Malaysian shuttlers sent packing at Hong Kong Open

Malaysian shuttlers sent packing at Hong Kong Open


Malaysian shuttlers sent packing at Hong Kong Open

Posted: 25 Nov 2016 07:58 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 ― Malaysia's campaign at the Hong Kong Open Super Series ended when all its shuttlers crashed out of the quarterfinals in Kowloon, tonight.

The highly-anticipated Rio Olympics silver medal winning men's doubles pair, Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong, went down to Mohammad Ahsan/Rian Agung Saputro of Indonesia.

The world number one pair managed to bounce back to win the second set 21-17 after losing the first set 11-21, but failed to continue their rhythm in the third set, losing 17-21.

However, national number two men's doubles pair, Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi gave the tournament's fourth seeded Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen a run for their money before losing the match.

After losing the first set 14-21, the unseeded Malaysian pair surprised the Danes in the second set with a 21-18 win. However, they lost 13-21 in the third set in the 55-minute battle.

The Danish pair will next face Mohammad/Rian tomorrow, to secure their berth into the finals.

Earlier, independent men's singles shuttler Chong Wei Feng was unable to continue his winning streak against Sameer Verma of India, losing 17-21, 21-23 in another match.

Despite leading 12-5 in the second set, the 2015 Singapore Sea Games gold medallist was unable to secure victory against the world number 43. ― Bernama

The dragon path — New attraction at Entopia

Posted: 25 Nov 2016 07:58 AM PST

Staff members of Entopia (from right) Neoh Lavinia, 26, Melissa Yung, 24, Eugena Choo, 47, and Shakirah Yacob, 32, kissing a small reptile of the species ‘Bearded Dragon’ that is among 11 species of reptiles introduced into the park in George Town, NoStaff members of Entopia (from right) Neoh Lavinia, 26, Melissa Yung, 24, Eugena Choo, 47, and Shakirah Yacob, 32, kissing a small reptile of the species 'Bearded Dragon' that is among 11 species of reptiles introduced into the park in George Town, NoBALIK PULAU, Nov 25 — Beginning tomorrow, enthusiasts of exotic reptiles such as the ginkgo, and lizards can watch them at close range at Entopia, via its new 'Dragon Path'.

With more than 11 small reptiles such as the Bearded Dragon, Cat, Tokay and Leopard Gecko, as well as the Veiled Chameleon on display, there are also more than 300 free flying dragonflies from more than 10 species at the new path.

"We hope this will bring more educational value to the visitors on the topic of eco-system, especially regarding the food chain of reptiles," said Entopia chief executive officer Joseph Goh.

He said the reptiles had been with Entopia since it was known as Butterfly Farm, and that the reptile families had been under its care for generations.

Entopia is open daily to visitors from 9am to 7pm, with the last entry at 5.30pm. — Bernama

Mishandled body identified as Fong Meng Tuck

Posted: 25 Nov 2016 07:51 AM PST

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 25 — Police today confirmed that the body of a man who was handed over wrongly by the Penang Hospital's Forensic Department here to another family, was identified as Fong Meng Tuck, 60.

Northeast district police chief ACP Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the confirmation came after the Chemistry Department found that the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests conducted using blood samples of the deceased's three sons were 99.99 per cent matched.

"We have received a police report from Fong's son on Monday who claimed that his father's body could have been handed over wrongly to another family. Police have since opened up an investigation paper on the incident.

"The DNA tests have been carried out based on Fong's blood samples taken during the post mortem, and the result was out today," he told a press conference here today.

Also present were the department's head Datuk Dr Zahari Noor and Penang Hospital Visitors Board chairman Lim Thoon Deong.

It was reported that the department had handed over Fong's body to another family about 12 noon on Monday, that coincidently claimed for the body of a 73-year-old man who died of a heart attack.

The family then took the body to a funeral home to be cremated.

Fong's son was shocked to find that the body of his father was no longer at the hospital when he came to claim it at about 2pm.

Mior Faridalathrash said investigations revealed that the standard operating procedures during the handover process had been violated, as the niece to the 73-year-old deceased did not identify the body due to the smell.

"The 53-year-old woman vomitted several times as she couldn't stand the smell of the body which was found three days after his death. She didn't identify the body.

"She only told the forensic department staff to handle the body of her bachelor uncle before taking the body to a funeral home in Mount Erskine for cremation," she said. — Bernama

KLIA’s rapid growth instrumental to Msia’s economic development

Posted: 25 Nov 2016 07:46 AM PST

SEPANG, Nov 25 — The Kuala Lumpur International Airport's (KLIA) rapid growth has been instrumental to Malaysia's economic development, opening up opportunities in trade and tourism, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Thus, he said, the government viewed quality improvements at the KLIA and klia2 very seriously, while proactively supporting the airports' operator, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd in various areas necessary for efficient operations at both terminals.

"Malaysia is fortunate in its location, being at the heart of Asean. As such, KLIA is well-positioned to capture growth from the larger Asia Pacific region which is forecasted by the International Air Travel Association to experience among the highest growth rate in air passenger markets," he said at the 2015 KLIA Awards at the Sama-Sama Hotel KLIA, here today.

Liow said KLIA's passenger traffic had recorded a 4.4 per cent growth in the first nine months of this year, compared with the same period of 2015.

"It also exceeded the initial traffic forecast of 2.5 per cent for 2016.

"With the opening of klia2, the second terminal serving low cost carriers, KLIA currently caters to 50 million passengers annually, with over 60 airlines serving more than 120 direct destinations.

"This is indeed a far cry from our days at Subang Airport which at its peak handled nearly 16 million passengers annually," he added.

Liow said the secret to KLIA's success lies in the synergy of dedicated people including the airport operator, airlines, service providers, government agencies, retailers, contractors and ground handlers who have walked hand in hand to where KLIA is today.

He presented a total of 17 awards at the event, where the winners were chosen based on their achievements respective categories last year in sectors such as passenger movement, growth factor, sales performance, international recognition and service excellence.

Indonesia AirAsia won the Foreign Airline of the Year (Passenger) award, Cathay Pacific the Foreign Airline of the Year (Cargo), MAS Kargo won the Airline of the Year (Cargo), while Air Asia bagged two awards, namely Airline of the Year (Passenger) and Low Cost Airline of the Year.

The Promising New Foreign Airline of the Year went to British Airways and the Best On Time Performance Airline of the Year was bagged by Japan Airlines. — Bernama

At least 31 dead in Iran train crash

Posted: 25 Nov 2016 07:43 AM PST

Injured people on stretchers being taken from a helicopter at a local hospital, in this still frame taken from video today. — IRINN via Reuters TVInjured people on stretchers being taken from a helicopter at a local hospital, in this still frame taken from video today. — IRINN via Reuters TVTEHRAN, Nov 25 — At least 31 people were killed in Iran today when a passenger train rammed into the back of an intercity express which had broken down, the provincial governor said.

More than 70 people were admitted to hospital after the crash in the northern province of Semnan on the main line between the capital Tehran and second city Mashhad, Mohammad Reza Khabbaz told state television.

The express train, operating one of Iran's longest distance services from Tabriz in the northwest to Mashhad, had been forced to stop between stations by a mechanical failure, perhaps caused by the cold November weather, Khabbaz said.

Two of its coaches burst into flames when the train behind ran into the back of it at 7:50 am (10:20 am Malaysian time).

The front four coaches of the second train — running from Semnan to Mashhad — derailed and overturned.

"One minute I was sleeping and the next I was being carried out of a coach on fire," one hospitalised passenger told state television.

Initial reports had said that the express train was stopped in a station when the accident happened.

But Khabbaz said it was some four kilometres (2½ miles) outside Haft Khan station between Semnan and Damghan, the next major town.

At midday emergency services were still battling to put out the fire and rescue injured passengers from the overturned carriages.

The province's Red Crescent director, Hassan Shokrollahi, said the remote location of the crash site had complicated rescue efforts.

"Due to the difficulty of access, only our helicopter has managed to reach the scene," he said earlier in the day.

The injured were taken to hospitals in Semnan and Damghan. — AFP

Sports star ‘targeted’ in growing South Korea scandal

Posted: 25 Nov 2016 07:42 AM PST

Swimmer Park Tae-hwan, who claims he was targeted by an official who has been arrested in the current corporate scandal. — Reuters file picSwimmer Park Tae-hwan, who claims he was targeted by an official who has been arrested in the current corporate scandal. — Reuters file picSEOUL, Nov 25 — South Korea's snowballing influence-peddling scandal has threatened to engulf one of the country's leading sport stars after prosecutors confirmed today they were investigating claims an Olympic swimmer was targeted.

Park Tae-Hwan is the latest figure to be caught up in an affair that could see President Park Geun-Hye impeached.

The president is accused of colluding with her former confidante, Choi Soon-Sil, who allegedly leveraged her personal relationship with Park to coerce donations from big firms to two non-profit foundations which were then used for Choi's personal gain.

Now Park Tae-Hwan has claimed he was targeted by the former vice sports minister, Kim Chong, who has been arrested for helping Choi extort corporate "donations".

Park, who won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said Kim threatened in May to cut him off from corporate sponsorship should he compete in Rio.

"I was so scared back then as he was such a high-ranking official," Park said.

It remains unclear why Kim Chong attempted to stop Park from going to Rio but the athlete said the threat hampered his preparation for Rio, where he performed poorly.

An opposition lawmaker reportedly said Kim took a dislike to Park after the official visited the national athletes' training centre in 2014.

An audio recording of the alleged threat made by Kim has been handed to prosecutors.

"It's true that we've launched a probe into the allegations," a spokesman for the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office told AFP today.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency has also reported rumours another Olympic gold medallist, figure skater Kim Yuna, was picked on by government officials after she turned down an invitation to a calisthenics workout event attended by President Park in 2014.

However, at a Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Wednesday, she denied she felt she had been unfairly targeted. — AFP

Wada suspends Mexico laboratory for non-compliance

Wada suspends Mexico laboratory for non-compliance


Wada suspends Mexico laboratory for non-compliance

Posted: 24 Nov 2016 05:41 PM PST

Mexico's National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE) building is seen in Mexico City November 24, 2016. — Reuters picMexico's National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE) building is seen in Mexico City November 24, 2016. — Reuters picMEXICO CITY, Nov 24 — Mexico's anti-doping laboratory has had its accreditation suspended for up to six months for failing to comply with international standards, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) said in a statement yesterday.

The suspension of the Labouratorio Nacional de Prevencion y Control del Dopaje comes just 10 days after Wada announced the laboratory in Qatar, host country of the 2022 football World Cup, had been suspended for four months.

The suspension, which took effect on November 23, prohibits the Mexico lab from carrying out any anti-doping activities, including all analyses of urine and blood samples.

The laboratory may apply for reinstatement prior to the expiry of the six-month suspension period.

During the ban, samples must be sent to another Wada-accredited laboratory, "ensuring that athletes can have full confidence in continued high quality sample analysis and the wider anti-doping system."

Wada is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories according to criteria set by the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL). — Reuters

Viagra pills and other strange twists in the South Korean Park scandal (VIDEO)

Posted: 24 Nov 2016 05:33 PM PST

SEOUL, Nov 25 — The corruption scandal at the very top of South Korean politics is taking some weird turns. As well as accused of squeezing top companies for millions in funding President Park Geun-hye has had to explain why her office bought hundreds of Viagra pills.

Reuters reporter Park Ju-min says: "The presidential office clarified that Viagra pills were for altitude sickness for her overseas trips. But the fact that they also purchased regular altitude sickness pills makes people not believe what the presidential office is saying.

"Questions are now also growing over allegations that Park was using a fake name taken from a famous soap opera, to get vitamin injections more than 20 times at a private luxury anti-ageing clinic."

Another key figure in the scandal — Park's childhood friend Choi Soon-sil — is heavily implicated in the president's alleged fraud and abuse of power.

South Korean employees watch TV sets broadcasting a news report on South Korean President Park Geun-hye releasing a statement to the public in Seoul November 4, 2016. — Reuters picSouth Korean employees watch TV sets broadcasting a news report on South Korean President Park Geun-hye releasing a statement to the public in Seoul November 4, 2016. — Reuters picPark Ju-min adds: "Korean public expects some sort of corruption from their presidents in general, but why is Park's scandal fuelling so much public anger and distrust? They discovered Park and her private friend were irrationally corrupt.

"Choi Soon-sil, the friend with no official position seems to have advised Park on everything from her wardrobe to speeches. And many Koreans call Park as 'Choi's puppet' or Choi as Park's 'princess maker.'"

Many older Koreans are especially shocked having supported Park based on the memory of her strongman father.

That family legacy is now being eroded by a deepening scandal you simply couldn't write the script for. — Reuters

FA chairman regrets ‘appalling’ failure over abuse coach

Posted: 24 Nov 2016 05:27 PM PST

A protestor, dressed as a John Bull mascot, outside the English Football Association headquarters in London January 12, 2001. — AFP pic A protestor, dressed as a John Bull mascot, outside the English Football Association headquarters in London January 12, 2001. — AFP pic LONDON, Nov 25 — The chairman of England's Football Association said yesterday the governing body's failure to respond after a youth coach's conviction for sexually abusing young players was "appalling".

Barry Bennell, who worked for Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City, Stoke City and several junior teams in northwest England, was given a four-year sentence for raping a British boy on a football tour of Florida in 1994 and a nine-year sentence for 23 offences against six boys in England in 1998.

Yet when approached to comment on Bennell in 1997 by a television documentary crew, the FA refused all requests for interviews.

"That is appalling," Clarke, who became FA chairman in August, told reporters at Wembley Stadium yesterday.

"We've got 8,500 safeguarding officers out there in the community and I wrote to 30,000 clubs today to raise their awareness.

"These are heinous crimes and they need to be investigated by the police and they will get our support."

'No hiding place'

Yesterday also saw British charity the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) announce it had launched a new telephone helpline after four English former footballers said they were abused by their coaches during childhood.

"There must be no hiding place for sexual abuse in our national game and there may be many others who suffered through such horrors as young players, but have never come forward," said NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless in a statement released yesterday.

"We welcome the FA's commitment to helping those in the game get the help and support they need."

Earlier, former Manchester City and England forward David White became the fourth ex-player to allege abuse by a youth coach, following previous announcements by Andy Woodward, Steve Walters and Paul Stewart.

White, Woodward and Walters all allege they were abused by Bennell. 

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Stewart, capped three times by England, said he was repeatedly sexually assaulted by an unnamed man who threatened to kill his family if he told anyone.

Sky News reported yesterday that 11 people have now approached Cheshire Police in northwest England with information regarding alleged football-related abuse and that officers are now in the process of contacting them. No arrests have been made.

Newcastle allegations

Meanwhile The Guardian said it had been approached by a former Newcastle United player, whose identity the newspaper did not reveal, alleging he had been the victim of abuse while at the northeast club.

The ex-player has named George Ormond as the offender, claiming he was sexually abused by a man who has already had a six-year prison sentence for convictions involving boys from the club's youth system over a 24-year period.

Both Crewe, a club renowned for its youth development system, and Manchester City have opened investigations into Bennell's links with their clubs.

Crewe's director of football Dario Gradi, the club's manager between 1983 and 2007, said he knew nothing about Bennell's behaviour until around 1994.

"I would like to express sympathy to the victims of Barry Bennell not only at Crewe Alexandra, but at other clubs in the north west," Gradi said in a statement.

"The first I knew of Barry Bennell's crimes was when he was arrested in the United States in 1994. I knew nothing of his crimes before this time when he was employed by us."

A brief statement issued by City to Britain's Press Association said: "The club is aware of allegations that Barry Bennell had an association with Manchester City in the 1980s.

"As a result the club is currently undertaking a thorough investigation of any past links he might have had with the organisation." — AFP

IGP gives Parliament rioters until 2pm to surrender (VIDEO)

Posted: 24 Nov 2016 05:26 PM PST

Several men tried to assault Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad in the Parliament compound yesterday. — Picture by Yusof Mat IsaSeveral men tried to assault Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad in the Parliament compound yesterday. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 ― The people who tried to assault Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad in the Parliament compound yesterday will be arrested if they do not surrender by 2pm, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said today.

Police yesterday confirmed that Firdaus Tajuddin, the son of Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, was among the 10 people identified from the incident.

"We are giving them time until this afternoon for surrender, or we will arrest them. We know where they are," Khalid said during a press conference at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters.

MORE TO COME

Barca’s Celtic win cannot hide problems with summer recruits

Posted: 24 Nov 2016 05:24 PM PST

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring for Barcelona in the Champions League Group C match against Celtic in Glasgow November 23, 2016. — Reuters picLionel Messi celebrates scoring for Barcelona in the Champions League Group C match against Celtic in Glasgow November 23, 2016. — Reuters picBARCELONA, Nov 25 ― Barcelona may have again eased into the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday but their win at Celtic could still not paper over some of the cracks that have developed in a squad recruited at huge expense.

Despite splurging €122 million (RM571 million) on bolstering their ranks in the summer, Barcelona are still overwhelmingly reliant on the same starting 11 in their biggest games, with their expensive new recruits failing to deliver.

Barca drew a blank against Malaga last Saturday without top scorers Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi and vital midfielder Ivan Rakitic, slipping four points behind leaders Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as a consequence.

Luis Enrique's side were back to full strength on Wednesday, with Suarez and Rakitic producing lively displays while Messi pulled the strings and scored both goals in the 2-0 win at a bitterly cold and atmospheric Celtic Park.

The win, however, only appeared to confirm fears that Barca's first-choice 11 has barely evolved since Luis Enrique took the club's reins in 2014.

Nine of the 11 players that started in Glasgow played in their victorious 2015 Champions League final team against Juventus, yet they have struggled whenever the coach has turned to players on the periphery of the first team this season.

The Catalans were beaten 2-1 by promoted Alaves in September after Luis Enrique made seven changes to his team, including resting Suarez and Messi, and they lost 4-3 at Celta Vigo when Messi was injured and Andres Iniesta was rested from the start.

Similarly, Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba were unavailable in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City when Barca collapsed in the second half under the weight of intense pressing and speedy counters.

Each of these results had the local media pointing the finger at the new recurits, none of whom have managed to score after 12 La Liga games and five Champions League outings.

That statistic is most damning for centre forward Paco Alcacer, a €30 million signing from Valencia who was bought to relieve the pressure on Barca's dazzling attacking trident of Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

Alcacer has squandered a series of clear scoring opportunities in his eight apppearances but was almost anonymous in the stalemate with Malaga, going over half an hour without touching the ball.

His old Valencia team mate Andre Gomes, who cost an estimated €35 million, has also had a disappointing start, failing to register a single goal or assist and looking out of sync with his midfield partners.

Lucas Digne has done little to suggest he could unseat Alba at left back following his €16.5 million signing from Paris St Germain while goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has only played once since joining from Ajax for €13 million.

Luis Enrique has frequently praised 22-year-old midfielder Denis Suarez, his cheapest recruit at €3.5 million from Villarreal, while France centre-back Samuel Umtiti has looked a good fit though injuries have limited him to nine appearances.

After the failure to beat Malaga, Luis Enrique tried to play down the significance of the absence of Messi and Suarez with the observation: "We have lost games without Messi and Suarez and lost games when they have played. Squads win titles."

Yet with Barca already having dropped seven points in just six home games, the coach's costly attempts to construct a robust squad and reduce the reliance on his elite players cannot be said to have gone to plan. ― Reuters

Barca’s Messi downplays role in his team’s success

Posted: 24 Nov 2016 05:18 PM PST

Lionel Messi attends the presentation of his new football shoes in Barcelona November 24, 2016. ― Reuters picLionel Messi attends the presentation of his new football shoes in Barcelona November 24, 2016. ― Reuters picBARCELONA, Nov 25 ― Lionel Messi's prodigious talent is matched by his startling humility, which he displayed again yesterday by denying that Barcelona's fate is determined by his presence in the team.

The Argentina forward scored both goals in Barca's 2-0 Champions League win at Celtic on Wednesday, days after they had been held to a goalless draw at home to Malaga in Messi's absence.

Talk of Barcelona being overly dependant on their all-time record scorer is nothing new, although it has been less frequent in recent seasons as fellow forwards Luis Suarez and Neymar have also flourished.

Yet the weekend stalemate and Messi's brilliant double on Wednesday, which took his Champions League total to 92 goals, including nine in this season's group stages alone, reignited the debate about his role in the team.

"It's not like that," he said at an Adidas event in Barcelona.

"I'm in the best club in the world, it doesn't depend on one player. We have a great team and I don't think about that."

In Messi's eyes, tactical discipline and team structure are more important than individual talent.

"Everything starts with order," the 29-year-old said. "In today's football more than ever. You need a team that is organised, that knows how it has to move on the pitch. Order is the most important thing."

Messi's double strike helped Barca reach the Champions League's last 16 as Group C winners and allowed them to refocus on domestic duties, starting with a fixture against in form Real Sociedad on Sunday.

They then host Real Madrid in this season's first "El Clasico" on December 3.

Sociedad have won four games in a row and are fifth in the table while Barca are second and four points adrift of Real Madrid.

"It's going to be very demanding," Messi said. "Real Sociedad are playing very well and are high up in the standings."

While Messi has won everything he can with Barcelona, titles have eluded him with Argentina.

Their defeat on penalties against Chile in this year's Copa America marked their third straight final loss at a major tournament.

Messi, however, says he has learned to cope with disappointment on the international stage.

"One grows up as the years go by," the Argentina captain said. "You go through tough spells but in the end, you realise there are more important things than football, than winning and lifting titles.

"Obviously I like to win, I want to achieve the aims we set ourselves at the beginning of the season. But if you don't achieve it, at least you have to try." ― Reuters

Ringgit opens higher on oil price boost

Ringgit opens higher on oil price boost


Ringgit opens higher on oil price boost

Posted: 21 Nov 2016 05:49 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — The ringgit rebounded to open slightly higher against the US dollar this morning as the three-week high oil prices helped boost investors' appetite, dealers said.  

At 9.04 am, the local unit was traded at 4.4100/4180 against the greenback from 4.4170/4230 on yesterday.

Growing hopes for a cut in oil production among major producers, especially the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) which collectively produce more than a third of the world's oil, have sent Brent crude oil prices to nearly US$49 a barrel.

A dealer said the positive overnight closing of Wall Street would also influence demand later.

Nevertheless, he said, the cautious stance on the back of a possible faster-than-expected US interest rate increase would weigh on sentiment.

Against other major currencies, the local unit traded mostly easier.

It fell against the Singapore dollar to 3.1028/1095 from 3.0994/0041 yesterday, weakened against the yen to 3.9906/9982 from 3.9857/9930 and narrowed versus the British pound to 5.5138/5260 from 5.4479/4558.

However, the ringgit rose vis-a-vis the euro to 4.6922/7021 from 4.6957/6837 yesterday. — Bernama

Dr Mahathir terus demo, tuntut Maria Chin dibebaskan (VIDEO)

Posted: 21 Nov 2016 05:41 PM PST

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad menghadiri himpunan di Dataran Merdeka bersama ratusan penyokong Bersih bagi menuntut pembebasan Maria Chin Abdullah yang ditahan bawah Sosma. — Foto ihsan Henry Koh Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad menghadiri himpunan di Dataran Merdeka bersama ratusan penyokong Bersih bagi menuntut pembebasan Maria Chin Abdullah yang ditahan bawah Sosma. — Foto ihsan Henry Koh KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Nov — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad menyertai perhimpunan bagi membantah penahanan pengerusi Bersih 2.0 Maria Chin Abdullah bawah Akta Kesalahan Khas (Langkah-Langkah Keselamatan) atau Sosma.

Turun bersama ratusan penyokong Bersih 5 di Dataran Merdeka malam tadi, bekas perdana menteri itu ditemani isteri Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

Pasangan berpengaruh itu, yang menyertai Bersih 5 Sabtu lalu, melaungkan "bebas Maria" bersama-sama penyokong yang hadir, lapor portal Malaysiakini.

"Beberapa pemimpin Bersih 2.0 ditangkap, bukan itu sahaja, mereka diseksa. Saya sedih apabila diberitahu Maria dikurung dalam penjara," kata Dr Mahathir seperti dilaporkan.

Kumpulan tersebut berkumpul sejak jam 8 malam sambil menyalakan lilin. Menurut Bersih 2.0, acara itu akan diteruskan sehingga Maria dibebaskan.

Sabtu lalu, aktivis wanita itu ditahan bawah Sosma berhubung penganjuran Bersih 5. Polis dilaporkan berkata beliau akan ditahan dalam tempoh maksimum 28 hari.

‘Fantastic Beasts’: Making sense of the ending

Posted: 21 Nov 2016 05:38 PM PST

A screengrab of Eddie Redmayne from ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’. A screengrab of Eddie Redmayne from 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'. LOS ANGELES, Nov 22 — Spoiler warning: This article spoils the ending of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. For those looking to remain unspoiled, look elsewhere before it's too late.

Despite the many intentionally weird (and wonderful) things created for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the strangest thing about the movie may ultimately be the way in which the climax, intended as a beautiful, miraculous and unexpected win pulled out of the depths of defeat, actually reveals that you might have been rooting for the bad guys, all along.

There are other problems with the scene in which Frank takes to the skies to seed the clouds with a spell to make all the No Majs forget everything they've just seen, of course. Logically, it's a deeply flawed solution, because if it's the rain that makes the humans forget everything, then what happens to those who aren't caught in the rain? The glimpses of a family eating in the kitchen or a couple in the bathroom suggest that they too are affected — somehow…? — but that can't be the case, because Jacob, safe in the subway, keeps his memory for that moment.

Jacob's plight, and the reactions of Newt, Tina and Queenie to the announcement that he, too, has to have his memory wiped clean of what happened, is the closest Fantastic Beasts comes to admitting that there's something very wrong with the status quo of 1920s Magical America. It's played as a sad moment in the movie, the tragic note after the victory — albeit one leavened by subsequent events — and yet, neither the movie nor its leading characters can quite bring itself to condemn what is actually being done to him.

This shouldn't be that surprising, of course; the morality of wiping memories is something that's consistently ignored in science fiction — see Men in Black's turning the idea into comedy, for example — but it's oddly sobering to see Fantastic Beasts go all the way to the edge of to addressing the subject when faced with the reality of wiping the memory of their friend and sidekick, and then acquiesce to the status quo without exploration.

The problem goes deeper than that, however. The stated reason that magical society is a-okay with playing with the minds of countless unsuspecting victims is because it needs to stay hidden from the rest of the world. This follows the larger mythology of the Harry Potter world, where the magical society of turn-of-the-century Britain remains a secret to the wider nation, but Fantastic Beasts ramps up the paranoia to new levels: Relationships — including friendships — with "No-Majs" are outlawed, so fearful of the magicians of being discovered, and any interaction between the two races are closely monitored for fear of exposure.

Although it's never explicitly addressed in Fantastic Beasts, the climax of the movie makes it clear that magical society is so isolationist that it has no qualms over essentially brainwashing an entire city to ensure that it remains separate and apart from the rest of the world — or, at least, when some do feel concern, they'll still go along with it. A society that demands that its members hide who they are, or face punishment, and dictates who they're allowed to interact with and befriend; one which rewards one of the four people responsible for saving the day by ensuring that he'll never know what he's done. This is what the movie wanted to maintain?

Admittedly, the antagonist, such as there is one, in the movie is worse: He wants to incite a race war that would likely eradicate humanity — a move that seems reminiscent of Magneto from the X-Men movies. But there's no Professor Xavier in this movie preaching coexistence, tolerance and understanding. Instead, the choice is between racial hatred or racial fear, making Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them feel like a curiously timely, if uncomfortable, movie to debut in late 2016. But shouldn't we demand better from our fictions? — The Hollywood Reporter/Bloomberg

Isha founder pens new book on meditative yoga

Posted: 21 Nov 2016 05:38 PM PST

Indian yogi and author Sadghuru is also the founder of the Isha Foundation, a not-for-profit group that offers his yoga-based programmes across the world including Malaysia.Indian yogi and author Sadghuru is also the founder of the Isha Foundation, a not-for-profit group that offers his yoga-based programmes across the world including Malaysia.KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — Indian yogi Jaggi Vasudev or Sadhguru's new book on hatha yoga, "Inner Engineering" The Yogi's Guide to Joy, will soon be available in Malaysia.

The book is the latest by the New York Times' bestseller, who is variously described as "mystic, visionary and poet".

It covers Sadhguru's philosophies as it relates to his journey from a young boy to a "daredevil who crossed the Indian continent on his motorcycle", according to its synopsis.

Sadghuru is also the founder of the Isha Foundation, a not-for-profit group that offers his yoga-based programmes across the world including Malaysia.

"Inner Engineering" The Yogi's Guide to Joy will be available here through Isha Malaysia, at RM75 per copy.

It will be officially launched in January during a visit by the Sadghuru.

The group is now conducting early bird registrations for his visit, which will end on November 25.

For more information, visit the Isha Foundation webpage.

Isha Malaysia started its first programme here in 2009 and has since organised over 50 events across the peninsula.

Rich, out-of-the-bird chestnut and sausage stuffing

Posted: 21 Nov 2016 05:37 PM PST

Bread crumbs and chestnuts for Thanksgiving stuffing. ― Picture by cislander/iStockBread crumbs and chestnuts for Thanksgiving stuffing. ― Picture by cislander/iStockNEW YORK, Nov 22 ― Our family's Thanksgiving dinner, including the stuffing, is heavily inflected with New England themes. That's because two of my children were born in Boston and we lived in Massachusetts for 14 years when the children were young. Once we moved to California, we kept those foods for Thanksgiving that are not only delicious but also nostalgic.

The stuffing for our turkey is bread-based and seasoned with herbs, onions, sausage and chestnuts. I am always asked to make a huge amount, and there is enough stuffing to fill a 20-pound bird plus enough left over to bake in a 12-by-9-inch casserole filled to the brim separately. It is often considered the best dish of Thanksgiving. We eat too much, so maybe this year I'll cut the recipe in half.

New England-Style Bread, Sausage, and Chestnut Stuffing for Turkey

Remember that this recipe must be started three to four days before Thanksgiving because the bread must dry. Never use store-bought bread croutons for this preparation. It will be easiest to finish this the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving and keep it refrigerated until needed to stuff the turkey.

The stuffing should look pretty well coated with herbs, chestnuts and sausage and be ever so slightly moist. The best way to keep the bread somewhat moist is by reserving some turkey stock to pour on it. The nonstuffed stuffing can be cooked the previous evening or Thanksgiving morning if you don't have two ovens, then reheated at 475 F for 20 to 30 minutes while the turkey is resting and being carved.

The stuffing in a 16-pound-plus turkey should be sufficient for eight to 10 diners, and the nonstuffed stuffing is extra that you probably will not need. The recipe can be halved easily and still feed 10 people with a little bit of leftover.

Another tip: You may be tempted to use a food processor for all the chopping, but in order to have the right size of chopped vegetables it's best to do the chopping by hand.

Prep time: 1 hour

Cooking time: 40 minutes

Total time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Yield: Enough stuffing for one 25-pound turkey plus extra

Ingredients

4 loaves French baguette bread

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 cups chopped shallots

2 cups chopped celery

2 pounds mild Italian sausage, casing removed, meat crumbled

6 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves

1 tablespoon ground dried sage

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon dried summer savory

1 1/2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper

2 cups chopped fresh roasted and shelled chestnuts (see note)

3/4 cup Jack Daniels or Jim Beam bourbon

2 tablespoons unsalted butter or turkey, goose or duck fat

Turkey stock as needed

Directions

1. Three days before Thanksgiving dinner, cut the baguettes into 1/2-inch cubes and leave to dry for 3 days on trays in the open air.

2. In a large stock pot, melt the butter over medium heat, then cook the shallots and celery, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the sausage and cook until it has turned color, breaking up the larger bits with a wooden spoon, about 12 minutes. Add the tarragon, sage, thyme and savoury and cook until the fresh herbs wilt, about 1 minute, then season with salt and pepper, stir, and add the chestnuts. Mix in the bread crumbs. Toss and stir so that the bread is well coated.

3. Transfer the bread crumbs to a large mixing bowl and set aside. Correct the seasoning and toss. Sprinkle the bourbon all over and toss again. The stuffing can be made up to this point and refrigerated overnight. The stuffing should be very moist but not wet or soaking. If it is not, pour in some turkey stock, maybe a cup or 2, and toss again.

4. Stuff the turkey with this stuffing. Place the remaining stuffing in a large casserole greased with the butter or turkey, goose or duck fat. Press down and sprinkle the top with some turkey stock. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 F until crispy brown on top, about 1 1/2 hours, moistening every 15 minutes with turkey drippings once the turkey is roasting.

Note: To roast chestnuts, preheat the oven to 425 F. Cut a not-too-deep "X" in the convex side of the chestnut with a paring knife and lay them in a baking pan, "X" side up. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool, then remove the shell.

Variation: You can add 2 cups of shucked oysters to the dressing. I made it that way once many years ago, but it's labour-intensive. ― Zester Daily/Reuters

Wal-Mart will offer Cyber Monday deals starting Black Friday (VIDEO)

Posted: 21 Nov 2016 05:29 PM PST

Thanksgiving Day holiday shoppers line up with television sets on discount at the Target retail store in Chicago, Illinois, November 28, 2013. — Reuters picThanksgiving Day holiday shoppers line up with television sets on discount at the Target retail store in Chicago, Illinois, November 28, 2013. — Reuters picCHICAGO, Nov 22 — Wal-Mart Stores Inc will start offering online deals reserved for Cyber Monday two days in advance this year, joining a growing list of US retailers who offer web promotions over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Wal-Mart's special web promotions will be available on Black Friday, the retailer said in a statement late on Sunday. Cyber Monday is the biggest day of the year for internet shopping and follows Black Friday, which is the busiest shopping day for brick-and-mortar retailers.

Wal-Mart recently said it will boost its online inventory for Black Friday by more than half this year, as it pulls out all stops to grow online sales this holiday season. The retailer has grown its online inventory to 23 million items from 8 million at the start of the year.

Wal-Mart's step to boost online sales comes at a time when Black Friday is losing its importance as early discounts and online shopping keep shoppers away from stores.

The year-end shopping season, which spans November and December, is crucial for many retailers because the two months can account for anywhere from 20 to 40 per cent of their annual sales. The National Retail Federation expects industry holiday sales to grow 3.6 per cent this year to US$655.8 billion (RM2.89 trillion).

Wal-Mart said orders that were ordered on the Wal-Mart mobile app and picked up in store, increased more than 75 per cent during the first two weeks of November from the same period a year earlier. — Reuters