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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
HDB BTO income ceiling for couples, age floor for singles being reviewed; Telco price war unlikely after Keppel sells M1 to Simba, say analysts: Singapore live news
The Government is reviewing the income ceiling for couples, and the minimum age requirement of 35 for singles, applying for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, but any changes will depend on the upcoming supply and demand of public housing, said National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat. "I want to assure Singaporeans that we are reviewing both income criteria and also the age requirement for singles, and at an appropriate time, we do intend to make some moves," he said. "But I want to make sure that when we make those moves, we will not end up with a situation where there is insufficient supply." Simba Telecom's acquisition of M1 is unlikely to result in a price war, say analysts. Carmen Lee, head of OCBC Investment Research, told The Straits Times (ST) that current mobile plans are already priced competitively. "In a typical merger, the initial period will entail a relook into understanding the combined entity and the potential synergies. We believe pricing strategy will not be an immediate consideration," said Lee. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Telco price war unlikely after Keppel sells M1 to Simba, say analysts Simba Telecom's acquisition of M1 is unlikely to result in a price war, say analysts. Carmen Lee, head of OCBC Investment Research, told The Straits Times (ST) that current mobile plans are already priced competitively. For instance, Simba's SuperRoam10 plan offers 400GB of data for Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong at $10 per month. Meanwhile, M1's Maxx plan comes with 290GB of data for use in Singapore and Malaysia for $7.90 a month. "In a typical merger, the initial period will entail a relook into understanding the combined entity and the potential synergies. We believe pricing strategy will not be an immediate consideration," said Lee. Rival telcos are also unlikely to undercut their prices to attract M1 customers, despite the ease with which consumers can switch providers. Instead, they may use alternative strategies such as bundling mobile and broadband services at promotional rates or leveraging loyalty programmes to win over subscribers, Professor Lawrence Loh from NUS Business School told ST. For more on the effects on the industry from Simba's M1 acquisition, read here. HDB BTO income ceiling for couples, age floor for singles being reviewed The Government is reviewing the income ceiling for couples, and the minimum age requirement of 35 for singles, applying for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, but any changes will depend on the upcoming supply and demand of public housing, said National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat. Speaking to local media on August 5, Chee outlined some of his ministry's key priorities, emphasising the need to maintain a strong supply of flats before adjusting existing eligibility criteria. "I want to assure Singaporeans that we are reviewing both income criteria and also the age requirement for singles, and at an appropriate time, we do intend to make some moves," he said. "But I want to make sure that when we make those moves, we will not end up with a situation where there is insufficient supply." To that end, 55,000 BTO flats will be launched between 2025 and 2027, which is 10 per cent more than the previously committed 50,000 flats. From 2021 to 2024, 82,710 flats were launched, averaging over 20,600 units annually. In 2025, approximately 19,600 are slated to be launched, with 10,579 flats already launched so far. The current eligibility conditions exclude couples who earn above $14,000 per month and singles under the age of 35 from applying for BTO flats. Chee said any decisions on adjustments are closely tied to the Government's ability to ensure sufficient flat supply in the coming years. Noting that "demand will go up" once the eligibility criteria has been changed, Chee said, "I think it is important for us to create the right conditions to be able to make these policy moves at an appropriate time." For more on Chee Hong Tat's remarks, read here. Telco price war unlikely after Keppel sells M1 to Simba, say analysts Simba Telecom's acquisition of M1 is unlikely to result in a price war, say analysts. Carmen Lee, head of OCBC Investment Research, told The Straits Times (ST) that current mobile plans are already priced competitively. For instance, Simba's SuperRoam10 plan offers 400GB of data for Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong at $10 per month. Meanwhile, M1's Maxx plan comes with 290GB of data for use in Singapore and Malaysia for $7.90 a month. "In a typical merger, the initial period will entail a relook into understanding the combined entity and the potential synergies. We believe pricing strategy will not be an immediate consideration," said Lee. Rival telcos are also unlikely to undercut their prices to attract M1 customers, despite the ease with which consumers can switch providers. Instead, they may use alternative strategies such as bundling mobile and broadband services at promotional rates or leveraging loyalty programmes to win over subscribers, Professor Lawrence Loh from NUS Business School told ST. For more on the effects on the industry from Simba's M1 acquisition, read here. Simba Telecom's acquisition of M1 is unlikely to result in a price war, say analysts. Carmen Lee, head of OCBC Investment Research, told The Straits Times (ST) that current mobile plans are already priced competitively. For instance, Simba's SuperRoam10 plan offers 400GB of data for Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong at $10 per month. Meanwhile, M1's Maxx plan comes with 290GB of data for use in Singapore and Malaysia for $7.90 a month. "In a typical merger, the initial period will entail a relook into understanding the combined entity and the potential synergies. We believe pricing strategy will not be an immediate consideration," said Lee. Rival telcos are also unlikely to undercut their prices to attract M1 customers, despite the ease with which consumers can switch providers. Instead, they may use alternative strategies such as bundling mobile and broadband services at promotional rates or leveraging loyalty programmes to win over subscribers, Professor Lawrence Loh from NUS Business School told ST. For more on the effects on the industry from Simba's M1 acquisition, read here. HDB BTO income ceiling for couples, age floor for singles being reviewed The Government is reviewing the income ceiling for couples, and the minimum age requirement of 35 for singles, applying for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, but any changes will depend on the upcoming supply and demand of public housing, said National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat. Speaking to local media on August 5, Chee outlined some of his ministry's key priorities, emphasising the need to maintain a strong supply of flats before adjusting existing eligibility criteria. "I want to assure Singaporeans that we are reviewing both income criteria and also the age requirement for singles, and at an appropriate time, we do intend to make some moves," he said. "But I want to make sure that when we make those moves, we will not end up with a situation where there is insufficient supply." To that end, 55,000 BTO flats will be launched between 2025 and 2027, which is 10 per cent more than the previously committed 50,000 flats. From 2021 to 2024, 82,710 flats were launched, averaging over 20,600 units annually. In 2025, approximately 19,600 are slated to be launched, with 10,579 flats already launched so far. The current eligibility conditions exclude couples who earn above $14,000 per month and singles under the age of 35 from applying for BTO flats. Chee said any decisions on adjustments are closely tied to the Government's ability to ensure sufficient flat supply in the coming years. Noting that "demand will go up" once the eligibility criteria has been changed, Chee said, "I think it is important for us to create the right conditions to be able to make these policy moves at an appropriate time." For more on Chee Hong Tat's remarks, read here. The Government is reviewing the income ceiling for couples, and the minimum age requirement of 35 for singles, applying for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, but any changes will depend on the upcoming supply and demand of public housing, said National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat. Speaking to local media on August 5, Chee outlined some of his ministry's key priorities, emphasising the need to maintain a strong supply of flats before adjusting existing eligibility criteria. "I want to assure Singaporeans that we are reviewing both income criteria and also the age requirement for singles, and at an appropriate time, we do intend to make some moves," he said. "But I want to make sure that when we make those moves, we will not end up with a situation where there is insufficient supply." To that end, 55,000 BTO flats will be launched between 2025 and 2027, which is 10 per cent more than the previously committed 50,000 flats. From 2021 to 2024, 82,710 flats were launched, averaging over 20,600 units annually. In 2025, approximately 19,600 are slated to be launched, with 10,579 flats already launched so far. The current eligibility conditions exclude couples who earn above $14,000 per month and singles under the age of 35 from applying for BTO flats. Chee said any decisions on adjustments are closely tied to the Government's ability to ensure sufficient flat supply in the coming years. Noting that "demand will go up" once the eligibility criteria has been changed, Chee said, "I think it is important for us to create the right conditions to be able to make these policy moves at an appropriate time." For more on Chee Hong Tat's remarks, read here.
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Retirements And Businesses Face Risk From Administration Actions
The topic of regulation often sits in the penumbra of companies. Many executives hate them. Some regulation is overdone. Much of it isn't, being instead expressions of restraint when corporations behave recklessly, damaging the public and the balance of the economic system. Large regulatory packages have often enabled greater trust, attention to operations, and ultimately higher profitability overall. As often as regulation is necessary for companies, it is also required through laws and constitutional guarantees for government entities and officials who otherwise would misuse their powers over businesses and the many millions of retirement accounts that require economic success to thrive. Tech Companies And Law Firms Under Attack Donald Trump has established a practice of singling out both individuals and particular companies. Criticism on the part of the nation's chief executives, whether publicly or privately expressed, isn't new. They are people and will act as people do. However, the newest expression of it is unusual. Trump reportedly demanded that U.S. chip companies, Nvidia and AMD, pay the government a percentage of their revenue from sales to China, according to the Financial Times. The two companies agreed so they could get the export licenses necessary to ship products, reportedly admitting it to the newspaper. Also, according to the story, unnamed expert sources said that this type of arrangement was 'unprecedented.' Companies have never before paid commissions for permissions. On August 7y, 20205, Trump called on Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan to resign because a Republican senator was concerned about Tan's reported investments in Chinese companies, Business Insider reported. Holding shares in Chinese companies is a common part of investment portfolio diversity. Days later, Trump praised Tan's 'success' online, Business Insider separately wrote. However, in a broader sense, this is not the first attempt by Trump at deals following economic threats. In April, Trump announced a deal with five major law firms for $600 million in free legal work, as The Hill and others reported. The payoff for the firms was that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission would withdraw letters asking about hiring practices in an alleged attempt to target diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. 'The EEOC is prepared to root out discrimination anywhere it may rear its head, including in our nation's elite law firms,' acting EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas said in a statement, as The Hill reported in a separate article. Trump had also chosen law firms for their past clients and cases. Banks And Pharma Join The Ranks Trump accused banks in early August of political discrimination, wrote The Wall Street Journal. He wrote an executive order claiming that banks 'have engaged in unacceptable practices to restrict law-abiding individuals' and businesses' access to financial services on the basis of political or religious beliefs or lawful business activities.' According to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, there can be illegal discrimination if based on 'race, color, religion, national origin, sex or marital status, or age.' Political beliefs are not a protected category. Last week, Trump told major pharmaceutical to lower prices or face punishment, as Agence France-Presse wrote. He wanted the companies to work with the administration to make changes within two months, including a 'most favored nation' policy that would require the companies to sell at the lowest price paid by other countries. Foundational Problems For Commerce And Retirement The efforts to force companies in multiple industries to act one way or another remain highly unusual and speak to the reason why such actions are considered so unusual and undesired. A president can exert enormous power from the bully pulpit alone. Extend efforts to the powers of the state and what a president can do is terrible. It harkens back to Richard Nixon's famous enemies list and his willingness to use such agencies as the IRS and FBI to attack political adversaries. In the present, the actions the Trump administration has taken show the reasons why such activities have been either illegal or considered unacceptable as norms. They can unbalance industries, upend commerce, and disturb complex social and financial mechanisms without consideration of the extent of damage that might happen. All these perturbations, as tariffs on GM profits showed, can effectively become taxes on everyone's retirement funds. With a large aging segment of the population, this ultimately is not good for anyone.
The Drive
8 hours ago
- The Drive
Rivian's Developing New Tech To Make Its EVs More Agile
The latest car news, reviews, and features. While the automaker won't discuss future product, there's a job listing outlining what's on the roadmap posted publicly online right now. Tipped off by the crew at RivianForums , Rivian has a job listing for a Sr. Mechanical Design & Release Engineer specifically for steering systems. The job listing isn't the interesting bit, as Rivian's a startup and hiring people to develop its future products at a rapid rate. But listed in the job description are two interesting features not existing in today's R1T or R1S: steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering. The former, which removes the mechanical connection between the steering system and the wheels, saves weight, saves money in production and materials, but adds development and engineering hurdles. The Tesla Cybertruck has steer-by-wire, among other things. Sr. Mechanical Design & Release Engineer, Steering job listing Rear-wheel steering would enable a Rivian to shrink its turning radius, which in turn would make the vehicle more agile in parking lots, around clover leaves, and take tighter turns off pavement as well. The feature, seen on the GMC Hummer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and quite a few high-end luxury vehicles, would enable Rivian to make the larger R1T and R1S feel smaller than they are while driving. A Rivian spokesperson told The Drive , 'We cannot comment on any speculation about future protect.' Though, who's speculating? Rivian posted this in a public job posting for the world to see. The Rivian R1S and R1T were refreshed heavily, though they don't completely look like it, for 2025. The second-generation Quad arrived for 2026. It's unlikely rear-wheel steering or steer-by-wire will be integrated until the next refresh or heavy update, which likely will arrive around 2028. But it's quite possible steer-by-wire could be integrated into the upcoming $45,000 smaller R2, which arrives in 2026. Including steer-by-wire would lower the build cost, though increase development complexity. Either way, while unclear when these technologies will arrive in a Rivian, it's clear they are on the road map. If you're in the job market, have engineering chops and the record to prove it, Rivian might want to talk with you. Got a tip about future product via a job listing? We want to hear about it at tips @
