Have you consistently invested your monthly income?

Stuck to dollar cost averaging religiously?

Traded with conviction by buying when everyone was fearful and selling when everyone was greedy?

But no matter how markets print fresh highs and your investing journey gets more exhilarating, somehow you feel like something is off.

Did you invest enough?

Did you sell too early?

Has your strategy not been as effective as you predicted?

Or have you not done any of these before at all?

It is only when you pull up the profit and loss statement and take a good hard look at your portfolio, that it hits you.

The fees and commissions for each trade executed have indeed been eating away at your profits.

The good news?

There is such a thing as “zero fees” and it is available to Singapore investors trading U.S. securities, such as stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

They can find it on POEMS, the brokerage arm of PhillipCapital, which has been serving investors in Singapore for 51 years.

True zero-commission U.S. equities trading for retail investors started from 4pm, May 13, 2026.

Why are zero fees attractive?

Imagine you are a retail investor who only invests US$100 at a time, whether as part of a regular dollar-cost averaging plan or because it aligns with your risk appetite.

With traditional brokerage models that charge per transaction, fees can eat into your profits.

Sometimes fees can be as high as US$1.99 (S$2.56) per trade or more

On a US$100 investment, that is almost 2 per cent of your capital gone before your money even has the chance to grow.

For investors who practise dollar-cost averaging with smaller amounts, these costs can add up surprisingly quickly.

For someone who regularly invests S$100 per day, they could lose up to S$799 in a year from fees and the amount not compounded over time, assuming that the asset goes up 10 per cent in value over time.

In other words, the amount lost to fees is S$726, while the amount lost from fees that were not compounded over time is about S$73.

But with zero fees, it suddenly becomes beginner-friendly: Almost all your money actually goes into investing – and the returns on investments are left to compound over time.

How does POEMS by PhillipCapital compare to traditional brokers and discount brokers?

Traditional brokers

Traditional brokers usually charge brokerage commission, minimum fees, custody fees, and settlement fees.

For example, buying US$200 worth of stocks can incur hefty fees that range from US$10 to US$25 for traditional brokers.

This can be very expensive for small investors, who are simply not used to the volume and scope of trading that more seasoned and professional investors with larger portfolios perform.

Discount brokers

Over the last several years, discount app-focused brokers have become very popular as they have emerged as a serious alternative to traditional brokers for retail investors, with lower fees and greater accessibility to markets 24/7.

However, cheap is relative: Many such platforms still incur platform fees, small settlement fees, currency spreads, as well as other hidden charges.

In other words, the more you use these platforms to trade, the more money they can make as they charge per trade.

What’s the catch with “zero” fees?

Of course, there is no such thing as “absolutely free” trading.

Tiny costs are still incurred on trading platform POEMS by PhillipCapital, so it is good to understand what these are.

U.S. Regulatory Fees

Even though Phillip Securities waives its own fees, small mandatory fees which go to the U.S. government each time stocks are sold still apply.

These fees include:

• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) fee
• Trading Activity Fee (TAF) fee

But these fees are usually extremely small.

Selling US$1,000 of stock will incur a regulatory fee of only a few cents and is unavoidable.

In other words, POEMS by PhillipCapital is not charging you brokerage-related fees in the US market.

This is strictly a transaction-based fee applied only when you sell a stock.

There is no SEC fee when you buy a stock.

Best of both worlds

Of course, low fees are only part of the equation.

After all, there is little point in saving on commissions if you end up compromising on platform features, research, market access, or support.

This is where POEMS by PhillipCapital aims to offer the best of both worlds.

Not only is PhillipCapital a Monetary Authority of Singapore-regulated company for over 50 years, it has an established trading platform that has been revamped.

At the same time, investors continue to enjoy access to research coverage, real-time market data, advanced charting tools, and a suite of trading features designed to support different investing styles.

Those who prefer a more personal touch can also tap on the support of their assigned investment specialist or dealing teams who understand their investment objectives and can assist when needed.

The human support for users at its offices mean POEMS by PhillipCapital is not only a self-serve platform: the app has also been redesigned to be more intuitive and provides the most up-to-date charting on the market for on-the-go trading.

This works for casual cost-sensitive beginners who might favour more passive, long-term ETF investing, as well as those who are into more active day trading to execute different investing strategies.

For more information, click to open an account with POEMS by PhillipCapital.

This branded article was brought to you by POEMS by PhillipCapital.

T&Cs apply. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Asia Cat Expo is set to return to the Suntec Convention Centre on Jun. 27 and 28, 10am to 8pm.

This marks the first time admission to Asia Cat Expo will include access to Hobbies Fair, which will be happening at the same time.

With a single ticket, visitors will be able to access six halls, housing more than 400 exhibitors from Singapore and across the region.

What to expect

For its fourth edition, Singapore's largest cat event will occupy four halls (Halls 403 to 406), and feature a marketplace of more than 150 exhibitors offering cat food, accessories, furniture, and lifestyle products from local and international brands.

Visitors can also expect event-exclusive rewards and discounts, including lucky draw prizes and goodie bags.

The event stage will feature expert talks on feline heath, grooming, and responsible care, as well as cat competitions like Best Dressed Cat and more.

Cat Adoption Drive

Various participating animal welfare organisations will be bringing cats for adoption while educating about responsible pet ownership and adoption.

Alison Cat Care will also be holding a special cat cafe experience with rescued cats.

A portion of proceeds will support ongoing welfare efforts.

The expo will also feature a cattery zone, themed photo spots, a complimentary photo booth, and community spaces for visitors to rest at.

More information can be found here.

Cat Photography Competition

The cat photography competition is back after its inaugural run last year.

The competition will showcase the top 15 finalists' photographs of outstanding feline photography from around the world.

A special gallery by internationally acclaimed Japanese cat photographer Masayuki Oki will also be exhibited.

He will make an appearance at the expo for an exclusive book signing session on Jun. 28, from 4pm to 5pm.

Cat Grooming Certification & Competition

The expo will host the 5th International Society of Feline Cosmetologists (ISFC) International Cat Grooming Certification & Competition, which is recognised as the largest cat grooming certification and competition in Asia.

This event brings together top groomers from around the world to showcase technical skill, creativity, and excellence in feline grooming.

Cat Show

The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) Cat Show will showcase pedigreed and household cats competing before international judges.

Visitors can get up close to a variety of breeds while learning more about feline standards, characteristics, and responsible cat ownership.

Interested applicants can apply here.

Ticket details

Tickets for Asia Cat Expo 2026 are priced at S$7 for a one-day pass and S$15 for a two-day express pass.

Children aged 12 and below can enjoy free admission with accompanying adults.

SAFRA and PAssion Card members can enjoy special pricing with the following promo codes:

• SAFRA1 – One-day pass at S$6
• SAFRA2 – Two-day express pass at S$13
• PASSION1 – One-day pass at S$6
• PASSION2 – Two-day express pass at S$13

A valid card/e-card must be presented in person upon entry for verification.

Tickets to Asia Cat Expo will also give visitors access to Hobbies Fair 2026, which will feature 250 exhibitors and hobby communities across games, collectibles, sports, music, technology, and creative pursuits.

There will also be specific zones such as K-Pop and parkour zones.

For visitors interested only in Hobbies Fair 2026, tickets are priced at S$4 per day.

Tickets to Asia Cat Expo 2026 can be purchased here.

A National Parks Board (NParks) employee and other individuals are under investigation for apparently handling a snake in a wooded area in Mandai.

The incident reportedly occurred at Mandai Road Track 15.

Handled snake

In a Facebook post on May 31, a bespectacled man was seen handling a snake, which was curled around a tree branch.

A man was also seen posing with a smaller snake.

Four other individuals also appeared to be at the scene, who were equipped with lighting and photography equipment.

Photography session

According to the Facebook user, who wanted to remain anonymous, the group was there for a “photography session”.

The snake was apparently removed from the branch above the ground about three to four times.

An individual involved spent an estimated 10 to 15 minutes repositioning the snake multiple times to “achieve a preferred photographic composition”.

He also apparently commented that the snake’s position did not “look very natural” and proceeded to move it again.

The user claimed the snake appeared to be in the process of shedding.

A second, smaller snake was also apparently handled and passed around among the group for “photography opportunities”.

Another individual, identified as Brandon, purportedly asked others to take photographs of him while he held the snake.

Investigation

In response to Mothership's queries, Jessica Kwok, the NParks’ group director for enforcement and investigation, confirmed the incident of the snake being handled on the Mandai Trail.

It involved members of the public and an NParks staff member who was there in his personal capacity.

Investigations are ongoing.

Kwok also reminded members of the public to admire wildlife from a distance, and to use optical aids such as binoculars to observe them.

If the public encounters any animal, they should remain calm and back away slowly for their own safety and the well-being of the animal.

Japan has much to contribute even as the world grapples with the challenges of globalisation, said Singapore’s Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung.

He was speaking on the second day of the 31st Nikkei Forum held in Tokyo, Japan, on Jun. 11.

The annual conference saw regional leaders gather to discuss ways to make Asia more resilient amid an increasingly uncertain world.

Ong spoke about the future of globalisation against the backdrop of a “new era of interdependence” and growing discontent.

He said that Japan’s contribution to Asia has been “broad and sustained”, especially through its investments in Asean countries, and especially relevant today in the areas of trade and ageing.

Stalwart for free trade

Ong said that on international co-operation, Japan can be a “stalwart for free trade”.

Recalling how Japan and Singapore commenced negotiations on the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA) in 2000, he said that Japan has since emerged as an active international player for free trade.

It demonstrated important leadership in shaping various regional free trade frameworks, Ong highlighted, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the adoption of the interim arrangements for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) E-Commerce Agreement.

“At a time when the free trade agenda was flailing, Japan’s leadership and interventions have been decisive on the domestic front,” he said, noting how Japan stepped in and revived the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as the CPTPP.

Adaptability to its demographic shift

Ong also pointed out that despite its ageing population, Japan has adapted to its demographic shift and managed to overcome years of persistent deflation, embrace technology, brought about productivity increase, and register consistent growth.

He noted Japan’s disaster response as a “powerful lesson in social resilience”.

In particular, the Fukushima nuclear incident in 2011, which saw over 100,000 residents evacuated and many communities destroyed, produced an “inspiring tale of ground-up self-help”, he said.

Many people came together to re-establish social networks for seniors, Ong said, enabling them to run community activities and feel purposeful again.

The concept, called Ibasho, was something Singapore’s Ministry of Health concluded that it needed to learn and study from.

Ong said Singapore subsequently launched the Age Well SG national programme, and established Active Ageing Centres throughout the island, where seniors can establish social networks, participate in activities and volunteer work.

Forward-looking agenda

Ong also said that long-standing partnerships remain valuable anchors, noting that 2026 also marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore.

“It was a timely milestone for Japan and Singapore to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership,” he said.

This lays out a forward-looking agenda to deepen co-operation in areas such as supply chain resilience, digital technologies, AI governance, cybersecurity, low-carbon solutions and the green economy.

A Chinese national was charged in court on Jun. 11 for allegedly offering a bribe to an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer to gain entry into Singapore.

Lin Zekun, 34, allegedly offered S$200 to one Inspector Goh on May 18 after he was denied entry into the country at Woodlands Checkpoint, according to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

Goh rejected the bribe and referred the case to CPIB.

For his actions, Lin faces one charge under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which can result in a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.

"Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption," said the CPIB.

The Bureau looks into all corruption-related complaints and reports, including anonymous ones, that are lodged online.

Curacao is a small island with a population of about 140,000 people, and yet somehow the tiny island nation has managed to work its way into becoming the smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup.

The country, ranked 82nd in the world, has taken advantage of good planning, but also of changes to the World Cup’s organisation, to put together its first qualifying team in the nation’s short history: it gained formal independence in 2010.

It’s like Ang Mo Kio qualified for the World Cup

Curacao has a population of just under 160,000 people, which is (roughly) the population of Ang Mo Kio, its area is about two-thirds that of Singapore.

But there are just about as many people of Curacao descent in the Netherlands as there are in Curacao itself, just under 150,000.

So technically, this is like if Ang Mo Kio and Sengkang made the World Cup.

Curacao is an independent nation, but is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

This means Curacoans hold Dutch passports, allowing them to move to the Netherlands and settle for work or study.

This Netherlands-based diaspora is something that Curacao has made limited use of until recently.

Gilbert Martina, head of Curacao’s football federation, speaking to Sports Illustrated and CBS, said that prior to 2016, only three or four players with Curacao heritage had played for the national team.

This began to change when they appointed Dutch and Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert first as the national team manager, and then as an advisor.

Football heritage

Kluivert is of Curacao heritage on his mother’s side, but was born in Amsterdam.

He came through the legendary Ajax youth program, with whom he would make a name for himself, scoring the winning goal in the 1995 Champions League.

He was also prolific for the Netherlands national team, scoring 40 times out of 79 caps.

Suffice to say, he was well acquainted with the quality of youth training and professional play available in Europe.

Kluivert knew that players of mixed heritage were an advantage that countries like Curacao could take advantage of: the Netherlands certainly did.

Even now, players with Curacaoan heritage help fill the Netherlands National Team’s ranks, the most famous of which is probably Arsenal’s Jurren Timber and his twin brother Quintin.

It's coming home

He advised the Curacao national team, then 182nd in the world, that they should expand their recruitment beyond the island’s shores, a suggestion that garnered resistance from both local players and officials.

But Kluivert would stage a match between the best of the island’s local players and a selection of diaspora players that saw the diaspora team win 7-1, showing them what was possible.

Even as far back as 2017, articles on Curacao’s team note the “star power” that Kluivert brought to the team that helped encourage diaspora players to put on the Curacao shirt, something that has endured through the years.

But the team has also caught a wave where it has become more common for diaspora players to play for the national teams of their origins.

One example is Wilfred Zaha, formerly of Manchester United and Crystal Palace, who grew up in England and was probably good enough to play at least a peripheral role in the national team, having played for the English under-19 and under-21 teams.

But for whatever reason, Zaha was not called up to England, and in 2016 decided to play for the country of his birth, the Ivory Coast, or Cote d’Ivoire.

Zaha is one of several examples of former potential England international players taking their parents’ countries to the World Cup: Iraq’s Zidane Iqbal grew up in Manchester, England’s Kobbie Mainoo was seriously courted by Ghana, as was Scott McTominay for Scotland (McTominay was born in England).

(At this point, the author acknowledges a serious Manchester United bias.)

In fact, Curacao’s national team only boasts one locally born player: Tahith Chong, who grew up in the capital of Willemstad before being scouted by the Dutch team Feyenoord, and then moving to (sorry) Manchester United’s youth team.

Even their current manager, the 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, is Dutch.

Forty eight

Because of these reinforcements, “The Blue Wave”, as the Curacoa team is known at home, managed to earn direct qualification to the World Cup, beating Jamaica on the final fixture of the group qualification round, to knock out Jamaica, which was led by (sorry sorry) former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren.

But it was helped in its endeavour by changes to the World Cup.

The World Cup has gradually expanded the number of teams represented at the tournament, going from 24 to 32 in 1998, and now from 32 to 48.

This meant that CONCACAF, the federation for North America and the Caribbean, now enjoyed six direct qualification slots, with an additional two possible spots through international playoffs.

At the 2022 World Cup, the federation was restricted to three direct slots and one playoff spot, and those three slots were taken by the towering giants (relatively) of Mexico, the United States, and Canada, by far the largest countries in the federation.

These three countries are now the 2026 tournament’s hosts, meaning they automatically qualify and now take up three of CONCACAF’s six direct slots, but it still leaves three open for other nations to take, more than was offered before.

Curacao grabbed the opportunity with both hands, riding its qualification wave to the last day of the group stages.

Another set of islands

Other countries have noticed too.

Like Curacao, Indonesia seeks to find players with Indonesian heritage from the Netherlands and beyond to fill its ranks, although it seems that dual nationality is far more complicated for them than Curacao.

Indonesia even hired Kluivert to helm their national team, although he has since left the coaching setup.

It has taken Curacao over a decade to get to this point, hardly overnight.

It has invested the country’s renewed interest in the sport into facilities, where its state-of-the-art artificial turf football field sits at the heart of a 15,000-seater stadium, a seven-row single-tier stand not quite surrounding the entire pitch.

In Curacao, their national team has been welcomed with enthusiasm, with some even thinking of selling prized personal possessions in order to attend the World Cup.

In fact, you can check the country’s tourism-related social media, understandably nothing not related to the World Cup is planned for June.

A decade ago, such opportunities were unthinkable, who knows if another will present itself?

Train operations at the JB Sentral Station in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, are temporarily suspended on Jun. 11, 2026.

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) said in a Jun. 10 Facebook post that the temporary suspension is to facilitate construction works for the Johor Bahru to Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project.

Bus service provided for affected passengers

Affected passengers travelling on the EP9535 and EG9449 train services will continue their journey using the intermediary bus service provided between Kempas Baru Railway Station and JB Sentral.

Designated pick-up and drop-off areas will be provided at both locations.

Staff and ambassadors will also be stationed at the affected areas to assist and guide passengers.

The rail operator advised passengers to follow signage and staff instructions to ensure smooth and safe passenger movement during the temporary suspension period.

Affected passengers may contact the KTMB call centre at 03-9779 1200 for any enquiries or further assistance.

Changi Airport will be screening the World Cup at transit areas across the terminals, as well as ST3PS, the public area at Terminal 3 Basement 2.

Here are the scheduled group matches, the schedule will be updated as the tournament goes on.

There also other fun activities scheduled, including a Football Champions Trail at Terminal 3’s public areas to unlock rewards worth more than S$50 in total.

By taking part in quizzes and challenges, participants will enjoy exclusive shopping and dining deals (minimum spend applies) along the way, culminating in a complimentary ticket to the Bouncing Net at Jewel Canopy Park upon completion.

Find out more info here.

New football video

To mark the start of World Cup season, Changi Airport also launched a new video featuring Singapore’s national football players and special appearances by local football legend Fandi Ahmad and Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow.

You can watch the video here:

]]> 1151557 https://mothership.sg/2026/06/man-charged-email-town-council/ 2026-06-11T10:41:16 https://mothership.sg/2026/06/man-charged-email-town-council/

A 72-year-old man will be charged on Jun. 11 for allegedly using abusive language towards public servants.

According to investigations, he had apparently sent multiple emails to the Marsiling-Yew Tee Town Council between Aug. 19 and Oct. 6, 2025, the police said in a Jun. 10 release.

The emails purportedly contained accusations of unlawful conduct and abusive comments directed at a Member of Parliament (MP) for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and a town council employee.

The man was also previously investigated for similar offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 2014 for abusive conduct directed at the same MP and various town council employees.

He will be charged for using or communicating abusive words or materials towards a public servant.

These offences carry a jail term not exceeding 12 months, a fine not exceeding S$5,000, or both.

The police reminded members of the public who have concerns regarding municipal or public service matters to raise them through appropriate official channels.

The police also said it has zero tolerance for harassment and abusive conduct directed at public officers and town council personnel who carry out their duties in the service of the community.

It will not hesitate to take firm action against those who engage in such conduct in accordance with the law.

When he and his wife have to work on some Saturdays, Daniel Chow would take the MRT train to a station in the morning and hand their toddler to his mother-in-law for babysitting.

The exchange would happen at the side gate of the EZ-Link gantry, which the station staff kindly opened for Chow to push his daughter through in her pram.

It is a practice his family has been doing occasionally since around October 2025.

On Mar. 14, however, the station manager stopped him and told him he was not allowed to open the gate for this, citing security reasons. He requested that Chow tap out instead.

There was a "showdown" when Chow questioned this apparent rule, causing his toddler to start screaming, he told Mothership.

The manager eventually relented and opened the gate, telling Chow it was the "last time".

Frustrated by the encounter, the 33-year-old father took to Instagram on Jun. 9 to pen an open letter addressed to Minister of Transport Jeffrey Siow.

"Is there... really such a rule that parents need to tap out to pass our babies to our parents and then waste S$2 tapping back in?" he wrote. "If yes, can we please remove it?"

'Ridiculous'

On past occasions, every SMRT staff member at the station, which is along the Thomson East Coast Line, had been "helpful and smiley in opening the side gate for the pram to be passed across".

They included the station manager, who informed Chow once that it was not allowed, but let him through the gate anyway, and Chow appreciated this.

He responded differently on Mar. 14, however.

"He started talking about just following the rules, needing to tap out for security reasons — which I found ridiculous," Chow recalled.

"At 8:20am, there was literally no one else but my in-law and [me]," he questioned in his Instagram post. "Why can’t a staff just open the side gate?"

According to him, the manager also claimed someone had complained about his practice of passing his daughter through the side gate, but said it was confidential when Chow asked for proof.

When Chow questioned if the supposed rule was something he truly wanted to enforce, the manager allegedly said he was "just doing his job".

An alternative

Since the incident, Chow has stopped passing his daughter to his mother-in-law at the gantry, but would do so over a glass barrier in the middle of the station.

He shared a video of this manoeuvre in his Instagram post.

Since his post, other parents have reached out to him to share that he could have gotten a free EZ-Link card to tap out for his child.

"I wished the station manager shared this precious information with me," he said.

SMRT offered to chat

On Jun. 10, SMRT sent him a direct message via Instagram.

According to screenshots shared by Chow, SMRT offered to arrange a chat between him and their head of community engagement.

He thanked them, but told Mothership he does not plan to meet with SMRT, as he does not believe it will be helpful.

He explained that he made his post to encourage others "to be more empathetic and think critically about unnecessary rules".

In response to Mothership's queries, an SMRT spokesperson said SMRT understands Chow's concerns.

The spokesperson added that they have spoken with their staff on circumstances when some discretion can be exercised, and that the majority of the station staff did so in this case.

According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) website, commuters can apply for a concession card at SimplyGo ticket offices for free travel for their child between 0.9m and 1.2m tall, as long as they are below seven years old and not studying in a primary school yet.