SGOwnership & classification
Founded: 1845
Ownership
The Straits Times, founded in 1845, is Singapore's flagship English daily, published by SPH Media Trust (SMT). SMT was incorporated in July 2021 as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee after the media business was hived off from the listed Singapore Press Holdings. SPH's newspaper operations were brought under a 1974 management-shares regime that gives the government effective approval over the appointment of key shareholders, so editorial control has long sat with state-aligned interests rather than truly independent owners.
Funding
SMT runs on a not-for-profit model funded by advertising and subscriptions supplemented by substantial government support — the Singapore government pledged up to S$900 million over five years from 2022, tied to reach and engagement targets.
Affiliation & stance
Through the management-shares system and direct government funding, The Straits Times is structurally tied to the Singapore state and is widely regarded as reflecting the ruling People's Action Party government's line on national issues. Because it is controlled and substantially funded by state-aligned interests rather than independent private owners, it is classified DEPENDENT (matching the site's DEPENDENT/CENTER_RIGHT labelling).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Right
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 137
91/100
Factual
90/100
Objective
449
Articles
449
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Beware of cryptocurrency scams involving World Cup tickets and merchandise
Three NUS students build AI tool to tackle teachers’ marking load, give quality feedback
Jail for Kpod-using driver who crashed car, in first such case after etomidate was reclassified
2 websites linked to digital news portal The Online Citizen required to comply with POFMA sanctions
Decathlon Singapore hosting second-hand bike festival with refurbished bikes up to 80% off
Pritam Singh says WP will respect cadres' 'supermajority' vote to retain him as secretary-general
Over 1 million HDB households to receive U-Save, S&CC rebates in July
Man gets 8 years' jail for strangling depressed younger brother; judge notes caregiver stress
Electricity tariff for S’pore households to rise by 17%, gas tariff by 7.1% from July to September
Recent coverage
Turbulence incidents on SIA, Scoot flights in June 2025 resulted in injuries to crew
In June 2025, two turbulence incidents involving Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot flights resulted in injuries to eight cabin crew members, including two serious cases. These events were investigated by the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), whose findings were released in early 2026. During an SIA flight descending toward Shanghai Pudong International Airport, turbulence caused one crew member to be seriously injured and five others to sustain minor injuries. On a separate Scoot flight bound for Guangzhou, turbulence led to one serious injury and one minor injury. According to the investigation, the pilots of the SIA flight chose a narrow path between two weather cells during descent, despite guidelines suggesting a safer distance of at least 20 nautical miles from such areas. The pilots relied heavily on weather radar but faced challenges in visibility and decision-making under time constraints.
Free AI courses for 60,000 accounting, finance professionals in S’pore under national programme
Singapore has launched a national program called AIxAccountancy aimed at training 60,000 accounting and finance professionals in using artificial intelligence tools over the next three years. The initiative, part of a broader goal to make 100,000 workers AI-fluent by 2029, offers free courses covering foundational AI skills and practical applications in areas like fraud detection, tax computation, and customized accounting chatbots. The program is led by the Infocomm Media Development Authority and the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants, with support from other regulatory bodies. Participants will gain certificates and digital badges upon completion, enhancing their credentials in AI proficiency. The initiative reflects Singapore's efforts to modernize professional skills in response to rapid technological change and increasing demands for sustainability reporting.
MPs to debate future of transport, AI-driven jobs and emerging tech in Parliament next Tuesday
Singapore's Parliament will debate the future of transport, focusing on adapting to an AI-driven economy and enhancing Singapore's status as a global transport hub. The discussion will include topics like international cooperation, emerging technologies such as AI and autonomous vehicles, and integrating physical and digital infrastructure. MP Tin Pei Ling, chair of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport, emphasized the need for diverse transport links and collaboration to maintain connectivity amid geopolitical disruptions. She also highlighted the importance of workforce training and technological integration to support economic competitiveness. Other MPs, like Edward Chia, plan to discuss partnerships between large companies, SMEs, and startups to foster innovation and job creation in the transport sector.
Child taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Yishun HDB flat
A fire broke out in the living room of a Yishun HDB flat on July 3, prompting the evacuation of 25 residents and the hospitalization of a child due to smoke inhalation. Firefighters from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to the incident on the 12th floor of Block 381C Yishun Ring Road and successfully extinguished the blaze. The child was treated at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Authorities stated the cause of the fire is under investigation. Data shows a 3% overall increase in fires in Singapore from 2024 to 2025, with a notable 8.6% rise in residential building fires. Unattended cooking and electrical issues remain the leading causes of home fires.
URA releases carved-out Jurong Lake District site for sale
The Singaporean Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has launched a public tender for a 3.72-hectare mixed-use site in the Jurong Lake District (JLD), known as the Town Hall Link plot. This site is the first to be carved out from a larger master development project, offering a maximum gross floor area of 186,139 square meters with specific allocations for residential, commercial, and institutional uses. The site includes provisions for 1,200 private homes, serviced apartments, and commercial spaces. The URA aims to kickstart development of the 120-hectare Jurong Lake Central precinct, supporting future housing and office demand. To simplify development, the government will handle infrastructure and land preparation, including demolitions, road construction, and utility upgrades, with projects expected to be completed by 2031. Additionally, the Land Transport Authority will build connections to the Cross Island Line and Jurong East MRT station.
New orchid hybrid named after Singapore Garden Festival
A new orchid hybrid, named 'Papilionanthe Singapore Garden Festival,' was unveiled at the 10th edition of the Singapore Garden Festival on July 3. The event took place at Gardens by the Bay, where Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing announced the hybrid. The orchid reflects the festival's international focus and ties to Singapore's national flower, Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim. The festival also featured the Floral Windows to the World Championship with entries from 17 countries and a commemorative book celebrating its evolution since 2006. The book is available at a discounted price during the festival period.
Man who tried to rape former flatmate gets heavier sentence after losing appeal
A 32-year-old man named Gao Xiong, who attempted to rape his former flatmate, had his prison sentence increased after failing to overturn his conviction in an appeal. Originally sentenced to six years, six months, and six weeks in prison plus three strokes of the cane, his sentence was extended to seven years, seven months, and six weeks by the Court of Appeal. During his appeal, Gao claimed confusion about his guilty plea and accused the victim of instigating the incident, even blaming her flatmate for preventing him from apologizing. The court found his behavior during the appeal to be an abuse of the judicial process and emphasized that he showed no remorse for his actions. Gao and the victim lived separately in a condominium before the incident occurred, and the victim reported him to the police after he persistently harassed her.
S’pore wants to help Timor-Leste contribute to ASEAN, not just benefit from it: PM Wong
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore emphasized during his visit to Timor-Leste that Singapore aims to assist the nation not only in benefiting from its recent ASEAN membership but also in contributing meaningfully to the regional bloc. Timor-Leste officially joined ASEAN on October 26, 2025, after applying in 2011 and gaining observer status in 2022. Wong highlighted Singapore's commitment to supporting Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN, including organizing workshops on ASEAN chairmanship responsibilities and facilitating exchanges between Timorese officials and Singapore's leadership. He also noted the historical ties between the two nations, particularly Singapore's early involvement in Timor-Leste's independence efforts. The visit coincided with Timor-Leste's transition to full ASEAN membership, offering opportunities for enhanced bilateral cooperation.
Two men handed jail terms for unlicensed remittance operation; $10m collected from migrant workers
Two Indian nationals, Angappan Arivalagan and Durairaj Kulothungan, were sentenced to prison for operating an illegal remittance scheme that siphoned $10.2 million from migrant workers' accounts. The men used stolen ATM cards and PINs to withdraw funds, which they converted into goods like laptops and gold to smuggle out of Singapore to India. Their activities were uncovered in July 2023 after a member of the public reported suspicious transactions. Police later found 51 ATM cards and nearly $75,000 in cash on Durairaj upon his arrest. Both men were convicted under Singapore’s Payment Services Act and Computer Misuse Act. Angappan received a 15-month sentence with a $6,000 fine, while Durairaj got eight months in jail. Prosecutors described the operation as sophisticated and emphasized the need for deterrence against unlicensed financial activities.
Two men jailed 20 days each for trying to bribe Sembcorp Marine employee, who rejected them
Two men, Chen Changcheng and Xiao Zhongfeng, were each sentenced to 20 days in prison for attempting to bribe an employee of Sembcorp Marine (now Seatrium) with a share of potential contracts worth millions of dollars. The men, who were involved in the shipping and oil and gas industries respectively, planned to offer a 1–2% commission to an ex-colleague of Sembcorp Marine in exchange for favoring their firm, MGW Technologies, in bidding processes. However, the ex-colleague rejected the offer. The case highlights Singapore's strict stance against corruption, with prosecutors emphasizing the importance of maintaining the country's reputation as a corruption-free environment. The men were convicted under Singapore's Prevention of Corruption Act, which allows for severe penalties including up to five years in prison or fines.
NDP 2026: Orang Laut song pays tribute to S’pore’s coastal native communities in parade show
For 53-year-old Asnida Daud, childhood memories of playing on the beaches of Pulau Sudong, an island near Singapore's southern coast, inspired her to create a song celebrating the Orang Laut community, a native group historically living in Singapore's coastal areas. Alongside her husband and son, she composed 'Aok Diko,' meaning 'Yes, of course,' which will be a central piece in the National Day Parade 2026. This performance, part of the parade's third act titled 'Go Beyond Our Size,' honors Singapore's maritime heritage and highlights the nation's historical and cultural depth. The parade will include various acts featuring performances by artists like Jasmine Sokko and stories of everyday Singaporeans, showcasing both nostalgia and futuristic elements through advanced technology such as drones and LED wristbands.
4 men face 5 charges in total after Singapore’s largest seizure of illegally imported Kpods
Four Singaporean men are facing a total of five charges related to the illegal importation and distribution of Kpods, which are vape devices laced with etomidate, a controlled substance. In May, authorities seized 12,273 Kpods valued at over $800,000 from 161 hidden parcels in a car at the Woodlands Checkpoint. Three of the men—Michael Jordan Tan Wei Hui, Kong Qi Cong, and Willy Poh Wei Li—are each charged with possession of Kpods, while Tobias Tan Wei An faces two charges, including trafficking a Class C controlled drug. The case involves a suspected transnational syndicate operating under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act. Additional individuals, including a 18-year-old named Cornelius Goh Shao Zhi and a 25-year-old named Muhammad Danial Mohd Shahri, are also implicated in separate charges related to the possession and trafficking of etomidate-laced pods. The men are set to attend pre-trial conferences in August.
Personal info of 70,000 people compromised in data breach involving SLA’s vendor IBM
A data breach affecting approximately 70,000 individuals in Singapore has been reported, involving the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and its vendor IBM. The breach occurred due to unauthorized access to a dataset created in 1998 for development and testing purposes, which inadvertently included personal information such as names, National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers, and property addresses. SLA confirmed that the data was not properly anonymized and that the affected system was separate from operational systems, meaning live systems and property records remained secure. SLA has begun notifying affected individuals and is collaborating with IBM, GovTech, and the Cyber Security Agency to investigate the incident and implement remedial actions. Authorities have also alerted the public to potential phishing attempts related to the breach.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Nothing flagged as overlooked yet.