Elevated levels of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ found in common foods; Citi axes 500 S'pore jobs: Singapore live news
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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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
South China Sea: Beijing's ‘monster ship ’ ramps up tensions in disputed waters
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
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.
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 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
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.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president said Thursday she will ask President-elect Donald Trump to deport non-Mexican migrants directly to their home countries, rather than dumping them at the Mexican border.
(Bloomberg) -- A week before Donald Trump fired off yet another tariff threat on his neighbors, Justin Trudeau and Claudia Sheinbaum had a chance to confer in person about how to tackle that very scenario. Would they join forces against their errant trading partner or was it going to be a case of every person for themselves? Most Read from BloombergAs Wars Rage, Cities Face a Dark New Era of Urban DestructionRiyadh Metro Partially Opens in Bid to Ease City’s Traffic JamsThe evidence is pointing
Blanket precautionary pardons are being considered for some of Donald Trump’s biggest political foes, according to a new report. Biden officials have been looking at who Trump and his FBI director pick Kash Patel may go after once they take over the White House, the latest sign of concern from the Democratic Party ahead of his impending inauguration. Some of those who are being considered for the precautionary pardon include newly-elected Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat who served on Congress’s Jan
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) pulled off a flip-flop in near-record time Wednesday, dismissing a litany of misconduct allegations against Pete Hegseth that just a day earlier he called “very disturbing.” Hegseth, who President-elect Donald Trump says he intends to nominate for defense secretary, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room in 2017, which he denies.
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s plan to fix immigration in Canada depends on the biggest exodus of people since at least the 1940s — one that many economists doubt is feasible.Most Read from BloombergAs Wars Rage, Cities Face a Dark New Era of Urban DestructionRiyadh Metro Partially Opens in Bid to Ease City’s Traffic JamsSlamming the brakes on record-setting population growth requires 2.4 million non-permanent residents to leave or change status over the next two years, according
Bill Clinton expressed public misgivings about Joe Biden’s handling of his son’s pardon Wednesday–as he delivered a blunt assessment of why Democrats lost the election. “I wish he hadn’t said he wasn’t going to do it. It does weaken his case,” Clinton said of Biden’s repeated pledges not to pardon his son, which he reversed on Sunday night with a sweeping use of the presidential pardon power. Clinton, the 42nd president, was speaking in Manhattan at The New York Times' Dealbook event, the first
Elon Musk is heading to Capitol Hill on Thursday to speak with lawmakers about the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) being proposed by President-elect Donald Trump. One item on his chopping block is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Sheila Bair, former Chair of the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) and former Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury for Financial Institutions, sits down with Market Domination's Julie Hyman and Josh Lipton to discuss the potential repercussions if Musk is given the authority to eliminate the CFPB. "It's a head-scratcher. You know, that budget's less than $700 million. That's like 0.01% of our $6.75 trillion federal budget," says Bair. "I think we've gotten very good bang for our buck when it comes to the CFPB. It was created to fill enormous regulatory gaps and consumer protections, which, frankly, were a key cause of the great financial crisis and the Great Recession that ensued since we've had the CFPB." Bair goes on to talk about the inception of the CFPB and the benefits the agency has provided for consumers:"They've created protections and enforced protections that weren't there before, about $20 billion they've recouped for consumers with various bad practices among certain industry lenders." Watch the video above to hear Bair's full take on Musk eliminating the CFPB. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination here. This post was written by Daniel A. Nelson
President-elect Donald Trump has replaced his pick to serve as the top lawyer in his White House, in an abrupt move that signals how quickly fortunes can shift in Trump’s orbit as a result of internal division.
Russian President Vladimir Putin faces a difficult week as Syria's government collapses, Russian military bases are overrun by rebels, and protests in Abkhazia and Kazakhstan signal a decline in Russian influence in the region.
VALLETTA, Malta (AP) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clashed Thursday indirectly with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at an annual security meeting, accusing the West of risking escalation over Ukraine but walking out before Blinken and other speakers could respond.
If the stock market rally that occurred right after former President Donald Trump won the election is any indication of what his presidential term will look like, investors should be very happy for...
OutKick founder Clay Travis suggests "a blanket pardon," as well as one for New York City Mayor Eric Adams The post Jesse Watters Laughs at Thought of Trump Pardoning Jan. 6 Rioters: ‘Even the Ones That Were Slugging Cops?’ | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
CNN anchor Abby Phillp and conservative radio host Erick Erickson sparred on the social platform X after he dubbed her show “an embarrassment.” “The tag line for NewsNight on CNN is, ‘Abby Phillip delivers a smart, sharp approach to the day’s biggest stories,’” Erickson said Wednesday in a lengthy post. “I have been invited to…
(Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump has promised to impose 10% tariffs on all imports from China as soon as he takes office next month.Most Read from BloombergKansas City Looks Back on its Long, Costly Ride With MicrotransitNYC’s Run-Down Bus Terminal Gets Approval for $10 Billion RevampAs Wars Rage, Cities Face a Dark New Era of Urban DestructionRiyadh Metro Partially Opens in Bid to Ease City’s Traffic JamsBut that might be difficult to achieve fully because tens of billions of dollars