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Singapore holds first contested presidential vote in over a decade

23 Sept 02:28 Key points summarised by AI

Singapore holds its first contested presidential election in over a decade, serving as a critical gauge of public support for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) after recent political scandals.
The presidency, while largely ceremonial, wields significant power over national financial reserves and anti-graft probes, with political alignments evident despite its constitutionally non-partisan nature.
Three candidates are vying for the post: former Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (the frontrunner), ex-insurance executive Tan Kin Lian (backed by opposition leaders), and former sovereign wealth fund CIO Ng Kok Song.
The election's outcome is closely monitored for insights into voter sentiment ahead of general elections due by 2025, particularly after the PAP faced rare political controversies and its worst electoral performance in 2020.

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.