Common early check-in counters have been set up at Terminals 2 and 3 since the start of this year, while there is an early check-in lounge at T1.

The counters and lounge – open from 6am to midnight daily – serve as a common one-stop service point for passengers travelling with 23 participating airlines, Changi Airport Group (CAG) said.

Check-in is available from 12 or 24 hours before the flight’s scheduled time of departure.

The 23 airlines serve more than 3.7 million passengers a year, or 13 per cent of passengers departing from Changi Airport. They include Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, Korean Air and EVA Air.

Besides the airlines served at the common counters, another 25 airlines separately offer an early check-in service at their own counters, the airport said. These include Singapore Airlines, Silkair, Cathay Pacific and Emirates.

The provision of early check-in options will benefit passengers, especially visitors to Singapore who may have to check out of their hotel rooms hours before their flights, Changi added.

By coming in early, travellers also minimise the risk of missing their flights.

This happens to an estimated 10,000 passengers a year, for whatever reasons.

In addition to the benefits to passengers, early check-in also helps to boost operational efficiency and productivity, said CAG vice-president (passenger experience) Albert Lim.

“Early check-in smoothens the flow of passengers beyond the peak period, which starts at about two hours before departure. Reducing the peak load shortens queues and lessens the stress on the check-in team,” he said.

“Overall, there is a better travel experience for passengers. At the same time, it allows for more optimal utilisation of check-in resources, resulting in capacity and productivity gains.”

Director General of the Planning and Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Xaypradeth Chounlamany, said recently the government is encouraging farmers to breed cattle, buffaloes, goats and pigs as well as chicken and fish to meet domestic consumption needs, which are increasing year by year.

In 2011, Lao people consumed an average of 47kg of meat, eggs and fish per capita per annum.

This figure had increased to 53kg in 2015, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

To reach the targets of 65kg by 2020 and 79kg by 2025, the ministry plans to focus on eight priority areas.

These include developing and expanding animal herds and aquatic stocks, improving and updating animal feeds and fish feeds, as well as boosting the production and supply of animal vaccines.

The ministry will also place greater scrutiny on the movement of livestock and poultry as well as aquatic creatures.

The government will also focus on improving slaughterhouses and meat processing houses, regulate aquatic products, improve the systems of market management for animal and aquatic products, increase capacity building for veterinarians and fisheries staff as well as seek to guarantee a sufficient fish supply in Vientiane.

The numbers of livestock and fish breeders which are employing more modern methods has increased in recent times, especially on the flat lands along the Mekong River valley and some parts of the northern provinces.

Cattle rearing for domestic supply and export has also been developed. In fiscal year 2014-2015, the ministry worked hard to encourage farmers and entrepreneurs to increase livestock breeding across the country by around 10-12 per cent.

Broken down, the breeding of buffaloes increased by one per cent, cattle breeding by two per cent, rearing of pigs and goats by four per cent, and poultry by five per cent.

In 2013-2014, the numbers of cattle expanded three per cent, goats by two per cent, pigs by six per cent and poultry by five per cent.

The production of meat, eggs and fish in 2013-2014 reached a combined total of 361,074 tonnes, which included 171,364 tonnes of meat, 39,150 tonnes of eggs and 150,560 tonnes of fish.

Over the five years from 2011-2015, the agriculture and forestry sector expanded by an average of about 2.7-3 per cent.

During th at five ye ars, the agriculture sector saw a total expenditure of 7 trillion kip, of which 10 per cent came from domestic funds, 20 per cent in the form of loans and grants, 60 per cent from the private sector with the remaining 10 per cent being contributions from local people.

Activists Naw Ohn Hla and Tin Htut Paing, who have been jailed for more than five years by separate courts for their protest demanding information about the death of Letpadaungtaung resident Khin Win, were brought to the Botahtaung Township court on March 7 to face additional charges under Section 18.

“Many students face legal action under Section 505(b) and Section 18 for their protests against the National Education Law. We’ve already been charged, and we’re still facing additional charges. Section 505(b) was created in the colonial period. It’s wrong that this so-called ‘democratic’ government is still practicing it after the country’s independence. Peaceful demonstration should be allowed in democracies. Section 18 was created to control it. The [outgoing] government took power in 2010 in a controversial election. It did not represent the desires of the people. Now, it’s time for the incoming government to take steps to amend these laws. It’s time for the new parliament to submit an urgent proposal to abolish these sections,” said Tin Htut Paing on March 7.

“We often said Section 18 is not needed for the nation. It would be better if the new government acts quickly to amend these laws. If not, we will have to tell the incoming government about it. We don’t accept any law that suppresses the people. This section is not democratic,” said Naw Ohn Hla after the court hearing.

Activists Naw Ohn Hla, Tin Htut Paing and Sithu were charged under Section 18 at different courts—Botahtaung, Tamwe and Mingalataungnyunt, respectively—for their protest march on August 8, 2014, marking the 26th anniversary of the 8888 uprising. Sithu is still at large and has been pronounced a fugitive by the courts.

Tin Htut Paing was sentenced to more than five years in prison, and Naw Ohn Hla was sentenced to more than six years. They were convicted of several crimes for their protest on May 15 last year in front of the Chinese embassy, where they condemned the actions of Chinese mining companies in Letpadaungtaung.

He immediately got in line and waited patiently for his turn to receive a free Egg McMuffin with a Rp 10,000 (less than US$1) package of harsh browns and a cup of coffee.

The fast food company was handing out 160,000 Egg McMuffin for free through outlets across the country on Monday to celebrate what it calls National Breakfast Day. The annual event applies a ’first come first serve’ system, which explains the long queues early in the morning. Egg McMuffin was chosen for its protein, fiber, calcium, iron and vitamins as a suitable item of a healthy breakfast, the company claimed.

McDonald’s Indonesia marketing and communication director, Michael Hartono, said the event aimed to build awareness on the importance of breakfast.

“Entering the fourth year of McDonald’s National Breakfast Day, we also want to introduce people to having breakfast at our restaurant,” said Michael.

To entertain queuing customers, cheerleaders and a marching band were present at Sarinah and McDonald’s own employees could be seen dancing at the restaurant. Some lucky customers also received gifts according to their line-up number.

Although the event was scheduled to finish at 11am, the last piece of Egg McMuffin was handed out by 9am.

An official from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, who asked not to be named, told Vientiane Times on Monday parts of Road No. 13 North through Vientiane province are breaking up following damage during last year’s rainy season but there were plans afoot to remedy the situation.

“We have a plan to alter parts of Road 13 North and Road 13 South to make them into two- and four-lane highways starting from Vientiane,” he said.

Right now, a study on toll-way development has finished and the ministry is assessing the pros and cons of upgrading the arterial highway to cater for the increasing traffic volume.

Road 13 North may be rebuilt from the Sikeut junction in Vientiane to the bus station in Vangvieng district, a distance of 142 kilometres.

Under consideration is a plan to make 57km of the road, running from the Sikeut junction to Phonhong district in Vientiane province, into a four-lane highway, followed by an 85km two-lane stretch from there to Vangvieng, all of which would be asphalted.

On Road 13 South, the starting point is identified as the Dongdok intersection in Vientiane with redevelopment all the way to Sivilay village in Borikhamxay province, a total length of 141km.

Meanwhile, a 100-km section between the Phoupha area in Phonhong district and Kasy district in Vientiane province is proving quite problematic for m otorists.

The poor condition of the road is causing distress to travellers, who are jolted unpleasantly as they pass over the many bumps.

Every year sections of various roads and bridges around the country are damaged by floods and landslides as a result of torrential rain.

Roads also rapidly deteriorate due to the frequent passage of heavy trucks carrying timber, cement, rocks and other loads.

According to the Vientiane provincial Public Works and Transport Department, the current problem has occurred because of the age of the road. It was also built to withstand only loads of 9 tonnes per axle, but many trucks carry heavier loads.

More than 40 per cent of people aged 65 to 69 were still working last year, compared with just 24 per cent in 2006, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Government policies, a tight job market and a rise in life expectancy and healthy years are among the factors for the increase.

Take, for instance, the requirement for companies to rehire workers aged 62 to 65. Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor, who is on the Ministerial Committee on Ageing, told The Straits Times: “Nearly all who approached 62 are offered re-employment.

“Most do not suffer any cut to their basic pay if they continue on the same job with the same job scope and responsibilities.”

In 2014, 98 per cent who continued working beyond the age of 62 did not suffer any basic wage cut, with about 10 per cent earning higher wages.

Life expectancy here has been going up by about three years every decade and, in 2014, life expectancy was 80.5 years for men and 84.9 years for women.

As people live longer, they worry about whether they have enough for retirement, said David Ang, director of consultancy Human Capital Singapore.

With an income, they remain financially independent and do not have to rely on their children. This helps their self-worth.

Many also realise that working even part-time keeps them socially and mentally engaged, said Singapore Management University labour economist Hoon Hian Teck.

Most employed Singaporeans and permanent residents over age 60 work as cleaners, labourers, machine operators, and service and sales workers, according to MOM statistics last year.

The government has also made it more affordable for companies to hire older workers, said Professor Hoon. Government subsidies for companies that hire workers aged 65 and above “send the message that companies can productively hire (seniors) in an increasingly labour-scarce economy”, he said.

The Workfare Income Supplement, introduced in 2007, has also added to the incomes of older, low-wage workers.

Labour economist Walter Theseira of SIM University said: “Income for older workers is higher now than it was in the past.”

According to MOM, the median gross monthly income for resident workers aged 60 years and older increased from S$1,160 (US$842) in 2006 to S$2,000 last year.

Because of the tight job market, employers have “to seriously consider older workers” as it is getting harder to employ foreign labour, said Professor Theseira.

Last year, one in four people aged 65 and above was employed. In 2006, this was 13.8 per cent.

Ang predicted that by the next decade, the employment rate for senior citizens “will hit 30 per cent easily”.

With the changing demographics, companies have to adapt to remain productive. Jobs are being redesigned and more companies are looking to design more senior- friendly workplaces, he said.

“The trend is to reduce fatigue, while maintaining productivity,” said Ang.

Cleaner Lee Kiong Mei, 67, a widow who has been at her job for five years, said that staying employed gives her purpose and makes her feel financially independent.

She said: “My children have their own families, and living expenses can be expensive. I don’t want them to worry about me. Besides, I am happy at my job. I won’t know what to do if I have no work. I am afraid that if I stop working, I will fall sick.”