A series of immigration measures announced by the UK government in its Budget 2026 could provide greater flexibility for employers recruiting overseas talent, despite maintaining the broader objective of reducing net migration, an expert has said.
Hegseth pitches US-Asean defence framework but will it be a hard sell?
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday proposed a new US-Asean defence framework to guide cooperation over what he called “critically important years” ahead, but offered few details on what it would entail.
The proposal faces questions over whether members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will embrace a bloc-wide initiative, with analysts suggesting they would prefer bilateral arrangements that preserve their flexibility as they navigate ties with Washington and…
‘Not to find scapegoats’: Singapore ministers summon bosses of 10 firms over haze
In a rare move, Singapore on Wednesday summoned top executives from 10 locally registered companies potentially linked to haze-causing fires in Indonesia to a meeting with three ministers.
The executives all agreed to cooperate fully in an investigation by the city state into the regional environmental crisis that has caused air quality to dip to “very unhealthy” levels earlier this month.
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Senior Minister K Shanmugam and Minister for Sustainability and the…
Standardisation of planning decision-making to take effect in England
Rules that will standardise processes for determining planning applications across England take effect on Saturday and are a welcome step towards supporting housing delivery, but developers should be aware of the risks of projects stalling in areas where there is resistance to the reforms, an expert has said.
Why Singapore’s PAP internal vote is the wrong place to look for signs of leadership renewal
Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) has retained its core executive team in what is seen as a cautious approach despite pledges of renewal, with observers pointing to ministerial promotions as a better indication of leadership plans.
The PAP emerged from an internal election on Sunday with an unchanged slate for the Central Executive Committee (CEC), its highest decision-making body, as rising ministers Jeffrey Siow and Jasmin Lau failed to secure seats, though four remaining co-opted…
Singapore, Indonesia to create haze task force, share data amid tensions
Indonesia and Singapore are looking to set up a joint task force to deal with haze from Indonesia’s wildfires, the countries’ foreign ministers said on Tuesday, as they met to reaffirm their ties after weeks of simmering tensions.
The visit to Jakarta by Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan came amid mounting frustrations in the city state over the transboundary haze generated by Indonesia’s most intense forest fires in 11 years.
After a two-hour meeting, Singapore and Indonesia’s top…
HMRC to intensify scrutiny of large businesses after government backs PAC tax compliance reforms
Large businesses should prepare for more intensive scrutiny from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) after the UK government accepted a series of recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of large business tax compliance, experts have said.
Japan companies to compensate customers after major cyberattacks
Japanese companies are moving to pay compensation to users following waves of cyberattacks that have disrupted internet services and raised concerns about economic stability.
GMO Internet said customers would be compensated for losses stemming from unauthorised access following a cyberattack on its foreign exchange trading service, and all customers would receive 5,000 yen (US$32) as “an initial gesture of good faith”, CEO Masatoshi Kumagai said in a blog post on Sunday.
The move comes after…
Singapore’s toxic haze probe expands to 10 palm oil, forestry firms
Singapore has expanded its investigation into haze-creating fires in Indonesia that have blanketed the city state in smog, requesting information from 10 locally registered companies.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) sent notices seeking documents and details of land concessions in Indonesia owned by the firms, their firefighting and blaze prevention measures, and their relationship to other relevant companies, according to a Friday statement.
All 10 Singapore-registered companies were…
Why more Japanese women are choosing ‘silver divorce’ after decades of marriage
Ayumi lives alone in a spacious suburban house originally bought to raise a family, her two cats now her only full-time companions. Her two daughters have grown up and left home, and her husband of more than two decades moved out nearly a year ago as they finalise a divorce.
For the 62-year-old Kawasaki resident, who spoke on condition that her surname be withheld, this was not how she envisioned her later years.
“He worked very long hours, including on weekends, and I was always busy taking…