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Showing posts from July, 2024

Ancient Olympic Games honored Zeus

The Olympic Games have their roots in ancient Greece and are one of the oldest and most celebrated sporting events in history. The origins of the Games can be traced back to around 776 BC in the city of Olympia, Greece. Originally held to honor the god Zeus, these games featured various athletic competitions, including running, wrestling, and discus throwing. The ancient Olympics were held every four years and continued for nearly 1,200 years. However, they were abolished in 393 AD by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, who deemed them pagan practices. The Olympic tradition was revived in the late 19th century, leading to the first Modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in 1896. This revival was spearheaded by Pierre de Coubertin, a French baron, who sought to promote international peace and understanding through sports. Today, the Olympic Games are the world's largest and most prestigious sporting event, bringing together athletes from all over the globe to compete in a ...

Old car, no debt stress

Illustrative photo: Justiniano Adriano / Pexels "What car do you drive now?" This question often comes up whenever we meet old friends. The origin of this question is unknown. Some people even look down on those who own old or used cars. Meanwhile, those who drive new or advanced cars like EVs proudly display their car keys on the restaurant table. Is it true that the type of car someone owns is a measure of their success and wealth? This belief drives some so-called influencers to go to great lengths, even deceiving others, to show that they can afford luxury cars. Such madness must be stopped because it can lead society into a chasm of poverty. Buy a car according to your own financial capability, not to show off to relatives and friends as if you have now succeeded. What’s the point of owning a luxury car if you can't sleep peacefully thinking about the burden of debt and maintenance costs? Meanwhile, those who own cheap, used, or old cars live more peacef...

Amina's noble dream come true

Photo by Fatima Yusuf: https://www.pexels.com/photo/children-at-village-school-15772957/ In a small village nestled between rolling hills, there was a modest school where students from humble backgrounds came to learn. The school building was old and weathered, but it was filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter, for within its walls taught a remarkable teacher named Mr. Ahmed. Mr. Ahmed was a man of great compassion and boundless energy. He had been teaching at the village school for over a decade, dedicating his life to educating the children who faced numerous hardships. Many of his students came from poor families, and the struggles of daily life often overshadowed their education. But Mr. Ahmed saw something special in each one of them. One crisp morning, Mr. Ahmed stood before his class of wide-eyed students. He noticed young Amina, who always sat at the back, her eyes downcast and her clothes worn. Amina’s family struggled to make ends meet, and she often helped her mother...

Honesty is such lonely word

Every day, we witness the myriad cases of fraud reported by the media. There are those who deceive for money, titles, and even victories in sporting events such as triathlons. This doesn't even include the false promises spread by politicians during election campaigns. Despite the repeated acts of deception, many still cling to the words of the deceitful. What has become of the virtue of honesty in this technologically advanced era? Do these deceivers not fear the inevitable reckoning in the Hereafter for their lies in this world? It is profoundly disheartening to ponder the state of humanity in these latter days. They show no fear of the severe retribution in the Hereafter, much less the laws created by humans. Many deceivers are even exalted to positions of power, perpetuating lies to maintain their hold on authority. As Billy Joel poignantly sings in "Honesty," honesty is such a lonely word. The honest are increasingly overlooked and oppressed in a world a...

Andy Warhol's Empire: A Monument to Monotony

In the realm of avant-garde cinema , where boundary-pushing and unconventional storytelling reign supreme, few films evoke as strong a reaction as "Andy Warhol's Empire" (1964).  Directed by the iconic artist and filmmaker Andy Warhol, this experimental piece stands as a testament to minimalist filmmaking, pushing the limits of audience endurance and challenging conventional notions of entertainment. The premise of "Empire" is deceptively simple yet daunting in execution: it consists of a single, unbroken shot of the Empire State Building in New York City, filmed from a static vantage point.  Clocking in at over eight hours, the film unfolds at a deliberate pace, capturing the building's facade as daylight transitions into nighttime.  For many viewers, this extended duration without traditional narrative, character development, or even camera movement beyond the gradual shift in natural light, poses a formidable test of patience and engagement. Warhol's ...

AMEC's democracy and transparency initiative earns accreditation from British EC

The Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue ( AMEC ) is delighted to announce that its Democracy & Transparency Initiative has beenaccredited by the British Electoral Commission (EC).  This prestigious recognition marks the first time a Malaysian think tank has been authorized to observe British elections, underscoring the global significance and growing influence of AMEC's work in promoting democratic values. AMEC, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is honored to be trusted by the UK for this important role.  This invitation highlights the UK's recognition of AMEC's expertise and commitment to democracy, transparency, and fair governance.  It speaks volumes about the respect and confidence placed in Malaysian institutions to contribute to international electoral processes. Leading this high-profile mission is Mr. Muad Mohamad Zaki, Director of the Democracy & Transparency Initiative.  Mr. Zaki is a notable Maldivian political figure who...

MEASAT partners with Sun TV for global multi-language channels distribution

MEASAT Global Berhad (MEASAT) – Malaysia’s premier satellite solutions provider, has signed an agreement with Sun TV Network Limited (Sun TV), one of India's largest media conglomerates, to support the distribution of 37 TV channels via the MEASAT-3d satellite.  These channels broadcast in seven languages, will reach over 140 million households in India and extend to audiences in the Asia Pacific, Europe, and Africa.  “MEASAT is honoured to be selected by Sun TV to distribute their channels across multiple regions reinforcing our position as Asia’s preferred broadcast partner.  "With the state-of-the-art MEASAT-3d satellite at the 91.5°E hotslot, we are ready to deliver high-quality, reliable transmission services for one of India’s top broadcasters.  "This collaboration strengthens MEASAT's industry presence and recognition in India, enabling us to expand our services to meet customer demands,” commented Ganendra Selvaraj, Chief Commercial Officer, MEAS...