Singapore morning news for January 24

Singapore’s overall and core inflation pick up more than expected in December
Singapore’s headline – or overall – inflation climbed to 0.5 per cent in December year on year, after falling to a six-month low of 0.3 per cent the month before.
— The Straits Times

Actor Aloysius Pang dies, four days after sustaining injuries during SAF training in New Zealand
Actor Aloysius Pang died on Wednesday (Jan 23), four days after sustaining serious injuries while taking part in Exercise Thunder Warrior in New Zealand.
— Today Online

Singapore braces for tougher times as China slows down and the trade war heats up
Singapore, a country with a population of just about 5.6 million, is one of Asia’ top financial centers and a global trading hub.
— CNBC

MHA reports terrorism threat to Singapore remains high; urges S’poreans not to be complacent
Terrorism threats to Singapore remain high, as Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) continues to proliferate in the region and beyond.
— The Independent

Singapore’s headline, core inflation pick up in December; prices expected to rise faster in 2019
SINGAPORE saw both its headline and core inflation pick up in December, according to the latest Department of Statistics consumer price index (CPI) released on Wednesday.
— The Business Times

Singapore tops mobile app use and downloads: App Annie
When it comes to downloading and using mobile apps, users in Singapore are top of the class.
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/technology/singapore-tops-mobile-app-use-and-downloads-app-annie-11157124
— Channel NewsAsia

Oil and gas sector to invest in technology for cost savings
THERE is increasing recognition across the global oil and gas industry that cost-cutting is not the way to go.
— The Business Times

Token Economy Association teams up with Singapore government-backed blockchain accelerator
Token Economy Association (Singapore) (“TEA Singapore”) is pleased to announce the partnership with Tribe Accelerator, the first-of-its-kind government-backed blockchain accelerator, and part of TRIVE Ventures (“TRIVE”), a Southeast Asia focused Venture Capital (VC) firm based in Singapore.
— Finextra

New framework helps organisations ensure AI solutions are ethical: IMDA
Singapore has introduced a framework to guide private sector organisations on how they use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions ethically.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Sembcorp and Singapore Polytechnic to work on solar panel recycling technology
Solar energy is growing as a source of clean, renewable energy in Singapore. But this raises a key and pressing challenge for the local solar energy industry – where do all the used solar panels go at the end of their lifespan?
— The Straits Times

EMA: SP Group’s higher tariff reflects “long-term costs of producing and delivering electricity”
Last Wed (16 Jan), a member of the public, Albert Tang, wrote to ST Forum asking why SP Group didn’t offer the heavily discounted electricity rates, which many of the electricity retailers are currently offering to the public, in the first place.
— The Online Citizen

New service aims to cut out single-use plastic from takeaways, rent out containers for free
A new service recently launched in Singapore wants to replace single-use plastic in takeaways with reusable cups and containers that customers can rent technically for free.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

SIA moves up to 18th spot in Fortune’s Top 50 rankings, from 32nd place in 2018
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has moved up the Top 50 rankings of Fortune magazine’s annual World’s Most Admired Companies to 18th spot this year.
— The Straits Times

Singapore releases model governance framework for AI
Singapore has released a model governance framework on artificial intelligence (AI), which companies in Singapore and elsewhere can adopt as they grapple with issues that have emerged with new technology.
— The Straits Times

Konnectivity rules out raising price for M1
The second and third largest shareholders in Singapore’s M1, Keppel Corporation and Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), have ruled out any possibility of increasing their joint buyout offer for the operator.
— telecomasia.net

New pan-Asia committee to grow regional fintech players with Asian characteristics
A new pan-Asia network for fintech players was launched in Singapore on Wednesday (Jan 23), bringing together Asian fintech start-ups, financial institutions and banks to trade knowledge and expertise in the booming fintech industry.
— The Straits Times

Over 100 Indian MSMEs to feature in Singapore export forum
Over 100 Indian firms will feature in the Singapore export forum during a business conclave here from Thursday that aims to promote India’s export-oriented industries in the strategic ASEAN region.
— The Economic Times

WEnergy, ICMG and TEPCO-PowerGrid collaborate on a US$100 million fund for South East Asia
The newly formed Singapore based investment entity of $60 million, CleanGrid Partners will finance and operate renewable energy projects in Southeast Asia.
— PV Magazine

From fanboy to beating the favourite: Singapore’s badminton sensation is just getting started
At one point during the battle between pretender and contender, even the television commentator is left flabbergasted.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Swatch fails in bid to block Apple’s iWatch trade mark in Singapore
Swiss watch giant Swatch failed to block Apple from registering the iWatch trade mark in their tussle over distinguishing marks.
— The Straits Times

Ho Ching calls for all businesses to take urgent action on climate change
Ho Ching, CEO of Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, Temasek, called for all businesses and organisations – be it for-profit, non-profit, societies, or governments agencies – to embrace Goal 13 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
— The Online Citizen

Former UOB relationship manager admits misappropriating $200,000 from illiterate client
Yap Bin Chun convinced his client, who cannot read, write or understand English, to sign various forms. The married man also duped a woman from Hong Kong into thinking that he was single and cheated her of more than $20,000.
— The Straits Times

Bayer CEO comes to SG to assure Temasek as it loses at least S$1.5b in 9 months
It was reported by the Australian Financial Review on Mon (21 Jan) that the CEO of German drug-maker Bayer, Werner Baumann, has been in Singapore and Australia over the past week to reassure big investors that his company would be able to meet its growth targets, despite facing multiple lawsuits by its subsidiary Monsanto.
— The Online Citizen

Lawrence Wong announces S$72m fund to boost workforce, skills training in construction industry
The government has set up a S$72 million training fund to boost the workforce and provide skills training in the construction industry from June last year to May 2020.
— The Independent

51 arrested in multi-agency Geylang operation
Fifty-one people were arrested in a nine-day multi-agency operation in Geylang from Jan 13 to 21.
— The Straits Times

Jurong Bird Park is first wildlife park to successfully breed endangered Solomon Islands bird
Four baby Santa Cruz ground doves were born at the Jurong Bird Park in recent weeks, making the park the first zoological institution in the world to successfully breed the highly threatened bird species under human care.
— The Straits Times

Singapore-based GBCI Ventures launches US$100m smart city fund
Singapore-based smart city investor GBCI Ventures has launched a US$100 million (S$136 million) development fund for technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
— The Straits Times

Forum letter writer tells CPF Board to stop blaming the people for starting payout delay rumour
A forum letter writer has urged the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board to stop blaming the people for starting the rumour that the CPF Board may have changed the retirement sum Payout Eligibility Age (PEA) to 70 years old from 65 years old.
— The Independent

Singapore is first in the world to successfully breed endangered Solomon Islands bird
Four baby Santa Cruz ground doves were born at the Jurong Bird Park in recent weeks, making the park the first zoological institution in the world to successfully breed the highly threatened bird species under human care.
— The Straits Times

Top 8 athletes to be recognised in changes to primary school sports meet
Following a review last year, a suite of changes is being made to sporting competitions under the junior division of the National School Games (NSG).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

China’s ancestry tourism uses Lee Kuan Yew’s name as tourist bait
Politics play a crucial role in China’s ancestral ties. A great example would be the Shinawatras, namely Thaksin and Yingluck, who are Thailand’s former prime ministers.
— The Independent

Travel treats from SIA for all ST Singaporean of the Year finalists
From flying to the United States for the Burning Man arts and music festival to a recce in Nepal for a volunteer trip – these are some of the things that nominees for the Singaporean of the Year are intending to do with plane tickets sponsored by Singapore Airlines (SIA).
— The Straits Times

Only $438,000 worth of claims filed out of $8.9 million oBike owes in deposits, says liquidator
The majority of oBike users have not yet filed claims to retrieve their deposits, the firm’s liquidators revealed on Wednesday (Jan 23).
— The Straits Times

1 Risk That Dividend Investors Should Know Before Investing In SATS Ltd Now
There’s a key risk investors should know if they invest in SATS Ltd (SGX:S58) now.
— The Motley Fool

Dyson moves HQ to Singapore: 5 things about the British home appliance giant and its billionaire founder
British home appliance giant Dyson said it will be moving its head office to Singapore, a decision that comes just months after it announced that it will set up its first electric car plant here.
— The Straits Times

Daily Mail reporter barred from making visits to British drug smuggler in Singapore after unauthorised interview
A journalist with the Daily Mail will be denied further visits to British drug smuggler Yuen Ye Ming, after conducting an unauthorised interview with him in Singapore, said the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) on Wednesday (Jan 23).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Is Malaysia and Singapore making their way back to a more rocky relationship after the former’s political tsunami?
Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad gave a speech at the Oxford Union recently and answered several questions ranging from Malaysia’s stance on Israel, their relationship with China, and their recent tensions with southern neighbours, Singapore.
— The Online Citizen

Singapore suggests extending suspension of Pasir Gudang restricted area, Seletar Airport new landing procedures
Singapore has suggested extending the mutual suspension of Malaysia’s restricted area over Pasir Gudang and Singapore’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures at Seletar Airport, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Wednesday (Jan 23).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singaporean blasts IRAS for disqualifying her from receiving Grandparent Caregiver Relief because of her marital status
A Singaporean has blasted the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) for disqualifying her from receiving Grandparent Caregiver Relief (GCR) scheme it administers because of her marital status.
— The Independent

Yongnam boss selling his Binjai Park good class bungalow for $40m
Yongnam Holdings CEO Seow Soon Yong is selling his good class bungalow (GCB) in the Binjai Park enclave with a guide price of $40 million in a public tender launched on Wednesday (Jan 23).
— The Straits Times

Feature photo CDAC

This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day of Education, January 24.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Singapore morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Singapore news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Singapore morning news for January 24 added by Piseth Pov on January 24, 2019
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Piseth Pov

Piseth Pov graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics Science from the Royal University of Law and Economics, Phnom Penh in 2017, and a Bachelor’s degree in English Communications from Western University, Phnom Penh, the same year.