Singapore Morning Brief｜Tuesday, August 18
Partly cloudy, 26°C to 31°C.
6th day of the 7th Lunar Month | Good for: rituals, prayer, seeking medical advice | Avoid: marriage, burial, ground breaking
Nightlife revival measures along the Singapore River have been formalised and will take effect from Tuesday (Aug 18) following "encouraging results" from a year-long pilot, Minister of State Alvin Tan announced on Monday (Aug 17) .
Between August 2025 and June 2026, URA approved 37 applications for new nightlife uses in the Boat Quay Historic District, while police approved 92 applications to extend liquor trading hours across the three participating zones (Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Upper Circular Road) .
Qualifying establishments can apply to sell alcohol until 4am on Thursdays and Fridays (previously 3am). Circular Road will also resume road closures on Friday and Saturday evenings and on public holiday eves . Police deployed about S$20,000 in additional security manpower monthly during the pilot, with the law-and-order situation remaining stable . A previous 2018 trial in Clarke Quay was terminated after four months due to a rise in public order offences .
URA data shows developers sold 731 private homes (excluding ECs) in July, up nearly fourfold from June's 156 units . The rebound was largely due to developers resuming launches after the June school holidays. Analysts expect sales to cool to 150-250 units in August, the traditional Hungry Ghost month.
Last Saturday (Aug 15), two SIA flights to Thailand were delayed due to technical issues. SQ710 to Bangkok was delayed by an air-con system fault, affecting 272 passengers, eventually departing at 4.49pm. SQ732 to Phuket was delayed by a wing slat fault, affecting 117 passengers, eventually departing at 7.46pm
HelloRide's key representative contacted Anywheel on two occasions in July and October 2025 to propose price discussions . Anywheel refused to engage and reported the matter to CCS. CCS issued a warning letter on Monday (Aug 17), noting no actual price discussions took place and no commercially sensitive information was disclosed .
The KEEP (Kickstart Exercise and Empower Parkinson's) programme has been launched, bringing structured rehabilitation services into the community . The programme is expected to benefit about 2,000 early-to-mid-stage Parkinson's patients over five years, rolling out to 13 day rehabilitation centres islandwide . Lien Foundation has committed S$4.48 million to the programme .
FairPrice Foundation launched its third annual "Cheers Breakfast Club," distributing over 12,000 free breakfast bundles worth over S$25 each to PSLE students . Students can collect the bundles from Sept 3 at 51 participating Cheers and Xpress outlets with their student pass or exam entry proof .
A 37-year-old married man who posed as a "father" and "religious mentor" to two brothers from a broken family was sentenced on Monday (Aug 17) to 27 years and 10 months in jail and 24 strokes of the cane .
The man sexually assaulted the older brother and raped the younger brother, then aged 6 and 7, at least 10 times between 2022 and 2024 in his home and a mosque toilet . He threatened the children not to tell anyone, saying if they did, they would be "unloving" and he would go to jail. Both boys later had suicidal thoughts .
The High Court judge called the offences "outrageous and appalling." MUIS clarified the man was not a certified asatizah under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme, nor was he a mosque staff member or volunteer .
On the afternoon of Aug 15, a 34-year-old woman encountered a man masturbating in public while she was at her office outside Chinatown. She confronted him, photographed him, and together with her colleague, tracked him down about 30 minutes later and alerted police. A 59-year-old man has been arrested for committing an obscene act in a public place .
On Tuesday (Aug 11) at about 6.45am, a 79-year-old man was hit by a car along Grange Road towards Orchard Link. He was sent to hospital but later died from his injuries. A 46-year-old male driver has been arrested for causing death by negligent driving .
At Roxy Square in Marine Parade on Saturday (Aug 15), a 73-year-old wanton mee stall owner was shoved to the ground after patting the head of a young girl he found adorable. He initially refused to go to hospital but has since agreed to undergo a check-up. Police confirmed on Sunday (Aug 16) that they have identified the 40-year-old man involved .
The USS Benfold, a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, suffered a generator failure on July 24 while on routine operations in the South China Sea, resulting in a complete four-day power blackout . The crew of about 300 was left without air conditioning, toilets, galley services and running water in tropical heat . The ship was towed to Subic Bay, Philippines, on July 28, with power restored on July 30, and repairs completed by Aug 7 . The US Navy is investigating the cause .
The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Flores, Indonesia, has risen to 68, with over 200 injured and more than 12,800 displaced . Over 1,600 aftershocks have occurred since the initial quake. Victims have complained of receiving no aid two days after the disaster. "We escaped with only the clothes we are wearing," said Siti, 31. "They said they would give us things, but I haven't received anything" .
"Bars open till 4am, footfall rises, security holds steady. The night along the Singapore River is quietly coming alive."
Singapore River nightspots can now sell alcohol until 4am. Will you experience the early-morning nightlife scene?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
Sources: Lianhe Zaobao, CNA, The Business Times, 8world, The Straits Times, The Washington Times, and other media.
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Userlq87 20/08/2026
no idea why it is not going on for me and I have the same as the way to get the heating on and I have to get the heating on the way to work
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