We are oftentimes told that wisdom and street smarts come with age.However, Caleb Chua did not let his age stop him from making a difference in the community when he founded the Homewarmers initiative in April this year alongside some friends he met at a youth leaders programme.Speaking to AsiaOne on Saturday (Sept 6), the 18-year-old, who is pursuing a diploma in Human Resources, said that the ground-up initiative aims to provide seniors living alone with a sense of companionship and belonging through home visits and community events.He continued: «We just want to make sure that there are no seniors left behind in this very busy world, you know?»Chua said that in view of the large number of lonely deaths among seniors and social isolation among youths, he and his team believe connecting with the elderly through in-depth conversations would benefit both parties.When asked if a particular instance stuck with him in his journey, Chua said that visiting an elderly woman surnamed Khoo was one such experience.

It began as a refusal to pay $1 extra to travel back from Pulau Ubin to mainland Singapore, but ended with one man having to pay 12 times the initial cost instead.In a Straits Times Forum letter published on Sept 1, Simon Seah Sing Hon shared that it may not be worth going to the island «if issues with transportation to and from the place discourage visitors».He had visited Ubin on Aug 22 (along with his wife, he later told Shin Min Daily News) but when he wanted to return at 6pm, was told by the ferry operator that he and the other passengers would have to pay $5 instead of the usual $4 to take the boat.This was because only 10 passengers were gathered at the jetty, and the boatman said he usually needed 12.Seah added that he also upped the price to $6 before departing.«The National Parks Board's website states that bumboats set off only when there are nine to 12 passengers,» Seah added. «The operator was obviously relying on passengers' urgency to return home to insist on his full load.»We did not agree, and he left with just the eight passengers who agreed to pay $6."

A chain collision involving five cars took place at Tampines Ave 10 on the evening of Sept 4, resulting in five people, including two children, being taken to the hospital.A video of the accident posted by the Facebook page SG Road Vigilante shows a white car switching lanes suddenly and ramming into the back of a stationary red car at the rightmost lane.The force of the collision sends the white car upwards, and its bonnet can be seen crumpling.The red car can be seen briefly hitting a car in front, which is also sent forward by the collision towards a third car.   

For almost a year, a Singapore Prison Service (SPS) officer helped an inmate smuggle prohibited items, including medication and lewd pictures, into Changi Prison Complex.From August 2021 to June 2022, Mohammad Asri Abd Rahim, 39, who has since been suspended from duty, helped Mohamad Yusof Kasim, 50, to smuggle in contraband items for inmates.For his assistance, Asri received at least $3,700 in bribes from Yusof, also known as “Kimo”, through the latter’s friends and acquaintances.On Sept 5, Asri and Yusof each pleaded guilty to multiple charges involving acts of corruption.A third man identified as Murali Vigneshwaran, 36, who was also involved in the case, pleaded guilty to one corruption-linked charge.Deputy Public Prosecutor Andrew Chia told the court that Asri joined SPS in April 2012. His roles included managing inmates at the Changi Prison Complex Institution B.Inmates known as Correctional Unit Attendants (CUAs) were tasked to help out with housekeeping matters.

Over 1,500 e-vaporisers and related components were detected and seized by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) between Sept 1 and 4 in continued enhanced checks, it said in a Facebook post on Friday (Sept 5).Within the specified period, ICA detected 123 cases of travellers having vapes on them, including those who had voluntarily disposed of their vapes at checkpoint bins.Approximately 70 per cent of the cases involved short-term visitors, while the remaining 30 per cent were Singapore residents.This comes after more than 850 vape products were intercepted by the authority between Aug 18 and 22 amid stepped up checks at the various air, land and sea checkpoints.In its Facebook post, ICA emphasised that vaping is illegal in Singapore and that foreigners who visit or live in our country must abide by the laws.«Since Sept 1, 2025, individuals caught possessing, using or importing e-vaporisers will face higher penalties,» ICA stated.

Sixteen women and one man, aged between 21 and 41, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.Between Sept 3 and 4, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Central Police Division and Bedok Police Division conducted raids in the vicinity of MacPherson Road, King George’s Avenue and Sims Avenue, resulting in the arrests.Cash amounting to more than $2,000, mobile phones and vice-related paraphernalia were seized. The 41-year-old man was arrested for allegedly collecting earnings from vice-related activities which violates Section 146(1) of the Women’s Charter 1961. Under the Women’s Charter 1961, any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person can be jailed for a term not exceeding seven years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000.Investigations against the 16 women are ongoing.The police said they will continue to take «tough enforcement action» against those involved in syndicated vice activities.

The Government must “continually earn” public trust to “avoid the dysfunction that has bedevilled so many other countries”, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in his opening address of the 15th Parliament on Friday (Sept 5).In a speech that sets out the Government’s priorities for the next five years, he said that Singapore has defied the trend of eroding public trust in governments and other institutions seen “almost everywhere across the world".This is due to the country cultivating a different ethos of governance and politics, he said, which values “stewardship over expediency” and “enduring responsibility over transient gain”.“We have been able to do so because we have built trust, both between government and the people, and amongst citizens themselves.”“This trust has allowed us to make hard choices when needed, and to plan for the future beyond current election cycles.”But he warned that such trust must be continually earned through “continuous dialogue, listening, accountability and a shared sense of purpose”.

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's hurried departure from Bangkok on Thursday night (Sept 4) to Singapore, his first destination, did not go to plan, according to reports from Thailand.The private jet carrying the 76-year-old billionaire could not land in Seletar Airport on Friday (Sept 5) because the airport shuts at 10pm.Instead, the plane was diverted to Dubai and landed there around 3am (7am, Singapore time), reports said.«I intended to travel to Singapore to have a health check with the doctor who took care of me while I was abroad,» Thaksin said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.But he claimed that Thai immigration officers delayed him for «almost two hours», adding that he has the same rights as any other Thai when it comes to travel.During the flight, the pilot notified him that the delays caused by the immigration officers meant that he could not land at Seletar Airport.AsiaOne understands that Seletar Airport, which receives private jets, operates between 7am and 10pm.«Since I couldn't land in Singapore, I decided to have the pilot change my plans to Dubai,» he wrote.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung recently addressed heightened Government measures to stop vaping, including placing red vape bins island wide.In an episode of local podcast The Daily Ketchup, which was released on Thursday (Sept 4), Ong was asked about the red-coloured vape disposal bins, which allow abusers to surrender their devices without penalties. The hosts of the podcasts narrowed in on the leniency of this initiative in particular.To this, Ong responded that this approach was his call, as there were «a lot of young people» among vape users, with 30 per cent of users being under 30 years of age.To «throw the book at them» with the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) would be harmful for their future as the offences would go on their records, he said.The health minister added that he has faith that young people can be convinced to stop vaping, unlike hardcore drug users who are difficult to persuade.[[nid:720627]]Additionally, when asked if there were locations which had a surprising number of vapes disposed, Ong said: «Certain spots, I don't know why (the bins) are full.»

SINGAPORE — Three new charges were handed to a suspected Kpod peddler on Friday (Sept 5) over allegedly possessing more than 800 Kpods for sale.Jodan Chin Wei Liang, 27, was accused of possessing for sale 804 vape pods which were analysed and found to contain etomidate on July 10 at a carpark in Bishan Street 13.He also allegedly had two more Kpods for the purposes of selling them at a flat in Bishan that day.On Sept 5, a Health Sciences Authority (HSA) prosecutor sought an increase in bail for Chin from $10,000 to $15,000. This was granted by the court.Chin also made an application to leave jurisdiction to Malaysia and Vietnam. But this was rejected by the judge as Chin had indicated he would leave Singapore for an «unlimited» period of time.Chin said: «For my family, I am responsible for grocery runs across the border, so I am not sure of the schedule.»In rejecting the application, District Judge Janet Wang asked Chin to reapply to leave jurisdiction and state his dates of travel.Chin agreed, and added: «I will do my best to co-operate with everything for investigations.»

An enforcement supervisor from a Health and Sciences Authority-contracted company has been charged for attempting to obtain bribes in exchange for information regarding a HSA vape raid.Michael Anthony Pillai, a 34-year-old Singaporean, was charged in court on Friday (Sept 5) under the Prevention of Corruption Act.Pillay had attempted to obtain bribes amounting to $8,000 on multiple occasions in 2024 from Chua Wee Ming in exchange for exclusive information about vape raids conducted by HSA, said a statement by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).He was working for WSH Experts, a private agency subcontracted to aid HSA's tobacco regulation unit, reported CNA.Chua, a 34-year-old Malaysian man, has been linked to a vape stash worth more than $6 million which was seized by HSA.Chua's methods to do so included getting a 38-year-old man to smuggle vapes into Singapore and enlisting a fellow Malaysian man to conduct surveillance on the warehouse holding the confiscated vapes, reported CNA.

Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) have foiled another attempt to smuggle e-vaporisers and related components through Singapore's borders.In a Facebook post on Thursday (Sept 4), ICA said that auxiliary police officers at Woodlands Checkpoint discovered duty-unpaid cigarettes in the car's boot and directed it for enhanced checks. There, ICA officers uncovered 34 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and 18 e-vaporisers and related components. In response to AsiaOne’s queries, an ICA spokesperson said that the suspect is a 37-year-old male Singaporean.The case has been referred to the Singapore Customs and the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation.Stepped up checks at Singapore's bordersAs part of whole-of-government efforts against vaping, ICA has stepped up checks at Singapore's air, land and sea borders.Over a five-day period between Aug 18 and 22, ICA intercepted more than 850 vapes.

For Wong Nan Hui and Cassandra Yu, the beginning of their relationship started with a literal crush.They first met in 2022, when they were colleagues at a local media company. After finding themselves on the same bus to work one fateful day, Nan Hui tried to strike up a conversation with Cassandra just as tragedy struck her AirPods.«As we were alighting, her AirPods slipped out of her hand and got crushed by a bus as it drove past us,» he recalled. While her AirPods did not survive, sparks between them came alive.Their arbitrary chats blossomed into a relationship when they realised that they had many things in common, such as having similar family backgrounds, personal values and plans for their future.Three years later, the couple were ready to move onto the next phase of their relationship and applied for a Build-to-Order (BTO) flat together. They were successful in booking a three-room flat at Kallang View, a Plus BTO flat.

The first Friday of September - Teachers' Day.But this day is more than just a school holiday; it's also about celebrating our teachers, and their hard work and dedication in educating the young.Prime Minister Lawrence Wong did just that in a social media post on Friday (Sept 5), emphasising the important role teachers play, especially in today's technologically advanced world.«They don't just teach lessons in the classroom — they build character, spark curiosity, and guide our children to grow with confidence,» PM Wong wrote.Thanking all teachers and educators for their dedication, patience and care, he said the government will continue to support them in nurturing and inspiring students.«Happy Teachers' Day!» said PM Wong. 

A 28-year-old man has been convicted in court after losing control of his car and causing a car crash that split the vehicle into two, killing his two passengers.Ong Wei Long was sentenced to two years in jail on Sept 4 after pleading guilty on one count of dangerous driving.He will also be disqualified from driving for 10 years following his release from prison.According to court documents, Ong had been driving at a speed of up to 140 kmh at midnight on Aug 11, 2023 when he lost control of his car and collided into a tree along the slip road from the Central Expressway (CTE) towards Seletar West Link.The impact of the collision resulted in the car splitting into two.Tan Bing Quan, a 26-year-old passenger, was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics from multiple injuries.Lim Xin Rong Shannon, also 26, died about a week after the accident in hospital, reported The Straits Times. The cause of death was a cervical spine injury.

SINGAPORE - Keep calm and trust ourselves.That is interim Singapore coach Gavin Lee's message for his charges after his debut as the Lions' tamer ended in a 2-1 loss to Malaysia in an international friendly at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Sept 4.The hosts, whose starting XI comprised mainly foreign-born players, led 2-0 through goals by Stuart Wilkin and Joao Figueiredo, before substitute Ilhan Fandi halved the deficit in the second half.In a broadcast interview right after the match, the 34-year-old Lee said: «We should trust ourselves a little bit more. I thought there were some very good phases from us, both in attack and defence, but it's just about repeating it, and I think that requires a little bit of calmness, a little more trust in what we do.»But it's the first step in our journey, and I'm sure we will continue to improve."He sang a similar tune at the post-match conference when asked for the lessons learnt from the loss.

SINGAPORE — The Italian swimmers who were arrested for shoplifting at Changi Airport have been banned from re-entering Singapore, the Singapore Police Force said on Sept 4.In response to media queries, the police confirmed earlier reports that two female Italian nationals, aged 20 and 22, were arrested on Aug 14 for shoplifting.As part of the standard procedures for cases involving foreigners arrested in Singapore, the police said they had informed the Embassy of Italy in Singapore of the case to provide consular assistance.After considering the facts and circumstances of the case, and in consultation with Singapore's Attorney-General's Chambers, the police said they issued the two women a 12-month conditional warning.In this period, the pair — Benedetta Pilato and Chiara Tarantino — are not to commit any other offences.Both have since left Singapore and will be banned from re-entering, added the police.Italian media had reported on Aug 29 about the alleged offence involving the pair, who were part of the Italian contingent that had competed at the July 11 to Aug 3 World Aquatics Championships here.

After their multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) were impounded by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), numerous travel agencies in Johor Baru have stepped forward to say that they are facing bankruptcy, reported The Star on Aug 24.Some of these MPV owners reportedly said that their vehicles are still stuck in Singapore, even though they have already paid the fines for ferrying passengers from Johor Baru to Singapore without proper permits. The vehicles reportedly cost between RM250,000 ($76,470) and RM500,000. Some Malaysian vehicle owners have also attempted to go to courts in Singapore to reclaim their assets but have not had any success, The Star reported.«After 11 months in court, the judge told us the car is officially seized with no further appeal. No documents were issued, leaving us unable to audit our accounts properly,» tour operator Cheries Chia said.Tour company Muhammad Siddiq Kunyu shared with The Star that three of his MPVs were seized in Singapore this year.He had hired a lawyer in Singapore to pursue the matter, but there has been no updates.

SINGAPORE - Multi-coloured lights flash for several seconds as Singpass scans users' faces before the authentication tool lets them bank or transact online.This feature activates randomly or when cyber intrusion is suspected, drawing on the intelligence gathered by an elusive anti-fraud team at the Government Technology Agency (GovTech).Facial verification protects citizens' online accounts by matching their faces with government records in real time. It deters remote online activities on users' accounts, including malware infections, without their knowledge.The heightened checks have come on the heels of a spate of phishing scams in 2021 and 2022 targeting OCBC customers, who lost a total of about $13.7 million.The incident, and the discovery that scammers had also targeted Singpass accounts, prompted GovTech to set up its anti-fraud team in 2022.