Car owner fumes over fallen tree

Car owner fumes over fallen tree
Owner angered by town council's advice to file insurance claim, which could raise her premium in future. -myp; Thu, Sep 22, 2011; my paper

Prez Dr Tony Tan: Singapore's sovereign wealth funds need greater transparency and accountability.

- 'Confidence for the Future -- Dr Tony Tan': [YouTube, Aug 17, 2011 (&#t=2m55s)]: "...Having worked at Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, I press for greater transparency and accountability...."

Rogue trader at UBS racks up S$2.48-billion loss

Rogue trader at UBS racks up S$2.48-billion loss
Updated 11:55 AM Sep 16, 2011
LONDON - UBS, Switzerland's biggest bank in which the Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC) is the largest shareholder, said yesterday it might be unprofitable in the third quarter after a rogue trader lost US$2 billion (S$2.48 billion) at its investment bank.

Who could fill Tony Tan's shoes at GIC?

Who could fill Tony Tan's shoes at GIC?
By Leong Wee Keat, TODAY | Posted: 23 June 2011 0640 hrs
Dr Tony Tan (TODAY)
SINGAPORE: Dr Tony Tan's possible candidacy in the coming Presidential Election could leave the door wide open for a new executive director at the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC).
Dr Tan is understood to be collecting application forms for an eligibility certificate on Thursday to contest the presidency. He will have to resign from the GIC if he is elected.
No names were readily offered as a possible replacement for Dr Tan at GIC by most of the GIC watchers whom TODAY spoke to.

A little inflation can be a dangerous thing

A little inflation can be a dangerous thing
by Paul A Volcker 04:46 AM Sep 20, 2011
In all the commentary about Mr Ben Bernanke's recent speech in Wyoming, little attention has been paid to six crucial words: "In a context of price stability". Those words concluded a discussion by Mr Bernanke, the United States Federal Reserve chairman, of what tools the Central Bank could consider appropriate to promote a stronger economic recovery.

Don't depend on a purely merit-based system

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 20, 2011
Don't depend on a purely merit-based system
MERITOCRACY does not lead to equal opportunity as Dr Khor Swee Kheng says ("Meritocracy is the only way to tackle inequality fairly"; Sept 13).

No single definition of success

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 20, 2011
No single definition of success
MRS NURHIDAYAH Hassan-Le Neel offered a superficial analogy by comparing two children of differing backgrounds and assuming rhetorically who would be more successful ("Address the problems of meritocracy"; Sept 10).

Strive for a fairer way to compete

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 20, 2011
Strive for a fairer way to compete
I DISAGREE with Dr Khor Swee Kheng ("Meritocracy is the only way to tackle inequality fairly"; Sept 13) and concur with Mrs Nurhidayah Hassan-Le Neel ("Address the problems of meritocracy"; Sept 10) that meritocracy, in reality, remains a limited system that benefits those who have an economic head start and cultural capital.

Meritocracy's shortcomings

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 20, 2011
Meritocracy's shortcomings
THE bottom line is that meritocracy is a euphemism for institutionalising a caste system ("Meritocracy is the only way to tackle inequality fairly" by Dr Khor Swee Kheng and "Level playing field" by Mr Alex Tan; Sept 13).

Level playing field

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 13, 2011
Level playing field
'Thanks to meritocracy, I graduated with honours and have a good career. I can take my parents for holidays abroad, which was once only a dream.'

Meritocracy is the only way to tackle inequality fairly

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 13, 2011
Meritocracy is the only way to tackle inequality fairlyMRS NURHIDAYAH Hassan-Le Neel made two arguments against meritocracy last Saturday ('Address the problems of meritocracy').
According to her, meritocracy is flawed because it does not work in Singapore's rigid class system that is based on economic and cultural clout.

Address the problems of meritocracy

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 10, 2011
Address the problems of meritocracy
MR KOO Tsai Kee's commentary on Tuesday ('Social mobility carried three Tans to the Istana gate') praised Singapore's cornerstone of success, meritocracy.
In an ideal world, everyone would have access to vital resources like education and health care.
But in reality, meritocracy remains a limited system that does not, and cannot, benefit everyone.

ST 6Sept/ TK Koo: 'Social mobility carried three Tans to the Istana gate'

PM Lee expects more robust debates in the next Parliament

PM Lee expects more robust debates in the next Parliament
by Saifulbahri Ismail; 04:46 AM Sep 11, 2011
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (picture) said he expects to see more robust debates in the next Parliament, which will convene on Oct 10.

Cycling made safer for Pasir Ris residents

Cycling made safer for Pasir Ris residents
A new 1.1km-long cycling path will link Pasir Ris MRT station to residential blocks situated in Pasir Ris Drive 3. -myp; Gwendolyn Ng
Mon, Sep 19, 2011; my paper
Cyclists in Pasir Ris can now have a smoother and safer ride on a new 1.1km-long cycling path that links Pasir Ris MRT station to residential blocks situated in Pasir Ris Drive 3.

Number of lawyers in Singapore could hit record 4,000 this year

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 19, 2011
Number of lawyers in Singapore could hit record 4,000 this year
Surge is due to changes to enable more to qualify, as well as SMU law grads
By K. C. Vijayan

Our population can't keep rising

Our population can't keep rising
Letter from Tham Su-yin 04:46 AM Sep 14, 2011
I REFER to the study reported in "Without migration of some magnitude, Singapore's population will decline, says IPS" (Sept 8). With a low birth rate and longer life expectancy, it is obvious Singapore's population is ageing.

Without migration of some magnitude, Singapore's population will decline, says IPS

Without migration of some magnitude, Singapore's population will decline, says IPS
by Tanya Fong 08Sept2011;  (Updated 10:02 PM Sep 15, 2011)
SINGAPORE - Without migration of some magnitude, Singapore's ageing population will decline - even if it manages to boost its Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to 1.85 from the current 1.15.

Different agencies could liaise with one contractor

Different agencies could liaise with one contractor
04:45 AM Sep 09, 2011
I had wondered some time ago why the landscaping contractors came to my estate so often. A friend familiar with the subject helped to solve the mystery.

Why democracy prevails

Condoleezza Rice alludes that 9/11 was due to 50 year old US foreign policy mistake.
Due to the USA "[seeking] stability at the expense of democracy in supporting authoritarian regimes"
"If people have no way to hold their governments accountable through peaceful change, they will do so violently. "

ST (2 letters): How PA can show it's non-partisan; and not counterproductive.

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 7, 2011
How PA can show it's non-partisan 
IT WOULD be futile for the People's Association (PA) to continue denying that it is not neutral when it continues the practice of appointing defeated People's Action Party candidates as grassroots advisers in opposition wards ('PA explains rationale for choosing advisers'; last Saturday).

Why opposition MPs should be advisers to grassroots bodies

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 7, 2011
Why opposition MPs should be advisers to grassroots bodies
LAST Saturday's letter by Ms Ooi Hui Mei of the People's Association stated that the PA does not take part in party-political activities ('PA explains rationale for choosing advisers').

Upturn the Downturn song sung by NTUC

eatoofull wrote:[OMFG][BREAKING NEWS][VERY JIALAT] Singapore shares not drop but DIVE!!!

dive until very jialat!!!

Opposition MPs as advisers can be useful

Opposition MPs as advisers can be useful
Letter from Charles Poon 04:46 AM Sep 05, 2011
I REFER to the letter "PA responds on advisers" (Sept 3). It is an incorrect and simplistic view that Opposition Members of Parliament are there just to oppose.