5 months ago
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has urged eligible Singaporean citizens to "make good use" of the $100 credit available in the government's SG Culture Pass initiative, which launches on 1 September. The credits can be used to offset ticket costs for local arts and heritage activities.
Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER11 updates
SG Culture Pass rolls out 1 Sept: Where can you spend your $100 credit?
Every Singapore citizen aged 18 and above in 2025 will be eligible to receive $100 in credits which can be used to offset ticket costs for local arts and heritage activities.
The SG Culture Pass initiative launches on 1 September and was announced during Budget 2025 in February. "I hope all of you make good use of the pass," said PM Lawrence Wong in a video on his social channels today (25 August).
"Explore something new, support our artists, and cultural practitioners. Most of all let us celebrate the richness of our shared culture and all that makes us uniquely Singaporean," Wong said.
To use the credits, go to sgculturepass.gov.sg and log in via your Singpass account.
The full list of events eligible for the SG Culture Pass credits only goes live on 1 September but the Straits Times has published an article offering a sneak peek at some of the programmes.
Top jobs paying highest median salaries in Singapore
Flying instructors are Singapore’s top earners by median gross monthly salary. (Photo: Getty)
Flying instructors earn the highest median gross monthly salaries in Singapore – soaring above the competition with a whopping $20,000.
The data, from the latest Occupational Wage Survey by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), had foreign exchange brokers as second highest earners with a median gross monthly salary of $19,750.
In-house counsels were third on the list with a median gross monthly salary of $17,972 while commodities traders ($16,000) and chief information/technology/security officers ($15,258) rounded up the top five.
Top 5 jobs paying the highest median gross monthly pay:
Flying instructor (except air force): $20,000
Foreign exchange broker: $19,750
In-house counsel (except judiciary, ministries and statutory boards): $17,972
Commodities trader (excluding oil and bunker): $16,000
Chief information/technology/security officer: $15,258
Flying instructors at the 75th percentile earn $30,000 while those at the 25th percentile earn $8,050, making this the profession with the widest pay gap at the middle level. You can read the in-depth report by the Straits Times on this toin the link.
The MOM survey was conducted from July to December 2024. More on the coverage and methodology, here.
Mon, 25 August 2025 at 5:23 am GMT-4
5-star luxury hotel listing in Pasir Ris most likely a scam: Report
Photos of the supposed 5-star luxury hotel in Pasir Ris appear suspiciously AI-generated. (Photo: Sky Marine Hotel Singapore/Google)
A listing for a 5-star luxury hotel in Pasir Ris is likely to be a scam, according to a report by Mothership.
The Sky Marine Hotel Singapore, as stated on its website, is located at 93 Pasir Ris Coast Industrial Park 6, Industrial Park, Singapore 519556. Mothership said they visited the site on 24 August to "check out the hotel" and could not find any proof of its existence.
The website for the hotel has options for customers to book rooms including a single room priced at $279 per night, or you could opt for the oddly cheaper suite room at just $119 per night which appears to be open-air and placed near a mountaintop, based on the AI-generated image.
We won't link to the hotel's website here but you can read more about it in Mothership's report.
Mon, 25 August 2025 at 4:35 am GMT-4
How Henry Golding went from sweeping floors to walking Hollywood red carpets
Henry Golding, Uma Thurman and Charlize Theron attend the Los Angeles Premiere of 'The Old Guard 2' at Netflix Tudum Theater in June. (Photo by Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images)
Henry Golding recently spoke to Fortune about his acting career as well as his first real passion – which is hairdressing.
The star of US$240 million box office hit 'Crazy Rich Asians' recalled his first job in England, sweeping the floors of hair salons. "I started in a barber shop when I was 14, 15 years old just cleaning hair as a job for pocket money. I remember a day’s work was like 24 pounds,” Golding said. "Child labour, classic. But it got me into hairdressing. It will always be my first passion."
Golding, who was born in Sarawak, eventually left the UK to return to Malaysia to become a TV travel host. Hollywood director John Chu found clips of Golding on YouTube and made him an offer he simply couldn't refuse, or at least couldn't keep on refusing.
You can read Henry Golding's full interview with Fortune, here.
Mon, 25 August 2025 at 3:41 am GMT-4
Did you see today's sun halo over Singapore?
Onlookers taking photos of a sun halo at Clementi on 25 August. (Photo: ST)
Singapore social media was ablaze today (25 August) with mesmerising images of a sun halo.
The ring of light appeared in the sky over Singapore around midday, with many amateur photographers eagerly sharing their striking snaps of the natural phenomenon on social media platforms shortly afterwards.
A sun halo forms when sunlight interacts with ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Andrew Teo posted this image of the sun halo from Seletar Aerospace Park. (Photo: CloudSpotting & SkySpotting Singapore /FB Group)
The halo is safe to look at with the naked eye but it is not advisable to stare directly at the sun without proper protection for a prolonged period.
Mon, 25 August 2025 at 2:43 am GMT-4
HSA to relook sentencing submissions for all vape offences
HSA told it should relook sentencing submissions for both Kpod and normal vape offences. (Photo: Getty)
Prosecutors from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) will re-examine sentencing submissions for all vape cases – including those not involving Kpods, it has been reported.
HSA prosecutor Jolene Chia informed a district court on Monday – as reported by CNA – that District Judge Wong Li Tein had given directions to HSA "as a whole" that it should relook sentencing submissions not just for Kpod offences but for normal vape offences as well.
Kpods are vapes which contain anaesthetic agent etomidate, which will be listed in the Misuse of Drugs Act from 1 September. The move is in line with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally promise where he said the Government will take much tougher action against vaping and treat it as a drug issue, with stiffer penalties to be imposed.
You can read more on the story CNA was covering here.
Mon, 25 August 2025 at 12:33 am GMT-4
Jeffrey Siow responds to Hossan Leong over post on cross-border commute challenges
Singapore is currently discussing cross-border transport solutions with Malaysia that will serve the needs of commuters as well as taxi and PHV drivers.(Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images)
Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow said that Singapore is in discussions with Malaysia on "how to do something that is legitimate" which serves the interests of commuters as well as taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers.
"This will take a bit of time as any agreement has to be mutually agreed between our countries and comply with laws on both sides. Will keep everyone updated on progress," he said
Siow made the comment in reply to a LinkedIn post by Johor Bahru-based actor Hossan Leong which highlighted how the crackdown on illegal cross-border ride-hailing services had "severely disrupted" the "delicate ecosystem" for daily cross-border commuters.
"Many who previously depended on PHV services to navigate between Singapore and Johor Bahru now face uncertainty," Leong said. "These services were a vital option for those who don't own private vehicles or prefer a more flexible, safe, and efficient transport method."
He added: "The existing Terminal to Terminal taxi service is not practical for many of us. It does not serve the majority of the commuters. And in my humble opinion, an out-of-date transport model."
Leong tagged Siow in his post – published on 23 August – which was titled 'Cross-Border Commute Challenges: A Call for Practical Solutions'.
You can read Hossan Leong's full LinkedIn post which also includes four recommendations, here.
Sun, 24 August 2025 at 11:19 pm GMT-4
PHOTOS: SM Lee shares snaps from Japan
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaking at Singapore’s National Day celebrations at the Osaka World Expo. (MDDI Photo by Betty Chua via Lee Hsien Loong/FB)
Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong is in Japan for a week-long working visit which includes attending SG60 celebrations at the Osaka World Expo as well as meeting political and business leaders in Tokyo.
Here are some snaps SM Lee has shared on Facebook since arriving in Japan last week. Photo captions are from his Facebook posts.
A wefie with Shimano-san! Thank you for the warm welcome. Besides being Chairman and CEO of the company, Mr Shimano Yozo also has a Singapore connection – he is our Honorary Consul-General in Osaka. (Photo: Lee Hsien Loong/FB)
The Shimano Advanced Manufacturing Facility is also home to the HCG office in Osaka. Singaporeans who require consular services are welcome to visit. I took the opportunity to get behind the counter as well during my visit. (MDDI Photo by Betty Chua via Lee Hsien Loong/FB)
Many would know of Shimano for their bicycle gears, but did you know that they make components for fishing rods as well as competitive rowing equipment? Besides being introduced to their manufacturing processes, I also got an up-close look at the numerous Shimano parts that go into building a road bike and fishing reels. (MDDI Photo by Betty Chua via Lee Hsien Loong/FB)
The sculpture in the distance is named “Sculptures of Dissipative Birds in the Wind”. The sculpture tracks the flight paths of birds during the day, which are then displayed on the sculpture at night. (Photo of TeamLab exhibit at Nagai Botanical Garden: Lee Hsien Loong/FB)
One of the more unique foods you can find in Japan are giant seafood crackers. Prawns and/or squid are added to a yellow batter, then pressed and cooked in a square-shaped iron press. The cracker is as large as my chest! (MFA Photo via Lee Hsien Loong/FB)
It’s quite common to bump into fellow Singaporeans in Japan, which has been a top destination for Singaporeans in recent years. I met Singaporean couple Lay Peng and Justin at Kuromon Market. Enjoy your holiday! (MDDI Photo by Betty Chua via Lee Hsien Loong/FB)
A toast to our enduring friendship at the lunch with Japanese and Expo 2025 officials. In his toast speech, Taro Kono, chairman of the Japan-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship League, shared how durians are now being grown in Okinawa! Glad to hear that a love for durians is another thing that Singaporeans and Japanese have in common! (MDDI Photo by Betty Chua via Lee Hsien Loong/FB)
53A’s performance inspired lots of enthusiastic flag waving! It is always heartening to see fellow Singaporeans singing along to NDP songs on occasions like this. (Photo: Lee Hsien Loong/FB)
Sun, 24 August 2025 at 10:48 pm GMT-4
3 men arrested for rioting following Toa Payoh brawl
Police were alerted to a case of fighting at Block 10B Lorong 7 Toa Payoh at 9.50am on 24 August. (Photo: ST)
Three men, aged between 21 and 30, were arrested for rioting after a brawl broke out in Toa Payoh on Sunday morning (24 August).
The police were alerted to the situation at Block 10B Lorong 7 Toa Payoh at 9.50am.
Footage of the incident circulating on social media shows punches being thrown along with tables and chairs.
Shin Min Daily News reported that another item which appeared to be a knife may have also been used as a weapon in the chaos.
Police arrested three men and said that efforts are under way to trace the remaining people involved in the fight.
Sun, 24 August 2025 at 10:20 pm GMT-4
Vietnam orders mass evacuations as Typhoon Kajiki intensifies
Broken tree branches stand in the way as Typhoon Kajiki brings strong winds and heavy rain in Sanya, Hainan Province of China. (Photo by Sun Qing/VCG via Getty Images)
Vietnam has ordered the evacuation of more than half a million people while the southern Chinese city of Sanya has closed businesses and public transport due to the threat of Typhoon Kajiki.
The storm is already packing winds of 166km/h (103mph) and is expected to strengthen further before making landfall in Vietnam early on Monday, weather forecasters quoted in a BBC report said.
AP reported that strong winds and heavy rain whipped southern China's Hainan island and nearby parts of Guangdong province on Sunday. The Xinhua News Agency stated that about 20,000 people were evacuated from potentially hazardous areas ahead of the storm.
Sun, 24 August 2025 at 9:21 pm GMT-4
Girl with rare genetic metabolic disorder fights against the odds
Francesca Lim (centre) has Methylmalonic Acidemia, a rare, genetic disorder of the liver. (Photo: ST)
Francesca Lim was four months old when she was diagnosed with Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA), a rare genetic metabolic disorder of the liver. The young girl is now aged 17 after battling bravely against the odds.
MMA affects the body’s ability to break down certain proteins properly leading to an accumulation of toxic substances such as methylmalonic acid. This can lead to serious health issues. In severe cases – many patients dying within 1.5 years.
"A baby who seems healthy at birth might suddenly become seriously ill – refusing feeds, vomiting, or becoming unusually drowsy," Associate Professor Tan Ee Shien told ST.
Professor Tan, who heads Genetics Service at KKH, added: "As MMA is so rare, doctors often investigate more common conditions first, leading to precious time lost in reaching the correct diagnosis. These delays are critical as symptoms often appear when the baby starts regular feeding, triggering a metabolic crisis."
Francesca is the seventh person living with MMA in Singapore. You can read her full story in the ST report – including the importance of newborn screening.
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