Singapore's air quality worsened ..., with the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) crossing into the moderate range ... a total of four hot spots were detected in peninsular Malaysia while 35 hot spots were spotted in Sumatra. (Source)
Slightly hazy conditions continued ..., with the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reaching the moderate range. (Source)
[T]he haze may be attributed to hotspots to the north of Singapore, blown in by the prevailing northeasterly winds. (Source)
Singapore continues to experience slightly hazy conditions ... the condition is expected to gradually improve. (Source)Breach of security checkpoint (border check)
The failure of a security barrier was the key reason why a 65-year-old
Malaysian driver in a gold Mercedes-Benz managed to breach the Woodlands
Checkpoint ..., even after two of the tires were
punctured. (Source)
The 64-year-old Malaysian driver who allegedly crashed through the
security barrier at Woodlands Checkpoint and entered Singapore on
Saturday is facing two charges. Tan Chu Seng, who is also a
Singapore permanent resident, is accused of committing two offences --
one count of acting rashly and another of vandalism. (Source)Public transportation
Commuters on the North-South MRT line experienced delays in their travel. (Source)
About 1,700 passengers were affected when the Downtown Line (DTL) service was disrupted on Friday morning for over half an hour due to a power fault. ... SBS Transit said it "deeply apologises" to all passengers who were inconvenienced. (Source)
Dry spell
The prolonged dry weather affecting Singapore since mid-January 2014 has set a new record for the driest month since 1869. ... During the month, there were only seven days of short showers that occurred between February 7 and 19, mainly in the western parts of Singapore. (Source)
Residents in the west of Singapore enjoyed a slight reprieve from the dry spell ... as rain fell for the first time in weeks. ... The downpour, however, does not mark the end of Singapore's dry spell. (Source)
The number of vegetation fires early this year
was four times more than the same period last year But the fires are
just one of the effects of the dry spell. Mosquitoes have become more
common too, and one doctor said he is seeing more patients with
respiratory conditions and eczema. (Source)
Singapore's water consumption has gone up by
about 5 per cent during this dry spell. But for now, Environment and
Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said there is no need for
water rationing in Singapore, if a lid is kept on demand and
consumption. (Source)
Tourism
The two Merlion statues at the Merlion Park will be undergoing regular cleaning and maintenance from 15 March to 7 April. (Source)
From March 28, visitors to Chinatown will be able
to access a free street-level Wi-Fi network and search for information
and interesting stories on the precinct's history, landmarks and variety
of offerings while on the go. (Source)
Alcohol
Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced ... that
liquor duties will increase by 25 per cent to keep pace with inflation. (Source)
Liquor excise duties are up by 25 per cent, and the impact on prices has already started to show.
The government announced the increase in liquor duties as part of Budget 2014 to discourage excessive alcohol consumption. (Source)
The government announced the increase in liquor duties as part of Budget 2014 to discourage excessive alcohol consumption. (Source)
