Latest news with #Au
ITV News
16-07-2025
- ITV News
Peter Falconio's killer did not disclose location of body before dying
The killer of British backpacker Peter Falconio did not reveal where the remains of his victim are prior to his death, according to police in Australia. Bradley John Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of murdering Mr Falconio, 28, and assaulting his girlfriend Joanne Lees at gunpoint on a remote stretch of road near Barrow Creek in Australia's Northern Territory on July 14 2001. Mr Falconio and Ms Lees, both from Yorkshire, were travelling across the country in a camper van when they were ambushed by Murdoch on the Stuart Highway, an isolated road that runs through the centre of Australia. Murdoch was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for at least 28 years. Murdoch, 67, was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019 and was moved to palliative care from Alice Springs Correctional Centre last month, according to local media reports. The Northern Territory Department of Corrections confirmed that Murdoch died in hospital in Alice Springs. A spokesperson said: 'The death will be subject to investigation by the Northern Territory Coroner. 'No further comment at this time.' Northern Territory Police Force said Murdoch did not provide any fresh information about the location of Mr Falconio's body prior to his death. In a statement the force said: 'The Northern Territory Police Force acknowledges the death of Bradley John Murdoch, the man convicted of the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio near Barrow Creek. 'It is deeply regrettable that Murdoch has died without, as far as we are aware, ever disclosing the location of Peter Falconio's remains. 'His silence has denied the Falconio family the closure they have so long deserved. 'Our thoughts are with the Falconio family in the United Kingdom, whose grief continues.' The statement continued: 'The Northern Territory Police Force remains committed to resolving this final piece of the investigation. 'We continue to appeal to anyone who may have information that could lead us to Peter Falconio's remains to come forward, no matter how small the detail may seem. 'A reward of up to 500,000 Australia dollars (£243,650) is available to anyone providing information that leads to the discovery of Peter Falconio's remains.' Mr Falconio and Ms Lees had been driving near the tiny settlement of Barrow Creek, around 188 miles north of Alice Springs, when Murdoch pulled up beside them claiming to have seen sparks coming from their van. He shot Mr Falconio in the head as he inspected the vehicle, before forcing Ms Lees into his vehicle and binding her wrists with cable ties. She managed to escape, hiding in the Outback for hours before flagging down a passing truck. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Murdoch was likely to have disposed of the backpacker's body somewhere in the vast, remote expanse of desert between Alice Springs and Broome, covering more than 1,200 miles. Despite repeated searches, Mr Falconio's body has never been found. Ms Lees, who returned to the UK, told Australian current affairs programme 60 Minutes in 2017 that she still wanted to 'bring him home'. 'Pete lost his life on that night, but I lost mine too,' she said at the time. 'I'll never be fully at peace if Pete's not found, but I accept that that is a possibility.'
The Star
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Steven Cheung and family at risk of homelessness as lease termination nears
With no means of securing alternative housing as their lease termination date approaches, Steven Cheung and his family are at risk of homelessness. Photo: China Press Despite his ongoing efforts to make ends meet, Hong Kong singer Steven Cheung continues to grapple with financial instability. Back in May, his wife Au Yin Man revealed that they were a month and a half behind on their rent, which amounts to HK$15,000 (RM8,130) per month. She recently disclosed that their landlord had issued a 14-day notice to terminate the lease, leaving the family on the brink of eviction. With no means to secure alternative housing and the termination date fast approaching, the situation has grown increasingly dire. 'My birthday is at a dead end this year. There are six days left, and nothing has changed! It seems that the whole family will be sleeping on the streets soon,' she wrote on Instagram. Au added that their only option might be to seek shelter services, hinting at the possibility of family separation, according to Hong Kong portal Dimsum Daily. This revelation shocked many netizens, who expressed deep concern for the family's well-being – especially for the couple's four young children, aged between two and six. Cheung's career took a hit in 2019 after he announced his marriage to Au while still dating Hong Kong actress April Leung. In recent years, the singer, who was part of the Cantopop duo Boyz, has taken on various jobs to stay afloat – including cable wiring, construction work, distributing fliers and condoms, as well as making food delivery orders.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Steven Cheung's wife hits back after he blames her for losing China job offer
Hong Kong singer Steven Cheung previously accused his wife Au Yin Man of causing him to lose a job opportunity in mainland China. Photo: Steven Cheung/Instagram Controversial Hong Kong singer Steven Cheung and his wife Au Yin Man have been married for six years, but their relationship has been plagued by recurring ups and downs. In January 2022, Au, 33, announced their divorce but reconciled just two days after. Later that year, she hinted at another possible separation, saying she had reached her limit, though the split never materialised. Now, fresh tension appears to be brewing between the two. According to China Press , Cheung, 40, recently accused his wife of causing him to lose a job opportunity in mainland China. In response to the claim, Au took to her Instagram Story to lash out at Cheung, warning that she would go 'even crazier' if he provoked her further. 'I have responsibilities too, so please give me time to go out and work. 'You told me I was the reason you couldn't go back to work in China, but please think about what you had previously done when you went to work there! 'If you keep provoking me, I'll go even crazier. I already have a reputation for being mentally unstable anyway,' she wrote. Au didn't elaborate further on what Cheung allegedly did during his previous stay in China. For the record, Cheung's career took a hit in 2019 after he announced his marriage to Au while still dating Hong Kong actress April Leung. In recent years, the singer, who was part of the Cantopop duo Boyz, has taken on various jobs to make ends meet – including cable wiring, construction work, distributing fliers and condoms, as well as making food delivery orders. Despite his efforts, Cheung and his family continue to face financial hardship. In May, Au revealed that they had fallen a month and a half behind on their rent, which amounts to HK$15,000 (RM8,130) per month. The family received a lease termination notice from their landlord earlier this month.
Fibre2Fashion
07-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Australia's apparel imports rise 6.7% to $7.94 bn in Jul-May FY25
Insights Australia's apparel and clothing accessories imports rose * . * * per cent to Au$ * * . * * * billion in July * * * * â€'May * * * * , with a notable MoM increase in May * * * * . . per cent to Au$ . billion in July â€'May , with a notable MoM increase in May . Textile yarn and fabric imports also grew, while fibre imports declined. However, textile fibre exports fell * * . * * per cent in the same period. . per cent in the same period. In FY * * * * â€' * * , total apparel imports dropped * . * per cent, and fibre exports fell nearly * * per cent. To read the full story, become a PRIME member today. All Corporate Members and TexPro Subscribers are eligible to access F2F PRIME CONTENT using the same login credentials. Latest News Insights Latest News Insights Exclusive Industry Articles & Features Exclusive Industry Articles & Features Detailed Article Analytics & Insights Digital Edition of Fibre2Fashion Magazine Digital Edition of Fibre2Fashion Magazine Get notified in your mailbox
Business Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Munchi Pancakes modernises traditional min jiang kueh as a ‘national snack'
Heritage foods are finding new life through two Singapore family businesses: Lee Wee & Brothers and Munchi Pancakes are reinventing traditional snacks – otah and min jiang kueh, respectively – with modern flavours and updated formats, going beyond hawker centres to reach younger consumers. [SINGAPORE] Munchi Pancakes is jazzing up traditional min jiang kueh, aiming to raise the pancake's profile as a national snack, and to become the region's go-to brand. In 2014, during their retirement, Calvyn Ng's parents started a min jiang kueh stall in a coffee shop in Yishun. But within a few years, they started looking for someone to take over the physically demanding business. In 2018, Ng and his friend Au Wei Sheng stepped in and took over, managing the stall alongside their day jobs. The stall originally served the traditional pancakes filled with coconut, peanut or red bean, in a folded half-moon shape. But when Ng and Au took over, they introduced a round version which they later dubbed the 'Munchi pancake'. 'From an operational and employee perspective, the traditional shape of min jiang kueh was tiring to make because one would constantly have to clamp it,' said Ng. 'The Munchi pancake is more costly, but easier and less tiring to produce.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am SGSME Get updates on Singapore's SME community, along with profiles, news and tips. Sign Up Sign Up He added: 'It also allows more room for fillings, which customers like.' Munchi Pancakes' traditional min jiang kueh. PHOTO: TAY CHU YI, BT A modern round take on min jiang kueh, which has been christened the 'Munchi pancake'. PHOTO: TAY CHU YI, BT These fillings have evolved as well. Chocolate rice was replaced with Belgian chocolate, and crushed peanuts, with peanut paste. Both these tweaks were aimed at improving quality and aligning with what customers wanted, said Au. In 2019, the duo began experimenting with new flavours. Some were based on customer suggestions, such as black sesame, and others came from suppliers such as Biscoff. One new flavour was introduced each year, with the line-up now including kaya and hazelnut. Some flavours are available for both the Munchi pancakes and the traditional min jiang kueh, which the brand still offers today. Others, such as custard, are only available in Munchi pancakes, which are suitable for such cold fillings. The idea was not to reinvent the traditional pancake completely, said Ng, but to introduce a new version that would appeal to younger customers while improving operational efficiency. Surviving the pandemic and scaling beyond The Covid-19 pandemic hurt many food and beverage businesses. But Munchi Pancakes, which was takeaway-only, weathered the storm. This resilience prompted Ng and Au to consider expansion. In 2021, they opened a second outlet in a hawker centre in Fernvale. With sales staying strong, the pair quit their day jobs in 2023 to commit fully to the business. However, it was difficult to find workers willing to put in long hours at a hawker centre; the hawker stall format also had limited economies of scale. Ng observed broader shifts in consumer behaviour as well: 'Coffee shops used to be the main hangout spots. But now shopping malls are where people go.' Shopping malls also house new, attractive concepts from overseas, he noted. So in 2024, Munchi Pancakes opened its first outlet in a mall: City Square Mall. Today, its 26 outlets are split fairly evenly between malls and hawker centres, which enables the brand to reach a broader audience while retaining its roots. To maintain customer interest, Munchi Pancakes also introduced a 'limited-time offering' model. Since 2021, it has launched a seasonal flavour every three months, from pineapple cheese to bandung. If a flavour proves popular, it is added to the permanent menu, with blueberry being an example. Said Ng: 'This keeps customers coming back and gives us a chance to try out new ideas.' The menu today reflects a mix of traditional and modern flavours. Around 60 per cent of sales still come from traditional min jiang kueh, with the rest split between Munchi and mini Munchi pancakes. Future expansion Munchi Pancakes' revenue doubled from 2023 to 2024, enabling the brand to expand. Ng and Au aim to open 20 more outlets by the end of 2025, most of them in malls. While the business remains fully consumer-facing, the team may consider business-to-business sales once it hits about 80 outlets in its local network. Another idea being considered is having a central kitchen to improve consistency and efficiency. However, Ng and Au are cautious, noting that others in the industry have faced significant losses due to high costs and underused space. Branded merchandise – starting with tote bags – will be launched later this year, and a dine-in Munchi cafe concept is being explored for 2027. The company is also looking to collaborate with polytechnics to find ways to vacuum-pack or package Munchi Pancakes so that foreign tourists can bring them home – though these efforts will be costly, said Ng and Au. A regional vision Beyond Singapore, Munchi Pancakes is eyeing neighbouring markets such as Malaysia and Indonesia. There, traditional snacks such as apam balik and martabak are similar to min jiang kueh, which may make the local market more receptive to Munchi. Ng and Au's long-term goal is for Munchi to become the go-to brand when people think of pancakes – not just in Singapore, but eventually across South-east Asia. To build brand awareness among overseas consumers, Munchi Pancakes has opened outlets in high-traffic tourist spots such as Lau Pa Sat in 2023 and Jewel Changi Airport in 2025. As for the risk that their pancakes might be a passing trend, Ng acknowledged the concern, but said the team is always innovating to 'maintain that hype'. 'Some snacks never go out of style,' he added, pointing to household name Old Chang Kee and its curry puffs. Au echoed this: 'So as long as we continue to provide consistency, customer service, fair pricing and something new, we are here to stay.'
