The Straits Times - March 13, 2025
The Straits Times - March 13, 2025
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In this issue
March 13, 2025
Boundary changes set to impact contests in the west, say experts
The rapid population growth in Hong Kah North SMC has triggered major electoral boundary changes in western Singapore, with PAP stronghold Jurong GRC carved up into neighbouring constituencies.
4 mins
Singapore, Vietnam to Deepen Cooperation With Wide-Ranging Pact
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Will Take Ties to a New Era: PM Wong
3 mins
Jalan Kayu SMC would be looked after as part of AMK: SM Lee
The emergence of Jalan Kayu SMC, newly carved out from Ang Mo Kio GRC, is a \"natural process\" as the population in the area has grown over the years, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a social media post on March 12.
2 mins
East Coast, Marine Parade election outcomes harder to call: Observers
Influx of voters from Joo Chiat, Chai Chee creates unpredictability for East Coast GRC
4 mins
Aljunied MPs Sad to Lose Part of Constituency to Tampines GRC
Aljunied GRC MPs Sylvia Lim and Gerald Giam said they were sad to see three polling districts in their ward move to neighbouring Tampines GRC, part of a slew of changes to the electoral map ahead of Singapore's next general election.
2 mins
New Sembawang West SMC to be part of Sembawang family: Ong Ye Kung
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said the new Sembawang West SMC will remain an integral part of the Sembawang family.
2 mins
Jalan Besar team's focus has always been on residents: Josephine Teo
The focus of the Jalan Besar GRC team has always been and will be on its residents, said Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity Josephine Teo.
2 mins
Boundary changes to Yuhua SMC expected with fewer voters: Grace Fu
A mature estate, Yuhua has lowest voter count among single-member constituencies
3 mins
Trump nominates entrepreneur Anji Sinha as his S'pore ambassador
US President Donald Trump has announced entrepreneur Anji Sinha as his nominee for the post of ambassador of Singapore.
2 mins
S'pore-Vietnam ties benefit from complementary strengths: To Lam
Vietnamese leader says his country is keen to tap Republic's expertise in science, tech
3 mins
SIA, Scoot to ban use, charging of power banks on flights from April
Passengers aboard Singapore Airlines (SIA) or Scoot flights will not be allowed to use power banks to charge their personal devices from April 1.
1 min
Vietnam Leader Meets President Tharman, SM Lee
Top Vietnamese leader To Lam called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Istana on March 12.
1 min
Kwek Leng Beng drops legal action; son Sherman stays as CDL CEO
Older Kwek says board members agreed to put aside differences for the greater good
2 mins
Ukraine accepts a ceasefire, but does Russia want one?
Pressure now on Moscow to decide whether it, too, will agree to US proposal
4 mins
Immediate 30-day truce part of proposed plan
Ukraine said it would support Washington's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia after what Kyiv said were \"milestone\" talks during which the United States agreed to resume military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
2 mins
Cities Face 'Whiplash' of Floods and Droughts as Temperatures Rise: Study
The weather in some of the world's most densely populated cities is swinging from droughts to floods and back again, as rising temperatures play havoc with the global water cycle, a study commissioned by the charity WaterAid showed on March 12.
1 min
Duterte Arrest Intensifies Feud to Control Philippines
President's Push to Sideline Main Opponents Is a Risky Gamble That Could Easily Backfire
3 mins
Pakistan Military Frees 190 Hostages in Train Siege
Pakistan's security sources on March 12 said the military had freed 190 train passengers taken hostage by gunmen as a deadly siege in the mountainous south-west stretched through its second day.
3 mins
Musk, Ambani Join Hands in Surprise Starlink Internet Deal
The two tycoons who had been at odds over airwaves to bring satellite services to India
3 mins
Houthis to Resume Attacks on Israeli Ships Over Gaza Aid
Yemen's Houthis said on March 11 they would resume attacks on Israeli ships passing through the Red and Arabian seas, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden, ending a period of relative calm starting in January with the Gaza ceasefire.
1 min
Trump's Metals Tariffs Draw Swift Retaliation From Canada and the EU
Europe Could Extend Response to Include Digital Services or Intellectual Property
3 mins
Hamas, Israel begin talks to extend Gaza ceasefire
A senior Hamas official said a fresh round of Gaza ceasefire talks began on March 11 in the Qatari capital Doha, with the Palestinian movement approaching the negotiations \"positively and responsibly\".
2 mins
Greenland party favouring slower independence wins election
Parliamentary polls dominated by Trump's pledge to take control of island
4 mins
Private-hire driver arrested after allegedly blocking, kicking airport shuttle bus
A private-hire driver was arrested for allegedly causing public nuisance and threatening a Changi Airport shuttle service driver on the afternoon of Jan 31.
1 min
12 Nabbed in GCB Gambling Den; 50 Others Under Probe After Islandwide Ops
The smell of cigarettes and alcohol was palpable as police officers raided a gambling den located in a good class bungalow (GCB) at Lam on March 7.
2 mins
Tech Roles in Demand as Non-Tech Firms Deepen Digitalisation
Companies seek to fill over 1,000 vacancies in areas such as AI and cloud architecture
3 mins
SAF Learns From Ukraine War To Prepare Next-Gen Defence Force
Drones, new fighting vehicles among plans to get ready for disruptive future
6 mins
9 Suffer Serious Skin Reactions After Taking Energy-Boosting Medicines
Nine people had serious skin reactions — such as blistering and peeling skin — after taking medicines meant to improve alertness and boost energy levels.
2 mins
4 crewmen on dredger plead guilty over role in major oil spill
They failed to discharge their duties properly, which led to Vox Maxima hitting bunker vessel
3 mins
Man in conspiracy to cheat Spring Singapore of $85,000 jailed
A director of a group of IT solution companies worked with others to dupe Spring Singapore into disbursing $85,000 in public funds.
2 mins
S'pore shares inch up as some stability returns to markets
• STI climbs 0.2%; gainers outpace losers 307 to 224 • DFI Retail tops index, while SIA leads decliners • Regional markets end mixed after sell-off on March 11
1 min
London Market Eyes Better Days Amid Flurry of Listing Interest
It has been hit by years of depressed activity and is only the sixth-biggest globally now
4 mins
Chinese stocks' next leg-up hinges on return of global funds
After a stellar climb in Chinese equities in 2025, market participants say a longer-lasting rally will depend on a meaningful return of global funds.
2 mins
Razorpay seeks profitability with plans for bourse listing; expands to Singapore
Indian fintech firm Razorpay Software has earmarked group profitability as a key milestone on the road to a stock market listing, which it intends to stage within the next three years.
1 min
EV purchases in February increase, led by China
China in February again led purchases of electric vehicles (EVs), which increased worldwide versus a year ago, even as European Union tariffs on China-made EVs reduced sales of some brands, research firm Rho Motion said on March 12.
1 min
Salesforce to Invest $1.3b in Singapore Over the Next 5 Years
Move will help Republic to rapidly expand its labour force in key service, public sector roles
2 mins
Lower than expected increase in US consumer prices in February
US consumer prices increased less than expected in February, but the improvement is likely temporary against the backdrop of aggressive tariffs on imports that are expected to raise the costs of most goods in the months ahead.
2 mins
Nomura Expanding in Singapore, Dubai After Its Global Business Turns a Profit
Nomura Holdings is expanding its wealth management team in Singapore and Dubai after the global business turned a profit in 2024, 18 months ahead of target.
1 min
Chocolate Finance to process withdrawals in 'orderly manner'
Financial services firm Chocolate Finance will process its customers' withdrawals in an \"orderly manner\", following a spike in withdrawal requests on March 10.
2 mins
S'pore Combating Trade-Hostile World by Lowering Barriers
Republic's Strategy Will Be Carried Out via Asean, RCEP, Says DPM Gan
3 mins
Japan a rising power in the space arena
Amid growing security anxieties, the Japanese are looking to their considerable space technology capabilities to take on a more military role.
7 mins
Europe Is Best Placed To Break Starlink's Global Grip
Asia is embracing Elon Musk's satellite internet to boost broadband — but must back alternatives to avoid reliance on one capricious provider.
5 mins
The Next Big Move to Watch For
Chinese advances in hypersonic glide vehicles—weapons that need to be intercepted in space—as well as other developments such as the capability being developed by some nations to grab, deflect, or destroy the satellites of other nations.
4 mins
China's AI boom is reaching astonishing proportions
What might derail it?
5 mins
Elon Musk's spiral of self-destruction
The cost for Donald Trump of keeping the world's richest man by his side is growing.
3 mins
Does conflict with friends make you squirm?
How we deal with it might make the relationship stronger.
3 mins
I Went to Dubai and Caught a Glimpse of the Future
The city is strikingly rewriting the story of skilled migration.
5 mins
Advocating for gender equality must not be seen as contentious
The recent remarks by PAP Women's Wing chair Sim Ann reflect views that reinforce gender stereotypes (Singapore forges own path to women's development, says PAP Women's Wing chair Sim Ann, March 9).
3 mins
Public transport. How is access determined for older estates?
I live in the Seletar Hills estate, which is over 60 years old, with many residents in their 70s or 80s.
1 min
Cantonese quote. Same content spoken in English would not have generated same interest
I was impressed with Manpower Minister Tan See Leng's use of a Cantonese analogy from a Hong Kong movie in his response to Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai in Parliament during a Budget debate.
1 min
Cantonese quote A good reason for official languages being spoken in Parliament
Manpower Minister Tan See Leng's quote in Cantonese — taken from a Hong Kong movie — during the recent parliamentary debate has drawn public attention, in places even as far as Hong Kong and China.
1 min
Lerner Lured Back to M'sia for 4th Salute
Lim's Kosciuszko's former jockey flies from NZ for one-day gig at Tunku Gold Cup day
2 mins
Rondebosch will give some sight
March 13 SA (Turffontein) form analysis
2 mins
Top Field Works A Treat At Kl Trials
Out of action for over a year, former Kranji galloper could surprise when racing fresh
3 mins
Without Question a top chance in easier race
March 14 South Africa (Fairview) form analysis
2 mins
C'SHIP MEDALS MADE FROM RECYCLED CANS
S'pore organisers of World Aquatics C'ships set sustainability benchmark with initiative
3 mins
US probe into Wada continues under Trump
The US Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation probe into whether the global anti-doping authority and China covered up the positive tests of Chinese swimmers who went on to win medals at the past two Olympic Games has continued under the Trump administration, according to a draft document obtained by The New York Times.
1 min
Celtics-Thunder game a potential Finals preview
Two of the favourites to win the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship will meet on March 12 (March 13, Singapore time), when the Boston Celtics close out a seven-game homestand against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
2 mins
In-form Swiatek 'plays risky' to beat the rain and Muchova
Defending champion Iga Swiatek stormed into the Indian Wells quarter-finals with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Karolina Muchova on March 11, beating the rain that played havoc with many of the day's matches.
2 mins
Teen rookie Bearman aims to progress under the radar
Oliver Bearman raced for Ferrari in Formula One in 2024, has gone on training rides with cycling great Tadej Pogacar and this weekend starts his first full season against the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
2 mins
Hamilton Can Paint F1 Red
Briton eager to bring glory to Ferrari in a season where Norris is favourite for title
3 mins
Cash-Strapped United Chase Euro Salvation
They hope to keep Europa League hopes alive with tie against Sociedad finely poised
3 mins
It's all square as Scheffler aims for Players three-peat
After becoming the first golfer to win back-to-back Players Championship in 2024, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler returns this week for a shot at the unprecedented three-peat.
2 mins
Woods Focuses on Recovery After Operation
Tiger Woods revealed on March 11 that he had undergone surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon, derailing the veteran golfer's comeback plans in the latest injury setback to rock the twilight of his glittering career.
2 mins
Milan rivals target July to buy site for stadium
Inter Milan and AC Milan on March 11 made official their joint bid to build a new stadium on the site of the iconic San Siro, after presenting a feasibility study to local authorities in the northern Italian city.
2 mins
Slot Stunned But Proud Of Reds' Fight
Dutchman pleased with effort in shoot-out loss, while Enrique hails PSG's character
2 mins
Kane Has Become Better With Age: Kompany
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane earned praise from coach Vincent Kompany, after scoring one goal and setting up another in a 2-0 victory at Bayer Leverkusen on March 11 that saw the German giants book their Champions League quarter-final spot.
2 mins
Sailors Make History
A 1-1 draw sees them beat Sanfrecce 4-1 on aggregate to reach ACL 2 semi-finals
3 mins
LIV's Koepka bemused by PGA return rumours
While speculation has been swirling about LIV golfer Brooks Koepka's potential return to the PGA Tour, the five-time Major champion insisted on March 12 that nothing is firmed up yet.
2 mins
Secondary: The Musical bags grand prize
The musical by Checkpoint Theatre snags Production of the Year, while The Finger Players sweeps five awards including Best Director and Best Set
7 mins
ST Life Theatre Awards 2025
Newly appointed Sifa festival director Chong Tze Chien's Dream Of The Red Chamber triumphed in three of the four categories it was nominated in, snagging Best Set, Best Sound and Best Costume.
5 mins
Hannu Lintu aims to include more S'pore works in SSO shows
The orchestra's incoming music director is familiarising himself with the sounds of contemporary Singapore
3 mins
Art lovers flock to Pompidou Centre ahead of five-year closure
Tourists and French visitors alike filled Paris' landmark Pompidou museum on the weekend to catch a last glimpse of its prestigious art collection ahead of a five-year closure for a major renovation.
2 mins
Cellist Kian Soltani evenly matches orchestra in cello concerto
The glut of excellent chamber concerts that began last week continued with the Singapore debut of the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, presented by Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.
2 mins
At The Movies From classic mythology to modern animation, the sequel lives up to the hype
In this sequel to the Chinese box-office animation hit Ne Zha (2019), the rebellious child deity Ne Zha (voiced by Lu Yanting) and his ally, the dragon deity Ao Bing (Han Mo), have become spirits.
2 mins
Binge-worthy Sex and death at posh Thai resort
The fictional White Lotus resorts are known for the luxurious pampering of their guests — and murder.
2 mins
The Last Showgirl is a skimpy affair, Looney Tunes movie proves old is gold
Pamela Anderson headlines this American indie as a seasoned showgirl confronting an uncertain future when her burlesque – the last of its kind on the Las Vegas Strip – closes after a 30-year run.
2 mins
The Last Dance wins three acting awards at HK Film Directors' Guild Awards
Hong Kong films The Last Dance and Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In remained neck and neck in the race to the upcoming Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA), as they clinched major prizes at the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Awards on March 10.
1 min
Single actors play divorcees in The Divorce Insurance
K-drama leading man Lee Dong-wook is known for being something of an eternal bachelor.
3 mins
Park Eun-bin relieves stress as a crazed surgeon
The actress plays against type in the medical thriller Hyper Knife
2 mins
Kim Soo-hyun Faces Backlash for Allegedly Dating Late Actress
K-drama star Kim Soo-hyun is facing a backlash after a YouTube channel accused the 37-year-old of being in a relationship with the late South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, who recently died at the age of 24.
1 min
EMERALD HILL TOPS NETFLIX SINGAPORE'S MOST-WATCHED LIST:
Mediacorp's blockbuster period drama Emerald Hill - The Little Nyonya Story is off to a strong start.
2 mins
Aliff Aziz's alleged ex seeks $250,000 in damages
Singaporean influencer Sarah Yasmine, who had previously claimed to be Aliff Aziz's girlfriend, is seeking $250,000 in compensation from the actor for filing an allegedly wrongful claim against her under the Protection from Harassment Act.
1 min
Malaysia's Siti Nurhaliza Earns Spot on Playlist Curated by King Charles III
A song by singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, who was once affectionately known as Malaysia's pop princess, has been revealed to be among King Charles III's favourite tunes, earning a spot on his personally curated playlist featuring 17 songs from around the Commonwealth.
1 min
The Straits Times Newspaper Description:
Publisher: SPH Media Limited
Category: Newspaper
Language: English
Frequency: Daily
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