19-year-old woman attempted to rob a taxi driver at knifepoint along Rivervale Drive

Police have arrested a 19-year-old woman who is believed to have attempted to rob a taxi driver at knifepoint along Rivervale Drive. The arrest was made with the assistance of 3 public-spirited youths, who not only managed to detain the suspect, but also recovered the knife from the suspect.

At about 9.50 pm, the culprit boarded the taxi driven by the victim, a 55-year-old woman, along Edgefield Plains and directed her to proceed to Rivervale Mall. As the taxi was travelling along Rivervale Drive, the suspect took out a knife and demanded money from the victim. Out of fear, the victim abandoned the taxi and dashed away shouting for help.

Upon hearing the victim’s cries for help, three public-spirited youths who were in the vicinity, namely Mr Harry Tan Qing Hui, 18, Ms Janice Tay Jie Xin, 17, and Ms Yow Wei, 17, came to her aid. They ran towards the taxi and prevented the suspect from leaving it and called the Police. Subsequently, they managed to persuade the suspect to hand over the knife.

Shortly after, Police arrived at the scene and placed the culprit under arrest. The knife was seized.

The suspect will be charged in Court for an offence of Attempted Armed Robbery under Section 393 read with Section 397 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum of 7 years imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane.

Man and two female youths arrested for robbing taxi in Cranewell Road

A male, aged 20, and two female youths aged 17 and 14, were arrested after committing armed robbing against a taxi driver along Cranewell Road this morning.

The victim, a 57 year-old taxi driver picked up a male and 2 female passengers along Tampines St 21 and was directed to proceed to Changi Beach Club. Before reaching the destination, one of the female subjects asked the victim to stop along Cranewell Road, saying that she needed to vomit. The 2 girls then alighted from the taxi while the victim waited for them. Moments later, the male passenger suddenly brandished a penknife blade and placed it on the victim’s neck. A struggle ensued and the 2 female subjects joined in to restraint the driver. In the midst of the struggle, the 3 subjects took away cash amounting to $179 from the victim’s shirt pocket and fled the scene on foot.

Upon receiving the information, officers from Bedok Police Division swiftly responded to the scene and commenced a systematic search for the culprits. Their diligent efforts paid off when the officers spotted the trio hiding in the bushes along Netheravon Road at about 6.40am. The 3 suspects were immediately placed under arrest within 4 hours after the incident was reported. The $179 in cash was recovered from the suspects. The penknife blade was also recovered at the scene.

The 3 suspects will has been charged in Court for the offence of Armed Robbery with Hurt under Section 394 read with Section 397 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum punishment of 20 years imprisonment and not less than 12 strokes of the cane.

Singapore Police on the lookout for a man who offers to help and steal from Changi Airport travellers

THE police are on the lookout for a man who offers to help Changi Airport travellers with checking in their luggage, only to steal from them or make off with their bags.

The police are on the lookout for a man who offers to help

Changi Airport travellers with checking in their luggage, only

to steal from them or make off with their bags.

 

The man, believed to have been involved in at least two such instances so far, struck in April, once each in Terminals 1 and 2.

The police, releasing a statement and a photograph of the suspect on Saturday, said the man has been linked to at least two cases of cheating-related offences, in which he would approach unsuspecting victims on the pretext of helping them check in their overweight luggage.

The Straits Times understands that he may be a Filipino who homes in on fellow Filipinos under the guise of helping his countrymen.

In one case, he made off with a pouch containing more than $1,500; in the other case, he took a suitcase with personal items valued at $300.

Investigations were launched after reports were made.

Anyone with information on this man is requested to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Singapore is set to overtake Las Vegas as the world’s second-largest gambling hub this year

Singapore is set to overtake Las Vegas as the world’s second-largest gambling hub this year, a US gaming industry head said Tuesday, as Asia cements its place as a major betting market.

Singapore has emerged as Asia’s hottest new gambling destination with a revamped cityscape and billions of dollars pouring into the economy, after the opening of two resort casinos in 2010.

The strong growth came after Macau overtook the Las Vegas Strip as the world’s biggest gaming hub in 2006 and now boasts a gaming market almost four times as large as that of Vegas, thanks to burgeoning numbers of wealthy Asians.

The two resort casinos in Singapore posted $5.1 billion in gaming revenues in 2010, a figure forecast to rise to $6.4 billion this year, according to Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association.

A report citing research by the Royal Bank of Scotland has suggested Las Vegas will take $6.2 billion this year.

“Now more than a year old, the two integrated resorts in Singapore have exceeded all expectations and turned the nation into Asia’s second global gaming superpower,” said Fahrenkopf.

“The country’s gaming market will likely overtake Las Vegas as the world’s second-largest gaming center as early as this year,” he told a news conference on the sidelines of the Global Gaming Expo Asia, which opened Tuesday in Macau.

Resorts World Sentosa

 

Marina Bay Sands

The first Singapore casino opened in Malaysian-controlled Resorts World Sentosa in February 2010, with US-based Las Vegas Sands following two months later as the world economy was still clawing itself out of recession.

Asia’s strong growth in the gaming industry stands in sharp contrast to US venues such as the Las Vegas Strip, previously a byword for gambling but which is now suffering the effects of the global downturn.

The Sahara, an iconic Las Vegas hotel that once hosted names such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra and the Beatles, closed its doors last month, even as many Asian casinos are planning expansions.

Fahrenkopf said the potential in other Asian countries would also help spur growth, with several multibillion-dollar casino development projects due for completion over the next two years.

“Other developments in Asia are helping to clearly establish the region as the hottest gaming market in the world,” he said, noting the sector is expanding at record levels in Cambodia and Laos, while Sri Lanka is set to implement legal gambling next year.

He said the rapid growth in Singapore would not threaten Macau’s position, saying the former Portuguese colony has seen “dramatic growth in almost every measurable category,” after it opened its doors to foreign competition.

But he urged Macau to deal with labor shortage and infrastructure issues, as well as a cap of 5,500 gaming tables allowed before 2013, which could dampen growth.
Macau’s gaming scene was monopolized by tycoon Stanley Ho for decades until it opened to foreign competition in 2002. Since then, a stream of Las Vegas-based gaming companies has flooded into the southern Chinese city.

Gambling revenue in Macau, the only place in China where casinos are legal, surged to a new record in May with a 42 percent jump year on year at 24.31 billion patacas ($3 billion) – a record high for the fourth month in a row.

“Macau should continue to benefit from strong momentum after the successful opening of Galaxy Macau casino, which is driving visitations,” JP Morgan said in reference to the city’s newest resort casino, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Both Casinos employs more than 20,000 people.

source: Agence France-Presse

“Pinoy Sunday” Showing in Singapore

PINOY SUNDAY is not a typical Taiwanese film. Firstly, it plays out primarily in Tagalog, with only occasional snippets of dialogue spoken in Taiwanese, Mandarin or English. Secondly, it maintains a fairly light-hearted tone, telling a simple story of Filipino migrant workers without feeling compelled to get bogged down in social commentary or berate the injustices of an unfair society. Instead, Malaysian-born writer-director Ho Wi Ding lets his film ride for the most part on the shoulders of his two lead actors - Jeffrey "Epy" Quizon and Bayani Agbayani - a task they effortlessly accomplish through their natural charisma and frequently hilarious onscreen chemistry.

Dado (Agbayani) is living a lifestyle endured by migrant workers the world over. He has left his wife and young daughter back in The Philippines to come to Taipei and work on an assembly line. He sends as much money home as he can to provide his loved ones the best life possible, even if he's not there to share it with them. And that's the problem. Dado's been away for so long that he has, despite himself, begun a relationship with Anna (Meryll Soriano), who works as a domestic helper.
 
Manuel, on the other hand, is a carefree romantic with no such family ties or financial responsibilities. He's a good-looking guy and applies his energy to chasing girls, although his latest target - club singer Celia (Alessandra de Rossi) - is proving frustratingly nonplussed by his advances. Dado and Manuel both live in a dormitory provided by their employer, but it upholds a strict curfew, keeping them indoors for most of their free time. Manuel dreams of furnishing their rooftop hangout with a sofa, where they can drink beers under the stars and shoot the breeze - but neither of them can afford such a luxury.
 
On their day off, however, the pair happens upon a recently discarded sofa sitting outside an apartment building and, although many miles from home with no means of transportation, they commit themselves to hiking it back to the dorm. And so begins a hilarious journey, brimming with incidents and pitfalls that over the course of the day will push Dado and Manuel's friendship to its breaking point.

source: twitchfilm.com

Comedy Club Asia June Jolliness

June sees Canadian JJ Whitehead perform with one of the world’s best comedy impressionists Anil Desai and South African David Smiedt for a three helpings of June Jolliness.

1. JJ WHITEHEAD (CAN)
   In the past year, JJ has made an appearance at the Melbourne festival, filmed a pilot for Channel 4 in Britain, and finished his third solo run in four years at the prestigious Edinburgh festival.
   
   

   An irresistibly loveable combination of freaked out pot head and a south park character, with a bit of Ozzy thrown in for good measure" - TIME OUT

   He swears extremely well" -The Sunday Herald

   
   
   
   
2. ANIL DESAI (UK/IND)
   Anil has performed in Slovenia, Germany, India and Australia as well as the Edinburgh and Sydney Comedy Festivals. He is performing his second solo show, Anil Desai: "Hey, Impressions Guy!" in Singapore in June.
   

   “This madcap show of impressions and stand up hits some pretty hilarious peaks…impressive…truly brilliant”? - CHORTLE

   “Uniquely entertaining…consistently funny and memorable”? - THREE WEEKS

   
   
   
3. DAVID SMIEDT (SOUTH AFRICA)
   David Smiedt has been described by Adam Hills, three-time Perrier Comedy Award nominee, as “a living breathing joke machine”, David Smiedt has been delighting audiences around the globe with his brand of comedy for many years.
   

   “The sharpest, wittiest and funny observations you will find.” - SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

   
   

 

GENRE: Theatre & Drama, BY The Comedy Club Asia Pte Ltd

DURATION: 2 (Hours) 00 (Minutes)

SEATING: Free Standing / Free Seating

HOW TO BUY TICKETS:

Online: www.gatecrash.com.sg
PHONE: GATECRASH Hotline 6100 2005.

Also available at all SingPost outlets & S.A.M. Kiosks.

EMAIL: thecomedypimp@gmail.com
GROUP BOOKINGS/ENQUIRIES: +65 9635 7896/9007 5651

DATES, TIMES & VENUES:
1) Thurs 9th June -­- The British Club @ 8:30pm
2) Fri 10th June – TAB, Orchard Hotel @ 8:30pm
3) Sat 11th June – The Dutch Club @ 8:30pm

SHOW LENGTH: 2 hrs 15 mins (inc interval)

PRICE: $50 (20% discount for Groups of 10+ Call +65 9007 5651/9635 7896)

Move Move Singapore Dance Party 2011–Largest Flash Mob in Asia

Wanna be part of a record breaking night? Wanna be part of history?

Happening on the 11th of June in Fort Canning Park, MoveMove Singapore will be your chance to do just that!

Groove along to Singapore’s largest dance party of the year, Asia’s largest flashmob and Asia’s largest sing along with 1,000 microphones!

Featuring worlds oldest DJ, 71 year old Ruth Flowers, Jai Jo choreographer Longinus and Singapore’s very own Kumar!

In the early evening, renowned Slumdog Millionaire choreographer Longinus Fernandes, will teach you the basic moves of the famous Jai-Ho dance. Swing to the rhythms of Jai-Ho, together with 7,000 others. Together, we will create the largest flash mob of South East Asia. A record breaker!

On Friday 10 June, there will be a Pre-Party at Fort Canning Park Between 18:00 & 20:00.

FREE ENTRANCE! SPECIAL: JAI HO FLASHMOB REHEARSALS BY CHOREOGRAPHER LONGINUS AND HIS TEAM.

Twitter Hashtag: #EVmovem8368

TICKETS

• Early Bird tickets @ S$ 48 (only 1,000 available)
• Standard tickets  @ S$ 58
• Entrance tickets  @ S$ 68 (at the venue)

Grab your tickets now or at the Cathay @ Dhoby Ghaut.

Ticket info Hotline: 82572481 (between 12:00 & 18:00 until 11 June)