Nanyang Technological University will require all undergraduates to complete AI literacy modules from August 2026, regardless of their field of study. Students will also receive free access to a suite of premium Google AI tools. NTU is one of the first universities in the region to mandate AI education across every discipline, signalling that graduate employability is increasingly tied to AI fluency.

Policyholders weighing a switch from older Integrated Shield Plan (IP) riders to the new standardised versions face a complication: the new riders come with higher premiums that could offset most or all of the projected savings. ST examines how the net benefit of switching varies by age, health profile, and existing insurer, adding to the complexity of navigating Singapore's health insurance landscape.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that authorities are looking to shorten the time between detection and action for young people who repeatedly use e-cigarettes. He called out 'stubborn' young vape users as a specific target group, and said the current pace of enforcement is too slow to be an effective deterrent. The move follows rising youth vaping rates and comes as part of broader efforts to protect adolescent health.

Asha Bhosle, one of the most recorded artists in music history and the voice behind thousands of Bollywood films spanning more than seven decades, passed away at 92. Known for her extraordinary range across film songs, ghazals, classical, and pop, Bhosle outlasted generations of film stars she sang for. Her death marks the end of an era for Indian cinema music.

Hungarians turned out in record numbers to vote in an election that polls suggest could end Viktor Orban's 16-year grip on power. Orban, a self-styled 'illiberal' leader and Trump ally who has clashed repeatedly with the EU, faces a united opposition. A result ending his tenure would mark a significant shift in European politics and test his model of nationalist governance.

Electricity prices for Singapore businesses are climbing as the Iran war energy crisis deepens, with tariffs and market rates both rising. Beyond higher bills, companies face procurement and risk management challenges in locking in future supply at reasonable rates. Some industrial consumers on floating contracts are already absorbing sharp increases, while firms on fixed contracts face steep renewals.

A Malaysian minister warned that the country will face a critical period for fuel supply before June as global oil markets remain disrupted by the Middle East conflict. Malaysia is implementing measures including demand management and supply chain diversification. The alert coincides with ongoing scrutiny over Malaysia's RON95 petrol subsidy regime and follows Kuala Lumpur's move to ban foreign-registered vehicles from subsidised petrol.

WP secretary-general Pritam Singh was back at constituency grassroots work on April 12, leading a team of party members and volunteers in a walkabout — his first since the WP's internal disciplinary committee completed its probe into him. Singh posted on Facebook about the session at his Aljunied GRC constituency. The low-key appearance signals that party operations are resuming normally pending any further announcements.

The Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT) depot is set to more than triple in size as part of a major expansion project. LTA will connect two new tracks to the main line in four phases to complete the works by early 2027. From April 19 to October 18, the Sengkang LRT western loop will operate in a single direction only, with no inner loop service from Sengkang to Cheng Lim; additional buses will be deployed during peak hours.

Singapore's Group Support Agent (GSA) has established a clear refund process for Singaporean pilgrims in the event that Haji 2026 is cancelled or severely disrupted by the Middle East conflict — all 900 pilgrims will be on direct Saudia Airlines flights to Madinah under a first-of-its-kind arrangement. Separately, BT reports that the Iran war-driven fuel shock is pushing up pilgrimage costs for Muslims across Southeast Asia, forcing airlines to balance sharply higher jet fuel costs against their commitments to carry pilgrims.