2020 had risen 21cm in Nuku’alofa, the Tongan investment playing host to the PIF, a level almost half the world normal.

The world sea level change recorded in 2023, equivalent to 1993 rates, was the highest ever in modern times, dating back to the 19th century. In addition, it has grown more quickly than any other time in the past 3, 000 times.

” Because of sea level rise, the sea is transforming from being a longtime friend into a growing risk,” the UN’s World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Celeste Saulo told investigators in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, on Tuesday.

The sensation is well known, and its primary causes are the dissolving of land glaciers and the development of seawater as it warms. Based on recent research into glaciers melt relationships, researchers released new findings in the most recent statement.

According to Dr. Rosanne Martyr, a senior scholar at Climate Analytics and a critic of the report,” They have a lot more information then on understanding the types of tipping points, the snow construction itself, which is its own set of science, when these ice sheets could break off, when this melt do happen, and where this fits into the projections we have.”

By the end of the century, the world will be on record for 2.7 degree Celsius of warming thanks to recent climate policies and actions. Under that scenario, sea level rise of 20cm above 2020 amounts may occur by 2050 and 56cm by the end of the century.

With most of the Pacific’s islands and reefs only a few meters above sea level, it would have devastating effects on low-lying regions. Within 5 km of the beach, 90 percent of Pacific Islanders reside.

They “feel the biggest effect,” and they use their words to drive the brakes wherever they can, especially when it comes to emissions. It’s only going to get worse if we do n’t do more to reduce our emissions,” said Dr Martyr.

The most vulnerable countries, including Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands, were the people spearheading the conscious effort at the PIF and in other communities to put sea level rise on the international agenda, according to Dr. George Carter, co-director of the Australian National University Pacific Institute.

He told CNA from Tonga that their respective administrations have expressed concern about the lack of legislation, financing, and research funding for sea level rise.

You do n’t necessarily have programs or projects that focus on sea level rise, he said, despite having projects that focus on forestry and on disasters in terms of resolving cyclones through humanitarian aid.

” Because of that, there’s not only a lack of studies, but even a lack of focus.

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More foreign investors showing interest in Nusantara megaproject: Indonesia’s new investment minister

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BECOMING A MORE OPEN, Open State

He questioned whether Indonesia is maturing as a political world, arguing that this is development at hand. &nbsp,

” Moving forth, I think we are pretty convinced that Indonesia is becoming a more receptive state”, he noted. &nbsp,

” We are becoming a more ( democratic ) country, and also at the same time, we are becoming more transparent in a lot of things”.

During the meeting, Mr Rosan, who was an ambassador to the United States from 2021 to last year, said the ongoing conflicts between the US and China would have an effect on Indonesia’s business and investments. &nbsp,

” In Indonesia, we navigate this very carefully. We can see that this conflict may last a considerable amount of time. This is our view”, he said, adding that Indonesia never take sides. &nbsp,

” Based on our foreign policy, we would like to work with everybody … as long as it creates a mutual benefit for all of us and gives ( prosperity ) to all of us”.

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Kuala Lumpur sinkhole: A timeline of rescue efforts at one-week mark

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Aug. 27: As seek efforts continue, including at the Pantai Dalam treatment plant, which is located 7 kilometers away from the sewer’s terminus, rescuers deploy ground-penetrating radar.

The victim’s brother, Mr M Suria, 25, tells Bernama he next spoke with his mother on the phone at 1.30am on the day of the event. He had really gotten a tattoo of her name on his remaining arm while he was in Thailand. When his brother-in-law got word of the affair, he rushed to Kuala Lumpur.

Businesses in the Masjid India region claim that company has declined significantly as locals and tourists avoid the area.

Residents of Kuala Lumpur’s most vulnerable neighborhoods, like Brickfields, demand that the state’s underwater mapping system be made available for public consumption.

Aug 28: Another hole opens up on Jalan Masjid India, 50m from the hole that claimed Ms Vijayaletchumy, in the first days of the day. No injuries have been reported, but the authorities have closed the whole 400-kilometer stretch of the road, with footpaths still available. &nbsp,

After the research work are over, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof claims that an “integrity inspection” of the sewer system along Jalan Masjid may be carried out.

Minister of Federal Territories Zaliha confirms that Kuala Lumpur’s temporary suspension of new development has resulted in a temporary suspension. &nbsp,

Kuala Lumpur City Hall says it will halt its Merdeka Eve events on August 30 in honor of the target. A few hundred meters from the crater blog, Merdeka Square was the location of the celebration.

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Cordlife learnt ‘valuable lessons’, implemented ‘robust’ measures in response to mishandling of cord blood units

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SINGAPORE: Personal cord blood banks Cordlife said it has learnt “valuable lessons” after a months-long expulsion over its&nbsp, mishandling of cord blood products, and has implemented “robust” security measures to cooperate with the Ministry of Health ( MOH)’s regulatory requirements. &nbsp, These measures include an improved “lab monitoring system” thatContinue Reading

‘Won’t cancel just because of this’: Singapore travellers go ahead with KL trips despite sinkhole concerns

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INCIDENT WON’T TURN TOURISTS AWAY: TOURISM ASSOCIATION

Syed Azhar Syed Nadzir, president of the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Association, stated to CNA that there has n’t been any change in tourism there. However, he anticipated that fewer people would visit the Jalan Masjid India area.

” We do n’t see any cancellations on our booking platforms. This time of year is known as the summer vacation time. We are convinced that all these orders may materialise”, he said. &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

” I think that tourists wo n’t make cancellation plans just because of this incident,” he said. Even though there are occasional landslides,” we do possess incidents like that,” says one visitor.

In the same vein, Uzaidi Udanis, president of Malaysia’s commerce council and northbound travel association, claimed that bookings did not drop in the wake of the incident.

” I communicate with my foreign counterparts every day, and there has n’t been much discussion about the specific incident,” he said.

Tourists would still go to different parts of the city, said Mr PT Hariyadurai, a licensed tour guide.

” The area is popular with visitors from the Indian and Indonesian areas, primarily because there are a lot of products that to buy.” &nbsp,

” Of course there will be an impact on the area for the time being, and it will take time for it to retrieve,” said Mr. Hariyadurai, whose business Skyrise Travel and Tours deals primarily with the global marketplace.

We do n’t want our clients to travel to the area right now; we want them to get somewhere else, like Bukit Bintang. ” &nbsp,

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Analysis: Big Tech fires first salvo against Malaysia’s licensing regime, but faces tricky next steps

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Authorities in Malaysia have reiterated that the licensing program is essential in a time of rising crime and a alleged lack of effort by software companies to combat it. In addition, civil society organizations have previously criticized the licensing program as one that could stifle free speech and criticism of the government.

Dr. Shafizan Mohamed, a connections lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia, told CNA that” the tech organizations” will likely continue to try to issue or at least change the registration requirements, despite the government’s standing.

” However, given the significant financial repercussions of withdrawing from Malaysia, I do n’t think these firms would be very outright ( in their demands )”.

” NOT HAPPY”

The AIC, which was established in 2010, issued the most recent version of its open letter on Monday ( Aug 26 ), urging the government to reconsider the upcoming licensing regime, and praising the costs associated with compliance and what it claimed was insufficient time to prepare before the regulation starts effective from January 1, 2025.

Firms that do not obtain the class license face jail sentences of up to five years and a maximum fine of RM500,000 ( US$ 115, 650 ). Users could also be fined RM1, 000 for each day they remain unregulated.

AIC likewise warned in its notice that the proposed legislation would deter current investments and discourage future ones, adding that the technology sector is prepared to “work up” with the Malaysian government to address crime on their platforms.

Dr. Shafizan claimed that the letter, which was addressed to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, demonstrated how hostile the technology companies are to the government’s efforts to impose their policies and how they are trying to include their voices heard.

” I do say that this email resembles an industry-wide political protest.” They want to protest, but in a good way, telling the state that they’re not trying to go against or debate the legislation outright”, she said.

They want the government to consider this and give them more time to help, they say.

Dr. Shafizan said the AIC’s email focused on general issues, such as the impact on innovation and expense, in order to convince the government that the negative effects of regulation would outweigh its benefits.

We may see that they were actually focusing on financial impact, investments, and other things like that throughout the letter, she said. These are clearly the main justifications for their use.

Dr. Shafizan believes there is” some weight” to the AIC’s claim regarding the implementation timeline, noting that the public sessions on the licensing program were just finished in June before details were made public in August, five months before police began the following year.

” I think the entire enactment of this regulation was done rather hastily,” she continued.

MCMC FIRES BACK

However, on August 27, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil emphasized that the licensing process would not be delayed, with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) stating in its response letter that the five-month grace period was “reasonable and consistent with international best practices.”

This schedule was put together to balance the legitimate need to protect online services from cyber threats with the practical requirements for compliance, according to the statement.

The goal of improving user safety and mitigating the rapidly advancing risks in the digital space would be compromised further by expanding the grace period.

The MCMC refuted suggestions that the licensing regime was” carefully designed” to balance regulatory requirements with the need for flexibility, and rejected suggestions of the negative impact on investment and innovation.

” By holding online service providers accountable, the framework will increase investor confidence, knowing that Malaysia prioritises a stable and legally compliant digital ecosystem”, it said.

The commission also brushed off the notion that the regulations were excessive, comparing it to similar laws like Singapore’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act ( POFMA ), and saying that Malaysia’s version was “proportionate”.

The licensing regime only applies to “irresponsible” platforms that meet the required minimum number of users in Malaysia, reducing the burden on smaller or less important services, according to the statement.

There is no reason why a regulatory framework based on safety, security, transparency, and accountability features cannot be accepted and adhered to, MCMC added.” If the online service providers ‘ unilateral initiative to impose community guidelines can be welcomed as a reasonable safety measure, then it should not be,” he added.

REISSUED LETTERS” REFLECT POORLY” ON TECH FIRMS

Dr Benjamin Loh, a senior lecturer in media and communication at Taylor’s University, told CNA that the “main ask” in the AIC’s letter seems to be for platforms to self-regulate, something that he said has not quite worked out.

For instance, he cited the Cambridge Analytica scandal from 2018 when it was discovered that the British consulting firm had used the majority of Facebook users ‘ personal data without their consent, primarily for political advertising. Meta is the parent company of Facebook. &nbsp,

” Personally, the main issues that still need to be addressed, and are paramount, would be increased and improved localised content moderation”, Dr Loh said.

” In the AIC letter, neither how it will operate in these circumstances nor how improved content moderation will be handled. This letter fundamentally ignores the only major issue that needs to be addressed because it is only presented as” costly compliance.”

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35 Catholic High students fall ill with gastroenteritis after school camp

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SINGAPORE: Thirty-five Primary 5 students and two staff members from Catholic High School ( Primary ) developed gastroenteritis symptoms after a school camp earlier this week. &nbsp,

None of them were hospitalised, said the Ministry of Health ( MOH) and the Singapore Food Agency ( SFA ) in a joint statement on Thursday ( Aug 29 ).

From Monday through Wednesday, the Ministry of Education held the Labrador Outdoor Adventure Centre.

A number of children at the P5 tent have been experiencing stomach upset since this morning, according to a text message sent to families on Tuesday afternoon. &nbsp,

The school claimed that the camp’s people had arrived right away and that the damaged people’s families had been contacted in the information seen by CNA. &nbsp,

A test was conducted with the group, and most of them were also. &nbsp,

The university claimed to have worked with the campsite to clean the premises and that it would carefully follow the situation.

MOH and SFA announced that they were looking into the event. &nbsp,

In the tired harbor, there were many people.

At the ill sea, all impacted students and employees were being watched.

” On day two, when I woke up, I heard a lot of people went to the sick bay because they got sick with fever, diarrhoea, vomiting”, said Catholic High School ( Primary ) student Brendan Law. &nbsp,

” Many people were in the sick bay at the end of the day,” said one doctor.

CNA is aware that the camp’s caterer was also involved in a food poisoning affair in February, when Northbrooks Secondary individuals became sick while attending a college station.

The cook declined to comment, citing the continued SFA research.

The organizers of outdoor education, which represents the Outdoor Learning and Adventure Education Association, claimed the incident may be brought on by a number of factors, including pupils serving food to their contemporaries, a practice practiced frequently in such tents to tell them about leadership.

” We ca n’t rule out that there is a risk of a student having a pre-existing condition, like having stomach flu or having some sort of virus or bacteria, so that there is a risk of them contaminating the food”, said Mr Delane Lim, secretary-general of the association.

” It may not be the food being contaminated. It’s most likely how the meal is being served while it’s still being prepared. We ca n’t rule out that”.

Catholic High informed CNA that as a precaution, it had already scheduled a distinct cook for the incident.

Most of the damaged students and staff members are back to school as of Thursday.

Food safety is a shared responsibility, said MOH and SFA.

” Food users must play their part by adhering to fine food safety procedures while SFA implements and maintains the regulatory methods. SFA did not dare to impose sanctions against errant food traders, they added.

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