Peserta perhimpunan terbunuh ditembak polis?

Shaimaa al-Sabbagh diberikan bantuan selepas ditembak.

CAIRO - MESIR. Seorang wanita yang dalam perjalanan untuk meletakkan bunga dalam satu perhimpunan, maut ditembak polis, semalam.

Shaimaa al-Sabbagh, salah seorang peserta Socialist Popular Alliance Party parah selepas terkena peluru penabur dari jarak dekat.

Shaimaa disahkan mati dalam perjalanan ke hospital.

Menurut Times, kumpulan berkenaan hanya berniat berkumpul dan meletakkan bunga di lokasi bersejarah dalam ulang tahun ke-empat Revolusi Egypt.

Beberapa orang awam lain juga dilaporkan cedera.

Wakil rasmi kerajaan menafikan bahawa tembakan tersebut dilepaskan polis, namun ia hanya membangkitkan lagi kemarahan orang ramai.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Hasrat bersanding tertunai

SATU ketika dahulu, pasangan selebriti ini pernah merancang untuk mengadakan majlis resepsi perkahwinan mereka dalam suasana yang meriah dengan kehadiran jemputan.

Namun, atas beberapa faktor yang tidak dapat dielakkan, hasrat itu terkubur begitu sahaja. Namun, bagaikan orang mengantuk di sorong bantal, Aeril Zafrel dan Wawa Zainal, akhirnya berpeluang merasai detik-detik indah itu pada 31 Januari ini.

Menganggap ianya sebagai rezeki dari Allah SWT, Aeril memberitahu bahawa dia tidak pernah menyangka akan mendapat tawaran seindah ini.

"Alhamdulillah, kami sangat bersyukur kerana dilantik sebagai duta sempena Malaysian International Wedding Festival (MINWEF), dan berpeluang menggayakan persalinan pengantin.

"Memang betul kami akan bersanding buat pertama kalinya pada festival berkenaan, namun saya sifatkan ianya lebih menjurus kepada tuntutan kerja dan tiada saudara mara yang akan hadir.

"Ianya bertujuan untuk mempromosikan persalinan pengantin dan kami seronok kerana dapat sama-sama menjayakan festival ini," katanya lagi.

Festival ini akan bermula 28 Januari hingga 1 Februari bermula jam 10 pagi hingga 10 malam di Dewan Kenangan Majlis Perbandaran Sungai Petani Kedah (MPSK). Difahamkan, majlis yang akan berlangsung mengikut adat itu lengkap dengan kompang.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Reaksi media sosial terhadap cadangan hukuman kepada ibu bapa merotan anak

Pengguna media sosial beri maklum balas berkenaan akta baharu yang bakal menghukum ibu bapa yang merotan anak mereka.

CADANGAN untuk menggubal akta baharu yang bakal menghukum ibu bapa atas kesalahan merotan anak mereka menjadi perbualan hangat di internet.

Pelbagai reaksi diberikan di pelbagai platform media sosial.

Daripada pemerhatian, rata-rata pengguna tidak bersetuju dengan cadangan memperkenalkan akta baharu ini.

Bagi mereka, merotan itu perlu untuk mendidik anak-anak, namun tidak sampai ke tahap mendera.

Tidak kurang pula yang berasakan tindakan itu mengenepikan hak ibu bapa dalam mendidik anak.

Namun tidak semua membantah keputusan itu. Sesetengah pengguna percaya mendidik anak tanpa kekerasan adalah satu pendekatan yang baik.

- Sumber: Astro Awani 

Jenazah Almarhum Tengku Intan Zaharah selamat disemadikan

Jenazah Tengku Intan Zaharah Almarhum Tengku Seri Setia Raja Tengku Hitam Omar selamat disemadikan di Makam Diraja Terengganu hari ini.

KUALA TERENGGANU: Jenazah Tengku Ampuan Tua Terengganu, Tengku Intan Zaharah Almarhum Tengku Seri Setia Raja Tengku Hitam Omar selamat disemadikan bersebelahan makam suami baginda, Almarhum Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah di Makam Diraja Terengganu di Masjid Abidin di sini selepas solat zuhur hari ini.

Istiadat pengebumian dan bacaan talkin disempurnakan Mufti Terengganu Dr Zulkifly Muda.

Turut hadir kerabat diraja Terengganu, Menteri Besar Terengganu Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri Datuk Zubir Embong, Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu Datuk Osman Muda serta anggota Majlis Mesyuarat Negeri.

Sebaik tiba di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Mahmud pukul 10.15 pagi ini dengan pesawat Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) dari Subang, jenazah Almarhum dibawa ke Istana Maziah untuk membolehkan orang kenamaan dan rakyat jelata memberi penghormatan terakhir.

Turut berangkat memberi penghormatan terakhir ialah Yang Teramat Mulia Tengku Besar Terengganu Sharifah Nong Asegaff, Tunku Ampuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Almarhum Tengku Besar Mahmud, Tengku Sri Temenggung Raja Tengku Baharuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud serta kerabat diraja lain.

Almarhum Tengku Intan Zaharah, 86, yang merupakan Raja Permaisuri Agong keempat, mangkat di sebuah pusat perubatan swasta di ibu negara pukul 3.26 petang semalam.

- Sumber: Bernama

Ibu buta teruja dapat lihat anaknya buat kali pertama

Dia dapat melihat anaknya itu dengan bantuan eSight yang meningkatkan kualiti video.

WASHINGTON: Video seorang ibu cacat penglihatan di Kanada yang dapat melihat anaknya buat kali pertama telah menjadi viral baru-baru ini.

Rakaman yang dimuat naik di YouTube itu menunjukkan Kathy Beitz, 29 tahun, melihat anaknya yang baru lahir menerusi bantuan cermin mata berteknologi tinggi, eSight.

"Buat kali pertamanya saya dapat melihat anak saya sendiri dan saya rasa sangat gembira," kata ibu muda itu.

Beitz menghidap penyakit yang dikenali sebagai penyakit Stargardt. Dia dapat melihat anaknya itu dengan bantuan eSight yang meningkatkan kualiti video dalam masa nyata.

Imej-imej dipaparkan membolehkan individu yang tidak benar-benar buta untuk melihat dunia di sekeliling mereka.

"Selepas melahirkan, Beitz terus mahu berjumpa dengan anaknya," kata Yvonne Felix, kakak Beitz yang telah memuat naik video itu.

Felix, yang juga mempunyai penyakit sama, sedang mengumpul dana supaya lebih ramai boleh memperoleh cermin mata mahal ini di makeblindnesshistory.com.

- Source: AFP

Giant-killing: MANCHESTER CITY 0-2 MIDDLESBROUGH

Manchester City lost 2-0 at home to Championship side Middlesbrough. Patrick Bamford, on loan from Chelsea, scored the opening goal and Kike added a late second as a City side containing the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva drew a humiliating blank.

The shocks came less than 24 hours after Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by Cambridge United - yet Louis van Gaal's side have seen their odds to win the competition tumble after the Premier League's top three sides all lost.

Manchester City's FA Cup woes continued as they tumbled to a tame exit against Middlesbrough. Having lost to Wigan in each of the previous two seasons, Manuel Pellegrini's side failed to score despite fielding a strong team including Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero.

Patrick Bamford opened the scoring on 53 minutes after an error by Fernando. Frank Lampard hit the post for City as the home side desperately chased the game, before Kike put the result beyond doubt in added time.

- Source: Eurosport 

Giant-killing: CHELSEA 2-4 BRADFORD CITY

Chelsea and Manchester City were both dumped out of the FA Cup by lower-league opponents on a day of incredible fourth round drama.

Chelsea surrendered a 2-0 lead as they went down 4-2 at home to League One side Bradford City, with ex-Stamford Bridge man Filipe Morais scoring the equaliser before Andy Halliday grabbed the winner eight minutes from time and Mark Yeates capped off an astonishing win in stoppage time.

Jose Mourinho endured his worst loss as Chelsea manager as the Premier League leaders suffered a second half meltdown against League One Bradford. Mourinho said on Friday that defeat would be "a disgrace" then watched his nightmare become reality.

Goals from Gary Cahill and Ramires put Chelsea in seemingly complete command before Jon Stead reduced the arrears just before half-time. The game turned in an astounding final 15 minutes as Filipe Morais, Andy Halliday and Mark Yeates all scored past Petr Cech as Bradford beat a side 49 places above them in the league ladder.

- Source: Eurosport 

Radio presenter claims son abused at nursery

Her husband noticed what seemed to be bite and scratch marks on the right and left arms, back and forehead of their son, Muhammad Qolbi, when he fetched him from the nursery on Thursday evening.

KUALA LUMPUR: A radio presenter has claimed that her 20-month-old son suffered abuse at a child care centre in Kelana Jaya two days ago.

Nazira Noran, 35, who works at Bernama Radio24, claimed that her husband Muhammad Farid Samsuddin, 41, noticed what seemed to be bite and scratch marks on the right and left arms, back and forehead of their son, Muhammad Qolbi, when he fetched him from the nursery on Thursday evening.

"I went to the nursery to get an explanation but the supervisor told me that the marks were from old wounds.

"However, a doctor at a private medical centre confirmed the marks to be fingernail scratches of an adult," she told Bernama today.

Nazira said she lodged a report at the Petaling Jaya police station late on Thursday.

"This is the first time this has happened after my son had been sent there for more than a year," she said.

Nazira said Muhammad Qolbi was in stable condition and that following the incident the boy, the youngest of three siblings, was being taken care of by the family. 

- Source: Bernama

Kelam kabut bas rempuh pelajar KPTM

GUA MUSANG – Suasana tenang di Hentian Bas di Bandar Baru, di sini, petang kelmarin, bertukar kelam kabut apabila berlaku insiden ngeri sebuah bas merempuh lima penuntut Kolej Poly-Tech Mara (KPTM) menyebabkan seorang maut dan dua cedera manakala dua lagi terselamat.

Mangsa yang maut dikenali Nur Kharunnisa Hamzah, 20, berasal dari Rawang Selangor manakala yang cedera parah Nor Aina Sofia Mohd Salleh, 18, dihantar ke Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Kubang Kerian.

Seorang lagi cedera ringan Norhaslili Shafikah Hasbullah, 20, berasal dari Bukit Permai, Kuala Lumpur manakala dua lagi rakan mereka yang terselamat Siti Nurfalinda Mohd Asri, 18 dan Nur Asila Atiqah Shahruddin, 18.

Pemandu bas yang pengsan ketika hendak memberhentikan kenderaannya, Mohd Rashid Yaacob, 53, berasal dari Kampung Chiku 5, Gua Musang dan kini sedang dirawat di Hospital Gua Musang.

Ketua Polis Daerah, Superintendan Saiful Bahri Abdullah berkata, kejadian itu berlaku kira-kira jam 6.50 petang ketika bas dari Kuala Krai ke Gua Musang itu cuba berhenti untuk menurunkan penumpang di hentian terbabit.

Beliau berkata, pemandu bas berkenaan dipercayai sakit perut sebelum bas itu hilang kawasan dan bergerak sendiri menuruni bukit sebelum merempuh lima penuntut KPTM yang kebetulan melalui kawasan itu.

“Lima penuntut KPTM melalui kawasan itu selepas membeli barang makanan di tapak expo bersebelahan hentian bas dan hendak pulang ke tempat penginapan terletak 100 meter dari situ,” katanya.

Saiful Bahri berkata, kelima-lima mangsa dirempuh dari belakang dan mangsa yang maut berada di sebelah kanan sekali manakala dua yang cedera tercampak ke dalam longkang sementara dua lagi tidak mengalami kecederaan. 

Katanya, sebaik bas itu merempuh mangsa, kenderaan berkenaan yang terus bergerak sejauh 20 meter turut merempuh sebuah kenderaan pacuan empat roda milik Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

Kenderaan TNB itu diparkir di tempat kejadian.

Tambahnya, mangsa yang cedera parah di kepala meninggal dunia di lokasi nahas dan mayat dihantar ke Hospital Gua Musang untuk bedah siasat sebelum dituntut keluarganya pagi ini untuk dibawa balik ke Rawang, Selangor.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Dr. Martens turn red and blue for spring - priced RM525 to RM605

Dr. Martens is expanding its monochrome offering with two new shades.

The British brand is giving three of its iconic footwear designs a monochrome makeover this season, turning everything from the soles to the laces blue or red.

Poppy red and bright blue are the colors of the coming season, according to Dr. Martens. The brand decided to expand its offering of monochrome footwear with two shades that are sure to get fashionistas' feet noticed.

Three leather models have been transformed for this special collection: the Alexei brogue, the three-eyelet 1461 shoe and the eight-eyelet 1460 boot. All of these designs will be available for the first time entirely in blue or red, from the soles to the laces. Even the iconic heel loop ribbon has been dyed to match.

The new monochrome shoes will be available from February in select Dr. Martens stores at prices ranging from €130 to €150 (about RM525 to RM605). The 1461 shoe in Blue and Poppy Red will also be available at the Parisian concept store Colette from February 15. 

- Source:  AFP RELAXNEWS

Mayat diikat batu

Anggota polis melakukan siasatan di lokasi mayat ditemui. (Gambar kecil) Batu yang digunakan penjenayah.

RANTAU PANJANG – Seorang lelaki ditemui mati dalam keadaan menyayat hati apabila tangan, kaki dan perutnya diikat dengan tali, sebelum dibenamkan ke Sungai Golok dengan batu.

Ketua Polis Pasir Mas, Asisten Haliludin Rahim berkata, siasatan awal mendapati, mangsa ditemui di dasar sungai dekat Pengkalan Haram Tok Ayah, jam 7.42 petang oleh anggota Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) yang membuat rondaan sempadan.

Menurutnya, mangsa dianggarkan berusia 20 hingga 30 tahun, ditemui tidak memakai baju dan hanya berseluar jeans.

“Kita menghadapi sedikit cabaran ketika menarik mangsa ke daratan, namun disebabkan faktor keselamatan dan keadaan tempat kejadian yang gelap, kita terpaksa memotong tali yang terikat pada batu.

“Kita masih menyiasat punca kehilangan cuping telinga kanan. Selain itu, tiada kecederaan lain dilaporkan,” katanya yang mengesahkan polis tidak menemui dokumen pengenalan diri pada mangsa.

Setakat ini, polis belum menerima sebarang laporan mengenai kehilangan ahli keluarga di sini.

Haliludin berkata, pihaknya masih menunggu keputusan bedah siasat mangsa bagi mengetahui punca kematian dan kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Anwar: 'Saya sudah sedia'

Anwar Ibrahim 

IPOH - Ketua Umum PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim bersedia memberikan keterangan kepada Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) berhubung dakwaan penyalahgunaan kuasa yang dilakukan oleh bekas Menteri Kewangan, Tun Daim Zainuddin.

Menurut Anwar, beliau telah dimaklumkan tentang perkara itu oleh SPRM dan pihaknya akan berjumpa agensi terbabit secepat mungkin.

“SPRM sudah maklumkan tentang perkara ini dan saya sedang mencari waktu yang sesuai untuk berjumpa mereka.

“Saya jamin akan berikan kerjasama penuh untuk berikan keterangan kepada SPRM,” katanya ketika ditemui selepas Majlis Dialog Anak Muda Bersama Anwar Ibrahim di sini, semalam.

Pada majlis itu, lebih kurang 100 anak muda dari seluruh negara berkumpul pada sesi dialog yang diadakan kira-kira satu jam itu.

“SPRM tak sepatutnya hanya tunggu dari saya (bukti), sedangkan mereka lebih mengetahui dan punya kelebihan untuk dapatkan pelbagai bukti,” katanya.

Sebelum ini, Timbalan Ketua Pesuruhjaya (Operasi) SPRM, Datuk Seri Mohd. Shukri Abdull berkata, Anwar akan dipanggil untuk membantu siasatan kerana mendakwa mempunyai bukti kukuh berkaitan kes Daim.

Pada perkembangan lain, Anwar berpendapat cadangan untuk mengadakan pilihan raya pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT) harus diteliti melalui Majlis Pimpinan PR dengan mengambil kira pandangan daripada semua kaum.

Beliau berkata, PR adalah gabungan parti yang mendukung proses demokrasi dan perkara itu perlu dibincangkan dalam mesyuarat sebelum sebarang keputusan dibuat.

“Kami akan mengenal pasti segala isu dan pendapat semua penduduk dalam sesebuah bandar sebelum membuat keputusan berhubung perkara tersebut.

“Berikutan itu, kami dijangka akan membincangkan perkara berkenaan dalam mesyuarat pimpinan PR pada Isnin ini,” katanya.

Menyentuh pandangan Presiden Pas, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang mengenai isu tersebut, beliau berkata, perkara itu adalah pendapat peribadinya.

“Kenyataan yang dikeluarkan beliau (Abdul Hadi) adalah pendapat peribadinya,” katanya.

Kelmarin, Abdul Hadi dalam satu kenyataan telah menyuarakan kebimbangan berhubung desakan DAP yang mahu mengadakan pilihan raya PBT kerana perkara itu mampu mencetuskan ketegangan dalam kalangan penduduk terutamanya di kawasan majoriti Cina.

-  Source: Sinar Harian 

Sony a5100: Just snap and share

SNAP AWAY: The a5100 has a 180° flippable screen for taking selfies

THE a5100 is Sony’s latest Alpha mirrorless camera. Physically, the a5100 does not differ much from other models in the range but it’s smaller than the higher-end a6000. 

Although it’s small, it feels solid and has a decent-sized grip that makes it comfortable to hold the camera even with one hand.

As this camera is made for casual photographers — the a5100 doesn’t come with fancy control dials or electronic viewfinders. The camera is mainly controlled via the 3in touchscreen although there is a circular navigation pad for accessing shortcuts like the timer, ISO setting and exposure compensation. 

It comes with a built-in flash but has no hotshoe for fitting an external one. The built-in flash works best with short lens (like the kit lens). 

When used with a telephoto lens, the built-in flash will be blocked by the long lens barrel, resulting in images with shadows at the bottom. Anyway, an internal flash will never be as versatile as an external flash but it’s still nice not having to carry extra gear.

The a5100 has a 180° flippable screen for taking selfies. The camera will automatically turn on the timer when the screen is flipped, making it very convenient to shoot selfies at a moment’s notice. 

Internal improvements 

The changes are mostly on the inside — the a5100 has a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sized sensor (just like a mid-range DSLR) and a fancy new Bionz X ­processor.

It also gets a fast hybrid autofocus ­system that combines phase and ­contrast detections which allows it to snap to focus much quicker.  The addition of phase ­detection also means that the camera is better able to track ­moving subjects, both when snapping still photos and recording videos.

BACK TO BASICS: The a5100 doesn’t come with fancy control dials or electronic viewfinders.

The a5100 also has an improved burst shooting rate of six frames per second, ­meaning you will be better able to shoot ­subjects like children or pets and increase your chances of landing a good snapshot.

As with previous camera models, the a5100 allows for easy sharing of pictures via WiFi and NFC pairing. With Sony’s PlayMemories Camera app installed on your Android smartphone, you can easily transfer your pictures over to your ­smartphone with a simple tap. 

As for iPhones — which don’t come with NFC — you can still connect to the a5100 via WiFi. The process is slightly slower but it gets the job done nonetheless.

Performance

There is plenty to like about the a5100’s performance. Let’s start with its great ­autofocus performance. 

Used with the included 16-50mm kit lens, the camera was able to acquire focus almost instantly with a simple half press of the ­shutter button. 

The accuracy was also pretty good ­considering there was rarely any time that the camera failed to lock focus. Admittedly, autofocus speeds did drop in low light ­conditions but we were impressed as it still managed to focus accurately.

AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: The addition of a touchscreen makes the a5100 more accessible to smartphone users who are used to shooting with touch controls — just tap on the area of the screen that you wish to focus on and snap a photo.

The addition of a touchscreen makes the a5100 more accessible to smartphone users who are used to shooting with touch controls — just tap on the area of the screen that you wish to focus on and snap a photo.

In addition, the camera’s fast six frames per second continuous shooting proved to be useful when capturing fast moving subjects.

Coming with the a6000’s 24.3-megapixel sensor and processing engine, we expected great things from the a5100 and it certainly delivered. The camera produced pleasing photos with bright colours, a good amount of saturation and lots of detail.

The a5100’s metering gave some pretty well exposed shots while the new Bionz X processor allowed the camera to take ­pleasing low light photos. Even at ISO 3,200 pictures still appeared acceptable and the noise was kept in control.

If you are looking to spice up your ­photos, the camera’s Creative Styles mode lets you utilise different picture effects to give your photos a ­completely different look, like making things appear small — like a miniature set — with the Toy Camera effect, for example.

Apart from shooting photos, the a5100 also serves as a pretty good camera for recording full HD videos.

MULTIPURPOSE: the a5100 also serves as a pretty good camera for recording full HD videos.

We were fairly impressed by the camera’s video quality which looked great during playback. The only thing missing that we would have liked was a microphone port for better audio recording.

But considering that this is an entry level camera meant for casual video taking, the absence of a microphone input won’t be dearly missed.

Conclusion

The a5100 boasts solid specs that should please any photographer. The 24.3-megapixel sensor inherited from the higher end a6000 delivers solid image quality. 

At the same time, the hybrid autofocus ­system and fast 6fps continuous shooting speed make the a5100 terrific for capturing moving subjects. While you do trade off some professional features like an electronic viewfinder and flash hotshoe, you do get a front tilting touch LCD screen for snapping selfies.

To top it all off, the inclusion of built-in WiFi and NFC connectivity is handy too for easy sharing of photos when you are ­travelling. 

On a whole, the Alpha 5100 is a very ­capable camera that comes packed with great features that will prove useful for ­photography beginners.

Pros: Great image quality; fast autofocus speeds; tiltable LCD screen for taking selfies.

Cons: Missing pro features like viewfinder and flash hotshoe.

Camera: a5100 (Sony)

Entry-level mirrorless camera

Sensor: 24.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (6,000 x 4,000 pixels)

Viewfinder: 3in flippable LCD monitor

Shutter speed: 30secs - 1/4000 sec

ISO range: 100 - 25,600

Shooting modes: P, S, A, M, iAuto, Superior Auto, Sweep Panorama, Scene Selection, Movie

Video format: Up to 1,080p at 60fps, H.264

Battery: Lithium-ion

Storage: SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo, XC-HG Duo

Interface: HDMI micro, NFC, WiFi

Other features: Creative filters

Dimensions (W x H x D): 109.6 x 62.8 x 35.7mm

Weight: 224g (body only)

Website: www.sony.com.my

Price: RM2,399 (with 16-50mm kit lens)

- Source: The Star 

Formula 1: Jenson Button marries long-term girlfriend Jessica Michibata

Photo: ST

British former world champion Jenson Button confirmed via Twitter on Thursday that he has married his long-term girlfriend Japanese-Argentine lingerie model Jessica Michibata.

The pair were pictured at a New Year’s Eve ceremony in Maui, Hawaii, in several British newspapers.

The marriage capped a turbulent year for 34-year-old Button, whose father, John, died in January last year.

Button, who won the world championship in 2009, was recently confirmed as one of McLaren’s drivers for the 2015 season alongside the returning Fernando Alonso. - AFP

-Source: AFP via The New Paper | Januari 2, 2015

Briton found dead on Thai tourist island

BANGKOK: A British backpacker has been discovered dead on the popular Thai tourist island of Koh Tao, police said Friday, four months after a British couple were found murdered there.

Police said the body of Christina Annesley, 23, was discovered inside a bungalow room at a resort on the eastern side of the island on Wednesday.

There were no immediate signs of criminal activity but her body will be sent to the mainland for an autopsy.

“There was no trace of a fight and her body has no wounds,” local police officer Lieutenant Colonel Napa Senathit told AFP by telephone, adding that investigators discovered three kinds of medicine in her room, but no recreational drugs.

The autopsy is not likely to be carried out before Sunday as officials have to wait for a ferry to the mainland.

“There is no ferry today (yesterday) so we will send her body on Saturday night to arrive on the mainland Sunday morning,” Lieutenant Colonel Napa said.

Many of Annesley’s final tweets – under the handle úchrstinadarling – spoke of the beauty of Koh Tao’s white sand beaches and azure waters which are popular backpackers and divers.

“In awe of how beautiful this place is,” she wrote on January 19, posting a picture of one of the island’s many beaches.

She also made reference to taking both Tramadol, a painkiller, and Valium, an anti-anxiety medication, in the days leading up to her death.

British daily The Telegraph said Christina’s mother Margaret had posted on her daughter’s Facebook page saying she had died of “natural causes”.

The Facebook page appeared to be inaccessible Friday.

“We have lost our beautiful daughter Chrissie in Thailand of natural causes,” the paper reported her writing.

“We are totally devastated. We love you so much darling, rest in peace. We will bring you home soon xxxxxxxxxx Mum and Dad.”

Last year Koh Tao was rocked by the double murder of two young British backpackers. 

- Source: AFP via The Borneo Post | January 24, 2015

Peugeot Lounge enters Malaysia Book of Records

The Peugeot Lounge has etched its way into the Malaysia Book of Records as the country’s “First Automotive Airport Lounge.” Speaking at the certification award ceremony, COO of Nasim, Datuk Samson Anand George, said “the Peugeot Lounge gives our customers one of the best ownership experience by providing a comfortable departure point for our customers to unwind and relax before boarding their flights.” 

Opened in 2013, the lounge provides owners with WiFi connectivity, Astro services, complimentary refreshments, flight information display as well as a meeting and VIP room. Exclusive Peugeot merchandises are also on sale at the lounge. 

Located on the first floor of the Subang Skypark Terminal, owners need only to present their boarding pass along with either a Peugeot Privilege card or car key to enjoy the facility. Owners are also allowed to be accompanied by one guest, provided he/she presents a valid boarding pass.

- Source: paultan.org

Awie: Pengajaran buat dia!

Awie

Awie dan anak-anaknya.

DI sebalik kemelut rumah tangganya, penyanyi rock, Awie mengakui tindakan yang diambil terhadap isterinya, Rozana Misbun, 37 itu adalah semata-mata mahu memperjuangkan hak anak-anak iaitu Putra Ahmad Merrah, 8, Putra Ahmad Rezzki, 7, dan Puteri Qasseh Antasha, 5.

Menganggap anak adalah segala-galanya, vokalis kumpulan Wings itu mahu Rozana memulangkan semula apa yang telah diamanahkan kepadanya.

“Apa jua hak anak-anak, saya minta dia kembalikan semula di mana sebelum ini saya pernah mengamanahkan sejumlah wang kepadanya untuk menguruskan kebajikan anak-anak jika berlaku sesuatu yang tidak diingini kepada saya.

“Anak-anak adalah segala-galanya buat diri saya dan kebajikan untuk mereka memang saya utamakan,” tegasnya.

Mengulas lebih lanjut, Awie atau nama sebenarnya Ahmad Azhar Othman, 47 memberitahu sejak awal perbalahan, dia tidak pernah membangkitkan soal penceraian terhadap rumah tangganya itu.

“Sebenarnya bukan niat saya untuk bercerai tapi untuk memberi pengajaran kepadanya seterusnya bertaubat.

“Salah ke sebagai seorang suami saya mahu beri pengajaran kepada isteri saya yang tidak amanah itu.

“Tapi saya tidak mahu terlalu memikirkan soal ini kerana apa yang penting sekarang adalah anak-anak,” ujarnya.

Pada 14 Januari lalu, Mahkamah Tinggi Syariah Kuala Lumpur telah membatalkan hak penjagaan sementara tiga anak yang diperoleh Awie. Keputusan itu membenarkan kedua-dua pihak mempunyai sama hak ke atas tiga anak hasil perkahwinan mereka itu.

Sedia derma organ

Beralih pada perkembangan terbaharunya, selain sibuk membuat persiapan Konsert Wings Menakluk Kosmos di MITC, Melaka pada 31 Januari ini, Awie turut sibuk dengan aktiviti kebajikannya.

Dilantik sebagai ikon dalam Pertubuhan Rakan Sihat dengan kerjasama Kementerian Kesihatan, Awie memberitahu beberapa program telah diaturkan untuk memberi kesedaran kepada masyarakat.

“Baru-baru ini saya ke Kelantan dalam misi bantuan mangsa banjir. Melihatkan keadaan di sana saya terpanggil untuk berikrar apabila saya meninggal satu hari nanti, saya mahu mendermakan semua organ badan kepada mana-mana pihak yang memerlukan.

“Melihatkan kebaikan yang ada, saya mahu menyeru kepada masyarakat dan rakan-rakan yang lain untuk turut sama melakukan perkara yang sama.

“Lagi pun bila sudah meninggal dunia, hanya jasad yang tinggal dan roh akan ke alam lain. Jadi daripada badan di makan bumi, jadi lebih baik kita berikan kepada yang memerlukan,” katanya.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Obama, Cameron condemn Japan hostage 'murder'

The nearly three-minute recording shows a still image of Kenji Goto holding an apparent photograph of Haruna Yukawa's slain body, with an audio recording in which Goto spoke of the IS group's demand for a prisoner exchange to guarantee his release.

US President Barack Obama strongly condemned the killing of one of two Japanese hostages by the Islamic State group, announced in a video that has not yet been officially authenticated.

Obama's comments, echoed Saturday by British Prime Minister David Cameron who condemned the group's "murderous barbarity," suggested that Western intelligence had authenticated the video posted online.

The nearly three-minute recording shows a still image of Kenji Goto holding an apparent photograph of Haruna Yukawa's slain body, with an audio recording in which Goto spoke of the IS group's demand for a prisoner exchange to guarantee his release.

It was not posted on any of the group's official channels and it does not bear their black and white flag. The purported execution of Yukawa is also not shown.

The US-based SITE monitoring service said it could confirm the video was in fact released officially by IS, citing its research and understanding of the online infrastructure of the group and other militants.

"The video was made in a different style than the other beheading videos," SITE director Rita Katz said, "seemingly rushed and even lacking the usual attribution to al-Furqan Media Foundation, a primary media arm of the group."

'Intolerable violence'

With a "speechless" Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemning the militants' "intolerable violence," Japan was meanwhile scrambling to verify the video.

Following a predawn emergency meeting of senior ministers, Abe demanded the immediate release of Goto and vowed his government would do "its utmost" to free him.

"The pain the family is feeling must be beyond what we imagine. This is an act of terrorism and intolerable violence," Abe said.

Obama said the United States "strongly condemns the brutal murder" of Yukawa, and stands "shoulder to shoulder with our ally Japan."

Several supporters of the IS group on social media channels have contested the veracity of the video, while Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman said negotiations for the two men's release are still ongoing.

"The intelligence community is working to confirm its authenticity," US National Security Council deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell said in a statement.

If Yukawa's death is confirmed, it would mark a grave turn of events for Japan, which has been on edge since the Islamic State group released a video on Tuesday demanding a $200 million ransom within 72 hours.

There had been no news of the fate of freelance journalist Goto or self-employed contractor Yukawa since the deadline expired at 0550 GMT on Friday.

The jihadist group, which rules large swaths of Iraq and Syria under a strict form of Islamic law, has murdered five Western hostages since August last year, but this is the first time it has threatened Japanese captives.

Emotional appeal

Junko Ishido, Goto's mother, had launched an emotional appeal begging for mercy for her son.

"I say to you people of the Islamic State, Kenji is not your enemy. Please release him," she said.

Japanese officials have repeatedly said they are trying to make contact through various channels.

- Source: AFP

Increasing number of Aussie women joining IS

Canberra has passed a law criminalising travel to terror hotspots without good reason, fearful that nationals will pose a risk when they return radicalised. Under new laws, anyone who heads to nominated areas will face up to 10 years in jail.

SYDNEY: Increasing numbers of young women are altering the profile of Australians joining the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq and Syria, Attorney-General George Brandis, enticed by the “false glamour” of the organisation.

“At an earlier time, perhaps even six months ago, we were concerned almost entirely about young men,” Brandis said, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

“But a more recent estimate by the national security agencies suggests that a growing number of young women are travelling to participate in that fighting as well.”

Brandis said about 90 Australians were now believed to be caught up in the conflict, compared to 70 last year, the ABC reported.

Ever more young people were being“enticed and ensnared here in Australia with the false glamour of participating in the civil war on behalf of ISIL, or Daesh,” he added, using alternative acronyms for the group.

“The Australian people should be aware that this is a real and growing problem.”

Canberra has passed a law criminalisingtravel to terror hotspots without good reason, fearful that nationals will pose a risk when they return radicalised. Under new laws, anyone who heads to nominated areas will face up to 10 years in jail.

In December, Senator Brandis accused Islamic militants of using foreign fighters as “cannon fodder” and “propaganda tools” as he revealed 20 Australian nationals had been killed in Syria and Iraq, where IS militants control huge swathes of territory.

The problem was not exclusive to Australia in the region, he said, but one also faced by Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Top officials from the US-led coalition against the IS group met in London on Thursday for the first talks since the Paris attacks in which 17 people were killed, with the threat posed by homegrown jihadists high on the agenda.

Meanwhile, a US court jailed a “radicalised” Colorado teenager intercepted by the FBI when she attempted to join her fiance to fight in Syria. 

- Source: AFP

Kalah piala FA, Mourinho berjanji Chelsea akan bangkit dalam Piala Liga

Mourinho mengaku sebelum perlawanan bahawa peluang terbaik Chelsea untuk memenangi Liga Perdana adalah dengan keluar daripada tiga pertandingan piala yang dipertandingkan.

Pengurus pasukan bola sepak Chealsea, Jose Mourinho menegaskan pasukannya akan segera bangkit selepas kalah menentang Bradford semasa perlawanan Piala FA.

Mourinho bagaimanapun mensia-siakan sebagai pendahulu Liga Perdana dengan kelebihan dua gol, selepas kalah 4-2 di Stamford Bridge, pada Sabtu.

Kekalahan Chealsea itu mengakhiri usaha mereka untuk memenangi semua empat trofi utama yang ditawarkan musim ini.

Namun begitu, Chelsea masih mempunyai peluang apabila mereka akan bertemu Liverpool di Piala Liga separuh akhir kedua pada Selasa selepas seri perlawanan pertama di Anfield 1-1 minggu lepas.

Mourinho percaya kebanyakan pemainnya tidak terjejas selepas kekalahan menentang Bradford apabila beliau membuat pertukaran sebanyak lapan kali semasa Liga Pertama.

"Adakah ini memberi kesan kepada perlawanan akan datang? Saya tidak tahu kerana kebanyakan pemain tidak terlibat secara langsung dalam permainan, saya tidak fikir ini pemain boleh terjejas," kata Mourinho.

"Saya tidak fikir (Branislav) Ivanovic, (Nemanja) Matic, Diego (Costa); pemain yang tidak terlibat dalam permainan boleh terjejas.

"Tetapi ia adalah pasukan kami dan kami tewas di tempat sendiri menentang pasukan divisyen lebih rendah. Ianya memberi impak yang lebih positif daripada negatif. Kami perlu menang pada perlawanan akan datang," tambah Mourinho.

Mourinho mengaku sebelum perlawanan bahawa peluang terbaik Chelsea untuk memenangi Liga Perdana adalah dengan keluar daripada tiga pertandingan piala yang dipertandingkan.

Namun begitu Mourinho berkata dia mengambil berat mengenai Piala FA walaupun kalah dalam satu perlawanan yang paling diingati.

"Saya merasa malu dan saya rasa pemain saya juga berasa sama seperti yang saya rasa.

"Saya tidak memilih pertandingan namun pertandingan yang paling penting sekarang ialah Piala Liga kerana ia adalah perlawanan seterusnya kita bermain," tambah Mourinho.

- Sumber: AFP

Out with the old, in with the old

Kelantan was the worst hit by the floods that hit the nation in December last year. - File Photo

JUST as the whole world was about to make preparations to usher in the new year as 2014 drew to a close, a slew of major disasters occurred. These more than just dampened enthusiasm associated with the ritual of bidding adieu to the old and rolling the welcome mat to usher in the new.

We at Awani had our hands full juggling the already thinning end-of-year resources to cover flooding at our doorstep in the east coast; as well as keeping our viewers abreast of the search for the remnants of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 which since Dec 28 (last year) has been lying at the bottom of the Java Sea.

The severity of the floods this time round simply show how hapless we are against the wrath of nature. It also drives home the lesson – so blatantly ignored for so long – that nature is more than likely to bite you in the butt should you dare trifle order.

Alas, there are enough so-called entrepreneur/investors/prospectors/politicians with the cowboy mentality who simply refuse to take heed of the all too clear manifestations that result from our wanton acts of disregard and destruction?

How many more deaths and damage to property do they need before they repent their sins, undo their dastardly deeds and make amends?

The floods were especially severe in the east coast, specifically Kelantan. Politicians keen on points scoring found the State Government easy target, with some justification.

LOST VIRGIN

Just look at the changing face of central spine of this nation within its State boundaries and neighbouring that of Perak.

Lojing has long lost its pristine virginity. Gua Musang was and is seen as an El Dorado, an Alaska or a Siberia whose value lies in the amount of timber harvested, the minerals ripe for extraction and its potential to be transformed into vast agricultural plantations.

For those not familiar with the local language; `gua’ means cave or den, `musang’ is the wily fox. Long before its full-blooded exploitation, the hillslopes, lush valleys and green mountain tops was indeed home to this and other mammals as they dodge the natural daily battle of survival with – wait for it – the local tiger!

It appears not many care how the district got its name in the first place – it was so untamed and untouched up to a mere 50 years ago that it was thought to harbour all manner of wildlife; including of course the wily fox marked by the proliferation of its dens – hence the district earned its stripe and named Gua Musang.

With the wanton destruction of its habitat, Malaysians only have the under-achieving exploits of the national football team who for some inexcusable reasons, were awarded the grand tag of Harimau Malaya.

Nationalism, it is said; is the refuge of scoundrels. Just look at the football team and you’d d think they are only capable of mewing instead of roaring when they are supposed to turn it on and perform with their feet at least; in the heat of battle!

TIMBER....!

Kelantan deserves the less than sympathetic spotlight no doubt. It sometimes is the architect of its own misfortune.

When confronted with their less than pristine environmental record, all the State politicians could offer was that they broke no laws – that they logged the forests at the rate approved by the Federal Government.

It is also resolutely focussed on the spiritual. For better or for worse, Kelantan is resolute in its pursuit of the Acheh model of reconstruction-post-disaster.

Depending on which side of the religious divide you belong, you either applaud or despair at its response to the watery devastation. Their explanation for the misfortune is that this was precisely the sign from the Almighty that hudud was the panacea and that it should be implemented with even greater urgency.

The state legislative assembly was supposed to debate the hudud bill on the first working day of the new year. This being Kelantan, no amount of dousing will dampen this quest.

Go after the real culprits who are responsible for the unnatural exploitation of Gua Musang. (S)nip their evil deed in the bud. Then even the most disbelieving heathen would applaud!

- Source: Astro Awani 

Video shows blind mother seeing baby for first time

She was able to see her new son with the aid of eSight glasses that enhance video in real time. The enhanced images allow people who are not totally blind to see the world around them.

WASHINGTON: A video that went viral this week showed a legally blind mother in Canada getting to look at her newborn child for the first time thanks to vision-enhancing glasses.

The video posted to YouTube shows 29-year-old Kathy Beitz seeing her newborn boy with the aid of a bulky black headset.

"For the first baby that I get to actually look at, being my own is very overwhelming," Beitz said in the popular video.

Beitz has genetic macular degeneration known as Stargardt disease.

She was able to see her new son with the aid of eSight glasses that enhance video in real time. The enhanced images allow people who are not totally blind to see the world around them.

"She gave birth and she instantly wanted to see him," said Yvonne Felix, Beitz's sister who posted the video about the moment.

Felix, who has the same disease, is raising money so more people can access the expensive glasses at makeblindnesshistory.com.

- Source: AFP 

Tengku Ampuan Intan Zaharah mangkat, Terengganu berkabung 40 hari

Tengku Intan Zaharah Almarhum Tengku Seri Setia Raja Tengku Hitam Omar, 86, mangkat di sebuah pusat perubatan pukul 3.26 petang hari ini.

KUALA TERENGGANU: Tengku Ampuan Tua Terengganu, Tengku Intan Zaharah Almarhum Tengku Seri Setia Raja Tengku Hitam Omar, 86, mangkat di sebuah pusat perubatan di ibu negara pukul 3.26 petang hari ini, menurut

Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu Datuk Osman Muda.

Beliau berkata berikutan kemangkatan itu, Terengganu akan berkabung selama 40 hari dan bendera negeri akan dikibarkan separuh tiang bermula hari ini sehingga 4 Mac.

"Jenazah almarhum dijangka tiba di Kuala Terengganu pukul 10 pagi esok dan akan dibawa ke Istana Maziah sebelum dibawa ke Masjid Abidin untuk solat jenazah serta dikebumikan di Makam Diraja Terengganu di Masjid Abidin selepas solat zuhur," katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata waktu untuk pembesar negara dan negeri serta tetamu kenamaan memberi penghormatan terakhir dijangka bermula 12 tengah hari esok sehingga pukul 1 tengah hari di Istana Maziah manakala untuk rakyat jelata yang ingin memberi penghormatan terakhir adalah dari 11 pagi hingga 12 tengah hari.

Menurutnya Sultan Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin dan Sultanah Nur Zahirah kini dalam perjalanan pulang ke Malaysia dari luar negara.

Tengku Ampuan Intan Zaharah berkahwin dengan Seri Paduka Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah pada 3 April 1944 dan dilantik sebagai Tengku Ampuan Besar Terengganu pada 6 Jun 1949.

Baginda menjadi Permaisuri Agong dari 1965 sehingga 1970 dan pernah dianugerahkan Grand Order of the Mugunghwa oleh Presiden Republik Korea pada 7 Feb 1966 selain dianugerahkan Darjah Utama Mahkota Negara pada 6 April tahun yang sama.

Baginda merupakan Penaung Pertubuhan Pandu Puteri Terengganu.

- Sumber: Bernama | Januari 24, 2015

Nik Aziz cakap Urdu ketika dikunjungi ulama

• 
• Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat

ALOR SETAR - Mursyidul Am Pas, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat ketika dirawat di Unit Rawatan Rapi (ICU) Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Kubang Kerian, Kelantan masih mampu bercakap Urdu sewaktu menerima kunjungan dua ulama.

Naib Presiden Pas, Datuk Husam Musa, bersama Maulana Zubair dan Maulana Zuhair yang juga anak kepada ulama terkenal Maulana Muhammad Musa Ruhani Al-Bazi mengunjunginya dua hari lalu.

"Kami pergi sewaktu hari pertama beliau sedar. Dalam keadaan mata masih terpejam Tuan Guru (Nik Abdul Aziz) menjawab salam saya dan apabila dua ulama ini bercakap bahasa Urdu, beliau terus sahaja bersembang menggunakan bahasa itu.

"Keadaan ini menunjukkan ingatan beliau masih kuat dan percakapannya juga semakin lancar. Hari pertama dimasukkan, difahamkan Tuan Guru ada tekanan pada sistem percakapan dengan skala 8/15 kemudian kembali pulih seperti biasa kepada 14/15," katanya kepada media selepas menghadiri Kenduri Rakyat Sempena Program Jelajah Perdana Ke Kawasan Kuala Kedah di Markaz Pas Dun Anak Bukit, di sini.

Husam berkata, tahap kesihatan Nik Aziz kembali pulih dengan cepat mungkin disebabkan doa orang ramai diterima ALLAH.

"Saya juga difahamkan selain boleh bercakap, beliau sudah makan nasi air dan sedar seperti biasa," katanya.

Mengenai keperluan menukar Mursyidul Am Pas kepada pengganti yang baru berikutan keuzuran kesihatan Nik Aziz, beliau berkata ia tidak perlu dibangkitkan sekarang.

"Bagaimanapun, biar Majlis Syura yang bercakap (tentukan) soal ini, saya hanya ikut," katanya.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Facelifted Volvo S60 T5 – RM268,888

Earlier today, we heard that the yet-to-be-launched facelifted Volvo S60 in T5 trim (a T4 model is also listed on Volvo’s Malaysian website) was on display at Federal Auto’s Glenmarie showroom, so we popped by after the launch of the Nissan X-Trail to get a closer look at the refreshed Swede. Thanks to sudonano for the tip!

In February 2013, Volvo updated the S60, V60 and XC60 (the last of which is already on sale here). As such, the S60 gets a completely reworked front end – a new, more defined bonnet, more angular headlights, a wider front grille ditching the previous chrome surround and auxiliary lights on either side, plus more stylish lower air intakes.

The rear bumper insert has also been revised, with the twin round tailpipes on this T5 model now receiving chrome finishers. Also on this car are new 17-inch “Sadia” alloy wheels, compared to the “Njord” rollers on the previous T5.

Inside, there’s a new gloss black illuminated gear knob that replaces the previous transparent piece, revised interior lighting, new silk metal frames around the air vents and – on the T5 at least – a digital instrument cluster taken from the V40 and facelifted XC60.

Unlike our facelifted XC60, the updated S60 won’t get Volvo’s new range of Drive-E engines (at least not initially), instead soldiering on with the existing T4 1.6 litre and T5 2.0 litre Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDi) four-pots, derived from Ford’s EcoBoost mills.

The T4’s B4164T motor produces 180 hp at 5,700 rpm and 240 Nm of torque between 1,600 and 5,000 rpm, while the T5’s B4204T7 mill delivers 240 hp at 5,500 rpm and 320 Nm between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm. As before, both engines are mated to a six-speed PowerShift wet dual-clutch transmission, sending power to the front wheels.

From what we can tell, the S60 looks to keep its standard equipment count from before – there’s keyless entry and start, leather upholstery, power-operated front seats with driver’s side memory, dual-zone auto climate control, a Sensus infotainment system and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS, now radar-operated instead of using cameras).

Also spotted on this T5 are front parking sensors, a grille-mounted radar for the adaptive cruise control as well as sensors and cameras on top of the windscreen for the Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection. All of these items were reserved for the top-spec car before the facelift, and we expect them to remain so,

The price list at the dealership lists a retail sticker of RM268,888 on-the-road without insurance for the T5 (over RM10k more than the old car’s RM255,000), inclusive of a five-year warranty, a five-year free service package and a five-year Volvo On Call package. A price for the T4 variant has not been released yet.

- Source: paultan.org