Monday, 18 Nov 2024

Asia

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Fears of 'digital dictatorship' as Myanmar deploys artificial intelligence

BANGKOK (THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION) – Protesters in Myanmar fear they are being tracked with Chinese facial recognition technology, as spiralling violence and street surveillance spark fears of a “digital dictatorship” to replace ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Human rights groups say the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to check on citizens’ movements poses a […]

Move to integrate pre-schools in Singapore with early intervention support welcomed

SINGAPORE – Four times a week, Madam Pathmaranee Kumorsamy shuttles her five-year-old son, who has autism, from his early intervention centre to his pre-school. Having to travel between the two places tires him out, and he is able to attend only a short two hours at the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots pre-school, said Madam […]

66-year-old Indonesian woman among 15 imported Covid-19 cases in S'pore

A 66-year-old Indonesian woman arriving on a long-term visit pass was among 15 new coronavirus cases reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday (March 18). All 15 cases were imported and placed on stay-home-notices (SHN) on arrival in Singapore, said MOH. They were all asymptomatic and tested positive while serving SHN. This brings […]

Singapore Shopping Centre eatery closed due to typhoid fever links allowed to reopen

SINGAPORE – The suspension of operations imposed on a Chinese eatery in Dhoby Ghaut due to the two typhoid fever cases linked to it in February was lifted on Thursday (March 18). The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) removed the sanction after Hooi Kee Eating House in Singapore Shopping Centre implemented required sanitary and training measures. Operations […]

Long queues at Malaysian High Commission in Singapore leave many frustrated

SINGAPORE – She started queueing at 6.45am to renew her passport that is due to expire next month, but Madam Lim reached the gates of the Malaysian consulate here only five hours later. The 50-year-old clerk, who did not wish to give her full name, said she had expected a queue but was shocked to see […]

Lunch treat for ST School Pocket Money Fund beneficiaries

SINGAPORE – Markson Hua and his friends enjoyed a special school holiday treat at the Torasho Ramen & Charcoal Bar on Thursday (March 18). The 12-year-old pupil was one of the five beneficiaries of the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund who were invited to have lunch at the Japanese restaurant – the first outlet […]

Goldman Sachs trims expectations for China WGBI weighting to 5.1%

FILE PHOTO: A sign is displayed in the reception of Goldman Sachs in Sydney, Australia, May 18, 2016. REUTERS/David GrayLONDON (Reuters) – Goldman Sachs said on Thursday it expected index provider FTSE Russell to include China’s sovereign debt in its World Government Bond Index (WGBI) from October 2021, though with a lower than previously forecast […]

Taiwan says Singapore next in line for potential Covid-19 travel bubble

TAIPEI – A day after confirming the launch of a travel bubble with Palau, Taiwan’s health minister said the next on the island’s list for a travel bubble would likely be Singapore. Last December, Singapore announced a unilateral lifting of restrictions for travellers entering the country from Taiwan, exempting them from the two-week mandatory quarantine […]

Boy's drowning off Changi Beach ruled an 'unfortunate misadventure'

SINGAPORE – A teenager had entered the waters off Changi Beach to clean himself, after building sandcastles with his friends on Aug 22 last year. But strong currents swept the 14-year-old away from the shore. After about a two-hour search, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers recovered Putera Muhammad Indra Shazrine Suzaini’s body. On Thursday (March […]