SINGAPORE: Singapore has called on Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint and for both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue amid escalating border clashes.

"Singapore is deeply concerned by the recent resumption of clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border and reports of casualties on both sides," said a spokesperson from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (Dec 10).

"We call on both countries to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations, following the spirit and principles of the Joint Declaration."

This would be important for the long-term relationship between the two Southeast Asian countries and ASEAN, MFA added.

Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodia on Monday, with both sides trading blame for renewed fighting on their disputed border that killed six Cambodian civilians and a Thai soldier. The death toll rose to 10 on Tuesday, with fighting displacing more than 140,000 civilians in both countries.

MFA advised Singaporeans to defer all travel to the conflict areas in the Thai-Cambodian border regions.

"Singaporeans in Cambodia and Thailand are advised to monitor news from official sources closely, heed the local government's advice and remain vigilant for personal safety," MFA said.

Singaporeans in or travelling to either country are also advised to e-register with MFA on its website if they have not done so.

Those already in Cambodia and Thailand and who require consular assistance can contact the respective Singapore Embassies in Phnom Penh or Bangkok or the 24-hour MFA Duty Office.

Thailand and Cambodia have long disputed sovereignty over several areas along their land border. 

Tensions escalated in July after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of gunfire, leading to five days of fighting. United States President Donald Trump brokered the ceasefire agreement, which halted the fighting.

In October, Trump backed a follow-on joint declaration, touting new trade deals with Thailand and Cambodia after they agreed to prolong their ceasefire.

But Thailand suspended the agreement the following month as the two sides then traded accusations of fresh clashes.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the European Union and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Trump on Monday urged both parties to exercise restraint and halt hostilities. 

SINGAPORE: Is chess a sport? Or is it a game?

The question of whether an activity qualifies as a sport is a long-standing debate among casual fans, serious athletes and sports administrators. The debate has recently been reignited in Singapore, with Parliament considering a Bill that will formally recognise e-sports, chess and bridge as sports.

The Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill, tabled last month, aims to update the roles and functions of Sport Singapore (SportSG). The broader intent is to better support the increasingly diverse sporting aspirations of Singaporeans.

SPORT OR NOT?

The question of whether e-sports and mind games are sports is unlikely to be resolved definitively anytime soon. Those against it say that such activities do not require sufficient physical effort, while those in favour argue that they involve direct contest against an opponent and demand resilience, endurance and strategy.

There is also the question of how e-sports and mind games stack up against the gold standard of excellence for most sporting activities – the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially recognises the World Chess Federation and World Bridge Federation, but chess and bridge are not included in the Olympic Games.

E-sports are similarly acknowledged by the IOC but are not part of the Games. The committee launched the Olympics Esports Series in Singapore in 2023, but came under fire for its selection of titles, due to its conditions that e-sports must reflect Olympic values and cannot contain violent content.

Meanwhile, there is no unanimous agreement among individual countries on whether e-sports and mind games are sports. Regardless of which side of the argument comes out on top, there is merit in exploring the broader implications if Parliament passes the Bill to amend the Singapore Sports Council Act.

TANGIBLE IMPACT

While it may sound to some like a simple issue of definition, there will likely be real-world impact on local mind sports and e-sports communities.

Perhaps the most obvious impact is likely to be in terms of financial support. Should activities be recognised formally as coming under the ambit of SportSG, the governing authority for sports in Singapore will then have to devote resources to ensure that those activities are able to grow and develop.

This could take the form of building up national associations to ensure the long-term growth of the individual sports, providing funding for related activities such as training of national teams and supporting them in competitions, and building a base of participants at various levels to create a pipeline of talent and community for each sport.

This might sound like a boon for fledgling sports seeking to establish themselves, but it is worth sparing a thought for what this might mean for the rest of the sporting community.

It is well-known that support for sports in Singapore often pales in comparison to other key national priorities such as defence and security, national development, transportation and housing. 

It is fair to say, though, that the amount allocated to sports from the national budget has gone up since my time representing Singapore as an athlete in the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, but it remains finite and relatively small. Spreading it among more officially recognised sports will see the pie being carved up into even smaller pieces.

At the same time, creating a more diverse range of official sporting activities might broaden the demographics of participants, and potentially attract other sources of funding from sponsors or stakeholders keen to invest in growing such sports for commercial gain.

GREATER INCLUSION ALWAYS A GOOD THING

The move to recognise more sports officially can also have other benefits, in terms of making such activities more inclusive and attractive to a broader range of individuals amid the evolving tastes and demands of society.

It would appeal to younger generations of Singaporeans who are passionate about e-sports and mind sports, and could spur greater commitment and drive to potentially represent the country at major events such as the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games.

As an ageing population, having such official sports that require less physical capability compared to other events might also encourage an older demographic to stay engaged and active.

At an elite level, there is also the potential benefit to national athletes flying the flag of Team Singapore. Newer and less established sports that have not been part of the Olympic framework for example might not be as competitive at the highest levels, and thus offer more opportunities to excel and perform at international competitions.

Regardless of the outcome, the move to have more sports officially recognised by the government is likely to have a significant impact on Singapore’s sporting ecosystem and broader society.

However, with other activities such as pickleball and padel, as well as fitness races such as Hyrox gaining a foothold in our sporting landscape, the result could also be a green light for their advocates to push for their official recognition as well.

Nicholas Fang is a former national athlete and sports administrator. He represented Singapore in fencing and triathlon, and helmed the national fencing and modern pentathlon federations. A former member of the Singapore National Olympic Council, he was also a Nominated Member of the Singapore Parliament. He is co-founder and managing director of sports consultancy Novastella.

SINGAPORE: New measures to grow Singapore's social service workforce were announced on Tuesday (Dec 9), including an expanded study award scheme and higher tuition sponsorship.

These come as Singapore gears up to tackle a rapidly ageing population, as well as evolving challenges such as mental health issues, social isolation and families with complex needs. 

"These shifts will likely result in increasingly complex demands placed on the limited manpower in our sector," said Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli as he announced the support measures.

From April 2026, the criteria for the Social Service Tribe Study Award will be expanded to cover people pursuing associate-level qualifications in universities, polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education (ITE). 

This includes those pursuing an honours degree in psychology, diploma studies for social work at polytechnics and Higher Nitec CCSS at ITE. 

The award currently only supports those who are pursuing full professional undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications.

Tuition sponsorship under the Professional Development Sponsorship will also be fully funded from April 2026, up from the current 75 per cent coverage. 

The sponsorship provides funding for staff at social service agencies to achieve their first recognised qualifications in social work and psychology to become registered professionals. 

Funding for foundational leadership training will also be expanded to include both first-time and senior leaders in social service agencies to support the development of leaders in the sector.  

Speaking at the closing event of the Year of Celebrating Social Service Professionals, Mr Zulkifli said Singapore must continue to boost the pipeline of social service workers to meet evolving needs. 

The industry must also leverage technology to deliver better services more efficiently, he added, citing the use of artificial intelligence.

AI tools have helped social service professionals reduce the time spent on administrative work and focus on client engagement. AI platforms have also supported practitioners in conducting behavioural assessments, enabling them to provide faster and more precise intervention, the minister noted.

“The adoption of AI will continue to present a key opportunity for the sector in the coming years, to improve operational efficiency and ensure better outcomes for our clients,” he said. 

SINGAPORE: The National Gallery Singapore has been recognised for integrating arts into public health and wellbeing, becoming the first museum worldwide to be designated a Healing Arts Centre of Excellence.

The accreditation, conferred by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), places the gallery alongside global cultural institutions such as Carnegie Hall in New York and the Scottish Ballet.

The National Gallery was assessed on criteria that includes its dedicated team and sustained support for underserved communities.

One of its standout programmes is Slow Art, which encourages visitors to observe and engage mindfully with artworks.

The museum also showcases tactile collections and runs tours tailored for blind and low-vision visitors, as well as programmes designed for persons living with dementia and their caregivers.

There is even a “calm room” designed with neurodivergent visitors in mind.

Equipped with sensory-friendly features such as weighted blankets and adjustable lighting with soothing hues, the room offers a place for visitors to regulate their emotions and decompress during their museum visit.

Such initiatives contributed to its selection as a centre of excellence.

Dr Stephen Stapleton, founding co-director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, said the National Gallery’s designation comes with support from the lab and WHO.

Launched in 2023, the Jameel Arts & Health Lab is a global initiative that researches and promotes the integration of the arts into public health and clinical care.

It was co-founded by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, Saudi philanthropic organisation Community Jameel and British social enterprise Culturunners.

“(The National Gallery) will be supported … to come up with a long-term roadmap, a long-term plan, which has a lot to do with leadership” both locally and in the region, said Dr Stapleton, who is also the founder of Culturunners.

He added that the museum can inspire other cultural institutions like concert halls, galleries and performing arts centres to put in place arts and health programmes.

EXTENDING WELLBEING INTO COMMUNITY SPACES

The National Gallery said it will champion the role of museums as partners in public health and expand programmes that support community wellbeing.

One way it is doing so is by bringing activities into community care environments.

It recently piloted a collaboration with eldercare provider All Saints Home, which ran from August to October this year.

The 10-week initiative, which caters to those living with dementia, was adapted from the gallery’s Art with You programme. Staff and volunteers from the home were trained to engage with residents using curated artworks from the gallery.

Ms Alicia Teng, deputy director of the National Gallery’s community and access team, said the response has been positive.

She noted that there is room for such efforts to grow, with hopes that more social service partners will join in to create programmes that serve diverse community needs in comfortable and familiar settings.

WELLBEING BUILT INTO PROGRAMMING

Speaking to CNA’s Singapore Tonight programme, Dr Nisha Sajnani, founding co-director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, said she was struck by how seriously the National Gallery takes wellbeing as part of its mission.

“This isn't something that's happening off to the side, but rather really built into their programming,” she said, highlighting the gallery's partnerships, staff training and culturally grounded community work.

She also noted the gallery’s commitment to evaluating the impact of its initiatives, describing its approach as a combination of “creativity and care and rigour”.

Dr Sajnani said museums are intentionally designed to capture attention and bring people together.

However, their potential for health and wellbeing has often been overlooked, she said, in terms of the content that they curate and how that can “respond to the values, concerns and interests of the communities they serve”.

Beyond their educational role, museums function as anchor institutions much like schools or medical centres, supporting the wellbeing of surrounding communities, said Dr Sajnani.

She also pointed to decades of evidence demonstrating how the arts support neurological, physical, mental and social health.

She cited a 2019 WHO review of over 3,000 studies showing that regular engagement with artistic activities – from music and reading to dance, theatre, visual art and even gardening – is linked to lower stress, healthier behaviours, stronger social connections and reduced risks of anxiety and depression.

Creative arts therapies, including art, drama and music therapy, have shown measurable benefits in areas such as pain management, rehabilitation, maternal wellbeing and chronic illness, she added.

MORE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE WORKS

Other local institutes, including the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory’s Centre for Music and Health and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, are also working with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab to ensure its work is “meaningful and sustainable in the region”, Dr Sajnani said.

Priorities include high-quality research that can shape policy, capacity-building to train and support a community of practice across the arts and health sectors, and co-designed pilot programmes in hospitals, community settings and cultural spaces, she added.

Some pilots may eventually be scaled or adapted regionally, depending on community needs and the relevance of the programmes.

“Sometimes the best approach is taking something that's working in one integrated care centre … and bringing it to the rest,” she said.

SINGAPORE: A Malaysian man who was roped into a criminal syndicate by a Taiwanese man he met in a Korean prison recorded videos teaching syndicate associates how to use malware that could allow remote control of Android mobile phones.

As a result of the syndicate's efforts, 129 victims in Singapore lost about S$3.2 million (US$2.5 million), after their phones were remotely accessed and unauthorised bank transfers were made via their mobile banking applications.

Cheoh Hai Beng, 49, was sentenced to jail for five-and-a-half years and fined S$3,608 on Tuesday (Dec 9).

He pleaded guilty to two charges of being a member of a criminal syndicate and conspiring with others to use software hosted in servers to control Android mobile phones in Singapore.

A third charge was taken into consideration for sentencing.

The case is believed to be the first prosecution here of a person for teaching others how to use malware.

THE CASE

Cheoh met Lee Rong Teng, a man from Taiwan, while they were both serving jail terms in South Korea in 2008.

They became friends and Lee, who is still at large, invited Cheoh and his wife to visit him in the Dominican Republic sometime before Mar 20, 2022.

Cheoh was unemployed at the time and joined Lee in the Dominican Republic, but his wife was unable to join them as she was in China and the country was in lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lee asked Cheoh to continue keeping him company until his wife could join them, agreeing to pay for Cheoh's living expenses and fines he would incur when his travel visa expired.

Cheoh wound up living in the Caribbean nation for just over a year.

In January 2023, Lee told Cheoh that he had been introduced to a software which allowed users to "spy on people's phones".

He showed Cheoh several versions of the software and asked him to learn how they functioned.

The software was a type of highly sophisticated remote access Trojan tool, colloquially known as "Spymax" malware, designed to be installed in Android mobile phones, the court heard.

Once installed, the malware can be controlled remotely, with a third party gaining unauthorised access or modifying the mobile phone contents without authorisation.

In order to remain undetected by the phone owners, the software was designed to masquerade as legitimate Android applications for innocuous purposes such as online shopping, said the prosecution.

After Cheoh had taught himself how to use the software, Lee asked him to record videos teaching viewers how to use the malware.

He said this was for him to attract potential "business partners" and "customers" he could sell the malware and tutorials to.

Cheoh knew what the malware could do. He had heard Lee speaking to a Malaysian "business partner" about using the malware to conduct scams on Android mobile phones in Singapore.

While initially reluctant to record the tutorial videos, Cheoh agreed after Lee promised to pay him and after he threatened to release a video he had recorded of Cheoh demonstrating the use of the malware.

Lee also said Cheoh need only help him until Lee could find someone else to record the videos.

RECORDING THE TUTORIAL VIDEOS

From February 2023 to April 2023, Cheoh used phones provided by Lee to record tutorial videos demonstrating the Spymax malware.

The videos showed how to set up the malware and to perform functions such as remotely accessing cryptocurrency applications, capture passwords of crypto wallets, remotely access camera applications, access contact lists and SMS history, and ascertain the location of the phone via GPS.

Cheoh sent the videos to Lee, who disseminated them to his "business partners" and customers. 

Cheoh returned to Malaysia on Apr 11, 2023 when Lee agreed to let him leave even though he had not found a replacement. He brought with him two laptops and two phones and later recorded more tutorial videos at Lee's request while in Malaysia.

After this, Lee arranged for the devices to be collected from Cheoh outside a supermarket in Penang.

In total, Cheoh recorded at least 20 tutorial videos operating the malware between February 2023 and May 2023. He received US$700 in February 2023 and US$1,000 from Lee for his work during March 2023 and April 2023 respectively.

Other members of the syndicate later used the malware to conduct scams on people in Singapore.

Discussions were held to create landing pages online from which unsuspecting victims could be lured into downloading applications containing the malware.

There was also an office in Malaysia where the operation of the malware was supervised.

Between June 2023 and June 2024, Android mobile phones belonging to at least 129 victims in Singapore were remotely accessed after their phones were installed with versions of the malware.

Their phones were taken over and unauthorised outgoing transactions amounting to at least S$3,197,974.24 were made from their bank accounts via the mobile banking applications in their phones.

Cheoh was arrested at his home in Penang on Jun 12, 2024 by the Royal Malaysian Police, in collaboration with Singapore's Technology Crime Investigation Bureau of the Criminal Investigation Department, for his suspected involvement in malware-enabled scams against Singaporeans.

He was later escorted to Singapore and held in custody.

SENTENCING ARGUMENTS

Deputy Public Prosecutor Hon Yi sought 72 to 85 months' jail for Cheoh, along with a fine of S$3,608 to disgorge the profit he made from the offences.

He said there had been no previous prosecutions for a person who teaches others how to use malware, but cited other cases that involve sophisticated criminal enterprises or syndicates.

"There is a saying - give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for life," said Mr Hon.

"In this case, what the accused is doing is to teach wrongdoers out there how to use the malware for commission of other offences."

He said Android phones are used by roughly half the population, and said the potential harm was "a lot greater" and goes beyond even Singapore's borders.

"The organised criminal group in this case was clearly in the industry of carrying out scams, and the whole aim of it was precisely as what the accused did, to propagate their malware and let people use the malware on as many victims as possible," said Mr Hon.

He said the criminal group was transnational in nature and its scale was "not small".

Defence lawyer Sujesh Anandan argued that this was a "high harm, low culpability offence".

He referred to the prosecution's saying about teaching a man to fish.

"There's no evidence how many people exactly Mr Cheoh taught to fish," said Mr Sujesh. "What we do have is the total quantum involved."

However, he said there was no evidence how much of this quantum is related to the videos made by Cheoh.

He also highlighted how the group was actively scamming the victims from June 2023, after Cheoh stopped his involvement with the group in May 2023.

Mr Sujesh said Cheoh's involvement was limited to the filming of the tutorial videos, and he was on "the lowest tier of the hierarchy of the group".

He said Cheoh would not be able to pay the fine, and is legally aided through Pro Bono SG with the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

For conspiring to obtain unauthorised computer access to commit an offence, Cheoh could have been jailed for up to 10 years, fined up to S$50,000, or both.

For being a member of a locally linked organised criminal group, he could have been jailed for up to five years, fined up to S$100,000, or both.

On Tuesday (Dec 9), Singaporean actor Leon Jay Williams took to his social media pages to announce that he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer two months ago. The 49-year-old, who is signed to Mediacorp's The Celebrity Agency, said that "after the reality set in", he decided to "face the consequences positively".

"After two surgeries, some radiation therapy and an interesting scar as a souvenir, things are looking up and the battle is won for now, but the war with cancer isn’t over," wrote Williams.

According to Williams, his new routine now includes monthly visits to the doctor for blood tests and taking pills every day "for life".

"We are all just at the mercy of what’s waiting to happen next. It is also always mostly out of our control. What we can control is how we face it. You can either be negative and give up, or you can seek the most positive way forward, even if it hurts."

Williams, who has a daughter with his Taiwanese wife, added that "family is so important".

"I [would] not have been able to [go] through the last few months so positively without the support of my wife, mother, daughter and brother," he declared.

In a career spanning over two decades, Leon Jay Williams has starred in numerous Taiwanese dramas, including 2004's La Robe De Mariee Des Cieux and 2005's Green Forest My Home.

Besides his acting career, Williams is also a singer who has released a few albums.

SINGAPORE: The police charged 10 men on Tuesday (Dec 9) over their suspected involvement in a series of unauthorised attempts to change registered residential addresses through an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) e-service.

The case was first made public by ICA on Jan 11, after it discovered about 80 cases of unauthorised attempts to change registered residential addresses via an "others" option - which allows the change of address by a proxy - available on the online service.

The charges laid against the 10 men - aged between 17 and 32 - bring the total number of people charged in connection to the case so far to 14, said the police and ICA in a joint news release on Tuesday.

"Investigations by the police and ICA have revealed a criminal network that allegedly intercepted ICA PIN mailers, which were then used to change the registered residential addresses of their victims," said the authorities.

"The criminal network had allegedly done this in order to receive Singpass password reset mailers, which enabled them to take over the victims’ Singpass accounts."

Of the 14 people charged, three are believed to be the key actors, while the rest are believed to have played supporting roles, said the authorities.

Police said one of the key actors, 25-year-old Lee Ming Shen, was handed eight charges on Tuesday, including for offences under the Computer Misuse Act for abetment to disclose Singpass access codes and supplying their credentials to others, and for abetment under the National Registration Regulations in falsely applying for residential address changes.

Another nine suspects were also charged on Tuesday. They are: Loh Fu Ling, 18; Klein Kong Yan Kai, 20; Serrure Cho Jing Cong, 25; Toh Zheng Han Bryan and Muhammad Nur Hakim Abdullah - both 32 - along with four 17-year-olds. 

Alleged mastermind Ng Wei Chang, 30, Yuen Mun Fei, 39, and Koh Hong Yan, 27, were all charged in January, along with Chaing Bang Xuan, 32.

On Tuesday, the police filed additional charges against Yuen, Koh and Chaing. Ng was handed 42 additional charges in July and November. 

As the alleged mastermind, Ng had allegedly fraudulently made the unauthorised residential address changes and compromised 18 Singpass accounts.

Chaing, one of the key actors, is believed to be a facilitator who allegedly obtained NRIC details and recruited runners. On Tuesday, he was handed additional charges, including for transferring benefits from criminal conduct under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes Act.

The other 11 men allegedly played supporting roles such as acting as intermediaries to transmit photos of PIN mailers, giving their own Singpass or bank account credentials for monetary gain, and falsely applying for residential address changes.

Seven others who were arrested in relation to the case also received 24-month conditional warnings in lieu of prosecution.

SINGAPORE: Some Singapore-made video games are seeing a surge in visibility – and potential downloads of up to 1,000 copies – after being showcased at this year’s Singapore Comic Con (SGCC).

The event was held last weekend at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

Industry players say conventions like SGCC are valuable for independent game developers, offering them access to publishers, investors, streamers and the media.

This year, the Singapore Games Association (SGGA) showcased 60 locally made titles at the event, including 20 playable demos at its booth, which drew a positive reaction from attendees.

Indie creators say such feedback is more than just validation – every player who enjoys a demo is also a potential buyer.

WISHLISTS MATTER

For developers, the number of players who add a title to their “wishlist” helps them estimate demand and even woo investors.

A game wishlist is a digital list on platforms like Steam where players save games they are interested in for future purchase.

Springloaded Games – a local studio behind titles including Let’s Build a Zoo and the upcoming Let’s Build a Dungeon – participates in conventions across Asia and Europe to boost its wishlist numbers and refine its games.

Events such as Gamescom in Germany and BitSummit in Japan allow the company to gather feedback and playtest prototypes.

This helps the firm gauge whether a game resonates beyond existing fans, said Grace, a Springloaded producer who goes by only one name. 

The company has already amassed significant interest online for Let’s Build a Dungeon, in which players run a studio that is developing an online role-playing game.

"We have actually reached more than 100,000 (wishlists) this year. Most of them come from shows and also from Steam sales (and) Steam events,” added Grace. 

Wishlist numbers can directly influence investor or publisher negotiations – a lifeline for small indie developers, who often have to bootstrap their way.

Battle Brew Productions, another Singapore-based developer, gained around 1,000 wishlists over the two-day SGCC for its featured title HellHeart Breaker.

“It's not locked in sales, they haven't paid yet, but it's a very good indicator of how much sales you're actually going to get … you can use those numbers also to help secure investors or publishers,” said CEO and creative director Shawn Toh.

He noted that strong wishlist performance directly empowers creators to be in a “much better position to negotiategood terms”.

High numbers “more or less guarantee commercial success – then you might not even need a publisher or investor,” he added. 

ONLINE EXPOSURE STILL DOMINATES

While conventions provide vital face-to-face feedback, much of a game’s momentum still comes from online platforms.

Solo developer Zhou Xuanming of aliasBLACK Game Studio saw 100 wishlists at SGCC, but says regular online visibility has a higher payoff.

“Coverage from a streamer or a Steam festival could easily (bring in) 10 times the amount of sales, as opposed to even a pretty large convention,” said Mr Zhou.

He noted that Singapore’s small market size means developers must aim abroad.

"Singaporeans make up about 0.9 per cent of my sales. So, it's a very tiny portion … we always have to focus on the international stage,” he said.

TABLETOP CREATIONS WIN GLOBAL FANS

The buzz at SGCC was not limited to digital creators. Local tabletop game designers also drew in crowds.

On the show floor, visitors browsed games inspired by familiar local icons – from iced gem biscuits to durians – reflecting a distinct Singapore flavour that creators say resonates with regional audiences.

Industry veterans estimate that more than 4,500 Singapore-made board games have been sold abroad in the last year.

Much of this was driven by community-led efforts to showcase and distribute Singapore titles overseas.

The tabletop scene has expanded significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, with some creators noting that the lockdown years introduced many to board games for the first time.

What once began with just a single table for players at events such as Comic Con has now grown into a full-fledged play area, complete with locally designed games available for purchase.

One distributor helping to drive this growth is #laiplayleow, which consolidates games from Singapore-based creators and brings them to conventions around the region.

The number of designers it represents has grown from 20 to more than 100 this year, and over 200 games have already been distributed abroad since July.

"We do want to show the Asian market (that) our Singaporean game designers are something to be looked upon,” said founder Benjamin Leow.

“We have games that promote our kopitiam culture … durian … even our orchids as well. So I think that's a beautiful thing to see.”

He noted that demand has spread well beyond Singapore. Publishers in East Malaysia, for instance, have sold out their stock of Singapore-made games. Titles have also reached Europe, for example in countries such as the United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal.

Game designer Daryl Chow, co-founder of Origame, is also helping to expand regional awareness.

He started the Asian Board Games Festival in 2019, and its most recent Singapore edition in November drew more than 5,000 participants from over 10 countries.

“The biggest barrier (to playing a board game) is the rule book. So when we have these events, we can remove that barrier … people come in, just sit down (and the) game master will teach them how to play,” he said.

Ninety per cent of buyers for Mr Chow’s own games come from overseas, particularly in the UK and Australia.

“I think it's very nice to see that board games have been growing in the last few years …  just by families wanting to find activities to have face-to-face engagement,” he added.

“We also make games that I think Singaporeans can feel like they can be proud of. They can feel ownership of these games … we're all very proud to make games that tell our story.”

SINGAPORE: The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) have launched a national programme to tackle the effects of weather on aviation by strengthening the country's aviation meteorological capabilities.

The initiative comes as weather patterns lead to more flight delays and diversions, disruptions to airport operations, turbulence and other aviation safety concerns around the world, the agencies said in a joint media release on Tuesday (Dec 9).

The multidisciplinary Aviation Meteorological Programme will bring together experts in aviation and meteorology, as well as aviation companies and unions.

It will aim to build capabilities in research and development (R&D) and operations that will enhance the prediction, mitigation and management of the effects of weather on air traffic control, airlines and airport operations, the agencies said.

The programme will have five focus areas that each address a critical weather phenomenon that affects aviation operations in Singapore and the region. 

These areas are lightning, turbulence, convective weather, surface winds and condensation trails, or contrails.

A steering committee has also been set up to helm the programme.

The committee is co-chaired by CAAS director-general Han Kok Juan and NEA CEO Wong Kang Jet.

Other members of the committee include senior representatives from Changi Airport Group, Singapore Airlines, SIA Engineering Company, SATS, the National Trades Union Congress and the International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI).

CAAS and NEA said that regional collaboration was also needed to effectively mitigate the impact of changing weather patterns on aviation operations as they cross geographical boundaries.

To support this, the agencies initiated and signed a letter of intent in Hong Kong on Monday to collaborate with six other air navigation service providers and meteorological service providers, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation and ICAI in R&D, capability development and data sharing.

"Changes in weather patterns are affecting aviation operations all over the world, including in Singapore," said Mr Han.

"We take this seriously and are taking concrete steps to address it through better leveraging technology, including (artificial intelligence), integrating national aviation and meteorology expertise, and regional partnership."

Ms Koh Li-Na, the director-general of NEA's Meteorological Service Singapore, said that the agency welcomed the initiative, which will give meteorological service providers opportunities to improve the predictability of weather systems in the region and tailor solutions to support aviation stakeholders.

Could we fast forward to Dec 17? Fans of South Korean-Canadian singer Somi will get to see the Birthday singer even closer in Singapore as she stages a fan sign event, titled Into The Chaos, at The Theatre At Mediacorp. 

According to organisers, the event will see Somi, whose full name is Jeon So-mi, interacting with fans and engaging in a Q&A segment.

Tickets for the event are currently available for purchase via Ticketmaster, with prices ranging between S$98 and S$288. 

Each ticketholder, regardless of category, is entitled to the following:

• Access to a hi-bye session
• A copy of Somi's Chaotic & Confused extended play
• A poster
• One out of three photocards

Those who purchase higher-tiered tickets will also get a chance to win other exciting benefits, including an autograph session and a one-on-one photo with Somi.

Somi, 24, first burst into the scene as a contestant on the reality competition series Sixteen – the show that led to the formation of the superstar K-pop group Twice. Although Somi did not make the final cut, she became one of Sixteen's breakout stars, garnering her immense popularity.

In 2016, she joined another reality competition series, Produce 101, and ended up placing first amongst all the contestants. As a result, Somi became one of the 11 members of the K-pop girl group IOI, alongside future heavyweights of the South Korean entertainment industry like Business Proposal star Kim Se-jeong and singer Chungha.

Following IOI's disbandment, Somi left her longtime agency, JYP Entertainment, and joined The Black Label, which is now home to acts such as Blackpink's Rose and Squid Game star Yim Si-wan.

Under The Black Label, Somi has released a string of hits including Dumb Dumb, XOXO and Fast Forward. Her latest extended play, Chaotic & Confused, was released on Aug 11.
 

The social media accounts of shopping mall Nex announced on Monday (Dec 8) that its Isetan store will be shutting down in April 2026, adding that "new and exciting offerings" will be coming soon.

The post read: "After 15 wonderful years at Nex, Isetan will be closing its doors in April 2026. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Isetan for their unwavering support and partnership over the years."

The news comes about a month after Isetan Tampines' closure. At the time, a spokesperson for Isetan said that the decision for the outlet's closure was made "in light of evolving market conditions and part of a broader strategic move to realign [their] operations for long-term sustainability and growth".

CNA Lifestyle has reached out to Nex for a statement.

Isetan first opened in Singapore in 1972, at Apollo Hotel on Havelock Road. Over the years, it has closed numerous stores, including Isetan Jurong in 2020 and Isetan Katong in 2022.

With this, Isetan Scotts at Orchard Road will be the Japanese department chain's sole outlet in Singapore.

While most 13-year-olds are busy with homework or hanging out with friends, one Singaporean teen is juggling website updates, inventory checks and orders – all for her side hustle.

Meet Eleora Liang, the pint-sized boss of A Little Ripple, an online store for pickleball paddles that she runs out of her family’s home in Ipoh, Malaysia, where she’s homeschooled.

“Sometimes I use work as an excuse to skip homework,” Liang, who used to attend South View Primary School, admitted with a laugh.

“I’ll tell my mum, ‘I need to update the website.’ She usually says okay.”

Back in 2021, Liang’s parents, who are in their 40s, decided to “escape the rat race” in Singapore and go on what they call a road trip, spending time in Thailand and Malaysia. They lived in Chiang Mai for two years before moving to Ipoh. They have not decided where their next stop will be.

Homeschooling gave Liang the time to explore her passions – violin and, unexpectedly, business.

As part of her project in 2022, her mum, a former math tutor, encouraged her to start a small venture so she could learn life skills.

The first attempt – selling stationery – didn’t take off, so they pivoted to pickleball paddles, then a buzzy new sport in Asia

Liang borrowed S$2,000 (US$1,540) from her parents to get started and by January 2024, she was selling pickleball paddles, made in China and Vietnam, on her website and on Carousell.

FROM “HOMEWORK” TO SIDE HUSTLE

Fast forward and the business now moves around 150 paddles a month, priced between S$22 to S$55.

Liang spends around four hours a day on her side hustle, while her parents handle finances and supplier negotiations. Her 17-year-old sister pitches in with social media.

Liang's biggest flex? She doesn’t need pocket money anymore.

The literal girlboss gets around S$2,000 a month from her business, though she still needs approval from mum, aka her “CFO” (chief financial officer), for big purchases like her S$5,000 violin when she wants to reward herself.

Starting the business has given Liang a head start on her dream future: Becoming a professional violinist, without ever working a nine-to-five.

And if the pickleball fever fades? She’s cool with that.

“I’ll start another business,” she said sassily.

“I'm still young, so I don't have heavy commitments yet. I can still try again if this business fails.”

For now, she’s living every teen entrepreneur’s dream: Having her own money, her own business, and the freedom to swap homework for “urgent” customer enquiries.

“Age doesn’t define what you can achieve,” she said. “Just start small and dream big.”

This story was originally published in 8Days.

For more 8Days stories, visit https://www.8days.sg/