A 60-year-old man was found dead at Woodlands Bus Interchange on Friday (Oct 3). Responding to AsiaOne’s queries, the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that they were alerted to a case of unnatural death at around 1.20pm that day. The man was found lying motionless along the pavement, and was pronounced dead by a paramedic from the SCDF. “Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play,” the police said. Police investigations are ongoing. chingshijie@asiaone.com

Deliveroo’s mobile app and services will continue to be available in Singapore, even after its acquisition by US-based food delivery company DoorDash.In a statement to its merchant partners, customers and riders on Thursday (Oct 2), DoorDash’s US-based CEO Tony Xu said that the “Deliveroo app and products you know and love aren’t going anywhere«.»You’ll still be able to order your favourites, run your businesses, or work and earn on the platform as you do today,« he added.In May, DoorDash had agreed to buy UK-based food delivery Deliveroo for about US$3.9 billion (S$5 billion), reported Reuters.DoorDash, which controls two-thirds of the restaurant delivery market in the US, is looking to expand overseas through the acquisition to serve around 50 million monthly active users.Deliveroo currently has around 150,000 riders in nine countries, including 6,000 in Singapore.»We are committed to protecting the flexibility that makes this work unique," Xu said.

An association that claims to support Malaysian cross-border drivers has expressed unhappiness and disappointment following an enforcement operation carried out by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) officers at the border checkpoint on Tuesday (Sept 30). In a Facebook post on Wednesday (Oct 1), the Southern Private Hire Vehicle Association highlighted that a significant number of the detained Malaysian-registered vehicles were transporting senior executives.«Among the Malaysian-registered vehicles detained (on Sept 30), a significant number were transporting senior executives from multinational corporations across Europe and Asia, who were invited to Johor Bahru for important business meetings.» The association added that the enforcement actions were «indiscriminate», noting that such measures could be unfair to Malaysian drivers. 

There will be no train service between Bedok and Tampines stations, as well as between Tanah Merah and Expo stations due to track work on the East-West Line (EWL) from Nov 29 to Dec 8.Train frequencies between Paya Lebar and Bedok stations, Tampines and Pasir Ris stations, and Expo and Changi Airport stations will also be reduced, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and EWL operator SMRT on Friday (Oct 3).An estimated 180,000 commuters daily will be impacted by the station closures, said an LTA spokesperson.This 10-day-long service adjustment is required so that work to connect EWL to the new East Coast Integrated Depot and operationalise a new platform at Tanah Merah station can be carried out.And while the work spanning 4.8km of train tracks at 12 locations near Simei and Tanah Merah stations are ongoing, the two MRT stations will be closed to the public.To facilitate travel between the closed stretches of the EWL, about 79 shuttle buses will be deployed across the two routes.

A lawyer was ordered to pay $800 in personal costs to the other party for citing a fictitious legal authority that was generated using artificial intelligence during a civil case.The parties involved were: Claimants Tajudin Gulam Rasul and Mohamed Ghouse Tajudin against Suriaya Haja Mohideen, the defendant, according to the written judgement made available online on Thursday (Oct 2).Tajudin and Mohamad Ghouse were represented by Lalwani Anil Mangan from DL Law Corporation, while Suriaya was defended by Umar Abdullah Mazeli from Abdel Law LLC.The use of AI to prepare court documents is not prohibited in Singapore, but all users are responsible for ensuring that all information provided to the court is accurate and relevant.While the details of the civil case was not available, the written judgement stated that Suriaya had a default judgement set against her for failing to file a notice of intention to contest or contest the claim.In a written submission filed on June 1, Lalwani cited a purported case, but it was «conspicuously missing» from the claimants’ bundle of authorities filed the next day.

The Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) officers foiled an attempt to smuggle more than 400 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint on Tuesday (Sept 30). In a Facebook post on Thursday (Oct 2), ICA said that a motorcycle was identified by its Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC) for enhanced checks and more than 400 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found concealed in its side fairings. The 32-year-old Malaysian rider was arrested and the case referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigation. On Aug 26, ICA foiled a similar attempt to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore, also on a Malaysia-registered motorcycle. More than 450 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found concealed in various compartments of the motorcycle. 

Motorists and cargo drivers may see Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conducting breath tests on them at Singapore's land and land-based sea checkpoints and their vicinities from Friday (Oct 3).Those who fail the test will be arrested and handed over to the police for follow-up action.Under the law, it is an offence to refuse to comply with the administration of a breath test. First-time offenders may be fined up to $5,000 or jailed for up to six months. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Thursday (Oct 2) that the new powers will enable ICA to protect public safety and strengthen protective security measures across the land and sea checkpoints.Amendments to the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act The new powers are part of phased implementation of the amendments to the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, which were passed in Parliament in January.

SINGAPORE — The High Court has upheld the decision made by the State Courts to refuse bail to an Indonesian businessman allegedly involved in a high-profile corruption case in his country.Paulus Tannos, 70, was arrested in Singapore on Jan 17 after being on Indonesia's fugitive list since October 2021.Tannos was said to be implicated in a major graft scandal involving the Indonesian government's electronic ID card or e-KTP project, which allegedly caused state losses of about 2.3 trillion rupiah (S$178 million).In a hearing on Oct 2 presided by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Tannos had his appeal for bail denied.The defence, led by Suang Wijaya of law firm Eugene Thuraisingam, argued that Tannos had medical conditions which justified him being allowed bail.These conditions included chest discomfort, the narrowing of heart valves and diabetes.CJ Menon said if bail were to be granted to Tannos, this would mean other accused individuals under the Extradition Act can seek this exception and be released from bail due to some minor illness, only to have the bail revoked a few days later after having recovered from it.

Manufacturing conglomerate BYD Singapore is one of three companies that have been awarded the contract for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Ministry of Transport's (MOT) autonomous public bus pilot.The contract has been awarded to a consortium of MKX Technologies (Singapore), Zhidao Network Technology (Beijing) and BYD (Singapore) for about $8.14 million, said LTA and MOT in a joint statement on Thursday (Oct 2).A consortium refers to an association comprising of multiple companies.This is part of the plans to trial the use of Autonomous Vehicle (AV) technology, said the statement.The autonomous buses will be piloted on public bus services 400 (Marina Bay) and 191 (one-north) for an initial period of three years.Initially, LTA will procure six such buses from the consortium, which will have similar features to existing public buses such as designated spaces and boarding/alighting ramps for wheelchair and personal mobility aid users as well as strollers. 

A 24-year-old man was caught on campus during vape enforcement operations conducted by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) across six Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).He was found in possession of two e-vaporisers, 10 related components and was issued a notice of composition and fined on the spot.The e-vaporisers and components were seized.In a joint statement on Thursday (Oct 2), MOE said that HSA enforcement officers and IHL campus security personnel carried out the operation from Sept 8 to Sept 29.Separately, five individuals aged between 20 and 25 were also found in possession of duty-unpaid cigarettes and have been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.In addition to the penalties imposed by HSA for vaping offences, the statement noted that IHLs will enforce disciplinary actions under their respective frameworks, which have been strengthened to align with the national stance against vaping.

More than 3,100 drivers of Singapore vehicles have been caught entering Johor without a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) tag since Malaysia stepped up enforcement on July 1.Johor's Road Transport Department (JPJ) has issued 3,148 summonses amounting to RM944,400 (S$290,000), reported New Straits Times (NST).Each summons amounted to RM300, which must be settled before the vehicle is allowed to exit the country, JPJ director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli told local media on Oct 1.He continued that Singapore motorists must comply with VEP requirements as they are vital for road safety and preventing the misuse of foreign vehicles. «It allows authorities to monitor vehicles, enforce traffic laws and manage summonses during [Singapore motorists'] stay here. Enforcement will continue to be strengthened,» he said.Aedy added that the VEP scheme also prevents vehicles with invalid road tax and insurance from entering Malaysia.This scheme is not intended to burden drivers, but to ensure transparency, safety and accountability, he explained.

Two women are assisting police with investigations after a video surfaced on various social media platforms showing one woman kicking another at the Singapore Management University (SMU) on Tuesday (Sept 30).In the 21-second clip, which has since gone viral, a woman in pink can be seen kicking another older woman who was lying on the ground.Onlookers at the scene can be heard expressing concern, with some approaching the older woman to check on her.One person can be heard suggesting that the older woman had fainted and that campus security should be called, while another refers to her as a «housekeeper lady.» Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force confirmed that a call for assistance was made at about 2.10pm at 40 Stamford Road. A 61-vear-old woman was conveyed conscious to Raffles Hospital. Two women, aged 21 and 61, are assisting with investigations for voluntarily causing hurt and using criminal force. Police investigations are ongoing. 

While making small talk with a cleaner in Singapore, an Australian tourist was surprised to learn that the man is 91 years old.Fitness influencer Jaden Laing said in an Instagram Reel on Monday (Sept 29) that he came across a «legend» in Singapore, who was «working hard in the bathroom».In the clip, Laing washes his hands in a toilet as he asks the elderly janitor — dressed in uniform with an ION Orchard nameplate pinned to his top — how his day is going.«My age?» the cleaner mishears. «91.»An astounded Laing reconfirms the elderly worker's age and initiates a fist bump.The two continue conversing, and the janitor reveals that he clocks out at 7pm and works a 12-hour shift.«How do you look so healthy...What's your diet?» Laing asks.The senior responds that he works and eats like «normal».«Never exercise. Work, go back [home to] sleep,» he says of his daily routine.To that, Laing compliments the cleaner that he is «the man» before passing him cash as a tip, estimated to be at least $200.