Thursday 8 December 2011

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OPINION: Better protection for domestic workers in Singapore - Sri Ranjini Mei Hua

  • Thursday 8 December 2011
  • The Jakarta Post, 8 Dec 2011
    With over 200,000 domestic workers employed and one in every six households, Singapore is one of the world’s top employers of maids. Hence, the role of domestic workers is crucial to the professional lives and careers of women in Singapore, who depend on them to care for the household and would otherwise have to quit their jobs in the event that such help became unavailable.
    Over 90 percent of countries have implemented some form of minimum wage legislation. In the last decade, more countries in the Asia-Pacific region have also introduced such measures, including Indonesia, Mongolia, Vietnam, China and Cambodia. Full story
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    "It is very obvious that the fare hike will eventually result in pay raises and bonuses for senior management of ComfortDelgro."

  • inSing.com, 8 Dec 2011
    The grouses and complaints continue over the impending taxi fare hike, as many feel that the move is a blatant effort to jack up profits for ComfortDelgro.
    Many members of the public are unhappy that the taxi company chose to increase taxi fares at this time of economic uncertainty.
    Readers say, "But it is very obvious that the fare hike will eventually result in pay raises and bonuses for these people."
    Many people also point out that if this was really for the welfare of taxi drivers, the most direct way would be to reduce taxi rental rates instead of passing higher charges to consumers.
    Furthermore, rumours are already rife among cabbies that the company will be increasing taxi rental rates. Full story
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    VIDEO: "Foreign talent" Norman Lu lambasts Singapore government over lastest property cooling meaures

  • Youtube, 8 Dec 2011


    Link
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    FAS President Zainudin Nordin: I rate myself as good

  • Yahoo! Singapore News, 8 Dec 2011
    Football Association of Singapore president Zainudin Nordin has given Singapore football a report card rating of C+ for this year.
    The Republic’s footballers could have performed much better in key competitions, he said on Thursday during a one-on-one interview with Yahoo! Singapore.
    When asked how Zainudin would rate himself as the FAS president, he said, “If I were to assess myself, it won’t be in the area of excellent. It would just be good.” Full story

    Related:
    FAS President tells skeptical fans to “wait and see” - Yahoo! Singapore News
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    Lee Kuan Yew's "Hard Truth" Declared Haram By Malaysia's Islamic Authority

  • The Malaysian Insider, 8 Dec 2011
    KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 — Federal Islamic authorities have declared haram a book in which Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew urged Muslims in Singapore to be “less strict on Islamic observances.”
    Lee, who served in Singapore’s Cabinet as PM, senior minister and minister mentor for 52 years before retiring in May, said in the book that Muslims in Singapore were socially “distinct and separate” and should “be less strict on Islamic observances” to aid integration and the city-state’s nation-building process.
    It led to uproar from Malay and Muslims groups on both sides of the Causeway with his old rival and former Malaysian PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad accusing Lee of having no respect for religion. Full story

    Related:
    Jakim declares book on Lee Kuan Yew haram - Yahoo! Singapore News
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    Ex-PAP MP charged for corruption

  • inSing.com, 8 Dec 2011
    A former Member of Parliament (MP) has been charged for corruption and criminal breach of trust.
    Former MP for Jalan Besar GRC, Choo Wee Khiang has been charged for three counts of corruption, and one count for criminal breach of trust totalling about $10,671.
    Choo, 57, is also the former president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA). The position has since been taken by MP Lee Bee Wah, who declined comment on the case. Full story
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    Monday 5 December 2011

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    Singapore Syndicated Lending Surges 91% to Record $38 Billion

  • Monday 5 December 2011
  • BusinessWeek, 6 Dec 2011
    Dec. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Syndicated lending in Singapore has almost doubled to a record this year, driven by demand from property developers and a surge in commodity trading.
    Loans surged 91 percent to $38.3 billion this year from the same period of 2010, beating the previous record of $30.7 billion in all of 2008, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Full story
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    India could be facing its worst financial crisis in decades as rupee retreats

  • The Times Of India, 5 Dec 2011
    MUMBAI: India may face its worst financial crisis in decades if it fails to stem a slide in the rupee, leaving the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with a difficult choice over how to make best use of its limited reserves to maintain the confidence of foreign investors.
    Unlike most of its Asian peers, India has recently been running large current account and fiscal deficits. That means it must attract sufficient foreign money -- namely US dollars -- to close the gap, and a weaker home currency makes that costlier. Full story

    Related:
    India inches closer to crisis as rupee retreats - Dailytimes.com.pk
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    Singapore Syndicated Lending Surges 91% to Record $38 Billion

  • BusinessWeek, 6 Dec 2011
    Dec. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Syndicated lending in Singapore has almost doubled to a record this year, driven by demand from property developers and a surge in commodity trading.
    Loans surged 91 percent to $38.3 billion this year from the same period of 2010, beating the previous record of $30.7 billion in all of 2008, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Full story
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    Social escorts losing business to casinos

  • inSing.com, 5 Dec 2011
    Social escort agencies are complaining that they are losing business to the local casinos.
    The agencies tell reporters that business had dropped 10% initially when the casinos opened.
    It has since dropped by 30%, and they are looking at ways to attract more customers. Full story
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    India could be facing its worst financial crisis in decades as rupee retreats

  • The Times Of India, 5 Dec 2011
    MUMBAI: India may face its worst financial crisis in decades if it fails to stem a slide in the rupee, leaving the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with a difficult choice over how to make best use of its limited reserves to maintain the confidence of foreign investors.
    Unlike most of its Asian peers, India has recently been running large current account and fiscal deficits. That means it must attract sufficient foreign money -- namely US dollars -- to close the gap, and a weaker home currency makes that costlier. Full story

    Related:
    India inches closer to crisis as rupee retreats - Dailytimes.com.pk
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    Singapore reveal Malaysia Cup squad

  • ESPNSTAR.com, 5 Dec 2011
    The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) have announced the head coach and the Singapore team playing in the Malaysian domestic tournaments starting from 2012 to 2015.
    The team will be named the LIONSXII and have a specially designed logo by acclaimed advertising agency, DDB. Full story

    Related:
    Football: Sundram to coach newly-named LionsXII for Malaysia Cup return - Red Sports
    Singapore’s ‘Malaysia Cup’ team aims top 5 league position - Yahoo! Singapore News
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    Another youth attack at Central Square Mall, 20-year-old beaten to death

  • Yahoo! Singapore News, 5 Dec 2011
    Days after a teen was stabbed by youths, another 20-year-old youth has been attacked and killed, according to Shin Min Daily News.
    Five youths beat the 20-year-old, Chen Zi Quan, to death in 15 minutes on 3 December, reported the paper.
    It was earlier reported on Saturday that five youths were arrested in connection with an attack on two teenagers at Potong Pasir Avenue 1 on 1 December. Full story

    Related:
    Another youth attack: One man beaten to death - inSing.com
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    Singapore PMI contracts for 5th month

  • Indian Express, 5 Dec 2011
    Singapore's manufacturing sector contracted for a fifth straight month in November as orders continued to shrink, a survey showed on Monday, adding to evidence of a deepening global economic slowdown even as Europe's debt crisis reaches a critical stage.
    The Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) slipped to 48.7 points from October's 49.5,....Full story

    Related:
    Singapore November Manufacturing PMI 48.7 Versus 49.5 In October - NASDAQ
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    Unhappy Tampines residents not convinced by MP Baey Yam Keng's explanation on no lift grading

  • inSing.com, 4 Dec 2011
    Some netizens are unhappy that some HDB blocks in Tampines have been dropped from the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP).
    Member of Parliament (MP) Baey Yam Keng is trying to explain the situation to what seems to be disappointed residents affected by the drop.
    MP Baey said that the drop was due to cost issues and a result of how ertain HDB blocks were built in Tampines.
    Netizens however, don't appear to be satisfied with MP Baey's explanation.
    One netizen, "Darwis Said", wondered if such an outcome was due to inflexible policies on the government's part, and urged the authorities to think outside the box and consider the plight of the elderly and physically-challenged living in the area. Full story
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    Unhappy Tampines residents not convinced by MP Baey Yam Keng's explanation for no lift grading

  • inSing.com, 4 Dec 2011
    Some netizens are unhappy that some HDB blocks in Tampines have been dropped from the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP).
    Member of Parliament (MP) Baey Yam Keng is trying to explain the situation to what seems to be disappointed residents affected by the drop.
    MP Baey said that the drop was due to cost issues and a result of how ertain HDB blocks were built in Tampines.
    Netizens however, don't appear to be satisfied with MP Baey's explanation.
    One netizen, "Darwis Said", wondered if such an outcome was due to inflexible policies on the government's part, and urged the authorities to think outside the box and consider the plight of the elderly and physically-challenged living in the area. Full story
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    Well-known seafood restaurant allegedly exploiting students working as part-timers

  • inSing.com, 5 Dec 2011
    A father has exposed popular restaurant Fish & Co. for what he claims are exploitative practices.
    Mr Thomas had written to the Stomp website to explain how his daughter was supposedly exploited after applying to work for Fish & Co.
    His daughter had just finished her GCE 'O' Levels and is working part-time to earn extra pocket money during her school holidays. Full story
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    Twenty-two-year-old dies after completing half marathon in Singapore

  • Xinhua, 5 Dec 2011
    SINGAPORE, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A 22-year-old man collapsed after finishing 21.1 kilometer half marathon at the Standard Chartered Marathon in Singapore over the weekend,......Malcolm Sng Wei Ren, 22, collapsed at the finishing line on Sunday morning. He was rushed to hospital and died an hour later. Full story

    Related:
    22-year-old dies after StanChart half-marathon - Yahoo! Singapore News
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    OPINION: Will AirAsia X fly into Sydney before Singapore's Scoot? - BK Sidhu

  • Malaysia Star, 5 Dec 2011
    PETALING JAYA: Singapore's new long-haul no-frills carrier Scoot has chosen Sydney as its first city to fly into in mid-2012, a city that rival AirAsia X (AAX) has failed to gain entry into despite fighting for the rights for more than two years.
    Scoot has also laid a direct challenge to Qantas and its unit Jetstar on its home ground by adding 400 seats a day to the route and it would appear that Scoot is capitalising on Qantas' weakness to get market share on the route. Full story
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    OPINION: Singapore-made Orastream app offers scalable, smooth music streaming - Alfred Siew

  • Techgoondu
    Every once in a while, a technology emerges that makes you wonder why you haven’t thought about it before. The Singapore-made Orastream app is one such example.
    It enables music players to stream the songs at as high a quality as possible, depending on the network that is delivering the songs. This means you always enjoy the highest quality music, without worrying about the dreaded break in transmission – a boon to future music services on the go. Full story
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    Due of lack of pump stations, owners of CNG cars can switch to petrol

  • Eco-business.com, 5 Dec 2011
    The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has issued notices to all car dealers that vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG) can switch to a petrol-only option starting from this month.
    Among the problems cited by drivers of CNG vehicles was the scarcity of pump stations. Full story
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    Responses to offensive online posts should be ‘mature, calm’: Lee Hsien Loong

  • Yahoo! Singapore News, 4 Dec 2011
    Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called for calmness and maturity among Singaporeans when responding to racially or religiously-sensitive posts online, reported Today.
    Speaking for the first time on recent incidents that have pushed the issue into the spotlight on Sunday, Lee emphasised the need for Singaporeans to avoid getting riled up at every sensitive case that occurs. Full story
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    Asean bourses link-up delayed

  • Malay Mail Online, 4 Dec 2011
    HANOI: Stock exchanges in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand delayed a plan to set up electronic trading links to attract investment and raise liquidity, saying it would be done in 2012.
    The plan, set to be finalised this year, will be joined by exchanges in the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam at a later date. Full story
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    Sunday 4 December 2011

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    Hundreds gather for Singapore 'SlutWalk' protest at Speakers' Corner

  • Sunday 4 December 2011
  • CBS News, 4 Dec 2011
    (AP) SINGAPORE — Hundreds of people gathered at a park in Singapore on Sunday to protest sexual violence against women as part of the global "SlutWalk" movement, in a rare public demonstration in the tightly controlled city state.
    The event featured live music, speeches and a women's Muay Thai martial arts exhibition at downtown Singapore's Speakers' Corner, the only public outdoor space where demonstrations are allowed in the Southeast Asian country. Full story

    Related:
    SlutWalkers hold rare rally in Singapore - France24
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    Singapore To Implement Mandatory Settling-in Programme For Maids

  • Bernama.com, 4 Dec 2011
    SINGAPORE, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Manpower will implement a new mandatory Settling-in-Programme (SIP) for first-time foreign domestic workers by middle of next year, replacing the current mandatory Entry Test.
    Announcing this, Minister of State for National Development and Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin said SIP was another way to achieve the objective of ensuring that first-time domestic workers were able to adapt to living and working safely in Singapore. Full story
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    Saturday 3 December 2011

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    Singapore's longest-serving political detainee Chia Thye Poh receives award

  • Saturday 3 December 2011
  • LLGCultural.com, 2 Dec 2011
    The longest-serving political prisoner in the Asian history, former Singapore member of parliament Chia Thye Poh, 70 years old, was awarded Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award today, which is announced by the LLG Cultural Development Centre at a press conference.
    The reason for his winning is upholding of his belief on democracy without any comprise and never losing his faith under 32 years of unjust detention without trial. An exemplary of the spirit of Nanyang University. Full story
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    Longest-serving political detainee Chia Thye Poh receives award

  • LLGCultural.com, 2 Dec 2011
    The longest-serving political prisoner in the Asian history, former Singapore member of parliament Chia Thye Poh, 70 years old, was awarded Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award today, which is announced by the LLG Cultural Development Centre at a press conference.
    The reason for his winning is upholding of his belief on democracy without any comprise and never losing his faith under 32 years of unjust detention without trial. An exemplary of the spirit of Nanyang University. Full story
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    Lenders to take over Temasek's Eircom as debt deal falls through

  • Independent.ie, 3 Dec 2011
    EIRCOM is certain to be taken over by its lenders after its owners shunned a second deadline to make an offer to stay in control of the business.
    ST Telemedia, Eircom's Singapore-based majority owner, and the Eircom employee shareholder trust failed to table an offer for the company after an extended deadline to submit bids passed last night.
    ST Telemedia bought a majority stake in Eircom for just €30m two years ago, but the deal left the company saddled with an unsustainable €3.7bn debt burden built up by its previous owner.Full story
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    Lenders to take over Temasek's Eircom as debt deal fails

  • Independent.ie, 3 Dec 2011
    EIRCOM is certain to be taken over by its lenders after its owners shunned a second deadline to make an offer to stay in control of the business.
    ST Telemedia, Eircom's Singapore-based majority owner, and the Eircom employee shareholder trust failed to table an offer for the company after an extended deadline to submit bids passed last night.
    ST Telemedia bought a majority stake in Eircom for just €30m two years ago, but the deal left the company saddled with an unsustainable €3.7bn debt burden built up by its previous owner.Full story
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    Ex-political detainee Chia Thye Poh receives award

  • LLGCultural.com, 2 Dec 2011
    The longest-serving political prisoner in the Asian history, former Singapore member of parliament Chia Thye Poh, 70 years old, was awarded Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award today, which is announced by the LLG Cultural Development Centre at a press conference.
    The reason for his winning is upholding of his belief on democracy without any comprise and never losing his faith under 32 years of unjust detention without trial. An exemplary of the spirit of Nanyang University. Full story
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    PAP MPs pushing for widening the smoking ban

  • inSing.com, 3 Dec 2011
    Many Members of Parliament (MPs) are supporting the proposed move to widen the smoking ban
    Pasir Ris-Punggol MP Gan Thiam Poh points out that not just Singapore, but the whole world is moving to encourage citizens to quit smoking.
    Tanjong Pagar MP Chia Shi-Lu feels that smoking is not just a health issue, but also an environmental issue.
    Ang Mo Kio MP Ang Hin Kee feels that the general public should be protected from passive smoking, therefore the ban should be widened. Full story
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    OPINION: Singapore has spent $1.5 billion to change its reputation - Dustin Roasa

  • Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec 2011
    Singapore, in an effort to alter its reputation as an oasis — or wasteland, depending on how you look at it — of tidy, soulless efficiency, began an enormous effort to reposition itself as an international arts hub in an effort to boost its international status and attract global capital and talent.
    To that end, the government spent nearly $1.5 billion on art and culture from 2005 to 2010, one of the highest per capita rates in the world. Full story
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    NOL resumes talks to buy Hapag-Lloyd

  • Reuters, 3 Dec 2011
    Dec 3 (Reuters) - Singapore-based container shipping group Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) has resumed talks about buying German rival Hapag-Lloyd, German paper Die Welt reported on Saturday without identifying its sources. Full story
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    Two-day Parent-care Leave for Civil Servants in Singapore

  • Digital Journal, 3 Dec 2011
    Beginning next year, some 76, 000 civil servants will get an additional two days off from work annually to care for their aged parents and in-laws.
    This new leave entitlement was announced on Thursday, 1 December 2011, by the Public Service Division and will be effective on 1 January 2012. Entitled the “parent-care leave”, this new leave also epitomises Singapore’s quest towards graceful ageing in light of a rapidly ageing population. Full story
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    Real wage increase just 0.1% for Singapore workers - Labour Economist

  • Malaysia Star, 4 Dec 2011
    THE monthly salaries of Singapore workers went up this year, for the second year in a row.
    Their median income - the mid-point in a range - was $2,633 (RM6,410.88) in June compared to $2,500 (RM6,087.05) a year ago, a 5.3% increase, led by economic growth and a tighter labour market.
    But for all workers, including part-timers, the real wage increase was just 0.1%, said labour economist Dr Hui Weng Tat of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Full story
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    Child abuse cases rise in 2010 - report

  • Yahoo! Singapore News, 3 Dec 2011
    The number of child abuse cases has risen yet again.
    Last year saw 192 cases of child abuse, up from 2009's 124 child abuse cases, according to figures cited by The Straits Times on Saturday.
    Most of the reports were of physical abuse, according to report. Some seven in 10 cases last year were of physical abuse, up from 50 cases in 2007. Full story
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    OPINION: Barriers to remaking the PAP - Alex Au

  • Yawningbread.wordpress.com
    I posit in this article, four major barriers to real change:
    1. A subservient relationship with the civil service
    2. Members of parliament who are not fulltime at the job
    3. Its cadre system and a lack of internal party democracy
    4. Stonewalled by the government’s refusal to share data
    As the reader will immediately observe, these are very deep-rooted issues. Changing any of these will be seen as extremely threatening to the status quo. But I will try to explain below why each is a serious impediment to real change. Full story
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    Friday 2 December 2011

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    OPINION: No more easy polls for PAP - Seah Chiang Nee

  • Friday 2 December 2011
  • Malaysia Star, 3 Dec 2011
    The ruling PAP is facing an uphill task trying to attract quality candidates from the private sector to stand in elections.
    According to WikiLeaks, the leaked US diplomatic cables, PAP MP Charles Chong admitted that the party had to field “second and third-tier candidates” since the 2006 election.
    Unless PM Lee succeeds in rever­sing his recruitment fortune, the next election could spell greater trouble. Full story
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    Singapore Developing Model Of Specialist Agency On Child Protection

  • Bernama.com, 2 Dec 2011
    SINGAPORE, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- As part of an initiative to intensify assistance to abused children, the Singapore Government, through the community development, youth and sports ministry, is developing the model of a specialist agency on child protection.
    Announcing this, the minister, Halimah Yaakob said, besides providing specialised assessment and treatment programme, the specialist agency would act as a step-up service for community agencies managing medium-risk cases,....Full story
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    Singapore’s most advanced submarine now operational

  • Malaysia Star, 3 Dec 2011
    THE first of Singapore’s most advanced pair of submarines have been put into action. RSS Archer was declared operational yesterday, more than two years after it was launched in Sweden.
    The vessel and its submariners then underwent sea trials there before sailing back here in August. Full story
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