Real-Life Cannibals Admit To Making “Human Meat Pastries”

According to CNN, Brazilian police have arrested three people on Sunday, suspected of making stuffed meat pies – out of human meat.

51-year-old Jorge Beltrao Negroponte, his wife, and his mistress were arrested Wesneday and have confessed to the crimes of killing at least two women, eating part of their bodies, and using their remains to make stuffed meat pies. The meat pies were then sold in the northeastern town of Garanhuns.

By the way, Negroponte’s wife was known in town for her meat pies, which she sold to schools, hospitals, and neighbours.

When Jorge was interviewed by SBT Television (How gutsy are they to interview a cannibal?!), he said, “I listened to the voice in my head. I did certain things for purification, to protect people and deliver them to God.”

What is this? Modern day Biblical sacrifice of some sort?

Uh, did we forget to add that the two women they killed were also their babysitters?

Yup. Police confirmed that Jorge, his wife, and his mistress lured the two young women into their house by offering them a job as a nanny. But since they have already murdered the women, what gave them away?

It was when one of the trio used a credit card belonging to one of the missing women that alerted the police. And when they arrived, a 5-year-old girl in the house led them to the gory human remains.

The 5-year-old girl shed more light to case of the disgusting cannibalism practice as the police believe that she is the daughter of a third missing woman.

In fact, the police believe that they trio may have murdered as many as 10 women.

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Sesame Street Ride At Universal Studios Singapore!

A new family ride will open at Universal Studios Singapore (USS), based on the world’s longest running children’s TV show, Sesame Street.  On 1st March 2013 (Friday), visitors will be able to experience the new “Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase” indoor ride. Said to be the world’s first immersive Sesame Street-themed ride, it will feature 12 of the show’s characters, including the popular Elmo, plus three brand new characters.

But we get first dibs and we hear that the three brand new characters, especially created exclusively for this ride are named:

The science-fiction-inspired indoor ride will also feature a range of special effects. But the best is yet to come.

To celebrate the launch of the “Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase”, USS will host a special “Sesame Street Carnival” between 1st March and 3rd March, transforming the park’s New York zone into an extension of Sesame Street. The carnival will include festivities such as giant board games along the street and character meet-and-greets.

Completing the Sesame Street experience at Universal Studios Singapore, an all-new Sesame Street Character Breakfast at Loui’s NY Pizza Parlor has also been launched. Breakfast guests not only get to enjoy a premium breakfast buffet spread with their favourite Sesame Street friends, they will also be amongst the first to board Elmo’s rocket in Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase before the park opens.

The Sesame Street Character Breakfast is held on weekends and select holidays at 9am and tickets are priced at S$44 (adults) and S$32 (children). Guests participating in the character breakfast should also have a valid admission day-pass to Universal Studios Singapore.

[youtube id=”QJ5Qr_M0Kn4″ width=”600″ height=”350″]

For more information on special packages and to reserve tickets to Universal Studios Singapore, guests can make their bookings through authorised travel agents, via their website, or call their reservation hotline at +65 6577 8899.

For more information, updates, and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, visit Resort World Sentosa’s blog here.


11 Reasons Why Port Dickson Is Back On The Tourism Radar, Baby!

Wondering if Port Dickson is worth visiting? Just an hour away from Kuala Lumpur, the famous retreat boasts a slew of seaside attractions. Its 18km stretch of beautiful beaches is strewn with food hotspots, entertainment venues and luxury hotels – which has made it the go-to weekend getaway destination for frazzled Klang Valley residents for decades. But over the last few years, it has emerged as a major tourist spot, attracting even foreign travelers.

So what makes Port Dickson “all that”? Well, here are just 11 of its many charms:

With a range of activities connected to local farm life, Sky Ladder Pineapple Farm offers an intriguing agrotourism experience. You’ll learn about the cycle of planting and harvesting in the region, which is made up of acres upon acres of pineapple plantations, with more than 60,000 pineapple trees!

A post shared by Sky Ladder Pineapple Farm (@skyladderpineapplefarm)

There’s also a corn plantation where you can sample freshly harvested corn, and try harvesting your own. Children will also have a good time and learn much at this location’s miniature farm, where they can feed lambs, ducks, geese, and other farm animals. Another major feature are artistic ladders that point to the sky, making it an Instagram-worthy spot. The farm also sells fresh bananas, coconuts, pineapples, and juices to satiate your thirst.

You can use an ATV to get to the farm. The journey will be much more delightful as a result! So be sure to include a visit to Sky Ladder Pineapple Farm on your Port Dickson trip.

Address: Lot 2273 Jalan Kampung Sri Parit 3, Bandar Baru Lukut, 71010 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

While Gen Z and Gen Alpha would consider a funfair to be “vintage,” millennials and Generation X will regard it as a nostalgic attraction. Funfairs are few and far between now. But Port Dickson’s LED-lighted Teluk Kemang funfair is amazing – and never packed to the gills with noisy visitors.

There are numerous rides available for both adults and children. Of course, the game stalls are also impossible to miss. Here, you can try your luck at several games in an effort to take home the top prize. People with children and those who wish to reminisce about their childhood should visit this location. Don’t forget to include Funfair Teluk Kemang in your itinerary for Port Dickson!

Address: Kampung Teluk Kemang, 71050 Teluk Kemang, Negeri Sembilan

Enjoy an exhilarating day at Uncle Wong Happy Farm, which provides a number of beginner-friendly activities, like ATV riding, kayaking, fishing, and paddle boat riding. Even parents and old-timers can participate in the exhilarating 45-minute ATV rides through the jungle and various obstacles, as a brief lesson is given to all before they start their ride.

A post shared by ATV UTV @Uncle Wong Happy Farm (@unclewonghappyfarm)

This recreational farm is located in a serene and lovely village that offers a rustic atmosphere thanks to its natural surroundings; and hiking trails that boast stunning lake views. The farm is also kids-friendly, as they can feed tiny animals like rabbits, tortoises, and geese. Be sure to add this spot to your itinerary.

Address: Lot 11886, Bukit Permata, 71010 Lukut, Negeri Sembilan

Upside Down House Port Dickson is an attraction that never fails to impress, given our current fascination with taking unique shots and selfies. From the outside, it appears to be a standard shop, but inside, you’ll see that everything defies gravity!

The Upside Down Port Dickson house, also known as “Rumah Terbalik”, is a small but entertaining double-storey shop lot with multiple rooms that are all upside down! Everything in this tourist attraction is inverted, including furniture and home appliances that are suspended from the ceiling. Feel free to use your imagination and the items in the home to create unique poses and surreal photographs.

Along with the topsy-turvy experience, there are additional, mind-boggling illusions and 3D arts that will put you in bizarre situations. In order to get the most astounding outcomes for your images, follow the markings on the floor and ask the helpful staff for advice.

Address: No.13A & 15, Jalan coral walk, Batu 9, Jalan Pantai, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

Check out PD Ostrich & Pets Show Farm to see the tallest birds in the world, and test your speed against the flightless creatures by racing them!

A post shared by Official PD Ostrich Show Farm (@pdostrichshowfarm)

PD Ostrich Show Farm, which has been around for more than ten years, is also home to a variety of friendly animals, including ponies, donkeys, goats, geese, turkeys, ducks, and numerous varieties of rabbit. There’s also an aquarium with freshwater fish from Malaysia. Here, you can ride the ponies, donkeys, and ostriches, in addition to feeding the ostriches, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, guinea pigs, and many other smaller creatures.

The farm also offers exhilarating outdoor pursuits, including paintball, archery, and ATV excursions. If you have kids who love dinosaurs, check out Planet Jurassic, PD Ostrich Show Farm’s dinosaur playground. This entertaining playground comes with animatronics dinosaurs and other sculptures.

Address: Lot 1419, Jalan Perdana 4, Batu 9, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

Kota Lukut is a must-visit spot if you’re interested in history. The foundation stones and a few crumbling walls are all that’s now left of the Lukut Fort. The museum is located at the bottom of the hill, while the fort sits on top of a hill with a beautiful view. To visit the fort ruins, you’ll need to hike up the hill – but doing so can be difficult for anyone with restricted mobility.

The museum, which is two stories tall and contains four exhibit areas, highlights Lukut’s history, focusing mostly on tin mining. A large number of antiques and reproductions are also on display, including Adat Perpatih customs and traditions and artefacts recovered from the Dutch VOC frigate Nassau, which sank in 1606 off the shore of Port Dickson. The best part is that parking and admittance is free!

Address: Lot 730, Jalan Besar, Taman Pd Jaya, 71010 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

Are you game for some wildlife sighting and nature trekking? Then Cape Rachado Lighthouse is the spot to visit.

This historic lighthouse, which is thought to be the oldest in Malaysia, is situated in the mountainous region of the gazetted Tanjung Tuan forest reserve and wildlife sanctuary. The lighthouse was initially built in 1863 to serve as a guide for Portuguese ships as they entered the Straits of Malacca.

Visitors frequently flock to the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse to observe birds, especially when raptors are migrating through the area. Visitors can take in the breathtaking views of the sea from the summit, as well as the beautiful woodland landscape below. Visitors can use jungle trails that lead to secluded beaches like the Tanjung Tuan beach from the lighthouse. The beaches along this cape are exquisitely preserved, with crystal blue waters and brilliant white sand, thanks to its status as a protected park.

Address: Tanjung Tuan Recreational Forest

Wan Loong Chinese Temple, one of the best-known tourist attractions in Port Dickson, is the town’s most magnificent Chinese temple. Known as “Dragons of the Clouds,” the temple is located across from PD World Marina Resort, and is devoted to the Goddess of Mercy and the Monkey King, two of China’s most revered deities. The impressive fortress wall and the temple’s distinctive architecture will be enough to convince you to visit this incredible site.

Feel free to walk around the huge fortress and the temple, where incense can be burned for prayers. Visit the tiny pond and garden to feed turtles and tortoises. For luck, you can also sponsor young turtles. And after all that walking, head to the seafood restaurant in the neighbourhood for a delicious meal.

Operating Hours: 24 hours (best time to visit is from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm)

Address: Buddhist Temple, Kampung Teluk Kemang, 71050 Si Rusa, Negeri Sembilan

No holiday is enjoyable for a daredevil without a few heart-pounding activities. For all you thrill junkies, check out Extreme Park. There are both indoor and outdoor activities available, including an ATV jungle path, archery, go-karting, and paintball war games. It provides a welcoming atmosphere that is safe and ideal for both adults and children over the age of 12.

The attractions are intense and will certainly sate your desire for adventure. Be prepared for your clothes to get dirty!

Address:  Batu 13 KM 21, Jalan Pantai, Mukim Pasir Panjang, 71250 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

For those who find Extreme Park Port Dickson to be too much, Wild West Cowboy is the perfect alternative. Wild West Cowboy is an indoor theme park that has video arcades, carousel rides, and a 5D theatre. This park offers engaging games such as the 5D Motion Adventures, 7D Interactive Movie, Amusement Park, Skunk Interactive Show, and Awake Escape Game for visitors.

There is also an amusement park with a variety of rides, including the Cowboy-Go-Round, the Wild West Desert Explorer, and the Rider Boat. All of these games are appropriate for kids and will occupy them while the adults have fun playing other games.

Address: 59-64, Jalan DS 2/1, Bandar Dataran Segar, 71010 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

This is like a mini version of i-City. Visit Aurora Park Port Dickson for a fun-filled and colourful night. This spot will make you want to return over and over again, because of the flickering visions, shining lighthouse, Eiffel Tower, Mount Fuji and other beautiful light sculptures.

Besides the lighting, you can also pat adorable creatures at the mini zoo. The best time to head here would be after 6pm, as you’ll get a better view of the lights and a chance to grab some beautiful photos of the lantern show at night.

Address: lot 3636, batu 9, Jalan Pantai, Kampung Sungai Menyala, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

Last, but not least – and a must-add to the list of Port Dickson’s attractions – is beaches! You simply cannot go home without heading to the beach at least once. Due to the availability of various water sports, including jet skis, speedboats, and banana boats, Port Dickson’s long, sandy beaches are tourist magnets. You can relax by the beach while enjoying an ice cream and the cool breeze, which will undoubtedly calming your nerves. The best time to visit is of course in the evening, as you can admire beautiful sunsets to end a good day.

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Mother Kills Her Baby Because Her Face Resembles Her Secret Lover

A 9-month-old baby was tragically killed by her mother and her lover in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia. The reason being? The infant’s face was said to resemble the man!

According to sources, the suspects, known as Ayu and Muhammad Amin, decided to end the baby’s life due to fear that their affair would be exposed. They were afraid that the resemblance would be too obvious, Tribun News reported.

Apparently, both suspects had already been married. Not only that, the couple also reportedly planned the brutal murder after the couple’s secret romance was discovered by their neighbour. The victim was killed in a rather heinous manner, where the little baby was forced to drink brown sugar water mixed with tamarind and hair oil.

After that, the poor child was strangled to death. The police have found the victim, named Kartina Suci Rahayu, lifeless in a room in her house. They also suspected that the baby was murdered by her own mother, as she was not at the scene.

The duo were detained in less than 24 hours after the tragic incident took place. Police have also seized the evidences hidden in a hut located at a garden near the residence by the two culprits.

So what drove her to conduct such a terrible act? In this case, Ayu claimed that her boyfriend persuaded her to kill her offspring so that he can teach her how to pray and recite the Quran.

The murder is believed to have taken place last Saturday night (6th February) and had been planned for the past two months.


Concert Review: Honne Electrifies KL Live With Soft EDM Ballads

Love was in the air when electronic duo, Honne was in town. The band which consisted of James Hatcher and Andy Clutterbuck, decided to grace KL Live with their presence on the 1st and 2nd of March. Known for hits like “Day 1” and “Good Together”, the band returned to the country with their new headline show.

Initially, the showcase was scheduled to be a 1-day thing, but due to high demand, a 2nd show was added, and tickets were selling like crazy!

The night of the concert started off with a local act. The local singer, NYK took the stage, performing tunes off his mini album, “UNLOVABLE”. His chill aura and R&B music acted well as a good warm-up for the big act.

Even though, there were times where the pronunciation of the lyrics weren’t clear, it was easy to look pass it when he belted out falsetto notes perfectly. It was also refreshing to see him exhibit such charisma on stage that seem to come so naturally to him. This definitely helped him connect and entertain the crowd.

Soon after his performance, the lights were dimmed and the crowd went wild. They knew it was an indication for the arrival of their favourite duo. The moment they were all waiting for was finally here.

The electronic band kicked off the show with a rendition of their hit “Me & You”. Its upbeat melody and lyrics served as the perfect ice-breaker. It was the perfect way to introduce themselves.

The band then followed it up with fan-favourite tunes like “Good Together” and “Location Unknown”. The performance for “Sometimes” became the highlight of the night as singer Andy Clutterbuck, sang with an auto-tune effect while clinging to his electronic guitar and keyboard for background sounds.

No doubt, this haunting ballad was an intimate performance. The auditorium was quiet as the spotlight shined on him. The vulnerable lyrics and minimalistic aspect of the performance spoke to the audience on a personal level. It sparked intimate expressions among the audience as they were singing along to the words.

Before bidding their farewell, the band took time to thank the crowd for the show success. “Guys thank you so so so so much, We absolutely love you.”

The night then ended with an encore for “Day 1”. Although the audience were quite responsive before, this number caused a stronger reaction among them as they sang and cheered louder.

This number was the perfect way of saying goodbye. Its lyrics serve as a reminder to fans that no matter the outcomes, they will always be the band’s top priority.

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3 More Malls In Klang Valley Reportedly Affected By Covid-19 Outbreak

Another day, another bad news received by frequent mall-goers out there.

Yesterday (Thursday, 12th March), our friends at Murai reported that a kindergarten teacher at the R.E.A.L Kids, Evolve Concept Mall located in Ara Damansara was tested positive for Covid-19.

The management team took to their official Facebook to confirm the news. The female tutor had been showing earlier symptoms of the disease. As a result, the learning institute had to shut down their operations for 3 days – starting from Wednesday (11th March) until today (13th March).

The notice also stated that fellow teachers as well as other staffs showed no signs of being infected with coronavirus. As at time of writing, the diagnosed teacher is currently under self-isolation.

In relating news, a similar incident took place at a Brands Outlet shop in Ampang Point Shopping Centre, Ampang. This came after rumours started circulating that a few staff members were allegedly being infected by the virus following their trip abroad.

In a statement that went viral online, the retail brand’s management team made some updates that reads:

“As a matter of precaution, we are closing Brands Outlet at Ampang Point Shopping Centre for temporary with effect from 11th March (Wednesday) for the self-initiated of outlet disinfection and and sanitisation services.”

“We have identified the team members who may have been exposed to the Covid-19 due to their private overseas trip and have sent them for tests. Other team members have also been quarantined and be socially responsible during the quarantine, by avoiding from going to the public and maintaining distance from others during the period.

The management would continue to work closely with the authorities in reference to any further action. Any new development will be announced and informed by us.”

In addition, it’s reported that a worker at Sunway Putra Mall was diagnosed with Covid-19 after undergoing a screening test. Word has it that the individual got infected following close contact with someone outside of the mall.

The news was confirmed by the management officials themselves in an official notice posted on Wednesday (11th March). They’ve assured that the person is currently being treated at a government hospital and thorough sanitisation procedure is already in progress.

Check out the full statement by the management team here:

It’s crazy knowing that all of the reported cases happened on the same day.


#ISIS: 7 Islamic State-Linked Militants Suspected Of Planning Attacks Arrested

Malaysian Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed today that 7 Islamic State (IS) militants have been detained in multiple swoops nationwide since Friday (22nd January).

The suspects, aged between 26 and 50, were detained in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Kedah, Pahang, and Selangor by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division.

The Star Online quoted IGP as saying, “They were arrested in special operations held since Friday. The suspects were planning attacks on strategic locations in the country.”

He did, however, reveal that one of them had received orders from known militant Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi who had previously been linked to a beheading video in Syria. Another was ordered by Indonesian Katibah Nusantara leader Bahrom Naim, the man who ordered the 14th January 2016 attack in Jakarta which killed 7 people.

The operation was launched in 4 states on Friday, ahead of Monday’s International Conference on Deradicalisation and Countering Violent Extremism that Malaysia is hosting.

Among the items seized were 30 bullets of different calibres, books on jihad (Islamic holy war), IS flags, and a propaganda video. The suspects were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012.

On 15th January, a 27-year-old man suspected to be linked to ISIS was arrested at the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) station in Jelatek in Kuala Lumpur. He had planned a lone-wolf attack on an entertainment outlet in the city.

Sources: Reuters via CNA, The Star Online / Featured image from The Star Online.

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Ke$ha Admits To Drinking Her Own Urine

Yup, Ke$ha has gone and done it again, revealing one of the many crazy things that she has done in her lifetime. Of course, the wild artiste has certainly been no stranger to doing questionable things from time to time.

While promoting her upcoming MTV docu-series, “My Crazy Beautiful Life”, she admitted in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that she actually drank her own urine once. We know what you’re thinking. Why on earth?

I heard it was good for you. That was, like, the rumor. But I don’t know. I’m also just one that doesn’t shy away from things. I’m not good at saying “No” so I just figure, f**k it, I’ll try anything once. So I tried it. I wouldn’t recommend it. It was pretty gross. And I don’t think it really did anything very beneficial to me so, yeah, I wouldn’t probably do it again.


#Zoolander2: Ben Stiller Teases First Look At Derek Zoolander’s Son

There’s a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. And Derek Zoolader has definitely found out what that is –  the next generation of Zoolander!

Ben Stiller‘s Zoolander is returning to the sequel with a family because the actor himself recently updated his Instagram to give us a first look at his character’s son.

Meet @cyrusarnold. Son of Derek. #Zoolander2

A photo posted by Ben Stiller (@benstiller) on Apr 13, 2015 at 3:18am PDT

Stiller revealed on his Instagram post that Cyrus Arnold is joining the cast of “Zoolander 2” as Zoolander’s son, who may or may not inherit his parents’ genetic traits. It is unclear whether Arnold’s character will also go on and become a fashion model, but it seems like Stiller is eager to spend some good time with his onscreen son.

Directed and produced by Stiller, the first “Zoolander” film was a cult comedy that received strongly positive reviews from the movie critics. Since it revolves around a male model becoming a pawn in a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the movie was never shown in Malaysian cinemas.

After confirming that the script for the sequel was already in the works since 2010, Stiller attended this year’s Paris Fashion Week and crashed the Valentino show with his co-star Owen Wilson to officially announce the sequel.

The official synopsis has yet to be released, but Stiller briefly described the plot during an interview with Empire Online.

It’s 10 years later and most of it is set in Europe… it’s basically Derek and Hansel… though the last movie ended on a happy note a lot of things have happened in the meantime. Their lives have changed and they’re not really relevant anymore. It’s a new world for them. Will Ferrell is written into the script and he’s expressed interest in doing it. I think Mugatu is an integral part of the Zoolander story, so yes, he features in a big way.

Co-written by Stiller himself and “Iron Man 2″ scribe Justin Theroux, the sequel is Stiller‘s directorial follow-up to ” “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty“. The crew is currently shooting the film in Rome.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” star Penelope Cruz has signed on to star in an unspecified role while Christine Taylor and Will Ferrell will return to reprise their respective roles. Rumour has it that various other celebrities including Jonah Hill, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Cara Delevingne, Naomi Campbell, and Anna Wintour will be making cameo appearances as well.

Paramount Pictures confirmed that the sequel will hit the cinemas on 12th February 2016.

For more information, visit the movie’s official Facebook page.

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A Million Points For “The Dark Knight Rises”

To be honest, before as much as stepping foot into the cinema, we thought, “Christopher Nolan didn’t want to do this. But let’s hope he hasn’t given up!”. We were wishing that the movie would live up to expectations of not just ours alone but of everyone else around the world because the build up leading to the release of the film was absolutely madhouse!

At the same time, we know that watching a Nolan film and having to pick up our jaws off the floor after was not exactly uncharted territory. It happened “Memento”, “Batman Begins”, “The Prestige”, “The Dark Knight”, and ‘Inception”. With each movie, his productions seemed to get better and better.

So, Christopher Nolan returned for the last time although he was initially hesitant about it. He only agreed to come back after developing a story with his brother, Jonathan, and David S. Goyer that he felt would conclude the series on a satisfactory note. Ah, a perfectionist through and through.

But was it sufficient to end the Batman film franchise reboot on a high note?

Yes. It was a mind-blowing as they said it would be. If not more. We won’t say that we were surprised by the dark-ish more serious tone of Nolan’s Batman franchise. The first two, and especially the last one (starring the late Heath Ledger as Joker) set the bar really high after raking in critical success and breaking major box office records around the world.

Most of you would have already known by now that Christian Bale returns as Batman.

And in this installment, we are greeted by a reeking evil named “Bane” (played by Tom Hardy). His formidable stature (he looks like Hannibal Lecter!) is enough to scare your socks off you – which explains why even Gotham City’s police, who are clearly outnumbered, are afraid of him. Basically, Bane wants to wipe the city out with a nihilistic movement. And the only person who can stop him is, yup, you guessed it!

But Batman aka Bruce Wayne is crippled, and is hiding in Wayne Manor after the city named him enemy of the state. Wayne Enterprises has become bankrupt, Batman is a fallen hero, and very much weakened. But with the city under siege, he must recover and regain the strength he once had to fight.

To save what he has always been fighting for.

Oh, and let’s not forget Anne Hathaway‘s outstanding performance as the character costumed thief, Selina Kyle. To us, she’s known as “Catwoman” but we noticed that in the film, she’s never referred to in that way. Nolan’s interpretation of Catwoman is perhaps the best version of the character that we’ve ever seen.

It also helps that Anne Hathaway is head-to-toe versatile, serving her performance perfectly on a silver platter.

Just like his past works, Nolan’s film is built small until it escalates into a thick plot so big that you hurry to sort the math out in your head. But by the time that you do, the story line would’ve already moved into something else and suddenly you’re dealing with another “surprise”. In short, it’s intense!

And do us a favour. If you’re going to catch “The Dark Knight Rises”, for the love of Nolan, please do so in IMAX.  For something that is mostly shot using IMAX cameras, it’d be a crime not to pay for the IMAX ticket for the mind-blowingly impressive visuals. Do yourself a favour!

Now excuse us while we rush off to book tickets to watch it for the second time around.

Editor’s note: Our hearts go out to all the victims, families and friends who were affected by the Colorado shooting.

For more information, visit the movie’s official website.

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Jason Mraz & The Four Letter Word

Three long years have passed since Jason Mraz released his last studio album, “We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.”

Dare we say, we missed the American blue-eyed soul singer-songwriter dearly. So much so that we thought he had decided to leave the limelight altogether and perhaps stick to pursuing his career as a professional surfer. In late 2010, Jason announced that was officially engaged to singer-songwriter and long-time (off and on again) girlfriend, Tristan Prettyman:

Hearts of women were heard breaking all over the world.

However, in mid June 2011, he revealed that he was no longer engaged to Tristan. Soon after (about half a year later, in January 2012), he released what would be the first single off his upcoming album:

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In his three years of absence, several YouTube artistes quickly picked up on it and made their own covers of “I Won’t Give Up”:

[youtube id=”AwxwZKrbeEg” width=”600″ height=”350″]

[youtube id=”oKHX1a2vcXo” width=”600″ height=”350″]

[youtube id=”zcL8zrkBpVQ” width=”600″ height=”350″]

[youtube id=”QI9rPwl1KuM” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Just to name a few, who all executed their versions of the song beautifully.

We must say though, that we absolutely loved the artwork of his “I Won’t Give Up” single the moment we laid eyes on it. And we can’t help but wonder if the lyrics had anything to do with his recent “breaking up of engagement” with Tristan. Hmm.

In any case, check out how cute the “I Won’t Give Up” artwork is:

Oh, Jason. We’re so glad you’re back! And we can’t wait to hear the rest of the album. And we can’t believe that it’s going to be released in only a matter of weeks from today! Four weeks, to be exact.

If you’re as big of a Jason Mraz fan as we are, head on over here to pre-order your “Love Is A Four Letter Word” CD, slated to be released in the US on the 17th of April 2012. We hear that the iTunes Deluxe version has a special few additional tracks :)

For more information, visit Jason Mraz’s official website or keep a close watch on his Twitter account.

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#Grab: Enjoy RM6 Off Rides To Malls In Klang Valley, Penang, KK, JB, & Melaka

The holiday season is upon us and traffic is horrible. So why not skip the jam and book yourself a GrabCar ride when you wanna go shopping? :)

And guess what? The ride-hailing app is offering RM6 off your rides to and from selected shopping malls in the Klang Valley, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Johor Bahru, and Melaka.

The promo begins today (Tuesday, 13th December) and will last until Christmas (Sunday, 25th December). Do note that the offer is only applicable for 10 GrabCar (Economy) rides and it is limited to only 5,000 redemptions per day.

All you need to do is key in the promo code in your Grab app:

The 25 selected shopping malls are as follows:

Grab is also offering 50% off (up to RM15) to/from the airport in Penang, Kota Kinabalu, and Johor Bahru, plus Melaka Sentral.

For more info, visit Grab’s official website and Facebook page.


#JasonMraz: To Singapore He Goes For His “Yes!” 2014 Tour In November

Missing Jason Mraz as much as we do? Good! Because artiste will be in the region again before the year ends!

It was just announced by organiser Live Nation Lushington today that multi-Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz will be performing in Singapore (for 2 nights only!) in November as part of his Asia-Pacific tour.

The “I’m Yours” crooner will perform songs from his latest album, Yes!, at the 5,000-seater Star Theatre at the Star Performing Arts Centre in Buona Vista on 17th and 18th November. According to the organisers, fans can also expect to see Mraz’s longtime friends and indie-pop band Raining Jane during his performances.

The other countries that the 37-year-old pop star will be touring include Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, Japan, and Philippines.

Schedule for the other countries, (as stated on his website) are as follows:

Tickets are priced at SGD68, SGD88, SGD108, SGD128, and SGD168 and will go on sale from 29th September onwards via all SISTIC channels.

We’ll leave you now with one of our favourite tunes, “Love Someone“, from Jason Mraz’s “Yes!” album:

For more information, visit his official website.


#MamaPride: Maternity Pants To Cover Women’s “Aurat” While In Labour

Just a few days ago, French rock band “Mutiara Damansara” found themselves in the spotlight after local Facebook users discovered that they ironically named themselves after one of the famed townships in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Local celebrity Harith Iskander was also greeted by a nasty, unpleasant surprise via a Google Alert notification yesterday as numerous pictures of his son, as well as other children, were being used on a pornographic site.

And in today’s “Strange Findings“, a number of local Facebook users discovered the existence of special maternity pants. How special is it? Well, let’s just say that you won’t be able to see it in the normal market because this is the kind that will cover women’s “aurat” while in labour.

First reported by Malay Mail Online, the pants are distributed by “MamaPride”, an online store that introduces aurat-covering pants, which is the first of its kind in the world.

Aurat refers to genitalia and other parts of the body that must be clothed, as required by Islam. Modesty practices are observed through the maternity pants as they ensure that a Muslim woman’s aurat will remain covered throughout childbirth. One of the administrators for the Facebook page promotes the products by revealing that “Muslim women’s modesty was often disregarded” while in labour.

How embarrassed would your wife be? How embarrassed would the mother of your child be?Are we to just ignore the honour and aurat of our wives just like that? Where is the honour of Muslim women?

In another promotional post, the distributor described that the pants are designed to appear similar to an athletics track bottom, but with an opening that allows other intimate body parts remain covered while they deliver the baby.

The pants, which are priced at RM119 each, are available in 3 sizes – L, XL and XXL. Interested customers can purchase the pants through Facebook or at selected pharmacies.  The distributor also took to Facebook to reveal the list of hospitals that are receptive or otherwise towards the product. “For your information, this exclusive pants is limited to only those who are keen,” said the distributor.

According to MMO, they attempted to contact the distributor for comment, but were not successful. However, the distributor did screen capture the MMO post and shared it on their Facebook page, claiming that they have a special surprise gift to celebrate their success.

What do you think of the maternity pants? While it’s not a huge issue, it certainly piqued our curiousities because as far as we know, the pants are not found anywhere else in the world. Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

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“Twin Towers @Live 2013” Returns!

Come 22nd and 23rd March 2013 (Friday and Saturday), a musical extravaganza will take over Malaysia’s iconic towers. The live concert, “Twin Towers @Live 2013” returns, featuring a star-studded line-up of international artistes in conjunction with the PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix weekend.

Singer-songwriter Demi Lovato, who has had two massively successful solo album releases (“Don’t Forget” and “Here We Go Again”) will take the stage on 22nd March (Friday). Followed by an explosive performance by South Korean idol boy group U-KISS aka Soohyun, Kiseop, Eli, Kevin, Dongho, Hoon, and AJ.

[youtube id=”wUe7S0qW7zQ” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Following the earlier announcement for American pop-sensation Demi Lovato and K-Pop stars U-KISS who will be performing on the 22 March; the Backstreet Boys has been signed on to headline the second and final day of the music gala on 23rd March with their biggest hits repertoire.

Meanwhile, due to unforeseen circumstances, the organisers have also informed that three of Korean K-Pop acts previously announced, Rainbow, IU, and Girls Day will not be able to perform at the Twin Towers @Live 2013.

[youtube id=”0Gl2QnHNpkA” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Local acts that have also been confirmed to perform at Twin Towers @Live are such as:

Date: 22nd and 23rd March 2013 (Friday and Saturday)

PETRONAS Motorsports is also running a special merchandise promotion for FanZone tickets. The package is only available at the PETRONAS Twin Towers Gift Shop located at the PETRONAS Twin Towers Skybridge Visitors Centre in KLCC.

Purchases of RM150 worth of selected merchandise entitle a buyer to 1 (one) FanZone ticket voucher; while purchases of RM300 or more entitles a buyer to 2 (two) Fanzone ticket vouchers. Vouchers can be redeemed at the 2013 PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix showcase at Suria KLCC from 16th March*.

Fans can also look out for more Fanzone ticket giveaways for both days via radio, print and online channels in the month of March 2013.

The organizers and YG Entertainment has confirmed that K-Pop super girl group, 2NE1 will be performing on 23rd March 2013 (Saturday)! Blackjacks, we know a lot of you are flipping out right about now.

For more information, hit up the “Twin Towers @Live 2013” Facebook page or hit them up on Twitter for more surprises!


#AirAsiaX: Tony Fernandes Confirms Airline Not Flying To London/Europe Anytime Soon

Wanderlusters, it looks like flying to London/Europe on a budget will have to wait :(

AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes confirmed that AirAsia X, the company’s long-haul low-cost affiliate carrier will not be flying there anytime soon. In his tweet, he wrote, “We have decided that ultra long haul is not relevant now. Won’t get seduced into price wars over London.”

Earlier this year, AirAsia made waves when Tony Fernandes revealed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last week that the airline was ready to return to Europe this summer when it adds London (England) and Frankfurt (Germany) to its destinations.

Initially, he confirmed that he had plans to launch 2 new routes – London and Frankfurt – with the London flights departing from klia2 and the Frankfurt route with direct flights out of Bangkok.

In a series of tweets posted just today (19th June 2017, Monday), the Group CEO said that AirAsia X has decided to stick to the 8-to-9-hour route, with focus in Asia. Of course, there’s still the long-haul route like Hawaii, which transits in Osaka from Kuala Lumpur. The maiden flight is set for launch on 28th June 2017.

“We let the full service guys fight it out over Europe. Many of them bleeding so so much,” Tan Sri Tony Fernandes added.

Source: Tony Fernandes’ Twitter / Featured image: SDAsia.

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“Me. I Am Mariah.” – Damn Right She Is!

If you loved #Beautiful, oh man are you going to love this!

Mariah Carey aka world’s most popular R&B diva aka songstress whose vocal prowess consists of a voice with multiple octaves is back! In 2008, her smash hit single, “Touch My Body” left a deep (and we mean deep) impression with most of us before she ran off to have a pair of twins with hubby Nick Cannon and took a seat in the American Idol judging panel. If you remember, it was also then that her highly publicised rivalry with Nicki Minaj got completely out of hand, with Mariah reportedly calling Nicki Minaj “Satan”.

In late 2012, she started giving the first hints about her 14th studio album. In an interview with Billboard, she said, “I’m collaborating with a lot of my favourite people but the main thing is that I’m not trying to follow any particular trend. I want it to be well received. I want to stay true to myself and the music that I love and make the fans happy.”

More talk about “Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse” here:

Of course, the collaborations have since been confirmed and the new album boasts this long list:

We haven’t done a full review yet but we’re already loving a few tracks such as “Faded” and “Heavenly (No Ways Tired/Can’t Give Up”. We won’t give too much away, all we can say for now is, “Me. I Am Mariah”? Damn right she is.

Here, have a listen to Mariah Carey’s “Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse” via Spotify and let us know what YOU think:

Alternatively, you can get your copy of “Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse” on iTunes here!

For more information, visit her official website.


Zoo Negara Clarifies Story About Viral Photo Of Skinny Lion

Zoo Negara is finally clearing the air on the recent controversy surrounding a viral photo of a skinny lion.

According to AWANI, the lion, named Manja Kani, suffered a significant weight loss due to a change in its diet during the mating season.

Zoo Negara’s deputy president Rosly Ahmat Lana told the news outlet, “Manja Kani and Manja Ela are in the process of mating lately and it has caused Manja Kani to skip meals. This case is common for the panthera leo species. However, it was more noticeable for Manja Kani. This is because the female refused to mate, while the male attempts to coerce her into mating.”

In a previous press conference, Rosly revealed that the 15-year-old lion is skinny because the zookeepers changed its food from meat to chicken. This came as a result of the shortage of supplies during the movement control order (MCO) period. Despite its poor physical condition, he assured everyone that the lion is in good health.

“Manja Kani has been a bit picky and it was difficult for us to get our meat supply during the MCO. It’s not that we cannot afford it but there just wasn’t any supply that could come in. Sometimes the lion fancies beef and not chicken, other times it likes venison and not beef,” Rahmat clarified during the session, as reported by Bernama.

Guyss ini penjelasan Timbalan Presiden Zoo Negara berkenaan singa didakwa kurus itu. pic.twitter.com/C5AHtAeNKD

— Nadia 🇲🇾 (@nadiazaman__) June 13, 2020

Are people buying Rosly’s explanation though? Here are what netizens online think:

What a lame excuse. Zoo negara dapat dana and donation byk gila kot. The adoption program some more!! https://t.co/nnuxPth1wz

Despite Rahmat’s effort in clarifying the issue, netizens (particularly on Twitter) have continued to slam Zoo Negara over their lame excuses.

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Simon Cowell Seeks YouTube Talents

Talent show guru Simon Cowell is taking his popular television formula to find new stars seeking fast fame to YouTube, joining a growing trend of companies using the Internet to bypass traditional broadcasters.

Cowell, the mastermind behind global TV franchises “The X Factor” and “Got Talent”, unveiled plans on Monday for the first global audition channel, called The You Generation, which was launched in 26 countries on 20th March 2013.

Syco Entertainment, Cowell’s joint venture with Sony Music, said it had teamed up with YouTube to run 26 fortnightly contests over the next year to give people the chance to upload audition videos showing their skills and win a cash prize. “Our mission is to discover the world’s next big YouTube stars and showcase their amazing and unique talents on The You Generation channel”, they said in a joint statement.

Organizers of the new YouTube channel said wannabe stars can upload videos in a list of categories, from make-up artists to style gurus, chefs to vocalists, adding that all submissions would be judged by Syco executives and relevant experts.

Every fortnight one winner will get a cash prize and become a finalist to win “an amazing grand prize”. No further details were available but winners of Cowell’s singing contest, “The X Factor”, win a recording contract.

[youtube id=”gU8z96gj8DA” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Up to 69,000 people had subscribed to the channel by Monday.

You Generation territories were listed as Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Britain, Czech Republic, France, Israel, Poland, Russia, Spain, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil.

For more information, visit their Facebook page.


No Way! Ed Sheeran Returns To Singapore For Biggest Concert Yet

Good news music lovers! Ed Sheeran is returning to Asia for more concerts!

The Grammy winner himself and Lushington Entertainments Singapore broke the news earlier today (Monday, 22nd October) on social media. Needless to say, concert-goers are going bananas at the thought of seeing him live again.

Set to take place next year, fans will get the chance to experience the encore of Sheeran’s “Divide” tour. If you missed him last year, make sure you secure your concert tickets earlier. The 3 Asian countries in his itinerary that have been announced so far are:

If this is anything like his previous Asia pitstops, you’d know that tickets are going to sell out like hot cakes. Scalpers are also expected to take advantage of the pop star’s popularity and scam fans with tickets reselling. Hopefully, strict action will be taken against those scalpers.

The details to Ed Sheeran’s “Divide” world tour Live in Singapore are as follows:

Concert tickets will go on sale this Thursday 25th October 2018 at 10am via www.sportshubtix.sg. Concert hopefuls may also call 3158-7888 or purchase tickets at all SingPost outlets.


(UPDATE) #FantasticFour: Josh Trank Says “Original” Version Would’ve Been Fantastic

If director Josh Trank‘s words are to be believed, his latest superhero movie “Fantastic Four” would’ve been fantastic if it didn’t go through a lot of changes.

The film, which is the 3rd “Fantastic Four” movie distributed by 20th Century Fox, is considered to be a failure by many as it was plagued with bad buzz and negative reviews from critics and audiences.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie was already plagued with problems amidst production. Trank was originally attached to direct an upcoming “Star Wars” project before he was fired by Disney. Word has it that Disney fired him upon hearing about his unusual conduct during the making of Fox’s upcoming “Fantastic Four”, which made them change their minds about entrusting the young director with “Star Wars”.

An insider also told THR that the “Chronicles” director was at times “very isolated” and “did not offer clear direction”, adding:

If you’ve got someone who can’t answer questions or who isn’t sure or is in hiding, that’s not good.

On top of his behaviour, it was revealed that there was a conflict between Trank and Simon Kinberg, co-writer and producer for “Fantastic Four”. Kinberg had to step in with producer Hutch Parker to complete the movie, which underwent re-shoots just 3 months before opening.

With all the negative press surrounding the movie, many began to doubt whether or not the film will do well at the box office.

Now, it seems like critics’ and fans’ reactions towards the film have put pressure on Trank, who recently lashed out on Twitter to reveal that the original version of his film would’ve been better than the one that’s out in theatres now. Though he didn’t specially blame any party on how badly received the film was, it’s clear that he’s feeling frustrated with the final product of his efforts.

This tweet was deleted shortly after he posted it:

No one knows how great the original version of his “Fantastic Four” movie was, but it certainly seems like there were a lot of scenes that didn’t make it into the film, including some scenes that were included in the official trailers.

Trank’s behaviour might be erratic, but “Fantastic Four” certainly could have been a great film if the ending was not done sloppily.

And apparently, the movie was certainly going to end well, if 20th Century Fox did not take over the 3rd act from Trank and removed him from the editing room. During Collider Movie Talk, John Campea spilled the beans that multiple sources had informed him that several big set pieces were allegedly pulled by Fox days before Trank began filming “Fantastic Four”. This was perhaps the reason why Trank was upset about his final product as the studio initially agreed to let Trank film his vision of the “Fantastic Four”.

I’ve got a source, fairly close to the production of this film, who had told me that the movie that Josh Trank and Fox had agreed on making — included 3 really big action set pieces.

“3 really big action set pieces”? Well, that has certainly explained the lack of action scenes in the movie.

That was all agreed upon, it was part of the flow of the movie. And a movie is like a puzzle, you have all the pieces in place. You start messing with pieces and suddenly the whole puzzle can look out of whack. And they had agreed upon this vision for a film. And days before production began, Fox came in and made him pull 3 main action sequences out of the film. I was also told, the ending of the film was not even Josh Trank’s. At some point they hijacked the editing bay from him. To the point that the editing of the film was done without him.

Listen to John Campea’s comments in the video below:

What do you think about Trank’s frustration towards the negative reviews? If he does release the original un-cut version of “Fantastic Four”, do you think it will be well received? For now, we know “we’ll probably never see it” and that’s the reality.

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KStew Says She’s “A Miserable C*nt”

Oh KStew, we can always count on you to say something straight from that straight face of yours.

According to a recent interview with Nicolas Ghesquière (Creative Director of Balenciaga) for Marie Claire U.K.’s latest issue, the 22-year-old Twilight star was very frank when it came to her happiness.

“I’m a miserable c—t”, she said. “I’m not sure if I’m most happy when I’m comfortable and content or when I’m pushing myself to the limits. There are such different versions of happy. And I really appreciate both.”

Considering the summer she’s had since photos were published of her and her married-with-kids “Snow White and the Huntsman” director kissing, we can cut her some slack for calling herself miserable – but the “c-” word? For crying out loud Kristen, come on! Don’t be so hard on yourself.

However, with the latest reports saying she and Robert Pattinson have patched things up together, we’re guessing she’s not that miserable anymore. (Source)

Well, maybe Rob is. Hang in there Edward Cullen!


#XMenApocalypse: Jennifer Lawrence & Nicholas Hoult Reunite On Set

Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult have reunited on the “X-Men: Apocalypse” set, according to an Instagram photo director Bryan Singer posted on Thursday (21st May).

The pair met while filming “X-Men: First Class” back in 2011, became the chillest couple in Hollywood, but eventually broke up last August.

Set in the 1980s, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Evan Peters, and Rose Byrne will reprise their respective roles in “X-Men: Apocalypse”. Oscar Isaac joined the cast to play the titular villain Apocalypse while Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, and Kodi Smit-McPhee will play the younger versions of Storm, Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler.

Although Jennifer and Nicholas will reprise their roles as Mystique and Beast, respectively, for the film, both stars have said that it will be the last “X-Men” film they would appear in. On 28th March, Hugh Jackman, who has been portraying Wolverine since the beginning of the franchise in 2000, hinted on Instagram that his time as Wolverine may be coming to an end.

Bryan Singer will direct the movie based on a screenplay written by Simon Kinberg, Mike Dougherty, and Dan Harris.

“X-Men: Apocalypse” is due out 27th May 2016.


#GhostbustersReboot: Set Photos Teases First Look At The All-Female Ghostbusters

Principal photography for “Ghostbusters” has just begun yesterday (18th June), but lo and behold, set photos have already started circulating online. The production took place in Boston, with the stars of the reboot, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Melissa McCarthy giving us a first look at their characters.

Said to be taking a grittier and scarier tone, the upcoming female Ghostbusters team will be made up of Erin Gabler (played by Kristen Wiig), a renowned author on paranormal activities, Abby Bergman (played by Melissa McCarthy), the co-author of Gabler’s book, Jillian Holtzmann (played by Kate McKinnon), Bergman’s new partner, and Patty Tolan (played by Leslie Jones), a New York City subway worker who stumbles upon a supernatural threat.

Jones was no where to be seen but Wiig was spotted in a conservative plaid skirt suit, witnessing a fight between 2 men while showing a shocked expression. McCarthy and McKinnon were spotted in a separate scene, with the former holding a computer contraption that looked pretty heavy and the latter wearing paint-splattered overalls with a leather jacket to boot.

The photos can be seen in the gallery below:

No plot details were released, but we know that Chris Hemsworth will be playing Kevin, the Ghostbusters’ receptionist. Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, who acted as Peter Venkman and Ray Stanz in the original “Ghostbusters” movie, are rumoured to be making cameo appearances in the upcoming reboot as well.

The reboot will see a reunion between director Paul Feig and McCarthy, who very recently worked together in the highly acclaimed action comedy film, “Spy“. Ivan Reitman and Amy Pascal will be producing the movie, based on a script written by Katie Dippold and Feig himself.

“Ghostbusters” is currently slated for release on 22nd July 2016 and truth to be told, we can barely contain our excitement!

Well, enough about us, what about you? What do you think about the cast’s outfits? Any thoughts about the scenes they were filming? Don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts in the comments box below! ;)

Source: Comingsoon / Image Sources: Just Jared, Pop Sugar

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#F3Malaysia: Massive Topshop, Topman, Warehouse, Dorothy Perkins Sale Ahead!

What’s that? You haven’t done your Chinese New Year shopping? Fret not! Our friends Wing Tai Clothing just told us that they’re holding a massive sale for some of their most popular brands e.g. Topshop, Topman, Warehouse, and more :)

And if you’re a Fashion Fast Forward member, you’ll even get to beat everyone else to it during the special member’s preview and get an additional discount off any purchase!

Venue: F21-23A First Floor, Atria Shopping Gallery (next to Sports Direct)
Time: 11am – 8pm
Dates:

Brands: Topshop, Topman, Dorothy Perkins, Burton Menswear London, Miss Selfridge, Warehouse, Wallis, Pumpkin Patch

As always, good things we must share. Thank us later. Happy shopping, you guys :)

For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.


Syed Saddiq & The Public Disagree With MKN’s Proposal To Revive PLKN

The Ministry of Defence (MKN) recently announced that they are planning to reimplement the National Service Training Program (PLKN).

The announcement, however, has in turn angered many Malaysians. This even caught Syed Saddiq’s attention, who has voiced his stand against the government’s plan.

The Muar MP wrote on his Facebook, “According to YB Ismail Sabri, this PLKN is aimed for the spirit of patriotism. But, there are some things that are not told to the public. Firstly, PLKN is one of the most expensive government programs. When I say expensive, the cost of spending for PLKN from 2004 has reached RM8.43 billion. This is too much for a three-month program.”

“Second of all, we need to know that half of the cost for the program is only to cover the campsite rent. From that figure, 43% of RM8.43 billion is mainly for campsite rental, and not for training curriculums,” the political figure further added.

All in all, he asserted that the proposal to revive the PLKN clearly shows that the government is not paying enough attention to the current problems faced by the people. “This is not the time for rhetoric mega projects and wasting millions of ringgit for a three-month program. It is time for the government to realise that the people are suffering, hungry and sick,” the young politician concluded his post.

Many netizens also echoed the same sentiment provided by Syed Saddiq. Surprisingly, apart from arguing that the program is only a waste of time and money, those who have gone through National Service also shared that other issues such as rape, sexual assaults and physical altercation were also common in the past.

Check out some of the reactions that we got from Twitter below:

As someone who has been to PLKN. It’s an utter waste of time. I did not feel fitter,nor did I learn anything that could help protect the country in cases of wars. I only learned how to wake up at 4:30am everyday feeling grumpy and had 6 crazy ass meals a day. #cancelPLKN https://t.co/C5e4BZSQyw

— André Yapp (@AndreeYapp) November 24, 2020

Since PLKN started in Dec 2003, a total of 23 deaths at camps nationwide have been reported.

The main reasons for the deaths are drowning & health issues like viral infection. Apart from that, sexual assault, rape & fights have also taken place.

— your local pontianak (@karissalund) November 24, 2020

Sebagai ketua Kompeni Alpha, Kem Pinggiran Pelangi Muadzam Shah, saya rumuskan PLKN adalah satu program buang masa anak muda dan menguntungkan kroni. Silibus entah apa². Anak org kaya boleh buat surat Dr palsu utk lps kn diri. Jauh panggang dr api dgn NS Spore. https://t.co/JdJJFf5CCD

Where do you stand in the reimplementation of the PLKN?

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Hype’s Exclusive: A Sunday Afternoon Chat With South Korean Indie Band Hyukoh

K-Pop idol groups may come and go, but Hyukoh (혁오) is here to stay and play.

Best known for their organic and eccentric sounds, the indie rock band was formed in 2014 and is made up of a quartet of 1993’ers: frontman Oh Hyuk (오혁, who lent his name to the band), guitarist Lim Hyun Jae (임현제), bassist Im Dong Gun (임동건), and drummer Lee In Woo (이인우).

When they released their debut EP “20” in 2014, the band was a relatively unknown musical act to the mainstream crowd (even though they were pretty well-known in the underground music scene).

But success is 99% hard work and 1% luck. Hyukoh’s big breakthrough came in 2015 when they were featured in popular South Korean variety program “Infinity Challenge”‘s Summer Music Festival. Following the performance, the boys’ 2nd EP “22”, which held their hit single “Comes and Goes” (와리가리), charted in the top 10 of the Billboard World Albums Chart. They were also the first act signed to HIGHGRND (pronounced as high ground), a YG Entertainment sub-label run by Epik High’s Tablo.

(Fun Fact: Hyukoh’s albums were named after the age that the members were when they created them!)

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

While many describe Hyukoh’s music as “weird”, we think that they’re a refreshing addition to the Korean music scene. Their honest yet relatable tunes and lyrics stand out in an industry filled with sugary pop songs and pretty-faced idols.

So when we got the opportunity to interview Hyukoh prior to their Urbanscapes 2017 performance, we were pretty curious about them as the boys are not active in variety shows. But after talking to them, we found out that the members, who were dressed in oversized black suits, are very polite, well-mannered, and just a little shy.

Welcome to Malaysia, guys! It’s your first time here, did you manage to try any local delicacies?

Oh Hyuk: Ya, we did! We had erm, what’s it called…nasi goreng!

Hyun Jae: Oh, and also satay. It was good.

That sounds great, we hope that you can try more delicious food while you’re here. Also, congratulations on the release of your first full length album, “23”! How does it feel to finally put out your first complete record?

Oh Hyuk: But it’s also really tough because it took us a while to finish it. I think we spent more than 2 years on it.

Your music is eccentric in the sense that you’re not afraid to experiment with different styles. Where do you usually get your inspiration from?

Oh Hyuk: I get inspiration from a lot of sources but I usually get a lot of ideas from events that happen around me. When I get an idea, I’ll proceed with it. I tend to write songs about the things I saw, listened to, and experienced.

With language at your disposal, do you find it easier to write/sing in Korean or in English?

Oh Hyuk: Korean. It’s a bit different by the language. I guess I feel most comfortable when I use Korean to express myself. There are these unique feelings, expressions, or auras only certain languages have. So it’s not just because I’m comfortable with Korean the most, but its’ the language that fits most with the mood of our songs.

What’s the advantage of being an indie band in a music scene that has for so long now been dominated by pop?

Oh Hyuk: I guess it’s not a matter of having an advantage or not. We’re just an indie band and that’s just a state of us. There’s no advantage or disadvantage actually.

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with in the future?

Do you have anything to say to your Malaysian fans?

Oh Hyuk: Thank you for coming to our shows. We hope to see you again next year. And of course, if we can reach more people (fans), it would be great. Thank you for liking our music and we would ask you to keep liking us (laughs). We’ll try to come back every year.

Hyukoh’s first full album “23” consists of 12 tracks including “Wanli” (万里), “Leather Jacket”, “Tokyo Inn”, and “2002 World Cup”.

Special thanks to Tiger Beer Malaysia for making this interview happen :)

For more info on the band, visit their official Facebook page.

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Dua Lipa Cries & Exits Stage After Cancelling Concert Midway

Dua Lipa was forced to cancel her concert in Denver a few days ago after experiencing an ear infection.

The pop star had just performed 3 songs when she tearfully told the audience that she wasn’t feeling well. The decision to stop the show was made by Lipa together with her doctor after learning she could potentially risk permanent damage to her ear.

“I really tried to push through for this show, I wanted to give you guys a really good show. I feel so bad for letting you guys down because I can’t possibly or physically do it and this is not the kind of show I want to give you guys. So I’m so, so, so sorry but I’m not going to continue tonight. I will be back, I’m so sorry, thank you so much,” the British star said.

Lipa also took to Twitter to provide more details on her situation in hopes that concert-goers will understand her decision for pulling the show. She also promised that she and her team are working on rescheduling the date. Many fans have taken to social media to convey their well wishes, clearly accepting her heartfelt apology.

Get well soon Lipa, you have the fans’ full support ;)


#VIP: Lee Jong Suk & Jang Dong Gun To Star In Movie

Can’t get enough of South Korean heartthrobs Lee Jong Suk (이종석) and Jang Dong Gun (장동건)? Well, we’ve got good news for you ;)

The actors were recently confirmed to star in filmmaker Park Hoon Jung’s (from “New World” and “The Great Tiger”) upcoming movie, titled “VIP”, alongside Park Hee Soon (박희순) and Kim Myung Min (김명민).

According to Naver via Soompi, “VIP” revolves around the son of a high-ranking North Korean official named Kwang Il (played by Lee Jong Suk), who commits a series of murders as he travels the world, resulting in a pursuit from both Koreas (North and South) as well as Interpol. Jang Dong Gun’s role has yet to be revealed.

A source revealed that the shooting for the movie is expected to begin in October, adding that Jang Dong Gun was the first person the director cast in the movie.

No release date has been set yet, but we will update this post with more information as soon as we can get ’em :)

26-year-old Lee Jong Suk is best known for his leading roles in hit K-Dramas such as “School 2013” (2012), “I Can Hear Your Voice” (2013), “Doctor Stranger” (2014), and “Pinocchio” (2014) while 44-year-old Jang Dong Gun starred in many critically acclaimed films such as “Friend” (2001), “Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War” (2004), and “Good Morning, President” (2009).

To be honest, we are very excited to see the outcome of the film as this will be Lee Jong Suk’s first time playing a villain.


Heineken Green Room’s Social Design Revealed

Design elements surround us in the everyday world. At Heineken Green Room, they like to explore the areas where music, design and creative passion collide, bringing together new and uncompromising music and creative art forms in Malaysia. Throughout its history Heineken Green Room has actively pushed the boundaries between music and art, mixing up live acts and DJs, video mapping, installation art and creating some unforgettable nights in the process.

For the Social Design project, they asked a group of Malaysia’s most creative fine artists, graphic designers and product designers to explore their passion for music and the influence it has on their work. This is their story.

Title: Back On A Sunday Afternoon in 1968

Synopsis: Technology whirls around us but some things always stay the same. Stephen Lau’s work imagines a Heineken Green Room on a timeless Sunday afternoon. A musician and an acoustic guitar. It could be 1968 or 2013. Stylistically it references The Beatles in their Yellow Submarine-era, updating it for today’s music environment, with a nod to the return of the singer-songwriter to the top of the music scene.

Synopsis: One of the key elements in retro futurism and the concept of social design is the way that pop culture – music, art, fashion, design – remixes and re-consumes itself. Technology puts more power in the hands of the user, but the ideas behind them have been visible across our history. Reciprocal Phantasmagoria is a collage piece that examines the way these patterns repeat themselves. By identifying and understanding these patterns we can break the cycles and pursue a new, more progressive path to the future.

Synopsis: Malaysian Rock History is a series of imaginary gig flyers and posters that reimagines Malaysia’s music history through a new filter. It asks the question: What would the local music landscape look like today if platforms like Heineken Green Room had existed in the 1970s? Would shows by iconic artists like Joy Division, The Doors, David Bowie and The Velvet Underground have pushed our music scene in new directions?

Synopsis: Juxtaposed puts artist Ajim Juxta at the centre of his own exploration of retro futurism at Heineken Green Room. Culture, society and especially music juxtapose hundreds of influences and ideas every time they create something new. Some of these elements are connected and others seemingly random. Yet it is the collision of these ideas, both planned and unplanned, that helps to define our creative lives as artists, musicians and designers.

Also, here are the set times for Heineken Green Room, happening on 15th June 2013 (Saturday) at KL Live:

For more information, hit up Heineken’s Facebook page.

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#IKEACheras: Malaysia’s Biggest IKEA Store Now Open!

IKEA Malaysia today unveiled its second store located at Jalan Cochrane, Cheras.

Spanning across 42,000 square-metres of shopping space, this opening themed as “Malaysia’s Biggest Housewarming Party” was officiated by His Excellency Mr. Bengt G Carlsson, Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia.

20% bigger than IKEA Damansara, the new store is a 5-minute drive from the city centre, accessible from major highways and connects to the Cochrane MRT station, set to be completed in 2017. Reigning as the biggest store in Malaysia, IKEA Cheras features 56 showrooms and offers over 8,500 products that fit well into Malaysian homes.

The store is also complemented with 780 seats at its restaurant and over 1,700 parking bays for greater convenience.

“IKEA Cheras is a dream come true for many more Malaysians. Now even closer to more customers, it will provide easier access to a wide range of well-designed, functional and quality Swedish home furnishing solutions at incredibly low prices. More Malaysians will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique and consistent IKEA store experience many have come to know and love,” said Mike King, Retail Director, IKEA Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

IKEA Cheras is one of the first few retail developments to be ready in the booming township. The new iconic landmark spots the potential in transforming Cheras into a vibrant retail destination, drawing upon the liveliness that IKEA has been bringing to Mutiara Damansara.

“Staying true to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many people, it is important that we create a positive impact in the communities where we operate in. Together with the surrounding developments, we believe the new IKEA store has the potential to transform Cheras as a lively shopping destination whilst turning it into Kuala Lumpur’s newest retail landmark,” added Mike.

Throughout the opening weekend, IKEA Cheras has lined-up various exciting store activities for the entire family including special appearance by the dancing Panda, face painting, clown performance balloon giveaways and many more.

IKEA Cheras is located at 24, Jalan Cochrane, Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. GPS coordinates here.

The store will be open from 9:30am – 10pm (Monday to Thursday) and 9:30pm – 11pm (Friday – Sunday, eve and on public holidays).

IKEA Cheras is easily accessible via the city centre and major highways including MAJU Expressway, SMART, and MEX highways.

For more information on the IKEA Cheras store opening, visit their microsite.


#Spotify: New “Top Tracks In Your Network” Shows Friends’ Most Played Songs

We admit, we’re obsessed with music discovery. Have you not seen our crazy playlists be it for Christmas or Halloween? And let’s not forget the top pop songs or guilty listening pleasures that we all but shamelessly admitted to.

Although it doesn’t really matter where we get our music, we gotta say that a huge part of finding new music happens amongst friends. Every day, millions of listeners find, discover and share music on Spotify – but a great recommendation from someone you trust is something special. So what if you could tap into all these moments of discovery and see what your friends have been listening to – without having to ask?

With that in mind, Spotify recently launched new discovery features that make it easier than ever to tap into your friends’ latest music picks.

“Top Tracks in Your Network” is a new chart showing the most played songs among the people you follow. The more popular a song is with your friends, the higher it is up the chart. Refreshed daily, the new chart can be found in the “Browse” section under “Top Lists”. A drop down list of the people listening to the song can be found next to the track details. “Top Tracks in Your Network” is the easiest way to stay in the loop about what your friends are listening to.

A lot of the time, listeners are simply browsing Spotify to find a new playlist or artiste to explore. And whilst “Top Tracks in Your Network” shows you what’s trending, Spotify believes that information should also exist throughout the app, so that you can see what your friends are digging in context. So now, when you go to an artiste or album you’ll see who’s been listening, which is a great way to spark conversation and discover friends who share your taste in music.

“Top Tracks in Your Network” has begun rolling out on iOS and Android platforms, and to desktop soon. The updated album and artist pages are now available on desktop, with a mobile update arriving in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit Spotify’s website.

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7 K-Pop Stars Fans Want To See In The Female Version Of SuperM

In case if you’ve missed the news, SuperM (슈퍼엠) has finally made their much-anticipated debut recently and are currently making their presence known in the US.

As mentioned earlier in our previous article, the mega K-Pop group consists of 7 male K-Pop idols from popular groups including EXO, SHINee, and NCT.

Dubbed as an Avengers-style K-Pop band, SuperM are indeed a force to be reckoned with. Fans have grown to love the members that are talented in various skills including singing, rapping and dancing. We’re sure that the group will go far, probably more so than other existing units in the industry.

Questions started to rise whether there will be a female version of SuperM following the success of the mega boy band. In this case, netizens have came out with their own list and speculations on which SM female idol is worth in filling the spot for the large scale project.

Following in the hype, we also managed to come up with a list of idols that we would like to see for the possible female SuperM. Feel free to check them out here:

With 20 years of experience in the music industry, we’re very sure that Queen BoA is definitely more than qualified to become the leader of the all-female stable. In addition, she has made a name for herself in the international market, namely Japan and US. Her English speaking skill is also spot on.

Taeyeon’s addition in the all-female Avengers band would be a nice feat. Having her own experience in leading award-winning K-Pop group Girls’ Generation, she would be a great possible candidate for the spot as the leader of the stable.

Additionally, she’s been enjoying her solo career so far. So, it would be nice to see her comeback to her roots as a girl group member.

We cannot leave Hyoyeon out of the list! We believe SONEs (Girls’ Generation fans) out there will also agree with our point that their resident main dancer should be included in the girl group. Check out her debut solo single below:

Finding a reason to question why the Gyeonggi-born talented bombshell is a part of the list? Then watch her debut solo stage for the song “Into You” below, we promise you that you won’t regret for stanning our Black Pearl.

Krystal (real name Jung Soojung) has captured the hearts of every K-Pop fans, especially f(x) followers MeU, with her stunning visuals as well as her charismatic persona on stage. Her mysterious and conceited personality can be one of the main reason on why netizens want her to be included in the list.

We believe this talented bombshell would be a great feat for the group. She’s been known among ReveLuvs (Red Velvet stans) for her versatility. In this case, she can rock upbeat songs with her perfect dancing skills as well as swooned fans with her smooth vocals while singing ballad songs.

The talented K-pop idol is also known for her fluent English skills. That can be one of the extra points for her to possibly join the group.

Her flawless high notes is also one of her many charms. Don’t believe us? Then check out the video below:

The California-born songbird has made her presence known since leaving SM Entertainment in October 2017. Now known among international music fans as Tiffany Young, her addition to the group can be seen as a great exposure for the group to expand their career overseas as well.

Give us a reason on why we should leave the ultimate visual queen out of the list? The answer is NO. Just look at her breathtaking facial features, complete with her whispery and husky voice. As the leader of Girls’ Generation’s first official sub-group Oh!GG, she earns extra browny points from us.

No doubt that Irene (real name Bae Joohyun) is leading the 3rd generation K-Pop idols when it comes to her beautiful visuals. Known among ReveLuvs for being the ‘ending fairy’ for almost every Red Velvet’s live stages, we feel that female SuperM also needs someone to add in the kick in their ending shot as well.

We dare say that Yeri is not an underrated member in Red Velvet! In fact, she’s able to exude her own charms that are different from her other fellow members. We also love her for just being herself, especially during her appearance in local variety shows. Check out our favourite fan-cam of the artiste during the “Zimzalabim” performance.

There you have it, peeps! Any more to add in the list? Share with us on the comments section below.

In the meantime, check out our full review for SuperM’s debut mini album here.

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#TheBatman: Josh Gad’s Tweet Raises Speculations Of The Penguin Role

Josh Gad has sent Twitterverse into a frenzy just with one tweet.

The “Beauty And The Beast” star raised speculations when he tweeted a photo of The Penguin 2 days ago (Wednesday, 3rd May). Because maybe, just maybe, Gad might be playing the fictional supervillain in the upcoming Batman movie?

Of course, Gad could have tweeted the panel out of fun or just to watch the reactions. Or he could just have been a big fan of the character.

However, what fueled speculations was the fact that “The Batman” producers Jon Berg and Geoff Johns recently followed Gad. Before Joe Manganiello was confirmed as Deathstroke, the exact thing happened too.

There has been no official announcement, but fans are surely hoping for him to take on the role. People are already responding to his tweet with congratulatory and celebratory messages. Some extremely talented fans have also taken it upon themselves to share fan arts of how Gad would look like in full The Penguin costume.

Some break time fun – @joshgad Penguin pic.twitter.com/n5cEdaNXpK

@bestfanjoker @joshgad Yeah, for me, too bad he’s passed… pic.twitter.com/UUMFQcsHAZ

— SuperheroPOLL!+ (@SuperheroPOLL) May 3, 2017

We have to say, we totally see it happening ;)

The upcoming DC movie was revealed to be titled “The Batman” by Batman (Ben Affleck) himself. Aside from acting in the movie, Affleck will also be co-writing the script. There’s no official release date yet, but filming will definitely start this year.

What do you think of Josh Gad as The Penguin? Interesting choice, or a total miscast? Tell us what you think in the comments box below!


#1600PandasMY: Get Up Close & Personal With #1600Pandas At The Exhibition

After travelling to more than 15 iconic locations in Peninsular Malaysia to promote the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable development through a series of flash mob, the 1600 Pandas have gathered at Publika for a grand exhibition, offering the public the opportunity to get up close with the pandas, which include 7 special edition Malaysia-themed paper mache pandas on display.

Held from 13th – 25th Jan, the “1600 Pandas World Tour in Malaysia ▪ Initiating the Culture of Creative Conservation” Exhibition is taking place at Publika, which is the final stop of the pandas’ mission to convey the urgent message of appreciating the richness of flora and fauna, and the need to protect them from further deterioration in order to conserve these precious resources for the future generation.

The tour also champions the use of creative and innovative approaches to convey public service announcements, amplifying the ongoing efforts of bringing positive change to the environment.

The “1600 Pandas World Tour in Malaysia ▪ Initiating the Culture of Creative Conservation” Exhibition opening ceremony was graced by YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia where all the 1600 Pandas were artistically placed in Publika for the public to view, enjoy and interact with the pandas.

In addition to conveying the message of environmental conservation, the 1600 Pandas are also on a mission to discover the unique culture and tourist attractions across the Peninsular Malaysia. With culture being one of the core themes of the 1600 Pandas World Tour in Malaysia, Paulo Grangeon, French sculptor artist and creator of the 1600 Pandas collaborated with Faster Advertising Group to create 7 special edition Malaysia-themed pandas. Each of the 7 pandas were sculpted and assigned to a significant symbol that aptly represents the Malaysian culture.

The 7 elements are – Trishaw, Wau, Congkak, Badminton, Wayang Kulit, Bunga Raya, and Gasing, representing the diverse and unique culture Malaysia has to offer through the multi-racial and multi-ethnic setting the country is known for. Standing tall amidst the 1600 Pandas at the exhibition, the local-themed pandas are part of the main highlights for the two-week spectacle.

During the two-week long exhibition, the public will have the opportunity to check out the pandas at a closer proximity. The 1600 Pandas are being placed in a zone where the public get to hug and selfie with the adorable 1600 Pandas. Don’t miss out the first and only chance to spend time with the 1600 Pandas throughout the exhibition period.

Apart from hugging and taking pictures with the pandas, the public also has the opportunity to bring one of the pandas home to keep through an online adoption programme. The registration of interest (ROI) will begin on 15th Jan 2015, and those who are interested are welcomed to register online for a chance to bring home one of the adorable paper mache pandas at RM150 each, whereby all proceeds from the adoption will be channeled to WWF-Malaysia’s conservation efforts.

Some of the merchandise available for purchase, also at Publika, are such as:

Members of the public will also be treated with other activities and booths centred on the exhibition. Visitors are able to get a glimpse of the exhibitions and tour previously organised in Hong Kong within the 1600 Pandas Hong Kong Tour Gallery, where a selection of handpicked images from the troop’s tour in the country are featured to offer visitors a better understanding on the cause advocated by the 1600 Pandas.

Specially designed panda-themed premiums are also available for sale during the exhibition. Sponsors of the 1600 Pandas World Tour in Malaysia – MBI International, Publika, Malaysia Year of Festivals 2015, R&F Properties and XOX Mobile – will also be setting up booths in support of the campaign’s initiative.

For further information on the “1600 Pandas World Tour In Malaysia”, visit their Facebook page.

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#SMRT: 2 Maintenance Staff Killed In Pasir Ris Track Accident

Two maintenance staff of Singapore’s MRT operator SMRT have been killed after a track accident near Pasir Ris station along the East-West line, China’s Xinhua news agency reported, citing local media.

UPDATE: SMRT says reviewing all safety procedures, in particular track access https://t.co/wwjtswTSuV pic.twitter.com/BKO8zoHYp8

SMRT’s vice-president for corporate information and communications Patrick Nathan said in a statement that the accident occurred at around 11:10am near a servicing point, according to the Straits Times.

Nathan said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was immediately activated and they have confirmed that the 2 SMRT staff have passed away.

Nathan added that the train service operator are working with the police to conduct a detailed investigation into this accident. He also sent deepest condolences to the families of the staff, saying SMRT will be providing support to them at this very difficult time.

PASIR RIS MRT INCIDENT: Bodies of victims believed to have been taken away around 2.45pm https://t.co/Y31RbWSqT4 pic.twitter.com/sd7XZwNPp8

Train services along the East-West Line were also disrupted. SMRT announced on its Twitter account that there would be no train services between Tanah Merah and Pasir Ris because of the accident.

The operator apologised for the inconvenience and updated that train services are expected to resume at about 1:15pm.

Source: Bernama / Featured image from CNA’s Twitter.


#TheBookOfSwords: George R. R. Martin To Release New Book About The Targaryens

While “Game of Thrones” author George R. R. Martin is still hard at work trying to complete the next instalment of “A Song of Ice and Fire”, fans can expect a new book to be released before the year ends.

The short story, titled “The Songs of the Dragon”, will be a part of the fantasy anthology series, “The Book of Swords”.

Set in the George R. R. Martin-created Westeros universe, the tale will focus on the Targaryen family history, chronicling the reigns of the 2nd and 3rd Targaryen kings, Aenys I and Maegor the Cruel. As the former ruling dynasty of Westeros, both kings reigned centuries prior to the main storyline of “Game of Thrones”, way before the mother of dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, came on the scene.

Aenys I is described as being a dreamer, alchemist and womaniser who flees the throne in the midst of a religious uprising, spawned from the populace’s disgust at his having arranged the marriage of his son and daughter to one another. His half-brother, Maegor, inherits the throne and embarks on a series of brutal acts of revenge on those who question his right to rule, using torture, execution and his enormous dragon to keep would-be dissenters in line.

“The Songs of the Dragon” will also explore “their mothers, wives, sisters, children, friends, enemies, and rivals” during their time in power, and perhaps shed more light on the incestuous family.

In his blog, George R. R. Martin wrote, “Those of you who enjoyed ‘The Princess and the Queen’ in DANGEROUS WOMEN and ‘The Rogue Prince’ in ROGUES will probably like this one too. It’s water from the same well. A history rather than a traditional narrative. A lot of telling, only a little showing. (The opposite of what I do in my novels). But if you’re fascinated by the politics of Westeros, as many of my readers seem to be, you should enjoy it.”

“The Book of Swords” will mark George R. R. Martin’s 3rd standalone history about Westeros and is scheduled for release on 10th October in hardcover and e-book.

Sources: George RR Martin, The Guardian.

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Hype’s Throwback Thursday [Movie]: In Bruges (2008)

If you like dark comedy, this one’s for you!

Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, In Bruges is a 2008 dark comedy film that stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hitmen in hiding. Filmed in the Belgian city of Bruges, the film is a mixture of action comedy with Shakespearean tragedy and as messed up as that sounds, it works! Acknowledge as one of the best original films of 2008, the film lives and dies by director, Martin’s words and Collin’s power to get the audience to sympathise with his character of a bigoted hitman is simply amazing.

Not since, Pulp Fiction has there been a hitman duo as dynamic as Ray (Collin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson). Total opposites of each other, they don’s just argue over the smallest things, they also get into deep conversations about life, death and everything else that matters.

In Bruges was the opening night film for the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was opened on limited release in the United States on February 8th, 2008. The film premiered at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival on February 15th, 2008 before going for a full release in Ireland on March 8th, 2008.

In Bruges won Collin Farrell a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for the film and Martin McDonagh was awarded with a BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay and a British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay in 2008.

Hype’s Throwback Thursday [Movie]: Goodfellas (1990)

Hype’s Throwback Thursday [Movie]: The Godfather (1972)


#TouchNGo: Need Something More Than A Traditional TnG Card? Here Are Some Options!

We’re sure everyone have had this experience: You are driving on a highway, you see a toll booth coming up, and you know you’re prepared for this because you’re sure you reloaded your Touch N’ Go card yesterday. You cruise into the toll plaza, but lo and behold, you just can’t seem to find your card or your card is out of credit!

If you ever find yourself in that situation again, don’t fret, because there are actually a few alternatives to the traditional Touch N’ Go card.

Now that the government are taking steps to implement cashless toll systems across all highways nationwide, we’re sure you guys will need this guide even more ;)

As of today (2nd June), at least 50 toll plazas across highways in Malaysia have implemented the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. By 2018, the government plans to convert all toll plazas to the cashless system. This step is supposed to quicken the payment process in toll plazas.

According to Sazally Saidi, vice-president of the Association of Highway Concessionaires Malaysia (PSKLM), cash transactions at toll plazas take up to 15 seconds, Touch N’ Go lanes 6 seconds, while Smart Tag lanes are the fastest with only 3 seconds. That might not seem like a lot, but in an hour, cash transactions lanes can process only 400 vehicles, compared to the 550 vehicles for Touch N’ Go lanes and 1,000 vehicles for Smart Tag lanes.

Before we bore you with too many statistics, here are some of the alternatives for the traditional Touch N’ Go card:

Did you know that your identity card, which you bring with you everywhere you go, can be used as a Touch N’ Go card? It can also be used as a driving license, a storage for your health information, an e-wallet (which can store up to around RM1,500), and ATM card. Wonder why the MyKad has so many usages? It is actually because of the in-built computer chip embedded in the card, which can store information for up to 20 years.

The best thing is, you don’t need to pay an extra fee for a Touch N’ Go card, or waste your time registering for it, just reload your MyKad at any toll booth and you’re good to go!

Bet you were surprised to see this on the list, eh? Don’t be, because it’s true!

Not only can the Watsons VIP Card act as a Touch N’ Go card, you are also entitled to earn 5 times the points when you pay with it! Not sure what it means? Let us simplify it for you: when you shop at any Watsons stores, every RM1 you spent will be converted into 1 point. However, when you use it as a Touch N’ Go card, you’ll be earning 5 points for every RM1. The points that you accumulate will then be used as rebate points to pay for in-store products. So that means you’re actually cashing in some money when you tap the Watsons VIP Card at any toll booth!

Sign up for a Watsons VIP Card at any Watsons outlet or even online.

Similar to the Watsons VIP Card, the Tesco Clubcard can not only be used to accumulate points at Tesco stores, but can also act as a Touch N’ Go card. The Clubcard enables members to reload and use it as a prepaid smartcard, without any additional fee. For convenience’s sake, you can also reload the card at any Tesco store in Malaysia.

Every ringgit you spend will be converted to 1 Clubcard point. When you accumulate up to 400 points, a RM2 discount voucher will be sent to your address. That’s not all, you can also get discounts for certain participating merchants and partners, from Sunway Lagoon, to Dunkin’ Donuts, and to Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and Thomas Town.

You can register for the Tesco Clubcard at any Tesco outlet for a minimal fee of RM10.60.

The CoPilot Card, a revolutionary automobile card, acts like a driving companion or co-pilot. Why do we say that? Touted as the 1st of its kind in Malaysia, this CoPilot Card gives you fast access to legal assistance, comprehensive insurance solution and services, and prepaid cash card convenience all in one.

It’s a more premium service compared to The Watsons VIP Card or Tesco Clubcard, as it requires at least RM280 per annum. See it as a more expensive Touch N’ Go alternative that covers legal assistances for auto accidents, from the point of accident to the point of delivery of a fully restored vehicle, and insurance coverage of up to RM150,000 in partnership with Zurich Insurance.

Visit CoPilot’s official website for more information.

So far, we’ve talked about alternatives to the traditional Touch N’ go card, but well, the Zing Card is the same as any traditional Touch N’ Go card, it does not serve any other purpose except to pay for your tolls. Except for one small but very significant difference. With this card, you’ll never have to worry about running out of credit anymore.

The Zing Card is an auto-reload card. This means that whenever your card reaches RM50 or below, it will automatically top-up with an additional RM50/100. Of course, this card is linked to your bank account, and the money that goes to your card will be deducted from your account. A RM2 fee will be charged for every top-up. Currently, CIMB Bank, Maybank, Hong Leong Bank, Bank Simpanan Nasional, Affin Bank, and AEON Bank provide this service.

PS: We don’t recommend this method to anyone who doesn’t have a steady monthly income.

This is something you don’t see every day.

Touted as the “1st Contactless Card Payment Watch in Malaysia”, the “TimeTraveller Watch” looks like a normal watch, but is actually embedded with a sim card that allows users to pay their tolls just by tapping their watch to the card reader. Not only can you pay for tolls with this watch, it also allows users to shop, dine, and even travel.

As the watch can be reloaded with credit of up to RM1,500, transactions for public transports, convenience stores, and even selected restaurants can now be executed without any cash changing hands.

The “TimeTraveller Watch” retails at Touch N’ Go Hubs at The Sphere, Bangsar South, and KL Sentral, albeit with a price of RM239, not inclusive of 6% GST. It is available in black and white, with more colours to be made available soon.

BONUS: This is not an alternative or easier way to reload your Touch N’ Go card, but did you know that you can customise your card? It’s called a Photocard and you can print your Touch N’ Go card with any photo of your choice! The service is available at Touch N’ Go Hubs at KL Sentral, Bangsar South, and Wisma Nufri, JB.

If you ever find yourself without a Touch N’ Go card again, don’t panic! Just remember this article and you are good to go!

Sources: Touch N’ Go Official Facebook, Touch N’ Go, Watsons, Tesco, CoPilot.

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