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AdvertisementSingaporeThis Week in AsiaLifestyle & CultureWhy some Singaporeans are saying no to having children amid ‘existential’ fertility crisisAs the city state battles a record low fertility rate, analysts say deeper anxieties and rising opportunity costs continue to shape decisions
5-MIN READ5-MINJean IauPublished: 7:00pm, 3 Mar 2026Even if market researcher Joey Lau were a millionaire and could devote all her time to her family, she still would not want children.
The 34-year-old Singaporean said the risks facing young people today – from social media-driven mental health pressures to climate change – were too high to justify bringing a child into the world.
“I feel like the only reason that I would want to have a child is because it’s cute, it would give shape to my life and my parents would be very happy because they want to be grandparents, but that would be too high a cost for this kid to pay in order for me to feel like I’m doing something with my life,” she said.
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AdvertisementSouth China SeaChinaMilitaryUS patrol flights over South China Sea drop 30% as focus shifts to Middle EastDecline in reconnaissance aircraft sorties comes during critical time in China-US ties ahead of planned Donald Trump visit
2-MIN READ2-MINAlcott Weiin BeijingPublished: 7:00pm, 3 Mar 2026US land-based reconnaissance aircraft sorties over the South China Sea decreased by around 30 per cent month on month in February, according to a Beijing-based think tank, as the US deploys assets to the Middle East.The South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) said on Monday that only 72 US reconnaissance aircraft sorties were detected over the South China Sea in February. By contrast, 102 US reconnaissance aircraft sorties were observed over the waters in both January and December.The think tank’s analysis did not discuss the reasons behind the drop. However, the US moved military assets from around the globe to the Middle East last month ahead of its attack on I..

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Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility was struck during recent US and Israeli military operations, Iran’s envoy to the UN nuclear watchdog said on Monday. “Again they attacked Iran's peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday,” Reza Najafi told reporters at a meeting of the 35-nation board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Asked which sites were hit, he replied: “Natanz,” reported Reuters. '900 Strikes In Just…': US Unleashes Deadly B-2 Bombers To Raid Iran's Underground Missile Sites The development comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme. In June, the United States carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities that Washington says were part of a programme aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Tehran maintains its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes.Meanwhile, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would rebuild its nuclear infrastructure. Israel attacks IranUS F-15 down in Kuwait? Iran shares video..

Iranian-Australian broadcaster Rita Panahi reacted strongly on air after Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reported killed in US-Israeli strikes, saying, “All I have to say is that after 47 years of Islamist tyranny, the dictator is dead, and Iran is on the verge of being liberated.” Speaking live on Sky News Australia, Panahi added, “Never thought I would see this day in my lifetime,” and praised US President Donald Trump for his “courage” in launching the missile strikes, described by officials as “Operation Epic Fury”.In remarks delivered in Persian, Panahi said, roughly translated, “Your father is a d*g, dirt be on your head and burn in hell.” Iran Appoints Interim Leader After Khamenei Killing; Who Is Alireza Arafi | WAtch Her co-anchor Rowan Dean noted the personal nature of the moment for Panahi, who has previously said she cannot return to Iran due to fear of persecution.Israel attacks IranUS F-15 down in Kuwait? Iran shares video showing fighter jet engulfed in ..

AdvertisementHong Kong economyHong KongSocietyMainland Chinese firm to build Northern Metropolis data cluster facilityRange Intelligent Computing Technology to commence operations in 42 months, with a cumulative investment of HK$23.8 billion over the first three years
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPEmily HungPublished: 7:03pm, 2 Mar 2026A mainland Chinese firm has secured the tender to build a data cluster facility in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis as the sole bidder, agreeing to pay a premium of HK$581 million (US$74.25 million) and boost the city’s computing power 36-fold.
Unveiling details of the plan on Monday, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said the winning bidder was Range Intelligent Computing Technology, whose parent company, Shenzhen-listed Runze Technology Group, specialises in developing and operating high-end data facilities on the mainland.
On a land grant of 50 years at Sandy Ridge in the Northern Metropolis megaproject, the winni..

AdvertisementSingaporeThis Week in AsiaPoliticsSingapore strives to remain equidistant amid US-China rivalry: ‘same-same but different’Foreign minister says the city state must assert its distinctiveness to remain relevant and will not act as a proxy for any major power
Reading Time:4 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPJean IauPublished: 7:00pm, 2 Mar 2026Singapore’s long-standing effort to stay equidistant between the United States and China is entering a more volatile phase, with recent comments by officials reflecting their awareness of the mounting strain, analysts have said.Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday told parliament that Singapore would not act as a proxy for any major power, stressing that the city state must be prepared to “courteously stand up and say no”.
Observers say his remarks come at a time when geopolitical guard rails are weakening and conflicts beyond Asia are adding fresh pressure on small states to take sides.
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The agenda is a one-second global clap celebrating humanity and unity across the world. World Clap Day has announced a worldwide synchronized clap scheduled for 16 August 2026 at 10:00 PM New York time (EDT), inviting people across continents to clap together at the exact same second in what organisers describe as a non-political, non-religious celebration of humanity. The initiative, founded in London in December 2025, has grown rapidly online and is positioning the event as an annual global moment of unity without formal affiliation, central location or structured programme. A one-second global action Organisers describe World Clap Day as a simple coordinated action: at one exact moment on 16 August 2026, participants across time zones will clap their hands for one second, a synchronised gesture intended to see, quite literally, the entire planet clap at once. “No politics. No religion. No agenda,” the movement states in its published mission. “Just one simple, universal action done ..

Iran President Pezeshkian vows revenge after Khamenei killed in US–Israel strikes (Picture credit: AP)

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that avenging the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is both a “legitimate duty and right” of the Islamic Republic, following joint US–Israeli strikes that killed the 86-year-old leader.In a statement carried by state television, Pezeshkian said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran considers it its legitimate duty and right to avenge the perpetrators and masterminds of this historic crime.”He further described Khamenei’s killing as a “declaration of war against Muslims”. Calling it the assassination of “the highest political authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a prominent leader of Shiism worldwide,” Pezeshkian said it was “perceived as an open declaration of war against Muslims, and particularly against Shiites, everywhere in the world.”Israel attacks IranIsrael Attack Iran Live Updates: Missiles strike US navy headq..

AdvertisementChina’s Communist PartyChinaPoliticsInside Xi Jinping’s new guide to promoting Communist Party officialsChinese leader targets ‘two-faced’ officials and demands new benchmarks tailored to local needs in newly released speeches
Reading Time:3 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPAlcott Weiin BeijingandJun Maiin Hong KongPublished: 6:00pm, 1 Mar 2026For a book on performance appraisals, it contained some surprising language – especially given its author, President Xi Jinping.
The volume, published by the Central Party Literature Press, coincided with the launch of an overhaul of the Communist Party’s promotion system that will continue in the run-up to next year’s leadership transition.Among the raft of speeches and instructions from Xi since November 2012 is a blunt warning to cadres about pursuing debt-laden white elephant projects.
Advertisement“Some officials probably didn’t even think about repaying the debt when they raised it. When will it be their turn to pay it?” Xi says in..