Relief a side effect of Covid-19 jabs
THE “badges of honour” filling our social media feeds these days are photos of friends and families with frames declaring “I’ve been vaccinated”, “#vaccinated”, “I’ve received my 1st / 2nd dose” and so forth. One friend even dubbed it “the most well-known post-vaccination side effect”, in reference to social media posts each time someone received their Covid-19 jabs. Getting an appointment can sometimes feel like striking the lottery, as I have observed among family and friends. Those who have a few hours’ notice would have to rearrange their day’s schedule to make it for their appointment. I was fortunate enough to get a few days’ notice for my first vaccination appointment.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 23:26 UTC
All hopes pinned on the National Recovery Plan
To optimists, though, there is some interesting data which could point towards some level of recovery, which the government is also banking on – phase four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP). As west coast states of the peninsula account for about 73% of the country’s GDP, this is the priority region from the economic recovery perspective. “These questions are key as economic sectors need time to adjust and adapt to the new business norm,” he says. As more economic sectors are opened, with a higher operating capacity, economic growth could pick up once again. Firdaos concurs on the impact of pent-up demand on economic recovery.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 23:18 UTC
Schooled in dangers online
This sudden transition has put many young and impressionable minds at risk of exposure to all forms of dangers online. PPJCC president Alya Batrisya Mohd Ramzi, 17, said four sessions of the online workshop had been planned and so far, one session had been conducted. Alya said children were falling prey to online scams because many were unaware they were providing more details than they should online. “But as her friend, I invited her to attend the online workshop to learn about the dangers of data sharing,” she added. Wong also said that the foundation welcomed donors to make these online workshops accessible to more children.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 23:15 UTC
Smoking Gan of a coach – Jeremy works his magic again on biggest stage
PETALING JAYA: Former international Jeremy Gan added another feather to his cap in his illustrious coaching career. Yesterday, his charges Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino defeated Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet 21-17, 23-21 in the bronze medal playoff to become the first ever Japanese mixed doubles medallists at the Olympics. Watanabe-Higashino were the second pair guided by Jeremy to the Olympics podium. Although it wasn’t gold, Jeremy was still proud of Watanabe-Higashino, whom he had started coaching in January 2018. The Olympics mixed doubles gold was won by China’s second seeds Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping who upset teammates and top seeds Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong 21-17, 17-21, 21-19 in a thrilling 69-minute final.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 23:03 UTC
Show civic-mindedness at vaccination centres
About a month ago, the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre was designated as a vaccination centre (PPV). I am able to tolerate all of this, as I understand that the situation is dire and the vaccination centre is not going to be there permanently. I’ve been told by Rela personnel at the vaccination centre that this is beyond their jurisdiction, and suggested that I check with MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City Council). Something must be wrong with our society if basic common sense, courtesy, decency and civic-mindedness are thrown into the drain, along with used face masks. SHEILA RAMALINGAM , Petaling Jaya
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 22:30 UTC
China’s Tingmao shows just why she’s still the best
TOKYO: Defending champion Shi Tingmao of China finished first in the preliminary for the women’s 3m springboard diving at the Tokyo Games, while four-time Olympian Jennifer Abel of Canada produced a strong performance to come third. Tingmao, who claimed the synchronised 3m springboard title on Sunday, held first place from the start, and finished with 350.45 points, just over three points ahead of her synchronised diving partner, Wang Han in second at the spectator-free Tokyo Aquatics Centre. The 29-year-old Tingmao is looking to repeat her success from the Rio Olympics in 2016 when she won the individual and synchronised 3m springboard golds. “Tomorrow I will aim to do the same – try to be consistent and composed, to make the top 12 to be in the finals. The event resumes today with the women’s 3m springboard semi-finals where top 12 divers will advance to the final.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 22:30 UTC
Kampar MP suspended for three months over party convention ruckus
IPOH: Kampar MP Thomas Su has been suspended from DAP for three months due to a ruckus that broke out at the party’s state convention in March. The party’s disciplinary committee sent a letter to Su, who is the national party assistant organising secretary on Friday (July 30) over the decision. “For the three months, I will not be able to represent the party in any functions or events,” he said. On March 14, during the ruckus, Su alleged others were obtaining an unfair advantage for the state party polls. On his Facebook posting, Su said while on his way back from Parliament, he received the letter on his suspension.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 14:58 UTC
Miti: Manufacturing sector in Klang Valley urged to join Operation Surge Capacity
PETALING JAYA: The manufacturing sector in the Klang Valley has been urged to participate in the Operation Surge Capacity as part of the the government’s National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, says Datuk Lim Ban Hong. "Vaccinations in the Klang Valley must be accelerated with Operation Surge Capacity to strengthen and achieve herd immunity. "Efforts by the Special Committee on Ensuring Access to Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) have undoubtedly injected a booster to the government’s inoculation drive," he said. Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, especially in Puchong and Serdang, are also urged to register under Pikas as soon as possible, so that employees can be inoculated to speed up the reduction of cases in the Klang Valley and resuscitate the economy, said Lim. There are currently 51 PIKAS PPVs nationwide, where 12 are located in Selangor.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 14:26 UTC
Watch: take a 'tour' of the world's largest planetarium in Shanghai
China has opened the doors on what it bills as the world's largest planetarium, a slick new Shanghai facility showcasing the nation's recent extra-terrestrial exploits while notably downplaying those of space pioneers like the United States. In recent months, China has landed a spacecraft on Mars, set loose a rover to explore it, and sent the first astronauts to a Chinese space station. Scale-model replicas of spaceships from these and other missions figure prominently at the new Shanghai Planetarium, along with paeons to China's rapid scientific advancement, and clips of President Xi Jinping addressing the nation's taikonauts. The building was designed by New York's Ennead Architects and resembles a union of swirling galaxies. It covers 38,000sq m, (420,000sq feet) of floor space - roughly equal to five football fields and cost US$93mil (RM392mil), according to Chinese media.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 14:03 UTC
Soccer-Donnarumma's Milan heir Maignan aims to write his own story
(Reuters) - Mike Maignan insists he will be his own man at AC Milan and work hard to ensure he successfully fills the boots of departed goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. But Maignan, who won the French Ligue 1 title last season, is not daunted by the challenge of being named his heir. He is a top goalkeeper, but I am starting my own story at Milan,” Maignan told a news conference. “I will work hard like he did. “Milan will help me a lot and I will help the club.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 13:18 UTC
Olympics-Tennis-Djokovic inconsolable after Golden Slam dream ends
TOKYO (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic was inconsolable following his surprise loss to Germany's Alexander Zverev at the Tokyo Games on Friday, saying he was finding it hard to stay positive after his bid to become the first man to complete the Golden Slam came to an end. The Serbian was unexpectedly beaten 1-6 6-3 6-1 by fifth-ranked Zverev, quashing his hopes of winning an Olympic singles gold medal, the only major honour missing from his long list of accolades. The world number one had arrived in Tokyo gunning for the Golden Slam -- winning all four majors and Olympic gold in the same year -- after triumphing at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2021. I got to give him credit for turning the match around," Djokovic said of Zverev. "Yeah, my game fell apart, his game - he won, I think seven or eight games in a row and yeah, that was it."
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 10:10 UTC
Body of drowned man found in Sg Muar
MUAR: The body of a man was found a kilometre away from the Sultan Ismail Bridge here where he was last seen. Muar Fire and Rescue Department chief Sharizal Mokhtar said the victim was believed to have drowned after falling off the bridge into Sungai Muar. He said the Johor Operations Department Centre (PGO) received a distress call on Thursday (July 29) at 7.42am about the incident. “We deployed 10 firefighters to the scene for the search operations,’’ Sharizal said in a statement Friday (July 30). Sharizal said the body was handed over to police for further action and the operation ended at about 1pm.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 09:45 UTC
'David vs Goliath' - Venice ban may not end cruise ship battle
A few weeks later, the government seemed to listen, announcing that to defend Venice's ecosystem and heritage, cruise liners would be banned from the lagoon from Aug. 1. The move ended years of political hesitation, apparently putting the demands of residents and culture bodies above those of port workers and the tourist industry. While campaigners worry about pollution and erosion in a city already in peril from rising seas, port workers hit by months of lockdowns fear for their livelihoods. "It was a very huge blow, I felt awful," said Antonio Velleca, who has worked for a baggage handling co-operative for cruise ships in Venice for 15 years. Filippo Olivetti, managing director of the Bassani group that provides port and tourism services, said Venice could not survive without cruise ships.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 09:45 UTC
Starchild: Malaysian children love beautiful butterflies
Their thin delicate wings are covered with tiny scales which give them their beautiful colours. These beautiful insects rely on their antennae to pick up scents. “Butterflies make the world a more colourful and brighter place with their unique and beautiful wings. “The beautiful colours of the butterflies’ wings are attractive. They look beautiful.”Taruneash Ganeshwaran, 10“Butterflies are cool because they can transform from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 06:56 UTC
Body of man found floating near Penang Bridge
GEORGE TOWN: A man in his 50s was found dead in the waters off the Penang Bridge on Friday (July 30) morning. The victim reportedly jumped off after leaving his motorcycle on the bridge at KM5.4 of the mainland-bound lanes of the bridge. "Eight firemen from Jalan Perak fire station were deployed to the scene and arrived 14mins later," he said in a statement. He said the firemen conducted an operation from the bridge and found the victim's body floating in the sea and added that the body of the victim was brought by a group of fishermen who were fishing in the area. A'azelan added that the victim's body has been handed over to police and the operation ended at 10.27am.
Source:The Star
July 30, 2021 06:00 UTC