Esscom chief: Indonesian skipper’s abduction not like ‘usual’ kidnapping case |
- Esscom chief: Indonesian skipper’s abduction not like ‘usual’ kidnapping case
- Celebrate Singapore with these National Day-related activities
- Plot to attack Marina Bay: Who the six suspects are
- Apple offers big cash rewards for help finding security bugs
- With Russia weakened, who will stop USA in Rio?
- Trump, seeking to end Republican row, reverses course to back House speaker
| Esscom chief: Indonesian skipper’s abduction not like ‘usual’ kidnapping case Posted: 05 Aug 2016 06:37 PM PDT
Esscom chief: Indonesian skipper's abduction not like 'usual' kidnapping case
Malaysian authorities are investigating the case, but suspect there may be other motives for the abduction than the "usual" operation mounted by the Abu Sayyaf as only RM1,000 was demanded as ransom instead of the millions called for in past incidents, The Star reported today, "This does not look like the usual kidnapping. A police investigation is on, I can't say anything more at the moment," Eastern Sabah Security Command director Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Khalid told the newspaper. He confirmed a report had been filed by the owner of the fishing trawler yesterday, two days after the abduction was said to happen. According to the report, the abductors only took the skipper in their speedboat and left two crewmembers aboard the trawler alone. The duo subsequently made their way back to Sandakan and informed the owner. The two crewmen and the trawler are being held for investigations. Five Malaysians, crew of a tugboat, were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf last month in the waters of Dent Haven, Tambisan, off Sabah's east coast town of Lahad Datu. The wife to one of the missing crewmen told Malay language daily Berita Harian that the kidnappers have demanded RM17 million in ransom for the release of the five. The missing Malaysian sailors are reported to be Tayudin Anjut, 45, Abdul Rahim Summas, 62; Fandy Bakran, 26; Mohamad Jumadil Rahim, 23, and Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32. Previously, four Sarawakian sailors were taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf from their vessel in the waters off Pulau Ligitan on April 1. They were released three months later.  |
| Celebrate Singapore with these National Day-related activities Posted: 05 Aug 2016 06:32 PM PDT
Today (August 6), for example, the Mount Faber Loop will be turned into a car-free zone from 4pm to 7pm, and activities planned have been curated to celebrate National Day. Expect a uniquely Singapore flavour including local traditional games such as Five Stones and Hopscotch, as well as the chance to create a Singapore Cable Car cabin from cardboard. Today's event marks the first of a new initiative to turn every first Saturday of every month car-free. "The weekend leading up to National Day is the perfect time to launch the first car-free event in a park in Singapore," said Suzanne Ho, general manager, Mount Faber Leisure Group. One of the highlights that day is Dance Painting, a form of artistic expression using the body as a brush. The dance painting workshop will have a National Day twist to it, where participants will be grouped into fours with each group creating a large piece with movements and paint based on themes such as Sunny Island, Garden City, Crescent Moon and Stars, shared Ho. If shopping is more your cup of tea, Gallery & Co. at the National Gallery Singapore is featuring a range of design products specially launched in conjunction with National Day. This new series of merchandise tells the Singapore story through useable and wearable forms of art, inspired by the "Siapa Nama Kamu? Art in Singapore since the 19th Century" exhibit that is housed within the Gallery. A diverse mix of creatives across the fields of art and design including Vanessa Ban and Robert Zhao were invited to produce the collection of contemporary artwork in three sub-themes — Majulah, State of Mind and Biodata. Ban, a Singapore-based graphic designer-artist, explained the inspiration behind her ironic work. It features the characteristic danger signs we see at construction sites but focuses on the subject of progress. "We felt that progress was something most evident in Singapore, and it's what we have all enjoyed the fruits of. We wanted a tongue-in-cheek response to this idea of progress in Singapore, hence we combined the over-cautious approach with our progress," she said. "As Singapore progresses past its 50 years, it's interesting to see if the work will remain relevant in the coming years, or if national sentiments will change." Just a short walk away from the Gallery is the Snapshots of Heritage Photography Exhibition at Capitol Piazza, which will run until August 11. "We timed the exhibition to coincide with the lead up to National Day as we want to celebrate the Singapore spirit by presenting snapshots of Singapore's heritage which will appeal to both locals and tourists. It will be an excellent opportunity for us to share our colourful diversity of heritage through photography," said Dawn Tan, general manager of Capitol Investment Holdings Filled with a sense of pride and nostalgia, the photographs on display focus on forgotten places, memories, and the people, food and things that Singaporeans hold dear to their hearts. Photography enthusiast Ong Yi Chao, 30, whose photograph featuring the Joo Chiat shophouses won first prize in the Snapshots of Heritage Photography competition, shared: "As our nation celebrates her 51st birthday, it is important to treasure our historical roots and memories. This exhibition provides the perfect platform for us to learn more about our past." "As Singapore continues to progress, it will be beneficial to integrate modern infrastructure with charming heritage sites. In this way, we will be able to appreciate the traditional icons that play a vital role in nation building," Ong elaborated. Still craving for more fun things to do this weekend? Hop on a bus or train from City Hall to Scape Orchard, there will be activities and events throughout this weekend celebrating everything local. A crowd favourite is *SCAPE Marketplace, an extended version of their weekly Marketplace with specially curated booths such as Uncle G's Handmade (crispy roast pork), Shan's Addiction (Yam abacus seeds, chilli sauces and special sauces) and Spinacas (salads). ComCrop, Singapore's first rooftop farm and Singapore Young Farmers will also be there to share more about urban farming, food security, resilience and diversity today. At the Singapore Botanic Gardens, you even can enjoy a medley of National Day Songs played by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra at a free concert in the evening organised by the National Parks Board. The Esplanade Festival Village at Esplanade waterfront is also running from noon to 10pm over the weekend. Curated by LalooLalang, a multi-label online shopping hub and an events management organisation and craft bazaar will feature familiar names such as Supermama and K+, with yummy food and drinks from Ratu Lemper, Spatula and Dapper Coffee. — Today Online |
| Plot to attack Marina Bay: Who the six suspects are Posted: 05 Aug 2016 06:26 PM PDT
The suspects, aged between 19 and 46, are purportedly part of a terror cell called KGR@Katibah GR. The six suspects 1. Gigih Rahmat Dewa, 31 Suspected Indonesian militant leader Worked at a factory Arrested at Jalan Daeng Kamboja, in Batam centre 2. Trio Syafrido, 46 Bank executive Arrested at Jalan Tengku Umar, in Nagoya 3. Eka Saputra, 35 Worked at a factory Arrested at Cluster Sakura Botania, in Batam centre 4. Tarmidzi, 21 Worked at a factory Arrested at Jalan Laksamana Bintan near a factory, in Batam centre 5. Hadi Gusti Yanda, 20 Worked at a factory Arrested at Jalan Brig Katamso, in Batuaji 6. Muhammad Tegar Sucianto, Worked at a factory Arrested at Jalan Brig Katamso, in Batuaji. — TODAY |
| Apple offers big cash rewards for help finding security bugs Posted: 05 Aug 2016 06:25 PM PDT
The maker of iPhones and iPads provided Reuters with details of the plan, which includes some of the biggest bounties offered to date, ahead of unveiling it on Thursday afternoon at the Black Hat cyber security conference in Las Vegas. The programme will initially be limited to about two-dozen researchers who Apple will invite to help identify hard-to-uncover security bugs in five specific categories. Those researchers have been chosen from the group of experts who have previously helped Apple identify bugs, but have not been compensated for that work, the company said. The most lucrative category, which offers rewards of up to US$200,000, is for bugs in Apple's "secure boot" firmware for preventing unauthorized programs from launching when an iOS device is powered up. Apple said it decided to limit the scope of the programme at the advice of other companies that have previously launched bounty programmes. Those companies said that if they were to do it again, they would start by inviting a small list of researchers to join, then gradually open it up over time, according to Apple. Security analyst Rich Mogull said that limiting participation would save Apple from dealing with a deluge of "low-value" bug reports. "Fully open programmes can definitely take a lot of resources to manage," he said. Apple declined to say which firms provided advice. Such rewards are currently offered by dozens of firms, including AT&T Inc, Facebook Inc, Google, Microsoft Corp, Tesla Motors Inc and Yahoo Inc . Microsoft, which has handed out US$1.5 million in rewards to security researchers since it launched its programme three years ago, also offers rewards for identifying very specific types of bugs. Its two biggest payouts have been for US$100,000 each. Not all bounty programmes are as focused as the ones from Apple and Microsoft. Facebook, for example, has an open programme that offers rewards for a wide-range of vulnerabilities. It has paid out more than US$4 million over the past five years, with last year's average payment at US$1,780. In March, Facebook paid US$10,000 to a 10-year-old boy in Finland who found a way to delete user comments from Instagram accounts. — Reuters |
| With Russia weakened, who will stop USA in Rio? Posted: 05 Aug 2016 06:16 PM PDT
Russia's losses include their entire track and field team, an area where the United States will capitalise but which is not a strength for China, their nearest challengers on the overall table in 2012. As US Secretary of State John Kerry visited the American track and field and volleyball teams yesterday, the mood in the camp was expectant. "You are a huge example to the world," Kerry told about 50 hushed athletes as at least one of them, overcome by the occasion, wiped away tears. "Everybody in the United States of America is proud of you. I know you've set out to win medals, but everybody here is a winner already." Russia finished second on the tally for athletics medals in 2012, behind the United States who led the overall 2012 Games table by eight gold medals from China. Russia's contingent is their smallest in more than a century after recriminations over the discovery of a large-scale, state-sponsored doping conspiracy. The USA athletes also received a surprise boost in the form of swimming great Mark Spitz, who travelled with Kerry and addressed the team at their training base. Spitz won an astonishing seven golds at the 1972 Munich Olympics, a record that stood for 36 years until it was broken by Michael Phelps' haul of eight in 2008. "If you have an event that's only one event and you get a medal, you are just as important as Michael, because we are Olympians forever," Spitz said. Yesterday, the top story on the Team USA website was about two separate projections that the 555-strong American contingent will top the medals table. And Ashley Spencer, the hotly tipped 400m hurdler, said the American athletes knew they were capable of coming out on top. "We have some of the world's best athletes," she told AFP. "Once we come together and at the end of it all when we look back, if everyone handles their business I think we could be at the top." Spencer added: "Everyone's ready to go." — AFP |
| Trump, seeking to end Republican row, reverses course to back House speaker Posted: 05 Aug 2016 06:10 PM PDT
Trump also threw his support behind Senator John McCain of Arizona and Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, two lawmakers facing tough re-election fights, as he pressed for party members to overcome differences. "We need unity. We have to win this election," Trump told a rally in Ryan's home state of Wisconsin, as he stressed that an inclusive, "big tent" Republican Party is the only way to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in November's general election. "In our shared mission to make America great again, I support and endorse our Speaker of the House Paul Ryan," he said, to cheers from the Green Bay crowd. "He's a good man and he's a good guy," Trump added, as he gave a thumbs up sign. "We may disagree on a couple of things but mostly we agree." Trump triggered a furore 72 hours earlier when he told The Washington Post he was "not quite" ready to endorse Ryan in his upcoming primary, an extraordinary rebuke to the party's top elected official. "I like Paul, but these are horrible times for our country," Trump said Tuesday of Ryan, who faces a challenge by a conservative insurgent in the Wisconsin primary on Tuesday. "We need very, very strong leadership. And I'm just not quite there yet," Trump said. Yesterday Trump also expressed support for McCain, saying he holds him "in the highest esteem" and praised his lengthy service to the United States, a further effort at damage control. Ryan and McCain had both spoken out against Trump's startling denigration of the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in action in Iraq, and Trump's refusal to back their re-election bids smacked of vindictiveness to many. But with Trump slipping in the polls against Clinton, and many Republicans aghast at their nominee's behavior over the last week, the business mogul sought to close ranks. And while Trump reiterated his call to change a "rigged political system" that works only for political insiders, he made a pragmatic recognition that Republican cooperation in Washington is vital. "We have to unite, remember that," he said. "But I need a Republican Senate and a House to accomplish all of the changes that we have to make." — AFP |
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