The former tour guide was earlier sentenced to 26 months’ jail for duping authorities into granting him permanent residency in Singapore.
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Yang Yin jailed 6 years for misappropriating S$1.1m from elderly widow
Jody Chiang's retirement 'ended the best era of Minnan pop'
When Jody Chiang, now 55, delivered her finale at the last of her farewell concerts last year in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung city, some saw that as the final curtain call for Minnan pop.
That is certainly an exaggeration, for there are still many Taiwanese singers who are magnetic in the way they present songs composed in their native Minnan tongue or southern Fujian dialect.
One name is Wu Bai – only that he is identified more as a rock than a Minnan pop singer, unlike Chiang, who is called the Queen of Taiwanese Music.
Yet, it is undeniable that Minnan pop has already seen its boom days, especially when current hot names in Taiwan, such as Jay Chou and Jolin Tsai, are apparently not taken with the dialect-based genre.
That is not surprising, as Minnan pop has always had a rustic (and some would say tacky) image, which makes it an “uncool” choice to the youth.
It is often associated with the working class and the country folk, unlike Cantopop, which has an urban feel, its native soil being Hong Kong.
But before the influx of mainstream Western music genres such as R&B and hip hop into Taiwan, Minnan pop had struck a chord in many Taiwanese hearts, holding its ground against the more popular Mandopop.
But it did not have the flexibility to absorb new ingredients when Taiwan became completely open to the world in the 1990s.
Current pro-independence legislator Freddy Lim, 40, is an acclaimed heavy metal singer, but his Minnan compositions have too much political overtones to have a steady appeal in the market.
“Jody’s songs were unique because they transcended all the political divides of Taiwan and evoked the deepest sentiment of every one – be it a native or someone of mainland origin,” noted sociologist Lee Ming-tsung.
“Jody also gave the Minnan pop a Mandopop feel, widening its appeal to non-Taiwanese,” said a music arranger.
“Her retirement ended the best era of Minnan pop.”
larryteo@sph.com.sg
Read also: Cantopop withers as China blooms
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Man who held toddler hostage charged for possessing knuckle-duster
Muhammad Iskandah Suhaimi had locked himself and the two-year-old boy inside a Sembawang flat for more than 17 hours until police broke into the house.
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More than 400 cops to be stationed at Sepang for F1
SEPANG – A total of 429 policemen, including 39 officers, will be stationed at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) for the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix.
Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Aziz Ali said they were from Special Branch, the Narcotics and Communications departments and the bomb squad.
He told a press conference yesterday that metal detectors would also be placed at all entry points to prevent anyone from bringing in weapons or harmful objects.
“Whatever kind of weapon or drugs, please leave them behind. If anyone is found to possess items deemed as harmful, we will not hesitate to take action,” he said.
Spectators should follow police instructions and the road signs to ensure their journey to the venue was smooth, he added.
F1 race heats up in Singapore Grand Prix
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“Do not use the emergency lane and please park your vehicles at the provided parking space.”
He advised them to come early and take advantage of the 30 free shuttles provided by SIC to ferry spectators to the venue.
ACP Abdul Aziz said the lane along the welcome centre would become a one-way street during the event.
“There will be a few changes to the traffic flow. We will be closing the road leading to the Bukit Tinjau traffic light and motorists will be redirected to the LCCT roundabout.
Before F1, Singapore had Grand Prix from 1961-1973
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“Those who are heading out to Nilai are advised to exit via Pekan Salak.”
Taxi drivers are also advised not to wait for passengers in front of the welcome centre after the event finishes.
“Please co-operate and wait for your customers at nearby taxi-stops.”
The Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix will be held from today until Sunday. This will be followed by the MotoGP from Oct 28 to 30.
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Friday, September 30, 2016 – 10:36
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Samsung washing machines are also exploding now, and has turned Singaporeans into conspiracy theorists
To say that 2016 is a horrible year for Samsung is a gross understatement.
Early Thursday morning, local news sites Channel NewsAsia and The Straits Times reported on the battered electronics giant getting hit with another blow.
Samsung announced on Wednesday (Sept 28) that it is currently “in active discussions” with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission on “potential safety issues” with regard to its top-load washing machines manufactured between March 2011 and April 2016.
This comes after a “class-action lawsuit” which complained that the appliances were exploding – some as early as on the day of installation itself.
“In rare cases, affected units may experience abnormal vibrations that could pose a risk of personal injury or property damage when washing bedding, bulky or water-resistant items,” it said, and has since recommended owners of the machines to “use the lower speed delicate cycle when washing bulky items”.
Samsung is also said to be currently “working on a remedy for affected customers”.
Samsung launches its Galaxy Note7 phablet
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AFP, The Straits Times
Needless to say, the Facebook comments section of both news sites exploded (pun intended) with comments from Singaporean netizens, and has garnered close to 2,000 shares on both sites combined.
Not exactly surprising, since the scandal of exploding Samsung Note 7s has already been a big blow to their public reputation.
Singaporean Netizens = Conspiracy Theorists?
Some have come out to say that it’s a “conspiracy” which aims to bring down Asian companies in the US:
One took the chance to voice his grievances with Samsung in general:
Another predicted the future contents of our curriculum:
While another had a rather intriguing proposition:
However, there were a good number of comments making references to how Samsung is making products akin to explosive weapons, which is honestly quite inappropriate, even if they probably meant it as a joke:
Thankfully, there was one who decided to be the voice of reason amid the chaos:
Keep Calm And Look At The Bigger Picture
Personally, my family has been using a good number of Samsung appliances (we even have a Samsung washing machine!) for the past few years, and so far, they’ve been working fine and have not given us any problems – let alone explode on us.
Of course, we could be the lucky ones to have gotten appliances that do not have any issues, but let’s be honest – can you think of any other brands who hasn’t given us some form of trouble over the years of using them?
There’s really no telling if the lawsuit is sabotage, and someone trying to take advantage of Samsung’s weakened state, or simply Samsung’s production flaws coming to light all at once, but from the recent slate of news, we can all agree on one thing:
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Friday, September 30, 2016 – 10:33
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Taiwanese woman snacks on bun during typhoon, becomes online sensation
A 52-year-old Taiwanese fruiterer found herself unexpectedly famous after the Wall Street Journal published a photograph of her to illustrate its story on Typhoon Megi.
The woman, whom Taiwan’s Apple Daily named as Mrs Dai, was chomping on a pork bun in the torrential rain when she was captured through the lens of an Associated Press photographer.
With the half-eaten bun in one hand, Mrs Dai appeared unfazed by the fact that her umbrella had already been blown inside-out by the typhoon’s winds, which hit a maximum speed of 200kmh.
She is the light of Taiwan, a legend for future generations. But where’d she buy the pork bun? #doingitright https://t.co/xRIaYV9MJC
— joey (@Mexkindude) September 29, 2016
“BuzzFeed News has reached out to Typhoon Pork Bun Woman’s family to ask her what it’s been like to end up as Taiwan’s newest national hero” pic.twitter.com/DslXPsXND5
— waffles (@wafflesmedia) September 28, 2016
#台灣 阿桑無畏風雨吃 #包子 ,意外紅遍國外媒體#台湾 #Taiwan #颱風 #台風 #梅姬 #Megi #台灣美食 #TaiwanFood #Youは何しに台湾へhttps://t.co/C18oxF8x00 pic.twitter.com/MgYtu883SA
— 台灣蘋果日報 Taiwan News (@TW_nextmedia) September 29, 2016
This is why Taiwan is legit my favourite place on earth. Typhoon, the umbrella you can have. But the pork bun? NO! pic.twitter.com/dvfFPntCn5
— Sarah Downes (@SDownesWSJ) September 28, 2016
Internet users applauded her. They saw Mrs Dai as choosing to prioritise her traditional snack in the face of imminent meteorological doom.
Some called it an iconic display of the Taiwanese national spirit.
One cartoon rendition of the scene was captioned, “You can have the umbrella, but not the bun!”
Mrs Dai is not enjoying her newfound fame, though.
Apple Daily reported that she thinks it is a stroke of ill fortune instead, and is now too afraid to head to work, fearing the public attention.
Typhoon Megi swept through Taiwan earlier this week, killing four and injuring more than 500.
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US issues Zika travel advisory for 11 Southeast Asian countries
HEALTH officials in the United States on Thursday urged pregnant women planning to travel to 11 Southeast Asian countries to postpone their plans temporarily due to the risk of Zika virus infection, which could lead to severe birth defects.
The advisory issued targets travel to Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Maldives, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Zika has been in some areas of Southeast Asia for years, and some residents may be immune.
But a number of U.S. travelers have become infected there in the last year, so there is a danger to visitors.
According to Reuters, the CDC said, however, that these advisories were different from the “travel notices” issued for Zika-struck countries like Brazil and Singapore.
SEE ALSO: Thailand probing 4 suspected Zika-linked microcephaly cases
However, it said the warnings could be issued if cases in the 11 destinations increased to the level of an outbreak.
So far, said the report, the CDC has issued similar advisories for nearly 60 countries and regions.
Zika was first identified in Brazil last year but has since spread globally, affecting 72 countries and territories.
There have been hundreds of reported cases across the Southeast Asian region in recent weeks, mostly in Singapore and Thailand.
SEE ALSO: ‘Don’t panic’: Fearing tourism impact, Thailand tries to temper Zika storm
A Zika infection can have serious consequences on pregnant women and their unborn children.
If infected, the virus can lead to microcephaly, a congenital condition that causes incomplete brain development. Babies with the infection are typically born with abnormally small heads.
The infection is, however, typically mild and seldom causes death, but shares symptoms with its vastly more fatal cousin, dengue – a common viral scourge in tropical Southeast Asia.
SEE ALSO: Malaysia: Educational trips to Singapore, Philippines banned over Zika fears
Both are viruses are spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This makes nations ordinarily ravaged by dengue particularly vulnerable to Zika as well.
Earlier this week, Thai authorities said they were investigating four suspected Zika-linked cases of micocephaly in three babies and a 36-week old unborn child. If confirmed to be related to the disease, the cases would be the first to hit Southeast Asia.
Public Health Minister Piyasakon Sakolsatayadorn said the investigation would be done thoroughly as the cases were “sensitive”.
Additional reporting by the Associated Press
The post US issues Zika travel advisory for 11 Southeast Asian countries appeared first on Asian Correspondent.
Football: Mourinho bemoans 'poisoned' Man United schedule
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho rued the “poisoned gift” of his side’s fixture schedule as he contemplated a potentially seismic run of matches in October.
United got their Europa League campaign off the ground with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Zorya Luhansk at Old Trafford on Thursday and host Group A leaders Fenerbahce in their next game on October 20.
Prior to that, they face a Monday night match at arch rivals Liverpool, with a trip to Chelsea, in the Premier League, and a crunch game against Manchester City in the League Cup to follow.
“We could play Liverpool on the Saturday or the Sunday. We play Liverpool on the Monday,” said Mourinho, whose side are level on points in Group A with Feyenoord.
“So maybe we don’t have the best conditions, especially because we play against two top Premier League teams that don’t play in European competition (Liverpool and Chelsea).
“We have this kind of poisoned gift of playing on the Monday that creates a very difficult situation. But we want to try to qualify for the next round. We want to try.
“Long time to go, almost a month. But we want to try so we play against Fenerbache with a team with possibilities to beat Fenerbahce.” United struggled to break down a well drilled Zorya team, who were playing their first game against English opposition after finishing fourth in the Ukrainian Premier League last season.
Mourinho conceded that United’s win had been “hard work” and while he praised Zorya’s defensive organisation, he bemoaned what he saw as their delaying tactics.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed home a 69th-minute winner after substitute Wayne Rooney’s mishit volley, which struck his knee, hit the ground and looped towards the back post.
“He was laughing and saying that he made a great assist,” Mourinho said of Rooney, who started on the bench for the second game running after overcoming a back problem.
Ibrahimovic has now scored six goals in 10 appearances for United since his close-season switch from Paris Saint-Germain.
“If you want to go through, you need to win the game. We did that,” said the Swedish striker.
“We could have done much more though and I expect much more from the team. We did not score as we did against Leicester, but it is good for confidence.
“If we continue this and step it up, we will do good.” United had strolled to a 4-1 win over league champions Leicester City last weekend, having lost their three previous matches.
They entertain Stoke City, the Premier League’s second-bottom side, on Sunday and Mourinho warned against reading too much into the league position of Mark Hughes’s team.
“Let us concentrate on Stoke because Stoke is another poisoned gift,” he said.
“Because Stoke is not what the table sees. The manager is very good, the players are good, the team is good.
“So when I look to the table, that’s not Stoke’s position. I play against a good Stoke and not the Stoke that is in that position in the table.”
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Police seeking witnesses to e-scooter accident that hurt 4-year-old girl near Marina Bay Sands
SINGAPORE – Police are seeking witnesses to an e-scooter accident that injured a young girl near Marina Bay Sands.
Police said it was alerted to the incident at 11 Bayfront Avenue on Sunday (Sept 25) at 10.25pm.
A four-year-old child was found injured, and taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Police urged anyone with more information about the incident to come forward.
They can lodge a police report at any neighbourhood police centre or police post. They can also submit their report online at www.police.gov.sg/e-services or at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.
Last week, a video of a e-scooter rider over taking a bus at Mandai Road sparked concern about dangerous scootering practices among members of the public.
Two weeks ago, housewife Ang Liu Kiow, 53, was allegedly knocked down in an accident involving an e-scooter at Pasir Ris.
She underwent two brain surgeries at Changi General Hospital, and was on life support, reports last week said.
A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with that accident, on suspicion of causing grievous hurt.
This article was first published on September 30, 2016.
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FJB Bazaar Timepiece Sale – Up to 80% OFF GUESS, Gc, Nautica, Victorinox & More (30 Sep – 6 Oct 16)
Join us at the FJB Bazaar Timepiece Sale!
Enjoy up to 80% OFF GUESS, Gc, Nautica, Victorinox and more watches from 30 Sept – 6 Oct 2016 at Suntec City, East Wing on Level 1 (Next to Promenade MRT entrance).
Terms and conditions apply.
FJB Bazaar Timepiece Sale – Up to 80% OFF GUESS, Gc, Nautica, Victorinox & More (30 Sep – 6 Oct 16)
Join us at the FJB Bazaar Timepiece Sale! Enjoy up to 80% OFF GUESS, Gc, Nautica, Victorinox and more watches from 30 Sept – 6 Oct 2016 at Suntec City, East Wing on Level 1 (Next to Promenade MRT entrance).
