Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword> Airlines' deal with Tata Sons (Tata) will inject a further <keyword id="366395" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sgd" source="Orion">SGD</keyword> 360 million (USD 267 million) into Air <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>. It will give <keyword id="6359180" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sia" source="Orion">SIA</keyword> a 25.1 per cent stake in the enlarged Air India group following its takeover by Tata and merger with <keyword id="2468721" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vistara-airlines" source="Orion">Vistara Airlines</keyword>. The November 2022 deal between Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons to further inject USD 267 million into Air India is one of the key strategic initiatives for future growth mentioned in the quarterly financial report. This agreement is still subject to regulatory approval. SIA in the statement said, "The merged entity will be four to five times larger in scale compared to <keyword id="2467342" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vistara" source="Orion">Vistara</keyword>, with a strong presence in all key airline segments in India. The proposed merger will bolster SIA's presence in India, strengthen its multi-hub strategy, and allow it to continue participating directly in this large and fast-growing aviation market." The airline further said, "Deeper collaboration with like-minded airlines is an integral part of the SIA Group's partnerships strategy. This enables SIA and its partners to drive more traffic to their hubs, offer more options to customers, and increase the Group's global footprint." Last week, Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced that net profit for Q3 which ended in December, came in at Singapore dollar (SGD) 628 million (USD 465 million) and financial year-to-date profits touched SGD 1,555 million (USD 1,152 million). They are the highest the airline has ever earned in a quarter as well as for the first nine months of a financial year. The airlines said in a statement that this is due to "the robust demand for air travel continuing into the third quarter of FY2022/23, building on the momentum that began after Singapore relaxed its border restrictions in April 2022." SIA financial year starts in April. This comes on the back of Singapore's announcement that from February 13, it will relax all remaining Covid restrictions for travellers as well as locals. Travellers who are not fully vaccinated against Covid will no longer need to show proof of a negative pre-departure test before entering Singapore and do not need to buy travel insurance to cover Covid treatment if they fall ill on the island. Those who are vaccinated no longer need to show proof on arrival. The use of a face mask on public transport which was the last remaining local Covid-era protocol is no longer mandatory as of the same date. Singapore was one of the first Asian countries to reopen after the Covid pandemic and that has aided its tourism industry along with its national carrier. Besides government grants to affected industries during Covid, the airline was the beneficiary of its shareholders and financial institutions' confidence in its business as it managed to raise SGD 22.4 billion (USD 16.6 billion) during Covid including SGD 15 billion from shareholders (largest of which is state investment firm Temasek Holdings) through sales of shares and convertible bonds. As of December 2022, it still holds a cash balance of SGD 15.4 billion. This allowed it to keep most of its staff and fleet and facilitated restoration of routes quickly once travel resumed. This was unlike other regional airlines which had to let staff go and sell aircraft to keep afloat.SIA reported that its group passenger capacity reached 80 per cent of pre-Covid levels in December 2022, higher than the average of 51 per cent for the Asia-Pacific region. Its two main airline brands carried 7.4 million passengers in the third quarter, up 17 per cent from the second quarter. When added to the first two quarters, the SIA Group served 18.8 million passengers for the first nine months of the financial year. This is a nine-fold increase from a year earlier (2021) when most of the world's borders were still closed. Passenger load factors for the Group improved by 0.8 percentage points to 87.4 per cent, the highest for any quarter, on the back of record load factors for both premium airline, SIA (87.3 per cent) and low-cost carrier, Scoot (87.8 per cent). SIA reported that its cargo performance moderated compared to the previous quarter due to softening demand, as well as an increase in belly hold capacity as more passenger aircraft returned to service globally. While yields were weaker quarter-on-quarter, they remained elevated -- almost double -- compared to pre-Covid levels. Overall, SIA's revenue for the three months to December rose SGD 358 million (USD 265 million), an 8 per cent quarter-on-quarter increase to SGD 4,846 million (USD 3,589 million), a record. Passenger-flown revenue increased by 14 per cent or SGD 463 million to SGD 3,767 million as traffic grew 12.2 per cent for the quarter, outpacing the 11.1 per cent expansion in capacity. Revenue per available seat-kilometre (RASK) was 10.6 Singapore cents, the highest quarterly RASK in the Group's history. Cargo flown revenue fell 14.1 per cent or SGD 141 million (USD 104 million) to SGD 862 million (USD638 million), with the lower yields which were down 14.6 per cent partially mitigated by a slight uptick in loads, up 0.6 per cent. Expenditure increased 7.4 per cent or SGD281 million (USD208 million) quarter-on-quarter to SGD 4,091 million (USD 3,030 million). This comprised an SGD 371 million (15.5 per cent) rise in non-fuel expenditure that was partly offset by an SGD 90 million decrease (-6.3 per cent) in net fuel cost. The increase in non-fuel expenditure was higher than the increase in capacity, mainly driven by higher foreign exchange losses of SGD 194 million (USD 144 million) recorded at the end of the current quarter with the US dollar weakening 6.1 per cent against the Singapore dollar. Net fuel cost fell to SGD 1,333 million (USD 987 million) mainly due to a 13 per cent drop in fuel prices. This was partly offset by higher volumes uplifted (+USD 103 million) and lower fuel hedging gain (+USD 19 million). SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/passenger-vehicles-to-continue-driving-auto-sales-in-february-evs-gain-a-stronghold/articleshow/98272857.cms">Passenger vehicles to continue driving auto sales in February, EVs gain a stronghold</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/spicejet-to-raise-2500-crore-fresh-capital-convert-carlyles-debt-into-equity-and-demerge-cargo-biz/articleshow/98270557.cms">SpiceJet to raise ₹2,500 crore fresh capital, convert Carlyle’s debt into equity and demerge cargo biz</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/stock-price-run-up-in-paytm-nykaa-zomato-pb-fintech-delhivery-could-see-large-shareholders-cashing-out-bofa/articleshow/98274102.cms">Stock price run up in Paytm, Nykaa, Zomato, PB Fintech &amp; Delhivery could see large shareholders cashing out - BofA</a>

Singapore Airlines to get 25.1% stake in enlarged Air India group

Singapore Airlines will make an additional investment of Rs 3,194.5 crore in Tata Group-owned Air India post-merger of Vistara in November. The merger, announced on November 29, 2022, and set to be completed on November 11, 2024, will result in Singapore Airlines having a 25.1% stake in the enlarged Air India. Full-service carrier Vistara, which started flying on January 9, 2015, is a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines, where the latter holds a 49% shareholding. Vistara's last flight will take off tomorrow i.e. November 11, 2024. Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group on Friday said its consideration for the merger comprises the 49% interest in Vistara and Rs 20,585 million (Rs 2,058.5 crore) in cash in exchange for a 25.1% equity interest in the enlarged Air India. Post-merger, SIA expects to recognize a non-cash accounting gain of around 1.1 billion Singapore dollars and also start equity accounting for its share of Air India's financial results. According to a release on Friday, the merger includes an agreement for SIA to contribute its share of any funding previously provided by Tata prior to the completion of the merger, together with relevant funding costs up to Rs 5,020 crore that would allow it to maintain a 25.1% stake in Air India. "SIA's additional capital injection is expected to be Rs 31,945 million (equivalent to SGD 498 million), based on Tata's funding to Air India to date. This will occur after the completion of the merger and within November 2024 through subscription to new Air India shares. "Future capital injections will be considered based on Air India's requirements and available funding options," according to the release issued while announcing the airline's financial performance for the six months ended September 2024. The merger of Vistara with Air India will mark a major consolidation in the fast-growing Indian aviation space. SIA said the merged entity will have a significant presence across all key Indian air travel segments, including domestic, international, full-service, and low-cost operations. "This will strengthen SIA's multi-hub strategy, allowing it to continue participating directly in India's large and fast-growing aviation market," it added. Recently, Air India and SIA agreed to significantly expand their codeshare agreement, adding 11 Indian cities and another 40 international destinations to their network.

Singapore Airlines to invest additional Rs 3,195 cr in Air India post-Vistara merger

<ul><li>For the financial year ending March 2023, the <keyword id="6359180" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sia" source="Orion">SIA</keyword> Group posted a record net profit of SGD 2,157 million (USD 1,598 million) for the year.</li><li>SIA's revenue rose 133.4 per cent or by SGD 10,160 million (USD 7,526 million) year-on-year to a record SGD 17,775 million (USD 13,167 million). </li></ul>Singapore, May 22 (ANI): Following consecutive quarters of standout financial results, many expected Singapore Airlines (SIA) to turn in a dazzling set of numbers last week when it announced its full-year results. Singapore's national carrier did not disappoint as it reported the highest annual profit in its 76-year history. For the financial year ending March 2023, the SIA Group posted a record net profit of SGD 2,157 million (USD 1,598 million) for the year, versus an SGD 962 million (USD713 million) net loss in the previous year, an earnings gain of SGD 3,119 million (USD 2,310 million). SIA's revenue rose 133.4 per cent or by SGD 10,160 million (USD 7,526 million) year-on-year to a record SGD 17,775 million (USD 13,167 million). Although capacity was ramped up by 94 per cent, it was outpaced by traffic which rose 449.9 per cent. This led passenger flown revenue to expand by SGD 10,560 million (or 376.3 per cent) to SGD 13,366 million. Revenue per available seat-kilometre (RASK) was 10 Singapore cents, the highest yearly RASK in the carrier's history. During the financial year under review, the two airlines in the SIA group, full-service Singapore Airlines and low-cost Scoot, together served a total of 26.5 million passengers, a six-fold increase from a year ago. With capacity at only 79 per cent of pre-COVID levels as of March 2023, there is still room for the airline to do better. It said that its capacity is projected to reach an average of around 83 per cent of pre-COVID levels in the first half of the current financial year. The outstanding results is mostly because of the way SIA responded to the crisis wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic on the airline industry. As borders closed, and airlines stopped flying, SIA with the support of shareholders and its lenders managed to raise over USD16 billion of cash to shore up its balance sheet. This enabled it to retain more than 80 per cent of its staff as well as keep most of its aircraft operational. Many regional competitors had to furlough or let staff go and sell aircraft and as a result, had a slower start once borders reopened again. During COVID, SIA redeployed cabin crew to other sectors including as "care ambassadors" in healthcare facilities and as "transport ambassadors" to help manage safe practices on public transport. The carrier also took the opportunity to upgrade some of its cabins and also merged regional carrier <keyword id="676010" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="silkair" source="Orion">Silkair</keyword> with its main full-carrier Singapore Airlines to save costs. Digital services were also upgraded and a lifestyle rewards app Kris+ was launched. As borders reported, SIA rapidly deployed services to meet the pent-up travel demand charging above-average fares as regional competitors played catch-up. At the moment, SIA is operating at over 80 per cent of its pre-COVID levels whereas the average passenger capacity of international scheduled services of Asia-Pacific airlines is at around 58 per cent. To prepare for the future, SIA is looking into several strategic initiatives including the continued expansion of its network through deeper collaboration with like-minded airlines. One of these initiatives is the proposed merger of <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> and Vistara to strengthen SIA's presence in the fast-growing Indian aviation market. Through its ownership of Vistara and a further injection of USD 250 million in November last year, Singapore Airlines will be a 25.1 per cent owner of Air <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> once the merger is approved by the Indian authorities. When Tata Sons appointed Singapore Airlines (SIA) veteran <keyword id="5863894" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="campbell-wilson" source="Orion">Campbell Wilson</keyword> as chief executive officer in the middle of last year, it was probably with a view to trying to mirror the success of SIA at the newly acquired Air India. Wilson, a New Zealander, spent 25 years at SIA rotating through various roles including chief executive of Scoot, senior vice president of sales and marketing and worked for the airline in countries like Japan, Canada, and Hong Kong. If investments committed to the new Air India are an indication, Tata is on the right track to turning Air India around to become a more modern airline, with a better on-time record, better in-flight service, better cabin environment and an all-around better customer experience. The new owners have committed USD 70 billion to aircraft, USD 200 million to IT, and USD 400 million to refit the existing fleet. In February this year, it made the largest single order for new aircraft worldwide by buying 470 planes from both Boeing and Airbus. To support the growth, the airline has recruited thousands of staff, including 10 times the number of cabin crew and 10 times the number of pilots that would have been typically recruited each year. Following years of under-investment, and lack of recruitment and training, it has already made good progress in less than a year according to Wilson. Speaking to Australian aviation blogger <keyword id="8281779" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sam-chui" source="Orion">Sam Chui</keyword>, he said, "We've changed all the menus. We've replaced seats, curtains, carpets, and seat cushions. We've repaired a lot of the inflight entertainment systems, particularly in first and business class that weren't previously working. We are making good progress in economy class despite supply chain constraints." Recently, the carrier also attained the number one ranking for domestic punctuality for the first time in eight years and has consistently been amongst the top two or three in India. "The biggest challenge for us at the moment is simply the scale and pace of growth. It is a sizable airline. We carry over 100,000 people a day already," he added. Although the impact of the changes will only be felt over time, Air India's CEO is confident that the changes he has implemented will bear fruit and lead the airline back to being a premium global carrier eventually. CEO Wilson said, "Air India was in the 1960s, one of the best airlines in the world. It's got a long 90-year history. The past few years have been a bit challenging with under-investment. But now under the Tata group, which took ownership in January of 2022, there is a very significant effort to get Air India back to the heights it once was." (ANI) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/is-whatsapp-secretly-listening-to-your-private-conversations-heres-how-to-check/articleshow/100155980.cms">Is WhatsApp secretly listening to your private conversations? Here’s how to check</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-pixel-6a-vs-pixel-7a-smartphone-comparison-with-price-and-features/articleshow/100177889.cms">Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 7a: Is Google's latest mid-ranger worth the extra ₹12,000?</a>

Can Air India emulate Singapore Airlines' record profits?

<keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword>, a vibrant and modern city-state, offers a blend of cultural heritage, modern attractions, and natural beauty. It's a popular destination for travelers from India, thanks to its proximity, cultural similarities, and an array of exciting attractions. Here’s a guide to some of the <keyword id="21879861" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Best-places-to-visit-in-Singapore" source="Orion">best places to visit in Singapore</keyword> that will captivate <keyword id="20102333" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-tourists" source="keywords">Indian tourists</keyword>. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="1. Marina Bay Sands" comment="subhead" text="1. Marina Bay Sands">1. <keyword id="21172707" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Marina-Bay-Sands" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Marina Bay Sands" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Marina Bay Sands">Marina Bay Sands</keyword></cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="1" msid="110582127" hostid="261" sizebytes="1337875" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Iconic Marina Bay Sands with its stunning rooftop infinity pool.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Marina Bay Sands is one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks. This luxurious resort complex includes a hotel, a shopping mall, a museum, two large theatres, and a world-class casino. The highlight is the SkyPark, a rooftop infinity pool that offers stunning views of the Singapore skyline. Though access to the pool is reserved for hotel guests, visitors can still enjoy the panoramic view from the observation deck. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="2. Gardens by the Bay" comment="subhead" text="2. Gardens by the Bay">2. Gardens by the Bay</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="2" msid="110582147" hostid="261" sizebytes="2496276" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The futuristic Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Located next to Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic park spanning 101 hectares. It features the famous Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome. The Supertrees, with their towering vertical gardens, come alive at night with a spectacular light and sound show. The Flower Dome showcases plants from around the world, while the Cloud Forest houses a stunning indoor waterfall. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="3. Sentosa Island" comment="subhead" text="3. Sentosa Island">3. Sentosa Island</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="3" msid="110582166" hostid="261" sizebytes="1946087" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Enjoy thrilling rides at Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa Island.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Sentosa Island is a resort destination that offers a variety of attractions. Universal Studios Singapore, an exciting theme park with rides and shows, is a major draw for families. The island also features beautiful beaches, the S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, and the Sentosa Merlion. Visitors can reach Sentosa via a scenic cable car ride from Mount Faber. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="4. Little India" comment="subhead" text="4. Little India">4. <keyword id="21879864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Little-India" source="keywords">Little India</keyword></cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="4" msid="110582180" hostid="261" sizebytes="1933820" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Colorful shops and vibrant streets of Little India.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Little India is a vibrant neighbourhood that feels like a home away from home for Indian tourists. The area is filled with colourful shops, traditional Indian restaurants, and cultural landmarks like the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. The bustling Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour shopping complex, offers everything from electronics to groceries. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="5. Chinatown" comment="subhead" text="5. Chinatown">5. Chinatown</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="5" msid="110582223" hostid="261" sizebytes="1831455" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Explore cultural heritage at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown.&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Chinatown is a cultural enclave that showcases Singapore’s rich Chinese heritage. Visitors can explore the Chinatown Heritage Centre, visit the beautiful Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, and enjoy delicious street food at Chinatown Food Street. The area is also known for its traditional shops and markets selling souvenirs, textiles, and antiques. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="6. Orchard Road" comment="subhead" text="6. Orchard Road">6. Orchard Road</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="6" msid="110582243" hostid="261" sizebytes="2265189" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Shop till you drop at the luxurious malls on Orchard Road.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Orchard Road is Singapore’s premier shopping destination. This bustling boulevard is lined with luxury boutiques, department stores, and shopping malls. Popular malls include ION Orchard, Ngee Ann City, and Paragon. Besides shopping, Orchard Road offers a variety of dining options, from high-end restaurants to casual eateries. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="7. Singapore Zoo and Night Safari" comment="subhead" text="7. Singapore Zoo and Night Safari">7. Singapore Zoo and Night Safari</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="7" msid="110582255" hostid="261" sizebytes="2702872" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Experience wildlife up close at the Singapore Zoo.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>The Singapore Zoo is renowned for its open-concept exhibits that allow animals to roam in naturalistic habitats. Highlights include the Fragile Forest, the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia, and the Orangutan Island. Adjacent to the zoo is the Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal zoo, offering a unique opportunity to observe nocturnal animals in their natural habitat. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="8. Clarke Quay" comment="subhead" text="8. Clarke Quay">8. Clarke Quay</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="8" msid="110582269" hostid="261" sizebytes="1373695" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Clarke Quay&amp;#39;s lively riverside nightlife.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Clarke Quay is a riverside quay that comes alive at night with a vibrant nightlife. The area is filled with restaurants, bars, and clubs, making it a popular spot for evening entertainment. Visitors can also enjoy a scenic river cruise to see Singapore’s skyline and iconic landmarks illuminated at night. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="9. Singapore Flyer" comment="subhead" text="9. Singapore Flyer">9. Singapore Flyer</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="9" msid="110582293" hostid="261" sizebytes="1554420" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Panoramic city views from the Singapore Flyer.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>The Singapore Flyer is a giant observation wheel that offers breathtaking views of the city. Standing at 165 meters, it is one of the world’s tallest Ferris wheels. The 30-minute ride provides panoramic views of landmarks like Marina Bay, the Singapore River, and even parts of Malaysia and Indonesia on a clear day. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="10. Haw Par Villa" comment="subhead" text="10. Haw Par Villa">10. Haw Par Villa</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="10" msid="110582307" hostid="261" sizebytes="2497550" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Discover Chinese mythology at the unique Haw Par Villa.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Haw Par Villa is a unique theme park that showcases Chinese mythology and folklore. It features over 1,000 statues and dioramas depicting scenes from Chinese legends and history. The park is best known for its Ten Courts of Hell, a series of gruesome displays illustrating the Buddhist concept of hell. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Tips for Indian Travellers" comment="subhead" text="Tips for Indian Travellers">Tips for Indian Travellers</cmsannotation> Food: Singapore is a food lover’s paradise with a variety of Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Visit hawker centres for affordable and delicious local food. Weather: Singapore has a tropical climate. Carry light, comfortable clothing and stay hydrated. Transport: The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system is efficient and convenient for getting around the city. Language: English is widely spoken, making it easy for Indian tourists to communicate. Singapore’s mix of cultural experiences, modern attractions, and natural beauty makes it a wonderful destination for Indian travellers. Whether you’re exploring futuristic gardens, indulging in world-class shopping, or enjoying vibrant nightlife, Singapore has something for everyone. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Frequently asked questions" comment="subhead" text="Frequently asked questions">Frequently asked questions</cmsannotation> 1. Do I need a visa to travel to Singapore? Yes, Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Singapore. You can apply for a Singapore visa online or through authorised travel agents. The visa process is straightforward and typically takes about 3-5 working days. 2. What is the best time to visit Singapore? Singapore has a tropical climate with consistent temperatures year-round. However, the best time to visit is between February and April when the weather is relatively dry and pleasant. Avoid visiting during the monsoon seasons (November to January and June to September) when heavy rains can disrupt outdoor activities. 3. What is the local currency and how can I exchange money? The local currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). Money can be exchanged at banks, currency exchange counters at the airport, and authorised money changers throughout the city. ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted at most establishments. 4. Is Singapore safe for tourists? Yes, Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists. It has low crime rates and a very efficient public safety system. However, it’s always advisable to take common precautions, such as safeguarding your belongings and being aware of your surroundings. 5. What is the best way to get around Singapore? Singapore has an excellent public transportation system, including the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and buses, which are efficient, clean, and affordable. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab are also widely available. The EZ-Link card or Singapore Tourist Pass are convenient options for unlimited travel on public transport. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/international/webstories/top-10-activities-to-do-in-singapore-for-an-unforgettable-visit-in-2024/slidelist/110551251.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">10 best things to do in Singapore for an unforgettable visit</a>

Best places to visit in Singapore for Indians

<keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword> has seen tremendous growth as a wealth management centre in recent years. In the ten years from 2012 to 2021, assets under management have increased more than three-fold from SGD1.6 trillion (USD1.2 trillion) to SGD 5.4 trillion, according to data from Singapore's central bank, MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore). In just one year, 2021, it grew 16 per cent, the last year's data is available. Three-quarters of this came from outside Singapore, with just under a third from Asia-Pacific countries. Indeed, some call Singapore the Switzerland of the East. Recently, the trend of setting up family <keyword id="47357" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="offices" source="Orion">offices</keyword> has been growing and has accelerated since the start of the pandemic and Singapore has managed to take a large slice of this market as well. Family offices are privately held companies set up to manage the wealth and investments of the uber-rich. These family offices are usually set up with the objective of managing the financial and investment needs of affluent families or individuals including providing financial solutions, budgeting, insurance, charitable giving, wealth transfer and succession planning, and tax services. Family offices are different from traditional wealth management in that they offer a total solution to managing the financial and investment needs of an affluent individual or family. Between 2020 to 2021, Singapore has seen the number of family offices set up in the city-state climb from 400 to 700. No data is available for 2022 at the moment but anecdotal evidence suggests that this trend continues to grow. Chung Ting Fai, a lawyer who helps set up family offices, told Reuters that in late 2022, he had one enquiry a week from people who want to move at least USD20 million into Singapore. That's up from about an enquiry a month in 2021, while in January this year, he received two enquiries a week. In October last year, <keyword id="29740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bloomberg" source="Orion">Bloomberg</keyword> reported that Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani ranked 10th richest man in the Forbes billionaires list for 2022, is establishing a family office in Singapore. The office will be set up by Reliance Industries, the billionaire's firm. It is being believed that opening a family office in Singapore will help Ambani achieve his greater goal of turning his retail-to-refining business global. It will also help him buy assets abroad. He is in good company. The likes of ultra-rich individuals like hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio and co-founder of Google Sergey Brin have chosen Singapore to establish their family offices. So have British inventor James Dyson famous for his bladeless fans and hair dryers and vacuum cleaners, and Zhang Yong, founder of China's Haidilao hotpot restaurant chain. As it started to significantly ease COVID restrictions, being the leading Asian country to do so, Singapore has seen a fresh wave of affluent foreigners looking to park their wealth here. This is especially so among the Chinese as they became disenchanted by their government's draconian COVID policies. These mainlanders have become impatient and are keen to look at alternative destinations for their wealth. Although China has now abandoned its zero-COVID policy, these wealthy Chinese are expected to continue to explore options outside of their home country, in part also due to concern about President Xi Jinping's common prosperity drive that aims to reduce inequality. Besides the Chinese, Malaysian and Japanese citizens are also looking to set up family offices in Singapore. What attracts ultra-rich foreigners to Singapore to set up family offices is its tax-friendly regime and comparatively safe and secure environment. It is also seen as politically stable with clear transparent rules and an incorruptible system. Singapore also is an international financial centre which allows investment firms the ability to offer their clients a varied range of products and investment opportunities to suit their needs. The arrival of the wealthy is leading to Singapore's resident population growing again after many expatriates left at the height of the pandemic. In 2022, the island received 30,000 more permanent residents and 97,000 more foreigners on work or long-term visas, lifting its population to 5.64 million. However, the flood of the global rich squeezing onto the tiny island is causing some pain to the local population. Prices of cars, housing and other goods have escalated significantly. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong signalled in August last year that the wealthy may face more taxes to boost inclusive growth. Singapore's new residents have sent rents surging 21 per cent in the first nine months of last year. Home prices have also jumped over the past two years with mainland Chinese buyers continuing to be the top foreign buyers of expensive private properties. The steep rise in golf memberships is but one sign of how the price of the symbols of affluence on the island has gone bonkers. Accordingly to the membership brokerage firm, Singolf Services, the membership cost to Singapore's prestigious Sentosa Golf Club has more than doubled since 2019 to reach SGD 880,000 (USD 665,000) for foreigners. Desmond Teo, Asia Pacific family enterprise leader at consulting firm EY commented to Reuters that the inflows of money support Singapore's financial services sector and startups, creating a "rich ecosystem" that makes the country more attractive to new stakeholders. "When you hit a certain critical mass, the critical mass itself is an attraction," he said.

Why are wealthy Indians, foreigners opening family offices in Singapore?

New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed hope that digital transactions will soon surpass cash with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) increasingly becoming the most preferred payment mechanism in the country. Modi after the launch of the cross-border connectivity between the UPI and PayNow of Singapore said about 74 billion transactions amounting to more than Rs 126 trillion, which is approximately 2 trillion Singapore dollar, was done through UPI in 2022. "Many experts are estimating that very soon India's <keyword id="16596261" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-wallet-transactions" source="Orion">digital wallet transactions</keyword> are going to overtake cash transactions," he said. A large number of transactions via UPI demonstrate that this indigenously designed payment system is very secure, he said. Modi along with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the launch of cross-border connectivity between the UPI and PayNow of Singapore via video conferencing. The facility was launched through token transactions by Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das and Managing Director of Monetary Authority of Singapore Ravi Menon using the UPI-PayNow linkage. Stressing that the linkage of UPI and PayNow is a new milestone in India-Singapore relations, Modi said, this will help people of both the countries to do cross border transactions through mobile phone in an affordable manner. Singapore is the first country with which cross-border Person-to-Person (P2P) payment facility has been launched, he said, adding, this will help the Indian diaspora in Singapore, especially migrant workers/students and bring the benefits of digitalisation and fintech to the common man through instantaneous and low-cost transfer of money from Singapore to India and vice-versa. Pointing out that the focus of the government is to promote innovation and modernisation, Modi said the Digital India programme of the government has enhanced 'Ease of Living' and 'Ease of Doing Business' and digital connectivity and has pushed financial inclusion. The Digital India programme has brought in significant reforms in governance and public service delivery. The linkage will enable users of the two fast payment systems in either country to make convenient, safe, instant, and cost-effective cross-border fund transfers using their respective mobile apps. Funds held in bank accounts or e-wallets can be transferred to or from India using just the UPI-id, mobile number, or Virtual Payment Address (VPA), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in a statement. To begin with, the statement said State Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Indian Bank and ICICI Bank will facilitate both inward and outward remittances, while Axis Bank and DBS India will facilitate inward remittances. For Singapore users, the service will be made available through DBS-Singapore and Liquid Group (a non-bank financial institution). More banks will be included in the linkage over time. Customers of the above participating banks can undertake cross-border remittances to Singapore using the bank's mobile banking app or internet banking. To begin with, an Indian user can remit up to Rs 60,000 in a day (equivalent to around SGD 1,000). At the time of making the transaction, the system shall dynamically calculate and display the amount in both currencies for the convenience of the user, it said. The UPI-PayNow linkage is the product of extensive collaboration between the RBI, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and Payment System Operators of both countries viz. NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Banking Computer Services Pte Ltd (BCS), and participating banks / non-bank financial institutions. This interlinkage aligns with the G20's financial inclusion priorities of driving faster, cheaper and more transparent cross-border payments and will be a significant milestone in the development of infrastructure for cross-border payments between India and Singapore, the statement said. India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing ecosystems for fintech innovation. A key emphasis of the Prime Minister has been on ensuring that the benefits of UPI are not limited to India only but extend to other countries as well. The virtual launch was preceded by a phone call between the two Prime Ministers, wherein discussions were held on areas of mutual interest. Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Lee for his partnership in taking the India-Singapore relationship forward and looked forward to working with him under India's G20 Presidency.

Digital transactions to soon exceed cash in India: PM Modi

Last week, the <keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword> Tourism Board (STB) announced visitor numbers to the city-state which topped expectations with over 2.9 million arrivals in the first three months of this year. This is 62 per cent of 2019's first quarter figure of the 4.7 million people who visited Singapore in the first quarter of 2019. A total of 193,230 of these came from India which is about 3.5 times more than the 54,530 who arrived in 2022. Indian residents are the fourth largest source of tourist arrivals in the first quarter after Indonesians (523,300), Malaysian (278,910) and Australians (265,730). Americans made up the fifth largest group of visitors by country of origin at 168,960. China which was the largest source of tourists for Singapore with over 3.75 million visitors in 2019 have yet to fully return to Singapore and made up the ninth largest group of tourists in Q1 with only 124,560 coming to Singapore. In 2019, based on figures from China's National Bureau of Statistics, Chinese tourists made nearly 170 million trips abroad. Although China has lifted travel restrictions, cumbersome travel processes targeted at Chinese residents by countries like South Korea and Japan earlier this year dampened the enthusiasm for outboard travel. This has been exacerbated by delays in passport renewals and visa applications as well as the inability of Chinese airlines to mount the same number of flights as before COVID. Based on data from Alibaba-owned travel booking site Fliggy, during February, international flights out of China are at less than 10 per cent of 2019 levels. Furthermore, the travel habits of Chinese citizens have been changed by three years of COVID-19 restrictions with many now contented to explore the vast and varied attractions in their own country. "The Chinese tourists we will welcome this year and in the coming years are very different from those who came before," Wolfgang Georg Arlt, founder and chief executive of COTRI (Chinese Outbound Tourism Research Institute), was quoted by CBNC as saying at ITB Berlin, the world's largest tourism trade fair. COTRI is an independent consulting company based in Germany. In China as elsewhere, years of pandemic-induced lockdowns sparked a shift away from major tourist attractions toward "more nature-orientated, more outdoor-orientated tourism," Arlt said. He highlighted the emergence of trends like camping and glamping, as well as family-focused trips. COTRI predicts that Chinese outbound travel will recover to around two-thirds of 2019's figures, with around 110 million overseas trips this year. In the meantime, the Singapore Tourism Board is not waiting for Chinese tourists' return to launch new activities and attractions to boost tourism on the island. To inspire travel to Singapore through TV series and films, STB together with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced the launch of an SGD 10 million (USD 7.5 million) Singapore On-screen Fund. The fund aims to support international media and entertainment (M&amp;E) partners in marketing Singapore through television and film shows aimed at an international audience. The Singapore On-screen Fund will support selected projects by key M&amp;E companies, which must be set in Singapore and launched before the first quarter of 2027. Successful projects will receive funding support of up to 30 per cent of qualifying costs related to featuring Singapore, including production and marketing costs. This is in part inspired by past collaborations which resulted in movies such as "Crazy Rich Asians", the popular K-drama "Little Women (2022) and the HBO sci-fi hit series "Westworld Season 3" (2020). These shows created an international impact and left a positive impression on audiences around the world. Also just announced in April is the return of the Free Singapore Tour which is very popular with Indian tourists as well as those from Australia and Indonesia. The tour was suspended during COVID. This tour is organised by STB together with Changi Airport and is meant for transit passengers at Changi who have a layover period of at least five and a half hours but less than 24 hours. They must also have valid entry visas for Singapore to take part in the tours. The objective of organising these free tours is to entice transit passengers to make Singapore a destination for their next holiday. The original three tours available before COVID - the City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour and Jewel Tour - have been refreshed to include new points of interest. A brand-new Changi Precinct tour will introduce travellers to the interesting sights and sounds of the eastern region surrounding Singapore Changi Airport. Each tour lasts two and a half hours and will be available daily, with plans to progressively increase to nine tours a day. In 2019, over 80,000 passengers went on the Free Singapore Tour. Another exciting development is the stationing of a brand-new Disney Cruise Line ship in Singapore from 2025 for five years. A memorandum of understanding between STB and Disney Cruise Line was announced on March 29. The 208,000 gross-ton ship which will have a passenger capacity of about 6,000 plus a crew strength of 2,300 will be taking passengers for cruises around Southeast Asian countries, home to more than 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Disney Cruise Line ship has the potential to add millions of local and foreign cruise passengers during the five-year period, including fly-cruise passengers who arrive in Singapore by air. It is also expected to bring about significant spillover benefits for the wider economy. "We look forward to welcoming the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Singapore in 2025," said Keith Tan, Chief Executive of STB. "This is an important milestone for STB and reflects Disney Cruise Line's strong confidence in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The new Disney cruise ship will be an attraction itself and is expected to boost the tourism sector in Singapore for many years to come."

As Indian visitors surge, Singapore tourist arrivals now at two-thirds pre-Covid levels

By Gurdip Singh Singapore, Jun 15 () A Singapore court on Monday imposed a fine of over USD 1,400 on an Indian student for attending a gathering at a rented apartment, in violation of the country's "circuit breaker" rules enforced to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Bhullar Jasteena, 23, pleaded guilty to the offence under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act. For committing the offence under the Act, first-time offenders can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to SGD 10,000 (USD 7,163). Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to SGD 20,000 (USD 14,326). Jasteena was among the 10 Indian students who had gathered at the apartment on Kim Keat Road on May 5, during the COVID-19 "circuit breaker" period when it was illegal in the country to have guests at one's household or to meet other people for social purposes. Earlier this month, nine of the students had pleaded guilty to similar charges and penalties ranging between SGD 2,500 (USD 1,782) and SGD 4,500 (USD 3,208) were imposed on them. The court imposed a fine of SGD 2,000 (USD 1,433) on Jasteena, The Straits Times reported. Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Stephanie Koh said Avinash Kaur, 27, Navdeep Singh, 20, and Sajandeep Singh, 21, were living in the three-bedroom rented apartment. On May 5, Navdeep and Sajandeep invited six of their male friends. Kaur also invited Jasteena to the unit so that they could study together. She arrived at around 11:30 am and remained in Kaur's room. The court was told that the police were alerted about an altercation at the unit by an unidentified person. When the police arrived at the spot at around 1 pm, they found the offenders there. The court documents did not reveal details about the tiff. DPP Koh told the court that even though Jasteena spent only 80 minutes in the unit, her visit did not have an "agreed end time" and would likely have continued had the police not gone there. The DPP also said that Jasteena had met Kaur for a "frivolous and completely unnecessary purpose in blatant disregard of the social distancing measures that the rest of society has taken pains to comply with". Navdeep and Sajandeep were each fined SGD 4,500 (USD 3,208). Their guests, Arpit Kumar, 27, Karmjit Singh, 20, Mohammed Imran Pasha, 26, Sharma Lukesh, 21, Vijay Kumar, 20, and Waseem Akram, 33, were each fined SGD 2,500 (USD 1,782). Kaur was fined SGD 3,500 (USD 2,496). In another incident, a 30-year old Singaporean woman of Indian-origin was fined SGD 5,000 (USD 3,581) for several offences, including leaving her house twice to meet her boyfriend during the COVID-19 "circuit breaker" period. Renukha Arumugam was fined on Monday after being charged with five counts under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020, the Channel News Asia reported. The charges are meeting individuals not from her household for a social purpose, two counts of leaving her house without a reasonable excuse and one count of not wearing a mask properly when outside. According to the charge sheet, Renukha left her house on three occasions: twice to meet her boyfriend and a third time to meet a friend. She was also accused of not wearing her mask over her nose and mouth at the entrance of a car park while meeting her boyfriend. The "circuit-breaker" period began on April 7 as part of which all non-essential work places were closed and residents were barred from leaving their house except to buy food and groceries or to exercise alone in the neighbourhood. It ended on June 2. Businesses that operate in settings with low transmission risks were allowed to reopen. Full hairdressing services, motor vehicle servicing, air conditioning servicing, printing, basic pet services and education bookshops and limited school activities have been allowed to resume as part of phase-1 of the reopening. According to the health ministry, there are 40,818 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Singapore. GS SCY SCY

Indian student in Singapore fined for breaching COVID-19 'circuit breaker' rule

By Gurdip Singh Singapore, Apr 22 () A 52-year-old Indian-origin man was charged on Wednesday in Singapore with various COVID-19 related offences, including stepping out of the house to socialise, wearing a mask improperly and repeatedly threatening enforcement officers, according to a media report. Ravi Sinathamby Subramaniam, was given eight charges, including criminal intimidation, using abusive words against a public servant and offences under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, Channel News Asia reported on Wednesday The offences occurred over two days last week, charge sheets state. On April 14, Subramaniam allegedly met a person to socialise in front of Apartment Block 74 in public housing estate. After this, he is said to have become drunk and went to a nearby minimart at the same block, where he conducted himself in a manner causing annoyance to a police sergeant, the report said. He also abused the police officer.The second set of offence took place on April 18.Subramaniam is accused of wearing his mask improperly, only over his chin and did not cover his nose and mouth, while at the coffee shop at Apartment Block 81 in the same public housing estate.It was around lunch time when he allegedly abused a safe distancing enforcement officer at the coffee shop. Ten minutes later, he abused a second officer there to enforce safe distancing, the court documents said. He then threatened this officer by saying: "Don't let me see you again, if not I will break your face."Charge sheets stated that Subramaniam repeated this threat to both officers.He intends to return to the court to plead guilty on April 29. For meeting a person who did not live with him for any social purpose, he can be jailed for up to six months, fined a maximum SGD 10,000, or both. The penalties are the same for not wearing a mask over his nose and mouth at all times outside his home. For conducting himself in a drunken manner in a public place and causing annoyance, he can be jailed for up to six months, fined a maximum SGD 1,000, or both if it is his first offence. He can be jailed for up to a year, fined a maximum SGD 5,000, or both for cursing at a public servant, according to the Channel report. GS AMS

Indian-origin man charged with COVID-19 related offences in Singapore

<keyword id="399907" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="meta" source="Orion">Meta</keyword>, the parent company of Facebook, has announced that it was laying off about 11,000 employees, or 13 per cent of its global workforce. It's the first mass redundancy exercise for the 18-year-old social media behemoth. Its Asia-Pacific headquarters in <keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword> was not spared. Media reports speculated that out of the estimated 1,000 employees here, perhaps up to 100, have been affected, majority of whom are tech workers including software engineers. Based on 2021 Singapore Ministry of Manpower figures, about a quarter of the 177,100 employment pass holders or around 45,000, are from India. Employment pass holders are the highest qualified foreign professionals that are allowed to work in the country and must earn at least SGD 5,000 (USD 3,700) per month. No doubt many of these are impacted by not only Meta's layoffs but also other redundancies happening in the tech sector. Technology companies around the world and in Singapore, a major tech hub where many of the tech giants host their regional headquarters, are freezing hiring or downsizing in the face of sluggish consumer spending, higher interest rates and inflation. Singapore-based gaming and ecommerce powerhouse Sea Limited, the parent company of Garena, (publisher of games like League of Legends and Free Fire), and Shopee, made two rounds of cuts in June and September and rescinded job offers. Sea had 67,300 employees as at the end of 2021, double its headcount the year before, according to the company's most recent annual report. Following a net loss of USD931 million in the second quarter of this year, and amidst mounting cost of borrowing and a slowing global economy, the company scaled back its overseas footprint and periphery businesses with the aim to boost profitability by consolidating its position in its key markets and core products. The company did not reveal the number of job cuts but the job losses in Singapore and in its offices around the world is estimated to be in the hundreds. "Last year, a lot of what happened was a lot of cheap capital in the market flooded the market (which) allowed companies to grow really at any cost," said <keyword id="15509891" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="jessica-huang-pouleur" source="Orion">Jessica Huang Pouleur</keyword>, a partner at venture capital firm Openspace, to CNBC in June. "What happened was people hired very rapidly. You have a problem; you just throw people at it. I think we'll likely see more of it to come over the course of the next few months." Among the Southeast Asian companies that downsized in the middle of the year are Singapore-based digital wealth manager, StashAway which laid off 31 employees, or 14 per cent of its headcount, and currency exchange Crypto.com which let go 260, or 5 per cent of its workforce in Singapore. Meanwhile, Malaysian online shopping platform iPrice also retrenched 250 workers or 25 per cent of its employees, and Indonesian education tech company Zenius made more than 200 employees redundant. In November, digital payments startup <keyword id="944108" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="stripe" source="Orion">Stripe</keyword> and social media network Twitter were among the companies that reduce jobs in their Singapore offices. On November 3, Stripe announced said it would cut its global workforce by 1,000 or 14 per cent. After the job cuts, Stripe will have about 7,000 employees. Some Singapore-based jobs were impacted. A day later, Twitter chopped off half its global headcount or about 3,700 employees a week after Elon Musk's takeover. Those in the Singapore office were also affected. Singapore's Straits Times reported that the among those impacted were staff from its engineering, sales and marketing teams. Startups in the region were particularly badly affected due to a fall in venture capital funding levels this year. According to a Crunchbase report, funding in the region dropped by 7 per cent in the first quarter of 2022 to USD36.3 billion compared to the same quarter last year. Many tech companies expanded rapidly during the COVID pandemic as much of the world stayed at home and formed habits which created a spike in demand for online services. As consumer behaviour began to normalise after the lockdowns, some of these habits have shifted. This coupled with inflation and rising interest rates has put a squeeze on all tech companies. Some call the recent fall in share prices of big tech companies an overdue correction. While revenue and jobs in the tech will be impacted in the short-term, and market volatility is likely in the near future, the tech industry is expected to continue to grow in the long-term. A recent article published by consulting and recruitment specialist Mercer says that the demand for tech jobs and talent continues to outstrip supply in Asia. The evidence Mercer claims is in the starting salaries for graduates with a computing degree. Comparing Mercer's data from 2018 and factoring the time it generally takes for one cohort in most locations to complete an average degree course; there has been significant growth, primarily driven by massive hiring in emerging tech markets such as Vietnam (59 per cent increase) as well as lower-tier cities in China (22 per cent increase). Furthermore, economies across Asia are becoming more digital. According to research from Google, Temasek Holdings and Bain &amp; Co., the internet economy in Southeast Asia is projected to double to USD363 billion by 2025, surpassing the previous forecast of USD300 billion. The tech industry always goes through "periods of major adjustments and corrections", such as the "dotcom bubble" in the mid-1990s to early 2000s, said Dr Natalie Pang to Channel NewsAsia. Dr Pang is the principal investigator at the Centre for Trusted Internet and Community at the <keyword id="87108" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="national-university-of-singapore" source="Orion">National University of Singapore</keyword>. "Widespread adoption of tech at work and at home drove significant growth for the industry during the last two years of the pandemic, but the post-pandemic era has highlighted the need to adjust and correct," she added. "In the case of the recent layoffs, I would say that tech is in a major period of adjustment." SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/indices-open-flat-as-investors-await-october-inflation-data/articleshow/95500085.cms">Indices open flat as investors await October inflation data</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/cloud-lending-platform-lentra-raises-60-million-will-use-funds-for-product-strengthening-and-global-expansion/articleshow/95499744.cms">Cloud lending platform Lentra raises $60 million, will use funds for product strengthening and global expansion</a>

How Singapore tech layoffs are impacting Indians

By Gurdip Singh Singapore, May 9 () A 40-year-old Indian-origin woman in Singapore was charged with five counts, including use of criminal force, in a court here on Saturday for refusing to wear a face mask for protection against COVID-19 and assaulting a police officer who tried to ascertain her identity.Kasturi Govindasamy Retnamswamy was arrested after the incident that happened at a shopping mall on May 7 and was captured on video.Retnamswamy, who is a Singaporean, was remanded at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for psychiatric evaluation after the incident, reported The Straits Times.She was taken to a court on Saturday and faced five charges, including use of abusive words and criminal force against a public servant.The next hearing is scheduled for May 22 after her remand in the IMH.According to the police statement on Friday, the woman insulted the mall staff and hurled abuses at a security officer who was trying to get her to put on her mask correctly.The widely-shared video of the incident shows a woman taunting a mall employee, demanding that he removes his face mask to speak to her.The mall staff informed the police and when the officers requested to see her identity, she allegedly started peeling off the address sticker on her identity card."When one of the police officers tried to stop her, the woman assaulted the police officer and remained uncooperative," said the police, noting that the woman had been fined SGD 300 (USD 212) on April 29 for not wearing a mask at the same mall."Everyone should take the circuit breaker measures seriously. The police will not tolerate such blatant disregard of the law and wilful breaches of safe distancing measures," the police said.Retnamswamy is the second person of Indian origin to be remanded at the IMH for psychiatric evaluation after the incident involving face masks.Paramjeet Kaur, 40, who made headlines after videos emerged of her claiming to be a "sovereign" when confronted for not wearing a mask in public, was charged on May 5 with one count of being a public nuisance and three counts of violating COVID-19 rules.Kaur, a Singaporean, will attend her next court hearing on May 19.Those convicted of voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from carrying out public duties will be liable to a maximum jail term of seven years and a fine or caning, provided that in exceptional circumstances imprisonment need not be imposed.If found guilty of harassment by using insulting or abusive language, perpetrators face up to six months in jail and fine up to SGD 5,000 (USD 3,539) or both. GS RS RS

COVID-19: Indian-origin woman faces charges for refusing to wear face mask in Singapore

By Gurdip Singh Singapore, Jun 18 () Singapore on Thursday confirmed 257 new COVID-19 infections among foreign workers, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 41,473. The new patients include four community cases, including one permanent resident (foreigner), the health ministry said. The other three are foreigners on work passes. The rest 253 cases are also foreign workers living in dormitories. The total coronavirus cases in Singapore now stands at 41,473. As of Wednesday, Singapore had 9,252 active COVID-19 cases. The virus has claimed 26 lives so far in the country, the ministry said. The government on Wednesday said that Singaporeans and permanent residents who had gone out of the country before an advisory against travelling abroad was issued on March 27 will not have to pay for the COVID-19 tests on their return. However, the waiver will be applicable only if they come back by August 31, the health ministry said. Those who left the country after March 27 will have to pay for their COVID-19 tests, which costs up to SGD 200. They would also need to pay for staying in dedicated facilities if they are serving their stay-home notices there. This applies to all Singaporeans, permanent residents and foreigners. The ministry also clarified that it will not automatically swab those who are aged 12 or younger before they end their stay-home notices unless their close contacts test positive for the virus. GS SCY SCY

Singapore reports 257 new coronavirus cases among foreigners

Mumbai, Jan 29 () Following are the Direct Rates
of Exchange (DRE) as announced by the State Bank of India here
today. (All rates in rupees per unit):
CURR_CODETTBUYTTSELLBILLBUYBILLSELL
USD/INR70.4871.9870.4272.12
EUR/INR77.1179.8377.0479.98
GBP/INR91.2494.2691.1694.44
JPY/INR64.166.3764.0566.5
CHF/INR71.7774.4771.7174.62
AUD/INR47.2649.3447.2249.44
NZD/INR45.6747.7645.6347.85
CAD/INR53.2355.0553.1955.16
SGD/INR51.6353.3251.5953.42
HKD/INR9.019.328.999.34
DKK/INR10.3310.6710.3110.69
NOK/INR7.697.947.687.96
-----
Note :- CURRENCY JPY IS CALCULATED IN 100 FOREIGN
CURRENCY UNITS.
------------
 MUM
SVC SVC

DIRECT-EXCHANGE-RATES-SBI

Experts in Singapore, where 170 new <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> cases were reported on Wednesday, have warned that the new and supposedly more contagious variant is likely to replace <keyword id="6383835" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="delta" source="Orion">Delta</keyword> over the coming weeks to months. While Delta is still the most common variant in all continents except Africa, Omicron is spreading very quickly, said <keyword id="12841438" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dr-Sebastian-Maurer-Stroh" source="Orion">Dr Sebastian Maurer-Stroh</keyword>, executive director of the state-owned Agency for Science, Technology and Research's Bioinformatics Institute here. Of the genome submissions sent to the Munich-headquartered Gisaid, a data science initiative that provides the shared genome platform for Covid, the Omicron strain has comprised between 7 per cent and 27 per cent of new submissions over the past month, up until Tuesday. The figures refer to all continents except Africa. "From current data, it looks like Delta will go down over time relative to Omicron," The Straits Times said quoting Dr Maurer-Stroh, who is part of the global team that maintains Gisaid. The new variant was first detected in South Africa on November 11, and then in Botswana and Hong Kong, before it rippled across more than 110 countries, as at last weekend. Omicron is already dominant in Australia, India, Russia, South Africa and the United Kingdom, noted Professor Dale Fisher, a senior consultant at the National University Hospital's Division of Infectious Diseases. "We are seeing a global transition from Delta to Omicron because with a greater transmissibility, the virus is fitter and has a reproductive advantage," noted Prof Fisher. But he added a caveat that the reports of Omicron rates may be biased as some countries do little gene sequencing, and those that do may be looking for a deletion in a specific spike gene to identify Omicron, instead of carrying out whole genome sequencing. <keyword id="12841439" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singapores-Ministry-of-Health" source="Orion">Singapore's Ministry of Health</keyword> (MOH) said on its website that from December 24, Covid-19 cases that tested positive for the so-called S-gene target failure will be categorised as Omicron. The S-gene encodes the virus's spike protein. Based on local experience, if a person tests positive for the S-gene target failure, the individual is very likely to have the Omicron variant, said MoH, noting that this practice aligns with those in other countries. Fisher said most experts in the field believe Omicron will replace Delta as the dominant strain. A South Africa study suggested that Delta may be displaced because infection with the new variant boosts immunity to the older one, Reuters reported on Tuesday. While the Delta variant has 13 mutations with nine on the spike protein, Omicron has about 50 mutations not seen together before, and 32 of them are on the spike protein. Because of its mutations, the Delta variant attaches more effectively to human cell receptors, causing it to be more infective, said Fisher. But the Omicron variant made health authorities more concerned as the virus is even "stickier" because of its extra mutations, he added. The rise and fall of new variants over time follows the laws of nature and the survival of the fittest, Fisher noted. Dr Maurer-Stroh said the environment in which two variants compete will also help determine which is more successful. "As immunity in the population increases from both vaccination and natural infection, severity goes down but even slightly better escape from the prevalent immune response can give one variant the extra edge over another," he said. "This is also what we see with different flu variants every year." Dr Maurer-Stroh said, "Because of the great benefit of vaccination including boosters, we see less severe cases." As Omicron and Delta continue to wrestle for dominance, some have wondered whether it would be possible to be infected with both strains at the same time. "This is possible but rare. And very quickly, only one variant would be the dominant infection in the body," added Dr Maurer-Stroh. International evidence indicates that the Omicron variant is likely to be more transmissible, but less severe than the Delta variant. Meanwhile, local and foreign travellers entering Singapore are each allowed to bring with them a maximum of 20 Covid self-test kits as long as they are approved for use in the country the traveller is arriving from though not authorised for use here. This has been the case since December 23, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) told The Straits Times. The HSA said it had observed an increase in personal imports of Covid self-test kits into Singapore since October. It had barred the import of some of these test kits, which have not been evaluated for quality or efficacy, as they may be resold locally. But with the reopening of borders, the HSA said it recognised the need for travellers to bring their own self-test kits to fulfil the necessary testing requirements here. The HSA has authorised 11 Covid-19 self-test kits for use in Singapore. But members of the public are reminded that the import of self-test kits through parcel post is still not allowed. Any onward supply by wholesale of self-test kits is also not permitted and will require licences and authorisation from HSA. Those infringing this can be imprisoned for up to two years and/or fined up to SGD50,000, if convicted, according to the report. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/top-social-media-features-on-facebook-instagram-whatsapp-in-2021/slidelist/88568219.cms">2021 in social media — Creators get more ways to earn money, live audio rooms become mainstream and more</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/pvr-indian-hotels-banks-and-other-hot-stocks-to-watch-out-for-on-december-30/slidelist/88579374.cms">PVR, Indian Hotels, banks and other hot stocks to watch out for on December 30</a>

You Searched For "sgd" and got 14 results