Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Wednesday, Feb 19.

10 things to know, from cash payout for S’poreans to GST not going up in 2021

A slew of measures to deal with short-term challenges such as the coronavirus outbreak and long-term economic development were introduced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Tuesday.

READ MORE HERE

Budget sets out three big, audacious goals for future

It was a sterling Budget – concise and assured in delivery; and substantive in tackling the current virus crisis, while never losing sight of the long-term big picture.

READ MORE HERE

Coronavirus: WHO praises Singapore’s response to outbreak

World Health Organisation officials praised the efforts of Singapore in tackling cases of coronavirus and said other countries should follow its example.

READ MORE HERE

Coronavirus: 4 new cases including 3 linked to Grace Assembly of God church; 21 cases now linked to the cluster

Five coronavirus patients were discharged, including the one-year-old boy evacuated from Wuhan.

READ MORE HERE

Coronavirus: Death toll in China passes 2,000 as Hubei province reports 132 new fatalities

In its daily update, the province’s health commission also reported 1,693 new cases of people infected with the virus.

READ MORE HERE

GST hike to still take place by 2025, amid the need to invest in healthcare

The coronavirus outbreak has reinforced the importance of continued investment in Singapore’s healthcare system, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.

READ MORE HERE

Interactive: Breakdown of revenue and expenditure estimates in Budget 2020

Money set aside to help enterprises and households tide over rising global uncertainties and the rapidly evolving coronavirus outbreak pushes Singapore’s Budget 2020 into its deepest-ever deficit.

READ MORE HERE

KL-based fraud syndicate that cheated Singapore Internet love scam victims of $700k busted

The transnational fraud syndicate, busted by the Singapore and Malaysia police forces, is suspected to be involved in impersonation phone scams targeting banks and Internet love scams.

READ MORE HERE

Babysitter on trial for allegedly giving sleeping drug and other ‘poisons’ to 2 babies under her care

The babysitter allegedly gave an assortment of medication or “poisons”, including those used to treat insomnia and anxiety disorders, to two babies under her care.

READ MORE HERE

Can foldable smartphones flip phone makers’ fortunes?

Seeing a new innovation sprout up is certainly good news for the smartphone industry, which has been experiencing stagnant sales, said analysts.

READ MORE HERE

Source: Read Full Article