The Straits Times - April 21, 2025
The Straits Times - April 21, 2025
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In this issue
April 21, 2025
A Record-Setting 14th Term of Parliament, With Participation Up
One night in Parliament, the clock struck midnight—and MPs were still debating two competing motions on jobs and Singapore's foreign talent policy, more than 13 hours since the sitting began.
7 mins
NTUC Membership Surpasses 1.4 Million Ahead of May Day
While workers are better off, labour chief warns current tariff war is raising anxiety
3 mins
PM Wong completes visits to all constituencies since taking office, calls on S'poreans to be united
After 11 months in office, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong completed visiting all of the island's constituencies after he attended the Sembawang GRC Health Carnival 2025 on April 20.
2 mins
Being able to change among reasons for PAP's success, says Shanmugam
It has 'forced itself to change continuously' to stay relevant to challenges: Minister
4 mins
Desmond Lee focused on residents as a tough contest looms in West Coast-Jurong West
Voters can compare positions of PAP and PSP, and decide who they want, he says
3 mins
Elections Department gets 245 applications for political donation certificates
A total of 245 people have applied for political donation certificates for the May 3 General Election.
1 min
Higher level of activity on both sides of the aisle
Impartial Speaker of Parliament. The remaining motion was filed by three Nominated MPs, on supporting healthcare.
3 mins
PAP team in Jalan Besar taking nothing for granted, says Josephine Teo
The PAP team contesting Jalan Besar GRC might have won with about two-thirds of the vote in the past two general elections, but the current team is taking nothing for granted for the May 3 election.
2 mins
Gho Sze Kee to contest Mountbatten; Lim Biow Chuan to step down
Maritime lawyer Gho Sze Kee will be fielded by the PAP to contest the Mountbatten single seat at the general election, taking over from four-term MP Lim Biow Chuan, who is stepping down after almost two decades of serving the area.
3 mins
Tan See Leng to helm PAP team in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and new face Diana Pang also on party's slate there
4 mins
Tough fight for PAP not just in Sengkang but everywhere, says Lam Pin Min
He says his team will face more challenges in rematch with WP slate in the GRC
3 mins
Woman gets to take photo with SM Lee for second time in a decade
A routine shopping trip at Hougang 1 mall on April 20 turned into a thrilling encounter for Ms Choy Ning Zhen and her nine-year-old daughter Hayley Ng.
2 mins
Start-up co-founder and ex-US Navy administrator among WP's 3 new faces
With this latest batch, party will have 14 candidates making their political debut
3 mins
Bringing Jobs into the Constituency Among Priorities for PSP New Face Sani
Having worked overseas for close to two decades, PSP new face Sani Ismail, 49, now wants to tap that experience to improve the lives of residents of West Coast-Jurong West GRC, where he is contesting.
3 mins
PSP's A-team sets up rematch with PAP in West Coast-Jurong West
Improvement of facilities, jobs and work-life balance are on the agenda, says party chief
4 mins
SDA to contest Pasir Ris-Changi GRC even if it faces 3-way fight
The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) has reaffirmed its decision to fight in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC this general election, even if it faces a three-cornered contest.
1 min
Stage set for three-cornered fights in Tampines and Sembawang
NSP to contest both GRCs, says it will unveil its teams on Nomination Day
2 mins
People's Alliance for Reform Unveils Director of Private School and Nurse as Its New Faces
The People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) has introduced two new faces as its candidates for the upcoming general election on May 3.
2 mins
Red Dot United sec-gen Ravi Philemon to lead team in Nee Soon
Red Dot United (RDU) secretary-general Ravi Philemon will lead his party's slate to contest Nee Soon GRC, alongside party chairman David Foo.
2 mins
SDP Proposes in Manifesto That New HDB Flats Cost No More Than $270k
Scrapping the PSLE and Reducing GST to 7% Also Among Ideas Mooted by Party
3 mins
Chengdu bucks China's population decline, drawing young Chinese
Jobs, lower costs, work-life balance cited as part of megacity's appeal
4 mins
Chinese Exec Arrested Over Bangkok Building Collapse
The Thai authorities have arrested a Chinese executive for his ties to a company that was building a Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed in a major earthquake, leaving dozens dead.
1 min
Japan seeks 'fairness' in currency talks with US: Ishiba
Japan will emphasise \"fairness\" in any discussions with the US on exchange rates, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on April 20, as bilateral trade talks grab global attention in US President Donald Trump's tariff offensive.
2 mins
US Could Be Handing Key Chip Market to China, Warn Analysts
As the Trump administration attempts to choke off exports of strategically important computer chips to China, experts say the effort might well backfire, fueling innovation at Chinese firms that could help them seize the world semiconductor market.
2 mins
Americans Stock Up Ahead Of Price Hikes From Trump Tariffs
Trade war reshaping how families shop and small businesses operate amid uncertainty
5 mins
Russia and Ukraine Accuse Each Other of Breaching Easter Truce
Russia and Ukraine on April 20 accused each other of violating an Easter truce announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
2 mins
Alarm Bells in Indonesia Over Rising Military Role in Govt
Greater military influence in government, reporters under threat and a stuttering economy — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's first six months in power have triggered alarm bells for activists worried about a return to the nation's authoritarian roots.
3 mins
India-Bangladesh Trade Spat Stings at a Time of Global Tariff Uncertainty
Dhaka's restrictions on Indian yarn imports will hurt both sides
4 mins
Residents relieved as Woodleigh Bus Interchange opens after delays
Woodleigh Bus Interchange opened on April 20, after several years of delay brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and significant engineering challenges.
2 mins
Marine Parade Community Building to have rooftop running track
Set to be ready by first quarter of 2026, it will also have a gym, badminton courts and eateries
3 mins
President Tharman visiting Washington and New York
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is set to make a working visit to Washington and New York later in April.
1 min
Glass pane falls from height at Buona Vista mall, injuring 6 shoppers
Four people were taken to hospital after a glass pane fell from height at The Star Vista mall in Buona Vista on the morning of April 20.
2 mins
'I miss hugging my son': Several cases of a child taken away by a parent
Parents looking for missing kids outside Singapore face a range of challenges
4 mins
Fund managers tapping MAS' $5b boost for markets should help promote good governance
When the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced in February that it is launching a $5 billion programme through which it will partner with selected fund managers to invest in Singapore stocks, many potential recipients of this money quite naturally welcomed the move.
4 mins
S'pore stocks rise; OCBC up after bank justifies $1.4b offer for GE
STI up almost 6% in week even as volatility persists in global markets over US tariffs
5 mins
Digital bank Anext's services a boon for small businesses
It helps firms gain easier access to financial offerings amid rising competition in serving SMEs
4 mins
As Tariffs Get Real, Trump Could Edge Back From the Brink
His risky tariff policy has given trading partners and markets the jitters. The US President could be poised to stage a tactical retreat.
6 mins
Trump tariffs will test crisis leadership skills
Too often in a crisis, leaders may recognise that some of their assumptions are wrong but fail to account for the power of the ripple effect.
4 mins
Trump Tariffs Will Test Crisis Leadership Skills
Too often in a crisis, leaders may recognize that some of their assumptions are wrong but fail to account for the power of the ripple effect.
4 mins
Trump Keen To Demonstrate His Dealmaking Prowess To Voters
\"I think the Chinese probably are a little bit better protected to weather the storm because they have such small financial markets as a share of GDP, only about 60 per cent. Whereas the US stock markets are equivalent to about 140 per cent of American GDP,\" Dr Kennedy said.
2 mins
Don't Treat Mental Health And Climate Change As Isolated Issues
Eco-anxiety is on the rise, particularly among young people. We need more integrated efforts to tackle this.
6 mins
Plastics are greener than they seem
Even if the world needs to become much better at managing their waste.
6 mins
Defence: Ng Eng Hen's advice would be invaluable to successor
I refer to Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen's retirement from politics (Ng Eng Hen, Singapore's longest-serving defence minister, will not contest GE2025, April 18).
1 min
Letter of the day Community gardens for growing not only plants but also relationships
The article \"Disappointed, angry': Theft at allotment garden plots in Singapore riles up some gardeners\" (April 18) brings out both the joy and tension at shared spaces.
1 min
GE2025: This election is more than about winning seats
As Singapore marks its 60th year of independence, the upcoming general election (GE2025) is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
1 min
Go With All Out For Six in Champagne Stakes
April 21 South Africa (Kenilworth) form analysis
3 mins
Pacific Vampire Gets 1st M'sia Win
Pacific Vampire got on the board in Malaysia at his fifth start after he led all the way in the RM62,000 (S$18,000) Supreme A sprint (1,200m) at Sungai Besi on April 20.
2 mins
'King of Dirt' Purton Lands Four-Timer
Seven-time Hong Kong champion sets new win record on Sha Tin's all-weather surface
3 mins
Thomas Stays in Hunt, Kim Holds Lead at RBC Heritage
After all his adventures during the third round of the RBC Heritage, Justin Thomas was not complaining about where he ended up on the leaderboard.
2 mins
Super Happy So No Flirting
Wolff says Mercedes won't make bid for Verstappen as he finds Russell on same level
2 mins
Liu 'grateful, honoured' after US win team title
World figure skating champion Alysa Liu capped off a triumphant comeback season with another victory to help the United States win the World Team Trophy in Tokyo on April 19.
2 mins
Battle-Tested Miami Ready To Bring Heat
After making play-in history, they must come in hot against top-seeded Cavaliers
2 mins
Timberwolves muscle past Lakers in opener
Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J. Redick admitted that his team may not have been \"physically ready\" for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who cruised past them 117-95 on April 19 in Game 1 of their National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference play-off series while fueled by 25 points from Jaden McDaniels.
3 mins
Zverev Toasts To Birthday With Hat-Trick
German cruises past American Shelton to take record-equalling third Munich crown
2 mins
'Creepy' shower rule necessary for integrity, says ITIA
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has come under fire from some fans after it issued a reminder about anti-doping rules, saying players chosen to give samples must remain in full view of chaperones, if they choose to take a shower first.
2 mins
14-Year-Old Tipped to 'Rule Cricket in Future'
Shy schoolboy Vaibhav Suryavanshi is in dreamland at just 14, having become the youngest player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history and marking the occasion with an audacious first-ball six.
2 mins
It's up to us: Nuno on Forest's top-five chase
Nuno Espirito Santo says Nottingham Forest's Champions League qualification bid is still \"in our hands\" despite back-to-back English Premier League defeats.
2 mins
Angry Watkins makes fast work of Newcastle
Recalled Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins took out his anger on Newcastle United on April 19 with a dazzling display in his side's 4-1 victory in the English Premier League.
2 mins
Arsenal Delay Reds' Crowning
Gunners bring form to Ipswich, who are almost sure to return to the second tier
3 mins
A Real Test If Trent Moves On
Ex-Liverpool star Riise knows players who have won everything need fresh motivation
3 mins
S'pore junior Brayden eyes Royal boost to the season
Up against some of the top juniors in the region, Singapore amateur golfer Brayden Lee had to \"dig deep\" to claim the biggest win of his budding career at the Royal Junior on April 20.
2 mins
Hit series Adolescence and the surprising difficulty of hugging a teen son
Early in the first episode of the four-part Netflix series Adolescence, a father and son sit in a room at a police station because the son has been accused of murder.
4 mins
Be mindful about sensory overload
Since Little Joy Play opened its doors in April 2023 in Upper Bukit Timah, it has expanded to a second outlet in Pasir Ris.
3 mins
Building a treasure trove of moments with my children
Memories are times people borrow, for savouring tomorrow. And with children growing up, these memories will be precious in the future
3 mins
The vet who used to work in Singapore Police Force's K-9 Unit
Looking after furry and feathered companions is a challenging task, but these vets are taking it in their stride
3 mins
The vet who is the only exotic companion mammal specialist in Singapore
Growing up, Dr Rina Maguire had always been surrounded by birds.
2 mins
The vet with a soft spot for feline patients
\"I saw a cat with an eye problem, and after speaking to my senior vet colleagues, they agreed the cat needed to be checked out by a specialist,\" she recalls.
3 mins
South Korean entertainment stocks rise with presidential front runner's support
South Korean entertainment stocks rose on April 18 after the nation's presidential front runner pledged greater support for cultural exports and government incentives for the industry.
1 min
J-pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki to hold first solo gig in Singapore
J-pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki is finally returning to Singapore and, for the first time in her nearly 30-year career, will hold a solo concert in the city.
1 min
Ralph Lauren brings back big pants at latest fashion show
United States President Donald Trump is not the only one with the last Gilded Age on his mind.
2 mins
The Straits Times Newspaper Description:
Publisher: SPH Media Limited
Category: Newspaper
Language: English
Frequency: Daily
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