Blogger ugut bunuh MB Kedah ditahan

SHAH ALAM - Blogger yang membuat ugutan bunuh terhadap Menteri Besar Kedah, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir dan Ketua Setiausaha Sulit kepada Sultan Kedah, Datuk Syed Unan Mashri Syed Abdullah ditahan polis di sekitar Lembah Klang 5.45 petang tadi.

Blogger berusia 37 tahun itu sebelum ini dikesan membuat ugutan bunuh itu melalui laman Facebook menggunakan akaun 'Padi Jantn'.

Sebelum ini, Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah (JSJ) Kedah, Asisten Komisioner Mohd Nashir Ya berkata, susulan insiden itu lebih 20 laporan polis dibuat pelbagai pihak menggesa supaya tindakan tegas diambil terhadap individu terbabit. - Sinar Harian 

Kisah menarik di Kampung Parit Jerman

Penduduk mengenakan jersi skuad Jerman bagi menyokong pasukan pilihan mereka.

PONTIAN - Kejayaan pasukan Jerman melangkah ke perlawanan akhir Piala Dunia 2014 di Brazil, menjadi detik istimewa bagi penduduk Kampung Parit Jerman di sini yang hampir kesemua mereka adalah penyokong tegar skuad tersebut.

Faktor nama kampung sama dengan negara Jerman, dijadikan alasan bagi kebanyakan penduduk untuk menyokong negara Eropah Tengah itu sejak bermula demam Piala Dunia.

Ketua Kampung Kawasan (1) Mukim Ayer Masin, Mohd Asri Ali berkata, penduduk gembira dan teruja apabila pasukan pilihan mereka layak ke perlawanan akhir selepas membelasah tuan rumah, Brazil 7-1.

“Kejayaan Jerman mara buat kali kelapan ke perlawanan akhir Piala Dunia, menjadi kebanggaan kampung yang kini semakin popular disebabkan Jerman,” katanya.

Jelasnya, penduduk akan berkumpul bersama di kawasan gelanggang badminton kampung bagi menyaksikan perlawanan akhir yang berlangsung awal pagi esok melalui skrin besar yang disediakan.

“Skrin besar akan dipasang di kawasan gelanggang badminton kampung yang boleh memuatkan kira-kira 100 penduduk Kampung Parit Jerman dan kampung sekitar.

“Kami juga akan bersahur bersama,” katanya ketika ditemui Sinar Harian, semalam.

Menurutnya, penduduk akan mengadakan kenduri nasi ambang jika pasukan Jerman menjuarai Piala Dunia.

“Kami yakin pasukan Jerman akan jadi juara menentang Argentina dan jawatankuasa penduduk bercadang mengadakan kenduri nasi ambang jika Jerman menang.

“Kenduri nasi ambang yang akan diadakan sebagai kesyukuran ekoran Kampung Parit Jerman yang semakin dikenali selepas mendapat paparan luas di media sosial, surat khabar dan stesen televisyen,” katanya.

Menurut Mohd Asri, asal usul nama kampung itu lahir sebelum Perang Dunia pertama apabila terdapat sekumpulan pedagang Jerman yang sering menggunakan laluan utama di kawasan terbabit untuk membawa keluar hasil tanaman mereka.

“Pedagang Jerman tersebut menetap di Sungai Peradin yang berhampiran dan mengusahakan tanaman seperti nanas, kelapa dan getah di kawasan ini dan menjadikan jalan kampung ini sebagai laluan utama mereka.

“Disebabkan itu, penduduk tempatan memberi nama Parit Jerman sehingga nama tersebut kekal diguna pakai ke hari ini,” katanya.

Bagi penduduk, Mohd Yatim Ali, 49, pasukan Jerman menjadi pilihannya kerana kampungnya mempunyai nama sama dengan negara pasukan yang digeruni itu.

“Setiap kali musim Piala Dunia tiba, saya akan menjadi penyokong setia pasukan Jerman, pada perlawanan akhir di Brazil saya yakin Jerman mampu mengalahkan Argentina 3-0,” katanya.

Sementara itu Fazli Sahron, 34, menyifatkan skuad Jerman adalah pasukan terkuat yang beraksi dalam Piala Dunia 2014 meskipun tidak mempunyai pemain-pemain nama besar.

“Permainan yang ditunjukkan pemain di bawah jurulatih Jerman, Joachim Loew begitu konsisten. Bagaimanapun lawan Jerman iaitu Argentina bukan calang-calang. Saya yakin Jerman akan menang dengan 1-0,” katanya.

- Sinar Harian 

Polis buru suspek ugut bunuh MB Kedah

Nashir Ya

ALOR SETAR - Polis sedang memburu suspek yang melakukan ugutan bunuh terhadap Menteri Besar Kedah, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir dan Ketua Setiausaha Sulit kepada Sultan Kedah, Datuk Syed Unan Mashri Syed Abdullah melalui laman facebook menggunakan akaun 'Padi Jantn'.

Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah (JSJ) Kedah, Asisten Komisioner Mohd Nashir Ya berkata, identiti sebenar suspek yang juga penduduk tempatan sudah dikenal pasti.

"Kita masih berusaha untuk mengesan suspek terbabit bagi membantu siasatan berhubung kes ini," katanya kepada Sinar Harian di sini, hari ini.

Sebelum ini, seorang pemilik akaun facebook 'Padi Jantn' menulis satu petikan berbaur ugutan yang berbentuk ancaman bunuh terhadap dua individu itu di laman Facebook miliknya.

Petikan itu berbunyi, "jika ada sesiapa yang sanggup bagi aku pistol dan peluru nescaya aku akan tembak mampos dua makhluk ini dulu sebelum tembak Sonny Ho".

Mohd Nashir berkata, susulan insiden itu lebih 20 laporan polis dibuat pelbagai pihak menggesa supaya tindakan tegas diambil terhadap individu terbabit.

Sinar Harian 

Anggota polis marin maut ditembak, rakan diculik

SHAH ALAM - Seorang anggota Pasukan Gerakan Marin (PGM) maut ditembak manakala rakannya dipercayai diculik lapan lelaki dalam kejadian di Pulau Mabul, Semporna, jam 11.00 malam tadi.

Kejadian itu disahkan Ketua Polis Daerah Semporna, Superintendan Mazlan Lazim, selepas beliau dihubungi, awal pagi ini, lapor sebuah portal.

Sementara itu, menurut sumber ‎mangsa, Koperal Ab Rajah Jamuan, 32, dipercayai hilang namun kemudian ditemui semula dan meninggal dunia dipercayai ditembak dalam kejadian terbabit.

Mangsa dikatakan sempat membalas tembakan sekumpulan lelaki terbabit sebelum gugur dalam pertempuran itu.

Katanya, rakan mangsa, Konstabel Zakiah Aliep, 26, hilang dipercayai dilarikan kumpulan lelaki berkenaan yang memakai pakaian berceloreng.

Allahyarham Ab Rajah yang barasal dari Semporna dikatakan sudah berkeluarga bertugas sebagai jurumudi kapal rondaan air 1, di balai polis Pulau Mabul dan pernah bertugas di Kampung Acheh.

Laporan itu turut menyebut, Zakiah turut sudah berkeluarga dan mempuyai seorang anak dan sebelum ini bertugas di Pulau Pinang.

Sinar Harian 

Israeli commandos make first ground incursion in Gaza

A July 12 filepic showing Israeli residents, mostly from the southern Israeli city of Sderot, stand on a hill overlooking the Gaza Strip to watch the fighting between the Israeli army and Palestinian militants. - AFP Photo/Menahem Kahana

JERUSALEM: Israeli navy commandos launched a ground operation overnight in the north of the Gaza Strip, the first since the offensive against Hamas began, Israeli public radio said early Sunday.

The brief incursion targeted a rocket launcher site, it said. The armed branch of Hamas confirmed that Israeli commandos had exchanged gunfire with some Palestinian fighters.

A military spokesman later said four Israeli soldiers had been lightly wounded during the operation.

"During the mission a gunfight broke out, started by some terrorists operating at the site, during which four Israeli soldiers were lightly wounded," said the spokesman who declined to give further details on the operation.

The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, confirmed the exchange of gunfire "between our fighters and soldiers of the Zionist navy which tried to penetrate the zone of Sudanyia" in northwest Gaza.

It was the first ground operation in Gaza by the Israeli military since the start of its offensive on Tuesday. - AFP 

A final bashing for Brazil

Brazil supporters react after the World Cup third-place soccer match between Brazil and the Netherlands on Saturday where the latter won the match 3-0. - AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

THE World Cup has ended, 24 hours ahead of schedule – for Brazil. For the majority of football fans in this proud nation, it might as well have not started, back four weeks ago. With the aid of hindsight, all the street protests and heated opposition to the hosting of this edition of the World Cup, for the second time in Brazil, was justified after all. The protestors can all turn round and say: "I told you so!"

But even the most fiery anarchist from within their ranks would not have willed such humiliation on their country – finishing fourth in a tournament held in their own backyard, and, enduring the pain of watching your snooty neighbor lording it all over you.

Its like Malaysia hosting a Terrible Tweet Tournament and seeing a member of the Lee Hsien Loong’s cabinet – dripping with double degrees and top-class PhDs – thumping our best twits. (Sorry Bung M, I had to slip that in).

And what a humiliation for the Samba nation it has been – from the semi-final onwards.

For, right at the start, Brazil dazzled but only to deceive as their deficiencies were laid bare for all to see as the tournament progressed and entered the stage where there’s no hiding.

The nation’s president, one-time leftist guerilla Dilma Rousef gave a television interview and pinned blame on this parlous state to the exodus of Brazil's best players overseas early in their career.

But credit must go to the Dutch for showing putting great effort in ensuring they finished third in this outing. Dutch football is at a stage where the Spaniards were at one stage prior to their all-conquering run. Great team, wonderful resources, plenty of good skills but no World Cup to their name.

They (the Spaniards), languished and was the butt of Anglo-Saxon (read English) derision (the nation, which to this day harp on their lone 1966 London victory for bragging rights) until they embarked on the unprecedented consecutive trophy acquisition trail beginning with the 2008 Euros, the 2010 World Cup and the Euros again in 2012.

Perhaps they (the Dutch) failed to stop Argentina in the semi-finals because they peaked too soon. And what peaks of ecstasy they climbed at the start of the tournament – having the temerity to stomp all over defending champions Spain!

Against Costa Rica in the quarter-finals, so much was made of the tactical triumph of coach Louis van Gaal. The master tactician switched goalkeepers just in time to bring in extra inches as an unstoppable barrier during the penalty shootout against Costa Rica.

They could not repeat this feat in the penalty phase against Argentina as the extra inches of keeper Krull could not be brought on. The masterful coach had used up all his three substitutes in the 90 + 30 minutes of out-field playing time.

When it is all over bar the shouting, how will Brazilians regard their fate?

Injured star striker Neymar has already indicated that he wished his Barcelona mates – Messi and Mascherano well. He has told the world that he wanted for them to beat Germany in the final. The rest of his countrymen – sporting though Brazilians as a sporty nation are – would no doubt be praying a German steamroller crushing the Argentinians 8 -1! That way, their own 1 – 7 thrashing would be somewhat cushioned.

There’s still the small matter of the final to be played 24 hours from now. It was supposed to feature Brazil with Neymar and his mates lifting the trophy in the steamy cauldron of the Maracanna. Instead, the mercurial Argentinians will battle it out against the machine-like efficiency of the Germans. A South America against Europe clash as widely expected – unfortunately, with the Southern Hemisphere represented by the wrong flag.

The Germans – what can one say about the land that churns out BMWs, Mercedes, Porsches and – Boris Becker? You can trust them to deliver when the crunch comes, ever methodical, mechanically technical. It won’t come as a complete surprise if they lift the cup.

The Argentinians – think Messi and Maradona, and you’d think their players have tree trunks for thighs. It is said that their low-center of gravity (they are no taller than 5 foot 7 inches; that’s 1.69 meters in metric measure) make them impossibly unshakeable when shielding the ball.

So German metronomic efficiency versus incendiary Argentinian brilliance. It will be Sunday evening in the Maracanna but well before dawn here in Malaysia. Set your alarms as the action is bound to be worth waking up to catch the action at four for!

- Astro Awani 

Sony's next flagship phone allegedly shown off

The jump from Sony's Xperia Z1 to theXperia Z2 was relatively minor, so don't be surprised if this familiar-looking leak turns out to be legit. 

According to a Baidu Tieba post (which has since been deleted), we're looking at a prototype of Sony's upcoming Xperia Z3 aka L55t (China Mobile variant with TD-LTE) which is, surprise surprise, running on a more powerful Snapdragon 801 MSM8974ACchipset (the Z2 uses MSM8974AB) plus Android 4.4.4.

Judging by the photos, this device shares the same height as the original Galaxy Note and hence the Xperia Z2, meaning the screen size should stay at 5.2 inches. 

Likewise, the Z2's 20.7-megapixel camera is here to stay. What makes this prototype stand out is its new, simpler body design, which is a surprise given how the range's appearance has changed little since theXperia Z. That is, unless, this phone turns out to be just a variant of the Z2, so only time will tell if our guess is right.

Source: Engadget 

Infographic: 'Continent Showdown' between Argentina and Germany

The day of reckoning has arrived: football fans from around the world wait with bated breath for what seemed to be a nail-biting match of this year’s World Cup as early as 3am on Monday. Who could it be?

Will Germany return to avenge its loss to Brazil back in 2002? Could the mighty Thomas Muller takes the limelight with his inimitable strokes on the field? 

Or will Argentina’s Lionel Messi score big for his team at the match. Could Messi make his team members proud with a hat trick to earn him the top scorer crown?

For the uninitiated, Argentina is representing the South American region while Germany is representing Europe in a match dubbed as ‘Continent Showdown’.

Both teams have played 20 times in the previous World Cup but, out of that number they have only charted their route to the final in 1986, 1990 and 2014.

Sumber: Astro Awani 

Never ending tragedy: Shootout in Mabul island - one cop dead, another kidnapped

Eight gunmen in army fatigue were believed to be involved in the incident.

KOTA KINABALU: A police officer was killed and another kidnapped in a shootout at Sabah's Mabul Island resort last night.

Eight gunmen in army fatigue reportedly landed on the east side of the island at about 11.30pm and engaged in a shootout with police just before midnight.

Semporna police said the gunmen might have kidnapped an officer in the incident. Security forces have been placed at the island following several kidnapping incidents.

Last week, Mabul was placed on high security alert following an attempted kidnapping of a fish farm operator near Kampung Bangau Bangau, Semporna.

Sabah police commissioner, Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said the gunmen managed to evade authorities and fled towards Tawi-tawi in southern Philippines.

The Malaysian and Filipino police are working together on the case, he said.

On May 6, Chinese national Yang Zai Lin, 34, was abducted by five gunmen from the Wonderful Terrace Fish Farm a farm in Pulau Baik, Lahad Datu where he worked as manager.

Yang, was freed by alleged captors, the Abu Sayyaf militants after two weeks in captivity.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said the Malaysian authorities acted on intelligence and no ransom was paid to the captors.

In April, another Chinese national Gao Hua Yun, 29 and Filipina resort worker Marcy Dayawan, 40, were snatched from the Singamata Reef Resort on Semporna island.

The kidnappers have originally demanded RM36.4 million ransom for the release of the Chinese woman.

Both were freed after a ransom was allegedly paid to the kidnappers.

Last November, the Abu Sayyaf allegedly kidnapped Taiwanese tourist Chang An Wei, 58, after killing her husband Hsu Li Min, 57, in a cross-border raid in Sabah’s Pom Pom Island.

The woman was eventually released a month later near the village of Liban in Talipao town in Sulu after paying ransom.

- Astro Awani 

156 kematian dicatatkan di Gaza pada hari keenam

Israel turut mengeluarkan amaran kepada penduduk Palestin supaya meninggalkan semenanjung Gaza. - Gambar fail

GAZA: Masuk hari keenam, tentera Zionis Israel memperhebatkan serangannya ke atas Gaza dengan mencatat 156 kematian pada saat tekanan antarabangsa diberi agar satu gencatan diisytihar segera.

Israel turut mengeluarkan amaran kepada penduduk Palestin supaya meninggalkan semenanjung Gaza seandainya mahu selamat.

Ia sekali gus petanda aktiviti ketenteraan Israel akan dipertingkat.

Bagaimanapun, Menteri Dalam Negeri Gaza meminta penduduk tidak keluar dari rumah masing-masing dan menganggap arahan itu hanya perang psikologi yang mahu mengelirukan penduduk Gaza sendiri.

Dalam pada itu, sehingga lewat petang Sabtu, puluhan lagi bom digugurkan di Gaza.

Pada hari kelima serangan, 16 rakyat Palestin yang terbunuh menjadikan jumlah 121 orang terkorban sepanjang serangan tercetus.

Menurut jurucakap kementerian kesihatan Gaza Ashraf al-Qudra, serangan terbaru mengakibatkan tiga terbunuh di kejiranan Tufah, timur Bandar Gaza.

Serangan dilancarkan selepas dua terbunuh dalam satu letupan di sebuah pusat kebajikan di Beit Lahiya, utara Gaza, dan tiga lagi maut di barat Bandar Gaza.

Empat lagi dilaporkan maut di Jebaliya, utara semenanjung Gaza manakala dua lagi di bahagian selatan Deir el Balah.

Dalam pada itu, Hamas turut meningkatkan serangan ke kawasan Israel

Sistem pertahanan Iron Dome yang dibangunkan Israel juga berjaya memintas 130 roket Hamas.

Sehingga kini, kedua-dua pihak masih belum menunjukkan sebarang tanda untuk menghentikan keganasan. - AFP 

Van Gaal mahu ulangi kejayaan Belanda bersama Man United

VAN GAAL: Peminat Man United perlu menerima kekalahan dari masa ke masa. -gambar fail

BRASILIA: Louis van Gaal berharap mampu mengulangi kejayaannya menguruskan skuad Belanda di Piala Dunia apabila beliau mengambil alih pasukan Manchester United.

Van Gaal bakal menjadi pengurus di Old Trafford dengan ujian paling berat untuk mengembalikan kegemilangan skuad Red Devils setelah melalui musim yang malap di bawah David Moyes di samping khabar angin dari bilik persalinan.

Pengurus berusia 62 tahun itu bagaimanapun dilihat tidak akan mengalami masalah untuk meraih rasa hormat ekoran kejayaannya mengemudi skuad Belanda di Brazil dan atas sifat sepasukan yang dipupuknya dalam skuad Oranje itu.

Keputusannya untuk membenarkan penjaga gol Michel Vowm bermain pada perlawanan penentuan Belanda menentang Brazil awal pagi Ahad membolehkan kesemua 23 pemain dalam skuad itu beraksi di pentas Piala Dunia.

“Mereka semua akan tetap berada dalam hati saya,” ujar van Gal yang akan digantikan oleh Guus Hiddink di Belanda.

“Pemain saya semuanya hebat. Saya berharap agar mereka di dalam pasukan Manchester akan menjadi seperti ini kerana kami akan membaca ‘lembaran yang sama’. Saya harap saya akan mampu membuatkan mereka melakukan perkara yang sama,” katanya.

Belanda kekal tanpa kalah dalam pusingan kelayakan Piala Dunia dan hanya memiliki satu kekalahan iaitu kepada Argentina di dalam separuh akhir menerusi penentuan penalty, dan van Gaal turut mengingatkan penyokong United bahawa mereka perlu menerima kekalahan dari masa ke masa.

“Saya tidak berjaya melakukannya bersama Ajax, Barcelona atau Bayern Munich. Kalah itu sebahagian daripada sukan ini.” ujarnya.

“Saya cuma berharap agar saya mampu melakukan yang terbaik bersama Manchester United. Samada ia mencukupi untuk peminat, kita perlu tunggu dan lihat, namun saya ikhlas berharap ia akan menjadi kenyataan,” katanya kepada AFP. - Agensi

Seorang maut, seorang diculik dalam serangan terbaru di Mabul

Lapan lelaki bersenjata berpakaian tentera dipercayai mendarat di pulau terbabit.

KOTA KINABALU: Seorang anggota polis dilaporkan terbunuh manakala seorang lagi dipercayai diculik oleh lelaki bersenjata selepas drama tembak-menembak dengan polis di pantai Timur Pulau Mabul di Sabah pada lewat malam Sabtu.

Aksi tembak menembak berlaku sejurus sebelum tengah malam di mana lapan lelaki bersenjata yang memakai pakaian tentera dipercayai mendarat di pulau itu pada pukul 11.30 malam.

Laporan awal polis menunjukkan salah seorang anggotanya yang terlibat dalam insiden tembak menembak tersebut diculik.

Pengunjung yang terdiri daripada penyelam di kawasan peranginan itu turut dilaporkan mendengar beberapa das bunyi tembakan.

Laporan awal polis Semporna menunjukkan bahawa salah satu daripada anggota polis yang terlibat dalam drama tembak menembak itu mungkin diculik.

Beberapa cubaan sebelum ini dilaporkan dilakukan oleh lelaki bersenjata FIlipina untuk menceroboh keselamatan di Pulau Mabul.

Pada minggu lepas, pasukan keselamatan telah diletakkan di dalam keadaan berjaga-jaga berikutan cubaan culik oleh tujuh lelaki bersenjata di sebuah ladang ikan di luar Kampung Bangau Bangau di Semporna.

Pemilik ladang ikan itu diarahkan untuk berpindah dari kolam mereka dan sekurang-kurangnya tujuh lelaki bersenjata dilaporkan masih berada di kawasan itu.

Sebelum ini, Pesuruhjaya Polis Sabah, Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman berkata, tujuh lelaki bersenjata yang gagal menculik seorang pengusaha ikan dalam sangkar di pusat ternakan ikan berhampiran Kampung Bangau-Bangau, telah melarikan diri ke kawasan Tawi-Tawi, Selatan Filipina.

Ujarnya, pihaknya kini bekerjasama dengan polis Filipina bagi mendapatkan maklumat mengenai kumpulan penjenayah itu.

Astro Awani 

Chromebooks can get cheaper thanks to new support for a low-end chip

You can pick up a Chromebook for a dirt-cheap $200, if you know where to shop. 

However, there are now signs that these Google-powered portables could get even cheaper. MediaTek has contributed code to Chromium OS (the base for Chrome OS) for a test device with an entry-level ARM Cortex-A7 processor -- a big step down from the relatively inexpensive Cortex-A15/A7 hybrid thatSamsung uses, not to mention the Intel Celeron chips in other Chrome devices. 

Theoretically, this leads to Chromebooks and Chromeboxes that cost significantly less than $200, albeit after a big speed hit. Just as with phones and tablets, a Cortex-A7 system is likely to be pretty sluggish.MediaTek hasn't discussed what it's doing with the code, and it could be a while (if ever) before there's hardware you can buy. 

However, it's not hard to see why the semiconductor firm would want to support Chrome gear. The company's chips are seemingly omnipresent in the basic smartphones seen across developing markets like China and India. Support for a starter Cortex-A7 processor could have a similar effect in the PC world, bringing Chrome OS systems to people who might not otherwise get a computer at all.

Source: Engadget 

Berita komuniti jenayah dilancarkan

KUALA LUMPUR: 'Berita Komuniti Jenayah' yang mengandungi panduan pencegahan jenayah dilancarkan di sini pada Sabtu.

Timbalan Pengarah Jabatan Pencegahan Jenayah dan Keselamatan Komuniti, Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), DCP Datuk Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd melancarkan majalah tersebut.

Kewujudan majalah tersebut diharap dapat membantu polis dalam usaha mengurangkan kadar jenayah, kata Wan Ahmad.

Turut hadir Presiden Lembaga Kesedaran Pencegahan Jenayah Malaysia Datuk Seri Saharuddin Awang Yahya.

Berita Komuniti Jenayah akan dikeluarkan setiap tiga bulan sekali dan ia akan diedarkan secara percuma.

Buat permulaannya diedarkan di sekitar Lembah Klang sahaja, kata Saharuddin.

Sebanyak 10,000 naskah dicetak dan orang ramai boleh mendapatkannya di pasaraya seperti Giant dan pejabat kerajaan antaranya hospital, Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara dan Jabatan Imigresen. - Bernama

Brazil diaibkan sekali lagi: Belanda 3 - Brazil 0

Malu yang amat memedihkan. Begitulah kata-kata yang diluahkan oleh pengulas sukan sebentar tadi selepas Brazil sekali lagi dimalukan di laman sendiri.

Harapan untuk menebus maruah mereka yang tercalar terus punah apabila pasukan tuan rumah itu telah ditewaskan 0-3 oleh Belanda dalam perlawanan penentuan tempat ketiga Piala Dunia 2014 yang berlangsung di Stadium Nacional de Brasilia awal pagi Ahad.

Robin Van Perie meraikan gol pertama perlawanan yang dijaringkannya menerusi penalti. -AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko

Ketiadaan tonggak utama mereka, Neymar yang mengalami kecederaan semasa perlawanan suku akhir dengan Colombia, serta benteng pertahanan yang lemah menjadi punca kekalahan teruk mereka.

Mimpi buruk Brazil itu bermula seawal minit ke-3 apabila Belanda dihadiahkan tendangan penalti selepas kapten Brazil, Thiago Silva menjatuhkan Arjen Robben dalam kotak penalti.

Pada minit ke-13, Brazil hampir menyamakan kedudukan apabila penyerang mereka, Jo menerima hantaran cantik daripada Oscar namun gagal disempurnakannya kerana telah dikawal rapi oleh pertahanan Belanda.

Selang empat minit kemudian, Belanda telah menjaringkan gol kedua mereka selepas pemain pertahanan Brazil, David Luiz gagal menanduk keluar dengan sempurna bola yang ditendang oleh Robben.

Bola itu sebaliknya pergi ke arah pemain Belanda, Daley Blind yang kemudiannya merembat bola ke dalam pintu gol Brazil.

Pemain pertahanan Belanda, Daley Blind menjaringkan gol kedua pasukan Oranje. - AFP PHOTO / VANDERLEI ALMEIDA

Beberapa percubaan cuba dilakukan oleh kedua-dua pasukan sehingga minit ke-90, namun gagal menghasilkan sebarang gol.

Bagaimanapun pada minit ke-91, Belanda telah menjaringkan gol ketiga mereka hasil daripada hantaran kemas Daryl Janmaat ke arah kotak penalti yang telah disempurnakan oleh pemain tengah Belanda, Georginio Wijnaldum.

Skuad Holland tersenyum lebar apabila telah berjaya mendahului 2-0 pada minit ke 17 perlawanan. -EPA/FELIPE TRUEBA

Jaringan tersebut telah menjadikan kedudukan perlawanan, Brazil 0-3 Belanda.

Ini merupakan kali kedua pasukan itu dimalukan selepas dibelasah teruk oleh Jerman 7-1 dalam perlawanan separuh akhir, Rabu lalu.

- Astro Awani 

'I'm gay,' Ian Thorpe tells Parkinson

Legendary Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe has revealed he is gay in an interview with Michael Parkinson.

Thorpe is widely reported to have made the revelation during an interview with Parkinson on Australian’s Channel 10.

Although no transcript has been made available for the show which airs on Sunday night, a preview video contains Parkinson asking the swimmer: “You've always said that you're not gay... is all of that true?”

According to the Australian Daily Telegraph: “It’s understood the interview, which Parkinson has described as one of the best he has ever conducted, includes a full admission from Thorpe that he is gay despite having dated women in the past.

“In the emotional sit-down shot last month, Thorpe also details the years of depression he has battled while denying his sexuality from the world.”

Parkinson himself said of the interview with the five-time Olympic champion: “I think his sexuality is no one’s business but his own. But I think it’s one of the best interviews I have ever done in terms of (Thorpe) talking about depression and things like that.”

Thorpe’s sexuality has been a persistent talking point throughout his remarkable career.

In his 2012 autobiography, This Is Me, Thorpe addressed the matter head on: ''For the record, I am not gay and all my sexual experiences have been straight.

“I'm attracted to women, I love children and aspire to have a family one day … I know what it's like to grow up and be told what your sexuality is, then realising that it's not the full reality. I was accused of being gay before I knew who I was.''

In February, Thorpe's manager confirmed the Australian hero had been admitted to rehab after suffering from depression.

Police were called after Thorpe was found disorientated and behaving oddly and the 31-year-old was taken to hospital.

Source: Eurosport 

Toyota Camry Hybrid spotted on the road

A Paultan.org reader has sent a picture of the Toyota Camry Hybrid on the open road, to the online auto portal, the same unit that was spotted at JPJ Putrajaya last month. It looks like the car is being tested for type approval, which possibly means that it will make its local market introduction pretty soon.

The Camry Hybrid is expected to be locally assembled to take advantage of the duty exemptions for hybrid cars provided by the 2014 National Automotive Policy (NAP), which is set to last until end-2015. Pricing was last rumoured to be slightly higher than the RM181k range-topping Camry 2.5V.

This particular unit is wearing a bodykit – possibly the same one shown at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) last year – on top of the standard Hybrid-specific aerodynamic addenda, which includes “aero corners” on the front and rear corners and vortex generators on the door mirror mounts.

The hybrid powertrain is derived from the Lexus ES 300h and features a 2.5 litre 2AR-FXE VVT-i Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine that develops 160 PS and 213 Nm, mated to a 143 PS/270 Nm electric motor and an eCVT system that sends power to the front wheels. Total power output is 205 PS, enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.6 seconds (1.1 seconds faster than the 2.5V), while fuel consumption is 19.6 km per litre.

We will share launch dates and details of the Malaysian-market Camry Hybrid as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, what do you think of a 205 PS hybrid D-segment Toyota sedan that’s priced somewhere between RM180k-RM200k region? Share us your thoughts in the comments section.

Source: Paultan.org

Subaru XV STI Performance Edition debuts – RM144k

The Subaru XV STI Performance Edition has just made its regional debut here in Malaysia – specifically at exclusive distributor Motor Image’s brand new Subaru 3S Centre in Petaling Jaya. The crossover, now done up with look-faster STI parts, retails for RM143,800 before insurance.

It’s essentially a bodykit package for the Subaru XV, but don’t anyone dare call it a mere dress-up job in front of STI officials. The hallowed tuning firm insists that the STI Performance package isn’t just a simple aerokit, but finely honed add-ons that bring about both aesthetic and dynamic enhancements over the base vehicle.

The original Subaru Tecnica International (STI) parts boast proper functionality, which have been developed and checked by the wind tunnel and STI test engineers. There’s substance behind the style, apparently.

An all-around bodykit and a rear spoiler mark out the XV STI Performance – each with prominent STI branding, of course. The aero bits are said to reduce front and rear lift by 50%, with enhanced aerodynamic balance, no less. The STI Performance badges are not quite as functional, but you’d want them anyway.

Hidden under the hood is STI’s Flexible Tower Brace. More than a conventional rigid brace, this one has ball joints in the middle for added body control, improving handling response time by as much as 30%.

Also part of the package are LED daytime running lights, and a few new touches to the interior, such as chrome climate control dials and matte silver steering wheel inserts and side panels.

Other than that, there are no mechanical changes. The Segambut-assembled Subaru XV is powered by a FB-series 2.0 litre naturally-aspirated boxer engine with 150 PS at 6,200 rpm and 196 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. Drive goes to all wheels through an Active Torque Split AWD system and a Lineartronic CVT with six virtual ratios.

The XV’s equipment list includes Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), cruise control, reverse sensor, steering wheel shift paddles, dual front and driver’s knee airbags (enough for a five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating), automatic air-con and a two-DIN touch-screen AV system with remote that brings together DVD, USB, iPod, Bluetooth and GPS, among other things.

Source: Paultan.org

Israel vows no let-up, Hamas defiant, as Gaza toll increases

Saturday's strikes, said Gaza emergency services, hit a mosque and a centre for the disabled. AFP Photo

GAZA: Israel pounded Gaza for a fifth day Saturday with air strikes and artillery, killing 22 Palestinians as Hamas defiantly kept up its rocket fire into the Jewish state.

Both sides brushed off international calls for a truce and Israel kept up its buildup of troops and armour on the Gaza border in preparation for a possible ground invasion.

Saturday's strikes, which Gaza emergency services said hit a mosque and a centre for the disabled among other targets, brought the death toll since the Tuesday start of Israel's Operation Protective Edge to 127.

The Israeli army said the mosque housed an arms cache.

It said that over the same period 530 rockets hit Israel, nine of them on Saturday.

US President Barack Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday and Washington offered to use its influence in the Middle East to bring a return to calm.

But speaking at a news conference in Tel Aviv on Friday, Netanyahu said he would not end the military campaign until he achieved his goal of stopping the Hamas fire.

"No international pressure will prevent us from striking, with all force, against the terrorist organisation which calls for our destruction," he said.

"No terrorist target in Gaza is immune."

The latest border flareup -- the deadliest since November 2012 -- can be traced to last month's kidnap and murder of three young Israelis in the occupied West Bank and the brutal revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager by Jewish extremists.

Israel responded with a major crackdown on Hamas, even though the Islamist group declined to confirm or deny its involvement, while Gaza militants hit back with intensified rocket fire.

Despite international concern, truce efforts have been unsuccessful, according to Egypt, which has been key in mediating previous ceasefires between Hamas and Israel.

"Egypt has communicated with all sides to halt violence against civilians and called on them to continue with the truce agreement signed in November 2012," the foreign ministry said.

"Unfortunately, these efforts... have met with stubbornness."

Former British premier Tony Blair, the envoy for the so-called Quartet of Middle East diplomatic players, flew into Cairo on Saturday for talks on ending the violence.

Ismail Haniya, Gaza's former premier and the most senior Hamas official in the coastal enclave, ruled out any halt to hostilities.

"(Israel) is the one that started this aggression and it must stop, because we are (simply) defending ourselves," he said.

- Ground attack decision soon -

Israel says preparations are under way for a possible ground incursion, with tanks and artillery massed along the border and some 33,000 reservists mobilised out of 40,000 approved by the cabinet.

More armour was seen heading south on Saturday morning.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he expected a political decision on a possible ground operation by Sunday.

"At the moment we are dealing with the first phase... air attacks," he told Channel One television on Friday.

"I imagine we shall decide tomorrow (Saturday) or the day after on the next stage."

So far, no one in Israel has been killed. Two have been seriously wounded.

In northern Israel, at least one rocket fired from Lebanon struck an open area near the town of Metula on Friday, prompting troops to respond with shelling, the army said.

The military believed a Palestinian group fired it in solidarity with Hamas, public radio reported.

- 'Military actions must stop' -

The escalating violence brought more offers of truce negotiations from the White House Friday.

"There are a number of relationships the United States has that we are willing to leverage in the region to try to bring about an end to the rocket fire that's originating in Gaza and, as we saw this morning, in Lebanon," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Friday.

He referred to taking steps as the US and Egypt did in November 2012 to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas.

Kuwait requested an emergency Arab foreign ministers meeting to discuss "the deteriorating situation", which a diplomat at the Arab League said will be held on Monday.

Israeli strikes on residential buildings in Gaza brought a rebuke from the UN human rights office over civilian casualty toll.

"Even when a home is identified as being used for military purposes, any attack must be proportionate... and precautions must be taken to protect civilians," said spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani.

Amnesty International called for the United Nations "to immediately impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, Hamas and Palestinian armed groups" and launch an enquiry into "violations committed on all sides".

Since the start of Israel's operation on Tuesday, about 530 rockets have struck the Jewish state, and the Iron Dome air defence system has shot down around 138, an army spokeswoman told AFP on Saturday. - AFP 

Pelajar dirompak, dipukul dalam perjalanan ke sekolah

KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang pelajar perempuan berusia 14 tahun dirompak dan dipukul ketika dalam perjalanan menuju ke sekolahnya.

Dalam kejadian kira-kira pukul 6.45 pagi Isnin lalu, mangsa yang sedang berjalan kaki menuju ke sekolahnya selepas turun dari LRT Masjid Jamek, didatangi sebuah kereta dinaiki dua lelaki dari belakang.

Mangsa kemudiannya dipukul sehingga pengsan sebelum dilarikan menaiki kereta terbabit.

Ketua Polis Daerah Dang Wangi ACP Zainuddin Ahmad berkata, beberapa jam kemudian mangsa tersedar daripada pengsan dan mendapati dia berada di belakang sebuah bangunan tidak jauh daripada sekolahnya.

"Sebaik sedar, remaja perempuan tersebut menyedari dompet yang mengandungi wang tunai RM20 ringgit telah hilang," katanya ketika dihubungi Astro AWANI.

Mangsa kemudiannya mengadu kejadian tersebut kepada guru dan keluarganya.

Tambah Zainuddin, polis percaya kejadian tersebut bermotifkan samun.

Laporan awal pemeriksaan kesihatan mendapati terdapat kecederaan akibat dipukul senjata tajam di bahagian belakang kepala mangsa. -- ASTRO Awani 

Assault: stern action should be taken against teacher

GOBIND: The AG needs to ensure that action is taken in this matter.

KUALA LUMPUR: The teacher who allegedly assaulted a student by throwing a shoe at her in class should be charged in court if the allegations are found true, said Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo.

In a letter to Astro AWANI, Gobind said that the eight-year-old M Sharmini’s father has lodged a police report against the teacher who allegedly threw the shoe at her during moral class.

“The law is clear. That would amount to intentional assault causing hurt which amounts to an offence under the Penal Code,” he said.

The teacher has since been transferred and was issued with a show cause letter. Singh, however feels more stern action needs to be taken.

“What happened is a very serious matter. People send their children to school believing that they will be safe and that the teachers in particular will protect them,” he said.

He adds that the act of assaulting a student (with a shoe) is derogatory and cannot be condoned and has called upon the Attorney General to ensure action is taken.

“I call upon Attorney General to personally ensure that action is taken in this matter if investigations disclose an offence soonest possible,” he said. - ASTRO Awani 

Peniaga akan dihukum jika naik harga

Khazali (tengah) ketika mengadakan lawatan ke pameran sempena Persidangan Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST) 2014

KUALA LUMPUR - Peniaga yang mengambil kesempatan menaikkan harga barangan sewenang-wenangnya selepas pelaksanaan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) akan dikenakan tindakan.

Ketua Pengarah Kastam, Datuk Seri Khazali Ahmad berkata, jika didapati peniaga itu melakukan kesalahan tersebut, ia boleh dikenakan tindakan di bawah Akta Kawalan Harga dan Anti Percatutan.

“Walaupun cukai jualan dikenakan di peringkat pembuatan yang akan menimbulkan ‘kesan kompaun’, tapi peratusan dalam saluran pengedaran sering digunakan untuk kedua-dua elemen cukai dan kos barangan yang dijual bagi sesetengah pihak untuk kaut keuntungan.

“Cukai jualan tidak melibatkan cukai barang yang dieksport kerana ia benar-benar cukai bebas yang tidak mempunyai kos tersembunyi,” katanya ketika menyampaikan ucapan di Persidangan GST Kebangsaan 2014 di sini, semalam.

Khazali turut menyarankan syarikat perniagaan terutama perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) supaya mendaftar di bawah sistem MYGST lebih awal bagi mendapatkan subsidi E-baucer bernilai RM1000 untuk membeli perisian perakaunan patuh GST daripada pembekal yang disahkan oleh Jabatan Kastam.

“Kita dah luluskan hampir 3,900 pelesen dan bagi saya ini adalah satu pendekatan yang baik.Sementara masih ada masa, lebih baik kita buat secara sukarela, ini lebih baik dan bagus,” katanya.

Selain itu, kata beliau pihaknya turut mewujudkan program latihan ‘hand-holding’ sebagai program latihan yang akan memberi penerangan kepada syarikat perniagaan mengenai sistem GST.

Katanya, program itu mempunyai enam modul yang akan menerangkan berkenaan GST untuk sektor perniagaan, implikasi aliran tunai, kesan ke atas polisi harga, implikasi kepada sistem perakaunan, aliran kerja dan pemprosesan, dan keperluan dokumentasi terutamanya

invois cukai serta laporan GST.

Sementara itu, Pengarah Eksekutif Tax Advisory and Management Services Sdn Bhd (TAMS), Yong Poh Chye berkata, harga petrol RON95 dan diesel akan kekal jika diberikan pengecualian daripada dikenakan GST.

Poh Chye berkata, kesan lain GST terhadap pengguna selepas pelaksanaannya tidak akan memberikan kesan tinggi memandangkan ia adalah cukai yang efektif.

Sinar Harian