Six Dr Seuss books will no longer be published due to racist and insensitive images
"These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong, ” Dr Seuss Enterprises said in a statement that coincided with the late author and illustrator’s birthday. "Dr Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of our review process. A painting that features Theodor Seuss Geisel, left, also known by his pen name Dr Seuss, covers part of a wall near an entrance at The Amazing World of Dr Seuss Museum, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Photo: AP"Research in recent years has revealed strong racial undertones in many books written/illustrated by Dr Seuss, ” the school district said in a statement. Dr Seuss Enterprises, however, said it is "committed to listening and learning and will continue to review our entire portfolio."
Source:The Star
March 03, 2021 01:52 UTC
Call for businesses to tap into vast global halal market
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian businesses must actively tap into global halal market opportunities as they increasingly look outside the country’s borders for growth, according to speakers at the recent Export Excellence Awards (EEA) 2021 webinar. Halal Development Corp Bhd (HDC) industry development vice-president Hanisofian Alias was moderator for the discussion, where the speakers provided valuable insights for businesses seeking to tap into halal exports. “The integration between the halal industry and Islamic finance poses a huge potential for the growth of Islamic economics in Malaysia and abroad. “The synergy between the halal industry and Islamic finance will spur the creation of new halal businesses and the expansion of halal trade into global markets, ” he said. EEA 2021 is organised by Star Media Group in partnership with Standard Chartered, with Matrade as patron.
Source:The Star
March 03, 2021 01:41 UTC
Govt still in talks with Johnson & Johnson
PETALING JAYA: The Johnson & Johnson’s single dose vaccine may be too little and too late for Malaysia, and this is a concern currently being addressed by the government with the manufacturer, says Khairy Jamaluddin. First is the number of doses that are on offer from Johnson & Johnson.They are not offering us that many and that’s quite disappointing. “We have raised this with Johnson & Johnson as a concern, that they are prioritising the rich countries and we get the back-end of it this year, and that the doses on offer are not that much – just slightly above two million doses, ” Khairy toldThe Star in a virtual interview recently. “In terms of cost, Johnson & Johnson is the most competitively priced vaccine, ” said Khairy. Malaysia received the first batch of China’s CoronaVac vaccine, developed by Sinovac Life Sciences Co Ltd, last Saturday.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 23:34 UTC
Hard work bears sweet fruits
At a grape farm in Padang Lembu, Gurun, many varieties of grapes are now yielding the sweet and crunchy fruit. Tan said he started planting grapes three years ago using the ‘artificial four seasons technique’. “As grape plants dislike rain, I built a shelter to cover the grape farm. Tan said his grape plants had already gone through three cycles of planting seasons and bearing fruits. “Grape plants face the attack of fungi, which reduces the yield and quality of the grapes, ” he added.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 23:26 UTC
Elliott loses yard sponsor over dead horse photo
(Reuters) - Irish trainer Gordon Elliott lost his yard sponsor and a leading stud moved its racehorses into the care of others on Tuesday in further fallout from the circulation of a photograph of him sitting on a dead horse. "eCOMM Merchant Solutions has terminated its sponsorship contract with Gordon Elliott due to recent events," the yard sponsor said on Twitter. SIMILAR INCIDENTIn a similar incident, Irish amateur jockey Rob James apologised after a video of him climbing on a dead horse also appeared on social media. It showed him briefly climbing on the dead horse while others present could be heard laughing. "I sincerely apologise to the owners of the mare, the staff who cared for her, the horseracing industry, and all followers of horse racing for my actions."
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 18:48 UTC
Microsoft steps up push to bring virtual reality to the masses
Microsoft Corp unveiled software tools designed to make it easier and less expensive for people to access virtual reality and augmented reality content, and for more creators to build these digital and holographic worlds. Though companies have been touting AR and VR as breakthrough technologies for years, they have yet to gain traction with a wide audience. Microsoft will roll out additional features in the coming year and is planning to add them to its Teams teleconferencing app. The Redmond, Washington-based software maker demonstrated prototypes of how the technology can be used on Tuesday at the company’s Ignite conference in a keynote speech, which Microsoft is also streaming in virtual reality using Mesh. “Apply that same analogy here with Microsoft Mesh,” he said.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 16:52 UTC
Iran's only female Olympic medallist to compete under white flag in Tokyo
ASCHAFFENBURG, Germany (Reuters) - Iranian female Olympic medal winner Kimia Alizadeh has been granted refugee status in Germany and aims to compete in the Olympic Refugee Team under a white flag in Tokyo this summer. "Taekwondo changed my life," Alizadeh told Reuters. The young athlete plans to join the Olympic Refugee Team, which will be picked in June from a group of 55 athletes in 12 sports. Germany's Taekwondo Union said its president had contacted the interior minister over Alizadeh's refugee status last summer, adding that Alizadeh was Germany's third refugee athlete. The important thing is that I can have my personal life and my sport life together," Alizadeh said.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 15:56 UTC
Myanmar U.N. envoy, junta make rival claims to U.N. representation
However, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the office of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was notified on Tuesday that the Myanmar junta had terminated Kyaw Moe Tun and appointed his deputy, Tin Maung Naing, as the acting U.N. envoy. The rival claims to represent Myanmar will now likely have to be considered by a nine-member U.N. credentials committee that reports to the General Assembly, which will then make the final decision. The United Nations has previously had to address competing claims for representation at the world body. In September 2011, the General Assembly approved a Libyan request to accredit envoys of the country's interim government. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, met virtually with Kyaw Moe Tun on Tuesday.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 15:29 UTC
Ibrahimovic defends Sanremo role, stands by LeBron James comments
(Reuters) - AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has defended his controversial appearance at Italy's Sanremo music festival and reiterated his belief that athletes like Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James should stay out of politics. "I had the chance to be a guest at the Festival, one of the most important in Italy, and decided to participate." On his injury, Ibrahimovic added: "I picked up a small injury, but I can still do everything. My schedule at the Festival won’t change." Ibrahimovic had an on-pitch spat with Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku recently but insisted that "there is no personal problem between us".
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 13:48 UTC
Meet the designers who brought colourful diversity to Milan's fashion runways
Claudia Gisele Ntsama, 29, born in Cameroon, has since childhood wanted to be a designer and particularly in Italy, as "fashion is Italy". Moroccan shoe designer Karim Daoudi. She obtained a masters in international business before entering fashion, adding: "I'm not an ethnic designer, I live in Italy, I studied in Italy and I produce in Italy." Karim Daoudi, born in Morocco 27 years ago, arrived in San Mauro Pascoli in northern Italy at the age of 13 with his family,"looking for a better future". His collection, entitled Journey Into The Forest, brings together shoes in bright colours that remind him of Morocco.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 10:52 UTC
Now, Sebatik rep makes SD revoking pre-signed resignation letter
KOTA KINABALU: Sebatik lawmaker Hassan Gani Amir (pic) has submitted a statutory declaration "revoking and withdrawing" all pre-signed resignation letters he committed to Parti Warisan Sabah before becoming its candidate for the Sept 26 snap Sabah election. Kadzim also confirmed he received Hassan's pre-signed letter of resignation from Warisan secretary-general Datuk Loretto Padua at 12.15pm the same day. Earlier, after sending Hassan’s pre-signed resignation letter to the Speaker, Padua said no one forced Hassan to sign the letter and take the loyalty oath. Shafie said lawyers and witnesses were present when the letter was pre-signed and when Hassan took the oath in September. Also on March 1, Hassan posted on Facebook that his pre-signed resignation letter was done under duress, and was therefore invalid.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 10:07 UTC
Malaysia's largest cinema operator GSC acquires MBO
GSC signed an agreement to acquire the majority of cinema assets from the company on Feb 23, and the deal is expected to be completed end of June 2021. Photo: HandoutBefore this, the major cinema operators in Malaysia were GSC Cinemas, TGV Cinemas, mmCineplexes, MBO Cinemas and Lotus Five Star. GSC Cinemas is ranked the biggest cinema chain here. In that statement, MAFE chairman Tan Sri Mohd Ghazali Mohd Seth said the cinema industry could not sustain closure much longer and it would undoubtedly collapse. “The acquisition of MBO cinema assets will further enhance GSC’s diverse, innovative, and cutting-edge offerings; and audiences can look forward to a more wholesome, personalised, and delightful time at the movies with us.”
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 09:18 UTC
Can democracy work on the Internet? Reddit tells a mixed story
Beaulac’s is a familiar narrative on Reddit, where much of the rule-making and enforcement happens from the bottom up and varies between subreddits. This quasi-democratic approach to content moderation sets Reddit apart from most other major social media platforms. Unpaid moderators write rules for each subreddit and then use tiplines, automated filters and manual oversight to help enforce them. And according to Rob Allam, a moderator on the insult comedy subreddit “RoastMe”, they do so without adequate training or support from Reddit. That is: Can democracy, or at least something like it, work on the Internet?
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 07:30 UTC
Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: Fads versus fundamentals
Thankfully, technology helps us somewhat to have virtual reunion dinners and connect with loved ones despite the lockdown this year. Some are also happy to have managed to save something more from the limited execution of the angpow-giving tradition this year! A new social media marketing trend sees more part-time home bakers stepping up during the pandemic to generate some side income. Ultimately, objective-driven long-term investors must make a distinction between speculating on fads and investing on fundamentals. My view has always been to invest in assets with good fundamentals at a reasonable price, with a long-term outlook.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 02, 2021 06:11 UTC
Murray feels like playing for his career in every match
(Reuters) - Andy Murray feels like he's playing for his career every time he takes the court after recent losses to lowly ranked opponents, but the injury-ravaged former world number says he plans to meet the challenge head on. "It's not easy," Murray told reporters. "Every time I lose a match, I'm getting told to retire, that I should stop playing, that I'm finished, I've got nothing left and whatever and it's sad and all of these things. "I feel like I'm playing for my career just now each time I step on the court, which is a motivation in some ways but it also adds a bit of extra stress. And on top of that I'm playing with a metal hip, which is hard.
Source:The Star
March 02, 2021 05:09 UTC