Asia Tonight - Wed 11 Jun 2025
News and views from around the region, delivered with uniquely Asian perspectives.
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Top stories of the day with 'live' reports and interviews to keep you up-to-date on what's happening in one of the most dynamic regions of the world.
Daily at 8pm (SIN / HK)
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CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Asia Tonight - Fri 1 Aug 2025
47:58 Min About the show: Top stories of the day with 'live' reports and interviews to keep you up-to-date on what's happening in one of the most dynamic regions of the world. Daily at 8pm (SIN / HK)
Independent Singapore
14 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Singaporean questions pet shop practices after spotting caged rabbit for two months
Photo: Canva Free Image Library SINGAPORE: On the r/askSingapore subreddit, a post about a caged rabbit sparked an outpouring of emotion and introspection. The user shared discomfort about a rabbit they'd seen at a Pet Lovers Centre, sitting alone in a small enclosure for what they observed had been two months and questioned whether it was harassment. 'It's almost akin to leashing a dog without any freedom,' the user wrote. 'It looks healthy and is well-fed, but I was told it will stay in that cage until someone buys it — and at S$330, that might take a while.' The post wasn't just about one rabbit but about the uncomfortable reality of how animals — particularly those for sale — are treated not as living beings with needs, instincts, and emotions, but as merchandise waiting for a transaction. When normal becomes numb The rabbit in question was reportedly AVS-approved (Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore), and from the outside, it met all basic welfare standards — clean fur, access to food and water, and a visibly healthy appearance. However, the deeper question the post posed was more difficult: Is this enough? For animals like rabbits — naturally curious, social, and energetic — life in a confined glass enclosure, with minimal stimulation or space to move, isn't a life but more like a waiting room. In Singapore's tightly regulated pet trade, this practice is technically compliant, but compliance doesn't always equal compassion, and when we become used to seeing animals in cages, we risk becoming desensitised to their quiet suffering. Numerous commenters chimed in, sharing stories of similar discomfort, of rabbits and hamsters and birds kept in enclosures either barely large enough for the animals to turn around or overcrowded. Some netizens mentioned that animals can develop depression, anxiety, or physical problems due to prolonged confinement. As many animals sold in pet shops are prey animals, they also often mask their distress, making it easy for their suffering to be overlooked by the untrained eye. See also Home sought for poor doggo imprisoned in cage for 5 years While AVS regulations require pet shops to meet certain health and hygiene standards, animal-rights activists have said ethical animal care is more than just a checklist. It's about understanding the natural behaviours of the animals being sold and ensuring they have the space, stimulation, and care they deserve. A small hope What began as a quiet observation in a pet shop evolved into a conversation of shared concern that behind every glass enclosure is a living creature with instincts and needs, and that, sometimes, change starts not with grand legislation — but with someone pausing in front of a cage and asking a simple, human question: 'Is this okay?' () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
Independent Singapore
a day ago
- Independent Singapore
'No, we don't chew gum': What people really get wrong about Singapore
SINGAPORE: When people think and picture the Lion City, certain stereotypes come to mind: It's part of China, it's impeccably clean to the point of being sterile, and no one dares to chew gum, but talk to long-time residents, and a far more distinct, culturally rich depiction emerges—one that's frequently misjudged or disregarded by those on the outside looking in. A post on Reddit asking, 'What do people who live outside of Singapore misunderstand about Singapore?' triggered a spate of responses from both locals and expats. Their perceptions depicted a fascinating representation of a nation far more encrusted than the trivialities imply. Myth #1: 'Singapore is part of China' This is perhaps the most insistent and erroneous supposition. For many strangers, predominantly those unacquainted with Southeast Asia, Singapore gets lumped in with its much bigger northern neighbour. 'I've had people ask if Singapore is in China,' one netizen wrote, reflecting an annoyance that's become too common. Another added, 'Some Filipinos think Singapore is a Chinese country, people- and culture-wise. When they hear you're Malay, they assume you're from Malaysia.' Chinese Singaporeans undeniably comprise the ethnic mainstream, but that doesn't mean the country is culturally or politically Chinese. Singapore is an autonomous, multi-ethnic city-state, home to a rich combination of Chinese, Eurasian, Malay, Indian, and other communities. Each ethnicity contributes to the national distinctiveness in noticeable and expressive ways. Myth #2: 'Everyone in Singapore speaks Chinese' In Singapore, English is the main language of training, business, and day-to-day communication. 'People outside who have never visited Singapore think everyone here speaks Chinese,' one Redditor noticed. 'Even though people here mostly speak English.' Malay, remarkably, holds the position of national language, a detail that amazes many foreigners. Singapore's national anthem, Majulah Singapura , is chanted in Malay. While the regular Singaporean may not speak the language confidently, it remains an essential element of the nation's heritage. Myth #3: 'It's all glitz, glam, and Crazy Rich Asians' The global success of the movie Crazy Rich Asians brought Singapore onto the world stage—but at a cost. 'I think the movie did more harm than good for the cultural identity of Singapore,' one commenter noted. The film's portrayal of the super-rich select few living an extravagant lifestyle in unspoiled environs left many with the idea that Singapore is an adventure playground for the affluent. The truth? While Singapore is undoubtedly contemporary and industrialised, it's also an authentic place with real people wrestling with socioeconomic issues, just like other people in any other country. Myth #4: 'Singapore is immaculately clean and harshly controlled' Yes, Singapore has a character of being a 'fine city'—both in terms of sanitation and in terms of issuing penalties for littering, jaywalking, and, yes, chewing gum, but as some Redditors pointed out, this repute can be deceptive. 'Only to be surprised when they see people spitting on the sidewalks,' one local remarked. Another added, 'There's rubbish lying around and in the bins—Japanese people tweet about it!' While it's more hygienic than most global cities, Singapore isn't a germ-free paradise. It's a lived-in place, with all the inadequacies, defectiveness, and inconsistencies that come with city life. Myth #5: 'There's a 'Singaporean look'' One of the more understated fallacies revolves around physical looks. 'I've had people say 'you don't look Singaporean' when I tell them where I'm from,' said one Redditor. This postulation originates from an inadequate understanding of what a 'typical' Singaporean looks like, habitually defaulting to Chinese physical attributes. Essentially, Singapore is proudly diverse, and its people mirror that multiplicity. From Indian shrines to Malay celebrations to Chinese New Year carnivals, Singapore's cultural calendar is as wide-ranging as its food and its inhabitants. So, what is Singapore? It's not a slice of China. It's not a monument and not a movie set. It's a multilingual, religiously diverse, multi-ethnic society that harmonises order with sincerity, innovativeness with tradition. It's where learners study in English but sing their national hymn in Malay, where Muslims break fast during Ramadan next to hawkers vending pork noodles, and where street food is a national gem served underneath gigantic high-rise buildings. As one Redditor summed it up: 'I wish they would promote our history and culture more. It's something to be proud of.'
