Have you noticed a burning smell in the air and worried that Singapore is experiencing haze?The «sharp, acrid» smell that one might occasionally detect during the haze season does not necessarily mean that air quality is poor, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Aug 18).This is because the odour from a mixture of gases emitted from faraway forest and peat fires can be discerned by humans even at  «very low concentrations». «These gases are separate from the pollutants NEA monitors for the PSI and PM2.5 readings,» the agency added.NEA publishes the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings and 24-hour PSI readings on the myENV app and its website.Singapore may experience hazy conditions in the coming days if fire in the southern and central parts of Sumatra and various parts of Kalimantan continue to intensify, the Meteorological Service Singapore forecast on Monday.

A 17-year-old male teenager was arrested by the police after he falsely claimed to two travel companions that he was in possession of a bomb and a vape at Woodlands Checkpoint.The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Aug 18) that the teenager had just completed immigration clearance at the bus arrival hall of Woodlands Checkpoint when he made the claim.An ICA officer, who was then conducting profiling duties, overheard the remark and stopped the teenager and his two travel companions.The trio were referred for further checks, which subsequently established that the claims were false.The 17-year-old was arrested by the police for public nuisance and investigations are ongoing, ICA said.ICA reiterated that security at Singapore's checkpoints is its top priority, and all reports made regarding security threats or contraband will be taken «very seriously».«We will not hesitate to take action against those who make false or misleading claims, causing unnecessary alarm to the public,» ICA said.

A 15-year-old has been arrested in connection with a bomb threat at Xinmin Secondary School that prompted the evacuation of students and staff last week. In an update to AsiaOne on Tuesday (Aug 18), the police said a teenager had been arrested and that investigations into the case are ongoing.The incident occurred on the morning of Aug 13, when the school activated its emergency evacuation procedures after being alerted to a potential bomb threat.Police later conducted a thorough search of the premises and found no suspicious items.Subsequent reports indicated that the scare was allegedly triggered by a note discovered by a teacher in a Secondary 3 classroom.The note reportedly claimed that there was a bomb on the school grounds, prompting the school to alert the police and evacuate students and staff as a precaution.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers called the bluff on the driver of a Malaysia-registered lorry during an inspection at Tuas Checkpoint on Aug 11.Pictures posted on ICA's Facebook show bread trays stacked in the cargo box of the lorry truck.One photograph shows what appears to be cartons of cigarettes concealed underneath loaves of bread.The lorry, driven by a 39-year-old Malaysian man, was directed for enhanced checks.There, search and examination officers found a total of 1,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed within a consignment of assorted bread.

To curb the proliferation of online investment scams, messaging platforms must introduce measures that make it harder for an unknown person to contact another user.The seven designated messaging and conferencing services — WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, Apple iMessage and FaceTime, as well as Google Message and Google Meet — must also prevent the impersonation of Government officials by fake accounts taking advantage of profile names or pictures.The police, which issued new codes of practice under the Online Criminal Harms Act on Monday (Aug 17), said in a news release that 52 per cent of scam cases reported in 2025 occurred on designated online services.WhatsApp and Telegram accounted for about 23 per cent of all scam cases, and about 18 per cent of Government officials impersonation scams (GOIS) took place through WhatsApp that year.Urgent action is needed to address GOIS cases, police said, and the seven messaging platforms must comply with requirements to prevent the spoofing of officials by Sept 30.

A recycling truck caught fire at Block 181A Boon Lay Drive on Saturday (Aug 15) afternoon.A video of the incident posted on TikTok shows the contents from the recycling truck emptied out along the estate's driveway as firefighters tackle the fire.The truck is seen parked further up the driveway.  Based on the video, the contents comprise mostly cardboard and plastic.TikTok user _brotherbearrr, who posted the video, is seen using a hose, possibly connected to his kitchen tap, to douse the smouldering pile. In response to AsiaOne's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said that the fire involved contents from the rear compartment of the truck, adding that firefighters extinguished the fire using two hose reels.There were no reported injuries in the incident and the cause of the fire is under investigation.[[nid:742750]]editor@asiaone.com 

A total of 81,750 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes were uncovered at a warehouse unit within the Changi Free Trade Zone (FTZ) during an inspection by Singapore Customs. The cigarettes were subsequently seized, after trademark proprietors confirmed they were fake. In a news release on Tuesday (Aug 18), Singapore Customs said the seizure stemmed from an inspection conducted on June 9, when officers checked a consignment declared as cigarettes under a transhipment permit destined for Mexico.Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in Singapore are designated economic areas that provide advantageous customs and tax conditions to businesses operating within them. In Singapore's nine FTZs, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and customs duties are suspended on goods stored, processed or handled within them; unless such goods leave the FTZ and enter the local market for sale or consumption.During the inspection, officers found cigarettes of assorted brands packed in cardboard boxes and wrapped in black and green packaging.Suspecting the cigarettes were counterfeit, the officers contacted the respective trademark proprietors.

SINGAPORE — A recalcitrant offender has landed in trouble again — this time receiving a jail sentence for assaulting three people, including a security officer, and being a public nuisance near a pre-school.Lim Sok Lay, 54, was fined $4,000 in 2022 after harassing her neighbour, a nurse, amid the Covid-19 outbreak. She was fined another $4,000 in 2025 after causing a ruckus during her son’s lion dance competition.Lim committed some of the latest offences with her daughter Jolene Cheang Wan Ling, 29.On Aug 17, Lim, who is on remand, was sentenced to six months and two weeks’ jail after she pleaded guilty to two counts of assault.She also pleaded guilty to one count each of being a public nuisance and voluntarily causing hurt to a security officer.Cheang, who pleaded guilty to one count each of assault, criminal intimidation and being a public nuisance, was sentenced to five months’ jail and a fine of $1,500.Her bail has been set at $20,000, and she is expected to begin serving her sentence in September.

The long arm of the law caught up with two male Chinese nationals, aged 43 and 50 on Sunday (Aug 16), about four months after they allegedly broke into a Balestier temple and stole money from the donation boxes.Police said in a news release on Monday night that the duo were arrested on their return to Singapore after committing the alleged crime at about 12.30am on April 2.The alleged incident happened at a temple on Tai Gin Road, and cash amounting to between $300 and $400 was stolen from the donation boxes.Preliminary investigations revealed that the two men had entered the temple using a card affixed with adhesive tape to remove cash from the donation boxes.Officers from Tanglin Police Division established their identities through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from closed-circuit television.But they had left Singapore on the same day of the alleged crime.They will be charged in court on Tuesday with the offence of housebreaking and theft with common intention.If found guilty of the said offence, they could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.[[nid:742779]]

SINGAPORE — As a child, Mervyn Ong would follow his property agent parents to house viewings and help them distribute flyers in letterboxes. This stirred in him a passion for the profession which he later spent years trying to enter.It took the 38-year-old nine attempts over 15 years to eventually pass the Real Estate Salesperson (RES) examination to become a registered property agent in 2023.“I don’t like to be deskbound. I have wanted to be a real estate agent since young, but the exams were very hard to pass... I am not someone who is study-smart, but I was determined,” said Ong, who even hired a tutor to help him prepare for the examinations.“It took me 15 years, but I don’t feel ‘paiseh’ (about it),” added Ong, using the Hokkien term for embarrassment.Ong loves his job as he finds it meaningful to help people find their ideal homes, at the same time “earn a good income”.In his first year, Ong earned a gross commission of about $80,000. By his third year in 2025, his take-home income had risen to just over $200,000.

She built an art platform to keep images generated by artificial intelligence (AI) out — but that platform has now been compromised by AI enthusiasts.The platform, Cara, was scraped by an AI enthusiast as part of a «fun project», Singapore photographer Zhang Jingna revealed in an Instagram post last Friday (Aug 14).Scraping refers to an automated process where data is extracted from a website to teach AI — which can in turn be used to create AI-generated art based on what it learns.Taking to the DefendingAIArt subreddit, the enthusiast gloated: «I scraped all of Cara, an anti-AI art platform!»«Was a fun project, happy to answer any questions here,» the user added.The post has since been deleted and the user banned.Expressing her frustrations, Zhang wrote: «What the hell must I do?»Artists just want a place online where platforms don't feed their work to AI. So I built Cara. But people just won't leave us alone.«The laws don't help us, the governments don't help us. What are artists supposed to do?»

Traffic lights at the Henderson Road and Telok Blangah Heights road junction were knocked out for nearly nine hours after a car skidded and crashed into a traffic lights signal control box on early Monday (Aug 17) morning.The incident, involving a silver Toyota saloon car, happened at about 4.10am. Map showing where the accident happened. GRAPHIC: Google Maps, AsiaOne/Naufal Danish When AsiaOne reached the scene at about 4.50am, the car had mounted up the traffic island and was sitting atop a collapse traffic lights signal control box.While the car was not obstructing any vehicular traffic, traffic light signals at the said junction were not working as a result of the crash. 

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.