Tharman’s Manila visit highlights 55 years of Singapore-Philippines friendship; Resorts World Sentosa hosts 2024 World Chess Championship: Singapore live news
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Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shake hands before their bilateral meeting, at the Malacanang Palace, in Manila, Philippines, August 15, 2024. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David/Pool
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Resorts World Sentosa will welcome chess enthusiasts from around the globe for the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship. From 23 Nov to 15 Dec, reigning champion Ding Liren of China face challenger Dommaraju Gukesh of India in a historic showdown. More on the 2024 World Chess Champion in Singapore here.
In an inspiring display of compassion, Singaporeans raised $20,000 in just four days to fund medical care for Da Bai, a stray dog injured in a hit-and-run. Da Bai is now life-saving care and will be rehomed after recovery. Causes for Animals (CAS) spearheaded the campaign, which has now reached its goal. Updates on Da Bai’s condition and recovery will be posted on CAS’s Instagram page.
The asteroid that killed dinosaurs 66 million years ago travelled from beyond Jupiter, according to a new study. Analysis reveals it was a C-type asteroid, not a comet, confirming its outer solar system origin, and solving a long-standing mystery. More on the rare rock from beyond Jupiter that doomed the dinosaurs here.
AirAsia's new route to Port Blair will start from 16 Nov, with flights three times a week from Kuala Lumpur. As the sole Southeast Asian carrier to offer international flights to Port Blair, AirAsia now connects Singaporeans to 17 cities in India. More here if you're ready to take your next flight to the Adamans.
A groundbreaking study reveals that taking a brief five-second break during arguments can help defuse conflicts between couples, offering a simple yet effective solution to manage disagreements. Read on to know more about the five seconds to peace.
Buckle up, Singapore shoppers! A new rapid transit system linking Johor Bahru is set to stir up a storm in retail, potentially slashing local sales by S$2.1 billion. This comes after reports that the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) agreement is expected to be finalised by the end of 2024. Read on how Singaporean retailers could stay afloat.
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Joel Balbin
Singapore retailers face $2.1 billion hit with Johor Bahru link
View of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link railway bridge under construction from Johor. The RTS Link is a 4km-long cross-border rail shuttle service, with 2.7km in Malaysia and 1.3km in Singapore and is expected to start operations by end-2026. (Photo: Getty Images)
Singapore's retail scene is about to face a challenge of epic proportions with the new Johor Bahru transit link.
Tharman’s Manila visit marks 55 years of Singapore-Philippines diplomatic ties
Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam gestures before the bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at the Malacanang Palace, in Manila, Philippines, August 15, 2024. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David/Pool
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is on a State Visit to the Philippines from 15 to 17 August, marking the 55th anniversary of Singapore-Philippines diplomatic relations.
Tharman received a warm welcome at Malacañang Palace and held discussions with his Philippines counterpart President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
They focused on enhancing collaboration in areas like carbon credits and healthcare, where two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed to advance these efforts.
The MOU on carbon credits emphasises collaboration aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
This agreement will help both countries meet their climate targets and promote sustainable development.
During the visit, Tharman will attend a roundtable hosted by the Asia Society Philippines and Makati Business Club, and visit key sites like the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and International Rice Research Institute.
He will also attend events related to health programs and meet with Singaporeans in the Philippines.
Resorts World Sentosa set for 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship showdown
The 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship, featuring China's Ding Liren and India's Gukesh D, will be held at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, from 23 Nov to 15 Dec. (Photo: Getty Images)
The FIDE World Chess Championship will be hosted at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in Singapore from 23 Nov to 15 Dec, the Singapore Chess Federation announced Thursday (15 Aug).
❗️The FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 match will be held in 🇸🇬 Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) from November 23 to December 15, 2024!
♟️ This iconic event will feature two contestants from Asia: the reigning World Champion, 🇨🇳 Ding Liren, and the challenger, 🇮🇳… pic.twitter.com/vNfBKAAqRx
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 15, 2024
This historic event marks the first time the championship features two Asian contenders when reigning World Champion Ding Liren from China takes on challenger Dommaraju Gukesh (also known as Gukesh D) from India.
🇸🇬 Singapore will host the 2024 FIDE World Championship Match ♟️ 🏆
⚔️ The defending World Champion, 🇨🇳 Ding Liren, will battle it out against the Challenger, 🇮🇳 Gukesh D. The Match, which boasts a sensational prize fund of 💰 2.5 million USD, is set to take place between 🗓️… pic.twitter.com/2fL93Gpq6J
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 1, 2024
Gukesh said he has fond memories in Singapore, where he won one of his first international tournaments, adding that he also had a nice family vacation in Lion City.
RWS, renowned for its luxurious amenities, will offer a fitting backdrop for the championship and will also host the Singapore International Open, a high-level tournament.
Exciting side events, including meet-and-greets with grandmasters and other chess-related activities, are planned.
Tickets for the match will be available soon, promising a grand spectacle for chess enthusiasts.
Chess scandals have included well-known players like former world champion Magnus Carlsen (left) and Hans Niemann, with accusations flying and lawsuits being settled. (Photo: The Telegraph)
Speaking of chess, let's hope the dirty moves surrounding the checkered board don't make their way to Singapore during the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship.
This incident highlights the lengths to which some players will go to win, underscoring the intense psychological warfare that chess involves.
Cheating in chess has evolved in bizarre ways, with rumours involving anal beads making headlines.
These scandals have included well-known players like Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann, with accusations flying and lawsuits being settled.
Chess has a long history of rivalries steeped in psychological manipulation.
Notable examples include the Cold War-era match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky, and the mind games between Viktor Korchnoi and Anatoly Karpov.
These matches often involved accusations of cheating, strange tactics, and external influences designed to unsettle opponents.
This tradition of mental gamesmanship continues in modern chess, where players use tactics like refusing handshakes or arriving late to unsettle their rivals.
The pressure on top players is immense, with rankings and prize money at stake.
This has led to an environment where even the slightest suspicion can spiral into accusations of cheating.
The advent of computer programs that outperform human players has only added to the paranoia, making it difficult for players to trust one another.
Despite these challenges, chess has become more popular than ever, partly due to the success of shows like Netflix's The Queen's Gambit.
The sport has attracted a younger audience, which has brought both positive energy and new challenges, such as the potential for digital cheating and the rapid spread of rumours on social media.
While the integrity of the game is often tested, many players still adhere to the rules, focusing on outplaying their opponents rather than resorting to underhanded tactics.
Johor-Singapore special economic zone deal expected by year-end
The Johor-Singapore special economic zone (SEZ) agreement is expected by year-end despite delays. The SEZ aims to boost trade and jobs but faces issues with fund contributions and skilled workers. (AFP file photo)
Key issues include negotiating contributions to a joint fund and ensuring a skilled workforce.
The SEZ aims to boost investments, trade, and job creation in southern Johor, covering an area over four times the size of Singapore.
A three-day workshop is scheduled for late August to finalize the agreement details.
Johor’s Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, has proposed special border passes for top executives to ease travel between Singapore and Johor, addressing congestion and manpower issues.
The SEZ will feature new infrastructure developments, such as expanded highways and improved public transport, to support its growth.
A memorandum of understanding was signed in January, aiming for the agreement by year-end, with recent discussions pushing this timeline.
The SEZ is designed to facilitate cross-border business, movement of goods, and workforce integration, and will be integrated with existing initiatives like the Iskandar Malaysia project.
The SEZ’s focus includes developing training programs to address the shortage of skilled workers for industries like AI and renewable energy.
This initiative is expected to significantly impact both economies, making Johor a more attractive destination for Singaporean businesses.
The Johor-Singapore SEZ is set to transform regional economic dynamics, promising increased investment and economic integration. Ongoing discussions and workshops will address final details to ensure the project’s success.
$20,000 raised for injured stray dog Da Bai in just 4 days
Singapore rallies for stray dog Da Bai after a hit-and-run incident. (Photo: Causes for Animals/Instagram)
Singapore's animal lovers quickly rallied to support Da Bai, a stray dog injured in an alleged hit-and-run.
Within just four days, a fundraising campaign managed to gather $20,000, the full amount needed for Da Bai’s medical bills.
The campaign was organised by Causes for Animals (CAS), who expressed their gratitude in an Instagram post on Wednesday (14 Aug), thanking the public for their generosity.
Da Bai, who was discovered on 5 Aug with a fractured face, will undergo a significant recovery process.
He is expected to spend six to eight weeks in the hospital, starting with treatment for a low platelet count before he can have surgery to repair his facial injuries.
He is currently receiving care at Animal World Veterinary Clinic.
After Da Bai’s recovery, he will be rehomed by Karen, one of his dedicated feeders.
CAS has closed the donation drive, having met their financial goal.
Da Bai has been living near Tuas View Circuit since 2019 and was found by his feeders during their routine rounds.
After evading detection on a flight to Hamburg and being caught but released, he succeeded on a flight to Stockholm, where he drew attention upon trying to return to Munich.
Authorities are investigating the security lapses, with Munich Airport and Lufthansa scrutinising their procedures.
Struggling with arguments? A study shows that taking just a five-second break can defuse conflicts and reduce aggression. (Photo: Getty Images)
A new study has found that a five-second pause during arguments significantly lowers aggression and prevents conflicts from escalating.
Conducted with 81 couples using advanced AI and a competitive game, the study showed that brief breaks are as effective as longer ones in reducing negative emotions.
AirAsia launches new Singapore to Port Blair route
AirAsia is upping its game with a new route to the Andaman Islands! Travellers from Singapore can enjoy flights to Port Blair with a breezy stopover in Kuala Lumpur from 16 Nov. (Photo: Getty Images)
AirAsia is launching a new route from Singapore to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, with a quick stopover in Kuala Lumpur.
Starting 16 November, AirAsia will offer flights three times a week to this stunning destination, making it the only ASEAN airline to provide international flights there.
This new route expands AirAsia's connectivity, allowing travellers from Singapore to access 17 Indian cities via Kuala Lumpur.
Dinosaur-killing asteroid came from beyond Jupiter
An artist's impression of a large asteroid impacting at Chicxulub on the Mexican coastline, which caused the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, 66 million years ago, with the planet Mars and asteroid bodies in the background, in this image obtained by Reuters on August 14, 2024. Illustration by Mark Garlick/Handout via REUTERS.
This asteroid, which struck Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula 66 million years ago, caused the mass extinction event that wiped out about 75 per cent of Earth's species.
Researchers identified it as a carbonaceous (C-type) asteroid, not a comet, based on ruthenium isotope analysis.
This conclusion, based on ruthenium isotope analysis, dismisses earlier theories of a comet or volcanic origin.
The Chicxulub impactor's composition matches other carbonaceous asteroids, shedding light on its extraterrestrial origin and potential future threats.
China has been amping up efforts to lure international tourists by introducing more welcoming policies. Here’s what travelers planning a journey to this vast nation need to know.
Like many good things in life, travel can occasionally be divisive. Even leaving aside the ferocious rows about overtourism, even seemingly innocent topics – think window vs aisle seat – can trigger passionate debates.
Fewer climbers tackled Mount Fuji during this year's hiking season, preliminary figures show, after Japanese authorities introduced an entry fee and a daily cap on numbers to fight overtourism.This year, an entry fee of 2,000 yen ($14) plus an optional donation was charged on the popular Yoshida Trail, with numbers capped at 4,000 per day.
Wizz Air is launching £135 flights from London to the Middle East as the budget airline aims to attract passengers with a low-cost, no-frills alternative.
The descendants of the Eiffel Tower's designer say they will fight to stop the Olympic rings being left on the tower as the mayor of Paris plans.Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo plans to keep the massive multicoloured rings that were attached to the "Dame de Fer" ("Iron Lady") for the Paris Olympics until at least 2028, when the next Games will be held in Los Angeles.
Bucket-list travel might be a bit of a cliché, but if any country merits this treatment it has to be glorious Greece – land of pristine seas, golden beaches, timewarped villages, delicious yet healthy cuisine and ancient ruins. In September, when tourist crowds start to dwindle, blistering temperatures begin to wane, beaches and sites such as the Acropolis are not quite as jam-packed, the birthplace of democracy puts on its best show.
Daunting, dangerous and slightly strange – solo travel was once thought of as a pursuit only for the very adventurous, the very youthful and, often, the very male. But this is no longer the case. Travel company Newmarket Holidays has found that eight out of 10 solo tour bookings are now made by women, with almost half of those aged between 65 and 74. And their popularity has increased exponentially, too – last year, a Skyscanner report found that half of respondents were planning to go it alone
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