S’poreans in touch with loved ones struggling with Covid-19 abroad

SINGAPORE – On June 22, Singaporean Jessica Ang, 45, received a phone call from Jakarta from her second brother Joven, who told her he had tested positive for Covid-19. By June 29, the 47-year-old’s health seemed to have “gone downhill”. He was bedridden with a recurring fever and breathlessness. Please subscribe or log in to... » read more

Singapore firms offer solutions to region’s demand for sustainability

SINGAPORE – Climate change, record-high temperatures and deadly heatwaves are making air-conditioning a necessity rather than a luxury in many places around the world. But air-conditioners are energy guzzlers and a major source of waste heat in urban areas, creating a vicious cycle and a dilemma for eco-conscious consumers. Please subscribe or log in to... » read more

A new way of working to emerge stronger together from the pandemic

SINGAPORE – What do a trial of driverless buses, a hybrid conference on travel amid Covid-19, and a new platform for companies to share trade data with partners along the supply chain have in common? All three are the result of a new approach to shaping policies and programmes that Singapore hopes will stand it... » read more

Singapore firm taps goodness of human milk with cell-based tech

SINGAPORE – A biotech start-up based here and in the United States is on a mission to unlock the key ingredients from human milk to enhance infant and elderly nutrition, and nourish athletes. Nutrients in human milk are especially beneficial for strengthening immunity, improving gut health and boosting brain development, said Ms Lin Fengru, co-founder... » read more

Why helpers stick it out despite being overworked

SINGAPORE – Ever since her employer’s son and daughter-in-law returned from the United States in January, her workload in the family’s five-storey house has taken a great toll on her. Yanti (not her real name), a domestic worker, said the family of four rings a bell for her to attend to their every need. Please... » read more

Airlines, hotels and travel agents in S’pore hunker down for long haul

SINGAPORE – The travel sector remains in survival mode with business at rock bottom, staff morale in the basement and leisure jaunts showing no signs of recovery any time soon. As grim as it is, companies are still cautiously optimistic that the good times will roll again once the pandemic blows over. Please subscribe or... » read more

S’pore employment numbers exceed estimates

SINGAPORE – The Singapore labour market is on track to recover from the impact of the pandemic, with total employment surpassing estimates and growing for the first time since the virus outbreak hit early last year. But an uptick of Covid-19 cases in May led to tighter restrictions for about a month, possibly putting a... » read more

Hawker teams up with private-hire driver in win-win arrangement

SINGAPORE – Unlike many hawkers who have been badly hit by the dine-in ban, Mr Jason Huang did not experience a drop in the number of orders he receives. The third-generation hawker has been able to steer his 53-year-old family business to safety by offering islandwide delivery. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading... » read more

Population census: Helping women level up at work

SINGAPORE – Women have made strides in the workplace. The share of resident married couples with a working wife increased from 52.9 per cent in 2010 to 60 per cent last year. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive... » read more

Population census: Education and language shifts on the horizon

SINGAPORE – Residents in Singapore are securing higher academic qualifications, especially university degrees. More can read and write in multiple languages, and bigger numbers are speaking English at home. But there are downsides such as an oversupply of graduates, underemployment, and the potential erosion of mother tongue heritage, experts tell Insight. And interventions are needed... » read more

Who’s to blame when a child goes ‘beyond parental control’?

SINGAPORE – For over a year, Madam N tried to get her teenage daughter to stop smoking, stealing and playing truant. She even transferred her daughter to another school to keep her away from peers she felt were a bad influence. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access... » read more

Runaway teen rebuilds ties with family through counselling

SINGAPORE- He was arrested for shoplifting five times and frequently ran away from home, at times for up to three weeks. On the rare occasions when Adam (not his real name) spoke to his parents, his speech was peppered with expletives. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access... » read more

Building rapport with victims key to solving sex crimes

SINGAPORE – As a police officer investigating a serious sex crime, he once spent half an hour on the floor talking to a girl about Korean pop stars before she felt comfortable enough to share her story with him. Deputy Superintendent Ker Boon Tat, 34, told The Sunday Times that having a connection with the... » read more