World’s tallest indoor vertical farm, costing S$80 million, opens in Singapore
Rising over 23m above ground, Greenphyto is the world’s tallest indoor vertical farm. Located in the Jurong West industrial area, the fully automated hydroponic farm is powered by artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing bots.
The S$80 million five-storey building was unveiled on Jan 7. Shoppers may be familiar with the farm’s kailan and lettuce which have been sold since early 2025 under the Hydrogreens brand.
First self-driving shuttle vehicles in Punggol to start serving public within 3 months
The first self-driving shuttle route in Punggol will open to the public in two to three months, said Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling on Jan 7. The 10km route will connect residents of Matilda Court and Punggol Clover with the polyclinic at Oasis Terraces via Punggol Plaza.
It is the first of three driverless shuttle routes that will be rolled out in Punggol. Five- and eight-seater vehicles in bright purple livery with an amber beacon on the roof will be used to ply the three routes.
US strike on Venezuela concerning for small states: SM Lee
The longer-term consequences of the United States’ military intervention in Venezuela are something small countries like Singapore will have to worry about, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaking at a dialogue during the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s Regional Outlook Forum at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
“From the point of view of a small country, if that is the way the world works, we have a problem.”
He also reiterated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement that Singapore is gravely concerned by the US strike on Venezuela on Jan 3, and that the Republic is against military intervention in other countries as it is contrary to international law.
Four people taken to hospital after four-car pile-up on CTE
Four people were taken to hospital after four cars, including a ComfortDelGro cab, were involved in a chain collision on the Central Expressway near Braddell on Jan 6. The cab was sandwiched between two red cars.
The accident happened after the Jalan Bahagia exit towards the Seletar Expressway. The police said that a 42-year-old male car driver is assisting with investigations.
Record wet March in S’pore last year due to monsoon surge; June & Nov warmest months
Typically one of Singapore’s drier months, March 2025 broke records as being the country’s wettest March due to an unusual monsoon surge. The average rainfall in March 2025 was 130 per cent above the norm, at 482.9mm. Last year also yielded the hottest June and November on record.
June was 2025’s warmest month, with the average temperature reaching a high of 29.3 deg C. November’s average temperature was 28.2 deg C, up from the previous record of 28 deg C in 1998, 2015, and 2019.
Driving centres in Singapore hike learner fees in 2026
Driving centres in Singapore – ComfortDelGro, Bukit Batok, and Singapore Safety Driving Centre – have raised learner fees from Jan 1, 2026, increasing costs for theory, practical, and simulator lessons, citing higher operating costs and instructor wages.
Learners are using premium schemes or private instructors to bypass booking issues, but express frustration over increased expenses and their effect on accessibility.
2025 O-level results to be released on Jan 14 from 2pm
The Ministry of Education and SEAB announced that the 2025 GCE O-Level results will be released on Jan 14 from 2 pm. School candidates collect results from their schools while private candidates can view online.
Proxy collection is allowed. Joint Admissions Exercise course choices can be submitted shortly after, with posting results on Feb 3.
Grab to launch food delivery trial with drones
Grab is trialling a three-month drone food delivery pilot in Tanjong Rhu to bridge the Kallang River, cutting delivery time for scheduled orders.
Drones will fly from hubs to Tanjong Rhu, with up to 28 daily deliveries between Tuesday to Sunday in partnership with ST Engineering, while riders handle pickup and final drop-offs.
19,600 BTO flats to be launched this year; 2027 supply to increase if demand stays strong
About 19,600 Built-To-Order (BTO) flats will be launched in 2026 across February, June, and October, including over 4,000 units with waits under three years.
HDB, which plans to build 55,000 flats between 2025 and 2027, has been asked to go beyond this target if necessary, said National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat on Jan 8.
Incoming NMP Haresh Singaraju says he’s no longer a PAP party member
Incoming Nominated MP Haresh Singaraju clarified he is no longer affiliated with any political party after an old photo showed him in a PAP logo T-shirt.
He explained the image was from a past volunteer activity, which has since been removed, and reiterated his non-partisan status ahead of his parliamentary appointment.
SGX Rebrands Equities Business to SGX Stock Exchange at STI’s 60th Anniversary
Following the Equities Market Review Group recommendations in Nov 2024, the Singapore Exchange’s (SGX) equities business will now be known as the SGX Stock Exchange.
SGX’s chief executive, Loh Boon Chye, announced the rebrand at the Straits Times Index’s (STI) 60th anniversary celebration event on Jan 5.
