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Russia plans to take 1.48 million metric tons of refining capacity offline in December, up by 35% from a previous estimate but still below the 2.4 million tons in November, according to Reuters calculations based on data from industry sources. A decline in idle capacity means refineries use more crude oil to produce fuel, making fewer volumes available for export. Technological stoppages and maintenance of some units at the Ufaneftekhim, Komsomolsk, Volgograd, Novoshakhtinsk oil refineries will contribute to the upwards revision for December. Expected cumulative offline primary oil refining capacity in Russia reached 40.7 million tons in 2024, up 13% from 2023. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Reuters, Editing by Louise Heavens)
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SINGAPORE: My 87-year-old mother was always an independent, active person. But everything changed the day she fell at home and fractured her back and finger. She became wheelchair-dependent, and her cognitive abilities were also affected. This accident transformed the role of our migrant domestic worker (MDW) from Myanmar, Ms M, from focusing on housekeeping to becoming a full-time caregiver. With my mother’s increasing needs, the communication barriers between us and Ms M became more pronounced. The intensity of the situation even made us consider hiring a second helper. Despite these hurdles, an unexpected bond formed in our family. The employer-employee dynamic evolved into something more collaborative, as we worked together to provide my mother with first-class care. This experience made me realise how vital foreign domestic workers are as caregivers in Singapore’s ageing society. CRUCIAL ROLE OF MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS IN ELDERCARE Beyond routine housekeeping, MDWs support seniors in a wide range of daily activities, including medication management, showering, feeding, and transferring them from bed to wheelchair. MDWs also accompany their employers to hospital appointments, and many work round-the-clock, such as helping elderly family members use the bathroom in the middle of the night. These demands can become overwhelming, draining both physical and emotional energy. It’s clear that families must support them in return - this requires moving past a traditional employer-employee dynamic. After all, MDWs aren’t just workers - they are live-in members of our homes. However, this relationship between families and MDWs isn’t without its challenges. Incidents of maids abusing the elderly , children and pets in their care occasionally make headlines in Singapore. On one hand, these news stories bring attention to the risks of domestic abuse and the need for vigilance. On the other, it may reinforce stereotypes and breed mistrust, overshadowing the often-underappreciated role MDWs play in caregiving. Instead, we must foster a relationship grounded in empathy, where support between MDWs and employers flows both ways. A NEW FORM OF KINSHIP In Singapore, families continue to prefer home care over institutional care to ensure a higher quality of life for their ageing loved ones. One study in Belgium on person-centred care reveals that older persons who have hired a live-in migrant care worker can reduce feelings of loneliness by building a trusting relationship with the carer. When employers and their families provide MDWs with warmth and support, the relationship moves beyond mere monetary employment into a form of emotional companionship that is essential for both the caregiver and the cared-for. Ms S from the Philippines has been an integral part of my godmother’s family for 16 years. In addition to managing my godmother’s daily needs, such as medication and meals, Ms S has become a cherished family member. She not only prepares delicious local dishes but also serves as a loyal companion on family trips. While the impact of this blurring of lines between employment and companionship may not be unambiguously positive or negative, it is evident that MDWs reshape the social dynamics of the families they’re employed in. The quality of eldercare often hinges on the constant adaptation and negotiation between the MDW, the elderly, and the family. STRENGTHENING OUR SOCIAL FABRIC Singapore employers can certainly do more to support MDWs. Building trust, exercising patience and leveraging technology are key to creating a more inclusive environment, one that flattens the hierarchy of command and encourages mutual respect. In our communication with Ms M from Myanmar, we use tools like Google Translate to help bridge the language gap, alongside pictorial sketches and gestures for clarity. Additionally, we encourage Ms S to attend orientation classes to familiarise herself with local languages and dialects. Likewise, we can make an effort to understand and appreciate the diverse cultures of the MDWs we employ. People remember how they were treated far more than what they were paid for the services they provided. Therefore, we can offer incentives beyond increased wages such as short overseas trips or a nice meal out for dedicated MDWs, where possible. Most employers aim to cultivate long-term relationships with the ideal MDW, as this reduces the stress of repeatedly searching for new ones and fosters a stable, respectful working environment. Ultimately, enhancing the support for MDWs will reflect our collective commitment to a more compassionate and equitable society. By valuing their contributions and addressing their needs with empathy and foresight, we can ensure that the caregiving ecosystem remains resilient and responsive. Kelvin Tan is the head of the Minor in Applied Ageing Studies programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.Trimble and Mallon sanctioned DUP ministers over rotation plan
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Stormont minister Maurice Morrow told an official he would not raise the issue with the Northern Ireland Executive, despite similar measures being considered in England and Wales. A file on planning arrangements for the jubilee celebrations reveals a series of civil service correspondences on how Northern Ireland would mark the occasion. It includes a letter sent on January 11 2001 from an official in the Office of the First Minister/Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to the Department of Social Development, advising that a committee had been set up in London to consider a programme of celebrations. The correspondence says: “One of the issues the committee is currently considering is the possibility of deregulating liquor licensing laws during the golden jubilee celebrations on the same lines as the arrangements made for the millennium. “It is felt that the golden jubilee bank holiday on Monday 3 June 2002 is likely to be an occasion on which many public houses and similar licensed premises would wish to stay open beyond normal closing time.” The letter said a paper had been prepared on the issue of extending opening hours. It adds: “You will note that paragraph seven of the paper indicates that the devolved administrations ‘would need to consider deregulation separately within their own jurisdictions’. “I thought that you would wish to be aware that this issue is receiving active consideration for England and Wales and to consider whether anything needs to be done for Northern Ireland.” Some months later a “progress report” was sent between officials in OFMDFM, which again raised the issue of licensing laws. It says: “I spoke to Gordon Gibson, DSD, about Terry Smith’s letter of 12 January 2001 about licensing laws: the matter was put to their minister Maurice Morrow (DUP) who indicated that he would not be asking the NIE (Northern Ireland Executive) to approve any change to current licensing laws in NI to allow for either 24 hour opening (as at the millennium) nor a blanket approval for extended opening hours as is being considered in GB. “In both cases, primary legislation would be required here and would necessitate consultation and the minister has ruled out any consultation process.” The correspondence says individual licensees could still apply for an extension to opening hours on an ad hoc basis, adding “there the matter rests”. It goes on: “DSD await further pronouncements from the Home Office and Gibson and I have agreed to notify each other of any developments we become aware of and he will copy me to any (existing) relevant papers. “Ministers may well come under pressure in due course for a relaxation and/or parity with GB.” The document concludes “That’s it so far...making haste slowly?” Emails sent between officials in the department the same month said that lord lieutenants in Northern Ireland had been approached about local events to mark the jubilee. One message says: “Lord lieutenants have not shown any enthusiasm for encouraging GJ celebrations at a local level. “Lady Carswell in particular believes that it would be difficult for LLs to encourage such activities without appearing political.”Football is for everyone: HE Sports Minister
Russia plans to take 1.48 million metric tons of refining capacity offline in December, up by 35% from a previous estimate but still below the 2.4 million tons in November, according to Reuters calculations based on data from industry sources. A decline in idle capacity means refineries use more crude oil to produce fuel, making fewer volumes available for export. Technological stoppages and maintenance of some units at the Ufaneftekhim, Komsomolsk, Volgograd, Novoshakhtinsk oil refineries will contribute to the upwards revision for December. Expected cumulative offline primary oil refining capacity in Russia reached 40.7 million tons in 2024, up 13% from 2023. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Reuters, Editing by Louise Heavens)