The CEO of RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO), the operator of the long-awaited Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, shared about the engineering challenges that the project faces.

Marzuki Ariffin wrote in a post that while the RTS Link seems "relatively straightforward" as it has only two stations, the challenges that it faces require "careful engineering".

Marzuki stated that the viaduct had a 3 per cent gradient.

Trains have to descend along this slope from the bridge's higher point down to ground level.

However, he pointed out that this adds further design considerations to ensure that the train is able to maintain a safe speed and stop smoothly and accurately.

This requires careful coordination of the track design and braking and signalling systems, he claimed.

Another challenge comes in the form of wet weather, as rain reduces friction and affects how trains accelerate and brake.

"This is just one example of the engineering solutioning that must be accomplished for every safe and comfortable journey. It involves many hours of design thinking, testing and teamwork."

He then thanked the partners and stakeholders involved in the project, including Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Malaysia's Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).

RTS opening delayed till Feb. 2027

RTSO is a joint venture between Malaysia's Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and Singapore's SMRT Corporation. They own 52 and 48 per cent of the venture respectively.

Marzuki's comments come in the wake of a further delay announced for the RTS Link project on Friday (Oct 2).

Initially slated to open by the end of December 2026, the opening date was delayed to February 2027.

More time is needed to obtain independent safety certification and secure regulatory approvals, the Singapore and Malaysia authorities said.

History

The RTS project has been delayed and restarted several times over more than a decade.

Plans were discussed and initiated since 2010 and finally signed in 2018, but suspended from 2019 to 2020 after Malaysian political party Pakatan Harapan (PH) formed a new government and curbed spending.

It was then restarted with a final targeted opening of end-2026, before the most recent wave of delay.

Those caught rummaging through public refuse bins, removing items from them, or leaving or spilling waste on the ground could face legal action, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.

Fu was responding to a parliamentary question from PAP MP Hazlina Abdul Halim, who asked whether measures were in place to prevent unhygienic practices under the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS), and whether separate collection bins and facilities for liquid disposal would be provided at high-use locations.

BCRS was launched on Apr. 1, 2026.

Under the scheme, consumers are refunded 10 cents when they return their used eligible cans or bottles at Return Right Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) in Singapore.

NEA to take action

In a written reply, Fu said members of the public should do their part to keep shared spaces clean.

"Rummaging through public refuse bins, removing items from them, and leaving or spilling waste on the ground are against the law," she said.

She added that the National Environment Agency (NEA) will take action against those who commit such offences.

Fu also reminded the public that the RVMs are designed for the return of empty beverage containers.

As such, users should ensure that containers are emptied before they are returned.

As most users return their beverage containers responsibly and empty them beforehand, there are currently no plans to provide dedicated facilities for liquid disposal at RVMs, she said.

Earlier on Oct. 3, 2026, a photo of a man and child looking into a rubbish bin at night, which was posted on the Facebook page Complaint Singapore, sparked debate online.

According to the caption accompanying the photo, the pair were allegedly a father and son who were rummaging through the bin for BCRS containers.

For the past two years, a resident at Havelock Road says he has been frustrated by a neighbour's dog regularly pooping along the common corridor.

It would happen two to three times a week, sometimes outside his house — even though they are not right next to each other — and sometimes outside other neighbours' houses, the man told Shin Min Daily News.

According to Shin Min, video footage from Sep. 28 shows a Pomeranian running to the man's doorstep at 4am and defecating before leaving.

Issue still unresolved

The man claimed that he had submitted a complaint to various authorities over the years, but to no avail. They apparently advised him to install a CCTV camera outside his house to get evidence.

Initially, when the issue first began, he would talk to the dog's owner and ask him to clean up the poop.

But later, the man started to have difficulties walking, and was unable to approach the dog's owner directly each time it happened.

He had to resort to informing the authorities to come and clean it up instead.

That does not solve the root problem, the man said.

"We don't think that it's a problem to keep pets," he added, "but people need to take responsibility and ensure that the common areas are clean."

However, other neighbours Shin Min spoke to said the dog had not pooped outside their houses before.

Poop was tossed aside

In another video footage provided by the complainant, the Pomeranian again went to his doorstep to relieve itself on the evening of Aug. 11, Shin Min reported.

A man believed to be the dog's owner's son appeared on camera, and looked to be picking up the poop, then tossing it down the corridor.

That night, dog poop was allegedly found at another spot along the corridor, and the complainant had to ask the dog's owner's son to clean it up.

"The problem keeps happening," the man said. "I feel helpless and very troubled."

The dog's owner's response

The dog's owner, surnamed Lin (transliteration), explained to Shin Min that the problem arose because he has been unable to shut his front door completely.

He demonstrated this to the reporters. No matter how hard he tried to pull it shut, the door would still open, according to Shin Min.

"The door is faulty," he said. "I did not let the dog out on purpose, so it's not my fault."

He was also often exhausted after work to notice the dog slipping out, and his children did not pay much attention either.

However, his children would walk the three-year-old Pomeranian every day, he added.

"There's no way I would have specially trained the dog to go poop outside [the complainant's] house," Lin said. "As long as they inform us, we will go to clean it up."

A 22-year-old childcare teacher was charged for allegedly abusing seven two-year-olds under her care in September 2025.

She was handed 12 child abuse charges involving three girls and four boys on Oct. 5, The Straits Times reported.

Details about the teacher, the location of the alleged abuse and the children cannot be disclosed due to a gag order.

Forced-fed and hit the children

The woman allegedly abused the first victim on Sep. 23, using excessive force while trying to force-feed her, ST reported.

The woman is also accused of repeating her actions on Sep. 24.

On Sep. 25, she allegedly used a tambourine to hit a second girl’s head.

She is also accused of hitting a boy’s hands with a speaker on the same day, as well as pulling his hair and flicking his ears with her hands.

A fourth victim reportedly had his head pushed towards another child’s leg.

The teacher held on to his ears tightly and banged his head against another boy, the fifth victim.

On the same day, a sixth victim was said to have been hit on the left side of her body using a maraca, a musical instrument.

The woman also allegedly shook the girl.

The woman is accused of hitting a seventh victim on the head with a tambourine, and banged his head against the sixth victim’s “for no reason” as reported by ST.

She is expected to return to court on Nov. 2.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is investigating 77 persons for unlicensed moneylending activities following an enforcement operation from Sep. 21 to 25.

In a press release on Oct. 6, the SPF stated that the five-day operation was carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and seven Police Land Divisions (PLD) islandwide.

According to preliminary investigations, of the 77 persons, seven had harassed debtors at their houses, and 38 were runners who assisted in unlicensed moneylending by carrying out ATM transfers.

Another 32 had opened bank accounts and provided access, such as through ATM cards, giving their PIN numbers or internet banking tokens, to unlicensed moneylenders.

All 77 persons are currently being investigated.

Penalties

Under the Moneylenders Act 2008, if a phone line, bank account, ATM card or internet banking token of any person is used to facilitate moneylending by an unlicensed moneylender, that person is presumed to have assisted in unlicensed moneylending.

First-time offenders can receive up to four years' imprisonment, a fine of not less than S$30,000 and not more than S$300,000, and up to six strokes of the cane.

For those found guilty of committing or attempting harassment on behalf of an unlicensed moneylender, first-time offenders can be meted up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of not less than S$5,000 and not more than S$50,000, and between three to six strokes of the cane.

Those that allow their bank accounts to be used by unlicensed moneylenders may also be barred from using ATM and internet banking facilities for a year.

Foreigners who borrow from or aid unlicensed moneylenders will have their student or work passes revoked and be deported from Singapore after their sentence.

Enforcement action

The Police said that it will continue taking enforcement actions against those who assist unlicensed moneylending syndicates.

It also urged the public to avoid unlicensed moneylenders and to refrain from working with or assisting them in any way.

Such moneylenders are known to persistently and dangerously harass borrowers and their families, such as through setting fires, splashing paints at their homes, and using chains or bicycle locks to lock gates and confine occupants.

Members of the public can call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or go to www.police.gov.sg/i-witness if they suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in unlicensed moneylending activities.

All information provided will be kept confidential.

British author Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86.

He died “suddenly and peacefully” at his home on Oct. 5, BBC reported.

This was a day before the global release of his final novel, "Adam and Eve", publisher HarperCollins said.

Passed away a day before last book was out

The new book, like his bestseller "Kane and Abel", follows a pair of biblically named characters born on the same day to different social classes.

The upcoming novel, a love story and class commentary, follows the daughter of an earl who wanted a son so he could pass down his estate, and the son of a shepherd who wanted a daughter because he knew a son would be sent to war.

Archer said: “'Adam and Eve' has proved the most satisfying thing I have ever written.”

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, two sons, two granddaughters and three grandsons, his publisher said.

He has sold more than 300 million copies of his books worldwide over his five-decade writing career.

First major success

Archer was plunged into financial ruin in his 30s after some bad investments.

His debut novel, "Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less", was released in 1976.

His experience of almost becoming bankrupt inspired the book.

He subsequently spent 14 years and five months on Britain's Sunday Times bestseller lists and over five years on The New York Times bestseller lists, according to HarperCollins.

Scandal-plagued politician

Archer was also a scandal-plagued politician, AFP reported.

He climbed the ranks of Britain’s Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher.

He was appointed in 1992 to the House of Lords by her successor, John Major.

Archer was cast out of his political party just before he was jailed on perjury charges in 2001.

What led to jail time

In 1999, Archer was running for mayor of London when allegations emerged that he had lied in court during a libel case in the 1980s.

In the 1987 case, he had sued a newspaper, The Daily Star, that accused him of paying a sex worker and won £500,000 (S$846,200) in damages.

But a jury found that Archer had made up an alibi.

He was given a four-year jail sentence.

Archer was released early in 2003 after serving just over two years.

He returned to the House of Lords, but without any political affiliation.

There was no legal avenue to remove him from the upper house of parliament at the time.

He retired in 2024.

Thai authorities are investigating an elderly and psychiatric care facility in Kachanaburi after it was discovered that some of its patients are sleeping in beds enclosed by a metal frame.

Rooms enclosed by metal bars were also discovered.

The case apparently came to light after an elderly woman went on a television programme to accuse her son and daughter-in-law of tricking her into moving into the care facility in order to take over her business.

Woman's on-air allegations

According to Bangkok Post, the woman alleged that she was kept at the care facility against her will for more than two years.

While there, she was reportedly assaulted, threatened and forced to medicate.

She managed to contact her sister in secret and sought help leaving.

The woman's on-air allegations prompted the local authorities to visit the care centre on Oct. 5 evening.

Thai authorities find enclosed sleeping areas, beds

Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau released images of the facility from the visit, showing sleeping areas fitted with metal cages and padlocks, Thai PBS World reported.

The perimeter of the complex also had barbed wire and steel frames.

Elderly patients were also found sleeping in beds enclosed by a metal cage bolted to the bed frame.

Necessary permits and licenses obtained, says owner

According to the facility's owner, the facility was opened in 2006.

It became a registered facility caring for elderly and dependent patients in 2021, Bangkok Post reported.

These patients include those receiving psychiatric and rehabilitative care.

The owner also said that necessary permits from relevant authorities have been obtained.

The centre's license was presented to officers during the inspection.

92 patients are currently housed at the facility, 75 of whom are male and 17 female.

Of these, a total of 81 are receiving psychiatric care.

19 caregivers are employed there.

The owner explained that those with severe psychiatric conditions are housed in rooms fitted with steel-bar enclosures as they may damage property, self-harm or wander about.

Local police are continuing with their investigations, Bangkok Post wrote.

A police officer in Shanghai has drawn praise online after firmly but politely telling a foreign tourist not to touch her while they posed for a photo.

The encounter took place at the Bund during China’s National Day holiday, according to Sing Tao Headline.

The officer was identified as Qian Xueying, a member of Shanghai’s special police unit.

Agreed to photo, declined physical contact

In videos circulating on the Chinese social media platform Douyin, a tourist can be seen approaching Qian while she was on duty to ask if he could take a photo with her.

She agreed, but while they were posing, he placed his arm around her shoulders.

Qian stepped slightly away and politely said: “Don’t touch me.”

The tourist can be seen pulling back his arm.

Qian then continued posing for the photo.

After the photo was taken, the two thanked each other and the tourist left.

Praised for setting boundaries

The video drew praise online, with commenters commending Qian for remaining courteous while making her boundaries clear.

Several highlighted her composure and measured response to the tourist’s gesture. Others praised her for being gracious and principled, expressing support for her decision to draw the line at physical contact.

Former sprinter

Qian was an athlete before becoming a police officer.

According to a June 2025 profile published on The Paper’s Pengpaihao platform, she and her teammates won silver in the women’s 4x100m relay at China’s national athletics championships in 2019.

She now serves in the Shanghai Public Security Bureau’s special police unit.

After joining the police, she placed first in the obstacle event at a Shanghai special police skills competition and earned recognition as an exemplary officer.

HK01 reported that she had previously attracted attention online, with foreign tourists often queuing to take photos with her.

A 19-year-old woman, a student, was found dead in a rental house in Kuantan, Malaysia on Oct. 6.

Police responded to a call from the suspect at about 4:30am, reported Malay Mail.

The suspect, a 19-year-old man, reported a fight between him and his girlfriend, according to Sinar Harian.

Officers were dispatched to the house in Jalar Air Putih 2 and found the girl unconscious in a room on the ground floor.

Examinations by a forensic specialist found signs of pressure on her neck, and she was subsequently pronounced dead.

In a romantic relationship

The suspect and victim were in a romantic relationship and rented two rooms with two other students at the guesthouse where the incident occurred, China Press reported.

The suspect was reportedly extremely jealous and would feel unhappy whenever the victim talked to other people.

According to China Press, a heated argument was heard inside the apartment early that morning, prompting their roommates to go over and stop the argument.

However, they were apparently unable to intervene further.

The suspect has since been brought before the Kuantan Magistrate’s Court, where he has been remanded for seven days.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out to determine the cause of death.

On the back of proposed amendments to the Finance (Income Taxes) Bill, several members of parliament took the opportunity to bring up the topic of inheritance tax.

MPs Elysa Chen and Shawn Loh in particular called for taxes for people who own multiple properties, amid growing concerns about wealth inequality in Singapore.

Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said that such topics "actually go beyond the scope of this bill", and encouraged members to file parliamentary questions at a later sitting.

S'pore not a game of monopoly: Elysa Chen

Speaking ahead of the reading of the Bill on Oct. 6, Chen said that "hoarding"  properties can worsen inequality at the expense of other Singaporeans.

"A home is not like other assets. If someone buys gold or shares, no young couple is worse off," she said.

"But in land-scarce Singapore, when one person holds a fifth or 10th residential property, it takes away another family's chance at a home."

She pointed to a family dispute at High Court last year, in which a woman was found to own 25 properties despite registering them partly in her children's names.

Chen added that while the government has introduced at least 15 rounds of property cooling, residential property prices have risen in a manner out of proportion to real wages.

In addition, as Singapore has no inheritance tax or capital gains tax, the property can appreciate across a lifetime, and compound as an asset over generations.

"The young couple at the viewing, bidding against an investor who already owns four properties, is not competing on equal terms. They are competing against accumulated advantages, built up over decades," she said.

Wealth should flow

Chen said that Singaporeans already accept the logic of contributing more for more properties, with the additional buyer's stamp duty.

But she called for the same logic to continue "beyond the day of purchase, and into the years of holding".

For instance, rental income tax rates could increase progressively with an individual's third property and beyond, barring the first two for occupation and investment.

Chen pointed out that this is not a call for Singaporeans to "resent success", but for wealth to flow into industry instead of being hoarded in housing.

"Wealth packed in housing is not flowing and building anything else...

Let us make it less attractive to hoard homes, and correspondingly more attractive to put money into venture capital, into private capital, into our SMEs, into companies listed on the SGX, into funds managed in Singapore."

She hence asked the government to study a progressive holding tax on multiple investment residential properties.

Wealth divide 'one of greatest challenges of our time': Shawn Loh

Loh called the growing wealth divide "one of the greatest challenges of our time".

He said that if the problem worsens, the government should be prepared to increase property taxes further to reduce income inequality across the generations.

In particular, he suggested that the government consider two things: Property taxes on higher-value investment properties, and taxes on wealth "that is not earned but inherited", namely an inheritance tax.

Should property owners wish to reduce their tax obligations, they have the option to contribute to charitable causes, he pointed out.

Collective success

Loh added that much of Singapore's wealth is stored in property.

However, the increase in property value is due to the nation's collective success, rather than the efforts of the property owners alone.

As such, it follows that part of the increase in property values "should be shared with those that have less".

"Mr Speaker, taxation is a politically sensitive policy area. As it involves government taking from some and redistributing it to others, no one can be entirely happy about it.

But we must accept that no one is successful on his or her own. We must accept that we need to support one another and ensure fair access to opportunities for those who are not related to us by blood or name, but who are part of this same country that we live and work in."