Jim Paull

Cat lovers, rejoice! You can now unwind with your favorite feline, thanks to Apollo Peak, a new company based in Colorado that produces a non-alcoholic beverage that's laced with cat nip. Now the only decision you need to make is whether your cat deserves some Pinot Meow or MosCATo.

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You can never start planning your 4th of July menu too early, and this grilled shrimp recipe will definitely be on mine. Between the spicy, tangy shrimp and the creamy avocado sauce, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

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Whether you’re leaving your cat alone for a weekend, or just want to keep your pets satisfied (i.e. quiet) on mornings when you’re sleeping in, Amazon’s deeply discounting a bunch of PetSafe automatic feeders and drinking fountains, today only in Amazon’s Gold Box.

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From: Nah Kok Wai via email

A recent hot topic discussed in social media was about a certain water filter that produces “miracle water” that can treat 150 chronic illnesses. One would be skeptical when they hear about products which sound too good to be true, but then there is endorsement from a research university, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Not convinced? Well, the famous Siti Nurhaliza has also given her approval. This miracle water must work! Why even go to hospitals?

Although the issue came to the people’s attention recently, this water filter has been around for quite some time. Besides the I-Mizu brand that was recently shown in the news, there are many other brands of this “miracle” alkaline water.

Forum Air Malaysia, as a consumer association, has previously received complaints regarding similar alkaline water in which consumers complained about experiencing discomfort in their stomachs a month after having consumed the alkaline water. There are also those who have lost their lives because they stopped taking their medicine due to their trust in this “miracle water”. However, these cases remain in the dark because the cause of death was not the water itself.

Are the health claims by these water filter companies legit? So far, no credible agency can confirm it, but at the same time no one is denying these health claims either. Yet, we have consumers paying up to RM20,000 for one unit.

Attempts have been made to engage the authorities. According to their official reply letter, the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism issue licences to sell such products as long as health claims are not stated in their advertisements. The Ministry of Health on the other hand does not currently have any regulations for this type of water filter. Therefore it is actually legal to sell these water filters in Malaysia because there are no physical copies of the advertisements.

This is like a blind spot for regulators, one that companies can freely exploit. It is a water filter, but it is said to be able to produce water that is as good as medicine, so, which agency should take the lead on this issue?

We have also personally engaged one of the agents to learn more about this “miracle water”, and have seen firsthand how good these agents are at marketing their product. Even if the health claims sound ridiculous, the agents are able to communicate the health benefits very convincingly, because they themselves are convinced that the product they sell is good. Can we really blame agents in this situation?

What we need now is verification of the health claims of these water filters. We also need the authorities to be able to take action if the health claims are given verbally, online or via WhatsApp chats. The current situation simply does not give adequate protection to consumers, so we urge the authorities to further look into this issue.

Nah Kok Wai is Research and Policy Executive of Forum Air Malaysia.

With a firm belief in freedom of expression and without prejudice, FMT tries its best to share reliable content from third parties. Such articles are strictly the writer’s personal opinion. FMT does not necessarily endorse the views or opinions given by any third party content provider.

For pet owners, the loss of a pet is more than just the loss of an animal, it’s also the loss of a friend and companion. It can be difficult to cope after the death of a cat, dog, or any other pet you owned and cared for.^[1] You will likely experience the stages of grief and need to lean on the support of family and friends to help you move forward. You may also want to pay tribute to the memory of your pet as a way to process your emotions and honor your dearly departed pet.

EditSteps

EditExperiencing the Stages of Grief

1. Be aware that everyone experiences grief in different ways. Grief is an intense process and often happens gradually. Everyone processes grief differently and there no “normal” timeframe from grieving so you may feel better after several weeks, months, or even after a year. Be patient and allow yourself to experience grief for your pet, as this is an important way to process the death of your pet.^[2][3]
   
   • Though you may try to ignore the pain, this will likely only make it worse. Rather than bottle up your feelings and emotions, it can be more useful to allow yourself to go through the stages of grief and heal over time. You may experience several of the stages of grief or only a few of them, but whatever your grieving process is, it’s important that you let it occur and do not keep your emotions hidden or suppress your feelings of sadness and loneliness.
2. Try to avoid feeling guilty for the death of your pet. One of the initial stages of grief is feeling guilt and responsibility for the death of your pet. Try to avoid asking “what ifs” and thinking about “if only”. This will only make you feel worse and make it more difficult to move past your grief.^[4]
   
   • Take the time to remind yourself that you are not responsible for the death of your pet and that the death of your pet was out of your control. If you believe in a higher power, you may pray on your pet’s death and talk to the higher power as a way to work through your feelings of guilt.
3. Confront your feelings of denial. Another initial stage of grief is denial, where you may feel like your pet is still alive. You may have difficulty coming home to not find your pet waiting for you or not having to put out dinner every night, like you usually do, for your pet. Rather than tell yourself your pet might still be alive somewhere, it’s important that you are upfront and honest about the reality of the situation. Denial of your pet’s death will make it more difficult for you to move past your pet’s death and cope.^[5]
   
4. Release your anger in healthy ways. A key emotion in the grieving process is anger, which can be directed at the driver of the car that killed your pet, the illness that killed her, or the vet who “failed” to save your pet’s life. Though your anger may feel justified, holding on to it can lead to feelings of resentment and rage, which will only make you feel worse in the long run. Anger can also distract you from resolving your feelings of grief and cause you to hold onto your grief, rather than release it and start to heal.^[6]
   
   • Releasing your anger in a healthy way may mean leaning on the support of your family and friends, or focusing on self-care, where you do activities that make you feel good like hiking outdoors, doing a creative project, or socializing with good friends. Think of activities that can help you to release your anger in a way that feels useful and healthy, rather than destructive and painful.
5. Let yourself feel sad but fight off depression. A natural symptom of grief is feelings of depression, which can leave you feeling powerless to cope with your emotions. While it is healthy and important that you let yourself feel sad about the death of your pet, feeling depressed can cause you to feel worn out, lonely, and isolated.^[7]
   
   • Fight off feelings of depression by leaning on friends and family, occupying your time with activities you enjoy doing, and spending time creating a tribute for your pet. Focus on trying to work through your feelings of sadness so they do not develop into feelings of depression.

EditLeaning on Others for Support

1. Share your feelings and emotions with family and friends. Rather than keep your grief to yourself, do not be afraid to share your feelings with close family and friends. If a friend offers to stop by for a visit, say “yes”, even if you do not feel like talking to someone. Simply sitting with a sympathetic friend and talking about trivial things can make you feel less lonely and isolated. Reach out to your family and try to see them more often, as they can offer comfort and kind thoughts that can help you remember your pet fondly and process your grief.^[8]
   
   • Keep in mind some people may not understand how deep your loss is over your pet. They may ask, “What’s the big deal? It’s just a pet!” Family or friends may not be able to understand how the loss of an animal can compare to the loss of a person, and they may not be as sympathetic as you may expect. Try not to take this personally, as they may not have a pet of their own and so cannot understand your connection with your deceased pet.
2. Reach out to friends who have also lost pets. Seek out family and friends who will be sympathetic to your grief and understand how it feels to lose a pet. Spend time together talking about your pets and sharing memories of your pets. You should find mutual understanding and connection with other pet owners who have also experienced loss and grief.^[9]
   
   • You can also reach out to others who may understand pet loss through online pet loss support groups and online message boards. Support from other pet owners can be key to helping you process your grief.
3. Practice self-care through socializing and staying busy. Self-care is very important when you are feeling low and can help you feel better physically and mentally. Look after your emotional needs by socializing with others and doing activities with others you enjoy to stay busy and not dwell on your grief. This could be exploring a new hobby like painting, drawing, or running by joining a class or group. Or you could join a fitness group to ensure you exercise regularly to boost your mood and fight off feelings of depression.^[10]
   
   • You can also practice self-care on your own by doing a solo activity you enjoy, pampering yourself with a massage or a long bath, and taking time alone to read or do something calming and relaxing. Try not to spend too much time alone as you cope with the loss of your pet, as this can lead to isolation and loneliness. Maintain a balance of time with others and time with yourself to ensure you are taking care of your physical and emotional needs during this hard time.
4. Talk to a grief therapist, if needed. Sometimes, grief can be overwhelming and you may find you are still feeling depressed and upset even after you talk to family and friends. If your grief is causing you to feel powerless and unable to function, you may want to ask your doctor for a referral to a grief therapist. You can also ask family and friends for a referral to a grief therapist they may have gone to themselves, with positive results.
   

EditPaying Tribute to Your Pet

1. Arrange a funeral or a memorial service for your pet. The ritual of a funeral or a memorial service can be a healthy way to grieve and process your emotions. This could be a small service honoring your pet’s life or a more elaborate affair. Though some people may consider it inappropriate to have a funeral for a pet, you should do what feels good to you as a pet owner and take the necessary steps to release your grief.^[11]
   
2. Create a physical reminder of your pet. This could be planting a tree in memory of your pet, creating a photo album of your pet, or commissioning a physical gravestone for your pet. Having a physical legacy of your pet can help you to celebrate your pet and move on in your grief.^[12]
   
3. Donate to an animal charity in memory of your pet. You may want to pay tribute to your animal companion by donating your money or time to an animal charity in his name. This will allow you to give back to the community and help other pet owners to take care of their pets. It also creates a tribute to your pet that focuses on caring for others and supporting others, a positive legacy you can feel proud of.^[13]
   
4. Take care of any other pets in your household. Though it may be difficult to focus on the needs of your other pets after the death of a pet, you should try to devote yourself to providing good care to any other animals in your home. Your other pets will likely also be mourning the loss of a fellow pet, especially if they all lived together in close quarters. Focusing on the needs of your other pets can help you to move forward and cope with your loss. It can also be a way to honor your deceased pet by ensuring all your other pets receive love and care.^[14]
   
5. Consider getting a new pet. Another way to cope and pay tribute to your pet is to perhaps get a new pet. Rather than see the new pet as a replacement for your deceased pet, think of the new pet as a new chapter in pet ownership. A new pet will allow you to love and care for an animal and to move forward from the death of a pet.
   
   • Some pet owners may feel they cannot get a new pet because it would be disloyal to their deceased pet. It may take time after the death of your pet to consider getting a new pet, but a new pet may be a healthy way to move through your feelings of grief and feel better about coming home to a pet filled house again.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Cope With the Loss of a Loved One
• Deal With a Friend's Death
• Live After the Death of a Spouse
• Cope with Loss and Pain
• Conduct a Pet's Funeral
• Make Preparations for a Funeral
• Dress For a Funeral
• Make a Memorial Book
• Make an Online Memorial Tribute
• Comfort a Dying Cat
• Explain to Kids About the Death of a Pet
• Bury a Pet

EditSources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

PETALING JAYA: A Muslim woman who is an activist has taken issue with the harassment, verbal abuse and public persecution that goes with moral and religious policing of Muslims in Malaysia.

The woman, who goes by the name ‘Mrym Lee’ on Facebook and Twitter,has ignited a debate on the issue of moral policing in the country.

In a recent posting, she wrote about how she and a friend were harassed in public when they both decided to make a protest against moral and religious policing by deliberately eating and drinking in public during Ramadan, while visibly being a Muslim in hijab.

On one occasion, a restaurant manager in a Kuala Lumpur shopping mall questioned whether she was a Malay and Muslim, and why she was not fasting.

She said that eating and drinking were not against the law, only for the manager to respond to her by saying she was “damaging” the image of Islam.

“I then went to him, explaining how he’s been rude to me as a customer, and he explained that religious authorities could raid the restaurant and mete out penalties for serving Muslims during Ramadan.”

Five minutes later, a Malay Muslim customer at the restaurant with his family came to her table to question her right to eat in public, accusing her of not respecting those who were fasting. He, too, accused her of not respecting Islam.

Mrym Lee said such religious policing of other people’s personal beliefs and rituals was rife and backwards mentality was worrying.

“Get your priorities straight. Go punish our corrupt politicians and fix our messed-up policies. Leave the practice of faiths to the individual, empower each other in society to do good, only then we’ll see productive progress,” she wrote.

Her accounts and subsequent polls on her Twitter account have drawn mixed views. Some commenters supported her, saying she was right to stand up for her rights. Others said that while she was within her rights to eat in public when not fasting, it was disrespectful to do so in front of others, with one commenter saying that eating in front of fasting children made it hard for the children to keep up with their fasting.

Some commenters chastised her and questioned her lack of common sense.

Mrym ran two polls, one asking Muslims whether they ate or drank in public during Ramadan and another on whether they felt it was wrong to do so.

Some 58 per cent of 835 respondents said they did not eat or drink in public out of respect of other Muslims, while 63 per cent of 701 respondents said it was not wrong for Muslims to eat or drink in public during Ramadan.

Here's the salad you serve at a sit-down dinner. And when your guests inquire what it took to put together something so elegant and pleasing, you can simply bat your lashes and say, "Hardly had to lift a finger!"

And you know what? You'd be telling the whole truth because even the baked and breaded goat cheese patties that grace this fennel-based salad are easier than they appear.

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Here are 15 of the best photos that readers added to the Consumerist Flickr Pool in the last two weeks, picked for usability in a Consumerist post or for just plain neatness.

Want to see your pictures on our site? Our Flickr pool is the place where Consumerist readers upload photos for possible use in future Consumerist posts. Just be a registered Flickr user, go here, and click “Join Group?” up on the top right. Choose your best photos, then click “send to group” on the individual images you want to add to the pool.

The practice of writing paragraphs is essential to good writing. Paragraphs help to break up large chunks of text and makes the content easier for readers to digest. They guide the reader through your argument by focusing on one main idea or goal.^[1] However, knowing how to write a good, well-structured paragraph can be little tricky. Read the guidelines below and learn how to take your paragraph writing skills from good to great!

EditSteps

EditParagraph Help

EditPlanning Your Paragraph

1. Decide what the main topic of the paragraph is going to be. Before you begin writing your paragraph, you must have a clear idea of what the paragraph is going to be about. This is because a paragraph is essentially a collection of sentences that all relate to one central topic.^[2] Without a definite idea of what the main topic is, your paragraph will lack focus and unity. In order to pin down the exact topic of your paragraph, you should ask yourself a number of questions:
   
   • What is the prompt I have been given? If you are writing a paragraph as a response or answer to a particular prompt, such as "You have decided to donate money to charity. Which charity do you choose and why?" or "Describe your favorite day of the week," you will need to think carefully about that prompt and make sure you are directly addressing it, rather than going off topic.
   • What are the main ideas or issues that I need to address? Think about the topic you are being asked or have decided to write about and consider what the most relevant ideas or issues relating to that topic are. As paragraphs are usually relatively short, it is important that you try to hit on all of the main ideas, without going off topic.
   • Who am I writing for? Think about who the intended readership of this paragraph or paper is going to be. What is their prior knowledge? Are they familiar with the topic at hand, or will it require a number of explanatory sentences?
   • If your paragraphs are part of a larger essay, writing an essay outline can help you define the major ideas or goals of each paragraph.
2. Write down information and ideas relating to that topic. Once you have a clearer idea of what you want to address in your paragraph, you can start organizing your thoughts by writing down your ideas on a notepad or word document. There's no need to write out full sentences just yet, just jot down some key words and phrases. Once you see everything on paper, you may get a clearer idea of which points are essential to include in your paragraph, and which points are superfluous.
   
   • At this point, you may realize that there's a gap in your knowledge and that it will be necessary to look up some facts and figures to support your argument.
   • It's a good idea to do this research now, so you will have all the relevant information easily at hand when it comes to the writing stage.
3. Figure out how you want to structure your paragraph. Now that all of your thoughts, ideas, facts and figures are laid out clearly in front of you, you can start to think about how you want to structure your paragraph. Consider each of the points you wish to address and try to arrange them in a logical order - this will make your paragraph more coherent and easier to read.^[3]
   
   • This new order may be chronological, may put the most important information first, or may just make the paragraph easier and more interesting to read - it all depends on the topic and style of the paragraph you wish to write.^[3]
   • Once you have decided where you want everything to go, you can rewrite your points according to this new structure - this will help to make the writing process a lot faster and more straightforward.

EditWriting Your Paragraph

1. Write a topic sentence. The first sentence of your paragraph needs to be the topic sentence. A topic sentence is an introductory line that addresses what the main idea or thesis of the paragraph is going to be. It should contain the most important and relevant point you wish to make regarding your topic, thus summarizing the paragraph as a whole.^[2]
   Don't: use an obvious fact as your topic sentence.
   Do: feel free to start with a vague idea if you feel stuck, and improve it once you've finished the paragraph.
   
   • Every other sentence you write should support the topic sentence and provide further detail and discussion of the issues or ideas it raises. If any sentence you write cannot be directly related to the topic sentence, it should not be included in this particular paragraph.
   • More experienced writers can include their topic sentence at any point in the paragraph; it doesn't necessarily need to be the first line. However, writers who are new or less comfortable with paragraph writing should stick with having the topic sentence first, as it will help to guide you throughout the rest of the paragraph.^[2]
   • Your topic sentence should not be too broad or too narrow. If your topic sentence is too broad you will not be able to discuss its ideas adequately in your paragraph. If it’s too narrow, you won’t have enough to discuss.^[4]
2. Fill in the supporting details. Once you have written and are happy with your topic sentence, you can start to fill in the rest of your paragraph. This is where the detailed, well-structured notes you wrote earlier will come in handy. Make sure that your paragraph is coherent, which means that it is easy to read and understand, that each sentence connects with the next and that everything flows nicely as a whole. To achieve this, try to write clear, simple sentences that express exactly what you want to say.^[3]
   
   • Link each sentence with transition words which form a bridge between one sentence and the next. Transition words can help you compare and contrast, show sequence, show cause and effect, highlight important ideas, and progress smoothly from one idea to the next. Such transition words include "furthermore", "in fact" and "in addition to". You can also use chronological transitions, such as "firstly", "secondly" and "thirdly".^[3]
   • The supporting sentences are the meat of your paragraph, so you should fill them with as much evidence to support your topic sentence as possible. Depending on the topic, you can use facts, figures, statistics and examples or you can use stories, anecdotes and quotes. Anything goes, as long as it is relevant.^[2]
   • In terms of length, three to five sentences will usually be enough to cover your main points and adequately support your topic sentence, but this will vary greatly depending on the topic and the length of the paper you are writing. There is no set length for a paragraph. It should be as long as it needs to be to adequately cover the main idea.^[3][5]
3. Write a concluding sentence. The concluding sentence of your paragraph should tie everything together. A good concluding sentence will reinforce the idea outlined in your topic sentence, but now it has all the weight of the evidence or arguments contained in your supporting sentences behind it. After reading the concluding sentence, the reader should have no doubt as to the accuracy or relevance of the paragraph as a whole.
   Don't disagree with your own evidence: Despite these comments, the report was a failure.
   Do qualify the conclusion if it transitions to the next paragraph: These quotes prove the report had major support, but this does not mean it led to major change.
   
   • Don’t just reword the topic sentence. Your concluding sentence should acknowledge the discussion that has come before it and remind your reader of the relevance of this discussion.^[6]
   • For example, in a paragraph dealing with the topic "Why is Canada a great place to live?" The concluding sentence might look something like "From all the evidence provided above, such as Canada's fantastic health care provisions, its top-notch education system and its clean, safe cities, we can conclude that Canada is indeed a great place to live."
4. Know when to move on to a new paragraph. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell where one paragraph should end and another begin. Luckily, there are a number of guidelines you can follow which can make the decision to move on to a new paragraph an obvious one. The most basic guideline to follow is that every time you start to discuss a new idea, you should move on to a new paragraph. Paragraphs should never contain more than one central idea. If a given idea has multiple points or facets, then each individual aspect of the idea should be given its own paragraph.^[2][7]
   
   • A new paragraph is also used each time you are contrasting two points or presenting each side of an argument. For example, if your topic is "should civil servants receive lower salaries?" one paragraph would deal with the arguments supporting lower pay for civil servants, while the other paragraph would provide arguments against it.^[2]
   • Paragraphs make a piece of writing easier to comprehend and give readers a "break" between new ideas in order to digest what they have just read. If you feel that the paragraph you are writing is becoming too complex, or contains a series of complex points, you may want to think about splitting it up into individual paragraphs.^[2]
   • When writing a paper, the introduction and conclusion should always be given their own paragraphs. The introductory paragraph should define the aim of the paper and what it hopes to achieve, while also giving a brief outline of the ideas and issues it will go on to discuss. The concluding paragraph provides a summary of the information and arguments contained in the paper and states in clear terms what the paper has shown and/or proven. It may also introduce a new idea, one that opens the reader's mind to the questions raised by the paper.^[2]
   • If you’re writing fiction, you need to start a new paragraph in dialogue to show a new speaker.^[8]

EditReviewing Your Paragraph

1. Check your paragraph for spelling and grammar. Once you have finished writing, it is essential that you re-read your paragraph two or three times to check it for misspelled words and poor grammar. Spelling mistakes and bad grammar can significantly impact the perceived quality of your paragraph, even if the ideas and arguments it contains are of a high quality. It is very easy to overlook small mistakes when writing, so don't skip this step, even if you're in a rush.
   
   • Ensure that each sentence has a subject and that all proper nouns are capitalized. Also make sure that all of the subjects and verbs agree with each other and that you use the same tense across the entire paragraph.
   • Use a dictionary to double-check the spelling of words that you are unsure about, don't just assume that they are correct.
   • Check your paragraph for the proper use of punctuation, making sure that you use marks such as commas, colons, semicolons and ellipses in the correct context.
2. Check your paragraph for coherency and style. Not only should the technical aspects of your writing be spot on, but you should also try to achieve clarity in your writing, as well as stylistic flow. You can do this by varying the length and format of your sentences and by using transitional words and a varied vocabulary.^[2]
   Don't: use long words or "thesaurus finds" for their own sake.
   Do: use well-known synonyms to vary your writing rather than repeat the same word many times.
   
   • The point of view of your writing should remain consistent throughout the paragraph, and indeed, the entire paper. For example, if you are writing in the first person (e.g., "I believe that...") you should not switch to a passive voice ("it is believed that") halfway through.
   • However, you should also try to avoid beginning every sentence with "I think..." or "I contend that..." Try to vary the format of your sentences, as this will make the paragraph more interesting for the reader and help it to flow more naturally.
   • For beginner writers, it is better to stick to short, to-the-point sentences which clearly express your point. Long, rambling sentences can very quickly become incoherent or fall victim to grammatical errors, so try to avoid them until you gain more experience as a writer.
3. Decide if your paragraph is complete. Once you have re-read the paragraph and fixed any grammatical or stylistic errors, you should have one more glance over it to determine whether it is complete. Try to look at the paragraph objectively and decide whether it sufficiently supports and develops your topic sentence, or whether it needs a few more details or additional evidence to back up your claims.^[3]
   Don't: get bogged down in minor edits before you've finished your essay.
   Do: make sure your point is crystal clear before you move on.
   
   • If you feel that the main claim of your topic sentence is sufficiently supported and well-developed by the contents of the rest of your paragraph, then your paragraph is probably complete. However, if any important aspect of the topic remains unexplored or unexplained or if the paragraph is shorter than three sentences, it probably needs a little more work.^[3]
   • On the other hand, you may decide that your paragraph is too long and contains superfluous or tangential content. If this is the case, you should edit the paragraph so it contains only the most relevant information.
   • If you feel that all of the content is necessary to your point, but the paragraph is still too long, you should think about breaking it up into several smaller, more specific paragraphs.

EditTips

• A paragraph should consist of:
  • Topic sentence
  • Supportive sentence(s)
  • Concluding sentence
• When you are reading, notice how paragraphs are divided. If you learn what a paragraph is by experience, you can divide writing into appropriate parts by feel.
• There are no hard-and-fast rules for how long a paragraph should be. Instead, make sure there are natural breaks. Each paragraph should contain one main idea and whatever writing supports it.
• Always indent before starting a new paragraph. 0.5” indentations are standard for English writing.
• Spelling and grammatical errors can detract from even the most well-planned writing. Use a spell-checker or ask someone to read your work if you are unsure about anything.
• If you are writing a conversation, start a new paragraph each time somebody else speaks.
• The secret lies in:
  • Unity: Have a single idea and the topic needs to be expressed.
  • Order: The way you organize your sentences helps the reader to understand better.
  • Coherence: Quality that makes your writing understandable. Sentences need to be connected with each other.
  • Completeness: All sentences used in a paragraph should convey a complete message.
• Adjust your writing to its purpose. Just as you wear different clothes for different occasions and different climates, you should write in a style that suits your aim.

EditWarnings

• Don't wait until the last minute if this is for a school assignment. Give yourself plenty of time to plan out and write each paragraph. Your assignment will be of a much higher quality as a result.

EditSources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

If you held a gun to my head and forced me to use a Windows laptop, I’d absolutely choose the Dell XPS 13. Adorama’s eBay storefront today is selling one with a 3200x1800 edge to edge display, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $850, which is a fantastic bargain for anyone seeking a mid-to-high end laptop who doesn’t care so much about gaming.

Read more...

A Texas man charged with causing the death of his six-month-old daughter by leaving her in a hot car put the baby in a refrigerator after finding her in desperate condition in the back of his vehicle, a document released on Wednesday said. Michael Thedford, a 33-year-old, unemployed high school...

There's a green salad on my dinner table almost every night. It's an easy, painless way to up my veggie intake daily, and I honestly never tire of it. But there's a reason why it doesn't get boring: the dressing.

You see, salad dressing possibilities are nearly endless. Here alone we're giving you 12 ideas, all built off pantry staples. Dressings really are based off the pantry — not just the cabinets, but the pantry fridge and freezer as well. All you need are a few ingredients — a base and a couple of seasonings — to whip up a dressing that will shake up your salad.

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It's happened to all of us: You pack a salad for work in the morning, praising yourself as you walk out the door for being so put together. But when lunchtime comes around, you're suddenly less than enthused — plus, there's free pizza in the conference room.

But wait! That salad is actually pretty great — and it could be even better. Yes, forget the subpar pizza and focus on your carefully packed salad. Bring it to life with these three simple rules.

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Last week you gave us some great ideas for using the slow cooker in the summertime, including making pulled meat. And you know what pulled meat is good for? Tacos! With only a handful of ingredients and four hours in the slow cooker, these honey-ginger pork tacos with pineapple salsa can be yours.

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In the Chromebook world, a 1080p 15" display and 4GB of RAM qualify as high-end luxuries, but this Acer Chromebook 15 is priced like its smaller, slower brethren today. Obviously, there are better computers out there, but this would be great for watching movies and getting work done on the road.

Read more...

Listen, I know that not everyone has an issue with spilling pretty much everything they drink on themselves like I do, but don’t judge me. I just want to wear a white t-shirt in peace! On-the-go stain removers were a godsend when they first came out, but they’ve slowly lost their charm.

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PETALING JAYA: Passengers flying budget carrier AirAsia on Tuesday (June 21) should come to the airport at least four hours earlier due to expected longer queues.

Good-looking food doesn’t necessarily taste better, but if you’re of the opinion that we eat with our eyes first, you probably appreciate a beautiful plate. Epicurious suggests an incredibly easy way to make your dishes look more appealing: use a peeler.

Read more...

KUALA LUMPUR: Heavy rain which fell at about 6pm in the federal capital today caused flash floods at three major stretches.

Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue operation chief Samsol Maarif Saibani said the roads affected by the floods were Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Kelapa Muda and Jalan Duta.

“Heavy rain which started in the late afternoon caused flooding on the roads with water up to a metre deep,” he added.

He said so far, the traffic situation in the affected areas was still under control.

We have stationed 24 fire and rescue personnel for any possibilities, he added.

– BERNAMA

PETALING JAYA: Selepas “pengembaraan” Chickaboo di lebuh raya yang menjadikan burung unta itu terkenal dalam sekelip mata, sosial media hari ini muncul dua klip video seekor kuda berlari di Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Dua rakaman video selama 8 saat dan 29 saat itu dimuat naik ke Facebook Adli Alimin dan sudah dikongsi lebih 8,800 kali manakala di laman Facebook Info Roadblock Jpj/polis pula ia telah ditonton sebanyak 63,000 kali.

Dalam klip video itu, kuda berwarna coklat gelap itu dilihat berlari dengan bebasnya di jalan raya yang dipercayai menuju ke pusat bandar Kota Bharu tanpa menghiraukan pengguna jalan raya lain.

The Star Online memetik Adli sebagai berkata, kejadian itu dirakamkannya ketika beliau dalam perjalanan ke pejabatnya kira-kira jam 10 pagi Ahad.

Menurutnya, kuda itu berlari pada kelajuan kira-kira 80 kmj di jalan raya selama 45 minit.

“Berdasarkan maklumat yang saya terima, ia berlari dari Pasir Pekan di Wakaf Bharu ke Kubang Kerian,” katanya sambil memaklumkan jarak antara dua lokasi itu kira-kira 10km.

Jelasnya, beliau amat risau dengan keselamatan haiwan itu memandangkan ia asyik bertukar laluan dari kiri ke kanan.

“Trafik berhenti di jambatan dari Pasir Pekan ke Kota Bharu. Kuda itu betul-betul berada di hadapan kami, jadi kami perlu berhati-hati supaya tidak terlanggar ia kerana kami tidak tahu macam mana reaksi ia nanti.

“Biasanya kami nampak lembu atau kambing tetapi ini kali pertama saya nampak seekor kuda di jalan raya,” katanya yang percaya pemilik kuda itu pasti sedang mencari haiwan itu.

Terdapat beberapa kandang kuda di Pasir Pekan dan sehingga kini ia masih menjadi misteri bagaimana kuda itu boleh melarikan diri.

Tidak pasti jika kejadian ini adalah perbuatan yang disengajakan untuk cuba meniru “pengembaraan” selebriti Chickaboo di Lebuhraya Persekutuan pada Khamis lalu.

The pee dance is an ancient tradition. You’re waiting for the bathroom, and for some reason you start wiggling around. The How to Do Everything podcast spoke with Dr. Peter Lechman to take a look at some of the theories of why we do this weird behavior.

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If you’re ready to take the plunge into LED lighting, this 6-pack of higly-rated TCP soft white (2700K) bulbs is down to just $18 on Amazon right now, one of the best per-bulb prices we’ve ever seen. They aren’t dimmable, so you won’t want to put them in certain fixtures, but it’s a great bulk pack for filling out ceiling lights and lamps throughout your house.

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PETALING JAYA: Although an Anglican, Ledionnie Ajis has been fasting like every other Muslim during Ramadan since 2014.

Ledionnie, who prefers to be called Leo, said it all began when she got close to a group of Muslim friends.

“Since my university days, I have had Muslim friends, but I only really started fasting in 2014 when I had a close knit group of Muslim friends,” the 30-year-old Sarawakian told FMT.

She explained that previously, she would always join her friends for their “buka puasa”. One day, she decided to try it for herself to see how they go about a normal day during the fasting month.

“It was difficult on the first day. I struggled to stay awake in the office and by the time the azan (call to prayer) for Maghrib sounded, I think I almost ‘pengsan’ (fainted).”

Muslims who fast during Ramadan do so from their first prayer (Subuh), which is typically around 5.30am, to their third prayer (Maghrib), which is typically around 7.30pm.

Leo said she decided to continue fasting during Ramadan when she realised it made her more disciplined. She also fasted for health reasons.

“I don’t fast just because everyone does it. It just helps me be more disciplined in terms of being in control of myself and I’m able to reflect more during this period. Plus it’s the only time the body can detox completely.”

She added that she has the utmost respect for her Muslim colleagues and friends who have been supportive of her, although her own family members do question her actions.

“They have asked me why I need to do this. Tak marah pun (they’re not angry with me), they’re just concerned that I might faint.”

Christians also fast during the Lent season before Easter, but Leo said she found that she was more disciplined following the Muslim tradition.

When asked whether fasting during Ramadan had got her interested to learn more about Islam, she admitted that it had.

“I do try to educate myself from time to time about Islam so I won’t be so ‘katak bawah tempurung’ (uninformed) and I do ask my (Muslim) friends for clarification if I don’t understand something.”

Leo revealed that apart from her Muslim friends, she was also close to many Muslim families, including one of her aunties and some of her first cousins.

“We celebrate everything from Christmas to Gawai to Raya, so I’m not alone in this.”

She admitted that while she had never fasted for an entire month, she would never give up trying to.

“I still can’t manage to puasa penuh (complete a month of fasting) yet, but last year I managed to do two full weeks and that was an awesome feeling.”

PUTRAJAYA: The RM12 million raised by the families of four Sarawakians who were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants will be channelled to legal charities and organisations in the Philippines, and not used as ransom money.

“The government does not recognise demands for ransom,” Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters here today.

Zahid said the “donations” raised came up to RM11 million, with another RM1 million being the product of sales from the families’ land and assets.

“The total of RM12 million was given to the police, but not to be paid as ransom,” Zahid said.

“The government has decided that no ransom will be paid, and the police follows the government’s orders.

“I confirm the money would not be paid as ransom but instead, be channeled to certain organisations in the Philippines,” Zahid said, adding the organisations that received the “charity” were not terrorist or criminal groups.

“We cannot reveal the agencies because that constitutes police affairs.”

Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, said he would ask the police to release details surrounding the case to the public, in due time.

The four who were abducted – Wong Teck Kang, 31; Wong Teck Chii, 29; Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21; and Wong Hung Sing, 34, were kidnapped on April 1 and released last Tuesday night after multiple negotiations between the militants and Malaysian and Filipino authorities.

The uncle of one of the hostages however confirmed to the press that they had paid out RM12 million to Special Branch officers in Sandakan to be used as ransom for the release of the four kidnap victims.

The showerhead that came preinstalled in your home or apartment is probably terrible, but if you don’t have the cash to upgrade it to a Delta In2ition , the Delta 75152 is a fantastic option at under $20.

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Google has had a collection of free fonts for a while. Recently, the site for these fonts got an update. Now it’s easier than ever to browse through the fonts and preview the ones you need before you download them.

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KUALA LUMPUR: The National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) was praised today for maintaining “its commendable stance in condemning laws and actions that violated human rights in Malaysia”.

Human rights NGO Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), however, pointed out that Suhakam still suffered from procedural weaknesses that limited its ability to ensure prompt actions were taken by the relevant agencies.

Suaram said this during the launch of its 2015 Human Rights Overview report today at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Suaram noted in its report that Suhakam had yet to establish a formal and permanent platform for broader cooperation between it and civil society or relevant government agencies.

This was despite Suhakam’s recent campaign calling for Malaysia’s accession to the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Uncat).

“This campaign is a positive development as it is the first time Suhakam has proactively engaged civil society in the promotion of human rights in Malaysia,” the report read.

“(However), without formalising such an arrangement, Suhakam cannot yet claim to have greater representation and to hold the moral high ground as the national human rights commission of Malaysia.”

Suaram also criticised the budget cuts for 2016 that saw Suhakam’s allocation slashed from RM10.9 million in 2015 to RM5.5 million this year.

“It is curious how the Malaysian Government expects Suhakam to operate with such a limited budget at its disposal,” the report read.

“The cut in budget of almost 50% contravenes the responsibility of the government in funding Suhakam under Section 19(1) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999.”

Suaram also criticised the government’s immediate rejection of Suhakam’s proposed amendments to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, to give it additional power to better execute its duties.

“It has likely incurred the displeasure of the government by bringing to light numerous human rights violations in Malaysia,” the report read.

An alligator dragged a two-year-old boy into a lagoon at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida late on Tuesday, defeating the father’s efforts to wrestle his son away, police said. Officers were still hunting for the child, grabbed at the Seven Seas Lagoon at about 9:15 p.m. at...