Even as the first of two repatriation flights from Muscat in Oman is still underway, Singapore is already planning to mount another repatriation flight — this time for Singaporeans and their dependents from Saudi Arabia. In a message sent to Singaporeans there, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the Government has been exploring options to bring Singaporeans back from different parts of the Middle East to Singapore. «We are currently making plans to dispatch a repatriation flight for Singaporeans and their dependents from Saudi Arabia to Singapore during the window of March 10 to 12, 2026,» the message read. It added that the date and time are subject to flight approvals and ground situation, with details to be disseminated to Singaporeans once they are confirmed.Meanwhile, plans are also underway to provide overland transport from Doha in Qatar, Manama in Bahrain, Al Khobar and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for Singaporeans to Riyadh — one day before the confirmed flight date.  

«Seeing your national carrier at an airport it does not serve is so cool.» This was what Ms Francesca Danielle wrote on her Instagram just before boarding SQ8001, a government-assisted repatriation flight from Muscat in Oman to Singapore on Saturday (March 7) afternoon.The 41-year-old, a mother of two young daughters, is among Singaporeans who become stranded in the Middle East as tensions rose following strikes on Iran launched by Israel and the United States on Feb 28.She was on a work trip in Dubai with five other colleagues and were initially scheduled to return home on March 3, but found their Emirates flight cancelled after the strikes.In a video story posted on Instagram before boarding the flight, Francesca recounted how she and fellow Singaporeans received assistance from officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). 

The first of two repatriation flights organised by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for Singaporeans stranded in Middle East has begun its journey home. Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ8001 departed from Muscat International Airport in Oman at about 2.45pm on Saturday (March 7). It is expected to land at Changi Airport Terminal 3 at about 9.20pm.  Singapore Airlines flight SQ8001 departed Muscat International Airport at about 2.44pm. PHOTO: FlightRadar24 AsiaOne has reached out to MFA to check on the number of citizens who boarded the repatriation flight. 

A 41-year-old woman was found dead at the foot of a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block in Sengkang on Friday (March 6) afternoon. The incident happened at about 12pm at Block 289A Compassvale Crescent. A video posted on TikTok showed two Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) ambulances parked along a driveway in front of the block. In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police and SCDF said the 41-year-old woman is believed to have fallen from height. She was found lying motionless at the foot of the block and was pronounced dead at the scene by a SCDF paramedic. Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect any foul play. Investigations are ongoing. 

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday (March 7) thanked United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for his country's assistance to Singaporeans residing there.In a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon, PM Wong said he discussed the escalating situation in the Middle East with the UAE president earlier in the day.PM Wong thanked Sheik Mohamed for UAE officials' support and assistance to Singaporeans residing there.«Our officials have been working closely together to ensure Singaporeans remain safe, and to facilitate arrangements for those who wish to return home,» PM Wong wrote.He added that a protracted conflict in the Middle East will have «serious consequences» for the world and expressed his hope that the parties involved will find ways to de-escalate and restore stability to the region.The prime minister also said that Singapore values its «close friendship» with the UAE, and stands in solidarity with the UAE and its people during what he described as a «challenging time».

Johor may require cross-border taxis from Singapore to install a location tracking system to monitor their movements and ensure that passengers are picked up and dropped off at designated locations, said Johor state executive councillor Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh. Fazli, who also chairs the Johor State Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee, told Bernama in an interview that this is in line with Singapore's requirement for Malaysian cross-border taxis to be fitted with an ERP2.0 on-board unit (OBU). «Malaysia is expected to implement a similar, or at least an equivalent measure. However, the matter of installation cost is still under discussion,» Bernama reported Fazli as saying.He added that this would also allow the transport department to conduct monitoring and take necessary enforcement actions.

Two lawyers have been ordered to bear a cost of $5,000 each for their roles in mentioning two fictitious cases in a closing submission cited in court. In a judgment on March 6, Justice S Mohan said it was “plainly evident” that an AI tool had been used in the preparation of the draft. While there is no inherent objection to the use of AI tools in the industry, Justice Mohan said such tools can play the part of only the «handmaiden». «The fundamental point remains that lawyers bear ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all materials placed before the court – including case authorities – are, without exception, true and accurate, and crucially, verified by them to be so,» said the judge, who added that AI tools will become an increasingly prevalent feature of the legal ecosystem.The case surrounds the estate of the late Tan Thuan Teck and three suits filed by his sons against the late Tan's brothers and their company. Tan's sons had filed the suits in 2023 to recover money their father had lent to his brothers and their company. 

Two groups of Singaporeans in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates seeking to return home via the first government-organised repatriation flight from the region embarked on a five hour bus ride to Muscat in Oman early on Friday (March 6) morning. They were sent off by the Singapore Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate-General in Dubai respectively, and were accompanied on their bus rides by Singapore Embassy/Consulate officers. In Oman, the returning Singaporeans were supported by the Singapore Embassy in Muscat and a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Crisis Response Team until their departure via the chartered flight on Saturday. The flight is due to land in Singapore on Saturday evening, while another flight is scheduled to land on Sunday. 

Singapore's legal profession is standing at «one of the most consequential crossroads» in its history, with artificial intelligence (AI) set to automate about 44 per cent of legal tasks, said Minister for Law Edwin Tong.Tong, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, was speaking at a forum titled «The next chapter: Shaping Singapore's legal future», organised by the Ministry of Law on Friday (March 6).

A Malaysian man will be charged on Saturday (March 7) for his suspected involvement in a government official impersonation scam.The 38-year-old is the second Malaysian who has been arrested over two days for facilitating scam syndicates to collect cash and valuables, said the police in a statement on Friday (March 6).In all, more than 50 Malaysians have been nabbed for being scam mules in Singapore since May last year.The police said they received a report on March 4 from a victim who was contacted by someone claiming to be from HSBC bank, about unauthoritised transactions made on her credit card.When she denied having a HSBC credit card, the call was transferred to another person claiming to be an officer from the «Commercial Affairs Department» who informed her that she was suspected to be involved in money laundering.The scammer first instructed her to make a withdrawal of $15,000 that was deposited into her bank account.She was then told to purchase more than $130,000 worth of gold from pawnbroker Maxi-Cash, and to leave them on the passenger seat of her unlocked car left at a car park on Upper Boon Keng Road.

Three Chinese passengers, aged between 20 and 23, were caught red-handed by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Changi Airport Terminal 1's green channel on Feb 27.In a post on its social media on Friday (March 6), ICA said the three travellers were seen behaving suspiciously after they had collected their luggage.They were profiled for baggage screening at the green channel and asked if they had any items to declare, to which the trio replied that they had nothing to declare.ICA said its search and examination officers subsequently discovered more than 300 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in their luggage.The trio were arrested and the case referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation. 

When I was 10, Milo trucks may not have been the best thing in the world, but they were certainly a contender for it.Now, it seems a new truck is giving even that a run for its money — a Pokemon-themed truck is making its way around Singapore, and fans are delighted.This Pokemon truck has made a pit stop outside Bugis+, and AsiaOne was invited for a sneak peek on Friday (March 6) morning.Even though crowds were admittedly sparse on a weekday morning, the atmosphere was already very much celebratory with staff members handing out free Pokemon-themed sun visors and Ditto-shaped flyers.Some fans had already started trying out the free demo for Pokemon Pokopia on the Nintendo Switch 2, which is available in the truck itself.Others, including families, were seen hanging around a colouring booth as they waited their turn for the demo.Speaking with AsiaOne, a fan, surnamed Ho, shared that she had seen this truck on Instagram and was excited to have a look.She has been a fan of Pokemon since the early days of Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow, available on the Game Boy.

Whether you are headed out for last-minute shopping, or simply staying out with friends to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, you can do so with a peace of mind.Public transport operators SBS Transit and SMRT will extend the operating hours of train services on the eve of Hari Raya Puasa (March 20). In addition, the operating hours of 53 bus services will also be extended to complement the extension of train operating hours. Commuters are advised to plan their journeys early and to note the changes. NSL, EWL, CCL and TELThe last train will depart North-South Line's City Hall MRT station for Marina South Pier and Jurong East at 12.30amMeanwhile, the last train to depart from the East-West Line's City Hall MRT station for Tuas Link and Pasir Ris will also be at 12.30am.On the Circle Line, the last train leaving from Dhoby Ghaut and HarbourFront MRT stations will be at 11.55pm and 11.30pm respectively.The last train departing from Bayshore and Woodlands North MRT stations are at 12am and 12.12am respectively.There will be no extension for Bukit Panjang LRT and Changi Airport services.

Officers with Singapore's national water agency PUB may soon have powers to forcibly enter a landowner's premises to address coastal flood risks. These powers are part of the Coastal Protection and Other Amendments Bill, which was tabled for Second Reading in Parliament on Friday (March 6). Should the Bill be passed, these powers will help PUB officers carry out coastal protection functions, deter undesirable behaviours and provide immunities for officers carrying out their duties. In particular, the power to conduct forced entry can only be used as a last resort, such as in the event of an imminent coastal flooding event. «This power of forced entry will only be used judiciously, and only where there is an imminent coastal flooding event,» Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu told the House. «I would like to assure Members that we have set a high bar to activate this clause.» Immunities for authorised officers will also only apply if they have acted in good faith and with reasonable care.

Derek Tan, Chief Infrastructure Planning Officer at the Ministry of National Development (MND), will be appointed chief executive officer of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) effective May 1, on Friday (March 6).Tan will be appointed chief executive officer (designate) on April 1.He will take over from Kelvin Wong Wee Siong, who was appointed to the role on Nov 2, 2020,  MND and BCA said.A HDB scholar, Tan joined the Housing Board in 1999 and served as the board's group director of housing management from June 2017 to July 2022.The incoming CEO is credited with leading the group to effectively address multiple challenges, including revamping processes and procedures during the Covid-19 pandemic to minimise service disruptions, while maintaining high service standards.He assumed his current role at MND in 2024 and later took on the concurrent role of executive director of planning in December 2025.In his present role, Tan is responsible for driving and coordinating the pro-enterprise work areas and inter-agency infrastructure coordination across the ministry.

In a move to clamp down on vaping and etomidate abuse, a new law was passed in Parliament on Friday (March 6) which will see users, sellers and smugglers face stiffer fines.Under amendments to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sales) Act, vape users can be fined up to $10,000 from May 1, five times the current amount.Fines for sellers have been raised by 20 times of up to $200,000, while smugglers can be slapped with fines of up to $300,000, 30 times the current amount.They can also be jailed up to six years and nine years respectively.The Bill, which includes a name change to the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA), will also target adults who recklessly leave etomidate-laced vapes, or K-pods, where children can access them.Adults who do not take «reasonable steps» to prevent children from using K-pods can be jailed for up to 10 years for the first offence.Onus will be on owners of entertainment venues such as bars and nightclubs to exercise due care to prevent the use and storage of vapes in their premises.

SINGAPORE/DUBAI - Soon after the first Iranian missile and drone attacks on Dubai last week, two Indian entrepreneurs based there tried to move more than $100,000 each from their local bank accounts to Singapore to hedge risk.Technological glitches in the aftermath of the Iranian attacks initially scuppered those plans, the entrepreneurs, who did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters.One of them said he managed to subsequently transfer the sum to his Singapore bank account via another Emirates-based bank.Scores of other wealthy Asians are making enquiries or taking similar steps to move their Dubai-parked assets to the regional financial hubs of Singapore and Hong Kong, industry advisers and lawyers said, as the US-Israel war on Iran clouds the Gulf's safe-haven aura and rattles investors.While the rich typically diversify their investments across regions and asset classes, they choose where to be based depending on tax, regulatory, privacy and operational considerations.

Investigations into a private ambulance are ongoing after footage showing it driving recklessly near Stadium Road went viral online.The incident occurred on March 3 at around 11am, according to footage uploaded to the SG Road Vigilante Facebook group which has since garnered over 150,000 views.In the video, a Goodwill Ambulance Services van is seen speeding and overtaking another van after turning into Kallang Airport Way.The ambulance subsequently speeds up and even drives over the chevron markings to overtake the camcar while filtering onto the road towards the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE).The ambulance can then be seen driving over the kerb and stopping, narrowly missing oncoming traffic.In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police said that they received a report and that an investigation is ongoing.AsiaOne has reached out to Goodwill Ambulance Services Group for more information.[[nid:730930]]dana.leong@asiaone.com 

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will assist foreign visitors in Singapore affected by the Middle East airspace closure to travel to Oman. In a media statement on Friday (March 6), STB said the special flight will depart Changi Airport for Muscat in Oman at 5.30am on Sunday.The board urged affected such non-resident travellers — whose travel arrangements between Feb 28 to March 8 have been cancelled by an airline due to the closure of airspace in the Middle East — to express their interest by 9am on Saturday, via its website. Tickets for flight SQ8002, operated by Singapore's national carrier, Singapore Airlines, are priced at S$600 per seat.Children aged two and above are required to have their own seat and will be charged the same fare.STB sought travellers' understanding that seating will be assigned at random, although efforts will be made to group families together.