Customers of several internet services providers (ISPs) in Singapore, including Singtel, Starhub, M1, MyRepublic and Simba, have reported issues with broadband services on Saturday (April 18).Checks by AsiaOne on outage tracking platform Downdetector at 1.30pm show spikes in reports from around 10.50am.Based on reports from users, broadband internet services were the most commonly reported issue.In a statement issued on its social media platforms at 11.45am, Singtel said it is aware of the issue, adding that it understands that this may be due to construction activities at a site that is affecting several operators.«Our engineers are investigating. We apologise for the inconvenience caused,» a Singtel spokesperson said, adding that further updates will be provided.In response to a customer's feedback on its Facebook, M1 said that it was informed of the issue by NetLink Trust at around 10.40am. The ISP added that some connections may not be affected.

As generations of families and children grow up in Yishun and their needs evolve, improvements have been made to the town while keeping the shared bonds and values, said Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam on Saturday (April 18).Shanmugam, who is also MP for Nee Soon GRC, was speaking at the topping out ceremony for the new 0.9ha Chong Pang City, an integrated development which will have swimming pools, a gym and fitness studio, as well as an upgraded hawker centre, market and community club.He said that the community has seen Yishun's transformation over the years as it became more accessible and better connected with new and improved facilities.«Families have grown up here. Children grow up here, and more seniors. As our community changes, its needs have changed as well. Nee Soon has progressed to meet those needs,» Shanmugam said.

Starbucks Singapore will be removing straws from their condiment bars, and customers are not happy about it. The coffee chain announced the news on their social media platforms on April 17. «Starting April 22, we'll be omitting straws from our condiment bar — a small change that goes a long way. Enjoy your iced beverages in-store with for-here cups or sip through our sippy lids instead,» they wrote.Those who still need a straw can request for a 100 per cent biodegradable, compostable straw.[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/DXNxCcLiRC1/[/embed]Customers who order a Frappuccino or frozen drink can request a straw too. There is also the option to bring your own tumbler, and those who do so can enjoy $0.50 off their drink. «Let's make a positive impact together with every sip!» said Starbucks Singapore. But the environmental move hasn't been well received by the public. In the comments section, many netizens expressed dissatisfaction with the change.

«Would you have tried it?»That is the question one woman had for her followers on Instagram after finding a curious dish at a buffet at a Marina Bay Sands restaurant: Crocodile feet.A Reel posted by user MsNikkolette on April 12 showed the dish to be a «crocodile toast» with Vietnamese «nuoc cham sauce».«I am adventurous with food, but this was pushing the limits,» she wrote in the caption. «Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see crocodile feet served this way, at an Australia Day buffet, at Rise Marina Bay Sands.»Though Nikkolette did not share how she came across the dish in the video, many were curious to know her verdict.She responded to one of the comments: «I did have a small bite, it's way too fishy because of how it was prepped.»However, others were more horrified than intrigued.«Tell me it's AI,» a comment read.Another read: «I see the nails and I cannot.»One netizen suggested: «There is a plate on the right [with] just the sliced meat portion without the feet? Maybe just try that section, okay?»[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/DXCI7bEzWxf/[/embed]

Kim Lim's grandmother has died at the age of 107. The local socialite and billionaire heiress took to Instagram on Thursday (April 16) to share the news, posting several photos of herself and her brother, Kiat Lim, grieving by their grandmother's casket. «Last post in memory of Ah Ma. I don't usually post sad things, but my grandma meant too much to us,» Kim wrote. The elderly woman died on April 12. [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/DXK6ih3kvPR/?img_index=1[/embed]Kim, 34, shared that her grandmother had cared for her and Kiat since they were young, and when she had her son Kyden, the elderly woman took him under her wing as well. «She was just with us every time, waiting for us to come home and eat. »She was always just there for us. We are sad but time will heal,« she wrote. Despite her grief, Kim pointed out that her grandmother had lived to the ripe old age of 107, so her life should be celebrated. She also thanked those who sent their condolences. »We read and acknowledge and know who you are. Thank you," wrote Kim. [[nid:733742]]

A migrant worker who wanted a portrait of Lee Kuan Yew tattooed on his neck was initially turned away by a tattoo artist — who asked him to return the next day “to see if he was serious”.He did.On April 12, 38-year-old air-conditioning technician Sugumar Surendran visited a tattoo studio along North Bridge Road with a bold request: to ink Singapore's founding father's image on his neck.Speaking to Stomp, Surendran, who arrived from Tamil Nadu, India at 18 and has since worked across various companies as an air-conditioning technician, said he admires Lee for building Singapore into what he calls a «golden country», where laws ensure fairness and equality.Widely regarded as the architect of modern Singapore, Lee led the nation through its uncertain early years after independence in 1965 — a period he later described as his greatest political setback.Yet it also steeled his resolve. In the weeks after separation, he urged Singaporeans to press on: «This is not a country that belongs to any single community… Ten years from now, this will be a metropolis. Never fear!»It is this sense of determination that resonates with Surendran.

Since the outbreak of the Iran war, Vignesh Kumaravel's quantitative trading models have struggled to perform due to «extreme volatility» in global stock markets.The quant finance professional, whose job involves coding systems to turn market signals into profits, said that higher prices have also hit him personally. He and some Vietnamese friends cancelled a trip to Kuala Lumpur after short-haul airfares doubled.«For now, I haven't changed my daily habits or food choices, but I am definitely being more careful with extra spending,» said the 26-year-old.Just as Vignesh fine-tunes his trading algorithms, Singaporeans are adapting their daily routines to cope with the higher prices unleashed by fighting in the Middle East.The Feb 28 air strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel triggered a series of retaliatory responses that have damaged oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

A vape user tried to enter a wrong flat in Sengkang and was caught on camera stumbling about outside for nearly half an hour.Stomp contributor Cheng shared a 28-minute CCTV video of the incident that took place at Block 452A Sengkang West Way on April 2 at 1.25am.He told Stomp he kept hearing someone outside trying to open his gate in the middle of the night and saw through the peephole a stranger wandering drunkenly along the common corridor.Cheng said: «I think he took Kpods until blur and thought this was his flat.»The bespectacled youth can be seen vaping in the video. At one point, he loses his balance and falls onto the floor, losing one of his slippers. He gets up and tries to wear his slipper, but soon gives up.The youth attempts and fails to unlock the Stomp contributor's gate, then staggers away and returns to try again repeatedly. He also appears to vomit several times, but it's unclear if he did. Eventually, he puts his slipper back on.Cheng said: «My wife didn't dare open the door. We called the police.»

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday (April 17) warned that other maritime chokepoints could be similarly targeted if any party is allowed to illegally weaponise an international waterway. He was speaking at a virtual meeting of nearly 50 countries to discuss the restoration of navigation rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz. «Allowing any party to illegally weaponise an international waterway would set a dangerous precedent. Other maritime chokepoints could be similarly targeted,» PM Wong said, adding that allowing such weaponisation would result in a more disorderly and unstable world, governed by coercion and force rather than rules. «It's really in the collective interest of everyone in the international community to uphold navigational rights and freedoms, and to ensure that critical sea lanes remain open, secure, and accessible to all,» he added.

A 46-year-old Singaporean man, who was convicted in February 2021 for importing more than 1kg of cannabis into Singapore in July 2018, was hanged on Thursday (April 16).Omar Yacob Bamadhaj was convicted on Feb 24, 2021, and had his conviction and sentence upheld by the Court of Appeal on Oct 12, 2021.In a statement on Thursday, the Central Narcotics Bureau said Omar was accorded full due process under the law, and was represented by legal counsel during his trial and appeal.He entered Singapore from Malaysia via Woodlands Checkpoint by car on July 12, 2018.During a routine check, an auxiliary officer found three bundles wrapped in aluminium foil, cling wrap and newspapers.The bundles were placed in a bag belonging to him. They were later sent to the Health Sciences Authority for analysis and were found to contain not less than 1,009.1g of cannabis.At the trial, Omar claimed that he did not know the nature of the bundles found in the car. 

A male student in Nanyang Junior College(NYJC) has been suspended after he allegedly attempted to film girls in the toilet, local media reported on Friday (April 17).According to a video seen by the local publication, two students can be seen confronting a male student who allegedly exited a cubicle in the girls' toilet.He claimed he was «studying» when he was caught.NYJC principal Pang Choon How told AsiaOne that they are aware of the incident and that a police report has been lodged.Disciplinary action has been taken against the student, Pang said, stressing that they view sexual misconduct seriously.He also stated that the student has undergone counselling in school and has been referred for further professional support.Aside from a suspension, his conduct grade will be penalised, and the school is also working with his parents on the incident, the statement said.«We take the well-being of our students seriously and have engaged students on the incident,» he said.

A fire broke out at a funeral wake at the void deck of Block 617 Bedok Reservoir Road on Thursday (April 16) at about 2.20pm.A video of the fire shared by a Shin Min Daily News reader and posted on its social media shows a raging blaze engulfing the wake while thick black smoke billows from the scene.Subsequent scenes show a burnt down altar and the block's facade — up to the second floor — covered in soot.Workers are seen using a step ladder to assess damage to overhead cables.A family member surnamed Xie (transliteration) told the Chinese publication that the cortege departed for Mandai Crematorium at about 1pm. He said they were only informed of the fire by the funeral services company after the rites were completed. Asked if he felt if it was inauspicious, Xie said he is not superstitious.A female relative surnamed Ang (transliteration) told Shin Min that she understands the fire was caused by a short circuit.