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Syarafana Shafeeq

Syarafana, or Fana for short, joined The Straits Times in 2021. As a journalist on the social affairs team, she covers issues such as family violence, mental health and disability. She is particularly interested in topics concerning women and children, and hopes to shed light on the struggles of vulnerable groups. 

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New law centre to help those with special needs, mental health conditions navigate legal system

Slug: ssjustice16
ST Photo: Gin Tay

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by Pro Bono SG and Rao Family Foundation during the launch of Singapore's First Inclusive Justice Law Centre for Individuals with Invisible Disabilities at The Foundry on Mar 16, 2026. 

(From left): Mr Jimmy Budiarto Rao (Chairman of Rao Family Foundation) and Mr Dinesh Dhillon (Chairman of Pro Bono SG) signing the MOU, witnessed by (back row from left): Mr James Zou (Director of Rao Family Foundation); Mr Eric Chua (Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Social and Family Development); and Mr Tanguy Lim (CEO of Pro Bono SG); during the launch of Singapore's First Inclusive Justice Law Centre for Individuals with Invisible Disabilities at The Foundry on Mar 16, 2026.
Slug: ssjustice16
ST Photo: Gin Tay

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by Pro Bono SG and Rao Family Foundation during the launch of Singapore's First Inclusive Justice Law Centre for Individuals with Invisible Disabilities at The Foundry on Mar 16, 2026. 

(From left): Mr Jimmy Budiarto Rao (Chairman of Rao Family Foundation) and Mr Dinesh Dhillon (Chairman of Pro Bono SG) signing the MOU, witnessed by (back row from left): Mr James Zou (Director of Rao Family Foundation); Mr Eric Chua (Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Social and Family Development); and Mr Tanguy Lim (CEO of Pro Bono SG); during the launch of Singapore's First Inclusive Justice Law Centre for Individuals with Invisible Disabilities at The Foundry on Mar 16, 2026.

Singapore wants more babies. Will a radical reset reverse the fertility crunch?

Recommendations to boost birth rates must be generous yet sustainable, said analysts.
Recommendations to boost birth rates must be generous yet sustainable, said analysts.

Kids, in this economy? Singaporeans on the barriers to having more children, if at all

ST20260313_202601400443/sftfr15/Soo Fang/Jason Quah

Andre Tong, Rachael Chen their daughter Katie Meyer Tong and pet cat Kouki pictured Mar 13, 2026. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
ST20260313_202601400443/sftfr15/Soo Fang/Jason Quah

Andre Tong, Rachael Chen their daughter Katie Meyer Tong and pet cat Kouki pictured Mar 13, 2026. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH

Higher income ceiling for pre-school and childcare subsidies to benefit more than 60,000 families

Generic photo of kindergarten students walking in the park with their teachers at Fernvale Link on December 19, 2023. 

Can be used for early childhood education stories.
Generic photo of kindergarten students walking in the park with their teachers at Fernvale Link on December 19, 2023. 

Can be used for early childhood education stories.

New Outward Bound Singapore Coney Island campus opening in 2nd half of 2026 among key MCCY updates

ST30032016-1608970121/kgconey31/Jamie Koh/A new Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) campus will be developed on Coney Island by 2020 to give more Singapore youths equal opportunities to strengthen their confidence and tenacity through outdoor adventure education. Ms Grace Fu will be announcing the plans at a media event at OBS Campus, Pulau Ubin, on Wednesday.

Location : OBS at Ubin on 30 March 2016 HODDER'S REQUEST
ST30032016-1608970121/kgconey31/Jamie Koh/A new Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) campus will be developed on Coney Island by 2020 to give more Singapore youths equal opportunities to strengthen their confidence and tenacity through outdoor adventure education. Ms Grace Fu will be announcing the plans at a media event at OBS Campus, Pulau Ubin, on Wednesday.

Location : OBS at Ubin on 30 March 2016 HODDER'S REQUEST

New NHB office to help boost footfall to historic precincts like Chinatown, Little India

NHB will also work on promoting Singapore’s historic districts to encourage more people to visit and reconnect with these spaces.
NHB will also work on promoting Singapore’s historic districts to encourage more people to visit and reconnect with these spaces.

Lasting Power of Attorney applications to be made permanently free for Singaporeans

About 404,000 or one in seven Singapore citizens have made an LPA as of Feb 20.
About 404,000 or one in seven Singapore citizens have made an LPA as of Feb 20.

S’pore needs to reset views on marriage, parenthood; new work group to study issues: Indranee

Singapore’s preliminary resident total fertility rate dropped from 0.97 in 2024 to 0.87 in 2025, a historic low for the country.
Singapore’s preliminary resident total fertility rate dropped from 0.97 in 2024 to 0.87 in 2025, a historic low for the country.

50% drop in pre-schools offering care after 7pm since 2021; may signal lower demand: MSF

Pre-schools providing full-day services are required to operate from 7am to 7pm on weekdays, but have the flexibility to extend their services beyond that timeframe.
Pre-schools providing full-day services are required to operate from 7am to 7pm on weekdays, but have the flexibility to extend their services beyond that timeframe.

10,500 to benefit from $4.3 million in MUIS assistance during Ramadan

Guest of Honour, President of Singapore, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at Muis buka puasa held at Al-Mawaddah Mosque, on Feb 20, 2026.
Guest of Honour, President of Singapore, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at Muis buka puasa held at Al-Mawaddah Mosque, on Feb 20, 2026.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.