In a world where international travel is more accessible than ever, it’s essential to adhere to the rules and regulations of each country you visit.
The story of Zeng Xiuying, a 52-year-old Chinese national, and her companion, Wu Zhang Wang, serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that can arise when travelers don’t comply with these rules.
The Arrival
According to TODAY, on the afternoon of October 16, 2023, Zeng and her companion Wu Zhang Wang arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 1 in Singapore.
Their ultimate destination was Amsterdam, Netherlands, with a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight scheduled to depart at 12:40 am the following day. However, their plans hit a snag when they reached departure gate C15.
Denied Entry
Ms. Suriah Samsi, an agent of KLM employed by Sats Security Services, screened the duo and discovered that they did not possess the necessary visas to travel to Amsterdam.
Consequently, she denied them entry to the boarding area and reported the situation to other KLM staff. The airline also decided not to allow Zeng and Wu to board the flight.
The Involvement of Mr. Ronald Michael Jansen
To further communicate the denial to the two travelers, Mr. Ronald Michael Jansen, a Certis Cisco officer, was summoned.
He approached Zeng and Wu, explaining to them, in Mandarin, that they were not permitted to board the flight.
Despite his efforts, Zeng was determined to make the journey.
The Bribery Attempt
Zeng’s desperation led her to make a grave mistake. In a last-ditch effort to secure a spot on the flight, she approached Mr. Jansen and offered him approximately US$50, asking him to use his influence to help her board.
However, Mr. Jansen refused her offer and reiterated that he could not accept her money.
A Second Attempt
Undeterred by her initial failure, Zeng made another attempt to bribe her way onto the flight. While she and Wu were still near departure gate C15, Ms. Suriah asked for Zeng’s passport to check her travel history.
Zeng handed over her passport along with at least US$50 concealed underneath it and requested Ms. Suriah’s assistance, once again in Mandarin.
Ms. Suriah promptly rejected the bribe.
Legal Consequences
Zeng’s brazen attempts to bribe the airport officials did not go unnoticed. She was subsequently arrested for her actions, which constituted an offense under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
During the course of the investigation, Zeng admitted to her attempts to bribe both Mr. Jansen and Ms. Suriah.
However, she claimed that she offered them only a single US$50 note.
Sentencing
In court, Zeng pleaded for a more lenient sentence, arguing that she offered the money to the officers to request information from the airline about her inability to board the plane.
She emphasized that this was her first time traveling abroad. Despite her plea, she was sentenced to four weeks in jail for her corrupt actions.
In the ever-evolving world of social media and online influence, inspiring stories of personal transformation are like a breath of fresh air.
Simon Khung, a 36-year-old Singaporean influencer who, under the alias Simonboy, has risen from the depths of a 16-year-long battle with drug addiction to become an influential figure in the digital realm.
Simon Khung’s recent advertisement for Heng Heng Herbal Soup caught the attention of many, but his journey to this point is a story that deserves to be told.
The Viral Ad for Heng Heng Herbal Soup
Simon Khung’s recent ad for Heng Heng Herbal Soup not only showcases his acting skills but also provides a glimpse into his personal journey.
In the video, Simon portrays a stall owner at an undisclosed Heng Heng outlet, engaging in a rude exchange with a dirty-looking customer who takes an unusually long time to place an order.
The customer surprises the stall owner by requesting just a bowl of white rice, handing over a humble S$0.50 coin for the order. He also asks for a refill for his water bottle. The stall owner, though visibly annoyed, obliges the customer’s requests.
Overhears him lying about eating well
While filling the bowl of rice, the stall owner unintentionally overhears the customer’s phone conversation with what appears to be a loved one.
The customer paints a false image, claiming to be eating well every day and reassuring their loved one to focus on taking care of their mother instead.
After finishing his order, the customer mysteriously disappears, leaving the stall owner in bewilderment. The stall owner eventually finds the man sitting on the ground outside the kopitiam, looking crestfallen.
A Gesture of Humanity
The customer, likely due to his appearance and the cleanliness of his clothes, requests to eat his rice outside to avoid dirtying the kopitiam. The tattooed stall owner, in an unpleasant and harsh tone, insists that he sits inside the kopitiam.
As the man reluctantly takes a seat, the stall owner surprises him with a bowl of herbal soup, accompanying the bowl of rice he ordered. When the customer expresses his surprise at receiving the soup, the stall owner explains that it’s on the house, even offering a refill once he finishes it.
As the famished customer digs into his rice, he discovers a delightful surprise beneath—a portion of braised meat, as he bursts into tears and tucked into his food.
Holding a fully refilled water bottle, the customer graciously bows to the stall owner, expressing his heartfelt appreciation for this act of kindness.
@simonboyyyyyyy Never judge a book by its cover. @Heng Heng Herbal Soup 19 Outlets in Singapore 🇸🇬 Every sip, is love ❤️ 🎥: @ErisAndRonald #teamsimonboy♬ 像鱼 – 王贰浪
Simon’s background with drugs
Simon Khung’s early life was marked by adversity. Growing up in a challenging environment, he was constantly exposed to smoking and family tensions as a child. These early experiences left an indelible mark on his upbringing, setting the stage for the trials he would later face.
Simon’s descent into the world of drug addiction began at the tender age of 16. What started as an experiment soon spiraled into a 16-year battle with addiction.
Desperation led him to steal thousands of dollars from his own mother to fuel his habit, a decision that would haunt him for years.
Mother’s undying love
Throughout this tumultuous journey, one person never gave up on Simon—his mother. Her unwavering support and love were his pillars of strength, even in the darkest of times. Her enduring belief in her son would become a key motivator for Simon’s eventual recovery.
In 2019, Simon hit rock bottom. He found himself in Changi Prison, serving his third sentence. After his release, he sank into a deep depression, culminating in a harrowing attempt to take this own life by drinking bleach. Miraculously, he survived, awakening to a new sense of purpose and determination.
Determined to break free from the chains of addiction, Simon made the courageous choice to check into a halfway house. It was here that he began his arduous journey toward rehabilitation and recovery.
Met fellow former drug addict
As Simon embarked on his path to recovery, he stumbled upon anti-drug TikTok videos created by former addict Luke Chan. These powerful videos served as a beacon of inspiration for Simon, igniting his desire to use his experiences to make a positive impact on others.
Simon not only found inspiration in Luke Chan’s content but also a friend and mentor. The two former addicts bonded over their shared experiences, offering each other support and encouragement on their respective journeys to recovery.
Today, Simon has made significant strides in his life. His content creation and other investments have allowed him to achieve financial stability, enabling him to give back to his mother as a gesture of gratitude for her unwavering love and support.
A netizen shared how he started dating a ladyboy and when he brought her home to meet his parents, they were none too pleased about it and eventually disowned him.
Here is the story
“I met Lisa a couple of years ago at one of the pubs in central Singapore, and at the time I didn’t know that she was a ladyboy.
She looked just like a girl, and she was probably the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.
I managed to get her number and we then got to know each other a little more, before she told me that her real name is Lionel and that she was a ladyboy, and she asked if i minded.
i was already in love with her by then and of course I didn’t mind. As time went on, we started hanging out more and eventually got together.
I was very serious about her and felt that it was time for her to meet my family, and I asked her if she was willing and she said of course.
So I invited Lisa to my home to join us for dinner, and we then shared some stories about how we met and got together.
As the conversation flowed, I revealed to my parents that she was a ladyboy, and I could see the smiles on my parents’ face slowly turn into shock.
We finished our meal and I then sent Lisa back to her home, before going back home myself and found my parents waiting for me.
We had a very heated argument because they disapproved of my relationship with Lisa.
Point to note, my parents are very conservative and they hold very old fashioned beliefs, they see Lisa as nothing more than a man playing dress up.
i got angry and defended her, and the argument then escalated, as they told me if I want to continue dating her, then I can jolly well get out of the house and they don’t want me as a son.
I shouted “ok” and went back into my room, packed up some clothes and walked right out of my home, slamming the door behind me.
I had no where else to go so I went to Lisa’s place and asked if I could stay with her for a while, which she agreed.
it has been months since I last spoke to my parents, I didn’t even celebrate Chinese new year this year because of this whole drama and I don’t even know if they still think of me.
Did i make the right decision? or was I too rash?”
Editor’s note: This kind of situation ah, turn left also die, turn right also die, go straight also die. I don’t know ah, all the best and good luck.
A man in Malaysia planned a thrilling date at Escape Theme Park in Penang, Malaysia, with his girlfriend, eagerly anticipating the adventure of conquering the world’s longest water slide.
However, the man, Zachariah Chiah, ended up on a “date” with the lifeguard instead of his girlfriend, as the lifeguard slipped and ended up on the water float with him.
The World’s Longest Water Slide
Escape Theme Park in Penang boasts the world’s longest water slide, recognized by Guinness World Records. This mammoth slide stretches over 1,111 meters, winding through Penang’s forest-covered hillside. Visitors on this exhilarating journey take a full three minutes to descend to the bottom, making it a must-visit attraction for thrill-seekers.
Zachariah Chiah’s Experience
Zachariah Chiah and his girlfriend were all set to embark on this incredible journey down the water slide. Chiah was perched comfortably on the float, eagerly waiting for his girlfriend to join him for the ride.
As Chiah and his girlfriend were preparing for their adventure, something unexpected happened. While the lifeguard adjusted the float, it unexpectedly began its descent down the slide—with Chiah and the lifeguard aboard. Chiah’s girlfriend was left standing at the top of the slide, utterly bewildered.
Zachariah Chiah captured this unexpected twist of events on a TikTok video, sharing it with the world. The video garnered attention for its unique and humorous storyline, quickly going viral on social media platforms.
As the float began its unexpected descent, Chiah’s girlfriend was left perplexed and amazed by what she was witnessing. Her boyfriend, who was supposed to be right behind her, was now a part of an unusual duo on the slide.
Asked lifeguard “my baby leh?”
From the lifeguard’s startled expression and slight fumbling to sit properly on the float, it was evident that he might have accidentally pushed the float off the top of the slide. This unexpected twist added an element of surprise to the adventure.
Chiah, too, was taken by surprise, as he found himself sharing the float with the lifeguard instead of his girlfriend. He couldn’t help but ask, “My baby leh?”
To which, the lifeguard pointed to the top of the slide, indicating the girlfriend’s location. In Malay, the lifeguard explained that he had fallen and ended up with Chiah instead of his girlfriend.
During the three-minute ride down the slide, Chiah and the lifeguard struck up an unexpected friendship. Chiah introduced himself and even shook hands with the lifeguard. He couldn’t resist asking if it was the lifeguard’s first day on the job, which added a touch of humor to the situation.
A Memorable Three-Minute Ride
Though the adventure didn’t go as planned, Chiah and the lifeguard created a unique memory during their descent down the world’s longest water slide. This story serves as a reminder that unexpected experiences can often lead to memorable moments and new friendships.
A shocking case involving a 44-year-old primary school teacher has recently come to light, revealing a disturbing pattern of behavior that shook a school community.
This incident involved the repeated act of taking upskirt images of a younger female colleague over a period of two months.
The perpetrator claimed to be “secretly in love” with the victim, adding a complex layer to this unsettling story.
The First Upskirt Incident
According to Shin Min Daily News, the accused teacher had been working at the primary school since 2020.
On July 4, 2021, a significant incident took place.
While the victim, a 28-year-old female teacher, was engrossed in teaching music to her students in a classroom, the accused arrived at 8:30 am to prepare for his math class.
It was during this moment that the accused seized the opportunity to invade the victim’s privacy. While she was occupied with her students, he surreptitiously took upskirt images of her.
Forwarded Private Messages from Her Phone to Himself
The violation of the victim’s privacy did not stop at taking upskirt images.
On August 27, 2021, the female victim experienced another shocking intrusion into her personal life. After she returned to the staffroom from using the washroom, she discovered that her private messages to another person had been forwarded to the perpetrator.
What made this situation even more disturbing was the fact that she was confident she had locked her phone and was baffled about how the accused gained access to her messages. She was also uncertain if the violation extended to the forwarding of other files.
Victim Lodged a Police Report
Recognizing the alarming nature of the situation, the victim decided to take action.
In the same month, a Primary 6 student witnessed the accused taking an upskirt photo of the female teacher during an oral examination.
Troubled by the man’s inappropriate behavior, the victim decided to lodge a police report on September 18, 2021.
In her report, she detailed the dynamics in the staffroom, where she sat opposite the accused with a low partition separating their desks.
She further revealed that in July 2021, she noticed the man had positioned his mobile phone at the corner of the partition, with the camera pointed at her, although she couldn’t confirm if he was recording her.
Arrest and Shocking Discovery
Law enforcement authorities swiftly acted on the victim’s report. On September 29, 2021, they seized the male teacher’s phone as part of their investigations.
Their findings were deeply troubling. They discovered upskirt photos of the victim stored on the device, confirming the victim’s allegations.
Additionally, the police conducted a search of the man’s laptop, where they found photos and videos that he had secretly recorded of the victim in the staffroom.
This intrusion into the victim’s privacy extended over a significant period, from August 20, 2020, to September 17, 2021.
Legal Consequences
The disturbing actions of the accused could not go unpunished. The man was charged with voyeurism and violating the Computer Misuse Act, both serious offenses that highlight the gravity of his actions.
The legal system acted swiftly, and on October 30, 2023, he was sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment.
This sentence serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences individuals may face for engaging in voyeuristic activities.
DBS apologises for series of digital disruptions; lays out comprehensive roadmap to improve technology resiliency
Singapore, 01 Nov 2023 – The DBS Board and Management today apologised for the series of digital disruptions this year, and said the bank is addressing the issues at hand with utmost priority.
This includes the rollout of a comprehensive roadmap to improve technology resiliency, encompassing both immediate and longer-term measures to strengthen technology governance, people/leadership, systems and processes.
The bank also assured customers that when the roadmap is completed, they will see improved service reliability. Should disruptions occur, the remediation measures being implemented will shorten the time taken for recovery. DBS is also working to ensure that, where possible, customers will have alternative means to fulfil their banking needs in case a service or channel is temporarily unavailable. The bank will maintain its network of physical touchpoints, which include branches; self-service banking machines such as ATMs and VTMs (Video Teller Machines); as well as POSB Cash-Points at merchant outlets including Giant, Cold Storage, 7-Eleven and SingPost. If need be, branches will be opened on Sundays and public holidays as an alternative service channel.
“senior management will be held accountable”
Said DBS Chairman Peter Seah, “The Board apologises for the digital banking disruptions. When customers bank with us, they expect to be able to access our banking services conveniently, and at any time of the day. With the incidents of the past year, we have failed to live up to these expectations, and have also fallen short of our own standards. As an acknowledgement that the bank could have done better, senior management will be held accountable, and this will be reflected in their compensation.”
“Over the past few months, the bank has been making every effort possible to strengthen our resiliency and business continuity, and to be able to recover more quickly when incidents happen. This is a work in progress, and we seek customers’ patience as we work through our remedial actions.”
Accenture’s findings and recommendations
After the 29 March incident, when customers faced difficulty accessing the bank’s digital banking services, the Board convened a Special Board Committee (Committee) led by Lead Independent Director Olivier Lim (Chair) and comprising Tham Sai Choy, Bonghan Cho and Chng Kai Fong, to oversee a full review of the disruption.
The Committee engaged two independent experts to support them: Ajey Gore and Marc Massar, who are senior technology practitioners with relevant expertise. It also appointed an independent third party, Accenture, to carry out a root cause investigation of the March incident (which was subsequently extended to the 5 May incident), and to conduct a comprehensive review of the bank’s digital banking services, including its control processes, digital banking services and technology stack.
The findings of the Accenture review – completed in August – were also corroborated against recent disruptions: the 26 September incident impacting FAST/PayNow transactions, the 14 October data centre incident, as well as the 20 October incident when some customers had intermittent access to DBS PayLah!.
The bank believes that key gaps and deficiencies have been identified: per Accenture’s review, they fall into four main areas – technology risk governance and oversight, incident management, system resilience and change management.
Committed to doing better
To address these areas of weakness, the bank has taken onboard Accenture’s recommendations and, in some cases, will be taking steps in addition to the recommendations to further improve technology resiliency.
A summary of key actions being taken – with the aim of improving governance of technology risk; people and leadership; as well as oversight and management of technology operations and incidents – can be found below, with more details in the Annex:
Technology risk governance and oversight
The bank has established a new sub-committee of the Board Risk Management Committee called the BRMC Technology Risk Committee(BTRC). The BTRC will provide dedicated oversight of technology risk. It will also oversee the implementation of the remedial measures that the bank will carry out to address the findings of the Accenture review.
It has also transferred the Technology Risk Management team to the Risk Management Group, reporting to the Chief Risk Officer, to enhance independent checks and balances.
Technology organisation leadership and management
Given the increased complexity and scale of the technology and operations (T&O) function, from 1 November, DBS is splitting T&O into two separate units to allow for dedicated management oversight of each. Jimmy Ng (currently Chief Information Officer and Group Head of T&O) will assume the role of Group Head of Operations. A search for a new CIO has been launched. In the interim, Han Kwee Juan (who will remain Singapore Country Head) will assume the role of Acting CIO. To enable him to give the needed attention and focus to the technology function, Sim S. Lim, currently a Senior Advisor to the bank, will temporarily return to manage the day-to-day operations of the Singapore organisation.
The bank has strengthened its site reliability engineering with new leadership. Ho Twee Teng, a 40-year DBS technology veteran, was appointed as the bank’s new Head of Enterprise Architecture Site Reliability Engineering (EASRE) from 18 October. DBS has also created a new Quality Assurance function within EASRE to provide an additional independent layer of verification, controls and checks over the bank’s change management process.
Incident management
Work has commenced to establish clearer ownership and management of incidents within the bank, as well as between the bank and its service providers and vendors. The bank will also improve proactive problem management through the active review of early warning indicators, identification of other possibly affected areas, and taking preventive actions.
Technology operations
The bank has instituted a six-month pause on non-essential IT activities, to single-mindedly focus on improving technology resiliency.
In addition to the above, the bank is in the process of strengthening system resilience and tightening processes around change management. As these improvements are more structural in nature, they will take time to fully implement, and are expected to be completed in 12-24 months.
With these changes, customers can expect to see concrete improvements in both service availability and service recovery in the coming months and over the longer term:
Service availability: To meet regulatory requirements, banks in Singapore have to ensure that (i) each critical system can be recovered within four hours, and (ii) the unscheduled downtime for each critical system does not exceed four hours within any 12-month period.
In addition to complying with the regulatory requirements at a system level, DBS will also introduce new service availability targets at a service level. DBS is setting new service targets for three key digital banking services; namely, balance enquiry, overseas payments and domestic payments.
These key services can be performed through different digital channels, as set out in the table below.
Service
Digital channels
1. Balance enquiry
digibank online, digibank mobile
2. Overseas payments
3. Domestic payments
digibank online, digibank mobile, DBS PayLah!
Should one of these services become temporarily unavailable on a particular digital channel, the bank will ensure that the service is available on an alternative digital channel.
The bank pledges to limit downtime, where each service is completely unavailable across all digital channels, to no more than an average of 1.5 hours per month over a three-month period. This is a commitment DBS aims to deliver on within the next six months, and continuously improve on.
Service recovery: In the event of a disruption to any of the above three services in the next six months, the bank will seek to recover them on either digibank online, digibank mobile or PayLah! within three hours. Its 24-month target is to improve recovery time to two hours or less.
Said DBS CEO Piyush Gupta, “We are deeply sorry for the digital disruptions. Over the years, DBS has focused on digital transformation so as to make banking simple, seamless and effortless. However, we acknowledge that we must now do better to deliver on this, and are taking a multitude of actions across technology governance, people/leadership, systems and processes. We will also be setting aside a special budget of SGD 80 million to enhance system resiliency. Our assurance to customers is that they can expect these actions to deliver concrete improvements in the near term and over time. In particular, apart from complying with regulatory requirements on system availability, we are committing to additional targets we are setting for ourselves on ensuring high service availability as well.”
MAS Imposes Six-Month Pause on DBS Bank’s Non-Essential Activities as Bank Restores System Resilience
Singapore, 1 November 2023… The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has imposed a six-month pause on DBS Bank Ltd’s (DBS Bank) non-essential IT changes to ensure that the bank keeps sharp focus on restoring the resilience of its digital banking services. DBS Bank will not be allowed to acquire new business ventures during this period or reduce the size of its branch and ATM networks in Singapore. The actions were taken following the repeated and prolonged disruptions of DBS’ banking services this year.
2. In April 2023, MAS directed DBS Bank to engage an independent third-party to conduct a comprehensive review of the effectiveness and adequacy of the people, processes, and technology supporting its digital banking services. Shortcomings were identified in the following areas:
system resilience;
incident management;
change management;
technology risk governance and oversight
3. Following the independent review, DBS Bank has set out a technology resiliency roadmap to address the shortcomings, improve system resilience, and better position the bank to meet future digital banking needs. The roadmap is being implemented in phases, with the changes affecting its system architecture design taking more time to complete.
4. MAS has reviewed DBS Bank’s remediation plan under the roadmap and is satisfied with its scope and the planned measures to improve system resilience. In line with MAS’ expectations, DBS Bank will hold senior management accountable for the lapses and the board will enhance its governance approach to oversee implementation of the roadmap.
5. MAS has directed DBS Bank to suspend all changes to the bank’s IT systems except for those related to security, regulatory compliance and risk management for a six-month period. This is to ensure that the bank dedicates the needed resources and attention to strengthen its technology risk management systems and controls. MAS will not approve any new business acquisitions by the bank during this period.
6. MAS has also directed DBS Bank not to reduce the size of its branch and ATM networks. This is to ensure there are adequate alternative channels for its customers in the event of further disruptions while the bank works to enhance the operational resilience of its digital channels. This direction will be in force until MAS is satisfied with the progress of DBS Bank’s remediation plan.
7. MAS will review the progress made by DBS Bank on its remediation efforts at the end of six months. MAS may extend the duration of the measures, vary the additional capital requirement currently imposed, or take further actions at that point. In the meantime, MAS will retain the multiplier of 1.8 times to DBS Bank’s risk weighted assets for operational risk, which was imposed after the March and May 2023 incidents.
8. It will take up to 24 months for DBS Bank to put in place the planned structural changes to improve the resilience of its digital banking services. In the meantime, it is possible that disruptions may still occur. In such situations, MAS expects DBS Bank to promptly recover its services and communicate to its customers in a clear and timely manner.
9. Ms Ho Hern Shin, Deputy Managing Director (Financial Supervision), MAS, said, “DBS must put in place immediate measures to ensure service reliability while it continues to invest in the longer-term efforts to bolster its operational resilience. We have imposed this six-month pause on the bank to give it the space to take the actions needed to maintain customer trust.”
Recap on last month’s outage
A number of online services have been reported to be down, including DBS ATMs and iBanking services, according to several users on social media and DownDetector.
A short message on the DBS website stated that “Our customers are not able to access our digital services for the time being. We are reactivating our branches to assist you with your transaction requests. We seek your patience while we actively work to resolve the issue. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.”
As of 4.02pm, there was a peak of about 3,917 reported outages by users trying to use DBS services, and at the time of writing, reports are still coming in from customers who are not able to use DBS services.
According to Channel NewsAsia, among the services that are down include DBS PayLah!, the iBanking app, DBS’s paywave feature, and ATMs reportedly showed messages stating that the machines were “offline”.
Stuck at Coffee Bean
Several user took to social media to complain about the outages, with a netizen sharing that he was stuck at The Coffee Bean while buying drinks because his Paywave and the iBanking app was not working.
Other users chimed in and revealed that even PayNow and PayLah services were down as well, and disgruntled customers started calling out the bank.
GetGo user can’t extend booking & kena $50 charge
Another netizen shared that he couldn’t extend his GetGo car rental booking because of the outage, and received a $50 late return charge because he couldn’t make payment for the final fare.
Other users also had problems completing transactions at places such as FairPrice, a local bakery, 7-Eleven and Cold Storage, among others.
Stuck in carpark
A netizen shared that he was stuck inside the carpark and can’t get out because he can’t make payment to top up his cashcard.
Stuck at Esso
Another netizen shared that his sister tried to pay for petrol at Esso using her DBS credit card but the payment couldn’t go through, and she got stuck at the petrol station.
I’ve went on a few dates with this guy, and he’s genuinely a sweet and considerate person. However, I’m starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by the number of gifts he gives me. Please don’t get me wrong, I truly appreciate his generosity, but I’m not accustomed to receiving gifts from people outside my family. I’d prefer to see the money put towards a good cause or an experience we could share.
When we go out, he consistently chooses high-end restaurants where the bills can easily reach a couple of hundred bucks. I’m not someone with extravagant tastes in food, and I’d be just as happy dining at a more budget-friendly place. The constant extravagance feels unnecessary to me. Additionally, he frequently travels for work and brings back souvenirs from every country he visits. It’s evident that he’s a generous person who expresses his affection through gift-giving, but I lean more toward practicality. I’ve already got a bunch of expensive stuff I received from my fam that’s just collecting dust in my closet, and some leather goods are starting to show their age because I hardly use them.
While I’m completely comfortable receiving gifts from my fam, I tend to feel pressured or like I owe someone a favor when it comes from anyone else. I genuinely appreciate his thoughtful act but I am not exactly comfortable with it. How can I navigate this situation tactfully?
Here are what netizens think:
Open your mouth and tell him la! You don’t say, don’t reject of course he will think that way works so he just keeps doing it because you didn’t say anything… Men are not all mind readers, tell us, don’t assume we will pick up all the subtle stuff…
FIRST THINGS FIRST, INTRO HIM TO ME. Next, the things you dont want can bless other low income families. But seriously your priority is intro him to me.
Give him some small practical presents … or some functional stuff that’s less than $10. Tell him … I think such gifts are great, don’t burden the recipient. And if they don’t suit u, u can easily gift someone else. — ending line, next time if u really want to give me presents, try sourcing for x … also also I think it’s fun to eat subway and McDonalds occasionally too. That being u liked such stuff and not being a hypocrite to say fine / exp dinning and gift is not what u want.
Cabin crew members often have unique and exciting experiences, from traveling to exotic destinations to meeting interesting people on their flights. One of the perks of being a cabin crew is the chance to rub shoulders with overseas celebrities, and sometimes, these encounters happen in unexpected places, like Singapore’s Changi Airport.
Hebe Tien was in Singapore for the One Love Asia Festival 2023, a much-anticipated event for music lovers. The festival drew fans from all over, excited to see their favorite stars perform.
The Fan’s Reaction
One fan couldn’t contain their excitement and shared a clip of Hebe Tien on Facebook, where they expressed their admiration for the star. The fan’s caption read, “Would you dare to look into Hebe Tien’s eyes? I don’t because my soul will be hooked.” This fan’s reaction is a testament to the star’s popularity and charisma.
The Surprise Interaction
While the fan was content with admiring Hebe from a distance, one SQ stewardess decided not to hold back. In a video that seemed to be taken from outside the airport’s arrival hall, Hebe, wearing a mask, was waiting for her luggage with her crew when an SQ stewardess approached her.
Video of the encounter
Hebe Tien’s Demeanor
During this encounter, the stewardess and Hebe engaged in a conversation. Although we couldn’t hear their words, Hebe could be seen smiling and nodding, casually running her fingers through her hair. Her demeanor indicated that she was approachable and friendly, despite her celebrity status.
The Celebrity Incognito
It’s worth noting that Hebe Tien’s appearance that day did not scream “celebrity.” In fact, if you weren’t aware of who she was, you might not have recognized her as one of Asia’s most popular singers. Her unassuming appearance added an element of surprise to the stewardess’s experience.
The Enthusiastic Crowd
While Hebe’s appearance may have been understated, the crowd waiting outside the airport’s arrival hall was anything but. Fans had gathered in large numbers, eagerly awaiting her arrival. They recognized her instantly, even if some passersby didn’t.
The Stewardess’s Experience
The stewardess’s encounter with Hebe Tien was undoubtedly a memorable moment. It’s not every day that a cabin crew member gets to chat with a famous international celebrity. Her experience showcased the excitement and unpredictability of working in the airline industry.
A Memorable Moment
In that moment at Changi Airport, the stewardess felt more than just ‘A Little Happiness,’ a reference to one of Hebe Tien’s famous songs. She experienced a unique connection with a global star, highlighting one of the unexpected perks of her job.
In a shocking incident that unfolded on 31 October in the quiet Japanese city of Warabi, an 86-year-old man, Suzuki Tsuneo, held 2 women employees of a post office hostage and held them at gunpoint, barricading himself inside in the process, according to Nippon News Network and TV Asahi.
The ensuing standoff with the police lasted for about 8 hours before he was successfully arrested, and the hostages were freed and unhurt.
The Location and Background
Warabi is a city situated in the Saitama Prefecture, which shares a border with the northern part of Tokyo, making it a relatively peaceful and low-crime area. However, this tranquility was shattered on that fateful day when Suzuki Tsuneo initiated a dramatic standoff at the local post office.
The Hostage Situation
The hostage situation began when Suzuki Tsuneo entered the post office, armed with a firearm, and took two female employees captive. Fortunately, the situation did not escalate to a tragic outcome. One of the hostages, a woman in her 20s, was released before the police’s intervention.
The second hostage, a woman in her 30s, managed to escape when the opportunity presented itself. Both hostages emerged from the ordeal physically unharmed, thanks to the careful handling of the situation by the authorities.
Eyewitness Accounts
One eyewitness, a 70-year-old woman present at the scene, recalled the harrowing experience. She was standing at a counter in the post office when she heard a gunshot. As she turned around, she found herself face to face with the armed intruder.
The post office was quickly surrounded by a contingent of police officers who, in a bid to defuse the situation, repeatedly shouted at the gunman, urging him not to open fire.
The witness, who was hiding underneath the counter, noted that despite the tense situation, the perpetrator appeared oddly calm and composed, showing no signs of panic or aggression.
The Motive Behind the Hostage Situation
During subsequent questioning by the authorities, Suzuki Tsuneo admitted to the hostage-taking. His motivation, it seems, was to communicate with someone from the post office regarding an incident that had occurred in 2022.
Specifically, he expressed dissatisfaction with the way an alleged accident involving a delivery motorcycle from the post office had been handled.
As part of his demands during negotiations with the police, he requested to meet with the post office manager and the police officer who had been involved in the incident.
Additional Incidents
The shocking turn of events did not stop with the hostage situation. It was revealed that Suzuki Tsuneo had also been involved in a shooting incident at a hospital in the neighboring city of Toda, just an hour before he barricaded himself inside the post office.
In this earlier incident, a 40-year-old male doctor and a 60-year-old male patient sustained injuries, fortunately not life-threatening.
Furthermore, Suzuki confessed to an act of arson, setting fire to his own apartment building earlier in the day, which added a layer of complexity to the investigation.
Ongoing Investigations
The Japanese police have initiated thorough investigations into this series of incidents. They will be delving into the motivations and circumstances surrounding both the shooting at the hospital and the hostage situation at the post office.
