Soaring diesel and fertiliser prices from the Middle East conflict are pushing tens of millions of small farmers across Southeast Asia to the brink — unable to afford fuel for tractors and irrigation pumps, or the fertiliser needed for planting. Experts warn that if Hormuz shipping remains disrupted, Asia could face a rice shortage as early as H2 2026. This comes one day after Singapore signed its third government-to-government rice trade deal (with Cambodia).

DBS Bank will roll out a new anti-scam measure requiring customers to answer questions about their transfer before high-risk transactions are processed — for example, "Do you know this recipient?" The bank is also exploring additional verification steps. The goal is to introduce a deliberate pause to intercept scams before funds leave the account.

A Singapore-registered car driver became the first person arrested under Malaysia's April 1 rule banning foreign-registered vehicles from buying government-subsidised RON95 petrol. He was caught at a Johor Bahru petrol station on the night of April 9. The vehicle was seized along with the driver.

US Consumer Price Index rose to 3.3% year-on-year in March, sharply up from 2.4% in February. The culprit: gasoline prices surged 21.2% in a single month — the largest monthly jump since records began in 1967 — driven by the Middle East oil shock. Core inflation also ticked up, complicating any potential Fed rate-cut plans.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong departed for a six-day visit to the US on April 12, starting in Austin, Texas, before heading to Washington to meet government officials and members of Congress. The visit marks the 60th anniversary of Singapore-US diplomatic relations and aims to reinforce bilateral economic ties amid global uncertainty.

The Republic of Singapore Navy's third Invincible-class submarine, RSS Illustrious, arrived at Changi Naval Base and was commissioned on April 9. It is one of six submarines ordered from Germany; the first two, RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable, were delivered earlier. The Invincible class represents a significant upgrade in Singapore's submarine fleet.

China is reportedly preparing to suspend sulfuric acid exports starting May, possibly through year-end. The move will hit industries already squeezed by the Middle East conflict — particularly copper smelting, battery production, and fertiliser manufacturing — since sulfuric acid is a critical intermediate in all three. Some Chinese producers have already been notified; a major international buyer confirmed receiving word from Chinese suppliers.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is ramping up displays of military strength and solidarity with China and Russia — including having stood alongside Xi Jinping and Putin at Beijing's recent military parade — ahead of Trump's planned visit to China in May. Analysts say Kim is positioning North Korea as a recognised nuclear power with battlefield credentials from Ukraine, and signalling he expects to be part of any US-China-North Korea diplomatic framework.

Singapore held its inaugural Religious Harmony Day at Tampines Hub on April 11, with artifacts and objects from all 10 major religions in Singapore — including Taoist command seals, Buddhist prayer beads, Christian crosses, and Islamic prayer beads — displayed side by side for public engagement. Religious representatives from each faith explained the significance of their objects. Minister Dinesh Vasu highlighted that no single religion holds an absolute majority in Singapore, making multi-religious coexistence a structural strength.

An NUS survey of 975 citizens and PRs found that 70% of Singaporeans are willing to pay for coastal protection, at an average of about $300 per household annually, provided the projects effectively prevent flooding and limit negative environmental impact. The findings come as Singapore prepares its largest-ever southwest coastal protection study, covering 116 km from Tuas to Pasir Panjang.