Chad army reports killing 120 Boko Haram militants in Cameroon |
- Chad army reports killing 120 Boko Haram militants in Cameroon
- Growing up under Western coverage of Islam — Asyifa Putri
- Utusan sounds death knell for PAS-DAP ties after latest row
- EPL: Pardew’s perfect start at Palace ruined by Everton
- Delicious eats around Hong Kong’s underrated Tin Hau area
- EPL: City prevents Chelsea from pulling eight points clear
| Chad army reports killing 120 Boko Haram militants in Cameroon Posted: 31 Jan 2015 05:16 PM PST
Boko Haram has recently launched cross-border attacks from Nigeria into Cameroon and Chad as part of its five-year drive for an Islamist state in the northeast of Nigeria. Chad and Cameroon have stepped up troop deployments to fight the militants and yesterday Chad's army said it bombarded Boko Haram militants. The African Union (AU) has authorised a force of 7,500 troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin to fight the militants and the nations will meet in the Cameroon capital next week to decide on its command structure, Ghana President John Mahama told journalists yesterday. "When they meet in Yaounde the rules of engagement will be agreed by the nations constituting the force. It will allow them to move across borders because Boko Haram does not recognise borders," Mahama said on his return from an AU summit. Chad has a reputation as one of the region's best militaries and it helped French forces drive al Qaeda-linked Islamists from northern Mali in 2013. But previous efforts to create a regional force to fight the militants have faltered. — Reuters   |
| Growing up under Western coverage of Islam — Asyifa Putri Posted: 31 Jan 2015 05:14 PM PST
However, I was still a minority with attached stereotypes. The fact that I'm a Muslim is what might have caused problems if my classmates had known, which they didn't. This opinion was formed because of what I gathered from the media and personal encounters. It came to the point where I was reluctant to show any sign of my "Muslim-ness." I don't like how my religion is being portrayed in the media but I also don't feel I have enough knowledge to refute the stereotypes already formed long before I was even there. I heard stories from close friends that they had had to sit through prolonged investigation at the airport; one's first name is Mohammad. Also, my mother's fingerprints were taken at the airport, whilst my sister, brother, father and myself could go through security easily. "It's just a random check" the official said. What a coincidence; it was my mother, who wears a hijab, who got checked. At the time, news about Muslims in the mainstream media was revolving around 9/11, the invasion of Iraq, the Beslan hostage massacre, and everything violent. Muslims were shown to be these lunatic people running around with weapons, demonstrating chaotically and dressing weirdly according to western standards. It seems as if the western media has an agenda to make all Muslims look petrifying. A friend once told me, unaware that I'm Muslim, that he was extremely nervous about boarding his plane because an Arabic-looking guy was in the same row as his. Today, the situation, if not the same, has become worse. The Boston marathon bombing, which occurred in 2013 and caused three deaths and many injuries, has opened up the old wound of 9/11 as the suspects were said to be Muslim. Many people expressed anger online, saying what horrible human beings Muslims were and that they had grown even more suspicious toward all Muslims. Then the Sydney siege happened in the Lindt Café not too long ago, carried out by a Muslim man, and two were killed in the incident. The occurrence sparked more buzz about how violent Muslims are in Australia and beyond. Further, the IS extremist group is known for their videos of the beheadings of soldiers, civilians, journalists and aid workers, and lately Japanese hostages. If I were in westerners' shoes and was presented with this kind of news every day, I would definitely think of Muslims as barbarians who love killing people and hitting their wives. In no way am I blaming the media for what those people did and in no way am I supporting anything they did. But if we are to talk about religion and Islam, I was taught the value of tolerance since kindergarten, and hitting anyone is out of the question, especially when it involves women and kids. But with what the media has shown, no one would believe Islam is a religion that encourages peace. And I was also in shock that these things happened and were declared to be a form of jihad to protect Islam. But then again, if the media said that they were only showing the facts of what happened around the world, why hasn't the news shown coverage of similar intensity about how the US has practically destroyed countries, killing civilians? Even if it is being covered, the news has made the US come out as the hero. They bombed cities with civilians living there. Countless people died as a result. Many children become orphaned, losing limbs, schools and houses. Why hasn't the media covered that justifiably; how much of the US actions were for oil? Although this may be a rumor, it's a rumor that people named Mohammad and Aisyah are suspected as terrorists. Is it more sinful and morally wrong to kill people from developed countries than it is to kill those from developing countries? Shouldn't the people living in, say, Palestine, be the ones feeling afraid whenever there are westerners on their soil? Journalism plays a major part in shaping public opinion about Islam. So with the fear that the coverage of Islam and Muslims has brought about, and the low media power of people from developing countries, which is where many Muslims come from, we just have to endure the painstakingly long investigations at the airport. And just maybe, when we have a chance and time, we could explain that not all Muslims are like those being covered in the news, just like not all westerners are heroes. And when people say that actions speak louder than words, then show them that most of us just want to live a normal, peaceful life. Just like all other religions and races, there are good and bad people. And the fact that we are of the same religion and/or race does not make us all behave the same way. — Jakarta Post * The writer is a communications student from the school of social and political sciences at the University of Indonesia. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.  |
| Utusan sounds death knell for PAS-DAP ties after latest row Posted: 31 Jan 2015 05:11 PM PST
Writing under the shared Awang Selamat pen name, the newspaper's editors said the unconcealed animosity between the two Pakatan Rakyat partners, whose ties have been strained since the Islamist party began its push for hudud in Kelantan, signalled a lasting erosion of goodwill. "Awang does not see that relations between the two parties will easily be restored after this because the trading of insults in the alliance is increasing and difficult to forgive," the paper's editors wrote in Mingguan Malaysia, the Sunday edition of the Malay daily. Last month, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang claimed that DAP's ambition to restore the so-called third vote would create racial inequality in urban areas and trigger a repeat of the May 13, 1969 race riots, prompting DAP leaders to rebuke him for the assertion. Earlier this week, PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali called his DAP counterpart, Lim Guan Eng, a liar for claiming that the Islamist party had agreed to the latter's bid to restore local council elections, and challenged him to a public debate on the issue and hudud. The disagreement over the third vote is the most recent flashpoint between PAS and DAP, who have been trading barbs over the Islamist party's plan to enforce Islamic penal law in Kelantan. DAP had proposed that it PR allies adopt Penang's approach and enact state laws in Selangor and Kelantan to try to return the third vote to Malaysians. PAS, however, accused DAP of acting unilaterally in seeking to restore local council elections, in apparent retaliation the latter's vehement attacks over the Islamist party's hudud ambition.  |
| EPL: Pardew’s perfect start at Palace ruined by Everton Posted: 31 Jan 2015 05:09 PM PST
Palace, who had won four straight matches under the former Newcastle handler, saw their streak snapped as the Toffees won their first league match in seven outings. The two teams came into the match level on points after Pardew won his first pair of league games and two in the FA Cup while Everton were without a win in eight matches in all competitions. However, Everton got off to a dream start just two minutes into the match when Belgian striker Lukaku bundled home the ball after good work down the flank by Steven Naismith who caused chaos in the area with a low cross. Midweek signing Jordan Mutch, who arrived from QPR, was forced into an immediate debut when Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh was carried off on 26 minutes covered in blood after a nasty clash of heads with Seamus Coleman. Former Bordeaux and Arsenal striker Chamakh was making his first appearance in six weeks but appeared to have broken his nose. Palace pushed hard throughout the remainder of the first half and created several chances including a goal-line clearance from Phil Jagielka who just kept Dwight Gayle's header from crossing the line with Spanish 'keeper Joel Robles beaten. The game balanced out after the break as Roberto Martinez's men battled hard to keep Palace at bay and it took a couple of fine saves from home 'keeper Julian Speroni late on to prevent Everton from putting the match to bed earlier on. The win lifts Everton up to 12th and seven points above the relegation zone while Palace remain one place below them and four points above the drop zone. — AFP  |
| Delicious eats around Hong Kong’s underrated Tin Hau area Posted: 31 Jan 2015 05:09 PM PST
A few months back, I had the opportunity to explore that area. Let me share with you what I ate throughout my days around the Tin Hau neighbourhood. I remember the name Tin Hau from many years back, probably during my school or university days from the title of a song sung by the popular Canto-pop duo Twins. This was definitely my first stop-over (for a good three days, no less) at Tin Hau. I had once passed by the station to get to North Point for the famous egg waffles or gai dan jai. Hong Kong is fairly well-connected with underground trains, trams and buses, hence commuting around the island was not much of a challenge. The only downfall is the tussle and tuna-in-a-can feeling during rush hours in a train around the busy Causeway Bay area. You can reach Tin Hau, by taking the MTR Island (red) line and alight at Tin Hau station or Fortress Hill station, which is about 20 minutes walking distance between each other. One of the most talked about beef noodles stall in Hong Kong happens to be Wah Jie (Sister Wah) Beef Noodles shop at the start of Electric Road near the Tin Hau MTR station.
Seriously, I could have taken a piece of my neighbour's beef brisket accidentally since our bowls were merely inches apart. But let's not digress. The shop's name is all written in Chinese characters, so you would either need some help in translation, be thick-faced enough to ask around (and good luck on the comeback from the locals) or look out for the image of the shop in this article. Good thing their menu has the items translated into English, so you won't need to poke your nose around the counter or worse, steal glances at your neighbours' food. A bowl of piping hot beef brisket noodle soup (HK$38/RM17), with a side of stewed radish (a definite must-try!) in delicious, wholesome beefy broth proved to be a little too much for one person, but I left the place satiated and recharged after the four and a half hours flight from Singapore. The menu at Sister Wah had two options; soup or stir noodles (dry version) for the various cuts such as beef brisket, beef tendon, beef balls, beef tripe, or even curry beef noodles. If beef is not your preference (you may need to revisit your decision to come to Sister Wah again though), they also serve dan dan noodles with pork ribs, chicken wings or even wontons. Tin Hau is also apparently a choice location for the locals to have their desserts; with a few notable names within walking distance just off Electric Road.
The rest of the items were equally as satisfying: the black sesame ice-cream in a black sesame cream was luscious, while their mango desserts were excellent. If you wanted to ask about Hui Lau Shan (the mango desserts specialist with branches all over Malaysia now), then I regret to inform you that my past two experiences with Hui Lau Shan in Hong Kong were equally as bad. If you find Auntie Sweet's long line too intimidating, look for Tin Hau Desserts at two locations (a stone's throw away from one another) along Electric Road. I went for desserts there on two nights, the first night for the yong zhi gam lou – mango pomelo sago with cream, while the second night I returned for the watermelon and grass jelly combination. The breakfast selection may not be much around the area; mostly relegated to typical Hong Kong char chaan teng (Hong Kong style cafes) that serve polo bun with butter, Nissin noodle soup or macaroni with tomatoes and beef. You can complete your meal with a fried egg, two slices of toast and a cup of milky Hong Kong milk tea or coffee. I also spent a bit of time exploring the markets around the North Point area as well, within walking distance from my hotel, and was caught up with the locals' morning shopping spree for fresh produce.
Eventually, I ended up giving up my plan to escape to Central or Sheung Wan area (west side of the island) for a food hunt, and spent most of my time around Tin Hau or Causeway Bay. Who knew that this area ignored by most of the Hong Kong guide books could turn out to be so fascinating? James Tan loves good food and blogs at Motormouth From Ipoh (www.j2kfm.com) Sister Wah Beef Noodles @ G/F, 13A, Electric Road, Tin Hau Auntie Sweet @ G/F, 13, Tsing Fung Street, off Electric Road, Tin Hau Tin Hau Desserts @ G/F, 91, Electric Road, Tin Hau Lei Garden @ Block 9, City Garden, North Point  |
| EPL: City prevents Chelsea from pulling eight points clear Posted: 31 Jan 2015 05:01 PM PST
Loic Remy put Chelsea in front in the 41st minute, but Silva touched in a shot from Sergio Aguero four minutes later to keep the defending champions five points behind Jose Mourinho's side with 15 matches remaining. Manuel Pellegrini's City have won only one of their last five league games, but following successive defeats by Arsenal and Middlesbrough, they at least prevented Chelsea from streaking away into the distance. Chelsea great Frank Lampard, sent on by City as a late substitute, was afforded a warm reception on what was likely to prove his final appearance at Stamford Bridge, and it was a broadly positive afternoon for the hosts. While the sight of Willian limping off late on was a concern, they coped well without the suspended Diego Costa and the injured Cesc Fabregas, and remain very much on track for a first league title since 2010. With Costa beginning a three-game ban for treading on Liverpool's Emre Can, Mourinho plumped for the pace of Remy over the battering-ram qualities of Didier Drogba up front, but it was City's attackers who showed their opponents a clean pair of heels in the early stages. Inside the first minute, Jesus Navas drifted past Cesar Azpilicueta and worked Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a rising shot, while Fernandinho had a shot deflected wide. Aguero gave Chelsea three scares, obliging Kurt Zouma to make a perfectly timed last-ditch tackle, drawing a parry from Courtois and then rolling a shot a foot wide after John Terry failed to cut out a long ball. Courtois flaps In response, Oscar could only shoot tamely at Joe Hart after Remy had dispossessed Vincent Kompany and galloped down the left flank, but four minutes before half-time, the hosts went in front. Branislav Ivanovic's cross from the right was volleyed back across goal at the far post by Eden Hazard and Remy tucked away his fifth goal of the season from inside the six-yard box. It seemed an ideal time to take the lead, but in the final minute of the half, City levelled following an uncharacteristic error of judgement by Courtois. The Belgium international has been one of Chelsea's stand-out performers this season, but he flapped at Navas's cross from the right and when Aguero drilled the ball back towards goal, Silva slid in to score. Navas continued to prove City's best outlet in the second half, teeing up Fernandinho for a downward header that bounced up and had to be touched over by Courtois and setting up James Milner to loop a header over the bar. Fernandinho, meanwhile, curled a shot at Courtois after Ramires's run had been checked by Milner. Lampard, Chelsea's all-time leading goal-scorer, replaced Fernando with 14 minutes to play, while Willian's injury saw another Stamford Bridge legend enter the fray in the shape of Drogba. Pellegrini also introduced Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, but Chelsea held firm, with Milner dragging a late chance wide with his left foot. Mourinho had refused to speak to the media in the build-up to the game, apparently in protest at Costa's ban, but though he reacted to every adverse decision with trademark theatricality on the touchline, the result suited him better than Pellegrini. — AFP  |
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