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Meghan gives Harry ultimatum after Family Guy fiasco

International

The Independent

November 12, 2023

Meghan gives Harry ultimatum after Family Guy fiasco

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are obviously not happy after the Family Guy fiasco in which an episode on the animated series made fun of them.

Markle says she won’t subscribe to being humiliated this way and the couple are in panic mode.

One source in OK magazine reported that the Duchess of Sussex has given Harry an ultimatum, that he do whatever it takes to right things. She is also pushing a special trip back for Christmas in the hopes that William and Charles be a little more open to reconciliation.

“What’s hit them the hardest and cuts the deepest of all is that it (the episode) plays up the whole notion they’re self-entitled grifters or spoilt brats,” said the source.

Harry has previously begged William to meet up with him on his trip to New York but his pleas was ignored so he’s biting his lip over the thought of Christmas, according to another source.

Is Markle happy

Markle is happy to have Harry handle all communications with his family. Her agent Ari Emanuel has suggested she clean up her image when it comes to England’s royal family.

“It’s no shock Harry is digging his heels in, but Meghan is not about to let this slide. If success were rolling in, and they were being embraced by the US public, things would be different. But unfortunately, that is not the case,” said the source.

Rumour has it that Markle has no desire to return to Britain and is happy to focus on Netflix and her WME deal. The Hollywood agency signed a contract with her and issued the following statement in April.

“We are honored to announce that WME now represents Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex in all areas. The agency will be focusing on building out her business ventures across multiple facets of the agency & its broader ecosystem including film & television production, brand partnerships & more,” said WME.

Read More News

X users shocked at parents allowing their 6-year-old son to be a “drag queen”

Cover Photo: Wikipedia

The post Meghan gives Harry ultimatum after Family Guy fiasco appeared first on The Independent News.

Toxic workplace verdict awards $1.2 million

Entertainment

Gemma Iso

November 12, 2023

Toxic workplace verdict awards $1.2 million

A jury sided with Graham Chase Robinson, former personal assistant to Hollywood legend Robert De Niro.

Although absolving De Niro of personal liability, the verdict held his company, Canal Productions, accountable for fostering a toxic workplace environment, resulting in a substantial award of $1.2 million to Robinson.

The attorneys from both sides celebrated the outcome. Robinson’s representative, Brent Hannafan, expressed immense satisfaction with the verdict, emphasizing the significance of the win. Conversely, De Niro’s lawyer, Richard Schoenstein, highlighted the exoneration of De Niro himself, focusing on the relatively modest award against the company and underlining the vast difference from the originally sought $12 million.

Toxic workplace

The trial spotlighted contentious testimonies. Robinson portrayed a once-beloved job devolving into a nightmare, attributing the ordeal to a partnership between De Niro and his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen. Meanwhile, De Niro and Chen contended that Robinson’s escalating demands led to the rift.

Jealous girlfriend?

Email exchanges revealed Chen’s concerns about a perceived closeness between Robinson and De Niro. Robinson vehemently denied any romantic interest in De Niro, asserting a purely professional relationship.

During his testimony, De Niro acknowledged various aspects of Robinson’s claims, admitting to salary increments and increased job titles but also accusing her of misappropriating airline miles, betraying trust, and violating unwritten codes.

Robinson left her position due to emotional and mental distress, leading to ongoing anxiety and depression, which had hindered her professional life for years, despite numerous job applications.

The legal skirmish on the toxic workplace extended beyond the initial gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, with De Niro’s attorneys filing a counterclaim against Robinson, seeking damages and the return of airline miles, an aspect the jury outright dismissed.

The aftermath of this legal tussle remains uncertain, with potential post-verdict motions and considerations for an appeal looming, ensuring the saga continues to grip people’s attention and speculation.

Read More News

Bruce Willis can’t recognise Demi Moore amid dementia battle

Photo Cover: Pexels

The post Toxic workplace verdict awards $1.2 million appeared first on The Independent News.

Luxury real estate market in Manhattan springs back to life

Lifestyle

Gemma Iso

November 12, 2023

Luxury real estate market in Manhattan springs back to life

Manhattan’s luxury real estate market has rebounded after a lackluster performance in recent weeks. The most prominent deals making headlines in Manhattan’s luxury real estate market come from various corners of the city, painting a vivid picture of opulence and sophistication.

Luxury real estate market top contender

The recently constructed skyscraper, Residence #43N at 50 West 66th Street stands tall, offering a rare and coveted glimpse of Manhattan’s high-life living. With 3,395 square feet, this condo boasts four bedrooms, four and a half baths, and an elegant loggia adjacent to the living room, price tag is $23,250,000.

Barbara Walters’ Iconic Home

CityRealty and Olshan Realty joined forces to document another remarkable deal that took the Manhattan real estate scene by storm. It concerns the long-time residence of pioneering television journalist Barbara Walters. Her opulent abode at 944 Fifth Avenue, entered into a contract with an asking price of $17,750,000.

Auctioning Elegance

The contract for 944 Fifth Avenue was inked just days before a Bonhams auction showcasing Ms. Walters’ invaluable art, furniture, jewelry, and memorabilia. The connection was hard to ignore, as some of these iconic items graced the listing photos of the property. It was as if history and luxury converged in a seamless blend of opulence and nostalgia.

Not to be outdone, 108 Leonard Street, a former New York Life Insurance Company headquarters turned into a celebrity favorite condominium, took the stage with its own dazzling story. Residence #14D, a three-bedroom loft within this historic building, entered into a contract with an asking price of $12,965,000.

The top contracts of the week unveiled a fascinating dichotomy. The luxurious co-operatives lining the prestigious Fifth Avenue stood side by side with downtown’s industrial buildings. The mix of history, culture, and modern luxury continues to draw the elite to Manhattan’s bustling streets, where dreams are made and fortunes are sealed.

Read More News

X users shocked at parents allowing their 6-year-old son to be a “drag queen”

Cover Photo: Unsplash

The post Luxury real estate market in Manhattan springs back to life appeared first on The Independent News.

Mark Zuckerberg dismisses IG alerts on mental health

Lifestyle

Gemma Iso

November 12, 2023

Mark Zuckerberg dismisses IG alerts on mental health

The state of Massachusetts launched a legal battle against Meta, with shocking allegations targeting the tech giant’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.

Massachusetts vs. Mark Zuckerberg

Filed in the Suffolk Superior Court, the lawsuit claims that Zuckerberg and other high-ranking Meta officials turned a blind eye to critical concerns about Instagram’s features negatively impacting users’ mental health.

The lawsuit asserts that as far back as 2019, mental health experts implored the leadership to remove plastic surgery filters from Instagram and Facebook. These requests stemmed from profound worries about the detrimental effect these filters could have on young users, particularly girls.

Camera filters, body dysmorphia

An internal email, referenced in the lawsuit, reportedly depicts Instagram’s then-head of policy urging Zuckerberg to disable these filters, citing concerns about actively promoting body dysmorphia among young girls.

However, the lawsuit claims that rather than heeding these concerns, Zuckerberg opted to permit “plastic surgery simulation camera filters” on the platforms, asserting a ‘clear demand’ for these features and purportedly denying any evidence suggesting their harm.

The lawsuit, spanning close to 100 pages, further alleges that Meta dismissed its own research highlighting the platforms’ harmful and addictive nature.

The Wall Street Journal initially reported on these distressing revelations, underlining Meta’s alleged failure to invest in improving young users’ well-being from 2018 to 2022.

“30 tools and resources”

In response to the lawsuit, a Meta spokesperson informed ABC News that the company now provides “over 30 tools and resources” intended to assist teenagers and parents in safeguarding the well-being of young users on their platforms.

This lawsuit casts a stark light on the longstanding battle between social media platforms and their longstanding impacts on mental health. As this legal battle unfolds, it is set to ignite discussions and debates about the ethical responsibilities of tech giants in shaping the well-being of their young user base.

Read More News

Apple rumoured to use modified iPhone 14 body for the new iPhone SE

Cover Photo: Unsplash

The post Mark Zuckerberg dismisses IG alerts on mental health appeared first on The Independent News.

Resident: Is smoking in common corridor near neighbour’s house allowed?

Featured News

Beatrice Del Rosario

November 12, 2023

Resident: Is smoking in common corridor near neighbour’s house allowed?

SINGAPORE: A resident recently shared a post on an online complaint forum over a neighbour’s second-hand smoke. Given that Singapore is a densely populated area, such instances may not be hard to come by. What are some of the effects of second-hand smoke, and should Singaporeans pay better attention to such effects?

“I need advice,” wrote a resident who wished to remain anonymous in the Complaint Singapore Facebook group. “A neighbour who is in the corner house always come out to smoke at the stairway beside my house. The cigarette smoke gets into our flat. I am asthmatic and also have an aged pet. Are they allowed to smoke in a common corridor, especially near a neighbour’s house? Is this allowed legally?”

While some online users responded by advising the concerned resident to keep the windows closed instead, others encouraged the writer to simply talk to the smoking neighbour and explain the situation. Some suggested taking a video and reporting the incident to the National Environment Agency (NEA).

According to a study published in BMC Public Health, second-hand smoke, which is a “serious health hazard”, poses a threat not only to people’s physical well-being but also to their psychosocial state.

“Feelings of anxiety and stress are generally tied to feeling discomfort in one’s personal space, a perceived lack of control over the situation, resentment towards smokers, and concerns over the health effects,” the study read. The research was produced by Grace Ping Ping Tan, Odelia Teo, and Yvette van der Eijk. “Secondhand smoke exposure from neighbours is considered a widespread issue, exacerbated by structural factors such as building layout and the COVID-19 pandemic,” they wrote. “Resolving the issue amicably is considered challenging due to the absence of regulations and a reluctance to stir up conflict with neighbours. While smokers took measures to reduce secondhand smoke, these were described as ineffective by other participants. Smokers appeared to have contrasting views from other participants on what it means to smoke in a socially responsible manner.”

The research argued that the level of impact second-hand smoke has brings about the need for “stronger interventions, especially in densely populated urban settings where it is more difficult to avoid.”

Second-hand smoke, also referred to as SHS, is a combination of more than 7,000 chemicals that are hazardous to health. According to the study, second-hand smoke kills 1.2 million non-smokers every year. Second-hand smoke is especially hazardous to young children and people with pre-existing health conditions. Exposure to second-hand smoke in the home can increase people’s chances of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as asthma and lung cancer. It is also linked to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress. As for psychosocial issues, it can be a cause for tension among family members and an overall sense of unhappiness in the home.

Sitting over 4 hours daily increases risk of early death from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer

Featured News

Anna Maria Romero

November 12, 2023

Sitting over 4 hours daily increases risk of early death from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer

SINGAPORE: A popular bit of conventional wisdom nowadays is that sitting is the new smoking.

As it turns out, too much of a sedentary lifestyle, which is all too common with many of us who sit at our desks for work and then on our couches for scrolling or streaming during our downtime, is bad news for our health.

Why sitting all day is bad for you

How does it affect one’s health if they stay seated the whole day? Well, according to the US Center for Disease Control, those who live a sedentary lifestyle are at risk of developing the following diseases: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer, including cancer of the colon, breast, and uterus.

Additionally, not getting enough physical activity daily can also affect the quality of one’s sleep, mental health, bone health, and physical and cognitive abilities. People who also spend a lot of time sitting frequently experience pain in the neck, shoulders, lower limbs, lower back, buttocks, thighs, wrists, and hands, even after only two hours of sitting down.

Finally, those who sit for long periods as part of their daily routine also experience a slower metabolism, which means they tend to gain weight faster and have difficulty shedding kilos.

How much is too much?

But just how much sitting is acceptable, and what’s the magic number that slides from okay to increased health risks? Health professionals have said that four hours per day is the maximum amount of time we can stay sedentary. Those who sit for four hours or less daily are at a low risk of developing health issues. People who spend four to eight hours per day sitting are at a medium risk, and those who sit between eight and eleven hours are at a high risk. Any longer than that puts you at a very high risk for certain health issues, which we’ll discuss below.

What can you do if you have to spend many hours in one position?

For some of us, it’s part of our daily working routine to sit at a desk for hours on end. Are we doomed to a lifetime of health problems because of this? Fortunately, the answer is no.

Activity snacks

The effects of prolonged sitting can be reversed in simple ways. People can take “activity snacks,” which does not mean raiding the office refrigerator but rather going for a short walk for a few minutes every hour or so. And lest you become too engrossed in your work that you forget to take a break—why not set a timer and remind yourself?

Stretching

You can also take stretching breaks, which will help you avoid aches and pains, especially for your neck, shoulders, and back. If you don’t prefer to walk, do squats (get up, sit down, and then get up again), which will work for your body’s large muscle groups.

Standing, singing & dancing

Bosses should co-sign on short activity breaks, as this serves as a reset and refresher, which should boost productivity, not reduce it. Suppose you want to put on one song that everyone in the office can dance to—a fun activity of less than four minutes that can pay off big time. Alternatively, you could all sing “Bad Blood” together; make sure you’re standing up while doing it.

Standing desks & treadmills

Some offices have put standing desks in place, and others have even installed treadmills under their desk, allowing people to combat the health risks of too much sitting, even while they’re at work. /TISG

M’sian who left MY for SG now earns S$20K/month as YouTuber

Featured News
Personal Finance

Anna Maria Romero

November 12, 2023

M’sian who left MY for SG now earns S$20K/month as YouTuber

SINGAPORE: Last week, we learned more about Kelvin Tan, the YouTuber behind the Kelvin Learns Investing YouTube channel. Kelvin, who moved from Malaysia in 2007, stopped working as a programmer last year and says he’s now earning S$20,000 a month because of his finance-related content online.

Max Chernov’s interview with Kelvin was posted on Nov 2 and has since gotten 87,000 views. Kelvin talked about a number of things, including how it felt to move from Malaysia and eventually acquire Singaporean citizenship, as well as his experience leaving his corporate job to make it as an investment and financial advisor online.

Kelvin also talked about how he started his YouTube channel, which occurred right around the COVID-19 pandemic started. Like everyone else, he had an extra two hours a day because he was working from home, which allowed him to work on his online content.

“I was lucky enough that all the brokers came in at around the same time,” he said, as this helped his channel when he talked about them. Prior to the pandemic, brokers were charging $20 to $25 per trade, but during this time, they were only charging $1 per trade.

“There was huge interest, and I was right at the place where I could tell them all, ‘Look at these brokers, here’s how you can sign up with them,” Kelvin told Max. After that, people began to recognise him and watch out for his content.

In 2022, Kelvin lost his job when his company closed down, but at that point, the income from his YouTube channel was actually higher than his day job, so he decided to give it a try and focus on it more since he had already gotten it up and running already.

If worse came to worse, he reasoned that he could always find another programming job and become an office worker again, but thankfully, he hasn’t had to and doesn’t want to.

However, the trade-off is the hard work and long hours he puts in, sometimes working 12 hours a day and another 12 on weekends. These “80-hour weeks,” he said, have not been good for his health.

But he loves what he’s doing now, and if he were alone, he could already retire. Since he is married and has kids, however, he’s still working hard, wanting to let his wife retire or take just a part-time job, as well as ensure that his kids have generational wealth so that they don’t have to worry about money.

For now, his goal is to have S$1 million in his investment portfolio, and he says he’s about halfway there. The family lives very frugally because they have this goal in mind. This would ensure that he could have between S$3000 and S$4000 in passive income, which means he can work—and worry—less.

“I would like to take it easier in life,” he said. “Maybe instead of four videos, I will just do one video and do one course, but basically take it easier. I wouldn’t want to die young.” /TISG

Love scam: UOB staff prevents 70-year-old woman from sending S$50K to overseas “husband”

Featured News
Singapore News

Anna Maria Romero

November 12, 2023

SINGAPORE: Staff at UOB’s Tampines branch prevented a woman in her 70s from sending S$50,000 in September to a man she claimed was her husband. The staff were suspicious of the transaction, thinking the woman might have never even met this man in person.

The woman, they thought, was a love scam victim. The bank staff stepped in after the woman could not present a marriage certificate. She said that since they had married abroad, her husband had pictures from the wedding and the certificate.

UOB then encouraged the woman to file a police report, The Straits Times said. Mr Denethor Wong, the deputy branch manager at UOB at Tampines, had read the messages from the woman’s purported husband. And while he read affectionate messages, he also saw that the man had attempted to borrow money from the senior citizen, asking her repeatedly if she had already done so.

While she initially heeded UOB’s advice to file a police report, to their surprise, she tried to transfer another S$3000 a fortnight later to another account, saying it was for her birthday. However, the woman’s actual birthday had been months before.

And when the account where she tried to transfer the money was flagged as suspicious, UOB froze the woman’s account. This made her very angry, and she threatened the staff and cried during her frequent visits. Bank staffers eventually convinced the woman not to send money to the man, with Mr Wong involving the police’s Anti-Scam Centre to help as well.

Similarly, DBS officers recently prevented an elderly man from losing thousands in another love scam. DBS shared the story in an Oct 8 Facebook post, beginning with the man, who was described to be in his 70s, repeatedly yelling in frustration the following question: “It’s my money, why can’t I make the transfer?!” The incident occurred at the POSB branch in CompassOne in Sengkang. (DBS is POSB’s parent company.)

The staff correctly determined that the man could have lost considerable money if the scam had pushed through. The two staff members received letters of appreciation from the Singapore Police Force in September 2023 for preventing this scam.

A recent report showed that US$1.02 trillion (S$1.4 trillion) is lost annually around the globe through scams, with one out of every four persons getting victimized. This is equivalent to 1.05 per cent of the global GDP. Interestingly, on average, victims in Singapore have lost the most money. /TISG

Marilyn Mosby convicted of perjury, misuse of pandemic funds

International

Gemma Iso

November 11, 2023

Marilyn Mosby convicted of perjury, misuse of pandemic funds

A federal jury in Maryland found former Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, guilty of two counts of perjury.

The charges stemmed from her deceptive claims of pandemic-induced financial hardship to illegitimately acquire federal funds, which she used for down payments on two Florida vacation homes, as detailed by the Justice Department.

Marilyn Mosby: Prosecutor now prosecuted

Marilyn Mosby, who once held the position of Baltimore’s top prosecutor from 2015 until earlier this year, did not testify during the trial. The case unfolded with jurors commencing their deliberations after Monday’s opening statements were made.

The crux of the allegations outlined that Mosby obtained funds by asserting COVID-19-related financial distress, citing provisions of the CARES Act. However, the indictment highlighted a stark contrast between her claims and her actual financial situation.

This revelation regarding Mosby’s purported financial hardships under the pandemic contrasts sharply with her consistent income, averaging $247,955.58 annually, received through bi-weekly gross pay direct deposits.

Mosby’s fall from grace comes after her high-profile involvement in prosecuting the officers connected to the controversial Freddy Gray case, where the legal outcomes were either acquittals or mistrials. Now, her legacy faces a tarnished mark with the jury’s unanimous verdict on the perjury charges.

Misuse of public trust

The case’s resolution sheds light on the misuse of federal aid during a time of crisis and raises concerns about the misuse of public trust, particularly as it involves a prominent figure in the criminal justice system. Mosby’s actions, in contrast to her public image as an advocate for justice, highlight the complexities within the legal framework.

The guilty verdict stands as a significant fall for a prosecutor who once stood at the forefront of high-stakes legal battles, now found culpable in a case that speaks volumes about misuse of funds and the consequences of false claims.

Read More News

Omegle shut down, X users say “good riddance” as platform was riddled with problematic individuals

Cover Photo: Pexels

The post Marilyn Mosby convicted of perjury, misuse of pandemic funds appeared first on The Independent News.

Third-Party candidates and their impact on the 2024 US Elections

International

Gemma Iso

November 11, 2023

Democrats and Republicans have traditionally dominated the American political scene. With third-party candidates, the status quo is being challenged and policy debates are being reshaped. These candidates play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of this election and their impact promises to be a game-changer that could redesign the existing state of affairs.

Third-Party candidates

The Democratic and Republican parties wield substantial power and this duopoly has often left many voters feeling constrained by limited policy choices. By their very existence, third-party candidates provide an alternative to this perceived stranglehold on American politics.

Shifting the debate

A significant impact of third-party candidates on the elections is their potential to shift the national conversation and agenda.

For example, the Libertarian Party’s emphasis on individual liberty and limited government. This can compel the major parties to address topics like civil liberties, drug policy, and government surveillance that might otherwise be sidelined. The Green Party’s emphasis on environmental issues and social justice also pushes the Democrats to take more proactive steps.

As these candidates gather support and attention, they exert pressure on the major parties to adapt and evolve. Democrats and Republicans recognize that they can no longer take the votes of the American people for granted.

Electoral Outcomes

Although third-party candidates rarely win presidential elections, they can influence the outcomes. Attracting even a small percentage of the vote can tip the balance in favor of one major party or the other. In this way, third-party candidates become kingmakers, shaping the electoral map.

Offering a better political landscape

The presence of third-party offers the promise of a more dynamic, responsive, and diverse political landscape. Whether it’s a wake-up call or a catalyst for new policy ideas, these candidates remind us that democracy thrives when there’s room for all voices to be heard.

Read More News

Life skills for Gen Z to thrive

Cover Photo: Unsplash

The post Third-Party candidates and their impact on the 2024 US Elections appeared first on The Independent News.

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Is Markle happy

Toxic workplace

Jealous girlfriend?

Luxury real estate market top contender

Barbara Walters’ Iconic Home

Auctioning Elegance

Massachusetts vs. Mark Zuckerberg

Camera filters, body dysmorphia

“30 tools and resources”

Why sitting all day is bad for you

How much is too much?

What can you do if you have to spend many hours in one position?

Activity snacks

Stretching

Standing, singing & dancing

Standing desks & treadmills

Marilyn Mosby: Prosecutor now prosecuted

Misuse of public trust

Third-Party candidates

Shifting the debate

Electoral Outcomes

Offering a better political landscape

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