Singapore's welcoming vibes for visitors; Allianz-Income Insurance deal defended in Parliament: Singapore live news
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Singapore, ranked as the second-friendliest city in Asia, stands out for its high English proficiency and multicultural environment. (Photo: Lauryn Ishak/Bloomberg)
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Hello to all our readers, Yahoo Singapore will be bringing you live news updates today.
Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, seeking to capitalise on his Midwest appeal and centrist stance. Walz's political background and popularity could be pivotal in securing key votes, despite potential risks of alienating progressives. Recent polls show Harris pulling ahead of Trump, indicating early signs of success for her campaign strategy. Read on as the Harris-Walz tandem hits the campaign trail.
A fire caused by an overheated battery in an X-ray machine at Changi Airport's Terminal 1 resulted to the evacuation of the departure area and a delay on Scoot TR280's flight to Bali. The incident was caught on video here.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif punched her ticket to the final bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the women’s 66-kilogram division. Khelif beat Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand via unanimous decision in their semi-final bout, securing a chance to win a gold or silver medal on Friday. Read on why the controversy surrounding her will not disappear anytime soon.
China rebuts doping claims against its swimmers, asserting clean victories in the Olympics. Allegations about 23 swimmers testing positive were attributed to food contamination, but critics like Adam Peaty and Michael Phelps demand stricter anti-doping measures, including lifetime bans. Read on why China's achievements in the pools remain a divisive issue in swimming.
A passenger experienced a painful ordeal when he swallowed a metal wire in his in-flight meal. Bastian Bromse, flying from Washington to Berlin, required medical intervention to remove the wire lodged in his throat. He is suing United Airlines for $226,00 in damages. Find out more on the the shocking in-flight meal discovery that led to the lawsuit here.
A National Day display at Pandan Gardens Road was tampered with, and it read "SG 59 PORN". To know more about this act of vandalism, read here.
SG 59 PORN? Vandals give National Day tribute a naughty twist
Vandals tampered with this National Day display so it read "SG 59 PORN".
What was supposed to be a well-intentioned National Day display took a dirty spin after vandals messed with it.
The display, made up of red and white roses, was arranged to read "SG 59 PGRN" (Pandan Gardens Residents’ Network). It was displayed at Block 404 Pandan Gardens Road.
However, a TikToker discovered that someone had changed it to read "SG 59 PORN". They tried to fix the display, but found it "funny" as the 'G' still looked like an 'O' from afar.
To know more about this act of vandalism, read here.
The Singapore High Commission has urged Singaporeans to register on e-Register and to contact the High Commission for consular assistance if needed. The advisory stresses vigilance and the avoidance of affected areas.
Featured
Joel Balbin
Passengers nab suspected luggage thief on flight to Singapore
Passengers on a flight to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia caught a suspected hand luggage thief in the act.
A passenger noticed another traveller on Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET639 behaving suspiciously, taking bags from the overhead compartments.
This prompted the concerned passenger to alert the cabin crew.
The cabin crew discreetly identified the suspect and, after reviewing video evidence provided by the alert passenger, confronted the individual.
The suspect tried to explain that he mistakenly took another passenger’s bag, but the police were called in.
The ground staff and other passengers confirmed the theft.
The suspect was eventually escorted off the plane and detained for questioning.
X-ray machine fire at Changi Airport delays Scoot flight to Bali
Smoke filled the departure area at Changi Airport Terminal 1 on 6 Aug 2024 after an X-ray machine in gate holdroom D46 caught fire. (Photo: montanaandchris/TikTok)
A fire at Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 caused by an overheated battery in an X-ray machine led to a delayed flight and an evacuation on Tuesday (6 Aug), according to media reports.
Scoot flight TR280 to Bali was delayed by about two hours as a result of the fire.
The incident caused smoke to fill the departure area, prompting an immediate response from airport staff and emergency services.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Scoot issued statements addressing the situation and assuring prompt safety measures.
A spokesperson for the CAG told Yahoo Singapore that the fire, caused by an electrical fault in an X-ray machine at gate holdroom D46 at Terminal 1, was promptly put out by two airport staff.
Passengers in the gate holdroom waiting to board their flight were redirected to another gate holdroom. No passengers were injured.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to the SCDF.
Featured
Joel Balbin
Why Singapore is a friendly city for travellers
Singapore's welcoming nature and high English proficiency earn it the title of the second-friendliest city in Asia.
This is according to the findings of online language learning marketplace Preply.
With 14 per cent of visitors returning, Singapore scored high in visitor acceptance and diversity.
The city-state's multicultural environment, with English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil as official languages, facilitates interaction and fosters a welcoming atmosphere.
Taipei, Taiwan, tops the list as the friendliest city in Asia, thanks to its diversity acceptance and safety.
It boasted the highest diversity acceptance and a perfect friendliness score for foreigners.
Taipei also got an impressive safety score, second only to its friendliness.
The city's vibrant street food scene, public transport, and cultural attractions make it a favourite among visitors.
In stark contrast, Mandalay in Myanmar is the least-friendly city, with low scores in friendliness to foreigners and diversity acceptance.
Mandalay's visitor return rate is the lowest at just 5 per cent, highlighting its unwelcoming environment despite its rich cultural heritage.
Other cities that ranked low in friendliness are Riyadh, Jakarta, Karachi, and Amman.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore doesn’t expect Allianz SE’s plan to buy a majority stake in Income Insurance to have adverse impact on competition. (Photo: Edwin Koo/Bloomberg)
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has supported Allianz SE’s planned $2.2 billion acquisition of a majority stake in Income Insurance.
During a parliamentary session, MAS board member Chee Hong Tat and Minister of State for Culture, Community, and Youth Alvin Tan addressed concerns about the deal's impact on competition and the cooperative nature of Income Insurance.
Chee assured that the acquisition would not adversely affect competition due to the minimal overlap between Allianz and Income Insurance in Singapore.
He emphasised that fostering a competitive insurance market with financially robust insurers is central to MAS's strategy for ensuring sustainable operations and public service.
Tan acknowledged the emotional responses to the transaction, particularly given Income Insurance's history as a cooperative founded to provide affordable insurance.
He pointed out that the insurer's capital buffers are under pressure from increased competition
Tan explained that NTUC Enterprise, the primary stakeholder in Income Insurance, preferred retaining a majority local ownership but couldn't find a suitable partner.
MAS assured that it would hold both Income Insurance and Allianz accountable for their commitments, stressing the importance of a well-regulated, competitive insurance market to ensure consumer protection and sustainability.
Passenger sues airline for $226,000 over metal wire in meal
Passenger eating airline meal. Menu in business class on medium haul flight.
A United Airlines passenger is suing the airline for $226,000 (US$170,000) in damages after swallowing a metal wire found in his in-flight meal during a flight from Washington to Berlin.
The incident, which occurred on 27 May 2023, required medical intervention to remove the wire from , Bastian Bromse's throat, causing him significant pain and distress.
The lawsuit details how Bromse discovered the wire after the meal service began and describes the severe discomfort and medical procedure that followed.
United Airlines has not commented on the ongoing litigation.
This incident is not isolated. Similar cases have been reported, such as a business-class passenger on an Air India flight finding a metal blade in his meal, and a passenger on a Singapore Airlines flight discovering a human tooth in his food.
Other reported incidents include finding hypodermic needles, cockroaches, and even severed snake heads in airline meals.
China has vehemently defended its swimmers against doping accusations, asserting the legitimacy of their Olympic victories. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
The controversy emerged following China's historic win in the 4x100m medley relay, defeating the US for the first time in 64 years.
Allegations arose from reports that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for banned substances before the Tokyo Olympics.
Despite this, China maintains that the positive tests were due to food contamination, a defence accepted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
This explanation, however, has been met with skepticism, particularly from prominent swimmers like British swimmer Adam Peaty and legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps.
Can your secondary yearbook photo predict your lifespan?
A study shows secondary school yearbook photos can predict longevity, with less attractive individuals having shorter lifespans due to health and social factors. (Photo: Getty Images)
The study analysed data from a study, which tracked 8,386 individuals who graduated high school in 1957.
The researchers suggest that facial attractiveness may convey underlying health information.
Previous studies have linked attractiveness to better immune function and overall health, which could explain the correlation with longevity.
The study also highlights the role of social stratification processes influenced by attractiveness.
Attractive individuals often enjoy better social interactions, job prospects, and higher earnings, which can contribute to better health and longer life.
The study acknowledges limitations, including its focus on a specific geographical area and the inability to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Factors like education and income were considered, but health remained the most influential variable.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif secures Olympics final spot amid controversy
Paris 2024 Olympics – Imane Khelif of Algeria talks to media after winning her semifinal fight in the women's 66kg division in boxing against Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand on 6 August 2024. REUTERS/Maye-E Wong
Boxer Imane Khelif of Algeria is one win away from winning Algeria’s first gold medal in women's boxing at the Paris Olympics, despite facing worldwide scrutiny over misconceptions about her gender.
Khelif has won three consecutive bouts in Paris, including a semifinal victory over Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand, and will compete for the gold medal against Yang Liu of China on Friday.
The controversy surrounding Khelif, including false claims about her gender identity, has not affected her performance in the ring, as she has won every round on every judge's card in her two fights that have gone the distance in Paris.
Kamala Harris taps Minnesota governor Tim Walz for vice president
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrive at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)
US Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the upcoming presidential election.
This choice is seen as a strategic move to bolster her campaign with a figure who has strong Midwest appeal and a proven track record in governance.
Walz is a former National Guard member and high school teacher, and he served six terms in the US House of Representatives.
Known for his pragmatic approach, Walz has focused on healthcare, education, and veteran affairs, positioning himself as a centrist who can appeal to a broad range of voters.
A neighbor of Ryan Routh, the reported person of interest detained by authorities in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, told a local news station in North Carolina that the man was “a little cuckoo” and owned a lot of guns—but still expressed disbelief that he would do anything violent.“I mean I didn’t think he would go that far. I knew he was a little cuckoo, but assassinating the president? I mean he’s going to be going away for a long time,” an anonymous former neig
It was the farthest trip of his pontificate and one of the longest papal trips ever in terms of days on the road and distance traveled. With half of East Timor’s population gathered at a seaside park, Francis couldn’t help but oblige them with a final good night and languid loops in his popemobile, long after the sun had set and the field was lit by cellphone screens. “How many children you have!” Francis marveled to the crowd of 600,000, which amounted to the biggest-ever turnout for a papal event as a proportion of the population.
This is the moment a piglet was rescued in Liaoning, China on August 9 after its mother accidentally fell asleep on top of it. Her owner gave the sow a comical slap with a shovel, startling it, flinging another piglet into the air and setting the poor, suffocating piglet free.
The suspected gunman involved in what authorities are calling an apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump was identified by authorities Sunday night as Ryan Wesley Routh. The 58-year-old allegedly carried an AK-47-style rifle with a scope onto the grounds near Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. He also had two backpacks filled with ceramic tile and a GoPro camera hanging on a nearby fence.Secret Service agents allegedly confronted and shot at Routh after n
On October 13, 1989, Jimmie Wade Martin went for a drink at his neighborhood bar in Bonne Terre, Missouri. His bloodied body was later found nearby, but no assailant was ever convicted. So years later, his twin daughters began investigating the case themselves.
A 27-year-old man faces up to several years in jail for sedition, after pleading guilty Monday to wearing a protest T-shirt that prosecutors say flouts Hong Kong's new national security law.On Monday, he pleaded guilty to one count of "doing acts with seditious intent", leading to the city's first conviction under the new tougher law.
As Malaysia Day is celebrated today, it is an opportune time to reflect on the state of unity within the nation, writes senior lawyer Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos.
STORY: :: Hundreds of women rally for Gisele Pelicot, the womanat the center of a mass rape trial that has shocked France:: Paris, France:: September 14, 2024Textile designer Clementine Goujet: “I would like to tell Gisèle (Pelicot) that we hear her words. I am here to speak for the victims, to tell them that we are listening to them, we will fight for them, that the impunity of men is over.”:: Marseille, France:: 'Shame must change sides'Feminist associations called for some 30 gatherings in cities ranging from Marseille to Paris, where on the Place de la Republique banners read "Support to Gisele" or "Shame Must Change Camp" and protesters chanted "Victims We believe you".As her extraordinary story has rippled through France since the trial began earlier this month, Pelicot, now aged 72, has become a symbol of courage and resilience and of the fight against sexual violence.The 71-year-old Dominique Pelicot is accused of repeatedly raping and enlisting strangers to abuse his heavily sedated wife in the couple's home over the course of a decade.
