Latest news with #Hendra
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
AI serves as assistance to journalists, not replacement
PETALING JAYA: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly prominent role in the news media landscape, offering innovative tools to boost efficiency and support media employees in their daily tasks. While Malaysian journalists recognise the benefits of integrating these tools into their routines, many also stress the need to preserve human creativity and editorial judgement in news delivery. For Hendra Winarno, a journalist with Utusan Malaysia, AI has proven to be a valuable companion in handling everyday work. 'Many routine tasks can be done faster with AI. For example, checking emails, writing reports or searching for information. It saves time and reduces stress,' said the 26-year-old reporter when contacted by theSun. While he acknowledged AI's contributions to the creative side of journalism, he cautioned against excessive dependence on it. 'You have to be careful too, do not simply rely on AI alone because it could lead to mistakes, especially when using incorrect data.' Hendra said AI's true value lies in its ability to enhance learning and promote skill development among journalists, making the job more engaging. A reporter from an English-language daily, who asked to be identified only as D, described AI as a powerful tool that acts as a support system rather than a replacement. She said AI tools help her work more efficiently, especially when time is tight, by handling the more tedious aspects of journalism, such as transcribing interviews, translating speeches and fact-checking. 'AI does not write my stories; I do. But it frees up my time so that I can focus on crafting stronger narratives and asking sharper questions. It enhances my workflow but it does not replace it.' D warned that while AI can speed up processes, it lacks emotional intelligence and cultural nuance, which are crucial to delivering compelling journalism. 'I always double-check the facts, re-frame the tone and ensure the final product reflects a human perspective, not a machine's,' she said. National Union of Journalists Malaysia secretary-general Teh Athira Yusof said while there are risks and challenges tied to the use of AI in journalism, the technology also offers opportunities that should not be overlooked. She added that the union is open to working with the soon-to-be-established Malaysian Media Council to develop guidelines regulating AI use in the local media industry. 'We hope that, with the media council, more guidelines could be issued. The union is ready to offer assistance on the matter in the future. 'There is a need for the ethical use of AI within journalism as the technology should not replace the talent, skill and creativity possessed by journalists. These are qualities that must be recognised and valued. This is important as it also secures better welfare for journalists working in the industry,' she said in a WhatsApp reply to theSun. She noted that several established media organisations in Malaysia have begun incorporating AI into their operations. Teh warned that human oversight remains crucial to maintaining public trust in the media, citing a recent controversy involving AI-generated content related to the Malaysian flag. 'If newsrooms are using AI, it must be done with proper checks and balances. We have seen improper use of AI with the flag issue. News organisations must be transparent in how they use AI. It should assist, not replace, the editors and journalists who are working hard on the ground.'
The Star
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Doubles aces Hendra-Ahsan ‘reunite' to open Daddies Arena
PETALING JAYA: Badminton legends Hendra Setiawan-Mohamad Ahsan, fondly known as 'The Daddies' are taking their passion for the sport beyond the court with the launch of their very own badminton centre, named Daddies Arena in honour of their famous moniker. Located in South Tangerang, Jakarta, the sprawling 5,000 square metre facility officially opened its doors on May 1. It boasts eight badminton courts, a fully equipped gym, and sauna facilities, offering a premium experience for players of all levels. Court rental rates are set at Rp80,000 (RM24) per hour on weekdays and Rp100,000 (RM30) per hour on weekends and public holidays. For Hendra and Ahsan, the idea had been in the pipeline for quite some time, and they were thrilled to finally see it come to life especially since the land used for the project belongs to Ahsan himself. 'We've been planning this since last year, and coincidentally we live nearby. We scouted around for a large and strategic piece of land and eventually found this one,' said Hendra. 'Ahsan already had the land, and after some discussions, we moved forward with plans to construct the building.' However, the three-time world champions have yet to make concrete plans to set up their own badminton academy, unlike some of their fellow players who have already ventured into coaching. 'Yes, InshaAllah we do plan to establish one in the future. But for now, our focus is here first,' added Ahsan 'Later on, we'll discuss it further. There's a possibility of setting up a Daddies Academy, then we'll decide on the system, the coaches, and everything else.' After more than 30 years on court, Hendra-Ahsan, who have won numerous major titles together, officially announced their retirement in early January after falling to Malaysia's Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King in the second round of the Indonesian Masters. Following his retirement, Hendra returned to the world's oldest badminton tournament, the All-England in Birmingham last March, this time stepping into a coaching role with Sabar Karyaman-Reza Pahlevi. He guided the pair to an impressive run into the semi-finals before they were stopped by compatriots Leo Rolly-Bagas Maulana.
The Star
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Doubles aces Hendra-Ahsan 'reunite' to open Daddies Arena
Hendra Setiawan and Mohamad Ahsan have ventured into the badminton court business following their retirement — Pic courtesy of Daddies Arena. PETALING JAYA: Badminton legends Hendra Setiawan-Mohamad Ahsan, fondly known as 'The Daddies,' are taking their passion for the sport beyond the court with the launch of their very own badminton centre, named Daddies Arena in honour of their famous moniker. Located in South Tangerang, Jakarta, the sprawling 5,000 square metre facility officially opened its doors on May 1. It boasts eight badminton courts, a fully equipped gym, and sauna facilities, offering a premium experience for players of all levels. Court rental rates are set at Rp80,000 (RM24) per hour on weekdays and Rp100,000 (RM30) per hour on weekends and public holidays. For Hendra and Ahsan, the idea had been in the pipeline for quite some time, and they were thrilled to finally see it come to life especially since the land used for the project belongs to Ahsan himself. "We've been planning this since last year, and coincidentally we live nearby. We scouted around for a large and strategic piece of land and eventually found this one," said Hendra. "Ahsan already had the land, and after some discussions, we moved forward with plans to construct the building." However, the three-time world champions have yet to make concrete plans to set up their own badminton academy, unlike some of their fellow players who have already ventured into coaching. "Yes, InshaAllah we do plan to establish one in the future. But for now, our focus is here first," added Ahsan "Later on, we'll discuss it further. There's a possibility of setting up a Daddies Academy, then we'll decide on the system, the coaches, and everything else. After more than 30 years on court, Hendra-Ahsan, who have won numerous major titles together, officially announced their retirement in early January after falling to Malaysia's Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King in the second round of the Indonesian Masters. Following his retirement, Hendra returned to the world's oldest badminton tournament, the All-England in Birmingham last March, this time stepping into a coaching role with Sabar Karyaman-Reza Pahlevi. He guided the pair to an impressive run into the semi-finals before they were stopped by compatriots Leo Rolly Carnando-Bagas Maulana.
Medscape
06-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
New Henipavirus Detected in Alabama
The discovery of the Camp Hill virus marks the first detection of a henipavirus in Alabama in North America. This event highlights henipaviruses, a group of highly dangerous pathogens known to cause severe, often fatal infections characterized by fever, respiratory symptoms, and cerebral edema. Thanks to advancements in genetic analysis, nearly 20 types of henipaviruses have been identified, with their presence noted on every continent except Antarctica. Viral Outbreaks The Hendra virus, identified in Australia in 1994, is the first henipavirus. This has resulted in seven known human infections, four of which were fatal. The Nipah virus, discovered in Malaysia in 1998, has proven even more lethal, causing 30 outbreaks in Southeast Asia, with over 600 infections and mortality rates reaching up to 100% in some cases. In China, the Mojiang virus has been linked to the deaths of three mineworkers. Another virus, Langya, spread by shrews, caused an outbreak in which 35 individuals were infected, all of whom recovered from the infection. Transmission Risks Identified in tissue samples from short-tailed shrews in 2021, the Camp Hill virus is likely transmitted by bats through saliva or urine, with horses also being considered as potential carriers. Henipaviruses are highly adaptable and can infect a wide range of hosts, including bats, horses, monkeys, dogs, and rodents. While viruses such as measles only infect humans, henipaviruses exhibit greater flexibility, which poses a significant risk for transmission to humans. To date, there have been no confirmed human cases of Camp Hill virus, but its potential spread remains a critical concern for epidemiologic surveillance. Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines for henipaviruses. However, intensive research is underway for a vaccine against the Nipah virus, and new treatments, including monoclonal antibodies, are under development. Conclusion The global spread of henipaviruses and the emergence of new variants underscore the ongoing need for vigilant monitoring of zoonotic pathogens. Although only a few of these viruses have caused human infections to date, the risk for transmission remains. The World Health Organization has called for enhanced research and preventive strategies to identify and mitigate potential outbreaks.
Forbes
31-03-2025
- Health
- Forbes
CDC Study Finds Deforestation Is A Leading Indicator Of Ebola Outbreaks
A general view of a deforested farm in Yanonge, 60 km from the town of Kisangani in Tshopo province, ... More northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, August 31, 2022. (Photo by Guerchom Ndebo / AFP) (Photo by GUERCHOM NDEBO/AFP via Getty Images) A new CDC-led study identifies deforestation as a leading indicator of Ebola virus spillover. Using machine learning and two decades of satellite data, researchers found that forest loss and fragmentation were among the strongest predictors of where the virus might jump from animals to humans. The model doesn't prove causation—but it does help identify environmental patterns that could guide preparedness in regions facing rising ecological pressure. Published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, the study analyzed 22 independent Ebola virus disease (EVD) index cases reported between 2001 and 2021. These were instances where the virus is believed to have first spilled over into a human host, excluding cases traced to latent infections or human-to-human transmission. The team then used high-resolution data on forest cover, precipitation, elevation, and human population density to train a predictive model of spillover potential. The model was tested to see how well it predicted two spillover events that occurred in 2022, the year following the last year of data used in the model. The model distinguished between spillover and non-spillover locations with roughly 90% accuracy, highlighting key environmental and demographic factors. Predicted risk is highly concentrated in the DRC, particularly in areas of recent forest loss. ... More Adapted from Telford et al. (2025). Among the model's most important predictors were forest loss and forest fragmentation, particularly when measured at small spatial scales. But what stood out was not just the strength of these variables, but their form. Spillover risk did not increase smoothly with forest loss. Instead, the model revealed threshold-like behavior, with risk remaining low until a tipping point in forest degradation was reached—at which point it rose sharply. These switch-like responses suggest that certain landscape changes may trigger spillover conditions rather than gradually increase them. Statistical results from Telford et al. (2025) suggest that forest fragmentation and forest loss ... More contribute to Ebola spillover risk. The abrupt changes in these "partial dependence plots" suggest that there may be ecological thresholds that should not be crossed to avoid spillover. Image modified from Telford et al. (2025) to highlight switch-like behavior. This pattern is consistent with ecological observations elsewhere. In Australia, for example, habitat loss and subsequent changes in bat behavior have been linked to increased viral shedding in bats infected with Hendra virus—possibly due to stress or crowding. In central Africa, forest loss may increase human–wildlife interactions by opening up remote areas to hunting, driving bats toward cultivated fruit crops, or expanding the reach of bushmeat markets. These dynamics increase the opportunities for a zoonotic virus to make the leap into humans. Importantly, the new study found that predicted spillover risk is not evenly distributed. Of all locations in the model's top percentile of relative risk, nearly 80% were located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Other high-risk zones appeared in Cameroon, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. From 2021 to 2022 alone, the model estimated that spillover risk increased in 25% of the study area, largely driven by ongoing forest degradation and population growth. According to Global Forest Watch, the DRC has lost almost 22,000 square miles of humid primary forest—an area slightly smaller than the entire state of West Virginia. While the DRC accounts for most of the predicted risk, it is not the only country where deforestation is intensifying the conditions linked to spillover. While the model is not intended to forecast outbreaks in real time, it does offer a way to prioritize long-term investments in surveillance, ecological monitoring, and public health preparedness. As the authors note, conducting active surveillance everywhere would be inefficient—but focusing efforts in areas where spillover potential is rising could help public health systems stay a step ahead of future emergence. This study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that spillover events are not random, but emerge from changing landscapes, shifting animal behavior, and evolving human-wildlife contact patterns. Understanding where and when ecological changes elevate spillover risk can inform more strategic public health planning—and support ecological countermeasures aimed at preventing pathogens from crossing into human populations.
