Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) faced backlash after five members met Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The visit, shared on social media, sparked criticism due to Indonesia's pro-Palestine stance and lack of diplomatic relations with Israel. NU leaders disavowed institutional involvement.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/17/indonesian-islamic-organization-faces-backlash-over-members-meeting-with-israeli-president/

The Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) report for FY2023/2024 reveals significant lapses in financial governance across various ministries. Issues include improper contract management in MOE, inventory discrepancies in MHA, unclear RFQ criteria in MCI, tender evaluation lapses in MCCY, and contract management issues in MND and MTI.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/17/auditor-generals-report-uncovers-significant-lapses-in-singapore-ministries-and-statutory-boards/

The AGO report revealed significant lapses in SportSG's management, including the use of 18 deceased members' accounts for admissions to ActiveSG pools and gyms, sharing of member passes, and misuse of discounted rates by ineligible members, indicating inadequate controls and monitoring.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/17/18-deceased-accounts-used-to-access-sportsg-facilities-ago-report/

The AGO audit for FY2023/24 found significant lapses in MHA's inventory and records management at all contractor-managed locations. Issues included discrepancies in SCDF and SPF inventory records and physical counts, leading to concerns about proper oversight and management.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/17/ago-report-highlights-significant-lapses-in-mhas-inventory-management/

The AGO audit for FY2023/24 found lapses in BCA's conflict of interest (COI) declarations and contract management. Issues included incomplete COI forms, poor maintenance oversight at quarantine facilities, and lack of security deposit provisions, highlighting the need for stricter oversight and management.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/17/ago-report-reveals-significant-lapses-in-bcas-conflict-of-interest-declarations-and-contract-management/

The AGO audit for FY2023/24 found lapses in the Ministry of Education’s management of school projects, including delayed approvals, improper valuations, and overpayments totaling S$317,100. Possible falsifications in quotations led MOE to file a police report. MOE is implementing stricter oversight and a new IT system.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/17/ago-report-reveals-lapses-in-moes-school-projects-police-report-filed-over-possible-falsifications/

Selina Cheng, chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, was fired by the Wall Street Journal weeks after taking the role. Cheng believes her dismissal is linked to her HKJA position, though WSJ cites restructuring. The HKJA condemned the decision, calling it a blow to press freedom.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/18/wsj-fires-hong-kong-journalists-association-chair-selina-cheng-amid-controversy/

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) seized 4.15kg of Ice worth S$500,000 in Changi South, hidden in ornamental figurines. A 25-year-old foreign national was arrested.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/18/cnb-seizes-4-15kg-of-ice-in-changi-south-operation/

Zhang Ruijin, one of the ten convicted in Singapore's landmark S$3 billion money laundering case, was expelled from Cambodia on 16 July. Cambodian authorities disclosed that Zhang arrived on 15 June from Singapore and was subsequently arrested. While his deportation destination was unspecified, it was noted that he holds a passport from Saint Kitts and Nevis, a small Caribbean island nation.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/18/s3b-money-laundering-convict-expelled-from-cambodia-following-deportation-from-singapore/

Despite rebounding markets and a weaker Singapore dollar, MAS reported a net profit of S$3.76 billion for FY2023-2024, yielding an uninspiring 0.76% return.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/18/mas-posts-disappointing-0-76-returns-despite-market-rebound/

Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as European Commission President with 401 votes. Her victory follows intense negotiations and commitments to climate action, EU enlargement, and Middle East peace.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/18/ursula-von-der-leyen-re-elected-as-european-commission-president-in-crucial-vote/

Singapore is set to block nearly 100 social media accounts linked to exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui, suspecting they could launch hostile information campaigns within the country. These accounts form a network aimed at driving traffic to Guo's news sites, which then lead viewers to predominantly anti-CCP political content.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/19/singapore-blocks-nearly-100-social-media-accounts-linked-to-exiled-chinese-billionaire-guo-wengui-under-fica/

In response to Allianz's $2.2 billion offer for a 51 per cent stake in Income Insurance, founding CEO Tan Kin Lian expressed disappointment on Facebook, lamenting Singapore's adoption of "bad practices of America."

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/19/allianzs-acquisition-of-ntuc-income-insurance-founding-ceo-tan-kin-lian-expresses-disappointment/

Former President Donald Trump accepted the Republican nomination in Milwaukee, dramatically recounting an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. He dropped his original speech to share how a bullet narrowly missed him, piercing his right ear, and expressed gratitude for the audience's support.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/19/trump-accepts-republican-nomination-amidst-dramatic-recount-of-assassination-attempt/

Looking at Guo Wengui, the former Chinese real estate mogul featured in the nearly 100 accounts that Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs ordered social media platforms to block on Friday under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA).

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/19/who-is-guo-wengui-man-linked-to-accounts-targeted-by-singapores-fica/

A Malaysian influencer was fined RM100 for cyberbullying under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, prompting widespread dissatisfaction. The victim's mother and many Malaysians are demanding stricter penalties and imprisonment for those responsible for the victim's suicide.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/19/malaysians-discontent-with-rm100-fine-for-influencers-cyberbullying-linked-to-her-suicide/

Israel's Knesset passed a resolution rejecting a Palestinian state, claiming it poses an existential threat. The decision, condemned by Palestinian and international leaders, reflects ongoing tensions and undermines peace efforts, as international support for Palestinian statehood grows.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/19/israels-knesset-passes-resolution-rejecting-palestinian-statehood/

A High Court judge dismissed former transport minister S Iswaran's bid to compel the prosecution to hand over witness statements. Iswaran faces 35 charges, including obtaining valuables as a public servant and corruption. His trial begins on 13 August in the High Court.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/19/high-court-dismisses-s-iswarans-bid-for-witness-statements-disclosure/

A global IT failure grounded flights, disrupted financial markets, and affected hospitals and broadcasters on 19 July 2024. Linked to Crowdstrike and Microsoft, the outage caused chaos worldwide.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/19/global-it-failure-causes-major-disruptions-across-multiple-sectors/

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful and must end swiftly. The nonbinding advisory opinion, read by President Nawaf Salam, cited violations of international law, including settlement expansion, resource exploitation, and discriminatory policies.

https://gutzy.asia/2024/07/20/icj-rules-israels-occupation-of-palestinian-territory-unlawful/