A woman from China went missing after allegedly heading to Thailand at the invitation of a stranger.

According to Sinchew, a post circulating online looking for the woman, named Qi Meng, says she boarded a plane to Thailand from Malaysia on Aug. 2.

Local media reported that the woman had then gotten into a car at the airport, she allegedly did not know the driver.

Other reports, however, pointed out that the posts about the missing woman had originated from Cambodia, and not China.

There was also speculation that Qi had actually arranged to go with someone she had recently met online.

The case, however, is still under investigation.

Sinchew reports that the family has approached the Chinese embassy in Thailand for help.

A Thai special operations police officer was seen showing up to a live school shooting incident in shorts on Aug. 7.

The shooting left 23 wounded and seven dead, comprising three teachers, three students and the shooter, reportedly a 14-year-old student.

The officer was identified as Sergeant Major Setthawut Sangmueang, Bangkok Post reported.

Sick leave

According to local police, Sangmueang was reportedly on sick leave and had a doctor’s appointment on the day of the incident when he heard of the shooting.

He cancelled the appointment, put his gear into his vehicle and rushed to the school to support law enforcement efforts.

“That reflects an uncompromising commitment to public safety and around-the-clock readiness to perform his duty. Although his outfit was not ready, his skills and spirit always are ready,” local police said.

Sangmueang was also a member of the Metropolitan Police Division 7 team, which was taking part in a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) competition in Bangkok.

The team left the competition and responded to the incident at the school.

Attire

In other countries, tactical police officers have been seen responding to emergencies and exercises in shorts, sometimes while off-duty.

Most notably, such attire has been seen being donned by European tactical police officers from units, such as the Netherlands ’ Special Intervention Service (DSI) and Germany’s Spezialeinsatzkommando (SEK) and GSG 9.

These appearances have also been referenced in popular culture, such as movies and tactical first-person shooters, including "Ready or Not", a game simulating SWAT operations.

The rejuvenated Istana Park will be more than three times its current size, and potentially connected to the Istana grounds, said the National Parks Board (NParks)  on Aug. 12.

The expansion is part of plans to transform Orchard Road into a family-friendly "green oasis" in the heart of the city.

Speaking at the Temasek Shophouse, Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan shared updates about the project, which was originally announced in 2020.

He added that the "full vision" for the park will be shared next year.

The revamped park is part of the Orchard Road Rejuvenation Plan, led by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and NParks.

Park features

The project will see the current Istana Park merged with the existing Dhoby Ghaut Green and Penang Road Open Space, along with a 500m section of Orchard Road between Buyong Road and Handy Road, that will be pedestrianised.

The expanded Istana Park will be organised into three distinct zones: Orchid Park and Orchid Plaza, Istana Park, and Dhoby Ghaut Green.

Orchid Park and Orchid Plaza

Orchid Park and Orchid Plaza are envisioned to showcase the diversity and versatility of native orchids across a range of habitats, from trees to wetlands.

NParks is studying the incorporation of nature-based solutions into the park, which can help to address resilience and biodiversity concerns.

This includes multi-functional water gardens to manage stormwater runoff, and eco-active “totems” to support the biodiversity population in the park.

Istana Park

The Istana Park, originally located across the road from the Istana gates, could potentially be redeveloped into a formal foregarden connected to the Istana grounds.

This would feature a potential new Ceremonial Driveway leading up to the Istana, replacing the existing Festive Arch as the formal entrance to Istana Park.

Mature trees could be planted along the driveway, providing shade and framing the approach to the Istana grounds.

NParks is also exploring the possibility of introducing new indoor attractions including galleries to showcase heritage and natural flora.

Dhoby Ghaut Green

Through the pedestrianisation of Orchard Road, Dhoby Ghaut Green will be transformed into a refreshed green space contiguous with the Istana Park, Plaza Singapura, MacDonald House and Temasek Shophouse.

Activity Promenade

The existing stretch of Orchard Road between Buyong Road and Handy Road is expected to be transformed into a pedestrianised Activity Promenade.

It is envisioned to be a flexible, multi-functional space possibly adapted for rest and recreational activities.

These include outdoor art sessions, public performances, street markets, and civic festivals.

Nature Playgarden

The park will also feature open recreational spaces integrated with nature.

One possible addition would be a nature play garden with natural play structures and lush landscaping, targeted at children and families.

Garden dedicated to honouring Singapore women

There will also be a garden dedicated to honouring Singapore women within Dhoby Ghaut Green.

It will celebrate the pioneering spirit and contributions of Singapore women.

The garden was first announced by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2021, and proposed in the White Paper on Singapore Women's Development in 2022.

Full vision to be shared in 2027

The "full vision" for the park will be shared in 2027, said Tan.

Members of the public can share their suggestions at the exhibition located at Temasek Shophouse until Aug. 26, especially on programmes and activities that could be organised in the redeveloped Dhoby Ghaut area.

Singaporean lawyer and politician Lim Tean was deported from Malaysia to Singapore and arrested by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Aug. 11, 2026.

SPF said Lim had failed to surrender to the State Courts on Aug. 3 to begin serving his prison term, instead leaving Singapore illegally while on court bail.

Lim was sentenced by the District Court on Feb. 17, 2025, to six weeks’ imprisonment and a S$1,000 fine for three charges of carrying out acts as an advocate or solicitor without a valid practising certificate.

Following appeals by Lim against his conviction and sentence, and by the prosecution against the sentence, the High Court increased his sentence to three months and one week’s imprisonment on Feb. 23, 2026.

After the Court of Appeal dismissed Lim’s application to refer questions of law of public interest on Jul. 6, he was ordered to surrender at the State Courts on Aug. 3 to begin serving his sentence.

He failed to turn up, and a warrant of arrest was issued the same day.

Lim was arrested in Malaysia by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) on Aug. 6 and handed over to the SPF on Aug. 11.

Investigations into the circumstances of his illegal departure are ongoing.

Two Singaporean men were previously charged in court on Aug. 8 for allegedly conspiring to arrange for Lim to illegally leave Singapore for Malaysia.

Director of CAD, Peggy Pao said: “The police are resolved to pursue and bring to justice those who commit crimes in Singapore, regardless of where they flee. We will continue to work closely with our wide network of overseas law enforcement partners to locate, arrest and secure the return of criminals to face justice in Singapore. I would like to thank the RMP for their prompt assistance in this case."

A 25-year-old British man will be charged in court on Aug. 12 for his suspected involvement in multiple offences committed at a boarding gate in Changi Airport.

Nuisance

On Jul. 20, 2026 at about 4:05pm, the police received a call regarding a passenger causing a nuisance at a boarding gate of Changi Airport Terminal 1.

Investigations revealed that while at the boarding gate for a flight to Kuala Lumpur, the man, who was believed to be intoxicated, talked and shouted loudly, causing annoyance to other passengers.

When approached by two airline staff, the man reacted angrily and uttered vulgarities at one of them.

He was subsequently offloaded from the flight by the airline for being intoxicated.

Told he could not board

After being informed of the airline’s decision to offload him from the flight, the man behaved aggressively and pushed past the airline staff in an attempt to board the aircraft.

The staff member who tried to stop him fell to the floor and suffered injuries to her left arm and wrist.

In doing so, the man entered a protected area of the airport without authorisation.

He continued behaving aggressively and uttered vulgarities at airport security staff who tried to calm him down.

His actions caused a 45-minute delay to the flight’s departure.

To be charged

The man will be charged with causing annoyance while intoxicated in a public place, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, as well as unauthorised entry to a protected place.

The offences carry a fine of up to S$1,000 and a jail term of up to six months or both; a fine of up to S$5,000; as well as a fine of up to S$20,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both, respectively.

The police said they take a serious view of disruptive behaviour at Changi Airport.

"The safe and smooth operation of security and boarding processes at a major international hub such as Changi Airport relies on all passengers respecting and complying with the lawful directions of airport authorities at all times," the police said.

They added that they will not hesitate to take firm action against those who act irresponsibly and undermine these processes or compromise the safety of other travellers.

A 42-year-old employee of a mosque will be charged for allegedly misappropriating more than S$14,000 from donation boxes.

In a press release on Aug. 11, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said they received a report on May 16, 2026, alleging that the man had misappropriated the funds.

Preliminary investigations revealed that between February 2026 to May 2026, the man was believed to have misappropriated the mosque’s money amounting to more than S$14,000.

The money had been entrusted to him in the course of his employment, police said.

The man will be charged in court on Aug. 12, 2026, with the offence of criminal breach of trust as an employee.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail and a fine.

"The police take a serious view of any person who engages in fraudulent or dishonest conduct. Offenders will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law," SPF said.

More than 30 volunteers cleaned out the home of a woman who had been rough sleeping at her lift landing because of the amount of clutter in her house.

In a Facebook post, community initiative Ang Mo Kio Secondary School Social Move (AMKSS) said the woman, whom they called "Aunty", had been doing so for the past four years.

Her home was filled with hoarded items piled all the way to the ceiling, leaving barely enough space for the main door to open, the organisation said.

Volunteers cleared her home

More than 30 volunteers came together on Aug. 9 to help clear the woman's home and make it possible for her to sleep safely inside.

After years of rough sleeping, the harsh living conditions had taken a toll on her health, AMKSS explained.

The most meaningful moment of the day was seeing her smile when volunteers uncovered and retrieved some of her "treasured belongings" which she had long forgotten.

"Sometimes, decluttering is not just about clearing things away. It is about giving someone back their dignity, safety, memories and a place they can truly call home," AMKSS wrote.

AMKSS thanked the volunteers for their "dedication, energy and hard work", saying they came together to make a difference in someone’s life, while creating a safer and healthier home and reducing potential fire and health hazards.

They also thanked the Ministry of National Development's New Environment Action Team, the Housing and Development Board and the Jurong-Clementi-Bukit Batok Town Council for their support in making their mission possible.

The People's Action Party's (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Tin Pei Ling uploaded a selfie with the Workers' Party's secretary-general Pritam Singh and chairwoman Sylvia Lim in an Aug. 9 Facebook post.

They were attending the National Day Parade (NDP) at the National Stadium, and were seen holding Singapore flags and appeared to be in good spirits.

Tin's post also included photos with other party members.

Cross-party interaction

Captioned "some shots with other colleagues too", the post drew praise for the bipartisan display of patriotism.

One comment read: "Yes! That's how it should be, embrace all different voices to build a stronger nation!"

Others wished her a "Happy National Day".

On the same day, Tin also shared another Facebook post "from our Marine Parade Braddell Heights GRC team before the NDP starts".

2026 NDP

An earlier report mentioned that the 2026 NDP returned to the National Stadium for the first time in 10 years.

The last time the NDP was held at the new National Stadium was in 2016.

With a seating capacity of about 42,000 at the venue, the parade and ceremony segment featured the largest civilian participation in over a decade.

A 26-year-old Malaysian man was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint on Aug. 4 for attempting to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) posted about the incident on Aug. 11.

The man was entering Singapore via a Malaysia-registered car.

ICA officers directed the vehicle for enhanced checks.

More than 600 cartons and over 900 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found concealed in the floorboard of the vehicle.

This is equivalent to about 138,000 sticks of cigarettes.

The man was arrested in connection with the case.

The exhibits and the accused were referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.

A 62-year-old woman in Malaysia was allegedly doused with petrol and set on fire at a lottery outlet in Taman Pusat Kepong on Aug. 9.

She reportedly suffered burns to about 50 per cent of her body, reported the New Straits Times.

Local police said they were alerted to the incident around 8am that day and the victim was rushed to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment.

Her condition is reported to be critical but stable.

The attack was reportedly unprovoked and the motive was unknown.

The victim reportedly had no known enemies and had not received any threats previously.

The search for the unidentified man is ongoing.

Family appealing for information

The woman's daughter later took to Facebook to appeal for information on the incident.

In a video attached, a man wearing a hoodie with his face covered could be seen walking towards the store with an object in his hand.

He was later seen walking away empty-handed with a blaze behind him.

The family also spoke to Lim Lip Eng, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kepong, saying they were confused when they received a call saying their mother was "on fire".

They only understood what had happened after they rushed down to the outlet.

While her condition has stabilised, doctors have told them to prepare for the worst due to her serious injuries.

Reward

Lim also took to Facebook to offer a reward of RM5,000 (S$1,563) for information on the suspect.

"I am sickened and outraged by the brutal attack at Taman Pusat Kepong," he said.

"Pouring fuel on a woman and setting her on fire is an act of shocking cruelty. The person responsible must be found, arrested and made to face the full force of the law," he added.

Lim asked those with information on the incident to contact the police and not approach the suspect themselves.