Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s speech about AI during Budget 2026 definitely caught my attention. That’s when I knew the term wasn’t just another “future economy” buzzword moment.This time, it felt… real. With initiatives like six months’ free access to premium AI tools for Singaporeans taking selected courses, plus a broader push for companies to adopt AI at scale, the message was clear. Will Smith’s 2004 film “I, Robot” is no longer a product of Hollywood fiction.Naturally, that sparked the usual reactions. I remember turning to my 65-year-old retired dad during the broadcast and seeing him shaking his head and lamenting the loss of jobs for my future kids. Looking at the discourse online, I see the usual talking points:Will AI take our jobs?Will only tech workers benefit?Are we all supposed to suddenly become prompt engineers overnight?As someone who has written previously about surviving AI as a full-time writer (mind you, this was 2 years ago, when ChatGPT was the only game in town), and have since transitioned into a fintech, very pro-AI environment, here’s my honest take on the topic:

An e-bike caught fire along Balestier Road in the early hours of Sunday (March 22) morning.Lawrence Lim, who is a member of a local private-hire vehicle drivers' Facebook group, wrote in a photo post that the e-bike «exploded» in front of him.The photo shows a man dressed in black standing next to the burning e-bike. It is unclear if he was the rider or a passerby. Responding to media queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said that they were alerted to the incident at about 12.15am.It added that firefighters put out the fire using a fire hose and conveyed one person to Singapore General Hospital.Fire investigations are ongoing.[[nid:732016]]editor@asiaone.com 

The police are investigating a suspected case of fireworks being set off illegally on Friday (March 20) in Ghim Moh.A video of the incident posted on Threads shows fireworks set off from what appears to be the open deck of a Housing and Development Board (HDB) multi-storey carpark. 

Two more Malaysian men were arrested for their alleged involvement in government official impersonation scams, bringing the total number of arrests for such cases in March to eight.The two men, aged 20 and 30, were arrested for allegedly scamming an elderly woman on Friday (March 20), according to the police.In a press release on Saturday, the police said that the 62-year-old victim received calls from people claiming to be from telecommunications operator M1 and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), informing her that she had an overdue bill of $350 which could not be deducted from her bank account. The conversation was later moved to WhatsApp, where the scammers told the victim that there were further purchases of iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch made using her accounts, and the items were delivered to an address in Bukit Batok. When the victim said that she was not familiar with the address and sought to cancel the transactions, she was referred to an investigation officer purportedly from MAS.

A man and a woman standing on the road by a kerb at Somme Road near Jalan Besar were knocked over by a passing car, causing them to fall backwards onto a grass verge.The incident occurred at 1.19am on Thursday (March 19), according to CCTV footage posted to the SGRV Admin Facebook page.The video shows the pair chatting by the roadside below a signpost when a black car comes up close to them, appearing to knock into them.The two are seen tumbling backwards onto the grass verge. The man gets up almost immediately and signals to the driver while the woman appears to be in pain as she continues to sit on the grass, clutching her left ankle.The male driver is then shown walking over to the woman sitting on the ground.A later part of the clip showed another woman comforting the female victim as police officers arrive at the scene.The video then cuts to the driver handling some paperwork on the boot of a separate vehicle with another man, as another woman looks on and speaks to both parties.The man who was knocked over is then shown carrying the woman, who is able to stand up, away on his back.

A lone Malayan tapir was recently spotted along Lorong Halus in Pasir Ris.Eric Teo shared a video of his encounter on March 19, sharing that he was cycling when he spotted the animal.«It was skittish, foraging briefly before retreating into the forest,» he wrote in a post on Nature Society Singapore's Facebook group. «Repeated sightings point to one thing, the Serangoon River forest is its home. Should we be doing more to protect a forest this rich in diversity?»In the video, the animal can be seen being wary of Teo and walking towards the forest as he approaches.Teo shared in an interview with The Straits Times that he had spotted the animal at around 2am that day, and felt that seeing a tapir in the wild was «rarer than striking lottery». PHOTO: Screengrab/Facebook This comes after a February sighting of a tapir at the Defu industrial area near Paya Lebar.

SINGAPORE - As the global oil shock pushes pump prices at major petrol retailers well past the $3-a-litre mark, Cnergy’s stations continue to undercut the competition in what its management says is a calculated move to gain market share.By keeping its prices significantly lower than the market average – up to S$1 lower than the competition when excluding discounts – the upstart Singapore brand has triggered localised traffic jams, gained social media fame, and generated a surge of about 40 per cent in the share price of its parent company, Union Gas Holdings.But Union Gas is not relying on hedging strategies, where companies lock in oil prices months in advance to protect against market shocks, to keep pump prices down.Instead, it is absorbing the rising wholesale costs directly, engaging in an aggressive customer acquisition play that relies on volume to offset tight margins.“We make a very, very marginal profit... there are days that we really go without profits,” Union Gas chief executive Teo Hark Piang told The Business Times in an interview on Friday (Mar 20).

A private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver recently took his passenger to the police station after suspecting the latter to be on Kpods.A dashcam video of the incident was shared March 16 on TikTok, and shows a man in a hoodie stumbling around in front of an HDB block as he approaches the car.The clip then cuts to the vehicle pulling up outside a police station, where the man can be seen being dragged inside by a police officer. 

Household electricity contract renewal prices in Singapore have increased by as much as 11 per cent since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran.CNA reported that on Feb 27, a day before the war began, fixed-price retail plans for residences ranged from 24.88 to 28.67 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).By Saturday (March 21), prices increased to between 28.80 and 29.18 cents per kWh depending on plan and retailer, according to AsiaOne’s checks on the Open Electricity Market’s price comparison website.The most expensive plan was from Senoko Energy Supply, whose monthly fixed price plan rose from 25.88 cents to 29.18 cents. This is almost a 12 per cent increase.According to CNA, a four-room HDB flat consuming an average of 357 kWh of electricity per month, will pay $10.42 more for a 24-month fixed price plan from Senoko Energy.But the retailers have different promotional gifts and rebates to lower the cost.Senoko Energy offers customers up to $240 in promotional gifts and rebates, compared to the $160 bill rebares previously.

A 56-year-old woman was arrested on Tuesday (March 17) in a raid that was part of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore's (IRAS) crackdown on Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund fraud.The IRAS said in a statement on Thursday that 179 luxury watches worth over $1 million were seized for investigation.The woman allegedly created fictitious purchases, inflated transactions and used false tax invoices to support fraudulent GST refund claims.Accounting records, electronic devices and other evidence linked to the alleged offences were also seized.In all, tax investigators from the IRAS conducted raids at over 20 business and residential premises island-wide on March 17. Another seven people from other cases are assisting with investigations.IRAS said that businesses across various industries, including logistics and wholesale trade, were identified in separate GST refund fraud cases.Some of them allegedly used shell companies to facilitate fraudulent GST refund claims.IRAS added that they conduct regular audits to detect anomalous GST refund claims and ensure claims comply with GST rules.

If you've noticed a burnt smell in the air over the past few evenings and are wondering if it's the haze at work, here's why.The National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a Facebook post on Friday (March 20) evening that hotspots with smoke plumes were observed in Central Sumatra and Johor.Noting the dry and warm conditions over Singapore and the surrounding region from this weekend until the end of next week, along with prevailing winds from the northeast, NEA said that there may be an increase in hotspot activity and a «continued risk of smoke haze».Checks by AsiaOne on the agency's 1-hour PM2.5 reading at 11.30pm indicate that Singapore's air quality remains in the «normal» band.The 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index ranged from 45 to 57, within the «Good» to «Moderate» range, as at 7pm.Warmer conditions expectedDaily maximum temperatures in Singapore may reach a high of 35 to 36 deg C on some days in the coming week, NEA said.

Adele Tan Shiao Ling, deputy chief executive officer (CEO) and chief planner at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), will be appointed the authority's chief executive officer from Sept 1, said the Ministry of National Development (MND) and URA on Friday (March 20).She will take over from Lim Eng Hwee, who was appointed to the role in 2017. Tan's present roles will be taken over by Yvonne Lim Li Chuen, who is presently group director of physical planning at URA.Tan, 52, formerly chief infrastructure planning officer at MND, was appointed to her current role as deputy CEO and chief planner in June 2023. She has spent nearly 30 years in various public service portfolios across environmental sustainability, liveability, and infrastructure planning.MND and URA highlighted that Tan had steered the review of the Draft Master Plan 2025 and shaped development strategies over the next 10 to 15 years through extensive public engagement.

Four Singaporeans were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for their suspected involvement in a murder in Johor Bahru (JB), the police said in response to media queries on Friday (March 20).Three men, aged between 23 and 29, and a 27-year-old woman were handed over to Malaysian authorities on Thursday to assist with investigations.The alleged incident happened on March 14 at JB, police said.SPF said a Malaysian court issued warrants for the arrest of the four, while the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) sent in a request for assistance.Subsequently, SPF conducted simultaneous operations island-wide on Thursday, including an operation at a residential unit at Teban Gardens Road.In a video posted to Threads, multiple police and Singapore Civil Defence Force officers can be seen stationed beneath a block in Teban Gardens beside an inflated safety life air pack.Some personnel can be seen gesturing at something above them, although it is unclear what the situation was about.

Muslims in Singapore should go beyond the community to strengthen ties across the nation's diverse society, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Assoc Prof Faishal Ibrahim.In his Hari Raya Aidilfitri message on Friday (March 20), he commended Muslims for working together towards the benefit of the larger community.«When we play our part with sincerity and unified purpose, we can move forward together as a community and as a nation, with one heart,» the acting minister said in Malay, citing the Malay proverb «we rise and fall together».Assoc Prof Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, delivered his message at the Jamae Chulia mosque in Chinatown. It was broadcast on television channel Suria.The wakaf mosque, built in the 1820s, sits next to Sri Mariammam temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic temple along South Bridge Road. It was designated a national monument in 1974.A wakaf is a permanent dedication by a Muslim of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable.

A batch of pineapple slices sold at warehouse factory sales is being recalled after the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) detected the presence of sulphur dioxide — an allergen — in them. The food additive was not declared in the packaging label.Tai Sun (Lim Kee) Food Industries, the importer of the affected product — Pineapple Slices (400g) — has been directed to recall them, the agency said on Friday (March 20).One batch of the product — sold at Tai Sun's warehouse factory sales — with an expiry date of July 30, 2026, is being recalled.SFA said that while sulphite does not pose a food safety issue to consumers at large, those who are intolerant of, or allergic to, sulphites may either develop or experience hives, itchiness, stomach ache, diarrhoea, or vomiting.Those who have purchased the affected product, and are intolerant of or allergic to sulphites, should not consume them. They may contact their point of purchase for enquiries.Persons who have consumed the product should seek medical advice if they have concerns about their health. 

Flights between Singapore and Dubai have been cancelled until April 30, according to an advisory by Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Friday (March 20).The airline explained that two flights —SQ494 from Singapore to Dubai and SQ495 from Dubai to Singapore — have been cancelled in light of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.«As the situation remains fluid, other SIA flights may be affected,» the national carrier added, advising customers to visit its flight status page for information about their flights.This follows multiple flight cancellations from both SIA and Scoot since US and Israel started the war against Iran on Feb 28.Flights had previously been projected to resume on March 28.Those affected by the flight cancellations can either seek a full refund of the unused portion of their ticket or accept re-accommodation on alternative flights.Customers who made bookings through travel agents or partner airlines are also advised to contact the relevant parties for assistance.SIA also apologised to affected customers for the inconvenience caused.

About 600,000 Singtel users faced mobile connectivity problems on Monday (March 16) after a «mechanical fault» occurred at one of its network facilities, reported The Straits Times.A day later on Tuesday (March 17), some customers experienced connectivity issues again.CEO of Singtel Singapore Ng Tian Chong has apologised for the service disruptions, according to media reports.«We know how important it is to stay connected and recognise the impact these incidents may have had on our customers. This should not have happened. We sincerely apologise,» he was quoted as saying.According to Ng, the March 16 outage started from about 10.30am and needed reconfiguration, «which took time to fully take effect».4G services for affected customers were restored by about 1.30pm and full 5G service was restored at around 8pm.Singtel had earlier said there was «no evidence» to suggest it was a cyber-related event.

At just five months old, Ginny was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) — a genetic disease that destroys motor neurons and weakens muscles progressively. Ginny's parents, who wanted to be known only as Jenny and Quan, told AsiaOne on Wednesday (March 18) that she was born in September 2025 healthy with «nothing wrong». Over time, however, she barely moved her limbs and could not lift or turn her neck. When she was three to four months old, Ginny developed pneumonia and was hospitalised for 12 days at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH). After returning home, the couple noticed their baby was «even weaker than before». They returned to the hospital for further checks and genetic testing. By early March, Ginny was diagnosed with SMA Type 1.Life expectancy under 2 years without treatmentJenny shared that the news came as a «big shock», considering she and her husband have no family history of the disease. Without any treatment, Ginny's life expectancy is estimated to under two years. 

Child sex offender Amos Yee was arrested by Central Manpower Base (CMPB) enlistment inspectors at Changi Airport upon his return on Friday (March 20), and charged with offences under the Enlistment Act.In a joint statement on Friday, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that Yee, now 27, had failed to report for pre-enlistment medical screening and also remained outside Singapore without a valid exit permit.The ministries also noted that Yee left Singapore for the United States in 2016, where he was granted asylum the following year.«During Yee's time in the US, he was arrested and charged for sexual offences, and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment in December 2021.»He was released on parole in October 2023, but was re-arrested a month later for violating his parole conditions. The US authorities subsequently took him into custody for deportation proceedings following his release from prison in November 2025," said MHA and Mindef.The ministries added that Yee was issued with a document of identity to facilitate his deportation as he no longer holds a valid Singapore passport. 

A taxi driver and a motorcyclist clipped each other along Airport Boulevard near Changi, but the former allegedly kicked the bike in a fit of anger.In the video uploaded on SG Road Vigilante on Wednesday (March 18), both the cabbie and the motorcyclist take a left turn, but as they turn, the taxi crosses into the motorcyclist's lane and they have a minor collision.The video then cuts to the motorcyclist on the rightmost lane further down the road as the taxi catches up from behind, overtaking the motorcyclist from the left.Hailing the rider to stop his bike, the taxi slows down in front of the motorcycle, forcing both vehicles to a standstill.While the video has no audio, the driver can be seen gesturing angrily as he approaches the motorcyclist.He then points at his own vehicle, inspecting for damage on the taxi's left flank.The video then cuts again to the cabbie turning away from the motorcycle, delivering a swift kick against the bike.He walks away, then turns around again to confront the motorcyclist, shouting at him again before walking over and kicking the bike once more before the video ends.

Another Malaysian, the sixth in two weeks, has been arrested in Singapore for his alleged involvement in government official impersonation scam.Police said in a statement on Thursday (March 19) that they received a report from a female victim who received a call from an unknown person claiming to be from HSBC.During the call, the unknown person informed her that there were unauthorised charges on a HSBC card registered under her name.After the victim denied having a HSBC credit card, her call was transferred to individuals claiming to be from the Ministry of Law.They told the woman that she was under investigation for money laundering and created a sense of urgency and fear.She was then convinced to hand over gold bracelets and jewellery worth over $80,000, under the guide of «safekeeping» during so-called «investigations».The Malaysian, 21, was identified and arrested on Thursday, following extensive ground enquiries and follow-up investigations by officers from the Anti-Scam Command.He will be charged in court with the offence of assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct on Friday.

Child sex offender Amos Yee was deported from the United States on March 19, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency confirmed to The Straits Times.According to a State Courts portal, Yee is expected to be charged in Singapore on March 20 with offences under the Enlistment Act.The 27-year-old was last housed at the Broadview Service Staging Area in Illinois on March 18, with the facility located a 17-minute drive from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.As at March 19, his record was expunged from the ICE website, and a representative confirmed to ST by phone on the morning of March 20 that Yee “was removed from the US” on March 19, Singapore time.He has been in ICE’s custody since November 2025, barely a week after he was released from an American prison.According to a post on a blog maintained by his supporters, Yee signed his deportation papers on Feb 12, with his deportation likely to take place any time in the subsequent nine months.In recent days, he had been transferred multiple times to various ICE facilities.

Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Iran war may have knock-on effects that can lead to an economic downturn or recession, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong told Singapore media during this three-day visit to Japan on Wednesday (March 18).«We are monitoring the situation closely, because it is dynamic,» he said.He added: «We do not know when it will stop. But quite aside from the military operation, the key question is whether or not the Strait of Hormuz will continue to be blocked, and for how long.»The US had originally stated that its military operation would be over in a matter of weeks.Operation Epic Fury is now in its third week, PM Wong pointed out, as the US, Israel and Iran continue to battle, causing shipping to stall in the strait.About 20 per cent of the world's oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz.Should the Strait continue to be blocked — even if the military operation ceases — there can be «severe consequences» for the global economy, he said.While the focus has been on resources like oil and gas, food supplies and helium could also be affected.

A 41-year-old woman was arrested on Thursday (March 19) for allegedly impersonating police officers and using abusive words towards a public servant.Police said in a statement issued the same evening that they were alerted to an anonymous Facebook post — featuring an expletive-laden conversation — between a person claiming to be a police officer and an unknown user on Tuesday.AsiaOne reviewed the screenshots, which were published in a Facebook group, and noted that the F-word was used more than 15 times. In at least two messages, the imposter also threatened to rape the unknown user. 

Pump prices in Singapore saw a fourth consecutive day of adjustments on Thursday (March 19) as Sinopec, followed by SPC, raised its respective posted price for diesel by 7 cents.This mirrored the moves of Shell, Esso and Caltex, which also raised diesel prices by 7 cents each on Wednesday.But all five companies held prices for petrol  steady — for a second consecutive day.Following the latest round of adjustments, the price for diesel now ranges from $3.56 at SPC, to $3.63 at Caltex, Esso and Shell. The posted price for diesel at Sinopec holds the middle ground at $3.62.Cynergy raised pump prices on WednesdayUnion Gas Holdings-owned Cynergy raised prices for its 95- and 98-octane petrol by 5 cents a litre on Wednesday, while holding its posted price for diesel unchanged.

TOKYO – Singapore and Japan are strategically aligned, with similar views on the importance of free and open trade, as well as international cooperation. Both also have a shared interest in new areas of growth, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on March 18.While the Republic remembers its history and the Japanese Occupation, this does not mean Singapore cannot move forward to forge a mutually beneficial relationship with Japan as it has done over the decades, he said as he concluded the main section of his three-day official visit to Tokyo.Both countries have a longstanding relationship and believe in free and open trade, as well as in upholding the rules-based international order. Both sides are also pushing forward in similar sectors of artificial intelligence, quantum and space technologies, and cybersecurity, said PM Wong.These are new opportunities that will benefit both countries, including in research, investments and job creation, he added.

Two drivers were taken to hospital after a car and van collided head-on in Lim Chu Kang on Wednesday (March 18). The 61-year-old van driver was trapped in his seat and had to be extricated by Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers using hydraulic rescue equipment. A video of the aftermath of the accident along Neo Tiew Road by TikTok user Sooraj Soo showed the van bumper had partially fallen off. The police and SCDF told AsiaOne they were alerted to the accident near the junction of Neo Tiew Road and Neo Tiew Lane 3 at about 11.50am on Wednesday. The van driver and the 45-year-old female car driver were both conscious when taken to hospital. SCDF said it conveyed one person to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and another person to Woodlands Hospital.The police said the van driver is assisting with investigations.[[nid:731857]]lim.kewei@asiaone.com

Muslims in Singapore will celebrate Hari Raya Puasa on Saturday (March 21), announced Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir on Thursday.As the crescent moon for the month of Syawal was positioned too low above Singapore's horizon at sunset, Friday will mark the completion of the month of Ramadan, the mufti said in a media statement.He also announced that the first day of Syawal or Hari Raya Aidilfitri for the year 1447H falls on March 21 (Saturday).Singapore, along with Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, use the imkanur rukyah astronomy calculation method, which was reviewed in 2021 and premised on more than 700 data points of crescent moon sightings from around the world.Mufti Nazirudin also urged Muslims in Singapore to multiply their good deeds and prayers in the remaining days of Ramadan.«I also take this opportunity to wish all Muslims in  Singapore: 'Selemat Hari Raya Aidilfitri'. May we welcome the arrival of the month of Syawal with full gratitude and further strengthen the bonds of kinship and compassion for one another,» he said.[[nid:731494]]editor@asiaone.com

Pet owner Jocelyn Ang opened a tub of Rose-Hip Vital Canine powder to feed her dog when she saw flies swarming out of it, with other insects inside it.She posted her experience on Facebook group Singapore Dogs Community on Monday (March 16).«I just opened a brand-new sealed tub today, and to my horror, a lot of flies flew out, and the powder inside seems infested with many small insects,» she wrote in her post, also saying that it was «quite shocking».In a video uploaded with her post, Ang can be seen gingerly opening the tub while holding it outside the window of her unit.Once it opens, a fly immediately bolts out into the air and disappears, while another can be seen at the rim of the tub.The camera then pans over the contents of the tub, showing white, grain-like objects within it and a web-like substance along the tub's rim, which is also dotted with black spots.According to videos on Rose-Hip Vital's YouTube channel, the contents of the tub should be a consistent powder similar to turmeric and is used to improve a dog's health and strengthen joints among other health benefits.

Some DBS and POSB users were not able to use the banks’ digital services on Thursday (March 19) afternoon.In a Facebook post, DBS said that while they are working to fully recover services, customers can continue making payment through bank cards and withdraw cash at ATMs and POSB cash-points.«Please be assured that your monies and deposits remain safe,» said DBS. «We are sorry for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding.»Downdetector, a site that tracks service outages by collating status reports from a number of sources, saw over 1,800 reports as of 12.30pm.AsiaOne has reached out to DBS for more information.editor@asiaone.comchingshijie@asiaone.com

Shoppers will be able to purchase FairPrice's Own Brands products at discounted prices for the next 12 weeks.FairPrice Group announced on Thursday (March 19) that it will be bringing its Best Sellers for Less campaign back for the second year between March 19 to June 10.During the 12-week period, customers will be able to get up to 36 per cent off FairPrice's Own Brands products, including rice, facial tissues, and frozen processed food.The initiative is meant to help Singaporeans «stretch their dollar further against the current backdrop of economic uncertainty and rising costs» and is part of FairPrice Group's «wider commitment to keep daily essentials affordable and accessible».Own Brands comprises over 3,500 products that are typically priced 10 to 15 per cent cheaper than branded alternatives.«We want to repay Singaporeans for the trust that they place in our Own Brands every day, and assure them that we are committed to keeping quality staples affordable, especially in times of uncertainty,» said Vipul Chawla, Group CEO of FairPrice Group.[[nid:730941]]

An early morning fire at a Choa Chu Kang HDB flat left one person dead and another injured on Thursday (March 19). The blaze broke out in the bedroom of a 14th floor unit at Block 763 Choa Chu Kang North 5 at about 3am. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post that firefighters found the deceased in the unit. The victim was pronounced dead on the spot by a paramedic. Another resident from the unit who fled the fire was sent to the Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation.  Two other residents from the block were also assessed for smoke inhalation but they did not want to be taken to hospital. 

TOKYO - Singapore and Japan have upgraded their bilateral ties, with deeper co-operation planned in a wide range of areas from artificial intelligence to the green transition.Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on March 18 that the two countries have elevated their ties to a strategic partnership, in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.The strategic partnership will deepen the foundations of the substantive and multifaceted relationship between both countries, and expand co-operation in five forward-looking areas, said a joint statement issued after both leaders and their delegations met at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo.These areas are: promoting free trade and economic co-operation; digitalisation and technology; security and defence; green transition and energy co-operation; and partnership and exchanges.Among the new agreements was the establishment of an information and communications technology policy dialogue between Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information and its Japanese counterpart.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Wednesday (March 18) warned of «bracing times» beyond global economic and financial strains, which he said has extended into a «long storm» of global political instability.He made these comments in a Facebook post as he approved the Government's record $154.7 billion spending plan for Budget 2026.Pointing to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, now in its third week, the President cautioned that a protracted war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz will increase the risk of a major economic downturn and higher inflation.He explained that fuel prices will continue to climb if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. This, he said, will go beyond the oil and gas markets, to affect other sectors such as fertiliser.A reduction in fertiliser supply, in turn, will impact food supply and prices, and supplies of other critical commodities such as aluminium and helium — which the world depends on.

In what feels like a deja vu of pump prices adjustments on Monday, three fuel companies — Shell, followed by Esso, then Caltex — again raised their posted prices in sequence on Wednesday (March 18).On March 16 (Monday), AsiaOne reported that Shell kicked off the new week with a fresh round of price adjustments, increasing its posted prices for 95-, 98-octane, V-Power, and diesel — by 7 cents each. This was followed by Esso, which mirrored Shell's price adjustments by increasing its 92-, 95- and 98-octane petrol, and diesel, by 7 cents each. Caltex subsequently raised its posted prices for 92-and 95-octane, and premium petrol by 2 cents each, while increasing its diesel price by 7 cents.