Vacancy rates in Orchard-area shopping malls hit highest in 5 years

April 24, 2016, 8:30 pm

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It's only the first quarter of 2016, and already vacancies at retail malls in Singapore's central region have gone up to a five-year high. This is due mostly to untenanted spaces in Orchard area shopping centres.

Newer buildings have been affected, as empty spaces have yet to be filled, and in some cases, tenants have pre-terminated their lease. It's all part of the larger struggle of the retail sector, which is constantly battling rising costs and increased supply of space. 

Malls with higher vacancies in Orchard include Shaw Centre, Orchard Gateway, Orchard Central and Palais Renaissance, reported The Straits Times. This could continue to increase if retailers shut down more non-performing stores by the end of the year.

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Local retail sector in a slump, but Japanese brands still expanding their reach

April 24, 2016, 9:17 pm

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You've heard by now that our local retail scene isn't doing too well. New Look and Celio will bow out by the end of the year, and the Dubai-based Al-Futtaim Group will close 10 of its stores soon. But despite all these predictions of doom and gloom, several Japanese brands are going against the current and actually expanding.

Forested area overlooking Punggol Waterway Park hosted secret makeshift brothels

April 24, 2016, 9:32 pm

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A month after Woodlands'steamy little secret was revealed, another hidden, leafy nook of illicit sexytime was uncovered near Punggol Waterway Park. 

The Straits Times revealed that a forested area on a hill near the park (and the newly opened Safra Punggol Club) played host to makeshift brothels, where prostitutes from Myanmar were believed to have their operated nearly every night. The proximity is no coincidence — it's located close to the dormitories and worksites of foreign construction workers. 

3 ERP gantries along AYE to see rates increase by $1 in May

April 24, 2016, 10:11 pm

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May's a month that'll put an extra crunch on the wallets of motorists who frequent the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) in the evenings. 

Starting May 2, the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates for three gantries along the AYE (after the Jurong Town Hall entrance) towards the city will shoot up by a dollar. It'll soon be a $2 charge for those heading in the direction of the city for a half-hour period from 5.30pm till 6pm. 

Good news for those utilising the Bukit Timah Expressway however, as ERP rates will go down a dollar for a half-hour period in the morning, from 7.30am till 8am. 

The Great Online Shopping Festival is back with thousands of deals from over 100 brands

April 24, 2016, 11:54 pm

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Shop 'til you drop — or not. With the return of the Great Online Shopping Festival, there's no need to battle the surging crowds to grab that last half-off piece. Currently in its second edition, the 72-hour-long sale offers you thousands of deals from more than 100 brands, over categories like beauty, tech, travel, lifestyle, fashion and food. 

The site also offers the top 10 'happy rankings' for those who want to zoom straight in to the best deal. When we checked, there were discounts at FairPrice Online, Hotels.com and Qoo10. Other participating sites include Guardian, Lazada, Agoda, Zalora, Courts, Cold Storage, HipVan and many, many more. You can create your own 'happy list' as well, and toss in your favourite offers and experiences before you purchase them.

SMRT's internal investigation find that "vital safety protection measure" was not applied

April 25, 2016, 12:06 am

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Over a month on since a tragic (and preventable) accident took the lives of two young SMRT trainees near Pasir Ris MRT station, the transport operators have completed their own investigations. 

The internal investigations were examined by the Accident Review Panel, comprising members of the SMRT Board Risk Committee as well as independent experts from Keppel Corporation, Transport for London and Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway Corporation. 

In a report that has since been submitted to the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore Police Force and Land Transport Authority, it ultimately determined that "a vital safety protection measure" was not applied. This — plus other areas that can be improved such as communication protocols and track vigilance — was not ensured, directly causing the accident. 

Local artist Chin Chun Wah to display new and old works inspired by regional scenes

April 25, 2016, 12:39 am

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Moments is the first exhibition of the year for local artist Chin Chun Wah. In it, the 75-year-old showcases about 50 paintings — some new works, others masterpieces created in the '70s and '80s — that capture scenes from around the region. Using his signature painting technique comprising of marker pens and water colours, the pieces offer a beautiful juxtaposition of the new and old, especially with nostalgia-tinged images like that of the Singapore River and Cavenagh Bridge.

As one of the founding members of the Singapore Watercolour Society, Chin was at the forefront of raising art awareness in Singapore from the late '60s to the early '70s. He took a 36-year hiatus, but came back in 2013 with new paintings inspired by regional scenes. Check out his new exhibition for a mix of modern and old school.

8 years' jail for elderly man who killed daughter-in-law after his son sided with her during dispute

April 25, 2016, 1:00 am

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A woman's trouble with her in-laws reached horrendous heights when she was stabbed to death after a household quarrel. 

82-year-old Char Chin Fah has since been sentenced to eight years in jail for stabbing his daughter-in-law to death in their Tampines flat in 2014, Channel NewsAsia reports. 

Char had often complained that 54-year-old Ong Guat Leng displayed disrespectful behaviour towards him, with the final straw being a particularly heated row on Aug 20, 2014. To add further insult, Char's son didn't stand up for him, and sided with his wife instead. 

The next morning, Char waited till the rest of the family left for work. He then stabbed Ong to death, with her body found with a knife still embedded in her chest. 

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8 places in Singapore to get your cheese tart fix

April 25, 2016, 1:19 am

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Man who attacked madrasah students diagnosed with delusional disorder; remanded in jail for 2 weeks

April 25, 2016, 1:48 am

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An Institute of Mental Health (IMH) report was presented in court today in the latest development concerning Koh Weng Onn, the man who assaulted three teenage madrasah students earlier this month. 

The report determined that the 48-year-old suffers from a disorder with delusions of persecution and reference, TODAY reports — but he remains fit to take his plea. 

Ceiling collapses at a McDonald's along Farrer Road following heavy bout of rain

April 25, 2016, 2:35 am

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Stormy downpours have been a great respite from our dreary hot and humid days, but customers and staffers at a McDonald's along Farrer Road didn't think so when the sky literally opened up this afternoon. 

According to a Stomp user, the ceiling of the fast food restaurant suddenly collapsed earlier today at 3.20pm following a particularly heavy bout of rain. 

Man caused teen girl's death after refusing to call for help when she was flung out of his van

April 25, 2016, 3:22 am

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In a span of less than a day, a probationary driver managed to run a red light, crash into a pedestrian, badly cracked his van's windscreen, and cause the death of a teenage passenger — who could have been saved if he called the ambulance.

The indefensible actions of 22-year-old Muhammad Nizam Abdul Karim has landed him in jail for 13 months plus a five-year driving ban after his release, The Straits Times reports. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, negligence not amounting to culpable homicide, drug possession and drug consumption. 

Party like it's 1970 at Tippling Club on Tuesday

April 25, 2016, 3:23 am

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Can't wait for the week to end? Make time go by faster and treat yourself to a retro party night. Set to the theme of the '70s, this event includes a five-course meal paired with cocktails at $155++ per person. And since it's by none other than Tippling Club, you know you're in good hands. 

Once Upon a Time in the '70s is on Apr 26, 7pm-11pm at Tippling Club, 38 Tanjong Pagar Rd. RSVP to yanie@tipplingclub.com or 6475-2217.

Fake PM Lee meme being used in Philippine elections, SG seeking legal advice

April 25, 2016, 7:13 pm

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Someone involved with the presidential campaign in the Philippines has been thinking out of the box and using Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to promote one candidate.

Coconuts Manila reports that a meme has been circulating in Philippine social media since Apr 22, with PM Lee's head shot and a fake caption: "Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is the only presidential candidate that could make Philippines like Singapore. Clean, efficient and disciplined.”

2 incidents of train breakdowns in 12 hours; SMRT to investigate if both power faults related

April 25, 2016, 7:35 pm

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Perhaps Minister of Transport Khaw Boon Wan should stop celebrating milestones when it comes to our trains. In an ironic twist of events, train services from Marina South Pier to Newton on the North-South Line came to a halt for an hour last week, just a few days after Khaw announced the achievement of 100 disruption-free days on the line.

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Foreign worker refuses to sit on bus stop bench to have lunch in fear of dirtying the seat

April 25, 2016, 7:51 pm

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Amidst the contentious (and honestly ungracious) decision made by Wisma Atria shopping mall on banning construction workers from using its public toilets, one Singaporean's encounter with a worker plucked the heartstrings of many. 

Andriko Ali — who goes by Iko Pai Kia on Facebook — recently posted about the time he saw a construction worker squatting on the wet pavement while eating his lunch. This despite the fact that there was a bus stop bench readily available near him. 

 

Everything must go: The Challenger closing-down sale at Funan DigitaLife Mall

April 25, 2016, 8:46 pm

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So you've heard the news that Funan DigitaLife Mall will soon close its doors to make way for an "experiential creative hub" by CapitaLand. Well, before that happens, Challenger is hosting an "All Must Go" clearance sale from now till the end of June.

As one of the mall's major tenants, the outlet takes up the entire sixth floor, so there'll be loads of discounts going up to as high as 80 percent off selected products. Make your way over to fulfill your IT needs before you say goodbye to the mall.

Challenger is at L6, Funan DigitaLife Mall, 109 North Bridge Rd. 

Bugis Junction's EWF to evolve into Pokémon Cafe for 2 months from May 27 onwards

April 25, 2016, 8:52 pm

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Meowth, you heard that right. Bugis Junction's Everything With Fries will host a two-month long Pokémon takeover with a cafe fit for the Elite Four from May 27 to Jul 31. 

If you're hoping to taste some Pokémon berries that'll enhance your stats and reduce damage, don't set your expectations too high. According to PARCO, the cafe will just be selling Pokémon merch as well as 12 dishes on their menu (that'll at least raise Friendship). You might have to bring your own ketchup though — but keep 'em away from the Pikachu mascots who'll turn up periodically for photo taking. 

20-year-old Malaysian arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint for smuggling over 1kg of drugs

April 25, 2016, 9:30 pm

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A young Malaysian motorcyclist was arrested early yesterday morning at Woodlands Checkpoint after officers found over 1kg of drugs on him, comprising mostly of heroin. 

After getting stopped by officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the 20-year-old man was found with 460g of heroin in his bag. Further inspections after his arrest recovered another 460g of heroin and another 120g of crystal meth — bringing the total seizure to have an estimated worth of over $86,000. 

If found trafficking over 15g of pure heroin, the young man will face the death penalty under the Misuse of Drugs Act. 

5 upcoming food festivals in Singapore to eat, drink and be merry

April 25, 2016, 10:02 pm

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With plenty of festivals focused on food and drinks coming your way in the next few months, there’s no better time to stuff yourself silly. From sipping a cup of coffee to nursing a glass of beer to digging into local dishes with a twist, these crowd favourites and newly-launched events offer plenty for you to indulge in.

All the festivals come with lots of fringe activities and live entertainment as well, so you'll never be bored. Just make sure you save space in your stomach (and cash in your wallet) for the good stuff!