Australia won't advertise COVID-19 vaccine on Facebook but vows publicity
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's government pledged a publicity campaign for its rollout of COVID-19 vaccine on Sunday - but not in Facebook advertisements, as a feud continues over the social media giant blocking news content from its platform in the country. Hours before Australia began inoculations with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government would embark on a wide-ranging communication campaign, including online, to ensure vulnerable people turned up for a shot. But a ban on health department spending to advertise on Facebook would remain in place until the dispute between the Big Tech company and Australia - over a new law to make Facebook pay for news content - was resolved. Since the news blackout, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has said he would talk with Facebook about its move over the weekend. On Saturday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Facebook had "tentatively friended us again" without giving further details.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2021 02:37 UTC
Renewable energy and clean energy is the future, but are we ready?
The dip in oil price in 2020 was a good indication of how things could flip in the blink of an eye, he warned. "(Of course), even in the most aggressive outlook, oil and gas will still constitute half of the energy mix. Malaysia's energy mix planTengku Muhammad Taufik said there needs to be a deliberate policy shift when one deals with energy mix that is ever evolving. A report in 2019 on power-technology.com website indicated that to achieve the 20% energy mix target, Malaysia needs RM33 billion (US$8 billion) worth of investments in RE sector. The International Energy Association outlook sees gas approaching 20-25 per cent of energy mix by 2040 and continues to scale up.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 21, 2021 02:03 UTC
Shifty shades of semen
I confess that in my younger days, I once noticed blood in my semen after an episode of vigorous masturbation. Lastly, foods such as garlic and onions with high sulphur content can also result in a yellowish ejaculation. Blood in the semen is also known as hematospermia and it is also a common and alarming discolouration of semen. Apart from bright red ejaculate, pinkish orange or a brownish dusky tinge are typical signs of old blood in the semen. Frequent or vigorous ejaculation is commonly reported to cause discolouration and changes in the texture of semen.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2021 02:03 UTC
Norway recreates winter wonderlands to let people enjoy skiing
But with a lack of snow and the pandemic this year leaving many in despair, authorities are bringing snow and ski trails to downtown Oslo. "Since we haven't had a lot of snow this winter, we're doing what we can to bring it to the people. The word refers to the wooded hills outside Oslo, popular among urban dwellers for long walks, or more frequently, skiing after work or at the weekend. According to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Oslo has over the past 30 years lost 21 winter days, defined as days where the temperature dips below 0 degrees Celsius. The city could lose another 26 winter days by 2050, the Institute has warned.
Source:The Star
February 21, 2021 02:03 UTC
Duo continue streak of excellence
HAVING been inducted into Tunku Abdul Rahman University College’s (TAR UC) growing list of top ACCA prize winners, Yew Bi Sheng and Chen Siong Han continue a legacy of excellence in the December 2020 ACCA Examination. TAR UC has more than 5,000 accounting students, the largest among all private institutions of higher learning in Malaysia. To date, TAR UC has 82 winners and 105 prizes in the ACCA professional examinations. Aside from successfully overcoming the challenges they each faced while preparing for the examination, both were able to adapt and fully utilise online learning to their advantage. “Online learning has changed my way of studying.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 23:39 UTC
INTERACTIVE: Covid-19 vaccines are here. Here's what you need to know
PETALING JAYA: With the arrival of the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines in Malaysia, many are eager to know what happens next and when they can get their shots. To date, the country has bought 66.7mil doses of vaccines from five Covid-19 vaccine producers, enough to vaccinate 109.65% of Malaysia's population. The remaining four Covid-19 vaccine candidates are still pending approval from the NPRA. The vaccines from these five suppliers will be received in stages by Malaysia from February 2021, subject to NPRA approval. Take the quiz below to know when you can expect to receive your vaccine:You can register starting March 1, 2021 to receive the vaccine.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 22:52 UTC
Trying to keep smiling
I met the 25-year-old on the first Sunday of this month at a busy intersection in Cilandak, South Jakarta. Desperate for a decent income, he finally took up a friend’s offer to work as a badut jalanan (street clown), a blanket term for any costumed street performer. The ‘badut jalanan’ heading back out to perform again, hoping to earn a little more for the day. But that doesn’t stop people like Daryanto and Rahman from donning their costumes and trying to make a living. He performs at night to dodge authorities, who regard ‘badut jalanan’ as a ‘public nuisance’.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 21:56 UTC
Thriving costume business
JAKARTA’s sad badut jalanan (street clowns) are trying hard to survive during the Covid-19 pandemic. On the supply side of the informal badut jalanan sector, costume retail and rental businesses have actually been thriving during the health crisis. For example, one Facebook user posted on a discussion board that they had a budget of Rp400,000 for a badut jalanan costume, which prompted comments from about two dozen vendors. For others, the strong demand has meant an opportunity to start a costume rental business. There is a demand for this.”For Beth Febriansyah, a 24-year-old costume maker in Bandung, the badut jalanan phenomenon has been a boon for his business.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 19:07 UTC
Pioli says he would chose Ibrahimovic over Lukaku 'all my life'
(Reuters) - AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli said that if he had to choose between his side's striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku, he would pick the Swede "all his life" ahead of the Milan derby in Serie A on Sunday. Pioli believes that episode between both club's top goalscorers this season will not spill over into Sunday's encounter. "What happened is now over," Pioli told a news conference ahead of the derby at the San Siro. If had to choose between Ibra and Lukaku as my striker, I would keep Zlatan all my life." "Sunday is not decisive for the fate of the championship but it is important because we have been in the lead all season," Pioli added.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 18:51 UTC
Teacher admits weakness over English pronunciation
PETALING JAYA: The primary school teacher in the spotlight over her poor English pronunciation while teaching science online has won a legion of fans, even as she admitted her shortcoming. Some social media users mocked her, while others expressed concern over the quality of education pupils are getting. Following Rafidah’s confession and explanation, social media users have flooded her Facebook page with messages of kindness, support and asking her not to give up. Her post garnered more than 4,300 comments from social media users as of 7pm yesterday, as well as more than 14,000 expressions of “like”, “love” or “care” from all over. Facebook user CT Hamisah Ahmad II said: “We support you teacher.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 18:45 UTC
Cuban anti-Communist anthem featuring Gente de Zona goes viral, sparks state fury
HAVANA (Reuters) - A group of Miami-based Cuban musicians including reggaeton duo Gente de Zona launched an impassioned anti-Communist anthem this week that has gone viral, sparking a furious state response. The Miami-based artists had until recently managed the tightrope of achieving capitalist success abroad without breaking with the Communist-run island. "It shocks us all out of the depressing menace of death that comes with our understanding of nation," she said. This is not the first time that the songs of Cuban musicians on the island and abroad have become stand-ins for political causes, said Bustamante. But the Cuban government's response was unusually forceful, he said, reflecting its anxiety and what he called "misplaced priorities."
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 17:56 UTC
Frontliners ready for their shot
Medical frontliners as well as those working in essential services, defence and security will be among the first group to be inoculated in a three-phase plan starting this Friday. The immunisation exercise is divided into three phases, starting with frontliners from now till April. In Johor Baru, medical frontliners are looking forward to getting their first dose of the vaccine. She said the vaccine would make a huge difference and build the confidence of medical frontliners. I am exposed to Covid-19 patients all the time, ” said a medical staff attached to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 17:56 UTC
Sultan to personally drive investments into Johor
JOHOR BARU: The Ruler of Johor has expressed his wish to personally drive investments into the state as manufacturers worldwide prepare to step up production again in a post-Covid-19 era. “It is important to note that every stake player understands the importance of the state economy, ” he said. Sultan Ibrahim said Johor did not just want investments from other countries but wanted their families to settle down in Johor Baru and Iskandar Puteri. In addition to Chinese, Singaporeans, and Malaysians, Forest City hopes to attract buyers from Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. “Their presence will in fact lead to creation of jobs as part of the multiplying effect from property development.”His Majesty urged the Johor state government to prepare itself for the post-Covid 19 situation.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 17:37 UTC
Taking up the mantle to drum up anti-corruption
We need to empower communities to say no to corrupt practices, says Hussamuddin. REALISING moral decay has led to more corruption practices taking place, media owner Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub has taken it upon himself to start a “graftbusters movement” called “RasuahBusters”. “It is time we citizens take up the call to sow the moral values within ourselves and within our society. One need not be religious to have good moral values as dictated by all religions in the world. “I admit I am targeting big goals as corrupt practices have become so endemic in our society that many do not think of them as wrong.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 17:15 UTC
Don’t suffer in silence
Effects of sexual harassment here for all survivors include anger, depression and a decline in their performance. “In my clinical experience of treating such victims, men tend to abuse alcohol and illicit substances more than women to cope with the mental health consequences of being sexually harassed. Dr Andrew: 'Police reports made by male victims must be taken seriously.' “It’s never easy for male victims to seek help, as most of them might feel embarrassed or ashamed. “Male victims [of sexual harassment and assault] also face a similar situation as female victims.
Source:The Star
February 20, 2021 16:52 UTC