SINGAPORE: A recent survey by Randstad has revealed that offering hybrid work arrangements is crucial for companies aiming to attract Gen Z employees. The data suggests that two out of three Gen Z workers consider the ability to work from home non-negotiable. This preference for remote work is not limited to the youngest generation but extends across all age groups, indicating a broader shift in workplace expectations. According to Randstad, the sentiment for flexible work arrangements is shared by 48% of Baby Boomers, 44% of Millennials, and 40% of Generation X. This indicates that a signifi ..read more

SINGAPORE: Singapore has clinched the top spot in the Elite Quality Index (EQx2024), a comprehensive analysis of 151 countries utilizing 146 indicators to evaluate the quality of a nation’s elite and its impact on societal value creation. The report, developed by the University of St.Gallen (HSG) in collaboration with global academic partners such as Singapore Management University and the St.Gallen-based Foundation for Value Creation, offers a thorough examination of elite influence in driving or extracting national value. The EQx2024 examines conceptual elements such as Power, Creative Dest ..read more

SINGAPORE: A recent transaction in the Bedok HDB market has set a new record, with a four-room HDB flat changing hands for an unprecedented $888,888. This marks the highest resale price ever recorded for a four-room HDB flat in the Bedok area. The sale took place in Block 188C, Greenville, Fengshan, with the property situated between the 16th and 18th floors. According to real estate platform 99.co, the flat has a remaining leasehold of 94 years and 10 months, offering future residents a long-term investment in one of Singapore’s established HDB towns. The 1,001-square-foot unit carries a pri ..read more

SINGAPORE: A new survey conducted by vaccine manufacturer Moderna and survey company YouGov has uncovered a significant decline in the willingness of Singaporeans, particularly those in the older age group, to receive booster doses of the coronavirus vaccine. The survey, which included 1,300 Singaporeans, was conducted between March 28 and April 5, 2024, and sheds light on changing attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination in the city-state. According to the survey findings, over 40% of Singaporeans aged 55 and above do not plan to receive a booster dose, reflecting a growing reluctance to contin ..read more

SINGAPORE: Singapore experienced a lower-than-expected inflation rate in March, providing a brief respite for consumers. However, economists caution that the trend may not persist into the second quarter due to rising global commodity prices. In a recent report, RHB Bank highlighted concerns about “higher food, energy, and metal prices this quarter,” suggesting that these factors could lead to increased imported inflation in Singapore. This observation aligns with the upward trend in commodity prices seen across international markets, which might soon impact domestic prices. RHB was quick to ..read more

tvN’s upcoming romance drama “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” has unveiled heart-fluttering stills featuring Jung Ryeo Won and Wi Ha Joon! Directed by Ahn Pan Seok, known for the acclaimed drama “Something in the Rain,” “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” is set in Daechi, a neighbourhood famed for its private education centres in Korea. Photo: Instagram/tvNTwist of fate The storyline revolves around an instructor who tirelessly assists a student named Lee Joon Ho (Wi Ha Joon) in securing admission to a prestigious university. In a twist of fate, Lee Joon Ho returns to the academy as a rookie in ..read more

SINGAPORE: Singapore-based fintech startup Qashier announced that it has secured in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for a major payment institution (MPI) licence. This green light from MAS allows Qashier to provide merchant acquisition services and domestic and cross-border money transfer services. The approval is based on the Payment Services Act (PS Act), a regulatory framework established in 2019 to oversee payment systems and service providers in Singapore. Qashier commenced operations before the implementation of the PS Act and was required to file for a ..read more

SINGAPORE: A 42-year-old man accused of causing a six-vehicle pile-up in Tampines that resulted in the deaths of two Singaporeans is set to face charges in court today. The accident, which occurred at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4, involved four cars, a van, and a minibus. The tragic incident took place on Monday morning (22 Apr) and claimed the lives of 17-year-old Afifah Munirah and 57-year-old Norzihan Bte Hj Juwahib. Both were rushed to the hospital unconscious but sadly did not survive. Additionally, several others were injured in the crash. Three male car drive ..read more

SINGAPORE: SEEK, operating behind Asia’s leading online job marketplaces, Jobstreet and Jobsdb, has rolled out an exciting new brand campaign. The Better Matches campaign uses imaginative animal imagery to bring to life the complex “jungle” of job hunting and hiring. Its aim is to revolutionise how job seekers and employers “match” through SEEK’s AI technology. This initiative follows the merger of Jobstreet, Jobsdb, and SEEK’s platforms across the Asia-Pacific region. All three brands operate under one unified platform supercharged by SEEK’s cutting-edge AI tech while retaining their individ ..read more

SINGAPORE: Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MPACT) reports a 1.8% higher distribution per unit (DPU) than last year, amounting to 2.29 cents for the 4QFY2023/2024 ending on March 31. The Edge Singapore reported that during the quarter, gross revenue rose 2.6% year-on-year to S$239.2 million, while net property income (NPI) increased 3.2% to S$183.1 million. The uptick in revenue and NPI was primarily driven by the performance of MPACT’s assets in Singapore and steady contributions from Festival Walk in Hong Kong, though adverse foreign currency movements somewhat offset these gains. Net f ..read more