Rescue efforts ongoing for 14 reportedly missing after Jakarta shopping mall fire leaves 6 dead

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As the death toll rises to six, according to local media on Friday ( Jan 17 ), rescue operations are still being conducted for victims of a massive fire at a Jakarta shopping mall.

The blaze broke out at one of the city’s oldest shops, Glodok Plaza in Taman Sari, West Jakarta, at about 9.22pm on Wednesday.

According to local media outlet Kompas, the head of the Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency, Isnawa Adji, said on Friday,” Six bodies have been brought to the Police Hospital ( in East Jakarta ) to be identified.”

14 individuals are also missing, according to data released by the disaster management firm on Friday, though it’s not known whether the six who were found dead were members of the 14, according to the fire and rescue organization. &nbsp,

Earlier, eight persons, seven people and one man, were reported missing by their family members.

According to local media website Detik, the hearth was merely extinguished on Thursday night, but cooling efforts were still in progress as of Friday. &nbsp,

The fireplace agency managed to use mechanical ladders to save nine people on Wednesday evening when the fire broke out.

” Nine survived the fire, thank heaven they are all in good condition although they were in surprise and had difficulty breathing after being rescued”, a senior official from West Jakarta’s fire office, Syariduddin, told the media on Thursday, as quoted by the Jakarta Post.

More than 47 fire vehicles and 200 officers were dispatched to the site by the state’s fire and rescue organization, according to the Jakarta Post.

Satriadi Gunawan, the head of the Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency, claimed that the extensive damaged area and the burned-out of digital products delayed the firefighting efforts. &nbsp,

Glodok Plaza is known to be Jakarta’s leading gateway for selling devices.

” The melted area was large, three decks were engulfed in flames, stage seven, eight and nine … then, most of the businesses in the store sell digital goods which were burnt”, Satriati explained on Thursday, as quoted by Detik.

The fire started in a bar on the sixth ground of Glodok Plaza, according to Satriadi from the fire firm, and quickly spread through the top floors, trapping those in the nightclub. &nbsp,

Studies are still continuous. &nbsp,

Violent video of a number of people waving for assistance using mobile lamps have appeared on TikTok.

Prior to this, Satriadi stated that four systems were first discovered on the seventh surface of the store, highlighting the difficulty in identifying the patients due to severe fires.Continue Reading

Plagued by eerie broadcasts, South Korean border residents hope Trump’s return will ease tensions with the North

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GANGHWA COUNTY, South Korea: For South Koreans living close to the North, career has been terrible for decades.

Since July of last year, loudspeakers on the other side of the Korean Peninsula have been playing eerie or quiet crackly sounds, such as metal grinding and a gong being beaten. Other sound include screaming, puppies howling and noises.

These border-adjacent settlements like Dangsan-ri in Ganghwa County, which are located about 1.7 kilometers away from the monk kingdom, have been the subject of these North Korean channels.

People have complained to the South Korean authorities and various government representatives for assistance, claiming the sounds are sounded like they come right out of a horror film. But the problem has not been resolved.

They are hopeful that the approaching US president can assist them presently that Donald Trump is returning to the White House in a few days.

Under the present US President Joe Biden’s leadership, relations between America and North Korea have stagnated, which has increased tensions on the Vietnamese Peninsula.

The two Koreas are still technically at war after their 1950 to 1953 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace agreement.

“PLEASE SAVE US”

The North’s broadcast, which play K-pop songs and propagandize anti-North Asian propaganda, are thought to be a retaliation for the South’s continuation of loudspeaker broadcasts in July.

This was done in response to Pyongyang’s decision to fly thousands of trash-filled bubbles across the border. &nbsp, The two Koreas had been engaged in a&nbsp, tit-for-tat bubble strategy.

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Musk as Trump’s unchained foreign policy disruptor-in-chief – Asia Times

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Donald Trump’s first name gave the world a style of deliberately divisive and unwanted participation in other countries ‘ domestic affairs, with examples ranging from Britain’s throes of Brexit to North Korea, where the 45th US senator attempted to build a personal cope with Kim Jung Un.

US tech businessman Elon Musk, but, has taken this to a whole new level. Musso is reportedly ready to interfere in other countries ‘ matters by using his private sway to control certain decision-makers, institutions, and corporations, or by attacking them on social media to reshape them in the way he wants them to remain.

In contrast, Trump is more pragmatic and could do a deal with any nation provided they fall in line with his” America first” mission, and give him what he demands.

In the past six months, many countries have been subjected to Musk’s “personal foreign policy” initiatives. Until fairly recently, there were two schools of thought on his interest in global politics.

Initially, Musk was merely” a mischievous antagonist” who simply loved to shock and appeared largely driven by social media.

But that has given way to nervousness in the face of Musk’s increasingly&nbsp, deliberate attempts&nbsp, at destabilizing governments, including his persistent stoking of&nbsp, populist support&nbsp, for far-right parties and potentially funding&nbsp, populist allies.

In his final address to the country before he leaves, current president Joe Biden warns of the growing power of the ultra-wealthy.

Musk wields enormous global influence not merely because of his wealth, connections, and fleet of companies. But arguably because he is a self-proclaimed populist, with increasingly far-right political preferences. As of January 20, he will also be a significant member of the Trump administration.

His political toolbox includes supporting or ( more usually ) strafing individual politicians ( for instance, UK prime minister Keir Starmer, or German chancellor Olaf Scholz ). Additionally, he backs populist political parties like Reform UK and AfD in Germany. He criticizes judges and broadcasting companies in places where he doesn’t reside, as well as government officials in other nations.

Musk’s political activity appears to be primarily intended to appeal to populist groups, ideologies, and causes, as well as actively supporting centrist parties in other nations. Musk’s political intrusion, however, has expanded of late, with an apparent eye on election results.

Examples include nations where elections are still in the making ( Canada by criticizing prime minister Justin Trudeau ) or much sooner ( Germany ), giving him the opportunity to criticize the incumbents while supporting his or her preferred opposition party.

Musk’s attention is extensive, from attacks on Starmer, to support for Italy’s Georgia Meloni and Argentina’s Javier Milei.

YouTube video

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Who will oppose Musk in the end?

Whose foreign policy?

The concern for those working in foreign policy is that Musk may be hired in the name of the US government to continue his interference and destabilization. He has proven to be effective as Trump’s choice as his disruptor of choice.

The difficulty will then be determining the precise beginning and end of Musk’s individual foreign policy.

Musk positions himself as the global defender of free speech, in order to soften the ground for Trump’s preferred combination of far-right populism and protectionist, tariff-driven trade approaches.

Musk’s method of operation is to persuade leaders and national communities to “rally against rules,” giving far-right parties and industry leaders who have seen an opportunity to deregulate key sectors a chance to gain.

Mark Zuckerberg, the social media giant’s CEO, recently announced a significant change to its content moderation policy in the US. The European Parliament’s far-right grouping Patriots for Europe supported Musk’s call for greater media freedom.

Both of these conveniently coincided with Musk’s calling of EU regulation and its “institutionalized censorship,” opening the door for Trump to start any number of conflict.

The common sense buffer zones, such as former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg’s ( currently ) head of policy for Meta, have been eliminated. Zuckerberg’s thinking now echoes that of companies, regulators and politicians who agree with Trump.

As a solo global disruptor and Trump’s preferred frontman, Musk represents both indirect and direct state interference. Sitting at Trump’s right hand and – as of January 20– heading the new US Department of Government Efficiency ( Doge ) – means it is unclear who is acting, and in whose interests and crucially, who benefits.

Are nations more likely to advise Musk and Trump to step down because they are aware of the possibility of a torrent of ire with very real consequences in terms of trade disputes? This is certainly the approach of many, including Marietje Schaake, former European parliamentarian, arguing that:” Musk must be seen as representing the US president when he bets against the leadership of key European nations, allies until now”.

Or are nations just as likely to ignore Musk, putting a bet on the widespread performative bullying inherited from Trump can be largely ignored?

Responding to interference

Only a few have the power to influence global politics, and the EU is one such example. Many may push back. The European Commission made it clear that it was closely watching Elon Musk, the party’s leader, Alice Weidel, as they recently watched X live in Germany.

This was done to determine whether X itself gives the AfD an unfair advantage in the public, largely as a result of the manipulation of algorithms designed to suppress opposing non-AfD voices ahead of February’s German election.

The European Commission – in its role as enforcer of Europe’s Digital Services Act ( DSA ) – could impose high fines, or blocks. However, to do so requires strong political will and unmistakable proof that X is putting more pressure on the public by promoting hate speech.

What effects will Musk’s rollercoaster ride have on world affairs? Deregulation is likely to be the norm today. Maga has long pushed for a” small state/big companies” approach and this is likely to continue under Musk’s leadership of Doge.

For those who don’t understand Musk’s role, there might be issues in the future. Potential candidates for secretary of state Marco Rubio and US foreign policy officials in Washington ( and their counterparts all over the world ) could be involved, all of whom may be confused by the nature of the agenda being pursued.

However, any new government would be a poor start with a slew of irate international allies. Violating the “norms of responsible conduct”– however flippantly Musk regards them – will not ultimately assist in Trump himself being effective, but rather just more disruptive.

Amelia Hadfield is head of department of politics, University of Surrey

This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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From export dominance to supply chain control: China’s Globalization 2.0 – Asia Times

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Subscribe right away and get the first year for only$ 99. With a one-month trial for only$ 1, subscribe now&nbsp.

From trade dominance to provide chain power: China’s Globalization 2.0

David Goldman makes a point about China’s shifting business plan, known as” Globalization 2.0,” which focuses on establishing supply stores throughout the Global South. In consequence, China’s direct part in US imports has increased, with Chinese goods passing through next countries.

Germany’s lock vote: AfD benefits, CDU/CSU weakens and financial uncertainty persists

Germany’s preparations for the February 23 lock national elections are highlighted by Diego Faßnacht. Amid business collapse, higher energy costs, and economic slowdown, elections show rising separation, with the far-right AfD and smaller events gaining ground.

As China and India adjust, the effects of oil sanctions may be temporary.

James Davis information the Biden administration’s extraordinary eleventh-hour sanctions on Russia’s dark fuel tanker fleet. Although significant buyers are observing the sanctions, both countries are considering subtle strategies to support Russian oil imports.

Japan’s Ishiba: Political success and private problems

Scott Foster discusses Shigeru Ishiba, the prime minister of Japan ,’s new political accomplishments in Malaysia and Indonesia, where he bolstered economic and security relationships. Domestically, while, Japan grapples with higher prices, rising real estate prices, and the dollar’s loss.

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Mediacorp music festival CLOUD 9 to feature acts like BI, Ivy Lee, Shazza, Dolla and more

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Excellent news for music fans&nbsp, – Mediacorp may be staging music festival Sky 9 on Feb 15 from 5pm at Arena@Expo Hall 7. &nbsp,

Sky 9 will feature performances by thrilling local and international artists, including original North Korean child band iKon’s musician BI, who will take center stage, according to Mediacorp.

Mandopop musician Ivy Lee, dance-pop child party Dolla, domestic singer-songwriter Shazza, native singer Alyph and DJ Kiara will also be performing. &nbsp,

Extra functions will be increasingly revealed, Mediacorp said. &nbsp,

Fans can even look forward to seeing their favourite Mediacorp characters host the event: Azura Goh, Ezam Ernady, Joakim Gomez, Joey Tay, Sonia Chew and Zhu Zeliang. &nbsp,

A variety of fringe activities, including lively photo spots and interactive booths, will be present at the event to help festivalgoers soak up the atmosphere.

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Why now and what next for Gaza ceasefire? – Asia Times

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On January 19, 2025, the much-anticipated Gaza peace and prisoner agreement is expected to become effective, subject to a postponed Jewish government’s decision to vote on the package, which had originally been scheduled for the morning of January 16.

The discovery comes 15 months into the terrible conflict that was sparked by a Hamas gunmen attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis and the taking of 251 hostages. In the following bomb and battle of the Gaza Strip, some 45, 000 Palestinians have been killed.

What does the present discovery mean for the chances of a more lasting peace, however, and why? Asher Kaufman, a teacher of peace studies at the University of Notre Dame and an expert on Jewish story, was contacted by The Conversation for clarifications.

What is the deal’s major thrust?

Not all of the information have been clarified or made public. However, we do know this:

The package is divided into three levels. In the first step, 33 people, children and men who are ill or over the age of 55 may be released in stages over 42 weeks. Two Americans have been among the victims taken by Hamas, according to reports that they have been there since October 7.

In full, 94 victims remain in prison, including 34 thought to be dead.

During a Jan. 15, 2025, opposition, protesters in Tel Aviv demand the Israeli authorities press for the release of the victims. Photo: Jack Guez / AFP via Getty Images / The Talk

Palestinians who were forced to leave north Gaza will also be permitted to return, even though the majority of the neighborhood and their homes are completely destroyed.

Negotiations will start on the 16th day of the agreement’s application, which will include the transfer of Hamas’s remaining captives. Israel will move its troops to a protective buckle to provide a cushion between Israel and the Gaza Strip at this point.

Israel may release Arab prisoners in exchange for releasing the hostages in accordance with a predetermined ratio for each Jewish dead or living human or soldier. Hunderte of Arab women and children are expected to be released in the first wave, already housed in Israeli prisons. Israel did also permit more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

The launch of the remaining hostages will be a part of the next phase of the agreement, and Egypt, Qatar, and the UN will be assisting with the rebuilding of Gaza. Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is anticipated at this point.

How important is the miracle?

Gaza has been ravaged by the war’s fifteen times. This agreement could lead to the end of the conflict that and set the stage for the first steps toward stabilization and reconstruction.

It might also allow the incoming Trump presidency to concentrate on other pressing issues that are more important to its foreign policy strategy, such as a possible new agreement with Iran and the resumed standardization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia in relation to the establishment of a new security alliance with the US.

For Israel, it means the possibility of the end of its longest conflict, which has cost a fortune, eroded its reputation internationally, and severly divided its culture between supporters and opponents of the state. It might put an end to the disaster that has been in place since October 7, 2023, allowing Jewish society to start its own recuperation.

What concerns remain excellent?

Over the early phases of the agreement, there are significant questions. Critical users of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alliance, including Ministers of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have been accused of being more engaged in a permanent job of the Gaza Strip than in the transfer of the victims.

They will be reluctant to accept any procedures that would result in the area becoming a Palestinians ‘ administrative and security force.

The Israeli government has made it abundantly clear that it does not believe Hamas will play a role in a post-conflict Gaza throughout the issue. But Hamas ‘ main competitor, the Palestinian Authority, has small trust among Gaza’s people. Who may rule in Gaza remains to be seen.

Additionally, it raises the possibility that, if Israel had been really interested in putting the deal into action, it might have agreed to a deal that would require Israel to completely leave Gaza in exchange for the release of all hostages rather than have one that would have been put into action incrementally.

Why did speaks achieve today, but earlier efforts fail?

This package has been discussed at least since May 2024. However, Netanyahu and his administration have opposed it in part because they want Israel to keep control of Gaza.

Some of his government’s officials have expressly discussed creating the circumstances for reducing the number of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and some of them have also stated that they want to build Israeli settlements there.

Netanyahu’s critics also suggested that the prime minister wanted to keep the battle going as long as possible because it benefited him socially.

However, Donald Trump’s election as president of the US changed the relationships between Israel, Hamas, and the US.

Trump wants to be recognized as a deal-maker on a global scale, and Netanyahu, a Democratic ally, feels inclined to lend his support to Trump on this front. Trump can take on a part thanks to the schedule of the agreement, and Joe Biden can keep with a “win” in terms of foreign policy.

A man in shorts runs past a wall with people's faces on it.
A man passes a banner with images of Israeli victims. Photo: Hazem Bader / AFP via Getty Images/ The Talk

There are also hopes that forging a package, which was started under Trump’s second administration, will then open the door for the continuation of normalization discussions between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu’s reputation as the country’s leader in charge of the October 7 slaughter may become balancing out with a deal with Saudi Arabia.

How will the bargain play out in Israel’s turbulent politics?

The major problem that may affect the deal’s death in the long run is this.

Its provisions are in direct opposition to the aspirations of some members of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, and they may do everything in their power to damage it.

If these right-wing holdouts leave the government or remain in the alliance because they think the latter stages of the offer won’t be put into action, it is still unclear.

What does it suggest for Hamas’s part in Gaza and its future?

Conditions that could change Hamas ‘ rule in Gaza are not included in the contract.

Netanyahu has so far opposed any attempts to elicit the Palestinian Authority’s profit or permit any other Arab or international organizations to run human affairs in the remove.

Hamas, on the other hand, has no desire to facilitate its substitute by various governing bodies and transferring control of Gaza. The militant group is now in a less powerful place than it was before Oct. 7, because it has lost key users of its authority over the course of the battle.

A sarcastic opinion might be that Netanyahu’s efforts to manage the Israeli-Palestinian issue does actually benefit from having a weakened Hamas remain in power rather than trying to resolve it.

Before October 7, he had this strategy in place, and there are no signs that it has changed.

University of Notre Dame professor of history and harmony research Asher Kaufman

This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.

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TikTok refugees flee to RedNote in intensifying digital cold war – Asia Times

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This Sunday, the day that President Joe Biden signed a law last year that would end the social media giant’s game, TikTok, plans to shut down its application in the US.

If the US Supreme Court accepts a last-minute legal debate from TikTok’s Chinese user, ByteDance, or if ByteDance divests its US businesses, there is a slim chance that this extraordinary development won’t occur.

But the 170 million people of TikTok in the US aren’t taking any chances. Numerous self-described” TikTok refugees” have begun to escape to other social media platforms, making fun of TikTok’s reported security concerns. ” Goodbye to my Chinese spy” has become a new TikTok trend.

The most well-known solution is Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media app ( also known as RedNote in English ). On January 13, the game surged to number one in the US Apple App Store, attracting more than 700, 000 new customers.

A new stage of the US-China electric cold war is being marked by this mass modern migration of users. However, there are many questions as to whether RedNote or any other solution system will be a practical, long-term refuge for US TikTok customers if the ban is implemented.

What is Red Note?

Controlled by Shanghai-based Xingyin Information Technology and established in 2013, RedNote is a Chinese-language life, social network and e-commerce system. It has a hybrid type of Instagram-meets-Pinterest and about 300 million monthly active users – the majority of whom are in China.

In accordance with China’s data protection, security, and other regulatory regulations, RedNote stores users ‘ personal information there.

However, RedNote isn’t the only other system that users are switching to. Another is Lemon8, even owned by ByteDance, which bills itself as a “lifestyle area”. It first appeared in Japan in 2020, and earlier this year, it took the second top position in the Apple App Store, behind Red Note. Existing TikTok consumers can update their data and account details with the software.

Like TikTok, Lemon8 businesses information of clients outside China, including in the US and Singapore. But, it is possible that Lemon8 will be banned if the US government decides to do so.

Another local US-based alternative programs, such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, are not seen as best options by many customers. This is because they are less creator-friendly and lack a strong sense of community.

Given TikTok’s and community-driven charm, RedNote is often regarded as the best solution. Interestingly, the platform may be instantly banned because it is outside the US government’s control.

At the time of reading, the tag” TikTok migrant” had garnered about 250 million landscapes and over 5.5 million remarks on Red Note. Some US users sardonically stated their intention to the software as a retribution for their behavior:

This just side our personal data over to the Chinese authorities because the US government is concerned about China obtaining it. Will you get away my phone, please?

A” European enlightenment movement” is being developed.

RedNote users in China are welcoming TikTok migrants from the US with open arms.

For instance, they are making video videos to show how to use the game to new users. This generosity is summed up by one common opinion from a Chinese person on the program who said: “friends who come across from TikTok, I want to say, you are not refugees, you are daring explorers”.

Chinese internet users ‘ national pride has also grown as a result of the new movement to Red Note.

They brilliantly refer to the movement as a” European enlightenment motion,” which enables US residents to see the world outside the western boundary.

This phrase was coined in reference to the” self-strengthening action” in China in the late 19th century – a reform efforts aimed at modernizing China by adopting American technology, knowledge and beliefs.

Some Red Note-related stocks increased by up to 20 % earlier this week as a result of the unanticipated migration.

People-to-people diplomacy

The positive interactions between Chinese and American internet users promote the Communist Party of China’s concept of “people-to-people diplomacy.” This idea is best summed up by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who in July 2024 said

the hope of the China-US relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in the two societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels.

However, RedNote might not be a viable, long-term refuge for US TikTok users.

Their sudden switch to RedNote might be more similar to a flash mob protest against the TikTok ban. It might not be simple for them to adjust to a completely new digital environment and choose to stay permanently on the Chinese app.

RedNote has already posted a job advertisement to urgently seek out content moderators who are fluent in English to deal with the rapid growth in English-speaking users.

The migration to RedNote is still very small and only a small fraction of the 170 million US users who use TikTok is also worth nothing.

If it believes RedNote violates the US App Store, the US government has the authority to demand that Apple remove it from the app store.

Regardless of whether this happens, the mass migration of TikTok refugees to RedNote – even if it is temporary – shows the US’s regulation of digital technologies, driven by geopolitical competition, has significantly fractured the global internet.

Fortunately, amid the strain of the digital cold war, we have witnessed the spirit of optimism and humanitarianism among Chinese and US internet users.

Jian Xu is associate professor in communication, Deakin University

This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Singapore to have more wet days, intense monsoon rains as La Nina set to persist until April

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” We have what looks kind of like La Nina problems. Some of the symptoms of La Nina are visible, but it’s not a particularly powerful one, according to Mr. Tan Wee Leng, senior studies professor at the ASEAN ( Association of Southeast Asian Nations ) Specialized Meteorological Centre.

” We use a lot of different… annual climate models to forecast for the upcoming times that these La Nina-like problems will continue for the next few months,” says the team. However, it’s anticipated to return to natural in April.

The World Meteorological Organization added that any future La Nina celebration is likely to be subpar and short-lived in its most recent update next month.

OUTLOOK AFTER JUNE Bones UNCLEAR

Up until about June, it is anticipated that things won’t be back to normal.

According to Mr. Tan, it is” also to early” to predict what the skies may turn like after June.

” Specifically for ENSO, estimates after the northern hemisphere’s spring tend to be more questionable, sometimes termed to be the flower consistency barrier”, he said.

Mr. Tan added that the majority of the time, the current weather models don’t predict any El Nino or La Nina events coming up in the second half of the time or whether things will stay balanced. &nbsp,

He predicted that the condition will become more crystal clear in May.

” Usually, El Nino activities occur every three to seven years. Our next El Nino was in 2023 and 2024, but just simply based on that, we do not believe El Nino ( this year )– but there has been law. It has happened before”, Mr Tan pointed out.

However, some things are unavoidable, such as the two rainfall seasons that Singapore experiences each year: the west monsoon season that begins in May and the northeast monsoon season that usually occurs in December to March.

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Three Koreans sentenced for murder near Pattaya

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PUBLISHED: 17 Jan 2025 at 11: 47

Divers and police found the plastic barrel containing the body of Roh Eui Jong after it was retrieved from Map Prachan reservoir in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, in May 2024. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)
After it was recovered from the Map Prachan pond in Bang Lamung area, Chon Buri, in May 2024, divers and police discovered the vinyl barrel containing Roh Eui Jong’s body. ( Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong )

Three people are facing murder charges in South Korea after being brutally murdered near Pattaya next month.

The Changwon District Court on Thursday sentenced two gentlemen, aged 28 and 40, to living prison, while a 27-year-old received 25 years in prison, North Korean media company Yonhap reported.

In May of last year, all were sentenced to death for the murder of a South Korean person, disposing of the body in a plastic chamber, and dumping it into the Map Prachan tank in the Chon Buri province’s Bang Lamung district.

The accused ‘ names were only reported by Yonhap, who just reported that one was apprehended in Phnom Penh and another in Vietnam. The second was arrested at his house in Jeonguep, about 220 miles north of Seoul. The sufferer was never identified by the organization.

Roh Eui Jong, 34, has been identified by Thai authorities as the target. Additionally, Lee Yong Jin, Lee Roun, and Kim Hyeonne Won were given the names of the death suspects.

Yonhap reported that two of the men were identified as murders, while the second was an companion.

The suspects were living off of money that had been stolen from words scams, according to North Korean authorities, who likewise demanded money from the murderer’s family after his death.

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Three people charged over unauthorised attempts to change residential addresses on ICA service

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Three Singaporeans have been detained for making unauthorised attempts to change residential addresses through an online service offered by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority ( ICA ) in Singapore.

Ng Wei Chang, Yuen Mun Fei and Koh Hong Yan&nbsp, appeared in a district court on Friday morning &nbsp, ( Jan 17 ).

Under the Computer Misuse Act, each is charged with one crime.

Ng, 30, is accused of releasing entry codes without permission for a legal purpose.

He is accused of conspiring to obtain a six-digit Lock to illegally and knowingly change the registered names of unknown individuals.

He reportedly did this on or around October 1, 2024.

Yuen, 38, was charged with transmitting Koh’s person recognition, login and one-time password for the federal electric identity company in November 2024.

These qualifications allegedly were used to violate Section 3 ( 1 ) of the Computer Misuse Act, which prohibits illegal access to computer files.

Koh, 26, was charged with disclosing his SingPass person recognition, password and one-time login to Yuen for an unconstitutional intent on Dec 16, 2024.

For these crimes, the sentence for a first-time criminal is a prison term of up to three years, a fine of up to S$ 10, 000 ( US$ 7, 300), or both.

The prosecutor requested that the trio been remanded for a week so that the police could do a raid and investigation, and that the crimes belonged to a syndicated nature.

All three have been placed on remand and have been given authority to go on trial. They will all go back to court on January 24.

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