Latest news with #DoreenBenary
New York Post
21-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
‘Violently ill': US doctor sues Singapore Airlines following shellfish reaction that prompted emergency landing
The lawsuit was for 'shellfish' reasons. Singapore Airlines is being sued by a New York doctor, who claims she suffered a 'violent' allergic reaction to shrimp she was served on a flight from Germany to her hometown — despite warning staffers that she had a shellfish allergy. The severity of her condition reportedly prompted the pilot to make an emergency landing in Paris, France, the Independent reported. Advertisement In the complaint filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Dr. Doreen Benary, 41, alleged that the airline's negligence had caused her to have an 'adverse reaction to shrimp' during Singapore Airlines flight SQ026 from Frankfurt to New York on October 8, the South China Morning Post reported. The complaint contended that it's the responsibility of the cabin crew 'to be aware of the seriousness of[,] and respond appropriately[,] when advised of a passenger's food allergy.' Ummeya – The physician, who was sitting in business class, had reportedly warned crew members that she 'suffered from a food allergy, specifically to shrimp' upon boarding the aircraft. Shellfish allergies are among the most severe with the potential to induce anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening reaction that shuts down the body's airways. Advertisement Despite her disclaimer, a member of the cabin crew served Benary a meal containing the allergen. Benary was 'unaware that the meal she had been served… contained shrimp until she had ingested a portion,' whereupon the flyer 'detected the presence of shrimp' and began to feel sick. When she asked the crew if the meal contained shrimp, a flight attendant 'admitted that she had made an error and apologized.' Benary became 'violently ill' shortly after consuming the meal. AFP via Getty Images Unfortunately, Benary's condition deteriorated to the point that she fell 'violently ill, requiring the aircraft to perform an emergency diversion to Paris, France,' per the complaint. Advertisement Afterward, the passenger had to endure 'painful' emergency medical treatments at two separate medical facilities. The complaint contended that it's the responsibility of the cabin crew 'to be aware of the seriousness of[,] and respond appropriately[,] when advised of a passenger's food allergy.' 'When a cabin crew member was placed on notice of a passenger's food allergy, said crew member had a duty of care to ensure that meals containing such allergens or their ingredients were not served to that particular passenger,' it read. Due to this oversight, Benary claimed she suffered 'great pain, agony and mental anguish,' as well as subsequent economic and non-economic losses. Advertisement She is now seeking 'full, fair and reasonable' compensation of which the amount will be decided at the trial A Singapore Airlines rep told the Independent that they are 'unable to comment on matters before the court.'
AsiaOne
21-06-2025
- Health
- AsiaOne
Passenger sues SIA after allergic reaction, claims served meal containing shrimp despite warning crew, Singapore News
SINGAPORE - A New-York based paediatrician is suing Singapore Airlines for allegedly serving her a meal containing shrimp even though she claimed she had notified the cabin crew that she was allergic to shellfish, causing her to suffer a severe allergic reaction. According to a June 17 lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Dr Doreen Benary, 41, had informed a cabin crew member about her allergy after boarding SIA flight SQ026 on Oct 8, 2024. The flight was bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York from Frankfurt, Germany. However, Dr Benary, who was in the Business Class, was allegedly served a meal containing shrimp, which she was unaware of. Upon eating a portion of the food, Dr Benary detected the presence of shrimp and began to feel ill. She then questioned the cabin crew member, who admitted that she had made an error and apologised, according to the court document. Dr Benary subsequently suffered a "severe allergic reaction" and "fell violently ill", which required the aircraft to perform an emergency diversion to Paris, France, where she underwent emergency medical treatment at two separate medical facilities. Dr Benary said via the court document that she had suffered - and will continue to suffer from - great pain, agony and mental anguish, and that she was required to undergo painful, emergency medical treatment. She claims that this also caused her to be "deprived of her enjoyment of life, pursuits and interests", which she believes that in the future, she will continue to be deprived of. Dr Benary is asking SIA to pay her "full, fair and reasonable damages" in an amount to be determined at trial, together with "interest, costs and disbursements of this action". The document does not state if Dr Benary was carrying an EpiPen or other auto-injectors. These products, which are used to treat severe allergic reactions, are filled with epinephrine, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other reactions. [[nid:671039]] Dr Benary's attorney, Mr Abram Bohrer, told The Independent newspaper that he was unable to discuss the lawsuit without her permission. When contacted by The Straits Times for more information, an SIA spokesperson said the airline is "unable to comment on matters before the court". Tropomyosin, present in shrimp, prawns and other crustaceans such as lobster, crab, and crayfish, is a protein involved in muscle contraction. According to a Woodlands Health shellfish allergy brochure, cooking the shellfish does not remove the allergen. Symptoms associated with food allergies can range from mild irritation such as tingling or itching in the mouth, hives and swelling, to more serious ones like wheezing or shortness of breath, nausea, vomitting, loss of consciousness or anaphylaxis, when breathing stops, which could lead to death. This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Allergic reaction aboard SIA flight: What major airlines do to guard against triggering allergies
SINGAPORE – A Singapore Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in October 2024 after a passenger suffered a severe shellfish allergy on board and had to be rushed to hospital. Dr Doreen Benary, 41, a resident of Manhattan, was flying from Frankfurt to New York City when she 'fell violently ill' after allegedly being served a meal containing shrimp. The plane was diverted to Paris, France. Dr Benary, a paediatrician, was rushed to hospital and then a second medical facility, where she underwent 'painful emergency treatment', according to court documents. She is suing the airline for negligence, claiming that she had warned flight attendants about the severity of her allergy – specifically, to shrimp. The incident, she said, caused her 'great pain, agony and mental anguish'. This is not SIA's first incident with an allergy mid-air. In 2017, a toddler went into anaphylactic shock and started vomiting when too many passengers around him started eating in-flight peanut snacks. The drug epinephrine is the first-line treatment in cases of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions. However, under United States Federal Aviation Administration requirements, for instance, easy-to-use auto-injector EpiPens are not required in on-board first aid kits. Some airlines carry epinephrine, but a trained medical professional is required to administer the correct dosage. Most airlines declare that allergen-free environments on board cannot be guaranteed, but several accommodations for passengers with dietary restrictions are offered. The Straits Times rounds up the practices of several major full-service airlines to guard against food allergies: 1. Singapore Airlines Since the 2017 incident, SIA no longer serves peanuts as snacks on flights. It still, however, serves other nuts like cashews and almonds, and signature local meals, like nasi lemak and satay, still contain peanuts. SIA recommends passengers refer to the in-flight menu page, which can be viewed up to eight days before the flight, although not all ingredients and allergens are listed. Alternatively, specific special meals, such as gluten-intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley, and bran in any form), seafood-free or a general allergen-free meal, can be selected at least 24 to 56 hours before flight departure, depending on the destination. 2. Cathay Pacific Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific offers complimentary nut packets as a snack on flights. Passengers with nut allergies can request nut-free snacks, subject to availability, by submitting a physician's statement declaring their nut allergy via a form on its website. Although special dietary meals can be requested up to 24 hours before flying, Cathay Pacific does not offer meals suitable for certain common allergies such as gluten and dairy, and offer only 'gluten-intolerant' and 'low-lactose' meals respectively. Cathay Pacific suggests that passengers with severe allergies bring their own meals on board, wear a medical alert bracelet and carry an EpiPen that can be administered by their travel companion. Additionally, for added safety, they may request for priority boarding to wipe down their seat before the flight. 3. ANA For international flights, Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) is one of the few airlines that offer both an 'eight allergen-free meal' and a '28 allergen-free meal'. The eight allergen-free option excludes eight major allergens such as shellfish, eggs and tree nuts, as defined by Japanese food safety guidelines. The 28 allergen-free option goes a step further by excluding 20 additional allergens such as specific fruits, other meats, and gelatin. These meals are prepared in separate facilities to minimise the risk of cross-contamination, and must be requested 24 hours to eight days in advance before departure. ANA also offers an allergy buffer zone, or a designated area created around the passenger to minimise the risk of exposure to severe allergens. This must be requested, by phone, at least 48 hours before departure. 4. Qantas Australian carrier Qantas says it no longer offers peanuts as bar snacks on both flights and lounges and is minimising the use of peanut-based products in their meals. Other nut products are still served. It offers a gluten- and lactose-intolerant special meal service that can be requested up to 24 hours before departure. However, following 2024 changes to the in-flight menu, only the gluten-intolerant option is nut-free; Qantas does not offer allergy-specific meal options such as nut-free, dairy-free, or seafood-free meals. Travellers who bring their own meals cannot store or reheat them on board due to contamination concerns. 5. Emirates Emirates serves nuts on all flights, either as a meal ingredient or as an accompaniment to drinks. Special meals like gluten-friendly and low-lactose options can be requested at least 24 hours before departure. However, Emirates does not offer allergy-specific meals such as 'nut-free', 'dairy-free', or 'seafood-free' options. Those with severe allergies are encouraged to bring their own meals on board. That said, Emirates does not provide refrigeration or reheating. The airline advises passengers to bring their own medications, such as EpiPens, and to consult a doctor before flying. 6. Qatar Airways Doha-based Qatar Airways does not offer nut-free meals, and serves both peanuts and tree nuts on board. Those with severe allergies must submit a medical form at least 48 hours and no more than seven days before departure. Approved requests may result in a general announcement or seating accommodations, but these are not guaranteed. Customers who do not submit the form to disclose their allergies and instead declare it at check-in or on board the flight may be denied boarding due to safety considerations. These passengers will be required to sign a waiver before boarding. Qatar offers gluten-free and non-lactose special meals, which need to be requested at least 24 hours before departure. However, passengers with severe allergies are advised to bring their own food and necessary medication. While seafood-free meals are not explicitly offered, several vegetarian options can be chosen instead. 7. British Airways British Airways asks that passengers notify staff about any food allergy so they can inform passengers of any allergens contained in meals. In some instances, this information may also be available on the meal packaging. Its in-flight meals do not contain peanuts or peanut products, but may contain other nuts. Passengers with nut allergies can request the cabin crew to make an announcement, asking nearby passengers to refrain from eating nuts. BA offers a range of special meals, such as gluten-free, low-lactose and vegetarian for those sensitive to seafood. These need to be booked at least 48 hours in advance, or 24 hours if departing from London's Heathrow Airport – its main base. While there is no formal buffer zone or cleaning protocol, passengers with allergies are welcome to board early to wipe down their seating area. Carrying an EpiPen and bringing one's own food is strongly advised, though BA will not reheat personal meals. 8. Lufthansa German airline Lufthansa does not typically serve peanuts on its flights. It offers several special meal options, such as gluten- and lactose-intolerant, as well as vegetarian for those allergic to seafood. These special meals need to be requested at least 24 hours before departure and are generally offered only on longer-haul flights. In the event of severe allergic reactions during a flight, the airline states that its trained cabin crew are always equipped to provide emergency medical care. 9. Delta Airlines Delta from the US offers a formal allergy accommodation process through its Accessibility Service Request form. Although the cabin is not completely nut-free, if notified of a peanut allergy, the crew will refrain from serving peanut products during the flight. For food, animal or other allergies, passengers can board early to wipe down their seat area, or request a seat change. Other special meals, like gluten-free and diabetic-friendly meals, can be ordered at least 24 hours before departure, but allergy-specific meals are not available. Travellers are encouraged to bring their own food and carry necessary medication, including EpiPens. 10. United Airlines United does not serve peanuts in its meals or snacks. Passengers with severe food allergies are advised to notify a flight attendant, who can then ask nearby passengers to avoid consuming foods that may contain allergens. Special meals include vegan, gluten-friendly, kosher (food that adheres to Jewish dietary laws) and Asian vegetarian. They can be requested up to 24 hours before departure but are limited and not guaranteed on every flight. Passengers may also request to board early and wipe down their seat. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Passenger sues Singapore Airlines after suffering severe allergic reaction mid-flight
KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore Airlines (SIA) is being sued over claims that it served a shellfish-containing meal to a passenger who had allegedly informed the cabin crew of her allergy, resulting in a severe allergic reaction mid-flight. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York by 41-year-old paediatrician Dr Doreen Benary, the Straits Times reported. The suit stated that the incident occurred in October last year during a flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Benary, who was travelling in Business Class, had allegedly informed a crew member of her shellfish allergy but was served a meal containing shrimp, according to court documents. The New York-based paediatrician claimed she detected the shrimp upon eating the meal and began to feel unwell. It was also stated that she allegedly confronted a crew member, who admitted to the mistake and apologised. She reportedly suffered a severe allergic reaction and fell violently ill, prompting the aircraft to divert to Paris, France, where she received emergency treatment at two separate medical facilities. The suit said Benary endured significant pain, distress, and mental anguish, and continues to suffer lasting after-effects that have deprived her of the enjoyment of life, pursuits, and interests. As a result, Benary is seeking "full, fair and reasonable damages" from SIA, with the amount to be determined at trial, along with interest and legal costs. An SIA spokesman told The Straits Times that the airline is unable to comment on matters prior to the court proceeding. Meanwhile, Benary's lawyer was quoted by The Independent as saying the matter could not be discussed without her consent.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
US woman sues SIA for allergic reaction caused by meal containing shrimp; 'Basic necessity': More than 2,000 sign petition calling for free tap water at F&B outlets: Singapore live news
A woman is suing Singapore Airlines after she suffered a severe allergic reaction mid-flight, allegedly caused by a meal containing shrimp that was mistakenly served to her despite advance warnings. In her legal complaint, 41-year-old Manhattan resident Doreen Benary said she had informed the cabin crew of her shrimp allergy upon boarding flight SQ026 from Frankfurt to New York on 8 October 2024. But during the business class meal service, she claimed a crew member served her a meal containing shrimp, which she unknowingly ate. She only realised it after she "began to feel ill". A petition calling on the Government to mandate free tap water at food and beverage (F&B) outlets that already impose a 10 per cent service charge has gained traction. There are over 2,000 signatures as of 20 June. Launched on by Dr Yee Yucai, a consultant at Singapore General Hospital's Internal Medicine department, the petition argues that water is a "basic necessity". Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. A petition calling on the Government to mandate free tap water at food and beverage (F&B) outlets that already impose a 10 per cent service charge has gained traction. There are over 2,000 signatures as of 20 June. Launched on by Dr Yee Yucai, a consultant at Singapore General Hospital's Internal Medicine department, the petition argues that water is a "basic necessity". Dr Yee told AsiaOne that the petition came about he observed how food and beverage outlets seem to be "encouraging" diners to buy drinks to "boost profit margins". Dr Yee said: "The last straw that broke the camel's back for me was when I recently brought my family to an expensive buffet, about $60 per person. "And they had the audacity not to serve water and instead requiring us to pay an extra $5 for free-flow beverages. I thought it was going too far." This is not the first time the issue has surfaced, though. Members of Parliament from both sides of the aisle, have previously urged the Government to explore making free table water standard practice. In 2021, Christopher de Souza questioned "whether table water can be mandatorily made free-of-charge at F&B establishments" since Singapore's tap water is safe to drink. During the Budget debate in March, Workers' Party MP Gerald Giam urged the ministry to work with eateries, coffee shops and shopping malls to provide free or low-cost drinking water as a best practice. However, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu has pushed back, stating that while Singapore's tap water is safe, providing it still incurs costs, and thus cannot be mandated under the Environmental Public Health Act. For more on the free tap water petition, read here. A performance by local theatre company Wild Rice has been banned by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). The IMDA cited concerns that the revised script undermined Singapore's anti-drug policies and public trust in the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). The show, titled Homepar, was initially approved under an R18 rating, but IMDA said the final script submitted on 5 June contained substantial changes from the original version cleared on 21 April. They said, "The new material depicts and glamorises drug abuse and portrays an undercover CNB officer shielding abusers from detection." In a statement on Friday (June 20), IMDA said the new material was found to be in breach of the Arts Entertainment Classification Code (AECC). This was done in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs. For more on the banned Wild Rice performance, read here. A woman is suing Singapore Airlines after she suffered a severe allergic reaction mid-flight, allegedly caused by a meal containing shrimp that was mistakenly served to her despite advance warnings. In her legal complaint, 41-year-old Manhattan resident Doreen Benary said she had informed the cabin crew of her shrimp allergy upon boarding flight SQ026 from Frankfurt to New York on 8 October 2024. But during the business class meal service, she claimed a crew member served her a meal containing shrimp, which she unknowingly ate. She only realised it after she "began to feel ill". "Despite the aforesaid warnings, during the course of the subject flight's meal service, a member of [the] cabin crew served [Benary] a meal containing shrimp," the complaint read. Benary questioned the cabin crew member who admitted to the error and apologised. By then, her situation worsened and Benary was 'violently ill', prompting an emergency diversion to Paris. She was rushed to a hospital in France, then a second facility, where she reportedly underwent "painful emergency medical treatment". For more on the lawsuit against SIA, read here. A Chinese student, who had been studying at University College London, has been jailed for life after being found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women. Zhenhao Zou, 28, a PhD student was convicted of 11 counts of rape, including offences committed in both London and China between September 2019 and May 2023. Only two of his victims have so far been identified, and the other eight have yet to be traced. Zou filmed the assaults, which took place while the women were unconscious, and kept their belongings – including earrings, hair accessories, and lipstick – in what prosecutors called a 'trophy box'. Zou is sentenced to life with a minimum term of 24 years, and was labelled a "sexual predator" by Judge Rosina Cottage. She said that Zou 'planned and executed a campaign of rape', treating the women "callously" and as "sex toys" for his own pleasure, which had "devastating and long-term effects". For more on the Zhenhao Zou's sentence, read here. Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to visit Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang on Friday (20 June), in an attempt to repair ties with the military following a leaked phone call that has thrown her administration into crisis. In the call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, Paetongtarn referred to Boonsin – commander of forces in northeast Thailand – as her 'opponent' while discussing an ongoing border dispute. The remarks, which surfaced online earlier this week, triggered political backlash, prompting the withdrawal of key coalition partner Bhumjaithai and fuelling speculation about the government's future. Paetongtarn, who has been in office for less than a year, issued a formal apology on Thursday while flanked by army and police chiefs. For more on Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra's leaked phone call, read here. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is in discussions with insurer Great Eastern (GE) following the latter's decision to suspend the issuance of pre-authorisation certificates for Mount Elizabeth hospitals. In response to media queries, MOH stated that Integrated Shield Plan (IP) insurers "would have to ensure that policyholders continue to be able to access the full benefits of their policies in accordance with the terms and conditions for claims, as stated in their policy contracts". GE had notified its panel doctors earlier this week that it would temporarily halt the issuance of pre-authorisation certificates for Mount Elizabeth and Mount Elizabeth Novena hospitals from 17 June. The insurer high costs from the two hospitals, compared with other private hospitals, were the reason for the decision. GE clarified that the decision does not reflect on the quality of clinical care at Mount Elizabeth hospitals but that they were "prioritising facilities that deliver the same high-quality care with greater cost transparency and cost-effectiveness" A GE spokesperson told The Straits Times that the insurer "continues to be in active discussions with the hospital group involved and also the Ministry of Health on this topic". On the issue of IPs and additional coverage, MOH said in an email, "As these are commercial products, while MOH regulates the key parameters of IPs for financial sustainability, individual insurers' changes to administrative processes such as pre-authorisation framework and partnerships with private providers are based on their commercial and actuarial considerations." For more on the GE suspension of pre-authorisation certificates, read here. A cyclist who suffered a gunshot wound while riding in a gazetted area on 15 June may have taken steps to conceal his tracks from authorities. The 42-year-old man, identified as L, did not tell the police and National University Hospital (NUH) that he had been cycling near the Nee Soon live-firing range when he was hit by a projectile. According to checks by The Straits Times (ST) of the data on the Strava app, L entered the cycling trail from Chestnut Nature Park at about 9.50am on 15 June 15. He was with a group of about 10 cyclists at the time, and a regular riding partner identified as W. ST reported that W deleted details on Strava of his ride on 15 June 15. But, the route he took was mapped out on Garmin account, which is accessible to the public. After leaving Chestnut Nature Park, the pair entered the Woodcutter's Trail in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) at about 11am. The Ministry of Defence said in an earlier statement that the man was hit by a bullet slug at about 11.40am. The police said NUH alerted them at 11.55pm of the gunshot wound. In his initial interview with police investigators, L denied being anywhere near the restricted areas when he was injured. He only admitted to it the next day. W has privatised his Strava and Garmin accounts after the morning of 19 June. The cyclist is under investigation for wilful trespass. For more on the cyclist and the gazetted area, read here. Singapore Pools Toto draw for 19 June saw one lucky ticket take home the Group 1 prize of over $12.3 million. The single winning share amount of over $12.3 million is the third highest recorded by Singapore Pools behind $13.1 million in May 2024 and $13 million in October 2023. The winning numbers for Thursday's draw (19 June) are 1, 10, 37, 40, 47 and 45, with the additional number being 19. The winning ticket was bought from an NTUC FairPrice at Yew Tee Point (1 QuickPick System 7 Entry). For more on the Group 2 winning tickets, read here. Two Singaporean men were arrested in Thailand on 17 June, along with a Thai national, for their alleged roles in running a transnational vice syndicate, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Wednesday (19 June). The Singaporean suspects, aged 36 and 38, and the 50-year-old Thai man, were arrested in a joint cross-border operation between the SPF and the Royal Thai Police (RTP). The operation saw assets worth over 20 million baht (S$790,600) seized, including luxury condos, cash, mobile devices and SIM cards. The SPF also froze over S$1.26 million in suspected criminal proceeds held in a Singapore bank account belonging to the 38-year-old man. According to Thai media outlet Khaosod English, one of the Singaporean suspects was arrested upon arrival at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, while the other arrested at his residence in Thailand. Investigations started in 2023 and revealed that the syndicate allegedly recruited foreign women and deployed them to Singapore as vice workers. From April 2023 to May 2025, at least 76 such women linked to the operation have been arrested, and the SPF said the resulting investigations "established useful information" against the syndicate. Singapore's Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Yeo Yee Chuan said, "The SPF is committed to working closely with our regional partners, and we thank the RTP for their invaluable collaboration in dismantling this criminal network to prevent the exploitation of women, stem the scourge of transnational crimes and take affirmative actions against the laundering of criminal proceeds." For more on the arrests, read here. A petition calling on the Government to mandate free tap water at food and beverage (F&B) outlets that already impose a 10 per cent service charge has gained traction. There are over 2,000 signatures as of 20 June. Launched on by Dr Yee Yucai, a consultant at Singapore General Hospital's Internal Medicine department, the petition argues that water is a "basic necessity". Dr Yee told AsiaOne that the petition came about he observed how food and beverage outlets seem to be "encouraging" diners to buy drinks to "boost profit margins". Dr Yee said: "The last straw that broke the camel's back for me was when I recently brought my family to an expensive buffet, about $60 per person. "And they had the audacity not to serve water and instead requiring us to pay an extra $5 for free-flow beverages. I thought it was going too far." This is not the first time the issue has surfaced, though. Members of Parliament from both sides of the aisle, have previously urged the Government to explore making free table water standard practice. In 2021, Christopher de Souza questioned "whether table water can be mandatorily made free-of-charge at F&B establishments" since Singapore's tap water is safe to drink. During the Budget debate in March, Workers' Party MP Gerald Giam urged the ministry to work with eateries, coffee shops and shopping malls to provide free or low-cost drinking water as a best practice. However, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu has pushed back, stating that while Singapore's tap water is safe, providing it still incurs costs, and thus cannot be mandated under the Environmental Public Health Act. For more on the free tap water petition, read here. A performance by local theatre company Wild Rice has been banned by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). The IMDA cited concerns that the revised script undermined Singapore's anti-drug policies and public trust in the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). The show, titled Homepar, was initially approved under an R18 rating, but IMDA said the final script submitted on 5 June contained substantial changes from the original version cleared on 21 April. They said, "The new material depicts and glamorises drug abuse and portrays an undercover CNB officer shielding abusers from detection." In a statement on Friday (June 20), IMDA said the new material was found to be in breach of the Arts Entertainment Classification Code (AECC). This was done in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs. For more on the banned Wild Rice performance, read here. A woman is suing Singapore Airlines after she suffered a severe allergic reaction mid-flight, allegedly caused by a meal containing shrimp that was mistakenly served to her despite advance warnings. In her legal complaint, 41-year-old Manhattan resident Doreen Benary said she had informed the cabin crew of her shrimp allergy upon boarding flight SQ026 from Frankfurt to New York on 8 October 2024. But during the business class meal service, she claimed a crew member served her a meal containing shrimp, which she unknowingly ate. She only realised it after she "began to feel ill". "Despite the aforesaid warnings, during the course of the subject flight's meal service, a member of [the] cabin crew served [Benary] a meal containing shrimp," the complaint read. Benary questioned the cabin crew member who admitted to the error and apologised. By then, her situation worsened and Benary was 'violently ill', prompting an emergency diversion to Paris. She was rushed to a hospital in France, then a second facility, where she reportedly underwent "painful emergency medical treatment". For more on the lawsuit against SIA, read here. A Chinese student, who had been studying at University College London, has been jailed for life after being found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women. Zhenhao Zou, 28, a PhD student was convicted of 11 counts of rape, including offences committed in both London and China between September 2019 and May 2023. Only two of his victims have so far been identified, and the other eight have yet to be traced. Zou filmed the assaults, which took place while the women were unconscious, and kept their belongings – including earrings, hair accessories, and lipstick – in what prosecutors called a 'trophy box'. Zou is sentenced to life with a minimum term of 24 years, and was labelled a "sexual predator" by Judge Rosina Cottage. She said that Zou 'planned and executed a campaign of rape', treating the women "callously" and as "sex toys" for his own pleasure, which had "devastating and long-term effects". For more on the Zhenhao Zou's sentence, read here. Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to visit Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang on Friday (20 June), in an attempt to repair ties with the military following a leaked phone call that has thrown her administration into crisis. In the call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, Paetongtarn referred to Boonsin – commander of forces in northeast Thailand – as her 'opponent' while discussing an ongoing border dispute. The remarks, which surfaced online earlier this week, triggered political backlash, prompting the withdrawal of key coalition partner Bhumjaithai and fuelling speculation about the government's future. Paetongtarn, who has been in office for less than a year, issued a formal apology on Thursday while flanked by army and police chiefs. For more on Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra's leaked phone call, read here. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is in discussions with insurer Great Eastern (GE) following the latter's decision to suspend the issuance of pre-authorisation certificates for Mount Elizabeth hospitals. In response to media queries, MOH stated that Integrated Shield Plan (IP) insurers "would have to ensure that policyholders continue to be able to access the full benefits of their policies in accordance with the terms and conditions for claims, as stated in their policy contracts". GE had notified its panel doctors earlier this week that it would temporarily halt the issuance of pre-authorisation certificates for Mount Elizabeth and Mount Elizabeth Novena hospitals from 17 June. The insurer high costs from the two hospitals, compared with other private hospitals, were the reason for the decision. GE clarified that the decision does not reflect on the quality of clinical care at Mount Elizabeth hospitals but that they were "prioritising facilities that deliver the same high-quality care with greater cost transparency and cost-effectiveness" A GE spokesperson told The Straits Times that the insurer "continues to be in active discussions with the hospital group involved and also the Ministry of Health on this topic". On the issue of IPs and additional coverage, MOH said in an email, "As these are commercial products, while MOH regulates the key parameters of IPs for financial sustainability, individual insurers' changes to administrative processes such as pre-authorisation framework and partnerships with private providers are based on their commercial and actuarial considerations." For more on the GE suspension of pre-authorisation certificates, read here. A cyclist who suffered a gunshot wound while riding in a gazetted area on 15 June may have taken steps to conceal his tracks from authorities. The 42-year-old man, identified as L, did not tell the police and National University Hospital (NUH) that he had been cycling near the Nee Soon live-firing range when he was hit by a projectile. According to checks by The Straits Times (ST) of the data on the Strava app, L entered the cycling trail from Chestnut Nature Park at about 9.50am on 15 June 15. He was with a group of about 10 cyclists at the time, and a regular riding partner identified as W. ST reported that W deleted details on Strava of his ride on 15 June 15. But, the route he took was mapped out on Garmin account, which is accessible to the public. After leaving Chestnut Nature Park, the pair entered the Woodcutter's Trail in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) at about 11am. The Ministry of Defence said in an earlier statement that the man was hit by a bullet slug at about 11.40am. The police said NUH alerted them at 11.55pm of the gunshot wound. In his initial interview with police investigators, L denied being anywhere near the restricted areas when he was injured. He only admitted to it the next day. W has privatised his Strava and Garmin accounts after the morning of 19 June. The cyclist is under investigation for wilful trespass. For more on the cyclist and the gazetted area, read here. Singapore Pools Toto draw for 19 June saw one lucky ticket take home the Group 1 prize of over $12.3 million. The single winning share amount of over $12.3 million is the third highest recorded by Singapore Pools behind $13.1 million in May 2024 and $13 million in October 2023. The winning numbers for Thursday's draw (19 June) are 1, 10, 37, 40, 47 and 45, with the additional number being 19. The winning ticket was bought from an NTUC FairPrice at Yew Tee Point (1 QuickPick System 7 Entry). For more on the Group 2 winning tickets, read here. Two Singaporean men were arrested in Thailand on 17 June, along with a Thai national, for their alleged roles in running a transnational vice syndicate, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Wednesday (19 June). The Singaporean suspects, aged 36 and 38, and the 50-year-old Thai man, were arrested in a joint cross-border operation between the SPF and the Royal Thai Police (RTP). The operation saw assets worth over 20 million baht (S$790,600) seized, including luxury condos, cash, mobile devices and SIM cards. The SPF also froze over S$1.26 million in suspected criminal proceeds held in a Singapore bank account belonging to the 38-year-old man. According to Thai media outlet Khaosod English, one of the Singaporean suspects was arrested upon arrival at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, while the other arrested at his residence in Thailand. Investigations started in 2023 and revealed that the syndicate allegedly recruited foreign women and deployed them to Singapore as vice workers. From April 2023 to May 2025, at least 76 such women linked to the operation have been arrested, and the SPF said the resulting investigations "established useful information" against the syndicate. Singapore's Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Yeo Yee Chuan said, "The SPF is committed to working closely with our regional partners, and we thank the RTP for their invaluable collaboration in dismantling this criminal network to prevent the exploitation of women, stem the scourge of transnational crimes and take affirmative actions against the laundering of criminal proceeds." For more on the arrests, read here.
