Elephant herd new darling in China
These mammals caught people’s attention after they were spotted roaming at residential areas in Yuxi city, Yunnan province, in late May. After a short rest, they moved on again and entered Yuanjiang county of Yuxi city on April 16. Four days later, a male elephant left the herd and began to wander around the cities alone. The mammals left the nature reserve and headed some 100km down south. Due to a series of wildlife protection measures, the number of wild elephants in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve has double-up over the past four decades.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 23:48 UTC
Path to a better future on a circular economy model
PETALING JAYA: A circular economy aims to redefine growth and focus on benefits for society. Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy sources, the circular model builds economic, natural and social capital. Thought leaders and industry experts from both Malaysia and abroad will guide participants on their journey towards building a circular economy model. It is supported by platinum sponsor UOB Malaysia Bhd and gold sponsor Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC). Join our free live virtual conference to understand the importance of incorporating circular economy policies into your own business.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 23:48 UTC
Soccer-England players must be proud but penalty takers my call - Southgate
LONDON (Reuters) - England coach Gareth Southgate said England's players must be proud of their achievements and shouldered the blame for the country suffering more penalty shootout heartache in Sunday's Euro 2020 final shootout defeat by Italy at Wembley. "The players gave everything they could have, not only tonight but throughout the whole tournament," Southgate told a news conference. Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka's miss from England's fifth penalty proved costly, leaving the country with a record of two wins from nine major tournament shootouts. "The penalty takers are my call," Southgate said. Tonight it has not gone for us, but we knew they were the best takers we had left on the pitch.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 23:48 UTC
Beautician now makes a living selling nasi lemak
Lim, who has been working at a spa for 12 years, said she had never tried operating a food stall before. “During the start of the pandemic last year, my husband’s company went bankrupt and he lost his job. Lim knew that she could not “just sit and wait it out”, so the idea of starting a food business came to her. “Then I thought we could start a nasi lemak stall and sell food throughout the period as food is an essential business. Even after this pandemic ends, I hope to continue in the food business,” she added.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 23:48 UTC
Pets are stress relievers who bring unmatched joy, say owners
Interacting with their loyal companions while stuck at home, they say, is the medicine they need to lift their mood and relieve stress. Setiawangsa resident Mahizan Kasim, 60, could not imagine life without her two cats — Black and Bilbo — during these trying times. Mahizan adopted Black four years ago when it was six months old, and Bilbo three months ago from her neighbour. Naveen A, 53, from Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur, said her three-year-old Golden Retriever Koda, brings immeasurable joy to her family. The mother-of-one said her pets cheer her up when she is down and are a source of amusement in the household.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 23:37 UTC
Adham: We’re getting 14 million vaccine doses in July
PETALING JAYA: With over 14 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to arrive this month, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba is confident that the government will be able to maintain its momentum of getting more than 300,000 shots in the arms of Malaysians daily. Out of the 14 million, a little less than half were slated for the first and second quarter of July with about seven million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinovac scheduled for the third and fourth quarter of the month, plus another 800,000 doses of CanSino. “This brings the total number of vaccines in July to over 14 million. Malaysia is negotiating with the global Covax facility to obtain the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for at least 7% of the population as Covax has provided Malaysia with more than 1.3 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, enough for about 3% of the population. “We have also signed a supply and manufacturing agreement to get the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 23:26 UTC
Woman turns up at vaccination centre in batik
KUALA NERUS: The excitement and joy of getting the Covid-19 vaccine has prompted a woman to turn up at the Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin vaccination centre clad in batik from top to toe, much like Malay women of the olden days. At first I didn’t have the confidence, but I decided to just do it because it’s a historic date for me. “This attire is special because the entire ensemble belonged to my beloved late grandmother, Nor Mek Ab Rahman, who died in 2013. I wanted to feel the ‘aura’ of donning traditional Malay outfits,” she said yesterday. Hanan, who is from Kampung Gelong Gajah Padang Kemunting, Kuala Nerus, said she realised that many were perplexed, but not for long as batik is part of the cultural heritage of the Terengganu people, especially at weddings and birthday celebrations.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 23:15 UTC
Groups call for more decentralised PPV nearer to residences
PETALING JAYA: Although Malaysia has set up more than 1,000 vaccine dispensing centres (PPV) nationwide, more decentralised vaccination sites closer to residential areas are needed, say community groups. “Smaller decentralised PPVs are more effective for us to go for vaccination. Generally, the smaller PPVs are more effective and faster compared with the larger ones. “I think we need to appoint smaller clinics as PPV too to hasten the process. “The PPV Paitan is a three-hour journey from my place.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 23:15 UTC
Athletics: Fast and curious
PETALING JAYA: National sprinter Azreen Nabila Alias (pic) will be on a lookout for two stars who have been a source of inspiration in her athletics career, at the Tokyo Olympic Games. They are world-class sprinters Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is known as ‘‘Mummy Rocket” and United States’ Allyson Felix. Both Fraser-Pryce and Felix have continued to excel even after giving birth and they will be making their presence felt in Tokyo. “They both have inspired me in my athletics career,” said Azreen, a star from Terengganu. “The emphasis is on the psychology aspect as she is competing on a short notice and she is young.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 23:15 UTC
Lack of access to emergency veterinary care a concern
KLANG: Animal lovers are keeping their fingers crossed that their pets will not need emergency services since there are currently no 24-hour veterinary services available. Under the enhanced movement control order here, veterinary medical facilities are not allowed to operate beyond 8pm. There are three veterinary hospitals with 24-hour emergency services in the Klang Valley; one in Petaling Jaya, Puchong (Selangor) and one in Kuala Lumpur. Logistically, Dr Prem said that veterinary medical settings did not pose bigger risks of Covid-19 transmission than other medical facilities. “The most number of personnel in any veterinary emergency setting is about four people.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 23:03 UTC
Wee: 80% of public transport frontliners to be vaccinated by Oct 31
YONG PENG: At least 80% of frontliners in the public transport sector must be vaccinated by Oct 31, according to the target set by the Transport Ministry. We are in the midst of identifying those who have yet to be vaccinated to see how we can further assist them,” he said. Separately, Dr Wee, who is also Ayer Hitam MP, said his constituency would keep giving food aid to those in need, including stocking up supplies at food banks in the area. He added that his team had been actively handing out food baskets filled with essential items to needy households and individuals since March last year. “Rest assured that my team from the Ayer Hitam MP service centre will continue to fight for the people and make sure that needy households are not cut off from receiving food supplies.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 22:52 UTC
Italy's 5-Star founder, former PM mend rifts, agree to relaunch party
ROME (Reuters) -Italy's former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and the founder of the co-ruling 5-Star Movement, comedian Beppe Grillo, reached an agreement on Sunday to overcome recent differences over the future of the party, paving the way for its relaunch. 5-Star is the largest group in parliament after a triumph in the 2018 elections and is part of Draghi's government. Conte said he was "fully satisfied" with the deal reached with Grillo and it would now be possible to relaunch the party. Conte, who previously had no party affiliation, put together plans for a remodelled 5-Star along mainstream, centre-left lines, but Grillo blocked everything, protesting he was being sidelined. "Beppe Grillo and Giuseppe Conte have unanimously agreed the new rules of the 5-Star Movement," said Vito Crimi, party veteran and former caretaker leader.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 17:13 UTC
Soccer-Fans charge security at Wembley before Euro final
LONDON (Reuters) - Fans breached security cordons, charging into the perimeter area of Wembley Stadium, before the start of the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy on Sunday. Some security staff were attacked, witnesses told Reuters, and entry to the stadium was halted for over 20 minutes while order was restored at the entrances. "Wembley security officials have confirmed there were no security breaches of people without tickets getting inside the stadium," the Metropolitan police said on Twitter. Some witnesses, however, said they saw isolated cases of fans running through the seating areas inside the ground being chased by security. Hours before the 8pm local kick-off, Wembley Way was crammed with supporters all the way from the underground station to the stadium.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 16:39 UTC
Playing our part in the path to recover
Thanks to consistent supplies of the vaccine now, the National COVID-19 Immunisation Plan (PICK) has picked up pace, recently reaching 300,000 vaccinations per day. The government also shares the load by supporting employers’ costs to, among others, conduct Covid-19 screening tests for eligible employees. National Recovery Plan as our Exit StrategyRecently, the Government launched the National Recovery Plan (NRP) as the nation’s exit strategy based on a phased approach. The government recently announced the Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi (Pemulih) aid package, worth RM150 billion, on June 28. Government-related agencies are also here to assist to provide more clarity to individuals and businesses, and to help them rebound.
Source:The Edge Markets
July 11, 2021 15:56 UTC
Immigration debunks WhatsApp message on ‘Home Affairs’ officials involved in robbery
PETALING JAYA: The Immigration Department has debunked a WhatsApp message on “Home Affairs officials” going from house-to-house and “robbing people”.It said that the message, which went viral recently again, is fake. "The Immigration Department would like to stress that it is not true and it is done by irresponsible parties. "The public is advised not to spread such fake news which would cause public outrage," it said in a statement on its Facebook page Sunday (July 11).The department also called on the public to report any doubtful information for action to be taken. "Visit the department's website at https://www.imi.gov.my and its official Facebook account - Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia ( https://www.facebook.com/imigresen ) - to get the latest information from the department," it added.
Source:The Star
July 11, 2021 15:00 UTC