A recent study by the Economist Intelligence Unit had ranked Singapore as the most expensive city for expatriates -- an outcome that is partly due to the stronger Singapore dollar.
After tracking global prices of several goods and services, Sanjeev Sanyal, a Deutsche Bank strategist based in Singapore, said that the exchange rate has made Singapore more expensive in US dollar terms.
However, a lot also depends on lifestyle choices.
He said: "There is a real problem with ranking Singapore -- we found that Singapore has a very high variation depending on which basket we choose.
President Tony Tan Keng Yam has pledged to work with all Singaporeans to address their concerns and aspirations, and build a better future, in his speech at the re-opening of Parliament after its traditional mid-term break.
He also laid out six broad goals for the Singapore government: strengthening safety nets, enhancing retirement adequacy, supporting families and communities, creating a better quality life for Singaporeans and opportunities for adults to have a fulfilling career, and enabling young Singaporeans to fulfil their potential.
Dr Tan said the government will pursue new strategies to achieve these goals, and the approach will be different as the environment has changed.
Two of Singapore's universities have cemented their place among Asia's best, according to an annual survey.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) was named Asia's top university, while Nanyang Technological University (NTU) jumped three places to seventh, its highest ever position.
The 2014 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) University Rankings for Asia polled more than 50,000 academics and employers internationally.
NUS overtook University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to be named Asia's number one institution for the first time.
Demand for used cars has gone down, following the latest COE bidding exercise which saw premiums dive.
It was a Saturday afternoon, but there were few customers at Automobile Megamart at Ubi Avenue 2.
The Singapore Vehicle Traders Association estimates that the number of people visiting the megamart to buy or check out car models over this weekend will decrease by 20 to 30 per cent compared to two, three weeks ago.
Salaries of workers in Singapore's healthcare system have to go up in order to attract more local talent.
This is important with an impending silver tsunami, where one in three Singaporeans is expected to be at least 60 years old by 2030.
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen shared these thoughts at a dialogue session during the Singapore Medical Association's annual dinner.
Dr Ng, who was a practising doctor before entering politics, said the healthcare industry provides a rewarding life career.
The CPF Minimum Sum will be raised to S$155,000, up from S$148,000, from 1 July.
This will apply to CPF members who turn 55 between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015, the Central Provident Board (CPF) and the Manpower Ministry said in a joint statement.
Under the CPF LIFE Standard Plan, setting aside S$155,000 at age 55 provides a lifelong payout of about S$1,200 per month, the statement added.
The Medisave Minimum Sum will be raised to S$43,500 from S$40,500 from 1 July.
The United Kingdom Meteorological Office has forecasted a high likelihood of El Nino striking Southeast Asia in the middle of the year.
