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Kristen Stewart and Dylan Meyer tie the knot in a simple wedding

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AMERICA: There is a new video showing Kristen Stewart saying her vows to wife Dylan Meyer at their casual wedding in LA’s hip Silver Lake neighbourhood, as reported by Daily Mail. In the video, the Twilight star, 35 is seen marrying Meyer, 37 at a Mexican eatery, Casita del Campo, on Sunday in a personal and laid-back affair.

Photo: Instagram/Dylan Meyer

Photos show the newlyweds seal the wedding with a kiss in front of loved ones with two adorable ‘Mrs.’ mugs serving as ceremony decor. They put their own unique, edgy spin on traditional wedding attire for their big day.

Casual attire

So, for their wedding, Dylan went with a kind of breezy look – a sheer top with a light taupe skirt that seemed to float. Kristen, on the other hand, kept it really chill in a matching light taupe outfit and just a simple white t-shirt. Even though she’s totally used to being in the spotlight, it was actually kind of sweet to see Kristen get a little endearingly nervous as she read her vows from a piece of paper.

There was this really heartfelt moment when she was speaking, and she had a little bit of trouble adjusting her microphone, which made everyone chuckle and kind of lightened the really sweet mood. And then, in this quiet little moment of affection, Kristen reached out and held onto Dylan’s hand.

Touching vows

Dylan’s vows clearly moved Kristen, who also had her own vows written down. Loved ones gathered around the duo and gave them some space as they watched the ceremony unfold with their phones capturing the moment.

Word is, Kristen was really set on having Guy Fieri from the Food Network officiate their wedding. He said he would have happily done the honours.

Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives did not perform the task but eventually the person who ended up officiating did a good job, utilising a prop clock at one point.

Met back in 2013

TMZ is reporting that Kristen and Dylan got their marriage licence in Los Angeles last Tuesday. Funny enough, they actually met way back in 2013 on a film set, but they didn’t actually get together as a couple until August 2019.

So, after Kristen and the model Stella Maxwell broke up – they were together on and off since 2016 – Kristen started dating Dylan.

The Los Angeles Times mentioned that Kristen and Dylan got back in contact after seeing each other at a party hosted by a mutual friend. They found they had a lot in common because they both grew up in LA.

Engagement

Back in the summer of 2021, people started wondering if Kristen and Dylan were engaged because they were seen wearing rings on that finger. So, in an interview with Howard Stern last November, Kristen announced that she and Dylan were engaged. After that, Kristen, who used to date Robert Pattinson, often shared little updates about the wedding preparations.

People magazine reported last year that Kristen Stewart, the actress from Twilight, had kind of shifted her thinking and was leaning towards a less showy wedding than she initially wanted. They said her preferences had ‘changed’ as time went on.

It looks like her decision to have a small, cosy wedding on Sunday worked out just right, especially since she didn’t want a big, fancy celebration anyway.

Starting a family

In February 2024, Kristen told Rolling Stone that she and Dylan were planning to get married pretty soon and were also thinking about having kids.

She admitted she’s not sure what her future family would look like, but she’s absolutely determined to have children. She clarified that her ideal scenario is to reach a point soon where she consciously decides, “I want to have a kid. I really hope that happens.”

The actress mentioned that she and Dylan had talked about the possibility of using embryos created with their own donated genetic material.

The Loves Lies Bleeding star also added that while she isn’t afraid of being pregnant or raising a child, the idea of giving birth absolutely terrifies her.

Becoming colleagues

Over the past few years, the couple have expanded their relationship to become colleagues too. Apparently, Kristen and Dylan kicked off filming for a movie called The Wrong Girls in February. It’s supposed to be a stoner comedy. This movie is a big deal because it’s the very first full-length film Dylan has directed. What’s even cooler is that she and Kristen co-wrote it, and it stars some big names like Seth Rogen, Alia Shawkat, LaKeith Stanfield, and Kumail Nanjiani.

Kristen also took a shot at directing her own movie, a full-length film called The Chronology Of Water, which she filmed last year.

There’s buzz that it might get added to the Cannes Film Festival lineup at the last minute. If it does get picked, it sounds like it won’t be competing for the top awards if it’s selected later this week.

Faisal Manap to lead WP team at Tampines GRC; Pritam Singh, Sylvia Lim to contest again at Aljunied

SINGAPORE: On Nomination Day (Apr 23), in a surprise turn, it was revealed that Workers’ Party (WP) vice-chair Faisal Manap would lead the team to contest at Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC). With him are the party’s new faces Michael Thng, Jimmy Tan Khim Teck, Ong Lue Ping, and Eileen Chong Pei Shan.

Mr Manap has represented Aljunied GRC in Parliament since 2011. His teammates, while new to the political arena, have created positive buzz online and come with impressive credentials. Mr Thng, a chief operating officer at a tech start-up, has a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School; Mr Tan, who is WP chief Pritam Singh’s Legislative Assistant, is a business owner; Dr Ong was the director of allied health from 2022 to 2024 at Institute of Mental Health; and Ms Chong is a former diplomat who served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more than six years.

Observers are saying that the WP has chosen to field candidates at Tampines as their chances are stronger there. However, it appears that there will be a four-corner fight at Tampines, with the National Solidarity Party and the People’s Power Party also fielding candidates.

The incumbent People’s Action Party (PAP) slate will be led by Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng, Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon, as well as newcomers Nanyang Technological University professor Charlene Chen, and former chief of army  David Neo comprise the rest of the ruling party’s team.

Earlier today, the WP potential candidates were seen proceeding to the nomination hall at Kong Hwa School in two separate groups.

Mr Singh and party chair Sylvia Lim will be contesting again at Aljunied GRC. They have both been representing in Parliament since 2011. With them on the slate are incumbent Aljunied MP Gerald Giam, newcomer Kenneth Tiong, the party’s current coordinator for Serangoon, and former Marine Parade candidate Fadli Fawzi.

The PAP team at Aljunied is made up of Chan Hui Yuh, Faisal Abdul Aziz, Adrian Ang,  Daniel Liu, Jagathishwaran Rajo.

As for Hougang SMC, which the WP has held since 1991, incumbent Dennis Tan will face a challenge mounted by new PAP candidate Marshall Lim.

There had been some speculation that Mr Singh, Singapore’s first official Leader of the Opposition, would be fielded elsewhere for the May 3 polls. While the public has clamoured for the WP to expand its reach, it appears that the opposition party will continue to contest in the northeast and eastern parts of Singapore. Last week, as he introduced the new WP candidates, he confirmed that the party would be contesting less than one-third of parliamentary seats. /TISG

Read also: WP introduces 4 more candidates for GE 2025; former IMH director makes the biggest splash

GE2025: PSP A-team reunite to take on West Coast-Jurong West GRC

SINGAPORE: Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chair Tan Cheng Bock, secretary-general Leong Mun Wai, and vice-chair Hazel Poa have reunited to contest West Coast-Jurong West Group Representation Constitueny (GRC), alongside two new faces.

The PSP team was successfully nominated on Wednesday (23 Apr) to contest the ward, which it nearly won in the 2020 general election, with 48.32% of the votes. The high vote share led to Ms Poa and Mr Leong joining Parliament under the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme.

The PSP team is set to face off against three incumbents and two new People’s Action Party (PAP) candidates. The anchor minister for the ruling party team is Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, who will be accompanied by ex-West Coast MP Ang Wei Neng and former Jurong GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Shawn Huang.

This contest will likely be Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s last electoral race. The 85-year-old told the press earlier this week that if he is elected, he will serve as a mentor, guiding his young team to efficiently manage their constituency.

Speaking with CNA, Dr Tan said his team has planned for who will be in charge of specific matters, such as the town council, if they are elected. He also reiterated his desire to train and promote the younger generation of leaders within his party as best as possible.

When asked what had kept him going all this while, he told CNA, “I think it’s the love for the country.”

He added that looking back on his political career, he sees that it has been a fruitful one. He said, “For me, this is a rewarding journey. Every election brings me new things, new ways of managing affairs and engaging with the public, and meeting new faces. It is truly a very valuable experience.”

One-on-one fight between Shanmugam and RDU A-team confirmed at Nee Soon GRC

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SINGAPORE: There will be no multi-party fights at Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC), with the Red Dot United (RDU) succeeding in keeping the contest with the ruling party a one-on-one battle, after facing interest from other political parties.

RDU has fielded its A-team to the five-member ward, including party chief Ravi Philemon, chairman David Foo, Syed Alwi Ahmad, Pang Heng Chuan, and Sharon Lin. Four of the five candidates are members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the party’s highest decision-making body.

The opposition party is set to face off against a team led by Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam. Mr Shanmugam is the only known face in the team. He will be joined by four political rookies, Goh Hanyan, Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Jackson Lam, and Lee Hui Ying, after three members of his incumbent team chose to retire prior to the polls.

The makeup of the ruling party team for Nee Soon GRC has reignited longstanding criticisms of the GRC system—a system that many believe allows fresh faces to “ride coattails” into Parliament by being bundled into teams led by heavyweight ministers.

Critics argue that the GRC system—introduced to ensure minority representation in Parliament—has evolved into a mechanism that benefits the ruling party disproportionately. Political newcomers gain a significant electoral advantage by joining a GRC team anchored by a high-profile minister like Mr Shanmugam.

This perceived structural imbalance has led to accusations that the system discourages true electoral competition and limits voter choice.

Some critics argue that voters in a GRC may want to support an experienced incumbent like Mr Shanmugam but may be less confident about endorsing unknown candidates on the same slate, yet they are forced to vote for the entire team as a package.

The RDU, meanwhile, has said that Nee Soon is very important and that it has “fought very hard for the right to go into a one-on-one contest with the PAP.”

Nee Soon GRC was initially facing the possibility of a three-cornered fight, with the People’s Power Party (PPP) also showing interest, until PPP ceded the ward to RDU.

Party chief and Nee Soon GRC candidate Ravi Philemon said, “Why did we fight so hard? Because the message we carry in Nee Soon will be central to the fight we bring in all the constituencies we will contest in.

“We need to restore dignity to our people. We need to ensure that Singapore is a country in which the value of fairness is entrenched. This is about the people. That is what this contest is about.”

GE2025: Heng Swee Keat, Teo Chee Hean retire from politics on Nomination Day

SINGAPORE: Ministers Heng Swee Keat and Teo Chee Hean announced their retirement from politics on Wednesday (April 23) even as their names appeared on the Elections Department’s list of approved candidates and others filed nomination papers.

Mr Heng, who was once tipped to become Singapore’s fourth prime minister, arrived at the nomination centre at Yusof Ishak Secondary School, but his name was not found on nomination papers for the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) East Coast GRC team.

In a Facebook post published shortly after nominations closed, Mr Heng said, “I’ve decided not to run in the upcoming election as I believe now is the right time to make way for a new team of capable individuals who are well-placed to serve Singapore.”

Looking back on what led him to join politics, he said: “I was asked to stand for elections on a few occasions – the first time in my 30s. I declined. I felt that I could make meaningful contributions as a civil servant. Around the late 2000s, after the Global Financial Crisis, both then-SM Goh Chok Tong and then-MM Lee Kuan Yew had long sessions with me, and spurred my entry into politics in 2011.

“They convinced me that there were changes I could effect as a politician that I could not as a civil servant, and winning public support for doing the right things for Singapore was critical. This is why I agreed to enter politics, and why I continued to serve after my stroke 9 years ago, in 2016. Not many get the opportunity to have a second chance at life, much less the chance to spend it so meaningfully, to serve my fellow Singaporeans.”

Asserting that he had been privileged to hold the roles he had in government, Mr Heng added, “I hope that I have made a difference for Singapore and Singaporeans.”

Referring to his decision to step down as then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s successor after the 2020 general election, Mr Heng said, “It was in this spirit that I decided to step aside as leader of the PAP’s 4G team four years ago, so that a younger person with a longer runway could lead the country. I am glad that PM Lawrence Wong has taken up the mantle.”

Calling on his former East Coast GRC constituents to support the PAP team comprising Minister of Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, Tan Kiat How, Jessica Tan, Hazlina Abdul Halim and Dinesh Vasu Dash, he echoed the ruling party’s claim that this election is being held during a turbulent time.

He wrote, “Amid these turbulent times, we will need a strong leader to navigate the choppy waters ahead. I believe Lawrence Wong will continue to lead with conviction, and I hope Singaporeans will give him a strong mandate to lead Singapore through this turbulent time.”

Meanwhile, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean was also not fielded as part of the PAP slate at the last minute. He was spotted at a gathering point with the PAP’s Punggol team but did not enter the nomination centre.

Earlier, Mr Teo had confirmed that he would not recontest Pasir Ris-Changi GRC but did not expressly say that he was retiring.

He had said, “I will not be standing for re-election in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC. I will continue to support PM Lawrence Wong for GE, and remain available to contribute to his team wherever and in whatever way PM Lawrence Wong feels I can best serve.”

There was speculation that the Senior Minister could be placed in another ward in a surprise move before it became clear today that he is indeed retiring.

After 10 years, PAP wins a seat by walkover as WP declines to pursue Marine Parade

SINGAPORE: The People’s Action Party (PSP) has won Marine Parade-Braddell Heights by walkover, after no opposition party contested the ward on Nomination Day (April 23). This marks the first time in 10 years that a ward has gone uncontested.

The last time the PAP won a constituency by walkover was in the 2011 general election, when Tanjong Pagar GRC was uncontested. Since then, in both the 2015 and 2020 general elections, all seats have been contested and all voters across Singapore were given a choice at the ballot box.

The walkover has been a huge surprise to opposition supporters, especially considering the Workers’ Party (WP) team that contested the ward garnered an impressive 42.26 per cent of the vote against the PAP’s 57.74 per cent in the COVID election.

Earlier, the party had said that it is looking to contest the wards it has consistently walked over the years – this presumably included Marine Parade, in the minds of observers and voters. Key party figures have also been vocal against walkovers – party chair Sylvia Lim said in the past that she joined the WP due to distress over the number of uncontested seats and walkover victories in the 2001 general election.

The WP has since said that it made the “very difficult decision” not to contest the redrawn Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC so as to focus its best efforts on a smaller number of constituencies.

Party chief Pritam Singh said on Facebook: “As a small opposition party, we are constantly faced with difficult choices about where and how best to deploy our limited resources, particularly after electoral boundaries are redrawn.

“After much reflection and careful consideration, we have determined that in order to continue fighting for the principles and changes we all believe in, and to give our candidates the best chance of electoral success, the party must focus its best efforts this GE on a smaller number of constituencies than we would have hoped to contest.”

The decision, however, has sparked criticism against Mr Singh’s strategy of avoiding negotiations with other political parties. Earlier this month, Mr Singh said that his party would not take part in discussions with other opposition parties to avoid multi-cornered contests.

He said, “Elections are an open system and multi-cornered battles are to be expected. Some political parties will negotiate to avoid multi-cornered battles, but the Workers’ Party will not participate.”

This position is consistent with the WP’s long-held practice of avoiding collaborating with other opposition parties. The party has typically been absent from past opposition unity meets and horse-trading talks ahead of previous polls.

Some observers, however, are asking if this strategy has set the opposition cause back. Had the WP been open to discussing its plans with the other political parties, would another party have stepped up to offer Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC voters a choice?

Ultimately, the losers of this decision have been the voters at Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC who will have to wait another five years to contribute to nation-building through their vote.

WP contesting at East Coast and Punggol, with ex-NCMP Yee Jenn Jong and Harpreet Singh among candidates

SINGAPORE: The Workers’ Party teams confirmed that they will be contesting in East Coast GRC and Punggol GRC for the May 3 election.

On the East Coast, the WP slate is led by former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Yee Jenn Jong. He had contested at Yoo Chiat SMC in 2011 and narrowly lost against the People’s Action Party’s Charles Chong, receiving 48.99% of the vote. In 2015 and 2020, he was part of the WP slate at Marine Parade GRC.

A 15-year journey with The Workers’ Party. #stepup into East Coast GRC, where the new boundaries contain my homes for my whole life and where my schools are at. Glad to be home. Vote Workers’ Party. #workingforsingapore,” wrote Mr Yee on Facebook on April 23.

This year, he is joined by Nathaniel Koh, who also contested under the WP at Marine Parade GRC in 2020, as well as new candidates Jasper Kuan, who works in the finance sector; Sufyan Mikhail Putra, a lawyer; and Paris V Parameswari, a former US Navy Security Administrator who resigned to participate in the election.

The ruling party’s East Coast slate this year is made up of Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jessica Tan Soon Neo, and newcomers Hazlina Abdul Halim and Dinesh Vasu Dash.

In a surprise announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said early on Wednesday afternoon (April 23) in a Facebook post that he will not be contesting in this year’s election. Mr Heng had helmed the PAP team at East Coast GRC in 2020, which almost lost to the WP.

“I would like to let you know that I will not be standing in this election…. I’ve decided not to run in the upcoming election as I believe now is the right time to make way for a new team of capable individuals who are well-placed to serve Singapore,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, at Punggol GRC, the WP is fielding an all-newbie team made up of Harpreet Singh, Alia Mattar, Alexis Dang, and Jackson Au.

Mr Singh, arguably the biggest catch of this year’s elections, is a Senior Counsel with the Supreme Court of Singapore. He started volunteering with the WP during the COVID-19 pandemic and became a member of the party in 2024.

As for the other WP candidates, Ms Alia is a former legal counsel with the Monetary Authority of Singapore; Ms Dang works in the tech sector, where she leads a team of business development professionals; and Mr Au works in strategic communications.

They are up against the PAP team anchored by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, together with Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State Sun Xueling, and Pasir Ris–Punggol MP Yeo Wan Ling, the nomination papers say. /TISG

Read also: ‘Where’s the East Coast plan?’ Some Singaporeans wonder as GE draws near

West to East, East to West: PAP fields Gan Kim Yong at Punggol GRC and Tan See Leng at CCK GRC

SINGAPORE: In a surprise move the People’s Action Party (PAP) pulled off on Nomination Day, Ministers Gan Kim Yong and Tan See Leng have been moved from the constituencies they fronted in the last term of Parliament.

Dr Tan, who was expected to contest Marine Parade GRC, arrived at the nomination centre for Chua Chu Kang GRC, Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and Bukit Gombak SMC in a motorcade.

Reporters on the ground were expecting to see Chua Chu Kang GRC incumbent Gan Kim Yong at the nomination centre, but the Deputy Prime Minister was spotted instead at the Yusof Ishak Secondary School nomination centre for Punggol and East Coast GRCs.

Mr Gan was later confirmed as part of the PAP’s slate for Punggol GRC, alongside Janil Puthucheary, Sun Xueling and Yeo Wan Ling. His team will go up against a Workers’ Party (WP) team comprising four new faces: Harpreet Singh Nehal SC, Alia Mattar, Alexis Dang, and Jackson Au.

Dr Tan has been confirmed as the anchor minister for Chua Chu Kang GRC, leading a team comprising Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Jeffrey Siow and Choo Pei Ling. He will face off against a Progress Singapore Party (PSP) team featuring A’bas Kasmani, Wendy Low, S Nallakaruppan and Lawrence Pek.

Observers remain curious as to whether the eastward shift for Mr Gan and the westward shift for Dr Tan will pay off. Dr Tan was widely recognised as former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong’s replacement in Marine Parade GRC when he entered politics during the last election.

Mr Gan, meanwhile, had been the incumbent at Choa Chu Kang for close to 20 years, since 2006.

GE2025: Changes in venue and fixtures for football competition, OCBC Cycle goes virtual

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SINGAPORE: The 2025 general election in Singapore has cast a ripple effect on several sporting events. The Singapore Premier League (SPL) has changed competition venues and dates while the OCBC Cycle organisers have altered the format for this year’s edition.

Singapore will go to the polls on Saturday, May 3, in a quick run-up after Nomination Day  (April 23). This year’s election will see the return of physical election rallies. The last physical election rallies were in 2015, as there were campaign restrictions in the previous election in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the elections, political parties usually hold their political rallies at various designated locations, which may include ActiveSG stadiums such as those located in Jurong East, Jurong West, Woodlands, Bishan, Bukit Gombak, and Clementi.

In a statement on April 17, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said that the Our Tampines Hub (OTH) will serve as the central venue for all SPL matches scheduled from April 24 to May 4.

“This arrangement is due to the upcoming General Election 2025 and potential closures of selected ActiveSG facilities, including stadiums that are typically used for SPL fixtures.

The move to OTH will ensure the smooth continuation of the 2024/25 SPL season, which is scheduled to conclude with the Singapore Cup final on May 31,” explained FAS on their website.

A Singapore Premier League match between Young Lions and Brunei DPMM. (Photo: Facebook screegrab / yglions)

Eight SPL matches will have their fixtures moved to OTH during this period, while three other matches have been rescheduled for after the general election. The Singapore Cup semifinal first leg match between Brunei DPMM and Lion City Sailors, slated for April 22, is now rescheduled for May 21.

The three SPL matches that are rescheduled are Tanjong Pagar United vs Young Lions (new date May 7), Tanjong Pagar United vs Hougang United (May 13), and Young Lions vs Geylang International (May 14). The venue for these matches remains the same.

With all the changes to the various football competitions in Singapore, FAS, in their statement, added that they appreciate the understanding of local football fans and stakeholders during the general election period and thank them for their continued support.

“Fans are encouraged to refer to the official SPL and FAS social media platforms for the latest updates,” added FAS.

With Choa Chu Kang Stadium potentially being used as an election rally site, FAS has also decided to postpone all Women’s Premier League, the non-professional Singapore Football League and SPL U21 fixtures during this period until after the general election.

The Women’s Premier League fixtures last weekend proceeded as planned, at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, with the rescheduled matches expected to be held later in the year between June and August.

Virtual format for 2020 OCBC Cycle

The annual OCBC Cycle was originally slated to take place on the weekend of Polling Day, on May 3 and 4. The event would see participants cycling through the Singapore Sports Hub, Stadium Drive, and Nicoll Highway.

However, after thorough discussions with various stakeholders and an assessment of available resources, the organisers decided to convert the event to a virtual format for its 17th edition.

“OCBC Cycle 2025 will be converted to a pure virtual ride format. Given the scale of our event, massive security resources are required for the event’s road closures to ensure the security and safety of all event participants and other road users. During the weekend of 3 and 4 May 2025, such resources will be limited,” said OCBC Cycle on their social media on April 17.

The organisers explained that all registered participants of the mass and existing virtual rides will receive full refunds. Those who have registered participants for the mass ride category will have theirs converted to join the respective virtual rides at no cost.

More than 6,200 cyclists took part in Singapore’s largest road cycling event in-person, with over 1,000 participants in the inaugural Foldie Ride by Brompton. (Photo credit: OCBC Cycle 2024)

Last year, OCBC Cycle saw the participation of nearly 7,000 cyclists across 10 categories, with 1,000 cyclists taking part in The Foldie Ride by Brompton (40 km).

In a media release earlier in the month prior to the changes in the race format, OCBC Cycle mentioned that they are expecting more than 7,000 participants for Singapore’s largest mass cycling event.

Thousands are expected to participate across a range of ride categories, including the new OCBC Cycle Speedway Open Championships on 3 May, the ever-popular Sportive, The Straits Times Ride and expanded Foldie Ride by Brompton on 4 May,” said OCBC Cycle in a media release dated April 11.

With the change of format to the 2025 OCBC Cycle, participants are encouraged to ride safely at their own time from May 3 to June 2, and a finisher medal will be mailed to them upon verification of completion.

“We appreciate your understanding and support as we adapt to these circumstances. More information can be found on the OCBC Cycle event website,” stated the organisers in their social media posting.

GE2025: Three-cornered fight confirmed in Sembawang GRC, NSP refuses to withdraw at last second

SINGAPORE: A multi-party contest has been confirmed for Sembawang GRC, despite the desire from some opposition voters that the National Solidarity Party (NSP) would choose, at the nth hour, to stay out of the fray.

At the Chongfu School nomination centre, three teams were put up on the board: the People’s Action Party (PAP), the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), and NSP.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung is leading a team of five, comprising three incumbent MPs and two new faces. The incumbents, aside from Mr Ong, are Marian Jaafar and Vikram Nair while the new candidates are Gabriel Lam and Ng Shi Xuan.

The SDP team contesting the ward include party vice-chairman Bryan Lim and other longtime members James Gomez, Surayah Akbar, Damanhuri Abas and Alfred Tan.

The NSP slate is led by party chief Spencer Ng and includes Raiyian Chia, Verina Ong, Lee Wei and Yadzeth Hairis.

While NSP was the party that contested Sembawang GRC in the past two election cycles, the party has faced widespread calls to step back from the ward in the latest polls after the SDP announced its Northern Strategy following the release of the latest electoral boundaries.

The SDP contested the ward in the 2006 and 2011 elections and dubbed the return to the constituency as a homecoming, with the party chief contesting neighbouring Sembawang West SMC.

The NSP, however, has been resolute in staying at Sembawang. When the SDP offered NSP to take over its stake in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC in exchange for Sembawang GRC, NSP chief Mr Ng controversially likened the proposal to the “exchanging of wives.”

Commenting on the potential three-way contest earlier this week, Dr Chee had said, “It’s not so much of who stands where, but where you stand. You make sure that it’s not like tissue paper, you put on the table and ‘chope’ … It’s formulating our message to the voters.”