A Singaporean couple has summited Mount Everest, joining an unofficial group of less than 30 Singaporeans who have reached the top of the world's highest mountain above sea level.

Ng Li Ying and her husband Mark Ng are lead training consultants and instructors at Outward Bound Singapore (OBS), according to CNA.

The pair met at OBS and got married in 2020.

Mark said: "Marrying her, I struck (lottery) because who else would go and climb these kinds of mountains and suffer with me?"

They have been climbing in Nepal since 2022 and attempted Everest in May 2026 during a sabbatical.

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo congratulated the couple on Instagram.

"Quite probably Singapore’s first husband and wife team to complete the climb together, it is a doubly remarkable achievement."

Low oxygen levels

The couple had previously conquered other peaks in the Himalayas, including Mera, Ama Dablam, Manaslu and Himlung Himal.

Before leaving for Nepal, OBS linked the couple with Kumaran Rasappan, a Singapore orthopaedic surgeon who summited Everest in 2012 and provided back-up resources.

The couple also got their wills in order, reported CNA.

The pair made their ascent and navigated the Khumbu Icefall, safely making it to Camp 2, a staging camp for climbers attempting the South Col route.

Their initial plans to ascend to Camp 3 and back down to acclimatise were scrapped after Mark's oxygen levels were found to be low.

He was put on oxygen and had to rest for the entire night.

Mark told CNA: "At that point in time, if they told me that if you summit you might die, I would just say: 'Okay, we don't climb'. The mountain will always be there for you to climb."

Separated at Hillary Step

Li Ying reached the summit first, but after taking it in, worry crept in.

She had been separated from Mark at the Hillary Step, and he had yet to reach the summit of the 8,848m mountain, according to CNA.

The Hillary Step is the final obstacle between climbers and the summit. While only 17m high, it is an exposed sheer vertical rockface.

CNA reported that the area is known to be a bottleneck as climbers ascend in a single file whilst dealing with extreme altitude and frosty winds.

Li Ying's guide secured a line for her first due to the human jam, while Mark had to wait for other climbers to descend.

Li Ying said that she was unable to see her husband, and wondered if he was coming up to meet her.

Mark added that climbers would fall off the side of the mountain if they were not clipped on.

But after waiting for about 30 minutes, the couple was reunited at the summit.

Difficult descent

Mark slipped on the descent, falling a couple of metres towards the end of the Hillary Step.

He recounted that it was due to incorrect foot placement, but thankfully, he was clipped on and managed to grab onto the ropes.

Once returning to Camp 4, Mark was losing coordination in his legs due to the cold and fatigue.

Mark said, "I told her it's cold and miserable here, but at least I'm quite miserable here with you."

The couple told CNA that they hope their Everest adventure can inspire others to summit their own Everests, be it personal challenges, uncertainties, or pressures.

"We hope our journey serves as a reminder that growth does not require extreme environments. What matters is the willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone, stay curious, and persevere through setbacks as these challenges are exactly what shape our character and build our grit."

The Singapore police arrested five women, aged between 36 and 51, for various offences, following enforcement operations conducted on Jun. 4, 2026.

Officers from Jurong Police Division conducted raids against vice-related activities at three massage establishments.

One of them was located in a shopping centre and the other two were located at the shophouses in Jurong and Boon Lay area.

Five women were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961 and three operators are being investigated for regulatory breaches under the Massage Establishments Act 2017.

Investigations against the five women are ongoing.

These raids are part of the Jurong Police Division’s efforts to clamp down on illicit activities.

The police said they will continue to conduct regular enforcement checks on massage establishments and will take strict enforcement action to stamp out illegal activities.

Sergius Wat, assistant commissioner and commander of Jurong Police Division, said: “The police have conducted raids at massage establishments in Jurong and Boon Lay. We arrested five persons for vice activities; three operators will be investigated for regulatory breaches."

"The police will tighten the regulatory framework for massage establishments later this year to clamp down on unlawful activities. We will not tolerate the use of massage establishments for illegal activities. Offenders will be dealt with firmly, in accordance with the law."

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is in early-stage discussions with both Airbus and Boeing over a potential purchase of at least 50 large jets, as the airline maps out its next phase of growth from the next decade, according to two industry sources, Reuters reported.

The carrier is understood to be considering either the Boeing 777X, currently the largest commercial jet in service at around 400 seats, or the slightly smaller Airbus A350-1000.

The discussions are at an early stage but could include options for dozens of additional aircraft beyond the initial order.

In response to Reuters, SIA said it regularly reviews its fleet renewal plans, and refused to comment on "any confidential discussions that we may or may not be having."

Neither Airbus nor Boeing responded to requests for comment.

One of the world's biggest long-haul buyers

According to Reuters, SIA has long been among the largest purchasers of long-haul jets globally, with a reputation for carefully guarded aircraft negotiations that often influence fleet decisions across the industry.

The airline was an early customer for the 777X, Boeing's successor to its 777 mini-jumbo, though that programme has faced significant delays.

SIA has also previously said it plans to keep expanding capacity even as some rival carriers pull back on flights amid higher oil prices.

Bigger planes still on the drawing board

Beyond the immediate order, the talks could also give manufacturers, particularly Airbus, a clearer read on demand for larger variants not yet in production, according to the sources.

According to Reuters, Airbus has been considering a bigger version of the A350, tentatively called the A350-2000, which would compete more directly with the 777X. The idea was first floated during an earlier SIA competition a decade ago, though Airbus has since played down reports of an imminent launch.

Boeing, meanwhile, agreed to revisit plans for a larger aircraft after Emirates placed an order for more 777X jets last November, but is said to be approaching the prospect cautiously given limited demand for a new jumbo and its ongoing focus on industrial recovery.

SIA changes

SIA has recently been in the headlines for certain changes to its previous policies, such as limiting business class seat selection by fare type and KrisFlyer membership status.

It also announced enhanced Wi-Fi service to be rolled out across all cabin classes from 1Q2027.

In May 2026, SIA announced a net profit of S$1.18 billion, with total revenue reaching record levels although net profits took a hit.

Air India, which SIA owns a 25 per cent stake in, posted a record loss.

One BTS fan in Singapore will be seeing the K-pop group with a VIP ticket thanks to her employer, who went all out to help her achieve her dream.

Singaporean Yvonne Lareina Lee previously posted a letter she received from her domestic helper, who asked for two months' salary in advance so she could attend BTS' upcoming concert in Singapore.

Lee offered to pay for the concert ticket in full, knowing it was her helper, Nant Lah Sann Hie's (Mo) dream to see the K-pop group perform live.

She successfully secured a VIP ticket for Mo during the presales on Jun. 3.

Overwhelmed

Lee told Mothership that Mo was "overwhelmed" and happy to be able to attend the concert.

She also shared that someone behind a local ticket-buying service reached out to help her purchase the ticket and even waived the service fees.

"This dream would never have become a reality without the incredible kindness, generosity and support from so many people who stepped forward to help," Lee wrote on Instagram.

Lee added that she had faced accusations that she was seeking attention or publicity through her post.

But none of that compared to seeing her helper's happiness, she said.

"What started as a simple post from a concerned employer trying to help fulfil her helper's biggest dream has turned into something none of us ever imagined," she wrote.

A 37-year-old man in Singapore who allegedly molested a 62-year-old woman has been arrested.

In a police news release on Jun. 4, police said they received a report regarding the incident at around 7:40am on May 27.

The incident was said to have taken place in the vicinity of Sungei Tengah Road, in northwestern Singapore near a few agricultural farms.

Through follow-up investigations, and with the aid of footage from police cameras and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, they identified and arrested the man on Jun. 3.

He will be charged in court on Jun. 5 with the offence of outrage of modesty in certain circumstances under Section 354A(1) of the Penal Code 1871.

If convicted, he faces a mandatory jail term of between two and 10 years, and caning.

The police also reiterated their zero-tolerance stance toward sexual offenders who prey on unsuspecting members of the public, adding that offenders would be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.

They advised members of the public who are victims of molestation to move away from the perpetrator and call the police as soon as it is safe to do so.

They should also try to note key details where possible, including the perpetrator's physical appearance, clothing, as well as the time and location of the incident.

The mother of two teenage girls, who died after being trapped in a house fire in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, broke down after receiving their school belongings at their wake.

The victims were identified as 13-year-old Wong Yu Ning, and her 15-year-old sister Wong Yu Jie.

Mother could not stop crying after seeing belongings

Foon Yew High School Johor Bahru principal Tey Mei Chin, according to the New Straits Times (NST), visited the wake on Jun. 2 night, together with members of the school administration, to pay their respects.

Tey said the girls’ mother had asked the school to bring the sisters’ assignments, examination results and other personal belongings from the school to the wake.

Tey said: “After looking through the items, she could not stop crying.”

School to hold moment of silence

Tey added that while it is the school holidays now, it will observe a moment of silence when classes resume in honour of the two students.

The school also plans to provide counselling for classmates who are struggling to cope with the tragedy.

“Before the fire, the sisters were still in contact with their friends and had recently spent time with some of them. The students are shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of their classmates,” Tey said.

Classmates paid their respects

The wake was held at the Pure Karma Buddhist Centre Memorial Hall in Ulu Tiram, NST reported, where more than 20 relatives, friends and schoolmates gathered to pay their last respects.

Several female classmates, dressed in black and carrying bouquets, were seen paying tribute to the sisters.

One student was also seen crying inconsolably while being comforted by a friend, while others folded paper cranes as a symbolic farewell.

Sisters allegedly trapped by window grilles

The sisters died after a fire broke out at a double-storey terraced house in Taman Ehsan Jaya, Johor Bahru.

The two sisters were found unconscious in an upstairs bedroom after the fire spread through their home.

They were later taken to hospital, where they died.

It is believed that they were unable to escape through the windows as metal window grilles allegedly blocked their way, and that they had inhaled too much smoke before losing consciousness.

A video showing a woman allegedly sitting on a deer at Nara Park in Japan has gone viral.

A purported volunteer also revealed the animal had been injured in a traffic accident before, according to Oriental Daily.

The footage, which began spreading on Instagram and X from around Jun. 1, shows the woman in a short white dress and stiletto heels allegedly straddling the deer at a fenced area of the park.

Livedoor News reported that a man nearby can be seen filming on his smartphone. A voice in the video can be heard saying, "It can be ridden, it can be ridden."

After the deer escaped, the woman allegedly followed and sat on it the second time, even bouncing on its back. She only left when the deer swung its antlers at her.

A volunteer said the deer had been injured previously.

The volunteer said they were furious and heartbroken to see a tourist treating an injured animal in such a disrespectful way.

Nara authorities: "Highly inappropriate"

The Nara deer are protected under Japan's Cultural Properties Protection Law as a national natural monument.

After a video of someone kicking and hitting a deer went viral, Nara Prefecture strengthened its park regulations, prohibiting "harmful acts" against the deer.

A Nara Prefecture official told J-CAST News on Jun. 3 that the authorities were aware of the circulating video. While it was "difficult to determine" from the video alone whether the act was deemed "harmful," the official said the conduct was "highly inappropriate."

According to Livedoor News, the official said:

"I think people need to be a little more aware that such actions can potentially harm animals."

The official also flagged other risks, including potential injury and the risk of contracting tick-borne diseases such as SFTS (Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome) through direct contact with the deer.

The official added:

"We want people to refrain from direct contact, so we are strengthening our awareness campaigns. Sitting on them, let alone touching them, is simply inappropriate."

Nara authorities said they would continue strengthening public awareness efforts and conducting patrols at the park.

Netizens condemn the act

The footage drew swift condemnation online, with commenters calling it outright animal abuse. Some pointed out that the Nara deer are considered sacred messengers of the gods, making the act not just dangerous but deeply disrespectful.

Others noted that the woman's stiletto heels posed a serious risk of injury to the deer's limbs.

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A Singapore family recently made headlines after they stumbled upon a spherical egg in a carton they bought on May 27, describing it as a "one-in-a-billion" discovery.

But just how rare is a spherical egg?

And another one

Days after the buzz began, Kathleen told Mothership that her family found a spherical egg in a carton purchased earlier than the first family, on May 18.

She believed hers to be "definitely much rounder", measuring about 4.1cm in diameter.

Viraj Swaroop, whose family bought the May 27 carton, told Mothership his egg was about 6.35cm wide.

There were more similarities to their round wonders, however.

Both their eggs came from Chew’s Agriculture cartons at NTUC FairPrice outlets — NEX for Kathleen, and Hougang 1 for Viraj.

Kathleen's family's discovery

It was Kathleen's 13-year-old daughter Eunice who first realised the egg was different.

The same day they bought the carton on May 18, Eunice wanted to fry a sunny side up for herself.

She chose a small egg from the carton, and when she was about to crack it, she noticed how round it was.

Amazed, she called her mother and brother over.

"We were all so excited because we are a family of egg lovers and would be cooking many eggs every day, but never once have we seen such a small and round and cute egg before," Kathleen told Mothership.

Since then, the family has been keeping their discovery safe in the fridge.

Kathleen's 12-year-old son Marc would "check on it every day to make sure that it's safe and good", she said.

Marc also saw from news reports from around the world that spherical eggs are considered a one-in-a-billion rarity.

In 2015, a woman in Britain auctioned off a "perfectly spherical" egg hatched by her hen for £480 (S$827) on eBay.

Kathleen's children want to auction off their egg as well, hoping to donate the proceeds to animal welfare causes such as Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD) and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

"Since the egg came from a chicken, it should go into helping the animals too," Kathleen explained.

Viraj's family's discovery

The spherical egg bought by Viraj's family nearly met an untimely end.

Viraj's mother first spotted the odd shape in the tray and was planning to boil it when Viraj's wife Sharmista quickly intervened and saved it.

While it looks and feels like any other chicken egg, its spherical shape makes it special.

"I think the chicken must've known something was up too," Viraj told Mothership.

His family has affectionately christened their find "Wah-Lau-Ehg" as a nod to its Singaporean roots.

Similar to Kathleen's family, Viraj's family is thinking of selling the egg, with proceeds going towards helping patients with Retts syndrome, a condition that affects their friend's daughter.

But they might also end up keeping it.

"Such things land in our lap and we haven't though too much yet. Who knows, maybe we'll keep it and make it a celebrity," Viraj said. "It's got a story, doesn't it!"

For now, the egg is safely housed in the deepest part of their fridge, which offers a more consistent temperature than the door.

After 26 years in Beijing's Oriental Plaza shopping mall, Food Republic's last Beijing outlet will close on Jun. 15 at 8pm.

According to Chinese digital media outlet Jiemian News on May 23, Food Republic placed a notice at the outlet's entrance announcing the closure.

The notice said that customers with membership or stored-value cards should process their refunds as soon as possible.

Jiemian News reported that the Beijing Oriental Plaza store was the first store in the capital and opened in 2000.

China's first Food Republic store opened in Shanghai in 1997.

Tenancy lease to expire

BreadTalk, the Singapore food and beverage company that owns the foodcourt chain, told The Straits Times (ST) that the closure was due to the expiry of the outlet's tenancy lease.

The company said it will focus on its network of nearly 20 Food Republic stores across China, especially in Shanghai and Shenzhen.

BreadTalk added that the Chinese market remains a core priority for the long-term development of Food Republic.

The company also told ST that it will focus on its stores in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Business plans

BreadTalk added that Food Republic will diversify its business model to deepen corporate partnerships and aims to partner with educational institutions and corporate headquarters in China to operate in-house cafeterias.

The company added that it aims to steadily expand in key markets such as Singapore, Thailand, and the UK.

According to Jiemian News, at Food Republic's peak, there were more than 40  outlets in mainland China.

Based on Food Republic's website, the foodcourt operator has 14 outlets in Singapore, and it also operates in Malaysia.

A 60-year-old woman in Singapore apparently fell victim to a romance scam and lost S$5,000 in the process.

She only realised she was scammed when she could not get her "investment" money back, Shin Min Daily News reported.

"Jack"

The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, told Shin Min that she was contacted by a man identified as Jack through a messaging app in the middle of 2025.

Jack claimed to be an Australian resident, and that his aunt knew the victim.

The woman said he had asked her if she could provide information for his daughter on studying in Singapore.

They later switched communications to WhatsApp.

During their conversations, he frequently checked on her well-being and apparently showered her with attention.

The woman claimed that they mainly exchanged text messages and spoke on the phone.

They never had a video call.

The woman, who got divorced 13 years ago, said he appeared caring and would ask if she had consumed her meals.

Jack also apparently reminded her to soak her feet, and she would even send him photos.

According to chat logs, he would call her “wife” even after she replied that she was no longer young and attractive, but he would reassure her.

The woman also claimed that Jack would show concern for her daily life.

She thought she had finally met a man she could get along with and fell for him.

The woman and her ex-husband have two daughters, both of whom are married.

She spends her time caring for her grandchildren.

Investments

In September 2025, Jack purportedly taught her how to invest online.

As the woman trusted him, she followed his instructions to download an app and provided her email address.

Jack then said she needed to hand over the money to a stranger.

Following his instructions, she withdrew S$5,000 in cash.

Meet

At around noon on Sep. 23, 2025, the woman met the stranger.

The woman claimed that the stranger apparently sent her a WhatsApp message that Jack instructed him to collect the money for investment purposes.

The stranger also informed her that he had arrived at the designated meeting place.

She then handed him S$5,000 in cash near a toilet at Jurong Point when they met.

The woman took a photograph of him.

Realisation

About two weeks later, Jack asked her to increase her investments.

She declined as she did not have enough money.

This reportedly angered Jack.

She later tried to withdraw her funds, but was told that she had not met the minimum withdrawal requirement.

That was when she realised she had been scammed and subsequently lodged a police report.

The woman said she does not dare to inform her family that she had fallen for a love scam.