You may have read about the “handsome” auxiliary police officer at Changi Airport who caused a stir on social media for his boyish looks and charming smile

But another good-looker also became a topic of conversation after he graciously forgave a teen who rode his bicycle over his Lamborghini in a daring stunt to attempt what a famous YouTuber did in a BMX video clip.

While the identity of the kind-hearted supercar owner became known in the media, few realised that Mr Aaron Rylan Keder, 28, had already made the news on a number of occasions before, for being a self-made millionaire.

A few years ago, Berita Harian first reported about the enterprising man who became a property agent with PropNex after completing his national service.

The report said that Mr Aaron made a whopping $65,000 in commission earned from the sale of one semi-detached house. He then used that money to start a cleaning company of his own.

He told Berita Harian in the interview: “I began learning the ropes in this area from the age 17 when I was a student at Temasek Polytechnic. I started from the bottom, first working as a cleaner.”

“I used the opportunity to learn more about using different cleaning equipment and machines.

When he was promoted to a supervisory position, he learned how to manage workers.

Today, Mr Aaron has five companies under his belt in various trades from facilities management and air-conditioning to an online women’s fashion store

His primary business is Newash Facility Management, which offers services like cleaning, landscaping, event support and pest control.

Starting with just three workers when he launched the firm, he now has more than 400 workers under him.

He has the following advice for aspiring business owners, which he told Berita Harian:

1. Read the newspapers to keep abreast of current trends

2. Check on the grants that are given by the Government

3. Avoid forging partnerships as it is highly likely that you and your partner might clash because of different goals and strategies

He added that his success would not have been possible without setting clear goals, strategies and sheer hard work.

Today, he owns not only a Lamborghini but a semi-detached house.

“I bought this Lamborghini not to show off, but as a reward for my hard work, and also, I have a deep interest in sports cars,” he told Berita Harian.

chenj@sph.com.sg

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

The Straits Times, Jonathan Chia

Samsung Galaxy Note7 owners can exchange their phones for the S7 edge model, and receive a cheque for $250 in return, Samsung announced in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 18).

Those who want a full refund will get $1,168, the retail price of Note7 when it was launched about two months ago, added the statement. The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge costs a little less at around $1,098.

The options to swop phones will apply to customers who had bought the Note7 at full price from retailers as well as those who paid a subsidised rate for it after signing a two-year contract with telcos Singtel, StarHub and M1. Their contracts will not be affected.

A week ago, Samsung had warned customers to stop using the Note7 after fire issues remained unresolved, and so decided to scrap the phones altogether.

Customers can indicate their choice of exchange on Samsung’s website (www.samsung.com/sg/note7exchange) from Oct 26.

They have to give their home address and other details so that their Note7 can be collected, and a refund or a replacement S7 edge delivered.

Samsung has recalled some 2.5 million handsets worldwide, including tens of thousands of units in Singapore. It followed reports that some units had caught fire and exploded.

At first, it was thought that the phone’s battery could be faulty but the same problem emerged even after replacement sets were issued.

Samsung then made the decision to pull the plug on its new flagship device.

chenj@sph.com.sg

Samsung launches its Galaxy Note7 phablet

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

AFP, The Straits Times

Singapore said on Tuesday it had declared a Zika cluster area “closed”, after no new infections were reported for two weeks.

The Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive cluster in the southeast of the island was closed on October 9, the National Environment Agency said in a statement.

The agency said it will keep the area under surveillance until October 31.

Locally-transmitted Zika in Singapore

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

The Straits Times, The New Paper

More than 400 people became infected with the Zika virus in Singapore after the first case was discovered on August 27, including 16 pregnant women.

The virus, which has spread through the Americas and the Caribbean since late last year, is generally a mild disease but is a particular risk to pregnant women as it can cause microcephaly – a severe birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and underdeveloped brains.

Also read:

Only one Zika cluster left; total number of cases surpasses 400

Zika: How worried should we be?

What is the Zika virus?

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

Reuters, The Straits Times, The New Paper, NEA