Latest from Independent Singapore
Independent Singapore
21 hours ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Work-life balance is still top priority for Singaporeans after 3 years, though Gen X values pay a bit more
Photo: Depositphotos/ Shadow_of_light (for illustration purposes only) SINGAPORE: Work-life balance has remained the most important factor for Singaporean workers when choosing an employer for the third consecutive year, according to the Randstad Employer Brand Research 2025 report. The report surveyed 2,522 Singapore job seekers and employees across various sectors, including healthcare, information and communication technology (ICT), education, engineering, and finance. The survey, conducted by Randstad in partnership with research firm Kantar, was carried out between January and March this year through 14-minute online interviews with individuals aged 18 to 64. According to Malay Mail, citing the survey, Singaporeans across all age groups continue to value work-life balance the most. However, Gen X workers placed slightly more weight on financial compensation. They also place high importance on job security and working for a financially stable company. Still, only around half of the respondents said their current employers are meeting expectations when it comes to providing work-life balance. David Blasco, country director for Randstad Singapore, said work-life balance is likely here to stay for at least the next decade, as 'We will eventually have a job or have different income avenues, which makes work-life balance the true differentiating factor between employers.' Notably, work-life balance is closely tied to employee motivation and engagement, with those experiencing better work-life balance reporting higher job satisfaction and loyalty. On the other hand, poor work-life balance was one of the top reasons people considered leaving their jobs in the past year. Nearly half of all respondents also said they felt disengaged at work, and those who did were 60% more likely to consider leaving their jobs. /TISG Read also: Businesses should address burnout as an organisational problem, expert says Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Independent Singapore
21 hours ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Singapore is 6th most peaceful country on the 2025 Global Peace Index
SINGAPORE: In the 19th edition of the Global Peace Index, produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, Singapore was ranked the sixth most peaceful country in the world. The index, which covers 99.7% of the population around the world, evaluates the level of peacefulness of 163 independent states and territories, based on these criteria: level of societal safety and security, extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and degree of militarisation. Iceland, which has held the number one spot since 2008, topped the list yet again with a score of 1.095. Interestingly, Iceland is the only member country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) alliance without a military. Ireland, which has played an important role in global peacemaking, took second place on the index with a score of 1.260, closely followed by New Zealand, which scored 1.282. New Zealand, the only Pacific nation in the top 10, not only climbed one spot to take third place, but its peacefulness score also rose by 3.1% over the last year. Rounding out the top five are Austria and Switzerland, with both receiving a score of 1.294. While Austria fell by one spot on the index, Switzerland conversely rose by one notch. Singapore, now sixth with this year's score of 1.357, dropped one place from fifth last year. Regionally, it follows New Zealand to take second place in the Pacific, and is the only Asian country in the top ten. Notably, the city-state 'is another popular destination for American expats, including those looking for entrepreneur economies like that of Silicon Valley', as Insider recently pointed out, adding that Singapore is in the top five when it comes to societal safety and security, as well as ongoing conflicts. Countries in Europe dominate the rest of the top ten with Portugal in seventh place (1.371), followed by Denmark (1.393), Slovenia (1.409), and Finland (1.420). This should come as no surprise, given that Western and Central Europe is the most peaceful region in the world. On the other hand, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is still the least peaceful. 'This year's results found that the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.36%. This is the 13th deterioration in peacefulness in the last 17 years, with 74 countries improving and 87 deteriorating in peacefulness,' the index notes. For the first time, Russia has become the least peaceful country in the world on this year's Global Peace Index. Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan, Israel, and Mali, respectively, took the other nine spots among the bottom 10 least peaceful countries. /TISG Read also: Singapore clinches highest rank among all Asian nations in 2023 Global Peace Index
Independent Singapore
21 hours ago
- General
- Independent Singapore
S'poreans share their 'I'm broke meal' when money is very low
SINGAPORE: In this day and age of high food prices and inflation, it does not hurt to have a money-saving hack or three to help us get by. On Reddit, after some Singaporeans shared their 'best money choices' earlier this week , another local user asked others about their 'I'm broke meal' in Singapore. 'If you've ever been broke. I mean like broke broke – $2 in your bank account kinda vibes for the entire week, what is your go-to meal?' wrote u/kittyprincessxX in a post on r/askSingapore on Thursday (June 26). The post author then went on to share their own favourite 'I'm broke' meal — Indomee, a cucumber portioned across three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), bread, and Milo. The most upvoted comment simply read, 'Early bedtime', which is likely to mean skipping at least one meal each day. It also implies, of course, a person who does not go out at night to socialise and, therefore, spends nothing. See also Woman calls $4.80 chicken rice portion 'pathetic' 'Rice, egg, soy sauce' was another top comment, though someone else added that eating luncheon meat or chilli garlic oil with this meal would be most welcome. 'Queue up at a Sikh temple for free meal. They have it 3x a day btw,' another suggested, though others did not take too kindly to it, as these meals are earmarked for the needy in Singapore. A commenter wrote that they cooked a protein with rice and a vegetable — and one week's worth of these meals cost less than S$10. 'How do I know? This is what I did in poly and NS, for years, this was all I could afford for weeks. I couldn't even eat cup noodles because that was too expensive and I would literally die of health problems eating instant noodles for weeks on end. Chicken, rice and lettuce are what I built my body off growing up. I've tried so many variations and to this day I still eat it when I have no idea what else to eat and I have very standardised recipes that I cook.' See also 7 Unique Dining Experiences in Singapore You Need To Try in 2022 'I used to buy those red bean bun packets that had like 6 inside and tried to make it last for 2 days. I remember it was like S$1.80 back then. Now I don't know if S$2 can cover,' another noted. When one suggested cup noodles, another wrote that packets are cheaper. 'The extra saved can get cheap add-ons like eggs, imitation crab sticks and some fresh veggies,' they added. 'For breakfast it would just be some bread and water. A lot of cabbage potato veggie soup and rice to stretch it out for the week. If I'm lucky I can add egg and milk to these meals. The only seasoning would be salt and pepper. I'd rotate this with indomee if I have it on hand. I avoid cup noodles like the plague,' one commeted. /TISG Read also: S'poreans share the 'best money choices' they've made to help them save towards retirement
Independent Singapore
21 hours ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
SG-JB KTM train to cease operations 6 months after new '6 minutes' RTS link starts running in 2027
Photo: Facebook/RTS Link JB-SG & Nakamasa Okamoto SINGAPORE: The KTM Shuttle Tebrau train service between Singapore and Johor Bahru will cease operations six months after the 'six-minute' new Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link starts running in 2027, Mothership reported, citing Harian Metro. Johor's Works, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Communications Committee chairman, Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, said the Shuttle Tebrau trains will be used to increase the frequency of travel from JB Sentral to Kempas Station. The Shuttle Tebrau, operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), has been running since July 2015 and runs 31 trips daily in both directions between Johor Bahru Sentral and the Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore. Each trip takes about five minutes. The 1.1-km KTM service can carry up to 8,635 passengers a day, with tickets priced at RM5 (S$1.50) from JB to SG and S$5 from SG to JB. The RTS Link, which was said to be around 50% complete in February and slated to be completed on Jan 1, 2027, will operate daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. It is designed to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, with a peak-hour frequency of 3.6 minutes per train. See also Johor-Singapore RTS Link construction delayed again While excitement is building among commuters for the new six-minute RTS journey, concerns remain among Johoreans about infrastructure, traffic, rising land prices, and the cost of living . Meanwhile, in the city-state, the ministry has formed a task force to help locals and businesses seize opportunities and benefit from the upcoming RTS Link. /TISG Read also: SG to JB: Best ways to quickly grab a seat in the KTM train before they sell out to enjoy a relaxing trip from Singapore to Johor Bahru
Independent Singapore
a day ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
US and China strike deal to expedite rare earth shipments amid trade tensions
WASHINGTON/BEIJING: China and the United States have reached an agreement to fast-track the delivery of rare earth elements to the US, a White House official confirmed on Thursday (June 26). Rare earth breakthrough in Geneva According to The Guardian report, the breakthrough comes amid new initiatives to reduce a years-long trade conflict between the world's two biggest economies. During the trade talks in Geneva this May, Beijing decided to repeal some non-tariff barriers levied since April 2, which had hindered exports of essential materials indispensable to US businesses. A city in China's Inner Mongolia region, Baotou, recognised as the worldwide centre for rare earth mining and processing, has been the focal point of this geopolitical power struggle. China's control over these materials, crucial for aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, and defence applications, has given it substantial power in trade talks. A senior White House official disclosed that the latest development marks 'an additional understanding for a framework to implement the Geneva agreement', which intends to re-establish and accelerate rare earth deliveries to the US. See also Vicky Kaushal tests positive for Covid-19, in home quarantine Trump hints at broader deal, including India President Donald Trump, speaking on Thursday, confirmed that a deal had been reached with China, although details were not mentioned. He also hinted at the likelihood of a separate contract that could 'open up' India to additional trade alliances. Although no official particulars on the India deal have been shared, it indicates a larger plan to expand the US supply chain and reduce dependence on China for essential resources. In the meantime, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, said, 'They're going to deliver rare earths to us,' adding that the US will scale back countermeasures once deliveries start again. Fragile progress, lingering tensions Notwithstanding the new development, pressures remain high. China has imposed stringent export controls on rare earths, partly because of concerns about their possible use in US military applications. This has deferred licensing and interrupted global supply chains. The US has responded with its own set of export limitations, aiming at semiconductor technology and aerospace gear. Earlier, Reuters reported that China had granted provisional export authorisations to rare earth providers doing business with top US carmakers, indicating a probable loosening of restrictions. Along similar lines, President Trump cited a wide-ranging arrangement under which China would continue shipments of rare earth magnets in exchange for the US welcoming Chinese learners to American universities. This shows how geopolitical discussions now extend well beyond conventional trade issues. Even though this new agreement signifies a step forward, it accentuates the delicate and multifaceted path ahead as Washington and Beijing try to recaibrate one of the world's most significant economic relationships.
