Hello.
The biggest news this week has been the surprise announcement by the Government late Thursday night of new property cooling measures. The maximum loan home buyers can borrow from HDB has been lowered again, while private property owners will have to wait much longer before buying a HDB resale flat.
The new measures come on the back of rising property prices and interest rates, which have raised concerns of financial stability at a time of surging inflation.
But soaring air fares have not deterred some from planning getaways after more than two years of travel being at a standstill. With Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong easing border controls, travel writer Karen Tee looks at what makes Japan so appealing to Singapore travellers.
If you’re planning a vacation, however, keep in mind that there is always a chance you may be bumped off a flight or cruise. Overbooking is a common practice in the travel industry, which like any sector, aims to maximise profit. But overbooking may be a necessary evil if travellers don’t want to end up paying more for holidays, say SUSS’ Lau Kong Cheen and Vanessa Liu.
Meanwhile, if you are a PSLE parent, hang in there – it’s almost over. As with many things in life, weathering your first PSLE season doesn’t come with a best-practice playbook, says mother-of-three Cherie Tseng. The best thing you can do is to just be there for your child.
We hope you enjoy the selection of commentaries this week.
Alison Jenner
Senior Editor, Commentary
