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Red hot bust: Australian police seize 400 kilos of 'ice' hidden in chilli sauce bottles



    Thursday, 31 Oct 2019
    12:10 PM MYT

Seized bottles of sriracha hot chilli sauce which were later found to conceal crystal meth or ice are seen in Sydney Australia October 15 2019. Picture taken October 15 2019. Mandatory credit New South Wales Police ForceHandout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT

Seized bottles of sriracha hot chilli sauce, which were later found to conceal crystal meth, or ice, are seen in Sydney, Australia October 15, 2019. Picture taken October 15, 2019. Mandatory credit New South Wales Police Force/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Four men have been arrested for smuggling 400 kilograms of crystal meth, or ice, worth an estimated A$300 million (162.41 million pounds) concealed in bottles of sriracha hot chilli sauce from the United States, Australian police said on Thursday.

A search of an air cargo consignment that had arrived at a Sydney freight depot from the United States last week found 768 bottles of sriracha chilli sauce, "with presumptive testing returning a positive indicator for methylamphetamine (ice)," New South Wales state police said in a statement.

Police arrested a 36-year old on Sunday and made two more arrests on Monday in the carpark of a hotel in Sydney's central business district.

Photos released by the police also showed several cartons of the fiery sauce bottles stacked in the back of a car. Police seized eight boxes containing sriracha sauce bottles from the vehicle and a search of the hotel suite found another 26 boxes.

The three Australian men have been charged with attempt to possess a commercial quantity and the unlawful importing of a border-controlled drug. A fourth man was arrested on Thursday morning and is expected to be charged later in the day.

"This has been a complex investigation and we know the methylamphetamine in this import was headed for a clandestine lab in the Sydney Metropolitan area for the extraction process to occur,” State Crime Commander Stuart Smith said in a statement.

"We will conduct further investigations with our law enforcement partners to identify other people linked to the group."

The seizure has prevented approximately four million hits of ice hitting the streets, the acting regional commander for the Australian Border Force, Matt O'Connor, said.

Ice, or crystal methamphetamine, is one of the most potent varieties of amphetamine drug. The name 'ice' became popular due to its white little 'crystals' and glass-like appearance.

The Australian Crime Intelligence Commission's latest figures show a record 30.6 tonnes of illicit drugs were seized nationally in the year ended June 2018, with crystal meth one of the most consumed and seized illicit drugs in Australia.

(Reporting by Swati Pandey; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

LinguaFranca

https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/kes/2019/11/624633/bangkai-gajah-pygmy-borneo-yang-ketiga-ditemui
BERITA»Kes
Ahad, 3 November 2019 | 6:40pm

Satu lagi bangkai gajah Pygmy Borneo ditemui di Sungai Kinabatangan. - NSTP/Ihsan Pembaca


Bangkai gajah Pygmy Borneo yang ketiga ditemui

KINABATANGAN: Bangkai seekor lagi gajah Pygmy Borneo ditemui di Sungai Kinabatangan, di sini pagi tadi.

Pengarah Jabatan Hidupan Liar Sabah, Augustine Tuuga, ketika dihubungi mengesahkan penemuan bangkai haiwan itu dan siasatan lanjut sedang dijalankan bagi mengenalpasti punca kematiannya dan bila kejadian berlaku.

“Petugas Jabatan Hidupan Liar Sabah sudah diarahkan ke lokasi untuk membawa keluar bangkai gajah berkenaan supaya proses bedah siasat dapat dijalankan,” katanya.

Augustine berkata, penemuan bangkai gajah berkenaan dimaklumkan oleh penduduk yang tinggal berhampiran lokasi kejadian.

“Setakat ini sukar untuk menentukan bila dan lokasi sebenar gajah itu mati kerana haiwan itu ditemui hanyut serta terapung di Sungai Kinabatangan.

“Ini adalah penemuan bangkai gajah ketiga selepas dua kejadian di Sungai Dumpas, Kalabakan (Tawau) pada 25 September lalu dan di sebuah ladang sawit di Beluran pada 19 Oktober lalu,” katanya.

LinguaFranca

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/11/04/from-rubbish-collector-to-millionaire
From rubbish collector to millionaire
Monday, 04 Nov 2019

Success story: Azlan (left) with Maizan during the launch of his book at the National Library in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: With perseverance and a strong commitment, rubbish collector Mohamad Azlan Al Amin (pic) is now a successful entrepreneur and millionaire.
Sharing his success story, Mohamad Azlan, 32, said in 2005, he was working as a rubbish collector for a cleaning contractor at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Gong Kedak, Kelantan.

“At that time, I often took home food like chicken and fish thrown away by the canteen operator that was still edible for my family. “That was how difficult life was. We were poor, and in a survey that was carried out, my family was found to be the poorest in Kampung Tok Raja, Besut.

“I was determined to change my life and that of my family,” he told reporters after the launch of his book, Rahsia Pengutip Sampah Jadi Jutawan (Secrets Of A Rubbish Collector Who Becomes A Millionaire) at the National Library here.

The book was unveiled by National Library director-general Maizan Ismail. Azlan said in 2010, after his farm failed, he decided to leave home to find a job in Jertih. “I only had RM1.30 in my pocket,” he said, adding his life changed when he met an individual who offered him a job as a property agent.

Azlan, the proprietor of Azlan A-Amin Properties Sdn Bhd, attributed his success not just to determination and hard work, but also the practice of giving alms, performing his religious obligations and caring for his parents.

“Make poverty as motivation and wealth as an inspiration. When we have acquired wealth, be generous and help others. “In times of hardship, never forget Allah and give alms, and always be grateful and appreciate the sacrifices of our parents,” he added.

Azlan, who is the sixth of 21 siblings, hoped the book would inspire youth. — Bernama

seribulan

Pencemaran udara Delhi sudah cecah paras terburuk
Agensi | Diterjemahkan oleh: Isabelle Leong

Ketua Menteri Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal menerusi satu entri di Twitter berkata pencemaran di seluruh utara India telah mencecah tahap yang tidak boleh diterima. - REUTERS
NEW DELHI: Pencemaran udara di New Delhi dan bandar-bandar berhampirannya mencecah paras terburuk setakat Ahad.

Pihak berkuasa di ibu negara India tersebut telah mengisytiharkan darurat kesihatan awam dan mengarahkan penutupan sekolah.

Kualiti udara semakin merosot dan mencatatkan indeks melebihi 900 iaitu melebihi paras 500 yang dianggap teruk.

Jerebu tersebut dilaporkan pada tahap terburuk berbanding tahun-tahun sebelum ini sehingga menyebabkan lebih 30 penerbangan terpaksa ditunda dan dibatalkan disebabkan penglihatan yang kurang jelas.
Ia juga memudaratkan lebih 40 juta penduduk yang mendiami bandar tersebut.

Orang ramai dilaporkan mengalami pedih mata serta sakit tekak dan ada yang menggunakan topeng sebagai pencegahan.
Jalan raya kelihatan sepi kerana kebanyakan penduduk memilih untuk tinggal di rumah supaya tidak terdedah kepada jerebu toksik di luar.

Ketua Menteri Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal menerusi satu entri di Twitter berkata pencemaran di seluruh utara India telah mencecah tahap yang tidak boleh diterima.

“Pencemaran telah mencapai tahap yang tidak dibayangkan di seluruh utara India. Kerajaan Delhi telah mengambil pelbagai langkah.

“Rakyat Delhi juga banyak berkorban dan menderita. Kerajaan pusat harus mengambil langkah segera untuk menghulurkan bantuan.

“Kami menyokong segala inisiatif kerajaan pusat,” katanya menerusi laman Twitter.

    Pollution has rched unbearable levels across N India. Del govt taken many steps. Delhiites hv made many sacrifices. Del suffering for no fault of theirs. Punjab CM also expressd concern. Centre shud take immediate steps 2 provide relief. V will support Centre in all initiatives https://t.co/Vx85xYlDId
    — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 3, 2019


Agensi pengawasan alam sekitar kerajaan, SAFAR mengeluarkan amaran bahawa kualiti udara tidak akan pulih dalam tempoh dua hari ini.

Ia disebabkan kelembapan udara daripada hujan renyai-renyai yang turun telah memburukkan lagi jerebu tersebut.

Selain itu, pembakaran tunggul tanaman oleh petani di negeri-negeri berhampiran turut memburukkan kualiti udara.

Bagamainapun, Naib Presiden agensi peramal cuaca swasta Skymet, Mahesh Palawat berkata tiupan angin semakin kuat dan ia akan mengambil masa 24 hingga 48 jam sebelum tahap pencemaran dapat turun ke paras 500.

LinguaFranca

MALAYSIA

Bangkai gajah Pygmy tanpa kepala ditemui di Sungai Kinabatangan
Radhi Muslim, Astro Awani | November 06, 2019 22:45 MYTBangkai gajah pygmy yang sudah reput ditemui di Sungai Kinabatangan. - Jabatan Hidupan Liar Sabah
KINABATANGAN: Satu lagi bangkai gajah Pygmy Borneo ditemui terapung di Sungai Kinabatangan berkemungkinan besar mati akibat dibunuh.

Penemuan itu juga menjadikan jumlah gajah yang mati di Sabah sebanyak 21 ekor untuk tahun ini.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Alam Sekitar, Datuk Cristina Liew, berkata penemuan bangkai terbaru itu meningkatkan rekod kematian haiwan terlindung berkenaan.

Menurutnya, kejadian terbaru itu menyebabkan beliau sendiri hilang kata-kata untuk diungkapkan  lagi kerana ia sesuatu yang sangat mendukacitakan."Berdasarkan apa yang dilaporkan, besar kemungkinan gajah itu mati dibunuh.

"Tetapi belum dapat dipastikan sama ada gading gajah itu diambil atau tidak kerana kepala mamalia itu tidak ditemui," katanya dalam satu kenyataan media, pada Rabu malam.

Mengulas lanjut, Cristina berkata satu kepupusan membabitkan haiwan mamalia besar di Sabah mungkin boleh berlaku.

"Namun, kita tidak akan membiarkan perkara itu berlaku dan tidak sekali-kali membiarkannya terjadi.

"Kita harus bekerjasama dengan semua pihak agar nasib gajah Pygmy Borneo tidak sama dengan nasib badak sumbu sumatra," katanya.

Terdahulu, pada Isnin lalu bangkai seekor gajah ditemui terapung di Sungai Kinabatangan.

LinguaFranca

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/11/09/worlds-longest-tube-water-slide-at-escape-theme-park-in-penang-now-open/1808476
World’s longest tube water slide at escape theme park in Penang now open

Saturday, 09 Nov 2019 05:57 PM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 9 — The world’s longest tube water slide at the Escape theme park in Teluk Bahang here is now open to the public.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said for years, Escape theme park has been the leading tourist attraction in Penang and the opening of the new attraction of the 1,111 metre-long water slide will further strengthen its position as number one theme park in Malaysia.

He said a study conducted by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently revealed that 10.9 per cent of international and domestic tourists came to Penang to visit Escape.

“The study shows a remarkable statistic and testament to the importance of Escape to both Penang and Malaysia’s tourism growth ambitions,” he said at the official opening of Escape phase 3 — Gravityplay and the Guinness World Records Longest Tube Water Slide here today.

Chow said the Penang Immigration Department’s statistic also showed that the number of visitor arrivals recorded from January to August this year had steeply increased by 207.7 per cent to 89,535 from only 29,101 recorded over the corresponding period of last year.

Also present at the opening ceremony was Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, senator Lim Hui Ying and Penang Escape theme park founder and chief executive officer Sim Choo Kheng.

Meanwhile, Sim said today is the culmination of years of struggle to turn the dreams into reality.

“From conceptualisation to the support we received from the Penang Development Corporation, I am grateful for all those who have contributed to making Escape what it is today — a world-class tourist destination with world-record-setting attractions that generate more smiles per hour for everyone who visits Escape,” said Sim who also admitted having invested RM60 million in the last seven years to build the theme park.

Earlier, Escape Penang also inked a memorandum of understanding with GSPARX Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TNB, to build a photovoltaic facility that will supply renewable energy to Escape.

Sim said this initiative will make Escape the first theme park in Malaysia to go completely carbon neutral.

“At Escape, our eco-friendly parks co-exist with the natural habitat. We want our visitors to experience play amongst the beautiful terrain and rain forest we have here in Penang. This initiative with GSPARX will allow us to be fully self-sustainable and completely carbon neutral, how mother nature intended it to be,” he said.

He also added that the physical construction on an estimated 0.6 hectare of land will complete in over a year and will help reduce the monthly electricity bill of up to 15 per cent. — Bernama

LinguaFranca

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/11/10/shoppers-warned-of-1111-scams

Shoppers warned of 11.11 scams

Sunday, 10 Nov 2019

By ASHLEY TANG

PETALING JAYA: Cybersecurity experts and a consumer association have warned online consumers to be wary of e-commerce fraud with the mega 11.11 sales kicking off after midnight.

Cybersecurity company LGMS founder CF Fong says fraudsters would take this opportunity to prey on online buyers by offering them “too good to be true” prices.

“Even without the 11.11 sales there is already e-commerce fraud, but with the sales, it will certainly increase the chances of it happening, ” he said.

The 11.11 online shopping spree event, also known as Singles’ Day, is the biggest global sales event for online shopping on Nov 11.

Well-known online retailers such as Lazada, Zalora, Taobao and Shopee usually take part in it.

Fong said with products now being sold on social media sites, more fraudulent sellers would emerge. To avoid fraudulent transactions, he urged consumers to buy from reputable websites which have proper mechanisms to check and verify their vendors.

He said if a product was sold at an “unbelievable price” then it probably was “too good to be true”.

He said those who were cheated would not get their items or the sellers would continue to fleece them by asking for more money as the items were supposedly being withheld by customs authorities.

Information security company Spectrum Edge cybersecurity consultant Kelvin Goh expects fraud involving credit card, e-wallet and online banking transactions to increase during the sales period.

“The increase in frequency is largely due to the lack of security awareness, ignorant mindsets, poor personal security devices (mobile phone, tablet, laptop) and the increase in digitisation.

“Naturally, as more people shop online, attackers have more victims. So, with the huge increase in volume in terms of transactions and logs, credit card companies will struggle to keep pace in monitoring or even identifying fraudulent transactions if they don’t have proper fraud blocking strategies in place, ” he said.

Goh advised shoppers to monitor their online transactions by ensuring the banks have the right information and send them alerts when they make an online transaction.

“Consumers must also be careful when revealing personal information or details on websites, ” he said.

Meanwhile, cybersecurity and anti-virus provider company Kaspersky corporate communications head for APAC Jesmond Chang said there was also a likelihood of fraudsters using different kinds of malware to dupe online buyers.

Among the malware used, Chang said, were banking trojans that targeted the victims through a range of channels such as emails, pretending to be their bank or online payment service, or fake websites with malicious links or content that would automatically be downloaded onto the visitors’ computers.

He advised consumers to have an updated security solution when shopping online, avoid buying from dubious websites and not to click on unknown links in emails or social media messages.

Additionally, Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said sellers would be looking to increase sales by taking advantage of consumers looking for cheaper goods.

Nadzim urged consumers to be wary and not fall for such marketing gimmicks.

seribulan

Kes jangkitan denggi menerusi hubungan seks yang pertama di dunia

Astro Awani, Agensi | Diterjemahkan oleh: Afiq Ariffin
Diterbitkan pada November 10, 2019 18:32 MYT

Perkara tersebut diketahui selepas doktor membuat pemeriksaan terhadap pasangannya.

MADRID: Pihak berkuasa kesihatan Sepanyol mengesahkan kes jangkitan denggi menerusi hubungan seks dan ia merupakan kes pertama seumpamanya di dunia.

Perkara itu berlaku selepas seorang lelaki berusia 41 tahun dari Madrid dilaporkan dijangkiti denggi selepas dia melakukan hubungan seks dengan pasangannya yang dijangkiti virus itu ketika dia melancong ke Cuba, lapor agensi antarabangsa.

Kata jurucakap jabatan kesihatan wilayah Madrid, Susana Jiminez jangkitan denggi itu disahkan berlaku pada September lalu dan ia sangat membingungkan para doktor kerana lelaki berusia 41 tahun itu tidak pernah mengunjungi negara yang sering dilanda penyakit berkenaan.

Perkara itu diketahui selepas doktor membuat pemeriksaan terhadap pasangannya yang juga seorang lelaki.

“Pasangannya menunjukkan simptom penyakit itu kira-kira 10 hari yang lalu dan beliau didapati dijangkiti virus berkenaan ketika berada di Cuba dan Republik Dominica.

“Menurut analisis, sperma mereka membawa virus itu dan mendedahkan mereka bukan hanya dijangkiti denggi tetapi turut mempunyai virus yang dipercayai menular di Cuba,” kata Jiminez.

Sebelum ini, terdapat kes yang sama dilaporkan berlaku di Korea Selatan melibatkan pasangan lelaki dan wanita yang turut dijangkiti virus denggi selepas mengadakan hubungan kes namun, kes berkenaan tidak disahkan.

Selain itu, Pusat Pencegahan dan Kawalan Penyakit Kesatuan Eropah (ECDC) yang berpangkalan di Stockholm berkata sepanjang pengetahuan mereka, ia adalah kes pemindahan virus denggi pertama seumpamanya menerusi hubungan seks dalam kalangan pasangan sejenis.

Denggi amat mudah dijangkiti oleh pelancong yang mengunjungi negara bercuaca panas seperti Asia Tenggara, Afrika, Australia, Caribbean, Amerika Tengah dan Amerika Selatan.

@ipes2

LinguaFranca

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/11/19/even-teachers-struggling-with-add-maths-exam-questions
Even teachers struggling with Add Maths exam questions
Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019

PETALING JAYA: Questions for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia’s (SPM) Additional Mathematics were so tough that they left some students in tears after sitting for the papers.

A seasoned mathematics teacher said the standards of the questions were even higher than Singapore’s O-Levels.

The teacher, who preferred not to be named, said he himself spent nearly an hour to complete just two questions in Paper 1 – one of two papers of the subject.

“Most Add Maths teachers (in the country) will struggle with those questions, which are harder than Singapore’s.

“It was definitely very challenging for students to finish 12 questions in two-and-a-half hours, ” added the teacher who manages a popular Add Maths tutorial page Y=mx+c which has over 23,000 followers on Facebook.

While he believed that it was a good move by the government to incorporate higher order thinking skills (HOTS) questions in exams, he said it would work only if students and teachers were trained to handle them.

“Though the aim to set these hard questions was to increase SPM standards, the Examinations Syndicate should be stringent in drafting questions.

“A lot of students told me there was no point in practising past years’ papers because they were not helpful at all, ” he said.

According to the teacher, most candidates were only able to complete up to half of the questions when they sat for the Add Maths paper last Thursday.

He lamented that designing difficult questions could cause students to lose confidence in the subject and drop it.

“It cuts off a lot of potential career paths. For example, Add Maths in A-Levels is needed to pursue medicine, pharmacy, psychology and more, ” he said.

SPM candidate Steven from Selangor said he was confused with the questions, which were totally different from the norm.

“My heart sank as many of the topics I could score with were questioned in a peculiar manner that I could not understand, ” he said.

Although it was commendable that the ministry wanted to foster HOTS among youth, Steven said including questions and testing their understanding of topics that weren’t part of their syllabus was unfair.

“Many students worked extremely hard for Add Maths but many cried after sitting for the paper, ” he said.

Delilah, who was consistently among the top 10 students in her form, also struggled with the papers.

“Add Maths broke me, ” said the student, who was aiming to score straight As to apply for scholarships.

Mother-of-two Riza was “heartbroken” to see her daughter emerge from the examination hall unhappy and tearful after her Add Maths Paper 1.

Her daughter and her friends said the questions were nothing like what they had practised.

“I understand that exams must meet a certain high standard but they hould not leave students feeling unmotivated and that their efforts (prepping for the exam) were wasted, ” said Riza.

Another parent named Rekha said tough exam papers and HOTS questions were welcome only if they followed a ministry-provided syllabus.

She said an exam paper should ideally be a mix of questions of various difficulty levels as well as HOTS questions.

“My daughter was in tears after her first Add Maths paper.

“She is a good student and scored an A for the subject during trials, yet she couldn’t answer or comprehend the questions in both papers.”

Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) chairman Mak Chee Kin said that including topics that were not part of the syllabus was unfair to students.

“STPM questions are not part of the SPM syllabus.

“Since the Examinations Syndicate officers do not know their job, they must be removed.

“Apologies should not be accepted as this involves our students’ future, ” he added.

National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Harry Tan called on the syndicate to look into the grouses if “we are to maintain confidence in the SPM”.

The syndicate’s director of examinations Adzman Talib said the Education Ministry appreciated all feedback on the matter.

“Every exam question is based on the curriculum taught to all candidates.

“When it comes to all exams, the ministry will ensure that candidates are treated fairly in every aspect.

“This is our priority, ” he said, adding that parents need not worry.

seribulan

Flares thrown at Malaysian fans at World Cup qualifier
Adam Abu Bakar - November 19, 2019 11:15 PM
   

The scene at the World Cup qualifier match at the Bukit Jalil stadium tonight after flares were allegedly thrown at Malaysian fans. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: An otherwise peaceful World Cup qualifier between Malaysia and Indonesia here tonight was marred after flares were apparently thrown at local fans.

Based on video clips making the rounds on social media, the first flare which emitted red smoke was flung after Malaysia took the lead in the 29th minute through forward Muhammad Safawi Rasid.

According to Bernama, a second flare was thrown towards Malaysian supporters after the match ended.

Malaysia beat Indonesia 2-0, with both goals scored by Safawi.



Last month, Indonesia’s national football association was fined US$45,000 by Fifa over crowd trouble during a World Cup qualifier against Malaysia in September.

Malaysian fans were threatened and pelted with projectiles during the visiting side’s 3-2 win.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who was at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium then, said several Indonesian football fans had tried to barge into the area reserved for Malaysian fans.

Ran_can

South Korean regulators watch porn all day - to find illicit spycam videos

SEOUL (AFP): In a drab government office in Seoul, a team of broadcast regulators spend their days watching online porn - the frontline troops of South Korea's attempts to crack down on spycam videos that mostly expose women.

The 16-member digital sex crime monitoring unit was set up this autumn by the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), with a mission to hunt down and remove sexual videos posted without consent. As of last month, it operates 24 hours a day.

Known as "molka", spycam videos are largely shot by men secretly filming women in schools, toilets and elsewhere.

The task force also targets "revenge porn", private sex videos filmed and shared without permission by disgruntled former boyfriends, former husbands, or malicious acquaintances.

In the highest-profile example, star K-pop singer Jung Joon-young was arrested in March on charges of filming and distributing illicit sex videos without the consent of his female partners. His court verdict is due next week, with prosecutors demanding seven years' imprisonment.

The twin phenomena have become increasingly widespread in the hyper-wired South, driving tens of thousands of women to demonstrate against them in the streets of Seoul last year, chanting "My life is not your porn" and demanding that the authorities take action.

Sitting at their desks, the KCSC staff - most of them assigned from other roles at the commission, and four of them women - have the cautious manner of government bureaucrats.

An Hyeon-cheol came through this year's competition for highly coveted government jobs at the KCSC, when there were 146 applicants for each available position, but his duties are a far cry from what he expected.

"It was difficult to maintain my composure," the 27-year-old said of his first days as a civil servant. "I saw many provocative pictures of a kind that I had never seen before in my life."

The head of the monitoring team Lee Yong-bae told AFP: "When I went outside, I could not look at women around me because pictures I saw in the office overlapped in my mind's eye. I had to keep my head down."

To find the material, they search for Korean-language hashtags on domestic and international platforms - including Twitter and YouTube - that reference sexual acts, although sometimes key terms are disguised with asterisks.

They can instruct South Korean sites to take down suspect videos, but the vast majority are hosted on overseas servers beyond their jurisdiction - they tell domestic Internet service providers to block access, but can only ask the foreign operators to remove them voluntarily.

The task force took action 82 times a day in October on average - eight times as many as the regulator did four years ago, before the dedicated unit was set up.

Ordinary commercial porn - which is illegal in the South and access to it blocked - is not part of their remit.

Sometimes panicking victims contact the task force themselves on a KCSC hotline, 1377, asking for help.

"We recently had a victim who gave us 100 different site addresses where a sex video secretly shot by her ex-boyfriend was uploaded," Lee said, acknowledging that completely removing a video was "nearly impossible", with material being disseminated and shared online at the press of a button.

One spycam video first posted in May spread to more than 2,700 sites in six months, a KCSC document shows.

The first day after initial upload was the "golden time" to intervene, said Min Kyeong-joong, secretary general of the KCSC, after which repostings are likely to "spiral out of control".

"Our mission is to contain the spread in the first 24 hours," he said. "For the victims, every second is a heart-wrenching moment."

In the conservative South, women who appear in such videos will feel deep shame despite being the victims, and face the threat of ostracism and social isolation if the videos become known to those around them.

Nearly 5,500 people were arrested for such offences last year, up 22 per cent on 2016, police data showed - and 97 per cent of them were men.

Park Yu-na, 31, told AFP she now routinely avoids using public toilets "as much as possible".

"I and other women share this fear that we can fall victim to spycam crimes anytime, anywhere," said the Seongnam resident.

The KCSC task force was set up after President Moon Jae-in acknowledged the spycam issue last year, calling for tougher punishments and saying: "We as a society have failed to fully recognise the trauma and humiliation suffered by those victimised."

Filming or distributing intimate videos without consent can each be punished with up to five years' jail, but analysts say many often end up with only a suspended sentence or a fine.

"There is this tendency where watching illegal sex videos is tolerated as just another form of men's entertainment, compounded with weak punishment," said sociology professor Lee Na-young at Chung-AngUniversity in Seoul.

The South's patriarchal culture "suppresses pragmatic sex education", added Bae Bok-ju, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, so that many men "grow up thinking there is nothing wrong with watching illegal porn as long as they don't put it into action".

Some argue against controls on spycam videos as an infringement of freedom of expression, said KCSC secretary-general Min.

"When I listen to such claims, I want to ask them this: Would you say the same thing if it was your wife or daughters?" - AFP


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/ ... TcbCXxHKEDOuBTX4.99

Ran_can

We're losing Iman – our last Sumatran rhino

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia is losing its last Sumatran rhinoceros as the prognosis of the cancer-stricken Iman is now poor, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew.

She added that the condition of the 25-year-old female rhino that’s been under the care of a team of caregivers led by Dr Zainal Zahari Zainuddin at Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Lahad Datu is deteriorating.

"This week, Iman's body weight is 476 kilogrammes, 44 kg less than her average weight over the past few years. She is not eating her normal amount and is being given supplements.

"The situation reminds us of the case of Puntung, who was euthanised on June 4, 2017, because her squamous cell carcinoma was incurable and she was suffering pain," she said in a press conference at the state Assembly building.

Iman's tumour has been with her when she was captured in March 2014. Although the cancer is not malignant, it has spread to her urinary bladder.

"The vets said there is no way to halt the growth of these tumours, and surgery to remove them always was and still is too dangerous there would be inevitable major blood loss that would result in her quick demise," she added.

Liew, who is also state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said the state government would expedite the legality process with Indonesian counterparts for the in-vitro fertilisation.

She added that the process will involve harvesting of an ovum from sick Iman to be fertilised with Indonesian rhino's sperms.

The state government had attempted to fertilise Iman's ovum with frozen sperm at a Universiti Malaysia Sabah facility in Sandakan.

However, the attempt failed as the sperms are of poor quality. The semen belonged to Sabah's last male rhino Tam, who died in May this year.

Ran_can

Lepas Wanita Ini Amalkan 2 Ayat Dari Surah At-Taubah, Tak Sangka Rezeki Datang Melimpah Ruah

Mengamalkan wirid 2 (dua) ayat terakhir dari surah at-Taubah atau ayat 128-129 sangat luar biasa besar fadhilah dan khasiatnya. Hanya mereka yang mengamalkan bacaan surah ini sahaja yang tahu tentang ‘khasiat’ dua potong ayat ini.

Berikut perkongsian Azlia Ajid

Umur saya dah 32 tahun, tapi baru dua tiga hari ni saya tahu hikmah ayat ini. Baru sahaja saya amalkan 7 kali selepas Solat Fardu tanpa fahami maksud pada hari pertama, pelbagai perkara positif berlaku pada saya.

Terkejut saya. Rezeki saya melimpah ruah. Aura saya jadi luar biasa. Kekuatan saya dapat juga berbeza. Badan yang sakit lenguh seminggu hilang begitu sahaja. Allahuakbar.

HATI RASA SEBAK

Setelah saya baca apa maksud ayat tersebut, saya terus sebak. Sebak yang sukar diceritakan. Sayangnya Allah pada saya. Allahuakbar.

2 ayat dari Al-Quran ni belum pernah saya jadikan amalan harian selama ini. Dah 32 tahun mencari erti hidup sementara ini, baru saya bertemu ayat ini dengan memahami terjemahannya dan merasai hikmahnya setelah sahabat saya yang juga merupakan jiran saya berkongsi ayat ini pada saya pada jam 9.05 pagi dalam whats app pada 21 Mei 2019.





Surah At-Taubah Ayat 128 dan 129 yang bermaksud:

128. Sesungguhnya telah datang kepadamu seorang rasul daripada kaummu sendiri, berat terasa olehnya penderitaanmu, sangat menginginkan (keimanan dan keselamatan) bagimu dan amat belas kasihan lagi penyayang terhadap orang mukmin.

129. Jika mereka berpaling (daripada keimanan), maka katakanlah: “Cukuplah Allah bagiku; tidak ada Tuhan selain Dia. Hanya kepadaNya aku bertawakal dan Dia adalah Tuhan yang memiliki Arasy (singgahsana) yang agung.”

Buat sahabat yang terbaca perkongsian ini pagi ini, anggaplah ia rezeki untuk mengetahui kehebatan Ayat Al-Quran ini dan amalkanlah sepenuh hati.

Yakinlah yang segala kesulitan akan diangkat, segala bebanan akan hilang, jika berhutang In sha Allah akan keluar dari bebanan dan yang paling agung, pasti akan bertemu kebahagiaan luar biasa nanti. In sha Allah.

Allah sayang sangat pada kita sebenarnya. Sangat!

Sumber: Azlia Ajid via kashoorga.com

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PM hints at Cabinet reshuffle, possibly before Apec
Nicholas Chung - November 20, 2019 6:52 PM


Dr Mahathir Mohamad talks to the press after chairing a PPBM Supreme Council meeting in Petaling Jaya today.

PETALING JAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he is considering a Cabinet reshuffle, following a meeting with top leaders from PPBM today.

The prime minister said it could happen before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit next year, but added a reshuffle would not solve all of the government’s problems.

“It may be before the Apec summit but I don’t want too many changes to take place because we need to make the necessary preparations. This is a big meeting involving many countries, including world powers.”

Mahathir said he had heard all the opinions given at the meeting.





“I’m considering, but the decision is not going to be made today or tomorrow, but after we have analysed and studied the performance of the current ministers.

“After that, we’ll discuss the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle,” he said at a press conference after chairing a PPBM Supreme Council meeting at its headquarters here.

He said the proposal was brought up during the council meeting which discussed the causes for Pakatan Harapan’s heavy loss in the Nov 16 Tanjung Piai by-election.

He hinted that the matter could be brought up at the next PH presidential council meeting, adding that a reshuffle will take some time to finalise as the coalition consists of five component parties.




“The act of reshuffling itself is not the solution. It may be a problem, even. That’s why we need to be careful.

“If we reshuffle, we will need to take new people in and it will take them some time. And in that time, there may be another reshuffle,” he quipped.

Ran_can

Guy Who 'Doesn't Want Pets' Finally Gives In On His Wedding Day

Kaylee Schmidt and her fiancé Orion Metheny had spent five happy years together. There was just one big thing they disagreed on — Metheny was never sold on the idea of pets.

While he loves animals, Metheny wasn’t sure he wanted any of his own. Schmidt, on the other hand, had grown up with cats, and was dreading moving out of her family’s house when they finally got married because she’d have to leave behind her beloved family cat Nala.

Little did she know, though, that her fiancé had a plan.

“He knew I was sad to be leaving Nala,” Schmidt — now Schmidt-Metheny — told The Dodo. “I’ve talked about wanting a cat once we got married. He knew how much joy a cat would bring me, plus make the transition easier. So the wedding day seemed like a perfect opportunity.”

When Metheny found out about a tiny kitten who had been abandoned and found wandering around their neighborhood, he knew it was meant to be. He decided to adopt the tiny kitten, later named Chloe, and surprise his future wife with her on their wedding day. When he told their photographer, Megan O'Dell of Wild and Wonderful Photography, about his plan, she couldn’t have been more excited.

On the day of the wedding, October 19, O’Dell prepared the couple for their “first look” photos, where they would see each other all dressed up right before their ceremony. As Schmidt-Metheny waited, O’Dell told her that Metheny had a surprise for her.

“I have to admit that part of me was hopeful for an animal, but didn't think it would actually happen,” Schmidt-Metheny said. “Orion had seemed pretty apprehensive about getting a cat when we had talked about it in the past. Plus, while I was turned around still, I couldn’t hear any animals making noises so I thought the surprise must be something else.”

Finally, Schmidt-Metheny turned around — and couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw her fiancé holding Chloe.

“I think the first thing I said was, ‘Shut up!’ — I was totally shocked and couldn’t believe he had a kitten with him,” Schmidt-Metheny said. “Then I got emotional when it processed that this was our kitten to keep!”

Schmidt-Metheny’s face went from shock …


… to pure joy in a matter of seconds, as she and her future husband cuddled the newest member of their family.


Schmidt-Metheny was so overjoyed to have a kitten to start their new life with, and little Chloe seemed pretty excited about her new parents as well.


“Chloe was so calm and cuddly,” Schmidt-Metheny said. “Which is so crazy to think back on now, because now she is so rambunctious and playful all the time!”


After the photos, the couple temporarily parted with Chloe so they could go and get married, but were so excited to bring her home later and start their new life with her. Chloe has since settled in wonderfully in her new home, and her parents already can’t imagine life without her.

“She’s very happy,” Schmidt-Metheny said. “Orion and I both love playing with her, and she's been a perfect addition to our little family!”

Ran_can

Simple Toys Benefit Kids the Most

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in December of 2018 saying that simple toys hold the most benefits for children. They warn parents against filling their toy box with flashing lights and gadgets. (1)

The report is called “Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era”. It offers guidance for parents on what toys will most benefit their children’s development. The report focuses on children from birth through school age. (1)

When walking through the toy aisle at any major store, it can be challenging to see past all of the electronic and digital toys and games available. Although these toys may be attractive to both parents and children, the AAP recommends buying simpler toys. (1)

“Toys have evolved over the years, and advertisements may leave parents with the impression that toys with a ‘virtual’ or digital-based platform are more educational,” said Aleeya Healey, MD, FAAP, in a press release from the AAP. Healey is a lead author of the report. “Research tells us that the best toys need not be flashy or expensive or come with an app. Simple, in this case, really is better.” (1)

Interaction and Imagination
The study emphasizes the importance of play for child development. “Play is essential to optimal child development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth,” it says. (2)

The authors of the study also affirm that the engagement of children with their caregivers is extremely important. They say that toys can facilitate this interaction. (2)

“The best toys are those that support parents and children playing, pretending, and interacting together,” stated Alan Mendelsohn, MD, FAAP, in the AAP’s press release. Mendelsohn is a co-author of the report and associate professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Population Health at NYU Langone Health. (1)

According to Mendelsohn, digital toys don’t provide the same benefits. Although media-based toys, like videos, computer programs, and books with voice-recorded reading, make claims to be interactive and educationally beneficial, the AAP says that these claims are unsupported. (1)
Mendelsohn said, “You just don’t reap the same rewards from a tablet or screen. And when children play with parents — the real magic happens, whether they are pretending with toy characters or building blocks or puzzles together.” (1)

Recommendations for Simple Toys
According to the AAP’s report, caregivers should seek out toys that facilitate “cognitive development, language interactions, symbolic and pretend play, social interactions, and physical activity.” Children can engage in pretend play with toy characters, like dolls, animals, and figures. They can also pretend with toy objects, like food, vehicles, utensils, and building. Pretend play can help children learn to use words “to imitate, describe, and cope with actual circumstances and feelings.” (2)

Problem-solving is another aspect of child development that toys can facilitate. Children can play with blocks and puzzles to develop their fine motor skills, language and cognitive development, spatial awareness, and early math skills. (2)

These are just a few ways that simple toys can aid in children’s development and is not an exhaustive list. What the AAP emphasizes most is that children’s skills develop best when they play with their parents and other caregivers. So pull up your sleeves and grab some toy food. Get ready to engage your own imagination to help your child develop theirs! (2)

The post Pediatricians Say Kids Need Simple Toys, Not iPads And Electronics appeared first on Healthy Holistic Living.
This content was originally published here.

Ran_can

You Can Now Take Grab In Japan And The Middle East

When exploring the sights and sounds of a new city, we rely on public transport to get from one place to another. Sometimes, we take the bus or taxi. Other times, the train will take us to where we need to be.

Just when you think these are the only available public transport options, there's an e-hailing app that may be able to provide more commuting options when you're travelling overseas!

Starting from Nov 2019, Grab has announced that Grab app users from Singapore and the Philippines will be able to book and pay for rides in Japan and the Middle East!

Available to use in 5 cities in Japan and 94 cities across the Middle East, the ride bookings are fulfilled by JapanTaxi in Japan and Careem in the Middle East. Check out the list below to see if it'll cover your next destination!

Country        Cities
Japan        Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Sapporo, Okinawa
UAE        Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman
Qatar        Doha
Iraq        Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, Basrah
Oman        Muscat
Turkey        Istanbul, Bursa, Adana
Jordan        Amman, Irbid, Aqaba
Morocco        Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier
Egypt        Cairo, Sahel, Alexandria, Gouna, Damanhour, Tanta, Mansoura, Hurghada, Port Said, Suez, Ismailia, Zagazig, Damietta, Banha, Asyut, Sokhna, Minya, Aswan, Menofia, Sohag, Beni Suef, Qena, Marsa Matruh, Luxor
KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)        Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Makkah, Jubail, Madinah, Al Hasa, Qassim, Taif, Ash, Shafa, Al Hada, Aseer, Alkharj, Jazan, Yanbu, Tabuk, Al Bahah, Hail, KAEC, Hafar, Albatin, Al Ula, Najran, Aljowf, Tihamah, Tabuk Governorates, Al Leith, Al Qunfudah, Wadi Al Dawasir, Sharurah
Pakistan        Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Hyderabad,  Multan, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Abbottabad, Sargodha, Mardan, Sukkur, Quetta, Bahawalpur
Bahrain        Manama
Lebanon        Beirut, Jounieh
Kuwait        Kuwait City

Currently, the payment options are only available with GrabPay credits. Cash and credit card payments are not available at the time of writing. However, you can still earn GrabRewards point when you book your rides!

If speaking in the local language is a barrier, the Grab app is set to the user's native and preferred language. For instance, you can book your ride in English (or any preferred language) and the Grab driver can navigate the app in Japanese, Arabic or any language of their choice. This feature also applies to GrabChat, their in-app messaging feature. So chat away!

For Grab app users in Singapore and the Philippines, make sure to do this pre-trip preparation before your trip to Japan or the Middle East!
How to set up your Grab app before your trip
• Set up and verify your GrabPay Wallet
• Reload sufficient GrabPay credits and you're good to go!
Now that you have Grab as a transport option, you can savour more delicious halal ramen in Japan or explore the incredible activities in Dubai!
Price: Free (available on iOS and Android)

Ran_can

Agong has 'most meaningful' pre-Cabinet audience with PM

By Bernama - November 22, 2019 @ 2:04pm
PUTRAJAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today held the 30th pre-Cabinet weekly audience with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Istana Negara described the meeting, at Istana Melawati here, as “most meaningful”.

In a statement, Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara, Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, said that the audience began at 8am and lasted 45 minutes.

“The audience today was most meaningful, because it was the 30th pre-Cabinet meeting with the Prime Minister since Al-Sultan Abdullah was elected the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in January this year.

“This shows that Al-Sultan Abdullah is not only very concerned about the administration of the country, (but that) His Majesty also takes seriously the welfare of his subjects.

“Al-Sultan Abdullah is also very meticulous. His Majesty always scrutinises at length Cabinet notes and memorandums as well as reports a day before the pre-Cabinet meetings,” he said.

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Malaysian executed in Singapore for drug trafficking

A Malaysian man was hanged to death after he was found guilty of drug trafficking in 2017. - NSTP/File pic

By Bernama
November 22, 2019 @ 3:37pm

SINGAPORE: A Malaysian, Abd Helmi Ab Halim, who was convicted of drug trafficking in 2017, was hanged today at Changi Prison.

The execution was confirmed by Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) advisor N. Surendran.

Abd Helmi, who was 36, was arrested on April 9, 2015, and was sentenced to death for trafficking 16.56g of diamorphine on March 24, 2017.


Abd Helmi’s plea for clemency was rejected in July this year.

His counsel, Mohamed Muzammil Mohamed, when contacted today, said Abd Helmi had asked him to help bring his remains home once the execution takes place.

Two days ago, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong urged Singapore to show mercy on Abd Helmi, saying it was unjust and disproportionate for drug mules to be sent to the gallows.

“Justice must be tempered with mercy and I implore Singapore to do so,” he said and added that to eradicate drug trafficking, it is the kingpins and true masters of the trade who must face the full brunt of the law. – BERNAMA

RELATED STORIES


'Not tenable' for Singapore to go easy on Malaysian drug offenders, says its minister

Six Nigerian students held for drug trafficking

Malaysian, Nigerian men hanged in Singapore for drug trafficking

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Antarabangsa

Sebulan Selepas Sulli, Bintang KPop Goo Hara Pula Ditemui Mati
25-11-2019 09:16 AM|Oleh: Sang_Pencinta|

Pelbagai sumber media melaporkan bintang KPop Goo Hara, 28, ditemui mati di rumahnya di Cheongdam-dong, Selatan Seoul. Sebab kematian belum diketahui setakat ini, tetapi penyanyi itu pernah ditemui pengsan pada Mei lalu dalam satu cubaan membunuh diri.

Kematian penyanyi yang pernah menganggotai kumpulan wanita popular Kara ini mengejutkan industri hiburan Korea Selatan. Mayat beliau ditemui sekitar jam 6.09 petang di kediamannya, lapor Koreaboo.



Kredit foto: Carian Google

Goo menyertai kumpulan Kara pada 2008, tetapi menjadi artis solo selepas kumpulan itu dibubarkan pada 2016.

Pada Septembar 2018, Goo pernah menyaman bekas teman lelakinya atas dakwaan dikasari dan dirakam secara haram apabila lelaki itu mengugut untuk menyebarkan gambar peribadinya. Lelaki itu kemudiannya didapati bersalah dan dipenjarakan 18 bulan.




Kredit foto: Carian Google

Pada Mei 2019 pula, Goo ditemui tidak sedarkan diri di kediamannya dalam satu cubaan membunuh diri.

Korea Selatan kini antara negara yang mempunyai kadar bunuh diri tertinggi di dunia, dan kebanyakan daripada berumur bawah 40 tahun.

Lebih tragis, kematian Goo berselang sebulan selepas kematian seorang lagi bintang KPop, Sulli yang juga merupakan kawan baik Goo. Sulli dilaporkan membunuh diri berikutan kes buli siber.



Kredit foto: Carian Google

Selepas kematian Sulli, Goo meninggalkan mesej di Instagramnya.

"Saya harap kamu tidur nyenyak di syurga tanpa sebarang kebimbangan lagi," katanya.



Kredit foto: Carian Google

Satu lagi berita buruk untuk peminat Kpop, membuktikan kerisauan ramai bahawa di sebalik glamor, artis Kpop hidup dalam dunia yang penuh dengan tekanan