Sports Hub: How to get there

Sports Hub: How to get there

With 30,000 people expected to converge at the Singapore Sports Hub for multiple events next weekend, organisers on Thursday (June 19) outlined their plans on how the public can access the venue.

The Sports Hub is easily accessible by various transport modes. Three MRT stations - Stadium, Mountbatten and Kallang - are within walking distance. Seven bus services and three taxi stands provide more options. Major expressways also feed into the multiple entry and exit points which serve the hub.

Those who plan to drive to the new National Stadium when there is an event happening there should remember to buy their parking tickets first. Without one, you will not be able to park at the Stadium.

"During event days in the National Stadium, no parking is available unless you buy a pre-purchased parking lot," said Mr Eric Tan, Managing Director of DTZ. "You need to go to our website to purchase the parking lot. When you arrive, display your decal and we will guide you to your lot. If you do not pre-purchase, there will be no lots for anyone who tries to find a parking lot."

The pre-purchase is only for some 800 lots located within the National Stadium. You still have more than 3,000 other parking lots to choose from at the Sports Hub, the Singapore Indoor Stadium and Kallang Leisure Park Mall.

Members of the public can purchase the pre-sold parking on a first-come-first-served basis at www.sportshubtix.sg or at all Singapore Post outlets. Each ticket costs $10.70 and is valid from 7am of the event day till 7am the next morning.

Organisers have also printed a guide map to inform the public about how to access the Sports Hub. 50,000 copies will be distributed to residents living around the Stadium, and more copies will be made available island-wide.

There is also a hotline (6653-8900) and website (www.sportshub.com.sg) where similar information is available. For the whole of July, members of the public can try out the facilities in the hub free of charge - the free trials will cover various indoor games as well as swimming and kayaking.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Free cancer screenings for those aged 50

Free cancer screenings for those aged 50



The project, called FIT50, marks the society's 50th anniversary, along with a month-long showcase at Lavender MRT station to promote early detection.(Photo: Lianhe Zaobao)

THOSE who turn 50 this year can get free screenings for cervical, breast and colorectal cancer from next month, as part of a year-long project by the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS).

The project, called FIT50, marks the society's 50th anniversary, along with a month-long showcase at Lavender MRT station to promote early detection.

SCS chairman Choo Eng Chuan said the aim was to push for greater awareness. "Once you hit 50, (screenings) should be on your mind," he said.

Mrs Wendy Yeap, a counsellor who turns 50 this year, said she goes for yearly Pap smears and mammogram screenings. She might now consider getting a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit, used to detect colorectal cancer.

Free Pap-smear tests and mammograms can be done at participating SingHealth Polyclinics, National Healthcare Group polyclinics, the radiologic clinic at the Health Promotion Board and the SCS' clinic. FIT kits can also be collected at the SCS clinic and some Guardian outlets.

SCS will also be pumping $10 million into its hospice-care service, with the aim of tripling its capacity within the next three to five years. It hopes to eventually serve up to 1,000 patients a year.

~News courtesy of Omy~

New app turns your smartphone into a top up machine for EZ-Link cards

New app turns your smartphone into a top up machine for EZ-Link cards

Land Transport Authority-owned EZ-Link has launched an app that turns your smartphone into a mobile machine that tops up the value of your EZ-link card.

Touted to be the world's first, the My EZ-Link Mobile app automates payment by charging to a user-designated Visa and MasterCard debit or credit card. Users must first enter personal and payment details into the app before they can tap their EZ-Link card on the smartphone to top up.

The app works only on smartphones that are near field communications (NFC) enabled. NFC is a wireless transmission technology that allows mobile payment.

With this, commuters need not visit ATMs or EZ-Link machines anymore. The smartphone payment option adds to existing fuss-free Giro and automatic stored-value reload options tied to the POSB ATM card and most credit cards.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

StarHub offers new WeChat prepaid plans

StarHub offers new WeChat prepaid plans

STARHUB has launched a new data plan to get prepaid users not using 3G data to try out the service, as well as give existing prepaid data users more choices.

The telco has teamed up with social-messaging service WeChat, developed by China-based Tencent Holdings, to allow its prepaid customers to chat all they want for 40 cents a day or $6 a month.

Data usage is capped at 1GB a day on the WeChat app, which lets users send text messages and share photos and animated "stickers". WeChat users can also press a button to speak to a group of friends.

Prior to this, StarHub had only prepaid data plans that cover both Web surfing and use of social-messaging service at a flat rate.

Three months ago, SingTel announced a similar partnership with California-based WhatsApp.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Maybank Singapore launches mobile transaction app

Maybank Singapore launches mobile transaction app



Local banks are not resting on their laurels when it comes to online transactions.

Maybank Singapore has launched a new service that allows its customers to transfer or collect money through their mobile phones.

Customers can use Maybank Mobile Money to pay, for instance, online purchases.

All they need is a smartphone with a Maybank app.

The free service also reduces the reliance on cash or cheques among Singaporeans.

It also protects data privacy such as bank account details which are not required for this service.

Maybank said each transaction comes with a personal identification number (PIN) to ensure security.

The money receiver will have to obtain a PIN from the sender to get the funds transferred to their account.

By making the request for a PIN, the sender will ensure that the money is going to the correct party.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Four estates to get new eating houses

Four estates to get new eating houses by year's end



An eating house in Singapore. (Photo: Ooi Boon Keong)

Residents of Sengkang, Sembawang, Woodlands and Yishun can look forward to having new eating houses in their respective towns this year.

Of the 30 new eating houses that will be built across 11 towns by 2015, six are expected to be completed by the end of this year - three in Sengkang, and one each in Sembawang, Woodlands and Yishun - and another 17 are expected to come on stream next year.

Although most of these eating houses will be sited near new public housing developments in young and middle-age towns, including in Punggol, Sembawang, Woodlands and Hougang, "a handful" will also be built in the mature towns of Bukit Merah, Geylang and Queenstown.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) revealed these details following TODAY's request for an update on the status of the 30 new eating houses that the Ministry of National Development (MND) said it would be building, which it hoped would help keep stall rentals in check.

This was in response to a question West Coast GRC Member of Parliament Foo Mee Har had tabled in Parliament last month, on the safeguards the Government was putting in place to moderate potential rental increases for HDB coffee shop tenants.

Ms Foo's question was prompted by reports that a Hougang coffee shop had traded hands at a record price of S$23.8 million.

A little more than a week later, another coffee shop along Tampines Street 91 was also put on sale, with the vendors hoping for offers "in the region of S$10 million to S$12 million".

Residents living near the six new eating houses that will be completed by the end of this year - all located within new public housing projects that are nearing completion - were thrilled with the news.

Some Sembawang Drive residents, who will soon be able to tuck in at Block 463, told of having to live with choosing between hopping on the only bus service (962) to reach eateries in Sun Plaza and walking for 20 minutes to the nearest coffeeshop at Block 511.

The other eatery, a small cafe at Block 483, closes too early for those looking to satiate hunger pangs late at night, residents said.

Retiree, Mr Surendran, who has been living in the area for five years, said: "We're Singaporeans, and sometimes we like to have supper, but the cafe closes too early at 9.30pm."

The situation is similar over at Sengkang, which will have three new eating houses by December.

Those living opposite the new site on Anchorvale Road said they now have to take a 10- to 20-minute walk to a NTUC Foodfare outlet at Block 308 or a foodcourt at Block 303 Anchorvale Link. Others, like property agent Vanny Lim, take a bus to Compass Point. "I eat out almost every day and there are really not many choices around here," the 42-year-old said.

Sengkang West MP Lam Pin Min said he was "excited" about the news of the upcoming eating houses which will "definitely provide more convenience and food options for the residents staying nearby".

Pointing out that it was "unlikely" that the NEA would build a new hawker centre or wet market in Fernvale or Anchorvale because of the existing ones in Sengkang Square and an upcoming mall, he said the new eating houses "will serve as an alternative for such food and beverage amenities".

Mr Liang Eng Hwa, who takes care of Bukit Panjang as MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, said he is expecting three new coffee shops in Bukit Panjang over the next few years.

He added that he is also in talks with the NEA to build another hawker centre in the northern part of the town, on top of one that is located at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Pending Road.

Said Mr Liang: "Residents have told me that the hawkers and food centres here are inadequate ... People want somewhere convenient and affordable to eat."

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Handy way soon to borrow library books

Handy way soon to borrow library books

There will soon be a more convenient way to borrow library books.

With a new application for smartphones and tablets, users will just have to download it to scan the barcodes on library books.

They can then borrow the books and bring them home directly, bypassing the need for identity card or library card and self-service machines.

The application will be ready next year.

The National Library Board showcased the application at the World Library and Information Congress which is taking place from 17-23 August.

Jasna Dhansukhlal, National Library Board's assistant director (library services and management), said: "It's really for people who are on the go, to make it very convenient and accessible to all of them.

"They can check out books, they can renew their loans, they can check whether the book is available at other libraries, they can even look for similar titles.

"This will make it very convenient for people who are not able to come down to the library and would like to use the services that we have in our public libraries."

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

EPL $59.90/month for both SingTel & StarHub

Standalone EPL channels to cost $59.90 per month for both SingTel and StarHub viewers

SingTel has announced on Friday the new price plans for the upcoming season of the English Premier League (EPL) which kicks off on August 17.

The ala-carte EPL content, with nine channels, will cost $59.90 per month for both SingTel mio TV users as well as StarHub's pay TV customers, the latter which SingTel is obliged to provide under the cross-carriage regulations.

The price is significantly higher than its old $34.90 per month sports bundle which came with EPL channels, Champions League and other sports content.

However, existing mio TV customers who are still on contract will get to enjoy the old price plan until the expiry of their contracts.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Cash withdrawals available at 7-Eleven stores

Cash withdrawals available at 7-Eleven stores



DBS and POSB customers can now make cash withdrawals from their bank accounts at over 500 7-Eleven convenience stores islandwide.

The partnership between DBS and 7-Eleven aims to increase the number of points in Singapore where people can withdraw money.

Customers will be able to withdraw up to S$80, in multiples of S$10, at one time.

The cash withdrawal service is free, but customers have to buy something from 7-Eleven first using their bank cards and PIN (Personal Identification Number).

There is no limit to the number of cash withdrawals with purchases in a day.

Ms Tan Sioe Lan, 7-Eleven marketing and business development manager, said: "We are the largest number in term of stores that are all over Singapore, be it in the heartland, commercial (areas). So, as and when consumers need cash, they can just go to our store. It's bright-lit, it's open 24-seven, and easy to find everywhere."

Customers make withdrawals over the Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS) payment platform.

DBS Bank's head for consumer banking group, Mr Jeremy Soo, said: "The cash withdrawal process is no different from a purchase that they've done at the store. And the payment system is one that's been tried and tested over many, many years and will conform to security requirements."

Consumers welcome the convenience.

Ms Josephine Koh, a secretary, said: "If I can get cash immediately, why not? I would go for it."

Mr Hambali Rasit, a deliveryman, said: "Yeah, it's some sort of convenience, because you can withdraw straightaway from the counter."

However, if stores run low on money, the service will not be available. Instead, the cashiers will point customers to the nearest ATMs or stores which offer the service.

And 7-Eleven is keeping security precautions of having limited cash in the wee hours of the morning.

Although cashback services have been available in Singapore, those who don't see the need for it include Cheers and FairPrice Xpress convenience stores, with ATMs already present within some of their premises.

The Sheng Siong supermarket chain also says the service is not presently suitable for its mode of operations, taking into account customer queues.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Find skills courses on the go

Find skills courses on the go



AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: The free Learn SG app is available on iOS and Android devices. (PHOTO: SINGAPORE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY)

Professionals, managers and executives are now able to find and access information about skill-upgrading courses more easily with a new version of the Learn SG course-search mobile app.

The free app by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) now has a "course search" category. It is a search function that lets users type in key words to view a range of courses.

Mr Wong Hong Kuan, chief executive of WDA, said he hoped the app would "encourage more individuals to proactively upgrade their skills and engage in a lifetime of learning".

Those who use the app have access to information on over 1,100 Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) courses in Singapore, covering categories from customer service, human resources and engineering to sales, marketing, design, and media and communications.

The WSQ is a national credential system that trains, develops, assesses and recognises individuals for key competencies that companies look for in potential employees.

WSQ courses are conducted at Continuing Education and Training (CET) institutes such as the Electronics Industries Training Centre.

Said Mr Wong: "The enhanced Learn SG app aims to provide individuals - in particular, the more-mobile-savvy ones - with a more dynamic experience where they can plug into the latest CET information, anytime and anywhere."

Another new feature of the app has users take a personality test or answer a questionnaire. With that information, the app recommends courses and possible career pathways.

There is also the new journal function, with which executives are able to take notes, either with text entries, or by using images or audio recordings. These notes can be shared with friends.

The app allows files, including notes, to be shared with others via online storage service Dropbox.

The new version of the app, which has been available since Monday, is available for iOS and Android phones and tablets.

The original Learn SG app was launched in March last year.

As of the end of last month, Learn SG has been downloaded over 6,000 times.

~News courtesy of Omy~

Services to cut data-roaming bill shocks

Services to cut data-roaming bill shocks

Singtel and StarHub yesterday announced services that can help prevent bill shocks from surfing online overseas with mobile devices.

SingTel said it is offering a free add-on for its unlimited $15 per day data-roaming plans. It automatically connects a customer's mobile gadget to the telco's partner networks in 44 markets.

Previously, this was done manually. Customers who accidentally connect to non-partner networks will have to pay $20 per MB of data used.

StarHub launched a data-roaming service with an aim to prevent similar bill shocks. But it does so differently, as customers can connect to any mobile network in 20 destinations to enjoy the service's cheaper rate of $10 per 50MB per day. The rate will become $18 from October.

StarHub plans to extend the service to over 230 overseas destinations in time.

~News courtesy of Omy~

Application for NDP 2013 tickets to begin May 11

Application for NDP 2013 tickets to begin May 11



Application for tickets to NDP 2013's Preview and National Day Parade (NDP) starts from May 11 to 20. It will be open to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents.

Application can be done via SMS, NDP website, SAM and AXS stations, and the NDP 2013 mobile app.

Applicants can choose to ballot for two, four or six tickets -- to either the NDP Preview on August 3, 2013, or the actual NDP on August 9, 2013.

The NDP EXCO 2013 said applicants should note that the lower the number of tickets applied for, the higher the chances of obtaining them.

Each NRIC holder is limited to one application regardless of the mode used to apply. If more than one entry is made, only his/her latest application will be entered for the electronic ballot when the application period ends on May 20, 2013.

Tickets will be allocated via an electronic ballot system supported by NCS Pte Ltd, and are not allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

NDP EXCO 2013 said the balloting results are final and there will be no appeals.

As each ticket admits one spectator to the parade, children (inclusive of infants) must hold a valid ticket to be admitted to the parade.

Successful applicants will be notified from May 31 to June 4, via the contact number provided in their application. They may collect their tickets from June 7 to 16, between 10am and 10pm daily, at The Float @ Marina Bay.

In response to feedback last year, NDP EXCO 2013 said all successful applicants in the NDP 2012 ticket eBalloting exercise will not be eligible for the NDP 2013 ticketing eBalloting exercise.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

New guides for real estate industry

New guides for real estate industry to safeguard consumer interests

New rules will be implemented for the real estate industry.

From 1 June 2013, the practice of collecting "blank" cheques from property buyers will come with tighter safeguards.

The practice is often used to book private properties before they are launched.

Property agents will no longer be allowed to collect cheques unless there is a request in writing from the developer directly to the agent.

Any issued cheques must be crossed and made out in the name of a payee, like the developer or the project account. It should also come with an authorisation letter setting out clear terms to safeguard the buyer's interests.

Many industry players say the practice of collecting cheques, including "blank" ones, in the private property market have many grey areas and differing perceptions.

With tighter controls kicking in, many say it will reduce impulse buying.

Lim Yong Hock, senior vice president at PropNex Realty, said: "It will help consumers make more informed decisions, rather than writing cheques impulsively without knowing the price of the property. It's a positive change for buyers."

Steven Tan, managing director of property firm OrangeTee, said buyers who give blank cheques to agents often do not have full understanding of the development.

"It's often an impulse purchase," he said.

With the new guidelines, he believes developers will provide more information to buyers, like the concept, floor plans and even the price range, before buyers have to make any decision.

The tighter controls are part of a slew of new rules for the industry.

Issued by the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) in a professional service manual, the guidelines also require property agents to be extra careful when working with vulnerable consumers, like those who are financially unstable or illiterate.

CEA said it is the first time property agents have a manual that guides them in detail from the start to finish of a transaction.

Chan Mun Kit, director of regulatory control at CEA, said: "Even for those already in the industry, it helps to highlight to them certain practices perhaps they can do more professionally, and certain things they should not be doing anymore."

If the guidelines are flouted, property agents can be fined up to S$75,000, and have their licenses suspended or revoked.

Speaking at a consumer seminar on Saturday, Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin said the real estate service is not just about closing the deal.

He said: "I think it's important for us, those of us who're in the real estate business, to think about not just closing the deal, but I think to remember that the people we're servicing and helping, are making a very big step. For many of them who are homeowners, it's not just buying a physical property; it's buying a place where they're trying to build a home.

"The onus is on those who are in the industry, who understand the landscape better, to advise individuals to understand what it means, to invest, how much loan to take and so on, rather than think about how much commission you might get with a bigger deal done. That's values in action. That's something we appeal to everyone who's involved in the industry to spare a thought, not only from a professional standpoint but from a values standpoint to think about their responsibility to the people around them."

The consumer seminar is part of an effort to educate the public on their responsibilities as well. Those in the industry say there is often a mismatch of expectations between the consumer and the property agent on what their respective duties are.

In tandem, authorities have also launched a brochure to help consumers out.

Lim Biow Chuan, president of Consumers Association of Singapore, said: "Reading this consumer guide gives you some background knowledge, some basic knowledge so that if you transact with someone else you don't go in blind."

With regulation only able to go so far, authorities are also urging consumers to do their part.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Plan up to 10 long weekends in 2014

Plan up to 10 long weekends in 2014



Singapore employees will get four long weekends next year, one fewer than this year's, based on next year's public-holiday dates.

But strategic planning of leave and day-off applications can more than double next year's number of long weekends to 10.

This is because there are three public holidays on Thursdays (Labour Day, Deepavali and Christmas Day), one holiday on a Tuesday (Vesak Day), one on a Wednesday (New Year's Day) and one on a Saturday (National Day).

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) yesterday announced the 11 gazetted public holidays for next year. It stated that for public holidays falling on Saturdays, an employee who is not required to work on Saturdays is entitled to claim a day off or compensation in lieu of that public holiday.

This is provided the worker is covered by the Employment Act.

The four long weekends next year cover the public holidays for Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji. They are each three days long.

In comparison, the five official long weekends this year include two four-day breaks. Taking leave on the right days will result in nine long weekends this year.

But by taking six days of leave and a day off-in-lieu, the number of long weekends next year becomes 10.

For instance, workers can get five rest days by taking two days' leave on Jan 2 and 3 (Thursday and Friday) as New Year's Day falls on a Wednesday next year.

As National Day falls on a Saturday next year, employees could get a day off-in-lieu. If their employers approve, the day off could be cleared on Aug 8 (Friday) so that they get to enjoy a long weekend.

Workers could extend their three-day long weekend during Chinese New Year to four days by taking a day off-in-lieu on Jan 30. This is because the second day of Chinese New Year is on a Saturday and workers could be given a day off-in-lieu for that.

MOM confirmed that Deepavali this year is no longer on Nov 3 (Sunday), so the following Monday will not be a public holiday.

Instead, Nov 2 (Saturday) will be gazetted as the Deepavali public holiday.

For senior assistant nurse Usha Kumaran, the change in date for Deepavali does not matter much to her, as there is still one day to rest - Sunday - before she goes back to work. She said: "Preparing for Deepavali is a long process, so Hindus like me usually take days off prior to the actual date of celebration."

Tentatively, Deepavali next year will fall on Oct 23 (Thursday). But MOM said it will have to confirm this date against the Indian almanac when it is available.

For Mr Yu Jin, a football-league organiser, the fewer official long weekends is a downer.

He said: "We can't control (which dates) the holidays fall on, but we can take advantage of our leave dates to create more long weekends."

~News courtesy of OMY~

POSB to offer new HDB loan option

POSB to offer new HDB loan option from April 1

Starting April 1, there will be a new loan option for HDB home buyers.

The new POSB HDB Loan will offer a floating interest rate capped below the HDB's concessionary rates for ten years.

The HDB concessionary interest rate is pegged at 0.1 percentage point above the prevailing CPF interest rate.

DBS said the POSB HDB Loan allows buyers to benefit from the current low interest rates and at the same time, gives a ten-year protection against rising interest rates.

The majority of HDB home buyers took a direct loan from HDB last year.

However, when compared to other bank loans in the market, analysts says the new POSB loan starts at a higher interest rate.

"It's anywhere from 0.3 per cent to 0.6 per cent higher than what's in the market rate, but the compromise is there is an interest rate cap at the CPF Ordinary Account level, so that justifies the slight premium," said Timothy Kua, director of Smartloan.sg.

Kua added: "Especially for people who don't think they'll be living in the HDB flat beyond ten years, and they are going to move to another place, upgrade to an EC or a condominium, this package is a quite a no-brainer for them."

HDB says a residential property loan is a long-term financial commitment and so it advises flat buyers to take a long-term view and assess the monthly loan repayments based on different interest rate scenarios.

It adds that regardless of whether they are taking a loan from HDB or a bank, flat buyers should look at their own financial position carefully and plan prudently before purchasing a flat.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Incentives for MRT commuters

More incentives for MRT commuters on off-peak travels

To encourage more commuters to take up off-peak travel on MRT trains, an incentive given out as part of an INSINC study has been doubled from November 1.

Incentives for Singapore's Commuters (INSINC) is a web-based study comprising a reward system where commuters earn credits based on the start times of their trips at MRT stations and the distance of their journeys.

The maximum cash prize for INSINC participants has been doubled from $100 to $200, and can be transferred directly to participants' bank accounts, if they choose to. Previously, cash rewards were credited into participants' EZ-Link cards.

Since January, more than $320,000 have been paid out.

In addition, more credits per kilometre are being given to participants, depending on the number of off-peak trips they make. Participants can get up to six credits per kilometre. Previously, all participants earned three credits per trip.

Also, the number of participants in INSINC have more than doubled, from 17,000 in June to 41,000 to date.

The Land Transport Authority said it hopes the study can eventually cover up to 60,000 commuters.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Bus, train services on Hari Raya Haji eve

Operating hours of bus, train services on Hari Raya Haji eve extended

SBS Transit will extend the operating hours of its bus and train services on the eve of Hari Raya Haji on October 25.

On the North East Line (NEL), the last train in the direction of HarbourFront will leave Punggol Station at 12.02am, Serangoon Station at 12.13am, Dhoby Ghaut Station at 12.25am and Outram Park Station at 12.31am.

The last train towards Punggol will leave HarbourFront Station at 12.29am, Outram Park Station at 12.32am, Dhoby Ghaut Station at 12.38am and Serangoon Station at 12.50am.

Services on the Punggol and Sengkang LRT systems will end later to coincide with the last train arrivals on NEL.

The last train on the Sengkang LRT will depart the Town Centre Station at 1.05am while the last train on the Punggol LRT will leave the Town Centre at 1.07am.

To complement the extension of the train operating hours, the last bus timings of 26 selected bus services will also be extended - Nos. 51A, 60A, 63M, 181, 222, 225G, 228, 229, 232, 238, 240, 241, 243G, 261, 269, 282, 291, 292, 293, 315, 325, 333, 334, 358, 359 and 410W.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Call for more youths to donate blood

Call for more youths to donate blood

Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) hope to increase the number of youth donors to 35 per cent by 2014.

Youths, or those aged 16 to 25, currently make up about 30 per cent of the donor population.

The plan to increase the number was revealed at Friday's official opening of a new satellite blood centre at Dhoby Xchange, officially opened by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong.

Located in Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, the new blood bank's targeting shoppers and students by making blood donation more convenient.

With the centre close to schools like the Singapore Management University, SRC plans to work with youth groups to organise public blood drives, road-shows and talks.

The Red Cross said one challenge in attracting youth donors is their lack of information about the importance of blood donation.

And as such, it is working with the Education Ministry to include the importance of blood donation in the primary school curriculum.

The first satellite blood donation centre opened in Woodlands in 2011.

HSA said the Bloodbank@Woodlands contributed 10 per cent of the total blood collection last year. And that almost 90 per cent of the donors are repeat donors, most of whom have visited the centre at least twice to donate blood.

And there are plans to open three more of such centres in the east and west of Singapore.

HSA's group director for Blood Services Group, Dr Diana Teo, said: "It's actually all about convenience. Convenience in having a comfortable place to donate blood at. What we want to do is make it easily accessible so people can just meet each other, donate blood, and then maybe go for coffee, tea or dinner."

Blood donor Elias Ye said: "The location is actually more important. Being at Dhoby Ghaut - located in town - means you shop halfway and you see the blood donation centre and you actually might be reminded that actually it's time for you to donate blood."

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Army Open House comes to city

The Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, packs a punch during a media preview at the dynamic show section of the Army Open House. (PHOTOS: THE STRAITS TIMES)

It won't be Formula One cars zipping by the F1 Pit Building this weekend, but the Singapre Armed Forces' (SAF's) Leopard tank, and Apache assault helicopters as part of a mock storming of an "enemy" building.

For the first time, the army is organising its Open House outside of a military camp and in the city area to allow the public easier access.

It has also worked with transport operators SMRT and SBS Transit to increase train and bus frequencies to the Marina Bay area.

This year's edition of the Open House is themed Fathers And Sons, to celebrate 45 years of national service (NS).

The organising chairman, Brigadier-General (BG) Yeo See Peng, said: "The army is the backbone of NS...where generations of NSmen have provided the peace and security and we want to carry on and celebrate the tradition."

He hopes that the event, which took six months of preparation, will attract more families. 

Demonstrations, exhibitions and rides have been lined up to give visitors a taste of army operations and its history. 

For the first time, the public can take short rides on the infantry Terrex vehicle, as well as take to the sea with the Fast Craft Utility, a Navy vessel that supports land operations.

Visitors looking for more action can expect to be treated to a 30-minute dynamic defence show, complete with special effects, put up three times a day.

The show will simultaneously display an array of the army's modern armament, such as the Terrex, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and bomb- disposal equipment.

Visitors could try their hand at a "gunbattle" using the Paintball Engagement System or test their shooting skills using the Tactical Engagement System. A mini obstacle course is also set to thrill kids.

Additionally, a time-tunnel exhibit which features a multimedia display, a history gallery and a recognition hall has been put up to showcase the evolution of the SAF and celebrate the past sacrifices and commitment of NSmen.

About 300 NSmen have been roped in as roving ambassadors to share their NS experiences with the public at the Open House.

The Open House will be open to the public from 9am to 8pm. Admission to the Open House and all rides is free.

~News courtesy of Omy~

S'pore, Colombia ink air travel deal

S'pore, Colombia ink air travel deal 

SINGAPORE: The airlines of Singapore and Colombia will have the flexibility to operate any number of direct passenger services between both countries. 

They can also operate, under certain restrictions, up to seven weekly passenger services and seven weekly cargo services between, and beyond, both countries. 

These have been made possible by an Air Services Agreement (ASA) between Singapore and Colombia. 

The agreement was signed by Singapore's Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew and Colombia's Minister of Foreign Affairs María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar on Monday. 

The signing took place on the sidelines of a state visit by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón. Mr Santos is on a three-day state visit to Singapore, from Sunday to Tuesday. 

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~