Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Aug 15), the Law Minister explained the need to set out the laws in the Bill, and addressed the concerns that have been raised about it.
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Shanmugam addresses concerns on contempt of court Bill
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Yang Yin procured replica of painting to dupe widow: Prosecution
Former China tour guide Yang Yin was entrusted with S$500,000 by an 89-year-old Singaporean widow to buy a painting, but he did not use it for its intended purpose and instead procured a replica as a cover-up, says the prosecution.
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Indonesia airlines cleared to fly to US
JAKARTA – Indonesian airlines have been cleared to fly to the United States after regulators there scrapped a nearly decade-long ban imposed for safety reasons, an official said Monday.
US transport officials said in a letter Indonesia’s aviation sector had met international standards and its safety rating had accordingly been upgraded.
“Today all Indonesian airlines can fly to the United States,” director general of civil aviation, Suprasetyo, told reporters.
“This will have a very positive impact on our aviation sector and public trust.” Indonesian carriers were banned from flying to the US in 2007 after the Federal Aviation Administration downgraded their safety rating.
The European Union also imposed restrictions the same year although these have since been lifted. A few airlines, including Garuda and the Indonesian branch of Malaysia-based AirAsia, now fly to Europe.
The restrictions followed a series of accidents including fatal crashes by state-owned Garuda.
Crashes have continued since 2007, including the loss of 162 lives aboard an AirAsia flight in late 2014.
But in a letter to the transport ministry, the FAA said Indonesia’s efforts to improve its oversight system had resulted in “positive findings” during a safety assessment earlier this year.
Suprasetyo, who goes by one name, said several Indonesian airlines had expressed interest in flying to the US, but Garuda already had enough planes and crew to begin services.
The airline is expected to start direct flights to the US next year, expanding its long-haul international network which includes destinations like London and Amsterdam.
Garuda in April ordered 14 new-generation Airbus planes for US$4 billion (S$5.4 billion).
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Smoke at Tanjong Pagar station caused by freon gas leaking from train air-con: SMRT
Social media users posted multiple photos on Monday of the incident. Some also tweeted SMRT to ask for more details on the incident.
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Olympics: 16 of the hottest athletes at the 2016 Rio Games
RIO DE JANEIRO – With the Olympics headed into its fifth day, it has not just been the sporting prowess and athletic talent that have caught the eye. The ripped bodies of some of the world’s best athletes have kept fans glued to the action. The Straits Times takes a closer look at some of these men and women who have excelled at looking their best.
MEN
1. Ning Zetao, 23 (China)
Ning Zetao of China prepares to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics on Aug 9. PHOTO: REUTERS
Competes in: Swimming
Ning, who took home four golds at the 2014 Asian Games, was also voted the most attractive male athlete. His dashing looks have drawn an overwhelming response on social media, with thousands of fans praising him for being “handsome” and of “husband material” on his Weibo page.
2. Thomas Daley, 22 (Great Britain)
Thomas Daley during the men’s synchronised 10m platform contest during the diving event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre in Rio de Janeiro on Aug 8. PHOTO: AFP
Competes in: Diving
It is not difficult to see why he was the poster boy of the 2012 London Games, where he won bronze in the 10m platform. He has already made a splash in Rio, having won bronze in the synchronised 10m platform.
When to catch him: 10m platform, Aug 20, 3am (Singapore time)
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6.jpg)
3. Ashton Baumann, 23 (Canada)
Competes in: Swimming
His attractive physique and tight abdominal muscles have seen him listed among the top 10 hottest Canadian athletes in Rio by the Toronto Sun. If only he made the top 10 after the 200m breaststroke heats. A 24th-place finish overall means we will not get to see him in the semi-finals. Bummer.
4. Alex Ranghieri, 29 (Italy)
Alex Ranghieri plays with the ball during the men’s beach volleyball qualifying match between Italy and Canada at the Beach Volley Arena in Rio de Janeiro on Aug 8. PHOTO: AFP
Competes in: Beach Volleyball
When he spikes, heart rates spike.
When to catch him: Aug 11, 2.30am
5. Pita Nikolas Taufatofua, 32 (Tongo)
Flagbearer Pita Nikolas Taufatofua of Tonga leads his contingent during the athletes’ parade at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics. PHOTO: REUTERS
Competes in: Taekwondo
He became an instant internet sensation when he marched into the opening ceremony during the athletes’ parade at the Maracana stadium shirtless, bathed in coconut oil, and boasting a glistening torso. And his popularity only heightened when he announced he is single.
When to catch him: Over 80kg, Aug 20
6. Marcel Nguyen, 28 (Germany)
Marcel Nguyen of Germany competes on the horizontal bar at the 2016 Rio Olympics. PHOTO: REUTERS
Competes in: Gymnastics
The double Olympic medallist helped Germany finish seventh in the artistic team all-around event. He will be looking to wow the judges as much as his female fans in the individual event.
When to catch him: Individual all-around, Aug 11, 3am
7. Jordan Burroughs, 28 (USA)
Competes in: Wrestling
You have to feel for his rivals. They have to grapple with the defending champion and the fact that Burroughs has a great physique.
When to catch him: Freestyle 74kg, Aug 19
8. Asafa Powell, 33 (Jamaica)
Jamaica’s Asafa Powell (in Green) is challenged by Senoj-Jay Givans (in White) in the men’s 100m quarter-finals at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, on June 30. PHOTO: AFP
Competes in: Athletics
Let us just say that sprint legend Usain Bolt is not the only reason one should watch the Jamaican relay team.
When to catch him: 4x100m relay, Aug 18
Read also: Athletics: Powell clocks world-leading 9.84 seconds
WOMEN
1. Darya Klishina, 25 (Russia)
Darya Klishina of Russia competes at the Meteor Stadium, Zhukovsky, Russia, on June 4. PHOTO: REUTERS
Competes in: Athletics
The 1.8m blonde is also a model. She will definitely not go unnoticed when she steps on the runway next Wednesday.
When to catch her: Women’s long jump, Aug 17
2. Garbine Muguruza, 22 (Spain)
Garbine Muguruza celebrates after winning against Andreea Mitu of Romania in a women’s singles first round match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Aug 7. PHOTO: AFP
Competes in: Tennis
She is having one of her hottest seasons, having won her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open in June.
When to catch her: Mixed doubles, Aug 14
Read also: Tennis: Muguruza hails new generation, in awe of Serena
3. Mariana Pajon, 24 (Colombia)
Mariana Pajon shows her gold medal after winning the UCI BMX World Championships Elite Womens Moto Race on May 29 in Medellin, Colombia. PHOTO: AFP
Competes in: Cycling
Watching her compete promises to be wheely good fun.
When to catch her: BMX individual, Aug 18
4. Kassidy Cook, 21 (USA)
Competes in: Diving
This beauty literally has a good head on her shoulders – she is on a scholarship at Stanford University.
When to catch her: 3m springboard, Aug 13
5. Jaqueline Carvalho, 32 (Brazil)
Competes in: Volleyball
She is what you would call a model athlete. The 1.86m-tall part-time model has gold medals from the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games. She also has a three-year-old son.
When to catch her: Brazil vs Japan, Aug 11, 9.35am
6. Michelle Jenneke, 23 (Australia)
Michelle Jenneke of Australia reacts after the girls’ 100m hurdles final at Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games at Bishan Sports Hall in Singapore on Aug 21, 2010. PHOTO: XINHUA
Competes in: Athletics
It will be worth tuning in just to see if she warms up like she did at the 2012 World Junior Championships.
When to catch her: 100m hurdles, Aug 16
7. Olga Safronova, 24 (Kazakhstan)
Competes in: Athletics
Unfortunately, she does not feature in the marathon. Her pet event will be over in a matter of seconds.
When to catch her: Women’s 100m, Aug 12
8. Son Yeon Jae, 22 (South Korea)
Competes in: Rhythmic gymnastics
Known by her fans as “Fairy”, the petite athlete has brought much publicity to the elegant sport and was the first in her country to reach the all-around final in London 2012.
When to catch her: Individual all-around, Aug 19
This article was first published on Aug 11, 2016.
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Plumes of smoke at Singapore station caused by fault: Media
SINGAPORE – Billowing smoke that spread alarm at an underground train station in central Singapore on Monday was apparently caused by a technical fault, media reported.
Authorities have called for vigilance since Indonesian police arrested six suspected Islamist militants on Aug. 5 on suspicion of plotting an attack on Singapore.
Videos on social media showed commuters rushing out of a train at the Tanjong Pagar station, covering their noses to protect themselves from grey smoke.
Huge plumes of smoke out from the train that pulled into Tanjong pagar mrt station! pic.twitter.com/MCncDJVSkD
— ZOE RAYMOND (@zoeraymond) August 15, 2016
Some of them were seen taking pictures on their phones.
“Once the train doors opened, smoke was billowing out from the gap between the platform and the train. There was not much of a smell, but my first thought was ‘what if there’s a terrorist attack?’,” the Today newspaper quoted 38-year-old commuter Jason Wang as saying.
“When the other commuters saw the smoke, they all quickly started running out.”
Not sure what just happen here at Tanjong Pagar MRT!! pic.twitter.com/APiKRGVcx2
— اسوادي روس (@IswadiRos) August 15, 2016
Commuters later said the train operator broadcast an announcement of a technical fault, the newspaper said.
A police spokesman said he did not have an official comment, and the train operator also did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
The Channel News Asia television station later said on its website train services have resumed.
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Japan man arrested over unpaid taxi fare for 850km trip
TOKYO – A Japanese man was arrested for allegedly stiffing a taxi driver after having promised to pay when embarking on an 850-kilometre (528-mile) journey, police said Monday.
Takafumi Arima, 26 and jobless, climbed into the cab in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, late Saturday and told the driver to go to Matsuyama on the island of Shikoku in southwestern Japan, a Matsuyama police officer told AFP.
Arima had allegedly said he would pay the fare upon arrival and the driver believed him, the officer added.
But after driving overnight for more than nine hours, the fare meter came to 270,000 yen (S$3,600) and Arima confessed that he had no money, the officer said.
“The driver then called police, which led to Arima’s arrest,” the officer said, adding his motive of the road trip was unknown and was to be investigated.
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Olympic silver for 3 legends: Why there are so many ties in swimming
As we celebrate Joseph Schooling’s gold-medal win in the Olympic’s 100m butterfly, it’s easy to forget the other interesting result in that race – three swimming legends sharing the silver medal in a tie.
The United States’ Michael Phelps, South Africa’s Chad Le Clos, and Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh all clocked in at 51.14sec on Friday night in Rio de Janeiro, just 0.75sec behind Schooling’s 50.39sec.
Modern timing systems are capable of measuring time to the millionth of a second, so why doesn’t the world swimming governing body, FINA, increase its timing precision by adding thousandths-of-seconds?
The answer to that question was put forth in a simple and very informative post on Deadspin.com on Friday.
Timothy Burke wrote in that article that FINA used to time to a thousandth of a second, but stopped after Sweden’s Gunnar Larsson beat American Tim McKee by 0.002sec in 1972 in the 400m individual medley.
The reason was that in a standard Olympic 50m pool, “at the current men’s world record 50m pace, a thousandth-of-a-second constitutes 2.39 millimeters of travel”. However, FINA’s pool dimension regulations allow a tolerance of 3cm in each lane. So there is no way to ensure that “the winning swimmer didn’t have a thousandth-of-a-second-shorter course to swim”.
Burke went on to explain that it is nearly impossible to construct concrete swimming pools to any tighter tolerance; and “effective length of a pool can change depending on the ambient temperature, the water temperature, and even whether or not there are people in the pool itself”.
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Malaysia to help track down culprits of southern Thailand blasts
KOTA KINABALU – Malaysia will live up to its commitment to help Thai authorities to track down the culprits behind the recent series of explosions in southern Thailand.
Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said the Prime Minister had given Malaysia’s pledge to the Thai government to assist in identifying those involved in the incidents.
“And that is what we will do,” he said after witnessing the landing of the 1Malaysia undersea cable system at Tanjung Aru near here on Monday.
Jailani said he was, however, unaware of any formal requests by Thailand to Malaysia to assist them in their investigations.
He said this when asked about news reports quoting security officials that Thai officials had asked for Malaysia’s co-operation to investigate a mobile phone used in one of the bomb blasts in Phuket.
The mobile phone was said to have originated from Malaysia.
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Officials said the explosion did not destroy a portion of the mobile phone with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)’s serial number still visible on the device.
It was reported that Thai investigators had asked for Malaysia’s co-operation to identify the origin of the phone.
The Thai military said it had detained several people for questioning over a wave of deadly bombings at tourists resorts that killed four people and wounded dozens others.
No group has claimed responsibility, although police and the Thai government have ruled out ties to foreign groups, linking the bombings to an unspecified domestic issue.
Handphones were used to detonate the self-made bombs during the blasts that shattered the southern part of the country, including Phuket, Hua Hin and several popular tourist spots.
On Aug 10, security officials found two self-made bombs at Phuket’s Paradise Market and China Town Market after a tip-off, and successfully deactivated them.
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