54-year-old American, Andrew Charles Vasko, who is a Singapore PR, is being accused of causing the death of 40-year-old Singapore policewoman Salinah Mohamed by driving his Aston Martin into her back in 2019.

He went on trial yesterday for causing the death of Salinah, who was crossing the road when the traffic lights were in her favour at a traffic junction at Shenton Way.

Vasko is facing one charge of causing death by a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide for not keeping a proper lookout when making a turn with his car.

Salinah suffered skull fractures as a result of the accident and was ultimately declared brain dead on 14 February 2019, with the cause of her death being a head injury that was sustained during the accident.

What happened?

On 10 February 2019, Vasko drank 2 glasses of white wine at about 7pm at Sentosa, with the last of his drink being consumed at 7.45pm.

He then drove his Aston Martin at 9.25pm into the far right lane of Maxwell Road that was heading towards the Straits Boulevard.

He then stopped at the stop line when the traffic light turned red at the junction of Shenton Way, and he was on the far right turning lane.

The traffic light then turned green for him and he then moved his car to the middle of the junction and waited to make a discretionary right turn.

As he was turning right, his Aston Martin then hit Salinah, who was crossing the road halfway from Vasko’s left-to-right view, and the traffic light was in her favour at the time.

She was then thrown onto the road from the impact and sustained a severe injury to her head, and was unconscious when conveyed to the hospital.

She succumbed to her injuries and died 4 days later after being declared brain dead, leaving behind her husband and 3 young children.

Vasko was reportedly driving within the speed limit and passed a breathalyser test, according to court documents.

The case has been adjourned to November, and the court has also granted Vasko’s application to leave Singapore for a few months before returning in January.

22-year-old Carissa Yap has been crowned Miss Universe Singapore 2022. The 1st Runner Up is Yvonne Sashirekha.

According to the Facebook page Miss Universe Singapore, She impressed the judges with her X-factor, confidence and intelligence during the 2 Q&A rounds. We can’t wait to watch you shine on the international stage!

MISS UNIVERSE SINGAPORE 2022 – Carissa Yap

1st Runner Up – Yvonne Sashirekha

2nd Runner Up – Denissia Delange

Miss Universe 2022 will be the 71st Miss Universe pageant, to be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States on January 14, 2023. Harnaaz Sandhu of India will crown her successor at the end of the event.

Good luck in the finals.

Here are what netizens think:

Image Source: Miss Universe Singapore

57-year-old Teo Thian Hoe pleaded guilty on 17 October to a charge of assault, with another similar charge being considered during his sentencing.

The part-time tutor had lost his temper and assaulted his 8-year-old pupil on two separate occasions earlier this year on 18 March and 22 March.

The identity of the victim cannot be revealed due to a court order to protect her identity.

What happened?

Teo was hired by the girl’s father in January to provide private tuition for her.

During a lesson that was held inside a study room at the victim’s home on 18 March, Teo lost his temper after the girl answered his questions wrongly.

He then flicked her left forearm three times with his fingers while scolding her, as well as punching her in her left arm twice.

He also grabbed her head and pushed it downwards as the victim cried.

His actions were captured on a CCTV camera that was installed inside the room, and the girl also told her father that Teo would punch her suddenly whenever she didn’t do her work properly and that her arm hurt.

The father thought his daughter was being dramatic but decided to observe proceedings through the CCTV camera.

On 22 March, Teo lost his temper again during the lesson and scolded the girl, flicking her forearms and knocking her head with his knuckles 4 times.

He also slapped her right hand and punched her left upper arm twice, grabbed her neck and pushed her head downwards.

The girl suffered a bruise on her left arm and was crying.

The father was home at the time of the incident and heard the tutor yelling at the girl, and he saw Teo assaulting his daughter through the CCTV.

He then confronted the man and told him to leave his home, before he alerted the police to the incident.

85-year-old Pak Kian Huat hacked his long-time partner to death following a dispute over room arrangements.

He was unrepresented in court after his lawyer had discharged himself from the case, and reportedly disrupted court proceedings into his case on 23 September yesterday, according to The Straits Times.

He was originally charged with murder but it has since been reduced to culpable homicide, for the killing of 79-year-old Lim Soi Moy in their flat at Block 191 Toa Payoh Lorong 4, back in 1 September 2019.

Rather die than go to jail of over 5 years

Pak was supposed to plead guilty to his amended charge but then told his lawyer that he wanted the death sentence.

Pak was then asked by the court for clarification, and he explained that the sentence of 7 years that his lawyer was seeking was too long, and wanted a jail term of up to 5 years instead – while the prosecution was seeking imprisonment of 15 to 18 years.

As he was “negotiating” his sentence in court, he was told by the judge that he is not in a coffee shop.

“You are not in a coffee shop — you are not in any other place but a courtroom. You will behave with proper decorum… Listen to the interpreter and tell her what you disagree with. Do you understand? You are in a courtroom and you will respect the court.” said the judge

The offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code is punishable with imprisonment for life and shall be liable to caning, or imprisonment for up to 20 years and shall be liable to a fine or caning.

Facebook user May Mắn shared how she had placed an order for a smart phone from a seller on Lazada, and she received a black straw instead.

She added that she tried to initiate a refund, but the seller allegedly asked her to “return the item for verify (sic)”.

She also added that she has since lodged a police report against the seller for the perceived scam.

May said that she has complained to Lazada but is still waiting for their response, as she shared screenshots of other customers’ reviews.

Several users complained on the seller’s listing page, saying that they also received a straw instead of their phones as well.

May’s post on Facebook

Bought a phone in Lazada and the seller delivered a black straw, initiated a refund and seller ask to return the item for verify, complain to Lazada and still waiting for the slow response.

Obviously it is a scam, few buyers experienced same issue as seen on review page. Seller still not banned. Police report done. Please be alert and shop with care.

A security supervisor was allegedly assaulted by a container truck driver at a logistics hub in Pioneer, Jurong on 13 October.

The Union of Security Employees (USE) released a statement on Facebook detailing the alleged incident, and said that the security guard suffered facial bleeding as a result.

A police report has also been lodged.

USE’s statement on Facebook

USE was alerted to yet another incident of abuse of an officer.

Last Thursday at about 9.20am, our member Supervisor Suresh S/O Subramaniam was on duty at a logistics hub at the Pioneer area in Jurong.

A container truck driver on site to collect an empty container did not follow procedures and safety protocols. On being alerted to these by Brother Suresh, he was unhappy and shouted at Brother Suresh.

After he exited the compound, the assailant stopped his container truck on the roadside in violation of traffic rules. He proceeded to the guardhouse with the intention to confront Brother Suresh. Whilst doing so, he assaulted Brother Suresh a few times, resulting in facial bleeding.

Fellow officers rushed to stop the assailant who promptly left. Brother Suresh, with his employer Spear Security Force’s support, immediately made a police report. He also saw a doctor and was given 3 days medical leave.

USE’s General Secretary Raymond Chin, President Ardi Amir and Executive Secretary Steve Tan paid Brother Suresh a visit this afternoon. On behalf of USE, they presented tonic and Fairprice vouchers to Brother Suresh.

Our officers perform duties as ascribed to them by the Private Security Industry Act and must not be abused when doing so. Acts of abuse are despicable and the union will do our utmost to work with the authorities to protect our officers.