The blueprint for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) will be launched in December 2026 by Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

This was announced to the media at a doorstop on Nov. 2.

Strong bilateral relationship

Speaking at the doorstop, Singapore's Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said the bilateral relationship between Singapore and Malaysia is "very strong", adding that the countries have made "very good progress" since the JS-SEZ was formed.

He was very heartened to see the investment projects that have been approved and the jobs that have been created, noting that this is the beginning of many more to come.

Chee added: "We can only achieve this because we have been working very closely together as partners, reinforcing the pro-business environment that the Johor Singapore SEZ is able to provide to investors."

He was also glad to know that many of the investors are from Singapore, as well as many investors coming from around the world.

Chee pointed out that this "continued strong interest from the investment community, from the business community", is the result of this "strong partnership and collaboration" among Singapore, Malaysia, and Johor.

"So we would certainly want to continue this partnership, work even more closely together, and see how we can take this collaboration forward and do more together for the benefit of our people, our communities, and our businesses," he added.

Strategic move

Calling it a "very strategic move" by both countries, Malaysia's Minister of Economy Akmal Nasir brought up the numbers from the JS-SEZ from 2025 to June 2026.

He said RM88.83 billion (~S$28 billion) was recorded in terms of approved investments, adding that out of that, 45 per cent has been realised.

"So, in that sense, it's not just about having great potential, but the real challenge and the commitment by...both countries, to deliver this prospect with a really good outcome," Akmal said.

He added that the joint investment forum will be held by the first quarter of 2027 and as such, they "want to keep up this good momentum", noting that it will benefit both countries, its people and the business communities in both regions.

Blueprint

In that regard, the plan is for the blueprint to be announced and launched by Singapore and Malaysia's prime ministers in December, to coincide with the upcoming leaders' retreat.

"I think both sides have been working very well together to develop the various initiatives to support this blueprint," said Chee.

"The blueprint represents a medium to longer-term vision of what we want to achieve for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone."

"But to be able to realise this vision, a lot of hard work needs to go in between the various agencies to iron out some out these specific initiatives," he added.

That includes talent development, facilitating the movement of people and goods, as well as trade and investments, and looking at transportation and connectivity.

Chee said these are "important supporting elements to make the blueprint come to life, and to be able to realise the benefits for win-win cooperation".

Mutually beneficial outcome

In addition, Chee said: "We see the Johor–Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee (JSCMC) as a very important and useful platform..."

He noted that it allows the ministers from both sides to discuss areas to strengthen cooperation, and added that they are also looking at how to strengthen connectivity.

Raising the enhancements of the cross-border taxi services between Singapore and Johor as an example, Chee added that enhancements to connectivity will be "further boosted when the Rapid Transit System (RTS) comes into operation in February 2027".

"The important thing is this: the benefit of this cooperation leads to a win-win, mutually beneficial outcome, and that is what I believe will be important to make this a sustainable collaboration," Chee said.

He added: "...It reflects the larger bilateral friendship and partnership between Singapore and Malaysia, and between Singapore and Johor."

"...In the time like this, when the world is more uncertain, less predictable, actually like-minded partners and close neighbours, we need to work even more closely together, and achieve this growth, prosperity, and benefits, good jobs, for our people."

JS-SEZ agreement

An earlier report mentioned that the JS-SEZ agreement was signed by Singapore and Malaysia on Jan. 6, 2025, and it aims to:

1. Improves cross-border goods connectivity between Singapore and Johor
2. Enables freer movement of people, and
3. Strengthens the business ecosystem within the region.

With the agreement, Singapore and Johor would strive to complement each other in ways that increase their value proposition to each other and companies seeking a destination for global investments.

Singapore's strengths as a global hub for technology, business, and finance and Johor's abundant land and resources could open the JS-SEZ to many twinning opportunities.

The JS-SEZ aims to deepen cooperation in 11 economic sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, financial services, and the digital economy, to help companies expand their regional footprint.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating around 45 companies involved in airport operations at Changi Airport for suspected offences and infringements under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 (EFMA).

This includes false declarations and illegal deployment of foreign workers, MOM said in a Nov. 2 press release.

Suspected offences, infringements

The agency found Employment Pass (EP) holders deployed to perform baggage handling services during a recent inspection at Changi Airport.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the salaries and occupations declared to MOM for these EP holders were false, the release stated.

It added that other work pass holders were also found performing baggage handling work, which was different from their declared occupations.

Investigations have so far identified around 270 workers whose deployment may not have been in compliance with work pass regulations.

These workers were employed by the Singapore Airport Terminal Services' (SATS) contractors and subcontractors, the release noted.

Strengthen oversight

MOM has directed SATS to strengthen its oversight of the companies they have contracted, including verifying that foreign workers are deployed in accordance with their work passes.

This also includes rectifying any compliance deficiencies, the release stated.

MOM has also issued an advisory to other companies involved in SATS' operations, underscoring their obligation to comply with the EFMA and applicable work pass requirements.

Penalties

The release noted that MOM takes a serious view of work pass offences.

Investigations are ongoing and MOM will take enforcement action if breaches of the EFMA are established.

The agency will also continue to conduct checks to ensure compliance with work pass requirements.

The release stated that under the EFMA, making a false declaration in a work pass application carries a fine of up to S$20,000, up to two years' jail, or both.

Employers who illegally deploy a foreign employee may face a financial penalty of up to S$10,000. They may also be barred from hiring work pass holders.

According to the release, members of the public who are aware of suspected work pass infringements may report them to MOM through its Report an Infringement eService.

A private jet in the U.S. plunged toward the ground in Florida on Nov. 1 (U.S. time), killing nine people.

Air traffic control has revealed the final moments from the jet before the incident, reported the New York Post.

The private jet was headed from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.

It crashed in Greenacres, Florida, a community for modular and mobile homes.

Chilling audio

The pilot had initially reported moderate turbulence and manageable ice to the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center.

However, the pilot soon radioed: “We’re descending 8,000 - mayday, mayday - we’re descending 10,000 ft per minute."

This was followed by: “We’re going to crash into the ground.”

About 35 seconds after the first mayday call, the last thing heard from the cockpit was a female crew member screaming, “Holy f*ck, we’re out of time.”

Videos uploaded to social media captured the jet plummeting to the ground, erupting into a fireball that left behind a large hole in the ground.

WATCH: Dashcam video captures the crash of a $2 million Learjet 60 (N722BD) in Palm Springs, Florida. https://t.co/8jmiOMG9ys

— Scope Report (@ScopeReport_) November 1, 2026

Chang Cheng Hokkien mee in Serangoon closed on Oct. 31 after 32 years in business.

Located at Yu Xiang Coffee Shop in Block 237 Serangoon Avenue 3, the stall was operated by a couple who worked over 10 hours a day, six days a week, Shin Min Daily News reported.

After more than three decades in the business, Wu Fushun (transliteration), 64, and his wife, Lin Rongduan (transliteration), 61, reportedly decided to call it a day to prioritise their health.

Well-wishes from customers

News of the closure prompted customers who had not visited in a while to pay one last visit.

During their final week of business, the stall saw a 50 per cent increase in customers, Wu told Shin Min.

An 11-year-old girl also wrote a letter thanking the couple.

Wu shared that the girl's parents had been patronising the stall since before they got married. After starting a family, they continued bringing their daughter along.

Lin took the letter home as a keepsake.

The daughter of another regular customer also made a special trip to the stall with a box of chocolates to bid the couple farewell.

Wu shared that a customer, who was in his 80s, had not visited the stall in some time.

They later learnt that he had passed away a month earlier.

"I had known him for over 30 years. When his daughter shared the news with us, our eyes welled up with tears. After all, a bond had formed over time," Wu said.

Lin revealed that the 32 years of running the stall had taken a toll on Wu's health.

Ultimately, the couple decided to close the stall and prioritise their well-being.

Over 112,000 people discontinued their optional private health insurance add-ons in 2025 after policyholders faced rising premiums.

According to The Straits Times, 65,000 people dropped their Integrated Shield Plan (IP) riders in 2024; compared with 2025 figures, that is a 72 per cent increase.

Around 5.6 per cent of the 2 million-odd pool of IP rider policyholders quit in 2025, ST noted, citing figures they received.

Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, Ong Ye Kung, said that as prices of IP and IP rider premiums rise, policyholders have downgraded or cancelled their plans in a September parliamentary reply, reported ST.

Downgrades and cancellations stood at 99,000 in 2023, 105,900 in 2024 and 128,200 in 2025.

Likewise for riders, the drop was 84,800 in 2023, 103,400 in 2024 and 181,800 in 2025.

What is an IP and its rider?

MediShield Life, the national healthcare insurance scheme, insures all Singaporeans across their lifetime, covering expenses such as hospitalisations and surgical procedures.

However, for those who want additional coverage, they can choose to purchase an IP.

An IP is an optional plan offered by a private insurer. It provides additional coverage for private wards and private healthcare institutions, according to MOH's website.

On top of the base IP, policyholders can buy riders.

Riders are optional add-ons to reduce out-of-pocket payments. They may also cover additional benefits with higher premiums.

Figures

An MOH spokesperson provided ST with a breakdown of rider figures, which revealed that for those who lowered their coverage, over 60 per cent stopped their riders while less than 40 per cent downgraded their policy.

For those who ceased purchasing riders, the numbers remained similar at 66,100 in 2023 and 65,000 in 2024, with a sharp increase to 112,300 in 2025.

Downgrades to lower-tier riders also rose from 18,700 in 2023 to 38,300 and 69,400 in 2025, reported ST.

In a parliamentary answer in May 2026, Member of Parliament for West Coast – Jurong West GRC, Hamid Razak, said that from December 2021 to December 2024, private hospital IP premiums and private hospital rider premiums have been rising at a yearly average of 8.6 per cent and 17.2 per cent, respectively.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) also noted in a forum reply that annual premiums can reach up to S$9,000 for a rider policyholder aged 70, and even higher when they get older.

Additionally, ST noted that annual rider premiums could triple when policyholders age from 50 to 70 years old.

ST added that IP policyholders with riders could pay around S$12,700 to S$22,700 depending on the insurer and IP coverage.

About 71 per cent of Singapore residents, approximately three million people, held IPs at the end of 2024.

During renovations of their Build-to-Order (BTO) Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat, a homeowner was shocked to notice that an unknown man was trespassing into the unit at will through the open front doors.

The incidents were captured on the homeowner's CCTV camera, which they also used to communicate with the man.

According to the clips posted on Instagram, the man entered the flat twice in a week.

In the first instance, he was seen clad in a bright yellow shirt and carrying a backpack while using his phone to snap pictures of different rooms inside the flat.

Days later, he trespassed again, this time clad in a teal shirt and accompanied by an unknown woman, supposedly his wife.

According to the homeowner, the man had tailgated Building Service Centre (BSC) workers entering the flat.

The homeowner then decided to confront the duo and talk through them through their CCTV system.

When asked why he was back, the man claimed he had not been in the flat for long, according to the video.

At the same time, his wife could be seen walking deeper into the flat, ostensibly into the bedrooms.

"Thank goodness we installed CCTV and nothing was stolen," said the homeowner.

Homeowner installed keypad lock days before

They wrote in the post: "The craziest part? It happened just ONE DAY after we installed our keypad lock and CCTV!"

The homeowner told Stomp the first incident happened in late July, when contractors were carrying out air-conditioning installation works.

The main door was left open to allow the workers access to piping outside the unit.

According to Stomp, the homeowner expressed their surprise and concern about having an unexpected visitor in their unit.

They had initially not intended to highlight the issue as they thought that the man was simply curious about the unit.

However, when he returned days later, they were more concerned, in particular about the privacy and security of the home.

"It made us realise that it would be worthwhile to raise awareness that, regardless of the circumstances or intention, entering another person’s home without permission is not something that should be encouraged," the homeowner told Stomp.

They added that while they believed in maintaining the "kampong spirit", respecting boundaries is an important part of it.

The homeowner added that they did not wish to blame or shame anyone, but simply wanted to raise awareness about unauthorised entry.

In the tech field, AI is rapidly replacing junior-level tasks. Young tech workers have borne the brunt of slower hiring and a preference for experienced talent.

But the pursuit of short-term productivity cannot undermine the development of experienced professionals in the years ahead.

So whose job is it to bridge this gap? Tan Kiat How, patron of the TIP Alliance+, and Lim Bee Kwan and Gavin Chua, co-chairs of the TIP Alliance+, offer their insights.

Tan Kiat How is Senior Minister of State of for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).  Lim Bee Kwan is president of the Singapore Computer Society, and Gavin Chua is chairman of SGTech.

By Tan Kiat How, Lim Bee Kwan, and Gavin Chua

For young Singaporeans preparing to enter technology careers, this should be an exciting time.

AI can write software, build applications and help small teams achieve what once required many people.

Yet excitement is increasingly accompanied by anxiety: fresh graduates see restructuring, changing entry-level roles and headlines about hundreds of job applications going unanswered.

Some wonder whether they chose the right profession.

These concerns deserve more than reassurance. They deserve a practical response.

Singapore’s technology workforce grew 3.8 per cent to more than 222,000 in 2025. Almost six in ten technology professionals now work outside the Information and Communications sector, as opportunities expand in finance, manufacturing, healthcare and other industries.

A technology career need not begin in a technology company. But a growing profession does not necessarily mean an easier entry into it.

AI can enable smaller teams to complete some tasks faster, even as employers seek new hires who can contribute earlier. Strong technical foundations remain essential, alongside AI fluency, domain understanding and practical judgement.

When the first rung changes

Stanford University’s Digital Economy Lab found weaker relative employment trends among young U.S. workers in highly AI-exposed occupations, with slower hiring appearing important.

Reporting on India’s IT sector also points to reduced graduate recruitment and a preference for experienced talent.

These are warning signs, not proof that AI caused the changes or that Singapore faces identical conditions.

They nevertheless raise a question we cannot ignore. Junior engineers traditionally learnt by writing simpler programmes, testing systems, making mistakes and receiving guidance from experienced colleagues.

AI can now assist with much of that work. If the tasks through which people learnt their craft are changing, how will tomorrow’s professionals gain experience and judgement?

Problem-solving

We should not allow the pursuit of short-term productivity to undermine the development of experienced professionals our economy will need in the years ahead.

Yet this burden cannot fall on any one party — least of all young people.

An employer may reasonably automate junior tasks and hire experienced staff. But if every employer does so, who will develop the next generation of engineers, architects and technology leaders?

Schools cannot recreate workplaces on their own. Students cannot create vacancies or change recruitment practices themselves.

What makes sense for individual organisations in the short term may not produce the best outcome for the economy as a whole.

Even government cannot close the gap simply by subsidising courses.

That is why we have been working through TIP Alliance+, bringing ITEs, polytechnics, autonomous universities, employers, industry associations and government agencies together.

The partnership connects three things that must evolve together: what students learn, how they gain experience, and how employers recognise their capabilities.

Three practical changes

First, bring industry closer to education.

Industry-led skills pathways in AI, cloud and cybersecurity are being made more accessible. Domain pathways help students understand how technology is applied in financial services, government and, in future, healthcare.

The aim is not merely to teach more technology, but to connect strong foundations to real problems.

Second, bring apprenticeship into the curriculum.

Through Bridge2Tech, we aim to provide 3,000 year-long Enhanced Internship opportunities over three years across ITEs, polytechnics and autonomous universities.

The enhancement is not simply duration. It is the close co-design between educational institutions and employers of what students learn and contribute.

These credit-bearing, curriculum-linked placements last 10 to 12 months, meet course requirements and involve meaningful industry projects.

Students can follow substantial work through, learn from experienced colleagues and receive feedback, while employers benefit from their contributions.

Early results are encouraging. In MOE’s Internship Survey, Enhanced Internship participants reported better outcomes than regular interns in supervision and mentorship, training quality, career preparedness and satisfaction.

In an IMDA survey, 94 per cent of participating employers intended to continue offering Enhanced Internships; 83 per cent said they would hire their intern if a suitable vacancy existed.

Turning principle into practice

But these are reported experiences and intentions, not proven long-term employment outcomes.

Making this possible requires commitment on all sides. A year-long placement represents one-third of a three-year diploma.

Institutions must adjust curricula and schedules; employers must provide substantive projects, mentorship and developmental feedback; government helps reduce barriers and support participation.

This is partnership in practice — not simply organisations agreeing in principle, but changing how they operate.

As the model expands, we want to raise the quality bar further: help students learn when to rely on AI and validate its outputs, give them progressive ownership of real work, and strengthen structured coaching in judgement and professional responsibility.

We should automate the task, not the learning.

Third, bring hiring closer to demonstrated capability. More than 200 employers have pledged support for skills-based hiring through TIP Alliance+. Degrees and diplomas remain valuable, but employers should also recognise practical projects, industry certifications and demonstrated skills.

The next test is whether commitments change job advertisements, assessments and hiring outcomes. We cannot change how students learn without also changing how employers hire.

Work in progress

TIP Alliance+ and Bridge2Tech are concrete steps, not complete solutions.

Success is not measured only by courses completed, internship places offered or employer pledges. It is whether young people develop meaningful capabilities, enter good jobs and progress in their careers.

So we must keep listening, evaluating, and improving.

Employers also have reason to invest. Young people can bring fresh perspectives and AI skills that create value now, while mentorship and apprenticeship develop the experienced talent every organisation will need later. Developing that talent is a shared investment whose benefits reach across companies and generations.

Imagine a virtuous exchange: AI-native students bring fresh perspectives and hands-on familiarity with generative tools, complementing the experience and business knowledge of senior colleagues.

Together, they translate business challenges into practical solutions, while helping the wider workforce build confidence and capability in adopting these technologies.

We cannot promise that every job will remain unchanged. But we can make sure young people do not have to navigate the transition alone. We must develop tomorrow’s professionals even as we improve today’s productivity.

If AI is changing the first rungs of the career ladder, we must build new bridges — together.

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) aircraft was seen tilting sharply to one side while attempting to land at Perth Airport in Australia on Oct. 31, 2026.

A video circulating online showed the aircraft tilting to the right as it approached the runway, with its right wing appearing close to the ground.

The plane subsequently climbed back into the air instead of landing.

Footage of incident shared on Facebook

The footage was shared on Facebook by Chris Perry on Oct. 31.

Perry's sister was reportedly among the passengers on board the aircraft.

A second video posted by Perry showed the aircraft subsequently landing safely.

SIA confirms aircraft encountered strong winds

In response to Mothership's queries, an SIA spokesperson confirmed that flight SQ213, travelling from Singapore to Perth on Oct. 31, encountered strong winds while approaching Perth International Airport.

"As a result, the pilots decided to conduct a go-around,” the spokesperson said.

"The Airbus A350-900 aircraft landed safely at 1230hrs (local time) and taxied to the gate," the spokesperson added.

"The safety of our customers and crew is SIA's top priority."

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A man heard a voice telling him to kill someone.

Chua Jing Yuan, 27, later brought a knife and a claw hammer to Kallang Wave Mall and wandered around for an hour.

He decided to target a 31-year-old woman, slashing and stabbing her before fleeing.

Chua pleaded guilty on Nov. 2 to attempted culpable homicide causing hurt over the attack, reported CNA and The Straits Times.

Two charges for possessing offensive weapons in public was taken into consideration during sentencing.

Chua was originally charged with attempted murder but was assessed to be suffering from major depressive disorder with psychotic features, which allowed him a defence of diminished responsibility.

He was ultimately sentenced to five years and six months’ imprisonment.

Mental illness

According to court documents seen by Mothership, Chua was first seen at Jurong Polyclinic in May 2021 for anxiety.

He was then referred to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital where he was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder with obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

He attended treatment but defaulted after his last appointment on Mar. 20, 2023, when he was observed to have improved.

Subsequently, his mental state deteriorated, and he reported hearing a voice telling him to kill someone else and to end his own life by drinking bleach.

Spotted victim

Sometime on Jul. 13, 2025, Chua decided to act on the instructions of the voice.

According to him, the voice insisted that he dress completely in black clothing and buy bleach, a knife, and a hammer.

Chua bought the items at Jurong Point, then went to a stairwell where his sister lived to pack them into a backpack.

He changed and placed his old clothes into a riser compartment so that his family could find them after he died.

On Jul. 14, 2025, Chua went to Kallang Wave Mall at about 12:30am to find a suitable target.

At about 1:20am, he spotted the victim, who was going to the restroom after drinking with her boyfriend and an acquaintance.

He decided to kill her and uttered “wait a moment” in Mandarin.

The victim stopped in her tracks.

Chua then quickly took the knife from his backpack and slashed the victim on the left side of her neck and stabbed her once in her right chest.

He believed this was the fastest way to kill her.

Chua then fled and searched for another location to commit suicide by drinking bleach.

The victim rushed to her boyfriend and acquaintance, who gave chase and later restrained Chua.

Passers-by at the scene also helped to subdue Chua and called the police.

Threatened to kill himself

When police officers arrived at around 1:30am, Chua asked them to shoot him.

He told the police: "I kill her so that you can shoot me".

He also started banging his head on the ground, threatening to kill himself.

Victim underwent surgery

The victim was taken to the hospital, where she underwent surgery.

She suffered a stab wound over her chest wall and a laceration over her neck.

The victim remained well post-operatively, and she was discharged the next day, on Jul. 15, 2025.

She was later reviewed in August 2025 and found to have no significant disability.

She incurred medical expenses over S$2,510, of which S$1,590 was reimbursed by insurance.

Major depressive disorder

Chua was assessed at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), where he was found to be suffering from major depressive disorder with psychotic features.

The doctor found that this was significantly contributory to his offending as it severely compromised his judgment.

He was reticent, with poor concentration and eye contact, appeared severely depressed and had mood-congruent auditory hallucinations, the doctor said.

However, Chua was found fit to plead in court as he was "not of unsound mind" at the time of the offence.

Chua's condition, however, would have qualified him for a defence of diminished responsibility, as his depression was severe and had badly compromised his judgment.

For attempted culpable homicide causing hurt, Chua can be jailed for up to 15 years, fined, caned, or a combination of the three.

Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

• National mindline.sg Hotline: 1771 (24 hours)
• National mindline.sg WhatsApp: 66691771 (24 hours)
• SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767
• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
• Centre for Domestic Employees: 1800 225 5233 (24 hours)
• Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training: 1800 339 4357 (24 hours)
• HOME (migrant worker): +65 6341 5535 (WhatsApp / Viber / SMS)
• HOME (domestic worker): +65 9787 3122 (WhatsApp / SMS / Call)
• SHECARES@SCWO: Call: 8001 01 4616 | WhatsApp: 8985 5528 (For targets of online harms)
• National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH): 1800-777-0000

On Oct. 26, 2026, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Changi Airport Terminal 4 profiled four arriving foreigners for further checks and found a total of 5,272 vaporisers and related components in their luggage.

All four were referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and will face higher penalties under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA).

The haul was part of enforcement actions taken between Oct. 26 and 29.

Over the course of four days, ICA detected 50 cases of travellers found in possession of vaporisers.

More than 5,476 vaporisers and related components were seized in total.

ICA said that about 68 per cent of the cases involved short-term visitors and 32 per cent were Singapore residents, comprising citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders.

"These checks aim to detect and deter attempts to smuggle vaporisers into Singapore. Vaping is illegal in Singapore. Foreigners who visit or reside in Singapore must abide by our laws," ICA said.

Short-term visitors who re-offend will be banned from re-entering Singapore, while long-term pass holders who re-offend may have their passes revoked on a third offence and be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore, ICA added.