The_King

Since early April, working from home has become a new norm for most working adults in Singapore. With many employees glued to their laptops at home as they hold Zoom meetings and WhatsApp discussions, one worry that has surfaced is higher electricity and phone bills. Good news — you can get tax deductions for expenses incurred while working from home. A spokesperson from Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) recently told The Business Times: "Tax deduction against employment income is allowable for expenses incurred wholly and exclusively in the production of employment income." These include additional electricity and phone bills incurred when employees are required to work from home (that are not reimbursed by the employer and not capital or private in nature.). Although most employees rely on Wifi broadband services during this period, they would not qualify for deductions on subscription fees if the connection was set up before they started working from home. Since the Ministry of Manpower said that most employees should continue working from home in the first two phases of Singapore's reopening starting June 2, the tax deductions will not be limited to the circuit breaker period. According to IRAS, those who incurred expenses related to working from home this year may claim for deductions when they file income tax next year. However, it is still too early to estimate just how much more Singaporeans are spending on electricity during the circuit breaker, electricity retailers told The Business Times. Taking into account the difficulty of calculating the exact amount of expenses that are related to working from home, IRAS said it would accept the difference in electricity and phone bills before and after the circuit breaker. In the meantime, all households with at least one Singaporean will receive a one-off $100 sum to cover their utility bills in July or August. "Singaporeans have given feedback that while they are saving on transport fares and other charges, they are expecting to spend more on their utility bills, as they stay home during the circuit breaker period," Deputy Prime Minister Heng Seng Keat noted in his Fortitude Budget speech on May 26.

A doctor in Wuhan whose skin turned dark due to Covid-19 treatment passed away at 5.45 am on Tuesday, Xinhua News Agency reported. Hu Weifeng, a urologist at the Central Hospital of Wuhan, passed away after four months of treatment for Covid-19, Xinhua reported on Tuesday, citing medical workers at the hospital. Hu and his colleague Yi Fan, a cardiologist, both 42, caught the infection in January while treating patients. Both doctors' skin turned dark after being brought back from the brink of death in late March, and a video in April showing their dark skin and tough battle against the virus went viral on Chinese social media platforms. They were admitted to the hospital in late January and was transferred to Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital and put on an ECMO, a life-support device that replaces the function of the heart and lungs by pumping oxygen into the blood outside the body, on Feb 7. Urologist Hu Weifeng (left) and cardiologist Yi Fan. PHOTO: Screengrab/YouTube/WION They were later transferred to Tongji Hospital's Zhongfa Xincheng branch on March 3, where a team of medical workers from China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing started to care for them. Hu's condition improved on March 14 and he was removed from ECMO treatment on March 22. On April 11, Hu had his tracheotomy tube removed and was able to speak normally. He was then transferred to the general ward on April 14. However, Hu then suffered cerebral hemorrhages on April 22 and May 29. Yi's condition improved and he was discharged from hospital on May 6.

you use on the wrong person that quote is copyright. you need to pay me if you use it on others

By Steve Stecklow and Babak Dehghanpisheh LONDON/DUBAI (Reuters) - China's Huawei Technologies acted to cover up its relationship with a firm that had tried to sell prohibited U.S. computer gear to Iran, after Reuters in 2013 reported deep links between the firm and the telecom-equipment giant's chief financial officer, newly obtained internal Huawei documents show. Huawei has long described the firm - Skycom Tech Co Ltd - as a separate local business partner in Iran. Now, documents obtained by Reuters show how the Chinese tech titan effectively controlled Skycom. The documents, reported here for the first time, are part of a trove of internal Huawei and Skycom Iran-related business records - including memos, letters and contractual agreements - that Reuters has reviewed. One document described how Huawei scrambled in early 2013 to try to "separate" itself from Skycom out of concern over trade sanctions on Tehran. To that end, this and other documents show, Huawei took a series of actions - including changing the managers of Skycom, shutting down Skycom's Tehran office and forming another business in Iran to take over tens of millions of dollars worth of Skycom contracts. The revelations in the new documents could buttress a high-profile criminal case being pursued by U.S. authorities against Huawei and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who is also the daughter of Huawei's founder. The United States has been trying to get Meng extradited from Canada, where she was arrested in December 2018. A Canadian judge last week allowed the case to continue, rejecting defense arguments that the U.S. charges against Meng do not constitute crimes in Canada. A U.S. indictment alleges that Huawei and Meng participated in a fraudulent scheme to obtain prohibited U.S. goods and technology for Huawei's Iran-based business via Skycom, and move money out of Iran by deceiving a major bank. The indictment alleges that Skycom was an "unofficial subsidiary" of Huawei, not a local partner. Huawei and Meng have denied the criminal charges, which include bank fraud, wire fraud and other allegations. Skycom, which was registered in Hong Kong and was dissolved in 2017, is also a defendant. At one point, Huawei was a shareholder in Skycom but, according to corporate filings, sold its stake more than a decade ago. The newly obtained documents appear to undermine Huawei's claims that Skycom was just a business partner. They offer a behind-the-scenes look at some of what transpired at the two companies inside Iran seven years ago and how intertwined the companies were. The documents are variously written in English, Chinese and Farsi. Huawei declined to comment for this story. China's foreign ministry said the United States was politicizing economic and trade issues, which is not in the interest of Chinese or American firms. "We urge the United States to immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese firms including Huawei," it said. It referred specific questions about this story to Huawei. 'NORMAL BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP' Reuters reported in March that Huawei had produced internal company records in 2010, including two packing lists, that showed it was directly involved in sending prohibited U.S. computer equipment to Iran. Huawei declined to comment on that story, citing ongoing legal proceedings. To read the March report, click https://reut.rs/2ZYEhiG The newly obtained documents show that Huawei's efforts to obscure its relationship with Skycom began after Reuters reported in December 2012 that Skycom had offered to sell at least 1.3 million euros worth of embargoed Hewlett-Packard computer equipment to Iran's largest mobile-phone operator in late 2010. In January 2013, a second Reuters report described how Huawei had close financial ties and other links to Skycom, including the fact that Meng had served on Skycom's board of directors between February 2008 and April 2009. To read the December 2012 report, click https://reut.rs/302mLtO To read the January 2013 report, click https://reut.rs/2MmuniM In its response at the time to the Reuters reporting, Huawei said Skycom was one of its "major local partners" and that the relationship between Huawei and Skycom was "a normal business partnership." But a newly obtained Huawei internal document from the Chinese company's Iran office, dated March 28, 2013, indicates Huawei controlled Skycom. The document in Chinese stated: "In consideration of trade compliances, A2 representative office is trying to separate Skycom and Huawei." A2 was Huawei's code for Iran, according to the U.S. indictment. The document also noted that Huawei had installed one of its own employees to manage Skycom in Iran "to urgently avoid the risks of media hype." Huawei had made an "urgent decision" to appoint Hu Mei as Skycom's general manager in Iran, effective March 10, 2013, the document noted. Hu was a director of Skycom and was also listed as a Huawei employee in an internal Huawei directory. The document detailed how Huawei quickly recognized a flaw in putting Hu in charge of Skycom. Hu was based at Huawei's headquarters in China, and the job required dealing with business matters on the ground in Iran, the document stated. So, Huawei decided to appoint instead "a Chinese employee based in Iran" to manage Skycom's Tehran office, the document shows. Huawei decided to name Song Kai, deputy representative of its Iran office, to run Skycom in Iran. He was informed of the decision in an internal Huawei message that was reviewed by Reuters. "Please update your resume," Song was instructed. The message said that the change had been approved by a man named Lan Yun, who was identified as the "chief representative" of Huawei's Iran office. Hu, Song and Lan couldn't be reached for comment. POWERPOINT PRESENTATION In response to the Reuters articles of 2012 and 2013, several Western banks questioned Huawei about its relationship with Skycom. They included HSBC Holdings PLC, where both Huawei and Skycom held bank accounts. HSBC declined to comment for this story. In August 2013, Meng met with HSBC's deputy head of global banking for the Asia-Pacific region. She is accused in the U.S. indictment of making "numerous misrepresentations regarding Huawei's ownership and control of Skycom." Meng gave a PowerPoint presentation during the meeting that said Skycom was merely "a business partner of Huawei." The newly obtained documents show that Huawei soon became directly involved in shutting Skycom down. In a letter dated Nov. 2, 2013, Song, the Huawei employee appointed to manage Skycom, told a major Iranian client that Skycom "has decided to annul and terminate its business activities and dissolve the branch company in Iran." Song's letter was addressed to a vice president of Iran's largest mobile-phone operator, Mobile Communication Co of Iran, or MCCI. MCCI couldn't be reached for comment. The next day, Skycom, MCCI and a new Huawei company - Huawei Technologies Service (Iranian) Co Ltd - signed an agreement. It stated that Skycom planned to transfer its contracts to the new Huawei entity. The agreement listed eight contracts worth a total of 44.6 million euros (about $50 million), with about 34.6 million euros remaining on them. Any money owed to Skycom was to be paid to the Huawei entity upon completion of the contracts. "All the parties promise that this three-way contract remains confidential," it stated.

Many of us Singaporeans might have grown up watching Disney shows on Starhub and Singtel’s cable TV. However, things might change for our children or younger relatives as it was recently announced that Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, and Go Disney have been removed from both TV networks. Goodbye, Disney Channels. Hello, Disney+. The news of the split came via Disney on its Disney Junior Asia Facebook page, where it wrote: The decision to have the aforementioned Disney channels removed from StarHub and Singtel’s platform is most probably due to the looming threat of Disney+ on the horizon, with the streaming network already releasing in Japan. Cable network operators such as StarHub and Singtel are most likely concerned about how big of the TV market share in Singapore will be taken up by Disney+ should it release in Singapore. It’s not surprising, though, considering how the House of Mouse’s very own streaming service has a huge catalogue of its own shows to stream whereas companies like StarHub and Singtel will have to work with content providers to get shows on their TV network. This is what StarHub has shared with regards to the matter: With this split, and Disney’s promise for continued effort, Disney+ is, as a certain Mad Titan would state, inevitable. For those who can’t wait for Disney+ to arrive in Singapore, you can always use a VPN to access the streaming service first.

Don't know it real or not

A Facebook post from a woman who complained about her boyfriend for supposedly paling in comparison to her sister's partner has gone viral online. Her anonymous confession was posted on NUSWhispers' Facebook page on May 26, where it has garnered over 2,400 comments and almost 4,000 shares to date. In her post, the woman complained about: Her boyfriend giving her a Louis Vuitton (LV) wallet "which costs around $700" for her birthday. This left her "really upset and disappointed" because her sister had gotten a Chanel wallet "which costs at least $1,000" from the sister's boyfriend. The woman also said, "Chanel is so much nicer than LV. Let's be honest, LV is for poor people who want to look rich." Her boyfriend sending her food from lower-tier restaurants like Swensen's and Ichiban, as compared to her sister's boyfriend who sends food from "popular restaurants" like Crystal Jade and Paradise Dynasty. Being envious of how her sister's boyfriend provides her sister with $1,000 a month "for her own spending" while she herself gets "only" $500 from her own boyfriend. The woman went on to say: "I hate to admit but I really feel very jealous of my sister because her bf is willing to spend money on her despite earning just $4k a month. My bf earns at least $5k and yet he is so stingy with me. "Sometimes I really feel like a loser.. why my sister can find such a good bf but I just cannot. Just because she is taller and slimmer, she can find a good bf.. it's so unfair." Naturally, netizens were not pleased and called the woman out for being self-entitled. Some users offered sagely advice, pointing out that a prudent lifestyle as well as the ability to save instead of splurging is a strength. They also said that there is more to life than easily replaceable material goods. Lasting love and a stable marriage, for instance. A few, however, did not hold back. #Keepingitreal: What do you think of this woman's first-world problems? Could she be just trolling us all for a good laugh during these challenging times? Who is the 'better' girlfriend: This woman or the one who tore her boyfriend apart for sending desserts over?

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has issued a recall for Chang Soda Water after bromate was detected in samples of the product. SFA said in a statement on Tuesday (June 2) that under the Singapore Food Regulations, food products, including bottled water, are not allowed to contain any incidental constituents such as bromate. Incidental constituents in food include extraneous substances, toxic substances and toxins. The consumption of excessive levels of bromate in food or drinks for a prolonged period of time could result in gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. SFA has directed the importer, Yen Investments, to recall the products. The recall is ongoing. The affected bottles of Chang Soda Water are products of Thailand in 325 ml bottles and have a best before date of Feb 25, 2021. SFA said: "Consumers who have purchased the implicated product should not consume it. "Those who have consumed the implicated product and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice." Consumers can contact the importer at [email protected] or 6752 4320 for enquiries and for exchange or refund of the products.

MANILA -- The Philippines will continue its visiting forces agreement with the U.S. for the near future, suspending an earlier decision to scrap the major military deal amid China's renewed muscle-flexing in the South China Sea. "The abrogation of the visiting forces agreement has been suspended" upon President Rodrigo Duterte's instruction, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said Tuesday on Twitter. In its letter to the U.S. Embassy in Manila, which Locsin posted, the Philippine Foreign Affairs Department said the move was "in light of political and other developments in the region." Duterte early this year ordered the 1998 agreement to be scrapped, after the U.S. suspended the visa of a political ally. Despite opposition from the military, Manila served a notice of abrogation on Feb. 11, triggering a 180-day countdown before the official termination Aug. 9. But tensions have risen in the South China Sea during the past few months. Manila filed diplomatic protests in April after a Chinese ship aimed its weapons radar at a Philippine vessel and Beijing proclaimed new districts in the disputed waters. Separately, a Chinese ship was accused of sinking a Vietnamese fishing vessel while another survey ship engaged in a standoff with a Malaysian oil exploration vessel as Southeast Asian nations grappled to contain the coronavirus. The visiting forces agreement facilitates the entry of U.S. troops into the Philippines for around 300 military drills annually, including maritime exercises near the South China Sea. The U.S. Embassy in Manila said it welcomes the Philippine government's latest decision. "Our long-standing alliance has benefited both countries, and we look forward to continued close security and defense cooperation with the Philippines," the embassy said. But Manila's letter to the embassy dated Monday said the suspension of the termination process "shall continue for six months" and can be extended by the Philippines for another six months, "after which the tolling of the initial period in [the] note ... dated 11 February 2020 shall resume." https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Sea/Philippines-notifies-US-it-will-keep-military-deal-as-tensions-rise

the deco, cannot make it

The unit has five bedrooms, four of them ensuites, a private lift lobby and a balcony (Photo: Knight Frank) The 12-storey project is known for its spacious units: Each floor contains just two units, and every unit is a 5,048 sq ft simplex, served by a private lift. It contains five bedrooms, five bathrooms (four of which are en suite) and a spacious living and dining area. Facilities at the development include a swimming pool and a gym. Very few apartments among the 24 units at Lien Towers have entered the market in recent years. The last time such a unit changed hands was in October 2012 when a five-bedroom, 5,048 sq ft apartment on the ninth floor was sold for $9.5 million ($1,882 psf). The unit that is now on sale is located on the sixth floor. It is offered for sale by private treaty with Knight Frank as the marketing agent. The guide price of $9 million or $1,783 psf is “very reasonable”, says Tricia Tan, Knight Frank’s deputy director of auction and sales. Another selling point is its location as Lien Towers is close to the Botanic Gardens, Dempsey Hill, Tanglin and the Orchard Road shopping belt. Facilities at Lien Towers include a swimming pool and a gym (Photo: Knight Frank) Recent transactions of 99-year leasehold properties in the Holland-Leedon Road area have already been done at prices well above $2,000 psf, she adds. For instance, 124 units in the 99-year leasehold project One Holland Village Residences, located in the Holland Village enclave, have been sold at an average price of $2,733 psf. Launched in November last year, the project is part of a larger mixed-use development to be completed by end-2024. Recent transactions at Lien Towers Source: URA Realis Two other freehold projects, which were launched at the start of the year, are redevelopment of en bloc sites. One is the 69-unit Van Holland (formerly Toho Mansion), where 16 units were sold at an average price of $2,920 psf, according to caveats lodged to date. The other is the 638-unit Leedon Green (the former Tulip Garden). Also launched in January, 43 units have been sold at an average price of $2,678 psf as at May 6, according to caveats lodged with URA Realis. Many old, freehold apartment blocks with large units have been sold en bloc and redeveloped over the past two decades, says Tan. Hence, such simplexes (units on single floors) in low-density developments are increasingly rare, she adds. They appeal to owners of landed property who want to downsize or those with big families who like the proximity to amenities such as schools, MRT stations, F&B outlets and shops. Such units are also sought-after by expatriate families, with monthly rental rates ranging from $9,000 to $12,500 in January and February, according to URA data. Recent rental transactions of five-bedroom apartments at Lien Towers Source: EdgeProp Singapore

(Bloomberg) -- A jump in Singapore bank deposits probably reflects investors’ risk aversion and inflows from markets including Hong Kong given the country’s status as a private banking hub, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Foreign-currency deposits at local banks almost quadrupled from a year earlier to a record S$27 billion in April, Monetary Authority of Singapore figures showed Monday. Deposits from non-residents surged 44% to S$62 billion, also the highest level since 1991 when records began, the data show. “Rising tensions in Hong Kong, starting with protests last year and the announcement of a national security law last month could potentially cause flows to Singapore if Hong Kong’s status as a financial centre is threatened,” Diksha Gera, a banking analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, wrote in the report Tuesday. The increase in foreign-currency deposits may have been caused by factors such as deleveraging of private banking portfolios and fund managers’ positions as risk-averse clients sold financial assets, Gera wrote. Singapore and Hong Kong have long attracted the wealthy from all over the world to park their assets with banks including UBS Group AG and Credit Suisse Group AG. Since last year, Hong Kong has been hit by waves of protests against the government which have intensified in recent weeks because of the opposition to China’s new laws. Hong Kong’s local-currency deposits fell by HK$79.2 billion (US$10 billion), or 1.1%, to HK$6.9 trillion in April from a year ago, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said in its monthly report.