The Numbers Game by Alexandra Parada

A British woman was awarded $50,000 after being compared to Darth Vader at work.

And what was meant as a fun, Star Wars-themed team quiz turned into a serious HR issue.

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In 1920, Charles Ponzi pulled off one of the most infamous financial scams in history by promising massive returns through a fake investment scheme.

His name would go on to define the “Ponzi scheme,” a fraud that still traps investors today.

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In 2008, Lehman Brothers filed the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history, triggering a global financial crisis.

The investment bank's downfall was fueled by risky bets on subprime mortgages and excessive leverage.

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In 1980, the Hunt brothers tried to corner the silver market, driving prices up nearly tenfold.

Their plan collapsed on Silver Thursday, triggering massive losses and a historic market crash.

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In February last year, Donald Trump launched a gold high-top sneaker called the “Never Surrender.”

Retailing at $399, one autographed pair sold for a staggering $9,000, proving that in politics and sneakers, hype can carry a lot of sole.

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The TIME 100 is an annual list published by TIME magazine, featuring the 100 most influential people in the world.

It includes leaders, artists, thinkers, and icons who have shaped global conversations.

The list also highlights both positive and controversial figures based on their impact.

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A Japanese man, known as Toco, spent nearly $20,000 to live out a unique and surprising fantasy - becoming a dog.

With a lifelike rough collie costume and a cage to sleep in, Toco embraced the life of his favorite breed, experiencing everything from belly rubs to walks on a leash.

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Would you pay $5 million for a private dinner with President Donald Trump?

At Mar-a-Lago, that’s exactly what some of the world’s wealthiest business leaders are doing - exchanging staggering sums for face time with Donald Trump.

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Shoji Morimoto, known as the "rental do-nothing guy," is getting paid $80,000 to do absolutely nothing.

Once fired for lacking initiative, he turned doing "nothing" into a lucrative career. 

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Would you pay $8,600 for a single scoop of ice cream?

That’s the price of Byakuya, Japan’s record-breaking dessert crafted with rare white truffle, gold leaf, and sake lees.

Extravagant or excessive? You decide.

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Rhine II sold for $4.3 million in 2011, becoming the most expensive photograph ever auctioned back then.

A digitally altered image of a grey river under a grey sky, Rhine II stripped everything down, from people, buildings, distractions, to nothing.

And behind the minimalism lies a deeper debate about value, art, and what makes a photo worth millions.

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A substance so rare and unstable that just one gram could cost 84 trillion dollars.

Known as antimatter, it's the most expensive material on Earth, capable of releasing unimaginable energy and disappearing in an instant.

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Born in 2004, the first-time voters of GE2025 represent a new generation stepping into Singapore’s democratic process.

As they head to the polls for the first time, their voices will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the nation.

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Singapore’s Parliament is growing from 93 to 97 seats for GE2025.

The addition of 4 seats makes this election more dynamic, as political parties vie for control in a shifting political landscape.

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6 new Single-Member Constituencies (SMCs) and 5 new Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) have been introduced, bringing the total number of new constituencies to 11 for GE2025.

These changes are a response to growing populations and new developments, impacting 22 constituencies across Singapore.

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Since 1991, Hougang has been a stronghold for the opposition, with the Workers' Party maintaining control through fierce contests and a deep connection to its residents.

A symbol of political resistance, Hougang continues to be a key battleground, where new faces and familiar names vie for the trust of voters in an ever-evolving political landscape.

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The $13,500 election deposit is a key part of Singapore’s electoral system, required from every candidate seeking to contest in a General Election.

This deposit is designed to ensure that only serious contenders step forward, with candidates needing to secure at least 12.5 percent of the vote to keep it, and if they fail, the deposit is forfeited.

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