19 10 月, 2020

New ECLIPSE CROSS Reveals Radical New Styling and Expands Plug-In Hybrid Option

TOKYO, Oct 19, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) today revealed the restyled ECLIPSE CROSS with a sleek sporty SUV appearance, driving confidence and improved comfort. Also, the model will add a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain in select markets to fulfil the diversifying needs of customers who are looking for a more sustainable alternative.The new ECLIPSE CROSS gasoline model will first launch in Australia and New Zealand in November, with the PHEV variant available in 2021. Both the gasoline and PHEV variants start pre-orders today in Japan, and will be available later this year. In North America, the gasoline model will debut in the first quarter of 2021; there are no plans at this time to add the PHEV model for that market."From the day we started to rethink the new ECLIPSE CROSS, we wanted to address an attitude of boosted road performance and eco-friendliness, all with a stand-out style that will take this SUV to the next level," said Minoru Uehara, chief product specialist of MMC, who is responsible for leading and facilitating the creation of the new ECLIPSE CROSS. "Besides the contemporary exterior and comfortable and smart interior, MITSUBISHI MOTORS' legendary Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system ensures that drivers are always in control for their next adventure."Refreshed Design Inside OutThe redesigned ECLIPSE CROSS features significant styling enhancements, producing a sleek sporty SUV appearance. Never before has a Mitsubishi vehicle been so design-forward, as ECLIPSE CROSS brings sophistication to the next level. The result is a vehicle that looks sleek, stable, upscale and unique.The front end adopts an evolved version of Mitsubishi's signature Dynamic Shield design concept, expressing strength and security. A new front bumper guard and refreshed light layout completes the front design with a bold, dynamic look.The sleek silhouette continues to the rear with a redesigned hatch and rear window, giving a more sophisticated SUV styling and resulting in improved rear visibility as well as distinctive and contemporary styling. ECLIPSE CROSS' iconic three-dimensional taillights extend upwards and inwards, and enhance the look with a stable and wide presence. The new tailgate features a sharply sculpted hexagon design reminiscent of the company's iconic rear-mounted spare tire shape, blending the sleek and elegant style with the ruggedness and dependability expectations of an SUV.Inside the cabin, a new black interior with silver accents and light gray(1) leather seats creates a more sophisticated look. Door trims also coordinate with the car seat color to feature a high-quality, sporty interior space. ECLIPSE CROSS' interior has always been an exciting and comfortable place to spend time, and the new changes move it to a more enjoyable and upscale level.A new 8-inch smartphone-link display audio (SDA) system comes standard, giving the driver a better view of the information and easier operation. The screen has been moved closer to the driver and front-seat passenger for ease of use, and now incorporates volume and turning knobs for fast reference. The touchpad that was previously used for multiple functions has been removed to allow for more storage space on the center console.Engineered For Eco-Friendly and Dynamic PerformanceThe newest addition of the PHEV powertrain optimizes energy efficiency and offers a smooth driving experience. Riding on the success of the OUTLANDER PHEV, the world's best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle(2), the new ECLIPSE CROSS uses the same twin-motor 4WD PHEV system with modifications specific to the size and weight of the ECLIPSE CROSS chassis. The unique PHEV architecture consists of one front and one rear high-power electric motor, a large-capacity drive battery and a 2.4-liter MIVEC engine with a single-speed planetary gearbox, allowing for the quick, silent, yet powerful acceleration unique to electric vehicles.For the PHEV variant, the system automatically selects from three driving modes to suit various conditions: EV, Series Hybrid or Parallel Hybrid. The traction battery can also be used as a reliable source of electricity for outdoor leisure or in an emergency as it supplies up to 1,500 watts of power from an on-board outlet. When the vehicle is fully charged and fueled, it can supply power to a general household for up to 10 days3 via the Vehicle-to-Home system.Carried over from the previous model, the ECLIPSE CROSS is also available with the company's 1.5-liter MIVEC direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A thoroughly modern design, the MIVEC engine is all-aluminum for lightweight, and perfectly balances the seemingly distinct priorities of power and efficiency.Using a compact turbocharger reduces fuel consumption but also minimizes turbo lag for driver-centric feel and performance, while the combination of direct fuel injection and turbocharging delivers greater efficiency at all roads and engine speeds. Paired with an eight-speed sports mode continuously variable transmission (CVT), the new ECLIPSE CROSS optimizes driving dynamics while also achieving low fuel consumption.Confidence-Inspiring Driving PleasureMITSUBISHI MOTORS' S-AWC system delivers stable handling and precise control, giving drivers confidence to conquer on-road conditions with ease. The springs in the front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension have been finely tuned. Together with enlarged rear suspension absorbers, the ECLIPSE CROSS exerts the performance of S-AWC and greatly enhances maneuverability.Combining SUV versatility with bold, distinctive design, the ECLIPSE CROSS has won multiple global awards, including the Good Design Award in 2018 and the RJC Car of the Year in 2019.(1) Vehicle specifications may vary depending on model and/or country.(2) Source: MITSUBISHI MOTORS' internal sales data from January 2013 to March 2020(3) The amount of power is based on MITSUBISHI MOTORS' internal calculation, assuming that the amount of power used per day in a general household is approximately 10kWh per day, and does not include the conversion efficiency of V2H equipment and similar device.About Mitsubishi MotorsMITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has a competitive edge in SUVs and pickup trucks, electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Since the Mitsubishi group produced its first car more than a century ago, we have demonstrated an ambitious and often disruptive approach, developing new vehicle genres and pioneering cutting-edge technologies. Deeply rooted in MITSUBISHI MOTORS' DNA, our brand strategy will appeal to ambitious drivers, willing to challenge conventional wisdom and ready to embrace change. Consistent with this mindset, MITSUBISHI MOTORS introduced its new brand strategy in 2017, expressed in its "Drive your Ambition" tagline - a combination of personal drive and forward attitude, and a reflection of the constant dialogue between the brand and its customers. Today MITSUBISHI MOTORS is committed to continuous investment in innovative new technologies, attractive design and product development, bringing exciting and authentic new vehicles to customers around the world. Copyright 2020 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

19 10 月, 2020

1,900 jobs on offer in growing electronics manufacturing industry since April, nearly all in PMET roles

SINGAPORE - The electronics industry continues to grow amid the coronavirus pandemic and there are some 1,900 jobs on offer since April, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Monday (Oct 19). The vast majority of these jobs are for professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), with the majority in technical roles. Monthly salaries for manufacturing engineers in the sector range from $1,800 to $3,225, with a median of $2,575, while electronics or mechanical engineers would typically receive between $4,500 to $6,000. Non-technical roles such as sales and marketing executives could earn monthly salaries between $2,800 to $8,500, with a median of $3,450. Besides jobs, there are also about 850 company-hosted traineeships and attachments, as well as 150 training positions, on offer in the industry. More than 220 people have been placed in jobs and traineeships in the segment between April and September. Of those who took up new jobs or roles, close to half are workers aged above 40. Speaking at a press briefing after a visit to semiconductor firm GlobalFoundries on Monday, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said that while some may think that they need a technical background to work in the electronics and larger manufacturing sector, this is not necessarily the case, even if many of the jobs on offer are technical roles. "There are ways in which your skills can be transferred," she said, noting that unfamiliarity with the job scope of opportunities in the cluster may be a factor in lower applications for roles in the industry. She added that it would be a great pity if positions on offer are not filled by Singaporeans, as it would affect the companies’ abilities to grow. Opportunities in electronics The electronics cluster, which employs over 70,000 workers specialising in fields such as semiconductor, consumer electronics and information technology, has been expanding this year despite the Covid-19 crisis. Total employment in the segment grew by 1,000 between April and June, despite Singapore's worst-ever quarterly fall in employment, driven partly by the surge in demand for digital goods and services to stay connected. It was the only segment within the manufacturing sector which saw an increase in total employment. More on this topic Related Story Prospects for Singapore semiconductor industry very bright, says Chan Chun Sing "There is a pick-up, a quick acceleration of the move towards digitalisation. And as a result, companies operating in electronics manufacturing up and down the value chain are experiencing demand growth," Mrs Teo said. "When they grow in demand, they are looking to build capacity, and part of that expansion involves hiring more people." Firms are also transforming to focus on higher-value manufacturing activities by using technology such as artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, even as they increase capacity to meet demand for electronics components, MOM added. Job seekers can tap Workforce Singapore's (WSG) 10 professional conversion programmes and place-and-train programme to pick up skills ranging from engineering, supply chain and logistics, to technical sales, which will help them join the electronics industry. More on this topic Related Story Employers may implement temporary wage cuts to save jobs: National Wages Council Related Story 33,000 local job seekers in Singapore have found jobs and training places since onset of Covid-19: MOM report Traineeships and training courses are also available to those looking to gain exposure to the industry. Mrs Teo noted that non-technical job roles are also on offer, and electronics firms can also benefit from hiring individuals that bring their experience in areas such as business development and purchasing from other sectors. Job search assistance In its weekly report on Monday, the MOM also provided an update on its efforts to help job seekers in their job search. More on this topic Related Story Singapore's electronics sector turns around in August after 6 months of contraction as manufacturing growth slows Related Story Manufacturing expands for third month in September About 51,700 individuals have received basic career advisory or job search assistance through services provided by WSG and NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) from January to September. This is a 49 per cent increase on the same period in 2019, which is due to increased outreach and higher demand from job seekers looking to make career transitions, MOM said. Another 28,400 people have received individualised career coaching over the nine-month period, it added.

19 10 月, 2020

Over $5.5b to be paid out in Jobs Support Scheme from Oct 29

SINGAPORE - Over $5.5 billion under the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) will be paid out to more than 140,000 employers from Oct 29, to help them retain their workers amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This will help businesses pay the wages of some 1.9 million local employees, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Monday (Oct 19). With this latest round of payouts, the total amount disbursed under the scheme will exceed $21.5 billion, said the ministry in a joint statement with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras). The JSS was introduced in the first Budget support package by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in February, and enhanced in successive packages. The wage subsidy applies to the first $4,600 of gross monthly wages paid to each Singaporean or permanent resident employee. The scheme was recently extended to cover wages paid up to March next year for firms in sectors harder hit by the Covid-19 crisis, and up to December this year for sectors which are managing well. MOF and Iras said this month's payment goes towards supporting wages paid to local workers from June to August. Employers in the aviation, tourism and built environment sectors will get 75 per cent support. Those in food services, retail, arts and entertainment, land transport, and marine and offshore will get 50 per cent; and those in all other sectors, 25 per cent. Firms in industries that were not allowed to resume on-site operations after the circuit breaker, which ended on June 1, will have their support levels topped up to 75 per cent for the period that they were not allowed to resume operations. Eligible employers will be notified by post of their payout amount, and can also log on to myTax Portal to view the electronic copy of the letter. Those with PayNow Corporate or Giro arrangements with Iras can expect their payouts from Oct 29. Others will receive their payouts through cheques from Nov 4, but can receive their payouts earlier if they sign up for PayNow Corporate with their banks by Oct 23. More on this topic Related Story Parliament: Targeted support for businesses, workers as Covid-19 situation stabilises, says DPM Heng Related Story Parliament: Supporting vulnerable workers and upgrading skills key to growing an inclusive economy, says DPM Heng Swee Keat Employers should also ensure that mandatory Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions are made based on actual wages paid, added Iras and MOF. Posting on Facebook on Monday (Oct 19), Mr Heng, who is also Finance Minister, urged all employers to do their best to retain their workers during this difficult period. "Jobs remain a key priority as we continue to support our workers and businesses through this crisis," he said. "For businesses that continue to grow, we also have the Jobs Growth Incentive to encourage the hiring of local workers, especially those in their middle-age." Businesses that benefited from the JSS said they were grateful for the support. Mr Lim Chee Kean, chief executive of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions provider Ascent Solutions, said many of the company's overseas projects were grounded due to the pandemic. "JSS offered us support to retain critical jobs, as employees were unable to travel to undertake international projects." He added that the scheme has also helped the company to hire more mature workers, such as a 64-year-old former general manager. Iras and MOF also warned of severe penalties for attempts to abuse the JSS, including having the payouts denied, and being jailed for up to 10 years and fined. More on this topic Related Story 2,200 employers under review for Jobs Support Scheme abuse, 444 denied payouts amounting to almost $10m Related Story Severe penalties for abuse of Jobs Support Scheme to get higher payouts: Iras Those who want to report malpractices or potential abuses of the JSS can e-mail jssreport@iras.gov.sg or visit the website. As part of the checks for JSS eligibility, a small number of employers will receive letters from Iras asking them to conduct a self-review of their CPF contributions, and to provide declarations or documents to substantiate their eligibility for JSS payouts. Their payouts for this month will be withheld in the meantime, but will be paid out after Iras has reviewed and verified the information.

19 10 月, 2020

Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on Oct 19

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Monday, Oct 19. Only 3 community care facilities remain in S'pore - with 36 Covid-19 patients The only facilities operating are at D'Resort NTUC, Singapore Expo and Big Box. READ MORE HERE NUS sacks Tembusu College don accused of sexual misconduct Configure The university conducted an internal probe after it received two complaints against Dr Jeremy Fernando. READ MORE HERE Union leaders unhappy with Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim's remarks on minimum wage Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news They especially took issue with his choice of words in characterising their views as "folksy wisdom and beliefs". READ MORE HERE Umno set for showdown talks as Malaysian PM Muhyiddin teeters on the brink Key meetings at the start of this week could determine whether Muhyiddin Yassin remains in power. READ MORE HERE 15 days to US elections: Hint of tide turning against Trump in Florida One key driver is the US President's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. READ MORE HERE Batam prepares to welcome essential travellers from Singapore Applications for reciprocal green lane will begin on Oct 26, and travel will start soon after. READ MORE HERE France to expel 231 suspected extremists after attack on teacher: Source 180 people are currently in prison and 51 were due to be arrested in the next hours. READ MORE HERE More people overeating or binge eating to cope with greater stress during pandemic Binge eating provides a temporary escape but may leave you feeling trapped and depressed. READ MORE HERE Children who are weak in mother tongue get a leg-up A new support programme weaves more activities and games into lessons in small group sessions. READ MORE HERE Caregivers need to seek support to avoid burnout: Experts Frustration or guilt may lead a caregiver to harm a person with mental health issues or become suicidal. READ MORE HERE

19 10 月, 2020

Football: Villa maintain perfect start as Barkley sinks Leicester

LEICESTER (REUTERS) - A superb stoppage-time goal from Ross Barkley gave Aston Villa a 1-0 victory at Leicester City in a scrappy contest on Sunday (Oct 18) that stretched the visitors' perfect Premier League start to four wins. The result left Villa second on 12 points with a game in hand over leaders Everton who have 13. Third-placed Liverpool have 10 from five and Leicester in fourth are on nine after suffering their second successive home defeat. Barkley, who is on loan at Villa from Chelsea, snatched the winner out of the blue at the King Power stadium with a stinging low shot from 25 metres which left Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel clutching thin air, as the ball bounced in front of him. The England midfielder, who also scored on his Villa debut in a 7-2 home drubbing of Liverpool in the previous round of matches, was delighted as they started the season with four wins for the first time since 1930. "An important win today as they were on top and we started slow but we improved and in the end deserved it," he told Sky Sports. "I was 50/50 in the week and (our physio) did a really good job getting me right. He said I would end up scoring the goal and I did so I dedicated the goal to him. "The manager has given me the platform to play and I am excited and looking forward to every game." A drab first half produced one chance at each end, with Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez denying Leicester right back Timothy Castagne before Egyptian forward Trezeguet fired wide after a flowing move by the visitors. Villa, who were on the back foot in the opening half, came forward with more purpose after the beak and went close in the 51st minute when central defender Ezri Konsa headed inches wide. When the match appeared to be heading for a goalless stalemate, Barkley stepped up to make sure Villa stayed the only Premier League team with a perfect record this season after they narrowly avoided relegation last term. More on this topic Related Story Football: Aston Villa land Arsenal's FA Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for £20 million Related Story Football: 'We lost the plot', says shocked Jurgen Klopp as his Liverpool collapse to concede seven at Aston Villa Related Story Football: Aston Villa, Fulham knocked out of League Cup Villa manager Dean Smith heaped praise on Barkley. "We have seen Ross Barkley do that enough times for Everton and Chelsea so we are pleased he did it for us today," Smith told the BBC. "It was touch and go whether he started today. He had a knock to the knee but a great goal and a real battling performance by the whole team. "We are just looking at the next game. We will savour what we are doing at the moment and look forward to the Leeds game."

19 10 月, 2020

UNISOC and China Unicom Deploy World’s First E2E Network Slicing Solution

SHANGHAI, Oct 19, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - UNISOC and China Unicom have successfully deployed the world's first 3GPP-compliant end-to-end network slicing selection solution, enabling 5G smartphone and data terminal network slicing to 3GPP standards. The solution allows devices to independently and flexibly select network slices through APP ID, FQDN, DNN and other identifiers in China Unicom's 5G SA trial commercial network, bringing broader development prospects for the transformation of industry verticals.Network slicing is among the most important features of 5G network architecture, the key entry point for 5G to empower thousands of industries. However, network slicing technology is highly complex and a technical solution must run through multiple network levels. Network slicing in devices had become a constraint to the development of end-to-end network slicing, while technical bottlenecks lie in the limitations of chips and terminal operating systems.In a scheme equipped with the UNISOC 5G chip, this solution supports 5G smartphones and data terminals for all slice selection strategies under 3GPP specifications, and optimizes the users' business experience. The two sides have recently completed technical verification on China Unicom Beijing's 5G SA trial commercial network, laying a technical foundation for the diversified development of 5G industrial applications in the future. Earlier this year, China Unicom launched the world's first 5G terminal priced under 1,000 yuan, the 5G CPE VN007. Powered by the UNISOC V510, the CPE VN007 supports an end-to-end 5G network slicing selection solution through a software upgrade, completing test verification. This will lower the commercialization threshold for 5G network slicing, and rapidly empower 5G industry application scenarios across the spectrum.About UNISOCUNISOC is a leading fabless semiconductor company committed to R&D of core chipsets for mobile communications and AIoT. With 4,500 staff, 17 R&D centers and 7 customer support centers around the world, UNISOC has become one of the largest chipset providers for IoT and connectivity devices in China, and in market share a global top 3 mobile chipset supplier and the leading 5G company in the world. For more information, please visit http://www.unisoc.com.Media Contact:Miranda Wu - UNISOC PRE: mengran.wu@unisoc.comUNISOC Technologies Co., Ltd Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

19 10 月, 2020

Football: Atonement for errant duo as Manchester United get going

LONDON • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared Manchester United's season "starts today" after Bruno Fernandes and "inspirational" Harry Maguire enjoyed sweet moments of redemption in their side's 4-1 win at Newcastle on Saturday. Solskjaer's side suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat against Tottenham at Old Trafford just before the international break. But they made partial amends for that embarrassment with a much-needed second win of the Premier League season. After Luke Shaw's own goal gave Newcastle an early lead, United captain Maguire scored the equaliser just days after he was widely criticised for his red card in England's Nations League defeat against Denmark at Wembley. Maguire's first Premier League goal since February was a cathartic moment after a troubled few months marred by poor performance on the pitch and his Greek court case off it. "Harry scored and leads by example. He showed good character, I am happy for him. He had a couple of difficult weeks since he last played for us," Solskjaer said. Fernandes also went from zero to hero as the midfielder's second-half penalty was saved by Karl Darlow - his first miss from the spot for United, before he hit a superb strike to put United ahead in the closing minutes. The Portugal international has now been directly involved in 20 goals in his 18 United league appearances (11 goals, nine assists), scoring in the last three games. Aaron Wan-Bissaka made it three with his first goal for United and Marcus Rashford wrapped up the late goal blitz in stoppage time. Although United left it late to finish off Newcastle, the result was no more than they deserved and Solskjaer will hope it is the start of a better period for his team after their troubled opening to the campaign. "Great result and great character to come back, led by a very inspirational captain," said the manager. "We don't want to use it as an excuse, but we needed preseason. We wanted to get to this international break with more points than we have, but now we know our season started today, because we've come up to the speed of the game." 11 Penalties taken by Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes before his first miss against Newcastle. He made amends by scoring later. Maguire also dismissed talk of a crisis following their slow start to the season. "It's funny, three games into the season and it seems like a big crisis. Won two, lost two. There is a long way to go, we have to improve," the 27-year-old told Sky Sports. "When you play for this club and get beat at home, we ask questions. We work hard in training, it is a great group and we knew we had to bounce back." AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

19 10 月, 2020

Sports World: 10-man Juve can’t beat newbies Crotone

10-man Juve can't beat newbies Crotone CROTONE (Italy) • Juventus winger Federico Chiesa was sent off on his debut and the Italian Serie A champions also had a goal disallowed by the video assistant referee for offside by the tiniest of margins, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at promoted Crotone on Saturday. Juventus were missing Cristiano Ronaldo after he tested positive for Covid-19 last Tuesday while Gianluigi Buffon, their second-choice goalkeeper, became the first player to make 650 Serie A appearances. Juve, chasing a 10th straight title, have eight points from four games while Crotone picked up their first point. REUTERS Rossi's quarantine rules him out of 2 GPs ALCANIZ (Spain) • Seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi's quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19 means he will miss next weekend's Grand Prix of Teruel in addition to yesterday's Aragon Grand Prix, his Yamaha team said. The 41-year-old Italian has to complete a 10-day quarantine and test negative before he can return. Yamaha said that it would again not replace Valentino in Teruel, leaving Maverick Vinales to ride alone. Alex Rins held off fellow Spaniard Alex Marquez to win the Aragon race, with another compatriot Joan Mir finishing third to take the championship lead from France's Fabio Quartararo. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Henley looking good to end tour drought LOS ANGELES • Russell Henley fired a five-under 67 for a three-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek. The 31-year-old American, chasing his fourth US PGA title but his first in 31/2 years, stood on 15-under 201 after 54 holes over the Las Vegas layout. Compatriots Xander Schauffele (74), Talor Gooch (69), Lanto Griffin (66) and Jason Kokrak (68) shared second on 204. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Lopez cleans up lightweight titles LOS ANGELES • Unbeaten Teofimo Lopez upset Vasiliy Lomachenko by unanimous decision on Saturday to become the undisputed world lightweight champion in Las Vegas. Lopez defended his 135lb (61.2kg) International Boxing Federation lightweight title and seized the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Organisation and World Boxing Association belts from Ukraine's Lomachenko, who suffered his first loss in six years. The American improved to 16-0 with 12 knockouts. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

19 10 月, 2020

Football: Out-of-sorts Real Madrid and Barcelona seek fillip ahead of Clasico

MADRID • Barcelona and Real Madrid will go into Saturday's Clasico at the Nou Camp knowing improvements are mandatory. Barcelona fell to their first La Liga defeat under Ronald Koeman as they lost 1-0 at Getafe on Saturday, hours after league champions Real Madrid slipped to a shock 1-0 home defeat by promoted Cadiz. It was the first time the two giants of Spanish football had both lost league matches on the same day without scoring since May 6, 2000. Getafe forward Jaime Mata sent goalkeeper Neto the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 56th minute after midfielder Frenkie de Jong had been penalised for treading on Djene Dakonam's foot. The result left Barca ninth with seven points after four games while Madrid remain top on 10 points having played five matches. "We have not entered the game in the second half," Koeman, whose side play Ferencvaros in the Champions League tomorrow, told Marca. "We lost the ball too much and conceded dangerous attacking situations. I don't know if it was a deserved penalty but I felt the penalty was sought out and we suffered. "We created very few chances, the best of them in the first half. It has been a very disputed game and we had little end product." Koeman made a number of changes to the Barca side who had drawn 0-0 at home to Sevilla in their last game, handing first starts of the term to new arrival Sergino Dest, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele. Koeman also played Antoine Griezmann in his preferred central role after his complaints about playing out of position. Yet the striker missed a glorious chance early in the game, blasting over the bar to remain without a goal after four league starts this season. He has just two goals from his last 28 shots. Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane will also seek to get more out of his players after admitting his team could have been two or three goals down before half-time. Anthony Lozano gave Cadiz the lead early in the game after the visitors had missed four chances in a chaotic start from the hosts, while he also wasted a clear opportunity to double his side's lead. 2000 The last time both Real Madrid and Barcelona lost in La Liga on the same day without scoring. "They played with more pace than us, more enthusiasm. We can't make any excuses, we played a bad game. We have to congratulate Cadiz. We're not happy at all," Zidane said. Madrid had not lost in the league since a 2-1 defeat by Real Betis back in March, just before last season's competition was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic and their last home defeat came in May 2019, a 2-0 loss to Betis. Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, however, insisted "a defeat is always a good thing because it gives you a wake-up call". "We'll have to put in a good performance against Shakhtar (Donetsk in the Champions League), win the match and head to the Nou Camp in confident mood," he added. REUTERS

19 10 月, 2020

Tennis: Zverev, Rublev savour home comforts in wins

COLOGNE (Germany) • Top seed Alexander Zverev bagged his first ATP crown of the year after beating Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 to lift the bett1Hulks Indoor title in Cologne yesterday. The German, who lost the US Open final last month and exited the French Open in the fourth round, needed only 80 minutes to get the better of the 20-year-old Canadian thanks to a dominant service performance. Zverev won 80 per cent of his first service points and an overwhelming 88 per cent on his second serve, while he also converted four of 10 break points to hand Auger-Aliassime - who is still searching for his first title - a sixth defeat in a final. "I had a very tough final in New York and the next final I played here, I wanted to come out and obviously play my best tennis," the 23-year-old said. "Felix, you're an unbelievable player. I know it doesn't mean much right now, but I'm sure you're not only going to win one title, you're going to win multiple titles in your career, bigger titles than this." Victory gave Zverev his 12th ATP title and his third on home soil after he won the Munich Open in 2017 and 2018. He has already qualified for the season-ending ATP Finals in London next month but will remain in Cologne as the top seed at the bett1Hulks Championships, which start today. Auger-Aliassime, who lost his first ATP final in February last year at the Rio Open, said: "I just played bad from start to finish." There was another win for a home favourite yesterday, when Russian Andrey Rublev took the honours at the St Petersburg final for his fourth title of the year. The 22-year-old defeated Borna Coric 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 as the Croatian finished runner-up here for a second straight year. Rublev now has 34 ATP Tour match wins this season, behind only world No. 1 Novak Djokovic (37) - the only other man with four titles this term. REUTERS

18 10 月, 2020

Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on Oct 18

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Sunday, Oct 18. Firms in S'pore told to be responsible, sensitive if retrenching staff Employers must ensure objective criteria and lean towards retaining a Singaporean core, said a tripartite advisory. READ MORE HERE Billionaire inventor James Dyson pulls plug on electric car but setback puts him on new roads Mr Dyson said Singapore remains central to his plans and he has no regrets over attempting to build an electric car. READ MORE HERE Flight to safety: How regional airlines are trying to stay aloft amid Covid-19 pandemic Asia-Pacific airlines' losses will be larger compared with other regions, said Iata. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Malaysia's Umno denies supporting Anwar and DAP Umno leaders say they hold to the existing stance of strengthening BN and pact with PAS. READ MORE HERE Global coronavirus cases rise by one-day record of 400,000 Europe is reporting more daily cases than India, Brazil and the United States combined. READ MORE HERE SIA's been 'good to me': S'poreans snap up dining offers to support airline, enjoy experience Those who secured a seat or meal said the experience is "worth paying for". READ MORE HERE Sparse crowds at Sentosa beaches on first day with online booking requirement The waiting time for visitors who turned up without booking a slot varied from five minutes to almost two hours. READ MORE HERE Football: Not all quiet as S'pore Premier League returns to empty stadiums Fans gathered at vantage spots at Our Tampines Hub to catch Tampines in action against Hougang. READ MORE HERE Unlinked migrant worker is Singapore's sole community Covid-19 case MOH said that his serological test result has come back positive, indicating a past infection. READ MORE HERE S'pore-based social enterprise delivers affordable healthcare to the poor Founder of Reach52 says it is a social injustice that many people do not have access to it. READ MORE HERE

18 10 月, 2020

S’poreans snap up SIA dining offers to support airline, enjoy experience

SINGAPORE - They have been dating for about a year and on Oct 25, Mr Nicholas Lim and his girlfriend, Ms Eleanor Teo, will be boarding an aircraft together for the first time. The couple's destination is no far-flung locale, but Singapore Airlines' restaurant in an A-380 plane, which will be parked at Changi Airport next weekend and the one after. The pair, who opted for the economy cabin lunch at $50 each, are among the lucky 3,500 or so customers to get a seat for lunch or dinner. More than 900 seats that were available for SIA's Restaurant A380 @ Changi dining experience were sold within 30 minutes of bookings opening on Oct 12. Prices ranged from $50 for economy to $600 for Suites. Two aircraft will be deployed, with guests occupying about half the seats to stick to safe distancing guidelines. Besides the meal, Ms Teo, a 31-year-old who works in a charity, and Mr Lim, 34, will get to explore the world's largest passenger aircraft in the three hours they have on the plane. They also plan to catch the Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey movie. Ms Teo, a fan of the DC Comics character, wanted to watch the movie when it was released in cinemas in February but hesitated due to the rising Covid-19 cases then. "For $50 per person, the experience is reasonably priced, since you get a three-course meal, watch films on board and receive a souvenir," said Mr Lim who works in a non-government organisation. He is opting for a Peranakan meal of ayam tempra and brinjal sambal, while Ms Teo has picked a Japanese-style lunch. Mr Nicholas Lim and his girlfriend, Ms Eleanor Teo, will be boarding a plane for the first time together on Oct 25. PHOTO: COURTESY OF NICHOLAS LIM The Straits Times spoke to five Singaporeans who bought either the Restaurant A380 @ Changi dining experience or the SIA @ Home package, which offers customers first- or business-class meals delivered to their doorstep. SIA, which reported its first annual loss in its 48-year history, launched the initiatives to engage customers amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Another initiative, which would see SIA opening the doors to its training centre, will accept bookings from Nov 1. Those who secured a seat or meal said the experience is "worth paying for". A Singapore Airlines A-380 plane parked at Changi Airport will be converted into a restaurant on Oct 24 and 25. PHOTO: SINGAPORE AIRLINES The SIA @ Home package offers customers first- or business-class meals delivered to their doorstep. PHOTO: SINGAPORE AIRLINES Ms Amy Tay booked a Suites lunch for Oct 25 using the 80,250 KrisFlyer miles she took years to accumulate. The 34-year-old auditor said she has not travelled since 2017 due to family and personal commitments. Having spent five years in the United States, where she studied at the University of Michigan before working in New York City, Ms Tay said that boarding an SIA flight always gave her a "warm and fuzzy feeling when I see my fellow Singaporeans". More on this topic Related Story SIA offers additional seatings for meals on its A-380 restaurant Related Story Home delivery of SIA first and business class meals offers a taste of the luxe life Related Story SIA launches in-plane dining, tours for customers: What other airlines have done In August 2015, her then boyfriend, Mr Tan Si-Rong, proposed while on a flight to Australia. She said the airline gave her a cake, which travellers could ask for in advance if they are travelling on their birthdays. "SIA has been good to me when times were good for them. I want to help them out now that times are tough," she said. Tech consultant Felix Wee, 28, who has secured a spot for a Suites lunch on Oct 24 is worried SIA, which does not have a domestic market, cannot recover as quickly as airlines elsewhere. Another customer, who only wanted to be known as Dr Goh, bought French chef Georges Blanc's first-class set offered under SIA @ Home, which opened for orders on Oct 5. (From left) Navarin of Beef Short Rib, Chilled Oscietra Caviar Blinis with creme fraiche and chives and Brownie Gateau with Chocolate Nectar were part of Dr Goh's meal. PHOTOS: DR GOH The meal was delivered on Oct 11. She had bought the meal to support the airline, out of concern that thousands of jobs in the aviation industry are at risk due to Covid-19. More on this topic Related Story Rethinking how SIA can again be a great way to fly Related Story SIA to increase flights, reaching 15% of usual capacity by year end Related Story A leaner SIA must remain a great way to fly when recovery takes off "Chefs, bakers, even concierge staff may lose their jobs, not just the cabin crew and pilots," the 50-year-old said. Dr Goh described the meal as outstanding, adding that it was a wonderful experience to have a three-star Michelin dinner at home, especially for her elderly and vulnerable parents and in-laws.

18 10 月, 2020

Football: Manchester United back on track as Fernandes, Maguire enjoy redemption

NEWCASTLE (AFP) - Manchester United got back on track as Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire enjoyed sweet moments of redemption in their side's 4-1 win at Newcastle on Saturday (Oct 17). Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat against Tottenham at Old Trafford just before the international break. But they made partial amends for that embarrassment with a much-needed second win of the Premier League season. After Luke Shaw's own goal gave Newcastle an early lead, United captain Maguire scored the equaliser just days after he was widely criticised for his red card in England's Nations League defeat against Denmark at Wembley. Maguire's first Premier League goal since February was a cathartic moment after a troubled few months marred by poor performance on the pitch and his Greek court case off it. Fernandes also went from zero to hero as the midfielder's second half penalty was saved by Karl Darlow, before he hit a superb strike to put United ahead in the closing minutes. Aaron Wan-Bissaka made it three with his first goal for United and Marcus Rashford wrapped up the late goal blitz in stoppage-time. Although United left it late to finish off Newcastle, the result was no more than they deserved and Solskjaer will hope it is the start of a better period for his team after their troubled opening to the campaign. After labelling the Tottenham rout as the "worst" day of his career, Solskjaer made five changes for United's return to action. More on this topic Related Story Football: Underperforming Manchester United team could get Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked, says Roy Keane Related Story Football: England manager Gareth Southgate springs to defence of red-carded Harry Maguire after Three Lions are beaten by Denmark Eric Bailly, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial were replaced by Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, Fred, Daniel James and Juan Mata. MOMENT TO SAVOUR Solskjaer's switches initially did nothing to improve United's fortunes as Newcastle cut through them in the second minute. Allain Saint-Maximin and Jonjo Shelvey combined to find Emil Krafth on the right side of the United penalty area and his cross took a deflection off Shaw's out-stretched leg as it looped beyond David De Gea. United thought they had equalised in the 19th minute when Fernandes fired into the top corner from Mata's pass, but VAR intervened to rule that the Spanish midfielder was offside before he provided the assist. If Solskjaer feared it was going to be another dispiriting night, his concerns were eased as Maguire finally enjoyed a moment to savour in the 23rd minute. Timing his run to meet Mata's corner, Maguire got in front of Jamal Lascelles at the near post and guided his header past Darlow from six yards. Saint-Maximin nearly restored Newcastle's lead with a powerful shot that De Gea turned away while clattering into a post, leaving United's keeper needing treatment on his shoulder before he could continue. Wan-Bissaka brought a superb save from Darlow before Rashford's shot was cleared off the line by Lascelles from the resulting corner. De Gea made an alert save to prevent Callum Wilson's close-range effort from Saint-Maximin's cross putting Newcastle ahead soon after the break. When Rashford was brought down by Jamal Lewis in the 57th minute, referee Craig Pawson initially appeared to ignore the offence but after consulting the pitchside monitor he ruled that the foul had taken place inside the penalty area. Fernandes has been a penalty expert for United since arriving in January, but for once he fluffed his lines as Darlow dived to his right to keep out the midfielder's spot-kick. Maguire nearly made up for Fernandes' miss when his header was cleared off the line by Shelvey, whose 30-yard blast drew a fine save from De Gea moments later. But Fernandes had the last laugh anyway as he took Rashford's clever reverse pass in the 86th minute and, from an acute angle, curled an exquisite shot into the top corner. Wan-Bissaka netted in the 90th minute from Rashford's pass and the provider turned scorer moments later with a cool finish from Fernandes' long ball.

18 10 月, 2020

Dashed dreams for SIA cadet pilots, cabin crew trainees

After nearly two years of training, John (not his real name) and his fellow cadet pilots were looking forward to flying for the national carrier. Instead, they will be without a job when their training ends in a few months. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

18 10 月, 2020

Dashed dreams for SIA cadet pilots, cabin crew trainees who were let go

18 10 月, 2020

More library services resume from Tuesday, visiting hours increased

Those visiting libraries to read, study or work can look forward to more services resuming from Tuesday at the National Library Building, 25 public libraries and Oldham Theatre in the National Archives of Singapore Building. The National Library Board (NLB) said in a statement on Thursday that it will open up seating and study areas in public libraries, including the eNewspaper and multimedia stations, with a timed entry system and safe distancing measures still in place. It will also gradually resume public programmes, apart from guided tours. More information about these programmes can be found at NLB's GoLibrary site. The Study Lounge at level five of the National Library Building will also be reopened, with a three-hour visit limit. Library users will be able to visit the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library for up to three hours, up from the two-hour limit previously. Regional libraries in Jurong, Tampines and Woodlands can be visited for up to three hours, a significant increase from the previous 30-minute limit. For all other public libraries, the length of stay will be increased from 30 minutes to two hours. Entries will be timed to manage crowds. Library users can make their online bookings for their preferred slots. Bookings are limited to one per day, with slots released daily for the following day. The Asian Film Archive's public screenings of films at Oldham Theatre will have an increased capacity of 50 people per screening for both the theatre and the atrium, with safe distancing measures continued for seating in the theatre and to limit intermingling between groups, NLB said. More on this topic Related Story Public libraries to resume regular opening hours from Sept 1, but capacity controls remain Related Story All books returned to libraries to be set aside for 24 hours before going back on the shelves: NLB Related Story Plans for 3rd phase of reopening to be revealed in weeks The gradual resumption of services comes after public libraries here resumed regular opening hours on Sept 1. Safe distancing measures, capacity controls and frequent disinfection of high-touch points will continue to be implemented at all NLB premises. Library users must continue to wear masks at all times. With programmes resuming, additional cleaning, sanitising and ventilation of programme areas will also be carried out between sessions, NLB added. Due to capacity restrictions, library users might have to queue and wait before entering the premises. Those heading to a library can check the website or the NLB mobile app for real-time crowd capacity in libraries and archives before visiting.

18 10 月, 2020

Ronaldo in dispute with sports minister

MILAN • Cristiano Ronaldo become involved in a public row with Italy's sports minister on Friday, as the pair indirectly accused each other of lying over whether the Portugal international had broken health rules after testing positive for Covid-19. Mr Vincenzo Spadafora said on Thursday that the Juventus forward might have infringed the rules by flying back to Italy from national team duty in Portugal, after he tested positive for the virus earlier last week. But, in a social media post on Friday, Ronaldo hit back and said he had done everything by the book. "A gentlemen here in Italy, whose name I won't mention, said I didn't obey the protocol - that's simply a lie," he said in an Instagram post from his Turin villa, where he is in quarantine and asymptomatic. "I followed all the protocols and I will continue to follow them, my conscience is clear... Everything I did was authorised." He tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday while he was with the Portugal squad and flew back in a private jet the following day. "They said I broke Italian law and this and that... it's all lies, I did everything properly," he added. "We did everything the right way - leaving the (Portugal) team, in the air ambulance, arriving in Turin... I did not have contact with anyone." Mr Spadafora later replied in an interview with the Italian news agency Ansa, saying: "The fame and skill of certain players does not entitle them to be arrogant, disrespectful to the institutions and to lie. "On the contrary, the more well known you are, the more you should feel the responsibility of setting a good example." Juventus said on Thursday that Ronaldo returned to Italy in a "medical flight authorised by the competent health authorities". SHOW SOME RESPECT The fame and skill of certain players does not entitle them to be arrogant, disrespectful to the institutions and to lie. MR VINCENZO SPADAFORA, Italy's sports minister, on Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The entire Juve team were back in isolation on Wednesday evening after midfielder Weston McKennie tested positive. Both he and Ronaldo must test negative before rejoining their teammates. Under Uefa rules, a player must provide evidence that he is no longer sick a week before a European match. Ronaldo, who misses Juve's Serie A match with Crotone yesterday and their Champions League opener against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday, must test negative on Wednesday to play against Barcelona and old foe Lionel Messi a week later. REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

18 10 月, 2020

Weekly tweetbits

SWEET TWEET "Don't let what you can't do stand in the way of what you can do". Cristiano Ronaldo taking a break. CAUGHT ON CAMERA "He's at it again". MMA fighter Hiroaki Suzuki taking on the Body Shot Challenge. Watch: bit.ly/37lp5jr

18 10 月, 2020

Kenyan betters own mark

GDYNIA (Poland) • Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir lowered her own world record for an all-women's half marathon at the world championships in Gdynia yesterday but serial record-breaker Joshua Cheptegei missed out on a medal in the men's race. The 27-year-old Jepchirchir, who also won world half marathon gold in 2016, produced a final sprint to take the women's title in 1hr 5min 16sec. That bettered the previous best of 1:05:34 set by Jepchirchir herself in Prague on Sept 5. She came home just two seconds clear of Germany's Melat Yisak Kejeta, who smashed the European women-only record to take silver in 1:05:18, with Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw a further second behind. "It's unbelievable. My goal was to win this race," Jepchirchir said. "I did not expect that I would beat the world record, but I realised that it could happen when we passed 20km. "It was a little bit windy, but the course was good for me." On a cold and windy morning, a group of favourites broke away early during the four-lap race but three of them had falls to disappear from contention. Defending champion Netsanet Gudeta's race almost came to an abrupt stop as the leaders took a 90-degree turn onto the seafront, where she fell and lost several seconds to the leaders. It was a gap she would never close, the Ethiopian slipping farther behind during the third lap. Turkey's Yasemin Can led a group of seven through 10km in 30:47 after which Jepchirchir began to take control. The Ethiopian Ababel Yeshaneh, world record holder in a mixed race (1:04:31), then tangled with Joyciline Jepkosgei and both crashed to the ground, leaving Jepchirchir, Kejeta and Yehualaw to battle it out in the final sprint. Jacob Kiplimo took the men's race in a new championship record of 58min 49sec but his Ugandan compatriot Cheptegei could only finish fourth. Kiplimo, who turns 20 next month, had never raced the 21.1 km distance before but he showed nerves of steel as he and the Kenyan Kibiwott Kandie broke away from the leading pack after the 15km mark. The 2017 world junior cross country champion then pushed clear in the last few metres to edge out Kandie by five seconds and secure his first major title. The Ethiopian Amedework Walelegn took bronze, coming in another 14 seconds behind. Cheptegei finished fourth in 59:21, over half a minute behind Kiplimo. The 24-year-old had made only three outings this year but each time had broken a world record. In February he claimed the world 5km road record in Monaco. Then, after a period of coronavirus lockdown at home, he returned to Monaco and, in his first race back, wiped almost two seconds off Kenenisa Bekele's 16-year-old track world-record time over the 5,000m as he clocked 12:35.36. Earlier this month in Valencia, he smashed Bekele's 10,000m track world record in 26:11.00, taking off over six seconds. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

18 10 月, 2020

The Greatest is a brilliant argument with no ending

Do poetry lovers pout and rage and pit W.H. Auden against John Keats? Is there such a thing as The Best in verse? Do violin folk loudly mock their buddies as musically illiterate if they put Itzhak Pearlman and Yehudi Menuhin in the incorrect order of merit? Sports fans will tell you we do this constantly. At any given time we can offer you a brilliantly judged, unabashed, biased, unarguable opinion on the Greatest in anything. In the basketball air, on clay, behind a wheel, in water. If you disagree we will pity you. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.