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ICA intercepts Malaysia-registered car attempting to evade clearance at Tuas Checkpoint; 2 arrested with drugs

Two men have been arrested following a manhunt for a Malaysia-registered car that was seen driving recklessly at the Johor Bahru checkpoint. In a statement on Wednesday (Feb 25), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that a Malaysia-regist
Singapore

ICA intercepts Malaysia-registered car attempting to evade clearance at Tuas Checkpoint; 2 arrested with drugs

Two men have been arrested following a manhunt for a Malaysia-registered car that was seen driving recklessly at the Johor Bahru checkpoint. In a statement on Wednesday (Feb 25), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that a Malaysia-registered car was successfully interpreted after it attempted to evade arrival clearance at Tuas Checkpoint on Feb 22. At about 2.44pm that day, ICA officers detected the vehicle driving towards the Arrival Motorcycle Zone and making an unauthorised U-turn at the entrance. «The vehicle then drove against the flow of arriving traffic towards Malaysia, posing a danger to other road users,» said ICA. «As the vehicle turned back towards Malaysia before it could be intercepted, ICA promptly alerted the Malaysian authorities at the Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (KSAB) to keep a lookout for the vehicle.»

OCBC posts 3% rise in Q4 profit to $1.75b, declares special dividend

Singapore's Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC) delivered strong profits of $1.74 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, and announced a final ordinary dividend of 42 cents per share, along with a special dividend of 16 cents per share.OCBC's net profit for t
Singapore

OCBC posts 3% rise in Q4 profit to $1.75b, declares special dividend

Singapore's Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC) delivered strong profits of $1.74 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, and announced a final ordinary dividend of 42 cents per share, along with a special dividend of 16 cents per share.OCBC's net profit for the three months ending in Dec 31, 2025 rose 3 per cent year-on-year — up from $1.68 billion in 2024 — according to an earnings report released on Tuesday (Feb 25).In line with the bank's robust financial performance and $2.5 billion capital return plan, OCBC declared a final ordinary dividend of 42 cents per share and a special dividend of 16 cents per share. Combined with the interim dividend of 41 cents for the first half of 2025, total dividends for FY25 will amount to 99 cents per share, representing 60 per cent of group net profit.Profit before tax hits new highOCBC's net interest income for the fourth quarter fell 6 per cent year-on-year to $2.30 billion, as asset yields compressed at a faster pace than deposit costs in a declining interest rate environment. 

Top 5 per cent of households own one-third of Singapore's wealth but data should be viewed with caution: Jeffrey Siow

Data on wealth inequality in Singapore — showing that the top 5 per cent of households hold about one-third of the country’s wealth — should be interpreted with caution, Acting Transport Minister and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow sai
Singapore

Top 5 per cent of households own one-third of Singapore's wealth but data should be viewed with caution: Jeffrey Siow

Data on wealth inequality in Singapore — showing that the top 5 per cent of households hold about one-third of the country’s wealth — should be interpreted with caution, Acting Transport Minister and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow said in Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 25).Siow was responding to parliamentary questions from several Members of Parliament about the Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) release of statistics on income growth, inequality and social mobility trends, which included market income and wealth for the first time on Feb 9.Singapore's wealth inequality coefficient stands at 0.55, comparable to estimates of other advanced economies like the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany, ranging from 0.6 to 0.7.The top 1 per cent of households in Singapore own about 14 per cent of total wealth, while the top 5 per cent hold about 33 per cent, said Siow.«However, these estimates should be interpreted with caution, due to sample size limitations and potential under-reporting in survey responses at both ends of the distribution,» he added.

Police investigating identity of suspicious person seen at Soo Chow View in Upper Thomson

A suspicious person was sighted in the vicinity of Soo Chow View in Upper Thomson on Tuesday (Feb 24) afternoon. Responding to AsiaOne's queries, the police said it received a call for assistance at about 2pm. The person had left the area before officer
Singapore

Police investigating identity of suspicious person seen at Soo Chow View in Upper Thomson

A suspicious person was sighted in the vicinity of Soo Chow View in Upper Thomson on Tuesday (Feb 24) afternoon. Responding to AsiaOne's queries, the police said it received a call for assistance at about 2pm. The person had left the area before officers arrived. Soo Chow View is adjacent to Marigold Drive, where an intruder trespassed into a landed home on the night of Feb 21. A similar case of trespass had occurred on the night of Feb 17 at a private residential property along Taman Permata, some 500m away from Marigold Drive. When AsiaOne arrived at the scene just before 6pm, two Special Operations Command vehicles were seen along Upper Thomson Road. 

No new 5-cent coins minted in past 5 years, but no plans to withdraw from circulation: DPM Gan

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has no plans to stop the issuance of five-cent coins as there continues to be public demand for these coins, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.DPM Gan, who is also the Chairman of MAS, was responding to a parlia
Singapore

No new 5-cent coins minted in past 5 years, but no plans to withdraw from circulation: DPM Gan

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has no plans to stop the issuance of five-cent coins as there continues to be public demand for these coins, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.DPM Gan, who is also the Chairman of MAS, was responding to a parliamentary question on Monday (Feb 24) by Member of Parliament Fadli Fawzi. Fadli, who represents Aljunied GRC, had asked about the cost of minting each five-cent coin, and whether the Government has any plans to withdraw five-cent coins from circulation if the difference between the face value of the coin and its product cost is negative. In his written reply, DPM Wong said that MAS has not minted any new five-cent coins in the last five years, adding that the authority also has no plans to mint new five-cent coins.He also updated that the estimated cost of producing a five-cent coin remains below its face value. Turning to the question on circulation, DPM explained that there is still public demand for five-cent coins.

Singapore can overcome challenges as long as its people stay united: PM Wong

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Feb 24) evening urged Singaporeans to remain united amid a world which is becoming more contested, fragmented and fractured.PM Wong was speaking at An-Nahdhah mosque in Bishan, where he joined some 300 Muslim congregan
Singapore

Singapore can overcome challenges as long as its people stay united: PM Wong

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Feb 24) evening urged Singaporeans to remain united amid a world which is becoming more contested, fragmented and fractured.PM Wong was speaking at An-Nahdhah mosque in Bishan, where he joined some 300 Muslim congregants for a breaking of fast event. Referring to the different festivals, traditions and religious occasions taking place together, PM Wong said that it is «something quite special» that Singaporeans can mark these events together.«That's truly special in Singapore.»You don't see this always in other countries. But here in Singapore, we are able to do so, and it is this harmony which we must treasure, cherish, nurture and continue to strengthen," the prime minister explained.

CDA confirms first case of measles in unvaccinated child attending preschool

In the first case involving a child attending preschool, a 11-month-old female infant has contracted measles.This comes after the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) stepped up measures to contain the infection, according to a press release on Tuesday (Feb 24)
Singapore

CDA confirms first case of measles in unvaccinated child attending preschool

In the first case involving a child attending preschool, a 11-month-old female infant has contracted measles.This comes after the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) stepped up measures to contain the infection, according to a press release on Tuesday (Feb 24).The agency was notified of the case on Feb 17, which is also the fifth measles case involving an infant below 12 months of age this year.The 11-month-old attended a preschool in Singapore and was not yet due for her vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella.During the infectious period of the measles she contracted, she had attended school.Parents and children in close contact with the case have been notified by the preschool, and epidemiological investigations are ongoing.Among the close contacts with the child, all except four were up to date with their measles vaccination or were in progress of getting vaccinated against measles, CDA said.The four were subsequently issued quarantine orders, but these orders were rescinded following their receipt of vaccination or post-exposure treatment.

Pritam Singh calls for 'report card' on Govt spending after record surpluses

Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh has called on the Government to provide a comprehensive «record card» of its spending after «one of the largest fiscal surpluses in decades».Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 24), Singh said
Singapore

Pritam Singh calls for 'report card' on Govt spending after record surpluses

Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh has called on the Government to provide a comprehensive «record card» of its spending after «one of the largest fiscal surpluses in decades».Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 24), Singh said the political timing of the General Elections last May was «calculated» so that the ruling People's Action Party could use the US President Donald Trump's tariffs as a «rallying call» for voters to back the tried and tested. He said that since then, there has been little information of the tariffs and their actual impact on Singapore.«Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the Liberation Day tariffs, this PAP Government begins its new term with what may be the greatest fiscal surplus any PAP government has seen in decades.»In his Budget speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that Singapore's budget surplus for the 2025 financial year has been revised to $15.1 billion, more than double the earlier estimate of $6.8 billion.He cited several reasons for this, including a better-than-expected economic performance, as well as the increase in corporate income tax collections.

Man claims 'frugal' 71-year-old mum pressured to buy more than $1,200 package at Clementi salon

A man has accused a hair salon in Clementi of hard selling a prepaid treatment package to his 71-year-old mother, who he said is «usually very frugal».The complainant named Leon told Stomp that his mother had visited Salon One at Block 449 Clement
Singapore

Man claims 'frugal' 71-year-old mum pressured to buy more than $1,200 package at Clementi salon

A man has accused a hair salon in Clementi of hard selling a prepaid treatment package to his 71-year-old mother, who he said is «usually very frugal».The complainant named Leon told Stomp that his mother had visited Salon One at Block 449 Clementi Avenue 3 for a haircut on Jan 3 and ended up paying for a 12-session scalp-treatment package.He alleged that a hairstylist conducted a scalp analysis after finishing her haircut and repeatedly persuaded her to have a scalp treatment for $99.Leon alleged that his mother subsequently bought the package because of hard selling.In a negative review left on the salon's Google page, he said his mother, who works as a cleaner, was «pressured» into the sale and did not tell her family of the incident until they checked her bank account statement.He uploaded pictures showing the $1,294.92 Nets transaction and a magnified image of her scalp presumably taken during the analysis process after the haircut.

Grocery expenses increased the most in past year: Case Budget 2026 poll

Have you found yourself watching the pennies more closely?About six in 10 Singapore consumers said their grocery expenses have increased the most in the past 12 months, according to a post-Budget 2026 poll conducted by Consumers Association of Singapore (Case
Singapore

Grocery expenses increased the most in past year: Case Budget 2026 poll

Have you found yourself watching the pennies more closely?About six in 10 Singapore consumers said their grocery expenses have increased the most in the past 12 months, according to a post-Budget 2026 poll conducted by Consumers Association of Singapore (Case).Results of the survey, which collected responses from 366 users of the Price Kaki app, was shared by Case president and Radin Mas MP Melvin Yong in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Feb 24).About 59.5 per cent of respondents said grocery costs rose the most, while above 10 per cent of respondents each chose healthcare and transport as the areas they spent more on over the past year.The poll also found that a combined 82.1 per cent of those surveyed believe that the Cost-of-Living Special Payment and CDC vouchers announced at Budget 2026 would be most helpful in addressing cost of living concerns.Eligible Singaporean adults will receive a Cost-of-Living special cash payment of between $200 and $400, and every Singaporean household will get $500 in CDC vouchers in 2027.

Molestation cases up 7% in 2025, other crimes go down

Molestation cases went up 7.3 per cent in 2025 compared to the year before, according to the latest police's annual crime brief.The number of cases rose to 1,531 compared to 1,427 in 2024.This is despite the decrease in other crimes of concern — shop t
Singapore

Molestation cases up 7% in 2025, other crimes go down

Molestation cases went up 7.3 per cent in 2025 compared to the year before, according to the latest police's annual crime brief.The number of cases rose to 1,531 compared to 1,427 in 2024.This is despite the decrease in other crimes of concern — shop theft, theft in dwelling and voyeurism.Of the outrage of modesty cases in 2025, 372 were reported in residential premises, 164 in public transport and 115 in public entertainment outlets.Molestation cases in shopping complexes saw a decline compared to 2024.More than half of the molestation cases in 2025 involved offenders known to the victims, the police added.Overall, last year saw a total of 20,857 cases while 2024 had 19,969, a 4.4 per cent increase.Theft in foreign worker dormsTheft in dwelling saw a 0.9 per cent decrease from 1,514 cases in 2024 to 1,500 in 2025, but the number of cases in foreign worker dormitories jumped 57.4 per cent from 54 to 85 in 2025.Victims and perpetrators were most often residents sharing the same room, police said.

Seen a browser pop-up from the 'police' claiming you have outstanding fines? It's a scam

If you encounter a pop-up alert from the police while browsing websites, informing you that «your computer has been blocked» due to outstanding fines, do not enter any bank card details, or your bank balance may be hurt. The scam variant was
Singapore

Seen a browser pop-up from the 'police' claiming you have outstanding fines? It's a scam

If you encounter a pop-up alert from the police while browsing websites, informing you that «your computer has been blocked» due to outstanding fines, do not enter any bank card details, or your bank balance may be hurt. The scam variant was revealed by the police in a news release on Tuesday (Feb 24), following reports from members of the public. According to the police, victims would encounter fraudulent pop-up alerts claiming to be from the police while browsing websites on their computers or laptops. The websites would appear frozen and unresponsive, while carrying alerts that would contain the police's logo and the victim's purported outstanding fines for violating the law. They would then be asked provide their bank card details to pay the «fines». Those who did so would realise that they have been scammed when they discovered unauthorised transactions made on their cards. «These alerts are fraudulent,» said the police. They also reminded the public to ignore any pop-up alerts claiming to be from the police. 

Raise personal income tax exemption threshold for 'meaningful relief' to lower- and middle-income earners: Saktiandi Supaat

Member of Parliament Saktiandi Supaat on Tuesday (Feb 24) called for the Government to raise the income tax exemption threshold to «restore» fairness in the tax structure for lower- and middle-income earners. For workers in Singapore, the fir
Singapore

Raise personal income tax exemption threshold for 'meaningful relief' to lower- and middle-income earners: Saktiandi Supaat

Member of Parliament Saktiandi Supaat on Tuesday (Feb 24) called for the Government to raise the income tax exemption threshold to «restore» fairness in the tax structure for lower- and middle-income earners. For workers in Singapore, the first $20,000 they make is not taxed. Kicking off the Budget 2026 debate in Parliament, Saktiandi, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Trade and Industry, said that threshold has remained unchanged since its introduction in 2002, while median incomes and the GST have increased. «In real terms, its value has eroded… more low- and middle-income earners enter the tax base not because they are significantly better off, but because the system has not been recalibrated,» he said. The MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC suggested raising the income tax exemption threshold to $25,000 or $30,000 to provide «meaningful relief» to families, so that they can retain more savings and build their assets. To maintain fiscal discipline, Saktiandi said that this move can be paired with calibrated adjustments at higher income tiers. 

Woman who sustained burns while trying to save fiance from burning car in 2021 Tanjong Pagar crash to make getai comeback

A woman who suffered severe burns after attempting to save her fiance from a burning car in Tanjong Pagar in 2021 will be making her return to the getai stage five years after the accident.Raybe Oh, 32, suffered burns that covered over 80 per cent of her bod
Singapore

Woman who sustained burns while trying to save fiance from burning car in 2021 Tanjong Pagar crash to make getai comeback

A woman who suffered severe burns after attempting to save her fiance from a burning car in Tanjong Pagar in 2021 will be making her return to the getai stage five years after the accident.Raybe Oh, 32, suffered burns that covered over 80 per cent of her body during the fire, but is finally ready to make her singing comeback, reported Shin Min Daily News.She will be making a guest performance organised by Zhenghua Community Club on Friday (Feb 27) at the community space next to Bukit Panjang's Greenridge Shopping Centre.Following the fatal crash which happened during Chinese New Year in 2021, the former flight attendant had to be hospitalised for four months and even had to be intubated to breathe.Running, singing in the bathroomSinging became hard for Oh after the accident, especially as the skin at her chin and neck became hard, which made it difficult for her to even sing basic tunes, she told Shin Min.

'Restored our faith in humanity': Tourist praises SBS Transit staff for retrieving her lost 999-gold bracelet

A tourist was reunited with her lost 999-gold bracelet, thanks to the SBS Transit staff who helped retrieve it.She had lost it while on a train to VivoCity last month.999-gold, otherwise known as 24-karat (24K) gold, contains 99.9 per cent pure gold.On Jan 18
Singapore

'Restored our faith in humanity': Tourist praises SBS Transit staff for retrieving her lost 999-gold bracelet

A tourist was reunited with her lost 999-gold bracelet, thanks to the SBS Transit staff who helped retrieve it.She had lost it while on a train to VivoCity last month.999-gold, otherwise known as 24-karat (24K) gold, contains 99.9 per cent pure gold.On Jan 18, Facebook user Chuen Yen Liew made a post that his wife had «lost her 999-gold bracelet during her recent trip to Singapore». They reported the loss at Harbourfront MRT passenger service counter, even though they «didn’t have much hope of getting it back». At 6.30am the next day, Chuen said he received a call from the Clarke Quay station manager, who informed him that the bracelet had been found and asked him to collect it. Chuen also thanked assistant station managers (ASM) Bong and Edward «for their honesty and kindness in finding and returning the bracelet», adding that the incident «really restored our faith in humanity». 

Male driver of car seen driving against traffic in Bedok to be charged for dangerous driving

The 25-year-old male driver of a dark-coloured saloon car seen driving against the flow of traffic along Bartley Road East in Bedok last December will be charged in court on Wednesday (Feb 25). On December 16, 2025, AsiaOne reported on the incident whic
Singapore

Male driver of car seen driving against traffic in Bedok to be charged for dangerous driving

The 25-year-old male driver of a dark-coloured saloon car seen driving against the flow of traffic along Bartley Road East in Bedok last December will be charged in court on Wednesday (Feb 25). On December 16, 2025, AsiaOne reported on the incident which happened at about 12.50am on December 14.  Analysing the video, AsiaOne noted that the vehicle was first sighted near the junction of Kaki Bukit Avenue 4 and Bartley Road East. 

Volvo EV recall due to battery fire risk widens, affecting 58 more owners in Singapore

SINGAPORE — Volvo has expanded its recall of electric cars in Singapore because of a battery defect that could lead to a fire, with another 58 owners of the EX30 Single Motor Extended Range now affected.The recall initially reported in January involved 143
Singapore

Volvo EV recall due to battery fire risk widens, affecting 58 more owners in Singapore

SINGAPORE — Volvo has expanded its recall of electric cars in Singapore because of a battery defect that could lead to a fire, with another 58 owners of the EX30 Single Motor Extended Range now affected.The recall initially reported in January involved 143 EX30 Ultra cars. However, seven were later confirmed to be unaffected, bringing the revised figure from that initial batch to 136.Responding to queries on Feb 23, a spokesperson for Wearnes Automotive, Volvo's distributor in Singapore, confirmed that all 194 owners have been notified.As with the earlier recall, owners affected in this round have been advised to limit their car's maximum charge to 70 per cent.This is an interim fix while the owners wait for replacement parts.In January, it was reported that 33,777 cars globally were affected. Volvo informed customers of a potential hardware issue within the car's high-voltage battery. This can cause the battery to overheat if it is charged to above the 70 per cent threshold, which, in very rare cases, could lead to a fire.

Dog dies after fall from 13th floor of Choa Chu Kang HDB block; NParks investigating

A dog has died after allegedly falling from a HDB unit in Choa Chu Kang, according to a Facebook post on Thursday (Feb 19). The post, uploaded by Faizal Bulat to the Lost and found pets in Singapore group, has since garnered over 900 reactions and more t
Singapore

Dog dies after fall from 13th floor of Choa Chu Kang HDB block; NParks investigating

A dog has died after allegedly falling from a HDB unit in Choa Chu Kang, according to a Facebook post on Thursday (Feb 19). The post, uploaded by Faizal Bulat to the Lost and found pets in Singapore group, has since garnered over 900 reactions and more than 120 comments. The Facebook post contained a photo of a white dog, which appears to be a maltese, lying on the concrete floor. Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the National Parks Board (NParks) said it was alerted by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to an incident involving a pet dog which allegedly fell from height and died in Choa Chu Kang on Feb 19.«We are in contact with the dog owner and are looking into the matter,» NParks group director for enforcement and investigation Jessica Kwok said. She advised pet owners to secure their house to keep their pets safely indoors and prevent them from escaping or falling from height. Windows and gates should be secured with mesh or grilles that pets cannot squeeze through, and cats and dogs need to be microchipped and licensed. 

Upper Thomson trespass incident: Similar case happened 500m away just 5 days prior

Fresh information has emerged regarding the alleged home intrusion in Upper Thomson on Saturday (Feb 21). Residents in the landed enclave told AsiaOne on Monday (Feb 23) that a similar case happened on the first day of Chinese New Year (Feb 17) at a priv
Singapore

Upper Thomson trespass incident: Similar case happened 500m away just 5 days prior

Fresh information has emerged regarding the alleged home intrusion in Upper Thomson on Saturday (Feb 21). Residents in the landed enclave told AsiaOne on Monday (Feb 23) that a similar case happened on the first day of Chinese New Year (Feb 17) at a private residential property along Taman Permata, also in Upper Thomson, some 500m away. AsiaOne understands that residents living in the affected property returned home to find what appeared to be shoe marks in the living room and called the police. Similar to the case at Marigold Drive, some houses along Taman Permata also have backyards bordering the dense forested area of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. 

Singapore a 'small oasis of peace' that is precious in an uncertain world: Shanmugam

Singapore's present peace, at a time of significant uncertainties and tensions around the world, makes it a «small oasis of peace» that is precious, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam.Shanmugam, who is also the Minister f
Singapore

Singapore a 'small oasis of peace' that is precious in an uncertain world: Shanmugam

Singapore's present peace, at a time of significant uncertainties and tensions around the world, makes it a «small oasis of peace» that is precious, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam.Shanmugam, who is also the Minister for Home Affairs, was speaking at a breaking of fast event on Monday (Feb 23) evening, organised by the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) — formed in 2003 to rehabilitate detained Jemaah Islamiyah members and their families through counselling. The RRG has since broadened its scope to include countering misinterpretations promoted by self-radicalised individuals and those in support of ISIS. Referring to the economic uncertainties, political stresses and conflicts around the world, Shanmugam pointed out that Singapore's peace was one of careful design.«In the middle of all of this, we remain a small oasis of peace. That is because we focus on a number of fundamentals,» the minister said.

Crow shooting to resume from 2nd half of March in bid to control population

The National Parks Board (NParks) announced on Monday (Feb 23) that it will resume crow shooting from the second week of March as part of its efforts to actively manage the crow population.It said that public complaints against crows have risen sharply from a
Singapore

Crow shooting to resume from 2nd half of March in bid to control population

The National Parks Board (NParks) announced on Monday (Feb 23) that it will resume crow shooting from the second week of March as part of its efforts to actively manage the crow population.It said that public complaints against crows have risen sharply from about 5,000 cases in 2020 to about 15,000 cases last year.Over the same period, feedback on crow aggression has surged from over 460 cases in 2020 to more than 2,000 cases in 2025.In a Facebook video posted on Monday, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said that if the crow population is not brought under control, there will be «more and more» crow-related attacks, thereby affecting the safety of residents.He said: «We should not wait for this to happen before we take action. »I have therefore asked NParks to bring back crow shooting as one of the measures to reduce the crow population in Singapore." NParks said it intensified its multi-pronged crow management efforts after shooting operations ceased in 2020. This includes crow trapping and removal, as well as nest removal.

This made my day: Motorcyclist helps direct traffic after bus and trailer get stuck along narrow Sembawang road

Traffic along a narrow road in Sembawang came to a standstill when two heavy vehicles travelling in opposite directions got stuck.With no sign of the situation improving, a motorcyclist stepped in to resolve the jam.Tan, 51, told AsiaOne the incident occurre
Singapore

This made my day: Motorcyclist helps direct traffic after bus and trailer get stuck along narrow Sembawang road

Traffic along a narrow road in Sembawang came to a standstill when two heavy vehicles travelling in opposite directions got stuck.With no sign of the situation improving, a motorcyclist stepped in to resolve the jam.Tan, 51, told AsiaOne the incident occurred at about noon on Saturday (Feb 21) on Admiralty Street, which leads to the Sembawang God of Wealth Temple.A double decker bus and trailer were sandwiched between the line of cars parked on both sides of the street, and there was no traffic marshall in sight.«I saw a lot of people waiting for the bus at the bus stop. After waiting for some time, I thought maybe I should try to help,» said the motorcyclist, who works as a teacher.A video which Tan uploaded on TikTok shows him beckoning bus service 962 forward while making sure the vehicle does not bump into the trailer or parked cars.The camera mounted on his bike pans to show over 10 people at the bus stop peering at the situation.Under his careful guidance, the bus and trailer finally made out of the tight space, and Tan mounted his motorcycle with a smile.

CDC vouchers a 'band-aid': What Singaporeans are saying online about Budget 2026

Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers, though welcomed, should not be the only fix by the Government to help Singaporeans cope with living expenses.This is one of the sentiments shared by social media users after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered
Singapore

CDC vouchers a 'band-aid': What Singaporeans are saying online about Budget 2026

Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers, though welcomed, should not be the only fix by the Government to help Singaporeans cope with living expenses.This is one of the sentiments shared by social media users after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered Singapore's Budget 2026 statement on Feb 12.PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, announced in Parliament that about 1.4 million Singaporean households will each get $500 in CDC vouchers that can be used at heartland merchants, hawkers and supermarkets.They will be disbursed in January 2027 and are valid till Dec 31 that year.«Although inflation has eased in recent years, we know that many Singaporeans still face anxieties and pressures. So, we will continue to provide additional support this year,» said PM Wong.

Chinese national arrested after 14,550 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes worth more than $1.5m worth seized

A 40-year-old Chinese national has been arrested for his alleged offences relating to duty-unpaid cigarettes amounting to more than $1.5 million.Singapore Customs said in a media release on Monday (Feb 23) that its officers seized 14,550 cartons of duty-unpai
Singapore

Chinese national arrested after 14,550 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes worth more than $1.5m worth seized

A 40-year-old Chinese national has been arrested for his alleged offences relating to duty-unpaid cigarettes amounting to more than $1.5 million.Singapore Customs said in a media release on Monday (Feb 23) that its officers seized 14,550 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes following two operations on Feb 7 and Feb 11.During the first operation on Feb 7, officers seized 7,306 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes which were found concealed inside three air cooler units in a unit within an industrial building at Jalan Buroh in Pioneer.Through follow-up investigations, another operation was launched on Feb 11 at another industrial building at Tuas Bay Close, where they uncovered an additional 7,244 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes, also hidden within three air cooler units.Investigations revealed that an unknown person had allegedly engaged the arrested man to retrieve the duty-unpaid cigarettes from the air coolers and pack them for local distributions. Court proceedings against the suspect are ongoing.

4 teens investigated for placing cones across road in Punggol, throwing bottle and liquid-filled bag at people

The police are investigating four male teenagers, all aged 13, for their alleged involvement in two cases of rash acts in Punggol.The police said in a media release on Monday (Feb 23) that the two cases happened in December 2025.The first case, which happene
Singapore

4 teens investigated for placing cones across road in Punggol, throwing bottle and liquid-filled bag at people

The police are investigating four male teenagers, all aged 13, for their alleged involvement in two cases of rash acts in Punggol.The police said in a media release on Monday (Feb 23) that the two cases happened in December 2025.The first case, which happened at about 12.15am on Dec 19, took place at the park connectors near Punggol Waterway Point. They allegedly threw a plastic bag filled with clear liquid and an empty plastic bottle at members of the public. Four days later, on Dec 22, several traffic cones were placed across three lanes at Punggol Drive in a manner which obstructed vehicular traffic.Police officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division identified the four teenagers through follow-up investigations.The offence of rash act carries an imprisonment term of up to six months and a fine, although minors under 16 are usually charged in the Youth Courts, which focus on rehabilitation. Earlier in February, a 14-year-old male was arrested for alleged mischief and causing disruption to key services by forcefully adjusting a police mobile camera in Punggol on two occasions. [[nid:729509]]

'Just glad I'm still alive': Woman came face-to-face with masked stranger who entered Upper Thomson home

Upper Thomson resident X N had just returned home on Saturday (Feb 21) night when she noticed the doorknob of her ground floor room slowly rotating.Puzzled, she thought it was the domestic helper and called out to alert them of her presence.«As the door
Singapore

'Just glad I'm still alive': Woman came face-to-face with masked stranger who entered Upper Thomson home

Upper Thomson resident X N had just returned home on Saturday (Feb 21) night when she noticed the doorknob of her ground floor room slowly rotating.Puzzled, she thought it was the domestic helper and called out to alert them of her presence.«As the doorknob was turning, I saw a masked man looking back at me,» she recounted to AsiaOne.The resident, who wanted to be known only by her initials, said the intruder «disappeared into darkness» after she asked who the person was and screamed for help.«The whole house was pitch black except for my room, so the person actually knew that I was inside the room and still decided to open my door while I asked if it was the helper,» she said.She immediately called the police and waited outside with the two other people at home at that time.The police told AsiaOne on Sunday (Feb 22) that it received a call for assistance at a residential estate along Marigold Drive at about 9.40pm on Saturday.

'I thought he was offering me sweets - they were drugs': Singaporean at Batam nightclub

SINGAPORE — When a young, smartly dressed Indonesian man approached Mr Mohamed in a dimly lit nightclub and asked him if he wanted «Nike» or «Superman», it confused the Singaporean.The 53-year-old, who gave his name only as Mr Mohame
Singapore

'I thought he was offering me sweets - they were drugs': Singaporean at Batam nightclub

SINGAPORE — When a young, smartly dressed Indonesian man approached Mr Mohamed in a dimly lit nightclub and asked him if he wanted «Nike» or «Superman», it confused the Singaporean.The 53-year-old, who gave his name only as Mr Mohamed, had visited the club in Nagoya town, Batam, with other Singaporeans after a round of golf earlier in the day.Mr Mohamed said: «I couldn't really hear what he was saying but he opened a small tin box with tablets placed on a bed of sponge.»I thought they were sweets but he told me he was selling Ecstasy pills (embossed with Nike and Superman logos).«Mr Mohamed said he repeatedly declined the offer, but was then shown »Batu" (rock in Bahasa Indonesia), also known as crystal methamphetamine, in a small clear plastic bag. He turned that down as well.Mr Mohamed continues to play golf in Batam, at least four times a year, but now visits only nightclubs recommended by the golf tournament organisers.He recounted the July 2025 incident to The Straits Times after learning about the Central Narcotics Bureau's (CNB) participation in an anti-drug blitz at a Batam nightclub on Jan 18.

'I have better work-life balance now': S'pore dental assistant turned fishmonger

SINGAPORE — Standing at just 1.51m tall, with her hair tied up in a high ponytail, Ms Neo Hui Qin is not your typical fishmonger.After graduating from ITE in 2012, she worked as a dental assistant for 10 years but left the job in 2023 after her beloved boss
Singapore

'I have better work-life balance now': S'pore dental assistant turned fishmonger

SINGAPORE — Standing at just 1.51m tall, with her hair tied up in a high ponytail, Ms Neo Hui Qin is not your typical fishmonger.After graduating from ITE in 2012, she worked as a dental assistant for 10 years but left the job in 2023 after her beloved boss, a dentist, passed away.Ms Neo, now 32, knew that she could not work for anyone else, and so she began to look for a job that both excited her and pushed her out of her comfort zone.She liked the idea of becoming a fishmonger as she had helped out at her friend's fish stall in Hougang during the Covid-19 pandemic and enjoyed the experience.«Why not try the market, try being a fishmonger? Everything is hands-on, and I am good with hands-on,» said Ms Neo.With lots of moral support from her husband, family and friends, she took the plunge and opened a stall in Tiong Bahru Market in April 2024.Her husband, who used to be in the navy, also became a fishmonger in November 2025 and runs a stall in Kovan Market.At first, Ms Neo sold only prawns.

Singapore's traveller volume hits 244 million in 2025, more foreigners denied entry: ICA

More than 244 million travellers passed through Singapore's checkpoints in 2025, up from around 230 million in 2024.The number constituted a 6.3 per cent increase, said the ICA in a statement on Monday (Feb 23).The rise was largely due to an increase in land
Singapore

Singapore's traveller volume hits 244 million in 2025, more foreigners denied entry: ICA

More than 244 million travellers passed through Singapore's checkpoints in 2025, up from around 230 million in 2024.The number constituted a 6.3 per cent increase, said the ICA in a statement on Monday (Feb 23).The rise was largely due to an increase in land checkpoint crossings, which accounted for about 76 per cent of the total traveller volume.On Dec 19 last year, nearly 589,000 travellers passed through the Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints, setting a new single-day record.  QR code clearance, which was fully implemented at both land checkpoints in January 2025, was used by 134 million travellers since its roll-out in March 2024, according to ICA.The take-up rate for QR code clearance across all types of travellers also increased in 2025.

DPM Gan: Singapore likely to face new 15% US tariff, must prepare for impact

Singapore will likely be subjected to US president Donald Trump's new global tariff rate of 15 per cent, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, highlighting the need for the country to prepare for its impact.Speaking to media at a doorstop interview on Sund
Singapore

DPM Gan: Singapore likely to face new 15% US tariff, must prepare for impact

Singapore will likely be subjected to US president Donald Trump's new global tariff rate of 15 per cent, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, highlighting the need for the country to prepare for its impact.Speaking to media at a doorstop interview on Sunday (Feb 22), DPM Gan noted that the increase is «a stark reminder... that [Singapore is] now facing a very unpredictable and uncertain operating environment», describing the situation as «very fluid».Elaborating on the element of «uncertainty» around the tariffs, DPM Gan said the government will monitor developments to assess its next steps and explore alternatives, and possible exemptions on the levies.«We will continue to work with our counterparts in the US to seek greater clarification on how the tariff will be implemented...because Section 122 has a time limit and therefore we can expect there will continue to be changes in time to come,» he told the media.

Police arrest 11 men over illegal sale of marine gas oil in waters near Jurong Island

Eleven men, aged between 32 and 58, were arrested on Sunday (Feb 22) morning for their alleged involvement in the illegal transaction of marine gas oil in Singapore waters.The police said in a news release on Sunday afternoon that Police Coast Guard officers
Singapore

Police arrest 11 men over illegal sale of marine gas oil in waters near Jurong Island

Eleven men, aged between 32 and 58, were arrested on Sunday (Feb 22) morning for their alleged involvement in the illegal transaction of marine gas oil in Singapore waters.The police said in a news release on Sunday afternoon that Police Coast Guard officers arrested four crew members from a Singapore-registered tugboat and seven crew members from a foreign-registered tugboat in the waters off Selat Puah — a stretch of waterway to the south of Jurong Island, between Pulau Bukom and Pulau Sudong. 

'Mickey is on tour': Rat interrupts diners at Lucky Plaza food court

Diners at a food court in Lucky Plaza shopping centre were joined by an unexpected guest — a hungry rat — during their meal.In a Facebook video posted on Feb 19, a rat can be seen on a yellow plate with food as diners scrambled away from the table.The rod
Singapore

'Mickey is on tour': Rat interrupts diners at Lucky Plaza food court

Diners at a food court in Lucky Plaza shopping centre were joined by an unexpected guest — a hungry rat — during their meal.In a Facebook video posted on Feb 19, a rat can be seen on a yellow plate with food as diners scrambled away from the table.The rodent could be seen climbing across the table while diners hastily removed their belongings.Ten seconds into the video, a staff in red appears and calmly picks up the rat with a tablecloth before walking away. A staff caught the rat smoothly with a table cloth. (PHOTO: Screengrab/Reddit/uandurfader) The video posted by Facebook user Sheryle O. Oro has garnered over 70,000 views and reactions from netizens.However, it is not clear when the video was taken.Many commenters appeared to be tickled by the scene.

Police investigating after homeowner finds stranger in Upper Thomson house

A person allegedly entered a private residence in Upper Thomson without permission on Saturday (Feb 21) night.The police said in response to AsiaOne's queries that they received a call for assistance at an estate along Marigold Drive at about 9.40pm.Officers
Singapore

Police investigating after homeowner finds stranger in Upper Thomson house

A person allegedly entered a private residence in Upper Thomson without permission on Saturday (Feb 21) night.The police said in response to AsiaOne's queries that they received a call for assistance at an estate along Marigold Drive at about 9.40pm.Officers responding to the call learnt that the individual had allegedly entered the house and had left before their arrival.Efforts to trace the suspect are underway, and investigations are ongoing, the police said.According to The Straits Times, five Special Operations Command police vehicles were spotted along Upper Thomson Road at about 11pm.Lianhe Zaobao reported that the suspect is a man, and that he had been discovered by the homeowner who called the police upon seeing the stranger.No one was injured and there was no loss of property, stated the report.Anyone with information relating to this incident is advised to contact the police at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.All information received will be kept strictly confidential.

Motorcyclist, 31, dies after AYE accident involving tipper truck

A 31-year-old motorcyclist died in hospital on Sunday (Feb 22) after an accident with a tipper truck on the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE).The police said they were alerted to the traffic accident before the Lower Delta Road exit at about 4.10am.The male motorcy
Singapore

Motorcyclist, 31, dies after AYE accident involving tipper truck

A 31-year-old motorcyclist died in hospital on Sunday (Feb 22) after an accident with a tipper truck on the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE).The police said they were alerted to the traffic accident before the Lower Delta Road exit at about 4.10am.The male motorcyclist was unconscious when he was taken to hospital and subsequently succumbed to his injuries.A video uploaded to Facebook group Malaysia-Singapore Border Crossers showed at least five police vehicles along the expressway, which had two lanes cordoned off with traffic cones.Several officers are seen near an upright motorcycle, with the truck parked further ahead.The police said a 38-year-old male tipper truck driver is assisting with ongoing investigations.[[nid:730232]]lim.kewei@aisaone.com

'First time in my life': Restaurant owner surprised after family charged $2 for $200 lobsters return to pay balance

Mistakenly undercharged $198 for a lobster dish at a Siglap eatery, a family returned the next day to pay the correct amount.In a heartwarming Facebook post on Thursday (Feb 19), the owner of Cheng Ji Seafood Restaurant thanked the diners for their honesty.Ow
Singapore

'First time in my life': Restaurant owner surprised after family charged $2 for $200 lobsters return to pay balance

Mistakenly undercharged $198 for a lobster dish at a Siglap eatery, a family returned the next day to pay the correct amount.In a heartwarming Facebook post on Thursday (Feb 19), the owner of Cheng Ji Seafood Restaurant thanked the diners for their honesty.Owner Dai Xingying (transliteration) told Shin Min Daily News that she had wrongly keyed in the price of two small Australian lobsters as $2 instead of $200 when calculating the bill for the family of four.The error went unnoticed due to the bustling Chinese New Year (CNY) crowd, and Dai did not find any discrepancies when recording their sales at the end of the day.To her surprise, two teenagers from the family returned on Thursday night to inform her that they had been undercharged.