Amid the pomp and pageantry, there is a spirit of reflection and hope as Singapore celebrated its 60th birthday on Saturday (Aug 9).Perhaps a dose of unpredictability too — when the 27,000 spectators at the Padang took to their seats from 4pm under the blazing heat, before opening their umbrellas as a brief drizzle fell over Padang.Thousands more soaked in the festivities in Marina Bay as a part of an «expanded canvas» to celebrate Singapore's diamond jubilee.By 5.30pm, the rain had stopped with the four emcees —Joakim Gomez, Ebi Shankara and Siti Khalijah arriving at the Padang in an iconic Singapore Big Bus.They were then «teleported» to the screens and into a music video Makin' Our Way, written and composed by singer Benjamin Artist.Prime Minister Lawrence Wong even made a surprise appearance by playing the electric guitar.Fifty-nine students from the Institute of Technical Education and 100 volunteers from Touch Community Services then took to the stage in vibrant costumes in a dance performance.In total, more than 3,000 performers and artistes were involved in this year's NDP.

Even as people were taking their seats in Padang, the Marina Bay area was with buzzing with various local acts performing at the Waterfront Promenade entertaining the crowd with a mix of pop tracks and National Day Parade theme songs.More than 200,000 are expected to be in the area to be part of Singapore's 60th birthday bash.Among the crowd was a Singapore couple, who arrived as early at 2.30pm to secure good spots to watch the festivities and even set up a tripod to capture photos.Soaking in the National Day Parade atmosphere for the first time were 20-year-olds Ashraff and Haini, who are especially looking forward to the fireworks — particularly the special SG60 finale feature at the end.Ashraff also surprised Haini with her favourite perfume, given in celebration of her birthday three days earlier, as they enjoyed a picnic with a spread of food.Another Singaporean who was in the thick of action with her immediate and extended family was 30-year-old Jean Toh.

The weather forecast in the morning of National Day Parade (NDP) warned of thundery showers in several areas across Singapore later in the day.  Instead, the 27,000 spectators, most wearing red and white, thronged the stands at the Padang on Saturday (Aug 9) under the blazing afternoon sun for the National Day Parade.The gates opened around 4pm, and as spectators made their way to their seats, many shielded themselves from the heat with umbrellas.Farina Jumat, 28 and her sister Farisah, 19, went even further. The pair told AsiaOne that they “came prepared”— with portable fans. Sisters Farisah (left) and Farina with their umbrellas and portable fans at the Padang. Photo: AsiaOne/Ching Shi Jie Farina, a pre-school teacher, said it was raining when they left home at Bukit Batok two hours ago. 

SINGAPORE - Nation building has never been the work of one party or one generation, and is both an individual and collective effort, said Leader of the Opposition and Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh in his National Day message.«Each and every Singaporean has the power to shape Singapore's future,» he said in the message put up on his party's Facebook page on Aug 8.«This civic duty is our responsibility alone.»In 60 years, Singapore has become a nation «united by Singaporeans with big hearts, a sense of righteousness, and a deep appreciation for mutual respect among all, regardless of race, language, or religion», said Mr Singh.He added that while Singapore, at 60, is not very old, it is certainly also not very young.And the Singapore story is still being written by everyone, from the seniors who live out their years with grace and purpose, to gig workers, public sector employees and young students, among others, he said.

Singapore received an early birthday present from its neighbours up north on Thursday (Aug 7).The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) welcomed the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) to Woodlands Checkpoint, where our Malaysian counterparts presented a cake for Singapore's 60th birthday.ICA took to Facebook on Aug 8 to commemorate the visit. The caption read: «ICA looks forward to strengthening our partnership, continuing our collaboration, and ensuring smooth trade and safe travels at our land borders.»Multiple photos of the visit accompanied the post, including a few displaying the SG60 cake.

A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Regular died on Saturday (Aug 9) morning after he was found unconscious at Hendon Camp swimming pool, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) in a statement on the same day.The serviceman appeared to have been training on his own and was found unconscious at 7.15am, Mindef said.CPR and AED were administered immediately.The Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were activated, and an SCDF ambulance evacuated the serviceman to Changi General Hospital and resuscitation continued on route and upon arrival at the hospital.Despite resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead at 7.44am, Mindef stated.Mindef noted that his death was not related to training.«The Ministry of Defence and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman,» the ministry said.«We are also rendering assistance to the family during this time of grief.»[[nid:719673]]amierul@asiaone.com

Amid heightened economic uncertainty, Singapore must stay ahead of others and remain exceptional in its cohesion, resolve and performance, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his National Day message on Friday (Aug 8).«We must move faster, adapt quicker and innovate smarter. That means embracing new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics — and applying them meaningfully across our economy,» he said. People, workers and businesses here must also be enabled to make full use of these tools to sharpen the country's competitive edge.«The pace of change will be rapid and not always comfortable. There will be disruption. Not everyone will find the transition easy,» he added.Outlook 'highly uncertain': PM WongAddressing the nation in a media broadcast at The Padang, he pointed out the global issues of new conflicts, deepened geopolitical tensions, heightened trade barriers and worsening protectionist sentiments.«To put it bluntly: The global order that enabled Singapore to thrive for decades is unravelling before our eyes,» said PM Wong.

SINGAPORE — In 2024, when two out of three lifts in his block at Fernwood Towers broke down, Haider Manasawala had to carry his suitcase down 21 storeys to catch a flight.«Only one lift was operating and it was taking forever to come. I didn't have a choice,» said Haider, a regional chief financial officer with a US multinational firm.On other occasions, all three ageing lifts failed, forcing Haider to climb the stairs to get home.Fernwood Towers, a 31-year-old freehold development near Siglap, has 11 lifts across four residential blocks. But despite frequent lift breakdowns, which started in 2021, the management corporation strata title (MCST) found it hard to get owners' support to raise funds and replace them.Fernwood Towers is among a growing number of condominium developments grappling with deteriorating infrastructure and insufficient sinking funds to carry out major repair and replacement works. This problem could worsen as more developments cross the 30-year mark, said industry experts.

Businesses in the Clarke Quay and Boat Quay areas are optimistic that extending their operating hours is the right way forward.On Thursday (Aug 7), the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of National Development, said that the Boat Quay precinct and neighbouring areas will be revitalised with a series of regulatory changes.Come Aug 18, businesses along Boat Quay and Clarke Quay can apply for extended liquor licenses until 4am on Thursdays and Fridays for a trial that will last a year.Proposals for new nightclubs, bars and pubs along Boat Quay Waterfront, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and Canton Street may also be submitted for temporary permission of up to three years.Circular Road will also be free of cars on Friday and Sunday evenings and on the eve of public holidays.Speaking with AsiaOne, Rafid, the manager of restaurant and bar Shahi Maharaja along Boat Quay, said that the extension is good news for him, especially on Fridays.The 38-year-old explained that he will likely be hiring more workers and extending his business hours past 1.30am if his application is approved.

Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today.1. NDP 2025: Police Coast Guard to deploy upgraded patrol boats at Padang and Bayfront celebrationsThe Police Coast Guard will be patrolling the bay area on board upgraded boats and crafts during the upcoming National Day Parade 2025... » READ MORE2. 'Ah, National Day has arrived': Uncle Ong's 11-year flag tradition in Toa Payoh

A man was arrested on Tuesday (Aug 5) after he brandished a knife at a vehicle exiting Sim Lim Tower in Jalan Besar.Dashcam footage of the incident shared to Stomp shows the man walking on the left-most lane of Jalan Besar Road and towards the car.He stands in front of the vehicle before making a gesture and moving back to stand on the main road. A car occupant is heard saying that the man has a knife.As the vehicle slowly reverses, the man lunges forward with a knife in his right hand in an apparent attempt to jump the car bonnet.Unintelligible shouts are heard as the man stops briefly before approaching the reversing car again. Then, a man claiming to be from the police is heard asking the car occupants what happened.The driver, named Nay Zar, told Stomp he was thankful that the police were in the car behind him.«In the end, I realised that he wanted to disturb whatever car, so he left his bag in front of Sim Lim Tower and walked against traffic on the main road,» he reportedly said.«I want to say thanks to the police who came in and helped.»

Four Certis officers were charged on Friday (Aug 8) with various offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Official Secrets Act (OSA).They are Sri Daniah Abdul Razak, Muhammad Haaziq Karudin, Muhammad Khairul Amir Suhaimi and Mohammad Aziffi Selamat.The Corruption Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) and Singapore Customs said that the four were contract employees for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.Their alleged offences are linked with a Singaporean named Muhammad Sukaimi Gasali, who was also charged on Friday.The 34-year-old allegedly paid the officers a total of $7,661 over multiple occasions between June 2021 and July 2023 to reward them for not taking enforcement actions against him at Jurong Port.He also gave Daniah, 26, an additional $2,190 as a reward for disclosing confidential information on enforcement actions at Tuas Checkpoint over multiple occasions between February and April 2024.

Car wash centres in Johor Bahru have been reclassified as high-risk businesses following repeated breach of regulations. This decision has prompted tighter licensing conditions and stricter enforcement by the Johor Baru City Council, reported the New Straits Times (NST).Johor Bahru mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said the decision came during a recent meeting of the council's licensing committee in response to persistent non-compliance among operators. «Applications for new car wash licences have reopened, with immediate implementation of stricter requirements,» said Datuk Mohd Haffiz. According to The Star, Mohd Haffiz said new applicants must fulfil operating regulations before applying for a licence. "New applicants must operate from premises with adequate water drainage systems and ensure that their operations do not damage public roads.

A man has been charged for possessing five Kpods containing etomidate, three of which were allegedly for sale.On Aug 7, Muhammad Sabriee Mohd Tahar was charged in connection with an incident along Coleman Street at 12.10am on Oct 5, 2024.The 22-year-old Singaporean was handed two charges under the Poisons Act.The first charge was for possessing three vape pods containing etomidate in the area outside Grand Park City Hall hotel. The pods were meant for sale, according to court documents.Etomidate is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act and import and sale of the substance require a licence.The second charge was for possessing two additional vape pods containing etomidate which did not have a clear label indicating their contents and any distinction or mark indicating they contained poison.Sabriee was also handed three charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act for having three Kpods for sale, and possessing three vapes and two Kpods for purposes other than for sale.

SINGAPORE — Restaurant-bars, pubs, bars and nightclubs in the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay area will be able to apply for extension of liquor licences till 4am on Thursdays and Fridays come Aug 18, as part of a year-long pilot programme aimed at revitalising the area.Businesses will also be allowed to submit proposals for new bars, pubs and nightclubs along the Boat Quay waterfront, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and Canton Street, ending a 16-year moratorium on new nightlife venues in the historic district.Circular Road will soon also resume being a car-free zone for events and pedestrian-friendly activities on weekend evenings and the eve of public holidays.The regulatory changes follow feedback from stakeholders on the vibrancy of the Boat Quay precinct and neighbouring areas, and are in line with ongoing efforts to provide opportunities for businesses in the city centre, said the authorities.Speaking to reporters on Aug 7, Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said the Government had been in discussions with the Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA) and Singapore River One (SRO) on ways to revitalise Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.

SINGAPORE — Marcus Chew and Dominic Han, co-captains of the Singapore men's softball team, remember their 2019 clash against Australia at the Softball World Championship in Prague vividly.Then, they were humbled 10-0, with their loss sealed by a walk-off three-run hit from their opponents.Six years later on Aug 6, the Singaporean team shed tears as they faced Australia again, though this time it was tears of joy after notching a 10-9 win against the two-time world champions at the World Games in Chengdu, China.The victory marked a milestone for the 11th-ranked team, as it was their first over world No. 4 Australia, who were last crowned world champions in 2022.«Several years ago, if someone said we would be beating Australia, it would not have been something believable,» said Han, 32.«We got off to a very huge lead at the start, and then we just hung on for dear life. It was a really exhilarating win for us.»Australia is definitely a superpower in the sport, and I would say we snatched the victory from them. Some of our teammates did shed a tear and for the older ones like myself... it's unbelievable."

A student from Yuying Secondary School was taken to the hospital after being found with a vape and behaving aggressively towards a staff member.A video shared on TikTok showed an ambulance at the school, with a student asking: «He took Kpods ah?»The original video has been deleted but has been shared by separate accounts on TikTok, where one shared on Tuesday (Aug 5) has since garnered almost 30,000 views.In response to AsiaOne's queries, Chong Jack Sheng, the school's principal, said that the incident happened on July 31 and that there is an ongoing investigation by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).Chong said that the police were called after a student displayed aggressive behaviour towards a staff member. The student was subsequently found in possession of an e-vaporiser.«The safety of our staff and students is a key priority,» Chong said, adding that the student is well and that the school is monitoring his well-being.«We take a comprehensive approach towards preventing and addressing vaping among students, including taking appropriate action for discipline and rehabilitation,» said Chong.