The Straits Times
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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IP rider premiums to cost at least 30% less amid new requirements
Private health insurers gearing up for the launch of new riders have revealed that policyholders who switch schemes come April 1 could see premium reductions of at least 30 per cent, with one insurer offering premium reductions of up to 84 per...
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S’poreans on second repatriation flight from Mid-East arrive to cheers
Cheers erupted among those waiting eagerly for the return of their friends and family members from the Middle East at about 9.30pm on March 8, as passengers on the second repatriation flight from Muscat, Oman, arrived at Changi Airport Terminal...
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Iran vows never to surrender, but apologises for attacking neighbours
US President Donald Trump threatened to escalate the bombing of Iran on March 7, as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed that his country would never surrender, despite a fresh blitz of US and Israeli air strikes that set Tehran’s airport...
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S’pore’s fiscal prudence provides buffer in turbulent world: Indranee
Singapore’s approach of fiscal prudence provides buffer and assurance in a world rocked by developments like the Middle East conflict, said Leader of the House Indranee Rajah on March 6. Speaking after Parliament unanimously passed a record $154.7...
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Families welcome S’poreans home as some Mid-East flights resume
The first travellers from Dubai trickled into Changi Airport on the morning of March 5, after days of flight cancellations caused by the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran closed airspaces across the Middle East. Many travellers had...
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HDB explores taller blocks; 60-storey BTO project to be built in Pearl’s Hill
Singapore’s tallest HDB blocks, set to rise over 60 storeys high, will be built at the foot of Pearl’s Hill in Outram Park. The 1,700 unit Build-To-Order (BTO) project will be the first time in more than 40 years that public housing is built on the...
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Heat resilience office, $40m for heat research as part of S’pore adaptation efforts
Protecting Singapore from climate impacts will be a major focus for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) in 2026, with a suite of new initiatives to address threats ranging from unbearable heat to rising seas. These initiatives...
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S’pore, S. Korea to upgrade FTA; President Lee makes state visit
Singapore and South Korea will upgrade an existing free trade agreement (FTA) to ride on strong growth of trade and economic ties between the two countries, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting South...
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Iran hits back at Israel, Gulf states as top leader’s death is confirmed
As the war in the Middle East enters its third day, Iran has surprised most political observers with its defence capabilities. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and most of his Defence Council are dead, yet the country not only continues to...
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Israel, US launch strikes on Iran, targeting Tehran’s leadership
The United States and Israel carried out military strikes on Iran on Feb 28, targeting its top leaders and plunging the Middle East into a conflict that President Donald Trump said would end a security threat to the US and give Iranians a chance to...
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Alcohol limit for drink driving to be lowered by more than half
The alcohol limit determining drink driving will be more than halved, and the authorities are looking to reduce the maximum number of demerit points that can be accumulated to make it easier to suspend reckless drivers. Announcing these moves on Feb...
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Singapore’s fertility rate sinks to new low, raising concerns
Singapore’s resident total fertility rate (TFR) sank to a new low of 0.87 in 2025, according to preliminary figures, deepening concerns over how this trend and the rapidly ageing population will reshape society and the economy. Deputy Prime Minister...
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MPs call for life-cycle approach, structured shifts as AI reshapes jobs
With artificial intelligence reshaping careers across industries, MPs who joined the second day of the Budget debate called for a lifecycle approach to supporting Singaporean workers. NTUC deputy secretary-general Desmond Choo called for a new...
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MPs debate if $15.1b surplus is insurance in volatile world or ‘unnecessary hoarding’
A larger-than-expected surplus of $15.1 billion proved the main point of contention on the first day of the Budget debate, with MPs disagreeing over whether these funds should be spent more freely for Singaporeans’ benefit. PAP MPs on Feb 24 held that...
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Record 245 million travellers passed through S’pore checkpoints in 2025
Close to 245 million travellers passed through Singapore’s checkpoints in 2025, surpassing the 230 million figure seen in the previous year, and the 217.3 million recorded in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority...
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S’pore to seek clarity from US on implementation of new 15% tariff
The Government will engage its US counterparts to seek clarity on the implementation of a potential new 15 per cent tariff on all goods entering the US from Feb 24, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. He noted that if the 15 per cent minimum...
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Levy on S’pore goods to stay at 10% as Trump declares new global tariff
Goods from Singapore will face a tariff of 10 per cent, even after the US Supreme Court threw out President Donald Trump’s signature reciprocal tariffs policy in a stunning decision. The apex court ruled in a 6-3 decision on Feb 20 that the US...
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About 22,000 civil servants to get pay rise of between 2% and 9%
About 22,000 civil servants in roles ranging from policy to planning and operations will see salary increments of between 2 per cent and 9 per cent from Aug 1. The adjustments are to keep pace with market standards and enable the public service to...
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South Korea’s ex-president Yoon gets life term for insurrection
A South Korean court sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison on Feb 19, after finding him guilty of masterminding an insurrection, stemming from his December 2024 attempt to impose martial law. Prosecutors had sought the death...
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Task force’s proposals will help bolster MRT network ‘over the next decades’: Experts
The rail reliability task force’s recommendations, accepted by the Government on Feb 13, are comprehensive and a step in the right direction in reducing MRT disruptions, even though many are not new, said transport experts. In the meantime, some...
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S’pore key exports rise 9.3% in Jan amid electronics surge due to AI
Singapore’s key exports saw further gains in January as electronics shipments surged on strong demand related to artificial intelligence (AI). Analysts cautioned that there may be some volatility in the first quarter of 2026 owing to the Chinese New...
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Enhanced ComLink+ packages give families stronger nudge up social ladder
For children born to Singapore’s poorest families, the climb up the social ladder is getting steeper. New data released by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) showed that about one in four children born to fathers in the lowest 20 per cent of income earners...
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Rubio casts US as ‘child of Europe’ in message of unity at Munich Conference
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cast the US as the “child of Europe” in a message of unity on Feb 14, offering some reassurance as well as levelling more criticism at allies after a year of turmoil in transatlantic relations. Mr Rubio was addressing...
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NEL power system to be upgraded to improve reliability
Renewal works involving the power supply system for the North East Line (NEL) will begin in 2026, following recommendations from a task force looking into solutions to improve rail reliability, which the Government accepted on Feb 13. This includes...
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A $155b bumper Budget to secure Singapore’s future
Singapore will provide more support for firms to stay competitive and make a national push to tap the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of its plans to navigate an uncertain and fractured world. Families and individuals will also...
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A labour of love at a horse-picious void deck
Walk past a moon gate and spot a white horse, Cai Shen Ye – the God of Wealth – and a Chinese pavilion among a series of Chinese New Year decorations at the void deck of Block 8 Cantonment Close. Created from recycled materials, the decorations are a...
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S’pore lifts 2026 growth forecast to 2%-4% after strong Q4
Singapore upgraded its full-year 2026 growth forecast to a range of 2 per cent to 4 per cent, with the economy projected to continue benefiting from a sustained global artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom. The growth outlook was raised from an...
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Singapore netted bigger haul of $14.2b in investments in 2025: EDB
Singapore managed to net a bigger haul of investments in 2025 – raising the prospects of new jobs and higher economic growth in the coming years – despite the persistent global uncertainty over tariffs and protectionism. The Republic’s lead investment...
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Huge crowds turn out for Singapore Airshow on first public day
Since 2012, aviation enthusiast Rafi Damar has been a visitor to the Singapore Airshow, flying in from Jakarta with his father, who is similarly fascinated by planes. For the 2024 and 2026 editions, however, the Indonesian logistics executive did not...
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ASEAN chair says no change to stance on Myanmar, even as questions persist
ASEAN is sticking to its position on Myanmar and not recognising the outcome of its recent militaryrun election unless violence stops, Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro reiterated on Feb 6, even as questions continue to be asked about the...
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$40m fund to push promising green solutions from S’pore labs to market
A $40 million fund has been launched to push promising climate and sustainability innovations out of the lab and into the marketplace. The Urban Solutions and Sustainability Translation Fund aims to translate research in the areas of agri-food, waste,...
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New transport Bill passed, paving way for ERP 2 and stricter mobility scooter rules
Parliament passed a raft of changes to transport laws on Feb 4, including new rules aimed at curbing the abuse of mobility scooters and protecting pedestrians. New laws under the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill will require...
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S’pore’s tourism receipts hit new high in first three quarters of 2025
Tourism spending in Singapore hit a record $23.9 billion in the first three quarters of 2025, up 6.5 per cent from the same period in 2024. This puts the sector on track to surpass the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) full-year forecast of $29 billion...
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Singapore to set up national space agency in April
A national space agency will be formed on April 1 to enable Singapore to seize opportunities in the expanding space economy and develop its space capabilities, said Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng. The National Space...
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S’pore to face AI challenge sooner than many others, says President Tharman
The Republic will face the challenge of artificial intelligence (AI) sooner than many countries because it is small, open and relies on technology as a source of its competitiveness, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. By the same token, it has the...
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Shorter waits for 1.3k BTO flats in Feb sale; one project ready in less than 2 years
About 1,300 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats with shorter waits of less than three years will be offered in the upcoming February sales exercise across three projects in Tampines and Sembawang. One of the projects, the 284-unit Tampines Bliss in Tampines...
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7 strategies for S’pore to secure growth, good jobs amid tariff and AI threats
Committees formed to conduct Singapore’s Economic Strategy Review (ESR) are asking the Government to take calculated risks and try new ideas to protect growth and jobs as protectionism and technology reshape the global economy. The five ESR...
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Exam difficulty, use of PSLE results being studied to lower exam stakes
In reviewing how to reduce the stakes of exams, the Ministry of Education (MOE) is considering changes including adjusting their difficulty and studying how PSLE results are used in secondary school admission. Education Minister Desmond Lee said these...
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Race against time as peat fire rages in Johor
Firefighters are racing against time to snuff out a peat fire that has been raging underground for almost a week in Pengerang, Johor. It is one of several wildfire spots that have been reported in Johor. On Jan 27, a Johor fire and rescue department...
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Micron building $30.5b semiconductor plant here, creating 1,600 jobs
Memory chip giant Micron Technology is building a US$24 billion (S$30.5 billion) plant here to ramp up its production of semiconductors as booming artificial intelligence (AI) demand causes an unprecedented shortage of hardware powering data...
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More young adults, teens in Singapore being diagnosed with cancer
In January 2024, Mr Joshua Lee began experiencing abdominal pains, which he brushed off as aches from recreational rock climbing. “I thought I had pulled something,” said the 25-year-old, who was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the...
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New facility to support active lifestyles
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong trying out an exercise machine at the gym at ActiveSG Sport Park @ Teck Ghee on Jan 25, with Kebun Baru MP Henry Kwek (left) and fitness instructor Mohamed Haiqal Mohamed Suhaimi (in red) looking on. The Sport Park was...
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