3 dead in Hougang HDB block fire on 9 Jan; All you need to know about CNY ang bao rates for 2025: Singapore live news
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A fire at an Hougang HDB block killed three people. (PHOTO: Facebook/Singapore Civil Defence Force)
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Three people were pronounced dead at the scene of a fire at a HDB block in Hougang on Thursday (9 Jan). The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) shared on Facebook on 9 Jan that they were alerted to a fire at Block 971 Hougang Street 91 at about 12.40pm. Firefighters evacuated residents from levels one to seven as a precautionary measure. They also rescued a cat, a bird and eight rabbits from a unit on the third floor. Read on to find out more about the fire, including what Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ng Ling Ling said.
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The Lunar New Year is almost upon us and it's the time where people are wondering how much to pack for hong baos. After all, it's really tricky as there is a hierarchy of sorts, and you don't want to come across as looking too 'cheap'. So, here's a handy guide to everything you need to know – including where to get your crisp new notes.
Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.
PUB: Risk of flash floods from 10 to 13 Jan due to monsoon surge
PUB: Risk of flash floods from 10 to 13 Jan due to monsoon surge
Flash floods could occur from 10 Jan to 13 Jan as the monsoon surge hits Singapore. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
Flash floods may occur from 10 Jan to 13 Jan as the monsoon surge hits Singapore.
National water agency PUB warned on 9 Jan that the heavy rain during this period might cause drains and canals to overflow temporarily, resulting in flash floods.
A monsoon surge refers to a strengthening of winds over the South China Sea, causing extensive rainclouds to form over our surrounding region.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on 9 Jan that the monsoon surge might cause temperatures in some areas to drop to 22 deg C. "Periods of moderate to heavy thundery showers with cool and windy conditions can be expected," they added.
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Bryan Lim
3 dead in Hougang HDB block fire on 9 Jan
A fire at an Hougang HDB block killed three people. (PHOTO: Facebook/Singapore Civil Defence Force)
Three people were pronounced dead at the scene of a fire at a HDB block in Hougang on Thursday (9 Jan).
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) shared on Facebook on 9 Jan that they were alerted to a fire at Block 971 Hougang Street 91 at about 12.40pm. SCDF resources from Sengkang Fire Station and Ang Mo Kio Fire Station arrived at the scene in eight minutes.
Two victims were found inside a bedroom by firefighters and were pronounced dead by an SCDF paramedic.
In an evening update, the SCDF said they found a third victim in a bedroom.
According to the SCDF, firefighters forced entry into the affected unit, but encountered challenges entering due to an excessive number of items inside.
They also evacuated residents, with the help of the police, from levels one to seven of the 15-storey block as a precautionary measure.
"The fire involved a unit on the third floor and was extinguished using three water jets. A firefighting robot was also used to ventilate the unit. The fire was extinguished at about 3.15pm," wrote SCDF.
Firefighters also rescued a cat, a bird and eight rabbits from the unit.
In a Facebook post on 9 Jan, MP Ng Ling Ling (Ang Mo Kio GRC) said the police and SCDF officers are working to identify the cause of the fire.
She said that affected residents who require assistance can approach grassroots volunteers at the residents’ network centre at Block 976. The centre is open till 10pm.
A resident who lives in the affected block, who only wanted to be identified as Madam Said, told The Straits Times that the occupant of the affected unit is a man in his 60s who is often seen walking his dog around the estate.
Bryan Lim
'Buy coffee': Vietnamese man jailed for bribing ICA officer, attacking CPIB officer
A Vietnamese traveller was jailed for attempting to bribe an ICA officer, and attacking a CPIB officer. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
A Vietnamese traveller was sentenced to four months and a week’s jail on 10 Jan for attempting to bribe an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer with $8.
He pleaded guilty to three charges, including one charge under the Prevention of Corruption Act and another for using criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty.
According to The Straits Times, Tran flew from Vietnam to Singapore on 11 Nov, 2024, and was stopped for a baggage check at Changi Airport. Despite claiming he had nothing to declare, an ICA officer found eight undeclared contraband cigarette packets.
Tran then put four $2 notes into the officer's pocket as he wanted the officer to let him pass the baggage check quickly. When the officer asked why he put the money there, Tran replied that it was for him to "buy coffee".
He was arrested and taken to CPIB to be interviewed. During his interview, Tran requested to use the toilet, which was where he found a blue toilet brush. He broke it in two and kept the broken brush in the back of his pants, intending to use it as a weapon.
He walked back to the interview room but when he was at the door, he suddenly ran down the corridor towards his left.
When an officer tried to stop him, Tran lunged at him and shoved the broken brush towards his stomach.
The Straits Times reported that Deputy Public Prosecutor Xavier Tan sought a jail term of four months and one week to six months and two weeks. DPP Tan noted Tran's use of the brush as a weapon even though the officer was unharmed.
Tran said he was remorseful and explained that he didn't understand Singapore law as it was his first time here. He asked for leniency in sentencing as he has a family to take care of in Vietnam.
Offenders convicted of graft can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $100,000.
If convicted of using criminal force against a public servant to deter him from discharging his duty, an offender can be jailed for up to four years, fined, or both.
Bryan Lim
BTO flats that promise the highest returns in 2025
Planning to sell your BTO when it hits the 5-year mark in 2025? Here's a guide to help maximise your returns with a breakdown on performance and resale trends. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
Multiple BTO projects are hitting their 5-year MOP in 2025, so this year is shaping up to be a promising year for homeowners.
For those who are looking to sell their HDB flats, this might be a good time to flip your property for substantial returns. But, which BTO projects have high potential in 2025? Don't fret, here's a guide that breaks it all down for you – including performance and resale trends.
Bryan Lim
Enhanced security checks at all checkpoints until 22 Jan: ICA
ICA said there will be enhanced security checks at all checkpoints until 22 Jan. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
Travellers entering Singapore can expect enhanced security checks until 22 Jan, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on 9 Jan.
In a Facebook post, ICA advised travellers to factor in additional time for immigration clearance as the enhanced security checks might result in delays at the checkpoints.
ICA wrote, "In view of the heightened security situation in the region, ICA will be implementing enhanced security checks on arriving travellers and conveyances at the land, air and sea checkpoints from 9 Jan 2025 to 22 Jan 2025."
The US Vice President Kamala Harris was scheduled on a foreign trip from 13 to 17 Jan. She was supposed to make stops in Singapore, Bahrain and Germany. Harris planned to visit Changi Naval Base in Singapore and meet with the country's leaders.
However, the White House announced the cancellation of the trip on Thursday (9 Jan) due to the LA wildfires which have become the worst in its history. The announcement came a day after President Joe Biden cancelled his Italy trip.
Bryan Lim
HDB towns with the highest price growth
HDB resale prices continued to grow despite cooling measures implemented in August 2024. Which HDB town had the highest price growth? (PHOTO: Getty Images)
HDB loan limits were tightened in a set of cooling measures implemented in August 2024 where the Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit for HDB loans was lowered five percentage points, from 80 per cent to 75 per cent.
However, that didn't stop the upward trajectory of prices for HDB resale flats as it was mitigated by a decline in interest rates following rounds of rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve.
As such, prices for resale HDB flats rose by 9.6% year-on-year last year, according to the latest flash estimates. That said, the growth rate of the price for each HDB town and region differed.
FairPrice implements CNY price freeze on popular grocery items
FairPrice will be implement a CNY price freeze on popular grocery items. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
FairPrice Group (FPG) announced a price freeze on popular fish and seafood, pork, and vegetable items across all FairPrice outlets. The price freeze will run until 12 Jan.
The initiative is meant to keep Chinese New Year essentials within reach for all this festive season. The price freeze will be coupled with discounts on select fresh vegetables, and run throughout the Chinese New Year period.
Mr Vipul Chawla, Group CEO, FairPrice Group, said, "High demand for festive produce inevitably drives prices up, and so this price freeze is our way of making every day of the season a little better for our customers by keeping these popular festive essentials within reach."
Kamala Harris cancels foreign trip due to LA wildfires
Kamala Harris has cancelled her trip to Singapore. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
US Vice President Kamala Harris has cancelled her upcoming trip to Singapore, Bahrain and Germany due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
The announcement came from the White House a day after President Joe Biden cancelled his Italy trip a day earlier.
The White House said, "In response to the historic wildfires in Los Angeles, the Vice President has made the decision to cancel her and the Second Gentleman's upcoming trip to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany."
All you need to know about CNY hong bao rates for 2025
Here's a handy guide to all you need to know about hong baos for 2025. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
The Lunar New Year is almost upon us and it's the time where people are wondering how much to pack for hong baos.
After all, it's really tricky as there is a hierarchy of sorts, and you don't want to come across as looking too 'cheap'. On the other hand, even a $10 hong bao can add up if you have 10 kids to give to.
So if you're worried, here's your handy guide to everything you need to know about hong baos for 2025 – rates, where to get free hong bao packets, and where to get your crisp new notes.
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