The father of a 20-year-old Singaporean girl has taken to Instagram to appeal for help after she purportedly went missing in Cambodia.According to the posts, Siti Aishah Siregar Sahat Siregar was last known to have travelled to Phnom Penh from Singapore on July 28, and the family has since lost contact with her.«Our family is very worried, and every minute that passes feels so long,» Sahat Siregar, a real estate agent, said in his caption.«As a father, I am begging for your help. I just want my daughter to come home safe.»Sahat also said that the family has made a police report and are working closely with the authorities, and thanked everyone who has tried to help him so far.He has requested the authorities in Singapore and Cambodia to find his daughter as soon as possible, stating that the family is «afraid that every hour we lose could make it harder to bring her home safely».The father also asked for the public to help by sharing the post, hoping that it can reach someone who «may have seen something or know something that can help».

Drier days are expected in the first fortnight of August, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) announced on Friday (July 31).There will likely be fair and sometimes windy conditions on some days of the two weeks, with greater likelihood in the second week.Despite the relatively drier conditions, localised short-duration thundery showers are still expected in parts of Singapore on some days in the late mornings and afternoons.On average, total rainfall is set to be below average for most parts of the island.Maximum temperatures each day will likely range between 33 deg C and 34 deg C during the day — the warm temperatures may persist on some nights, leading to warm and humid conditions with temperatures remaining above 27 deg C.Southwest Monsoon conditions are expected to stretch beyond July into the first fortnight of August, with winds blowing from the southeast or south.In the second half of July, there were similar short-duration, localised thundery showers over parts of Singapore, with heavy, thundery showers over much of Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon of July 22.

Drivers, take note: the demerit points system you're familiar with will be getting a little more strict come January 2027.Under the revised Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS), the number of demerit points that can be accumulated before suspension will drop from 24 to 18, said the Singapore Police Force on Friday (July 31).DIPS is more commonly known as the demerit points system.This comes amid an increase in road fatalities of about five per cent, front 142 deaths in 2024 to 149 in 2025 - the highest within a decade.Road injuries have also risen by 6.6 per cent from 9,342 in 2024 to 9,955 in 2025.Drivers face lower thresholdUnder the revised rules, non-probationary motorists who rack up 18 demerit points within 24 months will face licence suspension.Under the revised DIPS, the first suspension period will increase from 12 weeks to four months, while subsequent suspensions will also be increased.A third suspension will be increased from a year's duration to two, while fourth suspensions onwards will be for five years.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is doing a feasibility study on a new mode of public transport called the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Tuas South, Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said.This is part of efforts to provide those working there with faster and more reliable connections from their workplaces to existing and future MRT stations.«Tuas South has been selected for this study as it is home to major developments such as Tuas Port, and is expected to see further growth in the coming years,» LTA said following the transport minister's announcement during his visit to the Singapore Rail Test Centre on Friday (July 31).Currently, Singapore's transport network is anchored by MRT, with buses complementing the rail network by offering first-and-last mile connectivity.And BRT could further complement both the MRT and conventional buses, LTA said.What is a Bus Rapid Transit system?Around the world, BRT system varies considerably in design and technology, depending on the needs of each city.

Four new MRT stations will complete the Cross Island Line (CRL), giving greater convenience to commuters travelling to and from Singapore's western region.These stations under the Cross Island Line Phase 3 (CRL3), currently numbered CR20 to CR23, will include two interchanges.CR21 will connect to the upcoming Jurong Region Line (JRL) and serve as a gateway to Jurong Island. Terminal station CR23 will link to Gul Circle station on the East-West Line (EWL).CR20 will serve residents in Taman Jurong, while CR22 will be located within Jurong Industrial Estate.Unveiling the final stage of the Republic's eighth MRT line on Friday (July 31), Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said the four new stations «will substantially improve» connectivity when they begin commercial service in the late 2030s.«Once the full Cross Island Line is open, commuters travelling to and from the western parts of Singapore can save up to 50 minutes in travelling time,» he added.Siow delivered his speech at the Singapore Rail Test Centre, which will be connected to a new CRL depot spanning approximately 23 hectares.

A man took issue with a torn Singapore flag displayed outside an HDB block in Hougang, calling it «disrespectful».The man, identified as Rayz, spotted the faded flag hanging outside Block 178B, Hougang Street 12 on July 23, according to Stomp.Rayz shared a video of the tattered flag on the yellow facade, billowing in the wind outside a window. «As the National Day period approaches, I was wondering whether this complies with the guidelines for displaying the Singapore flag,» he reportedly said.He added that the «national flag should always be displayed with dignity and respect».The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth is encouraging all organisations and households to fly the national flag during the National Day period from July 1 to Sept 30.However, it added that the flag should be treated with respect and discouraged people from displaying any worn-out or damaged flag. According to the National Heritage Board (NHB), the national flag should be replaced if faded or torn. 

SINGAPORE — Singapore sprint queen Shanti Pereira booked her place in the history books on July 30 (July 31, Singapore time), after clinching a spot in the women’s 200m final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.At the Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, the 29-year-old clocked a season-best 22.81 seconds to finish third in her semi-final and eighth out of 24 overall. She is the first Singaporean sprinter to qualify for an individual final at the quadrennial event.Adaejah Hodge of the British Virgin Islands won the same semi-final as Pereira in a Games record 22.01sec, ahead of Jamaican Ashanti Moore (22.49sec).Shaniqua Bascombe of Trinidad and Tobago won the third semi-final with the second-best overall time of 22.31sec.The top two finishers from each of the three semi-finals, along with the next two fastest athletes overall, advanced to the final, which will be staged on July 31 (Aug 1, 4.46am Singapore time).

Noticing a Personal Mobility Aid (PMA) rider in need of assistance, a bus captain stopped his vehicle mid-journey to help.It was a rainy night when SBS Transit bus captain Omri Bin Mohd Yusof had been driving Service 153 along Jalan Toa Payoh when he noticed an elderly PMA rider stranded by the roadside, according to a Facebook post by the transport operator on Thursday (July 30).The incident occurred on July 8 at around 8.15pm, based on a separate Facebook post by (buses[IN]gapore!), which also included photos of the incident.The side wheels of the PMA had slipped off the pavement, causing the device to get stuck. Pictures of the incident show the PMA tilted towards the road with oncoming traffic and unable to move forward.Another lady had stopped to assist, but was unable to move the PMA because of its weight, said SBS Transit.Omri proceeded to pull over on the roadside and help the elderly lady.He also sought help from a passenger on board the bus, anticipating that it would take more than two people to lift the device.Together, the three of them managed to lift the PMA back onto the pavement.

While on a volunteering stint, a woman said that she was «sexualised» by a few primary two boys, who allegedly made moaning noises and asked her to «bend over».In a TikTok video uploaded on Wednesday (July 29), the woman said that she was told by a group of boys that she was pretty, which she said she was okay with initially.However, the situation deteriorated when the boys went to the back of the classroom, and went under a blanket to make clapping and moaning noises, before allegedly asking the volunteer to join them.«I was like, 'what are you saying?' I am a grown woman and you are primary two kids,» she said, adding that the boys continued doing so for a while.The woman then said that one boy would keep dropping his pencil, before asking her to «bend over» pick it up for him.«How do you know these things as an eight-year-old?» the woman questioned.She proceeded to explain that these came from troubled families, but she admitted that this was a «new level» to her as a frequent volunteer.«I can handle the vulgarities, the violence... but when it comes to these things, I get a little sensitive,» she elaborated.

A dispute between several woman along a footpath in Singapore saw one woman ending up on her knees and being dragged by her hair.A clip of the fight circulating on social media since Monday (July 27) shows a woman in a red top sliding around a grass patch as a woman in a black shirt forcefully pulls at her hair.The posts claim that the fight occurred outside City Plaza in Paya Lebar.In the video, three women approach the duo, though it is unclear if they are joining or attempting to break up the fight.The woman in the black shirt is eventually pulled away by another person.But the conflict appears to carry on, with the woman in red walking across the footpath to confront a woman dressed in orange and they almost come to blows again.It is unclear what they are saying.At this moment, a female cyclist who had stopped because of the commotion urges them to stop, saying she would call the police.The women appear to disperse after the cyclist's intervention.Another video posted online shows at least two women being led to police vehicles.AsiaOne has reached out to police for more information.

Roy Chan, currently deputy chief executive for operations at the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), will be appointed as its chief executive from Sept 1, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) announced on Thursday (July 30).He takes over from Ng Chad-Son.Chan, 52, became a member of the defence technology community in 1998.Since then, he has been involved in the integration of sensor-guided systems for both the air force and navy.He also undertook a stint as deputy head at Mindef's strategic planning office between 2009 and 2012, before returning to the agency.After his return, Chan was involved in land systems project, including the Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle.He was appointed to his present role in 2021.Mindef said in its statement that Chan has developed deep experience in systems engineering and architecture, large-scale programme management and systems interoperability, having led the delivery of complex defence capabilities over the years.

A company and its director will be charged in court on Friday (July 31) for allegedly providing flag registration services to a ship sanctioned by the United Nations (UN), the police said on Thursday (July 30).The Petrel 8 was banned by the UN Security Council (UNSC) in October 2017 for transporting prohibited goods, namely coal, from North Korea.Investigations by the Commercial Affairs Department revealed that the company had allegedly provided flag registration services to the carrier on May 18, 2022, the police said.The 49-year-old male company director is accused of having reasonable grounds to believe that Petrel 8 was a UNSC-designated ship when his company provided the services.The company will be charged with one count under Regulation 8D(d)(ii) of the United Nations (Sanctions – DPRK) Regulations 2010. Meanwhile, the company director will be charged under the same Regulations for abetting the company to commit the offence.Under the United Nations Act 2001, a person who contravenes the Regulations faces a jail term of up to 10 years and, or a fine of up to $500,000.

A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) caught fire on Tampines Expressway at about 7.40pm on Thursday (July 30) towards Seletar Expressway, after the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway exit.Videos of the incident posted on social media show flames engulfing the front bonnet of the vehicle. At one point, creepers growing on the underside of the overhead viaduct can be seen burning. At least two police fast response cars and one fire engine were present at the scene. PHOTO: Screengrab/Telegram Based on a video submitted to and posted on Singapore Road Accident's Facebook page, at least two police fast response cars and one fire engine were present at the scene.The car is also seen completely burnt down.

English trip-hop legends Massive Attack have come under scrutiny for political displays at their Singapore concert on Wednesday (July 29).Footage shared widely on social media shows members Robert «3D» Del Naja and Grant «Daddy G» Marshall holding up a Palestine flag, at what appears to be the end of the concert.The duo then walk off the stage with their backing band.One post on Reddit also claimed that, during the show, «the lead singer basically said, 'I don't give a f***'» before performing a song where «a huge part of the crowd started chanting 'Free Palestine' over and over».«The way I understood it was that he didn't care about any restrictions or consequences,» the Redditor added.They tried to report the incident through the SGSecure app but claimed it crashed repeatedly.A concertgoer, who wished to remain anonymous, told AsiaOne that the chants had started when 3D dedicated their set to the Palestinian people in the middle of the concert.«The band didn't join in [with chanting 'Free Palestine'], as far as I could tell,» the 28-year-old added.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) foiled an attempt to smuggle more than 12,800 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes at Tuas Checkpoint on July 22.In a Facebook post on Thursday (July 30), ICA said its officers had directed a Malaysia-registered lorry for enhanced checks after detecting anomalies in the scanned image of the vehicle. The cigarettes were hidden in wooden crates enclosed in metal cases in the lorry.A video accompanying the post shows officers using a variety of tools to crack open the metal cases and discovering the contraband.«Thought we 'Wooden' know,» quipped the border agency. The Malaysian lorry driver, 31, was arrested in connection with the case.The exhibits and suspect have been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.It is an offence to buy, sell, convey, possess or deal with duty-unpaid goods.Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both. Vehicles used to commit such offences, as well as proceeds from the sale of duty-unpaid goods, may also be forfeited.

Work to install a solar generation system at Marina South Pier has been completed.Announcing the sustainability milestone in a media release on Thursday (July 30), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said this also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the pier.«The solarisation project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from MPA’s shore-based operations and supports the public sector’s solarisation efforts under the GreenGov.SG sustainability movement,» the authority added.The system can generate up to 780,000 kWh of electricity annually, or the equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 180 four-room HDB flats. It consists of 1,092 solar photovoltaic panels installed across 3,200 sq m of rooftop and canopy space at Marina South Pier.To ensure future-proofing, the system is designed to be able to support the current and future needs of electric harbour craft operating at the pier.According to MPA, it can meet a «significant portion» of the pier's electricity requirement.

We've all read news reports about scam calls impersonating public figures, such as former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, in attempts to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.Lee, who is now Senior Minister, took to Facebook to simulate one such scam call by impersonating himself, in a bid to prevent others from falling victim to such predatory calls.In a video uploaded on Thursday (July 30), SM Lee acted out a scenario in which he picked up a phone call, only to hear a scammer impersonating him on the other end of the line.«Your bank account has been compromised. Please transfer your funds out immediately,» the mysterious caller said.After hanging up, SM Lee looked into the camera to raise awareness about such scams.«No Government official will ever ask you to transfer money or handle valuables over a phone call. Not the police, and certainly not me!» SM Lee said.

A 20-year-old man was injured after he was hit by a motorcycle while jaywalking against a red light in Bukit Batok on Wednesday (July 29), dashcam footage showed.Dashcam footage of the incident, shared on the Facebook group SGRV Admin on Wednesday, shows a man jaywalking across the road against a red light as the recording car travels along the road.The dashcam car slows to a stop as the jaywalker dashes across the road and is struck by a passing motorcycle. The two are thrown to the ground. One passer-by helps the jaywalker to the pavement, while another assists the motorcyclist, who is seen holding his side. The first passer-by later returns to help the motorcyclist too.In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the accident at about 10.20am that day at the junction of Bukit Batok Avenue 1 and Bukit Batok West Avenue 6. A 20-year-old male pedestrian and a 36-year-old male motorcyclist were taken conscious to the hospital.One person was taken to National University Hospital and the other person to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.

A 24-year-old motorcyclist died in an accident with a trailer on the Seletar Expressway (SLE) on Wednesday (July 29).A video posted by Facebook user Farizatul Firdaus on Wednesday shows a navy blue police tent on the expressway.Debris and an overturned motorcycle lay on the road further down.The two left-most lanes of the expressway are cordoned off with traffic cones as a group of police officers converge along the road shoulder. The video caption claims that the accident took place near Woodlands Avenue 12.The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and police told AsiaOne they were alerted to the accident along SLE towards CTE and TPE at about 9.50am. An SCDF paramedic pronounced the motorcyclist dead at the scene.Police investigations are ongoing.[[nid:740923]]laili.abdeen@asiaone.com 

SINGAPORE — Sheng Siong may review its prices and product range to retain shoppers ahead of the opening of the cross-border rail link with Johor Bahru in January 2027, which could intensify competition in Singapore’s grocery sector.“The retail grocery industry remains competitive, and with the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link set to open in 2027, we stand ready to adapt our pricing, promotions and product mix as necessary to remain competitive,” Sheng Siong chief executive Lim Hock Chee said on July 29.The RTS Link may intensify price competition, particularly for selected packaged groceries and household products, Sheng Siong said as it announced its financial results for the first half of 2026, filed with the local exchange after markets closed.It said the actual impact on the supermarket chain will depend on factors such as fares, travel time, exchange rates, relative pricing, and consumer behaviour after operations commence.

A former Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) captain was sentenced to 21 months and two weeks in jail for cheating almost $87,000 from five colleagues and vaping.Benjamin Song Yong Pang was also fined $6,000. The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to five counts of cheating and four vape-related charges on Wednesday (July 29), including the possession of vaping devices.Song began using e-vaporisers in late 2021 and openly vaped in his office at Nee Soon Camp, reported The Straits Times.Investigations found that his conduct normalised vaping among his subordinates. He even introduced vaping to a female colleague by giving her a vaping device and supplying vape pods to her. According to court documents, the former SAF captain incurred significant credit card debt between 2011 and 2018 from patronising Thai clubs and KTVs, although the exact amount was not disclosed.Between May 2021 and March 2024, Song deceived his five colleagues into handing over $86,750 over a total of 39 occasions.He lied to them, claiming that he would either invest their money or use it to pay his mother's medical bills. 

The Public Service Division (PSD) has announced that Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, who has served over four decades in public service, will retire on Sept 1.This is among two other announcements relating to permanent secretary appointments announced on Thursday (July 30).Prof Tan, 67, is currently Permanent Secretary of National Research and Development (NRD), and Public Sector Science and Technology and Plans Office (S&TPPO) in the Prime Minister's Office.He graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1983 and began his medical career as a renal physician, later taking on concurrent hospital and academic roles at NUS and the National University Hospital (NUH).Between 1997 to 1998, Prof Tan led the Department of Medicine at both NUS and NUH.In 2000, he was appointed as director of medical services at the Ministry of Health, playing an instrumental role in leading Singapore's public health response to the 2003 Sars epidemic. He was later appointed deputy chairman at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) from 2004 to 2017, and as NUS's president between 2008 and 2017.

Singapore's Keppel posted a 25 per cent rise in half-year profit on Thursday (July 30) on the back of stronger contributions from asset management and operating segment that include its infrastructure business.The asset manager's net profit, excluding the non-core portfolio for divestment, rose to $530 million for the six months ended June, compared with $431 million reported a year earlier.The infrastructure arm, Keppel's biggest contributor to earnings, recorded a 55 per cent increase in profit to $339 million, driven by robust performance in the integrated power business, outweighing softer spark spreads and the impact of the Middle East conflict on costs.Profit rose 54 per cent at the connectivity division, which operates Keppel's data centre business, cashing in on rising demand for AI and digital infrastructure. The segment commercialised all five of its Bifrost Cable System fibre pairs.Meanwhile, its real estate segment posted a net loss of $19 million, extending a decline from last quarter due to the absence of gains from a partial disposal of Saigon Centre last year.

Singapore's Keppel posted a 25 per cent rise in half-year profit on Thursday (July 30) on the back of stronger contributions from asset management and operating segment that include its infrastructure business.The asset manager's net profit, excluding the non-core portfolio for divestment, rose to $530 million for the six months ended June, compared with $431 million reported a year earlier.The infrastructure arm, Keppel's biggest contributor to earnings, recorded a 55 per cent increase in profit to $339 million, driven by robust performance in the integrated power business, outweighing softer spark spreads and the impact of the Middle East conflict on costs.Profit rose 54 per cent at the connectivity division, which operates Keppel's data centre business, cashing in on rising demand for AI and digital infrastructure. The segment commercialised all five of its Bifrost Cable System fibre pairs.Meanwhile, its real estate segment posted a net loss of $19 million, extending a decline from last quarter due to the absence of gains from a partial disposal of Saigon Centre last year.

A 19-year-old French national, who posted a video of himself licking a straw and returning it to an iJooz vending machine, was fined $600 for public nuisance on Thursday (July 30).Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance, while a second charge of mischief was taken into consideration.The French teenager was charged over an incident at Goldhill Centre along Thomson Road at around 2pm on March 12.After attending a boxing session there, he went to an iJooz vending machine and bought a drink.While filming the act, he took a straw from the machine, licked about half of it and placed the contaminated straw back on the straw dispenser.Maximilien then collected the drink, took the contaminated straw and left.He later edited the footage and uploaded it to Instagram, according to the statement of facts.

Former permanent secretary for home affairs development Chew Hock Yong will take over as chairman of National Parks Board (NParks) from August 1, the Ministry of National Development (MND) announced on Thursday (July 30).He takes over from Loh Khum Yean, who became NParks's board chairman in October 2023.Chew, 58, has over three decades of public service experience and leadership roles across multiple ministries, including serving as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Home Affairs.After retiring from the civil service in 2022, the 58-year-old was appointed as chairman of the former Workforce Singapore (WSG), until June 30, when the agency merged with SkillsFuture to from the new Skills and Workforce Development Agency.

The conversation over the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) «First to Board, First to Use» trial has evolved beyond strollers and prams, with wheelchair users and disability advocates weighing in their concerns on accessibility needs and wants. The Disabled People's Association (DPA) said in an Instagram post on Sunday (July 26): «A wheelchair doesn't fold. A stroller usually does.» «For wheelchair users, that bay isn't a preference — it's often the only way to travel accessibly and affordably. »Better bus designs can serve wheelchair users and parents with strollers. Removing an access need shouldn't be the trade-off,« it added. The »First to Board, First to Use" trial is part of an initiative to make public transport more inclusive for commuters.

Two Malaysian men, aged 30 and 40, were arrested on Wednesday (July 29) for their alleged involvement in at least two separate cases of government official impersonation scam.In a news release on Wednesday night, the police said the duo were arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint.According to the police, the cases, which took place on July 24 and 28 respectively, had similar modus operandi.In both cases, the female victims were told by a person claiming to be a Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) official that they were implicated in money laundering involving their bank accounts.The first victim, acting on the scammer's instructions, proceeded to hand over $9,000 in cash to an unknown man for the purposes of «investigations», while the second victim was deceived to hand over gold bars worth over $20,000 and an assortment of valuables worth approximately $10,000.Both victims believed that they had handed over their valuables to an «officer» from the authority.

Just 10 years old, Emilio Cerda is already doing what most Singaporeans can only dream of doing — representing the country on the global stage.The Singaporean has set his sights on the upcoming 2026 Pokemon World Championships in San Francisco from Aug 28 to 30.Emilio will be taking part in the trading card game (TCG) competition's junior division, which will see him test his mettle against players under 12 years of age from all over the world. «If he goes and he wins, it's fantastic because there's like $2 million (S$2.5 million) in the prize pool, so he'll basically be paying for university with a first place placing,» said Emilio's father, Jose Cerda, 40.Cerda, an American on a spousal visa, is married to a Singaporean who grew up in Hong Kong. They also have a daughter, six, who has just started on her Pokemon journey.«But if he goes and he just has the best time and wins a couple of games — or even if he doesn't — it just ends the weekend with a positive experience,» Cerda told AsiaOne on Tuesday (July 28).«That to me, as far as his Pokemon journey goes, is the best gift I can give my son.»

A total of 147 people are under police investigation for allegedly allowing scammers to use their bank accounts to facilitate money-laundering.The suspects were identified during an islandwide enforcement operation targeting individuals suspected of perpetrating government officials scams, impersonation scams, investment scams and job scams.From June 17 to 30, the Cyber Command's Anti-Scam Centre (ASC) partnered with local banks to detect and freeze 158 bank accounts linked to scam activities.More than $150,000 in suspected scam proceeds were seized, said the police on Wednesday (July 29).The police said they also collaborated with social media platforms, messaging-application providers and telecommunications companies to take down 1,123 online enablers and disable 370 phone lines that had been used to support scam operations.For assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct in certain circumstances, offenders can be jailed for up to three years, or fined up to $50,000, or both.

Though they may be small, their hearts are big enough to care for an entire forest.Four young residents of East Coast GRC approached MP Edwin Tong to appeal for the preservation of Clementi Forest, the minister shared in a Facebook post on Tuesday (July 28).Tong said the issue was raised during a Meet-the-People Session on Monday night, when the children came to him with «something close to their hearts».«They came prepared to make their case: with a very well written script, conveyed articulately, along with drawings to depict the issue clearly to me,» Minister Tong said, adding that he found the materials «very persuasive».The children told him they regularly take part in activities with Forest School, where they learn about nature, biodiversity and the importance of protecting the environment.«It was heartening to see how passionately they spoke about the forest and respectfully put forward their views,» he said. «Every resident deserves to be heard, regardless of age.»Tong added that he promised to support their appeal and ensure their views are conveyed to the relevant agencies for proper consideration.

A commuter's power bank stored in a backpack reportedly emitted smoke on a MRT train, prompting the evacuation of passengers at Buangkok station on Wednesday (July 29).Pictures of the incident circulating on social media platforms Xiaohongshu and Reddit show a bag and personal items covered in white powder on the platform floor.Officers from the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) are also seen at the MRT station.A Xiaohongshu user said in a post at 5.20pm that they had noticed a burning smell onboard a train travelling from Hougang to Buangkok station.«At the next stop, Buangkok, everyone exited the train. A power bank inside someone's bag was releasing smoke,» the user claimed.One commuter, Chen Yongwen (transliteration), told Lianhe Zaobao that a TransCom officer had sprayed a dry powder fire extinguisher and smoke from the backpack stopped shortly after.Chen claimed that a man, who appeared to be in his 30s, said he owned the bag.«The officers asked if there was a power bank in the backpack, but I didn't hear his answer clearly,» he said.

A fire broke out at the basement carpark of a condominium in Yishun on Wednesday (July 29) night.The incident, involving a car, happened at about 8.20pm at Orchard Park Condominium. A resident, who declined to be named, told AsiaOne she heard what sounded like an explosion, adding that the smell of smoke was very strong.Pictures seen by AsiaOne show flames from a vehicle parked at the carpark, and thick black smoke could be seen coming out from an opening.  Flames and thick smoke could be seen from the first floor of Tower 7. PHOTO: AsiaOne reader AsiaOne understands that the vehicle involved is not an electric vehicle. 

The owner of a matchmaking agency in Singapore is retiring after nearly four decades and has put his business up for sale for $99,000.In a TikTok video posted on Monday (July 27), the owner of True Love Vietnam Bride Matchmaker, Mark Lin, said he had decided to retire due to his age and is looking for someone to take over the business. He is 64 this year. Lin said the agency, located at Orchard Plaza has been operating for 37 years and specialises in matchmaking services between Singaporean men and Vietnamese women.«We have connections and resources in Vietnam, Singapore, the United States and Taiwan. With the sale, I am passing on all my contacts and resources to my buyer,» he said, adding that the business offers significant opportunities for its future owner.In the video, Lin said he will remain involved for up to a year after the sale to facilitate the handover process and ensure a smooth transition. The business is being offered for sale at an asking price of $99,000.

A total of 15 bus services will skip a bus stop along Raffles Avenue over the coming weeks due to works for the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2026 (F1 Singapore GP).The upcoming race, to be held from Oct 9 to 11, will be the 17th edition of the F1 Singapore GP.In a temporary route diversion notice issued by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Wednesday (July 29), the authority said that bus services 36, 56, 70M, 77, 97, 97e, 106, 111, 133, 195, 647, 857, 960, 960e, and 961M will skip bus stop 02051 outside The Float @ Marina Bay from Aug 4 to Oct 12.The next bus stop — located outside The Esplanade — also along Raffles Avenue, is not affected.Commuters are advised to plan their journeys early and note the change.