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Singapore Pledges Up to $55,000 Per Child to Boost Falling Birth Rates

24 Aug. 12:48

Source

Facing a record drop in fertility rates, Singapore is significantly expanding its family support framework. According to Bloomberg, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced increases in direct financial assistance alongside enhanced housing benefits for young families.

Under the updated policy, every Singaporean child up to the age of 17 will be eligible to receive up to 70,000 Singapore dollars (approximately $55,000 USD) in total support, which includes cash payouts, educational grants, and related benefits. The government is also expanding paid parental leave and capping monthly out-of-pocket costs for government-subsidized childcare at 150 Singapore dollars.

These interventions aim to reverse a severe demographic decline, marked by last year's fertility rate drop to 0.87 children per woman, while over 20% of the country's population is currently aged 65 or older.

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Tech Giant Amazon Negotiates Landmark $7 Billion Acquisition of AI Startup Decart

Today in 11:31

Source

Amazon is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire the Israeli artificial intelligence startup Decart in a deal valued at approximately $7 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. Founded in 2023, Decart specializes in software that seamlessly bridges various AI processors and develops generative 3D world models such as "Lucy" and "Oasis." The startup had previously reached a $4 billion valuation earlier this year after raising over $400 million from major venture funds.

The strategic acquisition is poised to boost Amazon’s AWS cloud computing division, enhancing its proprietary Trainium3 AI chips to better compete against market leader Nvidia in generative AI hardware infrastructure.

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