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☆ Singapore firms scramble to soften blow of soaring rent costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

But with private housing rents in Singapore maintaining the scorching pace of gains in 2023, those steps are likely falling short, forcing expatriate workers to even consider leaving the city for good. An exodus of foreign talent due to unaffordable housing costs would be a setback to Singapore in fulfilling its ambitions of becoming a technological and innovations hub. EXPAT WOESRecruitment companies said most expats in Singapore do not get housing allowances as companies are controlling their costs amid an uncertain global economy. That is cold comfort for Briton Natalie, who has been living in Singapore for 15 years and is facing a S$3,200 increment in monthly rent. ($1 = 1.3274 Singapore dollars)Reporting by Chen Lin in Singapore; Editing by Xinghui Kok and Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Singapore executes citizen for cannabis trafficking
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SINGAPORE, April 26 (Reuters) - Singapore on Wednesday executed a man convicted of drug trafficking, a representative for his family said, despite pleas from his relatives and activists for clemency. Tangaraju Suppiah, 46, had been convicted for abetting the trafficking in 2013 of more than 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of cannabis, double the threshold for the death penalty in the city-state, which is known for its tough laws on narcotics. The Singapore government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The United Nations Office for Human Rights had also called for Singapore not to proceed with the execution and to "adopt a formal moratorium on executions for drug-related offences". Singapore executed 11 people last year and says the death penalty is an effective deterrent against drugs and that most of its people support the policy.

☆ Tangaraju Suppiah: Singapore executes man for trafficking two pounds of cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Tangaraju Suppiah, a 46-year-old Singaporean, was hanged early on Wednesday in Changi Prison and the family have received a death certificate, his sister Leelavathy Suppiah told CNN. Tangaraju was first sentenced to death in 2018 for “abetting the trafficking of more than one kilogram of cannabis (1,017.9 grams),” according to a statement from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). The court found he was in phone communication with two other men caught trying to smuggle cannabis into Singapore. “As is the case for many people currently on death row in Singapore, Tangaraju was forced to represent himself to seek a review of the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold his conviction. Singapore has a strong reputation as a rule of law country so this concerning omission is not normal,” Perrett added.

☆ Tesla is discounting its cars in Singapore by $3,000 to $3,800 to make them 'more affordable' — but they still cost upwards of $57,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla recently slashed the prices of its cars in Singapore — but not by much. According to the press release, Model 3 and Model Y cars are now between 4.35% to 5% cheaper. This means that it's likely that a Tesla car's COE is more expensive than what it actually retails for. But Tesla cars still enjoy some discounts from the Singapore government, as local authorities are trying to incentivize the ownership of electric cars. The cost of Tesla cars can be rebated up to SG$45,000 in the EV Early Adoption Incentive and Vehicular Emission Schemes, Tesla said in the press release.

☆ How digital ecosystems can build a closer, more inclusive world
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Tata Communications | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

How to build a world that looks after everyoneThe conference highlighted the need to embrace equity in all walks of life. Tata Communications’ Genius Wong pledges to build a more inclusive digital economy and work with Georgette Tan (pictured) and the team at United Women Singapore to bridge the digital divide. Adopting Tata Communications' remote broadcast solution helped his organization reduce its normal on-site staff count by over 30% without compromising content delivery. Tata Communications leadership along with SMS Tan Kiat How stand together to build a secure and inclusive digital economy. Find out how Tata Communications is hyperconnecting Formula 1 fans globally to the world-class track-side F1 experience.

[1/2] Horizon Quantum Computing Chief Science Officer Si-Hui Tan and Chief Executive Officer Joe Fitzsimons sit in front of their white board in Singapore in this handout photo taken November 2021. Courtesy Horizon Quantum Computing/Handout via REUTERSOAKLAND, Calif March 31 (Reuters) - Singapore-based software startup Horizon Quantum Computing on Friday said it raised $18.1 million to expand its engineering team and speed up product development. The company, founded in 2018, created a programming language called Helium for quantum computers, designed to make it easier to tackle complex problems. Quantum computers, based on quantum physics, could potentially perform some calculations millions of times faster than the current fastest super computers. Horizon Quantum Computing said it is also planning to open its first European offices in Ireland, where it is building its new engineering center.

EV made up almost 12% of all car sales in Singapore last year, up from almost 4% in 2021, according to the Land Transport Authority. Still, EVs represented just 1% of cars on the road, a Reuters analysis of ownership data found. In Singapore, a small island with an extensive public transport system, only about 12 cars are owned per 100 people. Over the past decade, the number of Ferraris (RACE.MI) in Singapore has grown by 67% and Lamborghinis by 38%. ($1 = 1.3264 Singapore dollars)Reporting by Xinghui Kok; additional reporting by Kevin Krolicki; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Indonesia to tighten used shoe import controls after Reuters report
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA, March 6 (Reuters) - Indonesia will tighten customs checks at small ports to crackdown on the illegal import of second-hand shoes, the industry ministry said on Monday, responding to a Reuters report that found footwear donated to a recycling scheme in Singapore was shipped to Indonesia. In 2015, Indonesia banned the import of second-hand clothing and footwear over concerns about hygiene, as well as to protect the local textile industry. In a statement titled "dismantling the scandal of illegal imports of used shoes", Indonesia's Ministry of Industry said that as a result of the Reuters story it would increase checks at ports to intercept any illegal second-hand shoe shipments. "This incident shows that the illegal import of used shoes is carried out in an organised manner and misuses social projects," Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita was quoted as saying in the statement. "The practice of illegal importation of used shoes must be stopped because it has a bad impact on the domestic footwear industry."

☆ Dow said it was recycling our shoes. We found them in Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +19 min

While the sample was small, the fact that none of these shoes made it to a Singapore recycling facility underscores weaknesses in the system. Dow said these builds will use the 10,000 kilograms (22,000 pounds) of recycled shoe material that have been produced through the Singapore recycling project so far. Reuters had dropped those shoes into a Dow recycling bin at a Singapore community center in September, three months earlier. Recycling flopsThis is not the first novel recycling scheme launched by Dow that hasn’t lived up to its billing. In its Jan. 18 statement, Dow said the shoe recycling partners are “energized by the common vision of sport championing a greener and more sustainable Singapore.” Dow did not comment on the Journal of Consumer Psychology study.

☆ IETA discusses how a new initiative might address the lack of standardization in carbon markets
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailIETA discusses how a new initiative might address the lack of standardization in carbon marketsDirk Forrister of the International Emissions Trading Association discusses the launch of the Climate Action Data Trust, a joint initiative with the World Bank and Singapore government.

While the government's decision to repeal the colonial-era sodomy law was cheered as a symbolic victory for the gay community, many worry LGBT families will continue to suffer under public policies that favour heterosexual marriages and families. But influential conservative groups that strongly opposed lifting the gay sex ban make it politically uncomfortable for the ruling party to further change laws. An alliance of more than 80 Singaporean churches has decried repealing the gay sex ban as an "extremely regrettable decision" that "celebrates homosexuality". 'PUNISHING THE CHILD'LGBT families in Singapore now worry that further change will not come in time for them. The government did not respond to Reuters' questions about the rights of LGBT families and their children's residency and access to education.

☆ Factbox: North Asia gears up for peak winter energy demand season
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 3 (Reuters) - Key North Asian economies are stockpiling fuel, diversifying sources and conserving power to ensure adequate supplies for winter, as an unprecedented global energy crisis makes spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases costly. * City gas providers held 2.54 million tonnes at end-August, ministry data shows, versus 1.97 million tonnes a year earlier and also above a five-year average. * South Korea's LNG stocks stood near 3.9 million tonnes at end-September, a source with knowledge of the matter said. * Households and businesses are being encouraged to reduce energy consumption through incentives like tax cuts, though details have not been announced. CHINA* China is expected to stay clear of spot LNG purchases this winter due to higher prices and slow demand growth amid COVID-19 curbs.

☆ Singapore GDP growth to ease in Q3, keeps MAS in delicate balancing act
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Singapore government had downgrade its 2022 GDP growth forecast range to 3% to 4% from 3% to 5% in August, citing the weakening external demand outlook. Economists are watching to see whether Singapore's official inflation forecast would be revised when the central bank releases its monetary policy statement, which is also due on Friday. Sixteen economists forecast the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to tighten its policy, but are divided on how aggressive it will be and which of its settings will change. Economists, including Maybank's Chua, who expect MAS to tighten only via one lever largely cited the weak growth outlook. The MAS has tightened monetary policy four times in a row, with the latest in July in an out-of-cycle move.

☆ 'Beware of scammers': Singapore warns of crooks trying to take advantage of coronavirus fears
▼ + stars: | 2020-02-14 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Scammers have reportedly been calling people to ask for financial details under the pretext of "contact tracing" — the process of identifying those with close contact with infected patients. Singapore has set up teams working to call people and establish if anyone has had prolonged physical contact with coronavirus patients. As of Thursday noon, Singapore confirmed 58 known cases of the coronavirus strain, recently named the COVID-19. "MOH is conducting contact tracing to identify individuals who had close contact with the confirmed cases of novel coronavirus. Please note that we do not ask for any financial details during our call to you," said the health authority.

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