Works on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT) depot expansion, which began in 2022, have entered the final phases and are on track for completion in 2027, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Sunday (April 12).These include connecting two new reception tracks along Sengkang West Avenue to the mainline, which requires the Sengkang West inner loop to be closed from April 19 to Oct 18.

A 95-year-old man was found motionless at the foot of a private residential apartment block in Tampines on Friday (April 10) afternoon.The incident happened at about 4.50pm at Block 51 Tampines Avenue 1. Checks by AsiaOne indicate that it is the address of The Tropica, a 99-year leasehold condominium completed in 2000.Photographs seen by this publication show a police tent placed at the arrival driveway of said block.Debris was seen around the tent, while the roof the arrival porch showed damage.Responding to AsiaOne's queries, police said the 95-year-old man was found lying motionless at the foot of the block and was pronounced dead at scene by a Singapore Civil Defence Force paramedic.They added that preliminary investigations do not suggest foul play and that investigations are ongoing.

Foam-ball-only play times have been implemented at Mountbatten community pickleball courts in a bid to promote more considerate play among residents, said MP Gho Sze Kee.Pickleball has become a contentious sport due to the loud noises generated from the traditional plastic balls and paddles used. The use of foam balls will «dramatically reduce» the noise generated, said Gho in a Facebook post on Saturday (April 11).As such, players at neighbourhood courts will be required to use foam balls during fixed hours daily — between 7am and 10am, and between 7pm and 9pm.Outside of these times, players will be permitted to use all types of pickleball balls.«Singapore is a dense city-state. We all live in close proximity to one another. This is our immutable reality. A spirit of kindness and consideration for our neighbours is the only way we can make our community a gracious and comforting place to live,» she wrote, adding that residents should adopt a «spirit of give-and-take».

Residents in Sembawang Central can stay healthy by walking more while earning Healthpoints on their Healthy 365 app under the Let's Jalan brisk walking movement launched on Sunday (April 12).The movement, announced by Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung, is part of initiatives to encourage active living and improve the health of residents in the north of Singapore.During the Ministry of Health's Committee of Supply debates in March, Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam revealed that the ministry's data shows residents in the north region engage in less physical activity.It was also revealed that the prevalence of chronic illnesses there, such as diabetes and hypertension, is higher than the national average. Speaking to the media at the launch, Ong who is also Minister for Health, said the Health Promotion Board's data show that residents in the north have a median weekly physical activity duration of 100 minutes, lower than the 120 minutes in Singapore.

A man was caught on camera stealing shoes from a Woodlands HDB flat resident and throwing them down the rubbish chute.Ridzwan Zuhaire Zuraime shared on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page that the incident occurred at the common corridor outside his unit along Woodlands Drive 73 on Friday (April 10) at 6.05am.Based on CCTV footage he provided, a man wearing a black and yellow singlet, shorts and black gloves, can be seen cautiously approaching Ridzwan's unit.He is seen scanning the area before quickly grabbing four pairs of shoes from a rack. He subsequently runs down the corridor to the rubbish chute where he is seen disposing of the shoes.«I have never seen this guy before and I am sure he is not my immediate neighbour,» Ridzwan wrote.In his Facebook post, Ridzwan also attached the police report he made regarding the incident. According to the report, he had initially thought that the shoes had been misplaced or that his children had left them at his mother-in-law's home, before he reviewed the CCTV footage.

From playing with chickens and watching her mother sell bread at the void deck to gathering with neighbours to watch television together, Block 1 in Siglap holds many memories for Madam Dawn Tam.When the Government reversed its decision to tear down the low-rise block as part of a Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme project, she could not hold back her tears.“I was just so happy to hear that it was going to be conserved. It holds all my childhood memories,” she said.Madam Tam’s family was one of many that called Block 1 home for decades. It is one of four low-rise HDB blocks in East Coast Road built in 1963 to house displaced families after a major fire in 1962 destroyed more than 50 houses in Kampong Siglap.On April 11, the 63-year-old joined 30 other Siglap residents at an engagement session held by the People’s Association (PA) and Singapore Land Authority (SLA) at Siglap South Community Centre to envision what the old HDB block could be in the future.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will visit Texas and Washington DC in the United States from today (April 12) to April 17.In a statement this morning, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said the visit, which coincides with the 60th year of diplomatic relations, will build on the robust and mutually beneficial economic partnership between the two countries.While in Austin, Texas, DPM Gan will meet with state leaders to discuss economic cooperation opportunities between Singapore and Texan companies.He is also expected to engage private sector representatives and officially launch Enterprise Singapore's new Austin Overseas Centre, which will support Singapore companies' expansion into the US.On April 14, DPM Gan will head to Washington where he is scheduled to meet with cabinet secretaries and members of Congress.According to MTI, these meetings will reaffirm the strong trade and investment ties between Singapore and the US, and discuss areas for further cooperation.

In Parliament on Tuesday (April 7), Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan set out why Singapore's position is to not negotiate on tolls or for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.He cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), highlighting that the right of transit passage is not a privilege to be granted by any bordering state of an international strait.«It is not a licence to be supplicated for, it is not a toll to be paid. It is a right of ships to traverse,» Dr Balakrishnan explained.Videos of Dr Balakrishnan's statement have been widely watched, receiving over 1.3 million views on AsiaOne's TikTok channel, and over 600,000 and 900,000 views on CNA's and The Straits Times' respective channels.@asiaone

A 60-year-old male taxi driver and his four passengers were taken to hospital following an accident in Ang Mo Kio on Saturday (April 11).It happened at about 12.20am at the junction of Buangkok Green and Yio Chu Kang Road. Map showing the location where a yellow ComfortDelGro taxi self-skidded on Saturday (April 11) morning. INFOGRAPHIC: AsiaOne When AsiaOne reached the scene at about 1am, a yellow ComfortDelGro taxi was seen stopped on the road divider with a severely damaged front bumper.The impact of the crash also dislodged a traffic light and a section of centre railings along the road divider.

SINGAPORE – A man who sought companionship from community cats after experiencing problems with his then girlfriend became angry when the cats did not respond to his affection.He researched online for ways to torture cats and decided on stabbing them.In less than a year, Ryan Tan Yi Bin stabbed four cats, slammed one against a wall several times and flung another from the 34th floor of a Housing Board block.On April 10, the 27-year-old man was sentenced to two years and seven months’ jail after pleading guilty to three counts of animal abuse.He will also be disqualified from owning any animals for a period of 12 months upon his release.District Judge Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz said the heavy sentence reflected Tan’s “deplorable, sadistic and serial abuse” of animals.“The sentence imposed reflects the court’s condemnation of the accused’s barbaric acts against defenceless creatures and makes plain that such sadism will be met with stern and uncompromising punishment,” said the judge.Deputy Public Prosecutor Lynda Lee said that Tan, who was then a delivery rider, started having problems with his then girlfriend around August 2024.

Blasting music while riding personal mobility aids (PMAs) with children — a group of women recently came under fire after they were filmed doing so at a traffic junction in Jurong East.On Wednesday (April 8), Facebook user Jin Ling shared a video on the group Complaint Singapore, writing that they're relieved that there will be fewer such encounters after new regulations kick in on June 1.The video showed four large PMAs crossing a street, with some blasting music. At least three of these mobility scooters appeared to carry two women and two children each, with some of the latter appearing to be infants and toddlers. 

The police and National Parks Board (NParks) have reminded attendees and organisers of a rally at Hong Lim Park on Saturday (April 11) evening to comply with the conditions for public speaking at the Speakers' Corner.Checks by AsiaOne show that the rally, purportedly organised by a student-led organisation, will discuss issues relating to the United States' «aggression in West Asia». In the event description, the organisers said attendees can learn about the history of imperialism. In a joint advisory on Saturday afternoon, the police and NParks said that approval for the event was given following the organisers' acknowledgement that they will comply with the conditions for public speaking at Hong Lim Park.Police reiterated that the Speakers' Corner is a designated space for Singapore citizens to organise and participate in assemblies without a police permit, subject to compliance with the law and the applicable terms and conditions.

A temporary prayer space will be set up in Pasir Ris to meet growing demand for Friday prayers, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim. Speaking at the annual Minister's Hari Raya Get-Together on Friday (April 10), Assoc Prof Faishal said that the temporary space will be set up directly opposite Al-Istighfar Mosque and be ready by the fourth quarter of this year.The new space will be able to accommodate around 500 congregants for Friday prayers, on top of the existing capacity for 3,300 people at Al-Istighfar Mosque.The temporary space is a response to the «pressing need for prayer spaces» from Pasir Ris residents as well as workers from the Loyang and Changi Industrial areas, Assoc Prof Faishal said.«We will support the community's request and ensure that everyone has a safe and comfortable space for their prayers,» he said, adding that the temporary space will remain in operation until the new mosque at Tampines North opens.

A new committee will be established to strengthen the economic resilience of Singapore's Malay/Muslim community, and prepare it for the future economy.This was announced by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim during the annual Minister's Hari Raya Get-Together on Friday (April 10) evening.At the event, Assoc Prof Faishal said members of the Malay/Muslim community are also concerned about how the workforce and businesses can adapt and thrive in the new economy.Pointing to the Economy Strategy Review's (ESR) mid-term update in January, which set out seven recommendations from a government-led review of Singapore's economy, Assoc Prof Faishal said employees have expressed concerns about how they can use and benefit from artificial intelligence (AI), including navigating a more competitive job landscape.

A Singaporean man will be charged in court over his alleged involvement in overseas scam operations and money mule offences.The 29-year-old suspect was arrested by police officers upon arrival in Singapore on Friday (April 10) following his deportation from Cambodia, said the police in a press release on the same day. The man had allegedly been involved in overseas scam operations and money mule offences between May 2021 and March 2022, before leaving Singapore. During that period, he purportedly abetted another person to open personal and corporate bank accounts to assist a scam syndicate to secure access to the bank's internet banking system by facilitating the sharing of login details, one-time passwords and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards. According to the police, the bank accounts were used to receive illicit funds from scam activities. The man was subsequently arrested by Cambodian authorities for his alleged involvement in an online scam syndicate in March this year and detained in Cambodia over immigration offences before being deported to Singapore. 

In an increasingly uncertain world, geopolitical developments in the Middle East have once again reminded us that maritime routes are not just lines on a map. They are the lifeblood of global trade, energy security, and economic stability. For Singapore, a small nation highly dependent on trade, navigational rights and freedoms are not an option, but an existential necessity.As Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan emphasised in his statement in Parliament this week on the energy supply crisis, conflicts in the Middle East have direct impacts on Singapore, from rising energy prices to disruptions to global supply chains. Instability along one strategic route can have far-reaching effects throughout our region.

Traffic police commander Daniel Tan Sin Heng will take over as chief executive of the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) on June 2, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced in a press release on Friday (April 10).Tan, 54, who holds the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC), will take over the leadership baton from Teo Chun Ching, who is concurrently Deputy Commissioner of Police (DC) for Policy. SAC Tan joined the Singapore Police Force in 1996 and has held key appointments in departments across the Home Team, including as Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Transformation at the Singapore Prison Service, director of planning and organisation, and commander of the Central Police Division.He is credited with driving major legislative changes that strengthened road safety, such as revisions to the demerit points system and expansion of speed limiter requirements for heavy vehicles.

The Traffic Police (TP), National Environment Agency (NEA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) conducted a multi-agency enforcement operation against errant motorcyclists along Admiralty Road West last Tuesday (March 31). More than 300 motorcyclists were stopped for checks during the operation said the police in a news release on April 10. A total of 10 people aged between 24 and 61 were arrested by TP for riding without a valid licence and using a vehicle without insurance coverage.Meanwhile, 44 summonses were issued by NEA for offences involving excessive vehicular emission and excessive noise. And 40 summonses were issued by LTA for offences such as improper licence plate, expired road tax and decorative lamps. The police reminded motorists entering Singapore, including those driving and riding foreign-registered vehicles, that they must comply with Singapore's traffic laws and vehicle regulations. Errant motorists may face penalties and foreign-registered vehicles may be denied entry into Singapore.

Australia has given Singapore assurance over the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) amid energy disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has said on Friday (April 10).Speaking at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, PM Wong, who is also finance minister, added that Singapore will continue to supply refined fuels to Australia as long as upstream supplies continue.Both countries are also working to translate this commitment into action with a legally-binding agreement. «In a more fractured and volatile world, we choose to stay open and we choose to stand together,» said PM Wong. «Through the strength of our partnership, I am confident that Singapore and Australia will not just get through this crisis, but we will emerge stronger and more resilient.»The visit comes after Singapore and Australia pledged in March to work together to ensure that key goods such as LNG and refined fuels, including diesel, continue to flow between the two countries.Singapore generates about 95 per cent of its electricity using imported natural gas.

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) is significantly ramping up support for fresh information and digital technology (IDT) graduates by expanding the TechSkills Accelerator for Institute of Technical Education and Polytechnics (TIP) Alliance to include university students.

A 109,854 sq ft retail space at Thomson Plaza has been sold for $250 million, in a deal jointly brokered by Cushman & Wakefield and Savills. The retail space, named Swing By @ Thomson Plaza, is a multi-concept retail section within the Upper Thomson Road shopping mall.The sale price translates to approximately $2,276 psf based on the property’s net lettable area (NLA) of 109,854 sq ft, and represents a 23per cent premium to the property’s most recent book valuation of $202.6 million.The buyers are Jack Investment and Pangjwee Development, according to an announcement by Link REIT who sold the retail space. The transaction is expected to complete in the second quarter of 2026.Jack Investment’s primary asset is Leisure Park Kallang, an entertainment and retail centre at Stadium Walk near the Singapore Sports Hub, which it acquired in 2003 and subsequently redeveloped in 2006.Link REIT, a Hong Kong-listed real estate investment trust, acquired Swing By @ Thomson Plaza for $172.5 million, or approximately $1,568 psf based on the NLA, in March 2023.

A woman who allegedly had sex with an underaged boy multiple times in October last year was charged in court on Thursday (April 9).Foo Jin Wen, 30, faces two counts of sexual penetration involving a minor as the boy was 15 years old at the time.She allegedly had sex with the boy four times within the month in a HDB flat in Yishun.He also allegedly sexually penetrated her in the same unit that month, The Straits Times reported.Court documents did not disclose how the woman was linked to the underage boy.Foo's next court mention will be on May 7.[[nid:732890]]khooyihang@asiaone.com

The police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 14-year-old male teenager, Daryl Tan Jing Kang.In a news release on Friday (April 10) morning, the police said he was last seen in the vicinity of Block 25 New Upper Changi Road at about 5.15pm on Thursday.He was wearing a black shirt and black pants.Those with information are urged to contact the police hotline at 999 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.All information will be kept strictly confidential, the police said.[[nid:732837]]editor@asiaone.com 

Singapore's Olam Group said on Friday founder and CEO Sunny Verghese, along with several senior executives, will step later down this month, as the conglomerate presses ahead with a reorganisation plan to split into separate operating businesses.The company has been undergoing a transformation since 2020, reorganising its operations into three distinct units: Olam Agri, ingredients maker ofi, and Remaining Olam Group. The restructuring aims to simplify the corporate structure, reduce debt levels and give investors clearer visibility into each business segment.Verghese, who co-founded Olam nearly four decades ago, will relinquish his role as group CEO at the conclusion of the company's annual meeting on April 27. He, however, will remain chief executive of Olam Agri, the food staples and grains division that is in the process of being sold to Saudi agricultural investment firm SALIC.Olam said on Friday (April 10) that Chairman Lim Ah Doo will also step down, while CFO N Muthukumar will exit, joining Verghese to help run Olam Agri as the COO, which he assumed since March 2025.

A passenger said they felt «slightly offended» during a private-hire vehicle (PHV) ride after noticing a sign stating that the driver would only speak Mandarin to Chinese passengers.In a TikTok posted on Tuesday (April 7), user @aliciatadah was seated in a PHV vehicle with her husband and looked visibly confused as she pointed at a sign written in Chinese hanging from the driver's seat. The incident took place on Sunday (April 5) as they were on the way home from Kallang. It read: «If you're Chinese, please speak Chinese. I don't speak in English to Chinese people. Sorry!»She added that her husband, who is Peranakan Chinese but cannot read and speak Mandarin well, was saddened by the sign. «Is this race discrimination? Also, what happened to all Singaporeans conversing in basic English so we have racial harmony,» captioned the post. In another post on Wednesday (April 8), the passenger shared that she booked a Grab ride, and when she greeted the driver and confirmed the location, as she usually does, the driver merely grunted at her. 

Transport service providers will receive temporary support from the Government between April and June to defray rising operational costs due to higher fuel prices and ensure continued operation in the near term. Government contracted or subsidised transport service providers will receive the equivalent of 13 per cent of transport fare revenues during the three-month period, said the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a joint statement on Thursday (April 9). Transport service providers «should keep fares stable during this period», the ministries said, adding that transport fares may have to rise if fuel prices remain elevated beyond June.Additionally, there are existing subsidies to support students, seniors, patients and persons with disabilities if they are not able to afford their transport.School bus operatorsFor the school bus sector, MOE will provide support to operators providing services for primary schools and special education (SPED) schools.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers «flagged down» a Malaysia-registered taxi at Woodlands Checkpoint on April 3, but not because they needed a ride.Pictures posted by ICA on its social media show a yellow cross-border taxi and a haversack filled with e-vaporisers.ICA said that the vehicle, driven by a 70-year-old Malaysian man, with two passengers aged 28 and 72, was profiled and directed for enhanced checks.During the checks, ICA's search and examination officers found over 40 e-vaporisers and related components, and 26 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes in the haversack of the 28-year-old male Singaporean passenger.He was arrested and the cases referred to the Health Sciences Authority and Singapore Customs respectively.Parliament on March 6 passed new anti-vaping laws, which will come into force on May 1.

Malaysia's Armed Forces chief Malek Razak Sulaiman is on a three-day visit to Singapore till Friday (April 10).In a statement on Thursday night, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said General Malek is making his introductory visit to Singapore after becoming the 24th armed forces chief on Feb 1. «Both countries' armed forces interact regularly through a wide range of activities, including bilateral exercises, visits and professional exchanges, cross attendance of courses, as well as through multilateral platforms like the Five Power Defence Arrangements, the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM), and ADMM-Plus,» Mindef said.It added that such interactions have strengthened professional ties and mutual understanding between both armed forces, and have contributed to regional security and stability.General Malek called on Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing on Thursday morning.

Amidst a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, Brent oil prices fell back below US$100 per barrel on Wednesday (April 8), continuing into Thursday, with Shell becoming the first fuel company here to calibrate petrol prices downwards — by 4 cents. But it has kept its diesel price unchanged, at $4.68.Shell's adjustment also moves its posted price for the popular 95-octane petrol back to the $3.42 per litre mark, last set in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.As at 6pm, no other fuel company has adjusted pump prices.

A 30-year-old male cyclist was injured after a car collided into him at a pedestrian crossing in Geylang on Wednesday (April 8) night. In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the accident at the junction of Sims Way and Geylang Road at around 10.10pm. Dashcam footage of the incident was posted online by Facebook page SGRV Admin.The victim, dressed in a red top and white bottom, is seen cycling across the crossing when a car turns right and collides into him. The cyclist stands up and walks back to the pavement before lying down on the ground. He was taken conscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The 73-year-old male car driver is assisting with investigations, said the police.[[nid:733091]]esther.lam@asiaone.com 

Normal train services on the Circle Line will resume on Friday (April 10) as tunnel strengthening works at affected stations were completed nine days ahead of schedule.The stations are Mountbatten, Dakota and Paya Lebar stations. Peak-period shuttle buses servicing the affected stations will operate at a reduced frequency before ceasing operation after April 13.With tunnel strengthening works completed, LTA will proceed with the final systems integration testing works in preparation for the opening of the final three Circle Line stations which is slated for mid-2026.As such, train services on the entire Circle Line will be shortened on weekends between April 11 and May 17, providing necessary engineering hours needed for safe and rigorous testing and commissioning of the train systems.Train services will end earlier at 11pm on Saturdays and start later at 9am on Sundays, said LTA and SMRT.With the shortened service hours, shuttle bus services will be provided on Sunday mornings between 5am and 9am.

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is on a three-day official visit to Singapore from Thursday (April 9) to April 11.Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Thursday that the visit reaffirms the bilateral relations between the two countries.«Prime Minister Albanese's visit reaffirms the excellent state of bilateral relations underpinned by the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2.0 launched by Prime Minister Wong and Prime Minister Albanese in October 2025,» MFA said.The two countries upgraded bilateral relations on the 60th year of diplomatic ties during PM Wong's visit to Australia in October last year.

After a day-long detour and health check-up, one of the three remaining peregrine falcon chicks that made a recess in OCBC Centre their home took flight once more on Wednesday (April 8), according to the National Parks Board (NParks).The fledgling, tagged as «G00» by NParks via a green tag around its leg, was found by the public at South Bridge Road a day prior.NParks shared with the media that falcon G00 was found on Tuesday evening and promptly picked up by NParks contractors who then brought it to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation.The bird was responsive to food, which is «always a good sign», said Dr Malcom Soh, the principal researcher for Wildlife Management Research at NParks.«Just this morning, when they checked it, it was still active and doing well,» Dr Soh told the media on Wednesday. «That's why we're able to release it today.»Before they let the bird go, however, NParks placed a Bluetooth tracker on the falcon's tail feathers.This tracker is not a permanent addition, Dr Soh assured, explaining that the object weighs around two grams and will drop off as the bird ages and moults.

A total of 172 men and 79 women, aged between 16 and 84, are under investigation for their suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules following a island-wide operation from March 26 to April 8. In a statement on Thursday (April 9), police said the operation involved officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and seven Police Land Divisions, and it targeted suspects believed to be linked to more than 665 scam cases.These scams include e-commerce, friend impersonation, job, government official impersonation, investment, and rental.Victims reportedly lost a total of over $3.9 million.The alleged offenders are being investigated for cheating, money laundering, and providing payment services without a licence.The offence of cheating carries up to 10 years' imprisonment and a fine, while money laundering carries up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to $500,000, or both.Since Dec 30 last year, scammers and members or recruiters of scam syndicates face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, up to 24 strokes. 

SINGAPORE — A migrant worker has won a two-year legal battle after the High Court overturned a lower tribunal's ruling and ordered his former employer to pay more than $5,700 in overtime.In a decision on April 7, High Court Justice Philip Jeyaretnam allowed an appeal by Indian national Gena Hulash Ram against Lim Joo Huat Enterprise, finding the company's treatment of overtime pay unlawful.The case turned on whether a fixed monthly allowance could be used to offset overtime pay. The court ruled that it could not, finding the approach incompatible with Singapore's employment laws.Mr Gena worked as a packer for the fresh produce wholesaler from December 2022 to August 2023.Before he was hired, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issued an in-principle approval letter stating his basic salary as $1,000 a month, with two allowances: $200 for housing and $300 for «others». His total fixed monthly pay was $1,500. The letter also set his overtime salary rate at $7.87 per hour.The unspecified «others» allowance became the crux of the dispute.[[nid:733254]]