MELAKA, July 13 — A black stool can mean nothing at all, or it can be the body’s first warning sign of life-threatening internal bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

The difference, according to Dr Quek Yeow Ling, Consultant General Surgeon at Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre, comes down to colour, texture, smell and what else is happening to the body.

“Certain foods such as seaweed, black sesame and blueberries, as well as iron tablets, can make stools look darker. But bleeding is more likely if stools are jet black, sticky and tar like, extremely foul smelling, and accompanied by dizziness, weakness or vomiting blood,” he said.

Upper GI bleeding, from the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum, is a medical emergency. Severe blood loss can trigger a drop in blood pressure, shock and death if not treated in time.

A 2025 study published in Cureus tracked 293 adults treated for upper GI bleeding at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz in Kuala Lumpur. Of those, 18.4 per cent required intensive care, 7.8 per cent experienced rebleeding and 4.8 per cent died in hospital, with most patients aged 70 and above.

Vomiting blood, whether bright red or resembling coffee grounds, is another warning sign. So are sudden dizziness, fainting, a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, cold and clammy skin and upper abdominal pain.

“If you are unsure, it is safer to get checked at a clinic or emergency department rather than assume it is due to food or supplements,” Dr Quek said.

Stomach and duodenal ulcers are the most common cause. Gastritis, Mallory Weiss tears from severe vomiting, oesophageal varices linked to liver disease, long term painkiller use and H. pylori infection are also known triggers. Oesophageal or stomach cancer, though less common, can also be responsible.

People on long term painkillers, aspirin or blood thinners are among those most at risk. So are heavy drinkers, smokers, older patients and those on multiple medications. A history of ulcers, liver disease or untreated H. pylori infection also raises the risk.

“Do not wait at home or try to self-medicate. Go straight to the nearest emergency department, especially if there is vomiting of blood, black tarry stools, or dizziness and weakness,” Dr Quek warned.

At the hospital, doctors check vital signs and run blood tests to assess blood loss and stability. The main diagnostic tool is an upper GI endoscopy, or OGDS. A thin flexible camera is passed through the mouth to locate the source of bleeding. In many cases, it can be stopped during the same procedure using clips, injections or heat.

Treatment may include intravenous fluids and blood transfusions, acid reducing medications such as proton pump inhibitors, drugs to reduce vein pressure for liver disease patients and radiology procedures to seal off bleeding vessels. With advances in endoscopy and radiology, most patients no longer need surgery.

Surgery is considered only when other methods fail, when severe rebleeding persists or when complications such as a perforated ulcer or certain tumours arise.

Dr Quek advises using painkillers only when necessary and taking stomach protecting medication if on long term aspirin or blood thinners. Those with a history of ulcers or persistent indigestion should get tested for H. pylori. Cutting back on alcohol, quitting smoking and keeping chronic conditions in check can also lower the risk. 

Upper abdominal pain, black stools, blood in vomit or unexplained fatigue should not be ignored, he said, adding that early recognition and prompt treatment of upper GI bleeding can save lives. 

Dr Quek Yeow Ling, Consultant General Surgeon at Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre

About Dr Quek Yeow Ling

Dr Quek Yeow Ling graduated from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2007 and obtained his Master of General Surgery from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2015.

He is experienced in the diagnosis and surgical management of hernias, gallbladder disorders, colorectal diseases, breast conditions, thyroid diseases, and other general surgical conditions. Committed to delivering patient-centred care, Dr. Quek combines modern surgical techniques with clear communication to help patients achieve faster recovery and better long-term outcomes.

About Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre

Established in 2015, Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre (OMSMC) is an MSQH-accredited tertiary care hospital with a 300-bed capacity. OMSMC is operated by Melaka Straits Medical Centre Sdn Bhd (MSMC), a healthcare subsidiary of OHB, a public-listed company on Bursa Malaysia. As the flagship hospital under the Group’s healthcare segment, OMSMC is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred healthcare services to the community and beyond. 

Strategically located in the scenic coastal area of Klebang, Melaka, OMSMC offers a conducive environment for healing and recuperation — away from the bustle of the city while remaining easily accessible to both local and international patients.

Over the years, OMSMC has earned multiple recognitions for healthcare excellence, patient safety, and service quality, including recognition in the Global Hospital Rating 2025 by Newsweek and Statista, inclusion among Asia’s Top Private Hospitals & Clinics 2026, and consecutive Healthcare Asia Awards for Patient Safety Initiative of the Year – Malaysia. In 2024, the hospital also achieved its third consecutive full four-year accreditation under the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) 6th Edition standards.

OMSMC is supported by a multidisciplinary team of experienced specialists, allied health professionals, and dedicated nurses committed to delivering holistic and personalised care. Many of its nurses are graduates of the Oriental Nilam College of Nursing and Health Sciences Sdn Bhd, an OHB subsidiary located within the same medical hub, ensuring a strong pipeline of well-trained and compassionate healthcare professionals.

The hospital provides a comprehensive range of medical specialties and subspecialties, including cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, electrophysiology, gastroenterology & hepatology, dermatology, geriatric medicine, general and minimally invasive surgery, orthopaedics, hand & microsurgery, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics & gynaecology, paediatrics, respiratory medicine, and other multidisciplinary specialties.

OMSMC continues to invest in advanced medical technologies and innovative healthcare solutions, including robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery, enhancing surgical precision, personalised treatment planning, and post-operative recovery outcomes for patients. Equipped with modern operating theatres, advanced catheterisation laboratories (Cathlabs), and comprehensive diagnostic and interventional imaging services, the hospital offers a wide spectrum of diagnostic, interventional, surgical, and rehabilitative care.

Key facilities and services include:

• Advanced Operating Theatres & Cathlabs 
• Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery 
• Diagnostic & Interventional Imaging Services 
• Day Care Endoscopy 
• Health Screening Centre 
• Haemodialysis Centre 
• Rehabilitation Department 
• Laboratory Services 
• Pharmacy & Satellite Pharmacy Services 
• 24-hour Emergency Department 

In line with its commitment to sustainability and responsible healthcare, OMSMC is also the first hospital in Melaka to join the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) network, reflecting its ongoing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, including sustainable healthcare practices and future-focused green initiatives.

Beyond acute medical care, OMSMC also operates Star Joy Care Centre Sdn Bhd, providing elderly daycare and home care services to support senior citizens through personalised care, rehabilitation support, and assisted daily living services in a safe and comfortable environment.

Patients and visitors also benefit from a range of convenience facilities, including a retail pharmacy, cafeteria, convenience store, concierge services, EV charging stations, and ample parking spaces.

For more information, please visit www.orientalmedical.com.my 

PETALING JAYA, July 13 — Malaysia’s largest tabletop gaming event, All Aboard 2026, returns on July 18–19 at Paradigm Mall with free entry and a line-up that promises to outdo its debut edition.

Organised by The Magic Rain, the convention gathers international and local names in board games, trading card games, and tabletop role-playing. Visitors can learn to play titles such as Magic: The Gathering, Cardfight!! Vanguard, and Weiß Schwarz, or join tournaments hosted by Hex A Box and Board Camp Café.

Award-winning designer Daryl Chow— known for Overbooked and The Artemis Project — will headline the event with a talk and workshop on his journey in game design.

Highlights include Cataclysm War, a massive multi‑table Dungeons & Dragons campaign, and a live stage show led by DungeonMotherKir featuring local influencers.

Beyond gameplay, attendees can shop exclusive deals from vendors like Kuplay, Meeples, and Origame, explore Malaysian-made titles, and join panels on women in gaming and board game design.

All Aboard 2026 runs from 11 am to 9pm at Paradigm Mall, Petaling Jaya.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Artificial intelligence, energy independence, and national security are set to drive the next wave of strategic investments and fuel global corporate earnings, according to HSBC Private Bank.

In its Q3 2026 Investment Outlook, the bank notes that rising global competition and shifting security priorities are creating the urgency and policy support necessary to sustain capital market activity. With traditional funding gaps persisting, HSBC expects private markets to play an expanded role in supplementing investment.

Despite global headwinds, HSBC maintains a bullish outlook on the resilience of the global economy. Drawing on lessons from the Covid-19 shock, the bank observes that governments and businesses have successfully diversified supply chains and energy sources to insulate growth.

Willem Sels, Global Chief Investment Officer, HSBC Private Bank and Premier Wealth, warned that volatility is here to stay.

“The priority is to stay disciplined with resilient and diversified multi-asset portfolios that can withstand short-term uncertainty, while keeping sight of longer-term opportunities emerging from structural growth trends,” Sels said.

The bank’s current strategy focuses on a “barbell approach,” balancing high-growth innovation in semiconductors, data centres, and AI adopters with stable, inflation-linked cash flows from infrastructure and gold. This is paired with a geographical focus on mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea.

Desmond Kuang, Chief Investment Officer for Asia, noted that Asia is uniquely positioned to benefit from the AI surge given its leadership in semiconductors and rapid progress in large language models.

Beyond AI, he pointed to broadening opportunities in bonds and corporate governance reforms across the region.

Regarding the local outlook, Kuang described Malaysia’s economic momentum as stable. While GDP growth moderated to 5.4 per cent in the first quarter, HSBC views this as a natural normalisation rather than a loss of momentum, maintaining a full-year 2026 GDP growth forecast of 4.5 per cent.

Kuang highlighted that domestic inflation remains largely benign, supported by subsidies that keep petrol prices stable. Furthermore, Malaysia’s status as a major net exporter of natural gas provides a strategic advantage amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, insulating the country from some of the volatility affecting other energy importers.

“Despite external volatility, resilient domestic GDP growth and steady corporate earnings are providing support for the Malaysian equity market,” Kuang said, adding that the bank retains a neutral outlook for the country.

According to HSBC, geopolitical developments are creating an uneven economic landscape, making it imperative for investors to distinguish the winners from the losers across sectors and regions.

QUITO (Ecuador), July 13 — When Diana Tupiza and Andres Alquinga decided to get married, they selected a rather unusual witness for the civil wedding ceremony: Luna, their Pekingese pup who stamped her paw print on the marriage certificate.

With recently authorised “pet friendly” weddings, Ecuadoran officials are embracing the role of furry friends in modern families. Elsewhere in Latin America, only human witnesses are allowed, although Argentina and Mexico have made a few exceptions.

While Luna’s paw print has no legal standing, the gesture holds sentimental value, and more than 50 Ecuadoran couples have elected to get married in front of their dogs and cats since May.

“That she (Luna) is here is really spectacular,” Tupiza told AFP after their ceremony in the capital Quito.

The 38-year-old engineer said it was her husband’s idea to bring Luna — who dressed for the occasion in a pink tulle gown.

Alquinga, a 31-year-old programmer, said animals “may not be able to speak to us, or give us advice, but they are there to give us all the love that they have.”

‘Current, modern needs’ 

The move came as a shock to the bride’s mother, Luz Lima, who nevertheless took it upon herself to make Luna’s dress.

“It’s better to choose someone…who knows what they’re signing,” Lima recalled telling the couple.

But eventually, she came around to the idea.

“These are modern times,” she told AFP during the fitting for Luna’s dress.

Otton Rivadeneira, the director of Ecuador’s Civil Registry, said the policy is in line with contemporary family structures.

“We’re definitely adapting to these current, modern needs,” he told AFP.

Ecuador’s latest census found that among its 19 million people, nearly 7.6 million have dogs and cats as pets — almost double the number of children ages 12 and under.

After Alquinga and Tupiza’s ceremony, Luna stamped her paw on their marriage license, which also had the signatures of the couple — and other human witnesses.

“Symbolic marriage certificate” reads the document, with a special space denoting “paw print of your furry friend.”

“I have three dogs and a cat,” Tupiza said.

“For me, it would have been great if they all could have been here, but she (Luna) I think represents both the (pets) who are here on earth as well as those in heaven.” — AFP

BURIN (Palestinian Territories), July 12 — As brightly coloured kites climb above Burin, a Palestinian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, children race across a sun-baked hillside, watching their creations soar into the sky.

Behind them, the red-roofed houses of Har Bracha, an Israeli settlement, overlook the village below.

Established in 1983, the settlement, illegal under international law, is one of several that encircle Burin, a village of a few thousand people.

Every summer since 2009, residents have gathered on this hill for a kite festival, held on land they say has been partly lost after being confiscated by settlers.

“We want to tell the settlers that this is our land, this is our sky. If we can’t reach those lands anymore, our kites can,” Ghassan Najjar, one of the festival’s organisers, told AFP.

While the festival is primarily for children, it also carries a “political message,” he says.

In Burin, conversations rarely drift far from settler attacks or the steady spread of Israeli settlements across the Palestinian territory.

As early as 2008, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) had warned of settler attacks in the area, citing shootings targeting Burin residents and the uprooting of their olive trees.

Since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, the United Nations has reported a sharp increase in violence attributed to Israeli settlers in the West Bank, while several Israeli ministers have continued to call for the annexation of all or part of the territory.

Palestinians and solidartiy activists fly kites towards the Israeli settlement of Har Bracha from the village of Burin, south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank on July 10, 2026. — AFP pic

‘Our roots’ 

For a few hours, however, the hillside takes on the air of a village fair.

A clown paints children’s faces, music fills the air, as families spread picnic carpets across the grass.

Kites in the black, white, green and red of the Palestinian flag soar overhead, joined by another in the colours of Egypt, flown in tribute to the Egyptian national football team.

“Our children have the right to play and to have a real and a good life,” says Najjar.

Yet even this celebration unfolds under the shadow of the conflict.

Before gathering, residents say they first checked that no groups of Israeli settlers were nearby.

“Sometimes we are scared… Last year we didn’t come because settlers had attacked the village,” says 15-year-old Sanaa Bashar Najjar.

“We stay only half an hour or an hour, just to get a bit of fresh air. With the war and the economic hardship, we’re simply trying to breathe.”

Another resident, Dalia Zaban, says her parents’ home was attacked, its windows smashed and cars vandalised.

“Today, we just hope they don’t come down here,” she said.

As the afternoon wears on, the wind begins to fade and the kites slowly drift back to earth.

The villagers, however, say they will return next summer, determined to reclaim at least a patch of sky.

Wearing sunglasses and dressed with care, Burin resident Qusai Walid Eid summarises the feeling, saying he attends the festival every year to strengthen “our roots in this land”. — AFP

FRANKFURT, July 12 — Despite a year of searching, previous stints at big automotive suppliers and sending out about 50 applications, German software engineer Max Peil is still looking for a job.

Trained in computer vision, a critical part of autonomous and intelligent driving systems, Peil could once have expected to sail into a role at one of Germany’s industrial giants.

But years of stagnant growth in Europe’s biggest economy and increasingly fierce Chinese competition are now taking their toll on young engineers like Peil.

“Usually you just get rejected straight up,” the 30-year-old told AFP in the western city of Frankfurt.

“I’ve had one interview. It was the same with my friends, one has sent over 60 applications.”

‘Golden age’ is gone 

Known the world over for cutting-edge technology and innovative design, Germany’s car industry, powered by exports, has so far managed to avoid the drastic decline seen in countries like Britain, France and Italy.

But Chinese carmakers like BYD and Xpeng have eaten into German carmakers’ sales in the world’s largest auto market, leading to painful adjustments at home.

“Ten years ago we made about six million vehicles a year and we’ve now stabilised at about four, 4.2 million,” transport economist Thomas Puls of the IW economic institute in Cologne told AFP.

“That’s good compared to other European countries, but we now need to accept that the golden age is not coming back.”

In a sign of the times, workers on Thursday protested at Volkswagen sites across the country over reports that Germany’s biggest carmaker is mulling up to 100,000 job cuts.

Total employment in the German automotive sector fell eight percent in the five years to 2025, according to Federal Employment Agency (FEA) data, even as it grew a little over one percent overall.

German industry as a whole is struggling against what some have dubbed the “China Shock 2.0” as the country’s firms shift away from low-value production and into making more high-tech goods, often at lower prices.

This is pushing German companies out of once reliable export markets.

Total German exports were last year €1.56 trillion (RM7.2 trillion), down almost two per cent from a 2022 peak, according to data from statistics office Destatis.

Exports to China meanwhile plunged almost a quarter to €81.3 billion over the same period.

For Peil, who last year completed a traineeship at tyre-maker and industrial supplier Continental before it spun off its automotive business, the crisis meant it was clear he would not be taken on.

“Even when I started you could see, and you’d always read about it in the news, that this or that part of the business was being restructured,” he said.

“And when you see experienced colleagues going, then you know it’s unlikely you’ll be hired for the role.”

‘What’s wrong?’ 

Anja Robert, who for 20 years has led the careers service at one of Germany’s leading engineering schools, told AFP that even some of the best students now had to search a while.

“There’s people who come to us and say, ‘Wow, I’ve written 30 applications and heard hardly anything back: What’s wrong?’”, said Robert, head of careers at RWTH Aachen University.

“It’s not the case anymore that you just get your application in with BMW and you get a job.”

Qualified engineers last year had an unemployment rate of 3.8 per cent, according to the FEA data, an increase of almost 50 per cent compared to 2022.

Electrical engineer Luca Linhsen is one of the luckier ones — she took up a job as a software consultant in Hamburg this month.

But she still had to endure a “frustrating” months-long job hunt.

“As engineers we were led to understand when beginning our studies that you’ve practically got a job even before finishing the degree,” she told AFP.

“If you want to study engineering, do it because you have a passion for technology. Don’t do it for the money or the job security.” — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 — A routine grocery run turned into what one couple described as a humiliating ordeal after the hypermarket staff in Selayang allegedly accused a shopper who was 38 weeks pregnant of hiding stolen items under her clothing because of the shape of her baby bump.

The incident, posted by the woman’s husband on Threads yesterday and later shared on Facebook, has since sparked debate online over how suspected shoplifting cases should be handled and whether customers’ dignity was respected.

According to the husband, a staff member stopped them after they had paid for their groceries and asked his wife: “What are you hiding in your belly?”

He said he immediately demanded to know what item his wife was accused of stealing, who had witnessed it and what evidence existed, but claimed no stolen goods, witness or proof was produced.

The husband alleged that he and his wife were instead asked to produce her maternity record book, commonly known as the Pink Book, to prove she was pregnant; before that, she was also asked to show her stomach.

He said the couple were then left waiting for almost 20 minutes in a public area while staff contacted a supervisor, with other shoppers looking on.

When the supervisor arrived, the husband said he insisted the cashier who first raised the suspicion explain what she had seen.

According to his account, the cashier admitted she had never actually witnessed his wife taking anything and had become suspicious only because “my wife’s stomach ‘didn’t look like a pregnant belly’ and she thought it looked like someone hiding merchandise.”

The husband said no stolen items were found and the staff members later apologised, but maintained the incident was about more than saying sorry.

“No pregnant woman deserves to go through this. No customer should be publicly accused without evidence,” he wrote.

Facebookers, commenting on the viral incident, said businesses have a legitimate right to protect their property and staff may intervene if there are reasonable grounds to suspect theft.

They also said that the Pink Book contains sensitive personal medical information and is not an identification document that customers are obliged to show to non-medical personnel.

However, some social media commenters also said that the account currently reflects only the couple’s version of events and said the full circumstances, including any CCTV footage or the supermarket’s internal procedures, have yet to be made public.

At the time of writing, the hypermarket chain has not publicly responded to the allegations.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 — At 82, Ipoh-born Datuk Paul Kiong still prides himself as a sharp judge of character, a trait that served him well when leading a high-stakes double life amid communist fighters back in the 1960s. 

The gritty Kiong always longed for adventure and even applied to become a game ranger in Kenya after finishing school. 

He did eventually traverse the wilderness  — but closer to home.

Kiong enlisted as a police constable in 1964 and served in Singapore for three years before the second wave of communist insurgency hit Malaysia in 1968. 

At that time, the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) dispatched the Fifth Assault Unit to Perak, the Sixth Assault Unit to Pahang and the Seventh Assault Unit to Kelantan. 

The deadly attacks led to the Second Malayan Emergency which was from 1968 to 1989.

In 1967, Kiong was posted as a Special Branch detective to neutralise underground communist cells in Johor. In 1976, he was deployed as the ground commander under Operation Bamboo to cripple the Fifth Assault Unit operating in Perak’s jungles.

Kiong’s biggest success was the en bloc defection of the Fifth Assault Unit while keeping the 13th Regiment — the armed wing of CPM — in southern Thailand,  oblivious about it until they surrendered in 1989.

“For six years, the 13th Regiment was supplying weapons and funds to the Fifth Assault Unit whenever they asked at our behest. They had no clue!” Kiong told Malay Mail, after his guest lecture at Universiti Malaya here recently. 

“Whenever we caught communist terrorists (CTs), we treat them well, give them proper meals like what we eat and repeatedly talk them out of communism.“We would then use the turncoats to lure more CTs to defect. Gunfight was always the last resort,” he explained.

Kiong’s undercover life began as a courier driving the communist fighters to deliver secret messages or “roll-slips” to other guerilla units.

He also delivered provisions to them but would deliberately reduce certain items and delay the deliveries to maintain frequent communications. 

“We would purposely give them less salt to induce muscle cramps. 

“If they asked for condoms and old newspapers, it meant the group had sexually active males and female CTs and some females were undergoing menstruation. 

“We would give them fewer condoms to trigger accidental pregnancies, which would subsequently trigger desertion,” Kiong said. 

A career built on close shaves

An undated picture of Paul Kiong while serving as the Special Branch’s ground commander under Operation Bamboo to neutralise communist forces operating in Perak’s jungles. — Picture courtesy of Datuk Paul Kiong

Kiong, a devout Catholic, always prayed at his church in Ipoh before each mission. 

Looking back, Kiong said his unwavering faith saved him during many close encounters — moments where he thought he would not survive. 

One such moment occurred in 1981 when Kiong had to accompany a CT — who claimed to have defected — to deliver a “roll-slip” to a guerilla unit at a cemetery in Chemor to avoid suspicion. 

Kiong reluctantly followed but with every passing minute, he anxiously anticipated an ambush and was prepared to pull the trigger when a group of fighters escorted the man back. 

“I was ready to kill at least two communists before I die. But, just before I fired, the guy quietly got into the car and we drove back to the police camp,” Kiong recalled.

Another narrow escape came later that year when Kiong led a raid to nab communists at a camp called Stone Coffin in Perak. 

The rebellious female fighters threathened to go hostile and crash the helicopter during the transfer but Kiong tactfully foiled the attempt. 

The Special Branch detained 43 CTs in Perak between 1981 and 1986 through covert operations led by Kiong.

Not all doom and gloom

Datuk Paul Kiong showing some of the equipment he still treasures from his time in the jungle. — Picture by Choo Choy May

Some light-hearted moments also remain vivid in Kiong’s memories like when he played Cupid for two defectors in his custody and got them married in 1981.

The following year, some defectors made Chinese dumplings or pau, stuffed with wild boar meat, to celebrate Kiong’s 38th birthday.  

Even today, Kiong visits some of the ex-communist members and their families to share a meal and reminisce the grim old days.

“For them, every cause demands a sacrifice and they paid their price with their loved ones. So, they don’t hold grudges now as the war is over,” Kiong said, when asked about the reconciliation.

In 1983, Kiong was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa — Malaysia’s highest gallantry award — and is currently one of the only four living recipients. 

He retired as a superintendent in Bukit Aman on Feb 1, 1998. 

Kiong obtained his honorific ‘Datuk’ title from the Sultan of Terengganu in 2011 and received a Honorary Masters in Strategy from Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) in 2014. 

He will be launching his memoir, The ‘Communist’ Role I Played: Undercover During The 2nd Malayan Emergency (1968—1989), on July 26 at the Subang National Golf Club. 

PARIS, July 12 — The European Union’s plan to regulate children’s access to social media follows the implementation or proposal of similar measures around the world.

This list now stretches to more than 20 countries, including five where restrictions are already in force, according to an AFP tally.

In most, the measures are very recent and target children under the ages of 15 or 16.

An expert committee is due to submit its recommendations to the European Commission on Monday about a potential social media ban for children in the 27-nation EU.

Restrictions in place 

Social media has been banned for under-16s in Australia since December 2025, while Brazil introduced a law in March requiring platforms to link the accounts of users aged under-16 to those of their parents, while also requiring platforms to verify users’ ages.

In China, where the internet is tightly regulated by the state, minors’ access to social media has been restricted progressively since 2019.

Initial measures imposed time limits and curfews on online gaming, before similar restrictions were extended in 2023 to social media and streaming platforms.

Indonesia has banned social media for under-16s since March and Malaysia has taken a similar approach, with legislation coming into force in June excluding under-16s from major platforms.

Turkey is set to join the list after passing legislation to bar under-15s from social media in April. 

The law is expected to take effect in late 2026.

The United Arab Emirates announced a ban on social media for under-15s last month, with implementation set for around a year’s time.

Restrictions announced 

Within the EU, the Greek government announced in early April that it intends to ban social media access for under-15s from January 1, 2027.

Austria and Slovenia are also preparing legislation to prohibit access for under-14s and under-15s respectively.

In Germany, where Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports restricting or even banning social media for children, an expert commission has proposed two options: a ban graded by age or platform-specific restrictions.

A similar debate is under way in Sweden, where a government commission has proposed banning social media for under-15s by early 2028.

The Irish government has warned that it is considering legislating in the absence of an EU decision.

In Denmark, the government announced in October 2025 that it would propose banning “several social media platforms” for under-15s.

Outside the EU, the Norwegian government will present a bill by the end of the year to ban access for those under 16.

The UK is looking to ban social media for under-16s by early 2027.

Canada also wants to set the minimum age for social media use at 16.

Several states in India are considering restrictions for children and the government said it is holding discussions with platforms over potential measures.

Under consideration 

A proposal to ban social media for children under 15 is currently wending its way through parliament in France.

The National Assembly approved the bill at first reading in January but the Senate later amended it to target only the most harmful platforms, prompting concern in Brussels.

A final version of the legislation is expected in the coming weeks, with the government hoping it can come into force in September.

Portugal is considering a bill that would set the age for independent access to platforms, services, games and applications at 16.

Spain has proposed raising the minimum age for registering on a social media platform from 14 to 16.

In Italy, parliament is considering legislation that would ban social media use for children under the age of 15. — AFP

GEORGE TOWN, July 12 — More than a century after the earliest known migrants from Shunde County (Soon Tuck in Cantonese) in China had settled in Penang, a different wave of arrivals crossed the South China Sea.

They were the unmarried self-combed women, known locally as mah che (Cantonese) or majie who came to work as domestic helpers in the 1900s.

(Traditionally a bride’s hair is combed into a bun by the older women in a family but by combing their own hair into a bun, the mah che were declaring their single status and independence.)

Mah che, meaning “mother and elder sister” in Cantonese, was an affectionate term that reflected the maternal and caregiving roles these women played in the households they served.

The mah che vowed lifelong celibacy as self-combed women so they had no husbands, no children or relatives but instead, relied on their mah che “sisterhood” and Soon Tuck Wooi Koon to take part in community activities and maintain ties to the traditions of the homeland they had left behind.

This little-known chapter of the mah che’s history was featured in an exhibition titled “妈姐：妈妈姐姐，姑婆：姑姑婆婆，梳梳平安” (Mah che: mah mah che che, gu po: gu gu poh poh, which loosely translates to ‘may every stroke of the comb bring peace and safety’) in April last year and hosted by Soon Tuck Wooi Koon. Gu po is Cantonese to mean aunts and grandmothers.

Soon Tuck Wooi Koon used to hold a clinic in this hall to care for sick members. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

The exhibition, curated by Guangdong artist and researcher Chen Jialu, documented the migration and lives of the self-combed women from Shunde county to South-east Asia.

The exhibition also presented historical research that showed many of the mah che also contributed financially towards the establishment and growth of Soon Tuck Wooi Koon itself, highlighting their role not only as caregivers but also as community builders.

The door guardian deity at the Soon Tuck Wooi Koon. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

Soon Tuck Wooi Koon was formally established in 1838 but according to the association records, the presence of migrants from Shunde can be traced back to 1798.

A surviving tomb dating to 1798, belonging to a Shunde migrant, suggests people from the district had already settled on the island before the association was formally established.

The association initially started operations in rented premises at Church Street in 1838 to serve migrants from Shunde and offer a place for ancestral worship, community gatherings and mutual assistance.

As membership grew, it moved to Bishop Street in 1850 and it was during this period that the association established what would become two of its best-known cultural institutions — its Lion Dance Group and Martial Arts Section.

Relics of Soon Tuck Wooi Koon’s past glory in lion dance and martial arts. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

The association’s role soon expanded beyond that of a conventional district organisation.

In 1919, recognising that many of the mah che and unmarried members had nowhere to recover when they fell ill, the association established a medical convalescence ward within its premises to care for sick members.

When the association relocated to its present headquarters at 51, Love Lane in 1928, the new building also incorporated a health clinic, continuing its welfare mission for its members and also the general public.

While the association became a refuge for the mah che in the early 1900s, it also evolved into one of Penang’s most active centres for Cantonese performing arts.

Following the Japanese Occupation, the association revived its Lion Dance Group and Martial Arts Section in 1946, before establishing its Music and Opera Section and Women’s Section later that same year.

These groups transformed the association into a lively cultural hub where members gathered not only for meetings but also to rehearse Cantonese music, organise opera performances and celebrate traditional festivals.

Musical instruments from a long gone era are locked in a cabinet at the association. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

The Music and Opera Section helped preserve Cantonese songs and theatrical traditions brought by migrants from Shunde, while performances organised by the association became an important way of strengthening ties within the community and passing dialect, customs and folklore to younger generations.

The Lion Dance Group and Martial Arts Section likewise became enduring symbols of the association’s cultural identity.

They offered physical training, nurtured discipline and ensured traditional southern Chinese martial arts continued to flourish in Penang.

One of the masters in the martial arts section was even elevated as a deity, Zhi Sin Zhou Sin, where members offer prayers to him at an altar in the association.

An altar dedicated to Zhi Sin Zhou Sin, honouring a martial arts master. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

The association also had a focus on education by introducing scholarships after World War II to encourage members’ children to do well in their education.

The Education Award Committee was established and it continues to recognise outstanding students from families of association members.

Over the years, as membership dwindled to about 300 members, the association’s lion dance group, martial arts section and music and opera section ceased to exist.

What remains of the music section is regular karaoke sessions while the musical instruments remain as relics behind locked cabinets.

The main altar worshipping Guan Gong is upstairs. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

Unlike most associations where the main altar for the main deity of worship is located at the main hall, at Soon Tuck Wooi Koon, the altar to their main deity, Guan Gong, is located in a prayer hall upstairs.

Similarly, the ancestral hall where tablets of deceased members including the mah che, is also located upstairs along with a special opening on the side of the wall for a joss paper furnace where members can burn offerings to their ancestors.

The association has also kept to a Cantonese tradition of lighting up lanterns at the ancestral hall when there is a newborn baby boy in the family of a Soon Tuck member.

The ancestral tablet hall where members offer prayers to their ancestors; red lanterns are hung up to celebrate the birth of baby boys in a member’s family. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

The association, which is normally closed to the public and only open to members, held an open house recently during the George Town Heritage Celebrations.

The history of the association was displayed on information boards while visitors were brought on guided tours of the building.

NEW YORK, July 12 — Americans across dozens of states have fallen victim to a microscopic foodborne parasite that can cause “explosive diarrhea,” US health authorities said.

The Midwestern state of Michigan has been at the center of the cyclosporiasis outbreak, with state authorities reporting 1,562 cases as of Friday.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that as of Thursday 31 states had reported cases of the gastrointestinal illness, with dozens of hospitalizations but no deaths.

Health officials have not identified the cause of contamination that generally stems from fresh produce. Symptoms often lag after infection, making it difficult to pin down the source.

In the past, foods including bagged salad mixes, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and scallions have been linked to cyclosporiasis.

Untreated, the illness could last more than a month. It is generally not life-threatening, according to public health authorities, but can cause dehydration.

Officials across the country, including those in Michigan, recommend thoroughly washing produce, or, even better, cooking it, as heat higher than 158F (70C) kills the parasite.

Beyond delayed symptoms that occur after a relatively long incubation period, understanding the scope of the outbreak has been complicated as states differ in their reporting practices.

Some report both confirmed and likely cases as one figure, and some wait to report to the CDC until after investigations are complete.

On top of that, the CDC under President Donald Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, in 2025 made state reporting of Cyclospora optional as it scaled back its Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network.

“CDC is aware that states are likely to report higher case counts of cyclosporiasis than reflected in CDC data and is working closely with states to update numbers as additional cases are confirmed,” the agency wrote on its website, which has a current count of 843 confirmed cases.

It said it is aware of 1,500 more that require further analysis.

“So far this year, multiple states have reported an increase in cases in the last two weeks compared to the same period in 2025,” the CDC added. — AFP

LONDON, July 11 — King Charles III and his wife Camilla on Friday met his son Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and their two children for the first time in four years, British media reported.

The PA news agency and several media outlets said Harry’s family had travelled from an unspecified destination in Europe for the meeting at Highgrove, Charles’s private residence in southwestern England.

Harry arrived in the UK on Monday in a visit to mark the one-year countdown to next year’s Invictus Games for wounded veterans, which he founded.

Meghan, seven-year-old son Archie and daughter Lilibet, 5, were initially set to miss the trip — reportedly because they were refused police protection.

Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.

Harry and Meghan have lived in California since 2020 and the children had not seen their grandfather since 2022.

On Tuesday, Harry and other high-profile figures lost a court case they had brought against the UK’s Daily Mail tabloid in which they had accused it of unlawful information gathering.

He will now face another court hearing on July 29-30, which could see him and the six other complainants ordered to pay substantial legal costs.

The prince gave emotional testimony during the proceedings in which several high-profile figures, including singer Elton John and actor Elizabeth Hurley, accused the tabloid publisher of invading their privacy.

The case, the third and final one brought by the Duke of Sussex in his acrimonious legal battle with British tabloids, has further strained relations with the royal family.

Harry, 41, has also been involved in other legal spats, including over his police protection in Britain following his dramatic departure from front-line royal duties six years ago.

Harry and Meghan left Britain for North America in 2020 amid a bitter feud with his family, which worsened as Harry published his tell-all memoir Spare.

He subsequently said he wanted to reconcile with his father.

But even the run-up to his current trip has been rocked by setbacks, with media outlets quoting sources close to Harry as saying the prince would be staying at Buckingham Palace in London — only for the palace to issue a denial.

The palace said Harry had not accepted the invitation to stay at the official residence of the British sovereign sufficiently far in advance.

Harry has long blamed the media for the death of his mother Princess Diana, who was killed in a Paris car crash in 1997 while trying to shake off the paparazzi. — AFP

WASHINGTON, July 11 — At first glance, it’s just a rodent.

But the Andean leaf-eared mouse is, in fact, a natural marvel.

The small mammal is capable of living at altitudes exceeding 6,700 meters in the Andes, and its capabilities challenge our understanding of physiological limits.

Six years after discovering the animal living on some of the world’s highest peaks—places where mammalian life was previously considered impossible—a team of international researchers is beginning to unravel the secrets of this extraordinary animal.

The mouse that can fit in the palm of a hand holds several world records, said Zachary Cheviron, a biology researcher at the University of Montana and co-author of a new study on the mammal published this week in the prestigious journal Science.

“They have literally the world’s record for the highest dwelling mammal on the planet,” the researcher told AFP, saying that it can live in areas where mountaineers can barely venture for more than a brief period.

The species was found hundreds of meters above dwellings of Himalayan pika, the small animal that had previously held the title.

But on top of that, the little mouse has range.

The same species than can survive atop Chilean peaks has also been found at sea level: they “have the broadest elevational distribution of any mammal on the planet,” Cheviron said.

The animal’s vast range is made possible by a resilience and adaptability that is phenomenal in several respects, wrote the team of researchers, who believe their findings could offer valuable insights for human medicine.

This undated handout photo obtained on July 9, 2026, from Marcial Quiroga-Carmona shows an Andean leaf-eared mouse. — AFP pic

Superpowers 

The study shows that the mice living both down low and up high are genetically similar, not so different from humans who have evolved to life in deserts, tropical regions or at high altitudes.

“It’s kind of a nice model of humans in a lot of ways,” Cheviron said.

Mice living in snowy heights were found to have a handful of distinct genes, including one already known to be linked to adaptation to hypoxia—oxygen deprivation—in populations of Tibetan people.

But the bodies of these mice respond differently.

They “have gained these superpowers to be able to survive in a low oxygen environment,” said Jay Storz, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Nebraska, who is also a climber.

Experiments conducted in a cold-chamber setting reveal that these mountain mice are particularly adept at maintaining body heat.

Initial findings also suggest that the rodent does not produce extra red blood cells to capture oxygen more efficiently—as other mammals do—but instead breathes more rapidly.

In order to counteract any harmful effects stemming from such accelerated breathing, the animal relies on a modified enzyme.

Other mechanisms are likely at play—but scientists say the preliminary findings could prove useful for future research.

Limits of life 

Storz explained that many human diseases, particularly heart conditions, involve complications resulting from impaired oxygen delivery.

“So understanding the ways that animals like leaf-eared mice have evolved to cope with low oxygen availability in their natural habitat can help guide the design of treatments for human patients that are suffering basically the same physiological state for different reasons,” he said.

Such insights could, for example, aid cancer research, Cheviron said, as tumors can create “a hypoxic environment” as well.

Beyond the implications for human medicine, Cheviron emphasized how the discovery of the mountaineering mice “really kind of pushed what we thought about the limits of mammalian life.”

Not only can they survive in low-oxygen environments in a desert of snow and rock, the mice also subsist on scarce, toxic plants.

Genes that play key roles in the metabolism of dietary toxins have been identified in the genomes of Andean leaf-eared mice.

“Nothing comes easy to these guys,” said Storz, saying the research lends new appreciation of “how resilient life is.”

“Really we have a new understanding of, just kind of the environmental limits of vertebrate life.” — AFP

GENEVA, July 10 — From remote-controlled trucks delivering life-saving aid in dangerous settings to mobile phone data analysis flagging mass displacement, humanitarians are eyeing ways in which artificial intelligence can speed up and improve their operations.

There have been plenty of warnings about the dangers of AI for aid agencies, who face growing challenges of securing often extremely sensitive data and swelling misinformation about their operations and beneficiaries.

But at the AI for Good summit in Geneva this week, a handful of humanitarian-focused displays emphasised the technology’s positive potential.

Parked in one corner of a vast hall at the Palexpo conference centre was a giant white SHERP vehicle, resembling a hulking Martian rover, decked out with cameras and sensors and a drone landing-pad on the roof.

Made in Ukraine, SHERPs are amphibious vehicles that can float on water, drive through swamps and flooded rivers with their giant wheels, and climb over obstacles up to one metre (3.3 feet) high.

The UN’s World Food Programme is preparing to begin field-testing a version of the AI-enabled truck that can be steered remotely through the most dangerous and difficult terrain to reach people in need.

“I think this could be a game-changer,” Bernhard Kowatsch, head of WFP’s global accelerator and ventures innovation division, told AFP.

The technology, he said, “should allow us essentially to reach people that otherwise never would have been reachable”.

Not possible without AI 

WFP already has drivers using SHERPs to deliver aid in Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda.

But after numerous heartbreaking losses of drivers, it tasked the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to help equip the vehicles with AI and other technologies, making it possible to control them remotely through particularly dangerous terrain.

The idea is to set up a shipping container control room in a safe area, where a human can remotely control the vehicle on the last, most treacherous leg of its journey.

Tests have been conducted in Germany, and will be tried out in the field in Uganda in 2028, said Armin Wedler, who is coordinating DLR’s Autonomous Humanitarian Emergency Aid Devices (AHEAD) project.

Standing next to the 2.8-metre high vehicle, he told AFP that the team had used “remote-control technologies which are based on mathematics and old-school... research”, but stressed: “We would not be able to process everything without using also AI”.

It would be possible to make the vehicle fully autonomous, Wedler said, but stressed that in complex humanitarian settings “we have to have a human in the loop”.

“We’re not talking about driving on clear streets with clear lanes. There are no streets,” he said, also describing scenes where aid trucks are suddenly swarmed by desperately hungry people.

“There’s no AI autonomous algorithms ever capable to handle that safely.”

‘Life-saving’ 

Among more than 200 exhibitors at the summit—showing off everything from humanoid robots to bionic prosthetics and emotional companions—the other humanitarian displays were more discreet, with pamphlets detailing how AI tools are boosting and streamlining operations.

Among them, the UN refugee agency detailed a new Legal Virtual AI Assistant for lawyers and legal officers representing refugees, enabling them to swiftly determine the rights available within country-specific legal frameworks.

Rebeca Moreno Jimenez, the lead data scientist at UNHCR’s Innovation Service, told AFP that building cases faster and more efficiently can be “life-saving for many refugees”.

Another UN initiative called Data Insights for Social and Humanitarian Action, or DISHA, relies on partnerships with private actors such as Google and McKinsey to provide humanitarian organisations with data and AI models to speed up and improve disaster responses.

One project uses AI analysis of anonymised mobile phone data to spot mass-population movements during disasters, determining where people are fleeing, to help humanitarians better tailor their response.

Another uses AI for rapid analysis of satellite images taken before and after disasters like last month’s earthquakes in Venezuela to determine building damage.

The aim is to give humanitarians “accurate information early enough to make better decisions (and) avoid going to the wrong place when there are people who need you somewhere else”, DISHA product lead Andreas Kortis told AFP. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 — As more Malaysians move to Kuala Lumpur in search of work and higher education, securing a place to live has become one of the first challenges many face.

But for a growing number of first-time renters, the search for a home is ending before it even begins — with thousands of ringgit lost to increasingly sophisticated rental scams.

Police recorded 922 rental scam cases in 2025, nearly three times the 307 cases reported in 2024 and a sharp increase from 184 cases in 2023.

The figures, released earlier this year, reflect how scammers are exploiting the growing number of people turning to online platforms to find accommodation.

Experts say many victims are unfamiliar with standard rental procedures, deposit requirements, and the steps needed to verify whether a property listing or agent is legitimate.

The knowledge gap

For many first-time renters, especially those relocating from other states, renting a property can be unfamiliar territory.

Alex Loh, 35, a real estate negotiator with Kommons Realty, said scammers often prey on that lack of experience.

“First-time renters may not be familiar with the proper procedures, such as paying earnest deposits only to registered agencies instead of private bank accounts,” he said.

“Even experienced renters may not know how to distinguish licensed real estate agents from unlicensed individuals.”

Kar Wai Low, marketing director at PropertyGuru and iProperty Malaysia, said rental scams have become increasingly sophisticated as more property searches and transactions move online.

She said scammers commonly create fake property listings, impersonate estate agents, clone WhatsApp and social media accounts, build fraudulent websites, reuse genuine property photographs, and request deposits for homes that either do not exist or are no longer available.

“Scammers take advantage of that uncertainty, especially in high-demand or affordability-sensitive areas where renters may feel pressured to act quickly before losing a unit.

“Listing quality, verified agent information, platform trust signals, and consumer education all play an important role in creating a safer property search experience,” she said.

The true cost of renting in KL

Beyond finding a suitable property, many first-time tenants are also surprised by the amount of money required before they can move in.

In Kuala Lumpur, renters are typically expected to prepare an upfront payment equivalent to about three-and-a-half months’ rent.

This usually consists of a two-month security deposit, one month’s advance rental, and a half-month utility deposit.

For an RM2,000 monthly rental, tenants may need to pay about RM7,000 upfront before moving in.

This excludes additional costs such as tenancy agreement stamp duty, access card deposits, and parking fees.

Loh said these deposits are standard industry practice and are intended to protect landlords against unpaid rent, property damage, and outstanding utility bills.

“Deposits should not be transferred into an agent’s personal bank account, but instead to the registered agency or a verified landlord,” he said.

Low said renters should ensure every payment is documented with official receipts and clearly reflected in the tenancy agreement.

She added that tenants should understand the purpose of each payment, whether it is refundable, and the conditions for recovering their money at the end of the tenancy.

How the scams work

Police have repeatedly warned that scammers often copy photographs from genuine property advertisements before reposting them online at unrealistically low prices.

Once a victim makes contact, conversations are usually moved to WhatsApp, Telegram, or other social media platforms, where renters are pressured into paying booking fees or deposits before viewing the property.

In many cases, the advertised unit either does not exist or is not owned by the person claiming to be the landlord or agent.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Commissioner Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa has previously warned that syndicates frequently change phone numbers and bank accounts to avoid detection.

First-time renters should carefully inspect properties and confirm the identity of landlords or agents before transferring deposits for rental homes in Kuala Lumpur. — Picture by Ian Jeremiah Patrick

Protecting yourself

Industry experts say one of the simplest ways to avoid becoming a victim is to never transfer money before viewing the property and confirming the identity of the landlord or authorised agent.

Listings advertised at prices significantly below market rates should also be approached with caution, particularly if renters are pressured to make immediate payments.

Low advised renters to verify both the property listing and the individual handling the transaction before transferring any money.

“If someone claims to be an agent, ask for their REN, REA or PEA registration details and verify their credentials through the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers where possible,” She said.

REN, REA, and PEA registration details are official registration records that verify whether a person is authorised to work as a property negotiator or estate agent in Malaysia.

Rental platforms such as PropertyGuru and iProperty also allow users to identify verified agents through verification badges and registered information.

Loh encouraged prospective tenants to inspect the property whenever possible and ensure it matches the online advertisement.

“Ask for the agent’s name card and REN tag, then verify the agent’s details through the LPEPH website search function,” he said.

Experts also recommend keeping copies of receipts, screenshots, signed documents, and all communication throughout the rental process.

Why tenancy agreements matter

Even after finding a legitimate property, renters should not overlook the tenancy agreement.

The legally binding contract outlines important terms, including the rental amount, tenancy period, deposit conditions, maintenance responsibilities, and procedures for ending the tenancy.

In Malaysia, tenancy agreements must also be stamped by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to be legally recognised if disputes arise.

Before signing, tenants should carefully review every clause, particularly those relating to notice periods, repair responsibilities, and the condition of the property.

If you’ve been scammed

Anyone who believes they have fallen victim to a rental scam should lodge a police report immediately and contact their bank to request a transaction freeze or possible recovery of funds.

Victims can also contact the National Scam Response Centre by calling 997.

As more Malaysians continue moving to Kuala Lumpur, experts say understanding the rental process remains the best defence against increasingly convincing scams.

Knowing how deposits work, verifying landlords and agents, and refusing to make payments before completing the necessary checks can help ensure the search for a new home does not end in financial loss.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — For a growing number of Malaysian consumers, the journey to buying a new skincare product or decorating a home no longer begins with a Google search or a TikTok scroll. Instead, it starts on Xiaohongshu.

The platform, known globally as “Little Red Book,” is rapidly evolving from a niche social app into Malaysia’s primary engine for peer-to-peer validation.

Unlike the algorithmic, entertainment-heavy feeds of legacy platforms, Xiaohongshu is built on trust and human-centric sharing, functioning more as a living search engine of user-generated reviews than a traditional social network.

This shift in consumer behaviour is now triggering a massive corporate pivot. AnyMind Group has recently expanded its certified creator network in Malaysia, unveiling an exclusive roster of 30 content creators specializing in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle.

The demand for this specific type of influence is backed by hard data. According to AnyMind’s Influencer Marketing in Malaysia 2026 report, Xiaohongshu now captures up to 28 per cent of the platform share within the lifestyle and home campaign categories.

This suggests that when Malaysians are looking for authentic “life hacks” or honest product reviews, they are increasingly bypassing traditional ads in favour of the “trust-driven” community on Xiaohongshu.

The power of this “validation economy” was recently evident in a campaign for Unilever’s Knorr Chinese New Year initiative.

While traditional ads often generate passive views, the Xiaohongshu community showed deep active consideration, with 40 per cent of users expressing a clear intent to try the recipes and a quarter explicitly reinforcing their trust in the product.

This trend is not just local; it is a cross-border phenomenon.

The rise of the platform is creating a bridge for Mainland Chinese enterprises entering Southeast Asia and international brands looking to reach the affluent, digitally savvy Chinese-speaking populations in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

MASBATE, July 10 — Standing knee-deep in coastal waters, environmentalist Andrea Pimentel guides workers as they drive bamboo poles into the seabed to block sediment from choking the tidal channel sustaining a mangrove forest.

Mangroves are a key natural defence against storm surges and coastal erosion in the Philippines, which is hit by around 20 typhoons each year.

But the country has lost over 60 per cent of its mangrove cover since 1918, government data shows, and increasingly powerful storms are threatening what remains by stirring up sediment that clogs water channels and suffocates mangroves at the roots.

“Our typhoons are becoming frequent and getting stronger,” said Andrea Pimentel, project manager for environmental organisation WWF-Philippines.

“Even (if) mangroves are resilient, they can also be affected, and eventually they could die,” she added, shortly before heading by boat to a mangrove site in Masbate province’s Batuan town.

This photo taken on April 16, 2026, shows WWF Philippines Project Manager Andrea Pimentel as she talks about the mangroves in Ticao Island, in the province of Masbate. — AFP pic

Pimentel works with local communities to rehabilitate mangroves across 245 hectares, including a two-hectare stretch where repeated typhoons have left bare patches in a once-dense forest.

Park ranger Bernard Almogera, who fished at the site with his father decades ago, has witnessed the mangroves deteriorate over the years.

“Some of them were snapped off, others like this one were uprooted,” the 58-year-old told AFP, pointing to a tree with branches broken by previous storms.

Sweating under the morning sun, men hauled bamboo across the exposed mudflat while Almogera knelt nearby, cutting the stalks into 1.5-metre poles before driving them deep into the seabed with a heavier bamboo pole.

The fence they are building is intended to slow incoming waves so suspended sediment settles before reaching the tidal channel carrying seawater through the mangrove forest.

If the channel becomes clogged, water stagnates and the mangrove’s roots are deprived of oxygen, eventually suffocating and killing them.

This photo taken on April 16, 2026, shows men working on bamboo fences to protect the mangroves at Ticao Island, in the province of Masbate. Mangroves are a key natural defence against storm surges and coastal erosion in the Philippines, which is hit by around 20 typhoons each year. — AFP pic

A global problem 

“We’re really scared, because if the mangroves disappear and a strong typhoon comes, our houses will surely be knocked down,” Almogera said.

“There’ll be nothing left to protect us.”

Scientists warn that while bamboo fences are a cheap way to protect mangroves, they can rot within three years, unlike more expensive permeable concrete designs, leaving debris that may affect the trees they are meant to shield.

But they remain a quick, affordable way to protect mangroves in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries.

And the urgency is growing. Warming waters caused by climate change can produce stronger tropical storms.

The world’s oceans experienced their hottest June on record, and could reach new highs in coming months as a strong El Nino weather pattern takes hold.

Pimentel said mangroves need immediate protection and rehabilitation, even if bamboo fences must be replaced before they deteriorate.

This photo taken on April 16, 2026, shows a man carrying a bamboo trunk to build fences to protect the mangroves at Ticao Island, in the province of Masbate. AFP pic

“If we don’t act now, our mangroves will be vulnerable to climate change,” she said.

The urgency extends beyond Masbate province.

A 2024 study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature found that half the world’s mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse due to climate change, rising sea levels and human activity, with about a quarter potentially submerged by 2050 without proper conservation.

The Philippines suffered the second-highest mangrove losses, according to a 2023 survey of 10 Southeast Asian countries led by Filipino scientist Severino Salmo, with climate change impacts and the conversion of mangrove sites to seafood ponds largely to blame.

‘Time we protect them’ 

“It will be more difficult (for the mangroves) to adjust now because of the massive losses in the past,” Salmo, who has been studying mangroves in the archipelago for more than three decades, told AFP.

Salmo warned they will only “decline more” in the coming years without proper restoration projects and better government policies.

The Philippines has lost over 60 percent of its mangrove cover since 1918, government data shows, and increasingly powerful storms are threatening what remains by stirring up sediment that clogs water channels and suffocates mangroves at the roots. — AFP pic

“It’s disappointing that we keep losing mangroves given how important they are,” he said.

“For now, (the best response) should be to conserve whatever is left.”

As workers continued assembling the bamboo fence, Pimentel looked around the forest and pointed to trees whose once grey-brown roots had turned charcoal black due to suffocation.

“Mangroves have always protected us from typhoons,” she said.

“It’s time we protect them too.” — AFP

WASHINGTON, July 10 — A brewing “Super” El Niño cycle is poised to unleash heat waves, floods and drought worldwide, with the effects amplified by long term human-caused climate change.

But what if it was possible to interrupt and effectively “switch off” the Pacific Ocean heating phenomenon as it starts to form?

That’s the premise of a new Science Advances study published Wednesday, which uses computer models to show that artificially brightening clouds over the Pacific, when timed right, could neutralize the influential weather pattern and blunt its worst impacts.

While previous research on so-called geoengineering has focused on cooling the planet as a whole, the new paper instead proposes more targeted interventions.

“These shorter timescales of interventions could be a very powerful way that geoengineering enters this portfolio of responses to climate change,” lead author Jessica Wan, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago, told AFP.

Prior research had shown that the “Black Summer” bushfires that scorched Australia in 2019–2020 played a key role in creating a multi-year La Niña, the cool phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle.

As smoke particles entered the clouds, they set off chain reactions that actually made the clouds brighter, bouncing more of the Sun’s energy back to space.

Motivated by this “natural experiment,” Wan and her colleagues wondered whether solar geoengineering could achieve a similar effect.

They used a powerful forecasting model to gauge what impact artificial marine cloud brightening over a vast rectangular zone in the equatorial Pacific would have had on the 1997–1998 and 2015–16 El Niño events.

This could theoretically be achieved by using ships fitted with nozzles that spray sea salt into the lower atmosphere.

El Niños are linked with warming sea surfaces in the eastern tropical Pacific, with knock on effects globally including drier conditions and drought in Australia, wetter winters in East Africa, and warmer overall global temperatures.

After running several simulations, they found the intervention worked best when started early –  in June – and continued through the following February.

“But the reason people would ever care about this is not temperature in a box in the Pacific, but how the impacts translate over land,” said Wan.

Extreme weather events linked to El Niño have caused loss of life and trillions of dollars of economic damage.

A scientific researcher harvests a batch of oysters to measure the consequences of water warming of the Etang de Thau near Sete, southern France, on July 2, 2026. The world's oceans just experienced their hottest June on record and could set fresh highs in the months ahead as El Nino and climate change drive temperatures even higher, scientists said on July 1. — AFP pic

The modeled cloud brightening reversed most of the temperature and precipitation effects — those areas that got warmer under an El Niño were cooler, regions that got wetter instead became drier, and vice versa.

So what’s the catch?

Unknown consequences 

For starters, the technology isn’t yet ready.

Teams around the world are developing the nozzles to spray sea salt into the sky, but the devices can’t yet shoot nearly enough volume. Even if a nozzle is perfected, it would take roughly 2,400 ships to make the required impact.

Beyond the engineering challenges, there are further risks.

Not all regions of the world would benefit from reversing El Niño conditions, and the models showed unintended consequences, including warming over Europe and Asia.

“The other catch I would say is that we didn’t look at long-term impacts,” said Wan, including what would happen if marine cloud brightening was used repeatedly to suppress El Niños.

Geoengineering has many detractors, who argue it creates a moral hazard by giving polluters a free pass to keep emitting if the climate can be artificially cooled. Wan disagrees.

“We’re beyond the point now where we could just turn off emissions today and be totally fine, we’re locked into warming already, and so the way that I viewed geoengineering is ‘how can we reduce the worst of those impacts while we work on a long-term solution?’” she said.

“I think it would be irresponsible to not do the research, given that’s the context we’re in.” — AFP

TOKYO, June 9 — Japanese police arrested a woman near Tokyo for allegedly sewing shut the lips of her housemate, officials said today.

The 42-year-old female victim escaped the house in the city of Koga, rushed to a nearby shop and held up a piece of paper that read “please help me”, Makoto Hiyama, a senior local police official, told AFP.

Police in the eastern prefecture of Ibaraki — where Koga is located — later arrested 49-year-old Masae Sakurai “on suspicion of assault,” according to a prefectural police spokesman.

Sakurai lived with the victim at the time of the June 29 alleged incident when she sewed her housemate’s “lips with a needle and thread”, the spokesman said, adding that she was arrested yesterday.

Police are investigating the incident, including unconfirmed information that there was another person living at the house, according to Hiyama.

The injured woman told police “the suspect became angry over a trouble and my lips were sewed”, public broadcaster NHK reported. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — A decade after making its mark with its liquid matte lipstick, Huda Beauty is revisiting the beauty trend with a new formula designed for consumers who want the matte look without the traditionally dry or heavy feel.

In a media statement, the beauty brand said it had introduced Liquid Matte Mousse, a new lipstick range that reimagines its original high-impact matte formula with a lighter, whipped texture and soft-blurred finish.

Available in eight nude shades, the new formula reflects the continued evolution of matte lipstick, once known primarily for its intense colour and long-wearing finish but now increasingly focused on comfort and versatility.

According to Huda Beauty, the Liquid Matte Mousse features an airy and flexible formula designed to smooth the appearance of lip texture and fine lines while maintaining a lightweight feel.

The lipstick comes in a squeezable tube with an angled cushion applicator aimed at allowing for easier and more even application.

In an independent study involving 100 participants with various skin tones, 99 per cent agreed the product offered a smooth application experience, while 98 per cent said it felt lightweight.

Meanwhile, 92 per cent of participants agreed that the lipstick provided a comfortable modern matte feel and visibly smoothed the appearance of lip texture and lines.

The brand recommends pairing the Liquid Matte Mousse with its Lip Contour 2.0 matte pencil for a more defined and blurred finish.

Among the eight shades are Baby Pink, a cool-toned pink, and Honey Nude, a peachy nude.

The launch marks Huda Beauty’s latest take on the matte lip trend, bringing the high-impact colour associated with its original liquid lipstick into a formula focused on a softer finish and more comfortable wear.

TOKYO, July 9 — Calbee’s brief black-and-white era is almost over.

The Japanese snack giant has announced it will start bringing back its signature colourful packaging later this month after supply concerns that prompted the temporary switch began to ease.

The company had announced the monochrome makeover on May 12, citing uncertainty over the supply of printing materials as tensions in the Middle East disrupted the availability of petroleum-based printing ink.

Now, with its procurement outlook improving, Calbee says it will gradually restore full-colour printing to the front of selected products while continuing to conserve resources.

The first batch includes eight products, among them its best-selling Potato Chips, Kappa Ebisen shrimp crackers and Frugra breakfast cereal.

Production of the updated packs will begin in phases from the week of July 27, with the refreshed products reaching Japanese store shelves from early August.

The first to regain their colours will be Frugra in 330g and 700g packs, which will return with full-colour printing on both the front and back.

Kappa Ebisen follows during the week of August 3, while several Potato Chips varieties, including Lightly Salted, Consomme Punch, Consomme Double Punch and Seaweed Salt, will roll out from the weeks of August 10 and August 24, depending on where they are sold.

Calbee said restoring colour to the front of its packs was a priority because it helps shoppers quickly recognise products and understand key information while browsing supermarket shelves.

The backs of most packages, however, will remain in black and white for now as the company continues to keep ink usage in check.

Calbee said it will continue monitoring global supply conditions – including geopolitical developments – while balancing resource conservation with keeping its snack aisles stocked.

The company did not say whether snack packs sold outside Japan were ever affected by the temporary switch to monochrome packaging or if any changes would be made in overseas markets.

For snack lovers, though, it means those familiar bright bags will soon be back on shelves looking much more like themselves.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — With Malaysians facing rising living costs while thousands of tonnes of food are discarded daily, homegrown app Value Food is looking to tackle both problems by connecting consumers with unsold food from restaurants, cafés, bakeries and grocers at lower prices.

The surplus food marketplace allows businesses to sell excess food through “Surprise Bags”, giving consumers access to meals, baked goods and groceries at between 50 and 70 per cent below their original retail prices.

In a media statement, Value Food said the app has recorded more than 100,000 downloads and partnered with over 300 merchants since its launch.

The platform has also rescued more than 80,000 Surprise Bags from going to waste, which it estimates has prevented over 200,000kg of carbon dioxide emissions.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Malaysians generate about 39,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, with food accounting for 35.5 per cent, or an estimated 13,800 tonnes each day.

Value Food co-founder Hariharan Nagendran said the platform was created to address the amount of edible food that ends up in landfills simply because it remains unsold.

“Every day, perfectly edible food ends up in landfills simply because it isn’t sold.

“We built Value Food to change that. We connect businesses with surplus food to consumers looking to enjoy quality food at lower prices,” he said.

Nagendran said the model also allows businesses to generate revenue from otherwise unsold food while giving consumers access to more affordable options.

Currently operating across the Klang Valley, the platform works with a range of food and beverage businesses, from international and local chains to neighbourhood cafés and restaurants.

Participating merchants include Krispy Kreme, Kenny Rogers Roasters, Paris Baguette and BHC Chicken, as well as local businesses such as Lisette’s Café & Bakery, Touché Pastries & More and Noon Viennoiserie Cafe.

The app also features surplus food from banana leaf restaurants, mixed rice vendors and neighbourhood mamak eateries.

Users can browse available Surprise Bags from nearby participating businesses, make payment through the app and collect their purchases directly from the merchant.

According to Value Food, all food sold through the platform is prepared, packed and handled by participating merchants according to their respective food safety and operational standards.

Following its rollout in the Klang Valley, the company is now working towards nationwide expansion and is seeking to bring more hotels, supermarkets, cafés and major food and beverage chains onto the platform.

The Value Food app is available on iOS and Android.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — What if the most familiar spaces in our lives — the market, the kitchen, the home and the street — hold stories that define who we are?

That is the idea behind KITA: From Market to Kitchen, From Home to the Street, a group exhibition bringing together Malaysian artists whose diverse practices explore everyday life, memory, identity and the shared human experience.

Featuring works by Shah Nizam Zainudin Ithnin, Ryzalman Misran, Shaarim Sahat and Mohd Foad Hassan, alongside a special appearance by Dr Zakaria Ali, the exhibition transforms ordinary experiences into reflections on the cultural and social realities that shape communities.

Held at Ruang Teduh Gallery, Exchange 106, The Exchange TRX, Kuala Lumpur until July 18, 2026, KITA presents a dialogue between artists from different generations, backgrounds and creative disciplines.

While each artist approaches the subject through a distinct visual language, together they explore how familiar places and daily routines carry emotional, cultural and social significance.

Rather than focusing on grand historical narratives or extraordinary events, KITA turns its attention to the spaces that quietly shape everyday existence.

The market, the kitchen, the home and the street become symbolic sites where relationships are formed, traditions are passed down, identities evolve and communities navigate change.

Through painting, mixed media and sculptural practices, the exhibition encourages audiences to reconsider experiences often overlooked as routine or ordinary.

The exhibition title, KITA, meaning “us” or “we” in Malay, extends beyond the gathering of the artists. It reflects a broader exploration of collective experience and shared humanity, raising questions about who we are, how we live, what we inherit and how we respond to a rapidly changing society.

Mohd Foad Hassan contributes a series of minimalist yet emotionally charged works inspired by the lives of ordinary people.

By examining familiar experiences through contemporary artistic perspectives, the exhibition presents everyday life as a record of memories, emotions and social realities.

Each participating artist contributes a unique interpretation of this central theme.

Shah Nizam Zainudin Ithnin creates imaginative visual worlds shaped by surrealism, symbolism and biomorphic forms. His paintings invite viewers into psychological landscapes where dreams, memory and reality intersect, encouraging deeper reflection on perception and the subconscious.

Working primarily in watercolour, Ryzalman Misran captures the quiet beauty of everyday moments through meticulous realism. His observations elevate ordinary subjects into contemplative images that highlight emotional details often overlooked in contemporary life.

Shaarim Sahat presents works that examine broader social realities through painting, sculpture and mixed media. Addressing themes including national identity, urban poverty, class disparity and structures of power, his practice offers a critical perspective on the social and political forces embedded within daily experiences.

Mohd Foad Hassan contributes a series of minimalist yet emotionally charged works inspired by the lives of ordinary people, particularly street artists and creative communities beyond mainstream visibility.

Through expressive new monochromatic compositions, as well as earlier works reflecting his relationships with old friends, street artists and buskers, he records stories of resilience, perseverance and dignity found within daily struggles.

Ryzalman Misran captures the quiet beauty of everyday moments through meticulous realism.

Adding further depth to the exhibition is the special participation of Dr Zakaria Ali, one of Malaysia’s respected artists, writers and cultural intellectuals.

His recent works draw inspiration from domestic life, family and familiar surroundings, demonstrating how ordinary experiences can become profound artistic reflections.

His presence bridges visual art with literary thought, reinforcing the relevance of everyday narratives within Malaysian contemporary culture.

Collectively, the exhibition suggests that the spaces people inhabit daily are more than physical environments.

Markets become places of exchange and encounters; kitchens embody care, intimacy and cultural continuity; homes nurture identity and belonging; while streets reflect movement, public life and social transformation.

These interconnected spaces become stages where individual stories merge into a broader narrative of society.

In an increasingly fast-paced world, KITA invites audiences to slow down and rediscover the meaning hidden within ordinary experiences.

The exhibition highlights how beneath every routine lies a network of relationships, memories and lived experiences that shape individuals and communities.

HANGZHOU, July 9 — The sound of pliers clicking filled a workshop in eastern China’s Hangzhou as a group of women practised stripping wires, their female instructor moving around the classroom to offer advice.

DIY and maintenance work is a male-dominated field in China, but an increasing number of women living alone with a desire for self-sufficiency has led to a growing appetite for courses to learn such skills.

Nationwide there are now multiple all-women repair groups, including the organisers of the Hangzhou workshop, Mulan Build.

“People are moving away from the traditional mindset that certain jobs must be tethered to a specific gender,” Chen Ning, the 27-year-old founder, told AFP.

Absorbed students carefully threaded wires into junction boxes to make circuits connected to lights, bulbs flickering on one by one to signal a job well done.

Student Zhang Xuefen said a lot of her friends have been “incredibly hands-on since they were kids”, proving it was not “just a guy thing”.

“This kind of empowerment can be passed on to the many women living alone today, helping them handle minor household fixes completely on their own,” the 42-year-old said.

The single-woman household is no small demographic in China, with marriage rates falling and women more likely to be financially independent than before.

Student Xu Leran, 26, said that inviting a man into one’s home can raise “safety concerns”, but with a woman technician “I would definitely feel much more at ease, and communication would be smoother too”.

Instructor Wu Shuang said the challenges facing women living alone are “a very real, objective issue”.

“For a long time... their voices have been ignored, and their needs have been overlooked.”

Wu Shuang (centre) and Wang Risun (left) give an electricity course to a group of women at the Mulan Build workshop in Hangzhou, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province on June 28, 2026. — AFP pic

‘Where were all the women?’

The popularity of such courses was clear last month at a Shanghai workshop run by another all-women company, 38fix – named for the March 8 date of International Women’s Day.

Noise and sawdust filled the room as dozens of students tried their hand at drilling through bricks and wood.

Founder Kale Li told AFP she first became interested in the industry after becoming tired of dealing with inconsistently priced and unreliable handymen in southwestern Chengdu, where she lives.

She signed up for an electrical engineering course, only to find her classmates were almost entirely men.

“I thought it was very strange,” Li said. “Where were all the women?”

Her company now has a monthlong backlog of orders, with workshops consistently fully booked.

One participant, who gave her nickname as Yiling, told AFP she had jumped at the chance to attend.

In regular classes full of men, “you might experience a lot of microaggressions”, she said.

Despite the growing interest, barriers remain.

“It is incredibly difficult for women to break into the (industry)... and many who are already in it don’t get the respect they deserve,” Mulan Build’s Chen said.

Li of 38fix said her team often faces heightened scrutiny from customers – including women – who don’t believe they are as competent as men.

Photographs are displayed on a board at the Mulan Build workshop in Hangzhou, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province on June 28, 2026. — AFP pic

'Bre

’Break free’

Some job platforms explicitly state they do not accept female technicians, Mulan Build’s Wu said, while women face more barriers to promotion.

Mulan Build “sends a message: if these platforms choose to discriminate against us, we do not need to rely on them”, she said.

It’s important women have the option to enter the profession, said Yang Mengchen, who leads another all-women repair and appliance cleaning team.

“It would make it much easier for women – especially those from rural areas or small towns – to come to the city and secure a viable career,” she said.

Li said she looked forward to the day that 38fix would no longer be “special”, and that there were signs this was already happening.

As well as Mulan Build and 38fix, there is Diandian Home Solution, an all-women plumbing and furniture assembly service operating in the southern cities of Guangzhou and Kunming.

It boasts more than 30,000 followers on Instagram-like Xiaohongshu, where it posts videos of its technicians showing off their tools.

All-women cleaning companies are also broadening out their skill sets.

Clad in pink and purple and wielding a pink power drill, Liu Xingyun, founder of Shero, deftly took an air conditioner to bits when AFP accompanied her on a recent home visit.

“I don’t want anyone to be limited by their gender,” she said.

“Whether they are girls or boys, I hope they can break free from the shackles of gender and do what they truly want to do.” — AFP

CARDAMOM NATIONAL PARK, (Cambodia), July 9 — Pan Sok still remembers his relative screaming as a tiger dragged him away one night, deep inside the Cambodian rainforest where they were tapping trees for resin.

So he is “not happy” about a plan to reintroduce the big cats, a decade after they were declared extinct in Cambodia.

“I saw the tiger take him with my own eyes,” he said, describing the attack that took place over 30 years ago.

“He was screaming but we couldn’t help him.”

Cambodia’s last confirmed tiger sighting was in 2007 camera trap footage but conservationists say they may soon be able to reintroduce the big cats.

The plan would see India send several of its more than 3,600 tigers to southwest Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains, a protected expanse of lush rainforest stretching over a million hectares.

Reintroducing tigers could boost protection of Cambodia’s landscapes, restore an iconic apex predator and even boost tourism, said Jimmy Borah of Indian environmental group Aaranyak, who serves as a consultant to Cambodia’s government on the reintroduction.

It “would be a conservation message to the world, that this can be done”, he told AFP.

But there are risks.

Poaching has decimated Cambodian wildlife, creating doubts about about whether the Cardamoms has enough prey for tigers to eat.

Deforestation continues to erode their proposed new habitat, driven particularly by dam projects – and local residents say they have not been consulted.

A road leads to a Tiger Reintroduction Station in the Cardamom National Park in Koh Kong province on June 11, 2026. — AFP pic

‘Doomed’

Indian tiger biologist Ullas Karanth once led surveys of Cambodia’s tigers, and said the big cats and their prey “went extinct as we watched”.

He fears prey availability has not recovered enough to support tigers, who could starve.

“The tiger diplomacy of the last 10 years to dump tigers from India into that rampant hunting culture is doomed, I believe,” he told AFP.

Borah argues camera trapping shows enough prey for initial arrivals and that “the conservation message is more important right now than worrying about prey availability”.

Tigers were supposed to start arriving in 2024.

But concerns about their new habitat, and the suspension of a carbon credit project that had been expected to contribute funding delayed the plan, sources told AFP.

In May, Cambodia’s environment ministry approved a new roadmap. A copy seen by AFP proposes tigers begin arriving from next year, though funding is still being negotiated, sources said.

The tigers would start their new lives in a 40-hectare enclosure at the end of a red dirt track, some four kilometres from the nearest main road and local resident Lin Meng Ma’s home.

The 49-year-old lives with her daughter in an open-front wooden home metres from a dilapidated sign reading “Tiger Reintroduction Project”.

She only learned about the reintroduction plan after asking rangers about discussions she had overheard.

“We were afraid, my house is very close, but they told us they would be in a fenced area and then move deep inside the forest,” she said.

Her main objection now is the cost: just under $43 million until 2030, according to a draft budget seen by AFP.

“I don’t think it is useful to spend this money on tigers,” she said, working on a yellow piece of crochet.

An aerial view shows the road to the Tiger Reintroduction Project in the Cardamom National Park in Koh Kong province on June 11, 2026. — AFP pic

‘Small wins’

Most residents told AFP they were ambivalent about the plan, but most also believe the tigers will remain in an enclosure. In fact, they will be released into the wild after acclimatisation.

Locals were also sceptical of claims in a recent study that tiger reintroduction will bring economic benefits from tourism.

The study itself acknowledges that thick local rainforest would make “safari-style” encounters unlikely.

There are other potential benefits though for a country that has lost a third of its forest cover in the last 25 years.

Reintroducing tigers could put “a bit of a brake” on unsustainable development in the Cardamoms, said Tom Gray, of WWF’s global tiger programme.

“This is going to be a limited contribution to global tiger numbers, but as a mechanism and as a way to secure fantastic landscapes in Cambodia, that’s the goal.”

He said food shortages could be addressed with prey releases, as neighbouring Thailand does.

There are few homes immediately around the proposed release site, but villages, roads and dams all fall within the broader area tigers might one day roam.

So a plan is needed to track and potentially intercept tigers, said Axel Moehrenschlager, conservation translocation director for wild cat protection organisation Panthera.

“Translocated animals tend to range widely,” seeking prey, territory and mates, he warned.

For all the risks, several conservationists told AFP the potential reward of reestablishing an iconic species might be worth it.

“Sometimes in conservation, you need small wins... to ignite a movement,” said Phillip Kuvawoga, senior director of conservation at the International Fund for Animal Welfare. — AFP

BAGHDAD, July 8 — In the heart of old Baghdad, legendary movie theatres stand abandoned and shrouded in dust, bearing witness to Iraq’s once-vibrant cultural scene.

A few kilometres away, director Ali al-Bayati oversees his camera operators as they adjust their lenses for a scene in his upcoming horror film, which he hopes to showcase internationally as a new generation of Iraqi filmmakers drives an industry comeback.

Momentum is building, bolstered by recent international recognition for the Iraqi film “The President’s Cake”, which captures life under crippling sanctions during Saddam Hussein’s rule.

“Reviving the cinema sector in Iraq is not easy, but it is not impossible either,” Bayati told AFP.

For decades, Iraq’s cultural and cinematic scenes flourished.

Film production in Iraq began in the 1940s – notably with titles co-produced with Egypt – reaching its peak in the 1950s.

Among the most celebrated productions of that era was Kameran Hosni’s film “Said Effendi” (1956), a work recently restored as part of the Iraqi Cinematheque project supported by France, and screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025.

But then everything changed.

With Saddam Hussein’s rise to power in the 1970s, cinema became a propaganda tool.

This was followed by decades of war, sectarian strife and jihadist insurgency after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Hussein, ultimately snuffing out the golden age of Iraqi cinema.

Baghdad’s old movie theatres that once drew film enthusiasts are now barely standing, with their faded walls, old doors and broken signs.

Dilapidated shops crowd the entrance to the Granada Cinema, with clothes hanging directly on the street. Other theatres have been repurposed as warehouses, with a few old movie posters still clinging to their walls.

Filmmaker and cultural project manager Wareth Kwaish inspects a film reel at the National Centre for Archives and Iraqi Memory in Baghdad on February 5, 2026. — AFP pic

The old and the new

In recent years, a fragile stability has begun to revive Iraqis’ appetite for entertainment and returned focus to Baghdad’s cultural scene.

Authorities seized the opportunity last year, launching an initiative to support 58 film projects.

But the funding pool is just four million dollars, an amount that would fund only a single project in other countries, said Wareth Kwaish of the government-led initiative.

Authorities are also working to recover Iraq’s historic cinema archive in the country and abroad.

And Baghdad has signed cinematic cooperation agreements with France to support its film industry.

Still, the industry remains short on funding and support, making every production a gamble.

Filmmakers rely on small grants, said Bayati, who hopes to market his movie in the US and European countries and is among those who benefited from government funding.

The key for him is gaining the trust of Iraqi audiences to “generate revenues that would lead to sustainability in work and production”, he said.

Most Iraqi moviegoers today frequent multi-screen theatres in shopping malls where Hollywood and Egyptian movies dominate the screens, rather than the classic venues.

Syrian filmmaker Abdulhadi al-Rakeb, who made a documentary about Iraq’s old movie theatres, said their closure has led to “the disappearance of a culture of watching films in theatres and, as a result, a decline in the very idea of filmmaking”.

Street vendors gather outside the faded facade of the Granada Cinema, an early 1940s landmark, in the Bab al-Sharqi district of central Baghdad on May 26, 2026. — AFP pic

‘Cautiously optimistic’

Recently, “The President’s Cake”, the Iraqi film that won a prize at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival last year, finally started screening in Iraq.

The movie follows the story of a young girl selected to bake a cake for Saddam’s birthday at a time when sanctions made it almost impossible to find the ingredients.

Although the movie was shot in Iraq, the production faced many challenges.

Director Hasan Hadi said a shortage of experienced Iraqi film crews forced him to bring in European professionals.

“The local crew were not aware of international standards,” and the foreign crew were unfamiliar with the local cultural context, which created “more problems for us”, he said.

According to Hadi, the lack of local crews is one of several reasons Iraqi filmmakers have been unable to work in their own country.

He believes the sector needs workshops to develop local talent, increased funding and better overall organisation.

“I am cautiously optimistic,” Hadi said.

“There are more people who want to tell their stories and make films, but not enough resources.” — AFP

LONDON, July 8 — Prince Harry’s years-long legal campaign against Britain’s tabloid press suffered a major setback yesterday after he lost his privacy lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail, in what is expected to be his final court battle with the newspaper.

The Duke of Sussex was among seven claimants, including high-profile singer Sir Elton John, who accused Associated Newspapers of unlawfully obtaining private information for stories published in the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday between the 1990s and 2011.

Calling the decision “a complete and obvious whitewash”, Harry criticised the ruling in a joint statement with fellow claimant Baroness Doreen Lawrence, whose son Stephen Lawrence was murdered in a racist attack in 1993.

The group alleged journalists obtained information through methods including private investigators, phone hacking, landline tapping and “blagging” — tricking people into revealing confidential details such as medical records.

Associated Newspapers denied any wrongdoing and hailed the judgment as “an overwhelming victory” for the newspaper and press freedom, saying it would seek to recover its legal costs after a trial it estimated cost more than £50 million (RM288 million).

In a column published today, Daily Mail columnist Stephen Glover described the verdict as “nothing less than a conspiracy to destroy the Daily Mail. Thankfully a judge had the good sense to reject it – but the enemies of a free Press won’t go away”. 

He argued the ruling was a major boost for Britain's newspaper industry after years of declining print circulation and costly legal battles.

Glover also said the case had taken a heavy toll on the publisher, citing legal costs exceeding £50 million (RM288 million) and the strain on dozens of journalists who testified during the 11-week trial. 

He noted the judge found the claimants had limited direct evidence after a key witness withdrew an earlier statement, while praising the integrity of several Daily Mail journalists who appeared in court.

In his ruling, High Court judge Matthew Nicklin said the claimants had to prove information had been obtained unlawfully, adding that “privacy alone does not prove unlawful acquisition”.

The younger son of King Charles who now lives in California has spent years taking on British newspaper publishers, blaming the media for the relentless scrutiny that he says contributed to the death of his mother, Princess Diana, and later targeted his wife Meghan.

He previously won a case against the publisher of the Daily Mirror and settled another with Rupert Murdoch’s UK newspaper group, but the latest defeat marks a significant setback in his campaign against the British press.

Former Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, who has repeatedly clashed with Harry, welcomed the outcome.

“I feel sorry for the way a confused and angry young man has been drawn into this case,” Dacre said.

LA GUAIRA (Venezuela), July 8 — As deadly earthquakes reduced much of Venezuela’s Caribbean coast to rubble, one modest apartment block remained standing — and its builders believe they know why.

Elias Eduardo Chayeb fought back tears when he saw the three-storey seafront building he had helped his father construct two decades ago had survived.

Surrounded by the ruins of taller and more luxurious apartment blocks, the family’s building stood almost untouched.

“On my way here, passing all the destruction, when I saw that it was still standing, I thanked God,” the 37-year-old told AFP.

La Guaira, a popular beach destination about 40 kilometres from Caracas, bore the brunt of the twin magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that devastated parts of Venezuela.

The Chayeb family’s building, which houses six apartments in Puerto Viejo near Caracas’ international airport, remained standing despite widespread destruction around it.

Elias Eduardo and his father, who is also named Elias, believe its survival came down to its relatively low height, solid construction materials and foundations designed for La Guaira’s notoriously unstable terrain.

‘Passed the test’

Engineer Elias Chayeb (left) and his son who’s also an engineer and shares his name, Elias Eduardo Chayeb, stand in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, Venezuela, on July 6, 2026. In a block of flats reduced to ruins by twin earthquakes, a modest three-storey building still stands. — AFP pic

Although some walls cracked, the building’s foundations, columns, staircases and windows remained intact.

Most importantly, everyone inside survived unhurt.

“The building passed the test,” the elder Elias said with visible relief.

The veteran builder said that throughout his career of more than six decades, he had consistently refused to construct high-rise buildings because he believed they were unsuitable for La Guaira’s landscape.

His caution was shaped by memories of the catastrophic 1999 landslide that killed thousands in the region, as well as the deadly 1967 earthquake that struck Caracas.

“Many of the buildings that they asked me to take on, and that I rejected, collapsed,” he said, pointing towards a hillside where apartment blocks more than 10 storeys high once stood.

When the earthquakes struck, many of those buildings crumbled within seconds, leaving residents with little chance to escape.

Elias Eduardo said properly designed earthquake-resistant buildings are meant to absorb seismic energy. While they may crack during a powerful quake, they are built to avoid catastrophic collapse.

‘La Guaira is gone’

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquakes struck along the San Sebastian fault system, which runs along Venezuela’s northern coastline.

The agency warned that the shaking could leave steep slopes vulnerable to landslides for months or even years.

“That fault is here to stay,” the elder Chayeb said.

His parents had emigrated from Syria to Venezuela during World War I.

He believes the disaster should prompt a complete rethink of zoning laws in the area.

For resident Ingrid Palacios, 61, surviving the earthquake inside the Chayeb family’s building feels nothing short of miraculous.

Looking out over the devastation, she said the La Guaira she once knew “is gone”.

The rebuilt city, she believes, will consist of “three-storey buildings, little chalets and very small houses.” — AFP

PARIS, July 8 — Day will briefly turn into night across parts of northern Spain on August 12, when the Moon completely covers the Sun during a rare total solar eclipse.

Here’s what you need to know about the celestial spectacle, the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 2006.

What is an eclipse?

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a narrow shadow across the planet.

The result is an eerie twilight where temperatures fall, shadows appear at unusual angles and some animals think it’s bedtime.

These strange effects once convinced ancient civilisations that eclipses signalled the apocalypse — or messages from the gods.

In reality, Nasa says the event is the result of a “cosmic coincidence”.

“Even though the Sun is about 400 times bigger than the Moon, it is also about 400 times farther away,” the US space agency explains.

That perfect balance means people standing in the right place will see the Moon completely block the Sun, revealing its glowing outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

Where can it be seen?

The eclipse will first appear over a remote region of northern Russia before the “path of totality” sweeps across Greenland, Iceland, Spain and the northeastern tip of Portugal.

In Spain, the shadow will travel roughly from the northern city of Oviedo to the island of Mallorca.

How long will it last?

For skywatchers in Spain, totality will last less than two minutes shortly before sunset.

In Burgos, for example, darkness will fall for exactly one minute and 48 seconds.

Parts of Russia and Greenland will enjoy slightly longer viewing times, though still under two-and-a-half minutes.

The partial phases of the eclipse — before and after totality — will last around one hour and 45 minutes.

Partial eclipses will also be visible across most of Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa.

How rare is it?

There are usually one or two solar eclipses somewhere on Earth each year.

But because the path of totality is so narrow, the same location may wait up to 400 years before seeing another one.

Spain won’t have to wait that long.

Another total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula on August 2, 2027.

Some media have dubbed it the “eclipse of the century” because totality will last six minutes and 23 seconds — the longest of the 21st century.

Spain will also witness an annular, or “ring of fire”, eclipse on January 26, 2028, when the Moon leaves a bright ring of the Sun visible around its edges.

Do you need protection?

Yes.

Looking directly at the Sun during an eclipse can cause serious eye damage.

Experts recommend using specially designed eclipse glasses that filter ultraviolet rays and meet the ISO 12312-2:2015 safety standard.

Because the eyes have no pain receptors to warn of damage, people may not realise they have injured their vision until later.

Research following the 2024 total solar eclipse in the United States found online searches for “my eyes hurt” surged after the event. — AFP

BURGOS (Spain), July 8 — As a child, Enrique Bordallo would gaze in awe at the star-filled skies above rural Spain.

Next month, the astronomy enthusiast will finally get to witness something even more spectacular — and he won’t be alone.

“We’re absolutely buzzing,” said Bordallo, president of the Burgos Astronomy Association, as he explained the upcoming total solar eclipse to dozens of eager residents in the northern village of Belorado.

“We’re eager for this to happen now, to experience it, for the weather to be right, for everything to work,” he told AFP.

The total solar eclipse on August 12 – Spain’s first since 1905 – will plunge parts of the country into darkness for just 90 seconds.

But while the celestial show will be brief, the tourism boom it is expected to spark could leave a much longer-lasting impact on Spain’s often-overlooked rural heartland.

The eclipse’s “band of totality” will sweep across sparsely populated parts of northern Spain, including Castile and Leon, bringing global attention to regions better known for shrinking populations than packed tourist attractions.

“Castile and Leon isn’t always in the news, and unfortunately foreigners stay more on the coast,” said anthropologist Belen Molinuevo Puras, whose family comes from Belorado.

“We’re really excited that it’s happening in this area,” she said during a stargazing event organised by the local astronomy association.

Stars align for rural Spain

Spain is already the world’s second most-visited country after France, but officials have been trying to steer visitors away from overcrowded beach destinations such as Barcelona and towards lesser-known inland regions.

With total solar eclipses also due in 2027 and 2028, rural Spain could be in for an astronomical tourism windfall.

A report commissioned by travel platform Airbnb in May described the trio of eclipses as “an unprecedented opportunity to help rebalance tourist flows in Spain”.

In Burgos, a historic city expected to offer one of the best eclipse viewing spots, accommodation has been snapped up by visitors from the United States, South America, Japan and across Asia.

Vice Mayor Andrea Ballesteros hopes the event will leave visitors with more than just memorable photos.

“The hope is that foreign visitors take away a good impression of our city, and later that can have a ripple effect,” she said outside Burgos’ 13th-century cathedral.

She added that the eclipse would provide “a boost for tourism and culture” while helping attract visitors beyond the traditional summer season.

Hotels are already cashing in.

Lucia Molina, whose hotel is fully booked for August 12, said reservations began arriving up to 18 months ago.

“Practically all rooms have sold out for very high prices, not only here, but in all hotels in Burgos,” she said.

The few remaining rooms were fetching as much as €1,200 (RM6,000) a night.

A once-in-a-generation spectacle

Around 500,000 visitors are expected to descend on Castile and Leon for the eclipse, including about 40,000 in Burgos alone — more than one-fifth of the city’s population.

The influx has prompted concerns over traffic, crowd control, health and safety, with thousands expected to spend hours outdoors waiting for the Moon to pass in front of the Sun.

Officials have spent months preparing observation areas and coordinating with emergency services to keep crowds safe.

Optician Marta Serrano also has one important reminder: don’t forget the eclipse glasses.

“This is like going to the beach on a cloudy day. You say, ‘Today I won’t put on cream because I won’t burn.’

“Then at night you realise that you did because the rays keep getting through. This will be the same,” she said, warning of the danger to eyesight.

Demand for certified eclipse glasses has surged as excitement builds.

Back in Belorado, Bordallo is counting down to the moment his quiet corner of Spain becomes the centre of the universe — at least for a minute and a half.

“It’s a unique event, it’s a wonder, it’s a free show within anyone’s reach. And it will astonish them and delight them,” he said. — AFP

MAIQUETIA (Venezuela), July 8 — When twin earthquakes rocked Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, 19-year-old Eliana Garcia ran for her life with her family.

At 38 weeks pregnant, she sought refuge on a baseball field with dozens of others fleeing buildings that were collapsing around them.

Then, she felt fluid trickling down her legs.

Doctors had already told the first-time mother she could not give birth naturally because of her narrow pelvis, and a caesarean section had been scheduled for a week later.

Instead, labour came early.

“I felt like I needed to pee. But I pushed and pushed, and when nothing came out, I understood that the baby was coming,” Garcia told AFP from a shelter.

Her family laid her on the only sheet they had managed to grab as they fled.

It was the early hours of June 25.

Barefoot and in the dark, her sister-in-law, Julia Di Giuseppe, ran through the devastated coastal city searching for help.

Around her, rescuers climbed over mountains of rubble searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings, while motorcycles weaved through debris left by the powerful quakes.

No water, no electricity

No one responded to Di Giuseppe’s pleas.

She returned to the baseball field just as Garcia began giving birth while aftershocks continued to shake the ground.

“I begged a paramedic who was searching for her family members in the ruins, and she started helping,” the 37-year-old said.

With no running water, no surgical gloves and only hand sanitiser, the paramedic delivered the baby under the glow of mobile phones that still had battery power.

Surrounded by strangers who briefly forgot their own grief, Garcia pushed.

When the baby emerged – a boy, to the family’s surprise after they had been expecting a girl – he was silent.

Then, as the crowd erupted in applause, he let out his first cry.

The next challenge was cutting the umbilical cord.

With no medical equipment available, “people started taking out their hair bands and we tied it at both ends, with a lot of alcohol,” Di Giuseppe recalled.

The cord was eventually cut with a pair of nail scissors.

Garcia, who is separated from the baby’s father, remembers little after that.

Her family carried her in their arms before transferring her onto a motorised garbage cart and later into an ambulance that took her to a public hospital.

Doctors, already overwhelmed by earthquake victims, treated her and her newborn.

The family was later moved to a public school serving as an emergency shelter in La Guaira, the region worst hit by the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that have left nearly 3,700 people dead, with thousands more still missing.

As Di Giuseppe watched Garcia breastfeed her son, she broke down in tears.

“We saved him, but we lost our two nieces,” she said.

The girls, aged 14 and 11, were found beneath the rubble of the apartment building where they had lived.

Crushed beneath tonnes of concrete, their father recognised them only by the silver bracelet the older girl wore.

The girls’ mother, who was Garcia’s sister, and a nephew remain missing.

Garcia had planned to name her baby Daniel Eduardo if it was a boy.

“But my sister always told me to name him Gael,” she sobbed.

“So, for her sake, I decided to name him Gael Jesus. It’s my way of having her here with me.” — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Persistent itching, dry skin and redness are often dismissed as minor skin problems.

However, for eczema sufferers, these symptoms can become a long-term burden that disrupts sleep, work, learning and even emotional well-being if not properly managed.

Consultant dermatologist at Avisena Specialist Hospital, Dr Kartini Farah Rahim, said eczema is more than just a skin condition.

It is a chronic disease that can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life when symptoms persist.

“The condition becomes serious when it continues for a prolonged period, disrupting sleep and work while affecting a person’s emotional, physical and mental well-being,” she said during a recent appearance on Bernama Radio’s Solusi Sihat programme.

Dr Kartini said eczema in children is commonly linked to genetic factors, while adults may develop the condition after being exposed to certain substances such as cosmetics, chemicals or soap.

She said eczema is also frequently mistaken for ordinary itchiness, even though the two conditions have distinct characteristics and require different treatment approaches.

“People with eczema typically develop dry, red and scaly skin. Excessive scratching can cause the skin to break and become wounded. That is why it is important to seek a medical examination, as other conditions such as fungal infections can also cause scaly skin but require different treatment,” she said.

Dr Kartini advised individuals experiencing persistent itchiness or worsening skin conditions despite using moisturisers or over-the-counter pharmaceutical products to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause.

“Not all eczema cases are caused by food allergies. This link is more common among infants with severe eczema, whereas food-triggered eczema is relatively rare in adults. The diagnosis can be confirmed through allergy tests such as a skin prick test or an IgE blood test,” she said.

According to Dr Kartini, about 70 per cent of children with eczema recover by adolescence.

However, the remaining patients may continue to experience the condition into adulthood, particularly if they remain exposed to common triggers such as water, soap and chemicals.

“Adults, especially homemakers, are more likely to be exposed to eczema triggers. Patients are advised to minimise contact with water and soap, take breaks from activities that aggravate the condition, and wear gloves when carrying out household chores involving chemicals,” she said.

Dr Kartini also urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing eczema treatments, particularly products marketed on social media, as some are believed to contain undeclared steroids despite being promoted as natural remedies.

“Prolonged use of high-dose steroids can cause the skin to become thinner. If the steroids come into contact with the eyes, they may lead to cataracts and glaucoma,” she warned.

She said regular use of moisturisers remains the cornerstone of eczema treatment, while the wet wrap technique has proven effective in relieving itchiness, particularly among patients with severe eczema.

“The wet wrap method helps retain skin moisture while reducing inflammation and itchiness. For infants and young children, their hands or nails may also be wrapped to prevent skin injury caused by scratching,” she said.

At the same time, Dr Kartini said advances in medical technology have brought renewed hope to eczema patients through the availability of safer and more effective treatment options, including biologic injections, which no longer require regular blood monitoring as was necessary with older therapies. — Bernama

SEOUL, July 8 — In fast-secularising South Korea, Buddhism is regaining popularity thanks to a “hip” trend wooing Gen Z with festivals, fashion, robots and DJs, even as some fear for the fundamentals of the faith.

Just down the street from a 14th-century Seoul temple where worshippers make offerings and bow at the feet of three giant golden Buddha statues, a store named Buddhz sells statuettes, prayer bead bracelets, hats and t-shirts.

One depicts the Buddha scrolling on a smart phone.

A postcard shows the Buddha blowing a bubble in a relaxed pose with the words: “Blow it. Pop it. Forget it.”

“It’s a lot more commercialised here than I expected,” Canadian tourist Teja Manabotula, 34, told AFP.

Marvin Zhang, a 19-year-old German, said his curiosity about Buddhism was part of the reason for his visit, but seeing the marketing methods targeting his generation, he could understand how it may be “seen as disrespectful”.

Either way, the pop culture approach appears to be working.

The Seoul International Buddhist Expo, for example, drew a record 250,000 people this year – about two-thirds of them Gen Z and half non-religious, according to organisers.

And even as the number of South Koreans who identify as Buddhist has remained static, Buddhism was viewed the most favourably of four belief systems polled in a 2025 “Religion Perception Survey” by Korea Research.

Buddhism-themed tourism is thriving and tens of thousands of locals and foreigners sign up every year for “temple stay” retreats where they eat simple monastic food, do chores and meditate.

Some pair their stays with concerts or events such as the International Expo, where visitors can join prayer sessions and talk to monks, browse among a dizzying array of trinkets on sale, and attend a “Heat Sutra Gong Party” with electronic dance and hip-hop sets.

A projection of Buddha is displayed using a smartphone at a souvenir store in Seoul on July 6, 2026. — AFP pic

Sun Min-ji, a 23-year-old South Korean university student and Buddhist, said the religion’s hip image has attracted many of her friends.

“I believe there is absolutely nothing wrong with this ‘hip’ image of Buddhism, as it lowers the barrier to entry and attracts many young people,” she told AFP.

But some critics point to the risk of a religion defined by non-attachment to worldly goods becoming tainted by consumerism.

“If Buddhism is consumed merely as a ‘good image’, its newfound hipness may prove to be little more than a passing trend,” said an editorial in the Hyunbulnews newspaper, a Buddhist outlet.

‘Adapted form’

The Jogye Order, South Korea’s main Buddhist order and a driving force behind the trend, is looking to make religion more “approachable”, spokesman Monk Myojang told AFP.

“The way younger generations engage with religion is changing... We’ve tried to meet them where they are and communicate in a way that resonates with them.”

The order faced particular backlash when a humanoid robot “monk” took part in an ordination ceremony in May, pledging to “devote” itself to Buddhism.

Critics argued this trivialised the monkhood.

Buddhism-themed phone grips are displayed at a souvenir store in Seoul on July 6, 2026. — AFP pic

While defending the use of the robot as a tool to convey Buddhist teachings, Myojang said the order was mindful of the risks and plans “to establish clearer guidelines about where the boundaries lie”.

Comedian-turned-DJ Yoon Seong-ho, who performs under the stage name NewJeansNim in monk robes and mixes electronic music with chants, agrees there is a delicate balance.

His goal, with the order’s support, is “to communicate Buddhist values to the public, especially to younger people who may not usually visit temples”, the musician told AFP.

The hip, non-preachy image has given Buddhism a cultural boost, but it does not seems to have attracted new believers.

A poll last year found no change in South Koreans’ religious affiliations, with 16 per cent identifying as Buddhist.

People with no religion remain in the majority, most of them aged 18 to 29.

Jo Yang-ok, a 78-year-old Buddhist, said she did not object to anything that would bring young people into the fold.

“People of my generation often can’t come out to temples anymore because of illness or because they have passed away,” she told AFP.

Brian Somers, an assistant professor of Buddhist studies at Seoul’s Dongguk University, said religions have always adapted as younger followers replace older ones.

“Hip Buddhism is Buddhism in an adapted form, as long as the teachings are maintained,” he said. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — Maybank Islamic Berhad has unveiled the Maybank Islamic Nadi Mastercard Credit Card-i, a new Shariah-compliant credit card designed to simplify everyday financing for Malaysians.

Launched as a response to the growing demand for practical and transparent financial tools, the Nadi card strips away the complexity often associated with credit. It features a fixed profit rate of 14 per cent per annum, significantly lower than the tiered structures of many prevailing cards, which can reach up to 18 per cent, and comes with no annual fee and non-compounding charges.

The name Nadi, meaning ‘pulse’ in Malay, reflects the bank’s aim to be an integral part of the customer’s daily financial life.

“Trust is the cornerstone of banking and earned through clarity and an unwavering focus on customers,” said Datuk Seri Khairussaleh Ramli, president and group chief executive officer of Maybank.

“Nadi Mastercard Credit Card-i reflects the purposeful innovation we seek to champion – simple, values-driven solutions built around what customers truly need.”

Beyond its straightforward cost structure, card members gain access to Maybank’s extensive ecosystem, including exclusive benefits and over 1,000 merchant privileges across the region.

Mohamad Yasin Abdullah, group chief executive officer of Islamic banking and CEO of Maybank Islamic, said the card is a manifestation of the bank’s “Humanising Financial Services” philosophy.

“We believe financial products should be easy to understand and empower customers to make informed decisions,” he said. “This card is designed to support responsible financial management by eliminating complexity and giving customers greater certainty over their financing costs.”

By providing greater predictability and peace of mind, Maybank Islamic aims to broaden responsible access to credit in a way that is both affordable and meaningful for the community.

Customers may apply for the Nadi Mastercard Credit Card-i starting in October 2026 via the MAE app, Maybank2u, or at any Maybank branch nationwide.

PARIS, July 7 — Fresh from winning arguably the biggest job in fashion this year — designing Taylor Swift’s wedding dress — Dior’s artistic director Jonathan Anderson returned to the Paris catwalk yesterday at the start of Haute Couture Week.

Swift and husband Travis Kelce’s choice of the venerable Parisian house for their New York wedding ensembles this weekend represented a major coup for the LVMH-owned brand.

It also burnished the reputation of its low-key Northern Irish chief designer, 41, who was appointed almost exactly a year ago with the task of modernising all of Dior’s fashion lines.

On the first day of Haute Couture Week, which featured a star-packed show from Schiaparelli and a galaxy-inspired Iris Van Herpen collection, Anderson sent out a highly wearable selection of heavily textured and pleated outfits.

He appeared to soak up applause, wearing a denim shirt and dark green chinos, after the final dress — a bridal outfit, as per tradition — did its final round of the circular catwalk at the Rodin Museum in central Paris.

Chinese model Li Hejia presents a creation for Christian Dior for the Women Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2026-2027 collection as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris July 6, 2026. — AFP pic

Biggest stage

Swift’s choice of wedding dress had been the subject of speculation for months, with industry experts such as Vogue seeing her going for an American designer such as Ralph Lauren, or Vivienne Westwood which she wears regularly.

Dressing the world’s best-known singer at her celebrity wedding for the ages at Madison Square Garden in New York was a major scoop for Anderson whose demanding boss, LVMH magnate Bernard Arnaud, and singer Sabrina Carpenter sat front row at the Paris show yesterday.

A model presents a creation for Christian Dior for the Women Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2026-2027 collection as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris July 6, 2026. — AFP pic

Anderson’s collections have failed to win universal praise since he took over all three Dior fashion lines in June — menswear, womenswear and Haute Couture — becoming the first designer to do so since Christian Dior himself.

Given their similarities in age and the timing of their promotions, Anderson is seen as competing with Matthieu Blazy, 42, who was appointed by fellow French fashion behemoth Chanel last year.

Blazy has barely put a foot wrong, and designed the wedding dress of British singer Dua Lipa when she tied the knot with actor Callum Turner in Sicily earlier this month.

No pictures of Swift’s dress have been released yet — and Dua Lipa took a fortnight before revealing hers.

Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny arrives for the Schiaparelli Women Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2026-2027 collection as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris July 6, 2026. — AFP pic

Celebs and debuts

Elsewhere in Haute Couture Week, Puerto Rican music star Bad Bunny sat front row for the Schiaparelli show in a pastel yellow-coloured suit and a tie of plaited golden strands.

Although the show was titled “The Abyss”, the fortunes of the world’s most-streamed artist could scarcely be higher having just completed three sold-out stadium shows in France that have won rave reviews for his Debi Tirar Mas Fotos world tour.

Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen reached for the solar system for inspiration for her collection which featured her trademark marriage of innovative materials in both gentle floating and highly structured forms, as well as a spectacular luminescent dress.

Monday also saw a first show from the Irish designer Michael Stewart who brought his brand Standing Ground to Paris Haute Couture Week for the first time.

Indian designer Manish Malhotra will also debut during Haute Couture Week tomorrow, taking the number of Indian designers to appear on the calendar to four — alongside Rahul Mishra, Gaurav Gupta and Vaishali S. — AFP

LONDON, July 7 — Prince Harry arrived in Britain yesterday for a five-day visit expected to go ahead mostly without his wife and children after they were reportedly refused police protection.

Harry’s visit has been hit by several snags as plans for his family to accompany him fell through, his accommodation at Buckingham Palace was in disarray and a judgement in his latest legal battle against British tabloids loomed.

The visit, to mark the one-year countdown to next year’s Invictus Games for wounded veterans, which Harry founded, was meant to be his first family trip back to the UK in four years.

But a source close to the Duke of Sussex told AFP at the weekend that Harry’s wife Meghan, son Archie and daughter Lilibet would not accompany him on the London leg of the trip after the family was refused security.

Arrangements for the rest of the trip were still under consideration, the source said, leaving it unclear whether the whole family would visit but stay outside the capital.

Contradictory statements about plans to stay at Buckingham Palace while in London also added to the prince’s headaches.

Just ahead of Harry’s expected arrival yesterday, Buckingham Palace contradicted the Duke of Sussex’s team to say that he would not be staying at the palace after missing a deadline to accept the accommodation offer.

Harry’s spokesman said it was “disappointing” the offer to be hosted by his father King Charles III had been “withdrawn at the last moment”, in a statement sent to AFP.

It was unclear whether the prince would meet his father during this week’s trip. He is last understood to have met the king, who is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer, at the monarch’s London residence Clarence House in September 2025.

Harry and Meghan left Britain for North America in 2020 and stepped back from royal duties amid a bitter feud with his family, which worsened as Harry published his tell-all memoir “Spare” and was embroiled in legal battles in the UK.

The prince has since said he wishes to reconcile with his father, but relations appeared frosty on the eve of the visit.

Lawsuit ruling expected 

Harry’s trip also looks set to coincide with the delivery of a judgement, expected today, in a case against Associated Newspapers, owner of the Daily Mail, over alleged unlawful information gathering.

The High Court trial earlier this year saw Harry give an emotional testimony as the prince, pop star Elton John, actor Elizabeth Hurley and other public figures accused the tabloid publisher of invading their privacy.

It was the third, and set to be final, case brought by the Duke of Sussex in his acrimonious legal battle with the British press, which has further strained relations with the royals.

The prince has also been involved in other legal spats, including over his police protection in the UK.

Last year, Harry said he felt unable to bring his family to the UK after losing a court case to have his security restored during visits home.

“It’s impossible for me to take my family back to the UK safely,” he said then.

According to his spokesperson, Harry had to make “alternative security arrangements” for the trip after publicly funded protection was refused, contributing to the delay in accepting Buckingham Palace’s accommodation offer.

“It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment,” the spokesman said.

Beyond logistical complications, the palace believed the legal judgement expected today had complicated matters as it could compromise the king’s constitutional position, the PA news agency reported. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — Finance professional Dr Abdul Ahad Mohd Salleh (Dr A. Ahad) has proposed a framework for institutional trust and fiscal accountability as Malaysia navigates a complex economic landscape.

With 27 years of experience, including his role as CFO of a government-linked company, Dr A. Ahad argues that governance quality is central to public confidence.

“Governance is often discussed in terms of rules, reporting and compliance, but its real value goes much deeper. Strong governance builds trust, improves decision-making and creates the discipline needed for long-term resilience,” said Dr A. Ahad.

His recent PhD research at Management & Science University analysed 663 observations of Malaysian public listed companies from 2021 to 2023. Using corporate tax avoidance as a metric, the study identified profitability, leverage and board size as key factors, noting that governance is most effective when leadership and accountability are aligned.

“When companies make decisions with greater discipline and transparency, the impact extends beyond the organisation. It contributes to investor confidence, fiscal responsibility and public trust in the wider economy,” he noted.

Dr A. Ahad advocates for finance to evolve from a reporting function into a strategic discipline.

“Finance and accounting can no longer be viewed as back-office functions that only report what has already happened. At their best, they are part of an organisation’s trust architecture — shaping how decisions are tested, how resources are allocated, how risks are surfaced and how accountability is built into daily management,” he said.

This approach aligns with remarks by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan at the MIA International Accountants Conference 2026 regarding fiscal discipline.

Consequently, Dr A. Ahad supports the proposed Malaysian Management Accountants Association to elevate the profession as a strategic partner in long-term value creation.

* Editor’s note: The headline has been adjusted to reflect Dr A. Ahad’s position as CFO of the GLC contrary to the earlier headline on which he was stated to be its former CFO. 

WASHINGTON, July 6 — At this World Cup, the host US team’s stirring unofficial anthem is...a 1971 folk song?

John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads has been an unexpected hit among fans, with US matches culminating in 70,000-strong sing-alongs.

Evoking a kinder, gentler America of a bygone era, the ringing renditions have stirred emotions in a country riven by sharp political division under President Donald Trump.

“You can all kind of unite under how it’s, you know, America the beautiful and everyone can kind of sing it in harmony no matter who you are,” said US fan Drew Bastinelli, who came from Oregon to attend celebrations in Washington for America’s 250th birthday.

Packed stadiums singing as one about home being “the place I belong” feels like a breath of fresh air at a time when Americans are deeply anxious over concerns like inflation, health care and an unpopular war with Iran.

Trump-backed “Freedom 250” festivities in Washington have drawn partisan crowds, with thin turnout for a much-touted Great American State Fair on the National Mall. World Cup stadiums, in contrast, have been filled day after day with jubilant fans.

The Country Roads appeal lies in the way it conveys “a kinder, simpler era with less conflict and division,” said Doug Hartmann, a sociology professor at the University of Minnesota.

“It is not just nostalgia that is at work in this song but also its ambiguity, its vagueness — the fact that ‘country roads’ and ‘home’ are not clearly defined...means that everyone can hear and place and feel themselves therein.”

‘Impossible not to sing’ 

The song’s starring role at this World Cup wasn’t completely random. US Soccer had submitted to Fifa a postgame playlist that also included Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer and Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.

“We were looking for songs that were both representative of American artists and would be great sing-alongs for the crowd,” US team spokesman Michael Kammarman said.

With England claiming Sweet Caroline first, World Cup 2026 executive Amy Hopfinger chose the well-known John Denver song to close out the June 19 US 2-0 win over Australia.

As the first notes played, the sellout crowd of 66,925 started singing, quickly drowning out the loudspeakers.

A similarly passionate serenade followed the victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 that sent the Americans into the round of 16, a game watched by a record 33.5 million US viewers.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino was seen pumping his fist and singing along with gusto.

“I am 200 per cent Argentine,” he said after the match. “I think when you feel part of something bigger that we are building here...I enjoy being part of that amazing project.”

“When that song started to sound in the stadium, it’s impossible not to sing,” he said. “It’s an amazing song. It’s very emotional.”

A religious experience 

Such a response is called “collective effervescence,” said Jeffrey Montez de Oca, a sociology professor at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.

“When singing in a stadium with thousands of other people, you lose yourself in the crowd and feel like you are part of something larger than yourself,” he said. “It is akin to a religious experience.”

With a diverse group of players representing the spectrum of immigration to the US, Americans are rallying around the team, traditionally a World Cup disappointment.

“The team’s diversity, and the strength that this diversity engenders, is symbolically important amid a moment of sharp political backlash in the US over basic rights and freedoms,” said Jules Boykoff, a political science professor at Pacific University.

No matter whether there will be more American wins at the World Cup to bring on another take of the John Denver classic, Country Roads has already cemented its place in the country’s burgeoning football culture.

The song is being played at the tournament even when the US team is not on the pitch.

“Everyone loves that song,” said Andy Byford, an Englishman in St Petersburg, Florida who joined in after England-Ghana.

He called the sing-along “a classic American experience.” — AFP 

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — For nearly four decades, BIBA has been a familiar name in India’s fashion scene — growing to hundreds of stores nationwide with its premium ethnic wear, flowing kurtas and contemporary Indian silhouettes, catering largely to Indian women. 

One year after opening its first store in Malaysia, BIBA is finding a different audience among Malaysian shoppers: Malay and Chinese customers looking for pieces to wear to the office or on weekend outings, rather than solely for Indian weddings or Deepavali open houses. 

It is a small but telling shift — colours and silhouettes once associated largely with festive wardrobes are finding their way into everyday rotation, worn by women who simply like how the pieces look and feel, regardless of their cultural origins. 

In Malaysia, the brand has expanded to three outlets in just one year, driven locally by franchise owners Buelah Subramaniam and Krishsubashini Govindasamy, two women who saw an opportunity to introduce the brand to a wider Malaysian market. 

For the duo, bringing BIBA to Malaysia was both personal and rooted in a belief that contemporary Indian fashion could appeal to women beyond the community it has traditionally served. 

“Many people still think Indian fashion is only for weddings or festivals, and this is a perception we want to change. 

“It’s not just our Indian customers — we’re seeing Malay and Chinese customers coming in specifically looking for pieces they can wear to work,” they said in a media release. 

BIBA Malaysia franchise owners Krishsubashini Govindasamy (left) and Buelah Subramaniam are looking to broaden the appeal of contemporary Indian fashion among Malaysia’s multiracial community.

For Krishsubashini, the idea took root after a decade of shopping at BIBA stores in India, where she had long felt the label’s easy, contemporary cuts deserved a wider audience beyond occasion wear. 

“Malaysia has a vibrant multicultural community with a growing appreciation for Indian fashion, not only among the Indian community but also among women who simply love colourful, contemporary clothing,” she said. 

The two women entrepreneurs said they play to their respective strengths, combining experience in business operations and management with a strong understanding of fashion, customer experience and people skills. 

“Our partnership began through a shared passion for entrepreneurship and a common belief that fashion has the power to inspire confidence,” Buelah added. 

The founders said their immediate focus is on strengthening BIBA’s presence and brand awareness in Malaysia, with plans to expand into strategic locations nationwide. 

BIBA Malaysia offers contemporary Indian wear ranging from colourful everyday pieces to traditional and occasion styles.

“We are proud to have reached three stores within our first year, but we see this as just the beginning. Our aspiration is to establish BIBA as one of Malaysia’s most sought-after Indian fashion brands while making contemporary Indian wear more accessible to women across the country. 

“Our long-term hope is simply for more Malaysian women to discover how versatile Indian fashion can be, whatever their background,” they added. 

BIBA’s three Malaysian outlets — Brickfields, 1 Utama Shopping Centre and Klang — are marking the brand’s first anniversary with discounts of up to 50 per cent from July 10 to 12, alongside a special Thank You Day and in-store activities for customers. 

“This first year has been about the customers who gave us a chance and kept coming back. The Thank You Day is our way of celebrating them — this milestone is as much theirs as it is ours,” the founders said.

KABUL, July 6 —  In Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province, a once-thriving business of trading car parts from far-flung places has screeched to a halt due to conflicts at the country’s borders.

The brakes were first put on the Spin Boldak market when cross-border violence with neighbouring Pakistan prompted the near-total closure of the frontier in October.

“When the border was closed with Pakistan, we also exported via (Iran’s) Bandar Abbas port with many difficulties... but there was still a way,” said Abdul Baqi Bina, deputy head of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment.

Vehicle parts from Japan and elsewhere that used to reach Spin Boldak overland through Pakistan were rerouted through the United Arab Emirates, a longer and more costly path but one which at least allowed work to continue.

But then the Middle East war broke out in February, which Bina said “created very difficult problems for Afghanistan”.

The conflict sparked massive disruption to international trade through the Strait of Hormuz, and shipping companies have cautioned that restoring normal operations through the vital waterway will take time.

The parts that reached Spin Boldak before the wars would be assembled to build new cars on site, or distributed nationwide for repairs.

Asadullah, who only has one name, imported from Dubai and Japan and said the conflicts have “paralysed business” for months.

“We opened two containers every day in the yard,” he said, sitting in his office beside a whirling fan.

The price of each container shot up from about US$2,000 to US$8,000 after the outbreak of the Middle East war, the 40-year-old told AFP.

Asadullah said he currently has more than 30 containers stuck in Japan and the UAE, largely because of hold-ups at Dubai’s Jebel Ali port which serves as a key logistical hub.

The World Bank in May described Afghanistan as “highly exposed to external shocks”, with a “widening gap between imports and exports” that hit 70 percent of GDP in the 2025 fiscal year.

It’s a total loss

Masoud, who imports parts from Japan, said he had had no business “since the beginning of the war” in Iran.

“We used to import dozens, even hundreds of containers (monthly)... but now it’s down to zero,” he told AFP, beside a calculator and his accounting book.

Some of his containers had made it as far as the UAE, but he has started shipping them back to Japan due to mounting storage costs.

“We have no other option. I don’t see any alternative way; it’s a total loss,” said Masoud, who does not have a surname.

The disruption has affected thousands of people who work at the Spin Boldak market, such as crane operator Mohammad Naeem.

“I’ll have to leave this line of work and start to do something else” if the situation does not improve, said the 21-year-old.

In the dark workshops where cars would usually be built, men sat around while tools and wheels were idle.

Samiullah, a 30-year-old workshop owner who uses one name, said they used to make “five to seven cars per week” but work has stopped because there are no new parts arriving.

“If it continues like this, we will have nothing to do; we will sustain more and more losses,” he said, because he must still pay his employees.

At a car showroom at the market, owner Noor Ali was surrounded by a dozen colourful vehicles built with imported Japanese parts.

“As few containers are coming to Spin Boldak, customers have decreased,” he said, a month since he last sold a car.

“Hopefully they reach an agreement and (fully) open the Strait,” he said, surrounded by his unsold vehicles. — AFP

PARIS, July 5 — Parisians and tourists dove into the joy of swimming in the Seine yesterday as three free, supervised sites created for the 2024 Olympic Games reopened in a welcome respite after a record-breaking heatwave.

At the foot of the Eiffel Tower, swimmers were doing the breaststroke, chatting, or resting on their yellow floaters—mandatory because of the current—under the watchful eye of lifeguards in fluorescent T-shirts.

“It’s better than the pool; it’s not quite the beach, but it gives you the feeling you’re already a little bit on holiday,” said Lauriane Fiorentino, an employee at a construction company.

Sunbathers dotted the riverbank, adding to City of Light’s charm.

“Look at this water, with the Eiffel Tower in the background... Honestly, can it get any more beautiful than this?” marvelled American Benjamin Doncan.

Paris sweltered in late June during a heatwave that roasted much of Europe, sending temperatures soaring to 40C and above in some corners of France, with forecasters warning that another heatwave may be possible in coming weeks.

Air conditioning is not widespread in residential homes in the French capital, making swimming one of the most popular ways to cool off.

A century-long ban on swimming in the river snaking through Paris was lifted for the 2024 Olympics.

Since then three sites staffed by lifeguards have been opened to swimmers during the summer months.

The sites, which are free of charge and drew nearly 100,000 visitors last year, will remain until the end of August.

They are located in Bercy in the east near the finance ministry, Grenelle in the upscale west and Bras Marie, in the heart of Paris.

The water quality, which heavily depends on the weather, is tested several times a day and indicated to swimmers with a system of green, orange and red flags.

“I was a bit scared, but they do tests every morning,” said Pierre Aboukrat, an employee at the town hall of the 15th district.

“Then I’m careful, I don’t swallow any water... It’s safe, so it’s fine,” he said. — AFP

CAIRO, July 5 — Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered a series of nearly 2,000-year-old tombs on the Mediterranean coast and the remains of a planned Byzantine-era city in the western desert, the tourism and antiquities ministry said.

The coastal discovery was made at Marina El-Alamein, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) west of Alexandria, where recent excavations uncovered 18 Greco-Roman tombs, the ministry said in a statement yesterday. 

Several burial chambers were discovered with their original stone blocking slabs still in place, while a granite sarcophagus measuring about 2.5 metres (8 feet) was found with its lid intact, suggesting the graves had remained sealed for nearly two millennia.

Inside the tombs, archaeologists found human remains alongside pottery, amphorae and other funerary objects.

Among the most notable finds were 24 gold objects placed inside the mouths of several individuals, a funerary practice associated with beliefs about the afterlife.

The site is believed to correspond to the ancient city of Leukaspis, a Mediterranean port that flourished between the Hellenistic and Byzantine periods.

The latest discovery brings the total number of known tombs at Marina El-Alamein to 44 since the site was first identified in 1986 during construction work, the ministry said.

Separately, in the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt’s western desert, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Byzantine-era settlement at Ain al-Sabil, dated to around the 4th century AD, the ministry said on Friday. 

The city, built of mudbrick, features a planned street grid, public squares, residential buildings, a basilica-style church and defensive structures, indicating an organised urban community in the desert interior.

The site also yielded around 200 ostraca written in Coptic and Greek, along with bronze and gold coins, including examples linked to the reign of Roman emperor Constantius II (337-361 AD).

Egypt has been trying to boost its tourism revenues, with high-profile archaeological finds frequently used to showcase the country’s cultural heritage and draw international visitors.

Tourism is a key source of foreign currency, alongside Suez Canal revenues and remittances from Egyptians working abroad. — AFP

LUMUT, July 5 — There are few better ways to unwind than enjoying recreational fishing amid beautiful natural surroundings.

On a stretch of reclaimed land, just off Pangkor Island and near the man-made Marina Island, lies a unique recreational fishing resort where visitors can cast a line while enjoying spectacular sunset views across the open waters.

Opened about a decade ago, Rockbund Fishing Chalet was originally conceived as a temporary project before evolving into a popular retreat for anglers and families seeking a peaceful escape from the bustle of city life.

Rockbund Fishing Chalet manager Ling Jeat said the idea of establishing a recreational fishing retreat was inspired by the uniqueness of the location itself. The site allows visitors to enjoy the experience of fishing in the “middle of the ocean” without having to board a boat.

“Rockbund was initially developed as a temporary project because this reclaimed island was still undergoing development. Since the reclamation works had yet to be completed, the owners decided to utilise the area as a recreational fishing destination complemented by chalet accommodation.

The resort has 20 cabins and 18 dedicated fishing decks.

“What makes this place truly unique is that visitors are literally standing in the middle of the ocean while remaining on solid ground. I believe it is one of the most distinctive destinations not only in Manjung (district), but also in Perak,” he said during a recent interview at the resort. 

Ling said most visitors who come there are anglers from Perak, Penang and the Klang Valley, while some travel from Singapore and return year after year for the unique fishing experience.

Almost every weekend, all 20 cabins in the resort are fully booked, accommodating between 80 and 100 guests. On weekdays, the destination attracts around 50 to 60 visitors.

Ling said in its next phase of development, the resort hopes to introduce floating cabins on the lagoon.

“We believe this will create an entirely new experience for visitors and become another major attraction,” he said.

Ling said the surrounding waters are home to a variety of fish species, including grouper, stingray and eel catfish, with siakap remaining the prized catch for many anglers visiting the site.

“On weekends, the resort transforms into a family retreat. While anglers spend hours casting their lines, their spouses unwind in the chalets and children enjoy the open surroundings, making it an ideal getaway that combines recreation, relaxation and quality family time.

“I believe that’s why recreational fishing continues to attract people. It offers a different kind of escape. Rather than spending the whole day chasing tourist attractions, visitors can simply sit by the water, listen to the waves, enjoy the ocean breeze and fish in complete peace. Sometimes, doing nothing is the best way to recharge,” he added.

Meanwhile, retired serviceman Mohd Rizal Mohd Rajab, 51, said the concept of combining chalet accommodation with on-site fishing facilities offers a more relaxed and family-friendly holiday compared to traditional offshore fishing trips that require travelling by boat.

“In the past, I mostly fished around islands and had to travel by boat. This time, I brought my family because the concept is different. Those who enjoy fishing can fish, while those who don’t can simply relax at the chalet,” he said.

Businessman Ishammudin Isahak, 38, said for some anglers, a rewarding fishing trip is no longer measured by the size of the catch, but by the peace and tranquillity of fishing while enjoying breathtaking views in the middle of the sea with loved ones.

“The best thing about this place is the scenery. At night, you can admire the beautiful view of Pangkor Island, while the sunsets here in the evening are absolutely stunning. That’s what keeps me coming back,” he said. — Bernama

LONDON, July 5 — Prince Harry will visit London without his wife and children as part of a trip to the UK next week, a source close to him told AFP today, after he was reportedly refused police protection for his family.

The prince had previously been expected to make his first family trip back to the UK in four years, but the source close to the Duke of Sussex told AFP that his wife Meghan, son Archie and daughter Lilibet would not accompany him on the London part of the trip.

Arrangements for the rest of the trip were still under consideration, the source said, leaving it unclear whether the whole family would visit but stay outside the capital.

British media reported Harry, 41, would fly in on Monday for a five-day visit marking the one-year countdown towards next year’s Invictus Games, launched by the prince in 2014 for wounded veterans.

The prince was also expected to attend engagements with his other charities during the trip.

The Sun newspaper reported Saturday, citing a source, that Harry and Meghan had planned to visit a London hospital together in her first such engagement since leaving the UK, but he would now go alone “for security reasons”.

Harry and his family were currently in Europe and were still hoping to make the trip to the UK “in some form”, the tabloid reported.

A source close to the prince said last month that he and his family would stay at royal residences, and the BBC reported that they would be guests of King Charles III.

Safety concerns 

But the BBC reported last weekend that Harry was reconsidering the visit after his formal request for taxpayer-funded police security protection for his family was refused by the government.

This would mean he had to rely on his own private security team except when they were on royal estates, the BBC reported.

The prince had expressed concerns about his family’s safety in the UK last year, after losing a court case to have full police protection restored during visits to the country.

“It’s impossible for me to take my family back to the UK safely,” he told the BBC then.

Harry and Meghan left Britain for North America in 2020 and stepped back from royal duties amid a bitter feud with the family, which worsened in the following years as Harry published his tell-all memoir “Spare” and was embroiled in legal battles in the UK.

Harry’s visit was to coincide with the delivery of a judgement, expected Tuesday, in the case he and other celebrities brought against the Daily Mail owner, Associated Newspapers, over alleged unlawful information gathering.

The king’s younger son has said he would like to reconcile with his father, but it is unclear whether the two will meet during the visit.

He is last believed to have briefly met with his 77-year-old father, who is being treated for an undisclosed cancer, at the king’s Clarence House residence in London in September 2025. — AFP

WASHINGTON, July 5 — Americans celebrated 250 years of independence yesterday with conflicting emotions as pride, hope and patriotism battled with uncertainty and unease over the country’s direction.

On Washington’s grassy National Mall, lined by monuments and museums, thousands sweltered in multiblock lines as temperatures neared 100F (38C).

With National Guard troops—controversially deployed across Washington by President Donald Trump—imposing crowd control, forklifts dropped pallets of bottled water which crowds clawed through in scenes evoking a disaster response.

Still the mood was joyous, with chants of “USA! USA! USA!” breaking out in one set of lines near the National Gallery.

Nearby, Iowa state congressman Eddie Andrews was hanging off the back of a farm tractor draped with stars-and-stripes livery, shouting “God bless America!” at the top of his lungs to crowds headed toward the Mall.

“Really this day, 250 years ago, really marked the new modern day of freedom, and it’s why America leads the world in so many areas,” he told AFP, between laps through downtown DC.

A few blocks away, Donna Dasher and her husband Albert were trying to get a photo of the White House.

“I think it’s just the greatest event in our nation’s history,” Dasher said. “President Trump is trying to do everything he can to make it the greatest celebration, and some people say, ‘Oh, it’s about Trump.’ No, it’s not.”

The Dashers traveled from Richmond Hill, Georgia to celebrate both America’s anniversary and their own, adding that they were holding military veterans—including some members of their family—in their thoughts during the festivities.

As the afternoon sun continued to bake attendees, the National Guard rolled out more bottles of water.

“Take two or three or as many as you guys want!” one soldier said.

“You guys got any Stella?” one attendee joked.

Inside the security perimeter more lines formed—specifically for the air conditioned pavilions of each state and the water stations dotting the vast lawn.

The larger tents where companies like Micron and Mastercard have booths struggled to keep temperatures down.

Underneath a large model of the proposed Trump Arch, dozens sheltered in the short midafternoon shadows as the roaring sound of military aircraft was heard overhead.

Long way to go

While the crowd in the US capital may have represented America geographically, it did not appear to do so ideologically.

Amid accusations that Trump co-opted the anniversary to celebrate his own achievements, his and his MAGA movement’s stamp was immediately clear on the clothing and accessories spotted around the Mall.

In Atlanta, Georgia, music therapist Melissa Pate was far more somber about the holiday.

“I guess in this current political climate, 250 years—it feels like we still have a long way to go,” she told AFP.

“To think that we’re 250 years in and there are people in this country that are still not living in true freedom,” she added. “It’s kind of disappointing.”

Yet she and her husband would still celebrate the holiday with a traditional barbecue—but later in the evening after the heat subsided.

Pate said recent Democratic wins in regional and local elections had given her “hope that the little people—the working class - maybe are being heard.”

William-Jose Velez Gonzalez, a Washington resident who is originally from Puerto Rico, had similar thoughts, saying that he felt a certain “sense of grief with the way that things are being handled, with the way that the country is being run.” He was planning a small gathering with friends to watch the fireworks.

In Dallas, Texas, Patrick Marshall spent the morning helping his parents prepare for their Fourth of July barbecue, which this year will include more than 100 guests.

“I think this is still a very big, great experiment and everybody’s still trying to figure out what that means to them,” the lobbyist said. 

“But I think you can look back and be reflective of loving America and celebrating its beauty while also being fair and calling the balls and strikes that need to be called out about the country.” — AFP

KLANG, July 5 — For years, Klang’s reputation travelled faster than many of its visitors.

To some, the royal town was synonymous with traffic jams, ageing shoplots and internet jokes branding it “ghetto”.

To others, it was simply where people went for bak kut teh before driving home.

Now, just days after the opening of the LRT3 Shah Alam Line, Klang Royal City Council mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain believes the city has a chance to rewrite that narrative.

The new rail connection, coupled with a month of complimentary rides announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last Monday, has made Klang easier to reach than at any point in its history, removing what had long been one of the biggest reasons people stayed away, he said.

“My message is simple: Klang has never been closer to you. For the longest time, people hesitated to visit us because of the perceived distance or the notorious traffic jams on the Federal Highway.

“Now, the commencement of the LRT Shah Alam Line completely changes the game. We are now seamlessly connected to the rest of the Klang Valley.

“You can hop on a train at Bandar Utama, skip the gridlock entirely and step off right into the heart of our historic royal city,” he told Malay Mail.

“The barrier of distance is gone.

“If you haven’t visited Klang yet, you no longer have an excuse. The royal city is officially at your doorstep,” he added.

The historic Kota Bridge, Malaysia's first double-decker bridge, which spans the Klang River and gives the Jambatan Kota station its name. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

For Abd Hamid, however, getting people to Klang is only half the challenge.

The bigger task is convincing them to stay long enough to discover a city whose identity stretches far beyond its famous bak kut teh.

He points to landmarks such as Sultan Suleiman Royal Mosque, Bangunan Sultan Suleiman and Gedung Raja Abdullah as reminders of Klang’s place in Selangor’s royal history, while Little India along Jalan Tengku Kelana offers a vibrant mix of spice shops, textile stores and temples.

“As a royal city, our classic infrastructure tells the story of Malaysia’s birth,” he said.

Food, he added, is only one part of the experience.

A stall selling ‘rojak’ and ‘cendol’ at the iconic Pasar Jawa, near the Jambatan Kota station. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

While bak kut teh remains Klang’s best-known culinary export, visitors should also seek out Klang-style fried porridge, lontong Klang, seafood at Tanjung Harapan and generations-old kopitiam coffee.

“The beauty of Klang is that you do not have to choose. We offer a rich sensory tapestry of history, culture and food,” he said.

Changing perceptions, however, may prove harder than improving connectivity.

Klang has spent years battling a reputation that its leaders say no longer reflects the city today.

“To anyone still holding onto that outdated stereotype, I say: come and see the reality for yourself,” Abd Hamid said.

“Old perceptions die hard, but Klang has evolved tremendously. We are no longer just an old industrial port town. We are officially a Royal City.”

Pasar Jawa, known for its traditional Malay snacks, including various types of kerepek. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

He said the council has focused on urban renewal, preserving heritage buildings and improving public infrastructure, efforts now complemented by the opening of the LRT3.

“Every city has its grit and its history. That is what gives a place its soul.

“But today’s Klang balances that authentic character with rapid modernisation, cleaner public spaces and highly accessible public transport like the LRT3.”

The campaign to reshape Klang’s image has been gathering momentum in recent years.

In February 2024, then inspector-general of police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain dismissed comparisons between Klang and Colombia over crime, saying the Selangor royal town did not even record the highest crime rate in the Klang Valley.

That same month, the Sultan of Selangor proclaimed the former Klang Municipal Council as the Klang Royal City Council, with the designation taking effect from November 23, 2023.

Inside the LRT3 Shah Alam line. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

Abd Hamid hopes the city’s newest railway will encourage more people to judge Klang for themselves rather than through old stereotypes.

“I would like to reiterate, don’t rely on old internet memes or outdated rumours.

“Take the new LRT line, walk our streets, talk to our people, and let the real Klang surprise you. You will find a city that is proud of its past, energised by its future, and incredibly welcoming,” he said.

PATTAYA, July 5 — Sitting on a stool under purple neon lights, Emily waited for clients in the back of a bar in Pattaya, a notorious Thai seaside resort back in the spotlight over a sordid murder.

The sex worker the other so-called bar girls call “Mum” arrived in Pattaya more than 20 years ago, but remains on her guard with every encounter.

“I’m worried and that’s why I’m still alive,” she told AFP.

The naked, battered body of a 17-year-old Thai girl was found in a suitcase near a railway track last weekend, just days after she arrived in Pattaya.

A 45-year-old Australian man was arrested at Bangkok airport as he tried to leave the country, and later charged with her murder.

Emily said she was not shocked.

She has seen several similar killings over the years, none of which seem to deter girls from rural areas from trying to make a living in Pattaya.

“They see videos on TikTok and think it’s easy to earn good money,” she said.

“But it takes time to understand how it works, how to speak to clients. It’s not easy — the reality is different.”

People walk past bars and clubs along Walking Street in Pattaya on July 3, 2026. — AFP pic

Bring more diversity 

Scantily dressed and wearing stiletto heels, hundreds of girls, some apparently very young, form a seedy guard of honour under the lights of Soi 6, a street in one of Pattaya’s red-light districts.

Once a sleepy fishing village, Pattaya was transformed by the Vietnam War in the 1960s, when American soldiers on leave began coming for rest and recreation.

Two hours’ drive from Bangkok, the seaside resort has since become one of the world’s epicentres of sex tourism.

Beachgoers relax and walk along the shoreline on Pattaya Beach, in Pattaya on June 29, 2026. — AFP pic

It is trying to shed this image.

“Of course everybody thinks the city is about entertainment, nightlife,” said Mayor Poramase Ngampiches, who was recently re-elected.

“But actually in the last four years, we try to bring more diversity.”

He said the city is trying to reinvent itself through major sporting and cultural events, such as the Tomorrowland music festival, and promoting more family and wellness activities.

“It’s true that they’re trying to improve its image, to make it safer and more welcoming,” confirmed Belgian Damien Joine, owner of a small bar-restaurant.

“Security guards patrol frequently, and as soon as there’s a minor disturbance, they calm things down,” he said.

A food vendor drives past bars near Pattaya Beach, in Pattaya on June 29, 2026. — AFP pic

‘Rock bottom’ 

In a quiet corner away from the brightly-lit tourist centre, the Health and Opportunity Network has been supporting sex workers for about 15 years — and does not expect radical change.

“Pattaya actually offers various forms of tourism. The beaches are beautiful, and there are water parks, attractions, and zoos,” said staff member Orawan Fungfoosri.

“However, based on a well-established reputation spanning 40 to 50 years, tourists from all over the world know exactly what they are coming to Pattaya to experience.

“It is primarily a hub for sex tourism.”

Prostitution is officially illegal in Thailand, but it is essential to the economy of Pattaya, whose wider area counts more than 300,000 residents.

And it is a lifeline for many women with no prospects who can earn up to 10 times the average Thai salary on its streets.

Ann, a 37-year-old sex worker originally from western Thailand, arrived in Pattaya 10 years ago after fleeing “issues with loans, drugs and things that made me run away from home”.

“Most people who come to Pattaya hit rock bottom in their lives,” said the former hairdresser.

The latest grim murder would likely change nothing, she said.

“The news about Pattaya is just like fermented fish — no matter how strong the smell is when you open the jar, people still come back.” — AFP

SYDNEY, July 4 — Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a major tourism drawcard, has avoided being listed as endangered despite the United Nations reporting “utmost concern” about mass coral bleaching and the impact of climate change.

Canberra welcomed TOday the draft decision by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to maintain the World Heritage status of the 2,300-kilometre-long reef stretching along the coast of Queensland state.

Unesco has been monitoring the reef annually since 2021, when it warned it was at risk of being placed on the list of World Heritage items “in danger”.

The UN agency said in its draft report, released in Paris on Friday, that Australia was working towards addressing concerns over climate change, water quality, sustainable fisheries management and land clearing.

Hard coral cover across the reef declined substantially in 2024-2025, with above-average water temperatures causing the reef’s sixth mass coral bleaching event since 2016.

Extreme weather, land-based run-off, coastal development and predation by the Crown of Thorns starfish were also placing the reef under pressure.

“Whilst the resilience of the reef remains evident, its capacity to tolerate and recover from such events is increasingly compromised, and this is of utmost concern,” Unesco said.

Australia changed its laws last year to tighten restrictions on clearing native vegetation in the reef catchment, but Unesco called for tougher measures on dredging and over-fishing.

Australian Marine Conservation Society campaign manager Lissa Schindler said “significant gaps remain” in Australia’s response to the reef’s key threats.

“It contributes A$9 billion (RM28 billion) to the economy every year and is the nation’s fifth biggest employer, supporting 77,000 jobs. We shouldn’t need Unesco to tell us we need to do more to protect it,” she said in a statement.

Assistant Tourism Minister Nita Green said Unesco’s decision “recognises all of the work that Australia has been doing to manage those risks but also recognises that climate change will continue to be a risk to the reef”.

Australia is required to provide another progress report in 2028.

“This is the first time in quite a few years since we’ve been working to restore the Great Barrier Reef under this government that we’ve had such an extensive reporting period put to us,” Green said. — — AFP

LONDON, July 4 — Universities must fundamentally rethink how they educate students in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the workplace, according to a new study released yesterday by the University of Manchester, reported Xinhua.

The rise of AI means that higher education needs to place greater emphasis on critical thinking, ethical judgment and communication, according to the study written by Kelechi Ekuma from the university’s Global Development Institute.

The study said that while AI tools are rapidly changing how people learn and work, many universities continue to rely on teaching and assessment models designed for the pre-AI era.

This could create a gap between graduates’ skills and employers’ expectations.

Universities should therefore move beyond simply integrating AI into classrooms to rethink the purpose of higher education, thereby preparing students to work alongside increasingly capable AI systems rather than compete with them, said the study.

Graduates will increasingly need strong critical thinking and communication skills, ethical awareness and the ability to make sense of complex situations, alongside an understanding of how AI works, according to the study.

“AI is changing how knowledge is created, how decisions are made and how many jobs are carried out, universities need to think carefully about how they prepare students for that future,” Ekuma said.

The study calls for significant changes to assessment methods, arguing that traditional examinations and coursework should give way to more authentic forms of evaluation that test students’ ability to solve complex problems, exercise judgment and apply knowledge in real-world settings.

According to Ekuma, institutions should embrace AI as a teaching partner rather than treating it solely as a threat, helping students develop AI literacy alongside discipline-specific expertise. — Bernama-Xinhua

LONDON, July 4 — Instagram’s advertising system served paid ads promoting child sexual abuse material to a test account in India, the BBC reported today.

The BBC said its alias account began receiving the ads after it followed several sexually suggestive profiles, with some adverts allegedly linking users to Telegram channels selling illegal material.

A retired Indian Supreme Court justice, Madan Lokur, warned that Instagram was “making money by participating in a criminal activity”.

The investigation found around 30 unique adverts promoting child sexual abuse alongside about 20 adult pornography ads, despite such material being illegal in India and banned under Meta’s advertising rules.

When the BBC reported one advert, Instagram responded within 24 hours saying “our review team found that the advertiser's ad does not go against our community standards”.

After the BBC sought comment, Meta said it had removed multiple ads, disabled accounts and blocked links tied to the findings, adding: “No system is perfect, and our review process may not detect all policy violations”.

Hours after the report was published, India’s government said it had summoned representatives of Meta over the ads.

Some of the Instagram ads allegedly directed users to Telegram channels where illegal material was offered for sale, the BBC reported.

While Telegram said it had removed more than 274,000 groups linked to child abuse in 2026, the BBC reported that at least one flagged channel continued operating.

Telegram said it has “virtually eliminated the public spread of CSAM from its platform”.

The findings have intensified scrutiny of Meta’s ad review systems, its growing reliance on AI moderation and the broader question of whether social media companies are doing enough to prevent criminal exploitation on their platforms.