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Architect behind Singapore's public housing system dies aged 87

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  The architect who designed Singapore's public housing system, now home to most of the country's 5.9 million residents, has died at the age of 87. Getty Images Liu played an integral role in shaping Singapore's public housing system Liu Thai Ker shaped the landscape of modern Singapore, with its distinctive public housing blocks dominating the skyline, from the city centre to the edges. Liu died on Sunday from complications following a fall about a week earlier, according to local reports quoting his son. Tributes have poured in, with many thanking Liu for his contributions. One user said that Singapore had "lost a giant", adding that Liu "did not merely build cities, but shaped the very way Singaporeans live, move and belong". Singapore's public housing flats, locally known as "HDBs" and named after the Housing and Development Board that oversees them, are a major driver of savings in the small but rich economy. Unlike public housing in s...
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Faisal Islam: Global disruption looms large over biggest-ever Davos

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Apart from the snow and the temperature, Greenland does not have much in common with the Swiss alps. But the fight for the future of the island looms over the gathering of world leaders and businesses at the World Economic Forum (WEF) this week. EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Trump appeared at Davos remotely last year, a few days after his inauguration Indeed, the timing of Donald Trump's extraordinary threat seems likely to have had this meeting in mind. Trump loves Davos - which is beyond strange given the views of his base. Last year, he beamed himself into the WEF from the White House, appearing before an audience of largely bewildered European executives just two days after his inauguration. There was awkward shuffling as he mentioned his territorial ambitions for Canada and Greenland, and made an "offer you can't refuse" to those importing into his country. Build factories in the US or pay tariffs that will raise trillions: "Your prerogative." He did it with...
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Syria agrees ceasefire with Kurdish-led forces after two weeks of clashes

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The Syrian government has announced an immediate nationwide ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), taking almost full control of the country, Syrian state media says. Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the deal would allow Syrian state institutions to reassert control over most areas The ceasefire ends nearly two weeks of fighting and forms part of a broader 14-point agreement that will see the SDF integrated into Syria's military and state institutions. Speaking in Damascus, President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the deal would allow Syrian state institutions to reassert control over three eastern and northern governorates - al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor and Raqqa. It follows a meeting between al-Sharaa and the US special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, in Damascus. Barrack praised the agreement as a step toward a "unified Syria." SDF commander Mazloum Abdi was expected to attend the meeting but was unable to travel due to weather conditio...
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Boy and man seriously injured as Sydney sees three shark attacks in two days

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Three shark attacks have been reported in Sydney in a little over 24 hours, leaving at least two seriously injured, according to local authorities. Getty Images Shark Beach is a popular swimming spot A man was taken to hospital in critical condition after being injured at Manly beach on Monday evening, New South Wales Police said in a statement. Hours earlier, an 11-year-old surfer had to be assisted off Sydney's Dee Why Beach after a suspected shark bit his surfboard, with the local council urging swimmers and surfers to be cautious. The first incident saw a 12-year-old boy taken to hospital with critical injuries after he was attacked by a large shark while swimming in Sydney Harbour on Sunday afternoon, police said. The boy and his group of friends were jumping off a six-metre rock ledge at Shark Beach, in the Sydney suburb of Vaucluse, when the attack happened on Sunday. Despite its name, shark attacks are rare at Shark Beach, a popular swimming spot. The boy was pulled out of ...
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Japan PM Takaichi calls snap election three months after taking office

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  Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will dissolve parliament on Friday, paving the way for an election next month that she hopes will give her a stronger mandate to govern. Toru Hanai/Bloomberg via Getty Images Since taking office last October, Sanae Takaichi has enjoyed high public support It was an "extremely weighty decision" that would "determine Japan's course together with the people", Takaichi told a news conference. She also told voters to entrust her with running Japan. The vote to elect the 465 members of the House of Representatives, the lower and more powerful house in Japan, will take place on 8 February. Takaichi and her cabinet have enjoyed high public support since taking office last October. Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) currently has 199 seats - including three held by its independent partners - in the House of Representatives, the most out of any party. The LDP's coalition with the Japan Innovation party has just enough seats for...
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