Antibodies from Sinovac's Covid-19 shot fade after about six months, booster helps: Chinese study
BEIJING (Reuters): Antibodies triggered by Sinovac Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine decline below a key threshold from around six months after a second dose for most recipients, although a third shot could have a strong boosting effect, according to a lab study. For participants receiving two doses, two or four weeks apart, only 16.9% and 35.2% respectively still had a level of neutralising antibodies above the threshold six months after the second dose, the paper said. Those readings was based on data from two cohorts involving more than 50 participants each, while the study gave third doses to a total of 540 participants. The study was conducted by researchers at disease control authorities in Jiangsu province, Sinovac, and other Chinese institutions. Researchers cautioned the study did not test the antibodies' effect against more transmissible variants, and that further research was needed to assess antibody duration after a third shot.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 14:26 UTC
Decisions on sectors allowed to operate made collectively by NSC, says Azmin
PETALING JAYA: Deciding which sectors can operate during the National Recovery Plan is not made independently by the International Trade and Industry Ministry, says Datuk Seri Azmin Ali. Its minister said all decisions are collectively made by the National Security Council (NSC). Presently, we have a one-stop system to coordinate the sectors and subsectors allowed to operate as a result of the decision by the NSC," he said in Parliament on Monday (July 26). Livid at being heckled, Azmin said sternly, "Don't be silly, don't be stupid, you don't even understand such a simple thing." He continued to say that Dr Noor Hisham noted that 69% of Covid-19 cases were sporadic while the remaining 31% were from clusters.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 12:30 UTC
Hishammuddin takes over Ismail Sabri in issuing statements on enforcement activities and SOP compliance from Tuesday (July 27)
PUTRAJAYA: Starting Tuesday (July 27), the daily updates on non-health related issues pertaining to the pandemic will be handled by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. Hishammuddin took over the senior minister in charge of the security cluster post from Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, following his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister. “Beginning tomorrow, the duty to present the daily report on enforcement activities and standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance will be done by the Senior Minister in charge of the security cluster. Ismail Sabri said he had been issuing daily statements on behalf of the government since March 20 last year. Ismail Sabri remains in his portfolio as Defence Minister.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 11:48 UTC
Covid-19: Greater Klang Valley Special Task Force assessment centres activated to improve healthcare delivery
PUTRAJAYA: The Greater Klang Valley Special Task Force virtual Covid-19 assessment centres have been activated to ensure an efficient management response. The special task force commander Datuk Dr Chong Chee Keong said the new management guidelines take effect immediately and are expected to improve healthcare delivery by streamlining the workflow processes in managing Covid-19 patients. “The implementation of virtual CACs will decongest physical CACs, improve patient waiting time, and ensure early monitoring for all positive cases. Dr Chong said all Covid-19 patients in the Greater Klang Valley who are experiencing mild or no symptoms are to undergo home isolation and remote surveillance instead of going to assessment centres. Close contacts of Covid-19 patients are to self-isolate at home with no need for testing unless symptomatic, he said.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 10:41 UTC
Singer Pink offers to pay fine incurred by Norwegian women’s beach handball team for not wearing bikinis
The Norwegian beach handball team may have been fined for their choice of attire, but the money will not come out of their pockets – thanks to pop star Pink, who has offered to pay. Nonetheless, their refusal to wear required bikini bottoms during a championship game against Spain at the European Beach Handball Championships in Bulgaria got them nicked about US$1,700 (RM7,192) by the European Handball Association’s Disciplinary Commission. But on Saturday (July 24), Pink tweeted her own response after the post of the women’s plight went viral. “I’m VERY proud of the Norwegian female beach handball team FOR PROTESTING THE VERY SEXIST RULES ABOUT THEIR “uniform,” she tweeted late Saturday. “The European handball federation SHOULD BE FINED FOR SEXISM.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 09:56 UTC
Syed Saddiq posts remainder of RM300,000 bail
KUALA LUMPUR: Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has posted the remaining RM250,000 of his RM300,000 bail imposed on him for his corruption case. "The registrar confirmed that Syed Saddiq was not required to come (in person) to settle the balance," he said. Syed Saddiq, who is the Muar MP, is attending the special Parliament sittings. In an Instagram post, Syed Saddiq said 9,836 individuals had contributed RM715,573.77 in 24 hours. Syed Saddiq had claimed trial to two counts of graft involving RM1.12mil of funds belonging to his former political party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 08:03 UTC
Anwar blasts arbitrary revoking of Emergency Ordinances, asks govt if King consented
PETALING JAYA: Opposition lawmakers have taken the government to task for revoking all Emergency Ordinances without first taking the matter to Parliament. "My question is, was this decision to revoke the Emergency Ordinances presented to Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and did it receive the King's consent? "The Prime Minister and the relevant minister should take responsibility for revoking the Emergency Ordinances but sidelining the royal institution by not getting the King's consent," Anwar, who is Port Dickson MP, said on Monday (July 26). Anwar also said the government was not transparent in revoking the Ordinances, with neither Parliament nor the public informed beforehand. Anwar also drew attention to Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution which states among other things that Parliament may pass a resolution to annul the Proclamation of Emergency and the Ordinances.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 06:00 UTC
Opinion: Siri’s listening intently, but she’s not alone
“Hey, Siri,” I’d say on a quiet afternoon, “Play some jazz.” And she would. I thought I’d test her out. Remember the sequence when HAL, the onboard computer with artificial intelligence, began listening to the astronauts and began to interfere with the humans? But the next day, I found my iPhone had traced the route I’d driven. But what if someone else is there listening, in your home, in your office, on your wrist, all the time?
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 05:26 UTC
Why Henry Golding's 'Snake Eyes' fails to sizzle at the box office
At the box office, Snake Eyes is ringing true to its moniker. Those ticket sales put Snake Eyes in second place on domestic charts, behind M. Night Shyamalan's mind-bending thriller Old and its US$16.5mil debut. It's an embarrassing start for Snake Eyes, which cost $88 million to produce, not including the many millions spent on global marketing. "Moviegoing and general household economics are both still in recovery mode," says Shawn Robbins, the chief analyst at Box Office Pro. Snake Eyes didn't fare much better at the international box office, where it generated a meager US$4mil from 37 overseas markets.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 03:56 UTC
One purchase to spark a thousand hopes
Here are their stories:Nur Akmal Alias’ keropok lekor business is down by 90% as people are not allowed to travel. To run her own business, she even turned down an offer to pursue a Master’s degree in Britain. “But what we need most are customers as even one single sale makes a difference due to its ripple effect. This is the first time in 28 years as a PLUS business partner that Nizamuddin has not been able to open for business. “My suppliers are also having a hard time as the villagers can’t supply the products and there are not enough buyers.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 01:18 UTC
9-year-old Malaysian Down Syndrome artist raises RM80,000 to help kids in need of surgery
That’s our dream,” said Sharifah Sarah, adding that Maryam has also raised RM6,500 for her therapy centre, the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Centre in Petaling Jaya. Maryam works with acrylic paint, using different techniques including finger painting, swab painting, brush painting and sponge painting. My husband and I then decided to sell them for charity,” said Sharifah Sarah in an email interview. Institut Jantung Negara's Dr Marhisham Che Mood (right, seated) receiving Maryam's painting and donation to aid children in need of heart surgery. Sharifah Sarah is thankful Maryam has found solace in art, which is a powerful medium of communication.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 00:56 UTC
Can Facebook’s US$1bil gamble help it regain lost cool?
PARIS: Like Internet personalities the world over, Kenyan TikTok comedian Mark Mwas was intrigued when Facebook announced a US$1bil (RM4.22bil) plan to pay content creators like him. “Like, Mom is on Facebook and doesn’t know what TikTok is,” he told AFP in an email. “My content is suited for the millennials, who prefer other platforms.”Announced last week, Facebook’s US$1bil (RM4.22bil) will pay the creators of popular posts, from fashionistas to comedians and video gamers, through 2022. In this context, Facebook’s US$1bil (RM4.22bil) gambit is being seen partly as an attempt to regain cultural relevance and stem the youth exodus. Facebook has yet to outline detailed plans for the US$1bil (RM4.22bil), but Cameron pointed out that a large chunk will likely be distributed via Instagram, which still enjoys a “cool” factor.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 00:56 UTC
Silent killer of our young
YESTERDAY was World Drowning Prevention Day. The World Health Organisation recently published the Regional Report on Drowning in the Western Pacific Region in conjunction with World Drowning Prevention Day. I draw a parallel with the National Road Safety Council which was set up with a similar structure and mechanisms in the Transport Ministry. Many of the activities of the Road Safety Council were taken over by the Road Safety Department, which has now been integrated with the Road Transport Department for reasons of efficiency. We should ever be vigilant of this silent killer of our young.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 00:22 UTC
MBSP enforcer praised for showing softer side
BUKIT MERTAJAM: On duty at the Taman Selamat market to enforce the Covid-19 SOP, Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) enforcement officer Mazlipah Abd Majid (pic), 53, showed her softer side. Seeing an old woman, who is in her 80s, trying to cross the road, Mazlipah quickly rushed over to help her. “I then helped her to cross the road as she looked weak and fragile,” she said at the MBSP headquarters here recently. Mazlipah said the woman was accompanied by her disabled daughter, in her 40s, who was holding a plastic bag containing some items. Mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said MBSP was proud to have such an exemplary employee.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 00:00 UTC
Growth hacking your app development process for greater visibility
Coined in 2010 by entrepreneur and startup advisor Sean Ellis, the term “growth hacking” means prioritising scalable growth and following a process of forming and testing ideas. Plug and Play Tech Centre co-founder Jojo Flores says app creators should try as many growth hacks as possible. Singapore Games Association (SGGA) chairperson Gwen Guo advises exploring data-driven decisions by studying the target audience’s purchases and engagement habits, then crafting your app’s marketing plan on that. Guo also suggests forming relationships with launch platforms to understand features that boost visibility, and to explore social media and trends that help with your app’s marketing plan. These include the Best App, Best Game, Best Social Impact Award, Honorable App Award and Most Popular App Award; as well as new categories including AppGallery Rising Star Award, Best Fintech Innovation Award, Best HMS Core Innovation Award, Excellent Student Award and Tech Women’s Award.
Source:The Star
July 26, 2021 00:00 UTC