Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. Over 17,900 people caught for use and possession of vapes since January 2024 More than 17,900 people were caught for possession and use of e-vaporisers between January 2024 and March 2025, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a joint statement on Friday (May 16)... » READ MORE 2. 'His criticism has no effect on me': Quan Yi Fong responds to Addy Lee's accusations

At 17, he was a gang leader and lived a life of violence and drugs. For a decade, he went in and out of prison for a series of crimes including drug abuse and extortion. Now 46, Kim Whye Kee is an artist and volunteers in the community. He discovered an unexpected passion for pottery during the final months of his incarceration and pursued a degree in Fine Arts at LASALLE College of the Arts after his release in 2008. In 2016, Kim founded Qi Pottery, specialising in tea wares, and has amassed over 11,000 followers on his Instagram page. Today, he volunteers with the Industrial and Services Co-operative Society Limited, offering mentorship to individuals facing drug-related struggles. «I decided to change when I started to give back.»

More than 17,900 people were caught for possession and use of e-vaporisers between January 2024 and March 2025, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a joint statement on Friday (May 16). HSA seized more than $41 million worth of e-vaporisers and components and conducted 50 successful operations against large-scale e-vaporiser syndicates within the period. Sixty people aged between 17 and 43 were also prosecuted for selling e-vaporisers. Two persons who were part of an e-vaporiser syndicate involving over $5 million worth of e-vaporisers were also among the prosecuted, while another key figure in a $6.5 million case was arrested in October last year. The two, Ivan Sin Poh Meng and Toh Wee Leong, were sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment and a fine of $16,000, and 10 months' imprisonment and a fine of $14,000 respectively, which are the highest sentences to date for the smuggling of vapes. Investigations on the third individual are ongoing. Twenty men and seven women aged between 20 and 46 failed to pay composition fines and were prosecuted.

The Blackbird SG, a live music bar and restaurant in Gillman Barracks, was fined $850 in court on Wednesday (May 14) for lapses in food safety and hygiene regulations, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said. This came after 40 cases of gastroenteritis were reported in December 2023 after patrons consumed food prepared by the establishment. None of them were hospitalised, SFA said. The Ministry of Health and SFA later conducted a joint investigation at the premises and found multiple food safety breaches, including a dirty chiller, which increases the risk of cross-contamination. In addition, ready-to-eat sandwiches that were collected as food samples for the investigation failed SFA's food safety tests. The agency reminded food operators to ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained to ensure proper food hygiene and safety requirements are met. It added it would not hesitate to take enforcement action against food operators found to violate the Environmental Public Health Act.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said that Asean economic ministers are committed to deepening their partnership and will soon conclude negotiations for an upgrade to Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).   At a media doorstop on Friday (May 16), DPM Gan, chairman of the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (Sert), provided an update on the taskforce's focus areas, reiterating its three-pronged approach to help businesses and workers cope with the current uncertainty caused by sweeping tariffs imposed by the United States. He highlighted the importance of strengthening Singapore's partnership with key trading partners, particularly within Asean, to bolster the economy. While Singapore and its trading partners may face heightened tariffs from the US, it has stepped up collaboration with Asean and is close to completing negotiations for ATIGA by the end of this month, he said. ATIGA is a free trade agreement (FTA) started in 2009 between Asean members that aims to reduce trade barriers and deepen economic links between member states.

Punggol Town Council, NParks and animal welfare groups will work in tandem to raise awareness on treating animals with kindness, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said in a Facebook post on Thursday (May 15). In his post, DPM Gan, who is also an MP of Punggol GRC, stated that «a beloved community cat in Punggol» named Shere Khan was found severely injured, and residents have written in to share feedback on animal welfare. «NParks has assured us that they are looking into the matter,» DPM Gan said, adding that the Town Council will work with NParks and animal welfare groups to put up posters to raise awareness on animal welfare. «Let us be a gracious society, and show kindness and compassion to animals,» he added.

Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat said that Singapore must remain a «key node» in the global supply chain amid ongoing uncertainty. Speaking to media at PSA Pasir Panjang Terminal on Friday (May 16), Chee said that despite greater turbulence, uncertainty and shifts in the world, Singapore's container volumes have grown by 6.1 per cent during the first four months of 2025, compared to the same period last year. Singapore handled 14.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) – which is a measure of cargo capacity – from January to April this year. «Container (throughput) has remained strong despite what's happening,» he said, adding that this is something he hopes can continue. Chee added that companies have boosted trade activity in recent months due to the pause in higher tariff rates and this increase in activity has benefitted Singapore.  «There is actually a boost in terms of companies trying to do some front loading and catching up, trying to make full use of this window,» he said.

Punggol Town Council, NParks and animal welfare groups will work in tandem to raise awareness on treating animals with kindness, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said in a Facebook post on Thursday (May 15). In his post, DPM Gan, who is also an MP of Punggol GRC, stated that «a beloved community cat in Punggol» named Shere Khan was found severely injured, and residents have written in to share feedback on animal welfare. «NParks has assured us that they are looking into the matter,» DPM Gan said, adding that the Town Council will work with NParks and animal welfare groups to put up posters to raise awareness on animal welfare. «Let us be a gracious society, and show kindness and compassion to animals,» he added.

Promotions and opportunities for political newcomers are expected to be high on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's agenda as he forms the next Government. This comes after the People's Action Party (PAP) secured 65.57 per cent of the national vote following the May 3 General Election. Several political analysts told AsiaOne that major changes are on the cards, pointing to the big mandate that PM Wong secured in his first election as PAP leader. «Given the overwhelming support he has received from voters, he managed to retain most of his cadre members,» said independent political observer Felix Tan. «He now has the strong mandate to make tough decisions within his party and also will be able to put those that he deems fit into these positions.»

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is rewarding all eligible staff with a profit-sharing bonus of 7.45 months after posting a record-breaking profit of $2.78 billion for the financial year that ended on March 31.  Its net profit was up by 3.9 per cent year-on-year, from $2.68 billion recorded in the previous financial year. The boost in net profit was attributed to the one-off non-cash accounting gain of $1.1 billion from the Air India-Vistara merger completed in November 2024 that resulted in SIA having a 25.1 per cent stake in the enlarged Air India. Group revenue was also up 2.8 per cent year-on-year to a record-high of $19.5 billion, driven by resilient demand for air travel and cargo uplift that brought Scoot and SIA's passenger volume to a high of 39.4 million. But SIA's operating profit declined by 37.3 per cent year-on-year to $1.7 billion as a result of stronger competition. It also proposed a final dividend of 30 cents per share, resulting in a total divided of 40 cents per share for the financial year.

Retiring Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat hopes to spend the next six to 12 months “not doing any work”, before he figures out his next steps. “I have a very bad work habit, I work long hours. I don’t have much time for myself,” he said. “I hope to spend time travelling to all my favourite places, to read my favourite books and listen to my music, so that I can slow down. Then I’ll decide what else might be meaningful for me to do.” The 64-year-old also hopes to spend time with his children and extended family, and continue exercising and taking care of his health. Plans for his post-politics life have been on the cards for at least a year. In May 2024, he told Prime Minister Lawrence Wong just after his swearing-in ceremony that he wanted to retire “if the transition goes well for the rest of the year”. “I had decided on that before that, but I didn’t want to disturb him,” DPM Heng told The Straits Times on May 15. He does not intend to go back to public life, quipping: “Only if I am absolutely needed. Do you have something in mind?”

Move over, flowers. One Singapore Polytechnic graduate got a roasted duck and bitter gourd instead. A TikTok video of a woman receiving the unusual gift in lieu of a graduation bouquet has gone viral. Tricia, who wished to be known only by her first name, posted the video of herself holding a whole roasted duck and bitter gourd at her graduation on May 7. Captioned «best graduation bouquet», the 17-second video shows the Business Administration graduate laughing in disbelief with the items in her hands while her peers held flower bouquets. The video has garnered over 477,000 views as of Thursday (May 15).

Around 1,000 Build-to-Order (BTO) flats at the former Keppel Club golf course will be launched during the Housing Development Board's (HDB) BTO exercise in October this year, according to National Development Minister Desmond Lee. Lee announced the project in a Facebook post on Thursday (May 15), reiterating the government's goal to launch approximately 19,600 homes across multiple projects this year. The estate is part of the mature town of Bukit Merah and will feature «around 1,000 units ranging from 2-room Flexi to 4-room flats, as well as public rental flats», he stated.

A Singaporean driver involved in a fatal Second Link Expressway accident on May 9 was charged in a Malaysian court today (May 15). Muhammad Irsyad Abdul Hameed, 27, pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, reported Malaysian media outlet New Straits Times. The man is accused of causing the death of 32-year-old motorcyclist A. Vasanthraj at the expressway at about 6.40pm. Irsyad, who was driving a red Maserati, had allegedly made an illegal U-turn and crashed into the road divider, according to previous media reports. The victim collided with the debris and reportedly died at the scene from severe head injuries. Following the crash, several angry motorists surrounded and allegedly assaulted Irsyad before the police arrived, according to viral videos posted online. 

SINGAPORE — A 20-year-old man who molested a stewardess while on board a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight has been sentenced to three weeks' jail. On May 14, Indian national Rajat, who goes by only one name, pleaded guilty to one charge of using criminal force with the intent to outrage modesty. The offence took place on Feb 28, when Rajat, who was studying at a university in Australia, was flying from Perth to Singapore. At 11.20am, the stewardess was cleaning one of the restrooms and bent down to pick up a piece of toilet paper on the floor. «As she did so, (Rajat) approached her and placed both his hands on her hips, near her buttocks. He then pushed his way into the toilet, causing the victim to enter the toilet as well,» said Deputy Public Prosecutor Eugene Lau. A female passenger who saw what happened quickly pulled the stewardess out of the restroom and took her to the back of plane to recompose herself and to avoid Rajat. Despite what happened, Rajat requested to speak to her privately, said the prosecutor. He was arrested after the plane landed in Changi Airport.

Two grandstands at Turf City and the Singapore Badminton Hall along Guillemard Road have been proposed for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). They are among the «significant buildings» at five sites being put forth for conservation as part of the authority's Draft Master Plan 2025, said Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on Wednesday (May 14). The three other sites are the former Royal Malayan Navy administrative block in Woodlands North, Jurong Hill Tower and a cluster of six blocks in the Dakota Crescent estate. In a video posted to Facebook on Wednesday, Lee said these buildings and sites help to tell the story of Singapore’s progress in the past 60 years. «Each one means something to someone. So, one important way of anchoring our sense of place and identity as Singaporeans is to conserve buildings and sites that reflect our common history and experiences,» he said. «Beyond conserving the physical structures, we can continue to recall memories...through digital documentation, physical markers and walking trails.»

A domestic worker who was given life imprisonment in 2023 for murdering her employer’s mother-in-law had the charge reduced to culpable homicide on May 14 after her lawyers argued at her appeal that she had been provoked. Zin Mar Nwe, 24, had stabbed the victim 26 times on June 25, 2018, after the 70-year-old woman threatened to send her back to the agent. Lawyer Josephus Tan said the triggering statement amounted to grave and sudden provocation, which caused the Myanmar national, who was then 17 years old, to lose self-control. Mr Tan argued that to her mind, the statement represented a real possibility that she would be sent back to her home country because it was the third time within five months she had changed employers. He said the threat was made against a backdrop of “a period in which the deceased had scolded, hit and hurt the accused”.  Deputy Public Prosecutor Kumaresan Gohulabalan argued that there was no evidence to support a finding the maid had been physically abused, aside from her self-reported claims.

SINGAPORE — A cleaner was at work in a primary school when he molested a 10-year-old girl twice in a single day in May 2024. In one of the incidents, he brazenly outraged the child's modesty while her schoolmates were playing nearby. On May 14, the 67-year-old man, whose name has been redacted from court documents, was sentenced to 11 months and two weeks' jail after he pleaded guilty to two molestation charges. Deputy Public Prosecutor Xavier Tan told the court that the victim was standing near the school canteen during recess at around 11.15am on May 6, 2024, when the offender called out to her. He then walked up to the girl, hugged her from the front and moved his body in a lewd manner. The girl did not return the hug, and ran into the canteen when he released her. She was sitting at one of the tables when he approached her again, sat down, and placed his left arm around her back. When a boy approached the victim, the man left, the court heard. At around 11.30am, the girl was heading back to class when the man approached her yet again and tried to kiss her.

Singapore and Changi cannot afford to be complacent, and we must «continue to work hard», said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the groundbreaking ceremony of the mega Terminal 5 (T5)  on Wednesday (May 14). The terminal will also house Changi's first transport hub, with the potential for land, air and sea transportation options. Speaking at the event, PM Wong, who is also the Finance Minister said: «Like Singapore, this improbable nation we have, Changi, too, has defied the odds to thrive and succeed beyond all expectations. »We must make a connection to the world, and we must make sure our air hub stays competitive. That's why, today, we are making another bold move in Changi with this groundbreaking." He shared that an estimated 50 million passengers are expected to travel through T5 each year. With the completion of T5, Changi Airport will be able to handle 140 million passengers yearly, boosting its current capacity of 90 million by more than 55 per cent.  The current 170 city links that Changi has is expected to increase to more than 200 with the completion of the new terminal, PM Wong stated.

Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. Singapore and Changi cannot be complacent, says PM Wong during groundbreaking ceremony of Terminal 5 Singapore and Changi cannot afford to be complacent, and we must «continue to work hard», said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the groundbreaking ceremony of the mega Terminal 5 (T5)  on Wednesday (May 14)... » READ MORE 2. Stray cat in Punggol dies from 'deliberate abuse'; NParks investigating

A man has been arrested for allegedly attacking a parent with a foldable metal chair after a Singapore Youth League (SYL) match on May 11. The police told AsiaOne that they received a call for assistance at 10 Compassvale Lane - which is Sengkang Secondary School - at about 7.15pm on that day. A 51-year-old man was conveyed to Sengkang General Hospital while conscious and a 46-year-old man was arrested for rash act causing hurt. Investigations are ongoing. According to a statement by Albirex Niigata, one of the clubs which played that night, the victim was «assaulted with a foldable metal chair», suffering severe bruising and cuts near his left eye socket as a result. The man, who is the parent of a youth footballer, was taken to hospital and discharged the same night. «We are in close contact with the parent. He is recovering and his vision is improving. The parent has also made a police report immediately after the assault,» said the club.

The National Parks Board (NParks) is investigating a suspected case of animal cruelty in Punggol, following the violent death of a cat last week. A cat was recently found with severe injuries near Block 326B Sumang Walk in Punggol, according to a Facebook post by Luni Singapore, a non-profit animal welfare organisation, on Tuesday (May 13).  The animal subsequently died, despite being given immediate veterinary assistance.  This comes days after another community cat was found disemboweled, with its eyes gouged out in Yishun. In a Facebook post on May 9, Minister for Law and Home Affairs K. Shanmugam condemned the act, calling it «appalling cruelty.»  According to Luni Singapore, the Punggol incident is believed to have occurred on May 11 or May 12. According to the group, the cat —  named Shere Khan — was a gentle and well-loved community cat, known for his sweet and trusting nature.

SINGAPORE — Nearly a quarter-century after he took off his surgical scrubs to don party whites, Dr Ng Eng Hen still looks at issues — including Singapore's survival — with an oncologist's trained eye. «Basically, when you are presented with a problem, you ask: What is the root cause?» he said. «Rather than trying to get at the symptoms, what is the core diagnosis?» Dr Ng had been asked how Singapore can stay secure and relevant in a more uncertain world. The answer always has to come from asking itself what its place in geography and history is, he said. «Some people wish the world to be friendlier, protect small countries, to find space for all countries, but that is not the reality,» the 66-year-old said in his farewell interview with local media at the Ministry of Defence on May 13. «For Singapore, I would say the starting point is we take the world as it is — not as we wish it to be, no matter how much we wish it to be,» added Dr Ng, who has helmed the defence portfolio since 2011 and was first elected as an MP in 2001.

Singapore's cricket fraternity mourned former national cricketer and coach Arjun Menon who was «brutally murdered» on Saturday (May 10) night at his residence in Malawi, Africa. On Monday (May 12), Singapore Cricket Association (SCA) members held a minute of silence in his memory before the start of the national league matches. «His legacy lives on in the players he shaped and the communities he uplifted across continents,» the association said in an earlier Facebook post on Sunday. In the same post, SCA expressed “profound sadness” at his passing.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) raided the home of a 13-year-old girl after she was caught behaving erratically and vaping outside the State Courts. According to a statement by HSA on Tuesday (May 13), she was vaping publicly and appeared «unsteady in gait» outside the courts on April 24. After she was identified, the authority raided her house and seized one e-vaporiser. Further testing revealed that the e-vaporiser contains etomidate — a controlled substance used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent. Adverse effects of etomidate include nausea and vomiting, uncontrollable movement or spasm of muscles, changes to breathing and blood pressure, seizures and psychosis. HSA subsequently identified and caught the 25-year-old male who sold the e-vaporiser to the teenager, seizing one e-vaporiser and three pods containing etomidate from his possession. The man, his 26-year-old wife, and the teenager are currently assisting with HSA's investigation. In a separate incident, the authority identified a 36-year-old man who was filmed vaping on an MRT train on April 18.

Covid-19 infections have increased recently, but there is no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said. In a joint statement on Tuesday (May 13), the authorities said there were 14,200 cases from April 27 to May 3, compared to 11,100 cases in the previous week. Over the same period, the average daily Covid-19 hospitalisations rose from 102 to 133, while the average daily Intensive Care Unit cases decreased from three to two cases. The statement said that hospitals are currently able to manage the increase in cases. It added that periodic Covid-19 waves are expected throughout the year and the rise in cases could stem from various factors, including lowered population immunity. Vaccination and precautionary measures The statement recommended individuals aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable or residing in aged care facilities to receive an additional vaccination dose around a year after their last dose.

Singapore's cricket fraternity mourned former national cricketer and coach Arjun Menon who was «brutally murdered» on Saturday (May 10) night at his residence in Malawi, Africa. On Monday (May 12), Singapore Cricket Association (SCA) members held a minute of silence in his memory before the start of the national league matches. «His legacy lives on in the players he shaped and the communities he uplifted across continents,» the association said in an earlier Facebook post on Sunday. In the same post, SCA expressed “profound sadness” at his passing.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Tuesday (May 13) that as part of the government's ongoing efforts to support daily expenses, all Singaporeans households can now redeem and use $500 worth of Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers.  PM Wong — who is also the Minister for Finance —had shared during Budget 2025 in February that all Singaporean households will receive $800 in CDC vouchers to help with the cost of living. The vouchers will be distributed in two tranches, $500 in May 2025 and $300 in January 2026. For the May tranche, as with previous rounds, $250 will be allocated for spending at participating hawkers and heartland merchants, and $250 for use at participating supermarkets. Speaking at the launch of the seventh tranche of the CDC voucher scheme at Nee Soon South Community Club today (May 13), PM Wong said that this is «not a one-off exercise,» and that the Government will «continue to provide help for as long as it is needed», reported The Straits Times.

A Good Class Bungalow (GCB) site in the Caldecott Hill Estate is set to be purchased for $58 million by the sons of Koufu Group founders Pang Lim and Ng Hoon Tien, reported The Business Times. The freehold site located at Joan Road occupies 39,276 sq ft of land and costs $1,477 psf. There are two bungalows occupying the regular-shaped plot within the prestigious Caldecott Hill enclave in District 11, which is one of 39 gazetted GCB areas in Singapore. The property was initially purchased in the 1960s by Chan Kok Kwan, the former president of the Diamond Importers Association of Singapore, and housed three generations of the Chan family. It was recently rebuilt around 2000, with one of the two-storey bungalows being occupied by the Chan family. The second bungalow, which also features an attic and a swimming pool, is tenanted, according to a release in April 2024 by real estate company Cushman & Wakefield. The GCB site had been marketed through an expression of interest exercise in May 2024 by the firm at an indicative price of $62.8 million ($1,599 psf).

The Workers' Party (WP) Punggol team will continue their groundwork and outreach initiatives, Harpreet Singh Nehal said in a Facebook post on Friday (May 9). The 59-year-old senior counsel also responded to a comment that said he probably has one general election left in him due to his age.  «I'm sorry, but you don't know me, bro,» Singh said, adding that he is in good health. «Let's just say — you're not getting rid of me that easily.» In the recent election, Singh contested Punggol GRC with WP teammates Alia Mattar, Jackson Au and Alexis Dang, earning 44.83 per cent of total votes. They lost to the People's Action Party (PAP) team consisting Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Senior Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Sun Xueling as well as Yeo Wan Ling, who garnered 55.17 per cent of votes. Singh said in his Facebook post that the response in Punggol and throughout Singapore has been «overwhelming», with his team being told to «come back» and «continue the fight».

An outing to Sentosa turned awry for a young girl vacationing in Singapore, after she purportedly sustained a cut on her feet while playing in the pool of a beach club. The incident occurred on the afternoon of May 4 at Ola Beach Club, said the child's mother in a Xiaohongshu post on May 8. The two are reportedly from Shanghai.  In her post, the user wrote she had discovered her daughter's toe was bleeding fiercely after the girl suddenly voiced that she was in pain. A photo attached to the post show that the girl had cut her little toe. The mum didn't reveal the age of her child. The mother noted that a restaurant server and chef stepped forward after she asked for help. The club then called a medic, who administered first aid and advised the girl to visit a hospital as the cut was «very deep». According to the woman, the restaurant manager had said then he could not promise any compensation but would inform the management. She was also given a business card and asked to email them for follow-ups.