What's News: November 04, 2016

A five-year push to improve how workers are kept relevant in a rapidly changing economy has been laid out in the Training and Adult Education Sector Transformation Plan. Besides mapping ways for trainers to keep pace with industry needs, the plan includes a one-stop online marketplace of courses and training providers.

A new water-saving substance being tested in Singapore may just help plants during prolonged periods of drought. The substance, which holds moisture and then releases it when rainfall is scarce, was developed by a team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University together with the National Parks Board.

Security officials are on the alert after three people were killed in a series of bombings and shootings in Thailand's restive southern border provinces on Wednesday night. Insurgents were reportedly asked to be "still" while the country mourns the loss of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, but violence has continued unabated.

Interference by external parties will not help solve the South China Sea issue, said China and Malaysia, two of the claimant states in the disputed waters in a joint statement, which was released after leaders of the two countries met yesterday.

Tata, an iconic Indian conglomerate that appeared to be a shining example of a well-run and clean company, shocked shareholders with a high-stakes boardroom battle. It has rocked the corporate world and thrown into question whether a more enlightened and better capitalism is ever possible in tumultuous, corruption-prone India, says Ravi Velloor.

A scheme that helps SMEs to be leaner on labour and more productive has helped fund such projects in more than 1,400 companies. Among them is restaurant chain The Soup Spoon, which automated and cut its pool of workers by 25 per cent.

Parallel car importer TLC Cars Singapore has closed shop, leaving customers who have paid deposits in the lurch. Another firm sold TLC a car but was never paid the full amount. It is the second parallel importer to fold in a month.

Profits plunged at Singapore Airlines in the second quarter amid a sluggish global economy and aggressive competition that continues to put pressure on fares and yields. The poor performance was also due in part to weaker results from associated companies, SIA said.

Singapore Athletics (SA) will appoint a technical director in the coming weeks in a bid to raise the level of coaches and athletes here, and Germany's Volker Herrmann is understood to be a prime candidate. He was recently in town for a month to help conduct workshops. While the contract of head coach (sprints, relays, hurdles) Luis Cunha will not be extended, SA will not prevent athletes from training under someone of their own choice.

Picnic, a 10,000 sq ft food hall on the third floor of Wisma Atria, is the newest all-in-one dining destination in town. The project costs more than $3 million to set up, and features three zones - the Picnic Park, the Flower Garden and the Beer Garden - all indoors. There will also be performances by local bands as well as craft markets on weekends.