The Straits Times - February 15, 2025
The Straits Times - February 15, 2025
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In this issue
February 15, 2025
Singapore economy grows 4.4% in 2024
But growth expected to slow in 2025 due to risks from global conflicts, US trade policies
4 mins
Over 33,000 Foreigners Denied Entry into Singapore in 2024: ICA
They were assessed to either potentially overstay or work illegally, or commit crimes
3 mins
Rejuvenated Smith Street to serve as 'cultural heart' of Chinatown
A studio where visitors can rent a kebaya for photo-taking, new accommodation and five new food and beverage (F&B) tenants will form Smith Street's rejuvenation, in the hope of bringing back vibrancy to Chinatown.
3 mins
Voter rolls updated ahead of next general election; public inspection open until Feb 28
Singapore's voter rolls have been updated to contain the names of all eligible electors as at Feb 1, 2025, and will be open for public inspection from Feb 15 to 28.
2 mins
Nominated MPs Raj Joshua Thomas, Syed Harun Alhabsyi resign from posts
Two Nominated Members of Parliament – lawyer Raj Joshua Thomas and psychiatrist Syed Harun Alhabsyi – resigned on Feb 14, the first time any NMP has done so before the end of his term.
3 mins
Community's Role Key in Battle Against Disinformation in GE2025
Regulation cannot fully shield public from harmful content, foreign meddling: Experts
4 mins
Modi-Trump bromance seen as a good sign for Indo-US ties
The much-awaited hug came. Their hands clasped for handshakes that lingered. Smiles and fulsome praises were exchanged.
4 mins
Trump unveils reciprocal tariffs plan targeting friends and foes
Proposals for each trading partner set to be ready by April 1, could take effect on April 2
3 mins
Singapore's Key Exports Up 0.2% in 2024; Downside Risks Weigh on 2025 Forecast
Enterprise Singapore warns that \"significant uncertainties\" from trade frictions among major economies could result in a more challenging and competitive trade environment, and pose a downside risk to its 2025 non-oil domestic exports forecast.
2 mins
Panama exits China's BRI – which Latin American country is next?
While more will come under US pressure, Beijing will be hard to dislodge: Analysts
4 mins
Vietnam looks to placate Trump by vowing to open market to US goods
Vietnam says it has no intention of imposing measures that \"create burdens or restrict trade\" with the US, and is \"ready to open its market, increasing imports of US agricultural products\", as it seeks to stave off US President Donald Trump's tariff threats.
2 mins
Malaysia to ease protest rules after critics slam probes into anti-graft rally
Organisers of peaceful assemblies will no longer need permission from venue owners
2 mins
6 Dead in Fire at Hotel Construction Site in Busan
At least six people died and 25 were injured after a fire broke out at a hotel construction site in South Korea's southern port city of Busan on Feb 14.
2 mins
S'porean among 3 men nabbed in JB over drugs worth more than $910k
Three men, including a Singaporean, have been arrested following a series of raids that led to the seizure of more than RM3 million (S$910,000) worth of drugs in Johor Bahru.
1 min
In Ne Zha 2, China finds its latest vehicle for cultural pride
Film has become country's biggest ever, and all eyes are on how well it will do overseas
4 mins
American Embassies Worldwide Told To Prepare For Staff Cuts
President Donald Trump's administration has asked US embassies worldwide to prepare for staff cuts, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Feb 13, as part of his effort to overhaul the US diplomatic corps.
2 mins
Vance Waves Sanctions, Military Action to Push Putin on Ukraine Peace Deal
US Vice-President J.D. Vance said America could hit Moscow with sanctions and potential military action if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a peace deal with Ukraine that guarantees Kyiv's long-term independence, The Wall Street Journal reported on Feb. 13.
1 min
Humpback whale in Chile briefly swallows kayaker before spitting him out
A humpback whale briefly swallowed a kayaker in southern Chile before spitting him out unharmed, an amazing escape that was all captured on video.
1 min
Grab Users Raise Privacy Concerns Over App's Default Audio Recording Feature
Ride-hailing firm says it sent notifications; most users do not recall receiving them
4 mins
New ITE Course Allows Cabin Crew To Pursue Diploma While Flying
Ms Nur Nadhrah Musa has set her sights on a career in the aviation industry, following in her parents' footsteps.
3 mins
CAG suspends airport mini-bus trial after cabbies voice concerns
Airport operator Changi Airport Group (CAG) has suspended a trial of new mini-bus services for large groups of passengers at the airport until further notice, after simmering unhappiness among drivers of premium cabs reached a tipping point on Feb 13.
3 mins
Singapore's 2035 climate target: A commitment to act now despite waning global interest
Its strategy is to tap existing technologies while investing in research on new ones
4 mins
High-income ex-wife wins larger share of marital assets after appeal
Judges deem marriage a dual-income one where man was not primary homemaker
4 mins
Dad of girl who lived in market gets 2-year conditional warning
The father of a 15-year-old girl who lived in a wet market stall for almost a year has been given a 24-month conditional warning.
1 min
Man who recruited money mules for scammers gets jail
A man helped recruit money mules for an international syndicate running a police impersonation scam.
2 mins
2 Women Accused of Cheating Offences Linked to Over $90k in Govt Grants, Support
A former director of a software development and web design company is alleged to have registered \"phantom employees\" to receive government support and subsidies meant for companies hiring mid-career workers joining a new industry.
1 min
Woman acquitted of maid abuse on appeal after judge finds inconsistencies
Discrepancies in evidence were central aspects of assertions underlying the charges
3 mins
5 men admit to raining blows on ex-bouncer
Five men linked to a 2023 fatal brawl around Concorde Hotel in Orchard Road have admitted in court that they rained blows on a former bouncer before another member of their group allegedly killed him.
2 mins
S'pore shares left out of regional rally amid weaker sentiment
• STI down 0.1%; biggest decliner is SGX, falling 5.8% • Hongkong Land tops local index, rising 4.1% • Most regional bourses take cue from Wall St and chalk gains
1 min
Indonesia's Scandal-Hit eFishery Cutting 90% of Jobs as Potential Liquidation Looms
Once Indonesia's start-up darling, eFishery is eliminating more than 1,000 jobs, or about 90 per cent of the workforce as the agritech firm, hit by fraud allegations, weighs a potential liquidation.
1 min
Bears circle SoftBank as DeepSeek clouds outlook for AI project
For SoftBank Group investors looking for the stock to climb back to all-time highs on a revival of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, DeepSeek poses a major hurdle.
2 mins
iFast Shares Rise as 2024 Net Profit Hits Record High
Profit driven by higher fee income from its assets under administration, digital bank
3 mins
Canadian pension manager shuts Singapore and New York offices
Alberta Investment Management (Aimco) has decided to shutter its new offices in Singapore and New York as it retrenches from its global expansion plan.
1 min
S'pore staff affected as Meta cuts global workforce
Leaked HR memo revealed notices would go out to workers in over a dozen countries
4 mins
Industry Veteran's Verdict: Rising Supply Likely to Push Down COE Prices
Research done by the writer shows clear link between supply and prices.
4 mins
Forget DeepSeek. Large language models are getting cheaper still
A US$6 million LLM isn't cool. A US$6 one is.
3 mins
Trump 2.0 Tariff War Is A Recipe For Trade Chaos With No Winners
The victims will include not just the countries that are targeted, but also the US itself.
5 mins
Trump's Tariffs Obscure a Much Bigger Challenge for the World
The global economy is utterly dependent on the U.S. Growth elsewhere does not look promising.
3 mins
Minorities Down Under feeling the pressure from distant disputes
War, geopolitical tensions and religious strife far from Australia's borders have shaken the cohesion of the country's Chinese, Indian and Muslim communities. How are these resilient, fast-growing groups weathering the storm?
10+ mins
Saving a city icon - the 'king of Indian roads'
The yellow cabs are among the city's most recognisable icons, but they are falling in numbers.
6 mins
Go Wide With Lavish Empire
The Snowden-trained galloper can spring an upset on competitive Randwick card
2 mins
Field Marshal should strip fitter second-up
Field Marshal, a beaten favourite in his last race, is expected to perform better this time. Other key races and contenders are also highlighted.
2 mins
Look Out For Beauty Alliance
Feb 16 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis
6 mins
Norris vows to be smarter in bid to dethrone Verstappen
Lando Norris has warned Max Verstappen that he will get his \"elbows out\" as the McLaren driver fights to dethrone the Formula One world champion.
2 mins
V-day heartbreak for Swiatek as reign ends
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek experienced heartbreak on Valentine's Day, when the Pole's reign as three-time Qatar Open defending champion ended after she lost 6-3, 6-1 to the 37th-ranked Jelena Ostapenko in the semi-finals on Feb 14.
2 mins
Penalties to Speed Up LPGA Tour Play
New policy to address 'frustration of players and fans alike' will start after Asian swing
3 mins
England Rugby's Bonus Scheme 'Appropriate'
An independent review of the Rugby Football Union's (RFU) controversial scheme that handed chief executive Bill Sweeney a £358,000 ($604,000) bonus found that it was \"appropriate and well-reasoned\", but also identified some key failings, largely in terms of communication.
2 mins
Alonso Deserves A Statue, Says CEO
Carro lauds coveted Spaniard for his impact on Leverkusen; insists coach will stay put
2 mins
No Woman in Top-100 Earners Led by Ronaldo
Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo again topped the list of the world's highest-paid athletes with total income of US$260 million (S$349 million) in 2024, according to sports industry news website Sportico, but there was no woman in the top 100.
1 min
City Became Worse as Others Improved: Pep
Disappointing Decline
2 mins
Young Lions urged to step up after star striker's exit
To fill the large void left by goal machine Itsuki Enomoto, Young Lions interim coach Fadzuhasny Juraimi has urged his charges to step up and provide a collective solution.
3 mins
Li Eyeing FAS' Top Post
Tech billionaire 'seriously considering' bid for presidency in upcoming elections
3 mins
Labour of love for the ages
Back in the hands of its original designers, the rejuvenation of this cultural icon spells hope for Singapore's modern architecture
6 mins
RAW IMPACT
Architectural style featured in 2024's The Brutalist was all the rage in post-war Singapore
1 min
Balance and ease
Bachelorette focuses on optimising spatial flow for her Tanjong Rhu apartment
1 min
An Ora with a unique aura
The Ora 07 is an electric saloon built on Great Wall Motor's (GWM) Lemon E platform.
3 mins
More Hollywood female leads, but fewer people of colour: Report
Out of the top 100 movies of 2024, more than half featured a story centred on an actress as a lead or co-lead, the first time representation has been above the United States census, where girls and women comprise 50.5 per cent of the population, a 2025 report from the University of Southern California (USC) found.
2 mins
Winsome performances carry The Last Five Years
It is rather cheeky of the Singapore Repertory Theatre to programme The Last Five Years for Valentine's Day.
2 mins
Meihan Boey wins with third book in Miss Cassidy series
Epigram Books Fiction Prize
3 mins
Rapper Kanye West and Wife Bianca Censori Split: Reports
Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori have split, reports said on Feb 13, capping two weeks of controversy for the American rapper whose once-stellar career has descended into chaos.
2 mins
The Straits Times Newspaper Description:
Publisher: SPH Media Limited
Category: Newspaper
Language: English
Frequency: Daily
Unlock your access to award-winning journalism on Singapore and the world. With bureaus in major cities around the world, The Straits Times correspondents bring world news to readers on a Singapore platter, helping them appreciate world events from a Singaporean perspective.
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