‘It was like being caught in a war’
That was how an eyewitness described the fire and explosions at a fireworks factory in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, on May 7,1991. The fire and explosions at the fireworks factory claimed 26 lives and left more than 100 injured. The explosions, heard up to 4km away, led some of the witnesses to think they were caught in a crossfire of a war. “It was like war, ” he was quoted in The Star then. According to nearby residents, the blaze in 1991 was the third in the factory, the others occurring in 1978 and 1982.
Source:The Star
May 22, 2021 00:36 UTC
Henry Cavill to star in a 'Highlander' reboot helmed by 'John Wick' director
There can only be one Highlander, but apparently, Henry Cavill can be many superheroes. Chad Stahelski (John Wick) is directing, with Neal H. Moritz, Josh Davis and David Leitch producing. Cavill's role is unclear, but he will be one of two leads in the film. Juan teaches Connor that he is one of a small handful of humans who are born with what is called the Quickening, which allows them to live forever – unless they are beheaded. His days playing Superman, however, appear to be over, with Warner Bros. rebooting the franchise with producer J.J. Abrams and screenwriter Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Source:The Star
May 22, 2021 00:00 UTC
KJ denies monopoly claim
PETALING JAYA: Any party which has clinical data of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine can register it with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), says Khairy Jamaluddin. Anwar claimed that Pharmaniaga had a monopoly to bring in all vaccines in the country, including the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. Khairy however said this was not true, as the Pfizer vaccine was brought in via Pfizer Malaysia while the AstraZeneca vaccine was brought in via its Malaysian office and the Covax facility handled by the World Health Organisation. He added that for every vaccine, there must be a local registration product holder or a local company which applies to the NPRA for approval. “If Datuk Seri has communicated with friends from China, with any specific information, you can send it to the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee to be verified, ” he said.
Source:The Star
May 22, 2021 00:00 UTC
It could be smashing
One of the key findings was that match-winning probabilities in the trial system are practically identical to those in the current system. “It only differs at most by about three percentage points of match-winning probabilities under the trial scoring system (5x11), only slightly favouring the weaker players, ” said the statement. “The length of the match is shorter under the trial system, particularly in uneven matches. “The trial system has shorter games, but higher probability of extending into more than three games. “In fact, we have seen the 5x11 scoring format during the Purple League, ” said Razif.
Source:The Star
May 21, 2021 23:48 UTC
Spreading festive cheer with goodies
PRIVATE corporations and non-governmental organisations have been busy spreading festive cheer among the less privileged in Johor. “I have to juggle between taking care of him and making various kuih for sale at bazaars for income, ” she said. The Petronas Foundation distributes essential items during major festive celebrations annually. The children, aged four to 17, received essential items such as rice, cooking oil, chocolate malt drinks, toiletries and detergents. Meanwhile, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) handed out 1,000 sticks of lemang to the community at Rumah Iskandar Malaysia (RIM) for the festive season.
Source:The Star
May 21, 2021 23:26 UTC
The hunt for mutations
“If there are a lot of Covid-19 cases in a country, there would be a higher number of deaths. This means that out of 485,496 cases, it has sequenced and shared about 0.14% of total Covid-19 cases in Malaysia. As a comparison, Indonesia has sequenced about 0.09% of its total cases, while Singapore has sequenced about 3.9%. “The thinking is that with these mutations, the virus may bind better with the host and can multiply faster. “Moreover, the more the virus replicates in a population, the more mutations and variants will emerge.
Source:The Star
May 21, 2021 23:25 UTC
Some rush to stock up, others stay cool
Teacher Ambiga Pillay, 60, said there was no need for panic buying and it was not worth the risk going to a crowded place. “I am sure there are enough essential items for everyone... there’s no need to panic and start hoarding, ” she said. In a statement, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry’s state director Saifullizan Kamarul Zaman said necessities were sufficient and available in the market during the enhanced MCO period. Fishmonger Jasni Jamal, 52, said her stock was almost sold out before 9am. She assured customers that there would be supplies even during the enhanced MCO period.
Source:The Star
May 21, 2021 23:22 UTC
Lady Gaga tells of 'psychotic break' after rape at 19 left her pregnant
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Lady Gaga said she suffered a "psychotic break" after being raped and made pregnant by a producer at age 19 as she was trying to get a foothold in the music industry. The "Star is Born" singer and actress said she suffered "a total psychotic break and for a couple of years I was not the same girl." Gaga refused to name the person who raped her. "I understand this #MeToo movement, I understand that some people feel really comfortable with this, and I do not. "Even if I have six brilliant months, all it takes is getting triggered once to feel bad," she said.
Source:The Star
May 21, 2021 17:57 UTC
Lady Gaga says she was pregnant after sexual assault at age 19
American pop star Lady Gaga has revealed that she became pregnant after she was raped at the age of 19. "I was 19 years old, and I was working in the business, and a producer said to me, 'Take your clothes off'," Lady Gaga told Winfrey. She first went public about her sexual assault in a radio interview on The Howard Stern Show in December 2014. "I said why is there a psych here, I can't feel my body," she said. "First I felt full on pain, then I went numb and then I was sick for weeks and weeks and weeks after."
Source:The Star
May 21, 2021 14:34 UTC
Govt preparing to cope with more mental health cases during Covid-19 pandemic, says Dr Adham
“Realising that there will be extended mental problems, we will place 200 psychological officers via contract service to assist with mental health patients in all districts and government health clinics, ” he said in a statement on Friday (May 21). “The pandemic has impacted the community greatly, especially those with mental health issues and those with mental illnesses. "We are further strengthening the 'Let’s Talk Minda Sihat' campaign in line with the National Mental Health Strategic Plan. He said other efforts include expanding the current hotlines and mental health service teams. Those struggling with emotional breakdowns can call Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 to seek help and emotional support.
Source:The Star
May 21, 2021 12:45 UTC
Heart and Soul: My painting journey
– Henry Ward BeecherI have always loved painting, for I find the act of releasing one’s emotions and thoughts on canvas liberating. In 2016, upon completing my PhD in English Language Studies, I had this sudden desire to start painting. Those experiences and an eye for colour matter in the visual discernment of my thoughts and judgements. Colours matter to me now, and the world is not all black, white and grey. And Nataly Kogan’s quote “I paint because I can’t not paint”, is certainly close to my heart.
Source:The Star
May 21, 2021 10:00 UTC
Starchid: Malaysian children send their heartfelt messages to teachers
Aaron Heng Zeng Yong, 6Six-year-old Bethany Wang Qi Syuen wishes Happy Teachers Day to all the selfless teachers out there. “My kindergarten teacher – Teacher Irene, is a stern yet patient teacher. Happy Teachers Day to you, dear teachers!”Seven-year-old Erica Lee feels lucky to have kindergarten teachers who make learning so much fun. I would like to wish all teachers Happy Teachers Day, ” says Lakshmita Vigneswaran, 11. Jane Ng Ai Wen, 8“I would like to use this opportunity to wish all teachers a blessed Teacher’s Day, ” writes Jane Ng Ai Wen, eight.
Source:The Star
May 21, 2021 09:00 UTC
Khairy: Second round of AstraZeneca opt-in opens at noon on May 23
KUALA LUMPUR (May 21): The second round of AstraZeneca vaccine opt-in will be available for registration at noon on Sunday, said National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. The first round of vaccine opt-in was opened on May 2, with all 268,000 slots fully booked in just three hours and 20 minutes. Previously, Khairy, who is also the science, technology and innovation minister, said the second phase will be open exclusively for senior citizens aged 60 and above from May 23 to 26, and to those under 60 after that. He also said the second phase of vaccination will prioritise those on the first-round waiting list. Malaysia is scheduled to receive 1.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine by the end of this month through procurement from the COVAX facility.
Source:The Edge Markets
May 21, 2021 07:52 UTC
Australian students strike against govt funding for gas industry
SYDNEY (May 21): Thousands of Australian students skipped school on Friday and gathered with climate activists to call on the government to stop funding the gas industry, taking aim at Prime Minister Scott Morrison's plans to fund a new gas plant. During the event dubbed "School Strike 4 Climate" (SS4C), tens of thousands of students congregated across some 50 Australian cities and towns, organisers said. This week, Australia committed A$600 million ($468 million) towards a new gas-fired power plant. "A bit of rain won't stop us," Sydney mayor Clover Moore tweeted, adding "we won't stop until the Federal Government gets serious about climate action." State government officials in New South Wales, the country's largest state, had urged students to stay in school, to little effect.
Source:The Edge Markets
May 21, 2021 07:41 UTC
My Say: Is your business creating value for your stakeholders and the environment?
Hence, an increasing number of businesses are moving towards an integrated vision of value creation, including the dimensions of shared value and externalities. Eighty-three per cent of them view a new formal approach to measuring and communicating an entity’s intangible value as necessary in assessing long-term value. In contrast, companies that maintain a single bespoke framework that effectively demonstrates and measures the impact of value creation for stakeholders are better positioned to execute ESG strategies. For business themes identified, review existing metrics and lead practices to investigate the links between the theme and long-term financial value creation. Organisations can start their journey now to stay ahead of their competition and thrive by setting the foundations for a sustainable business with long-term value.
Source:The Edge Markets
May 21, 2021 07:18 UTC