Snapshot

You will soon be able to borrow tools and other objects, like you take books from the library.

A project that will equip 450 Residents' Committees with resource centres by next February was launched yesterday by Minister of State for Communications and Information and Health Chee Hong Tat.

These centres will offer basic household, wellness and social items for residents to borrow for free.

They will be stocked from a list of commonly requested items. There will be household tools like ladders and screwdrivers, healthcare equipment like wheelchairs and blood pressure monitors, and items needed for get-togethers, such as tables, chairs, trolleys and cooler boxes.

A 20-year-old army regular was pronounced dead by paramedics in Sembawang Camp around 3.10pm yesterday, a Ministry of Defence (Mindef) statement said.

Specialist Cadet Trainee S. Pravinraj, a supply supervisor trainee, had been on guard duty at the camp.

Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces extended their deepest condolences and are assisting the family of the serviceman in this time of grief, the statement said. It added that the police are investigating.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to an incident at the camp at 2.55pm. An ambulance was sent and a male person was pronounced dead at the site.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan has proposed setting up a "National Rail Academy" to improve training in Singapore's rail sector.

"As rail technology continues to evolve and improve, our rail engineers have to keep up. Every new line and every new train must do better than their predecessors," wrote Mr Khaw in a blog post yesterday, titled "Deepening Capabilities".

"This way, we keep our train systems and fleet up-to-date, more reliable, easier to maintain, safer and more cost-effective to operate."

Mr Khaw, who is also Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure, stressed that rail engineers will need to continue to learn and re-learn their skills.

The Agape Village building has opened at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh.

The Village takes "an integrated and coordinated approach towards the provision of care and support for those in need", a media release from Caritas Singapore said.

Its annual operating budget is expected to be $1.5 million, funded largely by donations.

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin was the guest-of-honour at the opening ceremony yesterday.

Archbishop William Goh of the Catholic Church of Singapore, who was also present, said: "The Church's mission has a preferential option for the poor and the poorest of the poor."