Proton launches R3 Suprima S sports car

Proton launches R3 Suprima S sports car


Proton launches R3 Suprima S sports car

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 04:57 PM PST

KUALA TERENGGANU, Feb 8 ― Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) today unveiled its latest sports car, Proton R3 Suprima S.

Proton deputy CEO Datuk Lukman Ibrahim said Proton’s latest racing machine would debut through its Proton R3 team in the Malaysia Super Series (MSS) 2014 championship to be held on March 28 at the Sepang International Circuit.

“Since the MSS was introduced in 2011, Team Proton R3 has been performing excellently and was crowned the champion for three consecutive times.

“Proton’s continuous participation in motorsports is significant to the high technology development for cars produced by Proton,” he told reporters while introducing the Proton R3 Suprima S at the Proton carnival at Taman Awam Batu Burok here today. ― Bernama

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H.K. hotel brews storm in a teacup with promotion for men

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 04:39 PM PST

A woman walks out of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hong Kong. — Afp-Relaxnews picA woman walks out of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hong Kong. â€" Afp-Relaxnews picHONG KONG, Feb 8 â€" Hong Kong’s Mandarin Oriental hotel stirred up ridicule today with an afternoon-tea promotion for men based on pork pies and beef rather than dainty snacks “normally preserved for women”.

The five-star hotel denied that its marketing campaign for the “Gentlemen’s Power Snack” and “Gentlemen’s Power Afternoon Tea” was sexist, but a women’s rights group heaped scorn on the language used in a press release.

“The afternoon-tea ritual with delicate sandwiches and warm scones is one that is normally preserved for women,” the Mandarin’s release said.

From March, however, “distinguished men will be able to meet and relax, or secure business deals over two different afternoon teas...which have been created especially for them”, it said.

“It is quite silly, as a marketing strategy, to single out certain food and beverage outlets and meals as more suitable to one sex than the other,” Annie Chan, chairwoman of the Association for the Advancement of Feminism, told AFP.

She called the connection drawn between scones and women as “laugh-out-loud funny”.

“To market bars, roast beef and pork pies as more suited to men is just as ridiculous.”

The afternoon tea for gentlemen includes pies, Yorkshire puddings and cigar-shaped chocolates, accompanied by beer or whisky and served in “masculine” settings featuring “leather booths and dark-wood furniture”, the hotel statement said.

“There’s absolutely no way that we’re trying to alienate any group to any area within the hotel,” Mandarin Oriental director of communications Nina Colls told AFP.

“It was created with men in mind (but) both male and female can most certainly enjoy the afternoon tea,” she said.

The Mandarin Oriental, built in 1963 when Hong Kong was a British colony, is located in the heart of the city’s financial district, near the Victoria Harbour.

Its amenities include a traditional men’s barber and the Captain’s Bar, a well-known haunt of power-lunching businessmen. â€" Afp-Relaxnews

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Bolt won’t decide on Glasgow until June

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 04:37 PM PST

World record-holder Usain Bolt has won six Olympic gold medals and eight world titles. ― File picWorld record-holder Usain Bolt has won six Olympic gold medals and eight world titles. ― File picKINGSTON, Feb 8 ― World record-holder Usain Bolt will not decide until the Jamaican championships in June whether or not he will compete in the Commonwealth Games a month later, his coach Glen Mills said.

The Kingston meet from June 19 to 22 will determine the athletics squad for the Commonwealth showdown in Glasgow, Scotland, where the athletics events will be staged from July 27-August 2.

“It’s on the table,” Mills said of the Commonwealth Games. “We will know at the Jamaica Trials, if he runs, then he will be going to the Commonwealth Games.”

Bolt could open his 2014 season with a relay leg at the Gibson Relays in Kingston on February 22 or the UTech Classic in Kingston on April 12.

Jamaican fans hoped Bolt would have opened his season at the Camperdown Classic today in Kingston but Mills said Bolt would not compete at that meet.

“He has had a long and arduous past three seasons,” Mills said. “He will make his entrance at a later date.”

Bolt, 27, has won six Olympic gold medals and eight world titles.

He swept Olympic gold in the 100m and 200m and 4x100m relay at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics, took the same three world crowns at 2009 in Berlin and last year in Moscow and won 200m and relay crowns at Daegu, South Korea, in 2011.

Bolt set the 100m world record of 9.58 seconds and the 200m record of 19.19 at the 2009 worlds in Berlin. ― AFP

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Chase these squares!

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 04:36 PM PST

Silhouette (@mr_darcy). Pictures by Joey Mah, Koyuki Inagaki and Sean Jesudasan.Silhouette (@mr_darcy). Pictures by Joey Mah, Koyuki Inagaki and Sean Jesudasan.KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 -- These days, it’s hard to ignore (or, indeed, avoid) these square-shaped pictures capturing the minutiae of everyday lives via our smartphones. Yes, Instagram is here to stay.

But beyond the immediacy and self-gratifying appeal of the mobile app, can these profusion of images be considered art? These moments that are captured and endlessly shared -â€" are they timely and timeless, or merely a waste of time?

Marketed as the first mobile photography exhibition in Malaysia, Chasing Squares may provide some answers. The exhibition will offer different points of view of “what we chase in life” by seven Instagram photographers (more commonly known as “Instagrammers”).

Curated by award-winning international wedding photographer Zung (www.THEPHOTOZ.com), the month-long exhibition unveils on February 18 at D6 Sentul East, Kuala Lumpur.
In this first part of two articles, we chat with specialty coffee purveyor Joey Mah (@mr_darcy), graphic designer Koyuki Inagaki (@koyoox) and writer Sean Jesudasan (@seanjesudasan).

Jump! (@mr_darcy) (left). Woman’s back (@mr_darcy) (right)Jump! (@mr_darcy) (left). Woman’s back (@mr_darcy) (right)

Joey Mah (@mr_darcy)

How do you choose which pictures to post?

I usually post when I want to, not when I have to. I like my pictures to tell stories and to connect.

What’s the favourite picture you’ve taken?

It has to be tomorrow’s picture. Clichéd, I know.

Do you only follow your friends on Instagram, or have you met other people through the app?

Tricky question as I don’t follow most of my friends as I don’t link my Facebook account with my Instagram account. So, generally people don’t really know I use Instagram.

I have met people through Instagram and some have become close friends. I also met Joe Chia, one of my Thisappear (a pop-shop in Bangsar) partners, via Instagram before I got to know him in person.

Did I mention I am in a relationship with an Instagrammer as well? Yes, we met on Instagram and dated for about a year before we got together!

How did this Chasing Squares Instagram community come about?

It happened when fellow Instagrammers @mnf_,
@tangerine_yin and I met up for coffee. We decided that we should hold an Instagram exhibition and dig out all the good Instagrammers in Malaysia. And now, we are doing it.

Has Instagram changed how you view the world around you?

Yes, it has given me a lot of reason to travel and to meet people. To connect. To share not only what we like, but also what we see and what we love. I am always inspired by people on Instagram such as
@jasonmpeterson and @alice_gao. Very different but both so good.

What do you hope to achieve with Chasing Squares?

We would like to show others what a mobile camera can do, as well as the community we are building and promoting.

Woman and branches (@koyoox) (left). Wall of calligraphy (@koyoox) (right)Woman and branches (@koyoox) (left). Wall of calligraphy (@koyoox) (right)

Koyuki Inagaki (@koyoox)

Why do you use Instagram?

I started it hoping to network with graphic designers across the globe. I knew that a lot of designers are active on Instagram, after hearing from my boyfriend who’s been on Instagram for years. Since then it has constantly been bringing me creative inspiration and motivation.

What is your Instagram style?

I do not try to consciously stick to a style. Sometimes I wish my feed had a defined colour palette or theme, but Instagram for me is a space to have fun exercising different compositions and experiments. I hope my pictures reflect that.

What do you use?

The photos on my Instagram are taken using iPhone, except for the first few images I started with. The apps I often use are Snapseed, VSCOCam, Blender and Retouch.

Why Chasing Squares?

We got together to spread the message that gadgets do not limit creativity.

Some argue apps like Instagram keep us from living in the moment. Your thoughts?

I guess if they really wanted to live in the moment, they would keep their phones away.
Has Instagram changed how you view the world around you?
Definitely! In my head I’m always framing the scenes around me in squares. I am extra happy when I get a good shot, and I can’t wait to share it.

What do you hope to achieve with Chasing Squares?

I wish the understanding of mobile photography to be widespread as an art form. The results I see from these mobile devices are often very genuine, spontaneous and honest expressions of creativity that have a unique appeal.

Walking up the stairs (@seanjesudasan) (left). Empty airport trailers (@seanjesudasan) (right)Walking up the stairs (@seanjesudasan) (left). Empty airport trailers (@seanjesudasan) (right)

Sean Jesudasan (@seanjesudasan)

Why do you use Instagram?

I use Instagram because it is a simple way to express myself instantaneously.

What is your Instagram style?

I experiment with different styles on Instagram. It’s a beautiful app that affords you that freedom and flexibility.

Do you only follow your friends on Instagram, or have you met other people through the app?

It’s a good mixture of old and new friends. It is interesting to see how Instagram connect people geographically. For an app that is globally reaching, it has communities that are very local.

Some argue apps like Instagram keeps us from living in the moment. Your thoughts?

It’s unfair to say an app takes us away from the real world. I think it’s the combination of an over-reliance on our smartphones and a disdain for actual interaction that keeps us from living in the moment. People are learning to put the phone down when it’s necessary, so there’s hope yet.

What do you hope to achieve with Chasing Squares?

I hope that we are able to encourage people to start expressing themselves in their own way. I also hope that the photography community in Malaysia will grow and learn from each other.

Chasing Squares at D6 Sentul East
Featuring shots by Instagrammers @mr_darcy, @trishates, @mnf_, @seanjesudasan, @tangerine_yin, @lydia522 and @koyoox.
Open 11am-6pm.
http://instagram.com/chasingsquares
https://www.facebook.com/chasingsquares

This story was first published in Crave in the print edition of The Malay Mail on February 7, 2014

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Get your own oyster sampler… for that fabulous taste of the oceans!

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 04:36 PM PST

Southern Rock Seafood Loges Kessarivan and Josh Green with their fresh oyster spread. – Pictures by Saw Siow FengSouthern Rock Seafood Loges Kessarivan and Josh Green with their fresh oyster spread. â€" Pictures by Saw Siow FengKUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 ― Eating a freshly-shucked raw oyster is an experience one never forgets. As you tilt the shell, slurp down the oyster with its juices and taste the essence of the sea, you understand why the novelist Tom Robbins likens it to “French-kissing a mermaid.”

Oysters have long been considered by many as an aphrodisiac. Back in the ancient Roman days, it was prescribed as a cure for impotence.

There are hushed whispers that Casanova, the famous Lothario, used to consume 50 oysters a day. Despite its legendary prowess, science has been unable to prove these romantic claims. Maybe one should just trust the tongue, since it’s the sensuous taste that makes it truly unique and perfect for any celebration.

For the full enjoyment of “live” oysters, it needs to be as fresh as possible. Southern Rock Seafood brings in top quality seafood including these highly sought after oysters. These bi-valves are sourced from Ireland, Holland, Australia and France and flown in every Thursday.

The family-owned business run by Southern Rock Seafood Director Josh Green practises a philosophy of sourcing directly from the fishermen and oystermen. They build relationships with their suppliers like Edward Gallagher from Ireland or Matthisjs Veerman from Holland.

In November 2012, the exporter moved into the restaurant scene with Shucked touted as the first oyster and seafood bar in Kuala Lumpur. The countertop dining space is located within Ben’s Indepedent Grocer in Publika. Plans to open another outlet in The Gardens, Mid Valley is also underway. The new outlet will be located in front of Ippudo and expected to open by this May.

In a recent tasting at the seafood specialist, we discovered a variety of fresh oysters including some that are making their first appearance on our shores, like the Triploids and Umami No. 3.

Each of these ocean treasures has a story to tell. As oysters feed by filtering water through their system, their flavour is a reflection of their surroundings ― minerals, salinity of the water and even the type of algae they eat.

The larger Gallagher Specials are a product of Edward Gallagher’s farm in Donegal, Ireland (left). The plump Irish Premium oysters are their bestseller (right)The larger Gallagher Specials are a product of Edward Gallagher’s farm in Donegal, Ireland (left). The plump Irish Premium oysters are their bestseller (right)Salt is the primary flavour of oysters. A fully saline oyster has a briny taste, while oysters with low salinity have a flat and almost buttery taste. Tasting oysters is like tasting fine wine; you sniff, taste and chew to discover their flavours.

When you get a freshly shucked oyster, breathe in its aroma and then chew on the oyster to allow the flavours to come through. As you chew and swallow the oyster, the flavours will unfurl on your tongue.

Usually you first taste its sweetness, followed by the taste of its terroir or where it was grown. Even its aftertaste makes a lasting impression and some claim you get the lingering taste of Grand Cru champagne when you taste varieties like the Tsarkaya.

According to Southern Rock Seafood General Manager Loges Kessarivan, their bestseller is the Irish Premium oyster â€" a full plump oyster with a lovely sweet finish. These oysters come from Edward Gallagher’s farm in Donegal located on the northwest coast of Ireland.

The Irish ones hold a special connection for Josh. His wife Lorien Holland’s grandmother lives around the region and last August, Josh visited Gallagher’s farm at the beautiful Traghenna Bay. The oyster beds are fed with fresh water that flows through the peats that lend a slightly charred smoky taste to the molluscs.

Since the water is pristine, the oysters also have a nice clean aftertaste with less salt. The farm also produces the Gallagher Specials that have a refreshing cucumber lettuce taste and juicy texture. Size also matters when it comes to oysters. While large plump oysters are favoured by many, this means a few of these bi-valves is enough to fill you up. Sometimes, smaller is better like the Irish Nuggets, also produced at Gallagher’s farm that lets you taste more varieties.

Order your oysters from Southern Rock Seafood and they’ll shuck them for free (left). Oysters are best eaten freshly shucked (right)Order your oysters from Southern Rock Seafood and they’ll shuck them for free (left). Oysters are best eaten freshly shucked (right)It’s interesting to learn that Holland also produces oysters like the silky-tasting Dutch Creuses with fruity flavours like apples and avocados. Even the highly sought-after Belon Native is farmed from Holland.

During the tasting session, everyone was fascinated with the unknown variety, Umami No. 3 brought in from Holland. “It smells like the cream of sea,” says Josh, as he sniffed the small oysters. Living up to its name, the oyster has a distinct umami taste ― the fifth category of taste that the Japanese label as “the essence of deliciousness.”

One taste of the earthy oysters with its hint of avocado and a sweetness leaves you craving for more. Each variety has a story to tell, like the Tsarkaya â€" a species once bred as a homage to the Tsars of Russia. These bivalves come from the pristine waters of Cancale, Brittany at the North of France. One gets a hint of sweet almonds when slurping down these beauties.

An unusual variety is the Triploids: an oyster bred to have three chromosomes (usually oysters are Diploids with two chromosomes) and sterile. As these oysters do not spawn, they grow faster with little variance to their taste. Moreover, they’re available all year round.

It tastes like the cream of sea according to Southern Rock Seafood Josh GreenIt tastes like the cream of sea according to Southern Rock Seafood Josh GreenIn Marini’s on 57, the rooftop restaurant with the majestic view of the Petronas KLCC towers, they serve Belon oysters with lemon and shallot raspberry vinagrette. These distinct flat molluscs contain luscious creamy oysters that are the most expensive in town, at RM35 per piece.

The large plump oysters have a potent brininess and a metallic flavour. Josh claims that everyone picks up different flavours from the Belon and once he even tasted chocolate. According to Assistant Head Chef Logan Lopez, plans are underway to open a champagne and caviar bar later this year. All kinds of oysters will also be featured since it pairs beautifully with champagne.

This year, Chap Goh Meh falls on Valentine’s Day making it a double celebration. Specially for the occasion, Shucked and Southern Rock Seafood will be offering a Double Valentine’s Day Happiness promotion where you get to sample a dozen oysters for RM88. The promotion includes a mix of oyster varieties like the Irish Premium, Dutch Creuses, Fin de Claire and the Gallagher Special.

This is a good opportunity to taste the different varieties and compare each of their tastes. You can pre-order the oysters by February 10 from Southern Rock Seafood and pick the up freshly-shucked molluscs on February 14. Diners can also enjoy the special promotion on Valentine’s Day at Shucked.

Southern Rock Seafood, 34, Jalan Kemuja, Off Jalan Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 1800883474.

This story was first published in Crave in the print edition of The Malay Mail on February 7, 2014

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iPhone 6 could have unbreakable sapphire crystal screen

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 04:33 PM PST

A man is silhouetted against a video screen with an Apple logo as he poses with an Apple iPhone smartphone in this file photo illustration taken in Zenica May 17, 2013. – Reuters picA man is silhouetted against a video screen with an Apple logo as he poses with an Apple iPhone smartphone in this file photo illustration taken in Zenica May 17, 2013. â€" Reuters picNEW YORK, Feb 8 â€" According to the latest rumours, Apple plans to equip the next iPhone with a sapphire crystal glass display cover that would make its screen virtually unbreakable. 9to5Mac was the first to put forth this hypothesis, reporting on an agreement between Apple and GT Advanced to produce up to 200 million of the displays in question.

Compared to traditional glass, sapphire crystal is far more resistant to breaking or scratches. This makes the materials particularly suitable should Apple decide to equip its next iPhone with a slightly curved screen, as internet rumours have suggested over the past few weeks. Production of the sapphire crystal displays could begin as early as this month, according to the website.

Apple already uses sapphire crystal in smaller quantities in a cover protecting the camera on the iPhone 5s. â€" Afp-Relaxnews

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