An Indonesian court has sentenced 19 people to prison for their roles in an Indonesia baby trafficking operation that moved infants through several cities and sold some to adoptive families in Singapore. The Bandung City District Court imposed terms ranging from three years and four months to seven years after finding all defendants guilty of human trafficking. The convictions were delivered on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Court

Singapore leads luxury spending list again Singapore has retained its position as the world’s most expensive city for luxury spending for the fourth consecutive year, according to the 2026 Lifestyle Index released by Swiss wealth manager Julius Baer Group Ltd. The city-state held the top rank as prices for major luxury categories, including residential property, car

An Indian executive’s account of India immigration delays has renewed debate over airport staffing, manual document checks and the use of automated border technology. Venkat Patakota, group chief financial officer of A-Sunmarine Engineering, said in a post on X that one immigration process in India took about 45 minutes, compared with less than a minute in Singapore. India immigration delays prompt traveler debate Patakota sa

Singapore Court Issues Jail Term Byju’s founder Byju Raveendran has reportedly been sentenced to six months in jail by a Singapore court in a contempt of court case. The order is linked to allegations that he failed to comply with court directions related to asset disclosure and legal proceedings. Reports said the court also directed him to surrender and pay costs of S$90,000. The development has brought f

What is Manus AI and why did China block its sale to Meta? Strategic concerns explained Manus AI, a fast-rising artificial intelligence startup, has become the center of a geopolitical standoff after Chinese regulators blocked its proposed acquisition by Meta, underscoring intensifying competition in the global AI race between the United States and China. China intervenes to halt high-value AI acquisition deal Chinese authorities, led by the

A Singapore court has sentenced a 33-year-old Indian-origin man to 19 months in jail after convicting him of molesting his friend’s younger sister over a prolonged period more than a decade ago. The offences occurred when the victim was between seven and nine years old, while the accused was in his late teens to early twenties. The court heard that the victim did not initially report the incidents, stating she feared that her account would not be believed. She later disclosed the

What caused Singapore flight cancellations? Operational disruptions affect global routes as multiple departures from Singapore’s Changi Airport were canceled, impacting both regional and long-haul travel. The disruptions affected flights bound for Kunming, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Bahrain, underscoring operational challenges at one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs. Airlines and routes affected across Asia, North America, and the Middle East Airli

A prominent youth leader from Bangladesh, Sharif Osman Hadi, has died in Singapore after succumbing to severe injuries sustained during an assassination attempt in Dhaka earlier this month, officials confirmed on Thursday. His death has sent shockwaves through political circles in Bangladesh and has raised renewed concerns over political violence targeting emerging leaders. Sharif Osman Hadi served as the spokesperson of Inqilab Mancho, a youth-oriented political platform that has g

The sudden and tragic death of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg in September left the entire North-East grieving. Initially reported as an accidental drowning while swimming near Saint John’s Island in Singapore, the case triggered widespread doubts from the beginning. Many questioned the circumstances surrounding his final moments, especially as reports emerged that he entered the water without a life jacket. Two months later, the controversy surrounding his death has intensified after

Popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, known for his soulful voice and evergreen hits, passed away on September 19 in Singapore after a tragic swimming accident. According to officials, he removed his life jacket on a yacht trip, calling it oversized, but was later found floating in the sea. Despite immediate CPR and being rushed to Singapore General Hospital, he was declared dead. His mortal remains reached Delhi, where Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma,

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has embarked on a significant six-day visit to Singapore, departing from Hyderabad airport at around 11 PM today and scheduled to arrive in Singapore by 6 AM tomorrow. This visit is expected to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between Andhra Pradesh and Singapore, as well as attract foreign investment to the state. Joining the Chief Minister are IT Minister Nara Lokesh, Industries Minister TG Bharath, and several top officials a

  Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is set to embark on a strategic six-day visit to Singapore from July 26 to July 31, 2025, with the aim of attracting major global investments to the state. This visit marks his second foreign tour since the formation of the coalition government, following his earlier international outreach in Davos. The upcoming Singapore tour is poised to play a crucial role in boosting Andhra Pradesh’s image as a prime investment de

In the latest Henley Passport Index update, India’s passport saw the most significant improvement, climbing eight spots from 85th to 77th position. This leap makes India the largest mover globally over the past six months, as its passport now allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations. Countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Maldives, and Thailand are among the many that offer visa-free ac

As Singapore and Hong Kong witness a fresh surge in COVID-19 infections, India continues to maintain a relatively stable situation with only 257 active cases reported as of May 19, 2025. All the cases identified in India are mild and do not require hospitalization, according to the Union Health Ministry. This update was shared after a key review meeting was held involving experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division, Disaster M

Singaporeans will head to the polls on May 3, 2025, for a landmark general election that will test Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s leadership amid increasing global economic uncertainty and domestic political shifts. This marks the first election under Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, ending decades of leadership under the influential Lee family. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP), in power since 1959, is expected to retain its majority, but with growing opposition strength a

In a ruling that could significantly influence the tax liabilities of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) investing in Indian mutual funds, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Mumbai bench, has determined that capital gains earned by NRIs on the redemption of mutual fund units are not taxable in India. This decision was delivered in a case involving a Singapore-based NRI who had declared short-term capital gains from mutual fund investments but claimed exemption under the Double Taxation Avoidance

Mark Shankar, the youngest son of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, was injured in a fire accident that occurred at his school in Singapore. According to preliminary reports, the incident led to burn injuries on his hands and legs and smoke inhalation, necessitating immediate medical attention. Mark is currently being treated at a local hospital in Singapore, and his condition is being closely monitored. News of the accident prompted Pawan Kalyan to make urgent changes to his

India and Singapore have recently signed four significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening their bilateral cooperation. The agreements cover key areas including digital technologies, semiconductors, health cooperation, and skill development. These MoUs signify a deepening partnership between the two nations and are expected to foster increased collaboration and mutual benefits in these crucial sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on an official