Latest news with #CNA
Herald Malaysia
9 minutes ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
From AI to the White Sox: Pope Leo XIV's first 100 days break new ground
From AI to the White Sox: Pope Leo XIV's first 100 days break new ground Saturday, August 16, marks Pope Leo XIV's 100th day as pope. Since his May 8 election as the first pope born and raised in the United States, the 69-year-old Chicago native has already left his mark on a jubilee year filled with papal liturgies and a surge in pilgrim enthusiasm. Aug 17, 2025 Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA By Courtney Mares Saturday, August 16, marks Pope Leo XIV's 100th day as pope. Since his May 8 election as the first pope born and raised in the United States, the 69-year-old Chicago native has already left his mark on a jubilee year filled with papal liturgies and a surge in pilgrim enthusiasm. Here are some of the highlights of the first 100 days of the new Holy Father: Papal jubilee: Pope Leo offers 16 public Masses in 14 weeks Pope Leo XIV began his papacy in the heart of the Church's 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, and he made the most of this opportunity to interact with Catholic pilgrims from across the globe by offering many Masses with the public. Leo XIV offered 16 large public Masses in just 14 weeks — an average of more than one per week — including seven Masses in June alone. The pace marks a significant shift from the final years of Pope Francis' pontificate when the aging pope was unable to offer Mass himself at the altar. Francis was present at only four Masses with the public in the same time period last year. The papal Masses have drawn large crowds and significant attention, beginning with his first inaugural Mass, which brought 200 foreign delegations — including heads of state and royalty — to the Vatican. Since then, Leo has celebrated liturgies for the jubilees of Families, Priests, and Youth as well as on major solemnities and feasts including Pentecost, Corpus Christi, the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Holy Trinity, Sts. Peter and Paul, and Mary, Mother of the Church. Leo XIV is the first pope elected during a jubilee year since 1700. A singing pope One of Pope Leo's most unexpected moments came during his first Regina Caeli address, when he stunned a crowd of 200,000 in St. Peter's Square by singing the Marian hymn rather than reciting it in Latin like his recent predecessors. Since then, he has continued chanting during liturgies and leading crowds in sung versions of the Our Father in Latin. The move inspired the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music to launch 'Let's Sing with the Pope,' an online series aimed at making Gregorian chant more accessible. First American pope on White Sox stadium jumbotron In June, the first pope born and raised in the United States appeared on the jumbotron at a gathering of American Catholics at Chicago's Rate Field — home of his beloved White Sox. In a video message delivered entirely in English, Pope Leo urged young people to be 'beacons of hope' and invited all to see that 'God is reaching out to you, calling you, inviting you to know his son, Jesus Christ.' It was the pope's first direct address to his hometown since his election and one of the earliest papal speeches given entirely in English. The new pope's love of sports has led to some memorable moments. He blessed 159 cyclists as they passed through Vatican City in the final leg of the Giro d'Italia. A self-described 'amateur tennis player,' Pope Leo XIV joked with tennis star Jannik Sinner, ranked the world's No. 1, whether his white cassock would meet Wimbledon's requirement for all white attire. The pope has also been gifted White Sox and Bears jerseys and has signed baseballs for enthusiastic pilgrims. A voice for peace in Gaza and Ukraine Pope Leo XIV's first words were 'Peace be with you all,' recalling the first greeting of the risen Christ recorded in Scripture. As wars continued and at times intensified during Pope Leo's first months, the pope has continued to be a voice for peace. In June, after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Pope Leo urged world leaders 'to stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss.' Following an Israeli strike that killed three people at Gaza's only Catholic church in July, he appealed for 'a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and full respect for humanitarian law.' 'Today more than ever, humanity cries out and pleads for peace,' the pope said during an Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace. Leo also met with bishops and pilgrims from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Castel Gandolfo in July, where the two discussed the urgency of 'just and lasting paths of peace,' according to the Vatican. Leo carries the Eucharist through the streets of Rome Pope Leo personally carried the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Rome during a Corpus Christi procession from the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. 'Together, as shepherds and flock, we will feed on the Blessed Sacrament, adore him, and carry him through the streets,' he said. 'In doing so, we will present him before the eyes, the consciences, and the hearts of the people.' More than 20,000 people turned out for Leo XIV's first Eucharistic procession as pope. Return to Castel Gandolfo Pope Leo revived the papal tradition of spending summer days at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo. During his two-week stay in July, he led public Masses in local parishes, greeted pilgrims as he led the Angelus prayer in Liberty Square, and received visiting dignitaries. His stay marks the first papal summer retreat in the lakeside town since the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Leo introduces the world to great quotes by St. Augustine A member of the Augustinian order, Pope Leo has quoted St. Augustine in nearly every one of his homilies as pope. In his first public words on May 8, he said: 'I am an Augustinian, a son of St. Augustine, who once said, 'With you I am a Christian, and for you I am a bishop.'' Addressing 1 million young people at the Jubilee of Youth in August, he quoted Augustine's 'Confessions': 'You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness… I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more.' A focus on artificial intelligence Pope Leo has frequently spoken about artificial intelligence (AI), which is already shaping up to be a topic of interest in his pontificate with many hoping that he will address it in an encyclical. Early on in his pontificate, Leo drew parallels between his namesake Pope Leo XIII, who responded to the industrial revolution with Rerum Novarum, and today's digital revolution, explaining that the rise of AI poses 'new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice, and labor.' 'Humanity is at a crossroads, facing the immense potential generated by the digital revolution driven by artificial intelligence,' he warned in a message to the Geneva-based AI for Good Summit. 'The impact of this revolution is far-reaching, transforming areas such as education, work, art, health care, governance, the military, and communication.' The Vatican website received a revamp shortly after Leo's election, and insiders noted Leo's relatively tech-savvy background, including a personal Twitter account prior to his papacy. The pope also expressed concern in a speech to another AI conference about the negative effects that AI can have on the 'intellectual and neurological development' of rising generations and the 'loss of the sense of the human' that societies are experiencing. Leo declares a new doctor of the Church In one of his most significant theological gestures, Pope Leo named St. John Henry Newman, a 19th-century English convert from Anglicanism, a doctor of the Church — a rare title given to just 37 other saints. The title is granted in recognition of an already canonized saint's significant contribution to advancing the Church's knowledge of doctrine, theology, or spirituality.? Leo also approved the upcoming canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati in September as the first saints of his pontificate. He greenlit seven additional causes for canonization, including that of Blessed Bartolo Longo, a former satanist turned founder of the Marian shrine in Pompeii. Carrying the cross before a million young people at the Jubilee of Youth Pope Leo addressed the largest crowd of his papacy to date at the Jubilee of Youth, where an estimated 1 million young adults camped out in fields in Tor Vergata, southeast of Rome. He surprised them by walking through the crowd to the stage, personally carrying the jubilee cross. During the evening vigil, he answered youth questions in English, Italian, and Spanish, offering reflections on loneliness, discernment, and friendship with Christ. After Eucharistic adoration, chants of 'Papa Leone!' echoed long into the night. Leo stayed past 10 p.m. — well beyond the scheduled end. Earlier in the week, he made a surprise appearance at the opening Mass, joyfully proclaiming in English: 'Jesus tells us: You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world!' and the crowd erupted in cheers.--CNA
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
After Mrunal Thakur, Kareena Kapoor Khan gets trolled on the internet for her comments on other actors in old interviews, netizens call her the 'OG mean girl'
Mrunal Thakur , who was recently seen with Ajay Devgn in 'Son of Sardaar 2', has been in the news after an old video of her resurfaced online. In the clip which was from her television days when she was doing 'Kumkum Bhagya', Mrunal mocked Bipasha Basu for her 'muscles' and said she was 'far better'. After facing backlash from netizens, she apologised. Now, another actress is being criticised online for being very mean to other actors as a Reddit post recalls all the rude comments she's made. A viral Reddit thread has dug up snippets from Kareena's old interviews. A user shared a magazine cover of the actress with some of her quotes about other actresses and in the caption, called her the 'OG mean girl'. After losing 'Devdas' to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan , Kareena had called Sanjay Leela Bhansali a 'confused director' with 'no morals and principles'. She also once claimed that Sridevi 'never had a historical hit'. Talking about 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' (2000), which was meant to be her debut before she walked out, Kareena said Rakesh Roshan focused more on Hrithik Roshan , while Ameesha Patel had 'pimples and under-eye bags' in some scenes. The actress had once called Bipasha Basu 'kaali beeli'. When she was asked about it on 'Aap Ki Adalat', she said, she will call herself 'gori billi'. Kareena didn't stop there. She called Salman Khan a 'bad actor' in one interview and also stated that 'being fat is not sexy'. Netizens are now reacting strongly. One wrote, 'Pooh in real life!' Another commented, 'I always point that out. Her fans pass her mean behaviour as 'Sassy' and call her real life 'Poo' as if it's an achievement 🙄.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo A third remarked, 'Man was this woman unfiltered. Haughty she may have been but she gave film magazine readers their money's worth.' Someone else pointed out, 'Thank god she started at a time when celebrities weren't crucified for singular statements on social media. 🤣 But yes, she could use some diplomacy. SRK could teach her.' Another user said, 'I swear she has forever been mean. I don't know what's iconic about that. Being disrespectful is not cool.' However, over the years, Kareena has stopped commenting these things about other actors. One has seen how now that she chooses to be diplomatic. When the actress was asked about her feud with Ameesha on ' Koffee With Karan ' after the success of 'Gadar 2', Kareena responded that 'there's no history. The only history made is by their film 'Gadar 2' with the box office records, she had said. On work front, Kareena was last seen in 'Singham Again'. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anupama Parameswaran admits she wasn't comfortable with her role opposite Siddhu Jonnalagadda in Tillu Square: ‘Now I won't do it, that's not who I am'
Anupama Parameswaran recently admitted that she was never fully at ease playing the female lead opposite Siddhu Jonnalagadda in the Telugu hit Tillu Square. Despite the film's success and the praise she received, the actress revealed that the character didn't align with her personal comfort zone. 'I wasn't comfortable in my own skin' Speaking to Idlebrain, Anupama explained that if offered a similar role today, she would turn it down. 'If someone comes and gives me a Tillu-like character now, I won't do it. Not because the team was bad—everything was great—but I just wasn't comfortable in my own skin doing that role,' she said. She admitted the journey was far from smooth, adding that she often felt 'bad, disappointed, and not confident' during the shoot. 'That's not who I am, and I wasn't able to be that person,' she shared. Anupama Parameswaran becomes one of the highest-paid actresses in Tollywood; guess her salary From self-doubt to audience appreciation Despite her internal struggles, Anupama said she was proud of how audiences responded to her performance. 'Even though I was uncomfortable and underconfident, I still managed to convince the audience... I made them believe I was confident, that I was a boss lady who doesn't care about what others think,' she noted, calling it 'a great success.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo The actress had initially faced criticism and online trolling for her portrayal, but the film's commercial success turned the tide in her favour. In Tillu Square, Anupama played Lily opposite Siddhu Jonnalagadda's DJ Tillu. Directed by Mallik Ram , the film released on March 29, 2024, and went on to become a box-office hit. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
The truth about work-life balance in Europe, as told by Singaporean expats
Fresh into his first office job in France in 2024, Mr Ruzaini Mazani was all set to reply to a sales lead right away. However, his manager advised the opposite: play it cool and let the prospect wait. "I really couldn't wrap my head around it, but the Asian in me didn't want to ask why because I didn't want to be rude," the 37-year-old told CNA TODAY. "With time, I realised that being the eager beaver really annoys the French people because they like to work at their own pace. That was the sort of culture shock I had for several months." Such surprises come with the territory for Singaporeans navigating corporate life in Europe, even if they don't share these moments on their social media accounts alongside their picture-perfect studio apartments and the ski trips they take. CNA TODAY takes a look at the lives of Singaporean millennials who have moved to the region renowned for its work-life balance, and how they have adjusted to an unfamiliar work culture, grappled with loneliness and navigated safety concerns. Former television host Sharon Au, for instance, famously recounted her experience when she relocated in 2018 to the French capital of Paris, where she was ticked off twice by human resource personnel for sending work messages outside office hours and not leaving the office by 6pm. In an interview in 2019, the Singaporean also said that she had thought of dipping her toes into a cafe business but realised that the labour law in France was very strict about hiring and firing people and "disadvantageous … especially if you were a foreigner". In 2020, she had to cope with the trauma after burglars broke into her apartment that she shared with her pet cat. For some of the Singaporeans who spoke to CNA TODAY, just settling into a new job in Europe can be a headache at first. Ms Magdalene Huang, for example, pursued her goal of working and living in Sweden after she spent a year in Stockholm as part of the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) programme. After graduation, she relentlessly applied for jobs there while working in Singapore. It was during her stint at a FAANG company – one of the major American technology giants such as Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix or Google – that her resume finally caught the attention of a financial services firm. Working for a globally recognised brand gave her the visibility she needed to break into the overseas market. "Even though I spent four years pursuing this goal, I was undecided when I finally got the offer because the thought of leaving home was so painful. But if I didn't do it when I was 27, I would become even more afraid to do it in my 30s,' the 30-year-old recalled. After accepting the offer in October 2020, she spent the next four months preparing for the big move. As with most relocation packages, the firm hiring her sponsored her visa, moving expenses and one month's rent. How employers handle this varies: some offer a lump sum, others reimburse you after the move. If it is a reimbursement, you will need lots of savings. Ms Luah Xiao Wen, a 30-year-old who has worked for a pharmaceutical firm in Copenhagen for two years now, said: "It's the norm across Denmark to pay three to six months' worth of rent upfront. So if you rented a S$5,000 apartment, you may need to pay up to S$30,000 in one sitting." Most employees are assigned an agent to help with house-hunting and typically choose a place near the office. For Ms Atikah Amalina, a 34-year-old FAANG employee based in England, she had to weigh other factors as well. "In Singapore, we don't really have a 'concept' of crime, but in London, it can get quite unsafe depending on the area where you live. Because I wear the hijab (headdress), that was a really important consideration for me," she said. After checking with friends who live in London about the neighbourhood she was eyeing, Ms Atikah signed the lease with peace of mind and moved there in 2022 with her two rescue cats, then aged one and two. "They make living alone a little less lonely, even though they are annoying sometimes." After settling in, the expats began to see why Europe's work culture enjoys such a glowing reputation. For starters, the number of annual leave days could go up to 30. "When I was in Singapore, I had to calculate the number of days I could take and maximise them with the weekends. Here, I don't even have to think twice about taking time off," Ms Huang said. "I use many of my leave days to go back to Singapore, which is ironic since I was always trying to get out of the country in the past." Benefits for working parents are not too shabby either, with at least 16 months of paid parental leave to be shared between both parents in Sweden. Ms Luah said that it is a Danish tradition for fathers to accompany their children on their first day of school. At Mr Ruzaini's former company in France, mothers could even opt for a "half-time" arrangement, halving their number of work hours for 80 per cent of their pay. It is not just companies that promote work-life balance; the law also protects it. In France, it is illegal to work while on medical leave. In the United Kingdom, employees are legally entitled to request flexible work arrangements. Being able to start and end their workday earlier means that working parents can pick up their children from daycare or school and employees have time to slow down and recharge. "I think that's what makes working in Sweden feel so 'breathable'. After I get home from work, I'm not drained. I still have the energy to cook and do other things," Ms Huang said. As trust runs deep in workplace cultures, managers act more like peers than figures of authority, giving employees greater agency over their work. Ms Atikah said: "I find working in London gives me more autonomy and empowerment to lead and own projects, compared to more hierarchical structures in Singapore.' GROWING PAINS OF A NEW LIFE With that said, having more autonomy at work was not something they got used to instantly. The laissez-faire approach is a clear departure for those accustomed to structured environments in Singapore. With greater freedom also comes the expectation to speak up, raise issues or problems and tackle them head-on, which can be daunting for those who shy away from confrontation. "In Singapore, you wait for your appraisal to make your points and maybe get someone else to back you up. But there was no such thing there," Mr Ruzaini said. When he felt uncomfortable raising concerns about his job scope, he suffered in silence for two months until his manager eventually noticed and asked what was wrong. Cultural differences can also hinder the exchange of feedback. When working with her British counterparts, Ms Atikah sometimes struggles to gauge how her work is being received because their comments tend to be polite. Similarly, Ms Luah observed that the encouraging work environment in Denmark – where people are generally pleasant – sometimes makes it harder to get constructive criticism. Even Europe's celebrated employee welfare systems are not without their downsides. In France, the emphasis on work-life balance contributes to longer tenures, which can slow career progression or make switching paths harder for younger professionals. In Sweden, strong job security backed by legislation and unions means that performance issues are handled with extra caution. "It makes corporate life less efficient, but it does protect people. So I'm a bit conflicted," Ms Huang said. "But I think I hold this view because I can return to a 'rich' country if I'm fired, which isn't the case for employees who may have to return to war-torn countries or places with fewer opportunities." Outside the office, the expats learned to navigate the trade-offs that come with a laid-back way of life. When the elevator in Mr Ruzaini's apartment block broke down, older residents were cooped up at home for three weeks before repairs finally began. In Denmark, where shops often close as early as 5pm, Ms Luah found herself missing the conveniences of Singapore such as the ease of grabbing a late-night bite. "It's give and take. You want work-life balance, but so does everyone else," she said. Living in Sweden for nearly four years has likewise deepened Ms Huang's appreciation for Singapore's healthcare systems. In part due to the long waits and language barrier, her visits to the doctor have left much to be desired. "Most of the doctors cannot speak English and they just seem to prescribe paracetamol for everything. Sometimes, it is frustrating when I cannot get the help I need," she said. She added that in Sweden, commuting to work costs about five times more than in Singapore. The high cost of living, coupled with steep taxes and rent, can sometimes offset any pay bump that comes with a job offer in Europe. All things considered, Ms Huang admitted that she would have been better off financially in Singapore, with Central Provident Fund contributions and no rent to pay while living with her parents. "At the end of the day, you have to remember why you chose to work abroad. If you are not ready to give up wealth accumulation, I would suggest staying put in Singapore because it is a place that supports financial growth," she advised. Being far from family is also a lonely experience. When a loved one fell ill back home, Ms Atikah felt helpless, able to do little more than send care packages. During Hari Raya this year, Mr Ruzaini came to the bittersweet realisation again that he had missed out on his sister's teenage years. This sense of isolation can feel more pronounced in Scandinavia, where people tend to be reserved and the clear divide between work and personal life means that colleagues rarely become friends. Long winters further dampen the desire to socialise and can trigger seasonal blues. During this time, even the simple routine of heading home after work serves as a stark reminder to Ms Huang that she is alone and far from home. "In Singapore, there are people on the streets and it's noisy in a comforting way. When I go home here, it's sometimes silent and completely dark." NOT THE SAME PERSON WHO LEFT With so much downtime and so few connections, the expats were forced to reflect on who they are outside of work – something they rarely had to consider when life in Singapore revolved almost entirely around their jobs. For Ms Luah, who worked such long hours previously in Singapore that her life was "pretty much planned" out for her, she had to think about what leisure means and how to fill her days with greater purpose. "Now I'm forced to think about how to spend my time. Should I doom-scroll on social media or do something constructive? "I think it's very healthy for you to understand your relationship with the world and learn how you want to shape your life. It does help you to become someone with more agency." Living abroad also provided a professional reset. Ms Luah realised that the Asian mindset of crossing every "t" and dotting every '"i" may not always pay off in the West. Hard work goes hand in hand with opportunity and honing soft skills such as networking is just as important. "It helped me to understand that there are many ways to reach your aspirations," she added. For some of the expats, their experiences have prompted a rethink of the Singaporean blueprint for success. By observing her colleagues, Ms Atikah began to discover other definitions of a life well-lived, such as raising children in a suburban home with a garden and trampoline, and spending weekends with them at the beach. 'There is more visibility of people choosing other ways of life here and that makes me realise there are different ways of being successful," she said. For others, this shuffle in priorities can bring unexpected tension. Back in Singapore, Ms Huang always had her eyes set on the next promotion at work. These days, her mind drifts to upcoming snowboarding trips and summer holidays, and she is still figuring out how to balance her drive to have a successful career with a slower pace of life. "In school and at work, I used to try and outdo myself every year. Now I just chill with whatever comes and I don't know how to feel about that. Why do I feel like I'm being lazy?" Naturally, the thought of readjusting to life in Singapore can be an unsettling one. Mr Ruzaini believes that time away from the "rat race" has given him the self-awareness and confidence to chart his own course, rather than simply going with the flow. However, four years into life in France, he admitted that it still did not quite feel like home. "When the time comes, we will move back to Singapore in a heartbeat. It's still my homeland and I still want to retire and be buried there." Ms Luah, on the other hand, sees herself returning if she becomes a parent one day, so that her children can be part of Singapore's school system, which she holds in high regard. She credited its strong emphasis on bilingualism for opening doors in both her and her husband's careers. She also said that the education system has its merits despite being much-criticised for its over-emphasis on academic achievements and students having unhealthy and high levels of stress. "Competition will always be there, but it gives you a sense of where you stand among your peers. If you can come to terms with what you are not good at early in life, you can move on to other options," she added. For Ms Huang, fulfilling her dream of working in Sweden has led to deeper reflection, pondering questions that her younger self never considered, including the broader impact of her work. "Sometimes, when I'm working, I wonder who I am serving. If I'm solving problems, I want to solve them for Singaporeans. If I have to pay taxes, I want them to go to my people," she said. Ultimately, she sees that there are two types of Singaporeans who move abroad: Those who cannot wait to get out, and those who move because an opportunity arises and end up seeing Singapore in a new light.
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
Free meals clause in Bukit Canberra hawker contracts will be removed from renewed tenancy agreements
SINGAPORE: The clauses requiring Bukit Canberra hawkers to provide free meals will be removed when their tenancy agreements are renewed in September, the operator said on Friday (Aug 15). In a post on Facebook, Canopy Hawkers Group said it has 'heard the feedback and concerns" that have been raised. A 2024 version of the contract seen by CNA states that a stall tenant 'shall participate' in the pay-it-forward programme 'as implemented and/or directed by the company', requiring them to set aside 100 meals at their own cost for the scheme. Lawyers told CNA on Thursday that the wording of the clause in the existing contracts, particularly the use of the word 'shall', suggested that tenants are legally obligated to participate in the scheme. Canopy Hawkers Group previously said that it initially included the clause because the tenants were selected based on their willingness to participate in the pay-it-forward programme. 'At that time, we felt it was important to include the commitment as a clause in the tenancy agreement because other hawkers had lost out on securing a stall based on, among other things, this commitment,' the operator said in its Facebook post on Friday. Acknowledging again that participation in charitable causes should be voluntary, the operator said: 'But given the circumstances, we saw the arrangement as one that balanced both the voluntary involvement with the fulfillment of their promises.' Some hawkers had shared that they may not be able to fulfill their commitments 'even though they would have liked to, if their circumstances had been better', said Canopy Hawkers Group in the Facebook post. The operator also said it learned that the meal assistance programme running in the constituency where Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre is located relies on voluntary contributions from patrons, not hawkers. 'We therefore decided to hold back on implementing the 'Pay-It-Forward' initiative, and may decide not to proceed based on the current concept,' the operator said. This is why no hawkers have been penalised for not providing free meals under the tenancy agreements and the management does not intend to enforce the obligation in the future, it said in its post. 'This is a commitment we are making publicly.' The operator also addressed the interest in budget meals provided at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, which it noted was different from the programme meant to provide free meals to customers in need. 'To provide residents with a range of offerings at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, we work with our hawkers to offer food options at different price points. This includes more affordable value meals,' it said in its post on Friday. 'These value meals do not form a large part of the meals sold, and our hawkers are not expected to make a loss selling value meals.' Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre is one of several social enterprise hawker centres in Singapore. In 2024, then-Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon said that all social enterprise hawker centre operators must propose ways to ensure affordable food options are available as part of their tender proposals. "So far operators have committed that all stalls in their centres will provide at least one value meal option. This is not an attempt to force hawkers to sell all of their dishes at low prices,' he had said at the time.
