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As GDP expected to between 2 ~ 4 percent this year Waiting for NWC to announce 2014 year end bonus ..... What will the recommendation be from NWC while we are all waiting to celebrate coming SG50. Most private companies are also waiting for the announcement by NWC as the companies could adjust theirs accordinly. Hoping Public Sector could get 1.5 months plus their annual 13 month bonus .... Any guess or expections ?

Yeah :) A very welcome SG50 present for our Singapore :)) Singapore Botanic Gardens clinches prestigious Unesco World Heritage site status http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-botanic-gardens-clinches-prestigious-unesco-world-heritage-site-status BONN, GERMANY - The nation has its first Unesco World Heritage Site in the bag. The 156-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens was awarded the coveted status at the 39th World Heritage Committee meeting in Bonn, Germany on Saturday. The listing was announced at the International Conference Centre of Bonn by the chair of the session Ruchira Kamboj, a delegate of India to Unesco. All 21 members of the World Heritage Committee elected to speak on the Gardens nomination. They lauded its various qualities, and gave it a resounding "yes". This is something we all Singaporeans should be proud of :))

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/for-sg50-a-new-range-of-s/2057720.html?cid=fbsg SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong unveiled a set of commemorative currency notes to celebrate SG50 on Tuesday (Aug 18). The set includes a S$50 polymer note and five S$10 polymer notes. The notes’ designs drew inspiration from significant milestones and achievements in Singapore's history, the multiracialism that defines Singapore as a nation and the values and aspirations that underpin Singapore's progress. For example, the S$50 note highlights Singapore's history, transformation and future. It shows the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew shouting 'Merdeka!' - the rallying cry of Singapore's independence struggle. However, the current Prime Minister said: "Even as we reflect on our past we must also look to the future." Hence the addition of a note depicted Singapore's latest new town - Punggol - which he said symbolises the continuing renewal of our homes and communities. Mr Lee said this is Singapore's responsibility: To build on the legacy of our pioneers and carry on their vision to make Singapore our best home. The notes make use of the colour gold, reflecting Singapore's jubilee. Both the S$50 and S$10 notes have security features that are the first of their kind in the world to be used on a currency note. The security stripe in the S$50 note has a unique see-through feature with image movement effects that give depth to the image of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. The SG50 logo also has colour-switching effects, with the year flipping from 1965 to 2015. The notes were designed by four local artists and designers. The public can exchange the SG50 commemorative notes at face value at branches of nine major retail banks from Aug 20. They include DBS Bank/POSB, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, United Overseas Bank, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of China, HSBC, Malayan Banking Berhad, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to exchange the SG50 commemorative notes, there will be a quota of five sets of notes per transaction per individual. BANKS EXTEND HOURS United Overseas Bank (UOB) and DBS said on Tuesday that they will be extending banking hours and setting up dedicated queues for the exchange of the commemorative notes. Both banks will also provide priority assistance for the elderly and those with special needs. UOB will deploy more customer service officers to help answer questions and to take orders from customers who are in queue. At some DBS/POSB outlets located near food and beverage outlets, note-exchangers will be offered complimentary beverages in the event that their wait is longer than expected, the bank said. Banking hours at all full-service DBS/POSB branches will be extended until 8pm on weekdays from Aug 20 for two weeks. For UOB, 26 branches located in heartland areas and key town centres will have their hours extended to 7pm on weekdays during the first week of the exchange period. UOB customers can also reserve their commemorative notes online at www.uob.com.sg/sg50notes from Aug 20 onwards and collect them later at a pre-determined branch of their choice, UOB added. - CNA/ek

The force of Singapore is strong today ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBgr9ebXQa8 Video is best enjoyed with quality earphones. View full screen on Youtube. I work on filming and video editing as my passionate hobby.. :)

NDP tix balloting starts today. Try your luck at http://www.ndp.org.sg/ticket-time/ Good luck!

Upon requests for SG50 decals, we have came up with our SG50 decals for sale. It's selling like hotcakes. Get one today for your ride to celebrate our memorable 50 years of independence. They are available in $5 and $10 sizes. Please call up 6341 6164 for more info.

Rejoice everyone! Currently ST Mobile is celebrating our 10th Year Anniversary in conjunction with Singapore SG50, We are to celebrate together with all myCarForum Members. Currently, we have a very hard to resist group buy for all myCarForum members. Alpine SPJ-17C2 6.5" Coaxial Speaker QUALITY OVER QUANTITY Just because you want better sound in your car, doesn't mean you have to break your budget, The Type-J speakers are perfect, affordable option if you simply need replacement speakers or even want to start building a sound system. ALPINE GIVES MORE BASS Type J speakers gather you to every bass level. Outstandingly, Type J's are able to reach the highest efficiency of music instruments that leads you to the next level of sound quality. Peak Power ~ 200W RMS Power ~ 40W Normal impedance ~ 4Ω Frequency Response ~ 35Hz - 25kHz From now till 31 of May 2015, We are only selling this at $50/- (U.P $120/-) Limited to only 50 sets. Drop your nick for reservation and state your preferred timing. Collection is only at out latest outlet. 25 Kaki Bukit Road 4 #01-27 Synergy @ KB S(417800) Do drop by our newest outlet for more In-Car-Entertainment upgrades! For more information about us: http://www.sgcarmart.com/directory/merchant.php?MID=12629

I thought these set of icons of SG50 from http://www.iconsof.sg/ were very cool. These are the things that make us who we are. You can download the full set of icons from the website. I put the icons together in a video clip, for the fun of it. I show this to my overseas friends and it always starts a good conversation. Happy Lunar New Year!

"The Reason Why You Love Singapore 150 Sec Challenge" Submit a video of not more than 150 secs, to share with us why you love Singapore at a location that represents this very reason and stand to win attractive prizes such as $10,000 cash and many more. Join us in this community effort for the nation! With your help we will gift the nation a record-breaking number of videos and reasons why we love Singapore. Every video counts! More information at www.facebook.com/Bean2SG and www.bean-2.com/SG50 A Record to Break, A Gift for Our Nation, Join Us Now!!!

FREE RED LKY tribute Decal / We Love SG50 car Decal Giveaway (20th August 2015) Thursday With many requests from public. We will distribute FREE SG50 and Red LKY tribute CAR decals again tomorrow at 12pm onwards till stock last. FREE of charge. 20 August 2015, Thursday 12pm till 4pm only It's a sticker so it can be applied on any surfaces. Make your trip down DM2 Kaki Bukit tomorrow Dynamics Mechanic 2 Call us at 63416164 (Synergy@KB. 25 kaki bukit rd 4. #01-36) For more updates, like us on Facebook :- Www.facebook.com/dynamicsmechanic

Taken from https://www.facebook.com/domainofexperts

We ain't Singapore, Singaporeans (new NDP theme song) http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/we-aint-singapore-singaporeans-new-ndp-theme-song-5124890-2.html There was a time when people said That Singapore will shine on, but we didn't There was a time when riots no longer happened and we were happy then they did Our little nation, squeezed and mean, quarreling with one another Where's peace and harmony? This ain't my country, is that my flag? I have no future, I have no life My family is suffering, my friends have left We ain't Singapore, Singaporeans Singapore so glitzy, it’s a chalet but nothing more Foreigners united, they are showing us the door We’ve ended up so broken, our soul-less destiny Singapore at 50, a nation on its knees This ain't my country, is that my flag? I have no future, I have no life My family is suffering, my friends have left We ain't Singapore, Singaporeans We ain't Singapore, we ain't Singapore We will kneel together and see the lion crawl We ain't Singapore, we ain't Singapore We’re a SG50 but nothing more

Source: http://www.domainofexperts.com/2015/07/good-morning-cher-exhibition-2015.html http://www.domainofexperts.com/2015/07/good-morning-cher-exhibition-2015_11.html http://www.domainofexperts.com/2015/07/good-morning-cher-exhibition-2015_2.html

Doctors discover unborn 50-year-old fetus inside 92-year-old woman https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-buzz/doctors-discover-unborn-50-year-old-fetus-inside-151424897.html?linkId=15187108 Doctors in Chile have discovered a 50-year-old fetus inside a 92-year-old womans abdomen. After suffering a nasty fall, the woman was admitted to a hospital. Thats where doctors learned via X-ray that she was carrying a decades-old, 4.4 lbs fetus, the BBC reports. The rare phenomenon, known as a lithopedion, is the result of a fetus dying during pregnancy and becoming calcified. Marco Vargas Lazo, the director of the hospital, called the case extraordinarily rare. The fetus, he said, was large and developed, occupying all of her abdominal cavity. According to reports, there are only 300 known cases of stone babies in the world. The study states that the chance of abnormal pregnancy is one in 11,000, with lithopedion occurring in 1.5% to 1.8% of those cases. After looking at all of the recorded cases, the study found two-thirds of the diagnosis happened in women over the age of 40. The period of fetus retention ranged from four to 60-year-old women. The 92-year-old did not have the slightest idea that she was carrying a calcified fetus for more than half of her life, although she did note that the fetus was nearly seven months along when it died. Doctors say they have sent the woman home and have no plans to remove the fetus due to the womans age and because she said that she has not experienced any pain or discomfort associated to its presence. The first-ever reported case of a lithopedion was found in a 68-year-old woman from Sens, France. It was believed to be around 28 years old.

*****RED FREE LKY Tribute Decal ******* With requests from public again. We might distribute the FREE red tribute decals soon. Please comment if you support and we will need to see the demand response for it before we determine the campaign. Give us a page like if you have not, for lastest updates on the distribution dates :- Www.facebook.com/dynamicsmechanic Www.facebook.com/dmvinyl Like this post till 1000 likes and we will start the production. Please share this post out. We will need to see the response before we determine the free campaign again. Thanks.

SG50 giveaway for senior citizens 1. Take your parent's senior citizen card (those age 60) and go to The Transit Link machine (MRT or bus interchange), 2. place the card n select SG voucher 3. process, then Ok 4. $50 deposited to the card from Govt. Every senior citizen, with senior citizen card will entitled every little bit helps. TGIF bros

Thought that this year is especially meaningful because we have the chance to participate in the celebration of SG50, a very special occasion for the nation. As we celebrate 50 years of nation building and Mother's Day this year, are you thinking of doing anything this Sunday? Lai lai share ideas

Stumble on this touching video. Didn't know about this band, but thanks for letting me know. Sounds like Sam Cooke kinda of song. For the Ah Gong of MCF.

2015 will be the year Singapore celebrates its 50th Birthday (SG50) and to mark this Very Special year and occasion, do you think all petrol stations islandwide will give 50% petrol discount tomorrow (1-1-2015) as part of the SG50 Celebrations ??

$5 meals, $500 holidays and $50k homes for SG50 Our columnist continues his monthly series of Big Ideas for the nation: Be happy for a year, when Singapore turns 50 next August. Celebrate Singapore's success - because there's practically zero chance of repeating that success in future. Published on Jul 12, 2014 6:59 AM 21 438 0 0PRINTEMAIL -- ST ILLUSTRATION: MANNY FRANCISCO By Kishore Mahbubani, For The Straits Times Big Idea No. 6 will seem corny at first glance. This is why it is important to read to the end of this column, especially the last paragraph, to understand its full import. Here is the idea for my fellow Singaporeans: Let's decide to be happy for one year - from Aug 10 to next Aug 9, when it will be the 50th year of Singapore's existence. And why be happy for this one year? The reason is simple. We have had, by any standards, an extraordinarily successful first 50 years. The chances of us being equally successful over the next 50 years are practically zero. I will explain why later. Since we have had a good run and are about to embark on a more difficult run, let us rest and celebrate before the hard slog. A mountaineering metaphor comes to mind. We have reached a good base camp. Before we climb to higher and more difficult altitudes, let us drink teh tarik and celebrate how far we have come. Since so much has been written about Singapore's extraordinary success story, I will not dwell much on it. Our per capita income has gone from US$500 in 1965 to almost US$64,584 (S$80,253) last year, based on purchasing power parity terms. No other nation state can match this record. More importantly, we have had no conflict, at home or with our neighbours. Ninety per cent of our citizens live in homes they own. And we have wonderful education, health, civil service and military systems, and so on. To understand how well-off we are, just read the following aspirations of Indians after they elected Mr Narendra Modi as their Prime Minister. Mr M. J. Akbar, a well-known journalist, asks his fellow Indians: "Why cannot we have a simple home with a toilet for every Indian family by 2022? Broadband in every village? Electricity around the clock? A clean country, rid of garbage and filth that poisons life and nature, by 2019, as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary? These are not luxuries in the 21st century: they are bare necessities." We have achieved everything on his list and achieved it long ago. Yet, it is also clear that our citizens are tired of this success narrative. They remember only the difficulties of recent years: the surge of foreigners, the crowded Mass Rapid Transit trains; the long wait for Housing Board flats; the traffic jams on our highways; the soaring COE (Certificate of Entitlement) premiums and so on. Hence, instead of approaching our 50th anniversary in a jubilant mood, there are hints of a sour mood in the air. The goal of this article is to dispel the sour mood. Hard times ahead PARADOXICALLY, the best way to do this is to tell Singaporeans that harder times are coming. First, since our track record in the first 50 years was so exceptional (even freakish by most historical standards), it will be impossible to match the same success. My generation has had it exceedingly good. And I experienced it personally. I went from a three-figure monthly salary in 1971 to a five- figure salary now. My children will not experience this dizzy climb upwards. Second, as I have said in earlier columns, we do not have enough land for each and every Singaporean to achieve the dream of the five Cs (car, condo, country club, cash and credit card). The last two we can all have. The first three we cannot all have. There isn't enough land to have millions of cars. Singapore already has one of the highest car ownership populations for a city; as of April, about 560,000 households owned at least one car each for a total of 605,184 cars. Nor can we build condos for each Singaporean family. And the land for country clubs is shrinking. Singaporeans therefore belong to a unique tribe: They have to deal with the existential angst of not having the land to fulfil their dreams. Third, we are losing, if we have not already lost, our first-mover advantage. We were the first to open up to global MNCs. Today every country does so. We were the first to set new global standards in services and logistics. Dubai Airport used to describe itself as a disciple of Changi Airport. But now our disciple has a much busier airport. In the past year, 67.3 million international passengers passed through Dubai, compared with 53.1 million through Changi. Indeed, Dubai is now No. 1 in the world for international passengers, surpassing even London's Heathrow Airport. Similarly, Emirates used to look up to Singapore Airlines for inspiration. Now it has become twice as big. In each area that we have excelled, we will have to deal with tougher competition. That's why the next 50 years will be a harder slog. So, let's celebrate this very special moment. And how should we celebrate? There will, of course, be many national parties in 2015. And we should participate in them heartily. But let us also celebrate at the individual level. Let us appreciate some unique and simple joys that all Singaporeans, rich and poor, can enjoy together. Let me cite some simple pleasures we can indulge in (and since we are celebrating our 50th birthday, I am using the number five in each category). A toast to $5 meals FIRST, Singapore is one of the few developed countries where one can get good meals at less than $5 per head. It took a colleague of mine, who recently arrived in Singapore, to remind me of this exceptional gift we have. Mr Steve LaNasa used to be the president of Donnelly College in Kansas. Since coming to Singapore with his wife and two children, aged 10 and 13, in early January, he has been taking his children out to hawker centre after hawker centre. And he is absolutely amazed at the good-quality food you can enjoy in Singapore at such astonishingly low prices. He says: "Despite the fact that 'fast food' is ubiquitous throughout the United States, it's nearly impossible to find good, healthy prepared food at convenient locations, and what is available certainly isn't worth what you pay for it." Sometimes it takes a foreigner to remind us that we live in a food paradise. Why not indulge in this food paradise for less than $5 a head and toast Singapore each time we do so? $500 holidays SECOND, Singapore is fortunate to be situated in the most diverse cultural environment of our entire planet, South-east Asia. No other region can claim to have all the world's leading civilisations and religions living in relative harmony in such close proximity to one another. Many middle-class people from all over the world spend thousands of dollars to appreciate the special beautiful attractions of South-east Asia. So for one year, let us stop dreaming of going to London or Paris, New York or Orlando. Instead, for less than $500 a head, we can experience magnificent historical sites and some of the most hospitable cultures on our planet. I hope that my next book will be on South-east Asia. Its tentative title is The Most Blessed Corner Of The World. We Singaporeans are truly blessed to be situated in the heart of this blessed corner. Let us enjoy it for one year very cheaply with $500 holidays. $50,000 homes MY THIRD suggestion will be both controversial and difficult. It is very difficult to buy a decent- sized condo unit for less than $1 million in Singapore. Yet, we can buy a small home somewhere in South-east Asia for less than $50,000. Ultimately, this may be the best solution to the existential angst of living in Singapore. We can experience the freedom of space in our neighbouring countries if we cannot experience it in Singapore. In looking for cheap properties in rural areas, we will simply be emulating the normal behaviour of citizens who live in crowded cities and look for homes in rural areas in South-east Asia within easy reach via budget airlines. Let me add another truly outrageous suggestion. Why don't we encourage our rich developers, who have profited from 50 years of economic growth in Singapore to develop projects selling $50,000 homes in South-east Asia to fellow Singaporeans? The Government can also step in to help as it will make many Singaporeans happier. And why is happiness important? I believe that the most important goal for Singapore in the next 50 years will not be economic growth or political stability. Instead, it will be social resilience. Only strong social resilience will carry us through the inevitable stresses and strains Singapore will encounter in the next five decades. Happiness does not just help at the individual level. Happy societies are also more resilient societies. We have had a happiness deficit for some time. Let us party for one year and build up our happiness quotient. After that, we will be ready for the more challenging five decades coming our way. Postscript IN MY column on April 12, I wrote: "Hence, for 2015, when we celebrate our 50th anniversary, I hope that one of Singapore's philanthropists will award a $500,000 prize for the best history book written on Singapore." I am pleased to inform Straits Times readers that an anonymous donor has contacted me to support a project to promote a deeper understanding of Singapore's history in future generations of Singaporeans and the world. He has agreed to donate $500,000 for this Singapore history project prize. The money will go towards an endowment fund whose interest will be used to support a book prize every three years. He told me he became a Singapore citizen this year, even though he has lived here for many years. He would like to do something for Singapore. [email protected] - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/opinion/invitation/story/5-meals-500-holidays-and-50k-homes-sg50-20140712#sthash.kJMAcknU.dpuf