The Straits Times - December 18, 2024
The Straits Times - December 18, 2024
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In this issue
December 18, 2024
Over 8,000 platform workers have opted in for higher CPF contributions
More than 8,000 platform workers have opted in for higher Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions under the Platform Workers Act, which will take full effect from Jan 1, 2025.
3 mins
S'pore key exports rebound in Nov on electronics growth
Surprise boost as exporters front-load shipments ahead of proposed US tariffs
3 mins
News analysis EU faces leadership void amid German political paralysis and French instability
BERLIN - The Franco-German engine has not always run in sync in the past. However, in most cases, at least one of the two nations could take the lead when either Paris or Berlin found itself in a political bind.
4 mins
Germany set for snap election as Scholz loses confidence vote
Debate preceding vote opens campaigning as party leaders trade ill-tempered barbs
2 mins
Replacing NRIC number as authentication tool may take months: Experts
They also flag risk of scams, identity theft as organisations overhaul security systems
4 mins
App's CEO meets Trump as shutdown deadline looms
TikTok chief executive Chew Shou Zi met US President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Dec 16, just weeks before the popular video app is expected to be banned in the US over national security concerns.
1 min
TikTok turns to US Supreme Court in last-ditch effort to avert ban
WASHINGTON - TikTok made a last-ditch effort on Dec. 16 to continue operating in the U.S., asking the Supreme Court to temporarily block a law intended to force ByteDance, its China-based parent company, to divest the short-video app by Jan. 19 or face a ban.
2 mins
South Korean parties clash over appointment of judges for Yoon's trial
SEOUL - South Korea's main parties clashed on Dec. 17 over whether Acting President Han Duck-soo possesses the authority to approve National Assembly nominations for new Constitutional Court justices, a move that could make it easier to confirm President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.
3 mins
Yoon told to appear for questioning by Saturday or face arrest: Report
South Korean prosecutors on Dec 17 told impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear by the weekend for questioning over his failed martial law bid or face possible arrest, the Yonhap news agency said.
2 mins
Fake Covid-19 vaccinations Defence objects to 6 police statements being admitted in court as evidence
Lawyer says they were recorded where there was threat, inducement or promise
4 mins
Building pancaked: 7.4-magnitude quake strikes Vanuatu
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu's capital Port Vila on Dec 17, with the United Nations reporting six unconfirmed deaths, and damage to two reservoirs and a hospital.
1 min
Tokyo to actively recruit nursing care staff from S-E Asia
Japan's Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry will actively promote the recruitment of nursing care staff from Southeast Asia from fiscal year 2025, to cope with the serious labour shortage in the industry.
2 mins
Japan exorcises Fukushima's ghosts to embrace nuke power
Experts lament the country's continued presence of fossil fuels in targeted 2040 energy mix
4 mins
Anwar's pick of Thaksin as 'informal adviser' on Asean causes a stir in Malaysia
Officials tout former Thai PM's experience, but others question foreign politician's appointment
4 mins
Tighter restrictions in New Delhi as air pollution turns 'severe'
India has tightened restrictions aimed at helping the public cope with pollution twice in 24 hours in New Delhi and its surrounding regions after a deterioration in air quality.
1 min
Shanghai, Hangzhou warn of heavy air pollution; schools halt activities
China's financial and business hub of Shanghai and the nearby city of Hangzhou both issued alerts for heavy air pollution and advised children, the elderly and sick people to avoid prolonged outdoor activities.
1 min
Thai anti-graft body probes Thaksin's previous stay in hospital instead of jail
BANGKOK - Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Dec 16 resolved to investigate 12 government officials for allegedly allowing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to stay in a hospital instead of jail.
1 min
Beijing, Washington can achieve 'great things' together: Wang Yi
China's top diplomat said on Dec 17 that he hoped the incoming US administration would \"make the right choice\" and work with Beijing, hours after President-elect Donald Trump told reporters the Covid-19 pandemic had strained his relationship with \"friend\" Xi Jinping.
3 mins
China extends visa-free transit stays to 10 days
China announced on Dec 17 a relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travellers to 240 hours, or 10 days, from the original three to six days, as the authorities aim to attract more foreign visitors.
1 min
Chinese tech giant faces lawsuit over sale of illegal hunting gear
Civil case one of many brought by activists to protect China's environment
5 mins
Canadian govt adrift after finance minister quits as US tariffs loom
OTTAWA - The abrupt resignation of Canada's Finance Minister leaves the government adrift less than a month before the inauguration of a new US administration that could impose crippling sanctions on Canadian exports.
2 mins
Trump loses bid to overturn conviction in hush money suit
WASHINGTON - Donald Trump on Dec 16 lost a bid to overturn his criminal conviction stemming from hush money paid to a porn star, in the light of the US Supreme Court's July ruling recognising immunity from prosecution for a president's official acts.
2 mins
Everybody wants to be my friend: Trump talks war, TikTok and drones
He announces massive SoftBank investment at his first news conference as President-elect
3 mins
US slaps new sanctions on firms, individuals in North Korea and Russia
Measures target Pyongyang's financial activities and military support for Moscow
3 mins
At least 100,000 bodies in Syrian mass grave, says advocacy group
The head of a US-based Syrian advocacy organization on Dec 16 said that a mass grave outside Damascus contained the bodies of at least 100,000 people killed by the government of ousted president Bashar al-Assad.
2 mins
Israel closer than ever to a deal on Gaza hostages, says minister
Israeli negotiators have never been closer to a deal for the release of hostages in Gaza since the November 2023 truce in the war between Israel and Hamas, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Dec 16.
2 mins
ChatGPT's web search open to all users, posing threat to Google
SAN FRANCISCO - OpenAI on Dec 16 said it is making ChatGPT-powered internet search available to all users, escalating its threat to Google's dominance.
1 min
How can I keep my belongings safe from thieves while flying?
Cases of in-cabin theft are increasing on some commercial flights.
3 mins
Expanded Sped school to be housed at former Hong Kah Secondary School site
Rebuilt site will include training hub for Grace Orchard's special needs graduates
3 mins
Bags of Joy' spread festive cheer to 300 beneficiaries of ST pocket money fund
To help spread festive cheer, 60 volunteers from a local financial advisory firm delivered \"Bags of Joy\" to 300 beneficiaries of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF) islandwide on Dec 17.
1 min
‘A people's priest': Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia dies at 86
Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia, the first Singapore-born clergyman to be appointed as head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, has died at the age of 86.
2 mins
Changi Airport's 'X-ray vision' app helps workers navigate underground
Augmented-reality tool provides a 3D map of the network of cables, ducts and pipes under the airfield
3 mins
AT THE COURTS Ex-security officer who left post and forgot to remove fake bomb fined
His failure to get rid of dummy device meant for an assessment exercise sparked bomb scare
3 mins
Jail for worker who caused man to lose part of leg in forklift accident
A warehouse assistant was operating a forklift when he failed to check a blind spot while making a turn, and the vehicle struck a man in his left leg.
1 min
Phuket airport apologises for including Singapore's Peranakan houses in mural
Travellers to Thailand's Phuket, a popular destination among Singaporeans, were recently greeted at its airport by a mural of the island's attractions, such as the Chaithararam Temple, the Big Buddha Phuket and Phuket Old Town.
1 min
Bulls And Bears STI edges down 0.6%, tracking declines in region
Frasers Centrepoint Trust tops index, rising 1% to $2.12 | Yangzijiang Shipbuilding is top loser, down 2.1% to $2.82 | South Korea, Japan, HK and Malaysia in the red
1 min
Fed chief appears headed for another collision with Trump
Inside the halls of the US Federal Reserve's headquarters in Washington, casual mentions of the incoming Trump administration are cautious and infrequent.
4 mins
Houthi attacks turn back the clock for shipping as costs pile up
Freighters are avoiding Suez Canal, hurting importers, economies and the environment
4 mins
Foreign CEOs' confidence in China slides despite stimulus
A key measure of foreign chief executives' confidence in China signaled pessimism for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, even after the nation unleashed a raft of stimulus measures.
1 min
Beijing plans record budget deficit of 4% in 2025
Sources say the added stimulus is part of preparations to counter expected US tariffs
2 mins
CapitaLand Ascendas Reit to acquire DHL's Indiana logistics property in $150m deal
CapitaLand Ascendas Reit (Clar) is proposing to acquire logistics property DHL Indianapolis Logistics Centre in Whiteland, Indianapolis, Indiana, for $150.3 million from DHL USA.
1 min
Wee Hur shares fall 10.5% after firm sells student accommodation portfolio
After weeks of speculation, Singapore-listed Wee Hur Holdings confirmed on Dec 16 that it had sold its student accommodation assets in Australia for A$1.6 billion (S$1.37 billion) to real estate services provider Greystar.
2 mins
SNEF's Budget wish list: More financial aid, extended wage credit schemes
Federation also calls for more subsidies for AI-related training under SkillsFuture Series
2 mins
Dyna-Mac fires CEO following review of business after acquisition
Offshore oil and gas contractor Dyna-Mac has fired its executive chairman and chief executive Lim Ah Cheng.
1 min
Cosco Shipping doubles Jurong Island Logistics Hub capacity to meet demand
The movement of cargo between Singapore's mainland ports and the Jurong Island petrochemical hub is set to become more efficient and sustainable, with fewer trucks and more barges making the trips even as the storage capacity on the island is being doubled to meet rising demand.
1 min
Revenues jump, but digital banks yet to turn in profits
They are expanding offerings and moving into fee-generating products as part of growth path, experts say
6 mins
House arrest for Najib in 2025? Gambit will test Anwar's political skills
Political calculations may make further reprieve for the jailed former leader likely.
7 mins
Yoon's impeachment Widens East Asia fault lines
The turmoil in Seoul, the weakest government in decades in Tokyo and Donald Trump's return to power in Washington mean a brief moment of coordination is coming to an end at the worst possible time.
4 mins
Why we're not lovin' McDonald's charging for extra curry sauce
It's not just about the cost. It's a challenge to the social contract we've formed with the brand.
5 mins
Bosses struggle to police workers' use of AI
Staff are adopting large language models faster than companies can issue guidelines on how to do so.
5 mins
Why do We revert to our childhood selves when we visit family?
Here's the psychology behind those old dynamics - and some tips on how to take a pause and reset this festive season.
4 mins
Earth is warming faster. Scientists are closing in on Why
Paradoxically, cleaner emissions from ships and power plants are playing a role.
5 mins
Diplomacy ● Remark about chai in poor taste
I refer to the article \"No shortage of chai for Singapore's envoy in India after 'tasteless' brew post goes viral\" (Dec 16).
1 min
Diplomacy ● Remark about chai in poor taste
I refer to the article \"No shortage of chai for Singapore's envoy in India after 'tasteless' brew post goes viral\" (Dec 16).
1 min
Milestone ● Former classmates mark 70 years since graduation
I recently met up with some old schoolmates from Chung Cheng High School for a celebratory lunch – it has been exactly 70 years since we graduated in 1954.
1 min
Massage ● Some Thai techniques can be risky go for gentler alternatives
The recent deaths of a Singaporean (52-year-old man from S'pore dies after getting a massage in Phuket, Dec 9) and a Thai singer after massage sessions in Thailand may have left some worried.
1 min
Letter of the day Offer bankrupts dignity and real chances for recovery
Bankruptcy in Singapore is a difficult journey.
1 min
Replies Transport ● Point-to-point services balance safety and practicality for families with young children
We thank Mr Tan Yee Kiat for his letter \"New options for booking ride-hailing services do not serve parents well\" (Dec 9).
1 min
BOLD RUNNER SHINES IN KL
The Ananthen-trained three-year-old looks too good to ignore during Dec 17 trackwork
3 mins
RELIABLE PROFIT CAN BE TRUSTED
Dec 18 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis
3 mins
SILAT BROTHERS UNAFFECTED BY DAD'S ABSENCE
Ferdous, Farhan aim for world c'ship glory, despite father Sheik Alauddin's legal travails
3 mins
Cunningham lives his dream against Heat
DETROIT - Cade Cunningham delivered a triple-double and Tim Hardaway Jr. came up big in overtime, as the Detroit Pistons held off Miami 125-124 in a thriller on Dec. 16 that snapped the Heat's four-game winning streak.
2 mins
MVP contenders to lay down marker in NBA Cup finale
LAS VEGAS - Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks hope to add the NBA (National Basketball Association) Cup to their list of accomplishments, but they will need to go through an Oklahoma City Thunder group who have established themselves as the premier force in the West.
2 mins
Triathlete Yee to scratch marathon 'itch' in London
LONDON - Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee plans to run the 2025 London Marathon in what would be his debut at the 42.195km distance, adding another sporting accomplishment to his glittering resume.
2 mins
AYE TO RYDER CUP PAY-FOR-PLAY
Each US golfer will get a stipend under an increased payout from 2025 edition
2 mins
Next IOC head must shun Russia: Ukraine
PARIS - The successor to Thomas Bach as International Olympic Committee (IOC) president must \"embody the principles of justice\" and that means refusing to welcome Russia back into the sporting world, Ukraine's Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi has told AFP.
3 mins
Mudryk in 'complete shock' after failing drug test
LONDON - Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a drug test, the English Premier League club said on Dec 17, as reports stated the Ukrainian international has been provisionally suspended.
1 min
SLOT SEES LIGHTER SIDE OF CUP BAN
Unfazed boss says he deserves third yellow card that got him suspended for Saints trip
3 mins
Shots aplenty, but both managers rue draw
LONDON - West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui praised his side's resilience, despite the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser in their 1-1 English Premier League draw at Bournemouth on Dec 16.
2 mins
A night to remember forever: Lions fans on 1994 final
Like in the 1994 animated film The Lion King, one scene has endured since the Malaysia Cup final 30 years ago - that of four-year-old twins Fadly and Farid dressed in identical lion suits and held aloft by their father Jamil Sulong.
3 mins
GOOSEBUMPS FOR DOUBLE-WINNERS
Heroes of 1994 Lions squad have special reunion at 30th anniversary celebration
2 mins
LIONS' TALE OF TWO HALVES
Focus on Malaysia next after S'pore blow 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 to Thailand
3 mins
Contrasting Women's Euro draws for England, Spain
LAUSANNE - World Cup winners Spain will play Italy, Belgium and Portugal at Women's Euro 2025, while England face a tough path to defending their title at the tournament in Switzerland.
2 mins
BAD BACK
More teens and young adults hit with degenerative disc disease
6 mins
Could dark chocolate reduce risk of diabetes?
If you have long assumed that you must deprive yourself of delicious foods to be healthy, a new study in medical journal The BMJ offers encouraging news: Eating dark chocolate has been associated with a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
3 mins
Lessons from a dog attack
Viewpoint Canines may bite and scratch when excited or caught by surprise
4 mins
Malcolm In The Middle is getting a four-episode revival on Disney+
NEW YORK - One of America's wackiest families is making a comeback.
2 mins
Pedro Almodovar is not lost in translation
Working in English and directing Hollywood stars can be difficult for European directors. But the Spanish director's The Room Next Door is an exception
4 mins
Brazil judge orders Adele song to be pulled globally
A Brazilian judge has ordered a song by British pop superstar Adele (left), Million Years Ago (2015), to be pulled worldwide - including on streaming services - over an ongoing plagiarism claim by a Brazilian composer.
1 min
Jay-Z will seek dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit his lawyer calls a 'sham'
Lawyers for Jay-Z (right) plan to ask a judge to toss a lawsuit accusing the American rapper of raping a 13-year-old in 2000, pointing to what they described as \"glaring inconsistencies\" that emerged in an NBC interview of the accuser, who was not named in the suit.
1 min
Comedian Jimmy O. Yang finds people who look more like him than himself in lookalike contest
It looks like there are Asians out there who look more like Jimmy O. Yang than the man himself, said the Hong Kong-born American actor and stand-up comedian.
1 min
Local musician-TikToker first from Asia to be nominated
Drumeo Awards: TikTok Drummer of the Year category
2 mins
The Straits Times Newspaper Description:
Publisher: SPH Media Limited
Category: Newspaper
Language: English
Frequency: Daily
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