The Straits Times
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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Labour chief outlines proposals to help workers navigate AI shift
Singapore must build its own localised market intelligence that better reflects workforce realities to help workers seize opportunities in an artificial intelligence-driven economy, labour chief Ng Chee Meng said as he filed a parliamentary motion...
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S’pore, NZ ink pact to keep critical supplies flowing even during crises
Singapore and New Zealand pledged on May 4 to keep essential goods such as food, fuel and other critical supplies flowing, even in times of crisis, through a legally binding agreement. Both prime ministers witnessed the signing of the pact and also...
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Middle East conflict could spur S-E Asia’s nuclear energy ambitions: Experts
The war in Iran could accelerate South-east Asia’s plans to tap nuclear energy as it seeks to wean itself off its dependence on Middle Eastern oil and gas, experts told The Straits Times. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz – a major global shipping...
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Germany urges stronger European defence after US reduces troops
A planned drawdown of US troops from Germany should spur Europeans to strengthen their own defences further, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on May 2, following the latest salvo from Washington against transatlantic ties. The Pentagon...
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New tripartite council to help workers keep jobs, companies transform amid AI disruption
A new tripartite council will be set up to double down on plans to upskill workers, and help companies redesign jobs and adopt new tools, amid a disruption driven by artificial intelligence. The Tripartite Jobs Council will comprise workers’ trade...
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New work group to drive marriage, parenthood reset amid record low fertility
A new inter-agency work group will aim to mobilise the broader society to support Singaporeans in marrying and having children, amid the Republic’s fertility rate declining to a new low of 0.87. Aimed at helping Singaporeans as they navigate marriage...
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Collective interest to keep critical sea lanes open and secure, says Zhulkarnain at UN
Unlawful restrictions on the flows of trade, energy and critical supplies impose a cost that small island-nations cannot afford, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim said on April 27. It is in the collective interest of all...
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Year-long drive to urge victims, witnesses of sex crimes to report offences
If you see someone being sexually assaulted, do not be afraid to report it. Such crimes do not just affect the victims, but their families and the community as well. And if you are a victim of a sex crime, report it, no matter when it...
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Trump likely target of gunman at Washington gala dinner: Attorney-general
US President Donald Trump and administration officials were the likely targets of a suspect who fired on a security agent guarding the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on April...
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US cancels envoys’ trip to Pakistan for fresh peace talks with Iran
– US President Donald Trump on April 26 said Iranian negotiators could call Washington “any time they want” after he cancelled a trip by his envoys to peace talks in Pakistan. “They can call us any time they want, but you’re not going to be making any...
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HDB resale prices post first decline in nearly seven years
Prices of resale HDB flats have declined for the first time in close to seven years, even as more flats were sold. This “comes on the back of five consecutive quarters of slower or no price growth”, said the Housing Board on April 24. HDB resale...
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S’pore blocks 6 websites flagged over potential use in hostile info campaigns
Internet users in Singapore have been blocked from accessing six websites after the authorities flagged them for being operated by foreign actors and having the potential to be used in hostile information campaigns. The websites are masquerading as...
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Regulators move to get listed S’pore firms to disclose how CEO pay is set
Companies may soon be compelled to disclose what goes into how their executives are paid, under proposals mooted by regulators on April 22. The move addressing that lack of transparency is key to rejuvenating the Singapore stock market, where more...
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Maritime hubs like S’pore critical amid global disruptions: DPM Gan
Maritime hubs like Singapore are critical in ensuring trade carries on at a time when disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz cascade across the global economy, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong on April 21. Delivering the Singapore Maritime Lecture...
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Standing up for freedom of navigation sends right message: UN maritime chief
Countries standing up for freedom of navigation in international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz are sending “the right message”, said the head of the UN agency regulating global shipping, as a continued impasse between Iran and the US over the...
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More babies born to women in their 40s amid Singapore’s fertility decline
At a time when fewer Singaporean women are having children, more of those in their 40s are bucking the trend. In 2025, 9.6 babies were born per 1,000 women aged between 40 and 44, up from 8.9 babies in 2015 and 6.2 babies in 2005. The increase in the...
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29,000 HDB households to benefit from neighbourhood upgrading
Nearly 29,000 households living in HDB flats across Singapore will get upgrades to their neighbourhoods under two schemes. These upgrades could include fitness trails linking senior-centric amenities, seating areas and features that guide those with...
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Illegal weaponisation of Hormuz sets dangerous precedent: PM
Allowing any party to illegally weaponise an international waterway would set a dangerous precedent, and other maritime chokepoints could be similarly targeted, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Singapore feels this acutely as it sits along the...
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Trump says Israel, Lebanon have agreed to 10-day truce
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire, US President Donald Trump said on April 16. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said he held “excellent conversations” with the leaders of both countries and directed his top...
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Healthpoint rewards among measures to attract and retain blood donors
With a potential blood supply crisis looming in 2033 and the youth donor pool trending downwards, the authorities are introducing new incentives to attract and retain blood donors, including giving out Healthpoint rewards. “Difficult times lie ahead....
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Long-term planning goes beyond the surface
The Jurong Rock Caverns, which opened in 2014, can store crude oil or compatible products to increase storage capacity for all of Singapore’s local refineries, said Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng in a Facebook post....
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Refreshed NS medical classification system to take effect from Oct 2027
Full-time national servicemen (NSFs) will soon be able to take on a wider range of vocations than they would have been eligible for in the past following changes to the medical classification system (MCS). Under the refreshed system, those enlisting...
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Trump vows to blockade Strait of Hormuz after Iran peace talks fail
US President Donald Trump said on April 12 that the US Navy would immediately start blockading the Strait of Hormuz, raising the stakes after marathon talks with Iran failed to result in a deal to end the war, jeopardising a fragile twoweek...
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US, Iran begin direct talks in Islamabad in bid to end the war
Senior US and Iranian officials met on April 11 in Islamabad for the highest-level talks between Washington and Tehran in half a century as they sought to bring an end to their six-week war. The talks between US Vice-President J.D. Vance, special...
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Singapore, Australia commit to keep LNG, diesel flowing between both countries
Singapore and Australia have committed to keeping essential goods – including liquefied natural gas (LNG) and refined petroleum products – flowing between the countries. Both countries are working quickly to turn this commitment into action through a...
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Land to be released for not-for-profit private hospital in the east
To provide people with more lower-cost private healthcare options, the Government intends to release a plot of land for a new private, notfor-profit acute hospital in eastern Singapore, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung announced on April 9. This would...
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2-week Iran war truce declared but concerns remain as strikes continue
AVIV/ Relief over a truce between the United States and Iran gave way on April 8 to alarm that fighting was still raging across the region, as Israel launched its biggest attacks yet on Lebanon, and Iran struck Gulf neighbours’ oil facilities. World...
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‘Unprecedented’ energy disruption from Iran war: Govt unveils support measures
Singaporeans should be prepared that disruptions from the Middle East conflict will impact more sectors of the Republic’s economy and lead to higher electricity and food prices, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. He warned that the effects of...
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S’pore’s first 3D-printed pedestrian bridge to be completed in Jurong West in 2028
In 2028, the first pedestrian bridge in Singapore to be constructed using 3D printing will go across the Jurong River, connecting Jurong West to the new Tengah town, where more housing developments have been planned. The use of the new technology is...
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US snatches airman from Iran as Trump ratchets up pressure
US special forces rescued a downed airman in Iran in a complex operation that averted a potential crisis for President Donald Trump, as the war entered its sixth week with little sign of progress in diplomatic efforts for a resolution. Mr Trump...
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Ministerial committee to deal with fallout from Middle East conflict
The Homefront Crisis Ministerial Committee (HCMC) will address supply disruptions and price increases arising from the Middle East conflict, as well as diplomatic and security issues, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam. He...
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Trump vows to hit more Iranian infrastructure after strike on bridge
– US President Donald Trump threatened to extend attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran after a US strike cut a major highway bridge on April 2, prompting a defiant response from Iran, which hit a water plant in Kuwait and said more would...
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Govt to bring forward Budget steps to cushion Iran war’s impact: PM
Some support measures announced at Budget 2026 will be brought forward to provide earlier relief and cushion the Middle East conflict’s impact on Singapore households and businesses, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The Government will also provide...
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HDB resale prices decline for first time in nearly 7 years
Prices of resale HDB flats have declined for the first time in close to seven years, dropping by 0.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. The last quarter-to-quarter decline in resale prices was recorded in...
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Electricity, gas tariffs to rise in Q2; further spikes expected later in 2026
Electricity and gas tariffs will increase from April to June on the back of rising fuel prices, and are likely to further spike in the coming months. In a statement on March 31, grid operator SP Group said the electricity tariffs for homes will go up...
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App stores to screen for Singapore users below 18 via Singpass and other measures
A range of measures from facial scans to credit card and government identity verification is being rolled out in Singapore to control app downloads by those below 18, as app stores race to meet a March 31 regulatory deadline. From April 1, app stores...
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Iran warns US over ground attack as regional powers meet in Pakistan
Iran said it was ready to respond to a US ground attack, accusing Washington on March 29 of preparing a land assault even as it sought negotiations and as regional powers held talks in Pakistan to try to end the fighting. The foreign ministers of...
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Important for Singapore to engage China, Japan in shaping regional affairs: PM
It is important for Singapore to engage both China and Japan – which are going through a “difficult phase” in their relationship – not just bilaterally, but also in shaping regional affairs, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on March 28. The two...
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Trump further delays attacks on Iran’s energy sector to April 6
US President Donald Trump has pushed back his deadline for strikes on Iran’s energy assets, saying talks on ending the war were “going very well” as Israel announced fresh strikes on Tehran early on March 27. As the conflict that has roiled energy...
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China plays critical role as world forges new pathways: PM Wong
In a world where countries must find new ways to cooperate, China will play a critical role in shaping a more resilient global order, given its growing economic weight and capabilities, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. It is already contributing to...
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Crow shooting operations resume
Crow shooting operations have begun in Yishun and will be expanded to eight other districts over the next few weeks. National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat said in a Facebook post on March 25 that the operations will complement management efforts...
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Iran hits Israel, mocks Trump’s talk of joint control of Strait of Hormuz
WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/TEL AVIV – Iran launched waves of missiles at Israel on March 24, a day after US President Donald Trump said there had been “very good and productive” talks aimed at halting the war unleashed by the United States and Israel now...
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Singapore inflation outlook for 2026 to be reassessed as energy prices soar
Singapore’s central bank will update its inflation outlook in its April monetary policy statement as it assesses recent developments amid the Middle East conflict, which has sent energy prices soaring. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the...
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Trump and Iran threaten to attack energy facilities
US President Donald Trump and Iran threatened to escalate their war by attacking energy facilities in the Gulf, in a potential widening of hostilities that could deepen a regional crisis and add to concerns in global markets. Air raid sirens sounded...
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Trump says US considering ‘winding down’ Iran war
President Donald Trump said the US was considering “winding down” its military operation against Iran, as Iran and Israel traded attacks on March 21 and Iranian media said the nuclear facility in Natanz had been attacked. In a social media post, Mr...
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Engineers, tech specialists in demand as newly created roles climb in 2025
Newly created jobs in Singapore made up nearly half – or 49.3 per cent – of all vacancies in 2025, as the global artificial intelligence boom ramped up hiring demand for workers in engineering and technology-related roles. This figure, up from 45.7...
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S’pore, Japan ‘strategically aligned’ for a stronger partnership: PM Wong
Singapore and Japan are strategically aligned, with similar views on the importance of free and open trade, as well as international cooperation. Both also have a shared interest in new areas of growth, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on March...
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Singapore, Japan elevate bilateral ties to strategic partnership
Singapore and Japan have upgraded their bilateral ties, with deeper cooperation planned in a wide range of areas, from artificial intelligence to the green transition. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced...
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Israel says it has killed Iran’s security chief and head of paramilitary force
Israel said on March 17 that it had killed Iran’s powerful national security chief, Mr Ali Larijani, in what would be a huge blow to the Islamic republic more than two weeks into the war engulfing the Middle East. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz...
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36,000 MOE teachers, allied educators to get pay hike of 2%-9%
About 36,000 educators will receive a 2 per cent to 9 per cent increase in their monthly salaries from October, said the Ministry of Education (MOE) on March 16. About 33,000 education officers, 1,700 allied educators and 1,100 MOE kindergarten...
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Singapore’s energy secure despite disruptions from Mid-East conflict
Singapore’s energy supplies remain secure despite rising oil and gas prices caused by conflict in the Middle East, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng. In a video posted on his social media pages on March 15, he noted that natural gas – all of which...
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Iran defiant as Trump threatens to hit Kharg Island oil network
US President Donald Trump threatened to strike the oil infrastructure of Iran’s Kharg Island hub unless Tehran stopped attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a warning that could further roil markets coping with a historic supply disruption. He...
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Deadly blasts rock Iran as its leaders rally in show of defiance
Deadly explosions rocked Tehran close to a pro-government rally attended by top officials on March 13, as Israel and Iran unleashed fresh strikes in a war that has ignited the Middle East and threatens to torpedo the world economy. Since erupting on...
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War creating largest oil shock in history as Iran hits new Gulf targets
The war in the Middle East is creating the biggest oil supply disruption in history, as unchecked Iranian attacks on oil terminals and cargo ships across the region again sent crude prices spiking above US$100 a barrel on March 12. The Paris-based...
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RSAF plane returns from Middle East with largest group of S’poreans so far
Seeing enciks (military warrant officers) pushing meal carts and serving food on board a repatriation flight from the Middle East was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” for Mr Tan Wei Heng. Mr Tan, 28, arrived in Singapore on the morning of March 11 on...
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East-West Line begins operations from new integrated depot
The operation of the East-West Line (EWL) has been moved to the new East Coast Integrated Depot (ECID), after the line was connected to the depot in December 2025. Trains from the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) and Downtown Line (DTL) are expected to...
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