Latest news with #ex-DSTA
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Teen, 17, to be charged with allegedly trespassing on MRT tracks
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A video uploaded on social media, taken in dimly lit conditions, shows a train passing by on a nearby track. SINGAPORE - A 17-year-old teenage boy will be charged on July 3 with allegedly trespassing onto the train tracks along Upper Changi Road East in June. The boy will be charged with one count of wilfully endangering safety and one count of criminal trespass, said the police in a release on July 2. Police said they received a report on June 10 about a person who trespassed onto the MRT tracks between Tanah Merah and Simei stations. The teenager was subsequently arrested on July 1. After the teenager's alleged point of entry was identified, the Land Transport Authority immediately enhanced security measures at the location to prevent similar incidents from reoccurring, the police said. In early June, SMRT said it had filed a police report after footage that appears to have been taken from an MRT track were posted on social media. The video was taken in dimly lit conditions and shows a train passing by on a nearby track. The person filming it later moves closer to the train, before crossing the tracks. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore ByteDance food poisoning: Catering firm convicted after cockroach infestation found on premises Singapore Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat Singapore The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years Singapore Jail for ex-DSTA employee who shared confidential information with electrical firm manager Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Chelsea sign Brazilian Pedro from Brighton
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - April 12, 2025 Brighton & Hove Albion's Joao Pedro celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo Chelsea have signed forward Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion, both Premier League clubs said on Wednesday. Financial details were not disclosed, but British media reported that the deal was worth 60 million pounds ($81.54 million). "Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history," the Brazilian, who has signed an eight-year contract, said in a statement. "They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now. So I am excited to join and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing — win." The 23-year-old joined Brighton from Watford in 2023 and has scored 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 70 appearances for the south-coast club. He has also made three appearances for Brazil's senior team. Brighton head coach Fabian Huerzeler said it was an exciting move for Pedro. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore ByteDance food poisoning: Catering firm convicted after cockroach infestation found on premises Singapore Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat Singapore The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years Singapore Jail for ex-DSTA employee who shared confidential information with electrical firm manager Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home "It gives him the opportunity to play Champions League football this coming season, and he will of course be keen to cement his position in the Brazil team ahead of the World Cup next summer," Huerzeler said in a statement. Pedro is the fourth senior player to move from Brighton to Chelsea since 2022, following record signing Moises Caicedo, defender Marc Cucurella and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Chelsea added that Pedro had joined their Club World Cup squad in the United States, where he could be in line to make his debut in Friday's quarter-final against Palmeiras in Philadelphia. REUTERS
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
From camping to mentorship, Singapore scouts marks 115th anniversary of the youth movement
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox (From left) Ministry of Education Senior Education Officer Songguang Han and doctor Sunil Ravinder Gill at The Singapore Scout Association Headquarters on July 2. SINGAPORE – Thirteen years on, Dr Sunil Ravinder Gill still regards a camping trip gone wrong as one of the key highlights of his scouting experience. During a three day two night stay at Pulau Ubin, Dr Ravinder Gill's scouts unit found themselves caught in a thunderstorm that raged on for a day and night. 'Some of the emptier tents went flying and we had to chase it down…Mud was flowing into tents and bags were being soaked,' the 30-year-old medical doctor said. As the senior scout in charge of the outing, Dr Ravinder Gill , then a student from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), witnessed his fellow scouts' efforts in lugging all their camping equipment from mainland Singapore. He made the tough call to cancel the camp early for the safety of his fellow scouts. Still, experiences like these spurred Dr Ravinder Gill to continue scouting even after he left formal schooling. He now serves as the scout's national commissioner and assistant international commissioner, focusing on enhancing the scouting experience. Another scout, Mr Songguang Han said he was influenced by his family members and joined the youth movement in primary school. He has not looked back since. For being late on one occasion, he remembers being asked to run and touch a tree at the end of his school field repeatedly, as a punishment doled out by his seniors to instil the value of being punctual in the young scouts. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore ByteDance food poisoning: Catering firm convicted after cockroach infestation found on premises Singapore Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat Singapore The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years Singapore Jail for ex-DSTA employee who shared confidential information with electrical firm manager Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home While Mr Han , now 44, says this kind of punishment no longer happens, he said the values of teamwork and community spirit remain part of the scouting experience. Dr Ravinder Gill and Mr Han are among 115 recipients of a commemorative medallion in appreciation of their contributions to scouting, given in conjunction with the Singapore Scout Association's (SSA's) 115th anniversary and Singapore's 60th birthday. The awardees are role models within the scouting community with more than 15 years of service in areas such as governance, community outreach, training or administrative leadership. The medallions were presented by former president Halimah Yacob during an award ceremony on July 2 at the association's headquarters in Bishan. Former president Madam Halimah Yacob unveiling a specially created SG60/SSA115 membership ring badge at The Singapore Scout Association Headquarters on July 2. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR During the ceremony, Madam Halimah also unveiled a new badge specially designed to mark SG60 and SSA's 115th anniversary. All scouts will wear this on their uniform from July 2025 to December 2026. She said that scouting has played a pivotal role in shaping future leaders, through its training and mentorship of young people. Many of its alumni, including all four of Singapore's prime ministers, have gone on to contribute significantly to society, she added. Mr Desmond Chong, chief commissioner of SSA, said other notable alumni include several cabinet ministers such as the Minister for Law, Edwin Tong, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, as well as Minister for Defence, Chan Chun Sing. 'Scouting in Singapore has always been at the forefront of promoting inclusivity and gender equality - we are the first and only uniformed youth group in Singapore to have a special needs programme and we have close to 2,000 girls in scouting despite starting off as the Boy Scouts Association,' said Madam Halimah, who is chancellor of Singapore University of Social Sciences. She was referring to the Special Needs programme, set up in the 1980s by the SSA to provide a modified scouting experience for youth with special needs. It has allowed more than 11 units from different special education schools to have the same experience regular scouts do. Former president Madam Halimah Yacob touring the gallery at The Singapore Scout Association Headquarters on July 2. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR For example, one of the scout campsites have specially designed rock climbing walls for those who use wheelchairs. SSA dates back to 1910 and is one of the earliest Scouting movements in Asia. Looking ahead, Mr Chong said that the association wants to expand its reach and impact by engaging more young people from diverse backgrounds. 'In recent years, we have seen the incorporation of digital and STEM-based activities into our programmes, reflecting the growing importance of these fields in our world today. Our Scouts are now not only adept at traditional scouting skills but also proficient in digital literacy, robotics, and environmental stewardship,' he said.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Indonesian influencer given 7-year Myanmar prison sentence
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Indonesian man is currently being held at Insein Prison (above). JAKARTA - An Indonesian influencer has been sentenced to seven years in prison for meeting rebels in junta-ruled Myanmar, a foreign ministry official in Jakarta said on July 2. Myanmar has been consumed by a many-sided civil war since the military snatched power in a 2021 coup , with millions of people displaced, according to United Nations figures. The Indonesian social media influencer, identified by officials as a 33-year-old with the initials A.P., was arrested by the Myanmar authorities in December. 'After going through the court process, A.P. was sentenced to seven years in prison,' said Mr Judha Nugraha, director for citizen protection at the Indonesian foreign ministry. The Indonesian national was accused of 'entering Myanmar illegally and then meeting an armed group categorised as a banned organisation', said Mr Judha. A Myanmar court charged him with violating laws on terrorism, immigration and unlawful association, as the junta battles rebels in a grinding war. The Indonesian man is currently being held at Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar's economic capital. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore ByteDance food poisoning: Catering firm convicted after cockroach infestation found on premises Singapore Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat Singapore The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years Singapore Jail for ex-DSTA employee who shared confidential information with electrical firm manager Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home The ministry official said Jakarta was 'facilitating a request for clemency from the family'. On a social media account reported by local media to belong to the jailed influencer, posts show a man jaunting through conflict zones – including war-torn Ukraine and Afghanistan – as well as enjoying glitzy stays in Bali and Paris. In Instagram posts dated November 2024, he shared images captioned from various locations in Myanmar and with various groups belonging to the anti-coup resistance. He posted several pictures of himself with alleged rebels in uniform, including some armed with weapons. Myanmar's military has suffered stinging territorial losses to the myriad anti-coup fighters and ethnic armed organisations opposing its rule. The junta has been forced to turn to conscription to bolster the ranks after four years of war. AFP
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
S'pore's largest contingent of 72 athletes raring to compete at the World Aquatics Championships
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Singapore contingent for the World Aquatics Championships (clockwise from back row): water polo captain Lee Kai Yang, open water swimmer Ritchie Oh, swimmer Mikkel Lee, artistic swimmer Claire Tan, swimmer Gan Ching Hwee, diver Ashlee Tan and women's water polo captain Abielle Yeo. SINGAPORE – After a fruitful 3½ years in the United States, Gan Ching Hwee will embark on the next chapter of her sporting career in the comforts of home. The 21-year-old has decided to return to Singapore in May to pursue swimming full-time as she puts her further studies on hold after graduating from Indiana University. She said: 'I've been looking forward to coming back to Singapore since (the) Paris (Olympics) because my preparation for that was quite good back home. 'I'm just excited to be back home having good food... and just getting to see friends and family again.' With the cravings for her favourite dishes like prata, chicken rice and bak chor mee satisfied, Gan has switched her focus to the big task ahead: the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore from July 11 to Aug 3. The distance swimmer was among the athletes unveiled as members of the 72-strong Singapore contingent, the largest from the Republic to feature at the world meet, during a presentation at the World Aquatics Championships Arena on July 2. The line-up includes 16 swimmers, 10 divers, nine artistic swimmers, eight open water swimmers, and the men and women's water polo squads. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore ByteDance food poisoning: Catering firm convicted after cockroach infestation found on premises Singapore Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat Singapore The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years Singapore Jail for ex-DSTA employee who shared confidential information with electrical firm manager Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home Apart from Gan, who will turn 22 during the event, the swimming team also include Asian Games silver medallist Teong Tzen Wei. Debbie Soh will lead the artistic swimming team, alongside Yvette Chong and Kiera Lee, who are fresh off a historic bronze medal in the duet category at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup Series, Singapore's first medal in the circuit. Synchronised springboard divers Max Lee and Ayden Ng, winners of the Sportsboy Team of the Year (event) accolade at the recent Singapore Sports Awards, are part of the diving contingent. The men's water polo team will make their world championships debut, while the women's team will be competing for the second time since their bow at Doha 2024. For Gan, her promising outing at the 2024 Olympics has only served to fire her up to achieve more progress. In Paris, she claimed two national records in the 800m and 1,500m events, missing out on making the final in the latter by just one spot after placing ninth in the heats. While she hopes to go a step further this time, she also noted that 'focusing on the process rather than the outcome has worked better for me, so I'll just keep at it and do my best'. Gearing up for her fifth long-course world championships has also brought back fond memories as she recalled how watching the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore cemented her ambitions to become a competitive swimmer. She hopes that the upcoming world meet on home soil will be equally inspiring for the local community, saying: 'It's very rare that a swim meet gets hosted in Singapore... 'With it being in Singapore, we have more viewership, more attention to the events and hopefully with that, younger kids can come forward and feel inspired and motivated to represent Singapore on this stage.' One thing that many of the home athletes are relishing is the home support when competing in Singapore. 'It's comforting knowing that I have friends and family members who are going to come watch me in a two-hour race. That's why I'm really excited,' said national open water swimmer Ritchie Oh, who will be competing in his third world championships. 'I will even have friends from national service coming to watch me swim so being able to swim in Singapore is very different compared to other countries,' added the 22-year-old. As the global meet approaches, national diver Ashlee Tan, 24, is feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. She said: 'We have fellow Singaporeans watching us live for the first time on a world stage so that's the nerves, but it's mostly overpowered by this positive feelings of excitement. 'The fact that we are performing on the world stage is already very exciting and we would also be able to learn from other international athletes as well.'
