A fried chicken chain in Taiwan faced a food safety investigation after a video surfaced of an employee stomping barefoot on raw chicken skin while joking to the camera that he was "exfoliating" it.

The video showed a shirtless male employee standing in a basin filled with chicken skin and repeatedly stomping on it.

Several other basins containing what appeared to be more chicken skin were also visible in the background.

The restaurant involved is Wu Liang Wu Fried Chicken's Taiping branch in Taichung, according to UDN.

台中伍兩五炸雞爆食安爭議　踩雞皮影片引發撻伐　食安處介入稽查、業者稱涉事食材已報廢 pic.twitter.com/uHphwPEaBU

— 記者爆料網 (@zhe_wang71411) July 9, 2026

Consumers furious

The video drew immediate backlash, with many saying they would never eat at the restaurant again.

Online commenters flooded the shop's Google reviews with one-star ratings and renamed the listing "Barefoot Fried Chicken Specialist" and "Foot Reflexology Shop".

Some former customers also left comments demanding refunds, per UDN.

Shop apologises, says chicken skin was discarded waste

The restaurant issued an apology statement on Threads on Jul. 9, saying that the chicken skin in the video was scrapped food waste that had not been sold to customers, and that the employee had filmed it as a prank without realising it would be shared publicly.

The statement said the employee had been dismissed and that the company would pursue legal action against him.

It also said the restaurant would strengthen staff training and was cooperating fully with authorities.

Unconvinced

According to UDN, the apology did little to win back public trust.

Many commenters questioned the "discarded waste" explanation given the large quantity of chicken skin visible in the video.

One commenter wrote: "This much and you're telling us it's waste? Great PR."

Another said: "I don't believe it for a second. The person in the video is clearly the boss. Consumers can all see it."

A third questioned: "Can any test even detect whether something has been stomped on with feet?"

Authorities investigating

According to China Times, food safety authorities have opened an investigation and will send inspectors to the restaurant.

If the restaurant is found to have violated the Good Hygiene Practice guidelines, it will be ordered to rectify the issues within a set period.

Failure to comply could result in fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$200 million (S$2,414 to S$8,046) under Taiwan's Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act.

A woman in China has helped her husband break out of a vegetative state in an unorthodox fashion: By biting his toes to stimulate his nerves.

The reversal in physical and mental function culminated into the husband, Zhao Jinqian, regaining consciousness and whispering to his wife, Song Mei, saying, "I love you."

Zhao had been left with severe brain damage after surviving a 6m fall while rescuing a toddler in Henan province, South China Morning Post reported.

Rescued a trapped toddler

Zhao had climbed onto a warehouse roof to save a trapped three-year-old child in October 2019.

During the rescue, the waterproofing construction worker fell 6m to the ground, holding the child in his arms, and using his body to shield the child as they plunged to the ground.

While the child escaped unharmed, Zhao took the full impact of the blow, landing head-first.

He sustained severe brain injuries, multiple fractures, and lung damage, Elephant News reported.

Doctors said his survival was a miracle, but noted that his chances of ever regaining consciousness were "vanishingly small".

Financial and physical toll

The medical expenses exhausted most of his family's savings.

They had lived modestly with their two children before the incident.

Song, 45, resigned from her job as a kindergarten art teacher to become Zhao's full-time caregiver, keeping the family afloat by selling her paintings online.

She took to a daily routine of cleaning and massaging him, talking to him, and reportedly slept for fewer than four hours a night for several years.

The father of the rescued child also contributed financially to Zhao's care, despite having limited means himself.

Gradual recovery

To aid his nerve recovery, doctors advised Song to stimulate her husband's fingers and toes.

Song accidentally bit Zhao’s toe one day and noticed a faint physical reflex.

From then on, she began covering his foot with a plastic food bag and biting his toes daily for several years, a practice she credits with eventually bringing him back to consciousness.

After seven years of perseverance, on Jun. 30, while in his hospital bed, Zhao turned to his wife and whispered, “Song Mei, I love you.”

Medical staff also noted that during his cognitive and writing therapy sessions, his wife's name remains the only word he can successfully write.

Reflecting on the recovery, Song wrote on social media:

“Everyone says the road ahead is difficult, but husband and wife are meant to weather hardship together. I do not know the best cure, but I am willing to keep going through all the long years.”

Recent cohorts of married couples in Singapore have greater stability, but there has been 6.2 per cent fewer marriages in 2025 compared to 2024, a family trends survey by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) found.

More stable marriages

According to a Jul. 10 media release by MSF, the cumulative proportion of marriages that ended in divorce before the 10th anniversary dipped from 17 per cent in the 2005 marriage cohort to 13.5 per cent for the 2014 cohort.

The 10th year anniversaries were used as a benchmark as data have shown marriages are most vulnerable between the five and 10-year marks.

According to the survey, a vast majority of Singaporeans reported strong and fulfilling relationships.

Some 94.9 per cent of married Singaporeans reported being happy with their marriage.

About 92.8 per cent felt that their relationship was going well and 78.3 per cent said they frequently confide in their spouse.

Some 88.3 per cent of respondents said they rarely or never considered ending their marriage.

Family resilience

There was also a correlation between higher marital quality and higher family resilience, the study showed.

On the resilience scale, 90.7 per cent of families reported moderate to high family resilience scores, an increase from 85.9 per cent in 2023.

Some 89.6 per cent of respondents also reported having a close-knit family, up from 86 per cent in 2023.

Furthermore, 69 per cent of Singaporeans said they maintained close ties with their extended family in 2025, up from 67.5 per cent in 2023.

Respondents who reported having close-knit families also reported higher family resilience, the survey found.

Some 95.2 per cent of respondents between 15 and 64 years of age agreed it was their responsibility to care for their parents, an increase from 93.1 per cent in 2023.

Those who were willing to support family members, either financially, emotionally or physically, tended to report higher family resilience.

About 92.2 per cent of caregivers said they were able to manage their caregiving responsibilities.

Caregiving by fathers

It was also found that more fathers are involved in caring for their children.

There was a notable increase in take-up rates of government-paid paternity leave, from 47 per cent for children born in 2016 to 61 per cent for children born in 2024.

About 54 per cent of fathers also took childcare leave in 2024, up from 49 per cent in 2016.

Uptake of government-paid maternity leave, meanwhile, remained consistently high between 74 and 79 per cent.

Since Apr. 1, shared parental leave provisions have been increased from six weeks to 10 weeks.

Early childhood

MSF said it continues to expand the capacity of and make preschools more affordable for families with young children.

Through subsidies and fee caps introduced in 2025, the industry median infant care fee for Singaporean children decreased from S$1,275 in 2021 to S$1,235 in 2025.

Childcare fee also decreased from S$760 in 2021 to S$680 in 2025.

The number of full-day infant care centres has also nearly tripled over the past 10 years, while the number of full-day childcare places has nearly doubled.

As such, the cohort enrolment rate of children aged three to four years has risen from 73 per cent in 2015 to 91 per cent in 2025.

Enrolment of children aged five to six years old has also increased from 86 per cent in 2015 to 93 per cent in 2025.

Support for families

The results from the annual survey highlight the importance of support for families, said MSF.

Speaking during the 2026 National Family Festival Appreciation Event on Jul. 10, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said the ministry would be signing several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with key corporate partners, including Mandai Wildlife Group and NTUC Women and Family.

The partnerships and collaborations will contribute towards promoting family-friendly campaigns and drive family-focused programmes.

A Singapore policeman allegedly committed voyeurism against nine men, including his colleagues, and also purportedly molested two of them.

According to The Straits Times (ST), the 24-year-old man was handed 13 charges comprising two counts of molestation and 11 counts of voyeurism on Jul. 9.

He cannot be named to protect the identities of his alleged victims.

He is accused of committing all the offences between 2023 and 2025 at a neighbourhood police centre (NPC) and two Home Team facilities, among other locations.

SPF says action has been taken

Six of the victims were allegedly targeted at the NPC and Home Team facilities.

In a statement to Mothership on Jul. 9, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said swift action had been taken against the accused.

A police spokesperson said: "Officers of the SPF are expected to uphold the law and maintain the highest standards of conduct and discipline."

"We deal sternly with officers who break the law, including charging them in court."

The spokesperson added: "We are unable to comment further as court proceedings are ongoing".

Allegedly molested victim at carpark

On Dec. 15, 2023, the accused allegedly used his phone to film a man in his underwear at a Home Team facility, reported ST.

On Jan. 28 and Feb. 26, 2024, he allegedly committed similar offences against his second and third victims at the same facility.

On Feb 27, 2024,  at a Home Team facility, the accused allegedly used his mobile phone on two occasions to record videos of a fourth man’s private parts.

He is also accused of molesting the third victim at a Tengah Garden Avenue multi-storey carpark in November 2024.

On Feb. 6, 2025, he allegedly filmed a fifth victim who was in his underwear at an NPC.

He allegedly committed a similar offence against the fifth victim in June 2025.

Accused of filming man showering nude

In July 2025, at Woodlands Swimming Complex, the accused allegedly recorded a sixth man showering in the nude.

On Oct. 9, 2025, he allegedly used his phone to film an obscene video of a seventh victim at a gym toilet.

On Oct. 15, 2025, while in the locker room of an onsen, a Japanese-style bath house, he purportedly used his phone to record a video of the eighth victim who was naked.

On Oct. 21, 2025, he was at a second Home Team facility when he allegedly recorded a video of a ninth man in a toilet cubicle.

He is also accused of touching the ninth victim's chest twice that day.

Penalties

His case will be mentioned again on Aug. 6.

If convicted, an offender can face up to two years' jail, a fine, caning, or receive any combination of such punishments for each count of voyeurism.

If found guilty, an offender can face up to three years' jail, a fine, caning, or receive any combination of such punishments for each count of molestation.

The former OG Orchard Point building, which was briefly Taste Orchard by Hao Mart, will be transformed into a retail and co-working space after JustCo announced its takeover as the master tenant of the building.

F&B, lifestyle and co-living apartments

In a Jul. 9 press release, global co-working brand JustCo announced its tenancy of Orchard Point, describing it as part of its "expansion strategy".

The building will be renamed "JustCo Place".

Opening in September 2026, the third and fourth levels of the building will become a JustCo-branded co-working centre.

The remaining space, from the basement to the second level, will be a "curated mix of food & beverage, lifestyle, wellness and healthcare for connection of tenants".

Co-living and retail experiences expected to begin in January 2027.

The fifth floor will serve as a rooftop terrace for the co-working space.

Accounting firm Deloitte Singapore will be the anchor customer of the space, JustCo added.

Additionally, JustCo will take over management of the serviced apartment tower above the building.

The existing serviced apartments will be transformed into "123 premium coliving apartments".

These will range from studio units to three-bedroom apartments, accommodating up to 475 guests.

Discussion with prospective tenants ongoing

According to The Business Times, JustCo is currently in negotiations with prospective tenants for 87,000 square feet of retail space across the basement to second level of the building.

BT also wrote that JustCo had been in discussions with OG since the previous master tenant, Hao Mart, vacated last year.

OG had invested tens of millions to retrofit the building, BT reported, citing JustCo CEO Kong Wan Sing.

JustCo itself has also invested millions to refurbish the building's retail and co-working spaces.

Department store to food mall

OG bought Orchard Point in 2001 and operated its department store there from 2004 to 2022.

Hao Mart took over as master tenant on a 7.5-year lease agreement in 2024, operating the building as Taste Orchard with a food-focused mall concept.

It closed less than two years later in December 2025, after OG terminated the lease.

Local actress Ya Hui has opened up about how she used to feel embarrassed by her parents' age when she was younger, admitting that she would even ask her mother to wait outside her school instead of going in to pick her up.

Felt "paiseh"

In an Instagram post on Jul. 7, the 39-year-old shared that she had celebrated Parents' Day with her parents last month.

In her caption, Ya Hui recalled that her classmates would often mistake her mother for her grandmother whenever she went to pick her up from school.

"When I was younger, my friends would tease me every time my mum came to pick me up from school, saying, 'Your grandma is here!'," she wrote.

Looking back, the actress admitted that she was young and naive then, and often felt "paiseh" because her parents were older than those of her classmates.

She said she even asked her mother to wait outside the school instead of going in to fetch her.

Today, people still occasionally mistake her mother for her grandmother.

But unlike before, Ya Hui said she now corrects them proudly:

"I'll say it loudly: 'That's my mum!'"

She added that she would sometimes joke: "She's so pretty, you can't tell we're mother and daughter?"

Ya Hui also thanked her parents for giving her "the best genes".

"I definitely hit the genetic jackpot," she quipped.

The actress also shared that she discovered something new about her mum during their celebration.

"Turns out my mum is such a drinker! I only just found out!" she said. "I told her not to drink, but she kept going, one glass after another!"

"It's our turn to love them"

In her post, Ya Hui shared a series of photos and videos from the family meal, and ended her caption with a heartfelt reminder for everyone to cherish time with their parents.

"Bring your parents out more often and make memories whenever you can. As they grow older, they slowly become like kids again. It’s our turn to love them, care for them and be there for them just like they did for us ❤️"

Several of Ya Hui's celebrity friends also chimed in in the comments section, praising the family's good looks.

Hostel fees at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have increased for the 2026/27 academic year.

Singapore Management University has also increased its hostel fees for the 2027/28 academic year.

NUS

Checks by Mothership showed that multiple hostel fees at NUS have risen in the 2026/27 academic year.

According to its website, a non-air-conditioned single room at Eusoff Hall, King Edward VII Hall, and Temasek Hall currently costs S$165 per week, a S$14 increase from the previous academic year's S$151 per week.

An air-conditioned twin-sharing apartment at UTown Residence costs S$275.50 per person per week, a S$20.50 increase from the previous academic year’s S$255 per week.

A non-air-conditioned six-bedroom apartment at Tembusu College, College of Alice & Peter Tan, Cinnamon Wing and Acacia College costs S$193 per week, a S$14 increase from the previous academic year’s S$179 per week.

NTU

Several hostel fees at NTU have risen for the 2026/27 academic year.

According to its website, an air-conditioned single room at Hall of Residence 5 currently costs S$657 per month, a S$49 increase from the previous academic year’s S$608 per month.

A non-air-conditioned double en-suite room at Hall of Residence 2 currently costs S$412 per month, a S$31 increase from the previous academic year’s S$381 per month.

SMU

SMU is also increasing hostel fees for the upcoming 2027/2028 academic year, as seen on its website.

A small single room at the hostel, located at Prinsep Street, will cost S$917 per month in the upcoming academic year, a S$44 increase from the current cost of S$873 per month.

A large single room will cost S$1,019 per month in the upcoming academic year, a S$49 increase from the current cost of S$970 per month.

A twin room will cost S$748 per month in the upcoming academic year, a S$29 increase from the current cost of S$719 per month.

Mothership has reached out to the universities for comment.

Four boys under 14 years old, who were seen abusing a mother dog and her puppies to death in Jieyang, Guangdong, China, have been sent to specialised education facilities.

According to Global Times, local authorities confirmed the case in a statement on Jun. 30.

Investigations were launched after videos of the boys violently abusing the dogs circulated on social media.

The boys were believed to have also filmed the acts themselves, including beating the stray dogs with sticks and setting the mother dog on fire.

In one video, the mother dog could be heard yelping in pain as three boys simultaneously hit her with a long stick.

The dogs reportedly passed away from the abuse.

Strengthening education for minors

The statement said local education authorities have ordered schools to strengthen education for the minors, Global Times reported.

Meanwhile, the parents or guardians of those involved have been urged to "fulfil their supervisory responsibilities".

The authorities also called on the public to stop spreading information related to the case as it involved minors, and urged them to refrain from cyberbullying.

Public outrage

The videos have sparked public outrage, with attention drawn to China's lack of animal cruelty laws.

According to CNA, China do not have a dedicated national law against animal cruelty.

This is despite growing calls from the public for proper legislation to protect animals.

Analysts told CNA that the legislative impasse has more to do with "competing economic interests and bureaucratic caution" than public sentiment.

A driver on ride-sharing platform Gojek has been suspended after he was filmed repeatedly asking a female passenger inappropriate questions during the ride.

At one point, he also suggested engaging in a "threesome" with her.

1am ride

The incident occurred on Jul. 9 at about 1am, the passenger told Mothership.

She said she began filming the exchange after the conversation had gone on for 10 minutes as she "felt something was wrong".

The driver had also purportedly driven unusually slowly, she alleged.

According to a clip posted on Instagram, the driver could be heard asking the woman a series of personal questions, including: "Are you a virgin?"

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by huatyousay (@huatyousay)

He also made explicit suggestive and sexual remarks.

"Every time I go travel ah, one country one country I take girl eh," he said at one point.

He then suggested "doing threesome" with the woman and her partner, while claiming that "this is joking ah".

Driver has daughter the same age

Reflecting on the incident the next day, the woman said she had filed a complaint with Gojek.

She added that the driver had asked how old she was before stating that he had a daughter of the same age.

"You actually wanna have sex with someone who is your daughter's age?", the woman asked rhetorically.

"You are technically at work... that is a violation of workplace ethics."

She added that she went along with the conversation out of fear of her own safety.

"And I think that this is what a lot of women experience... we're just so afraid, like of what this man is gonna do," she said.

Gojek responds

In response to Mothership's queries, Gojek said it is aware of the video and is investigating the matter.

The driver has also been suspended from the platform in the meantime and appropriate actions will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation, it added.

"We take allegations of inappropriate conduct seriously.

We are committed to providing safe and comfortable rides for everyone on our platform."

From Jul. 18 to Aug. 29, 2026, DBS and POSB credit or debit card users will be able to enjoy up to S$6 off eggs and rice every Saturday when they pay with the bank's credit or debit cards at Sheng Siong or Giant supermarkets islandwide.

This is the first phase of DBS' S$10 million support measures, announced in April, to help ease cost pressures, the bank said in a Jul. 10 news release.

S$3 off rice and eggs on Saturdays

Each Saturday during the offer period, customers at Giant and Sheng Siong supermarkets can redeem S$3 off eggs and S$3 off rice when they pay with a DBS or POSB credit or debit card.

According to the DBS website, there is no minimum spend required.

Redemption is capped at one redemption per item per customer, per day.

The offer applies only to the following brands of eggs and rice at the two supermarkets.

At Giant:

• Eggs: Giant Farm Fresh Eggs (30s) (S$6.65)

  Rice: Giant Jasmine Fragrant Rice (5kg) (S$9)

At Sheng Siong:

• Eggs: Egg For You Fresh Eggs (30s) (S$6.65)

  Rice: Happy Family Fragrant Jasmine Rice (5kg) (S$10.50)

The promotion is not valid with other promotions, discounts, vouchers or CDC vouchers.

The promotion will be while stocks last.

Giant will restock on a weekly basis, while Sheng Siong will restock monthly.

"This year, we’ve expanded the offer to cover both Sheng Siong and Giant supermarkets, while increasing redemption quantities by more than threefold, so more can enjoy these savings,” said Calvin Ong, DBS Singapore head of consumer banking group.

Details on the campaign can be found here.

From September 2026 onwards, DBS will be offering S$3 cashback on PayLah!. More details to come, the bank said.

The bank introduced the cashback programme at selected hawker stalls and heartland shops in 2025.