Starchild: Malaysian children are happy shoppers at the grocery store.
Children can also discover local exotic fruits such as the snake fruit or buah salak, breadfruit and cherimoya (buah nona). Here’s what Starchild readers had to say on the topic, Grocery Shopping. Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 3“I used to sit in the trolley when my parents bought groceries. I hope I can help my parents push their trolley when I am older, ” says three-year-old Asher Wang Qi Chuen. Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 6Older sibling Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, six, says: “I miss grocery shopping with my parents.
Source:The Star
February 26, 2021 07:04 UTC
Chasing pack need to believe they can topple 'Big Three' - Nalbandian
Russian Daniil Medvedev looked closest to ending the Grand Slam hegemony of the 'Big Three' when he cantered into the Australian Open final on a 20-match winning streak that included 12 straight wins over top-10 opponents. But that run counted for nothing as Djokovic won in straight sets for a record-extending ninth triumph at Melbourne Park, the Serb's 18th Grand Slam trophy. "They're incredible players, but they're not superheroes. Argentine Nalbandian, the 2002 Wimbledon runner-up, defeated Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in consecutive matches to win the Madrid Masters in 2007. "Most of the players think that they're waiting for the Big Three to retire," said Nalbandian, who recently took a part-time coaching gig with Serbian world number 41 Miomir Kecmanovic.
Source:The Star
February 26, 2021 05:48 UTC
Hi, Robot: Japan’s android pets ease virus isolation
“I felt my circle became very small,” said 23-year-old Hamaura, a recent graduate who has worked almost entirely remotely since April 2020. With socialising limited, life in her first job at a Tokyo trading company was nothing like she had imagined. So she adopted Charlie, a mug-sized robot with a round head, red nose and flashing bow-tie, who converses with its owner in song. “Many Japanese people accept the idea that every object has a soul,” said Shunsuke Aoki, CEO of robot firm Yukai Engineering. During Japan’s virus state of emergency, the capital became “stark and empty”, she said.
Source:The Star
February 26, 2021 05:30 UTC
5 creative ways to upcycle face masks
Face masks are vital in our fight against Covid-19, but discarded masks are becoming a huge environmental problem. "It aches me to see used face masks disposed of in the streets. Face masks were made compulsory in public places in Malaysia since last August as part of the standard operating procedures to curb Covid-19. Waste experts have estimated that at least 10 million single-use face masks are discarded daily in the country. Last December, a South Korean furniture design student made the news when he created climate-friendly plastic stools made from over 10,000 used face masks.
Source:The Star
February 26, 2021 05:16 UTC
Give your fingers a workout (and we don't mean on the phone!)
All those tiny daily movements they make means our fingers are subject to a lot of repetitive tasks, which can eventually take a toll. The small or intrinsic muscles in the hand allow fine control of the thumb and fingers, although some fingers work harder than others. Whatever remarkable feats our thumb and four fingers can achieve, it’s a fact that we seldom exercise them in a structured manner. Having manicures and applying moisturiser leave them pretty, but the muscles still need to be worked to keep the fingers functional. Here are some simple exercises you can do to strengthen the finger and thumb extensor muscles.
Source:The Star
February 26, 2021 05:02 UTC
A sad tale of unrequited love
IT is difficult to love someone who doesn’t love you back. In all honesty, I felt it a little clichéd to actually say that I came back to serve my people. Last year I saw a friend leave for the United States, another for Britain. Even if you try to keep positive, you cannot keep loving someone who doesn’t love you back. UNREQUITED LOVE ,Petaling Jaya
Source:The Star
February 26, 2021 00:33 UTC
PM: Green focus still needed
The Prime Minister said over the past year, the world experienced unprecedented social, economic and environmental impacts due to the pandemic. “In August last year, the first digital sukuk, Sukuk Prihatin, exceeded the target of RM666mil in subscriptions. Apart from that, he said the government would continue the Green Technology Financing Scheme 3.0 with RM2bil in funding for two years until 2022. He said these measures would serve as a great opportunity, especially for companies that plan to invest in green technology. The firm based in Pasir Gudang was among 72 companies from the private sector that participated in the awards, the country’s premier environmental awards that recognise environmental accomplishment and leadership.
Source:The Star
February 25, 2021 23:03 UTC
Texas lawmakers look to lay blame for deadly power blackout
(Reuters) - Texas state lawmakers on Thursday dug into the causes and cast blame for deadly power blackouts that left millions shivering in the dark as frigid temperatures caught its grid operator and utilities ill-prepared for skyrocketing power demand. "My faith has been shaken" in the state's power market, Morgan said. Up to 48% of the state's power generation was offline at times last week and at least 32 people died, including an 11-year-old boy of hypothermia in an unheated mobile home. Utilities were ordered to cut power to prevent a larger catastrophe, Bill Magness, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state's grid operator, said. But Abbott "hand picks" members of the Public Utilities Commission that oversees ERCOT, Representative Rafael Anchia said.
Source:The Star
February 25, 2021 17:19 UTC
Facebook promotes value of personalized ads in new campaign
(Reuters) - Facebook Inc on Thursday launched a campaign to explain to users how small businesses depend on personalized advertising, ahead of upcoming plans by Apple Inc to prompt iPhone users to allow apps to use their data for ads. The campaign called "Good Ideas Deserve To Be Found" highlights several advertisers that have grown their business on Facebook and Instagram, such as Houston-based fashion brand House of Takura. Facebook generates revenue from ads and through fees for businesses using a feature that lets customers purchase directly within Facebook and Instagram. It will also simplify its Ads Manager, a self-serve tool that lets brands buy and create Facebook ads, to make it easier for small businesses to use. Annette Njau, founder of House of Takura, said personalized ads have been essential to expanding her brand, which sells handbags made in Africa.
Source:The Star
February 25, 2021 14:37 UTC
'I'm fine, vaccine is safe,' says Muhyiddin a day after inoculation
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 25): Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin went on Facebook today to provide an update on his health condition a day after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. Muhyiddin said as a vaccine recipient, he also received various information on the vaccine through the MySejahtera application which was downloaded on his mobile phone. Meanwhile, Muhyiddin called on the public to continue complying with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set even after receiving the vaccine. Already reported to the MySejahtera application,” he said. He also shared a screenshot of his MySejahtera application which showed that he had updated his health status.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 25, 2021 14:26 UTC
Musical film to comedy: KLoud Fest gives a virtual boost to creative arts scene
That’s just a sampling of the upcoming two-day digital arts festival called KLoud Fest, which premieres on March 19. KLoud Fest, organised by non-profit organisation DiverseCity in partnership with Malaysian-British arts group Liver & Lung, will be streamed via the festival’s website. After a period of MCO non-activity in the arts scene, viewers can look forward to original musical films, comedy shows and even a virtual dance party. Dance Revolution: A Virtual Party offers a cast of local deejays (JonnyVicious, Alam, Roshan, House of RN, Nahsyk and Xes Xes Loveseat) catering to your "stay home" party hard needs. KLoud Fest is supported by MY CreativeVentures and the National Economic Revival Plan’s (Penjana) Creative Industry Recovery Grant.
Source:The Star
February 25, 2021 11:26 UTC
Special Report: In Germany's Black Forest, Putin critic Navalny gathered strength and resolve
On the contrary, after concluding that Putin had personally ordered his poisoning, Navalny became even more determined to achieve his goal. Navalny noticed a police officer guarding him in his ward 24/7, he told Russian blogger Yuri Dud in an interview. Navalny shot and produced much of his video investigation about Putin at Black Forest Studios in the small town of Kirchzarten. Aleksashenko, the former deputy Central Bank chairman, said it was debatable whether the timing of Navalny's return could have been any better. Leonid Volkov, Navalny's chief of staff, based in Lithuania, said the timing of Navalny's return was never in doubt.
Source:The Star
February 25, 2021 11:07 UTC
Federal Court ruling opens floodgates to challenge constitutionality of state laws, says syariah lawyers' group
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Court ruling on the unconstitutionality of the Selangor state law provision which punishes unnatural sex would open the floodgates for other parties to challenge other provisions under the states' syariah criminal enactment, says the Malaysian Syariah Lawyers Association (PGSM). "The court's decision has given a significant implication to the state legislature in the country, particularly syariah criminal offences," he said in a statement. He urged the state government and other authorities to take a drastic and holistic decision to revisit and review the existing syariah criminal laws to ensure that syariah laws would not be challenged by certain parties in the future. "Accordingly, for the prohibition against 'unnatural sex', it is already provided for by Parliament under Federal law, namely, Section 377A of the Penal Code. On Thursday (Feb 25), a nine-man panel of the Federal Court chaired by the Chief Justice ruled a Selangor state law that criminalises "unnatural sex" as void as the state legislature had no power to make such laws.
Source:The Star
February 25, 2021 09:45 UTC
Man apologises for spreading Covid-19 fake news about three restaurants
NIBONG TEBAL: A 52-year-old man has apologised for spreading rumours alleging three restaurants had positive Covid-19 cases, causing their business to plunge. Lim Swee Peng apologised to the restaurants, their neighbours, and the community for creating two posts on Facebook with photos of the restaurants attached. "I was shocked when several phone calls came in asking if any Covid-19 cases were recorded at my restaurant, then I was told about the social media posts. "Seek confirmation of any news with authorities such as the Health Ministry before making assumptions and spreading information on Covid-19 cases. "Although there are Covid-19 cases reported in this district, they are not linked to the three restaurants but the social media post of false information has caused people to speculate blindly.
Source:The Star
February 25, 2021 08:37 UTC
CM: Sabah ready to implement vaccination rollout plan
KOTA KINABALU: The state government has taken necessary preparations to ensure the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme succeeds, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said the state has formed a Covid-19 Immunisation Special Task Force under state secretary Datuk Safar Untong. Hajiji said similar committees at the district level have also been formed to implement the vaccination drive in respective areas. In this respect, Hajiji advised Sabahans to register for the programme to facilitate the vaccination programme that could effectively break the pandemic chain of infections. "So far, only about 30% of senior citizens aged 60 and above have registered in MySejahtera for the immunisation programme in Sabah," said Hajiji in urging more people to register.
Source:The Star
February 25, 2021 07:29 UTC