The six leaders of City Harvest Church (CHC), Pastor Kong Hee & five others, accused of committing criminal breach of trust are in court for trial. Five of them – Kong Hee, John Lam, Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng and Serina Wee – allegedly misused church buildings funds amounting to S$24 million by channelling the money into two companies, Xtron Productions and PT the First National Glassware (Firna), as bond investments. The alleged misappropriation of money took place between January 2007 and October 2008. Read more »

Singaporeans and permanent residents (PR) will be able to enjoy free entry to all national museums and heritage institutions from 18 May 2013. This was announced by Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong. Read more »

The National Parks Board (NParks) have an orchid in the Singapore National Orchird Garden named after Bindi Irwin. The Dendrobium Bindi Irwin was named after her to recognise her contributions toward promoting wildlife conservation. Bindi is the daughter of late wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin who died in a stingray accident seven years ago in Australia. Read more »

Singapore will buy 120 missiles at the cost of about SGD $300 Million (USD $246 million). The sale will include 100 AIM-120C7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and 20 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II All Up Round Missiles. These missiles can be carried on any Singapore’s 24 F-15SGs Jets for counter-piracy and counterterrorism roles. Read more »

A 51-year old fugitive from China and Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) Mr. Li Huabo, who is wanted by Interpol for alleged embezzlement in China, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for “receiving stolen money” amounting to more than S$180,000 in his Singapore bank accounts. The Commercial Affairs Department has also frozen about S$1.8 million of his assets here, as they were suspected to be the proceeds of crime. During the trial that was held in Singapore Subordinate Court, Mr. Li claimed his personal wealth was built through businesses on the sidelines and not through embezzlement. His last drawn monthly salary was 3000 yuan (S$600) working as as a low-level government accountant in Poyang County. He said, “They were all my own money,” and insisted he had been framed by former co-workers. Read more »

Singapore has announced the plans to buy its first squadron, which consisted of 12 planes, of Lockheed Martin’s F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The F-35 is the world’s most expensive conventional weapon system but Lockheed promises the F-35 will be four times more effective than contemporary fighters in air-to-ground combat, three times more effective in reconnaissance and suppression, with better range, improved support, and equal costs. Singapore showed interest in acquring the F-35 since 2003. Read more »

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) cabin crew member was arrested at Sydney International Airport after he allegedly tried to bring in 1.6kg of heroin in Australia. Nicholas Tan Ngat Liang, 50, was a leading steward who was on duty during the flight from Singapore to Sydney. Read more »

The seven ship Breitling Jet Team, largest professional civilian aerobatic display team, performed over the sea in front of Siloso Beach, Sentosa, Singapore. The aerobatic team flies seven Aero L-39 Albatros jets. An aerobatics display showcased the Team’s ability to perform highly complex individual and group manoeuvres, Rocket, Crossbow, Black Diamond, Blackbird, Avenger and Arrowhead, at breathtaking speeds which exhilarated the spectators. Read more »

Lucky Plaza has installed a million dollar flood barriers. This is barriers are designed to stop rain water from gushing into Lucky Plaza’s basement if there is a flood along Orchard Road. Read more »

Singapore Zoological Gardens celebrates its 40th birthday with a series of events. The Singapore Zoo is giving a 40 per cent discount on its admission ticket prices for Singaporeans and permanent residents who turn 40 this year. But these individuals must visit with four other friends during the birthday month. The discount is valid from now till the end of the year. Read more »

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is imposing restrictions on loans for private cars to safeguard against borrowers defaulting on their repayments. As of immediate, the central bank said consumers will be limited to borrowing 60 per cent of the purchase price of a motor vehicle when the open market value (OMV) is S$20,000 or less (the cheaper 1.6 litres Korean/Japanese car). And 50 per cent cap on auto loan will be imposed when the OMV is more than S$20,000 (the more expensive car). The MAS is also capping the tenure of a motor vehicle loan at five years. Read more »

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Former Minister Mentor and First Prime Minister of Singapore, was admitted to Singapore General Hospital after experiencing a suspected transient ischaemic attack (happens when blood flow to a part of the brain stops for a brief period of time) associated with a prolonged episode of atrial fibrillation (or irregular heartbeat). Read more »

PM Lee announced that the by-election for Punggol East will be held on 26 Jan 2013. Mr Lee said even though he has been busy with national issues, he has decided to hold a by-election to give Punggol East residents their own MP in Parliament, before returning back to refocus on national issues. It was rumored that PAP Activists were stockpiling plywood that is mainly used for election posters ahead of the announcements. The By-Election was eventually won by the opposition, Workers Party, with a deciding 60% majority. Read more »

The CEO of The Gold Guarantee, Mr. Lee Song Teck (age 34), went missing along with its investor’s money. Before TGG’s CEO when missing he had asked investors to pay a S$2,000 deposit for a kilo of gold when signs that his company is running out of cash. Earlier on 09th January, it was rumored that TCC has stop payment of 1.7% monthly interest to their investment. Read more »

Singapore Government introduces new measures to ensure that executive condominiums (EC) remain affordable for middle-income Singaporean families. The maximum strata floor area of new EC units will be capped at 160 square metres or about 1,700 sq feet. Read more »

Smoking will be banned in more public areas to better protect the public from second-hand smoke. Smokers will not be able to light up at the common areas of all residential buildings, covered linkways and walkways, overhead pedestrian bridges, outdoor compounds of hospitals, as well as within a five-metre radius of bus shelters. Read more »

Online Pimp, 39-year-old Tang Boon Thiew, admitted to committing 20 charges, including abetting the prostitute’s activities and living off her earnings, as well as starting the vice ring in 2010. Pimp Tang was sentenced to four years and 10 months in jail and fined S$90,000. A further 82 charges will be taken into consideration for sentencing. The court heard that he obtained 82 bookings for a 17 years old call girl (cum polytechnic student) and received about 50 per cent of her earnings. She had been paid between $450 and $850 per booking. Read more »

Certificate of Entitlement (COE) for small cars hit another all-time high to close at S$92,100. The highest on record since COE was introduced in 1990. So a cheap 1.6litre Korean import should cost about $130,000 (USD105,000) to put it on the road. Singapore would be one of the most expensive place on earth to own a car, as it would cost a family about $2,000 (USD1,600) per month to have one. Read more »