Along with Megatex, MPH Bookstores will also be having a books sale with up to 80% discounts this weekend. Starts 3pm today
MPH Bookstores books sale offers up to 80% off discounts at Singapore Expo from 16 – 18 Dec 2016
MPH Bookstores will be having a Books Sale from 16 Dec to 18 Dec 2016, 9am (3pm on first day) to 9pm at Singapore Expo Hall 6B
STARTS TODAY: Mega Christmas Expo by Megatex till 26 Dec
Megatex Electronics & I.T Expo Show at Singapore Expo from 16 – 26 Dec 2016
Megatex will be having its next event at Singapore Expo Hall 5B from 16 Dec to 26 Dec with promising lowest prices guaranteed on premium brands
It has been a great year for ONE Championship, that is for sure. As mixed martial arts in Asia continues to expand, more and more fans have jumped onto the trend of the fastest growing sport in the world.
What endears fans to MMA is the purity of the fighting disciplines and technique. They say MMA is the only combat sport that truly resembles a real battle, in both the physical and mental aspects. This is because the sport is a mix of both the essentials of striking and grappling.
Grappling in particular has seen an epic surge in depth for Asia-based fighters. Over the past year, ONE Championship athletes have impressed with some spectacular submission finishes.
Here is a look back at the best submissions of the year in ONE Championship.
#1 Jenny Huang defeats April Osenio via Gogoplata at ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION, 2 December, Manila
There will be no better example of the level of grappling Asian fighters have reached over the past few years than Jenny Huang’s technical display of Brazilian jiu-jitsu mastery.
The 25-year-old female atomweight standout from Chinese-Taipei wowed fans with an extremely rare and tremendously difficult submission that left some bewildered and others in awe.
Huang took on Filipino contender April Osenio in front of her hometown crowd, and came back from being completely overwhelmed by the local star, to impressing with the first-ever gogoplata submission in ONE.
The gogoplata is rarely seen in MMA as it is very difficult to execute. It is a head and foot choke executed from the rubber guard where the legs are held very high against an opponent’s upper back. The shin bone is then swiftly inserted underneath an opponent’s chin, and the head pulled down to apply pressure.
MMA fighters in history such as Ryusuke Uemura and Brad Imes have successfully executed the gogoplata, but the most notable use of the technique was when Nick Diaz defeated Takanori Gomi with it in 2007. Now, we can add Jenny Huang to this illustrious list.
Huang pulled this move off beautifully against Osenio. The Team Lakay stalwart just didn’t have enough grappling experience to recognize the gogoplata was coming, and as a result, it ended up being the top submission in ONE Championship in 2016.
#2 Yusup Saadulaev defeats Jordan Lucas via rear-naked choke at ONE: STATE OF WARRIORS, 7 October, Myanmar
If there is a fighter we have missed inside the ONE Championship cage, it is Yusup “Maestro” Saadulaev. One of the pioneers of ONE Championship since its early days, Saadulaev has impressed with some really creative submissions over the course of his four-year promotional stint.
Saadulaev holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is one of the most highly-regarded Russian grapplers in all of MMA. working closely with compatriot and ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov, Saadulaev has extremely technical and dangerous with his submissions.
Using a combination of high-level wrestling and robust grappling, Saadulaev has amassed a 16-win professional record, including an incredible 11 submission finishes. Against young Australian prospect Jordan “Showtime” Lucas, Saadulaev went to work once again, delighting fans with another stellar performance.
After grabbing a hold of Lucas’ neck towards the end of the first round, Saadulaev executed a spectacular flip, taking the Australian’s back with ease. Instead of going for hooks which is the norm in this position, Saadulaev opted to maneuver Lucas onto his back, placing Lucas in a precarious position with even more pressure on the neck.
It was a “black belt” move as praised by commentators Peter Davis and Mitch Chilson. The finish was as effective as it was impressive, earning Saadulaev his third-straight submission win.
#3 Christian Lee defeats Mahmoud Mohamed via kimura at ONE: CLASH OF HEROES, 29 January, Kuala Lumpur
Christian Lee may be just be 18 years old, but the maturity he has shown inside the cage is well beyond his years. Christian, along with older sister Angela, trains at Evolve MMA in Singapore and United MMA in Hawaii, where he is being carefully cultivated into a martial arts superstar by none other than his father Ken Lee.
Together, the sibling duo train in unorthodox methods to hone their grappling skills, being taught to pull off unconventional maneuvers, some of which have never been seen before in the cage.
He is one of the most talented young prospects in the promotion and has won five of his first six professional mixed martial arts bouts by exciting finish. Perhaps none more impressive than his January drubbing of Egyptian Mahmoud Mohamed.
At ONE: CLASH OF HEROES, Lee needed just a little over two minutes to take care of Mohamed, executing a very technical modified kimura from top position to force the Egyptian fighter to tap out.
In just his second pro MMA bout, Lee dominated Mohamed until the finish, which came after the youngster took side control and worked on the kimura. It was a virtuoso performance, one that announced Lee’s arrival to the big leagues.
#4 Narantungalag Jadambaa defeats Kotetsu Boku via Von Flue choke at ONE: ASCENT TO POWER, 6 May, Singapore
The Singapore fight card last May was a truly epic spectacle of amazing fights. And while there were many fighters and performances that captured the admiration of fans in attendance, was there any fighter more impressive than Narantungalag Jadambaa? Only Angela Lee may have given a better performance on the night.
The former ONE Featherweight World Champion, Jadambaa proved he remains a high-caliber fighter despite dropping his title to reigning champion Marat Gafurov. In manhandling former ONE Lightweight World Champion Kotetsu Boku, Jadambaa put every bit of his prowess on display.
There is just something about Jadambaa that is so physically imposing that makes him such a tough matchup for anyone. First of all, he is as hard as a rock. Jadambaa can absorb punishment like no other and he can dish out just as much too. What is even scarier is that he can wrestle and grapple too.
After absolutely dominating Boku in striking and mat exchanges, Jadambaa showed fans he is not just a powerful puncher, but that he is also a very crafty grappler.
Towards the end of the third round, Jadambaa shot in for a single-leg and dragged Boku to the canvas, winding up in side control. As Boku’s right arm wrapped around Jadambaa’s head angling for a guillotine choke, the Mongolian fighter intelligently used this position to his advantage.
From there, Jadambaa slyly worked on a Von Flue choke that Boku never saw coming. Boku, being the warrior that he is, refused to tap out, and as a result he took a short nap.
#5 Martin Nguyen defeats Christian Lee via guillotine choke at ONE: HEROES OF THE WORLD, 13 August, Macau
18-year-old Christian Lee had dominated and stopped every opponent he had shared the cage with up to this point, and as his star continued to rise, more fans clamored for a tough matchup for the young prospect. They wanted a real challenge, someone who could push Lee to the limit and really test his ability.
Fans got that in the form of former ONE Featherweight World Championship title contender, Martin Nguyen, and the Australian certainly lived up to that billing.
Lee has an unusual striking stance that leaves much of his chin exposed in stand-up exchanges. Against a seasoned veteran like Nguyen, this proved to be his undoing. As Lee pressed the action, stalking Nguyen up against the cage fence, Nguyen realized that countering was the way to go.
As Lee aggressively forced the action, a sharp left hand from Nguyen staggered the young lion, and he was simply unable to recover. Immediately after, Nguyen grabbed a hold of Lee’s neck in a power guillotine and never let go.
Every time Lee attempted to break free, Nguyen would reestablish his grip by changing levels, and it soon became evident that Lee was in a whole world of trouble. It was not long until Lee ended up taking a nap in the process.
A Chinese newspaper is calling on the country to consider force as a means to conquer Taiwan, following an apparent shift in US policy.
The Global Times, considered a provocative mouthpiece for Beijing, penned an editorial column on Wednesday which suggested it was time China took a less passive approach.
“It might be time for the Chinese mainland to reformulate its Taiwan policy, make the use of force as a main option and carefully prepare for it,” it read.
Beijing has enforced a One-China policy whereby countries seeking diplomatic relations with the mainland China must break any official relations with Taiwan.
US President-elect Donald Trump has questioned this stance and following his election victory spoke directly with Taiwan’s president, the first such contact since 1979.
The call enraged China and the Global Times said relations between Washington and Beijing could soon be set for further strain.
It appears matters were further inflamed after former Speaker Newt Gingrich said the US will not sit back and watch China use force to conquer Taiwan, according to the Global Times.
“Time will tell after Trump’s team takes over the US, whether it will willfully utilize the one-China policy as leverage to blackmail Beijing or restrain itself in actual practice.
“In any case, the current farce has made China vigilant,” the editorial read.
Taiwan is an island nation situated roughly 100 miles east of China. It has been the subject of political ambiguity ever since China gave up control of the island to the Japanese in 1895.
In 1945, Japan relinquished that control but supporters of Taiwanese independence say there was no treaty ever signed to return the island to Chinese sovereignty.
China has in recent years softened its tone on relations with Taiwan but that changed abruptly earlier this year after the election victory in Taiwan of President Tsai Ing-wen.
The female president and member of the Democratic Progressive party (DPP) is seen as heavily in favour of protecting Taiwanese sovereignty.
The Global Times column argued that “the future of Taiwan must not be shaped by the DPP and Washington”.
And it signed off with a threatening flourish, reminiscent of communist revolutionary Chairman Mao.
“The Chinese mainland should display its resolution to recover Taiwan by force. Peace does not belong to cowards.”
Related articles: Trump questions “one China policy” without Beijing concessions
Chinese media hit out at Trump over ‘One China’ comments
US committed to “one China”, Taiwan not bargaining chip – White House
ONE DAY ONLY: 1-for-1 churros at Mr Churro ION Orchard outlet today (16 Dec)
Mr Churro celebrates its first anniversary with 1-for-1 churros at ION Orchard outlet on 16 Dec 2016
Originally from Korea, Mr Churro is an artisanal churros kiosk producing delectable churros with the best ingredients.
Singapore had the highest global average peak Internet connection speed in the third quarter of this year, and ranked third in the world in average Internet connection speed, according to a new report.
South Korea and Hong Kong took the top spots in average connection speed at 26.3 megabytes per second (Mbps) and 20.1 Mbps, respectively, according to the Akamai State of the Internet report for Q3, released by Massachusetts-based content delivery network services provider Akamai.
Singapore came in at 18.2 Mbps, but led the pack in average peak connection speed at 162 Mbps, with Hong Kong and South Korea trailing behind at 116.2 Mbps and 114.2 Mbps, respectively.
This is the fifth consecutive quarter for which Singapore has snagged the top spot.
This article was first published on December 16, 2016.
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PETALING JAYA – Yuna’s On Ghost Ridge is one of the 91 songs long-listed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the Best Original Song category at next year’s Oscars.
Written by award-winning music composer Nicholas Pike, the song is featured in the documentary film 100 Years: One Woman’s Fight For Justice.
Directed by Melinda Janko, the film tells of a woman’s fight for justice for a group of Native Americans.
In 1996, Elouise Cobell filed the largest class action lawsuit against the US government for the mismanagement of their mineral-rich lands.
“On Ghost Ridge is a meaningful song for a very meaningful film. Since I am passionate about social justice, I am happy to be part of something so huge and special,” Yuna, 30, said in a phone interview with The Star.
“Everyone who worked on the project was pure-hearted, kind and sincere.
“So, I feel very happy that the song has been long-listed for the Oscars.”
This is not the first time Yuna has been in the long-list.
Her duet with Owl City, Shine Your Way from the movie The Croods, was one of the 75 songs that competed in the Academy Awards two years ago. The song didn’t make the final cut.
Yuna’s third international album, Chapters, was released in May and featured the hit single Crush, a duet with superstar Usher.
The song went to No. 3 on the Billboard Adult R&B charts.
Chapters is placed No. 7 for the year by Billboard’s critics as the 10 Best R&B Albums of the year.
Yuna is in good company as artistes such as Beyonce, Rihanna and John Legend are also included in the list.
“This year has been a fulfilling one for me. I got the chance to go to many countries on tour and meet my fans from all around the world.
“So yes, it has been successful year and hopefully this will continue in 2017,” Yuna said.
The short-list will be announced on Jan 24.
The 89th Academy Awards will be held on Feb 26.
As more Singaporeans buy their spectacles on the Internet, the Government has issued tighter rules on who can do so.
Only those aged 16 and above can make the purchase, and they must have a valid prescription from an optometrist registered with the Optometrists and Opticians Board.
The new guidelines for online sales of prescription glasses, announced on the board’s website on Tuesday, “is to ensure that proper assessment and management are in place to safeguard the interest of the public against dubious sources of sales”.
Previously, there were no restrictions.
The board, an official governing body in the Ministry of Health, also issued advisories for optical practitioners, retailers and consumers.
To get a prescription that will allow one to buy glasses online, a consumer has to be aged 16 and above, with myopia of below 600 degrees and astigmatism below 200 degrees.
A valid prescription has to include, among other conditions, the consumer’s date of birth and identity card number, the date the prescription expires – usually not longer than two years – and a written assessment that the consumer does not have any existing organic eye disease or systemic medical condition that will affect vision.
REGISTERED
Online retailers must be a business registered in Singapore, with a physical outlet that provides after-sales services such as adjustment of spectacles.
Practitioners who do not follow these guidelines may be subject to disciplinary action, as it may be regarded as professional misconduct, said the board.
The Singapore Optometric Association, an industry body of optometrists, said it had raised concerns to the board over the growing trend of consumers purchasing spectacles and contact lenses online.
mellinjm@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on December 16, 2016.
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Drivers popping into the city area or a crowded hawker centre in the heartland have another reason to make it quick.
Parking at 22 popular Housing Board-managed carparks across the island has become more expensive during peak hours, with the HDB hoping it will deter drivers from lingering.
This hike is on top of a nationwide increase in rates at public carparks that began on Dec 1.
Overall rates increased by 10 to 20 cents per half hour, depending on location.
Read Also: Parking rates at public carparks to go up from Dec 1
But the rise is more drastic at the 22 carparks generally sited in the city area and near certain food centres.
For instance, rates at six HDB carparks in Rochor and Duxton shot up from $1 to $1.40 per half hour. The other 16 carparks also saw a hike from 50 cents per half hour to 80 cents.
An HDB spokesman said that this “differential pricing” model helps to better manage parking demand in the city. Season parking holders are not affected.
News of the changes drew mixed reactions from business owners and motorists who frequent these areas.
At Bras Basah Complex, carpark fees went up to $1.40 per half hour for most of the day, worrying shopkeepers who believe it discourages customers from dropping by.
Read Also: New parking coupons go on sale from Oct 12: HDB, URA
Mr Richard Cho, 55, a watch dealer at Heng Wah Watch and Pen Company, said: “We are already seeing a 20 per cent drop in walk-in customers this month due to the bad economy, and the increase in parking fees does not help.”
One motorist, Mr Tng Kim Guan, 50, who works at a hotel, was unhappy when he first saw the higher charges at Bras Basah Complex.
But he was later relieved when he was able to find a parking space more quickly.
He used to spend 10 minutes circling the carpark looking for a spot, but yesterday was able to get one immediately.
“I’m not sure if it is because of the higher rates, but I don’t mind paying a bit more if it makes parking easier,” he said.
Read Also: 14 carparks in Singapore you didn’t know had free parking (2016 edition)
MIXED SENTIMENT
The mixed sentiment was also prevalent at Golden Mile Food Centre, where peak period rates were raised to 80 cents per half hour.
Several residents told The Straits Times they were glad the higher fees may discourage drivers from “clogging up” the Beach Road entrance to the carpark.
However, hawkers like Mr Jahabar Ali, 47, said the traffic situation did not change after Dec 1. He said: “If the congestion remains and drivers realise parking costs went up, who will still want to come and eat here?”
The higher HDB carpark rates are now similar to those charged by commercial carparks in the vicinity.
ngjunsen@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on December 16, 2016.
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The US Federal Reserve raised a key interest rate for the first time this year on Wednesday, and indicated another three increases next year, one more than originally projected.
The more aggressive approach in 2017 signals the Fed’s confidence in the US economy’s recovery, with President-elect Donald Trump expected to increase spending.
While this could help stimulate global growth, Singapore businesses and consumers can expect more belt-tightening in the coming year.
The Fed’s move will push up borrowing costs here amid forecasts of lacklustre economic growth.
Among those who will feel the pinch are home owners with mortgages, as interest rates are expected to spike.
After the Fed raised the benchmark federal funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 0.75 per cent, the three-month Sibor rose to 0.93209 per cent, up 6.7 per cent from Nov 11, and the highest since July, reported The Straits Times.
The Sibor, or Singapore interbank offered rate, is used to price home loans and is typically highly correlated with US interest rates.
CBRE’s research head for Singapore and South-east Asia, Mr Desmond Sim, told The New Paper yesterday that risk-averse home owners could consider switching from a floating-rate loan, such as those tied to Sibor, to one with fixed rates.
“This is because we are experiencing a rising interest rate environment.
“Fixed rates give more stability but are higher than floating rates because banks absorb the risk,” he said.
But Mr Sim does not think there will a rush to buy property on loans with fixed interest rates that are locked in for a few years.
“With the Fed hike, interest rates are expected to rise over the next 12 months. But the last thing we need is a knee-jerk reaction.
“The key point is that initial reaction will be minimal because more credit bureaus stress-test buyers at a long-term average of 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent.
“There will be no rush of people wanting to buy or sell properties. But the increase in interest rates may affect sales.”
Experts told TNP that while the strengthening greenback – on the back of the rate hike – may boost exports, consumers here will be hit when travelling to or studying in the US.
Online shoppers may also want to avoid websites that deal in US dollars.
CIMB Private Bank economist Song Seng Wun suggested Singapore tourists could avoid the US and instead go to Europe or countries in the region.
OCBC senior investment strategist Vasu Menon said: “Students on a tight budget or scholarship may find it harder to cope with the rising costs.”
This article was first published on December 16, 2016.
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