A 36-year-old male Chinese national, who attempted to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore by wrapping the contraband items in aluminium foil, had his attempt foiled by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Changi Airport.The incident took place on Dec 27, said ICA in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Jan 6).The authority's search and examination officers noticed anomalies in the scanned images of a baggage and proceeded to conduct further checks.During the checks, 209 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found wrapped in aluminium foil in the baggage.Based on the pictures in ICA's post, there was an assortment of at least three different brands/flavours.

A motorcyclist died after an accident with a car in the early hours of Tuesday (Jan 6) on the Seletar Expressway (SLE).A video of the incident was uploaded to Facebook by Farizatul Firdaus, who said that the accident had caused a traffic jam near an exit on the expressway at 6am.In the video, several people can be seen surrounding the motorcyclist and attempting cardiopulmonary resuscitation as traffic in neighbouring lanes continues.An ambulance is also seen parked behind the car and motorcycle involved.Blood can be seen splattered on the road as authorities surround the scene.In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police said that they were alerted to an accident involving a car and a motorcycle along SLE towards Central Expressway at around 6am.The 42-year-old male motorcyclist involved was taken unconscious to Sengkang General Hospital, where he subsequently died. A 48-year-old male car driver is assisting with investigations, the police said.Investigations are ongoing.[[nid:727718]]dana.leong@asiaone.com 

A Malaysian man has been sentenced to four weeks' jail for attempting to enter Singapore illegally at the bus hall of Tuas Checkpoint on Dec 22. Yusman bin Yusoff, 42, was charged with failing to present a passport for clearance after he attempted to tailgate another traveller who was undergoing immigration clearance, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Tuesday (Dec 6). His actions were detected by ICA's automated lane system, which alerted an officer stationed at the lanes. The officer subsequently stopped Yusman and the traveller in front of him, and following checks, it was established that Yusman and the other traveller did not know each other.Yusman was subsequently arrested.ICA added that automated lanes at checkpoints are equipped with mechanisms that detect anomalies, such as tailgating, and alert officers for immediate intervention.Under the Immigration Act 1959, all persons entering or departing Singapore are required to present a valid travel document to an immigration officer. Those who fail to do so face a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

A six-year-old boy fractured his nose in a fall at Canopy Park's Walking Net attraction during an outing to Jewel Changi Airport during the year-end school holidays. The incident occurred on Dec 10 when the boy lost his footing while running on the net and fell onto the wooden platform. Suspended 25 metres above ground, the Walking Net allows visitors to walk across it.He was accompanied by his mother, who wished to only be identified as Anna, and nine-year-old brother. She told CNA that she had not witnessed her son running, and only saw him as he was falling. She was not able to rush over in time to catch him. Anna recalled her son's face covered in blood and that staff members immediately provided first aid.The boy's father, who wished to be identified only as Richard, said his child suffered a laceration across his nose bridge and underwent surgery the next day for an open nasal bone fracture, reported CNA. «There will definitely be a scar, a permanent scar. He will carry this scar for the rest of his life,» said Richard, adding that the surgery left his boy with more than 30 stitches.

A durian stall in Ang Mo Kio is giving away 200 portions of durians daily over five days as a way of giving back to the community, and on the first day, all of it snapped up within two hours. From Jan 5 to 9, Nabayla Durian at Block 530 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 is distributing packs of XO and D24 durians to seniors aged 55 and above from 5pm daily, while stocks last, reported 8world. During this period, the stall will also offer premium Black Gold Musang King durians at a discounted price of $8 per kilogram (kg).  The owner, identified as Ah Ping, told 8world that their Black Gold Musang King durians are usually sold for $15 per kg, while XO and D24 durians cost around $8 to $10 each. She initially feared that people would not know about the event but word quickly spread, attracting a line of seniors on Monday (Jan 5) when the giveaway started. Ah Ping shared that giving out durians for free was their way giving back to the community, adding it was not the first time they had done so. 

An elderly man was arrested after locking himself in his Teck Whye HDB unit and sitting on the window ledge in the wee hours last Friday (Jan 2).A resident living nearby noticed a burning smell and did not get a response when he knocked on the door of the man's unit, reported Stomp.In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police said they received a call for assistance at Block 165A Teck Whye Crescent at around 3.05am that day.Upon arrival, they noticed a man sitting on the window ledge of a residential unit and that he had locked himself in a room.Based on their assessment of the situation, the police believed that the man posed a danger to himself.Officers from the Special Operations Command, Crisis Negotiation Unit and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were subsequently called to the scene.Police officers were able to gain entry into the locked room at around 6.35am after the 67-year-old man relented and opened the door.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) conducted inspections at commercial premises in the week leading up to the New Year and detected «several fire safety non-compliances» at two places.In a Facebook post on Tuesday (Jan 6), it said that the enforcement checks, conducted in the week of Dec 29, are part of ongoing efforts to maintain and enforce a high standard of fire safety in buildings and premises.«These include obstructions to exit doors, dry risers and fire extinguishers, non-maintenance of fire safety provisions such as hose reels and fire alarms, and improper storage of combustibles at one of the premises,» it added.Those found in breach of the Fire Safety Act will face enforcement action, such as issuing a Fire Hazard Abatement Notice.The notice is a written warning that requires the responsible entities to take the necessary steps to reduce the fire hazard within a specific time period, including to prevent its recurrence.SCDF also reminded all premise owners to fully comply with fire safety regulations for the safety of their residents and occupants.

The body of a 34-year-old woman was discovered on a ledge of a HDB block in Hougang on Monday (Jan 5) morning.The police said they were alerted to a case of unnatural death at Block 375 Hougang Street 31 at 8.30am.The woman was found lying motionless and pronounced dead by a paramedic from the Singapore Civil Defence Force.According to Mothership, the woman was found on the ledge above the waste collection centre.Based on preliminary investigations, the police said foul play is not suspected.Police investigations are ongoing.SINGAPORE HELPLINESSamaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800Institute of Mental Health's national mindline: 1771 (24 hours)/ 6669-1771 (via WhatsApp)Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928We Care Community Services: 3165-8017[[nid:727072]]lim.kewei@asiaone.com

A family will be able to have their reunion dinner at their childhood home in Boon Lay after volunteers pitched in to clean up the five-room flat filled with clutter.The 76-year-old resident, surnamed Guo, told Shin Min Daily News she did not have the strength to clear the stuff she had accumulated over the years.The unit had been overflowing with stacks of household items, bags, containers and more, sparking concern from her children, who had moved out some 10 years ago.Guo's two daughters told Shin Min they were worried that the flat might be a fire hazard or that items piled high could fall and pose a danger to their elderly parents.They hence approached volunteer organisation AMKSS Social Move, which agreed to help.To ensure that the decluttering effort would not be hindered, the daughters reportedly told their mother a white lie — that the items had been «sold» to someone for $1,000. On Sunday (Jan 4) morning, volunteers gathered at Block 268A Boon Lay Drive, spending about eight hours to clear the mess in the flat and along the corridor. 

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) bade farewell to Commissioner of Police (CP) Hoong Wee Teck in a ceremony on Monday (Jan 5), as the force welcomed their new top cop, How Kwang Hwee.Hoong Wee Teck, 62, has served 38 years in the SPF, leading it for 11 years — since 2015. He is credited for having significantly strengthened the capabilities of the police, particularly in the adoption of new technological capabilities which have enabled the force to carry out its mission of crime fighting and prevention.In his farewell speech, Hoong paid tribute to the «strong trust and shared responsibilities» from its partners and the public for making Singapore a safe country.«A safe country is not built by police officers alone. It is built by a community that believes in the common purpose, anchored by the strong trust and shared responsibilities.»To our partners, including our fellow Home Team and public service agencies, volunteers, community stakeholders and overseas counterparts, thank you for your collaboration, your vigilance and your unwavering support," he said.

The male driver of a Singapore-registered car who is alleged to have refuelled his vehicle with Ron95 petrol by partially concealing his licence plate has been identified by the Malaysian police as a Singapore permanent resident.Assistant Commissioner of Police Tan Seng Lee from the Kulai district police headquarters said the man, who is currently in Singapore, has been instructed to report to the authorities immediately , Bernama reported.Tan also warned the public not to «arbitrarily alter or attempt to conceal vehicle registration numbers», adding that this is against the law.Ron95 petrol is heavily subsidised in Malaysia. All foreign-registered vehicles, including those from Singapore, can buy only unsubsidised Ron97 or higher-grade fuel since 2010. This includes Malaysians who are driving Singapore-registered cars.

Operators offering battery-operated go-karts will now be able to save at least $7,000 under a pro-enterprise regulatory change announced by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) on Monday (Jan 5).An exemption order for such rides under the Amusement Rides Safety Act 2011 was issued and came into effect on Jan 2, BCA said.«This move stems from a periodical review of existing regulations, ensuring public safety while adapting to the evolving needs of the amusement ride industry,» the authority said.Prior to this, all amusement rides, including go-karts of any speed or power, required permits for installation, modification and operation.The application fees for installation permits and associated professional costs may run up to $5,000, while operating permit renewals can cost $2,000.In a Facebook post on Monday, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat said that the move arose from an appeal he received from young entrepreneurs operating kiddy rides in a shopping mall, and is part of the Ministry of National Development's pro-enterprise rules review exercise.

A 30-year-old Malaysian man has been arrested by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers for attempting to smuggle 150 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore via a Malaysia-registered lorry.The incident happened on Dec 1 at Tuas Checkpoint.In a Facebook post on Monday (Jan 5), ICA said the lorry was directed for enhanced checks, where search and examination officers found 150 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the cabin area of the vehicle.He was arrested and the case referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigation.In an advisory on Nov 17, ICA had warned travellers that it will be conducting more intensified checks against the smuggling of e-vaporisers and contraband items during the year-end school holidays.A similar warning was also issued ahead of the year-end festive period on Dec 18. 

A jaywalker was caught on camera grimacing in «pain» after being honked at by a car that had stopped in time. Flashing his middle finger, the man also allegedly claimed that he had twisted his knee as he was «scared» by the honk. Dashcam footage shared on the SG Road Vigilante Facebook on Sunday (Jan 4) showed the pedestrian jaywalking with a woman near 34 Cassia Crescent in Dakota. After being alerted by the oncoming car when it honked at them, the man confronted the driver near his front windscreen. The man was later seen grimacing, touching his knee, and then kneeling on the ground.  In the Facebook post, the driver said the man's partner called an ambulance.

Anyone caught taking away food from its buffet will be banned from all outlets, Family Mookata has warned.In a Facebook post on Jan 3, the local buffet chain wrote: «We have zero tolerance towards customers who take away food from our buffet using personal containers.»The Thai barbecue restaurant said it will take «firm action against anyone found violating rules» and reiterated that the buffet food is «for dine-in only». Any footage or evidence of offenders would be shared online to raise awareness and keep a record of the incident, it added. Since opening for business in 2023, Family Mookata has encountered four such incidents, owner Fiona Lim told 8world.Two of them took place in its Jurong West branch which opened in November 2025. [[nid:725888]]The most recent incident happened on Dec 31, Lim told the Chinese daily.«A mother came to eat with her son and a friend. My supplier was making a delivery at the time and saw the woman packing buffet ingredients in a takeout box. They called to alert me,» she said.

A home-based fried chicken seller has come under renewed scrutiny after a customer said she found two strands of hair in her order, following previous concerns over the owner's hygiene practices last October.Sofyan bin Nur Mohammad, a full-time foreign exchange trader, runs Chef Fyan, a home-based fried chicken business, on the side. The 24-year-old first made headlines last October when a TikTok Live showed him handling cooked chicken with his bare hands.Another complaint surfaced on New Year's Day, documented by TikTok user @naivanderwaal. The video, garnering over 87,100 views, shows the customer's reaction to the food.While a woman spoons food onto her plate, another diner points to it and says: «There's hair.»

Members of the public will get a first glimpse into the future of aviation at Changi Airport's upcoming Terminal 5 in an interactive exhibition opening on Tuesday (Jan 6). The exhibition, titled T5 in the Making, is located at Terminal 3's arrival hall and will be open until March. Speaking at the launch on Monday (Jan 5), Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow said, «I have no doubt that the world is watching to see what T5 represents for the future of aviation.» He added: «The decision to build T5 was one of confidence and conviction. Confidence in our future, and conviction in our ability to secure our place in a competitive world.» In addition to its focus on innovation and sustainability, the new terminal will also create new job opportunities in fields such as data science and systems operations. Jointly organised by the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, and Changi Airport Group (CAG), the exhibition showcases the bold journey and future vision for aviation in Singapore.

SINGAPORE — Taking lessons to seek a driving licence has become more expensive, with the three driving centres in Singapore raising fees from Jan 1.At Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) in Woodlands, the cost for mandated simulator training has risen by 25.2 per cent, from $24.38 to $30.52 per session.Theory lessons saw a 23.1 per cent cost spike, from $17.71 per 100-minute session in 2025 to $21.80 in 2026.At Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC), a 100-minute practical driving lesson during peak time slots, such as 7.20pm to 9pm on weekdays, now costs $86.11, a 6.8 per cent hike from the previous $80.66.The price for a peak-period practical driving lesson at ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC) in Ubi has gone up by 9.3 per cent, from $81.75 to $89.38 per session. Peak periods at CDC are from 10.20am to noon and 4.25pm to 10.20pm on weekdays, and all time slots on Saturdays and Sundays.A CDC spokesperson told The Straits Times that the rate for practical lessons was last updated in April 2024.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) will continue to «listen and act» on feedback from teachers said Minister for Education Desmond Lee on Monday (Jan 5). «We are making headway in recalibrating what teachers do and rethinking how teachers work. This includes implementing recommendations from the Reimagining the Teaching Profession Taskforce,» said Lee in a video post on social media to welcome educators back on the first day of the new school year. School leaders have identified key priorities and are working to streamline programmes and simplify administrative processes, he added. Among the measures to support teachers is the use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce time spent on administrative tasks. For instance, the collection of consent forms and medical certificates is now done online. Administrative teams from schools have also started to take over procurement duties from teachers. In his video, Lee also encouraged teachers to be familiar with AI tools such as HeyTalia, which helps draft messages to parents. 

Along a busy stretch of the expressway, a car abruptly comes to a complete halt in the middle of the road, nearly causing an accident. In a video posted to the Facebook group SG Road Vigilante on Saturday (Jan 3), the white Honda can be seen switching on its hazard lights on the second lane and coming to a stop ahead of an active ERP gantry. According to the post, the incident occurred along the Ayer Rajah Expressway towards Tuas on Friday evening. The time indicated on the ERP gantry was 5.36pm. «White Honda Vezel came to a complete stop in the middle of the expressway to avoid ERP, causing a near collision. After multiple honking from the vehicles around, the vehicle then decided to drive on,» the post stated.In the video, which has since garnered more than 87,000 views, about a dozen motorcycles were also seen stopped on the road shoulder.  

SINGAPORE — Vape peddlers are now pushing devices with Bluetooth connectivity and digital screens to entice the young to buy them as keepsakes.Some of these vapes can even function as phones.The Straits Times has also found that despite a clampdown, which has seen dozens of people arrested and scores of vapes and their components seized, sellers are still claiming that they have «ready stock» in Singapore.Salim, who has a son in Primary 4, said: «We parents are just learning about the dangers of vapes, and reminding our children how harmful these can be to their development.»«Most of us are still finding it hard to tell the difference between a vape and stationery items, and now you have these new devices which are meant to look cool to the young,» added the 41-year-old, who did not want to be identified by his full name.These new devices are harder to spot because they do not resemble traditional vapes. Some «smart» models are designed to look like and can be mistaken for everyday items, such as mobile phones.

SINGAPORE — Two people were taken to hospital after the car they were travelling in was believed to have skidded and crashed into gas equipment in Adam Road on Jan 4.In a video circulating online, firefighters can be seen hosing down the car, which was ablaze. At least one fire engine and a police vehicle can be seen nearby.Photos of the aftermath of the incident show the charred car at a stop next to the gas equipment, which appears to be dislodged.The police, which were alerted to an accident at about 3.50pm, said it involved a car which was believed to have skidded in Adam Road towards Lornie Highway.The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to a fire in Adam Road, near the slip road to Arcadia Road, at 3.55pm.The fire involved a car and gas equipment on the side of the slip road, and was extinguished with two water jets.A 27-year-old driver and her 30-year-old passenger were taken conscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

About 20 people were evacuated by the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) after a fire broke out at People's Park Complex on Sunday (Jan 4) afternoon.SCDF said in a Facebook post on the same day that they were alerted to the fire at about 1.55pm.The fire, which happened in the living room of a residential unit on the 21st floor of the mixed-use development in Chinatown, was put out with two water jets after SCDF conducted forcible entry into the unit. According to SCDF, no one was inside the unit at the time of the fire.Videos posted on social media show at least three fire engines along Park Road, where People's Park Complex is located. Smoke is also seen bellowing out from the unit's windows.There were no reported injuries in the fire and the cause of the fire is under investigation.In April 2025, another fire also happened in a storage area on the sixth floor of the same development. Six persons were taken to Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation then.

National water agency PUB has responded to a video online showing water being drained from an underground car park at Fu Lu Shou Complex at Bugis after a pipe purportedly burst.The video, taken at night and posted on TikTok by user _jopig_ on Saturday (Dec 3), stated that efforts to drain the water had started from 3pm.«Flooded in B3 and B2. What a way to start 2026,» she wrote.An eyewitness, surnamed Huang, told 8world that she had heard an announcement in the building at about 3pm requesting drivers to remove their vehicles from the basement car park immediately.She said the water level at B2 was more than ankle-deep, and believed flooding at the B3 level to be worse, although she did not see the extent of the flooding for herself.Huang told 8world that when she got off work at 10.54pm, she still saw workers pumping water from the underground levels to the main road outside the building.Repairs completed within 3 hours: PUBIn a statement on Saturday (Dec 3), PUB said that it was aware of the clip showing water being «pumped out of the basement car park at Fu Lu Shou Complex, into the nearby drains».

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has called on the United States to exercise restraint amid it's intervention in Venezuela on Saturday (Jan 3).The US had, on Jan 3, attacked Venezuela and deposed its long-serving President Nicolas Maduro in an overnight operation, in Washington's most direct intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama.In a statement on Jan 4, a MFA spokesperson said that Singapore is «gravely concerned» by the situation.«Singapore is deeply committed to international law and the principles of the UN Charter that safeguard the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, especially small states.»Singapore has consistently opposed actions contrary to international law by any parties, including foreign military intervention in any country," the spokesperson added.

The nearly $8 million Toto jackpot from Jan 2 will be split among three winning tickets, following no winners in the previous Group 1 draw.The winning numbers were 11, 18, 20, 32, 38 and 39, and the additional number was 34.The Jan 2 draw started out with $5 million prize money but was increased to $6.8 million and later $7.9 million after there were no winners in the previous draw.Each of the three winners will receive $2,653,368.To win Group 1 prize, a ticket must have all six winning numbers. The prize money will snowball to the next draw if there are no winners, up till the fourth draw. After that, the amount will be shared among the winners in Group 2.The three winning tickets were bought through a Quickpick System 7 entry, an iToto System 12 ticket and a Singapore Pools branch in Upper Boon Keng Road.An iToto ticket comprises 12 numbers, increasing the odds of winning and is split into 28 shares. A normal System 12 ticket of 12 numbers is priced at $924, but a person can also buy multiple shares at $33 each.The Group 2 draw on Jan 2 had 17 winners, who will each be receiving about $98,000.

A video of an alleged Singapore-registered car in Malaysia with a partially taped up licence plate and its driver seen pumping Ron95 petrol has gone viral.The clip, believed to have occurred in Kulai, a district in Johor, was posted to X on Saturday (Jan 3).In the clip, a middle-aged man wearing a striped shirt is seen refilling his white Volkswagen car as another driver pulls up from behind and calls out to him. A person in the passenger seat films the interaction.«Singaporean ah,» the male driver questions, to which the Volkswagen driver replies «bukan» («no» in Malay).It can be seen from the video, however, that the licence plate of the Volkswagen is partially taped up to obscure the first letter, 'S', as well as the last alphabet, 'M'.The Volkwagen driver tries to explain himself further when it is clear that the other party did not believe him.«Kita orang Malaysian ('We are Malaysians'),» he says, indicating that he and another middle-aged woman who appears by his side are Malaysian citizens.

About 20 people were evacuated from a HDB block in Telok Blangah on Jan 3 after a fire involving a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) broke out.The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post on the same day that they were alerted to the fire at Block 108 Bukit Purmei Road at about 1.20pm.The fire was located in a bedroom of a flat on the sixth floor, and firefighters extinguished the fire with two water jets after forcing entry into the smoke-filled unit, SCDF said.They added that the fire was confined to the bedroom and there was no one inside the unit.There were no reported injuries, but as a precautionary measure, the police and SCDF evacuated about 20 people from the affected block.Preliminary findings indicated that the fire likely originated from the battery of a PAB in the bedroom.

A customer relations officer at Marina Square has been sent to prison for fraudulently obtaining nearly $28,000 in e-vouchers to use at the shopping mall. Aravindran Vallaban, a 26-year-old Malaysian citizen, was jailed for 20 months on Friday (Jan 2) after pleading guilty to one charge of cheating, reported CNA. Between May 13, 2024, and April 3, 2025, Aravindran created 2,172 fake Marina Square membership accounts to use the mall's referral programme. As part of a promotion, new members could use a referral code from an existing member to join, and both parties would receive $5 in e-vouchers to use at the mall. New members also had to confirm their identity using a one-time password (OTP) sent to their phones. Aravindran obtained S$27,915 in e-vouchers fraudulently and spent them on personal expenses. He has since made full restitution. Used supervisor's credentials, ChatGPTAravindran's job as assistant customer relations supervisor saw him handle customer inquiries and help with promotions. 

It's the end of the year, which means it's time to look back and ask one important question: what did we spend way too much time talking about in 2025?Because in Singapore, we don't just experience things and move on. We discuss them to death: in group chats, comment sections and kopi catch-ups, until everyone is tired but no one actually stops.And yes, I've rated each topic based entirely on how unavoidable it was, how loud the discourse got and how long it refused to die.⭐☆☆☆☆ - Mentioned once, then we moved on⭐⭐☆☆☆ - Everyone had a take, then forgot⭐⭐⭐☆☆ - Hard to escape, even if you tried⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Group chats would not shut up⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - National-level discourse1. GE 2025 (and the memes that came with it)Even if you didn't follow politics, you followed the memes.GE 2025 wasn't just about policies and speeches. It was screenshots pulled out of context, reaction edits within minutes, and phrases that escaped rallies and interviews to take on lives of their own. The phrase «Look left, look right» became a format, remixed, reused and repurposed across platforms.

A 34-year-old private bus driver is assisting with police investigations after being involved in a chain collision along the Seletar Expressway (SLE) on Friday (Jan 2). The accident involved 5 cars and the private bus, and took place along the SLE in the direction of Bukit Timah Expressway. The police told AsiaOne that it was alerted to the accident at about 7.30pm. A 19-year-old male car driver sustained minor injuries, but declined to be taken to hospital. Dashcam footage of the accident's aftermath was uploaded to Facebook group Both Checkpoint. It showed a private bus with a shattered windshield at the back of the the pile-up. Investigations are ongoing.[[nid:727386]]bhavya.rawat@asiaone.com

The Workers' Party leadership has directed that a disciplinary panel be formed to determine if party chief Pritam Singh has contravened the constitution of the party. In a media statement on Saturday (Jan 3), the party said its central executive committee (CEC) met on Friday to deliberate on matters arising from the High Court judgment last month on Singh's failed appeal against conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee. The Friday meeting also discussed the request for a special cadre members' conference (special CMC). «The CEC has concluded that it is appropriate to call the special CMC after the disciplinary panel has completed its work, considering the need for due process,» WP said in its statement on Saturday. «To prevent undue delay, the CEC has set a timeline that the disciplinary process be concluded within three months. The notice of the special CMC will be issued within two weeks after the conclusion of the disciplinary process.» [[nid:726880]]bhavya.rawat@asiaone.com

Canned and bottled drinks will come with an additional 10-cent charge under a new scheme which will be implemented from April 1. The 10-cent container return deposit will be refunded when consumers return the empty can or bottle at designated reverse vending machines. This was announced by Senior Minister of State of Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary in a Facebook post on Saturday (Jan 3). «This initiative is a significant step towards Singapore's circular economy goals, encouraging the recycling of beverage containers like metal cans and plastic bottles,» he said. The scheme was originally set to start in April 2025, but was pushed back at the request of major beverage producers who said they needed more time to operationalise it.In response, the authorities have extended the transition period to six months — spanning April 1 to Sep 30, said Dr Janil.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) was the fourth most punctual airline in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025. It was ranked third in 2024. The national carrier's on-time performance score was 78.58 per cent, a dip from the previous year's score of 78.67 per cent, according to a report released by aviation analytics firm Cirium on Friday (Jan 2).The top spot was clinched by Philippines Airlines, which scored 83.12 per cent.The airline had an impressive climb from its number 7 spot in 2024 with a score of 76.06 per cent.The second and third place went to Air New Zealand and Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) respectively.In 2024, Air New Zealand was in fourth place — just behind Singapore — while ANA took second place.Responding to AsiaOnes queries, an SIA spokesperson said that they «remain firmly committed to operational excellence, and enhancing the end-to-end travel experience for all [their] customers.»Aeromexico is world's most punctual airlineIn global rankings, Mexico's Aeromexico retained its title as the world's most punctual airline, with a score of 90.02 per cent.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong kicked off the first working day of 2026 with a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Friday (Jan 2). In a statement on Friday night, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the two leaders noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.  The leaders reaffirmed the enduring strength of the mutually beneficial partnership that spans multiple domains, and looked forward to deepening cooperation in established areas and expanding into new ones, added MFA. Writing on his Facebook page, PM Wong said these new areas include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and civilian nuclear power. Singapore is studying the potential deployment of nuclear energy to diversify its energy mix.