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  • Yua Mikami Lands Endorsement Deal with Major Brand—It’s Actually International Giant MD88!

    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

    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

    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

    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.