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Cosy in knit
TIMELESS, hardworking and sartorially flexible, knitwear is as essential to a wardrobe as plain white tees and blue jeans are. The category arrives in many formats, from pullovers and button-downs to sleeveless designs, including lightweight ones that...
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Casting a digital spell
A TRIP to the neighbourhood pasar malam (night market) captures a familiar slice of Malaysian life – slow walks past rows of stalls, battered generators humming, buskers playing and the smells of street food in the air. There is no fanfare. The pasar...
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Mind gap the
WHEN it comes to advice on avoiding online scams, you’ve probably heard it all. Be wary of that unexpected link, think twice before answering a call from an unknown number and check the website address before handing over your personal details. And,...
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GRANDMA’S NYONYA AYAM SATAY
For blending/pounding into rempah paste 6 shallots 2 to 3 cloves garlic 4 lemongrass stalks 5 candlenuts 2.5cm fresh turmeric 2 to 3 red chillies 2 tsp coriander powder 10 to 15g toasted belacan For cooking 1 cup cooking oil 1 whole chicken,...
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Mapping the road ahead
DECADES ago, retirement was associated with a finish line: work for decades, collect your savings and begin a quieter life. But for Malaysians today, that picture is changing. Longer life expectancy means retirement could last 20, 30 or even 40 years....
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A hero worth celebrating
MALAYSIA has produced its fair share of world-class athletes, from badminton icon Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei and national diving queen Pandelela Rinong Pamg to track cycling star Datuk Azizulhasni Awang. In conjunction with Malaysia Day, local filmmaker...
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At a fashion crossroads
The biggest change at Seoul Fashion Week this season was a second location. For the first time, the event split between Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the World Park at Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, a site intended to bring fashion closer to shoppers and...
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The journey shapes meaning
IT can take Ahmad Shukri Mohamed months, sometimes years, to complete an artwork. He allows ideas to develop gradually, waiting for inspiration to resolve into clarity rather than forcing the process. There is little urgency until a deadline...
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Tech for teaching
At a time when students are being given access to digital tools to learn, create and solve problems, there is a more fundamental question to consider: what happens when they cannot read, write or count? the challenge is not merely hypothetical. In...
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In memory
ON my 84th birthday recently, my husband, Shafee, took the family out for lunch at a Middle Eastern restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. As I looked through the menu, I found myself in unfamiliar territory: smoked chilli hummus, kebab banjan, bayildi,...
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Sabah and Sarawak
THERE’S a reason why “jalanjalan cari makan” is an often-quoted phrase in Malaysia. The saying – popularised by the 2001 TV show of the same name that’s currently in its 25th season – encapsulates our love for both local explorations and gastronomic...
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With a cause
After a historic Miss World podium finish, schoolteacher Taanusiya Chetty is looking beyond the spotlight to give more children the chance to learn, grow and be heard. 2&3
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Better with age
For years, K-drama was dominated by dreamy “oppa” – the Korean word for “older brother”, referring to young, handsome leading men who made viewers swoon. But lately, times have changed in the K-drama landscape. Today, a crop of “ajussi” – a Korean...
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Beauty from within?
Looking good is no longer just about what you apply to your skin. it is about what you put into your body – or so it seems. There is a fast-growing trend towards ingestible beauty products, from supplements to drinks that promise to support everything...
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Meeting a niche demand
A NEW destination for serious readers and book collectors has emerged inside Bookxcess’ The Sunway Library at Sunway Square Mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor: the Goldsboro Room, dedicated to rare and collectible books. Launched in late August, the 13sq...
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Bruised often
THE baby slips in the tub and mum or dad grabs their arm, where a bruise soon shows up. This can be unsettling, says Dr Carmen Escuriola-ettingshausen, director of Germany’s Rhein Main Haemophilia Centre (HZRM). “First-time parents in particular blame...
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Fare
THERE are special words that we reserve for luxury foods – “decadent”, “opulent” and “nirvanic” often come to mind. These are all positive, edifying, glorious words. And yet many luxury foods don’t necessarily have pristine, unblemished histories, nor...
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Made for
“KIDS have it so easy these days” is a phrase often muttered by one generation to the next – from Boomers to Gen X, from Gen X to Millennials, from Millennials to Gen Z, and even from Gen Z to Gen Alpha and Gen Beta, the youngest of us all. Each...
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Finding healthier ways to cope
SHOPPING can be a welcome pick-meup after a difficult day. A new outfit, handbag or gadget may provide pleasure or distraction from stress. But when buying is one’s main way of managing difficult emotions, the line between occasional retail therapy...
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Watch a movie at JFF 2026 for free
GET a free ticket for the Japanese Film Festival in Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Baru, with the following promo codes: Klang Valley: JFFTSK000TE2A Penang: JFFTSP000GT88 Johor Baru: JFFTSJ000AO15 Redemption can be made via GSC epayment (gsc.com. my...
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Building to last
A BEAUTY brand can begin with a compelling product, a strong aesthetic or a founder’s personal passion, but staying in business for the long run requires adaptability, financial discipline and a clear understanding of demand. For Malaysian beauty...
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The stories left untold
FOR many of us, our first heroes are our parents. But what happens when the people we think we know best are keeping secrets? In Instant Cafe Theatre Company’s (ICT) latest production, The Secret Drawer, theatre practitioners Lim Tiong Wooi and Ling...
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Corporate conundrums
As Malaysia works towards becoming an artificial intelligence (AI) nation by 2030, the technology is already seeing increasing adoption, from recreation in people’s personal lives to boosting productivity in the workplace. But as employees embrace AI,...
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Making their mark
AS Malaysia celebrates its National Day, the country’s architectural landscape offers another source of pride. The PAM Awards 2026 showcases a profession increasingly confident in creating structures that aren’t only technically accomplished, but...
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Travel notes
How to get there: For this road journey covering Kulim, Lunas and tikam Batu in Kedah, it is better to do a self-drive trip. Start in the morning from either end and savour a leisurely drive to enjoy the surrounding rural landscape. Make frequent stops...
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History beyond textbooks
IT’S the weekend again, and the room comes alive with music from an old record player and the creak of rattan chairs as everyone settles down. Members of Persatuan Reka Ulang Sejarah (PRUS) – all dapper in historical military uniforms – take their...
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All Fired Up!
A TYPICAL Taiwan food trip will likely have you stuffing your face with steaming baskets of xiao long bao, a bowl of lu rou fan, and a crispy giant chicken cutlet from Ximending. With a cup of boba milk tea in hand, of course. But if you tune out the...
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Coastal dreaming
MOTHER Nature never ceases to amaze, especially when it comes to inspiration. This time, designers looked to seaside and underwater inhabitants, spotlighting them across the runway in multiple iterations. It’s a natural progression to the...
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Hidden in the green
FOR Calvin Chua, every painting adventure across the country begins with a checklist: his travelling watercolour set and, most importantly, a handy supply of cakes and snacks. No stranger to venturing into rural areas and villages, the Selangor-based...
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AI chatbots as agony aunts
THE vast majority of young people are using AI chatbots, and many are turning to them for guidance after confusing or harmful experiences online, including incidents of a sexual nature. That’s a key finding from a new report on youth online habits and...
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Mountain traditions
THERE’S something mesmerising about the way Anita Cota rolls out thin layers of pastry using a small wooden rod. Over and over again, she presses the filo layers flat, starting in the middle and rolling from the inside out twice to make them even...
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A weekend road trip to Betong in the south of thailand.
THE first thing that caught our attention in Betong, Thailand wasn’t a temple, a market or a scenic viewpoint. It was two enormous yellow chicken statues keeping “watch” over a road junction. My friend and I didn’t think much of it. We’d come across...
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Sheets of sustainability
WHAT if that old pair of jeans you were about to throw away could be given a new lease of life – as a sheet of paper? With some pounding, pulping and mixing with paper fibres, old denim can be transformed into handmade paper. Yes, you read that...
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Ball of a time
STEPHEN Chow steps into a packed cinema hall to deafening cheers. He waves shyly, as if unable to believe all the fanfare is for him. It is 4.30pm on Aug 8 at Emperor Cinemas Plus+ in The Wai shopping mall in Hong Kong. The screaming crowd has just...
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Modesty in motion
AS more women include fitness into their lifestyles, expectations of modest activewear have shifted. Today’s consumers are not simply looking for garments that meet requirements of coverage; they want pieces that perform, flatter and support them...
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The Mimpi Jernang
exhibition explores dream interpretation as guidance for relationships with people, nature and the unseen. 3
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Building for bots
IT’S a Saturday morning at a local university in Selangor, where participants have gathered for the International Youth Robot Competition (IYRC) Asean 2026. Science teacher Nur Syamsiah Abdul Majid shares that her school, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar...
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Sugar The reckoning
FOR decades, the standard dietary advice given to millions of Americans and the world was simple: fat is the enemy. We were told to purge our refrigerators of butter, eggs, and whole milk, replacing them with “hearthealthy” low-fat alternatives. This...
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How to minimise jet lag
JET lag threatens to turn even a dream vacation into a slog. And with peak travel season underway in the United States and Europe, millions of people may have to contend with this disorienting condition, which can cause sleep disturbances, daytime...
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With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1draw a robot. then, write four sentences about it. For example, “My robot’s name is ________.” “it can ________.” “it helps me with ________.” “My favourite thing about it is ________.” 2Play a game like simon says, but call it robot says. For...
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Ted Lasso.
Cristo Fernandez played a football star on three seasons of hit comedy Now, he’s on the pitch as a pro. 2
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A STAGE FOR MALAYSIAN STYLE
HEADS turned as the model strode down the runway in a flowing pleated ensemble adorned with a striking rickshaw motif. The room fell silent, broken only by hushed whispers of admiration. The look was among many standout creations that captivated...
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A bugged out mansion
Photos: AFP UPSTAIRS, Nazi generals enjoyed wine and lounged in elegant rooms. Downstairs in the basement, a team of covert listeners followed their chatter, gleaning vital insights into Germany’s war plans. During World War II, Trent Park, a country...
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Debate over Digital Downtime
In light of the recent implementation of social media restrictions for under-16s, psychologists and mental health experts believe the measure may help protect young users but could also have unintended consequences. Countless reports and headlines in...
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Cooking beyond barriers
ONE afternoon this spring, a recipe by Lay Alston, a San Diegobased chef, arrived in my inbox. The dish – charred shrimp coated with a condiment she calls “shimi sauce” – was easy enough for a cook of any level to master. But her instructions had a...
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Speak local, global think
TRAVELLING to a foreign destination becomes much more enriching when you understand or can speak the local language. Sure, translating languages is now as easy as tapping a button on your smartphone, given the multitude of apps available. But it feels...
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The cost of lifelong care
RAIN or shine, every Tuesday and Friday morning, Fazelah Jaafar drives 50km from Semenyih, Selangor to Kuala Lumpur for her eight-year-old son’s speech therapy. It is a journey she makes to ensure her youngest child, Muhammad Afiq Hakim Safwan – who...
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Still kids at heart
WHEN Simple Plan first played Malaysia in 2004, the Canadian pop-punk band had no idea that a country halfway across the world would become one of its most meaningful fan bases. In an exclusive virtual interview with StarLifestyle, Simple Plan...
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Get your flounce on
They say a white shirt and blue jeans combination never goes out of style. But for those looking to put a fresh spin on this classic formula, swapping denim for a skirt offers an effortless alternative. The timeless appeal of a crisp shirt – whether...
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Believe in human potential
PIOTR Mirowski occupies a rare space where theatre improvisation overlaps with artificial intelligence research. The Poland-born computer scientist and actor has spent years experimenting with the ways that performers, audiences and language models...
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Social safety
What do Malaysia, France, australia, turkiye, and the United arab Emirates have in common? all these countries have joined a growing list of those that have elected to ban social media use for users under a certain age. Some of these countries, like...
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Growing nutritious food
THE food world is at a tipping point. As climate change continues to rear its ugly head, farming is becoming increasingly challenging and difficult. Intensive commercial farming, a reliance on monocrops, deforestation and rapid development have...
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Roots and royalties
CASTLES are among the top reasons tourists flock to Germany each year. Out of the 15,000 to 20,000 castles found across the country, one stands out the most: Neuschwanstein Castle. Located in Bavaria, Germany’s largest state, the 19th-century marvel...
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A handy skill
THE first thing that greets you upon entering the warehouse space is the lingering scent of fresh timber, accompanied by the hum of sanders and the familiar whirr of drills. It almost brings you back to the school days, stirring memories of sitting...
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More misses than hits
RATHER than making a summer splash, Disney’s live-action Moana remake floundered at the box office. Opening with US$43mil (RM176mil) in North America against a US$250mil (RM1bil) production budget, the film is already projected to lose the studio...
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Thrift boom in South Korea reshapes shopping
DESPITE weekly drops from fast-fashion brands and fast-moving trend cycles, a growing number of consumers are shopping differently. For the Gen Z, shopping is less about browsing department stores or following platform rankings and more about...
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Everything feels human
WHENEVER the calendar comes out, Amanda Mendoza Vancleave circles the dates. Studio Ghibli Fest, the long-running theatrical revivals of Ghibli movies, has taken on a special meaning for her, her three-year-old daughter and her mother, Araceli. Every...
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When devices test family bonds
PARENTS’ attachment to screens and smartphones can have negative, long-lasting developmental and psychological effects on their children, according to new research. Caregivers who mismanage their devices can both exacerbate “insecure attachment” and...
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Embracing tropical living
AS you arrive at Awan Kuning – a corner terrace house located in a suburban Kuala Lumpur neighbourhood – what catches your eye is its lush greenery. And as you walk through the one-and-a-half-storey home, this natural, tropical theme remains...
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Sowing seeds stories and
IT can be argued that Chinese Internet sensation Li Ziqi wouldn’t have reached the same level of fame she has today if it weren’t for social media. Her first taste of “virality” came in 2016, through a video of her cooking Lanzhou beef noodles that...
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These women are crushing it
HOMEMAKER Noraini Abu, 53, is never too shy to collect empty soy sauce bottles and used glass jars from her neighbours and relatives. They might seem like rubbish to some, but to Noraini, they are valuable. The crafter from Puchong, Selangor knows...
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Seize every opportunity
SINGER Datuk Elaine Kang, who is best known for the patriotic anthem Sejahtera Malaysia, recalls singing at weddings when she was only 10 years old, earning just RM8 for each performance. The modest earnings are among the memories that remain vivid...
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Ballet aesthetic takeover
CLASSY, elegant and demure. It’s the shoe trend that invites its wearers to embrace feminine flair. Yet it is not posing as a onesize-fits-all. Taking that into consideration, designers from all corners of the fashion world put their own tasteful spin...
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The weight of being
Being Carried is a theatre work exploring disabled, deaf and neurodivergent experiences through monologues, music and movement. 3
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Coding is caring
These Malaysian husbands are turning software into an expression of love by building apps that solve everyday problems for their wives. 2&3
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By ABIRAMI DURAI
In modern times, the classic Italian staple of pasta is ubiquitous around the world, with 17 million tonnes produced annually. While Italians eat about 27kg of pasta per person per year – the most amount of pasta of any nation across the globe (pasta...
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From daily mart to tourist spot
DISCOVERING a new destination is always exciting. There are famous landmarks to visit, local dishes to try, and nooks and crannies waiting to be explored. Every trip offers something new, whether it’s experiencing a different culture, meeting people...
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Staying for success
AT a time when job-hopping is common – even expected, especially among the younger generation – there are still many who have chosen to build long-term careers in the same organisation. Their reasons go beyond loyalty. For some, it’s about continuous...
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Commercially accessible, socially relevant
FINALLY, after almost two months of keeping myself free at 10pm from Monday to Thursday, TV3’s drama series Jiwa Seorang Pentaksub, about a rogue Yang Berhormat, has come to an end. YB Datuk Firzan was shot dead by his personal assistant, who gave...
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Beauty meets sustainability
A WALK around your favourite beauty store today reveals a quiet shift: refillable perfumes, reusable under-eye patches and refill pouches are steadily replacing the industry’s single-use norm. Our routine, from the morning shower to the evening...
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A bridge back to home
DECADES later, Samar Kabouli still fondly recalls gathering with women in her family and sipping cardamom-spiced coffee as they embroidered fabric with colourful threads in traditional Palestinian patterns. Born in Lebanon to Palestinian refugees,...
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New hot spot
The crackdown on scam compounds in Cambodia is leading some gangs to relocate to beach resorts and office buildings in Sri Lanka, in what may be the next phase of one of the world’s fastestgrowing criminal industries. A combination of visa-free...
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These crunchy, buttery cakes have taken the Internet by storm. BUTTER RICE CAKES
AS A recipe creator, digging into a recipe, ingredient by ingredient, is my favourite part of the job. Often, it’s easy to predict how they’ll act and adjust accordingly. Sometimes, though, a recipe can feel impossible to crack. Enter butter rice...
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Nature’s playground
GRAINS of sand flew into my face when I rode the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) down the rugged trail, revving the engine. The afternoon sun was relentless, and the soft breeze did little to cool us down. The moment the wheels hit the muddy track, the heat...
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The weight of holding on
IMAGINE towering stacks of boxes and heaps of random items competing for space, leaving only a narrow path to walk through the place called home. The solution may seem obvious: just clean up the mess. But what many may perceive as a lack of...
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