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  An Australian tourist, Moncrieff Marli Curtis Philip, 36, was sentenced to eight weeks’ jail on January 15 for threatening to crash his flight at Changi Airport. The incident stemmed from frustrations over disrupted holiday plans. Moncrieff had planned a trip to Phuket from Perth with a stopover in Singapore, investing significant resources in the vacation. However, he was denied entry in Phuket due to missing visa pages in his passport. After being sent back to Singapore, he was denied entry again for the same reason. At Changi Airport, immigration officers assisted Moncrieff in retrieving his anxiety and depression medication from his luggage and escorted him to a holding room to await repatriation. Around 5:40 AM on November 20, 2024, while boarding Jetstar flight JQ96 to Perth, Moncrieff expressed his anger, saying, “I want the aircraft to crash and kill everyone.” A flight attendant overheard the remark and informed her managers, leading to Moncrieff’s removal from the fligh...

  Credit: Facebook/SamCheong A Malaysian pedestrian was severely injured on January 12 when struck by a Singapore-registered car while walking across the Johor-Singapore Causeway in heavy rain. The incident occurred at 5:38 p.m., with the pedestrian, surnamed Tan, returning to Johor Bahru from Singapore. Johor Bahru Southern District police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat reported that the Singaporean driver lost control of his vehicle due to slippery road conditions, causing it to skid, hit a road divider, and collide with Tan. The crash left Tan with serious injuries, and he is receiving treatment at Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Bahru. A video of the accident circulating online shows the car skidding sideways before striking Tan, who was wearing black. Images shared on social media also depict the injured man lying on the road before being taken away by ambulance. The driver and a passenger, both Singaporeans in their 20s, were in the car during the accident. The p...

  A Chinese national, Li Guorui, 41, was fined S$2,000 on January 14 after urinating on an escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station. Li, in Singapore for a business trip since January 2, became intoxicated after a business dinner at Brotzeit German Bier Bar on January 10. At around 10 p.m., while leaving Outram Park MRT station, Li unzipped his trousers and urinated on the handrail of a downward escalator. His actions were captured and widely shared on social media, garnering public outrage. A member of the public reported the incident via the SGSecure app the next day. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin highlighted the seriousness of Li’s actions, which caused widespread annoyance, health risks, and potential damage to the escalator’s internal components. He also noted this incident occurred amid a spate of similar cases at other MRT stations. Li was arrested on January 12 and cooperated fully with authorities. The court considered his act spontaneous, not premeditated, but ...

  The recent kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Thailand has sparked safety concerns among Chinese tourists, dampening Thailand’s appeal ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday. Many Chinese travelers have canceled plans to visit Thailand, citing fears for their safety. Flight cancellations from China to Thailand surged 155% over the weekend compared to the same period last year, according to travel analytics firm ForwardKeys. Wang Xing’s ordeal began in a Thai town bordering Myanmar, where he was abducted and taken to a scam center by human traffickers. Thai authorities successfully rescued him, but the incident gained widespread attention on social media, leading many to cancel their trips to Thailand. The backlash has extended beyond tourism. Hong Kong singer Eason Chan canceled a sold-out Bangkok concert scheduled for February 22, citing fan safety concerns. Comedian Zhao Benshan also postponed a Bangkok performance. In Chonburi province, a popular tourist area that include...

Credit: Tiktok/@ulasan.official & CNA   The Singapore Police Force (SPF) stated on Thursday (Jan 2) that the Police Coast Guard (PCG) took "appropriate enforcement action" after multiple incursions by Indonesian fishing boats into Singapore's territorial waters near Tuas. This comes in response to media reports and a viral TikTok video, posted by Indonesian news outlet Batampos, which showed a fisherman falling into the sea allegedly due to strong waves caused by a Singapore patrol boat. The fisherman was rescued by his peers, one of whom could be heard shouting at the patrol boat crew. Incident Details On Dec 24, PCG officers observed several Indonesian fishing boats entering and exiting Singapore territorial waters starting around 8:45 AM. At about 1:20 PM, two of these vessels were spotted deeper within Singapore waters, heading northwest towards Tuas View Extension. In response, a coast guard boat intercepted the vessels to deter further encroachment. Officers onb...

  Credit: CNA A horrifying terrorist attack unfolded in New Orleans on New Year’s Day 2025 when a US Army veteran plowed a truck into crowds in the city’s French Quarter, killing 15 people and injuring 30 others. The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, was shot dead in a confrontation with police shortly after the attack, which occurred around 3:15 a.m. near the bustling Canal and Bourbon Streets. Jabbar, a US citizen from Texas and a former Army staff sergeant who served in Afghanistan, carried out the attack with what authorities believe was the help of accomplices. An ISIS flag attached to the rented truck and a video posted online hours before the incident suggest the attack was inspired by the terrorist organization. The chaos began as Jabbar swerved around temporary barriers and drove into a pedestrian area packed with New Year’s Eve revelers. Witnesses described the sound of screeching tires, crunching metal, and screams as the truck hit bystanders. Police responded quickly, an...

  Credit: Mothership The decomposed body of 15-year-old Yap Xin Yuan was discovered in a river in Banting, Selangor, on December 29, 2024, ten days after she was reported missing. Authorities believe the body belongs to Yap, though confirmation through DNA testing is pending. The case, initially a missing person’s report, has escalated into a murder investigation. Yap, who lived in Selangor, disappeared on December 19 after informing her family she was attending a lion dance practice. Her father dropped her off at the lion dance center that morning, but when she failed to return home, her family became alarmed. They later discovered that the center was closed because its manager was overseas. Attempts to contact Yap proved futile, as her phone was switched off. Her family reached out to her 16-year-old boyfriend via Instagram, but he did not respond. Desperate, the family lodged a police report and sought help through social media. The boyfriend initially denied involvement, tellin...

  Credit: CNA South Korea’s political crisis escalated as a court issued an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec 31, following his controversial attempt to impose martial law. This unprecedented move marks the first time in South Korea’s history that an arrest warrant has been issued for an incumbent president. Martial Law Allegations Yoon’s brief suspension of civilian rule earlier this month triggered outrage, leading to his impeachment by parliament. A constitutional court ruling on whether to confirm his impeachment is still pending. The president faces charges of insurrection, a grave offense that could lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty. Investigators claimed Yoon refused to cooperate with questioning on three occasions, prompting the request for his arrest warrant. Arrest Warrant Details The warrant, valid until Jan 6, includes provisions for Yoon’s potential detention at a police station or the Seoul Detention Center. The court also approv...

  Singapore's ASEAN Championship campaign ended on Sunday, Dec 29, after a 1-3 defeat to Vietnam at the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho. This result left the Lions eliminated on a 1-5 aggregate, following their 0-2 loss in the first leg in Singapore last Thursday. Early Drama and VAR Decisions The Lions started brightly, with Lionel Tan's long throw causing havoc in Vietnam’s penalty box. Faris Ramli appeared to have scored, heading the ball into the net, but a VAR review disallowed the goal for offside after Shawal Anuar’s initial header. The first half’s turning point came just before the break when VAR intervened again, ruling that Lionel Tan had pulled Nguyen Xuan Son in the box. Initially shown a red card, Tan’s punishment was reduced to a yellow after a lengthy review. Nguyen Xuan Son converted the penalty in the 46th minute, giving Vietnam a 1-0 lead. Second Half Action The Lions pushed forward in search of an equalizer but were undone again in the 63rd minute. Nguyen Xuan S...

  Update on 30/12/2024 -  179 death with just two people plucked alive from the wreckage. At least 124 people lost their lives on Sunday (Dec. 29) when Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 crash-landed at Muan International Airport, South Korea. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Bangkok with 181 people on board, veered off the runway, struck a wall, and burst into flames, making it the deadliest air disaster involving a South Korean airline since 1997. Details of the Crash The accident occurred at 9am local time, with initial investigations pointing to a possible bird strike that may have caused the landing gear to fail. Local media footage showed the plane skidding without its wheels before exploding on impact. Only the tail section of the aircraft retained some recognizable structure, and two crew members were rescued from this area with severe injuries. Most of the 175 passengers and 6 crew members aboard are presumed dead, according to emergency responders. Immediate Aftermat...

Credit: Facebook@Truelife A Scoot flight from Xi'an, China, to Singapore experienced an unexpected commotion when a scuffle broke out between two passengers as the plane landed at Changi Airport on Christmas Eve. The Incident The altercation occurred on flight TR135 during the disembarkation process. A video circulating on social media captures the moment when a passenger in grey attempted to retrieve his luggage but was confronted by another passenger in black. The disagreement quickly escalated into a physical altercation, with both individuals exchanging blows as other passengers looked on in shock. One concerned passenger was heard shouting, "Stop fighting! There are children here!" Response by Crew Scoot crew members promptly intervened, following safety protocols to de-escalate the situation. The airline ensured that the disembarkation process resumed smoothly and without further incidents. Scoot’s Statement A Scoot spokesperson confirmed the incident, emphasizing t...

  Credit: Facebook@ 伟安 A Singapore-registered Toyota Raize was caught on video cutting the queue at the Second Link on Malaysia's side, sparking a chain collision on Dec. 24. The incident, which took place during peak traffic, highlights the dangers of reckless driving at border crossings. Incident Breakdown The Toyota Raize was seen traveling in the heavy vehicles lane before crossing over a double white line to join the congested car lane. Its sudden maneuver caused two other queue-cutting cars behind it to slow down sharply. This led to a lorry, which was traveling in the heavy vehicles lane, ploughing into the two cars. Smoke could be seen rising from the lorry following the impact, but the Toyota Raize appeared to escape unscathed and moved ahead. Meanwhile, the two cars involved in the collision were stopped. Reactions on Social Media The video of the incident drew widespread criticism. Commenters blamed the Toyota Raize for initiating the chain of events while also calling ...

  Image Source: Facebook@MyGrandfathersRoadSG A tragic and unusual road accident on the Penanjong-Tutong highway in Brunei has captured social media attention, involving a black BYD Sealion 6 SUV and a massive crocodile. The accident occurred at Jamabtan Penanjong , with images and videos of the aftermath quickly going viral online. What Happened? The hybrid SUV collided with the crocodile as it was attempting to cross the highway. Images from the scene show the enormous reptile lying lifeless on the road, while the SUV suffered significant front-end damage. Viral Impact Videos recorded by passersby showcase bystanders redirecting traffic to prevent further accidents. The scene quickly sparked reactions online, with many commenting on the size of the crocodile and the unexpected nature of the incident. Road Safety Implications This event highlights the dangers posed by wildlife crossing highways. While such accidents are rare, drivers are reminded to stay vigilant, especially in ar...

  A Singaporean family's trip to Johor Bahru turned into a stressful ordeal on December 18, 2024, when they discovered their car had been broken into while they were shopping. Azhar, who was traveling with his wife and their one-year-old son, had borrowed his colleague's car for the trip. They arrived at Little Genius Baby Products Centre in Tebrau 3 around 10 am, parking the car before heading into the store to shop. When they returned to the car at noon, they found the right passenger window shattered. A backpack, left visibly on the back seat, was missing. The stolen items included a hot water thermos for their son and the wife's AirPods. Azhar explained, "We thought it was broad daylight, and the compound was supposed to have security walking around." He speculated that the thief may have targeted the car because it was an older Hyundai Sonata without an alarm system. The Aftermath The family had to abandon their plans for the day, which included visiting an i...

  A dramatic encounter between armed burglars and a house owner in Muar, Johor, went viral after CCTV footage of the incident was shared online. The break-in occurred on Dec 17 at around 5pm, with footage showing two intruders targeting a residential property in broad daylight. The incident began when one burglar climbed over the gate and waited inside the compound. Moments later, a white car reversed into the driveway. One of the burglars, armed with a machete, approached the vehicle and opened a door. Footage showed the burglars entering the house while a woman, identified as the domestic helper, was in the living room with a baby. One intruder walked past her unnoticed before leaving empty-handed. Another clip captured a burglar rummaging through drawers in a separate room, again leaving without items. The homeowner, alerted by surveillance cameras, rushed home with a male relative to confront the burglars. Armed with objects, they engaged in a fight, damaging the burglars' vehi...

  South Korea was thrown into political turmoil after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late on Tuesday, only to retract the decision hours later amid fierce opposition. The move, meant to ban political activity and censor media under the guise of protecting the nation from perceived threats from North Korea, sparked outrage and immediate pushback from lawmakers and the public. Tensions escalated when armed troops attempted to take control of the National Assembly in Seoul. Lawmakers, however, stood their ground and unanimously passed a motion to revoke martial law. Even members of Yoon’s own People Power Party supported the repeal. Protesters gathered outside, celebrating the reversal and chanting, “We won!” The main opposition Democratic Party, along with five other parties, called for Yoon’s resignation and announced plans to submit an impeachment bill. They argue that Yoon’s actions undermined democracy and overstepped constitutional boundaries. Senior Democratic Par...

  In a shocking incident, 35 people lost their lives, and 43 others were injured after a man deliberately drove his SUV through a crowded sports center in Zhuhai, southern China. The attack occurred on Monday, November 11, when 62-year-old Fan drove his vehicle through the center’s gate and into the crowd of people exercising on the internal roads. The initial police report indicated only injuries, but as the investigation continued, authorities updated the toll to reflect the full extent of the tragedy. Preliminary reports suggest that Fan’s actions may have been motivated by frustration over a property dispute linked to his recent divorce. Eyewitnesses described the terror that unfolded as the SUV barreled through the track. One bystander, surnamed Chen, recounted how he narrowly escaped being hit after completing his third lap around the track. Unfortunately, many others were not as fortunate, and police footage verified by AFP captured the desperate efforts to save those severe...

  Fugitive Singaporean lawyer and former Reform Party chairman, Charles Yeo, is currently detained in the United Kingdom as he awaits an extradition hearing, with a bail hearing scheduled for November 15. Yeo fled Singapore in 2022 while facing multiple criminal charges, including offenses under the Penal Code and the Protection from Harassment Act. Yeo’s criminal charges include one count of deliberately intending to wound religious feelings, two attempted counts of the same charge, and three counts of making abusive communications towards public servants. Singapore authorities later added charges of abetment of cheating, alleging that Yeo unlawfully facilitated the release of settlement funds to his law firm. While Yeo was initially allowed to travel to Vietnam in August 2022, he violated his bail conditions by failing to return to Singapore, instead seeking “political asylum” in the UK. The Guardian reported that Yeo faced possible relocation to the Bibby Stockholm barge—a UK fa...

  Donald Trump secured an unprecedented victory, winning the 2024 U.S. presidential election and marking his return to the White House as the 47th president. The 78-year-old former president’s journey back to power included overcoming a 2020 defeat, two impeachments, felony convictions, and two assassination attempts. Trump’s triumph in the swing state of Wisconsin helped him clinch the 270 electoral votes needed for victory. Declaring it “a magnificent victory” for the nation, Trump celebrated at his campaign headquarters in Florida alongside his family and supporters, promising to “make America great again.” World leaders, including Ukraine's President Zelenskyy, quickly extended congratulations, with Zelenskyy urging Trump to aid in achieving peace with Russia. Trump’s campaign, rooted in his "America First" approach, has previously called for reducing military aid to Ukraine, a stance that alarmed U.S. allies. This election outcome also saw Republicans seizing Senate ...

  Malone Lam, a 20-year-old Singaporean residing in Miami and Los Angeles, and Jeandiel Serrano, 21, from Los Angeles, were arrested by the FBI on Wednesday night for their alleged involvement in a cryptocurrency theft and laundering scheme. Lam, known online as “Anne Hathaway” and “$$$”, and Serrano, who goes by “VersaceGod” and “@SkidStar”, appeared in court on Thursday. The duo, along with other conspirators, allegedly gained fraudulent access to cryptocurrency accounts, stealing funds and laundering them through a complex system of exchanges, mixers, peel chains, and virtual private networks (VPNs) to obscure their identities. Peel chains involve a series of small transactions used to launder large sums of cryptocurrency. The stolen funds were reportedly spent on international travel, luxury items, and rentals in Los Angeles and Miami. Investigations into the scam are still ongoing.