On Oct. 27, German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz made an official visit to Singapore’s Parliament House, where he met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

This is Merz’s first visit to Singapore. The Chancellor of Germany is the head of government and equivalent to Singapore's prime minister.

While at Parliament House, Merz and PM Wong held a joint press conference, where they paid tribute to the strong ties between the two countries.

During the visit, PM Wong and Merz over saw the issuing of a refreshed Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

It also saw the release of the Joint Work Plan for 2027 and 2028, following on from the 2025 to 2026 Joint Work Plan.

The Joint Work Plan would guide Singapore-German cooperation across five pillars, namely:

• Political, Defence, Security and Intelligence
• Trade, Investment, Transport, and Urban Development
• Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence
• Research, Science, Technology, and Innovation
• Energy Transition, Green Economy and Climate.

Warm welcome

PM Wong said that Singapore and Germany enjoyed a long-standing and substantive partnership built on mutual trust and shared interest.

Germany was an important partner in Singapore's development, and over the decades, the relationship had grown from strength to strength. Current cooperation spans many areas, underpinned by the Strategic Partnership which was agreed upon in 2024.

Germany is one of Singapore's largest trading partners in the European Union, with bilateral trade in goods and services having increased significantly since 2019, when the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement entered into force.

PM Wong also lauded the strong defence ties between the two countries, giving examples such as Singapore's Leopard tanks and Invincible-class submarines, and the first Sentinel-class offshore patrol vessel, all of which were built in Germany.

PM Wong said that Singapore also deeply appreciated Germany's long-standing support of the SAF’s armour training in Oberlausitz and submarine crew training in Kiel.

Future cooperation

PM Wong highlighted four areas where both countries could do more under Singapore's strategic partnership with Germany, elaborating on four areas covered by the 2027/2028 Joint Work Plan.

Digital economy and AI

The first area was the digital economy and artificial intelligence, where PM Wong said that there was enormous potential for digital technologies and AI to transform both economies and create new opportunities for businesses and workers.

Both countries wanted to go further, particularly in the development and deployment of industrial AI, where PM Wong believed the strengths of both countries could complement each other.

But he also recognised that AI brought new risks and challenges, and it was important to ensure that AI deployment is done in a way that remains “safe, trusted, and human-centred.”

Research and innovation

PM Wong recognised the strong German academic and research presence in Singapore, saying that they had brought researchers and institutions closer together, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration.

2026 also saw the launch of the Singapore-Germany Year of Innovation, and both countries intended to build on this momentum and pursue more joint research and innovation projects in areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, green technology, semiconductors, quantum, and space technologies.

Strengthening regional cooperation

Both countries are deeply connected to the global economy, depending on open markets and strong international partnerships.

However, PM Wong warned that the world was becoming more fragmented, with the "zeitgeist" turning against openness and trade.

He said that the correct response could not be to turn inwards, but instead should be to work with like-minded partners to build new connections.

He welcomed Germany becoming an Asean sectoral dialogue partner in July and said that, as Asean chair next year, Singapore would work to deepen Asean's partnerships with both Germany and the EU.

Both PM Wong and Merz also discussed strengthening linkages between the EU and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

These efforts would help strengthen integration within and across regions, allowing for the diversification of economic links and building greater resilience against global uncertainties.

International rules-based order

For the final point, PM Wong said that both Singapore and Germany were natural partners in upholding the international rules-based order.

PM Wong said that Singapore would continue to work closely with Germany and other like-minded partners to uphold international law and the UN Charter, and strengthen multilateral institutions, including the WTO.

He said that he acknowledged the international order was far from perfect, but the answer was to reform and strengthen it rather than abandon it.

Questions and answers

During the Question and Answer portion of the press conference, PM Wong was asked what opportunities Singaporean businesses would see from the partnership, to which PM Wong said Singapore and Germany brought complementary strengths to the table.

He gave the example of Germany being a world leader in industrial capabilities and engineering, and Singapore's investments in digital technologies and AI.

If the strengths of both countries were combined, it was possible to make progress in areas like industrial AI, particularly in areas such as robotics and automated solutions in manufacturing and logistics.

Opportunities for Singapore in AI application

PM Wong elaborated more in a second question, when he was asked what role middle powers had in AI and whether they would be able to compete with AI superpowers like China and the U.S.

PM Wong acknowledged that much of AI's frontier development or model building was taking place in the U.S. and China, but Singapore's focus was more on the application of AI.

He believed that in that arena, Singapore had some advantages to offer, such as being small, compact, and highly connected as a society.

Singapore also had the rule of law and clear protection for intellectual property, and saw a lot of opportunities in sectors like healthcare, logistics, finance, and advanced manufacturing.

In these areas PM Wong said it was possible to truly “push the frontiers in terms of the deployment of actual AI solutions, and that is a space where we are investing in.”

These were the areas where Singapore was making progress and was keen to work further with Germany.

Shared views

Merz for his part said that he completely shared PM Wong's view, suggesting that Singapore, like Germany, had an important industrial sector, leading to a shared perspective, especially regarding the application of AI.

He also emphasised the regulatory framework in Europe, which he said allowed the development of AI applications to proceed very quickly.

Merz said that if these projects were undertaken together, then the combined influence would be significantly greater.

In response to a question about closer ties between the EU and Asean, PM Wong said that as Singapore would be Asean Chair next year, it will find a meaningful way to mark the 50th anniversary of the EU-Asean partnership in 2027.

PM Wong also shared that steps are being taken towards an EU-Asean Free Trade Agreement.

While it will be complex and challenging, one could take confidence in the fact that individual Asean countries have been discussing their own trade agreements with the EU.

The 25-year-old woman, who died six days after she was hit by a car at Amoy Street, had recently been promoted at work, and was planning to get married next year.

She and her fiancé, engaged for nearly five years, had secured a BTO flat.

At about 12:45am on Oct. 17, Tan Mei Zhen was outside Birds of a Feather at Amoy Street, where she worked at, waiting for her Grab ride home when she was tragically struck, Stomp reported.

The accident involved three cars, one of which crashed into a nearby hoarding.

A 37-year-old woman who drove one of the cars was arrested for drink driving.

Tan, along with her manager whom she was waiting with, were conscious when they were taken to the hospital.

She was in emergency surgery for nearly 13 hours, and later pronounced brain dead.

She passed away on Oct. 23.

No time to react

Tan's fiancé had learnt what happened from another manager at the restaurant who was not involved in the accident.

He recalled feeling shocked and stunned by the sudden news.

"Her manager said their Grab ride was only a minute away when this car suddenly appeared out of nowhere," he told Stomp.

"They had no space, or rather, no reaction time at all to move anywhere. The impact was very fast and very big."

At the hospital, when the family was allowed to see her, she was put fully on life support as her condition was very critical.

The sudden tragedy was hard for her family to bear.

Tan had been on the phone with them just minutes before the accident, telling her father she had the next day off work.

Cheerful and hard-working

Tan had eight siblings, who described her as a cheerful person who took good care of her family.

They shared that despite her own financial struggles, she would work hard to earn money instead of asking her parents for it, and paid her own school fees.

She would also make sure to give money to her parents.

"She spent all her time taking care of our family and working," Tan's brother said, crying.

"Just like that, she’s gone at 25. It’s not fair."

Tan's manager similarly told Shin Min Daily News that she was friendly and hard-working.

She had been working nearly four years at the restaurant, starting out as an intern, he shared. She received a promotion just about two months ago.

Her colleagues, who visited her in hospital, were deeply sad to hear of her death.

Flowers were left for Tan at the scene of the accident.

Seeking justice

Her family hopes there will be justice and that the offence of drink driving will be taken seriously, they told Stomp.

First-time offenders convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol may be fined between S$2,000 and S$10,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both.

In the case of a subsequent conviction, the offence carries a fine ranging from S$5,000 to S$20,000, and a mandatory jail term of up to two years.

Tan's siblings questioned the appropriateness of this penalty.

"Is my sister’s life worth only a sentence of two or three years?" they asked.

The driver did not stop

According to Tan's manager, the female driver who was arrested had first crashed into a car parked outside the restaurant before hitting Tan and her other manager.

He told Shin Min that the female driver did not stop afterwards, but continued going fast towards the main road and then onto the sidewalk across from it.

The car subsequently hit another car, and eventually hit a hoarding at a nearby building.

According to a video of the incident, a driver believed to be among the victims went up to the female driver in anger, Shin Min reported.

She apologised to him and repeatedly said, "This is all my fault."

Police investigations are ongoing.

Singapore foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan is visiting Jakarta on Oct. 27, Bloomberg reported, citing Indonesia's foreign ministry.

The meeting was scheduled for 3 pm Jakarta time.

According to Kompas, Vivian met his Indonesian counterpart, Arrmanatha Nasir, at the Pancasila building.

Vivian's visit comes amid growing tensions between the two countries over the haze from Indonesia's forest and land fires, and Indonesia's decision to cut natural gas exports to Singapore.

From Oct. 24, Indonesia reduced gas exports by about eight per cent, or 31 million standard cubic feet per day.

Singapore's Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng recently said that the country has sufficient gas supply, underscoring that the total reduction from Indonesia amounts to less than two per cent of Singapore's total daily gas needs.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also said that the government expects all parties who signed contracts with Singapore on gas supplies to "honour their commitments".

On Oct. 26, Indonesia's energy minister responded to PM Wong's remarks, saying the amount of gas currently being supplied to Singapore meets the minimum level stipulated under their agreement.

"Our nation is a nation that honours contracts, rules. So don't teach Indonesia on how to honour contracts," the minister said, as quoted by The Jakarta Post.

Related stories

Some Brazilian stocks plunged by up to 50 per cent or more following president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s surprise reelection on Oct. 25.

The 80-year-old sitting president won 51.79 per cent of the votes.

The sharp fall in the markets when the election outcome became clear was attributed to investors' hopes for a pro-business, fiscally conservative shift getting dashed.

The iShares MSCI Brazil ETF, for example, fell by about 20 per cent overnight.

Why are investors pulling out?

Investors worry that Lula’s fourth term will be characterised by high public spending, expanding social benefit, and state-driven consumption, rather than strict budget restraint, Reuters and Bloomberg reported.

The plunge was also analysed to be a market correction, following a spike in inflow of funds in anticipation of a win by conservative rival, Flávio Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro had promised deregulation and spending cuts, which should boost business and asset prices.

Bloomberg had reported that some Brazilian stocks fell as much as 50 per cent.

Background

Bolsonaro was in the lead in the first round of voting, but Lula narrowly won re-election in Sunday's runoff vote.

Bolsonaro, a senator and the eldest son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, lost by more than twice his father's losing margin in 2022.

This marked a sharp reversal in Bolsonaro's initial lead.

Lula, a left-leaning, working class president, is now going to serve a historic fourth term.

The win is a continuation of his political comeback.

He was jailed 580 days from 2018 to 2019 on corruption charges that were later overturned.

That allowed him to beat Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 election.

The latest win also defied polls and halted a wave of right-wing election victories across Latin America.

Update on Oct. 27, 6:38pm: The article has been updated with J&T's statement.

A delivery courier duo was seen throwing parcels on the ground, drawing criticism and anger online.

In an Instagram video posted on Oct. 22 by @sgfollowsall, the two couriers were filmed standing next to a van, with a huge pile of parcels strewn on the road.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SgfollowsAll (@sgfollowsall)

They were dressed in red, white, and grey uniforms, reminiscent of the colours of J&T Express, a courier company.

Both appeared to be carrying a handful of small parcels in their hands, skimming through the label on each parcel before throwing them on the ground.

The courier on the left flung a few parcels several metres away.

After going through each handful of parcels, the two would retrieve more from the pile, and repeat the process.

The courier on the right later grew visibly agitated and his actions became increasingly forceful.

He raised a parcel above his head and hurled it at the ground.

Their voices were also raised in seeming frustration.

Disapproval

Their actions elicited anger and criticism from netizens.

Some users speculated that they seemed to be looking for a specific parcel, and that a parcel might have went missing.

Others pointed out that they were not carelessly handling the items, but rather deliberately using force.

A few expressed their sympathies, acknowledging that while delivery work could be tiring, it did not excuse their actions.

In response to Mothership's queries, a J&T Express spokesperson confirmed that the company is aware of the incident and has "taken stern action" against the delivery personnel involved.

They added that the company is tracing the parcels handled and will follow up directly with affected customers.

Customers with concerns about their parcels are encouraged to email cs.sg@jtexpress.sg or send a direct message on their socials.

The spokesperson stressed that J&T Express takes the proper handling of parcels seriously and apologised for the incident.

A 47-year-old male motorcyclist died following an Oct. 27 accident on the Kranji Expressway (KJE) near the Woodlands exit involving a car, a motorcycle, and a trailer truck.

Based on the video by user @chrisengkh on TikTok, there was no moving traffic on two lanes of a road, with the area cordoned off by traffic cones.

Accident scene

A motorcycle could be seen lying on its side under the trailer, with a white cloth and blue police tent nearby, according to a separate Facebook post.

There was a red car a short distance in front of the trailer, with an ambulance and a fire truck further in front.

Pronounced dead

The police told Mothership that they were alerted at about 7:20am on Oct. 27 to an accident involving a car, a motorcycle, and a trailer truck, along KJE towards the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE).

Responding to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said SCDF was alerted at the same time to a road traffic accident along KJE towards BKE near the Woodlands exit.

An SCDF paramedic pronounced a 47-year-old male motorcyclist dead at the scene and police investigations are ongoing.

Temasek Trust chairman Ho Ching has praised former transport minister S Iswaran for his "foresight" in starting Singapore's Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) terminal about two decades ago.

The decision, made during the global financial crisis years of 2008 and 2009, has come in handy now by ensuring Singapore has a consistent supply of energy, she said.

Ho's comments come against the backdrop of Indonesia cutting natural gas exports to Singapore in a move for "survival", in the wake of the Middle East crisis that has affected energy exports.

'We all make mistakes'

In a Facebook post on Oct. 27, Ho began by writing that "in life, we all make mistakes".

"But our mistakes should not overshadow the good we have done," she added.

Iswaran pleaded guilty on Sep. 24, 2024 to five criminal charges related to him receiving gifts as a public servant.

He completed two-thirds of his one-year jail sentence and was released on remission, making him the first Singaporean cabinet minister to serve time.

Foresight

Ho thanked Iswaran for "his courage and foresight" in starting the LNG terminal in Singapore.

Prior to the LNG terminal operating, Iswaran was the Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

The first LNG shipment to Singapore was from Trinidad and Tobago, Ho added.

As the terminal grew over the years, Singapore has had offers of LNG supplies from across the world on long-term and on-spot bases, she added.

Ho also praised Energy, Trade and Industry Minister Tan See Leng and his team for successfully landing an agreement with Saudi Arabia to establish a crude oil storage arrangement in Singapore's Jurong Rock Caverns on Oct. 26

Importance of energy

"Energy is existential, more than even water," Ho wrote.

She explained that it is the cornerstone of an advanced civilisation and has led to better standards of living:

"Let’s work together for a better future for all, but let’s also recognise and salute those who worked and work tirelessly or quietly in the background to secure stronger foundations for a better future in a better world."

Singapore's LNG terminal

Singapore's LNG import terminal, located on Jurong Island, was first announced by the government in 2006.

It was originally planned as a commercial venture designed to import LNG to diversify Singapore's energy sources and meet future energy needs.

While originally developed by a consortium between PowerGas, a subsidiary of Singapore Power, and another company, Iswaran announced in 2009 that the government would be taking over and developing the terminal due to the global recession.

The Singapore LNG Corporation was then established by the Energy Market Authority (EMA).

The terminal then held its groundbreaking ceremony on Mar. 31, 2010, and began formal operations in 2013.

The Singapore Embassy in Jakarta denied unfounded social media claims that two Indonesian public figures visited the Singapore ambassador's residence on oct. 18.

According to The Straits Times, the embassy said it would work with Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs to address the false claims.

In the statement, the embassy said it was aware of false statements claiming former Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal and Professor Saiful Mujani had visited Ambassador Kwok Fook Seng's residence.

"No such visit took place. This is clearly disinformation."

According to Indonesian media outlet Antara, Dino also denied the allegations. He said he was in Perth on Oct. 18 to attend an event.

"The news is 100 percent fiction. Totally fabricated", Dino said.

Dino had recently pushed back against accusations that GIC and Temasek were behind a stock market rout in the Southeast Asian archipelago.

In an Oct. 22 video posted on Instagram, Dino Patti Djalal did not name ex-Indonesian trade minister Muhammad Lutfi specifically, but addressed the latter's allegations that Singapore was supposedly conspiring to cripple Indonesia's capital markets.

According to Antara, Dino said he suspected the allegations were part of a broader disinformation campaign by to intimidate people from exercising their freedom of expression and obscure facts the public should know.

According to CNA, citing Metro TV, Saiful said he had never met or spoken to either Dino or Kwok.

The Arla Protein Salted Caramel Flavour Pudding (200g) is being recalled in Singapore.

Singapore Food Agency (SFA) noted in an Oct. 27 press release that the Food Standards Australia New Zealand has issued a recall on the product due to the potential presence of glass fragments.

As a precautionary measure, SFA has therefore directed its importer (Trade-Pro Food Distribution Pte Ltd) to do the same.

The product originates from Denmark and the batch has a Best Before date of Apr. 28, 2027.

Do not eat it

Under the Sale of Food Act, foods known to be unsafe for consumption should not be sold, SFA said.

It added that consumers who have purchased the affected product should not eat it. They can contact their point of purchase if they have any enquiries.

Those who have consumed the pudding and have concerns about their health should seek medical attention.

Small fragments of glass, if swallowed, usually get coated in bodily fluids and digested food, and are able to pass harmlessly via bowel movements in one to three days.

However, small flecks can also cause superficial scratches to the lining of the throat, esophagus, or stomach, leading to mild sore throat or temporary irritation.

A Japanese girl, known as Runa, passed away in December 2025, five months after she had been detained.

The 16-year-old was locked up for 18 days and was not allowed to see her mother during that time.

According to Japanese media, she developed post-traumatic stress disorder and an eating disorder after her release.

She passed away in December 2025.

Suspected assault

Runa’s mother, Yoko, was in charge of a home that cares for people with disabilities in Hyogo prefecture.

Runa worked there as well.

During an incident, two patients had gotten into a disagreement, and Runa had put her hand against a patient’s chin to stop them from biting the other.

She was arrested four months later on suspicion of assault, during which she was held for 18 days.

She was barred from meeting her mother and detailed what she felt and went through during this time in a journal, as reported by Kansai TV.

She wrote that she “really didn’t do it”, and “I love you, Mommy, I can’t wait to see you.”

Her writings were reportedly smudged by tears.

She also recounted what she was asked during questioning, including things like, “You did it, didn’t you? Tell the truth.” and “We don't want to shut down the facility, so don't cause your mother any trouble.”

Runa maintained her innocence.

The Japan Times reported that she vomited and collapsed, and was taken to a hospital for brief medical care before being released on non-prosecution.

Following her incarceration, she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. She also developed an eating disorder.

Runa’s weight continued to drop, and she passed away five months later in December 2025 at 20 kilograms from extreme malnutrition.

Mother filed lawsuit

Yoko has since filed a lawsuit against the national and prefectural governments, seeking JPY$109,000,000 (S$888,617) in damages.

She claims Runa’s death was caused by illegal arrests and detention.

The first court hearing took place on Oct. 21, as reported by ABC TV.

Yoko asked to clarify the facts and basis behind the decision to detain her daughter.

Her claims include that Runa was subjected to 18 days of physical detention under an illegal and sloppy investigation, and said that she had been pressured to confess to the crime.

She suffered from extreme malnutrition and lost a significant amount of weight.

Meanwhile, the Hyogo Prefectural Police said that there was no illegality under the National Compensation Act in the police investigation and the handling of the detention facility.

They also pointed out that Runa did not die immediately after being released, but 5 months later. They questioned if there were other reasons such as pre-existing medical conditions.

They have asked for the claim to be dismissed.