Singapore’s 2019 Budget: Key Highlights
Singapore’s 2019 budget was announced on February 19 this year. With probably an eye on elections, which are likely to be held in early 2020, social provisions for the elderly and increased military spending find center stage in this year’s budget.
— Asean Briefing
Singapore to get its first life skills centre for young adults with Down syndrome
Singapore’s first training centre for young adults with Down syndrome which will teach them to live independently will open next month.
— The Straits Times (annoying popups)
Singapore had exemption from sanctions for Trump-Kim summit: MFA
Singapore received a general exemption from United Nations sanctions on North Korea for activities during the Trump-Kim summit last June, allowing for luxury items such as Mercedes-Benz cars to be brought in by the North Korean delegation.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Singapore public health agency face another data security lapse
Following a recent series of security breaches affecting healthcare patients in Singapore, another health public sector agency reported that personal information of 808,201 blood donors was left vulnerable after a third-party vendor failed to securely protect a server containing data.
— Open GovAsia
Another data breach: more than 800,000 blood donors’ personal information leaked online
Yet another breach of security occurred when the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) was alerted on Mar 13 (Wed) that the personal information of over 800,000 blood donors had been accidentally leaked online.
— The Independent
Sleepless in Singapore: 80% have sleep issues but don’t get help due to the rising costs of healthcare
A recent global sleep survey conducted by Royal Philips, an international leader in health technology, indicated that 80% of Singaporeans have problems sleeping but do not seek help from a medical professional primarily because they think sleep consultation and treatment fees are too expensive.
— The Independent
Singapore’s Tan Says Plan for New Party Approved In Principle
Former Singapore People’s Action Party lawmaker Tan Cheng Bock’s application to register his own political party was approved in principle, he said in a Facebook post.
— Bloomberg
The three values that shaped Singapore
Though Singapore celebrated its 50th year of independence in 2015, the country has wasted no time organising its next tribute.
— BBC
Singapore’s air, water unaffected by Johor toxic waste as at Sunday evening
SINGAPORE remains unaffected by the ongoing chemical spill in the neighbouring Malaysian state of Johor, the authorities here reiterated in a press statement on Sunday evening.
— The Business Times
Mega condo launched, another tower for the homeless to gawk at?
Touted as Singapore’s largest private residential project, Treasure at Tampines’ was launched and opened for preview last Fri (Mar 15), once again flaunting Singapore’s wealth.
— The Independent
Explainer: The cost of wasted drugs, and why it matters
As Singapore looks to contain rising healthcare costs, it should look at ways to curb medication waste, said Nominated Member of Parliament Irene Quay at the recent debate on the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources’ budget.
— Today Online
Singapore home sales inch higher in sign of residential recovery
Private-home sales in Singapore rose in February, one signal the market may be recovering from cooling measures implemented last year.
— The Edge Singapore
Singapore and France are natural partners in innovation
In a speech by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Finance and Chairman of the National Research Foundation, at the Closing Ceremony of the France Singapore Year of Innovation on 15 March 2019 at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, he highlighted how Singapore and France have partnered in innovation and the initiatives that were rolled out over ‘the France-Singapore year of innovation’ 2018.
— Open GovAsia
Singapore investors snap up US stocks in Q4 amid Wall St plunge
THE final quarter of 2018 saw the US market taking its biggest fall in almost a decade, with investors from virtually everywhere cashing or pulling out – except those based in Singapore.
— The Business Times
UFM launches platform for Singapore’s home-grown musicians
Singapore’s Mandarin radio station UFM100.3 has collaborated with Hear65, an initiative by the National Arts Council (NAC) to create Live From The Lion City! – a platform to promote local music.
— Asia Radio Today
Productivity, innovation and internationalisation are key focus of Enterprise Singapores annual review
Mr Peter Ong, Chairman, Enterprise Singapore spoke on three areas of focus – raising productivity, strengthening innovation and accelerating internationalisation, in a speech during the agency’s annual review yesterday.
— Open GovAsia
Senior commanders reprimanded when things go wrong in Israeli and Taiwanese military but not SAF
On Thursday (14 Mar), Secretary-General of People’s Voice Party Tean Lim shared a link on Facebook reporting about how the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) Chief-of-Staff Lieutenant-General Aviv Kochavi punished the entire chain of command after a training death occurred two months ago.
— The Online Citizen
Singapore Airlines passenger rants against carrier he “sang praises for,” then gets slammed by netizens
The national carrier of Singapore has a sterling reputation worldwide, winning awards everywhere for its unrivalled service to passengers – no mean feat with all that can make flying an uncomfortable experience.
— The Independent
Why the defence business makes for a defensive play
WAR is not something that anyone likes to think about or get involved in. Most of us, I am sure, would much prefer peace. I know I would. Consequently, investing in the trappings of war can make some people a little uncomfortable.
— The Business Times
Fighting dementia by walking in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
More than 300 people turned up at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park on Saturday (March 16) morning to take part in Walk 2 Remember, a walkathon that seeks to strengthen both the mental faculties of the elderly and the bond between them and their caretakers.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Private equity in Asia hits record deal, exit values; uncertainty in the region still looms
The private equity (PE) industry in Asia Pacific (APAC) reached new highs in 2018, after a record-breaking 2017, according to the annual Asia Pacific Private Equity Report by Bain & Company.
— The Edge Singapore
Singapore Shipping Corporation Limited (S19) Is Yet to See Trading Action on Mar 17
Shares of Singapore Shipping Corporation Limited (SGX:S19) closed at 0.29 yesterday. Singapore Shipping Corporation Limited currently has a total float of 426.10M shares and on average sees 97,515 shares exchange hands each day. The stock now has a 52-week low of 0.275 and high of 0.305.
— Z Tribune
Getting unhealthy
Is there a perfect healthcare system? One that guarantees the best possible outcomes in terms of the population’s health, remains affordable for the government and the people, and gives the service providers a comfortable margin of profitability?
— The Edge Singapore
Singapore, Malaysia crawling towards a better relationship
Singapore and Malaysia agreed on something. These days, that counts as news.
— Malay Mail
Helping foreign workers feel included in Singapore: Art collective and university students add Bengali subtitles to English movie
Some foreign workers in Singapore were given a glimpse of what it would be like to be included in an English-centric country, when an arts collective and students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) decided to translate an English movie to Bengali.
— Coconut.co
Right timing: Blue-chips and STI test supports
The Straits Times Index drifted lower during the week and is now supported by the confluence of the 50- and 200-day moving averages at 3,204 and 3,192 respectively. A break below this level is unlikely as down-momentum is weak.
— The Edge Singapore
The rail network beyond 2030: An MRT line linking north and east?
The Government could consider a rail link between the north of Singapore and the east as it mulls over rail projects beyond 2030, said transport analysts.
— Today Online
Travelling After the Boeing’s 737 Max Crash: What You Need to Know
The tragic crashes of two Boeing 737 Max 8’s in October 2018 and most recently on March 10, 2019, has led to a global fear of flying on these jets and discussions of why the two crashes seemed so similar.
— The Independent
Commentary: Concluding the high-stakes RCEP in 2019 will need a different approach
It’s useful to consider alternative approaches for facilitating the conclusion of the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), says ISEAS-Yusof Ishak’s Tham Siew Yean.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
S’pore remains unaffected by chemical spill incident in Pasir Gudang: Authorities
Singapore’s air and water quality remains safe, and its water supply is unaffected by the chemical spill incident at Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, Johor, the Republic’s authorities said on Sunday (March 17).
— Today Online
Fire at Newton Food Centre causes stall closures and nearly 12 hour-long power disruption
Newton Food Centre is normally packed with customers on weekend nights craving a taste of wok-fried dishes and flame-barbequed seafood.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Total compliance in financial reporting, but was it misleading?
Last week, I talked about how it can be difficult to interpret published financial statements because of overly ambitious objectives of the accounting profession, evolving reporting standards and the resulting vagaries that could sometimes translate into risky propositions for those relying on them to make investing decisions.
— The Edge Singapore
SBS investigating after bus 27 veers into centre divider along TPE, injuring motorcyclist
A motorcyclist was taken to Sengkang General Hospital after SBS bus service 27 veered into the centre divider of the Tampines Expressway (TPE) on Wednesday (March 13) around 5.15pm.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
20 places to eat healthy in Singapore (without realising it!)
Guilty of overindulging during the recent Chinese New Year festivities? Amidst the sinfully indulgent offerings available in Singapore, eating healthy is certainly no easy feat.
— Asia One
Grab customer’s mistake wastes food. So, driver gives food to old man on the streets.
A GrabFood driver received a delivery order only to later find out that the customer’s address was too far from his location. Mr. Nur Mamat was about to throw away the food when he decided to instead give it to an old man.
— The Independent
Top court allows drug trafficker’s appeal, cuts jail time
The Court of Appeal has ruled that a person cannot be defined as a trafficker if he returns drugs to the person from whom he received them.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Societies have to ‘face squarely’ the reality that Islamophobia is rising, says Shanmugam
Societies must face squarely the reality that Islamophobia is rising, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam said on Saturday (Mar 16).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
S’pore religious organisations speak out against Christchurch mosque terrorist attack
‘The IRO is especially alarmed that recent murderous acts have occurred at holy places of worship.’
— Mothership
Feature photo Changi Airport
This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day of Forests, March 21.
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Singapore morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Singapore news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Singapore morning news for March 18 added by Piseth Pov on
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