Extended alcohol sale hours at nightlife spots along the Singapore River are among the measures that will be formalised on Tuesday (Aug 18) after a year-long trial.The pilot programme to revitalise Boat Quay Historic District, Upper Circular Road area and Clarke Quay Conservation Area has seen encouraging results as well as strong interest from businesses, the authorities said on Monday.The measures include:

Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has inked an agreement with China's Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) to cooperate in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.The agreement was signed on Monday (Aug 17) in Beijing by MTI's Permanent Secretary for Energy and Trade, Augustin Lee, and CAEA vice-chairman Liu Jing, with the signing witnessed by Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Dr Tan See Leng and CAEA chairman Shan Zhongde.Under the agreement, the two countries will facilitate capacity building partnerships between them. This includes safety and technical assessments of nuclear reactor technologies; manpower training and scientific visits; public education, communications and engagement; nuclear safety, safeguards and security; as well as nuclear technology applications. 

A 'religious influencer' who became a father figure to two vulnerable brothers before sexually abusing them between 2022 and 2024 has been sentenced to 27 years and 10 months' jail and 24 strokes of the cane.The 37-year-old man pleaded guilty on Monday (Aug 17) to three charges of rape and two counts of molestation, according to court documents obtained by AsiaOne. Another 12 charges were also taken into consideration during sentencing.The man repeatedly sexually assaulted the victims at various locations, including a toilet in a mosque where he often prayed with them and taught them religion.In a statement on Monday, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) said it strongly condemns the serious sexual offences involving youth victims at mosque premises. «Our mosques must always be safe and trusted spaces, especially for our children and young people,» said MUIS, adding that the man was not a mosque staff member or volunteer, nor was he an accredited asatizah. An asatizah is an Islamic religious teacher or scholar. 

Be prepared for warm, humid nights ahead, with temperatures staying above 27 deg C, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said on Monday (Aug 17).In the second fortnight of August, daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 and 34 deg C on most days, with daily maximum temperature possibly reaching a high of 35 deg C on a few days, the weatherman said.It added that most nights may also be warm and humid, with temperatures staying above 27 deg C.But localised short-duration thundery showers are also expected over parts of the island during the late morning and afternoon on some days.There may also be several fair and occasionally windy days, MSS added.Hazy conditions possibleTurning to dry conditions in the region, MSS said it has continued to observe hotspots with smoke plumes, mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra and various parts of Kalimantan.It noted that dry conditions are expected to persist in the coming days, adding that Singapore may experience hazy conditions should the fires intensify.This is due to the prevailing south-easterly or south-westerly winds, the agency said.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will make a two-day working visit to Geneva, Switzerland from Aug 18 to 19.He will attend a meeting of the World Economic Forum's Board of Trustees and participate in discussions convened by the International Business Council on economic and geopolitical challenges, according to a statement from the President's Office on Monday (Aug 17).President Tharman will also speak at a roundtable discussion on strategies for job creation in a new era, and meet with business and thought leaders while in Geneva.The President will be accompanied by officials from the Economic Development Board and the President's Office.[[nid:740312]]editor@asiaone.com 

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver the National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 23) from 6.45pm.Keeping with tradition, he will speak first in Malay, followed by Mandarin. His English speech will begin at 8pm, said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a statement on Aug 17.The rally, held at the Institute of Technical Education College Central in Ang Mo Kio, will be broadcast on local television channels and radio stations.PM Wong's speech will be broadcast in English on Channel 5, CNA and CNA938; in Mandarin on Channel 8, Channel U and Capital 958FM; in Malay on Suria and Warna 924FM; and in Tamil on Vasantham and Oli 968FM.It will also be live streamed on the YouTube channels of PM Wong and PMO.  The National Day Rally is an important annual platform for Singapore's prime minister to address the nation, report on the progress it has made and share important policies.

Former Minister of State for Finance Tang See Chim died on Saturday (Aug 15), aged 94.A lawyer by training, Tang entered politics in 1966, a year after Singapore became independent. He won the 1966 by-election in Chua Chu Kang —  triggered by the Barisan Socialis boycott of Parliament — going on to represent the constituency for 22 years before retiring in 1988.Tang was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Finance in 1968 and later promoted to Minister of State for Finance in 1970.He was also Deputy Speaker of Parliament between 1972 and 1981.Voice of pig farmersTang, who was 36 when he entered politics, was known for speaking up for pig farmers in the then-largely rural Chua Chu Kang constituency.He pressed the Government to help subsidise swine fever vaccinations for at-risk pigs and also raised parliamentary questions about HDB's resettlement policy in Chua Chu Kang that led to farm land fragmentation. In 1976, Tang was offered a chance to move to another constituency, but declined the offer.

The police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 17-year-old teenage girl, Iffah Nur Syaurah Binte Abdullah, who was last seen in Hougang.Police said in a news release on Monday (Aug 17) that Iffah was last seen at about 6.30am on July 30 in the vicinity of 42 Surin Avenue, wearing a black jacket and greyish black pants.The address is the location of the Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls. 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.[[nid:735166]]editor@asiaone.com 

FairPrice Foundation (FPF), the philanthropic arm of supermarket chain FairPrice Group on Monday (Aug 17) announced the return of its Cheers Breakfast Club. The initiative, now in its third year, will see 12,000 Primary 6 students — about 30 per cent of the Primary 6 cohort — taking their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) receive free breakfast bundles.FairPrice Group said in a news release that the bundles will be available for public redemption at 51 participating Cheers and FairPrice Xpress outlets islandwide from 1pm on Sept 3, and during operating hours from Sept 4 to 6.Redemptions will be on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last, with each student limited to one bundle redemption.Primary 6 students can redeem a bundle by presenting their student card or PSLE examination slip. Parents may also redeem a bundle on their child's behalf, by presenting their child's student card or a physical or electronic copy of the examination slip.

A 59-year-old man was arrested for committing an obscene act in public on Saturday (Aug 15).He had allegedly masturbated while standing beside a woman, leading her to chase him down and call the police.The police said in response to AsiaOne's queries that they received a call for assistance at Upper Cross Street at about 4.40pm on Saturday and arrested the man.The victim said in a Facebook post that same day that she was smoking outside her office when the man approached her space.«I thought he was feeling hot and shaking his shirt to cool down,» she recalled, before realising that the man was exposed and allegedly touching himself.She shouted at the man, who she said was «still shaking». He subsequently left the scene.The woman said she later tried searching for the man as she could not let go of the incident and eventually spotted him heading towards Hong Lim Market and Food Centre.After informing a colleague, she ran to stop him and called the police, the Facebook post stated.«I grabbed him by his collar and scolded him. He apologised and said he was drunk, but I'm not taking that as an excuse,» the victim wrote.

The police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 13-year-old teenage girl, Kylie Tan Le Tian, who was last seen in Tanjong Rhu.Police said in a news release on Monday (Aug 17) that Kylie was last seen at about 7.30am on Monday in the vicinity of 10 Tanjong Rhu Road, wearing a dark blue top and dark blue skirt. Kylie was last seen wearing a dark blue top and dark blue skirt on Monday (Aug 17) morning. PHOTO: Blue Stag (left), Shanghai School Uniform (right) The address is the location of Dunman High School.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.

An offering table set up for the Hungry Ghost Festival in front of a National Day banner featuring Jalan Besar GRC MPs has drawn criticism online, with some netizens calling the location «inappropriate».Photos shared in the Umbrage Singapore Facebook group on Saturday (Aug 15) showed the altar outside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown at about 2pm.In the photos, several worshippers were seen gathered around the altar, which had been placed directly in front of a National Day billboard bearing the portraits of Jalan Besar MPs Wan Rizal, Josephine Teo, Denise Phua Lay Peng and Shawn Loh.During the Hungry Ghost Festival in the seventh month of the lunar calendar, many Chinese burn incense and make offerings such as food, candles, joss paper and paper effigies to honour their ancestors and appease wandering spirits.Other photos circulating online showed members of the public kneeling in prayer before the altar, which appeared to have been assembled using makeshift tables draped with red cloth.

A fountain pen once owned by Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has sold for a staggering $461,500 after attracting 111 bids from around the world.The silver Montblanc Meisterstuck No. 146 was sold by Singapore auction house Hotlotz on Sunday (Aug 16). According to Hotlotz's press statement that day, the final price was nearly 10 times the auction house's initial estimate of between $30,000 and $50,000.The pen was listed as Lot 51 in Hotlotz's Interiors & Collectibles — August, Fine Art Focus auction, which featured works and collectibles from Singaporean artists and notable figures.The sterling silver fountain pen has yellow-toned metal highlights, an 18K gold nib and is engraved with «SM Lee Kuan Yew» on its cap.It measures 14.5cm long and is marked «925» for sterling silver.

A person was taken to the hospital after an incident at Jurong West Swimming Complex on Saturday (Aug 15).Responding to AsiaOne's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it received a call for assistance on Aug 15 at around 5:25pm at 20 Jurong West Street 93, where the swimming complex is located. The SCDF added that a person was taken to National University Hospital (NUH).A Sport Singapore spokesperson also told AsiaOne that an incident occurred at the ActiveSG Jurong West Swimming Complex on Aug 15.«Our lifeguards and staff promptly attended to the individual, in accordance with our emergency response protocols,» said the spokesperson.The spokesperson added that the individual was conscious when taken to NUH and is currently under observation.[[nid:742562]]laili.abdeen@asiaone.com 

Singapore's non-oil domestic exports (NODX) rose by 24.2 per cent in July compared to a year earlier, extending the 20.8 per cent growth recorded in June, Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) announced on Monday (Aug 18).The growth was led by electronic NODX, which grew by 112 per cent, up from the 105.1 per cent increase in June.According to Enterprise SG, the increase was supported by «robust artificial intelligence related demand» such as disk media products — which rose by 339.1 per cent or $1.6 billion, and integrated circuits — which grew by 84.5 per cent or $1.4 billion.Meanwhile, non-electronic NODX fell by 2.3 per cent, easing slightly from the 2.8 per cent in June.Overall, NODX grew by 19.4 per cent in the first seven months of this year.Of the top 10 markets for NODX exports, the US was Singapore's top market, following by China and Taiwan.Non-oil re-exports (NORX) grew by 51.3 per cent in July, down slightly from the 60.3 per cent growth recorded in June. The expansion was also primarily driven by the electronics sector, EnterpriseSG said.

The long arms of the law caught up with a 37-year-old Australian man on Aug 4, some nine months after he stole from a retail outlet in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 2.A day later, a 50-year-old American man was arrested for the same offence, this time at the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 1.Police said in a news release on Sunday (Aug 16) afternoon that the two cases happened on November 19, 2025, and Aug 5 respectively.In the first case, a retail assistant had reviewed the shop's closed-circuit television (CCTV) after noticing two boxes of perfumes missing from the display shelf.The Australian man was seen taking two boxes of perfumes, worth about $430, before leaving without making payment.According to the police, about two hours had lapsed between the time of alleged offence and the report being made. By then, the man had departed from Singapore.He was arrested on Aug 4 while in Changi Airport again on transit.The second case took place at a retail outlet in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 1 at about 12.40am on Aug 5.

A group of more than 10 cyclists were seen on video being chased by Traffic Police (TP) officers in the wee hours of Saturday (Aug 15) morning.Footage of the incident posted on social media shows the group riding without helmets along West Coast Avenue near West Coast Park.Some of the bicycles appear to be fixies, or fixed-gear bicycles, which do not come with hand-operated brakes.At least four TP officers are seen giving chase, with their sirens sounding, as the group spreads out across three lanes. At one point, a TP officer overtakes the group, while another officer boxes them in from behind.However, the group speeds up in an attempt to evade the officers. It is unclear how many riders were eventually stopped by TP officers, although the video's ending shows at least two TP outriders stopping along the road — behind the main group of cyclists.On TikTok, where the video was posted, several users commented on the issue of road safety, but some comments thought different.

A 16-year-old will be among 20 people to be charged in court from Monday (Aug 17) to Thursday for their alleged involved in various scams.The 17 men and three women, aged between 16 and 64, are said to be involved in various scams such as job and investment scam, government official impersonation scam, internet love scam, and sexual services scam. Police did not disclose the total amount of losses they are linked to, but said that their offences include: abetment to cheating, acquiring another person's benefits from criminal proceeds, assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct, abetting unauthorised access to computer material, unlawful disclosure of passwords or access codes, and knowingly providing fraudulently registered postpaid SIM cards for monetary gain.They are believed to have facilitated scam activities by relinquishing or selling their bank accounts, assisting in receiving or transferring funds or collecting cash from scam victims, and enabling criminal syndicates to commit money laundering.

A group of more than 10 cyclists were seen on video being chased down by Traffic Police (TP) officers in the wee hours of Saturday (Aug 15) morning.Footage of the incident posted on social media shows the group riding without helmets along West Coast Avenue near West Coast Park.Some of the bicycles appear to be fixies, or fixed-gear bicycles, which do not come with hand-operated brakes.At least four TP officers are seen giving chase, with their sirens sounding, as the group spreads out across three lanes. At one point, a TP officer overtakes the group, while another officer boxes them in from behind.However, the group speeds up in an attempt to evade the officers. It is unclear how many riders were eventually stopped by TP officers, although the video's ending shows at least two TP outriders stopping along the road — behind the main group of cyclists.On TikTok, where the video was posted, several users commented on the issue of road safety, but some comments thought different.