Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on June 17, 2025

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S’pore aims to ramp up autonomous vehicle use to boost public transport network

It is a key plank of Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow’s plan to make public transit more attractive.

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From civil service to Cabinet: Jeffrey Siow embraces the challenge of S’pore’s transport system

He said his mission is to bring back “pride and love” to Singapore’s transport systems.

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Indonesia will ‘copy’ S’pore’s successful policies with pride: Prabowo

“I’ve always admired the success of Singapore, and especially the success of the early leaders of Singapore,” he added.

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New private home sales fall in May amid lack of new launches

Some analysts see a gradual rebound in second half 2025 when several major projects are launched.

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Van driver who went at 132kmh among motorists to be charged with speeding

Speeding contributed to one in three fatal crashes in 2024.

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G-7 leaders urge Trump to ease off trade war

They tried to push the US leader to reverse course on his plans to slap even steeper tariffs on countries.

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TikTok, Xiaohongshu are China’s new tools in Taiwan

Although both use short video formats, their influence manifests in different ways, writes Yip Wai Yee.

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WhatsApp to show ads, offer paid subscriptions for first time

The ads will use broad, general targeting like a user’s location, language preferences, and Channels they follow.

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Increasing CareShield Life payouts, lowering qualifying criteria among charity’s proposals

The CareShield Life scheme is currently under review, with outcomes to be published in the second half of 2025.

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Company director jailed after his firm’s bank account received over $2m in crime proceeds

Alson Tong Shao Tian is the director of Ambite, which was incorporated in February 2021.

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