SGNews
01

Trump imposes 100% tariffs on drug imports on "Liberation Day" anniversary; Singapore assessing impact

On the one-year anniversary of his original "Liberation Day" tariffs, Trump signed an executive order imposing 100% tariffs on imported patented drugs, with a lower 15% rate on pharmaceuticals from the EU, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland. Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry said most major pharma companies have already secured three-year exemptions from the US government, and is assessing the impact on Singapore's pharmaceutical sector.

Sources (4) BTSTZB
  • BT — “A year after 'Liberation Day', Trump sets new drug tariffs and adjusts metals duties”
  • ST — “Trump sets 100% tariffs on some drug imports, revamps metals duties”
  • ZB — “美国对进口专利药征100％关税 (US imposes 100% tariffs on imported patented drugs)”
  • ZB — “贸工部：多数主要药企免关税三年　正评估新关税对我国冲击 (MTI: Most major pharma firms exempt for 3 years; assessing impact on Singapore)”
02

Paterson area to get new roads by end-2030 as part of major redevelopment

New roads will be built by end-2030 to transform the Paterson area into a new neighbourhood just outside the Orchard Road precinct. The redevelopment is a significant urban planning move that will reshape one of Singapore's prime districts.

Sources (1) ST
  • ST — “New roads to be built by end-2030 as part of Paterson redevelopment”
03

Sexual assaults on under-16s rose in 2025; attacks by family members also up

There were 1,031 sexual assault cases involving victims under 16 in 2025, up from 943 in 2024. Overall sexual assault cases rose nearly 10% to 2,566. Attacks by family members also increased, highlighting a troubling trend in domestic violence.

Sources (1) ST
  • ST — “More under-16s sexually assaulted in 2025; attacks by family members up too”
04

HSA built digital vape case tracking system in just 3 weeks

When Singapore's temporary anti-vape laws took effect on September 1, 2025, the Health Sciences Authority rapidly developed the Vape Information System (VIS) in three weeks, creating a one-stop platform integrating enforcement, investigation and cessation counselling. Over 5,500 cases have been recorded on the system, used simultaneously by more than 10,000 frontline officers.

Sources (3) STZBBH
  • ST — “HSA's 3-week dash to design digital system tracking vape cases”
  • ZB — “电子烟案件管理系统开发 三周内上线提升办案效率 (Vape case management system developed and launched in 3 weeks)”
  • BH — “HSA bangunkan sistem jejak ribuan kes vape dalam hanya 3 minggu (HSA builds system to track thousands of vape cases in just 3 weeks)”
05

RTS Link fare to be announced in Q3 2026; construction enters final phase

The proposed fare for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link is expected to be finalised in Q3 2026, with Malaysia's Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook confirming the joint-venture company is conducting market research. Construction has entered its final critical phase before full operations begin in early 2027.

Sources (4) STZBBH
  • ST — “Proposed RTS Link fare to be presented to Malaysia, S'pore govts”
  • ZB — “联营公司正进行市调　新柔地铁票价第三季料可敲定 (JV conducting market research; RTS fare expected to be finalised in Q3)”
  • BH — “Menteri M'sia: Tambang RTS dijangka diumum suku ketiga 2026 (Malaysia minister: RTS fare expected to be announced Q3 2026)”
  • BH — “Kerja binaan RTS Link masuki fasa terakhir (RTS Link construction enters final phase)”
06

IRAS recovers $4.8m from rental income audit; 422 caught

Singapore's tax authority recovered $4.8 million in additional taxes and penalties between 2024 and 2025 after auditing 422 people who either failed to report rental income or reported it incorrectly. The amount recovered nearly tripled compared with the previous audit round.

Sources (2) STZB
  • ST — “422 caught for not reporting rental income properly, or not at all”
  • ZB — “租金申报不当480万税收罚款被追回 ($4.8M in taxes and penalties recovered from improper rental declarations)”
07

Trump fires Attorney-General Pam Bondi

Trump dismissed Pam Bondi as US Attorney-General, reportedly frustrated with her performance, particularly over the handling and release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The firing marks another high-profile departure from the Trump administration.

Sources (1) ST
  • ST — “Trump fires Pam Bondi as US attorney-general”
08

US March employment rebounds; unemployment falls to 4.3%

US job growth rebounded more than expected in March as a healthcare workers' strike ended and temporary census hiring boosted numbers. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, providing a positive signal amid global economic uncertainty driven by the Iran conflict.

Sources (1) BT
  • BT — “US March employment growth rebounds; jobless rate falls to 4.3%”
09

AirTrunk preparing REIT IPO in Singapore, targeting ~US$1.5 billion

Data centre operator AirTrunk, acquired by Blackstone in 2024, has selected banks to prepare a real estate investment trust IPO in Singapore, expected to raise approximately US$1.5 billion. The listing would be a significant boost to Singapore's capital markets.

Sources (1) ZB
  • ZB — “消息：数据中心业者AirTrunk 已为REIT来本地上市做准备 (AirTrunk preparing REIT listing in Singapore)”
10

China Politburo member Ma Xingrui investigated for corruption

Ma Xingrui, a member of the CCP Politburo and former Party Secretary of Xinjiang, has been placed under investigation for "serious violations of discipline and law" after being out of public sight for over five months. He is the third Politburo member from the current cycle to fall, after two Central Military Commission vice-chairmen.

Sources (1) ZB
  • ZB — “涉严重违纪违法 马兴瑞清明前夕被查 (Investigated for serious disciplinary and legal violations; probe announced on eve of Qingming)”

Follow-ups

Iran war: US bombs bridge, Iran shoots down F-15E; Europe furious; legal warnings mount (first covered: 2026-03-26)

Iran war: US bombs bridge, Iran shoots down F-15E; Europe furious; legal warnings mount (first covered: 2026-03-26)

Major escalation as Trump announced the US destroyed Iran's "largest bridge" and threatened further infrastructure attacks. Iran shot down a US F-15E fighter jet over Iranian territory, vowing to capture the pilot. France's Macron publicly snapped at Trump, reflecting growing European anger over the war. Over 100 international law experts signed an open letter warning that US strikes on Iranian power plants and desalination facilities may constitute war crimes. The UN Security Council is set to vote on a Bahrain-sponsored resolution on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with China opposing the use of force. Meanwhile, the first LNG tanker successfully transited through Hormuz along the Omani coastline, a key breakthrough one month into the conflict. US Defence Secretary Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, raising concerns about military leadership during wartime.

Sources (10) STBTZBBH
  • ST — “Trump vows to hit more Iranian infrastructure after strike on bridge”
  • ST — “Macron snaps back at Trump, reflecting Europe's growing anger over Iran war”
  • ST — “Hegseth asked US army chief to step down, Pentagon says”
  • ST — “First French-owned container ship exits Hormuz since war began”
  • BT — “Iran strikes more Gulf targets as Trump warns of further attacks”
  • BT — “Bombing Iran's Great Mosque could cost the world”
  • ZB — “美军炸毁伊朗大桥　伊军击落美战斗机 (US bombs Iranian bridge; Iran shoots down US fighter jet)”
  • ZB — “首艘天然气运输船成功穿越霍尔木兹海峡 (First LNG ship successfully transits Hormuz)”
  • ZB — “逾百国际法专家指美袭伊或构成战争罪 (100+ international law experts say US strikes may constitute war crimes)”
  • BH — “PBB bakal undi resolusi Hormuz, China tentang benarkan guna kekerasan (UN to vote on Hormuz resolution; China opposes use of force)”

Energy crisis: Tada and Gojek join surcharge hikes; local farms cutting production; new Red Sea choke point (first covered: 2026-03-26)

Energy crisis: Tada and Gojek join surcharge hikes; local farms cutting production; new Red Sea choke point (first covered: 2026-03-26)

Following Grab's surcharge increase, ride-hail platforms Tada and Gojek will temporarily raise driver surcharges from 50 cents to at least 90 cents from April 10 to May 31. Grab is also extending fuel vouchers to delivery riders. Singapore's local farms are reducing production as energy and fertiliser costs surge 10-20%, with consumers gravitating towards cheaper imports. A new Red Sea choke point has emerged that could trigger a fresh price surge for Singapore even beyond the Hormuz disruption. Asia's gas crisis is deepening as supplies dwindle and countries scramble to switch energy sources.

Sources (7) STZBBH
  • ST — “Tada, Gojek to raise surcharge to defray higher fuel expenses”
  • ST — “New Red Sea choke point puts S'pore at risk of fresh price surge”
  • ST — “This is what happens to Asia when gas runs out”
  • ZB — “TADA与Gojek下周五起 暂涨司机费缓解油价压力 (Tada and Gojek to raise surcharges from next Friday)”
  • ZB — “Grab配送员将获汽油券　应对油价上涨 (Grab delivery riders to receive fuel vouchers)”
  • ZB — “中东战火冲击能源肥料供应 本地农产业者减产量控成本 (Middle East war hits energy and fertiliser supply; local farms cut production)”
  • BH — “Krisis gas Asia: Bekalan susut, negara mula berjimat, beralih sumber tenaga (Asia gas crisis: supplies shrink, countries economise and switch energy sources)”

Myanmar: Min Aung Hlaing formally elected president (first covered: 2026-03-31)

Myanmar: Min Aung Hlaing formally elected president (first covered: 2026-03-31)

Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing won the parliamentary vote on April 3 to become president, completing his transition from military coup leader to nominal civilian head of state. The vote was conducted by the pro-military parliament he installed.

Sources (2) STZB
  • ST — “Myanmar junta chief elected president by pro-military Parliament”
  • ZB — “敏昂莱高票当选缅甸总统 (Min Aung Hlaing elected Myanmar president with high votes)”

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