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CNA938 Rewind - #TalkBack: A countdown clock or fake reviews ~ ever heard of "dark practices" that your favourite online merchants are using?

CNA938 Rewind - #TalkBack: A countdown clock or fake reviews ~ ever heard of "dark practices" that your favourite online merchants are using?

CNA19 hours ago

CNA938 Rewind
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Online travel agency Agoda has made changes to its Singapore website and mobile app, due to concerns about its problematic features raised by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin discuss more with Ng Ming Jie, Director (Fair Trading Practices Division), Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS).

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Thai PM faces call to step down to avert coalition revolt
Thai PM faces call to step down to avert coalition revolt

CNA

time37 minutes ago

  • CNA

Thai PM faces call to step down to avert coalition revolt

BANGKOK: Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was facing the prospect of losing her government's majority on Friday (Jun 20) as a vital coalition partner looked set to demand her resignation after just 10 months in power. Paetongtarn, the politically inexperienced daughter of divisive tycoon and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is fighting fires on multiple fronts, struggling to breathe life into a stagnant economy facing steep US tariffs and under pressure to take a tougher stand on a territorial row with Cambodia that has seen their troops mobilise at the border. The United Thai Nation (UTN) party, the second-largest partner in her alliance, will demand Paetongtarn, 38, step down as a condition for it to remain in the Pheu Thai Party-led coalition, two UTN sources told Reuters, requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to media. "If she doesn't resign, the party would leave the government," one source said. "We want the party leader to tell the PM as a courtesy." Though Paetongtarn received a boost on Friday with another coalition partner, the Democrat Party, pledging its support, Thailand's youngest premier is still in an untenable position, with her majority hinging on UTN staying in the alliance following Wednesday's exit by the larger Bhumjaithai Party. UTN has not said when it will announce its position. Asked about its decision, UTN spokesperson Akaradej Wongpitakroj declined to provide details. "We have to wait for the party leader to inform the prime minister first," he said. Reflecting concerns in financial markets, the Thai baht weakened for a fifth consecutive session on Friday and was on course to log its worst week since late February. TUMULTUOUS PAST Paetongtarn's battle to stay in power demonstrates the declining strength of Pheu Thai, the populist juggernaut of the billionaire Shinawatra family that has dominated Thai elections since 2001, enduring military coups and court rulings that have toppled multiple governments and prime ministers. But Paetongtarn is facing domestic anger and the prospect of an internal revolt over Wednesday's embarrassing leak of a phone call between her and Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen - once seen as a Shinawatra family ally - which her critics say posed a threat to Thailand's sovereignty and integrity. During the conversation, Paetongtarn called for a peaceful resolution of the border dispute and disparaged an outspoken Thai army general who she said "just wants to look cool", a red line in a country where the military has a high profile and significant political clout. Political activists met on Friday to schedule a major protest in Bangkok starting on Jun 28 to demand Paetongtarn resign and coalition partners leave the government. Those included groups with a history of crippling rallies against Shinawatra administrations. Paetongtarn has not commented on the turmoil in her government and has tried to present a united front on the Cambodia issue, appearing on Thursday alongside military chiefs and vowing to defend sovereignty. The premier will make a morale-boosting visit to military units at the Cambodia border on Friday, where she is due to meet Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, the regional commander whom she criticised in the leaked call. Paetongtarn's options for staying in power are limited unless her allies can succeed in behind-the-scenes horse-trading to keep her alliance from crumbling. A snap election could damage Pheu Thai at a time of dwindling popularity and play into the hands of the progressive opposition People's Party, the largest force in parliament. Two Pheu Thai sources told Reuters the party is confident Paetongtarn can avoid resigning or dissolving parliament and her government is considering a major cabinet reshuffle to fill vacant positions.

BOJ to keep raising rates if economy improves, Governor Ueda says
BOJ to keep raising rates if economy improves, Governor Ueda says

CNA

timean hour ago

  • CNA

BOJ to keep raising rates if economy improves, Governor Ueda says

TOKYO :Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Friday the central bank will continue to raise interest rates if improvements in the economy keep the country on track to durably achieve its 2 per cent inflation target. "Underlying inflation may stagnate due to a slowdown in economic growth, but likely to accelerate thereafter as intensifying labour shortages heighten medium- to long-term inflation expectations," Ueda said in a speech.

Hospitality and tourism job interest in Singapore jumps 130% as industry rebounds after pandemic: Indeed
Hospitality and tourism job interest in Singapore jumps 130% as industry rebounds after pandemic: Indeed

Independent Singapore

time2 hours ago

  • Independent Singapore

Hospitality and tourism job interest in Singapore jumps 130% as industry rebounds after pandemic: Indeed

Photo: Depositphotos/ (for illustration purposes only) SINGAPORE: Jobseeker interest in Singapore's hospitality and tourism sector has more than doubled in four years amid the sector's recovery, according to new data from global hiring and matching platform Indeed. The number of clicks on hospitality and tourism job ads per million users rose by 130.3% from 2021 to 2025. Indeed said the increased interest could be linked to better perception of the sector's job security, pay, and working conditions. Skilled talent, including those returning to the workforce, and new graduates are also likely contributing to this demand. Job opportunities in the sector also increased by 48.7% from 2021 to 2025. From April 2024 to April 2025 alone, job postings grew 14.6%, likely driven by higher travel demand, major concerts and sporting events in Singapore, and new investments in building the local tourism workforce. In April, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said that the city-state welcomed 1.4 million tourists , up 4.5% from the same period last year. Indeed 's spokesperson Shannon Peter Pang said the strong interest from jobseekers is a good sign of the sector's recovery, but employers must ensure these workers are placed in roles that match their skills and support the industry's long-term growth. 'Employers are encouraged to invest in upskilling programmes to build a sustainable workforce pipeline to meet evolving service expectations and demands. Better employee retention strategies, such as competitive benefits and clear career development pathways, could help keep talent motivated and committed to building the industry,' he said. 'Singapore's smooth recovery as a premier travel destination in the Asia Pacific spells an exciting time for the country. As demand surges, the sector's businesses must ensure they're not just filling roles, but building meaningful career pathways,' he added. /TISG Read also: Singapore's tourism spending to hit record high in 2024, with more growth in 2025 Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

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