Mediacorp actor Richard Low has revealed that the health scare which landed him in the hospital back in May 2026 was caused by a colon condition.

The 74-year-old was previously hospitalised for six days after suddenly losing control of his bowel and bladder functions.

"Okay for now"

In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Low said his health is "okay for now".

He shared that his recent hospitalisation was caused by diverticular disease, a condition in which small pouch-like sacs develop in the wall of the large intestine.

In his case, the condition led to intestinal bleeding.

"When I got up in the morning and went to the toilet, I saw blood in my stool. I immediately thought: 'This is bad,'" Low recalled.

"I had a bad feeling that the same thing that happened 20 years ago might be happening again."

The actor revealed that he had suffered from the same condition two decades earlier, making the symptoms immediately recognisable.

Despite this, the actor said he initially felt fine.

"I was feeling okay at the time, and I even filmed a video for 'The OG Gang' (with actors Chen Shucheng and Zhu Houren). Around 3pm or 4pm, I asked my wife to accompany me to the hospital."

Doctors later discovered that diverticulitis had caused a perforation in his intestine, resulting in continuous bleeding.

Low also revealed that he lost 5kg during his hospital stay.

"For the first three days, I had to undergo various tests, so I wasn't allowed to eat anything. I didn't have much of an appetite anyway," he said. "Over the next few days, I could only consume liquids."

According to Low, the condition cannot be completely cured.

Instead, he has to manage it by watching his diet and avoiding fried food and alcohol to reduce the risk of another flare-up.

Upcoming project

The actor's next project is the upcoming Mediacorp drama "Old & Dangerous", which is set to premiere on Jul. 27.

It follows five former elite special forces operatives in their 70s who reunite for a special mission, with Low starring alongside Chen Shucheng, Zhu Houren, Wang Yuqing and Li Wen Hai.

The drama is expected to air on weekdays at 9pm on Channel 8, and will also be available on mewatch.

The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) held an all-hands "Ask Me Anything" session with staff after announcing what has been described as the first large-scale government retrenchment in many years.

However, some employees said morale remained low and concerns about job security persist as further job cuts are going to occur.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, GovTech chairman Chng Kai Fong and chief executive Goh Wei Boon held the session at the agency's Punggol Way office on Jul. 16 at 4pm.

The session was attended by around 200 staff in person, with the rest joining online.

Warning before the session began

Before the session started, a message on screen warned employees that sharing the contents of the meeting without authorisation could result in disciplinary action or legal consequences, according to Zaobao.

Technical issues and unanswered questions

The session did not go entirely smoothly, Zaobao reported.

A GovTech employee of three years, identified by the pseudonym Zhang Keling, attended the session and told the paper that technical issues arose frequently, with some online participants unable to hear the proceedings clearly.

Questions were submitted through an internal communications platform, meaning employees could not tell who had asked what, or which questions management had chosen to address.

Scale of retrenchment

GovTech announced on Jul. 15 that it would be cutting 7 to 9 per cent of its workforce, equivalent to about 270 to 350 people, following a shift to a new operating model.

In the first phase, 93 officers will be laid off.

About 110 will undergo retraining and be redeployed to other positions.

The Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees (AUSBE) negotiated an enhanced support package for affected staff, as Mothership previously reported.

The agency currently employs about 3,900 staff, of which around 13 per cent are on contract.

Those most affected in this first phase are employees in their 40s and 50s.

"Everyone is quite worried"

Zhang Keling told Zaobao his own position was currently stable, but that he had no certainty about the longer term given the ongoing restructuring.

He said: "We've never heard of the government doing layoffs, and on such a large scale. Everyone is quite worried. We probably need to keep upgrading ourselves."

He also noted that overall morale among staff was low, with widespread anxiety about job security.

When Zaobao reporters visited the office in Punggol Digital District on Jul. 16, most staff who entered and exited the building identified themselves as contractors or part-time workers and declined to comment.

One employee who appeared to be in their 40s or 50s acknowledged having just attended the session but said only: "I have not been authorised. I cannot say."

An 11-year-old girl who has been missing in Sabah, Malaysia, since Jul. 13 has been found dead on Jul. 16.

The body of Nurjilya Abdullah was reportedly found near a house under construction, Malay Mail reported.

Local police said the body was discovered after they received information from members of the public.

Body decomposed

The body was reportedly found in an "advanced state of decomposition," and she is believed to have died from injuries to the face and back of the head caused by blunt force trauma from a hard object.

The victim’s identity was confirmed by her mother based on the clothing she had been wearing when she disappeared.

2 men arrested on suspicion of murder

Two men, aged 39 and 42, have been arrested in connection with the murder, the New Straits Times reported.

The 39-year-old is undocumented, while the 42-year-old is local, it was reported.

The motive for the killing has yet to be established, police said.

Investigations are ongoing.

A man disqualified from driving for life in 2023 after three past drink driving convictions was charged again for the same offence.

Lee Shin Nan was accused of drink driving in a car on Sep. 10, 2025 without the owner's consent and despite his disqualification, The Straits Times reported.

After a police officer stopped him around 1am, he allegedly failed to give the officer his breath sample.

He was later found to have at least 135mg of alcohol in 100ml of his blood, above the prescribed limit of 80mg.

On Jul. 16, he was handed five charges for these alleged offences.

Previous convictions

Lee was previously convicted of drink driving three times in 2009, 2012, and 2023.

For his first offence, he was fined S$2,800 and banned from driving for two years.

For his second, he was sentenced to two weeks’ jail, fined S$4,000, and banned from driving for four years.

For his third, he was jailed eight weeks, fined S$10,000, and disqualified from holding a driving licence for life.

According to a judgement dated Dec. 18, 2023, Lee appealed against the imprisonment term and the lifetime disqualification order.

The judge dismissed his appeal and affirmed the sentence imposed, saying that is was fair.

The court will review Lee's bail, set at S$30,000, on Jul. 17, ST reported.

Mona Koh, one of Singapore's most famous mamasans, has passed away at the age of 80.

The "Queen of the Nightclubs" died on Jul. 15, according to a post by Facebook tribute page Death Kopitiam.

Koh, a Singaporean of Indonesian descent, became a mamasan in her 20s.

A mamasan manages female staff and acts as the proprietress of entertainment establishments.

She gained her legendary status in the 1980s and 1990s after starting to run her own nightclubs, where her fees rose to S$15,000 a month, according to Death Kopitiam's post.

S$15,000 in the 1990s is about S$39,000 in today's dollars.

The post also described her services as "sought by most of the businessmen when they need to entertain".

1994 shooting

On Oct. 15, 1994, Koh was ambushed and shot twice at Katong People's Complex, which is now replaced by i12 Katong.

She sustained two bullet wounds to her face and back, with the latter shattering a spinal bone and paralysing her from the waist down.

According to a Straits Times article at the time, the suspect was described by police as a "slim, dark Chinese man".

He was never caught and the motive for the attack was never established, making it one of Singapore's most prominent unsolved crimes.

Koh, who has two adopted children, continued working in a wheelchair despite her injury.

She was also actively involved in charity, as she visited and helped the elderly every weekend, according to Death Kopitiam.

The Thai Festival 2026 held at the Royal Thai Embassy in Orchard from Jul. 10 to 12, 2026 drew about 80,000 attendees.

The three-day event was organised to promote Thailand's vibrant creative economy, the embassy said in a post-event news release.

Among those in attendance were Singaporeans, the Thai expat community, and international tourists, the embassy noted.

The Thai Festival has traditionally been an annual flagship event.

It was paused during the pandemic and made its return in 2025.

Businesses

The event served to bring Thai businesses and entrepreneurs into Singapore, according to the embassy.

More than 100 participating Thai brands, artisans, and vendors showcased their offerings to consumers.

Vendors reportedly experienced sales that exceeded expectations, and many sold out their merchandise before the festival concluded, the embassy noted.

Notable brands that participated in the festival included INGU, a Thai skincare brand that had gone viral on TikTok.

The festival also welcomed eateries, such as Plu Restaurant, a Michelin-rated establishment, and Emily’s Mee Kai Cheek, which returned after making a successful run at last year’s festival.

Culture

A cultural highlight of the event was a “Chud Thai” exhibition showcasing the eight styles of Royal Thai dresses at the Elephant Hall located on the second floor of the embassy.

It was created to honour the legacy of the late Queen Sirikit.

Her model for the national costume laid the groundwork for Thailand’s 2026 Unesco "Chud Thai" proposal.

Performances

The festival’s main stage entertainment blended traditional Thai cultural performances with contemporary music.

There were performances by the Chanakarn Thai Dance troupe and the Human Puppet troupe, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, who presented “Rabam Si Phak” ("Dance of the Four Regions").

Musical performances and mini-concerts were also held throughout the festival.

The event concluded with musical performances by Thai Labour Volunteers’ ISAN Band and Friends of Thai Workers Association (Singapore)’s V&C Band.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) spotted 373 offences and impounded 182 non-compliant personal mobility devices (PMD) in June 2026.

The offences were spotted by its active mobility enforcement officers, LTA said in a Facebook post on Jul. 16.

During a nine-day joint enforcement operation between LTA and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in June 2026 alone, more than 200 offences were spotted and more than 100 active mobility devices and motor vehicles were seized, it was previously reported.

The enforcement operations were conducted in Sengkang, Punggol, and Yishun.

Common offences detected included keeping non-compliant powered assisted bicycles (PABs) and using improper, obscured or tampered number plates.

Non-UL2272 e-scooters were also impounded under the new regulations that took effect from Jun. 1, 2026, which prohibit keeping such devices even when not in use.

Since January 2026, LTA has detected and seized more than 600 non-compliant active mobility devices.

Speed limit signs

The authorities are also installing real-time speed limit signs in areas with higher active mobility usage to encourage safe riding behaviour.

This allows users of mobility devices to check their travelling speed limit against the prevailing path speed limit before they are detected by the enforcement detection cameras.

Importer taken to task

LTA also took action in June 2026 against an importer, Shiplah! Technologies Pte Ltd, for importing a non-compliant PMD without a valid LTA import permit.

The company was charged and fined S$1,500.

The device was seized.

Since the start of 2026, there were 11 offences involving retailers.

Common offences among retailers include displaying and selling non-compliant devices.

Detection capabilities

Enforcement officers have been equipped with speed guns to detect and enforce speeding violations on public paths in Singapore since 2018.

LTA has also installed speed detection cameras to tackle speeding violations and will progressively expand the camera network over the next few years.

Enforcement action against speeding devices could only previously be taken when such devices were observed exceeding speed limits while in motion, but not when stationary.

A portable speed measurement device has been developed and is capable of detecting illegal modifications by testing a device’s top speed while stationary.

The speed measurement device was first deployed in November 2025.

Intensified enforcement efforts

LTA officers will continue to conduct regular ground patrols, including late-night operations, to detect and apprehend errant users.

Regular enforcement operations are also conducted on retailers to ensure they are selling, displaying and advertising compliant active mobility devices, and that mobility scooters sold are registered.

Community volunteers will also conduct joint patrols and strengthen enforcement and engagement efforts.

LTA said it takes a serious view of such offences and will continue to take firm action against retailers and individuals suspected of offering illegal device modification services, as such alterations put both device users and the public at risk.

Motorised devices sold are to meet safety standards.

Since Jun. 1, 2026, only LTA-registered mobility scooters may be advertised, displayed, and sold.

Before purchasing a mobility scooter, consumers should ensure they have obtained a Certificate of Medical Need or are exempt from the requirement.

LTA has reminded members of the public that importers must ensure that all mobility devices are compliant with Singapore’s regulations and have valid LTA import permits before importing them.

Members of the public were also reminded to exercise care and responsibility when riding active mobility devices.

Those who ride recklessly or dangerously and endanger others may be liable for the offence of rash act.

The woman seen in the People's Park Complex's Beijing Royal Massage Parlor fight was reportedly arrested by the police after allegedly getting into another fight with a female masseuse on Jul. 15, 2026.

Wang (transliterated pseudonym) previously claimed the altercation occurred because she demanded an explanation from a male masseur after realising she had apparently become pregnant with his child.

She also alleged that he caused her to miscarry.

Another fight

Shin Min Daily News reported that at about 7pm on Jul. 15, another incident took place outside a massage parlour on the second floor of the mall in Chinatown.

A short-haired woman dressed in black had reportedly been arguing with a masseuse in a pink dress.

The short-haired woman was seen to have slapped the masseuse, Shin Min reported, adding that they then got into a physical altercation.

An image showed the masseuse in the pink dress pinned to the ground, with the short-haired woman on top position.

The masseuse reportedly shouted for help.

However, no one intervened, and the boss of another massage parlour said people were afraid to do so due to the extent of the fight.

Shin Min reported that it understood that the short-haired woman is Wang, who was the woman involved in the fight previously and who made claims that she was pregnant and miscarried subsequently.

Prior to the fight, the masseuse had apparently been trying to solicit customers when she was allegedly asked by Wang to be quiet.

Scene of incident

Following this, Shin Min visited the mall on Jul. 16.

The manager of a nearby massage parlour said that while Wang previously frequented the massage parlor on the third floor, she recently moved to the second floor where the masseuse in the pink dress works.

Shin Min noted, however, that the masseuse's massage parlour was not open on the morning of Jul. 16.

After the fight on the night of Jul. 15, the police were alerted and Wang was subsequently led away by police officers, Shin Min reported.

Public nuisance

Responding to Mothership's queries, the police said they received a call for assistance at 1 Park Road on Jul. 15 at 7:25pm, which is the address of People's Park Complex.

A 53-year-old woman was conveyed to the hospital and another 40-year-old woman was arrested for public nuisance.

When Shin Min contacted Wang on the morning of Jul. 16, she said she was in the hospital and did not want to speak more.

Responding to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that at about 7:35pm on Jul. 15, SCDF received a call for assistance at 1 Park Road.

SCDF conveyed the 53-year-old woman conscious to Singapore General Hospital.

Police investigations are ongoing.

A car collided into the rear of a bus in Ang Mo Kio.

A 67-year-old man died.

The incident occurred on Jul. 16 at about 8:30am, beside a bus stop near Block 246B along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Incident

Chen (transliterated), a 55-year-old resident, told Shin Min that he first heard a loud crash and then looked out to find that a traffic incident had occurred below his block.

According to him, a red car had collided with the rear of a bus that was about to leave the bus stop.

The car’s airbags were deployed due to the impact of the crash.

He claimed that passersby rendered help, and several men worked together to open the car doors to get the man and a lady passenger out of the vehicle.

The man, who drove the vehicle, appeared to be wearing a light blue top.

Chen claimed that the man could initially walk on his own, but he later collapsed and appeared to lose consciousness.

The woman in the car was apparently shocked and sat down to rest while passersby provided her aid.

Chen said the driver may have suddenly felt unwell or suffered a medical episode while driving.

Emergency responders subsequently arrived at the scene and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the man.

He was then lifted into an ambulance and conveyed to the hospital along with the woman who was with him.

Police officers cordoned off the area to conduct investigations.

In response to queries, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said a 67-year-old male car driver was conveyed to the hospital unconscious and later died.

A 61-year-old female passenger in the same vehicle was taken conscious to the hospital.

Investigations are ongoing.

A python was seen at a grass patch in MacPherson on the night of Jul. 14, 2026.

Based on a video seen by Mothership, two National Parks Board (NParks) officers were seen handling the python at a grass patch.

Python at MacPherson grass patch

A Mothership reader who witnessed the incident had been out jogging and added that a passerby had called NParks about the snake before officers came down to handle the situation.

"It was such an eye-opening experience to see such a big snake around our area and we were amazed at how professional and brave the rescue officers while handling the python," said the reader.

NParks responds

Responding to Mothership's queries, NParks's Wildlife Management group director How Choon Beng said NParks was alerted to a sighting of a reticulated python at MacPherson on Jul. 14.

The python, estimated at about 2m to 3m long, was safely removed from the site and sent to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation (CWR) for veterinary assessment.

Pythons play an important role in regulating the ecosystem by keeping the population of pests, such as rodents, low. The reticulated python is native to Singapore and can be found in a variety of habitats in Singapore, including canals and large drains, such as this location.

If members of the public encounter a snake in a public area, they should observe from a safe distance, stay calm, and back away slowly, giving it space to retreat. Do not approach or attempt to handle the snake as it may attack in self-defence.

Pets should also be kept on a tight leash as they might approach and alarm the snake. The snake should be left alone, especially if it is in its natural habitat.

Members of the public can call the Animal Response Centre helpline at 1800-476-1600 for assistance.

More information on snakes can be found on NParks' website.