What's happening around you
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Betty Benafee and brother apologise in Johor Bahru High Court
Singer Betty Benafee and her brother Shakib Abu Bakar Banafee made a public apology at the Johor Bahru High Court after being found in contempt of an injunction over statements about a Johor shipping company. They must post the apology on Betty's social media within seven days and keep it up for a month.
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National junior doubles coach Cheh Chang rushed to hospital in Alor Setar
National junior doubles head coach Pang Cheh Chang was rushed to Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah after nearly fainting while overseeing a match at the National Under-19 Badminton Championship in Alor Setar, Kedah. He remained conscious throughout and is reported to be improving while under observation in hospital.
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40 youths join BH focus group on OMG digital content
About 40 participants joined a focus group session at the SPH Media Auditorium in Toa Payoh North on 16 September to discuss refreshing the digital content of Orang Muda Gitew (OMG). Participants included higher education students and young working adults who shared views on content, format and visual identity.
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Bioactivx launches 3D-printed synthetic skin substitute
A Singapore medtech start-up spun off from A*STAR and SingHealth has commercially launched a synthetic skin substitute called Bioactiv Matrix for severe burns and deep abrasion wounds. The product, made by 3D printing at its Block71 premises in Ayer Rajah Crescent, avoids animal-derived collagen and was granted regulatory approval by the Health Sciences Authority. Bioactivx had earlier raised US$3 million in funding and aims to expand regionally by 2027.
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Lorry driver trapped after two-lorry crash on Loyang Avenue
A 58-year-old lorry driver was trapped in his seat after two lorries collided on Loyang Avenue towards Tampines Avenue 9 at about 10.55am on Sept 16. SCDF freed him with hydraulic rescue equipment and he and his 46-year-old passenger were taken conscious to Changi General Hospital. Fourteen bus services were delayed by up to 20 minutes, and police investigations are ongoing.
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Four Johor schools contest DRB-HICOM pantun semi-final in Pontian
The southern zone semi-final of the DRB-HICOM and Harian Metro Pantun competition takes place at SMK Dato' Penggawa Barat in Pontian, Johor, tomorrow. Four schools - SMK Dato' Sulaiman, SMK Skudai, SMK Anjung Batu and the host school - compete for the Johor slot in the 29 September final. The competition is a strategic collaboration between DRB-HICOM and Harian Metro to revive the traditional pantun among students.
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Man to be charged with vandalism for throwing rock at Police Cantonment Complex door
A 44-year-old man was arrested after allegedly throwing a rock at the glass door of the Police Cantonment Complex in Singapore on Sept 15. The door shattered and the man, believed to be intoxicated, will be charged with vandalism on Sept 17.
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Sengkang woman fails in appeal against 18-year sentence for killing adoptive father
The Court of Appeal in Singapore dismissed Tan Qiu Yan's appeal against her 18-year jail term for culpable homicide in the killing of her adoptive father at their Sengkang flat. The court found her motive was a belief that her father was depriving her of the flat her late mother had promised her.
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Singapore PC prices jump up to 40% as AI data-centre demand squeezes memory and GPU supply
PC prices in Singapore have risen by up to 40 per cent, with average laptop prices hitting S$1,650 in the second quarter of 2026, 26 per cent higher year-on-year. The surge is driven by a global shortage of memory, storage and graphics cards as AI companies buy up components for data centres. Retailers at Sim Lim Square report sales falls of 20 to 80 per cent, and IDC expects prices to stay high through 2027.
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Chief Justice: Two years in remand before trial is unfair
Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said it is unfair for an accused person to wait more than two years in remand before trial, and that criminal cases worry him most because they involve a person's liberty. He said the government has agreed to set up a Judicial Academy for continuous training of superior court judges, speaking at a Johor Baru dinner.
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Databricks to invest S$445m in Singapore and double staff to over 500
American data and AI firm Databricks will invest more than US$350 million (S$445 million) in Singapore and double its workforce to over 500 within three years. The company, which runs its Asia-Pacific and Japan headquarters here, will move into a 32,000 sq ft office at IOI Central Boulevard Towers in November and train 20,000 people in data and AI skills. New local customers include iFAST, Singtel and Singapore Customs.
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Jackson brings Thailand know-how to Sailors' ACL2 opener against BG Pathum
Lion City Sailors begin their AFC Champions League Two campaign against BG Pathum United at Jalan Besar Stadium on 17 September. New coach Mark Jackson, who previously led Buriram United, said he already knows the Thai side's style of play. Captain Hariss Harun said past results against BG Pathum mean little going into the match.
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One-metre beehive found on tree in Bukit Batok, residents worry about stings
A one-metre-long beehive was found hanging on a tree in Bukit Batok, Singapore, about two storeys above the ground. Residents reported bees flying around and entering their homes, and the matter has been reported to the town council via the OneService app.
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Man jailed 27 months after cannabis parcel intercepted at SingPost Centre
A 28-year-old Singapore permanent resident was sentenced to two years and three months' jail after a parcel containing about 136g of cannabis was intercepted at the SingPost Centre in Eunos Road in September 2025. Anton Andrievsky had ordered the drug from overseas via Telegram and had it sent to his Toa Payoh flat using the previous owner's details. He pleaded guilty to one count of attempted drug possession.
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4,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes seized at Tuas; Malaysian driver held
Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority stopped a Malaysia-registered trailer at Tuas Checkpoint on Sept 4 and found 4,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden under a load of concrete piles. The 26-year-old Malaysian driver was arrested and handed to Singapore Customs with the seized cigarettes.
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Semangar water plant in Johor adds 50 million litres a day, due January 2027
A RM74.95 million package plant at the Semangar Water Treatment Plant in Kota Tinggi, Johor is expected to be completed on 10 January 2027, adding 50 million litres of treated water a day. Physical progress stands at 57.68 per cent, ahead of schedule, to support demand in Sedenak, Kulai, Senai and Johor Bahru.
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Air-con compressor dangles from Tampines HDB block, removed in under three hours
An air-conditioner compressor was left hanging from a fifth-floor HDB flat in Tampines on Sunday afternoon after its bracket partially came loose, held only by pipes and cables. A town council worker and police cordoned off the area below, and the bracket and compressor were removed within about three hours. Flat owners can be fined up to S$20,000 under Building Control Regulations if such units fall due to poor maintenance.
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PM Wong launches Connect by SWDA at SkillsFuture Festival
At the Lifelong Learning Institute in Singapore, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong launched Connect by SWDA, a new careers and skills service centre run by the merged Skills and Workforce Development Agency. He said firms must plan for their workers at the same time as they transform, rather than leaving workforce issues to HR after business decisions are made.
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SWDA launches 200 AI courses and Connect centre at Lifelong Learning Institute
Singapore's Skills and Workforce Development Agency rolled out over 200 AI-related training courses on Wednesday, with free six-month subscriptions to premium AI tools for eligible citizens. It also opened Connect by SWDA, a careers and skills service centre at the Lifelong Learning Institute, which Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said will make support easier to navigate.
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Keretapi Sarong 2026 in Johor Bahru draws over 500 participants
Over 500 participants in traditional attire joined the Keretapi Sarong Johor Bahru 2026 on Malaysia Day, travelling from Kulai KTM Station to JB Sentral before a parade into the city centre. Johor's Unity, Heritage and Culture Committee chairman Pannir Selvam flagged off the group at the MBJB building. The event is expected to draw about 5,000 visitors with cultural performances and community activities.
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Buriram hold JDT to 1-1 draw in Iskandar Puteri
Buriram United drew 1-1 with Johor Darul Ta'zim in the AFC Champions League Elite East Zone at Stadium Sultan Ibrahim, Iskandar Puteri. Buriram coach Mario Silva praised his players' commitment after playing with 10 men following captain Kenneth Dougall's red card in the 57th minute.
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150 Indonesians deported from Pasir Gudang over immigration offences
A total of 150 Indonesians were sent home through the Pasir Gudang International Ferry Terminal yesterday, most for immigration offences such as overstaying and working without a valid permit. The deportation was carried out with cooperation between the Malaysian Immigration Department and Indonesian authorities, and the Johor Bahru Indonesian Consulate has helped repatriate 4,166 Indonesians since January 2026.
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Man caught on CCTV wrecking Orchard Central store, damage estimated at S$1,000
A man was caught on CCTV trashing the Henri Charpentier store at Orchard Central at about 4am on Sep. 13, throwing furniture and shouting while apparently intoxicated. The store's operator is seeking about S$1,000 in compensation and has lodged a police report; investigations are ongoing.
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Ex-commando recalls Op Subuh at Bukit Jenalik
A former member of Commando 69, Zol'aini Sabar, 68, said Malaysia's peace today is the result of soldiers' sacrifices. He recalled the Bukit Jenalik tragedy in Kuala Kangsar on 2 July 2000, when the Al-Maunah group that stole weapons from the Wataniah Regiment camp in Gerik fortified itself there, triggering Op Subuh. Two security personnel died in the operation.