Given that Singaporeans can be self-radicalised by a wider range of extremist ideologies, the country’s rehabilitation capabilities have to be more than just Islamic religious counselling, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Saturday (Sept 13).Speaking to 400 guests which included members of the Religious Rehabilitation Group, Inter-Agency Aftercare Group, mosque leaders and community volunteers, PM Wong noted that threats to Singapore’s security have evolved beyond those posed by the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network some 20 years ago.“Furthermore, the range of extremist ideologies has widened. It's no longer limited to religious extremism,” he said, adding that there are instances of Singaporeans drawn to Neo-Nazi movements or the incel subculture, known for its extreme resentment and hostility towards women.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers foiled an attempt to smuggle 2,400 cartons of duty unpaid cigarettes into Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint on Sept 5.In a Facebook post on Saturday (Sept 13), ICA said that it noticed anomalies in the scanned image of a Malaysia-registered lorry which had declared its consignment of goods as tomatoes and directed the vehicle for further checks.During the checks, ICA officers uncovered 2,400 cartons of duty unpaid cigarettes.From the photographs shared in ICA's post, cartons of cigarettes could be seen packed in carton boxes imprinted with tomatoes. The case has been referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigation. Vapes hidden in baby strollerOn Sept 9, ICA officers foiled an attempt to smuggle e-vaporisers hidden in a baby stroller stored in the boot of a Singaporean man's car. 

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — Singapore's four new Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft will likely be put into service in the early 2030s, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Saturday (Sept 13).He was speaking to the media at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, at the tail end of his introductory visit to the US from Sept 9 to 13.At his meeting with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Sept 10, it was announced that the Fokker 50s, which have been in use since 1993, will be retired.The Ministry of Defence had said earlier this week that it will be acquiring the four Boeing P-8A aircraft to replace the ageing Fokker 50s.Chan told reporters on Saturday that the Republic has been evaluating replacement assets «for a few years» and searching for one which can «enhance our situation awareness» in today's «congested» security environment.

If your flight's air conditioning system stops working, it's not like you can just crank down the windows.Passengers on board an Air India aircraft from New Delhi to Singapore were left sweating after being stuck in that predicament for two hours.Journalist Ashish Mishra wrote in an X post on Sept 10 at 11.37pm IST (Sept 11 at 2.07am SGT): «Passengers onboard Delhi-Singapore flight AI2380 have been suffering without AC for around 1.5 hours, also the electricity in the cabin has gone. »People are forced to use papers as fans. We are getting roasted here... please help. Pathetic.«In the accompanying video, some passengers can be seen reaching up to the overhead vents, while several others fan themselves with in-flight brochures.The plane appears to be sitting on the tarmac at Delhi airport, with the cabin lights dimmed and in-flight entertainment showing a black screen with some sort of message.Mishra updated the situation half an hour later, sharing that they were »being deplaned suspecting a technical glitch".The bright cabin lights and screens are back on as passengers disembark.

A 46-year-old man will be charged on Saturday (Sept 13) after being arrested for his suspected involvement in a case of extortion.The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a press release that they had received a report from a woman on Sept 11 at around 3.55pm stating that a male friend had asked her to transfer cryptocurrency via a QR code, claiming that another friend of his required the money.Despite transferring more than $78,000 to the former, she subsequently lodged a police report suspecting that he was in trouble.Officers from the Woodlands Police Division conducted «extensive ground enquiries and follow-up investigations» to identify a 46-year-old man and arrest him within eight hours at Changi Airport Terminal 1, the release added.The SPF in their preliminary investigations discovered that the man had allegedly restrained a male victim, presumably the woman's friend, with cable ties at a hotel at Coleman Street and extorted over $200,000 from him. The extorted cryptocurrency was recovered while the male victim was conveyed conscious to the hospital after sustaining injuries.

In the wake of the killing of American right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam cautioned that while Singapore has largely defied identity politics, there remain worrying trends which he hopes Singaporeans will continue to eschew. Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, was speaking to the media at Laguna National Golf Resort Club before a charity event on Friday (Sept 12), where he was asked about the murder of the divisive political figure.One worrying trend, said Shanmugam, is that some politicians here are «playing identity politics» based on race and religion, without identifying the politicians. He said: «In every country there is political profit in doing that. If we go down that route, well, ultimately Singapore will suffer.»He noted, however, that Singapore has largely avoided identity politics, and the Government tries to keep it that way.

A 40-year-old man — the first to be charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) for trafficking pods containing etomidate — was brought back to the crime scene in Ang Mo Kio on Friday (Sept 12).Derek Khor Boon Chun had been caught for allegedly possessing 43 vape pods laced with etomidate — also known as Kpods — at the carpark near block 631 late in the afternoon of Sept 6 after he was seen behaving suspiciously.Following a police search, checks on his mobile phone had revealed that he was allegedly involved in e-vaporiser trafficking.He was then charged on Sept 8 with etomidate possession for the purpose of trafficking under MDA — seven days after the law was enhanced.Khor revisit the crime scene on Friday along with officers from the Health Sciences Authority, where he exited a silver van along with at least three HSA officers and four security officers at 4.05pm.He hung his head low as he was escorted through a sheltered walkway at Block 631 and brought up to the sixth floor via an elevator.About 15 minutes later, AsiaOne observed that Khor was brought back down to the lobby and escorted back into the van.

A man was caught attempting to smuggle e-vaporisers hidden in a baby stroller stored in the boot of his car at Woodlands Checkpoint on Tuesday (Sept 9), said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).In a Facebook post uploaded on Sept 12, ICA said its officers had profiled the vehicle, which was driven by a Singaporean man, for enhanced checks.When questioned by officers, the man denied having anything to declare.   

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has expressed his deep gratitude to those who fought for Singapore as well as the pioneers who rebuilt the country after World War II (WWII).In a Facebook post on Friday (Sept 12), PM Wong wrote: «As we mark 60 years of independence, we remember and honour all who defended Singapore, as well as the pioneers who endured the war and rebuilt our home from its ruins.»«The peace and prosperity we enjoy today rests on their sacrifices. We can never fully repay this debt.»But we can, and must, ensure that the price of war is never forgotten. Let us uphold the values of courage, resilience and determination they showed — and continue safeguarding Singapore and our way of life, together as one people." 

The 26-year-old man who was arrested during the Central Narcotics Bureau's (CNB) anti-drug raid on Wednesday evening (Sept 10) has been charged with allegedly trafficking vape pods containing etomidate.Singaporean Tian Jiacheng was handed two charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Friday (Sept 12). The Wednesday evening raid was CNB's first major operation targeting an etomidate syndicate since new anti-vaping laws kicked in on Sept 1.  

The first of Singapore's 20 F-35 fighter aircraft remains on track to be delivered by the end of 2026, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on Friday (Sept 12).During a visit to Lockheed Martin's production facility in Fort Worth, Texas on Friday, where Singapore's F-35s are being built, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing described the delivery not just as a milestone, but as a significant step in a long journey.«This is not just a milestone, but one step in a long journey that we will take together with Lockheed Martin, our partners in the US Government, the US Air Force, and the community in Ebbing - because every one of us needs to come together in order for this capability to be realised,» said Chan, while expressing his appreciation to all those who made this possible.

A former Malaysian minister has come out to say that Singapore should provide compensation to its neighbour when hiring medical professionals trained there.In a Facebook post on Tuesday (Sept 9) Abdul Rahman Dahlan wrote: «The exodus of Malaysian trained doctors and nurses to foreign countries especially Singapore has caused anxiety and stirred debates in Malaysia.»Rahman was a Member of Parliament from 2008 to 2018. He helmed the Economic Planning Unit as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department from 2016 to 2018.While this «brain drain» has been happening for some time, recent developments have put this issue in the forefront of public discourse and parliamentary debates, he said.«There are many reasons why Malaysia is facing acute shortage of doctors and nurses. Some are admittedly self inflicted while some are due to the aggressive 'poaching' by foreign countries.»Rahman added, however, that Malaysian medical professionals should not be barred from relocating or working in Singapore as «their right to decide their own future must be respected».

SINGAPORE - The noise made by people playing pickleball almost daily for months near a Bukit Panjang block of flats is frustrating a resident who wanted to be known only as Ms Tan, 77.«The pickleball noise is disturbing us, especially for those who have to work night shifts,» said the homemaker, who lives at Block 524 Jelapang Road.Pickleball has grown in popularity over the past year, and the games produce sharp sounds when plastic balls strike hard paddles and ricochet off the floor.But the noise has also been a source of tension among some residents, with the authorities taking measures to ensure a fair compromise.Ms Tan said she has heard other frustrated residents yelling at pickleball players to stop playing. She keeps her main door shut to block out the noise, but has to put up with a stuffy flat as a result.But some of her neighbours, like Ms Pauline Tan, 28, are less bothered.«Actually, I kind of enjoy watching them play. I even bring my baby down sometimes to see,» she said. «I think that it adds to the neighbourhood spirit.»

A Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) operation on Wednesday (Sept 10) evening led to the seizure of numerous vape-related products, including more than 400 e-vaporiser pods believed to contain etomidate.Eight Singaporeans, comprising seven men and one woman, were arrested for suspected drug offences during the operation that took place in the vicinity of Hougang Ave 9, Boon Lay Drive and Telok Blangah Rise.Cash amounting to more than $22,500 was also seized.CNB said in a statement the following day that this was its first major operation against a syndicate trafficking in etomidate-laced vapes, after the substance was reclassified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Sept 1. «It (the operation) demonstrates CNB's commitment in stamping out controlled drugs, including harmful substances such as etomidate,» CNB said, adding that the anti-drug agency will continue to monitor and work closely with other relevant agencies to support the government's response against etomidate. Behind-the-scene lookAsiaOne witnessed CNB officers in action on Wednesday at a HDB block in the vicinity of Telok Blangah Rise.

A hawker took to Facebook to appeal for help clearing some 150 sets of unsold nasi briyani, after a bulk order made by someone claiming to be from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was not picked up.Muhammad Shazain Faiha Muslim Food Paradise, a hawker stall in Tiong Bahru Market, posted a request to Facebook on Tuesday (Sept 9) for people to buy its nasi biryani.According to the post, the stall was «scammed with a fake order of 150 packets of chicken and mutton briyani».The person who made the order claimed to be an «SAF representative» and told the hawker he was unable to put down a deposit for the order, as «the military is a government agency and therefore cannot provide a deposit». He also asked for bottles of mineral water, according to 8World.The hawker had given the man a discount for the food and increased the amount of meat and rice in each serving, after learning that the food would be distributed to soldiers. When nobody arrived to collect the order, the hawker realised he had been scammed, according to the Chinese news outlet.

SINGAPORE — A work group formed by the Government has released a raft of recommendations to stamp out illegal platform work and tackle other issues facing platform workers.The recommendations unveiled on Sept 11 include requiring platform operators to notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) if they suspect foreigners of carrying out platform work, which can be done only by Singaporeans or permanent residents.Broadly, the group's 10 recommendations aim to protect the livelihoods of Singapore's roughly 67,600 regular platform workers, and champion fairer and more transparent payment structures and incentive schemes.The group also suggested that platform operators should conduct more regular and stringent identity checks on workers, and that the Government should look into strengthening enforcement and increasing penalties for rule-breakers in the ride-hailing sector.The Government should also engage online platforms to take down apps, channels and advertisements that enable the matching of illegal rides, and strengthen its ability to block or remove such platforms, the group said.

Two women have been caught for attempting to bring in a total of 2,400 heat sticks and four vapes via Changi Terminal 4, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Sept 10).The two cases were detected last Saturday (Sept 6), beginning with a female Romanian traveller at 1.45pm.She was selected for enhanced checks as ICA officers flagged her for potentially carrying a prohibited item into Singapore.Almost 1,200 heat sticks — heat-not-burn tobacco — and two e-vaporisers were discovered in her possession, ICA said.Heat sticks refer to cylindrical tobacco products that can be placed within an electronic device that increases the temperature of the stick, releasing an aerosol containing nicotine and tobacco.Close to midnight, ICA officers then profiled a female South Korean work permit holder for checks, asking her if she had anything to declare at customs.However, the woman claimed she had nothing to declare, and officers proceeded with a thorough check on her belongings.Nearly 1,200 heat sticks and two vapes were subsequently found, ICA said.

A scam syndicate responsible for over 330 cases involving over $40 million of losses was busted in a cross-border operation that led to the arrest of 12 individuals across Singapore.The operation — involving the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Cambodian National Police (CNP) — was carried out at multiple locations in Singapore and Cambodia on Sept 9, according to a statement on Wednesday (Sept 10).Raids across Singapore at residential apartments and hotel rooms tied to suspected syndicate members resulted in the arrest of 12 people — eight Singaporean men, one Singaporean woman, two Malaysian men and one Filipino woman.According to the police, the arrested individuals are believed to be callers for the syndicate, who had just returned to Singapore from Cambodia. In Phnom Penh, CNP officers raided a building and warehouse allegedly linked to the syndicate, where $2.5 million worth of funds from bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets, 53 electronic devices, copies of scam scripts and victims’ records were seized.

A father, embroiled in a dispute with his ex-wife over access to his children, was issued a court order himself after submitting «AI hallucinated material» from ChatGPT in his personal protection order (PPO) application. A family court magistrate had found that none of the 14 “relevant local legal precedents” that the self-represented man had cited in his applications were legitimate cases.According to a written judgment made available on Wednesday (Sept 10), the case involved two former spouses who returned to court after their divorce to seek PPOs for themselves and their two daughters against the other.Their dispute centred around two main incidents in March, which arose out of access arrangements for the two children.“The father was evidently frustrated by what he perceived to be the mother’s attempt to deny him access to the children in spite of the court order that was made,” said Magistrate Soh Kian Peng.“The mother evidently felt justified in acting the way she did on the basis that she, as well as the children, felt threatened by how the father had behaved during his period of time.”

SINGAPORE — Ten former employees of renovation firm Interior Times (Kings') have alleged that they have been owed over $118,000 in commissions since August, and have since lodged employment dispute reports with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM).Nine of the employees are interior designers who said they'd left the firm, a branch of Interior Times, in July and August. They claimed they were each owed between $2,600 and $30,700 for at least 10 projects.The firm's director, Jason Wang, disputed the commission amounts and said he has been attending mediation sessions with TADM.He claimed the amounts said to be owed to the IDs were for projects that his firm is still finalising payments for.In response to queries, a TADM spokesman confirmed it is assisting 10 people in their claims for unpaid salaries or commissions from Interior Times (Kings').One former employee has received payment following mediation, while the remaining nine cases are awaiting mediation, the spokesman said on Sept 4.

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has shared how he regularly looks out for ways to improve the interface of the websites of various government services.Speaking to 800 students and academics during the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum on Tuesday (Sept 9), SM Lee said that he becomes a “mystery shopper on behalf of the government” when “getting things done”.“I need to go to MOM (Ministry of Manpower) to do something on their website [and] CPF to check my account,” he said at the University Cultural Centre in the National University of Singapore. “And I look at the interface and say, ‘Surely we can do better’.””So I send them a suggestion and tell them, ‘This is just a suggestion. Please take it seriously, but think about the best way to make things better’.”SM Lee said government services will improve when Singapore has a more involved and engaged population who would feel that “if they think something can be better, they can do something about it”.“The most Singaporean thing about you SM,” quipped the forum’s moderator, NUS Associate Professor Leong Ching, “is that you complain to the different agencies.”

Israel's recent airstrikes on Doha are a «blatant violation of the sovereignty of Qatar», said The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Sept 10. The ministry deemed the airstrikes on Sept 9 an «egregious and dangerous action» that poses a threat to ongoing negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.Israel had attempted to kill the political leaders of Hamas with an airstrike on Qatari capital Doha on Tuesday (Sept 9), Reuters reported. Qatar has been acting as a mediator alongside Egypt in talks between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza. MFA said that Singapore stands in solidarity with Qatar.Separately, the Singapore Embassy in Doha issued a notice on Wednesday, advising Singaporeans in Doha to «to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel and crowded areas, and follow the instructions of the local authorities».They also encouraged Singaporeans to e-register with MFA so that they can be contacted in event of an emergency. 

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho - With the shift of a joystick, a Neros Archer drone whirs to life, kicking up a cloud of sand as it lifts off.It quickly cuts through the clear blue sky, soaring over a mini 'city' made of container blocks. At a distance, a ground station control device displays a first-person view of the drone.The Neros Archer is one of three types of micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) employed by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) at this year's Exercise Forging Sabre in the US.Over 800 troops are involved in the exercise held in Idaho, US, from Sept 6 to 21, and sees more drones being used alongside manned platforms for integrated strike operations.At Saylor Creek Range in Mountain Home, members of the RSAF's newly established Drone Rapid Operationalisation, Integration and Deployment (DROID) unit demonstrated to the media the capabilities of the Neros Archer and Skydio X10 micro drones.Drones commercially availableThe drone unit was inaugurated in July 2025 and is participating in Exercise Forging Sabre for the first time.

A macaque has been found dead, entangled in a fishing net while hanging from a tree in Pulau Ubin.In a post shared to Facebook group Singapore Wildlife Sightings, on Sunday (Sept 7), photos of the monkey's carcass showed it entangled in a fishing net, as it hung from a tree. A user who uploaded the photos to the group commented that a foul smell was present, with flies buzzing around. 

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) will be acquiring four new Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft to replace its ageing Fokker 50s which have been in service since 1993. Singapore acquired nine Fokker 50s in 1993. Four of the nine were designated utility transport aircraft, while the remaining five were assigned as maritime patrol aircraft (seen in picture). PHOTO: AsiaOne/Darren Wong This was announced by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing during his meeting with United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on Wednesday (Sept 10). Chan, who is also Coordinating Minister for Public Services, is in the US for his introductory visit as Defence Minister from Sept 9 to 13. 

Families with three or more children aged between one and six years of age will receive $1,000 LifeSG Credits (LFLC) from Thursday (Sept 10), according to the Ministry of Social and Family Development.These credits are part of the Large Families Scheme announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Budget 2025, which will see eligible parents receive a $5,000 increase in Child Development Account First Step Grant (CDA FSG) for each third and subsequent child born on or after Feb 18.They will also receive $5,000 Large Family MediSave Grant (LFMG) and $1,000 each year in Large Family LifeSG Credits per third and subsequent child.Subsequent disbursements every AprilLarge families will receive the $1,000 in LFLC from Sept 10, while subsequent disbursements will be made in April annually beginning in April 2026 for children born between 2020 to 2025, the ministry said. The CDA trustee of each eligible child will receive the credits automatically and trustees will be notified via SMS after the amount has been credited to their digital wallet. No application is needed.

The police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 13-year-old boy, Riril Firdaus, who was last seen on Monday (Sept 8) at around 5pm in the vicinity of Lorong Napiri.Lorong Napiri is a street in Hougang.Checks online show that Bowen Secondary School, Gravehaven Children's Home, Bright Vision Hospital and AWWA School are the only properties located at the nearly 350m long street.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, said the police.[[nid:722339]]editor@asiaone.com

SINGAPORE — The National Environment Agency (NEA) overpaid a project partner by $0.53 million for the operation of a waste-to-energy plant from December 2021 to January 2025.This occurred as NEA did not check with the partner on an update of the project's financial model, which would have included necessary adjustments to costs. It only did so when the Auditor-General's Office (AGO) asked about it in August 2024.This was noted in the AGO's annual report released on Sept 9 that highlighted key lapses by various ministries and public agencies for the 2024 to 2025 financial year.NEA's project partner was required to provide waste incineration services to NEA for a period of 25 years from 2021 to 2046. It had to submit a financial model incorporating the cost, funding, operating and technical assumptions, and update it within 30 days when it found out certain costs like the land lease premium and grid connection costs — which AGO found the partner had known since 2018.With the eventual update of the financial model, NEA estimated that it would pay $1.73 million less for the remaining contract period from February 2025 onward.

A 29-year-old man was arrested at Woodlands after being caught with over 1,400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes.The Indian national was arrested on Aug 27 during an enforcement operation at Woodlands Terrace, said Singapore Customs in a press statement on Tuesday (Sept 9).During the operation at the back lane of the industrial estate, Singapore Customs officers noticed the man transferring a black trash bag between two Singapore-registered trucks. The officers then conducted checks and found 122 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes in the first truck.Some 1,323 cartons and 16 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were also found in the second truck.In total, Singapore Customs seized 1,445 cartons and 16 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes, in addition to the two trucks involved. The total duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded amounted to around $156,693. Investigations revealed that the man had been allegedly instructed to transfer part of the duty-unpaid cigarettes from the second truck to the first truck for delivery. Court proceedings are ongoing against the man, said Singapore Customs.

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s digital innovation startup Agile Innovation Digital (RAiD) have, for the first time, joined the ranks of Exercise Forging Sabre held in the US.A team from RAiD will form part of the over 800 personnel from the Singapore Army, RSAF, Digital and Intelligence Service and the defence technology community partaking in this year's drill.RAiD is a startup team that provides digital solutions to RSAF personnel. Over in the US, they will be working with the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) to harness digital solutions and data analytics to help the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).The unilateral exercise is currently ongoing at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho from Sept 6 to 21, and is the tenth edition in a series that started in 2005. At this biennial integrated sense and strike exercise, the SAF will be sharpening its digital prowess through new technologies including upgraded mission software and an expanded drone line-up.

SINGAPORE — Within a year of consuming extremist content, a 14-year-old boy supported ISIS, far-right and far-left extremism, communism, hated women and Jews, and idolised Osama bin Laden, Hitler and Kim Jung-il.He was in contact with several foreign extremists, one of whom offered to help the boy plan an attack in Singapore and even sent him bomb manuals.His picking and choosing of ideologies were so varied the Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Sept 9 his was the first self-radicalisation case involving a «salad bar» of ideologies.The teen is one of two male Singaporeans recently issued with restriction orders (ROs) under the Internal Security Act (ISA).The other is a 30-year-old self-employed business owner.ISD said the boy, who was issued an RO in September, became exposed to extremist ideologies online in mid-2024. He had chanced upon foreign extremist personalities who posted far-right extremist and true crime content.True crime refers to a genre of media that focuses on real-life criminal cases, often involving violent offences like murder, assault or serial killings.

Marking a world first, a generative AI tool has been launched to help simplify complex trade rules and provide clear guidance on free trade agreements (FTA) for businesses here. This comes amid a global changing order and uncertainty surrounding the US tariffs, said the Centre for the Future of Trade and Investment (CFOTI) which unveiled the tool — Trade AI Advisor (TAIA) — at a Singapore Business Federation (SBF) seminar on Tuesday (Sept 9). Powered by SBF's extensive FTA database and other sources, this tool will deliver «actionable answers that help businesses unlock opportunities, ensure compliance, and stay competitive», said the federation. «Our aim is to equip companies with the tools and intelligence they need to interpret developments, assess implications and plan ahead with confidence,» said the chairman of CFOTI Gan Seow Kee.CFOTI - a public-private partnership established by SBF last year - aims to help local and regional businesses strengthen their capabilities in global cross-border trade.

If you missed the blood moon that took place on Monday (Sept 8), fret not — there are three supermoons lined up at the end of the year to feast your eyes on.These supermoons will take place on Oct 7, Nov 5 and Dec 4, according to a Straits Times (ST) report citing the Observatory at Science Centre Singapore.Supermoons occur when the moon is closest to the Earth — at its perigee — which happens several times a year, and will be visible to the naked eye so long as the skies remain clear.They are also larger than an average-sized moon by up to eight per cent, and can shine brighter than other moons by about 15 per cent.The first supermoon on Oct 7, called the Harvest Moon, will be visible in the sky from around 8pm onwards in Singapore.In the past, the Harvest Moon gave farmers in the Northern Hemisphere extra hours to gather crops with its evening glow, according to ST.The Beaver Moon on Nov 5 is named after the North American beaver.Beavers prepare for winter during this period, and fur trappers used to set their traps before waterways froze over.

Some 600 additional acute beds and an expanded emergency department will be added to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) by year 2030 to meet the needs of the residents in the region, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Tuesday (Sept 9). Other infrastructure upgrades will include more additional operating theatres, procedural suites, specialist outpatient clinics, and shorter transfers between care services - from acute hospital to step down care to discharge, added Ong at the unveiling of the second phase of the Health City Novena Master Plan. “The centrepiece of the phase 2 Master Plan is the proposed TTSH Medical Tower…This proposed Medical Tower will expand acute care capacity at a critical time when demand for secondary care is growing.“It is envisioned to add around 600 acute beds and additional specialist outpatient clinics to TTSH,” said Ong. Supporting older resident populationFor the more than 1.5 million residents of central and north Singapore, the expanded TTSH also means improved access and clinical care outcomes, said NHG Health in a media statement.

A fire broke out at the staff access areas at the National Gallery Singapore on Tuesday (Sept 9) morning.In a Facebook post at 11.40am, National Gallery Singapore said that the “situation was quickly brought under control”. No injuries and damage to any artworks were reported. “Following thorough checks by the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the City Hall Wing and Padang Atrium of the Gallery have been declared safe and will reopen to the public at 12pm today,” it said. The former Supreme Court Wing will remain closed until further notice to facilitate investigations, added the gallery. Members of the public can call the gallery’s hotline at 6271 7000, refer to its website or social media platforms for more updates.