SINGAPORE - The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), in Myanmar to aid search-and-rescue efforts following the massive earthquake that struck the country on March 28, helped rescue a man trapped under a collapsed three-storey building on March 30. The operation, which took about eight hours, was conducted with members of the Naypyitaw Fire Service Department, the SCDF said in a Facebook post. The force had deployed an 80-strong contingent and four search canines a day earlier to assist in rescue efforts in the country, which was struck by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay, its second-largest city. The death toll stands at over 1,600 in Myanmar and at least 17 in neighbouring Thailand. More than 3,400 have been injured in Myanmar, and at least 139 are still missing. In its social media post on March 30, the SCDF said it began search-and-rescue operations at around 1am in the Zabuthiri Township in Naypyitaw.

The Ministry of Law has committed about $3 million over the next two years to support registered charity Pro Bono SG’s key programmes, including The Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS). Originally a ground-up initiative, CLAS was established forty years ago to provide legal representation to accused persons facing non-capital charges in Singapore who cannot afford legal aid. The Law Society Pro Bono Services (now known as Pro Bono SG) took over the administration of CLAS in 2007. “Having a first-class [legal] system is one thing, but it being made accessible to everyone in our system and our society is quite something else,” said Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong at the Pro Bono SG Awards 2025 held on Friday (March 28). CLAS has been receiving government funding since 2015 to institutionalise and support the availability of volunteer lawyers providing legal aid.

A car crash along Jalan Kayu left a 55-year-old man injured after a tyre from a BMW reportedly flew into a nearby eatery, striking him. CCTV footage posted on Facebook by SG Road Vigilante on Saturday (March 29) shows the moment the tyre from the BMW crashes into the restaurant's outdoor seating area, hitting a diner sitting there.  The police told AsiaOne that they were alerted to the accident involving two cars along 246 Jalan Kayu, heading toward Sengkang West Avenue at 8.55am on Saturday (March 29). A 55-year-old man was conscious when taken to Sengkang General Hospital. A 52-year-old driver suffered minor injuries but declined to be taken to the hospital, police said. He is currently assisting with the police investigation. Lin, the 50-year-old owner of the BMW, claimed he was trying to overtake the car in front of him when it suddenly turned right, causing the two vehicles to collide, reported Shin Min Daily News. The driver of the other car said that the BMW suddenly emerged from behind and collided with his vehicle.

In the 2020 General Election, the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) team in Sengkang GRC, consisting of three political office holders, lost to a Workers' Party (WP) team of fresh faces. Five years on, Dr Lam Pin Min, the only remaining member of the losing PAP slate, told the media on Sunday (March 30) that the «new and younger» line-up is looking to win back the hearts — and votes — of residents with sincerity and passion in the coming election. «We know there's always a challenge to win back a constituency, especially a GRC from the opposition, but I think the effort speaks for itself,» said Dr Lam before a walkabout in Sengkang GRC. The 55-year-old ophthalmologist and former senior minister of state was with 39-year-old Theodora Lai, a principal at private equity firm Tembusu Partners; Associate Professor Elmie Nekmat, 43, who teaches communications and new media; and Bernadette Giam, 38, a director at local food and beverage enterprise Creative Eateries. They have an average age of 44, five years younger than the previous PAP team that contested in Sengkang, said Dr Lam. 

Jackson Lam, who is the former People's Action Party (PAP) branch chairman in Hougang SMC, will be an asset to the party, government and Parliament should he run in the upcoming General Election, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Saturday (March 29). Shanmugam was speaking at an event in Nee Soon GRC, for which he is also a Member of Parliament (MP), and described Lam as being «very good on the ground». The minister added: «I would love to see him contest the elections.» Shanmugam was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a community pop-up event by DBS Foundation. Lam, 40, was also at the event. When asked if Lam would contest in Nee Soon, he responded: «Well, from anywhere, he will be an asset to the party, to the government and Parliament, wherever he contests from. »Where he contests, and whether he contests, you have to wait and see." Apart from Shanmugam, Nee Soon GRC MPs Carrie Tan and Louis Ng were also present and were seen engaging with beneficiaries.

SINGAPORE — UOB has denied allegations of improper conduct made by the former boss of a former client which have surfaced online, calling them baseless and defamatory in a March 28 Facebook post. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said separately that it is looking into the allegations made by Koh Kien Chon, who is also known as Ken Koh. He used to be the chief executive of Yang Kee Logistics, a client of UOB. The company has since folded. The allegations made by Koh, who made a statutory declaration on Feb 25 on the matter, relate to improper conduct by UOB's executives dating back to 2016 pertaining to the sale of a property, as well as a breach of confidential information regarding the sale. A statutory declaration is a statement that is affirmed to be true. It is made before a commissioner of oaths, who may be a lawyer, court interpreter, government official or any individual who is authorised to administer oaths and affirmations. The bank said in a media statement later in the day that it has issued a warning letter to Koh.

As Singaporeans, we rarely have to think about earthquakes as their occurrence here is rare. But when travelling overseas-especially to places like Japan, Indonesia, or Taiwan — you may find yourself in an earthquake-prone zone. On March 28, an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 rocked Myanmar, sending tremors to surrounding regions like Bangkok, where witnesses said that people streamed out of buildings.  Getting caught in an earthquake can be a scary and disorienting experience, especially if it's your first time; however, a little preparation and knowing what to do can make all the difference in keeping you safe.

SINGAPORE - An 80-strong force and four search canines from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) left for Myanmar on March 29 to assist rescue efforts in the quake-battered country. The Operation Lionheart contingent departed around 1pm, at full strength for the first time since a mission to Turkey in 2023, also for earthquake relief, an SCDF spokesman told The Straits Times. A 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28 has killed at least 1,000 people in Myanmar and injured 2,300 others, with the death toll expected to rise, according to latest reports. SCDF is answering the military junta's rare call for aid with a force including the elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, fire stations, full-time national servicemen doctors, paramedics and search and hazardous materials specialists, it said in a Facebook post. The contingent was at the SCDF's headquarters in Ubi on the morning of March 29 for a briefing before it took off on a Singapore Airlines flight, arranged «on short notice».

SINGAPORE - Pang Gek Teng, who grew Surrey Hills Grocer from one to five outlets, is no longer chief executive officer (CEO) of Surrey Hills Holdings after it terminated her employment on March 26. In a media statement on March 28, it said she has admitted to «certain wrongdoings and fraud» committed against the company. It will be carrying out investigations to ascertain the extent of losses suffered. In the interim, the CEO duties will be assumed by Koh Chew Chee, director of the board of Surrey Hills Holdings. It added that daily operations and its businesses will continue without disruption. Pang told The Straits Times via WhatsApp on March 28: «While I am deeply disappointed with the current situation, I am immensely proud of what [my colleagues and I] have accomplished together.»  «From a single vision from Joo Koon (where she opened her first outlet in 2021), we cultivated a thriving business that has resonated with so many, and I am grateful for the unwavering support from our customers, partners and employees who believed in this journey.» 

The extended leave that parents will soon get will foster deep connections with their newborn, said an analyst on Friday (March 28).  With the first phase of a new scheme to begin on April 1, eligible working parents will have six weeks of shared parental leave. The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said on Thursday (March 27) that this will apply to those with Singaporean children born on or after April 1. Under the shared parental leave scheme, eligible fathers will also be entitled to four weeks of mandatory government-paid paternity leave. Dr Mathew Mathews, head of the Social Lab and principal research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, told AsiaOne that the two weeks of paid paternity leave that fathers currently get «resembles a short vacation from work».  «A month off allows fathers— and businesses—to fully disconnect from work,» he said, adding that it is a genuine opportunity for them to immerse into caregiving.  «This extended leave not only fosters deeper connections with their newborn but also reinforces their vital role in parenting.» 

More than 950,000 Singaporean HDB households will receive rebates on their utility and conservancy bills in April. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced the latest tranche of rebates in a statement on Friday (March 28), and said that eligible households will receive up to $190 in U-Save rebates and up to one month of Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates, both being dependent on their type of units. For example, those living in a one- or two-room flat will receive $95 in both GST voucher (GSTV)  and Cost-of-Living U-Save rebates. The same household will also receive one month of S&CC rebates. In total, eligible Singaporean HDB households will receive up to $760 of U-Save rebates, as well as up to 3.5 months of S&CC rebates for the financial year. The rebates in April will be the first quarterly disbursement for financial year 2025. They are part of the government's permanent GSTV and enhanced Assurance Package schemes that are meant to help lower- to middle-income households with the rising cost of living.

Electricity and gas tariffs for households will be unchanged until June.  On Friday (March 28), SP Group said electricity tariffs will remain at 28.12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while City Energy said gas tariffs will remain at 22.72 cents per kWh.  Both prices do not include the Goods and Services Tax.  SP Group said it reviews the electricity tariffs every quarter based on guidelines set by the electricity industry regulator, Energy Market Authority. Due to volatile global fuel prices, electricity tariffs may fluctuate between each quarter. The electricity tariff consists of energy costs paid to generation companies and network costs to SP Group for transporting electricity through the power grid. It also includes a market support services fee and costs of operating the electricity wholesale market and power system. From October to December 2024, the electricity tariffs were 29.10 cents per kWh.

SINGAPORE — After evading paying goods and services tax at Changi Airport for luxury items she bought in Europe, a woman went on social media to teach others how to do the same. On March 27, Cloey Tan Wan Qi, 27, was fined $18,000 after pleading guilty to a charge under the Customs Act. In sentencing, District Judge Eddy Tham said Tan not only evaded the law, but also had the audacity to publicise what she did and teach others how to circumvent the law. The court heard that in May 2024, Tan went to the Netherlands and Belgium with her family and boyfriend and purchased multiple luxury items there for her personal use. These included five bags from luxury brands Christian Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, two luxury wallets, one pair of shoes from Michael Kors and an engagement ring from jeweller House of Gassan. The total value of the luxury items she purchased was more than $23,000, and Tan knew she was supposed to pay GST on these items when she returned to Singapore. However, when she landed in Singapore on May 10, she cleared immigration and collected her luggage at Changi Airport without declaring the goods she brought home.

The remains of Seetoh Kwok Meng, brother of renowned Singaporean food critic, KF Seetoh, will be repatriated to Singapore, three months after a fatal gas explosion took place at his home in Italy last December. Seetoh, 63, provided the update in a Facebook post on Thursday (March 27) after reaching Lucca, Italy, where he will collect his brother's remains. «Investigations on the cause is still ongoing but we need some closure for now,» said Seetoh. His brother, 68, and his wife, Chang Kai En, died after a suspected gas explosion on Dec 21, 2024 at their home in the Italian town of Molazzana.

Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam will not be filing a police report against the two sisters who disrupted the meet-the-people's session in Chong Pang on March 12.  Shanmugam, who is also Nee Soon GRC MP, was responding to queries from the media regarding this incident at a doorstop interview during a visit to the Darul Makmur Mosque's temporary prayer site in Northview Primary School on Thursday (March 27).  He said: «Based on my knowledge, (what they did was) potentially a criminal offence. But I haven't filed a police report, and I'm not filing a police report.» He added that to his understanding, the two sisters were under investigation for other offences even prior to the incident in Chong Pang. Minister Shanmugam declined to elaborate what these offences are. He further stated: «They're both young. I (might be) in their parents' generation, and really I hope that they (the sisters) will have the space to learn and grow from this incident.» Shanmugam also urged people to move on from this incident, focusing instead on building «a stronger community together».

A 51-year-old man has been charged on Thursday (March 27) for allegedly inviting two Bangladeshi nationals for a religious public assembly at Lantana Lodge, a migrant worker dormitory near Tuas South Avenue 4. In a joint statement on March 27, the Singapore Police Force and the Ministry of Manpower said that Abdus Sattar invited Hamza Md Amir @ Amir Hamza and Ullah Mohammed Neamat to the assembly on Aug 9, 2024. At the gathering, Amir had allegedly preached to the migrant workers present, while Ullah had allegedly performed songs to the crowd. Both acts were done without the necessary permits and licences required, resulting in Sattar being charged under the Public Order Act 2009 (POA) and the Public Entertainments Act 1958 (PEA). Amir is a preacher known for his «extremist and segregationist» views and alleged connection to a pro-al-Qaeda organisation in Bangladesh, according to an earlier statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Aug 21, 2024. Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam had said then that Amir had managed to enter Singapore undetected by using a passport registered under a different name.

More than 50 million travellers have cleared immigration using QR codes at Singapore's land checkpoints since March 19 last year, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced on Thursday (March 27). The Authority also announced that the full implementation of QR code clearance at local land checkpoints began in January this year. The QR code clearance system was launched in March 2024 for cars and was then gradually extended to the bus, motorcycle, and cargo zones. At present, the QR code clearance gantries have served over 50.3 million travellers at Singapore's land checkpoints. Comparing the March school holidays in 2024 and 2025, ICA said about 2,000 more travellers were cleared per hour with the QR code clearance initiative. For those driving, over 30 million travellers — or 70 per cent of total car travellers between March 2024 and 2025 — have cleared immigration using the QR code. To utilise the QR code clearance system, travellers must create a profile and generate an individual or group QR code using the MyICA mobile app prior to reaching the checkpoint.

SINGAPORE — A man was driving a car after consuming alcoholic drinks when it struck a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) and the rider later died in hospital. Teo Kok Meng, 38, then contacted Jacky Tan Kah Kiat, 35, who decided to take the rap for the accident that took place at around 10pm on Sept 27, 2022, court documents stated. Tan finally told the truth to the police when his statement was recorded at around 2.45pm the next day. On March 26, he was sentenced to three weeks' jail after pleading guilty to performing an act that could obstruct the course of justice. Teo's case is pending. Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamed Riasudeen told the court that at around 8pm on Sept 27, 2022, the two men met at a Bukit Batok coffee shop, where they drank some alcoholic beverages. They later left the coffee shop and Teo drove Tan home to Teck Whye Avenue. The DPP said that after Tan alighted, Teo was driving along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1 at around 10pm when the PAB emerged from the slip road of Teck Whye Avenue. The car collided with the PAB and the rider, Samuel Seet, 28, was flung onto the road.

Thai police are searching for a Singaporean man after his girlfriend was found dead in downtown Bangkok on Wednesday (March 26), reported local media. The body of the 30-year-old Thai woman was discovered by two of her friends in the bathroom of a condo apartment on the 22nd floor. They had gone looking for her after losing contact on March 24, according to Thai PBS. Bangkok Post reported that the victim was naked from the waist up and covered by a blanket and a blood-stained bedsheet, with blood-stained cloth wrapped around her head. The victim's friends said the door to the room was unlocked and the air conditioner was turned on. They also claimed that the deceased and boyfriend, a 32-year-old Singaporean, frequently argued and that the man would allegedly turn violent. CCTV footage from the condo showed the couple together on March 23. The man was seen taking an elevator to the woman's room at 12.12am on March 24 and leaving with his luggage at 3.15pm the next day, according to Bangkok Post. He left the building in a black Mercedes-Benz, which Bangkok police reportedly said is registered to a deceased Thai man.

HANOI – The upcoming general election is not just about the PAP needing a strong mandate, but Singaporeans recognising that much is at stake for the country in this new environment, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on March 26.  “In order to survive, in order to thrive, in order for us to navigate a very challenging global environment, we will need a strong and united Singapore,” he said. “So there is much at stake in the elections.” “And when the elections come, I will present my case for the PAP, for me and my team, and I hope Singaporeans will give me the chance to serve them and to serve Singapore,” he added. PM Wong was speaking to Singapore reporters in Hanoi before flying home after a two-day visit to Vietnam, his first to the country since taking over as prime minister in May 2024. He said his introductory visits to the various Asean countries – he has been to Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia and Thailand – have allowed him to strengthen his relationship with his counterparts, affirm Singapore’s partnership with these key neighbours, and identify new areas in which to strengthen cooperation.

SINGAPORE — Hazy conditions in Singapore on the morning of March 26 were likely due to the accumulation of particulate matter under light wind conditions over Singapore, said the weatherman. «The situation is expected to improve in the afternoon as winds strengthen,» added a spokesman from the National Environment Agency (NEA) in response to queries from The Straits Times. Singapore is currently in its north-east monsoon season, with winds blowing mainly from the north-west or north-east. However, while there has been an escalation in the hot spot and smoke haze situation in the Mekong sub-region, NEA said satellite observation showed no clear indication of smoke plumes drifting from countries there to Singapore. The Mekong sub-region includes a number of countries located to the north of Singapore, including Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. NEA said it is closely monitoring the situation and will issue updates if required.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) will ease measures to make housing more accessible for young couples who are either working or have just started working. National Development Minister Desmond Lee announced during an engagement session about public housing at the National University of Singapore on Wednesday (March 26), that starting from the next Build-to-Order (BTO) launch in July this year, young couples in which either one party is studying or serving National Service will be eligible for the Deferred Income Assessment (DIA). For example, a couple, where one person is earning $3,500 a month while the other is still studying, could only afford to purchase a three-room BTO flat in Yishun previously. But under the expanded rules, the couple can now apply for their BTO flat and have their HDB housing loan and Enhanced Central Provident Fund Housing Grant assessment deferred for about three years, until the collection of keys. «At that point, both parties would have started work. With a combined income of say $7,500, they will qualify for a sufficient loan to buy their dream four or five-room BTO flat,» the minister said.

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has named Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Leong Mun Wai as its secretary-general. He will lead the party into the upcoming general election and will take over the secretary-general position from Hazel Poa, who will be the vice chairman of the party, announced the opposition party on Wednesday (March 26). Speaking to the media at the party's headquarters in Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, PSP founder Dr Tan Cheng Bock said there was no contest for the position and Poa had wanted to «pass the baton» back to Leong. Leong had been elected as PSP's secretary-general in April 2023 but stepped down as leader in February 2024 to take responsibility for a Pofma correction direction he received for a social media post. Poa then succeeded Leong as secretary-general. Addressing Leong's past Pofma order, Dr Tan said the former had «owned up» to it.

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng has begun visiting homes in Fernvale, raising speculation that he is set to contest in Jalan Kayu SMC, Lianhe Zaobao reported on Monday (March 24). Fernvale is part of the new Jalan Kayu SMC, carved out from Ang Mo Kio GRC. Ng and more than 10 volunteers visited two HDB blocks in Jalan Kayu on last Sunday (March 23), according to Zaobao. A resident also told the Chinese newspaper that they received a doorknob sign informing them that Ng had visited their home but was unable to meet them. The sign, furnished with pictures of Ng along with links to his socials, reads: «I hope to meet you the next time when I conduct house visits in your area.» Among the Fernvale residents that AsiaOne spoke to on Tuesday (March 25), most were not aware of the boundary changes or Ng's recent presence in the region. Speaking with AsiaOne, a Fernvale Link resident, who only identified himself as Tan, said that he didn't know about Ng's visit on Sunday.

Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh has urged Singaporeans to work towards creating «a more balanced political system» in the upcoming General Election, in response to the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report, which he said outlined «one of the most radical redrawing of boundaries Singapore has seen in recent memory».  In a Facebook post shared on Tuesday (March 25), Singh questioned the fairness of the EBRC report, noting that there has been «significant public commentary, especially by young Singaporeans» regarding the redrawing of political boundaries. Singh labelled the EBRC an «opaque» institution and highlighted the incredulity surrounding «population growth» being cited as one of the reasons behind the redrawing of boundaries. «Boundaries are important, and the reasons that justify their changes, matters. A lot,» he added. Only five GRCs and four SMCs were left unchanged from the last election.

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) has drawn attention to a recent case of animal cruelty after fish in a condominium pond were allegedly left to suffocate and die in a pond that was drained for cleaning. A video of the incident posted on Facebook by Acres on Tuesday (Mar 25) showed workers cleaning the pond after it had been emptied of water.  In the video, which was provided by a member of the public, fish can be seen struggling and flopping around in the enclosure. Towards the end of the video, a worker was also seen tossing a dying fish onto the walkway. According to Acres, the pond, which has existed for 25 years, was drained and the fish discarded alive under the building management's instructions. In the post, the non-profit organisation dedicated to animal welfare, rescue and conservation noted that while the condominium had made efforts to rehome the red-eared sliders, no provisions were made for the welfare of the fish. Among the fish were tilapias, plecos and also stingrays.

SINGAPORE — No adverse effects related to the consumption of slush ice drinks containing glycerol have been reported here, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). But it will continue to monitor the situation and international developments on the use of glycerol in such drinks, the agency said in response to queries from The Straits Times about the safety of the additive, which is typically used to create the slush texture in such beverages. This comes after a group of researchers in UK and Ireland warned in a study that children under the age of eight should not be drinking slushies due to potential health risks, following a spate of hospitalisations in the two countries. The researchers found that some slush ice drinks contain glycerol, which can lead to glycerol intoxication in young children when consumed in high levels. Symptoms of this condition include headaches, nausea and a dangerous drop in blood sugar level, which can result in drowsiness or even loss of consciousness.