MTI to engage US on new 12.5% tariffs: 'Singapore does not condone the use of forced labour'   Singapore is among the 60 territories hit with the new levies as US President Donald Trump's temporary 10 per cent worldwide tariffs expired on Friday midnight US Eastern time (12pm, Singapore time).   READ: https://asia1.news/4hu6iX0   Follow @AsiaOnecom for all the latest updates.   Full Details: New 12.5% US Tariffs and Singapore’s Response   📌 Background & Effective Date   - The new 12.5% tariff took effect July 24, 2026, 12:01 pm Singapore time (12:01 am US Eastern time), replacing the temporary 10% global tariff that expired at midnight the day before. - It stems from a Section 301 investigation launched by the US Trade Representative (USTR) in March 2026, targeting 60 economies over alleged failure to adopt or enforce bans on imports made with forced labour.   🎯 US Rationale & Tariff Structure   - USTR concluded Singapore and 53 other countries failed to impose and effectively enforce a forced labour import ban, justifying the 12.5% levy; 16 others face 10% for having laws but weak enforcement. - USTR stated: “It’s well past time for our trading partners to ensure trade does not encourage forced labour”, claiming such practices create an unfair playing field for US workers.   🇸🇬 Singapore’s Position & Impact   - Scope: About one-third of Singapore’s domestic exports to the US are affected; key exemptions include energy products, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, aerospace parts, and precious metals. - MTI Statement (July 24): “Singapore does not condone forced labour, has a comprehensive enforcement framework and strong track record against such practices, and there is no evidence linking Singapore supply chains to forced-labour goods”. - Next Steps: MTI will engage USTR directly to clarify implementation, seek solutions, and defend Singapore’s stance; further details will be released when available. - Singapore also faces a separate USTR probe into alleged excess industrial capacity, alongside 15 other economies.   📍 Implementation Notes   - Duties do not apply to goods already loaded onto vessels before the effective time. - The tariffs may be subject to legal challenges under international trade rules.    

S’pore PR who raped intoxicated woman on office floor after company dinner jailed 11.5 years   Both the offender and the victim were invited to the same company dinner and got intoxicated there.   🏛 https://stmp.sg/F8qA   @stompteam     Full Case Details: Beh Kien Tai   Published: Jul 24, 2026 | Source: Stomp, CNA       🔢 Offender & Victim   - Offender: Beh Kien Tai, 37, Malaysian national working as an air‑conditioning contractor for the interior design firm since 2021. - Victim: 39‑year‑old project manager, previously worked part‑time at the company and remained friends with the owner; identity protected by a gag order.   📅 Incident Background   - Date: Jan 13–14, 2023 - Setting: Company dinner hosted by the firm’s owner at its office, attended by staff, contractors, suppliers, and invited guests. - Both the victim and Beh drank heavily during the gathering. The victim was so intoxicated that she was laid to rest on the first‑floor office floor with a blanket and pillow. Beh declined a ride home and chose to sleep in the second‑floor loft instead.   🕰️ The Assault   - ~3:00 am: Beh came downstairs, stepped over the victim to use the toilet, then returned and lay beside her. - 3:02–3:21 am: He pulled down her pants and underwear, molested her, and raped her repeatedly without a condom. - Afterward, he redressed her and left the office at ~3:38 am.   📞 Reporting & Investigation   - The victim woke up feeling something was wrong and messaged the owner, who later checked CCTV and informed her. She filed a police report the same evening. - Beh was arrested at his home on Jan 15, 2023, and has been in remand since.   ⚖️ Court Proceedings   - Charges: Initially faced two counts each of rape and outrage of modesty. Pleaded guilty to one rape and one molestation charge on Jul 23, 2026; the other two were taken into consideration for sentencing. - Prosecution’s stance: He exploited her unconscious/intoxicated state, no condom exposed her to pregnancy and STIs, and she suffered severe emotional and psychological trauma. Sought 11 years 3 months to 11 years 9 months plus 9 strokes. - Defence: Claimed the act was not premeditated, asking for leniency. - Sentence: 11 years 6 months’ imprisonment + 9 strokes of the cane.       🔗 https://stmp.sg/F8qA | @stompteam

Pay me minimum then garment will give me additional $$$. Company gets cheap labour. They win, I win