Agoda has reached an agreement to work with unions and support its retrenched workers with the transition, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees' Union said in a media release on Friday (Sept 19).They explained that Agoda has had several discussions with NTUC, SISEU, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (Tafep).Agoda has since acknowledged that «it was inappropriate for employers to include provisions that discourage or inhibit employees from approaching trade unions, government agencies, or statutory bodies for all situations», the release stated.«We appreciate the management of Agoda for taking a proactive approach in engaging NTUC, SISEU and the Government, and for its transparency in sharing information regarding the exercise,» the unions said, adding that they have determined the workers' retrenchment benefits to be in line with industry guidelines.They also added that the Agoda management has agreed to work with the unions to support affected workers through their transition.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers intercepted over 1,100 vapes that were hidden in a Malaysia-registered car at Woodlands Checkpoint, according to a Facebook post on Friday (Sept 19).Search and examination officers had directed the vehicle for enhanced checks on Wednesday (Sept 17), where they discovered 1,169 vapes concealed within the modified seats, foiling their attempt to smuggle the devices into Singapore.In a video taken by ICA, officers can be seen pulling out multiple packages of vapes sealed in transparent plastic bags out of a pocket behind the car's backseat, collecting them in a container before bringing them away.A separate video shows an officer demonstrating how the backseat could be shifted forwards to reveal the vapes hidden within.The case was subsequently referred to the Health Sciences Authority(HSA) for further investigation.Just two days before, ICA had intercepted over 18,400 vapes and more than 1,400 related components in a single smuggling attempt at Tuas Checkpoint.

The public service must make sure that its policies reflect both long-term goals and current, lived-in realities to reinforce mutual understanding and trust with the public, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Friday (Sept 19). «As public service leaders, we must demonstrate not just competence, but also compassion and empathy in how we lead. We must believe in what we do. »We must connect national priorities with the everyday concerns of Singaporeans,« he said.DPM Gan was speaking at the Annual Public Service Leadership Ceremony held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention centre.Also present were Minister-in-charge of Public Service Chan Chun Sing, chairman of the Public Service Commission Lee Tzu Yang and head of Civil Service Leo Yip.Reflecting on Singapore's 60 years of independence, DPM Gan said that the public service has been »at the centre of every chapter of our nation's development« — from building public housing estates and world-class infrastructure, to establishing strong economic, healthcare and social institutions — adding that »these achievements are not because of chance". 

Various legislation relating to criminal and traffic offences will be amended to deal with evolving criminal threats and situations, and ensure Singapore remains a safe country.The Government is also committed to address the population challenges of a falling fertility rate and rapidly ageing population.These plans were revealed on Friday (Sept 19), in ministries' addenda to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's address at the opening of Parliament.The ministries are the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Law (MinLaw), Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Ministry of Finance (MOF).In his address on Sept 5, President Tharman said that in a tense geopolitical environment, Singapore cannot take security for granted — foreign actors will seek to manipulate public opinion while dangers at home such as terrorism scams and drugs will threaten society.

A company director has been charged with misappropriating over $400,000 intended for foreign exchange (forex) investments, on Friday (Sept 19).In a statement on Sept 19, the police said that Yeo Wei Zhi Lloyd, sole director of Lloyd Capital Pte Ltd, was charged in court with six counts of criminal breach of trust. Additionally, he faces three counts of carrying on a business in a regulated activity of fund management without a capital markets services licence.According to the police, Yeo allegedly operated a fund management business both personally and through Lloyd Capital between June 2017 and November 2019.This included handling forex trading, leveraged forex trading, and managing portfolios of capital market products on behalf of investors.Between August 2018 and November 2019, 17 investors paid a total of $639,406.02 to Lloyd Capital for the purpose of forex investments. 

A car caught fire in the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) tunnel during the evening peak hour, bringing traffic to a halt.In a video posted to Facebook page Singapore roads accident.com on Thursday (Sept 18), a car is seen stationary on the road shoulder, engulfed in flames.The tunnel's sprinkler system is seemingly activated, causing traffic to come to a standstill as the fire gets extinguished.Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) vehicles and personnel can also be seen in the clip, which is over a minute long. Responding to AsiaOne's queries, SCDF said that it was alerted to the fire along MCE towards the AYE at about 6.40pm on Thursday.The blaze was extinguished by MCE's deluge system and SCDF firefighters using a compressed air foam jet.

A 43-year-old woman was found dead in a residential unit in Joo Chiat on Monday (Sept 15). Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the police said that they had received a call for assistance at a residential unit along Everitt Road at about 9.30pm. Upon their arrival, officers found a 43-year-old woman lying motionless inside the unit. She was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.The police added that investigations are ongoing against a 40-year-old man for alleged involvement in the murder of the 43-year-old woman. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man, who was known to the woman, had left Singapore prior to the call for assistance. If found guilty of murder, the man faces the death penalty.AsiaOne understands that the unit is located at Lotus, a residential property along Everitt Road.According to CNA, a neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters that she saw police officers at the vacant unit on the morning of Sept 16.It was reported that a couple, along with a young child and two helpers, had lived in the unit.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) seized 27 e-vaporisers and related components in anti-vaping operations conducted at hotspot areas including Tampines and the Central Business District area.The four-day operation, which started on Sept 15, saw four persons between the ages of 24 and 43 fined for vape-related offences. Under new anti-vaping laws from Sept 1, repeat offenders will face a maximum fine of $2,000. Those caught using vapes containing etomidate will also have to undergo rehabilitation.  AsiaOne was tagged with one of the HSA teams on patrol in Tampines where officers covered extensive ground around Tampines Central 1, 4 and 5, including pathways between the buildings, bus interchange and MRT station. 

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) foiled a smuggling attempt involving 1,700 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and 0.8g of methamphetamine, or Ice, according to a Facebook post on Thursday (Sept 18).On Sept 11, an image analyst with the ICA had noticed anomalies in scanned images of a Malaysia-registered lorry declared to have been carrying «assorted carbonated drinks».After directing the vehicle for further checks, ICA officers searched the vehicle and found the 1,700 cartons of cigarettes hidden within the consignment.Information from ICA's Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC) also prompted even deeper checks of the vehicle — yielding drug paraphernalia inside the driver's bag and about 0.8g of «Ice».«The case was referred to the Singapore Customs and the suspected drug-related offences were referred to CNB Drug Free SG,» ICA stated, adding that investigations are ongoing.[[nid:722622]]khooyihang@asiaone.com

Those looking to travel across the border can soon rely on ComfortDelGro's (CDG) services to do so, according to a Facebook post by the taxi company on Thursday (Sept 18).According to the post, Singapore's largest taxi operator will begin cross-border taxi services from Sept 25, with rides costing a fixed fare of $80 for travel from Singapore to Johor Bahru (Larkin Terminal).However, pick-ups from Ban San Street taxi stand and from the airport will differ, priced at $60 and $120 respectively.There will be 90 cabbies — all with valid cross-border taxi licenses — at the ready for this service, which can be booked up to 24 hours in advance, a CDG spokesperson told The Straits Times.“We recognise the growing demand for cross-border transportation and are committed to expanding our travel options for passengers, as well as more earning opportunities for our cabbies,” the spokesperson also added.Customers can make bookings via the CDG hotline at 6552 1111.

A Malaysian man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a series of government official impersonation scams.The arrest was made on Sept 16 by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) in Malaysia after a warrant for his arrest was issued by the State Courts of Singapore, according to a statement on Wednesday (Sept 17) night.The 31-year-old suspect was handed over to the Singapore Police Force on Sept 17.The police stated that they had received multiple reports of government official impersonation scams where victims were allegedly contacted by people claiming to be officials from the Monetary Authority of Singapore between July 12 and Aug 8.Victims were informed that their bank accounts had been implicated in money laundering activities or that their personal information had been compromised. They were subsequently prompted to surrender their money or valuables, or transfer money to a specified bank account to assist in investigations.The scammers would become uncontactable after the victims complied with instructions.