A 32-year-old foreign domestic worker in Singapore was sentenced to 17 weeks’ jail on Aug. 24 after she assaulted an elderly woman under her care.

According to a report by The Straits Times (ST), Myanmar national Vei Nei Chong pleaded guilty to one charge of assault in court.

The court heard that Vei Nei Chong and the 83-year-old victim were the only occupants of the flat in Bukit Merah at the time of the incident.

Arguing with boyfriend while drinking

Court documents seen by Mothership stated that the victim has moderate Alzheimer’s disease and was completely dependent on Vei Nei Chong for her basic needs.

In the evening of Jul. 28, Vei Nei Chong was at home with the victim while arguing with her boyfriend over the phone and drinking beer.

She drank two cans of beer and became intoxicated.

At 9:11pm, Vei Nei Chong yelled at the victim, who was lying in bed.

The helper then kicked a chair, causing it to hit the bed.

She continued shouting while kicking the chair.

She then lifted the victim’s metal walking frame over her head and threw it across the flat.

The victim feared for her safety; she tried to leave the house. However, Vei Nei Chong pushed her and slammed the door shut before kicking her in the back.

When the victim tried to leave a second time, the helper grabbed her by the shoulders and flung her to the floor.

The force of the impact caused the victim to hit her head against Vei Nei Chong's bed before falling to the floor, where she lay motionless.

A neighbour who heard the commotion alerted the police, and the victim was subsequently taken by ambulance to Singapore General Hospital.

She suffered wounds to her left arm and leg, as well as a bruise on her scalp.

She was hospitalised for about two weeks.

For assaulting a vulnerable victim, an offender can face a maximum of six years' jail, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.

Former Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim is reportedly in discussions with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to return to academia.

In a statement provided to Mothership on Aug. 24, the university confirmed talks are underway regarding the return.

Before joining politics, Faishal was previously an associate professor in NUS's real estate department.

He made his political debut in the 2006 General Elections and took on various portfolios, most recently serving as a Member of Parliament for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC after winning his contest in the 2025 election.

Faishal, who was also a Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, resigned from politics and as an MP on Jul. 20, after the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) received an email from a female member of the public concerning her interactions with Faishal.

While no criminal offence had been committed by either party, it was questioned whether Faishal's conduct had fallen short of the standards expected of a Political Office Holder and MP.

Faishal was succeeded by Zaqy Mohamad.

A 57-year-old man has died after he was rescued unconscious from a canal in Rochor on the evening of Aug. 23.

According to 8world, the incident first came to public attention after a video uploaded on social media platform Xiaohongshu showed police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) vehicles parked along the first and second lanes leading towards the flyover.

The video also showed a blue police tent set up on the first lane, with uniformed personnel standing nearby.

No foul play suspected

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed it was alerted to a water rescue incident along Rochor Canal near Wayang Satu Flyover at around 7:45pm.

Upon arriving, an unconscious person was seen floating in the canal, SCDF said.

Its rescuers then used a ladder to gain access to the canal and brought the person out.

The person was subsequently conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Separately, the police confirmed that the 57-year-old man passed away in the hospital.

Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play.

Police investigations are ongoing.

A 27-year-old man was arrested for allegedly trafficking etomidate vaporiser pods (Kpods) and being involved in unlicensed moneylending activities.

Chan Zhi Hao Felix was charged on Aug. 20 under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA).

According to The Straits Times, Chan also faces a charge linked to alleged unlicensed moneylending activities under the Moneylenders Act 2008.

Raid

On Aug. 12, Chan was arrested in his rental unit in Marsiling during an operation that targeted members of an unlicensed moneylending syndicate.

Police uncovered more than 300 vaporisers and related components during a search of his unit.

Health Sciences Authority (HSA) officers were alerted and took over the seized items.

HSA subsequently confirmed that 56 vaporisers, 247 vaporiser pods and a vaporiser battery were seized.

Vaped

Chan tested positive for etomidate in an instant urine test and admitted that he had vaped etomidate the night before his arrest.

He was remanded for a week.

Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contain etomidate.

Some of the vaporisers and pods seized were apparently intended for Chan’s personal consumption.

The majority of the seized items were allegedly intended for supply.

Investigations are ongoing.

The case has been adjourned to Oct. 1.

Penalties

Under the TVCA, etomidate and its analogues are listed as specified psychoactive substances in the schedule.

Convicted importers are liable to a jail term of three to 20 years and five to 15 strokes of the cane.

Convicted suppliers are liable to a jail term of two to 10 years and two to five strokes of the cane.

A 57-year-old woman, a Chinese national, was sentenced to six months’ jail and a S$2,500 fine for illegally overstaying in Singapore for 8,081 days, equivalent to more than 22 years.

Wang Youying pleaded guilty to one charge under the Immigration Act and was sentenced on Aug. 21.

Surrendered

On Aug. 4, Wang reportedly went to Bukit Merah East Neighbourhood Police Centre and surrendered to the police, Shin Min Daily News reported.

She could not produce any documentation proving her legal stay in Singapore.

Wang was subsequently arrested and handed over to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for investigations.

Prior conviction

Investigations revealed that Wang had a prior conviction on Oct. 30, 2002, for overstaying in Singapore for more than 90 days.

She was sentenced to one month’s jail and fined S$2,000.

Wang was eventually released on Dec. 31 and was repatriated to China a few days later.

Re-entered

Wang re-entered Singapore on a flight on Jun. 5, 2004.

In charge sheets seen by Mothership, she was issued a 14-day visit pass the same day.

The pass permitted Wang to remain in Singapore until Jun. 19, 2004.

After the pass expired, she did not leave and failed to apply for an extension of stay.

Wang illegally overstayed for 8,081 days, which is a period of 22 years, one month and 16 days, since the pass expired.

It was not disclosed how she managed to support herself during her overstay or where she resided.

Illness

The prosecution sought six months’ jail and a S$2,500 fine for Wang.

They argued that this was Wang’s second offence of the same nature.

In mitigation, Wang reportedly said she suffered from a serious illness and hoped to return to China as soon as possible.

She pleaded for leniency.

As Wang was unable to pay the fine, she will serve an additional five days in jail in lieu of the fine.

A 47-year-old woman died after being struck by a metal frame knocked down by a car that had crashed into a food court in Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia.

She has been identified as Xiao Shixiang, according to Sin Chew Daily.

The crash happened at around 1:13am on Aug. 22 at a food court in Bandar Mahkota Cheras. A 35-year-old man drove his car into the dining area, then attempted to flee.

Xiao is believed to have tried to stop the car from leaving, and was struck by the metal frame it had knocked over.

She suffered severe head injuries and later died.

"She had already got into the car"

A friend posted a tribute on Facebook, along with several photos of the two of them and a copy of the obituary.

Xiao was described as kind and fiercely loyal to her friends, and that she had already got into a car and was ready to leave when the crash happened, but got out again to check on others.

According to China Press, the friend said she had seen Xiao just half an hour before the crash. Xiao had urged her to head home, and the two said goodbye to each other.

She wrote that she could not understand how a simple goodbye had turned out to be their last, and that she never imagined Xiao would be gone 30 minutes later.

The trip they had planned

The two had arranged to go to Thailand together. They were also supposed to watch a movie together.

She wrote: "My sister, we said we would go to Thailand together, said we would watch a movie together today, said that in 50 years we would travel together with walking sticks. How could you not wait?"

She added: “May you rest in peace. I will always remember you, you are so lovely and kind and so good to me."

A Bangladeshi model and actress was found dead at her home in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Aug. 15, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

Allegedly argued with her boyfriend

Bhatara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mazharul Islam told local news outlet The Daily Star that police recovered the body of 26-year-old Ridhika Ridhi hanging from a ceiling fan around 6am that day.

According to the case statement, Ridhika was at her flat with two of her friends on the night of Aug. 14, The Business Standard reported.

At about 11pm, she had an argument over the phone with her boyfriend, Hasibur Rahman.

She subsequently asked her friends to sleep in the drawing room.

At about 5:30am, Hasibur arrived at the flat and knocked on the door.

After her friends opened it, he allegedly told them that Ridhi had hanged herself following their argument.

Her friends then entered the room and found her hanging from the ceiling fan with a scarf around her neck.

They took her to Kurmitola General Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.

Accused of abetting suicide

According to The Business Standard, investigators found evidence on her mobile phone indicating that she had been on a video call with Hasibur shortly before her death, according to police.

Her body was sent to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Later on Aug. 15, Ridhi’s mother filed a case at Vatara Police Station, accusing Hasibur of abetting her daughter’s suicide.

Police subsequently arrested him from the Bashundhara Residential Area at about 9:30pm that day.

The investigating officer produced Hasibur before a court on Aug. 16 and sought an order for him to be remanded in jail.

The court granted the order.

In its petition, the police alleged that Hasibur had caused Ridhika mental distress through their mobile phone conversations and had provoked her to take her own life.

The petition further alleged that Ridhika, unable to tolerate the alleged abuse and provocation, died by hanging.

Police also said Hasibur confessed during preliminary questioning and admitted his involvement in the incident.

Ridhika's family alleged that she had been in a long-term relationship with Hasibur, and that he had subjected her to physical and mental abuse during their relationship.

Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

• National mindline.sg Hotline: 1771 (24 hours)
• National mindline.sg WhatsApp: 66691771 (24 hours)
• SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767
• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
• Centre for Domestic Employees: 1800 225 5233 (24 hours)
• Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training: 1800 339 4357 (24 hours)
• HOME (migrant worker): +65 6341 5535 (WhatsApp / Viber / SMS)
• HOME (domestic worker): +65 9787 3122 (WhatsApp / SMS / Call)
• SHECARES@SCWO: Call: 8001 01 4616 | WhatsApp: 8985 5528 (For targets of online harms)
• National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH): 1800-777-0000

A 43-year-old pet transporter in Singapore hopes to abolish the stigma that Muslims cannot touch or handle dogs.

Eiman Abd spoke about his experience starting a pet transport business in an Aug. 10 Instagram video by "petpriorityservices".

No conflict between faith and work

He told Lianhe Zaobao that as a Muslim, he balances his five daily prayers with his pet pick-up and drop-off trips.

Before and after contact with the animals, Eiman also strictly follows religious hygiene procedures.

To him, there is no conflict between faith and work as both carry responsibility.

"My faith teaches me to be patient, clean, honest, and compassionate," he said.

He added: "These are precisely the values ​​I strive to bring into my work every day. I will never let these cleaning procedures affect my dedication to animals."

"I always treat them with the utmost care, patience, and professionalism."

Professional, reliable transportation service

Eiman, who was a delivery driver before founding Pet Priority Services, saw that pet owners were too busy with work to take their pets to the vet or get groomed.

He then decided to switch careers and provide a professional and reliable transportation service, Zaobao reported.

"Logistics experience is very helpful for me in terms of route planning and security, but I can leave packages at the door, but not pets," Eiman said.

"They are living beings with their own personalities and emotions."

His passengers range from cats and dogs to rabbits and turtles, Zaobao reported.

While transporting turtles may sound funny, Eiman pointed out that it is important to make sure the temperature and environment inside the car are safe though "they won't cause trouble in the car".

Observe body language, respect safety boundaries

He noted, however, that he was not naturally good at interacting with dogs from a young age.

As such, he went through a learning phase at the beginning of his career.

Spending each day with dogs taught him to carefully observe body language, respect safety boundaries, and never force interaction, Eiman added.

Before going into the business, Eiman did his own research and went for a dog handling course.

He was told that dogs are playful and not aggressive.

"If they are aggressive, they will show it to you," he said in the Instagram video.

He recalled that a dog he once brought to a groomer was very anxious and would not move forward at the door.

Eiman told Zaobao that he did not force the dog, but soothed it in a gentle tone.

"A few weeks later, it would wag its tail excitedly and run to me as soon as it saw me. At that moment, I truly felt that animals can understand as long as you are patient."

'Be loving towards all animals'

In response to his work, Eiman said his friends and family have reacted positively, noting that he is not afraid of dogs.

He added that there are quite a few Malay Muslims in the Singapore Police Force whom he knows personally that are K9 dog trainers.

"There are actually quite a lot of people from the Malay Muslim community who [handle] dogs for their careers," Eiman said.

"It's 2026, I just want to abolish the stigma of 'Muslims cannot handle dogs'..." he added.

Eiman also urged everyone to keep an open mind and be loving towards all animals.

"Whether it's cats, dogs, or any creature out there. If you can't love them, at the very least, just don't abuse them."

UPDATE on Aug. 24, 6:30pm: The article has been updated with York Hotel's statement.

A fire broke out at York Hotel along Orchard Road at around 4am on Aug. 24, with guests evacuated from the premises.

In a video posted on social media platform Xiaohongshu, several people believed to be hotel guests could be seen gathered outside the hotel entrance.

Families with children were among those seen in the video. One woman was also seen carrying a baby.

A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) fire engine and a Red Rhino vehicle were also spotted at the scene.

In response to Mothership's queries, SCDF said it was alerted to a fire at 21 Mount Elizabeth at around 4am.

The fire involved the contents of a kitchen on the second floor, SCDF said.

The fire was extinguished using a fire extinguisher.

One person was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, SCDF added.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire confined to food preparation area: York Hotel

In a media statement on Aug. 24, Joyce Yao, Director of Marketing Communications at York Hotel Singapore, said the fire broke out in a food preparation area within the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant located on the second floor of York Hotel Singapore's Tower Block.

The hotel’s fire alarm system was activated at 4:04am, and the police and SCDF were alerted immediately, she said.

The fire was confined to the food preparation area and was extinguished at about 4:20am.

The area was unoccupied at the time.

During the evacuation, a guest sustained an ankle injury at ground level and was taken to hospital for medical attention.

The guest was subsequently discharged, and the hotel has been in contact with the guest and provided assistance following the discharge.

Guests were allowed to return to their rooms between 5:30am and 6:15am after mandatory safety checks were completed by SCDF and the police.

The affected area on Level 2 of the hotel’s Tower Block remains closed as investigations continue.

Operations at the Chinese restaurant have also been suspended until further notice.

There is no impact on the hotel’s overall operations, said Yao.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and York Hotel Singapore said it is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.

"We sincerely apologise to our guests for the disruption and inconvenience caused by the incident and evacuation. The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our highest priority, and we will continue to provide all necessary assistance."

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered the National Day Rally at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central on Aug. 23.

Speaking in Malay, Mandarin and English, he acknowledged that the world around Singapore has and continues to change fast, with traditional rules and norms being overturned.

From the Covid-19 Pandemic to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Middle East conflict, a change in the world's balance of power have been reflected in various examples over the years, he said.

In Singapore, this has resulted in rising costs of living and disruptions to households and businesses.

But the government will continue to support Singaporeans through these difficulties, PM Wong affirmed.

"A burden shared is a burden halved. We will overcome challenges together!" he said in his Malay speech.

Here's how the government plans to help:

Marriage and parenthood

A key highlight of this year's National Day Rally was more support for Singaporeans in raising families.

The changes were born out of the work done so far by the government's Interagency Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah.

The group had previously found that childcare costs and time with family were among the main challenges faced by Singaporean couples, Indranee announced on Aug. 15.

Some measures to tackle these issues are as follows:

SG Child Support package

For one, the current Baby Bonus Scheme and Large Families Scheme will be replaced by a new SG Child Support Package, which will provide up to S$62,000 to every Singapore Citizen child over their growing years until age 17.

Each eligible child will receive the same level of support, regardless of birth order.

This S$62,000 will come in the form of cash, credits, grants, and top-ups.

Here's what each child will receive under the new support package:

• A S$10,000 Baby Gift will be given to each child before they turn one, disbursed in two tranches within 12 months of their birth. [Revised from Baby Bonus Cash Gift]
• A total of S$32,000 Child Credits will be given per child from age one to 16. S$2,000 in cash will be disbursed per year. [New]
• S$5,000 Child Development Account (CDA) First Step Grant, with up to S$5,000 in government co-matching until the end of the child's 16th year. [Revised]
• S$10,000 Post-Secondary Education Account top-up when the child turns 17. [New]

After including prevailing MediSave grants and Edusave top-ups, each Singaporean Citizen child will receive almost S$70,000 in support.

Changes to support for large families with three or more

The current Large Families Support scheme, which provides an additional S$16,000 of support to families with three or more kids through CDA grants, a S$5,000 MediSave grant and annual LifeSG credits, will be discontinued.

Large families with three or more children can continue to receive the S$5,000 MediSave grant.

Additionally, they will receive support for transport and housing. More information will be provided by the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of National Development at a later date.

The new package will be rolled out on Apr. 1, 2027.

Those born before Apr. 1, 2027, who are still receiving the Baby Bonus Cash Gift will continue to do so until Mar. 31, 2027.

Thereafter, they will receive a top-up by Apr. 30, 2027, to bring the amount of support received to S$10,000, matching the new S$10,000 Baby Gift amount.

As for the Child Credits, children turning one to 16 in 2026 will receive their 2026 Child Credits by Apr. 30, 2027.

Housing support

Further, from the February 2027 sales exercise, first-timer families with or expecting children will receive one additional ballot chance for each Singapore citizen child aged 18 and below.

This will apply to BTO or sale-of-balance flat applications.

There will also be an increase in the income ceiling for the purchase of new subsidised HDB flats, resale HDB flats on the open market the CPF Housing Grants, and when obtaining HDB housing loans for the purchase of new or resale HDB flats.

This number will increase from S$14,000 to S$16,000 for eligible families who apply for an HFE letter from Aug. 24.

Increased childcare leave provisions per working parent

Childcare leave provisions will also go up under the new measures, with the number of leaves tiered based on the number of children parents have instead of the age of their youngest child.

Here's the number of leaves each eligible working parent will receive based on the number of children they have aged 12 and below, under the new scheme:

• One child aged 12 and below: 8 days per working parent
• Two children aged 12 and below: 10 days per working parent
• Three or more children aged 12 and below: 12 days per working parent

Under the current childcare leave and extended childcare leave schemes, each working parent receives either six or two days of childcare leave, depending on the age of their youngest child.

The government will also cover the cost for all child-related leaves, including the government-paid maternity leave scheme, moving forward.

Currently, the government only covers part of such leave schemes.

More details on when the new childcare leave provisions will kick in will be announced at a later date.

Lower fees for government-supported pre-schools

Full-day childcare and infant care fees will be progressively reduced from 2028 to S$150 and S$300, respectively, by 2030.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister's Office, these fees will be "less than half" of today's fees.

Preschool subsidies will also be extended to families with Singapore citizen children regardless of the main applicant's working status.

Preserving culture

PM Wong also announced that the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) will be easing restrictions for the use of Chinese dialects in pay television and movies.

From September 2026, films with full or majority dialect content will be allowed for screening in cinemas, with no limits to the number of screenings.

This will be allowed so as long as Mandarin subtitles are shown, and a Mandarin-dubbed version of the same film is made available.

At the same time, existing restrictions for dialect content on subscription television services will be removed.

Such restrictions include allowing only one dialect art-house movie per week, and restrictions on a percentage of dialect songs on a music channel.

Mandarin will continue to be the mainstay language for free-to-air Chinese TV and radio.

Social media restrictions

The Singapore Government will also consider additional restrictions on social media platforms if existing safeguards remain inadequate, PM Wong said.

Children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable as their brains are still developing, he said.

They are also more susceptible to social pressures and can be more easily hooked by features designed to keep users constantly engaged.

Currently, users generally have to be at least 13 years old to create an account on a social media platform.

However, PM Wong noted that enforcement is largely left to the platforms, which mostly rely on users to declare their own ages.

Growing bigger

The government is looking at merging several of the islands south of Jurong Island, including Semakau, Bukom, Sudong and “a few other smaller islands” into one mega Western Island.

PM Wong reflected on the history of land reclamation along Singapore’s outer islands, citing Jurong Island as an example.

“Today, Jurong Island is a global energy and chemicals hub. That investment has delivered lasting benefits for Singapore,” he explained.

The new merged island will support a “new generation of industries” and can accommodate “new power generation infrastructure”, he said.

Space will be made for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), which currently has an airstrip on Pulau Sudong.

He also reiterated plans to combine Sentosa and neighbouring Pulau Brani into “one integrated destination” as well as plans for Long Island along the East Coast.

PM Wong also announced that the government is studying the feasibility of building undersea tunnels to connect Tekong and the mainland in Singapore.

While the other outer islands, like Sentosa and the upcoming Long Island, may already enjoy seamless connection to the mainland, Tekong is “different”, he said.

PM Wong went on to note the past and present modes of transport for SAF recruits to Tekong, with recruits travelling with Ramp Powered Launches (RPLs) in the past and ferries currently.

“It will be a major undertaking. But if we can do it, it will bring our outer islands much closer to the rest of Singapore,” PM Wong commented.

“And one day, our recruits may have an even easier journey to Tekong”, he quipped.