A crocodile was spotted at Pandan Reservoir on Aug. 20 at about 3pm, resulting in the suspension of water activities in the area.

According to a joint statement by PUB and the National Parks Board (NParks), the Singapore Rowing Association and Singapore Canoe Federation were informed to suspend all activities in the reservoir.

Both agencies said that search and capture operations are being conducted in the area.

"Signage is also being installed around the reservoir to alert members of the public and advise them to exercise caution."

Likely an estuarine crocodile

The joint statement noted that, based on a photo of the crocodile provided to PUB, it is likely to be an estuarine crocodile:

"Estuarine crocodiles feed and rest in brackish and freshwater areas and are usually found in the water or on mudflats. They hunt mainly at night and feed mostly on fish in Singapore, which is its most abundant prey."

The agencies added that these crocodiles are known to be found in the Straits of Johor and the Straits of Singapore.

2026 crocodile sightings

This is the latest in a series of crocodile sightings this year.

On Feb. 4, a crocodile was spotted near Changi Naval Base just five days after a crocodile was sighted in Sentosa Cove.

On May 6, a 2m-long crocodile was spotted in waters off Sentosa Cove, prompting the suspension of water activities at Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong beaches; it was later caught and euthanised.

When encountering a crocodile

The agencies advised the public to stay calm and back away when encountering a crocodile.

Do not approach, provoke, or feed the animal.

Make sure to heed warning signs and advisory notices posted at areas where crocodiles have been sighted.

The public may also contact NParks' Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600 or PUB at 1800-2255-782 to report the encounter.

The director of three companies linked to more than 400 migrant workers, who were owed months of unpaid wages, has been declared bankrupt.

According to a report by The Straits Times, a bankruptcy order was made against Ramu Palani Velu on Aug. 13.

Ramu, who is an Indian national and Singapore permanent resident, is the director of seven companies in Singapore that provide services, including air-conditioning, plumbing, and building works.

Earlier in June 2026, more than 400 workers from three of the companies – VVR Plant Engineering, SK Industries, and KPA Engineering – lodged claims for unpaid wages.

Some workers said they had not received their salaries for about three months.

Claims over unpaid wages

According to ST, five workers from KPA Engineering separately approached the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) in 2025 over unpaid wages.

Their cases were resolved within a week, with the workers receiving payment from the company.

However, four other KPA Engineering workers filed claims for unpaid salaries in May and June 2026.

While those cases were being processed, more than 100 migrant workers went to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Services Centre in Bendemeer on Jun. 22 to seek help regarding their outstanding salary payments and housing arrangements.

ST reported that MOM was already aware of salary claims after speaking to KPA Engineering workers affected by a dormitory eviction notice on Jun. 8.

Authorities had also been trying to contact the company's directors before the workers approached MOM on Jun. 22.

All three firms shared the same director

It was subsequently established that the three companies shared the same director, Ramu, who had left Singapore.

His registered address at a private estate in Hillview had reportedly been rented to foreign tenants over the past two years and is currently leased to a doctor.

He subsequently returned to Singapore on Jun. 26 and has been assisting MOM with its investigations.

Records from the Ministry of Law's Insolvency Office show that he applied for bankruptcy on Jul. 9, ST reported.

AAG Corporate Advisory is listed as the trustee.

Employers who fail to pay salaries may face fines of between S$3,000 and S$15,000 per charge, as well as up to six months' jail.

Blackpink's Jennie's agency has said it will pursue civil and criminal action over malicious online content targeting her.

The statement came as an unverified clip from her Summer Sonic 2026 performance in Japan was spreading online.

The clip showed what appeared to be a wardrobe malfunction that revealed parts of her body.

In its statement, OA Entertainment vowed "no settlement or leniency" over such malicious content, according to The Korea Herald.

The clip

In the clip, the singer was seen dancing energetically, when her top shifted mid-performance.

Parts of her body were revealed during this "wardrobe malfunction".

Its authenticity has not been established. Some users who saw it suspected it had been manipulated, with comments including "This looks fake — probably AI," "Take this down" and "Have some decency," Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

The account behind the clip has since been suspended.

Even watching it can be an offence in Korea

Under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes in South Korea, anyone who creates deepfake content using a person's face, body or voice without their consent, in a way that could cause sexual humiliation, can be jailed up to seven years or fined up to 50 million won (S$45,552).

The law also covers those on the receiving end of such content.

Possessing, buying, saving or even watching such material can carry up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won (S$27,331).

Japan Home stores in Singapore have reopened days after several were found shuttered or closed for stocktaking, with Valu$ goods appearing on the shelves.

International Housewares Retail Company Limited (IH Retail), the parent company of the Japan Home brand, said in a press release that all its stores in Singapore resumed operations on Aug. 20 following the completion of transition arrangements.

What actually happened

On Aug. 13, an indirect subsidiary of IH Retail signed a three-year master franchise agreement with Radha Export Pte Ltd, which the company described as "the engine behind the ABC and Valu$ stores in Singapore”.

The handover of existing stores was completed on Aug. 19.

The agreement gives Radha the exclusive right to run the Japan Home business in Singapore, including through sub-franchisees, and to open additional outlets.

IH Retail said Radha brings experience in consumer goods and wholesale distribution along with local operational expertise and an established supply chain network.

It also expects Radha's local capabilities to improve store operating efficiency, responsiveness to market demand, and brand awareness in Singapore.

The arrangement is expected to support the brand's expansion in Singapore and across Southeast Asia over the next three years, IH Retail added.

What staff thought was happening

The Business Times previously reported that some Japan Home workers believed that the chain had been "sold to Valu$ entirely”, while others put it down to a "change of management”.

What led up to this

Five outlets at Hougang Mall, Century Square, Northpoint City, Harbourfront Centre and Buangkok Square held closing-down sales between June and July 2026.

When BT visited nine stores on Aug. 18, it found three shuttered and six closed for stocktaking, with Valu$ stock in several stores and Valu$ staff clearing shelves at Waterway Point.

A woman allegedly fell from the fourth floor of an HDB block onto the eaves of the first floor in Holland Drive on Aug. 19.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, the incident took place at Block 43 Holland Drive at around 7:45am.

SCDF officers spotted standing on the first-floor eaves

In a video provided to the Chinese publication, police could be seen cordoning off the area around the block.

Four Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers were seen on the first-floor eaves attending to a person lying on a stretcher, while a few others were standing by the kitchen window of a unit on the second floor.

The officers subsequently lifted the stretcher through the window and into the second-floor unit.

They then climbed through the window, carrying the stretcher into the flat.

The witness who provided the video told Zaobao that a female neighbour had said the woman would often shout at her for no apparent reason.

The witness added that, based on the open window of the fourth-floor unit, he believed the woman may have fallen from the window.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it had conveyed an unconscious person to the National University Hospital.

Separately, the police confirmed that a woman had been apprehended under Section 7 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008.

Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

• National mindline.sg Hotline: 1771 (24 hours)
• National mindline.sg WhatsApp: 66691771 (24 hours)
• SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767
• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
• Centre for Domestic Employees: 1800 225 5233 (24 hours)
• Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training: 1800 339 4357 (24 hours)
• HOME (migrant worker): +65 6341 5535 (WhatsApp / Viber / SMS)
• HOME (domestic worker): +65 9787 3122 (WhatsApp / SMS / Call)
• SHECARES@SCWO: Call: 8001 01 4616 | WhatsApp: 8985 5528 (For targets of online harms)
• National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH): 1800-777-0000

A China court sentenced the 67-year-old founder of property developer China Evergrande Group to life in prison on Aug. 20, 2026, after he was convicted of multiple crimes.

The South China Morning Post reported that Hui Ka Yan, known as Xu Jiayin in Mandarin, also had all his personal property confiscated and was deprived of political rights for life.

Charges, fines

Hui, who was also the group's former chairman, pleaded guilty in April 2026 to eight charges, according to Reuters.

This included the misuse of funds, fundraising fraud, illegally taking public deposits, illegally extending loans, fraudulently issuing securities and bribery.

BBC reported that the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court also fined his former companies 15.82 billion yuan (about S$2.98 billion) in total.

This was due to multiple crimes, which included falsifying records and concealing debt.

Other Evergrande personnel sentenced

In addition, the court also publicly ruled on the same day on cases of illegal deposit absorption, fundraising fraud and illegal use of funds by Evergrande personnel.

SCMP reported that this saw 56 individuals, including Hui's two sons, Xu Zhijian and Xu Tenghe, being sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment.

Their jail terms ranged from 22 months to 18 years, with fines or property confiscated.

BBC reported the court as saying that Hui and his businesses had "seriously disrupted" the Chinese property market which resulted in significant economic losses.

Violations

SCMP reported that a court judgement said the violations by Evergrande, Hengda Real Estate and Hui took place between 2016 and 2021.

Through "sustained and large‑scale financial fraud", they "inflated assets, concealed liabilities and committed crimes", the court said.

This included "illegal absorption of public deposits, fundraising fraud, fraudulent issuance of securities and illegal disclosure of key information".

Hui also took advantage of his position as the group's chairman to orchestrate financial fraud and embezzle corporate assets in the name of dividend distribution, SCMP reported.

Humble beginnings to fall from grace

Once estimated to be the richest person in Asia, Hui came from humble beginnings before he ventured into property development and set up Evergrande in 1996, BBC reported.

Large amounts of borrowed money were then used to fund an aggressive expansion programme, which saw the group become China's biggest real estate developer.

It previously held a stock market valuation of more than US$50 billion (S$63.6 billion).

However, it earned the title of the world's most indebted real estate developer in June 2023 when its total liabilities reached US$332 billion (S$421.85 billion), SCMP reported.

A 46-year-old Singaporean man was charged for obstructing a police officer in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, as well as attacking a 30-year-old Malaysian woman.

The accused, Gary Lim Kian Liang, claimed trial.

He is facing three charges, including the possession of a dangerous weapon, voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon, and obstructing a public servant, Malay Mail reported.

He did not indicate a plea.

Road rage

On Aug. 15, at about 11:58pm, Lim allegedly attacked a woman.

He apparently then got into a physical altercation with police officers shortly after on Aug. 16 at about 12:15am at Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, heading towards the Sultan Iskandar Building near the Causeway.

The altercation apparently stemmed from a road rage incident.

Local police arrested four men in that incident.

According to New Straits Times, preliminary investigations revealed that the incident purportedly stemmed from a dispute between three Malaysian men and a Singaporean man.

Lim allegedly possessed an 8.5cm knife without a valid permit, and the weapon was apparently used in the altercation.

In a related case, a 28-year-old Malaysian man was also charged with intentionally causing injury to Lim with a motorcycle helmet.

G. Thinesh Kumar claimed trial and was unrepresented.

Restaurant owner

During the bail application, Lim's lawyers reportedly said Lim was a restaurant owner in Singapore and suffered from mental health issues that required ongoing treatment.

Lim was apparently married and supported his elderly mother.

He was granted bail of RM20,000 (S$6,301).

His case was adjourned to Sep. 25.

Thinesh was granted bail of RM5,000 (S$1,575).

His case was adjourned to Sep. 14.

A group of boys allegedly accessed a lift shaft under maintenance at Block 603 Woodlands Drive 42 recently.

A Mothership reader shared a video on Aug. 14 showing the group of boys allegedly carrying out the act.

According to the reader, the boys were 11 years old.

He told Mothership that the video was circulating in a group chat that included his child.

He added that his daughter had alerted him straightaway after seeing the video.

He suspected that the key to the lift doors was left behind by the contractor, and the boys had managed to get their hands on it.

He said he had lodged a police report.

The police confirmed with Mothership that a report had been lodged.

Sembawang Town Council

In response to Mothership's queries regarding the incident, a spokesperson from Sembawang Town Council said it is aware of the incident and have reported the matter to the police.

The town council added: "The matter is currently under police investigation. As investigations are ongoing, the town council is unable to comment further at this time."

The spokesperson also shared that the town council takes the safety of residents seriously and will continue to cooperate with the police in their investigations.

The police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 14-year-old Jasmine Tay Xin Yi.

She was last seen wearing a black shirt and shorts in the vicinity of Block 183B Boon Lay Drive on Aug. 19, 2026 at about 12:30pm.

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.

A Singaporean man working at a jewellery store in Yishun stole 24 pieces of gold jewellery and replaced six pieces with copies from Taobao.

Darren Wai Mun Jun, 31, was employed as an assistant store manager at CHJ Singapore Jewel at Northpoint City at the time.

According to court documents seen by Mothership, Wai stole S$216,613.05 worth of gold jewellery and pawned the 24 pieces he swiped for S$131,253 in cash.

Wai used the ill-gotten gains to pay off his debts and to gamble.

On Aug. 20, Wai was sentenced to two years, four months and two weeks' jail after pleading guilty to two counts of theft and one count of dealing with the benefits of his criminal conduct, according to The Straits Times (ST).

He has not made restitution.

Bought copies on Taobao

Wai was employed by CHJ in September 2025 and was promoted to an assistant store manager the following month.

He was responsible for assisting the manager and attending to customers.

He was also one of the staff members who held the shop key.

In late December 2025, Wai conceived a plan to replace the jewellery with gold-coloured ones purchased from Taobao, the Chinese online commercial platform.

He purchased many Taobao items with the purpose of substituting the gold pieces.

Weighed real item and matched it to fake counterpart

Before making the swaps, Wai would weigh the item he intended to replace and select the Taobao piece that matched it in weight and appearance.

He would arrive early to work or wait for his colleagues to go on their breaks, and swap the CHJ jewellery with the Taobao ones when he was alone in the shop.

To avoid detection, he would also switch off the Wi-Fi to disable the shop's CCTV.

Wai would then transfer the price tag from the real item to the Taobao copy, placing the copy on display before switching the Wi-Fi back on.

He carried out this plan initially but began stealing jewellery pieces by replacing the stolen pieces with stock pieces from the shop's own inventory, as he knew the store did not have a proper stock-taking system.

Pawned items

In December 2025, Wai stole gold necklaces weighing 62.37g and 70.35g on two separate occasions. The necklaces were worth S$37,825.20 in total.

He pawned the necklaces at two different pawnshops, and the 62.37g necklace was later seized from the pawnshop.

On 22 separate occasions between Jan. 8, 2026 and Jan. 20, 2026, Wai stole S$178,787.85 worth of gold jewellery consisting of bangles, bracelets and necklaces.

Of the 22 stolen items, 18 were seized from pawnshops.

Colleague discovered deception

On Jan. 21, 2026, a colleague was serving a customer at the store when she discovered that the weight of a gold bangle she was selling did not match the weight reflected on the price tag.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed the bangle did not bear the "CHJ" engraving on its inner surface.

She checked the other items on display with another colleague and found that four gold bangles did not belong to CHJ.

Wai was not on duty at the time.

ST reported that Wai was arrested later that same day.

On Aug. 20, Wai's bail was set at S$15,000, and he will begin his sentence on Sep. 3.