SINGAPORE — Over three years, a business analyst at a bank reeled in a total of 31 girls and young women with the lure of money and manipulated the victims into sexually exposing themselves to him. Hee Lic Yuan, 32, committed the offences from 2019 to 2021, when the victims were between 13 and 22 years old. On April 16, he was sentenced to six years and nine months' jail and six strokes of the cane. Hee had pleaded guilty to 15 charges for offences including sexually penetrating an underage girl and producing sexually explicit material involving a minor. The charges involved a total of 11 girls and women. Hee had asked most of them to be his «sugar baby» before he committed the offences. The term is used to describe a younger person who is willing to spend time with a richer and often older man — a sugar daddy — in exchange for cash and gifts. Forty-four other charges, including those involving the other victims, were considered during his sentencing.

People's Action Party (PAP) member Alex Yeo will contest Potong Pasir SMC in General Election 2025, taking over the reins from incumbent MP Sitoh Yih Pin who has helmed the ward for three terms. At a press conference on Wednesday (April 16), the 46-year-old lawyer said he is no stranger to Potong Pasir — he had been a volunteer and branch secretary for the constituency between 2013 and about 2016. Yeo was appointed PAP branch chairman of the Paya Lebar division of Aljunied GRC in 2017 and was part of the PAP team that was fielded in Aljunied GRC in GE2020. He stepped down as branch chairman in August 2024. Despite the move, Yeo told the media he «never left» Potong Pasir, and has continued to help residents such as through the legal clinic he set up in 2016. «Returning to Potong Pasir... feels like I've come home,» he said on Wednesday. The lawyer said that his five-year plan for the ward, if elected, includes improving the infrastructure of estates, including Bidadari, as well as introducing mobile clinics for seniors.

Asean should aim for full tariff elimination across the region, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in a speech at the S Rajaratnam Lecture on Wednesday (April 16). PM Wong, who is also the Minister of Finance, was addressing concerns regarding the ongoing US-China trade war and how this may affect Singapore. He had previously tackled this issue in Parliament last Tuesday (April 8), where he highlighted the need for Singaporeans to be mentally prepared amid changes to the world they knew. «The new era will be more volatile, with more frequent and unpredictable shocks,» he had warned. On Wednesday, he explained the three key points Singapore has to take to weather the storm, one of them being the need to champion deeper regional cohesion and integration. He emphasised the need for Asean's 10 members to «stay cohesive and proactive», adding that the Asean Free Trade Area has benefitted citizens and businesses by being «virtually tariff-free». «But we cannot and we should not stop here,» PM Wong said. «We have to accelerate our integration efforts.»

Congress leaders have strongly criticized the ED's chargesheet against Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case, alleging it's a politically motivated attempt by the BJP to tarnish their image. Sachin Pilot asserted the ED and CBI are being misused as political tools, while Supriya Shrinate accused Prime Minister Modi of vendetta politics.

Rahul Gandhi has urged for significant reforms within the Gujarat Congress, emphasizing the importance of empowering local leaders and decentralizing decision-making processes. He stressed that district presidents should be granted genuine authority, shifting away from centralized control in Ahmedabad. Gandhi framed these internal changes as crucial for countering the BJP-RSS ideology, highlighting Gujarat's pivotal role in this ideological battle.

West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her claim that Bengal shares a border with Sri Lanka. Majumdar linked this remark to the Supreme Court's decision upholding the cancellation of teacher recruitments due to irregularities. He also expressed concern over violence in Murshidabad and urged the governor to intervene for peace.

This study analyses why European banks, despite improved cost efficiency, continue to trade at lower valuations than their United States (US) counterparts. The gap stems from limited growth potential due to market fragmentation and underdeveloped capital markets. To close this competitiveness divide, the study calls for accelerating the Savings and Investment Union (SIU), expanding investment banking capacity, and implementing smart banking regulation and supervision that reinforces market discipline while enabling risk-taking within a stable, integrated European financial system. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Danny Jones and his wife Georgia are living under the same roof but have 'separate lives', according to sources close to the couple.

Tommy Robinson has lost a Court of Appeal challenge against his 18-month sentence for contempt of court.

A bizarre gaffe has ignited online conspiracy theories about Kerry Perry's flight into space with Blue Origin.

The Supreme Court has announced that the definition of a woman in the Equality Act is based on biological sex in a landmark judgement.

Which of the following is the odd one out? A brand-new, top-of-the-range Tesla, a terraced house in County Durham, or a champagne-coloured cockapoo?

Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan Anita Kiki Gbeho, who visited Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State, on April 15, urged everyone «involved in the violence to refrain from harming the population— including humanitarian personnel who risk their lives every day to deliver aid»

One munition and seven drones were launched at the Volokonovsky district, damaging a private house, an outbuilding, and destroying a car

According to Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, Qatar continues to play an active role in supporting international efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and diplomacy

In February 2025, Qatar became the second largest LNG exporter worldwide after the US

Cairo (HOL) — A high-level Somali delegation met with General Osama Sayyid, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Council of Ministers, in Cairo on Tuesday to advance bilateral cooperation in public sector development and institutional reform.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia's Ambassador to the United States, Dahir Hassan Arab, announced on Tuesday that the country is officially open for oil drilling and exploration, inviting U.S. energy companies to re-engage in Somalia's hydrocarbon sector.

Beledweyne (HOL) — A new contingent of Djiboutian troops arrived in Beledweyne on Tuesday as part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), marking the latest deployment in the AU’s post-ATMIS operations.

Shocking video shows Gene Hackman and his wife were living in squalor shortly before their deaths.

Last year 1,720 people reportedly fell victim to courier fraud, but because not all frauds are reported, the actual figure is likely to be significantly higher.

The decision could have far-reaching implications on how sex-based rights apply, including how women-only spaces are allowed to operate.

Which of the following is the odd one out? A brand-new, top-of-the-range Tesla, a terraced house in County Durham, or a champagne-coloured cockapoo?

It says something about the speed and intensity of the global news cycle that Aimee Lou Wood has in the space of ten days become the most talked about celebrity on the planet.

The supermarket giant announced that it was planning to close 52 of its in-store cafes and 17 small outlets.

Tiger Lily Hutchence's secret East London wedding' this weekend was said to have been 'very rock 'n' roll' - but behind the singer's happy day is a painful history.

The Trump administration is eyeing a proposal to cut funding for NATO and the UN, the New York Times has reported Read Full Article at RT.com

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee addressed the Murshidabad unrest, refuting BJP's claims of TMC involvement in Waqf violence and accusing the Centre of a pre-planned communal riot. She blamed the central government for border security lapses and 'godi media' for spreading misinformation against Bengal.

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A prototype from the ChatGPT maker reportedly features an AI image feed and could compete with social media apps Read Full Article at RT.com

The Trump administration is eyeing a proposal to cut funding for NATO and the UN, the New York Times has reported Read Full Article at RT.com

Since the entry into force of the Treaty of Maastricht, every EU citizen and all natural or legal persons residing in the Member States have had the right to submit a petition to the European Parliament, in the form of a complaint or a request on an issue that falls within the European Union’s fields of activity. Petitions are examined by Parliament’s Committee on Petitions, which takes a decision on their admissibility and is responsible for dealing with them. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, claiming Mughal descent, has appealed to the UN for the protection of Aurangzeb's tomb following unrest in Maharashtra. Citing the risk from misrepresentations and hate campaigns, he urged the UN to direct Indian authorities to secure the site under the Ancient Monuments Act.