Researchers sound alarm over metaverse's potential to cause harm
BERLIN: People concerned about their data have for years had to think carefully about matters such as social media app settings and internet browser cookies, as well as increasingly sophisticated email-based phishing scams. In the wake of mounting research confirming the mental health harm of social media, the university's researchers are now calling for investigations into the impact of the metaverse on society and how the companies behind these platforms operate. "Privacy, data collection, especially of personal data and biometric data, and the harm online platforms can cause, are all issues of concern to the public," the university’s team warned. Proponents believe the metaverse will ultimately replace the current internet with a 3D space accessed by headset, offering virtual concerts, meeting rooms and collective gaming. However researchers say their focus groups showed many of the online harms experienced in current internet and social media environments will transfer to the metaverse and proliferate there.
Source:The Star
December 03, 2023 14:55 UTC
Senai seeks to expand its wings
JOHOR BARU: Johor has requested for additional flights from Senai International Airport to several cities in China, besides seeking direct flights to southern India, says Tourism Johor director Suhairi Hashim. He said they were working closely with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to get more Indian and Chinese tourists to visit the state. “Presently, the number of flights between Senai International Airport and Guangzhou is four times a week,” he said when contacted yesterday. Suhairi also said that Chinese tourists formed the fourth largest group of foreign visitors to Johor after Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. With the 30-day visa-free travel announced by the government for Indian and Chinese tourists, this will be good for the Johor tourism sector,” he added.
Source:The Star
December 03, 2023 02:08 UTC
Looking for Covid-19 test kits just like a treasure hunt
PETALING JAYA: Getting Covid-19 test kits needs a little help from Lady Luck these days. However, checks by The Star at pharmacies in Denai Alam, Shah Alam, found plenty of Covid-19 test kits available though the brand names were limited. Razif said he was able to get five test kits for RM10 when the cheapest ones were usually priced at RM3.90 each. “Every time I tapped on the test kits option from pharmacies, it would say they were sold out or unavailable. “Luckily, after scrolling for options, I managed to get some test kits from a grocery market nearby,” she said.
Source:The Star
December 02, 2023 18:07 UTC
Contractor loses over RM400,000 in investment scam
KANGAR: A woman contractor in Perlis suffered losses of RM416,772 after falling for a bogus investment scheme. ALSO READ: Average of 15 investment scams probed every day, says CCID chief"She clicked on a link and was added to a WhatsApp group consisting of members of a bogus investment scheme," he said in a statement on Friday (Nov 24). "The victim then interacted with the (syndicate) members through WhatsApp and was attracted to the investment (scheme) offered. She was asked to start with a small capital investment of RM300 and promised to be given a total of RM88,000 in one day." She decided to lodge the police report after failing to get any returns on her investment.
Source:The Star
November 24, 2023 09:19 UTC
PAS leader’s polygamy solution for late marriage among women
ALLOWING polygamy for Muslim men can be a possible solution to address the issue of late marriage among Muslim women, says PAS politician Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (pic). Tuan Ibrahim provided his own statistics that there are more than 8.4 million single women in the country. Tuan Ibrahim replied that he only supports the suggestion. Yeo also urged Tuan Ibrahim to retract his statement. “Don’t bully women just because we are smaller in numbers (in the Dewan Rakyat).”
Source:The Star
November 23, 2023 12:04 UTC
‘Dirty air increases Covid-19 risks’
PETALING JAYA: More must be done to protect global health by battling the threat of air pollution – as a new study emerges linking long-term exposure to air pollution with increased Covid-19 risks, say health experts. “Air pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and early death in the world. Moy said that air pollution affects people over their lifespan, causing a wide range of acute and chronic diseases from childhood to old age. This includes the poor air quality, unhygienic food, unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and unkempt housekeeping, he said. “Air pollution also destroys defense cells called macrophages at the alveoli, which are important to engulf and kill any foreign bodies – including the Covid-19 virus,” he said.
Source:The Star
November 22, 2023 11:29 UTC
Kudat, Sabah’s hidden paradise where stars, sand and culture converge
Known for its pristine beaches, unique geology, and vibrant tribal culture, it offers a serene escape into nature’s embrace, coupled with a journey through time and tradition. One of Kudat’s most mesmerising spectacles is the celestial dance of the Milky Way. On clear nights, the sky above Kudat transforms into a canvas of cosmic beauty, with the Milky Way’s luminous arch stretching across the horizon. The cultural heartbeat of Kudat lies with the Rungus people, a tribe known for their rich traditions and skilled craftsmanship. Whether it’s the awe-inspiring sight of the Milky Way, its beaches’ tranquil beauty, the Rungus’ vibrant culture, or the fresh seafood, Kudat invites you to explore and cherish its many wonders.
Source:The Star
November 21, 2023 15:35 UTC
EPF: 6.3 million members under 55 have less than RM10,000 savings
KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of insufficient savings in the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is at a serious level, with 6.3 million members under the age of 55, or 48%, having less than RM10,000 in their accounts as of Sept 30, says the Finance Ministry. In a written reply posted on the Parliament website on Monday (Nov 20), the ministry said the figure rose from 4.7 million members (37%) recorded in April 2020, before the introduction of Covid-19-related special withdrawals. "With savings of less than RM10,000, members are expected to have a retirement income of less than RM42 per month for a period of 20 years. "The additional withdrawals from Account 1 also have a long-term effect, namely a significant reduction in retirement savings among EPF members," it said in response to a question raised by Zulkifli Ismail (Perikatan Nasional-Jasin) on the government's initiative to address the issue of insufficient retirement savings among the people, compounded by the large informal sector in Malaysia and a higher dependency ratio. The government announced in Budget 2024 an increase in the matching grant limit under the i-Saraan programme from RM300 to RM500 per year, subject to a maximum limit of RM5,000 for each eligible individual throughout their lifetime.
Source:The Star
November 21, 2023 01:16 UTC
Elderly couple scammed of over RM1.3mil in investment scheme
KUALA LUMPUR: "Zero savings, zero, can’t even afford a cup of coffee,” was the lament by an elderly pensioner who lost over RM1.3 million after falling prey to an investment scam run by a company based in the city. "I was misled when I failed to research this investment company. The current status report under Section 107A of the Criminal Procedure Code on the investment scheme was handed over by Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation secretary-general, Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim to Bukit Aman's Electronic Card Investigation Unit Head, Supt Nooranita Ismail. We received dividends for the first six months and then the company just vanished,” he said. Its director, Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf verified that the department has received the application requesting a status report and investigations are ongoing.
Source:The Star
November 21, 2023 00:00 UTC
Altantuya's father cries foul over Sirul's release from Aussie jail
KUALA LUMPUR: The father of the murdered Mongolian model, Altantuya Shaariibuu, has cried foul over the release of former Malaysian policeman Sirul Azhar Umar from prison in Australia. Her father Dr Shaariibuu Setev responded to Australian immigration'sa decision to release Sirul and 86 other detainees following a High Court ruling that did away with indefinite detention. In an interview with the newspaper Weekend Australian, Shaariibuu said he was shocked that his daughter's killer was now walking free, saying ''he was disappointed in Australia.'' Shaariibuu asked when the Australian government would send him an apology, adding "I really wonder why Australia released a murderer. Najib's former associate, Abdul Razak Baginda, 63, and the Malaysian government have also been named in the suit.
Source:The Star
November 20, 2023 05:49 UTC
Mitra: RM62mil distributed to over 100,000 recipients
SUNGAI BULOH: The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) which was allocated RM100mil to implement socio-economic development programmes for the Indian community, particularly the B40 group, has distributed RM62mil to more than 100,000 recipients so far. Mitra's Special Task Force Committee chairman Datuk R. Ramanan said the aid was also given out to the B40 group under its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Assistance programme. To date, we have distributed RM62mil and the rest will be paid out in phases," he told reporters here on Sunday (Nov 19). Most of the initiatives in the approved RM62mil were for education, higher education, kindergartens, schools, and healthcare, he added. "As long as I am Mitra Chairman, priority will be given to education because this is our legacy, our future.
Source:The Star
November 20, 2023 00:17 UTC
Scammers’ new game?
SCAM parks are now employing a slight change to their playbook to entice more victims into their human trafficking chain. Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim says the scammers are now offering new jobs as product distributors; a supposedly actual business opportunity in which victims can earn commissions. “I can see that the syndicate has changed tactics; they no longer promote job vacancies but instead offer business opportunities to become distributors of specific products. At the same time, Hishamuddin says it is believed that more than 1,000 victims are still trapped in scam parks in Myanmar. “I suggest for the Immigration to be granted with a legal authority to prevent individuals at risk from becoming victims.
Source:The Star
November 19, 2023 16:22 UTC
Ex-J-Kom DG fields tough questions over scandalous video
The press conference came after he was implicated in a video with Abdul Wahab, an assistant officer in the department. Reporter: So it's not the voice of Datuk (Mohammad Agus) also? Another reporter then asked Mohammad Agus about the kissing gesture he was seen making in the video. Mohammad Agus: Video calls are normal with my director, staff and friends. Reporter: You said you wanted to frame Datuk Agus but the video shows that Datuk Agus took the lead, including making the call.
Source:The Star
November 18, 2023 23:14 UTC
Bringing the turtles back
With only about one in every 1,000 turtles surviving to adulthood, that is why several concerned individuals founded the Lang Tengah Turtle Watch (LTTW) to protect turtles’ habitats and help save them from extinction. It is important to preserve sea turtles to maintain a balance in marine lives because only about one in every 1,000 turtles survive to adulthood. To date, 2,264 nests of endangered green turtles, critically endangered hawksbill turtles and painted terrapins have been saved. Sea turtles foraging through the sands and racing back to the ocean after emerging from their nests. Debunking many common misconceptions about the importance of preserving sea turtles, Long said turtles are critical in maintaining ecological importance.
Source:The Star
November 15, 2023 12:40 UTC
Anwar arrives in San Francisco for Apec meet, his maiden visit as Prime Minister
SAN FRANCISCO: Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) arrived here Monday (Nov 13) for the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) from Nov 14 to 17. At various multilateral and bilateral platforms, the Prime Minister aims to highlight the Palestinian situation, to advocate global support, humanitarian access, and a just resolution to the conflict. Anwar will also participate in the Apec Economic Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests, namely with the leaders of Colombia, Fiji and India; the Apec Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue with Apec Economic Leaders; and the Apec 2023 CEO Summit. Apart from that, the Prime Minister has been scheduled to have one-on-one meetings with prominent American business leaders, on the sidelines of the AELM. Before returning to Malaysia, the Prime Minister will meet the Malaysian diaspora and students in San Francisco at a dinner event.
Source:The Star
November 14, 2023 19:54 UTC