Singapore morning news for May 29

Singapore morning news for May 29
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Singapore morning news

Singapore tops in world competitiveness ranking
SINGAPORE emerged tops in an annual world competitiveness ranking of 63 economies for the first time since 2010, moving up two spots to trump the US.
— The Business Times

Singapore prepared for negative consequences of trade war: DPM Heng
Singapore is prepared for the negative consequences that may arise from a protracted trade war between China and the United States, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Tuesday (May 28).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singaporean blasts SingPost for offering to refund just $150 of lost package worth nearly $1500
Another complaint against Singapore Post (also known as SingPost) is going viral online. Yesterday, Facebook user Fatah Kent decried how “absolutely disgraceful, dishonest” he feels about how SingPost operates as he revealed that the postal services company offered to refund just $150 for a package worth nearly $1,500 it had purportedly lost.
— The Independent

A third of Asean businesses struggling to deliver in tech-savvy world
New research from Resulticks finds that a third of companies feel that an overwhelming volume of data, and the inability to integrate data are two of the top challenges that enterprise businesses face in Southeast Asia.
— The Independent

Flying taxis in Singapore soon
Soon Singaporeans will see cars up in the sky, not inside theatres or on their television but on the Singapore skyline for real.
— The Independent

Coworking startup Greenhouse secures US$2.6M funding
The Indonesia-based startup raises the bridge financing round from 14 angel investors Greenhouse, coworking and market entry platform based in Jakarta, announced that it has raised S$3.8 million (US$2.6 million) in bridge financing, as reported by The Business Times.
— e27

Singapore economy rated most competitive; US slips to third spot
Singapore has jumped two places to become the world’s most competitive economy, according to Swiss business school IMD.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Govt infocomm-tech tenders worth billions open to SMEs
THE government will award between S$2.5 billion and S$2.7 billion worth of info-communications and technology (ICT) contracts in FY2019, which runs from April 2019 to March 2020.
— The Business Times

Challenging environment could present headwinds for SIA amid recovery
SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) booked earnings that were in line with expectations for FY19, but a challenging operating environment could create some headwinds in the quarters ahead.
— The Business Times

SingPass app can soon be used as digital identity for some services
The manual task of keying in one’s personal details when registering to visit a relative in hospital or buying a service at a roadshow may soon be a thing of the past when Singapore residents can use their SingPass Mobile app to scan a QR code instead.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Sengkang, Punggol gain most if new rail MRT line is built: Experts
A new MRT line, which is being studied for the rail network, will be particularly crucial for areas around Sengkang and Punggol in the future, transport experts said.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

No record of Singapore importing pineapples allegedly containing cyclamic acid: SFA
A Thai brand of frozen peeled pineapples rumoured to contain cyclamic acid has not been imported into Singapore, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Tuesday (May 28).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore is 8th most powerful country in Asia-Pacific; China closes in on US for top spot: think-tank
OF 25 countries globally, Singapore ranks eighth in terms of the power it wields in the Asia-Pacific region, while Malaysia takes ninth place, according to the latest Asia Power Index, a data-driven comparative assessment of power in the region by think-tank Lowy Institute.
— The Business Times

France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier arrives in Singapore
French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle berthed at Changi Naval Base on Tuesday (May 28) morning as part of a five-month deployment from its home port in Toulon, France.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

LTA master plan to make Singapore’s transport system more “convenient, well-connected, inclusive and fast”
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) released its Land Transport Master Plan (LTMP) 2040″ report which sums up all its lifelong visions for making the existing land transport system more “convenient, well-connected, inclusive and fast” over the next 20 years.
— The Independent

Calls to ban PMDs escalate but govt says this isn’t the solution
A number of pedestrians have written to forums to express their concerns while others discuss the issue on social media. The Internet is now jam-packed with stories of various encounters.
— The Independent

Is Singapore Press Holdings Limited a Good Dividend Stock?
Bell weather blue-chip stock Singapore Press Holdings Limited (SGX: T39) is facing headwinds. Will it still continue to pay good dividends?
— The Motley Fool

Singapore VC-PE group on mission to collate data for S-EA benchmarks
THE Singapore Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SVCA) is partnering US-based Cambridge Associates to assemble enough data for South-east Asian benchmarks.
— The Business Times

2 more suppliers agree to sell lift spare parts to third-party contractors
Two more lift parts suppliers have agreed to sell spare parts to third-party lift contractors on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory basis, Singapore’s competition watchdog said yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Company charged over illegal use of drone
A construction company was taken to court yesterday after it allegedly operated a drone outdoors without a proper permit.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Schools scrapping mid-year exams ahead of schedule
By next year, more than half of the primary schools here and over 90 per cent of secondary schools would have scrapped mid-year examinations for some levels – a year ahead of schedule.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Study finds new way to starve cancer cells
Tumour growth can be slowed or stopped by starving cancer cells of a nutrient commonly found in meat, fish and dairy products, a local study has found.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

High Court takes issue with ‘substantial copying’ in district judge’s ruling
The High Court found a district judge had copied the prosecution’s closing arguments to such a degree that his ruling could not be relied on to justify an accused man’s conviction and sentence.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

UOB in credit card tie-up with Mastercard
United Overseas Bank (UOB) and Mastercard have launched a credit card aimed at business executives from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the two firms said yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore to offer secure identity verification service for companies by Q3
The trial of lamppost-as-a-platform and expanding the Moments of Life service to other life stages will kick off from the third quarter of this year, GovTech announced at the annual Smart Nation and Digital Government industry briefing.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore’s IoT-based power monitoring startup Ampotech raises funding
Ampotech’s system goes beyond dashboard reporting to detect energy waste and alerts facility managers when equipment is not operating normally Ampotech, a Singapore-based IoT startup that develops next-generation power monitoring solutions used in commercial and industrial buildings, has raised S$1 million (US$726,000) in seed funding, led by Silicon Solution Ventures, a fund managed by startup incubator Silicon Solution Partners.
— e27

Retail-targeted image recognition startup Trax close to being next Singapore unicorn
The Singapore-based image recognition for the retail industry is aiming for a valuation of US$1.1 billion Singapore may soon have itself another unicorn.
— e27

Is Centurion Corp Ltd Taking On Too Much Debt?
Centurion Corp Ltd (SGX: OU8) has been aggressively growing its student and worker accommodation assets in the last few years. Should we be wary of its debt level?
— The Motley Fool

26 weeks of paid parental leave? That’s what some employees in Singapore get
Employees of British alcoholic beverage firm Diageo here in Singapore will soon be entitled to more paid parental leave.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Allied Tech executive director in S$129m fast property flip
KENNETH Low Si Ren, the executive director of Allied Technologies, is believed to have made a quick flip of a parcel of office and retail space in Thong Teck Building, selling it to mainboard-listed Top Global for S$129.5 million.
— The Business Times

Stroke rehab centre in Jurong offers new tech, bigger space
Stroke patients in need of rehabilitation should now find it easier to get treatment, following the opening of a Stroke Wellness Centre at Jurong Point Shopping Centre yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore best country for children to grow up in
The Republic tops an NGO’s ranking for a second year in a row, ahead of eight Western European countries and South Korea.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Normal tech student who beat the odds to practise law
Mr Jason Chua never expected to make it to university. In fact, he never gave much thought to what he would do past secondary school.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

President Halimah urges bosses to open doors to people with disabilities
President Halimah Yacob has called on bosses to devise a code of practice that will set common standards on the employment of people with disabilities.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

4 in hospital with burns after Jurong Island chemical plant fire
Four Singaporean workers suffered burns in a fire at a chemical manufacturing plant on Jurong Island yesterday morning.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Aircraft carrier’s visit shows Paris committed to regional security
The deployment of France’s only aircraft carrier group to the region demonstrates its commitment to regional security, French Ambassador to Singapore Marc Abensour said yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

EMA inks deals to cut carbon emissions, help energy start-ups
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has signed two partnerships worth $12 million with oil giant Shell and port operator PSA in a move to reduce carbon emissions and to grow start-ups in the energy sector.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Prices of non-landed private homes up 0.2% in April
Prices of completed private apartments and condominiums in Singapore inched up 0.2 per cent last month, after staying flat in March.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Metro posts $51m net profit in Q4 on fair value gains
Mainboard-listed Metro Holdings yesterday recorded a net profit of $51 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, a sharp rise from $930,000 in the year-ago period.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

‘Jailbait’ folder exposes Australian paedophile’s sex abuse of children in Singapore 17 years ago
He amassed thousands of videos of himself sexually abusing children in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Australia over a period of 15 years. Here’s how Boris Kunsevitsky’s crimes came to light, according to court documents obtained by CNA.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

15 secondary schools to offer language elective programmes from 2020
The language elective programme (LEP) will be introduced in selected secondary schools for the first time, as part of an effort to deepen students’ interest in languages, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Tuesday (May 28).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Monkeypox case in Singapore: Patient recovers, assessed to be non-infectious
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s first monkeypox patient has recovered and been assessed to be non-infectious, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday (May 28).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore part of 24 cities supporting IAAF global one-mile run over 24 hours
Singapore is one of the 24 international cities which will be supporting the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) in its global IAAF Run 24:1 initiative, which will incorporate runs in 24 cities across 24 different countries. In a move to support the Global Running Day, the …
— The Online Citizen

Venture Corporation Has Fallen Nearly 50% in 1 Year. Is it a Good Time to Buy?
Venture Corporation Ltd’s (SGX: V03) share price has nearly halved since April last year. Is now a good time to take a closer look at the company?
— The Motley Fool

Floating parks can help enhance Singapore’s garden city environment
COASTAL metropolises worldwide have been dramatically transformed, especially harbour areas, as maritime industrial activities shift away to specific districts. The consolidation of Singapore’s maritime infrastructure in Tuas opens up opportunities to enhance the coastal landscape with floating …
— The Business Times

$40m crook exposed to gambling from age 6
Certified public accountant Ewe Pang Kooi was a pathological gambler who usually placed bets of $150,000 each at the table because this gave him a kick.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Arabic-style break-fast session a nod to heritage
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong joined 400 Muslims who broke their fast over a meal of kabsa rice and bamia mutton at Masjid Alkaff Upper Serangoon yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Jail, 6 strokes of the cane for man who sexually exploited 12-year-old
He was entrusted with the safety of the 12-year-old daughter of his brother’s girlfriend, but instead, he sneaked away with the girl, plied her with alcohol and sexually exploited her.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Debris found strewn along stretch of East Coast Park
A 200m stretch of the beach at East Coast Park was strewn with plastic bottles, wooden debris and household items yesterday morning, a sight that startled several regular joggers and keep-fit enthusiasts.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Hyflux says Utico’s offer to small investors ‘exploratory in nature’
Ahead of today’s High Court hearing on whether Hyflux will get a further reprieve from creditors, the beleaguered firm clarified yesterday that there is no binding agreement with potential investor Utico, and that their talks last week entailed no conclusive numbers or percentages” for its junior creditors.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Cascadale up for sale en bloc with reserve price of $270m
The owners of Cascadale have put their 25-year-old freehold condominium development up for collective sale with a reserve price of $270 million, marketing agent JLL announced yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

How are donations from our Chinese clans contributing to Singapore’s memories?
Donations from Chinese clan associations, such as heritage materials and rare primary documents, enhance Singaporeans’ understanding of the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia and the early development of the Chinese community in Singapore.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

M1 launches SIM-only, handset base plans starting from S$25 for 30GB of data
Local telecommunications provider M1 on Tuesday (May 28) replaced its 19 mobile plans with one base plan for each SIM-only and handset bundles.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Many schools scrapping mid-year exams ahead of schedule: Ong Ye Kung
Many primary and secondary schools are scrapping mid-year examinations for some levels, ahead of the Government’s plans to remove the exams by 2021, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Tuesday (May 28).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon to be held at night for the first time
This year’s edition of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) will be held in the evening for the first time in the race’s history, SCSM announced on Tuesday (May 28).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

 

Feature photo MDIS

This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo acknowledges World No Tobacco Day, May 31.

 

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.

 

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John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.

He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.

In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.

Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.

In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.

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