🇸🇬 Singapore

Latest Dispatches

• Witness admits perjury in gang-rape case involving 28-year-old Singaporean — A witness has confessed to lying under oath in a trial involving allegations of gang rape at an Admiralty Park facility. The witness admitted to providing false testimony to protect the accused, a 28-year-old man.
• Singapore to roll out affordable produce vending machines within six months — The initiative aims to expand access to locally-grown vegetables priced under S$2 through automated vending solutions. The programme will also support local aquaculture operators to increase production capacity.
• Meta rolls out Muse AI agent in Singapore for shopping and travel — Meta has launched its Muse artificial intelligence agent in Singapore, offering users assistance with online shopping, travel planning and email management. The rollout will see connector features introduced progressively in partnership with major regional platforms.
• HDB scales back housing plans, prioritizes greenery at two major sites — Singapore's Housing and Development Board has revised its development strategy for Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks, reducing planned units by 1,200 homes while expanding conservation efforts. The move follows public consultation on the two key residential projects.
• Man jailed for sexual abuse of six boys after voluntary confession — A man who sexually abused six boys has been imprisoned after voluntarily confessing to authorities and requesting maximum punishment. The offender, who was himself a victim of childhood sexual abuse, also underwent chemical castration as part of his sentence.
• AI drives Singapore lab breakthroughs, but commercialisation hurdle remains — Artificial intelligence is accelerating scientific discoveries and product development across Singapore's research sector. Industry leaders, however, warn that converting laboratory advances into viable commercial enterprises continues to pose a significant challenge.
• Nature groups back revised Maju Forest housing plans with caveats — Environmental organisations have cautiously welcomed updated development proposals for Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks, but are calling for stronger protections to safeguard remaining green spaces and wildlife corridors.
• Marcos pledges support for peso as currency hits record lows — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has moved to reassure markets after the peso weakened to historic lows, citing rising global oil prices and increased overseas expenditure as key pressures on the currency.
• Temasek chief urges businesses to prioritise shared value over short-term gains — Temasek Holdings chairman Teo Chee Hean has urged companies to build sustainable success through collaborative partnerships rather than maximising individual profits. The remarks came as the investment company announced its latest cohort of award winners.
• Unilever to raise prices as geopolitical tensions drive cost pressures — Consumer goods giant Unilever has signalled price increases ahead as escalating tensions in Iran add to mounting supply chain and input cost challenges. The company reported underlying sales growth of 5.2% in the latest quarter despite inflationary headwinds.
• Wilmar profits slide as food giant braces for continued headwinds — Wilmar International, one of the world's largest agribusiness companies, reported a decline in quarterly earnings as it navigates a challenging operating landscape. The Singapore-listed firm warned that market difficulties are expected to persist in coming quarters.
• Singapore ministers summon executives over haze pollution links — Singapore's government has summoned executives from companies under investigation for potential links to regional haze pollution to meet with three ministers. The move signals a hardened official stance on corporate environmental accountability.