[Post 842] New pilot programme to help debt-distressed people, starts with low-income families

Summary

A new two-year pilot programme by Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS) aims to help debt-distressed people resolve their financial troubles, starting with a group of low-income families. There were close to 1,150 requests for help in the first half of this year, an 18 per cent increase from the last six months of 2023. Tan Huey Min, General Manager of CCS, talks about what it means to be debt-distressed and how someone usually ends up in this situation. She discusses the counselling services provided by CCCS and how the new programme can benefit low-income families.

[Post 841] Malaysia’s 2025 Budget to address rising cost of living

Summary

Malaysia will unveil Budget 2025 on Oct 18 and is expected to focus on addressing the rising cost of living. The government wants to ensure the bottom 40 per cent of households, known as B40, get the help they need. But the middle income earners, known as the M40 group, are crying foul. Many are worried that they will be left out once again. Melissa Goh reports from Kuala Lumpur.

[Post 840] Ask Work It: Overwhelmed at your new job? Here's how to tell your boss

Summary

You've started a new job but your boss is already making you work overtime and it's affecting your health. How do you tell your boss that you've hit your limit?

[Post 839] October BTO exercise: Only 1 "Prime" project in coming launch, located in Kallang-Whampoa area

Summary

October's BTO exercise will see the launch of the first HDB project to be classified as "Prime" flats. Three hundred and twelve such homes will be available, around 3.6 per cent of the 8,573 on offer. Seven projects are identified as "Plus" flats, with some featuring good connectivity and short commutes to the city centre, and others offering sea views. Six in 10 flats are located in "Standard" projects, the largest allocation in the exercise. At 15 projects, this is also the largest-ever launch of public housing in Singapore. Professor Sing Tien Foo, Provost's Chair Professor from the Department of Real Estate at the NUS Business School, weighs in on the effects of the MOP conditions on prospective buyers, why HDB is making this its largest offering and the traits of "Prime" project Crawford Heights that might make it more attractive to homebuyers.

[Post 838] Rising cost of living key issue for US voters ahead of November polls

Summary

American families struggling to make ends meet could be critical in deciding who wins the race for the White House in a few weeks' time. Inflation and the cost of living are key issues for voters. Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s campaigns have unveiled plans to relieve the financial burden on households. Mitch McCann travelled to Lansing, in the battleground state of Michigan, to find out which plan families are buying into.

[Post 837] China operators offering pet tours to meet growing demand

Summary

For pet owners, travelling out of the country is a task fraught with logistical challenges and sometimes emotional heartaches. Finding caretakers, such as pet hotels or friends, comes with its own problems. But in China, a new service is emerging to help pet owners with wanderlust. CNA’s Tan Yew Guan reports.

[Post 836] More Singapore undergrads taking multiple internships to stand out in competitive job market

Summary

More than half of students who graduated last year took on multiple internships through the course of their university studies, despite needing just one to earn their degree. Students said they do this to get industry experience and stand out in an increasingly competitive job market. CNA’s Kate Low has more.