Singapore Tonight Singapore Tonight - Sat 21 Jun 2025 22 Jun 2025 12:00am
22:53 Min
From business to politics, health to technology, we bring you up-to-date with the latest news on Singapore and analyze how these events may affect you tomorrow.
Singapore Tonight
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From business to politics, health to technology, we bring you up-to-date with the latest news on Singapore and analyze how these events may affect you tomorrow.
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CNA
33 minutes ago
- CNA
Singapore's core inflation dips to 0.6% in May as food prices ease
April's core inflation figure of 0.7 per cent had marked the first year-on-year increase after six months. On a month-on-month basis, core inflation – which excludes accommodation and private transport – eased to 0.0 per cent in May. Overall inflation dipped to 0.8 per cent, down from 0.9 per cent in April, due to lower private transport inflation. On a month-on-month basis, overall inflation – which excludes non-consumption expenditures such as purchases of houses, shares and other financial assets and income taxes – rose 0.7 per cent, said MAS and MTI. SECTORS Food inflation decreased from 1.4 per cent in April to 1.1 per cent in May as the prices of non-cooked food moderated. Private transport costs fell at a slower pace from 1.3 per cent to 1.1 per cent due to a smaller increase in car prices. Electricity and gas inflation slowed further from -3.5 per cent to -3.7 per cent on the back of a larger decline in electricity prices. Retail and other goods inflation fell at a slower pace from -1.2 per cent to -1.0 per cent due to a rise in the prices of household appliances and a smaller decline in the cost of personal effects. Services inflation remained unchanged at 1.1 per cent, as the larger increase in the costs of point-to-point transport services and health insurance offset a steeper decline in holiday expenses. It was the same for accommodation inflation, which held at 1.1 per cent, on account of a smaller increase in housing rents being negated by a larger increase in the cost of housing maintenance and repairs. OUTLOOK MAS and MTI said that Singapore's imported inflation is expected to remain "moderate", noting that while global crude oil prices have risen in recent weeks, they are currently still close to the average in 2024. "Food commodity price increases should also stay contained," they added. "Although the trade conflicts and the increase in global energy prices could be inflationary for some economies, their impact on Singapore's import prices is likely to be offset by the disinflationary drags exerted by weaker global demand." Domestically, unit labour costs are projected to rise gradually alongside moderating nominal wage growth and improving productivity. "At the same time, enhanced government subsidies for essential services such as public healthcare, pre-school education and public transport will continue to dampen services inflation," said MAS and MTI. Taking these factors into account, core inflation and overall inflation are projected to average between 0.5 per cent and 1.5 per cent this year.
Independent Singapore
34 minutes ago
- Independent Singapore
Baidu's robotaxis and Singapore's AV push signal a new transport era
SINGAPORE/HONG KONG: In a move that signals the growing global momentum behind autonomous vehicles, Chinese tech giant Baidu Inc. is preparing to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Singapore and Malaysia by the end of 2025. Sources close to the matter say Baidu is in talks with local taxi operators and mobility service providers , seeking to tailor a business model that fits the unique transport ecosystems of both countries. The company is adopting what it calls an 'asset-light' strategy —prioritising partnerships over direct fleet ownership—underscoring its interest in collaborating with trusted local players. Baidu has been building up its capabilities steadily. Since its launch, Apollo Go has clocked more than 11 million rides , largely in China, and deployed over 1,000 autonomous vehicles . These figures put it ahead of Waymo , the autonomous arm of Google parent Alphabet, which has reached around 10 million paid rides globally. This Southeast Asian expansion comes at a time when Tesla is also on the cusp of launching its long-anticipated Cybercab robotaxi network in the United States, heightening competition in the driverless mobility race. Beyond Singapore and Malaysia, Baidu has its sights set on Europe and the Middle East. The firm is reportedly exploring a partnership with PostAuto , a Swiss Post subsidiary, to bring Apollo Go to Switzerland. Talks are also ongoing for a possible entry into Turkey . Still, questions remain—not about the technology itself, which has matured considerably in recent years—but about how it will be integrated into the lives of people in vastly different cities. What kind of regulations will apply? Will the public embrace it? And how will existing transport players respond? While Baidu has not released specific launch dates, its expansion reflects a broader shift in how urban mobility may evolve—one where technology, policy, and public trust will need to move in sync. For now, the streets of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur may soon offer a glimpse into a future where steering wheels go untouched and artificial intelligence quietly takes the wheel. Singapore's AV push gathers steam Just days before the Chinese tech giant confirmed plans to introduce its Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service in Singapore and Malaysia, Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow unveiled new plans to scale up the country's own autonomous vehicle (AV) ambitions. At a transport policy event earlier this month, Siow called AVs 'a crucial lever' in tackling Singapore's manpower shortage in public transport, particularly bus services. While Singapore's population continues to grow and towns such as Tengah , Pasir Ris , and Punggol expand, the supply of bus drivers has not kept pace. Autonomous buses, Siow argued, could plug this gap. 'Introducing new bus routes isn't as straightforward as just buying more buses. We also need drivers — and we're running out,' he said. Singapore's AV journey isn't new. Trials began as early as 2015 , and testbeds have since emerged in places like NUS , Jurong Innovation District , and Punggol . But 2026 marks a turning point: for the first time, autonomous public buses will be tested along two existing routes. These may start on fixed loops between MRT stations and housing estates, but Siow hinted at more flexible applications down the line, such as AVs ferrying patients to polyclinics during off-peak hours, or even dynamic routes resembling private-hire cars . See also Singapore launches self-driving bus trials 'If you can summon an AV within five minutes, pay per ride, and skip the stress of parking or maintenance, then it may no longer make sense to own a car,' he said. 'And that has big implications for how we think about car ownership — even COE.' The convergence of Baidu's expansion and Singapore's AV vision signals a future where the distinction between public , private , and shared transport begins to blur — and where the idea of driving as a necessity may gradually give way to on-demand autonomy .
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Thai businesses adapting after nation loses crown as most visited ASEAN country
Thailand's tourism industry has not started off well in the first half of the year. It lost its crown as the most visited country in ASEAN, and arrivals from what used to be its biggest visitor market has also been falling. Jeremy Koh with the details from Bangkok.
