NewsLite

In this Hell, instead of flames and heat, it's all LED screens and "funky" getups.

AsiaOne spoke to local actor Zhang Zetong recently about his experiences filming the upcoming drama Perfectly Imperfect.

The 32-year-old portrays one of the series' main characters Lu Yiming, a filial son who works with his father Lu Chenggong (Wang Yuqing) as livestreamers selling milk powder for the elderly.

After a close shave with death, he briefly visits the underworld and thereafter, gains the ability to see ghosts, reuniting with his dead crush Lau Jingjing (He Yingying). Yiming tries to get back together with her in what becomes an eccentric human-ghost relationship.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver his National Day Rally speech from 6.45pm onwards on Sunday (Aug 17) at the Institute of Technical Education College Central in Ang Mo Kio.

Keeping with tradition, he will speak first in Malay, followed by Mandarin. His English speech will begin at 8pm, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement on Monday (Aug 11).

The rally will be broadcast on local TV channels and radio stations, and will also be live streamed on the YouTube channels of PM Wong and PMO .

During his maiden National Day Rally last year, he spoke on housing enhancements for couples, singles and aged, announced additional shared parental leave , provided support for retrenched workers , spoke on the Kallang Alive Masterplan and said that the Gifted Education Programme will be revamped .

Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today.

1. 'I felt I would die if I closed my eyes': Ada Choi's husband Max Zhang recall suffering heart attack in April

Hong Kong actress Ada Choi's husband Max Zhang revealed he had a close brush with death this April.

The 51-year-old Chinese martial arts actor is a participant in the latest season of Chinese singing reality show Call Me By Fire, and he revealed his condition to Korean-American singer-actor Lee Seung-hyun in a video released on Aug 9... » READ MORE

Hong Kong actress Ada Choi's husband Max Zhang revealed he had a close brush with death this April.

The 51-year-old Chinese martial arts actor is a participant in the latest season of Chinese singing reality show Call Me By Fire, and he revealed his condition to Korean-American singer-actor Lee Seung-hyun in a video released on Aug 9.

"I almost died in April. I was on vacation on April 17 when it happened suddenly. I felt [my chest] hurt, had difficulties breathing and broke out in cold sweat," he shared.

Max added at that point in time, Ada was queuing to board a tour boat and was about 10 metres away from him.

Over 53,000 retail workers can expect an increase in wages effective Sept 1, the Tripartite Cluster for Retail (TCR) announced on Monday (Aug 11).

The new set of progressive wage model (PWM) recommendations for the retail sector includes an increase of at least $130.

The PWM was first introduced in 2022.

From Sept 1, retail workers will earn at least the entry-level PWM wage of $2,305, up from the existing wage of $2,175.

Two Chinese government vessels collided while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat in the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Monday (Aug 11).

The Philippine Coast Guard also released four footages, including one showing the two vessels colliding behind its patrol boat.

A coast guard spokesperson said the incident occurred near the contested Scarborough Shoal as the Philippine patrol boat was carrying out an operation to assist some 35 Filipino fishing vessels.

"During the operation, Philippine vessels and fishermen encountered hazardous manoeuvres and blocking actions from other vessels in the vicinity," said PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela.

TAIPEI — Taiwan's cabinet is still negotiating for more favourable tariff rates after US President Donald Trump imposed a 20 per cent levy on the island, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun said on Monday (Aug 11).

"Taiwan's goal is to seek a better and more reasonable tariff rate from the US", Cheng told a news briefing, adding that negotiations with the US were continuing, and that officials were prepared to report to Taiwan's parliament on their progress.

Cheng said Taiwan was hoping to continue its tariff negotiations concurrent with a US national security probe, which is being conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

Taiwan has the sixth-largest trade deficit with the US, with 90 per cent of that from semiconductors, as well as telecommunications and other tech products.

A man suffered a swollen ankle and has been unable to walk unaided after he was hit by an active mobility device allegedly travelling at "high speed" along a walkway in Ang Mo Kio.

The victim, Tony Tan, told AsiaOne that the incident occurred under Block 232 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 at about 1pm on July 31.

The 61-year-old private swimming coach said he had been walking under the block and towards the car park when a Personal Mobility Aid (PMA) ridden by a couple heading towards the bus stop struck his left leg, causing it to bleed and swell.

After the impact, Tan claimed the couple "showed no concern for my well-being".

Tom Holland has admitted putting on his Spider-Man suit "feels different this time".

The 29-year-old actor is set to appear in his fourth Spider-Man movie — Spider-Man: Brand New Day — which started filming in Glasgow. Scotland earlier this month and Tom has confessed he's feeling really positive about the shoot so far.

In a video posted on social media, he explained: "I feel good, man. It's day one, my fourth ever day one on Spider-Man.

"You know, it's funny, putting the suit on, it feels different this time, somehow. It's also the first time we've ever had fans on set for day one, so it's really exciting to share this with them."

BYD launched its newest model in Singapore, the Atto 2 electric compact SUV, at an event held at Zouk on Aug 5, and the choice of location is an indication of the type of customers it envisions the Atto 2 will attract.

BYD says that the Atto 2 is aimed at youthful urban drivers looking for an easy-to-drive city runabout, and the car's compact dimensions and tight turning circle of just 5.25 metres makes it ideal for manoeuvring around dense CBD traffic or tight HDB carparks.

Despite its small size however, the Atto 2 offers a relatively spacious interior, and a decent 380 litres worth of boot space to accommodate everyday necessities. It also comes generously equipped, with standard features that include ventilated front seats, a wireless smartphone charger, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and the rotating central infotainment touchscreen that is now a BYD trademark.

Power comes from a single electric motor that produces 134hp and 290Nm of torque, allowing the car to sit comfortably in COE Category A and further boosting its price-competitiveness. The 51.13kWh battery offers a range of 345km, which, while not class-leading, should be more than adequate for urban use in Singapore. BYD also adds that the battery can be fully charged using a DC fast charger in just 1.2 hours.