Asia’s top security summit is under way in Singapore | News

Asia’s top security summit is under way in Singapore | News

As US and China defence chiefs meet in Singapore, attention turns to rising tensions over the future of Taiwan. Defence chiefs from around the Asia Pacific are in Singapore to discuss security challenges facing the region. The three-day summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, attracts high-level ministers, military heads and…

Lawrence Wong set to take centre stage as Singapore’s new prime minister | Politics News

Lawrence Wong set to take centre stage as Singapore’s new prime minister | Politics News

Singapore – For the first time in 20 years, Singapore will inaugurate a new prime minister, Minister for Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who will take the reins of power in a ceremony on Wednesday, May 15. The 51-year-old will replace Lee Hsien Loong – the eldest son…

As Singaporeans tire of rat race, incoming PM reimagines ‘Singapore Dream’ | Labour Rights News

As Singaporeans tire of rat race, incoming PM reimagines ‘Singapore Dream’ | Labour Rights News

Singapore – For three decades, Singaporean corporate lawyer Gerald Yeo* chased the so-called Singapore Dream. He climbed the ranks to become general counsel, managing a team of lawyers on a six-figure monthly salary. Sometimes he would rack up 20 hours at work handling calls with clients and colleagues in Asia,…

Singapore says Lawrence Wong will take over as prime minister on May 15 | Politics News

Singapore says Lawrence Wong will take over as prime minister on May 15 | Politics News

Wong, currently deputy prime minister, will replace Lee Hsien Loong who has led the city-state since 2004. Singapore has announced that Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will take over as the country’s next leader on May 15. Wong, 51, will succeed Lee Hsien Loong who has held the top job…

Singapore’s economy misses forecasts with 2.7 percent growth | Business and Economy

Singapore’s economy misses forecasts with 2.7 percent growth | Business and Economy

City-state’s performance is closely watched as a barometer of global economic conditions. Singapore’s economy grew slower than expected in the first quarter, as a struggling manufacturing sector weighed on tourism spending from events including Taylor Swift’s concerts. The city-state’s economic performance is often seen as a barometer of the global…

Singapore ‘tightens screws’ on Myanmar generals with arms trade crackdown | Conflict News

Singapore ‘tightens screws’ on Myanmar generals with arms trade crackdown | Conflict News

Bangkok, Thailand – Singapore has responded to United Nations pressure by cracking down on sales of weapons through its territory to Myanmar, delivering a serious blow to the embattled generals, who seized power in a coup more than three years ago. Thomas Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on the human…

Singapore’s ex-transport minister hit with 8 new charges in corruption case | Corruption News

Singapore’s ex-transport minister hit with 8 new charges in corruption case | Corruption News

S Iswaran accused of receiving gifts worth $14,000 from individual who had business dealings with Transport Ministry. Singapore’s former Transport Minister S Iswaran has been slapped with eight new charges in a rare corruption case involving the city-state’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). The charges relate to allegations that Iswaran…

‘Insane’: Xi’s call for ethnic Chinese to tell Beijing’s story stirs anger | Politics News

‘Insane’: Xi’s call for ethnic Chinese to tell Beijing’s story stirs anger | Politics News

In late February, 59-year-old Phillip Chan Man Ping became the first person in Singapore to be officially designated a “politically significant person”. The city-state’s authorities had already announced that Chan had “shown susceptibility to being influenced by foreign actors, and willingness to advance their interests” and that Chan’s activities “were…

Record number of people executed for drug offences in 2023 | Death Penalty News

Record number of people executed for drug offences in 2023 | Death Penalty News

In its annual report, Harm Reduction International says at least 467 drug-related executions took place last year. At least 467 people were executed for drug offences in 2023, a new record, according to Harm Reduction International (HRI), an NGO that has been tracking the use of the death penalty for…

South Korea to China: Why is East Asia producing so few babies? | Demographics News

South Korea to China: Why is East Asia producing so few babies? | Demographics News

South Korea’s low birthrate has been declared a national emergency despite its government’s efforts to incentivise people into parenthood by paying 2 million won ($1,510) on the birth of each child as well as providing a host of other benefits to parents. The country is one of several in East…