The Snackpacker's Guide: 6 sweet, savoury and spicy nibbles from Sichuan for under $8
Snacks from Sichuan province range from spicy meat jerky to yak milk sweets. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
SINGAPORE – There is no singular reason why China has become the destination of choice for Singaporeans.
For some, it is being in cutting-edge cities where drone-delivered meals arrive in under 30 minutes and cashless transactions are done with a wave of the palm.
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AsiaOne
44 minutes ago
- AsiaOne
Singapore private club 1880 suddenly closes; founder says it has no funds to pay staff and suppliers, Lifestyle News
SINGAPORE — Private members' club 1880 announced its sudden closure on June 17 after almost eight years in business, with its holding and operating companies placed under provisional liquidation. The club, located in Robertson Quay, explained the closure in e-mail and WhatsApp messages to members in the early hours of June 17. It said it could not secure several offers to invest in or acquire 1880, and has no funds to pay staff and suppliers. The message, which was seen by The Straits Times, was signed off by Canadian founder Marc Nicholson. It said: "The club and all its operations will cease immediately. Please do not come to the premises as the doors will be locked." Nicholson said in the message that the holding company 38 Degrees and the operating company 1880 Pte Ltd have been placed into provisional liquidation, and that details about the liquidation process and the creditors' meeting will be forthcoming. The club comprised a co-working space, restaurant, bar and spa for members. It hosted trivia nights, forums and dialogues with personalities from diplomats to explorers and entrepreneurs. Its closure follows the sudden closure of its Hong Kong branch on May 30, after less than seven months in operation. It was also building a property in Bali. In the message, Nicholson said visitors had been spending less and going less often, adding that "the company needed an injection and some efficiency optimisation". There were three offers to invest in or acquire 1880, he said. ST understands that potential investors included a sovereign wealth fund and a privately held real estate group. "(Any one) of these would have restored us to health and given a runway to building a global brand. I was extremely excited believing in my heart that our future was secure and bright," Nicholson wrote. "We were however unsuccessful in getting those offers over the line. With no further funds to pay our staff or suppliers we have no alternative but to close." The message also alluded to the club's expansion efforts as contributing to its collapse. Said Nicholson: "We created a brand that earned a reputation that brought opportunities for expansion that I could not resist. "Call it hubris, arrogance, capitalism, or stupidity, I am solely to blame for the failure of 1880." ST has contacted 1880 for comment. As at June 16, it appeared to be business as usual at 1880, with the club still promoting events on its social media pages. One of the club's founding members, Andrew Chan, said he was still getting updates for events that were two weeks away. But he also said the writing was on the wall after 1880's biggest annual White Party was cancelled and its Hong Kong outlet was shuttered. "In recent times being at the club, it was a lot quieter," said Chan, who runs a recruitment and professional training firm in the hospitality sector. "But I'm not upset, it's just business, and F&B businesses are struggling... I've seen it firsthand as someone who works in the sector... I feel more for the staff of 1880, they were great people." Ben Jones, co-founder of Mandala Club in Bukit Pasoh Road, which is another player on the scene, said: "The closure of 1880 marks a significant moment for Singapore's cultural and social scene." Jones added: "As a fellow private members' club, we recognise the vision and effort it takes to create spaces that bring communities together in meaningful ways." He declined to comment on the specifics of 1880's business challenges. [[nid:719111]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
'Things are bad. But don't lose hope' - A Singapore climate scientist's view of the world
Many nations and businesses are still investing in climate action, with green energy seen as smart economics. ST PHOTO: HADYU RAHIM Hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty in the ST podcast studio. ST PHOTO: HADYU RAHIM Green Pulse Podcast 'Things are bad. But don't lose hope' - A Singapore climate scientist's view of the world Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. The world is in a very dangerous place, says Singapore climate scientist Professor Winston Chow. Right when nations need to be united in fighting climate change, we seem more divided than ever, more focused on what are perceived to be more pressing issues, from cost of living to hot wars and trade wars. But climate change is exacting an ever greater toll and is a today problem, not the 'tomorrow problem' that many policymakers believe, Prof Chow tells Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty Scorching heat, increasingly costly climate-linked disasters, melting ice caps and rising sea levels – these are threats that need much greater attention from policymakers, including in SE Asia. The good news is that many nations and businesses remain committed to investing in climate adaptation and cutting emissions, such as green energy investments. And sustainability isn't dead – it's just good economics to factor in the cost-benefits of greener investing, he says. Have a listen and let us know your thoughts! Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 2:27 What is your feeling right now given the dark clouds on the climate and policy fronts? 8:41 What is the one thing that has alarmed you? 13:37 Does the average person really understand how serious things are? 18:24 How worried should we be in SE Asia? 20:55 But there is reason for optimism, too, isn't there? 25:59 What's your message for those in the climate space? 'Don't lose hope.' Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: Read her articles: Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: Read his articles: Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@ & David Fogarty (dfogarty@ Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Feedback to: podcast@ --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: ST Podcast website: ST Podcasts YouTube: --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: Google Play: --- Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
FedEx partners with Pick Network to provide parcel drop-off services across Singapore
Customers can now drop off FedEx packages at over 1,000 Pick smart lockers island-wide. PHOTO: FEDEX SINGAPORE — Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) has partnered with Pick Network, a local parcel locker provider, to provide consumers with the option of dropping off pre-labelled FedEx packages for delivery at over 1,000 Pick smart lockers located across Singapore. This will add to FedEx's existing infrastructure of two FedEx facilities and over 410 drop-off points across the Republic, bringing the number of lockers customers can now access for drop-offs to over 1,500. The move, announced on June 16, comes a month after FedEx and SingPost announced a collaboration to expand FedEx parcel drop-off points to all SingPost offices nationwide as well as at POPStop@Tampines MRT, increasing acceptance points from six to 43. FedEx said the collaborations come in response to rapid e-commerce growth and rising consumer demand for greater flexibility and security in parcel handling options. Pick's smart lockers, which will be available around the clock, can be found in residential estates, community hubs and shopping malls, and fit small to medium-sized parcels with dimensions up to 41 x 26 x 46 cm. FedEx customers will be able to drop off their packages at Pick's lockers directly and have the option of self-collection at over 2,000 locations, including Pick Network. Managing director of FedEx Singapore Eric Tan noted that 'by expanding our collaboration with Pick Network, we're building smarter, more accessible supply chains that give individuals and businesses even greater control over how, when, and where they ship'. He added that expanding the FedEx drop-off and collection network in Singapore will support evolving customer preferences and improve pick-up and delivery success rates. 'This move is primarily driven by the continued growth of e-commerce and the need for smart convenient solutions that offer greater flexibility and adapt to customers' daily routines.' Pick Network CEO New Soon Tee added that the partnership with FedEx has made it more convenient for consumers to send parcels through Pick's lockers to over 220 countries worldwide. The collaboration also builds on the previous partnership between the two companies under the launch of the nationwide parcel locker network in 2021, for which Pick Network has since been providing parcel collection services for FedEx packages. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
