Daily roundup: Odette remains Singapore's only restaurant in World's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2025 — and other top stories today, World News
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today.
1. Odette remains Singapore's only restaurant in World's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2025
The results of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 are out and once again, only one establishment from Singapore made the list... » READ MORE
2. Elderly man left bloodied after concrete from toilet ceiling collapses on him in Yishun home
An elderly man was struck by falling spalling concrete from the ceiling of his toilet in his Yishun HDB flat... » READ MORE
3. No joke: Tableware used by Dylan Wang in China noodle shop framed up by owner
Chinese heartthrob Dylan Wang has been capturing the hearts of fans worldwide, but now he has captured their appetite as well... » READ MORE
4. Malaysian dad in tears after 11 children pool together to buy him new SUV
A Malaysian father was moved to tears after his 11 children surprised him with a brand new car... » READ MORE
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AsiaOne
4 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Daily roundup: Odette remains Singapore's only restaurant in World's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2025 — and other top stories today, World News
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. Odette remains Singapore's only restaurant in World's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2025 The results of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 are out and once again, only one establishment from Singapore made the list... » READ MORE 2. Elderly man left bloodied after concrete from toilet ceiling collapses on him in Yishun home An elderly man was struck by falling spalling concrete from the ceiling of his toilet in his Yishun HDB flat... » READ MORE 3. No joke: Tableware used by Dylan Wang in China noodle shop framed up by owner Chinese heartthrob Dylan Wang has been capturing the hearts of fans worldwide, but now he has captured their appetite as well... » READ MORE 4. Malaysian dad in tears after 11 children pool together to buy him new SUV A Malaysian father was moved to tears after his 11 children surprised him with a brand new car... » READ MORE editor@
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
Monsters and memes: Labubu dolls ride China soft-power wave
TikTok paved the way for Labubu's ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally. PHOTO: EPA-EFE SHANGHAI - Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart's Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher. Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of a 'cool' China even in places associated more with negative public opinion of Beijing such as Europe and North America. Labubus, which typically sell for around US$40 (S$51.40), are released in limited quantities and sold in 'blind boxes', meaning buyers do not know the exact model they will receive. The dolls are 'a bit quirky and ugly and very inclusive, so people can relate', interior designer Lucy Shitova told AFP at a Pop Mart store in London, where in-person sales of Labubus have been suspended over fears that fans could turn violent in their quest for the toys. 'Now everything goes viral... because of social media. And yes, it's cool. It's different.' While neighbouring East Asian countries South Korea and Japan are globally recognised for their high-end fashion, cinema and pop songs, China's heavily censored film and music industry have struggled to attract international audiences, and the country's best-known clothing exporter is fast-fashion website Shein. There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products. 'It has been hard for the world's consumers to perceive China as a brand-creating nation,' University of Maryland's Professor Fan Yang told AFP. Pop Mart has bucked the trend, spawning copycats dubbed by social media users as 'lafufus' and detailed YouTube videos on how to verify a doll's authenticity. Brands such as designer womenswear label Shushu/Tong, Shanghai-based Marchen and Beijing-based handbag maker Songmont have also gained recognition abroad over the past few years. 'It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable,' Prof Yang said. The TikTok effect Through viral exports like Labubu, China is 'undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners,' said Ms Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting. Ms Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China's global image 'similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo'. Video app TikTok – designed by China's ByteDance – paved the way for Labubu's ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally. Mr Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that 'TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers' minds about China'. TikTok, which is officially blocked within China but still accessible with VPN software, has over one billion users, including what the company says is nearly half of the US population. The app has become a focus of national security fears in the United States, with a proposed ban seeing American TikTok users flock to another Chinese app, Rednote, where they were welcomed as digital 'refugees'. A conduit for Chinese social media memes and fashion trends, TikTok hosts over 1.7 million videos about Labubu. Labubumania Cultural exports can 'improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services', CFR's Mr Kurlantzick told AFP. 'I don't know how much, if at all, this impacts images of China's state or government,' he said, pointing to how South Korea's undeniable soft power has not translated into similar levels of political might. More on this Topic China state media warning on blind-box toys sends Labubu maker Pop Mart shares tumbling While plush toys alone might not translate into actual power, the United States' chaotic global image under the Trump presidency could benefit perceptions of China, Prof Yang said. 'The connection many make between the seeming decline of US soft power and the potential rise in China's global image may reflect how deeply intertwined the two countries are in the minds of people whose lives are impacted by both simultaneously,' she told AFP. At the very least, Labubu's charms appear to be promoting interest in China among the younger generation. 'It's like a virus. Everyone just wants it,' Kazakhstani mother-of-three, Ms Anelya Batalova, told AFP at Pop Mart's theme park in Beijing. Qatari Maryam Hammadi, 11, posed for photos in front of a giant Labubu statue. 'In our country, they love Labubu,' she said. 'So, when they realise that the origin of Labubu is in China, they'd like to come to see the different types of Labubu in China.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
10 hours ago
- CNA
World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025: Singapore's Odette is No 25, Lima's Maido takes top spot
Maido, a Nikkei restaurant in Lima, Peru has been named The World's Best Restaurant 2025. French restaurant Odette is Singapore's only representative in the top 50 at No 25. The winners of The World's 50 Best Restaurants list were unveiled in a live ceremony on Jun 19, 8pm (SGT 2am) at Lingotto Fierre, an events venue in Turin, Italy. Restaurants from 22 territories across five continents, including 10 new entries, were represented on the list. Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain and Quintonil in Mexico City took second and third place respectively. Odette remains Singapore's only representative on the top 50 list since 2018. Modern Singapore restaurant Labyrinth and grill restaurant Burnt Ends are 97th and 93rd, respectively. Maido, which was ranked No 5 last year, is helmed by chef-owner Mitsuhara "Micha" Tsumura, who was born and raised in Peru after his Japanese parents immigrated to the country. The 15-year-old restaurant blends Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients in a multi-course tasting menu that changes with the seasons. In an emotional thank-you speech, Tsumura paid tribute to his staff who have been with him since the restaurant opened, saying: 'This is not only a dream of an award but a dream of making people happy through food and hospitality. Although we have our differences, I believe the gastronomic industry right now can be an example of what can be done in environmental and human sustainability through the power of food.' The list has largely skewed towards the Americas and Europe continents but Asia has been rising. Establishments in lesser-known cities have also been appearing such as Vyn in Skillinge, Sweden, and Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler in Brunico, Italy. Bangkok had the most impressive showing with six restaurants on the rankings including highest lister Gaggan (6th) and the Highest New Entry Award winner Potong (13th). The other restaurants were Sorn (17th), Suhring (22nd), Le Du (30th) and new entry Nusara (35th). Potong's chef-owner Pichaya "Pam" Soontornyanakij was also named World's Best Female Chef 2025. Other Asian restaurants on the list include Hong Kong's Wing (11th) and The Chairman (19th), Seoul's Mingles (29th), Tokyo's Sezanne (7th), re-entry Narisawa (21st) and Florilege (36th) as well as Osaka's La Cime (44th). Wing also picked up the Art of Hospitality Award. Other special awards included Highest Climber, given to London's Ikoyi (15th), which leapfrogged 27 spots from last year's 42nd ranking. Italian chef-restaurateur Massimo Bottura and his partner Lara Gilmore received the Icon Award for their leadership in global gastronomy, culinary innovation and social impact. Besides running the art-filled guesthouse Casa Maria Luigia in Modena and Osteria Francescana, which was voted The World's Best Restaurant in 2016 and 2018, they also champion sustainability and inclusion in initiatives like Food for Soul and the Tortellante Project. Paris-based Maxime Frederic from hotel Cheval Blanc Paris won The World's Best Pastry Chef Award 2025 while The World's Best Sommelier Award 2025 was presented to Mohamed Benabdallah of Asador Etxebarri. Celele in Colombia's port city of Cartagena took home the Sustainable Restaurant Award and Albert Adria from Enigma in Barcelona received the Chefs' Choice Award 2025, the only peer-voted award on the list. The Champions of Change Award went to Mindy Woods, chef-owner of Karkalla On Country, a dining experience in Bundjalung Country in Australia that invites guests to connect with aboriginal culture and locally sourced, native ingredients. Contemporary Egyptian restaurant Khufu's in Cairo was named as One To Watch, given to an establishment most likely to break into the top 50 in the years to come. The World's 50 Best Restaurants list has been produced by UK media company William Reed since 2002. A total of 1,120 international restaurant industry experts and well-travelled gourmets vote the winners, and the results are independently adjudicated by professional services consultancy Deloitte. Restaurants who have previously been named No 1, such as Copenhagen's Geranium, Mirazur in Menton, France, and Barcelona's Disfrutrar are inducted into the Best of the Best Hall of Fame and are not eligible to be voted on future lists. THE WORLD'S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS 2025 LIST *new entry, **re-entry Maido, Lima Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo Quintonil, Mexico City DiverXO, Madrid Alchemist, Copenhagen Gaggan, Bangkok Sezanne, Tokyo Table by Bruno Verjus, Paris Kjolle, Lima Don Julio, Buenos Aires Wing, Hong Kong Atomix, New York Potong, Bangkok* Plenitude, Paris Ikoyi, London Lido 84, Lake Garda Sorn, Bangkok Reale, Castel di Sangro The Chairman, Hong Kong Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler, Brunico* Narisawa, Tokyo** Serene, Bangkok Borago, Santiago Elkano, Getaria Odette, Singapore Merito, Lima* Tresind Studio, Dubai Lasai, Rio de Janeiro* Mingles, Seoul Le Du, Bangkok Le Calandre, Rubano** Piazza Duomo, Alba Steirereck, Vienna Enigma, Barcelona* Nusara, Bangkok* Florilege, Tokyo Orfali Bros, Dubai** Frantzen, Stockholm Mayta, Lima Septime, Paris Kadeau, Copenhagen* Belcanto, Lisbon Uliassi, Senigallia La Cime, Osaka** Arpege, Paris Rosetta, Mexico City Vyn, Skillinge* Celele, Cartagena* Kol, London Restaurant Jan, Munich*
