Household electricity contract renewal prices in Singapore have increased by as much as 11 per cent since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran.CNA reported that on Feb 27, a day before the war began, fixed-price retail plans for residences ranged from 24.88 to 28.67 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).By Saturday (March 21), prices increased to between 28.80 and 29.18 cents per kWh depending on plan and retailer, according to AsiaOne’s checks on the Open Electricity Market’s price comparison website.The most expensive plan was from Senoko Energy Supply, whose monthly fixed price plan rose from 25.88 cents to 29.18 cents. This is almost a 12 per cent increase.According to CNA, a four-room HDB flat consuming an average of 357 kWh of electricity per month, will pay $10.42 more for a 24-month fixed price plan from Senoko Energy.But the retailers have different promotional gifts and rebates to lower the cost.Senoko Energy offers customers up to $240 in promotional gifts and rebates, compared to the $160 bill rebares previously.

A 56-year-old woman was arrested on Tuesday (March 17) in a raid that was part of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore's (IRAS) crackdown on Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund fraud.The IRAS said in a statement on Thursday that 179 luxury watches worth over $1 million were seized for investigation.The woman allegedly created fictitious purchases, inflated transactions and used false tax invoices to support fraudulent GST refund claims.Accounting records, electronic devices and other evidence linked to the alleged offences were also seized.In all, tax investigators from the IRAS conducted raids at over 20 business and residential premises island-wide on March 17. Another seven people from other cases are assisting with investigations.IRAS said that businesses across various industries, including logistics and wholesale trade, were identified in separate GST refund fraud cases.Some of them allegedly used shell companies to facilitate fraudulent GST refund claims.IRAS added that they conduct regular audits to detect anomalous GST refund claims and ensure claims comply with GST rules.

If you've noticed a burnt smell in the air over the past few evenings and are wondering if it's the haze at work, here's why.The National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a Facebook post on Friday (March 20) evening that hotspots with smoke plumes were observed in Central Sumatra and Johor.Noting the dry and warm conditions over Singapore and the surrounding region from this weekend until the end of next week, along with prevailing winds from the northeast, NEA said that there may be an increase in hotspot activity and a «continued risk of smoke haze».Checks by AsiaOne on the agency's 1-hour PM2.5 reading at 11.30pm indicate that Singapore's air quality remains in the «normal» band.The 24-hour Pollutant Standard Index ranged from 45 to 57, within the «Good» to «Moderate» range, as at 7pm.Warmer conditions expectedDaily maximum temperatures in Singapore may reach a high of 35 to 36 deg C on some days in the coming week, NEA said.

Adele Tan Shiao Ling, deputy chief executive officer (CEO) and chief planner at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), will be appointed the authority's chief executive officer from Sept 1, said the Ministry of National Development (MND) and URA on Friday (March 20).She will take over from Lim Eng Hwee, who was appointed to the role in 2017. Tan's present roles will be taken over by Yvonne Lim Li Chuen, who is presently group director of physical planning at URA.Tan, 52, formerly chief infrastructure planning officer at MND, was appointed to her current role as deputy CEO and chief planner in June 2023. She has spent nearly 30 years in various public service portfolios across environmental sustainability, liveability, and infrastructure planning.MND and URA highlighted that Tan had steered the review of the Draft Master Plan 2025 and shaped development strategies over the next 10 to 15 years through extensive public engagement.

Four Singaporeans were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for their suspected involvement in a murder in Johor Bahru (JB), the police said in response to media queries on Friday (March 20).Three men, aged between 23 and 29, and a 27-year-old woman were handed over to Malaysian authorities on Thursday to assist with investigations.The alleged incident happened on March 14 at JB, police said.SPF said a Malaysian court issued warrants for the arrest of the four, while the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) sent in a request for assistance.Subsequently, SPF conducted simultaneous operations island-wide on Thursday, including an operation at a residential unit at Teban Gardens Road.In a video posted to Threads, multiple police and Singapore Civil Defence Force officers can be seen stationed beneath a block in Teban Gardens beside an inflated safety life air pack.Some personnel can be seen gesturing at something above them, although it is unclear what the situation was about.

Muslims in Singapore should go beyond the community to strengthen ties across the nation's diverse society, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Assoc Prof Faishal Ibrahim.In his Hari Raya Aidilfitri message on Friday (March 20), he commended Muslims for working together towards the benefit of the larger community.«When we play our part with sincerity and unified purpose, we can move forward together as a community and as a nation, with one heart,» the acting minister said in Malay, citing the Malay proverb «we rise and fall together».Assoc Prof Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, delivered his message at the Jamae Chulia mosque in Chinatown. It was broadcast on television channel Suria.The wakaf mosque, built in the 1820s, sits next to Sri Mariammam temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic temple along South Bridge Road. It was designated a national monument in 1974.A wakaf is a permanent dedication by a Muslim of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable.

A batch of pineapple slices sold at warehouse factory sales is being recalled after the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) detected the presence of sulphur dioxide — an allergen — in them. The food additive was not declared in the packaging label.Tai Sun (Lim Kee) Food Industries, the importer of the affected product — Pineapple Slices (400g) — has been directed to recall them, the agency said on Friday (March 20).One batch of the product — sold at Tai Sun's warehouse factory sales — with an expiry date of July 30, 2026, is being recalled.SFA said that while sulphite does not pose a food safety issue to consumers at large, those who are intolerant of, or allergic to, sulphites may either develop or experience hives, itchiness, stomach ache, diarrhoea, or vomiting.Those who have purchased the affected product, and are intolerant of or allergic to sulphites, should not consume them. They may contact their point of purchase for enquiries.Persons who have consumed the product should seek medical advice if they have concerns about their health. 

Flights between Singapore and Dubai have been cancelled until April 30, according to an advisory by Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Friday (March 20).The airline explained that two flights —SQ494 from Singapore to Dubai and SQ495 from Dubai to Singapore — have been cancelled in light of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.«As the situation remains fluid, other SIA flights may be affected,» the national carrier added, advising customers to visit its flight status page for information about their flights.This follows multiple flight cancellations from both SIA and Scoot since US and Israel started the war against Iran on Feb 28.Flights had previously been projected to resume on March 28.Those affected by the flight cancellations can either seek a full refund of the unused portion of their ticket or accept re-accommodation on alternative flights.Customers who made bookings through travel agents or partner airlines are also advised to contact the relevant parties for assistance.SIA also apologised to affected customers for the inconvenience caused.

About 600,000 Singtel users faced mobile connectivity problems on Monday (March 16) after a «mechanical fault» occurred at one of its network facilities, reported The Straits Times.A day later on Tuesday (March 17), some customers experienced connectivity issues again.CEO of Singtel Singapore Ng Tian Chong has apologised for the service disruptions, according to media reports.«We know how important it is to stay connected and recognise the impact these incidents may have had on our customers. This should not have happened. We sincerely apologise,» he was quoted as saying.According to Ng, the March 16 outage started from about 10.30am and needed reconfiguration, «which took time to fully take effect».4G services for affected customers were restored by about 1.30pm and full 5G service was restored at around 8pm.Singtel had earlier said there was «no evidence» to suggest it was a cyber-related event.

At just five months old, Ginny was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) — a genetic disease that destroys motor neurons and weakens muscles progressively. Ginny's parents, who wanted to be known only as Jenny and Quan, told AsiaOne on Wednesday (March 18) that she was born in September 2025 healthy with «nothing wrong». Over time, however, she barely moved her limbs and could not lift or turn her neck. When she was three to four months old, Ginny developed pneumonia and was hospitalised for 12 days at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH). After returning home, the couple noticed their baby was «even weaker than before». They returned to the hospital for further checks and genetic testing. By early March, Ginny was diagnosed with SMA Type 1.Life expectancy under 2 years without treatmentJenny shared that the news came as a «big shock», considering she and her husband have no family history of the disease. Without any treatment, Ginny's life expectancy is estimated to under two years. 

Child sex offender Amos Yee was arrested by Central Manpower Base (CMPB) enlistment inspectors at Changi Airport upon his return on Friday (March 20), and charged with offences under the Enlistment Act.In a joint statement on Friday, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that Yee, now 27, had failed to report for pre-enlistment medical screening and also remained outside Singapore without a valid exit permit.The ministries also noted that Yee left Singapore for the United States in 2016, where he was granted asylum the following year.«During Yee's time in the US, he was arrested and charged for sexual offences, and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment in December 2021.»He was released on parole in October 2023, but was re-arrested a month later for violating his parole conditions. The US authorities subsequently took him into custody for deportation proceedings following his release from prison in November 2025," said MHA and Mindef.The ministries added that Yee was issued with a document of identity to facilitate his deportation as he no longer holds a valid Singapore passport. 

A taxi driver and a motorcyclist clipped each other along Airport Boulevard near Changi, but the former allegedly kicked the bike in a fit of anger.In the video uploaded on SG Road Vigilante on Wednesday (March 18), both the cabbie and the motorcyclist take a left turn, but as they turn, the taxi crosses into the motorcyclist's lane and they have a minor collision.The video then cuts to the motorcyclist on the rightmost lane further down the road as the taxi catches up from behind, overtaking the motorcyclist from the left.Hailing the rider to stop his bike, the taxi slows down in front of the motorcycle, forcing both vehicles to a standstill.While the video has no audio, the driver can be seen gesturing angrily as he approaches the motorcyclist.He then points at his own vehicle, inspecting for damage on the taxi's left flank.The video then cuts again to the cabbie turning away from the motorcycle, delivering a swift kick against the bike.He walks away, then turns around again to confront the motorcyclist, shouting at him again before walking over and kicking the bike once more before the video ends.