Beloved Singaporean Teacher Found Dead After Everest Trek Amid Snowstorm

The body of 76-year-old Singaporean, Harry Tan, was found near Mount Everest on October 4, after he went missing on a hiking trail last Thursday. Mr. Tan, a retired teacher and former lecturer at the National Institute of Education (NIE), was hiking near Kongma La Pass when he became separated from his two companions due to a severe snowstorm.

Efforts to rescue him were delayed due to treacherous weather conditions, but once the skies cleared, a search team was dispatched. A fellow hiker witnessed Mr. Tan’s fall before he disappeared, and despite efforts to help, rescue attempts were initially hampered by the extreme weather.

Mr. Tan was a beloved figure, remembered by former students and colleagues for his caring nature and passion for physical education, sports, and the outdoors. His dedication as a teacher and coach left a lasting impact on many, and he will be sorely missed. Various tributes, including from Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam and veteran lawyer Eugene Thuraisingam, highlighted his influence on their lives.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to Mr. Tan’s family. The Ministry and NTU expressed their gratitude to the Nepalese authorities for their support in the search efforts.

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Italian Man Jailed and Caned After Luring Woman to Dubai for Sex Work

A 32-year-old Italian citizen who tricked a Singaporean woman into travelling overseas with false promises of marriage before forcing her into sex work in Dubai was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, six strokes of the cane, and a fine of 9,000 dollars on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Achraf Arjaouy was convicted of a human trafficking charge in April 2026 following a court trial. The court ordered that Achraf will serve an additional six weeks in prison if he fails to pay the court-ordered fine. The court heard that Achraf arrived in Singapore in March 2021 and matched with the victim, identified in court documents as V1, on a dating application in April 2021. During a rapid courtship, Achraf lied about his background, claiming to be a pilot for Qatar Airways and falsely asserting that he came from a wealthy Qatari family. He proposed to V1, stating that he intended to marry her in Qatar. Overjoyed by the prospect, V1 agreed to travel with him to Dubai as a stopover en route ...

Lorry, Van, and Car Caught in Same Day, ICA Stops Chewing Tobacco at the Border

On 5 August 2025, ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint stopped three separate smuggling attempts involving chewing tobacco within the same evening. At about 5:30pm, 565 packets were found hidden in the cabin compartment of a Malaysia-registered lorry after image analysis flagged anomalies. Around 6:00pm, 310 packets were discovered concealed in the rear passenger seats of a Malaysia-registered van. At 6:50pm, 450 packets were recovered from a Singapore-registered car, hidden in the spare tyre compartment and under the rear seats. In total, 1,325 packets were seized. The cases have been referred to the Health Sciences Authority. The import of chewing tobacco is prohibited in Singapore, and offenders face heavy penalties. ICA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Singapore’s borders while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

Viral Social Media Alert Details Alleged Shoplifting Incident at Kampong Gelam Shop

A viral social media post on October 7, 2026, alerted Singapore retail businesses to an alleged shoplifting incident involving a tourist couple at a boutique along Bussorah Street. The incident occurred on October 6, 2026, at 2:30 PM, when two customers entered the shop and purchased several items. However, CCTV footage showed two display perfume bottles were allegedly taken from the shelves. At checkout, the female customer tried to pay using US Dollars (USD). When staff refused foreign currency, she expressed frustration. The missing perfume was discovered only after the pair departed. The shop owner has lodged an official police report. Business owners are advised to remain vigilant, and anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the police.

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