Latest news with #DESMONDWEE
Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
BookTalk: History content creator Dhevarajan Devadas recommends S'pore history and literature
Mr Dhevarajan Devadas prefers e-books, but goes for physical copies of local titles as he usually tries to get them autographed. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE Who: Mr Dhevarajan Devadas, 34, has a knack for making doomscrollers on social media sit up to learn about Singapore history. The public policy analyst by day also creates history content on his TikTok account (@historyogi), which has over 120,000 followers. He hosts the Historyogi podcast series, where he interviews historians, scholars and writers. 'For someone who wants to learn more about Singapore history, I would begin with Thomas Stamford Raffles: Schemer Or Reformer by Syed Hussein Alatas. It gets one thinking about Raffles' role beyond the founding of modern Singapore and interrogates his troubling colonial legacy. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Best snacks to buy from Lotte Mart in Seoul, South Korea
Pick up snacks such as flavoured popcorn, matcha brownies and sugar-free candy at South Korean hypermarket chain Lotte Mart. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE SEOUL – Sharing top spot on many South Korean itineraries these days are saunas, skincare clinics and shopping in Lotte Mart – walking down aisles of the hypermarket chain filling up at taste-testing counters. From flavoured ramen to zero-sugar gummies, South Korea is exporting copious amounts of snacks worldwide, selling them on e-commerce marketplaces such as Amazon and Shopee. But buying them in their country of origin means savings of up to 50 per cent and more unique flavours. For instance, a 75g pack of corn snack Banana Kick costs 1,360 won (S$1.30) at Lotte Mart, compared with $2.40 on Shopee. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Geylang's Tomoyuki Doi up for top honours at SPL Awards Night after record-breaking season
Geylang International striker Tomoyuki Doi (second from right) scored a record-breaking 44 goals in 32 games this season. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE SINGAPORE – Geylang International striker Tomoyuki Doi will have the chance to round off a sensational season at the Singapore Premier League (SPL) Awards Night, after being named among the nominees for several honours on May 27. The Japanese star will receive the SPL Golden Boot and a special recognition award after scoring a league-record 44 goals in 31 appearances, surpassing former Singapore Armed Forces FC forward Mirko Grabovac's previous mark of 38 goals in a 33-game campaign in 2001. His attacking exploits have also earned him a spot on the shortlist for the AIA SPL Player of the Year, alongside Lion City Sailors' defender Bailey Wright and forward Shawal Anuar, who played key roles in their club's title victory. Doi, 27, said: 'I'm honoured to be nominated for the two awards. I really am grateful for everyone's support, especially those who supported me in the last 1½ years when I joined Geylang. The key to being where I am is that I have always believed in myself and kept the focus on getting better. It's as simple as that, nothing special.' Due to be held at the Orchard Hotel on June 1, the event will see the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) celebrate standout performances from the SPL and the SPL Under-21 League, with accolades to be presented across 13 categories. The Eagles had more reason to celebrate, with coach Noor Ali nominated for the Polar Mineral Water Coach of the Year award after leading Geylang to a third-placed finish – their best since 2003, when they were runners-up. Also up for the award are the Sailors' title-winning coach Aleksandar Rankovic, a first-time nominee, and BG Tampines Rovers' Gavin Lee. With the Sailors in the running for several top awards, their sporting director Badri Ghent hailed this as a team effort by everyone in the club. In addition to claiming their second SPL title, the Sailors also impressed on the continental stage with a historic run to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two final, where they lost 2-1 to the United Arab Emirates' Sharjah FC. Ghent said: 'It's a proud moment for everyone at Lion City Sailors and we're humbled to be up for such awards. 'They reflect not just the performances on the pitch, but the countless hours of hard work behind the scenes – from the players and coaches to the support staff and entire backroom team.' He hopes the club can continue their progress after an exceptional season, adding: 'To bag these honours will be a befitting end to what has been a long and memorable season. We'd also like to thank FAS for recognising our efforts in the AFC Champions League Two. 'As a club, we continually challenge ourselves to be even better each season. We will continue to build on the momentum that has been laid this season and, hopefully, represent Singapore football with pride and dignity on the continental stage in the coming years.' The AIA Young Player of the Year category features familiar talent and fresh faces. Seia Kunori is back in the running, this time as a Tampines player, having clinched the award in 2023 while playing for then-champions Albirex Niigata. The attacker is joined by Hougang United winger Farhan Zulkifli and first-time nominee Shingo Nakano, who plies his trade as a forward for Albirex. Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Looking back, how useful was tuition, anyway?
Ms Huang Yi Qing, 19, thinks tuition should not be intended for a complete overhaul of one's grades. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE SINGAPORE – What do young people really think about tuition? Stakeholders such as the authorities, providers and parents have weighed in, over the years, about the role of tuition as the industry continues to grow. Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Bedok Town Square transforms from polling station to arts venue
Bedok Town Square was a polling station (left) during Singapore's general election on May 3 and transformed for the Singapore International Festival of Arts, as pictured on May 16. ST PHOTOS: DESMOND WEE, MARK CHEONG SINGAPORE – The bustling commuter hub of Bedok Town Square has undergone chameleonic changes in three short weeks. On May 3, the square hosted a polling station as Singaporeans turned out to vote in the general election. The set-up was minimal, steel frames and plastic tape delineating the outlines of the space and simple booths for voters. Two days later, another crew had moved into the space and transformed it in 11 days into the setting for the Singapore International Festival of Arts (Sifa). Artist Wang Roubing's Beneath Tide, Running Water is a giant kinetic installation that also serves as the stage for Singapore Ballet dancers, who performed Christina Chan's Pact Of Water. As part of the show, the Orchestra of Music Makers played composer Philip Tan's Ode To The Sea while multidisciplinary artist Brian Gothong Tan's Speculative F(r)ictions unfolded on the screens. It is the first time the annual arts extravaganza has commissioned an opening work that premiered in the heartland and is free for all audiences. The show brought a different vibe to the space, which opened in 2016 and was envisioned by HDB as the first new-generation town plaza. Similarly, the neighbourhood setting, with a clangorous hawker centre and delicious food scents, lent unexpected savour to the Sifa show. The Sifa pavilion will host more free events and performances until the festival ends on June 1. Look out for Nadi Singapura and Drama Box's performances as well as weaving and singing workshops. Go to for more information. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
