Scene at the 22nd ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting in Singapore (Photo: VNA) Singapore, (VNA) – ASEAN Finance Ministers began their 22nd meeting in Singapore on April 6. The meeting was attended by representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, ASEAN +3 and Macroeconomic Research Office. The Vietnamese delegation to the event was led by Deputy Finance Minister Tran Xuan Ha. Chairing the function, Singaporean Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said in his opening remarks that the ministers meet at a time of optimism for the regional economies. He quoted the International Monetary Fund data which show the ASEAN economy grew by 5.1 percent in 2017 and is expected to outstrip most other regions in 2018. However, the minister warned that the region is still facing challenges, including rising protectionism and trade tensions, which without good management can affect the bloc’s growth. He said in the context, … [Read more...] about ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting opens in Singapore
Singapore
Flight returns to Singapore due to bomb threat
The flight, operated by low-cost airline Scoot, was escorted back to Singapore by air force fighter jets and landed safely at the Changi Airport at 15:23 (local time), only two hours after it took off, the airline said in a statement. The airline said it is working closely with the authorities for necessary follow-up to ensure the safety of the passengers. Singaporean police said that they received a report regarding an alleged bomb threat made by a passenger on board flight TR634. The police are further investigating into the case.-VNA Tags: Singapore to Thailand emergency landing bomb threat … [Read more...] about Flight returns to Singapore due to bomb threat
Thailand-bound flight escorted safely back to Singapore after bomb threat
A Singapore Airlines plane takes off, above a Scoot plane and another Singapore Airlines plane on the tarmac, at Changi Airport March 28, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Edgar Su 'Every threat is considered real until proven otherwise,' said Singapore Defense Minister. Two Singapore fighter jets escorted a civilian plane bound for Thailand back to the city-state on Thursday after a bomb threat was made by a passenger, the airline and authorities said. Singapore Airlines budget carrier Scoot said one of its flights bound for Hat Yai was safely escorted back to Changi airport. Flight Aware flight tracker said the plane on Flight TR634 was a twin-engine Airbus A320. Police said in a statement on Facebook they were aware of a threat made by a passenger on board TR634 and they were making further checks. Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said that two F-15SG fighter jets responded after the pilot declared a bomb threat and escorted the plane from the South China Sea back to Changi. … [Read more...] about Thailand-bound flight escorted safely back to Singapore after bomb threat
Singapore couple challenge annulment of marriage after sex change
By AFP  April 2, 2018 | 04:45 pm GMT+7 Singapore's ruling on same-sex marriage is about to be tested after a husband changed sex. Photo by AFP/Roslan Rahman Singapore is a modern and vibrant society in many ways but attitudes towards homosexuality are still conservative. A Singaporean couple have launched a legal challenge after authorities annulled their marriage because the husband underwent a sex change, a lawyer said Monday. The city-state voided the marriage last year, saying the operation made their partnership a same-sex union that is illegal under Singapore law. Singapore is a modern and vibrant society in many ways but attitudes towards homosexuality are still conservative and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said the country is not yet ready for same-sex marriage. The couple, Faith and Bryce Volta, married as man and woman in 2015, the Straits Times newspaper reported. Faith, the husband, then underwent sex change surgery and updated her … [Read more...] about Singapore couple challenge annulment of marriage after sex change
Singapore investigates Grab-Uber merger
Illustrative image (Source: Bangkok Post) Hanoi (VNA) – Singapore announced on March 30 that it is investigating the sale of US ride hailing giant Uber's Southeast Asia business to Grab over concerns that it may impact competition in the city-state. The Competition Commission of Singapore, a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has issued "proposed interim measures directions" to the two companies ordering them not to take any action that may lead to the integration of their businesses in Singapore while the investigation continues. The commission said in a statement that it is also ordering them to maintain their pricing policies and product options before the deal took place and not to share any confidential information pertaining to pricing with each other. It added that the deal infringes Section 54 of the Competition Act due to substantial lessening of competition. As part of the deal, Uber will take a 27.5 percent stake in Grab, marking … [Read more...] about Singapore investigates Grab-Uber merger