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Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Swift gets 13 wax figures in Madame Tussauds
As reported by AFP, US pop megastar Taylor Swift will be honoured with 13 waxworks of her at Madame Tussauds venues around the globe, the museum said on Wednesday. In honour of Swift's lucky number, 13 of the waxwork museum's 22 branches will each receive a statue of the Love Story and Blank Space singer, in what it called the "most ambitious project" of its 250-year history. The statues were inspired by some of the 35-year-old songwriting sensation's looks from her record-shattering Eras Tour from 2023 to 2024. With 149 shows across the world over nearly two years, the tour raked in USD2 billion, making it the most lucrative in music history to date. More than 40 artists worked for more than a year on the statues of Swift, one of the most acclaimed artists of her generation with 14 Grammy Awards. "This is the most ambitious project in Madame Tussauds' 250-year history, which only feels right to reflect the stratospheric status of Taylor Swift," said Danielle Cullen, the museum's senior figure stylist. UK-based Swifties are well served, with one waxwork slated for London and another for the northern seaside resort town of Blackpool. Another 10 will find a permanent home at the branches of Madame Tussauds in Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Nashville, New York, Orlando and Sydney. The thirteenth statue, which will travel around the remaining museums, will begin its worldwide walkabout with a residency at Madame Tussauds Shanghai. In December, Swift was named the UK's top live music star in viagogo's 'Year In Live Experiences' roundup, with demand for tickets to her Eras Tour soaring 196 per cent higher than that of Liam Gallagher, who came in second. The data, compiled by the UK's leading live event ticket marketplace, reveals that Swift's tour, which revisited every stage of her career, captivated UK fans like never before, confirming her status as the most-viewed artist globally on viagogo's platform in 2024.
Focus Malaysia
7 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Aluminium prices hold strong despite US tariff concerns
DESPITE ongoing uncertainties due to the US tariffs, we believe aluminium prices will remain supportive amid the tight global supply, albeit offset by moderating demand. 'We remain positive on the outlook for aluminium smelters mainly due to easing alumina costs,' said RHB. LME aluminium prices have been more volatile with the imposition of US tariffs, dropping to a low of USD2,300/tonne in April, but prices have since recovered to USD2,600/tonne. While the tariffs have raised concerns on slower demand for aluminium, LME aluminium prices are supported as the overall global supply remains tight amid delays in the ramping up of new smelting capacity in Europe due to high energy costs, and limited room to grow in China as it nears the 45m tonne annual production cap. That said, the Main Japanese Port (MJP) premium has fallen by 58% year-to-date (YTD) due to the higher supply in Asia following reduced interest in exporting to the US, whereas the US Midwest premium has risen 200% YTD. On the cost side, alumina prices have decreased 46% YTD, accounting for only 14% of LME aluminium prices, down from a peak of 31% in Dec 2024, as supply chain disruptions from Guinea eased. This bodes well for aluminium smelters, with a ramp-up in new refinery capacities in Asia. In the longer term, we remain positive on PMAH as it targets increasing alumina self-sufficiency from 23% currently to c.99% by 2027, with the new refinery project in Indonesia. Even if alumina prices fall further, Indonesia remains costcompetitive for alumina refineries due to its bauxite export ban. Conversely, carbon anode costs have risen 23% YTD, driven by higher petroleum coke prices, following supply disruptions. That said, margin should still be supported as carbon anodes make up a relatively small portion of smelting costs. Last week, the Transport Ministry formally approved the scheme for MRT Circle Line, or also known as MRT 3. Land acquisition is expected to be completed by end-2026, with contract awards and construction of the 51.6km line to begin in 2027. We believe this will boost demand for cement in the midlong term, and anticipate LMC to be one of the biggest beneficiaries, given its huge market share of 60-70%. Additionally, while LMC's cement supply contract for the East Coast Rail Link Phase 1 ended in 2024, management guided that it is still supplying cement for Phase 2, albeit without an exclusive contract. We note that bulk cement prices have remained stable at MYR380/tonne since Jul 2023, while coal prices have declined by 12% YTD, easing cost pressures for cement producers. Key downside risks are rising input costs and a global slowdown, which could tamper construction activity and weaken demand for aluminium and cement. —July 23, 2025 Main image: Aluminium Online
Rakyat Post
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Rakyat Post
Malaysian NGO Plans 1,000-Ship Gaza Flotilla With Potential A-List Celebrity Support
Subscribe to our FREE Malaysia's Islamic Consultative Council (MAPIM) is planning an ambitious 1,000-ship flotilla to Gaza as a symbol of Malaysian solidarity aimed at breaking Israel's blockade, with potential backing from high-profile international celebrities. The organisation's president, Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, revealed that preliminary outreach has been made to several A-list figures, including what sources describe as 'a world-renowned football superstar' and 'a prominent Hollywood humanitarian activist.' While MAPIM cannot officially name these potential supporters yet, Azmi told TRP that initial correspondence has been positive, with both figures expressing support for the humanitarian mission. We have reached out to several international personalities known for their humanitarian work. The response has been encouraging, and there's a possibility they may join our international coordination meeting in August. The meeting, scheduled for 8-9 August in Shah Alam, will bring together NGO representatives from West Asia, Europe, ASEAN, and Latin America to discuss the preparation and implementation of what MAPIM calls an unprecedented maritime solidarity mission. Azmi speaks at the Malaysian NGOs Charity Secretariat Setup Conference, held at the Mandhiyyah Hotel in Shah Alam, outlining plans for the humanitarian mission. (Pix: Fernando Fong) Massive Logistical Challenge The flotilla mission comes with significant financial requirements, with MAPIM estimating costs of approximately USD2,500 (RM10,612) per person. The organisation is actively seeking donors and contributors to fund what would be one of the largest civilian maritime missions to Gaza. Azmi said this flotilla is proof that Malaysia wants to move to a higher level. Bringing ships and facing Israeli forces directly is something that has never been done on such a massive scale. The mission represents Malaysia's most ambitious show of solidarity with Palestinians, going beyond diplomatic statements to direct action that could potentially lead to confrontation with Israeli naval forces. NGOs coordinate logistics across strategic routes. (Pix: Fernando Fong) Government Support Sought MAPIM plans to meet with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to seek official government advice and support, recognising that such a mission would require careful diplomatic coordination. Government involvement is important to ensure this mission runs smoothly and that Malaysia's humanitarian message can be clearly conveyed to the international community. The organisation has begun briefing national NGOs as an initial step, with more detailed discussions planned according to an implementation structure already outlined. The August meeting will serve as the main coordination platform, bringing together international participants to discuss field preparation and execution strategies. Timing comes as smaller solidarity missions have already begun making their way toward Gaza waters, including La Flotilla de la Libertad se prepara para zarpar hacia Gaza una vez más en un nuevo intento por romper el asedio israelí. El Handala zarpará el 13 de julio con ayuda humanitaria. — Palestina Hoy (@Palestinahoy01) Mission Aims to Unite Malaysians Across Religious, Racial Lines Previous discussions over the past three weeks have laid the groundwork for the initiative, with MAPIM now moving into the operational planning phase. The proposal for 1,000 ships is an extraordinary message. It is led by Malaysians, Malaysian NGOs, and this should be a source of pride and a signal to all citizens regardless of religion and race – that in the name of humanity, we must unite. The mission, if successful, would mark a significant escalation in civilian efforts to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, potentially drawing international attention to the Palestinian cause while testing diplomatic relationships in the region. MAPIM has not yet announced specific departure dates or detailed logistics for the flotilla, with these details expected to be finalised during the August international coordination meeting. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- The Sun
Johor police rescue teens from online sex scam syndicate
JOHOR BAHRU: Police rescued a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl who were allegedly sexually abused and forced into an online sex fraud and extortion syndicate. The operation, named Op Bugil, was conducted in Johor Bahru and Kulai between June 20 and July 1. Johor Police Chief Datuk M. Kumar confirmed another victim, a 26-year-old man, was also rescued. Nine suspects, including two women, were arrested in connection with the case. Investigations revealed the syndicate had been active since November last year, recruiting locals—including minors—as scammers with monthly salaries ranging from RM2,200 to RM4,000. Some were promised overseas jobs in countries like Laos with higher pay of around USD2,500. Kumar stated that the victims were coerced into online sex scams, with fake social media accounts created for extortion. 'They were locked up, forced to eat chilli, sexually abused, and stripped naked. These acts were recorded for blackmail,' he said during a press conference. Victims were reportedly forced to work 12-hour shifts with only one day off every two weeks. They were confined to their workplace, with their identity cards and mobile phones confiscated. The syndicate's modus operandi involved using women to lure victims into obscene video calls on social media. Once victims clicked on a provided link, their phones were hacked, granting the syndicate access to contacts and photos. Victims were then blackmailed with threats of releasing compromising videos unless they paid. Authorities seized 27 mobile phones, personal documents, plane tickets, currency receipts, cash, a laptop, 49 SIM cards, employment records, and vehicles during the operation. Investigations are ongoing. - Bernama
Barnama
14-07-2025
- Barnama
Teen Victims Rescued From Online Sex Scam Syndicate In Johor
JOHOR BAHRU, July 14 (Bernama) -- Police rescued a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl believed to have been sexually abused and forced to work as members of an online sex fraud and extortion syndicate through an operation dubbed Op Bugil carried out here and in Kulai from June 20 to July 1. Johor Police Chief Datuk M. Kumar said another victim, a 26-year-old man, was also rescued. He said nine suspects, two of whom were women, were arrested. According to Kumar, investigations found that the syndicate had been operating since November last year, recruiting locals, including minors, as scammers with salaries ranging from RM2,200 to RM4,000 per month. He said the syndicate also offers them to work abroad, including in Laos, with a more lucrative salary of around USD2,500. 'The victims were recruited for an online sex fraud with the syndicate creating fake social media accounts for extortion purposes. They were locked up, forced to eat chilli and sexually abused, including being stripped naked, and all these actions were recorded for the purpose of extortion,' he told a press conference here today. Kumar said the victims were forced to work 12 hours a day with only one day off after two weeks, and had to sleep at work and were prohibited from leaving except on designated holidays, while their identity cards and mobile phones were taken from them. Meanwhile, Kumar said the syndicate carried out their fraudulent activities by using women to lure the victim to make obscene video calls on social media and then hacked the victim's mobile phone after clicking on the link provided. 'This syndicate would send a link to the victim's mobile phone, and when the victim clicked on it, the syndicate could access the contact list and photo gallery on the mobile phone. The syndicate then threatened to distribute pornographic video recordings of the victim if the victim refused to pay them,' he said.
