What's happening around you
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Singapore arts awards honour record 585 patrons; private giving hits S$89.5 million
Singapore's arts patron awards 2026 honoured a record 585 patrons, with total private sector contributions reaching S$89.5 million, the highest in a decade. Among the honorees was Vignesh Sundaresan, who received the Distinguished Patron of the Arts award for his support of the National Gallery and digital art preservation.
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NUS study: Sand with more oxygen helps microbes break down oil faster
A new study by the National University of Singapore found that microbes in well-drained, oxygen-rich beach sand degrade oil much faster than in waterlogged sand. The research, prompted by the 2024 oil spill, showed a 40% degradation rate in oxygen-rich conditions versus 5% in oxygen-poor conditions. The findings could help improve oil spill clean-up strategies.
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Wanyonyi wins Diamond League 800m final; Duplantis fitness doubt for Budapest
Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi won the men's 800m at the Diamond League Final in Brussels, clocking 1:41.80. Pole vault star Mondo Duplantis withdrew with a leg issue, casting doubt on his participation in next week's Ultimate Championships in Budapest.
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Singapore hands Nepal $560,000 aid package for flood relief
Singapore has given Nepal a humanitarian aid package worth about $560,000, including medical supplies and DNA test kits. The handover took place on Sept 4 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tanglin, as Singapore also deploys officers to help with disaster victim identification following devastating floods.
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PHV driver fined S$650 for touting at HarbourFront Centre taxi stand
A private-hire vehicle driver was fined S$650 for loitering and soliciting passengers at the HarbourFront Centre taxi point. Steven Gan Teck Guan was found guilty after a judge ruled he had touted for a S$65 fare in March 2024. He is out on bail pending an appeal.
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Man jailed 26 months for swapping fake diamond in Chinatown heist
A 30-year-old man was sentenced to 26 months and two weeks in jail in Singapore for stealing a real diamond worth US$154,000 from a Chinatown shop. He hid a custom-made fake diamond in his mouth and swapped it with the real one while an accomplice distracted the sales manager. Both were arrested at Changi Airport.
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Fire at Bukit Pasoh Road substation causes temporary power outage in Chinatown area
A fire at an electrical substation at 43 Bukit Pasoh Road in Chinatown on Sept 1 caused a temporary electricity disruption to some premises in the area. The Singapore Civil Defence Force extinguished the blaze, and power was fully restored by 5.25pm. No injuries were reported.
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Private-hire driver fined S$650 for touting at HarbourFront Centre taxi stand
A private-hire driver, Steven Gan Teck Guan, was fined S$650 for loitering at a taxi stand at HarbourFront Centre to solicit passengers without a booking. The case came to light after a passenger complained about being quoted a premium fare on the Grab app. Gan contested the charge but was convicted based on CCTV evidence.
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Dialog bags Aster's crude oil storage tanks job at Singapore's Pulau Bukom
Dialog Group Bhd's unit has won a contract from Aster Port & Terminals to expand crude oil storage tanks at Pulau Bukom in Singapore, increasing capacity by over 1.3 million barrels.
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Man jailed for hiding fake S$200,000 diamond in mouth during Chinatown heist
A man has been sentenced to jail for his role in a Chinatown heist involving a diamond valued at S$200,000. He concealed a fake replica of the gem in his mouth during the theft. The fake diamond was specially manufactured in Surat, India, to match the original's specifications.