SINGAPORE - In clinching the Taipei Open crown on Sunday (May 11), Loh Kean Yew bagged his 10th career badminton title as he became the first Singaporean to win at this tournament. But more importantly, he looks to have rediscovered his killer instinct as he beat home favourite and world No. 7 Chou Tien-chen 21-14, 15-21, 22-20 in the men's singles final of the US$240,000 (S$312,000) event for his first title since winning the Spain Masters in March 2024, four months before he became a father. The 27-year-old told The Straits Times: «I have been in training and on the tour a lot, and I don't get to spend a lot of time with my wife and baby. I'm really glad to win this title. It feels like my hard work and sacrifices are worth it. »We are certainly moving in the right direction, so hopefully we will keep doing well." Throughout the Taipei Open, world No. 11 Loh showed his mental fortitude to come back from deficits to beat Hong Kong's Chan Yin Chak (105th), Finland's Joakim Oldorff (52nd), Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul (49th) of Thailand and Taiwanese Wang Tzu-wei (26th) in the earlier rounds.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a government official impersonation scam which extorted over $40,000. In a media release on Saturday (May 10), the police said that they were alerted to the scam by the victim, a 20-year-old man, at about 11.50am on April 9. The alleged scammers posing as China government officials, claimed the victim's identity had been misused in China and he was implicated in a transnational money-laundering syndicate as a result, said the police. Officers from the Anti-Scam Command (ASCom) and Clementi Police Division identified the 27-year-old suspect — who allegedly assisted the scammers to collect money from the victim — and arrested him on the same day. Preliminary investigations showed he was a victim of the same type of scam, and had been manipulated into collecting money from other victims under the guise of assisting with official investigations, according to the police. The 27-year-old suspect is being investigated for offences involving cheating and cheating by personation.

Japanese character Godzilla was «spotted» at a location all too familiar to Singaporeans in a video tribute for South-east Asian fans of the franchise. In the 55-second clip titled 70 Years of Godzilla: A New Roar in Southeast Asia, the fictional monster can be seen emerging from the waters of Marina Bay with Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer in the background. The video, which was posted to the official Godzilla YouTube channel on Saturday (May 10), also shows the behemoth in various other locations across South-east Asia such as the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and famous terraced paddy fields of Bali. Japanese entertainment company Toho, which owns the Godzilla brand, released the video in celebration of the first Godzilla film's 70th anniversary which premiered in October 1954. Godzilla was created after World War II and is a symbolic figure that represents the destructive power of nuclear weapons as well as the threat they pose to humanity and the environment.

A man was arrested for suspected drug offences and causing minor injuries to two police officers in Bugis. A video made its rounds Friday (May 9) on Xiaohongshu, showing the scene at Cheng Yan Place outside Bugis+. A red car can be seen on the street with two police officers and a man in a grey shirt, seemingly a civilian, apprehending another man in a black t-shirt in front of the vehicle. Responding to AsiaOne's queries, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said that officers found a car parked haphazardly along the road during their patrols at around 10.55am and conducted a check, where they discovered suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia. «During the arrest, the male car driver put up a struggle but he was eventually subdued by officers and with the assistance of a member of the public,» the statement continued. «Two police officers sustained minor injuries while effecting the arrest.» The driver of the car, 30, was conveyed conscious to the hospital and then arrested for voluntarily causing hurt against a public servant and for suspected drug-related offences.

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) will continue their groundwork and return at the next election, said its founder Tan Cheng Bock. The PSP team for West Coast-Jurong West GRC — featuring Dr Tan, Leong Mun Wai, Hazel Poa, Sani Ismail and Sumarleki Amjah — made their rounds and greeted supporters and residents at West Coast Market on Saturday (May 10) morning, a week after the General Election (GE2025).  «We are not running away. We'll be back soon,» said Dr Tan. Despite the loss, he said that it was a good journey, having given the younger members a chance to experience «what it is like to fight in the election, with all the odds against you». The PSP failed to emerge victorious during the rematch in West Coast-Jurong West GRC against the People’s Action Party (PAP) on May 3. The PAP slate, led by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, received 60.01 per cent of votes over the PSP who lagged behind with 39.99 per cent of votes.

A motorcyclist died after crashing into a metal barrier that had broken off from a road divider when a car allegedly made an illegal U-turn on the Second Link Highway, in Johor, Malaysia. The incident, which took place on the evening of May 9, occurred after the Singapore-registered car smashed into the barrier while making the U-turn at an opening in the road divider. In the process, the red Maserati dislodged a section of the barrier, reported Malaysian daily New Straits Times (NST) on May 10. According to dashcam footage of the crash, which has since gone viral on social media, the car ended in the leftmost lane in the opposite direction, towards Singapore. Moments later, a motorcyclist was seen colliding with the debris According to the NST report, the motorcyclist died on the spot from severe head injuries. Several other motorcyclists also fell after hitting the debris but did not appear seriously injured.

Five former schools in the east that have moved or been merged with other schools are set to be replaced by new homes. Proposed amendments to the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) masterplan that were published on April 24 and May 7 showed that land occupied by the five schools have been earmarked for new homes. They are the former Bedok Town Secondary, Temasek Primary and Temasek Secondary in Bedok, Qiaonan Primary in Tampines and Siglap Secondary in Pasir Ris. The HDB is in the midst of demolishing three of the schools, and has permission from the URA to tear down the remaining two. Other proposed amendments to the URA Master Plan 2019 – a statutory document – showed that new homes are being planned in areas such as Sin Ming and Toa Payoh. One of the proposed amendments is to rezone a site near Bedok MRT station from educational to residential use. The site, at the intersection of New Upper Changi Road and Bedok South Road, was formerly occupied by Temasek Primary and Secondary schools. Both schools have moved to other sites in Bedok South and Upper East Coast.

[UPDATE May 9, 5.21pm]  In another Facebook post, the SCDF said that the blaze has been largely extinguished. They added that efforts to douse the remaining deep-seated pockets of fire through damping down are expected to continue into the night. A fire broke out in a two-storey industrial building in Tampines on Friday (May 9), forcing staff and students from a nearby school to evacuate.  Taking to Facebook, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said that they were alerted to the fire involving textile items in 18 Tampines Street 92 at around 12.50pm. «SCDF is fighting the fire with five water jets, an aerial monitor from a combined platform ladder, and an unmanned firefighting machine,» they said. «The fire is under control, but the structure of the premises is assessed to be unstable.»  SCDF said that a person from the affected premises was assessed by a paramedic for a minor cut on his arm, but declined to be sent to the hospital. According to a Google search, two companies are listed under this address: furnishing retailer T.C. Homeplus and bedding store Jean Perry.SG.

As AsiaOne's resident motoring correspondent, I do spend quite a lot of time on the roads. One of the things about driving in Singapore though is having to watch out for the infamous 'cop on top' - traffic policemen stationed at overhead bridges with their laser cameras, ready to nab speedsters. Of course, as a law-abiding citizen, I probably shouldn't have much to worry about. But it's always wise to keep a lookout anyway just to make sure I don't fall afoul of the law. What is it like on the other side of the fence though? Well, the Traffic Police (TP) invited us to follow them on one of their speeding enforcement operations exercise this week to find out what goes on when they head out to catch speeding vehicles.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore and congregants celebrated the election of Pope Leo XIV early on May 9 (12.06am SGT). This pontiff, who succeeds Pope Francis, will be the first American to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.  «The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore gives thanks to almighty God for blessing us with a new Vicar of Christ,» it said in a statement on Friday (May 9). The statement said that Pope Leo XIV was chosen to be the 267th Pope by 133 cardinal electors on Thursday (May 8) at 6.06 pm Rome time. «We rejoice at the election of Pope Leo XIV as the successor of Saint Peter and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. »The Roman Catholic Archdiocese unites with the universal church in praying for the Holy Father as he begins his Apostolic ministry,« it added. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong posted an Instagram story early on Friday morning of the newly elected pope waving to the crowds. He captioned the story: »His Holiness Pope Leo XIV".

An elderly man who lost contact with family members for six days has been found on the roof of a newly-constructed flat in Bidadari. Lau Sung Pong, 81, was reported missing on May 1 after he failed to return home. In an interview with AsiaOne, 55-year-old Joyce said that her father, Lau, who has dementia but had been advised by doctors to maintain his daily routine, accidentally got off the bus two stops later than intended. «He's generally strong and healthy, though his kidneys are not in the best condition due to his age,» said Joyce, who asked not to be identified by her full name. She is her father's primary caregiver. After spending two hours searching for Lau on foot and car without success, Joyce contacted the police. Together with several family members, the police combed through the Bidadari and Woodleigh area to find the elderly man.

After his son was slapped in a road rage incident, this father isn't too keen on turning the other cheek. The father is now seeking an apology from a man who struck his 13-year-old son after the two — on bicycles — collided with each other at a traffic junction in Tampines, Shin Min Daily News reported on Thursday (May 8). The teenager was attempting to cross a traffic junction along Tampines Ave 7 and 12 last Friday (May 2) around 5.45pm, according to a video post of the incident uploaded to SG Road Vigilante's Facebook page the following day. Mid-crossing, the teen appeared to struggle with the bicycle and didn't seem to notice the oncoming adult cyclist approaching from the opposite end of the junction. While the adult cyclist managed to stop in time, the teenager did not and jerkily moved forward, colliding with the man. In response, the man abruptly slapped the teen, causing both of them to stumble briefly before they continued on their paths. Speaking with Shin Min, the teenager's father, surnamed Qiu (transliteration), shared on Wednesday that his son had cycled away because the crossing light was turning red.

Two people have been arrested after a video of a man getting violently attacked went viral, according to the police on Wednesday (May 7). A 31-year-old man and 35-year-old woman were arrested for their alleged involvement in a case of voluntarily causing grievous hurt with common intention and suspected drug consumption. In the 49-second video posted on Facebook on Tuesday, the victim can be seen handing over a plastic bag to a man in what appears to be a transaction. After a few words were exchanged, the victim then appears to return the man his banknote while tapping on his phone. However, the man receiving the handoff suddenly delivers an uppercut to the victim, sending the latter's glasses flying. The man follows this up with a flurry of blows, causing the victim to reel backwards and collapse on the ground, as punches continue to rain down upon him. As the victim tries to right himself, the attacker kicks him in the head, knocking him back against the wall. The victim's bloodied face and hands and face are shown as the video ends.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has signed a contract with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to acquire two more Invincible-class submarines, growing its fleet to six from 2034 onwards.  The procurement of two additional submarines was previously announced by Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Committee of Supply 2025 debate in Parliament on March 3.  «Four submarines are not optimal for a submarine fleet,» said Dr Ng. He explained that submarines are subjected to more rigorous and frequent maintenance cycles as they operate under intense pressure. This is in turn affects operational time. «This is why most navies that operate submarines have more than four — Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam», added Dr Ng.  The Republic of Singapore Navy started building four custom-made Invincible-class submarines, in Germany, in 2017. Two of the four existing submarines, the RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable, were commissioned in September 2024 and have begun operations in Singapore waters. 

SINGAPORE — Cardinal William Goh is one of 133 cardinals from about 70 countries — and the first Singaporean — choosing the new pope in the papal election that starts on May 7 at the Vatican. The 67-year-old head of the Catholic Church in Singapore also has a shot at becoming the next pope, like the other cardinals gathered in Rome to pick the leader for the 1.4 billion Catholics globally. Cardinals are second in rank only to the pope in the Church's hierarchy. After the pope dies, all cardinals under the age of 80, who are known as cardinal electors, come together to choose the new pope. They typically choose someone from among their ranks. Pope Francis, who died on April 21, elevated Cardinal Goh to a cardinal in 2022. Cardinal Goh is the first and only Singaporean to be appointed a cardinal so far, and he heads the 395,000-strong Catholic Church here. One of six children of a housewife and a clerk, Cardinal Goh grew up in a zinc-roofed house in Hougang and later worked as a forex dealer before he answered the call of priesthood. He was ordained as a priest in 1985 at the age of 27.