Plans to list etomidate as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung, China denies link to espionage group: 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:
China denies link to espionage group accused of attacking Singapore critical infrastructure
The Chinese embassy in Singapore has refuted claims that an espionage group accused of performing cyberattacks on Singapore's critical infrastructure was linked to China.
In a Facebook post published over the weekend, the Chinese embassy said such claims were "groundless smears and accusations". "The embassy would like to reiterate that China is firmly against and cracks down all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with law. China does not encourage, support or condone hacking activities," it wrote on Saturday (19 July).
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.
SCDF rescues 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower
Two workers were rescued after the gondola they were on tipped over and was suspended almost vertically outside Raffles City Tower on Monday (21 July). The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it responded to the height rescue incident, between the 28th and 29th floors of the building, at about 11.20am.
Both workers were assessed by a paramedic and taken to Raffles Hospital in a stable condition, SCDF added. A Raffles City Singapore spokesperson said initial checks showed that both workers did not have any injuries.
The workers, who were employed by the building's contractor, were carrying out routine facade resealant works when there was a sudden change in weather at 11.20am. An immediate stop-work order was issued. But while the gondola was being retracted, it tilted to one side.
Joint Singapore-Malaysia emergency response exercise on Tuas Second Link on Wednesday
Motorists using the Tuas Second Link, take note. There will be a joint Singapore-Malaysia chemical spill emergency response exercise on Wednesday (23 July) from 5am to 2pm. In a statement, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said, "During the period of the exercise, all three lanes on the Singapore to Malaysia-bound carriageway on the Tuas Second Link will be closed to vehicular traffic. Motorists travelling towards Malaysia will be diverted to a lane on the opposite carriageway instead. Motorists should plan their journey in advance and closely follow the traffic marshals' directions on site.
"Where possible, motorists are advised to avoid the Tuas Second Link when the exercise is ongoing and use the Woodlands Checkpoint during this period. Motorists are also advised to tune in to the Singapore radio stations for traffic updates."
"The exercise will simulate the emergency response to a multi-vehicle collision along the Tuas Second Link involving trucks carrying chemicals. The public is advised not to be alarmed," the NEA added.
ComfortDelGro to discipline driver who threw relative's wheelchair out of taxi
Taxi operator ComfortDelGro said it will discipline one of its drivers, after an incident involving the driver appearing to forcefully dump a passenger's wheelchair on a pavement on 18 July. Responding to media queries, a spokesperson said on Sunday (20 July) that the company has launched an investigation into the matter. The spokesperson noted the driver's actions were 'unacceptable and do not reflect the professional standards we uphold'.
In an updated statement, ComfortDelGro said the incident arose from a personal dispute between the driver and two family members she was ferrying.
Find out more about what happened with the ComfortDelGro taxi.
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.
The Chinese embassy in Singapore has refuted claims that an espionage group accused of performing cyberattacks on Singapore's critical infrastructure was linked to China.
In a Facebook post published over the weekend, the Chinese embassy said such claims were "groundless smears and accusations". "The embassy would like to reiterate that China is firmly against and cracks down all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with law. China does not encourage, support or condone hacking activities," it wrote on Saturday (19 July).
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.
SCDF rescues 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower
Two workers were rescued after the gondola they were on tipped over and was suspended almost vertically outside Raffles City Tower on Monday (21 July). The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it responded to the height rescue incident, between the 28th and 29th floors of the building, at about 11.20am.
Both workers were assessed by a paramedic and taken to Raffles Hospital in a stable condition, SCDF added. A Raffles City Singapore spokesperson said initial checks showed that both workers did not have any injuries.
The workers, who were employed by the building's contractor, were carrying out routine facade resealant works when there was a sudden change in weather at 11.20am. An immediate stop-work order was issued. But while the gondola was being retracted, it tilted to one side.
Two workers were rescued after the gondola they were on tipped over and was suspended almost vertically outside Raffles City Tower on Monday (21 July). The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it responded to the height rescue incident, between the 28th and 29th floors of the building, at about 11.20am.
Both workers were assessed by a paramedic and taken to Raffles Hospital in a stable condition, SCDF added. A Raffles City Singapore spokesperson said initial checks showed that both workers did not have any injuries.
The workers, who were employed by the building's contractor, were carrying out routine facade resealant works when there was a sudden change in weather at 11.20am. An immediate stop-work order was issued. But while the gondola was being retracted, it tilted to one side.
Joint Singapore-Malaysia emergency response exercise on Tuas Second Link on Wednesday
Motorists using the Tuas Second Link, take note. There will be a joint Singapore-Malaysia chemical spill emergency response exercise on Wednesday (23 July) from 5am to 2pm. In a statement, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said, "During the period of the exercise, all three lanes on the Singapore to Malaysia-bound carriageway on the Tuas Second Link will be closed to vehicular traffic. Motorists travelling towards Malaysia will be diverted to a lane on the opposite carriageway instead. Motorists should plan their journey in advance and closely follow the traffic marshals' directions on site.
"Where possible, motorists are advised to avoid the Tuas Second Link when the exercise is ongoing and use the Woodlands Checkpoint during this period. Motorists are also advised to tune in to the Singapore radio stations for traffic updates."
"The exercise will simulate the emergency response to a multi-vehicle collision along the Tuas Second Link involving trucks carrying chemicals. The public is advised not to be alarmed," the NEA added.
Motorists using the Tuas Second Link, take note. There will be a joint Singapore-Malaysia chemical spill emergency response exercise on Wednesday (23 July) from 5am to 2pm. In a statement, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said, "During the period of the exercise, all three lanes on the Singapore to Malaysia-bound carriageway on the Tuas Second Link will be closed to vehicular traffic. Motorists travelling towards Malaysia will be diverted to a lane on the opposite carriageway instead. Motorists should plan their journey in advance and closely follow the traffic marshals' directions on site.
"Where possible, motorists are advised to avoid the Tuas Second Link when the exercise is ongoing and use the Woodlands Checkpoint during this period. Motorists are also advised to tune in to the Singapore radio stations for traffic updates."
"The exercise will simulate the emergency response to a multi-vehicle collision along the Tuas Second Link involving trucks carrying chemicals. The public is advised not to be alarmed," the NEA added.
ComfortDelGro to discipline driver who threw relative's wheelchair out of taxi
Taxi operator ComfortDelGro said it will discipline one of its drivers, after an incident involving the driver appearing to forcefully dump a passenger's wheelchair on a pavement on 18 July. Responding to media queries, a spokesperson said on Sunday (20 July) that the company has launched an investigation into the matter. The spokesperson noted the driver's actions were 'unacceptable and do not reflect the professional standards we uphold'.
In an updated statement, ComfortDelGro said the incident arose from a personal dispute between the driver and two family members she was ferrying.
Find out more about what happened with the ComfortDelGro taxi.
Taxi operator ComfortDelGro said it will discipline one of its drivers, after an incident involving the driver appearing to forcefully dump a passenger's wheelchair on a pavement on 18 July. Responding to media queries, a spokesperson said on Sunday (20 July) that the company has launched an investigation into the matter. The spokesperson noted the driver's actions were 'unacceptable and do not reflect the professional standards we uphold'.
In an updated statement, ComfortDelGro said the incident arose from a personal dispute between the driver and two family members she was ferrying.
Find out more about what happened with the ComfortDelGro taxi.
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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