Indonesian footballer's celebration takes scary turn
Loading
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
15 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Sheila Majid moving on with the times
IT has been eight years since Malaysia's undisputed Queen of Jazz, Datuk Sheila Majid, released a studio album. Her 2017 album, 'Boneka', was a testament to her artistry — a carefully crafted collection that blended her signature sound with contemporary influences. Now, at 60, Sheila is not only celebrating four decades in music but is also signalling the possibility of a new chapter with the release of her latest single, 'Moving On'. Sheila, whose full name is Shaheila Abdul Majid, is candid about the challenges of producing a full album in today's industry. "Nowadays, releasing a full album is not easy because there are many things to consider," she told reporters at the single's recent launch. "I've been planning to release more songs, but I need time. While I was preparing for my 'Sheila Majid: 40 Years In Music' concert, which is slated for Nov 8 at Axiata Arena, someone suggested it would be even better if I had a new song," she said. "Then Universal Music approached me and asked if I'd be interested in recording a song produced by foreign composers I had never met, people who didn't even know my music. "I like working with new people because they can bring in ideas I've never encountered before," she added. An international creative team 'Moving On' was released under Universal Music Malaysia and features the production talents of Hyuk Shin, Cuurley, and SYA, while Sheila contributed to the lyrics. She said the whole creative process was done in a workshop-style where everyone chipped in with ideas — a process which has been practised a lot by Indonesian artistes for some time now. The result is a track that feels both polished and deeply personal. For Sheila, the single is more than just a new release; it is a reflection of her journey as an artiste who continues to evolve. Carrying themes of healing, strength and freedom, the song draws on the timeless groove of disco while infusing it with a contemporary nu-disco twist. "I'm not chasing trends," she emphasised. "Instead, I'm chasing feeling and soul. This song gave me the inspiration to keep creating because I see how the world has changed, and so have I. But I still know who I am." In the wake of the pandemic, Sheila noticed an unexpected phenomenon: her earlier work, especially her evergreen hit 'Sinaran', began resonating with younger listeners. Clips of the song appeared on social media, with Gen Z audiences discovering her music for the first time. This renewed interest inspired her to bridge generations through her work. 'Moving On' is a natural extension of that idea — of speaking to listeners who are navigating self-discovery and personal identity in the often-overwhelming digital age. "The song encourages people to leave behind disappointments and move forward," she explained. "It's about believing in yourself and embracing emotional freedom, especially in today's world where digital pressures can weigh heavily on mental health." Eighties roots in modern frame Musically, 'Moving On' pays homage to the disco era's golden age, drawing on the glamour and energy of Donna Summer and Diana Ross. This influence isn't random, as Sheila has always had a deep love for the grooves and rhythms of the 1980s. The arrangement also pays homage to city pop, a genre originating from Japan in the late 1970s and 1980s that has experienced a revival among young music fans worldwide. For her, city pop is more than a passing trend: "It's not something foreign to me. It's where my musical roots began." By blending these nostalgic elements with crisp, modern production, the single offers a sound that feels classic yet fresh — one that could resonate equally on a retro dance floor or a contemporary streaming the track sparkles with retro polish, its core message is anchored in the present. In a time when many are struggling to find stability and confidence, it is a reminder that resilience and self-assurance are within reach. "Music has the power to heal and to connect people across different walks of life," Sheila reflected. "If this song can make someone feel lighter, braver or more hopeful, then it's worth every note." For long-time fans, the single marks an exciting return. For new listeners, it's an introduction to one of Malaysia's most enduring voices. And for Sheila herself, it's a reaffirmation that her journey as an artiste is far from over. With 'Moving On', Sheila has once again shown that she is both timeless and adaptable. Four decades into her career, she remains true to her musical identity while embracing new influences and collaborations. It's a celebration of the past, a nod to the present, and a confident step into the future — a fitting message for a legend who, even after 40 years, is still very much in motion.
Winnipeg Free Press
16 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
bbno$, the Beaches warn approaching TikTok Canada closure will hurt homegrown artists
In 2021, a TikTok of Canadian rapper bbno$ raising his eyebrows to the beat of his single 'Edamame' started gaining traction — and eventually changed the course of his career. The platform's Canadian team suggested he recreate the clip with a safari-themed filter, then helped push it globally. 'When that happened, the song just skyrocketed,' he says of the track, which features Indonesian rapper Rich Brian and went six-times Platinum in various countries. bbno$ is among several Canadian artists worried about losing social media support that can make or break their careers as TikTok prepares to comply with a federal order to shut down its operations in Canada. For Canadian musicians, TikTok can be as vital as radio play once was. Its algorithm lets songs leap borders instantly, offering emerging acts — especially BIPOC artists facing barriers in traditional channels — a shot at global reach. With Ottawa's dissolution order set to take effect soon, TikTok Canada's team has been running campaigns to show its value — and Canadian artists are rallying behind them. 'Being an artist in this generation is like, you're basically a TikTokker,' says the Juno-winning rapper, born Alexander Gumuchian. 'Without having a TikTok team that I can relay information to — that could help me get banners, help me when things are starting to bubble — I'm losing ammunition to help fire my career up.' In November, Ottawa ordered TikTok's Canadian arm to dissolve following a national security review of its Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd., though the app will remain accessible in Canada. The order cited 'national security risks' but a government spokesperson declined to provide specifics due to 'confidentiality provisions.' Social media researcher Philip Mai says there are concerns around potential Chinese government access to user data, foreign surveillance of Canadians in sensitive sectors and misuse of information for propaganda. 'China's National Intelligence Law legally permits data access, raising plausible risk concerns,' says the co-director of the Social Media Lab at the Ted Rogers School of Management. Still, no public evidence shows TikTok has shared user data with the Chinese government, and the company denies it. Mai says shutting down TikTok Canada reduces its physical and legal presence in the country, limiting the platform's potential for data surveillance and its ability to influence policy or public opinion. 'This strategy is less extreme than banning TikTok, but more than a slap on the wrist,' he says. bbno$ says the platform's Canadian team has helped bolster his social media presence. Without it, he warns, many Canadian artists will face a 'bottleneck' in their careers. Juno-winning Toronto band The Beaches says TikTok Canada has been 'instrumental' in their rise. 'Without local teams championing Canadian musicians internationally, we're left competing with American artists as outsiders, not as domestic talent,' says the group in a statement. 'This puts us at a disadvantage and pushes Canadian artists to leave the country just to have a shot at global success.' Though The Beaches have enjoyed Canadian radio airplay for years, their single 'Blame Brett' went viral on TikTok in 2023, helping them reach the U.S. Billboard charts for the first time. Mai warns TikTok Canada's closure would be a 'big blow to Canadian artists,' reducing opportunities, support systems, grant programs and sponsorships. 'Forcing the closure of TikTok's Canadian operation will likely decrease Canadian visibility in the algorithm,' he says, noting local staff often boost regional content via tailored campaigns, including ones highlighting Indigenous creators. Last month, TikTok CEO Steven Chew asked Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly for an urgent meeting, warning that shutting down TikTok Canada would force layoffs, halt investments and pull support from creators and culture. 'The wind-up process is rapidly approaching a critical juncture,' Chew wrote. TikTok declined to say whether it has heard back from Joly, who did not respond to questions about the meeting request. TikTok recently withdrew sponsorships for several Canadian arts institutions, including the Juno Awards and TIFF, and slashed the National Screen Institute's TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators, which has supported nearly 400 participants since 2021. Indigenous hoop dancer James Jones says the federal government's shutdown order shows a disregard for the country's digital creators. 'It's really unfortunate that they are taking away a team that has been so supportive of the BIPOC community and the Indigenous community,' says the Edmonton-based creator, who boasts over four million followers. 'I don't think that anyone has ever asked us what we wanted or even reached out and said, 'Hey, how is this going to affect you?'' Jones says early in his career, TikTok Canada offered advice on maximizing his reach and facilitating key connections with brands and publications. He says its Accelerator program has helped many Indigenous creators and small businesses. Jones feels the government is sending a message that 'we're not being prioritized.' 'They don't care what happens to us, they don't care about our businesses, our brands,' he says. 'They don't care about how it affects us personally to not have access to a team that supports us directly.' Vanessa Brousseau, an advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous people, says the government's decision feels 'really painful, but familiar.' 'It feels like a pattern and a way of oppressing minorities, oppressing Indigenous people,' says the alum of the TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators. 'TikTok is the only platform that amplifies our voices and makes sure we're being heard.' Brousseau worries that if the decision isn't reversed, it will be 'very detrimental' to Indigenous TikTok creators. 'Sure, TikTok will still be there, but we won't be amplified anymore. We won't have those connections. We won't have those opportunities.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2025.
CNBC
an hour ago
- CNBC
Walmart shrimp may have been exposed to radioactive material, FDA says
The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that the public should avoid eating certain frozen shrimp sold at Walmart due to concerns that the seafood may have been contaminated with radioactive material. Health officials said in a news release that it is investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by an Indonesian company, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati of Indonesia, also known as BMS Food. Some of the raw frozen shrimp products processed by an Indonesian company are sold at Walmart stores in 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia, according to the FDA. Among the products includes Walmart's "great value brand frozen shrimp," the health agency said. "If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away," the FDA said. "Do not eat or serve this product." Health officials advised people to talk to their health care providers if they think they've been exposed to elevated levels of the contaminant. PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati and Walmart did not immediately return requests for comment. Cs-137 is the radioactive form of Cesium, "a soft, flexible, silvery-white metal that becomes liquid near room temperature" used for medical devices and gauges, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Repeated exposure to low doses of Cs-137 can increase the risk of cancer, "resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body," health officials said in their news release. The FDA said that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection alerted the health agency to the detection of Cs-137 in shipping containers in Los Angeles, Houston, Miami and Savannah, Georgia. It said that all containers and products that tested positive for Cs-137 were denied entry into the country. Health officials also cautioned that it did not detect Cs-137 in any product above the current derived intervention levels for Cs-137, of 1200 Bq/kg. However, the FDA said that "the level detected in the breaded shrimp sample could represent a potential health concern" if it is combined with radiation in the environment or from medical procedures.
