Scenes of devotees rushing to be among the first to plant incense offerings at temples — a custom known as tou xiang («first joss sticks») — are common in places where ethnic Chinese communities exist, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.According to tradition, it is believed that the person who plants the first incense stick will receive the best luck and blessings from deities for the year. A devotee praying at Sri Krishnan temple, also in Waterloo Street, on the eve of Chinese New Year (Feb 16). The temple has put up Chinese New Year decorations. PHOTO: AsiaOne/Rauf Khan This has often led to crowds of worshippers vying to do so in hopes for a new fortuitous year.

From April 1, property agents from the five biggest real estate agencies will be subject to stricter regulations when distributing flyers and face consequences for non-compliance.The Singapore Institute of Estate Agents (SIEA) and five real estate agencies — PropNex, ERA, Huttons Asia, OrangeTee & Tie and SRI — signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Feb 13, agreeing to reinforce proper flyer distribution practices across HDB estates.Under the new agreement, agents from these agencies will have to abide by a shared framework that requires all flyers and pamphlets to be properly distributed to homes and visible only to the intended recipient.For instance, flyers can be distributed through mailboxes, SIEA said.The participating agencies will keep SIEA informed on any complaints received from residents regarding errant property agents, and all records will be kept by SIEA.«With SIEA serving as the industry's secretariat, we can ensure consistent monitoring, clearer enforcement and greater accountability across all participating agencies,» said Eugene Lim, president of SIEA.

A Chinese woman, who recently travelled to Singapore, claimed she was detained for two days in Changi Airport after she was stopped for further checks at immigration. In two separate videos uploaded to Douyin on Feb 2 and Feb 4, Chen Xixi (transliteration), also identified as Chen Wenshi, claimed she was detained without reason. Chen, who claims to be an influencer, said that it was her first time travelling to Singapore and that she was visiting her sister, who works as a teacher here. When passing through immigration clearance, she said she was pulled aside by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers who asked about her travel plans. She claimed an officer also looked through her mobile phone, social media applications and bank details.  She claimed she was then, without explanation, brought to a waiting room. She was later asked to go to another room where she took headshots and scanned her fingerprints. She said she was then issued an order of detention in English for her «removal from Singapore». 

It will be a wet and stormy Chinese New Year, the Meteorological Service Singapore said on Monday (Feb 16).Moderate to heavy thundery showers are forecast over most parts of the island in the afternoon and evening during the first few days of the second half of the month.According to the weatherman, the period of moderate and thundery showers will be succeeded by relatively drier conditions, though brief localised thundery showers may still occur on several afternoons.The first half of February saw more showers compared to the second half of January, with localised, short-duration showers occurring over most parts on several afternoons.Temperatures remained between 32 and 33 deg c on most days — with a high of 34.7 deg C recorded at Jurong Island on Feb 4. On Feb 5, widespread thundery showers affected many areas, with a total rainfall of 108.6mm —  the highest rainfall recorded for the first half of February —  at the Jurong Pier area.[[nid:729858]]editor@asiaone.com 

A 58-year-old male car driver died on Monday (Feb 16) morning after an accident at Bukit Gombak Neighbourhood Centre.The incident happened at about 5.50am at Block 375 Bukit Batok Street 31.Photographs of the aftermath of the accident posted by Facebook user Issey Ikemen show a grey Mercedes E-Class saloon car mounted on the pedestrian footpath, with its front bumper against a wall.The user wrote in the post's captions: «What a tragedy. At first, I thought it was a drink driving case. But unfortunately, I heard that the driver was sick and had passed away. Rest in peace.»Responding to AsiaOne's queries, the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that the car is believed to have skidded, adding that the driver was taken unconscious to Ng Teng Fong Hospital where he subsequently died. The police and SCDF did not comment on whether he was unwell.Police investigations are ongoing.[[nid:729934]]editor@asiaone.com 

The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) search-and-rescue unit airlifted a crew member from a vessel at sea to hospital on Saturday (Feb 14) afternoon.AsiaOne understands that a Rescue 10 H225M Medium Lift helicopter took off from Sembawang Air Base around 2.30pm, and was later tracked on FlightRadar24 east of Peninsula Malaysia, over the South China Sea. «The casualty was successfully evacuated and transported to Singapore General Hospital, where he was reported to be conscious and in stable condition,» RSAF said in a Facebook post later in the evening. «We wish him a speedy recovery, and salute our RSAF aircrew and healthcare workers who are always ready 24/7 to save lives.»

The Chinatown fruit seller who was accused of being rude to an American tourist in a viral video taken by the latter has spoken up to share her side of the story.In the Instagram video posted on Tuesday (Feb 10), the seller is seen staring and asking the tourist behind the camera, «You want to buy or you want to ask?» The seller then continues, «If you got money [sic]», before an older man intervenes in a bid to de-escalate the situation.The recording ends as the man and fruit seller get into a shouting match, with the uncle calling the seller «very rude».Speaking to Shin Min Daily News on Friday (Feb 13), the seller said that she was triggered by the tourists' questions and also claimed that they had manhandled the fruit.The seller, who did not give her name, said the tourist had come in a group of around 10 persons and they were standing in front of the stall for about 10 minutes before the altercation occurred.

SINGAPORE – A fire broke out in a shop selling bak kwa, or barbecued meat, in Little India on the afternoon of Feb 15, days before the Chinese New Year.The owner of Century Bakkwa, Simbian Chua, posted on social media shortly after noon that the shop was on fire, adding that “there is 500kg of charcoal” on the premises. She said firefighters were on-site.Orders to be delivered on Feb 15 may be delayed by one to two days because of the fire, said Chua, adding that customers who want a refund will be able to receive one. The fire is believed to be in Dunlop Street, where Century Bakkwa has a 1,000 sq ft shophouse, according to a 2025 Straits Times article.An 11-second video that accompanied Chua’s post showed a smoke-filled back alley where a row of shophouses are located.

Members of the public have raised concerns about an unemployed Vietnamese woman sleeping at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park for months and asking passers-by for money, prompting police to be called four times.A reader, Wang (surname transliterated), told Shin Min Daily News that she had been seeing the woman sleeping in a pavilion at the park since December 2025.«She would place a mattress on a stone bench and lie on it to sleep,» the 70-year-old said.Wang initially thought the woman was only staying there temporarily, but later noticed that she had begun asking members of the public for money.«She said she was from Vietnam and had no money for food, and asked if people could give her some money. She would ask for a few dollars each time. There are many elderly people in the park, and quite a few would feel sorry for her and give her a few dollars,» she added.Wang claimed that the woman had also asked her husband for money, even requesting to go out with him.«The park is for people to exercise and take walks. Now someone is always here asking people for money. It doesn't look good,» she said.

The streets of Geylang Serai has come alive once again with a warm festive glow as colourful Hari Raya lights illuminated the streets near the Geylang Serai precinct.Themed #KitaRataBersama, or We Celebrate Together, this year's light-up was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong on Saturday (Feb 14) evening. Describing the light-up as «more than a seasonal display», DPM Gan said it symbolises the unity that underpins Singapore’s multicultural society.«When we light up Geylang Serai, we illuminate not just the physical space, but the bonds that unite us as Singaporeans,» he said. «The colourful lights reflect the many hues of our society, each distinct yet harmoniously blended into one magnificent display.»He added that acts of fasting together during Ramadan, organising charity drives, and neighbours looking out for one another are reminders of our common aspirations. «These acts of compassion and solidarity strengthen our social fabric. They remind us that regardless of our individual beliefs, we share common aspirations for peace, prosperity, and harmony,» DPM Gan shared.

SINGAPORE – Like many of his neighbours, Tampines resident Abdul Razak Subahan is often jolted awake in the middle of the night by loud cars and motorcycles revving their engines along the roads that his flat overlooks.He said this happens almost every day in the wee hours.“It can be very painful... When you’re sleeping, it triggers you to wake up. It gives you a shock,” said the software developer, 65, who lives at Block 366 Tampines Street 34.The sound is jarring, he added. “When you’re sleeping... zoom. It’s as if the world is breaking. That’s really irritating.”Subahan is among more than 10 Tampines residents who told The Straits Times that traffic noise from nearby roads has disrupted their daily lives. Their concerns were raised in Parliament by Tampines GRC MP Charlene Chen in January.Residents told ST the problem seemed to have worsened after the completion of the TPE flyover towards Changi East in 2023.While the TPE previously generated some traffic noise, it was still tolerable, they said.