Singaporean woman’s car window was smashed and her luggage was stolen at Paradigm Mall in JB

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June 17, 2025

Screenshot 2025-06-17 112734 — Photos: Julia Lim FB

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean woman is seeking help online after her car was broken into while she was shopping at Paradigm Mall in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The thieves allegedly absconded with her luggage and backpack on Sunday afternoon (Jun 15).

Revealing that the incident took place between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Facebook user Julia Lim said that she had parked her car near the lift lobby of the Paradigm Mall car park. She wrote on the My SG Road Trip – Eat, Play, Stay Malaysia! Facebook group:

“Came back to the car to find the window had been smashed and our carry-all and cabin luggage that had been placed in the boot out of sight were gone.”

Seeking advice on what to do, she asked, “Security is here and helped call the police. We have travel insurance, but we’re unsure what to do at this point. Should we cancel our staycation to return straight to Singapore or proceed to get the window repaired in JB?”

Netizens responding to her post gave her practical tips on what she could do. One Facebook commenter said, “Send your family to the hotel first, then send the car to a workshop. Leave the car there and get around by Grab. Gather all receipts and claim insurance when back in Singapore.”

Another commenter revealed that they had suffered a similar experience themselves. They wrote, “If you openly opened your boot before going on your trip, someone could’ve been watching. That happened to us before; we left our bags out of sight, came back, and everything was gone.”

Another netizen said, “You were targeted. If you weren’t, they wouldn’t have taken anything even if there were valuables inside. Think about what might have made you a target.”

Some commenters suggested using magnetic screens to block passersby’s view into cars, while others said the driver should better conceal her items in her vehicle in the future.

Some users recommended magnetic sunscreens to block out views into the car, while others reminded drivers to never leave any bags or visible items in the vehicle, even if they are empty.

One commenter urged Ms Lim to enjoy what remains of her trip. They said, “Things have already happened, even though it’s frustrating. Might as well use the holiday to lift your spirits a little.”

Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton says the age of AI is a great time to be a plumber

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Mary Alavanza

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June 17, 2025

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As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the job market, Geoffrey Hinton, the godfather of AI known for his work on neural networks, said now is a great time to become a plumber, as technology will eventually “get to be better than us at everything.”

He noted that while this is the case, it’s going to be a long time before AI becomes good at physical manipulation, as reported by Business Insider.

This comes as Gen Z turns to blue-collar jobs amid the brutal job market.

Last year, Gen Z have reportedly been pursuing “traditional trades” like welding, plumbing, and carpentry instead of going to university or working in desk jobs.

According to Mr Hinton, he would be “terrified” to work as a paralegal or in a call centre, as AI is set to replace most mundane intellectual work. He noted that to have an AI-proof job, a person would need to be “very skilled”.

He also raised concerns about the unhappiness that comes with mass job displacement. Even with a universal basic income, a solution he believes could help narrow the wealth gap as AI takes over mundane jobs, he said, people would lose a sense of purpose without a job.

Mr Hinton said AI is already being used to do the kind of work that fresh graduates used to do. While some fields, such as healthcare, may still require additional personnel despite the use of AI tools, for many, the technology will simply mean “mass firings,” as one person with an AI assistant can now perform the work of 10. /TISG

‘I saw a woman slap her child on the MRT, what should I do?’

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Anna Maria Romero

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June 17, 2025

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SINGAPORE: A local Reddit user took to the platform to ask others what they would do after seeing a mum slap her daughter, who looked like she was around five years old, in public.

In a Sunday (Jun 14) post on r/askSingapore, under the heading “Parents being violent towards kids in public,” u/runawaycauli wrote that they were on the MRT when the incident occurred and described the slap as “so loud that people around us looked.”

“She wasn’t even doing anything disruptive, not that it matters,” the post author added.

Since they felt “weird” because they did not do anything after the mum slapped her child, they went to the station office after getting off the MRT to tell the staff about it, but wondered if they had overreacted.

“The worker implied it was her child, so she can do whatever she wants (…not really true). He still said he would forward the issue and took down my contact info. I work with children, so maybe I felt it was important to at least say something… think it’s tricky, but what would you do in this situation?”

Many people have since responded to the post, expressing sympathy toward the child but also saying that it’s a complicated situation, since intervening may cause the parent to get angrier and lash out against their child even more.

“Yelled at a mother for slapping and screaming at her kid for not doing well in school. SHE THEN TURNED TO HER KID AND YELLED, ‘SEE LA! SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!’ She then scurried away, dragging her kid,” wrote one.

Others, nevertheless, thanked the post author for their concern.

“A couple of years ago in Hong Kong, I saw a dad yank his daughter’s ponytail, and I went to the school that I recognised the uniform of. The school knew the man’s situation and set up a discussion to see how they could help them. Hoping it made a difference in the girl’s life. Your act may seem useless now, but who knows who will come to their aid at one point? Good job,” wrote one.

One reminded the post author of Singaporean law, writing, “It is illegal in Singapore. You should intervene. You should call the police. You may need to remind them of the laws in Singapore, as many think this is ok.”

“The Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) defines a child as someone who is below 14 years of age and a young person as someone who is aged 14 years and above, but below 18 years old. Child abuse is defined as any act of commission or omission by a parent or caregiver that would endanger or impair the child’s or young person’s physical or emotional well-being. Child abuse may be in the form of physical abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, s e x u a l abuse, and neglect,” says the website of the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

Those who have reason to believe a child is being abused may call the National Anti-Violence Helpline at 1800-777-0000.

“Calling the helpline is the first step to prevent or stop any abuse. If the child’s life and safety are in imminent danger, please call the Police at 999 immediately,” MSF adds.

More information about reporting possible abuse cases may be found here. /TISG

Singaporean finds it problematic that some Chinese restaurants don’t have English on their menus and signs

By

Anna Maria Romero

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June 17, 2025

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SINGAPORE: When a non-Chinese Singaporean Reddit user highlighted the issues that arise when the language in local Chinese restaurants is almost entirely Chinese, their post sparked a lively discussion, with many commenters agreeing with the post author.

On Jun 16 (Monday), a post on r/Singapore, u/Unfair-Bike wrote at the beginning of their post that they’re an Indian Muslim with an interest in different cuisines, for the purpose of clarifying that the post is a personal rather than a political one.

The post author wrote that they enjoy some halal Chinese restaurants, especially Halal Lanzhou beef noodles at Tongue Tip, and they’re interested in trying more Northern Chinese cuisines if there are halal options.

They also clarified that they do not mean larger restaurant chains such as Haidilao, Luckin Coffee, or CHAGEE, “but rather the smaller restaurants you see popping up here and there, like in Bugis or Clementi,” where there’s a growing number of residents from mainland China.

The problem for the post author is that these restaurants primarily use Chinese on their menus and in their marketing, with hardly any English. This exclusion affects people who don’t speak Chinese, including food delivery riders who cannot read or speak the language, a problem highlighted in an AsiaOne article in 2023.

The post author added that even when restaurants do include some English, the text is often very small or only partially translated.

“In the menus, the translations can also be terrible,” the post author wrote, adding, “I do not know why the Chinese bosses are reluctant to put English signage. Do they think everyone speaks Chinese? Or do they only want the mainland immigrants as their clientele?”

“Even if I wouldn’t patronise since they’re not halal anyway, what if there’s someone who doesn’t speak Chinese but is interested in trying these Chinese places? Having no English makes this feel unwelcoming to some in Singapore, and don’t forget about the staff who also struggle with English!” they wrote, adding in an edit an appeal for people not to make the post “an excuse to be xenophobic.”

Many were sympathetic to the post author and agreed with the points they raised.

“As a bilingual Chinese, I honestly feel you. It’s something that I’m very annoyed by, even though I can understand the language perfectly fine. To me, English is the language that’s supposed to bridge the social divide between races and, hence, an important element of the social fabric in Singapore, but when businesses do not care to start using English, it feels like we’re taking a step backwards in social integration, which I think is one of the fundamental reasons that we have been successful,” was the top-rated comment.

“100000%, and I say this as a non-Chinese who did Mandarin as MT. As someone who understands the language, I get that it’s so automatic and easy to just take it for granted, but I see it from my family and friends’ POV, and it’s insane how much is coded as ‘not for us” and ‘you are not welcome’ by having things exclusively in Mandarin. point it out and people are all ‘ohhhh why so sensitive’. Worse yet in the workplace,” another chimed in.

“I wish I had awards to give this post. Thank you. You’ve hit the nail on the head here. It keeps boiling down to integration. As a minority, I feel it—increasingly I’m running into stores (not even Chinese restaurants) where none of the staff speak English AT ALL! I enjoy Chinese cuisine, but I feel like I’m being treated like a foreigner in my own homeland, and why? Because they opened up and didn’t even bother to pick up basic English?” a third wrote.

Interestingly, one Reddit user pointed out that this doesn’t just happen in Singapore.

“As a tangent, it isn’t just Chinese nationals who live in Singapore who do this. I live in England, and I was in the local Chinese grocer in town. They were chatting amongst themselves and kept referring to laowai (i.e., foreigners). I piped up and said, ‘Here YOU are the laowai!!’” /TISG

Brews over booze: Singapore Gen Z parties sober but high on caffeine

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Mary Alavanza

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June 17, 2025

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Gen Z partying sober with coffee at an event in Singapore. — Photo: Instagram/ beansandbeats.mp3

SINGAPORE: The high once associated with liquor at parties has now shifted to specialty coffee brewing in pubs in the city-state, as they adapt to Gen Z’s changing preference for safe spaces and alcohol-free experiences, AFP reported.

In May, a GlobalData survey showed that Singapore pubs have been winning over the younger generation with non-alcoholic drinks and unique experiences amid the drop in alcohol consumption while socialising, from 78% in 2021 to 74% in early 2025.

One recent example was a daytime party held in Duxton district. By 4 p.m., the place was already full, with baristas busy behind the counters making specialty coffee while DJs spun back-to-back sets in the background.

The event was organised by Beans and Beats, co-founded by 21-year-old Aden Low, which organises coffee parties at different venues.

He said, “A lot of people think alcohol gives you the high, but caffeine sometimes can do that too,” adding that’s why the atmosphere is still “quite energetic”.

Guests sip their coffee from white paper cups while dancing to curated music.

Thirty-one-year-old Esther Low, who attended the event in Duxton, said, “It’s also the idea that this is a safe space,” noting that clubbing often comes with a hook-up culture. “So, for me, that’s personally why I would prefer this,” she added.

AFP reported, citing a 2024 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, that alcohol use among young adults has dropped, based on population surveys and cohort studies.

The rise of the “sober curious” movement, where people choose to cut back on drinking or quit altogether, has also grown—often driven by health reasons and better mental acuity. /TISG

Outgoing WPP CEO says AI is ‘disrupting’ the advertising industry and will soon make the world’s expertise available to everybody at low cost

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Mary Alavanza

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June 17, 2025

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INTERNATIONAL: Artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked debate over its impact on jobs, and while experts say AI can’t replace humans in the workforce, WPP’s outgoing CEO Mark Read said it is “totally disrupting” the advertising industry and “unnerving” investors, CNBC Make It reported.

Tools like OpenAI’s DALL-E, Google’s Veo, and Midjourney can now create images and video content in seconds. “AI is going to make all the world’s expertise available to everybody at extremely low cost,” Mr Read said, noting that the best lawyers, psychologists, radiologists, accountants, and advertising creatives may soon be driven by AI.

Mr Read said during London Tech Week that around 50,000 WPP staff are now using WPP Open, the company’s AI-driven marketing platform, adding that this is his “legacy” in many ways.

He said that as AI impacts the creative parts of ad businesses, it has driven industry consolidation. He noted that companies will need to adapt to how AI is changing everything, from creating briefs and media plans to running ad campaigns.

French advertising giant Publicis Groupe’s CEO, Maurice Lévy, echoed this, saying the industry is undergoing a “huge transformation” due to the disruptive effects of AI. He noted that image and video generation has sped up content production, while automated messaging systems now make personalisation much easier.

However, Mr Lévy noted that users should not believe “AI is more than a tool.” While he believes AI will “destroy some jobs,” he said AI will “transform jobs and will create more jobs”—the same impact the internet and smartphones brought before.

Still, analyst Nicole Denman Greene from Gartner warned that people may not trust brands that rely too much on AI, as a Gartner survey last year found that 82% of consumers want companies using generative AI to preserve jobs, even if it means earning less profit.

Ms Greene said advertisers should shift their focus from what AI can do to what it should do. This includes creating groundbreaking insights, reaching diverse and niche audiences, helping brands stand out, and delivering more personalised experiences to consumers.

In Singapore, four in 10 businesses have adopted AI across various areas, including advertising, marketing, customer service, operations and logistics, product management, and workforce management. /TISG

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

Myntra Global launches in Singapore as prelude to broader internationalisation

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Gregory Yap

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June 17, 2025

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Ghim_Moh_night_panorama,_Singapore_-_20110101 — Wikipedia screengrab/ Chensiyuan (Chen Siyuan)

SINGAPORE: India’s leading fashion and e-commerce platform, Myntra, has expanded internationally through the launch of Myntra Global in the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore.

It targets the city-state’s roughly 650,000-strong Indian diaspora, its Singapore edition features over 35,000 shoppable styles across more than 100 homegrown brands, promises four-to-seven-day delivery from India, and is supported by a recent S$124 million capital infusion from its Singapore-based parent.

This latest development signals Myntra’s ambition to leverage data-driven insights and cross-border logistics. It seeks to establish a foothold in a mature Southeast Asian market as a prelude to broader global expansion.

Myntra Global represents the Flipkart-owned company’s first direct-to-consumer platform outside India. CEO Nandita Sinha highlighted that organic Singapore traffic, estimated at roughly 30,000 monthly visitors, prompted the rollout. Overall, the platform sees 70 million monthly active users.

The Singapore edition aims to cater to the fashion needs of expatriates and diaspora communities, including those linked to Indian festivals, weddings, and everyday wear. It launches with approximately 35,000 styles from over 100 Indian labels, including Aurelia, Global Desi, Libas, W, Anouk, and Chumbak.

This spans apparel, footwear, accessories, and home décor. Orders are shipped directly from India via third-party cross-border logistics, with expected delivery times of four to seven days.

By targeting the Lion City first, Myntra seeks to capture 12% to 15% of the Indian consumer segment in Singapore. The S$124 million capital injection from parent firm FK Myntra Holdings underscores confidence. The funds will be allocated towards investments in marketing, technology, and logistics.

Singapore’s mature e-commerce market sees gross merchandise volume projected to reach S$14.12 billion (US$11 billion) in 2025. Local platforms Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora dominate, but niche offerings targeting diaspora tastes remain underserved, and Myntra’s catalogue of culturally resonant brands and data analytics capabilities may help it carve a niche.

Myntra views Singapore as a “launchpad” for refining its global playbook prior to greater internationalisation in Southeast Asia and other markets. The company intends to leverage the template developed in the city state, hinging on seamless delivery, localised customer support, and effective marketing to diaspora networks as a template for further overseas expansion.

MAS end-June deadline for overseas crypto players aligns with global moves

By

Gregory Yap

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June 17, 2025

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SINGAPORE: Singapore’s financial regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), has mandated that all Singapore-based crypto firms serving customers overseas must obtain a licence by June 30, 2025, or cease such operations immediately.

This latest move extends MAS’s Digital Payment Token (DPT) framework to cover “digital token service providers” (DTSPs). These entities operate from Singapore but only serve overseas clients. The move closes a regulatory loophole perceived as a conduit for money laundering and illicit finance.

MAS’s May 30 consultation response confirms that any provider of digital token services outside Singapore must hold a licence under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) by Jun 30 or suspend activities.

The central bank said licences will be granted only in “extremely limited circumstances.” This reflects MAS’s concern about its ability to supervise offshore activities and the heightened AML/CFT risks involved. Non-compliance carries penalties of up to S$250,000 in fines and up to three years’ imprisonment.

The Jun 30 deadline has prompted offshore-focused exchanges such as WazirX to announce relocation plans, while others weigh exit strategies. The ban also risks hundreds of jobs among unlicensed operators, according to industry observers.

MAS has emphasised that DPT providers who are already licensed can continue to service both domestic and international customers without interruption. While suggestive of a reversal of its crypto-friendly stance, Singapore’s central bank has remained consistent in its compliance push.

Singapore’s Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) states that Singapore-based businesses offering digital token services to clients overseas must be licensed. Simply put, the central bank has completed public consultations and has informed service providers that their unlicensed tenure is over.

In a statement on Jun 6, MAS explained: “Due to the higher risks presented by the specific circumstances set out above, existing DTSPs serving only customers outside of Singapore will be required to cease this activity when the regime comes into effect on 30 June 2025. MAS’ position on this has been consistently communicated for a few years since the first response to public consultation issued on 14 February 2022 and in subsequent publications on 4 October 2024 and 30 May 2025.”

The move aligns with jurisdictions like Singapore, Thailand, Dubai, Hong Kong, and others. This is part of a broader global crackdown. Stricter licensing and risk-management standards target money laundering and terrorism financing.

For instance, in the European Union (EU), the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation has been in force since June 2023. It similarly imposes authorisation, transparency, and reserve-backing requirements on crypto-asset service providers in member states. Malta and Luxembourg have already begun licensing major exchanges under MiCA, illustrating a move towards harmonised oversight in mature financial centres.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., the STABLE Act and GENIUS Act aim to establish comprehensive stablecoin frameworks, mandating licensing, reserve standards, and anti-money laundering measures within one year of enactment.

Closer to home, in the rival business hub of Hong Kong, its Legislative Council passed the Stablecoins Bill on May 21, 2025. This institutes a licensing regime for fiat-referenced stablecoin issuers. It is set to take effect on Aug 1, 2025.

This framework requires robust reserve management, redemption protocols, and risk-based supervision by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). It also aligns with Singapore’s emphasis on safeguarding financial integrity.

By enforcing the Jun 30 deadline, MAS is aligning Singapore with global regulations and safeguarding the reputation of its financial centre as a transparent, well-regulated crypto hub.

Peking University’s “wisdom water” sparks online frenzy and official backlash

By

Gemma Iso

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June 17, 2025

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Man holding bottle water (for illustration purposes only)

BEIJING, CHINA: Bottled water allegedly taken from the famous Weiming Lake at Peking University is stirring the pot online, advertised as a magical tonic able to enhance wisdom and boost emotional intelligence. With a price of up to 99 yuan (US$14 or S$18.90) for just 500 ml, the purported “wisdom-inspiring” liquid is far more costly than the usual bottled water, and it’s not even meant for drinking.

According to a recent South China Morning Post report, online retailers on second-hand platforms have fascinated China’s social media scene by touting the lake water as a form of academic amulet. Many people even go to the extent of filming themselves collecting the water inside school grounds to demonstrate that it is genuine.

“Staring at the water every day can boost your spirits, inspire wisdom, and dramatically improve your EQ,” says one advertisement, which also asserts that the water can “help plants grow” and “adjust humidity.” However, one seller cautions that the product is just ornamental and not for drinking.

In addition to the unusual academic souvenirs trend, vendors are also quick to offer soil near the lake for 99 yuan per 600 grams, as well as campus soil for 129 yuan per 900 grams. In some listings, signatures from university professors are featured, apparently to infuse reliability and trustworthiness, or perhaps a touch of sarcasm.

Authorities have noticed the “water’s” surging popularity. The security department of Peking University has denounced the marketing and selling of the said water, stating that taking water from Weiming Lake for commercial purposes is forbidden. The university issued a statement saying that it will reach out to sellers and advise the public to report those who sell this water or any form of advertisement regarding the lake water.

This development has sparked a fierce debate online. One netizen joked, “This water is magical! Buying it shows your IQ level, ha!” Another commenter mockingly recommended, “Why not sell the air from the university? I bet many parents would buy it.”

The frenzy comes soon after China’s exhausting national college entrance examination, the gaokao, of which more than 13 million students took this month. With campus admission becoming increasingly competitive, the appeal of emblematic objects from prestigious institutions like Peking University, ranked 14th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, has evolved into a fascinating cultural phenomenon.

Whether it’s an innocuous knick-knack or a disturbing trend, one thing is clear—in the competition for success, some are prepared to “bottle up” their daydreams—literally.

HDB extends S$300 monthly rental vouchers till December 31 for families waiting for BTO

By

Anna Maria Romero

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June 17, 2025

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SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced on Monday (June 16) that it will be extending the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) Voucher by six months, making it effective until Dec 31.

HDB explained that the extension is intended to provide support to young couples and families currently in the open market while they wait for their new flats to be completed.

Families who qualify will receive S$300 each month on a reimbursement basis to help with their rental costs during the support period. The HDB added that it expects around 200 households to benefit from this extension.

Among other factors, these families must have booked an uncompleted flat from HDB’s sales exercises and have a household income of S$7,000 and under.

The complete criteria for eligibility for the scheme can be found here, and details concerning the application process are available here.

“This extension will sustain interim support for eligible families until HDB fully ramps up the supply of PPHS flats to 4,000 units by the end of this year,” HDB added.

HDB also noted that the application rate for PPHS flats has substantially decreased from more than 20 in 2021 to around three at present. This is largely due to the increased supply, which has risen from 800 units four years ago to around 4,000 units by the end of this year.

All qualified applicants who are married with children aged 18 and under, including expectant parents, have been invited to select a PPHS flat since June 2023.

The supply of new flats has also steadily gone up, and HDB is on track to launch more than 130,000 Build-to-Order (BTO) flats from 2021 to 2027. These include units with shorter waiting times.

“Therefore, BTO application rates for first-timer families have fallen from 3.7 times in 2019 to 1.5 times in the February 2025 sales exercise. Median waiting times have also been reduced to less than four years, comparable to pre-COVID levels. All BTO projects undergoing construction are on track to be delivered on time,” HDB added.

The PPHS was first launched on Jan 31, 2013, with the HDB launching 1,150 flats for application under the scheme. /TISG

Singaporean woman’s car window was smashed and her luggage was stolen at Paradigm Mall in JB

Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton says the age of AI is a great time to be a plumber

‘I saw a woman slap her child on the MRT, what should I do?’

Singaporean finds it problematic that some Chinese restaurants don’t have English on their menus and signs

Brews over booze: Singapore Gen Z parties sober but high on caffeine

Outgoing WPP CEO says AI is ‘disrupting’ the advertising industry and will soon make the world’s expertise available to everybody at low cost

Myntra Global launches in Singapore as prelude to broader internationalisation

MAS end-June deadline for overseas crypto players aligns with global moves

Peking University’s “wisdom water” sparks online frenzy and official backlash

HDB extends S$300 monthly rental vouchers till December 31 for families waiting for BTO

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