Alexander Hospital on Dec 3 launched a 128-page book titled Humanity: Behind Every Face. Partial proceeds from the book sales will go towards helping AH's needy patients. SINGAPORE – A stranger at his father’s wake taught Dr Khoo See Meng, chairman of the medical board at Alexandra Hospital (AH), a valuable life lesson. This stranger was the first to arrive and the last to leave on each night during the five-day wake in Muar, Malaysia, in 2012. Gripped by their loss, the family did not inquire about the man’s relationship with their late father, Mr Khoo Chee Pheng. A month later, Dr Khoo’s brother discovered that the man ran a newspaper stall. Their father – who was in his 70s when he died – had bought copies of newspapers, such as Sin Chew Daily and China Press, from the man daily to help sustain his struggling business. Dr Khoo, 55, said: “My family had a subscription for Sin Chew Daily, so the house would end up with two copies of the same paper every day, which got my mum really upset, and my brother puzzled.” This is one of the personal stories told by 50 individuals from Alexander Hospital in a 128-page book titled Humanity: Behind Every Face, which was launched on Dec 3. Partial proceeds from the book sales will go towards helping AH’s needy patients. The book was the brainchild of AH Deputy Chief Executive Officer Margaret Lee, who wanted it to be a testament to why they care, day after day, despite their personal trials and struggles. “The title ‘Humanity’ was chosen thoughtfully to encapsulate both the compassion and excellence we strive for in healthcare and the deeper, universal truth that connects us all,” said Ms Lee. In the foreword, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung wrote that it is a timely reminder to acknowledge and recognise healthcare workers. “In healthcare, the focus is often on clinical outcomes, and it is also easy to overlook the human element that is at the heart of this noble profession,” he noted. After the idea of the book was conceived in April 2023, communications manager Yvonne Lee and intern Chloe Tan spent many hours over six months interviewing the individuals, including healthcare staff, contract cleaners and others. Ms Lee, 38, said: “When some of them shared about their life-changing experiences, we got emotional and cried together.” Ms Tan, 20, a communications undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University, said: “They have spoken about parenthood, health scares, losing loved ones...and much more. I hope there is something in here – even just a line or two – for everyone to resonate with.” Among those featured in the book was corporate planning manager Ashley Nguyen, 39, who battled thyroid cancer twice, in 2015 and 2021. Now in remission, Ms Nguyen said: “My work involves meeting some foreign patients, many of whom have cancer. I often share with them about my own experience and assure them that cancer is not ‘the end’”. Senior project specialist Serene Poh, 65, had a golf ball-sized brain tumour in 2000 and underwent a 12-hour surgery that carried risks of paralysis, coma or even death. At that time, her husband was posted overseas for work, and their daughter was only four years old. As she was wheeled out from the recovery bay, she felt a burning pain from her wound each time the bed crossed a little bump on the floor. “I finally understood the perspective of a patient after I became one myself,” she said. “Now that I’m given a second chance in life, I am more patient-centric.” Ms Aishah Elshukrin, a senior social work coordinator, also found inspiration in her own struggles to give back in meaningful ways. The 27-year-old started working as a part-time banquet staff at age 16 to provide for her family after her mother was diagnosed with cancer. It was during this time when she saw how the medical social workers assisted her family. Ms Aishah is currently studying for a degree in social work at the Singapore University of Social Sciences to achieve her goal of becoming a medical social worker. “When I counsel a patient or their loved ones at the hospital, I know exactly how they feel,” she said. The book also features Mr Kesavan, an associate executive of ALPS Healthcare, which is AH’s procurement service provider. He lost his 19-year-old girlfriend in a road accident when he was 22 years old. He went into a state of shock, followed by a two-year isolation during which he stayed home all day. He was eventually coaxed out of despair by his family and friends. Now that the 33-year-old knows there is no guaranteed tomorrow, he believes there is no downside to being humble and nice. “I have become stronger and more loving, and I always look out for my colleagues now,” said Mr Kesavan, who goes by one name. The 18-month project was done entirely in-house except for the printing and distribution. One of the challenges for senior assistant communications manager Sheereen Yeow was getting her colleagues to pose naturally for the camera. She overcame this by getting them to retell their stories while their photographs were being taken around the hospital. The 18-month project was done entirely in-house except for the printing and distribution. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Ms Yeow, 34, who shot all the photos, said: “These are the colleagues you pass by every day, and you don’t really know what they are going through. I have learnt to be kinder to the people I see daily.” Added Dr Khoo: “This silent story that my family uncovered about my father...reminds me of the importance of taking an interest in the lives of seemingly random strangers. (It) stirred some of the deepest questions about the meaning of a man’s everyday engagement with the world.” Humanity: Behind Every Face is on sale at $29.90 at major bookstores, including Book Bar and Kinokuniya, and online stores such as Book Bar ( https://bookbar.sg/store/p/humanity ) and Amazon. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now

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In yet another setback to the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh, two of its former MLAs – Muttamsetti Srinivas Rao alias Avanti Srinivas from Bheemunipatnam and Grandhi Srinivas from Bhimavaram assembly constituencies – resigned from the party on Thursday. Avanti Srinivas, who was also a former minister in YS Jagan Mohan Reddy cabinet, held a press conference at his residence in Visakhapatnam on Thursday morning to announce his resignation. “I have sent my resignation letter to party president Jagan Mohan Reddy and also general secretary V Vijay Sai Reddy, who is in charge of the party in north Andhra. I thank Jagan for giving me an opportunity to serve the people of my constituency, but I want to keep away from active politics for some time and spend time with my family,” Avanti said. The former minister, however, slammed Jagan for giving a call to the people to pull down the six-month-old Chandrababu Naidu-led NDA government in the state. “Jagan should respect the people’s mandate. The public gave a verdict for a coalition to govern for five years. How can he target the government without giving it even six months’ time?” he asked. Avanti said a party should function democratically and safeguard the interests of the workers who had faced difficulties for five years. “While sitting in Tadepalli, Jagan gives orders, but on the ground, workers are struggling,” he said. He accused the leadership of making decisions based on directives from outsiders rather than local leaders. “During my tenure, I committed no corruption and did not encourage it. Leaders must fulfil the aspirations they had before assuming power to avoid issues,” he said. Hours after Avanti resigned from the primary membership of the YSRCP, Grandhi too sent his resignation letter to the party president, people familiar with the matter said. Grandhi Srinivas, who had defeated Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyan from Bhimavaram in the 2019 assembly elections, however, did not disclose any reasons for his decision to quit the YSRCP. ------- Who have quit YSRCP post-election: Several senior leaders, including ex-MLAs and MPs have quit the YSRCP after the party’s debacle in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections in May this year. They include: Rajya Sabha members Mopidevi Venkata Ramana, Beeda Mastan Rao and R Krishnaiah, former deputy chief minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas alias Alla Nani, former ministers Balineni Srinivas, Avanti Srinivas, Ravela Kishore Babu and Siddha Raghava Rao, former MLAs Samineni Udaya Bhanu and Grandhi Srinivas, ex-MLCs C Ramachandraiah and Md Iqbal and former Andhra Pradesh Mahila Commission chairperson Vasireddy Padma.United, Apple rolling out new way to track lost luggage with AirTags

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SPRINGFIELD — Following almost a year of legal battles and fierce public opposition from many customers, water utility Aqua Illinois is set to raise its rates in 2025. The privately owned water utility has not released an estimate of the exact impact the increase will have on customer bills in 14 northern Illinois counties. But the approved increase represents a 43% reduction from the utility’s original request, which would have raised bills by an estimated $30 per month, according to the Citizens Utility Board consumer advocacy group. State regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the rate increase on Thursday — but not before the drastic reduction. In its initial requested rate hike from January, Aqua wanted to collect an additional $19.2 million from customers to pay for infrastructure upgrades, costs associated with taking over existing water systems and paying out a 10.8% return to investors. But regulators cut the overall request, allowing the company to collect $11.6 million from customers while paying out a 9.6% return to investors. The company argued throughout the case that the increase was necessary to recover costs from upgrading water systems to ensure safe water delivery. “In the six years since our last rate increase, we made significant upgrades to water and wastewater facilities and infrastructure across Illinois,” Aqua said in a statement to Capitol News Illinois. “This rate decision highlights Aqua's commitment to aggressively invest in infrastructure to improve service and reliability for our customers.” ICC Commissioner Stacey Paradis said after the decision Thursday that the five-member panel “did not come to this decision lightly.” “The commission regulates large water utilities and ensures they provide safe and adequate service,” Paradis said. “Transparent infrastructure investments and long-term planning are essential to ensure water and wastewater service meets regulatory requirements, environmental goals and customer needs.” ICC commissioners also approved a new scheme for Aqua’s low-income customers. Starting in July, eligible customers with household incomes below 150% of the federal poverty level – about $48,000 for a family of four — will be able to receive a 70% discount on the portion of their bill that’s based on water usage. Paradis noted that this move “is just a first step.” In explaining the ICC’s decision, ICC Chair Doug Scott said that, despite approving Aqua’s proposed formula for calculating rates, the commissioners worried that the company “may be unnecessarily shifting costs to residential ratepayers.” To that end, the ICC is requiring Aqua to begin the process of creating a discount program for the entire bill with multiple tiers based on income. Those changes must be proposed by Jan. 1, 2027, or as part of Aqua’s next rate case, whichever is sooner. This mirrors similar requirements recently placed on gas utilities by the ICC. Those discount programs, which went into effect last month, offer low-income households up to between 75% and 83% off their entire bill, depending on their income and which company they buy gas from. “Illinoisans shouldn’t have to choose between groceries or running water when funds are tight,” Scott said in a Thursday statement. “Aqua’s new low-income discount rate will help keep water flowing for customers who are struggling to pay their utility bills.” A similar bill discount program is expected to be announced for electric utilities in 2025, according to a statement from the ICC last month. The ICC sent shockwaves last year when it unexpectedly sided with consumer advocates in several high-profile cases. Those included starting an investigation into a gas infrastructure program in Chicago and rejecting electric utilities’ plans for how to manage the grid as the state transitions away from relying on fossil fuels. Consumer advocates had called on the state to cut the increase even more but reacted to the Aqua decision with cautious approval. The head of the Citizens Utility Board, which advocates for consumers in rate cases like this, said the Aqua decision is a “step in the right direction.” Aqua Illinois President David Carter listens to Aqua customer Dixie Payne give a public comment at an August forum in Bourbonnais. “We believe that a 9.6 percent profit rate for shareholders is still too high, but we are pleased that regulators rejected the company's outrageous 10.8 percent proposal,” CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said in a statement. Moskowitz also noted she and CUB were “encouraged” by the move to lower rates for low-income customers. The head of AARP Illinois, a group that advocates for the interests of those age 50 and over, also reacted positively to the news. AARP Illinois State Director Philippe Largent said he was “heartened” by Scott’s focus on consumers in his public statement. “I think the biggest takeaway is this notion that we as Illinois should not have to choose between basics: food, water, medicine vs. rent,” Largent said. Largent also noted that he would have liked to see the low-income discount go into effect in January alongside the rate increase. Many of the most vocal — and most adversely impacted — Aqua Illinois customers formally lodged comments in this case, asking the ICC to cut the rate increase entirely, citing concerns over already high bills and water quality. In 2019, water in University Park had lead levels that exceeded state regulations due to Aqua changing water sources, inadvertently stripping a protective coating from old lead pipes. The state quickly sued the company to force compliance. The lawsuit ended in July with a consent order requiring free lead testing and the company to distribute grants to remedy home lead contamination. At a public hearing in August, the issue was an animating factor in residents’ desire to see the rate increase cut. The University Park mayor, village manager, current and former village trustees, and several residents uniformly spoke in opposition to the rate increase. Residents of Crystal Lake, Buffalo Grove and other suburban communities also requested aggressive cuts to, or outright rejection of, the rate increase at a separate public hearing in McHenry County, citing discolored water in a few local systems. Representatives of the company say that issue will be addressed, although the timeline for those remedies is not finalized. Gov. JB Pritzker, Sen. Dick Durbin and others speak about U.S. EPA grants on Nov. 15. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Immigration measures announced as part of Canada’s border response to president-elect Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what’s known as “flagpoling.” This is when someone who was in Canada on a temporary visa leaves for the U.S. then quickly re-enters Canada to access immigration services at a port of entry. The restriction on providing work and study permits to flagpolers takes effect today. Last week, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said that going forward temporary visa holders will have to apply online to extend their stay in Canada. The Canadian Border Services Agency processed more than 69,300 people who engaged in flagpoling in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. There are still rare exceptions where a person will be granted a work or study permit even though they meet the definition of flagpoling, including international truck drivers with a work permit, professionals under certain free trade agreements and American citizens. Miller first announced the plan to ban the practice on Dec. 17, alongside Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc who promised a border control package worth $1.3 billion. This includes removing the point value for having a job offer in Canada’s express entry immigration system. The stated goal of this change is to reduce and prevent immigration fraud. In a social media post, Miller said this will take effect in the spring and that it will be a temporary measure. A broader review of the express entry program is being conducted, and a future decision on the value of a job offer in that system will be made at that time. A labour market impact assessment, a key document required for an employer to hire a foreign worker, is currently worth 50 to 200 points in the express entry system. Applicants are not supposed to pay for these, but a black market has emerged where people are charging tens of thousands of dollars for these documents. Applications that are already in progress won’t be affected once this change takes effect. Miller also said the government is looking at ways to streamline Canada’s asylum system at that Dec. 17 press conference. This includes exploring options to “quickly deal with” illegitimate claims. The government’s broader border measures plan to respond to Trump’s 25 per cent tariff threat also includes enhanced aerial surveillance and drug detection efforts.