A 20-year-old woman is set to plead guilty on Sep. 14, 2026, for her alleged involvement in the sexual exploitation of minors.

The Straits Times reported that the woman was given five charges in total, which includes trafficking for the purpose of exploitation and the facilitation of commercial sexual services.

On Aug. 3, she told the court that she intends to admit to her offences and does not plan to engage a lawyer.

Gag order on woman

The woman is accused of exploiting two 16-year-old victims where she allegedly facilitated the provision of commercial sexual services and profited from such arrangements, according to ST.

She is accused of recruiting one of the victims for sexual exploitation, as well as knowingly living in part on the earnings of the other victim's prostitution.

According to ST, the woman also allegedly received S$1,435 in connection with the exploitation of a trafficked victim.

She cannot be identified due to a court-imposed gag order as naming her could lead to the identification of the victims.

ST reported that it was not stated how the woman and both victims are related.

8 men charged

She was among nine people who were charged in court on Aug. 3 for their suspected involvement in the sexual exploitation of minors.

Eight other men were each charged on Aug. 3 with obtaining commercial sex from one of the 16-year-old girls.

Their alleged offences took place in February 2024, ST reported.

They are Muhamad Haziq Bakatiar, 23, Irham Hussaini Mohamad Hussain, 24, Syahirul Daud Abdul Razak, 26, Muhammad Ameerulah Noor Mohamed, 27, Wilfred Ang Shui Lai, 34, Muhammad Ngasri Sengngari, 36, Muhammad 'Aizat Khalis Daud, 38, and Fazal Hanafi Abdul Hameed Chaudhry, 41.

Geylang Bahru

ST reported that Ang is accused of paying a victim S$100 to perform a sex act on him at a Geylang Bahru staircase landing.

'Aizat was charged over allegedly paying the victim S$150 to have sex with him in a Geylang Bahru parked car.

Fazal is accused of paying S$80 for a victim to perform a sex act on him at a Geylang Bahru staircase landing.

Alleged sex acts

ST reported that Haziq allegedly paid the victim S$50 to have sex with him at a Bedok North staircase landing.

Irham and Syahirul are each accused of paying the victim S$130 and S$30, respectively, to perform a sex act on them at the same staircase landing on different occasions.

Ameerulah allegedly paid a victim S$30 to have sex with him inside a van at a multi-storey car park.

Ngasri was given two charges after he allegedly paid a victim S$300 to have sex with him on two separate occasions.

One took place in a handicap toilet and the other occurred at a staircase landing.

An earlier report mentioned that following an investigation into the sexual exploitation of both minors, officers from the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department arrested the nine individuals.

Penalties

The police said on Aug. 2: "We take a serious view of offences involving the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and young persons.

"We will spare no effort to investigate and bring to justice those who recruit, exploit or profit from the exploitation of minors, as well as those who obtain the commercial sexual services of minors."

Both the charge of exploitation and the charge of knowingly receiving payments connected to a trafficked victim carries a fine of up to S$100,000, a jail term of up to 10 years, and up to six strokes of the cane.

In addition, under the Women's Charter, any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person shall be liable on conviction to a fine of up to S$100,000, and a jail term of up to seven years.

Under the penal code, any person who obtains, for consideration, the sexual services of a person below 18 years of age is liable on conviction to a jail term not exceeding seven years, a fine, or both.

As for the possession of obscene films, they are liable on conviction to a fine of up to S$20,000, a jail term not exceeding six months, or both.

An 80-year-old woman in China has allegedly been filling bottles with tap or river water and selling them as branded mineral water outside an animal park in Shanghai, China.

This has reportedly been going on for 30 years, Sin Chew Daily reported.

'Fake water' tasted strange

The incident was brought to light when one tourist spent 10 yuan (S$1.90) to buy two bottles of water from her on Jul. 29, China Press reported.

After drinking the water, the tourist found that it tasted strange and realised one bottle was labelled with the manufacturing date of September 2025 and the other being February 2024, according to setn.com.

The tourist suspected that the woman was selling "fake water".

Already exposed, hard to dissuade

Prior to this, several Chinese media outlets have exposed the woman's actions as early as September 2025, Sin Chew Daily reported.

At the time, the bottled water she sold allegedly contained cloudy liquid and sediment.

Following this, local law enforcement officers were said to have repeatedly advised the woman against doing so.

However, it was difficult for them to take coercive measures due to her age and the way she would supposedly "lie down on the ground" each time they tried to dissuade her.

Officials noted that they would contact the village where she lived and try to prevent similar situations from taking place again.

The yen has risen against the Singapore dollar after the United States stepped in to help prop up the Japanese currency on Jul. 30.

Compared to the rate of 126.7 yen per S$1 on Jul. 29, the yen surged to 122.7 per S$1 on Jul. 31, and further to 122.19 per S$1 on Aug. 3.

This coordinated intervention between the U.S. and Japan to prop up the yen was the first since 2011, when they acted to weaken a strong yen following a major tsunami in eastern Japan.

On Aug. 2, U.S. President Donald Trump described the move as "a signal of friendship" between the two countries.

"They have a weakening yen, and they wanted a little bit of help. And we’re always there for Japan," he said on board Air Force One, as quoted by CNN.

Weakening yen

The joint action "countered excessive volatility and disorderly movements in the Japanese yen in recent months", Japan’s Finance Minister Katayama Satsuki said in an Aug. 3 statement.

The yen had been depreciating in 2026 due to increasing energy costs arising from the Middle East conflict, as Japan relies heavily on imported energy, and because of its relatively low interest rates.

On Jun. 30, it hit a 40-year low against the U.S. dollar, and its weakest level against the Singapore dollar.

Pledging further support

The U.S. did not state how much yen they bought in this intervention, but a Reuters photo showed that a notepad in front of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a cabinet meeting on Jul. 30 read, "To Do: Buy Japanese Yen $5-10 bil".

Posting about the move on X on Aug. 3, Bessent committed that the U.S. "will not hesitate to participate in further joint intervention".

Trump said on Aug. 2 that supporting the yen would be "good for the world economy", adding that the U.S. would benefit financially from the move.

According to CNN, the U.S. has interests in shoring up the yen because a weaker U.S. dollar would make American exports more affordable for foreign consumers.

Wheelchair users and disability advocates have raised concerns over the "First to Board, First to Use" bus trial by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The trial runs from April to October 2026.

It allows 10 bus services to open their priority bays as shared spaces for wheelchair users, mobility aid users and parents travelling with children in strollers.

Disabled People's Association: "A wheelchair doesn't fold"

The Disabled People's Association (DPA) weighed in on the trial in an Instagram post on Jul. 26, drawing a stark distinction between strollers and wheelchairs.

DPA wrote: "A wheelchair doesn't fold. A stroller usually does. For wheelchair users, that bay isn't a preference — it's often the only way to travel accessibly and affordably."

It added: "Better bus designs can serve wheelchair users and parents with strollers. Removing an access need shouldn't be the trade-off."

The DPA also noted that wheelchair accessible vehicles were "scarcer, slower to book and far more expensive", hence for many wheelchair users, “the bay is not a seat preference, it is the only accessible and affordable way to get around”.

While extending empathy to parents with strollers, the association called for bus designs to incorporate flexible spaces for strollers, rather than removing existing accessibility features to solve what it described as a "comfort problem".

The DPA also pointed out that many wheelchair users only found out about the trial through social media, and urged authorities to consult affected groups before implementing the policies.

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Singer-songwriter Sky Shen speaks up

Local singer-songwriter Sky Shen also shared his concerns on Instagram.

He is a motorised wheelchair user with muscular dystrophy.

He said: "Public transport is a huge part of daily living, and is essential for many of us for getting around."

While acknowledging LTA's efforts to improve commuter quality of life, Shen said the trial would have real consequences for wheelchair users.

He said:

"The new policy will result in wheelchair-users being left behind at bus stops, waiting for extended periods of time, and significantly impacts our ability to participate in normal life — all for 'increased convenience' for passengers with strollers, who could have made space so that both parties could take the bus at the same time."

He added: "This conversation is a sensitive and important one, and one that we must engage in if we want to build a more inclusive home for all."

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LTA responds

In response to Mothership's queries, LTA said the trial came about after feedback from parents who struggled to fold a stroller while minding their children alone.

"The six-month 'First to Board, First to Use' trial was introduced to understand how such an approach could work to meet the needs of different commuter groups, including both wheelchair users and families with young children," LTA said.

LTA added that it has been working with various social service agencies, including SG Enable, Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA), and SPD, as well as the public transport operators, to enhance accessibility on public transport.

It plans to gather feedback, including from the DPA, to better understand their concerns and experiences and "to find a balanced way to move forward together".

LTA also said it has heard the concerns raised by wheelchair users about wheelchair bay usage, as well as the challenges that families with young children who use strollers face, so the trial's purpose is to recognise how different needs can be balanced in a way that is fair and practical.

"Based on our observations from the trial so far, we have not encountered conflicts between wheelchair users and families with strollers on the trial services," LTA said.

LTA said it will "consider all views received before deciding on the way forward".

A 56-year-old Singaporean motorcyclist was killed after he allagedly crashed into the rear of a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on the North-South Expressway near Kulai, Johor.

What happened

According to The Star, Kulai police said they were alerted to the incident at around 2:05pm on Aug. 2.

The accident reportedly occurred at 44.6km mark of the southbound carriageway.

At the time, the deceased was travelling south with two Malaysian motorcyclists, aged 39 and 57.

According to local police, the deceased lost control of his motorcycle before crashing into the rear of the MPV, which was driven by a 32-year-old Singaporean woman.

Videos circulating online

Videos of the aftermath of the incident have circulated online.

They showed a motorcyclist, still wearing a helmet, lying motionless on the road beside a motorcycle.

At least two other motorcycles could be seen at the scene.

The Singaporean rider was pronounced dead at the scene, The Star reported.

The 39-year-old Malaysian motorcyclist suffered a fractured right thigh, while the 57-year-old sustained minor injuries.

Both were taken to Kulai Hospital for treatment.

The case is being investigated.

Anyone with information is urged to contact investigating officer Inspector Mohd Ruslan Mohamed at +6013-3063710 or visit the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division at the Kulai district police headquarters.

A 39-year-old Malaysian pilot is facing the death penalty after being caught smuggling 26kg of the MDMA drug, commercially known as ecstasy, as well as methamphetamine, or ice, into Indonesia.

The 70,000 pills were flown in from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Jakarta, Indonesia on a Malaysia Airlines flight on Jul. 29, reported The Star and Malay Mail.

The man is currently being held in Jakarta to assist in investigations.

Suspicious bag

The pilot was arrested after custom officers in Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport detected suspicious images in a crew member's luggage during an X-ray scan.

Further checks revealed 14 packages containing 70,114 ecstasy pills and 2.7g of methamphetamine.

The man also tested positive for both drugs, as well as cocaine.

According to The Star, the suspect admitted to acting as a drug mule for an international drug syndicate believed to be operating between Malaysia and Indonesia.

He was also reportedly promised about RM50,000 (S$15,705) for the transportation of the drugs.

Investigations found that it was not the first time the man had been involved in drug smuggling activities.

He allegedly admitted to acting as a courier for the syndicate on three occasions, including delivering methamphetamine to Sabah, Malaysia and to Jakarta previously.

The Malaysian police said it is seeking CCTV footage at KL International Airport (KLIA) to determine if a drug syndicate had used flight crews and air route to carry out the operation, reported Malay Mail.

If convicted, the pilot may face the death penalty for drug trafficking.

A woman confronted a man on the MRT train on Aug. 2 who allegedly took photos of her grand-niece without consent.

Speaking to Mothership, Evelyn's 19-year-old grand-niece Alice (not her real name), visiting Singapore from Scandinavia, was taking the MRT along the North East Line with her family and relatives that evening to have dinner.

At about 7:10pm, Alice's younger sister "Carrie" saw Alice in a man's phone camera screen through the reflection in the train window.

She also noted the man's strange facial expressions and suggestive eyebrow-raising.

Confrontation

Evelyn said she stormed up to the man immediately when she found out.

Standing in front of him, she asked if he took a photo of Alice, pointing at her grand-niece behind her.

The man, who wore a black cap and red shirt, did not respond at all, she recalled. He lowered his head, then looked up again at Evelyn and her family.

"He looked guilty," she said.

As he looked quite fit and muscular, she did not want to start a violent confrontation, and walked away afterwards.

He quickly headed to the train doors and got off at the next stop, Serangoon.

Alice cried and broke down on the train, feeling that she was violated, according to Evelyn.

The rest of the family were stunned. Evelyn was the only Singaporean in the group of seven — the other family members were in Singapore on holiday from Australia and Scandinavia.

Reporting the incident

None of the other commuters in the train helped the family during the incident, according to Evelyn.

But someone suggested afterwards that they should report what happened to the MRT station control staff and make a police report.

When they spoke to the staff at Little India station, where they alighted, the staff similarly advised them to report the incident to the police.

However, the staff apparently told the family they would have to wait about four to five hours for the police to come, and they could not afford to wait that long due to their dinner plans.

Before the man had got off the train at Serangoon, one of the people in Evelyn's group snapped a photo of him, and the MRT station staff took a photo of this.

"We are not sure what they did with it, but our intention was for them to have a record and a photo at least, in the event someone else shares a similar incident," Evelyn told Mothership.

She asked the staff what they would do if her family had been able to bring the man to them, and they replied they would help to detain him until the police arrived.

The group eventually left the station without making a police report.

On Aug. 2, Evelyn told Mothership that the family was letting Alice's mother decide if she was comfortable about making a report as they would be leaving Singapore soon.

How to react?

Recounting the incident, Evelyn said that her family had been unsure how to react in such a situation.

She called for signs on MRT trains informing passengers what they should do when they encounter acts such as voyeurism.

"Sometimes we are too stunned and paralysed to act," she said.

She also wondered if it was legal to demand to see the alleged photos taken and force the man to delete them.

"Our concern is how often this man has taken photos of unsuspecting girls and women and maybe even used the photos in inappropriate settings and for nefarious purposes."

Chijmes' Dough cafe will be bidding its customers farewell after its last day on Aug. 16, 2026.

The cafe, which first opened in 2021, announced the closure via a Jul. 31 Instagram post.

Known for its specialty coffee and brunch menu items, Dough said "it is with heavy hearts to share that our journey at Chijmes will soon come to an end" after five years at its current space.

It stated that its last day of operations would be from 8:30am to 6:30pm on Aug. 16.

'Won't be gone too long'

The post noted, however, that the cafe would not be "gone too long" and asked customers to stay tuned as it shares future plans soon.

"To everyone who has come through our doors, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us," the post read.

It added: "We're grateful to have been part of your daily routines, a respite away from the hustle, or celebrations with your loved ones. These shared memories and conversations will always remain with us for years to come."

Competition awards

Prior to this, the cafe announced via a Jul. 22 Instagram post that its team had competed in the Singapore National Barista and Brewers' Cup Championships.

Among them, Gabriel Lim emerged as the champion of the Singapore National Barista Championship 2026.

Pua Yi Sin was the first runner-up of the Singapore National Brewers' Cup Championship 2026.

Responding to the cafe's closure notice, netizens expressed their disappointment and said they were anticipating its return.

Two Japanese store workers were killed in an explosion at a mall in Kumamoto, Japan, after being ordered to return to the building post-earthquake.

One of them had been instructed by the company's director to put their sales proceeds into the company's safe, Japanese media reported.

A probe is being conducted into the incident.

Incident

According to media reports, the two female employees from Habita, a general merchandise store on the second floor of Aeon Mall, Kumamoto Prefecture, had initially escaped the building.

They were among the 3,000 customers and 1,500 employees who evacuated the building after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the prefecture on Jul. 28, reported Chosun Daily.

However, one of the women, 22-year-old Otake Kurumi, received instructions from the company to re-enter the building to put the day's sales proceeds into the safe.

She related this to her aunt and cousin, who were also at the scene.

Five minutes after Otake and her co-worker reentered the building, the explosion occurred, killing them both.

Eight others also died and five people sustained minor injuries.

Company apologised

Habita executives attended Otake's wake, where they delivered a document summarising the sequence of events to Otake's family. 

They also bowed in apology.

Otake's mother was seen in tears, saying, "My daughter is not coming back".

A sales manager reflected on the incident, saying, "Looking back, the sales proceeds were not worth a human life".

The company's director was also quoted saying: "This is a matter of profound sorrow, and I offer my deepest apologies to the bereaved family."

A 40-year-old Chinese national was sentenced to two weeks' jail after she fought with her colleague at a Geylang Road massage place.

Charge sheets seen by Mothership stated that Wang Yuanhui threatened the other woman with a knife, which cut the victim when the conflict escalated.

Wang, who also bit the victim's arm, faced one count of violating the Protection from Harassment Act and one count of voluntarily causing hurt.

Argued over washing machine

At about 10:20pm on Feb. 1, Wang went to the back of the store to check the washing machine, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Noting that there were about 17 minutes left in the washing cycle, Wang reportedly put a used towel in the washing machine and left.

Soon after, her 30-year-old colleague Sun (transliterated) went to check the machine and found that it had apparently stopped working.

When Sun angrily questioned who had turned it off, Wang reportedly said she thought the washing cycle had ended.

However, Sun refused to accept her explanation as she believed Wang had interrupted the washing cycle without her permission.

Grabbed fruit knife, bit victim

Shin Min reported that a heated argument took place, during which Wang grabbed a 20cm-long fruit knife and pointed it at Sun.

The conflict escalated as Sun tried to grab the knife.

During the fight, the knife cut a 5cm long wound in Sun's right palm, which reportedly bled profusely.

Charge sheets stated that Wang also bit Sun's right arm, causing her to suffer 5cm bite marks over her right triceps region with skin bruising.

Hospital, arrested

Shin Min reported that other colleagues at the scene then separated the pair and called an ambulance.

Sun was sent to Changi General Hospital for treatment and Wang was arrested later that evening before being charged two days later.