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The Star
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Musang King reigns supreme at World Durian Championship
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's reputation for producing world-class Musang King durians has once again been firmly cemented at the World Durian Championship 2025, where Musang King claimed the coveted 'King of Kings' title, standing out as the best among a wide range of durian varieties. Despite strong competition from other celebrated cultivars such as Tupai King, Tekka, Kim Hong, D2 (also known as Dato Nina), and D13 (Golden Bun), Musang King once again stole the spotlight. The winning Musang King durians came from We Go Farm, which emerged victorious after outperforming top orchards in a fiercely competitive field. Held at Bangi Golf Resort on Friday (July 11), this year's championship attracted 96 entries from durian-producing states including Penang, Johor, Perak, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Melaka, Kedah and Pahang. Head judge Eric Chan (right) presenting the 'King of Kings' award to winners Lai Yuen Hong (left) and Ng Zi Cheng. We Go Farm stood out in the hotly contested Musang King category, taking first place ahead of Durianhill Plantation Sdn Bhd and planter Mohd Anuwar Amin Asain. In the Black Thorn category, Lee Kean Liang took the top prize, followed by Leow Soon Hoe and Ching Mun Chung. The Registered Category saw Chan Kok Leong emerge champion, with Ching Mun Chung and Victor Soon placing second and third respectively. ALSO READ: Time to feast on durians Meanwhile, in the Open Category — featuring kampung or non-clonal varieties — Mohd Lokman Hakim Johar took the lead, followed by Mohd Shahir Azmi and Lim Kim Leng. Head judge Eric Chan Yee Hong described this year's championship as one of the closest yet, noting that while Musang King retained its crown, the Black Thorn variety came very close. 'Musang King is already a household name,' he said. Judges evaluated the durians based on flavour complexity, including sweetness, bitterness, floral and alcoholic notes, to determine the best. 'But Black Thorn has tremendous potential — it could well become the next Malaysian variety to win over connoisseurs, both locally and internationally.' Chan, who is also president of the Durian Manufacturers Association, expects Black Thorn to gain greater prominence on the global stage in coming years. 'Malaysia is home to more than 200 durian varieties. What sets ours apart is not just the genetics, but our unique climate and cultivation expertise. These natural advantages allow us to produce durians that are especially loved by fans around the world,' he said. He noted that this year's event attracted a record number of participants — nearly double that of previous years — reflecting growing innovation and enthusiasm within the local durian industry. Entries were judged by a panel comprising agricultural experts, celebrity chefs and figures from the food industry. Fruits were evaluated based on strict criteria: taste, texture, colour, and aroma. Particular emphasis was placed on flavour complexity, including sweetness, bitterness, floral and alcohol notes, as well as overall balance. Texture was assessed for creaminess and smoothness, while colour and aroma completed the sensory evaluation. Orchard owners submitted their finest durians, carefully cultivated for the competition. The championship was officiated by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, who highlighted the growing global appetite for Malaysian durians. He said local favourites such as Musang King, Black Thorn, and D24 are no longer just popular in Malaysia but are in high demand among durian lovers worldwide. 'If we want Malaysian durians to continue being sought-after globally, we must have strong systems in place. That's why I stress the importance of enhancing our grading system and quality standards,' he said.
Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Gaza ceasefire talks held up by Israel withdrawal plans: Palestinian sources
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Israel's refusal to withdraw all of its troops from Gaza was holding back progress on securing a deal. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories - Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza are being held up by Israel's proposals to keep troops in the territory, two Palestinian sources with knowledge of the discussions told AFP on July 12. Delegations from both sides began discussions in Qatar on July 6 to try to agree on a temporary halt to the 21-month conflict sparked by Hamas's attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023. Both Hamas and Israel have said that 10 living hostages who were taken that day and who are still in captivity would be released if an agreement for a 60-day ceasefire were reached. But one well-informed Palestinian source said Israel's refusal to withdraw all of its troops from Gaza was holding back progress on securing a deal. 'The negotiations in Doha are facing a setback and complex difficulties due to Israel's insistence, as of Friday, on presenting a map of withdrawal, which is actually a map of redeployment and repositioning of the Israeli army rather than a genuine withdrawal,' the source said. Hamas has said it wants the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which is home to more than two million people. The source said, however, that the Israeli delegation presented a map at the talks which proposed maintaining military forces in more than 40 per cent of the Palestinian territory. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Singapore More NSFs may be recruited to tackle scams: Police Business F&B operators face tougher business landscape amid rising costs and stiff competition Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Life SG60 F&B icons: 20 dishes and drinks which have shaped Singaporeans' taste buds Life At 79, she can do 100 pull-ups: Why more seniors are hitting the gym Life The rise of Tupai King, the rage of weather: How durian season is changing Life Hear Me Out: What I wish my parents knew before I was diagnosed with ADHD 'Hamas's delegation will not accept the Israeli maps... as they essentially legitimise the reoccupation of approximately half of the Gaza Strip and turn Gaza into isolated zones with no crossings or freedom of movement,' the source added. Mediators have asked both sides to postpone the talks until the arrival of US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Mr Steve Witkoff, in Doha, they added. A second Palestinian source said 'some progress' had been made on plans for releasing Palestinian prisoners and getting more aid to Gaza. But they accused the Israeli delegation of having no authority, and 'stalling and obstructing the agreement in order to continue the war of extermination'. AFP
Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Want a good meal? Head to factoryland
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – Convenience is king, but intrepid Singaporean diners have been known to travel far and wide for good food. Even if it means eating in an area filled with factories and workshops. That is how they found Seafood Paradise, which began in 2002 in a canteen in Defu Lane, an industrial area. Today, the Paradise Group has 155 restaurants in 12 cities and has spawned 12 brands. These include Taste Paradise at Ion Orchard; Paradise Teochew at Scotts Square; and hotpot chain Beauty In The Pot, with four outlets here, including at Centrepoint. New Ubin Seafood, now at Chijmes, was located for some years in Sin Ming Industrial Estate, amid car workshops. More recently, diners have flocked to Na Oh , the one-year-old Korean restaurant in Jurong West, housed in car manufacturer Hyundai's factory and innovation centre. Two new restaurants might find the success these brands have had in industrial locations. Revolution, which opens on July 18, is next to Danish furniture brand Fritz Hansen's showroom in Henderson Road. And Richman Dim Sum in Ubi Crescent has been packed since opening two months ago. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Singapore More NSFs may be recruited to tackle scams: Police Business F&B operators face tougher business landscape amid rising costs and stiff competition Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Life SG60 F&B icons: 20 dishes and drinks which have shaped Singaporeans' taste buds Life At 79, she can do 100 pull-ups: Why more seniors are hitting the gym Life The rise of Tupai King, the rage of weather: How durian season is changing Life Hear Me Out: What I wish my parents knew before I was diagnosed with ADHD Designer furniture for dining space Revolution (opens July 18) Where: 01-05, 211 Henderson Road Open: 11am to 3pm (lunch), 3 to 5pm (tea time) (Mondays to Saturdays), closed Sundays Info: @r_evolution.sg (Instagram) There are perks to dining at Revolution, opening on July 18 at 211 Henderson Road, an industrial building housing logistics, automotive, catering and other companies. Danish furniture design company Fritz Hansen is moving its showroom there from Tan Boon Liat Building, and has carved out space for the 40-seat bistro. Those seats are the 153-year-old brand's Grand Prix chairs, designed in 1957 by Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen. Diners eat off the brand's Superellipse and Supercircular tables by Danish mathematician, designer and inventor Piet Hein; Swedish designer and architect Bruno Mathsson; and Jacobsen. The space is lit by Kaiser Idell pendant and wall lamps by German designer Christian Dell. But Mr Dario Reicherl, Fritz Hansen's chief executive for Asia, says the whole enterprise is not about selling more furniture. 'When you go to a furniture store to buy a chair or lights, I find that a boring experience. We want to do here something that goes against the Singapore experience. Create good memories and fun. Create something that doesn't exist here,' he says. The 50-year-old, who has lived in Singapore for about 20 years, has done the same in South Korea, partnering wine bar Big Lights to open a natural wine bistro above the Fritz Hansen showroom in Seoul. Fritz Hansen Asia chief executive Dario Reicherl at the Danish furniture brand's Henderson Road showroom, where space has been carved out for Revolution bistro. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI In 2023, it was Tokyo's turn. The brand outfitted Le Ginglet in Iidabashi, known for serving natural wine and housemade charcuterie. In Singapore, he roped in Mr Alvin Gho, 44, and Mr Ian Lim, 41, who used to run Wine RVLT, a natural wine bar in Carpenter Street that closes on July 12. Mr Reicherl had been a customer there for about five years. Mr Gho and Mr Lim had been looking for their next project after eight years of running RVLT. The rent at Henderson is about a third of what they used to pay in Carpenter Street, and Revolution will be a different concept altogether. For one thing, it will be more food-focused. RVLT chef Sunny Leong, 35, has worked at fine-dining restaurants such as Corner House and Sky On 57, and will be leading the new kitchen. The wine list will be more diverse, with natural and organic wines, and wines from Burgundy, France. Prices will range from $80 to $600 a bottle. (From left) Revolution co-founders Ian Lim and Alvin Gho used to run Wine RVLT, a natural wine bar in Carpenter Street. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Mr Gho says: 'People want to go out and spend money, but they are drinking a lot less. Our regulars are now in their 40s, with one or two kids. They don't want to get smashed on a night out, but they are still happy to go out for dinner.' The restaurant will open only for lunch initially. Set lunches are priced at $28.80 and will include salad, a choice of pasta and a drink. Pasta selections include Hua Diao White Clams Linguine, Mala-pesto Trofie and Salted Egg Carbonara Spaghetti. After 3pm, diners can order Salted Cod Portuguese Egg Tart ($12) and Pork Sausage Roll ($8) to go with wine. Dinner service will open to the public in September or October, with five-course tasting menus priced at $98 a person, and a menu of sharing dishes for large groups of diners. The offerings have not been finalised, but the tasting menu may include Chicken Skin Foie Gras Stroopwafel, Blue Mussel Cheong Fun and herbal roasted duck. Sharing main dishes include Grilled Sole Fish with Ginger Flower Sauce Vierge and Charcoal Grilled Wagyu Tomahawk with mashed potato. Mr Lim says: 'We've been proud of the food Sunny has put out at RVLT. But the setting was a wine bar. We promised to give him a proper kitchen, and a chance to showcase what he can do.' Mr Reicherl says of the partnership with the Revolution team: 'This place doesn't want to be another furniture-brand cafe. Fritz Hansen is a design brand that is more than 150 years old, we don't follow trends. We have a lot in common. What they are doing is different from others.' Richman dimsum, average-Joe prices Richman Dim Sum Where: 01-05 Excalibur Centre, 71 Ubi Crescent Open: 7.30am to 4pm daily Info: @richmandimsum (Instagram) Taro puffs shaped like swans, mushroom buns shaped like snails, har kow with fuchsia skin coloured with beetroot – the dimsum at Richman, a two-month-old restaurant, looks like it comes from an upscale restaurant in a hotel. But the prices show that you need not be a rich man to dine at Richman. The Crispy Taro Swans are priced at $6.80 for three, the Crispy Mushroom Snails are $5.80 for three and Beetroot Shrimp Dumplings are $5.80 for three. Most of the other dimsum – including Hand-Chopped Siew Mai, Homemade Carrot Cake, Hand Pulled Char Siew Rice Rolls – are priced at $4.80 a serving. Prices start at $2.90 for Fresh Shrimp Yong Tau Foo. Richman Dim Sum's food includes (from left) Crispy Taro Swans, Har Cheong Squid, Muah Otah Siew Mai, Cantonese Dried Vegetable & Salted Pork Porridge, Beetroot & Rice Crisps Rice Rolls and Crispy Popiah Rice Rolls. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI The restaurant is the latest venture for restaurateur Keith Kang, 42, who also has Yang Ming Seafood in Bishan, Ubi Crescent and VivoCity; and Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe in Craig Road and Somerset. In fact, he had bought the coffee-shop space in Ubi Crescent to open the second Yang Ming outlet, and was renting out the other stalls. He tells The Straits Times: 'When Yang Ming in Bishan got too busy, I started looking around for another space. I drove by this place and although it looked old, I saw there was potential. The outdoor area has a kampung atmosphere, and a breeze.' So, he opened Yang Ming there in 2021, and it did well. The tenants, however, had manpower issues, and some owed rent. Mr Kang adds that he had always wanted to open a dimsum restaurant, but that the chef he wanted to work with was unavailable at first. Finally, that chef, 47-year-old Foo Wah Keng, was – and Richman opened on May 5. Mr Kang says: 'When I go out for dimsum, hotels are good but the prices are high. Finding hawker stalls selling good-quality dimsum is hard.' Between Yang Ming and Richman, Mr Kang has no problem putting bums in the many seats. Indoors, the place seats 226, with 70 seats in the main dining area, a 120-seat air-conditioned dining room and a 36-seat private room. There are 150 seats outdoors. On weekends, he says, the place is packed. Chef Foo, who had worked at Crystal Jade and Mouth Restaurant, among other places, offers dimsum that diners might be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. There is steamed Coconut & Salted Egg Layer Cake ($5.80); Crispy Popiah Rice Rolls ($6.80), which are cheung fun stuffed with popiah filling and crispy wafers; and Har Cheong Squid ($5.80), squid steamed with fermented prawn paste. Richman Dim Sum's Har Cheong Squid is unlikely to be found elsewhere. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Mr Kang says: 'Of all the food businesses I have, dimsum is the most labour-intensive. It's hard to find people with the skills to make dimsum and who want to work in a hot kitchen.' He has air blowers in the kitchen for the nine staff, and the restaurant hires additional people on weekends to cope with the crowds. Aside from about 40 varieties of dimsum, Richman also offers roast meats, which can be had on their own or with noodles. Prices start at $4.50 for Wanton Char Siew Noodle. With people flocking to Richman, the natural progression would be to expand. But Mr Kang wants to run the business for a year before deciding. 'Customers have complained about the long wait for tables and food,' he says. 'And we sometimes run out of certain items. Everything is handmade. I can expand only if I can hire more workers.'
Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Russia's drones and missile barrage targets Ukraine's west, kills two
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A view shows buildings damaged during Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine July 12, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer KYIV - Russia launched a new barrage of drones and missiles in an overnight attack on Ukraine on Saturday, targeting the west of the country and killing at least two people in the city of Chernivtsi on the border with Romania. Western Ukrainian cities of Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi suffered the most due to the Russian attacks, and other Ukrainian regions were also hit, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said. "Russia continues to escalate its terror, launching another barrage of hundreds of drones and missiles, damaging residential areas, killing and injuring civilians," Sybiha said in a post on X, reiterating the call for stronger sanctions against Moscow. "Russia's war machine produces hundreds of means of terror per day. Its scale poses a threat not only to Ukraine, but to the entire transatlantic community." Ruslan Zaparaniuk, the governor of the Chernivetskyi region, said that two people were killed and 14 others wounded as Russian drones and a missile struck the city, located about 40 kilometres (24 miles) from Ukraine's border with Romania. Several fires broke out across the city, and residential houses and administrative buildings were damaged, regional officials said. In the city of Lviv, on Ukraine's border with Poland, 46 residential houses, a university building, the city's courts, and about 20 buildings housing small and medium-sized businesses were damaged in the attack, mayor Andriy Sadovyi said. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Singapore More NSFs may be recruited to tackle scams: Police Business F&B operators face tougher business landscape amid rising costs and stiff competition Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Life SG60 F&B icons: 20 dishes and drinks which have shaped Singaporeans' taste buds Life At 79, she can do 100 pull-ups: Why more seniors are hitting the gym Life The rise of Tupai King, the rage of weather: How durian season is changing Life Hear Me Out: What I wish my parents knew before I was diagnosed with ADHD
Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Australia PM eyeing trade on China trip despite regional angst
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mr Albanese's visit to Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu comes at a fraught moment. SYDNEY - Mr Anthony Albanese kicks off his second visit to China as Australian prime minister on July 12, seeking to bolster recently stabilised trade ties even as geopolitical tensions remain high. Relations between Beijing and Canberra have charted a bumpy course over the past decade, a period marked by repeated disagreements over national security and competing interests across the vast Pacific region. Affairs improved in December, when China called off a ban on imported Australian rock lobster , removing the final obstacle in a damaging trade war waged between the countries after ties plummeted in 2017. 'Trade is now flowing freely, to the benefit of both countries and to people and businesses on both sides,' Mr Albanese said ahead of the trip. But the Labor Party leader's trip – scheduled to last through July 18 – also comes as China's sweeping territorial claims ruffle feathers across the region, particularly in the South China Sea. Mr Albanese has said that all issues will be on the table during upcoming discussions with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, making the visit a tricky balancing act as economic and security priorities compete. 'We cooperate where we can, we disagree where we must, and we're able to have those honest conversations about some of the disagreements that are there,' Mr Albanese told reporters ahead of the trip. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Singapore More NSFs may be recruited to tackle scams: Police Business F&B operators face tougher business landscape amid rising costs and stiff competition Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Life SG60 F&B icons: 20 dishes and drinks which have shaped Singaporeans' taste buds Life At 79, she can do 100 pull-ups: Why more seniors are hitting the gym Life The rise of Tupai King, the rage of weather: How durian season is changing Life Hear Me Out: What I wish my parents knew before I was diagnosed with ADHD The two countries 'have different political systems' and 'different values', he said, adding: 'But we've got to be able to have that engagement directly.' Beijing's foreign ministry said earlier this week that ties between the countries 'have continued to improve and grow'. 'China hopes that through this visit, the two sides will strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust (and) expand practical cooperation,' ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. Mr Albanese's visit to Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu comes at a fraught moment. US President Donald Trump's global tariff blitz has left Australia and other traditional allies of Washington puzzled about their relationship with the world's top economy, spurring calls to diversify trade ties. 'The visit will not be a walk in the park, especially since Australia also needs to carefully manage its alliance with Trump's America and emerging disagreements about trade,' said Ms Huong Le Thu, Asia deputy director at the International Crisis Group. His trip will be aimed at 'striking a balance', she said. 'Ultimately, Albanese and Xi will need to address the security elephant in the room.' Mutual suspicions have been difficult to shake despite the countries' recent rapprochement on trade, with Canberra wary of potential national security risks posed by the presence of Chinese technology in the country. In February, Australia announced a ban on Chinese artificial intelligence-powered chatbot DeepSeek from all government devices, citing privacy and malware risks. Beijing criticised the move as 'politicisation of economic, trade and technological issues'. Cautious dealings Regional anxieties have also remained high since the end of the countries' trade war in 2024, with a tense encounter between military planes in February sparking sharp rebukes from both sides. Another key point of contention is the fate of Darwin Port, whose Chinese-owned controller could be forced to sell it to a local buyer by Mr Albanese's government. 'Overall, China wants to present the optic that Australia-China has returned to normal, if not friendly,' Dr Jingdong Yuan, an expert on China at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told AFP. 'Beijing probably wants the Darwin issue to go away,' said Dr Yuan. 'China would like to use Trump's rather abrasive ways in treating friends and foes... to prod Australia to keep some distance from the United States,' he added. Despite the tensions, China is one of Australia's most important economic partners, accounting for nearly one third of its total trade. The prime minister will be accompanied on his visit by a delegation of key business leaders who will attend a CEO roundtable in Beijing. Mr Albanese will also address tourism and sport during visits to economic hub Shanghai in the east and cultural hotspot Chengdu in the south-west. AFP
