Latest news with #JacksonLee
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#NSTviral: Two-headed Arowana makes a splash online
KUALA LUMPUR: In what can only be described as a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, a local fish breeder has gone viral after one of his newly hatched arowanas was born with two heads, a rare condition often referred to as a "Siamese twin" fish. The breeder, Jackson Lee, who raises arowanas from his home in Kepong, was left speechless when he discovered the anomaly while inspecting his latest hatchlings. "This is the first time I've seen anything like this. In all my years of breeding, I've never had a twin arowana," said Lee. Ordinarily, Lee sells his baby arowanas for RM150 each. But the arrival of the conjoined twin has left him in a dilemma, should he sell it, or keep it as a rare showpiece? "I haven't decided what to do yet," he said. "For now, I'm just focused on making sure it grows healthily without any issues or complications. It's only 15 days old, still too early to tell." According to Lee, the twin fish has not started feeding yet, as its navel has not shrunk, a crucial stage in the development of newly hatched fish. "Only once the navel shrinks will it begin eating," he said. "Until then, all we can do is wait and monitor its progress." He added that the fish tends to swim near the bottom of the aquarium, as the weight of its two heads makes it difficult to swim like its peers. A video posted by Lee featuring the unusual fish quickly gained traction on social media, garnering thousands of views and sparking a wave of reactions. Among the top comments was a tongue-in-cheek question that left many amused: "If it has two heads, does it count as one fish or two?" Another user asked whether Lee planned to sell the fish, while many others marvelled at the rare occurrence. Some dubbed the fish a "living dragon" and a "lucky omen", while others urged Lee to keep it as a symbol of good fortune and uniqueness. Arowanas, often referred to as the "Dragon Fish" of Asia due to their long, sleek bodies and metallic scales, are among the most prized ornamental fish in the region. Native to Southeast Asia and parts of South America, arowanas are known for their aggressive temperament, high intelligence, and graceful swimming patterns. In Chinese culture, they are considered symbols of prosperity, strength, and good luck, with rare varieties fetching tens of thousands of ringgit in the ornamental fish market. Many believe that owning a healthy arowana can attract wealth, ward off evil spirits, and protect the household from misfortune. Because of their mythical status and strong links to feng shui, arowanas are often kept in homes, offices, and businesses by those hoping to invite positive energy and abundance. For Lee, the birth of the two-headed arowana is more than just a biological oddity, it is a pleasant surprise, and perhaps even a powerful sign of good fortune. "I don't know exactly what it means, but it feels special," said Lee, calling the birth a miracle. The video continues to go viral on social media, with netizens actively sharing and engaging with Lee's daily live updates and posts on the twin arowana.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Amanda Edwards to run to succeed the late-U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner
WASHINGTON — Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards will run for the 18th Congressional District following the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, Edwards announced Wednesday. 'My commitment to this community has never wavered, and I will continue to fight for the opportunities and resources our district needs,' Edwards said in a social media post. 'We need the next generation of new leaders in Washington to combat Trump's attacks on jobs, healthcare, and education.' Edwards unsuccessfully ran for the seat twice last year. She faced off against U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in the 2024 Democratic primary. Jackson Lee won the primary but died before the general election, opening the party's nomination anew. Edwards came in second place in that race to Turner, the former mayor of Houston. Turner died earlier this month, leaving another vacancy. Gov. Greg Abbott has the power to call a special election to fill the seat and has wide latitude to decide when it would be. The seat is a Democratic stronghold, containing historically significant neighborhoods to Houston's Black community. Jackson Lee represented the district from 1995 until her death last year, making her one of the longest serving members of Texas' congressional delegation at the time. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination is likely to hold onto the seat for years. The vacancy has attracted other candidates to float their names. Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee announced earlier this that he was running for the Democratic nomination. Isaiah Martin, a former staffer for Jackson Lee, also said he was running earlier this week. State Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Houston, said on social media that she was taking 'a hard look' at running. Edwards served on the Houston City Council from 2016 to 2020, focusing on small businesses and workers' rights, especially for women and minorities. She ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in 2020 to challenge Sen. John Cornyn but came in fifth place, losing to M.J. Hegar. Edwards ran for Houston mayor in 2023 to replace the outgoing Turner, but dropped out of the race when Jackson Lee announced she was also entering the race. Edwards in turn ran to replace Jackson Lee, but the two wound up running against each other for the congressional seat after Jackson Lee lost the mayoral race to former state Sen. John Whitmire. Jackson Lee won the Democratic primary by nearly 23 percentage points. We can't wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and so much more. Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
CNN
05-03-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Sylvester Turner, Democratic congressman and former Houston mayor, dies at 70
Sylvester Turner, a Democratic congressman and former mayor of Houston, has died, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire. He was 70. 'A remarkable public servant who impacted millions of people. He rose from poverty but never forgot where he came from. It is a terrible loss for the city and a personal loss for me. I ask Houstonians to celebrate his life,' Whitmire said in a statement posted by the City of Houston. House Democratic leadership informed members of Turner's death during a meeting Wednesday morning, according to a source in the room. Turner was sworn into Congress in January after serving eight years as the mayor of Texas' biggest city. Before that, he also spent 27 years in the Texas House where he was a powerhouse on the state's appropriations panel. Turner came out of retirement to succeed the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who was her own force in Texas politics during her two decades in the US House. Turner was the preferred pick by Jackson Lee's children in the competitive primary to replace her after her death in July 2024. He vowed to, like Jackson Lee, devote his time to securing federal resources for the sprawling district. The cause of Turner's death was not immediately clear. The 70-year-old said in 2022 that he had been treated for bone cancer but declared himself 'cancer free' in an interview with the Texas Tribune later that year. His death came as a shock for his fellow congressional Democrats, who had sat with him at the president's joint address Tuesday evening. He attended the speech with his guest, a Houston resident and mother whose 2-year-old daughter has a rare genetic condition and relies on Medicaid to survive. In recent months, Turner had been outspoken — and in his words, 'hopeful' — about how Democrats can rebound from the GOP's electoral win in November. 'I'm optimistic simply because I know what we are made of,' Turner told a crowd at the Houston Black American Democrats last month. 'The only way that we lose is that we fail to use what we have.' 'I'm hopeful. I did not come with a head bowed. I know the president is in office. A lot of things he has done. But I'm optimistic. I'm positive. I don't have a hard time going to bed at night.' This story has been updated with additional details.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sylvester Turner, Democratic congressman and former Houston mayor, dies at 70
Sylvester Turner, a Democratic congressman and former mayor of Houston, has died, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire. He was 70. 'A remarkable public servant who impacted millions of people. He rose from poverty but never forgot where he came from. It is a terrible loss for the city and a personal loss for me. I ask Houstonians to celebrate his life,' Whitmire said in a statement posted by the City of Houston. House Democratic leadership informed members of Turner's death during a meeting Wednesday morning, according to a source in the room. Turner was sworn into Congress in January after serving eight years as the mayor of Texas' biggest city. Before that, he also spent 27 years in the Texas House where he was a powerhouse on the state's appropriations panel. Turner came out of retirement to succeed the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who was her own force in Texas politics during her two decades in the US House. Turner was the preferred pick by Jackson Lee's children in the competitive primary to replace her after her death in July 2024. He vowed to, like Jackson Lee, devote his time to securing federal resources for the sprawling district. The cause of Turner's death was not immediately clear. The 70-year-old said in 2022 that he had been treated for bone cancer but declared himself 'cancer free' in an interview with the Texas Tribune later that year. His death came as a shock for his fellow congressional Democrats, who had sat with him at the president's joint address Tuesday evening. He attended the speech with his guest, a Houston resident and mother whose 2-year-old daughter has a rare genetic condition and relies on Medicaid to survive. In recent months, Turner had been outspoken — and in his words, 'hopeful' — about how Democrats can rebound from the GOP's electoral win in November. 'I'm optimistic simply because I know what we are made of,' Turner told a crowd at the Houston Black American Democrats last month. 'The only way that we lose is that we fail to use what we have.' 'I'm hopeful. I did not come with a head bowed. I know the president is in office. A lot of things he has done. But I'm optimistic. I'm positive. I don't have a hard time going to bed at night.' This story has been updated with additional details.
