Daily roundup: 18 years' jail for woman who hacked adoptive father to death after tussle over Sengkang flat — and other top stories today, World News
1. 18 years' jail for woman who hacked adoptive father to death after tussle over Sengkang flat
A 31-year-old woman who was suffering from persecutory delusions became frightened that her adoptive father would kick her out of the family's Sengkang flat after her adoptive mother died from cancer... » READ MORE
2. 'How long can I continue to sing for?' JJ Lin diagnosed with heart condition in 2024
JJ Lin has been diagnosed with a heart condition. The 44-year-old Singaporean singer, who is currently on his JJ20 Final Lap World Tour, revealed... » READ MORE
3. 'Wow, who is this girl?' Pierre Png and Cynthia Koh recall first time they met at water park as teens
Local actors Pierre Png and Cynthia Koh are no strangers to one another in the entertainment industry, with their first on-screen collaboration dating all the way back to Holland V in 2003 as siblings Mo Yangyang and Mo Yanyan respectively... » READ MORE
4. Joss paper burning allegedly sparks corridor fire in Chai Chee; 7 received medical aid
Seven people received medical treatment after a fire broke out at the corridor of a Chai Chee Housing and Development Board (HDB) block... » READ MORE
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Straits Times
25 minutes ago
- Straits Times
‘Sex first, then you can sell my flat': Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment
ERA property agent Desiree Leung initially thought it was either a complimentary letter or letter of complaint. SINGAPORE - Property agent Susan Mariam was in a Jurong West HDB flat speaking to the owner about selling his home 13 years ago when he suddenly locked the door, and tried to force her to have sex. She ran into the master bedroom, locked the door and screamed for help from the window of the second-floor unit. Her husband, who was waiting for her at the carpark, heard her screams, and ran up to the unit. He yelled at the homeowner, and told him to let his wife go before the police arrived. Ms Mariam, 44 , who is now divorced, got away unscathed, and the man was later taken away by the police. Ms Mariam, a senior associate branch director at OrangeTee , is among several property agents who spoke to The Straits Times about how they had encountered instances of sexual harassment or indecent proposals in the course of their work to market homes. ERA property agent Desiree Leung, for instance, got a handwritten letter on July 1 , likely from a prospective home buyer, that was mailed to her office . In the letter - seen by The Straits Times - the writer said he would engage her services to buy a flat but only if she had sex with him. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Singapore Jail for elderly man for using knife to slash neighbour, who later died of heart disease Singapore Maximum $7,000 fine for caterer involved in ByteDance food poisoning case World UK to lower voting age to 16 in landmark electoral reform Opinion Grab tried to disrupt taxis. It now wants to save them Ms Leung, 30 , said: 'When I read the first few lines, I thought it was a normal inquiry to meet up and discuss a property sale but when I read the sentence 'I want to f**k you for an hour', I was shocked. 'I showed it to my colleagues in the office immediately, and later made a police report.' Ms Leung , who has been in the real estate business for four years, said there was no way to know who the sender was. The letter did not have a return address, phone number or any other details. This was not the only instance of harassment that she has faced, she said. In another incident, a tenant made a video call to Ms Leung late at night and exposed himself during the call. Ms Leung decided to go public with her experience, and leaned on close friends and family for support. She said: 'Many people don't speak up out of fear. 'Since sharing my story, I've already received personal attacks online... comments like 'she asked for it' or 'she's not pretty'. It is painful.' Responding to queries, ERA key executive officer Eugene Lim said: 'ERA considers this a case of sexual harassment and we take a very serious view of such behaviour. No agent should ever be subjected to abuse or inappropriate conduct in the course of their professional duties.' When agents inform the company that they were sexually harassed, the human resource and legal departments will step in to support agents, assess the situation, and guide them on what to do next, including filing a police report if needed. In response to queries, Ms Sugidha Nithiananthan , advocacy and research director at the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), said employers need to provide harassment-free work environments. This includes protecting employees from harassment by customers and other third parties that employees encounter. Employers should also have anti-harassment policies in place and procedures to handle harassment cases when they occur, she said. When asked how women can better protect themselves from sexual harassment, Ms Nithiananthan said: 'Rather than asking what victim-survivors should do, the primary focus should be to address why some men feel it is acceptable to send such insulting and derogatory messages to women agents.' Watershed Law director Christian Teo said the law in Singapore does not specifically define sexual harassment, but what happened to Ms Leung certainly falls within the scope of what one would consider sexual harassment. He added that there are, however, laws to protect against harassment, called the Protection from Harassment Act or Poha. Mr Teo said: 'A victim can rely on Poha to commence a civil action for remedies against the perpetrator, such as a protection order or damages.' He added that if the police decline to investigate, the victim can file a Magistrate's Complaint. This will enable the victim to seek criminal recourse for punishment. Mr Teo said the victim should preserve evidence of any harassing act, especially where digital media is involved, by taking screenshots or downloading chat logs. 'Increasingly, digital media platforms allows users to unilaterally delete messages,' he added. He advised victims to make a police report as soon as possible and alert their workplace supervisors so that security measures can be implemented if needed.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Man charged after his company's bank account allegedly received over $350k in scam proceeds
Find out what's new on ST website and app. N.M. Pranesh was the director of a company that received money purportedly from victims of investment and love scams. SINGAPORE - In exchange for 'fast cash', a man allegedly set up a trading firm and relinquished control of its bank accounts to someone he had met via messaging platform Telegram. One of the firm's bank accounts later received nearly US$275,000 (S$353,000), money that was purportedly from foreign victims of investment and love scams. On July 17, Singaporean N.M . Pranesh, 24, was charged with failing to exercise diligence when he was a director of Prodigym Teading, an offence under the Companies Act. He is also accused of allowing another person, known only as 'Judy', to control the company's two bank accounts. In a statement on July 16, the police said that Pranesh allegedly entered into the arrangement in January 2022, 'despite having reasonable grounds to believe that the unknown individual engaged in criminal conduct', according to investigations by the Commercial Affairs Department. The police also said that the firm received the alleged ill-gotten gains between March 14 and 16, 2022. Pranesh's case will be mentioned again in court on Aug 7.
New Paper
3 hours ago
- New Paper
Star Awards 2025: The 11 red carpet looks that caught the eye
It was tasteful, if a touch restrained, on the Star Awards 2025 red carpet. The 30th edition of local entertainment's biggest night had promised spectacle, but the artistes in attendance on July 6 overwhelmingly opted for trusty suits - mostly in penguin colours, though some dared a navy - safely pretty black dresses, lucky red ones and standard sequinned gowns. It felt like sober good sense taking over in the third decade of the awards show, teased by backstage pictures of the stars sipping bird's nest tonics from little flasks supplied by celebrity hairstylist David Gan. The upshot was competent, even relaxed looks, with few misfires. Fight through the polite applause and one might find interest in the details: host Quan Yi Fong's windswept tromp l'oeil tie, newbie Tiffany Ho's clover-shaped "bib" or actor Desmond Tan passing off a tassel for a tie. And with the likes of actors Li Nanxing, Sharon Au and Jeanette Aw making their Walk Of Fame comebacks, there was enough going on to keep oglers occupied. A new crop of actors from the hit series Emerald Hill (2025), as yet too fresh to keep it chill, also turned up the heat. Here are the most memorable hits and misses from the annual extravaganza. Tasha Low Like a true clothes horse, Low made no concession to the weather in this feathered Chanel jacket and skirt set. The charmeuse top, with its jewelled buttons, gave a sense of occasion. The spring green was bright, without being timid. The matching jacquard skirt with a Chanel camellia motif was faultless. Her Chinese period drama-esque hairdo might have tipped the look into costume, if not for the flash of those black velvet platform boots. All in all, a rock star look from the Emerald Hill star. Chantalle Ng Here was another Emerald Hill lead - and Low's bestie - looking to make an impression. Ng's divisive, barely there chainmail dress of 2023, and sports bra-flashing, white overlay fishing net number in 2024, showed her admirable scorn for quiet dressing. This time, she finally nailed it in her most conservative look yet. Her strapless white gown was a busy one, with ruffles round the bust, waist and fringing a fluffy-looking train. Look closer and some boning is visible in the bodice, as well as a charming criss-cross pattern in the skirt. Ng gets props for holding it all together, without looking too bridal. Zoe Tay Ah Jie made a queenly entrance in Chanel. With hair slicked back, in a floor-grazing black coat - naturally made of tweed - and a controlled explosion of flowers embroidered on the collar, she looked every bit the matriarch of Mediacorp. It was welcome relief from the ruddy dresses Tay reached for in 2023 and 2024. But do not mistake her for severe now - she still swished her coat playfully for the cameras and capped off the look with a fun pair of velvet and mirror platform sandals. Jeanette Aw Singaporean actresses Jeanette Aw (right) and Jesseca Liu walking the red carpet at the Star Awards ceremony at Mediacorp on July 6. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO After a six-year break from the silver screen, Aw is making a leading lady TV comeback in 2026. For her red carpet return, she went for a prim Shushu/Tong number, with a flat bow detail on the neckline that added a dash of girlish sweetness. The woollen weight and full-hipped silhouette kept it classy. Her towering stiletto heels and crocodile-shaped open necklace added a welcome pinch of danger. Fann Wong Actress Fann Wong and her husband Christopher Lee at the Star Awards on July 6. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Wong famously turned up at the 2003 Star Awards in sneakers, a cropped top and ultra-loud floral red knee-length pants. Those who hoped she might reprise that spirit might be disappointed to learn she has retired from wacky, if her all-white look was anything to go by. But it was gauche to quibble. Her simple shift dress fell perfectly to her feet and, with only the most sparing of accessories - a thick silver bracelet, earrings and a thin necklace - she proved less is more. Chen Liping Chen Liping walking the red carpet at the Star Awards ceremony at Mediacorp on July 6. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Chen arrived like a Roald Dahl character - specifically, the giant peach in James And The Giant Peach. Her linebacker shoulders in a pleated orange top, with an exposed zipper no less, was the most flammable look of the night. Still, it was difficult to say what clothes could carry the energy of the beloved on-screen teacher known as Aiyoyo, who somehow managed to overpower her screeching garb, looking easy-breezy above the noise. Li Nanxing Singaporean actress Zoe Tay and actor Li Nanxing on the red carpet at the Star Awards ceremony at Mediacorp on July 6. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Ah Ge Li Nanxing was the one to watch on awards night as he made his long-awaited return to the ceremony. He could have come in the national service admin tee and it would not have made a difference, but he played nice and went for a baggy suit. His yellow-tinted sunglasses and metallic corsage - a brooch shaped like a spray of flowers - capped off the mob boss look. Ya Hui Singaporean actress Ya Hui walking the red carpet at the Star Awards ceremony at Mediacorp on July 6. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO She dared to experiment with a denim fishtail dress. Alas, the intrepid actress was foiled by the casual-looking wash of the jeans, the randomness of her elbow-length black gloves and the truly bizarre lone silver bangle on one wrist. It might have been worth it if she could move in it, but the well-loved star was seen grappling with her skirt, stalled before the stairs up to the venue by the stiff material and awkward length. Xiang Yun (From left) Host Hazelle Teo, host-actor Guo Liang, actress Xiang Yun and actor Chen Shucheng at the Star Awards at Mediacorp on July 6. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO The veteran actress is not one to shy from colour. In 2023, she went full highlighter in a fluorescent yellow number. This year, she opted for fuchsia. But if her neon look two years ago worked because of its considered structure, her rosy collared dress this year was undone by its Office Lady sensibility. Think three-quarter sleeves, flared skirt and a sorrowfully misshapen bow tacked onto the waist. A haphazard ponytail that could only have been hastily done inspired the present suspicion - perhaps, she had not meant to attend. Pierre Png Actors Xu Bin (left) and Pierre Png walking the red carpet at the Star Awards ceremony at Mediacorp on July 6. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO The Crazy Rich Asians (2018) heart-throb and best supporting actor nominee rolled up in an all-black paisley printed suit - and bedhead. Maybe it was an adventurous hairstyling choice, but the cowlick visible from behind suggested ambivalence. Then again, with nearly 30 years in the dog and pony show of show business, Png might be forgiven for taking a nap. Elvin Ng Mr Bandung - so named for his infamous pink ombre get-up circa 2021 - ditched the strictures of a suit altogether this time, favouring a belted cool grey jumpsuit, unzipped to mid-chest. His popped collar, silver ear studs, gold brooch and a wispy forelock added some glamour. But otherwise, his elevated loungewear looked the most comfortable of the night.
