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SEOUL - North Korea's foreign minister returned from Russia on Friday after a rare official visit and meeting with President Vladimir Putin as part of closer cooperation that Washington said could drastically change the security threat posed by Pyongyang.
Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and a government delegation returned home on Friday, official news agency KCNA said without elaborating on her meetings in Moscow.
Earlier this week, KCNA said Choe and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed strengthening the "strategic and tactical cooperation" and implementing the agreement between their leaders to forge closer ties when they met in September.
Choe's visit was the latest in a series of high-level exchanges since last year amid growing criticism of Pyongyang's role in the Ukraine war by allegedly shipping artillery and missiles to Russia.
Both North Korea and Russia deny the accusation and also the charge that Pyongyang was receiving advanced technology for developing strategic military capability from Moscow in return.
Recent exchange between North Korea and Russia is "an unprecedented level of cooperation in the military sphere," White House senior director for arms control Pranay Vaddi said on Thursday.
"I think the nature of North Korea as a threat in the region could drastically change over the coming decade as a result of this cooperation," Vaddi said.
Choe's delegation included a high-ranking official overseeing North Korea's munitions industry, Jo Chun Ryong, a director in the ruling Workers' Party, who was present in her meeting with Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called North Korea "a very important partner" and the two sides are focused on developing "relations in all areas, including in sensitive areas."
Choe met Putin on Tuesday after her talks with Lavrov. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-19T01:45:54Z
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LONDON - Chaos in the Red Sea is starting to disrupt shipments of produce from coffee to fruit - and threatening to halt a slowdown in food inflation that brought some relief to strained consumers.
Vessels loaded with foodstuffs are among those avoiding Houthi attacks in the key waterway by sailing around Africa, a longer and costlier route. But unlike gas, oil and consumer goods cargoes that have also been affected, lengthier shipping times risk making perishable foods unsellable.
That’s spooking the industry. Italian exporters fear kiwi and citrus fruits will spoil on the way, Chinese ginger is getting pricier and some African coffee cargoes were briefly delayed. Grain is being diverted from the Suez Canal and a livestock carrier bound for the Middle East has changed course.
While the impact is so far limited, it’s a reminder of how fragile food supply chains can be. If disruptions worsen, they could stall the slump in food-commodity costs that had started to filter through to cheaper grocery bills.
“Everyone is a loser here,” said Nitin Agrawal, managing director of Euro Fruits, a major Indian grape exporter. The company usually ships to Europe via the Red Sea, but now uses the longer route that’s more than quadrupling freight costs and doubling transit times.
That means grape quality will suffer, and most European importers have agreed to higher prices of Indian grapes, which will make them more expensive for consumers, Mr Agrawal said. The European Union generally relies on India for about a seventh of its table grapes, and more than 35 per cent at the crop’s peak in March-April, according to European fresh produce association Freshfel.
Italian exporters, which sell about US$4.4 billion (S$5.9 billion) of agricultural produce to Asia, are worried that going around Africa will hurt freshness and add to costs for fruit like apples, kiwi and citrus, said Massimiliano Giansanti, president of farm group Confagricoltura.
It’s also a headache for farmers who could have to cut their prices to make up for higher shipping costs.
“We have to sell even if prices fall as we can’t prolong the harvesting period,” said Sandeep Dagu Sandhan, a grape grower in India’s state of Maharashtra, where harvesting has started in some areas. “Exporters always manage to cover their costs. It will be our losses if prices crash.”
Wider worries
The shipping issues are also a concern for Europe’s exports of products like pork, dairy and wine, as well as imports of tea, spices and poultry - though it’s unclear the extent of any impact - according to CELCAA, which represents agri-food traders. And ships carrying about 1.6 million tons of grain and headed for the Suez Canal were diverted to other routes in recent weeks, intelligence firm Kpler said. Most of that will be crops going to China and South-east Asia.
UK grocery giant Tesco has warned that shipping disruptions could lead to inflation on some goods and J Sainsbury is working with the government to cope with delays.
Fresh ginger prices have jumped more than a third since December at East London’s New Spitalfields Market. Muhammed Patel of wholesaler Amer Superfresh, which usually sources from China, said suppliers are raising costs to account for longer journeys.
“Every now and then we have delays, but nothing like this,” Mr Patel said.
Some traders have even delayed cargoes. UK-based coffee importer Mercanta briefly halted loading in East Africa while it awaited clarification of the route carriers will take. While it has decided to load again, any delays will slow sales to Europe at a time when shipments in the Americas also face constraints, including at the Panama Canal.
If a cargo heads south, “it’ll have to go on a very, very long transit and probably be more expensive,” Mercanta founder and managing director Stephen Hurst said.
Countries like Uganda and Vietnam account for a big share of Europe’s coffee imports, and the Red Sea is a crucial artery for that trade.
While perishable foods are often transported in containers, some companies are switching to bulk carriers to ship coffee, according to the Vietnam Coffee Cocoa Association. That can make supplies harder to handle at places like ports and leave them more open to damage from the elements.
Pink salt from Pakistan is another example of buyers balking. Majid Mahboob Paracha, manager of international trade at Shahpur Industries, said his customer base has shrunk because buyers are unwilling to pay higher transport rates, with costs to ship a container to Europe running at quadruple the norm.
“We have the product, but if they are not comfortable with the freight charges, we cannot force them,” he said. BLOOMBERG
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| 2024-01-19T01:46:04Z
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Iswaran charged 6 months after CPIB arrest: How the case unfolded
West Coast residents’ needs will be looked after: Desmond Lee on Iswaran’s resignation
Iswaran’s resignation was announced on Jan 18 after he was handed 27 charges in court.
State land plots in Marina Gardens Crescent, Media Circle draw tepid bids
Fewer bids and lower land rates than recent state land tenders reflect greater risk aversion from developers.
Condo rents down 0.5% but HDB rents climbed 1% in December 2023
Overall condo rents were still 2.6% higher and overall HDB rents rose 10.1%, compared with December 2022.
No unusual discharge found in baby blue water seen in Bukit Timah Canal, says PUB
The water agency said it is investigating the incident and added that it has reminded developers and contractors in the vicinity that it is illegal to dump substances into public drains.
Midlife transitions – moving to that second mountain
If I am not this, what else can I become? That sense of exploration and expansion is quite exhilarating, says Chua Mui Hoong.
Famous popiah and Peranakan kueh chang shops are latest additions to NHB’s heritage galleries
NHB partners with businesses to co-create “mini museums” in their shops to display heritage items.
Indo-Pacific a vital global economic player, but it also faces major challenges: WEF panel
The region will need to grapple with the twin challenges of demography and climate change.
Viva La Veste: Singapore law professor’s 42 couture jackets on exhibition
Yeo Jia Min continues fine start to 2024 with another top-10 upset
The world No. 20 did not beat any top-10 player in 2023 but has overcome two in the first two weeks of the 2024 season.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/morning-briefing-top-stories-from-the-straits-times-on-jan-19-2024
| 2024-01-19T01:46:15Z
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MELBOURNE - Joe Schmidt was appointed head coach of the Wallabies through to the end of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour on Friday, the New Zealander charged with reviving Australia's fortunes after the chaos of Eddie Jones's short spell in charge.
Schmidt is the second non-Australian to coach the Wallabies after fellow New Zealander Robbie Deans, who was in charge from 2008 until the end of the 2013 Lions tour.
The 58-year-old will now go head-to-head with Andy Farrell, the man who replaced him as Ireland coach in 2009, when the Lions return next year under the direction of the Englishman.
Jones returned to great fanfare in January last year but the Wallabies won just two of nine tests in his second spell as Australia coach and the twice world champions crashed out in the pool stage of the World Cup for the first time.
He resigned after the World Cup and returned as Japan coach.
"I am conscious that the Wallabies have weathered a difficult period, and I am keen to help them build a way forward, with greater alignment and clear direction from Rugby Australia," Schmidt said in a news release.
Schmidt built his coaching reputation with Irish province Leinster and solidified it in six years as Ireland coach from 2013 to 2019.
He led Ireland to three Six Nations titles, including the 2018 Grand Slam, and to a first-ever victory over the All Blacks and a first test win against the Springboks in South Africa.
Schmidt joined Ian Foster's coaching team at the All Blacks in 2022 and was widely credited with the turnaround in their fortunes in the lead-up to last year's World Cup, where they reached the final.
He will report to Rugby Australia's newly-appointed director of high performance, Peter Horne, in a new structure put in place to revive the elite game Down Under.
"Throughout his career, Joe has demonstrated an ability to take a leadership role in structural reform while developing a strong culture and world-class players," Horne said.
"He is an ideal fit for the Wallabies and Australian rugby at this time, and I am looking forward to working closely with him on developing a stronger alignment with our Super Rugby clubs to maximise our performances."
Schmidt's first assignment will be a home July series against Wales, who thrashed Australia 40-6 at the World Cup last year to usher the Wallabies towards the tournament exit. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/australia-turn-to-schmidt-to-revive-ailing-wallabies
| 2024-01-19T01:46:25Z
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U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson ripped off six straight birdies amid a 10-under-par 62 and is tied with Sweden's Alex Noren for the lead after one round of The American Express on Thursday in La Quinta, Calif.
Johnson and Noren each played their first rounds at La Quinta Country Club, one of three courses used for this week's tournament. Players will also play a round at PGA West's Pete Dye Stadium Course and Nicklaus Tournament Course before a 54-hole cut. The Stadium Course will host Sunday's final round.
Johnson, 47, and Noren, 41, have a one-stroke lead on Rico Hoey of the Philippines (63, Nicklaus) and South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout (63, La Quinta).
Not far behind at 8-under 64 are the likes of Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and 2021 American Express champ Si Woo Kim of South Korea. All three also played La Quinta on Thursday.
While Johnson stayed bogey-free, Noren had an eagle at the par-5 13th offset by a double bogey four holes later. Johnson has not won since capturing the 2015 Open Championship, while Noren has won 10 titles in Europe but none on U.S. soil.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler opened with a 5-under 67 at La Quinta, while Daniel Berger shot a 4-under 68 at the Stadium Course in his first round on tour since the 2022 U.S. Open. Berger is making his return this week after rehabbing a back injury.
--Field Level Media REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/golf/zach-johnson-fires-62-leads-american-express-with-alex-noren
| 2024-01-19T01:46:35Z
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BRASILIA - The vaccination records of Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro are false, the country's comptroller general's office said on Thursday after an investigation regarding the alleged tampering of information on his COVID-19 vaccination card.
The records show that Bolsonaro, a COVID-19 skeptic who publicly opposed the vaccine, received a dose of the immunizer in a public healthcare center in Sao Paulo in July 2021.
The investigation concluded, however, that the former president had left the city the previous day and didn't leave Brasilia until three days later, according to a statement.
The nurse listed in the records as having applied the vaccine on Bolsonaro denied doing so and was no longer working at the center. The listed vaccine lot was also not available on that date, the comptroller general's office said.
Registration of two other vaccine doses that would have been given to Bolsonaro was removed from his record even before the investigations began, it added, saying these were also fake.
Last May, Bolsonaro's home in Brasilia was raided by the federal police under the vaccine probe. Some of his aides were arrested and his cell phone was seized.
Bolsonaro has previously denied having knowledge of or ordering false information to be inserted into his vaccination records.
His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
During his tenure, Bolsonaro repeatedly downplayed the importance of immunization and social distancing measures during the pandemic. He often stated that he had not been vaccinated against the disease and would not do so.
He also dismissed the effectiveness of vaccines and spread fears about the possible side effects of immunization, going so far as to falsely associate the vaccine with the development of AIDS.
Bolsonaro was infected with COVID-19 in July 2020, nearly one year before the record of his first vaccine. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/brazils-bolsonaros-vaccination-records-are-false-authorities-say
| 2024-01-19T01:46:46Z
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WASHINGTON - Jennifer Homendy, chair of the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), on Jan 18 said that Boeing chief executive officer Dave Calhoun called after a cabin panel on a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet blew out in midair, and told her “they want to rectify” errors made in the past.
She made her remarks to reporters after she gave a briefing to House of Representative lawmakers investigating the Jan 5 Alaska Airlines incident, when a mid-air cabin blowout took place on an eight-week old jet.
“He (Calhoun) called me and said they’ve made errors in the past, and they want to rectify that,” she said. “Great, but my focus is less on the executive team and more on what happened here with this aircraft.”
Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, which makes and installs the door plug on the Max 9, have so far been “very cooperative,” she said.
Ms Homendy said the NTSB will move next week onto destructive testing of the door plug, or testing to the exact point of failure. So far the investigation has not been able to establish whether the door plug was outfitted with the four bolts that prevent it from vertical movement, but she said it is too early to say whether the root cause was missing or wrongly installed bolts.
“We’re also looking at the seal. We’re looking at, was there any sort of structural flexing of the aircraft?” she said. “It may not be bolts.”
A day earlier, Ms Homendy had revealed that the door plug on the Max 9 was produced by a Spirit facility in Malaysia.
The NTSB is looking at the door plug transfer from Malaysia to Wichita, Kansas, and then onto the fuselage, along with the shipment by rail to Boeing’s Renton, Washington, facility and the planemaker’s “quality assurance” work, she said.
Initial inspections completed
The United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Jan 17 that inspections of an initial group of 40 Boeing 737 Max 9 jets had been completed, a key hurdle to eventually ungrounding the model after the Jan 5 incident.
The FAA had previously said that 40 of 171 grounded planes needed to be re-inspected before the agency would review the results and determine if it is safe to allow the Max 9s to resume flying.
The FAA said on Jan 17 that it would “thoroughly review the data” and was convening a Corrective Action Review Board before deciding if the planes could resume flights. The agency put no timetable on a decision.
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the two US carriers that use the aircraft and completed the inspections, have had to cancel thousands of flights in January. On Jan 18, Alaska Airlines said it will extend the cancellation of its Max 9 flights through till Jan 21.
The incident has shaken confidence in Boeing’s planes nearly five years after a pair of crashes killed 346 people and sparked questions about the company’s production processes.
The heads of Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems, which made the panel, met with Spirit employees in Kansas on Jan 17, while regulators answered questions from US senators in a closed-door briefing in Washington.
Boeing shares have lost roughly 20 per cent of their value since the start of the year.
The NTSB and FAA briefed senators on the Commerce Committee for more than an hour on the investigation into why the Max 9 cabin panel - a door plug for an unused emergency exit on those planes - blew out, leaving a gaping hole.
FAA administrator Mike Whitaker said on Jan 12 that Boeing had experienced production problems for years and his agency planned an audit of the company’s production starting with the Max 9.
“This has been going on for a while and whatever’s happening isn’t fixing the problem,” Mr Whitaker told Reuters.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell said she plans to hold a hearing on the issue and wants to make sure the FAA is ensuring strong oversight of Boeing. She had pressed the FAA to conduct an audit of Boeing safety issues.
“This investigation needs to find out where the mistake was, what caused this accident, and critically what needs to be done to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said Senator Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Commerce Committee. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/ntsb-chair-boeing-ceo-called-wants-to-rectify-errors-made-in-past-she-also-confirms-door-was-made-in-malaysia
| 2024-01-19T01:46:56Z
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WASHINGTON - Donald Trump can remain on Washington state’s Republican presidential primary ballot, a judge ruled on Jan 18, rejecting the latest effort to disqualify the former president from running again based on his efforts to reverse his 2020 election loss.
As in other states, the voters who filed the challenge in Washington argued that Trump is ineligible to run for the presidency based on his actions on Jan 6, 2021, when he delivered a fiery speech before a mob of his supporters attacked the US Capitol.
The US Constitution’s 14th Amendment bars anyone who “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office. Similar complaints have been brought in dozens of states, but only two - Colorado and Maine - have removed Trump from the ballot.
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear Trump’s appeal of the Colorado ruling in February, in a case that will likely determine whether other challenges can proceed. Trump’s lawyers on Jan 18 filed a brief with the Supreme Court urging it to reverse the Colorado decision and laying out their main arguments.
While Trump faces four criminal cases, including for his attempts to overturn the election, he has not been charged with insurrection.
Judge Mary Sue Wilson in Thurston County, the home of Washington’s capital Columbia, found on Jan 18 that the secretary of state had “acted consistent with his duties” by accepting the candidates, including Trump, submitted by the Republican and Democratic parties.
In other news from the campaign trail:
Third-party group asks justice department to probe democrats
The leaders of No Labels, a group preparing a potential third-party presidential bid, have asked the US Justice Department to investigate Democratic-leaning groups and activists working to thwart those efforts. The group on Jan 18 said a public and private pressure campaign by Democrats and allies of President Joe Biden goes beyond legally protected political speech.
“There is a group of activists, operatives and party officials who are participating in an alleged illegal conspiracy to use intimidation, harassment and fear against representatives of No Labels, its donors and its potential candidates,” Dan Webb, a No Labels leader and former US attorney, said during a press conference in Washington.
No Labels, which has yet to name a candidate, has already raised more than US$60 million (US$80 million) and has qualified in 14 states, including swing states Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina.
Democrats fear a centrist third-party bid would splinter their party while Trump’s loyal base sticks with him.
No Labels identified Democratic-aligned groups including American Bridge, Third Way and MoveOn as part of the alleged conspiracy.
American Bridge President Pat Denis called the No Labels complaint “frivolous” and accused the group of having a “weak chin.”
MoveOn did not return a request for comment, and Third Way declined to comment. The Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment.
Haley, Trump skip debate stage in favour of cable TV
Donald Trump has skipped all five Republican presidential debates thus far, a not-so-subtle way of telling voters that the events - and, by extension, his rivals - were unworthy of his attention.
That strategy was largely validated after Trump’s blowout victory on Jan 15 in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation nominating contest over former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Now Mrs Haley is taking a page from Trump’s playbook, skipping what was to be the sixth debate on Jan 18 night in favour of a CNN town hall. She announced she would no longer debate unless Trump participated.
Trump, meanwhile, will sit down for a friendly interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. Mr DeSantis took part in his own CNN town hall on Jan 16, where he attacked Mrs Haley and Trump for refusing to debate him. Mrs Haley’s decision was aimed at marginalising Mr DeSantis ahead of Tuesday’s primary election in New Hampshire, where polls show Mrs Haley all alone behind Trump in second place.
Mr DeSantis barely registers at around 5 per cent in New Hampshire and has turned his focus to more conservative South Carolina - Mrs Haley’s home state - which will hold its primary on Feb 24.
On Jan 15 night, despite finishing behind Mr DeSantis in the caucuses, Mrs Haley nevertheless declared that the results meant the race had come down to her versus Trump. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/trump-to-stay-on-washington-state-ballot-3rd-party-group-asks-justice-department-to-probe-democrats
| 2024-01-19T01:47:07Z
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WASHINGTON - Senior U.S. diplomat Victoria Nuland met Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and discussed "promoting accountability and transparency" in the aftermath of security operations in Nigeria, the State Department said on Thursday.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
Observers have noted a pattern of deadly aerial assaults by the Nigerian military that have killed civilians, which was the subject of a special Reuters report last year.
Nigeria's military is backed by the United States, Britain and other allies in a long war against Islamist insurgents in the northeast.
KEY QUOTE
"They further agreed on the importance of protecting civilians, safeguarding human rights, and promoting accountability and transparency in the aftermath of security operations," the State Department said in a statement on Thursday.
CONTEXT
Civilians were killed in Nigeria's northern Kaduna state following a military drone attack targeting insurgents and bandits in December. The death toll in the attack was at least 85, including women and children.
The Boko Haram and splinter Islamic West Africa Province have waged an insurgency in Nigeria's northeast for more than one decade and continue to carry out sporadic attacks against civilians and the military.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Nigeria in the coming week as part of a West Africa trip. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/us-emphasizes-accountability-and-transparency-in-nigeria-security-operations
| 2024-01-19T01:47:18Z
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Pierce Brosnan is set to make his wife Keeley Shay proud. Celebrated for being the only Irish actor to play the iconic role of James Bond, the 70-year-old will be honored at the 18th annual Oscar Wilde Awards on March 7.
This prestigious event, organized by the US-Ireland Alliance, is known for its casual atmosphere and celebrates the contributions of Irish individuals (and those from other countries) in film, television, and music.
The awards ceremony will return to its usual evening slot, just three days before the Academy Awards, at the Santa Monica residence of Bad Robot, the production company of J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath.
Trina Vargo, the founder of the US-Ireland Alliance, commented on the significance of the award: “The success of Irish actors in the film industry in recent years has highlighted the remarkable talent in Ireland. We’re thrilled to be honoring one of the most talented Irish legends who paved the way.”
The father-of-two, originally from Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland, has recently completed filming Four Letters of Love, an adaptation of the best-selling novel by Irish author Niall Williams.
In the past year, Brosnan's notable works included leading roles in The Last Rifleman, inspired by the true story of a World War II veteran in Northern Ireland, and Fast Charlie, directed by Phillip Noyce, where he played a hitman.
His diverse filmography also features Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020), False Positive (2021), Cinderella (2021), Black Adam (2022), and The Out-Laws (2023).
Pierce is perhaps best recognized for his portrayal of James Bond in films like GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough" (1999), and Die Another Day (2002).
Pierce is not only an accomplished actor but also a producer. He co-founded his production company, Irish DreamTime, with Beau St. Clair in 1996 and, along with his wife Keely Shaye, co-produced the environmental documentary Poisoning Paradise (2017).
Joining Brosnan in receiving an Oscar Wilde Award is Richard Baneham, a Dublin-born visual effects and animation specialist.
Baneham has been recognized with Academy Awards for his work on Avatar and its sequel The Way of Water, underscoring the breadth of Irish talent in the film industry. The upcoming Oscar Wilde Awards promise to be a celebration of these remarkable contributions to cinema.
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/511626/pierce-brosnan-makes-wife-keeley-shay-proud-as-actor-is-set-to-receive-special-honor/
| 2024-01-19T02:52:20Z
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SEOUL - North Korea has conducted a test of its underwater nuclear weapons system in a protest against this week’s joint military drills by South Korea, the United States and Japan, state media KCNA said on Jan 19.
The test of the “Haeil-5-23” system, a name North Korea has given to its nuclear-capable underwater attack drones, was carried out by the defence ministry’s think tank in the waters off its east coast, the report said, without specifying a date.
“Our army’s underwater nuke-based countering posture is being further rounded off and its various maritime and underwater responsive actions will continue to deter the hostile military manoeuvres of the navies of the US and its allies,” an unnamed spokesman of the ministry said in a statement, according to KCNA.
The navies of South Korea, the United States and Japan staged this week three-day joint drills until Wednesday, alongside the US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, as part of efforts to improve their responses to nuclear-armed North Korea’s threats. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/north-korea-conducts-test-of-underwater-nuclear-weapons-system
| 2024-01-19T03:18:04Z
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SHANGHAI/BEIJING - For Chinese businessman Han Changming, disruptions to Red Sea freight are threatening the survival of his trading company in the eastern province of Fujian.
Han, who exports Chinese-made cars to Africa and imports off-road vehicles from Europe, told Reuters the cost of shipping a container to Europe had surged to roughly $7,000 from $3,000 in December, when Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement escalated attacks on shipping.
"The disruptions have wiped out our already thin profits," said Han, adding that higher shipping-insurance premiums are also taking a toll on Fuzhou Han Changming International Trade Co Ltd, the company he founded in 2016.
The rupture of one of the world's busiest shipping routes has exposed the vulnerability of China's export-reliant economy to supply snarls and external demand shocks. In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Premier Li Qiang emphasised the need to keep global supply chains "stable and smooth", without referring specifically to the Red Sea.
Some companies, such as U.S.-based BDI Furniture, have said they are relying more on factories in places such as Turkey and Vietnam to mitigate the impact of the disruptions, adding to recent moves by Western countries to reduce dependence on China amid geopolitical tensions.
At stake for China now is the danger that other firms will follow suit and reassess their de-risking strategy, opting potentially to shift production closer to home, an approach known as "near-shoring".
"If it's permanent, and it could be permanent, then the whole mechanism will be readjusted," said Marco Castelli, founder of IC Trade, which exports Chinese-made mechanical components to Europe. "Some (companies) may also consider moving more production to India, which is one week closer to Europe. Companies need to reevaluate everything."
Further Red Sea disruptions would pile pressure on a struggling Chinese economy already contending with a property crisis, weak consumer demand, a shrinking population and sluggish global growth.
With Europe and Africa trade accounting for 40% of Han's overall business, he said he had been pleading with suppliers and customers to shoulder some of the additional costs to keep his company afloat. Shipping times for some orders were delayed by up to several weeks, he said.
Compounding the pain for some firms, the disruptions come as many are navigating a logistics challenge ahead of Lunar New Year in February, when some 300 million migrant workers go on leave and almost all factories in China shut, creating a scramble in the preceding weeks to get goods shipped.
Mike Sagan, the Shenzhen-based vice president for supply chains and operations at KidKraft, a maker of outdoor play equipment and wooden toys, said many European customers are slamming on the brakes, saying: "Don't ship anything, hold it".
"A lot of suppliers, they're screaming about money today," said Sagan, whose company supplies retailers including Walmart and Target.
A worry for larger manufacturers, he said, is the snowball effect on smaller suppliers with tight margins, as they would be among the last to receive payments but are critical to the supply chain.
Rerouting vessels from the Red Sea - the shortest route from Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal - around the Cape of Good Hope can add two weeks to shipping schedules, reducing global container capacity and cleaving supply chains as it takes longer for vessels to return to ports to reload.
That probably means delays for goods scheduled to arrive on Western shelves in April or May. Some logistics companies are already reporting a container shortage at Ningbo-Zhoushan port in China, one of the world's busiest by cargo tonnage, according to BMI, an industry research firm.
The Suez Canal is a primary route for China's westward shipments of goods, including around 60% of its exports to Europe, according to the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank.
'HUGE' IMPACT
Yang Bingben, whose company makes industrial-use valves in eastern China's manufacturing hub of Wenzhou, said a client in Shanghai this week slashed an order for 75 valves - intended for assembly into large machinery for shipment overseas - to 15 amid soaring freight costs.
"The impact is huge," said Yang, adding that he had prepared raw materials that could not be returned because they had been processed. "It's like I received an order that makes me lose money."
Yang is now rethinking his staffing needs for this year, saying he can't guarantee salaries as his workers are paid based on the amount of work they do.
"If I don't have enough work to give them, I'm afraid they won't be able to make a living."
In southern China, Wei Qiongfang, a freight forwarder based in Guangzhou, said some suppliers were delaying shipments of lower-value goods, pressuring manufacturers' stockpiles.
As once-predictable trade conditions become increasingly uncertain, the impact is especially acute for companies that rely on just-in-time deliveries or that need to change their stock regularly.
Another issue, said Castelli, is that factories do not get paid until goods arrive at their destination.
"So if their payment is delayed, they can't pay their suppliers, they can't pay their workers," he said. "China is so successful in the global market because they work with tiny margins: when you have volume, the money rolls in; when the money stops coming, you have a big problem."
In the Pearl River Delta city of Dongguan, Gerhard Flatz, managing director of premium sportswear manufacturer KTC, is concerned that some companies grappling with shrinking margins will go under.
"So, they are struggling, and now there is another logistics crisis. You know, at some point many will have to shut down," said Flatz. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/red-sea-crisis-pressures-chinas-exporters-as-shipping-delays-costs-mount
| 2024-01-19T03:18:14Z
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BENGALURU - Amazon.com said on Jan 18 it is laying off fewer than 5 per cent of employees at its Buy with Prime unit.
Launched in 2022, Buy with Prime gives retailers, who are not Amazon merchants, fulfilment and delivery services through its logistics network.
Amazon said the unit remains a top priority and would “continue investing significant resources in Buy with Prime”. It did not specify how many employees are part of this unit.
The cut has affected a little over 30 employees at the unit, a source inside Amazon told Reuters.
Amazon, however, said it is supporting the laid-off staff to find roles inside and outside the company.
The e-commerce giant laid off several hundred employees in its streaming and studio operations last week. Many jobs were also cut in its Twitch live-streaming platform and Audible audiobook unit, according to media reports.
Earlier this week, Alphabet-owned Google announced that it was laying off hundreds of employees in its advertising sales team. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/amazon-lays-off-about-5-of-staff-at-buy-with-prime-unit
| 2024-01-19T03:18:24Z
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Peppermint and spearmint leaves look, taste and smell different
I have been growing this cutting in the plastic bag it came in, as I intend to let it stabilise before potting. My friend told me this is peppermint. Is it peppermint or another plant?
Chia Chiew Theng
Your cutting looks to be a cultivar of the spearmint (Mentha spicata). The scent and flavour of spearmint is generally milder and sweeter than peppermint (Mentha x piperita), which has a different leaf shape, scent and flavour.
Numerous cultivars of both mints exist and they vary in terms of their scent and flavour. They are edible and are widely used in cooking, as well as garnishing dishes or as a sauce.
Fruit produced by shrub-like cotton plant
I found these packed with some Christmas gifts. I saw what I believed to be cotton trees in Changi Road when I was young, but was told that cotton plants were actually shrubs. Are there cotton plants in Singapore? If so, where can I find them?
Tan Pin Ho
The fruit in the picture are those of a cotton plant which belongs to the genus Gossypium. This plant grows as a shrub and is planted for educational purposes in some school and community gardens. The trees you mentioned are likely the Silk Cotton Tree, also known as the Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra).
Chilli have edible fruit
What plant is this? Is it edible and does it have medicinal properties?
Sabrina Lim
The plant is a cultivar of ornamental chilli. Numerous chilli cultivars exist and some produce attractive fruit, which make them suitable as ornamental plants. These fruit often turn red when ripe and some are edible, although they vary in terms of their spiciness.
If you bought this plant from a nursery, you can harvest the fruit for seeds, which can be grown into new plants. However, if you do not know the details of this plant’s production – such as the type and frequency of pesticide application – it may be best not to eat the fruit for food safety reasons.
Fern leaves may have been eaten by pests
My fern’s leaves are healthy and clean, but they seem to have been eaten in parts. There is no evidence of pests that I can see.
Charlie Goh
The fronds of this bird’s-nest fern seem to have been eaten by snails or slugs. These garden molluscs, which are active at the ground level, eat the tender tissue of new, developing fronds.
Snails and slugs inhabit dark, moist places in the garden and are most active during the rainy season, especially at night. They hide during the day, making them difficult to find. Look out for them at night after rain, where they will be easier to catch and remove. You can also lay out snail pellets, which are available for sale in local nurseries, as bait to kill the pests. Ensure these pellets are not ingested by children or pets.
Daun Limau Purut infested
I have three Daun Limau Perut plants, two in the ground and one in a pot.
The first picture is of the mother plant, which is about six years old and planted in the ground. It was very tall and had large green leaves until I pruned it about two years ago. It never recovered and developed spots.
The second picture is of two plants marcotted from the mother plant. The one in the pot has developed dense spots on the leaves. The larger plant in the ground – also marcotted from the mother plant – also developed different spots.
What could be ailing these plants and how do I help them recover?
Gan Boey Keow
The numerous white spots on the leaves of the mother plant are likely caused by mites. Spraying your plants with summer oil on a regular basis will kill these pests and may help to prevent new spots from appearing. Thorough coverage of the plant is necessary to provide adequate control. Affected leaves will not recover.
Your marcotted plants’ leaves have irregular golden spots. These may have been caused by a rasping pest – possibly the long brown spot visible in the bottom right of the photo – that scrapes surface tissue off the upper part of the leaves. Observe its feeding pattern to be sure.
Summer oil may work on such a pest but, for more effective control, you may want to use a pesticide like pyrethrin, which is derived from the flowers of a chrysanthemum relative and is available in local nurseries.
When spraying garden chemicals, wear appropriate personal protection equipment and follow the instructions on the product label. Ensure the chemicals used are suitable for use on edible plants and observe the withholding period – that is, the duration that needs to elapse before sprayed plant parts can be harvested for consumption.
- Answers by Dr Wilson Wong, an NParks-certified practising horticulturist and parks manager. He is the founder of Green Culture Singapore and an adjunct assistant professor (Food Science & Technology) at the National University of Singapore.
- Have a gardening query? E-mail it with clear, high-resolution pictures of at least 1MB, if any, and your full name to stlife@sph.com.sg. We reserve the right to edit and reject questions.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/home-design/root-awakening-spearmint-is-milder-and-sweeter-than-peppermint
| 2024-01-19T03:18:35Z
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ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with President of Italy Sergio Mattarella during his official visit to Rome on Jan. 18, his first visit to Italy in the capacity of the President, reported the Akorda press service.
Tokayev noted the long-term relations with Italy, which is a reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the European Union (EU), particularly in trade.
“Today I would like to discuss issues of mutual interest, including the development of economic ties, strengthening relations aimed at the prosperity of the two countries, and ways to solve current international problems,” he said.
The volume of mutual trade exceeded $14.5 billion, the President stated, expressing intention to bring this figure to $20 billion.
As one of the main investors in Kazakhstan’s economy, Italy has around 300 enterprises operating in the Kazakh market, including Eni, a flagship technology-driven energy company.
Tokayev commended the bilateral relations, noting that Kazakhstan is set to continue creating favorable conditions for investors. He underlined the need to foster partnership in culture and tourism.
The President outlined promising sectors of the country’s economy for foreign investors, including green energy.
Focusing on multilateral cooperation in such organizations as the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the two leaders highlighted the importance of enhancing the system of international relations and global security based on the principles of the UN Charter.
They discussed solid prospects for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Central Asia with the EU in transport and logistics and in particular for the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).
Tokayev congratulated President Mattarella on Italy’s accession to the position of G7 chairman and wished him success in implementing the G7 agenda.
Mattarella expressed Italy’s interest in Kazakhstan’s course of political and social modernization and thanked Tokayev for his visit to Rome, saying that the negotiations would give additional impetus to bilateral economic, political, cultural and humanitarian ties.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/tokayev-meets-with-president-mattarella-as-part-of-visit-to-italy/
| 2024-01-19T03:18:39Z
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SINGAPORE – Located in Sentosa Cove, this idyllic three-bedroom unit has a view of yachts at the berth.
Frenchman Eric Benghozi, who is in his 50s and a chief executive in the healthcare industry, found this 1,711 sq ft unit in his search for a bigger place.
He and his wife, who is in her 40s, enjoy entertaining friends at home and wanted the opportunity to do so more often.
However, the unit was not in the best shape, as it had been rented out for years and had fallen into some disrepair.
Mr Benghozi enlisted Singapore studio Earth Interior Design’s executive director and chief designer Edwin Fong to revamp the space into a warm, modern home with touches of luxury.
One central feature which Mr Fong based his design on was the natural light of the home, as the living and dining areas are bathed in a golden glow at sunset.
This made the dining space and bar area – which also houses a large wine fridge, display area and a coffee machine – perfect for Mr Benghozi to relax and spend time with friends.
Mr Fong and his team also based the new interior on the owners’ furniture: a sofa in white fabric, a wooden television cabinet and, in the master bedroom, a bed frame with a padded headboard.
To achieve this, the team worked with a palette of off-white and wood tones. In the predominantly white living area, a pendant lamp in white complements the television cabinet and sofa. In the dining area stands a full-height display unit in a rich wood hue. The vertical lines of the fluted panels and lighting add depth to the statement piece.
The team paid close attention to detail to ensure the new furniture pieces worked with the existing furnishings. For example, they imported the timber wood worktop for the bar and the recessed gold handles.
Among the major works was a redesign of the master bedroom, creating a hotel-like ambience with a carpeted floor and a vanity area.
Taking the cue from the vertical lines of the headboard, Mr Fong introduced other vertical elements to accentuate the volume of the space.
With the combination of the padded headboard and wood panelling on the wall to evoke a sense of symmetry, the master bedroom exudes a modern, luxurious aura.
The study is furnished simply with loose furniture. Despite the lighter palette, the fluid lines of the furnishings ensure the study’s look is consistent with the rest of the home.
The project took three months to complete and the couple moved into the home in July 2022.
- This article first appeared in the November 2023 issue of Home & Decor, which is published by SPH Magazines. Check out the digital edition of Home & Decor on the App Store, Magzter or Google Play. Also, see more inspiring homes at homeanddecor.com.sg
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/home-design/the-chic-home-couple-s-cosy-coastal-retreat-in-sentosa-cove
| 2024-01-19T03:18:45Z
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SINGAPORE – Three storeys, 28,000 sq ft and plenty of cool kicks – that is what shoppers can expect when they step into Nike’s largest store in Asia outside of China.
Nike Orchard Road – located in the building known as 268, between Apple Orchard Road and The Heeren – opens on Jan 19.
The street-facing store, a joint partnership by Nike and Middle Eastern global retailer and distributor GMG, is the American sportswear giant’s most ambitious project in the region, not just in size, but also in its innovative approach to retail experiences and sports culture. It is the brand’s eighth store in Singapore.
From Nike’s online-to-offline services – where orders placed on the Nike app or Nike.com may be picked up at, or returned to, the store’s Service Hub – to exclusive digital experiences, this colossal flagship is designed to be more than just a store.
It is also a sports hub catering to athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all ages, with a focus on girls and women. It boasts an extensive collection of bras, leggings, footwear and lifestyle apparel, reflecting Nike’s commitment to inclusivity and empowerment in sport.
Nike Orchard Road is also home to Singapore’s inaugural Swoosh Studio. This space serves as a multi-functional venue where the brand will periodically organise sports, wellness and creative programmes.
Shoppers can view and book programmes at the Swoosh Studio by signing up for free as a Nike member at nike.com/sg/membership
The third floor features Nike By You, a space for members to personalise their in-store purchases with city-exclusive graphics and accessories by a rotating line-up of artists. One of the current resident artists is Singaporean designer and illustrator Ella Zheng, whose distinctive artworks adorn corners of the store.
Ahead of its opening, The Straits Times caught up with Mr Sanjay Gangopadhyay, vice-president and general manager of Nike South-east Asia and India, to find out more about Nike Orchard Road.
Q: What are the strategic reasons for choosing Singapore for this flagship store?
A: Singapore has seen a surge of consumers taking to movement and sport in a big manner. Nike is a brand that is always promoting movement and making sport a daily habit, and this trend fits very well with our purpose.
From a location perspective, I think Orchard Road is among the most coveted high streets in the world to any brand that wants to make its presence felt in South-east Asia. As such, it is a dual opportunity for us to showcase our innovation and storytelling to Singapore and the world.
Q: Do you have any insights into sporting trends in Singapore?
A: Running is getting increasingly popular. It is probably the most democratic sport because you don’t require too much infrastructure or paraphernalia. You just need the right community and right motivation to run.
The other trend we are seeing is the rise of female participation (in sport). That is why we have the biggest range of running shoes available here, for men and women.
Q: How does Nike Orchard Road differ from other Nike stores and its competitors?
A: We don’t call it a store – we would rather call it a sports hub. Traditional retail has always been about the transaction of goods and services, but a sports hub goes beyond the traditional definition of a store.
It combines the best of innovation with inspiration, so shoppers get inspired to move more, play more, play better. And, in the process, they create a community that believes in the same ethos.
We are committed to making sport a level playing field, especially for more women and girls, by ensuring our programmes increase their participation in sport.
You don’t have to come here to buy products to be a part of the story. If you love sports, we will help you in your journey. So, we are weaving all of that into what used to be traditionally called a store.
Q: What are some hyper-local design elements incorporated into the store?
A: Working with local artists is one. And then, there is the Sports Pulse, a huge screen in the middle of the store that will show you the places where you can go on your next run, where the next sporting event is happening or even leaderboards from the Nike Run Club, a free app. This space can be used by the local community to disseminate information, share and inspire. We will build the data as we go along.
Q: What about innovations and products that cater specifically to women and girls?
A: In the footwear section, I think the biggest innovation that you will find is in running, like our Alphafly collection (a high-performance running shoe worn by professional athletes).
We are also looking at plus sizes, maternity and period-protection products. We are committed to bringing all of that into the store.
Q: How does the store leverage digital technology to enhance the overall shopping experience?
A: It has QR codes (on signs) that you can scan to get information about the product and its benefits. We will also implement mobile checkout, so you don’t have to stand in line at a cash register during busy hours.
There will be sales assistants moving around and you can pay the bill anywhere.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/style/running-the-game-nike-orchard-road-aims-to-be-known-for-more-than-just-its-size
| 2024-01-19T03:18:56Z
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ABIDJAN - Egypt face an anxious wait on the extent of Mohamed Salah’s injury sustained in a lively 2-2 draw with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on Thursday, while Nigeria defeated hosts Ivory Coast 1-0.
Mohammed Kudus struck twice for Ghana on his tournament debut but record seven-time champions Egypt rescued a point with goals from Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed after Salah went off late in the first half in Abidjan.
“We don’t know yet what is the problem (with Salah). I hope not a big problem. It is too early to say something,” said Egypt boss Rui Vitoria.
After twice falling behind at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Egypt showed great resilience without their superstar forward and took advantage of two Ghana mistakes to earn another point following an opening 2-2 draw with Mozambique in Group B.
The Black Stars, who have now won just one of their past 11 Afcon games, are in danger of a second consecutive group-stage exit despite the return of Kudus from injury after a surprise 2-1 loss to Cape Verde in their first outing.
“Of course it’s very frustrating because I felt we deserved to win the game,” said Ghana coach Chris Hughton.
“The dressing room is a very disappointed dressing room at the moment because this was a very good opportunity for us to get three points.”
Egypt are only one point better off and with still work to do in their final game, but the immediate concern for the Pharaohs will be the health of Liverpool striker Salah.
In Group A, Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong converted a penalty 10 minutes into the second half to secure his team victory over Ivory Coast after a foul on Victor Osimhen was picked up following a VAR check.
The Super Eagles then held on in front of a frenzied crowd at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan to claim their first win after beginning their Afcon bid with a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea.
“Our team was better and for that we won, but Ivory Coast is a good team. They lost the match because that can happen,” said Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro.
“Today I said to my players it is normal that you score at least one goal, so if you don’t suffer a goal, you win.”
Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are locked on four points at the top of the section, with Ivory Coast behind them on three points and Guinea-Bissau eliminated after losing both games so far.
Nigeria must simply avoid defeat against Guinea-Bissau – beaten 4-2 by Equatorial Guinea earlier – to ensure a top-two finish.
The fact that the four best third-placed sides in six groups will all advance to the last 16 leaves margin for error, but Ivory Coast must beat Equatorial Guinea in their last match on Monday to guarantee progress.
Emilio Nsue scored the tournament’s first hat-trick since 2008 as Equatorial Guinea beat Guinea-Bissau to close in on a place in the last 16.
Nsue opened the scoring midway through the first half before a sparse crowd and added two more goals in the second half in a remarkable performance.
The result leaves Equatorial Guinea requiring a point against Ivory Coast next week to be certain of advancing from Group A.
Captain Nsue, 34, is the first player to score three times in one game at the Cup of Nations since Soufiane Alloudi did so for Morocco in a 5-1 win over Namibia in 2008 in Ghana.
“I feel very happy. I knew this could be one of my last Africa Cups. This is my third, so I came here mentally very strong, I trusted in myself, and I am playing very well,” Nsue said.
“I know I have the quality to do a good job. I just want to continue and score more goals, and I hope to be top scorer ahead of all the superstars who are here. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/egypt-lose-salah-to-injury-as-nigeria-down-africa-cup-of-nations-hosts-ivory-coast
| 2024-01-19T03:19:17Z
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MELBOURNE - Highlights of the sixth day of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Friday, all times local (GMT +11):
1245 ANISIMOVA KNOCKS OUT BADOSA
American Amanda Anisimova made it through to the fourth round of the Australian Open for a third time with a 7-5 6-4 win over former world number two Paula Badosa of Spain.
1111 - PLAY UNDERWAY ON ANOTHER COOL DAY AT MELBOURNE PARK
Play got underway as scheduled on the outer courts at Melbourne Park, where there were blustery conditions with the temperature a cool 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit).
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Rune bounced out of Australian Open by wildcard Cazaux
Alcaraz staves off Sonego threat to reach Australian Open third round
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Zverev avoids shock Australian Open upset by qualifier Klein
Collins announces impending retirement after Australian Open exit REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/australian-open-day-six
| 2024-01-19T03:19:27Z
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MELBOURNE - Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka blocked out the political overtones of her third-round match against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko at the Australian Open on Friday to ease into the second week of the Grand Slam with an easy 6-0 6-0 victory.
Sabalenka was last scheduled to face the Ukrainian at Indian Wells last year but Tsurenko withdrew after suffering a panic attack when talking with officials about tennis's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, for which Belarus was used as a staging ground.
Reigning champion and second seed Sabalenka is playing at Melbourne Park without official national affiliation under conditions imposed on Russian and Belarusian players by tournament organisers since the invasion.
The match itself was a one-sided affair played out in a muted atmosphere on Rod Laver Arena as Sabalenka ruthlessly handed 28th seed Tsurenko the dreaded "double bagel" in 52 minutes.
There was no traditional handshake over the net at the end of the match with the players merely acknowledging each other with a wave before heading off court.
"I'm just super happy that Lesia, she's healthy back in the top," Sabalenka said of her 34-year-old opponent.
Sabalenka lost only one set on her run to her first Grand Slam title last year at Melbourne Park and has continued in the same vein this season with only six games conceded in three matches so far.
The 25-year-old said that was no accident as she tried to match the ruthlessness of world number one Iga Swiatek.
"Last year Iga won so many sets 6-0 and one of my goals is trying to get closer to her," Sabalenka said.
"I'm super happy with the level I'm playing so far and I'm just hoping I can just keep going like that, or even better."
She might find the 6-0 scores harder to come by in the fourth round against Amanda Anisimova, who earlier beat former world number two Paula Badosa 7-5 6-4.
The American is ranked 442nd in the world after taking a long break from the game but has looked in fine form in the first three rounds this week.
"She's a super player and I'm really happy to see her back and I'm looking forward to a tough match," said Sabalenka. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/no-handshakes-as-sabalenka-downs-ukraines-tsurenko-in-third-round
| 2024-01-19T03:19:38Z
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CALIFORNIA – Google’s YouTube and Spotify Technology SA, the world’s most popular video and music services, are joining Netflix Inc. in steering clear of Apple Inc.’s upcoming mixed-reality headset.
YouTube said in a statement on Jan 18 that it is not planning to launch a new app for the Apple Vision Pro, nor will it allow its longstanding iPad application to work on the device – at least, for now. YouTube, like Netflix, is recommending that customers use a web browser if they want to see its content: “YouTube users will be able to use YouTube in Safari on the Vision Pro at launch.”
Spotify also is not planning a new app for visionOS – the Vision Pro’s operating system – and doesn’t expect to enable its iPad app to run on the device, according to a person familiar with matter. But the music service will still likely work from a web browser. Bloomberg News reported on Netflix’s decision on Jan 17.
The Vision Pro will include access to Apple’s apps for music and podcasts, which compete with Spotify’s offerings. But getting snubbed by Netflix, Spotify and YouTube means that the most popular streaming apps won’t be available when the headset launches on Feb 2. Apple has largely marketed the device as a platform for video, games and other entertainment.
YouTube is a particularly large omission for the product. When Apple’s original iPad launched in 2010, YouTube was one of a handful of apps preinstalled on the tablet. The company did not rule out eventually supporting the Vision Pro but said it had “no further plans to share at this time”.
YouTube and Spotify continue to offer popular apps for the iPhone and iPad. And that, theoretically, gave them an easy path toward supporting the Vision Pro. Developers with iPad software in the regular App Store will see those apps appear in the Vision Pro store by default. That means developers have to opt out if they do not want to participate.
Several other entertainment apps are still participating, including Disney+, Max, Peacock, ESPN and Amazon Prime Video. Altogether, Apple says the device will support more than 1 million titles in the headset’s App Store. The company will begin taking preorders for the Vision Pro on Jan 19.
YouTube and Spotify declined to say why they bowed out of supporting the US$3,499 device. Spotify does not offer an app on competing headsets, such as Meta Platforms Inc.’s Quest, though YouTube does. Spotify also has been embroiled in a fight with Apple over App Store policies, but the decision on the Vision Pro is not related to that, according to the person familiar, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private.
Searches conducted by MacStories on Jan 18 indicated that other key iPhone and iPad apps, including Meta’s Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, aren’t currently set to work on the Vision Pro either. But that could change by the device’s launch, or those developers could be planning new dedicated versions for visionOS. Meta didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Apple’s executive in charge of the Vision Pro told employees this week that he expects health care, technician training and education to eventually become key areas for the product. The company is also studying corporate applications, Bloomberg News reported on Jan 18.
The Vision Pro represents Apple’s first major new product category since it began selling smartwatches in 2015. BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/youtube-and-spotify-won-t-launch-apple-vision-pro-apps-joining-netflix
| 2024-01-19T03:19:48Z
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NEW YORK – An American Airlines flight attendant was arrested on Jan 18 for allegedly using his cellphone to secretly record a 14-year-old girl as she used the lavatory on a domestic flight in September 2023, federal prosecutors said.
The flight attendant, Estes Carter Thompson III, 37, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was arrested in Lynchburg, Virginia, and charged with attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography after investigators found evidence that he had surreptitiously recorded video footage of four other girls as they used the lavatory on American Airlines flights in 2023, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said.
“The deeply disturbing conduct alleged here is something no parent or child should ever have to worry about when they travel,” acting Massachusetts US Attorney Joshua Levy said in a statement.
He said: “Thompson allegedly used his position to prey on and surreptitiously record innocent children, including unaccompanied minors, while in a vulnerable state aboard flights he was working.”
According to a criminal complaint, Thompson was working as a flight attendant on an American Airlines flight to Boston from Charlotte on Sept 2, 2023. About halfway through the flight, the 14-year-old girl got up to use a lavatory in the main cabin, the document said.
She had been waiting for a short time when Thompson told her that she could use the lavatory in the first class cabin, which was unoccupied, the complaint says. Before the girl entered the lavatory, Thompson told her that the toilet seat was broken and that he needed to wash his hands, according to the charging document.
Once inside the lavatory, prosecutors said the girl noticed that red stickers had been affixed to the toilet seat lid that read “Inoperative catering equipment” and “Remove from service”. On one of the stickers, the words “Seat broken” had been handwritten in black ink, the complaint said.
As she was dressing after using the toilet, the girl noticed that an iPhone with its flashlight on was protruding from under the stickers. She used her phone to photograph it, according to the complaint, and as she was returning to her seat, she observed the flight attendant entering the lavatory after her. She returned to her seat and told her parents what she had seen, the complaint said.
Her parents told the other flight attendants what had happened. They informed the captain, who reported the episode to law enforcement personnel on the ground, prosecutors said.
After the plane landed at Logan International Airport in Boston, law enforcement officers who confronted Thompson noticed that his phone had been restored to its factory settings, wiping out any photos, videos, text messages and other signs of activity, according to the complaint. While searching Thompson’s suitcase, officers found 11 “Inoperative catering equipment” stickers, according to the complaint.
A search of Thompson’s iCloud account later revealed evidence of four other instances in which he had recorded minors using lavatories on American Airlines flights in 2023, prosecutors said. The search also found hundreds of images depicting child sexual abuse that had been generated by artificial intelligence, and more than 50 images of a nine-year-old girl who flew as an unaccompanied minor on an American Airlines flight to San Antonio from Charlotte in July 2023, according to the complaint.
Thompson was immediately removed from service after the September 2023 flight, and he has not worked since then, according to American Airlines. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer.
The parents of the 14-year-old girl filed a federal lawsuit against American Airlines in December 2023. Mr John Buric, a lawyer representing the family, said on Jan 18 that Thompson’s actions were “despicable”.
In a statement after Thompson’s arrest, American Airlines said that it took “these allegations very seriously”.
“They don’t reflect our airline or our core mission of caring for people,” the airline said. “We have been fully cooperating with law enforcement in its investigation as there is nothing more important than the safety and security of our customers and team.”
Thompson was in custody in the Lynchburg Adult Detention Centre in Virginia on Jan 18, according to jail records, and prosecutors said he would remain in custody until a court appearance in Virginia that had not been scheduled. Thompson is also expected to appear later in federal court in Boston.
He faces up to 30 years in prison if found guilty of attempted sexual exploitation of children, and up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the child pornography possession charge, prosecutors said.
Ms Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston field office, said in a statement that Thompson had “repeatedly targeted unsuspecting children to sexually exploit them for his own gratification”.
“What Thompson is accused of doing is disgraceful and, we believe, calculated,” she added. NYTIMES
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/american-airlines-flight-attendant-filmed-minors-using-lavatory-us-says
| 2024-01-19T03:19:59Z
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WASHINGTON - The chair of the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee on Jan 18 asked Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to testify before the panel over the failure to timely disclose his recent hospitalisation, even to President Joe Biden.
Austin had been in a hospital receiving treatment for prostrate cancer since the beginning of 2024. His failure to timely tell Biden he was hospitalised drew criticism from lawmakers and caught the White House by surprise.
He spent two weeks in the hospital due to complications from a Dec 22 prostate cancer surgery - which was also initially kept secret - and was discharged on Jan 15 to his Virginia home.
“Congress must understand what happened and who made decisions to prevent the disclosure of the whereabouts of a cabinet secretary,” committee chairman Mike Rogers wrote in a letter to Austin on Jan 18. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-defence-chief-austin-asked-to-testify-over-hospitalisation-non-disclosure
| 2024-01-19T03:20:09Z
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Nice try! You scored 0 out of undefined. Restart Stay tuned for next week’s quiz! In the meantime, subscribe to ST’s newsletters to make sure you don’t miss the important stories of the week. Share this quiz Facebook WhatsApp Telegram Messenger X (Twitter) Copy Permalink
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https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2024/01/weekly-quiz-january-19/index.html?shell
| 2024-01-19T03:22:52Z
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Lana Del Rey has recently made a dazzling appearance as the face of Kim Kardashian's SKIMS Valentine's Day collection, set to be released on January 23.
The 38-year-old singer has captivated fans with her alluring looks, showcased in a series of photos on Instagram.
The photos feature Lana embracing her signature romantic and retro style, posing in a range of enticing ensembles from the collection.
In one image, she's seen in a satin blue and lace bodysuit, seductively posed inside a giant heart, with matching bows in her hair and her hands clad in elegant gloves.
Another striking image displays Lana curled up with a heart-shaped bouquet of white flowers, wearing the brand's lacy pink teddy and satin gloves.
She also stuns in a silky black nightgown adorned with lace and a matching veil, showcasing one leg with an arrow striking her heart.
Further showcasing the collection's versatility, Lana elegantly poses in a heart print top and matching bottoms, with an apple pierced by an arrow resting atop her head. In yet another look, she wows in a sexy red top, donning a heart eye patch.
The Valentine's collection, featuring an array of lingerie, sleepwear, and a 'play kit,' will be available with prices ranging from $16 to $126.
Kim Kardashian, a fervent admirer of Lana's music, must have found collaborating with the singer particularly meaningful.
Kim's fondness for Lana's track Young and Beautiful is well-known, having been played by a brass band when Kanye West proposed to her in 2013.
Lana even performed at Kim and Kanye's rehearsal dinner at the Palace of Versailles, according to W Magazine, delivering renditions of Blue Jeans, Young and Beautiful, and Summertime Sadness.
In a conversation with Vogue, Lana revealed how her involvement with SKIMS materialized. Seeking a sold-out Swarovski dress from the brand, Lana's request coincided with SKIMS' interest in working with her.
"It was kind of a cool coincidence... So it all happened at the exact same minute, which I took as a serendipitous sign," Lana shared. She expressed her admiration for SKIMS, noting, "I just love how well it's doing for her. And second of all, I do wear basics on most days."
Lana also opened up about the collaborative process with photographer Nadia Lee Cohen for the SKIMS shoot. She appreciated the Valentine's Day concept driven by Nadia and Kim, highlighting the distinctive blonde look they wanted for her in the campaign.
"I worked with [Nadia] before, and I love everything she does... I was hoping [our shoot] would have a little bit of a sixties flare, too," she added.
The West Coast singer further shared a video and several images from the campaign shoot on social media, expressing her excitement: "Good morning Skims! Excited to be your valentine."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/celebrity-style/511627/lana-del-rey-looks-sensational-in-revealing-lingerie-for-kim-kardashians-skims/
| 2024-01-19T04:24:25Z
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BEIJING - Six months after China sacked its foreign minister under mysterious and unexplained circumstances, it could be close to naming a successor, potentially during its annual parliamentary season in March.
Political pundits have their money on seasoned diplomat Liu Jianchao, after he made a recent high-profile visit to the United States where he met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, and spoke at an event organised by think-tank Council on Foreign Relations.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/steady-reliable-humorous-liu-jianchao-seen-as-china-s-clear-choice-for-next-foreign-minister
| 2024-01-19T04:50:24Z
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HONG KONG - Solina Chau, the co-founder of Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing’s venture arm, bought a luxury apartment next to Green Park in the heart of London.
The Hong Kong billionaire’s long-time partner spent £20.5 million ($35 million) on a flat in St James’s Place in August, according to a government filing. The property - nestled between Buckingham Palace and the exclusive Mayfair district - was one of London’s most-expensive apartment deals last year, as the super-rich shrugged off headwinds to splurge on the city’s real estate.
Ms Chau, 62, is known for leading early bets in companies including video-conferencing firm Zoom Video Communications and artificial intelligence lab DeepMind Technologies. Her acumen helped boost Mr Li’s wealth, and at its peak Zoom represented one-third of his fortune, with the value of the stake topping US$11 billion (S$14.8 billion). He has since cut back his investment.
London’s luxury real estate market has remained relatively strong even as global central banks have increased interest rates. In 2023, some wealthy overseas buyers spent more than £100 million on their properties in the British capital, with Mayfair making up 8 per cent of all £5 million-plus deals across the city.
Apartments accounted for almost half of London sales worth £5 million or more, the highest percentage since at least 2012, according to Savills. That’s been driven by international buyers who are more concerned about quality of design than outdoor space, and a scarcity of larger stock on the market, the broker said.
Iranian-born Behdad Eghbali, founder of Clearlake Capital Group and co-owner of Chelsea FC, bought an apartment overlooking Grosvenor Square for £34 million in March. A few months later, Xu Xiaoping, one of China’s most successful angel investors, bought a £38.6 million flat nestled between Green Park and Berkeley Square.
By contrast, the market in Hong Kong - where the benchmark stock index has slumped by almost one-third in the past year - has suffered. Prices for luxury properties have sunk by 25 per cent to 30 per cent in the past 18 months and may decline a further 20 per cent in the coming year, Savills said in a November report.
Some of the houses up for sale in the city’s prime Peak area formally owned by mainland Chinese property tycoons are now seized by banks or lenders.
At a conference in Hong Kong last month, Ms Chau told reporters that Mr Li, 95, is closely watching the markets. Back in 2021, Mr Li repeatedly warned her that headwinds would arise and advised portfolio companies to prepare sufficient capital for the coming years, Mr Chau has said.
Mr Li, Hong Kong’s richest person, has a fortune estimated at US$26.8 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/li-ka-shing-s-partner-solina-chau-buys-35-million-luxury-london-home
| 2024-01-19T04:50:34Z
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TAIPEI - Semiconductor stocks from Tokyo Electron to Nvidia gained more than US$160 billion (S$215 billion) of market value after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s outlook for capital spending and revenue lifted hopes of a broad tech recovery in 2024.
TSMC’s better-than-projected numbers on Jan 18 underscored expectations for a bounce-back in smartphone, chip and computing demand, following more than a year of post-Covid malaise.
Shares of TSMC, the world’s most valuable chipmaker rose more than 6 per cent in Taipei - its biggest gain in almost a year - after a near-10 per cent climb in the United States overnight. Key suppliers Tokyo Electron and Advantest gained more than 5 per cent in Tokyo. Together, they fueled a gain in semiconductor stocks from the US to Asia of roughly US$165 billion, based on Bloomberg’s calculations.
TSMC’s outlook offered much-needed reassurance to investors accustomed to a depressed market. The main chipmaker to Apple and Nvidia is budgeting capital expenditure of US$28 billion to US$32 billion and expecting revenue growth to return to at least 20 per cent for the year. Executives also spent a lot of time talking about how the advent of AI should turbocharge the industry because of its immense computing needs.
In Europe, chip gear linchpin ASML Holding gained 4 per cent on Jan 18, leading a broad regional rally that spilled over into US stocks including Nvidia and Intel, driving the biggest gain in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index since Dec 11.
“TSMC’s confidence around near-term fundamentals appears to have improved significantly over the past 4 to 5 months,” Wedbush analysts wrote. “We see this more bullish outlook as predicated upon some combination of optimism around a growing contribution from AI, better expectations for traditional end market trends in 2024.”
Signs of a recovery for the chipmaking sector have emerged in recent weeks. The Semiconductor Industry Association estimated chip sales increased in November after more than a year of declines. TSMC is projecting revenue growth of at least 8 per cent to US$18 billion to US$18.8 billion in the March quarter, versus expectations for around US$18.2 billion.
It’s now moving ahead with plans for chipmaking plants in Japan, Arizona and Germany - the first of which will begin mass production at the end of 2024 in a big boost to TSMC’s global footprint.
Uncertainty persists. This month, fellow chipmaker Samsung Electronics posted its sixth successive quarter of declining operating profit, as it weathered the impact of muted consumer demand in its own smartphone and memory businesses.
Questions also overshadow China, the world’s largest computing, smartphone, internet and chip market.
Apple - long one of TSMC’s most important customers - faced headwinds with its latest iPhone generation. Several analysts downgraded Apple on expectations of soft demand, and Jefferies has said the iPhone sales slump in China is likely to deepen. The US company has also been hit by a widening ban on foreign-device use among Chinese agencies and state-owned companies. BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/tsmc-s-bullish-outlook-drives-215-billion-chip-rally
| 2024-01-19T04:50:45Z
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aMoratorium
J’Sun Howard
Esplanade Theatre Studio
Jan 17, 8pm
The modern struggle to unpack masculinity took centre stage in aMoratorium as dancers Dedrick “D. Banks” Gray and Timothy “Solomon” Bowser performed a 50-minute duet.
Choreographed by Chicago-based dancemaker J’Sun Howard, the piece looks at black masculinity through the lens of society, hip-hop and the church. Topics of racial injustices, police brutality, internalised homophobia and self-acceptance were also part of the routine, with narrative arcs split between Gray and Bowser.
Blending modern dance with African tribal routines and splices of hip-hop, Howard’s storytelling shines through. Working with sound design from DJ Jared Brown, he breaks convention by having the dancers perform some of their most emotional and gentlest moments to a backdrop of intense rap.
Part of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, the work was commissioned by the Art Institute of Chicago in 2018 in response to a retrospective of black visual artist Charles White (1918 to 1979), known for chronicling African-American subjects in paintings, drawings, lithographs and murals.
aMoratorium focuses on the journey of two men at different stages of their unpacking of masculinity and their varied experiences.
While one of the men (portrayed by Bowser) is clearly further along in his exploration of gender and masculinity, he also explores the more difficult journey of reckoning with police brutality against men of colour. As an edited and distorted speech from Netflix’s drama Rodney King (2017) plays, Bowser re-enacts an unjust shooting.
Gray, taking on the role of a more traditionally accepted male, attempts to resolve an inner conflict rooted in a hidden queer identity, performing choreography influenced more by African tribal dances and hip-hop.
A nursery rhyme is sung in Yoruba – a language spoken in West Africa – by a little girl twice in the show. Accompanied by tribal influences in choreography, the piece takes on a deeper historical meaning of what masculinity looks like in the original cultures of black men.
The simplicity of the stage – the only decorations are a cloth tree extending to the ceiling and a pair of light blue sneakers hanging from the rafter lights by its shoelaces – allows the dancers to roam the space in their exploration of identity and self.
A sizeable crowd of secondary school and junior college students filled the seats. From the younger students, snippets of conversation could be heard afterwards as they discussed their opinions and takeaways from the show, with one describing the performances as “interesting” before pausing to gather her thoughts.
Introducing such topics to students at that age could very well be a step in the right direction, allowing them to reflect on their own ideas of masculinity.
In an era when toxic masculinity is rampant and frequently challenged, the existence of dances like aMoratorium provides a safe space for younger generations to change their perception of what being masculine entails.
However, the question of how that is to be unpacked in Asian society remains to be seen.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/dance-review-depth-and-range-of-black-masculinity-explored-in-amoratorium
| 2024-01-19T04:50:55Z
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LOS ANGELES – A hot favourite for the Oscars in March, Poor Things is about a woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after being brought back from the dead.
The quirky science-fiction comedy reunites American actress Emma Stone and Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, who collaborated on Oscar-winning historical comedy The Favourite (2018).
The pair spoke at a recent screening of the film in Los Angeles, the same week it took home the Golden Globe on Jan 7 for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and, for Stone, Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. The film is being released at The Projector as part of its Freaks & Greeks: A Yorgos Lanthimos Showcase and has a limited run from Jan 20 to 30.
Lanthimos – who received Best Director and Best Picture Oscar nominations for The Favourite, and whose films are known for their dark humour and unconventional storytelling – explains why he was drawn to this oddball tale.
Adapted from Alasdair Gray’s award-winning 1992 novel of the same name, Poor Things is set in the 1800s and follows a young woman, Bella, who dies but is brought back to life by mad scientist Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe).
But she now has the brain of an infant implanted in her head, and approaches the world as a child would, free of prejudice, and proceeds to evolve in unexpected ways.
Lanthimos, 50, says he had never encountered a character like her.
“I fell in love with her immediately,” says the film-maker, who was also Oscar-nominated for black comedy The Lobster (2015) and psychological drama Dogtooth (2009).
Stone felt the same.
“I was in love with her and the way she is interested in everything that happens to her. The good, the bad, she holds it all with equal weight.
“And there is nobody like her because she’s inventing herself from scratch,” says the 35-year-old star, who won a Best Actress Oscar for the musical romance La La Land (2016).
Stone declares that this is the most fun she has had in a role, the part requiring a good deal of physical comedy as she and Lanthimos came up with ways to illustrate Bella’s evolution in the way she walks, dresses and speaks.
And with co-star Mark Ruffalo – who plays Duncan, the lawyer Bella runs off with on a whirlwind trip to see the world – they improvised some aspects of their characters.
“The way that Mark was playing Duncan was amazing. He really adds a whole beautiful layer to him,” Stone says of the 56-year-old American actor, best known for playing Hulk in the Marvel superhero movies.
“Duncan on the page was so pathetic and toxic, but Mark is the antithesis of that as a person as his innate empathy and lovability come through, whether he wants it to or not,” she adds.
Ruffalo has done a broad range of roles, including comedy-drama The Kids Are All Right (2010) and biographical dramas Spotlight (2015) and Foxcatcher (2014), all of which earned him Oscar nominations.
But his character in this strange, over-the-top film felt like a departure.
“It was freeing. You build a career and you get pigeonholed a bit by just doing things that you would always normally do, and then people begin to see you as just that,” Ruffalo says.
“Emma and Yorgos, thankfully, saw me doing this, and believed I could do it even when I didn’t totally believe I could. That’s rare.”
He and Stone also filmed a strange and memorable dance sequence for their characters.
“It was so much fun. We shot 60 takes of it and from all different angles,” recalls Stone, who also co-produced Poor Things.
And the scene encapsulates how free from convention her character is, the actress believes.
“When she’s just in her body and not thinking about how to access the world, whether that’s with dance or sex or food, she gets to be different than she is in the other realms.”
Poor Things has a limited run at The Projector from Jan 20 to 30.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/poor-things-was-the-most-fun-and-freeing-experience-stars-emma-stone-and-mark-ruffalo
| 2024-01-19T04:51:05Z
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SINGAPORE – Now is probably the worst time to be a car lover.
I am not talking about certificate of entitlement prices, as needlessly painful as they are. I am referring to the transition to electrification, which, like most transitions, spells uncertainty and disorientation.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/motoring/motor-mouth-bad-time-to-be-a-car-lover
| 2024-01-19T04:51:16Z
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At my car’s last servicing two months ago, its wiper blades were replaced. Recently, whenever I use them, they leave those dreadful streaks, which the old blades used to do as well. How long exactly are wiper blades supposed to last?
Wiper blades are prone to wear, especially in a hot, humid and dusty climate like Singapore’s.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/motoring/torque-shop-invest-in-quality-wiper-blades
| 2024-01-19T04:51:26Z
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The recent outcry over changes to payment methods for public transport, involving the ez-link and SimplyGo platforms, holds a lesson that the needs of the actual end-user – the customer – must be the starting point.
From June 1, adult fares on public buses and trains can no longer be paid using ez-link cards that are not compatible with the SimplyGo platform. Nets FlashPay cards will also not be accepted. These changes were announced on Jan 9 by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and have since been met with complaints and concerns.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/simplygo-an-upgrade-but-for-whom
| 2024-01-19T04:51:37Z
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SINGAPORE - A free exchange of Nets FlashPay cards for Nets Prepaid cards that was originally due to start on Jan 19 at public transport ticket offices has been postponed “until further notice”.
This planned exchange is part of a move by the authorities to phase out Nets FlashPay and some adult ez-link cards for public transport fare payments from June in preparation for a transition to SimplyGo, an account-based ticketing platform for bus and rail trips.
The free exchange was to have taken place between Jan 19 and July 18 at SimplyGo ticket offices in MRT stations and bus interchanges.
But in an update at midnight on Jan 18 to an earlier Facebook post, Nets, a payment firm, said: “Please be informed that the card exchange service for Nets FlashPay card provided at SimplyGo ticket offices is temporarily unavailable until further notice.”
It did not state when the exchange would become available.
When The Straits Times visited the SimplyGo ticket office at Tampines MRT station at 8am on Jan 19, a staff member said the exchange had been postponed until further notice.
Staff were informed of the change only on the morning of Jan 19, ST was told.
The exchange was announced after the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Jan 9 that from June 1, commuters must pay for their adult bus and train fares with a Nets Prepaid card, an ez-link card that has been updated to being SimplyGo-compatible, a contactless bank card, or a credit or debit card added to a mobile wallet.
The move does not affect passengers using concession cards, including seniors and students.
Responding to ST’s queries on Jan 19, Nets said FlashPay card holders may continue using their cards for public transport and topping them up at ticketing machines until June 1.
It did not state the reasons for the delay in the free exchange, and whether this would affect the transition schedule for FlashPay card holders who use them to pay for public transport trips.
ST has also contacted LTA for comment.
After it is phased out, the Nets FlashPay card will no longer be accepted for public transport payments. But it can still be used to pay for shopping and motoring expenses such as carpark and Electronic Road Pricing charges.
- Additional reporting by Lim Yaohui
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/nets-postpones-free-exchange-of-flashpay-cards-at-simplygo-ticket-offices-until-further-notice
| 2024-01-19T04:51:47Z
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Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Andrew Puttick have quit their positions at Pakistan's National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, the country's cricket board has said.
Arthur was appointed the director of men's cricket in April last year, while Bradburn was made the head coach and Puttick the batting coach.
Pakistan's failure to make the knockout stage of the 50-overs World Cup in India in November prompted the board to remove them from the national team coaching staff and put them in charge of the NCA.
Former captain Mohammad Hafeez served both as team director and head coach during a recent tour of Australia, where Pakistan lost all three tests.
"All three individuals informed the Pakistan Cricket Board of their decision to leave their respective jobs by the end of January 2024," the board said in a statement on Thursday.
"The decision was taken amicably between all the stakeholders."
Arthur remains Derbyshire's head coach, a role he maintained while doing Pakistan duties.
Bradburn has taken over as Glamorgan's head coach, and Puttick has joined Afghanistan's coaching staff. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/arthur-bradburn-and-puttick-quit-pakistan-academy-roles
| 2024-01-19T04:51:57Z
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MELBOURNE - Australia opener Usman Khawaja appears doubtful for the second test against West Indies after sustaining a blow on Friday to his jaw in the series opener in Adelaide.
Australia wrapped up a 10-wicket victory inside seven sessions but Khawaja retired hurt after being hit on the helmet by a short delivery from Shamar Joseph.
The 37-year-old spat blood and was feeling his jaw before leaving the ground.
He passed an initial concussion test but was taken for scans and would be examined again on Saturday.
""He seemed okay, just a little bit of a sore jaw," Australian captain Pat Cummins said.
"We'll monitor it, but he seemed okay."
The second and final test, a day-night affair in Brisbane, begins on Thursday.
"Unfortunate, he bit his tongue as well," West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said.
"Let's hope he's okay, no one wants to see a guy get injured playing this game that we love."
Matthew Renshaw is likely to replace him in Brisbane should Khawaja miss out.
Following David Warner's retirement, Australia fielded a new opening pair with Steve Smith moving up from number four to join Khawaja at the top of the order. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/australia-to-monitor-khawaja-after-blow-to-jaw-in-adelaide
| 2024-01-19T04:52:08Z
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Barcelona players must shoulder the blame for the club's dismal performances this season, defender Jules Kounde said as the reigning Spanish champions find themselves eight points off the top spot in LaLiga.
Barca suffered a heavy defeat against old rivals Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup last weekend, losing 4-1. The Catalan side also sit behind this campaign's surprise package Girona, Real and Athletic Club in the Spanish top-flight.
With pressure mounting, a 3-1 win over fourth-tier Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Thursday was a welcome boost for Xavi's team.
"At the end of the day, you can talk about the coach, but we (the players) are the ones out there on the pitch," Kounde, who was one of the goalscorers against Unionistas, told Movistar.
"When there are bad results, it's also our fault, of course. We had to react tonight. This game was important, and we have to move forward with intensity, which is what I think we have lacked this season.
"Winning the Copa is one of the objectives, and after a tough defeat on Sunday, we needed to show a reaction. We put in a serious performance."
Barca next visit Real Betis in the league on Sunday. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/barca-players-must-share-responsibility-for-poor-run-says-defender-kounde
| 2024-01-19T04:52:18Z
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LONDON – The last thing that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would want, is for his Gunners to be misfiring.
Following a disappointing 2022-23 English Premier League season, in which his team led for 248 days before collapsing and were overtaken by seasoned champions Manchester City, the Spaniard will be eager to make amends.
However, this campaign so far has not gone the way he had hoped for.
Arsenal, who were again leading the way at Christmas, have dropped to fourth in the standings on 40 points after 20 games, behind leaders Liverpool (45), City and Aston Villa, who both have 43.
Their next match is at home against 14th-placed Crystal Palace on Jan 20 but crucially, the Gunners are finding it tough to score at the moment.
They have managed to find the net just five times in their last seven games in all competitions and won only one of their previous five league matches.
Their last fixture was a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup third round, and Arteta’s men have scored only one goal from 61 shots across their past three matches – which were all defeats.
Is it specifically a striker problem? One former Gunner, William Gallas, thinks it is more of an overall mentality issue.
“Arsenal always have the same problem. When you are in that position and you are top of the Premier League at Christmas, you simply have to keep that position,” he said.
“That means every game you have to win and that’s why for me, it was unacceptable that they lost to Fulham away (2-1 in their last league game). It’s a problem of the players because they didn’t do their job, they weren’t good enough and it was unacceptable.
“With Arsenal, it’s always the same problem and it seems to be happening over again. The players have to understand it and they have to do more and fight to win even if they don’t play well. They don’t have that mentality at the moment.”
The French centre-back, now 46, played for Arsenal from 2006 to 2010 and captained his side from 2007 to 2008.
He also believes that current skipper Martin Odegaard can do better in terms of motivating and inspiring his teammates when things are not going well.
“I was speaking about Odegaard, who is so talented and his technique is unbelievable. But if he’s not on the level we expect him to be, it looks like the team doesn’t play well,” he added.
“It’s not only Odegaard though, he’s not the only one, but I don’t think he’s been at the level he needs to be at.”
Arsenal have been undergoing warm weather training in Dubai ahead of the Palace clash, while things are quiet in the January transfer window for the Gunners.
The club were linked to attackers like Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Getafe’s Borja Mayoral, Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic and even veteran striker Karim Benzema, who captains Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.
For now, though, regardless of whether his current team have the right mentality, it seems that Arteta will have to stick with his misfiring forwards – who have not reached double digits in league goals this season.
Bukayo Saka leads the pack with six, ahead of Eddie Nketiah (five), Kai Havertz (four), Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard who both have three, and Gabriel Martinelli (two).
“At the moment it doesn’t look realistic,” Arteta said after the Liverpool loss about signing a new attacker.
“My job is to improve our players and get better results with the players we have.
“So, stick by them. If we have 18 shots, then next time we need to have 35. If we continuously do that the ball will go in the net and we’ll generate momentum and we’ll win the games. That’s for sure.”
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/misfiring-gunners-a-mentality-issue-says-william-gallas
| 2024-01-19T04:52:29Z
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MELBOURNE - Highlights of the sixth day of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Friday, all times local (GMT +11):
1437 KHACHANOV ELIMINATES MACHAC
Russian 15th seed Karen Khachanov knocked out Czech Tomas Machac to book a ticket to the fourth round, winning 6-4 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(5).
The 27-year-old Khachanov had reached the semi-final last year.
READ MORE
No handshakes as Sabalenka downs Ukraine's Tsurenko in third round
Australian Open order of play on Friday
Djokovic braces for stern test against veteran slayer Etcheverry
Medvedev caps off day of great escapes, Rybakina out after wild tie-break
Racket change helps Medvedev thwart Ruusuvuori in marathon battle
Rybakina exits Australian Open as Blinkova edges 42-point tiebreak
Rune bounced out of Australian Open by wildcard Cazaux
Alcaraz staves off Sonego threat to reach Australian Open third round
World number one Swiatek survives huge Collins scare
Zverev avoids shock Australian Open upset by qualifier Klein
Collins announces impending retirement after Australian Open exit
1405 SINNER STEAMROLLS BAEZ
Italian fourth seed Jannik Sinner reached the fourth round after wrapping up an emphatic 6-0 6-1 6-3 victory over Argentine Sebastian Baez in an hour and 52 minutes.
1350 SABALENKA SETS SIGHTS ON SWIATEK
Aryna Sabalenka joked that she was trying to match world number one Iga Swiatek's ability to crush opponents by winning sets without conceding games after doling out a 'double bagel' in her victory over Lesia Tsurenko.
"Last year Iga won so many sets 6-0 and this is one of the goals, try to get closer to her," Sabalenka said. "I'm just super happy with the level I'm playing so far and hopefully I can keep going like that, or even better."
1305 SABALENKA 'DOUBLE BAGELS' TSURENKO
Defending champion Sabalenka continued her quest for her second straight title at Melbourne Park with a dominant 6-0 6-0 victory over Ukraine's Tsurenko in just 52 minutes.
Sabalenka, who played a nearly flawless match and fired off 16 winners to overpower 28th-seeded Tsurenko, has dropped just six games in three matches so far.
1245 ANISIMOVA KNOCKS OUT BADOSA
American Amanda Anisimova made it through to the fourth round of the Australian Open for a third time with a 7-5 6-4 win over former world number two Paula Badosa of Spain.
1111 - PLAY UNDERWAY ON ANOTHER COOL DAY AT MELBOURNE PARK
Play got underway as scheduled on the outer courts at Melbourne Park, where there were blustery conditions with the temperature a cool 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit). REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/australian-open-day-six-0
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MELBOURNE - Twice runner-up Daniil Medvedev battled back from the brink of defeat to make the Australian Open third round on a day of close shaves but fellow third seed Elena Rybakina’s title bid was cut short after a 42-point super tiebreak on Jan 18.
An out-of-sorts Medvedev dropped the first two sets of his clash with Emil Ruusuvuori and had treatment for a foot blister before the Russian staged a great escape with a 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-1), 6-0 victory to finish at 3:39 a.m.
“Honestly guys... I wouldn’t be here,” Medvedev said to the sparse crowd. “If I was a tennis fan I’d be at home. Thanks for being here. You’re strong.”
Iga Swiatek and Alexander Zverev also survived scares and Carlos Alcaraz was pushed hard before the 20-year-old matched his best run at the year’s opening Grand Slam by getting past Lorenzo Sonego without too much drama.
That was reserved for last year’s runner-up Rybakina’s clash with her former doubles partner Anna Blinkova, who showed steely resolve after the pair split the first two sets to prevail 22-20 in a tiebreak lasting over 30 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
“This day I’ll remember for the rest of my life, on this court with this crowd, it’s the best of my life so far,” said Blinkova as she received a standing ovation.
Top seed Swiatek showed plenty of fight as the four-time major champion rallied from two breaks down in the final set to beat Danielle Collins 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Swiatek knew she was in for a potentially tricky test in the main showcourt opener as Collins had beaten her in the Melbourne Park semi-finals in 2022.
The 30-year-old American, who said after the match that she would be retiring this season, came out firing after losing the opening set and Swiatek needed her best tennis to overhaul a 4-1 deficit by rattling off the last five games in the third set.
“Oh my god, honestly, I was already at the airport,” said Swiatek. “I didn’t feel like I had control over this match (but) I wanted to fight till the end.”
Men’s sixth seed Zverev admitted he was fortunate to prevail 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (10-7) over Slovakian world No. 163 Lukas Klein, whose grip on their four-and-a-half hour contest had the German plotting his journey back to Monte Carlo.
“I was thinking there’s a Qantas flight at 11 pm tonight straight to Dubai and then one to home,” Zverev said. “A lot of the time I was a spectator.”
Rain hit play on the outer courts for a second straight day but it was the wind and sunshine that second seed Alcaraz felt had threatened the quality of his clash with Italian Sonego.
The Spaniard felt that both players managed to conquer the challenge as he gave up the second set but ran out a 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) winner.
But women’s fifth seed Jessica Pegula was unable to find a way past Frenchwoman Clara Burel and crashed out 6-4, 6-2 while her fellow American Sloane Stephens accounted for 14th seed Daria Kasatkina 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Dane Holger Rune was another high-profile casualty as the eighth seed lost to French wildcard Arthur Cazaux 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 while fellow Scandinavian and 11th seed Casper Ruud beat Australian Max Purcell 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (10-7).
The Norwegian next faces British 19th seed Cameron Norrie, who also needed five sets to beat qualifier Giulio Zeppieri 3-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Norrie’s compatriot Jack Draper was unable to replicate his win over Tommy Paul in Adelaide last week and the American 14th seed progressed 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Emma Raducanu’s Grand Slam return ended early as the former US Open champion fell 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to China’s Wang Yafan after looking ill late on and having her blood pressure checked.
Fellow Briton Katie Boulter fell to 12th seed Zheng Qinwen and it will be the Chinese duo that will face off next.
Their compatriot Juncheng Shang ended the fine run of Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 and the 18-year-old booked an intriguing clash with Alcaraz.
After early defeats for Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka kept the flag flying for former Melbourne Park champions as the 18th seed beat Clara Tauson 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
Her next opponent, former Grand Slam champion and 11th seed Jelena Ostapenko, downed Ajla Tomljanovic 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 while 19th seed Elina Svitolina beat Viktoriya Tomova 6-1, 6-3. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/medvedev-caps-off-day-of-great-escapes-rybakina-out-after-tiebreak-drama
| 2024-01-19T04:52:43Z
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MELBOURNE - Fourth seed Jannik Sinner underlined his title credentials by racing into the second week of the Australian Open without dropping a set after a 6-0 6-1 6-3 demolition of Sebastian Baez in the third round on Friday.
The clean-hitting Italian banged down six aces and 34 winners to see off the Argentine 26th seed in less than two hours in cool and blustery conditions on Margaret Court Arena, sealing the deal with a seventh break of serve.
The 22-year-old was the hottest player on tour at the end of last season and led Italy to a first Davis Cup triumph in late November to conclude the season.
His decision to extend his holiday and skip the warm-up tournaments ahead of the year's first Grand Slam raised some eyebrows, but Sinner felt it had been vindicated by his form in the first three rounds in Melbourne.
"In general, I feel really great here," Sinner said. "I'm really happy with how I'm feeling right now.
"Obviously matches are a little bit different (from training) and let's see how I react in the next rounds, but at the moment I'm going well."
Sinner's best run at the Australian Open was a place in the quarter-finals in 2022, and the odds will favour him getting back to the last eight with Karen Khachanov his opponent in the fourth round.
The Italian has won the last two of his three meetings with the Russian 15th seed with the only loss coming at the 2020 U.S. Open when he was still a teenager. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/winner-sinner-storms-past-baez-into-fourth-round
| 2024-01-19T04:52:53Z
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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Times plans to lay off a “significant” number of journalists, the newspaper’s guild said on Jan 18, adding that they would organise a one-day walk-out on Jan 19 to protest against the planned move.
The layoffs could impact at least 100 journalists, or about 20 per cent of the newsroom, in a move to address the paper’s financial pressures, LA Times reported separately, citing people familiar with the matter.
“The management needs to come to the bargaining table in good faith and work out a buyout plan with us that would first articulate a clear headcount or cost-saving they’re aiming for,” the guild said in a statement, adding that the management should then try to hit that number with as few layoffs as possible.
The guild said in a statement to Reuters that it was unaware of the number of job cuts. “Management has refused to say on the record what it is, which is part of why we’re walking out tomorrow,” it said.
LA Times did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
These job cuts come after the newspaper’s executive editor, Mr Kevin Merida, stepped down from his role the previous week after more than two years.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/la-times-plans-significant-layoffs-guild-says
| 2024-01-19T04:53:03Z
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WASHINGTON – The US House of Representatives on Jan 18 approved a stopgap Bill to fund the federal government until early March and avert a partial government shutdown, sending it to President Joe Biden for final approval.
The measure passed 314-108, with 106 Republicans and two Democrats in opposition.
Earlier on Jan 18, the Senate had easily passed the Bill, with a 77-18 vote ahead of the weekend deadline.
“We have good news for America. There will not be a shutdown on Friday,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said on the Senate floor just before the vote in that chamber.
That sentiment was not shared by some far-right House Republicans.
“It’s a loss for the American people to join hands with Democrats, form a governing coalition to do what Schumer and the Senate want to do,” House Freedom Caucus chairman Bob Good told reporters after the vote.
Both chambers accelerated their votes because of a forecast for a snowstorm on Jan 19 that could have snarled lawmakers’ departure for the weekend.
The Democratic-majority Senate and Republican-controlled House are far behind in carrying out their basic duty of funding the government for the fiscal year that began on Oct 1, with lawmakers scrambling to keep the lights on to give them more time to pass a full-year Bill.
Mr Schumer and his House Republican counterpart Mike Johnson earlier in January agreed to a US$1.59 trillion (S$2.13 trillion) discretionary spending level for the year that ends on Sept 30. But in a sign of how bitterly Congress is divided, the two parties now disagree on that number, with Democrats saying the actual amount agreed to is US$1.66 trillion.
The intense jockeying between House Republicans seeking deep spending cuts and Democrats comes amid a US$34.4 trillion national debt that is rapidly escalating and has prompted worries in part because of the heavy interest payments now being borne by the Treasury Department.
This third stopgap funding Bill, known as a “continuing resolution”, would simply extend last fiscal year’s spending levels until two deadlines of March 1 and March 8 for completing action of spending for various government agencies.
With the temporary funding Bill now on its way to enactment, the focus shifts to the need to pass the 12 Bills providing the full-year budget.
In the House, Mr Johnson could face blowback from hardline members of his party who oppose such stopgap funding Bills without deep spending cuts.
That displeasure led last fall to the toppling of Mr Johnson’s predecessor, Mr Kevin McCarthy.
So far, some of those hardliners have been expressing tolerance towards Mr Johnson, despite the dismal support from House Republicans.
“He’s just playing the cards he’s dealt,” said Representative Tim Burchett, referring to Mr Johnson.
Mr Burchett had voted to oust Mr McCarthy from the speakership after a bipartisan stopgap vote in September.
“It doesn’t really upset me any more. It’s just reality,” he said. “Johnson didn’t create this problem.” REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-congress-passes-bill-to-avert-government-shutdown-sends-it-to-biden
| 2024-01-19T04:53:14Z
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WASHINGTON – A crippled American spaceship has been lost over a remote region of the South Pacific, probably burning up in the atmosphere in a fiery end to its failed mission to land on the Moon.
Space robotics company Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander was launched on Jan 8 under an experimental new partnership between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and private industry that is intended to reduce costs for American taxpayers and seed a lunar economy.
But it experienced an explosion shortly after separating from its rocket and had been leaking fuel, damaging its outer shell as well as making it impossible to reach its destination.
In its latest update, Astrobotic posted on social media platform X that it had lost contact with its spacecraft shortly before 9pm Greenwich Mean Time on Jan 18, indicating a “controlled re-entry over open water” as it had predicted.
The Pittsburgh-based company added that it would await independent confirmation of Peregrine’s fate from the relevant government authorities. A previous update provided atmospheric re-entry coordinates that are a few hundred kilometres south of Fiji, albeit with a wide margin of error.
Engineers had executed a series of small engine burns to position the boxy, golf cart-size robot over the ocean to “minimise the risk of debris reaching land”.
Astrobotic also tweeted a photograph taken by the spaceship on its final day, revealing the Earth’s crescent as it positioned itself between the Sun and our planet.
Peregrine operated for more than 10 days in space, exciting enthusiasts even after it became clear that Astrobotic would not succeed in its goal to be the first company to achieve a controlled touchdown on the Moon – and the first American soft landing since the end of the Apollo era, more than five decades ago.
Nasa had paid the company more than US$100 million (S$134.2 million) under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme to ship its science instruments to the Moon, as it prepares to send American astronauts back to the barren world later this decade under the Artemis programme.
Astrobotic also carried more colourful cargo on behalf of private clients, such as the DNA and cremated remains of some 70 people, including Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke.
Although it has not worked out this time, Nasa officials have made clear that their strategy of “more shots on goal” means more chances to score. The next attempt under CLPS, by Houston-based Intuitive Machines, launches in February.
The Japanese space agency’s Moon Sniper, which launched in September 2023, will be the next spaceship to attempt a soft lunar touchdown, a notoriously difficult feat, shortly after midnight Japan time on Jan 19.
If it succeeds, Japan will be the fifth nation to complete the achievement, after the Soviet Union, United States, China and India. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-spaceship-lost-over-s-pacific-following-failed-moon-mission
| 2024-01-19T04:53:24Z
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TOKYO - Japan aims to become the fifth country to put a spacecraft on the moon when it attempts the precision landing of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) probe on Friday.
Dubbed the "moon sniper", SLIM will put to the test an experimental technology the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) says is unprecedented and essential to searching for water, and other factors that could sustain life on the moon.
JAXA will start a 20-minute touchdown phase on its one-way mission from 1500 GMT Friday, trying to land on a site roughly the size of two athletic tracks located on the slope of a crater just south of the lunar equator.
WHAT IS JAPAN'S PRECISION MOON LANDING?
More than two decades in development, the SLIM project is JAXA's second lunar landing attempt. It lost contact with the OMOTENASHI lander shortly after launch in 2022.
SLIM is designed to land within 100 metres (328 feet) of its target, versus the conventional accuracy of several kilometres for lunar landers. As the probe descends onto the surface, it recognises where it is flying by matching its camera's images with existing satellite photos of the moon. This "vision-based navigation" enables a precise touchdown, JAXA says.
The precision landing technology will become a powerful tool in future exploration of hilly moon poles - seen as a potential source of oxygen, fuel and water - and boosts a lunar lander's chance of survival by helping it select the best location for solar power generation, according to JAXA.
WHAT ARE CHALLENGES AND OTHER OBJECTIVES?
Only four nations - the former Soviet Union, the United States, China and India - and no private companies have achieved the soft landing on the moon's surface.
JAXA has twice landed on small asteroids, but landing on the moon is more difficult due to its gravity. Last year, probes from Russia and Japanese startup ispace inc crashed into the moon's surface. A lander from U.S. startup Astrobotic last week suffered a fuel leak, forcing it to abandon a touchdown attempt.
Manufacturing a lightweight moon lander with less fuel consumption was another objective of the SLIM project, as Japan aims to carry out more frequent missions in the future by reducing launch costs. SLIM weighs 700 kg (1,540 lb) at launch, less than half of India's Chandrayaan-3 that in August made a historic touchdown on the moon's south pole.
WHAT ABOUT RECENT SETBACKS?
In March, JAXA manually destroyed the initial model of new flagship rocket H3 after launch due to engine ignition trouble.
The failure caused widespread delays in Japan's satellite launches and space missions, including SLIM and another joint lunar polar exploration project with India, which is now slated for 2025.
JAXA also failed to launch an Epsilon small rocket in 2022, followed by an engine explosion during a test in July.
JAXA has completed the investigation into the first H3 rocket's failure last year and set the launch date of its second model to Feb. 15.
WHAT ARE OTHER MISSIONS TO THE MOON?
A number of lunar landers will be headed to the moon this year. U.S. startup Intuitive Machines aims to launch its IM-1 lander in mid-February. China plans to send its Chang'e-6 spacecraft to the far side of the moon in the first half of 2024 to retrieve samples from an ancient basin. Tokyo-based ispace has said it would launch its second moon mission this year.
NASA plans the launch of its lunar polar exploration rover VIPER in November. The U.S. space agency last week announced fresh delays to its Artemis moon program, scheduling for 2026 its first astronaut lunar landing in half a century. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/why-is-japans-moon-sniper-landing-mission-important
| 2024-01-19T04:53:35Z
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Navigating through perimenopause, a phase often conflated with menopause, is vital for women approaching this significant life stage. Perimenopause, the transition leading up to menopause (marked by 12 consecutive months without a period), presents a spectrum of symptoms and experiences that vary widely among individuals.
These can include hot flashes, mood swings, irregular periods, vaginal dryness, and weight gain. Interestingly, dietary modifications can be a powerful tool in managing these symptoms, thanks to the close relationship between gut health and menopausal changes.
Here's a detailed guide to five key dietary elements that can support health and well-being during perimenopause:
Eat the rainbow
A study in 2021 underscored the benefits of a plant-based diet, linking it to fewer hot flashes. Embracing a variety of fruits and vegetables, known colloquially as 'eating the rainbow,' is not just a cliché but a health imperative.
This approach ensures a wide spectrum of nutrients and is particularly beneficial for gut health.
When cooking, try to incorporate at least six plant-based ingredients, including vegetables, herbs, and spices, along with your choice of carbs or proteins. This not only offers a range of nutrients but also contributes significantly to daily fibre intake.
READ: I’m a Beauty Editor in menopause. These 9 daily habits keep my skin glowing
Load up on protein
The transition through perimenopause often results in decreased lean muscle mass and increased body fat.
A study highlighted that increasing daily protein intake can help counter these changes by managing appetite, potentially reducing body fat, improving cholesterol levels, and maintaining muscle mass.
Protein is also vital for regulating blood sugar levels, thus helping to mitigate energy fluctuations typical in menopause. Optimal sources include fish, lean meats, tofu, beans, eggs, nuts, seeds, oats, chickpeas, and lentils.
More calcium
With an increased risk of osteoporosis during perimenopause, calcium intake becomes crucial. Calcium and vitamin D-rich foods are essential for bone and muscle health.
Calcium sources extend beyond dairy products to include sardines, fortified cereals, plant-based milks, and leafy greens.
Additionally, vitamin D, necessary for calcium absorption, can be sourced from eggs, oily fish, mushrooms, and sunlight.
READ: Davina McCall reveals which ‘specific workouts’ are key to helping menopause
Get friendly with fatty acids
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Contrary to the negative portrayal of fats in many diets, they are essential for hormone production and the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K. A 2018 study suggested that omega-3 fatty acids could help ease symptoms of depression during menopause. Foods rich in omega-3s, such as oily fish, nuts, seeds, and avocados, can manage perimenopausal symptoms like night sweats and mood swings and support brain health, skin, and hair.
Load up on fibre
The importance of fibre in perimenopausal health cannot be overstated. A 2023 study from The University of Nottingham showed the link between fibre and various health benefits, including a healthier gut, reduced risk of ovarian cancer, and alleviation of depression symptoms.
Fibre-rich foods slow down blood sugar release, helping to prevent metabolic conditions and insulin resistance, common during perimenopause. Aim for a daily intake of 30g of fibre from diverse sources for optimal health benefits.
Faye James is an accredited nutritionist, member of the Australian Menopause Society and author of The Menopause Diet
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/511628/five-smart-ways-to-deal-with-perimenopause-according-to-a-nutritionist/
| 2024-01-19T05:12:40Z
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Off the coast of Belize exists a giant sinkhole in Earth's ocean. Known as the Great Blue Hole, it is 300 meters (984 feet) across and reaches a depth of 124 meters (407 feet). No light or oxygen is found at the bottom of the hole, so it's not a surprise that it has retained an aura of mystery about itself.
A recent expedition shining a literal light on the hole made several intriguing discoveries about what’s within the deep hole. Where light didn’t reach, the team used sound. They were able to produce the first three-dimensional sonar image of the sinkhole.
“With a variety of sonar heads, used sequentially over the course of the Expedition, we’ve been able to create a high-resolution, three-dimensional sonar image of the interior of the Great Blue Hole,” Erika Bergman, oceanographer and the chief submarine pilot on the expedition, wrote in a blog post on Southern Fried Science.
The team was intrigued by certain targets in particular. Among them, they wanted to study the stalactite caverns at depths between 40 and 50 meters (130 and 160 feet). These formed back when the sea level was over 100 meters (about 330 feet) lower and the Great Blue Hole was a dry cave, about 15,000 years ago. Marine lifeforms have now turned those geological formations into their own home.
The team also observed a layer of calcium carbonate at 88 meters (290 feet), where a barrier reef used to exist. They also looked for the presence of stalactites and stalagmites near the bottom of the hole. They found some evidence of small formations covered in sand, which over the millennia had entered the sinkhole.
“This is also evidenced by the 'conch graveyard,' a stretch of the blue hole where we observed hundreds of dead conch that had presumably fallen into the hole and been unable to escape the steep walls or survive long without oxygen. It was otherworldly down there and our data is one more way to share this revelation,” Bergman explained.
The expedition included some famous names such as billionaire Richard Branson and Fabien Cousteau. Cousteau is the grandson of Jacques Cousteau, co-inventor of the first safe and successful open-circuit scuba.
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https://www.iflscience.com/submarine-team-produced-the-first-3d-sonar-image-of-belizes-great-blue-hole-51689
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Entertainment
Blusher’s “Rave Angel” Is Dedicated To All The Nighttime Freaks
Watch the band’s FOMO-inducing new music video exclusively on NYLON.
A perfect night out doesn’t always come easy. Sometimes, you have to search for it, hunt for just the right person to talk to at a busy function, trudge through the show to get to the afterparty, or make the executive decision to sneak into that rave you didn’t actually get tickets to, anyway. It’s a lesson Melbourne-based band Blusher recently learned as they did just that to attend a secret Charli XCX and A. G. Cook set (Spoiler alert: they got in). “We were sitting at an In-N-Out burger, about to go home and call it a night after many failed attempts to get ourselves an invitation,” they tell NYLON. “We egged each other on to push through, and ended up having a huge, inspiring night.”
That night is now the basis of the band’s brilliant new song “Rave Angel,” a technicolor, electro-pop anthem dedicated to all the resplendent, nighttime freaks who know that the end of a party is simply the start of another one. Over a pounding pop beat that sounds pulled from Charli XCX’s early catalog, they warmly croon about not letting things “pass you by,” and living it up “til morning comes.” An ethereal dance break in the song’s second half is especially intoxicating. And as a late-20s-something who nowadays instinctively stays in over going out, it’s become a tender reminder I should probably cherish the energy of my youth while I still can.
Below, NYLON exclusively premieres the song’s music video, which shows the band’s three members — Lauren Coutts, Jade Ingvarson-Favretto, and Miranda Ward — equipped in sparkly rave gear dancing their hearts out in an empty parking lot, every night owl’s liminal space. “Rave Angel” is the band’s latest single in a slew of sparkling pop releases that have brought them on the road opening for acts like Aurora and Tove Lo. Hear the song below, and read on to learn more about Blusher.
NYLON: What are you up to right now — describe your surroundings.
BLUSHER: Right now we’re in L.A., writing at our friend Pink Slip’s house (the producer we made “Rave Angel” with). He has a pink piano, pink drums, pink furniture — it’s very Blusher-core. There are a lot of cute squirrels and hummingbirds in the backyard, which is still a big deal to us when we visit here from Australia.
This song is inspired by a real night out you guys had sneaking into a secret Charli XCX and A. G. Cook set. How did that happen?
We were fueled by tequila and sheer determination to sneak ourselves in to hear Charli/A.G Cook’s unreleased music. We were sitting at an In-N-Out burger, about to go home and call it a night after many failed attempts to get ourselves an invitation. We egged each other on to push through, and ended up having a huge, inspiring night. The next morning Pink Slip asked us what Charli was like behind the decks, and Miranda said she looked like “a beautiful Rave Angel.” We wrote the song to remind ourselves to always push through for the plot.
How did you guys meet and start making music?
All three of us were writers/producers and solo artists in Melbourne before we met each other at a gig. We bonded over our shared obsession for hard-hitting pop music with meaningful lyrics — we’d never met anyone else who referenced the same Robyn and Kesha deep-cuts before. After our first session together, where we wrote our first single, “Softly Spoken,” we kind of looked at each other and said, “Are we a band? I think we’re a band now!”
Where are your favorite places to rave?
We rave hardest in the Uber on the way to the actual party. Nothing really gets us hyped like our own pre-game playlist, to be honest.
What's next for Blusher?
We’re here in L.A. writing for the next month, then heading to Japan for Snow Machine festival! We can’t wait to perform, and to DJ on the snow slopes, then spend some time in Tokyo. We’ve been working on so much new music that we are itching to get out this year. This next phase feels like Blusher with the saturation turned up to 200%.
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https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/blusher-band-rave-angel-music-video
| 2024-01-19T05:59:34Z
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Lana Del Rey has always been vocal about clothing she wears: blue jeans, white shirts, red dresses, white dresses, black bathing suits, Waffle House uniforms — you get the point. Now, the singer-songwriter is adding something new to her wardrobe: SKIMS.
Del Rey is the latest face of Kim Kardashian’s ubiquitous shapewear and clothing line and the star of the brand’s forthcoming Valentine’s Day Shop. The new collection is Cupid-approved: silky powder blue bodysuits, sweet baby pink tank tops with lace trimmings, heart motifs, and more, styled with the God of desire’s signature arrow through the heart. The Nadia Lee Cohen-shot campaign also features a few of Del Rey’s trademarks, like gothic veils, coquettish bows, and a video of her donning a heart-shaped eyepatch as a single tear trails down her face. That’s our queen of pastiche!
“Good morning SKIMS!” wrote Del Rey on Instagram, teasing the collection. “Excited to be your valentine.”
The SKIMS Valentine’s Day Shop goes live on Jan. 23 at 12 p.m. ET. Until then, see Del Rey’s campaign photos, below.
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https://www.nylon.com/life/lana-del-rey-skims-valentines-day-shop-collection
| 2024-01-19T05:59:40Z
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Astrology
Your Pluto In Aquarius Horoscope Resets Your Karma
Pluto in Aquarius sets off a two-decade reinvention of technology and culture. Where do you fit in this new future?
Since 2008, Pluto, the planet of karma and metamorphosis, has been in Capricorn, where it has commanded a harrowing meltdown of the economy, sparked a distrust in our elected leaders, and brought nostalgia to a breaking point. The past is officially dead. Now what? As Pluto entered Aquarius for a few months in 2023, triggering a global panic over AI, quantum processing and other specters from the fast-approaching future. On January 22, 2024, Pluto re-enters the sign of youth culture, technology, and collectivism, not dipping its toes into Pisces until 2043.
We know that Pluto’s run in Aquarius will deal with technology and those modes of idealism which we use to liberate or oppress the masses. Many of the platforms, systems, and beliefs which have come to dominate our reality will be up for a bigger review. Limiting ethics will fall apart. Only those who can see beyond algorithmic manipulation and reductive moralism will have a chance of keeping their wits intact. Inventiveness, collaboration and forward-thinking will be rewarded. Save for a retrograde or two, Pluto’s done with Capricorn. It’s time to stop crying for attention. Daddy’s not coming to save you.
Because Pluto transits can range for decades, their impacts are not always immediately felt on the natal chart. Indeed, you can consider the karmic generator’s entrance into a new sign or house as a directive for a bigger journey of healing. As Pluto rules the personal and collective underworld, whatever it does will bring up old grief, trigger a deeper reckoning, and finally hand you the keys to your fate. Woof.
We recommend that you read the horoscope of your rising sign, as it will more accurately spell out Pluto’s journey in your chart. Additionally, check if you have any planets in Aquarius or the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, and Scorpio), to see if you’ll have any interesting squares or oppositions on the horizon.
ARIES & ARIES RISING
In the sign of new technology, Pluto will certainly reshape much of our social reality. But as Pluto enters your 11th house of audience, network, and community, you won’t just be contemplating the toxicity of your social networks, you’ll be asking bigger questions of belonging. Who are your people? What are you putting out into the world, and who is it for? Much of your outsider identity will be confronted and demolished, and many of the stagnant relationships will be released. It’s time to find your place in the world.
TAURUS & TAURUS RISING
Pluto spent the last 15-ish years in your ninth house of expanding horizons, where it annihilated many of your preconceptions about your future, your dreams, and the industry of your choosing. But out of the ashes comes renewal, as Pluto enters your 10th house of ambition and capital “C” career. You can really contemplate what you do, the purpose it serves, and its impact on the larger human collective. You are connecting to the deeper vibrations of your vocation that make you feel connected to something bigger, older, and scarier than you’d ever imagined. Your dreams were small. Good thing they’ve been cast aside. It’s time to step into the vastness.
GEMINI & GEMINI RISING
What and who has held you back? What ancient narratives have limited your conception of what’s possible? As Pluto heads into your ninth house of expanding horizons, it will open up a new world of study, travel, discovery, and possibility. This awakening brings a confrontation with the limits of the past and the ways you’ve been influenced and subdued to fit your former small world. Deal with the gatekeepers in your mind and reckon with the ways you still keep yourself small. Take down your blinders.
CANCER & CANCER RISING
The eighth house is thought of as the house of dying, which can apply literally, but more broadly speaks to how we cast off the roles we were once assigned for the sake of a new identity. In the eighth house, children become parents, individuals become spouses, and our conception of self is totally rocked. You are entering a two-decade saga meant to shift your limited sense of understanding. However you related to yourself or were seen in your family, forget about it. You are being challenged to take on a bigger role doing work you never imagined. Let go of who you were, and let the relationships in your life shift your way forward. Do whatever it takes to say goodbye. This is your path now.
LEO & LEO RISING
Pluto’s sixth house Capricorn journey involved your body, your limits, and your sense of self. Do you exist? What kind of space do you take up in the world? With that reclamation complete, we can now introduce you to those fated relationships which are meant to move you into your destiny. In Aquarius, Pluto will transform your seventh house of public visibility and others, introducing you to the people who see you as you truly are, and who will challenge you to rise to your fullest potential. These relationships are meant to challenge your previous self-conception, and evoke the ghosts of your family history. Face it. You’ve only just begun to find your people. Let them set you off, and try to understand what old wounds they’re exposing. Every relationship is a vehicle, and you’re about to board the Starship Enterprise. Trust that every encounter is meant to open your mind and shake you out of complacency.
VIRGO & VIRGO RISING
Virgo’s ruling domain is the sixth house, of the body and boundaries. Guess where Pluto’s headed? You are about to go on a psychedelic voyage of self-reclamation, which will bring you into an entirely new relationship with your body and change the way you understand health, work, and relationships. Every discovery you make about yourself, every new boundary you set, will bring with it some vibration of grief, as you understand the ways you’ve compromised yourself for others in the past. By the end of this long transit, your life will be your own, and the pastwill truly feel like ancient history. Make space for grieving as you come into new strength — in this process, the two will, inevitably, go hand in hand.
LIBRA & LIBRA RISING
Pluto is finally done with its karmic processing of your fourth house of roots and family. Now, it enters the fifth house of creativity and embodied expression, where you get to make your mark on the world. This is the domain of pleasure, athleticism, romance, art, and even children — all those things which are yours to create and cultivate. Sounds good, but often, when the sun hits us after a long winter, the thaw can be painful. What old baggage must you leave behind? Meet every new moment of creation with intention, gratitude, and even mourning, and you’ll be able to feel present for the personal renaissance to come.
SCORPIO & SCORPIO RISING
Along with Mars, Pluto rules your chart. Its gig, as the engine of transformation, is to propel you — and those in your field of contact — into your next elevated incarnation. You’re no stranger to what this entails: an underworld journey, an initiation, death and rebirth. For the next two decades, this process goes down in your fourth house of home, roots, family, and foundations. When it comes to your ancestry, what lost histories have yet to be reclaimed? What biological karma has yet to be healed? As of now, it’s on you to repair your family line. Make sense of where you come from, and the rewards promise a new life and a liberated future for you and your entire family line. Pull out the old photo albums and get going: You’ve got a bloodline to save.
SAGITTARIUS & SAGITTARIUS RISING
Pluto enters the third house of daily life, culture, and conditioning. This is not Sagittarius’s favorite, because it concerns the micro aspects of life, and not the big picture questions in which the centaur delights. And yet. The keys to god consciousness do not await you in some foreign land, but in line at your local butcher shop. Every interaction, routine, and small act of intention carries the seed of awakening. You will likely have to purge your established conditioning, change your relationship with your phone, and leap into strange and dazzling new lifestyle choices. But it will be worth it, for you’ll come to greet every day as an adventure, and no longer seek beyond the life you’ve got.
CAPRICORN & CAPRICORN RISING
The second house is said to concern our personal finances, which is, of course, the thorniest of brambles to cut through. As the god of the underworld hits your money domain, you’ll have to confront your limits around earning, and face deeper questions of self worth. How were you conditioned to think about money? What do you think you deserve? And how is that being projected into the world? As a Capricorn rising, it’s your destiny to cultivate cash, and plan for a rich and satisfying future. But to do that, you’ll have to purge the tired programming that says you’re not good enough. Do this work, and you’ll be done with imposter syndrome for good. We need you leading the way. Go reboot your confidence, so you can help us get our acts together.
AQUARIUS & AQUARIUS RISING
What an assignment! In Capricorn, Pluto spent 15+ years bringing karmic finality to your 12th house of closure. As capitalism showed its cracks, you went through your own personal underworld odyssey, reconciling your own history, lineage, and legacy. Now, Pluto rises at dawn, at the beginning of your chart. After everything you’ve experienced, and all the internal processing, you must now serve as an agent of metamorphosis. You must wear the wisdom you have cultivated, and trust that your presence in the lives of others has a larger karmic purpose. Share what you’ve been through, and confront your fear of stepping into the light.
PISCES & PISCES RISING
Aquarius can be found in your 12th house of healing, processing, and creative closure. This is the Piscean domain, and from here, Pluto intends to heal old wounds once and for all. Because Pisces rules the 12th house, we understand that the ways you deal — be it through sound baths, sculpture, or journal entries — will reverberate into the larger collective consciousness. By going deep, by excavating the sarcophagi within your subconscious, you will not only trigger your own regenesis, but show the rest of us how to do it, too. You’re no longer only a patient, but a healer and an artist. By committing to your interior life, you can help us heal our own collective wounds.
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https://www.nylon.com/life/pluto-aquarius-horoscope-2024-2044
| 2024-01-19T05:59:46Z
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HAMBURG, GERMANY - Indonesian state purchasing agency Bulog has issued an international tender to buy 500,000 tonnes of rice, European traders said on Jan 18.
The white rice was sought for arrival in February and March, with the offer deadline set at Jan 29.
Accepted origins are Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Pakistan, India and China.
The rice of 5 per cent broken grade should be sourced from the 2023/24 crop and milled no later than six months ago, they said.
Indonesia in December 2023 ordered its army to help farmers plant rice after severe drought reduced output in Southeast Asia’s most populous country, lifting prices, requiring increased imports and threatening food security.
Indonesia’s rice output in January and February is estimated to fall 46.3 per cent from the same period a year ago as an El Nino weather pattern hits harvests.
Indonesia’s national food agency on Jan 18 said the imported rice is expected to arrive before main harvest. The main rice harvest is usually in March and April but the El Nino weather is expected delay that by one to two months, the government said.
The government has set an Indonesian 2024 rice import quota of two million tons.
The new tender continues major import efforts by Indonesia’s government.
Bulog said it had purchased more than 500,000 tons of rice in a tender in December 2023, with rice to be sourced from Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and Myanmar. European traders said the December purchase was for rapid shipment, with arrival by Jan 30. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesia-tenders-to-buy-500000-tons-of-rice-traders
| 2024-01-19T06:22:34Z
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JAKARTA - At 53, Mak Luke, a transgender woman, will go to the polls for the first time when Indonesia holds an election on Feb 14 after finally obtaining a government identity card.
Like many transgender Indonesians, Mak Luke left her family as a teenager and ended up living on the streets, making it difficult for her to apply for an identity card. That meant she could not access public services, open a bank account - or vote.
Even going to the doctor was “very difficult” without the document, known as the KTP, Mak Luke told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
She finally got her KTP in 2021 with support from Jakarta-based LGBTQ+ rights group Suara Kita, which has helped obtain ID cards for hundreds of transgender women - who tend to face more stigma and marginalisation than transgender men or other LGBTQ+ Indonesians.
She said it has been life-changing - even if the document still carries her male birth name and gender assigned at birth.
Transgender people in many countries are fighting for their gender identity to be recognised on official documents, but transgender Indonesians can only change their legal gender if they have had gender reassignment surgery.
Despite the many challenges transgender Indonesians face today, gender-fluid communities have historically been accepted in the country. The Bugis ethnic group on Sulawesi island, for instance, traditionally recognises five genders, including one that is said to “transcend”, or combine, female and male.
Still, a rising tide of conservative Islam in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country has fuelled anti-LGBTQ+ persecution.
Although same-sex relations are not criminalised across Indonesia, except in the provinces of Aceh and South Sumatra, 92 per cent of Indonesians surveyed by the Pew Research Center in 2023 opposed same-sex marriage.
But there are some signs of change, including recognition by the government in 2021 of the particular difficulties transgender women face in securing KTPs.
“The problems to get an ID card for transgender women is a reflection of the problem that people living below the poverty line face,” said 46-year-old LGBTQ+ activist Hartoyo who goes by one name and is one of Suara Kita’s founders.
Embracing gender differences
As one of 20 Suara Kita volunteers working to get ID cards for trans women, Ms Mak Eci has helped with everything from small changes like new photos to acting as a guarantor for those who do not have their biometric information in the system, which all Indonesians are required to do when they reach the age of 17.
“Finally, I see the government gradually embracing gender differences,” said Ms Mak Eci, a 50-year-old transgender woman based in West Jakarta, who helped Mak Luke get her ID card.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was drawn up in 2021 by Indonesia’s federal Ministry of Home Affairs to resolve issues such as missing legal identity documents at the local administrative level, rather than cases being sent to Jakarta.
The MOU has drastically decreased the time it takes to process these complex cases, from three months to a week, and sometimes an ID card is processed within hours.
“We at the civil administration office must serve all Indonesian citizens with no exception,” said Mr Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, former director-general of the Civil Registry Service Office who signed the MOU.
That followed 10 years of lobbying by Suara Kita, said its founder Hartoyo, who first started working to support transgender women to get ID cards in 2011.
Since then, Suara Kita has helped 650 trans women get new cards nationwide - a process that is ongoing, with new ID cards issues every week.
Everything becomes easier
Ms Victoria Sintara, 36, first arrived in Jakarta 12 years ago from a village in West Kalimantan, where she said she endured years of bullying and abuse.
Her ID card from home expired and she did not have the money to travel back to renew it.
That meant Ms Sintara was without a KTP for three years, until she got a new one with help from Suara Kita.
“Even finding a job (was) difficult for me, despite having a decent education,” Sintara said. “I even resorted to busking.”
Ms Sintara still busks part-time, but she also has a job as a finance officer for a theatre group.
“Everything becomes easier; every task, every place is accessible,” she said.
Besides making day-to-day life easier, ensuring transgender women have ID cards was a step towards giving them “a political voice”, said , University of Indonesia gender and sexuality studies Professor Irwan Hidayana.
“Trans women’s participation in elections is an acknowledgment that they are citizens just like other Indonesians,” Prof Hidayana said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/long-sought-ids-give-transgender-indonesians-the-right-to-vote
| 2024-01-19T06:22:44Z
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BANGKOK - Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Friday his government will move ahead with its flagship $14.3-billion 'digital wallet' handout scheme, though it may be delayed.
Srettha, who has been touting the policy as a stimulus measure necessary to revive a sluggish economy, did not specify a launch date. Earlier this week, a government official said it would be delayed beyond May.
The programme, originally slated for February, has been hounded by concerns over how it will be funded, with some experts calling it fiscally irresponsible.
The government has insisted the scheme, which would transfer 10,000 baht (around $285) each to 50 million Thais via a mobile app to spend in their local communities, would be managed carefully through cascaded borrowing.
Srettha said on Friday the government has data to prove the project is worth implementing and there would be no corruption.
He was speaking to reporters after a trip to Davos, Switzerland, where he spoke at the World Economic Forum. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/thai-pm-digital-wallet-handout-scheme-may-be-delayed
| 2024-01-19T06:22:55Z
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YOKOSUKA, Japan - The United States and Japan will look at the viability of using Japanese shipyards to overhaul U.S. navy warships that patrol East Asian waters, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said on Friday at the Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo.
Doing refits in Japan could help the U.S. keep more of its ships battle-ready in East Asia where China is expanding its naval power. The U.S. navy currently sends its ships back across the Pacific to shipyards at home that are wrestling with a backlog of maintenance contracts.
The U.S. Navy will need more maintenance capacity as it expands its fleet over the coming decades.
Japan hosts the biggest overseas concentration of U.S. military power, including the only forward-deployed carrier strike group, which operates from Yokosuka. The Seventh Fleet, of which it is a part, commands up to 70 ships and submarines, most of them based in Japan. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/us-eyeing-japanese-shipyards-for-warship-overhauls-says-us-ambassador
| 2024-01-19T06:23:05Z
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SINGAPORE - The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) wants to bring firms and policymakers together to put a damper on costs in 2024, with a new grouping it has named Alliance for Action (AfA) on Business Competitiveness.
New green taxes, rising utilities rates, a shrinking workforce, expensive raw materials and supply chain crunches will likely continue to hit firms from multiple fronts.
And while markets expect interest rates to soften, the days of near-free loans are unlikely to return, said the apex trade association on Jan 18.
At a dinner it hosted for journalists, SBF chief executive Kok Ping Soon delivered the report card for 2023 and outlined its plans for this year.
On one of the five main tasks he set out, he said: “We are proposing that the Government consider forming an AfA on business competitiveness.”
The Government may not own the switch on interest rates or energy costs, but there is no looking away from companies suffering from rising operating costs, he said.
The former GovTech executive, who also wants more enterprises to lead and own the onus of improving business conditions, hopes to make the discussions open.
“Rather than not addressing it, rather than doing it in closed dialogues, why don’t we grab the issue by the horns and put it out in the business public,” he said.
“Let’s unpack the issue, understand the drivers of this and look for opportunities where we can actually make a difference, not on a broad-based basis, but on a targeted sectoral basis.”
SBF also made the call in a joint proposal with consultancy firm KPMG for the 2024 Budget session, which Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong will open on Feb 16.
Wage costs, often one of the top cost components of businesses here, along with rent, are expected to continue to surge as policies such as progressive wages for low-wage workers and tighter reins on foreign talent continue.
“These pro-worker policies are all right but if you look from a business point of view, they do increase business costs,” Mr Kok said.
The representative of 30,000 businesses plans to get views on the cumulative effect of these policies on sentiments and pass them on to the Government.
The association has jumped at the Government’s invitation to be part of its planning for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, announced with a memorandum of understanding on Jan 11, to promote cross-border trade and investments between the neighbours.
“We would like to use this opportunity to provide inputs to shaping this MOU,” he said.
Workers are also on the task list. The association wants to support the Green Skills Committee led by the Government to groom talent to help firms to meet sustainability and decarbonisation targets.
“We can define some of these competency development work,” said Mr Kok. “Just as we embed digitalisation skills in every other job, we’ll be expecting to embed some of these (green-economy) skills into jobs.”
A development guide, training programmes and a certification process for sustainability officers could be on the cards.
In 2023, SBF organised more than 600 events in its mission to support businesses’ overseas expansion, digitalisation and transformation, and to develop talent.
It had 24 discussions with ministers and developed 10 policy papers on areas including foreign worker policies, business leadership development, sustainability reporting and trade facilitation.
As part of its mandate to help businesses address manpower challenges, it held 270 training courses for 3,600 workers, while training and placing more than 500 trainees.
As signs point to a stronger fiscal focus on social programmes in 2024, businesses should brace for less government support, Mr Kok said.
It is time for Singapore’s business leaders, seen as more passive than their global peers, to step forward as a team, he added.
“It comes with a very pro-business, competent, strong government - nothing wrong,” he said. “But we have seen the writing on the wall, we have seen how the operating environment has changed. We know the Government doesn’t have all the answers in the world, and the fiscal environment is getting tighter and tighter.”
Would bigger businesses now step up to help others, for example? In the green transition, would queen bee companies - those with strong industrial expertise and influence - help their suppliers make the cut, he asked.
“I hope SPF can play the role to build this strategic business collective,” he said.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/an-alliance-to-tackle-business-costs-sought-for-2024-singapore-business-federation
| 2024-01-19T06:23:16Z
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KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia’s economy grew at a slower-than-estimated pace in the fourth quarter as exports to China fell, signaling that a firmer recovery is taking longer than expected.
Gross domestic product grew 3.4 per cent in the October-December period from a year ago, according to advance estimates released by Malaysia’s Department of Statistics on Jan 19. That’s lower than the 4.1 per cent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey.
A slowdown in construction and stagnant manufacturing activity weighed on the economy, which grew 3.8 per cent all of last year, below the central bank’s estimate of about 4 per cent expansion in 2023. The final figures will be released on Feb 16.
Malaysia is grappling with falling exports that have been dragged by China’s sputtering economy. Shipments of goods abroad fell 10 per cent from a year earlier in December, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry said on Jan 19, with sales to China, its largest trading partner, shrinking 1.5 per cent.
“Weak external demand has been the main reason for slowing growth in 2023. The slowing Chinese economy certainly plays a role,” said Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid at Bank Muamalat Malaysia. “2024 is still on cautious mode”.
Malaysia’s ringgit pared earlier gains to trade little changed at 4.7178 against the US dollar following the disappointing data.
The construction sector saw moderating growth of 2.5 per cent, from 7.2 per cent in the third quarter. Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector rose by just 0.1 per cent. BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/malaysia-s-economic-growth-misses-estimate-as-china-weighs
| 2024-01-19T06:23:26Z
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M1 Singapore Fringe Festival
Motherland
Very Shy Gurl by fendy
Practice Space, The Theatre Practice
Jan 18, 8pm
Inspired by the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, this creation by former Substation artistic director Noor Effendy Ibrahim – performed by his collective Very Shy Gurl by fendy – cannot avoid its contemporary resonance as Gaza continues to see bloodshed and a longstanding conflict threatens to envelop the Middle East.
It is peak fringe festival fare, staged in the black box of The Theatre Practice’s Practice Space, which is here claustrophobically dimmed and so spartan it resembles a jail cell.
Two male soldiers, in states of undress, circle each other and tussle lovingly, but mostly, violently. A wire mesh bed frame without a mattress is more torture device than a place of rest, while a phallic, elongated punching bag hangs overhead, the Damocles sword never allowed to drop.
Motherland was first presented as a work in progress at the Singapore International Festival Of Arts in May 2023, and its setting is intentionally not specific, though it is implied that actor Bada Jabari’s more aggressive soldier has invaded co-performer Irfan Kasban’s soldier’s land.
Both are unnamed – one of them, in fact, has forgotten the other’s name amid the conflict – and have developed a lustful and complicated romance that must necessarily reckon with the damaging psyche of war and the loss of loved ones outside.
It is initially confusing, tidbits of contextual information drip-fed to audiences over the one-hour showtime, at every turn filled with guilt, trauma, threat and domination. The lack of specificity means Effendy has to go big on the violence for audiences to feel it in the gut.
And he does so successfully, mostly via Bada’s menace and a flagellation scene that had some people repeatedly flinching, Effendy making a point about the ubiquity of videos available online from places of conflict that is increasingly forcing viewers to be helpless spectators.
A third actor, Mish’aal, is of interest, playing a man-dog treated by and so acting like a beast for both men. He barks in exchange for water and serves as a useful scapegoat when tensions run too high.
Irfan’s character shows him some kindness, and he reciprocates with tenderness, but the tragedy is that in war, might is right, and he meekly facilitates the final heartbreaking act that smartly returns viewers to the beginning of the play – a loop of endless violence.
Rosemainy Buang’s live elegiac Javanese singing is integral to the otherworldly feel, and the whole act is experimental enough to shock and interest, though audiences seeking conventional meaning should look elsewhere.
A little abstract, but nevertheless a visceral, wholeheartedly acted performance by all involved.
Book It/Motherland (R18)
Where: Practice Space, The Theatre Practice, 54 Waterloo Street
When: Until Jan 20, 8pm
Admission: $28 (concession) and $35
Info: str.sg/AzCP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/theatre-review-motherland-a-tense-violent-vignette-of-two-soldiers-in-love
| 2024-01-19T06:23:36Z
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SINGAPORE – American pop star Bruno Mars has added a second night to his Singapore concert at the National Stadium and will perform on April 6 too.
Tickets from the Live Nation pre-sale for the first show on April 5 sold out quickly after kicking off on Jan 19 at 11am on livenation.sg. General sales for both shows will take place on Jan 20 at 11am via Ticketmaster. Ticket prices range from $108 to $598.
According to concert organiser Live Nation, the second show was added “due to incredible demand”.
The chart-topping, multi-award-winning artiste performed two nights at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2018, and played his first show in Singapore at the same venue in 2014.
In a post on social media, Live Nation cautioned fans against buying tickets from “unauthorised sellers or third-party websites”.
“By purchasing tickets through these non-authorised points of sale, buyers take on the risk that the validity of the tickets cannot be guaranteed, with no refunds possible,” it warns.
Mars’ concert dates until June include stops in Tokyo, Bangkok, South Korea, the Philippines and Las Vegas in the United States. The 38-year-old played his first gig of 2024 in Macau on Jan 6 at the MGM Cotai integrated resort.
The singer is best known for solo hits such as Just The Way You Are (2010), The Lazy Song (2011) and Locked Out Of Heaven (2012), which incorporate genres such as pop, R&B and funk.
His long list of accolades includes 15 Grammys, including Album of the Year for his third solo album 24K Magic (2016) and Record of the Year for Uptown Funk (2014), a collaboration with British producer-DJ Mark Ronson.
At the 2022 Grammys, Silk Sonic, his collaborative project with American singer-musician Anderson .Paak, won four awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for the tune Leave The Door Open.
A prolific songwriter and producer, Mars has also worked on hits for other marquee music acts, such as British singer Adele and American singer CeeLo Green.
Book It/ Bruno Mars Live In Singapore
Where: National Stadium, 1 Stadium Drive
When: April 5 and 6, 8pm
Admission: Tickets from $108 to $598 go on sale on Jan 20, 11am via Ticketmaster’s website (ticketmaster.sg) and hotline (tel: 3158-8588)
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/bruno-mars-adds-second-concert-in-singapore-after-pre-sale-tickets-sell-out
| 2024-01-19T06:23:47Z
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Europe’s carmakers are bracing themselves for slower growth in 2024 after sales fell for the first time in 17 months in December on waning enthusiasm for electric vehicles (EVs).
New vehicle registrations declined by 3.8 per cent to 1.05 million units last month, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said on Jan 18.
Sales slumped by nearly a quarter in Germany – the region’s biggest market – after EV incentives ran out, outweighing growth in other key countries.
Elevated borrowing costs, a sluggish economy in parts of Europe and growing pessimism around EVs are clouding the industry’s outlook.
Bloomberg Intelligence is predicting sales growth in 2024 to slow to 5 per cent, from 14 per cent in 2023. This will likely depress car prices and squeeze returns for automakers, according to Bernstein analysts.
“Pent-up demand has started to fade,” analysts led by Mr Daniel Roeska said in a note in January. Dealerships and manufacturers “will soon face the full force of sluggish demand”.
Tesla slashed prices for its best-selling Model Y in markets such as Germany, France and Norway this week. The American carmaker is planning to temporarily halt production of the vehicle at its plant near Berlin, citing logistics issues triggered by fighting in the Red Sea.
In December, Audi said it was pulling back its EV roll-out.
The deep decline in Germany, where EV registrations nearly halved in December, outweighed growth in markets such as Britain, Spain and France.
EV sales rose by 28 per cent in 2023, but slumped by a quarter in December.
Besides Germany, registrations of new battery-powered cars also shrank in Sweden, the Netherlands and Croatia. The European Union recorded its first monthly drop in EV sales since April 2020, the height of the pandemic.
Some grounds for optimism remain. European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde this week signalled an interest rate cut this summer was “likely”, fuelling hopes of lower financing costs.
In Italy, where registrations rose by 6 per cent in December, the government is considering a €930 million (S$1.36 billion) package to bolster EV sales, Bloomberg reported earlier in January.
Carmakers are also racing to improve their products. A wave of 35 new battery-powered models to be introduced in 2024 will provide customers with more affordable choices, possibly allowing companies to bolster their brand and market position, the Bernstein analysts added.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen (VW) has lost another lawsuit at a German court over its software fix for engines in the wake of the diesel scandal that tarnished the reputation of Europe’s biggest carmaker.
The Schleswig Administrative Court, which already issued a similar ruling a year ago, toppled the German transport regulator’s clearance of the software for 62 older diesel models, according to environmental group DUH, which brought the case.
The judges revoked the permit that allowed VW to fix engines by updating the software instead of retrofitting them with potentially more costly hardware.
DUH argued the engine EA-189 still illegally dodges environmental rules because it switches off emission cleaning amid low temperatures, turning the updates into so-called defeat devices. VW had argued these exceptions are necessary to protect the engines from damage and that car security takes precedence.
VW called the ruling wrong and promised to appeal, but said it sees “no threat” of having cars removed from roads. The company has already challenged the February 2023 ruling that is pending on appeal.
KBA, the German transport regulator, said it cleared the permit only after ordering VW to make adjustments. The agency will review the judgment once its written version is available and then decide on any further steps.
DUH said it has filed suits over similar software used by cars from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Stellantis’ Fiat and 15 other manufacturers. BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/motoring/ev-sales-cool-in-europe
| 2024-01-19T06:23:57Z
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Today in Pictures, Jan 19, 2024
Spotlight on Paris Fashion Week, protesters lighting flares and waving flags in Marseille, and other photos from around the world in Today in Pictures.
Desmond Foo
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https://str.sg/bw2W
A model presents a creation by Bluemarble for the Menswear Ready-to-wear Fall-Winter 2024/2025 collection as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris on Jan 17.
PHOTO : AFP
Protesters light flares and wave flags of the French police union "Alliance" during a rally called by French police unions to obtain "exceptional measures" in compensation for their compulsory presence at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Marseille on Jan 18.
PHOTO : AFP
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz serves against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego during their men's singles match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan 18.
PHOTO : AFP
Germany's Roman Rees reacts after crossing the finish line of the men's 15km short individual event of the IBU Biathlon World Cup in Antholz-Anterselva, Italy, on Jan 18.
PHOTO : AFP
An actor performs 'Efectos Especiales' (Special Effects) during Santiago a Mil International Theater Festival in Santiago, Chile on Jan 18.
PHOTO : REUTERS
Dancers perform during the celebration of the "Parachicos" traditional festivity in Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas State, Mexico on Jan 17. The "Parachicos" is a celebration with pre-Hispanic origins, according to the municipality of Chiapa de Corzo.
PHOTO : AFP
A man removes white hair for his friend on a street in Hanoi on Jan 18.
PHOTO : AFP
A displaced Palestinian boy, who fled his house due to Israeli strikes, sits on a water canister at a tent camp, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on Jan 18.
PHOTO : REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/photos/today-in-pictures-jan-19-2024
| 2024-01-19T06:24:08Z
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SINGAPORE - A man who held multiple directorships, secretarial and shareholder positions in 185 firms has had his registration as a qualified individual (RQI) cancelled by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra).
On Jan 19, Acra said the registrations of filing agent (RFA) LW Business Consultancy (LWBC), and Wang Junjie as an RQI had been cancelled on Jan 18.
Acra said its investigations are part of the ongoing money laundering probe here.
At least $2.8b in cash and assets have been seized in Singapore’s largest money laundering case.
Acra said Wang Junjie is the RQI and director of LWBC.
The registrations were cancelled in view of breaches of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) controls under the Acra (Filing Agents and Qualified Individuals) Regulations 2015.
Acra said one of the AML/CFT breaches committed by LWBC included failing to perform additional customer due diligence measures when a customer is not physically present during the onboarding process.
Other breaches included not inquiring if there were other beneficial owners linked to his clients, and failing to perform risk assessments on some of his customers.
In its statement, Acra said: “Wang, as the RQI and director of LWBC, also did not supervise his employees in carrying out their duties, which resulted in the breaches. Accordingly, Acra determined that Wang no longer met the fit and proper criteria to remain registered as an RQI, and Wang’s registration as an RQI was consequently cancelled.”
Acra said RQIs and RFAs provide corporate secretarial services for business entities, such as helping customers to incorporate companies, file annual returns and other filing requirements under the Companies Act 1967 or other Acts under Acra’s purview.
RQIs and RFAs must perform customer due diligence measures and guard against breaches in AML/CFT.
Those who commit breaches can be fined up to $10,000, or $25,000 per breach respectively or have their registrations with Acra suspended or cancelled.
Acra said it has planned additional measures, including enhancing the penalties on errant service providers, to strengthen the effectiveness of Singapore’s anti-money laundering regime.
It is working with the Ministry of Finance to table the proposals in Parliament in the coming months.
Acra said RQIs and RFAs play an important role in helping to detect and combat illicit activities.
It added that between 2021 and 2023, Acra had cancelled or suspended the registrations of 17 RQIs and RFAs.
On Aug 15, 2023, the Commercial Affairs Department arrested 10 foreigners - nine men and one woman, in Singapore’s biggest money laundering case, which has made headlines globally.
The Straits Times had reported on Sept 3, 2023, that Wang Junjie, identified as J.J in the report, had held positions in nine companies linked to three of the 10 accused in the money laundering probe.
They are Su Haijin, 40, Su Baolin, 42, and Vang Shuiming, also known as Wang Shuiming, 43.
In response to ST’s queries in Sept 2023, Acra said it is uncommon for individuals to hold numerous directorships in Singapore, but there are currently no caps.
Acra had said then that it was working on amendments to the Companies Act and Acra Act, to limit the number of nominee directorships an individual can hold.
Wang Junjie’s case has not been the only one to make the news recently.
On Dec 21, 2023, a Singaporean who was listed as a director of 980 companies was sentenced to four weeks’ jail and fined $57,000.
He did not exercise reasonable diligence in the proper discharge of his duties with two firms, and pleaded guilty to 18 charges under the Companies Act.
On Nov 30, 2023, two Singaporean men who were nominee directors of shell companies here were sentenced to four and six weeks’ jail respectively, after their firms inadvertently helped scammers launder almost $20 million.
Both men had pleaded guilty to charges of failing to exercise reasonable diligence in their duties as directors. They were disqualified from being company directors for five years.
On Sept 27, 2023, an unemployed Singaporean who became nominee director of 186 companies was fined $4,000 for failing to exercise reasonable diligence in his duty as director. He was disqualified from being a company director for three years.
The 49-year-old was offered $50 a year for each firm incorporated here in which he was named a nominee director.
He was promised another $50 each time he opened a bank account for the firms, and if he had to turn up to sign papers.
One of the firms was later used by scammers to launder US$2.36 million (S$3.17 million) from victims overseas.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/acra-sanctions-bedok-resident-behind-185-companies-over-links-to-28b-money-laundering-bust
| 2024-01-19T06:24:18Z
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SINGAPORE – What started out as a night of merrymaking for a 21-year-old woman at a Turf Club Road restaurant turned into a nightmare when a man carried her out of the premises and took her to a nearby field.
Indian national Erugula Eswara Reddy, who was in Singapore on a student pass, then lay the Briton on the ground and undressed himself after molesting her.
One of the woman’s male friends went to the field when he heard a faraway scream and saw that Erugula was naked with the partially-dressed weeping victim lying face up nearby.
The friend alerted the police and officers arrived at the scene to arrest the offender.
On Jan 19, Erugula, 25, who pleaded guilty to a molestation charge, was sentenced to four years’ jail and six strokes of the cane.
Shortly before the incident, the woman had met up with some friends for drinks in the evening of Aug 20, 2022 and consumed some alcoholic beverages.
At around 11pm, they went to the Festivo @ Mr Gallop restaurant in Turf Club Road near Dunearn Road. She felt tipsy, but was still able to walk unassisted and was aware of her surroundings.
She sat on a chair in the eatery after throwing up and sent to text message to a male friend who was supposed to be there. She also shared with him her live location at the time.
Erugula then approached the woman and she felt uncomfortable when he started talking to her. The victim told him that she was fine and did not need any help.
At 1.40am, she sent a text a message to her friend about her encounter with Erugula.
Deputy Public Prosecutor John Lu told the court: “The accused then lifted the victim off her chair, held her face-to-face and carried her out of Festivo. The victim could not see where the accused was taking her as her back was facing the direction in which they were moving.
“During this time, the victim asked the accused not to take her and to let her go but the accused persisted with his actions. The accused also took the victim’s handphone from her.”
Erugula took the woman to a nearby field, placed her on the ground and hovered over her. She told him to stop and stay away but her cries fell on deaf ears.
Despite these, she managed to convince him to return her mobile phone. At around 1.50am, she used the device to send a few messages to her friend, asking for help.
Erugula took away the mobile phone and molested the woman before undressing himself.
Her concerned friend, who had arrived at Festivo, received the messages and left the restaurant with a party of searchers to look for the woman.
He heard a faraway scream scream as he was walking near some tennis courts and saw the silhouettes of two people, who turned out to be Erugula and the victim, at the open field in the distance.
The friend and his group then made their way there. As they came forward, Erugula, who was in the nude, moved away from the crying victim.
The friend called for the police at around 2am and Erugula was arrested soon after.
On Jan 19, DPP Lu urged the court to sentence him to four years’ jail and six strokes of the cane, adding: “During his interaction with the victim, the accused must have noticed that the victim was drunk, alone and vulnerable, which is why the accused chose to take advantage of her.”
For committing the offence, Erugula could have been jailed for between two and 10 years, and caned.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/jail-caning-for-man-who-carried-woman-to-field-and-molested-her
| 2024-01-19T06:24:28Z
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SINGAPORE – A new office was launched on Jan 19 for those who have an idea and want to work together with the Government, amid a push to broaden and deepen partnerships between the Government and the people.
The Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO), which will serve as a first stop for such partnerships, will also help connect people and groups, direct them to funding sources, and work with government agencies to identify more opportunities for collaboration.
The aim of the office is to make partnering the Government more seamless and accessible as Singapore confronts the new reality of a more troubled world and girds itself against the impact of this on social cohesion and solidarity.
In the next bound of nation-building, the Government and people working more closely together will help Singapore achieve more, said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.
Broadening and deepening such partnerships is a key plank of the social compact set out in Forward Singapore, he added about the exercise helmed by him and his fourth-generation leadership team.
He added that the Government was “putting partnerships first on its agenda”.
“I believe we can do more to harness the expertise, the experience, the passions of Singaporeans, towards our shared goals and towards the Singapore that we all want for the future,” he said on Jan 19 at the ceremony held at Tangs Plaza to launch the office.
“The bottom line is that we can achieve much more when we work together as partners.”
The SGPO will formalise the structure for people to collaborate with the Government and is meant to strengthen such partnerships and engagements, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong during a panel at the launch.
It will curate key government resources for partnership, funding and volunteering opportunities, and people can submit their ideas through the SGPO website’s Partners Portal.
These submissions will then be channelled to the relevant agencies and support will be provided to help people take things forward.
The new office will also help to catalyse partnerships, by connecting like-minded people and organisations and directing them to available resources.
In addition, it will advocate for deeper citizen-Government collaboration, working closely with agencies to identify more areas where citizens can play a meaningful role, and publicising these opportunities.
Ms Dawn Yip, coordinating director of SGPO, who has been involved in various public engagement efforts over the years, said Singaporeans “always show up no matter what the issue is”, with many willing to give their time and resources to achieve something bigger than themselves.
She added that she hoped the office will provide more opportunities and means for people to show up and take action.
In fact, such partnerships is one of the key ingredients behind Singapore’s success, said DPM Wong.
From the beginning, the Government has been deliberate about bringing diverse stakeholders together to work towards a common purpose, he added.
For instance, tripartism was promoted as a way for the unions, businesses, workers and Government to work together to spur economic growth, and the grassroots movement, through the People’s Association, was also set in motion to galvanise the community to build the nation together.
Since then, the Government has set up more consultation mechanisms, supported more ground-up initiatives and opened up the space for Singaporeans to contribute, said DPM Wong.
Many Government ministries now have Public, Private and People, or 3P, divisions, to help drive their engagement efforts, he cited.
Noting how far Singapore has come in this journey, he said it is this spirit of collaboration that has seen the nation through many challenges, such as the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, the 9/11 terror threats in 2001, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak in the early 2000s, and most recently, the Covid-19 crisis.
DPM Wong, who co-chaired the multi-ministry taskforce set up to fight Covid-19, said the Government, unions, businesses, people and groups coming together was what helped Singapore mount an effective response during the pandemic.
“Because of our combined efforts, we have today in Singapore a stronger sense of cohesion and solidarity, a higher level of trust, where everyone actively supports one another so that we can progress together as one united people,” he added.
Sounding a word of caution, though, he said Singapore cannot afford to be complacent, especially as the world shifts away from the peace and globalisation of the past 30 years.
With traditional methods of cooperation breaking down, wars have erupted in Europe and the Middle East, with violence and conflict threatening to spread in other parts of the world, he added.
Such external stress, together with economic and social strain, has already taxed countries around the world, eroding trust and entrenching differences, he noted.
“We are not immune to the same powerful forces that can potentially divide us. There’s no reason why Singapore is immune to this. It’s not as though we’ve got a special vaccine,” he said.
“In fact, as a diverse multiracial, multi-religious society, we are all the more susceptible to such divisive forces in the world.”
Encouraging Singaporeans to come forward, DPM Wong said the Government will continue to study more ways to facilitate such partnerships.
“We want to create more opportunities big and small for everyone, every citizen to contribute meaningfully to our shared future,” he said singling out the young for their enthusiasm to participate.
“I am confident that if we can encourage more people to join us in this partnership journey, we can foster a stronger sense of kinship and trust and we can build a better and more united Singapore.”
He added that there were many more things the Government hoped to achieve under Forward Singapore and that the first tranche of major updates would be unveiled during his Budget speech, slated for Feb 16.
“Please stay tuned for the budget. It’s coming soon,” he said.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/new-partnerships-office-launched-to-broaden-and-deepen-government-citizen-partnership
| 2024-01-19T06:24:39Z
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SINGAPORE – A two-person medical team from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has arrived in El Arish, located in the north of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, to support ongoing medical operations to treat casualties from Gaza.
The move is in support of Singapore’s humanitarian aid contributions to Gaza, wrote Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen in a Facebook post on Jan 19.
The medical team comprises Lieutenant-Colonel (Dr) Nazirul Hannan Abdul Aziz, a specialist in Emergency Medicine, and Military Expert 3 Jimmy Woo Ying Ming (left), who specialises as an operating theatre scrub nurse and in perioperative nursing.
The two men will operate on board the French Armed Forces’ FS Dixmude, a landing helicopter dock with modern hospital facilities, at the El Arish port.
“Best wishes for their deployment,” wrote Dr Ng.
In November 2023, a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) plane with 46 SAF personnel – including pilots, aircrew, engineers and army security personnel – carried supplies such as medicine, sanitation items and food for civilians in Gaza to Egypt.
There, the supplies were handed to the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), which transported and distributed them to civilians in Gaza.
Dr Ng said then that SAF’s Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre will continue to work with other agencies to provide relief as the crisis evolves.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/saf-sends-medical-team-to-egypt-to-treat-casualties-from-gaza
| 2024-01-19T06:24:49Z
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SINGAPORE – Enhanced security measures and road closures will be in place at Chinatown in anticipation of large crowds thronging the Chinese New Year bazaar which will be held till Feb 9, the eve of Chinese New Year.
Police officers, auxiliary police officers and security officers will be deployed from the evening of Jan 19.
This is to ensure the safety and security of the public, said the police.
Diversions to access the bazaar may also be implemented for crowd safety. Specific areas will be locked down if crowd safety thresholds are reached.
The police advised the public to be patient and to follow the instructions of officers. They should not attempt to force their way into crowded or closed-off areas.
Temple Street will be closed to vehicular traffic during certain periods, starting Jan 19. These are:
- Mondays to Thursdays, from 4pm to 11pm
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 2pm to 11.59pm
- Feb 9 (Chinese New Year Eve), from 2pm to 1.30am the following day
During this period, access will be granted only to police and emergency vehicles. Auxiliary police officers will be deployed to assist and direct motorists.
Parking restrictions will be strictly enforced. Vehicles found parking and causing obstruction will be towed away.
As Chinatown MRT station, which is on the North East and Downtown lines, is expected to be crowded, commuters are advised to consider using Maxwell MRT station, which is the nearest alternative on the Thomson-East Coast Line.
Those intending to visit Chinatown between Feb 2 and 4, and on Feb 9, can check in real time how crowded the area is on the Crowd@Chinatown map at go.gov.sg/crowd-at-chinatown from 6pm on those dates.
The public should avoid red areas and move towards amber or green areas.
The police also advise the public to safeguard their belongings and be vigilant against molesters and pickpockets due to the large crowds.
They should look after their belongings at all times, avoid contact and confrontation with unruly crowds, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing excessive jewellery.
Anyone with information on suspicious people or activities can call the Internal Security Department on 1800-2626-473 or the police on 999, send an SMS to 71999, or submit the information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness
The public can also download the SGSecure application to provide information to the authorities.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/security-and-traffic-measures-at-cny-bazaar-in-chinatown
| 2024-01-19T06:25:00Z
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ABIDJAN – Egypt coach Rui Vitoria said that it was “too early to say” whether Mohamed Salah would play again at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, after he suffered an injury in the 2-2 draw with Ghana on Jan 18.
The Liverpool striker went off late in the first half of the Group B game in Abidjan after appearing to clutch the back of his left leg, which normally is a hamstring problem that could rule a player out for weeks.
“We don’t know yet what is the problem. I hope not a big problem... It is too early to say something,” said Vitoria after his team’s second successive 2-2 draw in the tournament, which ends on Feb 11.
“Salah is an amazing player, he is one of the best players in the world, so that is why we want to have this kind of player always with us.”
The Egyptian’s penalty in stoppage time spared his side from a shock loss to Mozambique in their opening game, and the Pharaohs were up against it once more against a much-improved Ghana side.
The Black Stars, who were stunned 2-1 by Cape Verde to begin the competition, took the lead after Salah’s injury when West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus hammered in a long-range shot in first-half stoppage time.
Omar Marmoush equalised before Kudus struck again, but Mostafa Mohamed ensured Egypt came away with a point as the Nantes forward netted for the second game in a row.
“The players were upset after conceding at the end of the first half... but it’s football, we changed the mindset in the second half, we went for the game with positive energy,” added Vitoria.
“The result was not good, but the reaction and commitment of the team were good, and Salah is an amazing player and we cannot forget that.”
Vitoria also insisted that regardless of the nature of Salah’s injury, his team are still capable of winning a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations title.
“Nobody wins the title without coming through difficult games...today we showed, mainly in the second half, the courage and quality of this team,” he added.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, will also be sweating on the fitness of his star man.
The Reds are leading champions Manchester City by two points in the English Premier League after 20 games, with Salah the joint top scorer alongside City striker Erling Haaland on 14 goals. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/too-early-to-say-as-egypt-sweat-on-mohamed-salah-injury
| 2024-01-19T06:25:10Z
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MIAMI – Some golfers need to be fully focused on their game during competitions, but for Japan’s Ayaka Furue, she just wants to have fun despite the difficulty of the course.
On Jan 18, she fired a seven-under 65, closing with back-to-back birdies to seize a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the LPGA Tournament of Champions.
Furue’s bogey-free 18 holes at Lake Nona in Orlando gave her the top spot with Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and Sweden’s Maja Stark sharing second in the opening event of the 2024 LPGA Tour campaign.
“All of my play today, that was really fantastic for me,” the Japanese said.
“This course is really difficult. Not only my shot but also my putt was really good today. I think my putt was kind of excellent for me today. I could make a lot of birdies and get closer to the hole and that’s the point.”
Furue, an eight-time winner on the Japan Tour, qualified for the event with her victory at the 2022 Women’s Scottish Open. She had nine top-10 LPGA finishes last season, the best a runner-up effort at the LPGA Match-Play.
“Last year I think I played well so I just want to keep it going this year,” the 23-year-old added.
“Just keep going on, just have fun tomorrow and just not think about the tournament and everything.”
Lopez, who was married in December, had a honeymoon in Spain, Egypt and on safari in Africa with a finish in Mexico, calling it a “dream come true”.
Her back-nine start was nearly as special with six birdies in her first eight holes. After bogeys at six and seven, she closed her round with a birdie at the par-five ninth.
“Sometimes when you come with low expectations you kind of relax a little bit,” she said.
“But I’ve been hitting my irons. Last six months we had really good feelings and I hit probably 17 greens today. Just giving lots of opportunities, and it comes to I think the mental preparation, just relaxing a little bit more than past years.”
The Mexican reached the field by winning the 2022 Dana Open while Stark qualified by winning the 2022 Handa World Invitational in Northern Ireland. Stark also won a Ladies European Tour event last season in Morocco.
Americans Ally Ewing and Danielle Kang shared fourth on 68 while a pack on 69 included New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, Canada’s Brooke Henderson, Australia’s Grace Kim, South African Ashleigh Buhai and Americans Andrea Lee, Alexa Pano and Rose Zhang. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/golf/japan-s-ayaka-furue-fires-65-to-lead-lpga-tournament-of-champions
| 2024-01-19T06:25:20Z
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New Zealand opener Devon Conway was ruled out of the fourth T20 International against Pakistan hours before the match in Christchurch on Friday after testing positive for COVID-19.
"Conway has been in isolation at the team’s Christchurch hotel after testing positive yesterday," New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.
"He will continue to be monitored ahead of Sunday's final match against Pakistan."
Canterbury Kings batter Chad Bowes will join the squad as cover for Conway.
Bowling coach Andre Adams has also tested positive for COVID, NZC added.
Spinner Mitch Santner, who is leading New Zealand in the absence of injured regular skipper Kane Williamson, missed the series opener for the same reason.
New Zealand have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, which marks the beginning of Shaheen Afridi's tenure as Pakistan's T20 captain. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/new-zealands-conway-misses-t20-match-v-pakistan-due-to-covid
| 2024-01-19T06:25:32Z
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MELBOURNE - Emma Raducanu is looking forward to the future after a positive run at the Australian Open, as the 2021 U.S. Open champion looks to rediscover her best form following an injury layoff.
The 21-year-old Briton began her campaign in Melbourne with an impressive 6-3 6-2 win over American Shelby Rogers before losing to China's Wang Yafan 6-4 4-6 6-4 in the second round.
Raducanu, who has struggled with form and injuries since her stunning victory as a qualifier at Flushing Meadows, had returned to Grand Slam action after an ankle and wrist injury kept her out for almost eight months.
When asked if she is excited about the next few months after the last couple weeks of tennis, Raducanu told reporters: "Yeah, I mean, I'm really looking forward to it 'cause for me I think there were doubts whether I would be able to make the Australian Open trip.
"I think that to be here is a bonus, a good starting point... I'm more focused on level and the practice days, trying to win the day rather than focusing more on win or loss.
"I'm feeling very positive. I really just want to play a full season. The encouraging thing is, even though I played two back-to-back three-setters in Auckland, a three-setter today, body-wise, strength-wise, I didn't come up with any random niggles." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/raducanu-excited-by-future-after-return-from-injury
| 2024-01-19T06:25:53Z
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MOSCOW - A senior Houthi official has promised safe passage for Russian and Chinese vessels through the Red Sea, where the Iran-backed Yemeni rebel group has been carrying out attacks on commercial ships in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
In an interview published by Russian outlet Izvestia on Jan 19, senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti insisted the waters around Yemen, which some shipping firms are avoiding due to the ongoing aggression, were safe so long as vessels were not linked to certain countries, particularly Israel.
“As for all other countries, including Russia and China, their shipping in the region is not threatened,” he said.
“Moreover, we are ready to ensure the safe passage of their ships in the Red Sea, because free navigation plays a significant role for our country.”
Attacks on vessels “in any way connected with Israel” would continue, he added.
The Iran-backed rebels have recently said US- and British-linked ships were also fair game after the two countries launched air strikes in Yemen in response to the repeated attacks.
The Houthis claimed early on Jan 19 another attack on a US ship after the United States launched fresh strikes on rebel targets the day before.
The Houthis have launched numerous attacks in the vital shipping lanes around Yemen since the war in Gaza erupted on Oct 7 with Hamas’ bloody attack on Israel.
In Jan 19’s interview, Bukhaiti said the blame for the shipping attacks rested with the vessels that ignored Houthi orders to change course.
“Ansar Allah does not pursue the goal of capturing or sinking this or that sea vessel,” he said, using the group’s official name.
“Our goal is to raise the economic costs for the Jewish state in order to stop the carnage in Gaza.”
Bukhaiti defended his group’s capture in November of the Galaxy Leader – a merchant vessel linked to an Israeli businessman – as “a precautionary step for everyone else to follow our requirements”.
The ship’s crew, who are still being held, “are fine, and we are giving them a warm welcome”, he added.
While the Houthis insist their attacks only target vessels of certain nationalities, a US Navy commander has said the ships involved actually have ties to dozens of countries. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/houthi-official-promises-safe-passage-for-russian-chinese-ships
| 2024-01-19T06:26:03Z
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WASHINGTON - The Iran-backed Houthi militia launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at a United States-owned tanker ship late on Jan 18 that hit the water near the vessel but caused no injuries or damage, the US military said.
The incident, the latest amid growing tensions in the Red Sea that have disrupted global trade and raised fears of supply bottlenecks, took place around 9pm Yemen time (1800 GMT), according to a US Central Command post on X, formerly called Twitter.
The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, earlier on Jan 18 claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they targeted the ship Chem Ranger with naval missiles that caused “direct hits”.
Monitoring service TankerTrackers.com said on social media that the “fairly small chemical tanker left the Red Sea port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Kuwait, but her AIS (automatic identification system) went offline on (Tuesday) before proceeding south past Yemen”.
Attacks by the Iran-allied Houthi militia on ships in and around the Red Sea for several weeks have slowed trade between Asia and Europe and alarmed major powers in an escalation of the war in Gaza.
The Houthis say their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians under attack from Israel in Gaza.
Since last week, the US has launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, and this week returned the militia to a list of “terrorist” groups.
US President Joe Biden said on Jan 18 that air strikes would continue even as he acknowledged they may not be halting the Houthi attacks.
“Are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they gonna continue? Yes,” Mr Biden told reporters aboard Air Force One.
The confrontation risks an expansion of the conflict beyond Hamas-governed Gaza, where the local health ministry says over 24,000 people – or more than 1 per cent of Gaza’s 2.3 million population – have been killed in Israel’s assault.
Israel launched its offensive following Oct 7 attacks on by the Palestinian Islamist group, which Israeli officials say killed 1,200 people. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-says-houthis-launched-missiles-at-tanker-ship-but-no-damage-caused
| 2024-01-19T06:26:13Z
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The Duchess of Edinburgh is no stranger to charitable causes. This Christmas, Sophie rolled up her sleeves and served lunch to Ukrainian refugees, and earlier last year, she visited Colombia to champion women impacted by war. Prince Edward's wife isn't afraid to truly get stuck in and give her all to causes close to her heart.
Nowhere is this displayed more clearly than in her patronage of the DEBRA UK charity — an organisation committed to raising awareness of a rare skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa, also known as EB, and providing invaluable support to those living with the condition. Sophie has been patron of the charity since 2011, taking over from Diana, Princess of Wales.
We sat down with Lindsey Puddifant, Head of PR for the DEBRA charity, to learn more about her first-hand experiences with Duchess Sophie behind closed doors.
Lindsey first met Sophie during a lunch at St James's Palace. She recalled that the Duchess immediately exuded kindness and authenticity from the moment they met. "She's so incredibly warm. She's so down-to-earth and approachable," Lindsey exclusively told HELLO! "She's so lovely with members, adult members or children of the charity, and just very happy to chat. She's very kind and very considerate, she knows loads about the condition."
In all the years that Lindsey has gotten to know Sophie, no moment stands out more prominently than a speech that she gave during a fundraising lunch in the lead-up to a charity swim of the English Channel. Graeme Sounness, Scottish former footballer and vice president of the charity, would be braving the treacherous swim with a group from the special forces.
"Sophie gave a speech and she was so warm and funny about the challenge that Graeme was taking on, because obviously it was no mean feat to swim 30 miles of the English Channel," Lindsey explained.
According to Lindsey, Graeme is deeply moved whenever he is in the company of people living with EB, and Sophie responded with a true show of empathy. "She was so kind to him when he was very clearly emotional about it, and when she spoke, it was witty conversation about how she wouldn't wish to do something quite as daring as swimming in the English Channel with all the jellyfish and it being one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world."
Lindsey explained that this particular moment epitomised Sophie's kind and caring nature. "She was just very natural and highly intelligent, and that obviously really comes across in the way that she speaks to people because she can empathise as well as sympathise. She has that compassion, which is so lovely."
In another memorable exchange, Lindsey recalled the response that Sophie's presence elicited from other charity members. During an event last November at St James's Palace, a little boy called Ben, one of the charity's members, "rushed up to the Duchess and wrapped his arms around her legs and she bent down and gave him a proper cuddle and it was absolutely lovely." According to Lindsey, it was clear "just how special it was for him and for the family".
In Ben's own words, the experience of meeting Sophie was a heartfelt one that immediately put him at ease. "When we arrived at the palace, I felt a bit nervous because the police were holding massive guns. It was top security, we had to show our passports to get in," he said. "The Duchess of Edinburgh came to see us all and I told her about my EB and how I help out at our local charity shop to make money for DEBRA. She was very kind and cared a lot about DEBRA."
Lindsey explained just how meaningful Sophie's contribution to the charity is in real terms. "Because she's so understanding, compassionate and empathetic about it, she knows how to reach people with that level of awareness of the condition and the charity. It makes such a difference to us because she's so generous with her time and efforts."
According to Lindsey, the Duchess clearly demonstrated her passion for the organisation when she made ambitious suggestions to raise the profile of the charity. "Two years ago, she actually challenged us to go bigger, to really branch out and really try and do a big fundraising appeal and she challenged us with a £5million target."
She continued: "We took her up on that challenge so by December last year, December just gone, we reached our £5 million target for the year.
"She inspired us to do it and have the confidence to do it and she attended events for us so that we had opportunities to really raise that profile. When we've got the Duchess of Edinburgh on board, then people more often than not take more notice, don't they?"
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/511281/what-duchess-sophie-is-like-behind-closed-doors/
| 2024-01-19T06:44:42Z
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King Charles was caught looking rather miffed when his son and daughter-in-law the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived a few minutes late for his and Queen Camilla's coronation on 6 May 2023.
The history-making event, which was watched by millions of people around the world, was meticulously planned and executed. However, the small error, caught on camera, didn't go unnoticed.
In a new book, Charles III: The Inside Story, author Robert Hardman has written about what really happened that day. The King and Queen's procession to Westminster Abbey was supposed to take 33 minutes but actually only took them 26 minutes.
"Unbeknown to them, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their two younger children are running a minute and a half late," wrote the royal author. "The Waleses are supposed to be there eight minutes ahead of the King and Queen. Yet they will now arrive after them."
With King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving six minutes ahead of schedule in the Gold State Coach, the royal couple had to wait, and Charles was caught on camera looking agitated at the situation.
A lip reader took a guess at what the King was saying to his spouse, and fragments caught included: "We can never be on time… There’s always something…. This is boring." See the full video below.
"Although the congregation inside the abbey don't know it, there is an awkward scene unfolding outside as the King and Queen remain in their coach," wrote Robert. "It is an added layer of stress that the couple really do not want or need on a day like this."
Commenting on Charles being under extreme pressure in the full gaze of the world, he added: "Conflicting sources will suggest that the Waleses' decision to make a Coronation Day video has added precious seconds to their schedule and made them late.
"Kensington Palace staff working for the Waleses say that because the King was early, the car carrying William and Catherine was caught behind his procession when it should have been ahead.
"The Prince of Wales's equerry, Commander Rob Dixon, will take a fair amount of flak, nonetheless. It is unusual for the two most important arrivals at such a significant event, and over such a well-trodden route, to be so unpunctual."
He continued: "The result is some frantic rewriting of the running order. There isn't time for the Waleses and their two younger children to enter ahead of the King and Queen. They must now follow behind and bring up the rear."
However, it may have just been down to nerves. Robert explained: "One factor, unspoken, may have been nervousness about street protests. More than 11,500 police have been drafted in from all over the country, making this the largest police operation ever mounted in London."
LISTEN: A Right Royal Podcast - Abdications
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/511549/real-story-king-charles-anger-prince-william-and-kate-middletons-lateness/
| 2024-01-19T06:44:48Z
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Before Princess Mary embarked on her journey to become the Queen of Denmark, she was just a regular ‘girl-next-door’ living in Bondi.
But like her, I too found myself at a crossroads in life, looking to redefine my self-image and harness my potential.
That's when I enrolled in the same course at Starmakers that Mary did – a decision that marked the beginning of a significant transformation in my life.
When Princess Mary met Teresa Page, the founder, she felt her life was passing her by, and I too, felt the same.
Mary had met her future husband, Prince Frederik, in a Sydney bar in 2000, and their fairy-tale story inspired me.
They married four years later and went on to have four children. Meanwhile, Mary prepared for her future role in Danish royalty, a journey I closely followed as I navigated my course.
Teresa, who radiates a beautiful aura, told me about Mary's time in the program. "Mary attended my second program ever," she revealed with a twinkle in her eye.
Teresa described how Mary wasn't initially aiming for a career in fashion or film but was curious about her potential after completing the program.
"She has this very playful and fun side. It really came out on film," she noted. This resonated with me as I too was exploring parts of myself that I hadn't fully realised.
The course was intensive and transformative. We focused on developing my personal brand, awareness techniques, stage presence, good posture, realigning our bodies to appear more graceful, and enhancing our performance and public speaking skills.
These lessons were about expanding our self-image and conditioning ourselves for the limelight – principles that were as applicable to me as they were to Mary in her unique journey.
Like Mary, I wasn't aiming for a career in entertainment, but the star quality the course imbued was something I sought – the ability to shine in my personal and professional life.
The lessons extended beyond mere performance skills. We learned the art of connection – how to walk into a room, shake hands, engage with people, and make a lasting impression. These skills were instrumental in helping me value myself more, and in turn, be valued by others. “If you don’t value yourself, then others won’t value yourself,” she sagely advised.
Mary's dedication was inspiring. She not only excelled in the course but also took further steps to prepare for her royal life.
She became fluent in Danish, immersed herself in Denmark's culture, history, and politics, and underwent specialised training for her royal duties. Her commitment to embracing her new life was a lesson in itself.
Teresa's teachings went beyond the surface. She helped me understand the importance of presence and authenticity.
I recall her saying about Mary: "I was teaching her [my] photography posing protocol... Mary superseded all expectations." This pursuit of excellence was something I strived for in my journey.
As Princess Mary and Prince Frederik prepared for their proclamation on January 14, I reflected on the impact that the course and Mary's journey had on me.
Learning to embrace the spotlight, to carry myself with grace and confidence, and to connect authentically with others have been invaluable lessons.
Like Mary, I believe there was a bit of destiny in my decision to join the course. It was a pivotal step in my journey of self-discovery and empowerment, much as it was for Mary in her destiny to become the Queen of Denmark.
For more on Starmaker's Teresa Page, you can visit her page here.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/511629/i-tried-queen-marys-1195-starmakers-course-and-this-is-what-i-discovered-exclusive/
| 2024-01-19T06:44:54Z
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AYODHYA, India - The private jet parking lots at airports near the Indian city of Ayodhya are full and the shops have run out of gold-plated idols, as wealthy devotees prepare for the invite-only opening ceremony of one of Hinduism's holiest temples.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani are among the 8,000 or so attendees at Monday's inauguration event for the Ram Temple, which devotees believe is built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, a sacred Hindu deity.
The construction of the temple, which began after the Supreme Court awarded the site to Hindus in 2019 more than two decades after a Hindu mob razed a mosque there, triggering deadly riots, fulfils a key campaign promise of Modi and his Hindu nationalist party.
The opening ceremony, organised by the trust that built the temple, comes months before a national election which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is widely expected to win, and the who's who of India is expected to be there.
"It's become like a status symbol to be invited to this event," said Rajan Mehra, CEO of Indian luxury charter service Club One Air, adding that his fleet, which includes the Dassault Falcon 2000, is booked to make multiple trips next week.
Officials estimate 100 private jets will descend on Jan. 22 on Ayodhya airport, filling it to capacity. Slots at Varanasi, a city around four hours away by car, are also full, as are jet spaces in Gorakhpur airport, which is a three-hour drive away.
Mehra did not disclose the price of the charters, but private jet booking website JetSetGo lists the price of a Mumbai-Gorakhpur flight on a Falcon 2000 jet with nine passengers on board at about $74,000.
The ceremony is also giving jewellers and gold traders a boost.
Some retailers say gold and gold-plated statues of Lord Ram and temple replicas - priced at between 30,000 ($361) and 220,000 rupees ($2,647) - are so popular that they have run out of stock. Some items were imported from Thailand, they added.
"Customers are asking for them for gifting and for keeping them at homes. There is a waiting period of two weeks," said Baldev Singh, a manager at HS Jewellers in Lucknow city.
The temple has already ushered an economic boom in Ayodhya, set to emerge as a pilgrimage hotspot for India's 1.1 billion Hindus, and property prices have skyrocketed.
This week, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan bought a 10,000 square foot (929 square meter) plot for $1.7 million, government officials said, roughly nine times the average land prices in this dusty city just a few years ago.
The plot is part of the House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) luxury development which includes a spa and a pool.
"There's huge demand for the project from domestic professionals, non-resident Indians. This is unlike any other demand," HoABL Chairman Abhinandan Lodha told Reuters.
"People are betting on economic prosperity but there's also emotional attachment to be part of the Ayodhya story." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/indian-devotees-splurge-on-jets-gold-idols-as-hindu-temple-opens
| 2024-01-19T07:54:41Z
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JAKARTA - Indonesia's finance minister "continues to carry out her duties in managing state finances," her ministry said in a statement on Friday, amid reports she may resign from cabinet ahead of the Feb. 14 presidential election.
There has been speculation that Sri Mulyani Indrawati is one of several ministers who may quit amid discontent over outgoing President Joko Widodo's political maneuvering to retain influence after he leaves office in October.
"Minister Sri Mulyani continues to carry out her duties in managing state finances professionally and responsibly in accordance with good governance and regulations," the ministry said in a statement.
"Upon her return from Davos, today she attended three internal meetings with the president and the cabinet at the...palace."
On Thursday, the president's office said the cabinet remains "solid". REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/indonesia-finance-minister-continues-to-carry-out-duties-ministry
| 2024-01-19T07:54:52Z
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ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's top civilian and military leaders will carry out a security review on Friday regarding the standoff with neighbouring Iran, the information minister said, following their strikes on each other with drones and missiles.
Pakistan's Thursday strikes on separatist militants inside Iran were a retaliatory attack two days after Tehran said it struck the bases of another group within Pakistani territory.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar will chair a meeting of the National Security Committee at which the review is to be done, with all the services chiefs in attendance.
It aims at a "broad national security review in the aftermath of the Iran-Pakistan incidents," the minister, Murtaza Solangi, told Reuters by telephone.
The tit-for-tat strikes are the highest-profile cross-border intrusions in recent years and have raised alarm about wider instability in the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on Oct. 7. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/pakistans-civil-military-leaders-to-review-iran-standoff-minister
| 2024-01-19T07:55:02Z
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Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times chats with ST’s correspondents in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe, about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises.
Japan is in transition - where younger Japanese are questioning the rules and strictures that traditionally govern their society.
One manifestation of that is the increasing number of schools in both cities and rural parts that allow genderless uniforms, including for boys who want to wear skirts to schools.
In this episode, ST’s foreign editor Li Xueying chats with Japan correspondent Walter Sim - who has been based in the country for eight years - about what other social changes and trends he sees will take place in 2024.
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:05 What is behind the trend of genderless uniforms and what kind of reactions do schoolboys get when they wear skirts?
6:35 Japan is in a period of social change, but these are not yet translated into policy change
9:48 Subverting ideas about Japanese food: Cricket yakitori and ramen now on the menu
12:51 Three trends that will take off in 2024
Produced by: Li Xueying (xueying@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Fa’izah Sani
Edited by: Fa’izah Sani
Follow Letter From The Bureau Podcast every first Friday of the month here:
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Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg
Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR
Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x
Read Walter Sim’s articles: https://str.sg/wHY2
Read ST’s Letters From The Bureau: https://str.sg/3xRd
Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/social-trends-that-will-take-off-in-japan-in-2024
| 2024-01-19T07:55:13Z
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Mod parts for Ioniq 5
Hyundai Motor has unveiled the Ioniq 5 N NPX1 concept, its line of N Performance Parts which fans can buy to spruce up their Ioniq 5 electric cars with. These include a carbon front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear-wing spoiler, lightweight hybrid carbon wheels, high-performance brake pads and lower springs.
Cabin parts include Alcantara upholstery and racing bucket seats. These parts will be available later in 2024.
ChatGPT in Volkswagen, Skoda cars soon
Volkswagen Group plans to integrate ChatGPT with its cars’ voice assistant. In future, owners of cars from Volkswagen and its subsidiary Skoda will have access to a growing artificial intelligence database while on the go.
The feature will be available from the second quarter of 2024 in a wide range of combustion and electric models from both car brands.
Honda to make lighter, slimmer EVs
In 2026, Honda will launch a range of lighter electric vehicles (EVs) for global markets, starting from North America. The so-called Honda 0 Series will be differentiated by a new H emblem and will be available in Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America.
Honda says its EVs will have a new platform which allows its cars to move away from the thick design of most current EVs. They will also be relatively light and will be packed with “intelligence”.
Developing next-gen fuel cells
Hyundai and its sister company Kia have signed an agreement with American materials specialist W.L. Gore & Associates to jointly develop an advanced polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for hydrogen fuel cell systems.
The goal is to develop an advanced PEM for next-generation fuel cell commercial vehicles. The three have been working on fuel cell projects for more than 15 years. The new agreement paves the way for a deeper collaboration that could result in a more efficient and cost-effective PEM.
Upcoming Porsche Taycan sets Ring record
Porsche development driver Lars Kern has set a new record in a pre-production unit of the mid-life facelift of the Taycan electric saloon. He posted a lap time of 7:07.55 minutes on Germany’s iconic Nurburgring circuit – 26 seconds faster than he was on his last record drive in a Taycan Turbo S with a performance package in August 2022.
This puts the distance between the pre-series Taycan facelift and the current Turbo S at more than 1.3km – a figure that illustrates the leap in performance in just one generation of Porsche’s first electric model.
Electric equivalent to Lotus Elise within two years
Lotus is building a relatively lightweight rear-wheel-drive electric sports car, which could arrive in Singapore as early as 2026. The so-called Type 135 is said to be under 1.5 tonnes (light for an EV), and will be propelled by a 350kW motor attached to a 66.4kWh battery.
This will be the closest electric interpretation of Lotus’ iconic Elise and Exige models. The Chinese-owned British brand will be producing it along with a saloon and more sport utility vehicles by 2028.
Singapore Motorshow sees 24 per cent rise in visitors
The 2024 Singapore Motorshow – which was held at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre from Jan 11 to 14 – drew 42,000 visitors, up from 34,000 who attended the previous year. A total of 126 vehicles were on display, compared with more than 140 in 2023.
According to show organiser Motor Traders Association of Singapore, more than 1.2 million people have attended the last 16 shows. The popular long-running event was started more than 30 years ago.
BYD launches cars in Indonesia
Chinese electric vehicle-maker BYD has launched its first passenger cars in Indonesia, where the locally assembled Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the best-selling EV.
Reuters reported that the world’s biggest EV maker unveiled three electric models in Indonesia on Jan 18 as it seeks to expand its presence in South-east Asia’s biggest economy.
BYD overtook Tesla as the world’s top EV maker in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the majority of the 526,000 vehicles it sold during the period were in the China market.
One-off Maserati GranTurismo on display here
A multi-coloured Maserati GranTurismo is on display here from Jan 20 to 25.
The GranTurismo Prisma’s bodywork consists of 14 colours – all painted by hand – and embellished with details of more than 8,500 letters making up the names of Maserati models. Two of the colours look ahead to the future, while the other 12 have been selected from the hues of the most popular GranTurismo models of the past.
The Prisma is the work of Fuoriserie – Maserati’s bespoke programme. The show car is at 26 Dempsey Road.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/motoring/fast-lane-volkswagen-cars-with-chatgpt-new-taycan-s-record-lap-electric-elise-equivalent
| 2024-01-19T07:55:23Z
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SHANGHAI – A craze for Shanghai is sweeping China thanks to a television drama set in the city in the 1990s that has tapped into growing nostalgia for a past era, at a time of deep economic malaise in the country.
Blossoms Shanghai, which aired the last of its 30 episodes on China broadcaster CCTV on Jan 9, tells the story of Ah Bao (played by Chinese actor Hu Ge), a young opportunist trying to strike riches through the city’s then nascent stock market and export industry, while romancing three women.
The show, originally a novel, was adapted by Wong Kar Wai, the first foray into TV for the celebrated autuer whose distinctive cinematography is present in the sultry aesthetics of Blossoms.
The 65-year-old Hong Kong director, who was born in Shanghai, is best known internationally for his movies, including In The Mood For Love (2000) and Chungking Express (1994).
Blossoms, which evokes memories of a more open and optimistic time, comes as China’s citizens struggle with an economic slowdown and tightening state control over all areas of business and private life.
In Shanghai, that feeling of longing for the past is compounded by the lingering trauma of the Covid-19 lockdown, where residents were forced to stay in their apartments for months. That anger culminated in rare street protests at the end of 2022.
“It brings back memories of the good old days,” said Mr Hao Hong, Hong Kong-based chief economist of Grow Investment Group who is originally from mainland China. “It portrays a time of economic boom, in contrast to where we are today. It was also when the people’s minds were most liberated.”
Blossoms closely tracks the trajectory of China’s opening-up period, in which Shanghai played a central role. When paramount leader Deng Xiaoping took a trip southward in 1992 to trumpet economic reform, he stopped in the city and encouraged it to “change every year, and change enormously every three years”.
The show depicts the opening of Shanghai’s stock exchange and the construction of the landmark Oriental Pearl Tower.
“Given the chance, I would like to experience that era,” said 30-year-old Ms Chloe Tao, a native Shanghainese. “Because that’s when everybody had hopes, and everything was growing.”
Evidence of the show’s popularity is visible in locations featured in Blossoms. Hundreds of people gathered at the crossing of Huanghe Road, a short street in the city centre once famous for its high-end restaurants and neon signs, as police officers stood by to control traffic.
In the show, Ah Bao frequently cuts deals with business partners over Australian lobsters and expensive baijiu (Chinese liquor), symbols of China’s burgeoning upper class, at a restaurant in the area.
Ms Ding Mingquan, a manager at Tai Sheng Yuan, the restaurant where scenes were filmed, said daily revenue doubled to more than 160,000 yuan (S$30,532) since Blossoms debuted.
The eatery, which opened in 1993, regularly serves elderly Shanghainese, but younger people and those from outside the city have begun to show up, booking up private rooms through the upcoming Lunar New Year.
Ms Ding projected 5 million yuan in revenue this month, which could help the restaurant end its loss-making streak since the pandemic.
Other businesses have smelled opportunity too. At the nearby Peace Hotel – the 1920s art deco icon on the Bund waterfront – the hotel suite used by Ah Bao is almost fully booked for the coming weeks at prices 20 per cent higher than similar suites on the same floor, according to Trip.com.
The hotel is also offering a Blossoms-themed meal for two, which costs 1,700 yuan and includes dishes like wok-fried rice noodles and braised catfish.
Ms Junna Tang, a 36-year-old Shanghai local, recently dressed up for afternoon tea at the hotel, taking photos for social media.
On the night of the finale, Ms Tang invited her friends to a watch party at her apartment, where they opened a bottle of wine and ordered in braised pork chops and rice cakes, local dishes loved by Ah Bao and one of his girlfriends in the show.
Mr He Yi, a theatre actor who plays a small role in the show as a street bully hailing from Shanghai’s grassroots, said Blossoms has even helped to rehabilitate the image of Shanghai within China, thanks to its rare depiction of different social classes in the city.
The city’s locals are often stereotyped as being haughty and shrewd, and its bourgeois lifestyle a point of ridicule. “We are losing our identity as Shanghainese, and it’s not just about the dialect,” said Mr He.
“Watching Blossoms is like celebrating the new year for us local performers, citizens, and anyone who understands Shanghai’s culture.” BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/travel/director-wong-kar-wais-first-tv-series-stokes-nostalgia-for-90s-shanghai
| 2024-01-19T07:55:34Z
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MELBOURNE - Stepping onto a tennis court to take on a Russian or Belarusian opponent is a painful reminder for Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko of her war-torn country, the 34-year-old said after losing to second seed Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open on Friday.
Almost two years after the Russian invasion, which Moscow called a special military operation, Ukrainian players do not shake hands with Russian or Belarussian opponents at the end of matches. Belarus supports Russia's invasion and allowed Moscow to use its territory to launch the war.
Tsurenko avoided the customary post-match ritual after being thumped 6-0 6-0 by Belarusian Sabalenka in the third round on Friday and explained that it had become a "national position" she would not stray from.
"It's very hard for me," Tsurenko told reporters about going up against Russian and Belarusian players.
"I know where they're from, this is another reminder for me and it's painful," she said.
"They're part of that ... war machine hurting my country and my people. This is tough for me but I'm trying to find happiness in everything that I do and go and hit the yellow ball."
Tsurenko hopes her actions will keep the focus on the war.
"People don't want to talk about war. People don't want to hear bad news. I get a lot of bad messages on social media," she said. "People are annoyed if I post something.
"But it's very tough to explain if you don't feel what I feel and how other Ukrainians feel."
Sabalenka said the position of Ukrainian players was well established on the tennis tour.
"I understand everyone's position and I respect everyone's position," she said after the match. "She was quite respectful. She said 'great play'. She didn't shake my hand, but she was respectful to me, so I appreciate that."
A seasoned professional on the women's tour, Tsurenko said she had good relationships with Russian and Belarusian players before the war, but that was now impossible.
"I don't have respect for the fact that for most of them it was impossible to come and say that they don't agree with what's going on in my country ... 99% of them never did," she said.
"Why should I have any relationship with them?"
The world number 33 said she had become used to beginning her days checking for news from Ukraine.
"Unfortunately this is part of my life. It's a hard thing to say, but I got used to it. It's horrible to get used to the fact that there's a war in your country and it'll not stop tomorrow," Tsurenko said.
"I worked a lot with a psychologist and it took me a few months, probably, to get some kind of recipe for myself on how to live and continue playing.
"I feel so many things that were important to me aren't anymore, like a tennis match. I don't feel I really care about how I finish a match or what the score is.
"I care more about the fact that I can be here and remind the world that the war is still on. I care about the fact that I can earn some money, donate it and help people." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/ukraines-tsurenko-perseveres-with-painful-reminders-of-war
| 2024-01-19T07:55:44Z
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LONDON – Carbon dioxide emissions are on track for one of the biggest increases on record in 2024, pushing the planet closer to catastrophic climate change.
That jump is the result of human-induced pollution, including the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, compounded with the El Nino weather pattern, which weakens the ability of the world’s natural carbon sinks to absorb CO2, according to a forecast by Britain’s Met Office. The projected increase is beyond the trajectory needed to meet the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels.
That is the cap scientists – including the United Nations-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – say should be met to avoid the deadliest impacts of climate change, such as the irreversible melting of ice sheets leading to dangerous sea level rises.
The Met Office forecasts the annual average CO2 concentration at Mauna Loa on Hawaii – where records date back to 1958 – will be 2.84 parts per million higher in 2024 than in 2023. That central scenario would be the fourth-largest increase in the so-called Keeling Curve – measuring the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere – in 65 years.
However, given the range of uncertainty, it could also be the biggest-ever jump, the Met Office said. Even stripping out the impact of El Nino would still result in an increase that poses a risk to climate goals, it added.
“Even when we compensate for the temporary effects of El Nino, we find that human-induced emissions would still cause the CO2 rise in 2024 to be on the absolute limits of compliance with the 1.5 deg C pathways,” said Dr Richard Betts, author of the Met Office’s forecast.
While nearly 200 governments signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, the world looks increasingly likely to overshoot the 1.5 deg C warming limit. In 2023, the average global temperature was already about 1.5 deg C higher than the pre-industrial era, while early estimates suggest temperatures in 2024 will be 1.3 deg C to 1.6 deg C above.
The forecasts come as IPCC scientists meet in Istanbul to set a roadmap for the next cycle of reports. They have said that to achieve the 1.5 deg C target, the rise in atmospheric CO2 would need to slow rapidly and cease completely within the next two decades.
But 2024’s projected increase in CO2 concentration is well above all three 1.5 deg C-compatible scenarios modelled by the IPCC, the Met Office said. BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/near-record-jump-in-co2-emissions-expected-in-2024-risks-climate-goal
| 2024-01-19T07:55:55Z
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OSLO – Climate activists won a court case in Norway against the state over development plans at a handful of oil and gas fields under the sea off the Nordic country’s coast.
Greenpeace Norway and Young Friends of the Earth argued that development plans at the Breidablikk, Tyrving and Yggdrasil fields, approved by the ministry of energy in 2021 and 2023, are invalid. On Jan 18, the Oslo District Court concluded that the impact of combustion emissions must be considered by law, and that no impact assessment of such emissions had been carried out in connection with the decisions in question, it said.
The ruling is a breakthrough for environmental groups. In an earlier case, the same two organisations, along with six young climate activists, had argued that allowing oil exploration in the Arctic during a climate crisis breaches fundamental human rights. After failing to persuade the Supreme Court in that case and after a series of appeals, the groups submitted their case to the European Court of Human Rights.
In Jan 18’s ruling, the state was prohibited from making other decisions that require a valid development plan approval for Breidablikk, Yggdrasil and Tyrving until the validity of the decisions has been legally determined. The state was also ordered to pay court costs.
Production at the Breidablikk field in the North Sea already started in October.
“The judgment establishes that the Breidablikk, Yggdrasil and Tyrving oil and gas fields were approved on an illegal basis and that production must be stopped immediately,” Mr Frode Pleym, head of Greenpeace Norway, said in a statement. “We expect a halt to all further developments.”
The energy ministry said it will now thoroughly review the judgment together with the government attorney.
“We disagree with the judgment and the ruling on temporary injunction,” Energy Minister Terje Aasland said in an emailed statement. “Based on this, we will consider appealing.” BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/norway-loses-court-battle-with-climate-groups-on-oil-fields
| 2024-01-19T07:56:05Z
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated that Russia’s maximalist objectives in Ukraine remain unchanged and that Russia is not interested in negotiations with Ukraine or the West, the Institute for the Study of War reports.
Some Western actors advocate for Ukraine to engage in negotiations with Russia to bring an end to the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Russia has consistently asserted its interest solely in Ukraine’s capitulation and the relinquishment of its sovereignty.
Lavrov stated at a January 18 press conference that Russia “will achieve the goals of its ‘special military operation’ consistently and persistently.”
Lavrov reiterated that that these objectives remain unaltered, emphasizing that “serious” discussions about the practical terms for concluding the conflict would require Ukraine to abandon Nazi ideology, Nazi rhetoric, anti-Russian sentiments, and seek NATO membership.
Also, Lavrov denied Ukraine’s agency as a sovereign state, claiming that “it is not Ukraine that will decide when to stop and start talking [with Russia] seriously” about the end of the conflict, but that it is the West that will make this decision.
Russian ex-president Medvedev confirms Russia seeks to destroy Ukrainian state, remains intransigent
He brushed off a question regarding recent media reports concerning the potential for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, stating that “rumors are just that – rumors.” Lavrov claimed that the West – not Russia – is to blame for the absence of negotiations and threateningly stated that “those [in the West] who refuse [to negotiate] must understand that the longer they wait, the harder it will be to negotiate” and that “there is no hope that Russia will be ’defeated.’”
Lavrov claimed that some of these people left Russia at the beginning of the war, but that an “overwhelming part of [Russian] society came together in an unprecedented way.” Lavrov’s statements are meant to frame Russian society as unified around the war, despite heavy Kremlin efforts to crack down on any dissent and disproportionately amplify factions who support the war. Lavrov’s statements also indicate that the Kremlin continues to lack a unified position about the return to Russia of those citizens who previously left, as some Kremlin officials, including Putin, have celebrated the trend of Russians returning from abroad, whereas others have publicly threatened them.
Read also:
- ISW: Medvedev’s remarks on Ukraine signal Moscow uninterested in negotiations with Kyiv
- 9 reasons negotiations with Russia are utterly pointless
- ISW: Putin aims to convince West to betray Ukraine through negotiations
- Russian ex-president Medvedev confirms Russia seeks to destroy Ukrainian state, remains intransigent
- Medvedev makes it clear the call for genocide against Ukraine came from Kremlin
- Top-10 Russian genocidal quotes about Ukraine
- Putin did not say he is ready to negotiate with Ukraine, contrary to reporting – ISW
- Negotiations cannot end the Russian war against Ukraine, they can only pause it – ISW
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/19/russian-fm-lavrov-reiterates-russias-maximalist-goals-in-ukraine/
| 2024-01-19T08:08:36Z
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Natasha Raskin Sharp has announced the arrival of her first child. Taking to social media on Thursday night, the Antiques Road Trip star shared the exciting news alongside an adorable photo of her newborn's tiny hand.
"What a way to start the year: the last few days have been nothing short of immense," penned the 37-year-old, before confirming that she would be taking a step back from her radio and TV jobs following her new arrival.
"Handing over my @BBCRadioScot duties to the excellent Ravi Sagoo for a short spell with lots of new @BBCBargainHunt & @AntiqueRoadTrip (filmed when baby was a mere bump) on the horizon. Enjoy!"
Fans rushed to the comments section to congratulate the Scottish star, with one person writing: "Oh many congratulations Natasha to you and your husband. Wonderful news, lots of joy and happiness," while another added: "Aww, that's such lovely news. Congratulations to you all. Enjoy this wonderful time."
A third fan commented: "Many congratulations, the most beautiful gift we can get, take care and rest up."
The new mum welcomed her first child with her husband Joe Sharp, who is a producer on Antiques Road Trip. The couple first met back in 2013 behind the scenes of the BBC and tied the knot in a small ceremony held in Scotland in 2016.
The couple currently reside in Glasgow with their adorable dog, Bonnie.
While Natasha tends to keep her relationship private, she has shared glimpses into her home life on occasion. Posting a snap of her gorgeous living room filled with greenery, she penned: "In our house, my husband takes care of the plants and I take care of the playlists… My weekly music show on @BBCRadioScot starts at 10 pm."
Natasha is a familiar face up and down the country thanks to her roles on various BBC daytime shows, including Flog It!, Bargain Hunt, and Antiques Road Trip.
The antiques and art expert is also the daughter of respected contemporary artist Philip Raskin.
READ: Inside Antiques Road Trip star Natasha Raskin Sharp's sweet relationship with her dad
During an exclusive interview with HELLO! in 2022, Natasha revealed how her dad influenced her career by taking her to a contemporary art auction after she completed a History of Art degree at Glasgow University.
"It hadn't occurred to me to work in the auction world," she explained. "Had it not been for my dad, I wouldn't have known that you could do such exciting things or sell contemporary art at auction which I continue to do to this day, and indeed, not just catalogue them, but sell them from The Rostrum.
"So I have a lot to thank him for and remember very, very clearly a genuine milestone moment," she added.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/511630/natasha-raskin-sharp-welcomes-first-child-confirms-break-from-bbc-role/
| 2024-01-19T08:16:45Z
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SINGAPORE – Smaller firms here can now borrow an expert to help them decarbonise their business activities and meet reporting rules on sustainability issues.
The initiative will allow local manufacturers – mainly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – to harmonise with the disclosure rules their multinational partners need to make regarding the carbon emissions of their supply chains.
The Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) unveiled the programme – known as the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) as a Service – on Jan 19 in a bid to boost the competitiveness and credibility of Singapore’s export-driven manufacturing sector, which contributes about 22 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product.
“Companies need to start reporting emission numbers or risk losing out to competitors, as many of them are suppliers for international partners who will soon need to submit reports about the carbon footprint of their supply chain,” said SMF president Lennon Tan.
He added that the federation understands that many SMEs cannot afford dedicated staff to plan and oversee sustainability initiatives due to limited resources, and so are unsure about where to begin.
A firm can ask for an SMF in-house expert to work with their own COS and help plan a decarbonisination pathway, and to gather data on environmental, social, and corporate governance issues and report it in accordance with local and international standards.
The SMF expert will not be full time at the SME but will spend enough time to show the staff what to do, and return to help when the firm has reached the next stage of its plan.
As the largest national organisation representing the interests of manufacturers, SMF is working closely with members to address challenges they face on their sustainability journey,” said Mr Tan, who was speaking at the SMF Manufacturing Day Summit 2024 held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore.
The SMF also unveiled a playbook to help manufacturers, especially SMEs, upskill their employees, particularly in the precision engineering sector, which employs over 90,000 people.
It noted that the playbook is the first such guide for a manufacturing sub-sector and will be one of many to cover other sub-sectors, with at least two being produced every year.
The playbook – compiled by the Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy (AMTA) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) – aims to help firms cope with a tide of transformative challenges, including disruptive technologies, rising costs, intense competition, a shortage of skilled operators and the looming threat of supply chain disruptions amid geopolitical uncertainties.
Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State of Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth, told the summit that Singapore, as the world’s eighth largest exporter of high-tech goods, is a regional powerhouse for manufacturing.
But global shifts like the pace of technological advancements, reconfigurations in global supply chains and consumers’ scrutiny of sustainable practices amid growing environmental concerns point to a more uncertain future for manufacturing.
“In today’s age of intense competition, Singapore must continue to invest significantly in research, innovation and enterprise efforts,” Mr Tan added.
“There are new opportunities amidst these global shifts too, that will allow Singapore to maintain and even enhance our attractiveness as a manufacturing hub.”
However, to capture these opportunities, Singapore must double down on its key and core value propositions that include connectivity, stability and a well-developed innovation ecosystem.
“As the world grapples with the environmental and social consequences of traditional manufacturing, compounded by shifts in consumer preferences towards more sustainable products and offerings, the need for sustainable manufacturing practices has become increasingly urgent,” Mr Tan said.
He also stressed the importance of investing in the local workforce and urged companies to upskill and reskill their workers by tapping various schemes, such as the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit.
AMTA director Zeng Xianting said the new playbook encompasses six key roles, ranging from operators to specialists and engineers, providing a detailed breakdown of essential role changes and the new skill proficiencies necessitated by disruptive technologies.
“It (the playbook) aims to empower the industry to maintain its competitive edge by providing a clear strategy for engineers, specialists, and operators to adopt new competencies,” Dr Zeng added.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/singapore-manufacturing-federation-launches-upskill-guide-sustainability-service-for-smes
| 2024-01-19T09:26:48Z
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SINGAPORE – Honda’s latest CR-V has grown since it last appeared with seven seats in 2017. At 4,706mm long and 1,866mm wide, its footprint has increased by 2.2 per cent.
While that seems miniscule, it is enough to make the CR-V one of the biggest mid-sized crossovers in town. The most tangible difference lies in its wheelbase, which is 41mm longer than previously.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/motoring/car-review-sixth-generation-honda-cr-v-charms-with-user-friendliness
| 2024-01-19T09:26:58Z
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When it comes to giving pirates a hard time to keep the arteries of global trade flowing, the United States is definitely your go-to country. For decades, America’s navy has patrolled the world’s shipping lanes to deter maritime marauders, a job deserving great credit.
The Houthis, whose attacks on container ships and US Navy vessels in the Red Sea have severely limited commercial traffic through the Suez Canal, are a much tougher challenge. The current situation underlines that the US’ most critical work protecting supply chains is in hard-edged geopolitical and military situations. But its motives are more strategic than economic, which can make its actions only ambiguously useful – and subject to political shifts.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-world-cannot-depend-on-the-us-to-keep-trade-peace
| 2024-01-19T09:27:09Z
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SINGAPORE - Su Baolin, one of the 10 accused in the $2.8 billion money laundering case, was handed eight more charges on Jan 19.
Su, 42, who was originally from China, holds a Cambodian passport and now faces 10 charges in total.
One of his latest charges alleges that on or around Dec 24, 2020, he used $657,980 – his alleged benefits of criminal conduct – to fund the purchase of three properties at Scotts Square, in Scotts Road, in the name of his wife Ma Ning.
Three cheques were issued, each worth over $1.8 million.
The money he provided was allegedly derived from a conspiracy that he engaged in with a Wang Qiming, a former Citibank employee, to forge a document with the intent to cheat Standard Chartered Bank.
Three of his new charges are for making false representations, and involve Wang Junjie – a man who held multiple directorships, secretarial and shareholder positions in 185 firms.
The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) said on Jan 19 that Wang Junjie had his registration as a qualified individual (RQI) cancelled on Jan 18, as part of its investigations into the ongoing money laundering probe.
Acra said Wang Junjie is the RQI and director of registered filing agent (RFA) LW Business Consultancy (LWBC).
Acra said RQIs and RFAs provide corporate secretarial services for business entities, like helping customers to incorporate companies, file annual returns and fulfil other filing requirements under the Companies Act 1967 or other Acts under Acra’s purview.
RQIs and RFAs must perform customer due diligence measures and guard against breaches in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) controls.
Acra said the registrations of Wang Junjie and LWBC were cancelled in view of breaches of AML/CFT controls under the Acra (Filing Agents and Qualified Individuals) Regulations 2015.
According to court documents on Jan 19, Su had allegedly abetted Wang Junjie to fraudulently make false representations to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore regarding the true and accurate values of Xinbao Investment Holdings’ revenue, gross profits and trade receivables for the company’s financial years in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Su and Wang Junjie were both directors at Xinbao Investment Holdings, where Wang Junjie was also secretary.
Three of Su’s latest charges were for refusing to sign statements.
He allegedly did not sign various statements he made when required to do so by a Commercial Affairs Department officer on Dec 14 and 21, 2023, and on Jan 4, 2024, in an interview room at the Changi Prison Complex Medical Centre.
During Su’s bail review hearing in November 2023, the court heard that he suffers from a serious congenital heart condition, and is at a high risk of gastric cancer.
Su’s other fresh charge is for using as true a false declaration in the purchase of a unit at Gramercy Park condominium, in Grange Road, off Orchard Boulevard.
On or around Nov 30, 2017, he allegedly made statements in a statutory declaration affirmed before a Commissioner of Oaths which he did not believe to be true.
These allegedly include that he was a director of a company known as Great Trillion Technology in Hong Kong and that he received dividends and director’s salary and fees from them totalling about $5.1 million since 2016.
He allegedly falsely declared he was a director and one of the shareholders of a company known as China Run Feng (Holdings) Investment in China, and that he received dividends, director’s fees and salary from it.
He purportedly stated that the company had invested in a firm in Indonesia, where his share of the returns was about $840,000.
Su had allegedly declared he borrowed from the other shareholders of China Run Feng (Holdings) Investment totalling $1.16 million and provided it to his conveyancing solicitor as declaration of his source of funds for the purchase of a unit at Gramercy Park.
Su, who remains in remand, is scheduled to have a pre-trial conference on Jan 24.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/8-new-charges-for-money-laundering-accused-who-allegedly-funded-three-properties-at-scotts-road
| 2024-01-19T09:27:19Z
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SINGAPORE - What is pleasing to the eye to one may not be the same to others.
That, along with safety during emergencies and clutter in common areas, is a thing to consider when it comes to decorating these spaces in HDB estates, experts and authorities told The Straits Times.
The issue arose after reports in January 2024 that a Senja Heights resident was asked by her town council to remove decorations she had put up along her Housing Board flat’s corridor.
The resident, who wanted to be known only as Ms San, decorated the common space with three canvases attached to wooden frames that weighed about 200g, and temporary stickers, or decals. The decorations cover the walls of about two units and can be removed easily without causing damage, she added.
Ms San, who works in business development and is in her 30s, said the decorations had been up for about six months when she received a notice from Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council (HBPTC) on Dec 21, 2023, requesting she remove them.
Town council representatives visited her flat that week, reiterating that the decorations had to be removed as they could be hazardous should they fall.
Ms San told ST that she was confused by the town council’s request as she had taken extra care to ensure her decorations did not violate any laws, pose danger to others, or damage property.
Referencing residents from other neighbourhoods whose social media posts on decorating their corridors with extensive festive decorations or similar framed artwork had gone viral, she questioned what regulations were in place regarding resident-initiated decor and what materials were acceptable.
“Why do some town councils allow this and why do some not?” she asked.
She added that she has no qualms about removing the fixtures if needed, but hopes for a more thorough explanation from the town council first.
In response to queries by ST, HBPTC said that it adopts a lighter approach to temporary decorations in common spaces, especially during festive seasons such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas.
However, it would be more concerning if the fixtures were of a more permanent nature as they could damage and stain the infrastructure of shared spaces, it added.
Such fixtures could also hinder cleaning and maintenance works, said HPBTC.
ST approached 17 town councils on resident-initiated decorations in common spaces; East Coast Town Council said it would not be responding at this time, while ST did not hear back from the others.
Ms San also approached her MP Edward Chia on the matter. She said he empathised with her, but cautioned her that not all her neighbours may share the same aesthetic preferences.
This view was shared with others that ST spoke to.
Nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi, who spoke on boosting social cohesion in common spaces in residential estates in Parliament on Jan 9, said that such efforts to decorate common spaces may be a way people try to make spaces more personal.
But he added that corridors tend to be more private to residents and could invoke greater sensitivity from home owners, while void decks and other common areas in the neighbourhood may be more amenable to wider public use and have latitude for some creativity.
Putting up fixtures within public areas and narrow spaces like corridors without permission may also clutter or create confusion during emergencies if it distracts or obscures signs that are meant for safety, he said.
He added that this should be distinguished from short-term, seasonal celebrations of ethnic and religious importance meant to spread momentary festive cheer as they help foster greater understanding across faiths and different communities.
Associate Professor Laavanya Kathiravelu of Nanyang Technological University’s School of Social Sciences agreed that not everyone may view decorative ornaments the same way, but cautioned that not allowing residents to express themselves in these spaces may lead to people feeling less ownership or guardianship over them.
“This may mean that residents take less care of these spaces through their own initiatives, like through removing litter or making sure that faulty lights and equipment in these spaces are reported to the relevant authorities,” she said.
Prof Laavanya added that residents coming together to collectively decorate or beautify a shared space could lead to positive outcomes for social cohesion, but requires residents arriving at a consensus beforehand.
She noted that in many other countries with a “strong culture” of neighbourhoods coming together to organise events, “these things often happen organically without a need for the involvement of designated residents’ committees or town councils”.
As for Ms San, she has not given up hope of keeping her decorations up. She had submitted an appeal, with her MP’s help, to the town council on Jan 1, along with a letter of support signed by all the residents on her floor.
She is slated to meet her MP on Jan 25 to follow up on the matter.
Ms San added that the decorated wall is still a work in progress and suggested to the town council that it be turned into a communal project for residents to creatively collaborate on together.
A resident on the floor told Chinese news outlet Shin Min Daily News that she was happy to see someone take the initiative to decorate the common space and felt it beautified the corridor.
The resident lives in the unit directly facing the decorations and said she hopes the town council will let them remain.
“Even though we are living in HDB flats, it doesn’t mean that it should stop us from exercising some creativity to liven up our environment,” Ms San said.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/nice-or-not-decorations-in-senja-estate-raises-questions-about-what-s-acceptable-in-common-areas
| 2024-01-19T09:27:30Z
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MADRID -Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme scored in extra time to give Atletico Madrid a 4-2 derby victory over last year's champions Real Madrid that earned Diego Simeone's side a Copa del Rey quarter-final place on Thursday.
A week after the rivals clashed in a 5-3 Real win in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals in Saudi Arabia, they met again in a peppery affair at a packed Metropolitano that was also decided with two extra-time goals, but now in Atletico's favour.
Atletico winger Samuel Lino opened the scoring for the hosts from a counter-attack in the 39th minute, tapping in from point-blank range after centre back Antonio Rudiger miskicked a clearance backwards to gift him the ball.
But goalkeeper Jan Oblak returned the favour when he made a mistake trying to punch a Luka Modric free kick away and sent the ball into his own net right before the break.
Another error ended in a goal when in the 57th minute midfielder Eduardo Camavinga sent a poor pass back to his own area which confounded goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and Rudiger, the ball falling to Alvaro Morata who tapped it into an empty net.
In the 82nd minute, Morata missed a sitter from close range which led to a Real counter-attack. Jude Bellingham crossed to Joselu who headed the equaliser to take the match to extra time.
Griezmann worked his magic in the 100th minute to steal the ball from Vinicius Jr on the halfway line and burst up the right channel and into the box to score. Riquelme secured the win in the 119th minute with a tidy finish.
"Lately, our games against Real have been very beautiful for the spectator. With a very high tempo, decided in extra time. Today it was our turn to win it. I'm happy for our fans and for Antoine Griezmann who scored a great goal," captain Koke told Movistar Plus.
Atletico will join Barcelona, Girona, Real Socieda, Celta Vigo, Mallorca, Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla in the quarter-final draw. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/atletico-earn-gutsy-4-2-win-against-real-to-book-cup-quarter-final-berth
| 2024-01-19T09:27:40Z
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MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Timberwolves have been relentless this National Basketball Association (NBA) season, and they showed again on Jan 18 why they are top of the Western Conference.
Coming off a three-game win streak, the Timberwolves started slow but poured it on in the fourth quarter, surging to a 118-103 home victory over the Memphis Grizzlies to maintain their lead over Oklahoma City.
The Thunder beat the Utah Jazz 134-129.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards shook off a slow start of his own, scoring 26 of his 28 points in the second half. That included 12 in the fourth quarter, when Minnesota out-scored Memphis 37-17.
“I just came out slow,” Edwards, who has been battling a knee injury, told broadcaster TNT.
“I just wasn’t ready to play tonight but I saw that if I didn’t bring it to the second half we weren’t going to be able to win that game. So I decided to just pick it up. I wasn’t ready to play early, so I had to find it.”
The Timberwolves led for less than five minutes in the first three periods, so the fourth period was crucial.
“It felt to me as long as we just keep it close, we can find a run,” their coach Chris Finch said.
Minnesota centre Rudy Gobert added 17 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots and Naz Reid had 20 points off the bench to help the team claw out the victory over the injury-depleted Grizzlies, who are without star Ja Morant for the rest of the season and juggling a raft of other injuries as well.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 36 points and Luke Kennard drilled five three-pointers on the way to 18 points for Memphis.
The Timberwolves improved to 30-11, two games ahead of the Thunder, who silenced the Jazz behind 31 points, six rebounds and six assists from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City led throughout but the Jazz, who came in on a six-game winning streak, pushed them to the finish.
Jalen Williams scored 11 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and all five Thunder starters scored in double figures as Oklahoma City snapped a two-game skid.
“We’re not feeling 100 per cent... against the hottest team in the league coming in,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “We probably didn’t have a fastball physically, but we had our fastball mentally and competitively.”
The Jazz had trimmed the deficit to four points with less than a minute left, but Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren blocked a layup attempt and after the Jazz failed on two attempts, he sealed the victory with a free throw.
Collin Sexton scored 31 points and Lauri Markkanen added 26 for the Jazz.
Elsewhere, the Indiana Pacers beat the Kings 126-121 in Sacramento, despite the continuing absence of injured playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Bennedict Mathurin scored 25 points to lead seven Pacers players in double figures.
In New York, Jalen Brunson scored 20 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter to propel the Knicks to a narrow 113-109 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Brunson, who scored 30 points in his return from a two-game injury absence on Jan 17, added eight rebounds and eight assists.
Julius Randle had 21 points for New York and Donte DiVincenzo and OG Anunoby scored 19 apiece to help the Knicks overcome 17 turnovers.
The Chicago Bulls, with 24 points from both Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan, dominated early and held on late to beat the Raptors 116-110 in Toronto.
“We knew they’re a team that never gives up, it’s not going to be a pretty game with them,” Vucevic said.
“They play very physical and they play a lot of different ways defensively as well. So we just knew we had to stick with it.” AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/basketball/minnesota-timberwolves-rally-to-beat-memphis-grizzlies
| 2024-01-19T09:27:50Z
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MELBOURNE - Mirra Andreeva dug deep into her reserves to defeat Frenchwoman Diane Parry at the Australian Open on Friday and the 16-year-old was thrilled to catch the attention of one of her idols, saying she would print and frame Andy Murray's words of praise.
In a rematch of their French Open second-round meeting last year, which Andreeva won comfortably, the teenager appeared close to tears as she went 5-1 down in the decider and was one point away from defeat before battling to a 1-6 6-1 7-6(5) win.
The Russian, who burst onto the scene as with stunning wins in Madrid last year, had also grabbed headlines by describing Murray as "beautiful", to which the Briton jokingly responded that Andreeva should get her eyes checked.
Murray hailed Andreeva's mental strength in Friday's match.
"Andreeva down 5-1 in third. Commentator 'she really needs to work on mental side of her game. She's too hard on herself when she's losing' ... 30 minutes later 7-6 Andreeva wins," Murray posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"Maybe the reason she turned the match round is because of her mental strength. Maybe she turned the match around because she is hard on herself and demands more of herself when she's losing/playing badly? Winner."
Andreeva said she did not expect Murray to watch her match, much less comment about it.
"I'll try to print it out somehow," Andreeva said. "I don't know, I'll put it in a frame. I'll bring it everywhere with me. I'll maybe put it on the wall so I can see it everyday."
She also agreed with Murray's assessment about her performance against Parry.
"I won the last time I played her," Andreeva said. "I had an advantage. I felt that maybe I should win, because I won pretty easy on the score. Maybe I should win this match. When you think like this, it always happens, like 1-6 in the first set.
"Then I decided to fight to win one game at a time. Maybe being harsh on myself actually helped me. I don't know. I just try to think positively. This harshness, let's say, helped me with it because I'm not positive in my head usually.
"I kept pushing myself, saying not good words to myself." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/andreeva-says-plans-to-frame-murrays-praise-after-melbourne-fightback
| 2024-01-19T09:28:01Z
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MELBOURNE - Title contenders Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Stefanos Tsitsipas all made light work of their third-round ties at the Australian Open on Friday to storm into the second week of the year’s first Grand Slam.
After a day of close scrapes, marathon tiebreaks and upsets at Melbourne Park on Thursday, the leading seeds were ruthlessly efficient in booking their spots in the fourth round on day six of the championships.
Novak Djokovic, who has been dragged into dogfights in the first two matches of his 10th title defence, will look to emulate them when he takes on Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Rod Laver Arena in the evening session.
Aryna Sabalenka took less than an hour to beat 28th-seeded Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko 6-0, 6-0 on the main show court, sweeping into the last 16 without dropping a set as she did last year on her way to her first Grand Slam title.
Even with top 10 seeds Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur, Marketa Vondrousova and Maria Sakkari already out, Sabalenka, however, was not getting carried away with her impressive progress.
“Listen, it’s tennis,” the Belarusian second seed said. “As we see with some of the top players losing in the earlier matches, anything can happen.
“I’m just trying to do my best and prepare myself as best I can for each match.”
Sinner, the hottest player on the men’s tour at the end of last year, continued his fine start to the season with a 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 pummelling of Argentine Sebastian Baez but was equally cautious.
“Let’s see how I handle the situation when the score is even or I’m down, how I react,” the Italian said. “It’s going to be interesting to see.”
Seventh seed Tsitsipas was particularly happy with his 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 win over French young gun Luca Van Assche given he had lost the opening set in his first two matches at Melbourne Park.
“I had a great start to the match,” he said after firing 36 winners on Rod Laver Arena. “I’m happy with today’s performance. Things worked out for me pretty nicely at moments that I needed it the most.”
Tsitsipas will next face Taylor Fritz, who he beat at the same stage last year on his way to the final. The American 12th seed beat Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 on John Cain Arena.
Gauff is another contender who might exploit the haemorrhaging of top women’s seeds and she looked like she might be about to hand out a second “double bagel” of the day when she raced through her first set against Alycia Parks.
The US Open champion’s compatriot and long-time friend did manage to stall her progress by getting on the board in the second set but Gauff still eased into the fourth round with a 6-0, 6-2 win in just over an hour on Margaret Court Arena.
“I’m really happy with how I played today,” said the fourth seed.
“I don’t think she played her best tennis today. I know when she’s at her best, she’s a tough player to play.”
There was more American success when Amanda Anisimova, ranked 442nd in the world after a lengthy break from the game, overcame former world number two Paula Badosa 7-5, 6-4 despite feeling unwell.
Win or lose, Anisimova will shake hands with Sabalenka over the net after their fourth-round match, a custom absent from the Belarusian’s clash with Tsurenko on Friday.
Tsurenko said she would continue to snub Russian and Belarusian players in the same manner and hoped her actions would serve as a reminder of the plight of her people since the 2022 invasion of her country.
“People don’t want to talk about war. People don’t want to hear bad news. I get a lot of bad messages on social media, People are annoyed if I post something,” she said.
“But it’s very tough to explain if you don’t feel what I feel and how other Ukrainians feel.” REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/big-guns-lead-charge-into-second-week-of-australian-open
| 2024-01-19T09:28:11Z
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MELBOURNE - Title contenders Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Stefanos Tsitsipas all made light work of their third-round ties at the Australian Open on Friday to storm into the second week of the year's first Grand Slam.
After a day of close scrapes, marathon tiebreaks and upsets at Melbourne Park on Thursday, the top seeds were ruthlessly efficient in booking their spots in the fourth round on day six of the championships.
Novak Djokovic, who has been dragged into dogfights in the first two matches of his 10th title defence, will look to emulate them when he takes on Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Rod Laver Arena in the evening session.
Aryna Sabalenka took less than an hour to beat 28th-seeded Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko 6-0 6-0 on the main showcourt, sweeping into the last 16 without dropping a set as she did last year on her way to her first Grand Slam title.
Even with top 10 seeds Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur, Marketa Vondrousova and Maria Sakkari already out, Sabalenka, however, was not getting carried away with her impressive progress.
"Listen, it's tennis," the Belarusian second seed said. "As we see with some of the top players losing in the earlier matches, anything can happen.
"I'm just trying to do my best and prepare myself as best I can for each match."
Sinner, the hottest player on the men's tour at the end of last year, continued his fine start to the season with a 6-1 6-0 6-3 pummelling of Argentine Sebastian Baez but was equally cautious.
"Let's see how I handle the situation when the score is even or I'm down, how I react," the Italian said. "It's going to be interesting to see."
"GREAT START"
Seventh seed Tsitsipas was particularly happy with his 6-3 6-0 6-4 win over French young gun Luca Van Assche given he had lost the opening set in his first two matches at Melbourne Park.
"I had a great start to the match," he said after firing 36 winners on Rod Laver Arena. "I'm happy with today's performance. Things worked out for me pretty nicely at moments that I needed it the most."
Tsitsipas will next face Taylor Fritz, who he beat at the same stage last year on his way to the final. The American 12th seed beat Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 3-6 6-4 6-2 6-2 on John Cain Arena.
Gauff is another contender who might exploit the haemorrhaging of top women's seeds and she looked like she might be about to hand out a second "double bagel" of the day when she raced through her first set against Alycia Parks.
The U.S. Open champion's compatriot and longtime friend did manage to stall her progress by getting on the board in the second set but Gauff still eased into the fourth round with a 6-0 6-2 win in just over an hour on Margaret Court Arena.
"I'm really happy with how I played today," said the fourth seed.
"I don't think she played her best tennis today. I know when she's at her best, she's a tough player to play."
There was more American success when Amanda Anisimova, ranked 442nd in the world after a lengthy break from the game, overcame former world number two Paula Badosa 7-5 6-4 despite feeling unwell.
Win or lose, Anisimova will shake hands with Sabalenka over the net after their fourth-round match, a custom absent from the Belarusian's clash with Tsurenko on Friday.
Tsurenko said she would continue to snub Russian and Belarusian players in the same manner and hoped her actions would serve as a reminder of the plight of her people since the 2022 invasion of her country.
"People don't want to talk about war. People don't want to hear bad news. I get a lot of bad messages on social media, People are annoyed if I post something," she said.
"But it's very tough to explain if you don't feel what I feel and how other Ukrainians feel." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/sabalenka-sinner-lead-charge-into-second-week-in-melbourne
| 2024-01-19T09:28:21Z
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MELBOURNE - Stefanos Tsitsipas hopes to tap into "big moments" from his 2023 Australian Open campaign to fuel his quest to reach back-to-back finals, the Greek seventh seed said after easing past Frenchman Luca Van Assche to reach the fourth round on Friday.
The 25-year-old fell to 10-times champion Novak Djokovic in the title clash last year, but not before winning an epic five-setter in the fourth round against young gun Jannik Sinner and impressive displays against Jiri Lehecka and Karen Khachanov.
Tsitsipas, who eased past Frenchman Van Assche 6-3 6-0 6-4 and takes on American 12th seed Taylor Fritz next, said he would use the emotions he felt last year to mentally prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
"I approach these situations and these experiences with a lot of humility and I'm always trying to get them better. What I mean by that is make them more emotional and create a bigger glory mentally in my mind," Tsitsipas told reporters.
"These moments are glorious, especially when you're able to overcome them and win matches to go to the next sort of level of yourself as a tennis player and they count a lot for me."
Tsitsipas said that finding comfort and confidence were key to his rhythm in matches.
"I'm trying to feel the match," Tsitsipas said. "I'm trying to feel the ball that's coming to me and become, in a way, one with it and that helps me get to that point most of the time."
Tsitsipas beat Fritz when the pair met at the same stage of the Australian Open in 2022 and holds a 3-1 win-loss record over the American.
"I've played him before at the Australian Open. We had a big match," Tsitsipas said. "These moments are some of the ones that I do remember the best from this particular tournament.
"The intensity that I brought with me at that particular match was impressive and I'm hoping to replicate it and give it my best shot against him." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/tsitsipas-hopes-emotions-of-2023-will-boost-australian-open-title-bid
| 2024-01-19T09:28:32Z
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BRUSSELS – Defence chiefs from 31 member states of Nato, the United States-led military alliance in Europe, met in the Belgian capital to put the finishing touches to their most significant military exercise since the end of the Cold War more than three decades ago.
Codenamed Steadfast Defender 24, the military drill will start early next week and continue for months, involving 90,000 troops and stretching from the Baltic Sea on Europe’s northern flank to Poland and Germany at the heart of the continent.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/90000-troops-nato-s-upcoming-drill-a-show-of-force-in-preparation-for-conflict-with-russia
| 2024-01-19T09:28:42Z
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BRUSSELS – The European Union’s executive arm is set to recommend a 90 per cent net reduction of greenhouse gases by 2040, a target backed by climate scientists and criticised by the industry in the face of high energy prices and growing international rivalry in clean technologies.
The European Commission plans to endorse the goal in line with advice from its board of scientists for climate that it’s the best pathway to meet the Green Deal’s overarching aim of zeroing-out pollution by the middle of the century, according to people with knowledge of the issue. The blueprint for the next decade is set to be adopted on Feb 6, marking the first stage of a debate with member states on how to design future policies and objectives.
The planned target for the 27-nation bloc, which is legally bound to reduce greenhouse gases by 55 per cent this decade, will affect every corner of the economy and would entail significant political risk by requiring greener consumer lifestyles and more restrictions on businesses and agriculture.
A key new component of the 2040 goal will be carbon removals, including technologies such as direct air capture or carbon sequestration by farmers and foresters. The EU has signalled that this element could account for around 10 per cent of the target and is yet to decide how large the share of removals will be under the blueprint.
Europe wants to be a global leader in the green shift, an increasingly challenging objective when coming up against US President Joe Biden’s landmark climate package and competition from China in low-carbon technologies and critical materials. The bloc is still grappling with the effects of an energy crisis triggered by a cut in natural gas supplies from Russia following the war in Ukraine.
While benchmark power prices in Germany, the region’s biggest economy, have eased from the highs seen in 2022, they are still more than twice the levels seen before the war.
The options analysed by the commission for its climate roadmap to 2040 were an 80 per cent cut, a reduction of 85 per cent to 90 per cent and a decrease of 90 per cent to 95 per cent, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the document hasn’t been yet adopted. By the EU executive arm’s own assessment, current measures by its member states are lagging behind the group’s 2030 targets.
The building blocks for the planned 90 per cent target include further growth of renewables, energy savings and accelerated use of technologies such as carbon capture and storage. It also needs phasing out of fossil fuels, rapid electrification of road transport and heating sectors, a strengthened industrial policy with funding mechanisms and a plan to attract private capital.
The green shift will require significant investment from both public and private capital, with the European Investment Bank having a key role to play. The 90 per cent reduction goal would mean €2.8 trillion (S$4 trillion) savings in net imports of fossil fuels in 2031-2050.
Agriculture is set to play an increasing role in the green transition. With the right policies and support, the EU should be able to reduce non-CO2 emissions of greenhouse gases in the sector by at least 30 per cent in 2040 compared to 2015, the people familiar said. When combined with forestry, it should become climate neutral as early as 2035, according to the people.
The 2040 roadmap, to be presented four months before June’s European Parliament elections, will set in motion a lengthy process to adopting the goal. A legislative proposal setting the exact details and steps to reach it, will be put forward only when a new commission takes office after the elections.
To become a law, the proposal would then need to be approved by the Parliament and the 27 national governments, with both having the right to propose amendments. BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/eu-set-to-seek-ambitious-goal-of-90-emissions-cut-by-2040
| 2024-01-19T09:28:52Z
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MOSCOW - The lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, plans to formally ask France's National Assembly if it is aware that French mercenaries have been fighting on Ukraine's side, Vyacheslav Volodin, the Duma's chairman, said on Friday.
Volodin, an ally of President Vladimir Putin, made the statement after the Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that its forces had killed more than 60 foreign mercenaries, mostly French citizens, in a strike on a building in Kharkiv. It did not provide evidence to back the assertion.
France rejected the allegations, saying it was helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity but had no mercenaries in Ukraine "unlike certain others".
"In France, the mercenary trade is forbidden by law," Volodin wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
"It is important for us to know whether they (French lawmakers) are aware that someone, violating the law, is sending fighters to fight in Ukraine."
The Duma would consider its address to the French parliament at the next meeting of the lower chamber of parliament which is scheduled for Jan. 23, he said.
Russia announced on Thursday it had summoned the French ambassador to the Foreign Ministry over the mercenary allegations. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/russian-parliament-to-ask-french-counterpart-if-it-knew-of-french-mercenaries-in-ukraine-official
| 2024-01-19T09:29:03Z
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MADRID – Global tourism is set to fully recover from the pandemic in 2024 as international tourist arrivals will likely be 2 per cent more numerous than in 2019, the United Nations’ World Tourism Organisation said on Jan 19.
Increased global air connectivity and a strong recovery of Asian markets will allow a full rebound of tourism activities worldwide in 2024, even though geopolitical instability in the Middle East and elsewhere constitutes a risk for the industry as it affects would-be travellers’ confidence, the UN tourism body said.
In 2023, travel demand in Europe and Africa almost reached pre-pandemic levels, and surpassed them in the Middle East.
Some destinations, such as Mediterranean Europe, the Caribbean, and the Central American and North African sub-regions, exceeded their 2019 international tourism arrivals in 2023.
The UN tourism body expects the Chinese market to soar in 2024, after the government allowed visa-free travel for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia until Nov 30. Flight capacity into and out of China is set to increase in 2024.
In 2023, international tourism ended at 88 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international travellers.
The overall industry contribution to the global economy in 2023 was US$3.3 trillion (S$4.4 trillion), according to the report. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-nations-sees-international-tourism-fully-recovering-in-2024
| 2024-01-19T09:29:13Z
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