Singapore

Singapore (VNA) – All Changi Airport passenger terminal buildings and Jewel Changi in Singapore will be closed for two weeks to all members of the public from May 13, amid a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases linked to the airport. “ Changi Airport remains open for air travel during this period,” according to a statement of Changi Airport Group (ACG). “Passengers may also continue to be dropped off and picked up from the airport.” “Access to the passenger terminal buildings will be restricted to only passengers with air tickets and essential airport workers. Some essential services and food and beverage outlets will remain open to serve them." All workers in Changi Airport’s Terminals 1 and 3, and Jewel have been undergoing mandatory COVID-19 tests in a special testing operation starting May 9. “This is to quickly detect, isolate and treat any potential COVID-19 cases in the airport community.” Meanwhile, the Singapore Badminton Open 2021, scheduled for June 1-6, has been cancelled due to COVID-19. In an announcement, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said all attempts were made to provide a safe tournament environment for all participants. “However, the rising COVID-19 cases globally would lead to complex challenges in managing inbound travel. Thus, in the interest of our players and the local community's health and safety, the event has to be cancelled.” The Southeast Asian country, with a population of 5.7 million, has so far reported more than 61,000 COVID-19 cases and 31 related deaths./. VNA …

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Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Singapore (VNA) - According to results of the latest census announced on June 16, Singapore ’s population saw an annual growth of just 1.1 percent in the last decade, which is the slowest rate since independence in 1965. The low rate is attributed to locals having fewer children and tightened immigration policies. Last year, Singapore saw its population shrunk 0.3 percent to 5.69 million people, the first drop since 2003 due to fewer foreign arrivals after the country imposed travel restriction and job losses brought about by COVID-19. Like other developed countries, Singapore is facing a low birth rate and ageing population. In 2020, those aged 65 years and above accounted for 15.2 percent of the population, compared to 9 percent in 2010. In 10 years from 2010 to 2020, the number of Singaporean citizens increased to 3.52 million from 3.23 million but more are staying single and more couples decide to have fewer children. The median age of the resident population, which includes citizens and permanent residents, increased to 41.5 years in 2020 from 37.4 years in 2010, the latest census showed./. VNA …

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Vietnam attends 12th AIPA Caucus  (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Vu Hai Ha led a delegation to attend the 12th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus ( AIPA Caucus 12 ), which took place virtually on June 16, focusing on measures to strengthen supply chain resilience and promote trade connectivity. Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament of Singapore - the host country of the event, said that the 12th AIPA Caucus discussed the implementation of resolutions of the 41st AIPA General Assembly, including the Resolution on "the role of parliaments in promoting ASEAN cohesiveness and economic recovery post-COVID-19” , the Resolution on “Advancing AIPA's role in supporting ASEAN socio-cultural community in responding to COVID-19”, and the Resolution on “the role of women parliamentarians in securing jobs and income for women workers”. The Vietnamese delegation said amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN should pay more attention to restoring supply chains and promoting trade connectivity in parallel with enhancing close cooperation to prevent the spread of the disease, especially cross-border transmission, accelerating COVID-19 vaccine purchase and vaccination, as well as cooperation in vaccine research and development. The delegation proposed six specific recommendations to AIPA member parliaments, related to many crucial issues such as completing legal framework to facilitate trade and investment activities, ensuring uninterrupted circulation of goods and supply chains in the region. Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Vu Hai Ha (R) attends the event (Photo: VNA) Vietnamese participants also underlined the need to strengthen  parliamentary supervision over the implementation of commitments on investment and trade within regional and international frameworks, establish new methods in promoting bilateral trade ties,  maintain commitments to opening market in …

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