Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Goh Chok Tong meet former U.S. President Bill Clinton
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, this week. The meeting, which took place on Wednesday (May 21) as part of Mr Clinton's visit to the region, focused on exchanging insights on global and regional developments.
In a LinkedIn post following the meeting, Prime Minister Wong expressed appreciation for President Clinton's longstanding support of U.S.-Singapore relations during his presidency.
He noted that Mr Clinton had worked closely with then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong to lay the groundwork for the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA).
The USSFTA was historic as it was the first bilateral free trade agreement between the United States and an Asian country. The FTA eliminated tariffs on goods, enhanced intellectual property protections, and expanded access to services, financial markets, and government procurement opportunities.
The agreement was signed in 2003 and went into force in 2004. It remains a central component of U.S.-Singapore economic ties. See also Is Multi-Ministry Task Force changing its Covid-19 strategy?
Prime Minister Wong said on social media, 'Singapore and the US continue to share many areas of strategic cooperation. We look forward to deepening this partnership in the years ahead.'
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CNA
30 minutes ago
- CNA
‘I miss the excitement': PS Cafe's Peter Teo returns to F&B scene with new bistro in Holland Village
While retirement ushers in a slower pace in life and well-earned rest for many, Peter Teo, co-founder of Singapore's beloved PS Cafe, found himself grappling with a missing sense of purpose. In 2022, Teo and his longtime partners Philip Chin and Richard Chamberlain, sold their remaining stakes in PSGourmet, the parent company of PS Cafe, to investment firm Sun Venture. 'We'd built what we built over more than 25 years. [We felt it was time] to get new blood into the business, with a new vision to take it to the next stage,' Teo said of the exit. By then, PS Cafe had multiple outlets across Singapore and had even expanded abroad. The group's portfolio had also diversified to include contemporary Japanese restaurant Jypsy and Anglo-Chinese eatery Chopsuey Cafe. With the business at that scale, the trio felt it was no longer the right fit for where they were in their lives. 'It was about doing the right thing by PS Cafe and responsibly passing it on to people with the energy to further grow the business,' said Teo. Retirement saw Teo spending more time in New Zealand, where his sister and family live. 'It was a different pace of life, where people are not on their phones all the time and they talk to you on the street. It was a bit more relaxing, and the weather can be lovely.' But in a true case of 'the grass is always greener,' it wasn't long before the creative entrepreneur and F&B veteran grew restless. 'What I realise is, when I don't have PS Cafe or a business to run, I miss the excitement,' Teo laughed. 'It's always the case, when you're very busy, you want an escape. But when you're not busy, you start looking for some busyness.' A NEW CHAPTER To scratch the itch, Teo ended up investing in a humble pie business he had come across at a farmer's market, which reignited his love for F&B and hospitality. Earlier this year, he partnered with distiller Philibert Gandy and Edward Lee, PSGourmet's former group business director, to open a distillery back in Singapore called Distillius. Teo has always had a passion for exploring new flavours. 'For me, tasting is about discovery. I'll eat airplane food just to see how it was done. I know it's not going to be great, but I'm just curious,' he said, adding with a chuckle that his 'waist is not very happy about it'. This natural curiosity brought him to the process of distillation, which he describes as equal parts art and science. 'There's the art of deciding what botanicals you want to put together, and then the science of how to do it, and then the end product is where both art and science meet.' Distillius specialises in what Teo calls 'equatorial aperitifs', crafted from botanicals from the equatorial belt. One of the products the team came up with is Arveau, a bittersweet amaro made from ginseng root, calamansi and torch ginger. Another product is the Super Pandan, a grass-fresh liqueur that captures the pure aroma of pandan leaves. As the team continued to experiment, they began looking for a space where people could taste their creations. Leaning into Teo's expertise in F&B, they came up with the idea of a bistro. 'We could try to get our products into other bars or restaurants, but there's nothing like coming to a space specially designed to showcase your creations,' Teo reasoned. The tasting experience, Teo felt, should be complemented by food. 'We felt that we needed to create something in a restaurant setting, where you can have a cocktail before dinner. It's what we call tasting in the wild.' RETURNING TO F&B Chip Bee Bistro, located in the heart of Chip Bee Gardens in Holland Village, opened on Jul 24. For the new project, Teo roped in the founding members of PS Cafe, Chin and Chamberlain, along with Lee, as partners. 'We have worked together for so long and we're all strong in our own ways. Philip and I work on the food. Richard is very much into the design of the space. Working with them is like having a comfort blanket. I can't imagine not getting their feedback and input,' he said about bringing the band back together. At a time when Holland Village is facing a wave of closures – including long-standing F&B establishments Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Boa and Wala Wala – some may question Teo's choice of location. But Teo and his co-founders have a special connection to the neighbourhood. 'The first house that Philip, Richard and I shared together was in Taman Warna. So this feels a bit like coming home,' shared Teo. Teo is unfazed by the current headwinds in Holland Village. After all, PS Cafe thrived by opening outlets in offbeat or unconventional locations such as Dempsey in its early days, and later on, Parkland Green in East Coast. 'I am drawn to spaces that require creativity to overcome some of the challenges it may face. But you never know. Fingers crossed, this will work out.' A 'GROWN-UP' TAKE ON CASUAL DINING Chip Bee Bistro occupies a spacious double unit along Jalan Merah Saga. Stepping into the space, guests first enter the bar area and tasting room, which sets a welcoming tone. A short flight of steps leads to the main dining room. Design has always been a cornerstone of PS Cafe's appeal, and Chip Bee Bistro applies the same meticulous attention to detail. The elegant interiors feature a mix of warm woods, dark accents and neutral tones, along with black-and-white checkered tile flooring. Natural light floods in from tall vertical windows. While Teo is reluctant to draw comparisons to PS Cafe, he describes Chip Bee Bistro as a little more 'grown-up'. 'We're consciously trying to start a new chapter, so what about that new chapter is new?' he mused. 'Some things don't change, such as table height and chair comfort. Those are things you don't skimp on because they are important to the dining experience. But we're now experimenting with a new palette of colours and materials to more adequately represent this new chapter. But ultimately, I leave it up to guests to decide for themselves whether it feels fresh.' One key lesson Teo carries from the PS Cafe days is that the basics of running a good restaurant never change. 'We are focused on keeping the fundamentals right, which are consistent food quality and great hospitality,' he asserted. Teo describes the food as 'Australian-inspired, European-leaning'. The menu consists of sharing plates that guests can enjoy with cocktails, alongside a selection of mains suitable for one. 'I wanted the place to feel like a bistro that's got life through the day, and guests won't always feel like having sharing plates. Sometimes you might be by yourself or with a partner, and you just want a burger or pasta.' Some highlights include the Steak & Frites, Duck Leg Confit, Spilt Wings, Triple Cheese & Potato Crochette and more. If there's one dish Teo recommends trying, it's the CB Bistro Burger. Whenever he dines out, Teo is often on the lookout for a good burger. 'Some chefs think it's beneath them to put a burger on the menu. That has always mystified me, because there are good burgers and not-so-good burgers.' The drink menu was developed in collaboration with cocktail maestro Jay Gray, formerly from cocktail bar Sago House. Distillius' aperitifs, liqueurs and syrups are naturally core to the menu. There are four key cocktails – the Arveau Lychee Spritz, Chocolate and Spice Negroni, Arveau Espresso Martini and Old Fashion Pandan – along with non-alcoholic options crafted with Distillius' range of syrups and equatorial botanicals such as roselle, torchflower and black lime. As for Teo's vision for the bistro and distillery, he is content to take things one step a time. 'We will put our very best into it and the way we've worked in the past is to be open to the universe and see what happens.' It's the same guiding principle that underpinned the success of PS Cafe over the decades, which began in 1999 as a spin-off from fashion brand Projectshop. 'We started with souvenir T-shirts, then we did womenswear, menswear, bags and then we had the cafe. We've always got something new and creative on the boil, and one thing always leads to another.' A SENSE OF FAMILY The F&B industry is tough business and Teo is cognisant of the challenges that lie ahead. 'There's never a good time to open a restaurant. There are so many restaurants closing, but at the same time, the statistics show that there are just as many opening,' said Teo, jokingly adding with a chuckle that 'the best business to be in is the kitchen supply business'. Despite what the numbers may show, Teo believes people are always looking for comforting, familiar places they can regularly go back to. 'That's what PS Cafe was for many people, with something for everyone on the menu.' Yet, Teo admits to worrying that 'there are some things people know that I don't'. 'The market has changed. We exited the business three years ago,' he acknowledged. 'But I've done F&B for so long to know there will always be new challenges. So, just hantam lah,' he laughed. What ultimately pulled him out of retirement and back into the F&B scene is the sense of family. 'It's about talking with the chef, with the front of house team. These bonds you form that are so special. I don't have a family of my own so this is my family,' quipped Teo. This collective spirit is encapsulated in a painting that hangs prominently in the bistro's main dining room – a commissioned work by Singaporean artist Jimmy Ong, a long-time friend of Teo's. Titled 'Gathering after the Monsoon', it depicts a team working together in the aftermath of a storm, shrouded amid tropical foliage. 'I wanted to have something [in the bistro] that showcases how it takes a village to build a successful business,' said Teo. DEFINING SUCCESS Having built a legacy with PS Cafe, and now starting a new chapter, how does Teo define success today? 'I feel like I don't have so much to prove anymore. We created a great business that's still a great brand and passed it on for its next iteration. Success, for me, is about enjoying my journey now and most importantly, working with the team of younger people who are passionate about the industry." In fact, what energises him the most is mentoring the next generation of 'wide-eyed and bushy-tailed' F&B talent. When asked for advice he would give to young people in the industry, he takes a moment to pause before answering: 'I've always believed the best advice you can give someone is to be a good example." That's what Teo hopes they did with PS Cafe. 'We showed that you can open a single cafe and it can grow, and at some point, you can pass it on to the next owner,' Teo reflected. While Teo is careful 'not to sound arrogant', he takes pride in the fact that cafes in Singapore have drawn inspiration from the brand. 'I feel happy that we've played a part in creating a very dynamic cafe and casual dining scene in Singapore. Our DNA is almost everywhere you look,' he said. 'I try to do things effortlessly and in a natural way,' he continued. 'I honestly feel like I'm also learning all the time and I'm terrified on whether [this new venture] is going to be successful or not. I can only do my best and if this ends up meaning something to someone, then I think I've done my job.'
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Trump says he wants to maintain nuclear limits with Russia
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin are seen during the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 30, 2018. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/File Photo WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would like to maintain the limits on U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons deployments set in the 2010 New START agreement, which expires in February. "That's not an agreement you want expiring. We're starting to work on that," Trump told reporters as he exited the White House on a trip to Scotland. It was the first time since taking office that Trump has said he wants to maintain the treaty's limits on strategic nuclear weapons deployments when it expires on February 5. "When you take off nuclear restrictions, that's a big problem," Trump said. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, is the last remaining nuclear arms reduction accord between the world's largest nuclear powers. It restricts Russia and the U.S. to deploying no more than 1,550 strategic warheads on 700 intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarines and bombers. Former U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the treaty for five years in 2021 but, as written, the pact cannot be extended further. Trump opposed an extension in his first term, calling instead for a new treaty that included China, which spurned the proposal. Trump has been an advocate for reining in nuclear weapons. He said in February that he would like to have conversations with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping about limiting their nuclear arsenals. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Singapore S'pore could have nuclear energy 'within a few years', if it decides on it: UN nuclear watchdog chief Asia 'Nothing like this has happened before': At least 16 dead as Thai-Cambodian conflict enters second day Life 'Do you kill children?': Even before independence, S'pore has always loved its over-the-top campaigns Singapore Lung damage, poor brain development, addiction: What vaping does to the body Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly U.S.-Russia relations are at their lowest point in more than 60 years, in part fueled by Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons in his war against Ukraine and his development of exotic new weapons systems. With New START's expiration, the U.S. and Russia could begin deploying more strategic warheads and each could find it harder to gauge the other's intentions, arms control advocates warn. REUTERS
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Ukraine anti-corruption chief says his agency faces 'dirty information campaign'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Semen Kryvonos, Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, speaks during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Yurii Kovalenko KYIV - Ukraine's top anti-corruption investigator said on Friday that he did not expect attempts to derail his agency's work to end, despite an abrupt U-turn by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on curbing their independence that fuelled rare wartime protests. Semen Kryvonos, director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), said he was taken aback by attempts this week to curtail his agency's fight against graft but did not name those who may have been behind the legislation. "Everyone united around the idea of ruining our independence," Kryvonos told Reuters in an interview in Kyiv, referring to parliament passing the controversial measures. "This was a shock for me - how much demand had built up to destroy us." He spoke a day after Zelenskiy sought to defuse tensions by submitting legislation restoring the independence of NABU and its sister agency, the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). Thousands of protesters took part in protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities this week after lawmakers fast-tracked a bill granting a Zelenskiy-appointed general prosecutor power over the two bodies. The move had also threatened Kyiv's ties with the European Union and Western donors which have been a critical source of financial and military support during Russia's war in Ukraine. Kryvonos applauded Zelenskiy's reversal, but said NABU and SAPO remain a high-priority target for vested interests aiming to stymie their closely watched efforts to clean up. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Singapore S'pore could have nuclear energy 'within a few years', if it decides on it: UN nuclear watchdog chief Life 'Do you kill children?': Even before independence, S'pore has always loved its over-the-top campaigns Singapore Lung damage, poor brain development, addiction: What vaping does to the body Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Singapore Fine for couple whose catering companies owed $432,000 in salaries to 103 employees Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly Parliament will consider Zelenskiy's new bill in a special session next week. But Kryvonos worries corrupt actors will step up a "dirty information campaign" already being waged against NABU on widely read anonymous Telegram channels, casting the agency as slow or ineffective. He did not identify the exact sources of resistance to his agency's work, saying only that they are "various representatives of the government, various financial groups". "Everyone who is offended by NABU and SAPO will be pushing out this message," Kryvonos said. 'SYSTEMIC WORK' AND THREATS Since Russia's February 2022 invasion, Ukraine has stepped up a campaign to eradicate the pervasive graft that has plagued its political culture for decades. Stamping out corruption is both critical to Kyiv's bid to join the EU and its effort to erase a legacy of autocracy and Russian rule. NABU and SAPO, launched with Western support after a 2014 revolution toppled a pro-Russian president, have levelled charges against lawmakers and senior government officials. In recent months, Kryvonos's agency has uncovered huge real estate schemes in the capital Kyiv and accused a then deputy prime minister of taking a $345,000 kickback. Kryvonos suggested such efforts had led to a sweeping crackdown this week that paved the way for the rollback of NABU's and SAPO's powers. Two NABU officials were arrested for suspected ties to Russia and nearly 20 other agency employees searched over lesser alleged infractions in a campaign critics said went too far. "All of this was a result of systemic work by NABU and SAPO, especially over the past half-year," he said, adding that he had also received "a huge amount" of threats. Despite winning a hard-fought victory this week, he said resistance was still widespread enough across the political landscape to pose a serious challenge. He cited the controversial law that had been supported by most of Zelenskiy's political party as well as opposition lawmakers and those associated with former pro-Russian factions. Political elites, Kryvonos said, "need to stop considering us as accept us as an important part of state institutions." REUTERS
