a water spout trying to form near penang bridge
Waterspout over Penang Bridge captivates motorists
GEORGE TOWN: A waterspout formed out of dark storm clouds over Penang Bridge left many motorists on the bridge awed. Hundreds of them used their smartphones to snap pictures of the phenomenon.
Photos and videos of it spread like wildfire over WhatsApp and Facebook yesterday. From the video recordings, drivers slowed down for their passengers to film the waterspout at about 5.30pm.
One of the videos showed that the waterspout did not complete its lifespan, though. Its whirlwind created a circular mist of water above the sea, but the spout did not touch down.
Waterspouts occasionally suck up small fish caught in their vortex and dump them on land.
Unlike in areas where vast plains meet the sea and waterspouts can have the power of a tornado, those in Penang are weak and dissipate in less than 30 minutes.
Wan Nur Asma Wan Juhan, 20, a student from the Creative Technology and Heritage Faculty of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), showing off a collection of shoes painted in batik motifs during the Malaysian Batik Fiesta Week at UMK campus in Taman Bendahara, Pengkalan Chepa. — Bernama
Fatal accidents claim two victims
KOTA KINABALU: Two people were killed in separate accidents here yesterday.
In the first incident, a female pedestrian died when she was hit by a five-tonne lorry which was involved in an accident with a van in Tuaran at about 4.50am.
In the second mishap, a motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a car along the Pomotodon Road, Tambunan, about 70km from the state capital.
The man in his 20s died on the spot due to severe injuries.
UiTM launches Big Data Lab
KOTA BARU: The Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) campus has launched Big Data Lab (BDL) in 13 branches to promote teaching, learning and research catering towards the fourth industrial revolution.
BDL is a high volume, high velocity, and high variety information tool offering a cost-effective and innovative form of information processing for enhanced insight into better decision-making.
“Students and lecturers can use BDL in the learning and teaching process, as we want to produce globally competitive graduates,” said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh after launching the initiative and opening a new UiTM building at its campus in Lembah Sireh here yesterday.
Esszone curfew in Sabah waters extended
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s dusk-to-dawn curfew in the waters off seven Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) has been extended for another two weeks starting today.
The curfew, which ended at 6pm yesterday, will be extended until Nov 14 in view of the ongoing cross-border threats in the east coast, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din.
The sea curfew involves waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.
Based on investigations, Ramli said the Abu Sayyaf militant and kidnap-for-ransom groups from the southern Philippines are still active and have not stopped trying to strike in Sabah.
Promoting dental health
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Medical officer Dr Sarina Dolah showing a diagram on how to take care of their teeth to orang asli children at Pos Telanok here.
The event was organised by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry and launched by Pahang exco member Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail. — Bernama
Devotees bid farewell to deities
GEORGE TOWN: Thousands of devotees bid farewell to the deities at the end of the nine-day Kew Ong Yeah (Nine Emperor Gods) festival at the Hong Kong Street Tow Boh Keong Temple in Cheong Fatt Tze Road (formerly known as Hong Kong Street).
Streams of devotees, mostly clad in white and holding joss sticks, lined the streets to pay homage as the beautifully decorated floats passed by.
There was also a vibrant atmosphere as drumbeats filled the air.
The festival started on Oct 20, which was the first day of the ninth lunar month.
The festival, observed by Taoists, is dedicated to the nine sons of Tou Mu, the Goddess of the North Star, who is believed to control the Books of Life and Death.
A Mara Digital outlet in every state
KUANTAN: Two more Mara Digital outlets will be opened in Johor and Melaka while plans are in the pipeline for every state to have its own outlet, said Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The new outlets in Larkin, Johor, and Sungai Rambai, Melaka, will encourage more Malay and bumiputra entrepreneurs to venture into the ICT business, he added.
Ismail Sabri said the Mara Digital concept had been proven successful with Mara Digital Kuala Lumpur, which attracted one million visitors with sales of more than RM18mil last year.
“Until August this year, there were already 585,580 visitors with recorded sales of RM7.6mil. Some say the prices are too high but they are actually competitive and there is not much difference with other ICT stores,” he said after opening the Mara Digital @Kuantan store in Plaza Gambut here yesterday.
Batik for your feet
Wan Nur Asma Wan Juhan, 20, a student from the Creative Technology and Heritage Faculty of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), showing off a collection of shoes painted in batik motifs during the Malaysian Batik Fiesta Week at UMK campus in Taman Bendahara, Pengkalan Chepa. — Bernama
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