Daily roundup: No plans to 'fully liberalise' cross-border ride-hail services, says LTA — and other top stories today, Singapore News
1. No plans to 'fully liberalise' cross-border ride-hail services: LTA
There are no plans to fully liberalise ride-hailing services between Singapore and Johor Bahru, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has said on Sunday (Aug 3)…» READ MORE
2. Tanjong Katong sinkhole: President Tharman thanks migrant workers for saving driver who fell in
Amidst the National Day festivities at the Istana open house, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam met with the seven migrant workers who helped to save the woman who fell into the Tanjong Katong sinkhole on July 26... » READ MORE
3. Bro-code before go-mode: Meet the duo leading NDP 2025
The world celebrates International Day of Friendship on July 30, a United Nations-recognised occasion that celebrates the power of friendships (across cultures, backgrounds and borders) to spark connection, build understanding, and make the world a better place... » READ MORE
4. 'We loved without regret': Sora Ma remembers late husband following son's first birthday celebration
Amidst celebrations for her son Skye's first birthday, Malaysian actress Sora Ma, 41, posted a heartfelt message remembering her late husband, who died when she was pregnant with Skye... » READ MORE
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AsiaOne
24 minutes ago
- AsiaOne
'Did you have to go this far?' Malaysia's TV3 slammed after Bella Astillah made to present award to actress in ex-husband's scandal
Malaysian broadcaster TV3 and entertainment programme Melodi are under fire after the audience witnessed a messy turn of events during their award show Anugerah Melodi Terhangat 2025 (2025 Melodi Hottest Awards) on Aug 3. Singer-actress Bella Astillah, 31, was on stage to present the award for Hottest Female Celebrity alongside her boyfriend, 32-year-old politician Syed Saddiq. When the former unfolded the result slip, there was a long pause as she laughed awkwardly. "This one... I know this one very well," she remarked. The winner? Actress Sophia Albarakbah, whom Bella had publicly called out in 2023 for allegedly flirting with her husband at the time, Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz. Bella handed Sophia the award without a glance and swiftly turned to walk away, and angry netizens flooded the comments section of Melodi's Instagram posts. [embed] "I'm boycotting TV3 and Melodi. Definitely won't see the show again after this," said one netizen. "You must've thought it was funny right? You were bored and there was nothing else to make a controversy out of. Don't be so childish... Did you have to go this far?" another questioned. Netizens also went on X to express their distaste towards what happened under the award show's hashtag. One remarked: "Just looking for cheap publicity. Shame on you." Others expressed their sympathy for Bella, whom they felt had looked anxious and uncomfortable. Bella also reportedly did not attend a scheduled interview with the media after the event. Sophia and Bella's assistant speaks out Regarding netizens who believed they saw tension between the two women on stage, Sophia, 32, reportedly said she didn't take the comments to heart. She added she didn't feel like she was being mocked by Bella, reported NST. "Maybe it was just her way of saying it, because she does know me. It was her delivery, that's all." Meanwhile, Bella's assistant Niel Rafeq spoke out in support of her. "Only her closest friends know what she did to Bella back then. That was not Bella's [usual] way of handing an award but perhaps it happened that way because the person gave her trauma. She was shaking because she's traumatised," he said in an Instagram Story. Aliff, now 34, and Bella got married in 2016 and split in 2019 but reconciled the following year. They have two children. In 2023, Sophia and Aliff were co-stars in the drama Ku Akad Kau Dengan Bismillah. Back then, Bella alleged that Sophia flirted with Aliff and would call him up to eight times a day. She also revealed text messages between herself and Sophia and claimed that the latter apologised for "accidentally falling in love" with Aliff. Aliff would later have a publicised scandal with his Terjerat co-star Ruhainies in 2024, leading to his second divorce from Bella in June the same year. [[nid:720945]] syarifahsn@
Independent Singapore
2 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
LTA clears the air on cross-border e-hailing: Only licensed taxis, not Grab-style services
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) has clarified that it has no intention of fully liberalising cross-border ride-hailing services between Singapore and Malaysia, dispelling speculation raised in recent Malaysian media reports. The authority's statement on Aug 3, reported by Channel News Asia (CNA), follows discussions held between Singapore and Malaysian officials on Aug 1 regarding cross-border transport arrangements. While the possibility of enabling e-hailing platforms to operate across the Causeway was raised during the bilateral meeting, the LTA confirmed that no decision has been made. 'While we are open to ideas to improve the cross-border commuting experience, we would like to clarify that LTA has no plan to fully liberalise cross-border point-to-point transport via ride-hail services,' the authority said in its statement. Licensed taxis to remain the backbone of cross-border services Instead of extending services to ride-hailing giants like Grab, Singapore is focusing on improving existing cross-border taxi arrangements. Under the current scheme, up to 200 licensed taxis from each side are permitted to ferry passengers between Singapore and Johor Bahru. However, these taxis are only allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at one designated point in the other country, Ban San Street Terminal for Malaysian taxis and Larkin Sentral for Singapore taxis. LTA noted that the full quota of cross-border taxis is not currently being maximised, and it is encouraging full take-up to better meet commuter demand. In tandem, it is considering expanding the number of boarding and alighting points in both countries, as well as integrating ride-hailing platforms for booking these licensed taxi services. These steps, according to LTA, are aimed at enhancing convenience without upending the regulated framework that protects the interests of local taxi and private hire drivers. Johor's proposal for on-demand transport not yet agreed upon Reports in Malaysia, including The Malay Mail , suggested that Johor and Singapore were considering the launch of a cross-border e-hailing service. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi stated that such a service could provide more flexible transport options and help ease congestion, as quoted by CNA . However, the LTA made it clear that any changes to the cross-border point-to-point transport regime would require mutual agreement between both governments; the existing taxi scheme operates on a reciprocal basis, and no decision has been made with finality for now. Read related: Johor and Singapore explore cross-border e-hailing to ease congestion Open for future discussions Despite this stance, however, LTA's openness to using ride-hailing apps for licensed taxis and to revisiting this discussion shows a pragmatic middle ground: embracing technology without dismantling the structure of the existing scheme. In short, Grab-style cross-border rides remain off the table for now, but slow and measured changes to improve convenience are on the horizon. This would be possible as long as they fit within a regulated and reciprocal framework. Read also: Singapore to review Malaysia's request to start cross-border buses earlier
Vogue Singapore
3 hours ago
- Vogue Singapore
Stylish red outfits to add to a cool girl's rotation
With the changing of the seasons, comes a new appetite and appreciation for colour. Fashion fiends should know this all too well, with hues of butter yellow and pristine whites finding their way into our vacation wardrobes and Pinterest pins. In this effervescent summer, no colour is considered too bold or audacious; in fact, the brighter the better. As a fiery red so aptly conveys. And whilst welcomed in other parts of the world, red outfits are commonly recognised in Asian cultures as a colour that represents auspicious blessings and prosperity. The downside to that is being too quick to write the hue off as something enforced upon us or worse, chalking it to a gaudy aesthetic. However, justice is long owed to the colour red. In fact there are plenty of ways where it can elevate your everyday outfit. Think of it as striking, quirky and even a shouty allure of cool. Take inspiration from the recent street style snaps from the fashion shows, where attendees made an entrance by donning on a siren red by way of colour-blocking or in the form of an accessory. The options? Limitless once you choose to embrace it. Below, heed these styling tips via these red outfits, that will certainly come in handy with the current spring/summer 2025 offerings and not forgetting, just in time for National Day. @marissalepps_ 1 / 12 The power of layering A little peek-a-boo, if the weather allows for it. If not, opt for thin fabrics that allow for another colour to shine through. After all, you can never go wrong with a white shirt beneath. Acielle/StyleDuMonde 2 / 12 The power of layering Courtesy of Good Addition 4 / 12 Prints, prints, prints A surefire way to add character and pizzazz sans the effort. Whether it's the trending gingham or sporty stripes on a casual day, simply choose your favourite aesthetic of the moment. Phil Oh 5 / 12 Prints, prints, prints @himichellli 7 / 12 Don't shy away from (fun!) colour-blocking Red and any sort of neutral might feel the most natural when it comes to pairing your separates, but going against the grain with an unexpected hue? Dopamine dressing at its best. Phil Oh 8 / 12 Don't shy away from (fun!) colour-blocking Getty 9 / 12 Don't shy away from (fun!) colour-blocking Phil Oh 10 / 12 Let accessories do the talking If you're not ready for a full-on colour switch just yet, start small with accessories. The aforementioned rules can too apply, so pick out a statement piece that calls out to you—by way of a top handle or even a sleek necktie. @beckybonnie 11 / 12 Let accessories do the talking
