Japan export gains widen in November before Omicron emergence
TOKYO (BLOOMBERG) - Gains in Japan's exports widened in November for the first time since May in a sign global trade was regaining traction before the Omicron variant of the coronavirus began to spread. The value of Japan's overseas shipments rose 20.5 per cent from a year earlier, up from an increase of 9.4 per cent in October, the finance ministry reported on Thursday (Dec 16). Economists had expected a gain of 21 per cent. On a seasonally adjusted basis, exports advanced 5.3 per cent from the previous month. Improved Japanese trade adds to signs the global economy was on a solid footing even as supply chain snarls persisted. At home, higher vaccination rates and falling infection cases have allowed the government to lift virus emergency measures, helping restaurants and other services get back on track. But the spread of the Omicron variant in late November now clouds the outlook to some extent, as countries limit access to travelers and weigh whether to reinstate domestic restrictions. Supply constrains also continue to affect manufacturers, with Toyota Motor cutting production again this month due to part shortages.
Singapore sees boom in online purchases of groceries
After Covid-19 hit Singapore, Madam Tina Soh has had to wait longer for groceries bought online to be delivered to her home. The 57-year-old merchandising manager in textiles, who began shopping for groceries online before the pandemic struck, noted that Covid-19 has led to an uptick in demand for online grocery services, causing delays. 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.
Jail for cop who drove negligently, killing elderly pedestrian in accident
SINGAPORE - A policeman driving a car failed to slow down or stop before making a left turn, hitting an elderly pedestrian who later died in hospital. After hitting her, he stopped his car "for around three seconds" before driving forward again, running the car over the woman, the court heard. Norazlan Abdul Aziz, now 44, a station inspector, was on Friday (Oct 22) sentenced to two weeks' jail and disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles for five years, after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of Ms Lee Swee Huak, 84, by negligent driving. In an earlier statement, the police said that he was still in service, adding: "Should he be convicted in court subsequently, SPF (Singapore Police Force) will commence disciplinary proceedings against him." Court documents did not mention if the Singaporean policeman was on the job or off duty at the time of the fatal accident. Deputy Public Prosecutor Claire Poh said that Norazlan had exited a multi-storey carpark at Block 808 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1 and was driving along a service road near Block 807D towards the main road shortly before the accident on Sept 21, 2017. Ms Lee was crossing a junction at the service road and Choa Chu ...
After Fed chief’s dovish taper talk, eyes on US and China data
SINGAPORE - So the long awaited Federal Reserve Jackson Hole gathering has come and gone without causing major calamity to financial markets. At the closely watched symposium last Friday, chairman Jerome Powell indicated that the Fed taper - the pullback on the massive bond-buying programmes unleashed last year - will come before the year end. But he said interest rate hikes are not imminent as there is still "much ground to cover" before the United States economy hits full employment. 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.
Newly-wed man lied to court he had not slept with wife to save money on divorce proceedings
SINGAPORE - In a desperate bid to save costs on divorce proceedings, a man lied before a court that his newly-wed wife had refused to consummate their marriage, so that they could annul their marriage instead. Daryl Lim Chun Leng, 25, also wanted to avoid being labelled a divorcee, and he got his then wife to agree to his plan in exchange for his cooperation in future matters. On Tuesday (Dec 22), Lim was sentenced to one week's jail after he pleaded guilty to one charge of lying before a court of justice. The court heard that Lim and Ms Wang Kechen, 24, were married in January 2017, but had marital troubles by mid-June that year, after Lim discovered that she had an extramarital affair. Lim then proposed an annulment, which he said was a "better" option, as the cost of the proceedings was lower and both could avoid being labelled as divorcees, according to court documents. An annulment would also "void the marriage immediately", and Lim promised to maintain appearances in front of Ms Wang's parents and to help her in all her future requests. Both parties agreed to annul the marriage, and Lim engaged a law firm to commence annulment proceedings, on the basis that Ms Wang had "wilfu...