War on Iran: The Hidden Costs for Singapore – and Best/Worst Case Scenarios | Deep Dive
The deep‑dive examines how the Iran‑Israel conflict is reverberating through Singapore’s economy, highlighting the city‑state’s heavy reliance on imported food and energy. Rising global fuel and grain prices are already nudging consumer costs upward, prompting concerns about a shift toward stagflation. Experts stress that a coordinated whole‑of‑government taskforce is essential to mitigate both economic and social fallout. The discussion also maps worst‑case outcomes, including widened income gaps, while probing whether any strategic opportunities could emerge from the crisis.
China Calls for Restraint Ahead of US Blockade of Iranian Ports | East Asia Tonight (Apr 13)
East Asia Tonight highlighted China’s call for restraint as the United States prepares a full naval blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, a move that has reignited Gulf tensions and pushed crude oil above the $100‑a‑barrel threshold. The...
New National Service Medical Classification System to Take Effect From Oct 2027
Singapore's Ministry of Defence announced that from October 2027 the long‑standing Physical Employment Standard (PES) will be replaced by a refreshed medical grading system that issues individualized exemptions and training pathways for national servicemen. Under the new framework, recruits will receive...
This Father Turned His HDB Corridor Into a 'Tactical Training'play Area
A Singaporean father has transformed the narrow corridor of his HDB flat into a makeshift tactical training arena, letting his children and siblings engage in combat‑style games. Equipped with battery‑operated gel blasters, plastic retractable knives and rubber dummy pistols sourced from...
WAR ON IRAN: Hawkers Raising Prices by up to S$1 Amid Rising Ingredient, Energy Costs
Singapore’s hawker centres are seeing price hikes of up to S$1 as ingredient, energy and delivery costs climb sharply, a trend the industry links to the broader Middle‑East conflict and global inflation. Operators report operating expenses rising another 10%, profit margins...
Tech Skills Programme for ITE, Polytechnic Students Expands to Universities
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced that its TIP Alliance apprenticeship scheme, originally limited to ITE and polytechnic students, will now open to university undergraduates. The move comes as the tech sector grapples with rapid AI‑driven changes that threaten...
China’s Trail Running Boom Draws Urban Runners Seeking Challenge and Escape
Trail running in China has shifted from a niche pastime to a booming sport, with the number of events soaring to roughly 500 annually, compared with just 65 in 2014. Urban residents are increasingly swapping pavement for rugged trails, seeking...
MAS, Singapore Banks to Review Safeguards for GIRO Payment System
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced a joint review with the Association of Banks in Singapore to strengthen safeguards around the GIRO electronic payment system. The initiative follows recognition that existing controls—such as registration checks on billing organisations and...
Slim Majority in Southeast Asia Would Align with China over US if Forced to Choose Sides: Poll
A new poll by the ISEAS‑Yusof Ishak Institute surveyed over 2,000 Southeast Asian policymakers, analysts and business leaders to gauge shifting geopolitical preferences amid rising US‑China rivalry. The annual survey, conducted during a period of heightened South China Sea tensions,...
The Chinese-Muslim Mum Sharing the Taste of Home Through Halal Noodles
Chinese‑Muslim mother Aisha Tan Xiuzhi, missing Xinjiang flavors, began recreating traditional dishes at home. Her recipes evolved into a dedicated halal Chinese restaurant in Singapore, offering Xinjiang‑style noodles and other specialties. The eatery quickly gained popularity among Muslim diners seeking...
Singapore-Based Airline Offers Cabin Flights for Animals at a Premium
Singapore’s first pet‑only airline, SingaAir, has begun operating private‑jet flights that allow cats and dogs to travel in the cabin alongside their owners, a service previously unavailable in the region. The carrier charges roughly $27,000 for a round‑trip seat for two...
Some Firms Step up Digital Marketing Training for Agents Amid Clampdown on Flyers
Singapore’s Housing Development Board (HDB) tightened its rules on flyer distribution in public areas of HDB estates effective April 1, targeting the five largest property agencies. The crackdown bans visible flyers left on doorsteps or in common areas, and imposes up...
How Do EVs Fare in Cold Weather? We Put Them to the Test
In Harbin, China’s frigid northeast, a test drive examined how an electric vehicle’s advertised 171 km range holds up when temperatures hover around –10 °C. The experiment aimed to reveal real‑world performance gaps that manufacturers’ estimates often overlook. After covering roughly 20 km, the...
Initiative to Involve Elders in Micro-Tasks to Go Nationwide by End-2026
Singapore’s People’s Association is scaling its “Neighbourhood Kakis” initiative, which enlists seniors to perform one‑hour micro‑tasks such as grocery deliveries and community‑fridge restocking, to a nationwide rollout by the end of 2026 after a two‑year pilot. The pilot saw more...
Local Brands' Expansion: Costs Grow up to 60% Amid Middle East Conflict, Affecting Global Outreach
Local lifestyle brands from Singapore are accelerating overseas expansion, but the ongoing Middle East conflict has driven material prices and freight rates sharply higher, squeezing profit margins. Plastic inputs have risen about 60%, while fabric and paper costs are up...
