A PhD student who attempted to rape his former housemate after his repeated advances were rejected was sentenced to jail and caning in Singapore on Monday.
Gao Xiong, a 31-year-old Chinese national, will be imprisoned for six years, six months and six weeks, and receive three strokes of the cane.
He pleaded guilty to four charges which include attempted rape and criminal trespass, with another three charges taken into consideration.
The court heard that Gao was completing his PhD studies in…
Like a ‘debt collector’? US ambassador irks Singaporeans by justifying tariff
The United States’ new ambassador to Singapore has come under fire for his remarks defending the 10 per cent tariff on the city state by framing it as the US seeking help from a friend after it had played an important role in Singapore’s economic miracle.
Orthopaedic surgeon Anjani Sinha, who officially started his tenure on November 17, told government-funded local media outlet The Straits Times that the US was asking friends such as Singapore to help President Donald Trump “rebalance” and…
Better benefits and anti-discrimination law among upcoming Singapore employment changes
Singapore’s employment landscape is continually evolving to reflect the changing needs of its workforce and economy. Employers should ensure that they are up to date with the latest legislative changes, with more expected to follow in the coming year.
India’s Modi to pitch arms deal to Russia, Putin despite US efforts
India plans to start discussions towards the purchase of Russian fighter jets and a missile defence shield during President Vladimir Putin’s visit this week, according to people with knowledge of the matter, even as US President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to reduce dealings between the two nations.
India and Russia have a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership under which discussions for the purchase of Su-57 fighter jets and an advanced version of the missile defence shield S-500…
Flood death tolls rise in Indonesia, Sri Lanka as aid trickles in
Some residents of the flood-hit Indonesian island of Sumatra have resorted to stealing food and water to survive, authorities said on Sunday, while Sri Lankan officials said deaths from floods and mudslides in that island nation have risen to 193.
The floods, which hit Indonesia nearly a week ago, have killed 303 people and displaced thousands, with the number expected to rise as more bodies are recovered. The deluges triggered landslides, damaged roads, cut off parts of the island and downed…
If China can cut its pollution, why can’t India?
Despite years of policy interventions, air pollution in India is rapidly getting worse. By the middle of this month, cities including the capital New Delhi were seeing air quality readings at hazardous levels. A 2024 IQ Air report found India’s particulate matter (PM2.5) levels to be more than 10 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit.
In the north, pollution mainly comes from traffic, construction dust, industry and seasonal stubble burning. What began as an environmental issue is now…
Chinese man wounded in landmine explosion on Cambodia-Thailand border
A Chinese man allegedly attempting to cross illegally into Thailand from Cambodia was injured on Saturday when he stepped on a landmine, the Thai army announced, reiterating its charges that Cambodian forces have been planting the anti-personnel weapons in territory claimed by both countries.
Army Spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree was quoted as saying that the area where the incident took place, claimed by Thailand to be part of its eastern province of Sa Kaeo, “is contaminated with…
Employment Rights Bill: ‘day one’ rights to claim unfair dismissal dropped
The UK government has dropped its plans to provide employees in Britain with rights to claim unfair dismissal from ‘day one’ of their employment.
How Cop30 laid bare the new geopolitics of climate action
The Cop30 UN climate change conference in Belem, Brazil, concluded with a package of decisions that champions implementation and finance, yet its success is nuanced, marked by both institutional progress and political compromises over the core issue of fossil fuels.
The conference, framed as the “implementation Cop” by the Brazilian presidency, turned attention away from purely text negotiations to implementing action. The world is grappling with the complex realities of executing a systemic…
PM Anwar’s ex-aide detained by Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency
Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency on Friday detained a former senior aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for further investigation amid bribery allegations.
Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, who resigned as Anwar’s senior political secretary this week, was held after being questioned by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers, Chief Commissioner Azam Baki said.
MACC will apply for a court order on Saturday to extend Shamsul Iskandar’s detention beyond 24 hours, Azam said in a…