Latest news with #TheStraitsTimes'
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Food Picks: Taiwan's popular spicy noodle chain Xiao Hun Mian to debut at Raffles City on June 3
Xiao Hun Mian is known for its signature thick and chewy noodles served with beef bone broth. PHOTO: XIAO HUN MIAN SINGAPORE – My first time trying Xiao Hun Mian in Taiwan was right after the 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Hualien city on April 3, 2024. I was with The Straits Times' Taiwan correspondent Yip Wai Yee at Taipei's Banqiao Stati on, and she recommended having lunch there. At the time, still fairly shaken from the tremors we had felt, I barely registered the name of the store. I remember only diving into a bowl of wonderfully thick and chewy noodles paired with a comforting mala beef bone broth. Xiao Hun, quite literally, translates to selling one's soul in Chinese, and can also mean ecstasy or overwhelming joy. It sparked joy then, and now, more than a year later, continues to do so – on home soil. The famed chain – established in 2017 and with 18 stores across Taiwan – will make its Singapore debut at Raffles City on June 3, and I was able to score a first taste of the food prior to the opening. Its other overseas outlet opened in Hong Kong in August 2024. The menu here is similar to that in Taiwan – with a choice of clear or spicy mala broth made from beef bone. In English, the 48-seat store's name is Spicy Noodle – and for good reason. The default noodle option is mildly spicy, so you will have to opt out if you cannot take the heat. The tingly spicy level is just right, but it may be adjusted depending on diner feedback. Prices start at $18.80 for a set, whi ch c omes with sliced beef, braised tau pok (called tofu pouch on the menu), noodles, ramen-style egg with jammy yolk and a sweet and sour dip for the meat. The $24.80 sets include beef tendon. Beef shank will be introduced later. Add on side dishes of garlic cucumber ($3.80) or spicy braised spongy tofu and layered tau kee (called soy chip on the menu, $4.50). Crispy youtiao ($4.50) is also good for soaking up the broth, although its textur e needs fine-tuning. But really, it is all about the noodles here – something that Xiao Hun Mian's founders chose to bank on when they realised diners at their former hotpot restaurant were more interested in the noodles than steamboat. Their growing noodle empire includes a range of Xiao Hun Mian instant noodles, in the style of dao xiao mian (knife-cut noodles), and I hope these will be sold here soon. Where: B1-38 Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road MRT: City Hall Open: From June 3, 11am to 10pm daily Info: @spicynoodlesingapore on Instagram Check out ST's Food Guide for the latest foodie recommendations in Singapore.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Third Conversations with ST discusses the role and relevance of media with young professionals
The group discussions were facilitated by 11 members of ST's editorial team, including ST editor Jaime Ho (front row, left) and ST associate editor Zakir Hussain (second row, right). ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Third Conversations with ST discusses the role and relevance of media with young professionals SINGAPORE – The third session of The Straits Times' engagement series took place on the evening of May 27, bringing together 40 young professionals to share their perspectives on ST's role as a national news publication. The event, which ran for two hours, was part of the ST180 celebrations, marking the publication's 180th anniversary in 2025. Unlike earlier sessions, which were held as panel discussions, the latest event held at PPP Coffee @ New Bahru adopted a more intimate format, with participants divided into six smaller groups for deeper conversations. The group discussions were facilitated by 11 members of ST's editorial team, including ST editor Jaime Ho, ST associate editor Zakir Hussain and Mr Jeremy Au Yong, ST's associate editor (newsroom strategy). Topics explored ranged from how the newsroom selects stories for coverage and how ST can remain relevant to younger audiences, to the need for society to retain common spaces amid polarising viewpoints. Several participants said the session gave them a glimpse into newsroom decision-making, particularly in handling sensitive issues such as suicide coverage. This event was the first session that was open to the public. The previous sessions in the year-long series called Conversations with The Straits Times were invite-only events, the first in January involving individuals from non-profit organisations and the second in March involving junior college students. These sessions aim to facilitate candid discussions between ST and its audiences, by offering readers a chance to interact with the ST editorial team in person. To remain relevant to younger audiences, several participants suggested that ST should make greater use of its Telegram channel to push news updates, noting that many of their peers are active on the platform. Ms Edith Cheow Rui Xuan, 23, a final-year student at an institute of higher learning, said that the ST mobile app could provide incentives to encourage regular engagement. 'The ST app could provide reward perks for daily check-ins. Given the general inclination towards rewarding individuals for their time and effort, offering micro-rewards, gamified reading challenges or subscription tiers with exclusive benefits could encourage engagement,' she said. Some participants also suggested that ST develop an applet that could present or recommend relevant stories from its own website, whenever users visit other news sites such as The New York Times. Some also said they noticed a shift in ST's content over the years, including a growing emphasis on podcasts and short-form content. An example raised were the short video clips produced during the 2025 General Election, where journalists explained election-related news in a catchy and accessible format. ST senior columnist Lin Suling (centre) with participants at the third edition of Conversations with The Straits Times on May 27. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Discussions also explored the continued importance of journalistic objectivity in an increasingly polarised world. Participants reflected on how moderate voices often go unheard, while those with more extreme views sometimes dominate discourse. Acknowledging these concerns, Mr Ho emphasised ST's commitment to balanced and objective reporting, despite it potentially becoming more challenging with polarising views in society. Participants in some groups also expressed interest in seeing more coverage on topics such as alternative education pathways and mental health. ST recently launched a youth-focused series titled More than Grades, which spotlights students beyond their academic achievements. This follows a separate series – No health without mental health – that began in October 2024 to explore the topic of mental health in the local context. Ms Linda Lee, 37, a human-experience leadership coach and speaker, said: 'Younger audiences today aren't just passive consumers – they're looking for something that feels real, relevant, and worth their time. ST can really lean into that by covering more stories of the human experience.' For more information about ST180, visit
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Traveller who stole credit card, over $200 in cash during Scoot flight gets 10 months' jail
Chinese national Zhang Kun had retrieved the victim's bag from an overhead compartment while the latter was away from his seat. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PEXELS Traveller who stole credit card, over $200 in cash during Scoot flight gets 10 months' jail SINGAPORE – A traveller was on board a Scoot flight when he retrieved another passenger's bag from an overhead compartment while the man was away from his seat, took out a wallet and stole its contents – $200 and RM100 (S$30) in cash as well as a credit card. After that, Zhang Kun placed the wallet back into the bag and returned it to the overhead compartment. A nearby passenger, who saw what Zhang had done, alerted the victim after the plane landed, and the thief was arrested. On May 28, Zhang, a 51-year-old Chinese national, who was in remand, was sentenced to 10 months' jail after he pleaded guilty to a theft charge. He has made full restitution. Deputy Public Prosecutor Eugene Phua told the court that Zhang and the 35-year-old Singaporean victim had boarded the Singapore-bound flight in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at around 11pm on March 16. During the journey, the victim and his fiancee left their seats to meet his friend and the friend's wife for a birthday celebration at the back of the plane. Seeing that the couple had left their seats, Zhang walked to an overhead compartment near the victim's seat and committed the offence. After the plane landed at Changi Airport about an hour later, the eyewitness approached the victim to tell him about the theft. The victim checked his belongings and found his cash and credit card missing. The witness then pointed at Zhang, and the victim confronted the thief before blocking his credit card. A check later revealed that no one had used it for unauthorised transactions. The victim's fiancee contacted the police at around 12.15am on March 17. Officers arrived at the scene soon after but could not find the loot in Zhang's possession. Court documents did not disclose what he did with them, but he was observed making several trips to a toilet before the officers' arrival. Investigations revealed that Zhang had accomplices who were also on board the flight and were transiting in Singapore before making their way to Hong Kong. Initially, Zhang did not admit to taking the credit card and cash. He also did not reveal to the police what he had done with the stolen items. For theft, an offender can be jailed for up to three years and fined. Shaffiq Alkhatib is The Straits Times' court correspondent, covering mainly criminal cases heard at the State Courts. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
ST Headstart: Using GenAI in job applications: Smart or unfair?
Welcome to the latest edition of ST Headstart, bringing you the best of The Straits Times' career, personal finance and lifestyle coverage every Tuesday noon. Sign up here to get weekly tips right into your inbox. Hi! Should you use GenAI when applying for jobs? Some applicants said that they have been banned from using the tool during tests, while others were praised for their creative use of GenAI. So, is it considered foul play or fair use? Megan Wee digs deeper into using GenAI with caution and integrity. What are your thoughts on using GenAI at work? Let us know at headstart@ This week, we also have stories for you on why the logistics sector is heating up among young workers, and how some have overcome personal hardships to pursue their dreams. Meanwhile, hidden gems these days are losing their lustre as people publicise every holiday purchase, attraction and experience on social media, says lifestyle writer Amanda Chai. Is gatekeeping acceptable or is it always 'good things must share'? Stay happy, stay hydrated!
Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Straits Times
Man fined after his remote controlled plane crashed into MGS tennis court near coach
Man fined after his remote controlled plane crashed into MGS tennis court near coach SINGAPORE – A man who lost control of a remote controlled plane before it crashed onto a Methodist Girls' School (MGS) tennis court mere metres from a coach, was fined $7,000 on May 20. Ng Tchi Mun, 68, pleaded guilty to one count of operating the unmanned aircraft (UA) in a manner which could endanger another person's property. His UA – a Hangar 9 Pulse 125 weighing around 3.7kg – broke into pieces upon impact, leaving part of the tennis court scratched and cratered. Specifications of this plane model found online state that it is 159cm in length, with a wingspan of 193 cm. The crash, which happened on a Sunday morning on Aug 20, 2023, took place around 4m from a tennis coach who was preparing for a 12pm private class. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ariel Tan said the coach was 'completely taken aback' by the UA crashing onto the tennis court and 'began shaking in fear at the thought that he could have been harmed'. 'After he composed himself, he called the MGS facilities manager to report the incident before lodging a police report.' The court heard that Ng was operating the UA from an open field in Old Holland Road around 250m away from the MGS sports complex. There were also residential homes in the vicinity. Ng, a Singaporean, held an unmanned aircraft basic training certificate issued on Jan 31, 2021. DPP Tan said: 'At about 10.15am, the accused noticed that the wind was getting stronger, so he decided to steer the UA back towards the open field. 'The accused estimated that the UA was about 50m away from the sports complex of MGS when he tried to manoeuvre it back to him. He ultimately failed to do so and the wind propelled the UA towards MGS.' Ng then lost control of the UA, which crashed onto one of the tennis courts, located on the third floor of the school's sports complex. The coach was walking across the court when it landed about 4m away. Ng arrived at the scene soon after and identified himself as the owner of the UA. The DPP said: 'He (later) agreed to pay the repair cost of $410.40 when presented with the quotation from MGS's contractor.' On Dec 1, 2023, MGS proceeded with the repairs under its facilities refurbishment plan, and Ng paid the contractor $410.40 a month later. Without revealing details, the DPP said that the payment was later returned to him on Jan 9, 2025. This was not the first case involving a UA that crashed near people in the vicinity. A company was earlier fined $18,000 after a drone it was operating crashed into a building in July 2024 while flying towards One-North Residences near North Buona Vista Road. The device fell to the ground just 1m away from two residents and caught fire. The company was convicted on April 1 of operating a drone in a manner that could endanger lives or property. Shaffiq Alkhatib is The Straits Times' court correspondent, covering mainly criminal cases heard at the State Courts. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
