HDB flats more affordable but still too expensive (By: Faezah)

Buyers feel that properties are now more affordable, thanks to the cooling measures introduced by the Government in August, according to the latest survey by real estate listing portal propertyguru.com.sg.


But most respondents to the survey also felt that more could be done to control prices of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. One of the things that came out in terms of the most recent research findings was that people still think that HDB is expensive.


The Ministry of National Development said this week that the effects of the cooling measures would continue to sink in through the next one to two months.

Cash over-valuation premiums for HDB resale units had already slipped to $22,000 last month from $35,000 in October.
The Government appeared to be monitoring the situation closely and more cooling measures could be effected if necessary.According to Urban Redevelopment Authority data, growth in property prices slowed to 2.9 per cent in the third quarter, compared with 5.3 per cent in the previous one.


Analysts believe home prices could rise by 10 per cent next year, led by the luxury segment. But HDB prices would rise at a marginal 5 per cent due to the cooling measures.


The article appeals to me because HDB flats are now expensive due to high standard of living in Singapore.


I have a question to ask, how can we improve our standard of living by not increasing the prices for HDB flats as Singaporeans are struggling with the economy.


If i am in charge, I would ensure that the prices for HDB flats are affordable so that Singaporeans are managed to pay the HDB flats by cash or CPF.

Man Arrested for Loan Sharking Activities (by:Faezah)

Police have arrested a 30-year-old man for suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had opened at least four bank accounts and given away the victims ATM cards and Personal Identification Number (PIN) to loansharking syndicates to facilitate their business of unlicensed moneylending.

The man is also believed to have assisted the loansharks in the recruitment of other potential bank account holders and arranging to ferry other runners to carry out loanshark harassments islandwide.

The suspect will be charged in court on Saturday for offences under the Moneylenders Act.

The article appeals to me because, loan shark activities has increased for the past few years.


I would like to ask, how can we prevent from borrowing money from loan sharks? 


If i am in charged of the situation, I would stop  loansharking activities, as it brings threat to the victim and the illegal interest rate is high.

Obama gets 12 stiches after 'elbow in the lip' (By Faezah)

US President Barack Obama had to get 12 stitches on his upper lip on Friday after being struck in the face by an elbow during a basketball game.

After being inadvertently hit with an opposing player's elbow in the lip while playing basketball with friends and family, the president received 12 stitches. 
Obama was given local anesthetic during the treatment, and he was given a smaller filament that increases the  number of stitches to ensure a smaller scar.

President Obama was playing defence in the fifth of five games at a gym in Fort McNair military base in Washington when Decerega went to take a shot and accidentally hit the president in the mouth by   Rey Decerega a ( programme director at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute).

 For President Obama  birthday this year he traded passes and scuffles at the White House with a number of the game's current greats, including Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James of the Miami Heat, and former NBA star Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

The article appeals to me because Obama is a renowned President across the whole world.

I would like to ask, what other types of game is President Obama interested in?

If i am in charge of the situation, I would join President Obama in playing Basketball because it is a one life time opportunity to play games with the President. 

Ang Mo kio Slashing: 17-year old arrested (by Faezah)

Police have arrested a 17-year-old who is believed to have assaulted another teenager, 16, with a bread knife on Thursday.

The victim was found at Block 448 in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 with cuts on his arm, shoulder and stomach. The police said the assault was not gang-related, but believed to have arisen from a personal dispute.

The suspect will be charged in court on Saturday. If convicted, he faces a maximum of seven years in jail, with caning, a fine, or all three.

The article appeals to me because i felt that we need to educate teenagers about the danger of gang fights. 

If i am in charge of the situation, i would educate the youngsters of the importance of education and gang fights as gang fights  would bring harm to yourself as you may end up in jail.

Hong Kong says no signs of bird flu spreading in humans (by Faezah)

There was no sign of bird flu spreading among humans after the densely-populated city recorded its first case of the virus in seven years.

The 59-year-old woman who tested positive for Influenza A (H5), a variant of bird flu, after returning from a trip to mainland China, was in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Millions of poultry were culled in the 1997 outbreak, which was followed six years later by a full-blown panic when the deadly respiratory disease SARS emerged in 2003, killing about 300 people.

Public anxiety returned to the city of seven million people last year with an outbreak of swine flu that has so far claimed about 80 lives.

This article appeals to me because in the previous years, there are a lot of cases regarding bird flu that spreads among human beings.

If i am in control of the situation i would ensure that the bird flu disease would not spread among  human beings by taking precautions such as wearing mask. 

Higher allowances for foster parents from April: (by Faezah)

The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is increasing the allowances for foster parents from 1 April next year.

From 1 April, the current monthly allowance of S$650 will go up by an average of 15% for foster parents taking care of a majority of children.

The fostering allowance is meant to cover food, clothing, shelter, transport fees, schooling expenses and other miscellaneous cost needed for the care of foster children.

As for the number of foster children has increased from 232 in 2005 to about 320 as of November this year, a sizeable 39% rise in just five years.  

Foster parents will  provide a stable and nurturing home environment that is conducive for children to grow up in. Some of the children have been abused, neglected or ill-treated, or have parents and guardians who are unable to care for them.

 The article appeals to me because the number of foster children has increased tremendously from 2005 to 2010.

If i am in control of the situation, i would contribute my allowance to the foster children as they need shelter, food and clothing to protect themselves for their daily lives.