SINGAPORE - When an online retailer began selling his products on e-commerce platform Qoo10 in August 2023, he did not bat an eyelid when it took 30 to 45 days for the platform to disburse his first payout, compared with about three to seven days for other e-commerce sites he was using. But nearly a year later in July, payments owed to his business by Qoo10 had ballooned to about $1.6 million, as the platform’s payment delays exceeded two months and disbursements began trickling in, in smaller amounts. The Singaporean, who wanted to be known only as Mr T and did not wish to divulge what he sold, pulled the plug on his Qoo10 shop this year in the middle of July, and filed a civil claim with the courts. He obtained a default judgment in October for Qoo10 to pay him what he is owed, after the e-commerce site failed to serve a notice of intention to contest or not contest the claim. Mr T, who added that he had borrowed nearly $1 million from banks, friends and relatives to pay his suppliers, said: “I am not holding out hope that I will get much, or any, of my money back from Qoo10... By this point, I just want closure because it’s been so stressful.”

Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) reported a 42 per cent fall in its half-year profit on Wednesday (Nov 13), as the firm was hurt by the absense of S$1.2 billion it had logged through the divestiture of Telkomsel shares in its prior corresponding period. Last year, Telkomsel, the Indonesian associate of Southeast Asia's largest telecom firm, agreed to merge with its parent's IndiHome broadband arm in an effort to expand into Indonesia's fixed broadband market. SingTel's Australian unit Optus, currently embroiled in a legal battle with the country's competition watchdog, reported operating revenue of A$4.02 billion (S$3.51 billion) during the six months, in line with A$4.02 billion reported a year ago. «Optus and NCS drove the positive momentum, underscoring our focus on execution and operating rigour,» the group's Chief Executive Officer Yuen Kuan Moon said. Southeast Asia's largest telecom firm said net profit for the six months ended Sept. 30 was S$1.23 billion, as compared to S$2.14 billion last year and missing a Visible Alpha estimate of S$1.37 billion.

Addressing rallies in Nagpur and Amravati, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged voters to give a decisive mandate to BJP, emphasizing the importance of Nagpur for the party and the Sangh. He also launched a scathing attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, accusing the Congress of neglecting national security and dividing Hindu votes for political gains.

The Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches at 17 locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal in connection with an illegal Bangladeshi infiltration case. The agency has seized fake Aadhaars, forged passports, illegal arms, and other items. The ED is investigating a potential conspiracy involving politicians and officials facilitating large-scale infiltration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while campaigning in Maharashtra, accused Congress of supporting the reinstatement of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. He criticized Congress for its alleged praise of Aurangzeb and criticism of Veer Savarkar, challenging Rahul Gandhi to publicly acknowledge these historical figures. Modi further alleged that Congress was using funds from the Karnataka government for its Maharashtra campaign.

Nawab Malik, NCP candidate from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, stated that his party will not be part of a government that promotes divisive politics. He condemned the 'Batenge toh Katenge' slogan and criticized the BJP's proposed anti-conversion law, calling it misleading.

Ajit Pawar disclosed his involvement in political discussions with the BJP five years prior, stating that prominent figures like Amit Shah, Gautam Adani, and Sharad Pawar were present. He emphasized that decisions were made collectively, and while he faced the repercussions, the reasons behind Sharad Pawar's eventual reluctance remain unknown.

«The total amount of the Russian central bank’s assets immobilized in Switzerland is CHF 7.24 billion,» said a spokeswoman for the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

The greater part of Mikhail Mishustin’s visit will be devoted to Russian-Azerbaijani ties

The Russian Embassy in Cuba said on its Telegram channel that «the visit aims to strengthen Russian-Cuban cooperation in the sphere of alleviating the aftermath of natural disasters»

Get the latest news on the transition to the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump and a new Congress.

Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland, the self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa, heads to the polls on Wednesday for a dual election that could shape its governance for the next decade. In a combined presidential and political party vote, citizens of this unrecognized but democratically driven region will select their next leader and decide which political parties will dominate Somaliland’s political landscape in the years to come.

Kismayo (HOL) — The Jubaland Election and Boundaries Commission is poised to announce a new process for selecting members of parliament, marking an escalatory moment in the ongoing struggle between Somalia's federal government and the autonomous Jubaland administration. The revised selection framework, expected to be revealed today, signals Jubaland's intent to assert greater autonomy—a move that has fueled a deeper rift with Mogadishu.

Mogadishu (HOL) — A decade after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) distributed thousands of date palm seedlings across Somalia, farmers are witnessing a remarkable transformation. Amid relentless droughts, locust invasions, and conflict, these resilient trees have become a lifeline, offering stability and economic promise to rural communities struggling against the odds.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford appears to be dipping his toe into new territory — talking about removing Mexico from the North American trade agreement.

The union representing Canada Post workers said it will be in a legal strike position on Friday, exactly one year after talks on a new contract began. But the union is holding back on deciding whether a job action will take place immediately.

The teenager who tested positive for avian flu is in critical condition and being treated at B.C. Children's Hospital, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says.

Damascus has offered evidence that Kiev’s operatives have been teaching jihadists drone warfare techniques and trying to recruit troops Read Full Article at RT.com

The key is understanding how the US president-elect formulates policy, and his background in the business world Read Full Article at RT.com

The world premiere of the SU-57E highly maneuverable supersonic plane took place on Tuesday in Chinese Zhuhai city Read Full Article at RT.com

The US and the UN have suspended flights to and from Haiti after two civilian airliners were struck by bullets at Port-au-Prince airport Read Full Article at RT.com

Mackenzie Michalski, a 31-year-old from Portland, Oregon, had been on holiday in Budapest when she suddenly disappeared after a night out

Russia’s top diplomat pointed to many years of efforts in Ukraine to eradicate the Russian language in education, news media and culture, and to the recent law that bans the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church

According to tAl Mayadeen, at least two attacks targeted a military facility near the Conico gas field in the Deir ez-Zor governorate in a span of one hour

On the same day, the Moldovan foreign ministry accused Russia of violating its air boundaries, slamming this incident as an «unfriendly step»