Sunday, 25 December 2011
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Tiger Airways to fly from Singapore and Dhaka
Tiger Airways to fly from Singapore and Dhaka from March
The four-times-weekly service to Bangladesh's capital city will commence Mar 9, 2012.
“Dhaka is our first destination in Bangladesh, and the introduction of this service provides great opportunities to increase both business and consumer travel between Dhaka and Singapore,” said Stewart Adams, Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore.
One-way tickets to Dhaka are now available at promotional fares from S$100 (all-inclusive) for travel from Mar 9 to Oct 31, 2012.
For more information, please visit www.tigerairways.com.
~News courtesy of Asia One~
The four-times-weekly service to Bangladesh's capital city will commence Mar 9, 2012.“Dhaka is our first destination in Bangladesh, and the introduction of this service provides great opportunities to increase both business and consumer travel between Dhaka and Singapore,” said Stewart Adams, Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore.
One-way tickets to Dhaka are now available at promotional fares from S$100 (all-inclusive) for travel from Mar 9 to Oct 31, 2012.
For more information, please visit www.tigerairways.com.
~News courtesy of Asia One~
Monday, 19 December 2011
Xmas shopping still on
Christmas shopping still on despite delay in train services
The delay in train services on Sunday morning on the East-West and North-South Lines may have seen fewer early-bird shoppers in town.
But not all were deterred from doing some last-minute Christmas buying.
Those hoping to get an early start to their Sunday morning shopping had to contend with further delays at train stations.
A shopper said: "The MRT wasn't working till 11 plus, so I couldn't come out early to beat the crowd, so I had to delay my shopping plans."
Another said: "It was horrible trying to get here actually. I had to try to flag down a taxi, that took a while."
Train services to the Orchard MRT station were not in operation until after 11am.
By lunchtime, a steady crowd was seen coming into town.
With the train services resumed, shoppers could get back to buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones.
A shopper said: "There's always last-minute sales. So just making use of the sales."
Another said: "I got some good deals on unexpected things, like even spa packages, stuff like that. I think everybody wants to negotiate, so I managed to negotiate some good deals."
A shopper said: "I'm getting a bit stressed out from Christmas shopping. I think it's going to be ultra-last minute! So like, on the 22nd, I'll still be out there doing my shopping."
Male shoppers didn't seem to have this problem though.
A man said: "I'm ready. Just left Christmas cooking, that's all."
Another said: "Actually we've done it last week for all our kids and my family."
But not everyone thought shopping this weekend was considered last-minute.
A shopper said: "Usually I shop till the day itself, so this is actually early for me!"
And if you are a shopper who has a tendency to procrastinate, take heart, as many retail outlets are extending their hours of operation until Christmas.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The delay in train services on Sunday morning on the East-West and North-South Lines may have seen fewer early-bird shoppers in town.
But not all were deterred from doing some last-minute Christmas buying.
Those hoping to get an early start to their Sunday morning shopping had to contend with further delays at train stations.
A shopper said: "The MRT wasn't working till 11 plus, so I couldn't come out early to beat the crowd, so I had to delay my shopping plans."
Another said: "It was horrible trying to get here actually. I had to try to flag down a taxi, that took a while."
Train services to the Orchard MRT station were not in operation until after 11am.
By lunchtime, a steady crowd was seen coming into town.
With the train services resumed, shoppers could get back to buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones.
A shopper said: "There's always last-minute sales. So just making use of the sales."
Another said: "I got some good deals on unexpected things, like even spa packages, stuff like that. I think everybody wants to negotiate, so I managed to negotiate some good deals."
A shopper said: "I'm getting a bit stressed out from Christmas shopping. I think it's going to be ultra-last minute! So like, on the 22nd, I'll still be out there doing my shopping."
Male shoppers didn't seem to have this problem though.
A man said: "I'm ready. Just left Christmas cooking, that's all."
Another said: "Actually we've done it last week for all our kids and my family."
But not everyone thought shopping this weekend was considered last-minute.
A shopper said: "Usually I shop till the day itself, so this is actually early for me!"
And if you are a shopper who has a tendency to procrastinate, take heart, as many retail outlets are extending their hours of operation until Christmas.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Silkair to fly to Darwin
Silkair to fly to Darwin
Silkair the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will begin direct flights between Singapore and Darwin, Australia, from March 26 next year, subject to regulatory approvals.
Flights will operate four times a week, departing on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with next-day return flights.
~News courtesy of Omy~
Silkair the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will begin direct flights between Singapore and Darwin, Australia, from March 26 next year, subject to regulatory approvals.
Flights will operate four times a week, departing on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with next-day return flights.
~News courtesy of Omy~
Friday, 9 December 2011
Singapore lures more tourists from China
Singapore lures more tourists from China
Singapore's tourism authorities have launched a new campaign to attract more Chinese tourists to the island republic.
This is mainly to target more experienced and well-heeled travelers.
The Singapore Tourism Board's new marketing campaign launched in Beijing seems hardly complete without its tourism ambassador and pop star Stefanie Sun.
Titled New Discoveries, it's aimed at helping Chinese tourists deepen their understanding of Singapore, and give them with reasons to visit Singapore again and again.
According to the World Tourism Organization, by the year 2020, China looks set to become the world's fourth largest tourist-generating country.
And clearly, the needs and expectations of Chinese tourists have evolved and changed over the years, and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
Edward Chew, chief representative regional director, Greater China, Singapore Tourism Board, said: "They are becoming a lot more knowledgeable about what's out there in the world and they want to see different things.
"But one of the biggest trends that we see is that they are looking to understand cultures, they are looking to understand destinations, they want to know how the local people live and gain an appreciation for those factors."
With 1.17 million arrivals last year, Chinese tourists are the second largest group of foreign tourists to Singapore, after Indonesia.
They are also the second biggest spenders in the first half this year.
And they're increasingly coming to Singapore on semi-free and easy tour packages.
Mr Edward Chew said: "Lots of Chinese may have visited the zoo, but they have never gone behind the scenes, they've never done the zookeeper thing, and I think right now the market is poised for them to actually enjoy such things.
And the third piece which I think is probably very important is showing them where Singaporeans hang out and how we live our lives.
"And the things we enjoy; the things we are proud of and excited about. Those things we want them to know about or at least experience it."
Highly popular in China, tourism ambassador Stefanie Sun also shared with Chinese tourists her favorite food and destinations in Singapore.
Stefanie Sun said: "In Singapore, there is something known as "teh tarik", and it's a tea that's prepared by Indians where it's pulled very long. This helps reduce the temperature to make it easier to drink. It's very frothy and fragrant. In Singapore, we also turn this tea into an ice-cream."
In the first half of this year, over 758,000 Chinese visited Singapore, a 35 per cent increase from a year ago.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Singapore's tourism authorities have launched a new campaign to attract more Chinese tourists to the island republic.
This is mainly to target more experienced and well-heeled travelers.
The Singapore Tourism Board's new marketing campaign launched in Beijing seems hardly complete without its tourism ambassador and pop star Stefanie Sun.
Titled New Discoveries, it's aimed at helping Chinese tourists deepen their understanding of Singapore, and give them with reasons to visit Singapore again and again.
According to the World Tourism Organization, by the year 2020, China looks set to become the world's fourth largest tourist-generating country.
And clearly, the needs and expectations of Chinese tourists have evolved and changed over the years, and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
Edward Chew, chief representative regional director, Greater China, Singapore Tourism Board, said: "They are becoming a lot more knowledgeable about what's out there in the world and they want to see different things.
"But one of the biggest trends that we see is that they are looking to understand cultures, they are looking to understand destinations, they want to know how the local people live and gain an appreciation for those factors."
With 1.17 million arrivals last year, Chinese tourists are the second largest group of foreign tourists to Singapore, after Indonesia.
They are also the second biggest spenders in the first half this year.
And they're increasingly coming to Singapore on semi-free and easy tour packages.
Mr Edward Chew said: "Lots of Chinese may have visited the zoo, but they have never gone behind the scenes, they've never done the zookeeper thing, and I think right now the market is poised for them to actually enjoy such things.
And the third piece which I think is probably very important is showing them where Singaporeans hang out and how we live our lives.
"And the things we enjoy; the things we are proud of and excited about. Those things we want them to know about or at least experience it."
Highly popular in China, tourism ambassador Stefanie Sun also shared with Chinese tourists her favorite food and destinations in Singapore.
Stefanie Sun said: "In Singapore, there is something known as "teh tarik", and it's a tea that's prepared by Indians where it's pulled very long. This helps reduce the temperature to make it easier to drink. It's very frothy and fragrant. In Singapore, we also turn this tea into an ice-cream."
In the first half of this year, over 758,000 Chinese visited Singapore, a 35 per cent increase from a year ago.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Hotel guests made to wait at MBS
Hotel guests made to wait at MBS
Some guests checking in at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) hotel on Tuesday were left frustrated after they had to wait for more than three hours before they could check in.
In response to TODAY's queries, an MBS spokesperson attributed the delay to a system upgrade "which resulted in a longer than normal check-in for some guests".
Without disclosing how many guests were affected, the spokesperson added: "We seek the understanding of our guests and regret any inconvenience caused."
Hotel guest Paul Lee, 33, had booked a room for two nights at the MBS hotel to celebrate his wedding anniversary. He told TODAY that his family only managed to enter their room at 6pm, despite arriving at the hotel before 3pm on Tuesday.
As the couple had brought along their two children - aged five weeks and two years - Mr Lee said the delay caused some inconvenience as the family were made to wait with other guests.
As a form of compensation, Mr Lee said that he was given a free room-upgrade and S$100 worth of food vouchers.
"It did not dampen the mood so much for us as we had booked for two nights and we still have a full day to enjoy ... but I guess it will probably be different if we only had one night and had to check out early tomorrow," he added.
Another guest, who only wished to be known as Roy, said that he was frustrated by the lack of communication between the hotel and guests about the reason behind the delay. According to him, long queues had formed at the hotel's reception area during the delay.
"There was a lot of uncertainty as no one was really able to advise us what was going on. The hotel should have expected the large crowd given the Formula 1 weekend and prepare for the situation better," he said.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Some guests checking in at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) hotel on Tuesday were left frustrated after they had to wait for more than three hours before they could check in.
In response to TODAY's queries, an MBS spokesperson attributed the delay to a system upgrade "which resulted in a longer than normal check-in for some guests".
Without disclosing how many guests were affected, the spokesperson added: "We seek the understanding of our guests and regret any inconvenience caused."
Hotel guest Paul Lee, 33, had booked a room for two nights at the MBS hotel to celebrate his wedding anniversary. He told TODAY that his family only managed to enter their room at 6pm, despite arriving at the hotel before 3pm on Tuesday.
As the couple had brought along their two children - aged five weeks and two years - Mr Lee said the delay caused some inconvenience as the family were made to wait with other guests.
As a form of compensation, Mr Lee said that he was given a free room-upgrade and S$100 worth of food vouchers.
"It did not dampen the mood so much for us as we had booked for two nights and we still have a full day to enjoy ... but I guess it will probably be different if we only had one night and had to check out early tomorrow," he added.
Another guest, who only wished to be known as Roy, said that he was frustrated by the lack of communication between the hotel and guests about the reason behind the delay. According to him, long queues had formed at the hotel's reception area during the delay.
"There was a lot of uncertainty as no one was really able to advise us what was going on. The hotel should have expected the large crowd given the Formula 1 weekend and prepare for the situation better," he said.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Slight haze ahead for Singapore
Slight haze ahead for Singapore
Singapore may be affected by occasional slight haze in the week ahead.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said for the rest of the week, it expects occasional dry conditions over southern Sumatra.
As the winds over Singapore are expected to blow from the southwest at times, NEA said Singapore may be affected.
NEA added that a slight haze on Wednesday caused by particulate matter has also cleared.
The 24-hr pollutant standards index (PSI) as at 4pm on Tuesday was 40 and the 3-hr PSI at 2pm on Wednesday was 26.
The public may wish to refer to NEA's website for hourly updates of 3-hr PSI.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Singapore may be affected by occasional slight haze in the week ahead.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said for the rest of the week, it expects occasional dry conditions over southern Sumatra.
As the winds over Singapore are expected to blow from the southwest at times, NEA said Singapore may be affected.
NEA added that a slight haze on Wednesday caused by particulate matter has also cleared.
The 24-hr pollutant standards index (PSI) as at 4pm on Tuesday was 40 and the 3-hr PSI at 2pm on Wednesday was 26.
The public may wish to refer to NEA's website for hourly updates of 3-hr PSI.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Ferry service for Kusu pilgrimage
Ferry service for Kusu pilgrimage
Thousands of devotees are expected to head for Kusu Island during the annual pilgrimage season between September 27 and October 26 this year.
The Sentosa Leisure Group said during this season, ferries to Kusu Island will depart from the Marina South Pier, starting at 6.30am on weekends and public holidays, and 7.00am on weekdays.
The last ferry will depart from the pier at 5.00pm and leave Kusu Island at 7.00pm daily.
All regular ferry services to St John's Island will be temporarily suspended during this time.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Thousands of devotees are expected to head for Kusu Island during the annual pilgrimage season between September 27 and October 26 this year.
The Sentosa Leisure Group said during this season, ferries to Kusu Island will depart from the Marina South Pier, starting at 6.30am on weekends and public holidays, and 7.00am on weekdays.
The last ferry will depart from the pier at 5.00pm and leave Kusu Island at 7.00pm daily.
All regular ferry services to St John's Island will be temporarily suspended during this time.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Big move for Orchard Road's flowers
Big move for Orchard Road's flowers
The flower totems that have been adding a dash of colour to a stretch along Orchard Road will be moved to Sentosa.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said this is because the totems suffered from constant flower pilferage.
Two years ago, the blooms were replaced by bromeliads, but maintaining the plant has also become a challenge.
The STB has called for a public tender to move the totems, between Forum The Shopping Mall and Liat Towers, to Sentosa.
Work is targetted to begin next month and is slated for completion by the end of this year.
During this period, the remaining plants will be removed from the totems and canvasses bearing flower motifs will be wrapped around to protect the steel structures.
The flower totems were introduced in 2009 as part of the Orchard Road Mall Enhancement Works.
STB said it explored various avenues to maintain the totems and uphold the overall image of Orchard Road.
But it made the decision to move the totems to Sentosa after consulting the Orchard Road Business Association, the relevant Tanglin zone stakeholders and the public.
Sentosa will adopt the totems as part of the island's annual floral festival held during the Chinese New Year period.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The flower totems that have been adding a dash of colour to a stretch along Orchard Road will be moved to Sentosa.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said this is because the totems suffered from constant flower pilferage.
Two years ago, the blooms were replaced by bromeliads, but maintaining the plant has also become a challenge.
The STB has called for a public tender to move the totems, between Forum The Shopping Mall and Liat Towers, to Sentosa.
Work is targetted to begin next month and is slated for completion by the end of this year.
During this period, the remaining plants will be removed from the totems and canvasses bearing flower motifs will be wrapped around to protect the steel structures.
The flower totems were introduced in 2009 as part of the Orchard Road Mall Enhancement Works.
STB said it explored various avenues to maintain the totems and uphold the overall image of Orchard Road.
But it made the decision to move the totems to Sentosa after consulting the Orchard Road Business Association, the relevant Tanglin zone stakeholders and the public.
Sentosa will adopt the totems as part of the island's annual floral festival held during the Chinese New Year period.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Blue skies? Haze may return next week
Blue skies? Haze may return next week
A "LONG-TERM solution" to the haze woes here lies in a change in behaviour of firms and people involved in the burning of forests in Indonesia, said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, yesterday.
Speaking to the media at the launch of Singapore drag queen Kumar's biography, Dr Balakrishnan noted that Singapore had offered Indonesia help, such as firefighters and cloud seeding.
But "so far, it has not called on our resources", he said.
"Frankly, it does have enough resources and it's a matter of political will and implementation on the ground," he added.
Dr Balakrishnan also warned Singaporeans not to celebrate yesterday's "nice blue skies" as a sign that the worst of the haze is over.
"We anticipate that...early next week, we might get a return of the haze."
～News courtesy of Omy～
A "LONG-TERM solution" to the haze woes here lies in a change in behaviour of firms and people involved in the burning of forests in Indonesia, said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, yesterday.
Speaking to the media at the launch of Singapore drag queen Kumar's biography, Dr Balakrishnan noted that Singapore had offered Indonesia help, such as firefighters and cloud seeding.
But "so far, it has not called on our resources", he said.
"Frankly, it does have enough resources and it's a matter of political will and implementation on the ground," he added.
Dr Balakrishnan also warned Singaporeans not to celebrate yesterday's "nice blue skies" as a sign that the worst of the haze is over.
"We anticipate that...early next week, we might get a return of the haze."
～News courtesy of Omy～
Sunday, 4 September 2011
The Sentosa Buskers Festival returns
The Sentosa Buskers Festival returns
The Sentosa Buskers Festival is back and it promises a bigger ensemble with a focus on charity.
The Festival, which is now in its second year, will bring in 13 acts between September 3 and 11.
From traditional Japanese juggling teapots and cups to circus performers, the Festival's more than 180 performances promise to entertain.
All donations at the end of the performances will go to the Community Chest.
The Festival's charity component is in conjunction with the launch of Sentosa's inaugural charity initiative - Sentosa Gives.
The Festival is free of charge and is open to the public between 4pm and 10pm daily at four locations around Sentosa.
The four locations are: Merlion Plaza, Imbiah Garden (Amphitheatre), Songs of the Sea (Forecourt) and Siloso Beach (Area opposite Skyline Luge Sentosa).
Island admission charges apply.
The Festival expects to attract some 110,000 spectators this year.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The Sentosa Buskers Festival is back and it promises a bigger ensemble with a focus on charity.
The Festival, which is now in its second year, will bring in 13 acts between September 3 and 11.
From traditional Japanese juggling teapots and cups to circus performers, the Festival's more than 180 performances promise to entertain.
All donations at the end of the performances will go to the Community Chest.
The Festival's charity component is in conjunction with the launch of Sentosa's inaugural charity initiative - Sentosa Gives.
The Festival is free of charge and is open to the public between 4pm and 10pm daily at four locations around Sentosa.
The four locations are: Merlion Plaza, Imbiah Garden (Amphitheatre), Songs of the Sea (Forecourt) and Siloso Beach (Area opposite Skyline Luge Sentosa).
Island admission charges apply.
The Festival expects to attract some 110,000 spectators this year.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Singapore's first H&M store opens
Singapore's first H&M store opens in Orchard Road
Singapore's first H&M clothing store at Orchard Building opened its doors at 11.00am Saturday morning.
Fans started queuing since on Friday night to get into Orchard Road's latest fashion draw. By noon on Saturday, snaking queues stretched all the way to 313@Somerset, two buildings away.
Orchard Building was chosen for the flagship store for its prime location.
Lex Keijser, Country Manager, H&M Singapore, said: "Everybody knows this building and by looking around at this street, this particular building stands out. You see what we can make out of those buildings and it will be an icon of Singapore and everybody will remember H&M now."
The new store gave the first five early birds cash vouchers worth S$250, while the next 10 received S$100 cash vouchers. And the next 30 shoppers also walked away with a S$20 cash voucher.
The 30,000 square feet store boasts three levels of apparel and accessories.
Other fashion retail businesses in Orchard, such as bYSI, said they expect to feel the heat with shoppers flocking to the newest store.
bYSI's business development manager Jonathan Cheng said: "In the short term, they would definitely attract the traffic over to H&M but after the craze is over, I believe that it's just another option for shoppers but the customers of each individual brands will have their market share back."
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Singapore's first H&M clothing store at Orchard Building opened its doors at 11.00am Saturday morning.
Fans started queuing since on Friday night to get into Orchard Road's latest fashion draw. By noon on Saturday, snaking queues stretched all the way to 313@Somerset, two buildings away.
Orchard Building was chosen for the flagship store for its prime location.
Lex Keijser, Country Manager, H&M Singapore, said: "Everybody knows this building and by looking around at this street, this particular building stands out. You see what we can make out of those buildings and it will be an icon of Singapore and everybody will remember H&M now."
The new store gave the first five early birds cash vouchers worth S$250, while the next 10 received S$100 cash vouchers. And the next 30 shoppers also walked away with a S$20 cash voucher.
The 30,000 square feet store boasts three levels of apparel and accessories.
Other fashion retail businesses in Orchard, such as bYSI, said they expect to feel the heat with shoppers flocking to the newest store.
bYSI's business development manager Jonathan Cheng said: "In the short term, they would definitely attract the traffic over to H&M but after the craze is over, I believe that it's just another option for shoppers but the customers of each individual brands will have their market share back."
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Swan Lake on Ice takes flight at MBS
Swan Lake on Ice takes flight at MBS Grand Theatre
Swan Lake on Ice returns to Singapore after four years and this time, the ice dance will be performed at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Theatre from Tuesday, where a special rink is constructed.
Swan Lake takes flight on the frozen stage from August 30 to September 2.
Graceful, elegant and almost beautifully tragic, Swan Lake is a well-loved fairy tale accompanied by a magnificent score by 19th century Russian composer Tchaikovsky.
But before the show can be performed on ice, the stage needs a complete "freeze-over".
Paul Mansfield, the Production Manager of "Swan Lake on Ice", said: "We brought everything with us here from the UK, and we installed a full ice rink...We start by putting down five tonnes of crushed ice, which has been supplied locally.
"Then we have a person stay here overnight, all night, and every 15 minutes, they'll spray the ice rink again so that each time, it slowly builds up a layer of ice, getting thicker and thicker, until it's about 20cm thick. And then after that, it just needs to be maintained."
Normally it takes three days to build a rink but here, the crew only has about 14 hours to do so in the lead up to the show. And when that is done, the 26 skaters are ready to wow the audience.
Mansfield said: "Many of the elements that they are performing would normally be done on a normal ice rink that's 60m by 60m. This one behind me is only 14m wide. So you'll see some incredible feats - they can get up to speeds of 30 miles an hour as they're going around the ice."
Mansfield said compared with its first run in Singapore, this version will feature new moves, new scenes and most of all, a surprise at the end.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Swan Lake on Ice returns to Singapore after four years and this time, the ice dance will be performed at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Theatre from Tuesday, where a special rink is constructed.
Swan Lake takes flight on the frozen stage from August 30 to September 2.
Graceful, elegant and almost beautifully tragic, Swan Lake is a well-loved fairy tale accompanied by a magnificent score by 19th century Russian composer Tchaikovsky.
But before the show can be performed on ice, the stage needs a complete "freeze-over".
Paul Mansfield, the Production Manager of "Swan Lake on Ice", said: "We brought everything with us here from the UK, and we installed a full ice rink...We start by putting down five tonnes of crushed ice, which has been supplied locally.
"Then we have a person stay here overnight, all night, and every 15 minutes, they'll spray the ice rink again so that each time, it slowly builds up a layer of ice, getting thicker and thicker, until it's about 20cm thick. And then after that, it just needs to be maintained."
Normally it takes three days to build a rink but here, the crew only has about 14 hours to do so in the lead up to the show. And when that is done, the 26 skaters are ready to wow the audience.
Mansfield said: "Many of the elements that they are performing would normally be done on a normal ice rink that's 60m by 60m. This one behind me is only 14m wide. So you'll see some incredible feats - they can get up to speeds of 30 miles an hour as they're going around the ice."
Mansfield said compared with its first run in Singapore, this version will feature new moves, new scenes and most of all, a surprise at the end.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Istana to open on Tuesday
Istana to open on Tuesday
The Istana grounds will be open to the public from 8.30am to 6pm on Tuesday to celebrate Hari Raya Puasa.
The bands from Zhonghua Secondary School and Poi Ching School will be performing at the Open House.
There will also be a Malay dance performance by the People's Association, as well as an exhibit of Falabella miniature horses by the Singapore Zoo.
Visitors can also get their face painted by makeup artists from Cosmoprof Academy.
Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents.
Other visitors will have to pay an entrance fee of S$1 per person.
For an entrance fee of $2, visitors can tour selected function rooms in the Istana building and view the gifts presented to the president and the prime minister by foreign dignitaries.
Istana souvenirs will be sold during the open house.
Proceeds from the sale and entrance fees will be donated to the Community Chest.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The Istana grounds will be open to the public from 8.30am to 6pm on Tuesday to celebrate Hari Raya Puasa.
The bands from Zhonghua Secondary School and Poi Ching School will be performing at the Open House.
There will also be a Malay dance performance by the People's Association, as well as an exhibit of Falabella miniature horses by the Singapore Zoo.
Visitors can also get their face painted by makeup artists from Cosmoprof Academy.
Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents.
Other visitors will have to pay an entrance fee of S$1 per person.
For an entrance fee of $2, visitors can tour selected function rooms in the Istana building and view the gifts presented to the president and the prime minister by foreign dignitaries.
Istana souvenirs will be sold during the open house.
Proceeds from the sale and entrance fees will be donated to the Community Chest.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Friday, 5 August 2011
Heavy rain warning
Heavy rain warning
Heavy thundery showers with gusty winds are expected over many areas of Singapore between 9.10am and 10.10am Thursday.
National water agency, PUB, said flash floods may occur in low-lying areas.
PUB said it has an ongoing drainage improvement programme in flood-prone areas.
It has also enhanced its flood-monitoring system by increasing the number of water level sensors in key canals and drains from 32 to 90 in end-2010.
This will be further increased to 150 by end-2011.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Heavy thundery showers with gusty winds are expected over many areas of Singapore between 9.10am and 10.10am Thursday.
National water agency, PUB, said flash floods may occur in low-lying areas.
PUB said it has an ongoing drainage improvement programme in flood-prone areas.
It has also enhanced its flood-monitoring system by increasing the number of water level sensors in key canals and drains from 32 to 90 in end-2010.
This will be further increased to 150 by end-2011.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
9.2m visitors to Sentosa in first half of 2011
9.2m visitors to Sentosa in first half of 2011
The number of people visiting Sentosa rose to some 9.2 million in the first half of this year.
Sentosa Leisure Group said that represented an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
CEO of Sentosa Development Corporation, Mike Barclay, said this puts the island on track to register 20 million visitors for the whole year.
Outside of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), locals made up 49 per cent of visitors to the island, while four-in-10 leisure and business tourists who visited Singapore also visited Sentosa.
Asian countries - in particular Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia - remain big growth markets for Sentosa.
The Sentosa Leisure Group said more options will be added to the island's range of leisure and lifestyle offerings in the coming months to position the island as a compelling leisure and lifestyle destination.
As part of its masterplan to enhance offerings along the beach, a series of developments have been planned for Palawan Beach.
The Palawan Walk will feature an 800-metre landscaped walkway that connects restaurants and the food court along the Beach Station and Palawan Beach, and is scheduled to open in 2012.
The centerpiece of the Palawan Walk is a water-play area built around a replica of a giant pirate ship, which also houses a kids club and a family restaurant.
A Family Entertainment Centre will also be built on Palawan Beach to offer more family-themed activities in the area.
Meanwhile, plans for Sentosa's intra-island cableway, which will enhance connectivity between the different clusters of attractions on the island, are on track for completion in 2014.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The number of people visiting Sentosa rose to some 9.2 million in the first half of this year.
Sentosa Leisure Group said that represented an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
CEO of Sentosa Development Corporation, Mike Barclay, said this puts the island on track to register 20 million visitors for the whole year.
Outside of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), locals made up 49 per cent of visitors to the island, while four-in-10 leisure and business tourists who visited Singapore also visited Sentosa.
Asian countries - in particular Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia - remain big growth markets for Sentosa.
The Sentosa Leisure Group said more options will be added to the island's range of leisure and lifestyle offerings in the coming months to position the island as a compelling leisure and lifestyle destination.
As part of its masterplan to enhance offerings along the beach, a series of developments have been planned for Palawan Beach.
The Palawan Walk will feature an 800-metre landscaped walkway that connects restaurants and the food court along the Beach Station and Palawan Beach, and is scheduled to open in 2012.
The centerpiece of the Palawan Walk is a water-play area built around a replica of a giant pirate ship, which also houses a kids club and a family restaurant.
A Family Entertainment Centre will also be built on Palawan Beach to offer more family-themed activities in the area.
Meanwhile, plans for Sentosa's intra-island cableway, which will enhance connectivity between the different clusters of attractions on the island, are on track for completion in 2014.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Free entry to seven museums in August
Free entry to seven museums in August
Seven museums are giving free admission in August, as part of National Day celebrations.
Free admission for Singaporeans and permanent residents in Singapore is valid for all permanent galleries in the museums from August 1-31.
In addition, the museums will be opened free of charge to all visitors on Open House days on National Day (August 9) and Hari Raya Puasa (August 30).
On Open House days, admission is free for all, to all galleries and exhibitions, including special exhibitions.
The museums are: The Asian Civilisations Museum, the National Museum of Singapore, the Singapore Art Museum, the Singapore Philatelic Museum, the Peranakan Museum, Memories at Old Ford Factory, and Reflections at Bukit Chandu.
Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, said the museums are wonderful places to learn more about the different cultures of Singapore.
He said this is a great opportunity for families and friends to find out more about their diverse heritage and culture.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Seven museums are giving free admission in August, as part of National Day celebrations.
Free admission for Singaporeans and permanent residents in Singapore is valid for all permanent galleries in the museums from August 1-31.
In addition, the museums will be opened free of charge to all visitors on Open House days on National Day (August 9) and Hari Raya Puasa (August 30).
On Open House days, admission is free for all, to all galleries and exhibitions, including special exhibitions.
The museums are: The Asian Civilisations Museum, the National Museum of Singapore, the Singapore Art Museum, the Singapore Philatelic Museum, the Peranakan Museum, Memories at Old Ford Factory, and Reflections at Bukit Chandu.
Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, said the museums are wonderful places to learn more about the different cultures of Singapore.
He said this is a great opportunity for families and friends to find out more about their diverse heritage and culture.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Friday, 15 July 2011
Sands Expo to host largest orchid event
Sands Expo to host largest orchid event
BESIDES having a rare chance to view about 50,000 breeds of orchids, visitors to the largest event in the international orchid calendar can also be the first to check out Singapore's latest tourist attraction in November before it opens officially next year.
Tickets to the 20th World Orchid Conference (20WOC) will come with complimentary access to the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, 20WOC organisers told reporters at the Botanic Gardens yesterday. The 1.2ha Flower Dome slightly larger than two football fields will be open to 20WOC ticket-holders only for the duration of the event (see right).
The largest garden, Bay South, will be open to the public in June next year. Other parts of the Gardens will be opening in phases. This is the second time the conference, to be held from Nov 14 to Nov 20 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, is coming to Singapore. It was last held here in 1963.
The triennial event, which will cost $8 million to be held, will showcase orchids from 23 countries. A new orchid hybrid (right) was specially created for and named after the conference.
The organisers said Singapore was chosen not just because of the country's historical links to the flower, but also because of its importance as an orchid producer it is the third-largest exporter of fresh orchids in the world.
Dr Kiat W. Tan, the chairman of the 20WOC organising committee and chief executive officer of Gardens by the Bay, said: "By hosting the event...we are moving away from being an orchid-production centre to a world marketplace for orchids, where people come to buy and sell orchids."
~News courtesy of Omy~
BESIDES having a rare chance to view about 50,000 breeds of orchids, visitors to the largest event in the international orchid calendar can also be the first to check out Singapore's latest tourist attraction in November before it opens officially next year.
Tickets to the 20th World Orchid Conference (20WOC) will come with complimentary access to the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, 20WOC organisers told reporters at the Botanic Gardens yesterday. The 1.2ha Flower Dome slightly larger than two football fields will be open to 20WOC ticket-holders only for the duration of the event (see right).
The largest garden, Bay South, will be open to the public in June next year. Other parts of the Gardens will be opening in phases. This is the second time the conference, to be held from Nov 14 to Nov 20 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, is coming to Singapore. It was last held here in 1963.
The triennial event, which will cost $8 million to be held, will showcase orchids from 23 countries. A new orchid hybrid (right) was specially created for and named after the conference.
The organisers said Singapore was chosen not just because of the country's historical links to the flower, but also because of its importance as an orchid producer it is the third-largest exporter of fresh orchids in the world.
Dr Kiat W. Tan, the chairman of the 20WOC organising committee and chief executive officer of Gardens by the Bay, said: "By hosting the event...we are moving away from being an orchid-production centre to a world marketplace for orchids, where people come to buy and sell orchids."
~News courtesy of Omy~
SIA says sorry for website glitches
SIA says sorry for website glitches
The chief executive of Singapore Airlines (SIA), Mr Goh Choon Phong, has issued a personal apology to the carrier's customers for technical glitches on its revamped website.
In his apology, posted on SIA's website yesterday, Mr Goh said he is "truly sorry that the new website (has) caused much aggravation for many of our customers". He also pledged to win back the customers' confidence.
SIA launched the new website on May 22 to provide a better customer experience.
However, those who used it had problems with commercial and redemption bookings, payments, online check-in and membership login, among other things, said an SIA spokesman.
Two customers my paper spoke to said they encountered problems when they tried to change the dates for flights they had booked earlier.
Undergraduate Kua Zhen Yang, 21, tried to make payment for the change six times without success. In the end, he had to call the airline's hotline.
"The (hotline staff member) didn't sound at all surprised to hear about my problem and he said I was not the only one with this problem," he said.
Another undergraduate, Mr Joshua Koh, 21, who faced the same problem with an Australia-Singapore flight he booked last month, said: "The level of service is unacceptable for a reputable company like SIA."
~News courtesy of Omy~
The chief executive of Singapore Airlines (SIA), Mr Goh Choon Phong, has issued a personal apology to the carrier's customers for technical glitches on its revamped website.
In his apology, posted on SIA's website yesterday, Mr Goh said he is "truly sorry that the new website (has) caused much aggravation for many of our customers". He also pledged to win back the customers' confidence.
SIA launched the new website on May 22 to provide a better customer experience.
However, those who used it had problems with commercial and redemption bookings, payments, online check-in and membership login, among other things, said an SIA spokesman.
Two customers my paper spoke to said they encountered problems when they tried to change the dates for flights they had booked earlier.
Undergraduate Kua Zhen Yang, 21, tried to make payment for the change six times without success. In the end, he had to call the airline's hotline.
"The (hotline staff member) didn't sound at all surprised to hear about my problem and he said I was not the only one with this problem," he said.
Another undergraduate, Mr Joshua Koh, 21, who faced the same problem with an Australia-Singapore flight he booked last month, said: "The level of service is unacceptable for a reputable company like SIA."
~News courtesy of Omy~
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Orchard Road, medical haven
Orchard Road, medical haven
ORCHARD Road is renowned as a shoppers' paradise, but few know that it is fast turning into a magnet for medical services too.
By next year, the glitzy shopping belt and its surrounding areas, such as those along Tanglin and Napier roads, will become home to at least seven private medical centres.
Since the middle of last year, two private health-care providers have started or are making plans to open medical centres in the vicinity.
In May last year, Healthway Medical opened two clinics specialising in orthodontics and plastic surgery respectively at TripleOne Somerset shopping mall in Somerset Road. It has since taken the total to six clinics, spanning 25,000 sq m of the mall.
In addition, it also has clinics at Mount Elizabeth in Orchard Road and Gleneagles in Napier Road. Earlier in February, Raffles Medical Group announced plans to set up a specialist centre in Thong Sia Building in Bideford Road when existing tenancies expire next year and in 2013.
Aside from Healthway and Raffles, the other five medical providers operating in the Orchard area are: Paragon Medical, a stand-alone centre that is housed in Paragon; Orchard Medical Specialists Centre at Lucky Plaza; Mount Elizabeth located behind Paragon; Gleneagles in Napier Road; and Camden Medical Centre in Orchard Boulevard.
Healthway and Raffles provide medical services, while Paragon, Camden and Orchard Medical Specialists are landlords leasing space to medical specialists and clinics.
The remaining two Gleneagles and Mount Elizabeth comprise clinics owned and operated by independent specialists. Competition is stiff, but industry players think there is enough business to go around.
~News courtesy of Omy~
ORCHARD Road is renowned as a shoppers' paradise, but few know that it is fast turning into a magnet for medical services too.
By next year, the glitzy shopping belt and its surrounding areas, such as those along Tanglin and Napier roads, will become home to at least seven private medical centres.
Since the middle of last year, two private health-care providers have started or are making plans to open medical centres in the vicinity.
In May last year, Healthway Medical opened two clinics specialising in orthodontics and plastic surgery respectively at TripleOne Somerset shopping mall in Somerset Road. It has since taken the total to six clinics, spanning 25,000 sq m of the mall.
In addition, it also has clinics at Mount Elizabeth in Orchard Road and Gleneagles in Napier Road. Earlier in February, Raffles Medical Group announced plans to set up a specialist centre in Thong Sia Building in Bideford Road when existing tenancies expire next year and in 2013.
Aside from Healthway and Raffles, the other five medical providers operating in the Orchard area are: Paragon Medical, a stand-alone centre that is housed in Paragon; Orchard Medical Specialists Centre at Lucky Plaza; Mount Elizabeth located behind Paragon; Gleneagles in Napier Road; and Camden Medical Centre in Orchard Boulevard.
Healthway and Raffles provide medical services, while Paragon, Camden and Orchard Medical Specialists are landlords leasing space to medical specialists and clinics.
The remaining two Gleneagles and Mount Elizabeth comprise clinics owned and operated by independent specialists. Competition is stiff, but industry players think there is enough business to go around.
~News courtesy of Omy~
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Bintan Budget Resort
http://www.bintanbudgetresort.com/Pondok Wisata Susy & Activity
Trikora 2 - Kilometer 42
Pulau Bintan - Tanjung Pinang , Riau Archipelago
E-Mail: bintanbudgetresort@gmail.com
Mr Sularto +62-81372876196
Mr Herry (English speaking) +62-8127006956
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Terracotta warriors exhibition opens Friday
Terracotta warriors exhibition in Singapore opens Friday
The Asian Civilisations Museum will be throwing open its doors this Friday to its latest exhibition - "Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor and His Legacy".
It is the first time the statues are being showcased in Singapore and in Southeast Asia.
Made of low-fired clay, the statues brought over from Xian, China include a general, two archers, infantrymen, a cavalry officer, a charioteer, a strongman and a horse.
These and other artefacts are all part of the re-creation of Qin Shi Huang's court for his use in the afterlife.
The terracotta army was found in the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor who unified China in 221 BCE.
The special exhibition is on from 24 June to 16 October.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The Asian Civilisations Museum will be throwing open its doors this Friday to its latest exhibition - "Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor and His Legacy".
It is the first time the statues are being showcased in Singapore and in Southeast Asia.
Made of low-fired clay, the statues brought over from Xian, China include a general, two archers, infantrymen, a cavalry officer, a charioteer, a strongman and a horse.
These and other artefacts are all part of the re-creation of Qin Shi Huang's court for his use in the afterlife.
The terracotta army was found in the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor who unified China in 221 BCE.
The special exhibition is on from 24 June to 16 October.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
KTM station braces for goodbye
KTM station braces for goodbye
The food stalls at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station will be moving out by Sunday, as the station prepares for its final week of operations.
The last KTM train will depart on June 30.
For the past few weeks, tickets for the Malaysia-bound trains have been selling out, as Singaporeans savour one final trip on the historic railway.
The Tanjong Pagar Railway Station is as famous for its food, as its art-deco facade.
Many say its teh tarik, or milk tea, is one of the best in Singapore.
But there aren't many days left to get a bite there, as stall operators have to vacate by June 26.
The cafeteria bears the name of chief tenant Mahmoodul Hasan, who has been there since 1976.
Like many of the other operators, he is undecided on his plans.
"I feel very, very sad. Because it's like my home," Mr Mahmoodul said.
"I'm finding a good place. If I get it, I'll continue. If not, then I'll relax!"
He added that his tenants have indicated their interest in following him if a good location is found.
Meanwhile, some Singaporeans are hoping to buy train tickets.
All seats for Wednesday's 8am and 1pm trains have been sold, and tickets for the next day were reportedly gone within half an hour.
Mr Teo Juay Tee, who managed to buy tickets, said: "I came four times to try to get the ticket, and on the fourth try I got lucky.
"I'm already 27 years old and I've never taken the train before, so that's why I'm here to try out the train".
Others who were spotted at the KTM station included a wedding photographer, who joined other shutterbugs in documenting the station's last days.
There was also a souvenir stall in a corner, selling T-shirts, plastic files and mobile phone accessories with the KTM logo.
A resident who lives in an estate near the station, 53-year-old R Kalaichevan, said: "When I was five years old, my father brought me here to practise walking.
"This was the only shopping centre we know, and every evening, we come here, we watch the trains come in and go off".
From July 1, trains between Singapore and Malaysia will depart from the Woodlands checkpoint.
All immigration procedures will take place there.
The last passenger train will pull out of Tanjong Pagar station for the last time at 10pm on June 30, and tickets are selling fast online.
Malaysian authorities will also hold a send-off party that night, which will end with the Sultan of Johor driving a special train to Johor as a grand finale.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The food stalls at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station will be moving out by Sunday, as the station prepares for its final week of operations.
The last KTM train will depart on June 30.
For the past few weeks, tickets for the Malaysia-bound trains have been selling out, as Singaporeans savour one final trip on the historic railway.
The Tanjong Pagar Railway Station is as famous for its food, as its art-deco facade.
Many say its teh tarik, or milk tea, is one of the best in Singapore.
But there aren't many days left to get a bite there, as stall operators have to vacate by June 26.
The cafeteria bears the name of chief tenant Mahmoodul Hasan, who has been there since 1976.
Like many of the other operators, he is undecided on his plans.
"I feel very, very sad. Because it's like my home," Mr Mahmoodul said.
"I'm finding a good place. If I get it, I'll continue. If not, then I'll relax!"
He added that his tenants have indicated their interest in following him if a good location is found.
Meanwhile, some Singaporeans are hoping to buy train tickets.
All seats for Wednesday's 8am and 1pm trains have been sold, and tickets for the next day were reportedly gone within half an hour.
Mr Teo Juay Tee, who managed to buy tickets, said: "I came four times to try to get the ticket, and on the fourth try I got lucky.
"I'm already 27 years old and I've never taken the train before, so that's why I'm here to try out the train".
Others who were spotted at the KTM station included a wedding photographer, who joined other shutterbugs in documenting the station's last days.
There was also a souvenir stall in a corner, selling T-shirts, plastic files and mobile phone accessories with the KTM logo.
A resident who lives in an estate near the station, 53-year-old R Kalaichevan, said: "When I was five years old, my father brought me here to practise walking.
"This was the only shopping centre we know, and every evening, we come here, we watch the trains come in and go off".
From July 1, trains between Singapore and Malaysia will depart from the Woodlands checkpoint.
All immigration procedures will take place there.
The last passenger train will pull out of Tanjong Pagar station for the last time at 10pm on June 30, and tickets are selling fast online.
Malaysian authorities will also hold a send-off party that night, which will end with the Sultan of Johor driving a special train to Johor as a grand finale.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
MBS to put sparkle into local nightlife
Marina Bay Sands to put sparkle into local nightlife
After a delay in opening and two lawsuits filed over alleged contract breaches, international nightclub brands Avalon and Pangaea look set to open their doors in Marina Bay Sands (MBS) after all.
While the two clubs did not give a specific date when contacted by MediaCorp, the Avalon website stated that it will hold the Avalon At Large, an F1-related party, at MBS on September 23 and 24.
Meanwhile, according to the Pangaea website, its club here will have capacity for 500 patrons and is now available for private bookings.
The efforts to make MBS' south Crystal Pavilion a much-touted nightclub destination look set to happen with American Gregory Gumo of Crystal Pavilion Marina Productions, the man behind the two projects, MediaCorp understands.
Avalon is famous in Los Angeles for being home to Hollywood celebrities and a venue for annual parties such as the Oscars and Emmys, while Pangaea is a party hot spot in New York, Miami and London.
Mr Gumo, the co-founder and director of the Fuel Festival music event held in Singapore during the 2009 Formula One weekend, had told an online interview with former Zouk marketing manager Tracy Phillips on inSing last year he had suggested bringing in the two names after a few nightclub brands were discussed but none fit the bill initially.
Mr Gumo, who is also one of the founders of Soundpedia, a Singapore-based Internet radio and music community website that was started in 2006, then flew the owners of the clubs to Singapore.
The news that the clubs will open soon, as MBS also stated on its website, comes as a twist in an ongoing legal action.
Last week, Singapore entertainment management company Kraze Entertainment filed a lawsuit against MBS for breaching a leasing agreement in April. The former had worked on bringing the two nightclubs into MBS and is alleging that MBS has wrongfully terminated a 10-year lease at south Crystal Pavilion.
Last month, Kraze Entertainment, which has ties with Korean company Krazetech, also filed a writ of summons against Pan Av Asia Partners, the clubs' purported operators, for "various material breaches" in agreement.
The collaboration fell through after Pan Av Asia Partners allegedly scrapped its licensing deal on March 25, resulting in Kraze Entertainment's own termination of its management agreement on April 9.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
After a delay in opening and two lawsuits filed over alleged contract breaches, international nightclub brands Avalon and Pangaea look set to open their doors in Marina Bay Sands (MBS) after all.
While the two clubs did not give a specific date when contacted by MediaCorp, the Avalon website stated that it will hold the Avalon At Large, an F1-related party, at MBS on September 23 and 24.
Meanwhile, according to the Pangaea website, its club here will have capacity for 500 patrons and is now available for private bookings.
The efforts to make MBS' south Crystal Pavilion a much-touted nightclub destination look set to happen with American Gregory Gumo of Crystal Pavilion Marina Productions, the man behind the two projects, MediaCorp understands.
Avalon is famous in Los Angeles for being home to Hollywood celebrities and a venue for annual parties such as the Oscars and Emmys, while Pangaea is a party hot spot in New York, Miami and London.
Mr Gumo, the co-founder and director of the Fuel Festival music event held in Singapore during the 2009 Formula One weekend, had told an online interview with former Zouk marketing manager Tracy Phillips on inSing last year he had suggested bringing in the two names after a few nightclub brands were discussed but none fit the bill initially.
Mr Gumo, who is also one of the founders of Soundpedia, a Singapore-based Internet radio and music community website that was started in 2006, then flew the owners of the clubs to Singapore.
The news that the clubs will open soon, as MBS also stated on its website, comes as a twist in an ongoing legal action.
Last week, Singapore entertainment management company Kraze Entertainment filed a lawsuit against MBS for breaching a leasing agreement in April. The former had worked on bringing the two nightclubs into MBS and is alleging that MBS has wrongfully terminated a 10-year lease at south Crystal Pavilion.
Last month, Kraze Entertainment, which has ties with Korean company Krazetech, also filed a writ of summons against Pan Av Asia Partners, the clubs' purported operators, for "various material breaches" in agreement.
The collaboration fell through after Pan Av Asia Partners allegedly scrapped its licensing deal on March 25, resulting in Kraze Entertainment's own termination of its management agreement on April 9.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The terracotta warriors have landed
The terracotta warriors have landed
Here is your chance to get up close with China's famous terracotta warriors.
Ten terracotta statues have been shipped to Singapore for their first exhibition in Southeast Asia, at the Asian Civilisation Museum.
Together with about 100 artefacts from China's Qin and Han dynasties, the statues were shipped, over land and by air, from the Chinese city of Xi'an.
The warriors, along with their trusty horses, had to be shipped over carefully from the Museum of the First Emperor's Terracotta Army.
It took eight days just to get the artefacts from Xi'an to Shanghai since the shockproof vehicles transporting the items could not go faster than 80 kilometres per hour.
The "Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor and His Legacy" exhibition will run from June 24 to October 16.
The terracotta warriors, which are more than 2,000 years old, were originally constructed to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Here is your chance to get up close with China's famous terracotta warriors.
Ten terracotta statues have been shipped to Singapore for their first exhibition in Southeast Asia, at the Asian Civilisation Museum.
Together with about 100 artefacts from China's Qin and Han dynasties, the statues were shipped, over land and by air, from the Chinese city of Xi'an.
The warriors, along with their trusty horses, had to be shipped over carefully from the Museum of the First Emperor's Terracotta Army.
It took eight days just to get the artefacts from Xi'an to Shanghai since the shockproof vehicles transporting the items could not go faster than 80 kilometres per hour.
The "Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor and His Legacy" exhibition will run from June 24 to October 16.
The terracotta warriors, which are more than 2,000 years old, were originally constructed to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Monday, 13 June 2011
Travellers thinking twice about Johor trips
Travellers thinking twice about Johor trips
The traffic snarl plaguing the Causeway and the Second Link on weekends is causing some frequent travellers to hold back on trips up north.
Motorists have been locked in jams the last two weekends, with some reportedly taking up to seven hours to clear immigration.
This comes after Malaysia rolled out its biometric fingerprint system at the start of the month, which requires travellers to scan both index fingers in addition to getting their passports stamped.
46-year-old engineer, Rene Gorada, organises bi-monthly golf tournaments for people living in Singapore.
The group, which typically consists of 50 to 70 golfers, would travel to neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand for their Sunday tournaments.
Mr Gorada said half their games are held in Johor Bahru.
He said: "You need to get to the golf course on time. Some of them are suggesting going somewhere else, maybe Batam. But (there are) some other concerns.....going to Batam, it's a whole-day affair because you have to take a ferry. So most of the golfers still prefer Malaysia, because it's nearer. The only thing is that you really have to plan and beat the traffic jam."
Mr Gorada said the group has to leave at 6am to make the 8am tee-off. This is an hour earlier than previously.
Another golfer living in Singapore, 51-year-old Ren Carino, said he drives to Johor three times a month to play golf.
But with the current congestion, he may move his game to another country. He said: "We would rather go to Batam now, or Bintan, Indonesia. It's a lot better now in terms of traffic jams.. there are no traffic jams (there)."
With Singaporeans avoiding the hassle of crossing the Causeway, businesses in Johor Bahru are reporting a drop in sales.
P. Sivakumar, president of the Malaysian Indian Business Association (MIBA), said the city heavily depends on business from Singaporeans.
"Most of them (Singaporeans) patronise all the eateries that have cropped up everywhere in Johor Bahru. And it's of great concern at the moment, because what we're receiving is that initially the jam was 7 hours, now it's around 5 hours, and it's not good for business," he said.
Mr Sivakumar said no formal survey has been conducted yet on how badly business has been affected, and his assessment is based on feedback received from merchants.
Malaysia's Home Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam has said it's "unfair to blame the biometric system for causing the congestion".
He said the congestion only happened at the Causeway and the Second Link, but not at any of the other 67 checkpoints across Malaysia.
He pinned the blame on the high volume of human traffic and daily movement between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
But MIBA's Mr Sivakumar disagrees.
He said there has always been high traffic flow at the Causeway, and the jams only started after the biometric system was implemented.
Mr Sivakumar said he plans to make another appeal to the Malaysian government to remove the system and revert back to just stamping of passports.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The traffic snarl plaguing the Causeway and the Second Link on weekends is causing some frequent travellers to hold back on trips up north.
Motorists have been locked in jams the last two weekends, with some reportedly taking up to seven hours to clear immigration.
This comes after Malaysia rolled out its biometric fingerprint system at the start of the month, which requires travellers to scan both index fingers in addition to getting their passports stamped.
46-year-old engineer, Rene Gorada, organises bi-monthly golf tournaments for people living in Singapore.
The group, which typically consists of 50 to 70 golfers, would travel to neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand for their Sunday tournaments.
Mr Gorada said half their games are held in Johor Bahru.
He said: "You need to get to the golf course on time. Some of them are suggesting going somewhere else, maybe Batam. But (there are) some other concerns.....going to Batam, it's a whole-day affair because you have to take a ferry. So most of the golfers still prefer Malaysia, because it's nearer. The only thing is that you really have to plan and beat the traffic jam."
Mr Gorada said the group has to leave at 6am to make the 8am tee-off. This is an hour earlier than previously.
Another golfer living in Singapore, 51-year-old Ren Carino, said he drives to Johor three times a month to play golf.
But with the current congestion, he may move his game to another country. He said: "We would rather go to Batam now, or Bintan, Indonesia. It's a lot better now in terms of traffic jams.. there are no traffic jams (there)."
With Singaporeans avoiding the hassle of crossing the Causeway, businesses in Johor Bahru are reporting a drop in sales.
P. Sivakumar, president of the Malaysian Indian Business Association (MIBA), said the city heavily depends on business from Singaporeans.
"Most of them (Singaporeans) patronise all the eateries that have cropped up everywhere in Johor Bahru. And it's of great concern at the moment, because what we're receiving is that initially the jam was 7 hours, now it's around 5 hours, and it's not good for business," he said.
Mr Sivakumar said no formal survey has been conducted yet on how badly business has been affected, and his assessment is based on feedback received from merchants.
Malaysia's Home Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam has said it's "unfair to blame the biometric system for causing the congestion".
He said the congestion only happened at the Causeway and the Second Link, but not at any of the other 67 checkpoints across Malaysia.
He pinned the blame on the high volume of human traffic and daily movement between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
But MIBA's Mr Sivakumar disagrees.
He said there has always been high traffic flow at the Causeway, and the jams only started after the biometric system was implemented.
Mr Sivakumar said he plans to make another appeal to the Malaysian government to remove the system and revert back to just stamping of passports.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Qantas flights affected by ash
Singapore-Melbourne Qantas flights affected by ash
Qantas flights between Singapore and Melbourne have been affected as a result of volcanic ash from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano in Chile.
QF9 from Melbourne will now only arrive in Singapore three hours later, at 12.05am on Tuesday, instead of its original scheduled arrival time of 9.20pm. This will in turn affect the connecting flight to Heathrow London, which has also been re-timed to 1.25am on Tuesday from 11.05pm earlier.
Qantas said one service, QF10 from Singapore to Melbourne was also diverted to Sydney on Monday morning. Qantas is trying to accommodate those passengers on services onward to Melbourne on Monday.
The airline also said passengers from Singapore flying from Australia to New Zealand will not be able to travel on Monday.
Qantas said it will either accommodate these passengers in hotels until the situation improves, or allow them to change their bookings. It said New Zealand and Tasmania services remain cancelled for the full day.
A decision on Tuesday's services will be made on Monday evening (Sydney/Melbourne time).
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Qantas flights between Singapore and Melbourne have been affected as a result of volcanic ash from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano in Chile.
QF9 from Melbourne will now only arrive in Singapore three hours later, at 12.05am on Tuesday, instead of its original scheduled arrival time of 9.20pm. This will in turn affect the connecting flight to Heathrow London, which has also been re-timed to 1.25am on Tuesday from 11.05pm earlier.
Qantas said one service, QF10 from Singapore to Melbourne was also diverted to Sydney on Monday morning. Qantas is trying to accommodate those passengers on services onward to Melbourne on Monday.
The airline also said passengers from Singapore flying from Australia to New Zealand will not be able to travel on Monday.
Qantas said it will either accommodate these passengers in hotels until the situation improves, or allow them to change their bookings. It said New Zealand and Tasmania services remain cancelled for the full day.
A decision on Tuesday's services will be made on Monday evening (Sydney/Melbourne time).
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Atan pulls the final brake
Atan pulls the final brake
STATIONMASTER Atan Ahmad had to sacrifice his ambition as a fighter pilot with the Royal Malaysian Airforce for a job with the Railway.
The Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad employee also has a reason to be proud as Bukit Timah’s last stationmaster as the rail facility would be relocated to Woodlands in Singapore.
Atan was persuaded by his mother to take up bank teller job in his early days. His his forays included a job as a schoolteacher before he was employed by KTMB 20 years ago.
The stationmaster said he began his career in the Railway as a ticket inspector in Gemas and had travelled the country far and wide.
Atan had a penchant for wearing uniform and to substitute a fighter pilot’s G-suit, he donned the KTMB stationmaster’s garb in 1999 when he was posted to take charge of the Bukit Timah Station in Singapore.
“I joined the Railway and kept it a secret from my mum as I knew she would be very angry with me for leaving the teaching profession as teaching was considered honourable in those days.
“I joined KTMB because I always wanted to wear a uniform,” he said.
In relating his experience as Bukit Timah stationmaster, Atan said he was very reluctant to take up the offer because the job came with a huge responsibility.
“I get goose pimples thinking of the task which is to ensure that the incoming train from Malayisia would not derail at any time,” he said.
Atan said he changed his mind after his wife persuaded and encouraged him to take up the offer.
Come July 1, Atan will report to his new workplace in JB Sentral, Johor Baru.
KTMB’s rail services from Peninsular Malaysia would end at the Woodlands Customs and Immigration Checkpoint.
“When the news about the closure of Bukit Timah Station and Tanjong Pagar stations were announced, many people living near the railway tracks came up to me and said they would miss the trains passing through their vicinity,” he said.
KTMB southern region manager Tariq Umar Mohamed said June 30 will be the last day for the operations for both stations (anjong Pagar and Bukit Timah) where the last train will depart at 11pm with 90 KTMB employees.
“It will be a historic moment after 93 years operating in Singapore,” he said.
Tariq added that the redeployment of KTMB’s employees from the Tanjong Pagar station would conduct in stages.
~News courtesy of The Star~
STATIONMASTER Atan Ahmad had to sacrifice his ambition as a fighter pilot with the Royal Malaysian Airforce for a job with the Railway.
The Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad employee also has a reason to be proud as Bukit Timah’s last stationmaster as the rail facility would be relocated to Woodlands in Singapore.
Atan was persuaded by his mother to take up bank teller job in his early days. His his forays included a job as a schoolteacher before he was employed by KTMB 20 years ago.
The stationmaster said he began his career in the Railway as a ticket inspector in Gemas and had travelled the country far and wide.
Atan had a penchant for wearing uniform and to substitute a fighter pilot’s G-suit, he donned the KTMB stationmaster’s garb in 1999 when he was posted to take charge of the Bukit Timah Station in Singapore.
“I joined the Railway and kept it a secret from my mum as I knew she would be very angry with me for leaving the teaching profession as teaching was considered honourable in those days.
“I joined KTMB because I always wanted to wear a uniform,” he said.
In relating his experience as Bukit Timah stationmaster, Atan said he was very reluctant to take up the offer because the job came with a huge responsibility.
“I get goose pimples thinking of the task which is to ensure that the incoming train from Malayisia would not derail at any time,” he said.
Atan said he changed his mind after his wife persuaded and encouraged him to take up the offer.
Come July 1, Atan will report to his new workplace in JB Sentral, Johor Baru.
KTMB’s rail services from Peninsular Malaysia would end at the Woodlands Customs and Immigration Checkpoint.
“When the news about the closure of Bukit Timah Station and Tanjong Pagar stations were announced, many people living near the railway tracks came up to me and said they would miss the trains passing through their vicinity,” he said.
KTMB southern region manager Tariq Umar Mohamed said June 30 will be the last day for the operations for both stations (anjong Pagar and Bukit Timah) where the last train will depart at 11pm with 90 KTMB employees.
“It will be a historic moment after 93 years operating in Singapore,” he said.
Tariq added that the redeployment of KTMB’s employees from the Tanjong Pagar station would conduct in stages.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Sg gambling industry set to overtake Las Vegas
S'pore gambling industry set to overtake Las Vegas
Gambling-industry executives say Singapore is set to overtake Las Vegas to become the world's second-biggest casino market as early as this year.
Mr Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association, said Singapore raked in US$5.1 billion (S$6.3 billion) in gaming revenue last year and could bring in up to US$6.4 billion this year.
The country's first two casinos Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa opened last year.
Las Vegas pulled in US$5.8 billion in casino revenue last year, but is a mature market with little potential for big growth.
Mr Fahrenkopf made the prediction yesterday at the start of a gambling-industry conference in Macau.
He said "it's going to be an extremely good year" in Singapore and in Macau, where annual revenue will grow 25 to 50 per cent this year.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Gambling-industry executives say Singapore is set to overtake Las Vegas to become the world's second-biggest casino market as early as this year.
Mr Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association, said Singapore raked in US$5.1 billion (S$6.3 billion) in gaming revenue last year and could bring in up to US$6.4 billion this year.
The country's first two casinos Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa opened last year.
Las Vegas pulled in US$5.8 billion in casino revenue last year, but is a mature market with little potential for big growth.
Mr Fahrenkopf made the prediction yesterday at the start of a gambling-industry conference in Macau.
He said "it's going to be an extremely good year" in Singapore and in Macau, where annual revenue will grow 25 to 50 per cent this year.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Free entry for toddlers
Free entry for toddlers, says Wildlife Reserves S'pore
Setting the record straight on an admission policy blooper last week, Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) said on Monday that all children below the age of three may enter the Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park for free.
It will also provide full refunds to visitors wrongly charged between June 1 and 3.
WRS, which operates the three iconic attractions, had said last Friday that infants aged one to three who are part of school or tour groups would require children's tickets to enter.
For independent travellers, in a case where two children below age three were accompanied by only one adult, the second child would also have to buy a children's ticket. On its websites last Friday, WRS had also indicated that children's tickets would apply to those aged one to 12.
All this is now history, with WRS group chief executive Fanny Lai clarifying on Monday that all children below age three, as well as infants in arms, may enter the attractions for free.
Explaining the confusion, Ms Lai said: "Due to an internal miscommunication, the wrong information was uploaded onto the website and wrongly communicated to our staff for a brief period."
WRS had meant to update its education site to inform school groups with toddlers below age three that they would need to register the groups before taking them to the attractions.
"This change was implemented as WRS noticed an increasing number of groups with very young children have been taking advantage of the free entry for school groups and we want to ensure safety measures are in place," said Ms Lai.
"The recommended adult supervision ratio to toddlers is 1:5."
As a result of the miscommunication, some visitors were wrongly charged for admission on the first three days of this month.
MediaCorp understands that the number affected is small, and that some have written in to the attractions.
WRS will try to trace other affected visitors and verify the tickets of the rest who come forward for refunds.
Said Ms Lai: "All the guests who have been wrongly charged will be fully refunded and we sincerely apologise for the gaps in our service."
Commending the move was Consumers Association of Singapore executive director Seah Seng Choon, who said: "We've called on them to refund affected consumers, and they have agreed."
WRS attractions' websites have also been revised. Footnotes below information on opening hours and rates read: "Admission for child below 3 years old is free. School groups are to pre-register with the education department."
~News courtesy of Today~
Setting the record straight on an admission policy blooper last week, Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) said on Monday that all children below the age of three may enter the Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park for free.
It will also provide full refunds to visitors wrongly charged between June 1 and 3.
WRS, which operates the three iconic attractions, had said last Friday that infants aged one to three who are part of school or tour groups would require children's tickets to enter.
For independent travellers, in a case where two children below age three were accompanied by only one adult, the second child would also have to buy a children's ticket. On its websites last Friday, WRS had also indicated that children's tickets would apply to those aged one to 12.
All this is now history, with WRS group chief executive Fanny Lai clarifying on Monday that all children below age three, as well as infants in arms, may enter the attractions for free.
Explaining the confusion, Ms Lai said: "Due to an internal miscommunication, the wrong information was uploaded onto the website and wrongly communicated to our staff for a brief period."
WRS had meant to update its education site to inform school groups with toddlers below age three that they would need to register the groups before taking them to the attractions.
"This change was implemented as WRS noticed an increasing number of groups with very young children have been taking advantage of the free entry for school groups and we want to ensure safety measures are in place," said Ms Lai.
"The recommended adult supervision ratio to toddlers is 1:5."
As a result of the miscommunication, some visitors were wrongly charged for admission on the first three days of this month.
MediaCorp understands that the number affected is small, and that some have written in to the attractions.
WRS will try to trace other affected visitors and verify the tickets of the rest who come forward for refunds.
Said Ms Lai: "All the guests who have been wrongly charged will be fully refunded and we sincerely apologise for the gaps in our service."
Commending the move was Consumers Association of Singapore executive director Seah Seng Choon, who said: "We've called on them to refund affected consumers, and they have agreed."
WRS attractions' websites have also been revised. Footnotes below information on opening hours and rates read: "Admission for child below 3 years old is free. School groups are to pre-register with the education department."
~News courtesy of Today~
Friday, 3 June 2011
MOH on high alert for any signs of E. coli here
MOH on high alert for any signs of E. coli here
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is closely monitoring the E. coli bacterial outbreak in Europe, which appears to be limited mainly to Germany at the moment, according to a statement released yesterday.
All medical practitioners and hospitals have been alerted to be vigilant and to notify MOH immediately of any suspected cases of E. coli infection linked to the outbreak in Germany.
As a precautionary measure, MOH advises Singaporeans travelling to Germany to observe good hygiene, avoid eating raw tomatoes, cucumbers and leafy vegetables, and to ensure that food is cooked thoroughly before consumption.
Those returning from Germany should seek medical help immediately if they develop diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.
The bacteria has affected more than 1,500 people in Europe, mostly in Germany.
Vegetables from the European Union (EU) constitute about 2 per cent of Singapore's total vegetable imports.
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority said it will place any imported leafy vegetables, cucumbers and tomatoes from the EU under "hold and test". The items will be released for sale only if they are found to be clear of contaminants.
The World Health Organization said yesterday that the E. coli bacteria responsible for the outbreak is a new strain that has not been seen before.
～News courtesy of Omy～
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is closely monitoring the E. coli bacterial outbreak in Europe, which appears to be limited mainly to Germany at the moment, according to a statement released yesterday.
All medical practitioners and hospitals have been alerted to be vigilant and to notify MOH immediately of any suspected cases of E. coli infection linked to the outbreak in Germany.
As a precautionary measure, MOH advises Singaporeans travelling to Germany to observe good hygiene, avoid eating raw tomatoes, cucumbers and leafy vegetables, and to ensure that food is cooked thoroughly before consumption.
Those returning from Germany should seek medical help immediately if they develop diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.
The bacteria has affected more than 1,500 people in Europe, mostly in Germany.
Vegetables from the European Union (EU) constitute about 2 per cent of Singapore's total vegetable imports.
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority said it will place any imported leafy vegetables, cucumbers and tomatoes from the EU under "hold and test". The items will be released for sale only if they are found to be clear of contaminants.
The World Health Organization said yesterday that the E. coli bacteria responsible for the outbreak is a new strain that has not been seen before.
～News courtesy of Omy～
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Friday, 27 May 2011
Bukit Timah Railway Station
Bukit Timah Railway Station gazetted as a conserved building
The Bukit Timah Railway Station has been officially gazetted as a conserved building as of Friday.
This follows the gazette of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station as a National Monument on April 8.
At their retreat on May 24 last year, the Prime Ministers of Singapore and Malaysia announced in their Joint Statement that the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) station would be relocated from Tanjong Pagar to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint (WTCP) by July 1, 2011.
Both leaders also agreed that the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station Passenger Terminal building would be conserved given its historical significance and the old Bukit Timah Railway Station building at Blackmore Drive could also be conserved.
With the relocation of KTMB station from Tanjong Pagar to WTCP by July 1, both the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and the Bukit Timah Railway Station will then cease to operate as KTMB railway facilities.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said the Bukit Timah Railway Station is an endearing local landmark and a key building of Singapore's railway history.
Its conservation serves as a physical reminder of Singapore's role as a transport hub in the region.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The Bukit Timah Railway Station has been officially gazetted as a conserved building as of Friday.
This follows the gazette of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station as a National Monument on April 8.
At their retreat on May 24 last year, the Prime Ministers of Singapore and Malaysia announced in their Joint Statement that the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) station would be relocated from Tanjong Pagar to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint (WTCP) by July 1, 2011.
Both leaders also agreed that the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station Passenger Terminal building would be conserved given its historical significance and the old Bukit Timah Railway Station building at Blackmore Drive could also be conserved.
With the relocation of KTMB station from Tanjong Pagar to WTCP by July 1, both the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and the Bukit Timah Railway Station will then cease to operate as KTMB railway facilities.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said the Bukit Timah Railway Station is an endearing local landmark and a key building of Singapore's railway history.
Its conservation serves as a physical reminder of Singapore's role as a transport hub in the region.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Thrills aplenty at RSAF Open House
Thrills aplenty at RSAF Open House
ALWAYS wanted to find out what it feels like to be in the hot seat of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) new F-15SG fighter jets? You may just get a chance to, if you visit the RSAF Open House at Paya Lebar Air Base over the weekend.
For the first time, members of the public will be able to get up close and personal with the F-15SG which the RSAF received in 2009 and even climb into the cockpit. But that is not all. Visitors will also get a chance to have a good look at the Spyder-SR ground-based air-defence system and the S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter for the first time.
Heating up the event will be the ever- popular aerial displays. Visitors will not only get to watch the F-15SG and F-16C/D jets take off from the runway, but also hear the rumble of their afterburners as they screech into heart-stopping aerial manoeuvres.
Demonstrations will also be put up by Singapore Armed Forces commandos, who will rappel from Super Puma helicopters, and the Red Lions parachute team. If you are lucky, you could also win a ride in the CH-47 Chinook utility helicopter, the DA-40 Diamond Star training aircraft, or the C-130 and Fokker-50 transport aircraft.
Register by entering a lucky draw which will be held near the main stage of the performance hall at the Open House. About 500 to 600 rides are up for grabs each day.
The RSAF Open House will be held at Paya Lebar Air Base on Saturday from 9.30am to 7pm, and Sunday from 8.30am to 7pm. Admission is free. For details, visit www.mindef.gov.sg/rsafopenhouse
~News courtesy of Omy~
ALWAYS wanted to find out what it feels like to be in the hot seat of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) new F-15SG fighter jets? You may just get a chance to, if you visit the RSAF Open House at Paya Lebar Air Base over the weekend.
For the first time, members of the public will be able to get up close and personal with the F-15SG which the RSAF received in 2009 and even climb into the cockpit. But that is not all. Visitors will also get a chance to have a good look at the Spyder-SR ground-based air-defence system and the S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter for the first time.
Heating up the event will be the ever- popular aerial displays. Visitors will not only get to watch the F-15SG and F-16C/D jets take off from the runway, but also hear the rumble of their afterburners as they screech into heart-stopping aerial manoeuvres.
Demonstrations will also be put up by Singapore Armed Forces commandos, who will rappel from Super Puma helicopters, and the Red Lions parachute team. If you are lucky, you could also win a ride in the CH-47 Chinook utility helicopter, the DA-40 Diamond Star training aircraft, or the C-130 and Fokker-50 transport aircraft.
Register by entering a lucky draw which will be held near the main stage of the performance hall at the Open House. About 500 to 600 rides are up for grabs each day.
The RSAF Open House will be held at Paya Lebar Air Base on Saturday from 9.30am to 7pm, and Sunday from 8.30am to 7pm. Admission is free. For details, visit www.mindef.gov.sg/rsafopenhouse
~News courtesy of Omy~
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
SIA to set up new no-frills airline
SIA to set up new no-frills airline
Singapore Airlines has announced its intention to establish a new no-frills, low-fare airline which will operate wide-body aircraft on medium and long-haul routes.
It said the new airline is being established following extensive review and analysis.
SIA joins a growing number of low-cost carriers, such as Singapore-based Jetstar Asia and Malaysia's AirAsia, in introducing low-fare flights to medium and long-haul routes.
Such routes are typically to destinations further than five hours' flight from Singapore.
SIA said it will enable the group to serve a largely untapped new market and cater to the growing demand among consumers for low-fare travel. Operations are expected to begin within one year.
The airline will be wholly-owned by Singapore Airlines, but will be operated independently and managed separately.
SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong said there is a new market segment being created and this will provide another growth opportunity for the group.
He said: "As we have observed on short-haul routes within Asia, low-fare airlines help stimulate demand for travel, and we expect this will also prove true for longer flights."
No further details were given as to whether the group plans to purchase new aircraft or use the existing ones in its fleet.
A new management team is expected to be set up for the new airline.
More details will be announced by the management team in due course, including its branding, products and services, and route network.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Singapore Airlines has announced its intention to establish a new no-frills, low-fare airline which will operate wide-body aircraft on medium and long-haul routes.
It said the new airline is being established following extensive review and analysis.
SIA joins a growing number of low-cost carriers, such as Singapore-based Jetstar Asia and Malaysia's AirAsia, in introducing low-fare flights to medium and long-haul routes.
Such routes are typically to destinations further than five hours' flight from Singapore.
SIA said it will enable the group to serve a largely untapped new market and cater to the growing demand among consumers for low-fare travel. Operations are expected to begin within one year.
The airline will be wholly-owned by Singapore Airlines, but will be operated independently and managed separately.
SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong said there is a new market segment being created and this will provide another growth opportunity for the group.
He said: "As we have observed on short-haul routes within Asia, low-fare airlines help stimulate demand for travel, and we expect this will also prove true for longer flights."
No further details were given as to whether the group plans to purchase new aircraft or use the existing ones in its fleet.
A new management team is expected to be set up for the new airline.
More details will be announced by the management team in due course, including its branding, products and services, and route network.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Nostalgia draws many to railway station
Nostalgia draws many to railway station
LAST STOP: Tanjong Pagar Railway Station has seen an influx of people who arrive to snap photos or take take train rides before it moves on July1.
TANJONG Pagar Railway Station holds many memories for civil servant Cai Pei Fen.
Some 10 years ago, she and her father would go to the station to catch a train to Johor Baru once every few months. Those day trips were incredibly special for both of them, she said.
So, while the 28-year-old is glad that the building will be conserved, she is sad that the station will be relocated to Woodlands Train Checkpoint on July 1.
"We won't be able to take a train ride from Tanjong Pagar any more, which is a pity," she said.
The move was announced in May last year. The station building, constructed in 1932 and managed by Malaysian train operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), will be preserved as a national monument.
KTM will continue running its daily services to destinations like Kuala Lumpur from Woodlands.
Ms Cai plans to take her dad on one last train trip to Kuala Lumpur or Johor Baru next month, to celebrate Father's Day.
She is one of many Singaporeans who want to take one last joyride from Tanjong Pagar.
LAST STOP: Tanjong Pagar Railway Station has seen an influx of people who arrive to snap photos or take take train rides before it moves on July1.
TANJONG Pagar Railway Station holds many memories for civil servant Cai Pei Fen.
Some 10 years ago, she and her father would go to the station to catch a train to Johor Baru once every few months. Those day trips were incredibly special for both of them, she said.
So, while the 28-year-old is glad that the building will be conserved, she is sad that the station will be relocated to Woodlands Train Checkpoint on July 1.
"We won't be able to take a train ride from Tanjong Pagar any more, which is a pity," she said.
The move was announced in May last year. The station building, constructed in 1932 and managed by Malaysian train operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), will be preserved as a national monument.
KTM will continue running its daily services to destinations like Kuala Lumpur from Woodlands.
Ms Cai plans to take her dad on one last train trip to Kuala Lumpur or Johor Baru next month, to celebrate Father's Day.
She is one of many Singaporeans who want to take one last joyride from Tanjong Pagar.
Mr Nazir Khan, 37, a sales assistant who has worked at the Habib Railway Bookstore in the station for 23 years, estimates a doubling in the number of visitors to the station in the past month.
"People come here to take a train or take pictures because the station's closing," he said.
When my paper visited yesterday, the station was bustling. At least 10 Singaporeans said they intended to book train tickets soon, purely for the experience.
Retiree Albert Lee, 68, said he and his wife plan to go to Johor Baru within the next two weeks.
"I haven't travelled on a train in more than 20 years. Since the station is moving, we thought we'll travel from Tanjong Pagar for the last time," he said.
Sales executive Eric Ooh, 40, was standing in line to buy three tickets to Johor Baru: two for him and his wife, and one for their seven-year-old son, Ryan.
"We'd like him to understand the history of the station and to experience a ride on a diesel train, which is different from that of an MRT train," he said.
Bridal photographers said that bookings for shoots at the station have been on the rise.
~News courtesy of Omy~Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Sg to stage Ultimate Footbag Challenge in June
Singapore to stage Ultimate Footbag Challenge in June
It's fun, easy to learn, and could soon be the next big craze among youths.
Called footbag, it's a game involving a small ball - slightly larger than a golf ball - and made of leather or cloth and filled with beads.
Anyone, both young and old, can pick up the simple moves to get started in the sport popular in the US and Europe.
Now Asia could be the next frontier for the sport, as Singapore stages the Ultimate Footbag Challenge on June 25 at Velocity.
And the sport is getting a leg-up from the Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation, with the two games sharing many similarities.
"Footbag can also be a training base for sepak takraw. The way that the footbag being kicked, being trained by youths... (it's) the same format... So I believe that footbag can be an instrument for sepak takraw trainers to use this footbag for the sepak takraw players," said Abdul Halim Kader, president of the Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation.
The Singapore competition is one of endurance, with the participants having to use their legs to keep the ball in the air for five minutes.
Besides Singapore, similar competitions will be held in Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. A regional winner will be picked through online voting and that lucky winner gets an all-expense paid trip to watch a live Real Madrid soccer match.
Many Singaporeans may take to the sport easily, as it is very similar to another local traditional game called "chap teh".
Still the organisers are not taking any chances and are organising two workshops to get everybody familiar with the intricacies of footbag.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
It's fun, easy to learn, and could soon be the next big craze among youths.
Called footbag, it's a game involving a small ball - slightly larger than a golf ball - and made of leather or cloth and filled with beads.
Anyone, both young and old, can pick up the simple moves to get started in the sport popular in the US and Europe.
Now Asia could be the next frontier for the sport, as Singapore stages the Ultimate Footbag Challenge on June 25 at Velocity.
And the sport is getting a leg-up from the Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation, with the two games sharing many similarities.
"Footbag can also be a training base for sepak takraw. The way that the footbag being kicked, being trained by youths... (it's) the same format... So I believe that footbag can be an instrument for sepak takraw trainers to use this footbag for the sepak takraw players," said Abdul Halim Kader, president of the Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation.
The Singapore competition is one of endurance, with the participants having to use their legs to keep the ball in the air for five minutes.
Besides Singapore, similar competitions will be held in Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. A regional winner will be picked through online voting and that lucky winner gets an all-expense paid trip to watch a live Real Madrid soccer match.
Many Singaporeans may take to the sport easily, as it is very similar to another local traditional game called "chap teh".
Still the organisers are not taking any chances and are organising two workshops to get everybody familiar with the intricacies of footbag.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
RWS fined S$530k for 4 breaches
RWS fined S$530,000 for four breaches under Casino Control Act
The Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore (CRA) has fined Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) S$530,000 for four breaches under the Casino Control Act and its regulations.
RWS was fined S$200,000 for reimbursing the entry levy payable by Singapore citizens and permanent residents.
On July 15 last year, a senior management staff of RWS gave cash to media representatives - who are Singapore citizens and permanent residents - to help them pay the entry levy payable by them to enter its casino premises to cover the launch of the Ladies Club.
CRA's Chief Executive, T Raja Kumar, said the disciplinary action serves to remind casino operators to act responsibly to uphold the integrity of social safeguards put in place by the authorities.
Separately, RWS failed to ensure that casino surveillance footage from 22 cameras between March 29 and April 2 last year was retained for the specified period required by CRA.
For this breach, RWS was fined S$150,000.
It was also fined S$30,000 for failing to ensure that casino surveillance footage from 18 cameras between March 29 and March 30 last year was retained for the specified period required.
This incident was self-reported by RWS.
Mr Raja Kumar said surveillance footage is an integral part of casino operations and the retention of such footage is critical for evidence gathering in regulatory and law enforcement.
Lastly, RWS was fined S$150,000 for failing to put in place a failure notification system to provide an audible as well as visual notification of specific failures in the casino surveillance system.
It has since put in place such a system.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore (CRA) has fined Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) S$530,000 for four breaches under the Casino Control Act and its regulations.
RWS was fined S$200,000 for reimbursing the entry levy payable by Singapore citizens and permanent residents.
On July 15 last year, a senior management staff of RWS gave cash to media representatives - who are Singapore citizens and permanent residents - to help them pay the entry levy payable by them to enter its casino premises to cover the launch of the Ladies Club.
CRA's Chief Executive, T Raja Kumar, said the disciplinary action serves to remind casino operators to act responsibly to uphold the integrity of social safeguards put in place by the authorities.
Separately, RWS failed to ensure that casino surveillance footage from 22 cameras between March 29 and April 2 last year was retained for the specified period required by CRA.
For this breach, RWS was fined S$150,000.
It was also fined S$30,000 for failing to ensure that casino surveillance footage from 18 cameras between March 29 and March 30 last year was retained for the specified period required.
This incident was self-reported by RWS.
Mr Raja Kumar said surveillance footage is an integral part of casino operations and the retention of such footage is critical for evidence gathering in regulatory and law enforcement.
Lastly, RWS was fined S$150,000 for failing to put in place a failure notification system to provide an audible as well as visual notification of specific failures in the casino surveillance system.
It has since put in place such a system.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Relocation of Tg Pagar Train Station from July 1
Relocation of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station from July 1
The Tanjong Pagar Railway Station will be relocated to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint with effect from July 1.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and the Bukit Timah Railway Station will cease all operations on that date.
And all arrival and departure trains will terminate and start at the Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The Tanjong Pagar Railway Station will be relocated to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint with effect from July 1.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and the Bukit Timah Railway Station will cease all operations on that date.
And all arrival and departure trains will terminate and start at the Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Thousands flock to USS for new Madagascar ride
Thousands flock to Universal Studios for new Madagascar ride
Thousands flocked to Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa on Monday morning for a feel of its newly-opened ride, Madagascar: A Crate Adventure.
Even if you've never seen the animated movie by DreamWorks, the nine-minute ride - one of the longest rides in Universal Studios Singapore - promises to be a blast for riders, especially the younger ones.
"Amazing! It's exciting, especially for the kids, they can see all the characters in the Madagascar movie," said one guest.
"We thought it was a little bit tame. But the music was fabulous and the characters were very nicely done," said another.
"The nice thing about Madagascar: A Crate Adventure is that it really is a ride that's available for three generations - from kids to adults to grandparents. Everyone can ride it, so it's a great addition to Universal Studios Singapore," said John Hallenbeck, VP of Park Operations, Universal Studios Singapore.
The ride took about three years to conceptualise and create.
"Water rides are the most difficult attractions to create because water is fluid and unpredictable, whereas roller coasters and other mechanical type rides are easy to engineer," said Kevin Barbee, executive designer, Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa.
With this new launch, organisers now say it's all systems go for the grand opening of Universal Studios Singapore on May 28.
～News courtesy of The Star～
Thousands flocked to Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa on Monday morning for a feel of its newly-opened ride, Madagascar: A Crate Adventure.
Even if you've never seen the animated movie by DreamWorks, the nine-minute ride - one of the longest rides in Universal Studios Singapore - promises to be a blast for riders, especially the younger ones.
"Amazing! It's exciting, especially for the kids, they can see all the characters in the Madagascar movie," said one guest.
"We thought it was a little bit tame. But the music was fabulous and the characters were very nicely done," said another.
"The nice thing about Madagascar: A Crate Adventure is that it really is a ride that's available for three generations - from kids to adults to grandparents. Everyone can ride it, so it's a great addition to Universal Studios Singapore," said John Hallenbeck, VP of Park Operations, Universal Studios Singapore.
The ride took about three years to conceptualise and create.
"Water rides are the most difficult attractions to create because water is fluid and unpredictable, whereas roller coasters and other mechanical type rides are easy to engineer," said Kevin Barbee, executive designer, Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa.
With this new launch, organisers now say it's all systems go for the grand opening of Universal Studios Singapore on May 28.
～News courtesy of The Star～
Fly high safely at skydiving centre
Fly high safely at skydiving centre
Thrill seekers itching to try out Singapore's first indoor skydiving facility should jump at the opportunity without fear.
That is because there are measures in place to ensure the safety of participants or fliers, as they are called said the facility's managing director, Mr Lawrence Koh.
Skydiving simulator iFly Singapore makes use of four fans the size of aeroplane propellers, located at the top of a wind tunnel, to generate powerful winds that are pushed to the bottom of the tunnel.
There, the winds are funnelled up through an inlet contractor, creating a gust strong enough to keep a flier afloat in mid-air, hence replicating the sensation of skydiving.
The facility does not have a backup generator, but even if the fans were to malfunction suddenly, the winds blowing at up to 300kmh would decelerate at a comfortable rate, explained Mr Koh.
Gravity will then take over, pulling fliers slowly and safely down to ground level.
A total of 11 male instructors will put fliers through their paces, accompanying them in the wind tunnel at all times.
Every instructor had to meet rigorous selection criteria before undergoing five weeks of intensive training, in compliance with guidelines set by the International Bodyflight Association.
iFly Singapore, located in Sentosa, is up and ready to go, but the attraction has one last hurdle to clear before getting the thumbs-up from the authorities.
Mr Koh, a former team leader of the Singapore Red Lions Parachuting Display Team, said he needs to obtain a public entertainment licence from the Singapore Police Force.
The $25-million facility has been riddled with delays and was originally slated to open in the second half of last year. Mr Koh hopes to open it to the public on Wednesday.
In the event of a no-go, the attraction will still open that day to VIPs and "test fliers".
The facility hopes to attract some 100,000 fliers and more than half a million visitors to a host of restaurants in the first year. Each adult ticket starts at $89 for two 45-second sessions, that is, about $1 per second of "flying".
Mr Koh said the sum is relatively affordable, compared to the cost of actual skydiving trips. To enjoy their sport, skydivers have to travel to countries such as Malaysia, as there are no drop zones in Singapore.
Such trips can set a skydiver back by about $500 per jump, not including airfare and accommodation, he said.
With iFly, "I hope to share this feeling of joy, flight and freedom with everyone", he added.
~News courtesy of Omy~
Thrill seekers itching to try out Singapore's first indoor skydiving facility should jump at the opportunity without fear.
That is because there are measures in place to ensure the safety of participants or fliers, as they are called said the facility's managing director, Mr Lawrence Koh.
Skydiving simulator iFly Singapore makes use of four fans the size of aeroplane propellers, located at the top of a wind tunnel, to generate powerful winds that are pushed to the bottom of the tunnel.
There, the winds are funnelled up through an inlet contractor, creating a gust strong enough to keep a flier afloat in mid-air, hence replicating the sensation of skydiving.
The facility does not have a backup generator, but even if the fans were to malfunction suddenly, the winds blowing at up to 300kmh would decelerate at a comfortable rate, explained Mr Koh.
Gravity will then take over, pulling fliers slowly and safely down to ground level.
A total of 11 male instructors will put fliers through their paces, accompanying them in the wind tunnel at all times.
Every instructor had to meet rigorous selection criteria before undergoing five weeks of intensive training, in compliance with guidelines set by the International Bodyflight Association.
iFly Singapore, located in Sentosa, is up and ready to go, but the attraction has one last hurdle to clear before getting the thumbs-up from the authorities.
Mr Koh, a former team leader of the Singapore Red Lions Parachuting Display Team, said he needs to obtain a public entertainment licence from the Singapore Police Force.
The $25-million facility has been riddled with delays and was originally slated to open in the second half of last year. Mr Koh hopes to open it to the public on Wednesday.
In the event of a no-go, the attraction will still open that day to VIPs and "test fliers".
The facility hopes to attract some 100,000 fliers and more than half a million visitors to a host of restaurants in the first year. Each adult ticket starts at $89 for two 45-second sessions, that is, about $1 per second of "flying".
Mr Koh said the sum is relatively affordable, compared to the cost of actual skydiving trips. To enjoy their sport, skydivers have to travel to countries such as Malaysia, as there are no drop zones in Singapore.
Such trips can set a skydiver back by about $500 per jump, not including airfare and accommodation, he said.
With iFly, "I hope to share this feeling of joy, flight and freedom with everyone", he added.
~News courtesy of Omy~
Sunday, 15 May 2011
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