Plans to list etomidate as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung, Typhoon Wipha causes major flight disruptions: Singapore live news
Currently, etomidate is listed under the Poisons Act. Under this law, abusers face only a fine. Sellers face possible jail time of up to two years. Ong said this will be done in the coming weeks. He added that it will be an interim measure until further changes can be made to the law to tackle the vaping scourge in Singapore. Read more about why there are plans to list etomidate under the MDA.
Typhoon Wipha toppled trees and caused major flight disruptions Sunday (20 July) in Hong Kong and at some nearby airports in China as it moved west off the southern coast of the country. Earlier on Sunday morning, the Hong Kong Observatory issued a hurricane signal No. 10, its highest warning. Find out more about Typhoon Wipha, which was later downgraded to a severe tropical storm.
Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates:
MOH, MHA working to list etomidate as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung
Singapore's Health and Home Affairs Ministries are working to list etomidate, which is being abused via e-vaporisers, under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Sunday (20 July).
This paves the way for abusers and traffickers of Kpods – vapes containing etomidate – to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs like nimetazepam (Erimin-5), with mandatory rehabilitation and jail time for repeat offenders.
Currently, etomidate is listed under the Poisons Act. Under this law, abusers face only a fine. Sellers face possible jail time of up to two years.
Ong said this will be done in the coming weeks. He added that it will be an interim measure until further changes can be made to the law to tackle the vaping scourge in Singapore.
Read more about why there are plans to list etomidate under the MDA.
Typhoon Wipha causes damage, disrupt flights, before weakening to severe tropical storm
Typhoon Wipha toppled trees and caused major flight disruptions Sunday (20 July) in Hong Kong and at some nearby airports in China as it moved west off the southern coast of the country. Earlier on Sunday morning, the Hong Kong Observatory issued a hurricane signal No. 10, its highest warning.
Airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and the casino hub of Macao canceled or postponed flights for most of the day, according to their websites. Hong Kong grounded at least 400 flights, affecting around 80,000 passengers, broadcaster RTHK said. Some high-speed train services were also suspended.
The typhoon stayed just offshore until about 6 pm, when it made landfall in a coastal area of Taishan city in Guangdong province, China's National Meteorological Center said. It then weakened to a severe tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 108 kph.
Singapore's Health and Home Affairs Ministries are working to list etomidate, which is being abused via e-vaporisers, under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Sunday (20 July).
This paves the way for abusers and traffickers of Kpods – vapes containing etomidate – to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs like nimetazepam (Erimin-5), with mandatory rehabilitation and jail time for repeat offenders.
Currently, etomidate is listed under the Poisons Act. Under this law, abusers face only a fine. Sellers face possible jail time of up to two years.
Ong said this will be done in the coming weeks. He added that it will be an interim measure until further changes can be made to the law to tackle the vaping scourge in Singapore.
Read more about why there are plans to list etomidate under the MDA.
Typhoon Wipha causes damage, disrupt flights, before weakening to severe tropical storm
Typhoon Wipha toppled trees and caused major flight disruptions Sunday (20 July) in Hong Kong and at some nearby airports in China as it moved west off the southern coast of the country. Earlier on Sunday morning, the Hong Kong Observatory issued a hurricane signal No. 10, its highest warning.
Airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and the casino hub of Macao canceled or postponed flights for most of the day, according to their websites. Hong Kong grounded at least 400 flights, affecting around 80,000 passengers, broadcaster RTHK said. Some high-speed train services were also suspended.
The typhoon stayed just offshore until about 6 pm, when it made landfall in a coastal area of Taishan city in Guangdong province, China's National Meteorological Center said. It then weakened to a severe tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 108 kph.
Typhoon Wipha toppled trees and caused major flight disruptions Sunday (20 July) in Hong Kong and at some nearby airports in China as it moved west off the southern coast of the country. Earlier on Sunday morning, the Hong Kong Observatory issued a hurricane signal No. 10, its highest warning.
Airports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and the casino hub of Macao canceled or postponed flights for most of the day, according to their websites. Hong Kong grounded at least 400 flights, affecting around 80,000 passengers, broadcaster RTHK said. Some high-speed train services were also suspended.
The typhoon stayed just offshore until about 6 pm, when it made landfall in a coastal area of Taishan city in Guangdong province, China's National Meteorological Center said. It then weakened to a severe tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 108 kph.
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