Tag: Tan Chen Chen

A Chinese Navy ship displayed "unsafe maneuvers" near a US destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, marking the second close encounter between American and Chinese military assets in less than 10 days. The US military criticized China's actions and emphasized its commitment to operating safely and responsibly within international law. China, on the other hand, accused the US of provocation and interference in its sovereignty and security.

S&CC fees for 27 Singaporean markets and hawker centres managed by the MSE are set to increase twice in 2024, following a review by the NEA. The increase, which will range from $4 to $20 per stall, comes amidst a similar hike for PAP town councils and a 1% GST rise. The raised fees will fund increased maintenance and operating costs for these public amenities.

The remnants of former Typhoon Mawar have resulted in heavy rainfall across Japan, leading to one fatality, two missing persons, and power outages affecting thousands of households. As the storm has been downgraded to a tropical storm, some evacuation warnings have been eased, but flooding risks persist, particularly near Tokyo. Scientists link the increased risk of heavy rain in Japan and elsewhere to climate change, which intensifies atmospheric water retention.

A catastrophic collision between two passenger trains in Odisha, India, has resulted in at least 233 fatalities and 900 injuries, marking the country's deadliest rail accident in over a decade. Amid conflicting accounts of the cause and increasing fears that the death toll may rise, rescue efforts are in full force with the priority being the rescue and medical aid for the injured.

Singapore has blocked access to online news publication Asia Sentinel following its failure to comply with the country's fake news law's requirement regarding the placement of a correction notice. The controversy began over an Asia Sentinel article titled "Singapore Kills A Chicken To Scare The Monkeys," which criticized Singapore's handling of the COVID-19 crisis and drew comparisons between the article author’s experiences and those of human rights lawyer M Ravi and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s brother, Lee Hsien Yang. The Ministry of Home Affairs claimed the article contained false statements, issuing a correction direction. However, the publication did not place the correction notice at the required position on its website and the article page. The access-blocking order implemented by the Ministry of Communications and Information could be revoked if Asia Sentinel adheres to the directive.

Two workers cleaning the exterior of an HDB block in Singapore narrowly escaped a dangerous situation when their gondola tilted due to the collapse of the top wall. Despite sustaining minor injuries, they were safely rescued through the windows of the 14th and 15th floors. Preliminary investigations confirmed the gondola's overhead support came loose when the wall was damaged. With three similar accidents reported in the past two years, the HDB emphasised adherence to Workplace Safety and Health regulations.

Artistic expressions commemorating the Tiananmen Square crackdown have dwindled in Hong Kong since the implementation of the national security law in 2020. Public events and performances that once marked the anniversary have been suppressed, and artists face uncertainty and repercussions. Some artists have relocated their works to Taiwan, where they continue to foster a connection to the memory of Tiananmen and advocate for freedom and democracy. However, concerns persist over erasure and censorship in both Hong Kong and Taiwan.