Online netizens raised privacy concerns over the search function on online portal Bizfile, which allows users to search for the National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers of some citizens — who are likely to be shareholders or directors of private Singapore-registered companies. The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) manages the portal, which is used for business registrations and filings. The concerns were raised after veteran journalist Bertha Henson highlighted the issue on Facebook on Thursday (Dec 12) evening. She noted in a post that she could search for the NRIC numbers of current politicians, as well as those of deceased persons. The ability to search for these details raises privacy concerns. The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) was enacted in 2012 to restrict the collection and disclosure of such personal information. The Business Times has reached out to Acra for comment on the issue. Acra's data policy indicates that the types of personal data publicly available include names, identification numbers, as well as residential addresses — if no contact address is given.

The body of a 73-year-old woman was discovered in her Bedok home on Wednesday (Dec 11), after a neighbour noticed numerous cockroaches and a foul stench emanating from the unit. Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel had to assist the police in gaining entry to the blocked door of the cluttered flat at Blk 23 Chai Chee Road, reported Shin Min Daily News. A Shin Min reporter who visited the scene at about 2pm on Wednesday observed that the wooden door of the flat had been entirely removed and placed aside, and the metal gate appeared to have been pried open. Residents told the Chinese evening daily that the woman lived alone and often brought sundries home. After a resident informed the town council about the pungent smell and cockroaches, some workers reportedly visited the woman's home, but she did not answer the door. One female neighbour, who declined to be named, said the deceased had minimal interactions with them and hardly goes out. «Occasionally, her relatives, friends and volunteers will visit her, but I haven't seen her for at least two weeks,» she said.

Uproar in Rajya Sabha as opposition parties moved a no-confidence motion against Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, citing partisan conduct. Heated exchanges ensued, with Dhankhar and Congress President Kharge clashing over speaking time and alleged insults. The Rajya Sabha adjourned until December 16 after failing to resolve the impasse.

The Supreme Court urged protesting farmers at the Shambhu border to adopt Gandhian protest methods and consider moving from highways due to harsh weather. A high-powered committee will engage with farmers, while the court stressed against using force, especially concerning the fasting farmer leader Dallewal.

EAM S Jaishankar addressed India's foreign policy in Parliament, emphasizing the «neighborhood first» approach. He acknowledged concerns about regional dynamics, particularly with Bangladesh, citing minority treatment and developmental partnerships. Jaishankar stressed India's commitment to regional stability and cooperation, while also highlighting the need for Pakistan to address terrorism concerns for improved bilateral ties.

Donald Trump may support an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, the Wall Street Journal has said Read Full Article at RT.com

[allAfrica]

The largest NATO members in Europe have backed Ukraine’s desire to eventually join the bloc Read Full Article at RT.com

A new wave of email warnings has targeted the Reserve Bank of India and Delhi schools, prompting evacuations and police investigations Read Full Article at RT.com

Large-scale strikes have been reported across Ukraine, causing power outages in Kiev and other cities Read Full Article at RT.com

Beijing has said it firmly opposes South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol’s Chinese espionage accusations Read Full Article at RT.com

US President Joe Biden has authorized another arms package for Ukraine worth $500 million, according to statements Read Full Article at RT.com

The highly respected man of God, Apostle Dr. Mchellings Nyirongo of Christ Fellowship Church for All Nations (CFCAN), invites you to a life-changing Bible school, with the topic “Wearing the Garments of the Lord”, from December 26 to 31, 2024, at the Grand Palace Hotel in Mzuzu. This five-day Bible school promises to be a […] The post CFCAN’S Apostle Dr. Mchellings Nyirongo to Host Bible School in Mzuzu appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Seychelles has called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold major greenhouse gas emitters accountable for the harm caused by climate change, describing the issue as an «existential threat» to small island developing states (SIDS). The ICJ hearings, which began on December 2, 2024, are set to conclude on Friday, December 13. The Court will later deliver an advisory opinion on the legal obligations of states to protect the climate and the consequences of environmental harm. The Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change, and Environment, Flavien Joubert, led Seychelles’ delegation, delivering a statement on December 92024. Joubert asserted, “It is imperative that the polluting states, whose actions have caused irreversible harm, take full responsibility and provide reparations to those most affected.” Seychelles is urging the Court to recognise that states have a legal duty to protect human rights from the impacts of climate change, both within and beyond their territories. Joubert underscored the global reach of the crisis, saying, “The harm caused by climate change goes beyond borders and threatens lives and livelihoods. International law must ensure accountability for these violations.” The country’s aim is to establish a legal precedent that would compel major polluters to compensate vulnerable nations for the damage caused. The delegation also included Transport Minister Antony Derjacques, a qualified lawyer, and Attorney General Vinsent Perera. They collaborated with international law experts from the Paris-based firm Sygna Partners to present Seychelles’ arguments before the Court. The advisory opinion of the ICJ could have far-reaching implications for international climate law, potentially setting a new standard for state responsibility in addressing environmental damage. Seychelles’ participation underscores its commitment to ensuring that international law protects nations at the forefront of the climate crisis. SIDS like Seychelles are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events caused by climate change. As the hearings conclude, the world will be closely monitoring the ICJ’s decision, which could shape the future of international accountability for climate-related harm.

The alleged Chinese agent was apparently so close to the Royal Family he was invited to the Prince Andrew's birthday party. Yet he has now been banned from the UK 'on security grounds'.

Just Stop Oil and Labour donor Dale Vince travelled by private jet, drank champagne and 'had no problem in participating in conspicuous consumerism', his ex-wife told the High Court.

According to media reports, northwestern and central parts of the Palestinian enclave came under heavy artillery shelling

Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that talks on providing partner status to the invited countries were still ongoing but none of them had rejected the invitation

According to the sources, Trump’s transition team is working on a new «maximum pressure» strategy against Tehran, which would include military steps and tighter financial penalties

An air alert has been declared across the entire country

Battlegroup East Commander Lieutenant General Andrey Ivanayev reported to the defense minister that the Battlegroup’s units had liberated seven communities over the month and gained control of an area of more than 300 square kilometers

Hours before her flight back home, a disgruntled woman returned to her ex-workplace and allegedly smashed the glass shopfront. The incident occurred at a massage parlour along Race Course Road in Little India at about 10am on Monday (Dec 9). A Shin Min Daily News reporter who visited the scene following a reader tip-off noted glass shards scattered all over the parlour's premises as well as the pavement. A door frame was reportedly twisted, and the ceiling light fixtures were broken too. The massage parlour owner, surnamed Lin, told the Chinese evening daily that they had opened for business just several months ago. He reportedly invested $90,000 in this business.  He explained that his former employee had a conflict with her colleagues which affected business operations. That woman, and several others, were terminated from their positions. Her last day of work was on Dec 4.  «I didn't expect this to happen... I don't know why somebody would destroy the store,» said Lin, who added that the massage parlour was not open at the time of the incident.

This year, three Singaporeans have been named in Forbes Magazine's 100 most powerful women list which was released on Wednesday (Dec 11). Among them is OCBC chief Helen Wong, who came in at number 59. Wong, who became Group CEO in 2021 and a director of the bank's board in 2023, is drawing upon four decades of banking experience to lead OCBC, which recorded $13.5 billion in total income for the fiscal year of 2023, Forbes said. She is also a council member of the Association of Banks and the Institute of Banking and Finance in Singapore. Also on the list is Ho Ching, chairman of Temasek Trust, which is responsible for Temasek Holdings’ philanthropic endowments. This year, she ranked number 32, one spot up from her previous ranking in 2023.

A Singaporean who planned a 24-hour trip to Barcelona ended up getting robbed, according to a TikTok post he made on the platform on Wednesday (Dec 11). The TikTok user Daniel Lim, known online as Limey_dan, said he had gotten his rental vehicle from the airport in Barcelona, driving out of the garage. Lim, a 32-year-old lawyer, was then pulled over by another driver, who informed him that there were issues with his vehicle's tyre. While he was speaking with the driver, a second vehicle pulled up beside him, telling him that he couldn't park his vehicle there. «In that split second, my bag in the front seat was taken - with my passport, wallet and keys,» Lim recalled. Speaking with AsiaOne, Lim said that many emotions were running through him during the encounter. «Shock as I've not been robbed or pick-pocketed before, anger at the Albanian gang who would prey on others, and also worried as I had a return flight to catch the next morning.» He attempted to give chase but was unable to catch up with the fleeing vehicles, leaving him shocked.

Mogadishu (HOL) — The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on Friday, December 13, on a resolution to renew sanctions targeting Al-Shabaab, Somalia’s most dangerous militant group. The proposed measures aim to disrupt the group’s financing and arms supply chains while addressing emerging threats, including piracy and the expansion of rival militant factions.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Jubaland State has condemned Thursday’s clashes in Raas-Kambooni, accusing the Somali federal government of politicizing the Somali National Army (SNA) to suppress regional autonomy. The administration labelled the violence as “avoidable” and urged peaceful dialogue to address the growing tensions between Mogadishu and Somalia’s semi-autonomous states.

Just Stop Oil and Labour donor Dale Vince travelled by private jet, drank champagne and 'had no problem in participating in conspicuous consumerism', his ex-wife told the High Court.

A High Court judge has ordered that none of the professionals involved in the family court decision to hand Sara Sharif back over to her murderous father can be named.

The National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has advised people living in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground ahead of the 2024-2025 rainy season. Speaking during an extraordinary full council meeting in Chikwawa on Thursday, NWRA Chief Executive Officer Dwight Kambuku warned that the upcoming rainy season is expected to bring normal to above-normal rainfall, […] The post NWRA Urges Flood-Prone Communities to Relocate to Higher Ground appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) has assured Malawians of adequate maize supplies during the 2024/25 lean season, supported by imports from Tanzania. This reassurance follows concerns over potential maize shortages due to a 17 percent decline in last season’s harvest, which dropped to 2.9 million metric tonnes (MT) from the previous year’s 3.5 […] The post Admarc assures Malawians that “we have sufficient maize supply” in the country despite production drop appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

At a time when Malawi desperately needs unity, the absence of opposition political parties at the Umodzi Day commemoration in Mzuzu is a glaring missed opportunity. As President Lazarus Chakwera passionately preached peace, urging Malawians to rise above divisions, the silence from opposition leaders spoke louder than any words. Umodzi Day, a day set aside […] The post A Missed Opportunity for Peace: Why Opposition Parties Should Have Stood Together on Umodzi Day appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

[VOA] In Kwango, a remote part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an unknown illness continues to rage in villages, killing mostly children. So far, public health officials there have reported 143 deaths.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia faces an escalating political and military crisis as the Somali National Army (SNA) suffered a decisive defeat in the southern town of Ras Kamboni on Wednesday. Intense clashes with Jubaland's regional forces highlighted the growing schism between Somalia's federal government and its semi-autonomous states, jeopardizing efforts to combat the militant group Al-Shabaab.