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Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Science
- Straits Times
Six endangered fish species found in fish maw from Singapore and Malaysia's stores: Study
Around 500 samples of fish maw were collected from stores across Singapore and Malaysia, and sent for DNA analysis. PHOTO: SEAH YING GIAT Six endangered fish species found in fish maw from Singapore and Malaysia's stores: Study SINGAPORE - The DNA of six endangered fish species was found in fish maw products from stores in Singapore and Malaysia, a new study found. This was uncovered by a pair of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) , who analysed the DNA of 480 samples of fish maw. The duo published their research on June 24 , in the journal Conservation Letters . Fish maw - a delicacy in Chinese cuisine - is derived from the dried swim bladder of fish. Also known as the air or gas bladder, the organ helps fish modulate their buoyancy, allowing them to remain at a desired depth without floating or sinking. Widely consumed throughout much of East and South-east Asia, fish maw is regarded as an indicator of wealth, prestige and status in Chinese culture. It is also a popular ingredient in stews and soups, as it brings purported health benefits. The mysterious origins of fish maw The trade of fish maw products is hard to regulate, however, as it is difficult to visually identify them by species, said NUS Assistant Professor Benjamin Wainwright , one of the study's authors. He said: 'Fish maw has been processed, flattened, cleaned and washed. 'You can't determine what species the maw comes from without using genetic methods - so we have no idea of what species are involved in this trade in South-east Asia.' The aggregation of fish maw and other dried fish products under a common commodity code has also made its trade harder to oversee. Asst Prof Wainwright said: 'Commodity codes are meant to say, this is shark fin, this is shrimp, this is fish maw - but at the moment, all these products are lumped together and imported as dried fish goods.' As such, the two researchers - UMT's Dr Seah Ying Giat and Asst Prof Wainwright - set out to collect fish maw samples from stores in Malaysia between October and December 2023 , and in Singapore from January to April 2024 . Within the Republic, they visited dried goods shops such as those in Victoria Wholesale Centre and Albert Centre , Asst Prof Wainwright said. 'Just from walking around Chinatown, you can see maw everywhere - sold in lots and lots of shops. In supermarkets, there's fried maw all over the place as well.' DNA was successfully analysed from 118 samples from Malaysia and 362 samples from Singapore , and a total of 39 fish species were identified across both countries. The most commonly identified species was the blackspotted croaker (Protonibea diacanthus) , which made up 58 of the 480 samples. It is classified as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List , which outlines the conservation status of animals, plants and fungi. This means that though the species is currently not threatened by extinction, it is likely to become endangered in the near future. Among the maw samples, there were also four endangered, and two critically endangered species as per the IUCN Red List. The endangered species identified were: the cassava croaker (Pseudotolithus senegalensis) , American eel (Anguilla rostrata) , fourfinger threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) and iridescent shark (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) . Additionally, maw samples were also found to originate from the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) and European eel (Anguilla anguilla) , which are critically endangered. Notably, 11 samples of fish maw were identified as the European eel, despite the European Union's enactment of a zero-export quota on the fish in 2010 , which bars its export from the region. On this, Asst Prof Wainwright said: 'It's not that surprising that eel maw has been sold, because you can find the eels here. 'But it's interesting that the European eel is still making it here, because that should have been banned a long time ago.' Consider more sustainable alternatives Ultimately, as fish maw products often do not specify the exact species used, it may be difficult for consumers to make informed choices, said Mr Chester Gan, the Marine lead at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore . Businesses and corporations hence play a vital role, he added, and should examine their supply chains to ensure they are sourcing ingredients responsibly and reducing environmental impact. He said: 'Given that fish maw may originate from fisheries with little data, endangered species, or unsustainable fishing practices that harm vulnerable marine life, we urge both consumers and businesses to consider more sustainable alternatives.' To Asst Prof Wainwright, the best option is to not consume fish maw, especially if its species, country of origin and the sustainability of the maw fishery it is from cannot be confirmed. He said: ' The hope is, as more people become aware of the damage caused by unsustainable fishing, they may turn away from products of unknown origin and towards seafood from sustainable fisheries . ' Otherwise, when a species targeted for fish maw gets fished out, it's very likely we'll turn to another species and fish that one out, and then do the same for the next ones .' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
19 hours ago
- Science
- CNA
NUS Prof Veera Sekaran and NTU's Dr Shawn Lum on code of practice for pruning tropical trees
The National Parks Board and the Landscape Industry Association Singapore will develop the first code of practice for pruning tropical trees in urban environments. It is hoped that the new guidelines will make the trees less susceptible to pests and diseases. A first draft of the code is expected to be published by mid-2026. Professor Veera Sekaran from the NUS College of Design and Engineering, and Dr Shawn Lum, a senior lecturer at the NTU Asian School of the Environment, shared more about current industry best practices and how the new guidelines will be tailored for tropical trees.
CNA
a day ago
- CNA
Jail for driver who showed no remorse after causing teen's death during 'blocking and braking game' on ECP
SINGAPORE: "She deserved it as she come and push my limit," said a driver, after he caused the death of a female pillion rider in a racing game on the East Coast Parkway (ECP) that went awry. While driving along the expressway in February 2024, Jarrett Tee Lee Kiat engaged in "blocking and braking games" with a motorcyclist, clocking speeds of up to 160kmh. The 30-year-old deliberately swerved into the path of the motorcycle, forcing the rider to slow down. Tee, then a student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), also asked the passengers in his car, "Do you want to see motorcycle fly?" The resulting collision between Tee's car and the motorcycle caused its rider, 27-year-old Kovan Tan and pillion rider, 18-year-old Leann Lim Jia Le, to be flung off. Ms Lim, a student, subsequently died from her injuries. Tee was jailed for five years and eight months on Friday (Jun 27), after pleading guilty to one count of dangerous driving which caused the death of Ms Lim. He was also given a driving ban of 10 years. Another two counts of dangerous driving, one of which took into account the hurt caused to Mr Tan, were taken into consideration for his sentencing. The court heard that Tee was a full-time NUS student at the time, and also a part-time chef and social media influencer. He rented a Mercedes Benz car, which he drove at the time of the offences. ACCUSED RACED AGAINST OTHER VEHICLES On the night of Feb 23, 2024, Tee contacted a man known as Vincent Loh to drive around aimlessly. Mr Loh agreed and picked up two 16-year-old girls in his car later that night. The three met Tee in Sembawang and had supper there. The group then cruised separately in Tee's and Mr Loh's car before agreeing to meet in East Coast Park as the final rendezvous point. Sometime during the night, Mr Loh picked up a 16-year-old male, who was also the boyfriend of Ms Lim. Ms Lim subsequently joined the group. While he was driving to different locations, Tee began to play "blocking and braking games" where he would swerve into the lane occupied by Mr Loh's car and apply his brakes intermittently, forcing the other car to slow down. At one point, Tee ended up with a 16-year-old girl and Ms Lim's boyfriend in his Mercedes Benz, while Mr Tan rode his motorcycle with Ms Lim as pillion. The two vehicles travelled along the ECP in the direction of Changi Airport to reach East Coast Park. While en route to the destination, Mr Tan and Tee started to race one another, with Tee speeding up to 160kmh as part of the "blocking and braking game". Mr Tan rode to a slip road at an exit towards Marine Parade but decided to cut across the chevron marking to re-enter the ECP. He filtered out of the slip road, entering the third lane of the ECP with the intention of overtaking Tee's car, which was also in the third lane. Meanwhile, Tee made a remark to his two passengers if they wanted to "see motorcycle fly", to which Ms Lim's boyfriend pleaded with him not to. When Tee saw the motorcycle overtaking him, however, he immediately swerved his car to block it. His car swiped the motorcycle, causing both Mr Tan and Ms Lim to be thrown about five to eight metres away. Ms Lim was observed to be unresponsive as she lay on the floor. A driver who was behind both vehicles captured the incident on her car's dashboard camera. Her recordings showed that Tee applied his brake with the motorcycle in close proximity four times within seconds. VICTIM FOUGHT FOR HER LIFE Ms Lim was taken to the hospital at about 4.40am on Feb 24, 2024, with paramedics administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but she remained pulseless. Resuscitative efforts were futile, with doctors assessing that there was significant brain injury with a poor prognosis that likely could not be reversed. He condition deteriorated and she died at 2.47pm on Feb 24, 2024. Mr Tan sustained abrasions and a laceration on his right hand. He was then warded for three days and given six days of hospitalisation leave. ACCUSED WAS "IN NO WAY REMORSEFUL" Before the police or an ambulance arrived, Tee called Mr Loh to tell him that the "motorcycle had collided into him". Later, in response to Mr Loh's queries on how the collision happened, Tee claimed that the "motorcycle keep (taunting) him", and kept revving its engine at him. He added that Ms Lim had pointed her middle finger at him, so he "played with the motorcycle". He admitted to Mr Loh that he made the lane change and engaged the neutral gear so that the rider would not be able to see his brake lights. According to court documents, Mr Loh told Tee he was "crazy" as he "played with (someone's) life" and the latter responded "she deserved it as she come and push my limit". As he was having his statement recorded after the incident, Tee lied that the motorcycle had been tailgating and "high-beaming" him. He alleged that he changed lanes to give way, but that the motorcycle changed to the same lane and increased its speed, resulting in a collision. After Tee was released on bail on Feb 24, 2024, he again met Mr Loh, who asked him if he was "afraid" given what had happened. "The accused replied 'why scared', 'Who ask her to pissed (sic) me off' and 'The accident caused her death is what she deserved'," the prosecution said. That evening, Tee met Mr Loh and other friends for drinks at a hotel in Geylang. During this session, he told his friends that Ms Lim's death was what 'she deserved" for taunting him, and repeated that she had made a rude gesture at him. Asking for a jail term of 51 months to 68 months, the prosecution referred to victim impact statements from Ms Lim's father and stepmother. Deputy Public Prosecutor Paul Chia also highlighted Tee's lack of remorse for causing Ms Lim's death. "The accused's behaviour in the immediate aftermath of the incident stands in stark contrast to the efforts made by (a witness), the SCDF (Singapore Civil Defence Force) officers and staff at CGH (Changi General Hospital) to save Leann's life and the intense loss experienced by Leann's family," Mr Chia said. "To put it mildly, the accused was in no way remorseful for his actions." Tee's lawyer, Pang Khin Wee of IRB Law, painted his client as a "sorely misguided young man" who did not know to distinguish good influence from the bad. Noting that Tee's parents divorced when he was a baby, Mr Pang said Tee was often alone as his father worked a lot. "Growing up in this manner made Jarrett hard-mouthed when speaking with his friends, but such harsh words seldom represent his true feelings," said Mr Pang. During the incident, Tee was in a competitive mood and wanted to "appear macho" to his passengers, Mr Pang said. "To be clear, Jarrett never really intended for the motorcycle to collide into his car. He merely wanted to increase the perception of danger so he could appear to scare Kovan," Mr Pang said. Tee immediately alighted after the incident to call an ambulance, but being the "hard-mouthed" and "boorish" man that he was, he continued to "talk macho", the lawyer said. "However, Jarrett truly never intended to hurt Kovan and Leann. In truth, Jarrett was just a scared and remorseful man trying to avoid admitting to his friends that he had made a huge mistake. "Jarrett's macho words were simply his way of masking and avoiding seeming 'weak' to his friends, even though he knew he was in trouble," Mr Pang said. Mr Pang asked for a jail term of between 42 and 50 months, after factoring in a sentencing discount for his plea of guilt. His client admits that he should not have played a racing game and regrets the accident, the lawyer added.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect: Pritzker Prize laureates, immersive events for Archifest
On display at Singapore Archifest 2025 were some 140 models of redesigned sports facilities, created by NUS architecture students in collaboration with SportSG. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect: Pritzker Prize laureates, immersive events for Archifest SINGAPORE – Architecture is more than just the built environment. It also responds to the buzz of busker music in a town square, wafts of sizzling satay on an evening breeze, and anything else that conjures up an immersive urban experience for residents and visitors. This is how Mr Rene Tan, festival director of Singapore Archifest 2025, frames the latest iteration of the city-state's largest annual architecture festival. Launched in 2007 by the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), the festival fetes the city's vibrant built environment and aims to spark public interest in design. It brings together architects, designers, students and the community through a mix of talks, exhibitions, tours and hands-on activities. But the 2025 edition's programming is different. To mark the Republic's 60th year of independence (SG60), Mr Tan and SIA president Tiah Nan Chyuan are challenging perceptions with the theme, Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect , for the month-long festival that ends on July 25. It is also supported by national design agency DesignSingapore Council (DSG), and features events in collaboration with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Mr Tan, the festival's 61-year-old creative powerhouse, is excited to deconstruct architecture , which can be esoteric, for the larger public. The 'accidental architect', who wanted to study music decades ago but is now equally at home with a set of building blueprints as he is with a piano score, is emphatic that architecture is less about buildings and more about the communities that built environments serve. Mr Tan, who co-founded RT+Q Architects with fellow architect T.K. Quek in 2003, holds a bachelor's in music and architecture from Yale University in the US, as well as a master's in architecture from Princeton. He has also been an educator at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore Institute of Technology and Design (SUTD). The Singapore Archifest 2025 curatorial team includes (front row, from left) Koh Kai Li, festival director Rene Tan, T.K. Quek, Natalie Mok, Koh Sock Mui, (back row, from left) Allan Tongol, Tiw Pek Hong, Ng Yi Loong, Jonathan Quek and George Zong. PHOTO: RT+Q Since 2021, Mr Tan and his team from RT+Q Architects have been involved in a massive project in the field of design education – championing continuing education through global initiatives such as LC150+, the firm's travelling exhibition of the largest known private collection of Le Corbusier models. Swiss-French architect and city planner Le Corbusier, who died in 1965, was one of the earliest advocates of the 'International Style' of architecture, eschewing frills in favour of clean lines and functional spaces. The showcase of 350 architectural models was first exhibited in Singapore and has now been seen in 35 cities, including London, Washington, DC, Prague and Beijing. The 2025 Singapore Archifest conference features talks by sought-after speakers from around the world, such as Pritzker Architecture Prize laureates Riken Yamamoto and Eduardo Souto de Moura, during the first two days of the festival. It is one of the largest gatherings of visionary architects, thought leaders, educators and built environment professionals in Singapore in recent years, notching 99 high-profile industry names. A festival highlight to mark SG60 is a series of 12 Roundtable sessions that bring together more than 60 Singapore architects and designers of all ages, including pioneers such as Mr Tan Cheng Siong, Mr Liu Thai Ker and Mr Tay Kheng Soon. Every architect presents an ' unbuilt work ', usually an experimental, speculative or yet-to-be financed project, at each Roundtable session. This will be moderated by an established name in the design industry to spark dialogue and maintain fun and lively interactions. Visitors looking at a rare collection of unbuilt works by Singaporean architects on display at Singapore Archifest 2025 on June 26. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Thought leaders in a range of disciplines – such as architects Jim Olson, Arne Emerson and Dietmar Eberle, designer Samuel Ross, innovator Dean Chew and award-winning chef-restaurateur Rishi Naleendra – explore how architecture can break out of fixed mindsets to allow everyone a seat at the table. Besides the initial conference and Roundtable which ended on June 27, there is also a range of festival events and fringe activities. Mr Rene Tan says it has been a challenge for his curatorial team at RT+Q Architects to put this year's show together, as the speakers have unremitting professional and travel schedules. 'Over the years, Archifest has aimed at finding a balance in its programming between catering for architecture professionals and for the public,' he says. He leads a team of curators which includes RT+Q Architects' directors Koh Sock Mui, 45, and Jonathan Quek, 45; and associate Koh Kai Li, 41. 'We constantly look for ways to introduce architecture as a shared phenomenon among professionals and the communities at large. After all, architecture is ultimately for the people to enjoy.' SIA president Mr Tiah says the 2025 edition of Archifest is especially important because of SG60. 'Through the festival, we are able to acknowledge the diversity of talent and the different roles architects play in our nation-building journey,' he says. ' Together with URA, we are also bringing Archifest to Katong-Joo Chiat, a URA Key Identity Corridor. Using our city as a canvas, we hope to raise awareness and cultivate a vibrant design culture and consciousness across the wider society.' One of the top speakers at the festival is Japanese architect Yamamoto , who was awarded the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2024. He is the ninth Japanese architect to receive the accolade. The 80-year-old's body of work includes architecture that provided both a background and foreground to everyday life, blurring the boundaries between public and private dimensions, increasing opportunities for people to meet spontaneously through carefully thought-out design strategies. Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto was awarded the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2024. Credit: Tom Welsh, The Hyatt Foundation PHOTO: TOM WELSH, THE HYATT FOUNDATION Mr Yamamoto notes that in Singapore, people live in communities with a strong sense of local identity, and believes it is important to create a system in which residents can make decisions for themselves. 'I refer to this concept as a 'Local Area Republic',' he tells The Straits Times at the Singapore Archifest Conference at Sands Expo & Convention Centre. 'This idea, I believe, will become a highly effective framework for shaping the future of the nation in Singapore.' He says as both a nation-state and city-state, Singapore's vision of the future should be determined by the people who live in it. 'I believe there is still some way to go to implement this, but there is great potential for success because of close cooperation between the public and private sectors in Singapore,' he adds. 'To build a city is not merely for developers but for the citizens of Singapore. It is essential for all stakeholders – government agencies, developers and the public – to engage in close communication with one another.' Other big-name draws at the opening day conference are Ms Grace La and Mr James Dallman, the US-based award-winning principals behind La Dallman, a global architecture and design practice known for transforming infrastructure and overlooked urban spaces into vibrant public places. Their portfolio spans bridges, civic buildings and innovative adaptive reuse projects in the US, such as the acclaimed Marsupial Bridge and Media Garden in Milwaukee. Ms Grace La and Mr James Dallman founded La Dallman as a collaborative practice and have a wide array of project types, including civic and residential buildings, public spaces, dwellings, installations and furniture. PHOTO: LA DALLMAN Ms La says the duo value all forms of design research – formal, infrastructural, social, historical, tactile, and especially physical and material research – as a prelude to the firm's investigations. This forms the 'raw material' for their designs. 'In the act of documenting and experiencing existing conditions, we gain insight in the found landscape,' she says. The husband-and-wife team are also educators known for an interdisciplinary approach that blends architecture, engineering and landscape design. 'In this sense, we see architecture as growing from the site, as a sculptural, structural and social undertaking, wherein additive and subtractive operations are equally valid.' She adds: 'We achieve balance between these intuitions through collaboration with our clients and consultants – by ensuring very specific, not general, analyses and responses.' The theme of not thinking like an architect resonates with Mr Ambrish Arora, one of the speakers at the festival's two-day opening conference. Questioning conventional wisdom comes naturally to the founding principal of Studio Lotus, an urban design practice he set up in New Delhi in 2002. Mr Ambrish Arora is founding principal of Studio Lotus, a multi-disciplinary design practice founded in New Delhi in 2002. PHOTO: ANKEETA CHAMPATIRAY In engineering college in India, he found the theoretical aspects of formal education limiting. He dropped out of his first year, opting for an exploratory journey that involved working with his hands , from repairing motorcycles to assembling computers . 'I worked for four years at the boat-building workshop that my father, a naval architect, had started after his retirement,' says Mr Arora, 55, who was exposed to 'first-principles thinking' at an early age. First-principles thinking approaches problem-solving and design by breaking down complex issues into their most basic principles, instead of relying on conventional solutions. ' At the workshop, I learnt carpentry, welding, metal-casting, fibreglass moulding and making full-scale drawings on the floor. This experience taught me that everything could be solved through prototyping and collaboration ,' he adds. It helped lay the foundation for his early years of architectural practice, which has been through the lens of 'making' – building in situ, with a frugal mindset and with locally available resources. One of Studio Lotus' earliest commissions was RAAS Jodhpur in 2011 . Set in the centre of the walled city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan , RAAS is a 6,000 sq m property at the base of the Mehrangarh Fort, one of India's best-preserved mediaeval fortresses. The brief was for a luxury boutique hotel with 39 rooms. 'We worked with local Rajasthani stone, traditional building techniques and a deep respect for what was already there , based on first-principles thinking ,' Mr Arora recalls. The resulting design emerged not from any theoretical framework, but from numerous site visits, sketch studies and a hands-on, collaborative approach. Mr Arora adds: 'Not having a formal education in how it's supposed to be done helped me stay curious, forever learning and being committed to excellence, yet being open to failure and ongoing course correction. That is something we hope stays a constant in how we work at Studio Lotus. ' Festival highlights Assembly: Blueprints Of Imagination, July 2 to 13 Inspired by the daily school ritual, Assembly celebrates the act of coming together: intellectually, creatively and critically. It is a first-of-its-kind showcase that unites the works of spatial design schools here – such as the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) – under one roof at the National Design Centre in Middle Road. The exhibition also spotlights works by Singaporean students studying abroad , adding a global edge to the next wave of design thinking . Each installation in the showcase offers a fresh take, challenging conventions through inventive storytelling, material exploration and critical inquiry. Co-curated by RT+Q Architects, the SIA Young Architects League and acclaimed designer Kelley Cheng, Assembly is designed to spark connections among students, educators, industry professionals and the public. The show builds on SIA's 'Young Architects Meet 2025' platform, a gathering of architectural institutions to promote cross-sharing about design between schools. ArchiPavilions & Installations, from July 12 The Jetty is a lively and dynamic installation by SUTD students with RSP Architects Planners & Engineers. PHOTO: RSP Another highlight is an exhibition that seeks to transform the Katong-Joo Chiat precinct into an al fresco gallery of interactive and inclusive design. ArchiPavilions & Installations showcases semi-permanent structures and creative interventions that are strategically placed throughout the neighbourhood, inviting the public to engage with architecture in light-hearted yet thought-provoking ways. URA collaborates with design schools, local architects and community groups to co-create these installations. For example, Kueh Kueh At Katong features giant, food-inspired pavilions by students from SUTD and SAA Architects. A rendering of Kueh Kueh at Katong designed by former SUTD students in collaboration with SAA Architects. PHOTO: SAA ARCHITECTS Another installation, called The Jetty, is a nostalgic recreation of Marine Parade's fishing heritage, brought to life by SUTD students and designers from RSP Architects Planners & Engineers. Unlike traditional exhibitions, these installations are designed to be touched, explored and experienced. The features are inspired by the rich heritage and multicultural fabric of Katong-Joo Chiat, highlighting the precinct's unique blend of Peranakan shophouses, modern structures and public spaces , serving as a catalyst for conversations on identity, memory and the evolution of Singapore's built environment . ArchiHouse, July 12 to 27 Standing as one of the central platforms at Archifest 2025, ArchiHouse will host a series of talks and conversations featuring both established and emerging voices in architecture, urbanism and design. It is crafted to encourage cross-disciplinary exchange and public engagement , echoing the bold festival theme, Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect . One of the main draws, the Long Island Exhibition, presents visionary studies and proposals by students from NUS' Master of Arts in Urban Design (MAUD) and an NUS design 'studio' called the Landscape Architect Studio. A 'studio' is a creative space where educators and students critique concepts and collaborate hands-on to improve design ideas. The Long Island Exhibition offers a glimpse into the next generation's thinking on coastal resilience, land reclamation and the imaginative re-envisioning of Singapore's future waterfronts. Coastal prototypes by the Center for Climate Adaptation, developed with architects and SUTD students, offer solutions for coastal resilience. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Another highlight is the URA's Identity Corridor Exhibition. The festival's curatorial team worked closely with URA to explore Singapore's urban identity, tracing the evolution of its neighbourhoods, streetscapes and public spaces. T hrough a mix of archival materials, design studies and community narratives, t he show invites visitors to reflect on what makes Singapore's built environment distinctive, and how its identity continues to evolve in response to new social and environmental demands . Fringe events ArchiBake, June 28 A design-themed bake-off challenges architecture firms to turn Singapore's landmarks into cakes. PHOTO: RSP This is a bake-off with a playful design twist . RSP Architects Planners & Engineers in collaboration with SIA and partners have put together a fun fringe event , titled Don't Bake Like An Architect, Bake Like A Baker! At the event, also dubbed 'ArchiBake', architecture firms are challenged to turn Singapore's iconic landmarks into show-stopping cakes, whether it is a building they have designed or one they admire. The final line-up of creations will come together to form a delicious visual map of the Singapore skyline. ArchiTours, July 5 to 13 The 2025 ArchiTours will take visitors through landmarks such as Woodlands Health Campus. PHOTO: SAA ARCHITECTS A perennial highlight of the festival, ArchiTours are led by guides from The Architecture Society at NUS , and offer the public an immersive journey through Singapore's landscape of celebrated landmarks as well as hidden gems. The ticketed walking tours, priced at $65 for adults and $55 for students, feature two projects a day, with a choice of morning or afternoon sessions. There are 16 completed projects in the line-up, such as Punggol Digital District, Woodlands Health Campus and Lentor Health Nursing Home West Coast. Lentor Nursing Home is part of the line-up of sites to be visited during the ArchiTours, a festival highlight which offers the public an immersive journey through Singapore's landscape. PHOTO: CPG The tours invite both professionals and the public to ask questions and look at architecture not as something distant or exclusive, but as a living, evolving part of Singapore's story. A mainstay of the tours is spotlighting neighbourhoods where old and new architecture coexist, such as the 2025 edition's focus on Katong-Joo Chiat , allowing participants to explore the rich narratives and evolving identities of these districts . Beyond The Facade: Secrets Of Katong, June 29, July 6, 13, 19, 20, 26 and Aug 2 and 3 The vibrant Katong neighbourhood is the focus of a curated trail that promises to peel back the layers of the area's history. PHOTO: NG WEE LIANG Singapore's vibrant Katong neighbourhood is set to reveal its long-held secrets through a curated trail titled Behind The Facade: Secrets Of Katong. This exploration will peel back layers of history, showcasing both iconic and overlooked landmarks that tell the story of the distinctive neighbourhood. Participants will journey from a grand colonial-era seaside villa to Singapore's pioneering air-conditioned mall Katong Shopping Centre , discovering quirky niche shops and the nostalgic remnants of a forgotten cinema belt along the way . The trail also highlights the pastel Peranakan terrace houses and uncovers the untold tales of a long-vanished maternal clinic. A stop on the tour is the 'Ghostbuster shop' at Katong Shopping Centre, which features a display of 'cursed artefacts' and videos of paranormal adventures. PHOTO: HIDDEN HERITAGE COLLECTIVE Curated by Hidden Heritage in collaboration with Ng Wee Liang, Behind The Facade is an opportunity to delve into Katong's past and uncover its lesser-known narratives , many of which are hidden in plain sight amid the bustling streets . Tickets are priced at $28. YAL Human Narratives, July 12 This standout event reimagines how people talk about the shaping of Singapore's spaces. Organised by SIA Young Architects League (YAL), this 'human library' experience invites participants to go beyond the architect's perspective and engage directly with a diverse cast of placemakers such as social workers, artists and passionate advocates who each play a vital role in the city's built environment. Instead of borrowing books, members of the public will be encouraged to look up people, with each guest – or 'human book' – sharing personal journeys and the unique ways they influence, activate or nurture urban spaces. Through intimate, small-group conversations, participants can ask questions, hear first-hand stories of challenges and triumphs, and gain a deeper understanding of how social, cultural and community-driven forces shape Singapore's neighbourhoods and public spaces. Resourcity, July 13 and 15 How can urban communities work together to ensure that Singapore thrives amid resource scarcity and unexpected crises? This is the question at the crux of the board game Resourcity, a gamified experience designed to immerse players in the challenges of building and sustaining a resilient city. The game is designed for players aged 10 years and up, making it suitable for families, students and professionals. Hosted at SUTD , it invites the public to step into the shoes of urban planners, community leaders and citizens to craft solutions to urgent real-world problems affecting cities all over the world. Players collaborate to design and manage a city by rotating and replacing tiles, connecting roads, establishing farms and planting crops, all while carefully balancing resource consumption and replenishment. The goal: Survive four major crises without depleting any essential resource type. If the resource pool runs dry, the city and its players lose. To register for the above fringe events at Singapore Archifest 2025, go to Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Independent Singapore
‘I feel stuck': Man says girlfriend threatens self-harm whenever he tries to leave, turns to netizens for advice
SINGAPORE: A man took to NUSWhispers on Wednesday (Jun 25) to share that he feels stuck in a toxic and emotionally draining relationship with a girlfriend who threatens to harm herself whenever he tries to walk away. In the post, he explained that they've been together for a few years now, but over time, the relationship has become increasingly unhealthy. Every time he tries to break things off, his girlfriend responds by threatening self-harm, saying she would 'die' if he leaves her. He shared that he had even started seeing other girls, hoping it would push her to finally let go. But instead of backing off, she turned it around on him, accusing him of 'cheating' and making him feel guilty for trying to move on. The situation has reportedly escalated at work as well, where they are colleagues. He recalled an incident where she had a full-blown meltdown in the office. '[She was] screaming, shouting, and even threatening to jump,' he said. 'I feel completely stuck. I really want to leave this relationship, but every time I try, it escalates. Things have only gotten worse — she doesn't trust me anymore.' According to him, she now constantly monitors his online activity, especially his Instagram and WhatsApp. It has reached a point where he feels like she always knows exactly when he's online, almost too coincidentally. He even wondered if she had planted a tracker on his phone. The man admitted that there's another girl he likes. They're currently seeing each other, but unfortunately because of his obsessive girlfriend, he can't message her on WhatsApp. 'I've had to switch to other social media apps just to talk to her. I really like her, and I know she deserves a clear answer from me too. But because of this messy and draining situationship I'm stuck in, I can't give her one right now. Deep down, I know I want out of my current relationship — and sometimes, I just wish I could be single again and have peace.' Recently, his girlfriend has also asked to meet the girl he's been seeing, suggesting that 'all three of them' should have a talk. But he believes it's just another attempt to control and manipulate the situation. He also mentioned that while his girlfriend has repeatedly threatened suicide over the years, she has never attempted it. His friends believe she's faking her depression to keep him from leaving. In contrast, he says he's now the one who feels mentally and emotionally drained. 'My friends are aware of what I'm going through. Some have advised me to report her threats to the police, as emotional blackmail and suicide threats are serious but I just don't want things to turn out ugly or to even reach there,' he wrote. 'They've told me that if she ever goes berserk again, they'll help me report her. The reality is, I don't think she will ever let me go — and I'm afraid of what she might do if I leave. I feel drained and cornered.' At the end of his post, he asked netizens, 'Has anyone been through something like this? How do you walk away from a toxic relationship when the other person uses threats and emotional manipulation to keep you there?' 'It may seem harsh but maybe you need to ghost her and cut off all contact.' In the comments section, many netizens encouraged the man to take control of the situation and prioritise his well-being. One suggested, 'Just tell your gf you don't see a future with her because [list out all her toxic traits that you have no way of dealing with or accepting]. Then end the relationship formally by blocking her everywhere. 'Then start your new life afresh. There is nothing she can do except turn up at your doorstep but you can call the police for that. Even better, the legal consequences of her own actions will settle the problem for you. Best of luck.' Another echoed the sentiment, writing, 'It may seem harsh but maybe you need to ghost her and cut off all contact. And plan it. Look for another job, make sure leading up no one besides HR knows that you are leaving. Block her from your socials, whatsapp and messaging service.' A third pointed out, 'You need to set your own boundaries as well, and you're not doing that, plus she's manipulating you to keep you stuck in hers. Better to call it quits now before it lingers on, because the consequences later might be even more drastic.' Helping someone in distress The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) advises anyone who believes someone is in immediate danger to call 999. If you think it's safe, you can also take the person to the nearest hospital emergency department for medical attention. If you suspect that someone has attempted suicide, do not leave them alone. Stay with them and seek help from a trained professional as quickly as possible. For round-the-clock support, you can contact: Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) Helpline: 1800 221 4444 (24 hours) or IMH Mental Health Helpline: 6389 2222 (24 hours). Read also: 'Too young to lead? Too expensive to hire': 26-year-old jobseeker says her age, past job titles, and salary expectations are putting off potential employers Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
