Grab & Uber Passengers/Drivers

Okay. Before I start blabbering about everything. Let's get this straight. I am not siding any companies or shading them. I am a part time driver myself and these are the things that irks me during this 3 months of driving.

Firstly. PASSENGERS.

Please, passengers. For the love of god, please. I think this has been an issue to many drivers, be it Uber or Grab. Please be punctual! If you make a booking, please make sure you are able to be at the pick up point in 5 mins or less. You can take your own sweet time of course, but there will be additional charges and you will sulk throughout the whole ride. We are driving for long hours and every single minute matters to us. Even better, be at your pick up point when you are booking. Yes, the app might says driver is 5 minutes away. But most of the time, the App routing system is inaccurate. I understand drivers are often late but maybe because there are crazy amount of cars on the road and traffic lights. We need time to get there. If we are late and you are not even there. Pfft. So please, be punctual. Make our life easier because the companies are making it hard for us.

Secondly, PICK UP POINT.

Again, please. For the love of Jesus this time. Please do not ask us to pick you up at TAXI STAND, BUS STOP or EXPRESSWAY.

Why? Simple. We are not Taxi. We are not Bus. Many passengers think that Private drivers are able to pick up or drop off at taxi stands. Matter of fact, we are not able to do that. When you make a booking, please find a suitable place for us to pick you up without obstructing the traffic. Head to the nearest block if you can, set there as a pick up point and wait there. Not bus stop or taxi stand. Because it's easy for you to just wait there and enter the car but if we were to be fined, are you willing to pay the tab for us? No. You might argue that some drivers pick me up at taxi stand too, why can't you? Simply because I am not them. If other drivers want to take the risk, by all means. Not me. Let's be a law abiding citizens in this FINE country.

Thirdly, for the love of Buddha. Please do not book a car with more than 4 person. THIS IS COMMON SENSE. Again, who's gonna pay the fine? Your extra friend? NO. Get another car, or make the other person take a bus or something. Kidding. But really, 4 pax means 4 pax. Don't even TRY to indicate on the notes saying "5 person" because when a booking is sent out, DRIVERS HAVE TO ACCEPT IT if they treasure the acceptance rating. But chances are when they accept it, they will call you and request you to cancel. So please, don't make our life any harder. We are trying to earn money here, not to pay for the fines you made us commit. Again, some drivers can pick 5 person why can't you? Take a guess.

I understand some passengers have anger issues. Girlfriend never satisfy you yesterday night or whatever but please do not vent it on drivers. Vice versa. If drivers take a different route, ask politely where they are going. Some of us are just following the GPS routing because we are not taxi drivers who have 30 years experience driving on the road and know every single destination in the back of our brain. I've met passengers that goes like "WHY THE F**K you take this exit? Why are you following the GPS like a fool?!" But I took that exit to pick up another passenger because it was a shared ride. Be polite. If you are angry, hit yourself when you are back home or something. We don't owe you anything. Our job is to pick you up, drop you off. Not to pamper you or to be your punching bag. If you are rushing for time, get a un-shared ride. Don't get a shared ride and then cry when your driver pick up another rider. Heard way too many "Tsk" "tsk" "tsk". Just shut up.

Lastly, if you have a child below 1.35cm, get a family car with a booster. Some drivers do not have boosters with them and they will not pick you up. Don't even try your luck and waste our time. "Some drivers can pick me up, why can't you?" Again, take a guess.

DRIVERS!

I understand that the incentives for one of the company, who shall not be named, has been really shitty. And I strongly urge people who have other alternatives to find another career or side job, go ahead. Few years down the road, becoming a Private Driver will not benefit us. Except the company. Ask yourself, how many times have you encountered problems and the companies simply doesn't give a shit. Honestly, we are just pawns in their game of chess. They favour the riders more than drivers. Accept it. We are constantly hitting targets, getting low fares but long distance and competing with taxi drivers just to put food on the table. I am not saying it's a bad way to earn income, I am just saying there is always another way to earn money.

There is an article about a lady who earns 6k per month? We know it doesn't work that way. With the current competition and fares. You drive 12 hours per day, 7 days per week, 30 days per month. 6k? HA. Cute. My contract ends next month and I am looking forward to the day I return the car. For those who are still driving for these companies, know your worth. It is a good experience to know how it feels like to be a driver. But never a good idea to take this as a career unless it is the only choice you have left, then so be it. Who knows it will be good driving for them in the future? Well, time will tell but as of now, nah. But that's my two cents worth.

Happy grabbing and ubering and drive safely!

OH, lastly. PASSENGERS, for the love of Guanyin Ma. PLEASE DO NOT SLAM OUR DOOR! Close the god damn door gently! We pick up 15 to 20 passengers in average, if every single one of you slam our door like a hulk, the windows will shatter in no time. Treat us with respect and we will treat you with the due respect as well. Happy riding!

Read More

Amos Yee Arrested

SINGAPORE – Teenage blogger Amos Yee, whose online comments on religion prompted police reports to be lodged against him, has been arrested, his former lawyer Alfred Dodwell confirmed.

Yee was arrested on Wednesday (May 11), said Mr Dodwell, who was contacted by Yee’s mother seeking help.

In response to media queries, the police said that a 17-year-old male Singaporean had been arrested for offences under Sections 174 and 298 of the Penal Code.

Section 174 pertains to failure to attend a session as ordered by public servant, whereas Section 298 involves uttering words with an intent to wound religious and racial feelings. “The offence under section 298 of the Penal Code relates to online remarks made in November 2015 that contained offensive and disparaging remarks against various religious communities,” said a police spokesman.

Yee was ordered to report to a police station for investigations after the police reports were lodged, but he did not do so. “The subject disregarded the notice and left the country shortly thereafter, and remained overseas for a prolonged period until his return in April 2016,” said the spokesman.

Upon his return, he was served a Warrant of Attendance issued by the State Courts to report again, but failed to do so. The police added that investigations are ongoing.

Mr Dodwell said he has yet to decide if he will represent Yee again. “I will need to know what he’s been arrested for and whether he will be charged,” he said.

In a blog post last November, Yee, 17, had responded to remarks supposedly made by former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng and made references to Islam.

He was supposed to have gone down to Jurong Police Division on Dec 14 and Dec 22 last year to assist with investigations. But on Dec 15, he claimed to have ran away from home, and only resurfaced in public at a Singapore Democratic Party by-election rally last month.

Last week, Yee uploaded a video of the police at his doorstep, presenting him with a warrant for him to appear before the police for investigations on Tuesday.

Yee was convicted last year of hurting the religious feelings of Christians and for posting an obscene image online. He was sentenced to four week’s jail on July 6, but released immediately, as he had spent 50 days in remand by then. A subsequent appeal was dismissed by the High Court.

Article from: TODAYonline

Read More

28 injured in accident on MCE

The driver of a private bus was trapped in his vehicle after it collided with a tipper truck on the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) tunnel yesterday evening. 

The Singapore Civil Defence Force, which said it received a call for assistance at 6.17pm, had to free the man using hydraulic rescue tools. There were 28 casualties but no fatalities, it added.

The victims, who were all conscious, were taken to three different hospitals - 13 to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), nine to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and six to Changi General Hospital. The incident happened on the fifth lane of the MCE in the direction of East Coast Parkway, after Marina Coastal Drive.

The Straits Times understands that the wreckage was cleared only after 9pm. The police are investigating.

Analyst Lim Boon Kai, 26, who was on his way home from work and passed the crash site at about 6.30pm, said the accident looked serious. "The windscreen of the bus was smashed and there was glass everywhere on the ground. The passengers were standing in a line by the side of the expressway and some of them looked hurt," he said.

When The Straits Times visited the scene at about 8.30pm, two lanes were closed and traffic was heavy but not at a standstill.

At SGH last night, some of the bus passengers, believed to be tourists from China, appeared injured. One was in a wheelchair while another had an arm in a sling.

When approached, one of the women in the group said in Mandarin: "I'm not sure what happened... whether the vehicle in front suddenly slowed down."

She was interrupted by a representative from the bus company. He said he had given information to the police and declined to comment on the accident.

Article from: http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/28-injured-accident-between-bus-and-tipper-truck-mce#sthash.0ilDGZrP.dpuf

Read More

Amos Yee's Mother Asks For Help To Find Her Missing Son

I have been too sad to speak up ever since Amos left for the past 3 months but I'm feeling more and more helpless now. I need help, but I think Amos definitely needs more help than me.

So many people have been asking me where Amos is, expecting me to know. Same as all of you, I would like to know where he is. I wonder who would be the lucky one. Is he on the run? Is he safe?

Does he have enough money for food and lodging? How can he survive on his own without any help? Why has he been quiet online for so long? 

These are the questions that follow after 12th Dec 2015 which was the last day I saw him. He disappeared after receiving the police letter handed to him personally at our doorstep. Afterwards, he just kept quiet, and paced furiously around the house. I went to sleep at night and the next morning, he was gone.

A few days after Amos ran away, the police came over to my house and I thought that they were going to say that they had found Amos. However, they didn't. Instead, they just asked me if I knew where he was, which I did not, and said that Amos needed to go for a rescheduled investigation on 22nd Dec 2015. Adding on to my anxiety, an inspector called me when Amos didn't turn up for the health check-up he had to attend for National Service.

Obviously he did not attend, otherwise he would have been arrested on the spot for his previous offence.

We all know that Amos was arrested not because he offended religious groups, but for political reasons, making fun of Lee Kuan Yew when he had just died. After Amos was released from jail, he continued to make videos which became very popular, condemning the PAP government, and saying that Amos had offended Islam was just another excuse to arrest and silence him. Although he wasn't charged and was only asked to show up for an investigation, he knew that if the investigation continued, he would definitely be charged and sentenced, and this time since it was a repeated offence, probably sent to 3 years of RTC, which is why he chose to run away from home.

I remember he wrote in his blog that he only has enough money to survive for another 3 months from the crowdfunding of his court case. That was in January, it has almost been 3 months since. The bank and PayPal accounts that Amos set up by himself for the transfer of funds from people (POSB savings: 124-91889-8 (Swift Code: DBSSSGSG), PayPal: amosyee@gmail.com), I never have access to.

Knowing Amos has never been good at handling money because seeing how fast he spends money from his bank account, I think he has no money anymore and I'm very fearful he hasn't been able to eat. Maybe he ran out of money and needed to sell his laptop which is why he hasn't posted anything for the past 2 months. I really don't know and I am very confused and sad.

I think that Amos' words are disrespectful and rude, but I don't ever think that Amos should have been sentenced or put to jail because of it. Amos is a boy with very strong views and will pursue them, so I understand why he went on the run, but because of that I worry about him every day. People keep on telling me stories like why Amos has kept quiet for so long was because the government has secretly captured him, or that he has been drugged or killed. Thinking about the things that could be happening to Amos, I am unable to sleep well at night and I'm very worried about him.

If anyone knows where Amos is, please tell me, and if he insists on keeping it confidential, please help him to the best that you can. As a mother who has taken care of him for the past 17 years, I am really very worried. He doesn't have any life skills, doesn't know how to clean or sweep or cook. Either the grandparents’ maid or I have been doing things for him most of the time, and now that he suddenly has to live without my help, I'm really feeling very frightened.

Please, if anyone knows where Amos is or can offer him help or help me get in touch with him, please private message me here on Facebook. I don't know what is happening to Amos, I hope Amos is alright, I hope my dear son is safe ...

Mary Toh

Source: Mary Toh's Facebook

Read More

Recruit from SCDF committed suicide

21 year old Edwin Ong, a newly enlisted recruit from SCDF, Charlie Company, has committed suicide earlier this morning at 0402 hours.

He was noticed lying motionless on the ground by his instructors. A group of NSF and Regulars from the Special Rescue Unit assisted in setting up a tent for the deceased while awaiting for further instructions.

On his Facebook wall, he wrote a goodbye letter indicating his intention to commit suicide together with his feelings towards his parents.

He wrote:

"Sorry guys . be leaving this world first . because I think due to my slight depression I'm having massive confusion when in pressure in addition w my natural blurness.. Its just my poor mother . who raised me up 21 years and yet I'm such a fucker who didn't even repaid her debt and I wanna leave this world . such an unfilial son aint I . but can I plead the world for help ? That is to help out my mother . as she dont even have savings and she has a 23 year old mentally intellectual disableselfishch is my brother and another son who owe debts to private loansharks which of course had a license which he also is my brother . I'm very sorry to my father also as he worked hard to raise up everyone . I'm wondering why am I so weak. I wasn't actually till recently my brain start to reject stress. I wonder is that possible anyway . anyway to continue . I wanna thank my sister as she dote on me as I'm the youngest. Also ... My friends ! Weiguang Ginchie and so on . the others too . for being my friend when I'm so lacking . idk who else to thank . oh and my di and officer. Bunk mates tho I were so blur and ended up burdening them .just overall I suck and I deserve to die. But can everyone care for people in need. The world isn't that bad is it ? Or it might be.  Yea . I actually think everyone is selfish as fuck and no one cares about me except my family.  Plus the situation I am in now is worsening this alot. Ya I'm curious where I'm going to end up after death. Hell maybe ?but anyway . if the public can help my mother . please help . as she has a useless son like me. BTW I'm real blur . the kind of real exaggerated kind but its real but that's when I'm under pressure or sleepy or uncomfortable. Again I'm really sorry tho mummy. Really . u cared for me.  Fed me.  Like I'm really sorry . I almost cried when I call you but I didn't want you to worry. I'm sorry you have to go through this . I'll burn in hell I guess. Probably.  Just don't wanna live in this weird world anymore . thanks sis friends and others who might have been in my life before. Yea I'm weak guys . to have chosen suicide route. I wish everyone all the best. If I get to post this.  Means I'm really dead."

We offer our deepest condolences to their family.

Read More

Truth About MLM

I recently went to an job interview which wasn't so pleasant and I'm here to share about these companies dealing with MLM.

As you all know, Multi Level Marketing aka MLM aka Pyramid Marketing, is a structure that when the lowest level earns any income, the top levels receive commission from it. I have found MLM executives trying their best to sell something to a point that they are being annoying and irritating. I have many MLM friends and I heard so much about it. The reason I went for the interview is to experience it myself rather than just judging these companies based on word of mouth.

Some of the MLM companies include Long Fa, Ascentia Group, Sunshine Empire and many more if you search it up.

Firstly, whatever I say here is solely based on my personal opinion. If you think I'm bias against these companies or find fault in the things I'm about to say, I apologize beforehand.

So, these companies offer admin/sales related jobs with attractive pay and short working hours about 8-10 hours per week and 2.5k salary but in fact, you might not even earn a single cent. At their interview, they will brainwash you about how good their companies are and how many of them are so successful and that I am able to drive a BMW by the age of 25. They asked what is my goal in life and that my Diploma and Degree cert is useless because their company promised to make me rich. They even promise me if I manage to hit a certain quota, I will be entitled with impressive job titles such as Marketing Manager, Director or Sales Manager. There are people in the company that are 23 years old they are a Director. REALLY?

After agreeing to undergo a second interview, I am asked to make a payment of more than $2,000 SGD to "invest" in their stocks and turns out, there is no basic pay or hourly rates and such. It is purely commission based. I think it is unfair as there are people out there that are more comfortable drawing out a monthly salary than commission based. AND I think it is only right to indicate on their job postings as not to waste our precious time going for speeches or interviews to only be disappointed.

The products they are selling are not commonly used as well. Example, Venture Era sells water purifier that cost around $3000-$4000? This is exactly why there are people who are not earning any single cent for a few months because there is no basic pay. There are health products and beauty products too. They claimed that their products can cure diseases, diabetes or high blood pressure. These youngsters that got poached in, will try to sell these products to starting from their family and relatives then to friends. They will keep pushing and pushing because they are so hungry for the commission.

Being in MLM, one will be bound to run out of contacts. Most of their friends will shun because of their pressuring tactics. So when they run out of contacts, they will start hiring new people in, and generate income from the sales they manage to clinch. The cycle will repeat and repeat itself.

To sum it up, I have no hate against these companies as there are really people who are really successful in this line, but personally I do not like the way they recruit people. They lie by promising you this and that and making the job sound so easy but it requires really really hard effort. Getting 2.5k from 10 hours per week sounds too goof for me. Getting your own office or own car if you hit sales quota, but how many can actually hit the unreasonably high quota? I know many of my friends dropping out from school just to work full time in MLM companies. End of the day, they can't even support themselves. I know there will be successful MLM people hating on this post but this is MY opinion. Feel free to share your own opinion if you think otherwise. Cheers. Lastly, Thanks DayumNews for accepting this submission.

Read More

Thailand Best Kept Secrets

Planning a trip to Thailand? Sick of going Bangkok again and again? Forget about Bangkok, we've gathered some of the best kept secrets in Thailand, places you'll never want to miss.


1) Koh Samui



Koh Samui is known for its gorgeous beaches and pristine waters. But over the years, Koh Samui has became so popular that everyone wants to visit. 

Thailand has many beaches, and most tourists visit the beaches that have been developed with delightful resorts and no short of people and action. But there are other beaches, beaches that are off the beaten path. Koh Nang Yuan, for example, has a gorgeous Y-shaped beach between island, with a zip line stretching across (the world’s only zip line between islands, actually). Or Railay which, even though still part of the mainland, is only accessible by boat and leaves you certain that you’ve found a deserted island. And, of course, Koh Tarutao, a pristine island made famous by the TV show Survivor, or Koh Mak, an island that limits the number of tourists in order to keep the experience pristine.

2) Thi Lo Su

Thi Lo Su is one of the larger waterfalls in Thailand, and almost impossible to photograph in one shot due to its vast width. It is unique, with the water cascading and breaking into smaller waterfalls, appearing to seep and pour out of the jungle trees. This waterfall is popular among the Thai people.

It’s not the only waterfall, however, and not the only type. Perhaps you’re more interested in waterfalls that splash down colorful rock, such as Erawan Waterfall, or the staircase Mae Ya Waterfall. Trang province has the largest waterfall in Thailand, Namtok Ton Te. Water pours from 300-meters above into a pool at the base. And yes, you can go for a swim in that pool.

3) Tham Khao Luang, Cave

The cave complex is filled with Buddha statues of different sizes and in different positions. Some were laid by King Rama IV, the ruler of Siam (now Thailand) between 1851 and 1868. As you walk in, the first statue that catches your eye is the large gold Buddha.

The highlight of the cave, though, the feature which takes it from beautiful to spectacular, is the large hole in the roof which allows the sun to stream through. The rays light up a circle on the ground and create a glow across the whole space. The smoke of the incense, floating in the still air, looks caught in the light like moths in a lantern. It’s as though some supernatural force is forming a futuristic teleporter up into the heavens along this luminous beam. Perhaps that force is the large gold Buddha which sits just behind the glow and looks on with a knowing and comfortable smile.

4) New World Mall, KhaoSan

One more amazing place in Bangkok, not far from Khaosan Road. Now it is closed, but it is more interesting. New World Mall was built in the 1980s as an 11-story building. But the top seven levels were not approved in the original construction permit, forcing it to shutter in 1997.

The waterbody which arose after the mall was abandoned became a breeding ground for mosquitoes and locals added koi, a large species of colourful carp, and they quickly reproduced, creating the bizarre aquarium filled with fish. But, this place is closed to the public. Then again, who can stop you? 

5) Banphasawan Resort

Baanphasawan is a large upscale resort that has fashioned each of nearly 100 dwellings into the shape of fruits, vegetables, and other plants, and in its fruity obsession has managed to assemble Thailand's only seed bank for the foul-smelling/sweet-tasting durian.

In addition to the quirky fruit buildings, nearby attractions include a small waterfall, a natural hot spring, some beautiful misty mountains. Given all of the natural beauty in the area the question isn't really why someone would build this place here, but who manages to find it.

Read More

Natascha Kampusch held captive for 3096 days

Natascha Kampusch was born in 1988 in a council estate in the suburbs of Vienna.

But one day in March 1998, Natascha left home to walk to school – only she never turned up.

A 12-year-old witness reported seeing Natascha being dragged into a white minivan.

An investigation was launched, police searched hundreds of minivans. Speculation was rife – theories of paedophilia gangs, a serial killer or even organ theft. It didn’t get officers any closer to finding Natascha.

She’d vanished without a trace.

Then on August 23 2006, frantic Natascha banged on the door of an elderly lady. ‘I’m Natascha Kampusch,’ she cried. The woman called police.

Natascha, now 18, was pale, shaken and weighed only 7st 7lb – almost the same as when she’d disappeared aged 10. She’d only grown 15cm. She’d been held captive for 3,096 days – the title of her later memoir.

As the incredible news broke, the world’s media descended on Vienna desperate for more information.

Where had Natascha been? Who had taken her?

And as she began to talk, a terrible tale unfolded.

On that day in 1998, communications technician Wolfgang Priklopil had thrown Natascha into the back of his van, driven her to his home in Strasshof, a suburb of Vienna, and kept her prisoner in a tiny, 5ft square, windowless, soundproof cellar under his garage.

It was custom built, the door was made of concrete and reinforced steel.

After her escape, Natascha released a statement.

She said Priklopil had given her books, and she had educated herself. She explained how, for six months she wasn’t allowed to leave the dungeon.

But that, as years passed she spent increasing time upstairs, even going out with her captor – only she’d been too afraid to escape.

It was only when Priklopil left her cleaning his van one lunchtime while he took a phonecall that she ran, leaving the vacuum cleaner running.

But Natascha said she would not answer ‘personal or intimate’ questions.

On the day Natascha escaped, Priklopil, then 44, threw himself under a train.

Reportedly, Natascha ‘cried and cried’ on hearing the news that he was dead. There was speculation that she was suffering from ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ when hostages feel empathy or sympathy toward their captors.

It would be several years before Natascha was ready to reveal the full horror story.

In her 2010 memoir she admitted she was little more than a slave. She said Priklopil would beat her up to 200 times a week, starve her, threatened to kill her and kept her half-naked. Her body was always covered in a jigsaw of bruises.

But it was only in February 2013, just before a film based on her book was released, that she admitted Priklopil repeatedly raped her during her time in captivity.

It’s impossible to imagine just what Natascha Kampusch endured for her eight long years in captivity, and the impact it might have had, but one thing is for sure – it sounds like the stuff of nightmares.

 

Source: http://www.lifedeathprizes.com/real-life-crime/the-abduction-of-natascha-kampusch-by-wolfgang-priklopil-12632#YDKdtw7pQBkquMkA.99

Read More

4000 cartons of contraband cigarettes seized

SINGAPORE - A total of 4,098 cartons of contraband cigarettes were seized in the past week after three separate attempts to smuggle them into Singapore were thwarted.

The three cases took place within a span of five days at Jurong Port Main Gate, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a statement today.

On Dec 18, ICA officers found 1,648 cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden in the bases and side walls of cabinets and tables that were being carried on a lorry. The driver was a 48-year-old Singaporean man.

Four days later, 900 cartons of contraband cigarettes were recovered from another lorry driven by a 53-year-old Singaporean man. They were hidden in hollow spaces of three pallets of paintings, drawings and pastels.

The next day, a lorry driven by a 39-year-old Singaporean man transporting a declared consignment of soundproof panels was directed for checks. Upon opening the panels, ICA officers uncovered 1,550 cartons of contraband cigarettes.

The potential duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded for the three cases amounted to about $390,080 and $35,110 respectively, the ICA said.

The drivers, vehicles and contraband cigarettes were handed over to Singapore Customs for investigations. The vehicles may be forfeited if they are found to have been used for smuggling.

Article from: http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/4000-cartons-contraband-cigarettes-seized-3-smuggling-attempts#sthash.BRC1jufS.dpuf

Read More

Man Killed Baby By Repeatedly Kicking Pregnant Girlfriend

A 22-year-old teaching assistant has been convicted of killing his unborn baby by kicking and stamping on his heavily pregnant ex-girlfriend.

The reason: She refused to have an abortion.

Kevin Wilson and his accomplice, a 17-year-old teenager, were found guilty of child destruction and causing grievous bodily harm to Ms Malorie Bantala, 22, in June this year.

She was eight months pregnant when the incident happened, The Guardian reported.

Wilson and the teenager, wearing crash helmets to disguise their faces, hid in the bushes outside Ms Bantala’s apartment in Peckham, south London, and attacked her as she was returning home after buying decorations for her baby shower.

The pair repeatedly kicked and stamped her stomach as she lay on the ground trying to protect her unborn child with one hand.

On-off relationship

She said she knew that one of the men was Wilson.

Said Ms Bantala: “I remember looking at him and then something clicked in my mind... He turned round and we made brief eye contact."

The court heard how Ms Bantala had been in an on-off relationship with Wilson.

She had turned to him for comfort after the death of a nephew from sickle-cell anaemia, Mail Online reported.

She decided to keep the baby, despite Wilson’s repeated attempts to persuade her to have an abortion because he was not ready for fatherhood.

Source: The Guardian, Mail Online

- See more at: http://www.tnp.sg/news/world-news/man-killed-unborn-baby-repeatedly-kicking-pregnant-girlfriend?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#sthash.xhcHgyn7.dpuf

Read More

30 Year-Old Teacher Had Sex With 13 Year-Old Student

She was just 13 years old but that didn't stop her 30-year-old school teacher from courting and having sex with her.

They went on to have numerous sexual encounters in rented cars, hotel rooms and her home over the next five years before breaking up.

Unknown to her, he was secretly filming some of these trysts.

He also rented a room from her mother at her home, claiming that he needed a place to stay as he was undergoing divorce proceedings.

After he moved in, he secretly filmed the girl and her mother while they were showering.

The girl found the recordings only when she was making sure he did not take any of her belongings just before he moved out after about nine years.

She then made a police report.

Yesterday, the teacher, 42, pleaded guilty to having sex with the underage girl, performing obscene acts on her and secretly filming the girl and her mother in the shower.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Timotheus Koh called for the teacher to be jailed between five and seven years.

We are not naming anyone due to a gag order to protect the victims' identities.

It is stated in court papers that the accused was the girl's history and English teacher in 2003.

He got close to her when he gave her and a few other students free tuition in history.

In June that year, he began courting her and enlisted her help in marking papers.

It was during this period that the teacher, then 30, had sex with the girl, then 13 and a virgin, for the first time.

It is an offence in Singapore for a man to have sex with a girl under 16.

The girl's father died later that year.

The teacher continued to court her and convinced her to be in a relationship and spend time with him, buying her whatever she wanted.

TUITION

He got to know the girl's mother while tutoring her in maths and science at her home the following year.

Between March and April 2004, he offered to rent a room in their flat.

The girl's mother agreed as she and her daughter were facing financial difficulties. The accused moved into the master bedroom.

The girl hid her relationship with the teacher from her mother out of embarrassment and for fear of being scolded.

In 2006, the girl tried to end the relationship but the teacher refused. Instead, he increased his interference with her social life.

They continued to have sex until 2007 when the girl again called for a break-up. They finally ended their relationship a year later even though the accused continued staying with the girl and her mother.

In mid 2009, as the girl was showering, she discovered the teacher's mobile phone, with its recording function switched on, in the bathroom. She deleted the recording and told her mother what had happened.

The girl's mother confronted the teacher and asked him to move out. He begged to stay and said he would not do it again.

But he went back on his word and secretly filmed the girl and her mother in the shower on separate occasions in 2010.

In July 2013, the divorcé was asked to move out as the girl's older brother was getting married and planned to move in with the family.

That was when the girl discovered recordings of her sexual encounters with the accused. She made a police report in August.

After officers arrested the teacher, they retrieved more video recordings of the girl and her mother in the shower.

Yesterday, he turned up in court and admitted to two counts of carnal connection with the underage girl, two counts of committing an obscene act on her and two counts of insulting a woman's modesty.

Thirty-six other charges were taken into consideration for sentencing, which is expected to take place on Dec 30.

He violated everyone's trust in him

The teacher violated the trust and confidence placed on him by the girl, her mother and the school, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Timotheus Koh in his submissions yesterday.

DPP Koh added the teacher had actively courted the girl, despite fully knowing that she was underage and was his student.

He also said that not only did the teacher commit the sex acts on the girl, he also went on to intrude on her privacy, and even her mother's privacy, before repeating his offences a year later.

DPP Koh urged the court to impose a jail term of between five and seven years.

Defence lawyer Leslie Robert said in mitigation that this was not a run-of-the-mill case where the accused had acted as a predator for one-off sexual gratification.

DIVORCED

Mr Robert said his client, who divorced his wife in 2003, entered a "stable", five-year relationship with the girl.

The accused has two children, aged 15 and 19.

Mr Robert also cited an e-mail sent by the girl to the accused in 2009, a year after they broke up. In it, she thanked him for what he did for her over the course of their relationship.

"I guess we shouldn't have started in the first place, and I shouldn't have expected so much from you right from the start," the girl had written.

"All I want to say is that I have not regretted meeting you. I appreciate all that you have done for me."









Article from: http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore-news/teacher-who-had-sex-student-13-also-filmed-her-and-mother-shower?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#sthash.wQizsmLt.dpuf

Read More

Man Falls in Wisma Atria Shopping Centre

SINGAPORE — A man fell several storeys inside Wisma Atria mall this evening at around 9.50pm (Dec 10), according to eye-witnesses.

Police confirmed that the incident had occurred and that investigations were ongoing.

 An eye-witness, who declined to be named, told TODAY that she was at the Omakase Burger outlet on the first floor of the mall when she saw something fall. Initially she had thought that a Christmas decoration had fallen down, she said.

The mall was not very crowded at the time of the incident as most shops were closing, said the eye-witness.

Another eye-witness Channel NewsAsia spoke with said that he had heard a loud thud, before he saw a "Chinese man in his late 30s lying face down in a pool of blood".

Channel NewsAsia's eye-witness, who also declined to be named and reportedly works as a medic at a private ambulance company, said that he, his girlfriend and three other off-duty officers tried to resuscitate the man before the police and paramedics arrived at the scene.

"When we first came to him, he had no pulse for about 15 minutes," he told Channel NewsAsia. "After the paramedics came and gave him some CPR, he had a very faint pulse."

YTL Starhill Global REIT, the property manager of Wisma Atria shopping centre, are currently assisting police in investigations.


Article from: TodayOnline

Read More

Tips To Pass Your TP

TIPS TO PASS YOUR TP

Try to make the warmups before the test, its crucial if you are using a different car everytime in your training. Get to know the accelerator responsiveness, deadzones*. The clutch biting point and the brake points/ deadzones*/ responsiveness.


Relax. Nothing worst than having yourself against yourself. Staying calm will allow you to remember steps and procedures better, so you won’t mess up- critical in the circuit stage.

Roughly know the circuit and test routes, even when you are not supposed to learn it in detail. So you can prep your next move/turn if the tester fails or is late in giving you the prompt. Most importantly it gives you the overall confidence to drive.Like they always say- make it a habit to turn your head to check blindspots. But really do the check! and not only going through the motion. Moreover you will come to a point where blindpoint checking will become a second nature to you – you will notice yourself turning your head everytime you drive/ lanechange/ turn, in extreme cases even as a passenger or riding on the bus!

Always respond verbally or “echo” (parrot repeat) towards the tester’s commands on test routes, adds to overall impression and tells him that he’s not talking to the wall!

Don’t forget, you are sharing the road with other road users in your test. Always let aggressive/fast vehicles go before lane change to right (i.e right turn/ u-turn), though you have the right of way, you are always on a losing end in a test.

Always beware of taxis, buses suddenly stopping/obstructing you. Try not to follow behind one at all times, unless where the situation permits.Don’t rush, its always better to wait if you feel unsafe to move off. Its better to be penalised for unnecessary waiting than failing the test straightaway by almost causing an accident.

Don’t be intimidated by the tester, instead try to “befriend him” a good impression lasts, though some can really be a sore thumb, don’t be dishearted either or it will be a long gloomy ride to a retest later.

Don’t be distracted by the tester, esp when he jolts down something on his checklist even you’ve done nothing wrong, keep concentrating on the road, those may be distraction tools.

Don’t drive too slow (a misconception of a safe driver), instead drive close but below the speed limit so you won’t be much of a hazard on the road. There is infact a penalty for driving slower than what the road conditions allow, but don’t be too happy on the right foot either. You will almost never need to go up to 5th gear unless your route have a very long straight, if do remember the speed limit.

When moving off/slope its always ok to accelerate more than usual and make a din (no fault) than stalling or causing an obstruction (fail).

In the circuit, if you feel that you are gonna hit the kerb, don’t push it- Its better to reverse and make adjustments (no fault on first attempt, 2pts on additonal adjustments) than mounting the kerb (fail).

Anticipate traffic light changes other parts of the junctions so as not to delay movement when the light is already green in your favour. You are not expected to zoom off once the lights turn green, but at least it makes you are aware of the light conditions in the junction itself. The green light is more deadly than red. Always cover the foot brake when doing so and switch to the accelerator if you come within the “no stop” zone before the stop line, proceed with caution!

Know the junctions that feature right turns with right turn green arrows in your test route, prevents sudden “E-brakes” in junctions when you suddenly see an approaching car. Also, with the green arrow, you can actually make the right turn despite red for going straight.

The test is a show of application of what you’ve learnt in driving school- show it to the tester! i.e slowdown before junction/zebra crossing/before turns etc… Taking note of such details even a normal average licensed driver cares less about.In an E-brake test, only clutch in when your feet had been transferred onto the brake pedal, then hit both pedals hard, NEVER hit the clutch before the brake (wrong technique, gliding feeling), or the clutch too late after the brake (stall). The car should produce a klung-klung-klung (manual) during the sudden stop.

Choose test dates and time which don’t clash with peak traffic, school dismissal timings, Friday Muslim prayers, increasing the chances of a less packed road & pedestrian situation.

Lastly, if you fail try again! don’t be dishearted by failure, book another testdate & practice more. A fact is that your chances of passing increases with each try, testers usually do not favor first time passes.

Extra Tip for repeat testees: If you’ve failed many tests before, to the extent of having to renew another PDL, attach the old PDL behind the new one altogether. Though serving no acutal purpose, the records of your previous tests behind your old PDL tells and indicates to the tester alot of your ordeal and driving experience. They won’t miss it as they have to flip it to record the test behind your new PDL. Provided you do not have any major mistakes in the test, this might actually increase your chances of passing especially to those testers who pass people based on experience and not on 1st attempts.



Article from: Shaunchng

Read More

20-year-old NSF found dead in Sembawang Camp

SINGAPORE- A 20-year-old army regular was found dead in a toilet in Sembawang Camp at around 3.10pm on Saturday.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence (Mindef), the serviceman was Specialist Cadet Trainee S. Pravinraj, a supply supervisor trainee. He had been on guard duty in the camp.

The statement added that Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces extended their deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman and are assisting the family in this time of grief. It also said that police are investigating the incident.

A Mindef spokesman declined to give more information, citing the investigation.

According to a police statement, it received a call for assistance at about 2.49pm. The serviceman was found lying motionless in a toilet. He was subsequently pronounced dead by Singapore Civil Defence Force paramedics.

Article from: http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/20-year-old-regular-serviceman-found-dead-sembawang-camp#sthash.tsop3tbU.dpuf

Read More

Paris Attacked - Dozens dead and hostages taken.

France has declared a national state of emergency and has closed its borders after at least 40 people were killed in multiple gun and bomb attacks in Paris.

At least 15 people were killed at the Bataclan concert hall, where gunmen took up to 60 people hostage.

Police have now stormed the venue and killed two attackers, French media say.

Others died in attacks near the Stade de France, with some reports suggesting a suicide blast, and at restaurants in central Paris.

Paris residents have been asked to stay indoors and military personnel are being deployed across the city.

The deadliest attack appears to have targeted the Bataclan concert hall. The BBC's Hugh Schofield says scores of ambulances have arrived at the scene, suggesting many victims inside.

Other attacks hit neighbouring Le Petit Cambodge and Le Carillon restaurants in the 10th district where a BBC reporter could see 10 people lying on the road, either dead or seriously injured.

And an eyewitness told Liberation newspaper that he had heard more than 100 rounds being fired at La Belle Equipe cafe in the 11th district.

President Obama in Washington came to the White House Briefing room to express solidarity and offer aid and condolences. “Once again, we’ve seen an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians,” he said. “This is an attack not just on Paris, it’s an attack not just on the people of France, but this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share.”

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Twitter erupted with celebratory messages by members and sympathizers of the Islamic State, the extremist group based in Syria and Iraq that is under assault by major powers including the United States, France and Russia.

The main shooting appeared to have broken out at a popular concert hall, The Bataclan, where the American band the Eagles of Death Metal was playing, and French news services said as many as 100 hostages may have been taken there.



Source: BBC

Read More

7 Annoying People On The Train

Alright, let's face it. Catching the train is a way of life for most of us. Without all the traffic jams, taking trains seems like a much better options than driving. But here's the thing, though catching the train might seem like the easiest and effective option, there is also a downside to catching trains. You know what I'm talking about right? Lets look at few of the most annoying people encountered on the trains.


1) The Loudspeaker

Have you ever been stuck next to someone shouting their heads off whilst talking to someone on the other end of the line? And no, I'm not talking about people that pick up their phone and talk noiselessly to their friend, but I'm talking about those handful that can't seem to grasp the concept of "voice control" or "consideration". Maybe they need another character like "Voice down Vivian."


2) Pusher

Picture this. The train are about to open its door and you're getting out. But right before you can even go out, this human being charged in and tries to squeeze his or her way in, even when they know you're alighting the train. PLEASE. DONT BE THAT PERSON. It's just bad manners and lack of common sense.


3) Thief

Not talking about pick pockets. But these thieves are the one who will steal your seat when you're about to sit down. I mean seriously? I'll hate this type of people with a vengeance. What's even annoying is that they pretends that they didn't even see you. :')


4) Leaner

It is perfectly fine to sleep on the train. I sleep on the train myself too. But what annoys me are those people who fall asleep and end up on your shoulder or your lap. I usually do a quick shoulder nudge whenever this happens. I mean it gets awkward. 


5) That Newspaper Guy

Every morning at the train stations, there will be people issuing us newspapers. It's okay to read it within your area but not on a crowded morning train. Let's look at it this way. It's a small two seater, you're a big dude and a big newspaper. You stretched your arms like an eagle and there's me. 


6) Two is better than one

Train etiquette. People need to learn more about this. You know those people who take up the seat by putting their bags or grocery bag on it? I usually give people like these my evil squinty eyes. No words. Just staring dead into their soul and staring at their piece of stupid bags that could've been my comfort. 


7) North-Pole

I know it is comfortable to lean on something as you've been standing on the train for way too long. But please, we need the hand pole to hold. It's not for your to lean your back and take up 85% of the pole. The hand grip is fine, but sometimes I just want to hold the pole! Get your back off the pole! 

Read More

What You Need To Know About Kumantongs

Before I go in depth about keeping a Kumantong as know as Child Spirits, let me just give you guys some information which I've gathered on how KMTs are created. The purpose of making KMTs is to give the spirits of dead children a chance to do good and we as keepers gain merit for them so that they will have a better rebirth into higher realm. That is why when we do good, we share merits with them in exchange for smoother life, a better job etc. 

Firstly, spiritual masters or monks have to enter the forest and do rituals to search for wandering child spirits or ghost. Those who want to become KMTs are invited to enter their new home which are the statues you'll usually see in temples or Thai amulet shops. For other cases such as abortion, the monks will perform a ritual and put it in the statues and proceed on chanting ritual for all the statues for 49 days to covert spirits to Kumantongs. After the ritual, they will have to be put aside for a total of 108 days to be completely ready to be invited by human beings as spiritual helpers. They are little helpers that will help their owner or keeper in every ways, such as business success, career, lottery or fight against the evil ghosts by black magic masters.

What are the risks you have to take keeping KMTs?

I have quite a number of friends who keep KMT in their house and some do fairly good in their life while the latter is always down on luck. WHY? Keeping a KMT is a huge responsibility you will have to take for as long as it takes. Whatever you promise your KMT, you have to fulfil it. Say you promise your KMT you will buy him new toys IF you strike the lottery. If you do strike and you forget to buy him new toys, you will have to bear the consequences. What most owners of KMT do not know that the spirits feeds on your thoughts and deeds. Which simply means if you have evil thoughts, your KMT will grow to have evil thoughts too. 

I've asked one of my friend that used to take care of close to 20 over KMTs in the past. This is what he have to say.

"In the past, we keep KMTs mainly for merit purposes. We do good deeds, earn merits and give our merits to KMTs in hope they will reach enlightenment. Right now in this modern era, what people want from KMT is just 4D, Toto, get girl. They are really abusing the powers of KMTs. When I took care of over 20 KMTs, I do strike 4D occasionally and I do repay them by buying more nice clothes, more nice toys. But I never never ask numbers from them. And some people are feeding it blood to 'increase' the KMTs' power. And by feeding blood, they will be harder to tame and their cravings for blood will be stronger as time goes by. I have friends that went into an accident by abusing KMTs' power or never keep to their promises. He said he saw a little boy figure dashed our of the road while he was riding that caused him into a serious accident. Since then, he gave up on keeping KMT and donated it to the temple. Keeping a KMT is a very huge responsibility. Their meals have to be accounted for, and never forget to feed them. They are like your own children. If taken care well, you will hear their voices, laughters or even toy cars moving around. I remembered leaving my lights open after a long day of work before I head to bed. Everything was on. TV and lights. When I woke up, everything was off and I felt their presence around. Now, I stopped keeping KMTs as I felt I did my part and I brought it to the temple to allow them to reincarnate."

Read More

15 Edible Insects and How They Taste Like

In many societies, insects are considered a delicacy. Even stateside, the concept of insects as food has slowly been gaining ground. Here, we offer a rundown of some of the world's favorite tasty critters.

1) Palm weevil larva

Where it's eaten: Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia. 

How: A rural staple that's high in protein, potassium and calcium, this fat grub is eaten in one of several ways: straight from the tree; skewered and roasted over hot coals; or fried in sago flour and then wrapped in a sago leaf, like a tamale. 

Taste: Raw coconut or Cooked Bacons.

2) Ant 

Where it's eaten: Australia, Colombia, Thailand. 

How: In Australia, honeypot ants — which gorge themselves until their bellies swell to the size of grapes with a nectar-like substance — are eaten raw as sweet treats by aborigines. In Colombia, a variety of leaf-cutter ant, called Hormigas culonas or "big-assed ants," is eaten toasted, like popcorn or peanuts. Red ants and their eggs are consumed sautéed or in salads in Thailand. 

Taste: Lemony, vinegary, or sweet-and-sour, respectively.

3) Stinkbug 

Where it's eaten: Mexico, Southern Africa. 

How: High in vitamin B but releasing such a stink that it has to be seeped out (by soaking in warm water) before being eaten, these critters are at the center of a Jumil Festival near Taxco, in Mexico. There, folks harvest the bugs in the woods and either eat them alive — they apparently live for a while even after being beheaded — or ground up with chiles in tacos, before crowning a Jumil Queen. In Africa, they are beheaded, squeezed (to empty out a green gland), and then boiled and sun-dried, and eaten as snacks. 

Taste: Like a blend of cinnamon and iodine.

4) Tarantula 

Where it's eaten: Cambodia and Venezuela. 

How: Tarantula spiders — technically arachnids, not insects — are commonly fried in oil, salt, and sugar, and sometimes garlic, till crisp, then sold as street food in Cambodia, where they are eaten whole. The legs are crunchy, while the fat little abdomens are gooey. In the jungles of Venezuela, the Piaroa people consider the Goliath bird-eating tarantulas — which can grow to the size of a dinner plate — to be a delicacy and roast them over a fire. 

Taste: Crab-like and nutty.

5) Termite 

Where it's eaten: West Africa, Australia, parts of South America. 

How: Often eaten raw as tasty snacks, termites are plucked right out of whatever wood they are feasting on or caught en masse around lights, where they also like to swarm. Then they are sold at markets and brought home to be roasted over hot coals or fried in oil. 

Taste: Like carrots.

6) Huhu grub 

Where it's eaten: New Zealand. 

How: Resembling big, fat maggots but treated as a delicacy in New Zealand, these fellas are eaten either as a raw snack or sautéed as a special meal by their fans — who find them burrowing into the rotting wood of tree trunks. The grubs eat the wood, making them rich in protein and therefore even more desirable. 

Taste: Like peanut butter.

7) Wasp larva 

Where it's eaten: Japan. 

How: Called hachinoko, the pale yellow larvae of wasps or bees are harvested carefully from nests, cooked in soy sauce and sugar, and eaten as a crunchy snack — often with a sprinkling of cooked adult wasps in the mix, too. 

Taste: Sweet and crunchy.

8) Cicada 

Where it's eaten: Japan, China, all over Asia, in many parts of the U.S. 

How: Periodical cicadas spend most of their lives — up to 17 years — living underground and sucking sap from tree roots. But when they emerge to reproduce and die, plenty of folks (including a great many throughout parts of the U.S.) are waiting to catch them before their skins harden, so they can boil or fry them and eat them — kind of as we would with shrimp — as an integrated part of a meal. The singing critters are low in fat and contain 30 to 40 percent protein. Annual cicadas, meanwhile, live anywhere from two to seven years and are caught with much more ease and eaten in much the same way — boiled, fried, or sautéed. 

Taste: Asparagus or clammy potato.

9) Dragonfly 

Where it's eaten: Indonesia. 

How: Boiled or fried as a special treat, these mosquito-eaters are caught by brandishing a slender palm-wood stick dipped in sticky tree sap and then just waiting for them to land. 

Taste: Similar to soft-shell crab.

10) Ant eggs 

Where They're Eaten: Mexico. 

How: The eggs of the giant black Liometopum ant, sometimes called "insect caviar," are harvested from agave plant roots. They're either boiled or fried in butter to be eaten in tacos, or are presented in a bowl with a side of tortillas for the popular dish escamoles. 

Taste: Buttery and nutty, with the consistency of cottage cheese.

11) Mopane worm 

Where it's eaten: Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe. 

How: Many types of caterpillars are eaten all over the world. In parts of Africa, the specific type of fat blue-and-green spiky caterpillar that lives in the mopane tree is prized as a protein-packed free food. After being squeezed to expel green slime from its gut, the worm is dried in the sun or smoked and almost always served with sauce or in a stew to lend it some flavor. 

Taste: Bland to buttery.

12) Grasshopper 

Where it's eaten: Mexico. 

How: Roasted to a crunch and tossed with chile and lime, chapulines sit in huge mounds at street stands and in markets in Oaxaca. Vendors sell them to folks who consume them by the handful, just like chips. 

Taste: Salty and spicy.

13) Silkworm pupa 

Where it's eaten: Vietnam, China, Korea. 

How: The silkworm itself is an edible byproduct of the silk industry, as manufacturers only use the bugs' cocoons to make the cloth. These squirmy little guys are seasoned and boiled in Korea, and fried in China and Vietnam. 

Taste: Briny, similar to dried shrimp, with a chewy consistency.

14) Water bug 

Where it's eaten: Thailand. 

How: These massive critters are a popular snack in Thailand, commonly found in Bangkok street stalls, where they are eaten whole, fried with spicy sauce, or steamed. They're also available roasted and sealed in a can. 

Taste: Briny and fruity with a fish-like consistency.

15) Scorpion 

Where it's eaten: Vietnam, Thailand, China. 

How: Also technically an arachnid, not an insect, the scorpion is usually served as street food — scooped up alive and wriggling, skewered on a kebab, and deep-fried in oil. 

Taste: Like soft-shell crab or shrimp in its shell. 

Read More