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The Age
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Stir-fried pipis and $1 congee: New late-night Thai joint brings Bangkok's Chinatown to Melbourne
Though Yaowarat is a great place for a group, there are plenty of single-dish meals too. I'd happily slide in by myself for pad Thai, comforting pork bone soup or pad see ew, stir-fried flat rice noodles in soy-based sauce licked with the smoky char of the wok. There's a Melbourne-style freedom to some items. I was disarmed and charmed by a salad that includes both raw and cooked prawns, tossed in a hot, tart fermented fish dressing. It riffs on goong chae nam pla, a traditional raw prawn dish that's adjacent to ceviche, and a cooked prawn salad with herbs. You get the bouncy sweetness of the cooked shellfish, and the jelly-like stickiness of the raw. As a staffer tells me later, the idea is to meld seen-it-before comfort and adventure into one scintillating salad. Yaowarat is alcohol-free but a liquor licence is pending. Meanwhile, there's purple butterfly-pea lemonade, Thai milk tea and lychee soda, among other quenchers. Beers and cocktails will be an improvement for sure, especially as Yaowarat is styling itself as a late-night place for prawns, pipis, pomfret and pork. No matter the beverages, this is a cool addition to Melbourne's laneway lairs. Three more laneway finds to try Saadi at Sunda Modern Indian cooking is one of the most exciting trends in Australian dining and pop-up concept Saadi is at the forefront. Good Food's Young Chef of the Year Saavni Krishnan and previous Young Chef finalist Aditya Suresh are cooking winter dishes such as comforting dal khichdi made with local red lentils and served with pumpkin fritter and Brussels sprouts. On until July 26. 18 Punch Lane, Melbourne, Pecks Road Tucked down Manchester Lane, this new doughnut and sandwich deli has a realistic approach to sugar-laden treats. Owner and chef Albin Lawang is also a personal trainer and thinks both fitness and indulgence have their place in a happy, balanced life. That must be why I'm happy to balance one of their ube (purple yam) brioche scrolls in my hand on its way to my mouth. Also in Caroline Springs. The Moat Hidden beneath the State Library, Moat is easy to miss even though it's been here since 2011. The Italian menu is homely and honest, with antipasti such as eggplant and provolone balls and main courses of slow-roasted lamb shoulder. Wednesday is gnocchi night, with a choice of three dishes, salad and wine for $40.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Stir-fried pipis and $1 congee: New late-night Thai joint brings Bangkok's Chinatown to Melbourne
Though Yaowarat is a great place for a group, there are plenty of single-dish meals too. I'd happily slide in by myself for pad Thai, comforting pork bone soup or pad see ew, stir-fried flat rice noodles in soy-based sauce licked with the smoky char of the wok. There's a Melbourne-style freedom to some items. I was disarmed and charmed by a salad that includes both raw and cooked prawns, tossed in a hot, tart fermented fish dressing. It riffs on goong chae nam pla, a traditional raw prawn dish that's adjacent to ceviche, and a cooked prawn salad with herbs. You get the bouncy sweetness of the cooked shellfish, and the jelly-like stickiness of the raw. As a staffer tells me later, the idea is to meld seen-it-before comfort and adventure into one scintillating salad. Yaowarat is alcohol-free but a liquor licence is pending. Meanwhile, there's purple butterfly-pea lemonade, Thai milk tea and lychee soda, among other quenchers. Beers and cocktails will be an improvement for sure, especially as Yaowarat is styling itself as a late-night place for prawns, pipis, pomfret and pork. No matter the beverages, this is a cool addition to Melbourne's laneway lairs. Three more laneway finds to try Saadi at Sunda Modern Indian cooking is one of the most exciting trends in Australian dining and pop-up concept Saadi is at the forefront. Good Food's Young Chef of the Year Saavni Krishnan and previous Young Chef finalist Aditya Suresh are cooking winter dishes such as comforting dal khichdi made with local red lentils and served with pumpkin fritter and Brussels sprouts. On until July 26. 18 Punch Lane, Melbourne, Pecks Road Tucked down Manchester Lane, this new doughnut and sandwich deli has a realistic approach to sugar-laden treats. Owner and chef Albin Lawang is also a personal trainer and thinks both fitness and indulgence have their place in a happy, balanced life. That must be why I'm happy to balance one of their ube (purple yam) brioche scrolls in my hand on its way to my mouth. Also in Caroline Springs. The Moat Hidden beneath the State Library, Moat is easy to miss even though it's been here since 2011. The Italian menu is homely and honest, with antipasti such as eggplant and provolone balls and main courses of slow-roasted lamb shoulder. Wednesday is gnocchi night, with a choice of three dishes, salad and wine for $40.
Buzz Feed
29-06-2025
- Buzz Feed
Proof That Singapore's Green Spaces Are More Magical Than Any Disney ParkSpot Monitor Lizards, Monkeys And Otters Right Before You!
Okay, real talk for a sec: while we love a good theme park for its manufactured thrills, Singapore is serving up actual magic in its incredible green spaces. Forget long lines and animatronic animals – here, you're getting the real deal, and it's 100% more awe-inspiring than anything Mickey Mouse can conjure if you thought Singapore was all futuristic skyscrapers and chilli crab (though, valid!), prepare for your mind to be BLOWN by its lush, vibrant, and surprisingly wild heart. This isn't just about pretty parks; it's about untamed nature, epic adventures, and a connection to the wild that a roller coaster just can't replicate. 1. Rail Corridor First up, let's talk about the Rail Corridor, affectionately known as the Green Corridor. Imagine this: an old railway line, stretching almost 24km from north to south, transformed into a continuous ribbon of nature. You can walk, jog, or cycle through a diverse landscape, from dense forests to open fields, crossing historic bridges and spotting wildlife you wouldn't believe exists in a city. It's like stepping into a Studio Ghibli film, but instead of Totoro, you might spot a rare Sunda pangolin (seriously!) or a colourful bird. It's serene, it's wild, and it's proof that sometimes, the best tracks are the ones no longer used by trains. 2. MacRitchie Reservoir Then there's MacRitchie Reservoir. If you're looking for an escape that's both challenging and incredibly rewarding, this is your jam. Miles of hiking trails wind through lush rainforest, leading you to the iconic TreeTop Walk – a free-standing suspension bridge high above the forest canopy. The views? Chef's kiss. You'll feel like you're floating amongst the trees, eye-level with mischievous macaques (keep your snacks close, folks!). It's an instant mood booster and a serious workout wrapped in one stunning package. Plus, kayaking on the glassy reservoir? Pure bliss. 3. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve And you absolutely CANNOT talk about Singapore's green gems without spotlighting Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. This place is a living, breathing, ancient rainforest, right within the city. It's home to a staggering amount of biodiversity – more tree species than the entire North American continent! Hike up to the summit of Bukit Timah Hill (Singapore's highest point, no less!) and bask in the glory of primary rainforest. You'll hear the symphony of insects, spot incredible birds, and maybe even catch a glimpse of a colugo gliding through the trees. It's raw, it's real, and it's a humbling reminder of nature's power. 4. Singapore Botanic Gardens Oh, and let's not forget the Singapore Botanic Gardens. While not as "wild" as the others, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is pure, cultivated magic. Stroll through themed gardens, picnic by Swan Lake, and just soak in the beauty. So, next time you're planning an escape, skip the simulated fantasy lands. Singapore's green spaces are serving up authentic, breathtaking, and utterly magical experiences that will leave you feeling more refreshed and inspired than any theme park ever could. Go forth and explore, wild ones!
The Star
24-06-2025
- The Star
Vietnam jails six people over trafficking of 2.8 tonnes of pangolin scale
Police read the arrest warrant to Ho Van Manh and Tran Thi Ngọc. - Photo: VNA/VNS NGHE AN, (Vietnam): Six people have been jailed for their involvement in the illegal trade of more than 2.8 tonnes of pangolin scales, one of the country's largest such seizures ever recorded. The People's Court of Nghe An handed a seven-year prison term to Ho Van Manh and a three-year sentence to Tran Thi Ngoc for trading prohibited goods and violating regulations on the protection of endangered wildlife. Four other defendants – Pham Thi Lap, Ho Mai Yen, Cao Xuan Quy, and Nguyen Thi Long – received sentences ranging from 15 months to three years. Quy and Long were given suspended sentences. A related suspect, Le Quang Loi, remains at large and is currently wanted by authorities. Pangolin scales seized by the police. - Photo: VNA/VNS The group was detained in October 2023 after being caught illegally trading 2.8 tonnes of pangolin scales, including those from the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) and several African species. All eight pangolin species are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which bans international trade of the animals. The Sunda and the Chinese pangolins, both found in Vietnam, are also listed as protected species under a government decree. Vietnamese law stipulates that illegal trade of Sunda or Chinese pangolin scales can result in one to five years in prison or fines between VNĐ500 million and VNĐ2 billion (US$19,000 - $76,000). Trade involving other pangolin species may be punishable by up to 15 years' imprisonment or administrative fines, depending on the value of the goods. The Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV) said the case represents one of the largest volumes of pangolin scales ever trafficked Vietnam. The organisation also identified the central province of Nghe An as a long-standing hotspot for illegal wildlife trafficking, particularly in the districts of Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, and Quynh Luu. Despite some attention from provincial authorities, ENV warned that the situation remains complex and poses challenges to the country's commitments to international wildlife protection. "A stronger response from the entire political system in Nghe An, along with increased involvement from the central government and relevant ministries, is needed to resolve the issue effectively," an ENV representative said. - Vietnam News/ANN
Nahar Net
17-06-2025
- General
- Nahar Net
Pangolin: World's most trafficked mammal in danger of extinction
by Naharnet Newsdesk 17 June 2025, 17:10 U.S. officials proposed Monday to protect the pangolin, a small, nocturnal mammal covered in scales, under the Endangered Species Act. The pangolin is "the most trafficked mammal in the world" in large part for its scales, used in traditional Chinese medicine, and meat, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is looking to add protections for four species of the pangolin native to Asia — including the Chinese, Indian, Sunda and Philippine pangolin — and three species native to Africa, including the white-bellied, black-bellied and giant pangolin. Seven species are in danger of extinction, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. An eighth species from Africa, the Temminck's ground pangolin, is already protected by the law. Scientists also say two more species of the mammal may exist. The protections were signed into law in 1973 with bipartisan support and are key for preserving global biodiversity and keeping iconic types of plants and animals, such as the bald eagle, from dying out. The Endangered Species Act protects over 2,000 U.S. and foreign species. Conservation and environmental groups say habitat loss from climate change is just one reason the act is especially critical today. The endangerment listing, once finalized, would help strengthen trade and import restrictions of pangolin parts in the U.S., except in the case of scientific or other conservation purposes, according to the Center. It is illegal to trade them; the pangolin received certain commercial trade protections under the 2017 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. But tons of poached scales representing thousands of pangolin have been found by authorities around the world in recent years. "I'm delighted the United States is doing its part to save these adorably odd creatures," Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. "Pangolins are on the razor's edge of extinction, and we need to completely shut down any U.S. market for their scales. There's no good reason for anybody to ingest any part of a pangolin." The pangolin eats insects and rolls into a ball when threatened by predators. The Fish and Wildlife Service said pangolin populations have declined due to targeting by poachers and criminal activity, noting "proceeds from the illicit sale of pangolins and other imperiled species often fund serious crimes, including drug and arms trafficking." While the act requires endangered species listing regardless of their origin, the designation could also assist in prosecuting smugglers violating the protections. Advocates, including from the International Fund for Animal Welfare and other national and international groups, have for years petitioned to list the pangolin. In 2020, these organizations and the Fish and Wildlife Service signed an agreement to enforce listing deadlines. Polar bears, as well as penguins — similarly not found in the U.S. — have also been in discussions for listing over the years. Monday's move comes despite President Donald Trump's efforts to weaken the act, aligning with ongoing conservative criticism that it stifles economic growth. Trump's executive order declaring an "energy emergency" in the U.S. says the act can't stand in the way of energy development, signaling that protections could be rolled back. The Trump administration already plans to cut habitat protections for endangered and threatened species, in an effort to redefine the long-standing meaning of what constitutes "harm."
