SGNews
01

Travellers flying from Singapore limited to 2 power banks from April 15

Singapore's Civil Aviation Authority announced that from April 15, departing passengers may carry a maximum of two power banks in hand luggage. Excess units must be disposed of before boarding. Over 40% of travellers surveyed wrongly believed power banks could be checked in.

Sources (5) BTSTZBTMBH
  • BT — “Travellers flying out of Singapore allowed only 2 power banks from Apr 15”
  • ST — “Travellers flying from S'pore allowed only up to 2 power banks from April 15”
  • ZB — “离境旅客限携带最多两充电宝登机 (Departing travellers limited to max 2 power banks)”
  • TM — “விமானப் பயணிகள் இரண்டு மின்தேக்கிகளை மட்டுமே எடுத்துச் செல்லலாம் (Air travellers may carry only 2 power banks)”
  • BH — “Penumpang berlepas dari S'pura hanya dibenar bawa 2 'powerbank' mulai 15 Apr (Passengers departing Singapore only allowed 2 power banks from 15 Apr)”
02

Singapore's first 3D-printed pedestrian bridge to be built in Jurong West by 2028

Singapore's first pedestrian bridge constructed using 3D concrete printing will span the Jurong River, connecting Jurong West to the new Tengah town. The Land Transport Authority and partners have completed model load-bearing tests, with the bridge expected to open by 2028.

Sources (4) STZBTMBH
  • ST — “S'pore's first 3D-printed pedestrian bridge to be completed in Jurong West in 2028”
  • ZB — “首座3D打印天桥完成模型承重测试 (First 3D-printed bridge completes model load test)”
  • TM — “முப்பரிமாண அச்சில் உருவாகும் முதல் நடையர் பாலம் (First pedestrian bridge from 3D printing)”
  • BH — “Jambatan pejalan kaki cetakan 3D pertama di Jurong West jelang 2028 (First 3D-printed pedestrian bridge in Jurong West by 2028)”
03

New climate transition council launched to help businesses build resilience

A new Enterprise Climate Transition Competitiveness Council, co-chaired by former MAS managing director Ravi Menon and SBF chairman Koh Beng Seng, will coordinate climate initiatives for businesses and prepare for a national climate adaptation plan in 2027. The council aims to accelerate energy efficiency and renewable adoption.

Sources (3) BTSTZB
  • BT — “Iran war raises urgency of climate transition, says Ravi Menon”
  • ST — “Energy efficiency, renewables can cut reliance on oil, gas: Ravi Menon”
  • ZB — “孟文能郭柄汛领导新理事会 助企业转型加强气候韧性 (Ravi Menon and Koh Beng Seng to lead new council helping businesses transform and build climate resilience)”
04

Large families with young children to receive $1,000 LifeSG credits from April 28

Eligible families with three or more children will receive $1,000 in LifeSG credits per third and subsequent child (born/adopted and aged 18 or below), disbursed automatically from April 28. The measure eases daily expenses for larger families.

Sources (4) STZBTMBH
  • ST — “Large families with young kids to receive $1,000 in LifeSG credits in April”
  • ZB — “多子女家庭千元补助券 4月28日发放 (Large families' $1,000 credits to be disbursed on 28 April)”
  • TM — “தகுதிபெறும் பெரிய சிங்கப்பூர்க் குடும்பங்களுக்கு ஏப்ரலில் சிறப்புத்தொகை (Eligible large Singapore families to receive special payment in April)”
  • BH — “Keluarga besar layak terima kredit $1,000 pada 28 Apr (Eligible large families to receive $1,000 credits on 28 Apr)”
05

Record S$15.4b investment sales in Q1; office vacancy at historic low

Real estate investment sales surged 166.5% year-on-year to S$15.4 billion in Q1 2026, a record, though the Iran war could slow momentum. Separately, office vacancy rates hit historic lows, driving rents higher in what is now firmly a landlord's market.

Sources (2) BT
  • BT — “Investment sales hit record S$15.4b in Q1, but Iran war could derail momentum: Knight Frank”
  • BT — “Record low vacancy sends Singapore office rents up in Q1; market in landlords' favour”
06

Olam sells IT and digital services unit Mindsprint to Wipro for US$375m

Agri-food giant Olam Group is divesting its IT, cybersecurity, and digital solutions subsidiary Mindsprint to Indian tech firm Wipro in an all-cash deal worth US$375 million. Olam will also commit US$100 million annually to Wipro for technology services over eight years.

Sources (3) BTSTZB
  • BT — “Olam selling IT and digital services unit Mindsprint to Wipro for US$375m”
  • ST — “Olam selling IT and digital services unit to Wipro for $483m”
  • ZB — “翱兰集团近5亿元脱售旗下科技与数码服务业务 (Olam divests tech and digital services unit for nearly $500m)”
07

Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun starts China visit; Xi meeting expected April 10

KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun departs for a 5-day visit to mainland China starting April 7, with Taiwanese media reporting a meeting with Xi Jinping is scheduled for April 10 in Beijing. It would be the first meeting between sitting KMT and CCP leaders in a decade, since Hung Hsiu-chu in 2016.

Sources (2) STZB
  • ST — “Taiwan opposition leader plans peace mission to China”
  • ZB — “郑丽文访问中国大陆前夕 台媒传'习郑会'10日登场 (On eve of Cheng Li-wun's mainland visit, Taiwan media reports "Xi-Cheng meeting" on 10th)”
08

AirAsia X hikes fares up to 40%, cuts flights as Iran war drives fuel costs

Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia X has raised all airfares by 30-40% and added a 20% fuel surcharge, while cutting about 10% of flights. Its CEO called the Middle East conflict "the most critical challenge" the airline has faced. Flights to Bahrain will continue.

Sources (3) BTZBBH
  • BT — “AirAsia X fares jump 40% due to Iran war; CEO calls it 'the most critical challenge'”
  • ZB — “中东冲突推高燃油价 亚航票价上调三四成 (Middle East conflict drives fuel prices up; AirAsia fares raised 30-40%)”
  • BH — “Kesan konflik Timur Tengah: AirAsia X naik tambang sehingga 40% (Middle East conflict impact: AirAsia X raises fares up to 40%)”
09

Lucky Plaza basement ceiling collapses, water pipe bursts

A section of the basement ceiling at Orchard Road's Lucky Plaza collapsed on Monday morning, rupturing a water pipe and flooding at least 7-8 shops. Some shops estimated single-day losses exceeding $2,000 from water-damaged merchandise.

Sources (2) ZBTM
  • ZB — “幸运商业中心地下层天花板坍塌水管爆裂 (Lucky Plaza basement ceiling collapse and water pipe burst)”
  • TM — “லக்கி பிளாசா மேற்கூரை இடிந்து விழுந்தது (Lucky Plaza ceiling collapsed)”
10

NTU to integrate AI into 40% of courses by 2030

Nanyang Technological University plans to embed AI across about 40% of its 52 undergraduate programmes by 2030, aiming to produce graduates who can effectively leverage AI in the workforce. Separately, NTU is partnering a German firm to develop smart vehicle systems that monitor both road conditions and driver alertness.

Sources (2) ZBST
  • ZB — “南大四成课程融入AI增强毕业生竞争力 (NTU integrates AI into 40% of courses to enhance graduate competitiveness)”
  • ST — “NTU, Aumovio working on affordable AI systems for vehicles”

Follow-ups

Iran war: US and Iran studying 45-day ceasefire plan as Trump's deadline nears

Iran war: US and Iran studying 45-day ceasefire plan as Trump's deadline nears

A Pakistan-brokered peace plan calling for an immediate ceasefire and a 15-20 day window for a comprehensive agreement is under discussion. Trump extended his deadline by another 24 hours to April 7, again threatening to destroy all Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. Iran exempted Iraq from all Hormuz transit restrictions, potentially unlocking 3 million barrels/day of Iraqi crude. An Iranian missile struck a residential building in Haifa, killing two. China and Russia pledged to cooperate on de-escalation at the UN Security Council.

Sources (5) BTSTZBTMBH
  • BT — “US, Iran weigh peace plan as Trump's 'hell' warning nears deadline”
  • ST — “US, Iran studying truce plan as deadline nears on Trump's 'hell' threat”
  • ZB — “特朗普再延长最后通牒24小时 调解方力争美伊停火45天 (Trump extends ultimatum another 24 hours; mediators push for 45-day US-Iran ceasefire)”
  • TM — “உடனடி போர் நிறுத்தத்திற்குப் பாகிஸ்தானின் சமரசத் திட்டம் (Pakistan's mediation plan for immediate ceasefire)”
  • BH — “Sumber: AS, Iran dan perantara runding gencatan senjata 45 hari (Sources: US, Iran and mediators negotiate 45-day ceasefire)”

Parliament to discuss measures cushioning Singapore from Middle East conflict

Parliament to discuss measures cushioning Singapore from Middle East conflict

Nearly 40 MPs have filed over 70 questions on energy, supply chains, and cost of living. Three ministers will make statements when Parliament resumes on April 7, responding to public concerns about the conflict's economic impact.

Sources (4) STZBTMBH
  • ST — “Parliament to discuss cushioning S'pore from Middle East conflict's impact”
  • ZB — “国会今复会 三部长就中东局势发表声明 (Parliament resumes today; three ministers to make statements on Middle East situation)”
  • TM — “ஈரான் போர் தாக்கங்களைச் சமாளிப்பது குறித்து நாடாளுமன்றம் விவாதிக்கும் (Parliament to discuss coping with Iran war impacts)”
  • BH — “Parlimen bincang langkah lindungi S'pura daripada kesan konflik Timur Tengah (Parliament discusses measures to protect Singapore from Middle East conflict impact)”

Artemis II nears lunar loop, first such fly-by since 1972

Artemis II nears lunar loop, first such fly-by since 1972

The four Artemis II astronauts have entered the Moon's gravitational sphere, marking humanity's return to lunar vicinity for the first time in over half a century. The crew is expected to break the record for the farthest distance from Earth during their pass around the Moon.

Sources (3) STZBBT
  • ST — “Artemis mission nears lunar loop for first such fly-by since 1972”
  • ZB — “美国阿耳忒弥斯2号进入月球引力范围 (Artemis II enters Moon's gravitational range)”
  • BT — “On Nasa's moon mission, the biggest headache has been the toilet”

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