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Straits Times
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Labubu mania: Japanese snack-themed launch draws queue at Ion Orchard from 5.30am
The company declined to say how much stock of The Monsters Wacky Mart series is available in stores here. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Seasoned Labubu fans came prepared with foldable chairs and portable fans as they waited for doors to open at 10am. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Pop Mart Singapore announced that the "THE MONSTERS Wacky Mart Series" launches in Singapore on June 28. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG SINGAPORE – The launch of snack-themed Labubu dolls drew a queue of some 160 fans at retailer Pop Mart's Ion Orchard store on June 28, with the earliest arrivals reaching before dawn. First in line was microbiology studen t Sarah C who took her spot at 5.30am. The 25-year-old, who declined to give her last name, said she had made the effort 'because it's Labubu, it's going to be popular'. The long-time collector, who owns over 30 of the sharp-toothed, fluffy-eared dolls, added: 'It's not so bad today. (Arrving at) 5.30am is considered late for the more popular series.' The queue for the last Labubu release at the same store in April began at 2am, a Pop Mart part-timer told The Straits Times. This latest range, called The Monsters Wacky Mart series, launched on the Pop Mart global online store on June 13 and landed in Singapore on June 28. It turns the viral plushies into Japanese convenience store grub – fried shrimp, corn on the cob, a sandwich. Figurines come in 12 designs, plus a 13th rare edition shaped like a microwave oven that buyers have a 1 in 144 chance of getting. The dolls, sold in blind boxes in which the exact figurine inside is a surprise, are priced at $15.90 each or $190.80 for the full set of 12. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG The dolls, sold in blind boxes in which the exact figurine inside is a surprise, are priced at $15.90 each or $190.80 for the full set of 12. Seasoned Labubu fans came prepared with foldable chairs and portable fans as they waited for doors to open at 10am. The 100th ticket to enter the store was issued at 8.45am. The launch of a snack-themed Labubu doll drew a queue of some 160 fans at retailer Pop Mart's Ion Orchard store. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Some, like Ms Marife Barria, were there to help others get the goods. The 26-year-old domestic worker said she often queued for Labubu dolls on behalf of her employer, a 47-year-old woman, and had reached around 6am this time. A woman in her 60s said she was helping her 27-year-old son snag a full set for his girlfriend. Hype was highest among the mostly adult crowd for a fluffy AirPods case, shaped like shrimp tempura, which can hold Apple's line of wireless earphones. Priced at $34.90, it was the first product in the range to sell out around 11.30am. First to sell out was a fluffy AirPods case, shaped like shrimp tempura. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Since the launch of the range, the earphones case has been listed on resale websites, with sellers on Chinese platform Taobao asking between $80 and $90 for it. The limited quantity releases of Labubu dolls has been known to drive up prices on the resale market and even spark brawls. In May, Pop Mart paused sales of the toy in its stores in Britain after some fans came to blows over them. The company declined to say how much stock of The Monsters Wacky Mart series is available in stores here. All those in the queue were let into the store before 11.30am and most left clutching bags of merchandise. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Still, there was enough to go around this time. All those in the queue were let into the store before 11.30am. Most left clutching bags of merchandise. Ms Cindy Tan, a teacher, left the store with her hands full and her 18-year-old son in tow, who helped with the load. She said: 'Labubu makes me feel special.' All figurines were snapped up by 2.20pm. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
21-06-2025
- The Star
Nine months' jail for former primary school teacher in Singapore who touched seven-year-old pupil in class
The father of three was given a discharge amounting to acquittal on two similar charges. -- ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A former primary school Chinese teacher has been sentenced to nine months' jail after he admitted to using criminal force on his pupil with the intention to outrage her modesty. The father of three was given a discharge amounting to acquittal on two similar charges. These charges were not read out in court. On June 20, District Judge Lim Tse Haw said the man, 38, had breached a sacred trust between him and his pupil – for whom he was the Chinese language and form teacher. Sometime around 2019, the seven-year-old pupil approached the man to find out the name of a song he played in class earlier. As she approached the man, who was sitting near the front of the classroom, he reached out and touched her underneath her school skirt. They were alone at the front of the class, as the other pupils were queuing to go for recess. After three years, she decided to confide her experience to the school's vice-principal in April 2022. A police report was made. The judge said: 'Teachers are held in high regard by society. By virtue of the trust we (place) in them to impart knowledge and good moral values in our students, parents therefore entrust their children in the good hands of our teachers for these reasons.' He pointed out that the pupil in this case was just seven years old. There is a gag order imposed to protect her identity. 'Although the touch was fleeting and did not intrude into her private parts, there was skin on skin contact with her inner thigh under her skirt – a sensitive part of the female body.' The judge added: 'The psychological harm, which included suicidal thoughts and potential problems with interpersonal relationships later in life, could be prolonged.' The Ministry of Education previously told The Straits Times that the man was dismissed in April 2022, and that he is no longer teaching in any school. For each count of molesting a child below 14 years old, an offender can be jailed for up to five years, fined, caned or receive any combination of such punishments. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Straits Times
9 months' jail for former primary school teacher who touched seven-year-old pupil in class
The father of three was given a discharge amounting to acquittal on two similar charges ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG 9 months' jail for former primary school teacher who touched seven-year-old pupil in class SINGAPORE – A former primary school Chinese teacher has been sentenced to nine months' jail after he admitted to using criminal force on his pupil with the intention to outrage her modesty. The father of three was given a discharge amounting to acquittal on two similar charges. These charges were not read out in court. On June 20, District Judge Lim Tse Haw said the man, 38, had breached a sacred trust between him and his pupil – for whom he was the Chinese language and form teacher . Sometime around 2019, the seven-year-old pupil approached the man to find out the name of a song he had played in class earlier. As she approached the man, who was sitting down near the front of the classroom, the man reached out and touched the pupil underneath her school skirt. They were alone at the front of the class at this time, as the other pupils were queuing up to go for recess. After three years, she decided to confide her experience to the school's vice- principal in April 2022 . A police report was then made. The judge said: 'Teachers are held in high regard by society. By virtue of the trust we ( place) in them to impart knowledge and good moral values in our students, parents therefore entrust their children in the good hands of our teachers for these reasons.' He pointed out that the pupil in this case was just seven years old. There is a gag order imposed to protect her identity. 'Although the touch was fleeting and did not intrude into her private parts, there was skin on skin contact with her inner thigh under her skirt – a sensitive part of the female body.' The judge added: 'The psychological harm, which included suicidal thoughts and potential problems with interpersonal relationships later in life, could be prolonged.' The Ministry of Education had previously told The Straits Times that the man had been dismissed in April 2022, and that he is no longer teaching in any school. For each count of molesting a child below 14 years old, an offender can be jailed for up to five years, fined, caned or receive any combination of such punishments. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Straits Times
Man charged over drink-driving accident in 2022, accused of drink driving again in 2024
The motorist's case has been adjourned to July 17. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Man charged over drink-driving accident in 2022, accused of drink driving again in 2024 SINGAPORE – A motorist was charged in court on June 19 over two separate drink-driving offences nearly two years apart. Heng Zeng An, 35, is accused of failing to stop at a red light at the junction of Yishun Avenue 3 and Sembawang Road, shortly after midnight on Oct 26, 2022. His car allegedly collided with a power-assisted bicycle and its 32-year-old male rider was hurt in the accident. Heng was allegedly found to have at least 149 mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood soon after. The prescribed blood alcohol limit is 80mg/100ml of blood. The Singaporean was also charged with dangerous driving over this incident. Heng also stands accused of drink driving again on July 6, 2024, in Bishan Street 22 shortly before 5am. His breathalyser test result was found to be at least 47 mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath . The prescribed limit is 35mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. Heng's case has been adjourned to July 17. For drink driving, a first-time offender can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to $10,000, while a repeat offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $20,000. 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
18-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Standard Chartered cuts jobs in Singapore; moves them to India: Finance jobs portal
The bank had previously cut about 100 jobs across its Singapore, London and Hong Kong hubs in November 2024. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG SINGAPORE - Dozens of staff at Standard Chartered have reportedly been laid off in Singapore in a fresh round of job cuts by the London-based bank. The move affected about 80 Singapore-based employees – understood to be from the bank's technology and operations teams – with their jobs being offshored to India, according to finance jobs portal efinancialcareers. In a website article published on June 12, the global financial services company noted that 'sources at the bank in Singapore said the 80 jobs currently being offshored to India are likely only the start'. 'Singapore remains a critical centre for their global businesses and technology and operations teams,' a StanChart spokesman said when contacted by ST, without providing details such as whether the job cuts are part of the bank's plan to save costs in a bid to return capital to shareholders. 'We continually look to enhance our operations to serve our clients better. As a global firm, we maintain a dynamic blend of world-class local talent in our key markets, including Singapore, and leverage the multi-disciplinary expertise housed in our global business service hubs,' he added. The bank, which makes most of its money in Asia and the Middle East, is in the midst of a corporate cost-saving programme called 'Fit for Growth' as it aims to return US$1.5 billion (S$2 billion) more to shareholders. It reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat estimates in February 2025. The bank had previously cut about 100 jobs across its Singapore, London and Hong Kong hubs in November 2024. This was part of the Asia-focused lender's plan to cut costs by more than US$1 billion (S$1.35 billion) through 2024. StanChart's head office in Singapore is at Marina Bay Financial Centre, with a network of 11 branches and over 30 ATMs islandwide. A check on StanChart's job openings on its website showed that the bank is still hiring for over 60 Singapore-based roles in areas ranging from operations to marketing and business development. Tech positions, such as infrastructure engineers and those related to digital products, are still open. The job cuts follow other global banks that have made reductions to their workforce, including DBS, which had communicated its intention to reduce its contract and temporary staff by around 4,000 over the next three years as artificial intelligence increasingly takes on roles carried out by humans. Meanwhile, HSBC had also announced a restructuring process in October 2024 that was expected to lead to job cuts, mainly involving those in senior roles to reduce duplication. HSBC Singapore was not able to comment on the number and type of senior management roles it has here, then. The financial sector's contribution to Singapore's gross domestic product has grown from 12.5 per cent in 2018 to 13.8 per cent in 2024, with a workforce of close to 200,000 here. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
