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The Print
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Singapore warns of elevated terror threat amid rising extremist ideologies
The ISD in its report also highlighted the increasing role of online platforms in radicalisation, particularly among youths. According to ISD's Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2025, 'a volatile global landscape arising from developments such as the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and continued traction of radical narratives' has intensified the proliferation of extremist ideologies, the Channel News Asia (CNA) reported on Tuesday. Singapore, Jul 29 (PTI) Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) has warned that the country's terror threat remains high, citing a growing diversity of extremist ideologies and the misuse of evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence to propagate radical narratives. Social media and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Instagram, as well as gaming platforms like Discord and Roblox, and video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Bitchute, have been used to disseminate extremist materials, it said. From July 2024 to June 2025, eight self-radicalised Singaporeans — six males and two females aged between 15 and 56 — were dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Four of them were influenced by the re-escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, two by pro-ISIS ideologies, and the remaining two by far-right extremist beliefs, the report said, adding that all of them encountered extremist content online. The agency also noted the uptick in the number of local self-radicalised youths, with half of the eight latest cases involving youths aged 20 or below. Singapore's trend mirrors a broader global trend, with several western countries reporting last year that one in five terror suspects are under 18, while European countries reported that nearly two-thirds of ISIS-related arrests involved teenagers, the report said. A total of 60 self-radicalised individuals — 48 Singaporeans and 12 foreigners — were dealt with under ISA since 2015, it said. The agency found that online platforms featured in terrorism-related activities in four broad areas: to enable the radicalisation or to accelerate it, to facilitate recruitment for terrorist-related activities; and to mobilise and prepare for armed violence. 'The emergence of technological innovations, such as AI, also risks complicating the terrorist threat globally and locally,' the ISD said. 'Even though there is no indication that evolving technologies, such as AI and 3D printing, have been used in any terrorist attack plot in Singapore, we are seeing an emerging trend of evolving technologies featuring in local youth self-radicalisation cases,' it said. The report cited two examples to buttress its point. A 17-year-old ISIS supporter, detained in September last year, used an AI chatbot to generate a bai'ah – an oath of allegiance – to ISIS, while another 17-year-old far-right extremist, detained in March, used an AI chatbot to find instructions for producing ammunition and considered 3D printing firearms to carry out attacks. 'There is a need for increased cooperation between the public and private sectors, especially with technology and social media companies, to create a safer online environment,' the ISD said. It noted that technology firms have stepped up their efforts, such as regulating and removing egregious content on social media platforms. 'However, technology companies could continue to explore further efforts in this area, including collaboration with religious and community organisations, to guide users in navigating the digital space and positively influence the online discourse,' it said. PTI GS SCY SCY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Singapore's national water agency orders review of similar sewer works across city-state
SINGAPORE, July 28 — Singapore's national water agency PUB said yesterday it will call for a time-out to review the safety of ongoing sewer works similar to those near the sinkhole that opened up along Tanjong Katong Road on Saturday. According to Channel News Asia, the sinkhole, about two to three metres deep and as wide as two lanes, appeared adjacent to an active PUB worksite involving the construction of a 16-metre-deep shaft linking three sewer lines. PUB said a 'concrete component in the shaft failed at around 5.50pm', around the same time a car plunged into the road after the collapse. The agency identified the failed part as a caisson ring, describing it as 'a watertight retaining structure that allows water to be pumped out, keeping the work area dry.' 'The shaft has been backfilled to stabilise the surrounding ground,' it said. As a precaution, PUB said, 'The agency will call for a time-out to review and ensure the safety of similar sewer construction works across Singapore.' The sinkhole was later filled with liquefied stabilised soil, with reinstatement works expected to begin after the area is fully stabilised. The Land Transport Authority said Tanjong Katong Road South, between Mountbatten Road and the East Coast Parkway (ECP), will remain closed until further notice. Bus services 36 and 48 have been diverted. PUB said the driver who fell into the sinkhole managed to climb out of her vehicle and was rescued by construction workers within five minutes. She was taken conscious to Raffles Hospital. PUB noted: 'The damage to the water pipes had contributed to the filling of water in the sinkhole. This ceased once the mains were shut off.' The agency said it began pumping water out of the sinkhole at 9.45am Sunday and completed the task by 1.20pm. The car was retrieved at 2pm the same day. PUB also reported water supply disruptions affecting 18 households in the area from around 6pm Saturday. 'Preliminary findings suggest that the water mains may have been damaged as a result of ground movement associated with the sinkhole,' it said. Water supply was fully restored by 2.30am on Sunday after the affected pipes were isolated. PUB said it is working closely with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the LTA on repair works and investigations into the incident. The agency also confirmed a ground-penetrating radar scan was conducted and is still being analysed. In its latest update yesterday morning, PUB added: 'Engineers from BCA have checked and affirmed that nearby structures, including One Amber condominium and the landed homes across the road, are not affected by the incident.' Motorists and commuters have been advised to plan ahead and expect delays during weekday peak hours.
India.com
4 days ago
- Business
- India.com
What China And Global Media Are Saying About PM Modi's Visit To Maldives
New Delhi: On July 26, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of Maldives as the chief guest. His presence at the event grabbed headlines not only in India and Maldives, but across the world. The visit stood out for several reasons. Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu had built his 2023 election campaign around the slogan 'India Out'. After coming to power, he had sent strong signals distancing the country from India. He also moved swiftly to forge closer ties with China. His early months in office were marked by a decision to send back Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. This was viewed in New Delhi as a potential pivot toward Beijing. That same leader has now invited the Indian prime minister as guest of honour at the nation's biggest official event. The symbolism was unmistakable. It marked a moment that was closely tracked in foreign capitals, especially as China continues its attempts to deepen influence across the Indian Ocean region. Chinese State Media Responds Beijing's Global Times, a state-run publication, published a commentary criticising the tone of Indian media coverage surrounding the visit. According to the publication, some Indian platforms had portrayed the trip as a strategic setback for China and a diplomatic win for India. In its analysis, the Global Times accused Indian media of engaging in zero-sum thinking, suggesting that any gain for India must mean a loss for China. It cited comments from Qian Feng, director at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, who argued that the Maldives naturally prioritises relations with its neighbours but also pursues a diversified foreign policy, including engagement with China's Belt and Road Initiative. 'These approaches are not in conflict,' he said. Singapore and U.S. Media Weigh In Singapore-based Channel News Asia headlined its coverage: 'India's Modi reshapes ties with Maldives.' Their report highlighted how Modi's visit included new infrastructure partnerships, financial commitments and signs of renewed warmth between the two countries. PM Modi inaugurated a new defense ministry building and Indian-funded projects and announced economic support. According to Channel News Asia, the visit was viewed in New Delhi as reassurance that Maldives would not drift too far into China's orbit. The channel highlighted how Muizzu's early months had raised concerns after he ordered the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. The Washington Post echoed this view. In a detailed report, the paper called the two-day trip 'strategically vital' and said it pointed to India's broader goals of asserting presence across key sea routes in the Indian Ocean. It highlighted the announcement of a $565 million line of credit from India to fund development projects. The publication said the visit may mark the beginning of a shift toward restoring normalcy in bilateral ties. A Look From the UK British daily The Independent took a broader view, framing the visit in the context of recent diplomatic turbulence. The publication emphasised that tensions had risen after the Indian government promoted Lakshadweep as a tourism hub, which some in the Maldives perceived as an attempt to redirect Indian tourists away from their beaches. Celebrities in India had even called for a boycott of Maldives as a travel destination. The report added that President Muizzu chose to visit China before making a trip to India, something that had not gone unnoticed in New Delhi. Muizzu's post-China announcement about reducing dependency on India for essentials like medicines and food also drew concern. But things began to improve when Muizzu attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony earlier this year. That visit set the stage for a gradual warming of ties, culminating in the current trip. A New Phase for India-Maldives Relations Pakistan's Express Tribune said Modi's visit ended on a note of clarity and mutual affirmation. It quoted President Muizzu calling the trip 'a defining moment' in relations between the two nations. In social media posts shared at the conclusion of the visit, Muizzu acknowledged the importance of people-to-people ties and long-term cooperation across sectors. In a reciprocal message, PM Modi said India would stand by the people of Maldives in their aspirations. Germany's Deutsche Welle (DW) provided a strategic lens on the visit. It emphasised Maldives' critical location along shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. Despite its image as a tourist haven, the report described Maldives as a 'geopolitical hotspot' nestled across 1,192 islands. DW pointed out how this geography has made it a focal point in the growing rivalry between India and China. Their report argued that the region is becoming less about leisure and more about maritime strategy and political influence. What Experts Are Saying According to a commentary by Aditya Shivamurti, associate fellow at Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Maldives' policy initially leaned strongly toward China. He explained how 'India Out' had dominated discourse in 2023, and India's presence was sharply reduced. But by 2024, Shivamurti observed a shift. The domestic economic situation in Maldives worsened. Parliamentary dynamics changed. Chinese promises failed to meet expectations. These developments pushed Muizzu to reassess foreign policy. The analysis added that India responded with pragmatism. It avoided escalation and focused instead on diplomatic engagement and support. In return, the Maldives leadership began acknowledging India's critical role in areas like health, development and infrastructure. ORF's report concluded that both countries are now trying to separate foreign policy from domestic politics. While the Maldivian Democratic Party has historically been seen as pro-India and the ruling PNC as leaning toward China, Muizzu seems to be moderating that binary. He has taken steps to respect India's sensitivities, and India, in turn, has extended support. As per Shivamurti's view, the visit was more than symbolic. It was a recalibration. It offered not just headlines, but signs that pragmatism, diplomacy and shared interests are still possible in a region crowded by rival influences.
News18
5 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
Singapore: Lady driver pulled out of sinkhole by Indian man, other workers
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Singapore, Jul 27 (PTI) A 46-year-old Indian foreman was among several workers who rescued a woman from her car after it fell into a sinkhole in Singapore, according to a media report on Sunday. The sinkhole developed along the city-state's Tanjong Katong Road South thoroughfare on Saturday, Channel News Asia reported. Sinkholes are rare on Singapore roads. Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah, a foreman, was working at a nearby site when the car fell into a sinkhole. 'I leaned in to see if there were people in the car, and I saw one person come out of the car," the report quoted him as saying. 'I immediately said that we had to rescue her," said Subbiah, who spoke in both Tamil and English. He, along with other workers, used a rope to pull the driver of the car to safety. Some workers had wanted to go into the sinkhole to pull the woman up, but Subbiah advised against it, telling them to throw a rope down instead. 'You go down, you also cannot climb up," he said. According to the report, the sinkhole was initially dry, but water began to flow in later. The Land Transport Authority said early Sunday morning that the road will be closed until further notice and that it is working with the Public Utilities Board and the Building and Construction Authority to monitor the repairs. It added that preliminary checks indicate that surrounding buildings are not affected. PTI GS GRS GRS view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 18:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
In Singapore, migrant workers hailed as heroes after sinkhole rescue
Migrant workers in Singapore have been praised for their quick action in saving a woman after her car was swallowed by a sinkhole. Social media videos show a 3-metre (10-foot) deep sinkhole suddenly appearing on Saturday evening along Tanjong Katong Road east of the citystate, causing a black Mazda to topple sideways into the hole. Immediately, nearby construction workers can be seen rushing to her rescue. One worker leans into the sinkhole as two more workers approach the edge. As the driver emerges from the cavity, four or five workers pull her out. Construction site foreman Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah was working at a Public Utilities Board (PUB) site close by when he heard a loud sound, The Straits Times newspaper reported. Rushing to the scene, he saw 'there was one car, and one madam was inside the car. I was thinking: 'somebody has dropped inside, I want to help'', the 46-year-old told reporters on Sunday. Some of the workers had wanted to jumped into the hole to help the woman up but Subbiah advised them not to. 'I said to my workers, you go down you also cannot climb up,' he told Channel News Asia.
