Six people were charged in court on Sep. 28 under the Public Order Act for participating in public assemblies outside the State Courts and Changi Prison without a permit and/or in a prohibited area.

Those charged include freelance journalist and activist Kirsten Han, 37, as well as actor couple Lim Kay Siu, 70, and Neo Swee Lin Winifred, 63.

Lim and Neo were in local sitcom "Phua Chu Kang".

Lim played Frankie Foo, while Neo was acting as Phua's mother.

Activists Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 38, Howe Wen Khong Rocky, 31, and Ten Leu Jiun Jeanne-Marie, 55, were also charged.

All six arrived at the State Court close to 9am.

Annamalai and Howe, who were wearing t-shirts featuring political symbols and messages, were asked by security personnel to change their shirts.

Charges

Han was charged for taking part in an assembly on Feb. 3, 2025, publicising the cause of abolishing capital punishment in Singapore outside the State Courts.

She was previously given penalties including stern warnings and a 12-month conditional warning over similar offences of participation in various public assemblies/procession.

Lim, Neo, Annamalai, and Howe were also each charged with one count of participating in the same public assembly outside the State Courts.

Annamalai was previously convicted for several offences involving organising a public procession without a permit and public assemblies without permits.

Howe was also charged with three counts of participating in a public assembly without a permit outside Changi Prison.

This is despite having been issued a stern warning for two similar offences previously.

Meanwhile, Ten was charged with two counts of participating in a public assembly without a permit on Nov. 22 and 29, 2024, outside Changi Prison.

Supporters

Supporters were present in the public gallery, including opposition politicians Chee Soon Juan and Paul Tambyah.

Activist Elijah Tay, who similarly faces charges under the Public Order Act, was also in attendance.

Tay was also wearing a shirt with political symbols and was made to change shirts as well.

A driver pulled into a car park in River Valley on Sep. 25, stayed roughly five minutes, and left well within the free grace period.

However, the system recorded the visit as slightly longer.

Its reading put the duration at 7,204 days, 22 hours and 51 minutes, which translated to a S$100,870 fee.

That is roughly 20 years of parking.

Card was set to auto top-up

The driver posted about it on Reddit under the title, "accidentally parked for 20 years".

One commenter asked whether they had enough in the CashCard to be debited in the first place.

The driver replied that the card was in the in-vehicle unit at the gantry, and that it tops up automatically.

They wrote:

"It has the auto top up to top S$50 from my credit card when it goes negative. I didn't know if it will run infinitely until it hit $100k! Luckily it didn't."

The driver called the car park hotline to ask what had happened, and the system had apparently not detected his IU going in, even though the gantry opened.

The car park management's response

The car park's management said it became aware of the incident after it began circulating on social media, and sent someone down immediately, Shin Min Daily News reported.

The affected part has since been replaced.

A spokesperson said the issue had been resolved and that the car owner did not suffer any losses as a result.

The management also apologised for the inconvenience and said measures have been taken to address the issue.

The wife of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, passed away on Sep. 28 at the age of 100.

She died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur at about 9:25am, according to Free Malaysia Today.

The news was confirmed by her son Mokhzani Mahathir, The New Straits Times reported.

Mahathir also posted about his wife's passing on his Instagram at about 10:50am.

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A post shared by Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial)

On Facebook, the Malaysian Agong (king) Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar expressed condolences to Hasmah's family for their loss.

Born in 1926 in Klang, Selangor, Hasmah was one of the first Malay women doctors in Malaysia after studying medicine at Singapore's King Edward VII College of Medicine in the 1950s.

That was also where she first met Mahathir, who is now 101.

Under Malaysia's Ministry of Health, Hasmah became the first woman to be appointed the State Maternal and Child Health Officer in Kedah in 1974.

Later as the prime minister's wife, she continued to advocate for family planning, mental health, drug abuse prevention, and more.

Following the announcement of her passing at Malaysia's Parliament, a brief Islamic prayer was held in her honour, the Malay Mail reported.

She leaves behind her husband and seven children.

UPDATE on Sep. 28, 12:30pm: This article has been updated with information from the car owner.

Two hawker centre cleaning staff reportedly rushed to put out a fire that broke out in a BMW car at the Geylang Bahru Market and Food Centre carpark on Sep. 26.

One of them, aged 38, told Shin Min Daily News that he was collecting used bowls and plates at the hawker centre when he saw smoke coming from the direction of the carpark.

After realising that a car had caught fire, he and a fellow employee ran to take 11 fire extinguishers out of the fire equipment cabinet in the hawker centre, then raced to the blaze.

As the situation looked urgent, several members of the public who were in the area also went over to help put out the fire.

"It was a simple job, and something I ought to do," the 38-year-old said. "I'm also grateful to the passers-by who stepped in to help. It was also because the civil defence officers arrived very fast that the fire did not spread further."

Photos show a blaze and smoke emitting from the hood of the car.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the incident at about 3:55pm, and that the fire involved the car's engine compartment.

SCDF officers extinguished the flames using a water jet and a hose reel.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Car started smoking shortly after parking

The owner of the BMW told Mothership that the car started smoking as soon as her husband, who was driving, parked and stopped the engine.

"Once we opened the car doors, people around started shouting at us that our car was on fire and to... 'faster run,’” she said.

The couple then got a safe distance away to assess the situation.

However, on the advice of a passer-by, her husband decided to go back and reverse the car as it was near some diners, potentially putting them in danger.

But as soon as he started the engine to do so, the passenger side of the car went up in flames, the owner said.

Thankfully, he managed to open the door and make it out, the wife recounted.

The driver went aside to call the SCDF for help, then helped the members of the public with putting out the fire.

The couple expressed gratitude to the SCDF and "all the brave men and women" who alerted them about the fire and helped to keep it under control before the SCDF arrived.

They have owned the six-year-old car for two years without incident, the wife added.

A Malaysian influencer who gained fame for promoting gambling recently revealed that he has accumulated about RM1 million (S$314,000) in debt, pushing him to take a job as a ride-hailing driver.

Aaron Lim, also known online as "Genting's little queen", said in an Instagram video on Sep. 21 that he has been working as a Grab driver for the past eight months using a car loaned to him by a friend.

He started driving Grab to put food on the table, but so far has not been able to save beyond that, he said.

"Only enough to survive"

Lim's income driving Grab is just enough to cover his daily expenses due to low ride fares in Malaysia, he lamented.

The 48-year-old shared that he would typically pick up rides from about 1pm to 11pm each day, and earn RM200 (S$63) at most.

After deducting expenses on food, petrol, and medicine, he does not have much money left.

"It's only enough to survive," he said.

Lim's new job has also taken a toll on his health.

He has backaches and trouble sleeping, to the point that he has been taking sleeping pills for more than a year now.

The pills have made the problem worse, though, he added.

Starting over

In his days of gambling, Lim believed he would keep on winning.

"When I won, I would continue [gambling]. When I lost, I just kept wanting to win back my losses," he said in a previous video on Sep. 19.

He would also share some tips and tricks on gambling online.

The fortune he gained allowed him to lead a luxurious lifestyle where he would spend freely.

He flew in private jets and ate at fine dining restaurants without thinking twice about the cost. He would spend at least RM100 to RM200 (S$31 to S$62) on a meal.

Now, he expressed gratitude for simple meals at a hawker centre at a half-price discount.

After falling into debt, which he called "the lowest point of his life", he has been starting over.

"Now I just want to live my life well, and work hard every day to make a living," he said. "My wild days are in the past. I'm starting over again at 48 years old."

Nobody tells you that the hardest part of getting your BTO keys isn't the waiting, it’s the furnishing.

Suddenly you have opinions about mattress firmness levels, you're googling "pocketed springs vs memory foam" at 1am, and you've visited more showrooms than you'd care to admit.

Mattress fatigue is real (and deeply ironic).

So here's a shortcut. For five days only, from Sep. 30 to Oct. 4, Four Star is bringing its Clearance Roadshow Fair to Bugis, where you can buy one mattress and get another free.

There's also up to 80 per cent off premium mattresses, designer bed frames and storage beds.

Which means the master bedroom and the guest room could both be sorted in one trip.

If you run hot at night

You know who you are. The one who sticks a leg out of the blanket for ventilation, then pulls it back in because it's cold, then does it again an hour later.

The DETENSE ArcticSilk mattress is for you. Its ticking uses silk-feel eco-fibres that cool down quickly and stay cool for a longer period of time, while the anti-static fabric helps you settle into a more restful sleep.

Underneath, there are individually pocketed springs designed to follow your body's natural contours from head to toe.

They also minimise motion transfer, so if your partner flops around like a fish at 3am, you'll be none the wiser.

And here's the part that makes the decision easier: buy a selected cooling mattress and a smaller one comes free.

Buy a queen and you get a single, buy a king and you get a super single.

So the mattress you're eyeing for your own room could come with a second one for the guest room, at no extra cost.

If your back has opinions

Waking up stiffer than when you went to bed is not a vibe.

The newly launched CHIRO Bio Plus has a plant-based soy comfort layer that relieves pressure and supports the contours of your body, while its open-cell structure stops heat from getting trapped.

Its MeshMatrix AirCore side panels keep air moving, releasing built-up heat and humidity through the night (useful, given where we live).

If your skin reacts to everything

The Tencel mattress uses naturally soft, breathable fabric that's gentle on sensitive skin and resists dust mites. Its silky surface also helps keep heat from building up.

Whichever you go for, mattresses come with warranties of up to 15 years and free one-for-one disposal of your old one. And yes, you can try before you buy, so you can lie down in public without anyone judging you.

If you want a bed that basically does everything

The Ergonomic Adjustable Bed lets you tilt the head and foot positions until you find your sweet spot, then saves it with memory mode (so you don't have to relive the search every night).

There's also massage with adjustable intensity and a timer, a child lock, an under-bed light and a USB charging port. You can control all of it through a Bluetooth remote or an app.

It comes with a 10-year warranty.

If you want to mix both ergonomics and design

The Wabi-Sabi Inset Bed has a recessed frame that hides the mattress edges for a clean, minimal look, while holding everything firmly in place.

If you have kids or friends who tend to overstay, the Pull-out bed tucks an extra bed out of sight until someone needs it.

You can also mix and match headboards, divans, colours and materials, including pet-friendly, easy-to-clean fabric and leather.

If you have too much stuff

At some point every new homeowner discovers they have nowhere to put the luggage.

The "Space Saviour" Storage Bed uses a German hydraulic lift system, so getting to your off-season clothes doesn't mean throwing out your back. That makes it a good pick for older family members too.

Choose between front or side-lift, and add drawers if you want more.

The small things that make a bed feel finished

Four Star's Accessorize range has new summer quilts, mattress protectors and memory foam pillows.

The Memory Foam Ergonomic Pillow is contoured for side sleepers, keeping your neck in natural alignment rather than at the odd angle you might have been sleeping at for years.

The Summer Light Quilt is gentle on sensitive skin, machine washable, and filled with cooling polysilk, which is about as much blanket as Singapore weather allows.

Selected pillows and bolsters are also going for buy one get one free.

Free gifts with your purchase

Spend a certain amount and you'll walk away with more than you came for:

• Spend a minimum of S$2,000: travel pillow
• Spend a minimum of S$3,000: latex pillow and travel luggage
• Spend a minimum of S$4,000: vacuum cleaner

Which is a decent haul, considering you were going to buy a mattress anyway.

Support that doesn't stop at checkout

Four Star's service doesn't end when you pay. Along with warranties of up to 15 years, there's follow-up service, a dedicated team for product enquiries, and advice on keeping everything in good shape.

Delivery is free, and installation is quick.

That long-term approach has earned the brand multiple industry awards over the years.

Find Four Star's Clearance Roadshow Fair

Location: Coliwoo Midtown, Level 1, 141 Middle Road, Singapore 188976

Date: Sep. 30 to Oct. 4, 2026

Time: 11am to 9pm daily

Nearest MRT station: Bugis (nine-minute walk)

WhatsApp (messages only): 8683 9906

Images for illustration purposes. T&Cs apply.

This branded article by Four Star made this writer seriously reconsider replacing her mattress.

Sports retailer Decathlon decided to shorten its inaugural Kiprun Singapore half-marathon on Sep. 27  due to the worsening haze conditions in Singapore.

Decathlon, along with co-organiser Metasport, announced this at about 3am on the day of the race, explaining that air quality readings reviewed at 2am exceeded action thresholds.

It was shared on their social media, and directly to participants via email and text message.

The action thresholds were set out in the organisers' event contingency plans, as well as the applicable SportSG and National Environment Agency (NEA) guidance, according to a post the previous day informing participants that adjustments might be necessary.

Only the 21.1km race was adjusted while the 10km, 5km, and Kids Dash distances were not changed.

The awards ceremony was also cancelled, and all race categories were made non-competitive, which means there would be no official rankings or results.

The measures were taken to reduce prolonged and strenuous physical exertion while still allowing participants to enjoy the event safely, the organisers said.

They did not state on their social media whether half-marathon participants will be refunded.

Two half-marathon participants Mothership spoke to said they have not been offered a partial refund, credit, or any other form of compensation so far.

Unhealthy PSI levels

The Kiprun event, held at the Decathlon Singapore Lab in Kallang, was located in the central-east area.

The 21.1km commenced at 5am, followed by the 10km run at 6am, and the rest after 7am.

At 2am on Sep. 27, Singapore's overall 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings were within the unhealthy range.

The readings in central and east areas were 126 and 109 respectively at 2am.

By 5am, they were up to 127 and 113 respectively.

"Bummed" but enjoyed the race

A large crowd of runners showed up at the half-marathon despite the shortened distance.

Velarde Mikhail Allen Tacderas, 19, who ran in the shortened race, told Mothership he was bummed at first, but ultimately "just took it as a fun run" and enjoyed himself at the "nice course".

It was the first publicly organised race he had participated in, and he ran his personal best for a 10km distance.

Despite the adjustment, he received a medal and finisher T-shirt, which he said felt "undeserved" and like "stolen valour".

He added that he did not feel different due to the haze, while noting that the organisers emphasised safety as the utmost priority both online and at the event itself.

"I assume it's a tactic to keep runner's morale high while reminding runners to monitor their health closely," he said.

Josiah Ho, 26, similarly felt sad when he learnt that the half-marathon would be halved.

"10km is just a normal run for me," he told Mothership. "21.1km was the goal, especially with my colleagues."

He observed that the haze had "pretty much cleared up" at the start of the race, though the PSI levels were high. He did not feel like it affected him.

"[The organisers] were constantly reminding us [at the starting line] to watch ourselves and know when we are feeling good or bad," he said.

"Responsible thing to do"

On Instagram, many other participants expressed support for the organisers' decision to put their health and safety first.

A user, who said he was up at 3am on race day waiting to find out if the races would proceed, praised the organisers for "making the tough call".

Another acknowledged that it was "all for our safety amidst the haze situation".

A third said the adjustment was made "without much disruption". He called it a "pity" that participants did not get to run the full 21.1km, but added that it was "the responsible thing to do".

Refunds

Tickets for the half-marathon were priced from S$78 with the super early bird discount, to S$98 at the end of registration.

According to the Kiprun event terms and conditions, registration fees will not be refunded due to any

change or cancellation of the event, "unless the organiser expressly states otherwise".

Both Velarde and Ho said they hope a refund would be offered. "If not, a discount for the [race] next year," Ho added.

Several comments under the Sep. 27 announcement on Instagram asked about refunds, with some arguing for it on the grounds of fairness.

Mothership has reached out to the organisers for more information.

"Yesterday so hot, today so cold."

That's probably what many Singaporeans were thinking as they went about their weekend.

And the mercury confirms it.

One day after Singapore recorded the highest joint daily September temperature since record-keeping began in 1929, Singapore was cool and wet on Sep. 27.

Rain clouds have blanketed much of Singapore since morning, and most of the island is enjoying so-called "air-con" temperatures below 25°C, as at 3:42pm.

At the Woodlands Avenue 9 weather station, the reading came in at 25°C.

However, it had logged the record-setting high of 35.8°C just an afternoon before, as reported by The Straits Times.

As low as 20.7°C

The lowest temperature recorded today was at Clementi, with a reading of 20.7°C at 12:20pm.

The highest so far was at Paya Lebar, with a reading of 30.6°C at 10:52am.

Flash flood warnings for multiple locations around Singapore were issued by national water agency PUB between late morning and noon time.

According to the fortnightly forecast by Meteorological Service Singapore, more showers are expected in this half of September.

Daily maximums are likely to range between 33°C and 34°C, reaching around 35°C on some days.

Chinese TV host Feng Xi, 26, lived out her childhood fantasy when she married Chinese singer Xu Song, 40.

She had reportedly been a fan of the singer, who goes by the stage name Vae, since her primary school years, according to local media outlets.

The pair announced their marriage on Weibo on Sep. 19 with two photos from a wedding shoot, captioned "Our life story has entered a new chapter. Thank you for all your concern and well wishes."

Xu rose to fame in the late 2000s, later becoming one of China's most popular singers during the country's internet era.

According to Sina, the couple first met in October 2022 when Xu appeared on a variety show "Hello, Saturday". Feng was hosting the programme then.

In November the same year, rumours of the their relationship emerged after they were spotting holding hands while shopping.

However, the pair did not officially announce their relationship in the four years they dated.

Apart from a rare public appearance at a New Year's Eve gala at the end of 2023, they also avoided appearing together on stage.

Reactions

Although Feng is a TV host herself, many have dubbed her story as a fangirl's ultimate success—being able to marry one's idol.

However, some of Xu's fans have also decided "unfan" him, as they felt that the marriage announcement has shattered his "aloof genius" image, rendering him just another industry figure who prefers younger women.

Nonetheless, most are supportive of the union, pointing out that dating and getting married are par for the course, singer or not.

In fact, Xu's Weibo following has spiked after the news, with more registering for his recent concerts in Tianjin, China as well.

Residents in Bangkok, Thailand have taken to panic-buying food and essentials from convenience stores as the city experiences ongoing extreme floods.

A video dated Sep. 26 circulating on social media showed people hoarding bottled drinks and stacks of ready-made food like cup noodles in a flooded store.

Another video featured a nearly-empty 7-Eleven store, as well as snaking queues of people in another grocery store.

People could also be seen wading through knee-high water on the streets outside.

According to Thai PBS World, people have begun stocking up on necessities in case the floods render them unable to leave their homes or if food deliveries become disrupted.

Staples like instant noodles, frozen meals and bread are disappearing from display shelves, while chain franchise convenience stores in Bangkok and nearby provinces are running short of ready-to eat-food and other necessities.

Motorists have also reportedly packed into service stations to fill their tanks out of fear that petrol and diesel will run out, said PBS.

Authorities keeping close eye on stock availability and prices

According to Inquirer.net, Thai authorities have ordered retailers to replenish supplies and are keep a close watch on the availability and prices of essential goods.

The Commerce Ministry is also coordinating with wholesalers and retailers to expedite deliveries.

Meanwhile, major Thai supermarket chain Tops has also set up a 24-hour flood response "war room" to manage store operations and supply chains.

According to The Nation, this involves ensuring that staff and customers are safe, installing flood barriers and drainage systems, and having enough essential goods to distribute across their customer base.

Extreme flooding

Bangkok has experienced heavy floods in late September after days of extreme rains.

On Sep. 25, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt declared all 50 districts of the capital city disaster-affected zones.

However, he has also asked residents not to worry about any potential food shortages, and urged everyone to stay home.