Singapore's Max Maeder eyes gold in Olympic kitefoiling final; 7 Singapore firms make Forbes Asia 200 Best Under A Billion list: Singapore live news

China took gold in artistic swimming team on Wednesday (7 Aug) but earlier in the week it was the US team which dazzled with their viral moonwalk routine.

The USA artistic swimming team captivated audiences at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a routine featuring Michael Jackson's iconic moonwalk.

Their performance during the technical round on Monday incorporated elements of Jackson's dance to his song "Smooth Criminal," receiving widespread acclaim from viewers.

Viewers were impressed by the originality of Team USA's routine, with many praising it as a standout moment.

And the routine looked even more awe-inspiring when viewed upside down.

Social media reactions highlighted the performance as "iconic" and a highlight of the day.

Read on US artistic swim team sensational performance of Michael Jackson's iconic moonwalk here.

Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin's reaction to her competitors biting their medals on the Olympic podium has gone viral.

Zhou, who won a silver medal in the women's gymnastics balance beam final on 5 August, was surprised by the tradition of biting medals, leading to an adorable and relatable moment.

Captured on camera, her wide-eyed reaction and attempt to mimic the gesture without actually biting the medal endeared her to viewers.

Read more about Zhou's heartwarming moment here.

Certificate of entitlement (COE) prices in Singapore increased across all categories in the latest tender on Wednesday (7 Aug).

Category B, for larger and more powerful cars and EVs, saw the largest rise, going up by 6.1 per cent to $106,101 from $100,000. This followed a previous dip of $901 in the last exercise.

Category A COEs, for smaller and less powerful cars and EVs, rose by 2.6 per cent to $94,289 from $91,899, marking the fourth consecutive increase.

The Open category (Category E) also saw a 4.9 per cent increase, reaching $105,239 from $100,341. This category is often used for larger cars and EVs.

Motorcycle COEs (Category D) climbed 5.6 per cent to $9,601 from $9,089, while commercial vehicle COEs (Category C) saw a modest rise of 0.7 per cent, reaching $71,100 from $70,601.

The number of bids submitted increased significantly, with 17 per cent more bids for Category A and 29 per cent more for Category B compared to the previous tender.

The Land Transport Authority announced that COE availability would rise by 1.2 per cent from August to October, compared to the previous quarter.

High demand and intense competition among dealers are expected to keep COE prices elevated.

The latest COE prices are listed here.

Gymnast Carlos Yulo has made history as the first Filipino man to win a gold medal at the Olympics, securing top positions in the men's floor and vault events at the Paris Olympics.

Following his victory, Yulo received an outpouring of gifts from various Filipino brands, including a fully furnished three-bedroom condo valued at around US$605,000, a lifetime supply of ramen and unlimited buffets.

He also received free medical services from a gastroenterologist and a supply of cookies.

In addition, the Philippine House of Representatives awarded Yulo a cash incentive of around US$104,000 for his double gold medal win.

These rewards highlight a common practice where Olympic medalists receive substantial incentives from their governments and local businesses.

For instance, Joseph Schooling, who won Singapore's first Olympic gold in 2016, became a brand ambassador for Nestlé’s Milo, Yakult, and Hugo Boss, capitalising on his historic win.

Similar to Schooling, Yulo has become a beloved national figure, poised to secure lucrative endorsements.

Will Carlos Yulo follow in Joseph Schooling's branded footsteps?

It's a long weekend.

So, if you're thinking of making a trip across the Causeway and wondering where to grab a bite, we got you covered!

Whether you’re a local or a visitor eager to savour the city’s finest flavours, these places are worth trying.

Here are six things you should know before travelling to JB, including how to take the bus or drive a car from Singapore.

Check out the 10 best places to eat in JB here.

A man's first-class experience on a Singapore Airlines flight, documented on TikTok, has sparked widespread debate online about luxury travel.

Travel vlogger Pitor posted a detailed video of his lavish journey on 6 June, amassing over 45.2 million views.

The video showcases every aspect of his trip, from the warm welcome by flight attendants to the luxurious amenities in his private cubicle.

Pitor's video caption praised the luxury experience at 30,000 feet.

While he was accustomed to such luxury, his viewers were astounded by the extravagance of the flight.

Reactions in the comments section ranged from awe to humour and skepticism. Some viewers joked about the luxurious space, while others admitted they wouldn't know how to handle such treatment. Many expressed a desire to experience the comfort of a bed on a plane, while others noted the high cost.

Despite the varied reactions, a few commenters shared their familiarity with Singapore Airlines, affirming the worthiness of the high price. This discussion highlights the allure and divide in opinions regarding high-cost, high-comfort air travel.

Read on the diverse reactions, from envy to humour, about high-end air travel.

With China in the spotlight amid doping allegations of its swimmers, legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps recently weighed in on the issue, calling for lifetime bans for athletes caught doping.

Phelps is one of the greatest Olympians in history. His strong stance against doping carries a lot of weight having won 28 Olympic medals and dominated swimming like no one has seen before.

Phelps argues that such stringent measures are necessary to maintain the integrity of the sport.

Phelps' unparalleled success in swimming highlighted the importance of both natural advantages and hard work in achieving athletic excellence.

His success has led many to speculate about potential genetic advantages that contribute to his extraordinary abilities.

And science confirms that Phelps’ unique physical attributes provide him with a significant edge in swimming.

Find out more on how Michael Phelps’ genetics give him the edge in swimming.

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) conducted a series of raids on 30 July, arresting 27 individuals for their involvement in illegal employment and falsification of work pass applications.

Among those arrested were 13 migrant domestic workers accused of working as illegal household cleaners without valid work passes and living outside their employers’ residences.

Additionally, 14 employers were apprehended for facilitating these illegal activities by making false declarations in work pass applications and allowing the workers to seek other employment.

Under Singapore's employment laws, employers must make truthful declarations and can only hire foreign employees with valid work passes.

Violators face severe penalties, including fines up to $20,000, imprisonment for up to two years, and suspension of work pass privileges.

The arrested migrant workers also risk being barred from working in Singapore if convicted.

The public is encouraged to report illegal employment activities through a designated hotline or email, helping MOM maintain the integrity of Singapore's labour market.

More details on MOM's illegal employment bust here.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) introduced the Energy Transition Measures and Other Amendments Bill for its first reading in Parliament.

The Bill aims to amend the Energy Market Authority of Singapore Act (EMA Act), Electricity Act, and Gas Act to strengthen the regulation of the power sector, establish the Future Energy Fund, and implement measures to ensure energy security and decarbonisation.

Key features of the Bill include the creation of the Future Energy Fund, which will initially have $5 billion to support low-carbon energy investments.

The Bill also proposes the establishment of a Central Gas Entity to centralise gas procurement, enabling demand aggregation and diversification of energy sources.

The amendments will allow EMA to recover costs associated with energy security, market development, and decarbonisation initiatives from those who benefit from these initiatives.

Additionally, the Bill aims to facilitate shared access to critical energy infrastructure and requires owners of key energy assets to seek approval before repurposing them.

Another significant proposal is to empower EMA to implement power rationing during emergencies, ensuring the stability of the power system in the event of supply disruptions.

This measure is intended to prepare for potential future crises, similar to the 2021-22 global energy crisis.

The Bill also includes provisions for EMA to direct owners of critical energy infrastructure to allow access to licensees when necessary for public interest, and to ensure energy security and reliability.

Find out more how Singapore is boosting its energy sector here.

In celebration of Singapore’s 59th National Day, FairPrice Group is offering trays of 30 Pasar Fresh Eggs at a discounted price of $5.90 from 8-11 August.

This promotion is available at all FairPrice stores, with a limit of two trays per customer.

FairPrice Group's mission to keep essential items affordable is reflected in this National Day promotion.

By sourcing eggs from over 10 countries, FairPrice ensures a diverse and resilient supply chain.

Last year, FairPrice ran a similar promotion, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to affordability.

In addition, FairPrice Foundation's June 2024 initiative distributed 45,000 eggs to vulnerable groups, demonstrating FairPrice's dedication to community support.

Seven Singapore companies made Forbes Asia's 2024 Best Under A Billion list, showcasing strong performance in sales and net income, amidst robust economic growth in the region.

The seven Singapore firms on the list include:

1. Aztech Global reported US$667 million in sales, US$74 million in net income, and a market value of US$557 million.

2. Choo Chiang Holdings achieved US$68 million in sales and US$8 million in net income, with a market value of US$56 million.

3. Credit Bureau Asia recorded US$40 million in sales and US$7 million in net income, has a market value of $US162 million.

4. Delfi reported US$538 million in sales, US$46 million in net income, and a market value of US$388 million. The company's revenue increased by 13% in 2023.

5. Eggriculture Foods: With US$81 million in sales and US$14 million in net income, this egg producer has a market value of US$23 million.

6. Old Chang Kee recorded US$75 million in sales and US$7 million in net income, with a market value of US$66 million. Its net profit rose by 50% in the first half of 2024, thanks to its global expansion.

7. Singapore Exchange achieved US$875 million in sales, US$418 million in net income, and a market value of US$7.7 billion.

Forbes Asia's "Best Under A Billion" list for 2024 recognises 200 top-performing small and mid-sized publicly traded companies in the Asia-Pacific region with annual sales between US$10 million and US$1 billion.

These companies are selected from a pool of over 20,000 candidates based on a composite score that includes debt, sales, earnings-per-share growth, and return on equity over one and three-year periods.