SINGAPORE — The four per cent floor rate for interest earned on all Special, MediSave and Retirement account (SMRA) monies has been extended for another year until Dec 31, 2025. In a joint statement on Sept 20, the Housing Board and Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board said the extension from Jan 1, 2025, will «continue to provide CPF members with certainty on the returns of their CPF savings amidst the volatile interest rate environment». Since 2008, savings in SMRAs have been invested in Special Singapore Government Securities, which earn an interest rate pegged to the 12-month average yield of 10-year Singapore Government Securities plus one per cent. All interest rates are quoted on a per annum basis.  From Oct 1 to Dec 31, the SMRA interest rate will be set at 4.14 per cent, up from the 4.08 per cent in the third quarter, due to the pegged rate exceeding the floor rate of 4 per cent. The Ordinary Account (OA) interest rate will remain unchanged at 2.5 per cent from Oct 1 to Dec 31, as the OA pegged rate remains below the floor rate of 2.5 per cent.

Three 19-year-olds have been arrested following an operation by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Wednesday (Sept 18) which resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of drugs, said the agency in a statement on Friday (Sept 20). Two of the three teens - a man and a woman - were arrested in a residential unit in the vicinity of Rivervale Walk in Sengkang. Officers found drug paraphernalia in the bedroom of the 19-year-old man, including a digital weighing scale. Officers then brought the man to his rented unit along Hougang Ave 7 where they found about 486g of Ice (crystal methamphetamine) and 695g of cannabis in the premises. Officers then raided a unit along Serangoon North Ave 3, arresting another 19-year-old male who was found in the bedroom. Some 24g of Ice was found in the bedroom, as well as various drug paraphernalia and $11,400 in cash. The total worth of all the drugs seized by CNB is estimated to be around $78,000 and is enough to feed 390 drug abusers for a week, CNB said.

A mother-and-son duo is facing charges for giving false and misleading information to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) during its audit of cases of the so-called «99-to-1» arrangement for private properties. This is the first prosecution of taxpayers providing false and misleading information to Iras during its investigation into the two-step «99-to-1» property transactions for possible tax avoidance, said the agency in a statement on Friday (Sep 20). The mother, 56-year-old Ng Chiew Yen, and her son, 26-year-old Keith Tan Kai Wen, face five charges each. They are both Singaporeans. Investigations revealed that Tan bought a condominium unit at the 99-year leasehold The Watergardens at Canberra in Sembawang in his sole name on Sep 24, 2021, said Iras. He subsequently sold a 1 per cent share of the property to his mother. Data from URA Realis showed that the fourth-floor unit, 753 sq ft in size, was transacted on Aug 28, 2021, for S$1.1 million, or S$1,477 a square foot.

Yvette Fielding works as a paranormal investigator and those who think their home may have an unwelcome guest are in for the chance to bring her in this Halloween after spotting floating orbs.

Laura Farmer died at University College Hospital in London in April this year. Senior coroner for Inner North London (Coroner's Court pictured) criticised the UK Health Security Agency for their 'inaction'.

Maria Zakharova drew attention to the speculations about Romania's plans for redirecting to Moldova the mobile maintenance stations for F-16 fighter jets received by Bucharest for their subsequent deployment at the Marculesti airbase

Citing media information from Syrian sources, the Maria Zakharova said that 250 Ukrainian instructors arrived in Idlib the other day to train militants

Sales of foreign currency on the domestic market with settlements on September 18 amounted to 0.5 bln rubles ($5.39 mln)

«By now, over 30 countries of the Global South and East have displayed interest in developing interaction with BRICS in various ways,» Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said

Meanwhile, according to ZNPP communications director Yevgeniya Yashina, no Ukrainian drone attacks have been recorded on the territory of the plant

NATO is increasingly trying to extend its influence to the Arctic region, Sergey Lavrov has said Read Full Article at RT.com

According to the outgoing NATO Secretary-General, Ukraine's use of long-range missiles will not lead to the alliance being drawn into a conflict with Russia

Maria Zakharova asserted Russia’s solidarity with the people of Lebanon

Russia remains the fourth largest LNG supplier to China after Australia, Qatar and Malaysia

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the US and the UK were behind all of Kiev's crimes

Russia is currently the second largest supplier of pipeline gas to China after Turkmenistan

They may have enjoyed tucking into their kingly meal, but seeing their bill may have caused them to get a little crabby. One Facebook user surnamed Ong has accused a Boat Quay restaurant of «unethical business» after they charged her daughter and her friends $356 for a serving of Alaskan King Crab, she wrote in a now-deleted post to Facebook group Complaint Singapore on Wednesday (Sept 18). Her 16-year-old daughter had gone out for dinner with friends and had chosen to order crab from Seafood by the River in Boat Quay. Unexpectedly, the restaurant cooked up an Alaskan King Crab, «slapping them with a $356 bill», she said. «Ridiculous,» she added. «For a restaurant to think teenagers want to eat Alaskan King Crab? They don't even know and wasn't told of the cost.» In a photograph of the receipt uploaded in Ong's post, the crab is indeed listed as costing $356.40. Notably, however, the receipt also includes Prosecco and House Red - different types of wine - and «Tiger», which is presumably Tiger beer. Along with other food items, the total bill was $536.47. «Please avoid this restaurant at all costs,» Ong stated.

Three 19-year-olds have been arrested following an operation by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Wednesday (Sept 18) which resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of drugs, said the agency in a statement on Friday (Sept 20). Two of the three teens - a man and a woman - were arrested in a residential unit in the vicinity of Rivervale Walk in Sengkang. Officers found drug paraphernalia in the bedroom of the 19-year-old man, including a digital weighing scale. Officers then brought the man to his rented unit along Hougang Ave 7 where they found about 486g of 'Ice' (crystal methamphetamine) and 695g of cannabis in the premises. Officers then raided a unit along Serangoon North Ave 3, arresting another 19-year-old male who was found in the bedroom. Some 24g of 'Ice' was found in the bedroom, as well as various drug paraphernalia and $11,400 in cash. The total worth of all the drugs seized by CNB is estimated to be around $78,000 and is enough to feed 390 drug abusers for a week, CNB said.

James P. Hoffa, who led the Teamsters for 23 years, said it was a mistake for the union not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, the “correct choice for labor.”

Winfrey introduced celebrities and shepherded an audience that was both live and on Zoom between energetic applause and somber reflection.

A Jewish man has been arrested for an alleged plot to kill Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Read Full Article at RT.com

The attack with explosives-rigged devices in Lebanon came after at least 15 years of preparation by Israel, an ABC News source has claimed Read Full Article at RT.com

A Jewish man has been arrested for an alleged plot to kill Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Read Full Article at RT.com

[allAfrica]

SINGAPORE — A significant proportion of youth in Singapore has experienced severe or very severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress, the first nationwide survey on youth mental health by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) found. Nearly a third of young people aged 15 to 35 reported symptoms that included feeling empty, tense or upset most of the time, according to the National Youth Mental Health Study. «Navigating the complexities of youth is challenging enough, but young people today are grappling with unique issues that previous generations did not,» said Associate Professor Swapna Verma, who chairs IMH's medical board and was co-principal investigator of the study. «For instance, social media exposes them to constant comparisons, intensifying concerns about body image. »The anonymity of the online world has also given rise to cyber bullying, which adds a new dimension of harassment that can be relentless and far-reaching."

Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan and Cuba's Minister of Public Health, José Angel Portal Miranda, discussed longstanding cooperation between the two nations and explored avenues for new cooperation in a bilateral meeting, State House said on Thursday. Ramkalawan expressed Seychelles' gratitude for the Cuban medical brigade, a cornerstone of healthcare support in Seychelles. There are 25 Cuban specialists and 13 general practitioners working with the Seychelles' Ministry of Health, significantly enhancing the country's medical services. The cooperation extends to medical training, with Cuban scholarships enabling Seychellois students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in medicine, further building the nation's healthcare capacity. Ramkalawan also toured several key health institutions and engaged in discussions to strengthen the Seychelles' healthcare sector. He visited the La Pradera International Health Centre and the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and explored advancements in medical treatment and biotechnology that could benefit Seychelles. Furthermore, the Seychelles' delegation met with a group of Seychellois students currently pursuing medical studies in Cuba. It was an opportunity for the students to discuss their progress and ongoing challenges with the President. The students, representing various medical specialties, shared their academic progress and evolving cultural experiences while studying in Cuba.  The Seychelles' delegation met with a group of Seychellois students studying in Cuba. (State House) Photo License: CC-BY During the meeting, Ramkalawan expressed pride in seeing the students remaining committed to their studies and the wish to see them return to Seychelles to contribute to the local health system and support their communities. Among the students were Farrah Faure, specialising in endocrinology, Sebastien Moutou, specialising in ophthalmology, Grace Lafleur, doing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Liana Jean Lopez and Samuel Marie, studying for a degree in medicine. According to State House, the meeting shows the government's proactive approach to engaging with its citizens abroad and a commitment to encouraging all overseas students.   From Cuba, Ramkalawan will travel to New York to participate in the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from September 23 to 27.

[Afrobarometer] Only about one in four citizens say they trust the government to ensure the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

[Afropop] Banner image: Kenny Mirasano performing during his concert True Mutu at L'Espace on December 9. Photo from © The New Times Rwanda

[Africa CDC] Kinshasa, 18 September -- Africa CDC congratulates the Government of Japan and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on the agreement to donate Lc16 Mpox vaccines, along with specialized inoculation needles. A signing ceremony in Kinshasa formalized the exchange of notes for this crucial grant, marking a significant milestone in the cooperation between the two governments.

At this point, there is no evidence indicating that Rinson Jose had any knowledge about the operation to create the explosive gadgets

The three men charged in connection with the murder of 15-year-old student Jamila Cole of Troy High School in Trelawny were remanded when they appeared in the Trelawny Parish Court today.  Presiding judge Paula Archer-Hall was told that files...

The Financial Investigations Division (FID) says it received a communication from the Integrity Commission on September 19, 2024. “The contents will be analysed in accordance with the legislations that govern the FID's functions,”...

The farming community of Skibo in west Portland has been plunged into mourning following the death of two brothers who drowned during a family celebration today.  According to the police and family members, the unfortunate incident involved a...

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Rwanda has started a vaccination campaign against mpox with 1,000 doses of the vaccine it obtained from Nigeria under an agreement between the two countries, the African health agency said today. The vaccinations started...