A man convicted of killing another man during a road rage confrontation in the United States will be resentenced.

This was after an appeals court ruled that an AI-generated video of the victim appearing sympathetic towards the accused should not have been shown at his sentencing.

Gabriel Paul Horcasitas, 55, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting and killing Christopher Pelkey, 37, during a confrontation at a red light in Arizona in 2021, BBC reported.

His legal team appealed the sentence, arguing that the judge should not have allowed the video, created by the victim's family, to be played in court.

Family used recordings and photos to recreate victim

Pelkey’s sister, Stacey Wales, told BBC in 2025 that the family used voice recordings, videos and photographs to create the AI version of her brother.

The video was shown ahead of Horcasitas’ sentencing in 2025.

In it, the AI-generated Pelkey addressed the man who killed him, expressing regret over their encounter and suggesting that they could have been friends under different circumstances.

The digital recreation also spoke about forgiveness and belief in a forgiving God.

The sentencing judge, Todd Lang, responded positively to the clip.

He thanked the family for the video and said he felt the forgiveness expressed in it was genuine.

Horcasitas’ lawyers subsequently challenged its use at sentencing.

Appeals court ruled video crossed a line

The Arizona Court of Appeals agreed that the clip had “crossed that line”, according to BBC.

The court said the video did not document an actual event or preserve something Pelkey had said.

Instead, it depicted the victim and attributed thoughts to him based on his sister’s imaginings.

Horcasitas will now be resentenced.

The ruling does not overturn the jury’s finding that he was guilty of killing Pelkey.

A family of six managed to escape a Punggol flat after a fire broke out in the bathroom in the early hours of Oct. 4.

The unit was occupied by Singapore host and content creator Juffri Alui and his family.

Fire in common toilet

Speaking to Mothership, Juffri said his wife was showering in the common toilet when she heard a crackling sound and detected a smoke smell.

He later saw flames at the LED light compartment that also housed wiring above the toilet bowl inside the bathroom.

Flames were seen trickling down as it appeared that the area on fire had melted.

Firefighters doused flames

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were alerted, and firefighters extinguished the fire using a fire hose located outside the home, Juffri said.

He later posted videos of the incident online in hopes of raising awareness about electrical safety issues.

Crackling sound and smoke smell

Juffri said his family of six had just returned from their trip to Johor Bahru, Malaysia and had put their four children, including their seven-month-old baby, to bed.

His wife was showering in the common toilet when she detected hints that a fire had started.

She alerted Juffri, and the couple decided to switch off the water heater while she quickly finished showering.

After she left the bathroom, Juffri said the smell of smoke grew stronger.

He went to investigate and saw a small fire at the LED light box.

He immediately told his wife to wake the children and evacuate the flat.

Juffri called 995 at 4:36am and remained inside briefly to monitor the fire while waiting for help.

SCDF arrived and put the fire out within 10 minutes.

Soot and ash were seen on the toilet bowl and floor of the bathroom in the aftermath of the fire.

SCDF checked that all six family members were accounted for and asked if any of them required medical assistance, Juffri said.

“Thank God we got out quick and all six of us are safe,” he added.

He said a similar incident previously occurred in the master bedroom, where the family noticed smoke and a crackling sound, although no fire occurred.

Juffri said his wife originally moved into the Built-to-Order (BTO) flat about two years ago.

It’s time to step into the world of Formula 1 (F1), and Suntec City is making sure your race experience meets all that and more.

From now till Oct. 18, 2026, the Atrium (Tower 3 and 4) will transform into a LEGO F1-inspired “Pit Stop Hub”, where fans, enthusiasts and families can get a taste of the racing action without breaking a sweat.

Plus, there are plenty of rewards for you to enjoy, but more on that later.

The LEGO F1 Experience The Thrill is free to enter and runs from 11am to 9:30pm daily.

Get up close with a life-sized VCARB F1 LEGO Big Build

If you’re an F1 fan, you will surely remember the F1 drivers driving life-sized LEGO minicars at the Silverstone circuit earlier this year.

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Instead of watching it through a screen, you’ll be able to see the life-sized Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) F1 LEGO Big Build that was previously driven by the VCARB team during the Miami Grand Prix Drivers’ Parade in 2025.

Made from more than 400,000 LEGO elements, it’s definitely a sight to behold.

Prove your F1 fan status

After checking out the centrepiece, you can also create a LEGO F1 Race Pass.

The LEGO F1 Race Pass will take you through four activity zones, with an e-stamp awarded upon the completion of each zone, putting your racing instincts, reaction speed and concentration to the test.

Here’s what the four zones are:

1. Gear-up Zone

You’ll get to study an F1 car steering wheel before racing against a 30-second countdown to put all its components in the right positions.

Get it right in time, and you’ll earn your first e-stamp.

2. Sprint Zone

Next, it’s a test to see if you possess the reflexes of an F1 driver.

Once the light starts changing, you’ll have exactly 10 seconds to hit the button at the precise moment when they all turn red. The top three participants can win LEGO F1 sets.

3. Speed Zone

Hop over and take on the virtual circuits, putting your speed, precision, and concentration to the test. It’s your chance to see whether all those hours of virtual racing have paid off.

4. Victory Zone

Every racer deserves a victory photo, so snap one alongside a LEGO F1 Racer Minifigure and share it on social media to collect your final e-stamp.

After completing the challenges and successfully collecting three out of four e-stamps, you can redeem a prize, while stock lasts.

Participants aged four to 12 will receive the LEGO Steering Wheel, while those aged 13 and above can take home a LEGO voucher.

More goodies for F1-goers

The F1 frenzy isn’t confined to the main activation area, with plenty more for you to explore and enjoy across Suntec City.

Bring home some keepsakes

If you’d like to bring home some F1 memorabilia, head over to the LEGO Certified Store (Bricks World) retail pop-up at the Atrium (Tower 3 & 4).

Open from 10.30am to 9.30pm daily, the pop-up offers an extensive selection of F1-related LEGO merchandise, think brick-built race cars and F1 creations.

All for that race-week photo dump

There will also be a huge mosaic wall, measuring 3m by 2m, built in partnership with Adult LEGO Fans as well as members of the public through a community building activity from Oct. 9.

Try spotting the LEGO McLaren F1 Team MCL38 Race Car, LEGO BWT Alpine F1 Team A524 Race Car and LEGO Audi Revolut F1 Team R26 Race Car on the finished mosaic wall.

But that’s not all the photo opportunities you’re getting.

There will also be 10 life-sized LEGO F1 Racer Minifigures peppered across Suntec City, which will form part of an interactive trail, LEGO 3D Racer Minifigure Hunt, where you can win prizes if you can hunt down all of them.

The F1 pit stop for everyone

Suntec City is making sure that all your needs are covered beyond the thrill of the race.

They will be rolling out a series of shopping and dining rewards during the activation period, Oct. 1 to 18, for Suntec+ Members.

Besides earning rewards based on their qualifying same-day spend (in a single transaction), members can also enjoy these perks:

• Free parking after 5pm on weekdays with a minimum spend of S$20
• Four hours free parking on weekends and public holidays with a minimum spend of S$80
• Enjoy a S$5 Suntec City e-Voucher with a minimum spend of S$120
• Enjoy a S$15 Suntec City e-Voucher with a minimum spend of S$180

There will also be up to S$45 F&B e-Vouchers (with varying minimum spend) available through the Suntec+ App Rewards Catalogue, valid from Oct. 1 to 31, while stocks last.

All you have to do is download the Suntec+ App to redeem them.

Participating outlets include Genki Sushi, HariAnns, LONGJING, Sushiro, TONSHOU, and more.

Depending on the outlets, you can redeem e-Vouchers ranging from S$10 to S$45 with a minimum spend.

And if you’ve got tickets to the actual F1 race, be sure to bring them along as you can enjoy additional exclusive deals throughout October when you flash your race tickets at participating stores.

Here are some promotions* to get you started:

• 20 per cent off at Fish & Co.
• 15 per cent off regular-priced genuine leather handbags at Rabeanco
• Free french fries with any main purchase at Fried Chicken Master
• 20 per cent off total food bill and complimentary premium soup base at COCA

*Check out the full T&Cs in store.

So while the actual F1 cars are wheezing around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Suntec City is bringing its own version of race week to the heart of the city.

This Suntec City-branded article made this writer excited to experience the thrill of the Formula 1 frenzy.

A Malaysian man went to Sepang International Circuit to watch the Formula One race, but ended up doing an endurance event of his own.

Gajen Nad, a comedian, decided to walk away from the venue after seeing the long shuttle bus queue on Oct. 2.

He made the decision despite it being nearly 10km to walk to Mitsui Outlet Park, Malay Mail reported.

The actual distance, based on what is shown on Google Maps, is closer to 9km.

He documented the 1.5-hour journey on Instagram, setting off at 6:25pm and reaching the outlet mall at 8:05pm.

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Thought walking would be faster

Gajen had attended the second practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

Faced with crowds waiting for shuttle buses, he figured walking would be the quicker option.

He compared the scene at 6:10pm to a “zombie herd” from "Train to Busan", adding that his video showed only about 30 per cent of the crowd.

He also joked that some foreign fans appeared unsure whether the pick-up point was in Bahrain or Malaysia.

Passed a river and solar farm

Along the way, Gajen crossed a bridge overlooking what he dubbed a “teh tarik river” and passed a solar farm.

The heat did not help.

He described it as “hotter than George Russell and Carlos Sainz together”.

As night fell, he joked that both the sky and his skin had darkened, with his sunscreen having given up at 2pm.

His final hurdle was crossing a highway in the dark — an experience he said left his “insurance policy shaking”.

F1 returns to Sepang

Sepang is hosting its first F1 race since 2017.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was relocated to Malaysia following disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

The race weekend runs from Oct. 2 to 4, with the main race on Oct. 4.

Adults in Singapore are consuming more sodium and calories.

This is due to them eating out more often, according to findings from the National Population Health Survey by the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the National Nutrition Survey by the Health Promotion Board (HPB).

The findings were announced on Oct. 3 by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung at the National Heart Week and World Heart Day event at Heartbeat@Bedok.

The health survey, conducted from August 2024 to July 2025, sought the responses of residents aged 18 to 74.

The nutrition survey, conducted from June to December 2025, polled residents aged 18 to 69.

Sodium consumption up

The nutrition survey found that 95 per cent of the Singapore residents surveyed have exceeded the daily recommended sodium intake limit.

It was 88 per cent in 2019.

The average daily sodium intake rose from 3,480mg in 2019 to 4,000mg in 2025.

4,000mg is double the daily recommended sodium limit.

Salt and sauces added during cooking are key sources of the increase.

The daily recommended sodium intake limit of 2,000mg is equivalent to one teaspoon of salt.

Ong said excessive sodium raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Mandatory Nutri-Grade labelling measures and advertising prohibitions will be extended to items such as salt, sauces, seasonings, instant noodles, and cooking oils, he added.

These products are the main contributors of sodium and saturated fat.

The labelling measures were initially scheduled to be introduced by mid-2027, but has been delayed to 2028.

This is to provide more time for businesses to reformulate their products, Ong said.

The median sodium content of some popular dishes served while eating out has gone up by about 10 per cent from 2023, it was discovered.

Intake of calories also up

The mean calorie intake has also risen.

It increased from 2,360kcal in 2019 to 2,460kcal in 2025.

Taking in 100 calories more than what the body needs daily could lead to around 5kg of weight gain a year, said Ong.

Weight gain increases the risk of obesity and heart disease, he noted.

The survey found that 57 per cent of the country’s population exceeded their daily recommended calorie intake after factoring in the energy needed for physical activity.

Eating out also up

According to the survey, seven in 10 reported eating out at least once a day.

This is up from six in 10 in 2019.

The frequency rose from eight times a week in 2019 to nine times a week in 2025.

Those who ate out two or more times a day consumed more calories, saturated fat, and sodium compared to those who ate out six times a week or less.

Sugar intake dropped

On the bright side, the National Nutrition Survey found that the daily total sugar intake had fallen from 60g in 2018 to 48g in 2025.

This is a drop of about 2.5 teaspoons of sugar daily, Ong noted.

"Our taste buds are changing, which is good," he said.

The percentage of respondents whose sugar consumption was within the daily recommended sugar limit went up from 61 per cent in 2019 to 79 per cent in 2025.

The daily recommended sugar limit is equivalent to about 50g, or 10 teaspoons, of sugar.

It should be no more than 10 per cent of total daily energy intake.

Ong attributed the change to people consuming less sugar from sugar-sweetened drinks.

This is due to consumers making a conscious shift towards lower-sugar options and industry reformulation.

Calories from commonly consumed dishes going up

HPB analysed 182 commonly consumed dishes and found their calorie and sodium content rose between 2023 and 2025/2026.

A serving of chicken rice, for example, saw its calories go up from 557 to 646.

Calories for nasi biryani rose even more from a higher base of 970 to 1,310.

Char kway teow saw its calories rise from 748 to 989.

More getting sufficient total physical activity

On a positive note, a greater proportion of residents are getting sufficient total physical activity.

The figure rose from 84.7 per cent in 2024 to 87.3 per cent in 2025.

But the survey also revealed that only 37.6 per cent did sufficient muscle-strengthening activities.

This proportion has stayed stable since 2020.

Participation in health screening for chronic diseases and cancers has also increased.

Four main tenants at Punggol East Container Park and neighbouring Tebing Lane will be offered a lease extension of up to one year, until the end of 2027.

Their current tenancies were due to expire on Dec. 31, 2026, with the site slated for residential redevelopment.

Development timelines adjusted

In an Oct. 3 Facebook post, Punggol GRC MP Yeo Wan Ling said she had met the relevant agencies to discuss businesses’ concerns about their expiring tenancies.

Following a review and adjustments to development timelines, the agencies were able to offer the extension to the four main tenants.

Yeo did not name the leaseholders.

The extension remains subject to tenancy and regulatory requirements.

It will give businesses more time to plan their transition and discuss arrangements with their subtenants.

Relocation plans

City Sprouts, the master tenant of Punggol East Container Park, previously said it received an official notice in May 2026 to vacate the site and complete reinstatement works within the stipulated timeline.

It has secured a new space at Pasir Ris Park, where its Punggol community farmers can relocate.

They can also move to its other community greenhouses across Singapore.

The enterprise also offered the main operator of the eateries the option of taking up stalls at its other locations in the east.

Businesses must still make alternative arrangements

Yeo told Lianhe Zaobao that the extension is intended to give affected businesses more time to make alternative arrangements.

Tenants must decide whether to accept the offer, meet regulatory requirements and coordinate with their subtenants and the authorities.

The Singapore Land Authority, JTC Corporation, National Parks Board (NParks) and Housing and Development Board (HDB) will continue helping businesses explore alternative premises, including available locations in Punggol.

Yeo said she hoped the additional time would help businesses prepare for the transition while allowing the community to continue enjoying the spaces.

What do you do if your wife leaves you and your 6-year-old son, forcing you to become a single father at the age of 27?

For single father Raymond Wong, it was a shock but also an inevitable outcome.

“I saw this coming when my son was around four to five years old. She didn’t bother. She would go out often and come back late at night, while I was busy working.”

His wife’s hands-off approach was a source of countless arguments between the couple, who eventually split, with Wong getting sole custody of his son, Rayden.

But it was just the first of a trifecta of misfortune.

Within the same period, both his mother and brother suffered strokes. While his mother recovered, his brother was not so lucky—after spending two months in the intensive care unit, he passed away.

“I told myself that I had to do it for my son.”

“Wah so many things happened that year. It was quite stressful,” Wong, who is now 32, recalled.

“Back then, I felt it was very unfair,” said Wong, who has been working as an AETOS auxiliary police officer (APO) for 11 years.

“But I had no choice, I couldn’t force my ex-wife to stay on. I had to keep a positive mindset. I told myself that I had to do it for my son.”

It helped that he had supportive superiors at work who empathised with him and advised him to take it on the chin.

Wang recalled his Officer Commanding (OC) Gary and Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Wee Poh encouraging him to “stay strong, keep going and not give up, especially when things were difficult”.

He said:

“Their support reminded me that difficult periods are temporary and that I should continue doing my best for my family. Sometimes, it was not even about giving advice, just having someone willing to listen and support me meant a lot.”

Threw himself into work

Faced with supporting his young son as well as his aged parents, Wong depended a lot on social support from the government and did not spend unnecessarily on himself.

“I started to quit smoking, drinking, eating out, buying things for myself, unnecessary shopping and personal wants,” he explained.

“For me, my son and my parents came first. There were times when I would rather go without something I wanted if it meant having enough for their needs. It was not always easy, but I felt that providing for my family was more important than having the things I wanted.”

He took on as much overtime as possible, determined to maximise his earnings and build greater financial stability for his family.

On the few rest days he had, he made time for what mattered most, bringing Rayden and his parents out for a jalan-jalan and a meal together.

The time with family was especially precious given the demands of his job. As an APO responsible for safeguarding key installations in Singapore, Wong knows that the work comes with significant responsibility.

For Wong, much of the satisfaction comes from working with a team of like-minded colleagues, as well as the camaraderie they share.

Lucky in love

And that was Wong’s life for the past 11 years.

Balancing work with the responsibilities of being a single father has not always been easy, but Wong prefers to focus on the support he has received along the way.

He speaks warmly of his son, Rayden, who has grown up understanding the demands of his father’s work, and of his parents, who have been an important source of support throughout the years.

AETOS also eventually became significant to him in another, more personal way too, as it was where he found love again

Over long hours spent deployed with his fellow APO Fahzirah, the two bonded over their love for hiking and watching movies.

In 2024, the two became an item.

Not only did Fahzirah not mind that Wong came with a young son, she actually hit it off with the boy, connecting over arcade games and food.

From the care and love that she showers on Rayden, the respectful way she communicates with Wong’s parents, to her willingness to drop everything to help someone—these qualities convinced him that she was his other half.

In early 2026, Wong and Fahzirah tied the knot.

It’s a beautiful milestone in Wong’s journey as a single father, one that coincides with his progression at work.

From his earliest deployments as an APO working with inmates, Wong has undergone several promotions, becoming a team leader and today, taking on more responsibilities.

Again, he shied away from tooting his own horn, but spoke warmly of how his supervisors saw his potential and encouraged him to pick up courses that developed his management skills.

They also gave him valuable career advice that allowed him to grow as a leader, and become more confident in handling people, operations, and difficult situations.

"They always reminded me to look at the bigger picture, take ownership of my responsibilities and continue developing myself. One thing that has stayed with me is the importance of not just completing a task, but understanding why we are doing it and how our decisions can affect the team and the operations."

Wong has also become more confident at home.

“I’ve accomplished many things that I didn’t know I could do—get a house of my own, own a motorcycle, feed my family, raise my son and get him into a good school.

“Looking back, I think I’m actually quite proud of myself.”

Interested in exploring a career at AETOS? Find out more here.

*Quotes were edited for clarity.

Thanks to this sponsored article by AETOS Holdings, this writer had a chance to be inspired by Raymond’s story.

The family of 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen, who was stabbed to death in a school in Selangor, Malaysia, has filed a civil lawsuit in the Kuala Lumpur High Court against government agencies, the male student involved, and his parents.

The mother, Wong Lee Ping, posted on Facebook on Oct. 4, explaining that they are filing the lawsuit not for vengeance, but to seek truth and accountability through legal proceedings.

This comes after the boy accused of stabbing Yap to death was acquitted after being found to be of unsound mind at the time of the incident.

The family said in a media statement that they hope to push for the relevant parties to value campus safety and student mental health issues:

"I will not get my daughter back. She is gone. However, considering all the facts that have emerged since her death, particularly from the criminal trial, I strongly believe that her killing could have been prevented had the relevant parties taken the appropriate steps."

Civil suit

Wong named several parties as defendants in the civil suit.

She said the family believes government agencies failed to take preventive measures on mental health issues in schools before matters escalated.

"The government has introduced many laudable policies and made statements on how mental health issues among students in schools should be addressed. However, policies and statements, without proper implementation, mean nothing," she wrote.

Parents of boy and boy also sued

The family is also suing the boy involved, as well as his parents.

Wong noted that the warning signs were "clearly there" and parents have a responsibility to take due care to ensure that their children do not harm others.

Saying that her daughter was "brutally and senselessly killed", Wong said there should be a full trial so that all stated issues can be properly heard and examined by the court.

Accountability

Wong added that she had sent her daughter to school on Oct. 14, 2025, expecting her to return home as usual.

“On that day, I lost a daughter, and my eldest daughter lost her sister,” she said.

She said the family wanted the relevant parties to be held accountable, adding that no mother or sibling should have to go through what her family experienced.

The mother also called for more concrete action to address mental health issues affecting children, saying that “grand statements and plans are insufficient”.

“We cannot wait until more lives are lost before proper action is taken,” she said.

Singapore government workers will not be paired with colleagues from the same agency when they sign up for the new dating pilot, FirstDate, by the Government Technology Agency (GovTech).

The pilot is open to unmarried public officers aged 21 to 35, GovTech told The Straits Times on Oct. 1.

GovTech had sought public feedback on the Singpass-verified proposed dating service in April 2026.

At the time, it was aimed at singles aged 35 and below.

The agency said it expected those aged 21 to 35 to be more likely to be actively dating and interested in trying the service.

A defined age range would also help the team test it with a more focused group.

Sign-ups close on Oct. 5

GovTech emailed public officers about the initiative on Sep. 29.

Registration closes on Oct. 5, with matching to begin afterwards.

FirstDate emerged from GovTech’s annual hackathon and was not commissioned by another government agency, GovTech told ST.

The agency has yet to decide whether the service will launch or expand beyond the pilot.

One match at a time

The Singpass-verified service pairs participants using questionnaire responses and the Gale-Shapley Stable Marriage algorithm, giving users one match at a time.

GovTech said the team wanted to test whether fewer matches, based on shared values and preferences, would encourage users to give each introduction more consideration.

The algorithm is also used by the Aphrodite Project, a matching initiative started by National University of Singapore (NUS) undergraduates in 2019.

Some questions felt restrictive

A 30-year-old teacher who signed up told ST that the questionnaire helped give a sense of a potential match.

However, he found the dealbreaker options — religion, smoking and dietary preferences — too limited.

He was open to dating someone of another religion, for instance, but did not want to convert.

He also hoped the service would include people outside the public service.

Compatibility still depends on meeting

Psychology experts told ST that matching could facilitate introductions, but could not guarantee chemistry.

Speaking to ST, Singapore Management University (SMU) Assistant Professor Kenneth Tan said offering one match at a time could reduce choice overload, while Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) Associate Professor Jean Liu noted that many aspects of compatibility only emerge when people meet.

Both stressed that users should be assured their data would not be shared with employers or other parties.

FirstDate’s website states that only an assigned match can view a user’s profile, and contact details are shared with mutual consent.

Users can deactivate their accounts and request that their information be removed.

A man in Taiwan discovered that the boy he had raised as his son was not biologically his after relatives and friends commented that they did not look alike.

He subsequently took his former wife to court to challenge his legal status as the boy’s father, Taiwanese news outlet China Times reported.

Became suspicious after divorce

The man, who lives in Pingtung county in southern Taiwan, married his former wife on Nov. 11, 2015.

The boy was born during their marriage.

The couple divorced on Jul. 4, 2024, after nearly nine years of marriage.

Following the divorce, relatives and friends remarked that the boy did not resemble him, prompting him to question whether he was the child’s biological father.

DNA test ruled out paternity

The man eventually took the boy for a DNA paternity test at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

The results ruled him out as the boy’s biological father, with their DNA reportedly failing to match at seven genetic markers.

He then filed a lawsuit with the Pingtung District Court to establish legally that the boy was not his child.

During the proceedings, his former wife did not dispute the DNA test results and acknowledged that the boy was not her ex-husband’s biological child.

However, she did not identify the biological father.

The court ruled in the man’s favour and ordered his ex-wife and the boy to bear the legal costs.