Singapore swimmer Yip Pin Xiu wins second gold in Paris Paralympic Games; Singapore’s skilled workforce leads the world in 2024: Singapore live news
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Gold medallist Singapore's swimmer Pin Xiu Yip celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 50m Backstroke - S2 Gold Final at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, in the Paris La Defence Arena, Nanterre, west of Paris, on 31 August 2024. (Photo: JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP News)
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Yip Pin Xiu wins again! The Singaporean swimmer takes gold in the 50m backstroke S2 at Paris 2024, just days after winning the 100m backstroke S2 event. This victory extends her remarkable record of winning gold in this event for three consecutive Paralympic Games. More on Yip Pin Xiu's historic Paralympics feat here.
OCBC Bank’s online banking services were disrupted on Sunday (1 Sept) but were restored by in the afternoon. The bank apologised for the inconvenience and assured customers that ATM and card services were unaffected and data remained secure. More on the OCBC temporary disruption here.
A recent survey revealed that most Singaporeans place greater importance on health than financial success. Conducted in May 2024, Prudential Singapore's survey highlights how Singaporeans prioritise well-being and the challenges of balancing it with financial goals. Do you agree with the saying that health is wealth?
Changi Airport presents “A Sunflower Sojourn,” the world’s largest sunflower display, featuring 5,000 sunflowers across all terminals, which runs until end September This event is strategically timed to align with the September school holidays and the Mid-Autumn Festival, making it a perfect attraction for families, travellers, and flower enthusiasts. What are you waiting for? Explore Changi Airport's “A Sunflower Sojourn” now!
A maritime mishap occurred at the Port of Fremantle on Friday (30 Aug) when the Maersk Shekou collided with the STS Leeuwin II. The Singapore-flagged vessel was under pilotage and assisted by four tugboats at the time. The allision resulted in the collapse of the tall ship’s masts and damage to the Maersk Shekou’s hull. Two crew members on the STS Leeuwin II were injured, but all onboard the container ship were unharmed. Investigations are underway.
In a bid to appreciate healthcare workers, SMRT and MOHH are giving away 46,000 EZ-Link cards to nurses in Singapore. The $700,000 initiative is more than just a thank-you; it’s part of a broader campaign to showcase healthcare careers and inspire more Singaporeans to join the field. More on the $700,000 SMRT-MOHH initiative here.
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced adjustments to Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates. Effective from Monday (9 Sept), ERP rates will increase by $1 at three key expressway locations during peak hours to address traffic congestion. Rates at Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE), and Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) will be adjusted. More details about the revised ERP rates here.
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ERP rates up by $1 at 3 key expressway locations from 9 Sep
ERP rates in Singapore will see a $1 increase starting Monday (9 Sept) at three key expressway locations: Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE), and Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE). The LTA says the change aims to alleviate traffic jams during peak hours. (Photo: Yahoo News Singapore)
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore will increase Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates by $1.00 at three expressway locations starting Monday (9 Sept).
The locations and times affected are Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) from 7:30-8:00 AM, Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) from 6:30-7:00 PM, and Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) from 8:00-8:30 AM.
The new rates are designed to manage congestion during peak traffic hours.
Despite these increases, the total number of charged locations remains lower than before COVID.
40% of Singapore firms plan hiring surge next year
The Singapore Business Federation’s 2024 survey shows cautious optimism among businesses, with plans to expand hiring amid ongoing challenges with manpower costs and talent shortages. (Photo: Getty Images)
The Singapore Business Federation’s (SBF) National Business Survey 2024 revealed a cautiously optimistic outlook among businesses, with 40 per cent planning to expand hiring in the next 12 months, a significant increase from 29 per cent the previous year.
Despite this, only 27 per cent of companies expect economic improvement, while 24 per cent foresee a decline, indicating a mixed economic sentiment across sectors.
The biggest challenge remains manpower costs, coupled with a growing difficulty in attracting local talent.
The survey highlights a shift in employee compensation strategies, with fewer businesses planning to raise salaries and non-salary costs, yet an increasing focus on employee development, as more companies are investing in training and flexible work options.
Foreign manpower policies continue to strain businesses, pushing them to prioritise local recruitment and call for more flexible workforce regulations.
Singapore's swimmer Yip Pin Xiu wins gold again at Paris 2024 Paralympics
Gold medalist Singapore's Pin Xiu Yip celebrates on the podium of the women's 100m S2 backstroke swimming event during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at The Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, west of Paris on 29 August 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP News)
Days after winning the 100m backstroke S2, Yip dominated the 50m backstroke S2 event with a time of 1:05.99.
Yip secured her third straight gold in the 50m backstroke S2 across three Paralympics, finishing nearly three seconds ahead of her competitors.
Yip’s victory in Paris continues her legacy as a dominant swimmer, with a total of seven gold medals and one silver across five Paralympic Games.
Her previous achievements include gold medals in the 50m backstroke S2 at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, as well as world records in both the 50m and 100m backstroke S2 events.
Reflecting on her success, Yip expressed gratitude and a love for the sport that drives her continued participation.
Despite the intense pressure and challenges, her passion and commitment remain strong, with plans to keep competing and winning for as long as possible.
Singapore tops global skilled labour rankings in 2024; Southeast Asia shines
Singapore has been ranked the world’s most skilled labor force, according to the 2024 World Competitiveness Yearbook by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), leading a list that highlights the critical role of skilled workers in economic competitiveness. (Photo: Getty Images)
Singapore has been ranked as the country with the most skilled labour force in the world, according to the 2024 World Competitiveness Yearbook by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
Singapore’s score improved significantly from 6.44 in 2023 to 7.94 in 2024, reflecting the nation’s strong emphasis on skill development and its ability to attract highly skilled workers.
This increase highlights Singapore’s commitment to nurturing a competitive workforce capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.
Within Southeast Asia, the Philippines and Indonesia also made it into the top 20 countries with the most skilled labour forces.
The Philippines ranked 12th with a score of 6.51, reflecting the strong presence of skilled labour as one of the most appealing aspects of its economy.
Indonesia followed at 13th, with a score of 6.50, where respondents noted the importance of skilled senior managers and the use of big data as key strengths.
These rankings underscore the region’s growing focus on enhancing labour skills to remain competitive globally.
Besides Singapore, the top five countries with the most skilled labour forces include Norway, Denmark, Bahrain, and China.
The rankings reflect a global trend where countries are increasingly recognising the importance of a skilled workforce to economic competitiveness.
However, many nations, including those with traditionally strong labour markets such as the United States and Germany, are experiencing significant skill shortages.
This shortage has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to increased investment in technology and automation as companies seek to mitigate these gaps.
In response to the global skilled labour shortage, companies are increasingly turning to technology and automation.
Automation, AI, and smart manufacturing are being adopted as key strategies to bridge the skill gap, allowing businesses to remain competitive in an environment where the availability of skilled labor is crucial.
46,000 Singapore nurses to receive SMRT EZ-Link cards
Singapore's Minister for Health Mr Ong Ye Kung (centre) poses for a photo to celebrate the gifting of 46,000 special-edition prepaid SMRT EZ-Link Cards to nurses. With him in the photo are (L-R) SMRT Corp Chairman Seah Moon Ming), SMRT Corp Group Chief CEO Ngien Hoon Ping), Ministry of Health Chief Nursing Officer Paulin Koh, MOH Holdings Chairperson Lai Wei Lin and MOH Holding CEO Anthony Tan. (Photo: SMRT)
SMRT Corporation, in partnership with MOH Holdings (MOHH), announced on Saturday (31 Aug) the distribution of 46,000 SMRT-branded EZ-Link cards to nurses across Singapore as a gesture of appreciation.
The cards, valued at a total of $700,000, were funded by SMRT’s cost savings through its Kaizen initiative, which focuses on continuous improvement in productivity and safety.
The EZ-Link cards are a part of a broader effort to recognise and support healthcare professionals in Singapore, particularly during challenging times.
The cards will be distributed to nurses working in public, private, and community care sectors by the end of 2024.
The event also touched on broader healthcare issues, including Singapore’s preparedness for the global mpox outbreak.
Health Minister Ong also addressed the public health situation, underscoring the ongoing challenges and the importance of continued support for healthcare workers in managing such crises.
Singapore-flagged container vessel collides with Australian tall ship
The Maersk Shekou, a Singapore-flagged vessel, collided with Australia’s STS Leeuwin II on 30 August 2024, severely damaging the tall ship and injuring two crew members. (Photo: Freemantle Ports/Facebook)
Singapore's Changi Airport unveils world’s largest sunflower display
Changi Airport’s “A Sunflower Sojourn” showcases 5,000 sunflowers across all terminals until 30 September 2024. (Photo: Changi Airport Group)
Changi Airport is in full bloom with “A Sunflower Sojourn,” the world’s largest sunflower display, spread across all four terminals.
Featuring over 5,000 sunflowers, the display includes stunning sculptures and rare varieties like ‘Florenza’ and ‘Strawberry Blonde’.
The showcase dives into the sunflower’s cultural significance, ecological importance, and its various uses in art and agriculture.
Special sunflower-themed merchandise and workshops are available for those wanting to take home a piece of this floral wonderland.
Running until 30 September, this event offers a bright and joyful experience for all, aligning perfectly with with the September holidays and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
What are you waiting for? Explore Changi Airports’s “A Sunflower Sojourn” with 5,000 blooms, towering topiaries, and sunflower-themed treats and activities!
Joel Balbin
Singaporeans value health more than wealth, survey shows
Singaporeans are placing health above financial success, according to Prudential Singapore’s recent survey, with over 80% prioritising well-being. (Photo: Getty Images)
A recent survey found that more than 80 per cent of Singaporeans value health over financial success.
The majority view good health as crucial for achieving other life goals and believe it is harder to improve once it declines compared to building wealth, Prudential Singapore's survey showed.
Respondents believe balancing health and wealth is achievable with a structured plan, supported by flexible work hours and benefits.
Many respondents think that structured planning is key to balancing health and wealth.
Flexible work hours and benefits from employers, as well as supportive government policies and insurance incentives, are considered essential for achieving both goals.
Conducted in May 2024, the survey involved over 1,000 participants aged 20 to 65.
New Singapore bill lets police freeze bank accounts in scams
Singapore is planning to introduce a new law that will allow the police freeze bank accounts of scam targets, aiming to tackle high rates of voluntary transfers. (Photo: Getty Images)
Singapore is introducing a new law aimed at curbing scams by allowing police to restrict bank transactions of scam targets.
The proposed Protection from Scams Bill, set to be introduced soon, will enable authorities to freeze bank accounts and credit cards of individuals suspected of being scammed, without their consent.
Under the new law, police will have the power to issue restriction orders that can block banking transactions, including money transfers and credit facilities, for an initial period of 28 days.
These orders will be applicable only to scams conducted through digital or telecommunication channels like phone calls, SMSes, or online platforms, not in-person fraud.
Victims whose accounts are frozen will still be able to apply for access to their funds for essential expenses or appeal the restriction to the Minister for Home Affairs if they disagree with the decision.
The home affairs ministry is currently seeking public feedback on the proposed bill until the end of September.
The new legislation aims to better protect individuals from ongoing scams by preventing them from unknowingly transferring money to fraudsters.
Despite previous preventive measures and public education efforts, the high number of self-effected scam transfers indicates a need for stronger intervention.
Singapore's OCBC Bank's online services were disrupted on Sunday (1 Sept), but resolved in the afternoon. ATM and card services remained unaffected. (Photo: Getty Images)
OCBC apologised for the inconvenience on social media, assuring that ATM and card services were unaffected and no customer data was compromised during the outage.
The bank progressively restored online services throughout the day, keeping customers updated on the status via their social media channels.
By late afternoon, OCBC confirmed that all digital banking services were back to normal.
Singapore PM Wong pushes for more women in next GE
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivers his National Day Rally speeches at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Headquarters at Ang Mo Kio on Sunday, 18 August 2024. (Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI))
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the People’s Action Party (PAP) plans to nominate more female candidates in the next general election.
He acknowledged the growing divergence of views on gender equality in some countries, stressing that advancing gender equality should not be seen as a zero-sum game where men lose out.
Wong noted the progress made in increasing female representation within PAP, recalling that all PAP MPs were men in the 1970s and early 1980s.
However, he pointed out that challenges remain, particularly regarding boys and young men, who face issues related to education, employment, and mental health.
Wong warned that these challenges could lead some men to view the movement for women’s equality as a threat, a mindset he hopes to prevent in Singapore.
During his first National Day Rally, Wong introduced policies like four weeks of paternity leave and a new shared parental leave scheme, reflecting his commitment to addressing both men’s and women’s issues.
Wong emphasised that men and women must work together to build families and a cohesive society, underscoring that equality benefits everyone.
New Zealand authorities have “no doubt” that two Vietnamese officials sexually attacked two young female servers at a restaurant during a visit to the country, but were unable to charge the men before they returned to Vietnam, police said Thursday. Vietnam and New Zealand do not have an extradition treaty so the alleged attackers cannot be forced to face charges. One of the women said they were attacked at a restaurant in Wellington in March days before Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính was due to visit New Zealand.
While searching a secretive prison in the belly of the Assad regime’s legacy of torture for American journalist Austin Tice, CNN’s Clarissa Ward made a startling discovery when a rebel fighter uncovered a hidden prisoner still unaware of Assad’s ouster.
SPECIAL DISPATCH: From Assad’s slaughterhouse jail to the hospital morgue piled up with mutilated bodies, desperate Syrians search for family members disappeared under a despot’s brutal regime, reports Bel Trew
Israel's arrest of almost 30 mostly Jewish citizens who allegedly spied for Iran in nine covert cells has caused alarm in the country and points to Tehran's biggest effort in decades to infiltrate its arch foe, four Israeli security sources said. Among the unfulfilled goals of the alleged cells was the assassination of an Israeli nuclear scientist and former military officials, while one group gathered information on military bases and air defences, security service Shin Bet has said. Last week, the agency and Israel's police said a father and son team had passed on details of Israeli force movements including in the Golan Heights where they lived.
A Dutch court has convicted a woman of crimes against humanity for keeping a Yazidi woman as a slave in Syria and sentenced her to 10 years in prison. The Hague District Court on Wednesday found Hasna A. guilty of multiple offenses for traveling to Syria in 2015, to join the Islamic State group. Hasna, who took along her then 4-year-old son, married a fighter and was given a Yazidi woman as a domestic servant.
Hannah Kobayashi’s disappearance remains a mystery as her family and friends desperately search for answers piecing together what happened to her and what may have led to her radio silence.
