Nearly $100m to be pumped into research and development of water solutions
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong revealed that close to $100m will be pumped into researching water solutions at the municipal and industrial levels, at the opening of Singapore International Water Week.
He emphasised that, as climate change and water-intensive industries bring water problems for the nation as well as a rise in sea levels, effective planning is required.
Additionally, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said that recycled and desalinated water is critical to ensuring water resilience and avoiding issues caused by relying on imported water.
Zero Waste Masterplan to be reviewed as the nation recycles less
Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary revealed that the overall recycling rate of the nation was 52 per cent in 2025, a big departure from the Zero Waste Masterplan goal of 70 per cent by 2030.
Therefore, the benchmarks for recycling and reducing waste will be reviewed, also affected by the high levels of waste being generated.
“We have to have an honest examination of these numbers,” said Mr Janil.
“The global economics of recycling have shifted significantly. Logistics disruptions, commodity price volatility and tightening import restrictions have made recycling harder to sustain commercially, not just in Singapore but worldwide. Paper prices have been significantly depressed, and plastic offtake is difficult to secure.”
AI-related demand surges trade momentum for key exports in Singapore
Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports surged 38.4 per cent year-on-year in May 2026, the strongest growth since 2003, driven mainly by booming AI-related demand. Electronics exports jumped 94.8 per cent, led by integrated circuits, disk media products and PCs, as major technology companies increased spending on AI infrastructure.
Exports to Taiwan, the United States and China rose strongly, while pharmaceutical shipments also surged, partly due to companies accelerating exports ahead of planned US tariffs. Economists upgraded their outlook for Singapore’s exports and economic growth, citing sustained AI investment, resilient global demand and Singapore’s key role in the semiconductor and technology supply chains.
New research centre aims to turn trash into treasure at Semakau
Towards Resource Efficiency And Sustainability for URban EnvironmentS (TREASURES) centre is a new national research centre established by the National Environment Agency and Nanyang Technological University to unlock valuable materials for construction and other industries from residues and toxic waste, stalling land fill use in Semakau.
“It is aptly named, as these materials cannot easily be recycled, but they do hold significant value to industry when properly recovered and properly managed,” said Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary, who announced the centre on June 17.
SPH Media CEO speaks on vitality of trusted journalism amid AI and geopolitical shifts
“The question is not whether change is coming... The question is whether we navigate it with our hands on the steering wheel, or allow ourselves to be buffeted by the forces of change,” said SPH Media CEO Chan Yeng Kit at the Asian Economic Summit in Jakarta, in response to the increasing adoption of AI by companies in the region.
Additionally, Mr Chan said that trusted journalism will become even more important as businesses, investors and governments navigate changes driven by artificial intelligence, shifting trade patterns and geopolitical uncertainty.
119 dengue cases recorded in second week of June, highest so far this year
According to the National Environment Agency, a total of 119 dengue cases were reported in Singapore in the week ending June 13, the highest weekly total so far in 2026. Twelve active dengue clusters were recorded, including four red-alert clusters, those with 10 or more cases.
The four clusters are Countryside Road/Lentor Avenue with 34 cases, Jalan Bangau/Jalan Jarak with 22 cases, Neram Road/Nim Crescent with 19 cases and Lilac Drive/Mimosa Road with 11 cases.
This is in line with the warmer temperatures between May and October that lead to higher mosquito spawning.
Singapore’s first cybersecurity chief David Koh retires on July 1
Mr David Koh, the founding chief executive of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), is retiring on July 1, after 11 years of work with CSA and 42 years in public service.
Mr Koh, 61, spearheaded the foundations of the Cybersecurity Strategy and the national framework, covering the protection of critical infrastructure, cyberdefence capabilities and workforce development.
Senior civil servant Gwenda Fong, who used to be deputy secretary for digital society and development at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, will be replacing Mr Koh.
NParks installs new, inclusive, seed-dispersal-themed playground in Tampines
Sun Plaza Park in Tampines Avenue 7 has a new inclusive playground, themed after the various methods of seed dispersal, that features Singapore’s first wheelchair-accessible slide.
The playground is designed with barrier-free routes and equipment like slides and swings that are accessible to all users, including those in wheelchairs. Bright colours are used for the equipment and surfaces to support those with low vision.
The park was installed through a collaboration between the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Magical Bridge Foundation, a California-based non-profit organisation that focuses on designing inclusive playgrounds.
Five public holiday long weekends in Singapore in 2027
Public holidays for New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Hari Raya Haji and National Day will all result in long weekends in 2027, with the holidays falling on either a Monday or Friday. Additionally, Vesak Day and Deepavali fall on a Thursday, which could also result in long weekends if individuals plan their leaves accordingly.
The remaining Labour Day and Christmas Day fall on a Saturday, while Hari Raya Puasa will tentatively be on a Wednesday.
NUS drops to 10th place while NTU retains 12th spot in QS World University Rankings
The latest UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2027, released on June 18, measures institutions primarily on research and employability, and has shown a drop by two places for the National University of Singapore (NUS), now at 10th place, and a retaining position of 12th for Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Still, NUS remains Asia’s top-ranked university and is the only Asian university in the top 10.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology took first place for the 15th consecutive year, with Stanford University and Imperial College London sharing second place.
