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“BreadTalk have a new bun?” — Customer finds ‘roast pork’ inside her coffee bun; BreadTalk apologises

Anna Maria Romero
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“BreadTalk have a new bun?” — Customer finds ‘roast pork’ inside her coffee bun; BreadTalk apologises

SINGAPORE: A woman wondered online if the popular bakery chain BreadTalk had launched a new flavour of their buns after she ordered a coffee bun.

“BreadTalk have a new bun? I got their coffee bread, my favourite. But I got coffee with roast pork inside?” wrote a Facebook user, Elle Min, on the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE page last Wednesday (Oct 23).

In the photos she uploaded, the bun was topped with the customary dark brown coffee topping, but it looked like it had a minced meat filling inside.

FB screengrab/ COMPLAINT SINGAPORE (Elle Min)

Ms Elle added she had emailed the company to ask about what appeared to have been a mistake in her order but had yet to receive a reply.

She also asked the manager about it, but they were unaware of the new flavour and asked for a picture of the bun Ms Elle had received.

Out of curiosity, she asked, “Anyone know?”

Shortly after her post was published, the company apologised for the glitch. BreadTalk also said it had already responded to her email and asked her to check on this.

“Hi Elle, we sincerely apologise for the confusion. Our team has reached out to you via email and phone to follow up on this, but we haven’t received a response.

Kindly check your inbox as well as (your) spam folder. Otherwise, you may also drop us a DM instead. Thank you,” the company wrote.

The Independent Singapore has contacted Ms Elle and BreadTalk for further comments or updates.

Must Share News quoted the company as offering to replace Ms Elle’s order, but she “politely declined.” It explained that the coffee topping had been mistakenly put on bread with a meat filling inside.

“All kitchen staff have been reminded to ensure that the bread fillings are correct during the baking and preparation,” the company added.

BreadTalk, which entered the scene in Singapore in 2000 with its first outlet at Bugis Junction, has since spread its “bread boutiques” to different countries such as Oman, China, and Myanmar.

It is considered one of the country’s success stories, having been an awardee multiple times, such as the SPBA Most Promising Brand Award and the Five Star Diamond Brand, World Brand Laboratory in Shanghai.

The brand is famous for its chicken, pork, and spicy floss buns, but its coffee buns also have some serious fans.

Last year, a TikTok user called its breads “iconic” and wrote that they’re a good gauge of inflation in Singapore.

@messyfeedeats

This iconic bread is also a good gauge of inflation in Singapore 😃😭🚨 #singaporefood #sgfood #sgfoodie #breadtalk #breadtok #breadmaking #porkflossbun

♬ Dance The Night (From Barbie The Album) – Dua Lipa

/TISG

Read related: ‘Toast Box gonna bankrupt us peasants…’ — High prices of laksa, curry, shock netizens

Malaysia’s National Service 3.0 to be relaunched in January 2025

Anna Maria Romero
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Malaysia’s National Service 3.0 to be relaunched in January 2025

MALAYSIA: The country’s Deputy Defence Minister, Adly Zahari, announced over the weekend that from January 2025, the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 will begin implementation in stages.

“For next year, the government has allocated RM50 million (S$15.17 million) for us to start PLKN 3.0,” he said. The programme had been set to begin in mid-2025. However, Mr Adly noted that it needs to begin earlier.

It will start at two military camps. One will be in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and the other in Pahang.

The programme will eventually be expanded to 13 additional camps across the country when full implementation takes effect in 2026.

The initial implementation of the first intake, involving 500 participants, is to pioneer PLKN 3.0 before launching on a larger level with more participants in June.

Mr Adly made these remarks to media members on Oct 26 at the state-level Jiwa Murni Project (PJM) launch in Hutan Percha.

Third Division army commander Major General Datuk Zahari Mohd Ariffin was also present at the launch, The New Straits Times noted.

The programme will involve participants aged between 16 and 35, who will be learning a number of learning modules.

They will be chosen among pupils in Form Four, Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers, and students from institutions of higher learning.

“We will use existing camps, and they are currently being refurbished. However, for the first intake, we will only be using two camps.

By 2026, all 13 camps will be fully utilized to accommodate participants after the full implementation of the programme,” said Mr Adly.

Malaysia’s national service

The PLKN is known locally as Khidmat Negara. The programme, which began in December 2003, lasted three months and had been designed for 18-year-olds.

One of its goals was to foster friendships between youths from the country’s various races and ethnic groups. Due to the government’s spending cuts, the program stopped in 2015.

However, PLN 2.0 was introduced the following year, and joining the programme was meant to become completely optional by 2019.

In 2018, it was announced by then Minister of Youth and Sports, Syed Saddiq bin Syed Abdul Rahman, that the PLKN was among the programs set to be abolished immediately over concerns of misguided indoctrination.

Mohamad Hasan, who served as Malaysia’s Defense Minister from December 2022 to December 2023, announced on Oct 9, 2023, the revival of the country’s national service program. /TISG

Read also: Malaysia’s middle class fumes over petrol subsidy cuts and tax hikes to boost low-earner wages

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

Netball: Singapore Vandas bounce back to Asian Championship glory, eyeing SEA Games crown

Khalis Rifhan
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Netball: Singapore Vandas bounce back to Asian Championship glory, eyeing SEA Games crown

SINGAPORE:  The Singapore national netball team recaptured the Asian Netball Championship title with a hard-fought 67-64 victory in overtime against defending champions Sri Lanka at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru, India on Oct 27.

Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, also lauded the win and commended the team’s tireless efforts and unwavering dedication, culminating in a resounding triumph.

“Our phenomenal TeamSG netball players have emerged victorious, ending a decade-long wait since our last triumph in 2014!”  expressed Minister Tong on his social media.

The Vandas have a rich history in the competition, first grasping the coveted trophy in 2005 and subsequently achieving a back-to-back victory in 2012 and 2014.

However, their dominance was temporarily halted as Malaysia emerged victorious in the 2016 edition, with Sri Lanka securing the runner-up position and Singapore settling for a commendable third place.

The latest victory was particularly sweet for Singapore, as it marked a triumphant redemption from their previous heartbreaks, having suffered back-to-back finals defeats against Sri Lanka in 2018 and 2022, with both editions hosted at the OCBC Arena, Singapore Sports Hub.

2024 Asian Netball Championship Final: Singapore vs Sri Lanka (Photo credit: Netball Singapore)

“After a decade-long wait, Singapore Vandas brings the title back home!

Through unwavering determination and grit, the girls defeated Sri Lanka in a groundbreaking match at the finals of the 13th Asian Netball Championships 2024 in India.

We feel so proud (of) their efforts,” posted Netball Singapore on their Facebook page.

Singapore exhibited a dominant performance in the competition, winning all their group stage and knockout round matches.

The Vandas topped Group B and subsequently secured a coveted spot in the final with a convincing 54-46 triumph against Malaysia in the semi-finals, setting the stage for their ultimate championship victory.

“Having won all their matches thus far, our netballers headed to the Finals as the underdog as they faced 6-time champions Sri Lanka.

But in a riveting 60-minute showdown, our netballers displayed unyielding determination and grit throughout the match to clinch a nail-biting 67-64 victory,” added Minister Tong.

The Vandas started their Asian Netball Championship campaign with an emphatic 122-3 win over Iraq on Oct 18. They continued their dominance with a 107-10 win against Bahrain two days later and 94-27 against Brunei the following day.

The Vanda, who are led by interim head coach Yee Mee Hong, won their remaining round-robin matches against Thailand (78-42), Hong Kong (67-42), and Chinese Taipei (92-17).

Netball Singapore announced the departure of former head coach Annette Bishop following the 2024 Nations Cup final.

The vacant position was filled by Singapore ‘A’ head coach Yee and supported by former Australian Diamonds captain and head coach Jill Mcintosh.

The Singapore national netball team turned their attention to the next edition of the Nations Cup and the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which will be held at the end of next year.

The Vandas won the gold medal at the 2015 SEA Games hosted by Singapore. In the 2017 and 2019 SEA Games, Singapore had to contend with the silver medal, as they lost to Malaysia in both finals.

Fresh from their triumphant win at the Asian Netball Championship, the Singapore national netball team will be turning their attention to the next edition of the Nations Cup and the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, slated to take place at the end of next year.

The Vandas are no strangers to SEA Games success, having clinched the coveted gold medal on home soil in 2015.

However, their quest for regional dominance was thwarted by arch-rivals Malaysia in the 2017 and 2019 editions, with the team settling for silver on both occasions.

Now, with redemption on their minds, the Vandas are poised to mount a strong challenge and reclaim their rightful place at the SEA Games netball competition.

Property analysts: Upcoming Tampines Street 95 units price to start over S$1,600 psf

Mary Alavanza
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Property analysts: Upcoming Tampines Street 95 units price to start over S$1,600 psf

SINGAPORE: Units in the upcoming development on Tampines Street 95 are estimated to start at an average selling price of over S$1,600 per square foot (psf), said property analysts.

According to Singapore Business Review, PropNex noted that the project is expected to be well received by buyers, encouraging developers to bid for the site.

The recent land tender for this site attracted five competitive bids, with the top offer reaching S$768 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr).

Sim Lian Group, the highest bidder, already has an executive condominium (EC) project set to launch in Tampines in the first half of 2025.

PropNex suggests this may have influenced the developer’s bid as the company aims to establish a solid presence in the Tampines area, describing it as “a strategic move to defend its market.”

With Sim Lian’s project launching in the year’s first half, the Tampines Street 95 development will likely only be launched for sale in 2026.

OrangeTee stated that the gap between launches in the area would “ensure sufficient demand for the EC” in Tampines.

PropNex added that the tender results show strong developers’ confidence in ECs.

They explained that the high interest from developers in the EC plot isn’t surprising, as “the EC segment continues to be a bright spot in the housing market.”

Propnex said EC sites are often considered safe bets, attracting steady interest from local buyers like first-time homeowners and HDB upgraders.

PropNex states, “This pool of buyers is typically unaffected by cooling measures, and they form a stable demand base for ECs.”

OrangeTee expressed a similar view, anticipating “keen demand” for the future project on the land parcel.

They added that the “relative scarcity of ECs” will help maintain steady interest from buyers, as ECs remain one of the most affordable private housing options for HDB upgraders.

Huttons added that the rising demand for recent project launches may have encouraged developers to acquire more land.

They noted that interest rates, expected to decrease in 2024 and 2025, could give developers more flexibility to bid for land. /TISG

Read also: US interest rate cut boosts confidence in Tampines mixed-use GLS site

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

Singapore’s biomedical sector boosts manufacturing output in September

Mary Alavanza
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Singapore’s biomedical sector boosts manufacturing output in September

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s manufacturing output in September rose by 9.8% year-on-year (YoY), as announced by the Economic Development Board (EDB).

However, this growth was largely driven by the biomedical sector, which saw a significant increase of 62% YoY.

According to the Singapore Business Review, without this boost, the overall manufacturing output would have increased by only 4.5% YoY and declined by 7.6% month-on-month (MoM).

The manufacturing output in September stayed mostly flat compared to August.

While the biomedical sector contributed strongly to the overall growth, all other sectors experienced increases in output except for transport engineering.

Transport engineering experienced a YoY decline of 1.9%, mainly due to drops in aerospace, which dropped 2.9% YoY, and marine & offshore engineering, which fell by 9.8% YoY.

Meanwhile, in September, precision engineering rose by 14.7% YoY, general manufacturing increased by 8.1% YoY, chemicals grew by 3.4% YoY, and electronics improved by 1.9% YoY. /TISG

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

China’s child trafficker who sold 17 children sentenced to death

Jasmime Kaur Darshan
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China’s child trafficker who sold 17 children sentenced to death

CHINA: A court in China has upheld the death sentence for child trafficking by a woman who sold more than a dozen children in the 90s, according to a BBC report.

This was the second time that Yu Huaying was sentenced to death after a re-trial was held for her in light of new evidence. The new evidence revealed that she sold 17 children and not 11 as previously alleged.

 

Her behaviour was discovered in 2022 when a woman Yu had sold for 3,500 yuan (USD$491) in 1995 and reported her capture to police in Guiyang, southwest China.

The victim, Yang Niuhua, was in her early 30s and was looking for her family on social media. She did find her relatives eventually, but her parents had died a few years before that.

Her report led to Yu’s arrest. The court also ordered that all her property be confiscated.

“Yu Huaying’s subjective malice is extremely deep, her criminal behaviour is particularly heinous, and the consequences of her actions are severe, warranting harsh punishment.

Although she confessed, this is insufficient to justify a lighter sentence,” said the court.

According to Chinese media, Yu’s first trafficking victim was her own son, whom she sold for 5,000 yuan. The mother was in her 20s at the time. The child’s father, Gong Xianliang, later became the woman’s child trafficking partner.

One of the parents of the two children she snatched in 1996 spoke about the ordeal and the hell she went through waiting and hoping for her child to come back.

The mother said she waited at the family’s shoe repair stall, where they were abducted for years. She told reporters last year in a Global Times report:

“The pain the traffickers have caused me is unspeakable, and the break in my family can never be repaired.”

Chinese media also reported that many families whose children Yu had abducted had suffered from depression and been torn apart.

According to the court, Yu had built a complete criminal chain of child trafficking, finding children in the provinces of Guizhou and Yunnan and the municipality of Chongqing in the south and then selling them up north in Hebei through intermediaries.

Yu was previously arrested in 2000 for child abduction but only went to jail for two months. In 2004, she was jailed for eight years for the same reason.

China govt-linked hackers: Trump and Vance’s phone data in the crosshairs

Jasmime Kaur Darshan
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China govt-linked hackers: Trump and Vance’s phone data in the crosshairs

CHINA: The Chinese government-linked hackers have targeted the phone communication of presidential candidate Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance, which is part of their spy efforts into the US government.

The information was provided by reliable sources to CNN reporters. The hackers also targeted people involved with the Harris-Walz campaign and officials in President Joe Biden’s administration.

However, it is unclear if they managed to access any data and, if so, what sort of data they managed to access.

The FBI and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a statement on Friday saying:

“The U.S. government is investigating the unauthorized access to commercial telecommunications infrastructure by actors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China.”

The FBI and the CISA also said they immediately notified affected companies once they identified the hacking, rendered technical assistance, and rapidly shared information to assist other potential victims.

CNN reported that the hacking is part of a much bigger campaign by China and that they have gained access to multiple US telecommunications firms.

Investigators suspect that they are looking for national security information.

However, there is no indication that the hackers looking for data on Trump and Vance’s phones were looking for data related to US law enforcement activity.

According to CNN, the targeted companies were AT&T, Verizon and Lumen.

Virginia Democrat Senator Mark Warner told CNN, “This is a very serious breach that the committee is monitoring on a daily basis,”

Tennessee Republican Rep Mark Green said, “It’s a very concerning cyber breach. It is broad and deep.”

The Chinese government, however, is rejecting all allegations. China has also earmarked 10 congressional, state and local election races with covert social media campaigns.

China, Russia and Iran are trying to influence the US election in different ways.

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

When The Phone Rings: Heo Nam Jun and Chae Soo Bin reunite years after graduating from college

Lydia Koh
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When The Phone Rings: Heo Nam Jun and Chae Soo Bin reunite years after graduating from college

KOREA: As reported by Soompi, MBC’s upcoming drama When the Phone Rings has released new preview stills!

When the Phone Rings is an adaptation of a webbook that centres around a couple in a convenient marriage who gets a threatening phone call, which creates tension and mystery.

Heo Nam Jun, Chae Soo Bin, and Yoo Yeon Seok are part of the cast for When The Phone Rings. 

Hong Hee Joo, played by Chae Soo Bin, is a sign language interpreter who had a childhood accident that left her voiceless. Heo Nam Jun plays Ji Sang Woo, a charismatic psychiatrist admired for his looks and kind nature.

Photo: Instagram/MBC Drama

What might lie ahead?

In the newly revealed images, Hee Joo and Sang Woo reconnect in sign language, marking their first meeting since graduation. This reunion scene raises questions about the depth of their connection and what might lie ahead.

In her empty marriage to Baek Sa Eon (Yoo Yeon Seok), Hee Joo often feels isolated. One day, she unexpectedly meets Sang Woo, a former college senior and past volunteer partner.

Although they haven’t spoken in years, the two quickly reestablish their bond, communicating through sign language, with their interactions filled with warmth and familiarity.

Uncertainty about their relationship

Their reunion after years apart hints at a complex history between them. Sang Woo’s reappearance seems to provoke jealousy and suspicion in Hee Joo’s husband, Sa Eon, adding a layer of tension and uncertainty to their relationship.

When the Phone Rings premieres on Nov 22 at 9:50 pm KST, promising a story rich in romance and mystery.

Chae So Bin is a talented South Korean actress known for her versatile roles and captivating performances. She was born on July 10, 1994, in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.

She gained recognition for her role in the popular historical drama “Love in the Moonlight” (2016), where she portrayed the intelligent and witty court lady Jo Ha Yeon.

MAS announces 42 finalists for the 2024 Global FinTech Hackcelerator and FinTech Excellence Awards

Mary Alavanza
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MAS announces 42 finalists for the 2024 Global FinTech Hackcelerator and FinTech Excellence Awards

SINGAPORE: The 2024 Global FinTech Hackcelerator and the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) FinTech Excellence Awards have 42 finalists, which will be revealed at the SFF FinTech Excellence Awards dinner on Nov 7, according to a released statement by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Oct 28.

This year’s theme, “Improving Financial Health,” focuses on developing financial products and tools to help individuals and businesses manage their resources effectively, build financial resilience, and create growth opportunities in today’s changing economy.

MAS announced that there are 18 finalists from the Global FinTech Hackcelerator, which received 77 proposals from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States.

These finalists submitted innovative and market-ready solutions that use technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to improve the financial health of individuals and businesses.

The finalists will participate in a two-day programme by Elevandi to network and collaborate with corporates, investors, and industry experts. They will also receive mentorship from their assigned Corporate Champions.

The finalists will then pitch their ideas at the Global FinTech Hackcelerator Demo Day during the SFF on Nov 6. Each finalist will receive a cash stipend of S$20,000, while the top three winners will each get S$50,000.

The SFF FinTech Excellence Awards 2024, held with the Singapore FinTech Association (SFA) and supported by PwC Singapore, received more than 200 submissions across six categories.

For the five Corporate categories, there were 175 submissions, leading to four finalists shortlisted for each category. In the Individual category, the FinTech Mentor Award, 29 submissions resulted in four finalists.

The SFF awards aim to recognise innovative FinTech solutions that have transformed industry practices.

This year, the award categories have been “revamped to be more outcome-focused,” concentrating on the impact and effectiveness of solutions, especially in areas like financial inclusion and regulatory compliance.

A thematic Corporate category in AI and Quantum technology has also been added.

Mr Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer at MAS, congratulated the finalists, saying, “Your innovative solutions inspire us and push the boundaries for shaping a more inclusive and dynamic future.”

For the full list of the 2024 Global FinTech Hackcelerator finalists, check here.

For the 2024 SFF FinTech Excellence Awards finalists, check here. /TISG

Featured image by Depositphotos

The Fiery Priest 2: Kim Nam Gil, Honey Lee, Kim Sung Kyun, BIBI, and others face thorny drug case

Lydia Koh
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0
The Fiery Priest 2: Kim Nam Gil, Honey Lee, Kim Sung Kyun, BIBI, and others face thorny drug case

KOREA: According to Soompi, SBS’s highly anticipated The Fiery Priest 2 has unveiled a new poster!

First airing in 2019 with a peak viewership of 22%, The Fiery Priest follows a Catholic priest with anger management issues and a timid detective as they team up to solve a murder.

Season 2 brings back fan-favourites Kim Nam Gil, Honey Lee, and Kim Sung Kyun alongside new cast members.

Photo: Instagram/SBS

Strength with a focused look

In the bold main poster, Kim Nam Gil’s character, priest Kim Hae Il, holds a rosary with a determined expression, symbolizing his fiery resolve.

On his left is cheerful prosecutor Park Kyung Sun (Honey Lee) with her characteristic smile, while to the right stands detective Goo Dae Young (Kim Sung Kyun), who projects strength with a focused look.

Strong rivals accompany them:

Seo Hyun Woo’s Nam Du Heon, the head prosecutor in Busan, emanates suspicion while being held by Goo Dae Young, while Sung Joon’s Kim Hong Sik, the boss of a drug organisation, is confined by Park Kyung Sun.

BIBI’s character, Detective Goo Ja Young, looks intense, showcasing her commitment as part of Busan’s Drug Investigation Unit.

New dynamics

Season 2 introduces allies and new dynamics, including Go Dok Seong (Kim Won Hae), who becomes a valuable supporter.

Familiar faces from the Gudam Police Station—like Oh Yo Han (Go Kyu Pil) and Father Han (Jeon Seong Woo)—appear ready for action in Busan, hinting at an epic showdown.

New characters add to the excitement: Yang Hyun Min brings a comedic gangster energy, while Lee Dae Yeon, dressed as a priest, faces off with gangsters.

With its ensemble cast, Season 2 will pit the Gudam Avengers against a powerful drug cartel involving police, prosecutors, and organized crime. The Fiery Priest 2 premieres Nov 8 at 10 p.m. KST, following The Judge from Hell.

A multifaceted South Korean actor, producer, director, singer, and philanthropist is Kim Nam Gil. He is known for his intense performances and ability to portray complex characters.  

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