Violent explosions and billowing fires tore through three towns north of Boston late on Thursday afternoon, damaging dozens of houses and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. One person was killed in the sudden string of explosions caused by gas leaks in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. Natural gas, and the possibility that gas had become over-pressurised in a main, are suspected to be the cause.

With no natural resources or hinterland, Singapore takes a long-term perspective to survive, said Education Minister Ong Ye Kung. Noting that politics and governance across the world are trending towards the short term and being populist, he outlined how Singapore is dealing with its long-term worries.