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Jakarta floats stricter rules on smoking in public

Jakarta floats stricter rules on smoking in public

Straits Times16 hours ago

Violators could be fined between 250,000 rupiah (S$17.60) and 50 million rupiah depending on the severity of the offence. PHOTO: REUTERS
JAKARTA - Jakarta's city administration is currently drafting a new regulation to tighten restrictions on smoking in public spaces in an aim to protect the public from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke, especially vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said the main goal of the new regulation was to restrict smoking in crowded public spaces, such as office buildings and shopping malls.
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A ‘village' where Alzheimer's patients move about freely: Perennial's new care model in China
A ‘village' where Alzheimer's patients move about freely: Perennial's new care model in China

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A ‘village' where Alzheimer's patients move about freely: Perennial's new care model in China

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Traditional Chinese medicine treatments are also provided to help patients with common symptoms of Alzheimer's, such as insomnia. A resident of the care village undergoing multi-sensory therapy; other treatments provided include traditional Chinese medicine. PHOTO: ST Market need 'beyond doubt' Perennial had in fact initially planned to build such a facility in Singapore, said its chief executive Pua Seck Guan. In 2020, it bid to develop a dementia village comprising 10 bungalows in Gibraltar Crescent in Sembawang. 'But it was a shame; we were the only bidder… and it ended up that (the authorities) did not award us because they cited that we did not meet the reserve price. We didn't know there was such a reserve price,' he said. Pua was nevertheless convinced of the need for an Alzheimer's care village. He cited how even wealthy patients who can hire two nurses would still lack the stimulation needed to manage the condition if they remain stuck at home. 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Asked about the breakeven timeline for the Xi'an facility, Pua estimated that it may take three to four years. 'This project is not easily money-making, mainly because it's new,' he said. Dr Song echoed this sentiment, noting: 'As first movers, we have our difficulties… It takes time to cultivate the market.' But there is undeniably a need for more Alzheimer's care options in China, especially with its ageing population. 'This is beyond doubt,' she said.

Israeli fire kills 25 people in Gaza, medics say
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Israeli fire kills 25 people in Gaza, medics say

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Israeli fire kills 12 people in Gaza, medics say
Israeli fire kills 12 people in Gaza, medics say

Straits Times

time12 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Israeli fire kills 12 people in Gaza, medics say

CAIRO - Israeli fire and airstrikes killed at least 12 Palestinians on Sunday across the enclave, local health authorities said, at least five of them near two aid sites operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Medics at Al-Awda Hospital in the central Gaza Strip said at least three people were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire as they tried to approach a GHF site near the Netzarim corridor. Two others were killed en route to another aid site in Rafah in the south. An airstrike killed seven other people in Beit Lahiya town north of the enclave, medics said. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. The GHF began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May after Israel partially lifted a near three-month total blockade. Scores of Palestinians have been killed in near-daily mass shootings trying to reach the food. The United Nations rejects the Israeli-backed new distribution system as inadequate, dangerous, and a violation of humanitarian impartiality principles. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

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