Singapore



Certis to cease tracking live location of officers on sick leave, says union

Security company Certis has agreed to roll back its latest mandate that required employees on sick leave to share their live location if they are not at home, following discussions with the Union of Security Employees (USE).«Certis, which is unionised u
Singapore

Certis to cease tracking live location of officers on sick leave, says union

Security company Certis has agreed to roll back its latest mandate that required employees on sick leave to share their live location if they are not at home, following discussions with the Union of Security Employees (USE).«Certis, which is unionised under USE, has agreed to do so, and there will be no location tracking of officers on medical leave,» it said in a statement on Tuesday (July 1). USE, an affiliate of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said that the decision comes after a meeting with Certis management.The union also said that officers should use their medical leave to rest, and that they «do not condone any abuse of medical leave as such behaviour undermines trust and affects the wellbeing of the fellow officers».

Man climbs onto car after catching wife naked with lover in Sengkang; falls after latter drives off

A man who caught his wife naked with another man in the latter's car climbed onto the vehicle's bonnet in a desperate bid to stop them from leaving.But he fell and sustained injuries, after the man stepped on the accelerator to drive off.The purported lover,
Singapore

Man climbs onto car after catching wife naked with lover in Sengkang; falls after latter drives off

A man who caught his wife naked with another man in the latter's car climbed onto the vehicle's bonnet in a desperate bid to stop them from leaving.But he fell and sustained injuries, after the man stepped on the accelerator to drive off.The purported lover, Chia Hiok Seah, was taken to court on Tuesday (July 1) for the offences of causing hurt through a rash act and appearing nude in a public place, reported Shin Min Daily News.According to court documents seen by AsiaOne, the incident occurred at about 2.13am on June 29, 2024, at the multi-storey car park Block 278 Compassvale Bow.Chia, 50, is accused of causing hurt to victim Goh Yong Sern by driving while Goh was on the front bonnet, causing him to fall to the ground.This resulted in Goh suffering injuries including a facial laceration, puncture wound on his face, abrasions over his hand and knee and a scratch on his chest, the documents stated.Chia was also handed a second charge of appearing nude in the car park while being in the vehicle.

'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26

SINGAPORE — Few had expected Samuel Lim Hong Xiang to survive after his grandmother's domestic helper poured acid down his throat when he was just three months old.But Lim defied every medical prognosis and lived on.Despite severe damage to his vocal cords
Singapore

'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26

SINGAPORE — Few had expected Samuel Lim Hong Xiang to survive after his grandmother's domestic helper poured acid down his throat when he was just three months old.But Lim defied every medical prognosis and lived on.Despite severe damage to his vocal cords and tongue, Lim graduated with a master's degree in speech pathology from the University of Melbourne and, earlier in 2025, fulfilled his dream of becoming a speech and language therapist at Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities.But in June, barely five months into the job, Lim was diagnosed with nose cancer. He died on June 28 at the age of 26.Lim leaves his parents, Lim Boon Keong and Madam Tan Poh Ling, both in their early 50s, a 20-year-old sister and a 23-year-old brother.«We were told he had stage 4 cancer,» Lim's father told The Straits Times.«But in his final week, he looked fine. He said he didn't feel any pain. He wanted to live.»Madam Tan said that despite the diagnosis, Lim remained hopeful. He had received his first chemotherapy treatment three days before his death and had expressed his hope to return to work.

Expect warm, humid nights till mid-July, temperatures to hit 34 deg C

Warm and humid nights are expected to hit Singapore in the first two weeks of July due to prevailing south-west monsoon conditions, with winds blowing mainly from the south-east or south-west, said the Meteorological service Singapore (MSS) on Tuesday (July 1
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Expect warm, humid nights till mid-July, temperatures to hit 34 deg C

Warm and humid nights are expected to hit Singapore in the first two weeks of July due to prevailing south-west monsoon conditions, with winds blowing mainly from the south-east or south-west, said the Meteorological service Singapore (MSS) on Tuesday (July 1).During this period, the daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days and slightly exceed 34 degrees Celsius on a few days, it stated.Some nights may also be warm and humid, with temperatures staying above 28 degrees Celsius.Short-duration thundery showers are also expected over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on most days, said the meteorological service. In addition, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds in the pre-dawn and morning hours on a few days.Despite the expected rainfall, MSS forecasts that total rainfall for the first half of July will be near average across most parts of the island.

'Tied up in a knot': Ong Ye Kung concerned over state of private insurance and private healthcare

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has expressed concern over the state of private insurance and private healthcare and its unsustainability, stating how insurers and hospitals have gotten «tied up in a knot».He added that the Ministry of Health (MOH) i
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'Tied up in a knot': Ong Ye Kung concerned over state of private insurance and private healthcare

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has expressed concern over the state of private insurance and private healthcare and its unsustainability, stating how insurers and hospitals have gotten «tied up in a knot».He added that the Ministry of Health (MOH) is helping with the «untying process», according to his Facebook post on Tuesday (July 1).Ong's comments come after Great Eastern (GE) insurance group issued a notice last month that it is suspending the issuance of pre-authorisation certificates for admissions to Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital from June 17, reported CNA.Pre-authorisation certificates are taken as confirmation that the insurer has agreed to cover the patient's medical costs before treatment.Sharing MOH's view on the matter, Ong noted that he had expressed his concerns about the state of private insurance and private healthcare «for some time».

Cycling on pedestrian-only paths? You can be jailed and fined $2,000

Cyclists, non-motorised personal mobility device (PMD) and motorised PMD users will face severe penalties if they use pedestrian-only paths, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Tuesday (July 1). Motorised personal mobility devices include e-b
Singapore

Cycling on pedestrian-only paths? You can be jailed and fined $2,000

Cyclists, non-motorised personal mobility device (PMD) and motorised PMD users will face severe penalties if they use pedestrian-only paths, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Tuesday (July 1). Motorised personal mobility devices include e-bikes, while non-motorised ones include kick scooters.This follows the conversion of over 200km of footpaths adjacent to cycling paths across Singapore into pedestrian-only paths, which have been marked with pedestrian logos and «Pedestrians-Only» wordings.Paths coloured red are for cyclists, while those that remain grey are pedestrian-only.Only pedestrians and those with personal mobility aids (PMA) such as electric wheelchairs can utilise the pedestrian-only paths, presuming they stay within speed limit of 6kmh come 2026, the authority explained.At present, the speed limit for personal mobility aids remain at 10kmh.

$3b money laundering case: Singaporean jailed for lying to police about fugitive's luxury cars

SINGAPORE — The personal driver of Su Binghai — one of the fugitives in the $3 billion money laundering case — has been dealt with for lying to the police about his boss’ luxury cars worth $8.3 million.Liew Yik Kit, 42, is the first Singaporean to be
Singapore

$3b money laundering case: Singaporean jailed for lying to police about fugitive's luxury cars

SINGAPORE — The personal driver of Su Binghai — one of the fugitives in the $3 billion money laundering case — has been dealt with for lying to the police about his boss’ luxury cars worth $8.3 million.Liew Yik Kit, 42, is the first Singaporean to be convicted and sentenced in relation to Singapore’s largest money laundering case.On June 30, Liew was sentenced to three months’ jail after pleading guilty to lying to the police.Another charge of obstructing the course of justice was taken into consideration during sentencing.The $3 billion money laundering case saw 10 foreign nationals arrested in multiple islandwide raids here on Aug 15, 2023.The 10 foreigners have been jailed, deported and barred from re-entering Singapore.Su Binghai was driven by Liew out of Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint on the evening of Aug 15 — the day of the raids.The pair then stayed at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur before Liew dropped Su off at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Aug 17, 2023.Investigations revealed that before Su flew off, he instructed Liew to help him sell his four luxury cars which were parked in his home in Singapore.

Centre-mounted phone holder, enhanced pedal feel: HelloRide adds more bikes with upgraded features to Singapore fleet

Chinese bike-sharing company HelloRide will expand its fleet of bicycles from 15,000 to 20,000 starting Tuesday (July 1) after it received approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA). According to HelloRide's website, the increased fleet size will a
Singapore

Centre-mounted phone holder, enhanced pedal feel: HelloRide adds more bikes with upgraded features to Singapore fleet

Chinese bike-sharing company HelloRide will expand its fleet of bicycles from 15,000 to 20,000 starting Tuesday (July 1) after it received approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA). According to HelloRide's website, the increased fleet size will allow it to serve more users during peak hours, reduce wait times, and improve bicycle availability in high-demand zones.It will also begin rolling out its new OA70 bike model in the coming weeks. The upgraded bike features a centre-mounted phone holder, improved ergonomics with easily adjustable ride height and an enhanced pedal feel, and they will be progressively deployed across key town centres and transport nodes.«This milestone reflects our continued commitment to delivering reliable, sustainable, and accessible micromobility solutions across Singapore,» said HelloRide.Founded in 2022, HelloRide operates bike-sharing services in Hong Kong and Australia. 

Over 5 years' jail for driver who caused teen's death during highway race, said she 'deserved it'

SINGAPORE — A driver who played «blocking and braking games» with a motorcycle and went at speeds of up to 160kmh on an expressway showed no remorse despite causing the death of an 18-year-old pillion rider on the motorcycle.When his friend sai
Singapore

Over 5 years' jail for driver who caused teen's death during highway race, said she 'deserved it'

SINGAPORE — A driver who played «blocking and braking games» with a motorcycle and went at speeds of up to 160kmh on an expressway showed no remorse despite causing the death of an 18-year-old pillion rider on the motorcycle.When his friend said he was crazy to play with someone's life, the driver replied that the victim «deserved it» as she had pushed his limits.Jarrett Tee Lee Kiat, 30, was sentenced to five years and eight months' jail on June 27 after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Leann Lim Jia Le.Lim, an 18-year-old student, was the pillion rider on the motorcycle when Tee swerved into it, causing Lim to be flung onto the road.The collision also left the motorcycle rider, Kovan Tan, 27, injured with multiple abrasions and a right-hand laceration.Apart from his jail term, Tee was handed a 10-year driving ban for his offence.He was a National University of Singapore student at the time of the incident, as well as a part-time chef and social media influencer.

Plastic pieces in dessert: Clementi Mall eatery rejects woman's $16k compensation claim

While enjoying her durian puree dessert from an eatery in Clementi Mall, a customer unknowingly swallowed a hard object — only to discover later that it was a piece of plastic.She subsequently demanded $16,000 in compensation from the dessert store, but th
Singapore

Plastic pieces in dessert: Clementi Mall eatery rejects woman's $16k compensation claim

While enjoying her durian puree dessert from an eatery in Clementi Mall, a customer unknowingly swallowed a hard object — only to discover later that it was a piece of plastic.She subsequently demanded $16,000 in compensation from the dessert store, but the store rejected it.The 35-year-old woman, surnamed Lin (transliterated), had visited the store with a friend and ordered a shaved durian puree from Mei Heong Yuen Dessert at about 8pm on Wednesday earlier this month, reported Shin Min Daily News.While enjoying her dessert, the woman bit into something hard. Assuming it was just crushed ice, she swallowed it.Shortly after, she bit into another hard object, which prompted her to spit it out.To her surprise, it turned out to be a small piece of plastic.More plastic pieces foundLin informed the employees about this, but they reportedly appeared unsure of what to do and were unable to reach their manager, the report said.She requested that the durian puree be inspected, and more pieces of plastic were allegedly found.

Over 950,000 HDB households to receive U-Save and S&CC rebates in July

Close to a million Singaporean HDB households will receive rebates on their utility and conservancy bills in July.Eligible households will receive U-Save and Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates in July as part of the permanent GST Voucher (GS
Singapore

Over 950,000 HDB households to receive U-Save and S&CC rebates in July

Close to a million Singaporean HDB households will receive rebates on their utility and conservancy bills in July.Eligible households will receive U-Save and Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates in July as part of the permanent GST Voucher (GSTV) scheme and the enhanced Assurance Package, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in a statement on Monday (June 30).Households will receive rebates according to their HDB flat type.For example, households living in a one- or two-room flat will receive $190 worth of U-Save and one month of S&CC rebates.The latest batch of rebates will be the second quarterly disbursement for Financial Year 2025, and are provided to help Singaporean households with their cost-of-living concerns, said MOF.Eligible households do not need to take any action and will have the rebates automatically credited to their utilities accounts by SP Services and their town councils respectively.MOF said that households whose members own more than one property are not eligible for the rebates.Households with no Singaporean flat owner or occupier will also be ineligible.

Electricity, gas prices to fall from July to September due to lower energy, fuel costs

Households in Singapore will see a decrease in electricity and gas prices from July to September 2025, due to lower energy and fuel costs.The electricity tariff will fall by 2.3 per cent or 0.65 cent per kilowatt hour (kWh) before GST as compared to the previ
Singapore

Electricity, gas prices to fall from July to September due to lower energy, fuel costs

Households in Singapore will see a decrease in electricity and gas prices from July to September 2025, due to lower energy and fuel costs.The electricity tariff will fall by 2.3 per cent or 0.65 cent per kilowatt hour (kWh) before GST as compared to the previous quarter, said SP Group on Monday (June 30).City Gas, the producer and retailer of piped gas, said in a separate statement on the same day that the gas tariff will drop from 22.72 cents per kWh to 22.28 cents per kWh due to lower fuel costs as compared to the previous quarter.With the new tariff, the average monthly electricity bill for families living in a four-room HDB flat, for example, will decrease by $2.36 before GST.

Police chase, car crash in Jalan Besar lead to arrest of 3 persons for suspected drug offences

Three persons were arrested after their vehicle collided with a lorry while being chased by police on Sunday (June 29).Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the police said that officers were patrolling along Syed Alwi Road at around 5.45am on Sunday morning wh
Singapore

Police chase, car crash in Jalan Besar lead to arrest of 3 persons for suspected drug offences

Three persons were arrested after their vehicle collided with a lorry while being chased by police on Sunday (June 29).Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the police said that officers were patrolling along Syed Alwi Road at around 5.45am on Sunday morning when they saw a car parked haphazardly along the road.They proceeded to check on the driver, but the 25-year-old male driver drove off, leading officers to give chase. He was subsequently arrested.While officers were arresting him, one of the passengers drove the car away, the police said.The car was later located along Syed Alwi Road, but sped away again when the passenger-turned-driver spotted the police, eventually colliding with a lorry and coming to a stop.Police found substances suspected to be controlled drugs and drug paraphernalia in the car.The 25-year-old man was also wanted by police for prior traffic-related offences and was taken conscious to the hospital, and was later arrested for suspected drug-related offences.

Role of drivers will evolve with introduction of autonomous vehicles: Acting Transport Minister

New jobs will emerge but there will always be jobs for drivers in the transport sector, even as Singapore is set to introduce autonomous vehicles, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow.On June 27, Siow announced plans to roll out self-driving buses in P
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Role of drivers will evolve with introduction of autonomous vehicles: Acting Transport Minister

New jobs will emerge but there will always be jobs for drivers in the transport sector, even as Singapore is set to introduce autonomous vehicles, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow.On June 27, Siow announced plans to roll out self-driving buses in Punggol by the fourth quarter of 2025, during a working visit to Guangzhou, China, raising concerns about job security for drivers.«The role of the driver may change,» he said, adding that it is the role of the Government, together with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), to «help these drivers make the best of these new opportunities».According to Siow, the role of a driver is likely to change with the introduction of autonomous vehicles.«(It) may well be you have somebody on board that does different things,» he said.Instead of driving, Siow said that one might help elderly passengers with boarding, helping to load luggage, or serve as a tour guide.He highlighted the importance of taxi and private hire drivers in Singapore's current ecosystem, and said that the Government will «make sure that they are well taken care of» amid the proposed developments.

'Powerful symbol of partnership': First JB-Woodlands North RTS train unveiled

The first Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link train was unveiled during a ceremony at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC) in Tuas on Monday (June 30).Officiated by Singapore's Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow and Malaysia's Minis
Singapore

'Powerful symbol of partnership': First JB-Woodlands North RTS train unveiled

The first Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link train was unveiled during a ceremony at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC) in Tuas on Monday (June 30).Officiated by Singapore's Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow and Malaysia's Minister of Transport YB Anthony Loke, the ceremony highlighted the shared commitment by the neighbours to deliver cross-border rail project.Both ministers also emphasised that the project aims to significantly enhance connectivity.The RTS Link will be served by eight trains, with each train consisting of four cars and a capacity of over 600 passengers. The trains are manufactured by Chinese firm CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive. The first train has already been delivered to Singapore in April and has undergone preparatory works for On-Site Integrated Testing at the SRTC.Once fully operational by December 2026, the 4km shuttle service from Singapore's Woodlands North station to Johor Bahru's Bukit Chagar station will be able to accommodate up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction at peak capacity. 

Depot Lane industrial estate and warehouses to be vacated by Q4 to make way for housing

SINGAPORE — An industrial estate and a row of warehouses at Depot Lane in Bukit Merah will be vacated by the fourth quarter of 2025 to make way for housing.JTC Corporation, which manages the industrial estate, said the plot will be returned to the state fo
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Depot Lane industrial estate and warehouses to be vacated by Q4 to make way for housing

SINGAPORE — An industrial estate and a row of warehouses at Depot Lane in Bukit Merah will be vacated by the fourth quarter of 2025 to make way for housing.JTC Corporation, which manages the industrial estate, said the plot will be returned to the state for future residential development, in response to queries from The Straits Times.Under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's master plan, the Depot Lane industrial estate is part of a 7.3ha site zoned for residential use. Its plot ratio, which determines the intensity of the development, is subject to detailed evaluation.The industrial estate, consisting of about 240 units across eight blocks, was built in the 1970s. Six adjacent warehouses, which make up the rest of the plot, are owned by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).JTC said tenants were told about the redevelopment plans for the area in 2018 and were offered replacement factory spaces at JTC Space @ Ang Mo Kio or Bedok Food City.Western food stall Original Botak Jones took to social media in April to announce the closure of its outlet in the Yue Hua coffee shop at Depot Lane on June 22 due to redevelopment of the area.

Once homeless and jailed 7 times, social worker now helps others break free from crime

Mr Rizwan Habib, who stole money as a child to feed his mother's drug habit and spent close to 21 years in jail across seven jail terms, celebrated a series of remarkable milestones in the past year.The 43-year-old, who took his PSLE, O levels and A levels be
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Once homeless and jailed 7 times, social worker now helps others break free from crime

Mr Rizwan Habib, who stole money as a child to feed his mother's drug habit and spent close to 21 years in jail across seven jail terms, celebrated a series of remarkable milestones in the past year.The 43-year-old, who took his PSLE, O levels and A levels behind bars, completed his social work degree at the Singapore University of Social Sciences in April.In May, he started his «dream job» as a social worker with the Industrial and Services Co-operative Society (Iscos), helping ex-offenders to turn their lives around.He also moved into his first home, a two-room Housing Board flat, in November 2024.Mr Rizwan, who was once homeless and spent a large part of his life in jail, said: «I never had a place to call home before. It feels surreal.»A traumatic childhoodMr Rizwan said that when he was about five years old, his father walked out on the family.His mother was an unemployed drug addict, and as an only child, he had to fend for himself from a young age.

Continuing to criminalise drugs 'the right policy': Shanmugam

Continuing to criminalise drugs is «the right policy» for Singapore, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam, who was speaking on the sidelines of a community event in Nee Soon on Saturday (June 28).He told media that the gove
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Continuing to criminalise drugs 'the right policy': Shanmugam

Continuing to criminalise drugs is «the right policy» for Singapore, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam, who was speaking on the sidelines of a community event in Nee Soon on Saturday (June 28).He told media that the government is looking at «possible outflows» to Singapore with cannabis set to be recriminalised in Thailand.The nexus between drugs, crime and terrorism needs to be looked at, he continued, touching on Singapore's increased security posture amid rising tensions over the Iran-Israel conflict.«We try to maintain our openness and our connectivity, and our business-friendly environment. It is a bit early to say what is going to happen, but we have to be more careful,» he added.On June 24, Thailand's Health Ministry issued an order which prohibited the sale of cannabis for recreational use, requiring a doctor's prescription for any retail purchase.

Police investigating 11 'TCM clinics' for employing uncertified masseurs; 1 offered vice services

Eleven illegal massage establishments are being investigated after they were found operating under the guise of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinics, with one offering vice services.In a statement on Saturday (June 28), the police said they conducted en
Singapore

Police investigating 11 'TCM clinics' for employing uncertified masseurs; 1 offered vice services

Eleven illegal massage establishments are being investigated after they were found operating under the guise of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinics, with one offering vice services.In a statement on Saturday (June 28), the police said they conducted enforcement operations on 181 TCM outlets between Feb 7 and April 14 following public feedback about unlicensed massage services and suspected vice activities.While most outlets checked were found to be in compliance with the law, 11 outlets were discovered to have non-certified TCM practitioners administering massages to customers.One clinic was also found to be offering vice services and a female employee was arrested for managing a place of assignation under the Women's Charter 1961.Investigations against the 11 non-compliant establishments are ongoing.Providing massage services without a valid licence carries severe penalties under Section 5(1) of the Massage Establishments Act 2017.If found guilty, offenders may be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to two years, or both.Repeat offenders can be fined up to $20,000, imprisoned for up to five years, or both.

NDP 2025 Committee warns of scam calls asking for donations

Phone calls soliciting donations and personal information for this year's National Day Parade (NDP) are scam calls, said the NDP 2025 executive committee (Exco) on on Saturday (June 28).In an advisory posted to their Facebook page, the NDP 2025 Exco said tha
Singapore

NDP 2025 Committee warns of scam calls asking for donations

Phone calls soliciting donations and personal information for this year's National Day Parade (NDP) are scam calls, said the NDP 2025 executive committee (Exco) on on Saturday (June 28).In an advisory posted to their Facebook page, the NDP 2025 Exco said that it is aware of a recent scam where scam callers pretend to be NDP 2025 representatives and ask for cash sponsorships and personal information.«Do not disclose any personal, business, or sponsorship information if you are unsure of the caller's identity or credibility,» the post stated.[embed]https://www.facebook.com/NDPeeps/posts/pfbid02KPof7q4cW4i72sdaTaL8xfwBzr22sLoGgtoPehyBWRmNXh3bMz59AUz4kpSu9nhLl[/embed]A recording of a scam call was shared with The Straits Times, during which the scammer impersonated a NDP 2025 representative and asked for a «small sponsorship of between $300 to $500».The scammer said that the donation would be exempted from tax, and that it would be used to help the NDP 2025 and future editions run successfully.Members of the public can send an email to ndp@defence.gov.sg to verify any doubts regarding the identity or credibility of such callers.

Organised crime groups behind in-flight theft cases: Singapore Police Force

SINGAPORE - A spike in cabin theft cases in Asia has been blamed on members of organised crime groups, who catch short-transit flights - including trips to Singapore - to steal small items from passengers.Hong Kong has been one of the worst hit, with 169 case
Singapore

Organised crime groups behind in-flight theft cases: Singapore Police Force

SINGAPORE - A spike in cabin theft cases in Asia has been blamed on members of organised crime groups, who catch short-transit flights - including trips to Singapore - to steal small items from passengers.Hong Kong has been one of the worst hit, with 169 cases of in-flight theft involving HK$4.32 million (S$700,000) in valuables recorded in the first 10 months of 2024 - a 75 per cent increase from the same period the previous year.In an interview with The Straits Times, Assistant Commissioner M Malathi, who is commander of the Airport Police Division (APD), said that in-flight theft cases are difficult to detect and investigate.She said syndicate members, who work in pairs to steal from unsuspecting passengers, often catch a flight out of Singapore soon after landing at Changi Airport.«They will only take some cash and maybe one or two cards. They won't take your whole wallet, because if they do, it is easier to notice,» said AC Malathi, who added that the authorities have a short lead time before the suspects leave on an outbound flight.

Woman, 56, found dead at foot of HDB block in Clementi

A 56-year-old woman was found dead at the foot of an HDB block in Clementi on Friday (June 27).Photos of the scene on Xiaohongshu, also known as Rednote, showed that a portion of the walkway next to Block 441A had been cordoned off by the police. PHOTO: Xiao
Singapore

Woman, 56, found dead at foot of HDB block in Clementi

A 56-year-old woman was found dead at the foot of an HDB block in Clementi on Friday (June 27).Photos of the scene on Xiaohongshu, also known as Rednote, showed that a portion of the walkway next to Block 441A had been cordoned off by the police. PHOTO: Xiaohongshu/Keshui Chong Ai Mo Ji In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police said they received a call for assistance at Block 441A Clementi Avenue 3 at 10.50am on June 27, where a woman was found lying motionless.She was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic.Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play, and investigations are ongoing.[[nid:719591]]syarifahsn@asiaone.com

Eye care giant Alcon keeps 'lens' on the future with expanded manufacturing and logistics facility in Tuas

Eye care-device giant Alcon officially opened its expanded state-of-the art manufacturing and logistics facility in Tuas Biomedical Park on Friday (June 27) morning. This brings Alcon's investments in Singapore to more than US$600 million (S$765 million
Singapore

Eye care giant Alcon keeps 'lens' on the future with expanded manufacturing and logistics facility in Tuas

Eye care-device giant Alcon officially opened its expanded state-of-the art manufacturing and logistics facility in Tuas Biomedical Park on Friday (June 27) morning. This brings Alcon's investments in Singapore to more than US$600 million (S$765 million) since it began operations in Singapore back in 2005.  The completed Tuas facility is one of the Swiss-American firm's largest high-tech manufacturing sites with Industry 4.0 capabilities, advanced automation and smart manufacturing systems to meet the increasing global demand for its contact lenses.  

3 men charged for alleged involvement in Pokemon card scams; believed to have cheated victims out of $57k

Three men aged between 21 and 28 will be charged in court on Saturday (June 28) for their suspected involvement in money laundering and unauthorised access to computer material, in a case that involved the selling of Pokemon trading cards.In a press release o
Singapore

3 men charged for alleged involvement in Pokemon card scams; believed to have cheated victims out of $57k

Three men aged between 21 and 28 will be charged in court on Saturday (June 28) for their suspected involvement in money laundering and unauthorised access to computer material, in a case that involved the selling of Pokemon trading cards.In a press release on Saturday (June 28), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said: «Between May and June 2025, the police received several reports from victims who were cheated by an online seller who was selling Pokemon trading cards on Carousell. After the victims made payment via bank transfers, they did not receive the said trading cards. »When questioned, the seller claimed he was in a business venture with another supplier who did not honour the transactions upon receiving payments."Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department conducted follow-up investigations and discovered the identities of the supplier and two accomplices, and arrested them on June 26 and 27, SPF said. The police believe the men have been involved in more than 50 similar scams, cheating victims out of at least $57,000.

'It was a calling': Teen who grew up with special needs brother hopes to help others like him

Isabelle Lee had a childhood unlike most of her peers.The aspiring speech therapist grew up looking after her younger brother, Emmanuel, who has special needs, becoming the «quiet and dependable child» she believed her family needed at the time.Sp
Singapore

'It was a calling': Teen who grew up with special needs brother hopes to help others like him

Isabelle Lee had a childhood unlike most of her peers.The aspiring speech therapist grew up looking after her younger brother, Emmanuel, who has special needs, becoming the «quiet and dependable child» she believed her family needed at the time.Speaking to AsiaOne on Thursday (June 26), the 19-year-old described her childhood as «a blend of warmth and complexity».«I grew up in a very loving home, but I also felt that I had to grow up faster than most children my age,» she said.Isabelle explained that she felt she had to take on more responsibilities than her peers, such as making sure he completed his homework, ate and drank properly, played safely and felt accompanied.«I had to learn how to manage my own emotions at a young age, be helpful and be good,» said the teen.By harnessing her experience as a «glass child», a term which refers to siblings of children with special needs, Isabelle is determined to help others like Emmanuel and herself.She has enrolled for a four-year course in speech and language therapy at the Singapore Institute of Technology starting in September.

'Army is not just a career, it's a calling': Chief Infantry Officer credits parents for shaping his journey

For Colonel Fairoz Bin Hassan, joining the Army was initially a practical decision — a means to fund his education, as his parents couldn't afford the costs.But what began as a necessity gradually transformed into a passion and, ultimately, a calling.Col Fa
Singapore

'Army is not just a career, it's a calling': Chief Infantry Officer credits parents for shaping his journey

For Colonel Fairoz Bin Hassan, joining the Army was initially a practical decision — a means to fund his education, as his parents couldn't afford the costs.But what began as a necessity gradually transformed into a passion and, ultimately, a calling.Col Fairoz was among 1,282 Ministry of Defence and Singapore Armed Forces personnel promoted over the last two days, and is the second from the Malay community to be promoted to Brigadier General.The promotion will be effective July 1. Speaking to AsiaOne on Friday (June 27), the 46-year-old Chief Infantry Officer recounted a pivotal moment that reshaped his perspective — his deployment to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, in 2005, soon after the 2004 tsunami, in support of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. «My job was a UN liaison officer, and I was tasked with coordinating all the HADR relief efforts, linking up with what the public needed,» he said.

Chan Chun Sing on defence: 'We are not at war, but neither are we at peace'

While Singapore may not be fighting a war now, that doesn't mean we should be complacent, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said in an interview with the media at the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) headquarters at Bukit Gombak on Wednesday (June 25).Chan, 55, hig
Singapore

Chan Chun Sing on defence: 'We are not at war, but neither are we at peace'

While Singapore may not be fighting a war now, that doesn't mean we should be complacent, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said in an interview with the media at the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) headquarters at Bukit Gombak on Wednesday (June 25).Chan, 55, highlighted some new developments in the global security order ahead of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day on July 1, stating that there are more conflicts today — not just conventional, but also in cyberspace.«Today we are not at war, but neither are we at peace,» he said. «Today — and every day — the SAF is operating somewhere in-between.»On the cyberspace, the number of threat incidents that we have to deal with every day with other government agencies is not a small number.«Chan, previously Education Minister, was appointed Defence Minister following Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's cabinet reshuffle on May 21.The defence minister added that these »information operations" that are conducted on Singapore or when Singapore becomes a collateral are not something that Mindef will take lightly. 

Falling concrete in flats: Who is responsible for maintenance — town council, HDB, or homeowner?

Recently, there were two instances of concrete blocks falling from ceiling of HDB units.FM Love 972 radio DJ Ho Ai Ling narrowly avoided injury on June 22 when a chunk of concrete fell from the toilet ceiling in her flat at Block 81 Commonwealth Close in Quee
Singapore

Falling concrete in flats: Who is responsible for maintenance — town council, HDB, or homeowner?

Recently, there were two instances of concrete blocks falling from ceiling of HDB units.FM Love 972 radio DJ Ho Ai Ling narrowly avoided injury on June 22 when a chunk of concrete fell from the toilet ceiling in her flat at Block 81 Commonwealth Close in Queenstown. Ho moved into her 58-year-old flat 14 years ago.Earlier, an elderly man was struck by falling spalling concrete from the ceiling of his toilet in his Yishun HDB flat on the morning of June 19, sustaining injuries to both his leg and head, requiring more than 10 stitches. The flat was completed 41 years ago.While his family received assistance from Nee Soon GRC MP K Shanmugam with payment for repairs, where exactly does the buck stop when it comes to responsibility for spalling concrete in HDB homes?Is it the owner, HDB, or the town council?Owner's responsibility: HDBHDB has said that spalling concrete is a common issue for older buildings, exacerbated by damp conditions such as those in kitchens or toilets.

Responsible public speech is part of a cohesive society: Edwin Tong

SINGAPORE - In a cohesive society, people understand the impact of their words and take responsibility for what they say publicly, including in online spaces, Edwin Tong said on June 26.«Sometimes, this will mean sacrificing our own desire to be able t
Singapore

Responsible public speech is part of a cohesive society: Edwin Tong

SINGAPORE - In a cohesive society, people understand the impact of their words and take responsibility for what they say publicly, including in online spaces, Edwin Tong said on June 26.«Sometimes, this will mean sacrificing our own desire to be able to say what we want about anything we want, wherever we want, in favour of being more caring about the impact they have on the person next to us,» he added.Tong, who is Law Minister, noted that people should be especially mindful about hateful speech, as conflict can be triggered by words.«If we are more mindful, we will have more open, honest, public discourse, based on facts and not hate and disinformation,» he said.He was speaking at the close of the three-day International Conference on Cohesive Societies held at Raffles City Convention Centre. It was organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, of which Tong was formerly minister.

Woman called 'embarrassing' for using CDC vouchers on date, sparks online debate

A woman was recently accused of being «embarrassing» after she used her CDC vouchers to pay for a $100 meal during a date — prompting fresh debate over the intended use of the government-issued vouchers.In a now-viral TikTok post, the woman shar
Singapore

Woman called 'embarrassing' for using CDC vouchers on date, sparks online debate

A woman was recently accused of being «embarrassing» after she used her CDC vouchers to pay for a $100 meal during a date — prompting fresh debate over the intended use of the government-issued vouchers.In a now-viral TikTok post, the woman shared that she had offered to pay for dinner since she was the one who invited her date out. Upon realising the restaurant accepted CDC vouchers, she decided to use them.«Any normal person would be happy. I didn't even know restaurants can use CDC vouchers... so I used la.» PHOTO: Screengrab/TikTok/SG Confessions But the mood quickly soured. As she was leaving the car, her date remarked: «Why did you use CDC vouchers to pay? It's kinda embarrassing, eh.»The incident sparked a flurry of responses online, with many criticising the man's attitude.

At least $3m lost to impersonation scams involving WhatsApp screen sharing since June

At least $3 million has been lost to impersonation scams involving the WhatsApp screen-sharing function since June. In a statement released on Thursday (June 26), the police confirmed that at least 46 police reports have been lodged. According to th
Singapore

At least $3m lost to impersonation scams involving WhatsApp screen sharing since June

At least $3 million has been lost to impersonation scams involving the WhatsApp screen-sharing function since June. In a statement released on Thursday (June 26), the police confirmed that at least 46 police reports have been lodged. According to the police, in this variant of the scam, victims receive unsolicited calls from local mobile numbers, allegedly from companies such as NTUC Income, NTUC Union, or UnionPay.Scammers would then claim that there were issues with insurance plans that the victims had supposedly purchased.When victims denied purchasing these policies, they would then be directed to a second scammer impersonating an officer from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This second scammer would inform the victims that their bank accounts had been implicated in money-laundering activities and instruct them to transfer their money to a «safety account» for safekeeping.Victims were then guided through internet banking transfers via WhatsApp's screen-sharing function, inadvertently exposing their bank account and internet banking details. 

Panel with AI experts to review appeal of NTU student penalised for academic misconduct

SINGAPORE - A panel with artificial intelligence experts convened by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will assess the appeal of one of the three university students who were penalised for AI usage in their submitted work.All three of them were give
Singapore

Panel with AI experts to review appeal of NTU student penalised for academic misconduct

SINGAPORE - A panel with artificial intelligence experts convened by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will assess the appeal of one of the three university students who were penalised for AI usage in their submitted work.All three of them were given zero marks for an essay as part of a module on health, disease outbreaks and politics at the School of Social Sciences.In response to queries, NTU said on June 26 that it had met two of the students in separate face-to-face consultations this week to discuss their cases.The objective of the consultation for the first student was to assess the grounds for appeal and not to make any conclusions about the specifics of her case, said a spokeswoman.For the second student, her request for an appeal was rejected, as “the student had admitted to using Gen AI for the essay and had shared how it was used prior to the preliminary inquiry in April”, she added.The third student told The Straits Times that he did not submit an appeal.NTU said the first student has formally submitted her appeal to the university, adding that details cannot be provided while this process is ongoing.

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