<p>LAPAN kes baharu Covid-19 dicatatkan hari ini menjadikan jumlah kumulatif kes keseluruhan penularan wabak itu dalam negara sebanyak 8,964 kes.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
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Friday 31 July 2020
Sources say Muhyiddin pushing ahead with Perikatan despite Umno snub, coalition already registered
.jpg "Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is pictured at Parliament in Kuala Lumpur July 20, 2020. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa")
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has not given up on a formal Perikatan Nasional coalition despite Umno’s spectacular refusal to join yesterday, according to sources within the informal grouping.
They told Singapore’s The Straits Times that the prime minister was proceeding with efforts to register the informal coalition before calling a general election.
“The plan is to go ahead regardless of Umno. Wait for the announcement on PN.
“Registration is done,” one source was quoted as saying.
The same source also asserted that PAS was agreeable to joining a formal PN coalition despite also being part of the Muafakat Nasional alliance with Umno.
Yesterday, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that his party would not formally enter the PN coalition and would instead concentrate on developing the MN alliance with PAS and the rest of Barisan Nasional.
While he said this did not mean the PN government has collapsed, he said Umno’s support for the coalition was only to allow it to form the federal government and some state administrations.
The remarks suggested that this support was limited to matters of confidence and supply.
The timing of his announcement came just two days after former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak was convicted of all seven charges in his SRC International trial.
Zahid also has an ongoing trial for money laundering and corruption that is heading to its conclusion.
When asked if his announcement was related to Najib’s conviction, Zahid declined to elaborate but he asserted earlier that the decision was made on July 24.
The Umno president also revealed that Muhyiddin met with some BN lawmakers on Thursday to explore Bersatu’s entry into MN.
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Pos Malaysia freezes international mail, parcel deliveries due to Covid-19 restrictions
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Pos Malaysia Bhd announced this morning that it was suspending all international deliveries indefinitely from August 3.
The national postal carrier said the only country it will still deliver to was Singapore, with which Malaysia has resumed partial cross-border travel.
“The temporary service suspension is due to service impact related to Covid-19, which include varying levels of restrictions across destination countries on flights, airport closuresand cross border services,” Pos Malaysia said.
The announcement is set to further disrupt global deliveries that have already slowed significantly due to measures countries have taken to try and limit their exposure to Covid-19.
Malaysian health authorities said the country was in the recovery stage of the pandemic but the country has experienced a recent spike in cases that have led to warnings that the movement control order could be reimposed.
While the pandemic has been contained locally, Covid-19 has continued to rage on in other parts of the world.
Yesterday, there were 289,053 new Covid-19 infections and 7,003 deaths reported globally, bringing the total number of cases worldwide to over 17 million.
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Badut ‘Uncle Ting Tong’ tabah cari rezeki jaga 3 anak talasemia
PETALING JAYA: Menjadi badut dan manusia patung bukan perkara mudah kerana seseorang itu perlu berpanas serta berhujan dengan memakai kostum bersesuaian untuk menghiburkan orang ramai.
Namun, Roslee Yusof, 53, tidak menjadikannya alasan untuk mencari rezeki halal.
Beliau yang lebih dikenali sebagai “Uncle Ting Tong” sanggup meninggalkan kerja bergaji tetap di taman tema untuk menjadi badut dan manusia patung hampir 20 tahun.
Selain minat, katanya, beliau memilih untuk menjadi badut sepenuh masa selepas semua 3 anaknya menghidap talasemia sejak dilahirkan.
Beliau tidak menganggap anaknya sebagai beban, sebaliknya menerima ujian Tuhan itu dengan berlapang dada.
Katanya, semua anaknya sentiasa berada di pangkuannya tidak kira di rumah mahupun ketika beliau keluar mencari rezeki.
Malah, beliau bangga seorang daripada anaknya, Muhammad Nirwan yang lebih dikenali sebagai “Ping Pong” turut memilih untuk menjadi badut dan manusia patung.
“Bagi saya, nak kesal, nak sedih ada anak berpenyakit tidak boleh, kita kena tempuh, hadapi dengan tenang dan sesekali tidak boleh goyang, jiwa kena kental, sebab ini amanah Tuhan yang diberikan kepada saya dan isteri,” katanya kepada FMT di rumahnya di Damansara Perdana, di sini.
Beliau akan membawa anaknya bersama ketika bekerja kerana bimbang perkara tidak diingini berlaku kepada mereka.
“Kalau berlaku apa-apa, saya ada depan mata anak-anak.
“Bila sampai masa nak pergi hospital, kita pergi hospital, sebab itu saya tak boleh kerja tetap.
“Sama juga mereka pun tidak boleh nak kerja tetap kerana terpaksa ikut saya, kita berniaga dan menjadi penghibur jalanan,” katanya sambil menambah semua anaknya perlu ke hospital setiap bulan untuk mendapatkan bekalan darah.
Katanya, beliau dan anaknya mencari rezeki di sekitar ibu kota dahulu, tetapi kini mereka berdua bekerja di Uptown Kota Damansara.
Selain Roslee dan Nirwan, 2 lagi anak perempuannya, Nurizwani dan Nurismawati berniaga roti canai kecil-kecilan di kawasan sama.
“Setiap hari 11 pagi saya akan kejutkan semua anak untuk keluar mencari bahan perniagaan dan berada di Uptown hingga lewat malam, kadang-kadang sampai 2 atau 3 pagi baru balik rumah.”
Bagaimanapun, Roslee tidak menjadi penghibur jalanan setiap hari kerana kadangkala anaknya jatuh sakit dan perlu menjaga mereka.
“Kadang-kadang kalau darah tidak ada di hospital, anak kena tunggu seminggu, jadi dalam tempoh seminggu, saya kena jaga mereka betul-betul.
“Kadang-kadang bila darah tidak ada, semua anak saya serentak akan jadi lemah, pening, tidak bermaya, otot akan sakit, malah boleh terkena serangan jantung.”
Katanya, lebih 50% pendapatan bulanan mereka digunakan untuk kos perubatan dan rawatan di Hospital Ampang.
“Maklumlah bila kerja tak ada pendapatan tetap, ada hari dapat banyak, ada hari dapat sikit, tapi cukup-cukup untuk belanja makan minum, kos rawatan, pengangkutan, kalau nak bermewah lebih-lebih tidak mampu.”
Tanpa berselindung, Roslee berkata, beliau pernah berhutang kerana tidak mampu membayar kos rawatan di hospital swasta sehingga terpaksa memohon bantuan kerajaan.
“Sekarang anak saya dirawat di Hospital Ampang, dulu dekat hospital swasta di Petaling Jaya banyak nak kena bayar sampai tidak mampu, duit tidak ada nak bayar, saya minta bantuan kerajaan melalui zakat, saya dapat dan semua duit itu saya selesaikan hutang hospital.
“Sekarang bila sudah pindah ke Hospital Ampang kosnya murah sikit, jadi setakat ini masih mampu, kalau mahal memang tidak mampu nak bayar, kena berhutang.”
Kecekalan dan pengorbanan Roslee membesarkan anak menghidap talasemia turut dipuji jiran yang menyifatkannya bapa yang kental.
“Kadang-kadang orang kata hebat, kamu boleh jaga 3 anak yang ada penyakit sama,” katanya sambil memaklumkan beliau ialah pembawa terbaru penyakit itu memandangkan ibu bapanya tiada penyakit itu.
”Pegawai perubatan hairan tiada keturunan, tapi apa boleh buat, kita terima dengan hati terbuka penyakit anak saya ini.”
Kediaman selesa
Roslee berhasrat menambah baik keadaan di dalam rumahnya supaya lebih selesa bagi mereka 5 sekeluarga, jika rezekinya bertambah.
“Anak makin besar, bilik ada 3. Sebuah bilik kami jadikan stor, satu untuk anak perempuan, satu lagi untuk saya dan isteri, anak lelaki tidur di luar.
“Selepas ini, kalau kami ada rezeki lebih, saya berhajat mencantikkan rumah. Saya beli rumah ini dengan hasil titik peluh sebagai badut dan manusia patung.”
Tidak kedekut ilmu
Bapa 3 anak itu bersyukur dengan rezeki dikurniakan Allah menyebabkannya terdetik mahu melatih “protege” secara percuma untuk berkongsi ilmunya.
Sehingga kini, beliau sudah melatih lebih 50 individu untuk menjadi badut dan 10 daripadanya mencapai tahap profesional.
“Saya ajar mereka yang ikhlas nak belajar tanpa sebarang bayaran, kalau mereka bersungguh nak belajar, saya ajar.
“Sebab nak jadi badut ini kena ikhlas, jiwa kena kuat dan tidak boleh beremosi,” katanya yang menjadikan sambutan Hari Kebangsaan setiap tahun sebagai aktiviti wajib untuk turun ke jalanan tanpa mengenakan sebarang bayaran.
“Bila Hari Merdeka, saya akan turun ke Dataran Merdeka dan di sana saya akan menghiburkan pengunjung secara percuma.”
Bahaya Covid-19
Roslee berkata, sepanjang tempoh perintah kawalan pergerakan (PKP), beliau menggunakan bakatnya sebagai badut dan manusia patung untuk mendidik masyarakat mengenai bahaya Covid-19 dan pematuhan kepada SOP.
“Sepanjang PKP, semua orang tidak boleh keluar, saya juga tidak boleh ke jalanan mencari rezeki. Ketika itu dapat ilham untuk guna kelebihan sebagai badut dan manusia patung menasihat orang ramai mengenai bahaya Covid-19.
“Jadi, saya pakai kostum, buat poster nasihat bahaya Covid-19 dan ‘post’ di media sosial, ramai juga yang suka. Jadi, saya fikir itu saja cara saya boleh bantu orang ramai jaga jarak dan patuh SOP.”
Gelaran ‘Uncle Ting Tong’
Roslee berkata, gelaran “Uncle Ting Tong” itu diberikan sekumpulan remaja Cina ketika beliau mengadakan persembahan di Genting Highlands beberapa tahun lalu.
“Ada sekumpulan remaja Cina tanya apa gelaran badut saya, saya kata tidak ada. Mereka cakap kalau nak panggil ‘Uncle Ting Tong’ boleh tak, sebab saya masa buat persembahan lain daripada yang lain, tak sama dengan badut lain. Jadi, dari dari situ saya dapat nama ‘Uncle Ting Tong’.”
Katanya, pelbagai cabaran dihadapinya sepanjang menjadi penghibur jalanan, termasuk menjadi mangsa pukul sekumpulan remaja ketika membuat persembahan di ibu kota.
“Budak muda biasalah, darah muda mereka ejek saya, pukul saya, semasa buat persembahan. Mungkin mereka ingat badut ini manusia tidak waras dan sebagainya, malah ada juga hasil wang pendapatan saya dicuri.”
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Penjana’s tourism financing scheme open for applications
KUALA LUMPUR: The tourism sector’s financing scheme worth RM1 billion under the National Economic Recovery Plan or Penjana is now open for applications.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri said the scheme was aimed at retaining the capabilities and increasing the competitiveness of SMEs as well as local micro-companies, besides helping them adjust to post-Covid-19 norms.
“SMEs and micro-companies which fulfil the qualifying criteria of SME Corp Malaysia, or which are licensed or registered under the ministry in core tourism and tourism-related sectors, are eligible to apply for the financing scheme.
“The scheme offers up to RM75,000 in financing for micro-companies and up to RM300,000 for SMEs with up to 3.5% interest per year, for a period of not more than seven years,” she said in a statement.
Nancy said 12 financial institutions were involved in the financing scheme, and that successful applicants would be given a minimum of six months’ loan repayment moratorium.
Details of the scheme are available on Penjana’s website at http://penjana.treasury.gov.my.
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Manchester bans different households from indoor meetings after UK virus spike
LONDON: Britain on Thursday banned people from different households in Manchester and stretches of northern England from meeting indoors because of a spike in coronavirus infections.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said restrictions were being tightened slightly for millions of Britons because people were “meeting and not abiding to social distancing”.
“We take this action with a heavy heart, but we can see increasing rates of Covid across Europe and are determined to do whatever is necessary to keep people safe,” Hancock said on Twitter.
He said the measure was going into effect at midnight.
New UK statistics comparing how the virus struck various regions showed England recording the most excess deaths in Europe in the first half of 2020.
Spain registered the second-highest toll in excess deaths – defined as the number of fatalities registered in excess of the five-year average – while Scotland saw the third-worst figures.
Britain’s official virus death toll stands at 45,999 but is believed to be as high as 65,000 if excess deaths are used as a guide.
Britain’s devolved health structure means England is following slightly different preventive measures from those in Scotland or Northern Ireland and Wales.
England has lifted most of its restrictions nationally but imposed local store closures around the central city of Leicester at the end of June.
Hancock said Leicester would now follow the same ban on meetings between different households being applied to Manchester and parts of West Yorkshire and East Lancashire.
Click here for our live update of the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia.
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Power now back with BN, Umno men claim
PETALING JAYA: Two Umno leaders claim that political power has shifted to Barisan Nasional (BN), now that party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has announced an Umno decision against formally joining Perikatan Nasional (PN).
The two, who asked to be anonymous, said the handful of PPBM members in the Dewan Rakyat would now have to depend on BN to survive.
PN, a loose union of mainly PPBM, Umno and PAS, was set up in February to form a new government after the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration.
One of the sources said it was clear from Zahid’s announcement that Muafakat Nasional, a collaboration of PAS and Umno, had joined forces with PPBM only to govern the country until the next general election.
“Muafakat Nasional is not with PPBM politically, but only to govern the country,” he said.
In the Dewan Rakyat, Barisan Nasional has 43 seats, PPBM 31, PH 91, PAS 18, GPS 18, PBS 1, Warisan 9, Upko 1 and PSB 2. There are seven independent MPs.
The source noted that Zahid had also said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his party, PPBM, was interested in joining Muafakat Nasional.
“It shows BN is giving time to PPBM to decide on its next course of action. It also shows PPBM will have to listen to us if it wants to be part of us.”
The other source said PN would collapse if PPBM refused to join Muafakat Nasional. This would force a snap election, he added.
A Pakatan Harapan insider told FMT that Amanah and DAP were ready to back Muhyiddin if Muafakat Nasional pulled out of PN.
“These two parties are ready to work with Muhyiddin to take back the rakyat’s mandate given to them in GE14,” he said.
He said PKR with its 36 MPs would agree to work with Muhyiddin on the condition that Mohamed Azmin Ali and his followers from PKR were not involved.
He also said eyes were on former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and six other MPs to see whether they would join forces with the opposition.
“It will all depend on PPBM’s public announcement on whether it will join Muafakat Nasional,” he said.
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Fatboi, the loving kitty with a jealous streak
Nurul Assyiqin received the best ever birthday present two and half years ago when her husband gifted her with Fatboi, a darling kitten, who Nurul jokingly says is of a rare breed called “mix munchkin”.
Nurul remembers Fatboi as a clingy kitten, always following her around, sitting on her lap, playing with her and mainly just loving being in her company.
He however, hardly bothered about her husband, happy to ignore him most of the time unless there was something specific he wanted from his human dad.
All that changed however when Nurul became pregnant with her first child. Fatboi, also called Peboi, suddenly started behaving differently, totally ignoring her from that point on.
No more kisses, no more I-love-yous. “No more waiting for me to come back from work, and no longer talking to me with his sweet meows and soft purrs,” Nurul says, remembering how much she missed him then.
Instead, Fatboi decided to make Nurul’s husband his best buddy.
Puzzled at this complete turnabout in his personality, Nurul did some research and was surprised to find out that Fatboi was actually jealous about having a newcomer join his family.
“I read that Fatboi was jealous of this new soul I was carrying in my belly,” Nurul said, clearly stunned at this revelation.
But being a loving cat by nature, Fatboi still loved Nurul and showed her so in his own feline way.
“Like he’ll be watching me from afar when I’m having morning sickness. He will also station himself at the door like a security guard if I’m sleeping alone because my husband’s still at work. He also sits outside the bathroom when I take my bath.”
She says Fatboi has slowly come to terms with her pregnancy and now that she’s almost due, her darling kitty is almost back to his normal loving self. “He’s let me kiss him again!”
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to lifestyle@freemalaysiatoday.com. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.
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Mars in the movies: Films inspired by the red planet
PARIS: From little green invaders to the loneliness of space exploration, Mars has always fed our cinematic imaginations.
As NASA’s Mars rover Perseverance goes forth, here’s a selection of films based on the red planet, on one of our nearest neighbours in space.
Total Recall
A science-fiction classic. Paul Verhoeven featured Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone in an adaptation of the short story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K Dick in 1990, and a remake starring Colin Farrell and Kate Beckinsale came out in 2012.
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
With Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone
Trailer of the 2012 remake:
Ad Astra
In 2019 Brad Pitt played NASA astronaut Roy McBride on a mission to Mars to find his father, played by Tommy Lee Jones, who’s been lost in space for 16 years.
The film was presented in official competition at the Venice Film Festival.
Directed by James Gray
With Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler
Trailer:
The Martian
Yet another success for Ridley Scott, this film saw Matt Damon play an astronaut left for dead on Mars after a mission turned to disaster.
Alone, he must find ways to survive on the uninhabitable planet. The feature won two Golden Globes, including one for Damon’s performance.
Directed by Ridley Scott
With Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristen Wiig
Trailer:
Mission to Mars
Brian De Palma’s film, released in 2000, portrayed a NASA team sent to the red planet for the first time in… 2020.
Upon their arrival, the astronauts experience a strange phenomenon that cuts off their communication with Earth. A new team is sent to save them.
Directed by Brian De Palma
With Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don Cheadle
Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1oG8BLRpDE&feature=youtu.be
Mars Attacks!
One of Tim Burton’s wackiest cult films. With a star-studded cast, this parody depicts the invasion of Earth by the little green men from Mars.
Although they are welcomed by the United States with open arms, it soon becomes clear that they plan to take over and exterminate the human population.
Directed by Tim Burton
With Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J Fox, Natalie Portman
Trailer:
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Florida hits record virus deaths as looming storm closes Covid test sites
MIAMI: Florida registered a record 253 coronavirus deaths on Thursday, setting a grim new high for the third day in a row as the state closes down some Covid-19 test centres due to a looming tropical storm.
The state’s daily toll has leapt over the last week, bringing the overall deaths to 6,586, according to the Florida department of health.
As the pandemic wreaks havoc, the state is readying for Tropical Storm Isaias, which is approaching with sustained winds of 95kph and stronger gusts.
The storm is expected to hit strike the southern US in the coming days, but forecasters are not sure yet how strong it will be at that point.
“There is a risk of impacts from winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges along portions of the US east coast, beginning this weekend in Florida,” the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said, adding that tropical storm or hurricane watches could soon issued.
Isaias has already hit Puerto Rico, unleashing flooding, toppling trees and knocking out power for thousands of people.
“If you are watching this, please, we need help!” begged a man in a video shared on social networks that showed him and others trapped on the roof of a car by rising flood waters.
No evacuations have been ordered yet in Florida, but authorities warned locals to begin preparing their homes and businesses for the possible onslaught of Isaias.
The storm comes as Florida has emerged as a major new epicentre of the US coronavirus battle. Its number of confirmed cases recently surpassed New York and is now second only to California, a state with twice as many people.
More than 460,000 people have been infected with the virus in Florida, which has a population of 21 million.
A quarter of all of Florida’s cases are in Miami.
Click here for our live update of the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia.
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Governments fight global obesity, a Covid-19 risk factor
LONDON: The British government recently woke up to the need for a more drastic health policy related to obesity, which affects 28.1% of the English population, introducing a new plan to fight this worrying epidemic.
The stakes are even higher now as research suggests obesity is an aggravating factor for Covid-19.
The UK government has issued a plan to fight obesity, an epidemic that may be quieter than Covid-19 but just as deadly.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has resisted public health campaigns until now, seems to have recognised the key role of the state in this battle.
The plan proposes measures already enacted in other countries, such as eliminating online and television advertising for junk food until after 9pm, when children are less likely to be watching, and more radical ideas such as preventing store promotions for junk food.
A big push for cycling and walking rounds out the proposal with the creation of new biking lanes and doctors’ recommendations for the most affected areas.
Obesity became a major public health issue during the early 2000s, with the first appearance of alarming statistics on obesity worldwide. Since then, several laws have been enacted around the world.
France
Major prevention campaigns include 2001’s Manger, bouger (Eat, move).
The government’s Nutriscore, a five-color informative logo, is mandatory on all prepackaged foods. In 2019 the fight against obesity became a national objective and ex-Prime Minister Edouard Phillipe’s plan projects a 15% reduction by 2023.
United States of America
When Michelle Obama made the matter a social and health emergency in 2010, the country started several initiatives, most notably requiring calorie information labels in fast food restaurants.
The Child Nutrition Act required banning snack food dispensers and fatty foods from schools, and recalibrating lunch menus towards healthier foods.
The Netherlands
The Centre for Nutrition was created to supply recipes and advice for healthier eating via a website and app.
Canada
The government restricted advertising for sodas and food marketed to children. This WHO-recommended measure is widely followed: Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, and Chile have also adopted it.
Mexico
Mexico has the highest obesity rate in the world, alongside Egypt, and has taken the most radical measure by imposing a tax on all foods exceeding a certain number of calories.
Japan
The country known for skinny citizens took drastic measures in 2008, when its obesity rate hadn’t even exceeded 3%. People are classified as overweight, or metabo, when their waist measurements exceed 85 cm for men and 90 cm for women.
They are required to seek counselling, change their lifestyles and are monitored by local authorities and their employers.
Chile
Chile enacted severe measures in 2016, when it required food products considered too sweet or too fatty to be duly labelled.
Most can no longer be sold in schools, and meals and candy can no longer be sold with a toy.
According to the latest figures from the WHO (2016), 13% of the worldwide population is obese.
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Tinggal baju saja
<p>“SAYA hanya tinggal baju yang dipakai ini saja,” kata Muhamad Muzakir Ehzan Zulkifli, 15, pelajar Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Masjid Lama di Kampung Lambor Kanan di sini, yang terbakar tengah malam semalam.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
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Car bomb kills at least 17 in Afghanistan ahead of Eid al-Adha
PULI ALAM: At least 17 people were killed in a car bomb explosion in Afghanistan on Thursday as crowds shopped ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, officials and a medic said.
“Seventeen bodies and 21 wounded people were brought to our hospital,” Sediqullah, a senior doctor at a hospital in the city of Puli Alam in Logar province, told AFP.
The interior ministry confirmed the blast, which came on the eve of a three-day ceasefire between the Taliban and Kabul.
“It was a suicide car bomb in a crowded place where our people were shopping for Eid al-Adha,” Dedar Lawang, spokesman for Logar’s governor, told AFP.
The explosion occurred near the governor’s office, said Jamshed Ahmad, a student at the site of the blast.
The interior ministry condemned the explosion.
“The terrorists have once again struck on the night of Eid al-Adha and killed a number of our countrymen,” interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the blast had “nothing to do” with the insurgents.
The extremist Islamic State group, which has claimed a string of high-profile attacks on civilians in recent years, did not immediately comment on Thursday’s blast.
The Taliban and Afghan government have agreed on a three-day ceasefire starting Friday, the first day of Eid.
The truce is slated to last for the duration of the festival, which marks the end of hajj.
The ceasefire has raised hopes of a permanent truce ahead of much-awaited peace talks between the two foes.
The talks were initially scheduled for March, but have been delayed amid a contentious prisoner exchange.
The prisoner swap was agreed in a deal between the Taliban and Washington signed in February but which excluded Kabul.
The deal stipulated that Kabul release 5,000 Taliban prisoners in return for 1,000 Afghan security personnel held captive by the insurgents.
On Thursday, the Taliban announced they had released another 82 government inmates, the last remaining batch of prisoners they had pledged to free.
“The process has been completed successfully … and a total of 1,005 prisoners have been released,” Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said on Twitter.
Afghan authorities have so far freed more than 4,400 Taliban prisoners, with further releases expected in the coming days.
On Tuesday, President Ashraf Ghani said peace talks with the Taliban could begin as early as next week, once the exchange is complete.
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Sambal Tumis Telur: Glorifying the simple egg
Sambal tumis, or cooked sambal, is a versatile and robust component of traditional Malaysian cooking.
It is the building block of many Malay and Nyonya dishes and marries well with a wide array of ingredients: seafood, tofu, eggs and vegetables.
Sambal adds layers of complex flavour to everyday ingredients. It brightens up a simple ingredient and adds zesty, piquant notes to the finished dish.
Sambal Tumis Telur is a quick and easy recipe but very pleasing to the taste buds.
Ingredients
- 4 hard boiled eggs
- 2-3 tablespoons sambal
Sambal Tumis
- 170 g fresh red chillies, seeded and cut into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon toasted belacan
- 110 g shallots
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar/palm sugar or to taste
- 4 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 onion, cut into rings
Method
- Prepare the sambal by grinding the chillies, shallots and toasted belacan in a mini food processor. Make sure the paste is well blended and smooth.
- Heat up a wok with oil and sauté the sambal paste and onion rings until aromatic, or when the oil separates from the sambal paste.
- Add the seasonings: salt, sugar/palm sugar and fish sauce and do a quick stir, dish out and set aside.
- To make Sambal Tumis Telur, place 2-3 tablespoons of sambal back into the wok with peeled hard-boiled eggs.
- Make sure the eggs are nicely coated with the sambal. Dish out and serve hot.
Tip : Deep-fry the hard-boiled eggs so the outer layer turns golden brown and crisp. This makes the Sambal Tumis Telur taste even finer because of the mouthfeel of the eggs.
This recipe first appeared in Rasa Malaysia
Low Bee Yinn is a food blogger and cookbook author.
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Tackling risk factors could stop 40% of dementia cases
LONDON: Up to 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed, according to a report published on Thursday calling for urgent action on risk factors from excessive drinking to air pollution.
The number of people around the world living with dementia is expected to soar from around 50 million today to over 150 million by 2050.
But experts in a commission for the journal The Lancet said that a range of policy actions could dramatically reduce or delay cases, in updated research based on analysis of a wide variety of international studies.
The report said a lack of education in childhood, midlife hearing loss and smoking in older age, accounted for 7%, 8% and 5% of dementia cases respectively.
It also identified three new risks – head injuries and excessive alcohol consumption in middle age and exposure to air pollution later in life – which together are associated with 6 percent of all cases.
“Our report shows that it is within the power of policy-makers and individuals to prevent and delay a significant proportion of dementia, with opportunities to make an impact at each stage of a person’s life,” said lead author Gill Livingston, of University College London.
Recommendations include healthy lifestyles, policies to tackle pollution and prevent head injuries in high risk occupations, as well as initiatives such as providing hearing aids.
Risk factors
Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or stroke, and can affect people’s memory, moods and their ability to perform daily tasks.
Beyond the challenges it poses to individuals and families, experts estimate its economic cost at about US$1 trillion every year.
The number of people living with dementia have surged as the global population expands and people live longer.
Some two-thirds of people with dementia are now living in low- and middle- income countries and the authors said tackling risk factors in these nations and among deprived communities in richer countries would have the greatest impact.
But co-author Adesola Ogunniyi, of the University of Ibadan in Nigeria called for more research in these societies, with nearly all the evidence for dementia currently from studies in high-income countries.
Other factors identified in the report were: Hypertension (2%) in mid-life, obesity in middle age (1%), depression (4%), social isolation (4%), physical inactivity (2%) and diabetes (1%).
Reacting to the study Tara Spires-Jones, of the UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, said it provided an important set of practical measures that people can take to reduce their risk of dementia.
But she noted that the study suggests 60 percent of cases “are to the best of our knowledge caused by things people cannot control like their genes – so I hope that this report will not lead to people feeling like having dementia is their ‘fault'”.
She also cautioned that the data used “does not prove causation”, adding there was evidence that brain changes in early dementia cause depression.
Last year a report by Glasgow University found that former footballers are approximately three-and-a-half times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases than the general population, focussing attention on the way players’ head injuries are treated.
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Air Jordan sneakers could sell for up to US$850,000
NEW YORK: Eleven pairs of Nike sneakers worn by NBA legend Michael Jordan are up for auction from Thursday, including a set that could smash the record for a sports shoe.
The highlight of the online sale is the Air Jordan 1 High that the NBA megastar wore during a 1985 exhibition match in Italy when he dunked the ball so hard it smashed the glass backboard into thousands of pieces.
A piece of glass is still lodged in the sole of the left shoe.
“It was an iconic moment in the history of sport,” said Caitlin Donovan, head of handbag and sneaker sales at Christie’s – which is organizing the auction with Stadium Goods.
The red, white and black sneakers, which are signed by Jordan, are estimated to sell for between US$650,000 and US$850,000.
If they match their lowest pre-sale estimate then they will break the all-time record price for a sports shoe, set by Sotheby’s in May when it sold a pair of Air Jordan sneakers for US$560,000,
Other pairs on offer in the auction, which runs until August 13, are the Nike Air Ship set that Jordan wore at the early part of his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls in 1984. They could fetch up to US$550,000.
The Air Jordan 7 Olympic that Jordan wore in the gold medal game against Croatia at the 1992 Barcelona Games, which the USA Dream Team won, are listed between US$50,000-US$70,000.
A pair of cleats that Jordan wore during his brief foray into Minor League Baseball in 1994 have a pre-sale high estimate of US$9,000.
Christie’s expects the sale to raise a total of US$2 million, highlighting the soaring market value of objects identified with the retired basketball superstar since the release of The Last Dance, an ESPN/Netflix documentary that chronicles the saga of Jordan and his Chicago Bulls.
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Clubbing youngsters becoming ‘amplifiers’ of Covid-19, says WHO
GENEVA: The World Health Organization on Thursday warned that spikes in coronavirus transmission in a number of countries were being driven by young people “letting down their guard”.
“Young people are not invincible,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual news conference in Geneva.
While the pandemic, which has killed nearly 670,000 and infected more than 17 million people worldwide, has disproportionately impacted the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions, he stressed that “younger people are at risk too”.
“Young people can be infected, young people can die, and young people can transmit the virus to others.”
Tedros lamented that a major challenge in trying to rein in the novel coronavirus was “convincing younger people of this risk”.
He pointed to evidence that “spikes of cases in some countries are being driven in part by younger people letting down their guard during the northern hemisphere summer”.
“Young people must take the same precautions to protect themselves and protect others as everyone else,” he insisted.
WHO’s technical lead for Covid-19 Maria van Kerkhove lamented in particular that nightclubs in a number of places had become “amplifiers” of transmission.
“We are asking for all people, including young people, to be your own risk manager” and avoid behaviours that could easily increase transmission of the disease.
Long term impacts
Michael Ryan, WHO’s emergencies director, also stressed that very little is still known about the long term effects of even mild Covid-19 infections.
“This disease while it may be mild, it may be moderate, it can affect many organs,” he told Thursday’s briefing.
“We just don’t know what the long-term impact of those infections will be,” he said, pointing to a study in Germany following Covid-19 patients who were never admitted to hospital, which hinted the long-term impacts could be serious.
MRI scans of their hearts had found shown “profound changes, inflammatory changes in the cardiac linings of the heart and the cardiac muscles”, he said.
While those issues will likely pass for most patients once the virus is out of their system, he warned that “inflammatory responses can also in themselves do damage and they can do long-term damage”.
“Any inflammatory process in the cardiovascular system can lead to longer term heart disease and can actually accelerate other chronic heart conditions that may develop much later in life,” he pointed out.
“We just don’t know … why take the risk?”
Young people, he warned, should of course try to rein in transmission as an altruistic act to avoid spreading the virus to more vulnerable groups, he said, but they should also do so out of consideration for their own health.
“Play it safe,” he said.
“Use your brain … don’t take a risk that you cannot quantify.”
Click here for our live update of the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia.
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Jorja Smith shares new politically-themed single
LOS ANGELES: Co-written and produced by Ezrah Roberts-Grey, By Any Means is the first track out from Roc Nation’s upcoming compilation of social justice-themed tracks.
“I take pride in the things that we’ve done/ Side by side in the revolution,” sings Smith. “Won’t stay silent for things that I love.”
On the inspiration for the song, the British singer said in a statement that “[It] really came from going to the Black Lives Matter protest and leaving thinking, what can I do to keep this conversation going? It’s not just a post on social media, it’s life.”
None of the other artists on the Roc Nation album have been revealed yet.
A portion of the proceeds will go towards organisations that support victims of police misconduct, hate crimes and other civil rights violations, and work to end child incarceration and racial inequities in the US justice system.
Smith released her debut album Lost & Found in 2018.
Last year, she teamed up with Burna Boy for Be Honest, and in 2020 contributed a song titled Kiss Me In The Morning to La La Land director Damien Chazelle’s new Netflix series The Eddy.
She also recently shared a cover of St. Germain’s Rose Rouge for the forthcoming Blue Note Re:imagined compilation.
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MTUC calls for automatic extension of loan moratorium
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has welcomed the extension of the moratorium on loan repayments for individuals and SMEs but urged the government to make the extension automatic for those in the B40 and M40 groups.
They should not have to apply for the extension, said MTUC secretary-general J Solomon.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had earlier announced that the moratorium would be extended by another three months for certain groups, especially those who lost their jobs this year.
After three months, the moratorium for retrenched workers may be extended further by the banks.
Muhyiddin said those who were eligible could contact their banks from Aug 7 to apply for the extension.
Speaking to FMT, Solomon said those affected badly by the pandemic should not be compelled to apply for the moratorium, calling the process a “bureaucratic hassle” and an “unnecessary burden”.
“The government should instead automatically extend the moratorium by at least six months for all B40 and M40 families, irrespective of their employment status,” he said.
“Those who are working but forced to take pay cuts are in as much need of the moratorium as those who are jobless.”
He said these borrowers should not be left at the mercy of the banks “because banks are known to be over-stringent with their requirements, especially in documentation”.
“It is MTUC’s belief that the application process will see many deserving B40 and M40 applicants failing to getting the moratorium extended.”
He said the government had shown, through the Prihatin aid, that it had no trouble adopting the targeted assistance method.
“Therefore, an automatic loan freeze should be easily arranged.
“The Inland Revenue Board and other government agencies have a comprehensive database on B40 and M40 families. Banks can use this database to approve an automatic six-month extension of the moratorium to the targeted groups.”
Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Shamsuddin Bardan had a similar reaction to Muhyiddin’s announcement. He told FMT borrowers would face a challenge in justifying to the banks their need for the extension.
“The conditions imposed are restrictive and not helpful to individual borrowers,” he said.
He said those forced to take pay cuts were greatly affected and deserved to get the moratorium.
“Before the movement control order, overtime allowance made up more than 30% of an employee’s income,” he said. “But right now allowances are practically non-existent.”
He said many borrowers might not be able to service their loans after the freeze. “Legal action will be taken and borrowers may even be declared bankrupt.”
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Najib harus berkorban demi BN selepas sabitan kes rasuah, kata penganalisis
PETALING JAYA: Seorang penganalisis politik berkata, Najib Razak harus berkorban demi Barisan Nasional dengan tidak menawarkan dirinya bertanding pada pilihan raya untuk kelangsungan gabungan pelbagai kaum itu.
Noor Sulastry Yurni Ahmad dari Universiti Utara Malaysia berkata, ahli Parlimen Pekan itu disabitkan bersalah atas pertuduhan rasuah yang menjejaskan reputasinya sebagai ahli politik berpengaruh di mata rakyat.
“Saya meneliti perjalanan politik turun naik BN, Umno dan Najib khususnya, saya nasihatkan jangan bertanding lagi, cukuplah sumbangan beliau kepada negara, bagi peluang kepada orang lain yang rekodnya lebih bersih.
“Memang betullah ada kata mungkin selepas ini jika Najib merayu, tiba-tiba terbukti tidak bersalah pula, yang pada pendapat saya agak susah,” katanya kepada FMT.
Selasa lalu, Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur menjatuhkan hukuman penjara 12 tahun dan denda RM210 juta terhadap Najib yang didapati bersalah atas 7 pertuduhan pecah amanah, penyalahgunaan kuasa dan pengubahan wang haram membabitkan RM42 juta dana SRC International.
Mahkamah membenarkan hukuman itu ditangguhkan sementara Najib membuat rayuan di Mahkamah Rayuan.
Bagaimanapun, Sulastry berkata, harus diingatkan apabila hukuman dijatuhkan, tertuduh sudah didapati bersalah.
“Beliau tidak boleh kata tidak bersalah sebab hukuman sudah dijatuhkan. Namun, dari segi rayuan, pesalah boleh minta untuk kurangkan denda atau hukuman.”
Beliau berkata, rakyat tentu tidak mahu pisang berbuah 2 kali.
“Mungkin Najib berniat baik macam Dr Mahathir Mohamad sebelum ini hendak tolong negara, tetapi apa kesudahannya?
“Kita tidak mahu jadi macam itu lagi. Jika beliau hendak bantu, bolehlah beri tunjuk ajar kepada orang dalam parti untuk naik. Itu saya kira lebih selamat.”
Beliau turut menasihatkan veteran politik tidak kira daripada Umno, BN, PPBM atau Pakatan Harapan (PH) yang terpalit kes pecah amanah atau terlalu lama dalam sistem pentadbiran negara supaya berhenti berbuat demikian.
“Anggota pentadbiran termasuk jemaah menteri yang ditonjolkan Perikatan Nasional (PN) pada masa kini dilihat sudah cukup bagus dengan mengabungkan ahli korporat, tokoh ilmuan dan agama.
“Tetapi, masih ada muka lama yang didakwa mempunyai kes (pecah amanah), namun belum dibongkar dan dilantik sebagai menteri, imej sebegini sedikit sebanyak memberi isyarat kepada pengundi.
“Ia menggambarkan politik di negara kita belum telus dan bersih sepenuhnya.”
Susulan sabitan ke atas Najib, bekas ketua Pemuda Umno, Khairy Jamaluddin menggesa parti itu melakukan proses rejuvenasi dan berharap Umno tidak diheret sekali dalam kes berkenaan.
“Walaupun beliau masih ada ruang merayu, ini adalah suatu keputusan yang memberi kesan besar kepada Umno. Saya yakin ahli Umno akan terus setia kepada parti melebihi kesetiaan kita kepada mana-mana individu dalam parti.
“Tibalah masa untuk kita bina semula parti keramat Umno ini dan untuk kita melihat suatu peralihan generasi kepimpinan yang bakal membawa parti ke era baru,” tulis ahli Parlimen Rembau itu di blognya.
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Phthalates could disrupt sleep of certain women
PARIS: A new American study suggests a link between exposure to phthalates, endocrine disruptors found in certain plastics, and sleep disorders in perimenopausal and premenopausal women.
Plastic has become omnipresent in our daily lives since its invention only seven decades ago.
Today this omnipresence is being called into question, especially those plastics which are increasingly considered toxic to the environment and our health, such as phthalates, plastic materials derived from phthalic acid, which have been identified as endocrine disruptors.
They are found in plastic toys as well as food packaging and cosmetic products.
New research published in the journal Menopause indicates a possible connection between exposure to phthalates and sleep disorders in premenopausal women.
The study was carried out with data from the Midlife Women’s Health Study. The sleep quality of 760 premenopausal and perimenopausal women was compared with phthalate levels in the participants’ bodies as measured in urine samples.
The sudden drop in hormone levels which occurs at the early stages of menopause is associated with numerous symptoms.
While the most commonly known are hot flashes and night sweats, sleep disturbances are also quite frequent.
The impact of exposure to endocrine disruptors, however, is an area which is largely unknown, but might help us understand why sleep disturbances become increasingly prevalent in women over 50, according to the authors of the study.
Their results suggest that the frequency of sleep disturbances is associated with the concentration of urinary phthalates.
This connection requires further research for confirmation, as other elements may be potential factors, such as subjects’ tobacco use.
“This study raises concerns and additional questions about a possible contribution of phthalates to sleep disturbances in premenopausal and perimenopausal women.
Additional research into these endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their interactions with hormones, sleep, and mood in midlife women is needed,” said Dr Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director.
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The Islamic Arts Museum: Possibly Malaysia’s best
KUALA LUMPUR: Museums don’t attract much public attention nowadays, with most Malaysians expecting them to be old, unattractive structures with dusty, uninteresting exhibits that have seen better days.
However, there are some museums that are anything but boring, and are in fact nothing less than world-class bastions of history and culture.
The Islamic Arts Museum, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, is evidence of this. Despite being opened back in 1998, it’s still very much a modern, state-of-the-art facility.
Located just opposite the National Mosque and a stone’s throw away from the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, the museum appears deceivingly small.
However, this museum is home to some 12,000 artefacts not only from Malaysia and the surrounding region but also from all over the Islamic world.
Most of these artefacts are on display courtesy of the Albukhary Foundation which also is responsible for the daily operations of this non-profit institution.
Not to mention, these exhibits also contain information presented both in Bahasa Malaysia and English, so no one is left in the dark about its historical importance.
With how hot and stifling Malaysian afternoons can be, visitors can find some respite from the heat in the museum, which is bright, cool and strangely inviting.
Locals are charged a reasonable RM14, with seniors, students and adolescents paying half that price while children below six enjoy free admission.
Groups of ten and above are also eligible to receive a guided tour in either Bahasa Malaysia or English if requested.
Upon taking the elevator up to the first floor, visitors will be treated to the first gallery which houses an unbelievable number of photography opportunities.
This first gallery is the Architecture Gallery which features beautiful dioramas of famous mosques and mausoleums from all over the world.
These scale-sized models include the holiest sites of Islam, the Great Mosque of Mecca and The Prophet’s Mosque, as well as the world-famous Taj Mahal.
Students of architecture are likely to enjoy themselves to the fullest in this gallery, which will undoubtedly give them valuable insights into Islamic architecture.
Adjacent to the Architecture Gallery is the Quran & Manuscript Gallery, home to books and papers that date back centuries, or even a millennium.
Even if one cannot read Arabic, one cannot help but be wowed by the beautiful calligraphy used to fill the ancient pages.
The gallery is also home to the largest Quran in terms of size, inscribed on a long saffron cloth, as well as an authentic kiswah, the cloth used to cover the Kaaba in Mecca.
The next three galleries are dedicated to exhibiting Muslim culture in India, China and the Malay world respectively.
Whilst the Indian section has beautifully-crafted silverware and weapons on display, its Chinese counterpart takes pride in its mix of unique Chinese Muslim calligraphy and porcelain.
The Malay World Gallery on the other hand displays just how Islam influenced Malay culture in all cultural aspects, including clothing, warfare, trade and architecture.
Moving upstairs, you will be surprised to find seven more galleries with beautiful exhibits awaiting your attention.
Entering the Jewellery Gallery, your eyes will glitter soon enough at the luxurious wealth before you, with exquisite jewellery from all over the Islamic world.
It will be hard to hold back the “oohs” and “ahs” as you take in the exquisite beauty of these pieces.
The Textile Gallery is no less fascinating, with unique costumes and fittings decorated with patterns and colours that you will almost want to bring back home to hang on your wall.
Visitors will also have an insight into the ordinary home of Muslim civilisations in the Living with Wood Gallery, which has stunning furniture exhibits.
Military buffs will love the Arms & Armour Gallery, which boasts a rare and impressive collection of weapons and armour.
From the Mughal daggers to Persian lances, from Malay keris to Ottoman muskets, this gallery is a testament to the military might of historical Muslim empires.
Next to it is the Coin & Seal Gallery which stores an array of coins from past Muslim civilisations, many of which are still emblazoned with the seals of the ruling sultans of the time.
The Metalwork Gallery on the other hand reveals the intricacy of Islamic metalwork, with beautiful brass and bronze pieces populating the section.
Last but not least is the Ceramics Gallery with its stunning selection of pots, tiles, tableware and vases, with designs that continue to have influence even today.
While these 12 galleries are permanent, the museum also plays host to the occasional seasonal exhibition in its special galleries.
Currently, the theme of the exhibition is “An Introduction to Islamic Calligraphy” which explores how calligraphic works have evolved over the centuries.
Lovers of modern art should spend some time here to appreciate modern renditions of traditional Islamic calligraphy, now portrayed in an abstract and artistic manner.
The Islamic Art Museum is truly a museum for all – it is wheelchair-accessible and has an Education Department and Scholar’s Library dedicated to educating students.
In addition, foodies can find themselves at home in the Museum Restaurant, which serves a large array of mouth-watering Middle Eastern dishes.
With so many long weekends in the month of August, why not spend one day to explore what this underrated museum has to offer?
In any case, the Islamic Arts Museum is certainly a place worth visiting to walk away with a better understanding of Islamic culture.
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Mencari pahala jarak jauh
<p>“BIARPUN Covid-19 melanda, saya tidak ‘menang tangan’ memenuhi permintaan ramai umat Islam tempatan yang mahu melaksanakan ibadah korban di luar negara. Setakat ini, sudah 200 ekor lembu ditempah dan bakal dikorbankan esok (hari ini) selain 90 ekor kambing,” ujar pensyarah Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) Dr Rahmat Abdullah.</p> © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
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Thursday 30 July 2020
Shafie lebih rela bebas dari bersama PH, jadi kenapa paksa, kata Pemuda PKR
PETALING JAYA: Pemuda PKR Sabah membidas dakwaan parti itu mengkhianati “kerajaan PH Plus” di Sabah, meminta pengkritik jangan memaksa mereka menyokong Presiden Warisan Shafie Apdal yang didakwa “lebih rela bebas” daripada bersama Pakatan Harapan.
Ketua Penerangan Razeef Rakimin mendedahkan majoriti akar umbi PKR Sabah menyokong tindakan Naib Pengerusi Negeri Kenny Chua menarik balik sokongan kepada “kerajaan Warisan”.
“Jika kerajaan Sabah kerajaan PH Plus, Shafie tidak akan menolak Amanah di Sabah sehingga Amanah dilihat seolah mengemis,” katanya dalam kenyataan.
“Hakikatnya Shafie tidak mahu pun Amanah di Sabah.”
Razeef seterusnya mendakwa Shafie bukan sahaja menolak calon perdana menteri dari PKR dan PH, malah beliau tidak ingin bersama gabungan itu dan lebih rela berada di blok bebas.
“Maka kenapa kita perlu dipaksa untuk menyokong Warisan?”
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All eyes on Istana Negeri as Shafie seen leaving Sabah state palace at 9am (VIDEO)
KOTA KINABALU, July 30 ― All eyes are on Istana Negeri here, the official residence of Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, following the latest political situation in the state.
This follows former Sabah chief minister Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman at a press conference here yesterday claiming that he had secured a simple majority to form a new state government in a coalition involving several parties.
At 8.20am, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal was seen entering Istana Negeri in a convoy of cars.
The convoy was then seen leaving Istana Negeri at about 9am.
[#PolitikSabah] Kenderaan yang membawa Ketua Menteri Sabah Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal dilihat keluar dari pintu Istana Negeri pada jam 9 pagi. pic.twitter.com/HTlhzXCOb8
— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) July 30, 2020
Security was extremely tight at the entrances to Istana Negeri and reporters were not allowed to get near.
Mohd Shafie is scheduled to hold a press conference at 10am today at the State Government Administrative Centre here.
Musa, at his press conference, had stated that he would be having an audience with Tun Juhar soon to hand over statutory declarations from the assemblymen who are backing him. ― Bernama
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Bangladeshi civil society coalition demands Rayhan Kabir’s release in Dhaka protest
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 ― A group of Bangladeshi civil society organisations yesterday demanded for the immediate release of Md Rayhan Kabir, who was arrested by Malaysian police after appearing in an Al Jazeera documentary.
The group held a joint ‘human chain rally’ in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka and subsequently submitted a memorandum to Bangladesh Foreign Minister demanding for Rayhan’s release while urging their government to look into the discriminatory treatment of migrant workers in Malaysia.
The protest led by Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra (BNSK) and Bangladesh Labour Rights Forum was joined by 64 human rights group in support of all migrant workers subjected to all sorts of repression and harassment.
BNSK executive director Sumaiya Islam in a statement said that the group wants the Bangladesh government to help look into the release of Rahyan and to stop all harassment against migrant workers through strong government initiatives.
“We urge the government to ensure dignity, justice, security, freedom of speech, stop harassment, torture, exploitation and establish human rights for migrant workers at the country of destination and country of origin.
“Rayhan has been arrested by the Malaysian government for giving an interview to Al Jazeera Television on the harassment and torture against migrant workers.
“Due to his statement, his work permit has been barred and he has been jailed which is absolutely against International Human Rights convention Laws UN Convention 1990,” she said.
Yesterday afternoon, lawyers representing Rayhan Kabir said that their client has expressed his willingness to be deported to his home country and even apologised for the statement he made.
C. Selvaraja and Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna said they have met with Rayhan after being granted permission by the Malaysian Immigration Department.
Selvaraja said Rayhan had no intention to accuse the authorities and apologised for his statement in the interview with Al Jazeera, which was made since he was emotional after seeing his friends detained in raids against undocumented migrants in May.
In the 25-minute and 50-second video produced by Al Jazeera’s 101 East team, he had accused the authorities of racism against undocumented migrants, claiming that being an undocumented migrant in Malaysia is not a crime.
Rayhan’s work permit has since been revoked and the Immigration Department said yesterday that he will be deported and blacklisted from entering Malaysia forever.
Rayhan was arrested by Immigration officers last Friday in Setapak following a two-week manhunt.
Police are investigating Al Jazeera for sedition among several other Malaysian laws.
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US coronavirus deaths top 150,000 as economy suffers further
NEW YORK: An accelerating coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday worsened the US economic outlook and prompted Miami to decide students should not return to schools as deaths nationally topped 150,000, more than in any other country, according to a Reuters tally.
The increase of 10,000 deaths over the last 11 days is the fastest in the US since early June, prompting heated debates between the American public and its leaders over the best course forward.
Commercial pilot Rob Koreman of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said he had been stunned by the climbing numbers.
“I’m a pilot and hit so many cities, so many people on board, I have to be aware,” said Koreman, 50. “Basically, none of this should have happened. We needed state coordination, if not flat-out a federal mandate.”
Florida, an epicentre of the pandemic in recent weeks, reported another record in one-day deaths on Wednesday, 217, according to state health officials.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools, among the largest school system in the nation, announced on Wednesday that students would start the fall term remotely, rather than with in-person learning.
“In light of viral surge in our community, it’s in the best interest of students and employees to commence the 20-21 school year at a distance,” the system said on Twitter. The school year is set to start Aug 31.
The Miami Herald newspaper reported that the school district will decide in late September if classes can resume Oct 5.
With the scheduled reopening of schools days away in some states, US President Donald Trump has pushed for students to return to class while teacher unions and local officials have called for them to stay home.
New economic damage
The pace of coronavirus infections has accelerated since late May and the epicentre has moved to the South and West from New York, which still has by far the highest number of fatalities of any US state at more than 32,000.
Arkansas, California, Florida, Montana, Oregon and Texas each reported record spikes in fatalities on Tuesday.
The surge has hampered efforts to recover from an economic crisis brought on by stay-at-home orders and business closures that have devastated the economy and thrown millions of Americans out of work.
“We have seen some signs in recent weeks that the increase in virus cases and the renewed measures to control it are starting to weigh on economic activity,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said at a news conference following release of the US central bank’s latest policy statement.
Many health experts say the US outbreak could be brought under greater control if guidelines to maintain social distancing and wear masks in public were enforced nationwide.
Trump has rejected the idea of a federal mask order and was initially reluctant to be seen wearing one. Trump has since come around to supporting masks but has not imposed a national mandate.
Louie Gohmert, a Republican lawmaker from Texas who has at times refused to wear a mask, tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, raising concerns that other members of Congress may also have been exposed.
Officials in New Jersey, the state with the second-highest death toll, again pleaded with young people to avoid large gatherings.
“Coronavirus is more easily transmitted indoors. Crowded indoor house parties are not smart or safe,” Governor Phil Murphy wrote on Twitter.
The University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicted in March that the pandemic could kill more than 81,000 people by July.
In its latest statement on July 14, the IHME said its model now projects the US death toll at more than 224,000 by Nov 1, although the institute added that many fatalities could be avoided by preventative measures such as masks and social distancing.
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