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Friday #sgroundup: Singapore to raise Causeway toll charges starting next month

Here are today’s top trending stories in case you missed them.

Singapore to raise Causeway toll charges starting next month

File photo taken in May 2009 shows Malaysia's southern state of Johor, which is linked by a causeway to the border of Singapore
File photo taken in May 2009 shows Malaysia's southern state of Johor, which is linked by a causeway to the border of Singapore

Starting next month, toll charges for all vehicles except motorcycles leaving Singapore through the Causeway will be raised to match the new Malaysian toll.

"Singapore has a long-standing policy of matching our toll charges at the Causeway and Second Link to those set by Malaysia. In view of Malaysia’s recent revision in toll charges at the Causeway, from 1 October 2014, Singapore’s toll charges for all vehicles (except motorcycles)... will be increased," said the LTA in a Friday statement.

A new matching Causeway toll will also be implemented for all vehicles (except motorcycles) entering Singapore. There are no changes to the toll charges at the Second Link.

https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-sports/time-to-revisit-singapore-s-money-for-medals-scheme-081436584.html

Pistorious found guilty of culpable homicide

Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius listens to the verdict in his trial at the high court in Pretoria September 12, 2014. Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide on Friday, having escaped the more serious charge of murder for the killing of his girlfriend, and the Olympic and Paralympic track star could face a lengthy prison sentence. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT ATHLETICS HEADSHOT CRIME LAW TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

After 41 days of testimony spanning more than five months, a verdict in the Oscar Pistorius trial has been handed down: guilty of culpable homicide, a ruling that comes with no minimum jail sentence.

Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her decision Friday, a day after revealing to a packed courthouse and worldwide television audience that no, she would not find Pistorius guilty of murder – premeditated or otherwise. Instead, her determination is that the death of Reeva Steenkamp in the early morning hours of Valentine's Day last year was a tragic accident; that while Pistorius "acted hastily and used excessive force," he did not show intend to kill his girlfriend.

https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/oscar-pistorius-found-guilty-of-negligent-homicide-082559102.html

Time to revisit Singapore’s money-for-medals scheme?

Swimmer Tao Li won gold for the Women's 100M backstroke, 100M butterfly. She was also part of the quarter that won the Womens' 4 x 100m Medley Relay
Swimmer Tao Li won gold for the Women's 100M backstroke, 100M butterfly. She was also part of the quarter that won the Womens' 4 x 100m Medley Relay

Whether it’s S$1 million for an individual Olympic gold medal or S$10,000 for a Southeast Asian (SEA) Games equivalent, the logic of Singapore’s Multi-Million Dollar Awards Programme (MAP) is simple.

Win and be rewarded, in world-beating amounts of money.

2008 Olympic bronze-medalist rower George Bridgewater, who spent the last two years working in Singapore during a competitive hiatus, told Yahoo Singapore there was no need for schemes like the MAP.

https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-sports/time-to-revisit-singapore-s-money-for-medals-scheme-081436584.html

IS has 20,000-31,500 fighters in Iraq and Syria: CIA

CIA Director John Brennan, center, departs after a closed briefing with the Senate Intelligence Committee and its chair Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014. President Barack Obama is preparing to go on the offensive against the Islamic State terror group and told congressional leaders at the White House Tuesday that he has the authority he needs to carry out a broader campaign to root out the violent extremists in Iraq and Syria. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria now have about 20,000 to 31,500 fighters on the ground, the Central Intelligence Agency said, much higher than a previous estimate of 10,000.

Among those in Syria are 15,000 foreign fighters including 2,000 Westerners, some of whom have joined IS, a US intelligence official told AFP.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/20-000-31-500-fighters-iraq-syria-cia-042718037.html

Soaring costs of Australian degree put off students

Morten Falch Sortland | Getty Images
Morten Falch Sortland | Getty Images

23-year old Singaporean Atheena Som decided against studying in Australia this year, opting to stay in Singapore where tuition and living costs are more affordable.

According to an HSBC report published this week, Atheena is not alone: the survey of 4,500 parents in 15 countries found the perception of the price and quality of Australian education is deteriorating.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/soaring-costs-australian-degree-put-023907872.html