Sideline catches madden 19

KOTA TINGGI (Bernama): Malaysia has not entered the fourth wave of Covid-19 as the number of cases in the third wave has not shown a significant decline, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba (pic). A fourth wave would have considered to have occurred if domestic transmissions drop to "baseline" or zero cases in the third wave before the number increases sharply the next day, he told Bernama when met at Surau As-Syakirin here on Saturday (April 17). Dr Adham said Malaysia could experience a fourth wave of Covid-19 if there is a decline in compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP) among the public, resulting in the emergence of new clusters. He said among the factors causing the increase in cases this time were social activities in early April, including weddings and gatherings, as well as sending children to schools and universities in different states. The number of new daily cases rose to 2,551 on Friday (April 16) and there were 2,331 on Saturday. On July ... » Learn More about No fourth wave: Malaysia still handling the third wave of Covid-19 infections, says Dr Adham

KUCHING: Some 99 students of a secondary school in Ulu Balingian, Selangau, have tested positive for Covid-19 in a new outbreak detected on Saturday (April 17), says Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. The Deputy Chief Minister said the index case of the Ulu Balingian cluster was a 16-year-old student who was confirmed positive on April 16 after undergoing screening for symptomatic individuals at the Selangau health clinic on April 13. "Following active case detection among the index case's family and students and staff at the school, the cluster has 101 confirmed cases so far, comprising 99 students and two other contacts," he said at the state disaster management committee's briefing here on Saturday. Uggah said another new cluster involving a religious primary school was detected in Sibu with 20 confirmed cases so far. The index case of the Jalan Disa cluster is a 28-year-old teacher at the school who tested positive on April 14. She had travelled to Kabong district during the March ... » Learn More about Covid-19: 99 secondary school students in Selangau, Sarawak infected in new cluster

SINGAPORE: Four community cases were among 39 new COVID-19 infections reported in Singapore as of noon on Saturday (Apr 17). This is the highest number of community cases since Jan 21. The remaining 35 cases were imported infections and were placed on stay-home notice upon arrival in Singapore, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). No new infections were reported in foreign workers' dormitories. Details of the new cases will be released on Saturday night, said MOH. "The recent locally transmitted cases are a stark reminder that the virus has not been eradicated and new cases and clusters can easily emerge in our community, if we let our guard down," said MOH. It urged members of the public to continue to exercise social responsibility and be disciplined in keeping to safe management measures, even for those who have been vaccinated. "This is even more critical as we resume and scale up more activities in Phase 3 of reopening, and interactions in the community increase," ... » Learn More about 4 community cases among 39 new COVID-19 infections in Singapore

BEIJING: China's economy expanded at its fastest pace in record in the first quarter, data showed on Friday (Apr 16), in a sharp turnaround from its historic contraction caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The world's second-largest economy was the only major one to grow at all in 2020, supported by industrial activity and better-than-expected exports as the virus hit markets around the world. It marks the fastest pace since quarterly records began three decades ago, though the GDP figure of 18.3 per cent is slightly below forecasts in an AFP survey of economists. While the disease first emerged in central China in late 2019, the country was also the quickest to bounce back after authorities imposed strict control measures and consumers stayed home. "The national economy made a good start," National Bureau of Statistics spokeswoman Liu Aihua told reporters on Friday. The sharp spike was partly due to "incomparable factors such as the low base figure of last year and increase ... » Learn More about China GDP grows record 18.3% in first quarter in COVID-19 rebound

KUALA LUMPUR: Dang Wangi police are expected to complete their investigation into the employer who allegedly assaulted his two bodyguards for fasting by Monday (April 19). Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said police will then refer the investigation paper (IP) to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP). "We have almost completed the investigation on our end and we will be handing over the suspect to South Klang police for further investigations," he told a press conference at the district police headquarters on Saturday (April 17). The employer is also linked to illegal gambling and loan shark activities. Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed had said police also seized RM28.54mil worth of gold bars and cash in foreign denominations following a raid in Bukit Tinggi on Wednesday (April 14). "We seized several items including mobile phones, a pistol as well as five bullets and a cane," he said. Comm Arjunaidi urged the public to remain calm, as the ... » Learn More about Bodyguard assault case: Dang Wangi cops to complete probe by Monday (April 19)

The first signs that young voters might have been crucial in the outcome of last Friday's general election came early on Saturday morning as the results were still sinking in. Asked at the People's Action Party's (PAP) press conference if the ruling party had lost the youth vote, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said young people have "very significantly different life aspirations and priorities". He had just seen a nearly nine-point vote swing against his party, with a record 10 opposition candidates winning seats in Parliament. From analysts to politicians, many have since portrayed the swing against the PAP - almost every win came with a reduced share of the vote - as an indication of the need to better incorporate younger perspectives. Former MP Inderjit Singh, in a Facebook post on Sunday, said millennials were the group who most likely voted against the PAP. He estimated that more than half of young voters had cast their ballot for the opposition. A day earlier, Law and ... » Learn More about Singapore GE2020: Signs of young voters’ crucial role in election outcome

KUALA LUMPUR: The enhanced movement control order will be imposed in multiple areas nationwide that have recorded a spike in Covid-19 cases. The areas concerned are Kampung Tengah in Betong, Sarawak; Taman Mesra Bako in Kuching, Sarawak; SM Agama in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, SM Sains Machang in Kelantan; three localities in Lahad Datu (Kampung Bikang, Kampung Kadumu, Taman Khazanah Indah) and three housing areas in Tawau, Sabah (Taman Hilltop, Taman Bukit Bintang and Taman Berkley). Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the EMCO would be in effect from Sunday (April 18) to May 1. "The EMCO will allow Health Ministry personnel to conduct targeted screenings," he said in a statement on Saturday (April 17). Ismail Sabri also said the movement control order imposed on the Keningau district in Sabah would end as scheduled on Sunday. Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the number of active Covid-19 cases in the area was declining. ... » Learn More about EMCO to be imposed in multiple areas nationwide from April 18-May 1

Andrea Trinidad, president of Hemophilia Advocates-Philippines, awards $700 Micro-Enterprise Grant to Rolly Marsula who has Hemophilia A. Image from Trinidad’s Facebook account MANILA, Philippines — In 2015,  Andrea Trinidad, president of Hemophilia Advocates-Philippines (HAP) and former reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, wrote a story narrating the struggles experienced by Filipinos with bleeding disorders. Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder in which the blood can not clot properly. This can cause spontaneous and prolonged bleeding following an injury or surgery. It affects a person’s joints and internal organs. For people with hemophilia, simple cuts can be fatal. In her story, she shared how thousands of Filipinos with hemophilia further suffer due to the lack of access to treatment in the country. Six years have passed but Trinidad said the same issue is still relevant partnered with the current issues caused by some restrictions implemented due to ... » Learn More about Six years later, Filipinos with hemophilia still struggle in getting treatment

Ryan Bang with his father in South Korea (Image: Instagram/@ryanbang) “It’s Showtime” host Ryan Bang opened up about his desire to reunite his parents and have a complete family, stressing that he is ready to trade everything for it. Bang, who is the only child of his parents in South Korea, shared that to see them together again is his sole wish in life, as seen in his YouTube “Mukbang” vlog on April 14. “Hanggang ngayon, ang pangarap ko talaga mabuo [ang pamilya]. Gagawan ko ng paraan para — gusto ko nakatira sa Pilipinas kasama ang mommy ko at daddy ko,” he said. (Until now, my dream is to make my family whole again. I will do everything — I would want to live here in the Philippines with my mommy and daddy.) Bang was opening up to his guest, named only Gladz, who disclosed to Bang that she and her partner have also split up and they have one child together. Bang advised his guest that it might be better for them to reconcile for the sake of the child. He ... » Learn More about WATCH: Ryan Bang admits he’s ready to give up career, money to reunite parents

Keann Johnson (right) with best friend Jane de Leon In spite of Jane de Leon’s status as an “It Girl,” the actress, who is set to play the latest version of the Pinoy superheroine Darna, still winds up in the “friend zone.” This is as far as actor Keann Johnson is concerned. Keann, however, stressed that Jane’s isn’t unrequited love at all. It’s just that he and Jane went through a lot together, “from moments at work to the really personal ones, that’s why I can confidently say that what we have is a very platonic relationship,” he declared. Keann, who played Luke in Dolly Dulu’s romantic film “The Boy Foretold by the Stars,” recently announced on his Facebook account that he got included in the newly formed group of ABS-CBN talents called “Squad Plus.” On the same Facebook post, Keann also thanked Jane, whom he described as his “best friend.” This got their supporters intrigued and began romantically pairing the two. “We knew each other even before we had managers in the ... » Learn More about Why no romance between Jane de Leon and Keann Johnson despite ‘love, affection for each other’