'Monopoly money' found in backpack of New York health CEO gunmanNone
Schwarzenegger wore 'McFelon' T-shirt mocking Trump? No, image is altered | Fact checkKash it in
TSMC Arizona has received support from the United States government to increase the nation’s production of semiconductor chips. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on Nov. 15, 2024, that it signed a $6.6 billion grant agreement with TSMC Arizona via the CHIPS and Science Act , a 2022 bipartisan bill that aims to give the country an advantage in the global technology race. The CHIPS Program Office also approved up to $5 billion in loans for the subsidiary. The money will support TSMC Arizona’s build of three leading-edge fabrications, or semiconductor production facilities, in Phoenix over the next five years, with a total investment of more than $65 billion in the city. It’s the largest foreign direct investment in a greenfield project in United States history, and it’s expected to create tens of thousands of jobs by 2030 in both technical and nontechnical fields. TSMC Arizona’s new facilities represent not just an investment in the future of semiconductor technology, but also an investment in America’s computing infrastructure and power. “Today’s announcement is among the most critical milestones yet in the implementation of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act and demonstrates how we are ensuring that the progress made to date will continue to unfold in the coming years, benefitting communities all across the country,” President Joe Biden said in the announcement . The administration seeks to re-cement the United States as a key player in the field. Semiconductors were invented in the United States more than a century ago, and its plants were once responsible for about 40% of worldwide production. But today, the nation only produces about 10% of the world’s supply, and none of the most advanced chips. TSMC Arizona aims to change that. “Entering this phase of the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act marks a pivotal step in strengthening the semiconductor ecosystem in the United States. TSMC appreciates the continued collaboration with customers, partners, local communities, and the U.S. government beginning in early 2020,” says TSMC Chairman and CEO Dr. C.C. Wei. “The signing of this agreement helps us to accelerate the development of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology available in the U.S.” Ramping Up Semiconductor Production TSMC Arizona will be running the most advanced chipmaking technology on U.S. soil when the first fabrication plant begins volume production in early 2025. The chips TSMC Arizona will create on American soil will remake the technological landscape, helping the nation strengthen its competitiveness on the global stage. “The Biden-Harris administration’s investment in TSMC Arizona is a turning point for American innovation and manufacturing that will strengthen our economic and national security,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The leading-edge chips that will be manufactured in Arizona are foundational to the United States' technological and economic leadership in the 21st century.” The CHIPS and Science Act provides billions of dollars to boost American semiconductor research, manufacturing, and workforce development, including a 25% investment tax credit. It also funds wireless technologies using open radio access networks, advances in artificial intelligence and biotechnology, and the creation of regional innovation hubs. Additionally, it supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education at all levels and equips agencies to address gender- and race-based harassment in STEM fields. To date, the CHIPS for America program has awarded more than $10 billion — and allocated more than $36 billion in total proposed funding — to partners across 20 states. TSMC Arizona Takes the Lead TSMC leads the world in semiconductor manufacturing, creating more than 90% of the world’s most advanced logic chips. While this new $6.6 billion grant is vital to the company’s development plans, it actually began investing in the state’s future back in 2020, when it first announced the creation of TSMC Arizona and a $12 billion commitment to building its first U.S.-located advanced fabrication plant in the capital city. The first of several pieces of complex chipmaking tools arrived on-site in December 2022 — the same time the company announced that it would build a second facility — for a total investment of $40 billion. It also committed to constructing an industrial water reclamation plant on the 1,129-acre lot to support the company’s sustainability commitments with a 90% or better water recycling goal. By February 2024, more than 2,000 employees were already at work in the first facility, with thousands of construction workers on-site each day. Two months later, TSMC Arizona announced that it would open a third facility, bringing its total commitment in the state to $65 billion. Once they reach full capacity, TSMC Arizona’s three fabs will employ about 6,000 people helping to produce tens of millions of chips. According to an economic analysis by the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, this $65 billion investment will enable the creation of more than 20,000 unique construction jobs across all sites. Each of the TSMC Arizona fabs will specialize in a particular type of semiconductor chip. The first will use the company’s N4 process to produce chips primarily used in smart phones; early numbers show the fab’s output is already comparable to its facilities in Taiwan. The second will open in 2028 and use N3 and N2 process technology — currently the industry’s most advanced semiconductor technology in production — to produce chips used by the data centers that power AI. And the third — which was announced in conjunction with the new grant — will ramp up production on A16 chips and chips that use 2nm and even more advanced future process technology by the decade’s end, helping to improve performance and power consumption for high-performance computing applications. This innovation is already benefiting TSMC, with its stock price reaching a record high in October after the company outperformed its quarterly estimates and increased its revenue growth target for 2024. But the real benefit is for its American partners. “We are honored to support our customers who have been pioneers in mobile, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing, whether in chip design, hardware systems or software, algorithms, and large language models,” said Wei. “They are the innovators driving demand for the most advanced silicon that TSMC can provide. As their foundry partner, we will help them unleash their innovations by increasing capacity for leading-edge technology through TSMC Arizona. We are thrilled by the progress of our Arizona site to date and are committed to its long-term success. ” *The San Francisco Examiner newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content.None
Shohei Ohtani wins 3rd AP Male Athlete of the Year award, tying Michael Jordan for 1 shy of record LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has been named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time. That ties the two-way superstar with Michael Jordan, an athlete Ohtani followed while growing up in Japan. He trails only Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James, who each won the award four times. Ohtani received 48 votes in balloting by 74 sports journalists from the AP and its members. He earned his third National League Most Valuable Player award after helping the Dodgers win their eighth World Series title. Ohtani hit 54 home runs and stole 59 bases as the first player with a 50-50 season. His dog, Decoy, became a celebrity, too, helping Ohtani deliver a ceremonial first pitch at a game. Tennessee and Auburn remain 1-2 in AP Top 25 poll featuring 10 SEC teams Tennessee and Auburn remained Nos. 1-2 atop The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll. They were the headliners among the Southeastern Conference's haul of 10 ranked teams. Iowa State, Duke and Alabama rounded out the top five. Kentucky had the week's biggest fall, sliding six spots to No. 10 after a loss to Ohio State. Mississippi State, Arkansas, Illinois and Baylor rejoined the poll after stints in the rankings earlier this season. They replaced Memphis, Dayton, Michigan and Clemson. The Big 12 and Big Ten were tied for second with five teams each in the AP Top 25. USC up to No. 4 in women's AP Top 25 after win over UConn. UCLA, South Carolina, Notre Dame stay 1-3 Southern California jumped to No. 4 in The Associated Press women’s college basketball poll on Monday after edging UConn. The Trojans moved up three spots after beating the then-No. 4 Huskies 72-70 in a rematch of last season’s Elite Eight game that UConn won. UCLA, South Carolina and Notre Dame remained the top three teams. The Bruins received 30 of the 32 first-place votes from a national media panel. The Gamecocks and the Fighting Irish each got one first-place vote. UConn fell to seventh behind Texas and LSU. Maryland, Oklahoma and Ohio State rounded out the top 10 teams. Former NFL great Michael Vick introduced as Norfolk State’s football coach NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Michael Vick has been introduced as Norfolk State’s football coach, a homecoming for the former NFL star and a splashy, attention-grabbing hire for a program that has struggled in recent years. Vick donned a Norfolk State letterman’s jacket and cap in front of a crowd of supporters that included fellow Hampton Roads, Virginia, sports greats Allen Iverson and Bruce Smith. Vick led Virginia Tech to the national championship game as a redshirt freshman and was selected No. 1 overall in the 2001 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. His career was derailed by his conviction in 2007 for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. On Football: Falcons and Buccaneers flip spots atop the NFC South and playoff races tighten up The 49ers, Cowboys and Cardinals are out of the playoff race. The Falcons took control of their hopes and the Colts, Dolphins and Bengals kept slim chances alive. The NFL’s playoff picture became clearer Sunday. With two weeks remaining, three of eight division titles are secured, eight teams have wrapped up playoff berths and 11 more are competing for the six remaining spots. The biggest change in the standings occurred in the NFC South with Atlanta reclaiming the top spot from Tampa Bay. The Chiefs have the inside track for the AFC's No. 1 seed and the NFC's top spot could likely come down to the Vikings-Lions matchup in Week 18. No. 1 Oregon and No. 8 Ohio State gear up for rematch of thriller won by Ducks Oregon and Ohio State have already produced one heck of a game this season. Now, the top-seeded Ducks and eighth-seeded Buckeyes are gearing up for a rematch more than 10 weeks later in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Of course, both teams have had ample time for evolution since that 32-31 Oregon win on Oct. 12. But they also have that game and players’ familiarity with each other, not to mention common opponents in the Big Ten. Texas, Arizona State to meet in CFP clash of old vs. new Big 12 champs AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas won the Big 12 title in 2023 on its way out the door to the Southeastern Conference. It was still swinging open when Arizona State waltzed in and won the league title in its debut season. And now last season’s Big 12 champs meet the new Big 12 champs on the path toward a potential national title. The fifth-seeded Longhorns and fourth-seeded Sun Devils play News Years Day in the Peach Bowl in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff. Penn State preparing for hard-charging Jeanty and Boise State in CFP quarterfinals STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State players have watched Ashton Jeanty make opponents look silly all season. They don’t want to be the next defenders Boise State’s star posterizes with jukes, spin moves, stiff arms and heavy shoulders. But they also know that slowing down Jeanty, who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting, will be their toughest task yet when the two teams meet in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. NCAA appealing Pavia injunction as D-I board grants waiver to former JUCO players The NCAA on Monday appealed the preliminary injunction granted by a U.S. federal judge giving Diego Pavia another year of eligibility even as the organization’s Division I board of directors granted a waiver allowing athletes in a similar situation as the Vanderbilt quarterback to play in 2025-26. The injunction Dec. 18 was limited to Pavia arguing he was likely to win on his argument that NCAA Division I eligibility rules discriminated against his junior college seasons. The NCAA waiver announced Monday should limit the lawsuits from other athletes who started at a junior college seeking another season to access name, image and likeness opportunities. Texas sues NCAA in latest push to block transgender athletes in women's sports AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the NCAA to block the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports, arguing that it tricks and misleads fans. The lawsuit filed in state district court argues the NCAA violates the Texas Trade Practices Act. The law is designed to protect consumers from deceptive business practices. The lawsuit is the latest attempt by conservative politicians to target transgender athletes and push the NCAA into banning them from competition. NCAA President Charlie Baker recently told Congress he was aware of fewer than 10 active transgender athletes.GCC Investments In ASE Hit JD3.9B By October
(Bloomberg) — Donald Trump’s US election victory might have an unintended consequence, helping Europe focus on economic change, according to RWE AG Chief Executive Officer Markus Krebber. “To change, you need two things: firstly, you need to have hope for a better future, and secondly, you need to feel the pain,” the head of the German energy company said at a conference in Frankfurt on Friday. “And I think Donald Trump will help us to feel the pain along the way.” European officials and markets worldwide have been bracing for the return of Trump, who has vowed to impose steep tariffs on imports. That’s a particular concern for export-heavy Europe. The euro has been sliding against the US dollar in recent months, in part due to the prospect of Trump’s trade policies. The currency fell to a two-year-low on Friday, on bets the European Central Bank will have to cut interest rates to stoke economic growth. Meanwhile, Germany — the region’s largest economy — has been mired in a political crisis. Trump’s re-election also raises questions about US support for Ukraine and America’s commitment to international climate goals often championed by European economies. Shares of clean-energy companies tumbled upon the president-elect’s victory earlier this month, as he as described climate policies as the “green new scam.” Shortly afterward, RWE announced share buybacks and said its €55 billion green technology investment plan by 2030 may face delays as a result of reduced investments in the next two years. It cited the outcome of the US election as a key factor.NoneKāinga Ora building homes at 'far greater cost' than private sector - Finance Minister
NoneThe View hosts are taking a break from the Hot Topics for the holiday season. The daytime talk show gave their fans enough to talk about for the next few weeks between Whoopi Goldberg ’s joke about Elon Musk’s schemes and the group’s debate on a common X-rated dilemma . Now, the six ladies are stepping away from the desk for Christmas time and will be back in two weeks. Alyssa Farah Griffin labeled 'MAGA head' as Whoopi Goldberg says 'calm down' The View host goes after Elon Musk during backlash for 'white women' comment Starting on December 23, The View is taking a holiday hiatus and won’t be returning until January 6. For the fans that consistently tune in every weekday, ABC will be airing reruns during that period that will feature popular past discussions and interviews with guest stars. Before the show closed for the year, the hosts still celebrated the festive season with their 12 Days of Holidays extravaganza. The set was decorated into a winter wonderland while the six continued spilling their hot takes on the latest pop culture and political discussions. During their last episode on Dec. 19, they interviewed actress Jamie Lee Curtis about the highly-anticipated Freaky Friday sequel. The hosts were also treated to a mini concert from Jordin Sparks who sang hit holiday jingles like Oh, It’s Christmas and I’ll Be Home For Christmas. They also brought on Billy Eichner, who plays Simon in the upcoming Disney film Mufasa: The Lion King . The musical premiered in theaters on December 20. The hosts also commemorated the upcoming award season with an appearance from Nikki Glasser, who will be hosting the Golden Globe Awards on January 5. DON'T MISS: Whoopi Goldberg ‘joins’ anti-Trump sex strike and rages 'you don't get any' [LATEST] Eric Adams's telling sign he 'doesn't want to be on' The View as he's grilled [EXCLUSIVE] View star confronted Matt Gaetz over wild murder conspiracy shared with Trump [REVEALED] The View dates back to 1997 when Barbara Walters created the show with her producing partner Bill Geddie. She also starred as one of the original hosts with Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Debbie Matenopoulos, and Joy Behar, who is the only member still amongst the cast. Walters had the vision for the first talk show to have an all-female panel, paving the way for other programs like The Real. During the first episode, she said: “I’ve always wanted to do a show with women of different generations, backgrounds, and views. This is that show. We call it The View.” The View will return on January 6 at 11 a.m. EST on ABC.Weather Forecast Today, December 3: Check Weather Updates, Rain Predictions for Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata
Rocker Marilyn Manson has agreed to drop a lawsuit against his former fiancée, “Westworld” actor Evan Rachel Wood, and to pay her attorneys' fees, lawyers for both sides said Tuesday. The move comes 18 months after a Los Angeles County judge threw out much of the 2022 suit in which Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, claimed Wood had fabricated public allegations that he sexually and physically abused her during their relationship and encouraged other women to fabricate their own allegations. “After four years of fighting a battle where he was able to tell the truth, Brian is pleased to dismiss his still-pending claims and appeal in order to close the door on this chapter of his life," Manson attorney Howard King said in a statement. Manson had been appealing the judge's decision but his attorneys reached out to Wood's seeking a settlement in the spring. Wood's attorneys said Tuesday that she rejected requests that the terms be kept confidential. Manson “filed a lawsuit against Ms. Wood as a publicity stunt to try to undermine the credibility of his many accusers and revive his faltering career,” Wood’s lawyer Michael J. Kump said in a statement. “But his attempt to silence and intimidate Ms. Wood failed.” Manson agreed to pay nearly $327,000 in attorney fees for Wood. The settlement comes nearly four years into a criminal investigation of the 55-year-old Manson involving multiple women that remains unresolved. Outgoing LA County District Attorney George Gascón said in October that his office's sex crimes division had just discovered new evidence and that a decision on whether to file charges would be made when the picture was more complete. The women involved in the criminal case have not been identified, but “Game of Thrones” actor Esme Bianco has said she was among them, and criticized the district attorney for taking so long to investigate. Bianco settled her own lawsuit against Manson last year. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly as Wood and Bianco have. Manson has denied engaging in any non-consensual sexual acts. In 2017, with the #MeToo movement gaining momentum, Wood said publicly that she had been raped and abused, and gave testimony on the subject to a Congressional committee in 2018, but did not name anyone in either instance. Then in a 2020 Instagram post, Wood said it was Manson who had “horrifically abused me for years.” The two revealed they were a couple in 2007, and were briefly engaged in 2010 before breaking up. Manson's original lawsuit alleged that Wood and another woman, Ashley Gore, also known as Illma Gore in court papers, defamed him, intentionally caused him emotional distress and derailed his career in music, TV and film. It says they used false pretenses, including a phony letter from the FBI, to convince other women to come forward with sexual abuse allegations and coached them on what to say. The suit said Wood had only glowing things to say about Manson during their relationship. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Teresa A. Beaudet dismissed the part of the suit dealing with the disputed FBI letter, which Wood denied forging. Beaudet also tossed out a section that alleges Wood and Gore used a checklist found on an iPad for other women to use to make abuse claims about Manson. Other parts of the lawsuit had remained because they were not subject to Wood’s motion, including allegations that Gore hacked Manson’s email, phone and social media accounts, created a phony email to manufacture evidence that he was sending illegal pornography, and “swatted” him, using a prank call to send authorities to his home. Gore reached her own agreement with Manson to dismiss the lawsuit. A message to her attorneys seeking comment wasn't immediately returned.
When Katja Vogt considers a Jaguar, she pictures a British-made car purring confidently along the Italian coastline — a vision of familiarity that conveys "that dreaming, longing feeling we all love." She's not sure what to think about Jaguar now after the 89-year-old company announced a radical rebranding that featured loud colors and androgynous people — but no cars. Jaguar, the company says, will now be JaGUar. It will produce only electric vehicles beginning in 2026. Bad attention is good attention, Jaguar execs would appear to believe. The car brand has prompted mockery online for posting a glitzy ad without a single car in it. Jaguar Say goodbye to British racing green, Cotswold Blue and black. Its colors are henceforth electric pink, red and yellow, according to a video that sparked backlash online. Its mission statement: "Create exuberance. Live vivid. Delete ordinary. Break moulds." "Intrigued?" @Jaguar posted on social media. "Weird and unsettled" is more like it, Vogt wrote on Instagram. "Especially now, with the world feeling so dystopian," the Cyprus-based brand designer wrote, "a heritage brand like Jaguar should be conveying feelings of safety, stability, and maybe a hint of rebellion — the kind that shakes things up in a good way, not in a way that unsettles." Jaguar was one of several iconic companies that announced significant rebrandings in recent weeks, upending a series of commercial — and cultural — landmarks by which many modern human beings sort one another, carve out identities and recognize the world around them. Campbell's, the 155-year-old American icon that artist Andy Warhol immortalized in pop culture decades ago, is ready for a new, soupless name. Comcast's corporate reorganization means there will soon be two television networks with "NBC" in their name — CNBC and MSNBC — that will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News, a U.S. legacy news outlet. CNBC Richard Drew, Associated Press One could even argue the United States itself is rebranding with the election of former President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Unlike Trump's first election in 2016, he won the popular vote in what many called a national referendum on American identity. Are we, then, the sum total of our consumer decisions — what we buy, where we travel and whom we elect? Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Certainly, it's a question for those privileged enough to be able to afford such choices. Volumes of research in the art and science of branding — from "brandr," an old Norse word for burning symbols into the hides of livestock — say those factors do contribute to the modern sense of identity. So rebranding, especially of heritage names, can be a deeply felt affront to consumers. "It can feel like the brand is turning its back on everything that it stood for — and therefore it feels like it's turning its back on us, the people who subscribe to that idea or ideology," said Ali Marmaduke, strategy director with the Amsterdam-based Brand Potential. He said cultural tension — polarization — is surging over politics, wars in Russia and the Mideast, the environment, public health and more, creating what Marmaduke said is known as a "polycrisis": the idea that there are several massive crises converging that feel scary and complex. Campbell's soups Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press "People are understandably freaked out by that," he said. "So we are looking for something that will help us navigate this changing, threatening world that we face." Trump's "Make America Great Again" qualifies. So did President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" slogan. Campbell's soup itself — "Mmm Mmm Good" — isn't going anywhere, CEO Mark Clouse said. The company's new name, Campbell's Co., will reflect "the full breadth of our portfolio," which includes brands like Prego pasta sauce and Goldfish crackers. None of the recent activity around heritage brands sparked a backlash as ferocious as Jaguar's. The company stood as a pillar of tradition-loving British identity since World War II. The famous "leaper" cat Jaguar logo is pictured in 2019 at the Auto show in Paris, France. Christophe Ena, Associated Press Jaguar said its approach to the rebrand was rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Sir William Lyons, to "copy nothing." What it's calling "the new Jaguar" will overhaul everything from the font of its name to the positioning of it's famous "leaper" cat. "Exuberant modernism" will "define all aspects of the new Jaguar world," according to the news release. The approach is thought to be aimed at selling fewer cars at a six-figure price point to a more diverse customer base. The reaction ranged from bewilderment to hostility. Memes sprouted up likening the video to the Teletubbies, a Benetton ad and — perhaps predictably — a bow to "woke" culture as the blowback intersected with politics.Gateway College Colombo reaffirmed its dominance in the basketball arena by claiming victories in both the Under 17 Girls and Boys categories at the International Schools Under 17 Basketball Tournament 2024. Organized by Colombo International School, the tournament featured 14 competing schools, and Gateway College emerged champions, showcasing exceptional teamwork, skill, and determination. The under 17 girls team, In their opening match against Asian International School, Gateway displayed unmatched energy and precision, securing a massive 67–12 victory. The second group game saw them face Lyceum International School Panadura, where they clinched a convincing 40–23 win. In the quarter-finals, Gateway triumphed over Lyceum International School Nugegoda with a solid 38–15 victory. They faced a tougher challenge in the semi-finals against Horizon College International, but their tactical gameplay led to a 65–49 win. The finals against Colombo International School Colombo was a testament to Gateway’s resilience and teamwork as they secured the championship title with a decisive 60–35 victory. The Under 17 Boys team mirrored the girls’ success, starting with commanding performances in the group stages. Their opening match against Lyceum International School Nugegoda resulted in a strong 49–20 win. In their second game against British School Colombo, Gateway once again excelled, clinching an emphatic 56–15 victory. In the quarterfinals, Gateway faced Asian International School, earning a hard-fought 41–29 win. They continued their momentum into the semi-finals, dominating Horizon College International with a 63–32 triumph. The finals against Colombo International School Colombo was an intense encounter, but Gateway showcased their championship spirit, securing a thrilling 73–62 victory to claim the title. The tournament recognized individual players for their outstanding performances, and Gateway College athletes dominated the honors. This double triumph marks another historic milestone for Gateway College. The Under 17 Girls team celebrated consecutive championship victories in 2023 and 2024, after being runners-up in 2022. The Under 17 Boys team continued their streak, clinching championships in 2022, 2023, and now 2024.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released a weather forecast for Monday, December 3. In Mumbai, light to moderate rains are expected, particularly in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 22°C and 30°C. Delhi will see clear skies with cooler temperatures, dropping to around 8°C at night. Chennai is likely to experience heavy to moderate rains. Bengaluru's weather will witness partly cloudy skies with intermittent showers. Hyderabad will remain mostly dry, with mild temperatures of around 22°C during the day and 16°C at night. Meanwhile, Kolkata will witness scattered rain showers and overcast skies, with temperatures between 23°C and 30°C, leading to a humid day. Cyclone Fengal Update: Met Department Issues Heavy Rain Alert for Several Parts of South India, Including North Interior Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka . (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
John Mahama Addresses Voting Hitches, Pledges Change Under NDC LeadershipSINGAPORE: Having lived in Yishun for over 10 years, Ting Jian Rong comes prepared with a quip whenever he’s asked about the neighbourhood in Singapore’s north : “We have a lot of ‘crazy’ people here, but we don’t have criminals!” The 31-year-old was poking fun at Yishun’s largely social media-fuelled reputation for being a place of danger and just bad news overall, from misdemeanours to cat abuse cases and even more serious transgressions . Online chatter swelled to such an extent that in 2018, the area’s Nee Soon town council released a report with statistics to show that Yishun was not the crime hotspot it’s made out to be. More recent figures from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) back this up. Both Yishun North and Yishun South Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs) were among the most improved in terms of annual crime cases recorded, with the number dropping by at least 50 per cent over a decade from 2013 to last year. It matches the anecdotal, lived experience of Mr Ting, who works in the air freight sector. He recalled that about ten years ago, loanshark harassment was a big issue around his estate. But this has ceased to be the case and seems to have been replaced by a more modern scourge, as he’s noticed more anti-scam messaging in his neighbourhood in recent times. What’s happening in Yishun has been mirrored in most of Singapore’s 35 NPCs: A drop in physical crime – including in Geylang, another notorious locale – combined with increased awareness that location now matters less in a digital age. Scam cases in the first half of 2024, for instance, rose 16.3 per cent compared with the same period last year. White-collar crime has also taken centrestage in Singapore, after a S$3 billion money laundering case involving 10 foreigners made global headlines. This changing nature of crime and as a result, crime prevention has already driven a shake-up of what policing constitutes, according to experts. Tap on the map to see trends for preventable crime cases across Singapore’s Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs), over the past decade: THE YOUNGER THE OFFENDER The statistics, which are publicly available, related to what police term as five “preventable” crimes: Robbery, housebreaking, snatch theft, theft of motor vehicle and outrage of modesty. “Considering that the number of crimes is low overall, the public should not jump to the conclusion that some areas are more dangerous,” Associate Professor Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim, head of the public safety and security programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, cautioned. “Instead, they should review the data and look at the crime trend comprehensively and not panic.” Of note was the close relationship between age and offending, as highlighted by criminologist Olivia Choy, an assistant professor at the Nanyang Technological University. “At the aggregate level, prevalence of offending peaks in the late teenage years , and then declines afterward,” she said. “Based on this phenomenon, we would expect to see a greater deal of crime and delinquency in areas with more adolescents and young adults, rather than if the same areas were occupied by older adults or younger children.” Of the 35 NPCs across the country, only four — Punggol, Marina Bay, Sengkang and Sembawang — recorded an increase in the number of crime cases over the decade, based on data last updated in September. Citing government statistics, real estate advisory OrangeTee Group's chief researcher and strategist Christine Sun noted that the three residential planning areas among the four did indeed have a higher proportion of teenagers than the average across the country. A 65-year-old Yishun resident, who only wanted to be known as Mr Ang, told CNA that in the past, the demographic was younger and might have run into more issues typically faced by those in that age group, such as gambling addiction and loanshark borrowing. The kitchen helper, who has lived in Yishun Ring Road for over 40 years, said: “Now those residents have grown older; they have new responsibilities and priorities in life; they have their own families.” Ms Carrie Tan, a Nee Soon Member of Parliament since 2020, said Yishun’s improved 10-year crime statistics reflected the “strong community spirit and effective policing efforts” that have contributed to a safer environment in the area. She added that the police regularly take part in community events to raise crime awareness, and also engage residents through initiatives such as the Community Watch Scheme . And Ms Tan emphasised that social support was “vital”. “We’ve expanded financial assistance, welfare support, and mental health resources to help residents manage stress and prevent situations that might otherwise lead to crime.” RED LIGHT DISTRICT NO MORE Another standout data point related to outrage of modesty, which consistently made up the bulk of cases across NPCs. While only four neighbourhood police centres saw a rise in overall crime, 21 actually recorded a climb in outrage of modesty cases. Mention such “sex crimes” and for many, Geylang would come to mind . After the Little India riots in 2013, then-police commissioner Ng Joo Hee remarked that the cops were in fact more worried about Geylang because “all the indicators for potential trouble are there”. He called Geylang a “hot spot” for crimes such as illegal gambling and drug dealing, and where there was worryingly overt hostility and antagonism towards police presence. Over the next 10 years, however, Geylang’s NPC recorded the biggest – 66.2 per cent – drop in crime cases. Financial adviser Brandon Koh, who has lived in the Cassia Crescent estate in Geylang since he was six, said: “Last time, we could hear people running and chasing each other around and shouting at night. Nowadays, no more.” The 28-year-old believes the fall in crime has to do with Geylang NPC relocating in 2019 from Paya Lebar Road to Cassia Link, closer to the infamous Geylang Road stretch. “The frequent presence of the police officers nearby will have a deterrent effect on any would-be criminals,” said Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan, who has been in office since 2006. Ms Utkalika Sahoo, who lives in Geylang and works as a cashier at Wandiantonglian convenience store in Geylang Lorong 22, told CNA she doesn’t feel unsafe even though she closes shop around 11.30pm daily. But she also said Geylang hasn’t completely shrugged off its reputation. Last month, Ms Utkalika wanted to book a mobile hairdresser to come to her home, but was told the service was not provided in the area due to its associations with vice. Still, MPs overseeing the neighbourhood said they’ve received fewer complaints from residents — in tandem with feedback on their increased comfort and security. Dr Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah, MP for Jalan Besar since 2020, pointed to what he said were simple but impactful changes, like installing better street lighting. The area’s urban redevelopment over the years has also helped reduce the concentration of vice-related activities, he said. “This shift has been essential in gradually reshaping the area’s reputation and dispelling outdated stereotypes.“ BUILT-UP PLACES Among the NPCs which saw a spike in crime, Marina Bay — with its 71.7 per cent jump — was the only one located in the city district. A breakdown of crimes committed by locals and foreigners was not available, but Mr Jason Chua, who teaches criminal law at Temasek Polytechnic, said a post-pandemic upswing in visitor numbers may have contributed. “Many tourists flocked to Singapore and many events went back in full swing , with mega events such as the F1 race – which drew over 260,000 attendees – Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, Chingay Parade and National Day Parade,” he said. “With more people, naturally, the incidence of crime rises.” Crime cases also climbed by 95 per cent in Punggol — the biggest surge — followed by 14.8 per cent in Sengkang and 6.5 per cent in Sembawang. "Generally, there are more HDB (Housing Board) flats that have been built and reached MOP (minimum occupation period) in Punggol, Sengkang and Sembawang in recent years," said OrangeTee’s Ms Sun. Residents in Punggol were generally unfazed and said they still felt safe. Aircraft technician Mohammed Salah, 27, who lives in Punggol Central, said one reason could be that the area was not a mature estate, with some parts not fully developed and lacking things like police cameras. But he said the 2022 relocation of Punggol NPC from Tebing Lane to his neighbourhood has increased police presence. “A lot of the back roads are opening up, so it’s easier for the police cars to move around,” noted Mr Salah. Other residents told CNA they’d observed police officers patrolling on foot regularly. “NO BOUNDARIES” For Mr Chua, the polytechnic lecturer, the overall drop in crime cases throughout Singapore can be attributed in part to the installation of more police cameras, providing surveillance on the ground. The SPF previously announced that by the mid-2030s, more than 200,000 police cameras will be installed in public areas islandwide to improve safety and security and help investigations. Higher penalties imposed by the courts in recent years may have also prompted would-be criminals to think twice before offending, Mr Chua added. But experts and authorities also stressed the evolving, increasingly less physical nature of crime and crime prevention. “Considering the increase in online and tech-facilitated crime, jurisdiction is not a good indicator considering there are no boundaries when it comes to them,” said Assoc Prof Razwana. The police also told CNA it has been dealing with more sophisticated and transnational crimes, including financial crimes and money laundering. With Singapore an international financial centre and a trading and transit hub, criminals could its economic openness and business infrastructure to move illicit funds and assets, the SPF said. Criminals could also convert their illicit funds to other assets here, like real estate or precious stones and precious metals. The police announced a slew of initiatives in May in recognition of the changing landscape — and to get the public further involved. These include public education campaigns and stepped-up dissemination of cybercrime alerts and advisories. SPF’s Anti-Scam Command (ASCom) has also conducted 13 island-wide enforcement operations in the first half of 2024 alone, leading to the investigation of over 4,000 money mules and scammers. More than 140 joint interventions by ASCom and Community Policing Units were also conducted in that period, averting more than S$36.5 million (US$27 million) in potential losses. Other efforts include an app released in 2020 to block scam calls and detect scam SMSes. PRESENT AND RELEVANT Meanwhile, the police have also been consolidating physical resources. Woodlands Police Division was launched in late 2018 to better serve a growing population across the north, northeastern and western parts of Singapore, especially new estates in Punggol and Tengah. SPF will also merge its Yishun North and Yishun South NPCs into one neighbourhood police centre on Dec 18, as part of a shift to pool resources “from smaller, geographically-linked NPCs to form a larger base”. “It is part of our ongoing efforts to review and restructure ground deployments across our 35 NPCs, to better meet the evolving security challenges and the community’s needs.” Experts told CNA that NPCs still have a part to play in Singapore. For one, the very presence of a police outpost in a neighbourhood serves as a visual deterrent. “Prevention is better than cure, and the NPC is still relevant being that symbolic authority,” said Assoc Prof Razwana. She said its role is no longer just about traditional policing, but proactively “working with the community and collecting data and information”. Mr Chua pointed out that the Community Policing Units are often based within NPCs too. These units were introduced back in 2012 to build closer relationships between the police and residents, through the likes of Citizens on Patrol and Neighbourhood Watch Group efforts. “Crime prevention is a shared responsibility. Everyone can contribute to the safety and security of Singapore,” the police said. Preschool teacher Amelia Quah, who has lived in Punggol Drive for three years, agrees. Beyond the sight of the men in blue keeping watch over her neighbourhood, it’s the community elements which make the 26-year-old feel more assured – including something as modest as a convenience store under her block, which is open 24/7. "So at least the place is well-lit," she said. "And there's always someone else around in case anything happens."
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