There's a saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but rail operator SMRT may just have shown train commuters otherwise with their first upgraded fifth-generation C151B train. For those who commute frequently on the MRT's North-South and East-West lines (NSEWL), the C151B is a familiar sight. Forty five of these fifth-generations trains have been in service since 2017.  The C151B rolling past Kallang MRT station. The fifth-generation rolling stock is used on both the North-South Line and East West Line. PHOTO: AsiaOne/Ong Chin Wee Along with 35 fourth-generation C151A and 12 sixth-generation C151C trains, all 92 trains will need to receive upgrades, typically carried out when trains reach around 15 years old. Specifically for the C151Bs, they are expected to be upgraded by mid-2030s.

Police investigations into the death of legendary Bollywood singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore on Sept 19 are still ongoing but, so far, no foul play is suspected, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Thursdsay (Dec 18). The police's statement was issued following Indian media reports that four men had been charged with the singer's murder in Assam state. An SPF spokesperson said, «The case is currently still being investigated by the SPF, in accordance with the Singapore Coroners Act 2010. Based on our investigations so far, the SPF does not suspect foul play in Garg's death. »Upon completion of the SPF's investigations, the findings will be submitted to the State Coroner in Singapore, who will hold a Coroner's Inquiry." The inquest is scheduled for January and February 2026. During the inquiry, the coroner will lead a fact-finding process to establish the cause and circumstances of Zubeen Garg's death, with the findings made public. Garg was due to perform at the 4th Northeast India Festival at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sept 20. 

Back in October 2025, social media users stood in arms when a man posted a video complaining about migrant workers resting at a HDB void deck in the central region of Singapore. «Who said you're allowed to sleep here?» the man is heard asking repeatedly in that video. «Singaporeans don't behave like you, show some respect,» one netizen remarked. That belief was proven right by a boy. In a video posted to his TikTok by Marran J Trav on Tuesday (Dec 16), a migrant worker is seen resting and using his phone at the void deck of a HDB block in Choa Chu Kang. A boy is also seen playing in front of the worker, trying to catch his attention with a bottle. Instead of being upset that his personal time and space are being intruded, the worker holds up his phone, presumably for a photo. Meanwhile, the boy adjusts himself to get into frame. 

A 26-year-old man was fined $12,000 for posting e-vaporiser related content on his social media accounts, making it the first case of its kind, according to a Health Sciences Authority (HSA) press release on Wednesday (Dec 17).Krish Khalifa, who goes by the name Rapperboya on social media, was sentenced in court for five vape-related charges on Wednesday.He was sentenced to a cumulative fine of $14,000, which included a $2,000 fine for possession of three e-vaporisers between 2023 and 2024.Khalifa was also charged for non-vape related offences, including relinquishing his bank accounts to launder money, dishonest misappropriation of property and committing a rash act, which he was sentenced to jail for.According to HSA, Khalifa made a total of nine posts across his social media channels on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok of him holding or using e-vaporisers in public places and at home.Investigations against him began when HSA received complaints from members of the public alleging that someone had posted a TikTok of himself vaping.

Nearly two million people would have visited the SG60 Heart&Soul Experience by the time the event draws to a close on Dec 31, said the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and National Library Board (NLB) on Thursday (Dec 18).Launched by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 26, the exhibition, marking Singapore's 60th year of independence, uses immersive storytelling and generative artificial intelligence to create a personalised, imaginative experience — offering visitors a peek into what their future in Singapore can look like.«The SG60 Heart&Soul Experience will welcome its last visitors on Dec 31, having run for nearly four months since its opening on Aug 26.»The SG60 flagship event, which comprises a ticketed experience and a non-ticketed series of installations, is expected to welcome about 2 million visitors, with about 150,000 tickets booked," said MDDI and NLB in their joint news release. 

FairPrice has announced that it will be extending its daily discount schemes for seniors, Merdeka Generation (MG), Pioneer Generation (PG), and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Orange and Blue cardholders into 2026.PG, MG and CHAS cardholders can enjoy a three per cent discount on purchases on selected days of the week, while seniors can enjoy a two per cent discount on Tuesday.The discount scheme will be available across all FairPrice stores and Unity pharmacies till Dec 31, 2026, said FairPrice Group on Thursday (Dec 18), reiterating its commitment to keep daily essentials within reach for vulnerable groups in Singapore. The CHAS Orange discount scheme, introduced in October 2024, aims to help more Singaporeans afford daily essentials. It is available to individuals whose total gross household monthly income per family member living together ranges from $1,501 to $2,300. FairPrice said it is the first and remains the only major retailer in Singapore to offer such a discount.

When it comes to helping ex-offenders get back on their feet, key priorities would include helping them secure a stable income, sharpening their employable skills and paving the way for greater societal acceptance.Another crucial factor that is often overlooked would be to strengthen the family ties that suffer when fathers are placed behind bars, which may not be easily repaired for years even after a jail sentence is complete. That is why the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) works closely with community partners, such as BapaHebat SG, to conduct family programmes for the inmates, helping them rebuild and strengthen their family ties.The organisation's name, BapaHebat SG, means 'awesome father' in Malay. Its two founders are Mohamad Ibrahim, 64, who came out of retirement to run the organisation, and Jamsari Ahmad, 59, who works in information technology.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers arrested three persons, aged between 26 and 35, on Tuesday (Dec 16) for overstaying. A 29-year-old Indian man was also arrested for harbouring immigration offenders, according to the ICA.The arrests were part of an inland enforcement operation conducted by the ICA at a residential unit in Jurong West.In a Facebook post on Dec 18, ICA said that the trio — an Indian man, a Filipino woman, and one Nepalese woman — had overstayed their social visit passes and were also suspected to be working illegally without work permits.In connection with the trio's arrest, the 29-year-old man was also arrested for allowing them to reside in his unit without first checking that their immigration status in Singapore was legal. ICA investigations into the four persons are ongoing. Those caught harbouring immigration offenders may be sentenced to jail for up to two years and fined up to $6,000.

Those travelling to Malaysia during the year-end holidays can expect continued longer waiting time to clear immigration at both Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Thursday (Dec 18).«With the ongoing year-end school holidays, as well as the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, ICA expects very heavy traffic at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints for the month of December 2025,» said ICA in an advisory.It also sought travellers' understanding to cooperate with its officers, observe traffic rules and maintain lane discipline, adding that firm action will be taken against those who do not comply with officers' instructions or commit offences at the checkpoints.The agency also reminded travellers that intensified checks against the smuggling of e-vaporisers are ongoing at the checkpoints, adding to the longer waiting times to clear immigration.Those who are traveling during this peak period can also consider taking the cross-border bus services to avoid congestion.

Thirteen men and 30 women are being investigated for various offences following an 11-day multi-agency enforcement operation in Geylang.In a news release on Wednesday (Dec 17), the police said that the operations - conducted from Nov 12 to 22 - are part of the agencies' efforts to clamp down on illegal activities in Geylang. The alleged offences the 43 persons are being investigated for include drug-related activities, illegal gambling, illegal hawking, illegal sales of health products, and vice activities.The operations involved officers from Bedok Police Division, Traffic Police and the Criminal Investigation Department; Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB); Health Sciences Authority (HSA); Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA); Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA). Drug-related activities in hotelsDuring enforcement checks across six hotels in the vicinity of Geylang on Nov 13, two women and one man, aged between 29 and 47, were arrested for suspected drug-related offences.

The Lions have defeated Malaysia 3-0 in a football friendly on Sept 4.If this is not the scoreline you recall, it is because Fifa has overturned the results of three Malaysian men's national team matches as part of the finding that they had fielded ineligible players.It seems like sometimes in life, there can indeed be takebacks.In a statement on Wednesday (Dec 17), the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said that the world governing body's disciplinary committee has declared the team's matches against Cape Verde on May 29, Singapore on Sept 4 and Palestine on Sept 8 as losses with a default score of 3-0.The association was also fined 10,000 Swiss francs (S$16,200) as punishment.The match with Singapore was initially a 2-1 victory, while Cape Verde ended in a 1-1 draw and Palestine lost 1-0.Although the Malaysia-Singapore match was not a competitive fixture, friendly results contribute to Fifa rankings, therefore the Lions stand to gain from this reversal.FAM stated that it will make a written request to obtain the reasons for the decision from Fifa before considering the next steps regarding this matter.

A total of 26 motorists, aged between 21 and 61, will be charged for drink driving on Thursday (Dec 18).In a media release on Wednesday, the police said the 26 were arrested between July and November after failing breathalyser tests. Two of them, aged 34 and 51, who were stopped for checks on July 12 and Oct 25 respectively, were found to have been previously convicted for the same offence.If found guilty again, the men will serve a mandatory jail sentence.Three other men, aged between 21 and 34, will each face an additional charge for leaving their vehicles in a manner that caused undue inconvenience to others.Police said the trio had fallen asleep at the wheel after allegedly consuming alcohol, and left their cars stationary along Bukit Timah Road, Sengkang Central and Corporation Road respectively.If convicted of leaving their vehicles in a manner that causes undue inconvenience to others, the three may each be fined up to $2,000, jailed for up to three months, or both.For the offence of drink driving, motorists can be fined between $2,000 and $10,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both. 

A total of $179,700 in fines were issued from September to October over vehicle safety at worksites, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Wednesday (Dec 17).In a Facebook post, MOM said that 1,318 «unsafe observations», six remedial orders and one stop-work order were recorded at 627 sites across Singapore.«Many of the lapses were preventable,» the ministry said, adding that these included poor vehicle maintenance and weak traffic management, across sectors such as construction, transport and storage, manufacturing, marine, and services.MOM highlighted four areas for employers to review in terms of their vehicular safety measures: forklift operation, forklift modifications, vehicle maintenance, and traffic management.Employers should ensure that their workers who are operating forklifts undergo refresher training every three years. In addition, keys should be kept locked when not in use.Forklifts should also be kept in their safe and original conditions. This means only using parts provided by the forklift's manufacturer or supplier.

The Singaporean community in Hong Kong has raised HK$1.8 million (S$304,000) for the victims of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po that broke out on Nov 26.In a joint statement by the Singapore Consulate-General in Hong Kong, the Singapore Association Hong Kong, the Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong), and the Singapore International School (Hong Kong) on Wednesday (Dec 17), the group said that the funds were raised through a donation drive.«The Hong Kong people have proven time and time again that their 'Lion Rock Spirit' and resilience will always shine through in the face of adversity. During this difficult time, the Singapore community in Hong Kong stands together with Hong Kong and its people,» the statement read.The «Lion Rock Spirit» is a term used by Hongkongers for their determination, especially when against the odds.Funds raised by the Singaporean community will go towards the support fund set up by the Hong Kong government to assist the victims.

Parliament will debate Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh's convictions when it sits in January next year, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah on Wednesday (Dec 17). In a statement issued in her capacity as Leader of the House, Indranee said the matter will be raised for discussion at the upcoming Parliament sitting. «It is necessary for Parliament to take notice of Mr Singh's actions and convictions, and deliberate on an appropriate response. This matter will therefore be raised for discussion at the upcoming sitting of Parliament in January 2026,» the House leader said. Singh, who is also the Workers' Party's (WP) chief, had his appeal against his convictions for lying to a parliamentary committee in 2021 dismissed by the High Court on Dec 4. The High Court found that the two counts of lying to the committee were supported by evidence. 

SINGAPORE — Unhappy with a male bus passenger who had flashed him an obscene hand gesture, a man flung a glass bottle at the vehicle from the side of a road.The bottle broke a window of the double-decker bus and struck the passenger's 57-year-old wife, causing the woman to sustain facial wounds that had to be stitched up.Three days after the incident in July, Quztaza Kamarudin, 38, was arrested after he was identified as the man who had thrown the bottle.While out on bail, he stole a bottle of whisky from a convenience store.On Dec 16, the Singaporean pleaded guilty to one count each of causing hurt to the woman by performing a rash act, committing mischief and theft.Court documents stated that the incident involving the broken bus window took place on July 5.Quztaza boarded bus service 190 in Bukit Panjang at around 5.30pm that day and sat on the upper deck of the vehicle.He then drank soju from a bottle before the vehicle reached a bus stop near The Heeren shopping mall in Orchard Road at around 6.40pm.He was about to walk down from the upper deck of the vehicle when Lim Phang Kai, 60, and his wife blocked his way.

The police have, on Wednesday (Dec 17), charged three key executives of online trading platform Samtrade FX for allegedly engaging in fraudulent practices and money laundering. In a news release on Dec 17, the police said that the three men — Goh Nai De, Goh Li Xiang and Yue Jingyuan Alfred — conspired to make 11 «Ultimate Trader» accounts appear profitable — by fraudulently tilting the trades in these accounts. These accounts were then offered in Samtrade FX's «copy trading» product where clients could choose to «copy» the trades executed in the said accounts. This led to the vast majority of Samtrade FX's clients copying the allegedly rigged «Ultimate Trading» accounts, which the police said were under Yue's control. Between a nearly 12-month period —  from Jan 1, 2021, to Dec 27, 2021 — Yue allegedly adjusted the bid-ask spreads of trades in these accounts so that copied trades appeared profitable to Samtrade FX's clients, without them knowing that the trades were fraudulently tilted, the police added. 

A company director will be charged in court on Wednesday (Dec 17) over her alleged involvement in cases of criminal breach of trust by agent and forgery-related offences.In a statement on Tuesday (Dec 16), the police said that the 55-year-old woman is suspected to have misappropriated over $400,000 in maintenance fees paid by residents of four condominiums.The acts were uncovered following a series of reports made between April 2021 and May 2024.According to the police, the woman's company was the appointed managing agent (MA) of the four condominiums.Under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA), the MA assists the management council of a development in the day-to-day running of the estate. This may include handling the monthly maintenance fees from residents. Contrary to the established procedure for residents to issue cheques to the bank accounts of the respective condominium's Management Corporate Strata Title, the woman offered alternative modes of payments to residents.These include paying in cash to her or making transfers to the bank account of her company as the managing agent.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is warning the public against two products being sold on e-commerce platforms that contain controlled substances.The agency detected tadalafil, a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction, in a product called Ferrari Candy — which is marketed as a sexual enhancement product claiming to boost stamina and vitality, it said in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 16).The product's logo looks similar to that of the car manufacturer of the same name, but they are unrelated. It is also advertised as «Rerrarii Candy» on TikTok.The inappropriate use of tadalafil is dangerous and can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, headache, migraine, irregular heart rate, and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections), said SFA.The medication can also pose serious risks to individuals with heart-related problems as it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure in those who are on heart medications, especially those containing nitrates.

Some of the athletes representing Singapore at the ongoing SEA Games in Thailand were caught by surprise when they received their competition bibs.Only parts of their names had been printed by the organisers, and a few of them were tickled at the outcome.The moment was captured by distance runner Soh Rui Yong and posted to TikTok on Dec 12.«We're doing bib collection now and we have some really interesting results because I don't think they got the names in order,» Soh said in the clip.The 34-year-old points out that the name on his bib «was not so bad» as it was just his French name Guillaume, which he rarely uses publicly.National 800m record holder Thiruben Thana Rajan's bib, however, simply said «Rajan».«That's my dad's name, my dad's running tomorrow,» Thiruben quipped amid laughter from some of his teammates.Muncherji Zubin Percy was also in a similar predicament with his bib reading his father's name, Percy.On the other hand, national 3,000m steeplechase record holder Vanessa Lee was handed a bib which simply read «Zhuang» — the last character of her Chinese name.«This is what my mum calls me,» she said.

He owns a card purportedly worth over $1 million — equivalent to a piece of private property in Singapore — but he isn't about to sell it just yet. At the recently concluded Singapore Card Show, held at the Singapore Expo over two days from Dec 13 to 14, one collectible in particular stole the limelight — a Japanese Pikachu Illustrator Promo card. The card — owned by Singaporean card collector, Chew Zhan Lun, 33 — is considered one of the «holy grails» in the Pokemon card-collecting world due to its rarity. Chew, who is the co-founder of card trading platform CTRL Collectibles, told media at the event that he had rejected a US$1 million (S$1.3 million) offer just last week by an individual to purchase the card. Speaking to AsiaOne on Tuesday (Dec 16), Chew shared that he had bought the card for «around $600,000» from a private collector. Why so expensive?According to Sports Illustrated, the cards were awarded to winners of a comic illustration contest in Japan in 1997 and 1998, with only 39 copies of it believed to exist.