SINGAPORE – Etomidate, which is increasingly being abused through e-vaporiser pods (Kpods) and devices, will be listed as an illegal drug from Sept 1.The anaesthetic agent will be classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) as a Class C drug, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Aug 24 on the sidelines of a community event in Serangoon.“As was announced by various ministers, including the Prime Minister at the National Day Rally, we are taking steps to strengthen the framework of enforcement, especially for users and abusers of vapes and etomidate vapes,” he said.Etomidate is a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice and is currently classified as a poison under the Poisons Act.Once reclassified under the MDA, abusers of etomidate will face harsher penalties, such as a maximum sentence of 10 years’ jail and a $20,000 fine for illegal possession and use.Those who traffic in Class C drugs may be jailed for up to 10 years and given five strokes of the cane.This is compared with the maximum penalty of two years’ jail and a $10,000 fine under the Poisons Act for possession, use and trafficking.

What would you do if a complete stranger were to suddenly collapse next to you?Several Good Samaritans sprung into action to rescue a man who fainted near Jurong Lake Gardens on Friday (Aug 22) evening, according to a Xiaohongshu post the following day.The video post, uploaded by a user named Singapore Programmer's Daily Life (translated), showed a man lying on the ground, his chest exposed as a member of the public performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on him.An automated external defibrillator (AED) was also seen attached to the unconscious man during the CPR attempts. The device provided instructions while a person, who appeared to be a woman with her long hair tied up in a ponytail, attempted to resuscitate him.Another woman can be heard helping to count the chest compressions, guiding the lifesaver to maintain the proper CPR rhythm.Other passers-by provided space around the unconscious man while using their mobile phones to shine light, improving visibility for the Samaritan.

A 4.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Johor on Sunday morning (Aug 24). In the hours after, social media was abuzz with discussions on how an earthquake can happen in Malaysia since the country is sited outside the Pacific Ring of Fire. Some also asked if an earthquake will happen in Singapore. In an interview with Malaysian media outlet The Star in March 2025, Institute of Geology Malaysia president Abd Rashid Jaapar highlighted that while Malaysia is not situated along the collision zone of major tectonic plates, several minor tremors have been recorded in certain areas (of Malaysia) over recent years.Jaapar added that while there is presently no significant earthquake risk in Malaysia, the risks exist, citing the seismic activities in Bukit Tinggi. “Earthquakes are unpredictable in both location and magnitude. “If we claim there is no risk at all, that would be inaccurate. Natural events like earthquakes are unpredictable, so we must remain cautious, but there is no need for undue concern,” Jaapar told The Star. 

SINGAPORE – All they had to go on was an allegation about corruption in the sneaker industry, sent by an anonymous whistle-blower from a burner e-mail account in 2020.Officers from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) had no way of contacting the sender.And this was a niche industry CPIB officers knew little of.Yet, from the single bribery allegation against a shoe reseller, CPIB uncovered an elaborate web of corrupt transactions involving 10 people about when new pairs of limited edition shoes would be released for sale.Five givers and five receivers were involved, including a shoe reseller who somehow knew the release timings.Speaking to The Sunday Times on Aug 18, Mr Lam Seow Kin, assistant director of the financial investigation branch at CPIB, said these releases are known as shoe drops. Their timings are often kept secret to prevent scalpers from snapping up all the stock.Mr Lam said the e-mail claimed the shoe reseller knew the shoe drop timings.

Victims have lost at least $38,000 so far after falling prey to scams that involve fraudulent requests for tuition or school fees.At least 16 of such cases have been reported since August 2025, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Saturday (Aug 23).Scammers would approach victims by using compromised school email accounts to ask them for urgent and prompt payment of school or tuition fees.They would be asked to make payment to a bank account listed in the email and warned that failure to do so would lead to legal consequences.“Victims would subsequently realise that they had been scammed after checking or receiving notifications from the schools,” said SPF.In a separate statement on Friday, the Ministry of Education (MOE) had also warned of scam emails targeting students from institutes of higher learning and their parents, asking them to make payment for school fees, reported CNA.“Those who have transferred money or provided personal information are advised to file a police report and notify their bank immediately,” the ministry was quoted as saying.

An Italian national is on trial after allegedly luring a Singaporean woman into sex work in Dubai under pretenses that they could get married in Qatar once she raised US$10,000 (S$12,800) as proof of funds.Achraf Arjaouy, 31, faces one count of recruiting a person by deception for sexual exploitation under the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act, for which he has pleaded not guilty, reported Shin Min Daily News.According to CNA, the court heard on Friday (Aug 22) that Arjaouy came to Singapore in March 2021 and met the victim, who cannot be identified due to a gag order, the following month on Tinder. He claimed to the woman that he was from a wealthy Qatari family, a pilot for Qatar Airways and that he wanted to get married.The woman was swept up by his words and, within a few days, travelled to Dubai with him with the intention to marry him in Qatar, Shin Min Daily News reported.However, the prosecution alleged that Arjaouy deceived her, saying she had to show US$10,000 as a proof of funds to enter the latter country. 

Fostering a child may not always be easy, but for this couple, it was something they always wanted to do.Shanmugan Paricana, 78, and Letcheme Packirisamy, 75, has fostered three children before, and now fosters Sam, who has been diagnosed with Global Development Delay, a condition when a child takes longer to reach certain development milestones than other children their age. Speaking to AsiaOne at their home in Yishun, the couple recounted the first time they welcomed a foster child into their lives.«I have always wanted to foster children. Even before taking in my first (foster) child in 2019, I had spent nearly a decade reading up on the role,» said Letcheme. «I remembered taking in our first foster child, it was a rewarding feeling to provide them with a place they could call home.» This couple was among the 30 foster families who attended the Ministry of Social and Family Development's (MSF) Fostering Open House at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday (Aug 23).

SINGAPORE - Some 10.4ha of forest in Woodlands is slated for clearance from 2026 to build industrial and mixed-use developments for an upcoming precinct highlighted during the recent National Day Rally.The vegetation, about the size of 15 football fields, will be cleared to support new industrial developments that tap the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which is expected to start operations in end-2026.This was revealed in an environmental impact assessment published online on Aug 20 by site developer JTC Corporation (JTC).It told The Straits Times that the works for Woodlands Gateway will ensure that the land is suitable for construction, with essential infrastructure such as roads, drains and utilities. JTC also said the project will become an employment, commercial and manufacturing hub, which will support manufacturing companies with operations in both Singapore and Johor.JTC said site preparation, such as soil investigation and surveys, are planned to commence in 2025, ahead of any works. Works at the site are scheduled to be completed by 2035, according to the report.

More than 850 vape products were intercepted by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in the last five days, as it stepped up checks at the various air, land and sea checkpoints between Aug 18 and 22.These checks were part of the ongoing effort against vapes, which saw the ICA take up a multi-pronged approach to detect and deter attempts to smuggle vapes into the country, said the agency on Friday (Aug 22).As part of the checks, ICA conducts pre-arrival risk assessments at its Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC) unit which uses data analytics to identify high-risk travellers before they arrive in Singapore.These Individuals flagged by the ITC are checked upon arrival prior to entering Singapore.A total of 184 cases were detected during the time, which also saw smuggling attempts involving duty-unpaid cigarettes and chewing tobacco across checkpoints.Over 53,000 cartons and 3,900 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes as well as more than 2,400 packets of chewing tobacco were intercepted by ICA officers.

Six people were injured in a chain traffic collision between five heavy-goods vehicles along the Tampines Expressway (TPE) on Friday (Aug 22) morning.A video posted on the same day by the Singapore Road Accidents.com Facebook page shows a prime mover and a large lorry that had crashed into each other, a smaller white lorry in the middle, and another large lorry and tipper truck in front.Paramedics are shown attending to an injured person lying on the ground, and police motorcycles and a fire engine can be seen at the accident site.In other clips, rescuers can be seen reaching into the cab of the prime mover, presumably to extricate someone inside. At least three ambulances were present, and paramedics can be seen preparing a stretcher. 

SINGAPORE — Between 2019 and 2023, a man repeatedly engaged in sexual activities with his older daughter, now 23, in their Bedok North Housing Board flat.She had given in to the acts despite her initial reluctance.On at least six separate occasions in January 2024, he secretly recorded the victim and his younger daughter, now 15, when they were showering at home.The court heard that he also recorded a 35-year-old Indonesian domestic helper who did not work for his family performing a sexual act during a video call without her consent.The 46-year-old man, who cannot be named due to a gag order to protect his daughters' identities, was sentenced to three years and three months' jail on Aug 22.He had pleaded guilty to three counts of voyeurism and one count of incest.Seven other charges, including two more counts of incest, were considered during his sentencing.Deputy Public Prosecutor Jordy Kay told the court that the man had repeatedly approached his older daughter as he wanted to engage in sexual activities with her.

The Government will be introducing a traineeship programme to equip fresh graduates with relevant skills and prepare them for full-time employment, said Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng.Speaking on the sidelines of OCBC's Grow Your Way Festival on Friday (Aug 22), Dr Tan introduced the Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) and GRIT@Gov programmes that will apply to ITE, polytechnic and university graduates.More details on both programmes will be available from October 2025 on the MyCareersFuture portal when applications will begin.First announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during his National Day Rally speech on Aug 17, GRIT will initially offer up to 800 structured traineeships for a period of three to six months across various sectors, said Dr Tan, who is also a member of the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (SERT).

SINGAPORE — Stargazers can look forward to a celestial treat in September when Singapore's first total lunar eclipse in three years unfolds in the skies above.During the eclipse — expected to take place on Sept 7 — the moon will take on a reddish hue, a phenomenon known as a blood moon.In Singapore, total lunar eclipses are visible about once every three to four years, said the Science Centre Singapore observatory in response to queries. When a total lunar eclipse does occur, it is not unusual for a few to follow in close succession.The last total lunar eclipse visible in Singapore was on Nov 8, 2022. After the one in 2025, the next will be on March 3, 2026. Like the 2022 eclipse, the one in 2026 is expected to be difficult to see.On Sept 7, the lunar eclipse will begin at 11.28pm in Singapore, reach its maximum at 2.11am on Sept 8, and end at 4.55am, according to the latest data on the global astronomy website timeanddate.com.

Three people, including one who suffered minor burn injuries, were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a Toa Payoh flat in the wee hours of Friday (Aug 22).The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on social media that it was alerted to the fire in a 12th-floor flat at Block 63 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh at about 2.30am.Firefighters forcibly entered the unit and extinguished the fire, which was confined to the living room, with a water jet.A flat occupant was rescued from the flat's kitchen and assessed for smoke inhalation and minor burn injuries. The occupant was conscious when taken to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).Another two people from the neighbouring units were also taken to hospitals. One was taken to SGH for breathlessness and the other to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for an injured ankle.About 50 people staying in the affected block were evacuated by the police and SCDF as a precautionary measure.SCDF said its preliminary findings indicate that the fire involved a Personal Mobility Aid (PMA) placed in the living room.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) enforcement officers raided two residences on July 22, uncovering drugs and e-vaporisers with etomidate. The raids followed an alert from a courier company after its staff discovered that the parcel he was transporting contained e-vaporiser pods. The incident came to light when the recipient accidentally exposed the items inside it. The sender had falsely declared the parcel to contain food items such as chocolates and chilli sauce.  E-vaporiser pods concealed in food packaging. PHOTO: Health Sciences Authority When HSA officers raided the residence along Grange Road, a 25-year-old woman, identified as the seller, was found in an unresponsive state.There, 43 e-vaporiser pods, 13 e-vaporisers and related components were found, along with drug paraphernalia. 

He may be more comfortable holding a paintbrush in his hand, but when duty called, he answered.Special Constable Corporal Muhamad Irfan Bin Muhamad Rapid, 20, had just graduated with a diploma in the visual arts from the School of the Arts (Sota), when he entered National Service in February 2024, he told AsiaOne in an interview on Thursday (Aug 21).He was assigned to the Special Operations Command (SOC) which came as a surprise to both him and his family, he said during the Annual Police Dinner 2025 at Resorts World Sentosa Convention Centre, an event to recognise individuals and community partners who have contributed or collaborated with the Singapore Police Force (SPF).The SOC is the strategic force of the SPF, providing the highest level of tactical options to prevent, deter and detect crime.The event also commemorated the 50th anniversary of Police National Service (PNS) and the 100th anniversary of the SPF Band.Being an art student, Irfan admitted that he wasn't suited to the more physical aspects of the SOC.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be adding a dedicated tab on its website for members of the public to report illegal delivery riders.The tab will make it easier for the public to alert the ministry when they see foreign workers doing delivery work, said Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Koh Poh Koon in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Aug 20).This comes after recent islandwide enforcement operations by MOM — during which three foreigners were arrested for working in food delivery illegally.In his post, Dr Koh also thanked local delivery riders for their support during the operations.«In the middle of their own busy shifts, 372 riders took the time — about 10 minutes each — to assist our officers. For food delivery riders, every minute counts,» he said. «Their willingness to pause and help was no small sacrifice, and we are deeply grateful for their co-operation and sense of responsibility.»Dr Koh explained that while such checks may cause inconvenience to various parties, they are crucial. 

More Singaporeans view religion as a very important part of their lives and overall sense of identity, a survey has found, with a growing number saying their religious beliefs have considerable influence over their views in other areas.Researchers from the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) at the National University of Singapore polled 4,000 people from April to August last year about their views on identity, religion, daily experiences in a multiracial society and various policy issues.The report, released on Wednesday (Aug 20), also compared the findings with prior surveys from 2013 and 2018.  According to the 2024 survey, researchers found that over three-quarters of people agree that their ideas about religion or spirituality are one of the most important parts of their lives, which in turn have a considerable influence over their views in other areas.The study also found that 73.9 per cent of people agree that their spiritual beliefs give meaning to their lives’ joys and sorrows, while 68.3 per cent turn to God or religion to find out their best course of action when faced with life choices.

The seating plan for the 15th term of Parliament, set to convene on Sept 5, has been revealed.As per tradition, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong takes the middle spot of the first row on the right side of the Speaker.He will be flanked by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam.In the previous term of Parliament, PM Wong was seated between Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and then-Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.Meanwhile, the remaining 14 Cabinet ministers fill out the rest of the row.Leader of the House Indranee Rajah, who is the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, takes up her usual spot next to the Speaker.Behind the Cabinet ministers are the senior ministers of state, followed by the ministers of state and senior parliamentary secretaries.The remaining seats on the right side of the Speaker will be filled up by several first-term MPs.