3 S'poreans make Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women list; Couple faces over 150 charges in $72m embezzlement case: Singapore live news

Elon Musk has become the world’s first billionaire to surpass $400 billion in net worth.

This monumental achievement was driven by a surge in Tesla stock and a record-breaking SpaceX share sale.

Musk’s fortune hit a staggering $447 billion, and his wealth is projected to grow further, fuelled by his influential role in the Trump administration and a promising future for his ventures.

Despite facing legal hurdles, Musk remains at the pinnacle of global wealth.

More on Elon Musk's record-shattering wealth here.

Congratulations!

Paralympic gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu has added another remarkable achievement to her already stellar 2024 – she is now engaged.

The 32-year-old athlete, who has made history with seven Paralympic golds, announced the news on Wednesday (11 Decem) on Instagram, sharing a beautiful message about her fiancé, Bruce.

Yip described the proposal as emotional, with Bruce so nervous that he forgot his speech, but the sentiment was clear.

“He did not need any words for me to understand him,” she said, expressing just how much she feels loved and supported by her partner.

The engagement caps off an extraordinary year for Yip, who won two gold medals at the Paris Paralympics, continuing her reign as the world's fastest in the 50m and 100m Backstroke S2 events.

Her year also saw her becoming the first para athlete to have a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Singapore.

Bruce’s response in the comments echoed the couple’s deep affection, saying he never thought he would be “lucky enough” to have Yip in his life.

With wedding plans on the horizon, Yip’s fans can now look forward to celebrating another one of her achievements – this time, off the podium.

Read on Yip Pin Xiu's engagement announcement here.

Singapore remains a top destination for international travellers, ranking second behind Bangkok, Agoda’s 2024 travel insights show,

2024 most popular international flight destinations on Agoda

1. Bangkok, Thailand

2. Singapore

3. Seoul, South Korea

4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

5. Tokyo, Japan

The report also highlights Singapore’s position as the top market for outbound flight bookings.

Top outbound travellers

1. Singapore

2. Thailand

3. South Korea

4. Japan

5. Indonesia

With its mix of modernity and culture, Singapore continues to be a must-visit destination for both regional and international tourists.

Whether for business or leisure, the city-state’s world-class attractions and convenient location make it a favourite on Agoda’s flight booking platform.

As travel trends evolve, Singapore’s status as a leading global hub is expected to grow even further in the coming years.

Read on Singapore's enduring appeal as a global travel hub here.

Ng Jing Kai, a 27-year-old Singaporean man, has been charged with murder after allegedly running over and killing a 48-year-old cyclist in Perth, Australia.

The incident, which occurred in Carlisle on 24 May may have been driven by a property dispute between Ng and the victim.

Ng appeared in court via video-link from Hakea Prison on 11 December and did not apply for bail.

He remains in custody until his next hearing in February 2025.

Police are still investigating the case, but they believe that Ng's actions were an act of vigilantism, as he was reportedly accompanied by family and friends at the time of the incident.

If convicted, Ng could face a life sentence under Western Australian law.

Read more on the Perth cyclist murder case here.

Singapore’s Changi Airport has earned its spot as the world’s best airport once again, according to the 2024 Airline Ratings Readers' Choice Awards.

Known for its exceptional service, unique amenities, and cutting-edge features, Changi continues to impress travellers globally.

Its recent recognition highlights not only its architectural grandeur but also its focus on creating a seamless, enjoyable travel experience for the millions who pass through its doors each month.

Changi’s crown comes as no surprise to those familiar with the airport’s world-class facilities.

From the Jewel complex’s iconic Rain Vortex to luxurious lounges and family-friendly play areas, the airport offers something for everyone.

“Every category – from customer service to facilities, convenience, security, and efficiency – is unmatched,” said one enthusiastic traveler.

With more than 60 million passengers each year, Changi remains the benchmark for airport excellence.

Coming in second was Qatar’s Hamad International Airport, renowned for its refined elegance, extensive shopping options, and beautiful indoor gardens.

The airport’s stunning design and high-end services earned it rave reviews, with one traveler commenting on the "excellent dining options and world-class shopping."

The third spot was a tie between Tampa International Airport and Vancouver International Airport.

Tampa stood out for its simplicity and fast security, making it a favourite for those seeking a quick, smooth travel experience.

Vancouver, on the other hand, impressed with its design that beautifully showcases Canada’s Indigenous heritage, creating a calm and inviting atmosphere for travellers.

Read on Singapore's Changi Airport being crowned the world's best airport again here.

A man has been charged with the murder of a Vietnamese woman after a brutal stabbing at a Hougang hardware store on Tuesday (10 Dec).

Du Zaixing, 42, was arrested at the scene and now faces the death penalty if convicted.

The attack also left a 26-year-old man injured when he attempted to intervene.

Witnesses described hearing the victim’s screams before seeing Du brandishing a knife.

Dao Thi Hong, 34, was working at the Quan Long Nippon Paint hardware store when she was attacked.

Despite efforts to save her, Hong succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

The 26-year-old store employee, who was also taken to the hospital, survived his injuries.

Du appeared in court on Thursday, where he was formally charged.

The court also granted permission for further investigations, including a revisit to the crime scene.

The next court session is scheduled for 19 December.

Hong, who had been living in Singapore for five years, was remembered by her family with a makeshift altar set up outside the store.

Her sister, who traveled from Vietnam, was seen paying her respects at the altar on 11 December.

The incident is the third case of murder or alleged murder in Singapore in less than two weeks, prompting concerns over a spike in violent crime.

More on the Hougang deadly knife attack here.

The stage is set for a historic finale in the World Chess Championship in Singapore, with the score tied at 6½-6½ between reigning champion Ding Liren of China and 18-year-old challenger Gukesh Dommaraju of India.

The showdown has captured the attention of fans worldwide, and the tournament has sparked a chess boom in Singapore.

Local chess academies have reported a 20 per cent increase in registrations, as the game grows in popularity among younger generations, according to The Independent Singapore.

Fans of all ages have flocked to Resorts World Sentosa, where the match is being held, hoping to catch a glimpse of the world’s best players in action.

The final classical game, scheduled for Thursday (12 Dec), could crown a new champion or send the match into a dramatic tiebreak series.

Ding, who became China’s first men’s world chess champion last year, faces a fierce challenge from the young Indian prodigy, Gukesh.

The stakes are high for both players: Gukesh is looking to make history as the youngest undisputed world champion, while Ding is fighting to defend his title against an up-and-coming challenger with a remarkable track record.

The final classical game is set to be a thrilling contest, with Ding playing as white.

A win by either player will secure the title, while a draw will force the match into tiebreaks.

As the countdown to the final game continues, chess fans are on the edge of their seats, awaiting the outcome of a match that could define the future of the sport.

Read more on the world chess championship in Singapore that has drawn attention worldwide here.

Lean Kay Cheong, a 68-year-old Singaporean, has been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay $4.12 million after his conviction for leading a remote gambling syndicate.

The confiscation order, issued on 20 November, is part of an effort to prevent criminals from profiting from their illicit activities.

Lean, who was arrested in 2016, was involved in running illegal lottery and horse betting services across Singapore and Malaysia since 2007.

Lean's wealth, including properties and investments, was found to be far beyond his legitimate income sources.

In 2021, Lean was sentenced to nine years in prison, and fined S$447,000 under the Remote Gambling Act 2014 and the Organised Crime Act 2015.

Following his conviction, the Public Prosecutor applied for a confiscation order, arguing that the wealth Lean had accumulated was a direct result of his criminal activities.

The High Court granted the order, confirming that Lean had benefited illicitly from his criminal conduct.

Under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992, individuals convicted of serious crimes are required to surrender the proceeds of their unlawful activities to the state.

Read on $4.12 million confiscation order from the jailed Singaporean gambling leader here.

A businessman and his wife are under investigation for over 150 potential offences related to one of Singapore’s largest corporate fraud scandals.

Ng Teck Lee, 58, former CEO of Citiraya Industries, and his wife Thor Chwee Hwa, 55, were arrested in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on 3 December, after nearly 20 years on the run.

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) is leading the probe into the alleged $72 million embezzlement scheme involving electronic scrap misappropriation and bribery, according to The Straits Times.

Ng faces multiple charges, including criminal breach of trust (CBT) for allegedly misappropriating over 6,700kg of electronic scrap.

Prosecutors claim Ng ordered employees to repackage, rather than crush the scrap for precious metals.

The embezzlement reportedly resulted in more than US$51 million in profits, which is equivalent to $72 million in 2005.

Additionally, Ng is accused of bribing an employee at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to ensure the delivery of undamaged chips to his company.

Thor, who fled with her husband in 2005, is also under investigation and faces charges of dealing with the benefits of criminal conduct.

Court documents suggest she was involved in handling assets derived from her husband's fraudulent activities.

In 2011, CPIB made a record asset seizure of $23 million from the couple, including bank accounts, insurance policies, and properties in Singapore, marking the largest such seizure in CPIB history.

The couple, who assumed false identities while evading capture, will return to court on 18 December for further proceedings.

The CPIB is continuing its investigation into the embezzlement and other linked offences, which may involve further crimes under Singapore’s Corruption, Drug Trafficking, and Other Serious Crimes Act.

Read on Ng's embezzlement case here.

Singaporean women are making significant strides on the global stage, as evidenced by the latest Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list.

Three prominent Singaporean figures, Temasek Trust's Ho Ching, OCBC's Helen Wong and Granite Asia's Jenny Lee, have secured prominent positions, showcasing the nation’s growing influence in the international arena.

Ho Ching, the former CEO of Temasek Holdings, took 32nd on the rankings. She made significant contributions to the nation's growth and prosperity. At Temasek, one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, she oversaw its portfolio's expansion to over $313 billion, diversifying the fund's portfolio into sectors such as technology, life sciences, and agribusiness. Ho's influence extends beyond the corporate world, shaping the nation's policies and direction. The strategic vision and astute investment decisions of the wife Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong have been instrumental in shaping Singapore's economic future and helping position the nation as a global innovation hub.

Helen Wong, Group CEO of OCBC Bank, ranked 59th on the list. Her strategic leadership has propelled OCBC to new heights, solidifying its position as a leading financial institution in Southeast Asia. Wong’s inclusion on the list highlights the increasing prominence of women in the global banking industry.

Jenny Lee, a renowned venture capitalist and senior managing partner at Granite Asia, claimed the 96th spot. Her astute investments and entrepreneurial spirit have made her a force to be reckoned with in the tech industry. Lee’s presence on the list underscores Singapore’s emergence as a thriving tech hub and a breeding ground for innovative female leaders.

These two powerhouses exemplify Singapore’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Their achievements inspire future generations of women to pursue their ambitions and break down barriers.

Two other Singaporean women leaders, Tan Su Shan, incoming CEO of DBS, and Serena Teo Joo Ling, CEO of CapitaLand Ascott Trust, are among those featured in Forbes Asia’s 2024 Power Businesswomen.

See the full list of Forbes World's 100 Most Powerful Women here.