The Singapore Police Force (SPF) will be using a single, easily identifiable prefixed number when officers make calls to members of the public.This is  part of a «whole-of-society» effort in preventing and blocking scammers' approach, Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Goh Pei Ming said at the Committee of Supply debates in Parliament on Friday (Feb 27).The prefixed number will be rolled out later this year, with the SPF taking the lead.«Going forward, if you receive an unknown phone call and the caller claims to be a police officer, it is likely a scam,» MOS Goh warned.This comes as Government official impersonation scams more than doubled in 2025 with 3,363 cases compared to 1,504 in 2024.The amount lost to such scams also rose by around 60 per cent, from $151.3 million in 2024 to $242.9 million in 2025.The SPF, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, banks or financial institution representatives and China government officials were among the most common impersonations last year.

Businesses will now have greater clarity and certainty when making decisions relating to land betterment charges (LBC) following improvements made to the system, announced Minister for Law Edwin Tong.Tong, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, made the announcement at the Real Estate Developer's Association of Singapore's (Redas) spring festival lunch event at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel on Friday (Feb 27) afternoon.Citing changes made to the temporary occupation licence process for showflat sites in November 2025, Tong said that this is an example of how collaboration between the Government and private sector has translated into tangible improvements.«This example is one of open dialogue and willingness to find practical solutions (and) benefits not just developers, but ultimately all Singaporeans who aspire to own quality homes,» the minister added.

A 32-year-old man will be charged in court on Saturday (Feb 28) for his suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment.The alleged crime took place at about 7.25pm on Monday at a residential unit along Bukit Batok East Avenue 3.A photograph showing a debtor's note left at the unit's gate reads: «First warning. Owe money pay money.» Police said the man was identified by officers from Jurong Police Division through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from police cameras.The offence of loanshark harassment carries a penalty of up to five years' jail and a fine of up to $50,000. In addition, those found guilty may receive up to six strokes of the cane.The police also advised members of the public to stay away from loansharks and not to assist or work with them in any way. Those who suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in loansharking activities can call the police at 999.[[nid:729905]]editor@asiaone.com 

SINGAPORE – Two individuals in New Zealand who have been infected with measles had developed symptoms during their flight from Changi Airport and are not linked to any other known cases, said the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) on Feb 27.In response to queries from The Straits Times, the agency said it was notified on Feb 25 that two Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers infected with measles had landed in Auckland, New Zealand. Both individuals, who are from the same household, had flown from Hyderabad, India, and transited in Singapore for two hours before boarding an SIA flight to Auckland.CDA investigations found that the two cases had remained in the transit area at Changi Airport throughout their time in Singapore, said Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, group director of the CDA’s Communicable Diseases Programmes. They were reported to have developed symptoms only while onboard the flight from Singapore to Auckland.

SINGAPORE – Some 1,300 Toyota Prius cars are being recalled in Singapore over a fault in the rear electric doors, which can cause them to open while the car is in motion.Borneo Motors Singapore, the authorised distributor of Toyota here, is notifying the owners by post.Based on information posted on the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) electronic vehicle recall system, the rear doors of the popular hybrid car can unlock unexpectedly because of a short circuit caused by water entering the system.In response to The Straits Times, Borneo Motors said on Feb 27 that the rectification involves modifying the left and right rear door switch circuits, to prevent the switch from activating if a short circuit occurs.A short circuit may happen if large amounts of water enter the rear door opener switch, such as during a car wash, after its seal – a protective barrier around the switch – degrades over time.If the door is shut with force, water may seep into the switch. Should the water contain detergent, it could trigger the switch and cause the rear doors to open.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) is set to boost its conventional capabilities with the addition of three new Gulfstream G550 maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA) to replace the ageing Fokker 50s.When operational, they will work alongside the four new Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft which will likely be put into service in the early 2030s.The acquisition was announced by Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing at Mindef's Committee of Supply debate on Friday (Feb 27).Chan, who is also Coordinating Minister for Public Services, told the House that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) must continue to possess robust conventional capabilities to defend the country against a spectrum of threats. 

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will review its medical classification system to make it more «precise», Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said in Parliament on Friday (Feb 27).The move will allow full-time national servicemen (NSF) to be deployed to vocations that they were previously not eligible for, he added during his ministry’s budget debate.The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) uses a medical classification system since 1967 to classify soldiers into Physical Employment Standard (PES) grades A to F. It also takes into account existing medical conditions or past injuries.Those under PES A and B1 are suited for all combat vocations, such as guards and infantry, while non-combat-fit national servicemen (NSmen) who are C2 and C9 are eligible for some roles like supply and transport.But Chan noted that many new roles in the SAF no longer depend solely on the traditional notions of physical or operational fitness.«Combat categorisation in the past tended to stream our servicemen based on what people could not do. But we can unlock our people’s potential if we shift towards focusing on what they can do.»

Operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) working in cybersecurity industry can soon spend their in-camp training protecting selected critical infrastructure in Singapore against cyber threats.Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad said on Friday (Feb 27) that from June, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will reassign NSmen with such expertise to the Digital and Intelligence Service through the Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme.The NSmen, along with regulars and full-time national servicemen (NSF), will join sectorial cyber defence teams under the Defence Cyber Command, which Zaqy said is a «more coordinated, proactive approach against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats».«These teams will strengthen our capabilities, bring new ideas and approaches, and complement our existing forces,» he said.«We will deploy them to support the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore in defending Singapore's critical information infrastructure — covering vital sectors such as telecommunications, power and transport.»

The body of the missing 13-year-old boy has been retrieved from the waters of the Kallang River, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Thursday night (Feb 26). The police said they received a call for assistance regarding a body found floating in the Kallang River on Feb 26 at about 10.35pm.The body of the missing 13-year-old male teenager was subsequently retrieved from the waters and he was pronounced dead at scene by an Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedic.SCDF firefighters and rescuers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team had retrieved the body from the water. Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play. Police investigations are ongoing.The boy was reported missing after falling into the river while fishing there on Wednesday.AsiaOne was among members of the media who observed the search operations, and spoke to Daniel's (the missing boy) mother, Madam Siti, who has been keeping a vigil at the river, along with her two other sons.Madam Siti told AsiaOne that her husband is in prison and she takes care of the house largely by herself.

Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said on Thursday (Feb 26) that he was «heartened» to hear what Singapore's chief Rabbi had to say on the suffering of Palestinians amid the conflict in Gaza.Shanmugam had attended the annual Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) Iftar event on Monday when Rabbi Mordechai Abergel delivered an emphatic speech on the plight of Palestinians via recorded video as he was overseas.«We cannot remain indifferent to the plight and suffering of many ordinary Palestinians affected by this long and tragic conflict,» Mordechai said.The chief Rabbi added that as part of a global community, Singapore must be vigilant to ensure that emotions stemming from conflicts abroad do not erode the social cohesion at home.The ongoing war in Gaza is an example of such conflict, and those in Singapore must «acknowledge the pain on all sides».

As Singapore rethinks its approaches amid a fast changing international order and domestic landscape, civil servants will be readied to better understand the world, technology and people, said Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing.Chan, who is also Minister for Defence, was speaking at the Committee of Supply debate for the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday (Feb 26).Responding to questions on how the public service will ensure that it can continue to meet the needs of Singapore and Singaporeans well, the coordinating minister set out three areas which the public service must do well.«Understand the world well; understand our people well; and, understand technology well.»He explained that understanding the world is key to sharpening the public service's clarity on how Singapore and Singaporeans can stay relevant in the new world.«Given how small and open Singapore is, everything is affected by global developments elsewhere — from security to trade, to food and technology access,» said the minister, adding that the public service needs to make «sound decisions».

The second day of search operations for a 13-year-old boy, who was reported missing and is suspected to have drowned in Kallang River on Wednesday (Feb 25), ended with no sign of him.AsiaOne was among members of the media who observed the search operations and spoke to Daniel's (the missing boy) mother, Madam Siti, who has been keeping a vigil at the river, along with her two other sons.Madam Siti told AsiaOne that her husband is in prison and she takes care of the house largely by herself.According to Madam Siti, she didn't know that Daniel was going fishing as he does not have a habit of loitering outside after school and would usually head back to their home in Redhill.

The police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 16-year-old Nurul Ashwiny Abdullah and 19-year-old Chloe Lim Jia Xuan.In a news release on Thursday (Feb 26) evening, the police said Nurul Ashwiny and Chloe Lim were last seen at about 6am on Feb 13, in the vicinity of Defu Avenue 1 in Hougang. Defu Avenue 1 is flanked by flatted factories on both sides of the road. Those along Defu Lane 7 and 9 are currently being demolished. IMAGE: Google Maps Checks by AsiaOne indicate that the road is flanked by flatted factories on both sides.Anyone with information is urged to contact the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.All information will be kept strictly confidential, said the police.

If you're an iPhone user under the age of 18, you might find the range of apps on the Apple App Store a little more restrictive.Apple's app store has begun blocking users in Singapore from downloading apps rated 18+ should they not be verified as adults, according to an Apple blog post to app developers on Tuesday (Feb 24).«Starting February 24, 2026, Apple will block users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore from downloading apps rated 18+ unless they have been confirmed to be adults through reasonable methods,» the post reads.«The App Store will perform this confirmation automatically.»This comes ahead of the March 31 deadline for app stores to block underage users from downloading apps not meant for their age group, as per the new Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services.According to the Info-communications Media Development Authority, the Code aims to enhance online user safety, particularly for children, and curb the spread of harmful content on their service.This includes the distribution or online storage of harmful content on apps, including sexual, violent, suicide and self-harm content.

The number of traffic accidents resulting in fatalities and accidents resulting in injuries have continued to rise, said the Traffic Police (TP) in their annual Road Traffic Situation report on Thursday (Feb 26). There were 147 traffic accidents resulting in fatalities in 2025 compared with 139 such cases in 2024 — a 5.8 per cent increase. Of these accidents, there were 149 deaths in 2025 compared with 142 deaths in 2024 - a 4.9 per cent rise.Meanwhile, there were 7,560 traffic accidents resulting in injuries in 2025 compared with 7,053 such cases in 2024 — a 7.2 per cent increase. Of these accidents, there were 9,955 victims in 2025 compared with 9,342 victims in 2024 — a 6.6 per cent rise. «This persistent upward trend over the last few years is worrying,» said TP. Motorcyclists and elderly pedestrians continue to be the most vulnerable road user groups, added TP.Elderly pedestrians«Accidents involving elderly pedestrians continue to be a significant concern,» said TP.

Singapore's resident total fertility rate (TFR) reached a new low of 0.87 in 2025, revealed Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in Parliament on Thursday (Feb 26).Speaking at the committee of supply debate for the Prime Minister's Office, DPM Gan said that low birth rates and population will «profoundly» affect Singapore.«Low birth rates and population will profoundly shape our nation, our society and our economy in the years ahead of us. Even with immigration, the growth of our citizen population has slowed over the decade.» Singapore's birth rates fell from 0.9 per cent per annum between 2015 and 2019, to 0.8 per cent between 2020 and 2024, and falling further to 0.7 per cent in 2025.DPM Gan also cautioned that Singapore's citizen population will start to shrink by the early part of the 2040s if no new measures are taken.Echoing what PM Lawrence Wong said during the earlier Budget debate wrap-up, DPM Gan said that Singapore «cannot give up» on improving its birth rates.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers called the bluff on the driver of a Malaysia-registered lorry during checks at Tuas Checkpoint on Feb 13.In a post on its Facebook on Thursday (Feb 26), ICA said the lorry, driven by a 38-year-old Malaysian man, declared its consignment of goods as machine and mechanical appliances.The lorry was directed for further checks where search and examination officers uncovered more than 2,400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes.The driver was arrested and the case referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigation.Buying, selling, conveying, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act. Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both. Vehicles used in these offences and proceeds of sales of duty-unpaid goods may also be forfeited. [[nid:730465]]editor@asiaone.com

Singapore experienced better-than-expected growth in the past year, but Singaporeans are still facing cost of living pressures, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said rounding up the three-day debate on his Budget 2026 statement in Parliament on Thursday (Feb 26).He said that Singapore's economy saw growth exceeding 5 per cent last year, which was more than what was projected.«The data may show improvement, but lived experience and realities do matter,» he said.«So the question is this, what more must we do to ease cost pressures and ensure every Singaporean can continue to progress?»He explained that the first step is understanding why affordability and cost concerns have surfaced, which is something not unique to Singapore.Citing the Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine, PM Wong said that inflation has moderated since, but price levels remain higher.To deal with this, the Government has provided more than $10 billion through the Assurance Package, he said.Budget 2026 also features CDC vouchers, cash support, rebates, Child LifeSG credits and CPF top ups for seniors.

SINGAPORE — The website of the People's Power Party (PPP), peoplespowerparty.sg, has been taken over by an unaffiliated entity.The site had previously been registered to the political party and was under maintenance from May 2025, less than a month after the 2025 general election on May 3.A party spokesperson said then that it was in the process of revamping the website.However, checks by The Straits Times showed that the site changed owners on Jan 21, 2026, and is now registered under Targa Ltd, which is not based in Singapore.It is unclear where the foreign entity is based or if it is directly involved in the management of the site.ST's checks showed that it had registered Singapore websites mimicking defunct Singaporean eateries, between December 2025 and January 2026. These sites link to foreign websites that list food recipes.The revamped PPP site continues to be about the party, publishing information on the party's history and leadership.The page now carries a disclaimer that it is not the official website of the party, and that it is meant to document the background of the PPP for «educational purposes».

SINGAPORE — The mother of a 13-year-old boy who went missing around Kallang River on Feb 25 said her son had no fishing experience and should not have joined his friends.Madam Siti, who is from Surabaya, Indonesia, said in Bahasa Indonesia that her son, Daniel, is not a strong swimmer.«Someone called me at 5pm on Feb 25 to say my son had slipped into Kallang River while fishing and was missing. Why would he go? He has no experience fishing.»I was told his teacher also warned him not to go fishing during the fasting month (of Ramadan)," the mother of three told The Straits Times.Madam Siti has been keeping a vigil at the river, near Block 8B, Upper Boon Keng Road, since her son went missing. She was there on Feb 26 with her two other sons, who are 14 and 11.Madam Siti said she has little support at home and had to take her children with her. Her husband, a Singaporean, is in prison and her in-laws are unwell.She added that she was at work as a food stall operator when she found out her son was missing, and immediately rushed over.