News

Singapore on ‘knife’s edge’ amid COVID-19 flare-up

Published

5 years ago

May 12, 2021

Singapore is in the grips of its worst COVID-19 flare-up in months, prompting the co-chair of its coronavirus task-force to warn the city state is on a “knife’s edge”.

Lawrence Wong believes the number of community cases could go “either way over the next few weeks”.

Mr Wong, who is also the Education Minister, says “we have a chance of getting things under control by the end of the month”.

Your COVID-19 questions answered:

How effective is the COVID-19 vaccine? #vaccineqnsanswered #vaccinationSG pic.twitter.com/YGSDlPSOxm
— Singapore Government (@govsingapore) May 8, 2021

“PRUDENT DECISION”

Singapore recently tightened its restrictions, reducing the number of people allowed to gather, while also extending the quarantine period from 14 to 21 days for most inbound travellers.

Hannah Clapham is an Assistant Professor at NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health in Singapore.

The epidemiologist says it was a “prudent decision” to introduce these kinds of measures.

“I have been very impressed from the beginning of the commitment and determination to contact tracing that has gone on in Singapore,” Ms Clapham told Ticker News.

The infectious diseases expert says Singapore has a “really impressive” contact tracing and isolation program that swings into action when there is an uptick in cases.

AIRPORT CLUSTER

Ten new community cases were recorded in Singapore on Wednesday, including seven that are linked to a cluster at Changi Airport.

A number of the cases in this cluster are breakthrough infections, meaning the patient contracted the virus despite being fully vaccinated.

“So when we look at the numbers, when we see a lot of infections in vaccinated people, we have to remember that a lot of people have been vaccinated because we were worried about their risk of transmission,” Hannah Clapham told Ticker.

She says it is “really reassuring” that “we have seen much milder cases in vaccinated individuals”.

News

Ukraine and Russia set for U.S.-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi

Published

2 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that new peace talks with Russia will take place in Abu Dhabi later this week. The discussions are part of U.S.-led efforts to find a path toward ending the ongoing war.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is prepared for meaningful dialogue aimed at achieving peace. The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty over the timing of the meeting.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff described prior discussions with Russian officials as productive, though major disagreements over territorial issues remain unresolved.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

News

Tensions rise as Iran threatens conflict and U.S. increases naval forces

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Published

3 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Iran has warned of a potential regional conflict if the U.S. launches an attack, while labelling European armies as terrorists. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted that threats from President Trump will not intimidate the Iranian people.

The U.S. has ramped up its naval presence in the Middle East in response to mounting threats, amid speculation over Iran’s next moves. Iranian officials have denied claims of imminent naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to global uncertainty.

#MiddleEastCrisis #IranUS #Geopolitics #NavalTensions #Trump #AyatollahKhamenei #EuropeanUnion #GlobalConflict

News

Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest man to complete career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Published

3 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Carlos Alcaraz has stunned the tennis world by winning the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam at just 22 years old.

The world number one beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set match, finishing 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. Djokovic missed out on claiming his 25th Grand Slam title. To mark the milestone, Alcaraz revealed he plans to add a new tattoo of a kangaroo on his leg, joining his existing Eiffel Tower and Wimbledon strawberry tattoos.

#CarlosAlcaraz #AustralianOpen #GrandSlam #TennisHistory #NovakDjokovic #SportsNews #TennisTattoo #YoungChampion