SINGAPORE — Singapore's central bank is working with the country's private banking industry group to shorten the time needed for wealthy individuals to open bank accounts, the bank's chief said on Monday (May 25).The Monetary Authority of Singapore issued a circular on Monday guiding financial institutions to establish a client's source of wealth in a «risk-proportionate» way in order to cut application times, said managing director Chia Der Jiun.The central bank has imposed stringent anti-money laundering controls in the wealth management sector, compelling banks to do extensive due diligence into account applicants.The guidelines are expected to cut the median time needed to open an account to within one month, from the current six weeks or longer for more complex cases, Chia said.Chia was speaking at the UBS Asian Investment Conference (AIC) Singapore Wealth Edition.«It provides further guidance for applying the principles of materiality and relevance, so that financial institutions can avoid unnecessary and excessive steps in the process and be more targeted,» he added.

SINGAPORE/HONG KONG — War in Iran, strained US commitments in Asia and rising tensions over Taiwan will likely dominate the agenda at this week's annual Shangri-La Dialogue, the region's premier defence forum.The free-wheeling informal gathering, running from May 29 to 31, draws an eclectic mix of ministers, generals, intelligence chiefs, diplomats, analysts and weapons makers for carefully worded speeches and frank exchanges behind polished hotel doors.While Vietnam's President To Lam will deliver Friday (May 29) night's keynote, the spotlight will fall squarely on US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth when the Pentagon chief takes the floor against the backdrop of halting efforts to end the war in Iran.US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had told his representatives not to rush into any deal with Iran, as his administration played down hopes of an imminent breakthrough in the three-month-old conflict.The US blockade on Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz would «remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed», Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

Six expressway locations will see Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates come down by $1 from June 2, while two other expressway locations will see ERP charges go up by $1 from June 29, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Monday (May 25).These six locations are at five expressways — Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), Central Expressway (CTE), and Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) towards East Coast Parkway (ECP), and the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) said LTA.The authority said these locations and time slots were identified in anticipation of lower traffic demand over the upcoming June school holidays. Rates will revert to the prevailing charges from June 29.

[Premium Times] According to the statement, $5 million will go to Africa CDC for regional coordination, rapid deployment and cross-border surveillance, while another $5 million will support frontline operations through WHO's African regional office (WHO AFRO)

The African Union marks Africa Day 2026, focusing on sustainable water and sanitation while pressing for reparations for historical wrongs Read Full Article at RT.com

Andrey Marochko added that units of the Battlegroup East operating in the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye Regions inflicted the greatest damage on the Ukrainian armed forces’ manpower in their area of responsibility

In the first four months of this year exports already reached 382.6 metric tons worth $680,900

Five civilians were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Kalininsky District of Gorlovka in the DPR

Vessels pass through the strait with their transponders switched off

Andrey Marochko added that during the aforementioned period, Russian forces also destroyed more than 4,000 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, which is almost double the amount from the previous week

In a bold move, Assam has put forth a Uniform Civil Code Bill designed to ban polygamy and enforce the registration of live-in relationships. This new framework establishes a minimum marrying age of 21 for men and 18 for women, while safeguarding the rights of individuals and children involved in live-in arrangements.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticized the Modi government for recent fuel price increases, alleging it burdens citizens despite stable international crude oil rates. He pointed to significant hikes in petrol and diesel prices over the past decade, contrasting them with the UPA era.

Labour's Makerfield by-election candidate bought the two-bedroom Kennington property in 2005 and since then its value has doubled to £480,000.

Five nations have rejected the proposal for NATO states to spend 0.25% of GDP on military assistance to Ukraine, the Telegraph has reported Read Full Article at RT.com

[New Zimbabwe] Opposition leader and human rights activist Linda Masarira has died aged 43.

[Nyasa Times] For many Malawians, electricity has become a privilege that appears without warning and disappears without apology.

[allAfrica]

The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) has announced the nominees for its 41st Annual Awards, recognising organisations and entrepreneurs that are strengthening operations and advancing performance within this environment. The announcement was made at the official launch event on May 14, recognising nominees spanning multiple industries and business sizes across Jamaica’s private sector. 

Jamaica is among eight countries from across the globe joining a new United Kingdom (UK)-led International Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), reinforcing global efforts to ensure women and girls can live free from violence, abuse and fear.

MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ), operator of the Sangster International Airport (SIA), recently hosted its fourth annual Customer Experience Excellence Awards, a spirited evening of recognition, laughter, and well-deserved applause for the individuals and organisations who deliver Jamaica's first impression to the millions who visit the country. 

Two weeks after 71-year-old boat captain Reuben Bajjo and 22-year-old seaman Mikael Ricketts mysteriously vanished, allegedly at sea and while aboard the vessel M/V Black Pearl, distraught relatives say they remain desperate for answers and are clinging to hope that the men will be found alive. Bajjo, of Henry Morgan Boulevard in Port Royal, Kingston, and Ricketts, of Morgan Boulevard in the same community, were reported missing after departing Jamaica on May 9 aboard the 42-foot vessel.

China has launched the Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station, describing the outpost as a key part of the country’s Moon plans Read Full Article at RT.com

Russian mountaineer Rustam Nabiev has become the first double amputee to summit Mount Everest without prosthetic limbs Read Full Article at RT.com

China has launched the Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station, describing the outpost as a key part of the country’s Moon plans Read Full Article at RT.com

[This Day] Eromosele Abiodun

[New Times] Africa may have achieved political independence, but the continent's biggest remaining challenge is economic liberation, according to the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

[New Times] African leaders have warned that poor access to clean water and sanitation is costing the continent billions of dollars annually while deepening poverty, disease, and inequality.

The sickening mob killing unfolded on the evening of July 12 last year at Crow Nest Park in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire - which had been busy with locals enjoying warm summer weather.

Two security staff pulled the man out of the water by a boat in the Puerto Banus marina in Marbella after he reportedly lost his balance and fell in, having gone to be sick.