The owner of Simba, a 1½-year-old male goldendoodle, said he planned to euthanise the dog after being unable to find someone willing to adopt it, attributing the difficulty in rehoming it to its behaviour.

A reader alerted Mothership to Simba’s situation after another member of a group chat called “furball siblings” shared an appeal to find it a home.

Screenshots seen by Mothership show the owner discussing plans to euthanise it in a separate Bukit Batok residents’ group chat.

Responding to Mothership’s queries, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said its inspectors were told by the owner and a rescuer that Simba is now in foster care and will undergo training before being rehomed.

According to SPCA, the rescuer caring for Simba said its owner had cited euthanasia out of desperation.

Family allegedly pressed for euthanasia

In the residents’ group chat, Simba’s owner said the dog would need to be euthanised because “nobody want him”, adding that his family was pressing for this to happen.

Another participant asked when he intended to do so, explaining that they were reaching out to people who might be able to give Simba a home. The owner replied that he was planning to euthanise it “after 7 days”.

SPCA said the rescuer subsequently told its inspectors that the owner had limited experience with dogs and had cared for Simba for only a week.

Owner claims shelters would not take Simba in

When another participant in the residents’ group chat suggested approaching SPCA, Simba’s owner claimed that shelters did not want to take it in. He later attributed the difficulty in finding someone to take the dog to its behaviour.

Asked by Mothership about Simba’s behaviour and the shelters approached, the owner declined to provide further details. He did not identify which shelters had been contacted or explain the behavioural issues involved.

SPCA’s response did not establish which shelters had been approached or whether they had declined to accept Simba.

Simba reportedly rehomed

Speaking to Mothership, Simba’s owner said he was the dog’s third owner and had originally found it through Facebook adoption groups.

He said Simba had been picked up by a new caregiver on Sunday (Oct. 4) at 7pm, but declined to explain how the caregiver had been found.

The reader also shared a screenshot of an update in “furball siblings” by the same member who had circulated the appeal. The member said Simba had been adopted by “someone from a shelter”, alongside a photo appearing to show the dog being walked on a leash by a woman.

Mothership initially attempted to verify the reported adoption but was unable to independently confirm it.

SPCA subsequently clarified that Simba was handed over to a rescuer for fostering and subsequent rehoming. Its inspectors contacted the owner after being alerted to the chat messages, then spoke to the rescuer, who said Simba was settling into its foster home and would undergo training before being rehomed.

SPCA cautions against casually mentioning euthanasia

While SPCA said it sympathised with the owner’s situation, it cautioned against casually presenting euthanasia as a potential solution.

“Euthanasia is not the answer to a healthy but simply unwanted pet,” it said.

Speaking generally, SPCA said such mentions can prompt people to quickly offer to take over a pet’s care, creating false urgency and adding pressure to rescuers already handling genuine emergencies.

“For every healthy animal they accept, they have one less space for an animal whose life hangs in the balance,” it added.

SPCA advised owners to explore responsible rehoming options, including its rehoming noticeboard, or engage a professional trainer who uses force-free, positive reinforcement methods where behavioural challenges are the main concern.

It also urged prospective owners to consider the lifelong commitment carefully and plan for behavioural training from the outset, even before problems arise.

Singapore’s veterinary guidelines on euthanasia

According to the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), veterinarians must comply with the Code of Ethics for Veterinarians as part of their licensing conditions.

The code provides for euthanasia to prevent unnecessary suffering, but requires appropriate treatment options to be considered first. It also allows veterinarians to refuse a request for euthanasia if they do not deem it necessary. Decisions about treatment or animal care should be guided by the animal’s welfare, the owner’s commitment to treatment and public safety.

Separately, dog training and behaviour rehabilitation guidelines supported by AVS recommend professional assessment of aggression issues, early behavioural intervention and veterinary advice to rule out health-related causes.

A Singaporean man bumped into Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim while shopping for a football jersey at Queensway Shopping Centre on Monday afternoon Oct. 12.

To mark the occasion, Fuad Odem took a photo with the son of Malaysia’s king, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Fuad told Mothership he was shocked when Tunku Ismail entered the sports apparel shop at around 2:35pm.

The Singaporean was already inside browsing for a Democratic Republic of the Congo jersey when royalty suddenly appeared.

He saw about six bodyguards with Tunku Ismail.

"I said, 'Can I take a photo with you?'," Fuad recalled.

Tunku Ismail said, "Of course," according to Fuad.

"It's the best crazy day for me right before my birthday on Oct. 13, then suddenly bump into him," he added.

The Singaporean man turned 24 the day after the chance meeting.

Tunku Ismail was in town for the F1 Singapore Grand Prix.

"Parenthood is extremely beautiful", "beautiful in the sense that it comes with a combination of heartache, sometimes tears, sometimes joy, indescribable joy", said Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau.

'Parenthood is extremely beautiful'

"You can't put it in words, and I think it makes for such a great life adventure," she said, noting that it is an adventure that is "so worth going through".

This includes all the ups and downs included, adding that it makes the "90 or hopefully 100 years by the time we age" so colourful.

"And those of you who have the chance or who are thinking about embarking on that colourful journey, go forth and experience it," she said.

Lau, who is also Senior Minister of State for Digital Development, had a dialogue with participants on the second day of the Young Singaporeans Conference (YSC) 2026 on Oct. 14.

Acknowledging that participants may have doubts about themselves and having children, she was responding to a participant who shared that she was the youngest of five siblings in her family, but her parents only had one grandchild.

The participant had asked Lau how she managed to "do it all" and who was her inspiration.

Lau responded that it is her children, as well as her immediate family including her parents and husband.

Right to disconnect

Another participant later raised a question about the right to disconnect.

"What I was thinking is maybe there is a kind of a middle ground because the government is the largest employer and has the power to set norms and also influence via competition," he said.

The participant asked if this was something that the government thought about as well, "whether the civil service or the public service being more...focused on work life balance would influence the wider labour market".

Employees in public service might have noticed some bosses nowadays having a line in their email stating the employee has a right to disconnect, Lau said in response.

She added that "what we're careful about" is also not to "dictate working hours for everyone".

As a mother of young children, she said she is not able to work during certain hours.

While some people might be able to work all the way until 7pm before going home and doing other things, Lau is not able to as she tries to pick her children up from school.

She then logs off from work for awhile before working again at a later time.

Being a good role model starts from the top

Lau also pointed out that being a good role model starts from the top.

"If we say you have a right to disconnect, then we should not be asking people to respond to us on Saturdays and Sundays. All of that we will have to do," she said.

Lau noted, however, that it is "not always good to lock it all in and be too prescriptive, because many people can live quite different lifestyles and may actually need to make up or do their work at [a] later time".

Ample chances to meet in same ministry

Some 80 participants also burst out laughing at the same participant's question on why Singapore government workers are not paired with colleagues from the same agency.

The participant, a public officer, was referring to the new dating pilot, FirstDate, by the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) which he signed up for.

To that, Lau responded that they had ample chances to meet within the same ministry.

"Sometimes we're just a bit more careful because there can be supervisor and staff relationship... and there could be very similar age band, just a couple of years older," she added.

Find what brings the most joy

Addressing the participants, Lau concluded by encouraging them to find community spaces to date, think about housing and hopefully disconnect from work when they can.

For those thinking about having children, Lau wished for them to have communities and chat groups to connect with.

"And I hope all of you find what brings you [the] most joy in all of your lives."

If "Singapore means something to us", there must be a next generation to inherit what past generations have worked so hard to build, said Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau.

Total Fertility Rate

She was delivering her opening remarks on Oct. 14 at the second day of the Institute of Policy Studies' (IPS) Young Singaporeans Conference (YSC) 2026: Futuremakers.

It focused on Singapore's declining total fertility rate (TFR), and set out to understand the perspectives of young Singaporeans on having children.

YSC 2026 also aimed to provide an opportunity to collectively address challenges possibly contributing to the nation's low TFR.

Deeply personal topic

Lau, who is also Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, acknowledged that it is a deeply personal topic.

She said: "For some of us, I would say, particularly the women, we feel very deeply about the issue of family and parenting or childbirth...."

This is because "we really feel that if Singapore means something to us, then there must be a next generation of Singaporeans who inherit the country that we spend so much effort [on]".

Next generation

In that regard, Lau noted that if people did not have children anymore, no one should care about topics such as housing, the future, or the environment because there would be no Singapore.

"There's no point in all of this if we didn't have a next generation or grandchildren that come after us, we might as well just say — have a good life while we can, and then the future will figure itself out in whatever way people choose to do so," she said.

Lau added that there would then be no purpose and meaning of anyone being in public service because there would be no Singapore and no future, which she said was what drives many who are in government now.

"That's why we work on policies like marriage and parenthood," she said, "that's why we care about family policy because it shapes the society that we are going to be in".

TFR new low

An earlier report mentioned that Singapore's TFR had dropped to a new low of 0.87 in 2025.

The issue quickly became a matter of priority to the government. In April this year, a new workgroup was launched in a bid to tackle the problem.

Workgroup chairperson Indranee Rajah called for a marriage and parenthood reset and said the crisis requires "all of society" to play a part, not just the government alone.

The workgroup, which was first announced during the budget debate in February, will release its findings by early 2027.

It will examine factors including financial costs, work-life support, caregiving, housing, healthcare, preschool and education, as well as work with stakeholders to promote relevant societal norms and workplace practices.

The workgroup, which Lau is a part of, will focus on two broad categories: What the government can do, and what society as a whole can do.

This means reviewing policies as well as how individuals can contribute to the issue.

An X user recently complained about the carpeted flooring at Changi Airport on Oct. 9, drawing a wave of reactions from Singaporeans.

The user, Florence Vuong from the United Arab Emirates, questioned who had decided to install carpeting at the airport.

now which stupid fuck decided to put down CARPET at the Singapore airport

— Flo 👹 (@neflorious) October 9, 2026

In another post that day, she called Changi “the most incompetent airport I’ve ever witnessed” and claimed it "make[s] life difficult for you every step of the way”.

Officially crowning Singapore the most incompetent airport I’ve ever witnessed.

Make sure you leave early when flying out cuz they’ll make life difficult for you every step of the way :)

— Flo 👹 (@neflorious) October 9, 2026

Netizens respond

Several users came to the airport's defence, suggesting that it reduced noise from footsteps and luggage wheels.

One said they had initially disliked it too, but later realised it made the airport “much quieter”.

Another said the carpet made it more comfortable to nap near a boarding gate while waiting for a 1am flight.

Other users took offence and described the carpet as a “signature” of Changi Airport.

Complaints about gate security

In a longer follow-up post, Vuong elaborated on her initial complaint about her experience at the airport, stating that it concerned security screening at the boarding gates.

She claimed that three or four flights were boarding around the same time in the same gate area, with "hundreds" of passengers and only two security lanes open.

She also said a flight had been moved there from elsewhere in the airport.

According to her, staff redirected some passengers towards a third security lane, then stopped the process midway and sent them back to the end of the existing queue.

As flights reached their final calls, she said staff allegedly shouted for passengers whose flights were departing to move to the front.

She said this led to passengers squeezing past others who were already at the checkpoint with their baggage open.

Alright since this is getting a lot more attention than I care for, I'll bite. Here are the reasons I had a fucked up experience at the Changi airport:

Main thing was that they put the security at the gate, but also scheduled multiple planes that leave at the same time at the same gates + moved a flight from across the airport.

There were 3/4 flights boarding at the same time, hundreds of people and only 2 security lanes open.

Then they start shuffling around people to a third lane just to cut it off in the middle and send the people who were moving back to the end of the line (where new people had accumulated).

As the flights turn to last call one after the other, the staff starts panicking and shout to please step to the front if your plane is leaving, so now a bunch of people are trying to squeeze in front of others who are already at the security checkpoint with their baggage open.

It was a shitshow.

Added to this:

- carpet for “noise reduction”: when it’s 2026 and many other materials are both quiet and sleek. Trolleys? if i need to add an additional step to roll my luggage which has wheels, it's BAD UX.

- no convenience store for snacks, only 2 distributors (orange juice was elite tho, will give them that)

- since security is at the gate, they make you throw out the liquids you bought in the airport after checking in

- gate shuffle train was announced and then didn’t let people in

Lastly, since everyone has created a cinematic universe around my life, I'll grant you a little insight:

- i've traveled to at least 20 countries in the past 2 years, seen my fair share of airports

- i got to the airport over 2.5 hours ahead of time

- my luggage rolls well, and i already own a rimowa but thank you for the ads

- my airport is DXB, so not shit. my other airport is CDG, which is shit. But the pride and joy of my people don't reside in airport logistics

- didn't get stopped for being suspected as a sex worker, although i'll take the compliment of people saying it's cuz i'm a hot girl

Lastly i'd like to say to people who think i'm a cunt: i am so much worse than you think :) if you were on fire and i had a water bottle i'd water the concrete with it 😘

xoxo

— Flo 👹 (@neflorious) October 12, 2026

Stands by carpet complaint

Vuong also maintained her criticism of the carpeting, arguing that other materials could reduce noise.

She said using a trolley added an unnecessary "additional step" when her luggage already had wheels.

The follow-up post also included further complaints about Changi Airport.

Vuong said there was no convenience store for snacks and that security screening at the gate meant she had to discard liquids bought inside the airport after checking in.

She added that her feedback comes from having travelled to "at least 20 countries in the past two years".

In a separate post, Vuong shared a meme with the caption: “I fear I’ve offended the Singaporeans”.

I fear I’ve offended the Singaporeans 🫢🤷🏻‍♀️ https://t.co/eYRxgB864L

— Flo 👹 (@neflorious) October 13, 2026

Mothership has reached out to Changi Airport Group for comment.

Community clubs in Singapore will distribute N95 masks to eligible Singaporeans following the worsening haze situation.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said the government has commenced the phased distribution of N95 masks to vulnerable Singaporeans through the People's Association's (PA) Community Clubs.

In addition, haze mask vending machines will also be available at selected public transport hubs, Social Services Offices and PA venues.

N95 masks will be made available progressively at the designated collection points and may not be immediately available at all locations, NEA added.

The vending machines are being progressively deployed across the island from the evening of Oct. 14, and stocks at all collection points will be replenished progressively and regularly, the agency said.

Those eligible include Pioneer and Merdeka Generation seniors, CHAS Orange and Blue cardholders, Medical Fee Exemption Card holders and ComCare Assistance recipients.

Pregnant women, children aged seven to 16, and people with medical conditions such as asthma may also collect masks at People's Association (PA) venues by presenting their NRICs.

Family members or friends can also collect the masks on their behalf using the eligible person’s NRIC.

Residents can find their nearest collection point at gowhere.gov.sg/hazemask.

Member of Parliament (MP) for East Coast GRC and Mayor of South East District Dinesh Vasu Dash also announced the news in a Facebook post on Oct. 14.

"Dear Residents, in view of today’s haze situation, all Community Clubs, including Bedok and Siglap CCs, will be distributing N95 masks to eligible Singaporeans from the following groups"

Haze shelters

Air-conditioned rooms in CCs and selected Residents’ Committee (RC) and Residents’ Network (RN) Centres will be set up as haze shelters, NEA said.

This is so that members of the public can "seek respite from the haze" at these haze shelters.

Residents may contact their nearest CCs on the operating hours and location of the haze shelters.

If the 24-hr PSI crosses into the hazardous range, the opening hours of the haze shelters in the CCs will be extended to 10pm, NEA shared.

Haze Task Force

The government's Haze Task Force (HTF) had announced last Friday that N95 masks would be distributed to more vulnerable individuals should the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) enter the very unhealthy range.

Mask vending machines will also be made available at selected public transport hubs and social services offices, the government had said then.

NEA said N95 masks are generally not required for short outdoor exposure, such as commuting between home and school or work, or when indoors.

It advised vulnerable persons to consider wearing an N95 mask when the air quality forecast is in the very unhealthy range (PSI > 200) and if they have to be outdoors for several hours.

However, vulnerable persons with difficulty breathing at rest or on exertion should consult their doctor before using an N95 mask. Any person who feels discomfort when using a mask should take a break from using it.

NEA reassured the public that there are sufficient stocks of N95 masks in retailers' warehouses and government stockpiles.

United States President Donald Trump will travel to the Philippines in November to attend the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila.

The summit will be from Nov. 16 to 18.

Malacañang confirmed Trump’s planned visit on Oct. 14, Manila Bulletin reported.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the visit at a Palace briefing, but did not elaborate on Trump’s schedule or any possible agreements.

The Philippine government’s confirmation comes after the White House said Trump would participate in the ASEAN summit in Manila on Nov. 16.

He will next travel to Shenzhen, China, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit from Nov. 17 to 19.

Trump’s previous trip to the Philippines was in 2017, when he attended the ASEAN Summit in Manila during his first term.

Three teenagers, two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old, suffered an electric shock when the flag they were carrying in a Nine Emperor Gods procession touched a main power supply line.

All three suffered burns to their body, with one currently in a coma.

The procession was held in Kedah, Malaysia, on Oct. 13.

At about 8:45pm, the flag was blown off course by the wind, causing it to touch a high-voltage power line.

There was a loud noise followed by sparks, reported Oriental Daily.

Burns on body

Ambulances were reportedly on site beforehand, and first aid was performed at the scene by paramedics.

The three injured teenagers were then taken to the hospital for further treatment.

The police said in a statement that the control centre was alerted to this incident at about 9:20pm that night, Sin Chew reported.

The 16-year-old sustained burns to 80 per cent of his body and is currently in a coma.

One of the 17-year-old boys sustained burns to 20 per cent of his body, including both his hands, while the other sustained burns to 40 per cent of his body, including his face and hands.

The two of them have regained consciousness and are under observation in the hospital, according to local police.

May have been caused by weather

The general affairs officer of the temple, Xie (transliteration), said in an interview that such an accident had never occurred before, and believes that the incident was caused by the weather that night, Oriental Daily reported.

Xie said that it had rained that night, and strong winds followed.

He did not rule out the possibility of the flag getting wet from the rain and being blown up by the wind, causing it to touch the high-voltage power line.

Xie emphasised that the incident was accidental and hoped that the public would refrain from speculating.

He also added that they will do their best to provide necessary assistance to the injured and make sure they receive proper care.

They will also follow up on any subsequent needs and provide support for the injured and their families, reported Oriental Daily.

I was in a supermarket rushing to get groceries when the vibrant red caught my eye.

I had to stop and get a closer look.

Hanging on the shelf was a red-and-white tote bag that felt like a little piece of home — the Merlion and the iconic dragon from the dragon playground cozying up with coffee.

Having never been to the dragon playground myself, I asked a colleague about it during work.

He shared that he had visited the place just about a year ago, and the conversation flowed from the history behind the playground to our childhood games.

I didn’t expect a simple tote bag to spark so many great stories.

Sometimes we need to take a pause in our hectic lives and connect with the people around us, whether it’s our friends or even strangers.

That’s what Nescafé hopes to do with their coffee — and now their new tote bag.

A daily companion

This tote bag is large enough to carry what you need for a day out — your essentials, groceries, or laptop.

Hook it over your shoulder and you’re ready to run your errands.

But its functions extend beyond that.

If you’re going to a party and you’re nervous about making small talk, let this bag be your social wingman.

Inspired by familiar local icons, the bag’s design invites curious glances and questions that could turn into delightful conversations.

How to get it

You can bring this tote bag (worth S$20) home for free with a purchase of either the original or less-sugar version of the Nescafé 3-in-1 coffee bundle.

Each bundle includes two packs of the coffee.

This promotion is available now at FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Giant, and Cold Storage supermarkets across Singapore.

Grab yours today and who knows what memories you might jolt and what conversations you might spark?

This branded article by Nescafé Singapore made this writer want to run around in a playground.

Transboundary haze has affected everyday life in Singapore, and air quality has often fallen into the unhealthy range.

The haze is a regional problem, reaching beyond Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

It also bears repeating that Indonesians are ultimately the worst affected, breathing air that is often an order of magnitude more polluted.

Root causes

The current haze is attributed to forest fires in Indonesia, specifically in Sumatra and Kalimantan, with the latter being the main focus for this year’s outbreak.

Added to this is the fact that the world is currently experiencing one of the strongest El Niño events in recent decades.

This means that Southeast Asia is expected to experience less rain in the coming months, making it less likely that the air will be cleared and the forest fires will be extinguished soon.

Blame has rightly been targeted at humans and corporations. That mostly covers why the forest fires happen, but it might also be helpful to look down and explore how it burns.

What is peat?

According to the International Peatland Society, peat is the surface organic layer of soil, mostly consisting of decomposed organic matter, usually made from plant material.

It often develops under conditions of oxygen deficiency and waterlogging, and in areas like Southeast Asia, peat is usually formed by fallen leaves and branches from rainforest trees.

This results in an energy-dense material, and in the past, northern European countries like Ireland made extensive use of peat as fuel for electricity and heating, to lower reliance on imported fuel, although it no longer does so for environmental reasons.

Kalimantan and Sumatra, which are covered in dense rainforests, are also rich in peatlands.

Indonesia, according to an article in Frontiers, is home to 23 per cent of the world’s tropical peatlands.

32 per cent of Indonesia's peatlands, about 45,000 square kilometres, is found in Kalimantan.

Slash and burn

In Indonesia, slash-and-burn methods are traditionally used to clear land for small-scale agriculture.

While not considered good for the long-term health of the forest, it allows small-scale farmers to cultivate otherwise difficult-to-farm land for a few years, before needing to move on.

It is also a very cheap way to clear land, essentially lighting the undergrowth on fire and waiting for the results.

Perhaps in small amounts, the land clearing might be less problematic, but at this time, the land is used by more than just local small farmers.

DW reports that large tracts of land have been cleared in preparation for industrial-scale agriculture, usually for palm oil plantations, or for paper production.

In an especially dry year, such as the super El Niño-affected 2026, fires can quickly grow larger than intended.

But perhaps the most alarming aspect of this is the peatlands.

The peatlands

In order to make peatlands acceptable for agriculture, it is necessary to drain them of water using canals dug through them.

AFP estimates that over 285,000 kilometres of canals have been cut into peatlands in Indonesia, an amount it says is seven times the circumference of the Earth.

When the peat catches fire, it doesn’t just burn at the surface, but spreads underground and continues to burn after surface fires are put out.

This means that after firefighters leave, a fire can reignite, starting the process all over again.

Worse still, once the peat has been dried out, it becomes hydrophobic, making it difficult to rewet and extinguish those underground fires.

Underlying problems

DW’s report on the fires notes that in the aftermath of the 2015 fires, Southeast Asian countries took measures to try to prevent such a serious outbreak of both fires and haze from occurring again.

But despite Indonesian and Asean efforts to restore peatlands and monitor fires, Indonesia has placed a permanent moratorium on new concessions in primary forest and peatlands, there remains a significant amount of drained or degraded peatland.

An expert DW spoke to, David Mark Taylor of the National University of Singapore, said these areas can become highly combustible during periods of prolonged drought.

“The underlying problem hasn’t gone away, and neither has the driver," Taylor said.