Asia Tonight - Tue 1 Jul 2025
Asia Tonight
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CNA
10 hours ago
- CNA
Artist-led initiative Singapore Spotlight to debut at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025 with 6 diverse acts
An artist-led initiative, Singapore Spotlight will make its inaugural debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, running from Aug 1 to 25. The ground-up initiative will showcase Singaporean performing art talents in theatre, comedy, dance, street performance and experimental works at the world's largest performing arts festival. Singapore Spotlight was founded by artists with the mission to empower Singaporean performing artists by providing them with opportunities to showcase their work internationally and build meaningful connections. The faces behind the initiative are six independent producers based in Singapore and the United Kingdom: Lim Shien Hian, Caleb Lee, Mohamad Shaifulbahri, Joanne Tay, Brent Tan and Syania Shaharuddin, who are collectively driving Singapore's first coordinated presence at the festival. Among the featured acts are three familiar names returning to the festival. Circus artist and street performer Jonathan Goh is back with his Planks and Ladder show featuring his crowd-pulling acrobatics and juggling acts. Joining him will be stand-up comedian Sam See, now in his fifth year at the Fringe. He is set to host two showcases: The Asian Comedy and Off with Your Head. Theatre performer and playwright Jo Tan also returns to Summerhall, one of the most prestigious arts venues in Edinburgh, following a successful run there in 2024. She will be performing her one-woman play, King. A new wave of Singaporean artists will also take the stage, including sound artist Hee Suhui with her audiovisual work Ill Behaviour; contemporary dance group Decadance Co with dark dance comedy The 11th Hour; and stand-up comedian Nebulous Niang with her personal comedy special Slomosexual. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Singapore Spotlight (@ In a press release, lead producer of Singapore Spotlight, Lim Shien Hian, describes the Fringe as a bucket list dream. He said: 'Many people have heard of the Fringe – it sounds fantastic and wonderful to tour, but it's also daunting, challenging, and financially risky, where Singaporeans might find it easier and safer to produce work locally. That's why we are building Singapore Spotlight as a concerted effort to showcase and support Singapore talents on the international stage.' 'For those who dare to dream, the Edinburgh Fringe can be an extremely exciting marketplace of ideas where you can interact with the best artists from all over the world, and hopefully be a launchpad for more overseas opportunities.'
CNA
11 hours ago
- CNA
ByteDance mass food poisoning: Catering company Yunhaiyao pleads guilty
Scroll up for the next video X ByteDance mass food poisoning: Catering company Yunhaiyao pleads guilty
Independent Singapore
11 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Labubu earns a degree? Tsinghua graduate's plush toy steals the show at commencement ceremony
On one of China's most respected campuses, an unexpected graduate shared the limelight last June – an impish toy named Labubu. A recent SCMP story featured a viral video, showing a student at Tsinghua University carrying her Labubu to the graduation stage, garbed in a tiny cap and gown. She offered the toy to the university's vice-president and requested him to make the traditional tassel-turning motion for Labubu. Caught by surprise but ready for a laugh, the official obliged, lightly pinching the toy's tassel. The moment drew giggles from the audience and earned the doll a comical new tag — 'the Labubu with the highest education degree.' The video, first shared on Chinese platforms by the engineering graduate behind the account @xiaojinguailiyang, rapidly spread on social media. The luxurious toy's fame, already spiralling in China and around the world, helped the video footage go viral. 'I saw someone take a Chiikawa to their graduation and thought it was adorable,' the student said, referring to another favourite cartoon character. 'So I dressed my Labubu in a gown and brought her with me.' When the vice-president inquired if it was the well-known Labubu, she said yes and clarified that while the toy didn't exactly study, she had put in diligence on Labubu's behalf. 'I believe it's not too much for her to receive a degree after accompanying me to study for such a long time.' Another Tsinghua student, who completed her Master's, carried with her a bigger Labubu to participate in the tassel-turning ritual, captured in yet another viral video. Online response ranged from amusement to delight to cynicism. 'What a lovely scene! It's good to see students keeping things lighthearted,' one user commented. Another kidded, 'The vice-president might be thinking: 'Show me your thesis first!'' Still, not everyone was pleased. Some netizens wondered whether bringing a toy to such a formal and significant event demeans an academic tradition. 'If Labubu can graduate, does Tsinghua still hold academic authority?' one doubtful commenter asked. Labubu, known for its piercing ears, toothy grin, and playful charisma, is a collectable toy made by the Chinese brand Pop Mart. Its reputation hit the roof in 2024 when Blackpink's Lisa displayed her Labubu collection online. Since then, it has become a must-have for enthusiasts and collectors alike. See also Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun star in upcoming fantasy drama With admirers including superstars like Rihanna, Liu Yifei, Lu Han, and David Beckham, Labubu is more than just a toy, it's a cultural marvel. And now, thanks to a few imaginative graduates, it has an artificial degree from one of the top universities in the world. Move over, valedictorians — Labubu just graduated with honours in charm.
