Star Awards is back and with it, it's once again time to assess the red carpet looks. As the yearly awards show took a break last year because of the pandemic, it seems that our artistes are working extra hard this year with their outfits. And it shows, as there were a number of really outstanding looks that rocked our world. Let's take a look at a few of them. Quan Yi Fong The veteran TV host went vintage this year with this ruby red gown that gave us matronly vibes that are certainly befitting of her position in the industry. With that platinum blonde pixie hairdo and her smoky eye makeup, Yi Fong was looking fierce and serving face . Ian Fang Decked in his own creation — yes, he designed this Chinese tunic-inspired jacket — Ian was looking sleek on the red carpet. He also made a wise decision to keep a clean look with the classic black and used a Chanel brooch to add some bling and detail. It would have been a perfect look, too, if it weren't for his hair. The ... » Learn More about Star Awards 2021: A night of elegant and classic looks on the red carpet
Hoseok red suit
Russia, Ukraine expel diplomats as tensions soar
ST. PETERSBURG — Russia on Saturday said it would expel a Ukrainian diplomat, prompting an immediate pledge of retaliation from Kiev, further escalating tensions over Moscow’s troop build-up on Ukraine’s eastern flank. The detention of a Ukrainian consul in the second city Saint Petersburg comes at a time of global concern of a repeat of Moscow’s 2014 aggression, when Russia annexed the peninsula of Crimea and backed separatists in Ukraine’s east. Moscow claimed the Ukrainian diplomat had been caught “red-handed” trying to obtain sensitive information. In response, the Ukrainian foreign ministry protested “the illegal” detention of its diplomat and said Kiev would expel a senior Russian diplomat. Kiev has been battling Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and clashes intensified early this year, effectively shredding a ceasefire agreed last July. Around 30 Ukrainian troops have been killed since the start of the year, compared to 50 last year. Most of them ... » Learn More about Russia, Ukraine expel diplomats as tensions soar
NASA’s Mars copter flight could happen as soon as Monday
A staff member places a full-scale model of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on a table ahead of the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover landing on February 18, 2021 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) WASHINGTON — NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter could make its first flight over the Red Planet as soon as Monday, the US space agency reported, following a delay of more than a week due to a possible technical issue. The mini-helicopter’s trip will mark the first-ever powered, controlled flight on another planet, and will help NASA reap invaluable data about the conditions on Mars. “NASA is targeting no earlier than Monday, April 19, for the first flight of its Ingenuity Mars Helicopter,” the space agency reported Saturday. Data will return to Earth “a few hours following the autonomous flight,” which would take off at approximately 3:30 am, NASA said. Ingenuity’s first trip was initially set for last Sunday, but was ... » Learn More about NASA’s Mars copter flight could happen as soon as Monday
Covid-19: Over 400 students infected in Miri, schools advised to close for 14 days
KUCHING: More than 400 students in Miri have been infected with Covid-19, leading to a recommendation for schools to be closed for 14 days. The Miri divisional disaster management committee said 13% of its cumulative 3,253 positive cases were of school-going age. "As medical facilities at Miri Hospital and quarantine and treatment centre are almost reaching full capacity, the committee decided that schools in Miri should be temporarily closed for face-to-face teaching for 14 days. "They should revert to teaching and learning at home as soon as possible to curb the spread of the virus in schools. "The situation will be reviewed after 14 days," said minister-in-charge Datuk Lee Kim Shin in a statement on Sunday (April 18). He noted that the majority of schools in Miri district had over 1,000 students, while one secondary school had over 3,000 students. In addition, Lee said the committee recommended the temporary closure of schools in the neighbouring Subis and Beluru ... » Learn More about Covid-19: Over 400 students infected in Miri, schools advised to close for 14 days
Jabeur books WTA Charleston title clash with Sharma
Tunisia's Ons Jabeur and Australian Astra Sharma will play for the WTA Charleston 250 title after semi-final wins. MIAMI: Tunisia's Ons Jabeur pummelled Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-0 on Saturday to book a title showdown in the WTA 250 tournament in Charleston against Australia's Astra Sharma. Jabeur avenged a straight-sets loss to Kovinic in the semi-finals of last week's tournament on the same green clay courts in Charleston, shaking off some apparent queasiness late in the first set. She needed 10 set points to pocket the frame, finally converting with a backhand winner. "She didn’t give me any free points," Jabeur said. "It was a tough game for both. I'm glad I responded well for the next game." Kovinic, who fell to Veronika Kudermetova in last week's final, was down two breaks when she dug in again late in the second set, saving four match points before Jabeur flicked a winner past her. Jabeur, who is at a career-high ranking of 27th in the world, earned a meeting with ... » Learn More about Jabeur books WTA Charleston title clash with Sharma
Adults in the room: Lorenzana and the AFP
In his classic work “The Professional Soldier” (1966), American sociologist Morris Janowitz envisioned the future of the military establishment as a “constabulary force,” which is “continuously prepared to act, committed to the minimum use of force, and seeks viable international relations.” Among democracies, Janowitz foresaw a “pragmatic” military—a formidable yet sober, professionalized institution. A decade earlier, political scientist Samuel Huntington made similar reflections in “The Soldier and the State” (1957), where he argued, “Professionalism distinguishes the military officer of today from the warriors of previous ages.” Huntington foresaw the armed forces turning into “a force for caution, sanity, and realism,” whereby the “stronger the military voice, the less the likelihood of conflict.” Even more crucially, he emphasized the importance of an optimal state of civil-military relations, where the civilian leadership has “objective control” through democratic institutions ... » Learn More about Adults in the room: Lorenzana and the AFP
Derazona to be Asia’s first H160 operator for oil and gas
AIRBUS Helicopters has secured an H160 order from Derazona Helicopters in Indonesia, launching this new rotorcraft in the country’s oil-and-gas sector. The multi-mission H160 will play an important role in the expansion plans of the Indonesian operator for oil and gas, offshore, utility and commercial-passenger transportation. With 68 patents, the innovative H160 is the world’s most technologically advanced helicopter, designed with the passenger’s safety and comfort in mind. The design features an unprecedented suite of pilot aids, delivered through its Helionix avionics, which substantially reduces crew workload and decreases the risk of pilot error. The aircraft has been designed to comply with the demanding conditions of oil-and-gas operations. The aircraft’s compact size will be an added advantage to landing on oil platforms. Powered by Safran Helicopter Engines’ latest Arrano engines, the H160 enjoys a 15-percent reduction in fuel burn, contributing immediately to reducing ... » Learn More about Derazona to be Asia’s first H160 operator for oil and gas
Chiang Mai logs most new Covid cases in 3 days
Maejo University in San Sai district of Chiang Mai has turned one of its buildings into a field hospital. (AFP / Royal Thai Army photo) CHIANG MAI registered 196 new Covid-19 infections on Sunday, bringing the tally of confirmed cases in the third wave of the coronavirus outbreak to 2,233. The provincial public health office did not provide details about the 196 new cases after reporting 140 cases on Friday and 164 on Saturday. Chiang Mai is the second-worst hit province after Bangkok in the new outbreak, with most cases linked to entertainment venues -- mainly in the city. The province is one of the 18 red zones that face strict regulations to curb the virus spread. In the “red” provinces, dining at restaurants is only allowed until 9pm and sales of takeaway food until 11pm. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is banned at restaurants. Shopping centres, department stores and community malls close at 9pm, an hour earlier than usual, and visitor numbers must be limited. They ... » Learn More about Chiang Mai logs most new Covid cases in 3 days