Thursday, May 1, 2025
26.6 C
Singapore
Home Blog Page 2585

Malaysian model Natasha Hudson criticised for her outfit

0

Natasha Hudson, a Malaysian model, actress and TV host received serious backlash recently for wearing an off-shoulder outfit that netizens disapproved. But the 38-year-old Malay-Australian beauty is not tolerating the criticism.

The dress only looked to be shoulder-baring, thanks to a sheer layer of skin-coloured fabric designed by Rizman Ruzaini. Speaking to Kosmo! Online, Hudson said that netizens need to be mature when expressing opinions online.

“I must say, people will never stop talking about those of us in showbusiness.

“I merely followed what the organisers suggested but I wouldn’t dare wear an outfit that exposes my shoulder.

“The exposed part is lined with fabric,” she said.

The celebrity was attending the launch of beauty product Crystal C White yesterday. Hudson and Keith Foo are ambassadors of the beauty product line. Hudson told Astro Gempak, “What’s wrong with this outfit? There’s fabric, don’t be fooled by the colour — it’s actually covered”.

Natasha Hudson is not affected by online criticism. Picture: YouTube

Hudson continued saying that she knows her limits as a Muslim woman and is not affected by the online criticism.

“There was a team of stylists at the event — there’s a theme and they know what to do.

“This isn’t a Mamak stall launch, this is a beauty launch but people can say what they want,” Hudson said.

The Ipoh-born celebrity took to Instagram Stories to share photos from the launch, but netizens condemned her outfit.

Other than the top of the dress’s exposed shoulder, the outfit’s bottom slit showing Hudson’s calves did not sit well with some netizens.

The public appearance of the mother of three was a big deal for many fans and observers following her shocking divorce from her fourth husband Noor Nashriq Sekarnor in October 2019.

The couple were married on December 7, 2018, two months after divorcing her third husband Carleed Khaza. Her marriage with Khaza lasted six years.

Hudson and Khaza have two daughters Naeema Kalila and Faatimah.

She also has a daughter, Neesa Helena, with Datuk Shahrin Zahari whom she wed in 2007 and divorced two years later.

Hudson’s first marriage was to Mohd Faiz Mohd Raiz in 2006 which lasted for four months.

Jack Ma not captured or missing, likely laying low in Hangzhou

Reports speculating on Alibaba founder Jack Ma’s whereabouts were appeased after CNBC anchor finance journalist David Farber reported on Tuesday (Jan 5) that the Chinese billionaire was not missing, as confirmed by a person familiar with the matter.

Media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and Yahoo Finance reported earlier this week that Ma had not made any public appearance since Oct 24, 2020, where he spoke at a Shanghai forum. Ma’s speech included critical comments on China’s financial regulations.

He had said that the country’s regulatory system was hindering innovation and needed reforms that push growth, reported The Japan Times. “There are no systemic financial risks in China because there’s no system in China,” Ma was quoted as saying.

His comments escalated quickly, leading to a thorough review of fintech firm Ant Group, another business founded by Ma.

Two days before its listing in Nov 2020, the Shanghai Stock Exchange suspended Ant Group’s $37 billion IPO. On the same day, Ant Group also pulled the plug on its Hong Kong listing willingly.

Regulators in China had also summoned and interviewed Ma and two Ant Group executives, said the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

Ma was scheduled to make a public appearance in the November finale of “Africa’s Business Heroes,” a television show Ma created to give promising African entrepreneurs a chance to win $1.5 million as capital for a business.

Faber said on CNBC that Ma “may not have shown up, but he’s not missing. He hasn’t been captured, he hasn’t been taken, this is not a Chairman Wu situation,” referencing the Anbang Insurance chairman sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2018.

According to Faber, Ma is “very likely” to be in Hangzhou, the location of Alibaba’s headquarters.

After news confirming his probable whereabouts, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA) experienced a leap in traded shares on Tuesday, reported thestreet.com. Alibaba’s U.S.-listed shares rose 5.5 per cent over the Tuesday session and closed at $240.40 each.

Read related: Jack Ma: ebullient billionaire and totem of China’s rise

Jack Ma: ebullient billionaire and totem of China’s rise

Ex-MP returns to volunteering at mentor K. Shanmugam’s Meet-the-People sessions

Ex-People’s Action Party (PAP) MP Amrin Amin has returned to volunteering at his mentor, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam’s Meet-the-People sessions, after he was ousted from Parliament in the 2020 general election.

Mr Amrin was first elected in 2015 and rose to become a Parliamentary Secretary during his first term. In his bid for a second term in Parliament, Mr Amrin was moved from his Sembawang GRC homeground to the new Sengkang GRC which was anchored by then-Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Ng Chee Meng.

Then-Senior Minister of State Lam Pin Min and a fresh face rounded out the four member team which went head to head with a young team from the Workers’ Party (WP). Only one person in the opposition team had ever contested an election before then – the remaining three were totally new to politics.

In a historic upset, the WP won Sengkang GRC with over 52 per cent of votes. Mr Amrin, Mr Ng and Mr Lam were all denied the chance to return to Parliament as a result of the stunning outcome.

Mr Amrin and his teammates remain active as PAP branch chairmen in Sengkang – a privilege that is only extended to losing ruling party candidates.

On top of his grassroots work at Sengkang, Mr Amrin revealed on Tuesday (5 Jan) that he has joined his Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam’s MPS as an appeal letter writer.

Revealing that he started helping the veteran ruling party politician at his MPS nearly two decades ago, Mr Amrin shared on Facebook: “Tonight I start my volunteering journey as an appeal letter writer at Chong Pang Meet-the-People (MPS).

“It’s a full circle. 18 years ago I started helping Minister K Shanmugam Sc as an appeal letter writer at Chong Pang MPS. I’m back – with the same heart and zeal, this time older and a little rounder. I look forward to serving you and I wish you a fulfilling 2021.”

Ex-MP Amrin Amin congratulates Jo Teo for controlling COVID-19 spread in dorms

Amrin Amin set to join two tech firms after being unseated from Parliament

Amrin Amin jokes about “involuntary” retirement with Goh Chok Tong

We were right: Much like Mahathir, Goh Chok Tong does plan to live till 93

Now retired, and talking about his health, Goh Chok Tong indicated that he plans to try to live till at least 93 years of age, much like his Malaysian counterpart Dr Mahathir Mohammad.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday (Jan 6), the former Emeritus Senior Minister wrote about the former chairman of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Mahmud Awang who died on Monday (Jan 4) at the age of 93.

Mr Mahmud was a founding member of NTUC, serving as caretaker president and the union’s first chairman.

Mr Goh wrote: “I always made it a point to say hello to him (Mr Mahmud) whenever I saw him at NTUC’s May Day celebrations”.

“When asked how he kept so slim and fit, he explained he “curi makan”. He meant eating sparingly, even for food which he liked”, Mr Goh added.

“From now on, I will have to “curi makan” to increase my odds of living till 93 like him”, Mr Goh quipped.

Age and health have always been popular topics amongst Mr Goh’s Facebook posts.

“Need to stay fit and healthy for the next Leap Year. By then, I would be an octogenarian”, wrote then-Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong in a Facebook post on leap year day last year, in March.

Making a reference to his Malaysian counterpart Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister, in a previous Facebook post remarked that “It is a privilege for a septuagenarian to be able to enjoy nature and the simple pleasures of life, unlike nonagenarian Mahathir”.

Commenting again on his age, he said that he declined handshakes during an early morning walk at East Coast Park and Marine Parade Estate.

ESM wrote: “But no hand-shakes please. Need to stay fit and healthy for the next Leap Year”.

Read related: ESM Goh looks forward to becoming an octogenarian

Similarly in 2018, Mr Goh’s Facebook post caused Singaporeans to express their desire to see the former head of government stand against the ruling party in the next election, the same way Malaysian leader Dr Mahathir left his party to unite the opposition across the causeway and topple the government.

This, after ESM Goh posted photos from his 77th birthday bash. Sharing a photo with veteran politician Dr Tan Cheng Bock who attended his exclusive party, Goh alluded to Mahathir’s stunning election victory and said: “Age is just a number, as Mahathir has proven. But it is family and friends who make that number light, meaningful and memorable. Thanks, all my friends out there.”

Breaking the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition’s six-decade long monopoly, Dr Mahathir beat his one-time protégé Najib Razak and became the world’s oldest head of government in May 2018. /TISG

Also read: Singaporeans clamor for Goh Chok Tong and Tan Cheng Bock to join forces and ‘do a Mahathir’

Song Hye Kyo will be starring in new drama by Descendants of the Sun screenwriter

0

It has been two years since Song Hye Kyo starred in a drama. 2018’s Encounter was the 39-year-old’s last drama. Her upcoming drama will be Song’s first acting project after her high-profile divorce from Song Joong Ki last year.

After acting in the 2015’s series Descendants of the Sun, they started dating and then got married in 2017. However, the marriage was short-lived and the couple filed for divorce less than two years later.

There is no other information about Song’s upcoming drama except that famous scriptwriter Kim Eun Sook and director Ahn Gil Ho will be helming the project. Eun Sook is responsible for some of Korea’s hottest dramas including Descendants of the Sun, Goblin and Mr.Sunshine. As for Gil Ho, his portfolio includes Memories of the Alhambra and Record of Youth. 

It has been two years since Song Hye Kyo appeared in a drama. Picture: Instagram

What everyone is most curious about is the identity of the actor who will be starring opposite Song in the upcoming drama. Eun Sook is known for working with actors she has cast before.

With that in mind, netizens speculate the possible candidates are Gong Yoo and Lee Jong Suk. So Ji Sub and Won Bin are also part of the netizens’ wishlist although these actors have never worked with the writer before.

Netizens also pointed out that actors might be “hesitant” to work with the actress so soon after her divorce because they fear public attention will be focused on how she gets along with the leading actor.

One netizen wrote: “She’s admitted to dating at least two other co-stars, Hyun Bin and Lee Byung Hun in the past. Whoever working with her is definitely going to be caught up in relationship rumours.”

Another added, “It’s one thing to work with a great producer and scriptwriter, but having to deal with all the negative press that’s surrounding [Hye Kyo] after her divorce means that even an A-lister with a good reputation might end up getting dragged down by her.”

Migrant worker files lawsuit against employer and dorm operator for locking him in room with 19 others

0

A migrant worker filed a claim against his former employer and dormitory operator for locking him and 19 others in a dormitory room for three days.

In a press release on Tuesday (Jan 5) by TRANSIENT WORKERS COUNT TOO (TWC2), Rahman Mohammad Hasibur said: “Between 19 and 21 April, my roommates and I were confined in our dormitory room against our will”.

Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), an NGO which focuses on migrant worker issues, related the incident on Apr 21, 2020, after one of the workers came forward asking them for help.

He added that on Dec 29 2020, he filed and served a civil claim against his former employer, V. Spec Engineering & Supplies Pte Ltd, and the dormitory operator, Joylicious Management Pte Ltd for damages.

The workers were allegedly locked into the room after a worker they had close contact with tested positive for Covid-19.

Those who wanted to go to the toilet or shower had to call security guards to unlock the door and the guards would take up to 30 minutes to attend to such requests.

According to media reports, the dorm manager said in 2020 that it had been necessary to confine the workers while more suitable accommodations were being prepared. They added that there were two Bangladeshi workers among the group who requested to use the toilet every half hour.

Furthermore, the dormitory manager explained that it would have needed to ensure that the toilet was cleared of other dormitory occupants before allowing access by workers from this group, as they were close contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 case.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) had issued a stern warning to the dorm operator.

MOM’s investigations had confirmed that the operator had confined the workers in their room on April 20, to prevent them from moving around after a close contact of the workers was tested positive for Covid-19. /TISG

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West reportedly getting a divorce

0

It is reported that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are over. Several insiders told media outlet Page Six that “divorce is imminent” for the celebrity couple and that Kardashian hired divorce attorney, Laura Wasser.

“They are keeping it low-key but they are done,” says a source. “Kim has hired Laura Wasser and they are in settlement talks.”

The 40-year-old reality star has not been seen wearing her wedding ring while West, 43 stayed at his USD14 million (SGD18 million) Wyoming ranch during the holidays instead of spending it with the Kardashian family who suffered backlash for their lavish celebrations.

“Kim got Kanye to go up there [Wyoming] so they could live separate lives and quietly get things sorted out to separate and divorce. She’s done,” the source continued.

According to the source, Kim has done a lot in the past to protect and help West to deal with his mental health problems.

“Now this divorce is happening because Kim has grown up a lot.

“She is serious about taking the bar exam and becoming a lawyer, she is serious about her prison reform campaign. Meanwhile, Kanye is talking about running for president and saying other crazy s–t, and she’s just had enough of it.”

Meanwhile, a separate source says West, who became increasingly uncomfortable and irritated by the Kardashians’ over-the-top reality star lives, “Is completely over the entire family … He wants nothing to do with them,” adding he eventually found their reality show “unbearable.”

West tweeted in July, “I been trying to get divorced since Kim met with Meek at the Warldolf [sic] for ‘prison reform,” seems to refer to a criminal justice summit attended by Kardashian and rapper Meek Mill in November 2018.

The rapper called momager and mother-in-law Kris Jenner “Kris Jong-Un” and claimed that the Kardashians were trying to force him into psychiatric treatment. West reluctantly showed up for Kardashian’s over the top USD1 million (SGD1.3 million) plus 40th birthday in Tahiti last October just for a day.

“He showed up late and left early, he wouldn’t appear in any of their Instagram shots. All he did was bring over the hologram of her father Robert Kardashian, then got out of there as fast as he could,” the source added.

In addition, the biggest sticking point in the Kimye divorce settlement talks could be over their Calabasas, California, family home, which underwent a total redesign masterminded by Kanye and was heralded by Architectural Digest as “an oasis of purity and light.”

The all-white, minimalist home cost USD40 million (SGD52 million). It was designed by Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt. USD20 million (SGD26 million) was spent on refurbishments.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. Picture: Instagram

The source said, “Kim is trying to get Kanye to turn over the Calabasas house to her because that’s where the kids are based and growing up. That is their home.”

Explaining, “She owns all the land and adjoining lots around the house but Kanye owns the actual house. They’ve both put a lot of money into renovating it.”

The source added of the advanced settlement talks, “This isn’t the first time they’ve been talking about a split, but this time it is way, way more serious.”

It is believed that divorce settlement talks were ongoing but they were not yet at the point of deciding how their properties would be divided. This is not the first time that Kardashian got a divorce. It would be her third divorce. Previously, she hired Wasser for her divorce from basketball player Kris Humphries. Wasser’s clients included Angelina Jolie, Britney Spears and Johnny Depp.

West and Kardashian tied the knot in 2014 in an extravagant ceremony in Italy. They share four children, daughter North, 7, son Saint, 5, daughter Chicago, who turns 3 next week, and son Psalm, 19 months. Reps for both West and Kardashian did not immediately comment.

Gigi Hadid shares adorable shot of daughter

0

Model Gigi Hadid recently shared another adorable sneak peek of her baby girl with fans on Tuesday.

Hadid welcomed her baby daughter in September last year and she uploaded a snap on Instagram showing the baby’s finger curled around her pinkie. She captioned the post ‘My girl!’ in the cute shot that showed her daughter wearing an animal print romper as the mother and daughter bond at home.

The baby’s name has not been revealed yet. Both Hadid and her baby daddy Zayn Malik spent some family time during their daughter’s first Christmas and New Years.

Last week, the runway star reminisced about her pregnancy with photos requested by some of her 62.1 million followers.

She shared a smizing throwback selfie at the request of a fan who asked for a snap from ‘when you found out you were pregnant,’ to which she clarified: ‘it was this day but I don’t think I knew yet.’

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik share an intimate moment. Picture: Instagram

The model sent fans into a frenzy when she shared a kissing snapshot with beau Malik, 27 which was taken on April 3. The couple confirmed Hadid’s pregnancy in April and they welcomed their first child in late September. Hadid announced the news on Instagram, saying: ‘Our girl joined us earth-side this weekend and she’s already changed our world. So in love.’

And the former One Direction star took to Twitter to say his newborn daughter is ‘healthy and beautiful’, and he feels ‘proud’ to call her his child.

He wrote: “Our baby girl is here, healthy & beautiful to try put into words how i am feeling right now would be an impossible task. The love i feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding. Grateful to know her, proud to call her mine, & thankful for the life we will have together x (sic)”

Hadid has been in an on-off relationship with Malik since late 2015, most recently rekindling their romance in November 2019.

Hadid and her growing family recently enjoyed Christmas at mom Yolanda’s Pennsylvania farm, where sister Bella, 24, brother Anwar, 21, and his girlfriend Dua Lipa, 25, were also in attendance.

The whole family came together, as dad Mohamed, 72, made Christmas breakfast with ingredients supplied by mom Yolanda, 56, from her garden.

CPF Retirement Accounts: 440,000 eligible for matching top-ups of up to S$600 annually

Singapore — A new scheme which kicks off this year will deem 440,000 people eligible to receive matching amounts of up to S$600 annually for cash top-ups made to their Central Provident Fund (CPF) Retirement Accounts (RA).

The CPF Board announced in a media release on Wednesday (Jan 6) that a total of 440,000 Singaporeans aged 55 to 70 are eligible for the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS).

This is a new savings scheme announced last year to help senior Singaporeans who have yet to have the current Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) build their CPF retirement savings for higher monthly payouts in retirement.

The scheme will kick off this year and is scheduled to run for five years for a start, said the board.

“Under MRSS, the Government will match every dollar of cash top-ups made to the RA of eligible members up to an annual cap of S$600, which can amount to S$3,000 over five years.”

To qualify for the MRSS, the CPF members must have less than the prevailing BRS amount which is S$93,000 for 2021. Furthermore, the member’s average monthly income should not exceed S$4,000 while their annual value of residence should not exceed S$13,000. This covers all Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. The scheme is also limited to those who own not more than one property.

About 53 per cent of CPF members are eligible for the grant, said the board. Qualified members need not apply for MRSS as eligibility is assessed automatically annually based on data on record.

Eligible members will receive a notification from the board at the beginning of each year  for confirmation.

The members or anyone else, including family members or employers, can perform the necessary cash top-ups.

“You can choose to top-up in small amounts (e.g. S$50 per month) or at a go. The matching grant of up to S$600 for a given year will be automatically credited into your RA at the beginning of the following year,” said the board.

“If an eligible senior who is age 55 in 2021 with S$40,000 in his CPF RA were to top up S$600 each year for five years, he would receive S$3,000 from himself and another S$3,000 from the Government,” said the board in an example.

“Coupled with the attractive CPF interest rates of up to 6% per annum, he would have accumulated an additional S$8,300 in his CPF RA by age 65, and this will translate into S$45 more in CPF monthly payouts for life.” /TISG

Read related: Senior citizen unable to use MediSave to pay for colonoscopy bill due to CPF withdrawal limit

Senior citizen unable to use MediSave to pay for colonoscopy bill due to CPF withdrawal limit

18-year-old found dead at bottom of building in One Raffles Place

Singapore — An 18-year-old youth was found dead outside One Raffles Place on Tuesday night (Jan 5).

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the case at about 9.30 pm that day, according to mothership.sg.

The youth was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic.

In a channelnewsasia.com report, a witness said he was heading to Raffles Place MRT Station when he saw an SCDF ambulance and several police officers in the area.

“That’s when myself and a few others saw the body on the ground,” said the passer-by. He added that the police later cordoned off the area to prevent people gathering at the scene.

Police have classified the case as an unnatural death. Investigations are ongoing.

There are two towers at the address — one of 62 storeys and the other of 38 storeys.

According to CNA, the youth was a guest at Synergyinthesky’s 1-Altitude, a rooftop bar in the 62-storey building. The company confirmed that it is committed to the safety and security of its patrons and staff. It is working closely with the authorities during their  investigations.

The management of One Raffles Place also noted cooperation with the police and relevant authorities with regard to the incident. /TISG

Read related: Netizens troubled at lapses that led to security guard’s death at One Raffles Place

Netizens troubled at lapses that led to security guard’s death at One Raffles Place