SHOALWATER BAY, Australia - Against the choppy waters, two fast craft from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) rapidly approached the shores at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Queensland, Australia. As soon as the ramps were lifted, dozens of soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) hit the sand. They moved quickly, supported by two Apache helicopters from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) hovering above as they secured the beach. The training on Saturday (Nov 9) morning is part of the bilateral Exercise Trident, where more than 1,900 troops from the Singapore Army, RSN, RSAF and the ADF are taking part in a vast space four times the size of Singapore. Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Enriquez Michael Zachary, Singapore Armed Forces lead for Exercise Trident, said this year's edition, from November 6 to 15, is a testament to the strong relationship between the Singapore and Australian militaries. 

SINGAPORE - The Singaporean Sinhalese man arrested for stabbing a priest at a church in Bukit Timah on Nov 9 has been identified as Basnayake Keith Spencer. Basnayake, 37, had previously been seen at St Joseph's Church in Upper Bukit Timah, but was not a regular, parishioners told The Straits Times. A video circulating online following the attack on 57-year-old Reverend Christopher Lee on Nov 9 showed a lean, bald man in a bloodied white T-shirt being led away from the church with his hands behind his back. ST found out that the man in the video is Basnayake. He was convicted and jailed in 2019 for causing hurt with a dangerous weapon, having pleaded guilty to stabbing his former girlfriend at a party while he was on drugs.

Two restaurants in Little India have been suspended from operating for two weeks from Nov 8 to 21. According to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Friday (Nov 8), both The Banana Leaf Apolo and Shahi Briyani House had their licences suspended for failing to meet hygiene requirements. The Banana Leaf Apolo, located at 56 Race Course Road, received 14 demerit points over a 12-month period and was fined a total of $1,000 due to failing to keep its premises clean, ensuring appliances are kept clean, and selling unclean food. The well-known restaurant, whose signature dish is its fish head curry operates two other eateries in Serangoon and Sixth Avenue. Another restaurant, Shahi Briyani House at 10 Rowell Road, received 16 demerit points over a 12-month period and was fined a total of $1,100 for failing to keep its premises clean and free of infestation, and failing to register an assistant. According to the SFA, a licensee who accumulates 12 or more demerit points within a 12-month period may face a suspension of their licence for either two or four weeks, or it may be cancelled entirely.

A woman scanned a QR code at Jollibee for a free ice cream, only to find she had subscribed to a service that charged her $7.99 on her Singtel bill. In a Facebook post on Saturday (Nov 9), user Andy Quek shared his wife's troubling experience at a Jollibee outlet in Waterway Point, which occurred on Nov 1. He stated that she had scanned a QR code placed at the counter, which promised free ice cream in exchange for completing a survey. After entering her phone number, however, she discovered that she had unintentionally subscribed to a mobile service, leading to an unexpected charge of $7.99 to her Singtel bill. PHOTO: Screengrab/Facebook/Andy Quek Despite cancelling the subscription immediately, the charge still appeared on the account, prompting Quek to take further action.

SINGAPORE – An already momentous year for Singapore’s kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder got even better on Nov 9, when local food and beverage company Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) extended their sponsorship deal by another four years from 2025 to 2028. Yeo’s had inked a three-year agreement with Maeder in 2022 to support his journey towards the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he made history by winning a bronze medal in kitefoiling’s debut. While the quantum of the new accord was not specified, Yeo’s is also pledging another $180,000 to the Singapore Sailing Federation (SingaporeSailing) over the next four years to promote kitefoiling. On Yeo’s backing, Maeder said: “They will for the next four years play a big part in supporting my endeavour to go and compete and train... but what I find so wonderful is bringing others along as well, and that is what really makes me so happy to be together with Yeo’s and to work together with them.” At the Marseille Marina in August, two-time world champion Maeder clinched the bronze to become Singapore’s youngest Olympic medallist and the first Singaporean sailor to stand on the podium at the quadrennial Games.

The singing of hymns was interrupted by the cries and screams of frightened children when a 37-year-old man suddenly stabbed Catholic priest Reverand Christopher Lee at St Joseph's Church in Bukit Timah on Saturday evening (Nov 9). The attacker, a Singaporean Sinhalese man, had stabbed the priest with a foldable knife after approaching him during communion. The former had previously declared to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority that he is a Christian. PHOTO: Facebook/St Joseph's Church The man, who was not named, will be charged in court on Monday (Nov 11) with voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapon. The police will also seek a court order to remand the man for psychiatric assessment.  If found guilty, the man faces a jail term of up to 15 years, as well as a fine or caning.  Four other items including potentially dangerous weapons were also found in the suspect’s possession. 

SINGAPORE – A priest was stabbed while he was conducting evening mass at St Joseph’s Church on Nov 9. The suspect, a 37-year-old Singaporean man, has been arrested. He is believed to have acted alone, and the police said they do not suspect that this was an act of terrorism, for now. The 57-year-old priest, Rev Christopher Lee, was attended to by paramedics, and was conscious when taken to the National University Hospital. In a Facebook post on Nov 9, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said the attacker was a Singaporean Sinhalese man, who had earlier declared to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority that he is a Christian. “Police have arrested the attacker and investigations are ongoing,” said Mr Shanmugam. He added that the priest is in stable condition. 

The cost of living and job security are concerns that come up frequently among residents during walkabouts, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said. The Government has taken steps towards addressing these issues and they will be covered in upcoming public consultations on Budget 2025, he added. In a press conference with local media on Nov 8, PM Wong said preparations for Budget 2025 had started and consultation sessions with the public will begin in December. There are four broad themes – economic strategies for the next bound; opportunities for skills upgrading and jobs for workers; support for Singaporeans across different life stages; and strengthening Singaporeans’ sense of solidarity and unity as the country marks SG60.

A student from St Joseph's Institution (SJI) International has died during an overseas school trip to the Maldives. A report on Friday (Nov 8) from Maldives media The Edition stated that the incident took place near Dhigurah island in the Alif Dhaal Atoll, located less than 100km southwest of the country's capital Male. The 15-year-old from Singapore, who was not named or gendered, was on a whale shark research project and was reportedly hit by the propellers of a boat while snorkelling. Despite being transferred to the Dhigurah Health Centre immediately, they were announced dead on arrival. CNA identified the teen to be from SJI International and reported that the school made a statement late on Nov 8. Dr Michael Johnston, the school's chief executive officer, said: «It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of one of our students during a recent overseas school research trip. »Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family during this difficult time. The school community is mourning our tragic loss, and we are providing all possible support to the family."

After treasure hunt game Hunt the Mouse announced that it was back in October, hundreds of people scoured our little red dot looking for silver and gold coins.  This time around, there was $1 million in cash to be found, split into a gold coin worth $500,000 and 300 silver coins worth $500 or $2,500. And the coveted gold coin, hidden on Oct 30, has finally been found.  It was discovered by three friends — Wee Kiat, Edward and Erwin — at 1.43am on Nov 8, shared game organiser Sqkii in social media posts the same day.  https://www.instagram.com/p/DCGo8_3AeTY/?img_index=1 In an Instagram story uploaded by Sqkii, Wee Kiat showed the exact location where they found the gold coin — behind leaves under a bench in front of Blk 208 at new Upper Changi Road in Bedok. 

A 55-year-old man was arrested on Nov 8 after driving an overheight vehicle, which damaged the Cairnhill Circle entrance of the Central Expressway (CTE) tunnel and resulted in closure of the slip road that led to it. In response to The Straits Times’ queries, the police said they were alerted to an accident involving a lorry along the CTE towards Seletar Expressway at around noon on Nov 8. They added that while no injuries were reported, the driver was arrested for illegally driving a heavy motor vehicle over a height of 4.5m without being escorted by a police officer or an auxiliary police officer. The Land Transport Authority said the accident caused damage to some electrical and mechanical equipment on the tunnel ceiling. However, no structural damage to the tunnel was caused, it added. Recovery works were completed and the slip road reopened at about 10.35pm on Nov 8, LTA said in an update. In dashcam footage of the accident posted on the SG Road Vigilante Facebook page, a yellow lorry with a high crane affixed to it can be seen approaching the entrance of the tunnel.

Four police officers responding to a call about a woman sitting on the ledge at the top of a tower in Pasir Ris Park this morning (Nov 8) ended with one of them opening fire at a 42-year-old man. In a briefing to media in the evening, the police revealed that the man had attacked the officers with «an improvised device which ejected flames». They were responding to a call believed to be made by him to lure police officers there with the intent to harm them. After not seeing anyone at the tower, the officers searched the vicinity, and saw a man at a nearby hut. When he attacked, «the officers drew their weapons and commanded him to stop and drop the improvised device,» police said. «However, he refused to comply despite multiple warnings and continued to advance towards the officers with the improvised device.» Due to the imminent threat to their safety, a 30-year-old officer fired a shot at the man with his pistol.  They arrested the man after he fell to the ground and found a knife near him. They also rendered first aid to him until the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s arrival. 

The prosecution questioned Worker's Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh regarding his meeting with predecessor Low Thia Khiang and WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim during his trial on Friday (Nov 8). Continuing his cross-examination of Singh into the third day, Deputy Attorney-General Ang Cheng Hock highlighted that the Leader of Opposition's recount of the meeting on Oct 11, 2021, which was intended to discuss former WP MP Raeesah Khan's lie in Parliament, did not match the testimony given by Low. Singh is contesting two charges of lying to a parliamentary committee that was set up to look into the conduct of Khan. In a police statement taken during investigations, Singh claimed that Low had not given the two senior WP leaders any advice, as they agreed that Khan had to clarify the untruth in Parliament. However, Low, in his testimony in court on Oct 23, said he had not been informed that Singh and Lim wished for Khan to clarify her lie in Parliament. Citing this contradiction, Ang said: «My point to you is that Mr Low did, in fact, give you advice, which was that Ms Khan had to clarify the untruth in Parliament, correct?»

A 16-year-old volunteer was reportedly slapped by a seven-year-old student and later attacked by the student's family. The incident took place on Oct 30 at the Ang Mo Kio branch of Beyond Social Services, a volunteer organisation that helps students from underprivileged backgrounds. The student, who wished to remain anonymous, is a teenage girl who volunteers at the centre every week and tutors primary school students, reported Shin Min Daily News. She recounted how during one of the lessons, a group of male students blocked the door to their classroom to prevent another tutor from entering.  She then attempted to diffuse the situation, but unexpectedly got accused of slapping a seven-year-old student. «I didn't see her at all. Those standing at the door were mostly boys, so I was surprised to turn around and see her crying. At the time, she was stroking her cheek and telling others that I had slapped her,» said the tutor to the Chinese daily.

A Malaysian woman drowned in a swimming pool at her condo despite an elderly neighbour's attempts to rescue her. Her family, who were in Singapore to retrieve her body, expressed their appreciation to the neighbour for his bravery and hoped that he would not feel guilty about her death. The incident happened at Fernwood Towers, a condo located in Marine Parade on Oct 21. The deceased is Yang Si-yi (transliteration), a 37-year-old engineer from Penang. She had been working as an engineer in Singapore for over 10 years prior to her death, according to her eldest brother, Yang Si-wei, in an interview with 8world. No foul play suspected: Police Si-yi's family flew to Singapore on Oct 23 to retrieve her body. The police reportedly provided them with CCTV footage of the drowning, from the moment she entered the pool to when she was carried out of the pool.  Si-yi's neighbour, a 70-year-old man who lives on the same floor, had tried to rescue her multiple times but to no avail.

SINGAPORE — A man believed to be holding a weapon was shot in the arm by a police officer in Pasir Ris Park on Friday (Nov 8). According to Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao, the incident happened at about 6am near a bird watching tower at the park. It added that the man appeared emotionally agitated and seemed to want to attack others at the park. He was sent to the hospital after being shot. When The Straits Times arrived at around 12.40pm, both paths leading to the bird watching tower were cordoned off. PHOTO: The Straits Times When The Straits Times arrived at the park at around 12.40pm, both paths leading to the tower were cordoned off. At least three police officers, four police cars and one police van were at the scene.

A 25-year-old Singaporean student was allegedly stabbed at Sint-Pietersstraat in Brussels, Belgium, at about 2.30am local time on Nov 7. He was reported by Bruzz to have sustained stab wounds in his abdomen. He was taken to hospital and was later pronounced dead. «Investigation showed that the victim was approached by the two suspects and that an argument ensued and ended in a stabbing,» the news portal quoted the local authorities as saying. Online Belgian magazine P reported that the victim was a student at KU Leuven, a Catholic research university in the city of Leuven. A source close to the investigation shared that the Singaporean had spent the evening with two other students, after which the trio were allegedly harassed by two young males. According to Het Nieuwsblad, the youths asked the victim for a cigarette and they subsequently demanded that he handed over his mobile phone. The trio tried to flee but were chased to a student house at Sint-Pietersstraat. One of the two youths apparently pulled out a knife and allegedly stabbed the Singaporean.

She wanted to give the popular attraction a try but ended up with a broken leg after riding down the tube slide at Changi Airport's Terminal 4. The incident happened on Monday (Nov 4) night, shortly before the 23-year-old finance executive was supposed to fly home. The Malaysian woman, only wanting to be known as Z, uploaded a video documenting the incident to Xiaohongshu. Speaking to AsiaOne on Wednesday, Z shared that she was travelling home with her friends after a three-day holiday in Singapore. Having reached the airport early, they decided to kill some time at the tube slide before their 8.55pm flight. In her video, she recounted her «very fun» experience riding the slide for the first time, though she was wary about the dangerous turns. She noted that she encountered significant friction while going down the slide at a high speed. Despite that, she decided to ride the slide again. That was when she heard her bones crack. Z said she screamed for help upon reaching the end of the slide but there were «no staff within the vicinity».

A woman who died by suicide was likely triggered by lawsuits filed against her and mounting legal fees, a coroner’s court heard on Nov 7. Ms Geno Ong Kay Yong, 46, who died on Sept 6, 2024, was found with two suicide notes. One of them blamed her death on Mr Raymond Ng, who is associated with anti-vaccine group Healing the Divide. Taken through his report by Deputy Senior State Counsel Teo Lu Jia in court on Nov 7, the senior investigation officer in charge of the case, Inspector Jeremy Kuan, said Ms Ong had also scheduled a Facebook post on the day of her death detailing some of the reasons for taking her own life. In it, she cited two lawsuits initiated against her by one “RN of Healing the Divide”, later established to be referring to Mr Ng. She said the suits caused her to incur costs, with Mr Ng promising more lawsuits. Insp Kuan said Ms Ong formed the view that Mr Ng and “IK”, later established to be referring to Iris Koh, who is Mr Ng’s wife, were targeting innocent, average Singaporeans who would be easily threatened and intimidated by suing them so they could get money.