NEW YORK – Taylor Swift led the nominations announced Wednesday for the MTV Europe Music Awards after she caused a stir with her vengeful new persona on Look What You Made Me Do.
The pop superstar was up for six prizes including Best Artist and Best Video at the international edition of MTV’s awards gala, which will take place in London on November 12.
Look What You Made Me Do, the lead single from Swift’s upcoming album Reputation, broke the record for first-day views on YouTube as Swift, long an anodyne cultural force, showed a sinister new side to herself.
The video opens in a graveyard where a tombstone reads “Here Lies Taylor Swift’s Reputation” and goes on to take subtle jabs at her ex-boyfriends as well as rapper Kanye West, with whom she has a simmering feud.
Young Canadian sensation Shawn Mendes was second with five nominations, followed at four nods each for English songwriter Ed Sheeran and rapper Kendrick Lamar, who was the big winner at MTV’s signature Video Music Awards in Los Angeles in August.
Nominees for Best World Stage category, which recognises international performances, include the Los Angeles-based DJ Steve Aoki for an MTV special in Malta and Foo Fighters for a gig aired from Barcelona.
The Europe Music Awards differ from the VMAs by recognising international impact and featuring non-English categories.
But like the VMAs, the awards are generally more watched for its pop culture moments, both scripted and unscripted, than for the actual winners.
MTV earlier announced that Rita Ora, a major pop singer in Britain who is set to release her first album in five years, will serve as host of the show in her hometown.
Pekanbaru, Indonesia – A giant python attacked an Indonesian man, nearly severing his arm, before hungry villagers chopped up the reptile and ate it, a police chief said Wednesday.
Security guard Robert Nababan crossed paths with the giant creature while patrolling an oil palm plantation in the remote Batang Gansal subdistrict of Sumatra island on Saturday.
“The python was 7.8 metres long (25.6 feet), it was unbelievably huge,” local police chief Sutarja, who like many Indonesians only has one name, told AFP. Sutarja said the 37-year-old Nababan, who sometimes liked to eat
snake, tried to catch the giant python and stuff it in a gunny sack. But the huge serpent fought back and bit him on his left arm, nearly severing it from his body. Nababan was then rushed to a hospital in a neighbouring town for treatment.
The police chief said the intervention of another security guard and several local residents, one of whom hit the snake with a log, helped to save the man’s life.
Hungry locals later killed the snake and displayed its body in the village before dicing it up, frying it and feasting on it.
Giant python, which regularly top 20 feet in length, are commonly found in Indonesia and the Philippines.
In March, a 25-year-old Indonesian farmer has been discovered inside the belly of a giant python after the swollen snake was caught near where the man vanished while harvesting his crops on the eastern island of Sulawesi.
SINGAPORE: As a country known for its zero tolerance towards corruption, Singapore has constantly sought to enhance the way companies fight corruption and bribery.
In April, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) and SPRING Singapore jointly launched the new Singapore standard on anti-bribery management systems, a certification programme that aims to help Singapore companies strengthen their anti-bribery compliance systems and processes.
Efforts to stem corruption over the past decade seem to have paid off so far. For one, the country saw a boost in public confidence when CPIB revealed that the number of local corruption cases fell to a 32-year record low in 2016.
Respondents to our annual survey on fraud also say that Singapore seems 3.5 times less vulnerable to corruption and bribery compared to other Asia-Pacific countries.
A WORRYING TREND
Yet, several petty corruption cases have been heard in the courts in recent months, including an ex-cop sharing confidential photos for cash payments, and an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officer accepting bribes from an intermediary in exchange for granting social visit passes, among others.
A worrying trend is an accompanying shift in attitudes about corruption and business indiscretions, particularly among millennials.
Almost 4 in 10 of millennials across the Asia Pacific who responded to our annual survey on fraud say they feel that offering cash payments to win or retain business can be justified.
More than 4 in 10 of millennials surveyed also say they would extend their monthly reporting period to meet financial targets. Such acts may fall into a “grey area”, but they are business indiscretions nonetheless.
Almost 4 in 10 of millennials across the Asia Pacific surveyed say they feel that offering cash payments to win or retain business can be justified. (Photo: Sutrisno Foo)
Context can explain part of this shift – for survey results reveal that millennials feel that a wide range of unethical actions may be justified to help a business survive, in a year characterised by significant political risk, economic uncertainty and increased regulatory pressures.
But these signs are a wake-up call to companies who have the responsibility for ensuring that compliance policies are clearly understood and consistently applied.
A commentary on Channel NewsAsia highlighted the importance of state, companies, leaders and individuals playing their roles to combat corruption in Singapore.
Indeed, recent news suggest that individuals may not have fully understood the consequences of their actions.
Their actions, although seemingly small, have larger implications for Singapore’s reputation as a clean and honest country with the highest levels of incorruptibility and personal integrity, should such attitudes spread and gain traction.
WHY PEOPLE ACCEPT GREASE MONEY
Petty corruption offences usually involve small amounts of “grease money” and so are sometimes viewed by individuals who commit them as insignificant acts of personal indiscretion that have little impact and can be justified.
Such perceptions may have arisen because enforcement against corruption in previous years have shone the spotlight on senior management in the civil service and white collar employees for acts of high-value corruption and brazen behaviour involving bribery and sexual favours.
Meanwhile, petty corruption may have slipped out of public consciousness and received less media attention given the small amounts of money involved.
At the same time, frequent exposure to malpractices overseas, including neighbouring countries rated poorly on the Corruption Perceptions Index 2016, may have entrenched a perception among individuals working in Singapore that corruption is a phenomenon rampant in other countries and desensitised them to other smaller, seemingly less serious local cases of graft.
The number of corruption cases in Singapore fell to a 32-year record low in 2016. (Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)
SHORE UP PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS, WHISTLE-BLOWING
Continuous education and targeted awareness is key in constantly reminding the public that individual corruption and acts of bribery are serious crimes, regardless of the value of the assets involved.
Bold moves to do so may be required to stamp out this disturbing trend.
One may recall that a few years back, Singapore regulators came up with the unique idea of playing a short anti-bribery video clip in cinemas as part of in-theatre advertising.
Campaigns to instill public awareness, such as through anti-corruption advertisements that emphasise the Government’s message of being unrelenting in countering corruption regardless of the magnitude of the offence can be effective.
Whether at the train stations, bus stations and airports, or on major television channels, such campaigns are undoubtedly one of the strongest ways to deliver a consistent deterrent message to Singaporeans and residents of the Government’s ethical stance.
Since petty corruption offences have always involved personal risk-taking, driving personal awareness is one of the best defense mechanisms. Companies too should therefore continue efforts in raising personal awareness with continued training programmes on bribery incidents.
In a public campaign to raise awareness of corruption, Kopi Lim was unveiled as the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau’s new mascot in September 2017. (Photo: CPIB/Facebook)
More importantly, companies should take visible actions to address cases involving an employee or a contracted third party, in order to deter future acts and set a strong precedence on the course of action the company will take.
Fixing a reward scheme for the successful prosecution of petty corruption cases resulting from whistle-blowing can be one such mechanism to incentivise workers in a company to speak up against unethical behavior and send a clear signal against such acts.
Such schemes should be widely publicised, with annual statistics on corruption and bribery cases presented, along with a breakdown of the number of cases received through the company’s whistle-blowing mechanism, and the monetary value of the offence and rewards awarded released.
To tackle corruption, all stakeholders from individual rank-and-file employees to senior management must be clean. No case of corruption is too small to ignore.
The further strengthening of public integrity in combating petty corruption will require more persistent efforts and innovative schemes and mechanisms by regulators and companies to arrest this potentially dangerous trend and stop lax attitudes regarding corruption from taking root.
A zero-corruption reputation may not be easy to attain but is certainly an aspirational goal that will require bold moves.
Reuben Khoo is ASEAN leader and partner for Fraud Investigation and Dispute Services at Ernst & Young Advisory. Saket Bhartia is executive director at the same company.
SAN FRANCISCO: Google will for the first time launch its Pixel smartphone in Singapore – making it the first Southeast Asian market to have the device.
In the launch event here on Wednesday (Oct 4), Google announced that there are two models of its Pixel devices – the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. It did not disclose the manufacturers of the phones this time.
Pixel 2 XL in Just Black.
The devices will be equipped with Active Edge, which will allow users to squeeze it to activate certain functions such as Google Assistant, confirming earlier industry rumours.
The Active Edge feature is similar that seen on HTC’s U11, which should not come as a surprise given that the tech giant announced it would pay the Taiwanese handset maker US$1.1 billion for the team who previously worked on the Pixel device. It will also separately receive a non-exclusive licence to the former’s intellectual property.
Besides Active Edge, the Pixel 2 will also eliminate the headphone jack – following in the footsteps of rival Apple – and come with Google Lens, “a new set of visual smarts” that would allow users to, for instance, copy and share Web addresses from posters or save phone numbers and email addresses from images of business cards, it said.
This feature builds on Google’s machine learning and computer vision technologies, and will be exclusive to its Pixel devices via Google Photos, and “in the coming weeks” Google Assistant, the company said.
SINGAPORE TO GET PIXEL 2 XL
Google also said for certain markets, it is entering via partnerships with local telcos. Singapore, as well as Spain and Italy, were picked for this initiative, it said.
This go-to-market strategy was earlier illustrated when the tech company made its first foray into the hardware market in Southeast Asia by launching its Google WiFi mesh router in Singapore via an exclusive partnership with StarHub.
In a separate press release on Wednesday, Singtel said it will bring in the Pixel 2 XL device as Google’s exclusive telco partner, and the device will be launched on Nov 15. Those keen can register their interest for the smartphone at singtel.com/googlepixel from 9am on Oct 5 (Singapore time), it added.
When asked how long the exclusive agreement will last, a Singtel spokesperson said: “We are unable to comment on commercial agreements but we are very excited to bring another innovative device to our customers.”
The telco added that the Pixel 2 XL is a Category 11 4G LET device, which would allow customers to experience data speeds of up to 500Mbps across Singapore. While it does not have wireless charging, as offered by rival devices such as iPhone 8 and iPhone X, Singtel said the device will come with a “long-lasting battery with seven hours of battery from 15 minutes of charge” using the provided USB-C charger.
Additionally, those getting the device will have free, unlimited storage of original-quality photos and video in Google Photos “through the end of 2020”, and “free, unlimited high-quality storage” for photos taken on the Pixel thereafter, Singtel said.
Google said Singapore will get the Black and White and Just Black models at launch. Other details such as the retail price will be revealed nearer the local launch date.
“SINGLISH” GOOGLE ASSISTANT IN THE WORKS
Google also told reporters here that Google Assistant will also roll out its “Singaporean English” language feature “later this year”.
Also in the pipeline is the wireless Pixel Buds, which was announced during the launch event. Controls for answering calls, audio and accessing Google Assistant have been designed on the earbud itself, so eliminating the need for the phone itself. The earphones provide up to five hours of listening time with a single charge, while the “pocket-sized” charging case holds “multiple charges”, the company said.
Google Pixel Buds on charging case.
The made-by-Google earphones will be made available in Singapore and Australia “later in November”, it added.
SINGAPORE: Selected children and parents at the My First Skool centre at Jurong West, which officially opened on Wednesday (Oct 4), will be part of a new study on bilingual proficiency and social cognitive development in preschoolers.
The study by the Childhood Bilingualism Research Centre (CBRC) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong at the preschool is funded by NTUC First Campus and expected to take place over four to five years, CBRC said.
NTUC First Campus said the research findings will be used to strengthen the school’s bilingual curriculum, and provide teachers and parents with the necessary information to help preschoolers gain bilingual competency.
Any improvements to the curriculum at the Jurong West preschool will be rolled out across the other centres, it added.
According to CBRC, researchers will study the language and cognitive abilities of the children for two years before shaping further research plans.
CBRC centre director Virginia Yip, who will be heading the research along with co-director Stephen Matthew, told Channel NewsAsia that Singapore fits the research agenda as it is a “vibrant, multilingual society”.
“Bilingualism and multilingualism are woven into the fabric of society here,” she said.
Professor Yip explained that the team would also look at how the quality and quantity of input will shape the bilingual development of children in the early years, which she said are the golden years of language acquisition.
This is the first time CBRC has conducted a wide-scale study on preschoolers. Previous studies focused on smaller groups of older children in the UK, Hong Kong and the US.
DEVELOPING A NICHE
The new study is in line with vision of My First Skool at Jurong West, which NTUC First Campus said is to become a centre of excellence for bilingualism and cultural intelligence.
According to NTUC First Campus, the centre is the largest preschool in Western Singapore and can accommodate more than 300 children from two months to six years old. Since it opened in February this year, it has taken in 180 children, it added.
The classrooms feature interactive learning corners such as a Malay puppet theatre, a Chinese convenience stall and an Indian supermarket to help students learn more about these cultures.
There is even an “Aunty appreciation board” where students can leave notes of gratitude for the kitchen staff, a simple gesture which teaches respect.
My First Skool at Jurong West has enrolled 180 children since it opened in February. (Photo: Deborah Wong)
The “Auntie’s appreciation board”. (Photo: Deborah Wong)
The students are also exposed to other languages. For example, the children and teachers try to use different languages – Malay, Tamil, English or Mandarin – to greet each other every morning, NTUC First Campus mother tongue language officer Connie Lum said.
This helps them pick up simple phrases which will be helpful in the future, she added.
While only Mandarin is being offered at the centre for now, Dr Lum said there are pilot programmes in Malay and Tamil being carried out in 22 and two My First Skool centres respectively. The centres were chosen due to their high population of Malay and Indian students, NTUC First Campus said.
The Malay language programme started two years ago while the Tamil language one began early last year. My First Skool previously only offered these languages as enrichment classes, it added.
My First School deputy general manager Thian Ai Ling said the preschool operator hopes to eventually offer Malay lessons at 50 per cent of their centres, and Tamil lessons at 20 per cent by 2022. However, she conceded that manpower and resource constraints make it challenging.
Dr Lum said these developments are part of the government’s move to promote bilingual acquisition at an early age.
“Whether you are Malay, Chinese or Indian, the pedagogy is the same,” Dr Lum said, adding that the school ensures that the same teaching aids are provided for those programmes.
She said she had also received positive feedback from parents, as some of them feel that they aren’t proficient enough to teach their children mother tongue languages at home.
“We’ve had very good feedback from the parents. Now they are able to start a dialogue with their grandparents,” Dr Lum said.
Mr Chan Chun Sing, the secretary-general of National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said that a variety of teaching methods is needed as young children have different learning styles from older ones.
“We believe from our own pedagogical studies, that the earlier you start the children on the languages, the easier it is to pick it up. Also the foundation will be stronger and it will last them through their lifetime,” he added.
SINGAPORE: While illicit sex drugs are cheap and readily available in Geylang, experts warn that taking them could do more harm than good.
At best, they might not do anything at all, leaving you high and dry. At worst, they could kill you. In 2008, 10 people died in Singapore after using such drugs, according to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
Still not convinced? Here are five key reasons to steer clear of these products:
1. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU’RE TAKING
They might be laced with potent or banned ingredients. One example is diabetes medicine, which could cause a dangerous plunge in blood sugar and in some cases, death.
“Some of the contaminants will be things that can cause hypoglycemia, which is a drop in blood sugar,” said Dr Philip Koh, who runs a private practice.
“Of course, there could be other ingredients that can cause damage to the liver, kidney and all that. We don’t know what else they put inside.”
2. YOU COULD GET MORE THAN YOU BARGAINED FOR
They might not contain the right dosage. If taken without medical supervision, you could end up with painful and prolonged erections and, ultimately, impotency.
“Drugs like Viagra dilate blood vessels at an artificially high level so the penis can hold more blood. Post-sex, if the blood is trapped and can’t drain out, it causes what’s called priapism,” said Dr Benjamin Choi in Men’s Fitness.
“That’s dangerous because when an erection is prolonged, the penis may not get enough new oxygen, and that can cause injury even after just two hours, and critical tissue damage can start after four.”
3. THEY COULD BE COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE
They carry names like Black Gorilla and Tiger King, but in reality, you could wait till the cows come home and still see no difference in the bedroom.
“These products are typically promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss and body building, and are often represented as being ‘all natural’,” the United States Food and Drug Administrationsaid.
Truth is, there are no guarantees that such drugs will live up to the hours of fun promised on their packaging.
4. YOU HAVE NO CLUE HOW THEY’RE MADE
Pfizer, the producer of Viagra, has released pictures that show where fake variations of their pills are made – and the facilities appear to be a cross between a dirty construction site and and a do-it-yourself chemistry lab.
A counterfeit Viagra facility. (Photo: Pfizer)
“We have seen counterfeit medicines manufactured in filthy and deplorable conditions, yet some people do not realise the risks that this poses to their health and safety,” said Matthew Bassiur, vice president of Pfizer Global Security.
“Samples of counterfeit Viagra tested by our labs have contained pesticides, wallboard, commercial paint and printer ink.”
5. THEY MIGHT NOT SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM
There are other ways to treat erectile dysfunction. Drugs, said sexologist Martha Lee, might not address the root cause of the condition.
“Possible causes include one’s physical, psychological, mental or emotional state. Then there might be issues with body image, intimacy or sexual performance,” she told Channel NewsAsia.
“Besides oral medication, treatment options include mechanical devices, behavioural training as well as couples coaching.”
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