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Sinar Daily
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Sinar Daily
Strawberry Moon dazzles Malaysian stargazers with golden-orange glow
Cloudy skies didn't stop many from catching a glimpse and sharing their thoughts. By DANIAL HAKIM 12 Jun 2025 03:00pm This picture taken from the southern Kibbutz of Afar Aza shows the full moon, known as the 'Strawberry Moon' rising on June 11, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP) SHAH ALAM – Last night, the skies were graced with the much-awaited "Strawberry Moon," a rare and captivating phenomenon that left stargazers across Malaysia mesmerised. The Strawberry Moon, the name given to June's full moon, is not actually pink or strawberry-coloured, as one might expect. The full moon, known as the 'Strawberry Moon' rises over the tower Sforza Castle in Milan, on June 11, 2025. (Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP) Instead, it gets its name from the traditional association with the strawberry harvest season in North America. This particular full moon marks the start of summer and was visible in various parts of the world, including Malaysia. Why is it called the Strawberry Moon? The name "Strawberry Moon" is believed to have originated from Native American traditions, as June was the month when strawberries would ripen and be ready for harvest. The full moon during this time was seen as a signal for berry-picking season. The term has since been adopted worldwide, although the moon's appearance remains the same, typically appearing as a regular full moon. The Strawberry Moon is also notable for another reason: it often coincides with a lunar phenomenon known as a "supermoon." This occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear slightly larger and brighter than usual. Although the name might suggest a pinkish hue, Malaysia's view of the Strawberry Moon featured a warm, golden-orange tone. Cloudy skies didn't stop many from catching a glimpse and sharing their thoughts. One Instagram user posted, 'The Strawberry Moon I saw earlier had this golden-orange colour, its natural hue. It was so beautiful and bright, but sadly, it's cloudy here.' The rare sight also inspired a bit of local humour, with a commenter joking, 'Full moon tonight? So it means Raya was supposed to be Friday not Saturday.' Another chimed in with a cheeky wish: 'Hopefully there's going to be a green moon next!' Despite the misconception that the Strawberry Moon doesn't actually turn pink or red, that didn't stop netizens from embracing the cosmic magic and making it their own. Globally, many experienced the moon as a mood-setter, especially for astrology enthusiasts. 'Full moon in my sign Sagittarius. Probably why I'm feeling super chill today. Letting it all go.' X user @IAMSuChrist said, linking the full moon to their zodiac sign. Others were simply vibing with the moon's seasonal theme as X (formerly known as Twitter) user @eni_ shared a coincidence with the full moon phenomenon. 'I got a strawberry plant and planted it for this full moon and I didn't even realise at the time it was the strawberry full moon!' the account shared. Meanwhile, over on Instagram, @ameycakeenok in Michigan described the scene: 'Here in Michigan there was a light/dark haziness around that pink color. Nice shot.' What made this Strawberry Moon so special wasn't just the science behind it - it was the shared sense of awe, humor, and reflection it inspired. Whether seen through a clear lens or hidden behind clouds, the Strawberry Moon united people from all walks of life in a brief but beautiful cosmic moment. More Like This
eNCA
21-05-2025
- Health
- eNCA
Gazans wait for aid as Israel faces mounting pressure
Gazans waited desperately for vital supplies on Wednesday after Israel said it let in dozens of UN trucks but faced mounting international pressure to increase the aid flow and abandon its intensified military campaign. Rescuers in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory told AFP that overnight Israeli strikes killed at least 19 people, including a week-old baby. Israel said 93 trucks had entered Gaza on Tuesday but faced accusations the amount fell far short of what was required. The United Nations said the aid had been held up. The world body had announced on Monday that it had been cleared to send in aid for the first time since Israel imposed a total blockade on March 2, sparking critical shortages of food and medicine. Umm Talal Al-Masri, 53, a displaced Palestinian living in an area of Gaza City, described the situation as "unbearable". "No one is distributing anything to us. Everyone is waiting for aid, but we haven't received anything," she told AFP. "We're grinding lentils and pasta to make some loaves of bread, and we barely manage to prepare one meal a day." Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said the volume of aid Israel had started to allow into Gaza was not nearly enough for the population of 2.4 million, describing it as "a smokescreen to pretend the siege is over". AFP | Jack GUEZ "The Israeli authorities' decision to allow a ridiculously inadequate amount of aid into Gaza after months of an air-tight siege signals their intention to avoid the accusation of starving people in Gaza, while in fact keeping them barely surviving," said MSF's emergency coordinator in the south Gaza city of Khan Yunis, Pascale Coissard. A statement released Wednesday on Emirati state media said the United Arab Emirates had reached an agreement with Israel to allow the delivery of "urgent humanitarian aid" to Gaza. "The aid will address the food needs of approximately 15,000 civilians in the Gaza Strip in the initial phase," it said. It was not immediately clear when the UAE's aid would be sent to Gaza. AFP has asked Israeli authorities for comment. - 'Untenable' - The Israeli army stepped up its offensive at the weekend, vowing to defeat Gaza's Hamas rulers, whose October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war. AFPTV footage of southern Gaza from the Israeli side showed multiple strikes throughout Wednesday morning. In Khan Yunis, distraught relatives cried as their family members were brought to the city's Nasser Hospital following a strike. The charred legs of the dead, including a young child, were visible from under blankets laid on the floor. AFP | Bashar TALEB Israel has faced massive pressure, including from traditional allies, to halt its intensified offensive and allow aid into Gaza. European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday that "a strong majority" of foreign ministers from the 27-nation bloc backed the move to review its trade cooperation with Israel. "The countries see that the situation in Gaza is untenable... and what we want is to unblock the humanitarian aid," she said. Sweden said it would press the EU to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers. Britain suspended free-trade negotiations with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador and said it was imposing sanctions on settlers in the occupied West Bank in its toughest actions so far against Israel's conduct of the war. Pope Leo XIV described the situation in Gaza as "worrying and painful" and called for "the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid". Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas welcomed the international rejection of Israel's "blockade" and "starvation" of the territory. Israel's foreign ministry has said the EU action "reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing". - 'Take control' - Israel said "93 UN trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including flour for bakeries, food for babies, medical equipment and pharmaceutical drugs were transferred" to Gaza on Tuesday, but the UN reported difficulties in receiving deliveries. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Monday that Israel would "take control of all the territory of the Strip" with its new campaign. Israel resumed operations across Gaza on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire. AFP | Jack GUEZ Negotiators from Israel and Hamas began new indirect talks in Doha at the weekend. Late Wednesday, Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of refusing to accept a deal, saying Israel was recalling its senior negotiators but leaving some of its team in Doha. Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Militants also took 251 hostages, 57 of whom remain in Gaza including 34 the military says are dead. Gaza's health ministry said Tuesday at least 3,427 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 53,573.
The Star
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
UN plans to resume humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, says relief chief
This picture taken from a position in southern Israel shows destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The Israeli military announced the early stages of an intensified operation in Gaza aimed at defeating Hamas, with rescuers in the beseiged Palestinian territory reporting 10 killed on May 17 in fresh Israeli strikes. -- Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP WASHINGTON (Bernama-Anadolu): The United Nations (UN) relief chief said that that it has a plan to resume aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, Anadolu Ajansi has reported. "To those proposing an alternative modality for aid distribution, let us not waste time: We already have a plan," Tom Fletcher said in a statement. Since March 2, Israel has kept Gaza's crossings closed to food, medical and humanitarian aid, deepening an already worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave. "It is rooted in the non-negotiable principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. It is backed by a coalition of donors and the vast majority of the international community. "It is ready to be activated - today - if we are simply allowed to do our jobs," said Fletcher. He said that 160,000 pallets of relief are ready to enter Gaza now. "We demand rapid, safe, and unimpeded aid delivery for civilians in need. Let us work," he added. The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct 7, 2023, killing 53,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. - Bernama-Anadolu
Al Bawaba
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
US Secretary of State heads to Saudi Arabia
NEWS Published February 17th, 2025 - 06:25 GMT US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signs the guestbook during his visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum in Jerusalem on February 16, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / POOL / AFP) ALBAWABA - United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has departed from Israel to Saudi Arabia, AFP reported confirmed on Monday. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
