Farmer’s son Chopra set for life after superb gold medal victory
NEW DELHI: Indian companies and governments promised cash and gifts worth more than US$2mil (RM8.5mil) to javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra (pic) after he won India’s first ever Olympics athletics gold medal. Chopra led India’s most successful Olympics ever with a gold, two silver medals and four bronze. Chopra said he hoped the Olympics gold would be a turning point for his country’s athletes. My second throw was also stable,” Chopra told reporters of the throw in the second round that won the title. India’s other medallists were male wrestler Ravi Dahiya, who won silver, while badminton ace P.V.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 22:30 UTC
Greysia makes it clear she won’t be defending gold
PETALING JAYA: Indonesia’s Greysia Polii will not defend the women’s doubles gold she won with Apriyani Rahayu at the next Olympics in Paris. Yesterday, the 33-year-old announced that her third appearance in the Tokyo Games would be the last on her Instagram account which boast 1.2mil followers. I love you,” wrote Greysia, garnering nearly 370,000 likes for the post. By emerging as an Olympics champion, Greysia became the first Indonesian women’s shuttler to complete the gold medal collection in every major multi-sport Games. Greysia won the 2014 Incheon Asian Games with previous partner Nitya Krishinda and the 2019 Philippines SEA Games with Apriyani.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 21:56 UTC
Fighting spirit of cyclists will help them shine again in Paris
Malaysia can count on the cyclists to shine again at the next Olympics as indicated by the fighting performances by Azizul and Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom in Tokyo. Besides focusing on keirin, qualification for the team sprint should be in coach John Beasley’s plan for the next Olympic cycle. It is definitely not easy for Malaysia to aim for team sprint qualification with only eight slots at stake but it’s worth trying. Azizul will not be the only medal hope as Shah Firdaus will be stronger and more experienced by then. Shah Firdaus will be 28 in 2024 and should be in his prime.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 21:45 UTC
Fans devastated by news of singer Siti Sarah’s death
PETALING JAYA: The death of singer Siti Sarah Raissuddin (pic) from Covid-19 has devastated her fans. Siti Sarah, 36, passed away yesterday at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. Actress Hannah Delish tweeted: “All my strength, love and prayers to Siti Sarah’s family during this heartbreaking time. Some fans shared Siti Sarah’s songs, such as Kesetiaan and Semakin, stating that the songs’ lyrics would now carry a deeper meaning. It was reported earlier that Siti Sarah’s family was found to be Covid-19 positive on July 25 after their domestic helper was confirmed to be positive.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 21:45 UTC
Doing what they can to get jabbed
Walk-in registrations for non-Malaysian citizens, including undocumented persons and refugees, started yesterday till Aug 11 at Bukit Jalil National Stadium for those aged 40 and above. As for those who had registered to get vaccinated via MySejhatera with their refugee or community cards, not all were able to get inoculated. “Some have also been turned away and told that their community cards will not be accepted. “It looks like some vaccination centres accept community cards held by undocumented migrants and refugees whilst some do not,’’ said La Seng. Hordes of foreigners arrived in chartered buses at Bukit Jalil National Stadium yesterday to be vaccinated but most appeared to be legitimate factory workers.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 21:45 UTC
‘Phase One states being studied’
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is considering easing restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals living in states under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (pic). “We are also looking even for Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Negri Sembilan that are currently in Phase One,” he said during a virtual press conference yesterday. On Sunday, the government announced several privileges for those fully vaccinated and living in states categorised as Phase Two and subsequent phases under the NRP. Hishammuddin said there was no decision on allowing dine-in at restaurants areas under Phase One. He said transition to Phase 2 or Phase 3 was not just dependent on vaccination numbers.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 21:45 UTC
No rush to offer dine-in in Ipoh as people remain cautious
On Sunday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that Covid-19 restrictions would be eased starting today for those who have been fully vaccinated. Perak Coffeeshop Association chairman Ooi Beng Yeaw estimates that between 40% and 60% of its members will allow dine-in gradually. “They will put up signage stating that only those who are fully vaccinated are welcome,” he said. Ooi, however, said a majority of the members will not allow dine-in immediately. For M. Salim Restaurant manager Batcha Mohamad, he has decided not to allow dine-in yet.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 21:45 UTC
SK Group entry to help BigPay expand in Asean
Analysts are positive on this development as the funding would mean that BigPay will be able to expand further in Asean. BigPay is an e-wallet initiative by AAG which had recently secured up to US$100mil (RM422.95mil) in financing from SK. This deal also means that SK has secured the rights to participate in projects that BigPay carries out as a strategic partner. The SK Group’s know-how in fintech would be able to speed up the transformation of BigPay from an e-wallet into a full-fledged digital bank, the research house said. The SK Group’s know-how in fintech would be able to speed up the transformation of BigPay from an e-wallet into a full-fledged digital bank, the research house said.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 21:45 UTC
EON launches new website dedicated to Proton models
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 9): Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd (EON) has announced the launch of a dedicated Proton automobile website to reach a wider customer base. “With over 80% of Malaysian car buyers doing their research online before making a purchase, it is only logical to have a good website that works well on personal computers, smartphones and tablets. “Created with the user experience in mind, the newly-designed website includes many features to help users easily navigate and browse for Proton models,” he said in a statement today. Mohamed Akkbar also said EON is the single largest Proton dealer in Malaysia with nine branches nationwide. For more information, customers can log on to EON’s new website at www.proton.eon.com.my.
Source:The Edge Markets
August 09, 2021 13:52 UTC
Hisham: Govt mulling easing some restrictions for fully vaccinated in NRP Phase One states
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is mulling whether it is possible to further ease restrictions in sectors that are considered not risky for fully vaccinated individuals living in states under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. On Sunday (Aug 8), the government announced several privileges for those fully vaccinated and living in states categorised as Phase Two and subsequent phases under the National Recovery Plan. "In order for us to transition to Phase Two or Phase Three, it does not revolve around the issue of vaccination only. "There is nothing that the Prime Minister is unwilling to do to help those in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. "If we need hospital beds, we will buy more beds, if we need more vaccines, we will prioritise the greater Klang Valley.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 12:00 UTC
Olympics-Belarusian sprinter auctions medal to support athletes caught up in crackdown
WARSAW (Reuters) - Sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who was removed from the Tokyo Olympics by the Belarusian team after she criticised her coaches, is auctioning a medal from the 2019 European Games to support athletes who say they have been targeted by authorities. Belarusian team officials took the 24-year-old to Tokyo's Haneda airport against her wishes on Aug. 1, a day before she had been set to run the 200m. Tsimanouskaya told Reuters https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/exclusive-olympics-belarusian-athlete-says-she-was-taken-airport-go-home-after-2021-08-01 the reason she had been removed from the team was her public criticism of "the negligence of our coaches." The Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation, a group that supports athletes jailed or sidelined for their political views, said on Monday the medal was being auctioned at Tsimanouskaya's request in support of Belarusian athletes "who suffered from the actions of Lukashenko's regime." The crackdown has affected elite athletes, some of whom have been jailed for joining street protests.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 09:19 UTC
Actress Jennifer Aniston cuts ties with unvaccinated friends
Jennifer Aniston is defending her decision to drop friends and acquaintances who won't say if they are vaccinated against Covid-19 after questions on social media about the move. She was challenged by some followers on Instagram, including Robyn Law, author of weight-loss book The Body Plan who asked why Aniston was worried about being around unvaccinated people when she has been vaccinated. BUT I CAN give it to someone else who does not have the vaccine and whose health is compromised (or has a previous existing condition) - and therefore I would put their lives at risk," wrote Aniston. Aniston, who has 37.7 million followers on Instagram, rose to fame as Rachel Green in U.S. television sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004. It followed a group of six New Yorkers in their 20s and 30s.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 07:52 UTC
My Pet Story: Fishes are my pandemic distraction
Your Pet Story Do you have an interesting story about your pet that you would like to share? My father had a small bakery, and naming this dog Huat showed his hope that the family dog would bring him prosperity in his business. But the same could not be said of our beloved family dog. That was the last time I saw our beloved family dog. Yes, it is an old hobby that was revived during the pandemic, a much-needed distraction for us to focus on God’s creations, for the fishes swim happily without a care in the world, pandemic or no pandemic.
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 06:56 UTC
Son dismisses rumour former chief secretary to govt Ahmad Sarji has died
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Ariff Tuah, son of former chief secretary to the government Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid (pic), has dismissed viral rumours that his father has died. He said that his father, who is receiving treatment at the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Ward of Tuanku Muhriz Chancellor's Hospital (HCTM) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Cheras here, was in stable condition. "On behalf of Tun Ahmad Sarji's family, I am aware of the viral news right now and would like to say that it is not true. Before this, the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) in a Facebook post on Friday had informed that Ahmad Sarji, who is also its chairman, was admitted to the Covid-19 ICU ward. Ahmad Sarji, 82, was the chief secretary to the government from 1990 to 1996 during the administration of Malaysia's fourth prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.- Bernama
Source:The Star
August 09, 2021 06:33 UTC
My Say: Scorched-earth strategic thinking for Covid-19 times
Hence, the method’s title: The Phoenix Encounter. Over the last few years, we have run highly successful Phoenix Encounter field trials involving over 1,500 senior C-suite executives of firms spanning the globe and a broad range of industries. The method was expanded into a book of the same name (co-written with management author Ram Charan) so that companies everywhere can learn how the Phoenix Encounter method works in practice. The composition of these Phoenix Encounter Groups (PEGs) is all-important. The Phoenix Encounter method is an example of the sort of unprecedented thinking companies will have to adopt if they aim to withstand the storms on the horizon — and come out on top.
Source:The Edge Markets
August 09, 2021 05:37 UTC