Latest news with #Ayu
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Inmate named Aidiladha among 54 freed ahead of Aidiladha celebration
BENTONG: A man named Aidiladha was among 54 inmates in Pahang released under the Licensed Release of Prisoners Programme (PBSL), in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha this Saturday. The 26-year-old had been convicted of minor drug trafficking last year and was sentenced to 14 months in prison. Having been in and out of prison three times, he was originally scheduled for release this August. "I'm grateful to be released earlier than expected, but this Aidiladha feels meaningless as my family has remained silent. "They didn't come to pick me up after my release. "I'm fortunate to have secured a job immediately upon my release today. I want to begin a meaningful new chapter in life, especially one free from drugs," he said. He was among the 54 inmates from Bentong and Penor Prisons in Kuantan who were released during the PBSL Ihsan Madani 2025 ceremony, held in conjunction with Aidiladha at the Dewan Perdana, Bentong Prison, recently. Another inmate, Ayu, 30, was also released under the same programme. She had been sentenced to 12 months in prison for drug-related offences and had previously served time once before. Ayu was initially scheduled to be released in August. "I miss my two children, aged 10 and 13. I can't wait to celebrate Aidiladha with them. I'm sure they miss me too," she said.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
J-pop star Ayumi Hamasaki to perform at Singapore Indoor Stadium in July
Ayumi Hamasaki's tour will also stop in Hong Kong and Taipei, as well as Japanese cities Nagoya and Hiroshima. PHOTO: UNUSUAL ENTERTAINMENT SINGAPORE – Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki will hold a concert at Singapore Indoor Stadium on July 5. Tickets from $188 will go on sale on May 26 via Ticketmaster. This will be the 46-year-old's first solo concert here. Her label, Avex, first announced the concert – without details on the venue, date and ticketing – in April. The show is part of her Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2025 A – I Am Ayu – tour that kicked off in Tokyo on April 8. Other stops include Hong Kong and Taipei, as well as Japanese cities Nagoya, Hiroshima, Osaka, Sendai and Fukuoka. The 2024 leg of the I Am Ayu tour saw her perform in Chinese cities Shanghai, Guangzhou and Ningbo. The tour features an immersive four-sided stage, which delivers a 360-degree experience from all sides of the venue. 'This year, we start from Japan – and we're bringing it to Asia,' the singer says in a statement. The singer, known as Ayu to her fans, made her debut in 1998. She is one of the most well known J-pop singers of the early 2000s, inspiring fashion trends and charting with songs such as A (1999) and Seasons (2000). In Singapore, she performed at the Japanese music festival A-Nation at Marina Bay Sands in 2014. She also performed at the MTV Asia Music Awards in Singapore in 2002. Book it/Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2025 A – I Am Ayu – Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk When: July 5, 7.30pm Admission: From $188 to $368 via Ticketmaster (go to or call 6018-7645) from noon on May 26 Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Three Malaysian content creators on their journey to motherhood
BEING a mother is said to be among the most fulfilling experiences a woman can embrace. Despite the many tribulations that come along with it, many women cite it as a highlight due to the unconditional love they develop during this journey. Local content creators Abby Naomi Doss, Ayu Rafikah Mohammad Ahmee and Genevieve Low Huai Yi can attest to this, being mothers themselves. In conjunction with Mother's Day this Sunday, they speak on their experience with theSun, opening up about their journey to motherhood. Natural calling Abby, who works as a content creator and public relations consultant, has always wanted motherhood for herself. The 31-year-old was fortunate to welcome her first child after three years of marriage. 'I have been a mother since my baby girl Elara Anaia was born last December. She just turned four months old. Every day with her is a new challenge and an adventure. I have been loving every moment of it,' said the Kuala Lumpur native. Ayu, a mother of seven, had the same calling. Growing up in a single-parent household, the 47-year-old content creator was inspired by her mother's tenacity to go above and beyond for her and her siblings. 'My mother was a single parent and she still managed to provide a good life for us. So, when I met my husband, the calling to have a family and be a mother felt natural.' Motherhood was an eventual destination for Low too. Though it was not an immediate priority, she knew she would eventually settle down with a family of her own. 'I am still pretty new to this whole journey. It has been a real roller coaster, every day is a new adventure. It is one of those things you do not fully understand until you experience it yourself. Now, I cannot imagine life any other way,' shared the mother of five months. Shattering unrealistic expectations That said, nothing could prepare them for what was ahead. Before her pregnancy, Abby had assumed motherhood to be a bed of roses due to the various movie depictions. Considering how it was unrealistically depicted on screen, she assumed she would be able to juggle her responsibilities as a mother and her job effortlessly. 'I was wrong. My breast feeding journey? It was a wild ride! First, there is the feeding and then the crying. By the time I got a burp out of her, I was completely zonked out. 'And that whole 'get some rest when the baby sleeps' idea? Total myth! By the time I feed her and get her to burp, it is 30 minutes until the next feeding. It is like a never-ending cycle of chaos.' Low, too, had fallen for the unrealistic depictions. The 33-year-old assumed motherhood only consisted of adorable bonding moments. 'I thought it would be all about the cute moments and the bonding, which is definitely part of it. But I believe the sleepless nights, the constant juggling and the pressure to get everything right are also part of the journey.' Ayu, on the other hand, was given an intimidating view of motherhood. She was often told how her life would drastically change once she welcomed a child. 'I heard how taxing it can be. People told me how I would not get enough sleep, the rise in monetary commitment and how it would affect my physique.' Unavoidable changes Each of the mothers indeed had a set of difficulties to overcome. For most of her pregnancy, Abby was alone at home as her husband had moved abroad for work. Upon the announcement, he had found a better job opportunity in Dubai. 'It was tough, especially after delivering my daughter. I felt really down without him by my side. But with God being my strength and the support of my family and friends, I slowly started to overcome it.' Abby got back into her normal activities after her two months postpartum. 'Time was and still is my number one struggle. With a big family, it can be difficult to manage your time every day. You have to think about a lot of things. You have to care for them in various ways,' noted Ayu. 'As a freelancer, I am still finding it difficult to manage my work while taking care of my baby at home. It has been a bit of a struggle to keep up with deadlines and stay as productive as I used to,' expressed Low. Sacrifices pay off The fulfilment of motherhood, however, makes up for the sacrifices. Watching their children grow up has been the most joyful reward for all of them. 'Seeing my daughter thrive has been incredibly fulfilling. Each month brings new milestones and I love witnessing all her little achievements,' Abby contended. 'When my baby smiles at me or when she reaches out for me, these moments melt my heart every time. Watching her grow and discover new things is fulfilling and I love knowing I am there for her through it all,' shared Low. Experienced mother Ayu finds her tight-knit relationship with her children to be a highlight, in addition to witnessing how far they have come. 'My oldest does not live with me but still communicates with me regularly. Even for minor things such as picking outfits, they would video call me to get my opinion. These kinds of gestures bring me the most joy.' Take it slow Now that all of them are thriving mothers, gradual and empathetic growth is something they advised for young mothers. While perfection is tempting, they advised young mothers to experience motherhood one step at a time. 'I know how tough it can be. Some days, just getting out of the house feels like a monumental effort and that is okay. The fact that you are here, doing your best is what truly matters,' encouraged Abby. 'Do not be too hard on yourself. We all have our pace. It is okay to not have everything figured out. It is all about loving your little one, trusting your instincts and giving yourself grace along the way,' advised Low. 'It is not going to be an easy journey. Hence, practice self-care. When you love yourself, you will be able to love your children. It will benefit them tremendously,' Ayu said. Simple celebration As for their plans for Mother's Day, all three have nothing big planned, only looking at a casual celebration with their loved ones. 'I will be spending it with my baby, enjoying my first Mother's Day with her. Just some quiet moments together,' shared Abby. 'I am just going to take it as it comes. I am sure I will spend it with my daughter, soaking in the moments and hopefully get some rest if I am lucky,' expressed Low. As for Ayu, she will most likely get wishes from her children on Whatsapp and a simple dinner at her favourite restaurant.
New Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Ayu puts her studies first
SINGER Ayu Damit is bidding farewell to reality TV, stating she's prioritising her academic pursuits. "Enough is enough when it comes to reality TV programmes, because I simply don't have the time for that any more," says Ayu, 35, the former 'One in A Million Season 2' champion and 'Gegar Vaganza' finallist. She says she won't be participating in singing competitions for now. "My mission is to obtain a degree and embark on a career as a lecturer," Ayu said, adding that her husband supports her decision to focus on her studies and avoid the stress of reality TV. She recalls the demanding schedule of 'Gegar Vaganza'. "During my time on GV7, I suffered from migraines due to the overwhelming workload. "I've been through that intense process, and I've decided that it's time for me to step away from singing reality programmes." Ayu clarifies she's not retiring from singing altogether. "I've set a long-term goal for my artistic journey. By the time I reach 45, I envision myself living a quiet and peaceful life. "I don't see myself performing on stage at 60." She anticipates scaling back her involvement around that age to dedicate more time to business ventures and teaching. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Foundation in Creative Arts at the National Academy of Cultural Arts and Heritage (Aswara), Ayu plans to continue her studies. "After completing my degree at Aswara in two years, I intend to pursue a master's degree and potentially begin teaching. God willing, if all goes according to plan, I will continue my studies to the doctoral level." Before fully immersing herself in academia, Ayu will perform alongside Datin Alyah and Idayu in the upcoming music showcase, 'An Evening to Remember', in Putrajaya on June 21 and 22.
Arabian Business
25-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Indian biotech firm Ayu Life Sciences to build $9mn Dubai facility for artificial skin
Ayu Life Sciences, an India-based medical devices and cell therapy company, announced plans to establish a new AED33 million ($9 million) advanced manufacturing facility at Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). The new facility is billed as the first of its kind in the region. The 13,500 square metre facility will focus on the production of next-generation wound care solutions and surgical treatments, designed to meet the growing global demand for high-quality, sustainable healthcare products. India's Ayu expands globally Dr. Rajan Datt, Managing Director of Ayu Life Sciences, said the company is excited to announce the new facility in Jafza, marking a major milestone for it. 'We look forward to breaking ground on this new facility and extending the reach of our flagship products like Velgraft, Velvert, and VelNez to more patients in the Middle East and around the globe,' he said. Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer Parks & Zones, DP World GCC, said Jafza's manufacturing infrastructure and strategic connectivity make it the ideal launchpad for innovators like Ayu Life Sciences. 'This facility reinforces Dubai's growing role as a global hub for the healthcare and advanced medical manufacturing sectors,' he said. The launch comes amid a surge in demand for artificial skin, with the market projected to grow from $3.1 billion in 2024 to $5.3 billion by 2032. The facility will be developed in two phases, with Phase 1 set to go live by late-2025, and full completion by 2027. It will produce Ayu Life Sciences' flagship products, including Velgraft, an artificial skin substitute designed for scar-free healing and tissue regeneration, Velvert, a natural antimicrobial wound care dressing formulated to accelerate healing and prevent infections, and VelNez, a nasal and ear dressing that enhances patient comfort and post-surgical recovery. These solutions are backed by a portfolio of 22 global patents and developed using eco-friendly materials and natural components to minimise environmental impact. The company currently exports from its Delhi facility to over 20 markets across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. In addition to advanced wound care, Ayu Life Sciences is progressing in the field of regenerative medicine. Clinical trials are underway for a novel therapy using cells similar to those in the pancreas to regulate blood sugar for patients with Type 1 diabetes, and for Velnerve, a solution for peripheral nerve injuries. With Jafza already home to over 800 manufacturing companies from 75 countries, Ayu Life Sciences joins a thriving ecosystem of global innovators.
