Thursday #sgroundup: Singapore Archbishop apologises for any *insensitivity* to gay Catholics

By Jeanette Tan | What's buzzing? – 

Here are the top trending stories for today in case you missed them:

Singapore Archbishop apologises for any 'insensitivity' to gay Catholics

Archbishop William Goh, the head of the Catholic Church here, at his episcopal ordination earlier this year. (Photo …

Archbishop William Goh addressed homosexual Catholics in a letter on Thursday, apologising for any "insensitivity" conveyed in his statement last month on same-sex relationships.
 
He stressed that he is "not at liberty to change" the stance of the universal church, which he continues to answer to, and that "a sexual relationship between same-sex individuals… is not in accordance with the divine plan of God".
 
He did say, though, that the Catholic Church "does not disapprove of a loving relationship between same-sex individuals that is chaste and faithful".

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-archbishop-writes-letter-to-gay-catholics--says-no-disapproval-of-chaste-same-sex-relationships-050522421.html

Will Singapore relax housing curbs soon?

Private housing in Singapore. (Yahoo file photo)

As the slowdown in Singapore's housing market deepens, investors are questioning when the government may relax its anti-speculation curbs.

Private residential prices in the city-state dipped 1.1 percent on quarter in the April-to-June period, according to a flash estimate released by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Tuesday, marking three consecutive quarters of falling prices. Prices fell 1.3 percent and 0.9 percent in the previous two quarters.

And a host of factors including increased supply, rising mortgage rates and a weak rental market are expected to push property prices lower over the course of 2014-2015.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-relax-housing-curbs-soon-232351301.html

Singapore says more overseas criminals seek bank accounts

As someone who's been fortunate enough to have a foot in two rather different worlds – the local startup ecosystem …

Singapore prosecuted a record number of money laundering cases and seized more than S$115 million ($92 million) of suspected criminal proceeds in 2013 as more overseas offenders seek out bank accounts in the city.

"Singapore's openness as an international transport hub and financial center exposes it to cross-border money-laundering and terrorist financing risks," Tan Boon Gin, director of the Commercial Affairs Department, said in the agency's annual report posted on its website. "We are seeing a trend of overseas criminals seeking to launder money through Singapore bank accounts."

The city's white-collar police has tripled its financial investigation resources with an increase in suspicious transaction reports and aid requests from overseas enforcement agencies. Organized crime groups are getting more sophisticated and taking advantage of opportunities as Singapore's financial industry expands, the agency said.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-says-more-overseas-criminals-031613689.html

Washington to tighten security for US-bound flights

US authorities plan to bolster security at some airports in Europe and the Middle East with direct flights to the …

US authorities plan to bolster security at some airports in Europe and the Middle East with direct flights to the United States, officials said.

Amid concern terror groups are developing new explosives to circumvent airport security, US Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced unspecified steps that would be carried out in "the coming days," without saying which airports would be affected.

"We are sharing recent and relevant information with our foreign allies and are consulting the aviation industry," Johnson said in a statement.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/washington-tighten-security-us-bound-flights-025827775.html

Analysis: Purge displays Chinese leader's ambition

In this photo taken, Friday, June 27, 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping walks near a guard of honor at a welcome …

The ouster of one of China's top military figures reflects Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's determination to impose his personal authority far more ambitiously than his recent predecessors.

Since being appointed party leader in late 2012, Xi has moved aggressively to make his personal stamp with campaigns against graft and official waste and by waging an offensive against liberal, Western ideas. Party and government officials and managers of state companies have fallen. Advocates for official transparency and a fairer society have been jailed.

In possibly his boldest move so far, Xi struck Monday at the core of the military elite when the ruling party expelled Xu Caihou (Shoo Tseye-hoh) a retired general who had been deputy chairman of its Central Military Commission, which controls the Chinese military. He will face charges of taking money and property in exchange for promotions and other favors.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/analysis-purge-displays-chinese-leaders-ambition-025307664.html

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/what-is-buzzing/thursday--sgroundup--singapore-archbishop-apologises-for-any--insensitivity--to-gay-catholics-094925909.html