The Straits Times
Singapore seeks to avoid becoming collateral damage from US tariffs: Vivian
MANILA – Singapore is trying to make the point to the United States that it is “not a target” of Washington’s tariff policy, and to avoid becoming collateral damage as the Trump administration raises tariffs on trading partners around the world,...
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First-term, younger MPs get larger roles as PM Wong unveils new Cabinet
Newer and younger political office-holders will take on more responsibilities while continuing to work with experienced hands, in a Cabinet reshuffle announced on the back of recent political resignations. In unveiling the latest line-up, Prime...
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SAF explores quantum computing for mission, logistics planning
The military is assessing if quantum computers can be used to optimise mission planning, possibly involving unmanned drones to identify hostile forces. On July 21, tech giant IBM, the Singapore Armed Forces’ Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), and...
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Faishal resigns over online messages with female member of the public
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has resigned from political office over a “lapse of judgment” in handling his interactions with a woman, who is a member of the public. Zaqy Mohamad, who is Senior Minister of State for...
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More annual leave from 2029 for lower-wage outsourced workers
Lower-wage outsourced workers such as cleaners, security officers and landscape maintenance workers will enjoy more annual leave from 2029, when the minimum leave entitlement will be increased from seven to 10 days. The increase in baseline annual...
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Trump blames Canada for wildfire smoke, says he will add cost to tariffs
OTTAWA – US President Donald Trump on July 17 blamed Canada for wildfire smoke spreading across the United States, and said he would add the “incalculable cost” of dealing with the pollution to existing tariffs on Canadian goods. Heavy smoke from...
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Under-18s may be blocked from social media sites that don’t meet safeguards
While blocking social media access for those aged under 18 is not an ideal outcome for Singapore, the Government is prepared to do so if platforms fail to have the necessary safeguards. Blocking will apply to platforms that are not child-safe, while...
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RTS Link could spur S’poreans to spend $1 billion more in JB a year
When the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link begins passenger service in January 2027, Singaporeans are projected to spend $1.05 billion more that year across the Causeway – nearly 40 per cent higher than the $756 million expected increase in spending by JB...
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GovTech lays off 93 staff as part of restructuring
The Government Technology Agency has retrenched 93 staff and expects a total of 7 per cent to 9 per cent of roles in its workforce to be affected by restructuring over the next two years. The restructuring is meant to take GovTech from managing...
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S’pore’s Q2 growth eases to 5.7% as Iran war tempers AI manufacturing boom
Singapore’s economy continued to benefit from the artificial intelligence boom, but grew at a slower pace in the second quarter of 2026 as expansion in construction and wholesale trade eased. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said the economy...
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New 5-year study to find out how growing up in S’pore shapes youth
A new $150 million national research programme will track 5,000 young people in Singapore over the next five years to better understand how factors such as digital media use and urban spaces shape adolescence. Led by the A*STAR Institute for Human...
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Woodlands Gateway to feature major mixed-use transport hub
The centrepiece of the upcoming Woodlands Gateway project will be a major mixed-use transport hub, bedecked with acres of shopping and office spaces, and green areas for leisure, with direct links to rail lines. Underground, there are plans to build a...
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US seeks Iranian pledge to free up Strait of Hormuz
WASHINGTON/CAIRO – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman on July 11 to discuss arrangements for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said, with Washington seeking a public pledge of free, secure...
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Marriages in S’pore fall further in 2025; most married couples say they are happy
Fewer couples tied the knot in 2025, with Singapore recording its lowest number of marriages in nearly a decade, excluding the pandemic-hit year of 2020. A total of 24,688 marriages were registered in 2025, a 6.2 per cent drop from 2024. This marks...
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Iran hits US targets in Gulf as it buries slain leader Khamenei
DUBAI – The Iranian armed forces launched attacks on US military infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf states on July 9 following US strikes on Iran’s southern coastal and eastern provinces, putting further strain on a three-week-old ceasefire...
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Temasek portfolio value grows $49b to record $518b
Temasek’s net portfolio value hit a new high of $518 billion in the financial year ended March 31, it reported on July 8. Singapore’s investment company said it continues to deliver resilient long-term returns, with a 20-year total shareholder return...
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Singapore to invest $800m in transport research and innovation
Some $800 million will be pumped into the transport sector over the next five years to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global transport and logistics hub. Announcing the funding on July 7, Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said: “We will...
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S’pore and Indonesia want Malacca Strait open, safe and free for all, say leaders
JAKARTA – Singapore and Indonesia have pledged to keep the Strait of Malacca open, safe and accessible to all, elevating maritime security to the forefront of a bilateral relationship that both countries increasingly see as critical to regional...
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Small condo projects more likely to score poorly for workmanship
Small private residential projects are more likely to score poorly for construction workmanship than larger developments, data from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) showed. Typically comprising fewer than 50 units, small condos accounted...
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PAP seeks people with different experiences and views: PM Wong
The PAP is looking for people with different experiences, perspectives and ideas to help it tackle the challenges ahead, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Speaking at an event on July 4 to mark the 40th anniversary of the PAP’s youth wing, he said...
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Singapore, Timor-Leste agree to strengthen their economic ties
DILI – Singapore will strengthen its economic ties with Timor-Leste, with cooperation between the two countries also set to grow in areas like healthcare and education. This comes as both countries signed an agreement on July 3 to establish a...
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World won’t deal with S’pore if it lacks a credible defence: Chan Chun Sing
The rest of the world will not deal with Singapore if it does not have a credible defence force, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on July 1. This credibility rests on the effort of every soldier – not just the defence minister or the military’s...
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Middle East conflict pushes electricity, gas tariffs to record highs in Singapore
Households in Singapore will see a 17 per cent increase in the electricity tariff from July to September, while the town gas tariff will also go up by 7.1 per cent. An Energy Market Authority (EMA) spokesperson told The Straits Times that the...
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Investment giant set to give Singapore medtech start-ups international boost
Healthcare start-ups here are getting some heavyweight support to survive the long journey towards commercialisation. Healthcare venture-building platform Sante Accel Singapore, which will support the creation and growth of such start-ups, was...
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Pritam Singh re-elected, cementing his position as Workers’ Party chief
Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh was returned unopposed at the party’s internal elections on June 28 after a group of unhappy cadres failed to force his resignation at an earlier meeting on the same day. This solidifies his leadership of Singapore’s...
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Tanker struck in Strait of Hormuz as Iran and US trade attacks
DUBAI/WASHINGTON – A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on June 27, Britain’s maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their...
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Over 580 reported killed in Venezuela quakes
CARACAS – Rescuers worked through the early hours of June 26 to save hundreds of Venezuelans trapped in rubble and find thousands more missing after two of the biggest earthquakes in Latin America’s modern history smashed areas in and around the...
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ATMs, cashpoints to be closer to home as banks expand support for seniors
From easier access to ATMs and cash withdrawal services to stronger safeguards for customers showing signs of cognitive decline, banks are stepping up efforts to help seniors remain independent and financially secure as they age. DBS, OCBC and UOB,...
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Economic review wraps up with call for S’pore to adapt faster to AI-driven world
Supporting workers earlier after retrenchment, helping them adapt to artificial intelligence and developing new engines of growth were among the strategies outlined by the Economic Strategy Review committees in their final report released on June...
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Sea routes more than just for trade, so rules should be updated, says Chan Chun Sing
The universal legal framework that governs sea routes should be updated to account for the added functions of waterways today, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said on June 23. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was conceived...
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British PM Starmer quits, paving way for orderly transfer of power
LONDON – Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on June 22 he would resign, paving the way for what is expected to be an orderly transfer of power to front runner Andy Burnham, who could soon become Britain’s seventh leader in 10 years. In an emotional...
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Vance calls for US-Iran ties reset as peace talks begin
BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland – US Vice-President J.D. Vance said he hopes Washington and Tehran could reset their relationship, at the start of what he called “historic” face-to-face talks in Switzerland on June 21. “This is a historic meeting,” Vance...
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Iran closes Hormuz strait, alleging violations of peace deal with US
ZURICH/DUBAI/WASHINGTON – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on June 20 that the Strait of Hormuz was closed to vessel traffic, warning that the security of vessels would be at risk if they approached the waterway. Iran’s top joint military...
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ASEAN, Russia reaffirm commitment to deepening cooperation at summit
ASEAN and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in areas of shared interest at a summit held in Kazan, a city in south-west Russia. The ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, held on June 17 and 18, marked the 35th anniversary of...
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First tankers cross Hormuz after US, Iran ink interim deal to end war
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM/LONDON – Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying six million barrels of crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on June 18, hours after US President Donald Trump signed a deal with Iran to end the war that has disrupted global...
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Zero Waste Masterplan to be reviewed as S’pore recycles less
The 2030 targets for recycling and reducing waste in Singapore will be reviewed, in the wake of lacklustre recycling rates and a record high amount of trash being produced. Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil...
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Nearly $100m to be spent on R&D of water solutions for towns and industries
Close to $100 million will be channelled into the research and development of water solutions for towns and industries, including setting up a research facility for used water treatment. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong revealed this on June 16 at...
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Cities can learn from one another despite geopolitical differences: PM
Singapore is guided by pragmatism and not ideology – an approach that means it must continue to learn, adapt and innovate as its circumstances change, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on June 15. This is especially as cities like Singapore are often...
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US, Iran inch closer to deal but timing remains unclear
WASHINGTON/DUBAI – US and Pakistani leaders forecasted on June 14 the signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end months of fighting between the United States and Iran, but Tehran cast doubt over the timing and hardline protesters in Iran...
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S’pore AI drive creates hot demand for forward deployed engineers
Singapore’s drive to put artificial intelligence to work is creating a surge in vacancies for forward deployed engineers – tech professionals who combine software skills with the ability to explain technology to clients to solve everyday...
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US-Iran peace memorandum could be inked by tomorrow, says source
DUBAI – A memorandum between the United States and Iran to halt their war could be signed as soon as June 14, a source told Reuters on June 12, with Geneva emerging as the likeliest venue. The source said language in the memorandum was still being...
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S’porean households get latest tranche of $500 CDC vouchers
Some 1.38 million Singaporean households will each receive $500 in CDC vouchers from June 11 to help them with their daily expenses, with the vouchers valid till Dec 31, 2027. This tranche of vouchers has been brought forward by half a year from...
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S’pore must be more cohesive as global outlook remains uncertain: PM Wong
Singapore’s first-quarter growth was solid and reflects the diversity and strength of its economy, but the global outlook remains uncertain, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on June 8. The country is making broad adjustments in areas like economic...
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More retrenched white-collar workers seeking unions’ help
More white-collar workers are seeking help with unions and trade associations after losing their jobs. The National Trades Union Congress has also seen more cases of retrenchments due to business restructuring recently, said its assistant...
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S’pore blocks foreign online posts criticising its Indian community
The authorities have ordered social media platforms to block access to 14 online posts that target the Indian community, such as by suggesting that Singapore was being overrun by Indians. Investigations showed that the content most likely originated...
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Marina Bay skyline could see bolder night light-ups to elevate experience
The Marina Bay skyline could get more vibrant and animated lightups after the sun sets, as Singapore looks to relax lighting guidelines for building owners in the area. New hotels, backpacker’s hostels and serviced apartments could also be given the...
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Iran says no progress in talks with US amid clashes in Lebanon
TEHRAN – Iran said there has been no recent progress in talks with the United States over an interim peace deal, while fighting persisted in Lebanon despite Washington’s declaration of a ceasefire between Israel and the country. Iranian Foreign...
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Life expectancy at birth for Singapore residents rose in 2025 to 83.9 years
Singapore residents are expected to live longer than before, surpassing the life expectancy projected in pre-pandemic years. Women also continue to have a longer lifespan than men, according to the latest numbers from the Department of Statistics...
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Religious Rehabilitation Group studying impact of AI, tech on radicalisation
With technology accelerating radicalisation, the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) is building capabilities to understand how artificial intelligence and digital platforms affect individuals. The voluntary organisation is studying the links between...
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S’pore to create a registry of AI agents for public officers
A registry of artificial intelligence agents is being developed for 150,000 public officers in Singapore to use cutting-edge AI in their work without compromising data security. This registry is a safeguard to track the owners and activities of AI...
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Defence spending alone may not result in better capabilities: Chan Chun Sing
What matters is not how much countries spend on defence, but how the money is used, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, noting that there is no straight line between defence expenditure and capabilities. Speaking to reporters on May 31 at the close...
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Devotees perform Buddhist ceremony to mark Vesak
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong sends his greetings to all Buddhists on Vesak Day. The Sunday Times also sends Vesak Day greetings to all its Buddhist readers. Bowing once every three steps, more than 6,000 devotees took part in a Buddhist ceremony at...
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S’pore, Vietnam deepen cooperation in food and supply chain resilience
Singapore and Vietnam will deepen cooperation in areas such as supply chain resilience, agricultural trade and higher education, building on a partnership of more than five decades. Both countries exchanged several agreements on May 29, witnessed by...
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S’pore workers’ real wages grew by 4% in 2025 as inflation eased: MOM
Resident workers in Singapore saw their spending power improve in 2025 as wages rose while inflation eased, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Nominal wages of full-time workers – including employer Central Provident Fund contributions –...
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Iran says war with US unlikely to resume, but it’s ready to retaliate
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on May 27 that a return to war with the United States is unlikely, while warning that the Islamic republic stands ready against any attack. The statement came a day after Iran accused the US of breaching the ceasefire...
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Charity to release index to measure gaps in access to opportunities in Singapore
A new national index to measure gaps in social capital and disparities in access to opportunities that may influence life outcomes here will be released in early 2027. Developed by local charity Access Singapore, with support from research firm Milieu...
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Farmland south of Lim Chu Kang to be used for defence; land farther north set for agriculture
Agricultural land south of Lim Chu Kang will be zoned for defence use in the near future, and military land in the north, closer to other farms, will be reallocated for future farming use. Concentrating farmland in the north of the area will advance...
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Nearly 1 in 10 commuters tapped scheme for free off-peak train rides, easing NEL crunch
Almost one in 10 commuters along Singapore’s north-east corridor has made use of a scheme to take off-peak train rides for free. This shift in behaviour among 9 per cent of commuters has eased congestion and is a win-win situation, said Acting...
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US and Iran both report progress towards a deal to end their war
Iran, the US and mediator Pakistan all said on May 23 that progress had been made in talks on ending almost three months of war. Tehran is focused on finalising a memorandum of understanding, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said after Iran’s top negotiator...
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Koh Poh Koon resigns from political office for family reasons
Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Health Koh Poh Koon will step down from political office due to family reasons, with effect from June 1. In a Facebook post after his resignation was announced by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on May 22,...
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All IHL students to learn AI skills via compulsory modules by 2027
By 2027, all students from institutes of higher learning (IHLs) in Singapore will have opportunities to develop artificial intelligence skills within their disciplines. The IHLs have identified baseline AI competencies, which will be infused into...
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When Putin met Xi: Was timing everything?
LONDON/CHONGQING – The arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, hard on the heels of the departure of US President Donald Trump, has confirmed the Chinese capital’s status as the meeting place for the world’s most powerful leaders. But...
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Singapore to undergo review by UN atomic watchdog in 2027
Singapore will undergo an assessment by the UN atomic watchdog in 2027 to determine if the country is ready to make an informed decision on whether to deploy nuclear energy. The assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will include...
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IMDA suspends review of proposed Simba-M1 merger
The authorities have suspended their review of Simba Telecom’s $1.43 billion bid for the telecommunications business of M1 amid a probe into an alleged breach. On May 18, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said it is investigating...
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Suburban malls eye grey market as more seniors make them social hubs
Part-time security officer Lizah Salim takes a 15-minute bus ride from her home in Woodlands Circle to Causeway Point at least once a week. She can spend up to five hours shopping and dining at the mall in Woodlands, often accompanied by her sister,...
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18,000 flats in 12 towns across S’pore to be upgraded under HIP
Around 18,000 flats across Singapore have been selected for home upgrading works under the Housing Board’s Home Improvement Programme (HIP). The 198 blocks chosen for upgrades are located in 12 towns including Bedok, Bishan, Jurong West, Pasir Ris,...
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Trump downplays risk of conflict with China over Taiwan
– US President Donald Trump downplayed the risk of conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan after his twoday summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after departing Beijing on May 15,...
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Trade, stability dominate Xi-Trump talks, although their priorities differ
Trade and stability in the relationship between the world’s two biggest powers emerged as key issues discussed during Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump’s highly watched summit on May 14. But while the two leaders...
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S’pore sets out economic strategy road map to create good jobs, stay competitive
Singapore has set out a strategic road map to position the country to stay competitive, create good jobs and remain relevant in the near and longer term, amid a turbulent global environment. The committee reviewing Singapore’s economic strategies has...
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New network aims to double number of defence volunteers in 3 to 5 years
A new volunteer network has been set up to support Singapore’s defence and will, for a start, create the capacity for nearly 400 new volunteers. These will include new roles such as curating content for an NS gallery. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)...
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Long-term planning helps countries better absorb external shocks: DPM
Countries that have planned ahead, such as by diversifying their supply sources, are better placed to absorb external shocks like disruptions in oil markets, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong on May 11. “Disruptions in global oil and gas markets...
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2 S’porean hikers on Indonesian volcano confirmed dead
Halmahera – Two missing Singaporean hikers were confirmed dead in the eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Dukono, the head of the local search-and-rescue agency told The Straits Times on May 10. Mr Iwan Ramdani, head of the Ternate search-and-rescue office,...
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ASEAN can better shape outcomes, manage shocks working together: PM Wong
ASEAN is better able to shape outcomes and manage the disruptions and shocks of a more fragmented world when it works together as a bloc, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 9. This solidarity was clearly articulated by all leaders of the...
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10-year MOP for executive condos; more units to be set aside for first-timers
Buyers of new executive condominiums (ECs) will soon have to live in their homes for 10 years before they can sell them – double the current minimum occupation period (MOP) of five years. More units will also be set aside for first-time home buyers to...
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Three more areas designated as Age Well Neighbourhoods
Bedok, Bukit Panjang, and Tiong Bahru-Redhill have been designated as Age Well Neighbourhoods (AWNs), where seniors can access enhanced care services and seniorfriendly infrastructure to help them age independently and comfortably, with a sense of...
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Deep dive into robotics
OceanOneK, Stanford University’s underwater robotic avatar, took to the Singapore Oceanarium’s Shipwreck Habitat like a seasoned diver on May 6. Outfitted with eight multi-directional thrusters for precise manoeuvring, and controlled by a human...
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