Max Maeder leads Singapore’s first Olympic parade in 8 years; Ex-Transport Minister S Iswaran’s corruption trial set for 10 Sept: Singapore live news

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER11 updates

• Singaporeans to get $200-$400 special cost-of-living payment in Sept

  

  Over 2.4 million Singaporeans will receive between $200 and $400 in September as part of the Budget 2024 Cost-of-Living (COL) Special Payment.

  This initiative, announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, aims to ease living expenses for lower- to middle-income families.

  Eligibility includes adults with annual incomes up to $100,000 and no more than one property.

  Payments will be processed through PayNow-NRIC for those who register by 26 August, or via GIRO and GovCash for others.

  Notifications will be sent through SingPass or SMS, but citizens are warned to avoid scam attempts.

  Find out more about the Budget 2024 COL Special Payment here.

• Singaporeans drivers owe $1 million in Malaysian traffic fines

  

  Singaporean drivers lead the list of foreign traffic offenders in Malaysia, with unpaid fines totalling around $1 million (RM3.5 million).

  This is part of a larger issue where nearly 41 million traffic summonses, worth about RM4 billion, remain unpaid since 1990.

  The offences include common infractions like running red lights and speeding.

  To address this, Malaysian authorities will be issuing notices to offenders and may blacklist those who fail to pay.

  Malaysia plans to step up efforts to recover these fines and offers periodic discounts to encourage payment.

  More on how Malaysia is tackling the $1.2 billion in overdue summonses and encouraging payments.

• Bronze-winning Max Maeder to lead Singapore’s Olympic parade

  

  Singapore is set to celebrate its Olympians in grand style with an open-top bus parade on Wednesday (14 Aug), after an eight-year Olympic medal drought was broken by Max Maeder, who won a bronze in kitefoiling.

  The parade will feature eight athletes, including Maeder, swimmer Gan Ching Hwee, and the badminton duo Terry Hee and Jessica Tan, as they travel through key areas of the city.

  The Singapore Sports Institute’s chief, Su Chun Wei, highlighted the athletes’ “gritty performances” and the high standards required to compete at the Olympics.

  Su particularly praised Maeder, Singapore’s youngest Olympic medallist at 17, emphasising the significance of his achievement on such a grand stage.

  

  The route of the parade will include five “cheer points” along Bayfront Avenue, Chinatown, Orchard Road, Serangoon Road, and Victoria Street.

  Singaporeans are encouraged to come out in full force to support their sports heroes, symbolising the nation’s unity and pride.

  The event is designed to not only honour the athletes but also to bring the community together in celebration.

  The parade marks a significant moment for Singaporean sports, as it’s the first time in eight years that the country has medaled at the Olympics.

  Find out more about the celebratory parade for Team Singapore here.

• Ex-Transport Minister S Iswaran’s corruption trial set for 10 Sept

  

  Singapore’s former Transport Minister S Iswaran’s corruption trial is set to begin on 10 September, after an initial delay from 13 August.

  Iswaran faces 35 charges, including corruption, obtaining valuable items as a public servant, and obstructing justice.

  The charges stem from his dealings with hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng and Lum Chang Holdings’ managing director David Lum Kok Seng, involving gifts like Formula 1 tickets, football match passes, and luxury items.

  The delay in the trial was due to Iswaran’s appeal for witness statements, which was denied by the High Court.

  If convicted, Iswaran faces significant penalties, including imprisonment and hefty fines.

  The case, which will be heard in the High Court due to its public interest, has sparked intense media attention as it unfolds amid the backdrop of an upcoming general election in Singapore.

  Read more on S Iswaran’s corruption trial here.

• Singapore economy grows 2.9% in Q2, surpassing expectations

  

  Singapore’s economy grew by 2.9% in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year, aligning with earlier estimates and surpassing market expectations.

  This growth has prompted the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) to narrow its GDP forecast for 2024 to a range of 2.0% to 3.0%, suggesting that the economy might hit the upper end of this range.

  The quarter-on-quarter growth of 0.4% was driven by strong performances in the finance, insurance, and information and communications sectors, while manufacturing saw a decline due to reduced pharmaceutical output.

  Despite the overall positive outlook, there are lingering concerns about the global economy, particularly due to geopolitical tensions and the possibility of a US recession, which could impact Singapore’s trade-reliant economy.

  The MTI highlighted that the manufacturing sector, especially electronics, is expected to recover in the second half of the year, which could further support growth in trade-related services.

  Singapore’s growth in 2024 is expected to be bolstered by the continued recovery in air travel and tourism, along with a robust finance and insurance sector.

  However, the slowdown in manufacturing, particularly in pharmaceuticals, has tempered some of the optimism.

  The services sector also saw a slowdown in growth compared to the previous quarter.

  The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) maintained its monetary policy settings unchanged last month, as inflation pressures moderated and growth prospects showed signs of improvement.

  Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has pledged to tackle the challenges of rising living costs and strengthen social safety nets, highlighting the government’s focus on ensuring economic stability and supporting citizens through employment challenges.

  Read more for what’s next for Singapore as global risks loom.

• Tue, 13 August 2024 at 5:32 am GMT-4

  Tech professionals turn relationships into OKRs

  

  In a humorous take on dating in the tech sector, a tech worker describes how tech enthusiasts often treat relationships like work projects, focusing on goals and metrics.

  Despite encountering partners who struggled with emotional cues, she finds that their drive can be harnessed positively.

  The woman and her fiancé, both tech professionals, apply this mindset to their relationship, using objectives and key results (OKRs) and quarterly meetings to stay connected and purposeful.

  Their tech-inspired approach has led them to a successful relationship and an imminent wedding.

  More on how tech bros approach love like work projects here.

• Tue, 13 August 2024 at 5:17 am GMT-4

  No ‘I love you’ by 12 weeks? It’s time to move on

  

  Does love have a deadline?

  A relationship expert thinks so.

  Dating coach Jake Maddock says three months is all it takes to know if it’s real.

  If your boyfriend hasn’t said “I love you” three months in, it might be time to move on.

  The dating coach’s blunt advice has sparked a social media storm.

  Is it too harsh, or just what modern dating needs?

  Here’s why the relationship advice is shaking up the internet.

• Tue, 13 August 2024 at 4:00 am GMT-4

  Eat veggies, listen to classical music: 9 tips to boost your health

  

  Looking to boost your health?

  Start with the basics: eat more fruits and veggies. They’re not only good for your kidneys but can also lower cancer risks.

  Classical music might also give you a lift – studies show it can have antidepressant effects.

  Can’t put your phone down? Try picking up a non-digital hobby like reading or crochet. It might help you unwind.

  And for a quick snack, add honey to your yogurt. It enhances probiotics, which are great for digestion.

  Lastly, avoid the snooze button. It disrupts your sleep and leaves you feeling tired. Focus on good nighttime habits for better rest.

  Read on for more health tips.

• Tue, 13 August 2024 at 3:23 am GMT-4

  Finger-lickin’ fraud: US school employee stole $2 million in chicken wings

  

  Chicken wing heist! A former food service director in the United States has been sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing $2 million (US$1.5 million) worth of chicken wings.

  The crime spanned nearly two years and was discovered when the school’s food budget went US$300,000 over mid-year.

  Vera Liddell used a district van to transport the stolen wings, which never reached the students.

  The community is left wondering how such a large-scale theft went unnoticed for so long.

  Find out how these chicken wings went rogue here.

• Tue, 13 August 2024 at 12:12 am GMT-4

  Will the Philippines embrace divorce?

  

  The Philippines, the only nation aside from the Vatican where divorce is illegal, might soon change that status.

  The “Absolute Divorce Bill,” recently passed by the House of Representatives, now awaits approval from the Senate.

  This bill, if enacted, would permit divorce under specific conditions such as abuse or infidelity.

  The bill’s supporters argue it’s necessary due to the outdated and restrictive divorce laws in the country.

  However, it faces strong opposition from conservative politicians and the Catholic Church, which views divorce as contrary to its teachings.

  Public support for divorce is growing, with surveys showing increasing favourability.

  Read more if the “Absolute Divorce Bill” becomes law, or stalls in the Senate.

• Mon, 12 August 2024 at 10:29 pm GMT-4

  South Korea unleashes sniffer dog to stop post-Olympic bedbugs

  

  South Korea has unleashed its secret weapon against bedbugs: a two-year-old beagle named Ceco.

  Deployed at Incheon Airport, Ceco’s mission is to sniff out any hitchhiking pests from athletes and fans returning from the Paris Olympics.

  With bedbug outbreaks causing panic in Paris last year, South Korea is taking no chances and has ramped up its defences.

  Here’s how Ceco is keeping South Korea safe from post-Olympic bedbugs.