Latest news with #Hirono

Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Design News: Pop Toy Show 2025, Xiaomi's washer-dryer, Starbucks' second Mofusand collection
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Pop Toy Show returns for its third edition on Aug 22 to 24. Pop Toy Show 2025 Chinese collectibles-maker Pop Mart's Pop Toy Show Singapore 2025 is back for its third edition from Aug 22 to 24. The event takes place at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, with an outdoor activation at the Bayfront Event Space that has already started. This takes the form of a 3m-tall statue of the Pop Mart character Hirono, created by Chinese artist Lang, that looms over Marina Bay and is a photo spot for fans. Organisers have promised that Hirono, known for his sad, puffy eyes, will be the show's headliner. There will also be a 15-minute drone show at the same space on Aug 22 and 23 at 8.15pm, featuring 1,300 drones in displays inspired by beloved Pop Mart characters. The convention highlights other Pop Mart characters and creators. The artists include Bao from China, who designed the character known as Kubo, and Agee & Yep, the Chinese designers behind Hacipupu. Other renowned local and international artists will also be present at individual booths, such as Taiwanese-Canadian artist Poh Yun Wang and American artist Tara McPherson. The halls will be filled with photo zones, interactive installations, and first-launch exclusive collectibles such as Crybaby Space Cat, The Monsters Bubble Bath and Hacipupu Cherry. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'pore public to be alerted to disasters on mobile phones via emergency broadcast system: Edwin Tong Singapore Singapore indie cinema The Projector owes over $1.2m to creditors Singapore Proposals sought to develop Changi East Urban District next to T5 World Top officers hold Ukraine talks after Trump rules out sending US troops Business New CDC job-matching drive may bring overlooked front-line roles closer to applicants: Experts Singapore NDP 2026 to be held at National Stadium to accommodate more Singaporeans Singapore Hyflux founder Olivia Lum and ex-CFO gave input to 'play down' energy component of Tuaspring project Business SGX wants to woo private companies to list in Singapore, says its head of research Based on an agreement between Pop Mart and the Singapore Tourism Board, the Republic will be 'PTS' one and only overseas outpost for the next two years', says Mr Justin Moon, senior vice-president and chief operating officer of Pop Mart, in a news statement. In conjunction with the show, Pop Mart has donated $50,000 to the Singapore Red Cross' Young Hearts Programme, as part of its Wings Of Art 2025 campaign, which provides education and mentorship for underprivileged children here. Book It/Pop Toy Show 2025 Where: Halls A, B and C, Sands Expo & Convention Centre, 10 Bayfront Avenue When: Aug 22 to 24, 11am to 8pm (last entry at 7.30pm) Admission: Tickets, available from are priced from $32 for single-day access if purchased online. Each ticket includes an entry for an online raffle draw. Trust Bank cardholders can buy a premium ticket for $208 on the app. Marina Bay Sands has also curated hotel-and-show packages ( ). Info: Go to Pop Toy Show's official Instagram account at Xiaomi's washer-dryer available in Singapore Xiaomi's Mijia Front Load Washer Dryer is the brand's first washing machine for the Singapore market. PHOTO: XIAOMI Chinese consumer electronics brand Xiaomi has launched the Mijia Front Load Washer Dryer 10.5kg ($599) here, the first of its washing machines to be sold in Singapore. The two-in-one appliance, powered by a durable direct-drive motor, has a 10.5kg washing capacity and 7kg drying capacity. Users control it via the Xiaomi Home App or its touch panel interface. There are 32 tailored programmes to choose from, such as baby care, underwear and a 59-minute quick wash and dry suitable for everyday use. The app contains a smart laundry 'expert' feature that remembers your preferred wash settings or recommends washing programmes based on previous usage data. Among the useful design details are a drum light, a 24-hour delay timer and the option to add clothes mid-cycle. The machine comes with a two-year overall warranty, in addition to a 12-year warranty for the motor. Info: Available from and Xiaomi Stores. It will also be available on Shopee from Aug 24 Starbucks' second Mofusand collection The second Starbucks-Mofusand collection is strawberry-themed. PHOTOS: STARBUCKS International beverage chain Starbucks, now known as much for designer swag as for drinks, is launching a second collaboration collection with popular Japanese illustration brand Mofusand. The first collection launched earlier in August, but sold out quickly. The second collection, The Mofusand + Starbucks Strawberry Collection, takes inspiration from Starbucks' red-pink Strawberry Acai Refreshers. The merch includes pastel-pink stainless-steel tumblers (from $42.90), puffer pouches ($26.90) and, of course, plushie keychains of the adorable Mofusand cats ($29.90). Info: Available from Aug 20 at Starbucks stores and on ShopeeMall and LazMall from noon, while stocks last. There is a purchase limit of two pieces of each item.


Forbes
01-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Senate Passes A Different Version Of Federal School Vouchers
Still carving Voucher supporters beat back a late night attempt to remove the federal school voucher tax shelter language from Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, but the Senate ultimately approved language with some significant differences from the House version. At 2:15 AM Tuesday morning, Senator Hirono, along with Senators Reed, Kaine and van Hollen proposed an amendment that would have removed the federal voucher language. That amendment came up one vote short of passage. However, the language in the bill that passed on Tuesday is different from the House version. Leigh Dingerson, a public school advocate who works with In The Public Interest passed along updates from Washington. The federal voucher is proposed as a tax credit scholarship, meaning that every dollar taxpayers put into the voucher program is a dollar of revenue the federal government does not collect (and for which each donor gets a dollar for dollar tax credit, a deal unlike any available for other donation credits). The House version has a cap on the amount of tax revenue the government will give up; the Senate version has no such cap. However, the House version allowed donors to give up to 10% of their income to the voucher program, the Senate version limits donations to no more than $1,700. The House version would impose school vouchers on states that do not have voucher programs of their own. The Senate version allows states to opt in to the program. Scholarship granting organizations would only be able to administer the program in their own state; the House version left open the possibility that an SGO could fund programs in other states. The House version included a typical voucher disclaimer that the government could not exert any sort of control or regulation of private and religious schools that accept the vouchers. The Senate removed that language. The Senate version gives the Secretary of the Treasury authority to oversee the scholarship granting organizations that would administer the voucher funds. That comes with broad powers to oversee and regulate the program, which could also translate into oversight of schools receiving vouchers. Voucher supporters are unlikely to be happy about the possibility that the federal dollars will come with federal strings attached. State voucher laws usually include specific 'hands off' language that allows private and religious schools to collect taxpayer-funded vouchers free of any government oversight or regulation. The Senate bill's lack of that sheltering language as well as the prospect of oversight by the Treasury Department may make this version of federal vouchers unpalatable for voucher fans. The Big Beautiful Bill will head back to the House next as Congress tries to work out its differences with the bill, so we don't yet know what version of the federal vouchers will emerge, if any.


Time Out
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Pop Toy Show Singapore is back this August featuring Hirono and other collectibles
Third time's the charm – the Pop Toy Show is back, and it's set to be bigger and better than ever. Singapore's largest Pop Mart event returns to the Sands Expo and Convention Centre this August, promising three days of fun for collectors and fans alike. Expect exclusive drops, limited-edition figurines and plenty of shopping opportunities – you'll want to start saving up ASAP. This year's spotlight falls on Hirono, a beloved character known for its expressive features and intricate details. Designed by a Chinese artist, the whimsical series has since captured the hearts of many Pop Mart lovers. or check back here for the latest updates.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thieves steal £150k worth of Pop Mart toys
Thieves have stolen £150,000 worth of Pop Mart toys. A shipment of the viral toy Hirono was intercepted by thieves in the early hours of April 8 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, just weeks before they were to be released to UK shops. The crime is the second in a month targeting expensive toys, after £20,000 worth of Jellycat stuffed animals were stolen from an independent store in Cheddar, Somerset, on March 30. Criminal groups are becoming increasingly aware of the collectable toy market, experts warn, because of the prices these figurines fetch online. Hirono, a small plastic figurine that resembles a small boy in a range of different costumes, was due to go on sale in May. Pop Mart also makes Labubu, figurines that resemble monsters, which are loved by celebrities, including former Love Islander Olivia Atwood, who posted a video unboxing one. Dua Lipa and Rihanna are also known to enjoy the toys, designed by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung. The toys retail from £30 but have sold on eBay for as much as £1,000. The most valuable is the £164 Monsters Zimono I Found You doll, according to the Pop Mart website. A spokesman for Pop Mart said he was 'deeply saddened' by the 'recent rise in toy theft', adding that he was 'working diligently' to ensure it didn't impact the launch next month. A spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: 'Police are investigating following a theft from a motor vehicle in Hemel Hempstead. 'Between 1.30am and 5.27am on Tuesday April 8, a trailer curtain was cut on a HGV parked on Eaton Road, causing extensive damage. A large number of items were reported stolen.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Popular toy store set to open location in East Bay
(KRON) – Toy company POP MART is opening a new location in a popular East Bay mall. POP MART, according to Stoneridge Shopping Center, is a market-leading character-based entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture. POP MART said on its website that the store is 'not just a brand, it's a galaxy of creative possibilities.' POP MART provides innovative and unique products that appeal to a wide range of consumers. The toy store offers action figures, blind boxes, plush toys and diverse accessories. The store has many items of globally well-known characters, such as Skullpanda, Tinytiny, The Monsters, Hirono, Peach Riot and Barbie. The toy store has more than 450 stores in more than 30 countries. Hello Kitty Cafe Truck set to make 3 Bay Area stops There are two POP MART stores in the Bay Area, which are in the Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco and Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara. POP MART has several robo shops, which are vending machines, throughout the Bay Area in San Francisco, Fairfield and San Jose. The store will be located in Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton near Kay Jewelers. Per the Stoneridge's website, the best entrances will be Entrance E and D. There is not yet an opening date for the latest store. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.