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Motsi Mabuse often keeps her five-year-old daughter out of the spotlight, not even confirming the youngster's name, but during the week the star shared a stunning video of the young girl.
As you can see in the clip below, the young girl was channelling her inner Disney princess, using an outfit from Princess Tiana while having Ariel-inspired hair, and she was following in her famous parents' footsteps as she danced around the kitchen with her father, Evgenij Voznyuk. The young girl mirrored her dad's arm movements before they linked arms, and Motsi was so proud.
In an emotional caption, the mum-of-one shared: "And we are back in the kitchen. Father and princess dance!!! To be exact princess Tiana and hair color inspired by Ariel, absolutely nothing beats being home with these two, daddy's girl."
Motsi is incredibly private about her young girl, making sure that her identity isn't shared publicly, with the only hint fans have gotten over the years is that her name is similar to Strictly pro Nikita Kuzmin. During a critique on the last series, Motsi had to stop herself when she nearly revealed her daughter's name.
In the moment, the star said: "The centre is too open, so if it's open it’s difficult for [beginning of her daughter's name]. I'm sorry. I just said my daughter's name! You know I'm a mum! Nikita and my daughter's names are quite similar. Sorry everybody!"
Alongside her daughter, Motsi is also an auntie to Oti Mabuse's newborn daughter, who was welcomed into the world over the Christmas period.
And it appears that Oti is following in her sister's footsteps when it comes to the privacy of her daughter, with the dancer and judge also choosing to keep her young girl's identity out of the spotlight, although she has shared plenty of mummy and daughter moments online.
MORE: Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse reveals permanent living arrangements with husband Evgenij's parents
WOW: Strictly's Motsi Mabuse reveals surprising before-and-after photos we never expected
The decision hasn't been a particularly popular one amongst Oti's fans with several fans asking the star to share her daughter's name publicly, but many more have backed the star's decision to keep the name private.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512198/strictly-motsi-mabuse-follows-footsteps-daddy-daughter-dance/
| 2024-01-27T20:23:58Z
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Viktor Labin, a Russian military intelligence (GRU) officer living in Brussels just kilometers from EU and NATO headquarters, has supplied indispensable measurement machines to Russian defense contractors for over a decade while avoiding Western sanctions, an investigation by The Insider revealed on 27 January.
The Insider found that the Moscow-based company Sonatek, founded by Viktor Labin’s son Ruslan, provides measurement equipment to dozens of Russian defense companies that critically depend on the imported products.
“Sonatek imports measuring devices from various countries, including Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In Russia, it has not been possible to import substitute such devices, so the Russian military-industrial complex vitally depends on the products supplied by Sonatek,” The Insider reported.
The Insider obtained information that in 2022 Sonatek provided services and equipment to at least 18 enterprises in the Russian defense industry. Sonatek sources high-precision machine tools and measuring devices from various countries, including Italy (Tomelleri Engineering), Germany (Messtechnik), and the United Kingdom (Aberlink).
Russia has failed to produce domestic substitutes for such devices, so the Russian military industrial complex vitally depends on the imported products supplied by Sonatek.
Labin settled in Brussels by 2000, establishing the firm Groupe D’Investissement Financier, which he uses to export the equipment to Russia.
Earlier, he shipped directly to Russia, frequently to his son’s Sonatek company, but in April 2023 began routing the materials through an intermediary in Türkiye with a similar name, GROUPE D’INVESTISSEMENT FINANCIER OSBORNE, according to The Insider.
“Türkiye has become a popular transshipment point for sanctioned goods being smuggled to Russian end users,” The Insider notes, adding that Taiwanese machine tools have also made their way to Russian arms manufacturers via this route.
The Insider met Labin at his Brussels office just 15 minutes from EU headquarters. He claimed he stopped shipments to Russia after sanctions began, contradicting The Insider’s findings.
Labin’s son Roman, who also lives in Brussels, helps manage the business while another son, Ruslan, runs Sonatek in Moscow. Labin Senior’s sons are listed as directors on Groupe d’Investissement Financier official documents.
Despite openly cheering Russia’s war on social media, the Labins have avoided sanctions for over ten years.
“I’m an entrepreneur, and neither I nor my brother served in the army,” Ruslan Labin told The Insider, while not denying that Sonatek contracts with 18 Russian defense firms.
Confronted about his GRU ties, Viktor Labin hung up after cursing at The Insider journalist in Russian.
Related:
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/27/insider-gru-officer-in-brussels-funnels-military-exports-to-russia/
| 2024-01-27T20:35:55Z
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The US aims to station nuclear weapons in the UK for the first time in 15 years due to increased threat from Russia, The Telegraph reported on 27 January, citing Pentagon documents.
According to the statement, the nuclear weapon the US intends to place in eastern England is three times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
“The US removed nuclear missiles from the UK in 2008, saying that the Cold War threat from Moscow had diminished,” the report states.
However, the return of American nuclear weapons is said to be “part of a Nato-wide program to develop and upgrade nuclear sites in response to heightened tensions with the Kremlin.”
Adml Rob Bauer, a senior NATO military official, said on 18 January that European citizens should prepare for an all-out war with Russia in the next 20 years that would require wholesale change in their lives.
The tensions follow Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to the article, “Russia has stated that Moscow would view the placement of US weapons in Britain as an ‘escalation’ and would be met with ‘compensating counter-measures’.”
The US currently has nuclear warheads stationed in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Türkiye under a NATO nuclear sharing agreement.
“The US regularly modernizes its military facilities in allied countries. Such activity is often accompanied by non-classified administrative budget documentation,” a Pentagon spokesperson said.
Read also:
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/27/us-to-deploy-nuclear-weapons-to-uk-air-base-amid-increased-threat-from-russia/
| 2024-01-27T20:36:35Z
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Q: What can universities do to prepare students like my daughter for a fast-changing world and manage the threat from generative artificial intelligence (AI)?
A: Worries about the impact of AI are common. In its latest Future of Jobs report, the World Economic Forum estimates that nearly three-quarters of global companies intend to adopt AI over the next five years.
This will bring about an average shift of 44 per cent in workers’ core skills over the same period of time, says the study, released last April.
In a rapidly evolving world, “cultivating an innovative mindset and practical skills is crucial,” says Ms Linette Lim, director of Admissions and Financial Assistance at SMU.
The university is constantly updating its curriculum and initiatives to meet the evolving needs of tomorrow’s workforce.
To help students better understand real-world applications of technologies like AI, the school hosted a workshop together with professional services firm Accenture last year.
Another emerging space is the green economy, which could produce 30 million jobs in South-east Asia alone by 2030, according to US-based non-profit organisation Bridgespan last year.
SMU is training its students for potential jobs in this sector. Starting this year, all incoming SMU undergraduates will have to complete at least one sustainability-related course before they graduate.
SMU also aims to prepare students through work-study and internship programmes that offer real-world exposure. All students must complete at least one internship programme.
“We’re dedicated to preparing students for the dynamic global landscape,” says Prof Kong, “through our flexible interdisciplinary curriculum, interactive learning, and experiential opportunities such as guaranteed global exposure and real-world projects.”
Says SMU accountancy undergraduate Bevlyn Tan, 23: “These programmes offered real-world contexts for me to apply academic knowledge, significantly enhancing my critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills.” She took part in a three-month internship programme and a five-month exchange programme with Paris Dauphine University, both of which were arranged by SMU.
Q: How can a university education help my son develop soft skills like critical thinking, leadership and resilience?
A: As technology reshapes industries, soft skills like critical thinking are increasingly sought-after by employers. SkillsFuture Singapore, the statutory board in charge of skills upgrading, calls them “critical core skills”. These skills, it says, are transferable and essential.
One of SMU’s key strategies in this area: Fostering an interactive learning environment where students actively engage with professors and peers.
“The deliberate choice of small class sizes facilitates discussions, allowing each student ample opportunity to speak up and actively participate,” says Ms Lim.
Mr Duncan Lim, 24, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at SMU, says this approach helps him develop confidence and critical thinking: “There is always the opportunity for you to chime in and engage in a conversation with the instructor.”
He used to be afraid of speaking up in class. “Now, it has become second nature,” says Mr Lim, who also takes part in the university’s mooting programme.
Another strategy is SMU-X, an interdisciplinary programme where students can work with industry partners to tackle real-world challenges. It is open to students from all schools and disciplines in SMU, and includes projects from smart technologies to design thinking.
“Our transformative education nurtures core attributes of future-ready and socially conscious graduates who excel as global citizens,” says Prof Kong, “empowering them to make a meaningful impact in the workplace and beyond.”
Q: My children want to study abroad, but it’s too expensive. Can local universities offer similar opportunities?
A: Overseas exposure is crucial in preparing students to effectively navigate today’s highly globalised world. Recognising its importance, SMU says it has made acquiring overseas experience a graduation requirement for all of its students.
The university offers a wide range of overseas programmes, from overseas internships and exchanges, to short-term study programmes and community service projects.
The goal: To provide students with insights into different cultures and opportunities to build connections.
SMU also has a range of university-funded and donor-supported financial assistance schemes for students who need help with study and overseas programme costs. So far, its students have travelled to more than 150 cities in over 45 countries since the university opened in 2000.
SMU business management undergraduate Leong Hui Ling, 23, says her overseas experiences have helped her enhance her critical thinking and cross-cultural communication skills.
Ms Leong took part in a 10-week internship stint at chemical company Indorama Ventures in Bangkok in 2022. Last year, she took part in a week-long business study trip to Malaysia to learn more about palm oil sustainability, and a six-day social enterprise expedition to Vietnam.
“Engaging in sustainability projects in SMU-X modules and (doing so) in different countries has broadened my perspective,” says Ms Leong, “allowing me to understand how solutions in one part of the world can be adapted and applied globally.”
In partnership with Singapore Management University
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/askst-what-can-universities-do-to-prepare-students-for-a-fast-evolving-uncertain-world
| 2024-01-27T20:42:26Z
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BOUAKE, Ivory Coast - Angola's Gelson Dala scored twice as they reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a comprehensive 3-0 last-16 victory over neighbours Namibia, who were left to rue four mad first half minutes on Saturday.
Angola, who claimed their biggest ever Cup of Nations finals win, had an early setback when goalkeeper Neblu received a red card and they were under pressure from a Namibia side that looked the most likely to find the net.
But the game turned when Gelson opened the scoring after 38 minutes, Namibia defender Lubeni Haukongo received a red card shortly afterwards and the Angola forward completed his double from the resulting free-kick.
Angola added a third goal through Mabululu in the second period and now await a quarter-final tie against the winners of the last-16 clash between Nigeria and Cameroon that will be played later on Saturday. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/angola-breeze-into-cup-of-nations-quarters-with-3-0-namibia-win
| 2024-01-27T20:42:36Z
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LEVERKUSEN, Germany - Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen squandered a bagful of chances before settling for a 0-0 draw against visitors Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday and seeing their lead at the top cut to two points.
Unbeaten Leverkusen head the standings on 49 points, with Bayern Munich, 3-2 winners at Augsburg, in second place on 47. VfB Stuttgart are third on 37 following their 5-2 demolition of RB Leipzig.
The hosts had more than 70% possession in the first half and two good early opportunities for Florian Wirtz but struggled to crack open the disciplined Gladbach defence.
It was even more one-way traffic after the break with Xabi Alonso's team squandering chance after chance, with Jeremie Frimpong coming agonisingly close three times in a six-minute spell, and Alejandro Grimaldo firing over the bar from close range.
A stoppage-time Nathan Tella shot from two metres out was far too weak and completed a disappointing evening for the hosts. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/misfiring-leverkusen-held-at-home-by-gladbach
| 2024-01-27T20:42:46Z
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TURIN, Italy - Empoli midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi scored a second-half equaliser to hold leaders Juventus to a 1-1 home draw in Serie A on Saturday after Massimiliano Allegri's side were reduced to 10 men early in the first half.
Dusan Vlahovic put Juventus ahead in the 50th minute, scoring from close range following a corner, before Empoli substitute Baldanzi levelled 20 minutes later with a low strike from distance.
Juve were down to 10 men in the 18th minute when striker Arkadiusz Milik was sent off for a challenge on Empoli forward Alberto Cerri, the referee overturning his initial decision to book the Pole following a VAR review.
Juventus top the standings with 53 points from 22 games, two ahead of Inter Milan who have two matches in hand. Empoli are second bottom on 17 points. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/ten-man-juventus-held-to-home-draw-by-lowly-empoli
| 2024-01-27T20:42:57Z
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BARCELONA - Alexander Sorloth and Jose Luis Morales struck deep into stoppage time to earn Villarreal a 5-3 win at Barcelona in a roller-coaster LaLiga clash on Saturday.
Villarreal opened a two-goal lead with efforts from Gerard Moreno in the 41st minute and Ilias Akhomach in the 54th, but the hosts fought back within 11 minutes through strikes by Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri and an own goal from Eric Bailly.
Goncarlo Guedes equalised for Villarreal following a quick counter-attack in the 84th minute and with Barcelona pushing for a winner they were exposed and Sorloth and Morales punished them.
Barcelona are third in the standings on 44 points, 10 behind leaders Real Madrid and eight adrift of second-placed Girona. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/villarreal-score-twice-in-added-time-to-stun-barcelona-in-goal-fest
| 2024-01-27T20:43:07Z
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Geri Halliwell-Horner and husband Christian were giddy with excitement on Saturday as their horse, Hope, marked its first-ever race.
The former Spice Girls singer took to Instagram to share the exciting news alongside a collage of photos of herself posting with the black mare. Geri looked ravishing in a pair of white trousers alongside a cream jumper to keep away the chilly weather, while Christian looked quite dapper in a brown coat and blue trousers as they posed with the horse.
In her caption, Geri shared her pride, as she penned: "Well done Hope! (race name Look at Mee) first race today." Although the singer didn't reveal where the horse finished, her fans were quick to offer their support.
One joked: "Yass Christian in his horse girl era!!!" while a second said: "Lovely pictures. Lovely looking horse," and close friend Rylan shared a heart emoji.
Geri is creating a small horse empire for herself, previously having entered horses like Hildie and Hector into different races. The star seems to enjoy a musical theme to her horses' racing names, revealing that Hildie was named 'It's Raining Men'.
Geri's horse Hector is a previous race winner, with the mum-of-two celebrating his big win last year. Captioning a string of photos and videos from the big day, Geri penned: "Congratulations. Lift Me Up/Hector! His first big race! Newbury - first time under rules."
Geri shares her successful racehorses with her Formula 1 boss husband, Christian. The couple split their time between their two family homes in Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire alongside their son Monty, five, Geri's daughter Bluebell, 15, and Christian's daughter Olivia, nine.
Aside from horses, the blended family look after an ever-expanding menagerie of animals featuring chickens, miniature donkeys and goats.
Geri married Christian on Friday 15 May 2015, with a ceremony at St Mary's Church in Woburn, before hosting their reception at nearby Woburn Abbey. And in an interview with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, the star described the occasion as "truly the happiest day" of her life.
SEE: Geri Halliwell-Horner shocks fans with wild photo
PHOTOS: Geri Halliwell-Horner nails Christmas chic in cosy winter coat and matching hat
She revealed: "People talk about their wedding day and until you get there, you don't really know what it's going to be like. It truly was the happiest day of my life, it was so amazing."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512201/geri-halliwell-horner-husband-christian-supported-horse-racing-first/
| 2024-01-27T22:13:18Z
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Zara Tindall was at the Cheltenham Festival Trials Day on Saturday and the royal looked absolutely flawless in a striking maroon outfit for her day at the races.
The daughter of Princess Anne turned heads in her stylish maroon coat as she arrived at the Cheltenham Racecourse on a mild Saturday in January. Alongside the coat, Zara looked incredibly pretty in a black polo-necked jumper and blue hat, while her gloves and clutch bag colour matched with her coat.
The royal was all smiles as she walked around the grounds as she was seen joking with other attendees while also giving a thumbs up to others.
Zara is a regular at the Cheltenham Racecourse after becoming its director in 2020, something she called an "honour" ahead of her appointment in 2019.
At the time, the former Olympic equestrian said: "I'm passionate about horseracing, particularly on the Jumps side, and the absolute pinnacle of that is Cheltenham. Racing is simply the most exciting sport and it's open to all. It's an honour to have been asked by Martin St Quinton on behalf of The Jockey Club to get involved in a more formal capacity and I look forward to doing my bit to support the executive team in the years to come."
Zara is still a committed equestrian, regularly appearing at horse trial events, but the royal certainly knows how to glam up when the occasion calls for it. Earlier in the month, the 42-year-old stepped onto the red carpet alongside her husband Mike Tindall for the world premiere of the Netflix documentary Six Nations: Full Contact.
The royal was seen wearing a pair of black fitted cigarette trousers with a split at the ankle which she belted with a mid-blue satin open-neck blouse.
Zara added a stylish tailored coat by Club Monaco in a dark blue checked pattern and she added a touch of glamour in the form of black pointed-toe pumps. She carried her 'Micro Lottie Bag in Black Pebble' by Aspinal of London with the long chain strap bunched up in her hand.
The mother-of-three's bobbed hair was worn in loose waves which appeared to have been combed through for a natural look. For jewellery, Zara popped a fine gold chain around her neck and a pair of pearl-adorned gold hoop earrings.
PHOTOS: Meet Zara and Mike Tindall’s three adorable children: Mia, Lena and Lucas
BEST PHOTOS: Zara Tindall's stunning wedding had heartfelt nods to grandmother Queen Elizabeth
Mike, 45, opted for a smart-casual look pairing dark-wash jeans with white trainers, a white open-neck shirt, and a done-up double-breasted navy blazer.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/royal-style/512200/zara-tindall-all-smiles-steals-the-show-maroon-outfit/
| 2024-01-27T22:13:24Z
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Jennifer Garner left fans over the moon on Saturday January 27 when she shared pictures of a reunion with two of her Alias co-stars, Victor Garber and Ron Rifkin.
"NYC doesn’t happen if I don’t get a moment with my best guys, Ron and Victor," she captioned the post which featured a picture of the three of them wrapped up warm for the cold New York temperatures and standing outside what appeared to be a restaurant.
Jen wore a puffy black jacket and blue denim jeans, accessorized with a classic black handbag, while Ron wore all black and wrapped a bright orange Hermes scarf around his neck and kept warm in a bold yellow jacket. Victor, meanwhile, wore a zipped fleece sweater and paired it with a navy blue winter coat.
Jen lives in Los Angeles where she is raising her three children, but every time she is in New York City she meets up with the two acclaimed actors, and often shares their reunion with fans.
In September 2022 she took to Stories to give insight into one of those dates, sharing a snap of her sandwiched between her friends with one arm around Ron's shoulder and the other linked with Victor.
"Ron Rifkin and Victor Garber are the best part of a day in N.Y.C. I love them," she added in text alongside a red heart emoji. A second post revealed a selfie she had taken with Victor, while a third snap shows Ron with his arms around Jennifer.
The three actors starred in the sci-fi thriller, created by JJ Abrams, for its entire run on ABC from 2001 to 2006; 2026 will be the 25th anniversary of its premiere. The series followed Jennier's character Sydney Bristow, a young woman who learns she has a familial history of undercover work and agrees to become an international spy for a secret branch of the CIA. But while her job begins to complicate her personal life and romantic relationships, she soon discovers that her new employe, SD-6, has no ties to the CIA – and she begins the process of taking down the secret organization by becoming a double agent.
Victor played her father, Jack Bristow, and Ron played Arvin Sloane. Michael Vartan and Bradley Cooper both also appeared in the series.
Jennifer, 51, is one of the most famous stars in Hollywood but is notoriously private about her family. However, she recently shared insight into her home life, and parenting style, in a rare interview with Dr. Aliza Pressman on the podcast, Raising Good Humans.
"On New Year's Eve, my kids and I, we always do something, we write down something we want to let go of, something we want to manifest, etc," she revealed, adding that her kids – Violet, 18, 13-year–old Seraphina, and 11-year-old son Samuel – "never show" her the letters.
They did, however, give her a peek at their goals for the new year, and she shared the wildly different personalities her two girls have, joking: "It was interesting thinking about temperament. Their personal mission statements and value statements were as if they had never met."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/512199/jennifer-garner-reunites-with-alias-co-stars-ahead-of-25th-anniversary/
| 2024-01-27T22:13:30Z
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BEIJING - At six months pregnant with a boy, actress Ma Qian is the envy of her girlfriends, many of whom want to have “dragon babies” as the auspicious year rolls around after a 12-year cycle.
She and her husband wasted no time after throwing their wedding banquet in July 2023 to try for a child.
“It was all planned. As soon as we signed our papers, I started getting ready,” said the 27-year-old, who lives in Beijing with her 30-year-old husband, an investment manager.
China’s birth rate has been on a worrying decline for seven straight years, despite efforts by the government to persuade its young people to have more babies. The Year of the Dragon, however, has traditionally meant a baby bump for the country.
“Although the dragon symbol doesn’t have a personal meaning for either of us, we have been taught from childhood that Chinese people are the descendants of the dragon,” said Ms Ma, who added that she has many friends who are now trying to conceive.
Majority ethnic Chinese societies, including Singapore and Taiwan, also tend to have baby booms during dragon years, as those born under this zodiac sign are believed to bear desirable traits such as intelligence, leadership and good fortune.
China’s birth rate in the last Dragon Year, in 2012, increased from 13.27 per cent the year before to 14.57 per cent, before dipping to 13.03 per cent in 2013.
Experts say there will also be more babies from couples who had put off getting married or having children during the Covid-19 pandemic, which ended in 2023.
But expectations are lower this time around.
“Yes, I think there might be a rise, but it may be very moderate,” said Assistant Professor Mu Zheng, a sociologist who studies China’s fertility at the National University of Singapore.
“Childbearing is still a big decision, involving extensive considerations. The auspicious connotations of the Year of the Dragon may motivate those who intend to have children to act on it, but for those who are reluctant, it may not be very effective.”
The blip will not be enough to reverse the rapid slide in the country’s birth rate, which its leaders have tried to stem with fertility-friendly policies ranging from extended maternity leave to cash rewards.
In 2022, China’s population declined for the first time since the 1960s, with India overtaking its lead to become the most populous nation in the world in 2023.
Statistics released in January 2024 showed its population continuing to dwindle. Deaths outnumbered births by two million in 2023, with just nine million babies born in a country of 1.4 billion people.
Its total fertility rate is now estimated to be about 1.0, well below the 2.1 that is required to maintain a stable population.
It is a crisis that is plaguing other Asian countries, such as South Korea, Singapore and Japan, which have total fertility rates ranging from 0.72 to 1.26.
China’s births have plunged in recent years – dropping dramatically by 50 per cent since 2016, the year after Beijing abandoned its 35-year-old one-child policy, and even after it revised it to a three-child scheme in 2021.
Last year’s birth rate was just 6.39 per cent, the lowest on record since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
A dwindling population will pose a challenge to China’s economic growth, especially as the country turns its focus to making domestic demand a key economic driver.
In a study by European think-tank Bruegel in Oct 2023, researchers Alicia García-Herrero and Xu Jianwei found that China’s overall labour force is likely to shrink only modestly up until 2035, as the urban labour force, which is more productive than rural employment, continues to grow.
But China’s shrinking population could shave off 1.4 per cent of its gross domestic product growth annually after 2035, when the declining fertility rate begins to have an impact on its working-age population, and urbanisation tapers off.
Automation and artificial intelligence could help boost productivity and alleviate the problem, but there has been no evidence of this yet, said the researchers.
According to Dr Mu, the problems behind China’s population decline are threefold.
There is overwhelming and still growing pressure and costs to be competitive, both as an individual and a parent, she said.
There is also the “more individualistic perspectives regarding achievements and life choices, where responsibilities for children may be perceived as burdensome and countering an individual’s other goals”.
And finally, the persistent gender norms within marriage, despite women’s advancing socioeconomic profiles, “particularly generate reluctance to enter into marriage and childbearing among well-educated women”, she said.
Effectively boosting the fertility rate will come at a high cost and requires significant systemic changes to support parents’ work-life balance and right the gender inequality within marriage and the family, said Dr Mu.
Hebei-born engineer Wang Bin, 31, whose son was born on Jan 18, said the increasing cost of living, coupled with stagnating wages, made him think twice about starting a family.
China’s hukou, or population registration, system places restrictions on migrant workers using certain public services, especially in large cities like Beijing, where Mr Wang works.
“If the government can provide more conducive conditions, I might think about heeding the call to have more than one child,” he said, naming housing subsidies and access to education and healthcare as the main incentives.
And while the Dragon Year is traditionally fruitful, some couples might think twice about adding to the bumper crop, which could invite more competition for themselves and their children.
When Chengdu-born Liu Xi, 53, was pregnant in 2000, she endured long lines at the hospital to get pre-natal check-ups and even during the birth of her daughter.
“That year was the millennium year and also the Year of the Dragon. Pregnant women were everywhere, all around me,” said Madam Liu, who works in the finance sector.
Her daughter has had to go through much of her school life facing intense competition. Classes were bigger and resources were stretched. Parents may not want to put their children through such pressure and may avoid having a child this year, she said.
It was a thought that crossed the actress Ms Ma’s mind, too, but only fleetingly, when she and her husband talked about starting a family.
“Strangely, we have inexplicable confidence and no fear of competition. Competition of all kinds exists in life and is a necessary lesson in life. It will make our baby stronger,” she said.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/baby-boom-expected-in-china-during-dragon-year-not-enough-to-save-fertility-crisis
| 2024-01-27T22:14:43Z
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TAIPEI – English language tutor Lin Yu-syuan is in no hurry to get married and have children.
The 28-year-old Taiwanese is in a relationship, but baulks at the “notion that Taiwanese women have to do all the housework after getting married, and be good daughters-in-law”.
“I value my freedoms,” she told The Straits Times.
If a baby comes along, she said she might work out a co-parenting situation without officially registering for marriage, but fears opposition to the plan from her family.
Taiwan is facing a worsening fertility crisis, with a plummeting birth rate that is set to become the world’s lowest by 2035, according to government projections.
In 2022, Taiwan’s total fertility rate was 0.87 children per woman, among the world’s lowest; the global average was 2.3.
Like other East Asian economies, the downward trend has implications for Taiwan’s economic security, with an impending labour shortage amid a rapidly ageing population.
The issue was in the spotlight during the island’s recently concluded elections, when the three presidential candidates – all men – pledged to address Taiwan’s fertility woes, as the number of births on the island hit a record low of 135,571 in 2023.
President-elect Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party promised to continue childcare subsidies for children aged up to six, including raising the amounts for babies up to 24 months old.
Mr Hou Yu-ih of the main opposition Kuomintang pledged to make services at public childcare centres free altogether, on top of a cash bonus for three-child families; Dr Ko Wen-je of the smaller Taiwan People’s Party proposed a pregnancy bonus, among other things.
“Most of the proposals were just about throwing money at the problem, which is not enough,” said National Taiwan University Professor Wang Lih-rong, a sociologist who has done extensive research on Taiwan’s fertility issues.
“What’s harder to overcome are gender stereotypes and the invisible hand of patriarchy.”
Taiwan enjoys a reputation as one of Asia’s most progressive democracies, with high female representation in politics.
But there remains a wide gap between gender equality in the public versus private spheres, said Prof Wang, who described Taiwan as a “very conservative society” informed by Confucianism.
“This can only be resolved with education and shifting attitudes, which is going to take a long time,” she added.
Ms Aki Iida, a gender studies researcher at Japan’s Nara Women’s University, said Taiwanese women are still trapped by traditional ideas of what a woman’s role should be when it comes to housework, childcare and caregiving duties at home.
She conducted a study on the topic in 2022, interviewing 43 university-educated Taiwanese women aged between 30 and 40 years old.
“Almost without exception, the women expressed concerns about deviating from the ideal image expected by their communities, which is to be a good wife or daughter. In particular, they said that it was stressful dealing with a mother-in-law,” she told ST.
With little effort made at changing the patriarchal mindset and shifting gender roles, it is no surprise that the Taiwanese are getting married later than ever. The average age of a first marriage for women was 30.7 in 2022, up from 26.8 two decades earlier in 2002.
“Women are often expected to take primary responsibility for childcare, so they either choose to delay or not get married at all to pursue their careers and their lifestyles first,” said Prof Wang.
“In other instances, they cannot find the right partner. By the time they settle down and start a family, the reality is that it might be more challenging biologically for them to have children.”
At age 34, Taiwanese hairstylist Nina Song is racing against time to find her Mr Right and start a family with him.
“I want to have a baby, but I feel like my time is running out,” she told ST, adding that she is determined to go on at least one date a week in her quest for a life partner.
Being a single mother is out of the question for her.
“My family is very traditional. If I had a child without getting married first, it would be considered shameful,” she said.
She added that she is considering freezing her eggs, which is allowed for single women in Taiwan.
Experts are cautiously optimistic about a potential spike in births in the upcoming Dragon Year – traditionally considered the most auspicious Chinese zodiac year – which begins on Feb 10.
In the previous Dragon Year in 2012, 229,481 babies were born in Taiwan, an increase of more than 37 per cent from the 166,886 newborns in the year earlier. But the number dropped to 194,939 in 2013.
Prof Wang said: “There might be a small bump this year with Dragon babies, but I’m afraid that the overall trend of declining births will not stop.”
The expectation for mothers to be primary caregivers also makes it hard for them to return to work, another reason some women think twice about marriage or childbirth.
Ministry of Labour statistics show that Taiwan’s female labour force participation rate of 51.5 per cent trails behind even the 53.5 per cent recorded by Japan and South Korea. The global average is 52.9 per cent, according to the World Bank.
In all three places, the rate peaks among women aged 25 to 29. But while Taiwan’s rate continues to decline after that, female labour force participation in Japan and South Korea sees a gradual recovery among those aged 35 to 39.
Professor Cheng Yen-hsin from the Institute of Sociology at Taipei’s Academia Sinica said: “It’s easy to look at the fertility rate and just conclude that no one wants to have children.
“But the truth is that most couples do have children after marriage, with more than 70 per cent of them having two or more.”
She pointed out that Taiwan’s low fertility rate is closely linked to its declining marriage rate.
In 2021, the marriage rate fell to a record low of 4.87 marriages per 1,000 people, down from the 7.1 recorded 10 years earlier in 2011.
For many young Taiwanese, economic concerns stand in the way of starting a family – or even tying the knot.
In a March 2023 survey of those aged 15 to 49 by Taiwanese magazine Business Today, 70 per cent of respondents said that they were worried they would not be able to support their children financially if they were to have any.
Separately, 43.4 per cent of those surveyed said that they wished to delay marriage, or not get married at all, due to the challenges of buying an apartment or home. This comes as housing prices have soared while salaries have remained stagnant for years, in a society where purchasing a home before starting a family is the norm.
Taiwan’s housing price-to-annual-income ratio in 2023 hit a record high of 9.82 – with the ratio in Taipei reaching 15.52, which meant that it would take a person more than 15 years to afford a home in the capital.
Digital procurement officer Chen Yu-sin said this is one of the most significant factors influencing her and her peers’ decisions to have children.
“Many of those around me want to have kids, but they don’t have the money to do so. To buy a house, to get married, and to raise children – these are all huge expenses,” said the 29-year-old.
Ms Chen, who is in a relationship, is saving up with plans to get married and have two children. She will also leave work to stay home to look after them herself, though it has nothing to do with gender expectations.
“I love children and I really want to be there while they grow up,” she said.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/taiwan-s-plunging-birth-rate-not-just-about-money-but-also-gender-expectations
| 2024-01-27T22:14:53Z
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The head of the U.N. refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) said on Saturday that nine countries' decisions to suspend funding over allegations staff were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel was shocking, and urged them to reverse course.
"These decisions threaten our ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip," Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/unrwa-chief-shocked-after-countries-pause-funding
| 2024-01-27T22:15:03Z
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It’s a joyous ritual almost as old as Singapore itself: A young couple get hitched, buy an HDB flat, renovate it and then hold the formal wedding ceremony once the dream home is ready.
All heartwarming so far, but in one recent case, the happy-ever-after was over in the blink of an eye and the couple ended up fighting over their newly bought flat.
This young couple’s union made it only to the three-year mark before hitting the rocks and before their customary wedding for relatives and friends.
They had paid $370,000 for a resale Housing Board flat and splurged close to $80,000 on renovations to turn it into a coveted matrimonial home. But things went downhill from there, and they called it quits even before the five-year minimum occupancy period (MOP) for their flat was up.
The final straw probably happened during the five-month renovation period because the couple actually lived in the flat while work was going on. Inevitably, their stay was short-lived because of the dust and noise.
So instead of building a new home together, the flat became the focus of their divorce as both sides wanted a bigger share of the asset.
Indeed, the flat was the only asset being contested as they had yet to formally live together as a married couple in the eyes of their families and the law.
When the case went before the High Court, Justice Choo Han Teck did not have to go through the usual steps of looking at their incomes or considering their indirect contribution to the marriage.
He noted that the parties not only did not undergo a customary marriage ceremony, “there was no consummation, and there were no children to take care of”.
“It seemed to me on the evidence and the statement of particulars that parties were unable to get along from the start, and the consortium of marriage failed before it even had the opportunity to form. I thus give no weight to indirect contributions,” he added
So everything came down to how much each of them had spent on the flat, which was bought with a loan and money from their CPF accounts. This was crucial because without other compelling evidence, the shares in a property will be determined by the amount each joint owner contributed.
In this case, the woman put in more money for the purchase and also paid for most of the renovation costs. So Justice Choo ruled that she was entitled to 67 per cent of the flat, leaving 33 per cent to the ex-husband.
Here are two important points from the case that home owners should note.
Direct contribution to property
Buying a home entails paying the purchase price and other costs, such as stamp duties and legal fees. So when it comes to determining your share of the home, all such costs will be considered in the calculation and not just the money that went into the purchase price.
But what about funds spent on renovating the property soon after purchase?
In this case, the couple spent about $76,000 on renovations after they bought the resale flat in August 2019 – $36,000 in cash and $40,000 in the form of a renovation loan from a bank.
During an earlier hearing at the Family Court, the district judge declined to add the renovation costs to the calculation because he considered that the improvement work was basic and did not significantly alter the property.
As a result, he determined the couple’s shares based on what they paid for the flat, a ratio of 41 per cent for the husband and 59 per cent for the wife.
As it was the wife who shelled out the $36,000 in cash for the renovations, her lawyer, Mr Sarbrinder Singh, filed an appeal to the High Court, arguing that such costs should give her a bigger share in the flat.
Justice Choo allowed the appeal and noted that the direct financial contributions of parties should not be limited to funds used to buy the asset, but also include expenses incurred for the “improvement of the matrimonial asset”.
Home renovation often involves substantial facelifts and customisation. In this case, the renovation cost about 20 per cent of the purchase price.
“It would not be just and equitable for the court to ignore sizeable sums of monies expended to improve matrimonial assets,” the judge added.
At the hearing, the man argued that his former wife did not wholly contribute to the renovation cost and he also claimed that he had reimbursed her with cash later. He initially said he paid $15,500, but later said that he had given her $29,000.
Despite his claim of contributing the bulk of the costs, he did not produce any document or proof to support his argument. Not surprisingly, the Family Court had earlier ruled against him and found that his ex-wife paid all the $36,000.
Justice Choo said that given the lack of a consistent position and cogent evidence, he upheld the lower court’s finding that the man did not come up with any cash for the renovation. As a result, the ex-wife’s payment of $36,000 should be counted towards her direct financial contributions.
Dividing a couple’s assets
When couples split up, the courts will divide their assets based on their contributions to the marriage. This means that while financial inputs are an important part of the consideration, other non-monetary contributions, such as taking care of the children and running the household, also matter.
Indeed, for most long marriages, the courts are inclined to award housewives who take care of their families half of the matrimonial assets because a marriage is deemed an equal partnership between the spouses.
But in this case, there were no indirect contributions because the union ended even before the couple started formally living together in their new flat. So the division of their HDB flat was based solely on their financial contributions.
Justice Choo noted that the man withdrew about $63,000 from his CPF account to pay for the flat while his ex-wife used $91,000 for the purchase. As she also paid for the renovation in cash, her total contribution came to $127,000.
So the court ruled that she had a 67 per cent stake in the flat, while her ex-husband was entitled to 33 per cent.
But they cannot yet get their respective share of sale proceeds from the flat because it cannot be sold until the MOP expires in August 2024.
The lesson from this case is that when it comes to buying property, it does not pay to let your co-owner foot all the costs.
While you may think it is smart to let others bear the costs, just remember that every dollar counts and you will end up with a smaller share of the proceeds when the home is sold later.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/invest/newly-weds-divorced-and-fought-over-hdb-flat-even-before-moving-in
| 2024-01-27T22:15:14Z
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SINGAPORE – It was a cold winter’s day when I received my Master of Science, around two years after I first thought of doing the higher degree and sent out applications.
But as I clutched the scroll in the rain, I wondered: “Was it all worth it?” I had spent over a year away from work, living in a tiny cramped space in central London at exorbitant rates, while sharing a kitchen with 10 other students, all to gain a paper certificate from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/invest/young-and-savvy-counting-the-costs-and-blessings-of-pursuing-a-master-s-in-britain
| 2024-01-27T22:15:24Z
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SINGAPORE – Mistakes are unavoidable, but learning from them, and learning fast, can keep you from getting into even more trouble, notes financial entrepreneur Eugene Huang.
Mr Huang is candid about the errors he stumbled into, including a painful property deal, knowing that they have proved valuable lessons along his investment journey.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/me-my-money-mistakes-are-unavoidable-learning-from-them-is-key
| 2024-01-27T22:15:35Z
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/cartoons/a-cartoonist-s-view-miel-jan-28-2024
| 2024-01-27T22:16:06Z
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There is nothing spectacular about the void deck at my Housing Board block. As is the case in thousands of other blocks in Singapore, it is perfectly unremarkable – the usual bicycle racks, stone table and seats, rows of mailboxes. Except that for a couple of days in early January, there was a small DIY cupboard house, tucked next to a circuit box.
Who was it meant for? That would have been Ginger, a young community cat that had been a welcome fixture at my block for a few years, with an Instagram account to her name. But then she vanished in mid-December 2023.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/in-memory-of-ginger-the-community-cat-gone-without-a-trace
| 2024-01-27T22:16:16Z
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There it goes, into oblivion, I thought for a split second. It was a sinking feeling on seeing the words Outram Secondary School splashed across the headline.
Another consigned to the swirling dust clouds of demolition. Collateral damage as the country grapples with low fertility and land scarcity.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/outram-secondary-relocation-is-always-better-than-forgotten
| 2024-01-27T22:16:27Z
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In teeming, self-absorbed cities, two clans – both somewhat privileged – share the urban space. One comes to work groomed, the other dishevelled. The first goes to an office, the second an arena. The former chases the worthy idea of work-life balance, the other is somewhat unfamiliar with the term.
Hello citizen, meet athlete.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-shining-sweat-of-greatness
| 2024-01-27T22:17:08Z
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SINGAPORE – Ten shophouses owned by two Chinese nationals who were reportedly linked to an accused person in the $3 billion money laundering case have been put on the market by DBS Bank as it seeks to recover repayments of its loans.
The properties – estimated by observers to be valued at more than $100 million combined – were separately bought under Singapore-incorporated companies – Jiasheng Amoy and Suyh – wholly owned by Mr Su Binghai and Mr Su Fuxiang, respectively.
Checks by The Straits Times in December 2023 found that both men, who are of interest to the police, left Singapore abruptly amid the anti-money laundering probe in 2023.
Information from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) showed that DBS placed both firms into receivership in September 2023, after the owners failed to make debt payments.
DBS declined to comment when asked about the factors that led it to place the two firms into receivership.
The bank’s probe into the loans started in 2022, soon after the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) launched investigations into a former Citibank employee for forgery-related offences in October 2021, and before a massive islandwide blitz led by the CAD that involved more than 400 officers.
The Government in October 2023 revealed that money laundering investigations had started in 2021, after the authorities became aware of the use of suspected forged documents to substantiate sources of funds in bank accounts in Singapore.
Mr Martin Wong of FTI Consulting was appointed as the receiver of both firms.
On Dec 1, 2023, FTI placed three separate advertisements in The Business Times, calling for expression of interest for 10 shophouses in Telok Ayer Street (one unit), Amoy Street (four units) and Geylang Road (five units).
BT reported on Jan 26 that three adjoining shophouses at 4, 5 and 6 Stanley Street in Chinatown, owned by Aalto Group, have also been put up for sale by tender at a guiding price of $61.6 million.
Aalto Group, a holding company whose sole director is Mr Su Fuxiang, has been placed in receivership and Knight Frank Singapore is marketing the units on behalf of the receiver, KPMG Services, appointed by DBS in September 2023. A mortgage under DBS was lodged in 2021.
When contacted, Mr Wong of FTI declined to comment on the receivership or status of the properties, citing confidentiality.
“Regrettably, this is confidential information, which I am not at liberty to share, save that interest in these properties exceeded my expectations,” he told ST.
Market observers said about 30 parties submitted offers for the 10 shophouse units listed by FTI before the deadline on Jan 15, 2024.
A property title search showed that in 2021, Jiasheng Amoy bought the 999-year leasehold three-storey unit at 182 Telok Ayer Street and four adjoining units of two-storey shophouses from 55 to 58 Amoy Street.
Mr Su Binghai is the sole director and shareholder of Jiasheng Amoy, according to Acra records.
ST reported in December 2023 that he was found to have business dealings with Cypriot national Wang Dehai, who is originally from China and has been charged with money laundering here.
Wang is a wanted man in China over his alleged links to an online gaming syndicate.
Singapore Land Authority records showed that Suyh bought the five adjoining units at 236 to 244 Geylang Road in 2021.
Mr Su Fuxiang, an associate of Mr Su Binghai, is the sole director and shareholder of Suyh, Acra records showed.
The units in Geylang are occupied by a coffee shop, a hairdressing salon, a Chinese restaurant and a tattoo shop.
An employee at the Chinese restaurant said he was not aware that the property had been put up for sale.
A Korean restaurant – Oven & Fried Chicken – currently occupies the unit in Telok Ayer Street, while fashion retailer Little Match Girl occupies units 55 and 56 in Amoy Street. The other two units are currently vacant.
Mr Can Heng, who runs Little Match Girl, said he renewed his tenancy for another three years from 2023. He declined to say whether he had done so before or after he was informed of the receivership in 2023.
The owner of a Vietnamese restaurant that had occupied the two now vacant units did not renew his tenancy and moved out towards the end of 2023, Mr Heng said.
“Recently, many people came to view the property, so I am not surprised that it was put up for sale. I believe whoever is buying the property will continue to honour the tenancy agreement,” he added.
Mr Heng was already operating from the unit before Jiasheng Amoy bought it in 2021.
Market observers noted that FTI’s listings of the 10 shophouses did not indicate a guiding price. They estimated them to be valued at more than $100 million combined.
Mr Richard Tan, founder of PropNex Shophouse Elites, which specialises in that market segment, said: “Based on the current market rate, all 10 units could be worth around $120 million.”
Some property agents told ST they have been wondering how the shophouses could be put up for sale amid the money laundering probe.
“I tried to ask FTI Consulting, but they said that they do not engage with agents. So I told my clients to submit their offers themselves,” said Mr Tan.
At least 10 foreigners have been arrested in Singapore’s largest anti-money laundering operations, with assets seized worth more than $3 billion.
The assets confiscated include 207 properties, 77 vehicles, money in bank accounts amounting to more than $1.45 billion, and cash in various currencies that are worth more than $76 million.
The properties are owned by individuals under investigation. Some of the properties are owned by the spouses or companies linked to the suspects.
It was previously reported that major banks including DBS were creditors to investment companies linked to the individuals arrested.
In 2021, the authorities detected signs of potential financial misconduct, including the use of suspected forged documents to validate fund sources in local bank accounts. Financial institutions and other companies filed suspicious transaction reports, prompting police investigations.
By early 2022, a comprehensive intelligence probe revealed an interconnected network of individuals believed to be involved in the alleged activities, with some linked by familial ties.
DBS chief executive Piyush Gupta disclosed that the bank had about $100 million in exposures to the money laundering case, involving mostly property purchases or retail customer accounts used to finance properties.
Checks by ST found that DBS registered two charges on Suyh as early as July 2022, and four charges on Jiasheng Amoy in February 2023, before news of the money laundering case broke in August 2023.
A charge is a form of security interest usually taken by a lender or creditor to secure repayment of a loan.
Timeline of events:
October 2021: Former Citibank employee Wang Qiming is investigated by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) for forgery-related offences. Money laundering investigations start after the authorities become aware of the use of suspected forged documents to substantiate sources of funds in bank accounts in Singapore.
Early 2022: Police launch an extensive intelligence probe that uncovers a web of people believed to be connected to one another, with some associated by familial ties.
July 2022: DBS Bank registers two charges on Suyh, owned by Chinese national Su Fuxiang.
February 2023: DBS registers four charges on Jiasheng Amoy, owned by Su Binghai.
Aug 15, 2023: Police conduct a massive islandwide blitz led by the CAD that involves more than 400 officers. Nine men and one woman are arrested and charged the next day with various offences, including money laundering, forgery and resisting arrest.
September 2023: DBS appoints FTI Consulting as the receiver for Jiasheng Amoy and Suyh and takes possession of the assets of the two companies in an attempt to recover mortgage loans.
Dec 1, 2023: FTI puts up 10 shophouses separately owned by the two companies for sale by expression of interest.
Jan 15, 2023: Deadline for the submission of the expression of interest.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/dbs-puts-up-shophouses-for-sale-to-recover-loans-amid-money-laundering-probe
| 2024-01-27T22:17:19Z
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SINGAPORE – Two former schools that pre-date Singapore’s independence are set to be demolished, paving the way for a plum site next to Commonwealth MRT station to be developed for housing.
The roughly 7.6ha site – equivalent in size to more than 10 football fields – houses the former New Town Primary School at 402 Commonwealth Drive, the former New Town Secondary School at 121 Queensway, as well as a track and field the two schools shared.
Property analysts said the site is suited for both public and private homes or a mix, and at about 7.6ha is large enough to house more than one project. But given current property developments in the area, they said there is no urgency to roll out new homes.
Based on the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) 2019 masterplan, the site is zoned for housing. It has yet to be assigned a gross plot ratio that determines how much development is permitted.
Responding to queries, the Housing Board (HDB) said agencies are studying plans and will announce details when ready.
It added that site preparation is under way and contractors have been appointed for the demolition of structures that will take place “over the next few years”.
When The Straits Times visited the site on Jan 25, notices to residents of nearby HDB blocks in Commonwealth Close, which abuts the site, indicated that demolition works for 402 Commonwealth Drive began on Oct 3, 2023.
A project title board at the site states that works are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.
While contractors were seen in 121 Queensway, a project title board has yet to be put up, and it is unknown when demolition works will formally start and end.
New Town Primary School was officially opened on July 26, 1965 by then Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee. It was located alongside Permaisura Primary School, which opened on June 7 that year.
Mrs Margaret Anderson, 74, a teacher at New Town Primary for more than 35 years from 1967, said the two schools were originally known as Queenstown North and Queenstown South, before getting their respective names – Permaisura and New Town – as postmen would confuse the schools with Queenstown Primary School in Margaret Drive.
Sports matches among pupils, and even teachers, of New Town and Permaisura primary schools were common, she added, noting that there was no fence between their two compounds.
In 1992, New Town took over Permaisura’s campus when the latter closed down. The school relocated to 300 Tanglin Halt Road in January 2009, ending its stay of more than four decades in Commonwealth Drive.
The campus was then used as the Ministry of Education’s Heritage Centre, which opened in 2011 and closed in September 2019, before reopening in Balestier in August 2022.
New Town Secondary School was founded on Jan 2, 1965, a few months prior to the opening of its neighbour, Baharuddin Vocational School, by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on June 19 that year.
In 1969, the vocational and secondary schools were merged, with New Town taking over Baharuddin’s campus.
Mrs Anderson said the two New Town schools decided to build a sports track. She took part in several rounds of fundraising, which eventually led to the track being completed between the two schools in 1975. Plans to build a swimming pool did not materialise due to a lack of funds, she added.
New Town Secondary School eventually outgrew its Queensway campus, and at end-1998 moved to its current Dover Road site.
The compound was then used as an interim campus for seven schools over two decades – Queensway Secondary School (2000-2001), Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary) (2002-2003), River Valley High (2005-2006), Clementi Town Secondary School (2007-2008), CHIJ Theresa’s Convent (2010-2011), Assumption English School (2013-2015) and CHIJ Kellock (2017-2018).
Mr Daniel Lim, 60, who attended New Town Primary School from 1971 to 1976, said it is a pity to see the school go.
The semi-retired piano teacher fondly recalled times spent with friends, and that the canteen’s mee siam was “very good and cheap”, costing 10 cents per serving.
Also etched in his memory was a visit to the school’s ground-floor dental clinic, where he had a decayed tooth extracted in his lower primary years.
“The syringes were frighteningly large in those days,” he added.
Mrs Anderson, who was his form teacher in 1974, said the school’s doors were originally saloon-style types, which she felt were a safety hazard for pupils who might get hit by the swinging doors.
She recalled returning to school one morning to find all the doors’ copper hinges had been stolen overnight, purportedly by a thief who wanted to sell the metal parts.
“I will miss the buildings but changes are inevitable,” said the retiree.
More reluctant to accept the impending demolition is Commonwealth Close resident Catherine Leong, 72, who feels the schools are part of Queenstown’s heritage.
Ms Leong, who has lived in Block 84 for about six decades, is concerned that development of the site – the track in particular – would inconvenience residents. They have used it for exercise and as a short cut between their homes and amenities in the town such as Tanglin Halt Market, even when the schools were still in operation.
Having to skirt the former New Town Primary School – which takes thrice as long – would inconvenience residents, especially seniors, she added.
Asked about the concern, HDB said pedestrian connectivity between Commonwealth estate and Commonwealth MRT station will continue to be available “during the demolition phase and as part of future development”, but did not address the impact during potential development.
Ms Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at OrangeTee Group, said the site could accommodate two HDB Build-To-Order (BTO) projects, noting that the nearby 973-unit Tanglin Halt Cascadia BTO development occupies about 3.6ha.
Property portal Mogul.sg’s chief research officer Nicholas Mak added that if used entirely for private housing, the site could be divided over three to four plots.
Both said the gross plot ratio, when assigned, is likely to be on the higher end, with Ms Sun highlighting that many new BTO launches have a plot ratio of 4.2 or more to optimise land use.
Mr Mak said a plot ratio of about 4.9 to 5.1 is possible, citing the current range of 2.1 to 5.1 for other residential sites in the area. “Vacant residential land near an MRT station in the central region is rare and valuable,” he said, adding that the Commonwealth station is on the “very popular” East-West Line, thus increasing the land’s value.
Given the recent completion and ongoing development of new homes in Queenstown, Ms Sun and Mr Mak said they feel there is no urgency for the site to be developed.
Tanglin Halt Cascadia was launched in October 2023, while the HDB is slated to roll out another 250 flats as part of an upcoming integrated development in Tanglin Halt in February. These are part of the 5,500 flats that the authorities plan to build in the estate over the next 10 to 15 years.
Ahead of the integrated development’s construction, URA on Jan 26 published a proposed amendment to its masterplan for the development site, increasing its plot ratio from 2.9 to 3.5. The development is set to comprise shops, a market and hawker centre, as well as a polyclinic.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/2-former-schools-next-to-commonwealth-mrt-station-to-make-way-for-housing
| 2024-01-27T22:17:29Z
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SINGAPORE – Mrs Jane Devasahayam, 85, was just a four-day-old baby when she was given up for adoption by a Chinese widower.
Her biological mother had died giving birth to her.
Born to a Chinese farmer and his wife in Johor, she said: “It’s like I brought bad luck to my family... there was also no one to look after me.”
It did not help that she was born in the Year of the Tiger, and some Chinese believe that girls born under this zodiac sign have fierce temperaments and will bring bad luck to their family, she said.
In primary school, her teachers told her she is Chinese, and not Indian.
She said: “I went to ask my (adoptive) mum why I was so fair. She said jokingly that I fell into a pot of milk as a baby and that is why I’m so fair.”
Her adoptive mother, who worked as a mid-wife, later told her the truth that she was adopted. Her adoptive parents have a biological son who is nine years older than her.
Mrs Devasahayam said she did not mind the fact that she was adopted, adding that her adoptive mother loved her dearly.
Decades later, her origin story piqued her own daughter’s interest in the practice of inter-racial adoptions, which was common in the past.
Her daughter, Dr Theresa Devasahayam, a part-time sociology lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, wrote a book on the topic which was published in December 2023.
The book, titled Little Drops: Cherished Children Of Singapore’s Past, tells the stories of 15 people, who are mostly Chinese girls adopted by a family of another race, in pre-independence Singapore.
They include lawyer and women’s rights activist Anamah Tan, who is a founder member of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations. She was also a member of the United Nations’ Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
Dr Tan, who turns 84 in 2024, was born into a Chinese family, but she was adopted by a Ceylonese Tamil family.
In 2020, Dr Devasahayam published a journal article on children who were adopted by Indian families in pre-independent Singapore and Malaysia. These children were often girls born to Chinese families.
Dr Devasahayam said adoptions were common in Singapore before the Republic became independent in 1965. But there was a lack of data, as most children were adopted without any legal documentation or arrangement.
She said: “Inter-racial adoptions were common enough that people didn’t bat an eyelid. The older generation of Singaporeans always knew about this trend, but the younger generation is completely clueless about it.
“So I feel it needs to be documented and put out there.”
Children were given up for adoption as their parents often had too many children whom they could not afford to raise, said Dr Devasahayam.
There was also a strong preference for sons back then, and it was often the girls who were given away, she added.
Some of her interviewees told her they were given to a family of another race as astrologers advised their birth parents to do so, for example, to avoid bringing misfortune to the family.
She added: “And the Chinese couples implicitly understand that Malay and Indians love children, and they would treat their child well.”
But the child is often not told about the adoption, as there is a real fear that they may run back to their birth parents if they know the truth, she said.
Her own mother, Mrs Devasahayam, has always identified herself as an Indian woman, despite her Chinese roots. This is because of her Indian upbringing, Mrs Devasahayam said.
Mrs Devasahayam speaks English, Malay and Tamil, but not Chinese – which often puzzles people.
About 50 years ago, she went to her hometown in Malaysia to try to find her biological family, but to no avail.
She said: “I don’t feel angry with my birth parents for giving me away. I have had a happy childhood.”
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/inspired-by-her-mother-s-birth-story-she-wrote-a-book-about-inter-racial-adoptions-in-s-pore
| 2024-01-27T22:17:39Z
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SINGAPORE – Ostracised and bullied in school, 11-year-old Jane (not her real name) sought refuge in an online karaoke app where she posted videos of herself singing the latest tunes.
She felt validated by the praise she received and was happy she could make friends.
Things took a sinister turn in 2021, when some of the people she was chatting with on the app made lewd comments about her body and asked her to send nude pictures of herself.
Eager to please them, the Primary 5 pupil complied and even met them in places like public carparks.
Some were men in their 30s, who molested her.
Jane’s mother found out what had happened only when she saw a nude photo of her daughter that had been leaked on social media, and made a police report. Jane’s case was subsequently referred to the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Child Protective Service.
Four lawyers and three counsellors told The Sunday Times they have seen more cases of teenagers under the age of 18 being sexually exploited by people they befriended online.
Mr Raphael Louis from Ray Louis Law Corporation said he has seen an estimated 30 to 40 per cent rise in such cases over the last five years, with victims as young as 10 years old.
He said: “These cases broadly fall into two categories. First, those involving victims looking for love or attention online who fall prey to the manipulation of predators lurking on social media and dating apps.
“Second, teens who offer sexual or companionship services, or accept such offers by people they befriend online, in order to make money.”
Court cases
At least three perpetrators were prosecuted earlier in January for sexual penetration of a minor under the age of 16. All three met their victims on social media or dating platforms.
Ethan Yan Weilun, 46, was sentenced to 14 months’ jail after pleading guilty to having sex with a 15-year-old boy he befriended on a dating app. He offered the teen $50 for sex, and they met four times between October 2021 and February 2022.
Lim Kar Heng, 46, was sentenced to 10 months’ jail for a similar offence. He offered a different 15-year-old boy $40 to perform an indecent act on him, and the latter did so in October 2021.
Mr Josephus Tan from Invictus Law Corporation said that in such cases, the onus is on the adult to take all reasonable steps to ensure that he or she is not sexually involved with a minor.
Mr Tan, who saw a 10 to 15 per cent rise in cases involving sexual exploitation of teens by online predators, added: “There are cases where minors lie about being older than 16 and the accused person accepted it at face value.
“But ignorance of a child’s age is no excuse. The adult must check that the youth is at least 16 before having sex, be it oral or penetrative. For commercial sex, the prostitute is required to be at least 18.”
Mr Tan added that apart from age barriers, it is also an offence if the relationship between an adult and minor is exploitative in nature. This is determined by factors such as their age difference and whether the adult has a degree of influence over the younger person.
Counsellors attributed the rise in such cases to teens spending more time online since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ms Lena Teo, director of programmes and services at Care Singapore, which helps at-risk youth, said many teens looked for company online during the pandemic as they felt isolated, and the trend has persisted ever since.
“Some of them, who are just 14 years old, are making friends on dating apps without realising there are predators on these platforms,” she added.
Mr Narasimman Tivasiha Mani, co-founder of local charity Impart, said he has seen teens develop unhealthy views on sex and intimacy as they were exposed to pornography from a young age.
“They are hyper-sexualised and think it’s normal for a teenager to have sex. If they watch porn that portrays abusive or misogynistic acts, they may come to view such behaviour as acceptable.”
Statistics from the Singapore Courts show fewer criminal cases where at least one charge the accused was sentenced for was sexual penetration of a minor.
There were 57 such cases in 2021, 39 cases in 2022 and 37 cases in 2023, said a Singapore Courts spokesman in response to queries from ST.
Sexual penetration is just one form of exploitation. Other offences include molestation and sexual grooming, lawyers said.
Sexual penetration of a minor aged above 14 but below 16 carries a maximum punishment of 10 years’ jail and a fine. For victims below 14 years old, the maximum jail term is doubled to 20 years and the offender can also be caned.
Responding to the statistics, counsellors said many cases of teen sexual exploitation go unreported.
Ms Teo said most victims do not tell their parents they have been violated as they sometimes blame themselves for getting into this state, feel ashamed, or are afraid of getting punished.
She added that those who lack love and support at home, or have experienced trauma in their past – such as being sexually abused – are particularly vulnerable to being preyed upon.
Mr Narasimman said young people curious about sex, or their sexual identities, often go online to look for answers and are at risk of being misled by predators.
He added: “Some of them confuse love with lust, as they were told that loving someone means having sex with them.
“While sex can be a beautiful way to express love, it does not equate to love. Intimacy in a relationship comes from friendship, communication and being vulnerable with each other.”
Dr Sheena Jebal, chief executive and clinical supervisor at NuLife Care and Counselling Services, said predators create a sense of perceived safety with victims to gain their trust.
“Some perpetrators talk to their victims for a long period of time. They create rapport by sympathising with their problems before initiating sexual conversations or asking to meet them outside,” she added.
Ms Teo cited a recent case she encountered where a man claiming to be in his 20s bonded with a 15-year-old girl over Taylor Swift for weeks and offered to give her tickets to the singer’s concert.
“He put pressure on her to meet him outside to collect the tickets, or he would give them to someone else,” said the counsellor, who convinced the girl not to accept the offer as she was putting herself at risk of being taken advantage of.
Impact on victims
Mr Narasimman said teenagers who were sexually violated, or have underage sex, may feel shame, guilt and regret.
He said: “Quite often, they feel responsible for what happened because they had gone on the online platform and took part in the conversation.”
If the trauma is left untreated, they may become depressed or even suicidal, he added.
To protect young people from unsavoury characters online, Dr Sheena said it is important for them to know how to spot the signs of online sexual exploitation and set boundaries.
“This includes recognising what constitutes an inappropriate message and knowing how to block and report unwelcome advances,” she added.
Ms Teo said parents should supervise and limit the phone use of minors under 16.
She added: “Giving a child a phone is like giving someone a credit card with no limit. Parents should keep a close watch on their children’s online activities and communicate with them openly so they know when and where to draw the line.”
Warning signs
Counsellors pointed to signs parents can look out for that may indicate their child is a target of sexual abuse online.
1. Becoming more secretive
While developing a need for privacy is normal among young people, it could be a sign of trouble when children frequently shut their room door, become possessive over their devices, frequently hide their screen or use their devices till uncharacteristically late at night.
2. Social changes
These include leaving home for longer periods of time with little or no explanation as to where they are going, spending a lot more time talking to friends online rather than in real life, and receiving gifts without saying whom they got them from.
3. Emotional changes
Young people may show changes in mood and personality if they have been sexually violated. These include outbursts of anger, unexplained sadness, fear and anxiety, or even engaging in self-harming behaviour.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-teens-sexually-exploited-by-online-predators-many-cases-unreported-lawyers-and-counsellors
| 2024-01-27T22:17:50Z
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SINGAPORE – For years, they played together as young girls in a village in Aljunied. Neighbours then often asked Madam Thangah Koh, 72, and Madam Fatimah Mohidin, 71, if they were sisters.
Madam Fatimah, a retired factory worker, said in Malay: “People said we looked alike and asked if we were sisters. I said I’m Malay, while Thangah is Indian. How could we be sisters?”
The pair were best of friends, and they played together every day.
It was only in her mid-teens that Madam Thangah discovered she was born to a Chinese couple.
She had been adopted by an Indian couple living in the same village, Lorong Sungkai, as her birth parents.
Madam Fatimah had been adopted by a Malay-Muslim family, who were also neighbours.
To their delight, both of them found out that they are biological sisters.
Madam Thangah, a retired office assistant, said: “Our (adoptive) mothers always told us to play together, but they never said why. We also didn’t ask why.”
Their story was featured in a book about interracial adoptions in pre-independent Singapore, which was published in December 2023.
Little Drops: Cherished Children Of Singapore’s Past was written by Dr Theresa Devasahayam, a part-time sociology lecturer.
The sisters were born to a mechanic and his second wife, with whom he had eight children.
Two of his five children from his first marriage lived with him and his second wife.
With so many children to raise, finances were tight.
Madam Thangah is the second child from their father’s second marriage, while Madam Fatimah is the third.
Named Koh Siew Kiang at birth, Madam Thangah often fell ill as a baby. An astrologer advised her birth parents to give her away to an “outsider”, such as a non-Chinese family, or ill fortune might befall her father.
When she was five months old, she was adopted by a childless Indian couple who ran a canteen stall in a school.
A year later, Madam Fatimah, named Koh Siew Lang at birth, was given up for adoption as a two-month-old baby.
The astrologer had said she might bring ill fortune to her mother, as her big toe was unusually smaller than her other toes.
Madam Thangah’s adoptive parents initially adopted Madam Fatimah too, but they later passed her to a neighbour, a childless Malay couple, as they felt they could not manage with two children.
The Malay couple were also canteen stallholders.
Madam Thangah found out she was adopted only when she had to register for an identity card in her mid-teens.
She told an immigration officer that she was Indian when he asked if she was Chinese.
The officer said that was impossible given that the names of her birth parents on her birth certificate were Chinese, she said.
“I took the news calmly,” she said upon learning that she was adopted. “I was very close to my adoptive parents, who loved me very much.”
She decided not to ask her adoptive parents about her origins, as her adoptive father was a stern man and she did not know how to broach the topic.
Years later, when she was 20, she set out to find her birth parents as she wanted to obtain information and documents to register for Singapore citizenship.
She had no formal adoption documents and hence could not register for a pink IC for Singaporeans. Instead, she held a blue IC that stated her citizenship and country of birth as “undetermined”.
After finding her birth parents’ home address from a neighbour, she and her adoptive mother knocked on their door.
Her birth mother initially thought the two women, who were wearing traditional Indian clothing, knocked on the wrong door.
Upon realising who Madam Thangah was, her birth parents and siblings burst into tears.
Her biological father, in particular, was overjoyed to find her. They had once placed an advertisement looking for her in a Chinese newspaper, to no avail.
On that same day, her birth father told her that Madam Fatimah was her biological sister. Both women said they were happy to learn of their real relationship.
Like Madam Thangah, Madam Fatimah said her adoptive parents did not tell her about her origins.
“Last time, people were very different. We just accepted it,” Madam Fatimah said, referring to the truth about her birth.
Her adoptive father died after an accident when she was eight, and her adoptive mother worked multiple jobs, such as washing clothes and selling kueh to raise her.
She said: “My adoptive mother loved me very much.”
After that first meeting, Madam Thangah started to spend Sundays with her birth family.
Her birth mother had earlier assured both their adoptive mothers that she would not take her daughters back from them, though Madam Thangah’s adoptive father was still unhappy that she visited her birth parents so regularly.
She said her birth father regretted giving his two daughters up for adoption, and showered her with gifts each time she visited.
“My biological siblings are all loving and respectful, and our bond got closer as we got older. My brothers call me their Indian sister, and Fatimah their Malay sister,” she said.
Since their reunion, both women celebrate various festivals with their birth family.
They would join the Kohs for reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve, though Madam Fatimah would take her own halal food.
Deepavali is celebrated at Madam Thangah’s, while they would visit Madam Fatimah for Hari Raya.
Both sets of adoptive parents and their birth parents have since died.
Their birth mother died in 2023 at the age of 94 after a long illness. In her last days in hospital, all her children gathered around her.
Madam Fatimah, who was hospitalised after a fall, managed to get discharged for four hours to rush to her birth mother’s deathbed.
Madam Thangah said: “We all felt she was hanging on for Fatimah. She was unresponsive when Fatimah arrived, and she died a few minutes later.”
Both sisters, who are married with adult children, said they identify as the race of their adoptive parents.
Madam Thangah speaks English, Tamil and Malay fluently, and a smattering of Mandarin. Madam Fatimah speaks Malay and the sisters communicate in Malay.
“I never felt angry that I was given away. I take it as God’s will,” Madam Thangah said.
“I also feel very grateful to my adoptive parents for raising me.”
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/they-were-childhood-best-friends-who-later-discovered-they-are-sisters
| 2024-01-27T22:18:00Z
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From the time he was a baby till he was 20, Dr Noubar Afeyan shared a bedroom with his great-aunt Armenouhi, who was 70 years older. They were roommates in Lebanon where he was born, then in Canada, when the family migrated there.
Most children would not have been too pleased to be bunking with an elderly relative, but he did not mind.
“I can talk to you for hours about her,” says the entrepreneur and scientist.
“She spoke five languages, she read a book a day, she was really a remarkable person, by far the most influential person in my life.”
From her, he learnt about their Armenian roots and the horrors of the Armenian genocide of 1915 in which as many as 1.2 million Armenian Christians living in the Ottoman Empire were killed.
His great-aunt, who died at age 101, would have been proud of what he has achieved.
Dr Afeyan, 61, is the founder and chief executive of Flagship Pioneering, a biotech incubator that invents, builds and capitalises companies in life sciences, health and sustainability.
Its most well-known company is Moderna, which he co-founded in 2010 to study how messenger RNA (mRNA) technology could be used to fight a range of diseases.
Moderna was one of the earliest companies to come up with a vaccine when Covid-19 swept the world in 2020. Its Spikevax vaccine was approved for use in more than 70 countries and has protected millions of lives.
The Armenian businessman was in Singapore in November 2023 to attend the Bloomberg New Economy Forum. He also announced that Flagship Pioneering was setting up a Singapore office.
We are meeting for breakfast at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove. The hotel has given us a quiet spot at the Woobar for the interview.
The biotech billionaire – Forbes puts his fortune at US$1.2 billion (S$1.6 billion) – is pleasant, with a warm, soothing voice. His down-to-earth manner bears no hint of the fact that his businesses are at the cutting edge of science.
“It’s always fun for me to see names like Woobar since my name is Noubar,” he jokes as we settle in our seats.
He opts for granola with sliced banana on the side, while I have French toast. His granola comes without a spoon. “I’m being tested to see if I can eat this with a fork,” he smiles, teasing the waitress.
He is fairly familiar with Singapore, having been here three or four times over the years.
In fact, in an interview with the Financial Times (FT) in 2022, he named Singapore’s late founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew as his leadership hero.
Mr Lee “embodied the notion of thinking future backwards as opposed to present forwards. He had to paint a vision and insist it was reachable”, he told the FT.
He shares that he met Mr Lee when the latter visited Armenia in 2009 and learnt a lot about long-term strategy and leadership from the “entrepreneurial leader”.
Dr Afeyan could be viewed as a visionary himself.
Flagship Pioneering, which is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the United States, has founded more than 100 companies since it was started in 2000, and 30 have gone public.
It creates what are known as “platform” companies. These delve deeply into a particular technology – for example, gene therapy or mRNA technology – then figure out how to make many different drugs from it in a fast and scalable manner.
It currently has 40 platform companies with more than 9,000 employees working in areas such as anthromolecule therapies and drugs based on biomimicry.
The companies are at various stages of growth.
“Moderna has 7,000 people; our smallest company, which was formed several days ago, has three,” says Dr Afeyan, who has a PhD in biochemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
“The pace is different, but each one of them is its own story.”
Immigrant story
Dr Afeyan’s paternal grandfather was from Adapazar, a town in western Turkey, which was majority Armenian at the time he lived there.
During the genocide, his grandfather fled to Bulgaria, where Dr Afeyan’s father was born.
When the communists came to Bulgaria, the Afeyans moved again, this time to Lebanon, which was then a prosperous and cosmopolitan country and home to a sizeable Armenian diaspora with many Armenian churches and schools.
Dr Afeyan was born in Beirut in 1962, the youngest of three sons. His father was a businessman who imported plastics and his mother, an Armenian from Lebanon, was a pianist who gave lessons at home.
His paternal great-aunt Armenouhi was a widow whose only child died young and who then devoted her life to the extended family.
Her stories about Armenia left a huge impression on him.
Referring to the genocide, he reflects: “When you realise that you’re that close to not existing, that kind of gives you purpose.”
I tell him The Straits Times was started by an Armenian, Catchick Moses, back in 1845.
He is pleased to hear this and remarks that he knows Singapore’s Raffles Hotel, too, was started by Armenians, the Sarkies brothers. He has also visited the Armenian Church in Singapore.
“Once in a while, I run into these things,” he says. “We’re such a small tribe now that just knowing that in the past, people did things, it’s always fun to hear.”
I quip that the most famous Armenian is, of course, American reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
“At the moment, she’s definitely the most visible, the most followed, yes,” he allows, smiling.
In 1975, civil war broke out in Lebanon. “Every few hours, there’ll be sirens and we’d go down to the basement. We saw the building a block away from us totally taken down,” he recalls.
“At the time, you don’t realise what that does to you because you’re a kid, you can take anything, but in hindsight, it kind of leaves a further kind of mark of vulnerability and, I don’t know, it influences your thinking.”
His father decided to move the family. Europe would have been the natural choice but he wanted his sons to grow up in a country with more space. “Not physical space, but just space to do things and grow and have ambition,” says Dr Afeyan.
His father landed on Montreal, the French-speaking city in Canada. In August 1975, the family, including Aunt Armenouhi, uprooted.
There were Armenians in Montreal but not as many as in Lebanon. His father went into the wood furniture business and his mother built new friendships. His teenage years were happy, with the occasional family holiday.
A highlight was the Montreal Olympic Games, which took place the year after he arrived.
Someone told him that if he stood outside the sporting venues just before the matches started, journalists would be giving away their tickets to children. “I was one of those kids. I got to see the basketball finals, soccer, any game I wanted to go to, pretty much. That was quite a memory.”
He skipped a grade in school because the education system in Lebanon had been more demanding. He and his eldest brother, who is three years older, were into science. The brother is now a theoretical physicist running a consulting company in California. His second brother took over and grew their father’s furniture business and lives in Montreal.
After Dr Afeyan obtained a degree in chemical engineering at McGill University, he moved to the US to undertake a PhD at MIT. He chose the then new field of biochemical engineering and received his doctorate at 24.
In 1985, a chance meeting with Mr David Packard, the co-founder of information technology company Hewlett-Packard, inspired him to embark on the entrepreneurial path.
He founded PerSeptive Biosystems in 1989 to make instruments used by biotech researchers. It was acquired in 1998 in a US$360 million deal.
New business model
Then only in his mid-30s, he had a vision of a new type of enterprise where multiple companies work in parallel, each answering big what-if questions that could change the world.
In 1999, he and a venture capitalist friend founded a company he named NewcoGen, short for “new company generation”.
“But people told me it sounded like a disease. You know, ‘you have NewcoGen’. So I thought I’ve better not use that name.” He changed it to Flagship Ventures, then later Flagship Pioneering.
He notes how most start-ups come about quite randomly. The process usually starts with an entrepreneur with a business idea who then taps the science from universities and capital from venture capital groups until something is created. “It’s quite improvisational, quite sporadic, you know, chance-driven.”
Wouldn’t it be better if the process was more thoughtful, planned and organised, he wondered?
Thus it is that Flagship adopts a systematic process for the creation of its companies.
It starts with someone asking bold “what-if” questions about the future.
In Moderna’s case, the question was what if a patient’s own cells could be instructed to produce proteins that could prevent, treat or cure diseases? At another Flagship company, the big question was what if technologies currently in development for human therapeutics could be leveraged to revolutionise agriculture?
Hypotheses and concepts are tested by “entrepreneurial scientists” and promising ones become “prototype companies” and are assigned a number. These go through more rounds of validation and if answers can be found to the what-if question, the prototype company becomes a new company, with a name and capital commitment from Flagship.
Each company focuses on developing a proprietary platform that will deliver years of important new products. The really promising ones get even more investors and, hopefully, a public listing.
Moderna, its star company, went public in 2018 and was valued at US$604 million.
In January 2020, it was approached by the US government to see if it could work on a vaccine for a virus that was spreading across the globe.
The company had been building its mRNA platform for years and was already trialling mRNA vaccines to fight, among other things, cytomegalovirus, Zika virus and respiratory syncytial virus.
Using the genetic sequence which scientists in China had put online on Jan 11, Moderna’s scientists delivered the first Covid-19 doses for testing by Feb 24. Its first human trial took place on March 16, after which the vaccine was tested on 30,000 volunteers.
On Dec 18, the US authorised Moderna’s vaccine for emergency public use and it was administered on Dec 21.
In Singapore, it was approved for use on Feb 3, 2021, arrived on Feb 17 and rolled out soon after. Another mRNA vaccine, from Pfizer-BioNTech, had been used here from Dec 30, 2020.
That period was stressful yet exciting, says Dr Afeyan, who chairs Moderna’s board. “There was this feeling of you’re in a battle, you have to win, people are depending on you.”
Spikevax transformed Moderna into a US$60 billion company, at its peak. The vaccine has generated over US$36 billion in sales. As to how much longer it will be producing the vaccine now that Covid-19 is endemic, he says: “We’ll see how it plays out. But for now, the expectation is that it’ll be a seasonal vaccine.”
He remains involved in Flagship’s many companies as they grow and is on the board of several of them. He has also taught entrepreneurship and innovation at MIT and Harvard.
It sounds like a very full plate and I wonder what drives him.
He reflects that there are probably “subtle, subconscious motivations, you know, which is to do good, to contribute, to have impact, to do something special”.
But his immigrant roots have played a role.
“If you are comfortable in a place where you’re accepted and you’re totally normal, then, you know, why bother going to these extremes? It’s helped me that I haven’t felt that way in my life journey,” he says.
“The big advantage of being an immigrant is that your mindset takes nothing for granted. You realise you have to struggle to do well, you have something to prove, and you adapt, and that adaptive mindset is exactly what you need, it turns out, in doing start-ups and in doing entrepreneurship and innovation.”
He in fact defines innovation as “intellectual immigration”.
“Together with my colleagues, we’re constantly going to new places. If we were comfortable where we are, we wouldn’t have to go to new places. But we’re not that comfortable.”
Dr Afeyan, who became a US citizen in 2008, has spent the past two decades visiting Armenia to carry out philanthropic work.
In 2015, he and two fellow Armenians set up the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. It is behind the yearly US$1 million Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, which recognises those who risk their lives, health or freedom to save others.
His wife is a Swedish engineer he met at a conference in the US. They live in Boston and have four children – “three girls and the youngest is a boy, with four mothers. I always point out, when you have three older sisters, you basically have four mothers. That’s kind of how his life is”.
Three of the children are in the biotech field and the fourth is the executive director at Aurora.
A Flagship employee who has come with him on the trip reminds him that he has a meeting. As we wrap up, he tells me that the word Pioneering in the company’s name is significant.
“If you’re pioneering, you’re perpetually immigrating, you’re moving, moving, and that has become our company’s life story,” he says.
“You can’t, what they call, ‘rest on your laurels’. You can’t say we did Moderna, therefore we’re going to do XYZ. You keep having to relearn, re-earn your reputation. And that in my view is a great thing because it keeps you sharp, competitive, creative and humble.”
Qualities which, in fact, describe him.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/want-to-save-the-world-ask-the-big-what-if-questions-says-moderna-co-founder-noubar-afeyan
| 2024-01-27T22:18:11Z
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Ukraine and Lithuania have agreed on joint steps for manufacturing drones to meet the needs of the Ukrainian military, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said during a joint press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Gabrielius Landsbergis in Kyiv.
The step comes as Ukraine aims to increase its drone production as Russia ramps up its own output in a war where victory is increasingly defined by drone superiority.
“Lithuania has the technologies, Ukraine has the capabilities to scale up production [of drones], and this was a key topic of our talks,” Kuleba said. “There is a clear understanding of what and how we will do it in order to make Ukraine-Lithuania cooperation in drone production deliver maximum results in the shortest possible time,” he added.
Landsbergis said Lithuania can quickly start manufacturing drone parts and components, as well as facilities for their production. He added that the Lithuanian government will support any industrial project that helps Ukraine and Lithuanian security, meaning Lithuania will assist any business in any sector ready to participate.
Importance of drones for Ukraine’s warfare strategy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine plans to manufacture one million drones in 2024, a figure Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshyn consider realistic.
Kamyshyn also said that in addition to one million FPV drones, the plans include over 10,000 medium-range attack drones with flight ranges of hundreds of kilometers, and over 1,000 drones with ranges of 1,000 km.
In early 2024, Ukraine and Latvia created a drone coalition whose main task is to help Ukraine scale up production of drones and electronic warfare systems for the war effort.
On 25 January, Sweden and the United Kingdom joined the coalition.
The extensive use of drones have made NATO warfare doctrines obsolete and conditioned the failure of Ukraine’s summer counteroffensive.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief has said that drones are one of the components for gaining air dominance in an article outlining Ukraine’s strategy to win the war.
Ukraine is making strides to increase its drone production, as Ukrainian FPV production is estimated as lagging sixfold behind Russia’s.
Ukraine’s digital Transformation Minister Fedorov recently calling on Ukrainians to make their own small combat FPV drones at home.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian long-range drone strikes have become a primary method to strike Russian production facilities amid a Western ban on using long-range missiles on Russian soil.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/27/ukraine-lithuania-agree-on-joint-drone-production/
| 2024-01-27T22:18:23Z
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BARCELONA, Spain - Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he will leave his post at the end of the season after his struggling team were beaten 5-3 by Villarreal on Jan 27 in La Liga.
“On June 30, I will leave the club, it’s a decision I have taken with the president, with the staff,” Xavi told reporters.
Champions Barcelona, third in the top flight, are 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid with their title defence virtually over.
After elimination in the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao this week and a thrashing by Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier in January, Xavi said he made the decision for the good of the club.
“I’ve thought about the club... and above all the players,” said Xavi.
“I have the feeling that I am doing the right thing, that I am acting with common sense.
“I think the club needs a change of dynamics, the dynamic is very negative.”
Xavi, who took over in November 2021, led Barcelona to the Spanish Super Cup and league title last season, with the team built around a strong defence.
However, in 2024, they are fragile at the back, and Jan 27 saw Barcelona let in five goals in La Liga at home for the first time since 1963.
Xavi said even if Barcelona won the Champions League he would not change his mind and stay.
The coach, 44, said he still thought his team could win trophies this season.
“I am more optimistic than ever with this change of dynamic... we’ll go for La Liga, it’s very difficult but we will fight,” he added.
“I have not spoken to the players about it, I saw how down they were today and I will talk to them tomorrow, and that’s one of the reasons for it.” AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/barca-coach-xavi-hernandez-says-will-leave-at-end-of-season
| 2024-01-27T22:18:31Z
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New Zealand's Nick Cassidy earned Jaguar a first win of the season in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, and in his 50th Formula E race, to take the lead in the all-electric championship.
Cassidy has a 19-point advantage over Porsche's Pascal Wehrlein, winner of the opening race in Mexico City, after three rounds.
Envision Racing's Robin Frijns was runner-up in the second of two races on the Diriyah street circuit with Nissan's Oliver Rowland third after starting on pole position.
Frijns led Rowland into the first corner from the front row but Cassidy, third on the grid, went ahead after the first round of Attack Mode activations and stayed there to become the only driver to have stood on the podium in all three races.
Jaguar also lead the team standings, 31 points clear of Penske.
NEOM McLaren's Jake Hughes was a career-best fourth with Penske's Stoffel Vandoorne fifth and Nissan's Sacha Fenestraz sixth.
Wehrlein was seventh, his 14th race in a row in the points.
Andretti's world champion Jake Dennis, winner in Friday's second round, finished 10th but ended up 12th after collecting a five-second penalty for overtaking while yellow flags were waved.
The fourth round is in Sao Paulo, Brazil on March 16. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/formula-one/cassidy-wins-in-diriyah-to-take-formula-e-lead
| 2024-01-27T22:18:42Z
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KYIV - Ukraine on Jan 27 pressed Russia to provide proof that a military plane shot down earlier in the week had been carrying dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as it claimed.
The latest twist in the bitter row over the incident came as Ukrainian officials said a Russian raid had killed two civilians near their border.
Ukraine’s spy chief questioned why Russia had not shown any images of the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers that Moscow claims were killed when a military plane was shot down.
Russia said 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war were killed when Kyiv shot down an Ilyushin-76 military transport plane on Jan 24, near the border between the two countries.
While Kyiv has not outright denied Russia’s claims, it has questioned key parts of its narrative – in particular, who was on board the aircraft.
“There are a number of factors that are unclear,” Lieutenant-General Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence, said in an interview with state TV.
“First of all, they did not show fields covered with corpses and remains,” he said.
“If it happened as Russia claims, why does Russia... continue to hide the bodies?,” Lt-Gen Budanov asked on Jan 27.
‘There is nothing’
Russia’s Investigative Committee has published three videos of what it says is the crash site.
One showed a blurred close-up of a dead body. In another, a forensics team is sealing up a single body bag.
A third was grainy footage purporting to show vehicles transporting the prisoners to the plane before it took off, but the quality was too poor to verify this.
“There are no corpses,” Lt-Gen Budanov said on Jan 27. “There is nothing.”
Kyiv has confirmed a prisoner exchange was due to take place on the same day and has not explicitly denied shooting down the plane.
But it said Moscow did not request a temporary aerial ceasefire near the border, as it had previously when POWs were being flown to a scheduled exchange.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Jan 26 that Lt-Gen Budanov’s GUR was aware the prisoners were going to be transferred by plane.
He said it was “obvious” Ukrainian forces shot it down and had gone ahead with the attack knowing it could have been carrying their own troops.
Kyiv has not yet outlined its version of events, although Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for an international investigation, and both sides have opened criminal probes.
Cross-border raid
Russian troops killed two civilians on Jan 27 in a raid on the Ukrainian village of Andriivka, 4km from the border with Russia’s western Kursk region, local officials said.
“This morning, an enemy reconnaissance and sabotage group brutally and cynically shot a brother and sister,” the Sumy regional administration said in a statement.
The attack happened inside a 5km buffer zone along the border with Russia – an area that Kyiv had asked residents to evacuate.
Ukraine’s prosecutor-general said the victims were a 54-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman, killed while driving in an SUV.
In the Russian city of Saint Petersburg, Putin renewed his attack on the Kyiv administration, claiming “the regime in Kyiv glorifies Hitler’s accomplices, the SS”.
He was speaking as he visited a memorial to mark 80 years since the end of the Nazi siege of Leningrad, as Saint Petersburg was then called.
He was accompanied by Belarus’s President Alexander Lukashenko.
In Ukraine, three French fighters spoke to AFP to deny Russian claims that they had been killed in a recent strike.
Paris has accused Moscow of spreading disinformation about France’s role in Ukraine. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/ukraine-presses-russia-for-proof-over-pow-deaths-in-military-plane-crash
| 2024-01-27T22:18:52Z
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WASHINGTON - Donald Trump on Jan 27 underlined his opposition to a bipartisan immigration plan that President Joe Biden has promised to use to “shut down” the border with Mexico if it becomes overwhelmed.
With immigration seen as one of the hottest electoral issues in what increasingly looks like a Trump-Biden rematch for the White House in 2024, the fate of the Bill being negotiated by the Senate has become a high-stakes battleground.
Mr Biden threw his weight behind the proposed Bill on Jan 26, insisting it would usher in the “toughest” ever set of border reforms.
“It would give me, as president, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed. And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the Bill into law,” he said in a statement.
Trump has put immigration front and centre of his effort to retake the White House, issuing dire warnings about the porous nature of the border while pushing back hard against Republicans supporting the Senate plan.
“A bad border deal is far worse than no border deal,” the former president wrote on his Truth Social platform on Jan 27, saying the current situation was a “catastrophe waiting to happen.”
Following Trump’s extensive lobbying, Mr Mike Johnson, the speaker of the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, said in an open letter on Jan 26 that any such Bill adopted by the Senate would be “dead in the water” and never get passed by the House.
The deal being negotiated carries high stakes, and not just for the presidential candidates.
In addition to addressing Americans’ concerns about the huge influx of migrants arriving via Mexico, it would provide vital military assistance for Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders.
A bipartisan deal tying aid for Kyiv, a Biden priority, with money for border security, as Republicans have demanded, had seemed in the cards just days ago.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton said Jan 26 that Mr Biden’s administration had been working in “good faith” with Republicans to reach a deal and hoped they would “remain at the table so we can do that.” AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/trump-toughens-opposition-to-deal-linking-border-security-ukraine-aid
| 2024-01-27T22:19:03Z
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Hennessy
French cognac house Hennessy worked with Chinese artist Yang Yongliang to design limited-edition packaging for its Hennessy Paradis, Hennessy X.O and Hennessy V.S.O.P liquids.
The rarest and most expensive of the bunch, the Hennessy Paradis (from $13,250 a bottle), is also the most striking, in a porcelain white decanter emblazoned with gold dragons.
Only 12 are available for sale in Singapore. Contact Hennessy for more details at 8772-0235.
Meanwhile, the Hennessy X.O ($342.50) boasts a striking gold bottle embossed with stylised dragons, while the Hennessy V.S.O.P ($110) is clad in red.
The boxes for the various cognacs also include artwork created by Yang, who is known for his digital composite art of traditional landscapes.
For the festive period, Hennessy is hosting two pop-ups in Singapore: at Ion Orchard until Jan 28 and Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 until Feb 15.
Customers will be able to buy the special-edition Hennessy X.O and V.S.O.P bottles at both pop-ups, which have been furnished with larger-than-life dragon sculptures inspired by Yang’s artwork.
Travellers visiting the Changi Airport pop-up can partake in “molecular tastings” of pre-mixed Hennessy cocktails. These will be served within an edible, bite-sized pearl.
Hennessy’s limited-edition Chinese New Year cognacs are also available for purchase from iShopChangi.
Info: The pop-up at Ion Orchard (2 Orchard Turn) is located at Level 1 Atrium B, and is open from 10am to 10pm daily until Jan 28. The Changi Airport (60 Airport Boulevard) pop-up is located at the Terminal 1 Departure Check-in Hall, and is open from 6am to 1am daily until Feb 15.
Johnnie Walker
Scotch brand Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label whisky rarely disappoints – the premium whisky label blends and bottles some of Scotland’s rarest and most luxurious liquids, and the limited editions always come in beautiful packaging.
This festive season, the brand has teamed up with Taiwanese-American artist James Jean, perhaps best known for his award-winning cover art for comics such as The Umbrella Academy and Batgirl, as well as for designing the poster of Oscar-winning film Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022).
Jean’s artwork for the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year ($360 a bottle) layers the wood dragon with floral imagery, using the signature Blue Label colours of blue and gold.
He says: “There are hidden elements in the picture as well – layers to be discovered, just like the layers in this incredible whisky. I included chrysanthemums, from which flow liquid gold – inspired by Johnnie Walker whiskies – and hummingbirds sipping on the precious nectar.”
The bottle is available at specialist alcohol retailers such as 1855 The Bottle Shop.
Customers can also purchase the whisky at Johnnie Walker’s pop-up at Raffles City, which is offering gift set bundles, as well as free bottle engraving and delivery services.
Info: Johnnie Walker’s pop-up at Raffles City Shopping Centre (252 North Bridge Road) is open from 11am to 8pm daily until Jan 28.
Asahi
Japanese pixel artist Hermippe has created a dragon-themed design for the silver cans of Japanese beer brand Asahi Super Dry.
Pixel art is stereotyped as being endearingly low-resolution, but Hermippe uses pixels to create elaborate, sometimes abstract digital paintings.
The Asahi Super Dry Lunar New Year Pixel Art Edition Can features an intricate red-and-gold dragon wrapped around the outside of the 330ml can.
An exclusive Asahi Super Dry X Fragrance Bak Kwa Gift Bundle ($38) includes Fragrance bak kwa, pork floss tots, pandan kueh lapis and pineapple tarts.
Info: The cans are available at major supermarkets, from $26.80 for a 12-pack, while the Fragrance gift bundles are available at Fragrance outlets (full list of locations at fragrance.com.sg).
Yeo’s
You may have noticed some packet drinks looking particularly festive during your recent grocery runs.
Home-grown beverage brand Yeo’s has given three of its products a Chinese New Year makeover: the Chrysanthemum Tea, Winter Melon Flavoured Drink and Lychee Flavoured Drink.
Instead of the usual livery featuring the brand’s logo and the flavour’s core ingredient, the packets have striking illustrations of auspicious creatures such as dragons, phoenixes and lions.
There are also different Chinese phrases which convey blessings on the packaging.
Info: The festive packets (from $3 for a six-pack) are available at supermarkets such as FairPrice, while stocks last.
TWG
Those seeking sugar- and alcohol-free beverages can try the dragon-themed teas from Singaporean tea house TWG.
The limited-edition Grand Dragon Tea is a green tea blend accented with mandarin orange notes. Unfortunately, both the loose leaf tea ($50 a tin) and the tea set ($80, includes disposable tea filters and tea scoop) are out of stock. TWG has not said whether it will restock these.
But there is also the brand’s Jade Dragon Tea ($48 a tin), a loose-leaf green tea that comes in a fun purple tin emblazoned with a jade green dragon.
Info: twgtea.com
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/food/top-tipples-drinks-with-a-dragon-twist-for-chinese-new-year?utm_campaign=STPicks
| 2024-01-27T22:19:20Z
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SINGAPORE – By the time Fayra Armel Iskandar turned one year old, she had already travelled to five destinations by air and clocked more than 31,000km.
She was barely four months old when she took her first flight, which was three hours long, in November 2022, to the Indonesian island of Lombok.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/meet-the-globetoddlers-this-tot-flew-31000km-visited-five-destinations-in-her-first-year?utm_campaign=STPicks
| 2024-01-27T22:19:30Z
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December is all about downtime and meeting friends and family over Christmas. Switch over to January and it is all about activity, with a back-to-work buzz and upbeat New Year resolutions.
Tragically, as many Japanese were busy ushering in New Year’s Day, western Japan was hit by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that has caused a substantial death toll. There was also a shocking airport collision, resulting in the death of five crew members.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/japan-what-a-magical-country-for-someone-travelling-there-for-the-first-time?utm_campaign=STPicks
| 2024-01-27T22:19:51Z
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HONG KONG – Maa-muk. It’s the Cantonese word for “numb”, describing someone having become desensitised, or feeling apathetic, towards something.
And that’s what 26-year-old Hong Konger Erin feels about her life in the city now.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/hk-leaders-say-days-of-fear-are-over-but-hong-kongers-beg-to-differ-who-is-right?utm_campaign=STPicks
| 2024-01-27T22:20:01Z
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There it goes, into oblivion, I thought for a split second. It was a sinking feeling on seeing the words Outram Secondary School splashed across the headline.
Another consigned to the swirling dust clouds of demolition. Collateral damage as the country grapples with low fertility and land scarcity.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/outram-secondary-relocation-is-always-better-than-forgotten?utm_campaign=STPicks
| 2024-01-27T22:20:11Z
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BRIGHTON, England - England forward Lauren James scored twice in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's Super League on Saturday.
Chelsea were frustrated by a number of missed chances in the fits half as James and Fran Kirby wasted good opportunities.
James opened the scoring with a superb shot into the top right-hand corner after the restart and Kirby netting her second goal of the season five minutes later.
James secured the victory with a flawless right-foot finish in the 59th minute before being replaced by new signing Mayra Ramirez.
Chelsea, winners of the WSL for the last three seasons, lead the standings by six points ahead of Manchester City. They face Everton on Feb. 4 after playing Paris FC in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/james-strikes-twice-as-chelsea-thrash-brighton-in-wsl
| 2024-01-27T23:46:53Z
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ABIDJAN - Ademola Lookman’s brace ensured Nigeria a place in next weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as they beat long-standing foes Cameroon 2-0 in the last 16 on Saturday.
Lookman’s 36th minute goal at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium opened the scoring and he contributed a second on the stoke of full time as Nigeria largely outplayed Cameroon.
They will face Angola in the last eight in Abidjan next Friday after the Angolans beat Namibia 3-0 in Bouake earlier on Saturday in the first of the knockout round games.
While Lookman’s double made him a key figure in the win, Nigeria’s African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen proved outstanding with his work rate and drove his team to victory.
It was as much as Nigeria deserved, showing much improved form after a largely uninspiring showing in the group phase where they finished second in their section. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/lookman-double-puts-nigeria-into-cup-of-nations-quarter-finals
| 2024-01-27T23:47:04Z
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MILAN - AC Milan were left to rue two missed penalties as they were held to a 2-2 home draw by Bologna who converted a late spot-kick themselves in a roller-coaster Serie A match on Saturday.
Bologna broke the deadlock with a goal from Joshua Zirkzee in the 29th minute before Ruben Loftus-Cheek equalised just before the break and added his second goal seven minutes from time.
With Milan poised for a home win, Filippo Terracciano tripped Victor Kristiansen in stoppage time and Riccardo Orsolini converted the penalty to secure a draw.
Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez failed to score penalties for Milan in each half. Giroud missed from the spot after Lewis Ferguson fouled Simon Kjaer and Hernandez hit the post following Sam Beukama's foul on Rafael Leao.
Milan are third in the table with 46 points, seven behind leaders Juventus and five adrift of second-placed Inter Milan. Bologna are seventh with 33 points. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/milan-pay-the-penalty-in-draw-with-bologna
| 2024-01-27T23:47:14Z
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HELSINKI - Finland elects a new president on Sunday to lead the country in its new role within NATO after it broke with decades of non-alignment to join the Western defence alliance in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Nordic country's admission to NATO last year drew threats of "counter measures" from its vast Russian neighbour. In December, Finland closed its entire border with Russia to passenger traffic in response to a surge in migrants trying to cross. Moscow denied Finnish charges it was sending them there.
All nine candidates are promising a tough stance towards Russia if elected president, a role that leads on foreign and security policy in close cooperation with the government and represents the country at NATO meetings, while also acting as a Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces.
The centre-right National Coalition's Alexander Stubb has emerged as the frontrunner, with recent polls giving him 22-27% support in a first round, just ahead of liberal Green Party member Pekka Haavisto, who polled at 20-23%.
The nationalist Finns Party's Jussi Halla-aho is not far behind Haavisto, at 15-18%.
Bank of Finland Governor Olli Rehn and Social Democrat European Union Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen are among the other six candidates from across the political spectrum.
If no one gets more than 50% of the votes cast on Sunday, a runoff will be held between the first and second candidates.
Partial results are expected shortly after polls close at 1800 GMT and the competitors for the probable second round should be clear by 2030 GMT unless the results are very close.
The new president will replace 75-year-old incumbent Sauli Niinisto who is required to step down after two six-year terms in office.
He earned the nickname "the Putin Whisperer" during his tenure for his role in maintaining close ties with Russia, which had long been a key role for Finnish presidents. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/finns-choose-new-president-for-nato-era-with-russia-in-mind
| 2024-01-27T23:47:25Z
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KYIV - Ukraine’s SBU security service said on Jan 27 that it had uncovered a corruption scheme in the purchase of arms by the country’s military totalling the equivalent of about US$40 million (S$53.7 million).
The announcement of mass procurement fraud, confirmed by Ukraine’s Defence Ministry, will have a huge resonance in a country beleaguered by Russia’s nearly two-year-old invasion.
The fight to root out endemic corruption remains a major issue as Ukraine presses its bid to secure membership in the European Union.
The SBU said an investigation had “exposed officials of the Ministry of Defence and managers of arms supplier Lviv Arsenal, who stole nearly 1.5 billion hryvnias in the purchase of shells”.
“According to the investigation, former and current high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defence and heads of affiliated companies are involved in the embezzlement.”
The embezzlement, it said, involved the purchase of 100,000 mortar shells for the military.
The SBU said a contract for the shells was clinched with Lviv Arsenal in August 2022 - six months into the war - and payment was made in advance, with some funds transferred abroad.
But no arms were ever provided, the statement said, with some funds then moved to other foreign accounts.
The statement said five individuals had been served “notices of suspicion” - the first stage in Ukrainian legal proceedings - both in the ministry and the arms supplier. One suspect, it said, was detained while trying to cross the Ukrainian border.
Corruption within the military has been a particularly sensitive issue in Ukraine as it tries to maintain wartime public morale and present its case to join the 27-nation EU.
Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov was dismissed last September over various corruption cases despite enjoying a solid reputation in representing Ukraine in its discussions with Western allies.
Although he was not alleged to have engaged personally in corruption, several cases hit the military under his stewardship, one for supplying troops with food, another over procuring suitable clothing for servicemen. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-uncovers-mass-fraud-in-weapons-procurement
| 2024-01-27T23:47:35Z
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The U.S. is reviewing its sanctions policy against Venezuela after a court in that country upheld a ban preventing presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado from holding office, the U.S. State Department said on Saturday.
The ruling by Venezuela's Supreme Justice Tribunal on Friday means Machado, a 56-year-old industrial engineer, cannot register her candidacy for presidential elections scheduled for the second half of 2024.
"The United States is currently reviewing our Venezuela sanctions policy, based on this development and the recent political targeting of democratic opposition candidates and civil society," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
The U.S. eased economically debilitating oil sanctions on the crude-exporting country in October after President Nicolas Maduro's government signed a deal with the opposition under which Caracas made commitments to hold a free and fair 2024 presidential election.
Miller said the court ruling was a "deeply concerning decision" that ran contrary to the commitments made by Maduro to allow all parties to select candidates.
Maduro on Thursday said the deal with his opponents was in danger of collapse, citing what he has described as "conspiracies" against him.
Gerardo Blyde, head of the opposition negotiating team, denied members had been linked to acts of violence and demanded the court ruling be reversed.
"We are not asking for sanctions, that is not our job. We are looking for the process to move forward," he told a news conference in Caracas on Saturday.
At a separate press conference in Caracas, a representative for the government's negotiating team insisted the ruling party would remain in the talks.
"We will never hesitate to remain in the talks, to remain in the discussion," said Hector Rodriguez, the ruling party governor for Venezuela's Miranda state. He said the government had complied with all prior agreements. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/us-reviewing-venezuelan-sanctions-policy-in-wake-of-court-decision-state-dept
| 2024-01-27T23:47:46Z
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Nikki Haley targeted in ‘swatting’ incident
Authorities responded to a fake emergency at the South Carolina home of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley in December, after a man claimed to have shot a woman and threatened to harm himself at her home, according to town records obtained by Reuters.
The previously unreported “swatting” incident is among a wave of violent threats, bomb scares and other acts of intimidation against government officials, members of the judiciary and election administrators since the 2020 election that have alarmed law enforcement ahead of this year’s US presidential contest.
Swatting cases have surged over the past two months, targeting both allies and rivals of former president Donald Trump as he campaigns to return to the White House.
The targets include figures who have publicly opposed Trump, such as Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat who barred him from her state’s primary ballot. Judges and at least one prosecutor handling cases against Trump have been targeted. But Trump backers such as US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have also faced swatting attempts.
Gunmen in Iran kill nine Pakistanis
Unidentified gunmen killed nine Pakistani workers in a restive southeastern border area of Iran on Jan 27, Pakistan’s ambassador and Iranian state media said, amid efforts by the two countries to mend ties after tit-for-tat attacks.
“Deeply shocked by horrifying killing of 9 Pakistanis in Saravan. Embassy will extend full support to bereaved families,” the Pakistani ambassador to Teheran, Mr Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, said on the X platform. “We called upon Iran to extend full cooperation in the matter.”
Iranian state media said police were looking for the three gunmen who escaped after the shooting.
Israel vows to stop UN refugee agency’s activities in Gaza
Israel vowed on Jan 27 to stop the UN agency at the heart of humanitarian efforts in Gaza from operating after the war, following the sacking of staff accused of involvement in the Oct 7 attack.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said on Jan 26 it had fired several employees over Israel’s accusations, promising a thorough investigation into the claims, which were not specified.
Donors including Canada, Britain, Italy, Australia and Finland have followed the lead of the United States, which said on Jan 26 it had suspended additional funding to the agency over the accusations.
French fighters rubbish Russia’s ‘dead mercenaries’ claims
“As far as the Russians are concerned, I’ve already been dead twice,” grinned Franck, who is one of a number of alleged French “mercenaries” in Ukraine that Moscow claimed to have killed in a recent strike.
Without providing evidence, the Russian defence ministry claimed last week’s overnight attack on Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, had “eliminated” about 60 fighters, “most” of them French citizens”, and wounded 20 others.
“Luckily, they weren’t serious deaths because I’ve come back to life,” joked the burly Frenchman, who spoke to AFP from the front line in Ukraine, where he is fighting in the International Legion.
Barca coach Xavi Hernandez says will leave at end of season
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he will leave his post at the end of the season after his struggling team were beaten 5-3 by Villarreal on Jan 27 in La Liga.
“On June 30, I will leave the club, it’s a decision I have taken with the president, with the staff,” Xavi told reporters.
Champions Barcelona, third in the top flight, are 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid with their title defence virtually over.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/while-you-were-sleeping-5-stories-you-might-have-missed-jan-28-5
| 2024-01-27T23:47:57Z
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Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy (NS) - Review
by Paul Broussard , posted 34 minutes ago / 136 ViewsHey, Ace Attorney, didn’t see you there. What, is Papa Capcom short on cash again and decided to wring a couple of your old games out for a few more dollars? What’s it this time, yet another version of the original Phoenix Wright trilogy? Or perhaps a port of some older Japanese exclusive titles for the States? Oh, it’s the Apollo Justice trilogy? Well, at least they're games that aren’t available on modern consoles. Don’t suppose you’ve got an actual Ace Attorney 7 for me? No? Well, worth checking anyway. No, I’m not bitter about anything.
While we’re suffering in the infinite abyss for an actual follow up to the mainline Ace Attorney series, here’s another collection of old games: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice. These are the three mainline entries set after the original Ace Attorney trilogy.
If you’re not familiar with Ace Attorney, a helpful summary is probably to say that they're visual novels mixed with a logic game, while a less helpful one would be to say it's the wacky lawyer game where you cross examine a parrot. You play as one of a variety of defense attorneys tasked with defending a client who has been, or shortly will be, accused of murder. Proceedings are generally split into two halves: investigations, which involve talking with suspects & witnesses, and looking for clues via a point 'n click interface; and trial segments, where witnesses give testimony and your job is to point out the problems with said testimony. Present too many incorrect answers in a trial segment and you’ll get a game over, and your client will be found guilty.
The core gameplay hasn’t changed much since the very first title back on the Game Boy Advance, which has placed the emphasis for later entries in the series much more on the story and individual cases, rather than learning and mastering mechanics. And boy is Apollo Justice Trilogy a mixed bag on that front. Set seven years after the previous mainline entry (Trials & Tribulations), the Apollo Justice Trilogy focuses on an older Phoenix Wright and two new attorneys (Apollo Justice & Athena Cykes), as they deal with a wide variety of new cases and wacky shenanigans.
You may have already discerned from that description the first major face plant for the Apollo Justice Trilogy: despite being called the “Apollo Justice Trilogy,” Apollo is really only the main character for roughly one and a half of these games. Given that two of the titles included in this trilogy (Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice) carry original protagonist Phoenix Wright’s name and character outline on the logo, rather than Apollo’s, the attempt to package this as an “Apollo Justice” trilogy feels like a bit of revisionist history; really there are three largely disconnected narratives operating on their own here.
By itself, that probably wouldn’t be much of an issue. After all, plenty of publishers package collections of games that aren’t especially related from a narrative standpoint. However, Ace Attorney’s heavy dependence on narrative and character development means that it relies much more heavily on story interconnectedness, and the bizarre insistence of the games included in this trilogy to refuse to acknowledge or build much upon previous titles is a massive problem for creating a story that the player can become invested in. The director of the series since 2009, Takeshi Yamazaki, has stated that he didn’t want to create a possible situation where a series newcomer would play a game and feel lost because it heavily referenced events from a prior entry. While this may be well intentioned, it absolutely cripples the writing team's ability to develop characters and build arcs over the course of several entries. Imagine something like Mass Effect, but the characters can’t bring up events from past titles beyond surface level references. That’s the kind of handicap Ace Attorney is operating with.
Minor spoiler warning: I’ll be throwing out some examples to illustrate that problem over the next four paragraphs, so feel free to skip ahead if you don’t want any spoilers whatsoever. Towards the end of the first title in the trilogy, it's revealed that two prominent characters are secretly siblings, and this knowledge is being kept a secret by one of the major actors in the game’s backstory. For other, various spoiler-related reasons, this is a significant revelation with major ramifications on the future of the series. The game ends with this “actor” promising to a friend of theirs that they intend to tell the secret siblings about their relationship soon. Fast forward to the final case in the “trilogy” and, after the credits roll, the teaser at the end is the same two individuals talking about how they intend to tell the siblings soon. Two full games come and go with absolutely nothing being done with this huge cliffhanger. It’s such a frustrating way of creating stories born out of a desire to avoid creating extra backstory for people who haven't played the first title, because in the process it makes it virtually impossible for veterans to care about any long-lasting plotlines, since they’ll likely never be resolved anyway.
Even approaching the games as self-contained entities, the narrative quality is often hit or miss. There are some absolutely thrilling and well-crafted mysteries, like the opening case in Apollo Justice, the side story case in Dual Destinies, and the second case in Spirit of Justice. But the broad, overarching stories generally fail to hit home, because they keep introducing new, often interesting ideas, but fail to adequately expound upon them or do the world building necessary to make them work.
Apollo Justice, for instance, builds up a huge amount of intrigue as to certain events which cause a major character to change dramatically, only to wait until the very last case to reveal what these events even were, at which point so much has to be crammed into such a tiny amount of space that the actual explanation winds up being laughably flimsy, with nonsensical decision-making and an abundance of plot holes. Dual Destinies talks up the “dark age of the law,” a supposed mass degradation of the ethics of the legal system, where forged evidence and cheating amongst lawyers is rampant, but fails to really show how that’s any different from the previous games, where prosecutors forged or withheld evidence basically every case, and witnesses told lies like they were trying to set a world record for perjury.
The most egregious example of this probably comes in the final case of Spirit of Justice, which is so horrifically written and designed that it retroactively taints everything that came before it, and makes me wish the game as a whole didn’t exist. It undoes character development dating back to the original trilogy, tries to establish several new or barely touched upon characters who don’t get anywhere near enough screentime, and introduces an entirely new backstory for Apollo that's so improbable and implausible it feels laughably idiotic, all in the hopes of wrangling some kind of resolution out of the tangled mess that’s come before it. Tt's sloppy storycrafting that isn’t worthy of the Ace Attorney label, especially when compared to the exceptionally well-developed characters and their arcs in the original trilogy.
The bright side is that the moment-to-moment writing in most of these games is usually very well-crafted, and the dialogue between characters is enjoyable and natural-sounding. Phoenix, Apollo, and Athena all have their own unique quirks that make them stand out, and the various prosecutors, detectives, and other side characters lend the world of Ace Attorney a wacky charm all of its own. Ace Attorney has always remain enjoyable, even during slower sections, by having characters that are just plain fun to watch, and this is one area where the... "Apollo Justice" games live up to, if not exceed outright, the quality of the older titles. Dual Destinies in particular is very strong on this front, with arguably the most entertaining prosecutor rival in the series, and I’ll admit that for as big of an absolute waste of time as Spirit of Justice’s fourth case is, it’s almost worth it just for the chance to hang out with him again.
Another area where this Ace Attorney Trilogy arguably improves over the Phoenix Wright Trilogy is in terms of difficulty. There are fewer instances of annoying gimmick penalties (think being penalized for Moe making bad jokes in the original) and the logic does generally flow better, so there aren't as many instances where the player is expected to make a huge leap in logic. The cost is that there are a few instances where they lean a bit too heavily on hinting the player towards the correct answer, but I think this is one of those instances where I’d prefer erring on the side of caution rather than putting the player in a scenario where they have to just guess randomly. Another welcome change is that the modern saving system from Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice - where the player doesn’t have to exit back to the main menu in order to record their progress - has been implemented in Apollo Justice as well, making things a little bit less annoying.
Which brings us to what’s actually changed from the original versions of these titles. The visuals are the biggest alteration, at least for Apollo Justice. If you haven’t played these games before, you might be surprised to see the visuals change from sprite work to 3D models between Apollo Justice and Dual Destinies, and that’s in no small part due to the six year gap between the original releases. Apollo Justice’s sprite work has been touched up and beautified, and after having to look at the bizarre featureless faces from the panned out shots of the courtroom in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, it’s very gratifying to see detailed people populating the benches, rather than the amorphous blobs that were present in the original trilogy’s re-release. The zoomed out shots look almost like impressionist era paintings now, and it has a very nice touch to it.
The flipside is that Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice don’t see quite the same level of improvement. The 3D models look pretty much exactly like they did, save for improved resolutions to fit a larger screen. This isn’t so much a complaint as it is just an acknowledgement; I think the models are absolutely fine substitutes for sprites, and allow for animations that would have been probably impossible to pull off with sprites, particularly with some of the more dynamic witnesses. Just know that the same leap that Apollo Justice sees in terms of visual quality won’t be present for the other two titles in the collection.
Switching notes slightly, some of the weirder changes are the limited adjustments made to achieve audio consistency across the series. Given the six year gap between Apollo Justice and Dual Destinies, changes in voice actors was something of an inevitability. This led to some characters sounding very different for games that, chronologically at least, only took place one year apart. Capcom has gone back and attempted to adjust for this by replacing some, but not all, of the character voices in Apollo Justice with their equivalents in Dual Destinies. For instance, Ben Judd’s voice recordings for Phoenix Wright’s courtroom lines in Apollo Justice have been replaced by Sam Riegel’s voice work from Dual Destinies, while JP Kellam’s recordings of Apollo’s lines in Apollo Justice remain, instead of being replaced by Orion Acaba’s voice work. It’s also odd that, out of all the characters to be adjusted in this manner, Klavier Gavin was not one of them, given that Andrew Alfonso and Yuri Lowenthal’s takes on him don’t even sound remotely similar to each other.
Rounding out the Trilogy are some extra features. There are some cosmetics for the main cast that existed in the previous games, an art/cut scene library, soundtrack, and probably most uniquely, an animation studio that allows you to rearrange the various models and backgrounds to create your own images, which I’m sure will most certainly not be used to make the creepy doctor inappropriately touch the rest of the cast. There’s also a story mode, where the game basically plays itself, choosing all the right places to investigate and the correct pieces of evidence to present… y’know, in case you haven’t heard of gameplay walkthroughs on YouTube or something.
And despite my rather tepid reception to the stories (particularly those in Apollo Justice and Spirit of Justice), I will give credit where credit is due: the extra features are a fantastic addition. Including concept art as a freebie is always great, especially when it’s art that was previously exclusive to Japanese artbooks. I’m also a big fan of letting players customize menus after beating the game for the first time, and this Trilogy has no shortage of customization options to choose from. The music and animation editors are less of a draw for me, as I don’t really intend to carry my Switch around to listen to music, and green screening video game characters is a short-lived novelty for me, but they’re good features to have for those who are so inclined.
Overall, Apollo Justice Trilogy is the best way to experience three games with a somewhat controversial legacy within the series. So the question is whether they’re worth experiencing, and the answer is probably yes if you enjoyed the original trilogy and haven’t played these titles yet. Fans who have already played them probably won't find enough in this package to warrant a second purchase, unless they feel really attached to the narratives, but personally revisiting these stories left me annoyed at the missed potential of the first and third titles in particular. In the end, Apollo Justice Trilogy stands as a warning for why it’s important to plan out your narratives; or, at the very least, avoid kneecapping yourself at the starting line by restricting one of the greatest strengths of your series due to fear of isolating new players.
This review is based on a digital copy of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy for the NS
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459753/apollo-justice-ace-attorney-trilogy-ns/
| 2024-01-27T23:51:17Z
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France has accused Russia of an ongoing disinformation campaign targeting the country since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, according to a communiqué released Friday.
The campaign is part of Russia’s ongoing effort to undermine the West’s military support for Ukraine, with Germany’s special services reporting the country is also being targeted. Particularly, French weapons such as CAESAR howitzers and SCALP cruise missiles have become indispensable for Ukraine’s military operations.
The statement from the French government claims the Russian effort intensified following the French President’s reaffirmation of support for Ukraine in a 16 January press conference.
The alleged Russian fake news campaign continued afterward, with Moscow claiming to have killed French mercenaries in a 17 January strike on Kharkiv. The Russian Defense Ministry said it “eliminated” around 60 fighters, “most of whom were French citizens,” and injured 20 others.
The alleged Russian disinformation continued on 22 January with the circulation of lists of supposed French mercenaries killed in the attack on Russian Telegram channels. Some of these lists had already been shared in 2022, in the early weeks of the conflict.
However, three alleged French mercenaries named on Russian lists of those killed told AFP they are alive and deny being mercenaries. “For the Russians, I have already died twice,” said Franck, a 50-year-old volunteer fighter in Ukraine. Others also said they left Ukraine months ago. The French fighters call the claims “phony propaganda” meant to “discredit” them.
France rejects Russia’s implication that it recruits mercenaries. Under French law, mercenarism is prohibited. France uses the term to denounce Russia’s Wagner Group paramilitary accused of crimes in Africa.
Volunteers in Ukraine sign formal contracts and have the same pay and duties as Ukrainian soldiers, some pointed out to AFP. “In fact, it looks a bit like the Foreign Legion in France,” said Franck, who has fought alongside Ukrainians for nearly two years.
This disinformation campaign continued with the announcement on 24 January by Sputnik International of the destruction of a French-Italian SAMP-T air defense system delivered to Ukraine, says the communiqué.
None of this information has been confirmed by France. However, competent French state services have identified and are tracking Russia’s coordinated disinformation maneuver, including via pro-Russian information networks and state media like Sputnik News, RT, and RIA Novosti, to relay and amplify this false information.
France does not deny some citizens volunteer in Ukraine but condemns Russia’s disinformation effort.
“France is the target of yet another gross Russian disinformation campaign. Unlike others, France does not employ mercenaries. Faced with the intensification of French military aid to Ukraine, we expect this Russian intoxication maneuver to continue: we condemn it and are strengthening our system for monitoring these manipulations,” said Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/28/france-accuses-russia-of-fake-news-campaign-after-debunked-mercenary-strike/
| 2024-01-27T23:56:52Z
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An in-depth investigation by The Insider and Taiwanese outlet The Reporter has revealed that Taiwan has become the primary source of precision metalworking machines for Russia since its invasion of Ukraine, despite Taipei’s public support for Kyiv.
Precision machine tools, also called Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools, are the backbone of Russian military production, as they enable advanced arms manufacturing such as missiles, aircraft, or radars. There is not a single Russian tank, plane, or APC that does not have parts made with foreign CNC machine tools.
According to Russian customs records analyzed by trade data firm NBD, between March and September 2023, Russia imported at least 193 Taiwanese-made machining centers worth a total of nearly $29 million, Russia’s Insider reported. Additionally, close to 80% of all Taiwanese machine tools shipped to Russia are being transshipped through third countries, especially Türkiye and China.
For example, Turkish transit point data shows that as of September, Taiwanese metalworking machines accounted for the largest share of machine tool imports being moved to Russia along the Turkish route. Overall, the total value of Taiwan’s machining exports to Türkiye jumped 45% between January and October 2023 compared to 2022, making Türkiye the top official destination market, Insider reported.
A Russian importer called “I Machine Technology” has imported the largest volume of Taiwanese machines. Data shows that from March to October 2023, I Machine procured over $17 million worth of Taiwanese machine tools, with 28 units shipped via Türkiye, 37 via China, and 16 directly from Taiwan.
I Machine Taiwan, run by You Ming-Che, has supplied most of the equipment. You was formerly a 30% stakeholder in I Machine Technology Russia until 2015. While he claims the two companies no longer cooperate directly, he admits maintaining a friendly relationship.
The ongoing illicit shipments are particularly concerning because of Russia’s reliance on such high-precision equipment for manufacturing military hardware, from fuses to turbine engine blades.
“The accuracy and productivity of turning and milling machines from China or Taiwan are similar,” said Dr. Mykola Skrypnyk, CEO of Abplanalp Ukraine. “However, in what concerns electric discharge and grinding machines, the quality, functionality and performance of the Taiwanese machines is higher compared to those of the Chinese ones.”
Despite the evasion, experts say sanctions have still increased costs for Russia. “The Taiwanese manufacturers realize that it is illegal to ship high-end equipment to Russia,” said Sergei Guriev, professor at Sciences Po Paris. “This implies that intermediaries that help circumvent the sanctions charge very high fees – which is good, as this deprives Putin’s war machine of resources.”
But Guriev and others say more must be done to cut off the smuggling networks. “We should keep tracing the intermediaries who ship the equipment to Russia and demand the US and EU impose sanctions on them,” Guriev stated.
Maria Shagina of the International Institute for Strategic Studies agreed: “The EU-US-UK shouldn’t shy away from sanctioning Turkish entities and procurement networks.”
Türkiye was noted as a prominent intermediary for imports of Western measuring equipment into Russia, another Insider investigation found.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/28/insider-taiwan-becomes-russias-top-supplier-of-precision-machine-tools/
| 2024-01-27T23:56:56Z
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Military
British Intel: Avdiivka likely to remain in Ukrainian control over coming weeks. Russian forces are trying to bypass Ukrainian defenses and enter Avdiivka. However, Ukrainian forces would remain in control over Avdiivka in the near future, as the main supply route remains undamaged and Ukrainian forces make local counter-attacks in the area.
ISW: Russia expands its military presence and influence in Africa . Formal basing agreements and sanctioned operations suggest these efforts would likely last for years, ISW reported.
As of 27 Jan 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:
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- Personnel: 381370 (+770)
- Tanks: 6271 (+6)
- APV: 11652 (+15)
- Artillery systems: 9085 (+3)
- MLRS: 972
- Anti-aircraft systems: 660
- Aircraft: 331
- Helicopters: 324
- UAV: 7037 (+4)
- Cruise missiles : 1845
- Warships/boats: 23
- Submarines: 1
- Vehicles and fuel tanks: 12072 (+8)
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Intelligence and Technology
Ukraine, Lithuania agree on joint drone production . Lithuania’s government has promised to assist any business in any sector ready to participate
Insider: GRU officer in Brussels funnels military exports to Russia. Just steps from the EU capital, a Russian GRU veteran and sons mastermind a scheme to keep Russia’s military machine rolling with banned Western equipment, with Türkiye as a key intermediary
Defense Ministry: Netherlands joins IT coalition to support Ukraine, contributes over $ 10 mn. The coalition, led by Estonia and Luxembourg, aims to support Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces in IT, communications, and cybersecurity.
Ukrainian cyberattacks cripple Russian defense contractor, weather center. Terabytes of data causing millions of dollars in losses, were wiped out by Ukrainian hackers
Insider: Taiwan becomes Russia’s top supplier of precision machine tools. An investigation has exposed how Russia has tapped Taiwan as its primary source of banned high-tech machine tools by evading sanctions through intermediaries in Türkiye and China
International
The Telegraph: US to deploy nuclear weapons to UK air base. The return of American nuclear weapons for the first time in 15 years is said to be “part of a Nato-wide program to develop and upgrade nuclear sites in response to heightened tensions with the Kremlin.”
European intel: Kremlin aims to weaken dollar, undermine global financial system. Amid perceived wins in Ukraine, Russia is increasingly focused on leveraging its global position to disrupt the US-led West, warn European security officials.
Nepal demands Russia return Nepalis recruited to Russian ranks. According to Nepal’s minister, over 200 Nepalis were recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, despite laws prohibiting Nepalis from serving in foreign militaries. At least 14 Nepalis died in Russia’s war.
Spiegel: Russia behind massive disinformation campaign to undermine support for Ukraine in Germany. The German Foreign Ministry has uncovered a large-scale and systematic disinformation campaign, orchestrated by Russia, that aims to sow discord and distrust among Germans.
France accuses Russia of fake news campaign after debunked mercenary strike. France’s defense minister has slammed what he called Russian fake news aimed at discrediting French nationals fighting alongside Ukraine.
Humanitarian and Social Impact
Russia hit Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast with Iskander-M missile. The morning Russian attack by Iskander-M missile destroyed civilian infrastructure, according to the city mayor, Vadym Lyakh.
Russian forces kill one, injure two over past day in Kherson Oblast. Russian occupying forces dropped explosives from drones on Beryslav, Kherson Oblast, on the morning of 27 January, Kherson Oblast Head Oleksandr Produkin said .
Russian sabotage group shot brother, sister in Sumy Oblast. Overnight and on the morning of 27 Jan., the Russian military fired upon the border areas and settlements of the Sumy Oblast three times. Reportedly, 61 explosions were recorded.
Political and Legal Developments
Entrepreneurs gain direct line to Zelenskyy through Economic Council. After the arrest of businessman Ihor Mazepa spurred outrage among Ukraine’s business elite, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed plans Friday for an All-Ukrainian Economic Platform to facilitate improved dialogue with the private sector.
Ukraine gears up for EU accession talks. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy announced the start of the screening process, which will assess the compatibility of Ukrainian legislation with EU norms and prepare for the accession negotiations.
New Developments
Bloomberg: War with Ukraine sparks labor shortage in Russia. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has aggravated a labor shortage that poses a challenge to its military and economic objectives, as workers seek higher pay and more options in a tight market.
Ukraine-US documentary wins Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Festival. The film “Porcelain War” depicts Ukrainian artists who decide to stay behind and fight amidst Russian fighter jets and missile strikes, proving that passion for living cannot be destroyed.
WP: new US plan aims to strengthen Ukraine military by 2024, not retake land. The new US approach looks to “future-proof” support for Ukraine against the possibility of reduced assistance if Donald Trump is reelected.
Read our earlier daily review here
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/28/russo-ukrainian-war-day-703-turkey-emerges-as-key-intermediary-for-russian-sanctions-loopholes/
| 2024-01-27T23:56:59Z
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Designated Survivor cast members Kiefer Sutherland, Maggie Q and LaMonica Garrett reunited on Friday for a memorial to honor their late friend Adan Canto, who died on January 8, 2024.
Maggie and LaMonica both shared a picture that was taken of the group standing below a marquee sign that read: "In memory of Joseph Adan Canto, 1981 - 2024".
"We all came to say goodbye, Love you forever friend, till we meet again," Maggie captioned her post, while LaMonica wrote: "Such a Rollercoaster of emotions the last few days. Back and forth from tears to laughter at the drop of a dime.
"Truly was a celebration of life for a great human being. And going through this with our Designated Survivor family was special. @adancanto you will be missed brother, @stephanie.a.canto we love you and we'll be back soon."
The group appeared to be in Clear Lake, Iowa, where Adan was raised and where his funeral service took place at 2pm on January 26. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for memorials to be donated via a GoFundMe page.
Kal Penn, Italia Ricci and costume designer Nancy Gould were also in attendance.
"Came to Clear Lake to celebrate this beautiful man. An exceptional human being, husband and father. The spirit and faith of both he and his beautiful wife Stephanie is awe inspiring. So grateful to reconnect with great friends to share all the tears and laughter together. Here’s to living in the now and summer vacation in Clear Lake. Sending so much love and light to Stephanie, Roman and Eve," wrote Nancy.
Kiefer had not yet posted the picture, but he honored his late co-star when the news of his passing was announced, writing: "It seems lately I have had to make too many posts like this one, but I am heartbroken by the loss of Adan Canto. He was such a wonderful spirit.
"As an actor his desire to do well, to be great, and then do better, was truly impressive and he will be greatly missed. I am also heartbroken for his wife, Steph and his two young children. Adan, may you rest in peace."
Adan passed away at the age of 42 after a private battle with appendiceal cancer on January 8, 2024. The Mexican actor's first big role was in the 2014 film X-Men: Days of Future Past, and he followed that up with performances in the FOX dramas The Following and The Cleaning Lady, and the ABC series Blood & Oil.
Adan and Stephanie were also creative collaborators, working on the short film Before Tomorrow in 2014, and The Shot in 2020.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/512202/kiefer-sutherland-maggie-q-reunite-goodbye-designated-survivor-adan-canto-funeral/
| 2024-01-27T23:58:26Z
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DBS puts up shophouses for sale to recover loans amid money laundering probe
2 former schools next to Commonwealth MRT station to make way for housing
S'pore can help Laos realise potential, says Vivian, as both sides mark 50 years of ties
Laos has plentiful supplies of renewable energy, especially hydropower, and can be a source of carbon credits.
Want to save the world? Ask the big, what-if questions, says Moderna co-founder Noubar Afeyan
The Armenian billionaire tells executive editor Sumiko Tan that innovation is a form of “intellectual immigration”.
Newly-weds divorced and fought over HDB flat even before moving in
Things went downhill after the renovation and they called it quits even before the minimum occupancy period was up.
4-year-old girl dies in River Valley accident, woman arrested for careless driving
‘It’s hard to find another place like this’: Peace Centre to close after Jan 28
A digital twin of Peace Centre will be created, complete with the community’s contributions to the space.
Tan Cheng Bock may run in next GE, hopes Iswaran’s departure helps PSP win West Coast GRC
Dr Tan had led the PSP in West Coast GRC in 2020, and narrowly lost to the PAP team, led by Iswaran.
European countries announce suspension of funding for UN Palestinian refugee agency
This comes after allegations that some employees in the agency were involved in the Oct 7 attack mounted by Hamas.
The shining sweat of greatness
Even as we rightly strive for work-life balance in offices, let’s respect athletes who can barely afford any, says Rohit Brijnath.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/morning-briefing-top-stories-from-the-straits-times-on-jan-28-2024
| 2024-01-28T01:19:04Z
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UNITED STATES - Haleon is recalling some lots of its adult cough syrup Robitussin because of microbial contamination, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said.
The consumer healthcare company is recalling the cough syrup, sold under the brand name “Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult” in four-ounce (118 ml) and eight-ounce doses (236 ml), along with its eight-ounce nighttime version.
Using the tainted drugs could potentially cause severe or life-threatening adverse events like fungal infections in patients with compromised immunity, the FDA said in a release on Jan 24.
However, it added, Haleon has so far not received any reports of adverse events related to these syrups.
The company, which was spun off from GSK in 2022, is notifying its distributors and customers directly and has provided them with instructions for the return of all the drugs to be recalled, the regulator said.
Haleon did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/haleon-to-recall-batches-of-some-robitussin-adult-cough-syrups-due-to-contamination
| 2024-01-28T01:19:14Z
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Last week, the 18th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group took place via video conference. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed that Ukraine will receive new long-range weapons, though the specifics of these weapons were not disclosed. Defense Express, a Ukrainian information and consulting firm, has speculated on the potential types of weapons Ukraine might acquire and their expected arrival times.
“A productive meeting. The support continues. There were important statements and commitments. It will continue. This year, we will receive weapons that are not yet available [for us] and will help us to hit the enemy and its logistics hubs,” said Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Illarion Pavliuk following the Ramstein Format meeting, Suspilne reported.
In the wake of the meeting that took place on 23 January, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported on a number of agreements reached with partners. The ministry’s key message was “Stop panicking!” because there were no hints that Ukraine was losing support. On the contrary, they are talking about increasing aid, Defense Express says.
“So, in general, in this situation, it was not even appropriate to discuss scenarios where Ukraine is left without assistance. This is out of the question, we are talking about increasing the volume of the aid package to meet Ukraine’s needs,” the ministry spokesman said, according to Suspilne.
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| 2024-01-28T01:32:59Z
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NEW DELHI - India is seeking to distance itself from its largest arms supplier after Russia's ability to supply munitions and spares was hobbled by the war in Ukraine, but must step carefully to avoid pushing Moscow closer to China, Indian sources said.
The world's biggest arms importer is slowly turning West as the United States looks to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific region, hoping to contain an ascendant China by weaning the South Asian nation off a traditional dependence on Russia.
Russia supplied 65 per cent of India's weapons purchases of more than US$60 billion (S$80.59 billion) during the last two decades, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, but the Ukraine war hastened the impetus to diversify its weapons base.
"We are not likely to sign any major military deal with Russia," said Mr Nandan Unnikrishnan, a Russia expert at New Delhi think tank the Observer Research Foundation. "That would be a red line for Washington."
That view comes despite Moscow's offers, described by four Indian government sources, among them a senior security official who recently retired, as including platforms such as the most advanced Kamov helicopters and Sukhoi and MiG fighter jets, with the added fillip of joint manufacturing in India.
All four sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive subject.
The foreign and defence ministries of India and Russia did not respond to requests for comment.
Russia has publicly urged India to step up defence ties, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned his focus to domestic production with Western technology, experts and officials said.
Such efforts would better fit Mr Modi's "Make in India" programme to encourage domestic manufacturing, as he makes a rare bid for a third term in general elections due by May.
India expects to spend nearly US$100 billion on defence orders over the next decade, its defence minister has said.
In 2023, India and the United States signed a deal for General Electric to produce engines in India to power its fighter jets, the first such US concession to a non-ally.
They also plan to "fast-track" technology co-operation and co-production in areas ranging from air combat to intelligence, they said at the time.
Further driving India's ties with the United States is disquiet over China, as their troops are embroiled in a standoff on their Himalayan frontier since 2020, when one of their bloodiest clashes in five decades killed 24 soldiers.
The nuclear-armed neighbours fought a war in 1962, but their frontier, more than 3,200km long, is still contested.
Closer to Beijing
India must walk a fine line in ties with Russia, as the largest buyer of its arms and, since 2022, one of the largest purchasers of its oil. Halting such trade would push Moscow closer to Beijing, the only other major economy it deals with.
"Arms purchase buys you influence," said the retired security official. "By shutting them out you make them subservient to China."
Trade with Russia in energy and other areas would help "keep it as far away as possible from China," added Mr Unnikrishnan, the analyst.
Russia's arms exports have largely stabilised since the Ukraine war's early disruptions, which fuelled concerns about India's operational readiness, the officials said, but the fears have not entirely dissipated.
"As the Ukraine war stretches, it raises questions if Russia will be able to give us spare parts," said Ms Swasti Rao, Eurasia expert at the state-run Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. "It is fuelling the diversification."
India is eyeing French jets for its latest aircraft carrier and wants to make submarines with French, German or Spanish technology, and fighter jets with American and French engines, the sources said.
"India's multi-alignment will continue, to straddle ties with Russia and balance it with the West, but it will not be an equal distribution," Ms Rao said.
Russian push
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the latest push for more defence deals with India on Dec 27, during a joint press conference with Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar who was visiting Moscow.
Mr Lavrov said he discussed with Mr Jaishankar prospects for military and technical co-operation, including joint production of weapons, adding that Russia was also ready to support India's goal of increasing domestic production.
Mr Jaishankar responded that ties were very strong, with two-way trade at a record, thanks to deals in energy, fertiliser and steel-making coal, but stopped short of mentioning defence.
There has been no progress on a 2015 deal for the two nations to jointly make Kamov Ka-226T helicopters in India, with 200 going to its defence forces.
Instead, in 2022, India started inducting combat helicopters made by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
Weapons, from Soviet or Russian-origin tanks to an aircraft carrier and surface-to-air missile systems, make up more than 60 per cent of India's military hardware.
New Delhi will require Russian spares for their maintenance and repair for nearly two decades, officials said.
They jointly make the BrahMos cruise missile and plan to produce AK-203 rifles in India.
But hiccups have included comments in 2023 by the Indian Air Force that Russia had been unable to meet its commitment on delivery of a major platform it did not identify.
And there has been more than a year's delay in Russia's delivery of parts of an air defence system India bought in 2018 for US$5.5 billion, two Indian military officials said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/india-pivots-away-from-russian-arms-but-will-retain-strong-ties
| 2024-01-28T02:51:13Z
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HONG KONG – Since China reopened its borders in 2023 after three years of Covid-19 isolation, domestic travel has thrived and high-speed rail has grown increasingly popular. But international trips in and out of the country are lagging behind, and flight capacity is still just two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels.
The economic stakes are high. Before the pandemic, Chinese travellers were the world’s biggest spenders, accounting for 20 per cent of global tourism spending, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
In the past year, the Chinese authorities have tried to spur more inbound travel. Among the changes: China has waived travel visas or agreed to extend the length of visa-free travel for visitors from eight countries, including Germany and France.
The main factor holding back international travel by Chinese will continue to be China’s economy. Growth has bounced back from the pandemic, but the weight of a severe real estate downturn has dampened consumer spending and confidence inside China. And global geopolitical tensions remain a wild card. China is engaged in trade disputes with the United States and Europe, home to many major multinational companies. As they think twice about their business in China, travel suffers.
Here’s what to know about the state of China’s travel economy.
Travel to China ground nearly to a halt in the pandemic. It won’t fully recover until 2025.
Throughout the pandemic, China enforced some of the strictest travel rules in the world. Overseas travellers who managed to enter the country sometimes had to quarantine at their own expense for as long as two months.
As of December 2023, international flight capacity – essentially the number of available seats on flights coming from and going to China – was only 62 per cent of what it was in December 2019, according to OAG, a flight data analytics firm. But domestic travel has picked up: Over the three-day weekend at the end of last month, the number of those flyers exceeded pre-pandemic levels by nearly 10 per cent.
At the start of 2023, there were only about 500 international flights every week in China, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the aviation regulator. Now there are about 4,600, and that number is expected to increase to 6,000 by the end of the year – about 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
A big test will come in February 2024 around the Lunar New Year, known as the spring festival, typically a heavy travel period when millions of workers travel to their hometowns. Chinese airlines will schedule 2,500 additional international flights to accommodate spring festival visits, China’s aviation regulator said last week.
China’s transport officials said they expected 480 million rail trips to be made during a 40-day travel surge around the spring festival in the weeks before and after the Lunar New Year, a nearly 40 per cent increase from last year.
High-speed rail has become a more popular way to travel within the country. China State Railway Group, the national rail operator, said rail trips exceeded 20 million at the start of the Golden Week holiday in October, a high, and the average daily number of passenger trips throughout the year exceeded 10 million.
Most analysts said they believed that the full recovery of international travel wouldn’t happen until 2025.
In a January research note, economists at Nomura, a Japanese bank, said the pace of the sector’s recovery would largely be determined by how much Chinese travellers were willing to spend. Pandemic-era problems like delays in issuing visas and passports that lasted through 2023 have been addressed.
“While supply-side constraints eased, the demand-side drag is now starting to kick in, and sizable headwinds remain for China’s outbound tourism recovery in 2024 and possibly 2025,” the Nomura economists wrote.
Applying for a visa and visiting China are a bit less complicated.
In December, China started allowing visitors from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Malaysia and the Netherlands to travel for 15 days without visas, a change it said would last through November 2024. China’s National Immigration Administration said 147,000 visas had been granted in the first 6½ weeks of the programme. China also reached agreements to make visa-free travel more accessible for tourists from Thailand and Singapore.
For Americans, visa applicants will no longer need to submit documents such as hotel booking records, an itinerary or an invitation letter. The authorities have also cut all visa application fees by 25 per cent until the end of the year.
It has also become easier for foreigners to pay for things when visiting China. Last July, the main payment platforms, WeChat Pay and AliPay, said they would support foreign credit cards and allow visitors to pay like locals. China has moved away from paper money and coins, a trend that accelerated during the pandemic.
Flights between China and the United States have been only slowly restored. Before the pandemic, there were more than 300 flights every week between the two countries. That number was 36 a week in September and has gradually increased. In November, the countries agreed to increase flights to 70 a week.
Geopolitical tensions and reluctant Chinese travellers could derail the sector’s recovery.
The fraught Chinese-US relationship will continue to lurk in the background of international travel to China.
The US State Department maintains a “Level 3” travel alert on China, warning Americans to “reconsider travel” to the country because of “the risk of wrongful detentions”, among other reasons.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has its own travel notice, warning that travellers to the United States have been “harassed and interrogated” at the border with “various excuses”, and that Chinese citizens have been arbitrarily arrested and prosecuted.
The changing tastes and expendable income of Chinese travellers could shape how the travel economy’s recovery plays out.
“As Chinese households become more price-sensitive and rational, domestic tourism is more preferred, given that it usually takes less time and money,” said Economist Intelligence Unit research analyst Ying Zhang. NYTIMES
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/china-s-travel-economy-is-slowly-coming-back-here-s-where-it-stands
| 2024-01-28T02:51:24Z
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JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Jan 27 stepped up public pressure on Qatar to bring about the release of Gaza hostages, saying the Gulf emirate should apply the leverage it has as a host and funder of the Hamas militants holding them.
The unusually blunt remarks came on the eve of what Reuters sources have described as a meeting among the Qatari prime minister and intelligence chiefs from Israel, the United States and Egypt to discuss a potential new deal to free hostages.
Those talks were expected to take place in an undisclosed location in Europe on Jan 28, the sources said. Officials from the four countries have not formally confirmed the meeting, however.
“Qatar hosts the leaders of Hamas. It also funds Hamas. It has leverage over Hamas,” Mr Netanyahu said in a televised news conference. “So they should be so good as to apply their pressure. They positioned themselves as mediators - so please go right ahead, let them be so good as to bring back our hostages.”
Qatar and Egypt have open channels to Israel and Hamas, and brokered a November truce in which Hamas freed some of the 253 people it seized in an Oct 7 cross-border rampage that triggered the Gaza war. In return, Israel approved increased aid for the devastated enclave and released scores of Palestinian prisoners.
Efforts to get a follow-up deal to return at least some of the 132 remaining hostages appear to be flagging, and protests in Israel demanding that the government do more are spreading.
There was no immediate Qatari response to Mr Netanyahu’s comments. On Jan 24, the Foreign Ministry in Doha said it was “appalled” by remarks by Mr Netanyahu, leaked to Israeli TV, in which he described himself as refraining from thanking Qatar for its mediation and deemed the gas-rich emirate “problematic”.
Asked in his Jan 27 briefing about that exchange, Mr Netanyahu said: “I don’t take back a single word.”
Israel has long had fraught relations with Qatar, which does not formally recognise it and is close to its arch-enemy, Iran.
After the last Gaza war, in 2014, Israel agreed to Qatar pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into Palestinian reconstruction in what both countries described as a means of staving off further conflict.
Doha cited the cooperation as a testament to its distance from Hamas militancy, and sought to parlay its Gaza relief efforts into better relations with Israel’s ally Washington.
The four-way meeting follows public criticism by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Jan 24 of Israel, which he accused of holding up aid deliveries to Gaza in order to generate pressure for the release of hostages.
Israel says it places no limits on aid brought into Gaza, as long as it undergoes security inspection, and Mr Netanyahu appeared to cast Mr Sisi’s remarks as designed for domestic consumption.
“Relations with Egypt are managed in an ongoing and proper manner, between the governments, all the time,” he said. “Each of us of course has its interests. Egypt has the need to say certain things. I will not elaborate on this matter.” REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-pressures-qatar-over-gaza-hostages-ahead-of-spy-chiefs-meeting
| 2024-01-28T02:51:34Z
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AUSTIN - Social media company X, formerly known as Twitter, is in the process of hiring 100 content moderators for a new office in Austin, Texas that will focus on fighting child abuse content, a goal it hopes to complete by the end of the year, an X executive said on Jan 27.
The Elon Musk-owned company announced the new “Trust and Safety centre of excellence” ahead of a US Senate hearing on Jan 31 about online child sexual exploitation. X chief executive Linda Yaccarino is scheduled to testify, along with the CEOs of Meta Platforms, Snap, TikTok and Discord.
“The team is currently being built,” said Mr Joe Benarroch, X’s head of business operations, referring to the Austin office, adding the goal to fill the positions by the end of the year is dependent on finding the right talent.
The group will focus on fighting material related to child sexual exploitation, but will help enforce the social media platform’s other rules, which include restrictions on hate speech and violent posts, he added. The company did not specify when this new centre will be operational.
“X does not have a line of business focused on children, but it’s important that we make these investments to keep stopping offenders from using our platform for any distribution or engagement with CSE content,” Mr Benarroch said. People must be at least 13 years old to open an account on X, and the company says less than 1 per cent of its daily users are between the ages of 13 and 17. Those 17 and under cannot be targeted by advertisers.
Since Musk acquired the company formerly known as Twitter in 2022, the billionaire has been criticised for his own controversial posts and his efforts to overhaul the platform’s content moderation policies.
In a blog post on Jan 26, X said it suspended 12.4 million accounts last year for violating its rules against child sexual exploitation, which it said was up from 2.3 million account suspensions in 2022.
The new Austin centre will also help the company fight other types of harmful content, X said. REUTERS, BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/elon-musk-s-x-aims-to-hire-100-content-moderators-in-texas-by-end-of-2024
| 2024-01-28T02:51:45Z
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BEIJING – China has resumed reporting youth unemployment figures in its monthly published economic data using a new methodology, after abruptly withdrawing the jobless rate months ago.
The numbers announced in January appear to be significantly better than the previous release, but have done little to quell scepticism about the reliability of Chinese statistics, as well as the health of the country’s economy.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-s-new-youth-jobless-rate-does-little-to-quell-scepticism-about-economic-data
| 2024-01-28T04:23:28Z
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TOKYO - A Japanese man sentenced to death for an arson attack on an anime studio that killed 36 people in 2019 said he accepted the court’s verdict, a local media report said.
Shinji Aoba, 45, was convicted on Jan 25 over the blaze at the studios of Kyoto Animation – Japan’s deadliest crime in decades.
On Jan 26, his defence team, who had entered a plea of not guilty claiming he had a mental disorder, appealed the ruling.
But in a rare interview with the Asahi Shimbun newspaper published late Jan 27, Aoba said: “I seriously accept the verdict.”
He told the daily that he chose to appeal “because I would not be able to speak out if I did not continue (with the court case)”.
The interview took place a day after he was sentenced.
“As the person who caused this incident, I tried to speak as much as possible during the (court) proceedings.
“But there are a few more things that I want to leave behind as lessons for others,” he was quoted as saying.
Japan is one of the few developed countries with capital punishment and public support for it is high.
As of December, 107 people were on death row.
Many of those killed in the July 2019 fire were young, including a 21-year-old woman.
Aoba broke into the building, spread gasoline around the ground floor, lit it and shouted “drop dead”, according to survivors.
The victims “were engulfed in fire and smoke in the blink of an eye... They died an anguishing death as the studio instantly turned into a hell”, presiding judge Keisuke Masuda said in his ruling.
“Immolating people is truly cruel and inhumane,” the judge added.
Aoba himself sustained burns on 90 per cent of his body and only regained consciousness weeks after the fire, and the ability to speak later still.
Aoba believed that the studio – known by its fans as KyoAni – stole his ideas, prosecutors said, a claim the company has denied. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/japan-arsonist-sentenced-to-death-says-accepts-verdict-media
| 2024-01-28T04:23:38Z
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SEOUL - North Korea fired several cruise missiles on Jan 28, Seoul’s military said, the latest in a series of tension-raising moves by the nuclear-armed state.
The launch comes just days after Pyongyang fired multiple cruise missiles toward the Yellow Sea, which it said was a first test of a new generation of strategic cruise missiles.
Pyongyang has accelerated weapons testing in the new year, including tests of what it called an “underwater nuclear weapon system” and a solid-fuelled hypersonic ballistic missile.
“Our military detected several unidentified cruise missiles fired near waters around North Korea’s Sinpo area at 8am (7am Singapore time) today,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.
The JCS said the launch was under analysis by South Korean and US intelligence authorities, adding it was “closely monitoring North Korea’s additional movements and activities.”
Unlike their ballistic counterparts, the testing of cruise missiles is not banned under current UN sanctions against Pyongyang.
Cruise missiles tend to be jet-propelled and fly at a lower altitude than more sophisticated ballistic missiles, making them harder to detect and intercept.
On Jan 25, North Korea said it had carried out its first test of a new generation of strategic cruise missiles it is developing, the Pulhwasal-3-31 a day earlier.
The test was “a process of constant updating of the weapon system and a regular and obligatory activity,” the state news agency KCNA said. It did not specify how many missiles were fired.
“The test-fire had no impact on the security of neighboring countries and has nothing to do with the regional situation,” the agency said.
Deteriorating ties
Recent months have seen a sharp deterioration in ties between the two Koreas, with both sides jettisoning key tension-reducing agreements, ramping up frontier security, and conducting live-fire drills along the border.
Earlier in January, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared the South his country’s “principal enemy”, jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach and threatened war over “even 0.001mm” of territorial infringement.
In Seoul, President Yoon Suk-yeol told his Cabinet that should the nuclear-armed North carry out a provocation, South Korea would hit back with a response “multiple times stronger”, pointing to his military’s “overwhelming response capabilities”.
At Pyongyang’s year-end policy meetings, Mr Kim threatened a nuclear attack on the South and called for a build-up of his country’s military arsenal ahead of armed conflict he warned could “break out any time”.
In January, the North launched a solid-fuel hypersonic missile, just days after Pyongyang staged live-fire exercises near the country’s tense maritime border with South Korea, which prompted counter-exercises and evacuation orders for some border islands belonging to the South.
Mr Kim also successfully put a spy satellite into orbit late 2023, after receiving what Seoul said was Russian help, in exchange for arms transfers for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/north-korea-fired-multiple-cruise-missiles-south-korea-military
| 2024-01-28T04:23:49Z
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JOHOR BAHRU - The Malaysian authorities should take the necessary steps to reduce congestion at the Causeway and Second Link during the coming Chinese New Year, said the Johor Tourist Guides Association.
Its chairman Jimmy Leong said arrivals into the state would spike at that time and this would be good for local businesses.
“The Singapore crowd will usually come even before Chinese New Year,” he said.
“As such, the authorities should already be monitoring the traffic situation. While the car lanes seem to have become smoother, the bus lanes, particularly the ones at the Second Link, are yet to be moving as efficiently as expected.
“I have received a lot of complaints about this since last weekend. This was the case even during Christmas and New Year, so I hope the state government will look into this,” he added.
With Chinese New Year around the corner, businesses in Johor are enjoying good sales, especially from Singaporeans.
Business owners said besides the stronger Singapore dollar, the increase in the goods and services tax (GST) rate in the city state was also contributing to more Singaporeans coming over to shop.
The Singapore government raised the GST rate to 9 per cent from 8 per cent at the start of 2024.
Ms June Lee, 37, who sells Chinese New Year decorations, said she has been getting many customers over the past week.
“Chinese New Year has always been a very busy time for us with a good mix of local and Singaporean customers.
“However, this year, we seem to be getting more Singaporean customers. This is a very good sign, and I believe the increase of the GST rate there and the stronger dollar are behind this,” she added.
Malaysian Association of Hotels Johor chapter chairman Ivan Teo said hotels have also started to receive more guests, especially during weekends, over the past two weeks.
“Singaporeans usually do their shopping for Chinese New Year here. While there are those who choose to come on day trips, there are many who stay the night here. It makes more sense, especially since our hotels offer much cheaper rates,” he added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/johor-urged-to-take-steps-to-reduce-traffic-jams-for-s-porean-visitors-in-run-up-to-cny
| 2024-01-28T04:23:59Z
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PUTRAJAYA – Former Malaysian finance minister Daim Zainuddin, who will face two charges on Jan 29 for failing to declare his assets, said he is ready to have his day in court.
Tun Daim said his lawyers had been informed that he would be facing the charges.
“So be it. I look forward to my day in court,” he said in a statement on Jan 27.
The 84-year-old added that graft investigators had recorded a statement from him on Jan 26.
“My lawyers have since been informed that I will be charged on Jan 29. It is for an offence under Section 36(2) of the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) Act pertaining to the disclosure of assets,” he said.
Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed that Mr Daim would be brought to court to face charges.
“There will be two charges (for failure to declare assets),” he said when contacted.
On Jan 24, the MACC said it had been given the go-ahead to charge Mr Daim but could not execute it just yet as he was in hospital.
It was reported that Daim was hospitalised for about two weeks and was discharged on Jan 25.
Tan Sri Azam said the agency had wanted to bring Mr Daim’s case to court since last week after getting consent from the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
While the agency insisted that Mr Daim’s lawyers were informed of the intention, his wife, Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, claimed that neither she nor her family’s legal counsel were informed that Mr Daim would be charged.
The MACC had already taken Na’imah to court, where she was charged with failure to declare assets.
In December 2023, the MACC seized the 60-storey Menara Ilham, which is owned by Mr Daim’s family.
According to a notice by the MACC, the anti-graft agency had seized the tower after it found an offence under the MACC Act in information provided to them.
Following the seizure of the tower, Mr Daim hit out at the MACC investigations on him and his family.
He claimed that the move was nothing short of a political witch-hunt due to the “animus” of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The MACC explained that the investigation carried out against Mr Daim is based on the existing law and information from the Pandora Papers, and an investigation paper was opened in February 2023. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-ex-finance-minister-daim-to-face-two-charges-in-court-on-jan-29
| 2024-01-28T04:24:10Z
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BATU ARANG - Residents of a former coal mining town in Malaysia’s Selangor state are up in arms over plans to build an RM4.5 billion (S$1.28 billion) incinerator in their district, fearing health hazards from the waste plant’s emissions.
The planned incinerator in Batu Arang, some 50km north-west of Kuala Lumpur, will have the capacity to burn 2,400 tonnes of waste daily.
Once completed, the plant will convert to energy and ash 2,400 tonnes of waste produced daily in six local councils in Selangor.
Most rubbish in Malaysia is buried, with the country expected to run out of landfills by 2050. Klang Valley, Malaysia’s most densely populated area, which includes KL and the Selangor districts around the capital, produces some 10,000 tonnes of waste per day.
The strong objections of local Selangor residents against building an incinerator in the area are not new.
The state government has in the last two decades abandoned plans to build a similar plant in Broga in south Selangor, and in Jinjang in the north of the state.
Residents of Batu Arang said the incinerator may jeopardise their health and safety through the emission of poisonous fumes such as cancer-causing dioxins close to residential homes, schools, mosques and temples, located within some 700m to 2km from the proposed waste plant.
“People are angry and concerned about the health and environmental impact,” Ms Pauline Puah, whose child attends a school just 1km away from the proposed site, told The Straits Times.
Ms Esther Woo, spokesperson for Jaringan Rawang Tolak Incinerator (JRTI), a coalition of resident associations that oppose the move, said she is worried about the health of her children who attend a school nearby.
“There could be health issues for children who inhale the unclean air from Monday to Friday during school hours,” she told ST.
The group is also afraid that traces of dioxins will end up in rivers close by.
“We are not against technology, but relocate it to another place,” said Mr Raja Amir Hamzah, another JRTI activist.
Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said on Jan 22 that the waste-to-energy (WTE) technology to be used will not harm the environment.
“This technology is not from the 70s or 80s. The WTE technology is used in developed countries and does not have a negative impact on the environment,” Mr Amirudin said.
WTE plants used waste to generate electricity.
The plant is aimed at reducing dependence on landfill disposal sites which will ultimately have a “detrimental impact on the community,” he added.
The locals say that the proposed incinerator site is also on top of a former coal mine, with tunnels which may still contain methane, a combustible gas. They worry that an incinerator operating at high temperatures could raise the risk of an explosion or fire.
“Geologically, it is not suitable for an incinerator,” said Mr Karl Ngo, of the Batu Arang Anti-incinerator pro-tem committee.
Mr Ngo, a retiree whose house is just 1km from the planned site, said that his compound had previously caught fire due to the coal mine underneath.
“We are also very concerned about the air and water pollution from the incinerator,” he said.
Residents do not want the narrow roads of the sleepy town to become congested with dozens of rubbish trucks going in and out. They say that the heritage status of the 100-year-old town will also be impacted.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) MP William Leong urged the state government in a Facebook video on Jan 24 to move the plant to a different location.
“I urge the Selangor Menteri Besar...to move the incinerator to a more suitable site. I ask all residents of Batu Arang...to strongly protest against it,” he said.
However, time is running out. Several agencies and environmental activists have warned that Malaysia will have no space for rubbish by 2050 if nothing is done to reduce waste.
Every day, garbage trucks in Malaysia dump some 39,000 tonnes of solid waste at 165 landfills around the country, equivalent to about 1.17kg per person, according to the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp).
Malaysia’s recycling rate was 35.38 per cent as of last year, and the government aims to achieve 40 per cent by 2025.
“The construction of WTE plants, or incinerators that generate electricity, is expected to help manage solid waste by reducing reliance on landfills, in addition to generating power,” SWCorp chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Husaini Abdul Rahman was quoted as saying by the Star news daily on Jan 2.
Professor Agamutu Pariatamby, a professor at the Jeffrey Sachs Centre on Sustainable Development specialising in solid and hazardous waste management, said that incinerators were not harmful if managed properly.
“Japan has more than 1,400 incinerators, and there is no correlation between human health or environmental health and incinerators,” he told ST.
“Generally, the public do not see the harm caused by a landfill since it is not visible, but greenhouse gas from landfills is more damaging than incinerator carbon dioxide. The leachate - hazardous liquid produced in landfill sites - is also most difficult to treat,” he added.
A professional in the waste management industry who declined to be named told ST that incinerators are necessary until recycling rates reach above 75 per cent.
“Awareness-building and more convenient ways to recycle and separate at source need to be encouraged, otherwise we will be stuck between polluting our soil or polluting our air. Both are not ideal scenarios,” he said.
But Greenpeace Malaysia’s senior programme manager Thing Siew-Shuen said building incinerators is not a long-term solution.
“The government should fix the underlying problem primarily caused by the single-use or throw-away culture and behaviour,” she told ST.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/waste-incinerator-plan-sparks-protests-highlights-malaysia-s-landfill-shortage
| 2024-01-28T04:24:20Z
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When Volkswagen spun off Porsche in late 2022, the investment community had visions of a supercar stock to rival Ferrari. The dream is yet to become a reality, and some investors are doubting it ever will.
While Ferrari shares have soared more than 50 per cent since the start of 2023, Porsche has declined by about a fifth, sending its market value closer towards parity with that of its former parent – a far cry from a gap that once stood at €40 billion (S$58.3 billion).
At the same time, Porsche’s price-to-earnings multiple has fallen to a level less than a quarter of Ferrari’s, weighed down by a downturn in China – for long Porsche’s biggest market – and production snags that have hit the roll-out of key models, including the electric version of its top-selling Macan SUV.
Prospects for 2024 aren’t looking up, either, with Porsche telling analysts last week that sales volumes would likely be flat.
“You thought you were buying into a business that was stable and improving, and it turns out that’s not the case,” said Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois. “The question is, when do we start upgrading numbers?”
Porsche will focus “on value-orientated growth and a stable sales level” in 2024, the company said in an e-mailed response to questions. “We’re laying the groundwork for the future and are updating four out of six model series.”
Soon after the initial public offering, Porsche’s valuation priced shares at a forward PE-ratio of about 20, resembling that of other luxury brands such as LVMH, yet a fair bit away from Ferrari’s of 40. It was still substantially higher than VW’s PE ratio of below 5.
The pricing and an initial rally in the stock were fuelled in part by “VW holders selling VW and buying Porsche, as well as auto investors seeking similar successes as they saw with Ferrari”, said RBC Capital Markets analyst Tom Narayan. The subsequent slump had “more to do with Porsche specifically”, he said.
Central to investors’ disappointment is how few options Porsche has to deal with a slowdown in China and the extent of execution risk for launching new models, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Michael Dean.
Unlike Ferrari, whose scarcity business model gives it a sold-out order book that stretches several years, Porsche is more beholden to macro-economic forces, with the share of revenue from China declining to 26 per cent in the first half of 2023, from almost a third the year before.
Also, struggles at VW’s software unit have triggered two years of delays for the launch of the electric Macan, which was launched on Jan 25 in Singapore. At the same time, the near-term future for electric vehicles is looking less rosy with sales stalling.
“China isn’t recovering, so pivoting back to China is not an option yet,” said Bernstein automotive analyst Daniel Roeska. “Porsche is becoming a cyclical stock that is dependent on the model cycle – it is the opposite of what you want from a luxury company.”
It’s not all bad news for Porsche investors though. The stock’s decline has given it scope to outperform Ferrari’s over the next 12 months, with the average price target of analysts tracked by Bloomberg showing 31 per cent of gains, compared with about 8 per cent for its Italian rival and 27 per cent for VW.
Deutsche Bank lowered its price-target for Porsche this week to €100 per share, from €120. Still, analyst Tim Rokossa wrote that the company isn’t getting enough credit for allocating volumes from China to other regions in order to protect pricing, which has helped safeguard margins.
Investors will look for evidence before Porsche can regain the initial optimism around its listing, said Ms Swetha Ramachandran, a fund manager at Artemis Investment Management.
“The market has been concerned by a series of unfortunate setbacks and is awaiting reassurance on the outlook putting the stock in the ‘show me’ camp of stocks,” she said. BLOOMBERG
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/porsche-investors-lose-hope-of-a-supercar-stock-like-ferrari
| 2024-01-28T04:24:30Z
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This year’s Chinese New Year concert by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) was simply a blast.
Conducted by Quek Ling Kiong, its 110 minutes had none of the usual gimmicky and time-filling costumed skits. Instead, it offered just solid music which was far greater than the sum of its parts.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/concert-review-singapore-chinese-orchestra-rings-in-new-year-with-rowdy-gusto
| 2024-01-28T04:24:41Z
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SINGAPORE – To reduce the ecological impact of sand mining in South-east Asia, researchers in Singapore are working on ways to help companies harvest sand in a more sustainable way.
Scientists from Nanyang Technological University have developed the first monitoring system that quantifies the exact scale and extent of illegal sand mining, starting with the Mekong Delta.
The delta, primarily in southern Vietnam, is continually shaped as the vast network of Mekong River waterways leading to the South China Sea deposit sediment that form fertile land banks.
But the area is facing the fallout of intense sand extraction over the years.
Using publicly available satellite data, the monitoring system zooms in on sand mining ships and correlates this data with measurements of how much the riverbed has sunk during an initial field survey by the NTU team, which is a relatively low-cost method compared with on-site surveillance of the whole delta region.
The researchers found that around 53 million cubic metres of sand had been extracted from the Vietnamese Mekong Delta in 2022 – more than double the amount of around 20 million cu m declared by mining companies.
“We were also able to determine the locations where the available supply of sand is less than the amount being mined, which essentially causes the riverbank to sink and eventually collapse,” said Assistant Professor Edward Park, who led the research project.
“The monitoring system was designed to be low-cost and to track sand mining regularly, so that it could be used by the Vietnamese authorities to quickly detect the presence of illegal sand mining and roll out the required enforcement measures,” he told The Straits Times.
With sand being stripped from its riverbed, coastal and riverbank erosion is rampant in the Mekong Delta, causing homes to crumble and livelihoods – from fishing to farming – to disappear.
Sediment plumes from dredging can suffocate fishes, while increasingly cloudy waters could prevent sunlight from entering the water, reducing the rate of photosynthesis by aquatic plants and hence the amount of dissolved oxygen in the river vital for aquatic life, said Dr Park.
The Mekong is the “rice bowl” of Vietnam, but as the riverbed sinks and water levels fall, so does the occurrence of natural flooding crucial for irrigating the many agricultural fields in the delta.
River sand tends to be coarser and more angular, and is crucial for construction projects, whereas sea sand has finer grains like powder, and is typically needed for land reclamation works.
Vietnam banned exports of sand in all forms in 2017 to meet its high domestic demand. But the amount of sand dredged still puts a strain on the available supply.
Sand exports have also been banned in countries like Cambodia and Thailand, but illegal sand mining continues to be rampant, as it is easy to evade detection and is a lucrative business, said Dr Park.
To help mitigate the ecological impacts of sand mining, Dr Park and his team are currently creating a sustainable sand harvesting map that pinpoints locations around the Mekong Delta where more sand is naturally deposited on the riverbed.
Such areas can potentially be designated by the authorities as legal mining sites, as the socio-environmental impact would be relatively lower, he added.
The map will also showcase ecologically damaging or potentially vulnerable areas, said Dr Park.
“Mining companies and the local authorities do not currently have access to such data, making it difficult for them to measure the ecological impacts of their sand mining operations,” he added.
The research team eventually hopes to expand the sand harvesting map to include all major river deltas in South-east Asia, particularly the sand mining hot spots such as the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar, the Red River in Vietnam and many other rivers in Borneo and Malaysia.
“We intend to share our findings with the different governments in the region, including Singapore, to help ensure that sand for developmental needs is sourced sustainably moving forward,” said Dr Park.
The sand harvesting map could also come in handy for Singapore’s plans to reclaim some 800ha of land off East Coast Park, to create Long Island to mitigate inland flooding and rising sea levels due to climate change.
As a rough estimate, around 240 million tonnes of sand would be needed for the reclamation works, said Professor Chu Jian from NTU’s School of Civil & Environmental Engineering.
MPs had asked in Parliament on Jan 9 where the sand will be sourced from, and for the Government to make public its sand procurement framework for the project.
Singapore imported most of its sand from Malaysia in 2021 (54.6 million tonnes) and 2022 (43.1 million tonnes), World Bank data shows. It also imported sand from Myanmar and the Philippines.
In response to queries, the ministry reiterated its “longstanding approach” to sand procurement, which includes expecting suppliers to meet the prevailing local rules and regulations, including environmental protection laws, of the source country.
“Our agencies overseeing reclamation projects will check and ensure that the necessary environmental related approvals from the source countries are in order, before contractors are allowed to commence sand imports,” it added.
MND said that it is also looking for ways to improve its sand procurement, such as by sharing Singapore’s best practices for environmental impact assessments and monitoring, with source countries and sand suppliers, and encouraging the adoption of these practices.
“However, we acknowledge that the primary responsibility for monitoring, ensuring compliance and carrying out enforcement measures rest with the relevant countries, and we respect the authority and jurisdiction of other countries,” it said.
Prof Chu said that instead of solely relying on imported sand for reclamation, other sources could be considered, such as by dredging marine sediments, like marine clay, from the East Coast area. A preliminary study done by NTU’s Centre for Urban Solutions had found this to be potentially viable.
Singapore has also turned to empoldering, which involves building a sea wall around an area to be reclaimed from the sea, then draining the water using pumps. Using recycled construction debris could also help alleviate the demand for sand in the construction sector.
Researchers from NTU have also been developing methods to use other sand alternatives for reclamation, such as by repurposing incineration ash from Semakau Landfill. Small amounts of ash will be trialled for land reclamation works as part of the mega Tuas Port project, and to create new industrial land around the Northern Tuas Basin.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ntu-researchers-to-help-mining-companies-source-sand-sustainably-in-south-east-asia
| 2024-01-28T04:24:51Z
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WASHINGTON - Donald Trump on Jan 27 said he feels “sharper now than I did 20 years ago,” reacting to recent attacks on his age and verbal gaffes by Republican presidential rival Nikki Haley.
He also said presidential candidates should have to take a cognitive test, apparently a response to a challenge from Mrs Haley, who has advocated the same policy, citing the age of Trump, 77, and Democratic President Joe Biden, 81.
Trump was speaking at a rally in Nevada, ahead of the next vote in the Republican presidential nominating race, a caucus in the state on Feb 8. In recent days, Mrs Haley has accused former Republican president Trump of being confused and has questioned his ability to be president at his age.
Trump has recently made some verbal slip-ups. During a speech on Jan 19, he mixed up Mrs Haley with former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. On occasion, he has appeared to slur his words and he also suggested former Democratic President Barack Obama was still in office.
Trump is almost assured of all of Nevada’s 26 delegates because Mrs Haley is not competing in the caucus. He attacked both Mrs Haley and Mr Biden, trying to knock her out of the Republican nominating fight while scoring early points in a likely general election rematch with Mr Biden in November.
Trump’s back-to-back wins in the Iowa and New Hampshire Republican contests have all but assured him of his party’s White House nomination. But he is infuriated that Mrs Haley, his last remaining Republican rival, has refused to drop out.
Trump and his allies have begun a campaign to force her out of the race before the next major vote in the primary race, in her home state of South Carolina on Feb 24. He has threatened to banish from his political orbit any donors who continue to fund her.
Mrs Haley, meanwhile, has pledged to keep campaigning in South Carolina and beyond.
Shortly after Trump’s speech, Mrs Haley appeared at a rally in South Carolina. She again said Trump had recently appeared “confused”, and said if he wants to take a cognitive test, “he should have no problem getting on a debate stage with me, because that’s the ultimate mental competency test for anyone running for president”.
Trump has refused to participate in any of the Republican nominating debates and is refusing to debate Mrs Haley.
In his Nevada speech, he repeated a demeaning nickname for Mrs Haley, calling her “bird brain”. He also accused Mrs Haley - a conservative Republican - of being “almost a radical left Democrat”.
Referring to his nomination fight, Trump declared: “It’s time to finish this.” He leads Mrs Haley in opinion polls in South Carolina and she has no clear path to the nomination.
After Trump’s win in the New Hampshire primary on Jan 23, the Biden campaign issued a statement, saying: “It is now clear that Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee.”
Turning his attention to Mr Biden, Trump focused much of his speech on the southern border.
Record numbers of migrants have been caught illegally crossing the US-Mexico border since Mr Biden took office in 2021, and opinion polls show immigration and the border as a top issue in this year’s general election.
Trump called the illegal crossings a “catastrophe”, an “invasion” and the southern border as an “open wound”.
Meanwhile, Mr Biden and his campaign aides have intensified attacks on Trump in recent days, calling him a threat to American democracy and tying him to the US Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to end federal abortion rights, an issue that has been blamed with hurting Republicans during the 2022 mid-term elections. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/trump-says-he-feels-mentally-sharp-after-haley-attacks-his-age-gaffes
| 2024-01-28T04:25:02Z
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NEW YORK – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres vowed on Jan 28 to hold to account “any UN employee involved in acts of terror” after allegations that some refugee agency staff were involved in the Oct 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
But Mr Guterres implored governments to continue supporting the UN refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) after multiple countries paused funding.
“Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” the UN chief said in a statement.
“The secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the secretariat’s normal procedures for such cooperation.”
At the same time, he said: “The tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalised. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”
In his first direct comments on the issue, the UN chief gave details about the UNRWA staff members implicated in the “abhorrent alleged acts”.
Of the 12 implicated, he added, nine had been terminated, one was confirmed dead and the identities of the other two were being clarified.
Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland on Jan 27 joined the United States, Australia and Canada in pausing funding to the aid agency, a critical source of support for people in Gaza, after the allegations by Israel.
“While I understand their concerns – I was myself horrified by these accusations – I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations,” Mr Guterres said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/guterres-un-to-punish-staffers-involved-in-terror-urges-unrwa-funding
| 2024-01-28T05:55:27Z
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JOHOR BAHRU – Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has been appointed as the Regent of Johor.
The appointment, which took place at Istana Bukit Serene on Jan 28, is in anticipation of Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar’s ascent to the federal throne as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 31.
Johor Royal Court Council president Abdul Rahim Ramli said the appointment was made upon the advice of the Royal Council under Clause 9(1)(d) and (3) of the Johor State Constitution 1895.
“The appointment stands as long as Sultan Ibrahim takes on the responsibilities as the Agong.
“With this appointment, the heir to the Johor throne will henceforth be known as His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail, The Regent of Johor,” he said in a statement after the ceremony.
Sultan Ibrahim is set to ascend the throne at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur, on Jan 31 as the 17th king of Malaysia and reign for five years.
Tunku Ismail, 39, was born on June 30, 1984, in Johor Bahru.
He is the eldest of six children of Sultan Ibrahim and Johor Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah.
Tunku Ismail had previously been appointed as Regent on several occasions, the most recent being on June 16, 2022, during a period when Sultan Ibrahim took a brief respite from his royal administrative duties.
Tunku Ismail, who has a keen interest in polo and football, has been the Johor Football Association president since Feb 16, 2012.
He married Her Highness Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor on Oct 24, 2014, and they have four children – two sons and two daughters: Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah, Tunku Iskandar Abdul Jalil Abu Bakar Ibrahim, Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim and Tunku Zahrah Zarith Aziyah. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/johor-crown-prince-appointed-regent-of-johor-0
| 2024-01-28T05:55:37Z
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NEW YORK – Heist capers such as the Ocean’s Eleven (1960 to 2018) and Money Heist (2017 to 2023) franchises have been wildly popular with audiences, and American actor Kevin Hart hopes to replicate that formula with a more international twist.
The stand-up-comic-turned-movie-star leads the cast of the action comedy Lift, which was the most-watched English-language film on Netflix globally in the second week of January.
The story follows a renowned thief named Cyrus (Hart) and a band of criminals as they are recruited by Interpol to do what they do best: steal.
Their daring new mission? To lift US$500 million (S$670 million) in gold bullion from a plane in mid-air to stop it from being used to fund a terrorist attack.
But Cyrus’ crew is a little more cosmopolitan than what you usually get in Hollywood heist flicks. Its members include Interpol officer Abby (British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw), getaway pilot Camila (Spanish actress Ursula Corbero) and hacker Mi-Sun (K-pop singer-actress Kim Yoon-ji).
Rounding out the cast are French actor Jean Reno as the baddie and Australian star Sam Worthington as Abby’s boss.
Putting together this multinational ensemble was part of the vision Hart had for Lift, which was co-produced by his company HartBeat Productions.
“It was a dream come true to go out and find a group of actors and actresses who can combine and help us achieve the goal of having a global IP (intellectual property),” the 44-year-old says at the film’s premiere in New York City earlier in January.
The story had to tick several boxes, explains the star, who was a successful touring comedian before making the jump to acting in comedies such as Get Hard (2015) and The Wedding Ringer (2015).
“You want to appeal to the world, you want to make sure you are part of the conversation on diversity, that you’re putting women in a position of power, and that you also have a great story and an action adventure people will gravitate towards.”
And having such a mixed group on set was a lot of fun, says Mbatha-Raw.
“The cast is so international and all the characters really bring their own energy and cultures and that’s part of the spirit of the film.
“It really is this motley crew, and it was really energising to be around everyone,” says the 40-year-old, who appeared in series such as The Morning Show (2019) and Loki (2021 to present).
The experience was especially thrilling for Kim, who made her Hollywood debut with this project.
The 35-year-old South Korean – who goes by the stage name NS Yoon-G – was also tickled that she got to play the brains of the operation.
“I play this crazy genius computer whizz who can come up with any kind of apparatus on the spot, unlike the real me,” she says with a laugh.
“I came in kind of nervous because I’ve never been away from home for that long,” she adds. “But I was super lucky to meet such great people, and it was like going there to have fun, not for work.”
For Hart, Lift is part of an ongoing career evolution.
He already had a string of hit action comedies to his name, including Central Intelligence (2016), the Ride Along franchise (2014 to 2016) and the last two Jumanji films (2017 and 2019).
But Lift sees him assuming a leading man role and playing it a bit more straight on screen.
“The projects I’ve been doing of late have been a little more on the serious side,” Hart says, pointing to comedy dramas such as The Upside (2017), where he played the caregiver to a paralysed billionaire, and Fatherhood (2021), where he was a newly widowed father.
“So I’ve been dropping breadcrumbs and hints that this is the direction I was going. And now that I’m here, it shouldn’t be a shock that I have the tools to pull off said performances.”
Lift is available on Netflix.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/actor-kevin-hart-praises-multinational-cast-for-giving-his-heist-caper-a-lift
| 2024-01-28T05:55:48Z
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SINGAPORE – Make family time all the more special with these ideas and activities.
Free dragon-themed hongbao
Here is a good reason to go museum-hopping with your children as the Year of the Dragon approaches.
More than just educational visits, you can collect dragon-themed red packets at 43 museums, heritage institutions and galleries participating in the National Heritage Board’s Museum Roundtable Hongbao Campaign 2024.
Until Feb 9, each venue offers an eight-piece set designed by Colombian artist Carlos Puentes.
But take note of the different giveaway terms and conditions.
For instance, at the Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery and Singapore Maritime Gallery, you must complete a quiz after your visit to redeem a set.
At the Republic of Singapore Air Force Museum, the red packets are limited to the first 20 visitors a day.
If you wish to snag the full set of 43 designs, join the contest on the I Love Museums’ Facebook page (www.fb.com/ILoveMuseums) from Jan 30 to Feb 6.
Find out more at go.gov.sg/MRHongbao2024
BTS-themed exhibition
If you have tweens and teens who are fans of K-pop group BTS, Science Centre Singapore’s new exhibition will excite them.
BTS X James Jean: Seven Phases, which was held in Germany and the Philippines in 2023, will run here until Feb 25.
The first zone showcases each BTS member’s individuality through Taiwanese-American artist James Jean’s dreamy artworks.
In the second zone, admire the many shiny trophies won by the group. This includes the MTV Video Music Award’s Best K-pop Video for their song Boy With Luv (2019), featuring American singer-songwriter Halsey.
Fans can also reminisce about BTS’ performances as they get up close to the stage outfits and microphones.
Tickets, available via Sistic and Qoo10, cost $25 for kids aged 12 and under, and $50 for adults.
The fees include admission to the Science Centre, where you can check out its permanent exhibitions, such as the quirky Know Your Poo showcase.
Artbox Singapore 2024
Lifestyle pop-up event Artbox Singapore is back with two weekends of shopping, performances and games at Singapore Expo Hall 2.
If your family missed the first round from Jan 26 to 28, catch the next session from Feb 2 to 4, noon to 11pm.
It offers a local twist on the now-defunct Artbox Bangkok, which was famous for its trendy container night market concept. A good number of Thai brands selling street food and apparel have flown in to join this fifth Singapore edition.
You will also find booths introducing Korean tteokbokki, gimbap, coffee and more.
This is also an opportunity to support Singapore’s small businesses. Your kids can shop the merchandise designed by local illustrators and participate in hands-on workshops such as chocolate painting.
Teens from 13 years old can take part in quirky challenges and stand to win $888. In Hopscotch Of Pain, for example, be the fastest to hop and cross a 12m-long balancing beam wrapped with acupuncture mats.
With each admission ticket – prices start at $7 – you can also enjoy free Nintendo Switch and virtual reality games or sing in a container-turned-karaoke lounge.
Go to www.artbox.sg for details.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/fun-with-kids-free-dragon-themed-hongbao-bts-themed-exhibition
| 2024-01-28T05:55:58Z
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SINGAPORE – Conflicts, like the latest fighting in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as other sensitive topics such as the mass shooting in Prague have dominated the news.
Some involve political or religious issues, and information – both real and fake – is propagated widely over the Internet.
As a result, kids, tweens and teens may stumble across images, videos or stories of these conflicts whether through the platforms they frequent – such as Reddit, Instagram and TikTok – or hear about them from their friends and contacts.
Dealing with violence, religious conflict and fake news
Violence is often the most gruesome and obvious issue. In Gaza, at least 25,000 people have died as at Jan 21, according to its Ministry of Health. Violent images, including those involving children, are often unavoidable on the news and social media.
In Prague, a shooter who was identified as a postgraduate student, gunned down 15 people in a university and opened fire from a rooftop, injuring passers-by. Images and videos of the incident in the Czech Republic, or of other shootings in schools and malls elsewhere, have been shared on social media and children may have come across them.
Religion is another topic which parents may want to tackle in conversations. For instance, in the Middle East, opinions have been influenced by religious lines, in no small part due to issues such as the anti-Semitic viewpoints of the Hamas charter or the use of religious imagery by Israeli leaders to justify its actions.
A third issue is the flood of fake information – whether deliberate or not – some of which may come from official sources. For instance, around the time of the October 2023 shooting at Siam Paragon in Bangkok, Thailand, one viral video that first appeared on Douyin claiming to be footage of the shooting was actually from an emergency drill shot months before in a Thai airport.
As big users of social media and the Internet, kids are likely to come across and be influenced by fake information.
While some fake stories may seem harmless or funny at first, other doctored information may warp people’s sense of the world or situations, change their value systems or create problems such as anxiety, psychological distress or endanger their physical safety.
Hard to avoid the headlines
Parents may have reservations about starting a conversation with their child about a sensitive issue such as war.
Dr Rebecca Chan, from the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, says parents may not know whether a child is cognitively or socio-emotionally mature enough, or do not want to burden their children with social anxiety, among other things.
The lecturer from the psychology and child and human development academic group adds: “Adults need to ask themselves, ‘What’s the purpose of bringing these topics to my children’s attention?’”
If a child has difficulty processing fragments of information picked up from listening to adult conversations, conversations with classmates, or social media and news reports, “then it would be appropriate to have a conversation with the child... rather than protect or limit their exposure”, she says.
This would help them process their thoughts, feelings, questions, anxiety or fear.
While some experts say it may not be ideal to discuss these topics if the children are too young, others say it is very likely they would have heard about it, and parents need to address that.
Mr Chong Ee Jay, a family life specialist from charity organisation Focus on the Family Singapore, says while parents may not have broached a sensitive subject like the ongoing war in Gaza with their children, their kids may have heard about it from their friends, even as early as in the pre-school years.
“If you know they are hearing about it or exposed to it in the media, such as if the television is on, you can use it as a segue into what is happening in the world right now,” says Mr Chong, who has been counselling and advising youth and families for 16 years.
It is not only about delivering the facts, but also a way to talk about the values of your family, he adds.
Let children lead the conversation
Experts say it is important to let the child or teenager lead the conversation.
This means allowing the young person to voice his or her points of view first. The adult can also ask questions, such as “What else have your friends said?” or “How much do you know about that?”
Mr Chong says: “A lot of youth tell me that their parents will come up with a lot of concerns and say, ‘Don’t do this, don’t do that.’ Immediately, when that happens, the child shuts down.”
The key is to have a dialogue, “not to convert them to your point of view, but to understand them better”, he advises.
Dr Chan says: “Don’t dismiss their worries or concerns. Do not turn the conversation into who is right or wrong, or ‘I know more than you.’”
Instead, focus on peaceful resolutions. For instance, parents could talk about how humanitarian aid, such as communities offering refugees shelter, or countries raising funds or sending blankets and food to affected communities.
Or, in the case of the war in Ukraine, parents can discuss possible outcomes for the conflict to end without further bloodshed.
Such a conversation is also a good way to gain some insights into how your child thinks and processes information, she added.
When it comes to talking about religion, Mr Ahmad Firdaus Daud, a spokesman and volunteer with community organisation Roses of Peace, suggests starting a conversation from “a position of humility and respect”.
“We can broach many difficult conversations with the right etiquette. People can disagree with one another respectfully and politely, without gaslighting or ad hominem attacks.”
Choose words carefully
You may be caught off guard if your child asks you about a sensitive topic and you have not yet had the chance to form an opinion.
In that case, it is okay to deflect the conversation, “but you can’t deflect it forever”, Mr Chong says.
“Don’t sweep it under the carpet. Say, ‘Let mum and dad have some thought about it and we will come back to you tomorrow,’” he adds.
Then ensure you take the time to do your own reading and research.
Mr Chong says: “Take the time to think about where you stand on the issue and, more importantly, the reason for it.”
Dr Chan also notes the importance of avoiding words that would stereotype people based on their religion, gender, colour, race or nationality. For instance, do not say, “All terrorists are (a particular nationality or race)”.
“Instead, use words that promote equity and respect, and words that promote perspective-taking, empathy and peace,” she adds.
Parents may ask their children, “If you were in their shoes, what would you do?” or “How do you think your friend would feel?”
Mr Firdaus adds that misconceptions about religions “arise from ignorance or having a limited or skewed understanding”.
If a child has a misconception of a particular religion, he advises encouraging them to study its history, make friends with those from that religion, and join inter-faith activities and dialogues. They can also read up on the beliefs of that religion, should they wish, and the adult should lead by example.
When it comes to fake news, similarly, pick your words carefully, so your tone does not convey an “I’m right, you’re wrong” message. This may shut down conversations and opportunities for discussion.
Instead, ask for more information, such as where they saw the news, what made them believe it was true, or how they felt after seeing this information.
This may give the parent more intel about the sites they are visiting or the beliefs they are building. The adult can then guide the child to, say, tell the difference between a satirical website and a factual source, or to tell if someone is stating an opinion, a prediction or a fact.
Create trust and strengthen family ties
Ultimately, being able to have conversations, especially about difficult topics, creates trust and develops the ability to tackle problems, which is essential to strengthening familial relationships.
Mr Firdaus says: “We need to have difficult conversations on religion and religious differences with our children and with one another, if we want to retain unity and social cohesion against extremist minorities.”
He adds that it is fine to “show a little bit of vulnerability and admit that even adults may not have answers”.
It gives parents a chance to talk about who their family is.
“We can then instead share the principles and values from which we can draw out answers to difficult questions, and the tools or skills we need to find the right information for difficult questions,” he says.
Mr Chong agrees, saying that when it comes to building a strong parent-child relationship, “you cannot run away from these kinds of long-haul conversations”.
How to talk to kids of any age about war and other headline news
Dr Rebecca Chan, a lecturer from the psychology and child and human development academic group of the National Institute of Education, shares tips on how to approach kids, based on their age.
Age four and younger: At this age, a child’s reasoning is more intuitive than logical. He may also have limited language communication skills, even as he develops an emerging sense of right and wrong.
Should a child at this age be exposed to images of wars or other kinds of violence, an adult can answer his questions honestly and in a developmentally age-appropriate way.
For instance, say “Yes, this is a picture of people in pain”, without going into too much detail.
Age five to seven: You can use simple language to have a conversation about violence with children in this age group. At this age, they are able to state what is good or bad behaviour, and right or wrong, among other things. Parents can explain how certain actions, such as forcing a dog to sit by shoving it or pushing someone away to snatch their toys, are considered as violence.
Age seven to 12: Primary school children show more awareness of rules and their purpose, as well as the consequences if rules are broken. They may be curious to seek out the underlying reasons of what actually triggered the war or conflict, for instance.
Adults need to be honest with them – say “I don’t know” if you really don’t know what’s going on – without giving more detail than necessary.
Age 12 to 15: Kids in this age group tend to question logic and choices, engage in thought experiments and are open to a variety of perspectives. They are able to negotiate and debate ideas as an outlet for expressing their ideas.
Adults can engage them in more sophisticated discussions, with the aim of helping them develop a sense of responsibility and their role in making their immediate community a better place to live in.
Adults can help them to see things from a more systemic perspective. For instance, they can explain that, while Ukraine is far away from Singapore, the war there can impact people here because of the global nature of trade in fuel and food.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-sensitive-news-topics-such-as-wars
| 2024-01-28T05:56:09Z
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SEOUL -North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles off its east coast on Sunday, its second such launch in less than a week, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
The missiles were launched at around 8 a.m. (2300 GMT on Saturday) and were being analysed by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities, the JCS said, without specifying how many missiles were fired.
"While strengthening surveillance and vigilance, our military is cooperating closely with the United States and monitoring additional signs and activities from North Korea," it said in a statement.
The latest launches came days after North Korea fired what it called a new strategic cruise missile called "Pulhwasal-3-31", suggesting it is nuclear capable.
North Korea is stepping up confrontation with the United States and its allies, but officials in Washington and Seoul say they have spotted no signs Pyongyang intends to take imminent military action.
Kim Jong Un's government is likely to continue or even increase provocative steps, officials and analysts say, after it made strides in ballistic missile development, bolstered cooperation with Russia and scrapped its decades-long goal of peacefully reuniting with South Korea.
Earlier on Sunday, North Korea's state media KCNA denounced a series of military drills conducted in recent weeks by U.S. and South Korean troops, warning of "merciless" consequences.
"The reality that nuclear war exercises against our republic have been going on like crazy since the beginning of the New Year demands that we be fully prepared for a deadly war," the dispatch said.
North Korea carried out its first test of a cruise missile with possible nuclear strike capabilities in September 2021. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-28T05:56:19Z
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American police raided the home of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley in December 2023 after a man falsely claimed he had shot a woman at her residence.
In January, a bomb squad arrived at the home of an American judge involved in former US president Donald Trump’s civil trial in Manhattan after someone made a hoax bomb threat.
The Straits Times unpacks the practice of swatting, the deadly dangers of prank calls and notable swatting incidents.
What is swatting?
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), swatting is the act of making a hoax emergency call in hopes of sending police to a person or a location.
The bogus reports made often involve murders or hostages to trick police forces into sending a heavily armed strike force like a Swat team.
The New York Times reported that the practice has a history in the online gaming world as perpetrators prank video gamers, who play live on the Internet to online audiences, with surprise police raids.
Why is swatting dangerous?
The LAPD said swatting “places the community and first responders in harm’s way”.
For example, a Kansas man was fatally shot by police who responded to a swatting call in 2017. The perpetrator had reported a fake murder and hostage situation at the house.
In 2021, a 60-year-old Tennessee man died of a heart attack when he was swatted at his home after a perpetrator made a hoax report of a shooting at his property.
Republican US Senator Rick Scott, who was swatted at his home in December 2023, wrote on X that perpetrators “wasted the time & resources of (the) law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorise (his) family”.
How does swatting work?
Perpetrators use various digital tools that disguise their location.
This includes spoofing where they can make their call, or making their message appear to come from a different location or person.
Perpetrators also use doxxing, which refers to publishing someone’s personal information via the Internet without their consent to disrupt their privacy.
Who are some targets of swatting incidents?
Aside from high-profile politicians and judges, activists and video gamers have been swatted.
In 2020, police were outside the home of American academic and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles Melina Abdullah after a man claimed that he was holding people hostage there.
In 2019, police turned up unexpectedly at the home of Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, a then-16-year-old American video gamer who won the Fortnite world championship.
Authorities had received an emergency call from someone claiming that Giersdorf had shot his father and tied his mother up in the garage.
What are the penalties for swatting?
Depending on the state, penalties in the US for swatting can vary from a fine to jail time.
For instance, one can be jailed for five to 10 years and fined up to US$150,000 (S$201,000) under New Jersey law.
In more extreme cases, a California man was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to 51 counts of making fake emergency calls and threats around the country.
What has been done to prevent swatting?
CNN reported that Ohio, Washington and Virginia have strengthened laws against swatting amid the spate of swatting incidents.
The FBI also launched a national database to track and prevent swatting incidents in May 2023, Forbes reported.
The FBI uncovered 129 such incidents between May and June 2023.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/explainer-what-is-swatting-and-why-is-it-dangerous
| 2024-01-28T05:56:29Z
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ASTANA – Global fascination with coffee culture has transformed the industry into a trend. For over half a year, an entrepreneur from Kazakhstan Talgat Aubakirov has been learning the business features of this fast-paced sector in the Netherlands. In an interview with The Astana Times, he shared a story of opening the first-ever Kazakh enterprise in Amsterdam – the Qazaq Coffee house.
Aubakirov is a former financier with 10 years of expertise. He moved to the European city from Almaty with his family a year ago and launched his business from scratch in June last year. Having set a goal to combine national attributes with modern tendencies, he decided to cultivate the Kazakh identity abroad.
Located in the old part of Amsterdam, a few blocks from Vondelpark, the largest park in the city, the Qazaq Coffee house has become a stomping ground for local citizens and fellow Kazakh citizens for the eight months of its work.
The concept of the Qazaq Coffee house
The entrepreneur and his spouse came up with the idea of producing the Qazaq blend – they roast their own coffee by mixing three types of coffee beans from different countries.
“There are many market players from whom you can buy ready-made coffee beans and sell them in a coffee house. This is the easiest way. In our case, we wanted something unique and started mixing things up. My wife and I went to different places and tried a raft of coffee flavors. It is imperative to have a quality product and it was part of our concept. As a result, we found the right balance,” he said.
“Coffee culture is developed here in the Netherlands. I can say that a person who lives in Amsterdam knows what a good coffee is,” added Aubakirov.
The coffee packs, which Aubakirov sells to his clients, contain a caption “inspired in Almaty and roasted in Amsterdam.” He buys coffee beans from the coffee roasting companies in the Netherlands owned by his friends who he was lucky to get to know upon arrival.
“This is my first business experience and the most convenient business option in the horeca [short for hotels, restaurants, and catering] industry. I decided to start my entrepreneurship with the coffee shop,” said Aubakirov.
The young couple organized a cozy corner with national attributes for the clients to learn more about Kazakhstan while waiting for the order. A warming and welcoming atmosphere reflects Kazakh people’s mentality. Aubakirov noted that Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Netherlands Askar Zhumagaliyev has also visited the opening of the coffee house.
“We have this zest of hospitality that the locals here like a lot,” he noted.
Tea vs. coffee
Among all the beverages, tea and dairy products have been in great demand in the Central Asian country for ages. The tea drinking culture is not only considered a compulsory element of a daily ration, but a tradition that brings family members together for a joint pastime.
Apart from coffee options, the Qazaq Coffee menu also offers the Qazaq tea drink, a traditional black tea with milk and a special millet.
“Some guests say that Kazakhstan is a tea country, not a coffee country. However, our coffee industry is also developing rapidly. Today, everyone starts their morning with a cup of coffee,” he said.
One of the world’s top tea-consuming nations, Kazakhs now gravitate towards a working rhythm driven by fast-growing urbanization, the willingness to boost productivity, and the propensity for adopting foreign habits.
“I am very proud to be Kazakh. In Turkic language, the word means ‘a free person.’ The nomadic spirit speaks for our lifestyle. It also describes me and my path as an adventurer. We, Kazakhs, love to travel and discover the world,” noted Aubakirov.
When asked about the name of the coffee house, the entrepreneur said the idea was born during his meeting with a business partner. “I was sitting in a hoodie from the Qazaq Republic clothing brand. He asked me about the meaning of the word and suggested that I consider this name for a coffee shop,” he said.
Family and business
The coffee house is a family business, said Aubakirov, highlighting tremendous support from his wife and children.
“I am a family man. The connection between family and business is obvious. We have a lot of conversations at home about it,” he noted.
Aubakirov brought an example of one of these home discussions with kids, who study in a local Dutch school.
“When I didn’t have enough money for some equipment, I had to borrow it from my children – their stash. When it was time for the return, they told me there was no need. Instead, my kids asked me to make them co-founders of the business, and, by the end of each year, to pay back the interest,” he said.
When describing the first year of his life in the Netherlands for a school assignment, Aubakirov’s son mentioned his father’s business in a wall newspaper. “My dad opened a coffee shop here. We go there every weekend,” Aubakirov proudly cited his child.
Behind the scenes
Speaking about investments, he said that on average, it takes up to 100,000 euros (US$109,000) to open a coffee house in Europe.
“The business was launched with minimal investments on my personal savings and family funds, without partners. Within six months, I realized that the chosen model was working. When we decide to expand, of course, I’ll start looking for investors,” he said.
The younger generation in Kazakhstan, which constitutes the majority of its population, has a lot of business ambitions. According to Aubakirov, there are two crucial elements for the launch of an entrepreneurial journey – the intention and the risk.
“I can’t call myself a businessman, I’m an aspiring entrepreneur and a dreamer with plans he wants to turn into reality. Everything that God gives depends on the right intentions. The second aspect is the risk. Without a risk, a person will not be able to succeed,” he said.
The coffee house founder runs the enterprise himself daily. Kazakhs living abroad often ask Aubakirov if it is worth starting business activities in the Netherlands.
“Business should be part of life. Regardless of whether it is the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, or any other country in the world, no one will ever answer this question. In my understanding, business is not only a place to earn money, but the brainchild to be focused on,” he said.
The main factor in the economy’s sustainable development is entrepreneurship’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions. The Kazakh government continues to facilitate business activities in the country. As of July last year, the number of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Kazakhstan increased by 23.4% to nearly 2 million.
“The opening of a business in Kazakhstan is a 15-minute online process. In this regard, there are a lot of registered inactive companies in the country. As for the Netherlands, not all processes are digitized. However, all the rules regarding business are very clear,” he said.
Aubakirov recalled the process of registering a company in Amsterdam, emphasizing the effectiveness of business processes in the country.
“When opening a company, respective authorities conduct interviews. They request information, such as business plans or photos, and ask to confirm sufficient financial resources,” he said.
Aubakirov’s case continues to inspire and bring attention. A career switch and a bold decision to launch a business journey away from home met the expectations. The Qazaq Coffee house awaits its guests on Zeilstraat 45-H, 1075SC, ready to offer its special Central Asian blend.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/kazakh-entrepreneur-shares-story-of-opening-first-ever-qazaq-coffee-house-in-amsterdam/
| 2024-01-28T06:54:54Z
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ASTANA – Martin Gray, a photographer from the United States, included the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkistan in his recently published book “Secret Sacred Sites,” placing it among the 12 spots he chose to share, Spanish daily newspaper El País reported on Jan. 19.
Gray described the mausoleum as an “unfinished building,” whose construction was initiated in 1389 under the rule of Tamerlane, part of the vast Timurid Empire “to replace a smaller 12th-century mausoleum of the famous Turkic poet and Sufi mystic Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.”
Designated as the first United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site on the Kazakh territory in 2003, the mausoleum attracts pilgrims from across Central Asia, according to the photographer.
Gray dedicated 40 years to visiting sacred sites in 160 countries. While his book is not a conventional travel guide, it delves into lesser-known jewels, inspiring those seeking sacred places.
“I suggest that people first choose a country and then look through the book to see if there are sacred places to visit there,” he wrote.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/mausoleum-of-khoja-ahmed-yasawi-featured-in-new-book-of-american-photographer/
| 2024-01-28T06:55:00Z
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ASTANA – The winter season in the Burabay resort area provides an enchanting experience. The region is characterized by snowy and frosty weather, with occasional January days experiencing air temperatures dropping to 40 degrees below Celsius. Located in the Burabay State National Natural Park near Kokshetau, it is included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Lake Burabay transforms into a picturesque scene covered in a thick layer of ice, providing opportunities for ice skating, ice fishing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides on the frozen lake. The snow-covered mountains surrounding the lake enhance the beauty of the landscape.
The park’s dense forests and snow-covered trails provide a perfect setting for winter hiking.
Burabay – the Pearl of Kazakhstan excursion
The guided tour offers visits to various locations, including the summit of Khan’s Pass. Serving as an observation platform, it provides a panorama with views on the Zhekebatyr, Burabay, and Kokshetau mountains.
A visit to Abylai Khan’s meadow introduces visitors to the Ushkyz and Okzhetpes mountains.
The Blue Bay, situated on the left side of Lake Burabay between the slopes of the Kokshetau and Temirtau mountains, is the next point of interest. The famous Zhumbaktas Rock in the middle of the bay also attracts attention.
Bolektau, a natural observation platform, provides a beautiful view from a height of 147 meters. It showcases the area’s main attractions, including Blue Bay, Zhumbaktas Rock, Okzhetpes Mountain, Burabay and Bolshoy Chebachye lakes.
At Imanaevsky Stream, visitors can listen to the murmur of mountain water, enjoy the fresh air, and experience Burabay’s indescribable beauty.
Tourists can also gather in groups for one-day excursions to the maral breeding farm.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/winter-in-burabay-resort-offers-captivating-adventures-around-frozen-lakes-and-snowy-peaks/
| 2024-01-28T06:55:06Z
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SYDNEY - The premier of Australia’s New South Wales state condemned on Jan 28 a neo-Nazi rally in the state capital Sydney as “appalling”, a day after Prime Minister Mr Anthony Albanese said neo-Nazism was on the rise in the country.
Police on Jan 28 said around 30 men gathered at a park in the city’s north and were issued with orders preventing them from entering other areas of Sydney, before they dispersed, with no arrests made.
“Police are meeting these obnoxious and appalling racists head-on in New South Wales streets,” Premier Mr Chris Minns told reporters in Sydney, describing the event as a “neo-Nazi demonstration”.
The far-right event comes a day after Albanese condemned domestic neo-Nazi activity following the arrests of six members of a black-clad group in Sydney on Jan 26, the country’s national day, amid rallies in support of its Indigenous people.
The prime minister said Australia had seen a rise in neo-Nazism, which was condemned “by all decent people”.
This month, new laws banning the Nazi salute and display or sale of symbols associated with terror groups came into effect in Australia in response to more antisemitic incidents following the Israel-Gaza war.
At the time, the centre-left Labor government said the laws sent a clear message there was no place in Australia for those who glorify the Holocaust or terrorist acts. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australias-new-south-wales-state-premier-condemns-neo-nazi-rally
| 2024-01-28T07:27:46Z
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MANILA – Supporters of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte were set to hold rival rallies on Jan 28, as a battle over the country’s Constitution highlighted a deepening rift between the powerful clans.
In the nearly two years since Mr Marcos was swept to victory with the help of his vice-presidential running mate Sara Duterte – the former president’s daughter – their so-called “Unity Team” has fractured.
Relations between the families have deteriorated as they seek to shore up their respective support bases and secure key positions ahead of the midterm elections in 2025 and the 2028 presidential race, which the younger Duterte is widely expected to contest.
In the latest rift, Mr Marcos backed a campaign for the 1987 Constitution, introduced after his dictator father and namesake was ousted from power, to be changed to allow in more foreign investment – something both Dutertes have publicly opposed.
Critics warn the effort could pave the way for Mr Marcos to get another six-year term, which is currently prohibited.
That would potentially put him on a collision course with the younger Duterte.
“Our Constitution is fine... Why do we give ourselves a headache when we know all along that this is in order to, you know, you want to stay in power,” the elder Duterte said in a recent interview.
Mr Marcos has said the Constitution’s political provisions, including term limits for public officials, should be tackled later.
On Jan 28, Mr Marcos will launch his “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) campaign in capital Manila “to usher the nation towards change and development”.
Mr Duterte, meanwhile, is expected to attend a separate rally in his southern stronghold of Davao city that has been organised by opponents of constitutional change.
Left-wing political party Akbayan branded the rallies as a “dynastic war among ruling elites” that did not serve the interests of regular Filipinos.
Both events are expected to draw tens of thousands of supporters.
“This would be the most public and deliberate way of letting the people know that the Unity Team is no more,” Dr Jean Franco, a University of the Philippines political science professor, told AFP.
The alliance between the two families began to unravel soon after the 2022 election, with Mr Marcos giving Ms Duterte the problem-plagued education portfolio instead of her preferred post of defence secretary.
It has gathered pace since then with powerful House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is Mr Marcos’ cousin and also widely expected to seek the presidency in 2028, demoting influential congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a former president and close ally of Ms Duterte.
Mr Romualdez also spearheaded efforts to strip the vice-presidency and the education department of millions of dollars in special confidential funds.
And the House, where Mr Marcos has a majority of support, has pushed for a pro-Duterte radio and television broadcaster to be stripped of its licence after one of its hosts made accusations against Mr Romualdez over his travel budget.
House committees also approved resolutions calling on the Marcos administration to cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into Mr Duterte’s drug war.
Mr Marcos has said he will not “lift a finger” to help the ICC probe, which he described as “a threat to our sovereignty”. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/marcos-duterte-supporters-rally-in-philippines-as-family-rift-deepens
| 2024-01-28T07:27:56Z
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BANGKOK - Thailand and China agreed on Jan 28 to waive visa requirements for each other’s nationals to facilitate travel and tourism between the two countries, hurt by Covid-19.
Thai Foreign Minister Mr Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and his Chinese counterpart Mr Wang Yi signed the mutual visa exemption, which takes effect on March 1, at a ceremony after meeting in Bangkok.
“This visa-free era will bring people-to-people exchanges to a new height,” Mr Wang told a joint press conference.
China was a top source for Thailand’s tourism industry, a major driver of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy before the pandemic, but the return of Chinese tourists to Thailand has been slow.
“There will be a big increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand,” Mr Wang said.
The number of Chinese tourists to Thailand plunged to 3.5 million last year from 11 million in 2019 before the pandemic.
Beijing and Bangkok also pledged to speed-up the construction of the China-Thailand railway and work together in combating transnational crimes, Mr Wang said.
He and US National Security Advisor Mr Jake Sullivan held talks in Bangkok on Jan 26 and Jan 27 about issues including bilateral relations, Taiwan and Iran. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/thailand-china-sign-mutual-visa-waiver-agreements
| 2024-01-28T07:28:07Z
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Even by the standards of a news business whose fortunes have plummeted in the digital age, the last few weeks have been especially grim for American journalism.
Prominent newspapers like The Washington Post are shedding reporters and editors, and on Jan 23, the Los Angeles Times laid off more than 20 per cent of its newsroom. Cable news ratings have fallen amid an uncompetitive presidential primary contest. Esteemed titles like Sports Illustrated, already a shadow of their former selves, have been gutted overnight.
As Americans prepare for an election year that will feature disinformation wars, artificial intelligence-generated agitprop and a debate over the future of democracy, the mainstream news industry – once the de facto watchdog and facilitator of public discourse – is struggling to stay afloat.
The pain is particularly pronounced at the community level. An average of five local newspapers are closing every two weeks, according to Northwestern University’s Medill School, with more than half of all American counties now so-called news deserts with limited access to news about their hometowns. Of 1,100 public radio stations and affiliates, only about 1 in 5 is producing local journalism.
“At a time when America arguably needs more solid news coverage than ever, it is very disturbing to see economic forces arrange so powerfully against traditional news sources,” said Mr Andrew Heyward, a former CBS News president who works with a group of Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers studying the future of news and information.
“It’s not just disturbing,” he added. “It’s dangerous.”
The decline has gone on for years, but a painful confluence of challenges has resulted in the current carnage.
Americans are suffering from news fatigue, inundated with major stories like the coming election and wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Those who do follow the news have increasingly turned to social media and anti-establishment sites that exist outside legacy organisations.
Companies are spending more of their ad budgets to reach users on big tech platforms like Instagram and Google – which in turn have become less reliable in referring readers to traditional news sources. Twitter, now X, shed users and relevance after its chaotic takeover by entrepreneur Elon Musk, while Google and Meta laid off-key news employees and the head of Instagram’s Threads app said it would not focus on news.
Troubles at the corporate level have also taken a toll.
The rise of streaming and a drop-off in movie going have led to belt-tightening at the parent companies of many news outlets. Disney, which owns ABC News, shed thousands of jobs last year. With NBCUniversal losing viewers from its once-formidable cable-TV division, NBC News laid off several dozen employees this month. CNN, owned by debt-laden Warner Bros Discovery, went through a round of layoffs. Paramount, which owns CBS News, is also planning deep cuts, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.
The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Boston Globe have found success by attracting digital subscribers, and there are some green shoots among niche, subscription-based startups that largely focus on a single industry, like The Information for tech and The Ankler for Hollywood.
Still, the onslaught of painful headlines is an ominous sign for the broader news industry’s efforts to forge sustainable business models.
The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times appeared poised for comebacks after each newspaper was bought by a tech-savvy billionaire, the sort of financial benefactor the industry hoped could offer a lifeline as print revenue dwindled. Hiring sprees and Pulitzer Prizes followed at both papers.
But both lost tens of millions of dollars in 2023. In January 2024, Mr Kevin Merida, the Los Angeles Times’ widely respected editor, resigned after clashing with the paper’s owner, Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong. Then came the extensive layoffs.
“If you care about journalism – local news, national news, international news – every warning light should be blinking red,” Ms Mary Louise Kelly, a host of NPR’s All Things Considered, wrote on X after word of those layoffs spread.
The Post is cutting costs under its billionaire owner, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The paper surged in popularity during the Trump administration but failed to build on its subscriber growth. Shortly before the new year, the Post announced that 240 employees had accepted buyouts.
The Baltimore Sun, Maryland’s largest newspaper, also faces an uncertain future. It was sold this month to Mr David D. Smith, a businessman who runs the conservative Sinclair Broadcast Group. Many reporters at the Sun are concerned that Mr Smith will impose his political interests on a newspaper that he recently admitted he had barely read in the past 40 years.
The magazine world has not been immune. Last week, Sports Illustrated, once a titan of sports journalism, whose cover was a coveted prize for the world’s greatest athletes, said it was laying off much of its entire staff, and its future is in doubt as its owners consider licensing the property to new investors. Days earlier, Condé Nast folded Pitchfork, once a kingmaker among music’s smart set, into GQ magazine and laid off employees, including the editor-in-chief.
On Jan 23, unionised workers at Condé Nast organised a walkout and protest at its World Trade Centre headquarters. Time magazine, owned by billionaire Marc Benioff, the Salesforce founder, also began laying off employees this week.
The recent bad news is, in some ways, a continuation from last year. In 2023, Business Insider, the Los Angeles Times and NPR cut at least 10 per cent of their staffs; the news division of BuzzFeed was shut down; News Corp cut 1,250 people; National Geographic laid off its remaining staff writers; Vox Media went through two rounds of layoffs; Vice Media filed for bankruptcy; Popular Science shut its online magazine; and ESPN, Condé Nast and Yahoo News all cut jobs.
“A new reality has sunk in among legacy media, both print stalwarts owned by billionaires and some of the high-profile national digital players who won such notice a decade ago,” said media entrepreneur and analyst Ken Doctor.
Now, the news industry is looking ahead to fresh hurdles posed by the technology of artificial intelligence. Some outlets have expressed concern that AI algorithms, which generate impromptu answers to readers’ questions, could replace online news sites as go-to sources for current events.
The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, arguing that millions of articles published by the Times were used to train automated chatbots that now compete as providers of information. Some publishers, like Axel Springer, cut deals with OpenAI for annual payments in exchange for the use of their digital archives.
If there’s one bright spot, it might be local television news.
Though local TV news stations are enduring their own problems – heavier workloads for reporters, even as salaries have stagnated – many remain in better shape than local newspapers, said Mr Heyward, the former CBS News president, who now works as a consultant to several local news outlets.
“Local TV news has a lot going for it,” he said. “Virtually every market of any size has three to four competing newsrooms, which is a stark contrast to the local newspaper, where a market is lucky to have one. And if they do, it’s generally a shadow of its former self.”
A Gallup and Knight Foundation survey in 2022 found that Americans placed far more trust in local news sources than national media organisations. And just 19 per cent of Americans described their trust in journalists as “high” or “very high” in a Gallup survey released this week, a nine-point decrease from four years ago.
“They can’t be demonised as fake news,” Mr Heyward said of local outlets. “If there’s a traffic light broken at Elm and Maple, people know it, and there are no alternative facts. Americans are having trouble finding common ground, but in a local market, they have it.” NYTIMES
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/the-news-about-the-news-business-is-getting-grimmer
| 2024-01-28T07:28:17Z
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ANGOULEME, France - American cartoonist Daniel Clowes picked up the award for Best Comic Book at this year’s Angouleme comics festival in France, considered the world’s most prestigious awards for graphic novelists.
Clowes, whose previous work has been adapted for cinema, picked up the award for Monica, the festival jury announced on Jan 27.
The graphic novel describes the life of an ordinary American woman through a multitude of very different stories.
Clowes, 62, received enough votes from his fellow authors for this book, highly acclaimed by critics and others, to reach the final of this year’s Grand Prix, the top prize at the festival.
But the American was beaten to that prize by Britain’s Posy Simmonds, who was crowned winner on Jan 24.
Clowes has helped to adapt several of his previous works, such as Ghost World, Art School Confidential and Wilson for the cinema in 2001, 2006 and 2017 respectively. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/us-graphic-novelist-daniel-clowes-wins-at-french-comics-festival
| 2024-01-28T07:28:28Z
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LOS ANGELES - British singer-songwriter Tom Odell surged in popularity in the last two years and even returned to the British charts in 2022 with his 2012 debut single Another Love, a song used heavily on social media to soundtrack anti-government protests in Iran and by peace activists in Ukraine.
His latest single Black Friday, also the title of his new album released on Jan 26, appears to follow suit with its themes about self-deprecation and anxiety, and has been used for videos displaying those subjects on TikTok.
“I’ve always had anxiety and over the past five years, it’s been up and down, a struggle with my head and it still is, I would say, a struggle,” Odell told Reuters in an interview in late October.
“But... there is some solace in writing about it and there’s even more solace in then subsequently feeling that other people feel the same way.”
The 33-year-old, whose accolades include winning the prestigious songwriter of the year prize at the Ivor Novello Awards and the critics’ choice award at the Brit Awards, says the secret to writing good songs is telling the truth.
“When we listen to something, we know what is true and what is not and as a musician, it’s so easy to become cerebral,” he said.
“When music is felt, it’s something that is intuitive and it’s from the heart... It’s something deeper and our job is to get rid of the cerebral and find the stuff from the heart.”
Being a hit on social media has given Odell more time, namely not having to continuously promote his music.
“When I first started my career... so much of my time was spent promoting the music, flying around, doing radio stuff and TV and I do so little of that now and I think a lot of that is because of social media,” he said.
“It’s allowed me to have a direct relationship with my audience and I feel very lucky to have that but when I make records, I have to kind of switch that off to some extent.” REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/singer-tom-odell-on-fans-embracing-his-truthful-anxieties-its-so-magical
| 2024-01-28T07:28:38Z
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SINGAPORE – “Pa, are we alone in the universe?”
That is one of the most uncomfortable questions I have ever been asked by my kids. They wanted to know if there were other intelligent life forms out there beyond earth.
“Yes, we are alone, there are no aliens, now finish your dinner,” I brusquely answered, shutting down any further discussion on the topic.
Strangely, I remember asking the same question as a child and getting a similarly glib answer. It is interesting how history repeats itself.
As parents, we are often advised to entertain our children’s questions to encourage them to remain curious as they make sense of the world and universe around them.
But, too often, we barely have enough energy to feed, clothe and provide for the kids, let alone contemplate doing much more.
Meeting basic needs often trumps the nurturing of curiosity. Tending to that can happen tomorrow? Or never.
The book Interstellar: The Search For Extraterrestrial Life And Our Future In The Stars by best-selling author, Professor Avi Loeb of Harvard University, piqued my curiosity and reminded me of this uncomfortable period in my parenting journey.
The book talks about the search for extraterrestrial life and describes the future of mankind on earth as bleak, given the issues that threaten us. He writes: “The earth’s demise is an inevitability, whether it is a few years off, due to an act of egotistical human hubris or a massive meteor not yet identified, or a billion years off as a result of the sun’s expansion”.
It presents the search for other intelligent life as a solution to preserve the human race. It goes on to summarise the latest research in astronomy, physics and philosophy to present a blueprint for how interactions with extraterrestrial life could possibly occur.
Prof Loeb, whom The New York Times calls the “world’s leading alien hunter”, is an astrophysicist who formerly chaired the department of astronomy at Harvard University.
He was born on a farm in rural Israel, recruited into the Israeli Talpiot service of ultra-smart soldiers to study physics and computer science and design next-generation weapons. Work from his time in the Israeli military was incorporated in the 1980s into the United States’ so-called Star Wars programme, a missile defence system intended to protect the US from attack by nuclear weapons.
On the topic of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), I found out from the book that the term is no longer in use, because recent sightings go beyond circular flying objects of the UFO variety.
The book emphasises the significance of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) report published in late 2021 by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
In Prof Loeb’s mind, the most consequential UAP that has passed by earth is called Oumuamua (pronounced oh MOO-uh MOO-uh), which is Hawaiian for “a messenger from afar”. The object, shaped like a cigar at 400m long and 40m wide, passed by earth’s solar system in 2017.
The US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) found the object to be 10 times brighter than anything that had been seen before passing through our solar system. In addition, Oumuamua was completely inert, without the faintest hint of dust around it – unlike comets or asteroids that give off a cometary tail of gas and dust.
A paper concludes that Oumuamua “inspires us to consider the possibility that an artificial interstellar object could potentially be a parent craft that releases many small probes during its close passage to earth, an operational construct not too dissimilar from Nasa missions”.
I have long suspected that my answer to the question of “are we alone in the universe” should have been, “I don’t know”.
Prof Loeb, a Harvard don, the US Department of Defence and Nasa all seem open to the possibility that alien life exists beyond our planet.
Who am I to say that we humans are the only intelligent life in the universe? That would be ignorant and arrogant.
Stephen Hawking, the most accomplished astrophysicist of our time, believed that the probability of life appearing on other planets is “reasonably high”. He believed that “our only chance of long-term survival is not to remain inward-looking on planet earth, but to spread out into space”.
It is hard to give a general answer to simple questions from young kids, knowing that it will trigger an onslaught of follow-up questions.
As I have found in my years of parenting, the willingness to give open answers to my kids’ questions shows a willingness to be vulnerable to them. A willingness to show that I do not have all the answers.
I have since sat my older kids down to discuss the findings of Prof Loeb’s book and the accompanying data.
If I could redo my answer to my kids’ question on alien life, my answer would be “quite possibly”.
I would then go on to explain to my boys that like those smart people who study space search for alien life, if you maintain your child-like wonder and study your maths and physics properly, you, too, can be a part of the exploration for life beyond earth.
- Abel Ang is the chief executive of a medical technology company and an adjunct professor at Nanyang Business School.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/minor-issues-when-kids-ask-tough-questions-about-alien-life
| 2024-01-28T07:28:48Z
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SAN DIEGO – Not only will Frenchman Matthieu Pavon remember his first victory on the PGA Tour, but his country will, too.
Pavon made history on Jan 27, firing a three-under 69 to become the first golfer from France to win on the PGA Tour in the modern era with his victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.
“It is big because, as I said, I come from a special background,” he said, when asked if winning as a golfer from France had special meaning. “I think it is historic for the French golf. We have Celine Boutier, the French LPGA player who won Evian last year, which is an even bigger performance.
“It is big for us as a country. I hope it will inspire a lot of people because coming from an amateur player which is 800th in the world to a PGA Tour winner, it’s pretty big.”
Playing on Torrey Pines’ South Course, Pavon recovered from a bogey at the par-four first hole to pick up five birdies against just one bogey for the rest of his round. He sank an eight-foot birdie putt at No. 18, putting him at 13-under 275 for the week, allowing him to squeak past Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard.
Hojgaard landed in second with a 12-under 276 after shooting a two-under 70 on Jan 27 on the two-time US Open course.
“You’ve got to take your losses with a smile sometimes because it makes you stronger,” Hojgaard said. “I definitely, I’ll definitely do my best to get a couple shots better.”
With the victory, Pavon became the first Frenchman since World War II to prevail in a PGA Tour event. The Tour’s modern era began in 1968.
Adding to the spectacle is the fact that Pavon was appearing in just his 11th career PGA Tour event.
“I still can’t believe it. As I said, it feels like there is another round to play tomorrow because we’re only Saturday,” Pavon said.
“That is special. I can’t thank the PGA Tour enough to give us the opportunity to come from Europe and compete here in America against the best players in the world. That’s always been the dream for me. I got finally a shot and I took it.
“I mean, it’s a dream come true and it’s a little bit hard to believe.”
A three-way tie for third featured Nate Lashley (67 on Jan 27), Jake Knapp (69) and German Stephan Jaeger (72), who were all two strokes off the lead.
Jaeger entered the fourth and final round with a one-stroke lead, but he wasn’t able to hang on. Still, he was satisfied with the position he had put himself in as he went for his first win on Tour.
“It was awesome, it was great. Listen, I didn’t have my best stuff golf game-wise. I battled, you know,” Jaeger said. “That was the story of my weekend here. But I didn’t have enough to really get going. I felt like if I putted decent, I’d have had a better chance of winning.”
Taiwan’s Kevin Yu, coming off a T3 finish at The American Express last week, shot a 67 to tie for sixth at 10-under 278 along with Beau Hossler (68) and Tony Finau (69).
Max Homa failed to retain his title, finishing tied for 13th at eight-under 280. He had a 69 on Jan 27. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/golf/france-s-matthieu-pavon-makes-history-at-farmers-insurance-open
| 2024-01-28T07:28:59Z
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HYDERABAD, India, - England were all out for 420 in their second innings, setting India 231 to win the opening test at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday.
Ollie Pope was the last England batter out at the stoke of lunch on day four after his sublime 196, which contained 21 fours.
England risked defeat inside three days before vice-captain Pope dug his heels in to produce one of the finest knocks by a touring batter in India.
He got strong support from the England tail with Rehan Ahmed (28) and Tom Hartley (34) producing useful cameos to set India a tricky target on a spinning track.
Jasprit Bumrah (4-41) dismissed Ahmed after play resumed on day four, but debutant Hartley continued to frustrate the home side while Pope continued accumulating runs at the other end.
Pope got a life on 186 when KL Rahul dropped him in the slip off Mohammed Siraj.
Ravichandran Ashwin (3-126) eventually dismissed Hartley and Bumrah ended Pope's vigil when he uprooted the off-stump after the batter had attempted a reverse-scoop.
Jack Leach was seen hobbling, having injured his knee while fielding but England will hope the left-arm spinner is available to bowl.
The tourists will also take heart from Joe Root's first-innings figures of 4-79 in the part-time spinner's role. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/india-need-231-to-win-after-england-all-out-for-420
| 2024-01-28T07:29:09Z
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MELBOURNE - Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei and Belgium's Elise Mertens won the women's doubles crown at the Australian Open on Sunday with an emphatic 6-1 7-5 victory over Latvian-Ukrainian pairing Jelena Ostapenko and Lyudmyla Kichenok.
The win earned the second seeds their second women's Grand Slam doubles crown after victory at Wimbledon in 2021 and made Hsieh the second-oldest woman to ever win a Grand Slam doubles title, behind Lisa Raymond.
The 38-year-old Hsieh called time on her singles career after losing in the first round of qualifying at Melbourne Park this year, but still claimed her second title Down Under after also winning the mixed doubles final on Friday.
Victory over Ostapenko and Kichenok sealed Hsieh's seventh major women's doubles crown, to go with the four she has won at Wimbledon and two at Roland Garros, and moved Mertens up to four Grand Slam women's doubles titles.
Hsieh and Mertens broke in the third game to gain an early advantage in the match and never looked back, closing out the opening set with a minimum of fuss.
The second set was much more of a contest, with Ostapenko and Kichenok seizing the initiative with an early service break, but Hsieh and Mertens broke back to level at 2-2 and again for a 5-3 lead.
The second seeds failed to close out the match, however, allowing Ostapenko and Kichenok to level at 5-5, but were not to be denied two games later, breaking for a third time in the set to seal victory on their first championship point.
"Congratulations girls for playing a great match," Mertens said. "The second set was really close and we had to fight really hard today. Thanks everyone for coming out." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/hsieh-mertens-win-womens-doubles-title-at-australian-open
| 2024-01-28T07:29:19Z
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PS5 vs PS4 Sales Comparison in the US - December 2023 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted 5 hours ago / 2,465 ViewsThe VGChartz sales comparison series of articles are updated monthly and each one focuses on a different sales comparison using our estimated video game hardware figures. The charts include comparisons between the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, as well as with older platforms. There are articles based on our worldwide estimates, as well as the US, Europe, and Japan.
This monthly series compares the aligned US sales of the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
The PlayStation 5 launched in November 2020, while the PlayStation 4 launched in November 2013. This does mean the holiday periods for the two consoles do lineup.
PS5 Vs. PS4 US:
Gap change in latest month: 8,203 - PS4
Gap change over last 12 months: 1,696,858 - PS5
Total Lead: 1,220,601 - PS5
PlayStation 5 Total Sales: 18,695,900
PlayStation 4 Total Sales: 17,475,299
December 2023 is the 38th month the PlayStation 5 has been available for. In the latest month, the gap grew in favor of the PlayStation 4 when compared to the aligned launch of the PlayStation 5 by 8,203 units.
In the last 12 months, the PS5 has outsold the PS4 by 1.70 million units. The PS5 is currently ahead of the PS4 by 1.22 million units.
The PS5 has sold 18.70 million units in 38 months, while the PS4 sold 17.48 million units. Month 38 for the PS5 is December 2023 and for the PS4 is December 2016.
The PS4 crossed 20 million in month 47, 25 million in month 57, and 30 million in month 71. The PS4 has sold 34.91 million units to date in the US. The PS5 is 16.21 million units behind lifetime PS4 sales in the US.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459670/ps5-vs-ps4-sales-comparison-in-the-us-december-2023/
| 2024-01-28T07:34:12Z
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After a busy 2023 touring the UK with her My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast, Vogue Williams is looking forward to slowing down. The mother-of-three, 38, isn't big on setting unattainable goals, but in an exclusive interview with HELLO!, Vogue reveals that making time for herself and her family is topping her priority list this year.
The model reveals she has lots of projects in the pipeline, saying: "There's something that won't come out until nearly the end of 2024, something that I've wanted to do for so long so I'm really excited for that to come together." But something that she has been excited to launch is her Flexy Fit app alongside her personal trainer John Belton.
She tells us: "We released programme one and programme two from the app to keep people going until the app was ready so I've been doing them. It's four workouts a week. Half an hour workouts as well, that's all I really have time for."
Vogue is a fitness fanatic and says that a quick workout is something she will always make time for. She reveals that she is not one for abandoning her fitness routine in the New Year in pursuit of something more complicated. "Mine stays the same [as usual]," she says. "For so many reasons I love training. I love training because it makes me feel better about myself. My mental health is better. I like feeling fit and healthy so I keep my routine pretty much the same."
This even meant working out on Christmas Day during the festive period she spent up in Scotland on her husband Spencer Matthew's family estate, Glen Affric, where the pair wed in 2018. She explains: "It's only half an hour out of my day and I know a lot of people don't want to do that and that's fine to let the routine slip over Christmas and it's kind of whatever suits your lifestyle so I just enjoy it so much that I keep it up."
Being a busy mum to her three adorable children Theodore (or TT as she calls him), five, Gigi, three, and baby Otto, one, means it is more important than ever for Vogue to carve out some 'me-time'. The former Bear Grylls: Mission Survive star reveals what her perfect night-in looks like.
"I have just got back into reading," she says. So I love lighting a candle, reading a book and chilling out on my own. Or if I have a bath I do the whole candle thing in the bath too just because it makes it super cosy and I need to force myself to relax so I light a candle before bed and spray pillow spray on my pillow to really set it up for myself so that's how I make myself relax - I force myself to."
As a Yankee Candle ambassador, it is important to Vogue that she has the right scent in her bathroom and bedroom to ensure she feels completely zen. "I'll always light a candle and my favourite is called Clean Cotton so that's the kind of scent I like in my bedroom," she says. "And I've just started a book Songs of Achilles [by Madeline Miller] but I read Circe first and I loved it and now that's the book that has got me back into reading, it's amazing. I'm the last to know about it!".
Time at home with Spencer and the kids is what is leading Vogue's plans for the coming year, but that doesn't mean the stylish mother doesn't like to get glam. She was seen wearing the gorgeous gold skirt by H&M x Paco Rabanne on Christmas Day and now she tells us what staples are staying in her makeup bag for 2024.
"I love a good lip gloss. Max Factor 2000 lip glaze – they have all these really nice nude colours, I love them so I have loads of them," she says. "Obviously I'm always lured in my Bare by Vogue tan and shimmer because I love putting the illuminator on when I wear a short dress and I'm not fully wearing tights when I go out so those are my favourite things."
The ever-relatable Vogue adds: "I need a good concealer because I have such dark bags under my eyes! I'm currently using the Clinique one that I find really good and a bit of bronzer. I like to be bronzed."
Speaking of time at home, a new pad is actually on the horizon for the family of five. Howth-native Vogue tells us that for now, that means staying in the hubbub of the city. She tells us: "Oh I always love the idea of Ireland but not for now! Theo's at school and he loves where he is at school so I know it looked a bit crazy that we lobbed everything up at the same time but I had planned to sell the place in Howth a long time ago because I ended up buying a friend of mine's house which had always been my dream house.
"So I had been chatting to him about that since before I even started touring with [her My Therapist Ghosted Me co-host] Joanne [McNally] and he had always planned to sell it and I said 'I want to buy your house'," she continues. "With London, we just want somewhere slightly bigger with a garden with the kids. More of a forever home I supposed. We had toyed with the idea of moving to the country but I thought no I love London so much. I love having everything so close and its such a cool city so I don't think we'll be going anywhere."
DISCOVER: Vogue Williams shows off incredible abs in black bikini during freezing family holiday
With a new home to look forward to, Vogue is cherishing precious moments with her little ones. "We're quite lucky that we get to spend so much time together," she says. "T's at school so we're doing his homework every day with him and that's amazing. Poor T I've ordered so many books for him to do…But he doesn't see it as homework yet, he sees it as something fun and even Gigi gets involved."
Vogue Williams is the Yankee Candle® Signature ambassador. Shop her favourite fragrances at www.yankeecandle.co.uk
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/512134/exclusive-vogue-williams-relax-busy-mum-three-spencer-matthews/
| 2024-01-28T08:00:20Z
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Okay, I'll admit it. I'm not always full to the brim of motivation when it comes to working out. I exercise regularly to keep fit and I thrive off the rush of endorphins afterwards, but I'd be lying if I said there weren't times when I have to hype myself up before putting on my workout gear.
It's for this reason that exercising in a way that we genuinely enjoy is so important. I'm confident I won't be taking on a marathon anytime soon, for example. Hats off to those who do, but long-distance running simply isn't for me. Forcing yourself to do something you don't like will not afford you motivation or results.
I would rather take on strength and cardio routines that are fun and challenging thus making it far more likely that I'll actually do it.
This is where Apple Fitness+ comes in.
Joe Wicks, known to many as The Body Coach, has teamed up with the global tech and fitness brand to launch his very own takeover, releasing two types of workouts alongside Apple Fitness+ regular trainers, Kim Ngo and Jamie-Ray Hartshorne.
He's been a giant in the health industry for the best part of a decade and Apple Fitness+ is clearly at the top of its game – it's a match made in heaven. But are the videos worth trying? I put them to the test…
Joe Wicks' Apple Fitness+ takeover – what is it?
Joe Wicks joined Jamie-Ray for a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout and Kim for a Strength workout as part of his takeover. The two classes landed this week so if you're a user of Apple Fitness+ you'll easily find them in your library.
Before giving them a go for myself, I spoke to The Body Coach, who told HELLO! it was a "dream collaboration". "It sounds silly but I was nervous, but they made me feel really welcome, it's a really beautiful culture."
For those who are familiar with Joe's Body Coach plan and workouts, they'll know that the reason behind his popularity and success is that he caters to all abilities and levels. This is evident in Apple Fitness+, too.
"Every day I wake up and I think of two things: 'Can I get someone cooking today?' and 'Can I get someone moving?' I get a lot of joy from taking beginners, people who aren't moving and who are finding it difficult on that journey and telling them, 'This is the first step'. It's about them being enough and doing great," he told HELLO!.
And Joe insists that newbies needn't be intimidated. "Usually on my Body Coach workouts it's just me, but with Apple Fitness+, you've got a modifier behind that can give the user a chance of actually saying: 'I'm doing ok'."
He added: "It's not about competing with me or Jamie-Ray, we're all in this together. We're all feeling the burn. And they're just ten minutes which is manageable. It's a nice short little chunk that just gives people that energy and that boost to go again and have another try each day."
My honest thoughts on Joe Wicks' Apple Fitness+ takeover
For full disclosure: my personal preference when it comes to exercise is low impact. I would typically opt for a strength and core class – such as Pilates – over a lengthy HIIT class that often leaves me phenomenally out of breath, and I tend to get my cardio fix from hiking or cycling.
And so, as I went to load up the HIIT class, there was a teeny tiny hint of dread. To my surprise, however, the ten-minute HIIT with Joe and Jamie-Ray proved to be really fun.
Was it hard? Obviously. (HIIT, as I said, isn't my forte). But I got a good sweat on and genuinely enjoyed the exercises that we did in the ten-minute class.
It doesn't sound like a lot of time but if, like me, a short window of high-intensity movement sounds a bit more up your street, this is a great option that will up your heart rate.
The winner for me, however, was the Strength class with Joe and Kim. I love using weights and feeling like I'm toning muscle and getting stronger with every class. Again, in just a short amount of time, this is exactly what I got from it.
MORE: 9 best motivational self-help books to help you to make a positive change in 2024
MORE: I tried cold water exposure therapy for the first time – and this is what happened
What else is there to know about Apple Fitness+?
If you're new to Apple Fitness+, then it's worth knowing that you can now use the program with just your iPhone and you'll get metrics on screen about your times, heart rate and more.
However, to really elevate your workout game, combining it with an Apple Watch, such as the series 9, is absolutely worth doing. I completed the takeover videos with the Series 9 and I love that it offers so many stats.
My total heart rate, active kilocalories and more are all shown as you complete the class. Having a measure of the work I'm doing is, for me, crucial in tracking my progress.
During the chat with Joe, I also spoke to Jay Blahnik, Vice President of Apple Fitness+, who explained a little more about why having the tech gear is so beneficial. "The watch really takes it to the next level and what we like to say is that the watch can really provide measurement as motivation.
"Even just seeing how your workouts impact your day or how you're walking outside might just help you go a little bit further. Whether you're big into exercise or you just like to walk to work. There are lots of celebrations and wins on the watch that take measurement and turn it into motivation."
Is Apple Fitness+ worth getting?
Overall, I would say yes. As someone who exercises regularly, who is an Apple user all-round and does not want to spend upwards of £50 a month on a gym membership, Apple Fitness+ is worth it.
I consider it a bit like paying for my Apple Music subscription, I pay roughly £10 a month to have an entire library of music at my fingertips, having an equivalent for exercise and health seems like a no-brainer.
I'm an Apple customer but I hadn't used Apple Fitness+ before now, so logging on as a first-timer this month, I was immediately met with an entire library of workouts ranging from HIIT to yoga, with meditation thrown in, too, all fronted by professionals who are there to push you to your best.
It's worth caveating that there are choices in abundance, which is great and undoubtedly a bonus, but for beginners, this could be overwhelming. 'Where do I start?' was my initial thought.
I recommend figuring out what sort of workouts you know you like doing (some Pilates? Perhaps a go at kickboxing?) and collating your own workout collection to suit your goals and interests. Thank me later.
New subscribers to Apple Fitness+ get one month free, then pay £9.99/month or £79.99 annually.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/512130/i-tried-joe-wicks-new-workout-videos-on-apple-fitness-this-is-my-honest-review/
| 2024-01-28T08:00:26Z
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Boost sales, leads, and brand visibility with a great ad. For brands unable to hire in-house or wary of pricey agency retainers, Ad Roast offers an alternative: Professionally recommended ad improvements, saving time, face, and cost!
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Marketing
Advertising
Business
by
Ad Roast
About this launch
Ad Roast
The cost-effective way to improve ads!
0
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56
followers
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Ad Roast by
Ad Roast
was hunted by
Carter Michael
in
Marketing
,
Advertising
,
Business
. Made by
Carter Michael
. Featured on January 28th, 2024.
Ad Roast
is not rated yet. This is Ad Roast's first launch.
Upvotes
33
Comments
4
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https://www.producthunt.com/posts/ad-roast
| 2024-01-28T08:52:14Z
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The best platform to discover and learn AI tools. Our AI understands you via chat and precisely recommends AI tools from 12,000+ AI tools across 200+ categories, the most comprehensive and up-to-date AI tools database. Discover perfect AI tools effortlessly.
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https://www.producthunt.com/posts/ai-navigator-by-nexa-ai
| 2024-01-28T08:52:21Z
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OpenAI launched ChatGPT Team, which offers access to: GPT-4, with 32k context, latest DALL·E 3, Advanced Data Analysis, browsing, for up-to-date information from the web, image and voice i/o, create customized GPTs, share GPTs and chats with your workspace.
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https://www.producthunt.com/posts/chatgpt-team
| 2024-01-28T08:52:27Z
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"🙌 Thank you for being a part of this exciting launch! We're eager to hear your thoughts on the newly introduced Crewlix. Your feedback is invaluable to us. Whether it's a feature you love, a suggestion for improvement, or any other thoughts you'd like to share, please drop a comment below!"
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https://www.producthunt.com/posts/crewlix
| 2024-01-28T08:52:33Z
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Discover 1100+ ready to use ilcons, the essential bridge between icons and comprehensive illustrations. This iconic, hand-drawn library offers miniature spot illustrations, perfect for crafting unique designs on your website or app.
"Thank you for taking the time to explore our product launch! Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we genuinely consider every suggestion. If you have any comments, ideas, or requests for enhancements, please don't hesitate to share."
|
https://www.producthunt.com/posts/ilcons-1-100-illustrated-icons
| 2024-01-28T08:52:39Z
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Leed
Leed
Collect leads through your GPTs
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Leed is a tool that integrates with AI-powered GPTs to automate the collection of contact details from user interactions, aiming to enhance lead generation for businesses.
Launched in
Sales
Artificial Intelligence
by
Leed
About this launch
Leed
Collect leads through your GPTs
0
reviews
38
followers
Follow for updates
Leed by
Leed
was hunted by
Deniz Özcan
in
Sales
,
Artificial Intelligence
. Made by
Deniz Özcan
. Featured on January 28th, 2024.
Leed
is not rated yet. This is Leed's first launch.
Upvotes
24
Comments
6
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https://www.producthunt.com/posts/leed
| 2024-01-28T08:52:45Z
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Products
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LiveChatAI
LiveChatAI
AI chat bot & human-support live chat simplified.
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Enhance support with LiveChatAI, a GPT-4 AI bot trained with your content for swift, precise responses in 95 languages. Trusted by 2K+ firms to cut support volumes and boost satisfaction.
Launched in
Customer Communication
SaaS
Artificial Intelligence
by
LiveChatAI
About this launch
LiveChatAI
AI chat bot & human-support live chat simplified.
0
reviews
15
followers
Follow for updates
LiveChatAI by
LiveChatAI
was hunted by
Hamza Afzal Butt
in
Customer Communication
,
SaaS
,
Artificial Intelligence
. Made by
Hassan Sajjad
. Featured on January 28th, 2024.
LiveChatAI
is not rated yet. This is LiveChatAI's first launch.
Upvotes
15
Comments
3
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-
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|
https://www.producthunt.com/posts/livechatai
| 2024-01-28T08:52:52Z
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blocked_url
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MVP tester is a focused offering that helps to validate an idea as accurately as possible. It’s as simple as installing a script on the page and setting some defaults. It analyses the campaign for the specified duration and provides the results.
"This is my 3rd ProductHunt launch.
Please help support this launch and try it out and let me know your thoughts and feedback!
Thanks,
Arunkumar Srisailapathi."
|
https://www.producthunt.com/posts/mvp-tester
| 2024-01-28T08:52:59Z
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Revolutionize your Airbnb hosting with our app! Effortlessly manage cleanings, laundry, maintenance, and more. Perfect for busy hosts, streamline your rental tasks and enjoy more free time. Ideal for making vacation property management a breeze.
"Thanks for checking us out! If you're in the vacation rental space, I'd love to know if my product would be something beneficial to you and your business."
|
https://www.producthunt.com/posts/rentalrunner
| 2024-01-28T08:53:06Z
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blocked_url
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SpeakSmart, an AI job interview simulator, offers personalized, realistic practice by simply uploading your resume and job description. Adaptable for any job type, it provides a stress-free environment to hone your interview skills effectively.
"Thanks for checking out our launch! Please let me know if anything went wrong, anything I should change, or anything you may want us to add. Any feedback is appreciated!"
|
https://www.producthunt.com/posts/speaksmart
| 2024-01-28T08:53:12Z
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DUBAI - At least 26,422 Palestinians have been killed and 65,087 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since Oct. 7, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
In the past 24 hours 165 Palestinians were killed and 290 injured, the ministry added. REUTERS
|
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/26422-palestinians-killed-in-israeli-strikes-on-gaza-since-oct7-gaza-health-ministry
| 2024-01-28T08:59:49Z
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