A Malaysian influencer living in Singapore has gone viral on Instagram after sharing what she described as her "scariest renting story".

In a reel on Jun. 14, the woman, who goes by @zhishinn on Instagram, said her landlord had suddenly converted the 3-room property in Spottiswoode into seven separate rooms.

He'd even listed the kitchen and storeroom for rent, she alleged.

She has since moved out of the property.

Sudden "big renovation"

Zhishinn, who is also a Singapore PR, said she has been renting in Singapore for three years.

She chose the Spottiswoode unit for its proximity to the CBD, and thought she would "live there [for] many years" due to its convenient location.

"Until one day, my landlord is suddenly doing a big renovation," she said in the video.

According to her, the landlord divided the living room into two rooms, converted the kitchen into a room, and partitioned the storeroom for rental as well.

"Even the storeroom, he wants to rent out. Who will live there?" she said.

She described the weeks that followed as disruptive and stressful, with contractors coming in and out daily, the entire flat covered in dust, and the kitchen demolished, leaving tenants unable to cook.

"My biggest worry is overcrowding, fire hazard, those safety issues," she said.

Overnight move

In her caption, Zhishinn added that she decided to move out after "weeks of stress and difficult conversations".

"All of us working so hard every day just want to come home to a safe space. To rest and recharge. Because your living environment really has a huge impact on your mental health," she said.

In another video, she shared that she'd managed to find a new place to rent: a HDB common room where she pays S$1,300 a month.

Zhishinn also mentioned in her caption that the video did not seek to expose anyone, but to comfort others who "may be going through similar situations in silence."

What are the rules?

While she described the rental as an "HDB", Mothership understands that it is a private residential property.

According to an online search, there are three condominium complexes in Spottiswoode: Spottiswoode Residences, Spottiswoode Suites, and Spottiswoode 18.

There's also an interesting cluster of blocks at Spottiswoode Park Road, some of which are HDB-owned, and others which were later privatised and are now considered "apartments".

According to URA, for private residential properties smaller than 90 sq m in Singapore, there is an occupancy cap of six unrelated persons per unit.

For larger private residential properties of over 90 sq m, up to eight such persons are allowed to occupy the property, provided the owner registers with URA.

This is due to a temporary relaxation in the occupancy cap, which has been extended until Dec. 31, 2028.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has made changes to the way information is shown on the digital displays at Circle Line platforms, ahead of the opening of the full loop on Jul. 12.

The changes include making more prominent the details about the terminating or next interchange station, while making the "anticlockwise " and " clockwise " labels smaller.

The updated display format will be implemented from today (Jul. 2) at Buona Vista, Esplanade, Paya Lebar and Promenade stations.

New display format

In a Jul. 2 update on Facebook, LTA noted that it has heard the feedback on the Circle Line wayfinding display format.

"We've simplified the display further, taking in your feedback," the host in LTA's video said of the new changes.

For train services that run along the entire Circle Line, the new display format will indicate in bigger font the next interchange station.

For train services that terminate at a station, the terminating station will be indicated.

For example, if the train service runs along the branch section and ends at Dhoby Ghaut, the display will indicate that it "ends at Dhoby Ghaut".

The "anticlockwise" or "clockwise" label will indicate the general direction of the train service, regardless of whether it will serve the entire loop or just the branch section.

It will also be in a smaller font as compared to before.

The circular icon, which was previously used to convey information about the direction of travel, will be removed.

Train arrival timings will still be displayed.

Before

Previously, the Circle Line wayfinding displays on trial showed a larger circular icon indicating the train's direction.

Train services that run the entire loop were labelled "anticlockwise loop" or "clockwise loop".

Services that run along the Dhoby Ghaut and Promenade branch section were labelled "anticlockwise" or "clockwise".

Information on the terminating or interchange stations was included below the circular icon in a smaller size.

Commenters on forums such as Reddit and Hardwarezone shared that the display format caused confusion.

Here are examples of what the displays looked like before the changes.

A 72-year-old former violin teacher in Singapore was sentenced to nine months' jail on Jun. 30 for sexually assaulting a then nine-year-old girl during a violin lesson at his home.

The offender was 64-years-old at the time of the offence.

According to a report by Lianhe Zaobao, he pleaded guilty to one charge of outrage of modesty on Tuesday.

He cannot be named due to a gag order protecting the victim's identity.

The case

Citing court documents, Zaobao reported that in 2013, the victim's mother enrolled her daughter in violin lessons taught by the offender at a community club.

In 2016, the lessons were moved to the offender's home, where he conducted weekly one-on-one sessions comprising a 30-minute performance lesson and a 15-minute music theory lesson.

The victim's mother would drop her off before each lesson and pick her up afterwards.

The music theory lessons were conducted at the dining table in the living room.

During one of the theory lessons in 2018, the defendant had placed his hands on the victim's thighs and private area while she was answering questions, and sexually assaulted her over her clothing for about five minutes.

The victim, who was only nine then, did not understand the offender's actions at the time.

She only realised she had been sexually assaulted when she turned 12.

She later revealed what happened to her mother and a social worker in March 2025, and her mother subsequently lodged a police report.

The victim was later referred for counselling, but declined it due to the cost.

Abused his position as her teacher

According to Zaobao, to this day, the victim refuses to discuss the assault.

The prosecution argued that the offender had abused his position as the victim's violin teacher to commit the offence, betraying the trust the victim's parents placed in him.

It also pointed to the victim's young age at the time of the offence, and sought a jail term of between 10 and 11 months.

In mitigation, the offender's lawyer said his client had apologised to the victim about a week after the incident, before she confided in her mother and a police report was lodged.

While acknowledging that the apology could not undo the harm suffered by the victim, the lawyer argued that it demonstrated his client's remorse and urged the court to exercise leniency in sentencing.

Singaporean actress Fiona Xie recently appeared in a street interview series on TikTok, Tokyo Sims.

In a video by Tokyo Sims on Jul. 1, the host, Kole Sims, was seen interviewing the 44-year-old regarding her metallic corset top.

The video appears to have been filmed at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, rather than in the typical Tokyo Sims setting of Shibuya.

As of writing, the video has garnered over 369,800 views, 30,000 likes, and 85 comments.

'Be careful I give you diabetes'

Tokyo Sims is a channel that typically features street interviews, popular for its viral content and unfiltered confessions.

In the video, the 24-year-old Sims refers to Xie's metallic top and asks her: "Can I like knock on this?"

Xie said "yeah" and Sims said: "Damn, you have like body armour on."

Xie replied jokingly: "Thank you. It dispenses donuts as well, it's very special."

The two continued to exchange banter, with Sims saying: "You're sweet like that."

To which Xie responded: "Uh huh, be careful, I'll give you diabetes".

Sims then asked Xie: "What is the most awkward date that you've been on?"

And Xie responded, "the one right now".

Some comments noted her youthful appearance.

Xie was a Mediacorp actress from 2001 to 2009 and became known overseas for her portrayal of Kitty Pong in "Crazy Rich Asians"

In 2025, she opened up about a health scare, and emphasised the importance of having regular medical checkups.

@tokyo_sims♬ original sound - tokyo_sims

Singapore will purchase 67 Hellfire missiles from the U.S., as part of a US$22.3 (S$28.9) million package.

AGM-114R Hellfire missiles are a type of laser-guided, air-to-ground and anti-armour missile typically launched from Apache helicopters.

The U.S. Department of State wrote in a notification to Congress on Jun. 30 that it had approved the sale, which also includes other related elements like Hellfire spare parts, technical manuals and repair materials and services.

According to the website, the Singapore government had requested 24 additional missiles on top of a previously implemented Foreign Military Sales case worth US$12.4 million (S$16.1 million), which falls under a threshold that requires the State Department to notify Congress.

According to The Straits Times (ST), Singapore's threshold is set at US$14 million (S$18.1 million) or more.

The original case included personnel training, training equipment and technical and logistics support services.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Asia," the notification wrote.

It added that the sale will "improve Singapore's capability" to deal with threats by enhancing the Singapore Air Force's operations and efficiency.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) told ST that the weapons will support the Singapore Air Force's routine training and operational requirements.

The missiles will be equipped on the RSAF's multi-mission AH-64D Apache helicopters.

"Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces take a strategic long-term view on our defence acquisitions to ensure that we make prudent and cost-effective decisions that best meet our defence needs, and maintain operational readiness," said Mindef.

A 56-year-old man was arrested for public nuisance after he was seen disrupting traffic and apparently throwing himself on the ground at Serangoon Central on Jul. 1, 2026.

Videos of the incident were posted on the "Singapore Incidents" Facebook page as well as on TikTok account "exclusiveshopper".

Disrupting traffic

Footage showed that the man was standing in different areas near a traffic light crossing.

Surrounded by two-lane roads in opposite directions, he then stretched out his arms to the front and side, appearing to block vehicles on the road.

The man did so while pedestrians had the right of way as the green man was flashing.

He continued to do so as the pedestrian lights turned red.

He also blocked a white van and, at one point, appeared to make contact with the front of the vehicle.

On the ground

Another part of the video showed that the man apparently threw himself on the ground.

He was then seen lying face down on the ground, and there appeared to be blood stains on his face as he got up.

Passers-by could be seen assisting him, and he was later seen sitting on the ground and surrounded by officers and other members of the public.

Arrested for public nuisance

Responding to Mothership's queries, the police said they received a call for assistance at Block 261 Serangoon Central Drive at about 9:40am on Jul. 1, 2026.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told Mothership that they were alerted at about 10:05am to the same incident.

A 56-year-old man sustained minor injuries and was conveyed conscious to Sengkang General Hospital by SCDF.

He was subsequently arrested for public nuisance, and police investigations are ongoing.

The coffeeshop co-owned by local actor-host Ben Yeo was hit by two break-ins, just 10 days apart from each other.

The coffeeshop, Tan Xiang Chai Chee, houses five stalls, three of which are operated by tenants.

The remaining two, a zi char stall and a drinks stall, are run by Yeo and his business partners.

What happened

Speaking to Mothership, Yeo said the break-ins took place in the early hours of Jun. 15 and 25.

During the first incident, the cai fan (economy rice) stall was burgled, with more than S$900 stolen. Yeo's own stalls were not affected.

Fortunately, nothing was stolen during the second break-in after the burglar failed to force open the same stall's newly upgraded safe.

CCTV footage from the first incident showed a man wearing a cap, face mask and gloves entering the coffeeshop through the back door of one of the stalls.

According to CNA, Yeo said the burglar forced open a locked metal cabinet housing the stall's safe during the first break-in.

When asked whether the same individual was responsible for both incidents, Yeo said he could not confirm this, and would leave the matter to the police to investigate.

"The local F&B business is tough. Please come as a customer and not otherwise," he said.

Yeo added that he and his partners would be enhancing the coffeeshop's security measures and remain more vigilant following the incidents.

The Singapore police have arrested one girl, 17, and four men, aged between 22 and 29, for their suspected involvement in a series of job scams involving fraudulently obtaining Singpass accounts.

Between March to May 2026, the police received 26 reports from victims who responded to job applications via Carousell, and were deceived into providing copies of their NRIC, changing their registered mobile phone numbers and email addresses of their Singpass accounts.

This action allowed the scammers to take over control of the victims' Singpass accounts.

They used the fraudulently obtained Singpass accounts to apply for accounts with financial institutions or for mobile phone services with telecommunication service providers.

These applications were made without the victims' knowledge.

However, control of the Singpass accounts was returned to the victims on the same day.

Arrested a few months later

Officers from the Anti-Scam Command and Police Intelligence Department arrested the five persons involved on Jul. 1, 2026.

Preliminary investigations revealed that they had conspired with a scam syndicate based overseas to procure accounts with financial institutions in Singapore.

They were coached to deceive victims into relinquishing access and control of their Singpass accounts under the guise of a job application.

To be charged

The four men, aged between 22 and 29, will be charged in court on Jul. 2 with the offence of obtaining any credential of another person under the Computer Misuse Act 1993.

The offence carries a jail term of up to three years or a fine not exceeding S$10,000, or both.

Investigations against the 17-year-old female teenager is ongoing.

Advisory

The police said they take a serious stance against any person who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Scammers and members or recruiters of scam syndicates will face mandatory caning of at least six strokes, which can go up to 24 strokes.

Under the Facility Restriction Framework, individuals involved in mule-related offences – whether they are under investigation and assessed to be at risk, or have been warned, issued with composition sums, prosecuted, or convicted – may face restrictions on banking services and mobile line subscriptions to prevent further facilitation of scams.

Anyone with information on such scams may call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has removed 186 bicycles and other devices from bicycle parking areas in Yishun, Paya Lebar, Sengkang and other areas since January 2026.

It said in a Jun. 29 Facebook post that it is stepping up checks on indiscriminate bicycle parking and abandoned bicycles around key transport nodes to better manage bicycle parking facilities and free up space for other users.

Its enforcement team will continue to conduct regular checks to manage indiscriminate parking and abandoned bicycles, LTA said.

"Such bicycles will be tagged with a notice, and may be impounded if not removed within the stipulated period," it added.

"With the expanding cycling path network, we’ll also review and expand bicycle parking at key transport nodes to ensure that facilities are sufficient and well-designed to support cyclists' needs."

LTA advised users to park their bicycles responsibly in designated bicycle parking facilities to avoid obstructing pedestrian flow and access to shared public spaces.

A 40-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to five years, seven months and two weeks’ jail and three strokes of the cane after posing as a female agent to receive sexual services.

His victims comprised multiple women, including a 15-year-old, a 19-year-old, and a 22-year-old.

Loh Guang Ze was sentenced on Jun. 30 and pleaded guilty to five out of 10 charges, which include cheating a teenager into providing him sexual services, sexual penetration of a minor and voyeurism.

The other charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Locanto

In court documents seen by Mothership, Loh lost attraction to his wife after he saw the birth of their children and came up with a scheme to attain sexual services on Locanto.

Locanto is an online classifieds platform that allows users to list their products, services, and jobs for sale.

He would pose as a female agent on the platform and place a listing for females looking to earn fast cash, ranging from S$3,000 to S$5,000.

Interested persons could contact him for more details.

Loh adopted the persona of an agent “Sherry”, who contacted the victims and informed them about a “sugar daddy” or sexual services arrangement that “Sherry” could help to facilitate.

Victims would then send photos of themselves to Loh, and he would proceed with the females he was attracted to.

Loh received queries from about 30 females and successfully arranged to meet up with nine of them to obtain sexual services.

Blindfold

Within a week of the victims contacting him, Loh would inform each victim that “Sherry” had a “customer” interested in her services.

Loh would tell the victim that the “customer” had asked her to put on a blindfold and was required to show up at the meeting place with it on.

He explained that it was the kink of the "customer", or that this was done for the protection of his identity.

However, this was done to ensure the victims could not identify Loh.

The victims agreed to provide sexual services, which included sexual intercourse, to Loh, who was the “customer”.

They were not allowed to remove their blindfold until Loh left the premises.

Loh would subsequently ignore the victims’ request for payment and block them on messaging applications.

He never intended to pay them for their services.

19-year-old

One of the victims, a 19-year-old at the time of the offence, came across Loh’s advertisement on Locanto and provided her handphone number.

She then received a WhatsApp message from “Sherry”.

At “Sherry”’s request, the victim sent the accused photos of her face and body.

The victim agreed to have sexual intercourse and oral sex with the “customer” in exchange for S$5,000.

On Jan. 1, 2021, the victim headed to a hotel in Chinatown and met up with Loh.

Both of them showered together and had sexual intercourse, while the victim had her blindfold on throughout.

Loh used his phone to record three videos depicting the sexual acts without the victim’s consent.

After they finished, Loh told the victim that he would arrange another session and would pay for both sessions.

However, the second session did not occur, and she was not paid.

22-year-old

A victim, a 22-year-old at the time of the offence, came across Loh’s advertisement and chatted with “Sherry” via Telegram.

Loh told her that she would receive S$5,000 if she had sexual intercourse without a condom with the “customer”.

On Jul. 31, 2021, the victim met Loh at a hotel located at Trengganu Street in an eye mask, as per the instructions.

They engaged in oral sex and sexual intercourse.

Both of them also engaged in another session on Aug. 16, 2021, at an unknown hotel.

Loh recorded the sex acts on both occasions without her consent.

He recorded a total of three videos.

Following this, Loh told the victim that he wanted this relationship with her to be long-term, and he could deal directly and pay her via fund transfer.

When the victim asked “Sherry” for payment, Loh dodged her requests and became unresponsive before blocking her.

15-year-old

A victim, a 15-year-old at the time of the offence, came across Loh’s advertisement and chatted with “Sherry” via an online messaging service.

Loh told her that she would receive S$5,000 if she provided sexual services.

Before meeting, the victim told “Sherry” that she did not want to perform oral sex and did not allow the “customer” to perform an act that could impregnate her.

They both agreed that she would provide three separate sessions of sexual services.

On Aug. 4 2021, the victim met with Loh in her secondary school uniform and a sleeping mask, as per the instructions, in a handicap toilet in Chua Chu Kang.

Loh then requested the victim to perform oral sex, which she reluctantly did.

He also recorded the sex act without her consent.

Following the encounter, the victim contacted “Sherry” to enquire about payment, to which “Sherry” replied that the victim did not meet the requirement of the three sessions.

She then informed “Sherry” that she did not wish to continue with the remaining sessions, as the “customer” did not respect her wishes.

“Sherry” asked the victim several times to continue the agreement with the “customer”, but the victim refused to do so.

Tip

Sometime before July 2023, the police received an anonymous tip from a female stating that an agent on Locanto had cheated her.

She had provided her sexual services to a client, but was not paid after that.

The agent had reportedly given her excuses when she enquired about payment and later blocked her on Locanto.

Loh was arrested on Jul. 3, 2023.

Deplorable

The prosecution sought a sentence of 68 to 75 months’ jail and three strokes of the cane.

They argued that Loh “took great pains to conceal his identity”, including the use of “Sherry” and instructing the victims to wear a blindfold.

They also argued that he had reason to believe that the youngest victim stated was under 16 years old, as she wore her secondary school uniform to meet him.

The prosecution described Loh’s actions as “deplorable”, citing that Loh had “opportunistically taken advantage of multiple young victims, one of whom was only 15 at the time of the offence”.

“A strong deterrent signal must be sent to the accused and all other like-minded persons who would think to commit similar offences,” the prosecution said.