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            <title>Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the world</title>
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                    <title>Tower Transit looking to thank passengers who helped bus captain facing medical emergency in Hougang</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/tower-transit-passengers-help-bus-driver-hougang/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-16T14:33:22</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Gracia Yap ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/tower-transit-passengers-help-bus-driver-hougang/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ A total of three passengers assisted the driver who was later in stable condition and receiving treatment. ]]>
                    </description>

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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/854-driver-faint.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>Tower Transit Singapore is thanking three passengers on board a bus and a commuter at a bus stop after they helped a bus captain who became unresponsive while driving in Hougang.</p><p>Their actions were commended in a Sep. 15 Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14qXPYNxtLt/?mibextid=wwXIfr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">post</a>, which stated that the incident took place the day before.</p>
<p><h2>Passengers helped unresponsive driver</h2></p><p>A bus captain on service 854 became unresponsive after experiencing a sudden medical emergency at the wheel as the bus approached a stop along Hougang Ave 3.</p><p>One man at the bus stop who saw the driver slumped in the cabin banged on the doors to draw attention to the situation.</p><p>Passengers on board then rushed to help, where one checked on the driver and another called an ambulance.</p><p>A third passenger climbed into the driver's seat and engaged the handbrake to bring the bus safely to a stop.</p><p><h2>Driver in stable condition</h2></p><p>The post added that a nearby SBS Transit bus captain also stepped in to alert the control centre while the passenger who stopped the bus explained the situation.</p><p>"Thanks to them, all the passengers were safe and our bus captain is now in stable condition and receiving care," the post read.</p><p><blockquote><p>"To the vigilant commuter at the bus stop, the quick-thinking passengers, and the helpful SBS Transit Ltd bus captain, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.</p><p>"If this was you, please DM us or call our hotline. We'd love the chance to thank you properly."</p></blockquote></p><p><iframe width="500" height="291" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftowertransitsg%2Fposts%2Fpfbid022nvwhiybm6sEi2XvzJM5a37fNF8K71DTMNZQ1NH5tMq2zGnuhNnnmxC8E9oCLwhkl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>S'pore paying S'poreans to read for at least 15 minutes a day</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/readsg-challenge-singapore/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-16T13:39:19</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Belmont Lay ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/readsg-challenge-singapore/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ You have spent a few minutes reading this article. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/readsg-challenge-crowdtask-sg.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>Singapore is rewarding Singaporeans for reading.</p><p>The gamification strategy was reported by <em><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/15/asia/singapore-reading-campaign-intl-hnk-dst" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CNN</a></em> and <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/16/singapore-pays-citizens-read-books" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Guardian</a></em> on Sep. 15, 2026.</p>
<p>The objective is to get people to read for at least 15 minutes a day and to log their daily progress over time to cultivate the habit.</p><p><h2>ReadSG Challenge by NLB</h2></p><p>The <a href="https://www.read.gov.sg/join-the-readsg-challenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ReadSG Challenge</a> is by the National Library Board (NLB) and run on the citizen engagement platform, CrowdTask SG.</p><p>The ReadSG movement was launched on Sep. 6, <em>The Straits Times</em> <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/new-movement-aims-to-get-sporeans-to-read-15-minutes-a-day-through-tracking-platform-virtual-rewards" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reported</a>.</p><p>It is a national reading initiative that invites Singaporeans to rediscover the joy of reading through a simple daily reading habit, according to the campaign objective.</p><p>It is being piloted from Sep. 6 to Dec. 31, 2026.</p><p>New features and enhancements will be introduced based on feedback.</p><p><h2>How it works</h2></p><p>Under the scheme, readers accrue points.</p><p>The points, when amassed, have a cash value and can be used for purchases at participating merchants.</p><p>People are allowed to log one session a day on the CrowdTask SG site to declare they have read for at least 15 minutes in a 24-hour period.</p><p>A session of 15 minutes or more is rewarded with 20 virtual coins.</p><p>A total of 1,000 coins is equivalent to S$1.</p><p>It takes 50 consecutive days of logging in to accumulate 1,000 coins.</p><p>Each session is successfully logged via self-reporting.</p><p>It is essentially an honour system.</p><p>Singaporeans can sign up with Singpass.</p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/readsg-challenge-crowdtask-sg-01.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="425" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1171862" /></p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/readsg-challenge-crowdtask-sg-02.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="425" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1171861" /></p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/readsg-challenge-crowdtask-sg-03.jpg" alt="" width="1198" height="1216" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1171860" /></p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/readsg-challenge-crowdtask-sg-04.jpg" alt="" width="1243" height="423" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1171859" /></p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/readsg-challenge-crowdtask-sg-05.jpg" alt="" width="1259" height="546" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1171858" /></p><p>NLB's chief executive, Melissa Tam, said the movement comes at a time when people may spend less time engaging deeply with what they read due to an abundance of content and information.</p><p>“We live in a world of extraordinary abundance, of content, information and stimulation,” she said. “At any moment, we can scroll through hundreds of headlines, watch a video or get a summary of almost anything.”</p><p>She added: “We know that habits are built through small, consistent actions. So, we are starting with a simple goal – just read for 15 minutes a day. On the bus, before bed or over lunch.”</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>M'sia's Haj fund scandal has seen an ex-Minister charged with misappropriating over S$268 million in funds, what's going on?</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/tabung-hajj-fund-scandal/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-16T12:59:47</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Tan Min-Wei ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/tabung-hajj-fund-scandal/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ 8 years in the making. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/photo_2026-09-16_12-19-11.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a> <a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/whatsapp-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a>Ever since July, something has been brewing in Malaysia regarding the management and operations of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), Malaysia’s Haj pilgrims fund board.</p><p>In 2018, the Malaysian taxpayer was required to rescue TH after it was discovered to have been misreporting its assets and liabilities, and paid out dividends despite its liabilities exceeding its assets.</p><p>The scandal has reignited after lying dormant for a number of years, with the release of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report that was said to have been completed in July 2022.</p><p>The report’s release in July 2026 has led to several arrests, including one former government minister, and relates to the misuse of RM 860 million (S$269 million) in TH funds.</p>
<p>So what is Tabung Haji, what happened to its funds, and why is the incident resurfacing now?</p><p><h2>What is Tabung Haji?</h2></p><p>The Haj is a sacred pilgrimage, expected of observant Muslims and, to oversimplify, requires pilgrims to travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia in the final month of the Islamic calendar at least once in their lives.</p><p>This is a journey that, again to oversimplify, takes considerable financial resources to accomplish.</p><p>Malaysia, being a majority Muslim country, has a large number of citizens seeking to make the pilgrimage from all strata of its wealth distribution.</p><p>In order to make the Haj accessible for as many Malaysians as possible, the predecessor to Lembaga Tabung Haji was established in 1963.</p><p>Malaysians going on Haj are required to open a savings account with TH, and one of the primary functions of TH is to administer and invest those funds using Islamic principles.</p><p>The size of the fund is considerable, the<a href="https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/11/7am-omla-simplified-the-tabung-haji-rci-report-and-what-it-said/230872" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em> Malay Mail</em></a> reports that as of 2024, TH had 9.55 million depositors with a total of RM91.747 billion (S$28.56 billion) worth of deposits.</p><p><h2>So why is it the subject of scrutiny?</h2></p><p>However, in 2018, it was revealed that TH’s liabilities were higher than its assets, and it had been illegally paying dividends in the four years prior to 2017.</p><p>Instead of the RM3.4 billion (S$1.12 billion) net profit it had reported for 2017, it was actually facing a RM1.4 billion (S$0.46 billion) net loss, due in part to "creative accounting practices" the RCI would later report.</p><p>The then Pakatan Harapan government led by Mahathir Mohamad <a href="https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/499766" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> that it would bear a RM 10.3 billion (S$3.4 billion) premium to save TH, and the fund would be restructured.</p><p>The RCI would later find that there were “irregular investment processes involving the manipulation of investment sustainability reports, creative accounting practices, misleading representations, and the concealment of information”, <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/815038" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Edge</em></a> quoted Minister of Finance II Amir Hamza’s speech to parliament on Aug. 11.</p><p>These were among the causes of nearly RM13 billion (S$4 billion) in losses due to problematic investment decisions made before 2018.</p><p>It also determined that the government's 2018 intervention saved the fund, but at the cost of RM 10.2 billion, a price that was “ultimately borne by depositors, taxpayers, and all Malaysians.”</p><p><h2>The Royal Commission of Inquiry</h2></p><p>The <a href="https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/11/7am-omla-simplified-the-tabung-haji-rci-report-and-what-it-said/230872" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Malay Mail</em></a> reports that in 2020, the government of Muhyiddin Yassin decided that an RCI was needed, and by August 2022, the RCI's report was presented to Malaysia's king.</p><p>By then, Ismail Sabri Yaakob had become PM, and he called for fresh elections in October 2022, before the RCI’s report had been released to the public.</p><p>After the election, the Madani government of Anwar Ibrahim took over, but declined to release the report until July 2026, ostensibly as the government was concerned that the report might cause depositors to panic and withdraw their savings.</p><p>Ismail Sabri, whose party UMNO was in government at the time of the report’s completion and during the period of the TH’s mismanagement, for his part <a href="https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/499766" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a> UMNO had “nothing to hide”.</p><p>He said it was during UMNO’s time in government that the probe was initiated (UMNO was a junior partner in government during Muhyiddin’s premiership, and the senior partner when Ismail Sabri became PM).</p><p>This came as there was a robust back-and-forth between MPs in the Dewan Rakyat, Malaysia’s parliament, over why Anwar had chosen to sit on the report for nearly four years.</p><p><h2>Who has been arrested?</h2></p><p>But the RCI report has now been <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/815038" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">released</a>, with Amir Hamzah saying that “action has been and continues to be taken against those responsible, including disciplinary action, police reports, court claims, and investigations by Enforcement agencies.”</p><p>Several former Tabung Haji board members have been <a href="https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/14/tabung-haji-rci-chronology-jamil-khir-among-five-charged-since-report-made-public/235158" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">arrested</a> since the report's release, as well as one former minister.</p><p>Jamil Khir Baharom is a former minister at the Prime Minister's Department (religious affairs) between 2009 and 2018, under the premiership of Najib Razak, putting him in charge of TH at the most critical of times, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-14/malaysia-charges-second-umno-leader-after-pilgrimage-fund-probe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bloomberg</a></em>.</p><p>Baharom has been charged with three counts of causing TH to dispose of more than RM860 million (S$ 269 million) in assets between 2015 and 2017, as reported by <a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/15/former-minister-jamil-khir-charged-over-th-asset-disposal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Star</em></a>.</p><p>He is also the second high-ranking UMNO leader to be charged over the affair, as Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim was charged with one count of abuse of power on Sep. 9, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/884640-azeez-charged-with-abuse-of-power-over-tabung-hajis-putrajaya-perdana-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MalaysiaKini</a></em>.</p><p>Azeezb was the former TH chairperson, a former MP, and a <a href="https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/09/former-th-chairman-abdul-azeez-to-face-remand-proceedings-charges-today/234494" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">current</a> member of UMNO's supreme council.</p><p>Both men have pleaded not guilty.</p><p><h2>Political ramifications</h2></p><p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-14/malaysia-charges-second-umno-leader-after-pilgrimage-fund-probe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Bloomberg’s</em> </a>report on Baharom’s arrest noted the political dimension of the RCI’s report’s timing.</p><p>Malaysia’s politics over the TH scandal period was notoriously unstable, with the scandal being revealed by one PM, the RCI initiated by another, and delivered to a third, within the span of four years.</p><p>The past four years, by comparison, have been relatively stable, with Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan having reached a detente with UMNO in order to rule the country.</p><p>But in recent months, that unity has begun to break down, with UMNO sensing a return to power is on the cards, as PH’s coalition questions whether its alliance with UMNO has cost it its chance of significant political reforms.</p><p>As a result, the ties between the two factions, and their leaders Anwar and UMNO’s president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, have frayed, with Zahid even going so far as to call for fresh elections as soon as possible, according to <em><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-11/malaysia-s-zahid-pushes-anwar-for-early-election-as-umno-plots-return-to-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bloomberg</a></em>.</p><p>Anwar, for his part, has recommitted his party and government to its initial mission of reform and anti-corruption, which, given UMNO’s over 60 uninterrupted years in power, can be interpreted as targeting UMNO.</p><p><h2>Protecting feelings</h2></p><p>In fact, no less than Anwar’s former Keadilan lieutenant and Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has accused Anwar of delaying the report’s release in order to “keep UMNO onside”, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/780426" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MalaysiaKini</a></em> in July 2026.</p><p>Rafizi has previously intimated that he had known the contents of the report before, likely due to his previous position in the government.</p><p>In his view, releasing the report would have revealed how the institution of TH, and the crucial role it played in Malaysia, had been “marred” under UMNO’s administration.</p><p>Instead the report was buried as “Anwar was very careful to protect UMNO’s feelings”.</p></p> ]]>
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                <item>
                    <title>Anthropic opening S'pore office in Oct. 2026</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/anthropic-opening-spore/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-16T12:33:22</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Izza Sofia ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/anthropic-opening-spore/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ This would be its fifth office in the Asia-Pacific. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Untitled-design-10-1.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>Anthropic, the company behind AI tool Claude, will open a Singapore office in October, according to a press release.</p><p>It already has offices in Tokyo, Bengaluru, Seoul and Sydney, making this its fifth in the region.</p>
<p>"From working with customers across Southeast Asia, I’ve seen that ambition isn't the blocker to AI adoption — trust is," Anthropic's general manager of ASEAN, Dale Finlay, said.</p><p>Finlay added that once the trust is established, "the real work is embedding AI into how the business actually operates".</p><p><h2>Why Singapore</h2></p><p>In a June 2026 <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/economic-index#country-usage" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">report</a> by Anthropic, Singapore placed second out of 121 countries for Claude.ai usage relative to population.</p><p>The usage in Singapore runs 5.81 times higher than what is expected of the size of the population, the report found.</p><p>Anthropic's managing director of international Chris Ciauri said:</p><p><blockquote><p>"As we grow across Asia-Pacific, opening an office in Singapore, where Claude usage per capita is among the highest in the world, is a natural next step. A presence here means we can hire the people who know this market best, and work side by side with local customers and partners building with Claude."</p></blockquote></p><p>Anthropic cited the concentration of technical talent, global businesses and research institutions as the reason behind its expansion here.</p><p>It also pointed to <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/09/mas-fintech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Singapore's plans to use AI</a> to reshape industries and build up workforce skills, while keeping adoption responsible.</p><p>"That balance between innovation and safety aligns closely with Anthropic’s approach," the press release stated.</p><p><h2>Who they expect to work with</h2></p><p>Anthropic said demand has been strong in regulated sectors, naming financial services and government.</p><p>The company said it plans to work with a variety of organisations here, including startups, large enterprises, and the public sector, and will be hiring for a range of roles.</p><p>More details can be found on its <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/careers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">careers page</a>.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>Free 6 months' access to premium AI tools for S'poreans who take selected courses from Sep. 16</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/free-6-months-access-premium-ai-tools-singapore/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-16T12:16:04</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Xueting Wu ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/free-6-months-access-premium-ai-tools-singapore/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Each person can redeem only one free subscription. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/coverimage-2026-09-16T134741.657.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>From Sep. 16, Singapore Citizens, aged 18 and above, will receive a six-month complimentary subscription to a premium AI tool after attending an eligible AI course.</p><p>They can find a list of over 200 curated courses and sign up for them on the MySkillsFuture website. The course must start from Sep. 1 or later to be eligible for the free premium AI subscription.</p>
<p>Each person can redeem only one free subscription, regardless of how many eligible courses they have attended.</p><p>They can choose from five different AI tools: ChatGPT Plus, Google AI Pro, Manus AI, Microsoft 365 Personal, and Singtel AI Pass.</p><p>First announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/02/2026-budget-summary/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Budget 2026</a>, the SkillsFuture AI Subscription initiative aims to help Singaporeans practise their acquired skills, strengthen AI proficiency, and build confidence in using AI.</p><p><h2>Eligible AI courses</h2></p><p>To find courses eligible for this initiative, look for those on MySkillsFuture that carry the "Free AI sub" label, or visit this <a href="https://courses.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/search?page=1&amp;Tags_text_SFInitiatives=Free%20AI%20Sub" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">filtered list</a>.</p><p>There are currently over 160 courses on the list.</p><p><h2>How to redeem the subscription</h2></p><p>After attending an eligible AI course, you will get an email with details on redeeming your free premium AI subscription.</p><p>The email includes a request form where you can indicate your preferred AI tool to subscribe to.</p><p>You need to fill up and submit the form within 60 days from the date of the notification email.</p><p>Changing the AI tool is not allowed once the request form is submitted.</p><p>If successful, you will receive the details to activate your free subscription via email.</p><p><h2>Assess your AI readiness</h2></p><p>The Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) have also jointly developed an AI Ready Quiz to help individuals assess their current level of AI readiness.</p><p>They may be evaluated as AI Aware, AI Literate, or AI Fluent.</p><p>With this information, they can better identify AI courses suitable for their upskilling development.</p><p>The online quiz consists of 12 questions and takes about 15 minutes to complete.</p><p>After completing it, each person will receive a personalised AI readiness profile via email.</p><p>This profile will summarise their current readiness level, and recommend learning resources and curated AI courses based on their needs.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>My balding spots & thinning hair were getting harder to ignore, so I decided to act on it</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/balding-spots-thinning-hair-tk-trichokare/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-16T12:01:18</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Branded ]]>
                    </dc:creator>

                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Guan Zhen Tan ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/balding-spots-thinning-hair-tk-trichokare/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ My attempt to regain what I’ve lost.
 ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/image13.png"/> <p>Growing up, I had naturally curly, voluminous hair.</p><p>However, back then in school, my hair would catch eraser chunks thrown by my classmates. During one Chinese New Year, a relative grabbed decorative toy firecrackers from around the house and joked that an explosion must have given me my hair.</p><p>I ended up rebonding my hair out of self-consciousness. Coupled with periods of incredible stress and weight fluctuations over seven to eight years in my adult life, this resulted in intensified hair fall, and my hair loss started becoming very noticeable now that I am in my early 30s.</p><p>What’s worse, my scalp was obvious under office lights and when I was photographed from behind. But that wasn't what pushed me to seek help. When people noticed my balding scalp, they started giving me unsolicited comments. I became very self-conscious.</p>
<p>I decided to seek expert help, although I was still hesitant as to how effective it could really be.</p><p>Nonetheless, with an open mind, I sought expert help at TK TrichoKare to find out what was going on with my scalp and what I could do about it.</p><p><h2>What’s causing the hair loss?</h2></p><p>The moment of truth came during the Tricho-Scan analysis, when I had an in-depth consultation to find out what problems were causing my hair fall.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1999px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/image6-1.jpg" alt="" width="1999" height="1500" class="wp-image-1171789 size-full" /> Beam me up, scalpy. Photo by Mothership.
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</figure>
</p><p>According to the scans, not only was my hair clearly thinning, but my scalp had some bright red blood vessels snaking beneath the surface, signalling inflammation.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/image5-1.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" class="size-full wp-image-1171790" /> Signs of inflammation and clogged pores. Photo from TK TrichoKare.
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>Apparently, my "night owl" lifestyle (guilty as charged), low water intake, and general stress had contributed to scalp inflammation, which affected the skin around my hair follicles, where hair growth is regulated.</p><p>The consultant explained that this inflammation was essentially sabotaging my hair follicles; if left untreated, it could even damage them permanently.</p><p>In the 200x magnified scalp scan, I could see empty follicles where hair strands should be, sealed shut by dirt and oil, and the ones that still had hair strands were thin and weak.</p><p>This also finally explained those annoying, random pimples I’d been feeling on my head. Nothing was breaking through that oil and dirt build-up despite daily shampooing.</p><p><h2>Exosome Scalp Renewal Therapy</h2></p><p>After the breakdown of my scalp’s “drama,” I was whisked away for my first session of TrichoKare’s Exosome Scalp Renewal Therapy, which was tailored precisely to my needs.</p><p>First up: a nourishing European Herbal Scalp Masque. It’s infused with natural ingredients like Tea Tree to tame the itch and oil, and Magnolia to soothe irritation and boost my hair’s natural shine.</p><p>Honestly, the cooling sensation felt like a breath of fresh air. While the masque worked its magic to unclog the pores that had been hosting a 'pimple coup' on my head, I just got to relax.</p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/image1.gif" alt="" width="926" height="564" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1171791" /></p><p>When it was time to wash off the masque, I received an invigorating, thorough hair wash using TrichoKare’s Nourishing Hair Bath shampoo and CompleteKare Mask conditioner.</p><p>The staff was really good with her hands, making sure not only to clean off the masque but also to give my scalp a much-needed thorough cleanse.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1999px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/image11.jpg" alt="" width="1999" height="1125" class="size-full wp-image-1171792" /> No thoughts, head minty. Photo by Mothership
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>Afterwards, my hair was dried, and I was given a heated shoulder pad for extra comfort before the Exosome Serum was sprayed and massaged thoroughly onto my scalp.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1999px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/image8.jpg" alt="" width="1999" height="1500" class="size-full wp-image-1171793" /> Photo by Mothership
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 926px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/image9.gif" alt="" width="926" height="564" class="size-full wp-image-1171794" /> Gif by Mothership
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>If you’re wondering what exosomes are, they are tiny natural particles that help repair the scalp and encourage weakened hair follicles to produce healthier, stronger hair.</p><p>Besides improving scalp condition and enhancing hair vitality, their main job is to reactivate inactive hair follicles.</p><p>To wrap up, I went through PhotoDynamic therapy – this technology helps to regulate the scalp’s pH, detoxify, and heal scalp inflammation. While I noticed other customers using a smaller device called Hair Bang, the consultant opted for the larger machine for me, which is specifically catered to my scalp condition.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1999px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/image4-1.jpg" alt="" width="1999" height="1500" class="size-full wp-image-1171795" /> I can breathe in this thing! Photo by Mothership
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</figure>
</p><p>She explained that, given my level of thinning, a smaller, closer device might be too intense for my sensitive scalp, which reassured me that the treatment could be adjusted to my scalp's needs.</p><p><h2>Post-treatment</h2></p><p>I headed back into the consultation room for the moment of truth, undergoing another Tricho-Scan session.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1000px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/image10.png" alt="" width="1000" height="525" class="size-full wp-image-1171796" /> My scalp scan showing clear signs of inflammation previously. Photos from TK TrichoKare.
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>Seeing my scalp again after the session and the immediate difference was genuinely satisfying. The angry redness I saw earlier had visibly calmed down, my pores were noticeably clearer, and I was encouraged to know that my scalp was not beyond repair.</p><p>Realistically, one treatment session won't give me a full head of thick hair, but it is a solid, necessary start.</p><p>It’s a huge relief to stop playing the guessing game with search engines or AI chatbots, and finally have a clear, data-backed roadmap for my scalp health.</p><p>Through the process, it is more reassuring to know that I am in the safe hands of hair and scalp care specialists.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1000px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/GZs-Sponsored-Content-TK-Before.png" alt="" width="1000" height="525" class="size-full wp-image-1171797" /> My improved hair condition after visiting TrichoKare. Photo by Mothership
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>If you’re tired of worrying and want to actually know what’s going on up there, why not let a hair and scalp care expert analyse your scalp?</p><p>For just <strong>S$48 nett</strong>, you too can experience visible improvements from the <strong>Exosome Scalp Renewal Therapy.</strong></p><p>On top of that, you’ll take home freebies including a <strong>Nourishing Hair Bath shampoo and a CompleteKare Mask conditioner (worth S$45 in total) — all formulated with natural herbal extracts— plus a S$10 Grab eGift card.</strong></p><p>This promotion is valid until Oct. 31, 2026.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1999px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/image12.jpg" alt="" width="1999" height="1500" class="size-full wp-image-1171798" /> Photo by Mothership.
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>To book an appointment, you can do so via WhatsApp <a href="http://wa.link/fzzlvz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> or their website <a href="https://tk-hair.com/mothership-adv-sept-award-exosome/?utm_source=Onlime&amp;utm_medium=Advertorial&amp;utm_campaign=Mothership&amp;utm_term=46266&amp;utm_content=AdvertorialPromo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><em><strong>This branded article by TK TrichoKare made this writer feel a little bit more confident about herself and her hair. </strong></em></p><p><em>Top image by Breelyn Kuek/Mothership</em></p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1171788</post-id>
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                    <title>Ed Sheeran's live band & all 4 openers drop out from tour in solidarity with Macklemore</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/ed-sheerans-tour-macklemore-withdraw/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-16T11:53:44</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Nadya Pang ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/ed-sheerans-tour-macklemore-withdraw/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Sheeran clarified that Macklemore being kicked out was the tour promoter's decision, not his. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/macklemore.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>Ed Sheeran's Loop tour has faced significant backlash after opening act <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/09/macklemore-dropped/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Macklemore</a> was dropped following speeches he made on stage supporting Palestine.</p><p>Macklemore, 43, an American rapper, announced that Sheeran, 35, had removed him from the tour in an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdRdsy0m2HK/?hl=en&amp;img_index=7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram post</a> on Sep. 14.</p>
<p>The fallout resulted in all four remaining supporting acts and Sheeran's live band withdrawing from the tour.</p><p>In separate statements, the opening acts who announced their decisions to quit are American singer Finneas, Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish folk group Beoga.</p><p>Sheeran published a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/teddysphotos/p/DdT-6KGAtuI/?img_index=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">statement</a> on Instagram on Sep. 15 stating that it was important he lay out the facts.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Ed Sheeran's live band & all 4 openers drop out from tour in solidarity with Macklemore' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/09/macklemore-dropped/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p><h2>Pressured by venue owners</h2></p><p>Sheeran said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine" and that, with all his supporting acts, he gave them free rein over their setlist.</p><p>However, after Macklemore's performances, venues told Sheeran "they would pull the shows if he was still supporting".</p><p><blockquote><p>"I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said."</p></blockquote></p><p>Sheeran added that he spoke with the venues all week "to try and build a bridge" but noted that the "venue's and promoter's decision was final".</p><p>He singled out the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Kraft Group, Robert Kraft.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/macklemore-dropped-ed-sheeran-tour-pro-palestine-statements-1235625967/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Rolling Stone</em></a>, Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium, also confirmed his decision, noting that it was based on Macklemore's "<span>broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community".</span></p><p><h2>Macklemore's dismissal not Sheeran's decision</h2></p><p>Sheeran clarified that Macklemore being kicked out was the tour promoter's decision, not his.</p><p>"I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living", said Sheeran.</p><p>He added that he has always used his platform and music to unite people of various backgrounds and "this won't ever change".</p><p>Sheeran said: "I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict."</p><p><h2>'Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum'</h2></p><p>Sheeran explained his reasoning for not using his platform for politics: his young audience, often children, "do not expect a political forum" at his shows.</p><p><blockquote><p>"I respect Macklemore's strength of purpose to stand up and shout what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace."</p></blockquote></p><p>Sheeran asserted that he chooses to use his fame and platform as a place of "safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open".</p><p>He added that by only focusing on shouting the loudest, nothing will change and that there are different ways to advocate for change.</p><p>Sheeran concluded by saying he had spent the week attempting to find a solution but was unable to do so.</p><p><blockquote><p>"I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too."</p></blockquote></p><p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdT-6KGAtuI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; 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flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdT-6KGAtuI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)</a></p></p><p></div></p></blockquote></p><p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></p> ]]>
                    </content:encoded>
                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1171805</post-id>
                </item>

                <item>
                    <title>Man, allegedly intoxicated, caught on CCTV trashing Henri Charpentier Orchard Central, store seeking compensation</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/orchard-central-henri-charpentier-damages/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-16T10:53:09</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Gracia Yap ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/orchard-central-henri-charpentier-damages/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The incident took place at about 4am on Sep. 13. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/new-henri-cover-pic.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>The Henri Charpentier store at Orchard Central was met with an unwelcome visitor in the wee hours of Sep. 13 when a man allegedly trashed it while intoxicated.</p><p>Speaking to <em>Mothership</em>, Ami, the director of Suzette International Pte. Ltd., which operates Henri Charpentier Singapore, said the incident took place at about 4am that day.</p>
<p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 786px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-15-at-3.08.48 PM.png" alt="" width="786" height="862" class="size-full wp-image-1171654" /> <em>Photo via Google Maps</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><h2>Throwing furniture, cursing</h2></p><p>The scene was captured via the store's CCTV footage, which also included audio.</p><p>It happened at around 4am, according to timestamps on the footage. The store was closed at the time.</p><p>Another man and woman were with him, though the trio's relationship is unknown.</p><p>The source of his distress was also unclear.</p><p>Videos seen by <em>Mothership</em> showed the man inside the store for some time, shouting and cursing, and throwing and hitting furniture and fixtures.</p><p>At one point, he grabbed a table, threw it to the ground, dragged it out of the store, and threw it to the ground again.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/henri-trashed-gif-1.gif" alt="" width="1600" height="840" class="size-full wp-image-1171806" /> <em>Video from Henri Charpentier</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>At another point, he punched the cushion seats and shouted before removing one of its backrests and attempting to throw it on the ground.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/henri-gif-2.gif" alt="" width="1600" height="840" class="size-full wp-image-1171807" /> <em>Video from Henri Charpentier</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>He also appeared intoxicated, shouting and cursing unintelligibly and occasionally slumping over.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 2230px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-15-at-6.48.28-PM.png" alt="" width="2230" height="1254" class="size-full wp-image-1171771" /> <em>Photo from Henri Charpentier</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><h2>Damaged discovered</h2></p><p>After he got up, the woman who was with him put one of the chairs back in its place.</p><p>He finally left the scene at around 4:24am.</p><p>The damage was eventually discovered by opening staff at 9am that day, after which the outlet remained open for business.</p><p>Checks by <em>Mothership</em> on Sep. 15 showed that Google Maps listed the store as open.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 525px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-15-at-3.11.51 PM.png" alt="" width="525" height="978" class=" wp-image-1171657" /> <em>Photo via Google Maps</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>The incident was then reported to both Orchard Central's management, as well as the police on the same day.</p><p>The police confirmed that a report was lodged and investigations are ongoing.</p><p><h2>Not trying to shame man</h2></p><p>Ami said that while the incident involved damage to the store's furniture or property, nothing was stolen as far as the store is aware.</p><p>She added that it is not the first time "unauthorised individuals" have entered the store after hours, but it is the first time one has damaged the store's furniture.</p><p>As such, she hopes he or someone who knows him will contact the store and take responsibility for the damage.</p><p><blockquote><p>"He appears to be quite young, and we do not know what happened to him that night or what circumstances may have led to his behaviour. On a personal level, I do feel some sympathy for him.</p><p>At the same time, as a business, we cannot simply ignore the damage caused to our store and bear the cost ourselves."</p></blockquote></p><p>Should the man come forward and make arrangements to reimburse the cost of the damaged property, the store said it is open to resolving the matter reasonably, without unnecessary publicity.</p><p>Asked about the the losses involved, she said the store is currently assessing the cost of repairs, but it is likely to be around S$1,000.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 2848px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-16-at-10.34.46-AM.png" alt="" width="2848" height="1592" class="size-full wp-image-1171813" /> <em>The store before. Photo from Henri Charpentier</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1920px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/when-trio-left-2.jpeg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" class="size-full wp-image-1171814" /> <em>The store after. Photo from Henri Charpentier</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p></p> ]]>
                    </content:encoded>
                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1171645</post-id>
                </item>

                <item>
                    <title>Boy, 16 & his mum, 39, both Uzbekistan nationals, arrested for stealing from Changi Airport shops, S$5,000 worth of items recovered</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/boy-mother-uzbekistan-steal-changi-airport/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-15T23:49:00</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Belmont Lay ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/boy-mother-uzbekistan-steal-changi-airport/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The teen had taken three pairs of sunglasses valued at about S$1,462 and left the store without making payment. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/uzbekistan-steal-things-changi-airport.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>The police have arrested a male teenager, 16, and his mother, 39, both Uzbekistan nationals, for their involvement in separate shop theft cases committed within the transit area of Changi Airport. </p><p>They will be charged in court on Sep. 16, 2026.</p>
<p>The police were alerted to a case of shop theft at a retail outlet in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 2 on Aug. 28, 2026, at about 6:46pm.</p><p>Preliminary investigations revealed that a retail assistant had discovered that three pairs of sunglasses were missing from a display shelf. </p><p>A review of CCTV footage showed that at about 6:28pm, a male teenager had taken three pairs of sunglasses valued at S$1,462.38 and left the store without making payment.</p><p>Officers from the Airport Police Division located the male teenager together with his mother with the aid of CCTV footage before their departure.</p><p>The three pairs of sunglasses, together with other items suspected to be stolen, were recovered from them.</p><p>Further investigations revealed that the teenager had stolen an assortment of items worth S$4,887.03 from six retail stores within the transit area. </p><p>The woman had allegedly, in a separate incident, stolen a box of perfume worth S$149.90 from a retail store.</p><p>She had also received a pair of the stolen sunglasses from her son.</p><p>The teenager will be charged with six counts of theft in dwelling under. </p><p>The woman will be charged with one count of theft in dwelling and one count of receiving stolen property.</p><p>The offence of theft in dwelling is punishable with a jail term of up to seven years, a fine, or both. </p><p>The offence of receiving stolen property is punishable with a jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both.</p></p> ]]>
                    </content:encoded>
                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1171785</post-id>
                </item>

                <item>
                    <title>M'sian girl, 16, stabbed to death in school: Her mum pens note of anguish after boy, 15, acquitted</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/mother-girl-stabbed-malaysia-school-note/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-15T20:20:03</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Belmont Lay ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/mother-girl-stabbed-malaysia-school-note/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ She laments the loss of her daughter and the longing for the ordinary times spent together. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/malaysian-girl-murdered-mother-note.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>The <a href="https://mothership.sg/2025/10/mother-malaysia-girl-stabbed-200-times/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mother</a> of the 16-year-old girl, who was stabbed to death by a boy a year younger than her at a Malaysia school in 2025, penned a note of anguish on social media on Sep. 14, 2026.</p><p>This was after the boy, 15, accused of the killing on Oct. 14, 2025, was <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/09/malaysia-boy-acquitted-murder-heard-voices/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">acquitted</a> with conditions by the High Court judge.</p>
<iframe class='post-embed title='M'sian girl, 16, stabbed to death in school: Her mum pens note of anguish after boy, 15, acquitted' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/09/malaysia-boy-acquitted-murder-heard-voices/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>The boy was ordered to be detained and treated at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Perak at the pleasure of the Sultan of Selangor.</p><p><h2>Single mother</h2></p><p>The mother, who goes by Aapple Wong on Facebook, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/3014528408889978" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">described</a> her late daughter, Yap Shing Xuen, as a sensible and disciplined child, who was blossoming into a young woman with a bright future.</p><p>However, all that was taken away in an instant as a result of a senseless act of violence.</p><p>Wong's post revealed that she raised two daughters by herself as a single parent.</p><p>The deceased girl was the <a href="https://mothership.sg/2025/10/sister-malaysia-student-stabbed-post/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">younger child</a>.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 740px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/aapple-wong-daughters.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="1078" class="size-full wp-image-1171780" /> Photo from Aapple Wong
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>Wong wrote: "Shortly after my daughter was born, my marriage came to an end. When my daughter was two years old, I ended my marriage."</p><p>As a working mother, the two girls were taken care of by their grandparents.</p><p>Wong would only spend weekends with her children.</p><p>And these ordinary moments are what she knows she will not experience again, which fuels her anguish.</p><p>Wong wrote:</p><p><blockquote><p>Every weekend, we also arrange a family dinner.</p><p>To me, those seemingly ordinary days are the happiest moments of my life.</p><p>Back then, I never thought that these ordinary days would one day become the days I miss the most, but can never return to.</p></blockquote></p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 722px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/aapple-wong-daughters-02.jpg" alt="" width="722" height="536" class="size-full wp-image-1171781" /> Photo from Aapple Wong
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</p><p><h2>Left with no direction in life</h2></p><p>The demise of her daughter has left her directionless, Wong admitted.</p><p>She wrote: "After my daughter left, I felt like my life suddenly lost its direction. I'm still living. Still eating, sleeping, working. But the most important place in my heart is always empty."</p><p>"Every time I think of her, I can't help but cry. Sometimes I don't even know who to tell this pain to," she continued.</p><p><h2>Learn to live with the pain</h2></p><p>Wong said others have tried comforting her by saying that time will pass and she will feel better gradually.</p><p>However, Wong replied: "Some pain don't disappear just because time passes. It's just that we slowly learn to live with this pain."</p><p>Her post also highlighted the crushing blow of hearing the news of her daughter's sudden passing:</p><p><blockquote><p>Oct. 14, 2025, will be the darkest and most unacceptable day of my life.</p><p>That day, I suddenly received the news of your death.</p><p>At that moment, I completely collapsed.</p><p>I couldn't believe it.</p><p>I couldn't accept it either.</p><p>I worked hard all my life, worked hard to earn money, worked hard to support this family, and desperately wanted to give you a better life.</p><p>I always thought that as long as I worked a little harder, and worked a little harder, my child would grow up safely.</p><p>I thought there was still a lot of time in the future.</p><p>I thought you would grow up.</p><p>Finish your studies.</p><p>Find a job you like.</p><p>Achieve your dreams.</p><p>And then one day, you will really come back to be a stay-at-home mom.</p><p>But...</p><p>All of this suddenly disappeared.</p><p>After working so hard for so many years, I finally realised that what I wanted was never a life of great wealth.</p><p>I only wanted my child to grow up safely.</p></blockquote></p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 720px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/aapple-wong-daughters-03.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="540" class="size-full wp-image-1171782" /> Photo from Aapple Wong
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</p><p><h2>Provided whatever she could for daughters</h2></p><p>Wong's post also revealed the athletic and academic proclivities of Yap.</p><p>The mother wrote: "She has also tried snorkeling, rock climbing, and even skydiving. She is actually a very brave child."</p><p>"Whenever I get a bonus, as long as my financial situation allows, I take them on a trip abroad," the mother added.</p><p>Her daughter enjoyed badminton and volleyball, which she trained hard at despite getting bruised.</p><p>Wong would take her daughter for training previously, but did not think much about it at the time.</p><p>On hindsight, she realised her daughter was resilient.</p><p>The girl also never let sports affect her studies.</p><p>Over time, Yap developed a very self-disciplined and sensible personality, Wong wrote.</p><p>The girl helped with household chores since she was five years old, the post said.</p><p>As a child, she never demanded anything and even took care of her own tuition by finding her own tutors later on, the mother revealed.</p><p>Wong wrote: "I know I'm not a very wealthy mother, but I always tell myself: 'As long as I have the ability, I will do my best to make the children happy and give them a childhood free of lack of love.'"</p><p>Wong also said her daughter had wanted to go into accountancy and financial management.</p><p>But all she has now are the "precious memories" of her late daughter, which she cherishes the most, the mother said.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='M'sian girl, 16, stabbed to death in school: Her mum pens note of anguish after boy, 15, acquitted' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2025/10/mother-malaysia-girl-stabbed-200-times/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe></p> ]]>
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