New RSIS study finds link between Russian sources and banned website, billionaire investor says Saudi ruler like Lee Kuan Yew: Singapore live news

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IMDA said Alamak.io falsely alleged that Singapore had allowed other countries to conduct their biological warfare research activities here. (Photo: Alamak.io)
IMDA said Alamak.io falsely alleged that Singapore had allowed other countries to conduct their biological warfare research activities here. (Photo: Alamak.io)

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Hello to all our readers, Yahoo Singapore will be bringing you live news updates today.

A new study from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) has found links between Russian sources and an inauthentic news site. Read on for the details.

Billionaire Bridgewater Associates Founder Ray Dalio called Saudi Arabia's de-facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman (popularly known as MBS) a "great leader", Bloomberg reported, and likened him to China's Deng Xiaoping and Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Over the last few years in Singapore, the number of HDB flats sold for over $1 million has steadily climbed, setting new records almost annually. However, the reality is that only a tiny fraction of HDB flats can, and will, reach this seven-figure selling price. Assess if your HDB flat is worth $1 million.

Have you been caught up in the latest viral Labubu doll trend? Well, a cafe chain in Malaysia's Johor Bahru, Yang Kopi, is giving diners a chance to win the latest limited-edition Labubu simply by trying their new nasi padang.

Malaysia's High Court on Wednesday (30 October) ordered ex-prime minister Najib Razak to defend himself against corruption charges related to the sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. This comes after he apologised to Malaysians over his mishandling of 1MDB.

If you're headed to Tokyo in Japan, take note: the iconic Mount Fuji remains snowless, marking the latest date without a snowcap since records began 130 years ago.

Ex-managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Ravi Menon will head a new non-profit to drive fintech innovation and growth globally, MAS said on Wednesday (30 October).

Homegrown supermarket brand Sheng Siong Group has reported earnings of $39.1 million for Q3 FY2024 ended September, up 12.4 per cent year-on-year from the same period last year. Gross profit for Q3 FY2024 stood at $113.8 million, up 8.4 per cent year-on-year. Read on for more details of Sheng Siong's latest earnings report.

And lastly, Yahoo Singapore would like to wish those who celebrate a Happy Deepavali 2024!

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  • Featured

    New Singapore study finds link between Russian sources and banned Alamak.io site

    IMDA said Alamak.io falsely alleged that Singapore had allowed other countries to conduct their biological warfare research activities here. (Photo: Alamak.io)
    IMDA said Alamak.io falsely alleged that Singapore had allowed other countries to conduct their biological warfare research activities here. (Photo: Alamak.io)

    A new study from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) has found links between Russian sources and an inauthentic news site.

    The report, "Inauthentic Local Lifestyle And News Websites And The Challenge For Media Literacy" was done by RSIS’ Centre of Excellence for National Security head Benjamin Ang, and associate research fellow Dymples Leong.

    Released on Friday (25 October), the report showed that the domain name of Alamak.io has links to 5plus1.ru. The country-code ".ru" is for Russian entities.

    Alamak.io is one of 10 websites identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) last week to be masquerading as Singapore websites by spoofing and incorporating familiar local features.

    In total, the authorities ordered the blocking of 10 fake websites linked to foreign actors that could be used to "mount hostile information campaigns" against the city-state.

    The study also showed that the 5plus1.ru website is associated with the same IP address as Alamak.io when a reverse internet protocol search was done.

    Find out more of the details.

  • Happy Deepavali to Yahoo Singapore readers!

    Illuminated Diwali lights and traffic trail in Little India during Deepavali celebration month in Singapore. (PHOTO: Getty)
    Illuminated Diwali lights and traffic trail in Little India during Deepavali celebration month in Singapore. (PHOTO: Getty)

    Deepavali, or Diwali, falls on Thursday (31 October) in Singapore.

    Yahoo Singapore would like to wish those who celebrate a Happy Deepavali 2024!

  • Sheng Siong reports Q3 FY2024 earnings of $39.1 million

    Steward shopping alone at supermarket, Dried food in supermarket, Market in shopping mall

    Homegrown supermarket brand Sheng Siong Group has reported earnings of $39.1 million for Q3 FY2024 ended September, up 12.4 per cent year-on-year from the same period last year.

    Earnings per share stood at 2.6 cents, up from 2.3 cents in Q3 FY2023. Gross profit for Q3 FY2024 stood at $113.8 million, up 8.4 per cent year-on-year.

    Read on for more details of Sheng Siong's latest earnings report.

  • Ex-managing director of Singapore's MAS to head new non-profit

    Ravi Menon speaking at the Singapore Fintech Festival in Singapore 16 November 2016. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Edgar Su)
    Ravi Menon speaking at the Singapore Fintech Festival in Singapore 16 November 2016. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Edgar Su)

    Singapore's longest serving central banker, Ravi Menon, will head a new non-profit to drive fintech innovation and growth globally, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Wednesday (30 October).

    Menon, who led the central bank for 12 years until 2023 and is a strong proponent of financial technology, will chair the Global Finance and Technology Network, the MAS said.

    Read more about Ravi Menon and this new initiative.

  • Japan's Mount Fuji snowless as of Tuesday (29 October), the latest date without a snowcap

    Mt. Fuji and Tokyo skyline
    Mt. Fuji and Tokyo skyline

    November is just a few days away, but Japan's iconic Mount Fuji remains snowless, marking the latest date without a snowcap since records began 130 years ago.

    The peaks of Japan’s highest mountain are usually dusted in snow by early October, but CNN reported that as of Tuesday (29 October) the summit has remained bare – raising the alarm of the impacts of the climate crisis on one of the country’s most beloved landmarks.

    The first snowfall signals the arrival of winter. It follows the summer climbing season, which this year ended on 10 September.

    Take note and read more if you're heading to Japan.

  • Malaysia's court decides that ex-PM Najib has to defend more 1MDB charges

    Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in a photo taken 4 April 2024. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain)
    Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in a photo taken 4 April 2024. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain)

    Malaysia's High Court on Wednesday (30 October) ordered ex-prime minister Najib Razak to defend himself against corruption charges related to the sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. This comes after he apologised to Malaysians over his mishandling of 1MDB.

    The charges levelled against Najib are valid, Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah told a courtroom in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Bloomberg reported. He also found all prosecution witnesses – which included former Malaysian central bank governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz – to be credible.

    Read more about the decision.

  • Eat nasi padang to win latest limited-edition Labubu at JB's Yang Kopi

    Toys themed on Labubu, a popular furry doll from Chinese toy company Pop Mart, are pictured during the opening ceremoy of a new offline store of Pop Mart in Bangkok, Thailand, 5 July 2024. (PHOTO: Getty)
    Labubu toys, a popular furry doll from Chinese toy company Pop Mart, are pictured during the opening ceremony of a new offline store of Pop Mart in Bangkok, Thailand, 5 July 2024. (PHOTO: Getty)

    Have you been caught up in the latest viral doll trend, Labubu?

    Well, a cafe chain in Malaysia's Johor Bahru, Yang Kopi, is giving diners a chance to win the latest limited-edition Labubu simply by trying their new nasi padang.

    The top prize is the latest limited-edition Labubu. Second place scores the Cyndi Wang edition of Labubu. If luck's not on your side, Yang Kopi is also offering two consolation prizes: Labubu blind boxes from the first and second generations.

    Find out how you can win a Labubu.

  • Is your HDB flat worth $1 million? Here's the reality behind these high-value transactions in Singapore

    HDB flats in Bishan. (PHOTO: Getty)
    HDB flats in Bishan. (PHOTO: Getty)

    Over the last few years in Singapore, the number of HDB flats sold for over $1 million has steadily climbed, setting new records almost annually.

    These record-breaking figures have fuelled a wider belief that a million-dollar sale is within reach for any homeowner.

    However, the reality is that only a tiny fraction of HDB flats can, and will, reach this seven-figure selling price. Data shows that specific trends set these high-value transactions apart from the rest.

    Find out what are these trends and factors, and assess if your HDB flat is worth $1 million.

  • Billionaire investor Ray Dalio says Saudi ruler MBS is like Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew

    Ray Dalio, Founder and CIO Mentor, Bridgewater Associates speaks onstage during The Wall Street Journal's 2024 The Future Of Everything Festival at Spring Studios on 22 May 2024 (PHOTO: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
    Ray Dalio, Founder and CIO Mentor, Bridgewater Associates speaks onstage during The Wall Street Journal's 2024 The Future Of Everything Festival at Spring Studios on 22 May 2024 (PHOTO: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

    Billionaire Bridgewater Associates Founder Ray Dalio called Saudi Arabia's de-facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman (popularly known as MBS) a "great leader", Bloomberg reported, and likened him to China's Deng Xiaoping and Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

    "I think his Royal Highness is a great leader," Dalio said Tuesday at Riyadh's Future Investment Initiative, the crown prince's flagship investment conference. "He's almost like a Deng Xiaoping of China, in a sense, or a Lee Kuan Yew."

    MBS, as the prince is known, runs a tightly-controlled state, and has been driving a multi-trillion dollar program to reduce the kingdom’s reliance on oil. Deng and Lee also oversaw economic transformations while keeping strong grips on power.

    Find out more about the supposed similarities between MBS and Lee Kuan Yew.