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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Give me a sign of life, pleads mum of missing British teenager [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: British teenager David Renz Balisong who has been missing since June 6 may look mature and book-smart, but when it comes to street smarts, he does not make the cut, this was the lament of his mother Minerva Balisong. Fearing for the safety of her 17-year-old son, the mother of three from the United Kingdom flew halfway across the world in search for David. "He might not want to be found," the 51-year-old Minerva said, her voice cracking during an interview with the New Straits Times. "But as a mother, all I want is a sign of life. It's okay if he's made certain choices. "We're not angry. The family just needs to know he's safe." David, the eldest of 3 children, left Manchester on June 6 and landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) the following day - all this without his family's knowledge. The teenager, who had always dreamt of becoming a cybersecurity expert, has been uncontactable since the day he landed in Kuala Lumpur. He, however, sent an email to his mother in Cheadle, Manchester on June 9, urging her not to waste her resources looking for him and told his family to "remain calm and take care", ending with he loves all of them. But Minerva, a critical care unit staff nurse with a private hospital in Manchester, is not convinced. She fears her son may have been groomed or influenced by someone, or a group online in the months leading up to his disappearance. "There were signs, only I didn't see them at the time. He's tech-savvy. Very clever. He knows how to disappear from the Internet." She said David had previously taken part in a short-term cybersecurity apprenticeship and was known for his ability to mask his digital presence. But what worried Minerva more were the unfamiliar clothes and mobile phone David had with him when police showed her CCTV footages from both airports, in the United Kingdom and KLIA. "It was clear from the footages he was calm, composed. He knew exactly what he was doing. But the phone he pulled out from his pocket wasn't the one we gave him. Even the clothes, they weren't his," she said. Back in the UK, bank records later revealed that David had made unusual purchases as early as March, including at a clothing store the family often visited together. He also left with 1,200 Pound Sterling. Her son had stopped attending school after May 4, but had continued to leave home and return daily as if he had. "We only found out after he went missing. We checked his bus pass. He would travel to the last stop, then return. I suspect he just wanted the free Wi-Fi and charging ports on the buses," she said. Minerva arrived in Kuala Lumpur on July 12. Her sister from Canada followed shortly to help look for David. Her other sister, from the Philippines, is now with her in Kuala Lumpur as they continue scouring the streets of KL for the teenager. "We've met with members of the Filipino community here, attended different churches these past two Sundays to raise awareness. Everyone has been kind and supportive," Minerva, who is Filipino, said. She said she received two credible sightings of David — one from a restaurant operator and a cook in Kota Raya, who claimed the teen was seen dining with four Filipino men, and another from a woman who encountered a boy matching his description at Ikea Damansara in the first week of July. "I believe it was him. The way they described his face, his gestures… I just know it was David," she said, adding that she had reported both sightings to the local authorities. Together with a friend and her sister, Minerva scoured Changkat Bukit Bintang last Saturday until the early hours of the morning, hoping to spot her son but to no avail. She and her sister had also distributed flyers but was asked to stop by the police. Minerva insisted there were no arguments, no signs of rebellion, or any family tensions that could explain David's sudden disappearance. "There was no fight, no shouting match, no depression that we were aware of. "It came like a tsunami, no warning at all. David is a good boy. He goes to school, comes home. He has a few close friends. Not a social butterfly, but I wouldn't call him a loner. He's quiet but engaging when spoken to," Minerva said. "We're not here to drag him back or shame him. We just want to know he's okay," she said softly. Minerva and her sisters will remain in Malaysia for as long as they can, holding on to hope that David might see their pleas or someone might recognise him and reach out. David's disappearance is being investigated by KLIA police. The New Straits Times has contacted them for a response.
The Star
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Filipino Aguinaldo ready to strengthen Brunei's backline
PETALING JAYA: Six years ago, Filipino centreback Amani Aguinaldo ( pic ) left a lasting impression in the Malaysian Super League with his tenacious performances for now-defunct PKNP, even as the team suffered relegation. His aggressive, no-nonsense defending caught the eye of many, and it wasn't long before Malaysian clubs came calling. However, instead of staying put, Aguinaldo opted for a new challenge in Thailand. Over the next few years, he became a familiar face in Thai football, turning out for clubs like Trat (2020-2021 and 2023-2024), Nongbua Pitchaya (2021-2022), Nakhon Ratchasima (2022-2023), and PTT Rayong (2024-2025). Now, the 30-year-old is back in the Malaysian top flight, this time with guest team Brunei. Under the guidance of English coach Jamie McAllister, Aguinaldo is expected to anchor the defence and bring leadership to the backline. Having been with the team for over two weeks, Aguinaldo is already settling in well and embracing the challenge ahead. 'It's been a good experience so far, and I'm happy to be here,' said Aguinaldo, who boasts 67 international caps for the Philippines. 'As a footballer, I'm always looking to grow, and Brunei have given me a great platform to do that. 'The set-up is professional, the standards are high, and the players are motivated. It's the perfect environment for a team looking to achieve something.' 'My role is simple: give my best every day, whether in training or matches. I want to help the team grow and succeed together,' he added. Alongside Aguinaldo, Brunei have included Brazilian centreback Jordan Rodrigues, goalkeeper Michel Dos Santos, and midfielder Kaio Santos; Macedonian goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski, Portuguese midfielder Miguel Oliveira, Indonesian striker Ramadhan Sananta, and Ghanaian midfielder Prosper Boakye.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Moderate rain narrows day, night temp gap to almost 1
1 2 3 Indore: A spell of light to moderate showers since Monday night brought much-needed relief for Indoreans, offering a cooler and more pleasant day on Tuesday. The city's maximum temperature dropped significantly to 23.6 degrees Celsius, nearly 5 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature was close to 23 degrees Celsius, resulting in an unusually narrow temperature gap for the day. The overcast skies and drizzle persisted throughout the day, disrupting traffic, especially during office hours. The India Meteorological Department recorded 12.7 mm of rainfall on Tuesday till 8:30 pm. Visibility dropped to 1500 metre in the morning and remained around 3000 metre by the evening due to continuous rainfall. With humidity levels peaking at 98% by late afternoon, the dampness remained intense even as temperature stayed low. Commuters faced waterlogging and slow-moving traffic in areas like Musakhedi, Bengali square, Pipliyahana, and Bicholi Mardana, where intense rain over the weekend already left roads battered. Residents shared their ordeals: Some complained of knee-deep water near service lanes on the Ring Road, while others cited delayed public transport and difficulty in navigating pothole-filled streets. Despite the ongoing showers, Indore is still lagging behind in seasonal rainfall. Till Tuesday morning, the city received 275 mm of rainfall, which is about 154 mm short of the normal average for July. Meanwhile, Indore district recorded 275.9 mm of rainfall so far till Tuesday evening, which is around 29.7% below the seasonal average of 392.3 mm for this time of the monsoon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How three Filipino cardinals eligible to be the next pope remember Pope Francis CNA Read More Undo As per Met department, low-pressure area over north-west Madhya Pradesh, coupled with an active monsoon trough extending from Rajasthan to the Bay of Bengal, is influencing the region's current weather. Senior meteorologist Dr Divya E Surendran said, the system is likely to persist and isolated heavy rain may continue in the coming days, though a dramatic recovery in the monthly rainfall is unlikely with just two days left in July.
Yemen Online
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Philippines Seeks Release of Nine Sailors Detained by Houthis in Yemen
Aden – The Philippine government is actively working to secure the release of nine Filipino crew members detained by Houthi rebels in Yemen after a maritime attack earlier this month in the Red Sea. The incident occurred when the cargo vessel Eternity C came under assault and ultimately sank. In a video released by Houthi media, the sailors were shown being rescued from the water. Officials in Manila confirmed the crew is alive, although concerns remain about their well-being and the conditions of their detention. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo stated that the Philippines will not engage directly with Houthi authorities, opting instead to seek assistance from friendly nations in the region to mediate the sailors' release. The Department of Migrant Workers is also coordinating closely with the families of the detained to ensure their safe repatriation. One sailor reportedly sustained injuries during the rescue operation, though details about the remaining crew remain limited. This episode marks another troubling case involving Filipino mariners, who make up nearly 30% of the global shipping workforce. The Houthis previously held Filipino crew members of the Galaxy Leader for over a year before releasing them in January 2025. International maritime organizations have expressed alarm over rising attacks in the Red Sea, urging greater protective measures for commercial shipping lanes and crew safety.
Kuwait Times
6 hours ago
- Health
- Kuwait Times
‘Food on table' outweighs health risks for Philippine e-waste dismantlers
MANILA, Philippines: Dexter Barsigan has spent the past 13 years making a living with his bare hands and a pair of pliers, stripping scrapped laptops and air conditioners for metal he can sell to junk shops in the Philippines. But since his hands began aching and his vision started to blur three years ago, there have been days he can only watch his wife and nephew do the job for him. The 47-year-old father of three is a 'mambabaklas', the Filipino word for informal dismantlers who scavenge electronic waste for the nickel, aluminum and copper inside. 'Dismantling helps us put food on the table. It provides the money to send my kids to school,' Barsigan told AFP while sitting along a kilometer-long stretch of Onyx Street, home to hundreds of fellow 'e-waste' dismantlers. Their work frequently involves burning away rubber wire casings, releasing a toxic brew of chemicals including lead, mercury and cadmium into the air. Both the Philippine government and the Basel Convention, a global waste management treaty signed by 191 countries, consider e-waste hazardous. 'It poses serious threats to human health and the environment,' said Irvin Cadavona, a hazardous waste management officer with the environment department, citing health risks ranging from cancer and neurological diseases to respiratory illnesses and birth defects. The World Health Organization said last year exposure to e-waste chemicals can lead to incidents of asthma and reduced lung function in children, while pregnant women are at higher risk for stillbirths and premature delivery. 'It's very hard to recycle these (chemicals). When you dismantle (e-waste), you must intricately break it down. It can be very hazardous,' Gelo Apostol, an environmental health specialist from Ateneo de Manila University, told AFP. Exposure to the substances can lead to anemia, kidney and thyroid diseases, and nerve damage, he said. The Philippines is among the top e-waste generators in Southeast Asia, according to the United Nations' Global E-waste Monitor, accounting for 540 million kilograms (about 600,000 tons) in 2022. Dismantlers who work at the country's accredited facilities are required to follow stringent guidelines. But their informal counterparts lack the training, regulations and protective equipment needed to properly protect themselves. 'I strongly believe that some Filipinos are getting sick because of the exposure to e-waste,' Cadavona said. Barsigan, who doesn't wear a mask while working, prefers dismantling computer circuit boards with aluminum and copper because they fetch as much as P470 ($8) per kilogram. But circuit boards have especially high concentrations of toxic metals that can cause nerve damage when breathed in, Apostol said. While illegal, Onyx Street's e-waste dismantlers also routinely burn wires to extract copper, which is faster than peeling them by hand. Rosana Milan, physician-in-charge at Manila's Pedro Gil Health Center, said her clinic has diagnosed half of the 12,000 people living along the street with respiratory issues, most of them children. – AFP
