The Straits Times - December 06, 2024
The Straits Times - December 06, 2024
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In this issue
December 06, 2024
S. Korean leader gets reprieve for now as ruling party seeks to block impeachment
Police begin investigation into President Yoon's attempt to impose martial law
5 mins
New guidelines for caregiving boundaries between parents and kids
Do kids have the right to say 'no' to a hug?
4 mins
Two new e-payment methods from mid-2025 for corporate cheque users
Deadline to cease corporate cheques pushed back by another year to end-2026
3 mins
Robot nurses that can monitor a patient's condition to be piloted at NUH in 2025
Patients at the National University Hospital (NUH) will soon be greeted by robot nurses that can guide them around the ward, deliver medicine and give instructions on how much to take.
2 mins
Inside S. Korea's failed martial law attempt
SEOUL - At his confirmation hearing three months ago, South Korea's Defence Minister Kim Yonghyun rejected accusations from the opposition that he wanted to impose martial law.
6 mins
HK Chief Executive replaces 2 ministers with 'proactive leaders'
HONG KONG - Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has fired his tourism and transport ministers in an unexpected move, replacing them with veteran officials he called proactive leaders with a \"reform mindset\".
4 mins
Japan's sake tradition recognised on Unesco cultural heritage list
ASUNCION, Paraguay - Unesco on Dec 4 recognised Japan's ancient process of sake brewing as an intangible cultural heritage.
1 min
More appreciation for kebayas expected after Unesco recognition
Garment’s inscription a boon for Singapore and heritage businesses, say cultural groups
3 mins
IMDB trial Ex-PM Najib claims ties with fugitive financier Jho Low exaggerated
Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak told the High Court that his purported close connection with Low Taek Jho was over-sensationalised when other individuals in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal were closer to the fugitive businessman.
2 mins
Malaysian influencer Vivy and husband claim trial in CBT case
KUALA LUMPUR - Fashion influencer Vivy Yusof, the entrepreneur behind Malaysia's luxury scarf brand dUCk, and her husband pleaded not guilty on Dec 5 to charges of misusing funds invested in their company by two government-linked firms.
1 min
Record number of China's youth vie for 'iron rice bowls' in tough job market
Public-sector jobs seen as prestigious and stable amid layoffs, wage cuts elsewhere
3 mins
Pedra Branca issue: Malaysia's inquiry calls for Mahathir to face probe
Royal panel's report recommends criminal investigations for cheating against ex-PM
3 mins
China slaps sanctions on 13 US military firms over Taiwan arms sale
BEIJING - China has decided to impose sanctions on 13 US military firms from Dec 5, in response to the sale of US arms to Taiwan, the Foreign Ministry said after the US arranged for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to transit through its territory.
1 min
Tokyo to propose 4-day work week for govt employees
TOKYO - Tokyo's governor wants to introduce a four-day work week for government staff in the capital as part of a nationwide push to encourage parenthood.
1 min
China reports warmest autumn since records began
BEIJING - China reported its warmest autumn in 2024 since records began decades ago, its National Climate Centre announced on Dec 4.
2 mins
French government falls in historic no-confidence vote
Motion was brought after a social security financing Bill was passed without a vote
3 mins
Japan grants funding to boost Philippines' naval capabilities
MANILA - Japan on Dec 5 granted the Philippines 1.6 billion yen (S$14.3 million) aimed at beefing up its naval capabilities, a day after Manila said the China Coast Guard had \"harassed\" its government vessels.
1 min
Nato chief warns of Russia's quid pro quo with North Korea
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Nato chief Mark Rutte said on Dec 4 that Russia was giving support to North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes in exchange for Pyongyang sending troops to fight in the war with Ukraine.
1 min
Diplomatic storm over breach of Bangladesh mission in India
Break-in by Hindu protesters comes amid worsening rift between the nations
4 mins
US, UK crack global money laundering ring used by Russians
The US and Britain announced on Dec 4 that they had disrupted what they described as a global money laundering ring used by rich Russians to evade sanctions, and which London said laundered cash for drug traffickers, criminals and spies.
2 mins
Syrian rebels capture key city of Hama in new blow to Assad
AMMAN - Syrian rebels captured the key city of Hama on Dec 5, bringing the insurgents a major victory after a lightning advance across northern Syria and dealing a new blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies.
3 mins
Amnesty report says Israel has committed genocide in Gaza
Israel's Foreign Ministry slams human rights group's allegation, says it fabricated report
2 mins
MOH warns British business to stop providing puberty blockers in Singapore
GenderGP's telehealth services not licensed, director not registered to practise medicine
3 mins
Projects to wean chemical, energy sectors off fossil fuels
The Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore (Cares) is helming two projects worth $31 million collectively to research processes that can make the chemical manufacturing industry and energy systems here less reliant on fossil fuels.
3 mins
Accountant-General Ow Fook Chuen to be new Iras chief
Accountant-General Ow Fook Chuen will be the new commissioner of inland revenue and chief executive officer of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) from Feb 7, 2025.
1 min
Man caught carrying over $1.3m into S'pore and under-declaring amount
The authorities are investigating a 49-year-old man who was caught carrying more than $1.3 million in various currencies into Singapore, and under-declaring the amount, on Nov 27.
2 mins
Progress Singapore Party introduces new faces
Social media clip, video series show them walking the ground with party members
4 mins
Baey Yam Keng urges respect after conflict over free haircut
Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng has called for respect for volunteers after an incident that saw a man confront an 82-year-old volunteer over a free haircut he deemed \"ugly\".
2 mins
Two baby gentoo penguins hatched at Bird Paradise
Park, home to over 30 penguins, welcomes rescued northern rockhopper penguin too
2 mins
Three American brothers plead guilty to being armed with knives at Orchard Plaza
Three American brothers, who were in Singapore on holiday, have pleaded guilty to having knives with them at Orchard Plaza during a confrontation.
3 mins
Expect crowds between Tanah Merah and Tampines MRT stations from Dec 7 to 10
Passengers affected by the upcoming suspension of train services between Tanah Merah and Tampines stations from Dec 7 to 10 should expect crowds at the stations and shuttle bus points and plan for longer journeys, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operator SMRT said on Dec 4.
2 mins
High Court flags district judge's failure to give own analysis in judgment
Justice looks at case afresh on appeal, finds no apparent bias, arrives at same outcome
3 mins
Bulls And Bears STI rises 0.6% as banking shares make strong gains
|Gainers lead losers 280 to 244 across broader market | Hongkong Land is top STI gainer, rising 4% to US$4.69 | HK, Seoul indexes fall, while Tokyo and KL finish higher
1 min
Keppel partnering Amazon Web Services on data centres, renewable energy
Keppel is linking up with tech giant Amazon Web Services (AWS) to collaborate on data centres, subsea cables and renewable energy.
1 min
TikTok Shop's US sales spike on Black Friday despite looming ban
TikTok tripled its US shopping sales to more than US$100 million (S$134 million) on Black Friday, a sign of the app's growing popularity despite a looming ban.
2 mins
Bitcoin tops US$100k, buoyed by Trump's pro-crypto pick for SEC
Price more than doubles in 2024 to reach historic high, with big investors driving rally
3 mins
US Fed chief says he expects good relations with Trump administration
WASHINGTON - US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said he is confident he will have a similar relationship with the incoming administration, including Treasury nominee Scott Bessent, as he has now.
1 min
China carmakers pivot to hybrid models for Europe to sidestep tariffs
SHANGHAI - Carmakers in China are ramping up exports of hybrid vehicles to Europe and planning more models for the key market, exposing the limits of the European Union's electric vehicle (EV) tariff scheme.
3 mins
Chinese trading app founder is $8b richer amid stimulus blitz
BEIJING - The tycoon behind China's Royal Flush trading app has added US$6 billion (S$8 billion) to his wealth since the nation's stimulus blitz in September, underscoring how the volatility has been a boon for an elite few.
3 mins
Hongkong Land said to be weighing sale of Singapore developer MCL
Singapore-listed property group Hongkong Land Holdings is considering selling its closely held property developer arm MCL Land, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
1 min
Robinhood plans to launch in Asia in 2025, with S'pore HQ
US online brokerage to acquire trading licences in region as part of global expansion plan
2 mins
S'pore among preferred destinations for billionaires
Billionaires are relocating more frequently, with many moving to Switzerland, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the US, according to private bankers.
2 mins
Retail sales in S'pore up 2.2% in October
Motor vehicle sales drive increase in revenue, posting year-on-year rise of 18.4%
2 mins
At a block in Singapore, Teochew kueh evokes roots, rebuilds lives
Searching for comfort food, the writer discovers a social enterprise that is using kueh to create jobs for a marginalized group.
6 mins
What a 121km trek across the Gobi Desert taught us about transformation
The motivation for self-transformation must come from within. Our job as institutes of higher learning is to fuel that motivation, says the writer.
5 mins
Biden's pardon: A gift to adversaries and a fresh blow to US credibility
By shielding his son from justice, President Biden has raised uncomfortable questions about America's standing as a global advocate for the rule of law.
5 mins
America's nightmare is two feral parties
The Democrats might decide that playing by the rules has got them nowhere.
4 mins
Microsoft, TikTok and AI are disrupting book publishing, but do we want their effortless art?
Once-important roles in the publishing sector - editing, translation, narration and voice acting, book design will soon be increasingly performed by machines.
5 mins
Marathons ● Having enough AEDs, identifying CPR-trained runners will help save lives
In Singapore, more than 20 per cent of the population have been trained in lifesaving skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) usage based on locally published literature.
1 min
My top three wishes for 2025
As we approach the new year, I believe there are several areas in which we, as a nation, can improve our quality of life and better manage resources.
1 min
Kindness ● Lift incident in mall a chance to reflect on cultivating a more considerate society
Videos about a recent incident at VivoCity, involving a confrontation between a man who was helping a wheelchair user and another individual, have sparked intense online debate.
1 min
Food businesses ● Risk-based approach in regulating industry
We thank Vera Zagorodnova for her letter \"Make it easier for young food and beverage entrepreneurs to prepare food\" (Nov 29).
1 min
Land use ● Housing a priority amid constraints
Singapore is unfortunately a small island of only about 730 sq km. Hence we cannot have the best of both worlds - saving the forests and building more HDB flats (Clearing of forests to build flats seems to go against Green Plan targets, Dec 5).
1 min
BARZALONA IS THE TOAST OF IJC
French jockey snags HK's jockey series after winning 2 of 4 legs
3 mins
Silver Falcon all set to soar away with the win
Dec 6 South Africa (Fairview) form analysis
2 mins
SUPER SMINK TAKES AIM AT FIRST GROUP 1 SILVERWARE
Perth horse will attempt to thwart eastern dominance at The Pinnacles in Northerly
3 mins
Axelsen, Zhang slam BWF for ignoring player welfare
Two-time Olympic and world champion Viktor Axelsen lashed out at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on social media on Dec 4, noting that he was \"tired of the disconnect between players and BWF\" and questioned if the latter cares about athlete welfare.
3 mins
A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO THE TOP
S'pore teen recaptures form after leaving SCF fold, wins international chess title
3 mins
Lakers lack 'right fight' in worst defeat of season
LOS ANGELES - Coach J.J. Redick said everyone is \"embarrassed\" as the Miami Heat humbled LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 134-93 on Dec 4, leaving the Lakers looking for answers after their biggest defeat of the National Basketball Association (NBA) season.
2 mins
TRANSGENDER WOMEN BANNED FROM LPGA
Tour and USGA require players to be female at birth or transition before male puberty
3 mins
Fencing chief opts to defer duties
Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov has dismissed criticism from Ukraine of his appointment as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), but has voluntarily suspended his duties, his spokesperson told Reuters on Dec. 4.
2 mins
Coe sees athletic start-ups as collaborators
MONACO - World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said he welcomed a number of innovative new track start-ups shaking up the sport's status quo, as athletics moves to draw more eyeballs after another successful Olympics.
2 mins
S. African Rugby says it needs $100m deal
CAPE TOWN - The body that oversees the reigning rugby union world champions, South Africa's Springboks, told lawmakers on Dec 4 it faces the risk of collapse if it does not boost revenue.
2 mins
VERSTAPPEN IS A BULLY: RUSSELL
Briton says Red Bull driver threatened to crash into him on purpose at Qatar GP
3 mins
FA won't take action over Guehi's Jesus message
LONDON - Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi will reportedly face no formal action from the Football Association (FA), despite adding a Christian message to his rainbow armband in defiance of a warning over the display of religious messages.
2 mins
SCHAR STUNS REDS ON HOME STRETCH
His attempt to keep ball in play secures Newcastle draw after 'special' Salah's brace
3 mins
City's much-needed victory comes at a cost
MANCHESTER - Pep Guardiola said Manchester City had to break the habit of losing after snapping a seven-game winless streak by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Dec 4.
2 mins
Gunners' set pieces 'killed game' for United
Arsenal's set-piece prowess in the victory over Manchester United on Dec 4 showed the Gunners' ability to score goals in different ways and their sheer will to win after a difficult spell, boss Mikel Arteta said.
2 mins
Motivated Song leads Sailors to ACL2's last 16
South Korea-born midfielder Song Ui-young showed Singapore coach Tsutomu Ogura just what he will be missing with a clinical hat-trick to help Lion City Sailors beat Thailand's Port FC 5-2 at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Dec 5.
3 mins
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
S'pore third in AFF Cup with win over Timorese to earn Women's C'ship spot
3 mins
SINGAPORE BAG
Aupen founder Nicholas Tan was initially told he would not make it because he did not have the right qualifications, but his bag brand has gone viral and is now collaborating with LVMH's artisanal arm Metiers d'Art
8 mins
The teeny tiny T-shirt is back again
NEW YORK - Ms Lauren Caruso had never really bought into the idea of dressing for one's body type. \"It's incredibly limiting,\" she said, adding that the concept is just code for wanting \"to look thinner or taller or attempt to reinforce other Eurocentric beauty standards\".
3 mins
Spreading body positivity through fashion
GUANGZHOU - Surrounded by racks of colourful dresses and blazers in China's manufacturing hub of Guangzhou, plus-size clothing brand owner and influencer Amanda Yao is on a mission to promote body positivity.
2 mins
Happy to play granny
Local actress Hong Huifang, 63, stars in Taiwanese drama Breeze By The Sea as an oyster farmer in her 70s
3 mins
Billboard defends choosing Beyonce over Taylor Swift as greatest pop star of 21st century
Billboard has come out to defend why it picked Beyonce over Taylor Swift as the biggest pop star of the century, amid mass backlash from Swifties.
2 mins
Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins 2024 Turner Prize
Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur won the prestigious Turner Prize on Dec 3 as the British contemporary art award celebrated its 40th anniversary.
1 min
Minion Land to officially open in Universal Studios Singapore on Feb 14
The wait is almost over. Universal Studios Singapore (USS) at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) announced on Dec 5 that the highly anticipated Minion Land will officially open to the public on Feb 14, 2025.
1 min
Realistic Harry Potter sword replicas recalled in Japan
TOKYO - Harry Potter sword replicas sold at a theme park in Japan have been recalled for being too authentic, potentially violating the anti-weapons law, Warner Bros Studios Japan and media have said.
1 min
The Straits Times Newspaper Description:
Publisher: SPH Media Limited
Category: Newspaper
Language: English
Frequency: Daily
Unlock your access to award-winning journalism on Singapore and the world. With bureaus in major cities around the world, The Straits Times correspondents bring world news to readers on a Singapore platter, helping them appreciate world events from a Singaporean perspective.
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