Prosecutors close case against Hyflux founder Olivia Lum
Prosecutors have concluded their 54-day criminal case against Lum and five others over alleged failures to disclose material information about the Tuaspring water-and-power project. The prosecution called 22 witnesses and alleged Lum withheld information about the project’s dependence on electricity sales and exposure to volatile power prices.
Hyflux later collapsed, leaving about 34,000 investors with losses of roughly $900 million. The defendants will indicate whether they intend to argue there is no case to answer.
GovTech launches dating pilot to match public officers
Called FirstDate, the pilot aims to help public officers aged 21 to 35 find potential partners. Participants provide information about their interests, values, habits, and preferences before being matched using an algorithm. Both participants must agree before their contact details are exchanged.
The programme also offers suggested activities, known as “Date Quests”, for matched pairs. The initiative comes amid broader concerns about Singapore’s declining birth rate, later marriages, and rising proportion of people remaining single.
Bus, train fares to rise by up to 13 cents for adults
Adult commuters will pay 12 or 13 cents more for bus and train journeys from Dec 26, as fares rise by 7 per cent. Seniors, students and commuters with disabilities will see a 5-cent increase when paying by card, while cash fares will rise more.
The Public Transport Council said higher energy prices, linked to the Middle East conflict, were the main factor behind the increase. Monthly passes will remain unchanged, while lower-income households will receive larger transport vouchers.
About 60,000 more households to qualify for public transport vouchers
More commuters will qualify for public transport vouchers after the income ceiling was raised. The threshold for per-capita household income will increase from $1,800 to $2,100, while the voucher amount will rise from $60 to $80.
From end-December, those who received a voucher during the public transport vouchers exercise in 2025 and continue to meet the income eligibility criterion will automatically receive their vouchers.
Koh Poh Koon rejoins Singapore General Hospital (SGH) as colorectal surgeon
Former senior minister of state Koh Poh Koon is now a part-time visiting consultant colorectal surgeon. Dr Koh stepped down from political office in June, citing family considerations, and said he planned to return to medicine.
At SGH, he will resume clinical work and contribute to projects including the evaluation of Singapore’s first Toumai multi-arm surgical robot. Dr Koh previously held senior clinical and research positions at the hospital before entering politics, including work involving colorectal cancer.
HDB resale prices dip for third straight quarter
HDB resale prices declined by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter, extending a three-quarter run of price falls. The decline came despite the removal of the 15-month wait-out period for private-property owners buying resale flats from July.
Resale transactions nevertheless rose 5.2 per cent year-on-year to 7,528. Analysts pointed to increasing housing supply, including flats reaching their minimum occupation period, as one factor behind softer prices. Million-dollar resale deals continued to rise, reaching 597 transactions during the quarter.
Most young adults in S’pore want to have children but lack fertility knowledge
A study involving 1,035 Singaporeans and residents aged 18 to 39 found that 84 per cent hoped to have at least one child. However, many participants had limited understanding of fertility. Only 10 per cent answered all five basic fertility questions correctly.
Knowledge gaps included the way women’s egg supply changes with age and how male fertility is affected by ageing. Researchers also found that intentions about having children can change over time, with factors such as finances, relationships and personal circumstances influencing family plans.
One last snowfall as Snow City closes its doors for good
Snow City, Singapore’s first permanent indoor snow centre, has closed after 26 years of operation. The attraction opened in 2000 and attracted more than two million visitors over its lifetime, offering experiences such as artificial snowfall, snow slides and ice bumper cars.
Its final day was fully booked, with 1,400 tickets sold. Science Centre Singapore said the closure reflected changing visitor interests and the evolving attractions landscape. Staff and visitors gathered for a final farewell inside the snow chamber before the attraction shut for good.
Singapore Writers Festival unveils 2026 line-up
The Singapore Writers Festival returns from November 13 - 22 for its 29th edition, bringing together more than 300 writers, speakers and moderators across 200 programmes.
Organised by Arts House Group and commissioned by the National Arts Council, this year’s theme, Hidden in Plain Sight, explores how stories are revealed, obscured and reinterpreted across literature, media, and lived experience.
Deepavali light-up on Oct 3
It is that time of the year again when Serangoon Road transforms into a vibrant canvas of bright lights and intricate motifs for Deepavali. The official launch ceremony and light-up take place on Birch Road on Oct 3. There is also a lineup of new activities running throughout October and into early November. More details can be found on deepavali.sg.
