A 51-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to 24 days’ jail for toppling and damaging a National Parks Board (NParks) crow trap, resulting in four birds escaping.

He apparently felt lonely and empathised with the trapped animals.

Mohd Yusrin Bin Mohd Yusof pleaded guilty to one charge of mischief, disrupting the performance of the duty and function of a public agency on Jun. 29, Lianhe Zaobao reported.

Four other charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Damage

Court proceedings revealed that NParks had engaged a wildlife pest control contractor to place a bird trap on a grass patch near Block 51 Havelock Road between Mar. 1 and 7 to trap crows.

This was part of NParks' efforts to manage the population of bird species such as crows.

In charge sheets seen by Mothership, on Mar. 2 at about 12:38am, Yusrin used a rock to break the number lock securing the bird trap, resulting in the escape of three birds.

He was on bail at the time of the offence.

On the same morning, the pest control contractor sent personnel to inspect the trap and replace the broken lock.

However, at about 10:59pm, Yusrin returned to the bird trap and toppled it with his hands, causing a bird to escape.

He also caused approximately S$4,000 in damages, which included the cost of the cage’s repair and S$100 reward bounty for each bird.

Empathised

The prosecution argued that Yusrin’s actions obstructed the duties of government agencies and could potentially have serious consequences, requesting a custodial sentence.

Yusrin also admitted he damaged the bird cage as he wanted to release the trapped birds, claiming they were pitiful.

In mitigation, he claimed he could empathise with the trapped birds, citing that he had no friends and apparently felt lonely.

In sentencing, the judge noted the offence’s severity.

He also acknowledged Yusrin’s rationale for damaging the bird traps.

"As a community, we need to exercise control over certain things. You cannot let compassion override reason and disregard what you can or cannot do," the judge reportedly said.

Angered by his younger brother's cleaning habits at home, a man strangled him to death on Mar. 11, 2025, then called an ambulance hours later.

Abdul Rani Bin Md Ariffin, 58, admitted to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel that he had choked and suffocated his 56-year-old brother.

On Jun. 30, he pleaded guilty in court to one charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Calling the incident a "sad and tragic case", the judge sentenced him to eight years in prison, taking into consideration his diagnosis of schizophrenia and adjustment disorder.

Caregiver

At the time of the offence, Abdul Rani was living with the victim, Abdul Rahman, and their two sisters at Block 187 Boon Lay Avenue.

After their mother passed away in 2010, Abdul Rani was the one taking care of all three siblings staying in the unit.

He would bring them to medical appointments and buy household items and groceries for them.

Cleaning dispute

The prosecution told the court that on Jan. 27, 2025, Abdul Rahman was hospitalised for a week due to swelling and bruising.

He was later diagnosed with acquired Hemophilia A — an inherited bleeding disorder.

After his discharge, Abdul Rahman started cleaning the unit frequently.

He would take out household items, sort through them, discard unwanted things, and rearrange or store the remainder in drawers.

He usually did not complete cleaning one area before moving on to another, leaving multiple piles of unsorted items throughout the apartment.

This cleaning practice also occurred at night.

This behaviour caused Abdul Rani to feel "fed up" with his brother, the prosecution said.

He would ask his brother why he was incessantly cleaning and tidying up, and Abdul Rahman would tell him not to be a busybody.

The incident

Around 3am on Mar. 11, 2025, Abdul Rani heard one of his sisters tell Abdul Rahman he still had not finished tidying up.

The younger brother scolded her, but Abdul Rani could not recall what he said.

He went to his younger brother's bedroom to reprimand him and asked, "Why does the cleaning never end?"

His younger brother replied, "I clean as I wish to la."

Abdul Rani was angered by this response and how his brother scolded his sister, and he suddenly felt like strangling his brother.

According to the prosecution, he also pitied his brother because of his many illnesses and his poor memory. He wanted to make his brother's worries disappear.

He went behind his brother and put his arm around him from the back, then squeezed his neck until he stopped moving.

Abdul Rahman, who did not struggle, started to foam at the mouth. Despite seeing the foam, the older brother climbed over his hip and strangled him again with his hands.

He also pressed a cushion down over his nose hard until he was sure his younger brother was dead.

He intended to cause his brother's death, though he understood that what he did was wrong, the prosecution said.

Around 11:19am the next morning, Abdul Rani called for an ambulance, saying that he had choked his brother and that the body was already cold and stiff.

The younger brother was pronounced dead at the scene, and Abdul Rani was arrested shortly after.

Psychiatric evaluation

The prosecution previously sought an evaluation at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), and in court referred to a psychiatric report on Abdul Rani.

Noting that Abdul Rani has an established diagnosis of schizophrenia, the report stated he was not in an active relapse at the time of his assessment, and was not in an active relapse nor of unsound mind at the time of the offence.

However, he demonstrated difficulties in emotional regulation and expression, and his clinical presentation at the time of the offence is believed to be indicative of an adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct.

The report added that he was also facing caregiver stress related to caring for his younger brother at the time.

In addition to adjustment disorder, he had a mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct that included a depressed mood state and irritability.

These symptoms would have a real and material effect or influence on his ability to appreciate the moral wrongfulness of his actions during the offence, the report said.

Sentencing

The prosecution sought a sentence of eight to ten years in prison, saying that it would reflect the gravity of the offence.

They noted the psychiatrist's assessment that Abdul Rani is not of any imminent or significant risk to himself or others, both in the prison and community settings, and would benefit from psychiatric follow-up and treatment.

However, they also highlighted that the murder was a "sustained attack" that continued even after the younger brother had stopped moving and was foaming.

This demonstrated a "disturbing level of violence", the prosecution argued.

They added that there was an abuse of familial trust and of the victim's vulnerability, as he had been discharged from the hospital not long before.

Abdul Rani's lawyer emphasised the psychiatric assessment about the lack of imminent risk, and that the case was a situation of caretaker fatigue, and of friction between the two brothers.

Abdul Rani would have to live the rest of his life with the conscience he had taken away his brother’s life, the lawyer added.

Taking all this into consideration, the judge said that an offence of causing death with the intention of doing so is undoubtedly a grave offence.

He sentenced Abdul Rani to eight years in prison, backdated to the date of his arrest on Mar. 11, 2025.

A man in his 30s was detained and tested positive for drugs after officers from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) in Malaysia raided the house he was staying in.

The incident was brought to light in a Jun. 28 AADK Facebook post, which stated that officers had raided the house following public tip-offs about suspected drug abuse.

Upon reaching the house, officers found the man asleep in a bedroom.

According to the post, preliminary investigations found that the man was living in the house with his brother after divorcing his wife about a year ago.

Baby refused to be separated from father

The man's one-year-old daughter was also found in the bedroom, after which she was taken to the AADK office while officers tried to contact family members.

Though staff members tried to coax the infant, she was said to have cried and refused to be separated from her father.

Other family members later showed up, took her home, and then handed her over to her mother for full-time care.

Man detained, tested positive for drugs

In addition, both brothers displayed suspicious behaviour and were taken for urine screenings, after which they tested positive for drugs.

The post also stated that the infant's father was detained so that the agency could continue its investigations and take action under the relevant laws.

The Singapore police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 14-year-old girl Lee Jia Xuan.

She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans in the vicinity of Block 8 Lorong Lew Lian on Jun. 17 at about 12pm.

Anyone with information is requested to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Diners at Boon Lay Place Food Village were surprised with a live music performance on Jun. 27 and 28.

The pop-up concert, held by ground-up youth organisation 13th Mile Collective, was headlined by getai singer Raybe Oh, who performed there both nights.

The show also featured performances by Jeff Ng, Arya Yunata, Muhammad Firdaus, Jason Yu, and Yiting Ong.

On a makeshift stage with a sound system set up, the singers treated residents to various classic tunes sometimes accompanied by the guitar or keyboard.

According to the organisation's Facebook post, the series, dubbed Table 808, is about "turning everyday heartland spaces into places where people come together".

Previously, they held a similar concert at Jurong West Hawker Centre in March.

Supporting hawkers

Oh made her getai comeback in late February after she suffered burns to 80 per cent of her body while attempting to rescue her fiancé and friends from a car crash in 2021.

The Retro Runway Concert was her first performance at a hawker centre.

In April, a volunteer at 13th Mile Collective reached out and asked if she was available to be a part of the concert, which sought to promote Singapore’s hawker culture and spirit, Oh told Mothership.

"It’s my pleasure to contribute in my own way by bringing music, joy, and a lively atmosphere to the hawkers and everyone there," she said.

Very different from getai

Oh described the evening as a completely new experience that she "absolutely loved".

"Since I was so close to the audience, I could interact with them throughout the performance, which made it feel very engaging and personal," she said.

The intimate setting made it feel very different from getai shows, which Oh said are more focused on putting on a polished show on a beautiful stage.

To Oh, performing at a hawker centre was "much more relaxed, interactive, and all about having fun with the diners and audience".

"I really enjoyed that close connection with everyone," she added.

"[The hawkers] work long hours in the same environment every day, so seeing them smile, sing along, and even dance while I was performing really made my day.

Moments like that remind me how music can bring people together."

Related stories

A Thai woman has been jailed seven and a half years for trafficking her daughter and forcing her into sex work in Japan.

The court in Bangkok reportedly said the term was halved because the 30-year-old woman pleaded guilty, according to NHK.

The woman, only identified as Laksana, brought her then 12-year-old daughter to Tokyo to work at a massage parlour in June 2025, reported Kyodo News.

Wanted to take care of youngest son

Laksana reportedly told Kyodo News following the verdict that she took her daughter to Japan because she only wanted her to help take care of her youngest baby boy while she was working at the massage parlour.

Police believe the girl provided sexual services to about 60 customers over a month between June and July in 2025.

The girl has been receiving care at a government-run facility since going back to Thailand in December.

What happened

It was previously reported that before the incident, the woman worked abroad providing sexual services while the girl lived with her grandparents.

On Jun. 27, 2025, both mother and daughter travelled to Japan from Thailand on a 15-day tourist visa.

It was the girl's first time in Japan.

The woman then allegedly handed her daughter over to the owner of a massage parlour in Tokyo.

She told the girl to stay there and work and instructed her to perform sexual massages.

The incident came to light in September 2025, when the girl went alone to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau in Minato Ward to seek help.

She was then taken into protective custody as a trafficking victim.

The woman was arrested in Taoyuan during a prostitution raid and was believed to be linked to an international prostitution ring.

The Japanese yen fell to its weakest level against the Singapore dollar on Jun. 30, 2026.

It slid to 125.49 yen per S$1 before paring some losses.

It was trading at 125.31 yen at 10:48am Singapore time.

The Japanese currency is down about 2.9 per cent against the Singapore currency to date in 2026.

The Singapore dollar has strengthened by more than 52 per cent against the yen in the last five years.

In July 2021, S$1 was equivalent to 81 yen.

Japanese authorities could intervene

The yen is also the weakest against the U.S. dollar since 1986, as it extended its decline to 162.33 as at 10:55am in Tokyo on Jun. 30.

The Japanese government is expected to call for monetary management, Bloomberg reported.

The authorities there have entered the market several times to defend the currency, which started on Apr. 30, 2026.

Analysts differ on the reasons for the yen’s long decline, and if or how it can be halted, it was also reported.

The last time the yen traded at this level against the U.S. dollar was when Japan was experiencing a massive and years-long rally in the 1980s.

A currency accord engineered by the U.S. ensued, which led to a lost generation for the economy.

However, the current currency weakness is boosting the profits of exporters, and in turn helping the nation’s stock market to record highs.

In other words, even as the yen is sliding, Japan is on its way out of an economic funk that lasted for a generation.

On the other hand, import costs are swelling and hurting consumers.

Most notably, oil and gas shipments priced in U.S. dollars is increasing inflation and threatening to undermine the popularity of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government.

Paul Bakery at Paragon has temporarily closed after the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) suspended its licence for two weeks.

The French bakery had reportedly accumulated 12 demerit points within 12 months, "for failing to keep the licensed premises free of cockroach infestation", according to the agency.

Its suspension will last from Jun. 23 to Jul. 6.

A member of the public, who reached out to Mothership, said they had observed the outlet's closure since mid-last week.

They had heard of the SFA suspension "through circulation", the person said.

Licence suspended: SFA

SFA said that based on track records, a licensee who accumulates 12 or more demerit points during a 12-month period may have their licence suspended for either two or four weeks, or cancelled.

The licensee must then rectify all lapses and take necessary measures to improve the food safety practices and cleanliness of its premises.

All food handlers working in the affected premises will be required to re-attend and pass the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1 before they can resume their work.

All food hygiene officers working in the suspended premises, if any, must also re-attend and pass the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 3.

"Food safety is a joint responsibility. While SFA puts in place and enforces the regulatory measures, food operators must play their part by adhering to good food hygiene and preparation practices...

Members of the public who have concerns about food safety practices by food operators should report to SFA via the online feedback form."

A man arrested on suspicion of slashing a woman in Bangkok on Jun. 27 claimed that he did so because he disliked overweight people.

This confession was shared by the police, according to Khaosod.

The man, a homeless 30-year-old identified as Etsana, attacked the woman with a 23cm-long box cutter, Bangkok Post reported.

He was taken into custody and charged with causing bodily harm.

The attack

The victim, a Vietnamese woman, was walking on a sidewalk around 11:30am that day when Etsana slashed her, according to The Thaiger.

He fled the scene afterwards, and the store manager of a nearby convenience store called the police.

The woman was injured and received treatment at a hospital, then went to a local police station to identify her attacker.

Police officers tracked Etsana down using CCTV footage in the area, arrested him, and seized the box cutter as evidence.

Motive

When questioned by the police, Etsana allegedly admitted to the attack.

He explained that he slashed the woman because he "does not like overweight people", as reported by Thai media.

According to The Thaiger, he claimed he did not want anyone else to be overweight and wanted to be "the only one".

He reportedly weighed 120kg.

He also allegedly told the police that seeing an overweight woman walk past him made him angry, and that prompted him to attack her.

According to some residents in the area, he had attacked other overweight women before this incident.

Japanese actor Nijiro Murakami is under investigation for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

According to reports, the incidents apparently occurred between March and May 2024 at the couple’s home in Shibuya, Tokyo in Japan.

Assault

The 29-year-old allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend, who lived with him, on four occasions.

Murakami had apparently grabbed her by her hair and slammed her head against a window.

He also purportedly punched her in the face.

The woman reportedly suffered injuries that took more than a month to heal.

She later lodged a complaint with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police in early 2026.

Her identity has not been disclosed.

Questioning

Murakami apparently underwent voluntary questioning.

“There’s no doubt that I injured her," he reportedly admitted.

Local police referred the case to prosecutors on suspicion of assault, who will decide whether formal charges should be brought against the actor.

Response

The actor has responded to the allegations.

On social media, Murakimi expressed his “sincerest apologies for the considerable concern and inconvenience” he caused.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nijiro Murakami (@njrmrkx)

“I will address the circumstances surrounding this matter in my own words in the near future,” the post read.

Nijiro Murakami

Nijiro Murakami is a Japanese actor and voice actor.

He made his acting debut in 2014, playing the role of Kaito in "Still the Water".

He gained recognition for his role as Shuntaro Chishiya in Netflix’s survival drama, 'Alice in Borderland'.

In 2023, Murakami went on hiatus for mental and physical health issues.

He was absent from the "Tokyo Revengers 2" red carpet event and dropped out of the stage play "Evangelion Beyond".

He resumed activities in 2025, with a cameo in the Singapore-Japanese co-production "Lost and Found", and appearing in the third season of "Alice in Borderland".