Singapore Q4 job forecast: Several industries are hiring but one expects significant layoffs

ManpowerGroup (MPG) has released its quarterly employment report following its regular survey of 40,000 employers in 42 countries, including Singapore. Global findings aren’t our interest here and, thankfully, the city-state gets its own publication, which means we can take a deeper look into job market forecasts for the final quarter of 2024. The survey divides […]
This free, 3-day expo in KL will connect M’sian businesses with 200+ Chinese tech brands

2024 is a pretty cool year. It’s a leap year, which means we have an extra day in February. This only happens once every four years and gives you an extra day to complete all those new year resolutions. But it’s also cool for another reason. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations […]
After allegedly axing 80% of its S’pore staff, Qoo10 is now investigated for payment delays

Homegrown ecommerce platform Qoo10 is currently being investigated by the police following complaints from local businesses about payment delays, with some frustrated vendors resorting to the Small Claims Tribunals of the State Courts to try and get their money back. In a report published today (September 12) by CNA, vendors the publication spoke to attempted to […]
What users can expect from Taobao’s newly launched English app interface in Malaysia

Malaysia is now one of the first countries to get access to Taobao in English. This much-anticipated English interface of the popular ecommerce platform is part of a major update. Before this, consumers could only use the Taobao app in Mandarin, which secluded it from a large demographic due to the language barrier. During the […]
This serial entrepreneur invested RM200K to start a M’sian cafe specialising in “air manis”

From a lawyer to an airline pilot, investment banker, tax litigation consultant, and now an F&B entrepreneur who founded Boima Manis, Sashi Sekaran Selvarajah has worn many hats throughout his career. When it comes to cafes, food often takes centre stage, but Boima Manis dares to be different. Instead of focusing solely on culinary delights, […]
Radium Development’s upcoming Old Klang Road project will launch in Oct, starting at RM410K

[Written in partnership with Radium Development Berhad, but the editorial team had full control over the content.] On September 10, Radium Development Berhad officially opened its Radium Arena sales gallery, previewing its exciting upcoming project located on Old Klang Road (OKR). The location offers direct access to OKR, also known as Jalan Klang Lama, as […]
M’sian students make breathable bricks to reduce A/C use, win national James Dyson Award 2024

Every year, the James Dyson Award (JDA) brings together design engineering university students and graduates to share their inventions that solve a problem. And every year, JDA will select national winners in each participating country, including Malaysia. This year, the honour of that title goes to Brikoole, a passive cooling system with a bold ambition of […]
NUS grad’s invention makes breast cancer screening less painful, wins 2024’s James Dyson Award

The James Dyson Award (JDA) is back and has just announced its national winner for Singapore. An international design competition celebrating the next generation of design engineers, the award has since supported over 400 problem-solving inventions with over £1 million in prize money. It’s operating across 29 countries and is run by the James Dyson […]
This 9 Y/O cafe used to be a brothel, now it’s helping revive Chinatown’s M’sian heritage

Walking around Petaling Street in KL, you’d realise Instagrammable cafes are not difficult to find at all. There’s one tucked into almost every corner of the street, making tourists more than spoilt for choice. But the area wasn’t always like this. In fact, cafes were probably the last thing you’d see here 10 years ago. […]
It’s a match: Singapore’s Lunch Actually and Paktor merge to expand pool of potential suitors

Dating platforms Lunch Actually and Paktor have officially joined hands and merged to enhance users’ dating experiences. In a statement released yesterday (September 9, 2024), the brands shared that this business move is to spark more romantic connections and support singles in their journey to find love. For context, Lunch Actually provides a matchmaking service […]
Taobao finally launches an English interface for S’porean users along with exclusive deals

Taobao, the popular consumer-to-consumer shopping site from China, has just made a significant move to cater to its Singaporean users. Starting today, the platform is rolling out an English-language interface, allowing non-Mandarin-speaking users to easily navigate and shop in English. “The launch is a direct response to the market demand, reflecting our commitment to improving […]
Out of 80+ nominees, 4 S’poreans won EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Here’s what they do.

Back for its 23rd year, professional services organisation Ernst & Young (EY) has announced the winners of the EY Entrepreneur of The Year (EOY) 2024 Singapore awards. This year’s four category recipients were selected from a pool of over 80 nominations. Who are this year’s EY EOY winners? 1. Edy Tan Wei Hock, CEO of […]
Sick of mooncakes? Here are 6 M’sian brands offering alternative Mid-Autumn treats.

From double yolk to snow skin, I’m an enjoyer of all kinds of mooncakes. But admittedly, there comes a point in the season where I start feeling a bit jelak. If you’re like me, yet still want to indulge in the wholesome celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, here’s a list of alternatives to mooncakes you […]
Forbes Singapore’s 50 Richest 2024: Who’s new, who’s back & who’s missing?

Singapore’s richest are richer than ever, according to Forbes’ annual Singapore’s 50 Richest list. Forbes reported that the collective net worth of the country’s 50 richest tycoons has risen by over 10% to US$195 billion from last year to this year. Familiar names reign at the top of the list, with Eduardo Saverin at the […]
Don’t let the design of Samsung’s new buds fool you, the Buds3 Pro is more than a fresh face

Stating the obvious, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro probably has the most different design choice when it comes to the brand’s earbuds lineup. I’ve always been particularly fond of stemless cute earbuds as opposed to ones with stems, simply because I feel the former tends to be a bit lighter and thus more comfortable for […]
Deepfakes are disrupting global elections, here’s how this new S’porean bill will fight that

The Singapore Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has introduced a new bill to combat digitally manipulated content during elections today (September 9), including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated misinformation, often referred to as deepfakes. According to a press release by the Ministry, the Elections (Integrity of Online Advertising) (Amendment) Bill will target any online content […]
Nvidia’s market cap has plunged by US$406 billion. Is the AI bubble about to burst?

Despite recently reporting blockbuster earnings, it looks like the poster child of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom isn’t doing very well. For a brief amount of time, Nvidia was the world’s most valuable company, but the AI chipmaking titan is now in a major rut as its shares plummeted by about US$406 billion this week—the […]
Singapore is poised to dominate SEA’s EV market by 2040, here’s how it’s getting there

Singapore is on track to dominate Southeast Asia’s electric vehicle (EV) market by 2040, reported The Straits Times based on a recent report from BloombergNEF. The report predicted that a whopping 80% of all passenger vehicles in Singapore will be electric by that year. In contrast, the regional average is forecast at just 24%. The […]
This 28 Y/O M’sian chose to leave her 9-to-5 to fill a gap in the local watercolour market

Cynthia is one of those people who’s always been good with kids. In particular, she’s very close with her beloved 2.5-year-old nephew. “One day, we decided to paint together using some old acrylic paints from my university days. He loves playing with colours and water. However, I noticed that these acrylic paints weren’t safe […]
A ClassPass competitor? This new app lets you access nearly 300 fitness studios in M’sia.

As Malaysians increasingly prioritise a healthier lifestyle, fitness enthusiasts are seeking more flexible and diverse options, such as subscription-based fitness services. Joining the local subscription-based fitness market recently is 1Fit. Their solution to the age-old dilemma of choosing the right fitness centre is a single membership that grants access to a wide range of gyms […]
GXBank is lowering its 3% interest rate & revising its 1% cashback programme

I’ve been an avid user of GXBank since the first Malaysian digital banking platform got its start last November. Some of my favourite features that I always highlight when recommending the platform is the unlimited cashback of 1% when using the GXBank debit card. Another thing is the 3.00% p.a. daily interest rate that they […]
We investigated FashionValet’s alleged “fire sale” with SSM reports, here’s what we found

FashionValet is no stranger to controversy, having been under fire in 2022 when it announced its pivot away from its own FashionValet fashion platform to focus on its inhouse brands dUCK and LILIT. Recently, the business came under scrutiny again following an article by a newsletter called Asia Tech Review. The platform claims that FashionValet […]
More than profits: How this quirky hole-in-the-wall cafe in KL aims to build a community

Passing by Kampung Attap, you probably wouldn’t think much about the area. There are old apartment complexes, neighbourhood businesses, and quiet streets that aren’t overly populated. Even parking is a breeze as there aren’t many visitors on a day-to-day basis. But tucked in a corner is an unassuming-looking row of restored 1950s-era interconnected shophouses called […]
Young S’poreans are proposing govt policies, here’s how you can share your views too

[This is a sponsored article with the National Youth Council.] From uncertain economic conditions to climate challenges, the youths of today are grappling with an era of unprecedented crises that could significantly impact their future. Yet, they may not get to participate in the very discussions that will shape their lives. To give youths a voice […]
Most scam victims willingly send money to scammers, here’s how S’pore’s govt aims to fix this

Singapore has plans to introduce a new law called the Protection from Scams bill in the coming months, according to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs on August 30. As the name suggests, the proposed law aims to fight scams in the country. How? By letting the police freeze bank accounts and credit […]
45% of M’sians consider themselves a minority at work, with Gen Zers most likely to think so

45% of respondents in a recent Randstad survey consider themselves a minority at work in Malaysia because of various reasons such as ethnicity, nationality, religion, and disability. That means nearly one in two Malaysian respondents believe they are a minority. This statistic is reported in Randstad’s ninth annual Employer Brand Research in Malaysia. Conducted in […]
After The Hungry Tapir’s success in KL, this family is now creating a vegan F&B empire

The rise of vegan eateries in Kuala Lumpur is a trend that’s hard to miss. Among these culinary pioneers is The Hungry Tapir, a restaurant nestled in the bustling streets of Chinatown. Helmed by a family deeply embedded in the creative industry, The Hungry Tapir brings together design, music, and a love for vegan cuisine, […]
Little Caesars Pizza says ciao to Singapore, last outlet in Funan Mall closing in September

Little Caesars Pizza, the American pizza chain known for its value-for-money offerings, is closing its last remaining outlet in Singapore this September. On September 3, the brand announced via their Facebook and Instagram pages that they would be closing their Funan Mall outlet. The news comes after a series of gradual closures across the city-state, […]
Crypto firm OKX hires Grab’s ex-MD as its new CEO & gets payment licence from MAS

Cryptocurrency company OKX has officially received a major payment institution (MPI) licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for its Singapore branch. With this licence, OKX Singapore can engage in digital payment services, cross-border money transfers, and spot cryptocurrency trading for investors in Singapore. This falls under the broader category of payment service provider […]
How this M’sian ex-aircraft engineer grew her candle biz into a successful 10 Y/O brand

Graduating as an aircraft engineer, Julia Jules Wan was one of the four pioneer women in Malaysia to be in the male-dominated field. She worked on planes like the B737, B777, and propeller planes at the Malaysia Airlines Engineering division for over 11 years before moving abroad with her husband for his job together with […]