Latest news with #AFP
The Star
13 minutes ago
- Health
- The Star
S'poreans can test for genetic condition causing high cholesterol levels under new programme
The new genetic testing programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia comes amid broader efforts to enhance preventive care in Singapore. - AFP SINGAPORE: Eligible Singapore residents will be able to screen for a genetic condition which causes high cholesterol levels at a subsidised rate as part of a nationwide programme launching on June 30. In a statement on June 19, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the new genetic testing programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) comes amid broader efforts to enhance preventive care in Singapore. The initiative aims to identify individuals with FH early and reduce the risk of premature heart disease with timely interventions. FH is a hereditary condition that impacts the body's ability to process cholesterol, affecting roughly 20,000 people in Singapore. People with the condition are up to 20 times more likely to experience heart attacks at a younger age compared with the general population. In a Facebook post on June 19, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that the Government is looking to expand preventive care based on genetic testing to more diseases beyond FH. 'It is part of our longer term effort to develop predictive preventive care under Healthier SG,' he said. As part of this effort, the ministry aims to open three genomic assessment centres (GACs) to ensure effective, efficient and sustainable delivery of genetic testing services within each healthcare cluster. Genetics testing for FH at these centres will be subsidised for eligible Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs). They can also tap on MediSave to offset the cost. Those referred to GACs will undergo: Pre-test genetic counselling to understand potential outcomes and benefits before consenting to the test Blood drawing and the genetic test Post-test genetic counselling, to understand the implications of the results The first GAC will be operated by SingHealth and located at the National Heart Centre. It will start accepting referrals from June 30. This centre will serve all Singapore residents until additional centres open. GACs operated by National Healthcare Group and National University Health System will subsequently open to cater to residents' needs. Immediate family members of those found with the condition are at risk and encouraged to undergo genetic testing, MOH said. Known as cascade screening, this process enables early detection of FH within families. It also allows for more timely intervention and treatment, such as advising them to adopt healthier lifestyles or starting on cholesterol-lowering therapies. Under the programme, Singapore citizens and PRs with abnormally high cholesterol levels may be referred by their doctors for genetic testing. Eligible Singaporeans and PRs can receive subsidies of up to 70 per cent for the costs, which include the genetic tests, pre-test and post-test counselling, and phlebotomy services. Seniors from the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation are also eligible for additional subsidies. After subsidies, referred patients can expect to pay between US$117 (US$91.06) and US$575. Those eligible for cascade screening can expect to pay between US$53 and US$253 after subsidies. The MediSave500 and MediSave700 scheme can be used to further offset the cost of the genetic test after subsidies. Patients who are 60 years old and above may also use Flexi-MediSave to further defray out-of-pocket costs. Under a moratorium on genetic testing and insurance introduced by MOH and the Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) in 2021, life insurers here are banned from using predictive genetic test results in assessing the outcome of insurance applications, unless certain criteria are satisfied. Insurers are also not allowed to use genetic test results from biomedical research or direct-to-consumer genetic test results. MOH said it has worked with the LIA to amend the moratorium to disallow life insurers in Singapore to use the results of all genetic tests conducted under the national FH genetic testing programme. They may, however, continue to request for individuals to disclose existing diagnosed conditions and family history. The amended moratorium will take effect from June 30. - The Straits Times/ANN
Int'l Business Times
19 minutes ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Can NATO Keep Trump On-message About Russia Threat?
When leaders from NATO's 32 countries gather for a summit in The Hague next week, most want to send a clear message: Russia is the main threat to their alliance. But the loudest voice in the room likely won't be on the same page. Since coming back to office, US President Donald Trump has upended the West's approach towards Russia's war on Ukraine by undercutting Kyiv and opening the door to closer ties with Moscow. While the volatile leader has expressed some frustration with Russia's Vladimir Putin for refusing a ceasefire, he has steered clear of punishing the Kremlin. At a G7 summit this week Trump made waves by saying the group of industrialised countries should never have expelled Russia. Ahead of the Hague gathering, diplomats at NATO have been wrangling over a five-paragraph summit statement, with many countries pressing for a full-throated assertion of the menace from Moscow. That, they say, will help explain the main thrust of the meeting: an agreement for countries to ramp up defence spending to satisfy Trump's demand for it to reach five percent of GDP. Since the Kremlin launched its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the alliance has called Russia "the most significant and direct threat to allies' security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area". But this time around the United States -- backed up by Moscow-friendly Hungary and Slovakia -- has been intent on watering that down. Diplomats have been juggling with variants such as referring to "threats, including Russia" or mentioning "the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security". The verbal nuances may seem slight, but they mean a lot to those countries being asked to massively ramp up spending and those on NATO's eastern flank most threatened by the Kremlin. NATO has warned that Russia could be ready to attack an alliance country within five years. "If we can get Trump to sign off on calling Russia a long-term threat then that would be a good result," a senior European diplomat told AFP. As US peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine have stalled, the diplomat said that Washington appeared to have "moved a centimetre in our direction" on taking a stronger stance on Russia. "Of course more hawkish countries want to go further -- but just getting Trump to agree that would still be fine," the diplomat said. Part of the US reasoning is that Washington is more worried about the threat China poses worldwide -- and that Russia is more a problem just in Europe. "Russia is the near threat," said US ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker. "But China is obviously a big challenge for all of us, and we need to be allied and address those threats as well." Camille Grand of the European Council on Foreign Relations said that beneath the diplomatic fine-tuning, NATO was being confronted by a "fundamental question". "How does the United States view Russia?" he said. "So far we haven't really got an answer." Even if NATO does opt for stronger wording on Moscow, there is always the possibility that Trump could show up in The Hague and directly contradict it. But the debate could come into sharper focus in the months after the summit when the United States could announce a pull-back of forces in Europe as part of a review of its global deployments. One area where Washington appears clearly not on board with most other allies is on backing Ukraine. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is set to attend on the sidelines of the summit but his involvement is being kept to a minimum to avoid a bust-up with Trump. Diplomats said there should be a reference in the summit statement linking new defence spending to helping Ukraine -- but there will be no talk of Kyiv's long-term push to join NATO. "The US does not see Ukrainian security as essential to European security," said Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to NATO. "Our European allies do, so they feel that if Putin is allowed to prevail in Ukraine, or if Ukraine does not survive as a sovereign, independent state, they are at risk." The Hague is preparing to host NATO leaders for a summit focused on ramping up the alliance's defences against the threat from Russia AFP
New York Post
22 minutes ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Kylian Mbappe released from hospital with FIFA Club World Cup status in flux
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé is out of the hospital, the club said, after he had been admitted earlier Thursday due to an acute case of gastroenteritis, though his continued participation in the FIFA Club World Cup is up in the air. The surprising news first came out Thursday morning with word the forward was undergoing 'a series of tests' and 'treatment' for the ailment. It was not immediately clear what hospital Mbappé had been admitted to, but Real Madrid's base camp is in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Advertisement 3 Kylian Mbappé (r.) is pictured during a training session June 15. REUTERS 3 Kylian Mbappé moves the ball during a January 2025 match. AFP via Getty Images Later in the day, the club announced he had been discharged from the hospital and 'has returned to the Real Madrid Camp.' 'Mbappé will continue with specific medical treatment and will progressively rejoin team activity,' a team statement said. Advertisement Real Madrid is scheduled to train over the next few days before their next match Sunday against Paachuca in Charlotte, N.C. Mbappé missed Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal, and Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso told reporters after the match that he had been unable to train 'in the last few days.' 'He's been in rough shape with a virus, so we have to keep an eye on him,' Alonso added after he said he was unsure if he would play in their next game. Advertisement Symptoms of gastroenteritis can include vomiting and diarrhea. 3 Kylian Mbappé reacts during a June 8 match. REUTERS Filling in for Mbappé was 21-year-old Gonzalo García, who ended up scoring Real Madrid's only goal of the match and drew high praise from former club striker Joselu. Mbappé was Real Madrid's top scorer last season, putting up 43 goals in 56 games in his first campaign with the La Liga club after making the move from Paris Saint-Germain. Advertisement The French footballer is one of the top names participating in this year's Club World Cup, which is in its first year of a new format that includes expansion to 32 teams, and Real Madrid is one of the favorites to win the monthlong tournament. Real Madrid is sitting in second place in its group, two points behind RB Salzburg.
BusinessToday
27 minutes ago
- Business
- BusinessToday
Rice Crisis Fuels 3.7% Inflation Spike, Shaking Japan PM Ahead Of Election
Japan's core inflation surged to 3.7% in May, placing fresh pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as his approval ratings continue to slide in the run-up to July's upper house elections. Figures released Friday revealed that rice prices jumped a staggering 101% from a year ago, worsening despite government intervention. Authorities began releasing emergency rice stockpiles in February – a move previously reserved for disasters – to curb soaring prices. Food inflation remained widespread. Costs climbed for various products, including processed items like coffee and chocolate. Meanwhile, electricity bills rose 11.3%, and gas prices increased by 5.4%. The government attributed the spike in rice prices to a mix of adverse weather two years ago, hoarding behaviour by traders, and last year's panic buying following a government warning of a possible 'megaquake.' Ishiba's response included a pledge of ¥20,000 (US$139) in cash handouts to all citizens, with children eligible for double the amount, aimed at easing the burden of rising costs. Friday's inflation reading – which excludes fresh food – surpassed market expectations and marked an uptick from April's 3.5% rise. Economists warn that ongoing US tariffs and the conflict between Iran and Israel could push energy prices higher, adding further strain to the economy. Earlier this week, the Bank of Japan opted to keep interest rates unchanged and announced a slower pace in tapering bond purchases, citing trade uncertainties as a growing risk. Public dissatisfaction with Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has intensified, with analysts pointing to cost-of-living concerns – particularly over rice – as a key factor driving voter discontent. AFP Related
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First Post
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- First Post
Fearing Iranian strikes, US quietly pulls nearly 40 military aircraft from Qatar airbase: Report
Satellite photos reveal that the Al Udeid Air Base—America's largest military installation in West Asia—was emptied of jets between June 5 and 19, in what appears to be a 'pre-emptive move' read more S embassy in Qatar announced that access to the base would be limited.(Source: AFP) The US has quietly relocated about 40 military aircraft from its major airbase in Qatar over the past two weeks as fears grow of Iran's potential retaliatory strikes, news agency AFP reported, citing satellite photos. AFP analysed photos from Planet Labs PBC, which reveal that the Al Udeid Air Base—America's largest military installation in West Asia—was emptied of jets between June 5 and 19. The pre-emptive move is aimed at protecting American assets in the region as the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US President Donald Trump still hasn't greenlighted the plans to join the conflict. On the other hand, Tehran has warned it will target US military sites in West Asia if it decides to enter the fray. Satellite photos revealed that the airbase visibly hosted about 40 aircraft as of June 5, including C-130 Hercules transport planes and advanced reconnaissance jets. However, by June 19, only three planes could be spotted. This comes as the US embassy in Qatar earlier announced it was restricting access to the base 'out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities.' It also urged its personnel in the region to 'exercise increased vigilance.' US amassing military equipment According to an AFP analysis of public flight tracking data, between June 15 and 18, at least 27 US military refuelling aircraft, including KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker planes, were deployed from the United States to Europe. As of late Wednesday, 25 of these aircraft remained in Europe, with only two returning to the US. These refuelling planes, critical for long-range air missions, indicate the US might be preparing for a wider conflict, potentially with its involvement. US forces on high alert US forces in West Asia are on high alert, with military families offered the option to evacuate bases voluntarily due to potential Iranian retaliation. Approximately 40,000 US troops are currently stationed in the region, an increase from the typical 30,000, with a temporary peak of 43,000 in October amid earlier tensions between Israel and Iran and ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea. The Pentagon has declined to provide details on further troop movements but stressed that US forces are ready to adapt quickly based on developments with Iran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump to decide on strikes in 'two weeks' The White House stated that Donald Trump will decide within whether to support Israel's campaign against Iran's military and nuclear programmes, noting that Trump still believes diplomacy could address American and Israeli concerns regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, told reporters, quoting Trump.
