Singapore to launch national space agency to capture piece of US$1.8 trillion global market
By Jean Iau Singapore is set to establish a national space agency in April, a move that industry insiders believe will cement the city state’s role as a pre-eminent regional hub for extraterrestrial innovation. The launch of the National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS) aims to capture a slice of a global space economy projected […]
Read MoreWhy ‘rampant baby trafficking’ is a growing concern in Indonesia, Singapore
By Aisyah Llewellyn Concerns about baby trafficking networks in Indonesia have resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny of cross-border adoptions involving Singapore, with experts warning that illegal syndicates continue to exploit economic vulnerability and gaps in enforcement. The issue has drawn particular attention in Singapore following allegations that infants were trafficked from Indonesia into the city state […]
Read MoreWho are ‘we’? Why some Singaporeans bristle at ‘we first’ inclusive society call
By Jean Iau Recent comments by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong about an inclusive “we first” society potentially involving foreigners have drawn the ire of some locals, with experts noting that a cultural shift and greater cooperation are necessary to attain the goal. The “we first” society call was first raised by Prime […]
Read MoreSingapore PM accepts Workers’ Party’s rejection of Leader of the Opposition role
By Kolette Lim and Jean Iau Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday accepted the Workers’ Party’s (WP) rejection of his invitation to nominate a replacement for the Leader of the Opposition (LO) role, saying that it would be left vacant. In a statement hours after the WP turned down the offer, the Prime Minister’s […]
Read MoreCan Singapore’s cyber laws keep pace with speed of borderless online threats?
By Kolette Lim Singapore’s approach to curbing foreign interference and cybercrime is being tested by the sheer speed and borderless nature of online threats, according to analysts who say the city state’s legal powers provide important safeguards but are unlikely to fully keep pace with a rapidly evolving digital landscape. They note that while swift […]
Read MoreAtomic ambitions: Singapore eyes the nuclear option for a net-zero future
By Jean Iau in Singapore Land-scarce Singapore officially remains non-committal about building a nuclear reactor, but experts say all signs point to the city state turning to atomic energy to meet its net-zero goals by 2050. The discourse around civilian nuclear energy has picked up in recent years, with Singapore studying its deployment, developing expertise […]
Read MoreMan in Singapore offers US$3,848, apology after molesting woman while exiting lift with wife
A man in Singapore offered a woman S$5,000 (US$3,848) and a public apology after he was confronted with molesting her buttocks as he exited a lift with his wife. Chinese national Hu Guisheng, 39, was jailed for six days upon pleading guilty on Wednesday to one charge of outrage of modesty in the March 8 […]
Read MoreSingapore’s drug makers may be shielded from US pharmaceutical tariffs: Deputy PM Gan
New US levies on pharmaceuticals may not have an “immediate impact” on Singapore’s drug makers, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong has said, adding the city state may pursue a ceiling on tariff rates similar to deals that Washington has with other countries. Gan, who is also minister for trade and industry, told reporters on […]
Read More‘Zero disruptions’ unrealistic, but Singapore vows stronger rail reliability
Singapore’s acting transport minister Jeffrey Siow has told parliament that while “zero disruptions” across the city state’s rail network is an unrealistic expectation, the government is boosting efforts to strengthen rail reliability and provide better support for commuters when incidents occur. “Train delays happen in every system, in every city,” Siow said during a parliamentary […]
Read MoreSingapore may ‘recognise a Palestinian state’, but only under certain conditions
Singapore will reconsider its position on recognising a Palestinian state if the situation continues to deteriorate, or if Israel takes further steps to extinguish a two-state solution, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan has said. Singapore has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. “We will recognise the State of Palestine when […]
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