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            <title>Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the world</title>
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            <link>https://mothership.sg</link>
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                    <title>M’sian man, 45, steals Rolexes, jewellery & phones from drunk men asleep in S’pore, gets 1 year jail</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/msian-man-drunk-steal/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-06T17:36:20</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Nicolas Wong ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/msian-man-drunk-steal/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Seven victims lost their valuables, including a Rolex watch, a Hermes bracelet, and an iPhone 16 Pro Max. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/photo_2026-11-06_17-21-06.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>A Malaysian man has been jailed for one year for multiple instances of theft.</p><p>His modus operandi was to steal from drunk persons on the street who were unconscious.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20261106-9958691" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Shin Min Daily News</em></a> (<em>Shin Min</em>), Chen Baosheng (transliteration), 45, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, with four other similar charges being taken into consideration during sentencing.</p><p>The first instance occurred around 1:46 am on Jun. 6, when he spotted a 44-year-old man with a Rolex watch around Foch Road.</p><p>The man had been drinking with friends at Aperia Mall and later went to have supper nearby. He then sat at a bus stop to wait for a taxi, but fell asleep drunk.</p><p>Chen noticed the man and, after confirming that no one was around, stole the Rolex watch worth approximately S$11,000.</p><p>When the man awoke to find his watch missing, he made a police report.</p><p>The police subsequently identified Chen through CCTV footage from nearby buildings and arrested him on Jun. 27.</p><p>However, they found that he had brought the watch back to Malaysia to pawn for cash.</p><p>He was released on bail.</p><p><h2>Did not stop</h2></p><p>On the morning of July 12, while out on bail, he saw a 32-year-old man drunk and asleep on a bench and stole his gold necklace and pendant worth about S$6,230.</p><p>Two weeks later, on July 29, he found an intoxicated 48-year-old man passed out outside a bar along Serangoon Road.</p><p>He stole his S$1,500 iPhone 16 Pro Max.</p><p>The man returned to the bar that evening to check the CCTV footage and made a police report, which led to Chen's second arrest on Aug. 28.</p><p>The court heard that Chen was also responsible for four other cases of theft between Jun. 21 and Aug. 15.</p><p>His loot included a Hermes bracelet, a mobile phone, and cash.</p><p>He reportedly also tried to steal yet another Rolex worth about S$19,000.</p><p><h2>Sole breadwinner</h2></p><p>Chen's lawyer argued that his client had pleaded guilty early on and cooperated fully with police investigations.</p><p>He stressed that Chen did not use violence, had no accomplices, and that the crimes were not premeditated. Instead, he acted on the spur of the moment each time.</p><p>Despite this, he added that Chen had no intention of downplaying his crimes.</p><p>It was also revealed that Chen used to run a hawker business in Johor Bahru, but is currently unemployed.</p><p>He is the sole breadwinner of his family, which includes his wife, his three children, and his mother.</p><p><h2>Apologised</h2></p><p>Five of the seven victims appeared in court, attempting to recover their stolen valuables or receive compensation.</p><p>However, as Chen was unable to compensate them, the judge said their losses would be taken into consideration during sentencing.</p><p>Chen apologised several times in court and even bowed to the victims, reported <em>Shin Min.</em></p><p>The man Chen stole the Rolex from told <em>Shin Min</em> that the watch carried great sentimental value for him as well.</p><p>He called Chen "greedy" and pointed out that he had continued to steal even while on bail, but said that he and some of the victims could even plead for leniency on his behalf if he returned the items to them.</p><p>A civil suit will be his next course of action, he said, but he is worried that Chen does not have assets in Malaysia.</p><p>He vowed never to wear valuables out of the house again, especially when drinking.</p></p> ]]>
                    </content:encoded>
                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1183785</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Autonomous shuttle almost hits schoolgirl at Punggol traffic crossing</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/punggol-av-almost-hits-girl/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-06T16:45:06</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Gawain Pek ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/punggol-av-almost-hits-girl/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Near miss. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/2026-11-06-15.59.54.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>An autonomous shuttle in Punggol was recently seen almost colliding with a young schoolgirl as she was crossing the road on a green light.</p><p>A video of the incident was posted to Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1155918703500948" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">page</a> SG Road Vigilante.</p>
<p>According to the caption, the incident occurred on Nov. 5 at around 8:11am.</p><p>In the video, the autonomous shuttle could be seen making a discretionary left turn during a green light at a junction.</p><p>At the same time, a schoolgirl began crossing the road during a green pedestrian light.</p><p>The shuttle passed in front of the girl, prompting the girl to stop in her tracks and retreat away.</p><p>The shuttle could also be seen slowing down and almost stopping before continuing on its way.</p><p>The purple autonomous shuttle is part of a trial which was launched in Punggol earlier this year in April.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Autonomous shuttle almost hits schoolgirl at Punggol traffic crossing' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/03/free-autonomous-vehicle-rides-punggol/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>Grab <a href="https://mothership.sg/2025/09/autonomous-shuttles-punggol-launch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">operates</a> two routes, while Comfort DelGro operates one.</p><p>Responding to queries from<em> Mothership</em> , a Grab spokesperson said: "Safety is our top priority. We are aware of this incident and are closely reviewing it together with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and our partner WeRide."</p><p><em>Mothership</em> has reached out to LTA for comment.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1183777</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Car allegedly self-skids & overturns along PIE, driver waits atop vehicle to be rescued</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/car-overturns-pie/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-06T16:30:53</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Nicolas Wong ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/car-overturns-pie/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The driver was conscious and taken to the hospital. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/PIE-car-overturn-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>A car overturned along the PIE on Nov. 5, ultimately landing on its side.</p><p>The driver sat atop the car, awaiting rescue.</p>
<p>In a video shared by TikTok user @chrisengkh, the car can be seen on its side on the rightmost lane of the highway, near the Stevens Road exit.</p><p>EMAS Vehicle Recovery workers and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responders were seen rescuing the driver with a ladder.</p><p><iframe width="325" height="578" src="https://www.tiktok.com/player/v1/7704571250479238452?embed_from=webapp_share&amp;music_info=1&amp;description=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;muted=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" title="PIE towards TUAS at Steven Exit Car self skidded #sgaccidents #singaporeroads #sgnews🇸🇬 #sgroads #accidents" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe></p><p>In response to <em>Mothership's</em> queries, the police and SCDF confirmed they were alerted to the incident on the PIE towards Tuas around 2:05pm.</p><p>The car is believed to have self-skidded.</p><p>The 64-year-old driver was conveyed to Alexandra Hospital and is assisting with ongoing investigations.</p></p> ]]>
                    </content:encoded>
                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1183771</post-id>
                </item>

                <item>
                    <title>S'pore woman loses over S$100,000 to scammer, was promised investment would pay for kids’ education</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/singaporean-woman-loses-money-scammer/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-06T15:55:41</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Nyi Nyi Thet ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/singaporean-woman-loses-money-scammer/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Investigations are ongoing. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Un-2.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>A Singaporean woman in the finance sector, Ruth (not her real name), was approached by a man looking to buy some insurance.</p><p>The man, Rob, had been recommended to her by a friend who had encountered him on a dating app. Her friend had introduced him to Ruth after he mentioned his need for insurance.</p>
<p>In the midst of that purported insurance purchase, the man struck up a conversation on the topic of crypto investments.</p><p>Ruth had never done any crypto investments before, and Rob convinced her that, despite the volatile nature of crypto, the stablecoin staking investment would provide no risk.</p><p>She would end up losing over S$100,000 over the course of four months.</p><p><h2>Building Trust</h2></p><p>Rob revealed “personal details” about himself to build trust with Ruth.</p><p>He said he had a daughter and showed her pictures of both himself and his daughter.</p><p>A reverse image search on Google did not reveal any hits, but when we ran some of the pictures Ruth provided through a different search engine focused on facial features, multiple results of what appeared to be the same man appeared.</p><p><a href="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/unnamed-2.png"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/unnamed-2.png" alt="" width="512" height="250" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1183764" /></a></p><p>Some of these images of the same man appeared on various Chinese websites, including stock photo sites.</p><p>It wasn’t just photos either. The man actually carried out video calls with Ruth.</p><p>Ruth showed <em>Mothership </em>a video of their call. There were similarities with the man in the photos, though he was not necessarily a dead ringer.</p><p>Ruth also acknowledged that the man could have been using an AI filter.</p><p>He also claimed to be working for a relatively established energy company in Singapore.</p><p>That trust-earning was so meticulous that Rob even sent over a gift after he was invited to Ruth’s daughter’s party.</p><p>The gift was in lieu of Rob not being able to make the party.</p><p>The man also sent photos of a Malaysian IC he claimed to be his. Checks by <em>Mothership </em>on the IC number he sent over showed no such registered individual.</p><p><h2>The scam and the aftermath</h2></p><p>The scam has all the hallmarks of a pig-butchering scam. And the beats would sound familiar to those who might have followed such cases.</p><p>Rob presented a stablecoin as a safe investment, walked her through setting up a crypto wallet and staking.</p><p>The first few returns came in without a hitch inside a legitimate, widely used app.</p><p>Ruth was told there would need to be a certain amount of money for crypto trading. The amount needed for staking increased exponentially over time. Rob would also assure her that this was a routine part of this kind of trading.</p><p>Rob then moved her funds onto another app, Qevorinex, which was significantly less popular. Checks by <em>Mothership </em>show the platform appears to have little to no digital footprint.</p><p>Scam Advisor rates it "likely unsafe", and while the owner has hidden their identity, the number associated with the registrant has been brought up in multiple other potential scams online.</p><p>When Rob brought up the app to Ruth, she was suspicious due to the "scammish" feel, but was convinced after Rob claimed other legitimate companies and apps might receive negative reviews as well.</p><p>That app would soon accuse her of various things, including insider trading.</p><p>Penalties and fees soon followed. Ruth said she paid due to a “sense of obligation”. And also to get back the rest of her money, assumed to be locked/frozen due to the penalty.</p><p><a href="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/qevorinex4.jpg"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/qevorinex4.jpg" alt="" width="608" height="366" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1183754" /></a></p><p><a href="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/qevorinex3.jpg"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/qevorinex3.jpg" alt="" width="689" height="650" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1183755" /></a></p><p><a href="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/qevorinex2.jpg"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/qevorinex2.jpg" alt="" width="636" height="516" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1183756" /></a></p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 398px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <a href="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/qevorinex-a.jpg"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/qevorinex-a.jpg" alt="" width="398" height="580" class="size-full wp-image-1183762" /></a> Screenshot from Qevorinex
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>The app has now apparently been blocked under the Online Criminal Harms Act.</p><p><a href="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/qevorinex-15.jpg"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/qevorinex-15.jpg" alt="" width="1215" height="2560" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1183172" /></a></p><p>Partly because of what she considered to be an investment for her children, and because some of Rob’s money was purportedly invested in as well.</p><p>There were other lies Rob purportedly peddled to stop her from pulling the plug earlier.</p><p>When multiple apps prevented her from transferring money due to the unsafe nature of where she was transferring it to, Rob convinced her that they tended to do that because they would not want money out of the banks.</p><p>She would end up losing well over S$100,000 before she called an end to the entire thing.</p><p>Ruth would file a police report, but this would only be the start of her nightmare.</p><p>Rob claimed that some of his money was inside the investment, and that he wanted it back.</p><p>Threatening phone calls and messages soon followed.</p><p>Why not block and delete the number some might ask?</p><p>Ruth said she had initially harboured hopes that she could somehow get the money back, blocking him would put an end to any such possibility.</p><p>As of the time of writing, Ruth has blocked the number.</p><p><em>Mothership</em> has reached out to the number but has not gotten a response back.</p><p>Those threats felt even more real due to the personal information Ruth had shared with the man, including her address.</p><p>According to Ruth, the police have informed her that the number is a spoof number. It will be hard, or even impossible to claw that money back.</p><p>No one is more cognisant of that than Ruth.</p><p><blockquote><p>"I feel horrible daily of course. It’s a huge part of my savings (for the children) gone, and he used my weakness (the kids) to make me invest on this platform, promising that i could take out the money.</p><p>But, the truth is the transaction hash shows that the money is gone overseas and cannot be found."</p></blockquote></p><p>Despite that loss, she hopes sharing this will help future victims avoid something like this.</p><p>In response to <em>Mothership's </em>queries, the police said investigations are ongoing.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1180792</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Over half of Jobseeker Support Scheme applicants unsuccessful as of September 2026: MOM</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/jobseeker-support-scheme-applicants-unsuccessful-mom/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-06T15:23:46</pubDate>


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


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/jobseeker-support-scheme-applicants-unsuccessful-mom/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The most common reason for rejection was that applicants were not assessed to be involuntarily unemployed. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Untitled-design-14.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>About 54 per cent of applicants for Singapore's Jobseeker Support Scheme (JSS) were unsuccessful as of Sep. 30, 2026.</p><p>The most common reason was that applicants were not assessed to be involuntarily unemployed, accounting for 69 per cent of unsuccessful applicants.</p>
<p>Another 33 per cent of unsuccessful applicants had a previous average monthly income exceeding the scheme's S$5,000-per-month threshold.</p><p>Meanwhile, 18 per cent were unsuccessful because they had not worked for at least six months in the preceding 12 months.</p><p>Some applicants were unsuccessful for more than one reason, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said.</p><p>The figures were disclosed by Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau in a written parliamentary reply on Nov. 4.</p><p>She was responding to questions from MP Patrick Tay, who asked about the reasons for unsuccessful applications and whether eligibility could be expanded to include those who had been involuntarily unemployed for longer periods.</p><p>Tay also asked whether the maximum monthly and total financial support available under the scheme would be reviewed to better assist involuntarily unemployed middle-income workers.</p><p><h2>Scheme parameters reviewed regularly</h2></p><p>"We recognise that a prolonged job search where jobseekers have spent many months applying for jobs, attending interviews and retraining takes concerted effort, and imposes a financial and emotional toll," Lau said.</p><p>She added that the scheme's parameters are reviewed regularly to ensure it provides appropriate support, and that Tay's suggestions would be considered in the next review.</p></p> ]]>
                    </content:encoded>
                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1183291</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>S'porean man, 76, pledges S$19,000 a year to China hospital after treatment there saved his life</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/singaporean-man-donation-xinjiang-china-hospital/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-06T15:21:20</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Eileen Lee ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/singaporean-man-donation-xinjiang-china-hospital/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Xu developed severe altitude sickness while travelling in Xinjiang, suffering from fluid buildup in his lungs, heart failure, respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/xinjiangcoverphoto-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>A 76-year-old Singaporean tourist has pledged to donate 100,000 yuan (S$19,150) annually to a hospital in Xinjiang, China, after its medical team saved his life.</p><p>According to reports by <em><a href="https://news.ifeng.com/c/8xpDO8tNcj4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Xinjiang Daily</a></em> and <a href="https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1880546980630653353" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>China Daily</em></a>, the man, Koh Sim Hock, made the pledge to Shache County People's Hospital after recovering from a life-threatening medical emergency triggered by altitude sickness.</p>
<p>The donation will go towards medical assistance for financially disadvantaged patients admitted to the hospital's intensive care department.</p><p>According to the hospital's director, this is the first time the hospital has received a designated donation from an individual.</p><p><h2>Developed life-threatening complications from altitude sickness</h2></p><p>Koh had travelled from Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County to Shache on Oct. 14 when he developed acute high-altitude pulmonary oedema, a severe form of altitude sickness that causes fluid to build up in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.</p><p>The condition can occur at high altitudes, where oxygen levels are lower, and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.</p><p>He experienced difficulty breathing and a sharp drop in blood oxygen levels before being rushed to Shache County People's Hospital for emergency treatment.</p><p>"In the ambulance on the way to the hospital, I was already completely unable to breathe," Koh recalled, according to <em>Xinjiang Daily</em>.</p><p>His wife said she was extremely frightened when his blood oxygen level dropped from around 50 per cent to 38 per cent.</p><p>Medical examinations revealed that he was also suffering from left-sided heart failure accompanied by a condition in which the lungs cannot supply enough oxygen to the blood.</p><p>He also experienced cardiogenic shock, a life-threatening condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.</p><p>According to <em>China Daily</em>, Koh also had several underlying medical conditions, including a history of coronary artery stent implantation, high risk hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, hyperkalaemia, which is high potassium levels in the blood, and impaired liver function.</p><p>Given the severity of his condition, he was transferred to the hospital's intensive care department for monitoring and treatment.</p><p><h2>Medical team worked to save his life</h2></p><p>Zou Hai (transliteration), an emergency and critical care specialist from Pudong New Area People's Hospital in Shanghai, led the efforts to treat Koh.</p><p>Zou was part of Shanghai's 12th batch of medical professionals deployed to Xinjiang under a team-based medical assistance programme.</p><p>He worked alongside the hospital's intensive care team and local medical staff to assess Koh's condition and provide emergency treatment.</p><p>Specialists from multiple disciplines were also involved in monitoring changes in Koh's condition and determining the appropriate treatment.</p><p>After several days of treatment and care, Koh's condition gradually improved.</p><p>He was taken off mechanical ventilation and extubated on Oct. 17, according to <em>Xinjiang Daily</em>.</p><p><h2>Received traditional Chinese medicine treatment for persistent symptoms</h2></p><p>However, Koh subsequently experienced recurring watery diarrhoea, abdominal bloating and persistent dry mouth and thirst, which had troubled him for more than a week.</p><p>According to <em>China Daily</em>, his symptoms showed limited improvement following conventional Western medical treatment.</p><p>The hospital then consulted Hu Xinmin (transliteration), a specialist in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine from Fudan University-affiliated Pudong Hospital in Shanghai, who had been deployed to Xinjiang.</p><p>Hu developed an individualised traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment plan, taking into account Koh's age, underlying medical conditions and impaired heart function.</p><p>Hu said the medication had to be prescribed cautiously, considering Koh's heart and lung function, fluid balance and electrolyte levels.</p><p>The treatment was adjusted according to changes in Koh's symptoms and condition.</p><p>After six days of taking the prescribed medication, Koh's diarrhoea and bloating improved significantly, while his dry mouth and thirst gradually eased.</p><p>Koh said he had been extremely anxious when he fell seriously ill during his trip.</p><p>"I never expected to receive such comprehensive and attentive medical treatment in Shache," he said.</p><p>Koh added that the TCM treatment had helped relieve the diarrhoea, abdominal bloating and thirst he had been experiencing for more than a week.</p><p>He thanked the hospital's medical staff, particularly Hu, for their care.</p><p>During his hospitalisation, Koh learnt that Zou had travelled more than 4,000km from Shanghai to southern Xinjiang to provide medical assistance to local residents and visiting tourists.</p><p>Koh has since recovered and been discharged from hospital.</p><p><h2>Pledged annual donation to help other patients</h2></p><p>To express his gratitude to the hospital for saving his life, Koh discussed the matter with his family, and they agreed to donate 100,000 yuan (S$19,150) annually to the hospital.</p><p>According to <em>China Daily</em>, a donation agreement signing ceremony was held at Shache County People's Hospital on Oct. 29.</p><p>The funds will be specifically used to help financially disadvantaged patients in the hospital's intensive care department.</p><p>Speaking at the donation ceremony, Koh said:</p><p><blockquote><p>"This experience has deeply moved me! I also want to make a small contribution within my own means."</p></blockquote></p><p>His wife also expressed her gratitude, saying: "No amount of words can express how grateful I am."</p><p>Their son praised the hospital's medical facilities and staff.</p><p>"When I arrived here, I saw that the medical facilities and medical expertise were excellent, very professional and very empathetic," he said.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>UMNO pays ex-M'sian PM Najib Razak’s S$15.8 million fine after crowdfunding drive, to serve house arrest</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/najib-fine-paid/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-06T15:01:32</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Chloe Loh ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/najib-fine-paid/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The party has also closed the special account set up for public donations. ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/cover-pic-5.png"/> <p><p style="padding-left: 40px;"><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><p>Malaysia's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party has paid the RM50 million fine (~S$15.8 million) imposed on former Prime Minister Najib Razak.</p>
<p>This was announced by the party's secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FLSummaxi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> post on Nov. 6.</p><p>In the post, Asyraf Wajdi said funds raised through the "Najib Razak Solidarity Fund", launched on Sep. 18, had reached the target and were "sufficient".</p><p>"UMNO has completed all payment processes to the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning," he wrote.</p><p>The party has also closed the special account set up for public donations.</p><p><iframe width="500" height="718" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdrasyrafwajdidusuki%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0zicL197hwzr7Z5zy9RkVzhvhkwsEn2RbSMLtd9QWaFSZgpknK6c1XreAon9QFd6Bl&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>The payment was a condition of an order allowing Najib to serve the rest of his jail sentence under house arrest until Aug. 23, 2028, local media outlet <a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/06/umno-paid-najib039s-rm50mil-fine-confirms-party-sec-gen" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Star</em> </a>reported.</p><p>UMNO launched the fund to crowdfund the amount, as Najib’s personal and family assets remain frozen.</p><p>The 73-year-old was found guilty of corruption in the multibillion-dollar embezzlement of 1Malaysia Development Berhad, a state investment fund he co-founded.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>Coffee Bean S’pore launching pastel pink Hello Kitty festive merchandise on Nov. 6, available from S$24.90</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/coffee-bean-hello-kitty-merch/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-06T15:00:10</pubDate>


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

                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Michelle Chew ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/coffee-bean-hello-kitty-merch/</guid>
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                        <![CDATA[ Time to say hello to Hello Kitty.  ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/CBTL-hellokitty-cover.png"/> <p>Christmas is upon us, and Hello Kitty fans have more reasons to celebrate this festive season.</p><p>The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf Singapore has launched a new Hello Kitty holiday merchandise collection featuring a tea set, ceramic mug, stainless steel tumbler and bottle, with prices starting at S$24.90.</p><p><h2>You can never have too many…</h2></p><p>Here’s what you can expect from the collection:</p>
<p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/CBTL-hellokitty-teapot.png" alt="" width="1333" height="1450" class="alignnone wp-image-1183731 size-full" /></p><p>A familiar favourite, the Tea for One set (S$32.90) comes with a 350ml teapot, a 400ml glass cup, along with a stainless steel tea strainer.</p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/CBTL-hellokitty-cup-1.png" alt="" width="1333" height="1283" class="alignnone wp-image-1183736 size-full" /></p><p>The 400ml ceramic mug (S$24.90) comes with a cute silicone lid, and is sure to be a perfect addition to your desk set-up.</p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/CBTL-hellokitty-tumbler.png" alt="" width="1333" height="1472" class="alignnone wp-image-1183732 size-full" /></p><p>For those who find themselves mostly shuttling from place to place, the 550ml tumbler (S$29.90) might just be for you. It also comes with a detachable fluffy charm.</p><p>But the best part is probably the double-wall insulation that keeps your drinks hot for up to 12 hours, or cold for up to 24 hours.</p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/CBTL-hellokitty-bottle.png" alt="" width="1333" height="1470" class="alignnone wp-image-1183730 size-full" /></p><p>The same insulation is also found in the 600ml stainless steel bottle (S$29.90) so you can enjoy your favourite drinks on the go.</p><p>The collection is available from Nov. 6, 2026 at all Coffee Bean stores islandwide, except Marina Bay Sands.</p><p><em><strong>This Coffee Bean-branded article is so kawaii-inducing that the writer has her eyes set on getting them for Christmas exchange.</strong></em></p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>‘A good husband & father’: SMRT bus captain, 49, killed in crash while riding motorcycle home, says wife</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/smrt-bus-captain-died-wife-funeral/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-06T14:08:08</pubDate>


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


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/smrt-bus-captain-died-wife-funeral/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ "I can't even think about what to do with life now," she said. ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/coverimage-2026-11-06T114638.798.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>He had just talked to his wife over WhatsApp at about 10am that morning on Nov. 4, telling her he would be home around 4pm to 5pm.</p><p>But at around 3:30pm, as he was riding his motorcycle home after work, he got into an accident with a bus and a lorry on the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE), and later died at the hospital.</p>
<iframe class='post-embed title='‘A good husband & father’: SMRT bus captain, 49, killed in crash while riding motorcycle home, says wife' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/11/motorcyclist-die-accident-bus-lorry-bke-woodlands/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>The 49-year-old Malaysian had been a bus captain at SMRT for nearly three years, his wife told <a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20261105-9951814" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Shin Min Daily News</em></a>.</p><p>1ThirdMedia Movement, a non-governmental organisation, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/1thirdmediamovement/posts/pfbid02q5nEisEn3pCESCxCrwjzUDYCMHPmcwtqWccXgxYPwJi8LodzQDUSqsZNSKaNPULHl" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">identified</a> him as Mohd Fakhruzan bin Zakaria.</p><p>According to its Facebook posts, the organisation handled the burial arrangements and the transport of the deceased's body to his home in Johor Bahru.</p><p>Besides his wife, Fakhruzan also leaves behind three children. They have two sons aged 10 and 13, and a daughter aged 18.</p><p><h2>The accident</h2></p><p>According to <em>Shin Min</em>, the bus and lorry involved in the accident were not driving along the same lane at the time.</p><p>The bus allegedly rear-ended Fakhruzan, and when it happened, the lorry was about to change lanes.</p><p>Videos of the aftermath, shared online, show a motorcycle flipped on its side, and an individual lying near it with blood stains around him.</p><p>The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) conveyed Fakhruzan unconscious to Woodlands Hospital, where he later died.</p><p>A 50-year-old bus driver was arrested for negligent driving causing death.</p><p><h2>A careful rider</h2></p><p>Fakhruzan's 46-year-old wife learnt the tragic news from her husband's friend over the phone.</p><p>She was not clear about the details except that a bus had rear-ended Fakhruzan, according to his friend.</p><p>"He is usually very careful when riding his motorcycle," she told <em>Shin Min</em>. "I would always remind him to be careful."</p><p><h2>Took care of his family</h2></p><p>The widow, a housewife, shared that Fakhruzan used to work as a private-hire vehicle driver in Malaysia.</p><p>Hoping to earn more money to support his family, he decided to commute across the border and find a job in Singapore.</p><p>As an SMRT bus captain, he would alternate between morning and night shifts.</p><p>His wife described him as a good husband and father who was responsible and took good care of his family.</p><p>"Everything happened so suddenly," she said. "I can't even think about what to do with life now. I also need to talk to his siblings."</p><p><h2>Burial arrangements</h2></p><p>As she did not have a passport, Fakhruzan's wife could not travel to Singapore to claim her husband's body.</p><p>Fakhruzan's brother went to Singapore to collect the body and handle the necessary rites before the transport to Malaysia.</p><p>In an update on Nov. 5, 10:25pm, 1ThirdMedia Movement <a href="https://www.facebook.com/1thirdmediamovement/posts/pfbid02kdwDvNJtAgNvTmNqXALDwQM5KXtjV6R29gCNWH7ygF2Z64otCBmBsKiPS3Wvh6ypl" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">wrote</a> on Facebook that the journey of bringing Fakhruzan back to his family has been completed.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>Italian chef fired by Australia restaurant after refusing to put pineapple on pizza, calls it 'insult to his culture'</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/italian-chef-fired-australia-restaurant-pineapples-pizza/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-06T13:45:36</pubDate>


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


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/italian-chef-fired-australia-restaurant-pineapples-pizza/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ It was the third time in four years that he refused to do so. He's working in Queensland which is considered the country's pineapple heartland. ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/chef-fired.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>An Italian chef was fired by a Brisbane restaurant in Queensland, Australia, after refusing to put pineapples on pizza as he felt that it was an "insult to his culture".</p><p>The chef, Davide Tamburella, had refused to do so three times in the past four years, the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx4g1qy6gq9mo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>BBC</em></a> reported.</p>
<p>This incident was brought to light after he approached Australia's Fair Work Commission and claimed he had been unfairly dismissed.</p><p><h2>Fired</h2></p><p>Tamburella was fired in May 2026 about two weeks after he had a meeting with the restaurant's management, who supposedly had complaints about his behaviour.</p><p>On one occasion, he had reportedly refused to give guests ham and pineapple pizza at a function, <em>BBC</em> reported.</p><p>Tamburella said that any direction from management "need not be followed when it is offensive to his culture".</p><p><h2>Lost unfair dismissal claim</h2></p><p>He lost his unfair dismissal claim as the application had been filed too late, according to a ruling released by the commission on Nov. 3.</p><p>It stated that Tamburella had previously requested that his boss checked "how important it is for Italians not to put pineapple on a pizza".</p><p>According to <em>BBC</em>, the state of Queensland, where Tamburella was fired, produces all of Australia's commercially-grown pineapples.</p><p>As such, it is considered the country's pineapple heartland.</p><p><h2>Other concerns</h2></p><p><em>BBC</em> reported that there had been separate concerns about Tamburella's communication style, use of foul language and "escalation of frustration in the workplace".</p><p>The ruling further stated that Tamburella struck a metal hand rail and fractured bones in his right hand in April 2026.</p><p>At the time, he hoped the restaurant would sponsor his visa allowing skilled workers to become permanent residents.</p><p>The tribunal heard that the restaurant ended the process after fired him.</p><p><h2>Working at different restaurant</h2></p><p>According to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/restaurants-bars/cultural-insult-italian-chef-fired-after-refusing-to-put-pineapple-on-pizza/news-story/5616eb0496d85d85ff827a96c4ce9108" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>news.com.au</em></a>, Tamburella is now working at a different restaurant in Brisbane.</p><p>Checks by the <em>BBC</em> found that its menu does not have pineapple.</p></p> ]]>
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