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.

Restaurant operator Soup Holdings, which owns and operates Soup Restaurant, said its revenue for the financial period ended Jun. 30 dipped slightly by S$0.1 million to S$19.5 million.

The group, however, swung into a loss of S$673,000, compared with a profit of S$224,000 a year earlier, amid higher operating costs.

Closure of two outlets

According to the group, revenue from its restaurant operations was affected by both outlet openings and closures during the financial period.

Though sales from existing outlets rose by S$0.6 million and the opening of two new outlets contributed to a further S$1.4 million in revenue, the gains were offset by the closure of two outlets due to relocation and lease expiry.

Purchases and other consumables increased by 0.9 percentage points to account for 21.1 per cent of revenue, mainly due to higher raw material costs during the seasonal period.

Employee benefits expense also increased by S$0.3 million.

This was mainly due to a net increase of S$0.2 million arising from the opening and closure of outlets and a central kitchen, as well as S$0.1 million in higher staff benefits at existing outlets.

Its other expenses also rose by S$0.4 million, mainly due to a one-off termination fee payable to a landlord after the group decided not to proceed with the lease for a proposed outlet.

The company said that move was part of its ongoing efforts to "optimise its business operations and align its resources with its strategic priorities, including rationalising its outlet portfolio and enhancing overall operational efficiency".

F&B industry remains competitive

The group said Singapore’s food and beverage (F&B) industry remains highly competitive, with the continued entry of local and foreign operators, rising operating costs, manpower constraints and changing consumer preferences adding to the challenges facing the sector.

Regional retail dynamics are also evolving amid cross-border infrastructure developments.

Citing recent surveys, the group highlighted the upcoming completion of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, saying it could possibly affect cross-border travel patterns and spending on retail and F&B services in both markets.

Against this backdrop, Soup Holdings said it has restructured its leadership team to sharpen its strategic focus and improve operational efficiency.

The group also plans to refresh its brand positioning and refine its concepts to better cater to its target customer segments and changing consumer preferences.

Additionally, the group said it is stepping up efforts to manage costs, streamline procurement, optimise manpower deployment, improve quality standards and strengthen customer engagement.

Over the next 12 months, Soup Holdings said it will focus on maintaining cost discipline, refreshing its brands and improving operational efficiency, barring unforeseen circumstances.

These efforts are aimed at stabilising its performance and strengthening its competitiveness amid a challenging market environment.

Former Singapore actor Edmund Chen has posted a video believed to be dashcam footage of the incident that led to his recent jail sentence.

During the incident on Mar. 4, 2025, Chen collided with a motorcycle that was overtaking his car, causing the rider to suffer multiple right-hand fractures.

In court in January 2026, Chen pleaded guilty to careless driving during this incident.

He was initially sentenced to five days in jail, but it was reduced to one day on Jul. 20 following an appeal.

He was also disqualified from driving for five years.

What the video shows

The video, uploaded as an Instagram reel on Aug. 10, was a reply to a user's comment saying, "Disgraceful to have you in Singapore".

This comment, which now appears to have been deleted, was originally made under Chen's Aug. 9 video about celebrating National Day, according to Stomp.

Taken from the rear dashcam of Chen's car, the video shows him filtering between lanes on the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) towards the Central Expressway (CTE) that day.

A motorcyclist came from his left and collided with Chen's car.

Footage of the incident from the rear of the car was played in court.

The former actor was heard cursing in shock after the collision happened, The Straits Times reported. This cursing appears to be bleeped out in the video Chen shared on his Instagram.

In sentencing, the judge brought up his abrupt switching of lanes as a demonstration of carelessness.

A reminder of road safety

Chen commented on Stomp's video addressing his supporters, saying that he believes their "concerns come from a place of kindness".

"Now that things have settled, I hope my experience can serve as a reminder for all of us to stay alert and safe on the road."

The comments under Chen's own Instagram video were divided on defending the former actor and agreeing with the court verdict.

Several users said the motorcyclist was speeding and failing to maintain a safe distance.

Others, however, said Chen was at fault for changing lanes slowly and asked him to share the dashcam footage from the front of his car as well to get the fuller picture of the incident.

A 26-year-old Singaporean man was charged for allegedly robbing a man on National Day.

Noor Najat Bin Alwi was charged with one count of robbery on Aug. 11.

In charge sheets seen by Mothership, on Aug. 9 at about 11:55am at an office building at Paya Lebar Quarter, three men — Najat and two other individuals, Mohamed Rashin Shaalam Mohamed Yasin, and Muhammad Dzoulfarhan Bin Jazali — allegedly robbed a man.

They allegedly robbed cash amounting to S$140,000, AirPods valued at about S$180, and one black-and-white striped shirt valued at about S$40.

The trio also allegedly kicked the man.

If convicted of robbery, Najat could face a jail term of five to 20 years and caning with not less than 12 strokes.

Najat also faces three other charges under the Road Traffic Act for driving a vehicle with a licence not in force in a separate case.

A Mario Kart game came to life for an American couple, who apparently used the Singapore Speedway racecourse to plan their trip to Singapore.

A video of their travel hack, posted on the couple’s TikTok account (@chase_kayla) on Aug. 10, has since amassed over 85,000 views.

Speaking to Mothership, Kayla said that she and her husband, Chase, were in Singapore from Jun. 12 to 16 this year.

The 25-year-old said they loved playing the Singapore Speedway racecourse in Mario Kart, so much so that they planned their trip around it.

"We love playing the course, so it was really fun to visit the places featured in the game in real life. Now that we’ve actually seen those landmarks, playing the course is even more special to us," she said.

Loved their time in Singapore

Kayla shared that the couple "absolutely loved" Singapore and have since been telling their friends and family that they need to visit.

Some of the couple’s favourite places included Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Merlion Park, Chinatown, Haji Lane, and Sultan Mosque.

"We loved how clean and futuristic the city felt, especially with all of the incredible architecture. We also felt incredibly safe the entire time we were there," she said.

One thing that surprised the couple, though, was seeing the difference between the landmarks and locations in Mario Kart and their real-life counterparts.

"It was so cool to recognise places from the game, but then see how much more there is to them in person," she said.

The couple was also surprised by how hot and humid Singapore was — though that probably won’t come as a surprise to many here.

A 58-year-old Singaporean man, who entered and left Singapore illegally after absconding in 2002, was sentenced on Aug. 11, 2026 to 14 months and three weeks' jail.

An Aug. 11 joint news release by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) stated that Tan Khi Wie was convicted of six charges under the Immigration Act and Penal Code.

Charges

They included two counts of failure to present valid passport punishable, one count of making false statement in arrival disembarkation card, one count of knowingly producing false passport, one count of illegal departure, and one count of failure to attend court.

The release noted that 16 other charges under the Immigration Act were taken into consideration for the purposes of sentencing.

Absconded, arrested

On Aug. 6, 2002, Tan had previously been convicted and sentenced to 18 months' jail for one count of cheating.

He had cheated the then-Singapore Productivity and Standards Board into disbursing a grant of S$195,800 under the Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme.

In the same month, he filed a notice of appeal against his conviction and sentence.

According to the release, Tan absconded from Singapore to avoid serving his sentence.

He subsequently failed to show up at a court mention on Jan. 21, 2003, for the appeal.

On Feb. 20, 2003, a warrant of arrest was issued against him.

Entered, departed country illegally

Investigations by ICA revealed that Tan had departed Singapore illegally via a fishing boat sometime between August 2002 and January 2003.

He first travelled to Pasir Gudang in Johor, Malaysia, the release stated.

Tan then continued to Thailand, and eventually Jakarta, Indonesia, where he resided.

Between 2011 and 2016, he had used Indonesian passports under the false identity of "Ken Srona" to enter and depart Singapore on multiple occasions.

In his disembarkation forms, Tan also falsely declared that he had never used a passport under a different name to enter Singapore.

On Mar. 7, 2026, Tan attempted to clear immigration at Changi Airport using an Indonesian passport under the false identity of "Ken Srona".

As he was unable to complete immigration clearance at the automated lanes, ICA officers conducted further checks that established his actual identity and revealed that he was wanted by the police.

Tan was then detained and handed over to the police.

Strengthened immigration clearance processes

The release stated that ICA has strengthened its immigration clearance processes and systems by leveraging biometrics and data analytics.

It has put in place multi-modal biometric systems at the checkpoints since July 2020 to better detect persons using multiple or assumed identities.

All automated lanes at Singapore's land, sea and air checkpoints are equipped with iris and facial scanners.

The concurrent use of these biometric identifiers provides a highly accurate means of authenticating travellers' identities, according to the release.

A 34-year-old man was taken to the hospital after he allegedly stabbed himself in Clementi on the afternoon of Aug. 10.

According to a report by Lianhe Zaobao, the man reportedly ran into a durian stall, grabbed a durian knife from the vendor, and began stabbing himself repeatedly.

The incident attracted the public's attention and a 56-year-old male passer-by intervened by restraining the man from behind, disarming him, and preventing him from causing further harm to himself.

The passer-by was later identified as Osman Sidin in an Instagram post by Jurong East–Bukit Batok GRC MP David Hoe.

Man who intervened was an ex-inmate

According to Hoe, Osman said he stepped in because he was concerned not only for the man, but also for members of the public near by, particularly young children.

"At about 10pm tonight, after my events for the day, I visited Mr Osman to check on him. Thankfully, he is well," Hoe wrote. "But it was what he shared with me that stayed with me."

Hoe revealed that Osman is a former inmate and a member of the Yellow Ribbon Singapore community.

Yellow Ribbon Singapore is a statutory board under the Ministry of Home Affairs that supports inmates and ex-offenders in rebuilding their lives, securing employment, and reintegrating into society.

He said Osman told him he had turned over a new leaf and now simply wanted to live a life centred on doing good.

"There is something powerful in that," Hoe wrote.

He added:

"Second chances matter. Because people can change for the better, and when given that chance, they can go on to care for and make a difference in the lives of others.

That is the Singapore I hope we continue to build: one where we look out for one another, and where everyone has the opportunity to contribute."

Although there was no official award, Hoe said his team presented Osman with a small yellow star plush toy.

"A star because today, he is a shining star to us. And yellow, because it reminds us that second chances can become new beginnings," he wrote.

"People can change for the better. Mr Osman Sidin reminded me of that today."

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by David Hoe 许德财 (@davidhoesg)

Details of the incident

The incident first came to light after photos shared on Xiaohongshu showed police cordoning off the area, with bloodstains visible on the ground.

An officer could be seen speaking to several people at the scene.

Additional photos posted on the "SG News Warehouse Sale & Events" Facebook page appeared to show workers cleaning the area after the incident.

In response to Mothership's queries, the police said they received a call for assistance at Block 441B Clementi Avenue 3 at around 12:20pm on Aug. 10.

When the police arrived, officers found a 34-year-old man lying conscious with injuries believed to have been self-inflicted.

Separately, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the man was subsequently conveyed to the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment.

While Osman did not suffer any injuries, he was also conveyed to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Police investigations are ongoing.

A woman in Shanghai bought a limited edition designer bag on a second-hand platform, only to discover it was the same bag that had gone missing from her own home the year before.

According to HK01, the woman, surnamed Li, walked into Hongmei police station in Shanghai's Xuhui district in early April holding the bag she had just received.

She told officers: "This bag I bought online is actually the one that was stolen from me earlier!"

The bag that vanished

In early 2025, Li spent 40,000 Yuan (S$7,588) on a designer bag she had wanted for a long time. She carried it once, then left it in the entryway by her front door.

More than six months later, it struck her that she had not seen the bag in a long time. She searched everywhere at home and could not find it.

Many people had been in and out of her home, including a home organiser and a cleaner. Still, Li never suspected that the bag might have been stolen.

She would occasionally grumble about it to friends, saying the bag had vanished into thin air.

The offhand complaint that cracked the case

One of her friends got curious and searched for the same model online, and a listing came up.

Everything about it matched: the style, the condition and how it looked. It even included a note saying it had been bought in Japan.

Li told HK01: "I did have my suspicions at the time. But I really liked this bag, so buying it back made me feel better."

In late March, she paid just over 20,000 Yuan (S$3,794) for the listing.

When the bag arrived, she became even more convinced it was hers. However, she had no way of proving it as she couldn't find the original receipt.

Some time later, her sister came across a small card. It was the original receipt, with the bag's unique serial number printed on it, and the numbers were an exact match.

Resold five times

The police traced the transaction history on the platform and found the bag had been resold five times, travelling from Shanghai to Guangzhou before ending up back in Shanghai.

Eventually, a familiar name surfaced. It was Zheng, one of Li's close friends.

Four months as housemates

In February 2025, Li was struggling after a breakup. Zheng had just arrived in Shanghai with nowhere to stay, so Li invited Zheng to move in.

Zheng helped her through it, and with Li's support, Zheng found her footing.

Zheng stayed for four months, moving out in June 2025.

Two days later, the bag appeared online.

According to HK01, Zheng had allegedly breached a work contract and was facing more than 100,000 Yuan (S$18,972) in compensation.

Unable to come up with the money, Zheng took the bag on the day he left and sold it for 10,000 Yuan (S$1,897).

"Have a good look around the house"

When Li first realised the bag was missing, Zheng had been among those reassuring her.

Zheng told her: "You're always misplacing things anyway. Have a good look around the house, you'll find it."

Zheng is now facing criminal proceedings brought by Xuhui police on suspicion of theft.

From Aug. 31, 2026, all National University of Singapore (NUS) students, faculty and staff members will have access to ChatGPT Edu by OpenAI.

In a press release on Aug. 11, NUS announced that the move further strengthens its growing portfolio of AI (artificial intelligence) platforms and services.

Unlike free ChatGPT, ChatGPT Edu provides NUS with broader access to core capabilities within a secure, university-managed environment with stronger privacy, security and administrative controls.

Conversations and data within the NUS workspace are not used to train OpenAI’s models.

Compulsory course for freshmen

To ensure all incoming NUS students achieve AI literacy before they start their courses, foundational AI competencies are built through the Transition to Higher Education (T.H.E.) Programme.

Starting from academic year 2026/27, "THE1008 Applied Generative AI: From Prompting to Evaluation" will be a compulsory module for all first-year undergraduates.

This ensures every student gains practical skills in effectively interacting with large language models (LLMs) and multimodal AI before they begin their coursework, NUS said.

NUS also said it will ensure all students achieve AI fluency when they graduate through the deliberate integration of AI competencies at every stage of their studies in their common curriculum and major.

This enables students to be confident in deploying AI tools strategically, critically interpret AI-generated results and apply AI thoughtfully within their disciplines.

This approach equips all NUS graduates with the latest AI expertise and its application across interdisciplinary subject domains while amplifying human-centred skills, such as critical thinking, judgement and sense-making.

Students will also be ready to use AI for analysis, problem-solving and creative work.

Expansion

During its initial phase, ChatGPT Edu will be strategically piloted in some selected courses.

These resources are designed to empower students, faculty and staff, fostering innovation, accelerating research and addressing complex challenges with greater depth and efficiency.

These advanced tools will then be progressively made available for undergraduate courses.

This expansion builds on the earlier collaboration with NUS School of Computing, which began in March 2026, providing computing students access to OpenAI’s software development tools.

The collaboration now enters its next phase, scaling access and enablement across the university.

Students will also have opportunities to participate in hackathons and build days focused on AI-enabled solutions.

These activities will give students across disciplines opportunities to develop ideas, work on real-world problems and connect with OpenAI’s global networks and communities.

“This collaboration with OpenAI provides NUS staff and students the access to advanced AI capabilities in a governed and responsible manner. Complementing NUS' in-house built AI-Know platform, OpenAI's tools will strengthen our operational capabilities, drive smarter digital services and more efficient administration that benefit our entire community,” said Tan Shui-Min, NUS chief information technology officer and vice president.