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News analysis

War on scams: Record crypto seizures, explosive raids, but political theatre gets in the way

Even a record US$15b seizure barely makes a dent in South-east Asia's sprawling "pig-butchering" empire.

This handout photo taken on October 20, 2025 and released on October 22, 2025 by the Myanmar Military Information Team shows members of Myanmar’s military standing next to Starlink devices seized during a raid on the KK Park online scam centre in Myawaddy, Myanmar’s Kayin State. SpaceX has cut service to more than 2,500 Starlink devices at Myanmar scam centres, a company executive said October 22, after AFP revealed that their use had exploded in the illicit industry. Myanmar's military earlier on October 20 announced it had raided the KK Park scam centre and seized 30 Starlink satellite internet terminals. (Photo by Handout / MYANMAR MILITARY INFORMATION TEAM / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / MYANMAR MILITARY INFORMATION TEAM" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Countries’ lack of consensus on adaptation at COP30 climate talks worrying: Grace Fu

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Asean should have a collective voice at UN climate conferences: Malaysian secretary-general at COP30

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Indonesia’s Semeru volcano, near Bali, erupts; alert level raised to highest

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Malaysia faces renewed calls to rewind the clock, 40 years after shifting to UTC+8

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Singapore Lions to get total $2 million reward for Asian Cup qualification: Forrest Li

Minister David Neo says he should have been more respectful towards Hong Kong fans

News analysis

Historic UN resolution accords legitimacy to Trump’s Gaza peace plan. Now for the tough part

Trending
Shorts
PM Wong tells story about ghost town in Michigan called Singapore

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Warm welcome home for Lions at Changi Airport after historic Asian Cup qualification

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Trump lashes out at female reporters over Epstein questions

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Scaffolding collapse in Malaysia traps woman in car

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Lions and Singapore celebrate Asian Cup qualification after beating Hong Kong

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Wild elephant in Thailand raids eatery for a midnight snack

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US House passes measure to force release of Epstein files in 427-1 vote

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Panicked woman kicks firefighter off ladder during rescue in Japan

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$1.13m of rhinoceros horns seized at Changi Airport by NParks, Sats

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Singapore

Cat B COE premium climbs 12.9% to $129,890 after falls in last two rounds; Cat A rate dips 0.9%

The Category A premium came in at $109,000.

Premiums rose in all categories except those for smaller cars, which dipped to $109,000.

More MRT closures planned over longer periods for repair works: Jeffrey Siow

Artefacts from one of Singapore’s largest archaeological sites on display at Bras Basah MRT station

Bespoke scents, first Singapore-made electric vehicle among items donated to heritage causes in 2024

COP30

Momentum to transition away from fossil fuels builds as COP30 enters second week

Governments, non-profits and indigenous people have urged for more action.

The Fossil Fuels Funeral procession in Belem on Nov 15 where indigenous leaders demanded an end to fossil fuels.

With climate risks outpacing global response, COP30 must deliver concrete results: Grace Fu

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S’pore youth at COP30 learn how Amazonian communities face environmental inequality, rely on nature

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Asia
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War on scams: Record crypto seizures, explosive raids, but political theatre gets in the way

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Malaysia faces renewed calls to rewind the clock, 40 years after shifting to UTC+8

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Idea of common Asean time zone surfaced among region’s ministers a decade ago

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Pakistan’s military tightens iron grip on power as judiciary authority dims

Opinion

Singapore’s silent crisis: Is grandpa eating well and enough?

Teo Yik Ying

Keep MRT trains reliable but please improve the commuting experience too

Samuel Chng

The hidden dangers of gratitude

Chong Siow Ann

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AI romance: The sad and dangerous reality behind the movie Her

Lauren Kunze

Visual stories

Kelongs were once a common sight in S'pore’s waters. Today, only a handful remain

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Debt and diplomacy: China’s growing influence in Laos

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Like a fairy godmother: The mascot maker who brings characters to life

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The Week in Pictures: Supermoon rises in Australia, Typhoon Kalmaegi hits Philippines

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Singapore Stories: The Heart of a Nation - Iconic photos from ST’s archives go on display

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Love is in the hair: How a wig loan scheme helps restore cancer survivors’ confidence

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More than a convenience store: Disappearing mamak shops

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Typhoon Ragasa: How heavy rainfall led to a barrier lake bursting in Taiwan

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How hawker signboards tell the story of Singapore

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What makes swim star Yip Pin Xiu fast? Discover the science of her technique

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Your S'pore Story

‘I hope to leave a positive impact on the football scene in S’pore’

On the cusp of a budding auditing career, he quit his job to work on creating football-related content.

your-singapore-story-st180-shuan-ye-football-content-creator

'I am trying to help humans and animals live in harmony'

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‘Just take every opportunity to put yourself out there’

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Podcasts
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Green Pulse Podcast

COP30: How it will affect lives, jobs and politics in Singapore, SE Asia
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ST Podcasts Live: Can individual actions meaningfully impact the environment?
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Headstart On Record Podcast

Budgeting for three holiday trips in 2026
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ST Podcasts

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About Headstart

‘Job hugging’ up as resignation rates in S’pore at record lows, average job tenure rises to 8 years

“At this point, I think a layoff will come as a blessing,” says one TikTok worker.

The term "job hugging" has taken on new-found popularity in 2025, as a buzzword coined by consulting firms and adopted by social media users to explain their current career anxieties.

Headstart On Record Podcast

Budgeting for three holiday trips in 2026

$2 versus $20 for an eSIM: What are travellers really paying for?

Me and My Money: Spending on the little things keeps this exec on track with financial goals

Tastemakers

Meet insurance boss Lucas Neo, who faced backlash over frank reviews of Michelin-listed hawkers

Insurance boss Lucas Neo, who sparked controversy and received backlash for his Exposing Michelin Hawkers series on social media, at Yuhua Place Market and Hawker Centre.

Video: Secretly falling apart at work? You could be quiet cracking

Like a fairy godmother: The mascot maker who brings characters to life

Young and Savvy: I used a money insights app for 3 months – here’s what I learnt

Getting insights into my spending patterns, rather than simply tracking expenses, proved a fruitful exercise.
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School canteen vendor who went viral on TikTok for chiding pupil shutters stall after complaint

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Woman who abused adopted kids gets 5.1% of $10.9m matrimonial assets in divorce

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Singapore secure historic Asian Cup qualification with spirited 2-1 comeback win over Hong Kong

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Ex-S’pore Idol judge Ken Lim sentenced to 13 months’ jail for molesting 25-year-old woman

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22 months’ jail for Sim Lim Square retailer selling illegal streaming devices showing EPL games

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HSA raises alert on herbal product, advises users to seek medical attention

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TEL delay and lack of information via SMRT’s social media rankle passengers

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Actor Zheng Geping receives Public Service Medal from President Tharman

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As the ringgit strengthens, what will it take for Malaysians working in Singapore to return home?

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Singtel customers hit by 6-hour mobile service outage on Nov 18

Branded content
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Local farmers Singapore Aquaculture Technologies, Green Harvest and N&N egg farm
‘Covid-19 is still a force to be reckoned with’: Why updated protection is recommended
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Kweichow Moutai is headlining the Singapore Open for the first time.
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According to Halley Medical Aesthetics’ Dr Terence Tan, collagen-remodelling treatments like Ultherapy Prime are gaining traction as more people embrace a maintenance-first approach to skin health.
From waiting to winning: How SMEs can turn unpaid invoices into growth capital
Access to financing and smart technology enables SMEs to stay resilient and concentrate on growth.
Games and glory: Why you’ll love Hong Kong’s year-end buzz
Offering world-class sporting action and festive attractions, Hong Kong may be the ideal year-end getaway for Singapore travellers.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.