Singapore dollar rises amid renewed U.S. tariff threats
The Singapore dollar gains ground against the U.S. dollar, driven by growing momentum in the so-called “sell America” trend triggered by renewed tariff threats.
Singapore will begin testing self-driving public buses on select routes starting mid-2026, aiming to evaluate their potential for widespread deployment, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on January 27.
In a Facebook post, LTA revealed that it has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting bids to pilot autonomous bus services in the city-state. The RFP will help assess the technical and operational viability of deploying driverless buses on both individual routes and as part of a fleet.
The pilot program will feature six self-driving buses, each with a minimum capacity of 16 seats, operating alongside manned buses for an initial three-year period. These buses will serve routes in Marina Bay, Shenton Way, a business park, and a research center on Singapore's outskirts. LTA explained that these shorter, simpler routes were selected for the initial phase.
For safety, drivers will be present on board as "safety operators" during the first stage of the trial. Once the system proves reliable, remote safety operators will take over supervisory roles.
To potentially expand the pilot, LTA may procure up to 14 additional autonomous buses. The RFP process will close in the second quarter of 2025, with the project expected to be awarded by the end of the year.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned U.S. immigration raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, calling for reforms instead of enforcement.
Israel’s military says it has identified the body of top Hamas commander Mohammed Sinwar beneath a hospital in southern Gaza.
The Israeli military has issued an evacuation advisory for Iranian civilians living near weapons production sites and associated infrastructure within Iran. The message was shared on the social media platform X in both Arabic and Farsi by an official military spokesperson.
On Day 3 of the escalating conflict, a new wave of ballistic missiles was launched from Iran towards Israel, striking fear across the region as explosions were reported in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Amid the threat of civil war and national collapse, Azerbaijan turned to its most experienced statesman, Heydar Aliyev, whose return to power on June 15, 1993, marked the beginning of the country's political revival.
The Trump administration is preparing to dramatically widen its immigration crackdown, with plans to ban entry to citizens from 36 more countries unless security and cooperation standards are met within 60 days, according to an internal State Department cable.
"MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN" — President Donald J. Trump called for peace between Israel and Iran, saying diplomacy is underway and a deal is within reach.
Germany intensified its diplomatic efforts on Sunday as Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned of a looming regional catastrophe in the Middle East, calling for immediate de-escalation and humanitarian access amid growing fears of a broader war.
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