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The recession has taken a toll on economies around the world, from driving down standards of living to sending unemployment to record levels. Through it all, however, some nations' people have emerged stronger and wealthier than ever before. Is there a trend among the richest countries on the planet, and can investors benefit from these economies' gains? Compiled from data from the International Monetary Fund's 2013 estimates, here are the richest five nations among the world's 50 largest economies, sorted by GDP per capita and adjusted for purchasing-power parity. While at least one expected name makes the list, a few may surprise you.

It was revealed in court yesterday that a loss of more than $14 million was made from the production of an album for pop singer Sun Ho. Ms Ho is the wife of City Harvest Church (CHC) founder and pastor Kong Hee, who is on trial along with five other church leaders for allegedly funnelling $24 million of the church's funds into sham bond investments to further Ms Ho's career.

The family of a 29-year-old intern, who was filmed being repeatedly slapped by his boss at a software company, is demanding for $100,000 in compensation for lost wages over the years. According to Lianhe Wanbao, the intern joined the firm at Jurong East three years ago as an undergraduate. He was paid $500 a month and not given any benefits or leave days.

A fire broke out at the Traffic Police headquarters in Ubi Avenue 3 at around 1pm today (May 21). The SCDF said that a 29-year-old woman was hospitalised for smoke inhalation and nine motorcycles were damaged during the blaze. TRS reader Diana saw the blaze and said that loud sounds could be heard at the scene. An SCDF spokesperson said: "The SCDF received a call at 1pm today, informing of a fire at the Traffic Police station.

Looks like the CPIB did the trick. More accurately, the mention of the “CPIB” did the trick. The childish bickering between the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the Workers’ Party (WP) was becoming a national embarrassment. It was not unlike quarrelling children at a playground pointing fingers and making funny faces at each other. So, it was good that Ms Lim stopped the unbecoming behaviour in its aimless track when she challenged the PAP to report the WP to the CPIB for any transgressions the PAP might think the WP was guilty of. The PAP has since not said a word in reply. In fact, the PAP has not responded at all.

As the AIM-PAP saga refused to die, the People's Action Party (PAP) has now decided to go for a different tack. Coordinating chairman of the PAP's Town Councils, Teo Ho Pin has claimed that there is a "questionably close relationship" between the WP and FM Solutions and Services (FMSS), its managing agent for Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC). As they say the best defense is a good offense, and the PAP is taking that to heart as they are trying to turn the tables on the Worker's Party (WP).

The government’s recent cooling measures to moderate property prices are still not enough, according to 60 percent of the 662 online respondents in PropertyGuru’s latest Property Sentiment Survey for the second quarter of 2012. This is 13 percent higher than the 47 percent recorded previously in Q1. There was some good news though. The Property Affordability Sentiment Index (ASI) was up at 87 from 80 in the previous quarter, reflecting a ‘cooling off’ from the sky-high prices seen since Q2 2012.

The Todd family stormed out of the court room after their request for an adjournment for time to examine the evidence provided by a state’s witness was rejected this afternoon. The witness, Luis Alejandro Andro Montes, is Dr Todd’s former colleague and was the last person to see him on the night of June 23. Dr Todd was found hanging in his apartment in June 24 in an apparent suicide.

Once upon a time, the operator of each food stall cleared and cleaned the bowls and plates after his or her customers finished their meals. Foods ordered were carried to the customers. Many years later, the government said, centralised and out-sourced both the clearing and washing operations of all crockery and eating utensils. The result was either customers paid more for their foods or stall operators suffered a cut in their profit margins. Customers ordered and carried their foods themselves – self service, they called it.