China, Solomon Islands ink police cooperation deal

China and Solomon Islands sign police cooperation deal, deepening bilateral partnership after diplomatic shift from Taiwan.

North Korea threatens to down US spy planes violating its airspace

North Korea warns of shooting down US spy planes and criticizes the deployment of a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.

While the people share a shrinking pie, they want to have their cake and eat it

Opinion: Ministers’ high salaries were justified as compensation for sacrifices made, but controversies like the Ridout saga reveal unresolved issues of income, sacrifice, and entitlement in Singaporean politics.

Six killed in China kindergarten attack

Six killed, one wounded in attack at China kindergarten; suspect arrested; country faces spate of violent incidents targeting schools.

One dead as Japan warns of ‘heaviest rain ever’ in southwest

Deadly landslide and widespread evacuations as southwestern Japan faces “heaviest rain ever,” endangering lives and causing devastation.

Japan sea sludge tells story of human impact on Earth

The sediment in Japan’s Beppu Bay is being considered as a “golden spike” location for the Anthropocene epoch, capturing human-induced changes such as nuclear bomb testing, ecosystem shifts, and industrialization. The bay’s unique characteristics allow for the preservation of diverse anthropogenic markers, offering a precise record of the past century. Its signatures from nuclear tests make it a compelling site. The designation of the Anthropocene serves as a warning for humanity to address the rapid deterioration of the environment.

Signs of the human era, from nuclear fallout to microplastics

Humans have left their mark on the planet, with signs of their influence found everywhere. The Anthropocene Working Group is set to announce a representative site, but the official designation as a geological time unit is pending. The weight of humanity is evident in the surge of greenhouse gases, dominance of land mammals and birds, proliferation of technofossils, and presence of microplastics and forever chemicals. As the Anthropocene era unfolds, humanity’s response and the potential for a mass extinction are yet to be seen. Antarctica may be the only place untouched, but without change, even its ice sheets will melt.

Singapore banks told to phase out SMS OTP as sole factor of authenticating high-risk transactions

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has required banks to phase out SMS OTP as a sole factor to authenticate high-risk transactions,” said Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam in a recent parliamentary reply

Nearly 2,200 work permit holders received approval from MOM to marry Singapore citizens in 2021 and 2022

Singapore Parliament: Nearly 1,100 work permit holders received approval to marry Singapore citizens annually between 2021 and 2022, with females making up 84% of these approved applications.

Asia Centre report highlights proliferation of unchecked hate sites in Singapore

“Political Hate Sites in Singapore: Flourishing Without Repercussions” by Asia Centre reveals the challenges of public accountability and free speech. The report criticizes the Singapore government’s handling of online hate content and calls for stricter monitoring and transparent handling by tech companies.