How Trump’s zombie Facebook page became a weird Internet memorial
At first glance, Donald Trump’s Facebook page seems like it’s been dead for months. She knew Facebook banned Trump, she told The Times, but left her comment anyway after a news story prompted her to check back in on the account. But that decision hasn’t been made yet, and until it is, Trump’s page is effectively open to everyone in the world except Trump himself (along with Trump ally Roger Stone and others who have received permanent bans). As the first thing that visitors to Trump’s page encounter, it’s become a sort of ad hoc message board for people eager to engage with even the memory of Trump. “I truly wish Facebook would just delete this page and everything on it.
Source:The Star
April 25, 2021 09:00 UTC
In Iraqi Kurdistan, book clubs and science fiction offer 'escape'
Huda Kathem waits anxiously for feedback on her first novel, scrutinised by a book club in Iraqi Kurdistan's Arbil, where young authors are breathing new life into a centuries-old oral culture. Novelist Goran Sabah led the way by launching his book club in January in a cafe in Arbil. Novelist Goran Sabah led the way by launching his book club in January in a cafe in Arbil. Heroine of ArbilSabah chalked limited translation and promotion of Kurdish literature up to a "lack of political will". Set in the year 2100, it tells the story of a young Kurdish woman from Arbil who ends a wave of suicides after religion, technology and science fail to stem the tide.
Source:The Star
April 25, 2021 06:30 UTC
Man nabbed over smuggling of exotic animals worth over RM60,000
KOTA BARU (Bernama): A man was arrested in Kampung Kebun near Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, on Saturday (April 25) for allegedly smuggling exotic animals worth more than RM60,000 into the country. General Operations Force (GOF) 7th Battalion commanding officer Supt Azhari Nusi said the 33-year-old man was detained at 11.30pm, during the operation codenamed ‘Op Benteng’. “The total value of all animals seized amounts to RM65,800, ” he said in a statement, here Sunday (April 25). Supt Azhari said the man also failed to produce any valid document or permit for the animals seized. “All the exotic animals were believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand for the local market, ” he said, adding that the suspect was later taken to the Tumpat district police headquarters for further action.
Source:The Star
April 25, 2021 05:47 UTC
Dog Talk: When your pet gives you 'puppy eyes' and begs for some of your food
While durian-eating dogs are possibly special to Malaysia, all pet lovers have been subjected to a begging dog. Or do dogs look us in the eye in order to assess if we’re going to offer a share of our food? co-opted a small group of tame wolves, pet dogs and shelter dogs. Pet dogs mostly understood that people with a book over the face, a camera and a bucket would be a problem. So as the researchers ran another experiment with pet dogs and wolves.
Source:The Star
April 25, 2021 04:01 UTC
Soccer-Man City's Guardiola says Sterling must seize opportunities
Sterling's dip in form has meant that Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez have featured more regularly for the Premier League leaders this season. He was, is and will be," Guradiola told reporters ahead of Sunday's League Cup final with Tottenham Hotspur. Sterling, who has scored 13 goals in 42 games in all competitions so far this season, has started only three of City's last 10 matches. The quality is there... they're top-class players and they have to get the confidence from inside themselves," Guardiola said. City are looking to become only the second side in English soccer history after Liverpool to capture four successive League Cup titles.
Source:The Star
April 25, 2021 03:22 UTC
Not the superlative we want
We’ve managed to dive 18 places in the World Press Freedom Index 2021 to the 199th spot, an “astonishing fall, ” according to Reporters Sans Frontieres who does the ranking every year. So, we rose in the press freedom ranks, not to astronomical levels, since we still had certain laws hanging over our heads that the government then had promised to repeal. None of that had time to happen before a whole new set of politicians decided to swoop in and take over. Instead, we get scolded every day for not following the SOPs in speeches, in the media and even via SMS. This is exactly what is making us slide to the bottom of the World Press Freedom Index.
Source:The Star
April 25, 2021 00:00 UTC
Doctor happy to feel side effects of Covid-19 vaccine jab
PETALING JAYA: Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman experienced some side effects after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. Dr Adeeba, who is also a WHO Science Council Member, said most people would have experiencedthe same side effects after receiving the vaccine, but those who didn’t shouldn’t be worried. Dr Masita Arip, a consultant pathologist in microbiology and immunology at the Institute for Medical Research, experienced similar side effects after receiving her vaccine dose. On the claim that there were still people getting infected after receiving the vaccine, Dr Masita said the numbers were small and cases were isolated. “It’s very rare, but it’s important to note that the vaccine will protect you against more severe infections, ” Dr Masita said.
Source:The Star
April 25, 2021 00:00 UTC
Caitlyn Jenner for governor of California? What a terrible idea
WHAT on Earth makes Caitlyn Jenner believe she's qualified to be governor of California? Call me narrow-minded, but neither throwing javelins nor peddling breakfast cereal is meaningful preparation for running post-Covid California. Brown seemed to think Reagan could be dismissed as a lightweight, B-movie actor. Finally, in 2003, California elected Arnold Schwarzenegger governor with less than 50% of the vote in a 135-way recall election. Why do otherwise unqualified celebrities win so many elections?
Source:The Star
April 25, 2021 00:00 UTC
Carrying on the art of painting deities
JOHOR BARU: From painting seafood on advertisement boards to depicting deities and religious figures, a 53-year-old craftsman insists on painting every piece by hand to preserve the art form. Back then, he was tasked with painting fish, prawns and other seafood dishes on advertisement boards. “As time passed, hand-painted advertisement boards went out of style. At a time when digital prints are commonplace, Kau said temples, homeowners and individuals still preferred traditional hand-painted works of deities and religious figures for their authenticity. I have to do my best because I believe not many people are willing to carry on this art form anymore, ” he said.
Source:The Star
April 25, 2021 00:00 UTC
Ramadan in quarantine a time for rest, reflection
PETALING JAYA: Welcoming Ramadan in a Covid-19 quarantine facility was not how Ahmad Shafiq Iqbal Mohd Musalleh envisioned spending the holy month. “Fasting in a quarantine centre was a new experience. Businesswoman Nurain Ab Hamid, 29, who welcomed Ramadan at the Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centre at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), described it as an unforgettable and valuable experience. “Being chosen as imam to lead prayers was one of my life’s best memories, ” said Nurain, who was in quarantine for 10 days. During her quarantine, Nurain took the time to rest, watch TV and recite the Quran.
Source:The Star
April 24, 2021 23:55 UTC
‘Nira kurma’ juice much sought after during Ramadan
KOTA BARU: Although there are various types of drinks sold during Ramadan, the “nira kurma” juice (from date palms) or also known as “tuak kurma” is much sought after and sells 10 times more than in any other month. Mohd Zain Mohamed, 61, said he was able to sell more than 20 litres of nira kurma a day compared to only three litres in other months. “Nira kurma is not processed with dates. He said it was like a dream come true as now he was able to earn tens of thousands of ringgit by selling the date palm juice. Apart from that, Mohd Zain also works on date vinegar to be commercialised as the drink has many health benefits.
Source:The Star
April 24, 2021 23:48 UTC
No fairytale debut but a good lesson for Pavandip
PETALING JAYA: Pavandip Singh’s first international cap in a Test match against Britain had no fairytale ending. In fact, it was a losing debut as Malaysia lost 1-3 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. The following two matches wasn’t rosy either for Pavandip as Malaysia lost 0-1 to Japan and 0-1 to Britain. “I did not expect to be selected to play so it was a good feeling to make my senior team debut, ” said Pavandip. And it was also good that the seniors were supportive and kept encouraging me.”Meanwhile, Arul said Pavandip played smart and was good with the ball but needed more international exposure to be better.
Source:The Star
April 24, 2021 23:43 UTC
Jinq En makes a splash in first competition after more than a year
PETALING JAYA: National swimmer Phee Jinq En showed she has not lost her touch after placing a strong fourth in her pet 100m breaststroke event in the recent Combined Speedo Invitational in Elkhart, Indiana. It was the first competition in more than a year for the Tokyo Olympics hopeful and she clocked 1:09.11, which was just 0.03 outside the Olympic B qualifying mark of 1:09.08. The double SEA Games gold medallist’s best hope to make the Tokyo Olympics cut lies in the 100m breaststroke event. The A cut for the 100m breaststroke is 1:07.07 which guarantees a spot in the Olympics while the B time is 1:09.08. Jinq En already dipped under the Olympic B qualifying mark when she clocked a national record time of 1:08.50 in winning the 100m breaststroke event at the 2019 Philippines SEA Games.
Source:The Star
April 24, 2021 23:37 UTC
Podium cheers erase Danial’s fears caused by 2018 crash
Danial showed true grit to finish second twice behind Japan’s Taiyo Furusato in Race 1 and 2 of Round 2 of the ATC championship. More than the podium finishes, his superb comeback performance took away for good his fear of racing. The 18-year-old had nearly lost his life after a horrible crash at the season-ending ATC race at Sepang in 2018 and spent 14 months in hospital recovering from leg injuries. The race in Qatar was his first in more than two years. The ATC championship will take a break and only resume in Motegi, Japan, in October this year.
Source:The Star
April 24, 2021 23:37 UTC
Joshua eyes epic feat in epee for last shot at Olympics
The former SEA Games gold medallist will compete in the individual epee and needs to win it to secure the sole Olympics ticket at stake in the two-day qualifiers. Also in the Uzbek capital chasing an Olympics ticket is 2019 Philippines SEA Games silver medallist Hans Yoong, who is down to compete in the individual foil tomorrow. Joshua admitted it would be hard to gauge where his form lies as he had not competed for more than a year. “It’s probably my last shot as I’m not sure whether I’ll try again in four years time, so I hope to make it happen,” said Joshua, who bagged silver in the individual epee at the 2019 Philippines SEA Games. South Korea, China, Kazakhstan and Japan will not be vying in the epee discipline as they have already secured their Olympics spots through the world rankings earlier.
Source:The Star
April 24, 2021 23:26 UTC