Landmark laws, fiery exchanges mark second session of 12th Parliament

TODAY reports: A total of 58 Bills were passed during the second half of the 12th Parliament and there were plenty of fireworks between the PAP MPs and their opposition counterparts - particularly over the AHPETC saga.

It has been only 15 months, but should the Parliamentary sitting earlier this week turn out to be the last before the polls are called, the second half of the 12th Parliament would not have been short on style or substance.

A total of 58 Bills were passed, including several landmark legislations and there were plenty of fireworks between the People’s Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament (MPs) and their opposition counterparts — particularly over the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) saga, which saw PAP and Workers’ Party (WP) MPs cross swords several times.

Among the Bills passed, several centred on public order, such as laws to combat human trafficking and organised crime. The Liquor Control Act, aimed to regulate alcohol supply and consumption in public places and minimise disamenities arising from drinking in public, was also passed in January, more than two years after the review of liquor-control measures first started.

After Parliament reconvened in May last year, healthcare and retirement-adequacy issues took centre stage in the legislature, with the MediShield Life Scheme, aimed to provide universal healthcare coverage for Singaporeans for life, written into law in January.

A Bill on the new Silver Support Scheme, which disburses between S$300 and S$750 each quarter to needy elderly people, was among the slew of legislations passed at the two-day sitting earlier this week, as the 12th Parliament drew to a busy close. The only unfinished business - should the polls be called soon - is the review of the Town Councils Act, which has taken more than two years and counting.

Associate Professor Reuben Wong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, noted that, in particular, several “productive” debates centred on healthcare, such as on medical bills, the Central Provident Fund and whether Singaporeans should get support from the state in their old age. He added: “It is about time that we use more of our reserves and Budget to alleviate the burden on older Singaporeans and their families. So I think it makes a lot of sense, now with more aged ... Singaporeans.”

Singapore Management University (SMU) law don Eugene Tan said the past year or so saw diverse views on policy issues involving single mothers, people with special needs and victims of human trafficking, for example.

AHPETC EXCHANGES

As the WP’s management of AHPETC continues to draw rigorous debates in Parliament - right up to the most recent sitting and beyond, political observers and analysts were split over whether the AHPETC tinderbox sparked more heat than light.

Nevertheless, they agreed on one thing: The debates on the topic, which were at times acrimonious, stood out in the second half of the 12th Parliament, which began with a fiery exchange between Senior Minister of State (Education and Law) Indranee Rajah and WP chief Low Thia Khiang over what constitutes “constructive politics”. Assoc Prof Tan said: “Too often, the debates on AHPETC took on the flavour of verbal wars, where scoring political points seemed to be the order of the day.”

Assoc Prof Wong felt too much airtime had been given to the issue. “I thought that was a lot of hot air, and Parliament time could have been better spent debating issues that would affect Singaporeans’ quality of life.”

But former Nominated MP Calvin Cheng disagreed as he felt the AHPETC debates were very important. “Because MPs have two responsibilities — one is to manage the town council and the other is their performance in Parliament. So if an opposition party can’t even manage a town council properly, how can it manage a country? There are no jibes, I see those as very important questions.”

QUALITY OF DEBATE

The analysts and observers whom TODAY spoke to were also divided on whether the record number of opposition MPs had raised the quality of parliamentary debates.

Assoc Prof Tan felt the stronger presence of the Opposition had added a sharper edge to the debates. “That meant that the front bench and MPs had to come better prepared for sittings. As a consequence, the quality of debates was generally high.”

Political scientist Alan Chong of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies noted that several MPs who had made strong interventions came from the Opposition, including the WP’s Mr Low, Ms Sylvia Lim and Mr Gerald Giam. “Perhaps, if the number of opposition MPs is doubled, the quality of debate will also be enhanced,” he said.

Assoc Prof Wong also singled out Mr Giam for his performance. Describing the Non-Constituency MP as the WP’s designated “transport man”, he said: “He speaks up a lot and gets air time in the papers, so the public gets to understand the alternatives proposed to alleviate public transport issues.”

However, other analysts criticised the WP MPs for not living up to its billing. Mr Cheng, for instance, felt their performance was “tame”. “I was surprised that for a party that campaigned for a First World Parliament, they did not put in a single full parliamentary motion for debate,” he said.

For the PAP, the analysts and observers were impressed by the officeholders — in particular, Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, Ms Indranee and Minister of State (Health) Lam Pin Min. However, they felt the first-term MPs could do better. Assoc Prof Wong said: “I’m afraid I didn’t notice any of the first-term backbenchers.”

The first half of the 12th Parliament, which lasted 30 months, between October 2011 and April last year, was marked by spirited debates on the Government’s White Papers on Ministerial Salaries and Population, and scandals that forced two MPs - PAP’s Michael Palmer and WP’s Yaw Shin Leong - to vacate their seats.

A total of 89 Bills were passed before the House took a mid-term break. The laws covered a range of areas and sought to address hot-button issues such as public transport and imported labour, which came to the fore during the 2011 General Election hustings.

As Singapore gears up for the coming GE, there has been some discussion on an MP’s dual roles - looking after his or her constituents and their estate, and being a voice for them in Parliament by raising their concerns and contributing to policy debates.

Assoc Prof Tan said: “Neither should take priority over the other. While most MPs get elected or re-elected on the basis of their role in the constituencies and town councils … their contributions to the law-making and policy-making process should not be shortchanged.”

To battle a slump, property developers trot out bells and whistles

TODAY reports: Property developers in Singapore are introducing features such a boxing ring or a mobile app for their developments to win back buyers after home sales - weakened by multiple rounds of cooling measures - dropped to a six-year low last year.

 A flying fox facility for adrenaline junkies? Check. A mini velodrome for cycling enthusiasts? Check. Indoor and outdoor movie theaters for film buffs? Check.

Add to that a biometric vein scanner, a boxing ring, a swirl and splash water slide, free music, swimming and cooking lessons, and a mobile app to book facilities and services within and outside the development.

These facilities are not part of a new theme park in Singapore. They are amenities offered by property developers here seeking to win back buyers after home sales - weakened by multiple rounds of cooling measures - dropped to a six-year low last year. Long gone are the days of impressing homebuyers solely with location, view, resort-style living or the usual trappings of 50m swimming pools, Jacuzzis, tennis courts and air-conditioned gyms.

With an impending oversupply of homes hitting a lacklustre market, developers today are going all out to design and develop dwellings that provide a new way of living for buyers with a more assured sense of value and quality and very specific tastes.

BEYOND THE USUAL TRAPPINGS

Take the recently launched High Park Residences condominium at Fernvale for example. The development, which is scheduled to obtain its Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) in 2019, has a carnivalesque spread of 118 facilities over 366,000 sq ft of land designed to lure even the most house-proud hermit out of his cave.

Besides the requisite pools, playgrounds and BBQ pits, the development’s array of facilities include: Indoor and outdoor movie theatres, boxing rings, a three-metre high swirl and splash water slide, a flying fox, hammock garden and a jamming room for budding musicians. And as if that were not enough, the developer is also throwing in an additional seasoning of free lifestyle classes for two years, including kick boxing, yoga, baking, swimming, tennis and violin lessons.

“We wanted to create a place where homebuyers can have a lot of activities to play around with. It was also partly due to the land we bought - two parcels side by side - which allowed us to be more creative with the space, such as creating an interconnected water slide and cascading waterfall,” said Mr Chng Chee Beow, executive director for CEL Development, the developer for High Park.

A similar story is unfolding on the executive condominiums (EC) front. Westwood Residences in Jurong launched in May this year is the first bicycle-themed development in Singapore. The development, which is expected to get its TOP in August 2018, comes complete with an outdoor mini-velodrome, a covered bicycle garage to house up to 500 bikes and even a specially designed bike maintenance area with washing, drying and repair provisions. Developers Koh Brothers and Heeton Homes are also throwing in a free bicycle with every purchase of a home, while stocks last.

“The unique bike theme and value-added biking facilities are part of the developers’ strategy to differentiate the development from other ECs,” said Mr Francis Koh, managing director and group CEO of Koh Brothers. “The current property market has softened. With the current oversupply of residential projects and the slew of cooling measures including the new resale levy, it is becoming increasingly important to depend on the projects’ unique positioning, value propositions and pricing to attract buyers to enter the market.”

In another interesting move, one company has developed a mobile app to provide homeowners with post-handover services.

Qingjian Realty’s HiLife Interactive app, launched in June, allows homeowners of properties under its portfolio to book facilities and lifestyle classes within and outside the development. It is believed to be the first developer to offer such a service.

Home maintenance and lifestyle services such as air-con servicing, dance and tuition classes may be booked through the app, as are facilities such as tennis courts, function rooms and barbecue pits. The app also links homeowners with service providers around their estate, for example beauty salons, to enable residents to make appointments for a manicure.

The app debuted in June to homeowners of the 590-unit Riversound Residence at Buangkok area. Plans are in place to roll it out to the rest of the properties under Qingjian’s portfolio, which includes Natura Loft in Bishan, Nin Residence on Pheng Geck Avenue and RiverParc Residence in Punggol.

CURBS TO STAY

The new developments come at a time when the housing market is facing a slump. Last year, annual new home sales crashed by half to 7,557 units, the lowest since the 2008 financial crisis, according to data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

This year does not look any better. Between January and June this year, developers sold a combined 3,496 units, less than half of last year’s total. This has led analysts to forecast another annual drop this year.

The weak momentum reflects the Government’s anchor on residential property curbs since 2009, including higher additional buyer stamp duties, lower loan-to-value limits and a cap on debt repayment costs at 60 per cent of a borrower’s monthly income.

Adding pressure to the market are rising interest rates. The Singapore Interbank Offered Rate, commonly used to price mortgages here, has been climbing in anticipation of a rate hike in the United States.

Despite having its intended effect on dampening sales and prices - private home prices posted a seventh consecutive quarter of decline in the second quarter, the longest losing streak in 13 years - the curbs are not likely to be removed anytime soon.

Last month, Monetary Authority of Singapore’s managing director Ravi Menon said it would be premature to remove the cooling measures as the current price correction is “not all that much” when compared with the 60 per cent increase between mid-2009 to the peak in 2013.

Earlier this month, Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan also signalled in wide-ranging interview with TODAY it is still not the right time to adjust the curbs.

“Measures have to be adjusted and perhaps even lifted, when it’s the right time. The right time is when the equilibrium is a lot more certain, more sustainable. And I don’t think we are at that point yet,” he said.

FREEBIES NO LONGER ENOUGH

In the past, property market downturns have seen developers and sales agents dangle everything from discounts, lucky draws, free gifts, holidays and even country club memberships to promote their projects or clear unsold stock.

Today’s unique palette of amenity-rich offerings are, however, something else altogether, analysts said.

“Property cycles come and go depending on the macro economy, the country’s fundamentals, population policies and housing policies. The previous cycles have seen deferred payment schemes, furniture vouchers, even lucky draws to win a car. But I don’t recall any crazy ideas for promoting ECs,” said Mr Ku Swee Yong, chief executive of property firm Century 21.

In May 2012, developers of Flo Residence at Punggol said it would give away 18 Volkswagen cars in a lucky draw to buyers. A couple of months later, Far East Organization dangled a massive carrot in the form of free country club term memberships worth more than S$16,000 apiece for buyers of selected units at its Seastrand project in Pasir Ris.

More recently, in May, Singapore Land, the developer of high-end boutique condo Pollen & Bleu at Farrer Road, slashed prices by 15 per cent at its 106-unit development to attract buyers.

While discounts may help developers entice buyers in a depressed market, it can also backfire on them, analysts said. “Discounts can lead to price wars, which eventually would not benefit developers,” said Mr Nicholas Mak, executive director of research and consultancy at SLP International Property Consultants.

“Firstly, a price war would lead to smaller earnings for developers. Ultimately the branding of the developer may also be affected, as buyers would also associate the particular developer as one who is likely to give discounts, and may hesitate when purchasing as they wait around for possible discounts,” Mr Mak added.

WELCOME CHANGE FOR HOMEOWNERS

For developers of properties such as High Park and Westwood though, their efforts in differentiation seem to be working.

Homebuyer Mr Tan, in his mid-30s who came to High Park’s showflat with his family and two kids in tow said: “I’m looking to upgrade from my flat and was considering this development because of my children. The water park facilities make it easier for the kids to find things to do during the weekends. Also the free lessons can add savings for us. It is a win-win situation. We wanted a new home and the free lessons helped induce our interest in buying the home.”

Mr Xing Lei, 32, an accountant, who bought a three-room apartment at High Park for his parents said: “The purchase is near to my current flat. What attracted me to it was the whole package: the pricing, location, free lifestyle lessons and facilities.”

About 78 per cent of the 1,390-unit High Park was snapped up at a median price of S$989 psf in its first weekend of sales alone.

Over at the 638-unit The Brownstone EC in Canberra Drive, developers sold 30 per cent of the units in the first weekend of the launch last month. Brownstone, whose facilities include a skating rink, is developed by City Developments. The units were sold at an average price of S$810 psf.

Buyers also snapped up about one-quarter of the 480 units at Westwood Residences on the first day of booking in May. The units were sold at an average of S$783 psf.

“I think the market has not seen anything similar to what we have so far,” said Mr Ken Taguchi, senior marketing director for Huttons, which is marketing High Park.

“A few factors attracted the customers. The facilities are above anyone else in the market and the price band made a difference as well … We had several buyers come in looking at a three bedroom, but later upped their purchase to a four bedroom instead because of the attractive price,” Mr Taguchi added.

Despite the strong response to this new trend of developments, analysts have cautioned the need for building owners to tread carefully and be mindful of the costs.

“Creativity is good. But in many of the cases we have seen, especially those with very attractive outdoor landscaping, the long-term maintenance is my top concern. Many attractive features can be designed into condominiums, but we need to ensure that the designs cater for long-term, easy, low-cost maintenance,” said Mr Ku.

“Furthermore, some features such as flying fox may have stringent safety requirements and need regular safety checks. I am not sure if the homeowners and the management running the MCST will continue footing the bill and taking the effort to upkeep the facilities well,” said Mr Ku.

High Park’s Mr Chng said maintenance fees for the condo will be reasonable. “It should be about S$200 to S$300 per unit a month. We have a large number of units and will be able to maintain economies of scale for maintenance costs of the shared facilities.”

DOWNTURN-INSPIRED CREATIVITY TO CARRY ON

According to analysts, Singapore has added about 8,000 new private homes per year over the past 10 years. This year, more than 20,000 units are expected to be completed.

With a weak market facing a bigger supply pipeline, developers are expected to continue coming up with new ideas to stay competitive.

“Private non-landed prices might drop 30 per cent before flattening off,” said Mr Ku, adding that the downcycle can be expected to extend for another three years. “This downturn-inspired creativity could carry on for as long as developers need to compete strongly to move sales.”

Sailor Bernie claims U-17 World Championship

TODAY reports: SEA Games sailing champion Bernie Chin has finished top in the Boys’ under-17 category at the 2015 Laser Radial Youth World Championships in Canada.

Southeast Asian (SEA) Games sailing champion Bernie Chin has added another trophy to his collection, finishing top in the Boys’ under-17 category at the 2015 Laser Radial Youth World Championships in Canada.

The 16-year-old, who won the Byte CII title at last year’s Youth Olympic Games, finished eighth overall among the 142-boat fleet with a total of 65 points to clinch the U-17 World Champion title in Kingston yesterday.

American sailor Henry Marshall was second in the U-17 class with 66 points (9th overall), while Ireland’s Ewan McMahon finished third with 94 points.

Australian Conor Nicholas was first overall with 26 points, while Gianmarco Planchestainer from Italy (27) and United States’ Nic Baird (41) won the silver and bronze respectively.

Ahead of the regatta, Bernie - gold medallist in the Laser Radial (U-19) at June’s SEA Games - had only targeted to better the 39th-place finish from last year’s championships. “I didn’t expect to make it to top 10, but I guess consistency pays off,” he said in a phone interview from Canada. “I am just glad, but I think what’s most important is the lessons I learnt ... I am starting to really understand the importance of consistency.

“The main take-away from it is how I am constantly reminded that I am not good enough, and have a lot more to improve.”

The teenage sailor is also eyeing a promotion to the senior level eventually. “I am not looking to try out for the 2016 Olympics at the moment, as I am too young,” he said. “Singapore has very strong sailors like Colin (Cheng). (But) I hope to be able to represent Singapore at the Asian Games and Olympics one day.”

Ng Chee Meng, Sun Xueling join PAP’s Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC team

The former Chief of Defence Force and the Temasek Holdings investment director are new faces on the People’s Action Party’s six-member slate

The People’s Action Party (PAP) on Saturday (Aug 22) officially named its slate of candidates for the Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the coming General Election (GE).

Joining the six-member GRC team are Mr Ng Chee Meng, 47, the former Chief of Defence Force, and Ms Sun Xueling, 36, who is an investment director with Temasek Holdings.

Mr Ng and Ms Sun will take over from current Member of Parliament (MP) for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Mr Gan Thiam Poh, who has been announced as part of the PAP’s slate in Ang Mo Kio GRC; and Ms Penny Low, who is retiring from politics.

The PAP team won in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC in the 2011 GE, beating the challengers from the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) with 64.79 per cent of the votes.

The SDA has said it will contest the constituency again.

The six PAP candidates for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC are:

Mr Teo Chee Hean, 60, Deputy Prime Minister

Mr Teo is also the Coordinating Minister for National Security and the Minister for Home Affairs. He previously held Cabinet portfolios for Defence, Education and Environment.

A former career soldier, he became Chief of Navy in 1991 with the rank of Rear Admiral. He left the service to join politics in 1992, when he was elected as an MP for Marine Parade GRC in a by-election. He has served as MP in Pasir Ris since 1997.

Mr Teo Ser Luck, 47, Minister of State for Trade and Industry

Mr Teo is concurrently Mayor for the North East District. He was first elected as MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC in 2006, and served as Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, as well as Transport, from 2008 to 2011. He led Singapore’s successful bid to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

Mr Zainal Sapari, 49, assistant secretary-general, National Trades Union Congress

Mr Zainal chairs the Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council. The former Ministry of Education superintendent left a career in teaching to join politics in 2011.

Dr Janil Puthucheary, 42, senior consultant, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Dr Puthucheary is trained as a medical doctor. He was first elected into Parliament in 2011. He is also Medical Director for Faculty Development at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School.

Mr Ng Chee Meng, 47, former Chief of Defence Force

Mr Ng retired from the Singapore Armed Forces on Aug 18, after nearly three decades in service and 29 months as Chief of Defence Force. If elected, he would make history as the highest-ranking career soldier to become a Member of Parliament (MP). He is married with two daughters.

Ms Sun Xueling, 36, investment director at Temasek Holdings

Ms Sun has been helping out at grassroots events since 2001 in Buona Vista and Punggol West.

Desmond Choo, Cheng Li Hui join PAP’s Tampines GRC team

Former Hougang candidate Mr Choo and first-timer Ms Cheng are the new faces in the People’s Action Party’s Tampines slate. MPs Mah Bow Tan and Irene Ng will not contest the coming polls.

The People’s Action Party (PAP) on Saturday (Aug 22) officially named its new candidates for the Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the coming General Election (GE).

Joining the five-member GRC are Ms Cheng Li Hui, a first-time candidate, and Mr Desmond Choo, who lost his bid for the single seat of Hougang in the 2011 GE to the Workers’ Party’s (WP) Yaw Shin Leong.

In a by-election held in 2012 after Mr Yaw was expelled from the WP over an extramarital affair, Mr Choo lost again, this time to WP candidate Png Eng Huat.

Mr Choo and Ms Cheng will replace current Tampines GRC Members of Parliament (MPs) Mah Bow Tan and Irene Ng, who are stepping down from politics.

Mr Mah and Ms Ng were on the team along with Mr Heng Swee Keat, Mr Baey Yam Keng and Mr Masagos Zulkifli that contested Tampines GRC in 2011, beating the National Solidarity Party (NSP) with 57.22 per cent of the vote share.

That NSP team had featured Mr Goh Meng Seng and Mr Syafarin Syarif, who have since left to form the People’s Power Party. Nevertheless, the NSP has said it will contest Tampines again this year.

The five PAP candidates for Tampines GRC are:

Mr Heng Swee Keat, 54, Minister for Education

Mr Heng has been Education Minister and an elected MP for Tampines GRC since 2011. He was the Principal Private Secretary to then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew from 1997 to 2000, before becoming the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in 2001. From 2005 to 2011, Mr Heng worked as the managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Mr Baey Yam Keng, 44, Member of Parliament

Mr Baey served as an  MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC from 2006 to 2011 before moving to Tampines GRC for the 2011 GE. He chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Culture, Community  and Youth. He was a managing director at a large public relations firm before resigning in 2012 to focus on politics.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, 52, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office

Mr Masagos is also the Second Minister for both Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs. He has been an MP for Tampines GRC since 2006. Mr Masagos was formerly the Senior Parliamentary Secretary and then Minister of State for Education from 2006 to 2011. Prior to entering politics, he worked for SingTel from 1988 to 2006, rising to the position of CEO of SingTel Global Offices.

Ms Cheng Li Hui, 39, deputy CEO, Hai Leck Holdings

Ms Cheng has been a Councillor in the Northwest CDC since 2004. She  is also vice-chairman of the Citizens Consultative Committee in Tampines East. 

Mr Desmond Choo, 37, director of youth development, National Trades Union Congress

Mr Choo is concurrently NTUC’s deputy director of industrial relations, a post he had previously held up to May 2013 when he left for the private sector after standing in Hougang in the 2011 GE and 2012 by-election. He rejoined the union in April this year, after serving as Senior Vice President of investments at Kestrel Capital.

Mr Choo started his career in the Singapore police force. He was appointed second adviser to Changkat grassroots organisations in February this year.

DEPARTING CANDIDATES

The two new candidates will replace Mr Mah Bow Tan, 66, and Ms Irene Ng, 51, who will not be running in the coming elections.

Mr Mah has served as MP for Tampines GRC for 27 years, since 1988. He was the Minister for National Development from 1999 to 2011, the Minister for Environment from 1993 to 1995, and the Minister for Communications from 1991 to 1999. He first entered politics at the 1984 GE, where he lost to Opposition veteran Chiam See Tong in a contest for the Potong Pasir single seat.

Ms Ng has served as MP for Tampines GRC since 2001. She is a writer-in-residence at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, and spent much of her pre-politics career as a journalist. She was also a director at the National Trades Union Congress from 2006 to 2008.

Apply early for passports to avoid last-minute rush: ICA

With the upcoming September school holidays, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) reminds Singapore citizens to apply for a new passport early, to avoid a last-minute rush.

With the upcoming school holidays in September, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Friday (Aug 21) reminded Singapore citizens to apply for a new passport early to avoid a last-minute rush. 

In a news release, ICA also said Singapore citizens whose passports expire in less than six months should apply for a new one to avoid facing any inconveniences during their travels. Many countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months as part of their entry requirements, ICA explained.

Singapore citizens can apply for their passports by using the following methods:

Online: Via the ICA website

Post: By mailing the completed application form to "ICA Building (Passport Unit), 10 Kallang Road, #08-00, Singapore 208718"

Deposit boxes: By dropping the completed application form in the deposit boxes located outside or within the ICA Building

Over the counter: By submitting the application at Level 3, ICA Building

ICA also said applications submitted through the website, post and deposit boxes will be entitled to a S$10 rebate from the S$80 passport application fee. 

Successful applicants will be notified by post to collect their new passport once it is ready. Collection can be done over the counter at the ICA Building, via iCollect - a self-service machine at ICA, or at some SingPost outlets in Singapore. 

New passports issued will be valid for five years. Passports issued for subsequent applications will be valid for five years, plus the remaining validity of the existing passport, capped at five years and nine months, ICA said. 

Further information is available at ICA's website. 

School content being cut to focus on critical learning: Heng Swee Keat

TODAY reports: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat is confident that Singapore's education system will stand young Singaporeans in good stead: “In the coming years, our students will be better able to empathise, to communicate, to imagine, and these qualities will prepare them better for the future.”

There will be greater emphasis in the education system here on students’ application of knowledge in the coming years, even in the post-secondary institutions - be it the polytechincs, the Institute of Technical Education or the universities, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat told TODAY in an interview earlier this week.

Since the introduction of the “teach less, learn more” policy in 2005, up to 20 per cent of content has been reduced from syllabuses implemented across the primary, secondary and pre-university levels. There has also been a shift away from rote learning, as policymakers respond to concerns over the amount of content being taught in the schools and the cramming that students do before examinations.

But of late, a different sort of complaints among parents has surfaced, particularly on social media: Exam or test questions are too tough, and seemingly beyond what their children has been learning in the classroom.

Acknowledging a gap in the public’s awareness and understanding of the changes in the system, Mr Heng said these questions - which are deliberately set to help students develop critical learning and go beyond rote-learning - are not simply solved by hitting the books. “Many of these questions are not intended for more studying (of content), but really, it is to encourage (students) to apply what they have learnt in an unfamiliar context”, he said.

At schools, exams have been recalibrated to include some questions that require students to apply the knowledge learnt to solve problems. Starting from this year, the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board would release Primary School Leaving Examination papers from the previous three years so that parents can be more aware of the exam standards.

Mr Heng noted the “systematic reduction” in content being taught in the schools. Content which constitutes essential knowledge, skills and values that preserve the integrity of the subject and provide a firm foundation for further learning at higher level, has been retained. Concepts or skills which are not critical were removed. This included content that relies on recall or focuses on technical details not critical to students’ understanding of a topic. Content that overlaps or is dealt with in other subjects or programmes was also removed.

For example, the topic on “Simple Machine” was removed from the primary science syllabus and some of the concepts are covered in secondary school instead.

During an Institute of Policy Studies forum last month, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was asked by American journalist Fareed Zakaria on whether Singapore needs to shift away from a system of testing to encourage creativity. In response, Mr Tharman said: “The toughest question to ask ourselves ... is not what we add to the education system, but what we subtract.”

Mr Heng, who entered politics in 2011 and was appointed as Education Minister soon after, said the level of content being taught in schools is in a “reasonable position”. Under his watch, several initiatives have been rolled out to enable students to apply the knowledge acquired in classrooms. These included the Applied Learning and Learning for Life programmes.

Under the Applied Learning programme, for instance, students can apply their math and physics knowledge to robotics.

Moving away from purely using tests to gauge students’ abilities and progress, holistic assessment and discretionary admissions have also been introduced at the lower primary and tertiary levels, respectively. On whether this approach can be applied more pervasively in the education system, Mr Heng said caution has to be exercised because much resources would be required and minimum standards have to be maintained.

“There’s a lot of human judgement (involved),” he said. “It is, again, a balance in assuring parents that the criteria are fair and transparent and at the same time, the criteria allows us to encourage students develop more fully.”

While he believes that “not everything in life can tested”, Mr Heng said there is a place for testing, as well-designed tests help learning.

On the age-old debate on whether Singaporean students lack creativity, Mr Heng recounted his recent experience of meeting primary school pupils who were playing with the SG50 lego set and coming up with imaginative designs of playgrounds.

Mr Heng said: “Innovation starts first with empathy.” By thinking about what other people need would lead to the creative application of knowledge and the seeking of answers to problems, he added.

For any innovation to make an impact, it has to stand out on the regional or global stage, and in this regard, Singaporeans have be encouraged to see the world as their oyster, he said.

Mr Heng added that the multi-cultural make-up of Singapore society would give Singaporeans a headstart. “We are among few countries in the world (whose) citizens can be comfortable all over the world,” he said.

Mr Heng is confident that with the various initiatives underway, the Republic’s education system will stand young Singaporeans in good stead, as they take on the world.

“In the coming years, our students will be better able to empathise, to communicate, to imagine, and these qualities will prepare them better for the future.”

Minister Heng warns against putting wrong people in charge of future

TODAY reports: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat noted that if the “wrong people” are in charge and flip-flop on policies, an entire generation could be set back.

Having celebrated its big five-O with a bang less than two weeks ago, the Republic is at a critical point where decisions taken will have huge repercussions for its future, said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat.

In an interview with TODAY earlier this week, Mr Heng, who headed the steering committee to guide and coordinate the SG50 celebrations, reflected on Singapore’s transformation and expressed excitement about the nation’s future.

However, he cautioned: “I am also anxious that if we make the wrong decisions, what we … have been fortunate to inherit could be squandered very quickly.”

Elaborating, Mr Heng noted that if the “wrong people” are in charge and flip-flop on policies, an entire generation could be set back. “We are poised at a point ... to make the right decision ... to build on this legacy and try to reach the next peak, (or) we may take the wrong turn and land in a different place,” he said, urging Singaporeans to contemplate what they want the nation’s future to be.

With the next General Election (GE) around the corner, Mr Heng reiterated that a post-mortem by the ruling People’s Action Party on GE 2011 - during which it received 60.1 per cent of the popular vote, the lowest since independence - concluded that most of the Government’s long-term policy decisions were in the right direction. He cited, as examples, the introduction of WorkFare in 2006 and the tightening of foreign-worker inflow, which started in 2010.

However, an area where it has to do more is the “communication of policy and in connecting with our people”, said the minister. To that end, public agencies have been trying to identify the beneficiaries of policies and simplify the benefits in its communication with them. The agencies also make it a point to repeat policy announcements to ensure Singaporeans are aware of new initiatives.

On whether the Government’s efforts in the past four years would pay off in the coming polls, Mr Heng stressed that voters should not be taken for granted and that the election is about Singapore’s future and electing people who can take the country forward.

On the kind of political discourse he hopes to see, Mr Heng cited integrity as being fundamental. “Integrity in terms of basic things like managing public funds, in how we can safeguard public interest, and also integrity in terms of intellectual honesty,” he said.

“I do expect that we should be intellectually honest and not say one thing on one occasion and something else on another, whenever it is convenient”.

Past 4 years have been demanding but meaningful, fulfilling: Heng Swee Keat

TODAY reports: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said the past four years have been a “very inspiring” time, having met people from all walks of life, such as volunteers who give their time to the community and pioneer educators who care deeply about the education system.

SINGAPORE: The past four years in politics have been “very demanding” but also “meaningful and fulfilling”, said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, who entered politics in 2011 after spending almost three decades in the Civil Service.

Apart from being a Member of Parliament (MP) and Cabinet minister, Mr Heng also headed the Our Singapore Conversation (OSC) project, and chaired the SG50 Steering Committee.

In an interview with TODAY earlier this week, he noted that the education portfolio itself requires “fairly intense thought” before making any policy changes.

“It requires one to think of the many issues long term, and appreciate and understand what is happening on the ground,” said Mr Heng who, along with Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, NTUC chief Chan Chun Sing and Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong, has been touted as key members of the fourth-generation leadership.

Pointing to his other “major assignments” - getting Singaporeans to air their views in the OSC and overseeing the Jubilee celebrations - Mr Heng noted that there are “no textbook answers” to them.

“In a sense, all these assignments are new to me, and they are challenging because I wanted to do it in a way that is innovative, and has an impact and is meaningful,” he said.

His duties as an MP for Tampines GRC also requires him to spend time getting to know the residents and understanding their issues. All these different responsibilities “will take up a lot of time and none of it can (be done) with very little effort”, said the former managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Mr Heng has also had to grapple with the challenge of becoming the Education Ministry’s public face, which he admitted to being difficult in some ways as he is a “very private” person. However, he added that he recognises that this is necessary when the situation calls for it.

Despite the challenges, Mr Heng said it has been a “very inspiring” time so far, having met people from all walks of life, such as volunteers who give their time to the community and pioneer educators who care deeply about the education system.

“I’ve been very energised by many people I’ve met,” he said, adding that he is also heartened to see Singaporeans being involved in ground-up initiatives.

Asked about his achievements in the MOE over the past four years, Mr Heng stressed that they are the product of a collective effort.

He said his team has “been working hard” to broaden the definition of success, including providing different pathways for students at the post-secondary level.

More attention is also being paid to neighbourhood schools, he noted. “Teachers from neighbourhood schools have said ‘thank you for shining a light on what we do’, and indeed they worked very hard to create opportunities for everyone.”

On his future plans - and whether the hot seat at the Transport Ministry might be a consideration - Mr Heng would only say that it is up to the Prime Minister to decide what his next post will be.

Mr Heng also dismissed talk that ministers operate on their own in deciding policy matters. “It is a principle of collective responsibility … we debate many (issues) very seriously (and) all important decisions are taken by the Cabinet,” he said.

Tin Pei Ling will be PAP's candidate for MacPherson SMC

SINGAPORE: The People’s Action Party (PAP) on Friday (Aug 21) formally named Tin Pei Ling, 31, as its candidate to contest the MacPherson Single Member Constituency (SMC) at the upcoming General Election (GE).

The announcement was made at a PAP Community Foundation Education Centre in MacPherson. "We want to serve the residents here," she said. "We have been here since day one and will continue to put in our very best and be with them, though thick and thin, rain or shine, and we hope to continue doing so."

Ms Tin, who gave birth to a boy on Aug 5, was first elected during the 2011 General Election as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the MacPherson division under the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Ms Tin said she was "very excited" to be a mother and is still getting used to the new role, but will hit the campaign trail soon. 

"After giving birth, because of this great team here, it's really just 'business as usual' and I expect myself to be in full action soon," she said.

"To all the working mothers out there - kudos to all of you.  I have deep respect. I know it's not easy now. I'm a mother as well, and I hope the men out there will continue to give utmost support to working moms," she added.

On the subject of single moms, Ms Tin is fully supportive that this group should be entitled to equal maternity leave. "The principle remains the same: My focus is on the child. He’s a child of Singapore ... This child has been born; we shouldn’t penalise the child just because of actions of the mum."

Single mothers currently get half of the 16-week paid maternity leave that married mothers are entitled to.

"We should continue to emphasise family values, but I can empathise with the mum and I think we should be fair to them," Ms Tin said.

The MacPherson ward has been carved out again as a single-seat constituency under the new electoral boundaries announced last month.

The constituency existed as an SMC from 1968 to 1991 under the late former minister Chua Sian Chin, and again from 1997 to 2011 under Mr Matthias Yao. Mr Yao fended off Opposition challengers in three General Elections, winning by comfortable margins, before retiring from politics ahead of the 2011 polls.

This year, Ms Tin faces a possible three-cornered fight with Opposition candidates from the Workers’ Party and the National Solidarity Party. The latter, which had earlier stated it would not contest MacPherson SMC, made an about-turn on Wednesday.

Asked about the result she is hoping for, Ms Tin said: "We are not focused on actual specific numbers. It's really focusing our time on doing what is right and best for our residents. If they are taken care of, we are happiest and if that happens, the votes will follow."

The 31-year-old admitted she had a "rocky and painful" entry into politics, when she was mocked for her some of her old social media posts. "It was very trying, one of the darkest moments in my life. I’m thankful for my family, friends and team for their unwavering support. Without them 'chionging' (charging forth) with me, I wouldn’t have pulled through. At times, I felt some of the accusations were baseless … but when I see some of the issues which the residents grapple with, I feel it pales in comparison."

She said based on her experience, she hopes to inspire young people to not give up even in the face of challenges. "If I can quote Taylor Swift, it will be 'shake it off'. Keep calm and carry on," she said.

North Korea issues military threat as tensions with South Korea rise

Paju, South Korea (CNN) - North Korea outlined an ultimatum Friday to its southern neighbor: Stop the "provocations" and "psychological warfare" or pay the price.
"If South Korea does not respond to our ultimatum," North Korean U.N. ambassador An Myong Hun told reporters, "our military counteraction will be inevitable and that counteraction will be very strong."
North Korea's regime, known for being both thin-skinned and fond of saber rattling, has made plenty of threats before. In fact, articulating derogatory and intimidating words about South Korea and the United States has been more the norm than not for years.
What makes this case different, though, is that two South Korean soldiers have been seriously wounded (by landmines August 4 in the Demilitarized Zone) and that there's been firing back-and-forth since then. An said Friday that "all the (North Korean) frontline large combined units (have) entered into a wartime state ... fully armed to launch any surprise operations and finish their preparations for action."
Specifically, this threat is tied to cross-border propaganda loudspeakers that South Korea resumed using last week for the first time in a decade. Pyongyang is demanding they be turned off by Saturday evening.
"The situation of the country is now inching closer to the brink of war," Ji Jae Ryong, North Korean ambassador to China, told journalists in Beijing on Friday.
U.S., South Korea exercises resume
South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo accused North Korea of pushing the tensions "to the utmost level."
"North Korea's offensive action is a despicable crime that breaks a ceasefire agreement and the non-aggression treaty between North and South," Han said Friday in an address broadcast on South Korean television.
"If North Korea continues on provoking, our military -- as we have already warned -- will respond sternly, and end the evil provocations of North Korea," he said, adding the country is working closely with the United States.

As the verbal sniping continued, the South's President, Park Geun-hye, visited troops at a base south of Seoul, receiving a briefing from military officials on the latest situation, her office said.
One ongoing point of contention is South Korea's joint military exercises with the United States -- a regular training event that An contends aims to "occupy Pyongyang."
Those exercises were suspended Thursday amid the war of words, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense David Shear told reporters. But they're now back on.
"We suspended part of the exercise temporarily in order to allow our side to coordinate with the ROK (Republic of Korea) side on the subject of the exchange fire across the DMZ," Shear said "And the exercise is being conducted now according to plan."
North Korea calls broadcasts 'an open act of war'
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been escalating since the two South Korean soldiers were wounded early this month. South Korea and the U.S.-led U.N. Command in Korea concluded North Korea planted the mines on a patrol route in the southern part of the zone.
North Korea has denied responsibility and refused South Korean demands for an apology.
"It is a bad habit (for) South Korea to groundlessly link whatever events occur in South Korea with the DPRK," An said, with the DPRK equating to his country. "They seek sinister purposes whenever they orchestrate ridiculous plots."
Seoul has since resumed its cross-border propaganda broadcasts, which North Korea called "an open act of war" and spurred it to threaten to blow up the speakers.
Kim Jong Un and North Korea's militaryphotos: Kim Jong Un and North Korea's militaryOn Thursday, South Korean officials said the North fired artillery shells over the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two countries. A U.S. official told CNN that North Korea was believed to be targeting a loudspeaker position.
The South fired back several dozen shells of its own, according to the Defense Ministry.
No casualties were reported by either side.
Amid the tensions, South Korean officials said some residents of the area targeted by North Korea on Thursday had to be evacuated, although many have since returned.

History of disputes
It's not the first time that the two sides have briefly traded blows in recent years. They notably exchanged artillery fire over their disputed maritime border in 2010 and machine-gun fire over land in October.
But Thursday's clash was unusual because of the type of weapons used around the Demilitarized Zone, said Alison Evans, a senior analyst at IHS Country Risk.
"Cross-border attacks have mainly involved small-arms fire or, as in October 2014, anti-aircraft heavy machine guns," she said. "In contrast, there have been frequent exchanges of artillery and rocket fire across the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border."
Amid the heightened tensions, North Korea's connection to the global Internet went down twice Friday, according to Dyn Research, a U.S-based private Internet-monitoring service. North Korea's Internet access last went down August 10 for 4 ½ hours, according to Dyn Research. The cause of the disruption was not immediately clear.
Is situation likely to escalate?
The question now is whether the situation will escalate further.
North Korea has used similarly alarming language in previous periods of high tension
In 2013, the country announced it had entered "a state of war" with South Korea. That situation didn't result in military action, although North Korea did temporarily shut down the two countries' joint industrial zone, which lies on its side of the border.
North Korea's verbal volleysphotos: North Korea's verbal volleys
During that period, North Korea kept up a barrage of bombastic threats against the United States, South Korea and Japan. But at the same time, it continued accepting tourists and hosting international athletes in Pyongyang for a marathon.

South Korea said Friday that it was limiting the number of its citizens entering the joint industrial zone, but the complex was still operating. There are currently 83 South Koreans in Pyongyang attending a youth soccer event, including players and coaches, according to the South Korean Unification Ministry.
Jamie Metzl, an Asia expert for the Atlantic Council in New York, said he thought it was unlikely that the current crisis would escalate further.
"North Korea has more to gain from conflict theater than from a conflict that would quickly expose its fundamental weakness," he said, suggesting leaders in Pyongyang might be trying to "make trouble because they feel ignored by the international community and feel they have something to gain negotiating their way out of a mini-crisis."
But other analysts said the situation could still continue to deteriorate.
The shelling Thursday "raises questions frankly about Kim Jong Un's style of making tension, provocations, escalation -- and whether he knows how to control escalation," said Michael Green, an Asia specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
U.S., China, urge calm
A spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry said Friday that the country is "paying great attention to the situation" and is "willing to work with all parties toward the peace and stability of the peninsula."
"We urge relevant parties to remain calm and restrained, use meetings and dialogue to properly handle the current situation, and stop any action that could escalate the tensions," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is "deeply concerned" about the situation, spokesman Eri Kaneko said.
The United States, which has roughly 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea, said it, too, is closely monitoring the situation.
"As we've said before, these kinds of provocative actions only heighten tensions," State Department spokesman John Kirby said Thursday, referring to the North Korean shelling. "And we call on Pyongyang to refrain from actions and rhetoric that threaten regional peace and security."
He said that Washington and Seoul are coordinating closely and that the United States "remains steadfast in its commitment to the defense, the security of the peninsula, to our alliance with South Korea."

Ronda Rousey Called Out By Holly Holm's Camp YOU. WILL. LOSE.

The match was JUST announced ... and we've already got some good old fashioned smack talk in the Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm UFC fight ... courtesy of Holly's camp.
"We don't PLAN on taking Ronda's belt, we ARE taking her belt," Holly's agent Lenny Fresquez tells TMZ Sports.
Lenny has been a part of Holly's camp for years -- and worked extensively with her during her fighting career, before she joined the UFC.
And it's clear, the Holm camp didn't take the fight expecting their star to lose.
"I would like nothing else in the world than for [Ronda] to strike with Holly -- Holly is the best striker in the world."
Bold words, considering Ronda just K.O.'d Bethe Correia in 34 seconds courtesy of a punishing strike to the head.
"Holly isn't Bethe Correia," Lenny says ... "She's never seen a fighter like Holly. People don't realize how much bigger and stronger Holly is than Ronda. She cleaned out the boxing division at 130, 137 and 154."
That being said, here's video of Ronda training. Good luck ...

Largest planets likely formed first from icy “planetary pebbles”

This artist’s concept of a young star system shows gas giants forming first, while the gas nebula is present. Southwest Research Institute scientists used computer simulations to nail down how Jupiter and Saturn evolved in our own solar system. These new calculations show that the cores of gas giants likely formed by gradually accumulating a population of planetary pebbles — icy objects about a foot (30 centimetres) in diameter. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Researchers at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and Queen’s University in Canada have unravelled the mystery of how Jupiter and Saturn likely formed. This discovery, which changes our view of how all planets might have formed, will be published today in Nature.
Ironically, the largest planets in the solar system likely formed first. Jupiter and Saturn, which are mostly hydrogen and helium, presumably accumulated their gasses before the solar nebula dispersed. Observations of young star systems show that the gas discs that form planets usually have lifetimes of only 1 to 10 million years, which means the gas giant planets in our solar system probably formed within this time frame. In contrast, the Earth probably took at least 30 million years to form, and may have taken as long as 100 million years. So how could Jupiter and Saturn have formed so quickly?

The most widely accepted theory for gas giant formation is the so-called core accretion model. In this model, a planet-sized core of ice and rock forms first. Then, an inflow of interstellar gas and dust attaches itself to the growing planet. However, this model has an Achilles heel; specifically, the very first step in the process. To accumulate a massive atmosphere requires a solid core roughly 10 times the mass of Earth. Yet these large objects, which are akin to Uranus and Neptune, had to have formed in only a few million years.

In the standard model of planet formation, rocky cores grow as similarly sized objects accumulate and assimilate through a process called accretion. Rocks incorporate other rocks, creating mountains; then mountains merge with other mountains, leading to city-sized objects, and so on. However, this model is unable to produce planetary cores large enough, in a short enough period of time, to explain Saturn and Jupiter.

“The timescale problem has been sticking in our throats for some time,” said Dr. Hal Levison, an Institute scientist in the SwRI Planetary Science Directorate and lead author of the paper. Titled “Growing the Gas Giant Planets by the Gradual Accumulation of Pebbles,” the paper is co-authored by SwRI Research Scientist Dr. Katherine Kretke and Dr. Martin Duncan, a professor at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

“It wasn’t clear how objects like Jupiter and Saturn could exist at all,” continued Levison. New calculations by the team show that the cores of Jupiter and Saturn could form well within the 10-million-year time frame if they grew by gradually accumulating a population of planetary pebbles — icy objects about a foot (30 centimetres) in diameter. Recent research has shown that gas can play a vital role in increasing the efficiency of accretion. So pebbles entering orbit can spiral onto the protoplanet and assimilate, assisted by a gaseous headwind.

In their article, Levison, Kretke, and Duncan show that pebble accretion can produce the observed structure of the solar system as long as the pebbles formed slowly enough that the growing planets have time to gravitationally interact with one another.

“If the pebbles form too quickly, pebble accretion would lead to the formation of hundreds of icy Earths,” said Kretke. “The growing cores need some time to fling their competitors away from the pebbles, effectively starving them. This is why only a couple of gas giants formed.”

“As far as I know, this is the first model to reproduce the structure of the outer solar system, with two gas giants, two ice giants (Uranus and Neptune), and a pristine Kuiper belt,” says Levison.

“After many years of performing computer simulations of the standard model without success, it is a relief to find a new model that is so successful,” adds Duncan.

Foods and Beverages to Avoid During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, you want to do everything that’s in the best interest for your baby. That includes eliminating the following items from your plate.

With and Without Diabetes

It's important whether you have diabetes or not to avoid certain foods while pregnant to help benefit you and your baby. It’s important to eat properly and avoid foods that could be damaging to the development of your child.

Mercury

The most common thing we hear to avoid during pregnancy is seafood high in mercury. Too much mercury could harm your baby’s developing nervous system. Foods to avoid include: swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tile fish. Other fish that would be lower in mercury include; shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, Pollock and catfish. The recommendation for serving size of these fish is 12oz per week. If choosing albacore tuna (bigger fish=more mercury) limit your intake to 6oz per week.

Raw Fish, Shellfish, and Undercooked Meats

Avoid raw fish or shellfish altogether. Make sure all fish is cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. If you’re not sure of the temperature, invest in a meat thermometer. Avoid all raw or undercooked meats or poultry. It's recommended to avoid hot dogs and lunch meat. However, if you do eat hot dogs be sure to cook them until steaming. Cook eggs completely until firm,  and avoid pates and meat spreads unless canned.

Unpasteurized Cheese

Avoid all unpasteurized cheese products such as brie, feta, and blue cheese unless they are clearly labeled as pasteurized. This also includes any unpasteurized juice, cider, or milk.

Caffeine

Pregnancy can leave you feeling extra tired and fatigued. Unfortunately caffeine can cross the placenta, so it’s best to avoid or limit the amount of caffeine you drink. For pregnant women, caffeine should be limited to less than 200mg per day. One cup of coffee contains about 95mg of caffeine, while one cup of tea contains about 47mg.

Alcohol

Alcohol can be damaging to your baby’s tiny developing organs including the brain, and can lead to a whole host of disorders called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so in this case eliminate all alcohol use while pregnant.

Takeaway

Although this list may seem like a substantial amount of foods and beverages to limit, remember it is only for a short time. The health of your baby is worth the sacrifice.

Truck Driver Who Allegedly Helped Pak Terrorist Naveed Arrested by National Investigation Agency

SRINAGAR:  The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a truck driver who allegedly ferried Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Naveed to Jammu a day before he attacked a Border Security Force convoy on a national highway near Udhampur.

Naveed,a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, was captured after the attack on August 4; his accomplice was killed in an exchange of fire with the BSF. Two BSF soldiers were killed in the terror attack.

The truck driver arrested today has been identified as Khursheed Ahmed alias 'Surya', 35, allegedly an overground operative of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is a Pakistan based terror group. Ahmed lives in Awantipura in the Pulwama district of Kashmir.

Officials said Khursheed has served a two-and-a-half year prison term for allegedly smuggling drugs.

Naveed, who told his interrogators about Khursheed, was taken to Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir today. Yesterday, he was taken to Pulwama, where he reportedly identified the places that he hid in for over a month after he infiltrated into India on June 7 this year.

The NIA is reconstructing the sequence of events that led to Udhampur attack and is taking him to places that he has mentioned during interrogation.

Investigators are also working on getting the exact details of routes used by Naveed, the people who helped him in India and proof of him being in regular touch with his Pakistani handlers across the border.

The elite anti-terror agency is focusing on building a water-tight case to prove that Naveed is a Pakistani national. While the terrorist has told interrogators that  he is from Faislabad in Pakistan and has even allegedly located his home on Google maps, Islamabad has rejected that claim and wants "scientific evidence."

NIA chief Sharad Kumar was in the Valley yesterday and supervised the case.

Naveed was brought to Delhi on August 13, and has undergone a polygraph or lie detector test this week.

She Undressed on a London Road. Here's What Happened

Last week, a blindfolded young woman named Jae West, survivor of an eating disorder, stripped down to her underwear at a busy intersection in London's Piccadilly Circus, holding a placard which read:
Unsurprisingly, the video uploaded on YouTube on August 14 has gone viral with a vengeance, gathering over a million views.
The idea was to celebrate her body, imperfections and all, and encourage others to do the same, and this statistic will help explain why:'60% of adults report feeling ashamed of the way they look' - Centre for Appearance Research 2012.
The statistic above is appalling but not surprising, considering we are bombarded every day with advertisements selling a particular type of body, appearance and personality we must fit into. As actresses like Kristen Stewart slam the unreal standards of beauty they are held up to, what hope is there for the rest of us? Little wonder then, that so many of us are racked by self-doubt, besieged by body acceptance issues.
And so, this social experiment that Jae took part in.

In a blog, Jae says she was inspired to do the project after watching Amanda Palmer's TED talk "The Art of Asking" in which Palmer undressed and asked her fans to write on her. "That night as I was going to bed, the idea of linking the vulnerability of nudity with self-esteem issues in a public setting came to mind. Just the thought of looking down at my body and seeing it covered in love hearts from other people brought tears to my eyes. It was a reality check of how harsh we can be on ourselves, we really can be our own worst critics", reads her blog on Inspiralight.
Let us then leave having watched this video, a little wiser and perhaps more confident. Here's to celebrating ourselves and our bodies because, as they say, age and weight are just numbers and none of us need to do the math, do we now?

Lenovo A2010 Launched as India's Most Affordable 4G Smartphone

Lenovo has unveiled the Lenovo A2010, a budget smartphone that runs Android 5.1 Lollipop and comes with 4G dual-SIM support. Priced in India at Rs. 4,990, the Lenovo A2010 will be available exclusively via e-commerce store Flipkart. Registrations for the first flash sale of the smartphone - scheduled for 3pm on September 3 - began on Wednesday.

The Lenovo A2010 becomes the cheapest 4G smartphone in the country, taking the mantle  from the ZTE Blade Qlux 4G and the Phicomm Energy 653 that were launched recently carrying a price tag of Rs. 4,999. The Lenovo A2010 supports the two available LTE bands in India - FDD 1800MHz (Band 3) and TDD 2300MHz (Band 40). Lenovo claims 30 percent share of the 4G smartphone market in India, and the Lenovo A2010 will help the company further strengthen its position.

As far as specifications are concerned, the Lenovo A2010 comes with a 4.5-inch FWVGA (480x854) display and is powered by a 1GHz MediaTek MT6735m 64-bit quad core chipset alongside 1GB RAM and 8GB inbuilt storage. It comes with support for microSD cards up to 32GB. The Lenovo A2010 features 5-megapixel rear and 2-megapixel front fixed-focus cameras. As mentioned earlier, the A2010 is a dual-SIM GSM+GSM smartphone (Micro-SIM cards) that runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Connectivity options on the Lenovo A2010 include Bluetooth 4.0 LE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, FM radio, and 4G. It comes with a 2000mAh user replaceable battery.

Commenting on the launch of the Lenovo A2010, Sudhin Mathur, Director- Smartphones, Lenovo India said, "An Indian consumer is evolved and willing to move with the world. We at Lenovo are looking to bridge the gap between the latest technology and an Indian consumer by offering innovative and future-proof devices easily available to the masses at an affordable price. Lenovo A2010 is a step in this direction."