Earth Day: Malaysian art found in e-waste, broken plates, torn flags, plastic scrap
On Earth Day today, we have rounded up a few Malaysian artists and a collective who create art from discarded objects and waste, or simply use unlikely everyday items in their artistic pursuits. By piecing discarded components together, she gives e-waste a new lease of life as an art installation or sculpture. This collective turns discarded plastic (bottles to plates) into colourful objects and crafts. The artists have been known to produce life sized installations using plastic plates, made entirely from recycling wasted HDPE plastics. A plastic installation from Aftermath Thinker seen at the climate change-themed Ipoh International Art Festival in 2019.
Source:The Star
April 22, 2021 09:11 UTC
Help make our Covid-19 vaccination programme a success
The scientists’ predictions may seem bleak but the steps taken by our government in the medium- and long-term interest for the people and the country to achieve herd immunity can be seen in the rolling out of the national vaccination programme, which can help us get through this trying, difficult time together. From reports, the Health Ministry was targeting 70 to 80% of Malaysians to register for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme but so far, only 7.6 million out of 26.7 million people eligible have registered through the MySejahtera app. Making things worse is when 1.4 million individuals did not complete their vaccination registration on the MySejahtera app as required according to Khairy Jamaluddin, the coordinating minister for the vaccination programme. While the government has and is doing everything possible to ensure the success of the programme, as the rakyat - especially those who are hesitant - must become more accepting of the vaccines. Don’t blame the government if it decides to reconsider the registration policy if the sign-up rate is not satisfying.
Source:The Star
April 22, 2021 07:18 UTC
'Please help': Covid tragedy spills onto social media in India
These days, social media posts in India are no longer about cheeky photos, funny memes or political jokes. In need of ICU bed.” Another reads "Plasma urgently required for treatment of Covid patient in Max Hospital, Delhi.” More follow. "My brain can’t handle the social media overload,” said Pottekkat, a 20-year-old Delhi law student. Thousands of social media forwards plead for the antiviral drug Remdesivir, and many more seek donor plasma. Those who put together crowd-sourced, authentic information on social media are today’s heroes in the current situation, said Vikas Chawla, co-founder of Chennai-headquartered digital agency, Social Beat.
Source:The Star
April 22, 2021 06:41 UTC
Life’s a meme: after the Apple keynote, Tim Cook becomes a meme on Twitter
This time, it's Tim Cook, the boss of Apple, who has inspired web users during the brand's first keynote of the year 2021. An impressive appearance in a Mission: Impossible-style video to announce the new iPad Pro processor. With this keynote highly anticipated by Apple fans, web users were able to discover a very special video in the form of an action movie trailer to reveal the new M1 processor of the iPad Pro. The spy then inserts this chip into an iPad before revealing his true face, which is none other than Tim Cook. This elaborate staging to announce the new version of the iPad Pro gave rise to a flurry of memes each more humorous than the previous one.
Source:The Star
April 22, 2021 05:26 UTC
About the Sinovac, Sputnik V and Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines
In China, more than 34 million people have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine already. This means that if you get the Sinovac vaccine, you are virtually guaranteed not to develop a severe case of Covid-19. The important thing, especially for tropical countries, is that the Sinovac vaccine does not need to be deep-frozen. What about the Johnson and Johnson vaccine? The Johnson and Johnson vaccine was actually developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals in the Netherlands, which is owned by the United States-based Johnson and Johnson.
Source:The Star
April 22, 2021 04:52 UTC
My Say: Considerations for a post-pandemic aviation industry in Malaysia
Even prior to the pandemic, the Malaysian aviation industry was in bad shape. Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), operator of 39 of 42 airports in Malaysia, was profitable but is staring at a host of policy uncertainties that could destabilise the airports sector in the future. This article touches on two key considerations for a post-pandemic aviation industry in Malaysia — Malaysia’s passenger airlines industry structure and the framework for airports operatorship — while highlighting policy options for the government. Key to charting out the airports sector post-pandemic is an appreciation of the inter-relatedness of structural issues within the airports sector. Role of the governmentThere is a long list of other decisions that need to be addressed by the government to shape a post-pandemic aviation industry in Malaysia.
Source:The Edge Markets
April 22, 2021 04:07 UTC
The ups and downs in the early stages of dating
Then, I thought to myself, gosh, the early stages of dating can feel like Top Chef. Early on in new relationships, though, people often hang onto the last thing their new significant other said or did. It was a roller coaster of emotions – happy, sad, happy, confused – all based solely on the last conversation or interaction. In any dating situation or relationship, we’ll have conversations that don’t feel as good as others. – Tribune News ServiceErika Ettin is the founder of A Little Nudge, where she helps others navigate the often intimidating world of online dating.
Source:The Star
April 22, 2021 03:11 UTC
Is Rome ready for a cycling 'revolution'?
With its historic seven hills, crazy traffic, cobbles and notoriously crumbling roads, Rome has never been the ideal city for cyclists -- but with the coronavirus pandemic, things are changing. "We're not Denmark, we also need a revolution in our way of thinking, but we will slowly, slowly get there." But speaking to AFP from a main road near the Termini train station, where a bike lane was recently added, he said: "I don't see any revolution... "We need to dispel the myth that Rome should be considered a bike-unfriendly city," he said, pointing to, among other things, the grand plan of a 45-kilometre cycling ring road around the city. According to campaigners, the project is fully funded, officially endorsed by the city of Rome, and could be ready by the end of 2022.
Source:The Star
April 22, 2021 03:11 UTC
Earth Day: 5 fresh eco books about the planet you should read
With Earth Day taking place today, look to these five new books about the planet, from a Bill Gates bestseller to a children's book about polar bears. How To Avoid A Climate Disaster - Bill Gates (Non-fiction)Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world is thought to have emitted about 5% fewer greenhouse gases last year than the year before. "Consider what it took to achieve this 5% reduction," writes Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in the introduction of his new book on the climate crisis. Under A White Sky - Elizabeth Kolbert (Non-fiction)This is, writes Kolbert,"a book about people trying to solve problems created by people trying to solve problems". Despite its name, there are no bears on the island - that is, until April meets a stranded polar bear in need of help.
Source:The Star
April 22, 2021 02:04 UTC
Malaysia's sustainability sukuk oversubscribed by 6.4 times, allocation well spread globally
KUALA LUMPUR (April 22): The Government has successfully priced the world’s first sovereign US Dollar Sustainability Sukuk, via the issuance of US$800 million 10-year Trust Certificates and also issued US$500 million 30-year Trust Certificates with the allocation well spread globally from Asia to the United States. Investors’ confidence was clearly reflected in the offering being oversubscribed by 6.4 times. It said both tranches have been assigned a rating of A3 by Moody's Investors Service and A- by S&P Global Ratings. Malaysia’s maiden Sustainability Sukuk is the world’s first US Dollar Sustainability Sukuk issued by a sovereign, whereby proceeds will be used for eligible social and green projects aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda. The Sustainability Sukuk is issued via a special purpose vehicle, Malaysia Wakala Sukuk Bhd, and based on Malaysia’s newly-established The Government of Malaysia SDG Sukuk Framework.
Source:The Edge Markets
April 22, 2021 01:30 UTC
Bank manager’s heart attack prompts viral post about overwork
Frostick, who has three young children, said he is responsible for the overwork and neglect of his health that culminated in the heart attack. In the post, Frostick vowed to make changes, including limiting Zoom calls, restructuring his approach to work and spending more time with family. The post received more than 201,000 likes and generated thousands of messages from people who are rethinking their attitudes. The decision to write the raw LinkedIn post comes at a precarious time in his life and finances, said Frostick. “I don’t think this should reflect badly on the place where I work, I think it’s fairly consistent across the industry, and I think that’s why it’s resonated with so many people,” he said.
Source:The Star
April 22, 2021 01:02 UTC
Youth activists face threats on the frontline of climate change
Galvanised from their experiences on the frontline of climate change however, young environmental campaigners refuse to be intimidated. Yet, says Villarreal, climate activists are equated with troublemakers. While low-emitting countries contribute the least to climate change, they tend to be the hardest-hit by the consequences. To raise awareness, Uchendu (right) organises essay competitions and hackathons on climate change at his university. To raise awareness, the engineering student organises essay competitions and hackathons on climate change at his university.
Source:The Star
April 22, 2021 00:56 UTC
Keeping trade within the family
SHUMUGAVEL Sethu, 64, and his son Elangovan have teamed up to keep their newspaper vending business within the family. Elangovan, 43, recalls the time when his father was still a small sub-vendor trying to earn a living. There is no doubt that the newspaper business is different now compared to when The Star was first published 50 years ago. Thanks to their dedication, Shumugavel and Elangovan have cultivated a loyal customer base over the decades. “We have more than just a business relationship, they are like family friends, ” said Elangovan.
Source:The Star
April 21, 2021 23:37 UTC
Agropreneur programme encourages self-reliance
Jamaluddin said the pilot project, on a 0.4ha land leased from a nearby surau, started in January. “We have about 300 members in our association but we only enlisted 10 of them in the pilot project. “We also aim to create a more disabled-friendly environment at our urban farm, which will require more funds, ” he added. Mohd Aini finds comfort in being an agropreneur after losing his right foot in an accident. “We hope to expand the project to other areas or districts if this pilot project is successful, ” he added.
Source:The Star
April 21, 2021 23:26 UTC
Testing time for Azizul as Olympic Games loom
The former keirin world champion is constantly subjected to out-of-competition tests conducted by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) and shared his latest experience which happened a few days ago. Sadly no roti canai for her, ” said Azizul, who bagged a historic bronze in the keirin at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Cyclists who bagged medals at major competitions are subjected to continuous out-of-competition testing which they can’t refuse. “WADA have a protocol where top athletes are gathered in the Registered Testing Pool and they must update their whereabouts. And the Pocket Rocketman can expect more visits as the Games draw nearer.
Source:The Star
April 21, 2021 23:07 UTC