Page 6 - Singapore

Covid-19 cases spike in Hong Kong, S'pore as new wave spreads across Asia

Covid's comeback just as much of the northern hemisphere enters into summer shows the virus can still sicken a large swath of the population even when the weather is hot

Singapore issues advisory, asks citizens to defer travel to J&K, Pakistan

Singapore has advised its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir in India, and to Pakistan, amid tensions between the two neighbours. Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Wednesday asked travellers to exercise caution, particularly in border regions between Pakistan and India. "Singaporeans in India and Pakistan are advised to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions for personal safety, including avoiding large gatherings, monitoring local news closely, heeding instructions of local authorities, and eRegistering with MFA," the ministry said in a statement. The latest advisory is an update on the one issued on April 30, which only cautioned travelling to "high-risk areas" in Pakistan. The advisory added that Singaporeans in India and Pakistan can also seek consular assistance. Travel agencies in Singapore are re-evaluating tours to Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan. The tension in the region has disrupted travel, with more than 50 flig

Ex-economist Lawrence Wong returns to lead Singapore amid tariff turmoil

Days ahead of the general election, Lawrence Wong said in a changed world his team's mission is clear: to steer Singapore through the storm, and secure a brighter future for Singaporeans. The economist-turned-politician Wong led his People's Action Party to a landslide win in Singapore's general election on Saturday. The tariff war triggered by US President Donald Trump dominated his campaign. Stating that both the US and China claim they do not wish to force countries to choose sides, but, in reality, each seeks to draw the other closer into their respective orbits, Wong pointed out how this rivalry is already reshaping the world and will continue to define the geo-political landscape for years to come. We are in the midst of a messy transition globally. To what? Nobody can tell, he said in April third week. Transition is not new for US-educated Wong, 52. In May last year, he had taken oath as the prime minister in a planned political transition in the city-state. Wong, who has

PM Wong's PAP wins two-third majority in Singapore general election

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his People's Action Party (PAP) has secured two-third seats or the 65 required from 97 contested in the general election held on Saturday to form the next government in Singapore. The opposition Workers' Party has won six seats and is leading in four seats. As results are coming in, the PAP is leading in the rest of the seats. Wong and the PAP had sought a new mandate from the general election in the midst of uncertainties caused by the US trade tariff to global economies. The PAP, Singapore's oldest and largest political party that has ruled the city-state ever since independence, has secured absolute majority to rule the prosperous country for the next five years. About 2.6 million Singaporeans voted on Saturday for 92 contested seats as PAP's Group Representation Constituency for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights had a walkover on nomination day on April 23. This was Wong's first election as prime minister of the global-business focused Singapore

Pak goods worth $500 mn likely entering India via third countries: Official

Goods like dry fruits and chemicals worth USD 500 million are believed to be entering India through third countries including the UAE, Singapore, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, an official said. According to the official, it is said that a substantial proportion of USD 500 million exports from Pakistan which were earlier directly exported to India are now being rerouted through other countries. While Pakistani fruits, dry dates, leather, and textiles are repackaged and relabeled in the UAE for exports to India, chemicals are likely to be routed through Singapore. Similarly, Indonesia is being used as a transit route for Pakistani cement, soda ash, and textile raw materials. From Sri Lanka, it is expected that Pakistani dried fruits, salt, and leather goods were being shipped to India. Since there is a possibility of some of the USD 500 million exports now being routed to India through other countries, it is necessary to put a complete ban on exports from Pakistan to India (direct or ...

Singapore votes amid US-China trade tensions, ruling PAP seeks re-election

A total of 2,758,846 registered Singaporean voters are heading into polling booths for the 19 General Election 2025 (GE2025) to elect the next government which is set to face strong global headwinds caused by trade tariffs announced by the United States, the biggest trading partner of the Southeast Asian city-state. Voting began at 8 am on Saturday at 1,240 stations set up island-wide, with polling polling booths set to be be closed at 8 pm and results expected late at night. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, completing nearly a year in office, is seeking a fresh mandate for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), which has governed the city-state since independence and steered its development into a global financial hub. Singapore is in the cross road between US and China trade war, a diplomatic source said, adding that the trade focused island has strong diplomatic and economic relations with both the giant economies, a fall off from which will affect its future progress. Multination

Hong Kong's 1967 lesson: Move fast to win Asia's rich in dollar turmoil

Hong Kong must expand yuan-denominated options to attract asset inflows, leveraging its liquidity edge over Singapore in the race for wealthy investors

Juspay establishes an entity in Singapore as part of APAC expansion

Juspay has a presence across markets such as India, United States of America (US), United Kingdom (UK), Brazil and Singapore. It has teams spanning 1,200 members across these regions

Indian to be charged for outraging cabin crew's modesty on Singapore flight

A 20-year-old Indian national will be charged in Singapore on Tuesday for allegedly outraging the modesty of a cabin crew member aboard an aircraft bound for the city-state. The police were alerted to the incident at 12.05 pm on February 28, after a 28-year-old female cabin crew member was allegedly molested during the flight. According to a police statement on Monday, preliminary investigations revealed that the crew member was escorting a female passenger to the lavatory when she noticed a piece of tissue paper on the floor. As she bent down to pick it up, the 20-year-old man allegedly appeared behind her, grabbed her, and pushed her into the lavatory with him, according to The Straits Times newspaper. The female passenger, who witnessed the incident, intervened and helped the crew member out of the lavatory immediately. The matter was reported to the cabin supervisor, and the man was arrested by officers from the Airport Police Division after the plane landed at Changi Airport.

'More Indians graduating in Singapore, median income rises by 10%'

The Indian community in Singapore has progressed significantly, with national figures showing improvement in areas such as median household income and education, said Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam. Based on Singapore's population census, he noted that among those aged 25 and above, 41 per cent had degrees in 2020, up from 16.5 per cent in 2000. This means that four in 10 Indians are graduates, he added. "Some of it is due to immigration, but a significant number is also due to the way in which the community has improved," The Straits Times quoted the minister as saying on Saturday at an appreciation ceremony for donors, partners and volunteers of self-help group Singapore Indian Development Association, or Sinda, activities of which include lending education support to the community. Shanmugam, the Sinda chairman, said there were also fewer school dropouts, noting that about 18 per cent of Indians left school without a secondary education in 2020, down from 38 per ce

Indians among 18 get Lifesaver Award for rescuing 22 from fire in Singapore

Eighteen individuals, including construction workers from India, were recognised with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Community Lifesaver Award for saving 16 children and six adults from a fire at a Singapore shophouse last Tuesday (April 8). Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's seven-year-old son was among those hurt in the fire at the three-storey River Valley Road building which houses a children's enrichment centre run by Newtonshow Camp. The children, aged between six and 10, six adults, aged between 23 and 55, were rescued and attended to by the 18 people from within the shophouse vicinity before the SCDF firefighting team arrived. A 10-year-old Australian girl, rescued from the fire, subsequently died at one of the hospitals. For all fire incidents, especially this one, time is of the critical essence. So, we really thank the members of (the) public who responded that day, even before SCDF's arrival, said Colonel Tay Zhi Wei, the commander of the 1st

CCI clears multi-layered deal involving TPG Growth, AINU and other firms

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday approved a multi-layered deal, involving global investment firm TPG's growth funds, South India-based healthcare services provider AINU and other entities. In a release, the regulator said it has cleared the combination involving Waverly Pte Ltd, TPG Growth V SF Markets Pte Ltd, TPG Growth III SF Pte Ltd, Asia Healthcare Holdings Pte Ltd, Rhea Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Asia Healthcare Advisory Holdings LLP and Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Pvt Ltd (AINU). Based in Singapore, Waverly is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lathe Investment Pte Ltd, which is wholly owned by GIC (Ventures) Pte Ltd. Waverly is part of a group of investment holding companies managed by GIC Special Investments Pvt Ltd. AHH is a Singapore-incorporated company, primarily engaged in long-term investment holding activities. Also, through its direct/ indirect subsidiaries, the entity provides healthcare services in the areas of maternal, child, urology, ...

Singapore dissolves parliament, paving way for general elections

Singapore's parliament was dissolved Tuesday, paving the way for general elections in which the city-state's long-ruling People's Action Party will seek to strengthen its dominance under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The Elections Department is expected to set a date for the polls later in the afternoon. Victory is virtually assured for the PAP, which has led Singapore since its independence in 1965. But Wong, who was sworn in as Singapore's fourth leader in May last year, wants to clinch a stronger win after the PAP suffered a setback in 2020 polls over voters' rising discontent with the government. Wong succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, who stepped down after two decades at the helm. Lee's departure marked the end of a family dynasty started by his father, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first leader who built the colonial trading outpost into one of the world's richest nations during 31 years in office. In the 2020 polls held during the COVID-19 pandemic, the PAP maintained its supermajority

Party to field Indian origin candidates in next Singapore election: PM Wong

The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) will certainly include members of the Indian community in the upcoming general election, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Sunday, acknowledging the ethnic group's outsized contributions to the country in many areas, including in businesses, industries and public services. In the 2020 General Election, the PAP did not field any Indian candidates among its slate of 27 new faces, which had then sparked questions about the ethnic group's representation in Parliament. Speaking at a dialogue with youths from the Indian community, Wong said: You may be a small community, but, certainly, your contributions to Singapore and the impact that you have on Singapore are not small at all. In fact, I would say you already reflect that Singapore spirit. Your story is a story of Singapore small and yet punching above your weight, The Straits Times quoted Wong as saying. Indians in Singapore have made outsized contributions to the country in many areas, ...

Singapore's Changi reclaims world's best airport title from Doha's Hamad

Asian airports led the rankings at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2025, with Tokyo's Haneda and Narita, and Seoul's Incheon rounding out the top five

S'pore forms task force to support businesses against impact of US tariffs

Singapore is setting up a national task force to support businesses and workers from sweeping US tariffs that could slow economic growth and affect jobs and wages, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in Parliament on Tuesday. The task force, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, will include representatives from the city-state's economic agencies, the Singapore Business Federation, the Singapore National Employers Federation and the National Trades Union Congress. Describing the global situation as "fluid", PM Wong said in a ministerial statement in Parliament that the task force will help businesses and workers address immediate uncertainties, strengthen resilience and adapt to a new economic landscape. The tariffs are expected to dampen global growth in the near term, which will hit external demand for Singapore's export-reliant sectors, such as manufacturing and wholesale trade. The global uncertainty and dampened sentiment will also ..

Singapore PM Wong warns of trouble as US tariffs threaten global trade

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who stepped aside as prime minister in May after two decades in the job, followed with remarks of his own at a community event on Sunday

JNPA, DP World's NSICT settle 20-Year tariff dispute with Rs 705 cr deal

The dispute arose in 2005 when NSICT was disallowed to recover royalty payable to the port authority as a cost item of the rate of service

Southeast Asian nations rush to avert tariff pain by accomodating Trump

Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia signalled willingness to negotiate Trump's new reciprocal tariffs, while Singapore said it has no plans to retaliate against the US trade measures

Haldiram's attracts two more investors Alpha Wave, IHC after Temasek

This development comes weeks after Singapore-based investment firm Temasek acquired a 10 per cent stake in the company for approximately $1 billion