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Haze update Sept 26: Air quality inches towards unhealthy range again, 24-hour PSI forecast at moderate to low-unhealthy

Air quality inched towards unhealthy levels on Saturday (Sept 26) afternoon, but has remained in the moderate range, for now.At 6pm, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) ranged from 71 to 96 — in the moderate range — with central Singapore recording the highest reading of 96. Readings of between 101 and 200 denote the unhealthy range. Meanwhile, one-hour PM2.5 is in the normal band in northern (46), western (48) and southern (54) Singapore; but in the elevated band in central (96) and eastern (76) regions of the Republic.In its daily haze situation update on Saturday evening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said the country's 24-hour PSI forecast is expected to be in the moderate to low-unhealthy range.It pointed out that moderate to dense smoke haze from fires in Kalimantan drifted towards Singapore on Saturday, while smoke plumes were also observed from fires in southern Sumatra.Along with the prevailing south-easterly or south-westerly winds, there could be a risk of smoke haze affecting Singapore, the agency explained.

asiaone.com · tech en

'Cheeky' macaques play technician, remove component from Thomson lamp post

Two long-tailed macaques were caught with their tails up as they indulged in some "monkey business" along Old Upper Thomson Road recently.Sharing a video it received from a member of public, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) dubbed the "cheeky" monkeys its "unexpected maintenance crew".But what really happened, it said, was that the monkeys were removing a control node from a street lamp.According to LTA, the control node that is mounted on top of the street lamp, is part of its remote control and monitoring system that allows it to automatically detect faults and control streetlights.LTA said its system knew "something was up" after the node was removed, adding that this is not the first recorded instance of such an occurrence."So while our furry friends thought they were being sneaky, our system knew something was up. "This isn’t the first time curious wildlife has taken an interest in our streetlight equipment, especially near forests and nature reserves."

asiaone.com · world en

Singapore team helping identify disaster victims in Nepal returns home: 'What we do matters to those looking for answers'

For Singapore's Operation Vanguard contingent, their work in Nepal was not just about fingerprints, post-mortem examinations or drones.Behind every body they examined was a family waiting for answers.The 35-member contingent returned to Singapore on Friday (Sept 18) after spending more than two weeks supporting Nepal's disaster relief efforts following catastrophic floods and landslides along the Nepal-China border on Aug 26.The contingent, comprising officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) Forensic Medicine Division and HTX's Integrated Forensics Service, was deployed from Sept 1 to 18 at the request of the Nepali authorities.

asiaone.com · world en

Can and bottle collectors ransack bins, leaving mess and attracting birds: 'Very unhygienic'

While the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) has encouraged more people to collect and return drink bottles and cans, concerns have emerged over some collectors rummaging through rubbish bins and leaving waste scattered in public areas.Since its launch in April, around 5.5 million bottles and cans have been recycled through the scheme, said Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and Environment Janil Puthucheary in Parliament on Aug 5. One such collector — a 53-year-old man who works near Amoy Street Food Centre — rides his bicycle around the area after work to collect empty cans and bottles, and had previously said he had received more than $1,000 from recycling them over two months.

asiaone.com · world en

Explosions heard before EV catches fire at Marine Parade car park; no injuries reported

An electric vehicle caught fire at a multi-storey car park in Marine Terrace on Thursday (Sept 24). Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to a fire at Block 16A Marine Terrace at about 11.55am.SCDF added that the fire involved the front compartment of an electric vehicle (EV) parked in a lot on the third floor.The fire was extinguished by SCDF using a water jet, and there were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.A video of the blaze shared by a Lianhe Zaobao reader shows flames engulfing the vehicle as SCDF vehicles arrived at the scene. Another video shows the charred vehicle after the fire was extinguished.When Lianhe Zaobao visited the location later that day, it was observed that the affected vehicle had been towed away, while the area around the parking lot remained cordoned off.Blackened marks were still visible on the walls near the parking space, while a burnt smell lingered at the scene.A male resident told Shin Min Daily News that he heard a series of explosions and saw a white car engulfed in flames.

asiaone.com · world en

Singapore High Court judge tasks interim managers with probing suspected fraud at Radiant World

SINGAPORE - A Singapore High Court judge said interim judicial managers were needed at Radiant World to investigate suspected fraud at the iron ore trader, according to a copy of a document seen by Reuters.The judge on Thursday (Sept 24) ordered the appointment of KPMG as interim managers.Judge Kristy Tan wrote there was enough initial evidence that Radiant World "is or is likely to become unable to pay its debts," to support the appointment, according to the document dated Thursday in a case brought by Radiant World creditor Mizuho Bank.Radiant World has faced mounting challenges since banks and counterparties began distancing themselves because of concerns that invoices provided to its banks may not have been valid. It has denied the allegations.Radiant World, its spokesperson, and founder Pinkesh Nahar did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.Radiant World has said interim managers are not neededIt has said previously there is no need to appoint interim judicial managers because it is not insolvent and that doing so would not be in the best interest of its creditors.

asiaone.com · politics en

'I don't follow anyone's timeline': Singaporean 2-time Olympian Saiyidah Aisyah welcomes first child at 38

Singaporean rower and two-time Olympian Saiyidah Aisyah Rafaee has welcomed her first child in Boston, marking a new chapter in her life at 38.Aisyah gave birth to her son, Asher Sahil Zuckerman, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital on August 29, Berita Harian (BH) reported on Friday (Sept 25).The Olympian said she approached childbirth with the same resilience and discipline she used in preparing for major races.She told BH that she prepared by learning what to expect, writing down her fears, practising breathing techniques and finding different ways to manage pain."Just like a race, much of the hard work happens before the big day arrives," she said.Aisyah moved to Boston in 2019 and married American Ross Zuckerman later that year.Aisyah, who is the first Singaporean rower to qualify for the Olympics, competed at the Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympics. She said her experience as an athlete has also helped her with navigating the early challenges of motherhood thus far.

asiaone.com · tech en
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