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CNA
13-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
New tranche of S$500 CDC vouchers launched by PM Lawrence Wong
SINGAPORE: Singaporean households can now claim and use S$500 (US$380) in Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Tuesday (May 13) at Nee Soon South Community Club. The CDC vouchers, meant to help households manage cost-of-living challenges, will be divided equally as per previous tranches – S$250 for spending at participating heartland merchants and hawkers, and S$250 for spending at participating supermarkets. The participating supermarkets are Ang Mo Supermarket, Cold Storage, Giant Singapore, HAO Mart, NTUC FairPrice, Prime Supermarket, Sheng Siong and U Stars Supermarket. Similar to the previous rounds, one member of each Singaporean household can visit and log in with their Singpass to claim the digital vouchers. Once claimed, an SMS from will be sent to the registered mobile number, containing a unique voucher link that can be shared among household members. Notification letters will not be issued for this tranche of vouchers, but information on the claiming process will be available online, through newspaper advertisements and community posters. This tranche of vouchers will be valid until Dec 31, 2025. Members of the public are urged to exercise caution when claiming CDC vouchers and not to disclose bank log-in details, transfer money or install mobile applications from unofficial app stores, the People's Association (PA) and CDC said. Households will receive another S$300 in CDC vouchers in January 2026 for a total of S$800 in vouchers this financial year. NOT A "ONE-OFF EXERCISE": PM WONG As announced in the Budget 2025 statement in February, besides the CDC vouchers, all adult Singaporeans will receive SG60 vouchers in July. Each Singaporean adult will get S$600, while seniors aged 60 and above will receive an additional S$200. Mr Wong also announced in February that parents with children aged 12 and below will receive LifeSG credits, and those aged 13 to 20 will receive a top-up to their Edusave account or Post-Secondary Education Account. Households will also receive U-Save rebates. This means that a typical family of four with two young children will receive around S$5,000 in support this financial year, Mr Wong said on Tuesday. He added that this is not a "one-off exercise" and the government will provide help for as long as it is needed. "We will continue to review and update and strengthen our social support system across different areas – be it housing, healthcare, education or retirement," he said. "We have started this process recently through Forward Singapore, and we will continue in the coming years. "All these updates, changes, improvements to policies, will help to provide Singaporeans with greater assurance through every life stage." On whether it is sustainable to keep providing vouchers, Mr Wong said this is "a good question to ask" and the government has to ensure its spending is sustainable over the medium to longer term. "That's why, earlier in this decade, when we saw that there was a funding gap in public finances, that our finance expenditure was going to go up, but revenues were not sufficient to cover our expenditures, we decided to make tax changes and increase taxes," said the prime minister. "It was a difficult decision to make. It was certainly not popular, but it was the right thing to do, and it was a responsible thing to do. "Because we did that, today, we are in a healthy and sound fiscal position, and today we have the resources we need to protect Singaporeans, to shield you from cost of living increases." Also in attendance at the launch of the latest tranche of CDC vouchers were the five mayors - Ms Low Yen Ling, Ms Denise Phua, Mr Desmond Choo, Mr Alex Yam and Mr Fahmi Aliman. As of Monday, about 97.3 per cent of Singaporean households, including new households formed, have claimed the previous tranche of CDC vouchers issued in January, said PA and CDC. Of the claimed vouchers, more than S$324 million – or 83.4 per cent – have been spent. Overall, more than S$1.92 billion has been spent since the launch of the CDC vouchers scheme in December 2021. A total of S$1.06 billion was spent at hawkers and heartland merchants while more than S$857 million was spent at supermarkets.
New Paper
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
Glico's latest durian-flavoured Pocky, now available in Singapore, sparks thorny discussion
Japanese food manufacturing company Ezaki Glico Co has been expanding its range of offerings over the years, but a new flavour of its famed Pocky snack appears to have sparked a thorny discussion among foodies. The flavour? Durian. The creamy fruit with its spiky exterior is native to South-east Asia and is well-loved in the region, earning it the title of 'The King of Fruits'. However, not all are fond of the fruit - the durian-averse have described it as tasting like puke or expired custard. The durian-flavoured Pocky snack was reportedly launched in Thailand late last year and can now be found in local stores. According to the NTUC FairPrice website, the snack costs $13.90 for a bundle of 10 boxes weighing 25g each while the usual flavours like chocolate and strawberry cost about $1.40 for an individual 45g box. The snack can also be purchased online via Shopee, with listings pricing it at up to $4.90 per box and $20.60 for a bundle. The durian Pocky flavour has seen a mixed bag of reactions. Some have said they cannot get enough of it, while others have expressed an intense dislike. Several foodies, taking their first bite of the snack, shared their unfiltered and immediate thoughts on TikTok. "It's not too sweet, and it really tastes like durian," said one person. Praising the taste, another said: "I wish I'd bought more." Another netizen on Threads described the durian-flavoured Pocky sticks as tasting "heavenly". But others were not convinced. "They managed to make it taste like durian smells, rather than how it tastes," said one Reddit user. Another, admitting that they have never actually tried durian, said the snack tasted cheesy and had a garlic aftertaste. Glico has in the past introduced other unique flavours of its Pocky snack such as the limited-edition Baked Cheesecake flavour, the US-exclusive peppermint flavour and the Sakura flavour.
Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Glico's latest durian-flavoured Pocky, now available in Singapore, sparks thorny discussion
In Singapore, a bundle of 10 of the durian-flavoured Pocky snack can be found at NTUC FairPrice stores for $13.90. PHOTO: NTUC FAIRPRICE SINGAPORE - Japanese food manufacturing company Ezaki Glico Co has been expanding its range of offerings over the years, but a new flavour of its famed Pocky snack appears to have sparked a thorny discussion among foodies. The flavour? Durian. The creamy fruit with its spiky exterior is native to South-east Asia and is well-loved in the region, earning it the title of ' The King of Fruits '. However, not all are fond of the fruit – the durian-averse have described it as tasting like puke or expired custard. The durian-flavoured Pocky snack was reportedly launched in Thailand late last year and can now be found in local stores. According to the NTUC FairPrice website , the snack costs $13.90 for a bundle of 10 boxes weighing 25g each while the usual flavours like chocolate and strawberry cost about $1.40 for an individual 45g box. The snack can also be purchased online via Shopee, with listings pricing it at up to $4.90 per box and $20.60 for a bundle . The durian Pocky flavour has seen a mixed bag of reactions. Some have said they cannot get enough of it, while others have expressed an intense dislike. Several foodies, taking their first bite of the snack, shared their unfiltered and immediate thoughts on TikTok. 'It's not too sweet, and it really tastes like durian,' said one person. Praising the taste, another said: 'I wish I'd bought more.' Another netizen on Threads described the durian-flavoured Pocky sticks as tasting 'heavenly'. But others were not convinced. 'They managed to make it taste like durian smells, rather than how it tastes,' said one Reddit user. Another, admitting that they have never actually tried durian, said the snack tasted cheesy and had a garlic aftertaste. Glico has in the past introduced other unique flavours of its Pocky snack such as the limited-edition Baked Cheesecake flavour, the US-exclusive peppermint flavou r and the Sakura flavour . Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What to buy at Sun Plaza: 11 indie stores you didn't know existed
If you reside in Sembawang, you likely would have been to Sun Plaza before because of how conveniently situated it is. Sun Plaza is a mixed-use mall between Sembawang MRT Station and Sembawang Bus Interchange. It is 1 of the 2 shopping malls in Sembawang that serves the needs of the residents in the area — wondering what to buy at Sun Plaza? Sun Plaza has various franchise tenants, including Koufu and NTUC FairPrice. But the mall also features a mix of indie retail outlets, including electronics, beauty services and more. Here's what else to buy at Sun Plaza with our list of 11 indie stores at the mall. For this list, we define an indie store as one with 5 or fewer outlets across the country. Da Vinci Picture is a gift shop that produces custom designs. All their gifts are turnkey manufactured. Their designs include mug printing and photo books of different sizes. They have an ongoing promotion where you can get 1 free magnet for every 2 Glitter Mugs or Stackable Mugs (S$25.80 each) bought. You can also buy an Acrylic Photo Frame (10″ x 8″) (S$6.70) and a DIY Scrap Book Kit (S$6.90). Other items there include an Instax Mini Photo Album (S$8.90), a Photo Canvas (12 x 18″) with a Stretcher (S$96) and the Personalised Family Tree Plaque (S$29.90). Sign up for their 2-year membership for just S$10 and you will be able to enjoy a 10 percent discount for various printing services including ID photo, binding and lamination. +65 6756 6630 Daily: 10am – 10pm Facebook | Website Wondering what to buy at Sun Plaza? uBreakiFix is a trusted device repair service specialising in fixing smartphones, tablets, computers, and other electronic devices. Here, you will be able to buy a Pearl Jelly Glitter Design Case for a Samsung Galaxy S23 (S$12.50) or a Minimal Drop-Proof Case for your iPhone 16 Pro (S$32.90). The store also sells phone holders such as the Motorcycle & Bicycle Cycling Phone Holder (S$22.90) and the A053 Universal Retractable Car Mount Phone Holder (S$19.90). You will also be able to buy the Protection Case for AirPods 3 (S$6.90), a Protection Case for AirPods Pro (S$7.50) and a K07 Selfie Stick Integrated Tripod (S$22.90). +65 9661 1614 Daily: 11.30am – 9pm | | D.I.Y. Essentials is a one-stop shop offering a wide range of do-it-yourself (DIY) tools, hardware, and home improvement supplies. Catering to hobbyists and professionals, the shop plies products for various projects, including painting, repairs, and home upgrades. Here, you can get the Double-Sized Acrylic Tape (12mmx1.5m) (S$3), TC 360 Degree Hooks (S$4.50), and the NP Selleys Liquid Nails (75g) (Tube) (S$10). Other products that I spotted include a 210cm Shower Hose (S$11.50), a TC Row of Hooks (S$3), a TC Kitchen Spatula (S$3.50) and TC Slotted Shovels (S$3.50). You will also be able to purchase the Portable Extension Socket (4 Way 6 Metre) (S$25), a Deluxe Basin Tap (S$35.90) and a Transparent Tablecloth (0.1mm) (S$4). +65 6555 1301 Daily: 9am – 10pm Website Efen Reyes is a professional barbershop known for its expert grooming services. It also offers precision haircuts, styling and traditional shaving services. They accept only male customers. Their Normal Haircut costs S$15 for Adults and Toddlers, S$13 for Primary School Students and Senior Citizens (Above 65), and S$14 for Secondary School Students. If you are craving a stylish hairdo, the Fashion Haircuts include Junior Fade (Below 12 Years) (S$17++), Standard Fade (S$22), Mohawk (S$20++) and 0 Fade (S$25). Extra services provided include Hairline By the Blade (S$3++), Curve Line By Blade (S$5++), Ear Hair Trim (S$2++) and Beard Trimming by their Machine (S$15++). Daily: 10am – 9.30pm Website Pet's Street is your one-stop destination for all things pets. Whether you're a dog lover or a cat enthusiast, they offer a wide selection of high-quality pet products, from food to toys. Their food includes the TetraPro Fish Multi-Crisps (S$11.10), Pro Vita Bird Food (S$15.90) and the Maneki Cat Complete Diet Can (85g) (Mix Any 6 for S$5.90). If you are looking for treats, they sell Chicken Fillet & Squid Treats for Cats (S$5.50 for 1 pack, S$10 for 3) and Real Beef Sticks for Dogs (S$4.20 for 1 pack, S$10 for 3). Pets I spotted are the Winter White Roborovski Male Hamster (6 Weeks) (S$16), the Pearl White Roborovski Male Hamster (8 Weeks) (S$20) and the Pied Roborovski Male Hamster (6 weeks) (S$28). Be sure to get their Baby Corn Chew Toy (S$4.50). +65 6752 0175 Daily: 10.30am – 9.30pm Facebook | Instagram | Website What to buy at Northpoint City: 12 indie stores you didn't know existed Wondering what to buy at Sun Plaza? Fen Boutique is a stylish and modern-day fashion destination offering a curated selection of chic and elegant apparel for the modern woman. The store stocks the Long Sleeved Lace Blouse (S$59.90), a Leather Bag (S$99.90), the Collared Shirt (S$59.90), High-Waisted Pants (S$59.90) and Jeans (S$59.90). If you want an elegant appearance, our advice is to pair their-like blouse (S$119) made from polyester with the earrings (S$19/pair) produced in Hong Kong. Website Visual Art's Optics is the one-stop destination for high-quality eyewear and professional eye care services. They offer a diverse range of stylish frames, lenses, and contact lenses. They sell frames and lenses from S$68-S$88 or S$108. For lenses below 400 degrees, they will be able to do it on the spot. Otherwise, you will have to wait for 2-3 working days. They also sell Ray-Ban Sunglasses (S$250-S$346) and Contact Lenses (S$42 for Non-Coloured CooperVision Contact Lenses). The box contains 30 everyday lenses. +65 6852 1611 Daily: 10.30am – 9.30pm Facebook | Website Game Resort is the ultimate destination for gaming enthusiasts. It offers a wide range of games across genres. Whether you're into action-packed adventures, strategic challenges or virtual reality, Game Resort provides a fun-filled environment for players of all abilities. New arrivals include the wrestling sports game 2K25 Standard Edition (S$99.90) for the PS5. Games on offer include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (S$59.90) and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (S$65.90), both for the Nintendo Switch. The store also sells figurines, including Joker from Suicide Squad and Triple H from World Wrestling Entertainment (S$59.90 each). There are also accessories for sale such as the Charging Grip (S$39.90) and Joy-Con (S$97.90) for the Nintendo Switch. +65 6386 2629 Daily: 12pm – 9.30pm Facebook | Website Du Yi Bookshop is a trusted destination for readers of all ages. Offering a wide selection of textbooks, stationery and literature, they are committed to fostering a love for reading. Items that I spotted there include Self-Inking Animal Stamps (S$2 for a pack of 10), Socks and Shoelaces (S$3 each, 4 for S$10), Animal Soft Toy (S$18.90), Globe on Stand (S$37.90 for Big and S$28.90 for Small) and Copier Paper (70gsm) (S$5.90). If you have a little one, purchase the Brainy Child Farm Animals Sticker & Activity Book (S$8.20), My Amazing Picture Book Alphabet (S$6.90) or the My Animals Stickers Book (S$4.90). The stickers in the books facilitate the learning of concepts through tactile activity, allowing your toddler to recognise objects and pronounce them. +65 6754 3390 Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 9pm Sat & Sun: 10am – 9.30pm Facebook | Website Established in 1997, Vanilla Taste of Beauty has clinched several awards. These include the Singapore Promising Brand Award back in 2005 and also the Excellence Service Award. Their flagship service is the Relaxing Luxury Gold Facial (S$59). Top up S$40 for an Eye Treatment and receive a customised treatment machine worth S$128 and a present. They also offer a Nano Peel Lifting Facial (First Trial at S$96) that tightens facial skin. Another ongoing promotion is their Supersonic Speed Ultra Facial Treatment (First Trial at S$140). The technology repairs weakened and damaged skin cells from within. They also provide an eyebrow embroidery service starting from S$198 per session. +65 6555 1128 Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 7pm Facebook | Instagram | Website Best One Solutions is a shop that offers shoe repair, key cutting, and bag repair services. It will set you back by S$18 each for them to glue back your slipper flap or the sole. They also provide lock duplication services for S$4. Items they stock include the PALC Self-Shining Shoe Polish (50ml) (S$9.50) and a Transparent Plantillas Sole (S$6). Here, you can also buy TRG MinkOil (S$15) and the Transparent Shoe Brush (S$12). +65 9656 3720 Mon: 11am – 5.45pm & 6.15pm – 9pm Tue to Sun: 11am – 9pm Facebook | Website 10 best shopping districts in Singapore to shop till you drop The post What to buy at Sun Plaza: 11 indie stores you didn't know existed appeared first on
