BUTTERWORTH, June 13 — The Seberang Jaya Health Clinic here has been selected as a facility for the first phase of the National Lung Health Initiative in Penang, aimed at strengthening the prevention, early screening and treatment of various lung diseases.

Penang Health director Datuk Dr Fazilah Shaik Allaudin said the new Ministry of Health (MOH) initiative involves the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assist in chest X-ray screening more quickly and accurately, particularly for the early detection of lung cancer.

“The Seberang Jaya Health Clinic has been selected as one of the facilities for the first phase of the initiative, which also focuses on other lung diseases, including tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma,” she said in her speech at the World No Tobacco Day celebration held in conjunction with the Penang-level Malaysia Healthy National Agenda 2026 Roadshow today.

The event was held at Kolej Tingkatan Enam Desa Murni here today and was officiated by Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi.

Dr Fazilah said the MOH is also continuing to strengthen various initiatives to help the public, particularly teenagers, quit smoking and overcome nicotine addiction through the JomQuit Programme, Smoking Cessation Clinics, the Oral Health Without Smoking Practice Programme (KOTAK), and the AI-based digital platform, Cik Era.

She said individuals wishing to quit smoking can obtain continuous support, counselling, treatment and motivation from the MOH.

She said this year’s World No Tobacco Day theme, Unmasking the Appeal — Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction, reminds people that tobacco and vape products are often promoted as modern and appealing, when in reality they can cause addiction and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic lung disease and cancer.

The use of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, or vapes, among teenagers in the state remains worrying based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022, which found that the prevalence of use among adolescents aged 13 to 17 was 14.3 per cent, equivalent to about one in every seven teenagers, she said.

Meanwhile, Gooi said the trends reported by the NHMS were deeply worrying because nicotine can cause addiction at a young age and affect brain development, learning and overall well-being.

“As a state that prioritises the well-being of its people, the state government fully supports all efforts to protect teenagers and children from exposure to tobacco and vape products,” he said. — Bernama

hayksenekerimyan posted a photo:

Some moments don't need color to feel alive. Just you, the water, and a mountain watching over it all.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has filed a judicial review application challenging the Attorney General’s decision to prosecute him over a Facebook post allegedly capable of causing public fear.

The application was filed at the High Court Penang on February 27 and is scheduled for hearing on June 16, according to his lawyers Messrs Aizat Izuan Shakeel, Harian Metro reported yesterday.

In a statement, the firm said the case goes beyond Akmal’s personal circumstances and raises broader constitutional and systemic issues.

“This application is not merely about one individual, but about the principle that justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done fairly for all Malaysians without exception,” the lawyers were quoted as saying.

The legal team said the application raises questions over alleged selective prosecution, inconsistent treatment in similar cases, and whether the charge complies with Article 8 of the Federal Constitution on equality before the law.

They also argued that freedom of speech, while protected under the Constitution, must still operate within legal limits.

“Such perceptions, if left unaddressed, could erode public confidence in the principles of justice that underpin the nation’s legal system,” they said, referring to concerns over inconsistent enforcement.

Dr Akmal’s lawyers said he would continue to respect the judicial process and leave it to the court to decide on the issues raised.

The Merlimau assemblyman was charged at the Magistrates’ Court in Bukit Mertajam on August 22 last year over a Facebook post dated August 11 that was alleged to have caused public alarm.

He pleaded not guilty under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum penalty of two years’ jail, a fine, or both upon conviction.

howard-f posted a photo:

Los Feliz, L.A.

This is a children clothing store signage from the 1950's still up on the side of the building on Vermont.

Plus some surprising extra requirements, like having to say “thank you” at least 10 times a day. 

Every school in Japan has its own set of rules, and while many of these guidelines are perfectly understandable, there are some that are baffling, to say the least.

This topic of nonsensical school rules was recently explored by Jukusen, one of Japan’s largest online directory and comparison platforms for cram schools, in a survey that targeted 104 high school students nationwide.

More than half (56.7 percent) of the respondents said there were rules at their school that they did not agree with, and out of these, about 70 percent said they hadn’t been given an explanation as to why those rules are necessary.

So what were the rules that made no sense to students? Let’s take a look at the top 12 responses below – totals exceed 100 percent as students were allowed to give multiple responses – starting with a brief rundown from 12 to six.

12. No stopping anywhere on the way home after school (27.9 percent)
11. Limits on the number of keychains students can carry (30.8 percent)
10. Ban on sunscreen and lip balm (31.7 percent)
9. Restrictions on winter clothing such as coats and scarves (34.6 percent)
8. Restrictions on sweaters and cardigans (34.6 percent)
7. Rules specifying the type and colour of school bags (34.6 percent)
6. Restrictions on underwear colour (36.5 percent)

▼ The question put to students for the survey was: “Which school rules honestly make no sense to you?“

Taking a closer look at the top five revealed the following results:

5. Restrictions on smartphones (36.5 percent)

Many respondents accepted bans during class but thought prohibitions during breaks or school events were unreasonable as students want to communicate and take photos at those times.

4. Restrictions on the colour, length, and design of socks (39.4 percent)

Students questioned why schools sought to regulate such a minor detail, saying it felt pointless to regulate tiny fashion issues.

3. Restrictions on how to wear the uniform (42.3 percent)

Students complained that uniform rules were excessively detailed and inconsistently enforced, with one student saying she was pulled up by teachers for folding up the waist of her skirt, even though she was only doing it as it was uncomfortably loose.

▼ Low socks and a high skirt is a no-no at schools.

2. Ban on eyebrow grooming (48.1 percent)

Students argued that not being allowed to care for your eyebrows actually makes people look less presentable. They also expressed concern for people who feel insecure about their brows, as they’re not allowed to tend to them.

1. Restrictions on hairstyles and hair colour (54.8 percent)

Students strongly questioned why schools regulate hair at all, with many saying they felt these rules weren’t in line with the times as they prioritise conformity over individuality.

The survey also revealed some unusual rules that exist at some schools:

• On graduation day, girls must wear tights of 80 denier or higher
• Students are required to say “thank you” at least 10 times a day within the school
• Bans on establishing a light music club

While “light music” originally referred to lighter orchestral pieces, it now involves popular music like punk, rock and J-Pop, and some schools fear these clubs might “increase the number of delinquent and misbehaving students”.

Though students are quick to complain about these “incomprehensible” school rules, saying they have little to do with academic performance, in the end, they mostly put up with them, with approximately 70 percent of current respondents indicating that they abide by the rules despite their dissatisfaction.

The remaining 30 percent are likely plucking an eyebrow hair every now and then, and holding out hope for their school to rethink some of its requirements. With some schools now easing up on black-only hair rules and abolishing underwear checks, change may very well be on the horizon.

Source: Press release
Featured image: Press release
Insert images: Press release, Pakutaso (1, 2, 3)
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PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today dismissed suggestions of reviving Muafakat Nasional (MN) 2.0, saying there have been no discussions on the matter between Umno and PAS.

“There have been no discussions on that,” he told reporters after visiting the exhibition site for National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Day 2026 at Dataran Putrajaya here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said Umno and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) priority remains ensuring political stability through the unity government formed with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and parties from Sabah and Sarawak.

“The most important thing is to ensure that the current government remains intact until the end of the 15th Parliament’s term,” he said.

Yesterday, PAS Youth proposed that Umno revive political cooperation through Muafakat Nasional ahead of the upcoming Johor state election.

On a separate matter, Ahmad Zahid said a political meeting involving Umno and PAS leaders held last night did not involve the presidents of either party and was focused on political collaboration and national issues.

He said politics is dynamic and BN remains open to political discussions and deliberations on national matters in the interest of preserving the country’s stability. — Bernama