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A new set of property cooling measures seeks to stabilise the HDB resale market. The HDB loan limit was lowered, and more support was given to first-time flat buyers. For more details on the cooling measures, read here.
Joseph Schooling reflected on rise and retirement, sharing how the pressure and expectations of the Olympic win got to him. He also spoke about his drug use and how he found his spark outside of swimming.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong highlights challenges from US-China trade shifts and unveils new policies to tackle unemployment and support family growth in the country. Here's why PM Wong says Singapore must adapt to US-China trade changes.
A TikToker drew brickbats when she slammed a fantasy novel for having too many words. In a video that has been deleted, she said, "Why are the pages so filled with so many words? Like, what the f***?" To find out what others said about her complaint, read here.
New Chitose Airport cancelled 36 flights and delayed 201 others when a pair of scissors went missing. This was due to the suspension of security checks for two hours as authorities tried to locate the missing item. To find out where the scissors was located, read here.
Two former relationship managers – Wang Qiming and Liu Kai – were charged last Thursday for facilitating the movement of funds in Singapore's largest money laundering case. For more on their actions and alleged crimes, read here.
'Ghosting' is common with internet dating, but when is it okay? Experts agree that 'ghosting' can cause distress to the person on the receiving end, but if there is a threat to one's safety, 'ghosting' is an acceptable course of action.
The Acolyte won't be returning for a second season. The Star Wars Disney+ series drew negative reception from fans, but ended its first season on a cliffhanger that teased future storylines. For more on the cancellation of the Star Wars show, read on.
Disney waived its right to arbitration and is allowing the wrongful death lawsuit to proceed to court. The plantiff, Jeffrey Piccolo, is suing the entertainment giant after his wife suffered a fatal allergic reaction to the food at Disney Springs, Florida.
A former HSBC bank representative was slapped with a one-year prohibition order by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). To find out why he was banned, read on.
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Bryan Lim
HDB loan limits tightened in new property cooling measures
A new set of measures just kicked in to cool the HDB resale market, and provide more support for lower-to-middle income first-time home buyers.
The Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit for HDB loans was lowered five percentage points, from 80 per cent to 75 per cent.
According to a joint press release, earlier rounds of cooling measures and increased BTO flat supply moderated resale prices. It rose 4.9 per cent in 2023, down from 10.4 per cent in 2022.
However, resale prices still rose by more than 4 per cent in the first half of 2024.
The tightening of the HDB loan limit aims to stabilise the resale market and encourage flat buyers to borrow prudently. The 75 per cent loan limit is also in line with loans granted by financial institutions.
Additionally, the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) will be increased for first-time home buyers – both families and singles.
Eligible first-timer families who buy a new flat will receive up to $120,000 in EHG, while singles will get up to $60,000.
These measures were announced by the Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Housing Development Board (HDB) on Monday (19 Aug), and took effect at 12am on 20 Aug.
For more details on the cooling measures, read here.
Bryan Lim
Former HSBC banker banned by Singapore over disclosure breach
See AlsoTHE CANTINAS EARLY RETIREMENT COMMUNITY CELEBRATES LIFE, LOVE AND THE TACO BELL FANDOMDeals on margaritas, beer, food, more in observation of Cinco de MayoRepublicans can't seem to agree on why they're pissed at Tim Walz now, but it has something to do... with tacos? - QueertyAfter Tim Walz calls him "dumb", anti-LGBTQ+ Sen. Tommy Tuberville immediately proves him right - QueertyA former HSBC bank representative was slapped with a one-year prohibition order by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Aw Jun Ray, Reko Corinthians failed to disclose that he was involved with previous police investigations and criminal proceedings when he applied for a role in HSBC.
Said MAS, "These contraventions have given MAS reason to believe that he will not perform financial advisory and capital markets services honestly."
For more on the one-year ban, read on.
Bryan Lim
Disney to let wrongful death lawsuit by widower go to court
A Disney+ trial agreement stood in the way of a man and his lawsuit about the death of his wife.
The plaintiff Jeffrey Piccolo alleged that his late wife, Kanokp*rn Tangsuan, died after having an allergic reaction to a meal she had at a restaurant in Disney Springs, Florida.
The entertainment giant then attempted to block his lawsuit by arguing that his Disney+ trial agreement meant any legal dispute would be settled via arbitration. Piccolo subscribed to the trial five years ago.
However, Disney is now waiving its right to arbitration and allowing the matter to proceed to court.
Josh D’Amaro, the chairman of Disney Experiences, said in a statement, "At Disney, we strive to put humanity above all other considerations.
"With such unique circ*mstances as the ones in this case, we believe this situation warrants a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have experienced such a painful loss."
To learn more about the legal dispute, read here.
Bryan Lim
Star Wars series The Acolyte cancelled after 1 season
The Force was not with The Acolyte.
After a shaky premiere in June, and the negative reception from fans, the Star Wars Disney+ series won't be continuing with a second season.
While it seems to be a logical choice, the news was also a shock as the first season ended on a cliffhanger and teased storylines for a potential second season.
The series follows the rise of the Sith roughly 100 years before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
It starred Amandla Stenberg (Hunger Games) and Lee Jung-jae of Squid Game fame. Dafne Keen, who recently reprised her role as X-23 in Deadpool & Wolverine, played a supporting role in the miniseries.
For more on the cancellation of the Star Wars show, read here.
Bryan Lim
When is it okay to 'ghost' and how to deal with it
When online dating became prevalent during the mid-2010s, so did the act of 'ghosting'.
Being ditched without any kind of explanation or closure is painful and distressing, according to experts. This is because there isn't an explicit rejection which helps people process and move on.
If you've been 'ghosted', experts suggest not to dwell on it because the other party probably isn't thinking about you. Admittedly, it's difficult to do so because there can be a "lack of belongingness", so the best course of action is to reconnect with family and friends.
This will help to reaffirm other parts of your life where you feel a sense of belongingness.
That said, there are situations where 'ghosting' is acceptable. Experts say that when there is abuse, or a threat to your safety, it's okay to 'ghost'.
To find out more about 'ghosting' to get out of a dangerous situation, read here.
Bryan Lim
What to know about the 2 Chinese bankers in Singapore's biggest money laundering case
Two former relationship managers were charged last Thursday for facilitating the movement of funds in Singapore's largest money laundering case.
Wang Qiming, 26, was with Citibank Singapore when he allegedly committed the crime. He conspired with convicted China-born criminals Su Baolin and Vang Shuiming. Both Su and Vang are part of the 10 who were convicted in the money-laundering case.
Wang also forged documents from Indonesian companies and other paperwork to mask the source of deposits into Citibank accounts, according to the charge sheet.
The second banker, Liu Kai, was working at Julius Baer and helped Lin Baoying – one of the 10 convicted criminals – open a bank account in Switzerland using a forged Chinese tax document. Liu knew the document was fake.
Their actions have raised questions about the banks' due diligence during the hiring process.
"Clearly, there are problems with the banks’ checks and controls," said Mak Yuen Teen, a business professor at the National University of Singapore.
For more on Wang and Liu's alleged crimes, read here.
Bryan Lim
36 flights cancelled in Japan after scissors go missing
A pair of missing scissors suspended airport security checks by two hours on Saturday (16 Aug) morning.
This led to the cancellation of 36 flights with 201 flights delayed at Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport domestic terminal.
Passengers in the departure lounge were forced to go through security checks again as authorities tried to locate the missing scissors.
The item went missing from a store near the boarding gates.
Though the item wasn't found on Saturday, security checks and flights eventually resumed on the same day.
Despite the inconvenience, travellers praised the airport's response to the incident as it reaffirmed their confidence in the airport's security.
To find out where the scissors was located, read here.
Bryan Lim
TikToker asks why book is 'filled with so many words'
A TikToker sparked an online debate after she went on the platform to complain about a book having too many words.
Yanna Lina, a popular BookToker, was reading Six of Crows – a fantasy novel spinoff from Shadow and Bone.
In a video that has been deleted, she went on a rant about the book and said, "Can we talk about something real quick though? Can I talk s*** for a second? Why the f*** is this book... The writing is so tiny. Second of all, why are the pages so filled with so many words? Like, what the f***?"
The BookToker also admitted that she likes pages that "aren't filled with this many words".
Her rant caught the ire of many netizens who criticised her.
“At this point just pick up a picture book,” quipped one of the commenters.
To find out what others said about her complaint, read here.
Joel Balbin
Singapore PM Wong warns of economic shift due to US-China tensions
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has expressed concern over the shifting US-China economic dynamics and its impact on Singapore.
In his National Day Rally speech, Wong highlighted the end of the era when US tech products were “made in China” and noted the new trend of “Invented in California, made in the USA.”
This shift is part of a broader geopolitical realignment where the US and China are focusing on domestic manufacturing and self-sufficiency.
Wong emphasised that this change in global supply chains poses a challenge for trade-reliant Singapore.
With developed economies seeking to reshape their supply chains and China pushing for technological independence, Singapore must adapt to maintain its economic competitiveness.
This includes increasing investments in research, development, and infrastructure.
In his address, Wong also outlined domestic policies aimed at addressing unemployment and the country's low fertility rate.
He proposed a new scheme offering financial support to recently unemployed individuals actively seeking work and promised increased parental leave benefits to support family growth.
Read on why PM Wong says Singapore must adapt to US-China trade changes.
Bryan Lim
Joseph Schooling reflects on rise and retirement
He was Singapore's pride, but the years that came after his historic win at the 2016 Olympics weren't kind to him.
Speaking to TIME, former Olympic swimmer Joseph Schooling admitted that the pressure got to him.
He said, "You understand that the stakes are much higher. After winning basically every single race the previous two years, losing after the Olympics is just not an option."
Schooling also raised the issue of expectations from "the people around you, the media, the country" that didn't exist previously.
At 21, he became Singapore's first Olympic gold medallist.
During his retirement press conference in April, the former professional swimmer attributed the decline in his performance to "complacency".
But, he was also burnt out, according to TIME. And, he no longer enjoyed his morning swimming routine anymore.
“I thought I’d sleep it off and one day just wake up and be magically in love with swimming again. And that wasn’t the case," said Schooling.
For more on Schooling's thoughts about his drug use, and how he found his spark again outside of swimming, read here.
