Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Extreme weather increasing level of toxins in food, scientists warn - Channel NewsAsia

Extreme weather increasing level of toxins in food, scientists warn - Channel NewsAsia

Extreme weather increasing level of toxins in food, scientists warn

NAIROBI: As they struggle to deal with more extreme weather, a range of food crops are generating more chemical compounds that can cause health problems for people and livestock who eat them, scientists have warned.

A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) says that crops such as wheat and maize are generating more potential toxins as a reaction to protect themselves from extreme weather.

But these chemical compounds are harmful to people and animals if consumed for a prolonged period of time, according to a report released during a United Nations Environment Assembly meeting in Nairobi.

"Crops are responding to drought conditions and increases in temperature just like humans do when faced with a stressful situation," explained Jacqueline McGlade, chief scientist and director of the Division of Early Warning and Assessment at UNEP.

Under normal conditions, for instance, plants convert nitrates they absorb into nutritious amino acids and proteins. But prolonged drought slows or prevents this conversion, leading to more potentially problematic nitrate accumulating in the plant, the report said.

If people eat too much nitrate in their diets, it can interfere with the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen in the body, the report said.

Crops susceptible to accumulating too much nitrate in times of stress include maize, wheat, barley, soybeans, millet and sorghum, it said.

DROUGHT, THEN RAIN

Some drought-stressed crops, when then exposed to sudden large amounts of rain that lead to rapid growth, in turn accumulate hydrogen cyanide, more commonly known as prussic acid, the report said.

Prussic acid – one of the ingredients used in some types of chemical warfare - interferes with oxygen flow in humans. Even short-term exposure can be debilitating for people, McGlade said.

Plants such as cassava, flax, maize and sorghum are most vulnerable to dangerous prussic acid accumulation, the report said.

Cases of nitrate or hydrogen cyanide poisoning in humans were reported in Kenya in 2013 and in the Philippines in 2005, McGlade said. In Kenya, two children died in coastal Kilifi after eating cassava that had raised levels of prussic acid in it following extreme rainfall, according to local media reports.

Aflatoxins that can affect plant crops and raise the risk of liver damage, cancer and blindness, as well as stunting foetuses and infants, are also spreading to more areas as a result of shifting weather patterns as a result of climate change, scientists said.

McGlade said about 4.5 billion people in developing countries are exposed to aflatoxins each year, though the amounts are largely unmonitored, and the numbers are rising.

"We are just beginning to recognise the magnitude of toxin- related issues confronting farmers in developing countries of the tropics and sub-tropics," the report noted.

"As warmer climate zones expand towards the poles, countries in more temperate regions are facing new threats," it added.

In 2004, Kenya suffered severe outbreaks of aflatoxin poisoning, which affected more than 300 people and killed more than 100 following a prolonged drought, according to the International Livestock Research Institute.

EUROPE AT RISK

The UNEP report said Europe will be at growing risk from aflatoxins in locally grown crops if global temperatures rise by at least 2 degrees Celsius. The world is currently on a path to a more than 3 degree Celsius temperature rise, scientists believe.

An increase in toxic compounds in crops is likely to impact heavily on the world's health system, which are already struggling with the effects of food insecurity, Dorota Jarosinska of the World Health Organization's European Center for Environment and Health said in an interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Alex Ezeh, executive director of the African Population Health and Research Center, said the increase in toxins in crops was a big concern.

"Toxic crops can lead to neurological diseases among humans but the greatest challenge is the incidence of cancer," he said in an interview.

The report proposes a list of eight ideas farmers and agricultural experts can adopt to try to limit damage from more crop toxins, such as mapping contamination hotspots and building better evidence about what is happening now with the toxins in their area.

Scientists also suggest that developing crop varieties designed to cope with extreme weather could help reduce the levels of toxic chemicals in food.

"Research centers with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research are developing seeds that are suitable in various regions that have been hit by climate change," McGlade said.

(Reporting by Kagondu Njagi; editing by Laurie Goering :; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, climate change, women's rights, trafficking and property rights. Visit http://news.trust.org/climate)



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Monday, May 30, 2016

Heng Swee Keat recovering well and making steady progress, says PM Lee Hsien Loong, Politics News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Heng Swee Keat recovering well and making steady progress, says PM Lee Hsien Loong, Politics News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Heng Swee Keat recovering well and making steady progress, says PM Lee Hsien Loong

SINGAPORE - Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat is recovering well and making steady progress, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a Facebook post on Monday (May 30) evening.

Doctors have advised Mr Heng not to receive visitors yet so that he can get as much rest as possible, said PM Lee, adding that he was "fully lucid, communicative, and cheerful".

PM Lee said Mr Heng gave him "two thumbs up" after being told that arrangements had been made to look after residents in Tampines GRC, where he is an MP, during his recuperation.

"Swee Keat wants to thank everyone for their support. He especially sends his greetings and best wishes to his Tampines residents and volunteers, who have been asking after him," PM Lee wrote after visiting Mr Heng at Tan Tock Seng Hospital's (TTSH) intensive care unit on Monday evening.

Mr Heng, 54, had collapsed suddenly from a stroke during a weekly Cabinet meeting on May 12.

Doctors at TTSH had successfully closed a ruptured aneurysm that had caused bleeding in his brain.

While he recovers, his duties have been taken over by several ministers and other Tampines GRC MPs.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the previous finance minister, is back helming the ministry.

Mr S. Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), was appointed co-chairman of the Committee on the Future Economy.

Ministers and MPs said they were relieved to hear that Mr Heng is recovering well.

In a Facebook post on Monday night, Minister in Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing said he updated Mr Heng's activists on his condition.

Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli, who was meeting activists at the People's Action Party's (PAP) Tampines Central branch, said they took a photo to send Mr Heng a thumbs up.

Fellow Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng said activists were relieved and happy to learn of Mr Heng's recovery.



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Friday, May 27, 2016

Tutors' role in society often overlooked, Letters in Print News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Tutors' role in society often overlooked, Letters in Print News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Tutors' role in society often overlooked

As a tutor, I read the letters painting the industry in a negative light with much concern ("Time for conversation on broader role of tuition" by Mr Dhevarajan Devadas, and "What makes a 'super tutor' super?" by Mr Kevin Lim Fung Ming"; both published on Thursday).

This industry supports students who have fallen through the cracks of a stressful education system. It represents a second chance for students who may have slacked off, been poor planners or used the wrong study methods.

While not all students can afford one-on-one tutoring, they can join groups and pay lower fees to teachers who possess the passion for teaching but not for office politicking or administrative duties.

There are teachers who are happier spending time preparing teaching resources and thinking of more effective and interesting ways to teach.

Some local tuition centres actually lower their fees for students in financial difficulties so as to help level the playing field.

Since local students have to take high-stakes examinations which have a great impact on their futures, their parents naturally want to help them as much as they can.

This is better than indulging them in little-needed luxuries or sending them for all kinds of enrichment courses just to keep up with the Joneses.

"Super" tutors are anomalies in a heterogeneous industry with thousands of niche tuition centres servicing the varied needs of students.

As it is the norm for both parents to work nowadays, tutors often play additional roles of nannies and mentors to children who may otherwise be misled by unsavoury characters.

There are many tutors working very hard, with odd hours, and travelling long distances to help needy students, but taking home a fraction of what "super" tutors earn. We provide more value-added services to students without additional charge.

We are happy because we make an honest living helping other people, even though we have no Central Provident Fund contributions, bonuses or job security.

Many readers mistakenly think that we are out to make a quick buck, and judge us harshly and unfairly.

Perhaps there are a few black sheep around, but they exist in all industries.

Cornelius Chew Kok Mun



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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

From Compass Point to 1 Sengkang Mall to Compass One: Renamed mall set to reopen in Q3 of 2016, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

From Compass Point to 1 Sengkang Mall to Compass One: Renamed mall set to reopen in Q3 of 2016, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

From Compass Point to 1 Sengkang Mall to Compass One: Renamed mall set to reopen in Q3 of 2016

SINGAPORE - Suburban mall Compass Point in Sengkang, which closed in October last year for a facelift, has been given a new name closer to the original when it reopens to the public later this year.

The revamped Compass One will feature an enlarged public library over two levels, more than 50 new retailers and newly-improved amenities such as a children's playground, the mall's owner, M&G Real Estate, announced in a press release last week.

The mall was in the news last December when it held a naming contest on social media, with the winner awarded a $1,000 cash prize.

But the name that was picked - 1 Sengkang Mall - was criticised for being boring and lacking in creativity. Many also requested that the mall retain its original name.

On why the management decided on the second name change, M&G told The Straits Times that it had been getting a lot of feedback from its customers who "miss the old name and want it back".

"So we have put Compass back in the name. But we also wanted to stick with our original plan to give the mall a new name to reflect a fresh, lively and vibrant experience that is going to be a step up from its predecessor," a spokesman said.

"So we have mixed the old and the new with Compass One. One is the address of the site and also reflects our ambition to make this the best shopping experience in the area."

In its press release, M&G revealed that 90 per cent of the retail space in the mall have been leased to tenants, well ahead of its targeted opening in the third quarter.

Supermarket chain Cold Storage, food court operator Kopitiam and the Sengkang Public Library will remain the anchor tenants in Compass One.

Mr Erle Spratt, manager of M&G's core Asia real estate investment strategy, said: "The substantial investment we have made to refurbish and upgrade the mall as well as acquiring full ownership demonstrates our long term confidence in the Sengkang suburban retail market.

The Sengkang Public Library will be enlarged and take up space on two levels. PHOTO: ST FILE

"Closing the mall for the works shows our determination to deliver the improvements safely and efficiently to minimise inconvenience for residents. We look forward to continuing our partnership with retailers serving the Sengkang community and to welcoming back the residents of Sengkang when Compass One reopens later this year."

M&G Real Estate, the real estate fund management arm of M&G Investments, took full ownership of the mall in February. It had previously owned a majority stake since 2002.



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Sunday, May 22, 2016

Fire at Rivervale Plaza on Saturday morning; no one injured, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Fire at Rivervale Plaza on Saturday morning; no one injured, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Fire at Rivervale Plaza on Saturday morning; no one injured

SINGAPORE - A ventilation exhaust duct located at the rooftop of Rivervale Plaza caught fire on Saturday (May 21) morning.

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were informed about the fire at 7.13am. Two fire engines, two Red Rhinos, four support vehicles and one ambulance were deployed to the mall in Sengkang.

The fire was extinguished with two water jets within 20 minutes.

Fire happening at Rivervale Plaza now.. @STcom

— Noor (@P00772)

According to the SCDF, coffee shop patrons and shoppers at the mall had evacuated the building before help arrived. No one was injured.

The exhaust duct is believed to be linked to the various coffee shops in the building.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

In a separate incident, a fire at Parkway Parade on Sunday (May 15) led to a four-day closure of the mall in Marine Parade.

The mall reopened on Friday but rectification works are still ongoing as several shops and some lifts and escalators had been affected by the fire. No one was injured in the fire that broke out at a shop on level two of the mall.



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Award-winning teacher became a tutor for the love of it, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Award-winning teacher became a tutor for the love of it, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Award-winning teacher became a tutor for the love of it

When she first started as a private tutor in 2009, Ms Janice Chuah had five pupils and was earning less than $1,500 per month.

Today, the maths tutor's income has since grown tenfold. She takes home an estimated $15,000 a month. The tuition firm she founded, Concept Math Education Centre, has also hit $1 million a year in revenue for the past few years.

It has two outlets in Bukit Timah and Novena, and offers maths tuition to pupils from Primary 1 to 6. Classes are usually 80 per cent booked before each school year.

Currently, the centre has an intake of more than 500 pupils.

While there are pupils who go from a failing grade to an A at the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), Ms Chuah said not all show improvement. "While our tutors do their best, the pupil's learning ability, attitude, as well as parents' involvement count."

Before becoming a tutor, Ms Chuah, 43, was a primary school teacher for more than a decade and picked up several awards, including a Caring Teacher Award in 2008.

THEY KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Students know who are the tutors who care and those who simply do a routine job.

MS JANICE CHUAH, maths tutor

She quit in 2008, as she wanted to spend more time with her three boys, who were then between three and nine years old.

She now teaches no more than four classes of Primary 6 pupils a week. Each session - about two hours - has about 12 to 15 pupils. For pupils taught by her, the fee for the entire year - about $2,500 - has to be paid in advance.

Said Ms Chuah, who holds regular meet-the-parents sessions: "The better you are, the more students you get. The more students you get, the more money you earn."

But she admits that competition is keen in the growing industry.

"In the past, as long as we do a good job, we can survive. These days, parents are spoilt for choice, and want to know how classes are taught and how worksheets are designed before enrolling their children."

She insists she became a tutor not for the money, but for the love of teaching. "Parents are discerning and careful where they place their dollars and cents," she said.

"Students know who are the tutors who care and those who simply do a routine job."

Calvin Yang



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Award-winning teacher became a tutor for the love of it, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Award-winning teacher became a tutor for the love of it, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Award-winning teacher became a tutor for the love of it

When she first started as a private tutor in 2009, Ms Janice Chuah had five pupils and was earning less than $1,500 per month.

Today, the maths tutor's income has since grown tenfold. She takes home an estimated $15,000 a month. The tuition firm she founded, Concept Math Education Centre, has also hit $1 million a year in revenue for the past few years.

It has two outlets in Bukit Timah and Novena, and offers maths tuition to pupils from Primary 1 to 6. Classes are usually 80 per cent booked before each school year.

Currently, the centre has an intake of more than 500 pupils.

While there are pupils who go from a failing grade to an A at the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), Ms Chuah said not all show improvement. "While our tutors do their best, the pupil's learning ability, attitude, as well as parents' involvement count."

Before becoming a tutor, Ms Chuah, 43, was a primary school teacher for more than a decade and picked up several awards, including a Caring Teacher Award in 2008.

THEY KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Students know who are the tutors who care and those who simply do a routine job.

MS JANICE CHUAH, maths tutor

She quit in 2008, as she wanted to spend more time with her three boys, who were then between three and nine years old.

She now teaches no more than four classes of Primary 6 pupils a week. Each session - about two hours - has about 12 to 15 pupils. For pupils taught by her, the fee for the entire year - about $2,500 - has to be paid in advance.

Said Ms Chuah, who holds regular meet-the-parents sessions: "The better you are, the more students you get. The more students you get, the more money you earn."

But she admits that competition is keen in the growing industry.

"In the past, as long as we do a good job, we can survive. These days, parents are spoilt for choice, and want to know how classes are taught and how worksheets are designed before enrolling their children."

She insists she became a tutor not for the money, but for the love of teaching. "Parents are discerning and careful where they place their dollars and cents," she said.

"Students know who are the tutors who care and those who simply do a routine job."

Calvin Yang



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Thursday, May 19, 2016

Harvard and MIT both want this poly graduate, Education News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Harvard and MIT both want this poly graduate, Education News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Harvard and MIT both want this poly graduate

When Mr Rayden Chia Yong Xiang got a letter of acceptance from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in March, he read it twice over to make sure it was real.

"I didn't dare to tell anyone... It sunk in a week later," said the graduate from Nanyang Polytechnic's (NYP) information security course.

He was doubly thrilled when, later in March, he learnt he had been accepted by Harvard University.

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"I applied to MIT and Harvard on a whim," said the 22-year-old, who had secured a place at the National University of Singapore earlier.

With some help from an education consultancy, Mr Chia, who graduated from NYP with a perfect grade point average of 4.0, applied to seven American universities: MIT, Harvard, Carnegie Mellon University, New York University, Columbia University, Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley.

THINK BIGGER

I hope (my being accepted by Harvard and MIT) will serve as an inspiration for more poly students to try this route. Don't think that just because you don't have a JC background, that's not something you can do.

MR RAYDEN CHIA, who graduated from the information security course at Nanyang Polytechnic.

He was accepted by the first four, and has taken up MIT's offer after attending pre-orientation programmes held last month by MIT and Harvard. "(MIT) has more specificity in terms of what it offers... For what I want to study, it offers more depth and breadth."

He hopes to study computer science and engineering and do information technology research at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. His tuition fees will be covered by a scholarship.

The polytechnics do not keep track of graduates admitted into the top universities in the United States or prestigious British institutions. But officials said it is rare for a polytechnic graduate to get offers from both Harvard and MIT.

For instance, the first and only Singapore Polytechnic graduate to get into Harvard is Mr Kuriakin Zeng back in 2010.

NYP said Mr Chia is likely to be its first graduate to be accepted by Harvard directly after finishing the diploma programme."I came from a background where almost everyone went to junior college... But I wanted a more unique experience and to get industry exposure," said Mr Chia, a Catholic High School alumnus who scored seven As at the O levels. "I hope (my being accepted by Harvard and MIT) will serve as an inspiration for more poly students to try this route.

"Don't think that just because you don't have a JC background, that's not something you can do."

The only child of a housewife and an engineer - the family lives in a flat in Bishan - said his interest in computing started at age nine, when he meddled with an old computer.

"It was a sandbox for me. It was how I picked up basic programming with the help of library books later on," said Mr Chia, who while in secondary school joined IT competitions run by the polytechnics.

His time at NYP confirmed his interest in IT security, and his team won first place in 2013 and 2014 in the Singapore Cyber Conquest.

His reward was two fully paid trips to the Black Hat Technical Security Conference in Las Vegas. It was also then that he extended his stay in the US to visit Stanford and University of California, Berkeley.

Mr John Lim, NYP's course manager for information security, which was renamed cyber security and forensics in 2014, called Mr Chia independent and determined. "He's not proud; he's very humble and he works closely with friends."

Mr Chia said: "I'm looking forward to stretching my mental faculties... and ultimately rediscovering myself. I guess that's what college is about."



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