Tharman’s Manila visit highlights 55 years of Singapore-Philippines friendship; Resorts World Sentosa hosts 2024 World Chess Championship: Singapore live news

Singapore's retail scene is about to face a challenge of epic proportions with the new Johor Bahru transit link.

The news comes on the heels of reports that the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) agreement is expected to be finalised by the end of 2024.

Starting in 2026, it’s expected to make cross-border shopping a breeze and could lead to a massive $2.1 billion dip in sales.

Retailers are being urged to rethink their strategies to stay afloat.

Read on how the JB link could cost Singaporean retailers billions.

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.

Tharman also praised Filipino athletes, especially Carlos Yulo, for his outstanding achievements at the Paris Olympics.

This recognition highlights the strong bond and mutual respect between Singapore and the Philippines.

Following his visit to the Philippines, Tharman will travel to Geneva for meetings with the World Economic Forum and to Paris to support Singapore athletes at the Paralympic Games.

Read on how Singapore and the Philippines are strengthening diplomatic relations here.

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).

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.

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.

Read more about the 2024 World Chess Champion in Singapore here.

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.

Chess has seen an escalation in bizarre and extreme tactics, with the case of Amina Abakarova attempting to poison her rival in Russia being a prime example.

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.

This mistrust is compounded by the increasing prevalence of online chess, where cheating is harder to control, leading to a rise in rumours and speculation.

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.

Here's why chess has become a hotbed of scandal.

Google's new Pixel 9 series has made a splash, particularly with the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has passed an intense durability test by tech Youtuber Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything, enduring extreme heat and bending.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is showcased with a robust Super Actua display, which survived an extreme heat test with no apparent damage.

The phone, featuring Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus 2, proved highly resistant to scratches and heat.

The aluminum housing is durable but can scratch if pressured, while the device remained unscathed in a bend test, demonstrating its sturdiness.

Pre-orders for the Google Pixel 9 series in Singapore started Wednesday (14 Aug), and the phones will be available in stores from September, according to HardwareZone.

Find more about this robust new phone that promises resilience and power here.

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) agreement is expected to be finalised by the end of 2024, though it has faced delays.

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 proposal is part of broader efforts to streamline business operations and enhance regional cooperation.

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.

Read on for the latest on the Johor-Singapore SEZ agreement.

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.

Updates on Da Bai’s condition and recovery will be posted on CAS’s Instagram page.