Authorities apprehend the suspects. PHOTO: BERNAMA
SEPANG (BERNAMA) – A married couple and four other individuals were charged in the Sessions Court in Malaysia yesterday with the kidnapping of a Chinese national for a ransom of USD1 million (MYR4.44 million) in cryptocurrency last month.
The accused, Chen Jun Hiong, 28; Law Han Wei, 28; Dhinnesh Tan Kin Yuan, 29; Jong Li Jiat, 25; and husband and wife Loh Wei Jian and Wong Xiao Yen, both 29, pleaded not guilty to the charges before Judge Amir Affendy Hamzah.
According to the charge sheet, the six, along with four other individuals still at large, are accused of wrongfully detaining the Chinese man for a ransom amounting to USD1,007,696. The offence was allegedly committed at the Cyberjaya exit of the Maju Expressway (MEX) on July 11 at about 11am.
The charges framed under Section 3 (1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code provide for a minimum prison sentence of 30 years or a maximum of 40 years and caning, if convicted.
The prosecution was handled by deputy public prosecutor Mohamed Wafi Husain while the accused were represented by their counsels G Freda Sabapathy (Chen), Mohd Zali Shaari (Law), Nur Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor (Tan), P Haresh (Jong) and Bernard Francis representing Loh and Wong.
During the proceedings, Mohamed Wafi did not propose any bail as the offence is non-bailable.
However, each defence counsel requested bail for their client, but Judge Amir Effendy denied the applications.
“After considering all arguments and the nature of the charges, the court has decided that bail will not be granted,” the judge said, setting October 8 for the submission of documents.
Earlier this week, the media reported that police are still tracking down four additional suspects believed to be involved in the kidnapping near the MEX Toll Plaza, Cyberjaya, on July 11.
Authorities apprehend the suspects. PHOTO: BERNAMA
A groundhog dubbed Colonel Custard, July 30, 2024, in Pennsylvania, United States. PHOTO: AP
HOLLIDAYSBURG (AP) – A Pennsylvania groundhog is making a name for himself for something other than predicting an early or late spring.
An intrepid varmint dubbed Colonel Custard – so named for the frozen custard shop and mini-golf outlet where he was discovered – was found stowed away with a passel of stuffed animals prizes in an arcade game two weeks ago. Players were manoeuvering a mechanical claw to pluck toys from the glass game case when they suddenly realised a real live groundhog was blinking back at them.
The newly named colonel was found in Hollidaysburg, a good hour’s drive from Pennsylvania’s far more famous groundhog town, Punxsutawney, home to the weather-predicting groundhog Phil.
The owners and staff at The Meadows frozen custard shop aren’t being shy about promoting their own furry friend.
Staff and owners made T-shirts that read ‘Respect the Groundhog’, held the online naming campaign that drew an avalanche of responses and are working on more promotional ideas, such as naming one of their frozen treat flavours for Colonel Custard.
Meadows manager Lynn Castle said no one is sure how the groundhog got in the building, but he must have clambered up the game chute into the machine.
A groundhog dubbed Colonel Custard, July 30, 2024, in Pennsylvania, United States. PHOTO: AP
Protesters surround a suspected sympathiser of ousted ex-premier Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh. PHOTO: AFP
AFP – Mobs vowing to guard Bangladesh’s student-led revolution roamed the site of a planned rally for ousted premier Sheikh Hasina yesterday, beating up some of her suspected supporters with bamboo rods and pipes.
Hasina, 76, fled to neighbouring India by helicopter last week as student-led protests flooded Dhaka’s streets in a dramatic end to her iron-fisted rule of 15 years.
The interim government replacing her, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has invited United Nations investigators to probe the violent “atrocities” that accompanied her ouster, which saw hundreds killed by security forces.
Yesterday was the anniversary of the 1975 assassination during a military coup of Hasina’s father, independence hero Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a date her government had declared a national holiday.
Huge rallies around Bangladesh marked the occasion in previous years but those glad to see Hasina toppled were eager to ensure supporters of her Awami League party did not have a chance to regroup.
Protesters surround a suspected sympathiser of ousted ex-premier Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh. PHOTO: AFP
“Fugitive and dictator Sheikh Hasina has ordered her goons and militia forces to come to the site so they can produce a counter-revolution,” Imraul Hasan Kayes, 26, told AFP.
“We are here to guard our revolution so that it doesn’t slip out of our hands.” With no police in sight, hundreds of men – most of them not students – formed a human barricade across the street leading to Hasina’s old family home, where her father and many of her relatives were gunned down 49 years ago.
The landmark was a museum to her father until it was torched and vandalised by a mob hours after Hasina’s fall.
Several people that the crowd suspected of being Awami League supporters were thrashed with sticks, while others were forcibly escorted away.
Hasina, in her first public statement since her abrupt departure, asked supporters this week to “pray for the salvation of all souls by offering floral garlands and praying” outside the landmark.
She was accused while in office of establishing a cult of personality around her father, who appears on every banknote.
Hasina changed the constitution to require a portrait of him appeared in every school, government office and diplomatic mission.
“Her government even made it an offence to criticise him online, punishable with up to 10 years in prison,” Tom Kean of the International Crisis Group told AFP.
Palestinians during a mass funeral in Rafah, Gaza Strip. PHOTO: AP
DOHA (AFP) – Pressure built for a Gaza ceasefire to be agreed at talks that resumed yesterday in Qatar, aiming to stop the spread of a war that the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry said has killed 40,000.
A source with knowledge of the talks confirmed to AFP that they had begun in the Qatari capital Doha.
The source did not disclose whether Hamas had dispatched any delegates to the talks which Israel and CIA director William Burns planned to attend.
In a veiled warning to Iran, Hamas and Israel ahead of the meetings, United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said “no party in the region should take actions that would undermine efforts to reach a deal”, the US State Department said.
In a telephone call, the two discussed “efforts to calm” regional tensions “and the importance of finalising a ceasefire in Gaza”, it said.
US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators invited Israel and Hamas for negotiations focused on ending the war that the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza yesterday said has killed 40,005 people in the coastal territory.
The ministry, which does not provide a breakdown of civilian and militant casualties, said the toll included 40 deaths in the previous 24 hours.
Palestinians during a mass funeral in Rafah, Gaza Strip. PHOTO: AP
Fallout from the conflict has drawn in Iran-aligned groups from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria.
In Beirut on Wednesday, visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein said he and Lebanon’s parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri agreed “there is no more time to waste and there’s no more valid excuses from any party for any further delay”.
Berri is an ally of Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement which has exchanged near-daily fire with Israeli forces in what Hezbollah said is support for Hamas. Hochstein said a deal in Gaza “would also help enable a diplomatic resolution here in Lebanon and that would prevent an outbreak of a wider war”.
He added, “We have to take advantage of this window for diplomatic action and diplomatic solutions. That time is now.”
A similar message came on Monday from France, Germany and Britain which jointly said there can be “no further delay” in reaching a Gaza truce. They urged Iran and its allies not to “further escalate” regional tensions. Mediation efforts have repeatedly stalled since a week-long truce in November when militants released dozens of Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
One of the Palestinians freed at that time was among two people killed in an Israeli air strike in the occupied West Bank yesterday, Palestinian sources said.
Israel’s military said a strike killed two armed militants. Hamas officials, some analysts and critics in Israel have said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to prolong the war for political gain.
Israeli media this week quoted Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as privately telling a parliamentary committee that a hostage release deal “is stalling… in part because of Israel”.
ABOVE & BELOW: President Joe Biden; and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. PHOTO: AP
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Joe Biden shared a key economic victory with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris yesterday, after securing a cut on drug prices that could resonate with United States (US) voters worried about the cost of living.
The 81-year-old president and 59-year-old vice president announced the deal as they prepared to make their first joint trip since Biden’s seismic decision to drop out of the presidential election less than a month ago.
The “historic” agreement with drugmakers will reduce the price of 10 key medicines for seniors, for conditions including diabetes, heart failure and blood clots, they said in joint statements released by the White House.
The deal will save older Americans USD1.5 billion and the Medicare federal health insurance scheme USD6 billion in the first year, the statements added.
While the deal was Biden’s brainchild, he appears to have chosen to share the credit with Harris as she ramps up her battle with Republican Donald Trump ahead of November’s election.
Harris has already made bringing down high prices a key plank of her election campaign and will hope the announcement on medicines will win over voters who have long been struggling with inflation.
US residents face the highest prescription drug prices in the world, leaving many people to pay partly out of their own pocket, despite already exorbitant insurance premiums.
The pair will hail the drug price deal at an event in Maryland – their first outing together in the aftermath of Biden’s withdrawal from the election following a disastrous debate with Trump.
Biden highlighted Harris’s role, saying the “historic milestone” was only possible because the post-Covid Inflation Reduction Act was passed by Congress after his vice president cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate.
Harris added in her statement, “President Biden and I will never stop fighting for the health, wellbeing, and financial stability of the American people.”
It comes a day before Harris is due to set out her own economic agenda in a speech today, and ahead of her star turn at the Democratic National Convention next week. The US first female, Black and South Asian vice president has already breathed new life into the Democratic Party after the trauma of Biden’s departure.
But while she has wiped out Trump’s lead in the opinion polls and drawn huge crowds to her rallies, she has yet to spell out her policies beyond broad brush strokes.
ABOVE & BELOW: President Joe Biden; and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. PHOTO: APPHOTO: AP
ANN/THE DAILY STAR – With an emphasis on unprocessed and fresh food, Japanese food can boast as one of the healthiest dietary choices in the world. Rice, vegetables, and fish are the staples of the cuisine. Of course, meat has a place but in the past, under the influence of Buddhist vegetarianism, meat was practically shunned. However, modern Japanese cuisine features all sorts of ingredients.
THE DOMINANCE OF SOYA
Soya beans have been part of Japanese culture for more than 2,000 years. High in protein, soya beans have been a popular source of protein for vegetarians for years.
Edamame are whole, immature soya beans that are boiled or steamed and served with salt or other condiments. High in protein and low in carbs, like many soya-based foods, it can lower cholesterol levels. With the added benefit of vitamins and minerals.
Soya sauce is a frequently used ingredient in modern days but the soy sauce we find at our local grocery store is a far cry from the authentic Japanese condiment. It takes a very carefully maintained delicate process and about six to eight months to produce soy sauce. Soya sauce contains antioxidants and antimicrobial properties so it can promote digestion.
Tofu is another soy-based food which is a meat substitute. Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans that can be used as a soup base or even condiments.
Fermented soy beans are called Natto which comes with a strong flavour and a sticky texture. It’s a breakfast item but not particularly popular amongst foreigners.
PHOTO: FREEPIK
VEGETABLES AND SEAWEED
Vegetarian food habits are gaining more popularity these days. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, there is strong evidence that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Seaweed is yet another popular food choice in Japan, wakame being the most popular kind. It is low in calories and rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre. Seaweeds in general are rich in iodine and tyrosine, which is great for your thyroid glands. They are said to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. And of course, they have a very unique taste.
FISH OVER MEAT
Meat is present in Japanese dishes but it’s the fish and seafood that reigns the battle of tastes. Different regions of Japan have different kinds of food that stand out.
Dried octopus is a good source of the “good” fat, Omega-3 with much-needed calcium, phosphorous, and iron. So, it can help prevent anaemia, relieve fatigue, and restore eyesight. Bonito fish on the other hand can be really helpful for your teeth and bones.
In general, fish is a great source of protein. Because of its lower calorie and saturated fat, it is considered to be a comparatively healthier choice than meat.
We do not know if Japanese people think about this regularly but they sure love their seafood.
Worldwide popular dish sushi is another delicacy in Japan. Even though sushi originated in China, it has been involved in Japanese culture long enough.
Fish (usually raw but can be cooked too) is a key ingredient for sushi. However, in recent years there has been vegetarian sushi, which can be, much to many people’s surprise, full of flavours and a memorable experience.
Having one of the highest life expectancies in the world, one can imagine that it has something to do with their food and eating habits. Japanese cuisine is not just healthy, it embodies their culture as well.
In 2014, UNESCO recognised Washoku, a traditional Japanese cuisine, as an intangible cultural heritage. With all the colours, flavours and health benefits they hold, Japanese cuisine is a must-try. – Ashif Ahmed Rudro
Police on the tarmac at Stuttgart airport, Germany. PHOTO: AP
FRANKFURT (AFP) – Climate activists demonstrated at four German airports yesterday morning, gluing themselves to the tarmac and bringing air traffic to a halt at two, operators said.
Activists ‘Letzte Generation’ (Last Generation) said its members had entered four German airports – Cologne-Bonn, Nuremberg, Berlin and Stuttgart – unfurling banners reading ‘Oil kills’.
“A total of eight people entered the runways as early as 5am and stuck themselves to the asphalt,” the climate organisation said in a statement.
They did not enter the runways.
But airport operators in the Nuremberg and Cologne-Bonn airport said that air traffic had still been suspended due to ongoing police operations. In Berlin and Stuttgart, the people stuck on the runway were quickly removed by police and air operations were not affected, police and airport sources told AFP.
Last Generation is known for mounting eye-catching protests – from throwing mashed potatoes at paintings in museums to glueing themselves on busy roads.
In July activists from the group halted traffic for two hours during the busy summer holiday season by gluing themselves to the tarmac at Germany’s busiest airport, Frankfurt.
Police on the tarmac at Stuttgart airport, Germany. PHOTO: AP
Jay Park shows the garlic light stick of his fandom on stage during a fan meeting at Myunghwa Live Hall. PHOTO: AP
SEOUL (AP) – Korean American star Jay Park is known for many things, including being a rapper and R&B artiste, as well as a garlic health drink enthusiast.
Park held a two-day fan meeting in Seoul recently for the first time in over a decade.
Between performing his hits, Park, known for his dedication to health drinks, minced garlic on stage for two fans who won a lucky draw to taste his garlic health drinks. During the show, fans waved garlic-shaped light sticks.
Hailing from Washington state, Park stumbled into South Korea’s competitive pop industry after his mother suggested he try out for a K-pop audition, which he initially thought was just a talent show.
He moved to South Korea, became a trainee under JYP Entertainment, and later debuted as a member of K-pop band 2PM.
His stint with the band was cut short in 2009 when his old online comments about his difficulty adapting to an unfamiliar country surfaced, drawing harsh criticism from the media and the public. He eventually parted ways with the band and returned to his hometown.
After Park’s return to the United States (US), public perceptions changed after people realised that his online messages had been taken out of context, leading to a strong demand for his return. He re-debuted as a solo artiste in 2010.
Korean American star Jay Park attends a fan meeting in Seoul, South Korea. PHOTO: APJay Park in a performance. PHOTO: APJay Park shows the garlic light stick of his fandom on stage during a fan meeting at Myunghwa Live Hall. PHOTO: AP
Park has become one of the biggest names in the Asian entertainment industry as a recording artiste, founder of three well-known South Korean music labels and an entrepreneur, with a Korean drink brand.
In an interview, Park talked about his long-overdue fan meeting and his upcoming foray into K-pop management with two bands set to debut.
His interview with The Associated Press has been edited for length and clarity.
It’s your first fan meeting in more than a decade. How did this come about and how was the meeting with fans?
I received a lot of support and love from the fans, but I felt like I never deserved that. I also wanted people to know the real me, as a person and as an artiste. My perception back then was like,
I didn’t want to rely on the fans too much and just continuously take money from them.
That’s not what I wanted to do. But I realised they want to show their support and it’s about (me) giving back as well. So right now it’s just a perfect opportunity to meet with my fans.
You just talked about the ‘real me’. Who is the real you? Is there a side of you that you want people to see more?
I don’t want people to see anything. If you see me, you see me. If you don’t, you don’t. I don’t have an artiste name.
My name is Jay Park. There’s not a lot of people that are active under their real name.
I’m probably like one of the only ones. I’ve been like that for, what, 16 years now? And I work with people that I want to work with. I do music that I want to do. I’m not hungry or thirsty for recognition anymore or to be accepted.
What was it like meeting your fans after a long time?
What surprised me was a lot of my fans were a little more shy, I felt. But I think it’s because, for me, there’s no one that really manages my fandom.
So it’s like everybody’s just kind of scattered around, so when they all come together in one spot for the first time in 11 years, it’s kind of like awkward for them as well. It’s awkward for me.
So everyone was very shy. I’m glad that we can meet 11 years later and celebrate each other.
How do you keep up with trends?
I don’t keep up with trends. I have certain morals and certain standards, and I just abide by those standards.
And it’s led me to where I’m at right now. I never cut any corners. I don’t take shortcuts.
So I think that that’s taken me a long way. And I’ve always tried to be the best human being and try to carry myself as a good person.
You’ve hinted at an upcoming album. When is the release?
It’s supposed to come out in October. – Juwon Park
ANN/THE DAILY STAR – Whether you are winding down after a long day, seeking relief from a health ailment, or simply enjoying a moment of tranquillity chamomile tea stands out as a timeless and versatile herbal infusion.
Here are some of the benefits of chamomile tea that experts frequently highlight:
ALLEVIATES INSOMNIA
Chamomile tea enhances sleep quality. A study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that chamomile tea significantly improved the sleep quality of patients in intensive care units – suggesting potential benefits for those suffering from insomnia under less critical conditions as well.
AN ALLY IN IMMUNE DEFENCE
Brewing a cup of chamomile tea might also bolster your immune system. The tea contains compounds that are thought to have antibacterial properties, which can help prevent and ease colds while fighting off bacterial infections.
Furthermore, the presence of antioxidants in chamomile strengthens the body’s defence against deep-seated ailments.
SUPPORTS DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Drinking chamomile tea is also beneficial for the digestive system. It can help soothe the stomach, relieve bloating, and mitigate indigestion. A comprehensive review highlighted in the Journal of Herbal Medicine suggests that chamomile tea stimulates gastric juices, which aid in digestion and alleviate troublesome gastrointestinal symptoms. It’s a natural remedy often recommended for those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
SKIN HEALTH AND MORE
Chamomile’s healing properties are also good for skin health. Applied topically or ingested as tea, chamomile can help alleviate skin irritations and conditions like eczema, due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It’s also used in cosmetic products for its ability to lighten the complexion and impart a healthy glow.
A word of caution: While chamomile tea is generally safe for many, it can have potential side effects. It may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to plants in the daisy family.
Therefore, it’s prudent to consult with a healthcare provider before incorporating it regularly into your regimen – especially if you have existing health concerns or are on medication.
Manchester United’s Manager Erik ten Hag lifts the FA Cup trophy last season. PHOTO: XINHUA
AFP – Manchester United kick-off the 2024/25 Premier League season at home to Fulham tonight before Manchester City begin the defence of their title at free-spending Chelsea on Sunday.
New Liverpool Manager Arne Slot will be under the spotlight on Saturday with a trip to newly promoted Ipswich for his first competitive game since succeeding Jurgen Klopp.
AFP Sports looks at what to expect from the opening weekend of the new season:
Manchester United’s shock FA Cup final win over Manchester City back in May went a long way to keeping Erik ten Hag in charge at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman has been backed by United’s new football operations hierarchy, led by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, and was handed a contract extension to 2026.
Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have arrived to strengthen Ten Hag’s squad for around GBP150 million (USD192 million).
But after finishing eighth last season – United’s worst ever Premier League finish – Ten Hag needs a fast start to the new campaign to dispell doubts he is the man to lead the club forward.
Fulham won at Old Trafford for the first time in 20 years in February.
Any repeat tonight will have United fans fearing another season to forget.
Manchester United’s Manager Erik ten Hag lifts the FA Cup trophy last season. PHOTO: XINHUA
Arne Slot faces a tricky start to his Premier League career when Liverpool travel to an Ipswich side back in the top-flight after a 22-year absence and buoyant after successive promotions.
Liverpool are yet to make a single signing in the transfer window but have been rampant in pre-season with eye-catching wins over Arsenal, United and Sevilla.
Victory at Portman Road would bring some relief to Liverpool fans still coming to terms with the end of Klopp’s iconic reign.
The Reds could then build some momentum with a comfortable run of fixtures to come before the October international break.
But Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe is confident of maintaining Ipswich’s proud home record over the past two seasons.
“We’re going to empty the tank and give everything we’ve got,” Tuanzebe told the BBC.
“They’re just humans” he added. “It is just 11 v 11 on the pitch. Not many teams win at Portman Road and we intend to keep it that way.”
New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has a baptism of fire against his former club.
Maresca was part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at City before leading Leicester to promotion from the Championship last season.
The Italian inherits a chaotic situation at Stamford Bridge with a first team squad now boasting over 50 players and question marks over the future of most of them.
Chelsea’s issues were exposed in a torrid pre-season, that included a 4-2 defeat to City in the United States.
By contrast, there have been few changes for Guardiola’s champions.
Brazilian winger Savinho is the only new arrival, while Argentine forward Julian Alvarez departed this week for Atletico Madrid.
City’s England trio of Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden, plus Spanish midfielder Rodri, only returned to training this week after competing in the Euro 2024 final and are unlikely to start against Chelsea.
