What people are saying

LITTLE People's Isabel Roloff has sweetly called her sister-in-law Audrey’s daughter "precious" on Instagram despite their ongoing family feud. The 25-year-old's social media olive branch comes two weeks after her 25th birthday was snubbed by her in-laws on Instagram and fans told her she "deserves better". Despite the tensions, Isabel reached out to her sister-in-law under her latest Instagram post, which featured adorable shots of her three-year-old daughter Ember collecting eggs from their barn. The star simply penned: "Precious" alongside a loveheart emoji. Audrey responded to the comment by liking it along with 19 of her followers. All of this family love and reuniting comes after much conflict among the siblings. Jacob , 23, and Isabel have not been seeing eye-to-eye with his brother Jeremy , 30, and his Christian blogger wife Audrey , 28, over their differing political views. The Little People, Big World star's wife was ignored on her 25th … [Read more...] about Little People star Isabel Roloff sweetly calls sister-in-law Audrey’s daughter ‘precious’ despite family feud

Mumbai: Southern actress Pranitha Subhash will soon make her Bollywood debut in "Bhuj: The Pride of India", and will also be seen in "Hungama 2". She says the film industry is full of diverse content, adding that she will continue looking for stories that offer variety. "I think today Bollywood has space for everyone, with different genres and stories -- either on OTT or theatres. Apart from that it's not a space where you get stereotyped anymore. You can choose what you want, there are multiple types of movies. Things have diversified so much, so I am just looking for diversity and variety in my work," Pranitha told IANS. The actress has worked in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil films, and she also runs an NGO in Bangalore, was recently awarded under Times 40 Under 40 list for her contribution as a social entrepreneur. The actress served 75,000 meals in 21 days during the lockdown. What inspires her social work? "My parents are doctors and they have been doing a lot of work for … [Read more...] about ‘Bhuj’ debutante Pranitha Subhash says Bollywood has space for everyone

(CNN) Since the debut of The New York Times documentary "Framing Britney Spears" last month, there has been renewed interest in the singer's court-ordered conservatorship and calls for her father, Jamie Spears, to step aside as co-conservator. Through his attorney Vivian Lee Thoreen, Jamie Spears said he, too, wishes the conservatorship could come to an end. "[Jamie] would love nothing more than to see Britney not need a conservatorship," Thoreen told CNN on Friday. "Whether or not there is an end to the conservatorship really depends on Britney. If she wants to end her conservatorship, she can file a petition to end it." "Jamie is not suggesting that he is the perfect dad or that he would receive any 'Father of the Year' award. Like any parent, he doesn't always see eye-to-eye on what Britney may want. But Jamie believes every single decision he has made has been in her best interest," Thoreen added. CNN has reached out to representatives for Spears, who had no … [Read more...] about Britney Spears’ father says he would ‘love nothing more than to see Britney not need a conservatorship’

A 1% pay rise for NHS workers is "the most" the government can afford due to the economic cost of the COVID crisis, a health minister has told Sky News. The government is facing a furious backlash - led by the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer - after calling for health care staff in England to be restricted to a pay rise of 1%. Live COVID updates from the UK and across the world But Nadine Dorries said it "would be wrong to say a single person in the government does not appreciate the effort" of NHS staff, as she defended the decision not to recommend a larger pay increase. "Of course, we recognise the sacrifice and the commitment and the vocation of nurses and all health workers over the past year," the minister said. Advertisement "We've all been touched by, or personally experienced, help by NHS workers. "But I think it is important to note that the priority of the government has been about protecting people's livelihoods, about … [Read more...] about COVID-19: 1% pay rise for NHS staff ‘the most’ the government can afford, says minister Nadine Dorries

SINGAPORE: Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry S Iswaran has said the government is fully committed to contain the social impact of gambling. He said there's an ongoing review of the regulatory framework and social safeguards for non-casino gambling, including gambling via online channels. This will include studying carefully developments in other countries like the United States and the United Kingdom before drawing up the framework. Mr Iswaran was addressing concerns raised by MPs as Parliament debated the amendments to the Casino Control Bill on Friday. One key amendment is the introduction of new social safeguards in the form of a visit limit to the two casinos in Singapore. Mr Iswaran said Singapore already has one of the world's most extensive social safeguards regime. It will continue to stay vigilant and ensure that vulnerable segments of society continue to be protected from the harms of gambling. He said the value proposition of the … [Read more...] about Government fully committed to contain social impact of gambling, says Iswaran

SINGAPORE: Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Grace Fu has said that the loan of the two giant pandas to Singapore is a gesture of goodwill from the Chinese, which serves to enhance the friendly ties between the people of both countries. In a reply to a question by Nominated MP Faizah Jamal, Ms Fu told parliament that the loan is a fitting symbol which underscores the longstanding close relationship between Singapore and China. During China's President Hu Jintao's state visit to Singapore in 2009, he and then-President S R Nathan had welcomed an agreement reached by both sides to collaborate on the Joint Cooperative Research (JCR) on the giant pandas. The JCR is a joint collaboration to promote giant panda conservation and raise public awareness of conservation through the joint implementation of a giant panda breeding research programme. The last time Singapore received giant pandas from China was in 1990 for 100 days, when diplomatic relations were first established. … [Read more...] about Loan of pandas a gesture of goodwill from China, says Grace Fu

SINGAPORE: The recent increase in Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates along the Central Expressway and East Coast Parkway is a result of a "routine adjustment" in response to traffic conditions. Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament on Thursday this would not lead to a reduction in road tax. He explained ERP rates are adjusted generally by a dollar when traffic speeds fall outside the optimal range of 45 to 65 kilometres per hour. ERP was raised on the soundbound CTE after Braddell Road (from 7.30am to 8am) and the westbound ECP (from 8.30am to 9am) as traffic speeds were below optimal. MP for Nee Soon GRC Lee Bee Wah asked if the increase in ERP would mean a reduction in road tax, as the ministry has maintained that ERP is meant to manage congestion, not raise revenue. Mr Lui pointed out that there has been more ERP decreases over the past two years than increases, and the ERP rate along CTE between 7.30am to 9.30am has actually gone down, overall. Ms Lee … [Read more...] about No road tax reduction for recent ERP hikes, says Transport Minister Lui

SINGAPORE: A community approach is needed to strengthen social cohesion and help new immigrants integrate with Singapore society. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Grace Fu, said all members of society, including student leaders, employers and community leaders, must do their part. Ms Fu told Parliament on Monday that the work of the National Integration Council is a long-term one. It is therefore too early to conclude if government efforts to integrate new immigrants have been successful. The council implements a three-step approach to integrating new immigrants. The first focuses on functional integration. This helps immigrants understand social norms and the expectations of Singaporeans. The second helps them establish social networks, whether at the community level or in schools. And the third builds on mutual trust. Ms Fu said: "It's a deeper level of understanding and emotional attachment to their new country and their new place of residence." She … [Read more...] about Community approach key to strengthen social cohesion, says Grace Fu

SINGAPORE: Senior Minister of State for Education Lawrence Wong said citizens should brace themselves for more difficult times amid an unsettled external environment. Speaking at the National Day Dinner for the West Coast constituency, he added though that Singaporeans can be confident if everyone works together as one united team. Mr Wong is part of a new committee tasked with taking a fresh look at the country's policies. He said the government is doing all it can to make lives better for citizens such as engaging Singaporeans, listening to feedback, helping the vulnerable and improving infrastructure. Mr Wong said: "We will continue to update our policies to serve all Singaporeans, continue to work for the people to make sure our policy benefits every citizen, and increasing living standards not just for today but for future generations as well." … [Read more...] about Citizens should brace for more difficult times, says Lawrence Wong

SINGAPORE: Workers' Party Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang said the party has chosen a candidate for the Hougang by-election, but he declined to reveal who it is just yet. Mr Low said the party's Central Executive Committee met on Wednesday and there was no dispute on who the candidate should be. Speaking to the media at the Hougang meet-the-people session (MPS) on Wednesday evening, Mr Low said an official announcement will be made at a news conference on Thursday. Mr Low was accompanied to the session by 49-year-old Png Eng Huat, the Workers' Party candidate for East Coast GRC in the 2011 election. Mr Png has been seen walking the ground in Hougang after Member of Parliament Yaw Shin Leong was expelled from the party. Mr Low said he was a little surprised by the timing of the by-election as he thought that the Prime Minister would need more time to consider calling for one. Mr Low said he is satisfied with how his team has served Hougang residents, despite the … [Read more...] about WP candidate chosen for Hougang by-election, says Low Thia Khiang