SeaPRwire

Jail for man who posed as woman online to have commercial sex with underage boy

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - A man posed as a woman online to lure a 17-year-old boy into having commercial sex with him. Muhammad Al-Masfuiin Muhsin, now 26, had pretended to be a woman who was looking for a "sex slave" to provide sexual services for "herself" and her "boyfriend" in exchange for $250. On June 18, 2019, the teenager, who had been kicked out of his home earlier, arrived at a Tampines flat. Al-Masfuiin, posing as the boyfriend, then performed a sexual act on the boy in exchange for a night's lodging in the unit. He also gave the boy a $50 note. The Singaporean, who was aware of the teenager's age, was sentenced on Monday (June 14) to 10 months' jail after admitting that he had indulged in commercial sex with a minor below 18 years old. The victim cannot be named due to a gag order to protect his identity. Deputy Public Prosecutor Emily Koh said that some time in 2017, the boy started using online classifieds website Locanto and discovered advertisements for sexual services as well as posts by people looking for "sugar mummies" or "friends with benefits". A sugar mummy commonly refers to an older woman who is willing to pay for the company of a younger person. He created an account on...

SeaPRwire

Wayfinding murals help residents find their way home in Kebun Baru

aseanpr
1 minute

SINGAPORE - Madam Shirley Cheong was at the void deck of her Housing Board block when she noticed an elderly woman, who she knew lived in a nearby block, walking up the stairs. Speaking in Mandarin, Madam Cheong, 78, said: "I asked her 'Auntie, are you looking for someone?' And she said she was going home, but she didn't realise she was at the wrong block. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

SeaPRwire

Yio Chu Kang is 3rd town to feature dementia-friendly murals

aseanpr
1 minute

SINGAPORE - Visitors to certain Housing Board blocks in Yio Chu Kang will be greeted by paintings of creatures like the Merlion and sports icons like footballer Lionel Messi. The colourful murals on the walls are part of efforts to help people with dementia draw connections between the artwork and a familiar area. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

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Third Covid-19 vaccine centre for students opens at ITE College West

aseanpr
4 minutes

SINGAPORE - The third dedicated Ministry of Education (MOE) vaccination centre to support the vaccination roll-out for students opened on Monday (June 14) at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College West in Choa Chu Kang. Two centres had opened earlier at the college's campuses in Ang Mo Kio and Simei, while a fourth will open at the Raffles City Convention Centre on Tuesday. More than 300,000 students across Singapore have registered for their vaccination appointments thus far, of whom over 101,000 have taken their first dose, said Second Education Minister Maliki Osman. About 345,000 SMSes and invites had been sent to eligible students. Dr Maliki gave reporters an update on student vaccination numbers on the sidelines of a visit to the school to launch the vaccination centre on Monday. "Our first batch, our graduating students, about 90 per cent of them have already registered, and about 75 per cent received their first doses. "It's very encouraging to see how the students are responding to all these invitations and SMSes that have been given to them." The hope is that all students will be able to get fully vaccinated by the end of August, Dr Maliki added, though this w...

SeaPRwire

Gojek cuts its commission by half till at least end-2022 to improve drivers’ earnings

aseanpr
2 minutes

SINGAPORE - Ride-hailing operator Gojek will halve the commission it receives from its drivers from June 21 till at least the end-2022, in order to help them increase their earnings. This means Gojek drivers will get to keep 90 per cent of the fare from every trip, instead of 80 per cent. The move comes after Grab, the dominant ride-hailing operator here, said it would seek to improve drivers' earnings by introducing a $1 fare hike from this month. Gojek said on Monday (June 14) that the cut in commission, which it refers to as service fees, will help to lessen the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its drivers. It said a survey it conducted found that 50 per cent of drivers want lower service fees for better earnings. Gojek will also introduce a payout of $3 to drivers who have to drive 3km or more to pick-up their passenger, among other measures. Its general manager, Mr Lien Choong Luen, said: "The ongoing impact of the pandemic is a consistent worry for our driver-partners as they try to sustain their earnings amidst the uncertainty. "These measures will have a profound impact on the livelihoods of our driver-partners, increasing their take-home earnings while giving them more f...

JCN Newswire
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One-Two in Race 100 for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

ruth
8 minutes

Toyota City, Japan, Jun 14, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing celebrated its 100th World Championship sportscar race with a one-two victory for its new GR010 HYBRID Hypercar in the 8 Hours of Portimao following a flawless performance in Portugal.After missing pole position on Saturday, the team responded in style to win the second round of the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and earn its 32nd victory from 100 races in the series.Sebastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley, in the #8 GR010 HYBRID, won a race-long battle with their team-mates to take victory by 1.8secs from World Champions Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez in the #7 sister car.With a second win from two races in 2021, following victory in the season-opening 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has extended its teams' World Championship lead to 22 points. In the drivers' standings, the #8 crew hold a 20-point advantage over #7 with four races remaining.Following an exciting Hypercar battle at Spa last month, WEC's first visit to Portugal witnessed another close battle. Every second counted from the moment Sebastien took the start behind the ...

JCN Newswire
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JCB Accelerates Business Expansion in ASEAN Region with Opening of New Department in Singapore

ruth
2 minutes

TOKYO, Jun 14, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - JCB Co., Ltd., Japan's only international payment brand is pleased to announce the establishment of a new ASEAN Business Enhancement and Creation Department under its subsidiary, JCB International Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.JCB develops and provisions innovative technologies and services around the world. The ASEAN Business Enhancement and Creation Department will further accelerate the development of new payment services through strategic partnerships and investments with local financial institutions and start-ups, and with Japanese companies operating in the rapidly growing ASEAN region. In addition, the new department will proactively seek to create new business opportunities beyond the framework of our current payment business in the ASEAN region.About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 36 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 140 million cardmembers. As part of its ...

SeaPRwire

A meme stock is born: How to spot the next Reddit favourite

elean
3 minutes

NEW YORK (BLOOMBERG) - Trying to keep up with the frenzied rise of so-called meme stocks might feel a bit like playing a game of whack-a-mole, bewildering analysts and investors alike. While there's no steadfast definition of what constitutes a meme stock, one common thread across the many names being pitched on social media is a focus on heavily shorted companies. Shares of Reddit icon GameStop jumped as much as 2,500 per cent in January after day traders noticed its short interest had ballooned to record levels. Investors looking for other stocks that might fit that mold will find nearly 230 firms with a market capitalization of at least US$100 million (S$132.6 million) and short interest of 15 per cent or more, according to S3 Partners data compiled by Bloomberg. More than 80 per cent of those names have managed positive returns over the last month with the average gain sitting at about 18 per cent, while the S&P 500 Index rose 2.3 per cent. Among the most heavily shorted stocks are names like Clover Health Investments, Workhorse Group and Geo Group, which have already caught the attention of retail traders in recent days. Meanwhile, Bumble and Petco Health and Wellness, both fr...

SeaPRwire

Bitcoin jumps after Elon Musk says Tesla will resume its use when mining cleaner

elean
3 minutes

NEW YORK (BLOOMBERG) - Bitcoin jumped above US$39,000 after billionaire Elon Musk said Tesla would resume transactions with the cryptocurrency when mining is done with more clean energy. The electric car maker will allow Bitcoin transactions again "when there's confirmation of reasonable (~50 per cent) clean energy usage by miners with positive future trend", Mr Musk, Tesla's chief executive, said in a tweet. His posting was in reply to a report in Cointelegraph, which cited Ms Magda Wierzycka, executive chair of South African asset manager Sygnia, as saying that Mr Musk's recent tweets on Bitcoin should have prompted an investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The cryptocurrency gained as much as 9.3 per cent to US$39,372 on Sunday afternoon in New York, the highest level since June 3 and just below the US$40,000 round-number level seen as key by some chart watchers. It was down about 1 per cent to US$38,881 as at 7am in Hong Kong on Monday (June 14). "The tweet added to positive momentum as Elon's stance seems to be moderating and providing a target that's not far away," said Mr Jonathan Cheesman, head of over-the-counter and institutional sales at c...

ACN Newswire
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Registration Open for Electric Vehicles & the Grid Online Workshop

indie
2 minutes

Singapore, Jun 14, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Infocus International Group has launched the Electric Vehicles (EVs) & the Grid online workshop which will be commencing live on 31 August 2021. The essential guide to opportunity and risk within emerging EV charging value chains.Even without the rapid growth of EVs, our current power systems are in the midst of a disruptive transition towards cleaner, diversified and more flexible structures. If a transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to EVs is to be achieved, what will be the impact on these systems? What are the barriers to scale and which solutions (and hence market opportunities) will be essential? This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the multi-sector issues that must be understood and integrated, plus the competitive battles ahead, including: technology status and trends, management of electricity demand & supply, charging network players and competitors, consumer behaviour influences.Benefits of Attending:- Quantify the variables which will determine the impact of EVs on electricity supply- Identify the key barriers to widespread EV integration and growth, from a power system per...

ACN Newswire
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Infocus International Announces Online Training on LNG Supply, Demand, Pricing & Trading

indie
3 minutes

Singapore, Jun 14, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - The best rated LNG Supply, Demand, Pricing & Trading online training is back by popular demand with updated agenda and it will be commencing live on 8 September 2021. At the beginning of 2020, the LNG business was looking forward to another year of expansion after a successful 2019 during which production increased by 42.5 mt and final investment decisions (FIDs) were taken on 71 mtpa of liquefaction capacity. COVID-19 has radically changed those expectations. LNG production continued to increase rapidly in the first quarter of 2020 as output from LNG trains that started up in 2019 built up to full capacity. However, demand weakened in the second quarter as lockdowns in many LNG importing countries to control the spread of COVID-19 slowed economic activity. Increased supply and declining demand have led to an over-supplied market, with spot prices for LNG falling to levels not seen before in the second quarter and the cancellation of US LNG cargoes. However, prices began to recover during the third quarter with demand expected to strengthen in the winter months. The construction of new liquefaction trains has been del...

ACN Newswire
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Trescon’s WCSS to shed light on how to protect Qatar’s digital economy from cyber threats and vulnerabilities

indie
4 minutes

QATAR, UAE, Jun 14, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Taking place on 7 July 2021, the 11th Global Edition of #TresconCyberSec will focus on the Qatar region discussing topics such as, creating cyber security frameworks for critical assets and critical infrastructure; legal frameworks and regulations in cyber security; the boom of emerging technologies: new threats & new security techniques; cloud security, data protection and much more. The Impact of Covid-19 on Qatar's Cyber Security:Qatar recorded 2,033 emails, URL and file threats related to the Corona virus (Covid-19) in Q1 2020, the second-highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); a very concerning fact for the nation that has pushed officials into further investing in better security systems to protect their businesses.In particular, rise in recent ransomwares attacks has seen both high numbers and impact during the pandemic, as work from home initiatives risk loss of sensitive information. Why Qatar and Why Now?With the growing concern regarding security, government organizations and enterprises in Qatar have been moving forward with plans to better their security protocols in what seems to be the country's...

SeaPRwire

Grab CEO confident Spac merger to close by year-end after delay

elean
3 minutes

SINGAPORE (BLOOMBERG) - Grab Holdings chief executive officer Anthony Tan said he's confident the merger of the ride-hailing and food-delivery giant and a US blank-cheque company will be completed by year-end, following a delay caused by a review of its financials. The Singapore-based start-up last week postponed the expected completion of the deal with Altimeter Growth Corp - set to be one of the largest-ever mergers with a special purpose acquisition company (Spac) - to the fourth quarter as it works on an audit of the past three years. When announcing the pact in April, Grab said in an investor presentation its completion target was July. "We decided to be proactive," Mr Tan said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. "We wanted to set the bar in transparent financial reporting. It may have taken a little longer than we expected." Grab, which operates across South-east Asia, is the latest company to be affected by intensifying scrutiny from US financial regulators on deals involving Spacs. After a frenzy of listings, the Spac market has been hit by a crackdown by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as lawsuits from shareholders, falling stock prices and d...

JCN Newswire
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All-New Lexus NX Premieres, Heraldling the Start of the Lexus Next Chapter

ruth
3 minutes

Toyota City, Japan, Jun 14, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Lexus announced the world premiere of the all-new NX, the first model of Lexus' next-generation range. The NX, as well as the forthcoming model lineup, will better meet the diversifying needs and lifestyles of customers the world over, and in doing so, will promote the realization of a carbon-neutral society.Lexus NX (Prototype)Since its establishment in 1989, Lexus has been committed to the spirit of innovation and has continued to take on the challenge of providing new technologies and values to its customers. With the launch of the first-generation RX in 1998, Lexus created a new category of luxury crossover SUV and has been a leader in the realm ever since. In 2014, Lexus launched the NX, based on the concept of "Premium Urban Sports Gear." Since then, the luxury crossover has been well-received by customers for its agile driving performance and powerful design. As of the end of April 2021, the NX has sold a cumulative total of approximately 1 million units in more than 90 countries and regions, and together with the RX, has grown to become a core global model for Lexus.The new NX is the first model to introd...

SeaPRwire

Start of long road to proposed G-7 tax reforms

elean
1 minute

SINGAPORE - The Group of Seven leaders meeting in Britain will endorse US President Joe Biden's proposal for a global minimum tax, the White House said on Friday (June 11). The proposed new tax rate by the G-7 countries will have minimal impact, if at all, on Singapore-based multinationals and Singapore companies. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

SeaPRwire

Markets on roller coaster amid fear, hope, greed

elean
5 minutes

SINGAPORE - The markets were on a roller coaster last week as the forces of fear, hope and greed collided. Fear of inflationary forces put downward pressure on stocks, while hope of more long-term upside was fanned by signs of a sequential economic recovery. Meanwhile, greed kept stocks grinding higher despite mixed signals from various data releases. A positive close on Friday (June 11) saw the New York mainboard's Dow Jones index cutting its loss to 276.79 points, or 0.8 per cent, for the week to end last Friday at 34,479.60 points. However, the broader S&P 500 index ended flattish with a 17.55 point, or 0.4 per cent, gain for the week at 4,247.44 points. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, which has been volatile in recent weeks, gained 254.93 points, or 1.8 per cent, for the week to end last Friday's session at 14,069.42 points, supported by the big techs and semiconductor stocks. Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) ended at 3,157.97 points, up 5.93 points, or 0.2 per cent, for the week. With about a 40-point range between its high (3,188.00) and low (3,145.79) since the end of last month, this is a comparatively calm start to the month. The banks, which account for 40 per cent of the ind...

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182 stalls in 115 Bukit Merah View market closed for cleaning after 2 Covid-19 cases detected

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - All 182 stalls in 115 Bukit Merah View Market and Hawker Centre have been closed from Sunday (June 13) for cleaning after two Covid-19 cases were detected there. The market will be closed till Tuesday. Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Joan Pereira on Saturday said the Tanjong Pagar Town Council, National Environment Agency and Bukit Merah View Merchants' Committee are "engaging stallholders at the market and hawker centre to inform them of the closure and to assist with any queries". "We are also putting up notices around the neighbouring estate to inform residents of the closure," she wrote in a Facebook post. Ms Pereira told The Straits Times stallholders were understanding of the need to close the market for cleaning. "Some asked if there would be any forms of assistance that they could tap on in the meantime. We are currently working with the relevant agencies to ensure that relevant information on any assistance available can be relayed to the stallholders," she added. An 82-year-old Singaporean woman who regularly helps out at a sundry store at the market and food centre tested positive. She is the second case detected there, after a 74-year-old Singaporean man who was fully ...

SeaPRwire

5 taken to hospital, 120 evacuated after fire in North Bridge Road HDB block

aseanpr
1 minute

SINGAPORE - Five people were taken to hospital after a fire in North Bridge Road on Saturday (June 12) night. A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) spokesman said it was alerted to the blaze at Block 8 at about 10.15pm. The fire involved contents of a seventh-floor unit in the Housing Board block, and was extinguished using a water jet. About 120 people were evacuated from the sixth to 10th floors of the block by the police. Four persons were taken to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) while one was sent to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The spokesman said people who suffer smoke inhalation or serious burn injuries will be taken to the Burn Centre at SGH. "However, if their condition is too unstable, they will be conveyed to the nearest Ministry of Health-designated hospital," he added. The cause of the fire is under investigation. More on this topic Related Story Neighbour saves unconscious man from fire in Bukit Batok flat Related Story Young delivery rider who died in PMD lift fire in Woodlands was kind and helpful

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Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on June 13

aseanpr
2 minutes

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Sunday, June 13. MOH revises Covid-19 community case count down to 9; Ion cleaner among unlinked cases The woman is employed by Hong Ye Group, whose cleaners were also linked to earlier cases at Changi Business Park. READ MORE HERE Who's to blame when a child goes 'beyond parental control'? Dozens of such applications are made against children under the age of 16 each year. READ MORE HERE Offensive comments and dirty looks: Life in Singapore as an interracial couple It is not uncommon for them to be on receiving end of racially insensitive or offensive comments. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Aviation workers hold the fort at Changi despite Covid-19 risks The new normal for the workers means the discomfort of regular Covid-19 swab tests, as well as donning PPE for most of their shifts. READ MORE HERE The humble 5-cent coin: Legal tender but falling out of favour Engraved on one side of its surface is an image of The Esplanade - Singapore's iconic performing arts centre, otherwise known as the "Durian". READ MORE HERE Denmark's Eriksen had cardiac massage on pitch...

SeaPRwire

Runaway teen rebuilds ties with family through counselling

aseanpr
1 minute

SINGAPORE- He was arrested for shoplifting five times and frequently ran away from home, at times for up to three weeks. On the rare occasions when Adam (not his real name) spoke to his parents, his speech was peppered with expletives. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.