Latest news with #RoslanRAHMAN
The Star
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Singapore factory activity enters contractionary phase
This photograph taken on March 18, 2019 shows a technician working at Rolls-Royce engine rotor assembly facility in Singapore. - Roslan RAHMAN / AFP SINGAPORE: Manufacturing output here slipped in July after a slight increase in June amid uncertainty over US tariffs. The purchasing managers' index (PMI) – a barometer of the sector's health – dipped from 50 points in June to 49.9 points. A reading above 50 indicates growth; one below suggests a contraction in output. Electronics, which accounts for around 40% of Singapore's manufacturing output, was a modestly bright spot, with its PMI reading edging up from 50.1 to 50.2 from June to July. Stephen Poh, executive director of the Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management, which compiles the index, said readings showing electronics in expansion and the broader manufacturing industry in contraction 'painted a mixed outlook'. 'Anecdotal evidence suggests that local manufacturers remained concerned about the uncertain global trade policy and tariffs, and many companies have held back their investment and hiring plans,' he added. The institute compiles PMI data monthly through surveys of logistics, procurement and supply chain managers. It said the July reading reflects a slower expansion in areas such as new orders and exports and input purchases. Expansion in finished goods, imports, supplier deliveries and order backlog also slowed, while factory output and employment contracted at a faster pace. OCBC Bank chief economist Selena Ling noted that the electronics sector has benefitted from the demand for artificial intelligence-related investment, even though demand from end consumers has been relatively subdued. The manufacturing and electronics employment indexes also stayed in contraction for the fourth consecutive month. This reflects 'cautious hiring intentions among factories, due to the high global uncertainty since Liberation Day', said DBS Bank senior economist Chua Han Teng. 'Labour demand in outward-oriented sectors, particularly those exposed to trade, will likely soften in the coming months.' A sub-index reflecting manufacturers' expectations of the business conditions ahead remained in contraction territory in July, although it shrank at a slower pace. This sentiment was seen in another PMI report also released on Aug 1. S&P Global data showed that manufacturers were the least optimistic about growth since the pandemic in July 2020, as US President Donald Trump pushes on with his tariffs. Frontloading – where advance orders are made to prepare for the prospect of higher tariffs – is a concern for manufacturers, Ling said. 'We are probably at an inflection point where reciprocal tariffs are about to kick in, and there are concerns if the front-loading effects will start to subside, with potential implications for external orders and global supply chain recalibration,' she added. Chua expects weaker demand to weigh on Singapore manufacturers in the months to come. He said the PMI data showed that 'new export orders remained in expansion in July 2025, suggesting supportive external demand for now, but this resilience is likely temporary. 'While the downside direct impact on Singapore would be contained from the unchanged global baseline US tariff rate of 10%, (its) exports and economy will still face indirect negative impact through its trade linkages with key trading partners.' — The Straits Times/ANN
Sinar Daily
25-07-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Changi Airport handles 17.5 million passengers in Q2 2025
Changi Airport Group (CAG) stated that the airport's top five markets for the quarter were China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and India. 25 Jul 2025 05:03pm A man takes picture of a Singapore Airlines Boeing 737 approaching for landing at Singapore Changi airport in Singapore on November 5, 2024. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN and ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP) SINGAPORE - Singapore Changi Airport registered 17.5 million passenger movements in the second quarter of this year (Q2 2025), representing a 5.9 per cent year-on-year growth. Changi Airport Group (CAG) stated that the airport's top five markets for the quarter were China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and India. A sign shows the direction to the Jewel complex at Singapore Changi Airport in Singapore on April 10, 2025. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) "Passenger traffic between Singapore and its top source markets, China and Indonesia, witnessed the highest growth during this period, with traffic exceeding 2024 levels by 15.8 per cent and 12 per cent respectively,' CAG said in a statement on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Changi Airport recorded 516,000 tonnes of airfreight throughput in Q2 2025, a 6.2 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Growth was registered across all cargo flows, with imports posting the strongest performance, increasing by eight per cent compared to Q2 2024. CAG said Changi's top five air cargo markets in the quarter were China, the United States, Hong Kong, Australia and India. CAG's executive vice president for air hub and cargo development Lim Ching Kiat said Changi Airport continues to see healthy growth in passenger traffic this quarter, supported by steady demand across key markets. "Together with our airline partners, we strive to establish more connections for passengers to travel to new and exciting destinations,' he said. As at July 1, around 100 airlines operate over 7,200 weekly scheduled flights at Changi Airport, connecting Singapore to approximately 170 cities in 50 countries and territories worldwide. - BERNAMA
Sinar Daily
11-07-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Heathrow unveils plans to add up to 10 million passengers by 2031
The plan forms the core of the airport's 2027-2031 business proposal was submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority on Friday. 11 Jul 2025 08:00pm A photograph taken on March 21, 2025 shows a plane parked on the tarmac at Heathrow airport. (Photo by BENJAMIN CREMEL / AFP) LONDON - Heathrow Airport has unveiled a £10 billion (US$13.5 billion) investment plan to expand capacity over the next five years, aiming to handle an extra 10 million passengers by 2031, reported German Press Agency (dpa). The plan forms the core of the airport's 2027-2031 business proposal was submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority on Friday. Heathrow is Europe's busiest airport, with more than 83.9 million passengers travelling through its terminals in 2024. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) Writing in The Standard, Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said the changes would include new lounges, restaurants, and shops, as well as faster security and baggage handling. "For an average airport charge of £33.26 (US$45.19) - lower in real terms than a decade ago - we'll unlock space for 10 million more passengers, grow cargo capacity by 20 per cent, and upgrade nearly every part of the passenger journey," he said. "That means faster security, smoother baggage handling, more comfortable terminals, new lounges, restaurants, and shops - all while delivering a better service for the growing number of passengers who need assistance." Heathrow is Europe's busiest airport, with more than 83.9 million passengers travelling through its terminals in 2024. Woldbye said the airport would cut carbon emissions by three million tonnes, or 15 per cent of its 2024 footprint, in the next five years. "Heathrow is not where we'd want it to be in the global rankings. We've shown we can improve, becoming Europe's most punctual major airport this year," he said. "But to move up, we must invest. Other countries have modernised their hubs, the UK hasn't. The risk of doing nothing is decline." - BERNAMA-dpa
The Star
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Singapore increases security posture amid Iran-Israel tensions
People cycle along a track backdropped with the city skyline in Singapore on June 27, 2025. -- Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP SINGAPORE, June 29 (Bernama) -- Singapore has increased its security posture amid the Iran-Israel conflict, said Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam. "There is a ceasefire, but we don't know exactly what will happen after this,' he told the media on the sidelines of a community event on Saturday, The Straits Times (ST) reported. He noted the possibility of attacks on both sides. Shanmugam said that individuals or extremist organisations might want to make a point against Israeli, American or other Western assets. There could also be attacks from the far right on Muslim assets. "So we have increased our security posture, working off different scenarios, but you know, you can never be absolutely sure.' However, when asked whether there had been an uptick in suspicious or extremist activities following the recent US air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, he said authorities had not detected anything here yet. "But they need to succeed only once,' he said. - Bernama
Sinar Daily
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Sober clubbing brews fresh beat for Singapore Gen Z
This is no underground rave, nor a brunch gone wild. 21 Jun 2025 01:00pm This photo taken on May 24, 2025 shows people mingling over coffee drinks at an alcohol-free clubbing event in Singapore. Swaying to dance music and TikTok-fuelled pop under a disco ball, young punters are packed shoulder to shoulder while sipping on coffee, their energy powered by pour-overs rather than pints. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) SINGAPORE - Swaying to dance music and TikTok-fuelled pop under a disco ball, young punters are packed shoulder to shoulder while sipping on coffee, their energy powered by pour-overs rather than pints. This is no underground rave, nor a brunch gone wild. It's a caffeine-powered daytime clubbing sesh -- part of a growing wave of alcohol-free, Gen Z-driven events gaining traction in Singapore and elsewhere in the world. This photo taken on May 24, 2025 shows people mingling over coffee drinks at an alcohol-free clubbing event in Singapore. Swaying to dance music and TikTok-fuelled pop under a disco ball, young punters are packed shoulder to shoulder while sipping on coffee, their energy powered by pour-overs rather than pints. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) At a recent event in Singapore's trendy Duxton district, the space was jammed by 4pm, with baristas churning out fancy coffees and DJs spinning back-to-back sets. The crowd grooved with energy, even without the usual liquid courage. "A lot of people think alcohol gives you the high, but caffeine sometimes can do that too," said Aden Low, 21, co-founder of Beans and Beats which organises coffee raves at different venues. "That's why the atmosphere at our events tends to be quite energetic." The parties blend curated music with specialty coffee served in white paper cups. The vibe is light, friendly and very Gen Z. "It's also the idea that this is a safe space," said Esther Low, 31, who was at the event in Duxton. "When you go to a club setting, there's usually this underlying intention to hook up. So, for me, that's personally why I would prefer this." Several reports say Gen Z is chugging fewer pints than previous generations, with the sober curious movement gaining popularity on social media. Sober curious people cut back on drinking or abstain altogether, often citing health reasons and better mental acuity. "Changes in alcohol use have been observed in population surveys and cohort studies. Generally, alcohol use among young adults has decreased," the World Health Organization said in a 2024 report. Club culture update From London to Los Angeles and Melbourne, similar coffee raves have swept up the social scene, appealing to young partygoers who also want to avoid hangovers. Ashley Chean, a Singaporean student who has been alcohol-free for a year, said she appreciates these sober gatherings. "When I lived in Paris, I realised I had a lot of alcoholic tendencies and I didn't want that to be my lifestyle," the 20-year-old told AFP. "More and more of my friends are sober or sober curious." The coffee clubbing events are usually held in cafes and other spaces such as rooftop bars -- as long as there's room for DJs and baristas to do their thing while people dance. The parties typically end by late afternoon, just in time for golden hour selfies. Besides the health benefits of avoiding alcohol, the events appeal to cost-conscious youth in Singapore, one of the most expensive cities in the world. The excess drinking and hard-partying ways of Gen X -- fuelled by anthems like the Beastie Boys' "Fight for Your Right (to Party)" and hip-hop videos glamorising club culture -- are fading for members of Gen Z. While organisers don't see Singapore's glitzy nightlife and clubbing being replaced, they hope their combination of beats and brews will keep the dance floor buzzing. "As long as we bring the vibes, we'll be OK," said Ashley. - AFP More Like This
