Valuing our environment
A pristine environment should be part of what we leave behind for our subsequent generations. Besides politicians, civil servants in the ministries and departments entrusted to protect the environment must also be held accountable. The Forestry Department and Environment and Water Ministry are supposed to implement policies to protect our natural resources. Older students must be taught that corruption is a primary factor in the degradation of the environment. This will not be the last report on environmental destruction, but we hope there will be more people in power who will champion the cause.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 22:45 UTC
Star Media Group launches golden jubilee, celebrates milestones
KUALA LUMPUR: Star Media Group has launched its golden jubilee celebrating milestones in the last five decades of delivering insightful content to the nation. In his speech, Star Media Group chief executive officer Alex Yeow Wai Siaw said the night's launch not only kickstarted the anniversary countdown, but was also a celebration of the synergy between partners. ''Reaching millions across its print and digital platforms, The Star continues to play its role as the people’s paper. ''In its mission to enrich lives, cultivate strong communities and drive progress across all touchpoints, it evolved into Star Media Group ‒ a multi-media organisation and a formidable force to be reckoned with. Being one of Malaysia’s most trusted and leading news sources, the golden anniversary celebration features a year-long celebration with exciting giveaways, fun rewards and engaging content for readers.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 12:45 UTC
Sabri emerges as substantial shareholder in Pertama Digital
KUALA LUMPUR (March 11): Pertama Digital Bhd executive director Sabri Abdul Rahman has emerged as a substantial shareholder in the group. The group said Sabri today served a notification of his right through contract to take on an additional 115 million shares, or 26.54% equity, in Pertama Digital. He currently holds 16.41 million shares or a 3.79% stake in the group, added Pertama Digital in a filing with Bursa Malaysia. According to its website, Pertama Digital invests in fintech and govtech companies that build impactful, inclusive solutions for Malaysians in the digital and mobile space. Shares of Pertama Digital settled 1.5 sen or 3.75% higher at 41.5 sen, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM179 million.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 11, 2021 11:20 UTC
Norton Juster, author of beloved children's book 'The Phantom Tollbooth,' dead at 91
Norton Juster, the celebrated children's author who fashioned a world of adventure and punning punditry in the million-selling classic The Phantom Tollbooth and remained true to his wide-eyed self in such favourites as The Dot And The Line and Stark Naked, has died at 91. Juster's death was confirmed on Tuesday by a spokesperson for Random House Children's Books, who did not immediately provide details. Juster's friend and fellow author Mo Willems tweeted on Tuesday that Juster "ran out of stories” and died "peacefully” the night before. Juster wrote 'The Phantom Tollbooth' while working as an architect in New York after serving in the US Navy, according to a biography provided by Random House. "The funny thing is that many of the things I was thinking about for that book did find their way into The Phantom Tollbooth, " he wrote in 1999.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 09:43 UTC
S'wak Deputy CM slams Muafakat Nasional's call to appeal 'Allah' word ruling
KUCHING: Umno and PAS have come under fire for urging the government to appeal the High Court's ruling on the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims. He added that if Umno and PAS wanted the High Court's ruling to be appealed, it would be tantamount to seeking a review of Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, which allows for freedom of religion. The Muafakat consultative committee meeting on Wednesday night (March 10) urged that the High Court's ruling on the use of Allah and three other Arabic words - Baitullah, Kaabah and solat - be referred to the Court of Appeal. The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled on Wednesday that Christians nationwide can use Allah and the other words in their religious publications for educational purposes. The judge ruled that a 1986 directive that banned the use of the four words by non-Muslims was "illegal" and "unconstitutional".
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 09:07 UTC
Partey just getting started at Arsenal
(Reuters) - Arsenal's Thomas Partey struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League following his arrival from Atletico Madrid but the Ghana midfielder said that with his injury problems behind him he will soon hit top gear. Partey joined Arsenal on transfer deadline day for 50 million euros ($59.63 million) but injuries have limited him to just 16 appearances in all competitions this season. "It was difficult to get used to how the team play and I think the injuries are part of the adaptation but now I feel good," Partey said. I'm starting to get used to how my mates play and how the Premier League goes. Arsenal face Olympiakos in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie later on Thursday.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 08:41 UTC
Tech giants’ dreams of free Internet wither in African backlash
Access Now and the #KeepItOn Coalition, which campaign for an end to Internet shutdowns, documented 20 intentional disruptions in a dozen African nations last year. For now, companies have limited scope to counter Internet shutdowns. Social media platforms are also trapped between attempting to be seen to counter misinformation and working with local governments to provide Internet access. ‘Tougher stance’Telecommunications companies say they’ll lose their operating licenses if they ignore government orders to halt or restrict Internet access. The absence of a vibrant, independent mainstream media in many African nations makes a lack of access to online content all the more problematic.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 08:29 UTC
Maybank to stop issuing SMS TAC for online transactions, urges users to activate Secure2u
PETALING JAYA: Maybank says it will no longer be generating SMS TAC (transaction authorisation code) to approve selected online transactions on Maybank2u as it will be switching to Secure2u as the preferred authorisation method. Secure Verification lets Maybank2u users approve or reject online transactions on their device once a notification alert on the transaction is sent to their phone. Alternatively, Secure TAC allows users to approve online transactions on the Maybank2u website by keying in the six-digit TAC number from the app. If users have already registered for Secure2u, then the service will be the default method for all transactions. To activate Secure2u, users can start by downloading the Maybank2u MY app on Google Play or Apple App store.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 08:27 UTC
'The sky is the limit' in KL-Abu Dhabi ties, says Muhyiddin
ABU DHABI (Bernama): In an unprecedented move, Abu Dhabi has conveyed to Malaysia that "the sky is the limit" in its cooperation with Kuala Lumpur. "(The phrase) ‘the sky is the limit’ was used by the Crown Prince when referring to the cooperation between the two countries,” said Muhyiddin on Thursday (March 11). The Crown Prince also described the ties of the two countries as close and extraordinary, added Muhyiddin. "I feel relieved that the plan can be materialised with some assistance from the Crown Prince. Muhyiddin also met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 08:17 UTC
‘Ramen brother’ farmer in China selling RM1.90 noodles becomes Internet celebrity
A farmer in China who became an unwitting celebrity for serving up cheap ramen noodles has now decided fame is the recipe for him. Cheng said the alternative was to give people less noodles for their money, which would leave them hungry. Unequipped to deal with the frenzy of attention, Cheng initially retreated indoors and was unable to continue making noodles. The current situation has brought me a lot of trouble,” Cheng, told Shandong-based news portal dzwww.com in an interview on Feb 27. Telecommunications provider China Mobile dispatched two signal vehicles to strengthen the local signal transmission after bloggers complained the Internet connection was too slow.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 07:27 UTC
My Say: Is economic optimism really all that bad for markets?
"In the coming months, we should see the global economy regain vigour as consumers and businesses release their pent-up demand. Recent economic data support our bullish viewIndeed, the economic data we have seen in just the last few days has been overwhelmingly positive. Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys give us a good finger-on-the-pulse feel for where the global economy is currently. Fourth, what if a sharp recovery in the global economy boosts commodity prices? The bottom line: strong economic revival, more financial market turbulenceIn the coming months, we should see the global economy regain vigour as consumers and businesses release their pent-up demand.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 11, 2021 04:14 UTC
More stringent checks to stop SOP flouters from March 12: IGP
"Stringent checks will be carried out to ensure that only those with permits will be allowed to continue their interstate journey," he told The Star on Thursday (March 11). While daily Covid-19 case numbers are on a downward trend, the public cannot afford to become complacent, the IGP said. "The reduction of cases is a testament to the hard work by the frontliners, with the cooperation of the public. Abdul Hamid reminded the public that it was important to instil awareness of the threat of Covid-19 among the general populace. As far as respect for the police is concerned, the IGP said those on the force do not demand it.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 04:07 UTC
Freedom in the sun: Malaysian cleared of drug charges flies home
New life.”So remarked Wong Siew Hong, the lawyer who represented Malaysian Beh Chew Boo (pic), 38, who was acquitted of all five charges of bringing drugs to Singapore, escaped the gallows and returning to Malaysia a free man. I have done my job as a lawyer, as a man and as a friend, ” Singaporean Wong said at Changi Airport on Thursday morning (March 11). On March 2, the same panel of judges - Sundaresh Menon, Tay Yong Kwang and Steven Chong - also set aside the prosecution's application to impose four lighter charges on Beh. For the past 10 days, he provided temporary accommodation for the Malaysian at a hotel, as well as clothing and expenses until all his return arrangements had been completed. At the departure gate of the airport, Beh was seen bowing before Wong who had proved that his client is innocent in a court battle that stretched for 52 months.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 02:26 UTC
Conman caught impersonating army general
Banteay Meanchey provincial Military Police sent a 44-year-old man to the military court in Phnom Penh after arresting him for wearing a fake two-star general uniform in Poipet town. Theam Pheakdey, chief of information and security at the provincial Military Police, said the arrest was made following a complaint made by villagers in Poipet town. “After arresting him, Military Police officers questioned him to build a case file and then sent him to the military court for further action, ” he said. According to a Military Police officer who asked not to be named, the suspect did not serve in the army or as a civil servant in any capacity. — The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 00:58 UTC
Roblox, after winning over kids, becomes a hit on Wall Street
SAN FRANCISCO: The Roblox game world that has won over children around the world and became a pandemic hit scored big on Wall Street on March 10, as newly listed shares surged. That gave the gaming platform and pandemic star a valuation of some US$40bil (RM165.10bil). “In an incredibly challenging year, Roblox became a crucial place for people to come together,” Baszucki said in a blog post. Warner Brothers and DC created a Wonder Woman game on Roblox to promote a new film with that super hero. Roblox is available in over 180 countries and 11 different languages, growing fastest outside of North America, according to Baszucki.
Source:The Star
March 11, 2021 00:22 UTC