ST Telemedia's Eircom mulls all options to avoid covenant breach

Reuters, 31 Aug 2010
Aug 31 (Reuters) - Struggling Irish telecoms group eircom is considering raising equity as well as renegotiating with its lenders to avoid breaching its loan covenants, its finance chief said on Tuesday.
Eircom, which is majority-owned by Singapore Technologies Telemedia (a unit of Temasek [TEM.UL]), is restructuring to manage a legacy fixed-line business in long-term decline and has slashed staff costs by 25 percent in the last two years.
The company said it was at risk of breaching its loan covenants over the next 12 to 18 months. Eircom's debt was 3.18 billion euros ($4 billion) at June 30, or 5.6 times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA). Full story


Related:
Eircom mulls all options to avoid covenant breach - London South East

S'pore NBN operator remains bullish amid competition

ZDNet Asia, 31 Aug 2010
SINGAPORE--The next-generation national broadband network marks another milestone as its operating company (OpCo), Nucleus Connect, announced on Tuesday that it has started commercial operations and counts the country's three local telcos as part of its first five customers.
n a media statement Tuesday, however, SingTel unveiled its own intention to become an OpCo. A SingTel spokesperson told ZDNet Asia that it will use its OpCo status to target specifically the enterprise customer segment, while its RSP agreement with Nucleus Connect will support its consumer-focused services. Full story

Related:
Five operators to roll out NBN services in Singapore at start - Techgoondu

Chinese, Singaporean trade unions pledge closer ties

People's Daily Online, 31 Aug 2010
China's top trade union leader Wang Zhaoguo pledged here Tuesday to advance exchange and cooperation with Singaporean trade unions to better protect the rights and interests of their respective union members.
Wang, chairman of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), made the remarks when meeting with Lim Swee Say, secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress of Singapore. Full story

Singapore population tops five million, 36 pct are foreigners

Sin Chew Jit Poh, 31 Aug 2010
SINGAPORE, Tuesday 31 August 2010 (AFP) - Singapore's population crossed five million this year and more than a third of the total are foreigners, the statistics department said Tuesday.
The city-state's total population stood at 5.08 million people at the end of June, it said in a statement.
Of the number, 3.23 million are citizens, 540,000 are foreigners with permanent residency and 1.3 million are foreign professionals and workers along with their dependents, resulting in a 36% share for foreigners in the general population. Full story

Related:
Singapore's population surpasses 5 million - Earth Times
Singapore's Total Population Reaches 5.08 Mln - CRIEnglish.com
Singapore population tops five million, 36 pct foreigners - AFP
Singapore population tops 5 million, 36% foreigners - Global Times
Singapore's total population reaches 5.08 mln - People's Daily Online
Singapore Population Exceeds the Anticipated 5 Millions - TopNews United Kingdom
Singapore's population surpasses 5 million - Monsters and Critics

OPINION: Thinking About Singapore

Asia Sentinel, 31 Aug 2010
The island's leader first tries to control population through mass sterilization programs, causing the birth rate to fall precipitously as 30 percent of child-bearing women are sterilized in an attempt to "raise the quality of the population." His efforts go too far, with the result that the island's birthrate refuses to rise back to replacement levels. The leadership brings in hundreds of thousands of mainland Chinese – fortunately already trained in obedience by the Communist Party. Full story

Singapore govt's answer to YouTube

FutureGov, 31 Aug 2010
In March this year, Singapore launched its own version of YouTube. Government agencies can now upload videos on to a site that will gives them copyright ownership, and can manage uploading in a controlled environment. In an interview with FutureGov, the Infocomm Development Authority revealed how using the cloud has saved the government US$4000 a month per video. Agencies pay for the service, which is called EnVision, according to service quality and availability. Full story

Ambassador Chan Heng Chee explore ethanol plant in US

Fayobserver.com, 30 Aug 2010
The largest ethanol plant on the East Coast, and North Carolina's first, played host Monday to international guests.
Singapore's Ambassador to the United States, Chan Heng Chee, began a three-day visit to the state's 8th Congressional District as she looked for possible investment opportunities for her country.
The ethanol plant, operated by Clean Burn Fuels, LLC, started operating Aug. 13 and is capable of producing 60 million gallons of ethanol per year, according to general manager Doug Archer. Full story

Video: PAP Has More To Lose When Electoral Boundaries Change - PAP MP Baey Yam Keng

Youtube, 24 Aug 2010

Singapore Government Warns Residents To Leave Gambling To Tourists

Casino Gambling Web, 30 Aug 2010
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke over the weekend of how Singapore residents should leave the gambling to tourists from other county's. The prime minister also spoke of how he saw Singapore residents inside the casinos, and that he hoped it was just to fulfill curiosity.
The likelihood that Hsien Loong will get his wish is a long shot. Singapore residents have for decades traveled to other nations in search of casinos, and the addition of two casino resorts at home will be much of a temptation for gamblers wishing to play the slots and card games. Still, the prime minister attempted to drive his point home. Full story

Related:
PM tells Singaporeans to leave gambling to foreigners - Casino City Times

Older people enjoy reading negative stories about young

Reuters, 31 Aug 2010
Older people like reading negative news stories about their younger counterparts because it boosts their own self-esteem, according to a new study.
"Living in a youth centred culture, they may appreciate a boost in self-esteem. That's why they prefer the negative stories about younger people, who are seen as having a higher status in our society," said Dr. Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick, of Ohio State University. Full story

Singapore-based vessel detained for smuggling sand

Malaysia Star, 30 Aug 2010
KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) has detained a vessel for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1,600 tonnes of sand.
APMM (southern region) commander Laksamana Pertama Datuk Che Hassan Jusoh said the Maritime Operations Centre received a public tip-off about a tugboat’s suspicious activities off the coast of Tanjung Surat here at about 6am on Sunday.
“Initial investigations show that the tugboat was registered in Tarawa, Kiribati with a Singapore-based company,” he said, adding that the sand-laden pontoon did not have proper documentation. Full story

Singapore's growth industry shifting to transport, construction, hospitality: survey

TradingMarkets.com, 30 Aug 2010
Singapore's industry is beginning to reflect a shift in growth, according to a survey, as companies in the transport, construction and hospitality sectors start to outpace those in wholesale and manufacturing........this was reflected in the latest list of the 50 fastest growing companies here compiled by DP Information Group. Full story

Related:
Singapore's growth industry shifting to transport, construction, hospitality: survey - Xinhua
Singapore’s growth industries - Live Trading News

Singaporean Drama to be Adapted in China

WorldScreen.com, 30 Aug 2010
SINGAPORE/SHANGHAI: Singapore's MyChinaChannel is teaming with China's Shanghai MediaGroup (SMG) for an adaptation of the MediaCorp drama series Little Nyonya. QianJin is the name of the Chinese adaptation of MediaCorp's Channel 8 drama. It is being produced as a co-venture of SMG's WingsMedia, MyChinaChannel and MediaCorp. Full story

Burma's Junta and the Sex Trade

Asia Sentinel, 30 Aug 2010
Generals find a new way to make money in Naypyidaw It didn't take long for Burma's new capital, Naypyidaw, to develop a red light district, where sex can be bought at brothels masquerading as beauty salons, massage parlors, karaoke lounges and even restaurants.
The seamy district, Paung Laung, is on the main road leading into the city. Nearly 100 establishments where girls can be bought by the hour or the night line the road. But sex comes at a high price—between 100,000 kyat (US $100) and 200,000 kyat ($200). Full story

OPINION: Singapore’s latest pre-emptive measures are not unfamiliar - Dr. Chua Yang Liang

Property-report.com, 30 Aug 2010
The latest round of anti-speculative measures that Singapore’s Ministry of National Development released today are largely aimed at curbing potential speculation rather than affecting first time buyers and genuine home occupiers.
Some of these pre-emptive measures are not unfamiliar. In our recent research paper where we described this recent period as the ‘soft policy era’ where measures introduced have enough flexibility built in to accommodate subsequent adjustments; which is exactly what the government has now done with the Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD). Full story

Men get 3hrs of orgasm in their lifetime - Gleneagles gynae

The Times Of India, 30 Aug 2010
A man gets just an average of less than three hours of orgasm throughout his lifetime, according to China Press. Orgasm is the physical and emotional sensation experienced at the peak of sexual excitement. Singapore Gleneagles Hospital gynaecologist Dr Fang Zhuang Wei said that due to busy lifestyles these days, couples were only sexually active before and immediately after their marriage, reports the Star Online. Full story

National Service Recognition Award announced by PM on National Day Rally 2010

Today24News, 30 Aug 2010
On Sunday night, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong declared a ‘National Service Recognition Award‘ at the National Day Rally 2010. According to his announcement, National Servicemen will get award of $9,000 in a move to show that citizens come first amidst resentment towards foreigners. The award of $9,000 will be credited into the Post Secondary Education and CPF accounts which can be used to pay for an education and housing of NSman. Full story

Singapore mulls switch to Euro IV gasoline, but no time frame set

Platts, 30 Aug 2010
The Singapore government is in consultation with the oil industry to adopt Euro IV-equivalent emission standards for gasoline-fueled vehicles, but no specific time frame was given, the country's National Environment Agency told Platts recently.
"We are still consulting the oil industry on the lead time needed to supply higher quality gasoline. No time frame has been set at this moment on the adoption of a higher emission standard or the Euro IV emission standard for petrol vehicles," the NEA said in an e-mail reply. Full story

S'pore's young innovators get incubation help

ZDNet Asia, 30 Aug 2010
SINGAPORE--A room with tables and chairs--hardly anything motivating. But for new startups, it is a valuable space that allows for creativity to run wild.
Situated in the heart of Singapore, tertiary institution Singapore Management University (SMU) has carved out a space for startups to generate ideas and work on innovation, most of them tech-related. The incubation space is now occupied by 13 startups, of which three are not SMU related. Full story

Singapore Aims to Raise Penalties for Telcos

PCWorld, 29 Aug 2010
Singapore's Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) has proposed changes to a law governing telecommunications operators that would raise penalties for companies that violate conditions of their licenses. The changes being proposed by MICA aim to bring Singapore's Telecommunications Act up to date with changes in the telecommunications industry. "Telecom networks have increased in importance as consumers rely on these networks for all forms of communication services, including voice, data, video, Internet access and even television services," the ministry said in a consultation paper describing the proposed changes. Full story

Related:
Singapore aspires to lift Penalties for Telcos Violating Conditions - Wireless Federation

Singapore, Indonesia Ratify Sea Boundary Treaty

Bernama.com, 30 Aug 2010
SINGAPORE, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Singapore and Indonesia on Monday ratified the treaty between the two countries relating to the delimitation of the territorial seas in the western part of the Strait of Singapore. Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo and his Indonesian counterpart Marty M. Natalegawa signed the exchange of the instruments of ratification at the Foreign Affairs Ministry here. Full story

Expats snapping up ‘landed properties’ in Singapore

Telegraph.co.uk, 29 Aug 2010
Land is scarce in the city-state of Singapore, but foreigners this year have been eagerly buying so-called “landed properties”.
According to new research by property agent Knight Frank, foreigners were responsible for the purchase of around 150 landed properties in the first half of 2010 - only slightly less than the number purchased in the whole of 2009.
The 81 units purchased in quarter two comprised the largest number of landed homes bought by foreigners since 2007, and around seven per cent of the total amount of landed properties sold within this period.
The analysis also showed that fewer foreigners are buying apartments and condominiums. In quarter one, foreigners bought 2,262 landless residences, while in quarter two, they bought 2,093. Full story

Singapore Plans More Measures to Cool Property Market, PM Lee Says

BusinessWeek, 30 Aug 2010
Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Singapore will announce more steps to cool the property market after previous measures failed to keep prices from rising, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said. “We twice attempted to cool the property market, once last year and once in February this year, but the prices are still rising,” Lee said. “I think we need to do more. Our purpose is to make sure in the long term, Singaporeans can own their homes and afford it and it will be a gradually appreciating asset which will grow as Singapore grows.” Full story

Related:
Singapore’s government acts to cool property market - Property-report.com
Singapore toughens rules on buying second homes - Reuters
Singapore Tightens Loan Limits to Cool Housing Market - Bloomberg
Singapore Announces More Measures To Cool Property Market - Nasdaq
Singapore Announces More Measures To Cool Property Market - FOXBusiness.com
Singapore Adds Measures to Cool Property Speculation - BusinessWeek
Singapore toughens rules on second home buys - The Malaysian Insider
Singapore moves to discourage property speculation as prices jump to record high - Canadian Business Online
Singapore Tightens Mortgages to Cool Property Market - BusinessWeek
Singapore Unveils Extra Measures To Cool Property Market - RTTNews
Singapore government institutes new scheme to cool property market - TheCambodiaNews.net
Singapore tightens property lending amid bubble concerns - MarketWatch
Singapore acts to cool property mkt, following HK - Reuters
Singapore moves to cool property market, slow influx of foreigners - Monsters and Critics
S’pore moves to cool property market - Malaysia Star
Singapore To Maintain Stable And Sustainable Property Market - Gov Monitor
Singapore govt introduces new measures to cool real estate market - PropertyWire
Singapore property brought into line - NZ Herald News
Singapore Adds New Regulations To Discourage Property Flipping - NuWire Investor

Singapore PM: We'll slow inflow of foreign workers

eTaiwan News, 30 Aug 2010
Singapore will allow in fewer foreign workers this year than previously announced in a bid to quell a growing backlash among locals against foreigners, the prime minister said Sunday.
About 80,000 foreigners will enter Singapore this year, fewer than the more than 100,000 Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced last month, he told a National Day Rally.
"I think we should consolidate, slow down the pace," Lee said. "We can't go on like this, increasing our population 100,000, 150,000 a year indefinitely. We should give Singaporeans time to adjust." Full story

Related:
Singapore PM: We'll slow inflow of foreign workers - Asian Correspondent
Singapore PM: We'll slow inflow of foreign workers - The Economic Times
Singapore moves to cool property market, slow influx of foreigners - Monsters and Critics

Singapore's Current Mix of Races to Stay: PM Lee

CRIEnglish.com, 29 Aug 2010
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday that the country's immigration policy will not upset the current mix of races among the country's population.
Delivered his National Day Rally speech, Lee said the current mix is stable and contributes to Singapore's racial and religious harmony. His comments come as Singapore continues to attract foreign talent who contribute to the economy and integrate into society. Full story

Singapore Announces Voluntary Recall Of Panvax Junior H1N1 Vaccine

Gov Monitor, 29 Aug 2010
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on the voluntary recall of Panvax® Junior H1N1 vaccine (CSL Limited) in Singapore with immediate effect. The recall is a precautionary measure taken as a result of the findings by the Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on the decline in the potency of this product in Australia based on ongoing stability tests.
Panvax® Junior is CSL’s 2009 H1N1 (pandemic) influenza vaccine, which is supplied in a single 0.25ml pre-filled syringe for administration to children between 6 months to less than 3 years. Full story

More S’pore investments expected in Iskandar

Malaysia Star, 30 Aug 2010
JOHOR BARU: Iskandar Malaysia can expect more investments from Singapore in the economic growth corridor with the improvement in bilateral ties between Malaysia and Singapore.
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) chief executive officer Ismail Ibrahim said there was now a feel-good factor on both sides of the causeway following the positive diplomatic relations.
“Previously, Singapore investors were reluctant to invest in a huge way in Johor for reasons they knew best, but this has changed now,’’ Ismail said in an interview with StarBiz. Full story

Singapore to invest $44 billion on rail in next decade

Reuters, 30 Aug 2010
Aug 29 (Reuters) - Singapore plans to invest S$60 billion ($44 billion) over the next decade to double its suburban rail network to cope with the city-state's growing population, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday. The move comes as Singapore is expected to post economic growth of between 13-15 percent this year, which would be the among the highest in the world. "We are investing enormously in our rail network, in fact over the next decade we are going to spend S$60 billion and we are going to double the rail network," Lee said in an address to the nation. Full story

Malaysia wants Formula 1 Grand Prix back-to-back with Singapore

F1SA.com, 29 Aug 2010
The growing number of Formula One international races is hurting Sepang, the Chief Executive of the Malaysian venue has revealed.
"I have to admit we're suffering a bit with these new races," Sepang International Circuit's Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali is quoted by the Bangkok Post.
Razali revealed he is pushing Bernie Ecclestone to organise Malaysia as a back-to-back event with Singapore, allowing international visitors to attend both races while on holiday. Full story

Singapore Services Sector Business Up By 1.4% In 2Q 2010

Gov Monitor, 29 Aug 2010
Business receipts rose 1.4% in second quarter 2010 over the previous quarter across most of the major services sector.
Industries that recorded positive growth in business receipts were health & social work, real estate, rental & leasing, transport & storage, and financial & insurance.
On a year-on-year basis, all services industries reported positive growth.
Business receipts of the services sector, excluding wholesale & retail trade, hotels and restaurants, rose 1.4% in 2nd quarter 2010 over the previous quarter*. Full story

INTERVIEW: Singapore filmmaker and Reform Party member Alec Tok

CNNGo.com, 30 Aug 2010
Based in New York and Shanghai -- and now extending his reach to Singapore -- 45-year-old director and filmmaker Alec Tok surprised everyone when he was announced as a candidate for the opposition’s Reform Party earlier this year. Essentially his first foray into politics, Tok was inspired by by the Reform Party's ambition to go beyond just being the opposition. Here, he discusses how politics impacts his artistic work and the difference between a home and a country. Full story

Singapore to allow fewer foreign workers than previously announced

Emirates 24/7, 29 Aug 2010
Singapore’s prime minister says the city-state will allow in fewer foreign workers this year than previously announced.
Lee Hsien Loong said in a National Day Rally speech that about 80,000 foreigners will enter Singapore this year, fewer than the more than 100,000 he announced last month.
The surge of foreigners living in Singapore has become a hot political topic in the lead-up to the next general election, which the government must call by February 2012.
Local media have reported growing complaints by Singaporeans about poor quality customer service at restaurants and retail stores, crowded subways and growing competition for jobs and housing. Link

Singapore PM: Economy Has Rebounded; Future Looks Bright

Nasdaq
SINGAPORE -(Dow Jones)- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Sunday the island state's economy has strongly recovered from the global economic crisis and reiterated that gross domestic product will grow between 13% and 15% this year.
"The economy has rebounded. Businesses are thriving and we can look forward to more overtime and more bonuses. The future looks bright, but we still have to work hard to continue prospering," Lee said in his National Day Rally speech. Full story

M'sia, S'pore joint implementation team meets

Thesundaily.com, 29 Aug 2010
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 29, 2010): The second meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Implementation Team (MSJIT) held in Singapore saw fruitful discussions by both sides over two days from Aug 26, according to a press statement.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and his Singaporean counterpart George Yeo said in the joint press statement that the meeting discussed the implementation details arising from the agreement reached between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong at the Leaders' Retreat in Singapore on May 24. Full story

Singapore challenges city planners to think small

AFP
VENICE, Italy — Urban planners bracing for the influx of ever more millions into finite territories should look to Singapore as a "model compact city," says architect Khoo Peng Beng.
Khoo, lead curator of Singapore's pavilion at the Venice architectural Biennale, opens his argument with some startling figures to demonstrate the compactness of the tiny island state off the Malaysian peninsula.
It is planning for a maximum population of 6.5 million in 20 years, which is 1,000th of the current world total of 6.5 billion. Full story

Related:
Singapore challenges city planners to think small - France24

Bangladesh to send 45,000 maids to Singapore

AFP
DHAKA — Singapore will recruit 45,000 Bangladeshi domestic workers in a boost for the impoverished country's labour export sector after jobs dried up in the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia, an official said on Sunday.
Singaporean recruiting firms agreed on the number following talks in Dhaka last week, director of the government's Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) Nurul Islam told AFP.
"They want some 45,000 maids in a year. We shall train the maids and start sending them to Singapore by the end of this year," Islam said. Full story

Related:
Singapore to recruit 45,000 maids from Bangladesh - Gulf Times

India Youth Olympic medal winners to get cash rewards; how about Singapore?

Sify News, 28 Aug 2010
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced cash rewards of Rs.400,000 for silver medallists and Rs.200,000 for bronze medal winners of the inaugural edition of the Youth Olympics held in Singapore from Aug 14-26.
The cash prize was jointly given by the IOA and South Korean electronic giant Samsung, the main sponsor of the Youth Olympics.
India put up a good show at the 12-day event, winning nine medals and securing 58th position in the medals tally. Full story

Related:
Youth Olympic medal winners to get cash rewards - Khabar Express
Youth Olympic medal winners to get cash rewards - Thaindian News
Youth Olympic medal winners to get cash rewards - New Kerala

Apple named Singapore's most popular employer

Thomson Online Benefits, 28 Aug 2010
Apple received nearly half (45 per cent) of the total votes to head the list for the first time. In 2007 it was the 28th most popular private employer and jumped into the top ten in 2008 following the launch of the iPhone. Singapore Airlines came second, having been first for the past two years, and Google was third. Full story

Singapore Import Prices Fall Again In July

Daily Markets, 27 Aug 2010
(RTTNews) - Singapore import prices fell 0.6% month-on-month in July, more than the 0.2% decline seen in June, the Department of Statistics reported Friday. Annually, import prices dropped 0.5%, less than the 0.7% decline in the previous month. Full story

Singapore’s Manufactured Product Prices Continue To Drop

Daily Markets, 27 Aug 2010
(RTTNews) - Singapore’s manufactured products prices dipped further in July, data from the Department of Statistics showed Friday.
The manufactured products price index slipped 2.1% in July from the prior month after declining by 1.4% in June. Lower prices of naphtha and kerosene contributed to the oil index’s decline of 2%, compared to a 2.3% fall in June. At the same time, the non-oil index decreased at a faster pace of 2.1%, following a 1.1% drop. Full story

Singapore hailed as world’s best performing property market

Property-report.com, 28 Aug 2010
Singapore has the best performing property market in the world, according to a survey conducted by Global Property Guide.
The research shows an uneven recovery in global housing markets during the first half of 2010. Singapore, according to the report, has been a “spectacular performer” with 34 per cent year-on-year house price increases. Hong Kong and Australia, ranked second and third, have also witnessed strong performances in the property markets. Full story

Singapore Luxury Homes Draw Chinese Buyers

NTDTV.com, 27 Aug 2010
More than half of the homes here at Sentosa Cove are owned by non-Singaporeans.
But it's the mainland Chinese who have been raising eyebrows, splashing out tens of millions for houses here.
Already the third largest among all foreign property buyers in Singapore, they are especially keen on these luxury bungalows, with one home exchanging hands earlier this year for US$26 million.
In the first half of the year alone, Chinese buyers accounted for over 30% of sales in these ultra high-end homes here. Full story

OPINION: If the whole world was designed like Singapore - Bend Bland

Asian Correspondent, 27 Aug 2010
If the whole world was designed like Singapore you could fit the global population into an area the size of Texas.
That's the concept behind the government's 1,000 Singapores pavilion at the international architecture exhibition at the Venice Biennale.
The government believes that it can comfortably fit 6.5 million people into Singapore's 710 sq km (although the current population is around 5 million and I'm not sure the citizenry necessarily share the goverment's desire for another 1.5 million residents). Full story

OPINION: Gambling hard for the money - Seah Chiang Nee

Malaysia Star, 28 Aug 2010
Singapore is winning big thanks to the new casinos in the city-state. But the high-rollers are also losing large amounts of money, causing consternation among the public. The gambling habit, it seems, has become deeply entrenched.
On top of the list is local businessman Henry Quek, who lost S$26.3 million after a few day’s work at the baccarat table in the Malaysian-owned Sentosa casino.
Blogger Merl Haggard reported he knew of another wealthy Singaporean who was worth “at least S$300 million” also lost S$26 million at Sentosa, but there has been no confirmation. Full story

Singapore to Recoup Costs; Editorial Praise

Inside The Rings, 27 Aug 2010
Singapore’s sports minister defends the $285 million spent on the YOG, claiming the country will recoup the costs.
At a press conference, Vivian Balakrishnan said “I have no doubt we will recoup our investment, both on the tangible side and intangible side of the ledger.”
Costs for the YOG increased dramatically leading up to the Games. Full story

Singapore welcomes passage of Nalanda Univ Bill by India Parliament

Press Trust Of India, 27 Aug 2010
Singapore, Aug 27 (PTI) Singapore today welcomed the Indian Parliament's approval to a bill to revive the ancient seat of learning at Nalanda in Bihar by establishing an international university there.
"With this Act of the Indian Parliament, Nalanda International University is legally established and the Mentor Group becomes the Interim Governing Board, which will draw up the statutes and appoint key office bearers to the University," Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo said in a statement.
Singapore has been a lead supporter of the University's revival, offering USD four to five million for the university's library through private donations. Full story

Video: Yong Vui Kong's Family Plead for his Life At Singapore Istana

Yong Vui Kong's Family Plead for his Life from Lianain Films on Vimeo.

Yong Vui Kong: I'll be active in anti-drug campaign if clemency granted

Sin Chew Jit Poh, 27 Aug 2010
JOHOR BAHRU: If clemency is granted from Singapore President Sellapan Ramanathan, Malaysian drug trafficker Yong Vui Kong said that his greatest wish would be to join the anti-drug campaign and guide other young people on the edge to return to the right path.
He said that he might have become a criminal who stops at no evil and brings great devastation to the community today if he was not arrested by the police at that time.
Yong, who has been imprisoned in Singapore's Changi Prison over the past three years said that he is no longer afraid of the uncertain date of the execution. Full story

Related:
Vui Kong pledges to campaign against drugs if he is freed - Malaysia Star

Singapore probes North Korean car in brothel district crash

Sin Chew Jit Poh, 27 Aug 2010
SINGAPORE, Friday 27 August 2010 (AFP) - A North Korean embassy vehicle crashed into a parked car in Singapore's brothel district and fled the scene, triggering a police investigation, local media reports said Friday.
A police statement said they were informed by a member of the public in the pre-dawn hours of Thursday that "an embassy car had hit a stationary car parked along Lorong 21 Geylang".
"No one was in the car, which suffered a slight dent at the rear. Investigations are ongoing," it added. Full story

Related:
N.Korea helping to probe crash in Singapore - AFP

Singapore tourist arrivals cross 1-million-mark in July

Earth Times, 27 Aug 2010
Singapore - Tourist arrivals in Singapore grew 24.1 per cent year-on-year in July to 1,095,000 marking the first time that visitor numbers exceeded 1 million in a single month, the tourism board said Friday. Total room revenue at Singapore's hotels rose 37.2 per cent in July compared to a year earlier, reaching 173 million Singapore dollars (127.6 million US dollars), the board said. Full story

Related:
Singapore July Tourist Arrivals Rise 24.1% On Year To 1.1 Million - Automated Trader

Singapore company bars management from local casinos

AFP
SINGAPORE — A Singapore company has banned its management from the country's two new casinos following reports a local businessman lost a fortune at the gaming tables, its founder said Friday.
Mohamed Salleh, chief executive officer of retail and property firm Second Chance, said he had applied for casino exclusion orders for himself and six of his top personnel using a system designed to keep gambling addicts out. Full story

Related:
Singapore company bars top management from casinos - Business Times (Malaysia)

S'pore Facebook arrest unlikely to be last

ZDNet Asia, 27 Aug 2010
SINGAPORE--Arrests related to questionable comments made on social media platforms are likely to continue in future, says an industry analyst, who adds that both users and the government have a role to play in minimizing such incidents. According to local reports, Abdul Malik Mohammed Ghazali was arrested earlier this week on charges related to incitement of violence due to comments he made on Facebook, Currently released on bail, the 27-year-old had urged other users on the social networking site to "burn" a local cabinet minister.
This is not the first time arrests have been made in the city-state as a result of comments made on Facebook. In February, three youths were arrested for allegedly posting racist remarks on the social network but were subsequently released without charges made. Full story

OPINION: You say tomato, I say incitement to violence - Ben Bland

Asian Correspondent, 26 Aug 2010
Abdul Malik Mohammed Ghazali, a 27-year-old Singaporean, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly inciting violence after criticising a minister in a comment left on a Facebook page.
The opposition Singapore Democratic Party contrasts his comments with those of one Lee Kuan Yew, former prime minister and current minister mentor:
"Everybody knows that in my bag I have a hatchet, and a very sharp one," Lee once said. "You take me on, I take my hatchet, we meet in the cul-de-sac."
As far as I know, Lee has never been arrested by the Singapore police on suspicion of incitement to violence. Full story

Singapore’s tough balancing act on immigration

BBC News, 26 Aug 2010
Singapore's citizens have been complaining about the soaring number of immigrants.
The country now has the highest proportion of them in Asia, as foreigners make up one third of the island's workforce of 3 million. It is a sharp jump from a mere 3% in 1970.
"Without warning, the floodgates were opened to allow foreigners into the country indiscriminately," says an opinion piece on the popular online forum Temasek Review.
"In the past, the foreigners [who were] given a permit to work in Singapore were either highly qualified or filled positions [which were] shunned by Singaporeans. They are now competing directly with them (Singaporeans) for limited jobs." Full story