Wages in Singapore grew 3.2% in 2024, fewer firms planning increase in 2025
SINGAPORE, May 28 (Reuters) - Real wages in Singapore grew 3.2% in 2024 compared to 0.4% in 2023, government data on Wednesday showed.
However, the share of firms planning wage increases going forward has declined to 22% in March compared to 32% in December 2024 because of geopolitical tensions and global trade uncertainties, according to a survey by the manpower ministry.
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The Guardian
20 minutes ago
- The Guardian
China accuses US of ‘seriously violating' trade truce
China has accused the US of 'seriously violating' the fragile US-China detente that has been in place for less than a month since the two countries agreed to pause the trade war that risked upending the global economy. China and the US agreed on 12 May to pause for 90 days the skyrocketing 'reciprocal' tariffs that both countries had placed on the others goods in a frenzied trade war that started a few weeks earlier. Tariffs had reached 125% on each side, which officials feared amounted to virtual embargo on trade between the world's two biggest economies. Donald Trump had hailed the pause as a 'total reset' of US-China relations. But since then, trade negotiations have faltered, with the US complaining that China has not delivered on promises to roll back restrictions on the export of key critical minerals to the US. The US president said on Friday that China had 'totally violated' the agreement. The US Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said on Sunday: 'What China is doing is they are holding back products that are essential for the industrial supply chains of India, of Europe. And that is not what a reliable partner does.' During the period of aggressive retaliatory trade measures between the US and China in April, China had restricted the export of certain rare earth minerals and magnets, which are critical for US manufacturing. The restrictions were expected to be relaxed after the 12 May agreement but the process appears to have been patchy at best. Now, US companies, particularly car manufacturers, are reportedly running out of magnets. China hit back on Monday, accusing the US of violating and undermining the agreements reached in Geneva in May, and the consensus between Trump and Xi Jinping, China's president, on their 17 January phone call. China's commerce ministry said on Monday: 'The US has successively introduced a number of discriminatory restrictive measures against China, including issuing export control guidelines for AI chips, stopping the sale of chip design software to China, and announcing the revocation of Chinese student visas.' The ministry said China 'is determined to safeguard its rights and interests' and denied the accusation from the US that it had undermined the 12 May agreement. The US has indicated that another Xi-Trump call is expected soon. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion But outside the trade talks, US-China relations have soured in a number of areas. Last week, China condemned the announcement from the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, that the US would 'aggressively' revoke the visas of Chinese students in his country. And over the weekend, China and the US traded barbs over comments made by the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, at a conference in Singapore. Hegseth said that China was potentially an 'imminent' threat, while China's foreign ministry said that his comments were 'filled with provocations and intended to sow division'.
Geeky Gadgets
26 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Is This the Future of Slim Flagships?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge redefines smartphone engineering with its ultra-thin 5.8 mm profile, setting a new benchmark for sleek and lightweight devices. This innovative design emphasizes portability and premium materials, but it also raises important questions about the trade-offs required to achieve such minimalism. While the device impresses with its aesthetics, compromises in areas like battery life, durability, and camera functionality reveal the challenges of balancing form with function. The video below from Marques Brownlee gives us a detailed look at the handset. Watch this video on YouTube. Design and Build: A Study in Minimalism The Galaxy S25 Edge exemplifies modern industrial design with its ultra-thin frame and lightweight construction, making it one of the most portable smartphones on the market. Crafted from premium materials such as Gorilla Glass, ceramic, and a titanium frame, the device combines sophistication with a sense of durability. Its design is not only visually striking but also offers a unique tactile experience that many users will find appealing. However, the pursuit of thinness introduces notable drawbacks. The slim profile, while elegant, can make the phone feel less robust, raising concerns about its ability to withstand accidental drops. Additionally, the device's design causes it to wobble slightly when placed on flat surfaces without a case, which may frustrate users seeking stability. Despite these challenges, the S25 Edge's minimalist design remains a compelling choice for those who prioritize aesthetics and portability. Display and Software: A Visual and Functional Delight The S25 Edge features a stunning 6.7-inch display with a 1440p resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant visuals and smooth performance. Whether you're streaming videos, gaming, or browsing, the screen provides crisp details and fluid responsiveness, making it a standout feature of the device. The edge-to-edge design further enhances the immersive viewing experience, appealing to users who value high-quality displays. On the software front, the updated One UI 7 brings subtle yet meaningful refinements. While it retains the familiar interface, it enhances usability with improved navigation and customization options. These updates ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience, allowing users to maximize the device's capabilities with minimal effort. Together, the display and software create a harmonious blend of visual appeal and functionality, making the S25 Edge a pleasure to use for both work and entertainment. Camera Performance: Impressive, but Not Without Limits The Galaxy S25 Edge is equipped with a 200 MP main camera, capable of capturing highly detailed and vibrant images. This makes it an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts who prioritize image quality. The 12 MP ultrawide lens adds versatility, excelling in capturing expansive landscapes and intricate macro shots. These features ensure that the device performs well in a variety of photographic scenarios. However, the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens is a significant limitation. Instead, the phone relies on digital zoom, which can result in a noticeable loss of image quality, particularly at higher magnifications. While the camera system is impressive for an ultra-thin device, it falls short of the versatility offered by thicker smartphones with more comprehensive camera arrays. For users who prioritize photography, this trade-off may be a deciding factor. Battery Life: A Compromise for Thinness The S25 Edge's 3,900 mAh battery represents one of the most significant compromises in its design. While it supports approximately 4.5 to 5 hours of active usage, this falls short compared to other models in the Galaxy S25 lineup. For users who have frequent access to charging, this limitation may be manageable. However, heavy users or those who are often on the move may find the reduced battery life restrictive. This trade-off highlights the challenges of integrating larger batteries into ultra-thin devices. As manufacturers continue to prioritize slim designs, advancements in energy density remain critical to overcoming these limitations. For now, the S25 Edge's battery life underscores the delicate balance between achieving a sleek profile and maintaining practical functionality. The Trade-offs of Ultra-Thin Design The Galaxy S25 Edge's ultra-thin design comes with several compromises that potential users should consider: Reduced battery capacity, limiting screen-on time for heavy users. Durability concerns, particularly in scenarios involving accidental drops. The absence of a telephoto lens, relying instead on digital zoom for magnification. While these trade-offs may be acceptable to users who prioritize portability and aesthetics, they highlight the limitations of current technology in achieving a perfect balance between style and functionality. The S25 Edge serves as a reminder that innovation often involves navigating complex trade-offs. Industry Trends: The Future of Ultra-Thin Smartphones The Galaxy S25 Edge reflects a broader industry trend toward thinner and lighter smartphones. As manufacturers push the boundaries of design, advancements in battery technology, such as silicon-carbon batteries, offer hope for addressing the energy density challenges of ultra-thin devices. These emerging technologies promise to deliver higher energy storage in smaller footprints, potentially allowing future smartphones to combine slim designs with longer battery life. Speculation about upcoming devices, such as the rumored iPhone 17 Air, suggests that the industry will continue to explore the possibilities of ultra-thin designs. These developments could redefine the balance between style and functionality, paving the way for smartphones that deliver both aesthetic appeal and practical performance. As technology evolves, the potential for ultra-thin devices to meet the demands of modern users becomes increasingly promising. Here are more guides from our previous articles and guides related to Ultra-thin smartphones that you may find helpful. Source & Image Credit: Marques Brownlee Filed Under: Android News, Mobile Phone News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
One of the world's busiest airports reveals plans for new £7billion mega terminal with 50million more passengers
A HUGE new mega terminal is set to transform one of the world's best airports. Changi Airport, in Singapore, has not only been named the best in recent years, but is also the fourth busiest in the world. 6 6 6 Known for having the world's biggest indoor waterfall as well, the major airport has revealed plans to open a new Terminal 5. Also called T5, the new terminal will welcome another 50million passengers when complete, adding to the current 90million at the airport. It will also allow flights to connect Singapore to 200 cities, up from the current 170 cities. The new terminal will be connected to Terminal 2, and will be the base of Singapore Airlines. Vertical gardens with indoor trees and plant areas will be throughout the terminal, which also has huge glass roofs and walls to let in as much daylight as possible. And a former military runway will become the airport's third runway used by commercial jets, and increased from 1.7miles to 2.5miles. Contactless touchpoints and automated check ins will speed up the process of travelling from landside to gate. The new designs have been created by British-based Heatherwick Studio, behind UK projects such at Coal Drops Yard and BT Tower in London. This is alongside American architecture firm KPF, behind Atlantis The Royal in Dubai and projects in Bermondsey and central London. Thomas Heatherwick, design director of Heatherwick Studio, said it will be full of "lush greenery and characterful districts that redefine what an airport can be". Inside the 'best airport in the world' following 3-year renovation - with 45ft 'waterfall,' indoor garden & robot bartender Work has already started on the 2,670 acre area, which will nearly double the current airport size. The new runway could open as soon as 2027, ahead of the full opening of the project. The terminal expects to fully open by the mid 2030s, costing around $10billion (£7.3bilion) according to Simple Flying. The last new opening at Changi Airport was the entertainment and shopping district the Jewel, back in 2019. 6 6 And a new passport-free system is being rolled out at the airport's immigration, with biometric checks instead. It's not the only major airport expansion taking place right now. Dubai is opening the new Al Maktoum International Airport by 2031, which will handle up to 260million passengers a year. This will replace the current Dubai International Airport - which welcomes 92million passengers - which will close when the new airport is completed. Here are the 15 busiest airports in the UK by passenger numbers in 2023 London Heathrow - 79.2 million London Gatwick - 40.9 million Manchester - 28.1 million London Stansted - 28.0 million London Luton - 16.4 million Edinburgh - 14.4 million Birmingham - 11.5 million Bristol - 9.9 million Glasgow - 7.4 million Belfast International - 6.0 million Newcastle - 4.8 million Liverpool - 4.2 million Leeds Bradford - 4.0 million East Midlands - 3.9 million London City - 3.4 million And Poland's £25billion Warsaw Solidarity Airport wants to take on Heathrow and Dubai as a hub airport, with 65million passengers. Here is the new £1.1billion new airport terminal opening in Casablanca in Morocco. 6
