The Straits Times - March 21, 2025
The Straits Times - March 21, 2025
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In this issue
March 21, 2025
Earn and Save Bonus for over 570,000 Singaporean seniors
More than 570,000 Singaporeans will receive $400 to $1,000 in March as part of the Earn and Save Bonus.
1 min
Businesses hit, sports and travel disrupted by incessant rain
The incessant rain that has fallen over the past two days has cast a pall over the country, especially in places like the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) and the beaches of Sentosa.
3 mins
At least 85 killed as Israel resumes war in Gaza; Hamas responds with rockets
Israel has effectively abandoned ceasefire as it renews air and ground strikes
3 mins
Over $198m in claims filed against Qoo10, but only $34,650 recovered
Liquidator says payment will be made for valid claims 'subject to availability of funds'
3 mins
Layoffs, deflation herald bleak Hari Raya for thousands of Indonesians
Economic fears mount with unemployment rate predicted to hit 5.2 per cent in 2025
3 mins
Progress Singapore Party Elects Six New Faces Into Its Top Decision-Making Body
The opposition Progress Singapore Party (PSP) voted six new names into its highest decision-making body on March 20, in a substantial refresh of its leadership slate.
2 mins
First childminding service for babies in a community space launched in Tampines
ECDA eyeing second such set-up in Nee Soon, and is also assessing other spaces
4 mins
Han's impeachment verdict out on March 24, setting stage for Yoon's
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment verdict is expected to follow hard on the heels of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's, which will be out on March 24.
4 mins
Indonesia Passes Controversial Law Expanding Military's Role in Governance
Critics Say Move a Threat to Democracy, Raises Spectre of Authoritarian Rule
3 mins
Thailand set to relax ban on afternoon alcohol sales to boost tourism
Thailand is set to ease restrictions on alcohol sales and advertising, stepping up a push to liberalise a drinks market seen as likely to spur tourism and support smaller breweries.
1 min
Philippines govt defends ex-president's arrest before the Senate
It has been accused of transferring Duterte to the ICC for political reasons
2 mins
Zelensky Agrees to Partial Truce in 'Frank' but 'Very Good' Call With Trump
US President Also Suggests American Control of Ukraine's Power Plants
3 mins
Hundreds of farmers in India detained, protest sites bulldozed
The police in India's northern state of Punjab detained hundreds of farmers and used bulldozers to tear down their temporary camps in a border area where they had protested for more than a year to demand better crop prices.
1 min
Protests Continue for Second Day in Turkey After Arrest of Istanbul Mayor
Protesters gathered in Istanbul for a second day on March 20 after police detained the city's powerful mayor in a graft and terror probe that the opposition has slammed as a political \"coup\".
3 mins
Ne Zha 2 fever drives surge in animation jobs in China
Hit movie has increased demand for talent in the digital cultural and creative sector
2 mins
Vietnam pulls dolls over South China Sea map
Seething international tensions over the South China Sea have struck an unlikely victim in Vietnam: children's dolls.
2 mins
Why BYD's New Battery Charging Platform Is Turning Heads
EV maker's promise of five-minute charges could help it seize market share from rivals
4 mins
US Military Faces Backlash for Erasing Stories of Minority Heroes
From erasing the stories of Navajo \"code talkers\" on the Pentagon website to demolishing a Black Lives Matter mural in Washington, US President Donald Trump's assault on diversity across the United States government is dismantling decades of racial justice programmes.
3 mins
Trump to sign order to shut down Department of Education
But move faces hurdles, including a lawsuit, pushback from Democrats
3 mins
Over 80% of rooms at new public rental site for singles taken up
Scheme aims to give low-income individuals greater privacy in a community-type space
3 mins
Mercy Relief duo head to West Bank on relief mission
They will study the needs of and provide support to those affected by conflict
2 mins
3 men injured in knife incident at Chinatown food stall; woman arrested
A 37-year-old woman was arrested after three people were injured in a knife incident at a food stall in Chinatown on March 19.
1 min
Received an e-mail to review your taxes? It might be a scam
Scammers are now impersonating the taxman and sending e-mails to Singaporeans, asking them to click on a link to review their taxes.
1 min
Director of firm fined $8,000 for modifying scene of fatal work accident
An operations manager at a container services firm, who was wearing slippers at work, died after rubber sheets weighing around 577kg fell on him in November 2018.
1 min
Man fined $5k over ruckus at Changi Airport after misplacing cellphone
A man on board a Singapore Airlines flight realised his phone was missing and caused a ruckus at Changi Airport Terminal 3, only to find the device under his seat later.
2 mins
Tycoon's claim over five properties in bankrupt daughter's name dismissed
Judge finds he intended to gift properties, making her both the legal and beneficial owner
3 mins
S'pore shares rise after Fed eases recession concerns, holds rates
Gainers beat losers 286 to 243; trio of local banks advance ST Engineering tops STI; DFI Retail Group leads losers Region mostly down but Australia, S. Korea buck trend
1 min
Access to funding and talent key to businesses' transformation efforts
Rising business costs and manpower among concerns raised at post-Budget dialogue
3 mins
Trendlines Fires Subsidiary's CEO for Allegedly Misappropriating $2.8 Million
The employee alleged to have stolen US$2.1 million (S$2.8 million) from a subsidiary of Trendlines Group was the unit's chief executive and director, Mr Anton Wibowo, the start-up incubator based in Singapore and Israel said late on March 19.
1 min
Proposed US port fees on China-built ships begin choking exports of coal and agriculture
President Donald Trump's plan to revive US shipbuilding using massive fees on China-linked ship visits to American ports is causing American coal inventories to swell and stoking uncertainty in the embattled agriculture market, as exporters struggle to find ships to send goods abroad.
2 mins
S'pore AI firms urged to develop real-world solutions to attract funds
Industry players say tailored tools are the way to go, instead of competing on cost
3 mins
Chinese AI Start-up Manycore in Global Push Amid US Tensions
China's artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Manycore Tech is keen to grow its global presence, despite tensions between Washington and Beijing presenting increasing challenges for Chinese companies to build cutting-edge technologies and market them abroad.
2 mins
Microsoft to Launch Three Data Centres in Malaysia in Q2
Microsoft will launch its first cloud region in Malaysia with three data centres by mid-year, the tech company said on March 20, nearly a year after it announced a US$2.2 billion (S$2.9 billion) investment in the country.
1 min
Nvidia to Invest Hundreds of Billions in US-Made Chips
Nvidia plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in US-made chips and electronics over the next four years, the Financial Times reported on March 20, quoting the company's chief executive Jensen Huang.
1 min
Whither the US economy? No one knows for sure — and the Fed is no exception
Markets remain vulnerable to corrosive uncertainty of the Trump administration's policies
3 mins
The Workplace Hierarchy That Still Haunts South Korea
Workplace bullying has its roots in the country's history of hierarchical oppression.
6 mins
The Long Journey to Justice in the Workplace
Violators may be sentenced to three years in prison or ordered to pay a fine of up to 30 million won.
3 mins
Women Shouldn't Feel 'Paiseh' for Speaking Up About Their Well-Being
In the workplace, let's normalize 'women's pains' and the mental stress of pregnancy and menopause. Offer support, not judgment.
6 mins
White-Knuckle Time for Asia as Trump Could Twist Either Way
He might strike a grand bargain with Beijing or confront it. Neither prospect is very good for Asian security arrangements.
7 mins
Better for school kids to spend more time with books and pens than laptops
The soaring promise of technology in the classroom has failed to deliver results while imposing great costs, says the founder of Bloomberg's financial computer system.
3 mins
Why are North Korean hackers such good crypto thieves?
They recently pulled off the world's biggest cyberheist.
5 mins
Fund arts practitioners directly instead of giving culture passes
I refer to the article \"SG Culture Pass: $300m for arts and heritage programmes involving Singaporeans and PRs\" (Feb 21) and the letter \"Convert SG Culture Passes to CDC vouchers for the elderly\" (March 18).
1 min
Fire safety • Don't use HDB risers to store items
I refer to the article \"2 taken to hospital after electrical riser fire at Jalan Kayu HDB block\" (March 17).
1 min
Building safety Adopt collaborative approach between managing agents, professional engineers
We refer to the letter \"Train managing agents in building inspections to flag defects which may endanger people\" (March 17).
1 min
HONESTY IS THE WAY TO GO
Trainer Joseph Leck's first 'very own' horse paving the road towards the next generation
3 mins
Captain West looks like a smart choice
March 22 South Africa (Turffontein/Durbanville) form analysis
5 mins
Dubai World Cup Meeting At Their Feet
Nine races on the world's single richest day have attracted 114 horses from 13 countries
2 mins
Warriors on the rise, thanks to Butler's sterling service
The Jimmy Butler trade continues to pay dividends for the Golden State Warriors, who are 15-3 since acquiring the six-time All-Star forward from the Miami Heat on Feb 6.
2 mins
Khelif in LA bid, not frightened by Trump
Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif, at the centre of a gender row at the 2024 Paris Games, is targeting a second gold in Los Angeles and says she will not be intimidated by Mr Donald Trump.
2 mins
One-Sided Victory for IOC's New Chief
Coventry says it's a 'huge honour' to become first woman and African to lead Olympic body
3 mins
China Not Easy For Norris
McLaren have the pace, but rivals are backed by recent successes in Shanghai
3 mins
Former F1 Team Boss and Icon Jordan Dies Aged 76
Flamboyant Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan has died aged 76 after battling an \"aggressive form of prostate cancer\", his family announced on March 20.
2 mins
Scheffler whets his appetite before Masters
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler said on March 19 he is excited about improvements in his game, as he unveiled a Texas-style menu for the Masters champions dinner in April.
2 mins
Alcaraz not backing lawsuit against tennis bodies
Carlos Alcaraz pushed back on a lawsuit against the ATP Tour filed by the Novak Djokovic-led tennis players union on March 19, saying that he does not support the move.
2 mins
Japan First To Qualify For 2026 World Cup
Samurai Blue reach 8th consecutive Finals; Australia beat Indonesia to inch closer
3 mins
Tour to start in 'magical city' Edinburgh in 2027
The 2027 Tour de France will start in Edinburgh with the first three stages taking place in Scotland, England and Wales, organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) announced at a ceremony in the Scottish capital on March 19.
2 mins
Chinese Youth Player Dies From Head Injury
A promising Chinese youth footballer has died after suffering a serious head injury during training in Spain, his club announced on March 20.
1 min
Pressure piles on, but Brazil coach points to progress
Brazil coach Dorival Jr insisted his team are making progress despite sitting fifth in the Conmebol standings ahead of crucial South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup against Colombia and Argentina.
2 mins
Tuchel Charts England's Path
German to mix experience and youth, and tap into English football's DNA to attain glory
3 mins
Fringe Lions Hungry To Roar
Utility players Emaviwe and Stewart say Chiangrai stint helps them develop faster
3 mins
Local-born Limbu returns with Nepal seeking upset
He speaks Singlish, loves football, and craves laksa, chicken rice and roti prata. And on March 21, he will get the chance to play an international friendly at the National Stadium, but instead of representing his birth country, Laken Limbu will be lining up for Nepal.
3 mins
You need to be a little crazy to succeed
Under his charge, Louis Vuitton has ventured beyond fashion into fine dining, hotels and, soon, beauty products
8 mins
It may be time to wear butter yellow
Butter yellow has been applied to a wide spread of items lately: cocktail dresses, jeans, jackets, hair clips, handbags and stand mixers.
2 mins
80 new brands, more international labels
At this home-grown, biannual shopping event, expect unique product offerings
1 min
Actress Tay Ying to Marry Celebrity Chef Fiancé in June
Local actress Tay Ying and celebrity chef Wu Sihan will soon tie the knot.
2 mins
K-pop boy band 2PM's Lee Jun-ho to leave JYP Entertainment
K-pop boy band 2PM member Lee Jun-ho will leave his label JYP Entertainment after 17 years, the company said on March 20.
1 min
The Wedding Banquet Remake Gives Romcom Modern Spin
The Wedding Banquet, a reimagining of Taiwanese director Lee Ang's Oscar-nominated 1993 film of the same name, will resonate with a new generation, says its star-studded ensemble cast.
2 mins
Malaysia radio station apologises after remarks defending Kim Soo-hyun
A Malaysian radio station has landed itself in hot water after its announcers defended South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun amid allegations of underage dating.
1 min
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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