A man was rescued by Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers following an accident involving a lorry and a car along the Central Expressway (CTE) on Wednesday (May 21). In response to queries from AsiaOne, the SCDF and Singapore police said that they were alerted to the accident along the CTE towards the Seletar Expressway (SLE) after Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 exit at 6:05 am. SCDF added that a person was found trapped at the driver's seat of a car upon their arrival. The man was subsequently freed using hydraulic rescue equipment.  A 23-year-old male car driver was conscious when conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, while a 25-year-old male lorry driver sustained minor injuries but declined to be taken to the hospital. Another car passenger was also assessed for minor injuries but declined to be taken to the hospital. In a post shared by Facebook group SG Vigilante earlier in the morning, a photo shows an overturned lorry while another image shows several rescue workers attending to passengers in a silver vehicle.

In the new cabinet since his maiden General Election triumph as prime minister, Lawrence Wong announced on Wednesday (May 21) changes to ministers in seven of the 15 ministries.   Seven new MPs will also be appointed political office holders, including two who will be acting ministers with Jeffrey Siow helming the Transport Ministry, and David Neo heading the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.  The pair will also be Senior Ministers of State — Siow in the Ministry of Finance and Neo in Education.  As for the fourth-generation leadership, Chan Chun Sing will become the new Minister for Defence, taking over from Ng Eng Hen, who has retired. He will also be appointed as Coordinating Minister for Public Services.  Desmond Lee moves from the Ministry of National Development to succeed Chan as Minister for Education.  Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat will become the new National Development Minister.

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Amos Yee, a convicted child sex offender in the US, has had his parole delayed after he violated terms of release, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). A search of IDOC's website shows that he will be jailed for another six months with his parole date set for Nov 7, 2025, while his projected discharge date has been set at three years to life, with duration to be determined. The 26-year-old Singaporean was originally scheduled for release on April 24. Under Illinois state law, his parole will end with the projected discharge date, meaning that Yee could potentially be under US supervision for the rest of his life. «Amos Yee is not eligible to resume mandatory supervised release until Nov 7, 2025, due to the Prisoner Review Board determining he violated the terms of his release,» a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections told The Straits Times. He is currently in custody at the Danville Correctional Centre in Illinois.

The National Parks Board (NParks) euthanised some of the monkeys it previously trapped as they were deemed «aggressive». Responding to queries from AsiaOne on Tuesday (May 20), group director of wildlife management at NParks How Choon Beng said majority of the 50 long-tailed macaques trapped in the Punggol vicinity in 2024 were sterilised and released back to Coney Island Park in the interest of public safety. «The remaining aggressive macaques that were not suitable for translocation were euthanised humanely,» he added. Macaques deemed aggressive include those which are intrusive, keep returning to housing estates and entering homes for food, How explained. NParks received 200 reports regarding long-tailed macaques in Punggol between Sept 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. These included monkey sightings as well as instances where they managed to get into homes or were found rummaging through rubbish bins. Long-tailed macaques are forest fringe creatures that move between forest patches in search of food and territory.

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Poultry supply remains stable despite Brazil reporting its first bird flu outbreak at a commercial farm last week, supermarkets in Singapore said on Tuesday (May 20). On Friday (May 16), Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu in a commercial farm.  A FairPrice Group spokesperson said the supermarket chain is currently not impacted by the the bird flu outbreak in Brazil and encouraged customers not to stockpile pork or poultry. The spokesperson added that it is exploring new partnerships and solutions to further diversify and strengthen its supply chain. Sheng Siong said its poultry supply remains stable. Besides Brazil, the supermarket chain said it also gets  poultry from Denmark and Thailand, ensuring a diversified supply chain. Lee, who runs Chiang Heng Poultry in Bendemeer Market, told AsiaOne that supply is largely unaffected as she only imports fresh chicken from Malaysia. However, the chicken stall owner in her 60s said a few customers were hesitant to buy her products after hearing about the bird flu outbreak.

More than 3,000 jobs will be created in the public transport sector in the next few years to support its expansion, said Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat. Speaking to the media on Tuesday (May 20), he also said that the new Punggol Coast Bus Interchange will open on June 29. Visiting the new interchange, Chee said that there are ongoing efforts to create more jobs within the transport sector as part of Punggol's development.  The minister further explained that about 2,000 jobs will be set aside for rail services, while the remaining 1,000 will be allocated to bus services, covering a variety of roles and responsibilities within the sector.  He also shared that efforts are underway to attract new graduates and mid-career entrants to the transport sector, with support from various partners.

Singaporean Malone Lam has been charged in Washington DC for leading a cryptocurrency crime ring that stole over US$263 million (S$340 million) from victims. This follows a previous charge on Sep 19, 2024, when the 20-year-old was charged for fraud and money laundering conspiracy worth over US$230 million in cryptocurrency from a single victim. Lam appeared in court on Monday (May 19), where he pleaded not guilty to the superseding indictment, reported CNA. In the latest indictment from May 15, federal prosecutors alleged that Lam had been one of the two leaders in a crime ring with 11 other men. He allegedly identified potential victims for the crime ring, while other members hacked databases, laundered money and orchestrated house break-ins. According to the indictment, the individuals became acquainted through online gaming platforms, where the enterprise began no later than October 2023 and continued through March 2025. Members of the enterprise allegedly stole cryptocurrency assets, converted the assets to dollars, and laundered the money.

A Singaporean man has been arrested in Japan after allegedly committing indecent acts against a teenage boy at a hot spring facility. The incident allegedly occurred on May 14 at an onsen inn, a hot spring facility in Tagami Town between 4pm and 5pm, reported NTV.  The 55-year-old suspect, who was not named, is accused of inappropriately touching a boy, including his genitals, multiple times without consent, according to Niigata Nippo. According to Kamo Police Station, a relative of the teenage boy had reported the outrage of modesty, and the suspect was arrested by the police at Niigata Station on May 16 at around 9.30pm. The suspect was said to be on vacation in Japan at the time. «I only put my hand on the left shoulder of the seated boy to get out of the bath,» he reportedly told the police, denying the charges. AsiaOne has reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for additional information.

After being elected as Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs), the Workers' Party's (WP) Eileen Chong and Andre Low have promised to take Singapore further, in statements on their respective Facebook pages on Monday (May 19). Expressing her gratitude to her WP Tampines GRC teammates Faisal Manap, Michael Thng, Jimmy Tan and Dr Ong Lue Ping, the 33-year-old Chong also addressed Singaporeans, thanking them for their support. The Tampines GRC team had determined among themselves that Chong would be the one declared elected as NCMP, submitting their decision to the Returning Officer Han Kok Juan on Sunday (May 18). «To my fellow Singaporeans, I hope to continue listening to your concerns, struggles and hopes for a better Singapore in the months and years ahead,» she said in her Facebook post. «I will serve with conviction and integrity, and work hard to earn your trust.»

While African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks at Malaysian pig farms have driven up pork prices there since the start of the year, some supermarket chains and Singapore pork suppliers here say local supply chains remain stable and unaffected. The FairPrice Group told AsiaOne that it is not currently impacted by the recent swine fever outbreak in Malaysia.  «We encourage customers not to stockpile pork as we have ample stocks in our warehouses,» its spokesperson for the supermarket giant said.  Meanwhile, a spokesperson for supermarket chain Sheng Siong said: «Our main source of chilled pork comes from Australia, but we will keep a close watch on the developments in Malaysia.»  An ASF outbreak earlier this year at farms in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor - one of Malaysia's largest pig-producing regions - has resulted in the monthly culling of 30,000 pigs, reported The Straits Times.  It was the latest woe that has since caused severe disruptions to pork supply in Malaysia, with the disease also infecting swine in Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Pahang, Johor and Penang.

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Workers' Party (WP) members Andre Low and Eileen Chong have been declared elected Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs), the Elections Department (ELD) announced on Monday (May 19). Low, 33, contested the Jalan Kayu SMC against People's Action Party's (PAP) Ng Chee Meng and lost, but received the highest percentage of votes (48.53 per cent) amongst the unelected opposition candidates. WP also contested the Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC) to receive the second highest percentage of votes (47.37 per cent) amongst the unelected opposition candidates. They had lost in the four-cornered fight against the PAP. The team, consisting Eileen Chong, Faisal Manap, Dr Ong Lue Ping, Jimmy Tan and Michael Thng were contacted by the Returning Officer Han Kok Juan on May 9 and asked to determine among themselves the candidate to be declared elected as NCMP by May 19, according to ELD's media release. The WP team informed the Returning Officer on Sunday (May 18) that they would nominate Chong, 33, as the candidate to be declared elected as NCMP.

The opposition Red Dot United (RDU) said they are keeping their promise to continue serving Singaporeans despite failing to secure any seats at the recent general election. In a Facebook post on Sunday (May 18), RDU shared that the party is dedicated to continue with its community outreach, as member Harish Mohanadas spent Saturday morning at Block 287 Bukit Batok East listening to some of the residents' concerns. A resident had recognised Mohanadas and questioned his reasons for continuing the outreach.

A 43-year-old man was found dead along a Little India alley last Saturday (May 17) morning. Based on preliminary investigations, no foul play is suspected, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said. Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the police said they were alerted to a case of unnatural death along 1 Hindoo Road at around 8.10am that day. When reporters arrived at the scene, SPF had cordoned off the back alley and several officers were seen, Shin Min Daily News reported. A police blue tent had also been placed over the body next to a power station. A 31-year-old operator of an Indian restaurant nearby, who only wanted to be known as Satish, said he saw the man lying on the ground before the police blocked off the area. The man had no visible injuries on his body, except for some swelling on his face. Speaking with Shin Min, Satish recalled that there was no blood at the scene — only a wallet and lighter next to the body. Police investigations are ongoing.

A 43-year-old Singaporean man discovered dead at a Kuala Lumpur homestay on Friday (May 16) was wanted by the Malaysian police for his suspected involvement in several criminal cases, reported Shin Min Daily News on Sunday. The decomposing bodies of the man, surnamed Xie, and another Singaporean woman surnamed Zhuang, 33, were found on the bed of a homestay in Cheras, KL. District police chief Aidil Bolhassan reportedly said on Saturday that burnt charcoal and suspected ketamine had been found in the room. Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Mohd Isa said on Sunday the deaths of Xie and Zhuang — who were a married couple — have been ruled as suicide, reported the New Straits Times.

SINGAPORE - Putting aside the results of GE2025, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has resumed its groundwork by launching a petition calling for changes to the election system. It was launched by party chief Chee Soon Juan on May 18, during SDP's thank you dinner for its volunteers. About 180 volunteers attended the dinner, which was held at The Legacy at One North. The petition calls for six changes to the current election system in Singapore. This includes ensuring a minimum three-week campaign period, and setting a six-month gap between boundary changes and the dissolution of Parliament. It is one of the SDP's three initiatives launched as part of its new campaign «Renew, Rebuild, Reignite», in the lead-up to the 2030 General Election. SDP lost in all four constituencies it was contesting in the 2025 General Election. Speaking to the media at a press conference before the dinner, Dr Chee said that the recent election did not give the electorate sufficient time to grasp national concerns which affect society.

Four Indonesian men, aged between 28 and 50, were arrested on Saturday (May 17) for unlawfully entering into Singapore and possessing duty-unpaid cigarettes. In a joint statement issued on Monday (May 19), the police and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that the men were detected by the Police Coast Guard (PCG) at 1.27 am on May 17 when they illegally entered Singapore by sea in a small craft. The vessel landed outside the fence line of Pulau Tekong. The men were found outside the protected areas of Pulau Tekong, allegedly without any travel documents, and in possession of uncustomed goods. Officers from the PCG, the Gurkha Contingent, the Special Operations Command, and the K-9 Unit responded promptly, successfully arresting the four unarmed Indonesian men as they disembarked from the craft. The authorities seized 2,700 packets of assorted duty-unpaid cigarettes, along with the fiberglass craft, which was fitted with an outboard motor.

A passenger who misplaced his bag at Hillview MRT station was relieved when two station staff members returned it to him 20 minutes later. This occurred at about 11pm on April 4. According to a Facebook post made on May 17 by SBS Transit, a commuter had found the backpack in question and handed it over to a station staff. Station Manager Asenan and Assistant Station Manager Kenneth then secured the backpack immediately. «As it was close to midnight, I hoped the owner would retrace his steps back to the station,» Asenan said. The passenger, a man named Michael Wu, did return to Hillview MRT station some 20 minutes later. After his identity was verified, the bag was returned to him.

A Singaporean driver and his girlfriend survived after a Ferrari they were in crashed into a metal barrier before bursting into flames on a highway in Pahang, Malaysia. According to media reports, the driver, a 34-year-old IT engineer, and his female companion were unharmed in the 10.40am incident on Friday (May 16), which occurred along Jalan Kuantan-Segamat. Rompin police chief Superintendent Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi told the New Straits Times that the pair were part of a convoy of 13 Ferrari cars of various models travelling from Singapore to Cherating in Kuantan for a holiday. According to a police statement, the Ferrari 458 Spider was destroyed in the fire. «The driver and his girlfriend, a 33-year-old Hong Kong citizen, managed to escape and did not suffer any injuries,» said Supt Sharif Shai. He added that the driver was believed to have lost control of the vehicle, crashing into the metal divider along the single carriageway. No other vehicles were involved in the accident and no one else was injured, reported Sin Chew Daily.

Two Singaporeans, a 43-year-old man and 33-year-old woman, were found dead at a homestay on Jalan Nadchatiram in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.  Cheras district police chief ACP Aidil Bolhassan said the police received an emergency call at 12.53pm on May 16 and the pair were found unconscious in a room by a staff member, reported Bernama. «When the door was opened with the help of the homestay's manager, they found that the air-conditioner, fan and TV were still turned on in the living room. »As one of the room doors in the homestay was stuck, they then looked through a window and found both bodies on the bed. They also noticed a foul smell from the room,« said Aidil, reported The Star.  The bodies, which were fully clothed, were already decomposing and emitting a foul odour then. Police inspections of the bodies found no external injuries and there were no signs of foul play, reported The Star. »Further checks at the scene found that the air-conditioner had been wrapped with blue garbage plastic pieces and the window sealed with plastic canvas," Aidil said.

Former Nee Soon GRC MP Carrie Tan is engaged. In a video posted to her Facebook page on Friday (May 16), she revealed that she had popped the question to her boyfriend of seven years, Kevin Teo, on April 26, and explained why she did so. «Watch the video of me breaking another gender barrier with this crazy (not so crazy) thing I did,» she captioned. Writing in Chinese, she noted that her partner, who's the Chief Technology Officer at the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network, had once suggested that she should be the one to propose «in this age of equality», and given her feminist leanings. The proposal took place during local music school The Singing Loft's recital event on April 26, which also happened to be the fourth day of campaigning for the General Election. «Skipped off on Day 4 of GE for another very serious business,» she wrote in the caption to her post, before apologising, tongue-in-cheek, to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. «Sorry PM Wong, I planned this before you announced the writ. Thankfully I wasn't gonna run for elections!» Tan joked.

Following complaints about the exterior of their HDB flats being painted purple, residents of 14 blocks in Tiong Bahru will have the chance to vote on a new colour scheme. In a Facebook post on May 18, newly minted Member of Parliament (MP) Foo Cexiang said more than 200 residents joined the townhall sessions held at the Block 4B and 10A Residents' Committees Centres on May 16 and 17.  He shared that the original design was inspired by the purple-blossomed bougainvillea that the community had planted years ago.  «Some of you told me that having learnt this, you can better appreciate the design,» said Foo, who oversees the Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru division of Tanjong Pagar GRC.