‘Too much hassle to deal with them’: Sterra customers angry but not seeking refunds after CCCS report

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Clients Behave

CNA spoke with Sterra clients who said they would wait for the business to respond to inquiries or that they had no intention of requesting refunds. &nbsp,

One client, who bought a Sterra S water purification and a Sterra Breeze air purifier in a package deal for S$ 1, 948 ( US$ 1, 490 ) in mid-2022, did not know that the air purifier was manufactured in China rather of Singapore. &nbsp,

Given her past dealings with the company, Ms. Renee claimed asking for a payment from Sterra may be” too much problem.” &nbsp,

Her water purification started leaking after a year of usage, even though her air purification was still operational. &nbsp,

Despite two appointments from the handyman, the system also leaked. The machine simply dispensed lukewarm water after the business installed a fresh water filtration.

Sterra replaced the water purification, but the alternative equipment even leaked. &nbsp,

” I was silent. We were tired of dealing with this unlimited period, said Ms Renee, 35, and it had been roughly three to four months since the first problem occurred. That’s how long it took Sterra to answer between four event information.

” So at this point, we demanded a full refund, as we did n’t want to deal with Sterra anymore”.

The company subsequently asked her to give another S$ 1, 600 to “upgrade” to a fresh water purifier. &nbsp,

” We refused. After a lot of back and forth… they suddenly agreed to give us a whole refund”, said Ms Renee, who works in communications. &nbsp,

” All in all, the experience of dealing with Sterra was a dream”.

She has been delaying seeking a possible payment for the air purifier she’s also using despite the fact that it also malfunctioned again before as a result of the exchange.

” It’s too much of a hassle to deal with Sterra again”.

Mr Bryce Ang, who has been using a Sterra Y water purification since February, said he would not get a payment unless the device problems. &nbsp,

The 53-year-old visit guide continued,” I ran some pond laboratory tests on the Sterra filtered water, and the results were sufficient enough for me to take the water,” noting that the country of origin did not have an impact on the water quality. &nbsp,

Similar accounts to those of Ms. Renee’s were available from another user. &nbsp,

Ms. Fiona Tan claimed to have purchased a Sterra S water purification for S$ 1, 699 in December 2022, but that it eventually broke down. &nbsp,

The business informed her that the system could not be fixed, and they offered her a S$ 500 card to cover the cost of a new system, which would then be S$ 1, 299 out of pocket. &nbsp,

” I’m angry and disappointed because they did n’t even send a technician down to check”, said the 35-year-old senior account executive. &nbsp,

When questioned about whether she would proceed farther, Ms. Tan replied that she would wait to see if Sterra may respond first. &nbsp,

Continue Reading

Commentary: Is it time for nannies to make a comeback?

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

SAFETY Problems

While parents can benefit from having childminders and babysitters, health and care are critical issues, especially given earlier disturbing incidents involving cases of poisoning and also fatalities.

In addition to receiving training in areas like basic child care and primary aid, ECDA may conduct background checks on childminders as part of the childminding pilot.

Many families are most concerned about their children’s health. It all boils down to faith. Therefore, it may take time for Taiwanese parents to properly trust and use the infrastructure and operational advancement of childminding. It might be necessary to develop more organized and carefully monitored accreditation and registration processes to help with building trust, whether it be for the childminding captain or ad-hoc babysitters.

Price is also a consideration. Hiring a dedicated parent can be costly. According to past reports, exclusive childminding operators- who usually provide home-based nannies – now charge anywhere between S$ 1, 200 to S$ 3, 500 a month. Ad hoc charges can charge up to S$ 45 an hour.

Making the prices bearable and providing incentives for parents to use those solutions would be helpful.

Given the rising emphasis on the importance of early child development, available services can move beyond” childminding” to include” childcare education”. Home-based caregivers who are trained may be able to offer more mental excitement to the baby, supporting the child’s overall growth.

As Singapore continues to improve its family-friendly guidelines, it has an opportunity to enhance the value and convenience of more home-based treatment choices, alongside existing services. With the right assistance, this may be a trusted and versatile choice for kids.

Zheng Mu is Assistant Professor, Sociology and Anthropology at National University of Singapore.

Continue Reading

Ex-aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul charged as Chinese agent

By:
On:
In: Asia
US Department of Justice A photo of Linda Sun from the federal indictmentUS Department of Justice

Kathy Hochul, a former New York governor’s deputy chief of staff, has been accused of acting as a Chinese state agent.

Linda Sun, 41, “acted at the buy, manner, or demand” of Beijing in return for millions of dollars in kickbacks, unique home deliveries of salt duck and other perks, according to a national indictment.

Prosecutors say she and Christopher Hu, her father and co-defendant, used their ill-gotten profits to purchase real estate and pleasure cars.

On Tuesday, the pair entered a not-guilty plea in a federal court in Brooklyn.

Ms Sun was sacked nearly two years previously after the business of Ms Hochul, who became governor in 2021, discovered “evidence of misbehavior” and reported it to the government.

She and Mr. Hu are currently facing charges for money laundering crime, card fraud, and bringing in four illegal refugees.

According to the prosecution, Ms. Sun allegedly worked as an “unknown representative of the Chinese government” and that her husband “facilitated the move of millions of dollars in kickbacks for specific obtain.”

She is accused of preventing Taiwan’s government representatives from addressing New York leaders, authorizing Chinese government officials to write inane invitations to the US, formally changing state officials ‘ messaging about China, and even adding a Chinese official to a private state government conference phone about the Covid-19 public health response.

Christie Curtis, the acting associate director of the FBI, said Ms Sun “wielded her place… to secretly market” the Chinese plan, “directly threatening our country’s national protection”.

In return, lawyers say Ms Sun was given returns totalling millions of dollars. They were also given display tickets, go perks and meal including, according to the indictment, at least 16 meals of Nanjing-style salt goose prepared by a Chinese state representative’s personal restaurant and delivered to the home of Ms Sun’s parents.

According to the indictment, the few dumped large sums of money to purchase luxury items like a Ferrari and homes in Hawaii and New York.

” The illegal plan enriched the defendant’s home to the rhythm of millions of dollars”, said US Attorney Breon Peace.

According to the prosecution, Mr Hu operated many businesses in New York, including a seafood producer, a liquor store and a financial advisory, and often relied on the services of an approved freight agent of the Chinese government.

Getty Images Aerial view of Linda Sun and Christopher Hu's home in Long Island, New YorkGetty Images

Ms. Sun, a naturalized US citizen born in China, has held numerous high-level positions in the state’s executive branch and state agencies since 2012, and has been her deputy chief of staff since then until she was fired in 2023.

According to the governor’s office, Ms. Sun was formerly employed by Andrew Cuomo’s previous administration, who resigned in August 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

A spokesperson for the executive chamber told the BBC,” This individual was hired more than ten years ago.”

” We immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and provided assistance to law enforcement throughout this process, and we terminated her employment in March 2023 after we discovered misconduct.”

But a spokesperson for Mr Cuomo told WNYC local radio that Ms Sun “had little to no interaction” with the then-governor during his tenure, only to be promoted by the Hochul administration.

Ms Sun and Mr Hu were arrested on Tuesday morning at their$ 3.5m ( £2.7m ) Long Island gated-community home, roughly six weeks after the residence was raided as part of an FBI investigation.

Ms. Sun was told not to communicate with the Chinese consulate and mission in New York during court on Tuesday afternoon.

Additionally, Judge Brian Cogan ordered that the pair’s travel to be restricted to the states of Maine and New Hampshire, as well as New York City and the Long Island borough.

He released Ms Sun on a$ 1.5m bond and Mr Hu on a$ 500, 000 bond. Later this month, both parties will make a report to the judge.

Continue Reading

‘Packed like sardines’: Some Golden Mile Tower tenants concerned about parking situation on upper floors after fire

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Automobiles” PACKED LIKE SARDINES”

LHN Group, which operates and owns the Golden Mile Tower car garden through its conglomerate LHN Parking, confirmed to CNA that it is working with the authorities to find the cause of the fire. &nbsp,

The business apologized for the pain the consumer caused by the company saying it was unable to provide more information as investigations are in progress. &nbsp,

The team acknowledges common concerns and may work closely with the appropriate events and authorities to resolve any issues and to take additional safety measures where necessary.

It did not respond to inquiries about the greatest number of cars allowed on each floor and the way the vehicles were parked in accordance with its rules. &nbsp,

Since 2018, several vehicles appeared to be permanently parked on degrees four, five, and six, according to Joseph ( not his real name ), who owns two models in Golden Mile Tower. &nbsp,

” The entire floor is full of cars. If you count, it’s about 100 to 150 vehicles”, he said, adding that they were mostly novel and unregulated cars. &nbsp,

On these surfaces, Joseph noted that there are more cars than there are parking spaces for them, and that other guests or tenants are unable to enter or leave without passing through these lots. &nbsp,

He was concerned that the building’s architectural integrity would be impacted by the weight on the third, fifth, and sixth flooring, which were constructed in the 1970s. Joseph continued,” Joseph, I frequently could n’t find available car park lots despite paying for season parking.”

With the vehicles parked so tightly together, it could also be a fire hazard, he told CNA. &nbsp,

Joseph claimed that OneService helped him and another residents report concerns about the vehicles, which were “packed like fish” to the government in 2018. &nbsp,

The Municipal Services Office advised them to get in touch with Golden Mile Tower’s control in order to resolve the issue in the reaction seen by CNA. &nbsp,

” We also did n’t follow up because there’s nothing we can do, since it’s privately owned”, Joseph said. &nbsp,

Because they usually take the train to work every time, Rachel ( not her real name ), who works in one of the stores in Golden Mile Tower, told CNA.

They were shocked to see pictures of the vehicles parked close to each other on the fifth floor after the fire started. &nbsp,

The majority of visitors would playground on the second or third floor, according to Rachel, who knew that the third to seventh floors were primarily occupied by vehicles owned by car leasing or dealership companies. &nbsp,

But often, these unregistered vehicles also occupy the second floor and users may raise the issue, she added. &nbsp,

” With regards to health, everybody will be concerned today. But since it’s under the car park control, there’s little we can really do”, she said. &nbsp,

” Hopefully, this will be a reminder to them that they need to be a bit more careful” .&nbsp,

Continue Reading

UAE leader pardons Bangladeshis jailed for protesting

By:
On:
In: Asia

57 Bangladeshis who were serving lengthy prison sentences for protesting the Gulf state against their own government have been pardoned by the president of the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ).

In July, 53 of the defendants were given 10-year and one-year prison sentences, respectively, while three received living words. They were accused of gathering in a public space to cause turmoil.

The protests were held against the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, in the days before she was ousted from power.

Rallies are effectively outlawed in the UAE, where foreigners make up nearly 90 % of the people. The second largest expatriate team is the Bangladeshis.

In Bangladesh, hundreds of people were killed during the days of turmoil that student-led demonstrations against restrictions on federal employment sparked. Sheikh Hasina resigned and emigrated to India on August 5.

According to reports, her efforts to seek hospital in the UK, the US, and the UAE have not been effective thus far.

According to the UAE’s state news agency WAM, the president’s pardon may “halt the application of words” and start imprisonment methods for some Bangladeshis, according to the UAE’s state news agency WAM.

His choice to forgive the protesters follows a phone call next month with Bangladesh’s time Prime Minister, Nobel prize Muhammad Yunus, who was installed following Ms Hasina’s journey.

According to express press, the 21 July test of the 57 Bangladeshis heard their rallies caused “riots, upheaval of public safety, barrier of law enforcement, and destruction of public and private property”.

Their court-appointed defence lawyer argued that the gatherings had no criminal intent and that the evidence was insufficient, WAM reported.

Amnesty International criticized what it called the UAE’s “extreme reaction to the mere existence of a public protest” on its soil at the time of the trial.

Six videos of the protests that were posted to TikTok and X on July 19th were later verified by Human Rights Watch.

The videos show peaceful protesters marching and chanting down streets in the UAE in the evening.

The group claimed that “none of the protesters were using language to incite violence in their chant” or engaged in violent acts.

Continue Reading

New Zealand tourist tax near triples for foreign visitors

By:
On:
In: Asia

Some people worry that New Zealand will significantly raise the entry fee for international visitors.

The cost of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy will near triple to NZ$ 100 ( £47.20 ) from NZ$ 35 ( £16.52 ) from 1 October.

The government claimed this will encourage economic growth and “ensure customers ‘ contributions to public service and high-quality activities while visiting New Zealand.”

However, Tourism Industry Aotearoa, the nation’s separate tourism body, claims the higher cost is a drag on visitors, making it “incredibly cheap to visit.”

The country is famed for its Māori society and extraordinary beauty, including ice, mountains, volcanoes and lakes.

However, tourists frequently encountered a challenge due to its proximity to the South Pacific and associated long-distance air tickets.

” New Zealand’s hospitality treatment is falling behind the rest of the world, and this will further thorn our world competitiveness”, said Rebecca Ingram, the institution’s chief executive.

New Zealand first introduced the charge in 2019, as it grappled with the influence of large numbers of tourists on its equipment, culture and areas.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the country shut its borders for two and a half years and didn’t allow foreign visitors to return until August 2022.

The country has been struggling to return to the visitor levels it saw before the pandemic, with just under three million international visitors in 2023, roughly three-quarters of pre-pandemic levels.

According to Matt Doocey, the new tax rate would not be a major deterrent, since NZ$ 100 would account for less than 3 % of the common traveler’s regular expenditure in the nation.

He continued to be convinced that New Zealand will continue to be viewed as a desirable tourist destination by people all over the world and that it remained competitive in comparison to nations like Australia and the UK.

Tourists from Australia and the Pacific do not need to pay the tax. Most readers to New Zealand are from Australia, the United States, China and Fiji.

The higher prices are in addition to the additional card fees that some visitors are paying starting October 1st.

Tourism income exist in other countries as well.

Other states that charge travellers include Indonesia, Spain, France, Austria, Croatia, Costa Rica, Iceland and Italy.

In most locations, the taxes is included as part of lodging, immigration or plane seat costs.

In April, Venice launched a trial where day trippers were charged a €5 tax to visit the city on peak days, in a bid to combat the effects of over-tourism.

Continue Reading

Putin welcomed in Mongolia despite ICC arrest warrant

By:
On:
In: Asia
EPA Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and Vladimir Putin in UlaanbaatarEPA

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, is making his first appearance in Mongolia since the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) issued a warrant for his arrest last year.

He was welcomed by Mongolia’s head at a beautiful festival in the Eastern nation’s capital Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday.

The court is searching for the Russian president over alleged unlawful deportation of Russian children.

It was not feared that Mr. Putin may be detained during the visit, according to a Kremlin spokesman.

A live band played fighting anthems to the Russian president who met with Mongolian leader Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh as soldiers on horse lined Genghis Khan Square in the capital.

On Monday evening, a small group of protesters gathered in the circle and chanted” Find War Criminal Putin out of here.”

Another opposition is planned for noon Tuesday at Ulaanbaatar’s Monument for the Politically Repressed, which commemorates those who suffered under Mongolia’s decades-long Soviet-backed socialist government.

Security forces prevented additional protestors from getting close to the Soviet leader upon his arrival.

Back of his attend, Ukraine had urged Mongolia to arrest Mr Putin.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated on Telegram that the country must comply with the global arrest permit and send Putin to the Hague International Criminal Court.

The jury alleged last year that the Russian leader was to blame for war crimes, with particular attention to the illegal imprisonment of kids from Ukraine to Russia.

It has also issued a warrant for the incarceration of Russia’s director for children’s right, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the same crimes.

It alleges the crimes were committed in Ukraine from 24 February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale conquest.

Moscow has recently refuted the claims and called the warrants “outrageous.”

Reuters An honour guard and fanfare met Mr Putin's arrival in Mongolia sReuters

If an imprisonment warrant has been issued, ICC people are expected to prosecute suspects, but there is no such system.

The Hague-based judge last month said people had” an commitment” to take action. Ukraine or the ICC’s contact have not been publicly addressed by Mongolia.

Since the Soviet Union’s fall in 1991, the former Soviet satellite state has helpful relations with Russia.

It has n’t voted against the conflict at the UN and has n’t condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The landlocked state, which likewise borders China, even relies on Russia for gas and electricity.

Russia has been in discussions for years about developing a pipeline to transport 50 billion cubic meters ( bcm ) of natural gas via Mongolia annually from its Yamal region to China.

The project, known as Power of Siberia 2, is part of a strategy to compensate for the drop in gas sales in Europe, following widespread boycott of Russian resources due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Continue Reading

Oil spill clean-up completed ahead of schedule, more than 2 months after incident affected Sentosa, other beaches

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

The clean-up procedure was conducted in many aspects.

The second phase aimed to remove the poisoned sand and oil slicks from the beaches in question. Boom were likewise deploted to prevent more contamination. &nbsp,

The next step tackled difficult-to-clean places like boulder bunds, piers and oil trapped deeper in the dust.

Individuals who were mobilized to take part in the clean-up and expedite the reopening of the areas were mobilized for the last phase. &nbsp,

” My heartfelt thanks to all the cleaning crews who worked so hard to remove the oil spill.” It was exhausting, particularly in the initial stages, when pulling and removing the oil-soaked dust had to be done a lot of human laborerly,” said Ms Fu. &nbsp,

She also thanked volunteers who participated in public health council-organized clean-up projects to remove leftover oil balls and marine dust.

We “deeply appreciate and want to bless people for their enthusiastic help,” she said, “even though not everyone was ultimately deployed in the clean-up, owing to… &nbsp,

” A huge thank you to all cleaning staff, professionals, companions, volunteers, and authorities who contributed to the clean-up. This was certainly a deliberate effort, and we could never have done this only”.

Continue Reading

Mother charged over death of 8-month-old boy, father charged with failing to protect him

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: A 21-year-old woman was on Tuesday ( Sep 3 ) charged over the death of her eight-month-old son, while the 25-year-old father of the boy was charged with failing to protect the infant.

Chloe Gan Ci Xuan and Neo Jia Ming were each charged under Section 304C with causing or allowing the demise of a child under the age of 14 in their homes.

They were kept in custody and showed up in court via videos website. No joke attempt was imposed.

On September 1, Gan is accused of conspiring to cause the death of Trevor Neo Yu Hin at an unknown “unlawful work” at a level in Block 210, Hougang Street 21.

According to the charge sheet, Gan, the family, should have been aware of the serious risk of severe harm being caused to her boy” by virtue of the character and intensity” of her “unlawful act” on him.

Neo, the father, was accused of failing to take reasonable steps to defend his brother from Gan’s immoral work, with the child dying as a result.

The officers counsel requested that the parents been held in remand for three weeks, noting that the costs are enforceable in the High Court.

Both Gan and Neo were placed on administrative leave, and their circumstances may be brought up suddenly on September 24.

In a prior declaration, the police claimed they had been informed about the incident at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in the early days of Sep 2. The families of the son were eventually arrested.

Neo may remain imprisoned for up to 20 years, given his family’s history, and given a fine or punishment.

Gan, a woman, is subject to the same punishments as she does for allowing a child’s death in her home, but she cannot be caned.

Continue Reading