Marshmallow hell

PETALING JAYA: A saleswoman lost over RM17,000 in six months to placate a boyfriend from hell who not only demanded money from her but made her exercise in the buff. The 23-year-old woman, who only wanted to be known as May, met the man via an online game in April last year. They became a couple a month later and met for the first time in person at Genting Highlands in October. Just a day after their first meet-up, the boyfriend told her that he needed money to pay off a car loan. “He also borrowed money from me to pay his phone bill and rent. “Later, he also asked about my monthly pay and would scold me if I did not pay his bills on time, ” she said at a press conference organised by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong. The 31-year-old man also forced her to borrow money from loan sharks and even dictated how she should look. “Around Jan 27 this year, he started to instruct me to wake at 5.30am to exercise and forced me to record ... » Learn More about Ex-boyfriend made her exercise in the nude

GEORGE TOWN: As though to make up for the quiet observance of Qing Ming last year, customers are buying more than the usual amount of paraphernalia for the departed. Prayer paraphernalia shop owner Teh Guan Heng said many families were buying twice the amount of items this year. “Some of our customers who used to buy two sets of clothes are now buying up to five or six sets of clothes to burn during Qing Ming. “Others are buying more items than usual, especially hell bank notes and ‘gold’ bars. “We think this may be due to the fact that they were unable to sweep the tombs last year, so many would want to make it up to their deceased family members. “Some shared they felt bad as they were unable to visit due to the movement control order amid the pandemic last year. “So this time around, they are offering more items to their loved ones, ” he said when met at his shop here yesterday. Teh, 54, said although sales was brisk, they were not expecting much profit. “We are ... » Learn More about Families double Qing Ming offerings

PHOTO: Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, under fire over his ‘recollection’ of what happened at the meeting that reversed the ‘ban’ decision on agri-chemicals – Thai PBS World A war of words and threatened litigation has broken out over the reversal of the ban on agri-chemicals glyphosate, paraquat and chlorpyrifos. Thai Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit now says he’ll countersue organisations that have threatened a lawsuit against him over the U-Turn on the ban on three farm chemicals. A network of advocates for the ban is threatening to file suits against the minister and the National Hazardous Substances Committee. Suriya says he’d have his lawyers prepare a legal response after BioThai, a network of organisations supporting the ban, announced their plan to take legal action against him. BioThai claims reversal of the ban on the herbicide glyphosate and the delay in the bans on paraquat and pesticide chlorpyrifos are illegal. But Suriya insists the NHSC ... » Learn More about Industry Minister says he’ll countersue over farm-chemical ban U-turn

Vilma Santos It is no surprise that the name of Vilma Santos cropped up on the list of nominees for National Artist. Even without a formal recognition, Ate Vi has long been a national treasure in Pinoys’ hearts. Singer/songwriter Joey Ayala and cartoonist Nonoy Marcelo are also in the running for the prestigious award. The Order of National Artists is the highest national recognition given to Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of dance, theater, visual arts, literature, film, broadcast arts and architecture and allied arts. The order is administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and conferred by the president of the Philippines upon recommendation by both institutions. The Manila City Council issued a resolution to support Ate Vi’s nomination. Even if you are not a hardcore Vilmanian, the actress’ awesome body of work is something you can’t ignore. The Star for all ... » Learn More about Ate Vi on her nomination for National Artist

OPINION In the December 2020 outbreak of Covid in the seafood markets along the coast of Samut Sakhon Burmese migrant workers, many of them entering Thailand illegally, bore the brunt of the blame. The Thai media reported widely that it was the fault of the illegal migrants. But the source of the migrants, trafficking gangs working for larger corporations to bring cheap labour into the country, was little reported. Similarly, the farmers in Thailand’s far north,are weathering much of the blame for the burning of bio-waste, crop preparation and pre-harvesting of sugar cane, and the clouds of smoke and smog it causes. Again, there has been little focus on the multi-national corporations and conglomerates who put the famers under incredible pressure to provide quick and cheap crops, and grow food to feed livestock before they are slaughtered for other products. Charoen Pokphand is Thailand’s largest and most prominent agriculture business. In the CP document “Maize Factsheet ... » Learn More about Bangkok fiddles whilst Chiang Mai burns – who’s behind the annual smoke season?

Grammy-winning R&B star Lizzo gestures as she greets fans, after speaking during a volunteer canvass launch on behalf of U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., Oct. 23, 2020. Image: Reuters/Emily Elconin LOS ANGELES — United States musician Lizzo is making a reality TV series to find big women to join her on stage. “It’s time to find my dream team of beautifully talented big grrrls,” the “Good As Hell” singer, a three time Grammy winner and role model for body positivity, wrote on her Instagram page on Friday. The reality series for Amazon Studios is the first in a deal between Lizzo and the streaming platform that was announced last year, under which she will develop and produce TV series. Amazon said on Friday that the show will follow Lizzo, 32, as she searches for dynamic, full-figured dancers and models to perform with her on stage, and on the runway. “Have you felt underrepresented and under appreciated? THEN I’M LOOKIN FOR ... » Learn More about Lizzo launches reality TV search for ‘big grrrls’

As car enthusiasts, we’ve always had that fantasy to own a car collection like Jay Leno. Hundreds of vehicles amassing in a warehouse and better yet, like a retirement fund investment, these hundreds of vehicles are amassing value as time goes one. Yes, it really is a fantasy, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get started on that car collection of your own. Before starting your collection, you might want to first consider which vehicle is worth investing in. Ask any investment guru and they would tell you a vehicle is not an investment, but a depreciating asset and to be brutally honest, they are correct. The mere act of driving your newly purchased vehicle off the dealership lot already depreciates it, even if you’ve bought a Rolls-Royce. Though, “future classics” is the term commonly associated with modern vehicles that have the potential to increase in value in the following years. It takes a trained eye and lots of research to identify which vehicles are worth investing in and ... » Learn More about 13 collectible cars worth investing your hard-earned money on

Sunday hikers watch the lava flowing from the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano. FAGRADALSFJALL, Iceland: Thousands of curious onlookers have flocked to an erupting volcano in Iceland to marvel at the hypnotic display of glowing red lava, the bravest of them grilling hot dogs and marshmallows over the smoldering embers. The eruption of a fissure near Mount Fagradalsfjall, which began late Friday, was the first in the same volcanic system in about 900 years. The volcano is located only about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the capital Reykjavik and can be reached after a 90-minute hike from the nearest road. "It's absolutely breathtaking," says Ulvar Kari Johannsson, a 21-year-old engineer who spent his Sunday visiting the scene. "It smells pretty bad. For me what was surprising was the colours of the orange: much, much deeper than what one would expect," he tells AFP. The incandescent lava bubbles and spurts from a small cone in the Geldingadalur valley, piling up in the basin ... » Learn More about Thousands flock to Iceland’s erupting volcano

Sick of squeezing onto the MRT every morning, but not about to commit financial suicide by taking out a car loan? Well, riding a motorcycle solves both of those problems. Not only will you have your own transport and no longer be subject to the vagaries of MRT breakdowns, Grab surge pricing and taxi midnight surcharge, you’ll also be less affected by traffic jams thanks to the small size and agility of your vehicle. Unless you live right next door to an MRT station, riding a motorbike is also probably the fastest way to get around Singapore. But the road to owning and riding your own bike is a long, arduous one, and probably more expensive than you thought it would be, now that COE has gone through the roof. Still, any biker will tell you it’s totally worth it. So let’s get started. Getting a motorcycle license in Singapore When learning to drive a car, many Singaporeans opt for private driving instructors instead of going through a driving school , since it’s cheaper and ... » Learn More about Guide to getting your motorcycle license & buying a motorbike in Singapore

Johannes Roberts - who previously helmed 2017's 47 Meters Down - has teased details of the upcoming movie, which has been given the official title of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. Speaking about the project, he told IGN.com: "The movie is very much an origin story for Resident Evil. "It's an ensemble piece, and Raccoon City plays a big part and is a character in the movie. It's about this group of people all coming from different angles - some coming into town, some already having grown up in this town - meeting over this one fateful night." The director confirmed that the upcoming movie will follow the original Resident Evil characters, and will lean heavily on the horror themes of the video game franchise. He explained: "The big thing for me in this movie is tone. The thing that I loved with the games was they were just scary as hell, and that is very much the atmosphere. "It's raining constantly, it's dark, it's creepy … and then mixed with the sort of more fun ... » Learn More about New Resident Evil movie very much an origin story