Elevated levels of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ found in common foods; Citi axes 500 S'pore jobs: Singapore live news
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A study links common foods such as coffee, eggs, and white rice to elevated levels of toxic PFAS chemical in humans. (Photo: Getty Images)
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High levels of PFAS 'forever chemicals' have been found in humans consuming white rice, eggs, red meat, seafood and coffee, according to a study. Read more here.
Pope Francis urged politicians to shun populism and instead work together to build stronger societies and tackle voter apathy. Find out more here.
An AI manager improved efficiency and employee relations at a company, highlighting AI's potential to support human managers while raising concerns about cybersecurity and over-reliance on technology. More on the story here.
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Citigroup has eliminated management layers and other roles focused on Asia Pacific to streamline operations, according to a report. Read more on the retrenchment here.
New research shows Canada is the top relocation choice globally, preferred for its natural beauty and high living standards despite a high cost of living. Read more here.
In tennis, British tennis star Emma Raducanu forced the deciding set but took a medical timeout after slipping at the start of the third, as qualifier Lulu Sun won 6-2 5-7 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals. Game, set and match here.
With the champagne on ice, Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) thought they were on the brink of victory – but it didn't happen. Exit polls show the left and centrists leading RN, despite topping the polls in the first round of voting in the French election.
Spain, Netherlands, England, and France advance in Euro 2024, showcasing resilience and standout performances. Here's how the contenders are ranked.
Boeing pleads guilty to fraud for violating a 2021 settlement on 737 Max crashes, facing up to US$487.2 million in fines and mandated safety improvements. More on the story here.
Singapore is embracing the edible insects trend after 16 species approved for consumption. Find out more here.
Singapore hawkers deal with unsubsidised stalls, high rentals, extra fees, mandatory low-cost meals, restricted suppliers, and fines, making it difficult to sustain their business. Read more here.
The rich and famous are not immune when it comes to fraud, and many have lost large chunks of their fortunes over the years. Check out the stars who got swindled here.
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Boeing admits guilt in 737 Max fraud case
Boeing's guilty plea over 737 Max crash fraud brings hefty fines and new compliance measures. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo
Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to criminal conspiracy to defraud the US government following its failure to adhere to a previous settlement related to two fatal 737 Max crashes.
The company faces a maximum criminal fine of US$487.2 million, with the final amount determined by a judge.
Boeing will also install a corporate monitor and spend at least US$455 million to enhance compliance and safety programs over three years.
This plea marks a significant low point in Boeing's history, as it avoids a criminal trial.
Bug-based dishes are coming to Singapore after SFA greenlights edible insects. (Photo: Getty Images)
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has approved 16 insect species, including crickets, grasshoppers, and mealworms, for human consumption, according to the Straits Times.
Industry leaders are introducing menus with insect-infused dishes, targeting adventurous younger customers.
The United Nations endorses insects as a sustainable protein source, and some companies are educating the public on their benefits.
Some businesses, however, remain cautious, awaiting market demand and implementing biosecurity measures.
Citigroup axes 500 jobs in Singapore amid global shakeup. (Photo: Yahoo News Singapore/file)
Citigroup has reduced its workforce in Singapore by approximately 500 employees as part of a global restructuring effort, according a Straits Times report.
The bank now employs 8,000 full-time and contract staff in Singapore, down from 8,500 in October.
This reduction includes the elimination of management layers and roles focused on the Asia Pacific region to streamline operations.
Despite the workforce reduction, Singapore remains one of Citi’s largest operational hubs.
Singapore hawkers face high costs and strict rules amid rising costs, impacting their livelihood. (Photo: Getyy Images)
Hawkers in Singapore face several unspoken challenges amid the rising GST and ingredient costs.
They bid for stalls without subsidies, leading to high costs. They also pay significant monthly rentals, often limiting menu variety to profitable dishes.
Additional fees for cleaning, mandatory low-cost meals, and restricted use of their own crockery further strain finances.
Moreover, hawkers are forced to use designated gas suppliers and pay fines for unapproved leave.
Charges for extra space add to their difficulties.
Spain, Netherlands, England, and France shine in Euro 2024
Football - Euro 2024 - Quarter Final - England v Switzerland - Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany - July 6, 2024 England's Jordan Pickford saves a penalty in the shootout missed by Switzerland's Manuel Akanji REUTERS/Lee Smith
Spain leads the Euro 2024 power rankings after a hard-fought win over Germany, despite losing key players to injury and suspension.
The Netherlands, recovering from early criticism, secured their semi-final spot with a comeback against Turkey.
England progressed after a penalty shootout win over Switzerland.
France advanced despite inconsistent performances and injury issues.
South China Sea: Beijing's ‘monster ship ’ ramps up tensions in disputed waters
China's largest coast guard vessel entered the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on 5 July to intimidate, but Manila vows not to retreat. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File Photo
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that China's largest coastguard vessel has entered Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, aiming to intimidate the Philippines.
The 165-meter Chinese 'monster ship,' entered the 200-nautical mile EEZ on July 2. The PCG confronted the Chinese vessel, warning it was in Philippine territory and inquiring about its intentions.
China claims most of the South China Sea, a vital shipping route, as its territory, despite a 2016 ruling by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated these claims.
In response to rising tensions, the Philippines and China agreed to restore trust and manage maritime disputes better after a recent high-level dialogue.
France election: Le Pen's far-right National rally trail left and centrists in exit polls
A protester hold a French flag as people gather at the Place de la Republique after partial results in the second round of the early French parliamentary elections, in Paris, France, July 7, 2024. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
In a surprising turn, exit polls showed the left and President Macron's centrists leading in the recent French elections, overshadowing the far-right National Rally's (RN) anticipated victory.
A strategic alliance saw third-place candidates withdraw to support those best positioned to stop the far-right.
Despite the RN's disappointment, leader Marine Le Pen declared that their victory was only delayed.
France now faces a hung parliament and potential political instability.
Lulu Sun outshines UK tennis star Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon
Tennis – Qualifier Lulu Sun of New Zealand advances to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon with a powerful win over Emma Raducanu of Britain. REUTERS/Matthew Childs
New Zealand's Lulu Sun defeated Emma Raducanu in Wimbledon, advancing to the quarter-finals with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 win.
Sun, ranked 123rd, showcased her powerful forehand, hitting 52 winners to Raducanu’s 19.
Sun's aggressive play and confidence were evident as she dominated the match, despite her low ranking and inexperience on the big stage.
This victory marks Sun's seventh consecutive win at Wimbledon.
Companies are experimenting with AI systems to manage their staff, trusting AI to manage minutiae like reminders and deadlines. (Photo: Getty Images)
A senior manager faced significant stress managing 83 employees until his company implemented an AI manager.
The AI system helped streamline tasks such as scheduling, timekeeping, and workload planning, which allowed him to focus on company growth and improve his relationships with employees.
The AI manager significantly enhanced productivity and efficiency among the staff, working alongside traditional human managers.
The AI managed to achieve similar success rates in planning and punctuality as human managers, and even better results when combined with human oversight.
Despite the efficiency gains, experts caution against fully replacing human managers with AI.
Pope Francis is concerned about the health of democracy
Pope Francis urged politicians to work together to build stronger societies and tackle voter apathy. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
Pope Francis criticised populist politics and the harmful effects of ideology on Sunday, warning that democracy is struggling in many parts of the world.
Francis highlighted the exclusion felt by many, particularly the poor and weak, from democratic processes, condemning polarisation and partisanship.
The Pope refrained from naming specific countries but noted a widespread "crisis of democracy."
He urged people not to be swayed by "easy solutions" and to focus on the common good, emphasising the dangers of political corruption and illegality.
Common foods linked to elevated levels of forever chemicals in body
PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ found in food and drink products such as coffee, rice and eggs. (Photo: Getty Images)
Food is considered a primary exposure route for PFAS chemicals.
New research indicates that consumption of white rice, coffee, eggs, and seafood correlates with higher levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in human plasma and breast milk.
The study, which involved samples from 3,000 pregnant women, suggests that coffee and white rice may be more contaminated than other foods.
Additionally, there is a notable association between red meat consumption and elevated levels of PFOS, a particularly harmful PFAS compound.
The study's authors emphasise the widespread presence of PFAS and the numerous ways they can infiltrate the food supply.
PFAS, a class of approximately 16,000 compounds used in various products for their water, stain, and heat resistance, are notorious for not breaking down naturally, leading to their accumulation in humans.
These "forever chemicals" have been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, birth defects, and thyroid disease.
Donald Trump launched $TRUMP cryptocurrency, a meme coin, days before his inauguration. It quickly reached over $32 billion in value. Melania has now launched her own.
The relationship between Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and the Biden family is so strained that the outgoing president and his wife did not check in on her after she broke her hip last month, enraging Pelosi’s family. The revelation in a Sunday Politico report reflects the ongoing feud between Joe Biden and Pelosi after she worked last summer to push him to drop out of the presidential election. Biden eventually withdrew, but it was not without some pointed anger at the former speaker. “We were f
It was just past 11 on a freezing December morning on the outskirts of Brussels, but already workers at the city's Audi factory were cracking open frosty cans of beer. They had just finished a long night shift - not on one of the production lines at a plant that has produced 8 million cars since 1949, according to a huge sign on its exterior wall - but on a picket line outside. Pallets and old furniture were added to roaring fires in the middle of a road. Hand-painted signs raged, in French, aga
During Covid—when China’s draconian restrictions kept people locked in their apartments or residential compounds—the term took on a new life, meaning to “emigrate in order to flee adverse conditions.” Now, while Covid has receded in the rearview mirror of most Chinese, the term has gained new life as China’s economy continues its sluggish and people feel increasingly uneasy about their financial conditions. The superrich have been reallocating funds outside of China for decades, long before President Xi Jinping’s reign and China’s new normal of slower growth.
President-elect Trump landed in Washington, D.C., on Saturday evening for his inauguration. He landed at Dulles International Airport in Virginia just after 7 p.m. Trump, incoming first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron Trump, boarded an Air Force plane just after 4:30 p.m. at Palm Beach International Airport. Trump waved from the top of the stairs…
The app, which prevented American users from scrolling through videos late Saturday, highlighted Trump's interest in a "solution" to keep its U.S. operations alive.
As he prepares to become the nation's first millennial vice president, JD Vance is already the presumptive heir to the “Make America Great Again” movement. Vance hasn't been assigned a specific portfolio in the White House like some of his predecessors. While he has long-standing areas of interest, from tech and disaster relief to immigration, people close to the former Ohio senator say he sees his role as doing whatever is needed to best help President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration accomplish his agenda.
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton issued a stern warning for companies working with TikTok, shortly after breaking with president-elect Donald Trump on the embattled platform’s shutdown. “Any company that hosts, distributes, services, or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face hundreds of billions of dollars of ruinous liability under the law,” Cotton said on Sunday in response to a TikTok statement. The social media giant thanked its service providers for restoring service, throwing
Shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration eight years ago, half a million people headed onto the streets of Washington DC to protest the new president.
Hundreds of supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean president arrested after declaring martial law, stormed a court building early on Sunday after his detention was extended.
At the anti-Trump protest in Washington, D.C., words like “devastated,” “destroyed,” and "lost" tumble forth. “I cannot believe that normal people voted for this man. But they did."
CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -Thousands of Palestinians burst into the streets across Gaza as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Sunday, some in celebration, others to visit the graves of relatives, while many rushed back to see what remained of their homes. "I feel alive again," said Aya, a displaced woman from Gaza City who has been sheltering in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip for over a year. In the north of the territory, where some of the most intense Israeli airstrikes and battles with the militants took place, drone footage showed hundreds of people walking on a dusty road through a devastated landscape of crushed concrete and twisted metal.
