Starbucks Singapore has been told by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) to remove or amend signs referring to its supposed transition towards halal certification, following a notice displayed at its Parkland Green outlet.In a statement on Thursday (May 14), a Muis spokesperson said it has not received any halal certification application from the coffee chain to date.«Muis takes a serious view of this matter. Any reference to halal certification status, preparations towards halal certification, or an ongoing halal application process prior to halal certification approval is strictly not permitted,» said the spokesperson.Such representations can mislead the public and may constitute a breach of Muis halal certification conditions, the spokesperson added.The coffee chain has also been instructed to cease all unauthorised references to halal certification status or application progress across all public-facing communications and materials, and to review and rectify all related content, including social media and in-store materials.

A photograph showing 16 seats «choped» at Punggol Coast Hawker Centre, close to lunch hour on Thursday (May 14), has sparked a growing discussion on social media on the uniquely Singaporean «culture».The use of personal items such as tissue packets to reserve, or «chope» a table or seat while one goes to buy food is a long-standing but contentious cultural norm here.From time to time, such occurrences would creep up in discussions on social media or chat groups.And it seems the culture is not confined to Singapore, with food court patrons in Japan known to have a similar practice.Some foreign visitors, perhaps noting Singapore's reputation as a safe city for tourists, have even used iPhones to «chope» seats at a cafe. 

Be very wary if you've received WhatsApp messages or emails inviting you to virtual meetings or even contribute to «urgent funding assistance» sought by the prime minister.Earlier on May 6, the police had alerted the public of a scam variant where victims were convinced to sign a «non-disclosure agreement» (NDA) — before meeting virtually with senior government officials, including the president or ministers.A man, who had prior interactions with government officials, has now become the latest victim of this scam variant.He lost at least $4.9 million after believing that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had sought his help, through Secretary to the Cabinet Wong Hong Kuan, to provide «urgent funding assistance» relating to the situation at the Strait of Hormuz.Modus operandi: 'Highly sensitive and controlled' matter Screenshots of WhatsApp messages and an email received by the victim show the scammer claiming to be acting on the instruction of the Prime Minister's Office. 

Those working or living in the central region and downtown core can soon look forward to greater accessibility and convenience when the Circle Line Stage 6 opens on July 12.The three new stations — Keppel, Cantonment and Prince Edward Road MRT stations — will hold a public preview from 9.30am to 9pm on July 4. Speaking to the media at the LaSalle Graduate Fashion Show 2026 held at Cantonment MRT station on Thursday (May 14), Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow said Circle Line 6 is now undergoing final systems testing and integration after several years of construction.«We've come a full circle now,» he said, encouraging commuters to experience the new MRT stations and ride for free during the preview.3 things about the 3 new stationsIn a news release on Thursday, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) highlighted that all three stations are designed for commuter convenience and accessibility. This includes: barrier-free access, lifts, escalators, and tactile guidance systems to key touchpoints.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is considering the use of weaponised unmanned systems (WUS) such as armed drones to give its officers a leg up during special operations.«The intent is to help officers maintain a tactical advantage with higher sensemaking, speed and/or surprise and response capabilities, that would in turn enhance mission success and the safety of both members of the public and officers during high-risk tactical operations,» said the police in a factsheet on Thursday (May 14).Possible examples where armed drones could be used include boarding hostile vessels or dealing with armed perpetrators in a barricaded building, said the police. These operations are currently undertaken by the Police Coast Guard's (PCG) Special Task Squadron and the Special Tactics and Rescue Unit of the Special Operations Command. 

A 36-year-old Singaporean man was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint on Labour Day (May 1) for attempting to smuggle e-vaporisers and duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore.In a social media post on Thursday (May 14), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the car driven by the man — a Mercedes E-Class — was directed for enhanced checks.During the checks, search and examination officers found more than 20 e-vaporisers and related components concealed in a black plastic bag.A further search of the Singapore-registered car uncovered more than five cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the passenger seat and car boot.

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) has made a report to the National Parks Board (NParks) after pest control personnel were seen rough handling a wild rooster.Acres uploaded footage of the alleged mishandling in a Facebook post on Wednesday (May 13), showing two pest control personnel catching a wild rooster and trapping it in what appears to be a burlap sack.In the 22-second video, one man is seen repeatedly tugging the rooster while it appears entangled in netting. He proceeds to hold it by a single wing and place the rooster into a gunny sack.The staff is also seen flinging the sack into the back of a van towards the end of the video.«While members of the public may view chickens as »pests« or a nuisance in residential areas, it is important to remember that they are still living, sentient animals capable of experiencing stress, fear, pain and injury,» Acres said.The association highlighted that proper handling is «not optional», even if an animal is to be removed or culled.Acres wrote: «Humane handling standards exist to minimise unnecessary suffering throughout the process.»

After his father was injured in a crash along the Tampines Expressway (TPE) on May 3, a man took to Facebook to thank the strangers who stopped to help and ensured that he received medical attention.The 71-year-old was involved in a traffic accident along the TPE towards Seletar Expressway (SLE) when another vehicle crashed into the van he was driving. Expressing his gratitude in that Facebook post on Wednesday (May 13), Lee wrote: «He was hurt. He couldn’t reach for his phone to call for help. He couldn’t tell anyone where he was, or that his children needed to know.» A group of motorcyclists then pulled over and called an ambulance. One rider, Chris, called Lee's sister, who then contacted Lee. Lee, who was in Malaysia at the time then subsequently made his way to the hospital his dad was in, adding that Chris' help in speaking to his father and taking photos of the incident reassured him that his dad, while injured, was «being looked after». 

Two Singaporean men accused of corruption offences involving priority cargo handling at Keppel Distripark were charged in court on Thursday (May 14).Puchikarupiah Tamil Selvan, 56, is said to have received bribes on more than 10 occasions from 38-year-old Suresh Nagaraj, a director at logistics transport company Islandwide Truckers.The 56-year-old, who works as a forklift driver at Hup Soon Cheong Services, allegedly received gratifications totalling about $170 from Suresh. This was allegedly given to Tamil as a reward for prioritising the unloading of cargoes from Suresh's lorry, despite there being other lorry drivers in the queue, thereby advancing Suresh's business interests.In a news release on Thursday, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said the duo each faces three charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.«Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption,» CPIB said.A person convicted of corruption can be jailed for up to five years, or fined up to $100,000, or both.[[nid:735773]]editor@asiaone.com 

A female Chinese national accused of offering a $100 bribe to a Health Sciences Authority (HSA) officer was charged in court on Thursday (May 14).Wang Siling, 35, is said to have offered the bribe to a HSA investigation officer in exchange for his help to refrain from taking enforcement action against her and her husband. She is on a social visit pass to Singapore.They had allegedly imported unregistered medical devices for exhibition purposes at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, while on a social visit pass here.The offence allegedly took place on April 22 this year.In a news release on Thursday, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said the HSA officer rejected the bribe and referred the matter to them.«Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption,» CPIB said.A person convicted of corruption can be jailed for up to five years, or fined up to $100,000, or both.[[nid:731116]]editor@asiaone.com

Businesses in Singapore should look towards giving back to their communities, and VolunteerInc is a new programme that will allow them to do so in a more targeted manner, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo.Neo, who co-chairs the Economic Strategy Review (ESR) committee on human capital, launched VolunteerInc and encouraged businesses to look beyond workforce development on the second day of the Singapore Business Federation's (SBF) Future Economy Conference on Thursday (May 14).VolunteerInc is SBF's corporate volunteering programme, established through a strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and enabled by the SBF Foundation. This programme will help companies to design, start and sustain meaningful corporate volunteering through a structured framework in an «easier and more impactful» way.«VolunteerInc will reduce these constraints by connecting businesses with suitable volunteer opportunities tailored to their size, interests, and capabilities,» he said, highlighting Cook Medical as a business that has benefitted from the programme's volunteer matching.

Several taxi drivers in Malaysia have raised concerns about the growing number of passengers attempting to use cross-border rides to smuggle contraband and other illegal items into Singapore.The New Straits Times (NST) reported on Wednesday (May 13) that some of these drivers felt helpless over their limited ability to intervene and the loss of income while being held in detention, despite knowing they would eventually be released.On April 3, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) arrested a 28-year-old Singaporean passenger after officers found 26 packets of contraband cigarettes and 40 vapes in the taxi driven by a 70-year-old Malaysian driver.The Malaysian man, with two passengers aged 28 and 72, was profiled and directed for enhanced checks. He was reportedly released later.Speaking to NST, 56-year-old Siew Toh, who frequently ferries passengers across the Causeway, said: «We don't have any law that allows us to check passengers' bags. We just drive.»

Following a pregnant commuter's disappointment at not being offered a seat on the train, one man has suggested a more «fundamental shift» in public transport campaigns.While he agrees that the current system of fixed priority seats are well-intentioned, Stomp contributor Henry believes this «inadvertently creates a psychological bystander effect».Citing the pregnant commuter's experience, Henry said what bothered him was not just younger, able-bodied commuters refusing to give up priority seats, but passengers on other «non-priority» seats also not doing the same.«By labelling specific seats, we signal that all other seats are exempt from the expectations of basic civic courtesy,» said Henry, who is in his 50s.In his view, this leads to able-bodied passengers remaining glued to their devices, «secure in the knowledge that they are not seated beneath a priority sticker».The Stomp contributor recalled an incident in which a seemingly able-bodied man on a priority seat was engrossed with his phone and did not give up his seat to an elderly commuter in front of him. Henry beckoned the elderly man to take his «non-priority seat».

A total of 118 non-compliant active mobility devices were impounded islandwide in April by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).Meanwhile, 369 active mobility offences were detected during the same month.In a Facebook post on Wednesday (May 13), LTA said its officers also conducted a three-day joint operation in April with the Bedok Police Division, targeting errant cyclists and device users at various hotspots in the east. The authority also reminded members of the public that from June, keeping non-UL2272 certified personal mobility devices will be an offence. First-time offenders face a fine of up to $2,000 and/or three months' jail. UL2272 is a fire safety standard that tests for fire and electrical hazards in batteries and chargers.Members of the public who encounter errant active mobility users can report them online at go.gov.sg/report-am. 

A nice lie-down may be tempting amid the lethargy accumulated in life — but doing so in the middle of a road is probably not the best idea.A man with an arm in a cast was seen lying flat in the middle of Grange Road as he stared at an oncoming vehicle, according to a video uploaded to SG Road Vigilante on Facebook on Tuesday (May 12).In the video, the man is seen standing in the middle of a lane along Grange Road with his left arm in a cast.A car gradually nears him, travelling down the road, but the man does not budge.The vehicle slows to a standstill in front of the man, who, after a brief stare-down with the car, then drops to the ground, lying face up.He continues to maintain eye contact with the car for a few seconds, before getting back to his feet and walking back to the pedestrian path.As the car slowly sets off again, the man begins walking towards it, stepping off the footpath.Noticing this, the driver stops the vehicle once more as the man cuts across the road, obstructing the car before walking off screen.

A man was caught urinating in a car park at a shopping mall in Rochor, sparking criticism online over public hygiene.A video of the incident, shared on Facebook on Wednesday (May 6), shows the man wearing a yellow shirt and black cap exiting a grey van in the car park, lightly hitting the car parked to the right of the van with his door.He then proceeds to relieve himself while periodically looking around to check his surroundings.According to the post, the incident is believed to have occurred on May 4 at around 5.46pm at Fu Lu Shou Complex. Based on the address displayed on the van, the man is believed to be employed by Joo Huat Trading, which sells dried goods and is located at the mall.Responding to queries from AsiaOne, a spokesperson for Joo Huat Trading said the company is aware of the incident and is looking into the matter.«We understand that this is an inappropriate action and serious matter», the representative said.In the comments section, several netizens condemned the man for his lack of consideration and poor hygiene, while others urged the company to hold the driver accountable.

Three men, aged between 56 and 62, will be charged in court between Thursday (May 14) and June 4, for their suspected involvement in using deregistered vehicles in separate cases.In a news release on Wednesday, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the enforcement actions are part of its continued efforts to crack down on offences involving deregistered vehicles.It added that since the January this year, 122 cases have been investigated, while a total of 55 vehicles were seized. The first case involves a 56-year-old Singaporean man who allegedly abetted the use of deregistered vehicles, exhibited forged identification marks, and permitted the use of unlicensed and uninsured vehicles. He will be charged on Thursday.

Six Bangladeshi nationals were arrested by Singapore Customs officers following an enforcement operation in Choa Chu Kang on April 30. Officers also seized 3,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes, about 17g of drugs including Ice and cannabis, and a locally registered van.The total duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded amounted to about $453,965, said Singapore Customs in a media release on Wednesday (May 13).Acting on a tip-off, officers had conducted checks on the public utilities room of a multi-storey car park in the vicinity of Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1.They found 2,700 cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden within and among packages labelled as dog food, along with drugs and drug utensils.Five men, aged 25 to 42, who were inside the room were arrested. A vehicle key found on one of the men led officers to a van parked nearby. Inside, officers found 800 more cartons of contraband cigarettes. The sixth man, aged 29, was arrested nearby in connected to the case.

Almost 40 per cent of Singaporeans believe the country will slip into a recession in six months' time, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.The findings from global market research firm YouGov, released on Tuesday (May 12), mark a sharp rise from Feb 2 — 26 days before the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran — when only 19 per cent of Singaporeans said they believe the country would fall into a recession within the next six months.In its latest tranche of the monthly Singapore Consumer Sentiment Tracker, which polled 1,000 Singaporeans on April 15, just 15 per cent of respondents felt Singapore will experience economic growth; 20 per cent said the economy will remain stable and unchanged, while 25 per cent said they don't know or can't tell. The proportion of respondents who felt Singapore will undergo a recession was 39 per cent, up from just 18 per cent of those polled on Jan 30.Commenting about the survey, which highlights public confidence and consumer spending in Singapore, YouGov said: «Sentiment has steadily declined since the onset of the current geopolitical conflict in late February.»

SINGAPORE — PropertyLimBrothers (PLB) co-founder Adrian Lim has returned to PropNex Realty, where he started his career in real estate, four months after PLB was hit by a controversy that saw two of its leaders quit amid allegations of an extramarital affair.PropNex told The Straits Times on May 13 that 22 salespersons from PLB have joined the agency, while another 15 are set to follow suit, pending approval from the Council for Estate Agencies.Mr Lim, who is senior associate group district director at PropNex, will be leading a team that includes those who chose to join him from PLB.While he is still a PLB shareholder, he is not holding any positions or directorship in the company.He said that returning to PropNex, where his practice was originally built over 12 years, would give his team «scale, infrastructure and reach».«To the clients we have served, those we are serving, and those who are choosing to walk with us into this next chapter: Thank you. The continuity of your work with my team is the priority,» said Mr Lim.

A total of 473 people screened for tuberculosis in Bedok have tested positive for the bacteria, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Wednesday (May 13).They make up 14.9 per cent of the 3,169 people who underwent blood tests by the CDA, which said in a statement that the positivity rate is «within expectations».Those who have tested positive will receive a phone call from the agency to arrange for a chest X-ray appointment, which will determine if they have active TB or latent TB infection (LTBI).LTBI refers to when a small number of inactive TB bacteria is present in one's body. Patients are not sick, but have a chance of contracting the disease if the bacteria becomes active.CDA stressed on Wednesday that a positive blood test result does not mean that a person has the active disease.«The vast majority of these individuals are expected to have LTBI, which means they do not exhibit symptoms of TB, are not infectious, and therefore do not pose a public health risk,» it said.

If you were in vicinity of the National University of Singapore (NUS) or the National University Hospital (NUH) on Wednesday (May 13) morning and saw a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) helicopter landing at NUS' multi-purpose field, don't worry —no one was injured.The RSAF CH-47 Chinook helicopter's landing was part of a medical evacuation exercise involving the air force, NUH and NUS.Earlier on May 7, campus authorities, in an email seen by AsiaOne, had informed students of the «controlled helicopter test landing». «This exercise is part of the efforts to validate ground safety measures and procedures to support time-critical medical evacuations to NUH,» campus authorities explained in their email.The helicopter came into view just after 10am, and landed uneventfully — amidst heavy rain — at about 10.05am 

A woman who stole 19 bottles of wine from a Sheng Siong outlet pleaded guilty to an amalgamated charge of theft and was sentenced to eight days' jail on Tuesday (May 12).An amalgamated charge is a combined charge consisting multiple instances of similar offences put into a single charge, which can result in heavier penalties.Catherine Tan Li Eng, 51, a salesperson, was flagged by the supermarket's facial recognition system after she had committed theft across seven separate occasions between Sept 2 and Sept 11 last year.She had frequented the outlet at 622D Punggol Central and stole 19 bottles of Jacob's Creek wine, with price ranging from $28.52 to $85.56.In total, they were valued at more than $555, according to the charge sheet.Sheng Siong discovered the theft following an inventory check on Sept 10, 2025. Staff then reviewed security camera footage and saw Tan leave the outlet without paying for bottles that she put in a reusable bag, The Straits Times reported.She had used the self-checkout kiosk to scan items of less value, but did not scan the bottles, CNA reported.

SINGAPORE — A former chief of air force who is accused of colliding with a stroller in May 2024 while driving a car without considering other road users has had his case adjourned to Thursday (May 14).Goh Yong Siang, 74, appeared in a district court on May 13. A search with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority reveals that he is a director at Temasek Management Services.Temasek Management Services' website states that he is its chairman and that he was a fighter pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force.He retired as the chief of air force in 1998.According to the same website: «He then joined private equity firm Beta Capital Group in Dallas, Texas, until 2005. In 2006, he joined Temasek International as a senior managing director until 2013.»Goh was driving a car when it allegedly hit a woman pushing a stroller at a signalised pedestrian crossing in Pasir Panjang Road, causing hurt to a two-year-old boy.The woman, who was crossing the road when the green man signal was on, was also injured in the accident, but court documents did not disclose details about her injuries or those of the boy.

Singapore needs to create new opportunities for itself while leveraging on existing strengths to build resilience amid an increasingly fragmented world, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.Speaking at the Singapore Business Federation's Future Economy Conference on Wednesday (May 13), DPM Gan highlighted several ways that Singapore can sustain economic growth and stay globally competitive over the longer term, in line with the release of the Economic Strategy Review's (ESR) final recommendations today.The ESR's final recommendations build on their mid-term update in January and are a culmination of engagements by five committees — targeting global competitiveness, technology and innovation, entrepreneurship, human capital and managing the impact of restructuring — which began in August last year.

Even as the rule of law has helped keep Singapore trusted in an increasingly turbulent and uncertain world, it must be adapted and strengthened to remain relevant for the challenges ahead, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday (April 13). He made these points at the SGLaw 200 Youth Forum held at the Singapore Management University's Yong Pung How School of Law on Wednesday morning.Organised jointly by the Ministry of Law and the Institute of Policy Studies, the forum — held as part of activities to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Singapore's legal system —  is intended to spotlight the role of youths in shaping the future of the rule of law. In his opening address, PM Wong asked participants to consider the meaning of the rule of law and how it plays out in real life.Citing 17th-century French philosopher Blaise Pascal, who once said that justice without force is powerless, while force without justice is tyrannical, the prime minister pointed out that the rule of law is not merely about order or efficiency, but also, legitimacy.

The fees that government agencies have been collecting from the public are legal and proper, the Ministry of National Development (MND) has said.In a Facebook post on Tuesday (May 12), the ministry said the charges such as expediting temporary occupation permit inspections by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and processing resale flat applications by HDB were publicly known and properly administered to recover at cost the services provided.The other charges include expedited processing of certain licences and permits, fees for species certification by the National Parks Board (NParks), as well as the recovery of expenses by HDB and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for illegally parked vehicles.MND pointed out that a new law passed in Parliament last week is meant to put the legal position beyond doubt and set out the fees and charges more explicitly in legislation. «This aligns our laws with long-standing practices and provides greater clarity, transparency and certainty for future transactions,» the ministry added.

A 37-year-old man will be charged in court on Wednesday (May 13) for allegedly making more than 1,035 silent calls to police hotlines in April this year.In a news release on Tuesday night, police said the man made multiple silent calls to several Neighbourhood Police Centres between April 21 and 28, adding that he took «elaborate measures» to conceal his identity, including using a foreign number to make the calls, while remaining silent.Officers from Woodlands Police Division identified and arrested him on May 11 following extensive ground enquiries.If found guilty of obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions, he could be jailed for up to six months, fined up to $2,500, or both.The offence of transacting a SIM card registered using another person's personal information for criminal activity carries a fine of up to $10,000, jail of up to three years, or both.Police warned that they take a serious view of those who make false or silent calls to police hotlines to obstruct officers in carrying out their duties.They added that no effort will be spared to trace and prosecute such callers in court where necessary.

A multi-vehicle accident involving a trailer and three lorries on the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) towards Tuas on Monday (May 11) night left 17 people injured, including three persons who were trapped.The accident happened at about 9.25pm before the Corporation Road exit. Videos of the accident show a 14-foot lorry rear-ended by a lorry crane. Another lorry was stopped ahead of the two heavy vehicles, with a mangled canopy lying on the road shoulder.Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel were seen climbing into the 14-lorry to reach someone trapped in the cabin. The lorry's door also appear to have been pried open.Meanwhile, a trailer was stopped about three-car lengths ahead of the three lorries. At least one SCDF fire engine, one light fire attack vehicle, one rescue tender and at least one ambulance were seen at the scene.In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police and SCDF said 17 persons, aged between 31 and 50, were taken conscious to two hospitals — six to the National University Hospital, while another 11 persons to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.Police investigations are ongoing.[[nid:735648]]

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) arrested a 17-year-old male teenager for alleged repeat etomidate use and fined three others for vaping-related offences during a joint enforcement operation with the police in Punggol on April 30.In a news release on Wednesday (May 13), HSA said the operation was part of its ongoing enforcement patrols to detect vaping-related offences. Three persons, aged between 11 and 29, comprising two males and one female, were caught and fined for vaping. PHOTO: HSA HSA said its officers caught and fined the trio, comprising two male and one female, for vaping. The youngest is a 11-year-old, with the oldest being 29 years old.The authority said the arrested 17-year-old later tested positive for etomidate.

Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan on Monday (May 11) spoke to his Iranian counterpart Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and discussed the long-term future of the Strait of Hormuz.In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Dr Balakrishnan, who is in on a three-day working visit to Indonesia till Wednesday, said he had a «good candid exchange of views» with Iran's foreign minister.«We shared our views on the long-term future of the Strait of Hormuz. »Singapore's consistent position is that all states should enjoy unimpeded right of transit passage through the straits used for international navigation as set forth by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and customary international law," he added.Dr Balakrishnan also shared Singapore's view that full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is critical to regional stability, global energy security and international trade.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Balakrishnan on Tuesday (May 12) expressed Singapore's «deepest appreciation» to Indonesian search-and-rescue personnel for taking «significant risks» during their mission to rescue 20 hikers, including Singaporeans, after the eruption of Mount Dukono on May 8.The search-and-rescue mission later evolved to become a recovery operation after local authorities confirmed that three people had died — an Indonesian woman and two Singaporeans. Timothy Heng, 30, and Shahin Muhrez Abdul Hamid, 27, were found near the summit on Sunday, with their remains recovered the same day.

Six people were taken to hospital after an accident involving three lorries and a motorcycle along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) on Tuesday (May 12) morning.  Videos of the aftermath shared on social media showed a traffic jam building up. At least three lorries were involved in the accident, with two Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) fire engines at the scene.Police officers and SCDF firefighters were also present. 

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers had to «pull apart» a modified Malaysia-registered lorry during an enhanced check at Tuas Checkpoint on April 29.In a video posted on its social media, ICA officers are seen pulling out partitions from the lorry's rear cargo box. The video also shows what appears to be the modified floorboard being taken apart. As the modified compartments were dismantled, cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes could be seen concealed within them.ICA said its search and examination officers found more than 2,400 cartons and 40 packets of contraband cigarettes.The border authority added that the 49-year-old male Malaysian driver was arrested and the case has been referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigation. 

More than 500 scam attempts were disrupted during a two-month-long joint operation between the police and five banks, preventing potential losses of over $37 million.Police said in a news release on Tuesday (May 12) that they partnered with five banks — DBS, GXS, OCBC, Standard Chartered Bank and UOB — for the operation which began on March 1.This is immediately after it completed another two-month-long operation on Feb 28, disrupting over 300 scam attempts and preventing potential losses of over $24 million.Similar to the earlier operation, the police utilised robotic process automation (RPA) for upstream detection of potential victims.RPA is the technology that enables computer software to emulate and integrate actions typically performed by humans interacting with digital systems. In this instance, the use of RPA allowed them to streamline information exchange, thereby enabling the police to swiftly reach out to potential scam victims through SMS alerts.