Latest news with #Heng
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Singapore's Juliet Heng surprises herself with historic silver medal at Asian Fencing C'ships
The silver medal won by Juliet Heng, who is ranked world No. 93, is Singapore's best finish in the competition. PHOTO: BIZZITEAM SINGAPORE – Almost two hours on from clinching a historic silver medal at the Asian Fencing Championships on June 18, Singapore's Juliet Heng was still in disbelief and unable to quite comprehend what she had just achieved while speaking to The Straits Times. Earlier in the day, the 20-year-old had reached the women's sabre final, where she fell 15-7 to Japan's defending champion and world No. 2 Misaki Emura at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia. The silver won by Heng, who is the world No. 93, is Singapore's best finish in the continental competition. It surpassed the modest target she had set for herself. The Singapore Sports School student said: 'I had zero expectations. When people asked me (before the competition) , I said I wanted to get third, but deep inside I didn't actually believe I could get third. But then, now I am in second. 'I'm shocked. I'm actually still just trying to process it. I still can't believe I made it all the way... to the podium stage.' A joint-bronze in the women's foil by Amita Berthier in the 2023 edition had been Singapore's best showing till Heng's silver. Singapore had also won a joint-bronze in 2022 in the women's foil team event courtesy of Maxine Wong, Berthier, Denyse Chan and Cheung Kemei, as well as in 2010 via Ruth Ng, Tay Yu Ling, Wang Wenying and Cheryl Wong. Heng said that recent results had left her devoid of confidence in the lead up to the Asian championships, although she wanted to do well to repay the faith that her coach, Kim Seung-jun, had in her. At the Asian Junior & Cadet Fencing Championships in Kuwait in February, she exited in the quarter-finals. Two months later, she bowed out in the round of 64 in the Junior & Cadet Fencing World Championships in Wuxi, China. Heng, who won a SEA Games gold medal on her debut at the 2023 edition in Cambodia, said: 'I haven't been fencing great, to be honest. I haven't had the best season since last year. 'I hadn't got any breakthroughs, so I was waiting for something, but I didn't know what it was going to be. And also, I have been having a lot of stress and worry about what if I am not able to do well.' The mantra, Heng said, was to win one match at a time after emerging from the opening pool stage. First, she defeated compatriot and world No. 264 Jermaine Tan 15-7 and edged out 152nd-ranked Tatyana Prikhodko of Kazakhstan 15-13, before overcoming three top-30 fencers. In the round of 16, she beat Japan's world No. 26 Seri Ozaki 15-8, before a pulsating finish saw her pip Uzbekistan's world No. 18 Zaynab Dayibekova 15-14 to make the semi-finals, where she defeated 20th-ranked Kim Jeong-mi of South Korea 15-12. Heng said the feats of Berthier and Kiria Tikanah Abdul Rahman – both two-time Olympians – had motivated her, as well as the relentless cheers from her teammates during her bouts. 'I think it (the silver) shows me that I can fence with people at the top level,' she said. 'And also, this medal is not just for me. I think more importantly, I always wanted to put Singapore's name on the map. I want to show people that Singapore is able to achieve stuff. And Amita and Kiria started that. 'I'm just glad I was able to continue it and improve it as well.' Up next for Heng is the World Fencing Championships in Georgia from July 22 to 30, before she defends her gold medal at the Dec 9-20 SEA Games in Thailand. For now, there are no targets but a renewed confidence in her mental strategy of winning one match at a time. Heng said: 'I'm not going to put any pressure (on myself) by saying, 'Oh, I won this, so I should be doing well there (at the world championships).' I just want to replicate the same mentality and mindset that I had today... and if it is meant to be, it will be.' The fencers will next contest the men's foil and women's epee individual events on June 19 before team events kick off a day later. Raphael Tan, Julian Soh, Jonathan Lim and Chin Chun Wai will represent Singapore in the men's individual foil while Kiria, Elle Koh, Filzah Hidayah Nor Anuar and Esther Tan will fly the flag for the Republic in the women's individual epee. Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics, combat sports and policy-related news. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Man charged over drink-driving accident in 2022, accused of drink driving again in 2024
The motorist's case has been adjourned to July 17. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Man charged over drink-driving accident in 2022, accused of drink driving again in 2024 SINGAPORE – A motorist was charged in court on June 19 over two separate drink-driving offences nearly two years apart. Heng Zeng An, 35, is accused of failing to stop at a red light at the junction of Yishun Avenue 3 and Sembawang Road, shortly after midnight on Oct 26, 2022. His car allegedly collided with a power-assisted bicycle and its 32-year-old male rider was hurt in the accident. Heng was allegedly found to have at least 149 mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood soon after. The prescribed blood alcohol limit is 80mg/100ml of blood. The Singaporean was also charged with dangerous driving over this incident. Heng also stands accused of drink driving again on July 6, 2024, in Bishan Street 22 shortly before 5am. His breathalyser test result was found to be at least 47 mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath . The prescribed limit is 35mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. Heng's case has been adjourned to July 17. For drink driving, a first-time offender can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to $10,000, while a repeat offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $20,000. Shaffiq Alkhatib is The Straits Times' court correspondent, covering mainly criminal cases heard at the State Courts. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
New Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Oil price rally may be short-lived: Analyst
KUALA LUMPUR: The rally in crude oil prices, which saw Brent surge to US$75 per barrel following the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, may be short-lived, according to UOB. Its head of markets strategy, Heng Koon How, said the rally, which has recovered all losses since April's "Liberation Day" tariff shock, faces ample global supply buffers and growing risks to global demand. "The jump in Brent crude is driven by geopolitical risk, but it's still too early to call for a sustained rally. We need to see how Iran retaliates and how Saudi Arabia and OPEC+ respond," Heng said in a research note today. Brent futures climbed nearly 10 per cent last Friday, briefly touching US$78.50 before settling at US$75. This reversed a two-month slide triggered by US tariff moves and Saudi-led supply resumptions. Heng noted that past conflicts between Israel and Iran in 2024 failed to push prices higher for long, due to rapid de-escalation and resilient global supply. "A key difference now is the intensity. This latest round has already seen significant missile exchanges, and there is real concern about regional infrastructure being targeted," he said. He added a worst-case scenario would involve Iran attacking US military bases or oil facilities in the Middle East, which could disrupt flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane. In such a case, oil prices could spike above US$100 per barrel. However, the supply side remains well-positioned to cushion potential shocks. "The US now produces more than 13 million barrels per day (bpd), while Saudi Arabia has spare capacity to ramp up output by two to three million bpd if needed. "OPEC+ has already pledged to restore two-thirds of their pandemic-era cuts by year-end. They have both the capacity and the motivation to calm markets if prices overheat," Heng said. UOB maintained its Brent crude forecast at US$65 for the third quarter and US$60 for the fourth quarter, while also pointing to another growing concern over weakening demand. "While the focus is currently on supply disruption, the demand picture is deteriorating. The World Bank has already downgraded global growth to 2.3 per cent, citing trade uncertainties from the Trump administration's policies," Heng said. With the global economy potentially slowing into 2026, energy consumption may taper, putting downward pressure on prices. "For now, we are watching the two key variables, namely Iran's retaliation and OPEC+'s reaction. Until there is more clarity, we see no reason to revise our forecast," he added.
Straits Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Field trip held to attract more donations to environmental and climate causes in S'pore
A lecturer and trainee at the automated seeding station in ITE College East's in HortiTech Hub. PHOTO: ST FILE Field trip held to attract more donations to environmental and climate causes in S'pore SINGAPORE - Donations to environmental causes in Singapore have lagged behind areas like social service and welfare, accounting for 4 per cent of giving here in 2023. Giving to environmental causes accounted for just $510,000, or about 1.78 per cent of grants dispersed between April 2024 and March 2025 by the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), which pools and facilitates donations. Noting the low support, CFS on June 10 held its first trip for donors to learn – occasionally hands-on – about efforts in the environmental and climate space, in a bid to accelerate giving to these areas. More than 30 people comprising private and corporate donors , as well as CFS's partners, participated in the visit to ITE College East in Simei, where they attended talks and a tour of the campus' sustainability initiatives. Addressing current and prospective donors on the visit , NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions deputy director Adrian Loo said : 'I think the environment is like planting a tree. 'You don't plant it for this generation, you plant it for the next generation.' The former National Parks Board director recalled how visitors would take refuge in the coolness of Singapore's forests during the Covid-19 pandemic, instead of parks . It was a demonstration of the key role that nature can play for people. Dr Loo called on donors to support the centre's 'active work', which goes beyond research to help other communities in South-east Asia take stock of their biodiversity and earn revenue from biodiversity credits. Also among those looking to raise funds is chief executive of Waterways Watch Society, Mr Eugene Heng, who heads the volunteer group that patrols waterways in Kallang, Punggol and Jurong to ensure that they remain clean. Showing donors images of rubbish floating in these channels, Mr Heng said the non-profit's efforts to organise litter-picking programmes help people of all ages take ownership of Singapore's waters. He noted that pre-schools have in recent years subscribed to the group's activities more often than primary and secondary schools, even though they tend to lack the budget for these programmes. Mr Heng added: 'What we're looking for is sustainable donors, because it's very hard for us to plan for three to five years.' The non-profit, which has benefitted from CFS' grants, hopes to raise $147,700 for its waterways clean-up and learning trail, which teaches students about water conservation. As part of the June 10 trip, participants visited the campus' automated farming facility, solar panel farm and wormery. There, they had the opportunity to remove worms from nutritious compost converted from the cafeteria's food waste, and return the creatures to their artificial homes. These initiatives are part of ITE's environmental stewardship programme, which the foundation aims to fund. The programme's chairperson, Ms Catherine Soh, told participants that an interest in climate and environment typically ranks among the lowest priorities for students choosing extracurricular activities , as compared to other interests like sports and dancing. She said: 'Honestly, if I don't share about the environment and sustainability, v ery few will come (to these programmes).' CFS' chief executive Paul Tan said he sees potential in driving momentum in the climate and environment space, as while small, interest appears to be growing. He cited studies by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, which showed that 4 per cent of donations in Singapore went to environmental organisations in 2023, double the 2 per cent in 2021. Religious organisations received the most donations at 37 per cent. Said Mr Tan: 'Through (the trip), we hope to help donors connect the dots, showing how their giving can support critical research, community-led solutions and education that complement national efforts.' This comes amid Singapore's efforts to position itself as a philanthropic hub, driven by its flourishing wealth management sector and attractive tax incentives. Privately held companies here that manage the wealth of ultra-rich families have grown over the past four years. From just 400 of such single family offices awarded tax incentives in Singapore in 2020, the number had shot up to more than 2,000 by the end of 2024. Some of the richest people in the world have also set up charities in Singapore in recent years, including American hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio, Indonesian coal king Low Tuck Kwong and Brazil-born Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin. They will be joined by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who announced plans in May to set up an office for his philanthropic organisation in Singapore. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Star
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
PT Resources invests RM17mil in China coconut processing plant
PETALING JAYA: PT Resources Holdings Bhd , a processor and trader of frozen seafood products, has established a coconut processing facility through an investment of RM17mil in the designated special economic zone known as China-Indonesia Food Industrial Park located in Fuqing, China as part of the move to broaden the company's food-processing capabilities. The new facility, which will start operations by the middle of this month, will produce a wide range of value-added products such as frozen coconut water, frozen coconut milk, desiccated coconut and other derivatives, capturing the complete potential of the coconut fruit. PT Resources managing director Heng Chang Hooi said in a statement: 'We are optimistic about the growing demand for coconut-based products in China, supported by its large population of 1.4 billion, rising interest for plant-based diets, and increasing demand for dairy alternatives. 'The popularity of coconut milk in coffee chains and specialty beverage outlets reflects this trend'. The facility would initially focus on supplying frozen and dried coconut products to business-to-business (B2B) customers such as food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers within Fujian province and nearby regions, as the province, a key importer and processor of mature coconuts, serves a wide network of F&B manufacturers within a 700-km radius. Heng said the company 'is actively exploring B2B collaborations with Chinese distributors and manufacturers, including opportunities for private-label production and OEM services as part of our localisation strategy. 'We also aim to leverage on Fujian's export infrastructure to access Asean markets and will participate in trade exhibitions such as the China Food and Drinks Fair.' He added that the company 'is also in the process of securing consistent supplies of mature coconuts from Indonesia – one of the world's leading coconut producers. 'These arrangements will ensure a steady supply of coconuts to meet the anticipated demand'.
