Posts by Swedan Margen
Singapore: 24 People, Including Women, Arrested for Suspected Scam-Linked Money Mule Activities Involving Over S$3.1M in Losses
Sixteen men and eight women aged between 16 and 51 have been arrested for their suspected involvement in a series of scams that resulted in losses exceeding S$3.1 million, the police said. The suspects are believed to have played roles in facilitating scams including government officials impersonation scams, job scams, e-commerce scams, investment scams, internet…
Read MoreNew ERP System to Take Effect From Jan 1, 2027; On-Board Units Made Compulsory in Singapore
All Singapore-registered vehicles will be required to be fitted with an on-board unit (OBU) from January 1, 2027, when the Republic fully transitions to its next-generation Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said on Tuesday, February 3. Speaking during the debate on the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill in Parliament,…
Read MoreSingapore Detects 59 Major Vape Smuggling Cases in 2025; Over 10K Online Listings Taken Down
Singapore authorities detected 59 large-scale vape smuggling cases in 2025 and removed more than 10,000 online advertisements selling vapes over the past two years, as enforcement agencies step up efforts to disrupt cross-border supply chains. The figures were cited by Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam in Parliament on Tuesday, February 3, in response…
Read MoreStronger February Winds Could Carry Haze to Singapore if Regional Fires Intensify: Experts
As Singapore enters its windiest month of the year, smoke haze from regional fires could be blown into the Republic if hot spots to the north persist, weather experts have warned. However, air quality is unlikely to deteriorate significantly unless there is a sharp escalation in intense fires combined with sustained winds directed towards Singapore.…
Read MoreSingapore: 61-Year-Old Man Found Dead at Foot of HDB Block in Serangoon
A 61-year-old man was found dead at the foot of a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block in Serangoon on Tuesday, February 2, prompting police investigations. The police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that they were alerted to the incident at about 7.55 am at Block 231 Serangoon Avenue 3. Upon arrival,…
Read MoreUS brokers may levy fee on ETF managers
Published Tue, Feb 3, 2026 · 11:01 PM [NEW YORK] US brokerage firms and custodians may seek distribution fees from managers of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), JP Morgan said, marking a possible crucial shift in the country’s US$13.5 trillion ETF market. The US market over the past decade has seen the rise of new fintech firms…
Read MorePayPal sees 2026 profit below estimates, names Enrique Lores as CEO
Its lower surplus is due to weaker US retail spending and slower growth in its branded checkout segment Published Tue, Feb 3, 2026 · 10:46 PM [BENGALURU] PayPal issued a lacklustre profit forecast for 2026 and reported fourth-quarter earnings below Wall Street expectations on Tuesday (Feb 3), pressured by weaker US retail spending and slower…
Read MoreS&P 500, Nasdaq open higher as earnings deluge takes center stage
Published Tue, Feb 3, 2026 · 10:44 PM [NEW YORK] The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq opened higher on Tuesday (Feb 3), stabilising after a commodity rout in the previous session, as investors geared up for a flood of corporate results through the week. At 9:30 am ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 11.18…
Read MoreUnderwater Basket Weaving University
In what industry experts are calling “either visionary or completely insane,” Underwater Basket Weaving University (UBWU) announced today a groundbreaking study abroad partnership with several prestigious universities across Asia, marking the first international expansion of the only accredited institution dedicated entirely to submerged basket craftsmanship. The partnerships, which include agreements with universities in Japan, South…
Read MoreFrom Pest to Progress: Vanuatu Future Fund Leads National Response to Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
Vanuatu Future Fund VFF Vanuatu’s coconut industry, a cornerstone of the country’s rural economy and food supply, is facing one of its most persistent agricultural threats in decades. The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB), an invasive pest that burrows into the growing shoots of coconut palms and damages their internal structures, has spread across several islands,…
Read MorePfizer beats Q4 profit estimates on strong drug demand
Robust demand for its heart and oncology drugs helped achieve total sales for the quarter of US$17.56 billion Published Tue, Feb 3, 2026 · 09:21 PM [WASHINGTON] Pfizer on Tuesday (Feb 3) reported fourth-quarter profit above Wall Street estimates, as sustained demand for older drugs such as blood thinner Eliquis helped offset fading sales of…
Read MoreRolls-Royce defends pricing after airlines bash engine industry
A senior executive says that the cost reflects supply-chain disruptions and the fallout from geopolitical instability Published Tue, Feb 3, 2026 · 09:18 PM [SINGAPORE] A senior Rolls-Royce executive on Tuesday (Feb 3) defended the recent price rises and improvements in performance, after airlines accused engine makers of profiting from supply-chain problems. Willie Walsh, head…
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