Singapore

Singapore’s lessons from Trump’s Iran War
25Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

Singapore’s lessons from Trump’s Iran War

A strategic location coupled with a close U.S. partnership makes for an attractive military target. The United Arab Emirates was long considered an untouchable island of stability, peace, and prosperity. But since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, the latter has been pummeling the UAE with missiles and drones because of its close and long-standing security partnership with the United States. Now, the UAE, including its crown jewel, Dubai, is badly battered. Although businesses are trying to stick it out, thousands of residents have fled, and tourism is at a standstill. Seaborne trade—including oil and liquefied natural gas exports, along with vital food and other imports—has largely stopped due to Iran’s quasi-closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This is all the more worr
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Asia faces crisis from Mideast disruption, Singapore foreign minister warns
23Mar By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Asia faces crisis from Mideast disruption, Singapore foreign minister warns

The war against Iran threatens to send Asian economies into crisis, Singapore’s foreign minister said on Monday, a stark warning in a region that is acutely exposed to the ​massive disruption of Middle East energy supplies."Right now the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is, in a sense, an Asian crisis," Vivian Balakrishnan ‌told In remarks made over an hour-long interview, he also raised questions about the necessity and legality of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran that is now entering its fourth week, saying the "entire global economy has been taken hostage" by a conflict that could usher in a financial crisis. The war has shut down the Strait of Hormuz through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flow, pushing ​up oil prices and raising fears of a renewed spike in gl
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President Tharman warns of ‘long storm of global political instability’ as he approves Budget 2026
19Mar By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

President Tharman warns of ‘long storm of global political instability’ as he approves Budget 2026

SINGAPORE - For every week that the war in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the risk rises of a major downturn in the global economy and of cost-of-living problems everywhere, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Prolonged fighting will not just result in fuel prices going up and staying high for longer, but also impact food supply and prices, as well as supplies of many other critical commodities that the world depends on, Mr Tharman said as he formally approved the Government’s spending plans for the coming financial year. In social media posts on March 18, the President said the conflict represented “a major new stress point” for the global economy and financial markets, which were already under strain. The war between the US, Israel and
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Air ambulance carrying Mirza Abbas on the way to Singapore
16Mar By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Air ambulance carrying Mirza Abbas on the way to Singapore

Mirza Abbas, the Political Adviser to the Prime Minister and a member of the BNP Standing Committee, is being taken to Singapore for advanced medical treatment. His personal assistant, Mizanur Rahman Sohel, confirmed the matter today, Sunday. He informed that the air ambulance took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:17 AM. It is expected to take approximately four hours to reach Singapore. Mizanur Rahman Sohel also stated that Mirza Abbas will be admitted to the Singapore General Hospital. Accompanying him on the air ambulance are his wife, Afroza Abbas, his son, Yasir Abbas, and Dr. Zafar Iqbal from Evercare Hospital. The air ambulance arrived in Dhaka from Singapore at 9:10 AM earlier today. Subsequently, Mirza Abbas was transported by ambulance...
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Transparency ensures fairness when MPs switch between partisan and non-partisan roles: Indranee
28Feb By Grace TsoiNo Comments

Transparency ensures fairness when MPs switch between partisan and non-partisan roles: Indranee

There should be no obstacle to parliamentarians switching between partisan and non-partisan roles, as long as one steps down first and openly declares the change in status, said Leader of the House Indranee Rajah. This current system of managing such transitions is transparent and fair, and has served Singapore well, she added during the debate on the Budget in Parliament on Feb 27. She was rejecting a suggestion from Workers’ Party MP He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC) for a compulsory cooling-off period when people move between such roles. Ms He, the only MP who spoke in Parliament during the Budget debate, said clearer distinctions between such roles were necessary to safeguard Singapore’s politics and parliamentary democracy. Other WP MPs had previously raised this point over D
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Indian diaspora give UP CM Adityanath a warm welcome during interaction in Singapore
23Feb By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Indian diaspora give UP CM Adityanath a warm welcome during interaction in Singapore

A section of the Indian diaspora in Singapore gave a warm welcome to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who interacted with the community during a programme on Monday. section of the Indian diaspora in Singapore gave a warm welcome to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who interacted with the community during a programme on Monday. Various performances were held for Adityanath's two-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation. The interaction organised in Singapore city reflected the growing connection and cultural bond between the Indian diaspora and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, a statement said. Students of the Global Indian International School in Singapore performed a 'Ganpati Vandana' for Adityanath. Addressing a gathering of the Indian diaspora, Adityanath...
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Supply snags, political turmoil undercut aviation growth
2Feb By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Supply snags, political turmoil undercut aviation growth

Aviation leaders tackled barriers to growth and the impact of geopolitical tensions on the eve of the Singapore Airshow on Monday, while reaffirming pledges to reduce emissions. Supply chain problems are hurting global airlines and will remain for some time to come, the head of the International Air Transport Association warned industry leaders and regulators. "This disruption continues to have a major impact," IATA Director General Willie Walsh said at the Changi Aviation Summit, ahead of Asia's largest air show. Planemakers Airbus (AIR.PA), opens new tab and Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab have faced supply chain problems since the COVID-19 pandemic, while engine makers like GE Aerospace (GE.N), opens new tab and Pratt & Whitney ...
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Singapore’s Parliament Shake-Up: Opposition Leader Stripped of Role
17Jan By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Singapore’s Parliament Shake-Up: Opposition Leader Stripped of Role

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong removed Pritam Singh from his role as Leader of the Opposition after Singh was convicted of lying to parliament. The decision, following a parliamentary vote on Singh's suitability, was made to uphold the rule of law and maintain the integrity of parliament. In a significant political development, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has stripped Pritam Singh of his position as Leader of the Opposition. This action follows Singh's conviction for lying to parliament, coupled with a deliberative vote in the house questioning his suitability to remain in the role. Local media, including CNA, reported that Wong emphasized the necessity of this decision to preserve the rule of law, as well as to protect the dignity and integrity of parliam...
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Singapore’s Political Shakeup: Pritam Singh Removed as Leader of Opposition
15Jan By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Singapore’s Political Shakeup: Pritam Singh Removed as Leader of Opposition

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has removed Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition due to his criminal convictions. This decision follows a parliamentary motion and aims to uphold the integrity of Parliament. Singh will no longer receive the privileges associated with the position. In a significant political development, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has removed Pritam Singh, the chief of the Workers' Party, from his role as Leader of the Opposition. The decision comes after careful consideration of Singh's criminal convictions and Parliament's assessment of his unsuitability for the position. The move, effective immediately, means Singh will lose the privileges typically accorded to the Leader of the Opposition, including the right of first reply during deba...
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Singapore a model for small states amid big power rivalry
26Dec By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Singapore a model for small states amid big power rivalry

As a small state, Singapore naturally cannot escape the pressures of great power rivalry and global changes. But as a country that is well governed, safe, stable and prosperous, Singapore can serve as a model for others to study or emulate, says former journalist Goh Choon Kang. The sweeping global transformation has created unprecedented dangers for the survival and development of small states. How to respond to and mitigate the resulting compounding pressures has become the greatest challenge for governments and people all over the world.  The simultaneous external pressures from various sources test not only the political wisdom and governing ability of those in power, but also the unity and resilience of a nation’s people. The increased external pressure underscores the
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