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📅 Lunar Calendar

7th day of the 6th Lunar Month | Good for: marriage, rituals, travel, trade | Avoid: moving in, ground breaking, burial

📰 Top Story

Sheng Siong, Giant offer S$3 off eggs and rice every Saturday under DBS cost-saving plan

From now until the end of August, shoppers at Sheng Siong and Giant supermarkets can save S$3 each on selected house-brand eggs and rice when paying with DBS or POSB credit or debit cards every Saturday. This is part of DBS Group's S$10 million assistance package to help ease cost-of-living pressures.

National Development Minister Desmond Lee and West Coast GRC MP Patrick Tay launched the "DBS Saturday Saver Plan" at a Sheng Siong outlet near West Coast Market on Saturday (July 18). About 90,000 discount slots are available each Saturday, on a first-come-first-served basis.

Sheng Siong's 30-egg tray normally costs S$6.65, while its 5kg rice is on promotion at S$7.95 (regular price S$10.50). Giant's 30-egg tray sells for S$6.65, and its 5kg rice is priced at S$9. Giant's participation brings the total participating outlets to 129 islandwide, more than tripling the weekly promotional slots from last year.

🚨 Society · Crime · Courts

Universal Studios ride malfunction leaves 15 passengers stranded

At about 1.50pm on Thursday (July 16), the "Enchanted Airways" roller coaster at Universal Studios Singapore experienced a technical disruption, leaving 15 passengers stranded. The ride automatically stopped at a safe position on the track, and the operations team safely evacuated all passengers. No injuries were reported. The ride resumed service later that day after a full safety inspection.

Still 30% of pet cats unregistered; from September, it will be illegal

About 30% of pet cats remain unregistered, nearly two years after the cat management framework was introduced. Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said at an event on Saturday (July 18) that about 66,000 pet cats have been registered — about 70% of all pet cats in Singapore. The two-year transitional period for free registration ends on August 31. From September 1, keeping an unregistered pet cat will be illegal. Registration fees will be S$15 for sterilised cats and S$90 for unsterilised ones after the deadline.

"3" prefix phone scams resurface; at least 12 victims lose over S$270,000

Police warned on Sunday (July 19) that government official impersonation scams have resurfaced. Scammers are using phone numbers starting with "3" to contact victims. Since May, at least 12 victims have lost about S$274,000.

Victims receive calls from numbers starting with "3", with scammers posing as bank or telco representatives. The call is then transferred to another scammer posing as a government official, who accuses the victim of money laundering. Victims are instructed to transfer money to a "safe account" or hand over valuables to "investigators". Police stress that government officials will never ask for money transfers or valuables.

Girl injured at World Cup event in Orchard Road; police investigating

A 17-year-old girl was injured during a World Cup-themed event at *SCAPE on Saturday (July 18), with scratches on her face. She was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital conscious. A 26-year-old woman is assisting police with investigations for voluntarily causing hurt.

Helper jailed 3 years 2 months for stealing over S$210,000 from employer, buying property in Philippines

A Filipino domestic helper, Alma, 47, who had worked for her employer for over 10 years, was sentenced to three years and two months in jail on Friday (July 17) for stealing more than S$210,000 in cash and jewellery from her employer's safe.

She discovered keys to the safe in her employer's wardrobe pocket in 2022. Over the next year, she opened the safe at least three times, stealing cash in euros, pounds and yen, along with luxury jewellery from brands including Van Cleef & Arpels and Bvlgari.

She smuggled the items back to the Philippines during her home leave, using the proceeds to buy an apartment, a car, and farmland. In 2024, she stole more cash and 12 gold bangles, two 24K gold necklaces, and a diamond jewellery set. The employer discovered the theft in May after installing a motion-sensor camera in her bedroom. Most of the stolen goods have not been recovered.

Singaporean man arrested in Jakarta over etomidate vape factory

A 34-year-old Singaporean man was arrested by Indonesian police on Friday (July 17) after a joint raid on a house in North Jakarta that was allegedly being used to produce etomidate vape cartridges, commonly known as Kpods .

The suspect, identified by the initials LHM and known as Hayden, arrived in Indonesia on July 13 and was recruited by another Singaporean to produce 500 cartridges a day . Thousands of vape cartridges and laboratory equipment were seized during the raid . The operation stemmed from an ongoing investigation into 2.2kg of etomidate smuggled from Malaysia and intercepted by airport customs . The home-based operation had reportedly just begun production one day before the raid .

Reform Party Secretary-General Kenneth Jeyaretnam dies aged 67

Reform Party Secretary-General Kenneth Jeyaretnam passed away on Saturday (July 18) at the age of 67. His wife Amanda said in a Facebook post that he died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family .

The eldest son of the late opposition icon JB Jeyaretnam, Kenneth took over the leadership of his father's party in 2009. He contested three General Elections from 2011, as well as the 2013 Punggol East by-election. In 2020, he led a five-member RP team against then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Ang Mo Kio GRC . Funeral details for a small family service are being finalised, with a memorial to celebrate his life to be arranged later .

🏛️ Policy · Community

Progressive Wage Model workers to get up to 10 days annual leave by 2029

From 2029, workers in the cleaning, security, landscape, lift and escalator, and waste management sectors under the Progressive Wage Model will see their minimum annual leave gradually increase from seven to 10 days, Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad announced on Sunday (July 19). Industry players said the move would raise labour costs.

Lee Hsien Loong: Singaporeans must remember our identity amid global uncertainties

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said after a community dialogue on Saturday (July 18) that Singaporeans must remember their identity as Singaporeans above all else, even as they feel the impact of global developments.

🎉 Community · Lifestyle

Sengkang East residents create giant Singapore map from 33,000 bottle caps

Sengkang East residents have created a giant 6m by 4.8m map of Singapore using 33,000 recycled bottle caps, which is set to break a national record. The artwork also features 3D models of local landmarks made from recycled materials. The project was organised by the Sengkang East Riverbank Residents' Network, with 55 students and volunteers contributing over five weeks. The map will be displayed at Rivervale Community Club from August 2.

💬 Singapore Quote

"Save S$6 on rice and eggs, but don't forget to register your cat. Prices keep rising, but we must still live wisely."

🗣️ What Do You Think?

Sheng Siong and Giant offer S$3 off eggs and rice every Saturday under the DBS cost-saving plan. Do you think such "small wins" can really help ease the cost-of-living crunch?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

Sources: Lianhe Zaobao, The Straits Times, Channel NewsAsia, 8world, Shin Min Daily News, and other media.