Latest news with #Boh
Daily Express
23-07-2025
- Daily Express
Jailed – duo who stole food to feed families
Published on: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 23, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: Both men did not act out of personal interest, but out of desperation to support their families amidst rising living costs and economic hardship. Kota Kinabalu: Two men who stole RM153.90 worth of groceries from a convenience store in Penampang to feed their families were each jailed 14 days Tuesday. Labourer Abdillah Dumek, 42, and unemployed Mohammad Salleh, 37, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to stealing three packets of Biscoff biscuits, two cans of corned beef, a bottle of Naturel olive oil, a pack of Boh tea, and two tom yam stock cubes at The Stop N Shop, on June 29, at 7pm. Duty counsel Lim Ming Zoong @ Lawrence, who represented both requested a lenient sentence, stating that Abdillah, a divorcee with two children, and Mohammad, who was married with four children, had committed the offence out of desperation to support their families, who were fully dependent on them. Lim further submitted that although the court's AI sentencing recommendation served as a guideline, it could not consider the financial hardship the duo had faced. He said both men did not act out of personal interest, but out of desperation to support their families amidst rising living costs and economic hardship. Inspector Yusdi Basri, who prosecuted, urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence and raised no objection to the proposed AI-generated sentencing recommendation. Magistrate Marilyn, in ordering the duo to serve their sentence from the date of their arrest, advised them not to resort to stealing again. They were jointly charged under Section 380 of the Penal, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and liability of a fine, on conviction. The facts of the case presented by the prosecution, stated that the store staff had alerted the complainant about two suspicious individuals loitering in the shop. CCTV footage showed them placing several items into a bag and leaving without paying. Both men were apprehended by the complainant and store employees, and the stolen items were recovered from their bags. In another case, a 38-year-old man was fined RM25 or jailed four days for using violence in a public place, disrupting public order. Chin Yong Fah admitted to committing the offence against a Pakistani national Faridoon Khan at 10.30am on July 10, at the parking lot of the wholesale fruit and vegetable market along Jalan Pintas, Penampang. The facts of the case presented by the prosecution stated that the incident began when Chin confronted Faridoon for parking his vehicle in a way that obstructed traffic and advised him to use the designated parking areas. An argument broke out, during which Khan punched Chin in the eye, prompting a scuffle. Both men later filed police reports, with Khan sustaining a minor thigh injury and Chin suffering swollen eye. Chin was charged under Section 8(1)(e) of the Minor Offences Ordinance of Sabah, which provides for a RM25 fine. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Broadcast Pro
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
TwelveP Animation expands kids' content lineup on Shahid
The partnership will also see the premiere of a new season of 'Orange Moo Cow' on Shahid in July 2025. TwelveP Animation, an independent distribution and production company based in the UAE and focused on delivering safe and high-quality entertainment for kids across all platforms, has launched a new lineup of animated children's series on MBC Group's streaming platform Shahid across the Middle East and North Africa. The latest additions include Orange Moo Cow, Oomka & Me, The Secrets of the Honey Hills and Claymotions, all now available on the platform, offering a blend of adventure, humour, and educational storytelling tailored to preschool and early school-age audiences. The company also confirmed that a new season of its flagship preschool series Orange Moo Cow will premiere on Shahid in July 2025. The show follows the everyday adventures of energetic six-year-old Zoh and her curious younger brother Boh, alongside their loving family and friends. Blending gentle humour with themes of friendship, family and discovery, Orange Moo Cow continues to build on its international appeal. Commenting on the partnership, Tareq Alibrahim, General Manager of Content of Shahid, said: 'At Shahid, we are dedicated to offering our youngest viewers content that is not only entertaining but also culturally meaningful and educational. Partnering with TwelveP Animation allows us to bring beloved local stories like Orange Moo Cow and exciting new series directly to families across the Middle East and North Africa. These shows perfectly reflect Shahid's mission to celebrate regional creativity and provide safe, inspiring entertainment that children and parents can enjoy together.' Katerina Pshenitsyna, General Manager of TwelveP Animation, added: 'As a UAE-based company, we see it as especially meaningful to grow our presence on Shahid — a platform that plays a key role in shaping the region's content landscape. This partnership allows us to connect with local and regional audiences more deeply, while also positioning our titles for broader international reach. We are committed to producing high-quality, engaging stories that resonate with children and families both in the Arab world and globally.' These new releases reflect the continued growth of the partnership between TwelveP Animation and MBC. The collaboration began during Ramadan 2024 with the licensing of Monsikids and Bananas, laying the groundwork for an expanded content strategy targeting young viewers in the region. Moreover, its children's free-to-air TV channel, MBC3, holds the exclusive rights to Monsikids in the Middle East, along with non-exclusive worldwide. TwelveP Animation's growing presence on Shahid forms part of the company's broader effort to expand its international footprint and deliver original, culturally relevant animation to preschool and kids audiences worldwide.
Medscape
27-06-2025
- Business
- Medscape
The Debt Is a Burden for Med Students, But There Are Options
For most medical school graduates, the transition from student to practicing physician brings both professional fulfillment and a sobering financial reality. According to the Education Data Initiative, medical school graduates, as of last August, carry an average educational debt of $234,597, not including undergraduate debt. This burden can influence career decisions, practice locations, and personal milestones for years to come. However, multiple federal and state programs offer pathways to debt relief, from income-driven repayment plans to complete loan forgiveness. Understanding these options and their respective requirements is essential for new physicians seeking to optimize their financial strategy while advancing their careers. Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) The PSLF program represents one of the most significant debt relief opportunities available to physicians. Under PSLF, borrowers who work full-time for qualifying nonprofit or government employers can have their remaining federal direct loan balance forgiven tax-free after making 120 qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan. Many hospitals, residency programs, and healthcare systems qualify as eligible employers under PSLF. Steven Rogé, MBA The program 'is a major lifeline for doctors who work in nonprofit or government-affiliated roles,' said Steven Rogé, MBA, a certified financial planner and chief investment officer and CEO of R.W. Rogé & Company in Bohemia, New York. For physicians who successfully navigate the program, the relief can be transformative. Chrissie Ott, MD, a board-certified internal medicine-pediatrics physician and personal-professional development coach in Portland, Oregon, experienced this firsthand. After taking a position with a qualifying nonprofit organization about 5 years post-residency, she made 120 on-time payments and had her remaining $90,000 forgiven in 2024. Chrissie Ott, MD 'I was sitting in a yurt in Costa Rica when the email saying my balance was now zero arrived, and I literally could not believe my eyes!' she said. 'The relief of that debt forgiveness cannot be overstated. In a single-earner household without generational wealth, even on a physician's salary, the burden of student loan debt repayment was intense.' However, PSLF requires strict adherence to program requirements and meticulous documentation. The program's complexity means that timing and administrative details are critical. As Ott noted, 'Even so, again due to lack of information and a mindset of avoidance and overwhelm, I missed the deadline to consolidate and register. Thankfully, there was a one-time exception made that opened the door for my participation.' PSLF eligibility can be complex for certain employment arrangements. Emergency medicine physicians and other specialists working as independent contractors face particular challenges. As James Hargrave, MBA, certified financial planner, and founder of Pillar Financial Planning, said, 'It gets more complicated for ER [emergency] physicians that are primary 1099/per locum physicians. It can get state-specific if they still qualify for PSLF if contracted out to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.' Employees with 1099s are considered contractors, not full-time employees, and 'per locum' employees are generally temporary or fill-in workers. National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program The NHSC Loan Repayment Program offers substantial debt relief for medical professionals willing to practice in areas with shortages of doctors and other healthcare workers. Participants can receive up to $75,000 in loan repayment assistance in exchange for a 2-year service commitment, with the option to extend for additional funding. Sharon Batista, MD The program can be particularly valuable for physicians working in underserved communities, where compensation may be less competitive than in other settings. Sharon Batista, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, successfully used the NHSC program through a part-time commitment while working in a severely underserved community. 'For those working in community and underserved settings — where compensation is typically less competitive — this kind of support can be the key to making it work financially,' she said. 'NHSC allowed me to stay in a job I was passionate about while easing the burden of debt. It felt like a modest but critical raise in a system that couldn't otherwise provide one.' However, accessing these programs often requires proactive advocacy. Batista's experience illustrates this challenge: 'At the time, my clinic wasn't enrolled in the program — I had to research eligibility, verify that both my role and site qualified, and pitch the idea to my employer. It required extra administrative work, and not all organizations are eager to take on the bureaucracy of a federal program.' Her advice to new physicians is clear: 'Research your options and advocate for yourself. Many employers aren't familiar with these programs or don't know their staff are interested. But the money is available, and the eligibility criteria are publicly accessible. Sometimes, all it takes is someone willing to take the lead.' Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans IDR plans adjust monthly payments based on income and family size, making them particularly valuable during residency and early career phases when income may be lower relative to debt burden. These plans include the Income-Based Repayment Plan, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Repayment Plan, Revised PAYE (REPAYE) Repayment Plan, and Income-Contingent Repayment Plan. The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, which replaced REPAYE, offered enhanced benefits, including interest forgiveness features. However, legal challenges have placed SAVE borrowers in forbearance until fall 2025, with affected borrowers not earning credit toward PSLF or IDR forgiveness during this period. This situation creates a difficult decision for physicians who had planned to use SAVE for PSLF qualification. As Hargrave said, 'Now with the court case, they are holding it in deferment until the court case is finished. They made it clear it is not counting towards the 120 payments for each loan that is needed. So, do you ride it out in the SAVE program or switch to another option to get payments going and working to those 120 payments?' Strategic Considerations and Alternative Approaches State and Employer-Based Programs Beyond federal programs, state-specific loan repayment assistance and employer benefits can provide significant debt relief, though availability and eligibility vary considerably. Some programs target specific specialties or geographic areas, while others offer more general assistance to healthcare professionals. Loan Consolidation for PSLF Eligibility Physicians with older federal loans (such as Perkins or Federal Family Education Loans) may need to consolidate into Direct Consolidation Loans to become PSLF-eligible. Marshall recommends early action: 'It's important to do this early, since only payments made after consolidation count toward forgiveness.' Refinancing Considerations Private refinancing can potentially reduce interest rates and monthly payments but eliminate eligibility for federal forgiveness programs. This trade-off requires careful consideration of career trajectory and forgiveness program eligibility. For physicians who don't qualify for federal forgiveness programs or have transitioned to private practice, refinancing can provide substantial savings. However, the decision requires careful analysis of individual circumstances and career stability. Financial Prioritization Strategy Aggressive loan repayment should be balanced against other financial priorities. Emergency savings and retirement contributions often take precedence over accelerated debt payment, particularly when employer matching is available. The Broader Impact of Debt Burden The psychological and professional impact of substantial educational debt extends beyond monthly payment calculations. As Ott said, 'The trap of debt often keeps physicians locked into a golden handcuffs scenario, where they endure unhealthy occupational distress and working conditions long after they should have made a change. Don't let this be you!' This perspective underscores the importance of strategic debt management not just for financial health but for overall career satisfaction and well-being. The disparity in debt burden among medical students also reflects broader systemic issues. 'There is so much privilege in medical education, at least that's what I experienced, and so many of my classmates had zero debt,' Batista said. For physicians who do carry substantial debt — she graduated with over $300,000 in medical school debt plus undergraduate loans — strategic utilization of available programs becomes even more critical. Aggressive Repayment Strategies For physicians who don't qualify for forgiveness programs or prefer faster debt elimination, targeted repayment strategies can minimize the total interest paid. Options include focusing extra payments on highest-interest loans first or using the debt snowball method for psychological momentum. Documentation and Record-Keeping Successful navigation of loan forgiveness programs requires meticulous documentation. This includes maintaining records of all payments, employment certification forms, and communication with loan servicers. For PSLF participants, annual employment certification helps ensure continued eligibility and prevents processing delays. The importance of personal oversight cannot be overstated, particularly given the complexity of program requirements and the potential for administrative errors. Professional Financial Guidance Given the complexity of medical school debt repayment options and their interaction with broader financial planning, many physicians benefit from professional guidance. Rogé emphasized the importance of qualified advice: 'A qualified, fee-only financial advisor…can help you evaluate your options and put together a plan that fits your life and goals. Just make sure whoever you work with is a fiduciary, meaning they're legally required to act in your best interest.' Key Takeaways Medical school debt repayment requires strategic planning that aligns with career goals and employment opportunities. While federal forgiveness programs offer substantial benefits for qualifying physicians, eligibility requirements and program complexity demand careful attention to detail and documentation. The current uncertainty surrounding income-driven repayment plans, particularly the SAVE program's legal challenges, underscores the importance of staying informed about policy changes and having contingency plans. Whether pursuing forgiveness, aggressive repayment, or refinancing, physicians should evaluate their options comprehensively and seek qualified financial advice when needed. With proper planning and understanding of available programs, the substantial debt burden of medical education can be managed effectively, allowing physicians to focus on their primary mission of patient care while building long-term financial stability.
SoraNews24
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Totoro, Howl, and Spirited Away earrings and brooches ready to add Ghibli touches to your look
Artisan-painted pieces ensure that no two accessories are exactly alike. Totoro himself has a pretty casual sense of fashion, seeing as how the closest thing to an article of clothing we ever see him wearing is the makeshift hat he creates by putting a leaf on top of his head to try to keep the rain off it. That doesn't mean that the Studio Ghibli anime icon isn't ready to help you spruce up your ensemble, though. Donguri Closet is the accessories sub-brand of Ghibli specialty shop Donguri Kyowakoku. Not only do their creations capture the cute and beautiful aspects of Ghibli's artwork, each piece is personally painted by a craftsperson, making its exact unique coloring something just for you. Donguri Kyowakoku has recently restocked a number of designs starting with the napping Totoro earrings seen above. As is sometimes the case with character earrings in Japan, they're available in two types, one for wearers with pierced ears and the other an ear-clip version. Also ready to dangle from your ears are Spirited Away's Boh and Yu-Bird, in their transformed states. Yu-Bird spends a good portion of the movie carrying Boh around, and the design of the earrings lets you recreate those friendship-deepening scenes every time you turn your head. Boh and Yu-Bird are available as a necklace too… …while the napping Totoro also comes as a brooch. However, if the dozing Totoro and his Soot Sprit buddy are a bit too colorful to go with the rest of your outfit, and you'd like a brooch that's more cool than cute… …the marque magician of Howl's Moving Castle can fill that need, in his raven-like winged form. Both Totoro earring types are priced at 6,050 yen (US$42), while Boh and Yu-Bird's pair is 8,030, and their necklace 7,040, and the brooches 7,480 yen each. They're all available through the Donguri Kyowakoku online shop here, and would pair nicely with Uniqlo's new line of Ghibli tops, if only those were being sold in Japan. Source: Donguri Kyowakoku Top image: Donguri Kyowakoku Insert images: Donguri Kyowakoku (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Broadcast Pro
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
TwelveP brings exclusive Eid special of ‘Orange Moo Cow' as part of co-production
The series centres on Zoh, a lively six-year-old cow, and her curious four-year-old brother Boh. Abu Dhabi-based TwelveP Animation will co-produce a special episode of the beloved animated series Orange Moo Cow to celebrate Eid-al-Adha with Spacetoon. Marking the show's first locally produced special, the episode captures the spirit of Eid by emphasising family togetherness and the joy of celebration. Set to premiere across all Spacetoon channels on June 6 —the first day of Eid—this episode is part of a creative campaign featuring exclusive festive-themed content and original short songs designed to engage audiences and strengthen family bonds. TwelveP Animation is the studio behind Orange Moo Cow. Having already captivated audiences across the MENA region, Orange Moo Cow is one of the most-watched titles in the preschool category on the channel. Katerina Pshenitsyna, General Manager, TwelveP Animation, said: 'Co-producing the Eid special episode with Spacetoon is a big step for Orange Moo Cow brand expansion in the MENA region. The brand is extremely well-received by the audience here as it highlights traditional family values while still delivering quality entertainment. We are looking forward to more exciting partnerships!' Orange Moo Cow is an animated series for preschoolers, which follows the daily life of Zoh, an energetic six-year-old cow, and her little brother Boh, a sensitive and curious 4-year-old. Along with their parents and animal friends, Zoh and Boh are discovering the world around them – learning, growing, and having fun along the way!
