Born just seven years after Singapore gained independence, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong witnessed the country's rapid growth from third to first world. The 51-year-old was born in 1972, when Singapore «was a young nation» with «not much to our name». But that did not stop the pioneer generation, which included his parents, from «believing in new possibilities» and working hard to improve their lives, said PM Wong in a 11-minute video aired on CNA on Wednesday (May 15) — the same day he was sworn in as prime minister.  He recounted that his father came to Singapore from Malaysia as a young man looking for a job, while his mother completed her secondary school education and became a school teacher. From a student at Haig Boys' Primary School to being the fourth prime minister of Singapore, PM Wong described his journey as «a story of possibilities». «If you asked me 30 years ago, if I had envisaged all this, my answer would be no,» he said.

Most children would get their parents to choose a co-curricular activity (CCA) with them, and it was no different for Greendale Primary School student, Alicia Tan. Except her parents told her to pick Girls' Brigade, a CCA that she was not interested in. Although she had her reservations, an after-school excursion with them changed the 12 year-old's perception of the club. «We visited the old folks home and when I saw their happy faces, it made me happy,» she said. Sweet tokens of friendship Despite having zero background in baking or cooking, Tan and 120 young girls from Girls' Brigade Singapore (GBS) volunteered for the opportunity to bake cookies for a noble cause at this year's launch of the Friend in Deed project.

You might want to hold your cup tightly when you order a cold beverage from a coffee shop drinks stall. Drop or spill it and you might have to pay extra to get another cup. But is it fair for coffee shops to impose a charge for replacing spilled ice? A diner who feels it's not took to Facebook to share her encounter with a drinks stall employee at a coffee shop near Pioneer MRT station, which is an outlet of the Kimly chain. In a post on Facebook group Complaint Singapore on Tuesday (May 14), user Mandy Lim wrote that her friend had bought two canned drinks from the stall for $1.90 each. Lim's friend accidentally knocked over one of the cups filled with ice. This allegedly led to him being «viciously scolded» by an employee, who asked if he was aware of a sign which stated that there is a 50-cent charge to replace the ice. According to a photo posted by Lim, the handwritten sign in Chinese read: «If you spill the ice and want another cup of ice, we will charge you 50 cents.»

The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, which was broadcast on Wednesday (May 15) evening, drew many eyeballs. But there was one person who quite nearly stole the limelight from the newly-minted PM. His wife, Loo Tze Lui. Shortly after the ceremony, social media exploded with comments on Loo's appearance at the event, with many praising her good looks and grace. «Respectfully, jaw is on the floor,» wrote one TikTok user, while others seemed enamoured by her star quality. «She looks like a Korean actress,» one commenter remarked. Several commenters also said that she looked like a «humble», «kind and compassionate» person. Some netizens were flummoxed however, that Loo had walked ahead of Wong as they entered the ceremonial grounds at the Istana.

A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officer has died after fighting a fire on board a marine vessel anchored in the southwest, according to a press release on Thursday (May 16). SCDF was alerted to the fire at 12.15am. Firefighters from West Coast Marine Fire Station boarded the vessel after noticing smoke billowing from the engine room. A Rota Commander, paired with another firefighter, attempted to put out the blaze inside the smoke-logged room. While the firefighter sprayed a water jet towards the source of the fire, the Rota Commander went around the room with a thermal imager to look for other hot spots in the area. A support team of firefighters then entered and found the Rota Commander lying at the bottom of the staircase, about 4m down from the engine room. The regular officer was conscious but appeared unwell, so he was immediately evacuated. He later lost consciousness and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed on him. He was later evacuated to Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal and conveyed to the National University Hospital.

Newly minted Prime Minister Lawrence Wong received a rousing welcome from residents in his constituency as he arrived in Yew Tee after his swearing-in ceremony.  A tent and a stage had been set up at the hardcourt next to Yew Tee MRT station with seats for residents and Wong's supporters to watch the inauguration earlier in the evening.  PM Wong arrived around 10.30pm to cheers and applause. As he made his way to the stage, he greeted and shook hands with the people. The 51-year-old has been an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC since 2015 and oversees the Limbang ward. One Limbang resident, surnamed Tan, told AsiaOne he arrived there at 7.30pm to join in the festivities. By then, a sizeable crowd had gathered for the watch party and sing-along event. The retiree said he has met PM Wong on several occasions and described him as a friendly and affable person. «I'm very happy that he's our prime minister, I hope he can bring Singapore to greater heights,» he beamed. Ash Motosir, 60, who has been living in Limbang for 25 years, described PM Wong as very “down-to-earth”.

DPM Lawrence Wong has been sworn in as the fourth prime minister of Singapore on Wednesday (May 15) evening. This makes the first change of leadership in the Republic in 20 years. Wong took the oath of allegiance and oath of due execution from Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon at the Istana. At the swearing-in ceremony, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that Wong is taking over as Prime Minister in a «period of growing global fractiousness and big power contestation, and a weakening international order». «Wong and his team… are well-placed to secure our national interests amid these unpredictable geopolitical currents and to help advance Asean unity,» he said. He also highlighted how those who have worked alongside Wong, in government and in the community, would know that he brings «convictions, life experiences and skills». Recalling Wong's contributions in policymaking, the Labour Movement and as co-chair of the Covid-19 taskforce, Tharman also described Wong as being «calm and decisive» in the face of pressure.

In a speech during his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday (May 15) evening, Singapore's fourth Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that one of his key priorities is to identify younger Singaporeans in their 30s and 40s to serve. «Help me provide Singaporeans with the government they deserve,» he added. As the first prime minister to be born after 1965, the year of Singapore's independence, PM Wong acknowledged that his experiences would result in a different leadership approach compared to previous generations. «Almost all my colleagues in the 4G team were also born after 1965. My generation's story is the story of independent Singapore,» he said. He added that he and the 4G team understands the importance of good leadership, political stability and long-term planning as they are the beneficiaries of such policies. Citing the Covid-19 pandemic as «the crisis of our generation», PM Wong said that the way Singapore dealt with the crisis deepened the country's social capital, making Singaporeans «better and stronger». «Covid was a baptism of fire for me and my team,» he said.

Singapore has topped a ranking that tracks the effectiveness of more than 100 governments around the world for the second consecutive year. It edged out Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and Norway – which ranked second to fifth, respectively – in the fourth edition of the Chandler Good Government Index released on May 15. South Korea (20th) is the only other Asian country in the top 20. What helped Singapore retain the top spot was ranking first in three of the seven pillars under assessment: leadership and foresight, which involves ethical and adaptable leaders with long-term vision; strong institutions, such as ministries, public departments, and statutory agencies; and attractive marketplace, which includes creating jobs, innovation, and opportunities. The Republic slipped to second in financial stewardship, which looks at how governments acquire, allocate, and distribute public funds. In the remaining pillars, Singapore ranked fourth in helping people rise, which looks at how governments help citizens achieve a better quality of life; ninth in robust policies and laws; and 26th in global influence and reputation.

A man has declared a particular Mother's Day meal to be the «most disappointing meal I ever had in my entire life». Taking to Facebook group Complaint Singapore last Sunday (May 12), user Benson Tan wrote that he had ordered food delivery from White Restaurant at Sun Plaza to celebrate the occasion. A screenshot of his order receipt showed that Tan had paid around $133 for four dishes, including a braised crab meat with fish maw and sliced abalone soup dish for four persons. But the man said he received a «small container» of soup which was «not even half filled». He pointed out that the soup did not contain any sliced abalone and had «barely any crab meat». While it had «a few thinly sliced fish maws», the large amount of mushrooms in the dish caused it to «taste like shitake mushroom soup», he griped. «I paid $47.08 for the soup, before tax. How is the amount justifiable?» Tan asked. Aside from the disappointing portion of the soup, the man also claimed that the scallop fried rice was «ultimate oily» and the crispy baby squid «can crack a tooth».

The Japanese police have requested the Singapore Embassy to bring a diplomat back to Japan for questioning over photos he took of undressed males at public bathhouses in Tokyo, local media reported. The request made by the Metropolitan Police Department had been made through the Japan's Foreign Ministry, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported on May 14. The 55-year-old was a counsellor at the Singapore Embassy in Japan when he admitted in February to secretly filming a boy at a public bath in Tokyo, among other acts of voyeurism. He was later suspended from duty to assist in investigations, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on May 2. Local media had reported that he was caught using a smartphone to film an undressed male teenager in the men's changing room of a public bath on Feb 27. Investigators who searched the man's phone found footage of the boy in the nude, as well as footage of multiple male customers that appeared to have been taken in the bath's communal changing room.

It ruined his Mother's Day. A man was upset to see a woman eating with two dogs at her table in Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market on the night of May 12. Stomp contributor Raven shared a video and photos of the diner eating hotpot as her two canine companions sat quietly next to her. «It really pissed me off and spoiled my day to see that someone had brought her dogs along,» said the Stomp contributor. «The two puppies sitting on the chairs were at the table and the person was having a hotpot at 8.40pm.» The Stomp contributor also shared a photo of a sign sign that said: «Strictly no pets allowed except guide dogs.» He said: «The signage clearly shows that no pets are allowed in the hawker centre. »Please do be considerate. Some people may be sensitive or allergic.« The Stomp contributor added that he had reported the incident to the relevant authorities. »I hope more enforcement action can be taken," he said. Under Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations, live animals such as pets are not permitted into food establishments.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong wants Singapore to be a place that embraces different pathways to success, with people from all walks of life assured of the basics – such as housing, education, healthcare and retirement needs – as long as they work consistently. DPM Wong, who will be sworn in as the next prime minister on May 15, added that in considering the best way to take Singapore forward, the country is prepared to relook fundamental assumptions as society’s circumstances, needs and expectations change. “It is not so much that we are going to slay a sacred cow for the sake of doing so,” he said in an hour-long interview on May 10, where he outlined his approach to governance and his aspirations for Singapore. “But we are prepared to re-examine all our assumptions and consider, under different circumstances, different societal expectations and needs – what might we do differently?” This process started with the Forward Singapore exercise, said DPM Wong, who launched the movement to refresh the social compact together with the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) fourth-generation leadership team.

The exorbitant parking fee at an Outram HDB estate, as high as $6 per hour, has left drivers wary about staying too long there. Shin Min Daily News reported that parking at the HDB car park at Everton Park is free for the first 15 minutes. But the next half-hour would cost drivers $2, and $4 for each subsequent half-hour, which works out to $6 every hour.  The car park is also used as a loading and unloading bay. The higher fees to park there is meant to encourage higher vehicle turnover so that more motorists can carry out loading and unloading activities, according to HDB. As a comparison, short-term parking charges for cars within the central area at HDB car parks is $1.20 per half hour. And $0.60 for those located outside the central area.  A Shin Min reporter observed drivers parking their vehicles to buy food from the nearby coffee shop.

The accused in Singapore’s $3 billion money laundering case who faced the most number of charges has also forfeited the most amount of assets seized to the state. Vang Shuiming, 43, was sentenced to 13 months and six weeks’ jail after pleading guilty on May 14 to two counts of money laundering and one count of submitting a forged document to a bank. Nineteen other charges were taken into consideration during sentencing. Vang agreed to forfeit about $180 million of the more than $199 million worth of assets, cash, vehicles, properties and luxury items belonging to him and his wife which were seized by the police. This is the highest amount forfeited by an accused person in this case, so far. Five others convicted had forfeited between $5.9 million and $165 million in assets. Vang forfeited about $122 million in bank, portfolio and wealth accounts, 15 properties worth $29.6 million in total, and three luxury cars – a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Toyota Alphard and a Bentley Flying Spur – worth $3.38 million in all.

Birds may flock to her, but she's no Disney princess  — and her actions have also ruffled her neighbours' feathers. A woman in Choa Chu Kang has been accused of feeding birds with bags of bread on multiple occasions, upsetting residents in the area, Shin Min Daily News reported on Sunday (May 12). A 60-year-old resident surnamed Cai (transliteration) told Shin Min that the area below Block 276 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2, where she is often seen feeding the birds, ends up becoming very dirty. «This woman always brings a bag of bread down to feed the birds,» Cai said. «Aside from feeding them below the block, she also feeds them behind the multi-storey car park as well.» In video footage shared with Shin Min, the woman can be seen tossing pieces of bread onto a patch of grass nearby, attracting around 20 pigeons. The woman also reportedly feeds cats in the area. Another resident surnamed Shen (transliteration), 39, said he's been affected by the birds that flock over because he lives on a lower floor. "Some of the birds will rest on the roof of the the sheltered walkway, waiting to be fed.

SINGAPORE — A man's adult sons knew him as «Abdul Rahman Bin Majid» only to find out after his death that he had assumed someone else's identity. Investigations revealed that the real Abdul Rahman Bin Majid, who has the same identity card number as the dead man, is still alive and has been living at a home since 1994 due to chronic schizophrenia, court documents said. Fingerprints taken from the real Abdul Rahman matched the ones linked to the identity card while those taken from the dead man could not be found in the local database. In his findings uploaded online on May 14, State Coroner Adam Nakhoda said that the identity of the dead man, who died of coronary artery disease and an enlarged heart, remains unknown. Recording an open verdict on the case, he said the man's 10 fingerprints were sent to Malaysian and Indonesian authorities for comparison with their national databases. Both jurisdictions later replied that there was no match in their databases. His fingerprints were also sent to Thai authorities for comparison on Aug 15, 2023.

SINGAPORE – In an interview in which Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong talked about his aspirations for Singapore and the challenges that lie ahead, the 51-year-old leader also gave the media a glimpse into his personal life and what he does in his spare time. 1. He reads biographies of leaders, tech books and more DPM Wong reads widely, mainly about current affairs and topics he wants to learn about. A recent interest is in quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Some titles he has shared on Facebook are The Coming Wave by artificial intelligence entrepreneur Mustafa Suleyman, and Never Enough by reporter Jennifer Breheny Wallace on toxic achievement culture. He also reads biographies of leaders, both local and foreign. He is a fan of The Singapore Lion, a book on one of Singapore’s founding fathers S. Rajaratnam, written by Ms Irene Ng, a former MP and journalist.

What was supposed to have been a straightforward car repair job turned into an ordeal for one woman, who had to call the police to get her vehicle returned.  The woman surnamed Tan told Shin Min Daily News she sent her car to a workshop located in Boon Lay Way to repair her brake light on May 7.  She only wanted the brake light repaired, but the workshop staff reportedly told her that they would have to replace the front lower control arm, steering rack and wiring — which would cost her a total of $1,280.  Out of that amount, $380 was for labour costs, and $280 for electrical wiring work. As she felt the repair cost was too expensive, Tan told the workshop staff she did not want to repair her car anymore.  «I felt that they were trying to hard sell me, because I only wanted my brake lights repaired,» said the 42-year-old, who works in the beauty industry.  A friend who consulted another car workshop also told her that something was amiss about the price she was quoted.  However, she was told that they already placed an order for the replacement parts, and had already removed parts from her car for the works.

A Singaporean biker's need for speed on a Malaysian highway has landed him in the hospital with serious injuries, and possibly in trouble with the Malaysian police. The rider, who was on a Kawasaki ZX10R, a supersport motorcycle, was speeding along the 80.3km mark of the North-South Expressway, reported the New Straits Times (NST). A nearly one-and-a-half-minute video — taken from a helmet camera and posted on Facebook group SG Road Vigilante —  shows the rider switching from the left to the right lane while going at high speed, before crashing into a white car on the right lane of the two-lane highway. In the accident's aftermath, the biker is seen lying at the side of the road and his motorcycle is completely mangled. The car, a Honda Civic, suffered significant damage as well, as seen in the video. The rider is part of a convoy of superbikers from Singapore who were heading towards Malacca when the accident happened, reported NST. He was rushed to the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital in Batu Pahat, Johor.

The prospect of having their valuables stolen in Johor Bahru is a common concern among drivers of Singapore-registered vehicles. One Facebook post appears to have the answer to ward off car thieves across the border. A photo shared on the SGKaypoh page on May 5 shows a placard stuck on the side window of a car. It reads: «Please do not break my window again. This car has already been broken into. There is nothing to steal.» SGKaypoh wrote that vehicles from Singapore would need this sign when entering Malaysia, followed by a «laughing» emoji. The post has since garnered over 1,800 reactions and 1,700 comments. Several Singaporean netizens were tickled by the placard.

The best part of a meal is often savoured last. But one diner got an unpleasant surprise when she bit on something hard at the final bite. Immediately spitting her food out, the 60-year-old woman discovered a metal wire embedded in her chicken wing. Luo, a healthcare professional, told Shin Min Daily News that she bought a plate of nasi padang for lunch from the Kopitiam outlet at Tan Tock Seng Hospital last Friday (May 10). «The wire is as thick as a safety pin; I don't dare to imagine what would've happened if I swallowed it. This is a hospital; wouldn't it be even worse if a patient accidentally swallowed it?» She questioned. Luo later returned to the stall where a staff member apologised to her. The employee reportedly said that the wire did not come from the stall, and that food ingredients are provided by their supplier. Stall offers refund When contacted by Shin Min, the owner of the nasi padang stall explained that they rarely use steel scourers and guessed that the wire might have been hidden the curry chicken which Luo had ordered.

SINGAPORE — Singapore's two cruise terminals will be consolidated in the coming years, with the cruise centre in HarbourFront set to move, so that a continuous promenade can be established as part of the Greater Southern Waterfront. Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) chief executive Lim Eng Hwee described the terminals' forthcoming consolidation as a «small move» that will make a huge difference and allow the authorities to «stitch up the entire waterfront» from Labrador Nature Park through to the Keppel-Tanjong Pagar area, Marina Bay and the future Long Island. Three city port terminals near the cruise centre in HarbourFront — Tanjong Pagar, Keppel and Brani — will move to Tuas by 2027, as previously announced. The Republic's other cruise centre — Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, which opened in 2012 — is located in Marina South, and was reported in 2018 to be under consideration for expansion. «With the port moving, there's a lot of infrastructural work that needs to be done — some reclamation, and the cruise hub will be formed as part of that,» Lim said.

SINGAPORE - A man was arrested on the afternoon of May 12, following an accident in Aljunied Road involving a van carrying contraband cigarettes. In a video of the accident that is circulating online, a light-coloured van is seen partially lodged in an uncovered roadside drain, after it seemingly crashed through the roadside railings. At least eight cardboard boxes can be seen on the pavement behind the van, with police officers and at least three police cars at the scene. The police said they were alerted at about 3.10pm on May 12 to the accident in Aljunied Road, in the direction of Lorong 22 Geylang before Merpati Road. They added that a 44-year-old male van driver was conscious when taken to the hospital. He was arrested for traffic-related offences. The Straits Times understands that the driver was not found at the scene of the accident, but was located nearby. When contacted, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was notified of the accident at about 4.40pm, and took one person to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

SINGAPORE — A South Korean engineer saw his inebriated neighbour sleeping by the pool of their serviced apartment compound and tried to rape her. The 25-year-old woman, an exchange student from Sweden, was shocked when she woke up to find the man on top of her. She repeatedly told him to stop and managed to get away after a scuffle. On May 13, Cho Tae-kwon, who is now 51, was sentenced to a jail term of eight years and 4½ months, after he pleaded guilty to one charge each of attempted rape and outrage of modesty. Two other charges, for molesting the victim, were taken into consideration. Cho's sentence included jail time in lieu of caning. He cannot be caned as he is above the age of 50. He was 49 years old when he entered Singapore on June 20, 2022 on a short-term social visit pass. He was working as an engineer at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre and lived in a unit on the 9th floor with four other colleagues. There is a gag order to protect the identities of the victim and her friends, as well as regarding the location of the offence.

Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will be promoted to deputy prime minister (DPM) after a Cabinet reshuffle on Monday (May 13).  Gan, who has been the Minister for Trade and Industry since 2021, will serve alongside Heng Swee Keat, who was appointed DPM in 2019.  He will be Acting Prime Minister in the absence of the Prime Minister, reported CNA.  The 65-year-old will also take over as chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore from DPM Lawrence Wong and assume responsibility for the Strategy Group within the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).  Gan was also the Minister of Health from 2011 to 2021.  He co-chaired the Covid-19 multi-Ministry taskforce with DPM Wong and current health minister Ong Ye Kung, where he directed and coordinated Singapore’s response to the pandemic.  On Monday, PM Lee Hsien Loong announced his resignation in a letter to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.  In his letter, he said that he wanted to hand over the reins by his 70th birthday, but his plans were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

SINGAPORE – From July 8, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) will be known as the Ministry of Digital Development and Information. Announcing the name change on May 13, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement: “The new name reflects the ministry’s role in driving our national digital agenda. “The ministry will also continue to oversee information policy and strategy, media development, and public communications efforts.” During a press briefing on May 13 to announce his new Cabinet line-up, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that the change is not just a renaming exercise but also marks a significant change in mindset orientation. Specifically, the change is meant to give a strong signal and push on Singapore’s digitalisation efforts, he added. “Digital technologies will be a big enabler for us to transform our economy, and also to improve our lives, for everyone in society,” said DPM Wong. Singapore’s national digitalisation strategies include artificial intelligence and many other technologies that cut across sectors and agencies.

While walking past a coffee shop in Geylang, a passer-by was horrified to spot a large rat nosing around one of the food stalls. Taking to Facebook group Complaint Singapore on Saturday (May 11) morning, user Marilyn Crow shared a video of the rodent scurrying around a stall front and jumping onto a stack of trays.  The clip then pans to show a signboard of coffee shop chain Food Loft.  A Shin Min Daily News reporter who visited the coffee shop that night found that the food stalls had been cleaned and there were no rodents in sight.

If you've ever wanted to feel extra safe at home, this may be the room for you. A user purportedly posted on Facebook group Room Rental Singapore to advertise a room at Balestier Road for $750 a month. The problem? The room looks suspiciously like a bomb shelter, Shin Min Daily News reported on Sunday (May 12).  According to the now-deleted post, the unit is a two-minute walk from supermarkets and food courts, 500m from 13 bus stops, and near Boon Keng and Novena MRT stations. Additionally, the landlord isn't residing in the unit and there are no agency fees. Tenants are allowed to cook, use the pool and gym facilities and have visitors in the day. In the fully furnished four-bedroom, two-bathroom unit, tenants will have access to a washing machine, dryer and refrigerator. Utility expenses are shared between tenants. Netizens commented that the photo of the room that is for rent resembles a bomb shelter with air-conditioning installed, with little space left after the bed frame — which is pictured — is placed.

An Ang Mo Kio resident was left frustrated at the state of her home after a pipe clog left it flooded and damaged some items she was preparing to sell. In a video posted to Facebook last Thursday (May 9), Lydia Lee Nakamura shows how the bathroom, kitchen and living room of her rental flat were flooded with water from a drain. The flooding started late at night on Wednesday, which prompted her to call the Essential Maintenance Services Unit (EMSU) at Ang Mo Kio Town Council for assistance, she wrote. When she mentioned that her flat was rented from the Housing and Development Board (HDB), however, she was told to contact HDB's EMSU hotline instead, she said.

He was given a written warning. A woman alleged she was sexually harassed by a man who did pull-ups over her head in the 24XFitness gym at SingPost Centre in Paya Lebar on May 3. What made it worse for Stomp contributor Zenn was that after she reported the incident to the gym staff, she felt victim-blamed. In response to a Stomp query, the police confirmed that a report was lodged and said they are looking into the matter. The Stomp contributor shared a 22-second video of the incident at the squat and pull-up rack, which is for both exercises, though probably not at the same time. She took the video of herself in the wall mirror sitting on the floor and resting between her squat sets as the man stood over her and started to do pull-ups near her head. The Stomp contributor said in the video: «I'm using the squat rack and there's another one there.» She panned the camera to show another squat and pull-up rack beside the one she was using. «But he's insisting on doing this here,» she said of the man doing pull-ups right above her.

Some commuters who were on their way to Johor Bahru (JB) found themselves trapped inside bus service 178 after the driver locked the doors and refused to drive.  He had done so after some passengers refused to pay their fare, reported Shin Min Daily News.  The incident occurred last Friday (May 10) at about 5pm at the bus stop opposite Kranji MRT station.  Service 178 is managed by SMRT Corporation and runs between Boon Lay and Woodlands terminals. It stops at Woodlands Train Checkpoint on the route from Boon Lay to Woodlands. A passenger surnamed Liang told the Chinese daily that the bus captain had opened both doors to make it easier for passengers to board and alight.  The 56-year-old, who works as a purchaser in Singapore, was heading back to JB that evening.  «Some passengers boarded the bus via the rear door, and some of them didn't pay the fare. The bus captain reminded everyone to pay, but no one listened to him,» she recounted.  The driver's threat to call the police also fell on deaf ears. 

SINGAPORE – A 68-year-old man was taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a flat in Chinatown on May 11. The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the fire at Block 5 Banda Street at around 2.20pm. The fire broke out inside the bedroom of an 11th-floor flat, SCDF added. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which involved a mattress, with a water jet. SCDF said it rescued a person from the unit and had to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the person. The person was unconscious when taken to Singapore General Hospital. The police and SCDF evacuated about 15 people from the affected block as a precaution. The cause of the fire is under investigation, SCDF added. According to statistics released by SCDF in February 2024, there were more fires in 2023 than the year before, with 1,954 cases in total. This represented an increase of 8.6 per cent from the 1,799 cases in 2022. Of the 1,954 fires in 2023, 970 – or almost half – were in residential buildings.

Ask any Singaporean if they believe there is enough land space in Singapore, and the answer is likely to be no. Yet, this prevailing perception does not deter Colin Low, Singapore Land Authority's (SLA) chief executive, from his steadfast mission to create unlimited spaces. In a behind-the-scenes look at how SLA functions, Low describes the paradox of having «limited land, unlimited space», and explains how it pushes his team to continuously reimagine spaces in our little red dot. How does SLA function? In a country where land is precious and scarce, we may be most familiar with SLA's role in being the custodian of Singapore's properties. In essence, when leases on places like army camps or school buildings expire and return to the state, SLA assumes responsibility for them. If there are no redevelopment plans in place, it falls upon the team at SLA to figure out how to optimise these spaces for the community. However, that is just one aspect of SLA's governance. In fact, there are three pillars that encompass SLA's functions: land and properties, regulatory, and geospatial.

After getting heckled by an auntie during his busking session on Chinese New Year, local musician, Evan Goh, returns with another interesting encounter, this time with a kid. A TikTok video shared on April 19 shows a kid stomping on Goh's microphone equipment mid-performance. https://www.tiktok.com/@evantellstories/video/7359404701206514960 The video starts with Goh mentioning the durability of his microphone equipment and later showing the various attacks made by the kid to his equipment, asking «Why [do] you have to be mad?» in his video. Despite the kid's reaction, Paya Lebar busker remained unfazed and proceeded with his performance. Goh wrote in his caption: «While busking on the streets, we meet all sorts of interesting characters.» He added that the video was just for laughs and that one should not take it too seriously.