December 19, 2025 – Singapore Headlines

Story gist: Osman Hadi, a Bangladeshi student leader, died in a Singapore hospital a week after being shot. Violence erupted in Bangladesh following his death.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like NDTV frame the deceased as a ‘Student Uprising Leader’ shot during protests, emphasizing his activist role and circumstances of injury. Center outlets like The Straits Times neutrally highlight violence erupting after a ‘wounded youth leader’ dies abroad. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential emphasis on unrest or government perspectives.

Story gist: An investigation reveals Singapore’s role in an illegal rhino horn trafficking pipeline from Kruger National Park in South Africa to Changi Airport.

Bias summary: No left- or right-leaning outlets covered this story, leaving those perspectives absent. Center outlet CNA frames it investigatively, with a headline spotlighting Singapore’s direct involvement in the ‘illegal rhino horn pipeline’ from Kruger to Changi, emphasizing transcontinental trafficking routes without broader geopolitical or economic context.

Story gist: A Singapore-China project launched a decade ago is developing landlocked Chongqing into a global logistics hub.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets omitted coverage of this international infrastructure story. Center outlet CNA frames it positively, highlighting the project’s decade-long success in transforming Chongqing via Singapore-China partnership, with neutral tone focused on economic achievements and no mention of challenges, costs, or geopolitical tensions.

Story gist: Dinesh Singh Dhillon will step aside as incoming president of the Law Society following concerns about his appointment. Lawyers raised questions over Ho Ching’s characterization of governance issues as ‘side quarrels.’

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Online Citizen frame the story around lawyers questioning Ho Ching’s dismissal of governance concerns as ‘side quarrels,’ emphasizing criticism of elite influence. Center outlets like CNA report neutrally on Dhillon stepping aside due to appointment concerns. No right-leaning coverage; pro-establishment or supportive perspective absent.

Story gist: Hong Kong canceled New Year’s Eve fireworks over the harbour after a deadly blaze. Authorities plan an alternative countdown event.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provided no coverage, leaving absent any perspective on public reaction or government overreach. Center outlet The Straits Times emphasizes the ‘deadly blaze’ reason, highlighting safety implications. Right-leaning The Standard frames it neutrally per the title, stressing the alternative event and omitting dramatic safety details.