Hanoi considers doubling traffic fines

SummarySINGAPORE: DBS Group, Singapore's largest bank, increased its general allowance reserves amid economic uncertainties, reporting a 2% decline in first-quarter net profit to S$2.9 billion, although it surpassed expectations. CEO Tan Su Shan noted that heightened trade tensions have contributed to macroeconomic risks, prompting a prudent approach to risk management. Despite the challenges, DBS achieved a record profit before tax of S$3.44 billion, driven by strong business growth, and declared dividends totaling 75 cents per...

Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FASTSINGAPORE: Singapore has advised its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir in India, and to Pakistan, following a surge in hostilities between the two countries.In a travel advisory issued on Wednesday (May 7), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) urged travellers...

SINGAPORE has established a new government entity, Singapore GasCo, to centralize the procurement and supply of natural gas, aiming to enhance energy security as 95% of the country's electricity relies on imported gas. GasCo will negotiate better gas contracts and source from diverse suppliers to stabilize prices amid expiring contracts with Malaysia and Indonesia. Mr. Alan Heng has been appointed CEO, and the initiative aligns with Singapore's transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. Full Article

Read a summary of this article on FAST.SINGAPORE: Analysts suggest that the Singapore dollar may continue to strengthen against the US dollar due to tariff de-escalation, with some predicting potential parity between the two currencies in the future. Currently, the Singapore dollar is around 1.29 against the US dollar, having strengthened approximately 5.8% this year, attributed to a USD sell-off and favorable trade developments. Economists predict further appreciation, possibly reaching 1.2800 by Q3 and 1.2650...

Read a summary of this article on FAST.SINGAPORE: Nominations for the 2025 Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards (GCTEA) have opened, with submissions closing on Jun 25. The awards, now in their seventh year, aim to empower persons with disabilities through financial aid and recognition, featuring two categories: GCTEA (Achievement) and GCTEA (Promise). Up to three winners in the Achievement category will receive S$10,000 each, while up to ten in the Promise category will receive S$5,000...

SINGAPORE: The latest bidding exercise for Certificates of Entitlement (COE) on May 7 saw premiums for Category A cars rise to S$103,009, marking the first time since October that prices exceeded S$100,000. Category B car premiums increased to S$119,890, while Open category COEs rose to S$118,889. In contrast, COEs for commercial vehicles fell to S$62,590, and motorcycle premiums decreased to S$8,709; the total COE quota for the May to July period will increase by over...