30 11 月, 2022

Yew Lee Posts RM6.1 Million Revenue in 3Q

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Yew Lee Pacific Group Berhad, a manufacturer of industrial brushes as well as trading of industrial hardware and machinery parts, today announced that the Group recorded revenue of RM6.10 million for the third quarter ended 30 September 2022 (3Q FY2022).Managing Director of Yew Lee, Mr. Ang Lee LeongThere are no comparisons on a year-over-year basis as the Group was listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad on 7 June 2022.For the quarter under review, Yew Lee reported gross profit of RM2.12 million while registering profit before tax (PBT) of RM0.96 million and profit after tax of RM0.76 million. For the nine-month period ended 30 September 2022 (9M 2022), the Group registered RM24.35 million in revenue while recording a profit before tax of RM0.39 million and a loss after tax of RM0.41 million.Manufacturing activities contributed RM3.84 million to total revenue while trading activities contributed RM2.27 million in 3Q FY2022.Managing Director of Yew Lee, Mr. Ang Lee Leong said, "We continue to sustain and generate profit from our operations. It is worth noting that stripping the one-off listing expenses of RM2.70 million, the Group would have reported a 9M 2022 PBT of RM3.0 million."The Group's immediate plans is to reduce its dependency on the rubber glove industry by seeking opportunities in the semiconductor, timber, glass and agriculture industries. We are encouraged by the political stability from the appointment of a new Prime Minister, and we hope that the new government will be supportive of the economy with sound policies and measures.""Besides diversifying our customer base, which will take time, the Group is also improving its manufacturing efficiency and automating manufacturing processes by acquiring additional automated machinery and equipment to support the long-term growth of the business. We are also expanding the trading of industrial hardware and machinery parts especially in the central and southern regions of Peninsular Malaysia and, expanding to more markets overseas."The Group's overseas markets include Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Taiwan, which contributed about a quarter to total revenue in the financial year ended 31 December 2021.Yew Lee Pacific Group Bhd: 0248 [BURSA: YEWLEE], https://yewlee.com.my/ Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

11 10 月, 2022

Indonesia Market Poised for Big Growth in Streaming

JAKARTA, Oct 11, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - For the first time in three years the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) returned to Jakarta to host Indonesia in View 2022, an event that welcomed some of the industry's biggest players for a day of discussions dissecting the opportunities for growth in this expansive market.Opening comments were made by Yuliandre Darwis, Commissioner with the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) who talked about the development of the KPI over the last twenty years, and the hope for revisions to the broadcasting law which could see greater responsibilities given to them.Highlights of the Indonesia in View Report, to be published by AVIA, were given by Bettina Cavenagh, President Director, Clarity Research Indonesia, outlining the state of Indonesia's video markets in the post-pandemic economy. Pay television had plateaued and while DTH services were the biggest victims of increased broadband penetration, cable numbers were increasing meaning the overall pay TV market remained significant, even if ARPU's were under pressure. But all eyes were now on the premium OTT market. Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) has grown by more than 50% from 2020 to 2021, to 11.5M subscribers, while digital advertising grew by 33% over the same period. This set the scene for much debate throughout the conference on the relative merits of the subscription versus the advertising led business model for OTT.In a conversation around growth and monetization, Hermawan Sutanto, COO of Vidio talked of the need to educate the market to pay for premium OTT services and Guntur Siboro, Country Head for Lionsgate Play further made the point that ad supported VOD (AVOD) was a different ballgame which required significant investment to monetise successfully. Whatever the business model, Avijit Duta, Deputy Country Manager for Viu, emphasized the need for the business to be sustainable and everyone was witnessing rising production costs as the production talent pool was still limited today. In his keynote conversation, Sutanto Hartono, Managing Director of EMTEK and CEO of SCM and Vidio, discussed Vidio's emphasis on local originals and live sports as differentiators in their quest to acquire customers and keep churn down. While sports rights were expensive and not owned in perpetuity, they played a crucial role in a growth strategy. Marlo Budiman, CEO & President Director, Link Net, later added that while the pay TV market had plateaued, its death knell had not quite sounded yet and also attributed this to the role of sports and original content keeping OTT churn low.Clarissa Tanoesoedibjo, Managing Director of MNC's Vision+, also talked about the importance of local original content and that Vision+ was increasing their investment in this sector for the service. She also pointed out that while Vision+ was primarily subscription led, the accompanying RCTI+ service was advertising led.There was little doubt about the importance advertising played in the growth prospects for the market when Gavin Buxton, Managing Director, Asia for Magnite, Florencia Eka, Country Manager, Client Services, for The Trade Desk, and Lesley Simpson, Country Manager for WeTV and iflix Indonesia, got together. They agreed that OTT was the natural evolution of TV and provided unique opportunities for digital advertisers given the engagement with viewers. And while fragmentation of services was an issue, it was clear that there was more than enough scale in premium OTT as they looked forward to sustained growth in the sector.Indonesia in View is generously sponsored by Gold Sponsors A+E Networks, Vidio and Vision+ and Silver Sponsors Akamai, Broadpeak, CDNetworks, Conviva, INVIDI, Irdeto, NAGRA, SES, TV5MONDE and YouTube. About the Asia Video Industry AssociationThe Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and satellite ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. The AVIA is the interlocutor for these industries with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry. For media enquiries and additional background, contact: Charmaine KwanHead of Marketing and CommunicationsEmail: charmaine@avia.orgWebsite: www.avia.orgLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoiaTwitter: @AsiaVideoIA Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

15 3 月, 2022

$2,000 fine for unmasked man who abused cabby while drunk

25 2 月, 2022

Leon Fuat Berhad’s Q4 Profit After Tax Jumps 61.8% to RM29 Million

Group’s financial performance supported by higher gross profit margin resulting from higher average selling prices SHAH ALAM, Malaysia, Feb 25, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Leon Fuat Berhad (“Leon Fuat” or the “Group”), a manufacturer and trader of steel products, specialising in rolled long and flat products today released the Group’s financial results for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2021 (“Q4FY2021”) recording 61.8% growth in profit after tax (“PAT”) to RM29.09 million compared with RM17.98 million in the corresponding quarter of the preceding year (“Q4FY2020”). Calvin Ooi Shang How, Executive Director of Leon Fuat The Group is pleased to note that for the quarter under review, revenue increased by 27.8% to RM254.21 million compared with RM198.96 million in Q4FY2020 while profit before tax (“PBT”) recorded a 106.5% increase to RM38.61 million compared with RM18.70 million. On a segmental basis, revenue from trading of steel products registered a 26.5% increase to RM81.95 million while revenue from processing of steel products recorded a 28.4% rise to RM172.18 million. The trading segment’s contribution to revenue stood at 32.2% in Q4FY2021 compared with 32.6% in the corresponding quarter of FY2020 while the processing segment’s contribution stood at 67.7% compared with 67.4% in Q4FY2020. For the financial year ended 31 December 2021 (“FY2021”), PAT grew 377.6% to RM135.98 million compared with RM28.47 million in the preceding financial year. PBT increased 418.1% to RM172.85 million compared with RM33.36 million while revenue gained 50.4% to RM886.58 million compared with RM589.58 million registered in FY2020. Calvin Ooi Shang How, Executive Director of Leon Fuat said, “The Group’s financial performance for the quarter under review was supported by higher revenue and better gross profit margin from the rise in average selling prices in both the trading and processing of steel products. For the financial year as a whole, revenue was also supported by higher overall average selling prices that also resulting in better overall gross profit margin”. “We are maintaining our cautious outlook for 2022 on downside risks arising from decelerating economic growth amid continued COVID-19 flareups across the world, diminishing policy support and lingering supply bottlenecks. While the Malaysian economy is expected to grow by 5.5% to 6.5% this year on continued external demand and private sector expenditure, we note concerns over new virus variants, inflation and financial stress that could weigh on economic recovery too”. “We will continue to monitor the movement of steel prices as we anticipate commodity price volatility due to global factors. Our monitoring will also continue for foreign currencies while negotiating forward contracts where necessary and having prudent inventory management. The Group will continue to actively address COVID-19 concerns by adhering strictly to standard operating procedures and having in place emergency response teams in three of our major subsidiaries”.

3 12 月, 2021

Football: Tottenham into top six with smooth win over Brentford

LONDON (REUTERS) - Tottenham Hotspur shook off a difficult week with a confident 2-0 win over Brentford to climb into the top six on Thursday (Dec 2) as new manager Antonio Conte enjoyed a second successive Premier League home victory. Ben Davies' header deflected off Brentford's Sergi Canos to give the hosts an early lead and Son Heung-min underlined their superiority when he made it 2-0 in the 65th minute. A week after an embarrassing Europa Conference League group stage defeat at Slovenian minnows NS Mura and four days after a fruitless trip to Burnley for a game postponed due to snow, Spurs produced their best 90 minutes under Conte. A high-tempo display against Thomas Frank's team should have brought more goals but it was a satisfactory night for Tottenham even if Harry Kane's league scoring struggles continue. Spurs have 22 points from 13 games while Brentford, who could have moved above their opponents with victory in the London derby, now sit in 12th place with 16 points. This was a far more measured victory than Tottenham's previous one at home against Leeds United. In that game Tottenham, were appalling in the first half before responding with a much-improved second 45 minutes, while against Brentford they controlled the game throughout. It was just the sort of response Conte would have demanded too after his harsh words following the last-gasp loss in Slovenia. "It was a good performance against a dangerous team," Conte said. "I'm happy because I have seen a great commitment and a good passion about the players. "It's a good reaction (after last week). In a loss you learn a lot but now we have to think about another Premier League game on Sunday (against Norwich City)." Tottenham were on the front foot from the start and Lucas Moura forced a good save from Alvaro Fernandez. But the hosts did not have to wait long to go ahead as Son easily beat his marker on the left to deliver a cross that Davies headed goalwards and the ball came off Canos before hitting the back of the net. Son almost made it 2-0 with a low shot that Fernandez pawed behind while Brentford, too slow in their build-up, did not manage to test Hugo Lloris before halftime. Kane should have scored early in the second half when he was played in on goal but he delayed slightly too long and his shot was straight at Fernandez. The striker has scored only one league goal this season and is being out-shone by strike partner Son. Tottenham earned breathing space when Kane's pass sent Sergio Reguilon free down the left and the Spanish full back galloped into the area before squaring for Son to tap in his fifth league goal of the season. Brentford offered a little more threat late on but Tottenham's defence was relatively untroubled.

13 10 月, 2021

Teen who did backflip in rhino enclosure in S’pore Zoo allegedly consumed cannabis while out on bail

SINGAPORE - A youth who was caught on video last December doing a backflip inside a white rhinoceros enclosure at the Singapore Zoo allegedly consumed cannabis while he was out on bail. Ralph Wee Yi Kai, 19, was charged with one count of drug consumption in a district court on Wednesday (Oct 13). He was first hauled to court in July this year, when he was charged with two counts of mischief as well as one count each of vandalism and criminal trespass. Wee was offered bail of $15,000. The Singaporean was said to have taken the drug in August while out on bail. On Wednesday, Wee appeared in court via video link. He had his bail revoked earlier after he breached its conditions and was remanded. While out on bail, he was supposed to undergo urine tests at the Central Narcotics Bureau but failed to do so. Defence lawyer Shashi Nathan told the court on Wednesday that his client had been issued medical certificates for days he was supposed to go for the tests. Urging the court to grant bail, he added that Wee is now a "very different person" and has "calmed down". District Judge Terence Tay then granted Wee bail of $20,000. His pre-trial conference will take place on Nov 2. He currently faces six charges - two of mischief as well as one each of vandalism, criminal trespass, animal abuse and drug consumption. Wee is accused of trespassing into the rhinoceros enclosure at around 2.40pm on Dec 17 last year. He is said to have abused a frog, causing "unnecessary pain and suffering", at a Sentosa Cove property a week later. Wee allegedly placed the amphibian on a foosball table before directing a ball "at high speed" towards it. The ball struck the frog, which suffered injuries and died. A screenshot of the incident showing three teens unboxing the live frogs and playing foosball with a frog on the table. PHOTO: 取自/INSTAGRAM Separately, Wee allegedly committed an act of vandalism at around 2.40am on Oct 9 last year by hitting an information panel at a bus stop in Sixth Avenue, off Bukit Timah Road, causing $900 in damage. He is also said to have caused damage to two cars at nearby Sixth Crescent that morning by hitting their side mirrors. Wee is accused of causing damage amounting to nearly $2,800 to a Mercedes-Benz and more than $1,600 to a BMW. In an earlier statement, the police said officers were alerted to the case at the Singapore Zoo at around 5.40pm on Dec 17 last year. A TikTok video shows Ralph Wee Yi Kai doing a backflip in the rhino enclosure before running out. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM YOUTUBE The police added: "Preliminary investigations revealed that the man's companion, an 18-year-old woman, allegedly filmed him before the man posted the video on his TikTok account, using the moniker @ralphwee_. "Through investigations, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identities of the man and woman on the same evening." Following investigations and after consulting the Attorney-General's Chambers, the police issued a stern warning to the woman for abetting criminal trespass. Her identity is not disclosed in court documents. If convicted of criminal trespass, Wee can be jailed for up to three months and fined up to $1,500. For vandalism, an offender can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to three years and receive between three and eight strokes of the cane. For cannabis consumption, an offender can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to $20,000. More on this topic Related Story Teen who did backflip in rhino enclosure in remand after breaching bail conditions Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories

24 9 月, 2021

Golf: Schauffele and Cantlay to face McIlroy and Poulter as Ryder Cup opens

KOHLER, UNITED STATES (AFP) - Americans Xander Schauffele, the Tokyo Olympic champion, and US PGA playoff winner Patrick Cantlay face Europe's Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy in Friday's (Sept 24) opening foursomes session of the Ryder Cup. Pairings revealed at Thursday's opening ceremony unveiled the lineup for Friday morning's start to the 43rd biennial match-play showdown between holders Europe and the United States at Whistling Straits. Spaniards Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia will open for Europe in the first match against Americans Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth at 7.05am (7.05pm Singapore time). Top-ranked Rahm won his first major title in June at the US Open while Garcia is the all-time Ryder Cup points leader with 25.5. Spieth is a three-time major champion while Thomas has one major crown. The next match, teeing off 16 minutes later, sends Americans Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa against England's Paul Casey and Norway's Viktor Hovland. World number two Johnson won his second major title at last year's Masters while Morikawa captured his second in July at the British Open. Match three finds Englishmen Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick facing Americans Brooks Koepka, a four-time major winner, and Daniel Berger with Americans Schauffele and Cantlay off last against Europe talisman Poulter and four-time major winner McIlroy. The event was delayed a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, those involved not wanting to conduct the Ryder Cup without spectators. "Seeing all of you out here, it was all worth the wait," US captain Steve Stricker told thousands at the opening ceremony. European captain Padraig Harrington admitted, "There were times I figured this might not happen." "After all the world has been through the past two years, it's such a joy and relief to be standing here in front of you." More on this topic Related Story Golf: Harry Potter actor Tom Felton requires medical attention at Ryder Cup Related Story Golf: US tries to win back Ryder Cup as Europe seeks upset Friday's early foursomes matches will be followed by four afternoon four-balls matches and Saturday will have foursomes followed by four-balls ahead of Sunday's 12 concluding singles matches. The United States will need 14.5 points to win the Ryder Cup while Europe need only 14 to retain the trophy. The United States owns a 26-14 with two drawn edge in the all-time rivalry but since expanding from Britain and Ireland to all of Europe in 1979, the Europeans are 11-8-1, winning nine of the past 12 and four of the past five. World number two Johnson said there was no secret to Europe's recent success. "They just play better," he said. "It's really simple. Whoever plays better is going to win. I mean, it's not rocket science." More on this topic Related Story Golf: Koepka Ryder Cup ready despite injuries Related Story Golf: DeChambeau enjoys 'great conversations' with Koepka ahead of Ryder Cup

2 7 月, 2021

Private hire drivers, Covid-19 swabbers to be better protected under harassment law

SINGAPORE - Private hire car drivers, temperature screeners, and those who perform Covid-19 swab tests will soon be listed as public service workers and better protected under harassment laws. From July 7, under the Protection from Harassment Act, those who abuse, harass, or dox these workers while they perform their duty will face double the maximum jail term compared with when the victim is not a public service worker. Doxxing is publishing identifiable information about a person to harass, cause violence or fear of violence to the person. Announcing the move in a statement on Friday (July 2), the Ministry of Home Affairs said it had reviewed the legislation for the first time since its introduction in 2014 and "identified more workers who meet the criteria for a public service worker and should receive enhanced protection against harassment". The new public service workers include many who provide Covid-19 services such as those who give vaccine jabs, private ambulance operators transporting patients and suspected cases, and private healthcare workers directly involved in Covid-19 operations. Under the Act, those convicted of harassing public service workers while they perform their duties face a jail term of up to 12 months, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The maximum punishment is six months' jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both, for offenders whose victims are not public service workers. More on this topic Related Story Duo in Singapore to be charged with harassing front-liner neighbours Related Story 'It's demoralising': More cases of S'pore healthcare workers being abused

21 6 月, 2021

Joy Spreader Plans to Adopt a Share Award Scheme through a Stock Repurchase Program

HONG KONG, Jun 21, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - The Board of Joy Spreader (06988.HK), a Hong Kong publicly traded company, made voluntary announcement regarding its plan of adoption of Share Award Scheme through a stock repurchase program on June 21st, 2021. The announcement says that the Scheme serves the purposes to recognize the crucial and remarkable dedications and contributions of certain directors, employees, consultants and advisers of the Company, as well as to incentivize them to retain longer term tenure with the Company, while to motivate them to endeavor for the future development and expansion strategy.Analysts credit that the Company has delivered an impressive growth dynamics and positive momentum in the recent years, however, believe the current stock price fails to reflect the intrinsic value of the Company, while signifying the optimal time window to conduct a stock repurchase program for award shares scheme. The announced Scheme demonstrates the Board's genuinely confidence and resolutely determination of the Company's prospect, along with establishment a stable and long-term platform of mutual interests between the Company and selected participants, while further stimulates and enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of management team and all employees, in order to empower the growth engine of the Company to fulfill the long-term missions and visions, and continuously improve the intrinsic value of the Company. Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

21 6 月, 2021

Football: Italy beat Wales as both teams advance to last 16

ROME (REUTERS) - Italy topped their group in the European Championship after a third straight win on Sunday (June 20), with a first-half goal from Matteo Pessina giving them a 1-0 victory over 10-man Wales, who also advance to the knockout stages of the competition. The Italians had already guaranteed their progress, while Wales secured a berth too by finishing ahead of Switzerland on goal difference. The Swiss, who could still advance as one of the four best third-placed teams, beat Turkey 3-1 in Baku. Italy manager Roberto Mancini made eight changes to rest most of his first-choice starters, but Italy still dominated and missed several chances either side of Pessina's 42nd-minute goal, when he steered a low Marco Verratti free kick into the far corner. Welsh centre back Ethan Ampadu was shown a straight red card in the 55th minute for stamping on Federico Bernadeschi's foot, and Wales then missed their best chance of an equaliser in the 74th when Gareth Bale volleyed over the bar from close range. Italy will next face the runners-up of Group C, while Wales will take on the runners-up of Group B. More on this topic Related Story Football: Germany stun holders Portugal 4-2 at Euro 2020 Related Story Football: Lacklustre England held to goalless draw by Scotland at Euro 2020

12 6 月, 2021

Naked man in viral video clips charged, remanded at IMH

SINGAPORE - The man caught naked on several video clips this week, including while riding a motorcycle, was charged on Saturday (June 12). Yeo Qi Wei, 24, faced one charge of appearing nude in a public place. He is alleged to have appeared nude at the open space carpark of Block 212 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh on June 9 at about 5.45am. District Judge Ronald Gwee ordered that Yeo be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for two weeks for psychiatric observation. The police told The Straits Times on Friday that a man had been arrested and was being investigated for other offences, including public nuisance, performing an obscene act in public, trespass and traffic violations in other separate incidents reported. Interest in the incident followed the circulation of a photo on June 10 which showed a naked man on a motorcycle at a cross junction in Eunos. A video clip of the man also began circulating the same day, showing him riding nude on a motorcycle along the Pan Island Expressway at about 100kmh. A second clip later surfaced, showing him climbing on top of a car while naked. The driver of the car could be seen coming out from his vehicle and making a call while looking at the man, who later walked off. Yeo's case is expected to be mentioned again on June 25. If convicted of appearing nude in a public place, he may be jailed for up to three months, or fined up to $2,000, or both. More on this topic Related Story Woman arrested after blocking van with her naked body at Bendemeer Road Related Story Woman jailed for dancing naked while burning objects in Geylang

10 2 月, 2021

Probation for teen who molested girlfriend while her mother was in another room

SINGAPORE - A teenager who molested his 15-year-old girlfriend in her Bedok Reservoir Road flat while her mother was in a separate room was sentenced on Wednesday (Feb 10) to 15 months' probation. As part of his probation, the offender has to remain indoors from 10pm to 6am every day, and perform 40 hours of community service. His parents were bonded for $5,000 to ensure his good behaviour. The court had earlier heard that the girl was left so shaken that she had nightmares. She also resorted to self-harm and was referred to a trauma psychologist for psychotherapy. The Singaporean offender, now 19, pleaded guilty last year to one count of molestation. He cannot be named because of a gag order to protect the girl's identity. The pair had developed a romantic relationship in June 2018. On July 8 that year, the teen visited his girlfriend's home and they watched television together on a sofa in the living room. Her mother was in her own bedroom at the time. At some point, the girl decided to lie down as she was feeling sleepy. Thinking that she had nodded off, the teenager slipped his hand inside her shorts and molested her, Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Pei Wei said. Throughout the entire incident, the victim pretended to sleep because she was frightened that if he knew she was awake, he would do something worse. Eventually, she got up and texted her mother to inform her about what had happened. "The mother asked the victim to come into the bedroom. In the bedroom, the victim told her mother what the accused had done," added the DPP. The teenager admitted to the offence when the girl's mother confronted him. The couple broke up soon after. For molestation, an offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined or caned. More on this topic Related Story Teen admits molesting girlfriend in flat while her mother was in another room Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories

24 1 月, 2021

Football: Watkins breaks goal drought as Villa sink Newcastle

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins scored his first Premier League goal in 10 games and midfielder Bertrand Traore added another to give them a 2-0 home win over struggling Newcastle United on Saturday (Jan 23). It was no more than Villa deserved as they missed several chances to win by a bigger margin while the visitors lacked any edge with their midfield stifled out and unable to feed strikers Andy Carroll and Callum Wilson. The result lifted Villa two places up to eighth on 29 points from 17 games while Newcastle dropped one place to 16th on 19 points from 19 games after a fourth successive defeat since the turn of the year. It also stretched Newcastle’s winless run to 10 games in all competitions and piled more pressure on manager Steve Bruce, whose side were on the back foot throughout. Watkins was delighted and conceded his barren run had dented his confidence. “I feel like it has been a long time coming, I have been getting into the right areas and it has been frustrating,” he told Sky Sports. “As a striker you always want to score goals, I have been unlucky and thankfully it went in today. I kept my eye on the ball and the next thing I knew it was in the back of the net. “The goals will always come if I keep going in the box, it came off a defender’s shin tonight and fell for me.” Villa pressed from the start and Watkins fired them into a 13th-minute lead as he beat visiting goalkeeper Karl Darlow to the ball and headed it in after Fabian Schaer failed to clear a low Matt Targett cross from the left. Watkins had another effort correctly ruled out for marginal offside before Traore made it 2-0 in the 42nd, beating Darlow with a fine first-time shot off the underside of the bar thanks to a superb assist by Jack Grealish. Villa kept up the pressure after the break as Darlow denied Watkins in the 48th minute and substitute Trezeguet in stoppage time, while Ross Barkley came close with an audacious back-heel and Grealish fired wide of the far post.

3 1 月, 2021

Double baby joy for Sengkang GRC MPs

Workers' Party (WP) MPs He Ting Ru and Raeesah Khan started the new year by welcoming new additions to their families. For Ms He, 37, it was a boy, while Ms Raeesah, 27, gave birth to a girl. Both women are MPs for the four-member Sengkang GRC, and announced the news on their respective Facebook pages. "We had a rocky start but both of us are recovering well," wrote Ms Raeesah in a post early yesterday, sharing a picture of herself, her husband and her newborn daughter Ayla. "Thank you for all your well wishes." Ayla is Ms Raeesah's second child. Meanwhile, Ms He announced the news on her Facebook page on New Year's Eve. "What a splendid way to wrap off 2020 with the latest addition to our family making his grand entrance!" she wrote. Ms He, who has two other sons aged about two and three, posted a photo of herself and her newborn together with her fellow Sengkang GRC MPs, Associate Professor Jamus Lim and Mr Louis Chua. The duo had visited her earlier in the day, she said, adding: "Incredibly lucky and blessed to have them and the rest of Team WP doing the heavy lifting, especially over the next few months." WP chief Pritam Singh said in a Facebook post last Thursday that various WP members will be helping out in Sengkang GRC on a rotational basis while Ms He and Ms Raeesah are on maternity leave. He said the team, which includes himself, party chair Sylvia Lim and Ms He's husband Terence Tan, will stand in for Ms He and Ms Raeesah for their weekly Meet-the-People Sessions, house visits and estate walks. WP chief Pritam Singh said in a Facebook post last Thursday that various WP members will be helping out in Sengkang GRC on a rotational basis while Ms He and Ms Raeesah are on maternity leave. In her post on Thursday, Ms He also thanked the healthcare staff for working over the festive period and taking care of her and her son. She added: "Here's wishing everyone an amazing, healthy and happy 2021!" Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin also extended his congratulations to both MPs on their new babies. "Just as it has been raining non-stop... showers of blessings on the family and loved ones," he wrote. "What a great start to the year!"

13 12 月, 2020

Football: Sigurdsson penalty gives Everton 1-0 win over Chelsea

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - A first-half penalty from Iceland international Gylfi Sigurdsson gave Everton a hard-fought 1-0 Premier League win over Chelsea in front of 2,000 delighted fans at a chilly Goodison Park on Saturday (Dec 12). The home side went ahead in the 22nd minute when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was brought down in the box by Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy, and Sigurdsson stepped up to stroke home the spot kick. Chelsea fullback Reese James did his best to get his side back into the game minutes later when he forced a superb save from Jordan Pickford with a free kick and then hit the post with a low drive from the resulting corner. Pickford mixed some superb goalkeeping with some questionable decisions, and he presented Chelsea with a chance to equalise early in the second half after rushing out to punch clear, but Mason Mount’s lob bounced on to the top of the net. The visitors dominated possession without creating much in the way of goal-scoring chances and Everton seemed content to try to punish them on the break while keeping plenty of men behind the ball. Chelsea hit the woodwork for a second time from a Mount free kick as their normally potent attack misfired on Merseyside, and that was as close as they got to scoring as Everton hung on doggedly to win. “It was a tough one, not going to lie but we had to defend until the last second. A very important three points for us,” goal-scorer Sigurdsson told broadcaster BT Sport. “Against a team like Chelsea, they are good going forward and move the ball really well. We have done some work on our defensive shape during the week and it worked,” he added. Everton move up to seventh in the table on 20 points while Chelsea, who could have gone top with a win, remain in third on 22 points, two behind Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

2 12 月, 2020

Football: Porto join Manchester City in advancing in Champions League

PORTO, PORTUGAL (REUTERS) - FC Porto joined Manchester City in advancing to the next phase of the Champions League after the two played out a goalless draw in their Group C clash on Tuesday (Dec 1). The point, combined with defeat for Olympiakos in France, was enough to ensure Porto finished second while City, who had already qualified last week, are assured of top place. But Pep Guardiola's team surrendered their 100 per cent record in the group despite dominating their hosts as they set up a myriad of chances but proved unable to make the breakthrough. With one round left to play, City are on 13 points, three more than Porto - with both well clear of Olympiakos and Olympique Marseille, who have three points each. City pinned Porto back for most of the contest at the Estadio do Dragao and looked to have eventually broken through when substitute Gabriel Jesus found the net in the 80th minute, only for VAR to determine Joao Cancelo had been offside in the build-up. Raheem Sterling had two efforts cleared off the line - one by his own team mate - while Porto goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin made several sharp stops in an impressive display. Sterling got a goalward touch to the ball at the near post in the 69th minute and as it sped across the goal mouth, Ferran Torres stretched in to steer it over the line but bizarrely succeeded only in hooking it clear of the goal. In the first half, Sterling had cut in from the flank and blasted towards goal but the effort was cleared off the Porto line by Zaidu Sanussi. The City skipper's best opportunity, however, came just before the hour mark when Phil Foden's floated pass put the pacey England star away on goal, only to see him smothered by the on-rushing Marchesin in a fine stop. The ball rebounded off the goalkeeper and fell for the supporting Torres but the back spin caught him out and he was unable to tuck away the opportunity. City will finish their campaign at home to Marseille next week while Porto travel to Olympiakos in another dead rubber.

12 11 月, 2020

Football: Pedro Neto, Paulinho score on debuts as Portugal rout Andorra in friendly

LISBON (REUTERS) - Pedro Neto and Paulinho both scored on their Portugal debuts as the European champions unsurprisingly routed Andorra 7-0 in a friendly on Wednesday (Nov 11), while Cristiano Ronaldo was also on target. Neto, 20, rifled in the opening goal after eight minutes while Paulinho, making his debut at the age of 28, got in front of his marker to score the second just before the half hour. Renato Sanches added the third in the 56th minute and Braga forward Paulinho headed in his second from Mario Rui's cross five minutes later. Emili Garcia turned the ball into his own net before Ronaldo, who was rested for the first half, headed his 102nd international goal with five minutes left and Joao Felix completed the rout. Ronaldo's goal left the 35-year-old only seven short of former Iran forward Ali Daei's alltime record of 109 international goals.