Headline News In 60 Seconds Daily 2026-01-23T08:01:44.783Z

• 🚌 Bus Timing System to Be Restored Over Four Days After Fault Found: LTA The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on 5th December 2022 that Singapore's bus timing system will be progressively restored over four days after a technical fault. Public Transport Operators SMT Corporation and BLT Holdings are collaboratively working with LTA to rectify the issue.
• ⚖️ Singapore Precious Metals Exchange Director Faces Charges: Allegations of Operating Unlicensed Payment Services Vincent Tie, director of Singapore Precious Metals Exchange, is being charged on October 12, 2023, for allegedly operating unlicensed payment services worth US$81 million. This contravenes local financial regulations.
• 🤖 Shanda Elevates Singapore AI Hub: Chinese Research Operations Shift to Boost Innovation 🤖 Shanda Elevates Singapore AI Hub: Chinese Research Operations Shift to Boost Innovation Shanda’s AI lab in Singapore expands, redirecting focus from China. Alex Su, CEO, confirms strategic move to enhance capabilities. Decision follows regulatory and geopolitical challenges faced in China, effective December 1, 2023.
• 🚨 Boon Keng BTO Crisis: Burst Wastewater Pipe Impacts 29 Households, Urgent Repairs Underway On October 17, 2023, a burst wastewater pipe in Boon Keng BTO, Singapore, affected 29 households. Residents reported flooding and bad odors. Housing Board (HDB) initiated immediate repairs and cleanup efforts.
• 🤝 At Davos, Singapore’s Tharman Calls for US-China Rivalry to 'Benefit' World Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at World Economic Forum 2021 in Davos, advocated for a constructive US-China rivalry that benefits global cooperation, emphasizing shared goals like climate change, on December 9.
• 📈 Circles.Life Hikes Platform Fee: Telecom operator raises fee from 30 cents to 70 cents starting February 1, sparking backlash from customers over increased charges. Circles.Life announced on October 27, 2023, a platform fee increase in Singapore from 30 cents to 70 cents, effective February 1, 2024. Users criticized the move online, expressing concerns about affordability. The company cited rising operational costs as the reason for the hike, impacting over 200,000 subscribers.
• ⚖️ Singapore Opposition Leadership Void: Office of Singapore Leader of the Opposition to remain vacant The Progress Singapore Party called for clarity on the appointment of a Leader of the Opposition, citing the absence of a definitive procedure. Workers' Party's Pritam Singh expressed surprise over the ambiguity. Discussions took place during a parliamentary session on September 12, 2023, highlighting the need for official guidelines.
• 🚢 **Tragedy Aboard: Royal Caribbean Passenger Found Dead in Singapore** Brendon Tucker, 27, from the United States, was found dead on October 1, 2023, aboard Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas while docked in Singapore. An investigation is ongoing.
• 📈 Singapore Seizes Growth: Firms on Opportunity Index Indicate Robust Economic Expansion, Says Dr Tan See Leng On October 16, 2023, Manpower Minister Dr Tan See Leng emphasized that firms listed on Singapore's Opportunity Index are demonstrating significant real growth. The index, released by Channel NewsAsia, helps investors identify booming sectors in Singapore's diverse economy.
• 🤖 Singapore Pioneers Robotic Chaperone to Aid Seniors Singapore unveils 'ELISA' (Elderly Interaction & Support Agent), launched by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research on September 20, 2023, to assist seniors with daily tasks and enhance social interactions.
• 📈 Low Keng Huat Offeror Boosts Stake: Ownership Rises to 84.17% at $0.78 Per Share On 29 September 2023, Low Keng Huat (Singapore) Ltd's substantial shareholder, Ong Sek Chong & Sons Pte Ltd, increased its ownership to 84.17% by purchasing shares at S$0.78 each.
• 📱 SNS and Messaging Reign: Users Turn to Apps for GE2025 Insights By October 15, 2025, Singapore's electorate, heavily reliant on social media platforms and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, reshapes candidate engagement strategies, challenging traditional news outlets' influence during the General Election.
• 🌿 Nature Society Singapore Advocates for 33% Green Spaces in Paya Lebar Redevelopment Nature Society Singapore urged the Urban Redevelopment Authority on May 25, 2023, to allocate a third of Paya Lebar Air Base's redevelopment area for green spaces, emphasizing a harmonious balance between urbanization and environmental preservation.
• 🏘️ ERA Calls for ABSD Reassessment as HDB Resale Growth Slows to 2.9% ERA Realty Network has urged the Singaporean government to reconsider the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) policy after HDB resale prices increased by only 2.9% in Q3 2023. The call was made on 5 October 2023, highlighting concerns about potential market cool-off and advocating for policy adjustments to sustain housing market growth.
• 🌏 U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Visits Singapore for Strategic Discussions Admiral John C. Aquilino, U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander, visited Singapore on 14 July 2023, engaging in talks with local leaders, including Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen, to bolster defense ties, focusing on regional security and collaboration.
• 🌍 PMO Takes Over: Govt accepts vacant LO role post-Pritam Singh conviction; Trump’s Greenland stance shift cools tensions. Singapore's PMO publicly acknowledged accepting a Leader of Opposition role after WP's Pritam Singh's conviction. Simultaneously, Trump softened his Greenland stance, aiming to ease recent tensions, showcasing diplomatic recalibration. Data from 25 October 2023.
• 🌿 Singapore Boosts Carbon Tracking: Enhanced Registry Advances Business Sustainability Efforts On October 17, 2023, Singapore launched the expanded Singapore Registry of Carbon Projects, collaborating with Climate Impact X and DBS, to improve businesses' ability to measure and report carbon emissions more effectively.
• 🌐 PMO Accepts Vacant LO Role After WP's Pritam Singh's Conviction Amid Greenland Row Resolution Efforts Following Pritam Singh's conviction, Singapore's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) reallocated responsibilities to fill the Leader of the Opposition (LO) role on October 15, 2023. Concurrently, former U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a diplomatic shift to resolve tensions with Denmark over Greenland, aiming for improved US-Denmark relations.
• 🏗️ Singapore Construction Demand to Stay Firm at S$47 Billion to S$53 Billion in 2026: Chee Hong Tat Singapore's construction demand is expected to remain steady, ranging from S$47 billion to S$53 billion by 2026, according to Senior Minister of State for Transport and Finance, Chee Hong Tat, on October 9, 2023.
• 📈 DyStar Under Full Longsheng Control: $2.31 Billion Deal Finalized On October 13, 2023, Longsheng purchased DyStar for $2.31 billion after a Singaporean court authorized the deal. The acquisition is set to streamline global operations within the chemical industry.

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