Latest news with #Assoc
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore supports calls for immediate end to Gaza war, full and unimpeded flow of aid: Faishal
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said he was "deeply saddened" by the continuing loss of innocent lives in Gaza. SINGAPORE - Several countries have jointly called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, and to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid there, a stance Singapore supports, said Acting Minister for Muslim Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim. 'I fully share their urgency for the sake of humanity,' said Assoc Prof Faishal in a Facebook post early on July 23. He added that the Republic has consistently called for the full and unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, and has been supporting efforts to alleviate the suffering of people in Gaza. 'At the same time, we also continue to call for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. Every life matters. I hope the relevant parties will come to an agreement quickly, because every day this war continues, more lives are lost and more families are broken,' Assoc Prof Faishal said in his post. 'The violence cannot go on. It's time to stop the suffering and work towards peace and dignity for everyone.' Assoc Prof Faishal's post comes after a group of largely European nations issued a statement on July 21 calling for Israel to immediately end its war in Gaza. The group of nations, including Japan, Britain and France, condemned the 'inhumane killing' of Palestinians there and what they called the 'drip feeding of aid' to these people. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'pore's domestic recycling rate drops to all time low of 11% Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kick in Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 Asia Japan Prime Minister Ishiba to resign by August, Mainichi newspaper reports World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20% Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore 2 foreigners arrested for shop theft at Changi Airport Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving More than 800 civilians have been killed while seeking aid, the majority near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites backed by the United States and Israel. The foundation largely bypasses the UN-led system that Israel says has let Hamas-affiliated militants to loot aid shipments. The countries behind the July 21 joint statement said Israel was denying essential humanitarian aid and called on the country to fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law. Israel's Foreign Ministry said the statement was 'disconnected from reality' and it would send the wrong message to Hamas. Separately, MP Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim said in a Facebook post on July 23 that 'such atrocities' need to be investigated, sharing screengrabs on a media article on the joint statement, as well as Assoc Prof Faishal's Facebook post. The lawyer reiterated that Singapore supports an investigation into breaches of international law, in the conflict between Israel and Hamas since Hamas' Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel, referencing a reply by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to his parliamentary question in November 2023. Then, Dr Balakrishnan said: 'Any alleged violation of international humanitarian law in this conflict should therefore be investigated in accordance with international law... Yes, we would support that investigation into all allegations, in accordance with international law. 'We hope that all parties will cooperate in the investigations.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Serious health threat warning as haze returns
PETALING JAYA: As haze once again descends on parts of Malaysia, experts are sounding the alarm over its serious and far-reaching health consequences – from exacerbated respiratory conditions and increased hospitalisations to possible links with lung cancer. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) lecturer and consultant respiratory physician Assoc Prof Dr Ng Boon Hau said haze is strongly associated with the worsening of respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 'The fine particles and toxic gases present in the haze can make breathing increasingly difficult, triggering symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. 'Patients with asthma or COPD may experience more frequent and severe flare-ups during haze periods, sometimes requiring changes in medication or even hospitalisation,' he said. Ng also highlighted rising concerns over a potential uptick in lung cancer cases linked to haze exposure. 'While more research is needed to establish a direct link, prolonged exposure to airborne pollutants – particularly fine particulate matter like PM2.5 – has been associated with higher risks of developing long-term respiratory diseases and certain cancers,' he said. UKM respiratory unit head and consultant respiratory physician Assoc Prof Dr Andrea Ban Yu-Lin warned that chronic exposure to haze can lead to reduced lung function and ongoing airway inflammation. 'Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable during haze season. 'Children's lungs are still developing and are more sensitive to air pollutants, while older individuals often have weaker respiratory systems and declining physiological function.' She added that individuals with chronic health conditions including asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, heart problems or obesity, face an even greater risk. Haze exposure can worsen these illnesses, sometimes resulting in severe symptoms that require emergency treatment or hospital admission. Backing this concern, she cited a local study conducted from January 2014 to December 2015. 'The study recorded a significant increase in respiratory-related hospital admissions during Southeast Asia's haze period. 'Over the 16 weeks of haze, hospitalisations nearly doubled, with more patients requiring intensive care. 'The haze not only led to more asthma and COPD admissions but also worsened chronic heart and lung conditions, especially in medically vulnerable individuals,' she said. Beyond respiratory health, UKM public health medicine specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh pointed out that the impact of haze stretches well beyond the lungs. 'Haze can reduce visibility and increase the risk of road crashes, especially during peak hours. 'It also traps heat, worsening already high temperatures and leading to heat-related illnesses,' she said. In agriculture, prolonged haze can reduce crop yields and may contribute to food insecurity, she added. On the health front, haze exposure can trigger a wide range of symptoms, including eye and skin irritation, throat dryness and general respiratory discomfort. She said fine airborne particles can settle on the skin, causing itchiness or dermatitis, while inhalation of pollutants can lead to coughing, breathlessness or chest tightness, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions. UKM lecturer and consultant respiratory physician Dr Nik Nuratiqah Nik Abeed advised the public to wear proper protective masks, such as N95 respirators and to limit outdoor activities. 'Stay hydrated to soothe the respiratory tract. Those with asthma or COPD must strictly follow their treatment plans to avoid complications,' she said.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Barnama
- The Dark Side Of AI In Universities: Are We Celebrating Cheating?
22/07/2025 03:55 PM Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors. By : Assoc Prof Dr Azmi Abdul Latiff Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the shiny new tool in today's classrooms. From helping university students correct English grammar in their assignments to assisting lecturers in creating materials, AI is reshaping education at lightning speed and has become very resourceful, pushing search engines like Google aside. But lurking beneath the excitement is a worrying trend: the growing over-reliance on AI and the celebration of cheating through it. Recently, I came across a post on social media where a local university student openly boasted about using AI to complete assignments. He claimed that he could complete the tasks given even at the eleventh hour, by relying on AI to generate essays and reports, without getting caught by lecturers. Shockingly, this was not whispered in shame but proudly shared, as if it were a clever achievement. Such a growing overreliance on AI tools when completing assignments raises serious concerns. Universities risk producing graduates who not only lack the professional competence to perform in the real world but may also emerge as individuals with questionable work ethics and underdeveloped personal responsibility. Are universities, knowingly or unknowingly, breeding a culture where AI cheating is celebrated rather than condemned? AI: A double-edged sword There's no denying that AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly and Quillbot have transformed how students approach learning and assignments. They offer instant feedback, improve accuracy, and help learners overcome writer's block. ChatGPT, for instance, is akin to a very resourceful friend who knows everything under the sun and a servant who would prepare anything on the 'master's' request. Nevertheless, AI tools are meant to support learning, not replace it. When students use AI to generate assignments fully, it defeats the purpose of education. They skip the very processes that education is designed to cultivate – critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and self-expression. They may submit polished and remarkable work but walk away with shallow learning. In English language proficiency classes, for instance, the goal is not just to produce correct sentences in assignments but to 'own' the language, to communicate confidently, and to express one's own ideas. A student who depends entirely on AI tools will struggle to perform in real-life interactions, workplace communications, or even oral exams. Why is this happening? Several forces are pushing students down this slippery slope. First, the pressure to perform is immense. Faced with tight deadlines and high expectations, some students view AI as an easy way out. Second, peer influence plays a big role. When students see others using AI to get ahead without adverse consequences, they start believing it's normal or even clever. Third, many students lack awareness of the ethical lines they're crossing. To them, using AI might not feel like cheating because it's not copy-pasting from another student or the internet, it's 'just an app'. Finally, there's an institutional problem: some universities have not yet set clear policies on AI use, leaving both students and teachers in a grey zone of what is allowed and what is not. The risks we overlook When universities fail to address this issue, they risk not only the integrity of assignments but also their entire reputation. Graduates may leave their universities with AI-polished degrees, but their lack of real-world skills, such as communication and interpersonal skills, will quickly be exposed to the job market. Employers will notice. Industries will complain. The institution's credibility and the country's higher education system will slowly erode. Beyond that, overreliance on AI erodes the teacher-student relationship. Instead of seeing lecturers as mentors guiding their learning, students start viewing them as obstacles to outsmarting. The students will celebrate every time they complete their AI-generated assignments without getting caught by the teachers. This undermines the entire spirit of education. What needs to change? Universities must act now to reclaim the narrative. First, set clear AI guidelines: Define what counts as acceptable assistance (e.g., grammar checks) and what crosses the line (e.g., full essay generation). Second, teach ethical AI use. Integrate discussions about responsible AI practices into the curriculum. Third, design better assessments. Assessments that require students to do physical oral presentations, handwritten reflective journals, and in-class tests and discussions are much harder to fake with AI. Next, train lecturers to detect AI-generated work and, more importantly, design learning tasks that promote originality and critical engagement. Most importantly, we need to rebuild the value of effort and learning among students. Education should not be reduced to chasing grades or tricking systems. It should be about growth, discovery, and building human capacities that no machine can replicate. Technology should serve, not take control AI is here to stay, but so are the values of integrity, effort, and human learning. As educators and institutions, we must ensure that technology serves these values, not undermines them. For students, please stop celebrating the clever use of AI to cheat and start championing the honest, sometimes messy, but ultimately rewarding process of real learning. -- BERNAMA Assoc Prof Dr Azmi Abdul Latiff is Dean of the Centre for Language Studies at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of BERNAMA)
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Take the Khiew for more
Our hopes: The Malaysian badminton team led by Wong Ling Ching (left) overcame France 3-0 to march into the quarter-finals. Mohd Azeem Fahmi (right) will be in action next week. Malaysia hope Hoe Yean's silver at Games will inspire medal shows in badminton, athletics PETALING JAYA: One medal down and six to go. Swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean set the pace with a milestone silver medal in the men's 400m freestyle final at the World University Games (WUG) and the focus will shift to the badminton court and athletics arena in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, over the next few days. It will be tough going to add to the medal count for the swimming team given they are up against quality opposition unless Hoe Yean can spring a surprise in his final event - the men's 200m backstroke - next week. Hoe Yean missed out on the men's 200m freestyle final after finishing 13th fastest in the semi-finals (1:48.91s). Another Malaysian swimmer Arvin Shaun Singh placed 16th in the semi-finals (1:49.64s). Only the top eight swimmers advance to the final. Andrew Goh also missed the semi-finals after finishing 24th fastest in the men's 200m breaststroke (2:17.84s). In badminton, the Malaysian team led by Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold medallist Wong Ling Ching stayed on course for a medal in the mixed team event. Malaysia overcame France 3-0 yesterday to march into the quarter-finals. The national team will take on India next and a win will guarantee a medal together with a place in the semis. Malaysia are likely to face champions Japan or Taiwan if they enter the last four. The badminton team, made up largely of national shuttlers, hope to improve on the two bronze medals they picked up at the last Games in Chengdu, China, two years ago. Malaysia's chef de mission Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Hafiz Yusoff said Hoe Yean's silver medal added value to the contingent as it came at the expense of the athlete setting a new national record (3:47.38s). 'It's a perfect boost to our contingent on the first day of the Games and will generate momentum as other sports get underway. 'We hope our badminton team can enter the final (on Sunday) and after that we also have the track and field events next week. We have top national athletes like sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi and Umar Osman competing who will carry our main medal hopes,' he said. The national contingent comprising 64 athletes are targeting to bring home a total of seven medals regardless of colour. Malaysia are taking part in six out of 19 sports - gymnastics, badminton, archery, athletics, swimming and taekwondo.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Hoe Yean's silver sparks hope for more WUG 2025 medals
NATIONAL swimming ace Khiew Hoe Yean's impressive feat is hoped to spark more success for the Malaysian contingent at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games (WUG) here. Malaysia's chef de mission (CDM) to WUG 2025, Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Hafiz Yusoff, said Hoe Yean's silver medal in the men's 400-metre freestyle event yesterday not only ended a 34-year wait, but was also sweetened by a new national record. With Hoe Yean's achievement, Mohd Hafiz believed the national contingent was on the right track to achieving its target of seven medals regardless of colour. 'We expect that Hoe Yean's achievement will generate momentum for more medal-winning performances in upcoming events. 'I believe the Malaysian contingent is now on the best path to achieving the targeted medals. We hope all athletes will deliver their best to achieve personal bests and, secondly, reach the podium,' he told reporters here. Yesterday (early morning Malaysian time), Hoe Yean made history by clinching the silver medal in a thrilling final at the Schwimm-und Sprunghalle im Europasportpark in Berlin, marking Malaysia's first medal of the current edition. In that race, Hoe Yean also erased his own national record of 3 minutes 48.36 seconds by clocking 3:47.38s. The success ended Malaysia's 34-year medal drought in swimming at WUG, last achieved by Jeffrey Ong, who won silver in the men's 1,500m freestyle at the 1991 edition in Sheffield. Mohd Hafiz also took the opportunity to visit the swimming team in Berlin and presented Hoe Yean with a victory token in appreciation of his achievement. 'I extend my heartiest congratulations to Hoe Yean and the swimming team for their excellent performance and for achieving a brilliant success for the country,' he said. WUG 2025, held from July 16 to 27, offers 234 gold medals across 19 sports. Malaysia, targeting seven medals regardless of colour, are competing in six sports – gymnastics, badminton, archery, athletics, swimming and taekwondo – with a total of 64 athletes participating. - Bernama
