Federal court dismisses divisive “Allah” case

Federal court dismisses divisive “Allah” case
Nokia Z Launcher Hands On & Impression
Last-gasp Varela header saves Portugal’s hopes
Algeria beat South Korea 4-2 to make history
World Cup: Belgium beat Russia to secure World Cup 2nd round place
Chong sad over passing of Ho Leng

Posted: 22 Jun 2014 07:58 PM PDT

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's highest court on Monday dismissed a bid by Christians for the right to use the word "Allah", ending a years-long legal battle that has caused religious tensions in the Muslim-majority country.

The Catholic Church had been seeking to reverse a government ban on it referring to God by the Arabic word "Allah" in the local Malay-language edition of its Herald newspaper.

But a seven-judge panel in the administrative capital Putrajaya ruled a lower court decision siding with the government stood.

"It (the Court of Appeal) applied the correct test, and it is not open for us to interfere," chief justice Arifin Zakaria said. "Hence, the application is dismissed."

S Selvarajah, one of the church's lawyers, said the decision meant the end of the court case.

"It's a blanket ban. Non-Muslims cannot use the word," he told AFP.

Outside the court, which was cordoned off, about a hundred Muslim activists shouted "Allahu Akbar" or "God is great", and held banners that read "Uniting to defend the name of Allah" ahead of the verdict.

The dispute first erupted in 2007 when the Home Ministry threatened to revoke the publishing permit of the Herald for using the Arabic word in its Malay-language edition.

The church launched a court case to challenge the directive, arguing "Allah" had been used for centuries in Malay-language Bibles and other literature to refer to "God" outside of Islam.

But authorities say using "Allah" in non-Muslim literature could confuse Muslims and entice them to convert, a crime in Malaysia.

An appeals court last October reinstated the ban, overturning a lower court's 2009 ruling in favour of the church that had led to a spate of attacks on houses of worship. - AFP

We encourage commenting on our stories to give readers a chance to express their opinions; please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. While the comments here reflect the views of the readers, they are not necessarily that of Borneo Post Online. Borneo Post Online reserves the right not to publish or to remove comments that are offensive or volatile. Please read the Commenting Rules.

Nokia Z Launcher Hands On & Impression

Posted: 22 Jun 2014 07:43 PM PDT

Nokia (the part of the Finnish company not included in Microsoft acquisition) just launched an Android launcher – Z Launcher. While Nokia is not allowed to introduce their own new smartphones until 2016, I am surprised that they are acting so fast to get prepared for the future.

Capture

The Features

The idea of the Z Launcher is to let users to access to the apps they need in one second and bring "Less tapping, More Apping". The interface is simple enough. There is only one homepage. Time, date and calender events are shown on the top. Then in the middle of the screen we have a list of apps and contacts ( the part I covered with white boxes) which are arrange by the launcher according to the user's usage pattern. If you use Facebook more often, it will go on top of the list.

Screenshot_2014-06-20-17-16-41

There are also 4 icons at the bottom which will follow what you have on the pinned list of icons in your previous launcher and you cannot change it here in Z launcher yet. Nokia mentioned that they are working on it. When you want to find some apps you don't usually use and forget what's its exact name, Nokia got you covered too. You can tap the button on the bottom to access to all apps in your phone. The setting page can be accessed from there as well.

Screenshot_2014-06-20-17-50-52

With this launcher is that you can draw letters on the middle of the screen to search for the apps or contact you need. Sounds ordinary? The special part of this launcher that it does not simply show the apps only. The suggestion shown will be changed according to the time. So for day time you might have more productivity apps on the list while at night you will have easy access to games and entertainment.

Hands On

Screenshot_2014-06-20-17-15-32

Nokia stated that they have only tested Z Launcher on Samsung Galaxy SIII, S4, S5 and Nexus 5 however I have no problem at all when using it on Xiaomi Mi3. Starting up the Z Launcher will bring you to a welcome page to introduce itself. Click start and you will be brought to a short tutorial. The tutorial is a good guide to the launcher but some features are not introduced.

Screenshot_2014-06-20-17-16-11

For example you can actually write a few letters or a word instead of one letter only. You can also draw letters in both upper case and lower case too. Cursive writing is supported as well. However, the software occasionally has problem recognising multiple letters inserted at one time. Drawing "gam" sometimes will result in "garn". But as mentioned, the launcher is in pre-beta phase and I can totally understand the limitation. This is probably why they did not include these features in the tutorial.

Getting the Installer

The way to get the launcher officially is simple but with a catch. Go to the Z Launcher website with your phone and sign in with your Google account. Then you can download the .apk file to install the launcher. You might need to find out the security setting in your phone for the installation by allowing installation of apps from sources other than Play Store. Then you can choose to set Z Launcher as default launcher and you are good to go.

Capture1

The catch here is the copy of software is still in pre-beta phase and it might be unstable and buggy. The software is also available to limited number of users only. So you might want to download it as soon as possible if you want to get it in the official way. But since we are using Android, you know you can download the .apk installer from the Internet if you are too late.

Verdict

The software is still in early development stage and I expect it will be better in the future. I find the idea very appealing and I like the simplicity. I would suggest you to try it yourself as it cost nothing to you. However, the fact that widgets are not supported and I cannot pin my favourite apps at the bottom (at least at this moment) makes switching to this very difficult. Apparently the package is not complete enough to be a truly usable launcher but I do see potential in it. I would like my app list to be exactly like this in the future while the normal home screen is still there so that I can customise to suite my need.

Anyway it's still great to hear from Nokia and I do hope they will continue their work on this. Starting the software well will help them greatly when they have their own Android phone in the future. Considering the fact that Xiaomi started pushing out the MIUI launcher to other phones before they introduce their own first smartphone and the popularity of MIUI currently, this might be a good example for Nokia to follow.

SOURCE: http://orgui.wordpress.com/2014/06/22/nokia-z-launcher-hands-on-impression/

Yan Duan is the owner of OrGui Tech Blog, a young Malaysian who shares his thoughts on current trending technology. Hoping to provide a platform for people to learn about new technologies and make the most out of their gadgets.He can be reached at orgui.yd@gmail.com. Kindly visit http://orgui.wordpress.com for more technology stories.

Last-gasp Varela header saves Portugal’s hopes

Posted: 22 Jun 2014 05:34 PM PDT

MANAUS: A superb header by Silvestre Varela deep into time added on saved world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal from crashing out of the World Cup finals on Sunday as it secured a 2-2 draw with the United States.

The Americans had looked to be safely into the last 16 after second-half goals by Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey saw them come back from 1-0 down — a goal by Nani — to lead.

However, with only seconds remaining one sublime cross from a pretty anonymous Ronaldo was met by Varela and it soared past Tim Howard to give Portugal a lifeline as a further defeat after the 4-0 hammering by Germany in the opening game would have seen them out.

The United States — who reached the last 16 in 2010 only to lose to Ghana — are on four points along with Germany, who they play in their final group game, and who their coach Jurgen Klinsmann led at the 2006 finals.

Ghana and Portugal both have one point and play also on Thursday.

The Portuguese got just the start they needed to settle their nerves as a terrible defensive error by Stoke City's Geoff Cameron — the ball flying off his boot to Nani — saw the Manchester United winger wait for Howard to commit himself before rifling the ball into the net.

It had been preempted by an outrageous piece of skill by Ronaldo down the left side, completely bewitching three American players as they tried to corral him out on the touchline, only for a series of step overs and a backheel to see him squirm through the three of them.

The Portuguese's cursed run of injuries continued as veteran striker Helder Postiga — who himself started only because Hugo Almeida had gone off injured early on in the opening game against Germany — lasted just 16 minutes before he had to go off and be replaced by Eder.

Klinsmann's men were running the game and a fine move ended with Michael Bradley, son of former United States coach Bob, unleash a fine effort from outside the box that cleared the bar.

Conditions even in the evening were so draining that five minutes from the break, when Jermaine Jones received some treatment, the referee allowed both sides to rehydrate with a drinks break.

Howard, who was earning his 102nd cap, kept his side in the game on the stroke of half-time as he somehow managed to stick a hand out as he dived the wrong way to tip a pointblank shot by Eder over the bar.

There was an even finer block the other end 10 minutes into the second-half as Bradley's goalbound effort from only 10 yards out saw defender Ricardo Costa spread himself deflect the ball off his knee for a corner, earning a well deserved kiss on the head from goalkeeper Beto.

The Americans, though, deservedly levelled in the 64th minute as Jones produced a pearler of a right-footed shot from outside the area, leaving Beto rooted to the spot.

Ronaldo and the Portuguese appeared shellshocked and it was the Americans who grabbed a second as Bradley's shot rebounded to Graham Zusi off a defender and his cross was put into the net by Dempsey's stomach for his fourth goal at a World Cup finals.

That looked to be that until, like Lionel Messi with his late goal against Iran on Saturday, Ronaldo summoned up one piece of class with his pinpoint cross, which was enough to break American hearts.- AFP

Algeria beat South Korea 4-2 to make history

Posted: 22 Jun 2014 04:39 PM PDT

PORTO ALEGRE: Algeria moved them tantalisingly close to a first ever appearance in the knock-out rounds after dishing out a 4-2 defeat to South Korea in Porto Alegre on Sunday.

It was the North Africans' first World Cup victory since their famous 1982 success against West Germany and was the first time an African side had managed four goals in a single World Cup match.

First half goals from Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche and Abdelmoume Djabou did the damage as Korea were on already their knees at the break.

Son Heung-Min and Koo Ja-Cheol gave Korea some hope in the second half but Yacine Brahimi's fourth for Algeria kept them in charge.

The result spirited Algeria up to second in Group H behind Belgium, with Russia and the Koreans trailing on one point apiece.

On a perfect afternoon in this southern port city, Algeria came out fighting for their World Cup lives, only too aware defeat would send them home.

Sofiane Feghouli and Slimani tested Korean keeper Jung Sung-Ryong in the opening minutes.

Algeria's pleas for a penalty on five minutes in a chaotic goalmouth scramble were firmly rejected by Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan.

But their impressive start reaped its initial reward when Slimani raced onto Carl Medjani's lob, saw off Korean defenders Hong Jeong-Ho and Kim Young-Won and flicked the ball past Jung.

The rattled Koreans were picking the ball out of their net again two minutes later when Halliche out-jumped his markers to head in Djabou's corner from the left.

The Desert Foxes had their tails up and as the Koreans struggled to cope with their pace and technical nous, Djabou tightened their grip on the game when sweeping the ball past the hapless Jung eight minutes from the break, thanks to the slide rule assist from Slimani.

Korea reduced the deficit with the second half just five minutes old thanks to a piece of individual wizardry by Son.

A long ball into the box by Ki Sung-Yeung bounced off his back, but he swivelled round to fend off Madjid Bougherra and shoot low and hard past Algerian keeper Rais Mbolhi.

Korea kept putting the heat on Algeria and Mbolhi made a brilliant save to deny Ki.

Brahimi's right-footed finish after a slick passing move between him and Feghouli settled any Algerian jitters.

Koo added a second for the 2002 semi-finalists but Algeria weren't about to let this slip through their grasp and they held on comfortably for a memorable win.- AFP

World Cup: Belgium beat Russia to secure World Cup 2nd round place

Posted: 22 Jun 2014 11:11 AM PDT

RIO DE JANEIRO: Teenaged substitute Divock Origi scored a last gasp goal that gave Belgium a 1-0 victory over Russia on Sunday and secured them a place in the World Cup last 16.

The 19-year-old broke the deadlock with an 88th minute shot set up by Eden Hazard after a frustrating game in the heat of Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium.

Belgium now have six points from two games and are well placed to take top spot in Group H. The size of the qualification mountain facing Fabio Capello's Russia now depends on the result of the South Korea-Algeria match later Sunday.

The two sides set off at a furious pace that could not be maintained in the Maracana stadium.

Viktor Faizulin shot from the edge of the penalty area forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois in the Belgian goal.

Belgium's Napoli striker Dries Martens shot narrowly wide after beating two players. Moments later he broke free again but pushed the ball across the face of the Russian goal.

The game did not improve in the second half although the tension did mount as striker Romelu Lukaku directed some angry words at Belgian coach Marc Wilmots when he was replaced by Origi. Lukaku was substituted for the second straight game after a another disappointing performance.

But Origi, who plays for Lille in France, proved his worth with the goal as Belgium piled on the pressure in the late stages, with fellow substitute Kevin Mirallas hitting the post with a free kick seconds earlier. -AFP

Chong sad over passing of Ho Leng

Posted: 22 Jun 2014 10:58 AM PDT

by Jeremy Veno and Raymond Tan reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 23, 2014, Monday

KUCHING: The demise of Bukit Assek state assemblyman Richard Wong Ho Leng has saddened DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jien.

Expressing his sorrow to newsmen at a book launch yesterday, Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching MP, said Wong was a true friend and a mentor to him.

"He was a comrade to me ever since I was the secretary and him the chairman from 2001 to 2013," said Chong, who was heartbroken upon receiving the bad news on Saturday night.

The whole party, he said, is in grief over Ho Leng's demise as he was a great leader with high integrity and was known to be very straightforward.

"Sometimes the things that came out of his mouth may hurt certain people, but bear in mind that it was all for a good intent. No doubt about it." He also recalled the 30-day court trial when Ho Leng volunteered to defend him in an election petition case.

"That is the type of comradeship that we share together. Now that he is gone we will continue with the struggles he had started," he added.

Under Ho Leng's leadership in the past 12 years, he said the state DAP scaled new heights as seen by the increase in its number of state seats from one to 12 in 2011 and the number of parliamentary seats from one to five.

"These are the things that we will remember him for, his character and contributions to the party," said Chong, wishing that Ho Leng's widow Irene Chang and their children will find strength during this difficult period.

Meanwhile, national and state DAP leaders started arriving yesterday evening to pay their last respects to Ho Leng.

DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang and Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong arrived at Ho Leng's residence in Jalan Ipoh at about 7pm.

Lim said his son Guan Eng, who is DAP secretary-general and Penang chief minister, would arrive today. Lim described Ho Leng as a "battle comrade" for three decades. Wong first stood in Miri in the 1986 general election.

He said one of Ho Leng's greatest achievements was championing the fight for revolutionary change via the Ubah movement during the Sibu by-election in 2010.

From there, the idea spread and took effect in the country.

Lim also praised Ho Leng's efforts in protecting the agreement of Sarawak with Malaysia when the federation was formed in 1963.

He said the people would miss the role he played in this.

Liew described Ho Leng as his next-door neighbour in Parliament after Wong won the Sibu by-election in 2010.

"He sat next to me, and we worked as comrades."

Liew said he had various opportunities to work with Ho Leng, and he saw him as a committed leader.

"I was here during the Sibu by-election and the state election in 2011. I campaigned with him."

Ho Leng will be buried at the Methodist Cemetery in Oya Road tomorrow.

His eldest daughter Suzanne arrived home last night from Australia. She is a final year law student at Bond University in Brisbane.

The 20-year-old was told of the passing of her father on Saturday.