Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg Melbourne is set to end its marathon lockdown at midnight on Thursday (Oct. 21) as the Australian city looks on track to reach its 70 per cent vaccination target. According to Reuters , the city's population of 5 million people have seen six lockdowns — totalling 262 days — since March 2020. The nearly nine-month stay-at-home mandate was reported by media as being the "longest in the world". New freedoms Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the easing of the state's Covid-19 measures on Oct. 17, adding that Victoria was projected to pass 90 per cent first dose vaccinations on Monday or Tuesday (Oct. 18 or 19). "[That] is a mighty effort, and something that makes us very, very proud," he was quoted by The Age as saying. The end of the lockdown will come five days earlier than previously planned reported The Guardian . It will see Victorians allowed to leave their homes ... » Learn More about Melbourne ending ‘world’s longest lockdown’ as it hits 70% vaxxed rate
Shrew hunts down cockroach & bites its head off in brightly lit enclosed area in S’pore
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg A shrew was seen chasing a cockroach down and eating it in an urban area in Singapore. Two photos of the rodent helping to get rid of a common household pest was put up on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group on Oct. 15. According to the post, the shrew only caught the cockroach after a long chase around the lift lobby. The person who witnessed what happened had to stop a passerby from getting in the way and letting nature take its course. The post's caption said in the end the shrew managed to catch hold of the cockroach and promptly chewed its head off. Such photos showing a shrew in a well-lit enclosed area are quite rare, as these rodents tend to remain outdoors and move about mostly in the dark. Not a rat Shrews are not rats. The insectivore can be differentiated from a rat by its pointed snout, its shorter thicker tail, and smaller eyes. Unlike rats, ... » Learn More about Shrew hunts down cockroach & bites its head off in brightly lit enclosed area in S’pore
Chucky dog costume threatens to make your dog too cute this Halloween
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg Halloween is about two weeks away. Here are some costume ideas, besides the inevitable Squid Game -related ones that will dominate the market. Chucky-inspired dog costume A Chucky-themed costume for dogs is available on Shopee. The costume includes the iconic ginger hairdo, blood-stained (foam) knife, along with the iconic striped shirt and denim overalls. The knife is attached to a stuffed arm, that flails adorably as your furkid walks menacingly towards you. The overall is even emblazoned with the words "Good Dogs", which is, obviously a reference to Chucky's overalls. One seller retails it from about S$15.84 to S$16.95, depending on the size chosen. Another seller on Shopee retails it from S$7.85 to S$11.33. Demon Slayer costumes for pets If horror isn't your thing, maybe you might fancy Demon Slayer themed pet costumes instead, which is selling for ... » Learn More about Chucky dog costume threatens to make your dog too cute this Halloween
A country-by-country guide to S’pore’s new Vaccinated Travel Lanes
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg Leisure travel appears to be making a comeback in Singapore, with Singapore announcing nine new Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) last week. With so much excitement over the new VTLs, there are a corresponding number of questions regarding how VTL travel actually works. From the number of swab tests required, to whether you need to wear a mask when you arrive at your destination, this is the comprehensive guide you need to read before you book your tickets. Where can you go? There are two countries that are currently part of Singapore's VTL scheme. Brunei Germany However, anyone without Bruneian citizenship/permanent resident status is still unable to travel freely to Brunei — the Bruneian government is not allowing foreign visitors until further notice. This means that for now, the only country that allows two-way quarantine-free travel is Germany. From Oct. 19, ... » Learn More about A country-by-country guide to S’pore’s new Vaccinated Travel Lanes
Mandarin duck returns to Hougang canal without colourful feathers, molts into non-showy plumage
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg A colourful and super attractive mandarin duck showed up in a canal in Hougang in June 2021 and caused a spectacle . Its mere presence in an urban environment in suburban Singapore attracted dozens of photographers and bird watchers who camped out night and day to catch a glimpse of the fancy bird. Mandarin duck back, less fancy And it appears that the mandarin duck has come back to Hougang -- albeit looking less fancy. Photos put up on the Bird Sightings Facebook group on Oct. 17 showed the mandarin duck looking more drab, like its female counterpart, but otherwise, alive and well -- and still attracting onlookers. Photographers were seen staking out at the canal. The duck has lost its bright plumage in a process known as molting. From afar, the duck appeared to blend well into its concrete surroundings. Ducks molt All birds replace their feathers at least once a ... » Learn More about Mandarin duck returns to Hougang canal without colourful feathers, molts into non-showy plumage
Man, 36, uses fake Rolex as guarantee to ‘test ride’ e-scooter, steals it instead
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to six months' jail for stealing and attempting to steal e-scooters from three Carousell sellers on three separate occasions, Shin Min Daily News reported. The perpetrator reportedly told the sellers that he wanted to test the e-scooters and was willing to let the seller hold on to his "Rolex watch" as assurance, which he claimed was worth S$13,800. The Rolex turned out to be a fake, and the perpetrator did not return to deal with the sellers after his "test ride". The three sellers involved in the case are aged 16, 17, and 19 respectively. How it happened On Jan. 19, the perpetrator approached one of the sellers and expressed his intention to purchase the e-scooter that was listed for S$3,000 on Carousell, according to Shin Min . The seller then asked his 16-year-old friend to help him complete the deal, as the seller could not leave his ... » Learn More about Man, 36, uses fake Rolex as guarantee to ‘test ride’ e-scooter, steals it instead
S’pore TikTok community helps family find mother’s birthday balloons that flew away
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg A staple of any birthday celebration these days appears to be large foil balloons — which was exactly what TikTok user Phoebe Liew's family got for her mother. However, the celebrations were somewhat derailed when the balloons were seemingly pulled out of the house by a gust of wind. Flew out the window Finding the humour in the situation, Liew documented the rather unfortunate turn of events on her TiktTok account . Screenshots of messages showed how Liew's mother had been surprised with birthday decorations at her office — including the aforementioned foil balloons. After bringing them back from the office, security camera footage shows the balloons making an exit from the family home, moving slowly at first through the kitchen before flying out the window. Despite two members of the family making chase, the balloons were gone with the wind. TikTok users spot the ... » Learn More about S’pore TikTok community helps family find mother’s birthday balloons that flew away
3,058 new Covid-19 cases reported in S’pore, 9 deaths including a 100-year-old patient
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed 3,058 new Covid-19 cases in Singapore as of 12pm on Sunday (Oct. 17). This brings the total number of Covid-19 cases reported in Singapore to 148,178 . Nine more deaths Nine more people have passed away from complications due to Covid-19 infection. Of these, six were male Singaporeans and three were female Singaporeans, aged between 57 and 100 years old. Seven of them had been unvaccinated against Covid-19, and two had been vaccinated. Eight of them had various underlying medical conditions, while an unvaccinated case had no known medical conditions. Amongst those who have passed away over the last 28 days, 25.9 per cent were fully vaccinated and 74.1 per cent were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. In total, the death tally from complications due to Covid-19 infection in Singapore has reached 233. 2,454 community cases There are 2,454 ... » Learn More about 3,058 new Covid-19 cases reported in S’pore, 9 deaths including a 100-year-old patient
Badminton: S’porean Loh Kean Yew beats Indian Lakshya Sen in 36 minutes to win Dutch Open
Singaporean shuttler Loh Kean Yew beat top-seeded Indian Lakshya Sen in 36 minutes to win the Dutch Open singles title in Almere on Sunday, Oct. 17. Loh, 24, the second seed, finished the game with 21-12, 21-16 straight set wins and walked away with a €1,200 (S$1,900) cheque. This is his first international tournament in two years. Previously, Sen, 20 beat Loh in the second round of the 2019 China Masters. This is Loh's sixth international title, and his first since 2019. That year, he beat the legendary Lin Dan in the Thailand Masters final. Loh is ranked 41st in the world, while Sen is 25th. Not an easy victory Loh said: “It was not as easy as it looked, especially in the earlier rounds because I took time to get used to the environment and lighting." He explained that the seats and the shuttlecock were both white, but conditions got better when more fans showed up towards the end. He added that this victory is a "big motivation" and he wants "to gain ... » Learn More about Badminton: S’porean Loh Kean Yew beats Indian Lakshya Sen in 36 minutes to win Dutch Open
S’pore student, 20, thrilled to receive reply after randomly sending letter to Queen of UK
Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg On Sep. 13, 2021, a 20-year-old student in Singapore was bored enough to start crafting a dense, two-page letter... to the Queen of the United Kingdom. About one month later, he received a pleasant surprise in the form of a reply, which was signed off by Susan Hussey, the queen's lady-in-waiting. 82-year-old Hussey, who joined the royal household in 1960 to help in replying letters, is also known as the "Number One Head Girl". Got the idea scrolling Instagram Shah Iskandar told Mothership that he has always been "fascinated" with the British royals. While scrolling through Instagram on an idle day, the healthcare student in Republic Polytechnic (RP) came across posts from the royal family, and recalled the service where members of the public could write to them. "I thought to myself, how exciting would it to be able to talk to one of them," he said. The student added that he was not ... » Learn More about S’pore student, 20, thrilled to receive reply after randomly sending letter to Queen of UK