Residents of an apartment complex in Geylang raised concerns after allegedly seeing multiple men entering and leaving a unit.

A woman would often be seen picking the men up from the ground floor and bringing them up, leading to concerns that the unit was being used as an illegal brothel.

The complaints led to the landlord requesting an inspection of the unit.

However, its tenant disappeared the next day.

Suspicions

According to Shin Min Daily News, the real estate agent who made the rental transaction at the Guillemard Road unit, 46-year-old Lim Yao Hui, said the tenant was a Singapore permanent resident in his 30s.

The tenant had been given the keys to the unit at the beginning of September. "There was nothing suspicious about it," said Lim.

However, about 10 days after the lease began, neighbours reported seeing a woman bringing people into the unit daily, mostly middle-aged men.

It was especially noticeable as she would have to bring them up in person due to a faulty intercom system.

Lim called the tenant directly to ask if illegal activities were being conducted in the unit, but the tenant denied it, Shin Min reported.

He also claimed that the male visitors were colleagues who were there to attend meetings, while the woman was a part-time cleaner he had engaged.

Lim found this suspicious as the men would leave one at a time, instead of as a group.

As there was no concrete evidence at the time, he and the landlord decided to continue observing the unit's activities.

Witnessed woman bringing men up

Later, a neighbour was able to film a woman bringing a man into the unit.

On Sep. 30, Lim and the landlord witnessed the same scene at the apartment.

He contacted the tenant again, informing him of the complaints and stating that he would inspect the unit on Oct. 2.

Lim said he was worried that something might happen to the tenant, so he called the police on the day of the inspection.

However, they found the apartment empty.

Condoms and lubricants found

A police report was made, and the tenant's one-year lease was terminated on suspicion that he was involved in illegal prostitution.

His deposit would also be forfeited, and he was required to return to retrieve his personal belongings.

The empty apartment was reportedly strewn with condoms and lubricants.

Two mattresses in the room were also covered in stains and had to be replaced.

Lim said it was the first time he had encountered such a situation, though it was apparently not uncommon, according to his colleagues.

He declined to comment on whether new tenants had moved into the unit, but reminded landlords to pay attention to tenants' behaviours when renting out property.

Signs can include tenants being in a hurry to rent the unit without asking for details, or insisting on paying the rental and deposit in cash, he said.

A 47-year-old hawker briefly touched on how he had been helping an elderly man who had been coming to his stall for years.

In a Facebook post on Oct. 16, second-generation hawker Melvin Chew, who is the owner of Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck and Kway Chap at Chinatown Complex and the founder of the Facebook group Hawkers United, said the elderly man comes weekly for “free kway chap, after eating give him $5”.

“Recently he want eat pig blood. Just give la lol. 🫶,” the post caption read.

Reception

The post has garnered positive reactions, with commenters praising Chew for his actions.

“Thank you for your graciousness towards this elderly man 👍🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼”, one comment read.

“Your kindness will be rewarded”, another read.

Newspaper seller

In response to Mothership's queries, Chew said he had known the elderly man when he sold newspapers at Tiong Bahru Hawker Centre.

“After some time, we give him some kopi money for him to buy drinks. Been visiting my stall for over 10 years,” Chew said.

Chew added that they would give him additional money to buy food.

“There's a time when he walk pass my stall. He wanna eat kway chap, and he only want braised egg, salted veg and tau pok. So I treat him eat. Then he come once or twice a week,” he recalled.

Chew continued to treat the elderly man as he “doesn't ask for much”.

Positive vibes

When asked how he felt about being praised for his actions, Chew said he felt blessed as social media can be “toxic”.

“Happy to see many positive comments and sending positive vibes to people,” he said.

He added that he would be happy if his actions encouraged more people to help the needy.

Former Member of Parliament (MP) Amrin Amin's 2026 Halloween costume has sparked quite a conversation.

Amrin posted a picture of his costume on his social media while attending the Chip Bee Gardens Halloween street party on Oct. 31.

He shared that he was dressed as a foodpanda delivery rider, wearing a foodpanda shirt and a pink helmet.

He added that he was "still waiting for [his] delivery backpack".

He ended the post stating that "real riders keep our orders coming, through heat, rain or haze".

"Go easy on the ratings if they're running a little late. Much respect."

Criticism

Some online users criticised Amrin's costume, arguing that it is people's jobs and his post came across as "tone deaf".

However, others pointed out that it is common to see others dress up as various occupations, like doctors and nurses.

Mothership has reached out to Amrin for his comments.

Several patches of oil have been sighted in waters off Pulau Sebarok, Pulau Semakau and Selat Pauh, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Nov. 1.

The MPA said it was alerted to a sighting of oil in the waters off Pulau Sebarok at about 10:25am on Nov. 1.

Its aerial surveillance subsequently confirmed several patches of oil off Pulau Sebarok, Pulau Semakau and Selat Pauh. No oil patches were sighted near West Coast, Sentosa, the Southern Islands or the East Coast during the surveillance.

The MPA has activated its oil spill response contractors, and terminals in the area have been directed to deploy spill response resources.

Relevant agencies have also been alerted to take precautionary measures to protect the shorelines, if necessary. Ships in port have been asked to report any sightings of oil patches.

The MPA said there is no impact on navigational traffic and port operations.

It is continuing its surveillance, working with agencies and terminals to mitigate and clean up the oil patches, and investigating the source of the oil.

An ex-Japanese adult film star and DJ was admitted to intensive care in Hong Kong after she was allegedly drugged in a nightclub where she was working.

On Nov. 1, Mao Hamasaki's manager posted two photos on her Facebook page with a caption stating that she was drugged while working.

In a subsequent post, the manager shared that initial tests showed that there are four types of drugs in Hamasaki's system and she is currently under observation in the intensive care unit.

"This was my own failure. I'm truly sorry for worrying everyone," the manager added.

According to Dimsum Daily, Hamasaki had finished up a DJ set at a restaurant when someone approached her to continue playing at a private spot in Tsim Sha Tsui.

The manager said she declined because they do not accept private gigs, but the person complained that it was disrespectful.

The person insisted that they only wanted her to play another set and assured the manager that no one would touch her.

The manager apparently agreed, and at the location, Hamasaki was made to drink after losing a game.

Hamasaki thought the forfeit drink was whisky, and when the manager tried it, he believed it was a cocktail, Dimsum Daily stated.

The manager says that the drink could have been spiked.

According to local media reports, police investigations are ongoing.

A woman in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was found dead in an irrigation canal a day after she went missing.

Niraphon, 25, was last seen by her father leaving her home to buy food on Oct. 30, reported Khaosod English.

She was reportedly a health worker in Fang District, Chiang Mai.

CCTV footage showed her riding her motorcycle to a shop near her home and leaving afterwards, but she was never seen reaching the main road.

After her family was unable to contact her, they reported her missing.

After the police and rescue workers searched smaller roads and areas around the shop, Niraphon's body was found in an irrigation canal near the shop at about 3:30pm on Oct. 31, alongside her motorcycle.

One possibility police brought up was that she may have accidentally ridden her motorcycle into the canal and sustained fatal injuries.

However, the cause of death has yet to be determined.

According to Khaosod, investigators will question relatives, her boyfriend and other witnesses, as well as review additional CCTV footage.

Investigations are underway.

A diner in a restaurant in Singapore opted for a questionable place to rinse his hands midway through his meal – at his table.

The man, who was dining with a female patron, was seen pouring water onto his hands from a plastic bottle, letting the water drip onto the ground.

He also flicked his hands a few times away from the table before going back to his food.

The woman appeared unaffected by the actions.

Ironically, the pair was seated near the restaurant's basin.

A staff member was then seen walking to the table with a mop to clean up the wet spot.

Restaurant responds

In an Instagram post, the restaurant, DK Signatures by Deanna’s Kitchen, posted a CCTV clip of the incident.

"Just a gentle reminder that we actually have a wash basin near the entrance of our restaurant, as well as a toilet at the back. We provide hand soap and tissues too!" the caption wrote.

It added that the washing facilities were installed precisely for customers who wish to wash their hands after using them to eat.

It then called out the "unhygienic" act of washing hands at the table, adding that the wet floor also poses a slipping hazard for customers and staff, who would have to clean up the mess.

"I think it’s really just basic consideration for the people around us, especially those who are working hard to keep the restaurant clean and comfortable for everyone."

Netizens took to the comment section to express their dismay at the diner's behaviour, with most similarly condemning his inconsideration.

"I was there! Saw the whole thing. So close to flip their table but my slice fish soup was too good," one commenter wrote.

Clarifications

The restaurant made a second post the next day, clarifying questions raised in the comment section of the first video.

The couple featured were local Singaporeans, it said, adding that "bad dining etiquette has nothing to do with race or nationality".

It also called for netizens to stop speculating about the couple's origins.

Responding to earlier questions about why no one approached the couple at the time, the restaurant's owner, Deanna, said she and her husband were not at the restaurant when the incident happened, and only found out afterwards.

The restaurant's staff are also trained to provide the best service and avoid confrontations with customers, she added.

"In this particular situation, I think they were genuinely at a loss as to what to do."

She said that it was the very first time she had encountered such a thing after 10 years in the Food and Beverage industry.

Finally, the post clarified that the point of sharing the video was to act as a reminder to diners about basic dining etiquette and to be considerate of others.

It was neither to shame anyone nor to start a discussion about race or nationality, the post emphasised.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DK Signatures by Deanna’s Kitchen (@deannaskitchensg)

On Oct. 31, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat spoke at the launch of the Toa Payoh West Master Plan exhibition at the HDB Hub atrium and gallery space.

He encouraged residents to participate in the exhibition and engagement exercise to help shape the future development of the neighbourhood, and said that the government sought to retain the strong community spirit and sense of belonging that made Toa Payoh special.

Evolution

In his speech, he talked about how Toa Payoh has evolved over the years to meet residents' changing needs. Because of that, when the government plans and rejuvenates towns, it looks beyond individual housing projects.

Instead, it plans the town as a whole, including homes, transportation, shopping, exercise, and healthcare, as well as “where children can play, and where neighbours can meet and spend time together.”

Chee said that Toa Payoh West, located around Caldecott MRT station, will “grow into a vibrant community with more homes, amenities, green spaces, and recreational facilities.”

Chee said that in the November 2026 BTO sales exercise, HDB would launch the Toa Payoh Hillside BTO development, which he said would “anchor” the Toa Payoh West rejuvenation.

HDB has announced that the new Toa Payoh Hillside BTO development would have about 1,600 new flats, part of the broader plan for Toa Payoh West, which would see over 6,000 homes, mostly comprised of public housing.

Chee said that the Toa Payoh Hillside development would have a wide range of flats, including 2-room Flexi and 4-room flats.

It would also include public rental flats as well as Toa Payoh’s first community care apartments (CCA) for seniors.

Chee said that the mix was important and deliberate, allowing HDB towns to remain inclusive communities where “Singaporeans of different ages and backgrounds can live alongside one another.”

Community Care Apartments

There would be 260 CCA units available for application, which combine senior-friendly housing with care and social support, allowing seniors to live independently while receiving additional support when they need it.

From the November 2026 sales exercise, the eligibility age for CCAs would be lowered from 65 to 55 years old, giving seniors more time to plan ahead.

The environment around CCAs was also designed with seniors in mind, with the CCA block being connected to Caldecott MRT station and nearby amenities such as the Active Ageing Centre and Residents’ Network Centre.

Future residents could also look forward to a range of amenities and facilities in the area, such as a mixed-use development that integrates homes with Toa Payoh’s first shopping mall, as well as community spaces.

A new wellness park would provide green spaces for residents to play, exercise, and unwind, and plans for a new school in the area were being studied to meet growing demand from families moving into Toa Payoh West.

A second heart for Toa Payoh

Chee said that these plans would transform Toa Payoh West into a vibrant new community and into a second heart for Toa Payoh.

He also emphasised that good town planning meant listening to residents and the importance of the exhibition and engagement exercise.

He encouraged residents to take a look at the plans, speak with HDB and People's Association representatives, share their views, and take part in activities.

Residents' feedback would help the government refine plans and “shape a Toa Payoh that continues to meet you and your family's needs in the years ahead".

After supper one night, a man requested a receipt for his meal with nine other people.

However, the man claimed the store refused to give an itemised receipt and gave him a receipt for a total of S$180.

Taking to Instagram, Martin Ng shared on Oct. 28 that he visited Heng Long Teochew Porridge at Tanjong Katong with nine others for supper.

When he went to pay, he was told that the total would be S$180.

Ng then asked for a receipt, but the store refused to provide a receipt with a breakdown of each dish. They provided only a "lump sum receipt" for S$180.

Nine dishes

Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, Ng said that they ordered a total of nine dishes and 12 bowls of porridge.

This included two steamed fish, minced meat, braised pork, fish cakes, and sweet and sour pork.

"When we ordered, we only knew that one of the fish cost S$20 and the other was S$23," Ng told the Chinese media.

When Ng went to pay, he was apparently told the meal cost more than S$180, but the store would charge him a flat S$180.

This surprised him, so he asked for a receipt with a cost breakdown of the items.

"I just want to understand how the price is calculated," Ng said.

At first, the staff refused, explaining that they were unable to provide a detailed receipt.

When Ng asked again, the staff just printed a receipt for S$180.

At first, Ng wanted to call the police on the spot, but his friends talked him out of it, Shin Min Daily News reported.

In the end, Ng shared his experience on Instagram.

In the comments, when some users pointed out that the total cost did not seem that expensive, Ng said it wasn't about the cost but asked if it was "really too much to ask for a breakdown of the receipt?"

Prices clearly marked

In response to Shin Min Daily News, the store manager, Gao (transliteration), said all prices were clearly marked.

He explained that the receipt system, which they have used for about 10 years, was outdated, so employees could not provide detailed receipts.

If customers asked, employees could explain each item and state the food price.

However, based on feedback, Gao said they will gradually upgrade their system so they can show a breakdown of each item.

When Mothership visited the store on Nov. 1, a meal consisting of steamed egg, one serving of vegetables and one serving of meat cost S$5.

The receipt showed a total of S$5, with no breakdown of each item's cost.

Over S$354,000 has been raised for the six-year-old child of a couple whose lives were claimed in a fatal hit-and-run at Tampines Avenue 12 on Oct. 29.

The victims, both 24, died after a car crashed into their motorcycle and another car before fleeing the scene.

The woman was reportedly one month pregnant at the time of the accident.

A 30-year-old man has since been charged with dangerous driving causing death, alongside eight other charges.

A gag order, imposed on the victims' identities on Oct. 31, prevents the media from reporting the names, photographs and any other identifying information of the victims.

Over S$350,000 raised

As of 3pm on Nov. 1, the fundraiser on Give.Asia has raised S$354,093.

It was set up by the cousin of the deceased man to support the couple's six-year-old orphaned son financially, in the hopes of helping him with daily expenses, education, healthcare and other necessities as he grows up.

The cousin wrote that she had always regarded the male victim "as my little brother".

"I watched him grow up right before my eyes, and he has been part of our family for as long as I can remember."

According to her, the man was adopted by the family after losing his biological father in 2009, when he was just eight.

His biological mother also passed away in 2022.

He and his wife had also been making plans to apply for a Build-to-Order (BTO) flat and were looking forward to the next chapter of their lives together, the fundraiser's descriptor wrote.

"It is heartbreaking to know that his son will now have to grow up without his mummy and daddy, just as his father had experienced the loss of a parent at such a young age."

While the victim's cousin wrote that "no amount of money can replace the love of a mother and father", she said that the community can come together to make sure he receives the support he needs and opportunities he deserves as he grows up.

"He has lost his parents, but he still has family who love him, and a community that can come together to look after his future."