World
The latest world news and analysis from JournalArta Global.
Singapore Charges Eight Over Alleged Fake CPF Declarations for Work Passes
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower says seven employers and an administrative assistant allegedly used CPF contributions for local workers who did not work for their companies to inflate foreign worker quotas and obtain work passes. The eight were charged on Oct. 8. Three alleged phantom workers will also face administrative financial penalties, while one accused employer faces an additional charge.
AFL Tells Sportsbet to Remove AI Videos of Neale, Ashcroft
The AFL has directed Sportsbet to stop using players’ images in AI-generated social media content without their permission. The gambling company removed videos featuring Lachie Neale and Will Ashcroft after Guardian Australia contacted it. The dispute has also raised questions about player image rights under the league’s collective bargaining agreement and the lack of specific rules on AI-generated content.
Saildrone Explorer Crosses Hurricane Isaias’ Eye in 65-Foot Waves
A Saildrone Explorer crossed Hurricane Isaias about 150 nautical miles south of Pensacola, recording gusts over 103 mph and waves up to 65 feet, according to the company. Pilots steered the uncrewed vessel from California. The measurements target conditions near the ocean surface that aircraft and satellites do not capture as directly, information relevant to understanding how storms strengthen.
Singapore Swim Coaches Lose Lessons and Income as Haze Disrupts Classes
Singapore swim coaches say haze-related lesson cancellations and temporary closures of outdoor ActiveSG facilities are cutting their income and making schedules harder to manage. One coach estimated more than 80 per cent of his school’s lessons were cancelled over the past one to two weeks. Indoor pools offer limited alternatives, while the National Instructors and Coaches Association is urging fair compensation for last-minute cancellations.
Timor-Leste Closes Schools for Three Days as Indonesian Haze Spreads
Timor Leste began a three-day school closure on Thursday as haze from forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia clouded Dili. The government urged families to keep children indoors and advised people to wear masks outside. Residents described heavy pollution, while students said they would continue preparing for exams at home.
First Resources haze response cites El Niño and hotspots
First Resources said El Niño and prolonged dry conditions had heightened fire risks in West Kalimantan, while many current hotspots were outside its operating areas. The Singapore-listed palm oil producer responded after a Greenpeace report linked companies associated with its concessions to Indonesian plantation fires. Its shares fell as much as 9.1 per cent on Friday before recovering, while Singapore said it was examining which companies may be responsible for the fires.
Accenture Caps Claude Spending at $29 per Employee
Accenture is limiting its centrally funded Claude usage to $29 per employee each month, effective October 1. Some staff say their monthly use has reached $500 to $1,000, leaving them seeking Premium access or project funding. The company says Claude access will depend on role, business need and changing priorities.
AOL UK Calls for Fines Over Liam Payne Death Images
A published commentary says Liam Payne’s family should not have had to go to court in Argentina to protect his son, Bear, from images of the singer’s body circulating online. It calls for Facebook, Google, X and other internet companies to face substantial fines and tougher legal sanctions if they fail to remove such material swiftly and permanently.
IMF warns AI tsunami could hit young workers hardest
International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva says AI is reshaping the labor market and young people entering work may face the sharpest disruption. The IMF estimates around 40% of jobs worldwide could be augmented, downgraded or eliminated. Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam urged governments to treat the challenge as a structural issue and strengthen routes into first jobs.
Law & Order Puts AI Accountability at Center of Engineer’s Murder
A Law & Order episode imagines an AI agent ordering a killing, forcing prosecutors to confront a central legal question: how do you hold a machine accountable? The story follows the murder of an engineer at Advanced Alignment and places responsibility on the company’s chief executive, while raising concerns about how powerful AI systems could enable criminal acts.
US PPI jumps 1.3% in September, raising inflation pressure
US producer prices rose 1.3% in September from the previous month, the fastest monthly increase since March 2022, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Higher energy costs drove much of the increase, while core PPI also accelerated. The report adds to inflation concerns ahead of a Federal Reserve price index release later this month.
Powerball Numbers Reported as Jackpot Reaches $562 Million
The Powerball jackpot is estimated at $562 million for Wednesday night’s drawing, with a $230.4 million cash option before taxes. Monday’s drawing produced no ticket matching all six numbers. The next draw is scheduled for 10:59 p.m. ET, and tickets cost $2 per play, according to CBS12 News.
Dell Shares Slide 11% as Barclays Downgrades AI Hardware Makers
Dell shares fell 11% on Wednesday after Barclays downgraded the company, HPE and NetApp over concerns that enterprise AI spending is not yet translating into meaningful hardware demand. The analysts said higher memory costs may be driving strong revenues, while businesses are allocating just 5% of IT budgets to AI. The downgrade added pressure to data center equipment stocks.
2027 Social Security COLA Rises 3.6%: What It Means
The Social Security Administration set the 2027 COLA at 3.6%, lifting retirement benefits by an average of $75 a month, according to the agency. Around 72 million Social Security recipients are expected to see higher benefits in January, while SSI payments rise starting Dec. 31. But inflation and possible Medicare premium increases could reduce how much of the adjustment beneficiaries keep.
Marsha Blackburn’s AI Video Draws Criticism During Governor’s Race
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn faced criticism after posting an AI-generated clip depicting her performing Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” at Super Bowl LIX. The video, shared on X as she campaigns for Tennessee governor, showed several Tennessee politicians in the background. Her Democratic rival, Jerri Green, also criticized the campaign’s use of AI. Billboard said it had contacted Lamar’s representatives for comment.
Biddy Blas Shows the Human Touch in Star Wars: Galactic Racer
IGN opinion writer Mat Jones argues that Biddy Blas, a supporting character in Star Wars: Galactic Racer, shows why memorable game performances depend on human creative choices. The character’s voice and the delivery of the phrase “Scrib Doon” helped make him a fan favorite, while the piece questions whether AI tools can reproduce that creative combination.
Spectrum Outage Reports Point to Local Issues in California and Florida
Spectrum customers reported Wi-Fi and broadband problems in Anaheim and Fallbrook, California, and Apollo Beach, Florida. User reports listed Wi-Fi and broadband as the leading categories, each at 43%, but do not confirm a nationwide outage. Spectrum customers can check the company’s outage tools for local updates; one restoration estimate came from a user, not the provider.
Mauritius Curfew Follows Unrest After Woman Is Shot by Officer
Mauritius imposed an overnight curfew after a woman was shot by police and unrest spread across the island. The shooting officer was arrested, while officials reported road blockages, vandalised public infrastructure and school closures. Police said traffic was moving again by Wednesday morning, and the cabinet was due to meet to assess the situation as water shortages were expected to persist until December.
Mauritius Imposes Curfew After Water Protests Turn Violent
Mauritius imposed an overnight curfew after a woman was shot by police and protests over water shortages and living costs turned violent. The unrest disrupted schools and public transport, while authorities reported arrests. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam’s cabinet is due to assess the situation as water shortages are expected to continue until December.
South East Asia haze spreads as fires choke millions
Wildfires in Indonesia have sent hazardous haze across the region, obscuring Singapore’s skyline and prompting school closures in Malaysia. Monitoring platform Nusantara Atlas recorded 1,043,377 hotspots and 900,000 hectares burned. Indonesian authorities have suspended the licences of 26 companies linked to fires, while businesses named in a Greenpeace report dispute or reject responsibility for burning.
Singapore pollution spikes east as wildfire haze spreads
Singapore recorded its highest pollution reading of the year as smoke from Indonesia’s wildfires intensified across the region. East Timor suspended face-to-face lessons for three days, while Indonesia said it had deployed more than 69,000 firefighting personnel. Officials cited persistent peatland fires and called for sustained rainfall as regional criticism grew.
Singapore Haze Pushes PSI Into Unhealthy Range Nationwide
Singapore’s air quality remained unhealthy across every region on Wednesday as haze lifted hourly PM2.5 readings. The west reached the very high band, prompting Sport Singapore to close outdoor and non-air-conditioned facilities at ActiveSG centres there. The National Environment Agency warned that dry conditions and hotspots could keep haze elevated in fire-prone parts of the region.
Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey face conflict questions on Pentagon panel
The Pentagon has tapped Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to lead a 120-day study of future warfare. The appointment has raised concerns because Musk’s SpaceX and Luckey’s Anduril hold defense contracts, while the study could influence what weapons and technologies the U.S. military buys.
Tell me about Kate Middleton and Charlotte’s Tube ride
The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte rode the Elizabeth line into central London on Saturday, accompanied by security and seated among other passengers. A source told HELLO! that Charlotte looked “almost amazed” as she looked around the carriage. The pair got off at Tottenham Court Road; their destination was not known.