It’s got the juice: How iJooz squeezed its way into Singaporeans’ hearts

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SINGAPORE: What goes into a S$ 2 bowl of freshly squeezed orange drink? Much more than one may suppose, according to iJooz founder and CEO Bruce Zhang. &nbsp,

Four fruits, which are proudly displayed on every iJooz vending system, are the easy solution. Large glass panels allow interested customers to observe the process in action on these machines. &nbsp,

In a properly engineered provide chain, the peeling process is only the tip of the iceberg. &nbsp,

It takes efficiency, development, and years of refinement to provide tens of thousands of orange juice cups every day in Singapore. &nbsp,

Before founding iJooz, Mr. Zhang developed his skills in technology and information analysis after spending 12 years in the semiconductor sector. &nbsp,

His goal was to address the labor and charge issues that financial frequently encounters because of this history. When it comes to juice, classic stalls face higher costs for purchasing, workers and rent.

” There’s demand for fresh juices, but it’s difficult to find and it’s not cheap”, the 42-year-old said. &nbsp,

At the iJooz office in the Yishun technological area, he told CNA,” I thought about whether we could conquer that to make sure the orange juice we sold may be readily available, convenient, and affordable.” &nbsp,

APPEALING PRICE POINT

Mr Zhang is convinced that iJooz is never a wine merchant, but a technologies company. The firm’s ability to keep costs low is attributed to the computers that squeeze the fruits, the data crushing that allows for the easy emptying of the machines, and even the surveillance systems that can predict when something needs to be fixed, he said. &nbsp,

Its vending devices are powered by in-house hardware and software, and the firm is working hard to improve them, Mr. Zhang said with a hint of pleasure. Its fifth-generation models also offer an option to add glacier, a new technology available on about 20 machines out of 1, 500 islandwide.

Since iJooz’s second vending systems hit the streets in 2016, the cost per cup has stayed at S$ 2 at most sites.

Certain models charge S$ 3 a cup, usually according to demands from landowners, and there are 40 to 50 quite machines islandwide, he said. &nbsp,

However, customers using the iJooz mobile app enjoy a consistent S$ 2 price everywhere. The app, which was launched in November 2024, already accounts for 10 % of sales.

This reporter was intrigued by how iJooz cups always seem sweet, even when most oranges sold at markets are sour during these times of year. As a juice enthusiast, According to Mr. Zhang, the company sources its oranges from all over the world and tracks which farms produce oranges that meet its standards at various times of the year, sometimes even down to specific weeks. &nbsp,

Depending on the time of year, it uses data analytics to determine how many oranges to purchase. Also dynamic is how the machines are refilled: drivers are given instructions on how many oranges to replenish and how to navigate the most effectively between the machines. &nbsp,

For those concerned about cleanliness, the entire machine is effectively a refrigerator, keeping an internal temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, said Mr Zhang. &nbsp,

He continued, comparing the procedure to how a central kitchen operates, noting that the motors that come into contact with juice are changed every time the machines are refilled and sent back for cleaning. &nbsp,

RIPENING BUSINESS

If you think you’ve noticed more iJooz machines popping up on the streets recently, you’d be right – the company is adding about 100 machines each month. &nbsp,

They can now be found in schools, at MRT stations, below office buildings, at shopping centres, in the heartlands, at tourist attractions and so on. The business is required to register each machine with the government and is licensed by the Singapore Food Agency. &nbsp,

Despite recent growth, success was slow in the early years. Between 2016 and 2017, the company operated just over 20 machines here, and mostly focused on research and development. &nbsp,

Mr. Zhang observed an elderly couple effortlessly purchasing juice at the Tampines MRT station, which was early customer validation. ” Even someone who’s 90 years old can buy it. It’s not complicated, it’s simple and idiot-proof. This is what we did right”, he said.

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Stagnant pay, skills and jobs mismatch: How can Malaysia tackle these 3 ‘paradoxes’?

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Edwin Oh Chun Kit, a researcher at the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research ( INSAP ), a Malaysia think tank, warned that these paradoxes, if unaddressed, will increase the risk of further long-term economic stagnation.

To ensure position with market demands, he told CNA,” The management may try to optimize inter-ministerial coordination and strengthen oversight for both TVET and higher education.”

Companies may also consult with the government and collaborate with educational organizations to “provide real-world insight into evolving workplace needs,” Oh remarked.

MAKING TVET MORE ATTRACTIVE

TVET aims to produce grads in fields like manufacturing, design, medical and data technology with skills related to business needs.

TVET classes, which range from amounts 1 to 5 with the highest being similar to an innovative certificate or associate degree, are offered at public and private universities, colleges and community schools across Malaysia.

” With greater collaboration in these attempts, Malaysia can successfully bridge the skills imbalance, improve labour market results, and drive sustainable socioeconomic growth”, Oh added.

Malaysia produces about 100, 000 TVET graduates each year. According to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the chairman of the National TVET Council, the government is aiming to attract 500, 000 students this year to all 1, 398 TVET institutions nationwide.

” The courses provided are tailored to meet employer demands, particularly from industries, and Memorandums of Agreement have been signed between TVET institutions and employers”, he said on Jan 11 as quoted by Bernama.

This implies that TVET graduates will immediately be employed by these employers after finishing their courses.

In a bid to make TVET more attractive, Sim said he had proposed to the Cabinet to introduce levels 6, 7 and 8 for the programme,” sort of” equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and a doctorate.

Other plans include promoting access to TVET through the creation of a “skill university” without a fixed term schedule and racial quota, Sim said, adding that students from all backgrounds can enroll at any time.

TVET NOT LIKE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

Sim did warn that the changes are not intended to make TVET more like a university education, noting that the latter is not designed to meet the demands of the day.

” We have to rethink university. I think, essentially, university is for you to go ( for ) four years ( of ) deep thinking. Consider the purpose of life. What is love? What is pain? What is death? Where is God? Who is God”? he said.

However, such a training model may not necessarily benefit the industry. Which is why the obsession with making TVET to be like university, I think we should change”.

Sim later clarified that a university education was still required for such philosophical training but not for current industrial requirements.

” What I’m trying to say is this: If you believe the current university model will be able to meet the demand for your job market, then you are delusional. Because universities … (are ) not created for the industrialised world”, he added.

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Parliament seeks to attract more viewers with simpler language and a metaverse in the works

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APPEAL TO Residents

Parliament addresses issues that affect Singaporeans ‘ lives, Mr Seah noted.

” Whether young or old, ( parliamentary proceedings are ) extremely important to every Singaporean, because whatever is decided here, laws that are passed here or not, these affect Singaporeans and their families”, he said.

” In order to ensure that everyone takes an active interest in what happens in congress,” he said.

He noted that meetings have been lived streamed since 2021. &nbsp,

He advised those who are interested in the special subjects being debated to watch the entire discussion. &nbsp,

” Sometimes, when you summarise, specific points are lost. I know that takes time ( and patience ) but if it’s something which is close to your heart, I think it’s worth the time to invest in tuning into it”, he said. &nbsp,

Shows OF 2024

In 2024, the halls of congress debated 50 costs, the highest quantity in six times. &nbsp,

Over 2, 400 inquiries were likewise filed, more than the above 2, 300 the past year. Topics included artificial intelligence, specific requirements, and schemes.

According to Mr. Seah, each sitting takes weeks to prepare, and includes chamber shells that involve complex balances. &nbsp,

He noted that the Platform Workers ‘ Bill, which 26 Members of Parliament ( MPs ) debated over the course of two days before passing, was one of the highlights of last year. &nbsp,

Mr. Seah referred to it as a step and the first of its kind in the world, saying,” We shouldn’t undervalue the labor that went into it.”

Supply riders receive better comprehensive coverage and higher Central Provident Fund pension contributions thanks to the policy. &nbsp,

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, who became the first monarch of Malaysia and the first aristocracy to attend Parliament House while a conference was in program on May 7, made 42 visits by international delegates.

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Nearly 100 potholes reported in early January amid heavier rainfall; repairs completed in Tanah Merah

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SINGAPORE: &nbsp, Several potholes spotted along a stretch of road in Tanah Merah during the&nbsp, recent monsoon surge have since been repaired as of Sunday ( Jan 12 ), the&nbsp, Land Transport Authority ( LTA ) said on Wednesday.

LTA reported being aware of some holes along Tanah Merah Coast Road on January 10 and 11 in response to CNA’s questions. &nbsp,

Momentary edges were first applied to all affected areas. The permanent&nbsp, maintenance of the damaged parts was completed on Sunday, LTA said on its social media pages.

Amid a damp stop to the year, nearly 100 cracks were detected across Singapore as of Sunday, compared with 776 found in the same time in 2024, LTA told CNA.

The current monsoon surge is considered to be “one of the longer and more intensive wave events in recent years,” according to the Meteorological Service of Singapore. &nbsp, The boom, which began on Jan 10 and just started to diminish on Monday, brought reasonable to heavy rains, with unusual storm.

A strengthening of the winds over the South China Sea, which causes broad rainclouds to shape over the region, is known as a rain surge.

Islandwide regular daily full snowfall ranged from 44.4mm to 120.2mm across the four-day bend, with Jan 10 recording the highest average precipitation at 120.2mm.

According to the Met Service, this time span saw the highest rainfall in Singapore’s northern and eastern regions.

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Man arrested after yet another public urination incident – this time at Potong Pasir MRT station

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A 57-year-old man has been detained for public annoyance after allegedly being seen urinating at the Potong Pasir MRT station on Monday ( Jan 13 ), making it the third case to surface in less than a week. &nbsp,

SBS Transit spokesman Grace Wu told CNA on Tuesday that the most recent incident occurred on Monday at approximately 7.25 p.m. &nbsp,

One of the team members for the North East Line train discovered a person urinating near the passenger service center, according to Mrs. Wu. &nbsp,

The employee contacted the police for support, and the gentleman later left the station with the officers, she continued.

The afflicted area was soon cleaned, and the business is assisting the police in their studies. &nbsp,

The authorities said they received a call for assistance at Potong Pasir MRT place, where a person was reportedly seen drinking in common, at around 7.30pm in response to CNA’s questions. &nbsp,

The 57-year-old person was later detained for common annoyance and will be charged in court on January 15, according to the police. &nbsp,

For anti-social behavior poses health and sanitation risks for fellow travelers and our staff, according to SBS Transit’s Mrs. Wu. &nbsp,

” We will not bother to work with the government to demand more severe barrier fines.”

Monday’s tragedy comes only three days after&nbsp, a 41-year-old Chinese national defecated on the rail of a upwards using stairway at Outram Park MRT place.

On January 10, some members of the public witnessed and recorded Li Guorui’s steps, which were captured on video.

Li was &nbsp, slapped with the maximum fine of S$ 2, 000 ( US$ 1, 460 ) after he pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a single charge of committing a public nuisance that caused annoyance. &nbsp,

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Man fined for urinating on Outram Park MRT escalator while drunk

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SINGAPORE: A man who urinated on an escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station was slapped with the maximum fine of S$ 2, 000 ( US$ 1, 460 ) on Tuesday ( Jan 14 ).

Li Guorui, a 41-year-old Chinese nationwide, pleaded criminal to a single command of committing a common problem that caused anger.

The prosecutor was informed that Li was traveling to Singapore on January 2 for a business trip and was staying at a resort in Chinatown’s Upper Cross Street.

On Jan 10, he had a business meal at Brotzeit German Bier Bar &amp, Restaurant at Westgate store from about 7pm to 9pm, before&nbsp, making his way back to his hotel.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin reported that Li drank a lot of beer while attending the breakfast.

When Li unzipped his pants and urinated on the railing of the downward using stairway at around 10pm, he was exiting Outram Park MRT place through return 3 in a drunken condition.

His steps were witnessed and recorded by a number of people in the crowd. The movies were frequently circulated, with one movie single garnering more than 2, 000 emotions, Mr Bin said.

Li finally left the station and went back to his lodge. A member of the public reported the incident via SGSecure on January 11.

Li knew that it would cause for anger, Mr. Bin said, but by doing it, he had committed a public nuisance that caused such anger.

A fine of up to S$ 2,000 is assessed for this offense. Up to three months in prison may be the offender’s statement if they knew the act may result in harm, danger, or annoyance.

Li was detained on January 12 and tracked down by the police. On January 13, he was charged.

Mr Bin sought a large great of S$ 1, 500 to S$ 2, 000, arguing that public punishment was the only punishment thought.

The attorney said,” It goes without saying that what the accused has done around is unethical and somewhat disconcerting, and the word should reflect that.”

He emphasized that Li’s crime was one in a new wave of similar occurrences, and that the court’s paragraph should give a message to stop this behavior.

According to the Land Transport Authority, two different persons were caught, &nbsp, within the last year, for alleged people urine at&nbsp, Tanah Merah&nbsp, and Potong Pasir MRT facilities, Mr Bin said.

He added that Li’s choice to masturbate in a place essential for those who had climbed the stairway was aggravating.

Li urinated in a place with high sales and on the only area of the elevator that do make direct contact with the riders.

Mr. Bin stated that he now understood from LTA that the interior components of the elevator may also have been affected by the urine, which may need to be serviced more frequently.

According to him, Li’s crime had the ability to have an impact on Singapore’s reputation as a hub for public transportation and resulted in widespread public unease as the act’s videos were made available online.

A written prevention petition was submitted by Li, who followed the trials through a Mandarin speaker, but it was not read out in court.

The elevator was questioned by District Judge Paul Chan about whether riders had used it prior to the incident before it could have been cleaned.

Team did not know that Li had urinated on the stairway rail at the time of the event, so Mr. Bin responded that a solution was called in shortly after the incident and mopped the ground.

He claimed that the authorities had established that fact from the online video.

In imprisonment, Judge Chan said that Li’s activities resulted in harm on several levels.

First, the incontinence did not really produce public annoyance, but likewise involved issues of health and sanitation.

Third, SMRT would have to support the escalator on top of its regular cleaning routine, and this had cost implications.

Finally, Li’s actions had an effect on SMRT’s popularity and its ability to provide a healthy and fresh transportation environment.

The prosecutor acknowledged that Li had fully cooperated with the government and that his offence was no premeditated but rather was one that occurred right away.

Li made it known to the judge that he would pay the fine.

CNA reported on Tuesday that the police were looking into a similar situation at the Tanah Merah MRT stop, which was also captured on camera.

A dark shirt-clad man was spotted pulling up the flap on his pants in a film that was posted on Instagram on Monday, then running away.

It is unknown when this tragedy occurred.

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Monsoon surge from Jan 10 to 13 ‘one of the longer and more intense’ in recent years: Met Service

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RAINFALL IN RECENT YEARS

MSS even noted that Friday’s islandwide regular daily full precipitation of 120.2mm was the third-highest in recent years.

The highest islandwide regular daily full precipitation in the last five years was 154.2mm on Feb 28, 2023, followed by 135.6mm on Jan 2, 2021.

” On regular, Singapore experiences between two to four rain surges each year, with each function lasting between one and five time”, MSS added.

From Friday to Saturday, Changi recorded the highest overall precipitation at 255.2mm. This amount is more than Singapore’s regular monthly precipitation of 222.4mm in January, regional water company PUB said. &nbsp,

Flooding&nbsp, occurred next Friday along a stretch of Jalan Seaview owing to “heavy weather coinciding with great tide”, PUB added.

Twelve&nbsp, planes were likewise diverted from Changi Airport&nbsp, due to the monsoon wave and continuous rains in Singapore.

The flights, operated by various airlines, were from destinations including Bangkok, Jakarta, Phuket and Shanghai, Changi Airport Group ( CAG ) told CNA on Monday. &nbsp,

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Future Toa Payoh mega sports and community complex needs ‘clear strategy’ to benefit public, say observers

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Necessity OF COMMUNITY Marriage

Mr Chay said the TPID was “uniquely equipped” to stabilize high-performance activities with “meaningful group relationship”.

To confirm this, there needs to be a” apparent approach that prioritises availability and multi-use functionality”, he added. &nbsp,

” Authorities should schedule events like community sports days, pastime swimming times, or even fitness seminars that invite people to use the facilities frequently,” they write.

Oon Jin Teik, the former chief executive officer of Singapore Sports Hub, praised the TPID’s included nature and combination of services.

He noted that it has a father that he attributed to “take a signal” from: Our Tampines Hub ( OTH).

The former federal diver said OTH, which opened in 2017, has been “highly powerful” in terms of community engagement. &nbsp,

The center also has a 5, 000-seat facility, a sports house, and swimming pools, as well as life and food and beverage options like a library, stall center, and retail stores. &nbsp,

For TPID, useful steps can be taken to ensure that society needs are met, Mr Oon suggested.

For example, in the domestic house with badminton courts, seats may be compact and foldable and used only during events.

” So that they don’t build continuous votes in white rhinoceros places,” he said. &nbsp,

” The neighborhood wants to ‘ play’- no view- due to the shortage of interior halls for badminton” .&nbsp,

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Is Southeast Asia becoming a dumping ground for Chinese goods? As exports flow in, the stakes get higher

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Southeast Asia is firmly in the forefront of China’s trade efforts, which analysts predict will only grow as the West’s growing geopolitical tensions and Trump 2.0 administration in the United States drag on.

This will make the benefits and drawbacks for the area more obvious, according to observers, which highlights the growing needed for nations to integrate a reaction to Beijing as they try to balance the scales. &nbsp,

Consumers in South Asian countries gain from the variety and relative accessibility of Chinese products on the one hand. But on the other hand, local sectors face an extremely fraught environment.

Local businesses are seeing eroding profit margins, plant closures, and widespread job losses, according to Doris Liew, an economist and assistant research manager at the Malaysian think tank the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs ( IDEAS ).

” Southeast Asia is grappling with the negative effects of China’s trade abundance, a problem that extends far beyond the region.

Analysts say the key is whether South Asian states can work together to navigate the landscape, especially given their varying stages of development and varying needs, as some South Asian states are considering countermeasures like anti-dumping tariffs. &nbsp,

” The reality is that the consequences are wildly diverse for specific industries … a single cross-region or even cross-industry result is so unlikely”, Diana Choyleva, chief analyst at Enodo Economics, told CNA.

Blasting UP THE EXPORT ENGINES

China’s import website has been operating at full capacity as its local market struggles with a sluggish property market and weak consumer demand. Exports make up around 20 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product ( GDP ).

Exports in 2024 grew 7.1 per cent year-on-year to 25.45 trillion yuan ( US$ 3.47 trillion ), exceeding 25 trillion yuan for the first time, according to China customs data released on Monday ( Jan 13 ). &nbsp,

” China consolidated its position as the world’s largest buying state in products”, said Wang Lingjun, assistant head of the General Administration of Customs, at a press conference on Monday.

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