'Growing Up' actor Andrew Seow's career pivot stuns fans; DPM Gan says US tariffs may stay beyond Trump: Singapore live news

Yahoo

04-07-2025

Andrew Seow, the actor who played Gary Tay in the beloved 90s drama "Growing Up", is now an auxiliary police officer with Aetos Security Management. Inspired by his father's legacy, Seow made the career switch at 55, undergoing formal training and joining the force through Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programme.
Fans were delighted by a viral video of Seow re-enacting a scene from the show, this time in uniform. While he says he misses acting, Seow hinted at a surprise for longtime supporters.
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong has warned that US tariffs may persist beyond Donald Trump's presidency, urging businesses to prepare for a more protectionist global trade environment. Speaking at the ASEAN Conference 2025, Gan said firms should stop banking on political transitions and instead adapt by segmenting supply chains, meeting US conditions, and diversifying markets.
Gan emphasised that tariffs are now a bipartisan tool in Washington and a source of tax revenue. Singapore is responding by deepening ASEAN integration and advocating WTO reform. Gan says the global trade game has changed, and Singapore must evolve.
Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.
Andrew Seow, once Singapore's favourite on-screen bad boy, is now patrolling the streets as an auxiliary police officer. The 55-year-old actor, famed for his role as Gary Tay in "Growing Up", has joined Aetos Security Management.
His decision was deeply personal. Seow credits his late father, an auxiliary officer during British rule, for inspiring the move. 'He asked me to do something meaningful,' Seow shared in a recent video. 'I said, 'Okay, let me try.''
The career switch wasn't just symbolic. Seow enrolled in Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programme, trained in firearms, and now serves with full police powers.
Fans were stunned but supportive. A viral Instagram clip shows Seow re-enacting a scene from "Growing Up", this time in uniform, with content creator Zaki Hussain.
Seow says he misses acting but not the spotlight. 'I miss my fans,' he smiled. 'And for those waiting – I've got a surprise coming.'
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Zaki Hussain (@zakiv4)
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong has a message for businesses: stop waiting for US tariffs to vanish. Speaking at the ASEAN Conference 2025, Gan warned that bipartisan support for tariffs in Washington means they're likely to stick around, even if Trump doesn't.
Gan urged firms to brace for higher export costs and stricter supply chain scrutiny, especially in sectors like steel, autos, and pharmaceuticals. He advised setting up separate production lines for US-bound goods and diversifying into new markets.
The US is pushing for 'fair and balanced trade', which includes reshoring critical industries and demanding more imports from trading partners. Gan said this shift is structural, not political.
Singapore, which faces a baseline 10 per cent tariff, has ruled out retaliation. Instead, it's doubling down on ASEAN integration and WTO reform to preserve open trade.
Gan's bottom line: adapt now or risk being sidelined in a more fragmented global economy.
Read on DPM Gan saying tariffs aren't going anywhere here.
Singapore has been named one of the top countries in Asia-Pacific for life-work balance, placing third in Remote's 2025 global index. The ranking reflects improvements in statutory leave and overall well-being.
The index scores countries on a 100-point scale, factoring in healthcare access, safety, inclusivity, and average working hours. Singapore's score of 57.85 places it 25th globally and third in APAC.
New Zealand and Australia lead the region, with Singapore close behind thanks to policy enhancements and a strong social support system. Malaysia also made gains, jumping 20 spots year-on-year.
Meanwhile, the US and several Asian economies continue to struggle, weighed down by long hours and limited worker protections. China ranks 52nd out of 60.
The report underscores a growing global shift, where flexibility and well-being are becoming more valued than hustle culture.
Singapore has rolled out new property rules to curb speculative flipping, raising seller's stamp duty (SSD) rates and extending the holding period for private homes.
SSD now applies for up to four years, with rates climbing to 16 per cent for sales within the first year. The changes affect all purchases made from Friday (4 July).
The move follows a spike in sub-sales, especially of uncompleted units. Authorities say the trend threatens market stability and affordability.
The announcement jolted the market, with developer stocks sliding and analysts scrambling to reassess July's launch pipeline.
The government says the changes aim to stabilise the market, not punish genuine buyers. But with mortgage rates falling, speculation may have been poised to rise again.
Read on how the SSD changes reshape the property scene here.
US President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill has officially cleared Congress, marking the first major legislative win of his second term. The US$4.5 trillion package, dubbed the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' makes permanent his 2017 tax cuts, slashes Medicaid and food assistance, and boosts military and border security funding. It also raises the debt ceiling by US$5 trillion, prompting warnings from fiscal watchdogs.
The bill's passage was anything but smooth. Vice President JD Vance broke a Senate tie, while House Speaker Mike Johnson wrangled dissenters in a marathon overnight session. Trump himself worked the phones, mixing charm and pressure to sway holdouts. The final vote came after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a record-breaking 8-hour speech opposing the bill.
Critics argue the legislation redistributes wealth upward, guts the social safety net, and risks long-term economic instability. Supporters hail it as a fulfilment of Trump's campaign promises and a reset of America's fiscal priorities. With midterms looming, both parties are gearing up to weaponise the bill's impact.
Trump is expected to sign the bill on Friday (4 July) with a celebratory flyover. But the real fireworks may come in 2026, when voters weigh in on the consequences.
Read on some of the key takeaways and impact of Trump's "big, beautiful bill" here.
Singapore's opposition party the Workers' Party (WP) has dismissed People's Action Party's (PAP) criticism of Pritam Singh's podcast interview as baseless. WP insists the interview was candid, constructive and well-received by Singaporeans.
The WP said on Thursday (3 July) that Singh's remarks were patriotic and did not denounce Singapore. They say the podcast showcased how opposition voices can engage respectfully on national issues.
WP challenged the notion that foreign media engagement is taboo, citing PAP's own history of international interviews. They called out the double standard and demanded clarity on any supposed restrictions.
The party also addressed past allegations of foreign influence, reiterating that no promises or deals were made with Malaysian figures. They say the PAP is recycling old controversies for political gain.
WP says the podcast episode strengthened democratic discourse, not weakened it.
The controversy stems from Pritam's 24 June interview on Keluar Sekejap, a Malaysian podcast, which PAP claims crossed a line in airing domestic issues abroad.
Read on WP rebuffing PAP's 'water's edge' doctrine here.
Andrew Seow, once Singapore's favourite on-screen bad boy, is now patrolling the streets as an auxiliary police officer. The 55-year-old actor, famed for his role as Gary Tay in "Growing Up", has joined Aetos Security Management.
His decision was deeply personal. Seow credits his late father, an auxiliary officer during British rule, for inspiring the move. 'He asked me to do something meaningful,' Seow shared in a recent video. 'I said, 'Okay, let me try.''
The career switch wasn't just symbolic. Seow enrolled in Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programme, trained in firearms, and now serves with full police powers.
Fans were stunned but supportive. A viral Instagram clip shows Seow re-enacting a scene from "Growing Up", this time in uniform, with content creator Zaki Hussain.
Seow says he misses acting but not the spotlight. 'I miss my fans,' he smiled. 'And for those waiting – I've got a surprise coming.'
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Zaki Hussain (@zakiv4)
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong has a message for businesses: stop waiting for US tariffs to vanish. Speaking at the ASEAN Conference 2025, Gan warned that bipartisan support for tariffs in Washington means they're likely to stick around, even if Trump doesn't.
Gan urged firms to brace for higher export costs and stricter supply chain scrutiny, especially in sectors like steel, autos, and pharmaceuticals. He advised setting up separate production lines for US-bound goods and diversifying into new markets.
The US is pushing for 'fair and balanced trade', which includes reshoring critical industries and demanding more imports from trading partners. Gan said this shift is structural, not political.
Singapore, which faces a baseline 10 per cent tariff, has ruled out retaliation. Instead, it's doubling down on ASEAN integration and WTO reform to preserve open trade.
Gan's bottom line: adapt now or risk being sidelined in a more fragmented global economy.
Read on DPM Gan saying tariffs aren't going anywhere here.
Singapore has been named one of the top countries in Asia-Pacific for life-work balance, placing third in Remote's 2025 global index. The ranking reflects improvements in statutory leave and overall well-being.
The index scores countries on a 100-point scale, factoring in healthcare access, safety, inclusivity, and average working hours. Singapore's score of 57.85 places it 25th globally and third in APAC.
New Zealand and Australia lead the region, with Singapore close behind thanks to policy enhancements and a strong social support system. Malaysia also made gains, jumping 20 spots year-on-year.
Meanwhile, the US and several Asian economies continue to struggle, weighed down by long hours and limited worker protections. China ranks 52nd out of 60.
The report underscores a growing global shift, where flexibility and well-being are becoming more valued than hustle culture.
Singapore has rolled out new property rules to curb speculative flipping, raising seller's stamp duty (SSD) rates and extending the holding period for private homes.
SSD now applies for up to four years, with rates climbing to 16 per cent for sales within the first year. The changes affect all purchases made from Friday (4 July).
The move follows a spike in sub-sales, especially of uncompleted units. Authorities say the trend threatens market stability and affordability.
The announcement jolted the market, with developer stocks sliding and analysts scrambling to reassess July's launch pipeline.
The government says the changes aim to stabilise the market, not punish genuine buyers. But with mortgage rates falling, speculation may have been poised to rise again.
Read on how the SSD changes reshape the property scene here.
US President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill has officially cleared Congress, marking the first major legislative win of his second term. The US$4.5 trillion package, dubbed the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' makes permanent his 2017 tax cuts, slashes Medicaid and food assistance, and boosts military and border security funding. It also raises the debt ceiling by US$5 trillion, prompting warnings from fiscal watchdogs.
The bill's passage was anything but smooth. Vice President JD Vance broke a Senate tie, while House Speaker Mike Johnson wrangled dissenters in a marathon overnight session. Trump himself worked the phones, mixing charm and pressure to sway holdouts. The final vote came after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a record-breaking 8-hour speech opposing the bill.
Critics argue the legislation redistributes wealth upward, guts the social safety net, and risks long-term economic instability. Supporters hail it as a fulfilment of Trump's campaign promises and a reset of America's fiscal priorities. With midterms looming, both parties are gearing up to weaponise the bill's impact.
Trump is expected to sign the bill on Friday (4 July) with a celebratory flyover. But the real fireworks may come in 2026, when voters weigh in on the consequences.
Read on some of the key takeaways and impact of Trump's "big, beautiful bill" here.
Singapore's opposition party the Workers' Party (WP) has dismissed People's Action Party's (PAP) criticism of Pritam Singh's podcast interview as baseless. WP insists the interview was candid, constructive and well-received by Singaporeans.
The WP said on Thursday (3 July) that Singh's remarks were patriotic and did not denounce Singapore. They say the podcast showcased how opposition voices can engage respectfully on national issues.
WP challenged the notion that foreign media engagement is taboo, citing PAP's own history of international interviews. They called out the double standard and demanded clarity on any supposed restrictions.
The party also addressed past allegations of foreign influence, reiterating that no promises or deals were made with Malaysian figures. They say the PAP is recycling old controversies for political gain.
WP says the podcast episode strengthened democratic discourse, not weakened it.
The controversy stems from Pritam's 24 June interview on Keluar Sekejap, a Malaysian podcast, which PAP claims crossed a line in airing domestic issues abroad.
Read on WP rebuffing PAP's 'water's edge' doctrine here.