Housing grant bands adjusted for middle-income applicants
The point: slightly wider eligibility from October, but backdated claims are not expected.
Latest · 9 July 2026
Headlines across the desk
Fourteen items from our Singapore and APAC coverage — each with a one-line standfirst that states the point. Updated through the newsroom day; timestamps in SGT.
From the newsroom
How this feed works
Our editors refresh this section as headlines are verified. Items carry bylines, datelines and section chips. Breaking news appears when sources confirm facts; analysis is labelled. This is the front page companion for readers who want the full daily briefing in one scroll — independent media built for trust and transparency in the region.
Singapore
PUB urges drain checks before weekend heavy rain
Forecast models show isolated downpours; the agency wants estate managers to clear gratings early.
SkillsFuture credits: new course list emphasises green trades
Electricians and facilities roles feature heavily — useful for workers weighing mid-career shifts.
Business
MAS holds policy rate; banks keep prime unchanged for now
Borrowers on fixed packages may still see resets later — the point is timing, not an immediate shock.
Non-oil exports to ASEAN flat month-on-month
Electronics shipments steadied the headline figure; analysts want two more months before calling a trend.
Retail rents in Orchard corridor tick up slightly
Tourism footfall helped, but landlords report cautious renewals — commentary, not advice.
Technology
Vendor outage review: agencies want faster public status pages
A three-hour disruption hit several portals; regulators asked for clearer customer comms.
Digital ID adoption crosses halfway mark among eligible adults
Uptake is faster among mobile-first users; seniors' centres still report paper-form demand.
World
ASEAN chair issues maritime confidence-building statement
Language stressed dialogue; Singapore delegates framed it as stability for shipping lanes.
Regional climate fund board meets on adaptation grants
Small-island states pushed for faster disbursement — reporting from a multilateral briefing.
Culture
Bugis arts week spillover lifts weekend bookshop sales
Owners say weekday traffic is thinner — a mixed picture for independent retailers.
National Gallery extends late-night hours for July
Free programmes for students on Thursdays; tickets still required for special exhibitions.
Explainers
Go deeper on today's lead
Headlines tell you what moved; our explainer desk tells you why it matters. Correspondents file dispatch notes through the day; the flagship feature is updated on the story page with verification checkpoints and corrections logged when needed. Subscribers get the same coverage in a compact newsletter each morning — part of our membership offer for APAC readers who value press freedom and reporting in the public interest.
