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Focus Malaysia
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Focus Malaysia
Man transforms home into Lego wonderland, studio and all
YOU know you have an amazing childhood if you have assembled ass-kicking starships, skyscrapers or build township with lego. But what happens if the game is being brought even into adulthood? Then again, is it that surprising to find an adult playing with lego? Looking at the price tag attached to some of these lego sets, we are certain they are out of reach for the average child. Take it from a man who turned his entire home into an elaborate lego collection in a video on X. Upon entering, guests are greeted with a ship made completely from lego. The home is spacious and the corners are filled with shelves containing lego building blocks as well as more lego models. Anyone could have easily mistaken his home as a lego shop. There was even a studio within his house where he would host live lego contents. According to him, his mother bought him a lego super car when he was 10 years old. But are adult lego collectors a rare breed? Apparently not. According to the website Blocks, Adult Lego collectors are called AFOLs. AFOLs stands for Adult Fans of Lego. There are also LEGO clubs where AFOLs gather to build, discuss the latest goings-on and plan events. 'Not everyone wants to go to physical meet-ups though and there are many people who join Facebook groups or forums to discuss the hobby. Many AFOLs though are just happy enough enjoying the hobby by themselves and building models at home,' said Blocks. Blocks added that some AFOLs go on to start a career at the LEGO Group. Very talented builders can get jobs as LEGO model designers, designing the sets that are then sold in stores. People who want their models to be released as a set can submit their creations to Lego Ideas, the platform where fan designs can become official products. However, this opportunity is unlikely to be available on Malaysian shores. —Aug 1, 2025 Main image: @bckupacc99 (X)
Muscat Daily
02-08-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman aims to maintain stable oil & gas output, reserves
Muscat – Oman's Ministry of Energy and Minerals is aiming to maintain stable levels of oil and gas production and reserves, striking a balance between optimal resource utilisation and long-term sustainability. Dr Saleh bin Ali al Anboori, Director General of Exploration and Production at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, confirmed that all companies operating in producing concession areas are implementing production and reserve compensation programmes throughout the year. In a statement to the Oman News Agency, he explained that the sultanate's average production of crude oil and condensates in 2024 reached approximately 993,000 barrels per day, while natural gas production averaged around 149mn cubic metres per day, indicating a stable supply trend in recent years. He noted that the ministry is actively marketing several open concession areas and seeking to attract new investment to intensify exploration and drilling operations in the coming period. These efforts are aligned with global market demand and the objectives of OPEC+ to maintain international market stability. Dr Anboori further stated that the ministry is currently prioritising the marketing of offshore blocks, which are expected to offer promising future prospects. 'These areas could play a key role in sustaining production and reserves through the introduction of advanced technologies and innovative development strategies.' He highlighted that Oman's investment environment in the oil and gas sectors remains highly attractive, drawing interest from both international and domestic companies. In 2024, the Ministry signed three petroleum agreements for Blocks 38, 74, and 15. Dr Anboori added that exploration is vital to boosting oil and gas reserves. 'Exploration activities have continued steadily, and the ministry aims to sustain and increase this momentum in the coming years.' A total of 73 exploratory and appraisal wells were drilled last year, including 54 oil wells and 19 gas wells. Of these, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) drilled 24 oil wells and nine gas wells as part of its annual plan. Dr Anboori reported that by the end of 2024, crude oil and condensate reserves stood at approximately 4.825bn barrels, while gas reserves reached 23.3tn cubic feet – evidence of the ongoing success in replenishing production and ensuring the sustainability of resources. He emphasised that the ministry remains committed to achieving a 100% reserve replacement rate. This is being pursued through enhanced exploration efforts, increased recovery rates via technologies such as enhanced steam and polymer injection, and by maintaining an attractive investment climate – all of which aim to secure a stable future for Oman's energy sector.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Weather Wednesday: What is an Omega Block?
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — You have probably noticed that the first few days of May have been soggy for us across Mid-Michigan, and there is a reason for it: an Omega Blocking Pattern. Why is it called an Omega Block? Well, it happens when our jet stream gets stuck in a shape that looks like the Greek letter omega (Ω), which can be seen on upper air maps like the one below. This is one of the many weather patterns that can either bring us fantastic weather or some soggy weather like we have seen lately. (WLNS) Areas in green and blue represent low pressure with red and orange being high pressure (WLNS) Jet stream looks like an Omega symbol (Ω) Again, why is this the case? Well, Omega Blocks occur when two low-pressure systems (one somewhere over the east coast and one somewhere over the west coast) become cut off from the main flow of the jet stream and can't move because they are stuck in that one place. Somewhere in the middle of the two low-pressure systems, there is a strong high-pressure system, which adds another factor to why the low-pressure systems struggle to move. Due to the size of this system, it tends to stay in place for days or weeks at a time and can bring widely different weather to the population underneath both systems. Pleasant and warm weather comes to those under the high-pressure system, with soggy, cool weather to those under the low-pressure systems. For the end of April and the beginning of May, the closed-off low-pressure systems stalled over the Tennessee and Ohio Valley as well as parts of the Southwestern United States. States like Pennsylvania, New York and even Connecticut saw flooding rain and cool temperatures, while over in the Southwest, the ground looked like it had snowed, but it wasn't snow, it was hail that fell! So, the reason why we have been so soggy is because of our location relative to the low-pressure system to the south of us that was stalled in the Tennessee and Ohio valley. Depending on the location of the Omega block, Michigan can be under the influence of the high-pressure system that would bring sunshine, quiet, and warm weather. It all depends on where we are in relation to the blocking setup. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
