A viral Twitter video, that garnered 10 million views in three days, shows a group of friends in Vietnam building a replica Bugatti out of clay. The group originally posted the video to their YouTube channel, NHT TV, which also has other videos documenting the car’s year-long construction process, including the search for the material and patching of the clay on a bare-bone model.
Though the project got praised by Twitter users for the group’s inventiveness, there were others who criticised them for using clay in a moving car. They thought the safety of the car was in doubt. But if you watch the video until the end, you will realise that the guys remove the clay mould from the frame and replaces it with fibreglass.
A one-year study of Vietnamese youth who built their own Bugatti out of clay mud… 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/LSvvelI2sc
Which is still a better way to build a car and drive it around without much fear for the safety of the passengers. Nevertheless, a user says:
“That’ll be one HEAVY car. The gas alone would cost a fortune to move it. That happened to Neil Young when he let master carpenters build him a wooden carved bus.
“Serious waste of money and time. But, the carpenters made out great in the deal. LOLOL Was a gorgeous immovable bus.” @1stEstra
Clay in car modelling
Clay has been used in car modelling for generations. Indeed, as an art form, it has aided in the creation of many great automobiles.
Designers use it to model the vehicle in order to examine its design and identify flaws before it is approved for mass production.
The vast majority of the world’s automobiles have been built using clay models. But this practice is now under threat from the rise of digitalisation in the car industry.
The entire conception of a car is now done by computers, from visualisation to computerised milling and 3D printing.
But for some, the art of clay modelling is still not a thing of the past. Some renowned designers are still using clay to model their dream cars. The Vietnamese boys got it right!
A video of a couple being sweet with one another has gone viral online, but not for that reason. As adorable as they are, what caught netizens’ attention was the bicycle they had brought on the train, as it was the non-foldable kind.
Some commenters wondered if the MRT staff who should be making sure commuters comply with rules and regulations were sleeping or bo chap, meaning they simply don’t care. The bicycle seen in the video clip uploaded by Abdulsalam on the Singapore Incidents page on Wednesday (May 12) was certainly not a folded one.
It can be seen in the video in front of an affectionate young couple, both wearing black. The man holds on to the bicycle the whole time, and it does not seem to be blocking doors or pathways on the train, which looked fairly empty.
The video is captioned, “Never fold can meh?”
Netizens wondered how the bike got past MRT staff, with quite a few asking if they may have been sleeping.
One commenter replied, however, “I think instead of asking why enforcers did not catch the offenders, we should be asking why people are committing offences knowingly.”
But others chose to call out the poster.
One asked, “Is it their grandfather(‘s) train”?
The Land Transport Authority said in 2017 that foldable bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs) are allowed on trains and buses at all hours of the day, as long as they were folded and held on to by owners at all times, and that they don’t block doors or pathways.
LTA’s guidelines also say that these bikes and PMDs must not exceed 120cm by 70cm by 40cm when they are folded.
“Station staff and bus captains will stop commuters from boarding the train or bus if they fail to comply with the rules. Offenders can also be fined up to $500 for each offence,” LTA added. /TISG
As the number of people applying for and renewing passports continues to rise, Immigration and Checkpoints says applications now take at least six weeks to process.
“Longer Processing Time for Passport Application. Due to overwhelming passport applications, please expect a longer processing time of at least six weeks,” said a notice on the official website of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) today (May 11).
Authorities had said in early April that it would take four weeks to apply for and renew passports, and the new announcement also means that the processing time required will be extended by another two weeks.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said that it has received an “unprecedented” number of passport applications since March this year, which is believed to be due to border controls during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has left Singaporeans with a backlog of about 1 million expired or about to expire passports.
ICA in speaking to CNA about the application and renewal hikes for passports, the ICA said that the number of passport applications has increased to more than 7,000 per day since Singapore eased travel restrictions. At its peak, ICA received 14,000 applications in a day, it added. This is compared to about 2,000 applications per day pre-COVID.
ICA said it “understands that many Singaporeans are eager to start travelling again, especially during the coming June school holidays. We are doing our best to handle the high demand and our officers are working longer hours during this period.”
It added that applications could take longer if there is a greater surge in demand or if there are issues with an application, such as the submitted photograph, not meeting requirements. The ICA however assured that it has added more passport counters at its centre to cope with the high demand.
“We have also set up additional queue areas and conducted triaging to direct members of public to the right location. They are advised to follow the signages placed on-site and instructions given by officers when entering ICA building.”
As for Singaporeans who need to travel urgently, “they are required to produce supporting documents in person at ICA building for assessment on a case-by-case basis”, said ICA.
Those who are collecting their passports are encouraged to make an appointment to collect their documents at any SingPost outlet, instead of at the ICA building. There is no additional fee involved, ICA said.
“There are still many appointment slots available at the post offices for passport collection,” ICA noted. Some post offices also have longer operating hours, including weekends, it pointed out.
Due to the huge increase in the demand for passport applications and the surge in related fraudulent activities, the ICA issued a warning to the public that if they receive a call with the prefix “+65”, indicating that they have a problem with their passport, they must be vigilant.
U2’s Bono and The Edge cheered up audiences in Ukraine on May 8 with a surprise performance at a subway station in Kyiv. The famous singer and guitarist were accompanied by members of a Ukrainian band as they performed a number of hit songs.
The 40-minute concert was held in support of Ukrainian forces fighting the Russian army. They had been invited to perform by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
“Your president leads the world in the cause of freedom right now… The people of Ukraine are not just fighting for your own freedom, you’re fighting for all of us who love freedom,” Bono told a crowd of about 100 people gathered inside the Khreshchatyk metro station.
Some of the hit songs performed with The Edge included With or Without YouDesire, Angel of Harlem and Vertigo.
“I am grateful to Bono for supporting our people and drawing even more attention to the need to help our people,” Zelenskyy said in a video address.
The crowd cheered Bono on as between songs he said, “This evening, 8th of May, shots will ring out in the Ukraine sky, but you’ll be free at last. They can take your lives but they can never take your pride,” he said. The words were a quote from U2’s famous song Pride (In the Name of Love).
During his visit to Ukraine, Bono also visited Bucha, a nearby town where hundreds of bodies had been found last month after alleged Russian attacks as Moscow continues to deny allegations that Russian forces were responsible for killing civilians in Bucha.
This is not the first time that U2 has held a surprise concert, though the one in Ukraine has special significance as the war with Russia rages on. Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine in February resulting in millions of people having to flee their country and lose their homes with thousands killed in the war.
Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has rallied as Russian attempts to capture it have failed thanks to the Ukrainian military’s sharp defence.
Buying a term life insurance can be a daunting process, with the myriad of choices available. Contrary to paying for the traditional life insurance policy, term life offers a lower premium payable for the term of the insurance and greater flexibility.
The premium duration differs from yearly renewal to fixed years depending on how the insurance company allocates. Generally, the yearly renewal policy will cost the least, as the insurer’s health condition may deteriorate over time and the premium will most likely rise.
Example:
If Jon buys an FWD term life yearly renewal policy, it will cost $8.35/month. If he chooses to apply for a fixed term of 5 years, the premium payable will be $8.54/month. This works out to a difference of $11.40, assuming that the yearly renewal premium does not change for 5 years. This is often not the case, as the premium will get more expensive as Jon gets older. Thus, the longer the duration, the more expensive it is to get a yearly renewing policy.
Considerations?
If I were to decide on what I should buy, there would be a few considerations to think about. If I am a student without a stable income, I will consider buying a term life that renews yearly. Once I graduate and start working, I would consider upgrading to a longer fixed term policy.
Premiums
Company
Yearly Renewal
Fixed Renewal (5 years)
Fixed Renewal (20 years)
Maximum Premium
FWD
$8.35
$8.54
$13.01
$27.45 (47 years)
Singlife
$7.30
–
–
–
AIA
–
$9.57
$13.22
$27.45 (till age 65)
Great Eastern
–
–
$16.00
$89.55 (till age 100)
What are my choices?
When choosing a term life insurance, newer companies like FWD and Singlife with Aviva offer policies with competitive pricing, especially with Singlife with Aviva’s yearly renewal plan as low as $7.30 for Jon. Larger incumbents like AXA and AIA do not serve this segment of the market.
However, as you mature and become more financially stable, your options open up. Longer premiums should be your consideration, as age and health conditions will increase the premium prices.
The more affordable plans like the FWD plan are spartan and do not offer certain coverage like total permanent disability or critical illness. These coverages can be added to the basic plan with an additional cost on top. Even with the riders added to the FWD insurance, the premium is still lower. FWD also covers 35 critical illnesses, as opposed to AIA’s 30 while Great Eastern covers 37.
Incumbents like the AIA or Great Eastern are simpler to choose, having a set age where the policy expires. FWD offers a different model, where you select the number of years for your fixed term, ranging from 5 to 47 years.
For those who are worried about the premium expiring before any major issues, they could opt for a plan that expires after the insurer crosses the age of 99 or 100-year-old, from AXA and Great Eastern. If you are looking for a plan of such length, you might want to consider getting normal life insurance instead.
It is worth noting that when buying term life insurance, lump sum payments often will lead to some form of discount. For example, the FWD term life yearly renewal cost $8.35/month, but $95.20 yearly. The yearly payment cost $5 less in total as compared to the monthly payment. Furthermore, if you can find discount codes for Singlife, Great Eastern or FWD, it will help in reducing the premium amount payable.
Health status is also a factor to consider. FWD offers no health declaration if you are a non-smoker under the age of 30 and in the pink of health. AIA guarantees renewal for the 5-year term regardless of health condition.
In conclusion, FWD offers the best policy overall, but it is important to do your own research. You should find out what are special requirements that you might need, like more critical illness coverage, longer-term life or no health declaration.
Want to find out more about the best life insurance in Singapore 2022? Do check out over here!
Sharon Au took to Instagram to say that her apartment in Paris was broken into on April 30. Au is a Singaporean former actress and host. Having joined the TCS during the mid-1990s, she won many awards as an artiste with MediaCorp before taking a sabbatical to pursue university education in 2005 on a scholarship.
In her Instagram post made on 11 May, Au said the burglars took “everything” she loves, and that she had nothing now. With the exception of her cat, Rudon. She said that it took her 11 days to write the post without crying. She said Rudon however, still remains traumatised by the incident as she was a witness to the burglary.
Au lamented that she has to start from zero again, but assured her fans that “this is life.”
Au’s last television drama with Mediacorp was Tiramisu. She returned to MediaCorp to serve her scholarship bond upon graduation in 2011, taking up an office executive position. Nonetheless, she was still invited to host televised events and theatres.
In February 2018, she resigned amicably from MediaCorp. In October 2018, she found an overseas job as an investment director in a private equity firm based in Paris, France. She still has a loyal fan following in Singapore and Malaysia.
In July last year, a Paris gang was jailed for a string of burglaries on the homes of several high-profile celebrities, including the Chelsea footballer Thiago Silva. Other victims included Silva’s fellow former Paris Saint-Germain star, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, TV host Patrick Sébastien, rapper Booba and chef Jean-Pierre Vigato. Seven men and one woman were accused of targeting high-profile figures in Paris between 2018 and 2019 and stealing items worth an estimated €4.2m (S$6.1m).
With human help, could this be the duck’s lucky day of escape as it stood inches away from danger in the form of a snake pursuing its next meal?
The TikTok video showed the snake slithering towards the rather clueless duck along a drain at Bukit Timah Hill when one woman attempted a rescue mission.
The duck waddled forward, taking its sweet time, while the snake inched closer, blending in with the canal water.
Photo: TikTok screengrab/3344520ma
Soon after, a woman was heard shouting, “Hurry up! Run away quickly,” in Mandarin.
Sensing that the duck couldn’t waddle its way to freedom, the woman began throwing branches at the snake to deter it from its course.
Photo: TikTok screengrab/3344520ma
It appears that her plan worked as the snake began slithering away in the opposite direction.
Photo: TikTok screengrab/3344520ma
The video, which primarily features the circle of life taking its course, sparked multiple comments among netizens who saw a deeper meaning in what happened.
Some said it is only natural for humans to help those in need.
“It’s human nature to help anything in trouble. If you sat there and watch most likely even taking a video, then something is very wrong,” said Facebook user Elizabeth Martin.
“If we as a human doesn’t help to prevent things from happening, then we should be an animal than human,” added another netizen.
Meanwhile, others said it might be better to let nature take its course. “According to Buddha’s teachings, let nature takes its course. “顺其自然”. But then the woman distracting the snake is also considered “natural reaction”. All part of nature and its environment. No right or wrong,” said Facebook user Tiong Guan Chua in a comment with over 215 likes.
“Poor snake, going hungry till don’t know when. Maybe it gets so desperate, it will try its luck in the neighborhood and eat someone’s pet instead,” noted Facebook user James Chong, siding with the snake. “Then the owner may get upset and maybe hit and injure it. And it goes into hiding, not able to hunt due to injury and die from hunger.”
Still, it all boils down to survival, which Facebook user Olivia Franklin highlighted. “I hate how cruel nature can be. Either save the duck and starve the snake, or let the snake kill the duck. There’s just no winning. Who’s to say the prey has any more right than the predator? They’re all just trying to survive,” she commented.
“This taxi driver should lose his rice bowl,” said a netizen on an incident involving the driver stopping before an ERP gantry to insert the cash card and causing a chain collision soon after. Facebook page ROADS.sg called the SMRT taxi driver “ridiculous and irresponsible” for stopping in front of the ERP gantry on lane 1.
The page noted that the driver stopped to insert the cash card into the IU, while Facebook page SG Road Vigilante – SGRV said the driver wanted to top up the cash card. Regardless of the reason, the driver’s sudden stopping in the middle of an expressway soon caused an accident.
Photo: FB screengrab/SG Road Vigilante – SGRV
Although the cam car behind the taxi was able to stop on time, those behind the cam car were not so lucky.
A Honda Jazz collided with the white vehicle, which crashed into the Mazda behind the cam car, eventually crashing into those in front.
Photo: FB screengrab/SG Road Vigilante – SGRV
The accident happened along the Central Expressway on May 10 at around 7:38 am.
“The taxi driver is very irresponsible and should be taken off the road and jail, and their license revoked permanently,” said Facebook user Andrew Yap in a comment.
“I don’t usually say this, but this taxi cheebye should lose his rice bowl,” added Facebook user Red John.
“Where it is necessary for a vehicle to stop or remain at rest while it is on an expressway –
(a) by reason of a breakdown or mechanical defect or lack of fuel, oil, or water required for the vehicle;
(b) by reason of any illness, accident or emergency;
(c) to permit any person in or on the vehicle to recover or remove any object which has fallen on the expressway; or
(d) to permit any person in or on the vehicle to give help to any other person in any of the circumstances specified in this paragraph, the vehicle shall, as soon as is practicable, be driven or moved off the carriageway to the shoulder or verge on the left or near side of the vehicle,” the law states.
The offence carries four demerit points and a S$150 composition fine. /TISG
While it is common for influencers to collaborate with businesses and advertise their products or services in exchange for free items or payment, one in particular asked for a puppy in exchange for an Instagram post.
Derrick Tan, an animal activist and former para vet with the Singapore Police Force, shed some light on the influencer’s requests in a series of Facebook posts. “Nowadays, ‘influencer’ Sibei daring, got the t*ts to ask on such thing, really no shame,” said Mr Tan, attaching a screenshot of the influencer’s message, which reads:
“Hi, are you guys keen on collaborating with me? I will be able to deliver 1 Instagram carousel post (IGP) and 1 Instagram story post (IGS) – repost of IGP. You guys will need to sponsor me a puppy of my choice. (usually companies sponsor products and remuneration). The reason why I’m keen on this collaboration is because I’m looking for a buddy for my current dog!”
Photo: FB screengrab/Tan Derrick
After checking on the influencer’s profile, Mr Tan revealed a couple more details.
“Not to howlian or what, the following not even 5 per cent of my following,” said Mr Tan, who has about 5,420 followers on Instagram and 23,220 on Facebook.
He posted an update on Wednesday (May 11), warning others who want to collaborate with such individuals.
In a plot twist, the same influencer is now selling “licensed imported quality puppies.”
Photo: FB screengrab/Tan Derrick
“As you know, it was being shared that an ‘influenza’ that has been writing to many pet stores on asking for collaboration for free puppy (of her choice) by helping them to do an IG post and an IG story, today this happened. ‘Influenza’ selling puppies,” wrote Mr Tan.
“I sincerely and seriously don’t know what has the world become, but well, everyone, let’s clap for her. Your female entrepreneur in the making. It’s sad that I didn’t wanna share the name; well, those looking for people to collaborate with, please be extra cautious on who you are working with,” he added.
In another update, Mr Tan attached a screenshot, presumably from the influencer in question, that she wasn’t selling the puppies but helping a store promote.
Photo: FB screengrab/Tan Derrick
Netizens expressed criticisms towards influencers in their comments. “Nobody does things for what they genuinely want to do anymore,” wrote Facebook user Edmund Ho.
“It’s all just for social media, likes, comments, and virality. How to have kids? How to bring another human being into a world like this?”
“This is so funny… damn ridiculous.. then if I am hungry, I go find some restaurants for collaboration. If I need a transport, I go find grab or gojek. If I need some clothes, I go find some clothing shop izzit. Walau…these influencers really damn er xin!” said Facebook user Wayne Lim.
“‘Influencer’ is such a vile and disgusting word…” added Facebook user Tong Chih Sheng. /TISG
A private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver was caught on camera stopping by the kerb of a busy road to drop off a passenger, causing the vehicle behind it to high beam and honk at the driver.
Despite warning the PHV driver of the safety risk posed to other road users, it appears that the cam car driver got scolded in the process.
PHV driver “just stop at single zigzag white line to alight his passenger on a busy road,” said cam car driver Kris Tan who shared the incident on Facebook page ROADS.sg.
Photo: FB screengrab/ROADS.sg
“I stop behind his car and was blocking all the cars from the side road from entering into Rangoon Road. Naturally, I high beam and horn the car in front of me,” said the cam car driver.
Photo: FB screengrab/ROADS.sg
However, it appears that the passenger inside the PHV was not too happy.
A few moments after stopping, a man alighted from the vehicle, already irritated at the cam car driver.
The man used the Italian finger purse hand gesture to express his annoyance.
Photo: FB screengrab/ROADS.sg
Netizens had mixed reactions to the video, some siding with the passenger that they too would be angry with the cam car driver.
“Cam car, it’s just few seconds, and that’s it. One day you will encounter the same situation. You want someone to high beam and honking at you?” asked Facebook user Ang Ang.
Meanwhile, many others noted that an accident could happen from such driving behaviour.
“This is such an unsafe location to stop and alight a passenger. Amazing how these people think,” said Facebook user Angeline Lee.
“So many people who chided the camcar need to go back and retake their highway code or refrain from driving. Don’t even know what is right or wrong and still dare to display their ignorance,” noted another netizen.
Many highlighted that the road was the entrance to the Central Expressway and is usually very busy.
“Want to drop, drop at the other entrance. Ownself convenience end up causing safety hazard and jam for other drivers,” said Facebook user Steven Bimshop. /TISG
