The common feeling towards Twitter’s rebrand to X has not been positive. Following that, most users feel that it is a play on a gay dating app. This has been a recurring joke since Elon Musk’s statement that he is changing the app to said name. Furthermore, users are longing for it to be Twitter again.
The unpopularity of the rebranding of the social media app to X continues. According to Pink News, Twitter has undergone a significant transformation as owner Elon Musk rebrands the platform to X.
Unfortunately, this is a move that has been receiving widespread backlash and ridicule since its implementation.
A series of changes were made to the social media platform following Musk’s acquisition—including a controversial ban on the words “cis” and “cisgender” with a substantial drop in the site’s value. The official website, about.x.com, now redirects to an old Twitter site, where the original branding is still prevalent.
Twitter X rebrand looks like a gay dating app to some
— haze 🦫 KARLIE DAY🌞 (@klossestfriend) July 30, 2023
Users also state that it looks like an adult film website. These are the two popular opinions regarding the rebranding of the bird platform. The word X appears to be in ruin due to certain websites showing illicit content with similar names.
Meanwhile, users who are using an iPhone can change the app’s look and name through the shortcuts feature. However, this may not affect the notifications coming from the app. On top of that, the shortcut feature does customise the app icon and name, but it will have a popup indicating that it is a shortcut.
Users are now directly subtweeting Elon, stating it is similar to a gay dating app. They are urging the billionaire to change it to its original name or rename it to something with more substance. Unfortunately, this opinion is so popular that others claim they’re copying their tweets.
SINGAPORE: In recent news, award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh announced that she finally got married to Jean Todt after their 19 years of engagement. A few days after posting about the wedding, Michelle Yeoh posted a short clip of a little kid warning her new husband to take care of her ‘Popo (grandmother) Michelle’.
The cute little kid, named Raelyn, stated in the Instagram video: “Congratulations Popo Michelle, I love you. Uncle Jean, don’t be naughty to Popo Michelle; later, Popo Michelle will stay here in my house.”
Raelyn continuously expressed her love for Michelle. Michelle then stated in her post caption: “Plan B Uncle Jean if you are naughty 🤣😂😂”
Netizens commented on the said IG post.
One IG user stated: “Awww, I love the way she shows you affections ❤️”
Another IG user remarked: “Too adorable. You know she’s got your back 👏👏🙌🙌❤️❤️❤️”
More users declared: “Excellent message for the world! Thanks, beauty! 👏👏👏💕⭐️”, “Such a cute msg and love is love ❤️”, “Awwww. She’s so cute”, and “Adorable girl”
The Oscar winner married the ex-Ferrari CEO Jean Todt at 60 and 77, respectively. They exchanged their wedding vows and had their intimate wedding ceremony in Geneva, attended by their family and friends.
Jean Todt also confirmed their wedding on the social media X, formerly known as Twitter. “I can happily confirm the union with the Love of my life, Michelle,” he stated in his post.
In other news, Michelle Yeoh recently made history by being the first Asian who won Best Actress at the 95th Academy Awards last March for the film Everything Everywhere All At Once. She was also the first Malaysian actress to win at the prestigious award ceremony.
Travel expenses are rising at shocking rates because of global inflation fuelled by consequential events like the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and the Ukraine-Russian war. Singapore’s inflation rate jumped from 0.44% in 2018 to 6.12% in 2022.
Unfortunately, this inflation is seeing no sign of slowing down in 2023 and will continue to impact the average cost of travel.
If you love to travel, this article reveals the travel expenses impacted by global inflation and shares some tips on offsetting those expenses using the best travel credit cards in Singapore.
Broadly speaking, four key categories heavily influence the average cost of travel: airfare, accommodations, transportation and food. If you have travelled abroad lately, you might have noticed the costs for such items have become less affordable than before 2019.
Source: Unsplash
Airfare
A recent study across Asia Pacific markets has found that international airfares have increased by as much as 50% and domestic flights by 10% since 2019. Fuel price increases and rapid inflation are cited as key reasons for price hikes, but airlines’ intention to capitalise on the “revenge travel” phenomenon to recover losses incurred during travel lockdowns could be a stronger reason for the soaring prices.
If the rising cost of airfares has been a headache, being more flexible on travel day and time of year may make a big financial difference. Avoid travelling during peak seasons or on Fridays or Sundays because these periods are most sought after and thus more expensive. Airfares for midweek with fewer passengers tend to be less expensive.
The price of hotel accommodations might have plummeted in 2020, but it has bounced back by over 50% in the United States, 70% in Thailand and 40% in Singapore. The increase in hotel prices is happening globally, and wherever you plan to travel next, it is bound to take a toll on your travel expenses. Your best bet to bring down your average cost of travel may be to scout the market for more affordable accommodations like private homestays, bed-and-breakfasts or co-living spaces.
To ensure smooth travels, always buy the best travel insurance in Singapore that protects you from any unexpected travel hiccups that may have financial consequences. If you lose your luggage during your overseas stay or have to cancel your accommodation due to unforeseen reasons, a good travel policy can help you cover substantial costs.
Source: Unsplash
Transportation
Whether you prefer to rent a car while you travel or take public transport for sightseeing, be prepared to fork out at least 6.8% more for transportation.
Transportation
2020
2021
2022
2023
Price change
4.9%
5.1%
7.3%
6.8%
Source: The 2023 Annual Global Business Travel Forecast
The fluctuation of prices is impacted by a variety of factors. Japan Railways (JR), for example, cited the yen’s decline in value relative to other currencies and inflation of energy costs as key reasons to increase the prices of its JR Passes by 60% to 77% from October 2023. Even Seoul officials have announced fare hikes for subway and buses from August to offset the city subway service’s growing deficit.
A quick look at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index revealed that there is a slight softening of the price index for June but the exponential increase over the past few years has already tipped over the comfortable zone.
Even Singapore’s hawker prices, which have been well known to be affordable by both locals and foreigners, have increased for the first time in 40 years. Surely, you can expect to pay a lot more when you travel abroad because global food suppliers and restaurant owners are facing the same challenges as they try to tackle the inflation of rental and ingredient prices in 2023 and beyond.
How To Offset Travel Expenses With the Right Credit Cards
Want to be a savvy traveller who can enjoy seeing the world while keeping your globe-trotting experience within budget? Using the best Singapore travel credit cards to pay for your travel expenses may help you earn a lot of frequent flyer miles, hotel rewards and even special privileges like free airport transfers or travel insurance.
The DBS Altitude Visa offers extra travel perks like free lounge visits and up to 10 miles-per-dollar (MPD) spend exchange. It is suitable for those who can make an annual spend of S$25,000 with the card.
Overall Rewards
Annual fee: S$194.40, waived with S$25,000 annual spend
Alternative: 10,000 bonus miles w/ payment of annual fee
1.2 MPD locally, 2 miles overseas, 3 miles for online travel bookings
This is suitable for frequent flyers who do not mind paying more for the annual fee in exchange for exclusive travel privileges like free travel insurance coverage, complimentary hotel stays and free golf games at prestigious golf courses. Cardholders are also entitled to complimentary access to hundreds of Priority Pass airport lounges, eight complimentary one-way airport limousine transfers and round-the-clock Citi Prestige Concierge support.
Overall Rewards
Annual fee: S$535
1.3 MPD locally, 2 miles overseas
25,000 annual renewal miles (worth S$250)
15% to 30% annual Citi relationship bonus
Unlimited lounge access, travel insurance, free hotel nights
This is an air miles card with a generous annual fee waiver policy and MPD exchange. It is also a rare entry-level card with complimentary travel insurance. If you drive in Singapore, you will love this card even more because cardholders are eligible to receive 26.45% savings at Caltex stations.
Overall Rewards
Annual fee: S$180, 3-year waiver, subsequently with S$18,000 annual spend
3.2 MPD local spend on dining, petrol, taxis, Grab and hotel bookings with Agoda
2 MPD on air tickets, travel packages and foreign currency transactions
Access to airport lounges and free travel insurance
For more information on the best credit cards to use on your travels, check out our roundup of the best credit cards in Singapore for the various spending categories.
The article originally appeared on ValueChampion.
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SINGAPORE: Award-winning actress Hong Hui Fang recently attended the Malaysia International Film Festival and was asked to be the presenter for the prestigious 6th Malaysia Golden Global Awards.
In an Instagram post shared by The Celebrity Agency, Mediacorp’s talent management, they showed a compilation of what happened in these events through a short video.
Hong Hui Fang graced the stage wearing a long black sequined dress at the #MIFFEST2023. She also attended the Shorties Awards Ceremony wearing a beautiful red dress. And then a stunning green suit for the Welcome Dinner.
Netizens commented on the said IG posts. Some people wish to have more Singaporean artists represent these award ceremonies, just like Hong Hui Fang did.
One IG user declared: “I hope to see Mediacorp’s first Ah Jie, Xiang Yun, gaining recognition overseas next. She has superb acting skills and deserves a big break like Hong Huifang.”
In other news, Hong Hui Fang partnered with Mediacorp and Catwalk Taiwan last February 2023. This partnership aims to bring diversification and more opportunities for her in the said country.
Hong Hui Fang was nominated at the Golden Horse Awards as Best Actress last year for her Korean-Singapore movie, Ajoomma, which was held in Taiwan. She won at the 2022 Asian World Film Festival for the same title and film as well.
Domestic helpers enjoy a picnic in the shade (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP)
SINGAPORE: An employer who hired a maid for the first time wanted to know if she should allow her helper to stay at a friend’s place overnight.
In an anonymous post to a support group on social media for domestic helpers and employers alike, the woman wrote that she hired a Filipino helper. She added that her maid’s day off was on Sunday. She wanted to know if allowing her helper to stay over at her friend’s house on Saturday night was normal. The woman wrote that her maid’s friend or family were also helpers.
“I don’t think it’s the normal practice but my helper thinks it’s normal and given”, she wrote.
Her post received almost a hundred reactions and more than 150 comments in less than five hours. Here’s what others said:
Last month, in a post demanding specific work days off, a maid led to an intense debate between helpers and employers in the comments section.
Posting to a support group on social media for domestic helpers and employers, the maid wrote that she was looking to be hired by someone who could give her all Sundays and public holidays off without a curfew. Her post garnered over 300 reactions and more than 250 comments on social media.
“I dropped out of Singapore’s best university to save my family from going bankrupt” — 21-year-old “ang mo” asks Singaporeans to help him save his dad’s Slavic restaurant
Image: TikTok screengrab / @kapitansingapore
SINGAPORE: Singaporeans have rallied behind a 21-year-old Ukranian who recently took his efforts to save his father’s Slavic restaurant in Singapore to TikTok.
The young man reportedly dropped out of Singapore’s best university to save the family business. His humble and honest approach seems to have tugged on the heartstrings of Singaporeans, who have answered his call, ready to support the restaurant.
“You studied hard for 4 years just to screw up during commencement” — Graduate hat blunder on stage goes viral
Image: TikTok screengrab / @j1aying
SINGAPORE: A Singapore Management University graduate recently went viral on TikTok after she uploaded a video of her graduate hat blunder during her commencement. Though Singaporeans had a little laugh, they also applauded her for her composure.
“POV: You studied hard for 4 years just to screw up during commencement.” This was the title of a recent video posted by @j1aying. The 32-second clip, which garnered over 964,000 views in three days, featured her coming up on stage to get her diploma. Right after she shook the hand of the man holding her diploma, the two turned to face the camera for a quick picture.
Pritam asks Indranee to consider if there was something suspicious about the duration it took for Tan Chuan-Jin’s hot mic video to become public
Photo: Youtube screengrab / Indranee Rajah and Pritam Singh
SINGAPORE: Speaking in Parliament on Aug 2, Indranee Rajah addressed Tan Chuan-Jin’s hot mic incident.
Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh asked Ms Rajah: “Would the leader be minded to refer that matter to the police to investigate, to inquire who released that video? Because, as Leader said, I don’t believe anybody in this house picked up that language.”
Xixi Lim called the police to arrest her mother when she was a teenager, says it was best for her
Photo: IG screengrab/ Xixi Lim
SINGAPORE: In an episode of the YouTube series R U Okay? actress and host Xixi Lim admitted that her mother used to be a gambler. She said that her mother wanted to become rich overnight, and when her gambling addiction worsened, she needed help from the police.
Xixi mentioned that her relatives called her cruel and cold-blooded due to her actions, but she got used to it. “I knew what was best for my mother and I did it,” she declared. She added that her mother can live a grounded and stable life when people are ‘not overly nice’ to her. Xixi said: “We are still in contact but as we don’t live together anymore, we don’t talk often.”
‘Chicken wing at most $1.50, but vendor says $2.50’ — Customer complains
Photo: FB screengrab/COMPLAINT SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE: Another netizen took to social media regarding the high food price these days, shocked that a single chicken wing cost as much as $1.50.
Facebook user Ggoo Lee wrote on the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE page on Monday (Jul 31) that they’d had a meal at the canteen at Woodlands Interchange NTWU. “I only selected 3 ingredients with rice but my total price is $6.30 and when i ask the stall owner, the vendor says just for one chicken wings is $2.50…3 meat ball also $2.50…how come so expensive till exceeded $2…”
Cheng Li Hui & Tan Chuan-Jin went on “only one” official trip together to Cambodia
Photo: FB/ Baey Yam Keng
SINGAPORE: On the inappropriate relationship of former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and former PAP MP Cheng Li Hui, Mr Pritam Singh asked PM Lee: “My question is, if the Prime Minister knew of the affair in 2020, why were Speaker Tan and Cheng Li Hui allowed to be on the same Standing Select Committee of Parliament, namely the House Committee after GE 2020 when the Prime Minister was already aware of the affair?”
“Wouldn’t their being on the same committee have resulted in more interactions between them than necessary or given official reasons to be together?” Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh asked in Parliament on Wed (Aug 2). He also wanted to know how many trips Tan Chuan-Jin and Cheng Li Hui had been on since 2020 at taxpayers’ expense.
Employer says her maid wants to sleep without showering, demands rice 3 times a day and snacks in between
Elizabeth Mosquera, an unemployed maid who lost her job during the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic, serves dinner at her house in Medellin, Colombia, on December 7, 2020. – In Colombia, women are paying a higher price than men during the pandemic. For every unemployed man there are two women. And in cases such as those of Elizabeth, Maria Edilma and Jackeline, they have take care of their homes. (Photo by Joaquin SARMIENTO / AFP)
SINGAPORE: An employer took to social media asking for advice because her new maid said that a 3-room household of three adults and a dog was too much for her to handle.
In an anonymous post to a support group on social media for domestic helpers and their employers, a woman wrote that on her maid’s second day, she went for a course and, after she came back, wanted to sleep without taking a shower.
PM Lee reveals S Iswaran’s pay reduced to $8,500 amid corruption probe
YT screencapture
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revealed that Transport Minister S Iswaran’s pay had been cut to $8,500, and his duties have been interdicted amid the Minister’s arrest as part of an ongoing corruption probe.
In a ministerial statement today (2 Aug), Mr Lee provided the timeline of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) probe. He said that CPIB found information that warranted further examination regarding Mr Iswaran.
Pritam Singh says govt has been “less than upfront and forthright with Singaporeans” and PAP engages “in half-truths on matters of significant public interest”
SINGAPORE: Seeking clarifications from PM Lee Hsien Loong and Chan Chun Sing in Parliament on Aug 2, Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh said that the government has been “slow to clear the air, or been less than upfront and forthright with Singaporeans when it had to deal with potentially embarrassing issues”.
Listing the incidents to prove his point, he says that the public was not initially informed about CPIB’s investigation into the Ridout rentals. He said that Senior Minister Teo was appointed to establish whether there were any wrongdoings in order to maintain higher standards of integrity. He said the public was not told that PM Lee ordered a CPIB investigation. Mr Pritam continued that the public was also not told about Mr Iswaran’s arrest when investigations were first disclosed.
PM Lee answers why he took two years to act on Tan Chuan-Jin & Cheng Li Hui affair, says these sorts of relationships happen from time to time
SINGAPORE: Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, Aug 2, PM Lee addressed the affair between former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and former MP Cheng Li Hui.
PM Lee said he first learnt of their relationship in Nov 2020. They were both spoken to and counselled separately. They said they would stop the affair, but they did not, PM Lee said. In Feb 2023, Mr Tan admitted and offered to resign. A few weeks ago, PM Lee came across information that their relationship continued.
SINGAPORE: An employer who hired a maid to take care of her newborn asked what she should do when the maid was not able to work independently.
In an anonymous post to a support group on social media for domestic helpers and employers alike, the woman wrote that she hired a fresh helper six months ago. “Even after 6 months of training (cooking, cleaning etc.) her personally she is unable to work independently. Always need to dictate to her what to do in spite of preparing a schedule and meal plan for her. She is very slow in her work and mostly in her thoughts. She will never take initiative”, the woman wrote adding that the maid was alright with cooking but was good at basic cleaning. She said that her helper was poor at multitasking.
The woman explained that the maid was hired to care for her newborn only because the helper had three children of her own.
“What do I need to do as an employer if I need to allow helper to take care of my 2 months old? Me and my husband both are working professionals. Is it safe to keep 2 months old with helper? From the helper’s view, how do you expect me to train her?” she asked. She added that the maid will not be asked to care for the child at night so that she can get 10 hours of sleep. The helper was also given a break in the afternoons of two to three hours.
“We don’t expect her to do any household work during our absence. Her primary duty is to take care of the baby. Past 2 months we have never asked her to anything related to baby. Me and my husband and doing everything related to the baby”, she wrote. The woman said that she was confused as to how even after six months, her maid was still not able to do housework independently.
“Should I just send her back, as I don’t have time and stamina to train her for another 6 months? And even if I train her for the next 6 months, will she be independent to handle her work? I need to spend time with my newborn after coming home from work”, the employer wrote.
Here’s what others who commented on the post said:
Earlier this year, an employer who found out about her helper’s nighttime activities took to social media to ask whether she should keep or replace the latter.
In an anonymous post to a support group on social media, the employer wrote that her helper’s main task was to look after her baby. “After just a month, she spread the COVID-19 virus to my baby who just 3 months – she is the only house member who sick and I saw her coughing in front of baby without covering her mouth”, the employer wrote.
While the helper expressed remorse, the woman then found out her maid was posting TikTok videos while the child was hospitalised.
“I just went to her TikTok profile and realise she posted video with bra only. I was a bit surprised to see that as she looks different from day time, she looks totally different from those Tim Tok video she posted. Once she entered her room at night time, she will not come to help us even though baby cry badly”, the woman wrote.
Photo: Youtube screengrab / Indranee Rajah and Pritam Singh
SINGAPORE: Speaking in Parliament on Aug 2, Indranee Rajah addressed Tan Chuan-Jin’s hot mic incident.
Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh asked Ms Rajah: “Would the leader be minded to refer that matter to the police to investigate, to inquire who released that video? Because, as Leader said, I don’t believe anybody in this house picked up that language.”
Leader of the House Indranee Rajah said she did not consider making the audio louder an offence that needed to be referred to the police.
Mr Singh said that the question was “the duration of time it took for that video to become public. I’m not sure whether the Leader considers there to be something suspicious about that. There is also the matter of what we came to know later of a long-running affair between Speaker and another MP, whether in total they are circumstances which the authorities should actually look into”.
In the case of the personality involved – the Speaker of the House, a very senior member of the government – whether there would be some thought placed on the circumstances of how that video came to be circulated in public. He added that individuals have approached him asking whether there is a “false flag” in the matter as well.
Ms Indranee said that she struggled with what she should refer to the police as “release of timing at a later stage is not per se an offence”. She then closed the matter.
On Jul 11, it was captured that Former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin reacting to a speech by WP MP Jamus Lim in which he was heard using an expletive. Ms Rajah said it was not audible to members of Parliament at the time but circulated online three months after it was heard on the live stream. In her statement in Parliament, Ms Rajah said there were precedents on how unparliamentary language has been dealt with, and she read a statement from Tan Chuan-Jin in Parliament where he apologised and acknowledged his lapse. /TISG
SINGAPORE: In response to a TikTok video about how pickpocketers are rare in Singapore, many took to the comments section to share anecdotes of issues like theft in Singapore. Though some said that this level of safety and security was a shock to them, others urged people not to be complacent, with some arguing, “Low crime doesn’t mean no crime.”
“POV: When everyone is fighting against pickpockets for their European summer but you went to Singapore instead where pickpockets don’t even exist.” This was the heading of a recently published video, which has already garnered over 100,000 on TikTok.
The eight-second clip featured a man sitting on a flight of steps. In the video, he gently shoves his phone aside, feigning a sense of security and trust that no one would try to steal it. “Welcome to Singapore,” the caption read, “The safest place on earth where I’m more scared of ghosts than being pickpocketed.”
Many online users took to the post’s comments section to share anecdotes revolving around the same subject matter.
“I, as a Singaporean, (am) probably scared to even touch. Wait fingerprint la kena accused of theft,” said one.
“Same I see money on the floor, scared to pick up too,” replied another.
Others shared experiences. “So true, I lost my wallet in the MRT before and somebody returned the whole thing but my $50 cash was gone,” one commenter shared. “Was just happy I got my IC.”
“My kid just left his iPad in the loo today in the mall,” shared another. “I thought it was lost (but) someone sent it to lost&found.”
However, some reported having experienced theft. “I lived in London for years and was never robbed. Instead, I was robbed in Singapore at Paragon!” said one.
“Nah. My father left his phone in the toilet (a PWD cubicle) and (it) was never returned,” shared another. “In a brief five minutes only.”
“Don’t push your luck, sir,” warned one commenter. “Low crime does not mean no crime.
However, other commenters pushed through by sharing their positive experiences.
“Coming from New York City, I left my laptop in a busy hawker centre and was sure it would be gone,” said one netizen. “Came back 2 hours later still untouched on the same table.”
“This happened to one of my Indo friends too!” shared another. “She left her laptop bag in a hawker centre and went back, it was still there.”
“Left my wallet at the hawker table,” wrote yet another online user. “Came back two hours later and it wasn’t moved a bit. They thought I was marking the table.”
What’s your take on this matter?
In other news, TikToker Uptin said in a viral video: “This country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.”
He left his open laptop at a “random Starbucks” for an hour without asking anyone to keep an eye on it. And sure enough, when he returned from having lunch at a nearby mall, it was still there.
