As the world moves into a new era of rapid change, companies need to be resilient and adaptive. To do so, they should not only invest in enhancing their products and services, but also focus on building strong branding that will enable them to thrive in the competitive business landscape. This was the main theme of the 21st Singapore Prestige Brand Awards (SPBA), organised by Asme and Lianhe Zaobao, held on Wednesday (Oct 25). Twenty-nine local businesses from diverse sectors were honoured in various categories at the event, with healthcare provider StarMed Specialist Centre winning the overall Grand Winner for the Promising Brand category. Construction firm Craftwork and co-living operator Coliwoo won the Top Startup Brands of 2024 and 2023, respectively.

SINGAPORE – The largest ever jackpot prize in the history of Singapore Pools was won by a Toto Hongbao ticket on 11 February 2022. This snowballing of the premium prize from the initial $10 million prompted a number of questions about the odds and how to win the big prizes in lottery games like Toto, Big Sweep, and 4D. The answer is that there is a one-in-eleven chance of winning the premium prize in any draw, according to the lottery operator. The odds are based on the total prize amount, the number of tickets sold and the percentage of winners from the initial group. There are systems and whole books about how to improve your chances of winning, but you should note that it is a gamble and the chance of losing money is high.

The National University of Singapore’s Department of History has introduced the first book prize in Singapore history since 2014. Launched in 2014 in support of programmes to mark SG50, it is administered by NUS and awarded every three years. The prize aims to make the complexities and nuances of Singapore’s past more accessible to non-academic audiences. This year, the shortlist includes historical tome Seven Hundred Years: A History Of Singapore by Kwa Chong Guan, Tan Tai Yong, Peter Borschberg and Derek Heng, and novel Sembawang by Kamaladevi Aravindan, which details life in a housing estate over decades.

The President’s Science and Technology Awards were first given out in 2009 and elevated to Presidential status the following year. The awards are a symbol of the nation’s appreciation for and commitment to excellence in research, and to fostering a growing community of scientific talent. The winners are chosen by a highly-credentialed panel of key representatives spanning government, industry and academia. They have played critical roles in upholding research excellence and pushing the boundaries of scientific frontiers. The winners will be recognised at the annual award ceremony in Singapore. The ceremony is a highlight of the Singapore International Science and Technology Festival, which will take place at Marina Bay Sands this year. The award winners are also profiled in a special supplement that will be published in Lianhe Zaobao. More information can be found at the PSTA website.