Lionesses captain calls Hong Kong clash a ‘balanced fight’ despite early stoppage and 1–0 deficit

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June 20, 2025

Singapore Football Team — Photo: Instagram.com/fasingapore

Singapore’s last home match before the start of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup was halted due to heavy rains. Despite the unfortunate cancellation, Singapore’s national team, the Lionesses, showed their determination as they fought against Hong Kong, which is ranked 59 places higher.

The Singaporean team had a great start at the friendly match, which was held at Choa Chu Kang Stadium. It was, however, called off four minutes into the second half with Hong Kong leading 1-0 at that point.

Highlights of the match

Winger Farah Nurzahirah made two early chances, but the play was stopped after 17 minutes due to a lightning warning, causing a one-hour delay.

When the match resumed, Hong Kong increased their game, but 18-year-old goalkeeper Izairida Shakira made several key saves. A defensive mistake gave Hong Kong’s Leung Hong Liu Anke an opportunity to score. Hong Kong nearly scored again before halftime.

The second half saw the return of veteran midfielder Lim Li Xian, adding more experience to the match. Singapore kept pressing, but the worsening weather led to the match being cancelled.

With this, Lionesses’ Head Coach, Karim Bencherifa, remained optimistic and shared encouraging aspects from the game. “I think the players worked really hard under difficult conditions. We were looking to continue, but it’s still a positive outcome. A lot of work remains, but game after game, we’re progressing,” he said.

“Kudos to Hong Kong – gave us two good games. Even though today’s game didn’t finish, I was very happy with what I saw,” he added.

Furthermore, the Lionesses’ team captain, Rosnani Azman, reflected on the team’s performance and shared her thoughts. In a video shared on social media, she said, “I think we did quite well… I mean, of course, playing against Hong Kong, who’s like 80th ranking – it was a strong opponent.”

The athlete added, “I actually believe that it was a balanced fight. You can see that both teams are attacking, and we also create chances. It’s just that we couldn’t convert it into a goal… But I think it was a good fight, leading to the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.”

Some netizens disagreed with the post, questioning the fairness of the match. One remarked bluntly, “A loss is not balanced.”

The Lionesses are now preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers. They will leave and go to Amman, the capital of Jordan, which will host all the Group A matches.

‘I just played two games on that side’ — Aryna Sabalenka frustrated as Rebeka Masarova cancels match due to slippery courts at Berlin Open

By

Aiah Bathan

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June 20, 2025

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BERLIN, GERMANY: Top athlete Aryna Sabalenka did not hide her frustration when her match against Rebeka Masarova was first suspended, then cancelled at the Berlin Ladies Open due to complaints about poor lighting and a slippery court.

The athlete won the first set with a scoreline of 6-2 when the umpire halted the match. Her opponent, Masarova, was the one who requested to stop the match, and it was granted the way she wanted. With this Sabalenka expressed angrily: “You are stopping the match because she says that side is slippery? I just played two games on that side.”

This news was made worse because the previous match between Liudmila Samsonova and Jessica Pegula took more than three hours to finish. Samsonova won against the American with a final scoreline of 6-7 (8/10), 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) in a match that featured two tie-breaks.

Moreover, this incident happened days after Sabalenka lost to Gauff in the French Open final. Sabalenka described that match as “the worst final” she’d ever played, and she remarked back then: “I don’t think she won the match because she played incredibly well, but because I made all those mistakes.”

However, before the Berlin Open, Sabalenka admitted to Eurosport that her comments were unprofessional and declared: “I let my emotions guide me. I absolutely regret what I said.”

In a social media post made by The Tennis Letter, it stated: “Sabalenka and Masarova’s match in Berlin was stopped due to the court getting slippery… Rebeka wanted to stop play… Aryna wanted to continue..”

Netizens expressed their thoughts and opinions on the post in the comments section: “Showing favouritism to one player. Not good”, “It wasn’t slippery….yet… The match was stopped because Masarova was down a set and there was a theoretical chance of it becoming slippery”, Sabalenka pulling much drama lately. Went over the Gauff incident and now Masarova”, and “I mean, Rebeka was losing so.. we all know why she wanted to stop the match.”

Aryna Sabalenka aims to win a WTA title on grass for the very first time. She has missed playing at Wimbledon in two of the last three years. However, it is evident that her powerful playing style compliments the complexities of the grass courts. Moreover, the Berlin Open, which is one of the world’s oldest women’s tennis competitions, has shifted from clay to grass courts back in 2021. Since then, it has been a warm-up event for Wimbledon, which usually takes place in June.

‘Players should have confidence when they’re here’ — Wimbledon organizers blocked Emma Raducanu’s stalker for buying tournament tickets

By

Aiah Bathan

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June 20, 2025

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WIMBLEDON, LONDON: The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon organisers, took quick action when they learned that Emma Raducanu’s stalker had attempted to purchase tickets for this month’s tournament via the public ballot.

The stalker’s name was identified during a security screening, as tennis authorities had previously shared it following the incident in Dubai.

Wimbledon is dedicated to prioritising each athlete’s safety. The event’s chief executive, Sally Bolton, admitted: “We’re liaising with the tours, with the Met police, with other security agencies right through the year to think about the types of risks we need to look at and adjusting what we put in place.”

She added: “I would say to players should have confidence when they’re here, and if they are concerned on any basis they should come and talk to us about that because we can put bespoke arrangements in place.”

The incident in Dubai

At the Dubai Tennis Championships last February, Raducanu was approached by her stalker near the player’s hotel, handed her a letter and requested for a photo. The athlete then felt uncomfortable after encountering him at previous events.

Moreover, during her match, she once again saw him in the audience, which caused her to break down. Raducanu then hid behind the umpire’s chair, and the security removed the man from the premises, and the police issued him a restraining order.

Raducanu admitted at that time:“I was obviously very distraught… I saw him in the first game of the match and I was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to finish’…I literally couldn’t see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe.”

“I was playing Karolina, who’s top 17 in the world or something. I’m like, ‘I need to just take a breather here,’ and then the first four games kind of ran away from me… I was not on the court, to be honest, and I’m not really sure how I regrouped…I think that was a pretty good effort for me to carry on playing in that match, in that scenario. I finished the match, and I even had chances in the first set, but, yeah, it was a very emotional time.”

She added: “There were two instances… It was the second one that I just got freaked out by… The first one was more like a normal fan approaching you, except for the fact that he told me he followed me everywhere…And then he kind of watched me in the coffee shop for a while. The second incident was really worrying.”

Singapore ranks 2nd most ‘investing-obsessed’ country globally

By

Mary Alavanza

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June 20, 2025

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Average monthly searches per 1M residents — Photo: BrokerChooser

SINGAPORE: Singapore has been ranked the second most “investing-obsessed” country in the world, according to forex broker BrokerChooser.

The study examined global search volumes of investment-related terms and found that Singapore had 22,527 such searches per million people each month. Only Australia ranked higher, with 29,359 searches.

BrokerChooser analysed commonly searched phrases, such as “how to trade forex,” “which crypto to buy now,” and “investing for beginners,” to rank each country.

The report also revealed that Singaporeans are especially curious about crypto, which accounted for 8,108 of the monthly searches. Forex-related searches came next at 5,962, followed by general investing questions like “how to invest my money” at 3,322.

Other “investing-obsessed” countries in the top 10 were Kenya (17,288), New Zealand (16,061), Canada (14,566), the UAE (13,904), the UK (12,655), Ireland (11,096), and the US (10,194), with Malaysia (8,589) completing the list.

Adam Nasli from BrokerChooser said that while many people still hesitate to start investing, the growing curiosity worldwide shows that more are ready to move past hesitation and explore what’s possible.

“Some of the biggest barriers tend to be a lack of knowledge and fear of losing money,” he noted, adding that learning about risk management and diversifying portfolios can help starting investors make informed decisions instead of reacting out of fear.

“Once you get past those initial hurdles, smart investing opens up real opportunities to build sustainable wealth. Rather than seeing it as a gamble, think of it as a strategic tool to achieve your financial goals,” he added.

A separate survey from BrokerChooser also revealed that younger adults have become more interested in investing, with about 30% of Gen Z starting to invest while still in university or early adulthood. /TISG

80 job cuts at Standard Chartered Singapore ‘likely just the start’ amid push to return US$1.5B to shareholders

By

Mary Alavanza

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June 20, 2025

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SINGAPORE: Standard Chartered has laid off 80 staff members in Singapore, mainly from its technology and operations teams, which are being offshored to India, according to eFinancialCareers. Sources at the bank in Singapore also said the cuts are likely just the start of a broader restructuring. This comes amid the bank’s global “Fit for Growth” cost-saving programme to return US$1.5 billion (S$1.93 billion) to shareholders.

In 2023, Bloomberg reported that the bank planned to cut jobs across Singapore, London, and Hong Kong as part of its cost-cutting efforts. By August 2024, eFinancialCareers said “a couple of dozen” junior and mid-level bankers would be among those affected. In November, the bank reportedly laid off around 100 middle office roles across the three cities—a move that was part of the bank’s efforts to cut costs by over US$1 billion through 2024.

According to the bank’s spokesperson, “We continually look to enhance our operations to serve our clients better. As a global firm, we maintain a dynamic blend of world-class local talent in our key markets, including Singapore, and leverage the multi-disciplinary expertise housed in our global business service hubs.”

He added that “Singapore remains a critical centre for our global businesses and technology and operations teams,” although he did not say whether the job cuts were directly tied to shareholder returns.

Despite the layoffs, Malay Mail reported that the bank is still hiring in Singapore, with 60 open roles listed on its careers portal. Open roles include digital product leads, infrastructure engineers, and marketing specialists.

Just last week, managing director Ken Ong from recruitment agency Morgan McKinley Singapore said hiring in banks has slowed, with only one new hire for every two who resign, as firms aim to stay liquid. /TISG

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

“You have mental illness plus AIDS” – Beauty parlor staff berates customer who made appointment request at 11.33pm

By

Jewel Stolarchuk

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June 19, 2025

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Stressed woman — Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: Staff at a beauty salon in Tampines berated a customer who attempted to make a late-night appointment, sending the customer a barrage of insults that have stirred public backlash.

Ms Low, who previously visited Qian Xiu Beauty at Block 820 Tampines Street 81 for ear candling services, told Stomp that she had simply reached out via WhatsApp to arrange another visit when she was unexpectedly subjected to verbal abuse.

“The service was average,” said Ms Low, recounting her earlier experience at the salon, “I communicated with one of the staff members who told me I needed to book an appointment if I wanted to come again—no walk-ins because she might have other appointments.”

However, things took a shocking turn when she messaged the salon at 11.33pm on June 6 to request a new appointment. A screenshot of the WhatsApp exchange, shared by Ms Low, shows the employee—identified only as “T”—responding to her message with: “Go see a doctor if you are sick. Disturbing in the middle of the night, you are crazy.”

Startled, Ms Low replied: “What crazy? Why are you anyhow scolding people? You are the sick one! I wanted to make an appointment.”

To which the staff member responded with an even more offensive message: “You have mental illness plus AIDS.”

Ms Low shot back: “Crazy! Ownself got AIDS still say other people!”

Speaking to Stomp on June 14, Ms Low expressed disbelief and disappointment at the encounter.

“This was totally uncalled for,” she said. “If it was too late, she—as a service frontliner—could have better managed the situation or just said, ‘It is late, can I reply you tomorrow?’ instead of insulting me out of nowhere and calling me crazy or saying I have AIDS.”

Ms Low, who works in customer service herself, emphasised the importance of professionalism and mutual respect in such roles.

“I am a professional working adult in customer service too and I hope she gets the message. We are not her venting machine and anyone who has been insulted by her can easily sue her,” she said.

She added that she hopes her experience serves as a warning to others, “When others respect her, she should not take it for granted. I hope no other customers will encounter an experience like mine.”

Official says solutions are needed as parking problems in JB ‘will only get worse’ because of SG workers

By

Anna Maria Romero

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June 19, 2025

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Medan Selera Iskandar Malaysia Gelang Patah — Photo: Google Maps/Thong Ming Woei

SINGAPORE: The lack of parking spaces in Johor Bahru because of people working in Singapore is bound to “only get worse,” said State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, on Wednesday (Jun 18).

He told Malaysia’s Star Metro that there is a need for win-win solutions for all parties concerned, which is why the local government is considering ways to address the issue, as vehicle owners seek to save money and choose not to leave their cars in pay-parking areas.

Residents of Johor Bahru have highlighted the problem wherein individuals who are employed in Singapore end up hogging the city’s parking bays. Mr Mohd Jafni said that more and more people, particularly business owners, have complained about the issue.

Another report in The Star quoted a restaurant owner who pointed out, however, that while most of the vehicles belonged to people who work in Singapore, others have been left in parking spaces for several weeks or even longer.

He sometimes resorts to placing chairs or water bottles in parking spaces to ensure that his customers have somewhere to park.

“It is not fair for us and our customers, especially since there is a proper parking area at the terminal with more than enough bays. They prefer parking here to avoid paying at the bus terminal, without caring about how it will affect others,” he told The Star.

Another pointed out that the number of parking spots for JB residents living in the area isn’t enough to begin with, and now they find themselves competing for these spots with those who work in Singapore.

Since the parking space near her home is not fenced, she’s had to park outside it during the times when all the other spaces were taken.

“It is frustrating not being able to park your car at the place you live in, because outsiders are taking up the bays,” she said/

Mr Mohd Jafni added, “This issue was also raised during the recent state assembly sitting, and it seems to have gotten worse over time. We need to study this matter thoroughly before implementing any measures, so that we can come up with a win-win solution for all.”

He added that the issue needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, as it will only worsen as more vehicles enter Johor and more residents own vehicles.

“I appeal to those involved to be more thoughtful. They could just pay a little extra to park at the many available parking areas throughout the city. They are affecting other people’s livelihoods simply because they refuse to pay for parking,” he said, adding that if the government were to impose a two-hour parking limit, car owners would end up needing to pay more than if they chose to leave their car in pay-parking areas./TISG

2 Singaporeans arrested in Thailand over human trafficking and money laundering charges

By

A. Aman

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June 19, 2025

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singaporean-traffick — Photo: Khaosod English

BANGKOK/SINGAPORE: A Singaporean man identified as Dexter was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on Jun 18 for his suspected involvement in a transnational human trafficking and money laundering syndicate, but Dexter was not acting alone.

In a joint statement released on Jun 19, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed that he was one of two Singaporean men, aged 36 and 38, arrested in Thailand alongside a 50-year-old Thai national in a coordinated cross-border operation with the Royal Thai Police (RTP). The arrests took place a day earlier, on Jun 17.

The bust led to the seizure of assets worth over 20 million baht (S$790,600), including cash, luxury condominiums, laptops, mobile phones, hard drives, and multiple bank and SIM cards.

Years in the making

According to the SPF, investigations began in 2023 into the syndicate, which allegedly recruited foreign women and trafficked them into Singapore for vice work. Between April 2023 and May 2025, at least 76 women were arrested for prostitution-related offences, many believed to have been managed by the same criminal network.

Coordinated investigations between the SPF and RTP yielded key insights that ultimately led to the identification of the trio. The 38-year-old Singaporean was allegedly responsible for laundering the profits of the vice operations by channelling them through a complex network of bank accounts across borders. The 36-year-old Singaporean is said to have played a supporting role in facilitating the movement and management of the sex workers.

Arrest at the airport

Thai immigration authorities were tipped off that a wanted foreign national tied to prostitution and money laundering would be arriving in Bangkok on Singapore Airlines flight SQ714 from Changi Airport.

Upon landing, Dexter was swiftly intercepted by officers from Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and immigration police. At least eight personnel surrounded him and escorted him away for questioning. He was later transferred to the Technology Crime Suppression Division for formal proceedings.

He now faces multiple charges under Thai law, including:

Conspiracy to procure, entice, or traffic persons for immoral purposes
Promoting and facilitating prostitution for gain
Advertising or soliciting prostitution via public media
Conspiracy to commit money laundering

Transnational collaboration

Singapore’s Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) of Police Yeo Yee Chuan, deputy director of the SPF’s Criminal Investigation Department, praised the collaboration between both forces.

“The SPF is committed to working closely with our regional partners, and we thank the RTP for their invaluable collaboration in dismantling this criminal network,” said SAC Yeo. “Together, we can prevent the exploitation of women, stem the scourge of transnational crimes, and take affirmative action against the laundering of criminal proceeds.”

RTP’s Police Lieutenant-General Jirabhop Bhuridej echoed the sentiment, noting that the success of the operation was due to the professionalism and dedication of both Singaporean and Thai officers.

Frozen assets

As part of the ongoing investigation, the SPF has frozen over S$1.26 million in suspected criminal proceeds from the Singapore bank accounts linked to the 38-year-old suspect.

The suspects remain in Thai custody as legal proceedings unfold.

QS World Rankings 2026: SMU rises, NUS and NTU hold strong, SUTD slides

By

A. Aman

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June 19, 2025

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SINGAPORE: In the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026, released on Thursday (Jun 19), Singapore’s autonomous universities posted mixed performances on the global stage, with some rising and others slipping in rank.

Singapore Management University (SMU) recorded one of its most notable improvements, climbing to 511th globally—a substantial leap from its previous ranking of 585th—aligning with the university’s aspiration to be a top 50 business school. The London-based QS ranking agency evaluates universities across various indicators, including employer reputation, academic standing, and graduate outcomes.

Singapore’s two academic powerhouses continued to hold their ground among the global elite. The National University of Singapore (NUS) maintained its prestigious eighth place globally, retaining its crown as the top university in Asia. Nanyang Technological University (NTU) also inched upward, ranking 12th, up from 15th last year.

In sharp contrast, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) experienced a significant decline in the rankings, falling from 440th to 519th, a move that may prompt reflection on its strategic positioning and academic impact.

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) did not feature in this year’s rankings, consistent with previous years, as these universities have historically not been evaluated by QS.

Now in its 22nd edition, the QS World University Rankings 2026 assesses the top 1,500 universities across 106 countries, serving as a global benchmark for prospective students and employers.

‘2nd isn’t a bad thing’: Singapore Airlines named world’s second best airline for 2025

By

Mary Alavanza

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June 19, 2025

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Singapore Airlines plane — Photo: Depositphotos/Wirestock

SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been ranked the world’s second-best airline for 2025 by United Kingdom-based airline consultancy Skytrax.

This year’s “Oscars of the aviation industry” was announced during a gala ceremony on June 17 at the Paris Air Show, in the Air and Space Museum’s art deco Hall of Eight Columns of Le Bourget airport.

In 2023, SIA was named the World’s Best Airline for the fifth time.

The number one spot this year went to Qatar Airways, marking its ninth win. Cathay Pacific, Emirates, and ANA (All Nippon Airways) came in third to fifth, respectively.

SIA also took the top spot for this year’s World’s Best Cabin Crew, World’s Best First Class Airline, and World’s Best Business Class Airline, while placing third in the World’s Best Economy Class Airline. Singapore’s flagship carrier also scooped the accolade for the Best Airline in Asia.

Meanwhile, its low-cost arm, Scoot, was awarded the World’s Best Long-Haul Low-Cost Airline.

Some Singaporeans online reacted by saying, “Well deserved. Qatar’s Qsuite blows SQ’s business class out of the water any day of the week.”

Despite being named the best business class airline, some commenters noted how “cramped” SIA’s seats have become, with one saying its “business class is getting worse and worse as the years go by”.

“I don’t like how claustrophobic the new A380 seat is and how it lacks privacy, so we get the worst of both worlds there. Also uncomfortable to sleep on. Hopefully, the new 2026 seat isn’t as narrow as the current A380 seat,” he added.

Another added, “Hate how you have to get out of your seat to turn it into a bed in SQ. Plus the very cramped footwell, and the usually ridiculously high prices.”

Still, one commenter pointed out, “Anyway, 2nd isn’t a bad thing in my opinion. It provides additional drive to SQ to improve, which is needed.” /TISG

Featured image by Depositphotos

Lionesses captain calls Hong Kong clash a ‘balanced fight’ despite early stoppage and 1–0 deficit

Highlights of the match

‘I just played two games on that side’ — Aryna Sabalenka frustrated as Rebeka Masarova cancels match due to slippery courts at Berlin Open

‘Players should have confidence when they’re here’ — Wimbledon organizers blocked Emma Raducanu’s stalker for buying tournament tickets

The incident in Dubai

Singapore ranks 2nd most ‘investing-obsessed’ country globally

80 job cuts at Standard Chartered Singapore ‘likely just the start’ amid push to return US$1.5B to shareholders

“You have mental illness plus AIDS” – Beauty parlor staff berates customer who made appointment request at 11.33pm

Official says solutions are needed as parking problems in JB ‘will only get worse’ because of SG workers

2 Singaporeans arrested in Thailand over human trafficking and money laundering charges

Years in the making

Arrest at the airport

Transnational collaboration

Frozen assets

QS World Rankings 2026: SMU rises, NUS and NTU hold strong, SUTD slides

‘2nd isn’t a bad thing’: Singapore Airlines named world’s second best airline for 2025

Singapore News

Founder of Little India’s iconic Jothi Store & Flower Shop passes away at age 93

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Woman allegedly lost life savings overnight after joining “hiking group” on Facebook

Business

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Singapore Politics

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