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Singapore

Will Taylor Swift accept Hangzhou’s outstretched hand for a China show?

Keen to capitalise on the economic windfall that comes from big-name international performers, Chinese cities are making a concerted effort to host high-profile concerts.

2 hours agovideocam

Australia

Australia warns against China’s normalisation of ‘dangerous actions’ in rows

4 hours agovideocam

LGBTQ

Letters | Hong Kong courts back rights of gay couples. Government should too

2 Dec 2024 - 11:30AM

Old Hong Kong

When a blackmail plot ended in Australian tourist’s murder

Fifty-four years ago, Ronald Alan Coombe was found stabbed to death in his hotel room after a confrontation with a fellow countryman, Graham Edwards.

1 Dec 2024 - 6:15AM

Graham Edwards (right) was founded guilty of murdering Australian scientist Dr Ronald Alan Coombe. Photo: E. Cheng

Stocks

Rush to ‘value up’ may be Asia stocks’ best defence against Trump

Governments and regulators across Asia are hurrying to implement their own versions of Japan’s decade-long ‘Value Up’ programme.

30 Nov 2024 - 3:29PM

Asia travel

5 of the best urban hikes in Asia, including Hong Kong’s Dragon’s Back

From a tropical rainforest trek to a stroll through parks and gardens to bracing uphill walks rewarded with great views, city trails in Asia.

1 Dec 2024 - 9:34AM

Alibaba

Alibaba’s DingTalk sees Hong Kong as pathway to expansion of collaboration app

City is expected to provide a solid foundation for the workplace app’s international business development strategy.

29 Nov 2024 - 7:00PM

DingTalk has developed a viable commercial model in the business-to-business services market. Photo: Shutterstock

Investing

Singapore households spending more, but incomes rising faster: official survey

While this suggests a positive economic outlook, economists warn that rising costs of living for housing, food and healthcare remain a concern.

29 Nov 2024 - 10:30PM

Technology

Singapore ministers targeted in ‘despicable’ deepfake extortion attempt

More than 100 Singapore public servants, including five ministers, were targeted, prompting calls for better cyber threat education.

29 Nov 2024 - 4:06PMvideocam

Drugs

Singapore hangs fourth drug trafficker in less than a month

Tehran had urged the government to ‘reconsider’ the execution of Masoud Rahimi Mehrzad, a Singaporean-Iranian man.

29 Nov 2024 - 3:19PM

People protest against the death penalty in Singapore in 2022. Photo: AFP

Fame and celebrity

‘Society is sick’: Singapore actor calls out online hate after knife attack

A man allegedly slashed Lian three times across his face at a shopping centre last week.

28 Nov 2024 - 3:14PM

Singaporean actor Ryan Lian. Photo: Instagram/ryanlianyy

Malaysia

Singapore spillover of data centres benefits Malaysia’s Johor

The trend comes ahead of an expected announcement of a special economic zone between both sides.

27 Nov 2024 - 12:35PMvideocam

Myanmar

Singapore jails helper who hung up dog in balcony and beat it to death

The woman, acting on her boss’ instructions, repeatedly hit the poodle with a rod-like object and hung it from a balcony railing.

27 Nov 2024 - 12:22PM

Lawrence Wong

Singapore’s PAP goes from ‘faceless monolith’ to the forefront of activism

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pushes for more direct engagement with Singaporeans to address changing electoral landscape and voter expectations.

27 Nov 2024 - 11:03AMvideocam

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong with activists of the PAP at the party’s 70th anniversary celebrations on November 22. Photo: Facebook/LawrenceWongST

TikTok

Blackface cases in Singapore spark outrage, calls to plug racial awareness gaps

In the latest case, eight people attended a UOL event wearing afro wigs and black-painted faces, prompting the company to apologise.

26 Nov 2024 - 7:59PM

Eight persons attended a company event wearing afro wigs and black-painted faces. Photo: summer88959/TikTok

Scams and swindles

Singapore businessman faces trial over massive US$1.1 billion nickel scam

The ex-accountant, who spent millions on funding an extravagant lifestyle, is accused of raising money for trades that did not exist.

26 Nov 2024 - 3:23PM

Conservation

‘Young ones are not comfortable’: charm fades for Singapore’s rural oasis

The enclave, a treasure trove of biodiversity offering hikes amid lush greenery, fights for its survival in the face of shrinking population.

26 Nov 2024 - 2:17PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Singapore, Hong Kong among top picks in Asia for investment: HSBC

Singapore is the top destination for wealthy entrepreneurs to relocate, while Hong Kong fails to make the top 10.

25 Nov 2024 - 8:07PMvideocam

Pedestrians walk along the promenade near the financial district in Singapore on October 2024. Photo: AFP

China-Asean relations

Never underestimate the Chinese people, ex-Singapore leader Lee says

Lee says it is ‘unwise’ to write the country off, citing its ability to plan for the long term during a visit to the eastern city of Suzhou.

25 Nov 2024 - 7:21PMvideocam

United States

Opinion | North American ports must automate or risk losing out to Asia and Europe

While automated hubs in Asia and Europe attract more trade, ports in the US and Canada are mired in inefficiency and recurring labour disputes.

24 Nov 2024 - 4:30PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Cathay, Singapore Airlines go head-to-head in luxury travel battle

Analysts warn that patrons could face rising airfares despite tussle for market share.

24 Nov 2024 - 5:34PM

Singapore Airlines earlier announced a S$1.1 billion investment to retrofit aircraft with refreshed business class cabins and premium economy seats available from 2026. Photo: Getty Images

Lee Hsien Loong

Lee Hsien Loong to step down as PAP secretary general after 20 years at the helm

Tributes poured in on Saturday for Lee, after he handed over the prime minister position to his successor Lawrence Wong in May this year.

23 Nov 2024 - 9:22PM

Singapore’s then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at the Istana in Singapore on June 7, 2019. Photo: Reuters

SCMP Highlights

Recap | Donald Trump tariff tantrums, Japan’s first-kiss crisis: 5 latest reads on Asia

Explore the impact of potential Trump tariffs on Southeast Asia, economic challenges in Malaysia, and more.

23 Nov 2024 - 5:08PM

Malaysia

AirAsia’s Tony Fernandes talks Comac, being ‘loyal to China’ and Asean expansion

The Malaysian budget airline’s CEO talks fleet expansion, the rebound in travel demand and his retirement plans in a wide-ranging interview.

23 Nov 2024 - 12:57PMvideocam

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Where are the nurses? Will higher pay lure non-locals to Hong Kong?

Worries persist despite rule change to open door to professionals trained elsewhere, as city set to be short of thousands of nurses by 2045.

23 Nov 2024 - 11:46AM

Asean

Singapore warns Myanmar not to use Asean for ‘politics of retaliation’

Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said Myanmar’s actions could foster a “politics of retaliation” and urged the junta not to exploit Asean for its own interests.

22 Nov 2024 - 3:33PMvideocam

Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen attends an Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia, in November 2023. Photo: Pool/AP

Drugs

Singapore executes third drug trafficker in a week as UN urges end to hangings

Rosman Abdullah’s execution was the eighth this year in the city state, seven for drug trafficking and one for murder.

22 Nov 2024 - 12:54PM

Asean

Southeast Asia admits China’s sway, but South China Sea stress sows distrust: study

Southeast Asian elites prefer an Asean-led regional order, despite acknowledging China’s growing influence, but the bloc faces its own challenges.

21 Nov 2024 - 7:30PMvideocam

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Singapore

Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Singapore, covering politics, economy, society and the city state’s relationships with China, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries.

Head of State

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam

Head of Government

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong

last updated:

29 November, 2024