News

Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble delayed (again)

Published

5 years ago

May 18, 2021

The Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble bursts for a second time

The Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble was originally meant to open in November last year. However, those plans were derailed due to a spike in cases in Hong Kong.

The bubble was due to come into effect on May 26.

This time, due to the worsening COVID situation in Singapore.

Both sides say they “remain strongly committed to launching the ATB [air travel bubble] safely. However, in light of the recent increase in unlinked community cases, Singapore is unable to meet the criteria to start the Singapore-Hong Kong ATB.”

Singapore recorded 21 fresh infections on Monday. As of Sunday, there were 38.

Don't play play! Singapore's favourite contractor is back to rally Singaporeans to get their COVID-19 vaccines!
Visit https://t.co/FfrPW5sKb3 for more info. #IGotMyShotSG pic.twitter.com/fOXGHDJnko
— Singapore Government (@govsingapore) May 2, 2021

It’s the city-state’s worst flare-up since last year

Singapore has tightened restrictions twice in the past fortnight, with in-restaurant dining banned.
The nation also has restricted social gathers to just two people and closed schools from Wednesday.

Only high levels of vaccination coverage can really help to protect us – something none of these countries have yet to achieve. Singapore is now stepping up vaccination, with a million doses just in the last week. We could do the same, if we're willing.
— Chief Health Officer, Victoria (@VictorianCHO) May 17, 2021

Singapore was last month named the best place in the world to be during the pandemic.

Now that ranking is being tested – as the city-state tries desperately to get on top of an outbreak that has led to the return of tough restrictions and postponement of quarantine free travel with Hong Kong

News

Russia bans WhatsApp and promotes state-backed messaging app

Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.

Published

12 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.

The Kremlin has officially blocked WhatsApp, urging Russians to switch to MAX, a state-backed messaging app. This move comes after Meta refused to comply with local regulations, sparking debates over digital freedom in the country.

Critics warn that MAX could be used for government surveillance, though authorities deny these claims. The ban highlights Russia’s growing control over foreign tech platforms and its push for locally regulated alternatives.

Activists in Moscow have staged protests calling for an open and unregulated internet, while the public reacts with a mix of concern and resignation.

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News

U.S. secretly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran after protests

US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.

Published

12 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.

U.S. officials report that the Trump administration covertly sent around 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following widespread protests. The move was designed to bypass strict internet blackouts imposed by authorities in Tehran.

The terminals reportedly enabled activists and dissidents to reconnect with the outside world during periods of severe digital restriction, raising fresh questions about foreign involvement and cyber strategy.

As geopolitical tensions simmer, the revelation underscores how connectivity has become a powerful tool in modern conflict.

#Iran #Starlink #DonaldTrump #MiddleEast #GlobalPolitics #TechNews #InternetFreedom #BreakingNews

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News

Anthropic secures 30 billion in fresh funding as valuation surges

Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Published

12 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Anthropic has secured a staggering $30 billion in fresh funding, catapulting its valuation to $380 billion and cementing its place among the most valuable AI companies in the world. The raise marks the second-largest private technology funding round ever, trailing only OpenAI’s $40 billion deal.

Major backers in this latest round include Singapore’s GIC and Coatue Management, alongside existing heavyweight partners Microsoft and Nvidia. The scale of the investment underscores intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence as capital continues to flood into the sector.

Anthropic’s valuation has more than doubled in just five months, fuelled by rapid enterprise growth. The company now works with eight of the Fortune 10 and boasts more than 500 customers spending over $1 million annually, highlighting surging demand for advanced AI tools across corporate America.

#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Anthropic #TechNews #VentureCapital #BigTech #Innovation #Startups