A South Korean military court has sentenced an army staff sergeant to 30 years in prison after he was found guilty of murdering his wife by neglecting her for months until her body was covered in maggots.

The verdict, revealed this week, came after a trial that heard harrowing testimony from medical professionals who treated the woman when she was finally brought to a hospital in Goyang, Gyeonggi, in November last year.

Left bedridden for months

According to Korea JoongAng Daily, the woman, who was in her 30s, became bedridden in August last year after developing panic disorder and depression. For more than three months, her husband allegedly provided no medical care or protection, with the woman surviving largely on snacks, bread, and juice.

She developed bedsores, which were left untreated and progressed into necrosis, eventually killing her.

The sergeant only sought help on Nov. 17, when he called emergency services to say his wife was going in and out of consciousness, per Korea JoongAng Daily.

Responders found her seated on a chair, her body covered in filth.

An emergency responder who spoke to the SBS programme Unanswered Questions described the scene:

"Her entire body was contaminated with feces, and tens of thousands of maggots were spread all over her body."

She went into cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital and died of sepsis the following day.

Doctors describe what they found

The attending physician told the court the scene was unlike anything he had encountered in his career.

He said:

"There were so many maggots that we tried to wash them away with saline before moving her to a ward. But no matter how much we cleaned, they kept appearing. We couldn't remove them all, so we had to wrap her in bandages on the spot."

The doctor also contradicted the sergeant's claim that he had failed to notice the state of his wife's body because air fresheners in their home had masked the smell.

He explained:

"The treatment room was filled with the stench of a decaying body. The smell clung to her clothes and her entire body."

A forensic pathologist from the National Forensic Service told the court it was only the second time in 15 years he had seen maggots on a living person.

Sergeant denied charges

When pressed by prosecutors on whether he had detected any unusual smells at home, the sergeant said he had noticed only "a smell like stagnant water." He denied the charges throughout, claiming he was unaware of his wife's critical condition and that she had not wished to receive treatment.

The court rejected his account. In its ruling, it found that the neglect had gone on long enough that her death was entirely foreseeable, and concluded there had been intent to kill.

The court also noted that he had continued to make implausible excuses and showed no remorse.

Although the sergeant reportedly broke down in tears on the hospital floor when his wife was admitted, the attending doctor told the court he questioned the sincerity of the reaction.

Family confronted him in court

During the trial, the bereaved family attempted to rush toward the sergeant after growing frustrated by his demeanour. They were restrained by court officers.

The family said:

"We felt so wronged because he never once showed any sign of remorse or regret, so we couldn't help but attempt to confront him."

Prosecutors want harsher sentence

The military prosecutor's office has since announced its intention to appeal, saying:

"A harsher sentence should have been imposed."

A Malaysian representative on Season 16 of MasterChef: Global Gauntlet has won this week’s “World Cup Cookoff” challenge with a roti canai dish inspired by her family and culture.

Jamie Tan, who is representing Malaysia under Team Asia-Pacific, emerged as the overall winner of the challenge after preparing roti canai with Malaysian coconut curry, coconut rice, and cucumber and pineapple salad.

Best World Cup watch-party food challenge

The challenge required contestants to create the ultimate World Cup watch-party food.

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An Instagram post by the official MasterChef on Fox account shared on Jun. 5 showed Tan’s dish first being named the top dish in the Asia-Pacific region, before beating the winning dishes from Europe, Africa and the Americas to claim the overall challenge victory.

Her win earned her a US$2,500 Home Depot gift card and an Immunity Pin, which protects her from elimination in a future challenge.

Dish usually takes hours to make

During the episode, Tan said she had chosen to make “a roti canai with a Malaysian coconut curry”, along with rice and a pickled cucumber and pineapple salad.

Explaining the dish to the judges, she described roti canai as “a flaky flatbread” commonly eaten in Malaysia.

However, she acknowledged that it was a risky choice for the challenge, as the dish normally takes much longer to prepare.

“Usually takes a few hours to rest and make,” she said with a laugh.

Tan later also shared in an Instagram reel on Jun. 5 that she was “scared” to make the dish because it takes over eight hours, but she only had 60 minutes to complete it.

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She also reflected that cooking was “not about being perfect”, and that recreating what her father had given her allowed her to feel proud of herself.

Inspired by her father

The dish had a deeper personal meaning for Tan as well.

In the episode, Tan said the challenge reminded her of the large gatherings her father used to organise for the family.

She also said her father worked at Home Depot and used to make the curry for her before leaving for work.

“The curry cooks really fast, it’s something I’ve cooked a lot at home," she added.

Tan admitted that the dish carried extra pressure because of its personal significance and that she wanted to win the challenge for her father.

Tan later told First for Women that the challenge felt like a “full circle” moment, tying together her father’s sacrifices and the dish she grew up eating.

The win was made even more meaningful by the US$2,500 Home Depot gift card, which she said she could use with her father, and that she hopes to buy a house for her parents one day.

Judges praise dish

When Tan’s roti canai was named one of Team Asia-Pacific’s top dishes, she could be seen tearing up on the episode, saying she was surprised, happy and proud of herself.

“I cannot believe that the judges think my dish is a top dish,” she said.

“To win on a night where I’m honouring my parents for all their hard work… It's incredible. I’m confident that I made my mom and dad proud tonight.”

Judge Gordon Ramsay praised Tan for taking on an ambitious dish within the limited time.

“It looks beautiful. Jamie, what I’m most impressed with, is traditionally, that takes hours to make. The fact that you had the confidence to attempt it tonight, I’m just happy for you.”

After tasting the dish, Ramsay said the curry was “delicious”.

“It’s fragrant, it’s warm, it’s sour, it’s everything you want. I mean, it feels like you’ve been making it for the last six hours. Well done.”

Why the win mattered

Speaking to First for Women after the episode aired, Tan said the win was especially meaningful as the dish represented her family, culture and her father’s sacrifices.

She said roti and curry are a classic Malaysian staple, bringing together Malay, Indian and Chinese influences and reflecting Malaysia’s multicultural identity.

Growing up, she said, the dish was eaten often at family gatherings, whether for Sunday breakfast, celebrations or special occasions.

Tan added that her parents did not come from privilege, but their sacrifices allowed her to stand on a national stage and showcase a dish that represented her family’s story.

“There’s so much meaning in culture and family,” she said.

“My parents didn’t grow up with education, and our family certainly didn’t come from privilege. But because of their sacrifices, I was able to prove myself, stand on a national stage, and showcase a dish that represents my dad’s passion, our culture, and our story.”

Members of the public have been helping Uncle Ong buy cat food over the past three years to shoulder his financial burden.

This was after Uncle Ong's story of feeding more than 30 cats a day on his own, rain or shine, since 2007, was reported for the first time in March 2023.

He used to spend more than S$1,000 of his monthly salary just on feeding cats before the public stepped in to help with his costs.

Even though his physical condition has deteriorated — he now wears a neck brace while medicating for his bad knees and back — he has kept up with his nightly cat-feeding routine in Kallang and Hougang.

The community cats, which are typically skittish around other people, cannot help but bump into one another and Uncle Ong when they see him each evening.

Grateful for public support

In response to the ongoing public support, the elderly man said he is grateful for all the help he can get.

"If it weren't for the sponsors, I would have been like this," he half-jokingly said in a mix of Hokkien and English, while bending and straightening his index finger repeatedly, alluding to being dead.

Physical condition deteriorated

However, Uncle Ong said he has been relying on a neck brace for the past three months, and his two recent medical appointments have cost him S$250 in total.

He does not know what is wrong with him, but assumes it is age-related, and he is otherwise recovering.

Beware of scammers

While he is concerned about his own health, Uncle Ong also said he hopes that those who have been helping him stay safe from scammers.

This was after Uncle Ong said he was approached by a person, who appeared to be in his 30s, and was informed that a fundraiser could be put together for him.

The incident, Uncle Ong recalled, occurred several months ago.

However, nothing apparently came out of it after Uncle Ong had his photos taken by the person.

Uncle Ong said there could be some out there who might try to pull a fast one on the unsuspecting public.

"He could have asked for money from people and he did not come back to find me after that," Uncle Ong said.

Pet shop helping to distribute cat food to Uncle Ong

Uncle Ong added that he hoped to emphasise what he experienced so that the public can avoid being duped.

The only legitimate way to help Uncle Ong is by buying cat food for him via this link run by S&S Pet's Shop at Tampines Street 44.

The products are labelled "Cats of Kallang".

The pet shop owner, Steven Chan, has been helping to distribute the cat food bought by the public to Uncle Ong.

Donors who are keen to help by contributing smaller sums can contact S&S Pet's Shop at snspetsshop@gmail.com.

A 66-year-old Malaysian woman has gone viral after marrying her former brother-in-law, six years after losing her husband and just over a year after her sister passed away, according to Weird Kaya.

Jariah Idris and 72-year-old Megat Abdul Malek Megat Abdul Hamid tied the knot on May 30 in Manjung, Perak, Malaysia, in a ceremony attended by around 500 guests. The wedding was organised by both families.

How it came about

Megat Abdul Malek had been married to Jariah's elder sister, who died of liver cancer in March 2025. Jariah herself had been a widow since 2020, and is a mother of seven and grandmother of 19.

According to Weird Kaya, the idea of the two marrying came from Jariah's younger brother, who had noticed Megat Abdul Malek growing quieter and less cheerful after his wife's death.

Jariah told Harian Metro:

"He then suggested my name to my brother-in-law. At first, both of us were shocked because we had never thought about it in that way. But after discussing it and seeking our family's views, we began to consider it more seriously."

"Not looking for love like when I was young"

For Jariah, the decision to remarry was not about romance in the conventional sense.

She told Harian Metro:

"At this age, I am no longer looking for love like in my younger days. Instead, I am looking for a companion to share stories with, to care for me when I am unwell, and to accompany me in the days ahead."

She added:

"In our golden years, having a life companion brings a sense of peace and happiness that is difficult to describe, because there is someone to talk to, share stories with, and care for one another."

Megat Abdul Malek echoed her sentiment. He told Harian Metro:

"At this age, I no longer see marriage as being solely about love. What is more important is having a life companion who can accompany, help, and care for one another."

He continued:

"I hope to live a peaceful, healthy, and happy life with my wife and family until the end of my life."

Children gave their blessing

Jariah said the marriage only proceeded after her children and family gave their blessing.

One of her sons, 32-year-old Badrulmunir Khushairi, admitted the family was initially taken aback.

He said:

"For us siblings, the most touching moment was seeing our mother and father smiling on the wedding dais. At that moment, we felt that giving our blessing to this marriage was the right decision. We hope society can view this from a positive perspective because everyone deserves happiness, regardless of age. Our mother and father's happiness is also our happiness as their children."

Went viral unexpectedly

According to New Straits Times (NST), the wedding footage spread online after one of Jariah's children uploaded it as a family keepsake, drawing both warm wishes and mixed reactions from netizens.

Jariah told NST:

"I am touched by the prayers and kind wishes given by many people. At the same time, I respect every opinion that has been shared."

Yes 933 DJ Hazelle Teo has tied the knot with her partner, Singapore-based musician James Wong.

The 32-year-old shared photos of her and Wong, 26, on her Instagram with the caption: "Today, the Wongs gained a daughter and the Teos gained a son."

"It was such an incredible day, soaking in all the love. Thank you, thank you, thank you. With that, we're officially married," Teo added.

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The festivities were well documented on the couple's Instagram page, as well as from friends who attended the wedding.

The couple even psyched out guests with a "we are expecting" announcement.

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Teo also appears to have cut her hair in the middle of the happy occasion as well.

When asked why she did it, Teo said this was a once in a lifetime occasion, so she just went for it.

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Congrats.

Met during a work collaboration

The couple met in 2024 during a work collaboration and have been dating ever since.

On Jun. 6, 2025, Teo announced her engagement to Wong.

Teo shared the news in an Instagram post, recounting the surprise proposal that took place during the final night of a work trip in Qingdao, China.

According to Teo, she had returned from her hotel at 1am, expecting a few hours of rest before catching a 6am flight back to Singapore.

Instead, she was greeted by a room filled with flowers and warm lighting, where Wong stood waiting with a camera set up, ready to propose.

Teo revealed Wong had planned everything behind the scenes.

Teo also addressed the six-year age gap between the two.

Speaking on their podcast, The Couples Classroom, Teo shared that it was "refreshing" to be in a relationship where the woman is older than the man, and Wong added that the six-year age gap is "just a number".

Teo and Wong both said they were surprised that the dynamic between an older woman and a younger man worked out, since society often expects the man to be older.

Wong shared that when he first started dating Teo at 24, he felt he needed to grow up "mentally" so they could talk about "mature stuff" like life, work, career, and starting a family.

Teo also broke down in tears over negative online comments about her relationship with Wong.

Teo opened up about how episodes five to seven of The Couple's Classroom featured stories that were deeply personal to them, and those episodes drew the most backlash.

She revealed:

"I lost sleep. Every time I woke up, I would think, 'Are there still many people online who hate me?'"

A man crashed his car into the void deck of a Yishun HDB block and fled the scene before the Police arrived and locked himself in a residential unit.

According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Police received a call for assistance at Block 150 Yishun Street 11 at 6pm on Jun. 6.

When officers arrived, they determined that a car had struck a nearby parked car and crashed into the block's void deck.

The driver of the car had fled the scene before the Police arrived.

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A stun device and suspected drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle.

While the Police were conducting the follow-up investigations at 153 Yishun Street 11, a 32-year-old man believed to be the car driver apparently locked himself in a residential unit.

As it was assessed that the man might pose a danger to himself, officers from the Special Operations Command, the Crisis Negotiation Unit, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force responded to the incident.

The Police were able to gain entry to the unit at around 11:30pm and found suspected drug paraphernalia.

The man was subsequently arrested for possession of a stun device, traffic-related offences and suspected drug-related offences.

The suspected drug-related offences have been referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau for investigation.

Investigations are ongoing.

Mendaki's flagship movement, Raikan Ilmu, will bring more than 100 learning activities to 11 heartland locations across Singapore from June to October 2026.

The initiative, which aims to promote lifelong learning, will see collaborations with more than 90 corporate, community and national partners.

Called the Raikan Ilmu@Heartlands, this initiative will bring lifelong learning opportunities closer to the neighbourhoods.

11 heartland locations from Jun to Oct

The initiative will start at Our Tampines on Jun. 13 and 14, before travelling to different locations across Singapore:

• Jul. 18 and 19: Jurong
• Jul. 25 and 26: Pasir Ris
• Aug. 15 and 16: Jalan Kayu
• Aug. 23: Kampong Glam
• Aug. 30: Toa Payoh
• Sep. 5 and 6: Nee Soon
• Sep. 12 and 13: Geylang
• Sep. 19 and 20: Woodlands
• Sep. 26 and 27: Marsiling
• Oct. 3 and 4: Punggol

Each Raikan Ilmu@Heartlands activation will feature activities and workshops organised around four thematic zones aligned with the Mendaki 2030 Workplan: Confident Learners, Stronger Families, Future-Ready Workforce and Thriving Community.

The activities are intended to cater to different segments of the community while providing opportunities for residents to share their aspirations and ideas.

Among the workshops at the launch event are sessions on artificial intelligence (AI), parenting and family development.

Participants can learn about everyday AI tools, attend discussions on the impact of AI on education and daily life, and explore app-building using Google's Gemini platform.

Partners involved in the initiative include SkillsFuture Singapore, the Singapore Police Force, the Singapore Civil Defence Force, Google, Sentosa, PPIS, PERTAPIS and institutes of higher learning such as ITEs, polytechnics and the Singapore University of Technology and Design.

Raikan Ilmu 2026 will also feature a series of key events at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre from Jul. 9 to 11, targeting academics, policymakers, educators, professionals, youths and community leaders.

More information on the initiative is available on Mendaki's website.

A Singaporean woman allegedly slipped and fell at a waterfall in Kanching Eco Forest Park and had to be carried down on a stretcher by local firefighters.

The incident reportedly took place on Jun. 6, 2026, Sinchew reported.

Rawang Fire and Rescue Chief Zaidi said a rescue team was immediately dispatched to the incident site to carry out rescue operations after receiving reports of the incident.

He said that firefighters had to haul a stretcher up the mountain for the injured victim.

They entered the waterfall area to evacuate the injured woman down the mountain and sent her to the hospital for treatment.

According to Zaidi, the injured woman was handed over to medical staff who arrived at the scene to examine her.

He said the extent of her injuries is currently unknown.

Prioritise safety

Zaidi reminded the public to prioritise safety when engaging in recreational activities at waterfall and rivers, and to follow on-site warning signs.

He also encouraged visitors to wear shoes with good anti-slip properties and to avoid climbing slippery rocks or entering high-risk areas.

Parents are also urged to keep a close eye on their children.

The public is also advised to avoid participating in dangerous activities during bad weather.

"Safe travel is the responsibility of tourists," Zaidi reminded.

A Malaysian hiker who went missing in the forests of Perak for 14 days has been found safe, surviving without food and drinking water from pitcher plants to stay alive.

According to Malay Mail, Jaslinda Saludin, 49, was found on the afternoon of Jun. 6 near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh, in Tapah, Perak, by Orang Asli villager Nazri Bah Eng. She was subsequently taken to Tapah Hospital for treatment.

How she went missing

Jaslinda was part of a group of 14 hikers and two Forestry Mountain Guides who set off on the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition at 2am on May 23, taking the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

She and another hiker encountered health problems and stopped during the climb. Jaslinda later pressed on towards the summit alone and was last seen by a guide at 7:30am on May 24.

14 days without food

In a short video shared on social media, Jaslinda recounted how she had gone through the entire ordeal without food, relying on whatever water she could find in the forest to survive, per The Star.

According to The Star, she said:

"I had no food, I didn't eat for two weeks. I drank water… dark water, brown water, water from pitcher plants. So let's all be grateful to be alive."

She added:

"I only had my first meal earlier today after I was found and brought to the Tok Batin's house."

In another video, she described repeatedly falling and struggling to survive each day in the forest.

Multiple falls, minor injuries

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad told reporters that, based on information Jaslinda provided to rescuers, she had fallen several times while navigating difficult terrain, including near river areas and from heights of about five and three metres.

She also sustained insect bites during her time in the forest.

He said:

“She is in stable condition and sustained only minor injuries."

Found by Orang Asli villager

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said after Nazri found Jaslinda, he contacted his nephew in Johor to report the matter to the authorities.

She said in a statement:

"Upon finding the victim, he informed his nephew in Johor, who then lodged a report with the authorities.

Singaporean actress and filmmaker Annette Lee held a refund event for her debut movie Dream Stall — and one person actually took her up on the offer.

In an Instagram Reel posted on Jun. 7, Lee said the event was over and that she had spoken to 12 people in total.

According to Lee, the others either gave feedback without asking for their money back or wanted to talk about how they resonated with the film.

One person asked for refund

The refund session was held at *SCAPE.

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Lee had earlier announced that she would offer full refunds to moviegoers who watched Dream Stall during its opening week and felt that they had “wasted their time”.

Viewers who wanted a refund were asked to bring their ticket stub and share feedback with her at *SCAPE Gallery Level 5 on Jun. 5, from 8:30pm to 10pm.

The offer did not apply to tickets bought using SG Culture Pass, due to legal reasons.

The one moviegoer who asked for a refund, according to The Straits Times (ST), was a 29-year-old software engineer who had paid S$15 to watch Dream Stall at GV Tampines on May 29. He received the refund in cash.

Felt restaurant scenes did not look like Singapore

The man’s main issue with the film was that some restaurant scenes were filmed in Malaysia, even though the story is set in Singapore.

He felt that the filming location affected the movie’s immersive quality, as the surroundings did not look like what he expected of Singapore.

He said, as cited by ST:

“When I imagine Singapore, I expect HDB [flats] and high-rise buildings in the background. In shots filmed from inside the restaurant, [you can see that] there is too much parking space outside. It feels very Malaysia."

Lee explained to him that the team had wanted to film in Singapore, but could not secure a suitable location.

“Either we could not meet the rent, or [the shop owners] just did not want to rent it out. We needed two spaces side by side [to film in], and it was just impossible to find,” she said.

Lee also said her team used visual effects in post-production to add more buildings behind the restaurant.

Feedback on humour and Singlish

The moviegoer also felt that some of the humour in Dream Stall did not come across naturally, particularly in scenes referencing a Taiwanese movie.

He said some of the dialogue felt “a bit jarring”, possibly because it was delivered in a Singaporean accent.

In response, Lee explained that Singaporeans come from diverse backgrounds and speak a mix of English, Singlish and their mother tongue.

Annette Lee responded, according to ST:

“That is why I wish to see more local movies being made, so we can get used to how Singlish feels like when spoken on-screen."

The man later said that Lee’s willingness to offer refunds showed confidence and courage, adding:

“Being open to feedback is something I cherish a lot.”

However, he still felt the film had flaws and left the cinema with “very mixed feelings”.

About Dream Stall

Dream Stall is Lee’s feature film directorial debut.

She also stars in the film as Enya, a recent university graduate who tries to save her family’s bak kut teh business after her father, played by Mark Lee, decides to shut it down.

The film also stars actors such as Ya Hui, Xixi Lim and Xander Pang.

The comedy-drama opened in cinemas on May 27.