Latest news with #LiewMunLeong
Straits Times
08-08-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Adult pacifiers may be trending in China, but experts caution about potential harm
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Adult pacifiers are a destressing tool, promote better sleep and help smokers quit, retailers and advocates say. Adult pacifiers, unlike those for infants, appear to have multiple uses – they are a destressing tool, promote better sleep and help smokers quit, retailers and advocates say. But the prolonged use of the pacifiers – which have become a trend in the recent days in China and other parts of the world such as South Korea and the US – could cause jaw stiffness, shifting teeth and, when used during sleep, choking, warn medical professionals. Some retailers are selling more than 2,000 adult pacifiers a month, according to a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report on Aug 3. The pacifiers, which resemble those made for infants but are larger in size, cost between 10 yuan ($1.80) and 500 yuan each on e-commerce platforms such as Taobao. The Straits Times did not find adult pacifiers for sale on online shopping platforms based in Singapore; the ones for infants sold by local retailers on platforms such as Mothercare SG and FairPrice typically cost about $10 or more. Online reviews for the adult pacifiers have been generally positive. SCMP quoted a buyer describing the product as 'high quality' and saying it felt comfortable to use, without affecting their breathing. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Who loses the most from Trump's tariffs? Who wins? Business SGX says over 30 companies in its IPO pipeline, eyes more acquisitions World Israeli army will 'take control' of Gaza City: PM's office Singapore Four Certis officers charged after allegedly receiving over $9,700 in bribes from man Opinion At 79, Liew Mun Leong has no time to be sentimental Singapore Student found with vape taken to hospital after behaving aggressively in school; HSA investigating Singapore More SUSS students, including part-timers, to get free tuition under expanded financial aid scheme World Trump urges 'conflicted' Intel CEO Tan Lip-Bu to resign immediately Another said that it was helpful for coping with withdrawal symptoms from quitting smoking, while a third said it was a source of comfort when one is stressed. On TikTok, several users from around the world shared that adult pacifiers help them to manage anxiety and sleep better. Some even said the pacifiers were useful for coping with some symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder such as restlessness, impulsivity and difficulty in focusing. However, some medical professionals are warning against the use of adult pacifiers. According to SCMP's report, D r Tang Caomin , a dentist in Chengdu, said extended use could lead to jaw stiffness, pain when chewing, and shifting of teeth if used for more than three hours daily. He added that parts of the pacifier could become dislodged and inhaled during sleep. Ms Zhang Mo, a psychologist based in Chengdu, noted that the popularity of such products may reflect deeper emotional needs. She said the answer lies not in reverting to childlike comforts, but in facing one's problems directly.
Straits Times
08-08-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Leave your offices at home: Starbucks draws the line at desktops in South Korea
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Starbucks Korea is telling customers to leave their offices at home, and has banned the use of desktop computers inside its cafes. SEOUL - Starbucks Korea is telling customers to leave their offices at home. The company has banned the use of desktop computers, printers, power strips and large partitions inside its cafes. On Aug 7, Starbucks confirmed it has posted new notices in every branch across the country. The signs also ask customers to take their belongings when leaving for long periods and to make room at shared tables so others can sit. The move targets a small but persistent group of clients known as 'cagongjok'. The term blends the Korean words for cafe and study tribe. It refers to people who work or study for hours in coffee shops. Most use only laptops. But Starbucks says some have been setting up large monitors, printers and even cubicle-style dividers. Photos of these elaborate setups have spread widely on Korean online forums. In some cases, printers were placed on nearby chairs, blocking others from using them. A few customers even brought in partitions to turn tables into private booths. A Starbucks Korea spokesperson said the decision was made to keep stores comfortable for all visitors. The company also cited the risk of theft or loss when belongings are left unattended. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Who loses the most from Trump's tariffs? Who wins? Business SGX says over 30 companies in its IPO pipeline, eyes more acquisitions World Israeli army will 'take control' of Gaza City: PM's office Singapore Four Certis officers charged after allegedly receiving over $9,700 in bribes from man Opinion At 79, Liew Mun Leong has no time to be sentimental Singapore Student found with vape taken to hospital after behaving aggressively in school; HSA investigating Singapore More SUSS students, including part-timers, to get free tuition under expanded financial aid scheme World Trump urges 'conflicted' Intel CEO Tan Lip-Bu to resign immediately Cafe count in Korea nearly doubles in less than a decade The backdrop is South Korea's massive cafe boom. Statistics Korea reports that the number of coffee shops rose from about 51,500 in 2015 to over 100,000 in 2024. That is nearly double the combined total outlets of the country's four largest convenience store chains. The popularity of cafes as study and workspaces has partly driven this growth. But long stays can be costly for owners. The Korea Foodservice Industry Research Institute estimated in 2019 that a 4,100 won (S$3.79) coffee covers only one hour and 42 minutes of seat time before it becomes unprofitable. In 2024, that figure dropped to one hour and 31 minutes. Starbucks is not banning laptops or ordinary study sessions. But the new rule draws a line against turning cafes into full-scale offices. THE KOREA HERALD/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Straits Times
08-08-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Fast Lane: NUS electric car in top 10 in US race, German carmakers at IAA Mobility, new Cupra models
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Seven from 11: NUS' racer inched from 11th place in 2024 to seventh spot at the latest Formula SAE Electric competition in Michigan. NUS' electric racer at Formula SAE Students from National University of Singapore (NUS) placed seventh out of 86 teams at the Formula SAE Electric competition in Michigan, United States, in June. Built to Formula SAE regulations, the R25e is an electric single-seater, open-wheel car that weighs 199kg (without driver) with power limited to 80kW. Formula SAE is a student design competition organised by SAE International (previously known as the Society of Automotive Engineers). The seventh position equals NUS' 2015 results and is an improvement from the 11th position in 2024. The university first competed in the race in 2003. The Singapore entry was developed by NUS' engineering undergraduates with the support of their professors and supervisors. Every year, second-year engineering students at NUS are recruited to form a new team. They are then put through classes on race-car principles and engineering, and practical training before they build their own car for the Formula SAE competition. The international competition is open to undergraduates and graduate engineering students and the 2025 edition was won by Oregon State University. Besides dynamic performance, the car's design and cost are also evaluated. Find out more at Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Who loses the most from Trump's tariffs? Who wins? Business SGX says over 30 companies in its IPO pipeline, eyes more acquisitions World Israel security Cabinet approves plan to seize Gaza City Singapore Four Certis officers charged after allegedly receiving over $9,700 in bribes from man Opinion At 79, Liew Mun Leong has no time to be sentimental Singapore Student found with vape taken to hospital after behaving aggressively in school; HSA investigating Singapore CDC and SG60 vouchers listed on e-commerce platforms will be taken down: CDCs World Trump urges 'conflicted' Intel CEO Tan Lip-Bu to resign immediately Electric SUVs rule at German show New class: The iX3, the first in a family of Neue Klasse models, will headline BMW's booth at the IAA Mobility show in September. PHOTO: BMW Just about every major car brand will be at IAA Mobility 2025 happening from Sept 9 to 14 in Munich, and German brands are using the event to make key announcements. BMW, which is headquartered in Munich, will unveil its new iX3 electric sport utility vehicle (SUV). Entirely different from the recently launched petrol-powered X3, the iX3 is an especially significant model for BMW as it is the first in a family of Neue Klasse models to be launched in the coming years. Highlights include major upgrades in technology (from superfast charging speed to ultra-powerful computer processing power) and a new design that sets the template for the next generation of BMWs. Arch-rival Mercedes-Benz, which is based in Stuttgart, will be showing the new GLC SUV, one of its biggest-selling models. While a petrol-powered version will be launched down the road, the electric version at the show – called GLC with EQ Technology – replaces the EQC. The EQC was the brand's first electric vehicle (EV) and based on the old GLC. This is in line with the brand's direction, where electric and petrol-powered forms of the models are offered in parallel, instead of having a separate line of EVs. Show star: The front grille on the new Mercedes-Benz will be applied to future models. PHOTO: MERCEDES-BENZ Porsche, which is also from Stuttgart, will unveil its new Cayenne. For the first time in the history of the model, the new car will be available as an EV, joining the Taycan and Macan. Volkswagen will unveil an electric crossover called the ID.2X that is smaller than the familiar Golf hatchback. This is the final member of the brand's Electric Urban Car Family, which is a range of compact electric city cars. The event in Munich replaced the famed Frankfurt Motor Show in 2021. Besides the venue change, it broadened its remit to be branded as a 'mobility' show. Check out for ticketing and other information. Cupra adds three new models Petrol-powered: Launch of the (from left) Cupra Leon, Terramar and Formentor VZ bring combustion power to the brand's otherwise electric-only range. PHOTO: VOLKSWAGEN GROUP SINGAPORE From having only electric models, Volkswagen-owned Cupra is now an 'electrified' brand with its latest event held on July 31 introducing three models to its portfolio. The Leon hatchback and Terramar SUV are powered by 1.5-litre engines with mild-hybrid technology, which stores energy recovered during braking to boost efficiency. The third model launched is the facelifted Formentor crossover, which has a 2-litre engine boasting 329hp and all-wheel drive. Prices of the new cars with applicable Category B certificate of entitlement, before applicable discounts, are as follows: Leon 1.5 eTSI at $225,900 Terramar 1.5 eTSI at $245,900 Formentor VZ at $316,900 Nissan restructures due to poor sales Shape up: Nissan is restructuring on the back of poor sales performance in key markets. PHOTO: REUTERS Citing a company document and internal e-mails, Reuters reported on Aug 5 that Nissan has started negotiating with the union representing staff at its European regional office about changes, including job losses. Located in France, the office has around 560 staff. It oversees the carmaker's operations in Africa, the Middle East, India and Oceania. Mr Ivan Espinosa, who became the Japanese carmaker's chief executive on April 1, had announced sweeping restructuring plans to save 500 billion yen (S$4.37 billion) by cutting workforce, closing manufacturing plants and lowering global production capacity. Sales have been poor for Nissan in China and the US, which are key markets for the brand. Recently, it announced that it will stop production at its Civac plant in Mexico by March 2026 and two Japanese plants in 2027 and 2028.
Straits Times
08-08-2025
- Straits Times
Over 2,200 vape products found in Malaysian-registered lorry at Tuas checkpoint
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The latest discovery means nearly 18,000 vape products have been seized at Singapore's land checkpoints since June 27. SINGAPORE – A lorry was found to be hiding 2,200 units of e-vaporisers and related components at the Tuas Checkpoint on Aug 5. The Malaysian-registered vehicle was entering Singapore when it was checked by officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), who discovered vapes hidden in the cabin and toolbox compartment. The case was subsequently referred to the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation, said ICA on Aug 8. This is the latest discovery of vapes at Singapore's land checkpoints in recent weeks. On July 29, 2,400 units of vapes and their related components were found on a lorry entering Singapore at Tuas Checkpoint on July 29. Less than a week earlier on July 24, more than 5,900 units of vapes and related components were found in a car at Woodlands Checkpoint. ICA also thwarted attempts to smuggle such items on June 27 and July 8 at the Woodlands Checkpoint, during which they found a combined total of more than 7,400 vape products. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Who loses the most from Trump's tariffs? Who wins? Business SGX posts highest full-year earnings since listing, quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents a share World Israel security Cabinet approves plan to seize Gaza City Singapore Four Certis officers charged after allegedly receiving over $9,700 in bribes from man Opinion At 79, Liew Mun Leong has no time to be sentimental Singapore Student found with vape taken to hospital after behaving aggressively in school; HSA investigating Singapore CDC and SG60 vouchers listed on e-commerce platforms will be taken down: CDCs World Trump urges 'conflicted' Intel CEO Tan Lip-Bu to resign immediately More of such contraband smuggling attempts have been exposed in recent years, according to the statistics by ICA. In 2023, there were 43,000 such cases, including attempts to smuggle cigarettes and vapes, and 44,000 in 2024. Enforcement efforts have ramped up in the wake of this increase , and ICA in April said it detected a total of 308 cases involving vapes at Singapore's air, land and sea checkpoints in 2024. Lorries and buses have to go through radiographic scanning at checkpoints, and will be subject to further checks if anomalies are detected. Smaller vehicles such as cars and motorcycles can also be scanned using a mobile X-ray machine. From January 2024 to March 2025, HSA seized $41 million worth of vapes – nearly fivefold the reported value of vapes seized from 2019 to end-2023, according to numbers compiled by The Straits Times.
Straits Times
08-08-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Sembcorp first-half profit dips 1%; shares tumble 12%
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – Sembcorp Industries posted net profit of $536 million for the half year ended June 30, down 1 per cent from the same period a year ago, on lower gas sales. The company also announced an interim dividend of 9 cents, to be paid out on Aug 26 – up from 6 cents a year ago. Revenue for the half-year dropped 8 per cent to $2.9 billion from $3.2 billion a year ago. Sembcorp shares dropped 12.3 per cent, or 96 cents, to $6.84 as at 9.33am. Its earnings decline was mainly due to the lower contribution from gas and related services on lower pool prices in Singapore, and the absence of contribution from Sembcorp Environment, a waste management subsidiary which has been sold. However, this was partially offset by higher gas sales in Singapore, as well as new capacity additions and acquisitions in the renewables segment. Its first half earnings were also weighed down by foreign exchange losses on a 'deferred payment note' for Sembcorp's sale of its coal business in India to an Omani consortium. The deal is denominated in the Indian rupee, which has seen its value slip relative to the Singapore dollar. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Who loses the most from Trump's tariffs? Who wins? Business SGX posts highest full-year earnings since listing, quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents a share Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree on Asean observers monitoring truce, but fundamental differences remain Singapore Flying greener will come at a price, industry players warn Opinion At 79, Liew Mun Leong has no time to be sentimental Singapore Student found with vape taken to hospital after behaving aggressively in school; HSA investigating Singapore Chikungunya cases in Singapore double; authorities monitoring situation closely Singapore CDC and SG60 vouchers listed on e-commerce platforms will be taken down: CDCs Exceptional items on the book for the first half of 2025 totalled $140 million, comprising $142 million profit from the sale of the waste management subsidiaries in Singapore, offset by $2 million fair value loss related to a prior acquisition in India. Earnings per share came in at 27.6 cents, up from 27.4 cents for the first half of 2024, after factoring in exceptional items and the forex loss. The energy and urban solutions provider chalked up the decline in gas and related service earnings to lower generation spreads in Singapore and the absence of contribution from Phu My 3 in Vietnam, which was offset by contribution from Senoko Energy. Phu My 3 is a power plant in Vietnam that was transferred to state provider Vietnam Electricity on March 1, 2024. Meanwhile, the earnings growth in renewables was due to higher contribution from India on better wind resource and higher operational renewables capacity, said Sembcorp. This offset the drop in business from China, which saw lower tariffs and higher curtailment, where the amount of electricity generated has to be restricted. Sembcorp's integrated urban solutions segment posted a stable net profit before exceptional items of $74 million, a slight increase from $73 million a year ago, supported by higher land sales in Indonesia as well as improved earnings from the water business in China. Sembcorp group chief executive Wong Kim Yin said the company delivered resilient results for the half-year, despite macroeconomic uncertainties. 'The defensiveness of our portfolio will continue to underpin the resilience of our earnings. 'We remain focused on strengthening and growing our businesses to drive Sembcorp's strategic plan towards 2028 and beyond, to deliver increasing value to our shareholders.'
