An SMRT bus driver has been suspended following an accident involving a construction worker near a site on Anson Road on Thursday (Jun 27).

Videos circulating on social media show the 33-year-old worker placing a traffic cone on the left-most lane of Anson Road, then turning his back to traffic.

The bus, turning in from Palmer Road, hit and ran over the worker.

After the impact, the worker managed to sit up and, with the help of the bus driver and another worker, got on his feet.

Police were alerted to the accident at around 5.25pm, and the worker was taken to the hospital conscious.

SMRT stated that the 48-year-old bus driver was suspended following the incident involving service 970, and that there were no passengers on the bus at the time.

“Our dedicated Care Team is in contact with the worker to offer assistance and support,” said Vincent Gay, deputy managing director of SMRT Buses. He added that SMRT is assisting the police with their investigations.

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Starting in 2025, Disney Cruise Line will launch the Disney Adventure cruise from Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre, offering three- and four-night voyages for a minimum of five years. This marks Disney Cruise Line’s inaugural ship to homeport in Asia, a collaboration facilitated by the Singapore Tourism Board, promising to bring the magic of Disney closer to Asia-Pacific travelers.

Onboard the Disney Adventure cruise, guests can explore seven distinct themed areas, each featuring beloved Disney characters and immersive experiences for an unforgettable voyage.

1. DISNEY IMAGINATION GARDEN

Only with a little Disney imagination can an open-air performance venue also be an enchanted valley and charming garden.

This gathering space, inspired by Disney adventures over the last 100 years from Moana to Mowgli, will be guests’ gateway into the other realms onboard the cruise.

2. DISNEY DISCOVERY REEF

In the nautical themed shopping and dining haven, expect to bump into characters from The Little Mermaid, Lilo & Stitch, Finding Nemo, and Luca.

3. SAN FRANSOKYO STREET

What would it be like living in a city with Japanese and American architecture combined – or, in other words, the central location of Disney’s 2014 animated film Big Hero 6?

At least on the Disney Adventure cruise, San Fransokyo street will be a family entertainment area, comprising interactive games, shops, and cinemas.

4. WAYFINDER BAY

Here, an open-air oasis under the sun combines relaxation and entertainment. A poolside retreat inspired by the Pacific Islands artistry of Disney Animation’s Moana will offer cruise guests with breathtaking views of the sea and sky.

5. TOWN SQUARE

This is the land – or fantastical forest – to be if you’ve always dreamt of becoming a Disney royal. Shops, lounges, cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues in this space will be fashioned after classics, including Tangled, Cinderella, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and The Princess and the Frog.

6. MARVEL LANDING

As an homage to Marvel’s larger-than-life personalities, this area will offer “Avengers-level adventure” for fans of all ages, with attractions and experiences that capture “imaginative representations” of guests’ favourite superheroes.

7. TOY STORY PLACE

Old school Pixar fans are in for a treat here. Guests can interact with themed food venues and water play areas, all dedicated to bringing Toy Story movies and shorts to life.

The Disney Adventure is expected to hold approximately 6,700 passengers, with around 2,500 crew members.

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Masterchef Singapore’s Vasunthara Ramasamy, affectionately known as Vasun, is a champion of slow food prepared in the traditional South Indian style at her private dining establishment, Cutlery Optional. Among her celebrated dishes is her thosai, crafted from stone-ground rice and lentils and fermented for an impressive 14 hours.

Naturally, I assumed she’d dismiss the humble notion of instant noodles—or any processed food, for that matter. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out I was wrong.

“I eat a lot of processed food!” she admitted, making Singapore’s thosai queen seem a bit more relatable.

“I always have two types of instant noodles in my pantry,” she continued, scoring even more points in my book.

When it comes to food and enjoyment, there’s no place for judgment. “I don’t ‘yuck’ people’s ‘yum’,” Vasun remarked. “There’s a time and place for everything. If it’s instant noodles, it does what it is – it’s instant.”

Fancying up instant noodles is something Vasun does for fun, drawing inspiration from her daily meals.

One recipe she shared with me was inspired by a bowl of Chinese la mian in a meaty sauce she recently enjoyed. “I always like to Indian-ise everything I eat,” she said. “When I saw meat sauce, I thought, ‘This looks nice for a version of keema,’ (which is) like an Indian Bolognese.”

For her noodle base, she uses Korean Shin Ramyun, because “I think Korean and Indian flavours have a lot in common.” She also adds tofu for texture and tops it with a fried egg.

Of course, she had to elevate the dish in her own style, incorporating a generous amount of Indian spices and an ancient smoking technique called “dhungar.” This traditional Indian method involves spooning ghee over hot coals to smoke the food inside a covered pot. It’s “a little bit of old Indian magic,” she said.

“It may be ‘a simple dish that I’ve complicated,’ she quipped, but smoking the noodles elevates the dish ‘to a non-instant-noodle level.’ Sometimes, doing things the old-fashioned way pays off. For instance, you could use a blender for onion and ginger, but Vasun uses a pestle and mortar because ‘it’s more fun to bash things.’ It also brings out the flavors better, but that’s secondary, lah.”

Vasun’s ‘Smoked’ Keema Ramyeon

Serves 2

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 inch cassia stick
2 green cardamom pods
2 cloves
1 medium onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 green chilli, thinly sliced
1 inch ginger, minced
1-2 tablespoons curry powder
2 packets instant noodle seasoning
150g minced meat
50g firm tofu, cut into small cubes
Small charcoal piece
1 teaspoon ghee

2 packets dry ramyeon noodles
2 fried eggs
Lime wedges

Instructions:

1. In a medium pan, heat vegetable oil and add cassia, green cardamom and cloves. 
2. Once whole spices are aromatic, add minced onions, garlic, ginger and green chilli slices, and saute until lightly brown.
3. Add 1 packet of instant noodle seasoning and curry powder. Saute until mixture is slightly dry . 
4. Add minced meat and saute until oil separates. Add tofu cubes. Turn off the heat and set aside.
5. Make a dhungar: Add a small metal container into a pan with cooked meat mixture and  add hot coat pieces into the small container. Add a teaspoon of ghee to the hot coals and immediately cover your pan with a tightly fitting lid. Leave to infuse smoke into the meat mix for five minutes. Open the lid and remove the small coal container with tongs. 
6. In a separate pot, boil instant noodles and cook until slightly underdone. Refer to the noodle packet for cooking time and undercook it for 30 seconds. 
7. In another bowl, add remaining instant noodle seasoning powder, oils and whatever came in the packet. Drain cooked noodles and add to the bowl with seasoning. Toss noodles to evenly coat seasoning. 
8. Add noodles to your serving plate and add ‘smoked’ minced meat mix on top of noodles. Serve with fried egg and lime wedges.

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Lady Gaga wears exquisite custom dress by Malaysian designer duo in Las Vegas show

The bond between Malaysian design maestros Rizman Ruzaini and global sensation Lady Gaga is evident, as she graced a Las Vegas stage in a stunning custom red gown by the duo. Renowned for their meticulous craftsmanship and exquisite detail, Rizman Nordin and Ruzaini Jamil incorporated Swarovski gems into the sparkling creation, capturing the spotlight with their signature flair. Malay Mail’s report on Monday (Jun 24) highlighted the duo’s esteemed status in Malaysia’s couture and bridal realms.

During an interview with Malaysian entertainment outlet Gempak, Rizman revealed that their collaboration with Lady Gaga originated from British supermodel Naomi Campbell wearing one of their designs at a Dubai fashion show last year. This particular dress is currently exhibited at the renowned Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London, as part of an exhibition honoring Campbell’s illustrious career. This accomplishment marks Rizman Ruzaini as the first Malaysian design team to have their creations featured at such a prestigious institution.

Rizman shared with Gempak that shortly after Naomi Campbell showcased their design, they received inquiries from prominent Hollywood agencies. One of these calls came from a stylist associated with both Lady Gaga and Beyonce. Within two days of Campbell’s appearance, Rizman began crafting a dress for Lady Gaga based on measurements provided by the agency. Typically, international celebrities opt for dresses from emerging designers for smaller occasions like dinner shows. Initially intended for such an event, Rizman sent the completed dress to Lady Gaga’s agency earlier this year.

Rizman Ruzaini shared an Instagram reel on Saturday, showcasing their behind-the-scenes process of creating the gown that Lady Gaga wore during her Las Vegas residency. In another post, they stated, “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”

Malay Mail reported that Naomi Campbell had previously worn a Rizman Ruzaini creation on the red carpet at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah last December. The Star also highlighted that Malaysian celebrities such as Ziana Zain, Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, and Erra Fazira are among the label’s esteemed clients.

At this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, Malaysian squash superstar Datuk Nicol David also graced the event wearing a stunning Rizman Ruzaini design.

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Madam Faith Gao, also known as Faith Ang, has filed a lawsuit against Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and a surgeon who performed surgery to remove her womb and related reproductive parts. She alleges negligence during the procedure, claiming that it resulted in an obstruction of a tube connecting her kidneys to the bladder. As a result, one of her kidneys is said to be functioning at only 6 per cent capacity.

The trial, which opened in the High Court on Tuesday (Jun 25), saw lawyers for Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and the surgeon, Professor Tan Hak Koon, dismissing the lawsuit as “entirely ill-conceived and fuelled by sub-standard advice.” They maintained that the surgery was conducted appropriately and that the obstruction was not caused by Prof Tan.

Representing Madam Faith Gao, Mr David Gan from DG Law presented her case, while a team of lawyers from Legal Clinic, led by Senior Counsel Kuah Boon Theng, defended SGH and Prof Tan.

WHAT HAPPENED

During the opening statements from both Madam Faith Gao and the defendants’ lawyers, it was revealed that the 54-year-old woman had been contemplating surgery for some time. The operation involved the removal of her uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes due to severe endometriosis, a condition where tissue resembling the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Despite undergoing conservative treatment, her condition did not improve.

Madam Gao, who was infertile, had undergone two prior surgeries in 2000 and 2011, as mentioned by her lawyer, Mr. Gan, during his opening statement.

Madam Faith Gao consulted Professor Tan for a second opinion in November 2018 while undergoing treatment at the National University Hospital. After deliberation, she opted to undergo the procedure at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), known as a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and adhesiolysis.

The surgery, which involved three surgeons, including Prof Tan as the first surgeon, took place at SGH on Jan 4, 2019. Both sides acknowledged in their opening statements that the surgery was uneventful and successful.

Madam Gao was discharged three days later, and according to the defendants’ lawyers, she expressed satisfaction with the surgery during her final consultation with Prof Tan.

Madam Faith Gao experienced intermittent abdominal pain around June 2019 and sought medical attention in December 2019 at another hospital, according to the defendants’ lawyers.

A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed swelling of the left kidney and left ureter, which connects the kidney to the bladder. This was likely caused by an obstruction of the left ureter, resulting in urine buildup.

Senior Counsel Kuah and her team expressed concern that not addressing the obstruction promptly would have led to continued pressure buildup and adverse effects on kidney function.

However, it wasn’t until February 2020 that Madam Gao underwent surgery to remove the left ureteric obstruction or stricture, which the defendants’ lawyers found unclear as to why the delay occurred.

Madam Gao has two witnesses supporting her case – Dr. Lewis Liew, who performed general surgery on her, and Dr. Gong Ing San, an expert in surgery.

According to Madam Gao’s lawyer, Mr. Gan, her two witnesses believe that her claim “has merit.”

Dr. Lewis Liew, a urologist, concluded that the ureal impairment resulted from the surgery conducted by Prof Tan, as stated by Mr. Gan.

Mr. Gan stated that his client would argue that the duty of care provided to her was “inadequate” and that reasonable care was not exercised, resulting in her injury.

HOSPITAL, SURGEON’S RESPONSE; COUNTERCLAIM

In their opening statement, the lawyers representing the defendants asserted that the defendants were not negligent and emphasized that the delay in appropriate treatment for the ureter was a crucial factor in the damage to the plaintiff’s left kidney.

The lawyers questioned Dr. Lewis Liew’s conclusions, stating that he had not made efforts to gather details about how the surgery was performed before attributing the injury to the surgery. They characterized his statement as “baseless and irresponsible” and argued that if Dr. Liew had conducted a thorough investigation, he would have found that the surgery was uneventful and did not involve any operative procedures near the ureters.

The lawyers representing Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Professor Tan Hak Koon alleged that Dr. Lewis Liew’s initial statement led to confusion and a perception of negligence, prompting Madam Faith Gao to initiate legal action against the defendants. They claimed that Dr. Liew later issued a clarification report, acknowledging that his earlier statement was speculative, but by then, the damage had already been done.

The lawyers emphasized that Madam Gao treated Dr. Liew as an expert witness and noted that Dr. Gong Ing San, while trained as a general surgeon, might not actively perform surgeries presently. They asserted that Dr. Gong lacks qualifications as an Obstetrics and Gynecology (O&G) specialist and therefore cannot provide an expert opinion on a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and adhesiolysis procedure.

Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has counterclaimed against Madam Faith Gao for S$9,449 (US$6,986) in outstanding hospital bills. Madam Gao’s defence is that these bills should be claimed from her medical insurers. However, her insurer rejected the claim, and SGH’s lawyers argue that Madam Gao remains responsible for her medical bills.

The trial is ongoing before Justice Choo Han Teck.

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On Tuesday (Jun 25), a traffic police officer was charged with dangerous driving that resulted in the death of a pedestrian crossing the road in the Tai Seng area last year. Muhammad Firdaus Yusoff, 32, was accused of riding a traffic police motorcycle at a dangerous speed, ranging between 94.3km/h and 111km/h, near the junction of Hougang Avenue 3 and Kim Chuan Drive at around 5:40pm on Jun 21, 2023.

The speed limit in that area is 50km/h, and as a result of allegedly riding at a much higher speed, Muhammad Firdaus Yusoff was reportedly unable to react in time when a pedestrian, Mr. Tan Leng Hing, crossed the road on Firdaus’ left. This resulted in a collision that caused Mr. Tan to suffer multiple injuries leading to his death, as stated in the charge sheet.

During the court appearance on Tuesday, Firdaus did not indicate his plea. The case has been adjourned to August for further mention.

If Muhammad Firdaus Yusoff is convicted of dangerous driving causing death, he could face a jail term ranging from two to eight years. Additionally, he could be banned from driving.

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Wages in Singapore grew by 0.4% in 2023 after accounting for inflation, maintaining the same rate of growth as in 2022, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Tuesday (Jun 25). In 2021, real wages saw a 1.6% increase. However, aside from that slight uptick, real wage growth has been on a downward trend since 2018.

Nominal total wages of full-time resident employees who had been with the same employer for at least one year grew by 5.2% last year, a slower pace compared to the 6.5% increase in 2022. Despite the slowdown, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) noted that nominal total wage growth remained higher than the range typically seen in non-recessionary years. It is important to note that nominal wage growth does not account for inflation, and it reached its highest level in a decade in 2022.

All industries and all types of employees experienced wage growth last year, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). However, the ministry pointed out that the increases were smaller than those in the previous year. Specifically, senior management employees saw a wage growth of 4.6%, while rank-and-file and junior management employees experienced wage growth of 4.8% and 6.3%, respectively.

In terms of industries, most experienced lower wage growth than the previous year, with the exception of administrative and support services, where wages grew faster due to the Progressive Wage Model, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reported.

Despite more than eight in 10 firms being profitable last year, profitability was impacted by slower economic growth. Consequently, fewer firms granted wage increases to their employees, with the proportion declining from 72.2% in 2022 to 65.6% in 2023.

Additionally, 6.5% of establishments cut wages, while 27.9% held wages steady. Among the firms that raised wages, the average increase was 7.2% last year, compared to 7.9% in 2022. For firms that reduced wages, the average decrease was 6.2% in 2023, larger than the 4.5% decrease reported the previous year.

Mr. Ang Boon Heng, director of Manpower Research and Statistics at MOM, attributed the decline in wages mainly to a reduction in bonuses. He mentioned, “The bonus component is reduced because it links back to the economy again, which is doing okay, but not as well as before.” Conversely, the increase in wages was more evident in basic wages.

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One of Singapore’s last licensed itinerant hawkers, Ng Teak Boon, has died at the age of 92. Known affectionately as Uncle Boon, he was a well-known sight outside Sim Lim Tower, where he had been selling old-school ice cream blocks from a mobile pushcart for over 50 years. Ng was cremated on Saturday, June 22, without a wake. The news of his passing was first announced by hawker Melvin Chew on the Facebook group Hawkers United – Dabao 2020.

Earlier this year, Ng Teak Boon shared with 8days.sg that due to his advancing age, he was no longer able to sell his signature wafer and bread-wrapped ice cream blocks as he lacked the strength to split the frozen blocks. Instead, he had switched to offering pre-packaged ice cream from a supplier.

As ice cream pushcarts became a dying trade, Ng’s sales gradually dwindled over the years. He earned a few hundred dollars a month selling ice cream and lived alone in a one-room rental flat in Geylang Bahru. During the Circuit Breaker period, when everyone stayed home, his income took a significant hit. In response, netizens rallied to help him sell more ice cream and spruce up his sparsely furnished rental flat.

One Mr. Chetan, a business owner working in Sim Lim Tower, told 8days.sg that he had been patronizing Ng’s ice cream cart since 2007. He shared, “I would always buy the ice cream from Uncle. He was always earlier than me to start [his day for business]. Very nice uncle, very humble.”

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The authorities are advising members of the public not to touch or feed wild birds as a precaution against avian flu, or H5N1. This includes steering clear of free-roaming chickens often spotted around neighborhoods in Singapore. Staying vigilant and avoiding contact with wild birds is essential to prevent potential infections.

Also called bird flu, avian influenza has recently infected humans in Australia and the United States. While there are no known cases of the virus in Singapore so far, authorities have emphasized that bird flu is endemic in the region. They stress the need to stay vigilant and take precautions to safeguard against infections.

STRICT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

Singapore has multiple rings of defense against highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza, which can cause severe disease or death in birds, as well as flu-like symptoms in humans. These measures are in place to detect, prevent, and respond to potential outbreaks, ensuring public health and safety.

In a joint statement, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS)—an arm of the National Parks Board (NParks)—and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced their collaboration on precautionary measures against avian influenza.

Their efforts include engaging with overseas authorities on bird flu matters and conducting regular inspections of imported birds at farms and shops. Additionally, AVS tests migratory birds for avian influenza.

Only imported fowl and poultry products from approved sources are allowed, and any source with an H5N1 case will be banned. Consequently, the poultry supply, including eggs, can fluctuate from time to time.

To ensure resilience during disease outbreaks and supply disruptions, the SFA encourages the food industry to diversify and import from various sources. As of last year, 30 countries are permitted to export poultry to Singapore.

The agencies also reminded veterinarians and bird owners to be vigilant for any possible infections in their birds. They advised those working in close contact with birds to maintain good personal hygiene and take necessary measures, such as wearing protective equipment.

Animal rescue services have procedures in place to mitigate the risks of disease transmission while handling wildlife, including birds. “Our protocol is – we must wear gloves. For pigeons and other birds, we’ll wear masks, usually N95 masks and a face shield if needed,” said Mr. Joe Kam, a wildlife specialist at JK Wildlife.

As a licensed NParks contractor, JK Wildlife handles an average of 15 dead or injured birds each week. After handling animals, officers are required to clean and sanitize their hands and disinfect equipment.

MINIMISE HUMAN-WILDLIFE INTERACTION

Mr. Kam emphasized that members of the public must also do their part in preventing disease transmission. He highlighted that feeding remains one of the most significant interactions between humans and wildlife in Singapore, which can carry risks of spreading diseases.

“To minimize human-wildlife interaction, we need to manage our food provision, including feeding and waste management. We have to prevent animals from coming to us for food, rummaging through bins, etc.,” Mr. Kam noted. “Birds congregate because of the food when humans feed them. So, please do not feed the birds.”

NParks also pointed out that feeding wildlife, including birds, can dirty the surroundings and attract pests. Those caught feeding wildlife in Singapore can be fined up to S$10,000 (US$7,400).

AVIAN FLU TRANSMISSIONS ARE RARE

Still, migratory birds can fly above border controls and bring avian viruses. However, experts say bird-to-human transmissions are relatively rare.

Ms. Veronica Foo, chairperson of the bird group at Nature Society Singapore, noted that migratory birds do not congregate at farms or crowded areas. Instead, they are usually found at open water sources such as ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, including Kranji Marshes and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

She mentioned that agencies are monitoring migratory birds’ activities at these hotspots. “We have a concerted multi-task force of agencies which has set up a surveillance network to ensure that biosecurity measures are in place,” she said. “They will do checks on the water and migratory birds, like taking samples of the faecal matter, and test to make sure that they are free from the virus.”

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Singapore’s renowned goalkeeper Hassan Sunny, basking in his rising popularity in China, connected with numerous Chinese supporters on Monday (Jun 17) during his visit to Shanghai. Hassan’s presence in China was at the behest of Capitaland, a prominent property conglomerate with multiple commercial assets in the country.

Fans flocked to Raffles City The Bund, expressing their admiration for Hassan’s standout performance against Thailand in a World Cup qualifier match. They queued eagerly to snap photos with him, showcasing their support and appreciation.

One fan expressed hope for Hassan’s improvement and even suggested a potential move to China for the seasoned goalkeeper. Despite Singapore’s 3-1 loss, Hassan’s remarkable saves during the match earned him widespread recognition, propelling him to instant fame.

“It’s incredible to experience such overwhelming love and encouragement here,” shared Hassan, who will be in Shanghai until Tuesday. At 40 years old, Hassan defies conventional retirement ages for professional footballers, signaling his determination and continued passion for the game.

Hassan Sunny expressed his commitment to continuing his football career, mentioning that he has several more years ahead. His focus is on taking steps to ensure he can prolong his time in the sport, driven by his enduring passion and love for the game.

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