PM Wong calls Singapore-US ties ‘mutually beneficial’; WP's Pritam Singh disputes claims of COP misrepresentation during cross-examination: Singapore live news

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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his victory and emphasised Singapore’s commitment to advancing the strong partnership between the two nations. (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder – Trump; Athit Perawongmetha – Wong)
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his victory and emphasised Singapore’s commitment to advancing the strong partnership between the two nations. (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder – Trump; Athit Perawongmetha – Wong)

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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance on their election victories. Highlighting the longstanding and mutually beneficial partnership between the US and Singapore, Wong expressed confidence that the two countries would continue to work together on critical issues like defense, trade, and emerging technologies. The 20th anniversary of the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement marked a key milestone in the relationship, with bilateral trade nearly tripling since its inception. Singapore remains committed to supporting US leadership in the Asia-Pacific and looks forward to further cooperation under the new administration. Read PM Wong's congratulatory letters to Trump and Vance here.

Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh’s testimony in court Wednesday (6 Nov) took a contentious turn as the prosecution challenged his handling of former Member of the Parliament (MP) Raeesah Khan’s lie. The cross-examination spotlighted alleged inconsistencies in Singh’s statements to the Committee of Privileges (COP) and in court, with DAG Ang Cheng Hock suggesting Singh created a “misleading impression.” Singh defended his advice to Khan to “take ownership,” maintaining that his intentions were to guide her toward accountability. Prosecutors also questioned Singh’s response to Khan’s revised statement, suggesting a conflict with his COP testimony. Singh dismissed these claims, underscoring that his approach prioritised transparency. Singh's trial is expected to resume.

DBS Group has posted an all-time high net profit of $3.03 billion for the third quarter of 2024, marking a 15 per cent rise from the previous year. Strong performance in wealth management, treasury customer sales, and market trading income helped boost the bank’s results. However, the bank warned that its 2025 earnings would likely fall due to the upcoming implementation of a 15 per cent global minimum corporate tax rate in Singapore. In light of its stellar results, DBS declared a quarterly dividend of $0.54 per share and unveiled a new $3 billion share buyback program, signalling confidence in its financial strength. More on DBS delivering record profit in Q3 here.

Singapore’s introduction of self-driving vehicles marks a significant shift in its urban transport strategy. With a focus on safety and managing deployment risks, the city-state is rolling out autonomous minibuses and electric logistics vehicles. These autonomous vehicles (AVs) will operate on fixed, low-traffic routes to test their reliability before expanding to more complex areas. Companies like FairPrice Group and Chye Thiam Maintenance have already been approved for trials, and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has implemented a rigorous testing framework to ensure these vehicles perform well in Singapore’s unique conditions. As safety remains a top concern, the government is taking a careful, step-by-step approach to deploying this technology, according to Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

Four crew members aboard the Netherlands-flagged Vox Maxima have been charged after their dredger collided with a bunker vessel, causing a massive oil spill that is being called the worst in Singapore in a decade. The spill affected key local landmarks like East Coast Park and Sentosa, as well as Malaysia’s Johor coastline. Authorities quickly suspended water activities, while a clean-up operation was launched. The crew will return to court next month to face charges under the Merchant Shipping Act. More on the Dutch crew facing charges for the massive oil spill in Singapore here.

Southeast Asia's digital economy is expected to grow by just 15 per cent in 2024, the slowest rate since 2017. Consumers are spending less due to economic pressures, while competition among tech giants is intensifying. Despite these challenges, there is optimism around the region’s data centre investments, with US$30 billion committed to building AI infrastructure in the first half of 2024 alone. Although venture funding has dropped significantly, Southeast Asia’s digital transformation is set to continue, driven by AI, digital security, and user sophistication. More on Southeast Asia’s digital economy struggles here.

As nearly 200 nations prepare for COP29 in Baku, Singapore’s Environment Minister Grace Fu warns that a dispute over climate finance could undermine the Paris Agreement. Developed countries, led by the US and Europe, want more nations, including China and Singapore, to contribute to a new global climate fund. But Fu insists that this could disrupt the agreement’s foundational principles, which place the responsibility on wealthier nations to support developing countries. Fu also expressed concern over the potential impact of the US presidential election on the negotiations, particularly if Donald Trump returns to office. As COP29 begins, negotiators are also hopeful that Article 6, which deals with global carbon credit markets, could be a key area of focus. More on Singapore Minister Grace Fu's warning on the COP29 climate finance stalemate here.

Singapore's reputation for world-class education remains unshaken, with its top universities continuing to dominate the QS World University Rankings for Asia in 2025. National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) secured places in the top five universities in the region, reaffirming their leadership in academic quality, research impact, and global collaboration. While NUS maintains its position in third place, NTU climbed steadily in the rankings, marking Singapore as a critical hub for innovation and educational excellence. Singapore Management University (SMU) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), however, slipped in their standings, prompting experts to call for improvements in research output and faculty expertise. Despite these challenges, Singapore remains one of the most influential players in higher education, with ongoing government initiatives aimed at improving accessibility and fostering international exchange. See the QS World University Rankings for Asia 2025 here.

Forbes Asia’s 2024 Power Businesswomen list celebrates 20 trailblazing women leaders who are reshaping their industries. Singapore's Tan Su Shan, incoming CEO of DBS, and Serena Teo Joo Ling, CEO of CapitaLand Ascott Trust, are among those featured. These women are leading with bold strategies in sectors from banking and tech to real estate and electric vehicles. Their achievements are setting the stage for the next generation of women in business, showcasing innovation and adaptability in uncertain times. With a diverse range of backgrounds, these leaders represent a new era of female leadership in Asia. See Forbes Asia's Power Businesswomen 2024 full list here.

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  • Featured

    2 Singaporeans honoured in Forbes Asia’s 2024 Power Businesswomen list

    Tan Su Shan, incoming CEO of DBS, and Serena Teo Joo Ling, CEO of CapitaLand Ascott Trust. are the two Singaporeans featured CEO of CapitaLand Ascott Trust. (Photos: Tan Su Shan – REUTERS/Harry Suhartono; Serena Teo Joo Ling - CapitaLand/Facebook)
    Tan Su Shan, incoming CEO of DBS, and Serena Teo Joo Ling, CEO of CapitaLand Ascott Trust. are the two Singaporeans featured CEO of CapitaLand Ascott Trust. (Photos: Tan Su Shan – REUTERS/Harry Suhartono; Serena Teo Joo Ling - CapitaLand/Facebook)

    Forbes has revealed its 2024 Power Businesswomen list, celebrating 20 of Asia’s most accomplished female leaders.

    From banking and real estate to tech and manufacturing, these women are reshaping industries and challenging norms.

    Among them are Singapore's Tan Su Shan of DBS Group and Serena Teo Joo Ling of CapitaLand Ascott Trust.

    Tan, set to become the first female CEO of DBS, Southeast Asia’s largest bank, is already leaving her mark.

    As deputy CEO and head of institutional banking, she’s overseen a massive 26 per cent rise in the bank’s profits, poised to continue its growth under her leadership.

    Tan is ready to tackle the fast-changing world of banking, where technology and geopolitical shifts require agility and innovation.

    “It’s no longer about contingency plans. It’s about the ability to pivot quickly,” Tan shared with Forbes.

    Joining Tan on the list is Serena Teo Joo Ling, the dynamic CEO of CapitaLand Ascott Trust.

    Under Teo's leadership, the company has grown steadily, with a 20 per cent revenue increase in 2023 and a major portfolio overhaul.

    CapitaLand Ascott Trust, Asia’s largest lodging trust by asset value, is well positioned for future growth, with Teo focusing on diversifying its portfolio across global markets.

    Other standout women include Miwako Date, the CEO of Mori Trust Holdings, and Stella Li, who heads BYD's operations in the Americas and Europe.

    Both women are trailblazing their industries, whether by expanding portfolios, building luxury hotels, or leading the charge in electric vehicle manufacturing.

    Forbes’ list is not only a celebration of these women’s immense achievements but also a testament to the changing landscape of leadership in Asia.

    See Forbes Asia's Power Businesswomen 2024 full list here.

  • Featured

    PM Wong sees bright future in US-Singapore partnership

    Prime Minister Lawrence Wong congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his victory and emphasised Singapore’s commitment to advancing the strong partnership between the two nations. (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder – Trump; Athit Perawongmetha – Wong)
    Prime Minister Lawrence Wong congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his victory and emphasised Singapore’s commitment to advancing the strong partnership between the two nations. (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder – Trump; Athit Perawongmetha – Wong)

    Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong congratulated Donald Trump on his presidential win, noting the importance of the US-Singapore partnership in shaping regional security and economic growth.

    With trade surging thanks to the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, Wong emphasised the deepening economic ties, with Singaporean investments creating over 270,000 high-quality jobs in the US.

    He also touched on the key defence pact that allows American forces access to Singapore’s military facilities, vital for regional peace.

    As both nations look toward the future, Wong expressed his readiness to build on this strong foundation for even greater collaboration.

    Read on Singapore PM Wong’s congratulatory messages to Trump and Vance here.

  • Featured

    WP's Pritam Singh faces intense cross-examination over Raeesah Khan’s lie case

    Workers' Party secretary-general Pritam Singh. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)
    Workers' Party (WP) leader Pritam Singh clashed with prosecutors during his cross-examination Wednesday (6 Nov) as they highlighted inconsistencies in his ommittee of Privileges (COP) and court testimonies regarding former Member of Parliament (MP) Raeesah Khan’s lie. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)

    Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh faced a tense cross-examination on Wednesday (6 Nov), as the prosecution pressed him on alleged inconsistencies between his statements to the Committee of Privileges (COP) and his court testimony.

    Deputy Attorney-General (DAG) Ang Cheng Hock suggested Singh gave the COP a “misleading impression,” a charge Singh denied while defending his actions during the incident involving former Member of the Parliament (MP) Raeesah Khan.

    The exchanges grew heated as Ang pointed to discrepancies regarding Singh’s 3 October 2021, meeting with Khan, where he allegedly told her to “take ownership” of her lie in Parliament.

    Ang argued that Singh's COP testimony suggested he had insisted Khan clarify her statement, regardless of the issue being raised.

    Singh countered that his intention was for Khan to clarify only if her lie came up in Parliament.

    Prosecutors also scrutinised Singh’s handling of Khan's clarification statement in Parliament, pointing to Singh’s previous claim that Khan had not sought his approval for an added line.

    WhatsApp messages presented in court showed Khan had indeed informed Singh, leading the prosecution to suggest Singh tried to mislead the COP.

    Singh refuted this, emphasising he was transparent with the COP about the chat logs.

    The trial further delved into Singh’s expectations on 4 October, the day Khan doubled down on her falsehood.

    DAG Ang contended Singh did not make adequate preparations for a confession, suggesting he assumed Khan would continue her narrative.

    Singh disagreed, reiterating that he was disappointed by Khan’s actions and had expected her to correct her statement when necessary.

    The cross-examination highlighted Singh’s handling of a politically sensitive issue that has stirred significant public interest.

    The trial continues, with Singh maintaining that his instructions to Khan were meant to guide her toward accountability, despite differing accounts presented in court.

  • Singapore’s NUS and NTU rank in Asia’s top 5 universities

    Singapore’s universities are keeping their global reputation intact, with NUS and NTU ranking among Asia's top 5 in the QS World University Rankings for Asia 2025. (Photos: NUS, NTU/Facebook)
    Singapore’s universities are keeping their global reputation intact, with NUS and NTU ranking among Asia's top 5 in the QS World University Rankings for Asia 2025. (Photos: NUS, NTU/Facebook)

    Singapore continues to outshine its regional peers in the latest QS World University Rankings for Asia 2025, with two of its universities – National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – making their mark in the top four.

    NUS retains its third-place ranking, celebrated for its stellar academic reputation and international research collaborations.

    Meanwhile, NTU impresses with its research impact, securing fourth place overall. Despite a slight dip in the rankings for Singapore Management University (SMU) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), the city-state’s higher education sector remains resilient, driven by a commitment to research excellence and fostering global partnerships.

    As the Ministry of Education (MOE) continues to boost accessibility, Singapore’s universities are well-positioned to maintain their top-tier status in Asia.

    See the QS World University Rankings for Asia 2025 here.

  • Singapore warns deadlock on climate funds risks Paris Agreement

    Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu speaks during an interview with Reuters during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 11, 2023. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
    Singapore’s Environment Minister Grace Fu says that disagreements over which countries should fund global climate goals risk derailing COP29 and weakening the Paris Agreement. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

    With COP29 just days away, climate finance is emerging as a major sticking point.

    Singapore’s Environment Minister Grace Fu has voiced concerns that a deadlock over the proposed New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) could undermine the Paris Agreement.

    The United States and Europe want emerging economies, like China and Singapore, to contribute to the global fund, but Singapore is unwilling to take on the role of donor.

    Fu stressed that the Paris Agreement’s clear provisions on developed nations’ responsibility could be jeopardised if the donor base is expanded.

    Amid the tense negotiations, the impact of the upcoming US election also looms large, as former President Donald Trump may withdraw the country from the Paris deal again.

    Negotiators also hope to resolve issues around carbon credit markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

    Read more on Minister Grace Fu's concerns about COP29 climate finance deadlock here.

  • Southeast Asia’s digital economy faces slowest growth in years

    Hands of man are holding smart phones and using laptops computers are entering websites to buy products.
    Southeast Asia’s internet economy is cooling down, with online spending growth slowing to just 15 per cent in 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)

    Southeast Asia’s digital economy is slowing down, with a projected 15 per cent growth in 2024, the lowest in years.

    While consumer demand is shrinking due to inflation and high interest rates, competition is intensifying between global and local tech companies.

    Investment in tech startups is also at its lowest level, with fewer deals closing in 2024.

    However, the region is still attracting significant investment in AI and data centres, with major tech companies committing billions to digital infrastructure.

    As the market matures, Southeast Asia’s focus will shift towards profitability rather than growth at all costs.

    Read more on Southeast Asia’s digital economy facing its weakest growth ever here.

  • 4 Dutch crew charged in Singapore’s worst oil spill in a decade

    Dredger Vox Maxima is anchored in the waters as workers clean up an oil slick at Siloso Beach in Sentosa, Singapore June 18, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su
    Four crew members of the Netherlands-flagged Vox Maxima has been charged after causing a catastrophic oil spill that wreaked havoc on Singapore's coastline on 14 June. REUTERS/Edgar Su

    Four Dutch crew members aboard the Netherlands-flagged Vox Maxima dredger were charged after their ship collided with a stationary bunker vessel on 14 June, releasing 400 tonnes of oil into Singapore's waters.

    The spill spread across the coastlines of East Coast Park, Sentosa, and Labrador Nature Reserve, and even reached Malaysia’s Kota Tinggi.

    Local authorities were forced to halt water activities as teams rushed to clean the affected beaches.

    The four men, aged between 25 and 55, will appear in court again on 4 December to face further legal proceedings under the Merchant Shipping Act.

    Read more on the legal woes by the Dutch crew of Vox Maxima dredger here.

  • Singapore advances autonomous vehicle deployment plans

    Singapore's push for autonomous vehicles is taking a practical step forward with trials of self-driving minibuses and electric logistics vehicles
    Singapore's push for autonomous vehicles is taking a practical step forward with trials of self-driving minibuses and electric logistics vehicles. (Photo: Malay Mail)

    Singapore is ready to take autonomous vehicles (AVs) to the next level with the launch of trials for self-driving minibuses and electric logistics vehicles.

    These innovations aim to address ongoing manpower shortages in transport while reducing risks through controlled, fixed-route operations.

    While the country has been slower than others like China and the US, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat emphasised that safety in Singapore’s dense urban environment is a priority.

    The Land Transport Authority's (LTA) revised testing framework will ensure AVs are thoroughly assessed under local conditions before scaling up, with safety drivers onboard during initial trials.

    Read on the new AV trials to tackle transport challenges in Singapore here.

  • DBS announces record Q3 profit

    Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS speaks on Wednesday March 17, 2010 at the international headquarters in Singapore. Customers of China UnionPay and Singapore's DBS bank will be able to use PayPal to pay for online shopping later this year, PayPal said.(AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
    DBS CEO Piyush Gupta said that while pre-tax profit and group net interest income are expected to remain stable in 2025, the bank’s post-tax profit will be impacted by the new tax regime. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

    DBS Group delivered record earnings of $3.03 billion in the thirds quarter of 2024, up 15 per cent from the previous year, driven by robust wealth management and market trading performance.

    While the bank maintained strong profitability, it cautioned that its net profit in 2025 would be impacted by the new global minimum tax rate that Singapore will impose on multinational corporations.

    Despite this, DBS remained positive about its future, with CEO Piyush Gupta noting that the bank’s healthy capital position and strong earnings will continue to support shareholder returns, including a quarterly dividend hike and a new $3 billion buyback program.

    Read more on DBS posting record profit here.