Latest news with #WorldTrump
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Global fintech firms expanding in Singapore with larger offices, APAC hubs
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE – The region's huge potential as a lucrative market for fintech services is prompting major players to expand their presence here and set up Asia-Pacific hubs. Singapore's business friendly regulatory regime and proximity to fast-growing economies are making it a key destination for companies in the digital finance sector , they told The Straits Times. Ripple is one firm that recognises the potential. The blockchain payments firm opened a bigger office here on July 14. The new workspace at IOI Central Boulevard Towers can accommodate up to 110 employees, well up on its old Robinson Road premises that had a capacity of 74. It has also been hiring, mostly staff in business development, sales, markets and for RippleX – a business unit within Ripple that provides resources for developers to build on the public blockchain XRP Ledger. Singapore, the firm's Asia-Pacific headquarters, handles 50 per cent of Ripple's digital asset payment flows. Ripple president Monica Long pointed to Singapore's significance as a hub, citing the country's clear regulatory framework and support for innovation. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Up to 30% of aviation jobs would have to be redesigned because of AI, automation: CAAS Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs here World Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling: White House World Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. What is it? Asia Appointment of Malaysia's new chief justice eases controversy over vacant top judge seats for now Singapore SPCA appoints Walter Leong as new executive director Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore 'We see even more opportunity because of the broader global trend with stablecoin payments. We see that opportunity being especially big in Asia-Pacific so Singapore being our hub, we expect to grow that business here,' said Ms Long . Stablecoins – a cryptocurrency pegged to another asset such as fiat currency – can be used by businesses transferring funds across borders. Ms Long told ST at Apex 2025, an annual summit for the XRP Ledger community, that Singapore was chosen to host the event due in June to 'the really great collaboration with the Economic Development Board to foster the start-up ecosystem'. Ripple's expansion here mirrors similar moves here by other fintech players. UK-headquartered digital payments firm Wise expanded its Asia-Pacific hub in April. Its new 31,800 square foot office at Paya Lebar Quarter 3 is 25 per cent larger than its previous space at Paya Lebar Quarter 2. The Singapore team has more than doubled to over 600 since 2022, spanning functions such as engineering, operations, customer service and compliance. Singapore chief executive Shrawan Saraogi, who is also head of Wise's Asia-Pacific expansion, said many of its products, such as the debit card, were rolled out here. A local team led the design, build, and launch of the card globally. Asia-Pacific contributed about 22 per cent of its global revenue for the year ended March 31, 2025, while turnover for the region grew 22 per cent year on year. Mr Saraogi said coping with the different regulations in each country is one of the biggest challenges of expanding in the region. 'In contrast to Europe, where a single license can be used across multiple markets, every country in Asia needs its own unique set of regulatory permissions before we can offer our services,' he noted. The firm overcomes this by spending time understanding local regulations, building strong relationships with regulators and partners, and getting to know customer needs. 'All this is supported by opening local offices and hiring local team members. Having people on the ground... makes a big difference in our expansion journey,' said Mr Saraogi. April was also when Juspay, a global payments technology company based in India, opened an office in Robinson Road to serve as its regional base. The firm also announced a regional partnership with travel giant Agoda, which has adopted a range of Juspay's services. Mr Ishan Sharma, head of business development, said that a significant number of Juspay's India-based clients were expanding into Asia-Pacific and the firm was getting requests to integrate some payment methods used in these markets. The firm saw the need to have a local presence and hire local talent. The teams started travelling to Singapore in 2023 for market research and created an entity here in November 2024. There are four local hires in the Singapore office with plans to recruit more, said Mr Sharma. The firm is in discussions with Asian airlines and financial institutions like banks as well as fintech players to provide technology infrastructure. Mr Sharma said a major hurdle faced when setting up in a new market was helping merchants and clients understand the firm's value proposition. 'Making people understand what we do, how it can benefit them – in the initial year or two, it was a challenge,' he said. However, Mr Sharma is not deterred by the different regulations in Asia, given the firm has experience navigating a heavily regulated market like India. 'Our learnings in the Indian ecosystem are only helping us there. We don't see that as a challenge, we see that as an opportunity,' he added.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Fencers urge federation to reinstate checks on 'neutral' Russian, Belarusian athletes
Find out what's new on ST website and app. TBILISI – More than 440 fencers from 40 countries have signed an open letter urging the International Fencing Federation (FIE) to reinstate rigorous background checks on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under neutral status. The letter, released by the Global Athlete movement on July 17, follows the FIE's decision to list Russian and Belarusian fencers as 'neutrals' for the July 22–26 World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. The move has sparked criticism, with Ukraine's Fencing Federation saying that it is considering unspecified legal action over the inclusion of athletes with Russian military ranks. Russia's war in Ukraine is more than three years old, after it invaded its neighbour in 2022. Elite fencers also expressed their "deep concern and disagreement" with the FIE's move to replace broader checks with a declaration of peace and neutrality. "By removing comprehensive background checks, the FIE risks allowing individuals whose affiliations or actions conflict with the values of neutrality and non-violence to compete under a neutral status," the letter read. "The FIE's decision contradicts the core principles of fencing – respect, integrity, and fair play – and deviates from the approach originally taken by the international sporting community." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Up to 30% of aviation jobs would have to be redesigned because of AI, automation: CAAS Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs World Trump threatens to sue WSJ over story on alleged 2003 letter to Epstein Life F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Music acts Lewis Capaldi, Clean Bandit, Spice Girls' Melanie C added Asia Appointment of Malaysia's new chief justice eases controversy over vacant top judge seats for now Singapore SPCA appoints Walter Leong as new executive director Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore The FIE did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Last week, the FIE defended its stance, stating that it 'underscores the Federation's commitment to peace, fairness, and the global unity of sport'. "Our approach is guided by our duty to protect athletes and preserve the integrity of competition. It is firmly anchored in the Olympic Charter and in our mission to safeguard the values of fencing," the statement released last Friday said. "The FIE's decision responds to a shared belief that athletes must not bear the consequences of geopolitical events beyond their control." The European Fencing Confederation, meanwhile, also criticised "the lack of independent verification in the eligibility process for so-called neutral athletes". Ukrainian Olympic multi-medalist Olga Kharlan, disqualified at the 2023 World Championships for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent, warned that FIE's decisions could jeopardise the sport's place in the Olympic programme. "We are really close to that moment that we won't be an Olympic sport, because this is not good for the promotion of the Olympic movement," Kharlan told broadcaster DW. "To see (Russians) in competitions, it's an injustice for us." REUTERS
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
HSA Bishan vape op: Alleged peddler who tried to drive off handed 6 charges
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The alleged seller, Jodan Chin Wei Liang, 27, is accused of selling and being in possession of e-vaporisers. SINGAPORE - An alleged delivery man of vaping devices, believed to be the one who tried fleeing during a Health Sciences Authority (HSA) anti-vape operation , was handed six charges on July 18. On July 14, The Straits Times had reported on the HSA operation in Bishan Street 13 that happened on July 10. A seller who claimed he could sell Kpods had arrived in a car but tried to drive off after HSA officers had identified themselves. The alleged seller, Jodan Chin Wei Liang, 27, is accused of selling and being in possession of e-vaporisers. On July 18, the court heard that for Chin's case quite a large number of Kpods were seized. His case has been adjourned to Aug 28. Kpods are vapes that contain vape juice mixed with potent ingredients such as etomidate or ketamine. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling: White House World Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. What is it? Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs here Asia Appointment of Malaysia's new chief justice eases controversy over vacant top judge seats for now Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore Singapore SPCA appoints Walter Leong as new executive director World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business Granddaughter of late Indonesian tycoon pays $25 million for Singapore bungalow Used in hospitals to induce sedation during medical procedures, etomidate is meant to be injected into the veins under clinical supervision and is never intended to be inhaled. When vaped, it enters the lungs directly and may trigger spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis. It is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act, and a licence is required for its importation or sale. Under the Act, those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to $10,000, or both. Kpods are a cause for concern here. On July 12, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs said in a joint statement that current legislation around vaping may be strengthened following the increased detection in Singapore of electronic vaporisers containing substances such as etomidate and other controlled drugs. They added government agencies were considering further steps to better address the vaping issue, including whether current laws for enforcement can be enhanced. The ministries said within the first half of 2025 HSA had detected 28 cases where e-vaporiser pods were found to contain etomidate. This is nearly three times as many as the 10 cases detected in 2024. ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13 to raise awareness about the issue here. To report vaping offences and the sale of vaping devices to the authorities, the public can contact HSA's Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Skipper Wilson says Wallabies ready to step up against Lions
BRISBANE - Australia captain Harry Wilson said the Wallabies were confident of beating the British & Irish Lions in the first test at Lang Park on Saturday despite being heavy underdogs after losing a couple of key players to injury. The Wallabies have won only four of their last 11 tests and on Saturday will be without regular flyhalf Noah Lolesio and their best test player of the last two years, loose forward Rob Valetini. Wilson expressed confidence in their replacements, debutant flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and playmaker Tom Lynagh, and said the whole team were ready to stand up and be counted in front of a sellout crowd. "We're very confident," the number eight told reporters at Lang Park on Friday. "We've had a really good week preparation. We've done everything we've wanted to do, and we feel like we're in a really good place. "The only thing we can control is what we've done during the week and what we're going to go out there and do tomorrow night." Coach Joe Schmidt said on Thursday that Wilson would have to carry more ball on Saturday but his captain thought everyone in the pack would need to fill the void left by Valetini against a big Lions pack. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling: White House World Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. What is it? Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs here Asia Appointment of Malaysia's new chief justice eases controversy over vacant top judge seats for now Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore Singapore SPCA appoints Walter Leong as new executive director World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business Granddaughter of late Indonesian tycoon pays $25 million for Singapore bungalow "I'd say all of us have to," Wilson said. "The thing with Bobby is he takes the tough carries for us, week in, week out. It's something you don't take for granted, but you just appreciate a bloke who can take on two, three people. "And I think the whole forward pack has got to really step up, because when you're missing a player like him, it's obviously not ideal, but if everyone just picks up that little 10%, I think it's very exciting." Wilson plays his provincial rugby with Lynagh at the Queensland Reds and said the 22-year-old had revealed a new side to himself ahead of his first test start at flyhalf. "He doesn't overuse his words," he said. "This week, he really has found a voice in the group. "He knows when he gets that 10 on his back, it's his team and that's the way he's treated it and he's been talking to us, telling us what he wants. I just want to watch him go to play." Wilson said he had spoken to John Eales, who skippered the winning Wallabies in 2001, and James Horwill, who led the side that lost the 2013 series 2-1, and had a clear idea of what he wanted from Saturday night. "Definitely to enjoy the moment. None of us have really got to enjoy something like this so a sold-out stadium, we really want to take it in," he said. "But we've got a job to do and for us it's about focusing on ourselves, just trying to win every moment in front of our face." REUTERS
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
British & Irish Lions wrestle with favourites tag as Wallabies mend and make do
BRISBANE – The British & Irish Lions have rarely been as heavily favoured to win a test as they will be for their opening clash with Australia on Saturday, even if you might not guess it listening to coach Andy Farrell. The former rugby league player is too canny a man to hand the opposition any hubristic quotes they can snip out of the newspaper and hang on the dressing room wall for motivation, let alone give his squad any cause for complacency. 'There's no overconfidence at all,' Farrell told a news conference as he faced repeated questions about the favourable odds after naming his team on Thursday. 'There's a realisation of what it is, and what it means and how privileged we are etc. But that doesn't get in the way of how we prepare to make sure that we allow ourselves to be the best version of ourselves.' Many of the thousands of travelling Lions fans already starting to fill the streets in downtown Brisbane on Thursday were not as wary of projecting their confidence, even if some of the Welsh contingent were more than a little disgruntled. For the first time in nearly 130 years on Saturday, there will be no Welsh representative on the pitch in a Lions test after Farrell made the decision to play Tom Curry and leave out in-form Wales skipper Jac Morgan. His Wallabies counterpart and former mentor Joe Schmidt would probably have welcomed such a selection dilemma when choosing Australia's back row, particularly with his best ball-runner Rob Valetini unavailable with a calf strain. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling: White House World Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. What is it? Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs here Asia Appointment of Malaysia's new chief justice eases controversy over vacant top judge seats for now Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore Singapore SPCA appoints Walter Leong as new executive director World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business Granddaughter of late Indonesian tycoon pays $25 million for Singapore bungalow Having also lost his starting playmaker Noah Lolesio to injury after a warm-up test against Fiji, Schmidt selected flyhalf Tom Lynagh for his first test start and flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny for his international debut. Lynagh has promise and pedigree as the son of Wallabies great Michael, but on Saturday will be pitting his wits against 87-cap Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell, 10 years his senior and a three-times Lions tourist. Schmidt spoke glowingly of Lynagh's 'quiet confidence' and pointed hopefully to the fact that the 22-year-old would at least be playing on his home ground. 'Probably not ideal to be starting your first test match for the Wallabies against the British & Irish Lions,' he conceded. 'But you've got to start somewhere, and if not now, when? I am confident that he'll cope and I'm very confident that he'll learn from the occasion. 'I'd like to think that we can still go out, probably sharing Tom Lynagh's quiet confidence that we can put a game together that at least can keep the British & Irish Lions pretty honest on the day.' Local hopes of success otherwise appear to rely on Schmidt's coaching skills, their relatively decent test record in Brisbane, and the lore that the Wallabies 'always turn up'. Farrell has warned his players constantly of the latter point and, for all the wins and razzle dazzle in the tour matches, said he would not know the true mettle of the 2025 Lions until Saturday night. 'You have to back it up. I guess I have sense that there's a determined bunch that's looking forward to what we came over here for,' he said. 'But again, the test of the best laid plans is when you get punched on the nose.' REUTERS
