A taxi hit the back of a traffic police patrol car on the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) towards Tuas on Aug. 4 at about 5:40pm.

A photo of the aftermath of the incident shared online showed the bonnet of the ComfortDelGro multi-purpose vehicle taxi badly damaged.

The Toyota Noah Hybrid six-seater's air bags also appeared to have been deployed.

On the other hand, the electric Polestar 2 expressway patrol car did not appear to have sustained any serious damage.

The taxi driver, a man, 45, and his passenger, a man, 37, were conveyed conscious to the hospital, police said.

Police investigations are ongoing.

A man who went swimming at Sentosa's Palawan Beach with five friends on the evening of Jul. 31 ended up drowning.

Shin Min Daily News reported that despite being rescued by his friends, his abdomen was swollen, and he was vomiting blood.

The man, who did not know how to swim, regained consciousness after beach staff provided him with oxygen, and he was sent to the hospital.

Struggling in water

Among the group of six, 25-year-old Mou Hao (transliterated) told Shin Min that five of them were on the shore that day.

They then turned and realised that the friend who couldn't swim was somehow in deep water, with only half his head visible above the surface.

"My head went blank for a second, and without thinking, I jumped into the sea to save [him]," Mou Hao said.

Noting that his friend grabbed him tightly in panic, Mou Hao added that this caused them to sink more.

He also choked on water several times, Shin Min reported.

Pulled ashore

It was only when his friend lost consciousness and stopped struggling that Mou Hao could drag him to shore.

With the help of their other friends, they pulled him onto the beach.

After being pulled ashore, he kept vomiting blood, with his abdomen being visibly swollen, Shin Min reported.

His breathing was also very weak when he lay on the beach.

Mou Hao then performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and artificial respiration on him.

He said: "I could smell the blood and vomit in his mouth. He gagged with every breath, but no matter how hard I tried, he didn’t respond."

Sent to hospital

Beach staff arrived shortly after and provided the man with oxygen.

His fingers began to move and he regained consciousness after some first aid.

However, he was still disoriented.

Responding to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call for assistance along Tanjong Beach Walk at about 6:45pm on Jul. 31.

SCDF conveyed one person to Singapore General Hospital.

Mou Hao told Shin Min that the doctor later explained that the X-ray showed his friend had a large amount of water in his lungs.

This caused him lung damage and made him cough up blood.

Called mother and cried

Throughout the ordeal, Mou Hao had been fighting back his emotions, but finally burst into tears when he called his mother at the hospital, he told Shin Min.

He said he felt powerless as his friend kept struggling and pulling him into the water.

"Every time I recall the feeling of myself continuously choking on water, I still feel very scared and at the time, I thought I was going to die there."

After learning of the incident, his mother praised him for his bravery, but expressed concern at such risks.

Assess own abilities before rescuing others

Speaking to Shin Min, a lifeguard with about 30 years of experience said members of the public should assess their own abilities before rescuing someone else.

If not, not only would they be unable to rescue the other person, they may also be dragged in the water by the weaker swimmer.

The lifeguard explained that weaker swimmers tend to grab those around them when they panic in the water.

Even a 10-year-old child could drag an adult in the water, he said.

He also pointed out that the rescue done in the sea is different from that in swimming pools, as factors including the depth of the water, current, and weather changes could increase the risk.

As such, one should not enter the water empty-handed, but first call out to the individual and use lifebuoys or other equipment to assist in the rescue.

The police will be charging a 27-year-old man in court on Aug. 7, 2026, for insulting the religion of another person.

On Mar. 1, 2026, the police received a report concerning the man, who had uploaded videos of himself on social media in which he made insulting and profane remarks against the Muslim community in Singapore.

Officers from Tanglin Police Division subsequently established the man’s identity.

However, he had already left Singapore before the police report was lodged.

With the assistance of the Royal Malaysia Police, the man was deported from Malaysia on Aug. 6 and was arrested by the police upon his arrival in Singapore on the same day.

The man will be charged in court on Aug. 7 with the offence of insulting the religion of another person under the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990.

The offence carries a jail term of up to five years, or a fine, or both.

The man is also assisting in police investigations into a separate incident involving a video that was circulating on social media, which shows a man stepping on the Quran.

The video is believed to have been filmed on a public bus in Singapore.

On Mar. 7, 2026, the police issued five Disabling Directions under the Online Criminal Harms Act 2023 to Meta to disable access to the offending content by end-users in Singapore.

The police said they take a serious view of acts that threaten racial and religious harmony in Singapore.

Any person who makes remarks or acts in a manner that can cause enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between the different racial or religious groups in Singapore will be dealt with swiftly and firmly in accordance with the law.

“Every time I look at you I don’t understand

Why you let the things you did get so out of hand

You’d have managed better if you had it planned

Now why’d you choose such a backward time in such a strange land?”

These lines are sung by the actor portraying a pivotal role in the cultural and artistic phenomenon, the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar (JCS)”.

But instead of being sung by Jesus, who is more of an enigmatic figure in the musical, they are given to Judas Iscariot, with the musical presented through his perspective. .

A rogue so vilified throughout the centuries that his name has become synonymous with betrayal, in JCS, Judas is re-imagined as a man struggling with the growing popularity of his friend and leader Jesus in the Roman territory of Judaea.

A game-changer

JCS burst onto the scene in the 1970s as a concept album and then a full-blown rock opera, taking inspiration from the New Testament of the Bible, specifically the first Four Gospels.

Written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, this alternative interpretation allows the time-honoured story of Jesus’s life to be viewed through a new lens.

As the musical moves from milestone to milestone in the final week of the life of the Messiah, it is the motivations and inner feelings of the characters that make the story feel different.

Mary Magdalene is portrayed as a former sex worker (historically doubtful) who is genuinely in love with Jesus. Pontius Pilate is depicted as a harried government official who does not want to sentence Jesus to death, but is swayed by the angry mob.

The Disciples get less focus, and a less flattering portrayal than they are remembered in posterity. Jesus himself has a powerful, moving song in “Gethsemane”, where he expresses his exhaustion, fear and doubt about his trials and ordained role in God’s plan.

As for Judas, instead of a stereotypical cartoon villain, he is portrayed as someone beset by genuine concern that Jesus’s movement would attract the attention of the ruling Roman regime, and result in bloody backlash against his people.

The musical boasts a stunning range of performances, from Judas’s dark musings in “Heaven on Their Minds”, Mary’s soulful vocals in “Everything’s Alright”, Jesus’s heavy metal wail in “Gethsemane” and even King Herod’s comical, jaunty little number in his self-titled song.

The growing conflict between Judas and Jesus is its heart; stripped bare of its religious and cultural links, it becomes a story that anyone can find familiar.

Haven’t you had a strong, principled disagreement with someone you considered a friend? What would you do if your friend continued on a path you considered reckless, causing danger not just to others, but to himself?

Judas’s betrayal sets the climax of the musical into motion. Both Judas and Pilate are bewildered at Jesus’s serene acceptance of his own death, which marks the end of the tale.

It is a story told countless times before, but somehow leaving you with more questions than before you sat down.

Musical mavens

Regardless of the subject matter, JCS is an immensely catchy musical production in its own right.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s partnership is legendary in the musical world, responsible for blockbuster hits like “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Evita” and the 2011 stage adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz.”

For the Singaporean production, I am thrilled to see that local talents Tabitha Nauser and Frances Lee will share the role of Mary Magdalene, who gets ample opportunity to shine in the musical.

I can already see the audience tearing up during the heart-rending ballad “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, arguably Mary’s best moment in the entire production.

History and controversy

JCS broke new ground in the 1970s, following a decade of counterculture hits of the stage which in turn followed simple, straightforward love stories of the 1950s.

No discussion of JCS is complete without addressing the controversy surrounding its religious elements and departure from the traditional interpretation of the Gospels.

Religion is of course a very sensitive topic, particularly in Singapore, where religious harmony is protected by the law. Back in 1974, Singapore’s Board of Film Censors banned the 1973 film version of JCS, stating that it “distorts the history of Christianity and is objectionable to followers of the faith.”

The 1973 film is noted for its particularly provocative imagery, with King Herod and the high priests performing shirtless and the setting of what appears to be a bunch of hippies staging a play in the middle of Israel and the occupied West Bank, including the Negev Desert, Avdat, Beit Guvrin’s Bell Caves, Beit She’an, the Dead Sea area, Herodium, and similar sites.

But the film was rated G (for general audiences) in America at the time. Following appeals, the movie was approved for screening in Singapore later that same year.

Several decades later, a new generation of Singaporean audiences will get the opportunity to watch the production. Instead of an automatic ban, the musical was given an Advisory 16 rating by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) out of religious sensitivities.

An artistic work

In its statement, IMDA noted that the musical does not purport to be a religious or doctrinal account, and audiences should keep this context in mind if they view the show.

The National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) also issued a statement, noting that the musical is an artistic interpretation of the final week of Jesus’s life, but leaves out key tenets of the Christian faith such as the Resurrection and Jesus’s divinity.

“Christians have diverse views about Jesus Christ Superstar. Some Christians regard its portrayal of Jesus as not only incomplete but also theologically problematic. Others have even taken offense because, in their view, the musical has blasphemously distorted the true identity of Jesus Christ.

However, there are still others who view the musical as an artistic work that provides opportunities for reflection, conversation, and even witness concerning the person and work of Christ.”

NCCS went on to say that it respects the decision of those who view the musical as deeply offensive to abstain from watching it, while encouraging those who wish to attend to engage with it in a critical and prayerful manner. Either way, it encouraged Christians to express their convictions about the musical responsibly.

The enduring popularity of JCS

Although not a Christian myself, I understand and sympathise with those who feel that any adaptation of the Bible, regardless of intent or content, is wrong.

But for those who are curious and wish to check out the production, whether they are Christian or not, I do believe the musical has immense artistic merit.

For me at least, it makes me reflect on the trials that Jesus and his followers went through, connecting it to the struggles of oppressed people in the present world, in many different countries.

It makes me question myself, if I was placed in a similar situation. How would I react? Would my inner convictions waver, or endure?

This is why I feel JCS has remained enduringly popular for more than 50 years since its debut. Its inspiration is timeless, but the questions it poses are universal, with any viewer able to appreciate the work regardless of their background.

Perhaps that’s why the production has been continually adapted over the years, updating the costumes and settings for modern times, and getting some genuinely big names like John Legend, Sara Bareilles and Alice Cooper for the 2018 production of JCS on Easter Sunday, Apr. 1, 2018.

I’m thankful to all who have helped in some way to bring the musical to Singapore, while also doing their best to respect the religious sensitivities and concerns involved.

I’ll be first in line at the ticketing booth, ready to be transported to a different time and place, but with all the challenges that persist in the modern day.

If you’d like to purchase your tickets, you can buy them either from Marina Bay Sands Ticketing or SISTIC.

The musical runs from Aug. 19 to Sep. 6, 2026 at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands. Tickets are going for S$68 to S$208.

This branded article is brought to you by Base Entertainment Asia.

"Trace Project", an AI-generated sci-fi feature film, will premiere on Aug. 9, 2026.

This is the movie’s only scheduled public screening in Singapore.

It will be screened at Golden Village Cinema Hall 4 at VivoCity at 2pm.

A trailer of the film:

Hype?

According to Golden Village’s website, the movie’s run time is a mere 64 minutes.

As of writing, more than half of the seats in the cinema appear to be occupied.

The movie’s synopsis is as follows:

“In the late 2030s, as Earth's ecosystem continues to collapse, humanity launches the Mars Footprints Program, sending astronauts from every nation to establish a new civilization on Mars. Lin Jia Jun, an ordinary young man raised in Singapore's public housing, becomes the country's first astronaut to set foot on Mars. Through a cognitive brain-link, he shares every emotion in real time with his companion, Chen Hui Min, who remains on Earth. As the mission unfolds, Lin discovers that Mars is far from the promised land—it is a brutal test of resources, survival, and human nature. Meanwhile, Hui Min quietly watches over him from Earth. As ideals collide with reality and national duty conflicts with the longing to return home, Lin must confront one ultimate question: Is humanity's future found in escaping Earth, or in learning to protect the home we already have?”

Novel

Pax Chen, the founder and CEO of FizzDragon, the production company behind "Trace Project", told Mothership that the concept of the film began from a novel she “personally” wrote.

Drawing from her academic background in electrical engineering, which she studied at the National University of Singapore (NUS), she said she “always had a strong interest in space, aerospace and scientific research”.

“At one point in my life, I wanted to pursue aerospace engineering and scientific research myself,” she said.

Chen later began writing science fiction.

“I realised that the story was not really about space. It was about ambition, possibility and the distance between the future we imagine and the reality we live in,” she said.

Referring to the movie’s protagonist, who dreams of becoming an astronaut, she said this “represents something larger” and has parallels with Singapore.

“Singapore is a small country, but it has always had a remarkable ability to think beyond its physical limitations. Much of Singapore's history is about taking something that initially seemed unlikely and asking whether it could become possible,” she added.

The protagonist's dreams then became the “emotional foundation” of the "Trace Project" plot, Chen added.

National Day premiere

According to Chen, the movie’s premiere on National Day was a suggestion from a senior figure at the Singapore Film Society.

“We felt that National Day was an appropriate moment to present a fictional perspective on Singapore's future,” she said.

Chen said many stories about Singapore revolved around its history.

However, the production team wanted to explore a different “frontier” with its plotline centring around the planet Mars.

“Mars is not simply a destination in the story. It represents the next frontier, and, metaphorically, the willingness to imagine a future that does not exist yet,” she said.

Production

The production of the film was also “part of the story itself”, Chen said.

FizzDragon’s previous feature film, "Pirate Queen: Zheng Yi Sao", involved a team of more than 130 creators from 13 countries.

However, for "Trace Project", FizzDragon worked with a smaller team of about 10 people across three countries.

The move was made to enable a “global creator ecosystem”, where writers, artists, filmmakers and creators from different countries could develop their own intellectual property and use AI as part of the creative process, she said.

“It is also a real-world experiment about whether a small team, using a new generation of creative technology, can reach beyond the limitations that traditionally determine what stories get made,” Chen said.

“That is why the film is particularly meaningful to me,” she added.

AI slop?

During its marketing phase, the movie has received negative comments online, with some labelling it as “AI slop” and criticising the local film industry.

Addressing the criticism, Chen said “every new product inevitably faces criticism”.

“It is measured against the yardsticks of the old,” she added.

Drawing from an analogy on the development of the automobile being initially “slower than horse-drawn carriages”, she argued that AI offered greater opportunities and “freed the coachman's hands”.

“Those who dismiss AI as ‘slop’ might do well to look at the scale of the AI creative economy worldwide today, the jobs it has generated and the opportunities it has unlocked,” she said.

Chen further argued that AI has the potential to reshape society just like the automobile.

“People began to learn, to engage with different cultures, roads were paved for cars, and trade flourished. All of this began with the automobile,” she said.

“That is precisely why FizzDragon is building the next-generation infrastructure for creators, not fortifying stables, coachmen, or those who simply love riding horses,” Chen added.

Availability

Following the movie’s premiere, the film will be available on the FizzDragon App, which is available on the App Store.

Audiences can discover other original content created using FizzDragon systems.

The production company is also working on the film's international distribution.

Distribution has been confirmed across platforms and markets in countries, such as Malaysia and the United States, FizzDragon said in response to media queries.

Further international releases will follow.

“For us, "Trace Project" is therefore not simply a one-night National Day film screening. It is the first step in taking a Singapore-originated, AI-generated story from a local audience to a global audience,” Chen said.

As someone approaching their 40s, also known as an “OG Millennial”, I’m at that delicate age where you don’t really want to reveal it to strangers, but you can look at your CPF accounts and go “whoa, that’s pretty impressive."

But retirement age is not as distant as it once seemed, and while that pile of money looks good now, what will it look like in the future? Would it really be enough to sustain my retirement needs?

As something of a casual investor, which means I’m signed up to a plan where I put in some money every month but otherwise don’t think about it, I have been looking for ways to diversify my investment options.

The answer may lie in examining all your options, including an investment stream you may not have first considered - your CPF savings.

Why consider investing your CPF savings?

Even if you don’t actively invest, your CPF savings do not sit idle.

Every year, they grow steadily with risk-free interest rates. The Ordinary Account (OA) earns 2.5 per cent per annum, while the Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts earn four per cent per annum.

If you are below 55 years old, you could earn up to five per cent per annum on the first S$60,000 of combined CPF balances, capped at S$20,000 for the OA.

For those aged 55 and above, they can earn up to six per cent on the first S$30,000, and up to five per cent per annum on the next $30,000 of combined CPF balances (capped at S$20,000 for the OA).

What this means is that CPF already gives you a strong “base return” that is stable, guaranteed, and works quietly in the background, even when markets move up and down.

From there, the next consideration for some is not replacing this foundation but building on it.

If they are willing to take some risk, this could include exploring additional ways to grow their CPF savings that may potentially exceed CPF interest rates over the long term, and ultimately gain greater financial security in retirement.

What is the CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS)?

Under the CPFIS, Singaporeans have the opportunity to invest their CPF savings in various instruments such as bonds, unit trusts, exchange-traded funds, gold, insurance products, and shares.

This option may be worth exploring if you are someone who is willing to take on some risk for potentially higher returns, have the financial expertise to evaluate and select investment products, and prefer to actively manage your own portfolio.

One must meet certain eligibility requirements before they can participate.

But what if you don’t fit the above description?

Of course, some of us may either not have that expertise or might not be so keen to dip their toes into the waters of financial investments.

And even if some of us are open to the idea of investing, we may not have the time to keep up with how our investments are doing, or the confidence to navigate the range of products available.

That’s where the new investment scheme comes in.

In his Budget 2026 speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the CPF Board will introduce it in 2028.

This new scheme caters to those who are prepared to invest for the long term, but may have less expertise in navigating investment products, or who prefer not to actively manage their investments. As with CPFIS, participation will be voluntary.

What would the new scheme look like?

The new scheme will incorporate three key features to help manage risk and simplify the investment experience:

1. Automatic age-based rebalancing of investment portfolio mix, with phased liquidation.

Simply put, your portfolio follows a glidepath, automatically shifting from higher-risk assets (like equities) to lower-risk assets (like bonds) as you age, before being liquidated in phases by a target date.

This calibrates the level of investment risk you are exposed to at different stages of life, and helps mitigate the risk of a market downturn at the point of exit.

Upon phased liquidation, investment sale proceeds will be transferred to the member’s CPF accounts

The funds in the Retirement Account can then be used to boost a member’s CPF LIFE monthly payout anytime they decide to start their monthly payouts from age 65.

2. Simplified choice

To simplify decision-making, the CPF Board will select two or three reputable product providers for investors to choose from. These selected providers are expected to be announced in the first half of 2027.

3. Low fees

All-in fees will be capped to minimise costs and allow investors to retain and benefit from more of their investment returns.

Which is the right approach to growing your CPF savings?

So to sum it up, you will soon have an additional option when it comes to growing your CPF savings:

1. Keep savings in CPF

CPF members who don’t want to take any risk with their CPF savings can let it earn risk–free interest. They may also consider making cash top-ups to their CPF accounts, or transferring OA savings to their Special Account to help boost their CPF LIFE monthly payouts in retirement.

2. New investment scheme

Singaporeans who want to invest over the long term but are not sure how to go about it, or prefer not to actively manage their investments. The new scheme will provide simplified, low-cost and diversified investment options.

3. CPFIS

Singaporeans who are financially savvy and confident in managing their own portfolio can choose their own investments within the existing CPFIS.

Do note that the CPF Board specifically does not endorse any product providers or investment products included under the CPFIS or the new scheme.

So, should you invest?

Although some may wish to start investing, others may be very risk-averse and prefer not to do anything that might jeopardise the safety of their retirement nest egg.

That’s why it’s important to make these considerations before deciding to invest:

• Investment objectives – Why are you investing? What financial goals do you want your investment to achieve?
• Risk tolerance – All investments are subject to risk, i.e. the possibility of losing part or even all your investments due to financial market changes. How much risk are you comfortable with and can afford to take?
• Investment time horizon – How long will your assets be invested? Does it have enough runway to ride out market fluctuations?
• Your overall financial situation – How much money can you set aside for investment over your investment time horizon, after factoring in your financial commitments (such as housing mortgage) and lifestyle expenditure?

At the end of the day, investing is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour.

It all depends on one’s individual circumstances, and priorities. For instance, as someone without a family to support, I can afford to take a little more risk and invest more to hopefully maximise my returns for my retirement years.

I don’t plan on buying a car, but I do value a good holiday overseas. Knowing what you can afford and what you can’t live without will set you in good stead to make a retirement plan that works best for you.

While the prospect of growing your savings sounds attractive in this era of rising costs, it is important to approach investment decisions with a sound understanding of your own financial situation, knowing what you are investing in and your appetite to take risks.

With the right understanding and preparation, investing your CPF savings can be a suitable strategy for some of us.

While the monies remaining in your CPF account continue to earn risk-free interest – growing them further could bring you closer to the financial security and freedom you are working towards.

This branded article is brought to you by the CPF Board.

Miss Universe Singapore 2025 winner Annika Xue Sager took to Instagram on Aug. 5 to appeal for help to find her lost bag.

This was after she spent 48 hours tracking her belongings across Singapore via the Apple Find My app as her Apple AirPods were in the bag.

Bag fell off

The 26-year-old said her bag was mounted on the side of her motorcycle, but it fell off at around 7am on Aug. 3 along Swiss Club Road while on her way to work.

She discovered her bag was gone when she reached her destination in the vicinity of Swiss Club Road.

She went to the spot where the AirPods were last located less than five minutes later.

But the bag was gone.

The bag contained her credit and debit cards, identity card, driver’s licence, spectacles, another set of keys to her other motorcycle, speakers, and makeup, as well as other items.

Bag picked up by black car

According to a security guard in the area, a black car was seen picking up the bag, Sager said.

She asked to review the surveillance footage from the guard house, but her request was denied.

So, she continued to track her bag via her AirPods.

Wild goose chase

Over the next 48 hours, Sager tracked her AirPods and found that it was on the move.

The location tracking showed it went to Changi Airport, Pullman Hotel Hill Street, St Joseph’s Institution and many other locations, she said.

She theorised that the driver could be a private-hire vehicle driver.

Tracked to Bukit Panjang

On Aug. 4, she tracked the AirPods to a car park near Block 146 Gangsa Road in Bukit Panjang.

She said: “I found a car parked exactly where Find My was indicating. I can’t say for certain that this is the correct vehicle because location tracking isn’t always perfect, but I was standing almost directly above the signal, and this was the only black car that it was showing.”

The driver was not at the car and Sager returned later in the evening.

The location then shifted to a block of flats.

Sager said she "went up and down all nine floors trying to reconnect to the AirPods to narrow down which unit they were in, but I could not get a precise enough signal".

All this was occurring as Sager was aware that any effort to track her AirPods could end the moment the battery in her earpieces died.

Police report

Sager revealed that she had made a police report within an hour of her bag going missing and was assigned an investigating officer.

She said in her video: "I just hope that my case can be looked into with some urgency."

She also said she hoped that the person who found the bag would return it since it had already been two days.

"I’m just asking for it to be returned, no questions asked," she said.

Sager said she went back to Bukit Panjang at 4am, but the car was on the move again.

“The driver’s schedule seems quite unpredictable, and because I don’t know who they are or how they might react, I’m a bit apprehensive about waiting around to confront them myself. Might reconsider and go down with some ‘backup’," she said.

“For now, I’m just hoping the video reaches the right person or helps in recovering my belongings. Thank you again for all your support, it really does give me hope.”

Her video was watched 148,000 times in a day.

Police find and return bag with cash missing

In a video update on Aug. 6, Sager said the police recovered her bag and items inside.

However, the cash in her wallet, which amounted to less than S$100, was missing, she told Mothership.

She said: "At around 8pm yesterday, my investigating officer called to tell me they had found my bag."

"A little while later, two officers came to my home, took my statement, and we went through all of my belongings together to make sure everything was accounted for," she added.

"Thankfully, almost everything was returned. The only thing missing was some cash from my wallet."

Sager said in her follow-up video that the person holding on to her bag was apparently “busy” and had tried to hand it over to a police station, but found that it was not an “active station”.

She added that she was not sure how the police found her bag, but she was “relieved” to have her items back and thanked those who helped her.

"I just want to say a huge 'thank you' to the Singapore Police Force for recovering my belongings, and to every single person who watched, shared, commented, and reached out after my first video. The support was far greater than I ever expected, and I’m incredibly grateful," she told Mothership.

Malaysian hip-hop artist and composer Wee Meng Chee, better known by his stage name Namewee, paid tribute to his late uncle in a video posted on Aug. 5.

According to Namewee, his late uncle died alone in his HDB flat in Singapore a few months ago.

Namewee also dedicated the video to "every friend who works hard in Singapore", hoping that people would remember that Singapore’s achievements today belong not only to the “great men”, but also to every “nameless hero” who has contributed quietly to the country.

Turned 66 this year

According to the video, Namewee's second maternal uncle, the late Ong Kwang Boon, turned 66 this year.

Ong never married and had no children.

Namewee shared his uncle's motivation for moving to Singapore after graduating from high school in 1979, saying:

"He knew his family needed money. So he chose to leave home alone, as if signing his life away, and gave his life to a machinery factory in Singapore. That work went on for more than 40 years, with money sent home every month to support his parents and help his siblings."

Namewee added: "Over those 40-plus years, he witnessed Singapore's rise and took part in its glory."

Namewee also recalled how his uncle would return to Malaysia during Chinese New Year and other special occasions.

According to Namewee, the pair had a "secret code" of greeting each other by bumping their foreheads, as if to say, "Uncle is back."

Namewee also shared that he always looked forward to bumping foreheads with his uncle, despite seeing him only a few times a year.

Although he eventually retired, he still chose to remain in Singapore.

"He has devoted his entire life to Singapore,"said Namewee.

Boon reportedly died alone in his HDB flat in Singapore, with his body remaining undiscovered for more than a week.

This was until a neighbour noticed a foul smell and alerted the police.

"Quietly, as if he had never been gone," Namewee described his uncle's death.

Emigration

In the video, Namewee shed light on the experiences of not only his uncle, but also many Malaysians who uprooted their lives in search of opportunities in Singapore.

Namewee said:

"Like countless Malaysians striving for a living in Singapore, he worked quietly and quietly grew old. Like one small screw after another, building this city with their own lives.

Perhaps this is Malaysia's sorrow, but it is also Singapore's pride."

According to The Straits Times, more than 1.18 million Malaysians are estimated to work in Singapore, with around 300,000 and 400,000 making the daily commute across the Causeway.

In the video caption, Namewee wished Singapore a happy National Day and hoped the nation would continue to prosper.

He also hoped that people would remember the contributions of everyone who played a part in Singapore's rise:

"On behalf of my uncle, and every Malaysian who has worked and struggled in Singapore, I want to say Singapore's greatness today belongs not only to great men, but also to every nameless hero who left their youth here.

Uncle, your name, Ong Kwang Boon, will not be forgotten. I hope Singapore, too, will remember your contribution.

Happy 61st National Day, Singapore!"

Around Jul. 26, feeders discovered that a white community cat in Marsiling was covered in black oil on its body, with oil inside its ears and on its eyes.

Concerned that the cat might have been abused by someone, the feeders have urged the authorities to investigate, Shin Min Daily News reported.

The cat, nicknamed "Bai Bai" (Mandarin for "white"), is about 10 years old, said a 62-year-old cat feeder surnamed Chen (transliteration).

Chen lives in Ang Mo Kio, but for eight to nine years now, has been travelling by bus often to Marsiling Industrial Estate to feed the cats there.

She told Shin Min that when she saw Bai Bai near Marsiling Industrial Estate recently, it could not even open its eyes due to the black oil.

Bai Bai was crying and looked very afraid at the time, she said. It would not let Chen and a fellow elderly cat feeder get close to touch it.

Possibly abused

According to Chen, some people speculated that Bai Bai might have accidentally got itself covered in the oil.

Chen believes that that might be possible if the oil was only on the cat's body, but there was also oil in its eyes and ears.

"Cats are not stupid," she said, and this made her suspect that it was the act of an abuser.

She and the other feeder have reported the incident to the authorities, and are waiting for the results of their investigation, she said.

She hopes that the perpetrator will stop after they are caught.

"Even if they do not like cats, I hope they won't hurt them," Chen said. "These cats were all abandoned by their owners. They are already so pitiful, and really do not deserve to be hurt again."

Receiving care

Chan and the other feeder raised some money and brought Bai Bai to see a vet, spending about S$1,095 on the medical fees.

After staying a night at the vet's, the cat appeared to be in better condition, though some black oil still remains on its body.

To prevent Bai Bai getting hurt again, Chan decided to bring it home to care for it.

According to her, there are currently 23 community cats at Marsiling industrial estate, though there used to be as many as 50.

Their numbers have gradually fallen due to dog bites and car accidents, she added.

Every month, she would spend about S$2,000 on food for these cats, and some more on their medical treatments.

Fortunately, other cat lovers have been donating canned food, and some have been willing to contribute towards the cats' medical bills.

A 28-year-old Singaporean woman was sentenced to 19 weeks and three days’ jail and fined S$5,000 after she facilitated the illegal smuggling of puppies into Singapore for sale on multiple occasions.

Ng Siew Teng faced 13 charges under the Animals and Birds Act.

She pleaded guilty to five charges and was sentenced on Aug. 5.

The rest of the charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Venture

In court documents seen by Mothership, in 2023, Ng and her husband, identified as Callurn Lim Yuan Jin, intended to bring in dogs from Malaysia to sell in Singapore.

Ng also had Lim’s friend, identified as Peh Jia Hao Bryan, help repost her TikTok stories advertising puppies for sale.

She instructed Lim that if interested buyers contacted him, he could quote a marked-up price, where the mark-up would be his commission.

In September 2023, the couple embarked on the venture and decided to bring in puppies from Malaysia to sell in Singapore to earn additional income.

The puppies were cheaper in Malaysia.

The couple started to look for puppy suppliers in Malaysia, and Ng eventually found a supplier through TikTok.

First batch

For the first batch of smuggled puppies, Ng purchased three golden retriever puppies at S$800 each from the supplier and collected them.

The puppies were kept in a plastic container, which was then placed in the boot of their car.

Ng then entered Singapore separately before Lim drove back to Singapore with the puppies.

The couple was aware that smuggling puppies was illegal and Lim did not want Ng to be implicated if he was caught.

After the puppies were smuggled in, Ng decided that none of the puppies was suitable for her as a pet.

She then decided to advertise the puppies for sale online through her Instagram account, created to market and sell the animals.

They sold the three puppies at about S$2,500 each and earned a profit of S$5,100.

The couple continued this illicit venture as they observed a high profit yield from the sales and were motivated by the financial gain.

Modus operandi

In October 2023, Lim approached Peh and asked him if he was interested in bringing in puppies from Malaysia.

Lim told Peh that he would pay him a fee of between S$250 and S$300 per animal depending on its size.

Peh agreed to the arrangement.

The modus operandi for the importations was similar in nature, where Ng would contact Malaysian sellers to check for availability of puppies before placing orders at an agreed price.

She would then confirm the delivery arrangements of the puppies to a rental apartment in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Lim would then inform Peh to meet him at the apartment.

The supplier would then hand over the puppies to Lim, who would then hand over the animals to Peh.

The animals would be placed into a plastic storage container, which Ng purchased, in the trunk of the vehicle driven by Peh.

The trio would then leave the rental apartment separately and head to Singapore.

Peh would then be instructed to meet up with the couple in their residence in Singapore after entering the country.

The puppies would then be handed to them at a garbage collection point.

Peh carried out several importations for the couple in October 2023 using the same modus operandi.

For each successful smuggling, he would be paid between S$250 and S$300 per animal.

Five puppies

On Dec. 26, 2023, Ng was contacted by the Malaysian seller to arrange for the delivery of five puppies from Malaysia into Singapore.

The Malaysian seller would pay S$800 to Ng for each puppy that she imported.

On the same day, Lim contacted Peh, who was already in Malaysia on the previous day for a social purpose, asking for his assistance to smuggle the five puppies along with duty-unpaid cigarettes.

The puppies and the cigarettes were intended to be delivered to the couple at their Singapore-registered address once Peh entered Singapore.

Both men agreed on a total delivery fee of S$1,650: S$400 for the importation of cigarettes and S$250 for the importation of each animal.

On the same day, an unknown Malaysian man delivered a German Shepherd dog to the rented apartment.

The initial plan was for the animal to be smuggled via Peh’s vehicle, and the couple would be paid S$1,000 if the importation was successful.

As the animal was too active, Lim decided that he should be importing it instead of Peh.

Peh would then import five other puppies.

The smuggling plan was later aborted as the animal was deemed too active, and it was returned to the Malaysian seller.

On Dec. 27, 2023, at about 2am, Peh and Lim met up despite having agreed to meet up earlier at 10pm on Dec. 26, 2023.

Ng, together with Lim, was also present at the rental apartment to receive the puppies and await Peh’s arrival.

An unknown Malaysian man then arrived with the five Pomeranian puppies in a black cage and handed the animals to the trio.

They then loaded the animals into the vehicle.

Two of the animals were placed in a pet carrier while the other animals were placed into a plastic storage container lined with some towels.

Ng then left for Singapore with a friend, leaving behind Lim and Peh.

However, she returned to Malaysia soon after being informed by Lim that the German Shepherd would be returned to the Malaysian seller.

Ng then returned to Singapore with Lim to wait for Peh to arrive with the puppies.

Investigations revealed that Ng initially returned to Singapore with a friend as she would not ride in a vehicle carrying any illicitly imported animals.

At about 5:05am, Peh was about to enter Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint when he was stopped by an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer for a random check.

Sales

During the couple’s stint between October and December 2023, they would keep the illicitly imported puppies in their residence located at Hougang,

They would also hold viewings of the animals at the void deck of their residence for prospective customers.

When a puppy is sold through the Instagram account, the customer would then collect the animal from the couple.

Ng sold 21 puppies through the platform and earned profits of about S$21,000.

She made S$1,000 in profit for each puppy sold.

Unnecessary suffering

According to an Animal Health and Welfare Assessment Report, the animals experienced unnecessary suffering, which would be exacerbated by their young age.

The plastic storage container used to transport the puppies did not meet regulations.

The animals placed in the container would have their movements restricted and would not be able to adopt their natural positions.

There was insufficient ventilation from the manner in which they were stored, and the situation was exacerbated by the cramped conditions.

All the puppies also tested positive for canine parvovirus.

These viruses typically cause anorexia, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea, resulting in rapid dehydration, sepsis and ultimately, death.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, Peh pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 weeks’ jail.

Lim's case is still pending.