Singapore Prioritizes Jobs Amid Fragmenting World, Rise of AI
The impact of the US-China rivalry, President Donald Trump's tariff war and threats to workers from new technologies were the key challenges Wong highlighted in his annual National Day Rally speech on Sunday, marking the country's 60th year.
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Sengkang Green Primary School suspends three P3 students over death threats; Key takeaways from NDR 2025: Singapore live news
Sengkang Green Primary School says they have suspended three Primary 3 students after it emerged they sent death threats to a classmate's mother who had reported them for alleged bullying offences against her daughter. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong issued a rallying cry as he called on Singaporeans to unite and write the next chapter of the nation's story. PM Wong outlined in his National Day Rally (NDR) speech, on 17 August, several plans the government has to support Singaporeans as they come to grips with multiple challenges. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates: Sengkang Green Primary School suspends three P3 students over death threats Three Primary 3 students from Sengkang Green Primary School have been suspended after they sent death threats to a classmate's mother who had reported them for alleged bullying offences against her daughter. Facebook user Ni Yin, who claims to be the victim's mother, posted that for almost six months her daughter had been persistently bullied by three boys in her class. She also included an audio clip of the death threats sent to her where a voice can be heard saying: "I might dissect her. I might dissect her into pieces like you. So which one do you want me to do? Dissect her? Or end her life in school? Choose one. Either don't want one, I will kill you instead and your husband." Sengkang Green Primary School, in response to CNA, revealed it has engaged with the parents of the three students on their actions, and those who made the calls and threats were immediately suspended. However, the school added that "in the course of the school's investigations, we found that the affected student had also engaged in hurtful behaviours." The girl's mother said the school's statement about her daughter's behaviour "deeply harms the victim, diverts public attention, and shifts blame onto the child". The family of the girl made a police report after receiving the death threats. They also raised the issue with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and their Member of Parliament (MP). NDR 2025: Key takeaways Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his first National Day Rally after the General Election 2025. Here are key takeaways from Sunday night's speech. More details about each topic in the links. Vaping will be treated as a drug issue with much stiffer penalties to be imposed. Govt to help workers better use AI in a bid to raise productivity and create new value in the economy. Schools to help students adapt to new technologies like AI while developing human qualities. Singapore to consider more ways to support parents and make online spaces safer for children. Match job seekers to roles nearer to home: Community development councils (CDCs) to lead effort. New state-funded traineeship programme for ITE, poly, university graduates. Rolling out of Age Well Neighbourhoods to support seniors. First homes at former Kranji racecourse to be ready in about 10 years. New Islamic college to be located next to SUSS in Rochor. You can watch PM Wong's full speech from the National Day Rally 2025, here. Singapore steps up anti-vaping efforts on public transport Commuters caught vaping in public transport spaces will be "removed from the premises and reported to authorities", warned the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on 18 August. LTA added that the police may be called in for offenders "found to be intoxicated" and that "our station staff are on active patrol to keep our public transport spaces safe and smoke-free." Echoing LTA, operator SMRT also released a statement today on Facebook reminding the public that vaping is "strictly banned" on their public transport network. "We enforce a zero-tolerance policy and will not hesitate to report offenders to the relevant authorities." The statements follow shortly after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's announcement during Sunday's National Day Rally speech where he declared the government will treat vaping as a drug issue with stiffer penalties to be imposed. 'Running Man' star Kim Jong-kook announces marriage plans View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jk (@kjk76) Kim Jong-kook has news that will delight (or perhaps upset some) fans. The star of the hit series 'Running Man' is set to get married. The 49-year-old singer and entertainer announced the big development via a handwritten letter on his fan cafe this morning (18 August). He wrote: "At some point, I always thought to myself that a day would come when I would write and post something like this, so I kept preparing for it in my heart. But now that I am actually writing it, I feel much more nervous and anxious than I had imagined...I am getting married." Kim did not reveal the identity of his wife-to-be but did share that the wedding will be held soon in a "small setting with family and a few close friends". "I know that for many of you, the news will feel quite sudden. This year marks my 30th debut anniversary and instead of making the album I was supposed to make, I ended up making my other half," he said. Ker Ah Kin, owner of iconic Long Hwee stationery store, dies aged 78 Ker Ah Kin, the beloved owner of the iconic Long Hwee stationery store in Mei Ling, has died at the age of 78. The news was shared by Facebook page My Community on the evening of 15 August, along with a touching tribute, which you can read in full through the link. "Thanks for making all Queenstown kids fall in love with books and reading," a line from the tribute read. "We will always remember your soft, sweet smile. We will always remember you." Ker, with her husband Wee Kak Choo, set up their Queenstown store in 1968 and over the decades it became a permanent fixture for students and residents in the neighbourhood. In an interview with Mothership in June 2023, Ker revealed that business had been poor for a while and she was contemplating closing her much-loved store. NDR 2025: What analysts thought of PM Wong's rallying cry The Straits Times interviewed a number of analysts to offer their thoughts on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech on 17 August. Dr Gillian Koh, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), described the speech as a rallying call around the Singapore spirit. Associate Professor Eugene Tan, a political analyst at the Singapore Management University, shared similar thoughts, adding that the "speech sought to be reassuring, optimistic, encouraging, and a call to action." Dr Mathew Mathews, a principal research fellow at IPS and head of its Social Lab, said PM Wong's emphasis that Singapore must be a 'we first' society instead of "me first" was a much-needed refrain. "What binds all of us will not be where we were born, or our ethnicities, but the common spirit to defy the odds and trust in the people around us who call this home,' he said. Adjunct associate professor in practice Terence Ho from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS noted that Wong's focus on young people – including highlighting issues of vaping and excessive screen time – stood out for him. "This segment may not have received as much attention as other demographic groups previously,' he said. You can read the full ST article, here. PHOTOS: Hundreds of thousands in Israel protest Netanyahu's Gaza plan You can read about the protests in Tel Aviv and protests in Jerusalem, here. WP urges govt to engage widely and consider all options amid global uncertainty The Workers' Party (WP) – Singapore's largest opposition party – have responded to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech. They urged the government to "leave no stone unturned" as Singapore looks to thrive despite global economic uncertainty. "Against this cautious backdrop, the Workers' Party urges the government to engage widely and explore all solutions tabled in good faith, including previously untapped ones," said WP. Among the needs addressed in WP's lengthy statement included ensuring that Singapore's economy remains resilient and keeps up with the times. "We reiterate our manifesto proposals that JTC Corporation should expand its market share for industrial space and continue offering low-rent options at different price-value points for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) alongside its private sector-run facilities," said WP. WP also once again called for a statutory minimum wage. You can read WP's full statement, here. Three Primary 3 students from Sengkang Green Primary School have been suspended after they sent death threats to a classmate's mother who had reported them for alleged bullying offences against her daughter. Facebook user Ni Yin, who claims to be the victim's mother, posted that for almost six months her daughter had been persistently bullied by three boys in her class. She also included an audio clip of the death threats sent to her where a voice can be heard saying: "I might dissect her. I might dissect her into pieces like you. So which one do you want me to do? Dissect her? Or end her life in school? Choose one. Either don't want one, I will kill you instead and your husband." Sengkang Green Primary School, in response to CNA, revealed it has engaged with the parents of the three students on their actions, and those who made the calls and threats were immediately suspended. However, the school added that "in the course of the school's investigations, we found that the affected student had also engaged in hurtful behaviours." The girl's mother said the school's statement about her daughter's behaviour "deeply harms the victim, diverts public attention, and shifts blame onto the child". The family of the girl made a police report after receiving the death threats. They also raised the issue with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and their Member of Parliament (MP). Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his first National Day Rally after the General Election 2025. Here are key takeaways from Sunday night's speech. More details about each topic in the links. Vaping will be treated as a drug issue with much stiffer penalties to be imposed. Govt to help workers better use AI in a bid to raise productivity and create new value in the economy. Schools to help students adapt to new technologies like AI while developing human qualities. Singapore to consider more ways to support parents and make online spaces safer for children. Match job seekers to roles nearer to home: Community development councils (CDCs) to lead effort. New state-funded traineeship programme for ITE, poly, university graduates. Rolling out of Age Well Neighbourhoods to support seniors. First homes at former Kranji racecourse to be ready in about 10 years. New Islamic college to be located next to SUSS in Rochor. You can watch PM Wong's full speech from the National Day Rally 2025, here. Singapore steps up anti-vaping efforts on public transport Commuters caught vaping in public transport spaces will be "removed from the premises and reported to authorities", warned the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on 18 August. LTA added that the police may be called in for offenders "found to be intoxicated" and that "our station staff are on active patrol to keep our public transport spaces safe and smoke-free." Echoing LTA, operator SMRT also released a statement today on Facebook reminding the public that vaping is "strictly banned" on their public transport network. "We enforce a zero-tolerance policy and will not hesitate to report offenders to the relevant authorities." The statements follow shortly after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's announcement during Sunday's National Day Rally speech where he declared the government will treat vaping as a drug issue with stiffer penalties to be imposed. Commuters caught vaping in public transport spaces will be "removed from the premises and reported to authorities", warned the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on 18 August. LTA added that the police may be called in for offenders "found to be intoxicated" and that "our station staff are on active patrol to keep our public transport spaces safe and smoke-free." Echoing LTA, operator SMRT also released a statement today on Facebook reminding the public that vaping is "strictly banned" on their public transport network. "We enforce a zero-tolerance policy and will not hesitate to report offenders to the relevant authorities." The statements follow shortly after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's announcement during Sunday's National Day Rally speech where he declared the government will treat vaping as a drug issue with stiffer penalties to be imposed. 'Running Man' star Kim Jong-kook announces marriage plans View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jk (@kjk76) Kim Jong-kook has news that will delight (or perhaps upset some) fans. The star of the hit series 'Running Man' is set to get married. The 49-year-old singer and entertainer announced the big development via a handwritten letter on his fan cafe this morning (18 August). He wrote: "At some point, I always thought to myself that a day would come when I would write and post something like this, so I kept preparing for it in my heart. But now that I am actually writing it, I feel much more nervous and anxious than I had imagined...I am getting married." Kim did not reveal the identity of his wife-to-be but did share that the wedding will be held soon in a "small setting with family and a few close friends". "I know that for many of you, the news will feel quite sudden. This year marks my 30th debut anniversary and instead of making the album I was supposed to make, I ended up making my other half," he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jk (@kjk76) Kim Jong-kook has news that will delight (or perhaps upset some) fans. The star of the hit series 'Running Man' is set to get married. The 49-year-old singer and entertainer announced the big development via a handwritten letter on his fan cafe this morning (18 August). He wrote: "At some point, I always thought to myself that a day would come when I would write and post something like this, so I kept preparing for it in my heart. But now that I am actually writing it, I feel much more nervous and anxious than I had imagined...I am getting married." Kim did not reveal the identity of his wife-to-be but did share that the wedding will be held soon in a "small setting with family and a few close friends". "I know that for many of you, the news will feel quite sudden. This year marks my 30th debut anniversary and instead of making the album I was supposed to make, I ended up making my other half," he said. Ker Ah Kin, owner of iconic Long Hwee stationery store, dies aged 78 Ker Ah Kin, the beloved owner of the iconic Long Hwee stationery store in Mei Ling, has died at the age of 78. The news was shared by Facebook page My Community on the evening of 15 August, along with a touching tribute, which you can read in full through the link. "Thanks for making all Queenstown kids fall in love with books and reading," a line from the tribute read. "We will always remember your soft, sweet smile. We will always remember you." Ker, with her husband Wee Kak Choo, set up their Queenstown store in 1968 and over the decades it became a permanent fixture for students and residents in the neighbourhood. In an interview with Mothership in June 2023, Ker revealed that business had been poor for a while and she was contemplating closing her much-loved store. Ker Ah Kin, the beloved owner of the iconic Long Hwee stationery store in Mei Ling, has died at the age of 78. The news was shared by Facebook page My Community on the evening of 15 August, along with a touching tribute, which you can read in full through the link. "Thanks for making all Queenstown kids fall in love with books and reading," a line from the tribute read. "We will always remember your soft, sweet smile. We will always remember you." Ker, with her husband Wee Kak Choo, set up their Queenstown store in 1968 and over the decades it became a permanent fixture for students and residents in the neighbourhood. In an interview with Mothership in June 2023, Ker revealed that business had been poor for a while and she was contemplating closing her much-loved store. NDR 2025: What analysts thought of PM Wong's rallying cry The Straits Times interviewed a number of analysts to offer their thoughts on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech on 17 August. Dr Gillian Koh, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), described the speech as a rallying call around the Singapore spirit. Associate Professor Eugene Tan, a political analyst at the Singapore Management University, shared similar thoughts, adding that the "speech sought to be reassuring, optimistic, encouraging, and a call to action." Dr Mathew Mathews, a principal research fellow at IPS and head of its Social Lab, said PM Wong's emphasis that Singapore must be a 'we first' society instead of "me first" was a much-needed refrain. "What binds all of us will not be where we were born, or our ethnicities, but the common spirit to defy the odds and trust in the people around us who call this home,' he said. Adjunct associate professor in practice Terence Ho from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS noted that Wong's focus on young people – including highlighting issues of vaping and excessive screen time – stood out for him. "This segment may not have received as much attention as other demographic groups previously,' he said. You can read the full ST article, here. The Straits Times interviewed a number of analysts to offer their thoughts on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech on 17 August. Dr Gillian Koh, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), described the speech as a rallying call around the Singapore spirit. Associate Professor Eugene Tan, a political analyst at the Singapore Management University, shared similar thoughts, adding that the "speech sought to be reassuring, optimistic, encouraging, and a call to action." Dr Mathew Mathews, a principal research fellow at IPS and head of its Social Lab, said PM Wong's emphasis that Singapore must be a 'we first' society instead of "me first" was a much-needed refrain. "What binds all of us will not be where we were born, or our ethnicities, but the common spirit to defy the odds and trust in the people around us who call this home,' he said. Adjunct associate professor in practice Terence Ho from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS noted that Wong's focus on young people – including highlighting issues of vaping and excessive screen time – stood out for him. "This segment may not have received as much attention as other demographic groups previously,' he said. You can read the full ST article, here. PHOTOS: Hundreds of thousands in Israel protest Netanyahu's Gaza plan You can read about the protests in Tel Aviv and protests in Jerusalem, here. You can read about the protests in Tel Aviv and protests in Jerusalem, here. WP urges govt to engage widely and consider all options amid global uncertainty The Workers' Party (WP) – Singapore's largest opposition party – have responded to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech. They urged the government to "leave no stone unturned" as Singapore looks to thrive despite global economic uncertainty. "Against this cautious backdrop, the Workers' Party urges the government to engage widely and explore all solutions tabled in good faith, including previously untapped ones," said WP. Among the needs addressed in WP's lengthy statement included ensuring that Singapore's economy remains resilient and keeps up with the times. "We reiterate our manifesto proposals that JTC Corporation should expand its market share for industrial space and continue offering low-rent options at different price-value points for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) alongside its private sector-run facilities," said WP. WP also once again called for a statutory minimum wage. You can read WP's full statement, here. The Workers' Party (WP) – Singapore's largest opposition party – have responded to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech. They urged the government to "leave no stone unturned" as Singapore looks to thrive despite global economic uncertainty. "Against this cautious backdrop, the Workers' Party urges the government to engage widely and explore all solutions tabled in good faith, including previously untapped ones," said WP. Among the needs addressed in WP's lengthy statement included ensuring that Singapore's economy remains resilient and keeps up with the times. "We reiterate our manifesto proposals that JTC Corporation should expand its market share for industrial space and continue offering low-rent options at different price-value points for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) alongside its private sector-run facilities," said WP. WP also once again called for a statutory minimum wage. You can read WP's full statement, here.
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