The saddest, happiest, angriest artists in Singapore; 1 in 4 Singaporeans face breakups over money: Singapore live news

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Taylor Swift tops the charts for making Singaporeans feel happy and loved, while Jay Chou's music often leads them to tears. (Photos: Taylor Swift - Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP; Jay Chou - Christophe Ena/AP)
Taylor Swift tops the charts for making Singaporeans feel happy and loved, while Jay Chou's music often leads them to tears. (Photos: Taylor Swift - Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP; Jay Chou - Christophe Ena/AP)

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Hello to all our readers, Yahoo Singapore will be bringing you live news updates today.

Feeling down? Taylor Swift and Maroon 5 might lift your spirits. But if you need a moment for a good cry, Jay Chou's tunes are the go-to. Learn how your favourite songs could also boost your language skills, thanks to Preply's latest findings.

Money disputes are breaking 27 per cent of Singaporean relationships. Read more about MoneySmart's latest survey that reveals how keeping financial secrets can harm your relationship with your partner.

Ex-CEO Tan Suee Chieh challenges NTUC Income's sale to Allianz, arguing against NTUC Enterprise's reasoning. Parliament answers the questions on the sale on Tuesday (6 August). Read the former NTUC Income's chief rebuttal here.

Carlos Yulo’s double gold win in gymnastics at the Paris Olympics has brought him an avalanche of rewards, from $458,000 (P20 million) in cash to a luxury condo. The Filipino gymnast's lifetime supply of ramen, mac and cheese and more add a delightful twist to his winnings, showcasing the Philippine's quirky appreciation.

Job dissatisfaction in Singapore is rising, with 19 per cent unhappy at work. Find out why job hunting is as tough as finding a partner.

Paraguay Olympic swimmer Luana Alonso announced her retirement after she criticism from Paraguayan team chiefs for sharing photos and videos of her sightseeing in Paris, including a trip to Disneyland, which they deemed as creating an inappropriate atmosphere within the team. Read more about her controversial behaviour and its consequences here.

Michael Phelps has consistently expressed admiration for Joseph Schooling's achievements, particularly his gold medal win in the 2016 Rio Olympics. He highlights Schooling's talent, emphasising the impressive nature of his victory. Read on for Phelps's take on the doping scandal in the Olympics.

French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati did not qualify for the men's pole vault final at the Paris Olympics due to unsuccessful attempts at clearing the 5.70 meter height, not because of a viral video suggesting his "bulge" knocked down the crossbar. But here's how he could walk away richer if he capitalises on the viral moment.

An Indonesian man killed his neighbour after the latter persistently asked why he was single at 45. Here's what the assistant police commissioner had to say about the brutal attack.

Guess traditional gender reveal parties aren't giving anymore. A Singaporean couple turned their gender reveal into a pro-wrestling match. To find out who won the match, and by extension, the baby's gender, read here.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER10 updates
  • Featured

    Music's emotional impact on Singaporeans revealed

    Ever wondered which artists lift Singaporean spirits or bring them to tears?

    A new survey by online language learning platform Preply has the answers.

    Taylor Swift and Maroon 5 are top choices for boosting moods, while Jay Chou's music often evokes sadness.

    Linkin Park's music tends to make fans feel angry, and Taylor Swift also ranks highest for evoking feelings of love.

    Preply's survey of over 1,500 Singaporeans examined how different music artists influence emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and love, revealing notable trends and the potential of music in language learning.

    Read on about music's role in mood and language learning.

  • Featured

    Money disputes break 27% of Singaporean relationships

    Stressed Asian couple fighting over unpaid debts.
    Money disputes break 27% of Singaporean relationships, a survey said. (Photo: Getty Images)

    At least 1 in 4 Singaporeans have experienced relationship breakdowns due to money disputes, a survey has found.

    MoneySmart, which interviewed 1,000 Singaporean adults in heterosexual relationships, uncovered how financial disagreements impact couples and offers expert advice on resolving these conflicts.

    The study found that 27 per cent of relationships end over money issues, with the most common cause being overspending (48 per cent).

    Differences in saving habits (37 per cent) and not saving enough (32 per cent) follow closely.

    Surprisingly, 13 per cent of respondents said they argue more about money than any other topic.

    Financial secrecy is another major issue. About 24 per cent of respondents admitted to having secret savings accounts, and 18 per cent have debt their partners are unaware of.

    This is despite nearly half (49 per cent) stating that lying about finances is considered dishonest, and 32 per cent saying they would never forgive such deceit.

    Talking about money isn't easy for many Singaporeans. Around 32 per cent find discussing finances with their partner difficult, while 26 per cent actively avoid these conversations.

    Money talks cause anxiety for 32 per cent of respondents, highlighting the stress financial discussions can create.

    Find out some of the tips for talking about money as a couple here.

  • Singaporean couple turns gender reveal party into pro-wrestling match

    Guess traditional gender reveal parties aren't giving anymore. A Singaporean couple turned their gender reveal into a pro-wrestling match. (Photo: Screengrab from Reddit)
    Guess traditional gender reveal parties aren't giving anymore. A Singaporean couple turned their gender reveal into a pro-wrestling match. (Photo: Screengrab from Reddit)

    Seems like the traditional gender reveal party just ain't cutting it.

    A Singaporean couple recently turned their gender reveal party into a pro-wrestling match and a video of the event was shared on the Singapore subreddit.

    There were two wrestlers and they were dressed in blue and pink to represent the different genders. The outcome of the match would reveal the baby's gender and only the mother knew in advance.

    According to the video, friends and family were also betting on the gender, though it was unclear if money was involved.

    To find out who won the match, and by extension, the baby's gender, read here.

  • Indonesian man, 45, kills neighbour after keeps asking why he's single

    An Indonesian man killed his neighbour after the latter persistently asked why he was single at 45. (Photo: Getty Images)
    An Indonesian man killed his neighbour after the latter persistently asked why he was single at 45. (Photo: Getty Images)

    A man in Indonesia allegedly killed his neighbour after the latter kept asking why he was single.

    The victim was Asgim Irianto, 60, a retired civil servant. According to his wife, 45-year-old Parlindungan Siregar attacked Irianto at their home with a piece of wood at about 8pm on 29 July.

    Irianto ran out to the street but he fell after taking a blow to the head. Siregar continued his attack until residents in the area stopped him.

    Here's what the assistant police commissioner had to say about the brutal attack.

  • All is not lost in the battle of the bulge for French pole vaulter

    Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's Pole Vault Qualification - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - August 03, 2024. Anthony Ammirati of France in action. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
    Paris 2024 Olympics - Anthony Ammirati of France in action during men's pole vault qualification at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France on 03 August 2024. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

    While Armand "Mondo" Duplantis staked his claim as the best pole vaulter ever with an Olympics gold and a world record, people can't seem to stop talking about one of his competitors.

    Video of French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati failing to qualify for the final at the Olympics due to an incident involving his crotch caused is understandably getting wide media exposure.

    CamSoda, a leading to a porn company that has a history of offering money to individuals involved in viral moments, is trying to seize the moment by offering him $331,000 (US$250,000) to show his member on camera.

    Read on what Ammirati has to say after his Olympics loss went viral.

  • From one legend to another, Michael Phelps calls Joseph Schooling a 'stud'

    Silver medallist USA's Michael Phelps (L) waves next to gold medallist Singapore's Schooling Joseph during the medal ceremony of the Men's 100m Butterfly Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 12, 2016.   / AFP PHOTO / Odd Andersen        (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
    23-time Olympic gold medallist USA's Michael Phelps (L) wished Singapore's Joseph Schooling "nothing but the best". Phelps spoke to the media about (Photo: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

    Legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps reflected on his epic rivalry with Singapore icon Joseph Schooling.

    Speaking to the media in Paris, the 23-time Olympic gold medallist called Schooling "a stud".

    "He's a stud. I knew he was going to be tough in that race in 2016, and he had so much front-half speed. So for me, it’s fun to see him be able to retire when he wanted to, right?" Phelps said.

    “He won his gold medal. It’s so big, it’s so impressive, right? To be able to win a gold medal is less than one per cent of one per cent. To have that opportunity like he did, in the moment that he did, it’s a great career. I wish him nothing but the best,” he added.

    Schooling is Singapore’s only Olympic gold medallist. He made history at 2016 Rio Olympics when he beat his idol Phelps in the 100m butterfly.

    Schooling announced his retirement from swimming in April.

    Amid the Chinese doping scandal, Phelps advocates for a lifetime ban for athletes who test positive for banned substances, believing they should never be allowed to compete again.

    23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for banned substances before the Tokyo Olympics, with the positive tests attributed to tainted food, leading to controversy over fairness in competition.

    Phelps emphasises the importance of clean competition and calls for global anti-doping reforms to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.

    Read more on why Phelps wants tougher sanctions on athletes who tests positive for a banned substance.

  • Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso announces retirement amid controversy at Paris 2024 Olympics

    Luana Alonso
    Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso is accused of "inappropriate effect on her team" at the Paris 2024 Olympics. (Photo: The Telegraph)

    In a surprising turn of events, Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso announced her retirement from competitive swimming during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

    The announcement came amid a wave of controversy surrounding her behaviour at the Olympic Village.

    Alonso represented Paraguay in the 100m butterfly event.

    Despite her previous performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where she placed 28th in the same event, she did not advance to the semifinals in Paris, finishing 6th in her heat.

    However, it was not her performance in the pool that drew attention.

    Allegedly, Alonso left the Olympic Village to explore Paris, including a visit to Disneyland Paris.

    The Paraguayan Olympic Committee deemed her actions inappropriate and promptly asked her to leave the Village.

    Amid the controversy, Alonso announced her retirement from swimming.

    Her departure from the sport has been overshadowed by the media scrutiny and the circumstances leading to her removal from the Olympics.

    Read more on Luana Alonso’s behaviour outside the Olympic Village that caused a stir and resulted in her removal from the Paris 2024 Olympics.

  • Getting a job in Singapore is as tough as finding a partner

    A recent survey by Jobstreet by SEEK revealed that nearly one in five or 19 per cent of Singaporean employees are unhappy at work, the highest percentage in Southeast Asia.

    Key reasons for dissatisfaction include inadequate salary and benefits (53 per cent) and lack of recognition (36 per cent).

    Despite the discontent, only 15 per cent would take a high-paying job that doesn't match their career goals.

    Additionally, 14 per cent feel their job aligns with their skills and aspirations, with 27 per cent finding job hunting more challenging than finding a long-term partner.

    Many employees prioritise stability, with 72 per cent willing to stay in a mismatched role for over a year before seeking new opportunities.

    This cautious approach is influenced by financial stability concerns, work-life balance, and job security.

    Here's why job hunting is as tough as finding a partner in Singapore.

  • Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo's Olympic gold medals bring massive rewards

    Carlos Edriel Yulo, of the Philippines, celebrates after winning the gold medal during the men's artistic gymnastics individual floor finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
    Carlos Edriel Yulo, of the Philippines, celebrates after winning the gold medal during the men's artistic gymnastics individual floor finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

    Double gold medalist Carlos Yulo is set for life!

    Yulo's triumph at the Paris Olympics has earned him more than just gold medals.

    The Olympian has been showered with rewards, including $458,000 (P20 million) in cash and a luxury condominium.

    Yulo has also received lifetime supplies of ramen and mac and cheese, highlighting the national pride in his achievements.

    Private entities have also contributed significant rewards, ensuring Yulo's financial stability and comfort.

    Yulo is the first Filipino male athlete to bag a gold medal in the Olympics. He became only the Philippines' second Olympic gold medalist after Hidilyn Diaz achieve the feat in Tokyo.

    Read on about Yulo's historic Olympic achievement.

  • Former CEO Tan Suee Chieh disputes NTUC Income sale

    Former NTUC Income CEO Tan Suee Chieh. (Photo: Tan Suee Chieh/Facebook)
    Former NTUC Income CEO Tan Suee Chieh disputes NTUC Enterprise's reasons for selling NTUC Income to Allianz. (Photo: Tan Suee Chieh/Facebook)

    Former NTUC Income and NTUC Enterprise CEO, Tan Suee Chieh, has publicly disputed NTUC Enterprise's justification for selling NTUC Income to Allianz.

    Tan's rebuttal followed NTUC Enterprise's claim that the sale was necessary for growth and resilience in a competitive market.

    Tan cited that other insurance cooperatives, like those in Sweden and Canada, have succeeded without such sales.

    Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community & Youth, stated that social enterprises must be financially sustainable.

    The corporatisation of NTUC Income in 2022 was a transparent process supported by its members.

    Former diplomat Tommy Koh also criticised the sale, questioning its necessity given NTUC Income's profitability and social mission.

    Parliament will address questions on the sale on Tuesday (6 Aug).