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BigBang Singapore concert ticket sales see queue numbers exceed 300,000 on first day
Ticket sales for BigBang’s highly anticipated Singapore concert kicked off at 12pm on Tuesday (Aug 11), with virtual queue numbers surging past 300,000 as of writing.
A fan of the K-pop group shared a screenshot of her queue number with CNA Lifestyle, showing the sheer demand for tickets to the upcoming show.
Checks by CNA Lifestyle across social media platforms and various fan groups found that some fans are reporting queue numbers exceeding 500,000.
Tuesday’s ticket sale is limited to fans who hold an official VIP membership on the B.stage platform and have completed a survey to participate in the session.
However, some fans have stated that they joined the queue without fulfilling these requirements, potentially inflating these figures.
At about 12.14pm, Ticketmaster informed those in line that there were no more VIP Ultimate packages for the presale and that additional tickets for the package would be made available during the general sale.
Tickets for Tuesday’s presale session officially sold out at around 3.30pm.
More tickets will be made available this week.
Tickets for BigBang’s XX: Cosmos concert in Singapore are priced between S$158 and S$498. The K-pop group, comprising G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung, will perform at the National Stadium on Oct 17. -
Complacency is the hidden risk in Singapore’s success
SINGAPORE: In recent weeks, I have heard the spectre of complacency as a threat to Singapore’s future raised numerous times. Yet, if Singaporeans can come across as complacent, it might be hard to blame us.
Singapore might very well be a victim of its own success. Decades of peace and prosperity have accustomed us to a country that functions well, raising expectations that the country will naturally avoid any major disruption afflicting the rest of the world, or that the government will fix any problems that come our way.
Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing has highlighted complacency as a major concern in a number of separate forums recently.
The latest was at a conference on Aug 3 where Mr Chan, who is also Coordinating Minister for Public Services, warned that complacency could dull Singapore’s ability to respond to emerging threats and navigate an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape. -
Inclusive playground opens in Tampines, featuring Singapore’s first slide for wheelchair users
SINGAPORE: A slide designed with wheelchair users in mind – the first of its kind in Singapore – is among the inclusive features of a new playground at Sun Plaza Park in Tampines.
The Magical Bridge Playground, opened by the National Parks Board (NParks) on Wednesday (Jun 17), offers wheelchair-accessible equipment, barrier-free routes, as well as amenities for people with autism.
It is open to visitors of all ages and abilities.
Wheelchair users, aided by their caregivers, will start their play at the top of the slide. When they reach the bottom, there is a flat bench-style landing platform.
This allows them to move to the side while waiting for their caregiver to attend to them or for their wheelchair to reach them. It also allows other people to use the slide in the meantime.
The Magical Bridge Foundation deals with innovative and inclusive playground designs, with 14 such playgrounds around the world.
The playground at Sun Plaza Park is its first collaboration with NParks and its second project in Singapore. The first is located near the front lawn of the National Museum of Singapore. -
Yua Mikami Lands Endorsement Deal with Major Brand—It’s Actually International Giant MD88!
Entertainment and gaming circles were hit with a massive bombshell today! “Global Otaku Goddess” Yua Mikami, whose every move has been in the spotlight since announcing her retirement, officially revealed her first major venture post-retirement: she has signed a major endorsement deal to become the new brand ambassador for MD88, an internationally renowned online gaming platform. The announcement immediately blew up across social media platforms, sparking fiery discussions site-wide.
Transitioning from an iconic screen star into an independent international brand spokesperson, Mikami’s striking evolution has stunned fans and industry insiders alike. In the officially released promotional photos, she sheds her past innocence, radiating an aura of mature elegance and executive confidence—a perfect match for MD88’s stance as an international industry leader.
At MD88, taking your winnings from a big win to your bank account takes as little as two minutes. Here, every moment luck strikes becomes reality in an instant.
This is more than just a gaming experience—it’s an opportunity to transform your life.
Everyone has to take that leap for their dreams, and MD88 is that leap. -
New orchid park, family-friendly facilities proposed as part of expanded Istana Park
SINGAPORE: A park and plaza dedicated to native orchids as well as a nature playgarden are among the features proposed for the expanded Istana Park, the National Parks Board (NParks) said on Wednesday (Aug 12).
To retain the redeveloped Istana Park’s ceremonial significance as the entryway to the Istana, a new ceremonial driveway is also being explored, along with indoor attractions such as galleries.
Speaking during an event where plans for the refreshed Istana Park were unveiled, Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan said a key part of the government’s plans involves rejuvenating the Dhoby Ghaut sub-precinct, with a rejuvenated Istana Park as its core.
“This area will be the green heart of our rejuvenated Orchard Road – greener, more vibrant and more welcoming for families,” he added.
NParks said it is also studying the feasibility of an elevated link bridge connecting Dhoby Ghaut Green to Fort Canning Park to provide better access to other attractions in the area.
It was previously announced that Istana Park would be transformed into a new park more than three times its current size after merging with the existing Dhoby Ghaut Green and Penang Road Open Space, along with the 500m stretch of Orchard Road between Buyong Road and Handy Road.
“The significantly larger space will allow for a refresh of the area with new attractions and offerings, which could include more family-friendly features, greenery and flexible spaces for activities and programmes,” NParks said in a media release on Wednesday.
The rejuvenated Istana Park will also strengthen the connection to the Istana entrance while improving integration with the surrounding commercial developments within the sub-precinct, it added.
More details on the timeline for the Istana Park and Dhoby Ghaut developments will be shared when ready, NParks said. -
Why Singapore’s fuel supply holds steady but not prices, and when cost pressures may ease
SINGAPORE: Not enough — that has been a refrain of cabbies, private-hire vehicle drivers and school bus operators since the government stepped in to provide financial support to them because of rising fuel costs.
A one-off S$200 (US$157) cash payout has been given out from the end of last month to private-hire and taxi drivers. But it “doesn’t go a very long way”, said private-hire driver Norman Then, 38.
“The S$200 probably offsets only a month or even less of a driver’s overall fuel cost increase.”
Even with taxi and ride-hailing companies offering fuel discounts of around 30 per cent or more, costs have still risen.
“The discounts don’t shield you from the overall cost increase,” he said. “If the cost goes up for everybody, so does it for us.”
“All the bus vendors … are suffering,” said the 53-year-old. “We can (add) a surcharge, but the thing is, (if we do so), some parents will maybe withdraw (their children). … So the bus will not (be) fully occupied.”
Lee, who runs a company with 60 school bus drivers transporting about 2,000 students daily, said some operators may need a business loan to sustain their running costs.
He called for further support, such as waivers of the foreign worker levy, parking and Electronic Road Pricing charges and diesel taxes. If not, he warned, some smaller operators may have no choice but to quit “because they can’t survive”. -
Two swimmers to receive S$10,000 scholarship each under new Joseph Schooling award
SINGAPORE: Two swimmers will each receive a S$10,000 (US$7,800) scholarship over two years as part of a new award named after Singapore’s only Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling.
They will be the first scholarship recipients under the new initiative, which aims to support and inspire the next generation of Singapore’s aquatics community.
An initial S$200,000 fund has been established, reflecting the 20 per cent contribution that Schooling made to Singapore Aquatics from his S$1 million reward under the Major Games Award Programme for winning the 100m butterfly Olympic gold in 2016.
“Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have thought about having an award like this. But now, this victory gets more and more special to me each time,” said 31-year-old Schooling at an event on Wednesday (Aug 12) commemorating the 10th anniversary of his triumph.
“I need to leave a legacy which I can be proud of, and SAQ (Singapore Aquatics) shares the same vision.”
Singapore Aquatics said separately in a press release that the programme aims to extend its reach and empower even more athletes to pursue their ambitions through continued fundraising.
“Schooling’s journey was defined by resilience, purpose and bravery, traits which were established from the age of eight when his dream of becoming an Olympic champion first took root. -
Yua Mikami visit Kuala Lumpur for secret show
Malaysian fans have gone into complete overdrive over the past couple of days! Netizens have been flooding social media platforms with “wild encounters,” sharing photos of spontaneous run-ins with Japanese megastar Yua Mikami across famous Kuala Lumpur landmarks and local street food stalls. The former global “Otaku Goddess” popped up on the streets of Malaysia without warning. Down-to-earth and approachable, her signature magnetic eyes and sweet smile instantly captured the hearts of passersby, igniting a massive fan frenzy across the local internet.
According to photos and videos uploaded by fans, Mikami has spent the past few days not only checking off famous sights like the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC), but also unpretentiously digging into local culinary specialties—enjoying everything from Nasi Lemak to Roti Canai with utter delight. Fans lucky enough to snap a photo with her thrilled, sharing: “She has flawless skin in person and is incredibly gentle—completely free of any diva attitude!”
Just as the entire internet was buzzing with speculation over the purpose of the star’s visit to Malaysia, the “mystery backer” behind the trip has finally surfaced. Reports confirm that Yua Mikami’s high-profile Malaysian tour is exclusively and fully sponsored by international online casino giant MD88! This marks the explosive first phase of their deep collaboration following her official appointment as MD88’s brand ambassador.
As a top-tier platform renowned for its stellar reputation in the industry, MD88’s lavish sponsorship of the star’s Southeast Asian tour not only demonstrates its massive brand strength, but also successfully propels the platform’s hype to new heights through this down-to-earth, highly buzzworthy approach. Industry analysts note that Mikami’s healthy, stylish, and naturally approachable image perfectly aligns with MD88’s brand philosophy of delivering exceptional user experience and premium service.
With her Malaysian tour continuing to draw widespread media coverage, official sources at MD88 revealed that Mikami will participate in even more exciting, exclusive crossover projects with the platform in the coming days. This powerful alliance between a global icon and a premier entertainment platform is undoubtedly set to become the most captivating storyline in Southeast Asia’s entertainment scene this year.