PM Wong heartened by resilience in communities for Eid-Al-Adha
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong wished all Muslims Selamat Hari Raya Haji in a Facebook post on May 27, expressing his gratitude to the local community for their continued support despite livestock supply chain challenges for the korban.
PM Wong also wished the 900 Singapore pilgrims performing the Hajj in Saudi Arabia “a meaningful and fulfilling Hajj and a safe journey home”.
It is critical that people believe the courts make decisions based on evidence: Chief Justice
On the 200th anniversary of the Singapore legal system on May 22, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon spoke to reporters about the state of truth and the courts, including the impact of artificial intelligence.
Chief Justice Menon said that in this “age of truth decay”, people comment on cases that they may not have all the information about, and if unchecked, could lead to a breakdown of confidence in the courts.
That is why it is critical that people believe the courts make decisions based on evidence, he said.
Workers’ real wages grew by 4% as inflation fell in 2025, according to MOM report
The Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) report on wage practices saw that resident workers had higher purchasing power as their real wages grew by 4% once the fall in inflation was adjusted into the calculation.
Out of the 6,236 private sector firms polled, employee retention was the main cited reason for this pay hike.
MOM also found that fewer companies raised salaries compared with the previous year, with only 72.4 per cent of firms raising wages in 2025 compared to 78.3 per cent in 2024.
Singapore encourages North Korea to keep dialogue channels open amid global uncertainty
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Pyongyang from May 26 to 27 at the invitation of his North Korean counterpart, Ms Choe Son Hui, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the countries.
Dr Balakrishnan encouraged North Korea to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum, a diplomatic and security dialogue, to maintain good communication amid ongoing global uncertainty.
“Our ties are friendly, built on mutual respect and continued engagement over the decades,” Dr Balakrishnan wrote on Facebook.
NEA sets limits to cull emissions from ACs in vehicles and commercial refrigerator systems
Emission limits for cooling systems such as air conditioners (ACs) and refrigerators will be expanded to large-scale, commercial systems, as well as systems in vehicles.
The National Environmental Agency (NEA) stated that this move will help reduce high greenhouse gas emissions from these systems, enabling Singapore to achieve its climate goals by 2030.
From July 2027, new centralised commercial fridges, typically used in supermarkets, must use more environmentally friendly refrigerants capped at a global warming potential (GWP) of 150, aligning with standards in Europe and Japan.
Rise in vehicles seized for smuggling contraband at land borders in 2025: Singapore Customs
Singapore Customs seized 335 vehicles for smuggling contraband, like duty-unpaid cigarettes and alcohol, at land borders in 2025, a rise compared to 300 in 2024. About 70 per cent of the vehicles were foreign registered, according to Singapore Customs.
Contraband was found in modified compartments and door panels in cars, and tucked in the bodywork of motorcycles.
A Singapore Customs spokesperson said stepped-up enforcement at the checkpoints and within Singapore has contributed to the increase in vehicles seized.
According to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s annual report, the number of contraband smuggling attempts intercepted in 2025 increased by over 30 per cent from the previous year.
Sheng Siong doubles discounts for blue, orange CHAS card holders in June
Blue and orange Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) card holders can reap double the discounts on their cards at all 88 Sheng Siong outlets in June, with the discount amount going from 4 per cent to 8 per cent.
Blue Chas card holders can use the enhanced discount on Thursdays, while orange Chas card holders can use it on Fridays.
USS performer dies during training, days after he was rushed to the hospital for emergency
A performer at Universal Studios Singapore’s (USS) WaterWorld exhibit died on May 26, days after he was rushed to the hospital for a medical emergency during his training session.
RWS did not disclose the nature of the man’s medical emergency and declined to share details of his current condition “out of respect for the performer and his family’s privacy”.
The police are still investigating, but no foul play is suspected based on preliminary findings.
St Gabriel’s takes home prize as champion of ST’s What’s The News? quiz competition
The Straits Times’ What’s The News? current affairs quiz competition’s finals were won by St Gabriel’s Secondary School, with the students taking home the $4,000 cash prize.
They bested Victoria School, School of Science and Technology, and Presbyterian High School.
The competition involved a rapid-fire round where contestants only had eight seconds to answer, presentation making and performing, and a short answer round with hidden questions of varying difficulty.
More than 70 schools and 6,000 students participated in preliminary rounds in April, whittling down to the four finalists.
Singapore Youth Flying Club members win third place at international aeromodel competition
Singapore’s team placed third in the 2026 F2 Federation Aeronautique Internationale World Championships for Control Line Model Aircraft, clinching the placement in the team-racing country classification, the nation’s best performance since 2000.
The team are members of the Singapore Youth Flying Club CCA, a control line special interest group in several secondary schools, where students practice racing model aircrafts that are tethered by steel wires or lines.
