S'pore working with UN on peacekeeping
Singapore is working with the United Nations (UN) to develop a technological tool to aid in UN peacekeeping efforts. The Geographic Information System-based Situation Awareness Analysis Application, expected to be fully deployed from 2017, will consolidate peacekeeping operation-related information into an interactive map interface, said Singapore's Ministry of Defence yesterday.
The application will allow users to scope out current conditions and consider all relevant operational information concerning a peacekeeping operation. For instance, users can observe events on the ground and conduct event trend analysis.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the UN and Ms Karen Tan, Singapore's Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Operations and Crisis Centre in New York yesterday.
Baker fined $10,000 for tax fraud
A self-employed baker was fined $10,000 and ordered to pay a penalty of $27,000 yesterday for providing false information to obtain a Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) cash payout of $9,000 for her baking business. Junaidah Abu Samah, 42, pleaded guilty to one charge of PIC fraud under the Income Tax Act.
In 2013, Junaidah submitted a PIC cash payout claim for the purchase of automation equipment amounting to $15,000. To fulfil the grant conditions, she claimed to have three employees, although she worked on her own.
Investigations by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) revealed that she had used the names of her acquaintances in the PIC cash payout application form. Iras said it takes a serious view of any attempts by claimants, vendors or consultants to defraud the Government. Those found guilty may face a maximum jail term of five years, fined up to $50,000 or both.
Christians raise $800k for the needy
Sixteen voluntary welfare organisations, including the Children-At-Risk Empowerment Association and the Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services, yesterday received cheques totalling $800,000.
The money was raised by the Christian community in conjunction with the Jubilee Day of Prayer (JDOP), held on July 5 this year, when 50,000 Christians from churches across Singapore gathered to mark SG50 and pray for the country. The event was organised by the National Council of Churches in Singapore and the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore.
Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin attended yesterday's JDOP Jubilee Christmas Gift Presentation Ceremony as a special guest.
