Don't be surprised the next time you order from economy rice stalls in Koufu food courts and coffee shops — they will soon feature colour-coded price labels for all their dishes. The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) and Koufu have partnered to launch colour-coded price labels for their 'cai fan' stalls on Monday (March 24) starting with an outlet in Tengah. The labels will categorise dishes into groups - meat, seafood, vegetables, and premium items - along with their respective prices. Seafood dishes will be labelled blue, meat dishes red, and vegetable dishes green. Premium items, indicated with a white label, have handwritten prices on the tags. The initiative was launched on Monday, March 24, at the Hong Le Mixed Veg Rice stall in Plantation Plaza's Koufu food court by Case president Melvin Yong and Koufu's chief financial officer Chua Sher Lin. It was witnessed by Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling. These colour-coded price labels will be implemented across all economy rice stalls operating in 77 Koufu food courts and coffee shops by end-2025.

The Law Society vice-president's online comments on the case of a local TikToker convicted of sexual assault have sparked backlash among members of the legal fraternity — and from Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam. In a LinkedIn post on Sunday (March 23), Chia Boon Teck weighed in after Lev Panfilov was found guilty by a High Court judge last Friday (Mar 21) for raping, molesting and sexually assaulting a woman he met through Tinder on Jan 12, 2021. The 28-year-old Singapore permanent resident originally from Russia, who is also a former actor of popular YouTube channel Wah!Banana, will be sentenced later. Chia, the vice-president of the Law Society since August 2023, said that there are many questions that arose from the case. «People who indulge in one-night stands may wanna take note to protect themselves from attack, or accusations of attack,» he added in the post. Chia listed 10 points from the report, while commenting on each of them.

SINGAPORE — A bus enthusiast who sexually exploited multiple teenage boys whom he got to know through the hobby community was sentenced to 16 years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane on March 24. Between 2018 and 2022, the man, who is now 25 years old, perpetrated sexual acts against five male victims who were aged between 13 and 21 at the time. He pleaded guilty to four charges: one for raping a 13-year-old and one for sexual exploitation of the same victim; one for sexual assault by penetration involving a 14-year-old; and one for voyeurism committed against a 21-year-old. Seven other charges were taken into consideration during sentencing. The offences came to light when another member of the bus-spotting community, in whom several victims had confided about the sex acts, reported him to the police. There is a gag order on the identities of the victims and the man, who was a warehouse assistant prior to his arrest. Deputy Public Prosecutor Sarah Siaw told the court that in 2017, the man befriended a younger boy who bought bus-themed paraphernalia from him on online marketplace Carousell.

By age 33, Timothy Tan had his fair share of experience working across various sectors. Graduating with a degree in biomedical science, he started as a pharmaceutical sales representative before moving on to manage an events company. However, mid-career, Timothy discovered that his true passion lay in pursuing a role in the tech sector. Taking a leap of faith, he signed up for courses at edX and Coursera to acquire skills in Python programming and applied machine learning. «There's something magical about software and how it controls every part of life: your phone, things on the screen, your cameras even,» Timothy notes, likening the importance of codes in software, to DNA in humans that determines how we function and respond.

More than $200,000 worth of e-vaporisers were seized by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in two cases. In a joint statement by HSA and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on March 24, HSA said it investigated a shipment of e-vaporisers discovered at a Sungei Kadut warehouse on Feb 28, and about 5,000 e-vaporisers worth approximately $110,000 were found. HSA conducted an operation on the same day and caught two men, aged 32 and 31, who came to collect the e-vaporisers. They are currently assisting with investigations. On March 1, ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint directed a lorry entering Singapore for enhanced checks, and about 4,800 e-vaporisers were found hidden in its cargo consignment.  The e-vaporisers had an estimated value of $105,000. The case was referred to HSA and the lorry's 24-year-old male driver is assisting with investigations. Under the Tobacco Act, it is an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components. First time offenders are liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both.

A clip taken during his walkabout of Marine Parade last Saturday (March 22) has been taken out of context, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said on Sunday, reported The Straits Times. Minister Tong, who is also an MP for Marine Parade GRC, was at a walkabout where he interacted with residents at a coffee shop in Marine Terrace, part of the new Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC. Facebook user Kent Lau later posted an edited video of Tong's interactions, wherein he appears to be speaking animatedly to a group of elderly men. However, one of them raises a hand, purportedly pointing his middle finger as the video is slowed down. The video then cuts to a volunteer speaking to Minister Tong, where the former can be seen pointing at the camera with a serious look on his face. Speaking with the media on Sunday, Tong said that the reception he received at the walkabout was warm and that the video was being used by some sites to place him in a negative light, The Straits Times reported. «I think it is obvious (that it was) to push an agenda, I think, quite clearly for a political objective,» said Tong.

After nearly swallowing a rusty nail found in her walnut cake on Friday (March 14), a woman developed neck stiffness and body aches.  The woman, who wanted to be known as Rong, told Shin Min Daily News that her husband had bought the $1.30 walnut cake from the Koufu beverage stall at Waterway Point in Punggol. Upon realising there was a rusty nail in the sweet treat, the 36-year-old immediately reported the incident to the manager of Koufu. She said the manager refunded her and offered a free bowl of dessert, as well as compensation for her treatment. Rong received a tetanus shot, with her medical bill amounting to $105. She then returned to the stall to get compensation, which the manager provided.  But her condition worsened the following day, as she began experiencing body aches and neck stiffness. On March 16, she visited the doctor again, as her symptoms were not improving. The second visit to the doctor cost her $112, and she was reimbursed again by the outlet.

Singapore Management University (SMU) announced the key enhancements to its Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy (IPMDE) programme offered at SMU Academy, the University's professional training arm on Mar 7. First launched in January 2024, the master's programme currently has over 130 learners enrolled. As part of its continuous enhancement, a structural revamp is set to roll out in August 2025, introducing Industry Graduate Diplomas (IGDs) to provide professionals with a more modular, flexible and industry-aligned learning pathways. This aligns with Singapore's national focus on lifelong learning, offering an accessible, customisable and skills-based approach to career advancement and workforce transformation. Learners who are currently enrolled in the IPMDE will not be affected, however, those who wish to transition to the revamped structure will have the opportunity to do so, subject to the completion of the newly-introduced modules.

SINGAPORE - Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ng Ling Ling does not know if she will contest the next general election in Jalan Kayu, which has been carved out as a single seat. Asked if she will run in the single-member constituency, she told reporters on March 23 that she will wait for PAP leaders, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, to make the call. “We trust our leaders. I think the best team must run in the GE,” added the 53-year-old. “For me, I just want the residents to be happy.” Ms Ng was speaking on the sidelines of a residents’ carnival in Seletar Hills, which is part of Ang Mo Kio GRC. Two of the other four Ang Mo Kio MPs – Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin – were also present, along with about 900 residents. The newly minted Jalan Kayu SMC will take in areas from Ang Mo Kio GRC that are currently in Ms Ng’s Jalan Kayu ward, and also parts of Mr Gan Thiam Poh’s Fernvale. During the event, Ms Ng was also asked if she hopes to keep serving residents in her ward. She replied that she wishes to be able to support all Singaporeans.

SINGAPORE - He has gone from being a helicopter pilot with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to flying the uber-rich with American private jet company NetJets. Now, US-based retiree David Tan spends his time transporting rescue animals from kill shelters to prospective foster homes across the US. The 70-year-old Singaporean is one of over 6,000 volunteer pilots at Pilots N Paws, an American non-profit organisation that serves as a virtual hub connecting rescue organisations and volunteer pilots.  Animal rescue groups sign up with Pilots N Paws and put out a call when there is a need for animal transportation.  Mr Tan also works independently with rescuers who contact him directly.  In the 13 years since he started with Pilots N Paws, he has flown more than 420 rescue dogs, 42 cats, three goats, one pot-bellied pig and a bat in his 20-year-old Aermacchi SF-260, a two-person Italian light aircraft. He tells The Straits Times via Zoom from his home in Madison, Wisconsin, that it is rewarding flying animals, even if the costs of these flights are all out of his own pocket.

An online job post by a Buddhist organisation in Singapore has triggered reactions from netizens ranging from surprise to scepticism. The reason? The advertisement published on March 16 for the position of a nun comes with a monthly salary ranging from «$5,000 to $11,000». According to the post on the My Careers Future job portal, the job scope for the Buddhist nun for Ling Jiou Shan Buddhist Society includes «overseeing and managing religious programmes», «teaching and conducting religious training sessions», as well as «providing mentorship and guidance». Applicants for the permanent, full-time position would also need to have 10 years of prior job experience. On Reddit, many users expressed incredulity over the perceived high salary for the position. Wrote one user: «A nun pays much better than a preschool teacher... I clearly had the wrong calling in my life.» However some indicated that the salary was justified, considering the responsibilities.

Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief said he'll be running in the newly created Sembawang West SMC in the upcoming General Election (GE) during a walkabout at Woodlands on Sunday (March 23).  Dr Chee had previously contested in Bukit Batok SMC in 2020 and 2016. This SMC has been absorbed into the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC following the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report on March 11. «In Bukit Batok SMC, I poured my energy, dedication and organisational competence into serving the residents, and I am ready to bring that same passion to Sembawang West,» he said, according to flyers addressed to Sembawang West residents.  At a media doorstop on Sunday, Dr Chee, 62 said he's leaving Bukit Batok with a «heavy heart». «You don't spend 10 years getting to know the residents, building up the community, entering the lives of the residents there, and then have it yanked from you with the stroke of a pen without feeling a void,» he said at a media doorstop. 

Hong Kah North SMC MP Amy Khor said she will continue to focus on serving residents, after the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee dissolved her constituency into neighbouring GRCs of Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC and Chua Chu Kang GRC. Senior Minister of State Khor was addressing the media after her walkabout outside the Bukit Batok West hawker centre on Saturday (March 22), where she was accompanied by Prime Minister and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Lawrence Wong. Responding to queries regarding her plans following changes to the electoral boundaries, Dr Khor said that her standing in the upcoming election is a decision that PM Wong — who is also the Secretary-General for the People's Action Party — will decide. «But in the meantime, I will continue to focus on serving residents and really understanding their needs, assisting them, as well as continuing to enhance their living environment as I have done,» she stated, adding that she had  opened the new Bukit Batok West hawker centre just the week before. Dr Khor shared with AsiaOne about the experiences and fond memories of serving the Hong Kah North region for 24 years.

Opposition People's Power Party (PPP) secretary-general Goh Meng Seng has said that his party will not contest in Nee Soon GRC in the coming election. Instead, his party will «step aside» for Red Dot United (RDU) to run against the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP). The PPP and RDU had both staked their claim in Nee Soon GRC after the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee released its report on March 11. But in a Facebook live stream on March 16, Goh said that he will be «glad» to withdraw his team from Nee Soon GRC if the PAP slate, currently led by Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, confirms that an «LGBTQ activist» will not be fielded in its team. In a press conference on Saturday (March 22) Goh, with RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon, said that since the PAP is «unlikely to field the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) activist», his party will no longer contest in Nee Soon GRC for the sake of «opposition unity». He said: "Mr Shanmugam had gone to meetings with the church leaders twice, and thereafter a certain messaging came up that no decision has been made about the (LGBTQ activist).

Hong Kah North SMC MP Amy Khor said she will continue to focus on serving residents, after the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee dissolved her constituency into neighbouring GRCs of Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC and Chua Chu Kang GRC. Senior Minister of State Khor was addressing the media after her walkabout outside the Bukit Batok West hawker centre on Saturday (March 22), where she was accompanied by Prime Minister and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Lawrence Wong. Responding to queries regarding her plans following changes to the electoral boundaries, Khor said that her standing in the upcoming election is a decision that PM Wong — who is also the Secretary-General for the People's Action Party — will decide. «But in the meantime, I will continue to focus on serving residents and really understanding their needs, assisting them, as well as continuing to enhance their living environment as I have done,» she stated, adding that she had  opened the new Bukit Batok West hawker centre just the week before. Khor shared with AsiaOne about the experiences and fond memories of serving the Hong Kah North region for 24 years.

Reform Party leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam has been issued a Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) correction direction over statements he made about the employment of foreign auxiliary police officers (APOs). The order relates to a March 9 article he published on his website The Ricebowl Singapore as well as Facebook and X posts from the day, and marks the 10th correction order issued to the politician. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in their statement on March 21 that Jeyaretnam made false statements alleging APOs have all the powers of regular police officers, and that foreign APOs are hired by the government and used to keep the incumbent political party in power despite violating the Singapore constitution and «using force in breach of fundamental liberties». He also claimed that the government prefers hiring foreign APOs and thus sets their salaries at a level that would make the role of an APO less attractive to Singaporeans, said the MHA. The Minister for Digital Development and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs, Josephine Teo, instructed the Pofma Office to issue the order to Jeyaretnam.

Former lawyer M Ravi was spotted at a walkabout with opposition party Red Dot United (RDU) on Friday (March 21) evening in the new Jalan Kayu single-seat ward. Donning a lanyard identifying him as a volunteer, the 55-year-old was seen chatting with residents and distributing flyers near Fernvale LRT station and at the hawker centre in Fernvale Community Club. When asked if he is contesting in the coming general election, Ravi told the media after the hour-long walkabout that he has «pledged his support» to RDU as a «strong alternative voice in Parliament». While not a member, Ravi said he is attracted to party due to its «sustainable policies». «I live here, and I was born in Jalan Kayu, and so this place is very special to me, he said. »I also know that RDU is contesting in Nee Soon GRC, where I spent my teenage years." Ravi was part of the Reform Party slate that challenged for the six-member Ang Mo Kio GRC against the People's Action Party(PAP) during the 2015 General Election. The PAP, led by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, won with 78.6 per cent of the votes.

A TikToker and former scriptwriter-actor with local YouTube comedy channel Wah!Banana was convicted by the High Court on March 21 for raping a woman he met on the dating app Tinder. Lev Panfilov, a Singapore permanent resident originally from Russia, was found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of outrage of modesty. The 28-year-old will be sentenced at a later date. The assault took place on Jan 12, 2021, in his bedroom after he took the woman back to the flat he shared with flatmates to work on her script. The woman, who was then 30 years old, had worked as an actress and model and was trying to branch out into comedy writing. She and Panfilov presented different accounts of the incident. During the trial, which began in May 2023, she was cross-examined for an “unprecedented” 13 days, according to the prosecution’s written submissions. The two matched on Tinder and later moved their chat to WhatsApp before arranging to meet in person at a restaurant in Robertson Quay.

A popular Mediacorp radio DJ was charged with sexual offences at the State Courts today (March 21). The Straits Times reported that Gunalan Morgan, who was an actor and a producer-presenter at the Tamil-language Oli968 station at the time of his alleged offences, was charged with seven offences in total, including three counts of voyeurism and one count of sexual communication with a minor under 16. The 43-year-old Singaporean was also charged with performing an act that could obstruct, prevent, pervert or defeat the course of justice. In response to a query from AsiaOne, Mediacorp stated that Gunalan «was immediately suspended from work upon [their] knowledge of his arrest, and a termination notice has been served on him». According to his charge sheets obtained by AsiaOne, Gunalan is accused of having sexual communication with the minor on four separate instances between Aug 25 and Aug 31, 2024, and then deliberately deleting his Instagram conversations with her on Sept 16 after being informed that a police report had been lodged against him.