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
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.
Pistorious found guilty of culpable homicide
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?
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.
IS has 20,000-31,500 fighters in Iraq and Syria: CIA
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
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