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Ant shop in Singapore sells a handful of ants in a test-tube kit for about S$12 for ant hobbyists

While the average person will press their fingers against ants to get rid of them once they come to sight, a 41-year-old started an ant shop in Singapore. Just Ants is the name of the shop with about 30 to 35 species of ants.

“It started from a hobby, a small hobby,” Mr John Ye said. “And then when I actually learned more about ants, I was mind-blown. I ventured deeper and deeper. So I thought to myself, why not start an ant shop in Singapore?”

Prices

A starter test-tube kit with a handful of ants for a beginner ant hobbyist is priced at about S$12. For an established colony of 20 to 30 ants, it’s selling at S$20. While for rare ants, it can go for up to S$60.

The owner’s love for ants

Image Credits: CNA

Don’t underestimate Mr Ye’s love for ants. It is that which prompted him to quit his job of distributing wholesale electronics to set up his shop in early 2019.

He even has a poem written about ants that’s framed up in his shop. “Why keep ants they say. They are not entirely pests I say,” it read. “Ant keeping can be a joy. A lot more fun than that boring toy.”

Image Credits: CNA

“It’s very therapeutic. My favourite part about keeping ants will be just looking at them, gazing at them… It calms my mind after a hard day at work. They really soothe my stress,” said Mr Ye.

“They are so adorable crawling around, grooming themselves, it just tickles me. Doing their daily stuff, their strategies, the characteristics, how they organise themselves so uniquely,” he added.

His interest started randomly

“I was watching some videos online. In Singapore, it’s fairly new, but in Canada, the United States, it’s quite a hobby. So there’s a very popular ant channel in Canada – he’s also a comedian – Mikey Bustos.”

“He started the trend back then, and he did a storyline for each ant colony. So every time you will (be like) – wah, what’s the second episode like?”

The public’s reaction

“We have more curious people – not ant-keepers – but (they’re) curious as to what we are doing.”

“We even have an uncle (who started with us). He’s 79-years-old. He bought a few colonies and he said he will spend hours observing them, taking pictures… He’s very cute because he will keep asking me, ‘you have any new ants?’ I say, ‘no more, all you have already’,” Mr Ye said.

In fact, schools and the Singapore Science Centre have approached him to talk about ants.

But it’s not always a pretty picture for the ant lover. He was doubted by friends and relatives with many wondering if he was in the right state of mind. When he first started, his wife even threatened to spray his ants with Baygon if they escaped from their enclosures.

Passion over profits

Image Credits: CNA

“I know it will not be very profitable like a full-time job as in the workforce, but as time goes by, we thought of, well, passion would be ultimately over profit. Of course, we are not earning as much (as) back then in the workforce, but slowly we found really little happiness in what we’re doing,” he said.

Travel to Brunei: 5 top-rated Airbnb rentals from S$35 you can book for your upcoming trip

Unless you live in a cave or away from social media, it’s impossible to not know the updates to Singapore’s travel advisory. Yesterday (Aug 21), we wrote about how the current travel advisory to defer all travel abroad will be updated to allow general travel to Brunei and New Zealand.

But a spokesman for New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Saturday (Aug 22) that although it is aware of Singapore’s plans to ease travel restrictions for selected countries, it will not change its travel advisory to residents.

So, we are keeping our fingers crossed for Brunei. As we await good news from the authorities in Brunei, let’s take a look at some top-rated Airbnbs you can book for your upcoming trip.

#1: Room at The Maison Hotel And Serviced Apartments

Price: S$35/night

We’re starting our list off with the cheapest option! At only S$35/night, you get a double bed good for two guests. There is one bathroom with a shower area. The Maison Hotel And Serviced Apartments is situated in the Sungai Liang area, approximately an hour drive from Brunei International Airport.

#2: Two-bedroom house at Bunut Perpindahan

Price: S$38/night

For those travelling with your family and friends, you can book this entire house located at Bunut Perpindahan. Looking just at the price, we are honestly speechless. Recent guests have given this place a thumbs up for cleanliness! There are two bedrooms – one with a queen-size bed and the other with a bunk bed. This accommodation is a mere 20-minute drive from Brunei International Airport.

#3: Homey bungalow for six persons

Price: S$72/night

For the price you pay for an average boutique hotel room in Singapore, you get a whole bungalow space to yourself. There are two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. You can request for extra floor mattresses if necessary. Similar to our previous listing, you will be situated in the Bunut Perpindahan area, about 20 minutes away from the airport.

#4: Studio flat close to Gadong Night Market

Price: S$74/night

This studio flat is an open-concept living space. There is one king-size bed and a single bed right next to each other. You also get a two-desk workstation by a corner of the apartment. You may request for a baby cot from the host if required. It’s on the second floor of a building with plenty of options for dining and entertainment within the vicinity.

#5: Spacious apartment at Berangan

Price: S$75/night

This spacious apartment comes with two bedrooms and four super single beds! Sounds like the perfect accommodation for friends travelling together. The lovely host will also pick you up from the airport if you’re arriving between 9am to 10pm. There is also a laundry machine available, suitable for long stays. You will find this apartment in the Berangan area, a 15-minute drive from the airport.

Fashion tips for women: 5 wardrobe essentials Zalora’s Head of Social swears by

When was the last time you dressed up and felt good about it? With the ongoing pandemic, it seems like more of us are dressed in loungewear these days. It also made us rethink fashion essentials that we could put on without the fear of going out of style.

If that is you, look out for these wardrobe essentials that Illya Nadira, Zalora’s Head of Social, swears by.

#1: Jeans

“Every woman needs a pair of jeans, be it skinnies, flare or even straight-cut because they don’t go out of style, ever! I’m currently obsessed with these baggy oversized jeans with torn hems from Zara – they’re super comfortable while giving off a cool vibe.”

Consider getting: Dorothy Perkins Regular Midwash Eden Jeans

Sale Price: S$29.90

#2: White vest/tank top

“This is everything to me! I must have a white vest/tank with me, even when I travel. It’s the easiest, most versatile piece to pair with everything else. I usually head to Uniqlo to get mine.”

Consider getting: Mango Embroidered Cotton Top

Sale Price: S$29.90

#3: Earrings

“You will never catch me out of the house without earrings or studs. I feel naked when I miss out that important step of accessorising because it really completes the whole look.”

Consider getting: ALDO Jerilinna Pierced Earring

Sale Price: S$22.90

#4: Oversized white shirt

“You can wear a white shirt anywhere and everywhere – to the office, lunch dates with your girlfriends, as outerwear at the beach, and even to bed! Though I’ve never bought one before because I can find tons in my late dad’s wardrobe.”

Consider getting: French Connection Aoko Rhodes Popover Shirt

Sale Price: S$53.90

#5: A set of co-ords

“I love a good set of co-ords. My friend Cheryl Teo designed (a) geometric-print set for her final-year project at Lasalle College of the Arts and she sewed one for me as I couldn’t stop raving about it. She eventually started her own line called Aryl Ctto for a while. The best part is I can wear either the top or the pants on separate occasions.”

Consider getting: TOPSHOP Dogstooth Jumpsuit

Sale Price: S$66.90

Fashion inspiration

If you’re looking for fashion inspiration, take it from the 30-year-old: “I usually go on Instagram and Pinterest, but I get inspired by everyday people too. When I see someone on the train wearing something super cool and chic, I’ll try to recreate it in my own way.”

Also, here’s a bonus fashion tip before you go: blazers.

“You can easily look professional with a blazer on, regardless of what you’re wearing underneath,” says Nadira.

Travel update: Visitors from Brunei and New Zealand entering Singapore will not need to serve stay-home notice from Sep 1

Since Jun 18, travellers from Australia (excluding Victoria State), Brunei Darussalam, Macao, Mainland China, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam can serve their 14-day stay-home notice at their own place of residence upon entering Singapore.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) updated today (Aug 21) that travellers coming to Singapore from Brunei and New Zealand from Sep 1 will not be required to serve a stay-home notice but will take a COVID-19 test upon arrival instead.

“Amongst these low-risk countries, we will start by lifting our current border restrictions to allow the entry of visitors from Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand into Singapore,” said MOH.

How it works

Visitors from the two countries will need to apply for an Air Travel Pass between seven and 30 days before their intended date of entry. For example, if they are travelling from Sep 8, an application for the pass must be done on Sep 1.

But before they can go about their activities in Singapore, they must test negative for the virus.

“They will be responsible for their medical bills should they require medical treatment for COVID-19 while in Singapore,” MOH said.

Not a reciprocal arrangement

According to Lawrence Wong, co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force, the travel arrangements with Brunei and New Zealand are not reciprocal. However, Singapore is currently in discussion for reciprocal green lane arrangements with the two countries.

“When we are ready with the reciprocal green lane arrangements with these two countries, we will announce the details,” he said.

“Specific to these two countries, we are making a move based on the evidence, based on our assessment of risk,” he added.

General travel to Brunei and New Zealand will be allowed

Onboard Singapore Airlines during COVID-19

Image Credits: The Straits Times

The current travel advisory to defer all travel abroad will also be updated to allow general travel to Brunei and New Zealand. People visiting these two countries must check the entry requirements and take the necessary precautions.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said, “Don’t just hop on the plane and go. Please check what are the requirements of the destination countries, make sure that you comply with the requirements before you fly over.”

“At the same time when you’re there, continue to exercise vigilance, continue to exercise safe distancing, and also observe the safe distancing rules in those countries, so that you protect yourself and protect others,” he added.

Looking forward

“We have monitored the situation and assessed that there are several countries/regions where the virus situation is well under control and the risk of importation is low. We will therefore update our border measures accordingly,” explained MOH.

Those who abide by the travel advisories will be eligible for government subsidies and coverage for their COVID-19 treatment should they have symptoms within 14 days of returning to Singapore and require hospital admission for suspected infection.

E-scooter rider fined S$500 and jailed for six weeks for riding against traffic and colliding into a woman who fell and fractured her skull

This is not the first time we’re hearing of such a rash act. Earlier this month on 3 August, the news reported 10 people being arrested for dangerous riding on personal mobility devices (PMD) and power-assisted bicycles (PAB) along Sheares Avenue. The police said the suspects were arrested between Jul 17 and Jul 20.

If you haven’t been keeping up with the law, e-scooters have been barred from footpaths since last November and all motorised PMDs are not allowed on footpaths since Apr 1.

What happened?

Image Credits: todayonline.com

Last Oct 23, Chen Yue, 61, rode his unregistered e-scooter from Kinta Road towards Dhoby Ghaut MRT to meet a potential buyer who wanted to purchase the device. He rode the e-scooter on the footpath along Selegie Road until he reached Selegie Court.

As there were many pedestrians on the footpath, he decided to take his device onto the road. In fact, he rode against the flow of traffic at about 15kmh. Failing to spot the 24-year-old woman standing in front of Wilkie Edge mall who stepped off the footpath onto the road, Chen collided into her. The incident was captured on CCTV.

The victim fell lying face down on the road, bleeding from her mouth and face. She was taken to the hospital with injuries including a fractured skull, deep cut on her lips, and a blood clot between her skull and her brain. She was given physiotherapy and occupational therapy and discharged a few days later with 31 days’ hospitalization leave.

Prolonged impact

But the victim continues to experience occasional dizziness and has a scar above her lips from the incident. Her teeth have also grown loose because of the impact. While her medical fees were fully covered by insurance, Chen made voluntary compensation of S$8,000 to her in May this year.

“The fact that she continues to experience occasional dizziness and intends to seek further treatment after COVID-19 speaks to lingering consequences of the collision on her life,” said Deputy Public Prosecutor Grace Teo.

The verdict

Image Credits: WIC News

Chen demonstrated a high level of rashness by riding his e-scooter against traffic when there were moderate traffic flow and pedestrians on the footpath, Ms Teo added. However, Chen’s lack of previous convictions and his voluntary compensation to the victim was considered. There was also no evidence that he had been speeding on the footpath.

Today (Aug 21), Chen was fined S$500 and jailed for six weeks for causing grievous hurt by a rash act and riding an unregistered PMD, a sentence much lighter than he could have gotten.

This is because for a rash act causing grievous hurt, Chen could have been jailed for up to four years, fined up to S$10,000, or both. For riding an unregistered PMD on a footpath, he could also have been jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$2,000, or both.