PropertyLimBrothers (PLB) is in hot water again — this time for an unruly Chinese New Year celebration that had staff flinging food at each other. The real estate agency posted a video on Thursday (Feb 12) of their annual shou gong fan — a meal held before Chinese New Year meant to celebrate a company's achievements — and is drawing criticism for their chaotic yusheng toss. In the video, staff are seen gathered around several tables to lohei and are heard shouting «huat ah» excitedly. While most staff toss the yusheng upwards, some are seen cheekily flinging the food towards other tables and colleagues. Other staff are seen using plastic lids from the yusheng boxes to shield themselves from the food, with one staff even putting a plastic bag over his head. «The celebration peaked as we rolled up our sleeves for hands-on CNY activities, creative showcases, and a meaningful Lo Hei — the PLB way,» the caption reads. Lohei is a Chinese New Year tradition where families and friends gather to toss yusheng while reciting auspicious phrases for the year ahead. 

Hot and humid weather has made way for cooler temperatures on Tuesday (Feb 17), the first day of Chinese New Year, after heavy downpours swept across the country. Temperatures across Singapore dipped amid the gloomy weather, reaching a low of 21.8 deg C at Newton at 12.11pm, according to data from the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS). Light to moderate rain persisted into the afternoon, with checks by AsiaOne at 4.22pm showing a low of 23.1 deg C in Admiralty and a high of 24.7 deg C in Semakau Island.  Temperatures ranged between 23.1 and 24.7 deg C at 4.22pm.PHOTO: Screengrab/Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) Wet weather across the island is expected to persist for a few days before transitioning into relatively drier weather, said the MSS in a media advisory on Monday. 

A ComfortDelGro taxi flipped upside down after a traffic accident on Tuesday (Feb 17), the first day of Chinese New Year. In response to AsiaOne's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to a traffic accident at the junction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 and Bishan Road at 7.50am. Two people were assessed for minor injuries, but declined to be taken to hospital. Photos of the incident shared online show the taxi blocking the two rightmost lanes on the road, with police officers and an ambulance nearby. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) also posted an update to X at 8.13am, alerting drivers of the accident and to avoid lanes 1, 2 and 3.A spokesperson from ComfortDelGro told AsiaOne the company is aware of the accident. The taxi driver was unharmed and there were no passengers onboard at the time, the spokesperson said. «We are monitoring the situation and providing assistance as needed,» the spokesperson added. [[nid:730017]]dana.leong@asiaone.com

The 23,000 people working at community care organisations could see their annual salaries increase by about 7 per cent or more under revised guidelines to be introduced by the end of 2026. To help defray the additional costs incurred as a result of the enhanced salaries, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will provide an initial tranche of $100 million, said Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung on Feb 17. Mr Ong said the raise for staff is in addition to the previously announced increase in the maximum subsidy for those requiring residential long-term care, which will be raised to 80 per cent in July 2026. The maximum subsidy for Singapore citizens was 75 per cent, while that for permanent residents was 50 per cent. Mr Ong said details of the revised salary guidelines will be issued in the coming months, following which organisations will have to make their necessary plans before their implementation by the end of the year. 

A 63-year-old male pedestrian died after being hit by a bus along Havelock Road on Monday (Feb 16) evening. Footage of the aftermath posted by SG Road Vigilante on Facebook shows an SBS Transit bus service 123 stopped with its hazard lights on, while paramedics perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on someone lying on the road behind the vehicle. There appears to be blood on the nose of the victim, whom AsiaOne understands to have been a tourist from China. In response to AsiaOne's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the accident at about 7pm, and conveyed a person to the Singapore General Hospital. The police said the accident took place along 382 Havelock Road and the pedestrian, 63, was sent unconscious to hospital where he subsequently died. A 35-year-old male bus driver is assisting with ongoing police investigations. [[nid:730004]]drimac@asiaone.com

Three people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a HDB void deck in Hougang on Monday (Feb 16). Footage posted on Xiaohongshu by a user named Charmaine shows flames on the ground floor, with smoke billowing. A large number of residents can also be seen gathering under the void deck of a neighbouring block. Charmaine, who called the events of her Chinese New Year eve «thrilling», wrote that she was sitting on her sofa when her domestic helper ran out of the kitchen yelling: «Ma'am, fire!» After closing the windows and grabbing their bags and the pet dog, they ran out of the flat. Charmaine also posted photos of the aftermath, with contractors involved in the clean-up. 

Chinese New Year is a time for feasting, but some food — especially bak kwa — should be kept for humans, according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).In a Facebook post on Monday (Feb 16), the society shared a list of tips for pet owners and their furry friends to have a «safe and pawsperous» festive season.Festive snacks can be dangerous for pets, it said, explaining that bak kwa, a beloved snack especially during the new year, is too salty and oily, and even potentially toxic to dogs.Chocolates and grapes are other examples of toxic food that should also be kept away from dogs.Rubbish bins should also be sealed and kept away from wandering pets, as leftover bones and skewers can pose a choking hazard if ingested.SPCA also cautioned pet owners to keep doors and gates closed to prevent any opportunities for pets to run outdoors.The tradition of visiting friends and family may also be a source of stress for pets, who may be uncomfortable with unfamiliar guests.Likewise, noise from fireworks, poppers and even sudden laughter or music can also stress them.

A 17-year-old female pedestrian was taken to hospital on the eve of Chinese New Year (Feb 16) after she was knocked down by a car in Bukit Panjang.The accident happened at about 1.35pm along Petir Road, outside Hillion Mall. Motorists who passed the scene said in a chat group that there was a traffic build-up in the area due to the accident.A picture of the incident shared to the chat group showed paramedics attending to the teen on the road.In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force said that the accident involved the teenager and a car, and that she was taken to National University Hospital.Police investigations are ongoing. In the first half of 2025, the number of traffic accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities increased by 8.9 per cent to 3,818 cases, up from 3,507 in the same period in 2024.To curb speeding violations and speeding-related incidents, stiffer penalties came into effect from Jan 1 this year.

A Singaporean driver, 39, was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint after e-vaporisers and e-vaporiser pods were discovered in his car.In a Facebook post on Monday (Feb 16), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the incident occurred on Feb 6.While attempting to enter the country, the Singapore-registered car was directed for enhanced checks based on information received by ICA's Integrated Targeting Centre.During investigations, ICA officers uncovered a stash of two e-vaporisers and 210 e-vaporiser pods hidden in two packages labelled as detergent powder.The driver was arrested and the case has been referred to the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation.Under the enhanced penalties introduced on Sept 1 last year, those convicted of importing vapes into Singapore will face a jail term of up to six months, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both, for their first offence. Need support around vaping or addiction?

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