Nobody tells you that the hardest part of getting your BTO keys isn't the waiting, it’s the furnishing.

Suddenly you have opinions about mattress firmness levels, you're googling "pocketed springs vs memory foam" at 1am, and you've visited more showrooms than you'd care to admit.

Mattress fatigue is real (and deeply ironic).

So here's a shortcut. For five days only, from Sep. 30 to Oct. 4, Four Star is bringing its Clearance Roadshow Fair to Bugis, where you can buy one mattress and get another free.

There's also up to 80 per cent off premium mattresses, designer bed frames and storage beds.

Which means the master bedroom and the guest room could both be sorted in one trip.

If you run hot at night

You know who you are. The one who sticks a leg out of the blanket for ventilation, then pulls it back in because it's cold, then does it again an hour later.

The DETENSE ArcticSilk mattress is for you. Its ticking uses silk-feel eco-fibres that cool down quickly and stay cool for a longer period of time, while the anti-static fabric helps you settle into a more restful sleep.

Underneath, there are individually pocketed springs designed to follow your body's natural contours from head to toe.

They also minimise motion transfer, so if your partner flops around like a fish at 3am, you'll be none the wiser.

And here's the part that makes the decision easier: buy a selected cooling mattress and a smaller one comes free.

Buy a queen and you get a single, buy a king and you get a super single.

So the mattress you're eyeing for your own room could come with a second one for the guest room, at no extra cost.

If your back has opinions

Waking up stiffer than when you went to bed is not a vibe.

The newly launched CHIRO Bio Plus has a plant-based soy comfort layer that relieves pressure and supports the contours of your body, while its open-cell structure stops heat from getting trapped.

Its MeshMatrix AirCore side panels keep air moving, releasing built-up heat and humidity through the night (useful, given where we live).

If your skin reacts to everything

The Tencel mattress uses naturally soft, breathable fabric that's gentle on sensitive skin and resists dust mites. Its silky surface also helps keep heat from building up.

Whichever you go for, mattresses come with warranties of up to 15 years and free one-for-one disposal of your old one. And yes, you can try before you buy, so you can lie down in public without anyone judging you.

If you want a bed that basically does everything

The Ergonomic Adjustable Bed lets you tilt the head and foot positions until you find your sweet spot, then saves it with memory mode (so you don't have to relive the search every night).

There's also massage with adjustable intensity and a timer, a child lock, an under-bed light and a USB charging port. You can control all of it through a Bluetooth remote or an app.

It comes with a 10-year warranty.

If you want to mix both ergonomics and design

The Wabi-Sabi Inset Bed has a recessed frame that hides the mattress edges for a clean, minimal look, while holding everything firmly in place.

If you have kids or friends who tend to overstay, the Pull-out bed tucks an extra bed out of sight until someone needs it.

You can also mix and match headboards, divans, colours and materials, including pet-friendly, easy-to-clean fabric and leather.

If you have too much stuff

At some point every new homeowner discovers they have nowhere to put the luggage.

The "Space Saviour" Storage Bed uses a German hydraulic lift system, so getting to your off-season clothes doesn't mean throwing out your back. That makes it a good pick for older family members too.

Choose between front or side-lift, and add drawers if you want more.

The small things that make a bed feel finished

Four Star's Accessorize range has new summer quilts, mattress protectors and memory foam pillows.

The Memory Foam Ergonomic Pillow is contoured for side sleepers, keeping your neck in natural alignment rather than at the odd angle you might have been sleeping at for years.

The Summer Light Quilt is gentle on sensitive skin, machine washable, and filled with cooling polysilk, which is about as much blanket as Singapore weather allows.

Selected pillows and bolsters are also going for buy one get one free.

Free gifts with your purchase

Spend a certain amount and you'll walk away with more than you came for:

• Spend a minimum of S$2,000: travel pillow
• Spend a minimum of S$3,000: latex pillow and travel luggage
• Spend a minimum of S$4,000: vacuum cleaner

Which is a decent haul, considering you were going to buy a mattress anyway.

Support that doesn't stop at checkout

Four Star's service doesn't end when you pay. Along with warranties of up to 15 years, there's follow-up service, a dedicated team for product enquiries, and advice on keeping everything in good shape.

Delivery is free, and installation is quick.

That long-term approach has earned the brand multiple industry awards over the years.

Find Four Star's Clearance Roadshow Fair

Location: Coliwoo Midtown, Level 1, 141 Middle Road, Singapore 188976

Date: Sep. 30 to Oct. 4, 2026

Time: 11am to 9pm daily

Nearest MRT station: Bugis (nine-minute walk)

WhatsApp (messages only): 8683 9906

Images for illustration purposes. T&Cs apply.

This branded article by Four Star made this writer seriously reconsider replacing her mattress.

Sports retailer Decathlon decided to shorten its inaugural Kiprun Singapore half-marathon on Sep. 27  due to the worsening haze conditions in Singapore.

Decathlon, along with co-organiser Metasport, announced this at about 3am on the day of the race, explaining that air quality readings reviewed at 2am exceeded action thresholds.

It was shared on their social media, and directly to participants via email and text message.

The action thresholds were set out in the organisers' event contingency plans, as well as the applicable SportSG and National Environment Agency (NEA) guidance, according to a post the previous day informing participants that adjustments might be necessary.

Only the 21.1km race was adjusted while the 10km, 5km, and Kids Dash distances were not changed.

The awards ceremony was also cancelled, and all race categories were made non-competitive, which means there would be no official rankings or results.

The measures were taken to reduce prolonged and strenuous physical exertion while still allowing participants to enjoy the event safely, the organisers said.

They did not state on their social media whether half-marathon participants will be refunded.

Two half-marathon participants Mothership spoke to said they have not been offered a partial refund, credit, or any other form of compensation so far.

Unhealthy PSI levels

The Kiprun event, held at the Decathlon Singapore Lab in Kallang, was located in the central-east area.

The 21.1km commenced at 5am, followed by the 10km run at 6am, and the rest after 7am.

At 2am on Sep. 27, Singapore's overall 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings were within the unhealthy range.

The readings in central and east areas were 126 and 109 respectively at 2am.

By 5am, they were up to 127 and 113 respectively.

"Bummed" but enjoyed the race

A large crowd of runners showed up at the half-marathon despite the shortened distance.

Velarde Mikhail Allen Tacderas, 19, who ran in the shortened race, told Mothership he was bummed at first, but ultimately "just took it as a fun run" and enjoyed himself at the "nice course".

It was the first publicly organised race he had participated in, and he ran his personal best for a 10km distance.

Despite the adjustment, he received a medal and finisher T-shirt, which he said felt "undeserved" and like "stolen valour".

He added that he did not feel different due to the haze, while noting that the organisers emphasised safety as the utmost priority both online and at the event itself.

"I assume it's a tactic to keep runner's morale high while reminding runners to monitor their health closely," he said.

Josiah Ho, 26, similarly felt sad when he learnt that the half-marathon would be halved.

"10km is just a normal run for me," he told Mothership. "21.1km was the goal, especially with my colleagues."

He observed that the haze had "pretty much cleared up" at the start of the race, though the PSI levels were high. He did not feel like it affected him.

"[The organisers] were constantly reminding us [at the starting line] to watch ourselves and know when we are feeling good or bad," he said.

"Responsible thing to do"

On Instagram, many other participants expressed support for the organisers' decision to put their health and safety first.

A user, who said he was up at 3am on race day waiting to find out if the races would proceed, praised the organisers for "making the tough call".

Another acknowledged that it was "all for our safety amidst the haze situation".

A third said the adjustment was made "without much disruption". He called it a "pity" that participants did not get to run the full 21.1km, but added that it was "the responsible thing to do".

Refunds

Tickets for the half-marathon were priced from S$78 with the super early bird discount, to S$98 at the end of registration.

According to the Kiprun event terms and conditions, registration fees will not be refunded due to any

change or cancellation of the event, "unless the organiser expressly states otherwise".

Both Velarde and Ho said they hope a refund would be offered. "If not, a discount for the [race] next year," Ho added.

Several comments under the Sep. 27 announcement on Instagram asked about refunds, with some arguing for it on the grounds of fairness.

Mothership has reached out to the organisers for more information.

"Yesterday so hot, today so cold."

That's probably what many Singaporeans were thinking as they went about their weekend.

And the mercury confirms it.

One day after Singapore recorded the highest joint daily September temperature since record-keeping began in 1929, Singapore was cool and wet on Sep. 27.

Rain clouds have blanketed much of Singapore since morning, and most of the island is enjoying so-called "air-con" temperatures below 25°C, as at 3:42pm.

At the Woodlands Avenue 9 weather station, the reading came in at 25°C.

However, it had logged the record-setting high of 35.8°C just an afternoon before, as reported by The Straits Times.

As low as 20.7°C

The lowest temperature recorded today was at Clementi, with a reading of 20.7°C at 12:20pm.

The highest so far was at Paya Lebar, with a reading of 30.6°C at 10:52am.

Flash flood warnings for multiple locations around Singapore were issued by national water agency PUB between late morning and noon time.

According to the fortnightly forecast by Meteorological Service Singapore, more showers are expected in this half of September.

Daily maximums are likely to range between 33°C and 34°C, reaching around 35°C on some days.

Chinese TV host Feng Xi, 26, lived out her childhood fantasy when she married Chinese singer Xu Song, 40.

She had reportedly been a fan of the singer, who goes by the stage name Vae, since her primary school years, according to local media outlets.

The pair announced their marriage on Weibo on Sep. 19 with two photos from a wedding shoot, captioned "Our life story has entered a new chapter. Thank you for all your concern and well wishes."

Xu rose to fame in the late 2000s, later becoming one of China's most popular singers during the country's internet era.

According to Sina, the couple first met in October 2022 when Xu appeared on a variety show "Hello, Saturday". Feng was hosting the programme then.

In November the same year, rumours of the their relationship emerged after they were spotting holding hands while shopping.

However, the pair did not officially announce their relationship in the four years they dated.

Apart from a rare public appearance at a New Year's Eve gala at the end of 2023, they also avoided appearing together on stage.

Reactions

Although Feng is a TV host herself, many have dubbed her story as a fangirl's ultimate success—being able to marry one's idol.

However, some of Xu's fans have also decided "unfan" him, as they felt that the marriage announcement has shattered his "aloof genius" image, rendering him just another industry figure who prefers younger women.

Nonetheless, most are supportive of the union, pointing out that dating and getting married are par for the course, singer or not.

In fact, Xu's Weibo following has spiked after the news, with more registering for his recent concerts in Tianjin, China as well.

Residents in Bangkok, Thailand have taken to panic-buying food and essentials from convenience stores as the city experiences ongoing extreme floods.

A video dated Sep. 26 circulating on social media showed people hoarding bottled drinks and stacks of ready-made food like cup noodles in a flooded store.

Another video featured a nearly-empty 7-Eleven store, as well as snaking queues of people in another grocery store.

People could also be seen wading through knee-high water on the streets outside.

According to Thai PBS World, people have begun stocking up on necessities in case the floods render them unable to leave their homes or if food deliveries become disrupted.

Staples like instant noodles, frozen meals and bread are disappearing from display shelves, while chain franchise convenience stores in Bangkok and nearby provinces are running short of ready-to eat-food and other necessities.

Motorists have also reportedly packed into service stations to fill their tanks out of fear that petrol and diesel will run out, said PBS.

Authorities keeping close eye on stock availability and prices

According to Inquirer.net, Thai authorities have ordered retailers to replenish supplies and are keep a close watch on the availability and prices of essential goods.

The Commerce Ministry is also coordinating with wholesalers and retailers to expedite deliveries.

Meanwhile, major Thai supermarket chain Tops has also set up a 24-hour flood response "war room" to manage store operations and supply chains.

According to The Nation, this involves ensuring that staff and customers are safe, installing flood barriers and drainage systems, and having enough essential goods to distribute across their customer base.

Extreme flooding

Bangkok has experienced heavy floods in late September after days of extreme rains.

On Sep. 25, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt declared all 50 districts of the capital city disaster-affected zones.

However, he has also asked residents not to worry about any potential food shortages, and urged everyone to stay home.

Three workers have managed to wrangle free F1 tickets from their boss after successfully completing a social media challenge.

The brief? Create a video about the crew, and gather more than 2,000 likes for the content.

At time of writing, the video has gotten more than 7,500 likes.

The offer

Posted to Instagram by @parklabplay, the men explain the deal and ask viewers for help.

One of them lays out the terms at the start while dancing.

He says: "My boss say this video got 2,000 likes he bring me to F1."

The three then take turns explaining what they do.

"We want to build playground, take care of everything. We help to plan, we help to ensure safety, we help to build."

Then the ask: "Help like this video so we can go F1."

The video has since drawn about 100,000 views and more than 7,500 likes, well past the 2,000 required.

Parklab Play's caption played along with it.

"POV: your boss says hit 2K likes and you get F1 tickets. We need y'all's help for real. Like this video and manifest the crew's grid seats."

Commenters got behind it

The response was warm.

One wrote: "I hope you get to go F1! Support! Sooo cute!"

Another took the chance to thank them for rather more than the video.

They said: "Also thank you for the playgrounds and HDB. And coffee shops. And schools. And roads."

A third added: “Get those F1 tickets!!!! (from another F1 fan) thank you for your hard work."

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Parklab Group Singapore (@parklabplay)

It worked

Speaking to Mothership, a representative from the company confirmed that the workers have indeed gotten their F1 tickets.

For better or for worse, their boss will be joining them for the event.

"Since it'll be their first time at F1, we thought it would be better to have someone from the team there with them as well," the spokesperson explained.

They also elaborated on how the challenge came about: their boss has seen other crew videos and thought that it would be a good way to introduce their people behind their work, doubling it up as an opportunity to reward their top-performing crew members.

The team designs and builds community spaces such as playgrounds, outdoor fitness areas, sports facilities and pop-up events.

Before the first cup of tea is even brewed and sold, S$209,000 would have to be spent just to get a store up and running, from paying rent to setting up the point-of-sale system.

This figure was shared by local food and beverage entrepreneur Sebastian Ang in a Sep. 26 Instagram video.

Ang also founded the sundry shop-themed speakeasy, Mama Diam, as well as the now-shuttered HDB-themed café, Lou Shang.

S$209,000 just to open doors

Amacha is branded as tea rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, with recipes refined to suit modern palates.

It currently has five stores around Singapore.

Commenting that the total initial capital required might "surprise you", Ang broke down the numbers needed to open one of Amacha's stores.

First, there's rent, which comes in at about S$15,000 a month.

Adding up the required three-month deposit plus first month's rent, it totals S$60,000 upfront.

Then, renovation. Carpentry for shelvings and counter tops cost around S$15,000.

S$10,000 went to flooring and tiles, and another S$10,000 went to works on walls around the store.

Electrical works, plumbing, ceiling works and air-conditioning came in at about S$50,000.

That's S$145,000 so far.

As for equipment, an automated tea-making machine cost S$10,000, while a gelato machine cost S$13,000.

Ice-makers, tea-brewers, fridges, sealing machine and other equipment set the business back S$17,000, Ang shared.

Cashier point-of-sale system and television sets to display menus and banners? S$4,000 and S$5,000, respectively.

This brings the total initial capital to S$194,000.

That's not all to get the store off the ground.

There's also the first bulk of ingredients, staff salary, insurance, utility deposits and "all the other small things that somehow add up".

All these easily cost another S$15,000, Ang said.

"So before we even sold our first cup, we have already spent S$209,000," Ang remarked, adding that this was only enough to get the doors open.

"After that, you still need to have enough running capital to keep the business going," he continued in the video.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sebastian Ang (@sebastianang)

Overheads as crucial as initial capital

In his caption, Ang wrote that he had been asked by many about how much it actually costs to open an Amacha store in Singapore.

His experienced had taught him that overheads was just as crucial as initial capital.

Costs like rent, salaries, ingredients and utilities keep running each month, no matter whether the business is good or bad.

"This was something I underestimated when I first got into F&B. It's not just about having enough money to open the shop," Ang wrote.

"You also need enough working capital to survive while the store finds its feet," he pointed out.

The formula that has brought the world relative peace and prosperity for more than eight decades must be preserved, despite a need for institutional reforms, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

Speaking in his wrap-up interview in New York City after delivering Singapore's national statement at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Sep. 26, he added that small and medium states like Singapore can do their part in reminding big powers that it is "actually in their own interest" to operate in accordance with the international law.

In his speech to the UN earlier, Vivian had called for the reform of existing multilateral institutions like the UN itself.

“We need a more flexible coalition of states and partners who are willing and able to move forward, whilst remaining open to others to join when they are ready,” he said.

No need for egregious disruption

However, he later added that "while we recognise the need for reform, don't just throw the baby out with the bathwater."

"Disrupt what needs to be disrupted," he said, but don't engage in egregious disruption.

Vivian's remarks came against a backdrop of ongoing international conflicts discussed at this year's UNGA, including the Gaza conflict and the Israel-U.S. war on Iran.

Responding to Mothership's question on how small and middle states fared at the high-level summit, he said most recognised the dangers that loom ahead, but have resolved to "not just surrender to our fates".

"We are going to make our voices heard...make the case for consistency of international law," he proclaimed.

A time of change

Vivian also spoke of the many issues on the table at this year's discussions.

He said there was "considerable interest" in the issue of safe artificial intelligence (AI) usage, though it was too early to tell whether a UN framework convention on AI safety, like he had suggested, was necessary.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran reportedly held talks of ending the war on the sidelines of the summit, while the UN is undergoing its own institutional reforms in electing a new Secretary-General

"The world is at a particularly disrupted and potential dangerous phase, that’s why there’s so much on the agenda," said Vivian.

On whether the chatter has left him with a sense of optimism, he said that he "would go home slightly encouraged people recognise the gravity of the situation and are trying to get to grips with it".

"People are assessing each other's bottom lines, red lines, concerns and ambitions," he added.

Not all matters can be solved quickly

However, while intensive discussions is "a good thing", Vivian warned that not all matters can be solved in a week, or even a year.

Singapore's stance on tensions at the Strait of Hormuz, for instance, must be made known "not gratuitously and not provocatively, but carefully, deliberately and firmly."

Countries should recognise international law

He also reiterated Singapore's calls for countries to recognise international laws, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the Strait's issue.

He added that for Singapore, who is one in over 193 UN member states, staying constructive and relevant in the UN remains important.

"We have to take a longer term view because we are small and trade-dependent.

We need the world to be stable and predictable, where rules apply, sanctity of contract is recognised and people and states behave accordingly."

Admitting this may "sound like a wish-list" as Singapore is not in the position to impose them on other countries, Vivian nonetheless emphasised that it is "better we spend more time meeting and talking rather than resorting to coercive measures".

"So we have to do our part, but Singapore has to be realistic and take the world as it is. There are no easy solutions," he said.

Trump-Xi meeting

Vivian also addressed the meeting between U.S. and China presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping against the backdrop of the UNGA, stating that he was "glad they met", as were other countries in the UN.

The relationship between China and the U.S., two major superpowers, is "most critical" both for them and for the rest of the world, Vivian said.

However, while both leaders' apparent good personal relationship will be helpful, he said the talks ended in more of a truce as neither party wants to have a collision or a major confrontation.

Strategic trust will have to be built a little at a time in the longer term in order to solve thorny issues at the crux of their relationship, he added.

Following allegations of mismanagement, including repeated late payments of staff salary, the owner of Haus Coffee has apologised and announced in a Sep. 26 Instagram post that he will be stepping down from the business.

The coffee and streetwear shop, located in Golden Mile Tower, previously said in a Sep. 17 post that it will be closed temporarily to "sort out internal matters".

In the lead-up to the owner's apology, there had been murmurings on social media alleging mismanagement.

Apology

The apology was signed off by Tan Junyu, the owner of Haus Coffee.

In it, Tan admitted to his "reckless lifestyle and habits" which have caused "great inconvenience and disappointment" to the employees, customers and collaborators of Haus Coffee, as well as friends and family.

Tan also admitted to the late payment of employee salaries "despite several reminders".

"On several occasions, my employees even had to use money out of their own pockets to pay for stock, as I was irresponsible in making the appropriate arrangements to ensure the store had enough supplies to operate," Tan wrote.

Tan also admitted to late payment to parties who had consigned their goods at Rookies, which is described as a "clothing store" located together with Haus Coffee.

The owner then addressed complaints of poor service and apologised to customers.

New management, who will oversee everything from recruitment to finances, has been installed at Haus Coffee, he continued.

Tan also expressed regret, saying that he knows an apology is insufficient and that he would like to "make things right again".

Rumours

Prior to Tan's apology, allegations of late payment to staff and suppliers surfaced on social media, such as the Reddit forum.

Similar allegations were made by users on the Instagram post in which Haus Coffee announced its temporary closure.

One Reddit user alleged that most of Haus Coffee's staff had been students.

A screenshot, purportedly from a social media post by the owner's business partner and former girlfriend, also circulated online.

In it, she accused the Haus Coffee owner of "unethical business practices" such as passing off replica apparel as authentic ones.

She also accused the owner of cheating on "business trips" and misappropriating company funds, all while being unable to pay staff salary, supplier invoices and rent.

Haus Coffee was established in December 2024. Besides being housed at its Golden Mile Tower storefront, Haus Coffee had also made appearances as a pop-up store at events across the country.

Backlash on apology

Tan's apology, which has since been shared about 6,000 times on Instagram, received backlash.

Users took issue with the fact that he began his apology with "we f*cked up", with a number suggesting that Tan should not use the pronoun "we" if it was he alone who erred.

One user, who claimed to have consigned goods at Rookies, asked for clarity on next steps and who from the business to reach out to following the management change.

"Internal management change without a timeline isn't reassuring," the user wrote.

Six people aged 31 to 70 will be charged in court on Sep. 28 for participating in public assemblies outside the State Courts and Changi Prison without a permit and/or in a prohibited area.

Of the six, four had previously been investigated for similar offences under the Public Order act. Two of these people had received past warnings.

Public assembly outside Changi Prison

Two individuals, a man, 31, and woman, 56, will be charged for participating in public assemblies outside Changi Prison without permits.

The man will face three charges for the offences conducted on three occasions, Nov. 22, 2024, Nov. 29, 2024 and Jan. 23, 2025.

He had previously be issued a stern warning for two counts of the same offence on Mar. 29, 2022 and Apr. 26, 2022.

He also faced one count of obstructing justice on Mar. 29, 2022 in relation to these public assemblies.

The woman will face two counts of participating in a public assembly without a permit on Nov. 22, 2024 and Nov. 29, 2024.

She had also previously been issued a stern warning for a similar offence on Apr. 26, 2022.

Public assembly outside State Courts

The same 56-year-old woman also received another stern warning for participating in a public assembly outside the State Courts without permit on Feb. 3, 2025.

A total of five people, aged 31 to 70, will be charged with one count of this offence, as the area where the assembly was held is considered a prohibited area.

Previous offences

Two of the five individuals have had previous brushes with the law in relation to the Public Order Act.

One of them, a 37-year-old woman, had received either stern warnings or 12-month conditional warnings for the following:

• Public assembly without a permit on three occasions from 2017 -2022
• Obstruction of course of justice on two of those days
• Public procession from Novena MRT to the Ministry of Home Affairs on June 7, 2024

The second person, a 38-year-old woman, had also received penalties ranging from a fine of S$3,000 to a 24-month conditional warning for other "egregious offences":

Police advisory

The Singapore police warned that organising or participating in a public assembly without a permit is an offence punishable by law.

Organising a public assembly in a prohibited area is punishable with up to S$10,000 fine, up to six months' jail, or both.

Participating in one is punishable with up to a fine of S$5,000.

A person who participates in an unpermitted public assembly or procession may face up to S$3,000 fine.

Those who participate in public assemblies or processions at prohibited areas without a police permit will face higher penalties.

Prohibited areas include The Istana, Parliament, the Supreme Court and State Courts and their vicinities.

The Police also warned against disregarding previous warnings issued for breaches of the Public Order Act, as enforcement actions will be taken.

While members of the public should apply for a Police permit to organise public assemblies, those without one can express their views at the Speakers' Corner.