Star2
Steeped in history
WALK the streets of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city, and you will notice an interesting contrast. Standing right in front of you may be a historical landmark, but surrounding it are high-rise buildings born of modern times. Cities like this are one...
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The heroes we call dad
FATHERS Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year. It is a special day for children to show appreciation for their fathers and father figures who care for, support and guide them. Fathers play many important roles in the family. Some...
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Heading for the stratosphere
NOT too long after James Gunn and Peter Safran stepped up to lead DC Studios into the future, they were riffing about Supergirl. The Tom King comic series, Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow was one of the ideas they were especially excited about, and Gunn...
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Garden variety
SUNGLASSES always add an air of glamour to their wearers, but these ones have an extra edge: quirkiness. While any shades you have will perform the same function of protecting your eyes from the glare of the Malaysian sun, these, with their...
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Picasso The our times of
DAVID Hockney, who died aged 88 on June 11, was a treasured British artist whose paintings of shimmering pools and colourful ipad drawings became icons of contemporary art. Over a seven-decade career, Hockney explored and reimagined classical...
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Building bridges to advance ai, autonomous systems and next-generation defence technologies.
RARELY does a day go by without yet another headline purporting how the latest developments in cutting-edge technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are going to transform how people live and work. This has even extended to the national...
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Local
Photos: Stefania I’VE spoken to many Malaysian restaurant owners over the years and nearly all unequivocally share the same dream: they want to expand. While many simply look at opening outlets throughout the Klang Valley or perhaps even setting up...
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Fairway in the foothills
THE first time I see the four-seater golf buggy roaming away from us with no driver, I imagine it’s careering out of control and brace myself for it to crash into a bunker, tree or person. Instead, it eerily stops in its tracks near to me on the...
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Presence felt
MEGHAN Ireland always loved chemistry, but as a college freshman studying chemical engineering, she didn’t know she could channel her passion for science into the art of making whiskey. It took stumbling across an article about a female chemical...
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Kuantan in festival mode
KUANTAN in Pahang is set to host its first-ever indie arts festival this weekend, transforming the city’s historic Jalan Besar area into a lively hub of music, theatre, film, visual arts and community-driven cultural experiences. The inaugural Kuantan...
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AI misuse at university alarming
THE spiralling uptake of artificial intelligence risks undermining university and college education, researchers have warned following a major survey showing that almost 40% of students regularly consult chatbots while one in ten use them to...
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The existential kitchen
A FEW times a month, I find myself wandering late at night. Everyone is asleep, and I drift, without much purpose, towards the kitchen. It is a comforting space. Everything is in place: pans, spatulas, herbs, seasonings, even the three kinds of pepper...
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A change better for the
THE sea air is crisp, the water crystal-clear. The nearly 6km stretch of beach is immaculate. And bright; Benidorm in Spain gets more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Travellers come here in droves to relax, swim and recharge their batteries....
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Growing urban an sanctuary
EVERY morning, Norbiha Mastuki makes it a priority to step outside into her garden and tend to the plants. Around her, pots and plant beds overflow with edible greens and vines creep around the wooden fences. Her cats trail closely behind her as she...
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Blockbuster bonanza
WE’RE already a month into the summer movie season, with several high-profile Hollywood sequels hitting cinemas – including The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Mortal Kombat II – and major releases like Michael Jackson biopic Michael, The Super Mario Galaxy...
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A softer statement
THESE stylish sneakers make a case for comfort, without compromising on style. Take your pick of this selection of trendy offerings which are both sporty and effortlessly chic. Adidas’ Samba Jane returns with a refined new design, landing as a JD...
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From stall to canvas
WATERCOLOUR artist Ryzalman Misran probably expected people to look at fish. He did not expect his giant patin publicity poster to spark confusion with an aquaculture fisheries seminar instead of an art exhibition. And he certainly didn’t anticipate...
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The dangers of agentic commerce
Ai-powered shopping agents that can independently research, compare and order products on behalf of customers are raising serious legal and privacy questions. while Ai-assisted chat advice is already relatively common in online shopping, providers are...
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The chicken
Serves 8 4 cups buttermilk 1/4 cup plus 1 tsp kosher or coarse salt 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper 1.36kg skin-on, bone-in chicken pieces (thighs, breasts or drumsticks) 4 cups canola or vegetable oil or more as needed, for frying 1 ½ cups...
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Best of Betong
WHEN it comes to Gawai Dayak, Sarawak’s harvest festival (June 1 and 2), you’ll want to set your eyes on Betong. Not to be confused with the mountainous town of the same name in Thailand, this Betong is a historical place in the Betong Division in...
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Drumming up interest
NELSON George Lansam was never particularly drawn to tradition as a child. Growing up, the Sarawakian didn’t enjoy listening to traditional Iban music as he found it a little too old-fashioned for his taste. “I grew up in the 1970s and back then, I...
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Entering a new era
BECOMING a mother has changed the way actress Zahirah Macwilson approaches her career. After welcoming son Isaac Raees in 2021 and daughter Inara Raisa in 2024 with husband Aiman Hakim Ridza, the 31-yearold says she has become far more selective about...
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Fresh faces
Two beauty aesthetics are currently dominating social media feeds and makeup mood boards: the “Mori girl” and “Douyin” trends. Mori girl beauty (on the cover) embraces soft, natural and almost ethereal features, and Douyin makeup places emphasis on...
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Between life and death
TEENAGE memories remain. While walking home with a friend, artist Silas Oo, then 17, witnessed a sudden death – an experience that has since shaped his understanding of life’s fragility and death’s reality. “There was a cat waiting by the roadside,...
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Dieters spend longer consuming fast food content on social media
PEOPLE spend longer looking at fast food content on social media when they are on a diet, a study has suggested. The new research, led by the University of Bristol, found dieters are likely to spend more time looking at videos of highcalorie foods...
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An unapologetic design expression
FOR most interior designers and contractors, a client’s brief is a boundary where a set of compromises is etched in stone. But for MAG Architect managing director Dr Muhsin Abdul Ghani, his private residence is a 1,765sq m rejection of the status quo....
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Sleep in style
IF setting up a tent, inflating a mattress and cooking your own meals sound like too much work, glamping may be the perfect alternative. Glamping, or “glamorous camping”, lets people experience the outdoors without giving up daily comforts: beds,...
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A therapeutic complement
AT the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Dakshinah Subramaniam spent her days caring for critically ill patients in overflowing ICUS and operating theatres. As an anaesthesiologist working in a government hospital in Selangor, she witnessed...
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Power of play and imagination
ANDREW Stanton has spent more than half his life with Story. He was the lead writer on the first three, a script saviour on the fourth, and now, cowriter and co-director on Toy Story 5. “It wasn’t the plan,” he said in a recent interview. “But it...
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Timeless appeal
Handbags with iconic silhouettes have long transcended trends, becoming enduring symbols of style and craftsmanship. From softly structured shapes to architectural classics, these timeless designs continue to evolve while retaining their unmistakable...
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Reframing the tekat craft
TEXTILE artist Yann tilts her head at her work Blessing, where clouds and fine golden threads fall over an indigo batik linen backdrop. “I think I need to shake it a bit more,” she says, before lifting the large frame and giving it a vigorous shake,...
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Friendlier-sounding chatbots may be more error-prone
Training ai chatbots such as Chatgpt to sound friendlier may lead them to make more mistakes, a study suggests. Platforms that prioritised warmth were also more likely to tell people what they want to hear, especially if users expressed sadness. For...
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Ancient culinary wisdom
Photos: 123rf WHILE modern Chinese cuisine often emphasises rich, meaty dishes, older traditions reveal a foundation rooted much more deeply in plant-based eating. Historically, animal protein was a rare luxury, resulting in a culinary heritage where...
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From empowerment to inspiration
WHEN Zero Waste Malaysia launched its Green Wira Programme (GWP), a deliberate decision was made to focus on the individuals guiding the pupils in schools every day. For Zero Waste Malaysia co-founder and director Khor Sue Yee, teachers hold the power...
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Packing a punch
EVEN before he began travelling to Asia for work, ChineseCanadian actor Ludi Lin had visited the region on his own. “I’ve been to Malaysia several times,” he recalls in this exclusive Zoom interview from Singapore, fresh from a gym session. “The...
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The odd step
When is a shoe not a shoe? When fashion takes liberties to rethink its very form. At the Chanel Cruise 2026 show last month, creative director Matthieu Blazy unveiled barefoot sandals that quickly became the talk of social media. Some mocked the...
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Registering the turbulence
THERE was a relentless drizzle on the preview day of the 61st Art Biennale in Venice, Italy, turning the city’s Giardini park into a giant mud patch scattered with unavoidable puddles. (The first public day was May 9, the exhibition runs until Nov...
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Doctor
Throughout her first pregnancy, Wang Yifan had lots of questions, which she usually put to renowned obstetrician Duan Tao – or rather, an AI clone of the top Shanghai-based doctor. Duan has created a digital double for healthcare app AQ, which now...
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Learning from her son
IN their spacious family home in Subang Jaya, 68-year-old Soh Lay Choo reigns supreme. She bustles about with purpose and chats animatedly with everyone around her, often poking fun of herself in the process. Beside her is her son Chong Yu Cheng,...
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A day she deserves
THERE are plenty of ways to celebrate Mother’s Day – which is tomorrow, in case you’ve forgotten – in Malaysia. From quick getaways to big adventures, there are lots of activities you and Mum can experience together, and not just during that one...
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Save, stretch and sacrifice
TO an outsider, Norfiza Nor Ariffin, 56, should be enjoying her stress-free years. With her husband retired and her only child working, it is easy to assume that her tough days of managing household finances are over. In a way, that’s true, as their...
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Cold front approaching
AMONG Hong Kong’s acclaimed police thrillers, the Cold War franchise has stood out with its sharp political edge and tightly woven storytelling. Its first two chapters – Cold War (2012) and Cold War 2 (2016) – were major hits, collectively crossing...
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Charmed, I’m sure
Bag charms have quietly swung their way from niche novelty to everyday essential, adding a playful punctuation to handbags. an easy way to personalise a classic tote or lend character to a minimalist crossbody, they come in all shapes and forms: from...
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The distance between us
WHAT makes us human – and can that ever be replicated? Playwright Ridhwan Saidi takes on these questions in his speculative sci-fi play Odisi Romansa, where the line between human feeling and android imitation begins to blur. Presented by Moka Mocha...
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May the tech be with you
THE idea of holograms, talking robots and bionic arms from Star Wars seemed like pure science fiction. But decades after the first film was released in 1977, some of those concepts are starting to feel less far-fetched than they once did. On Star Wars...
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Gut-friendly ice cream
FOR 20 years, Ho Su Mei’s family has been involved in the business of making kefir. For the uninitiated, kefir is a fermented milk drink that is made by inoculating the milk of cows, goats or sheep with kefir grains, a mesophilic symbiotic culture that...
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1. Dark sunglasses 2. Prepaid cards
When you’re out and about, put on a pair of sunglasses with lenses in the darkest shade possible. Yes, they protect your eyes from the sun and may increase your cool factor – but the main point here is they help you evade eye contact. This is...
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Bridging science society and
IN recent weeks, Kuching-born biomedical officer Adela Ida Jiram has become one of the most talked-about figures in the Iban community. No, she hasn’t won any Kumang Gawai beauty pageant nor has she gained attention for playing traditional Sarawak...
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Hindu devotional clubbing sways india’s youth.
IN India’s capital, Hindu “bhajan clubbing” is electrifying nightlife, with revellers dancing to traditional devotional songs reimagined through guitars and pounding drumbeats, transforming public venues into spiritual hangouts. ChaiLeela, a cafe in...
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Jewellery, made personal
When you think about jewellery and the pieces you choose to buy and wear, there is something inherently personal about them. They might mark a special moment – a birthday, engagement or wedding – or simply something you fall in love with and can’t...
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Fading mosaic of memory
ON the facade of an apartment block in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe, a giant mosaic depicting cosmonauts and engineers celebrates the scientific triumphs of the Soviet Union. Like so many other relics of the Soviet past in Central Asia, it is doomed...
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Are chemicals from smartphones and TVS threatening dolphins?
A RECENT study has raised concerns about a lesser-known form of electronic pollution, known as liquid crystal monomers (LCMS), accumulating in the bodies of endangered marine animals. These chemical compounds are essential to modern display...
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Beauty of wood panelling
IF you have a blank canvas, empty wall or bland space, consider adding an inviting and perhaps unexpected architectural detail: wood panelling. One of the best ways to modernise or boost a space is by adding wood features to create a design...
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Sky full of stars
IN the pitch-black darkness, there really isn’t much to see on the lonely stretch of road upon which Muhammad Mustaqim Rosden, 27, finds himself standing. Looking at the ground, the only things visible are the rows of glow-in-the-dark road markings....
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Grounded Being and disciplined
WITH the current Middle East conflict, extreme weather events and overall volatility, a sense of uncertainty has seeped into the everyday life of Malaysians. As fuel prices increase, causing various repercussions, it is easy to slip into panic and...
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Flight of fancy
AT first glance, Caelan Moriarty may seem like just another rising star navigating the global music scene. But beneath the polished image lies someone far more introspective. In person, the JapaneseAmerican singer-songwriter is candidly honest about...
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Poise in every step
WHILE everyone loves comfortable footwear like loafers, sneakers and ballet flats, there’s always an occasion for a chic pair of heels. High or low, embellished or not, there are plenty of options out there that one can choose to elevate an...
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HK’S global cultural district
HONG Kong’s Kowloon peninsula is rich with history and heritage, from bustling street markets and the orderly chaos of “cha chaan tengs” (their version of kopitiam culture) to its verdant parks and incense-filled temples. To the southwest, however,...
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Weary from wearable devices
It Is almost midnight on a tuesday. Everything is quiet except for the back-and-forth pacing of a woman in her darkened living room. the 46-year-old remote worker, who wished to be known only as Nurul, isn’t looking for anything specific. she just...
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Rooted in history
WHEN I was growing up, my grandmother would regale me with tales of everything she went through during the Japanese occupation of Malaya (1941 to 1945) – from being separated from my grandfather at one point during the war to travelling to a village...
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A glitzy metropolis
WHEN watching Chinese TV dramas, you’ll most likely come across one of the most recognisable landmarks in Shanghai, China. It’s none other than The Bund, which encapsulates the glitz and glamour that the modern metropolis is known for. Yet beyond...
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Getting to the truth
MY child comes home from her other parent’s house with stories that sound absolutely ridiculous. I don’t want to dismiss what she tells me, but I also don’t know what’s true, what’s exaggerated and what might be made-up. How am I supposed to sort...
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Stars of Charlie’s Angels reunite for 50th anniversary of hit TV show.
ONCE upon a time there were three little girls who starred as private detectives answering to a never-seen boss in a show that turned into a pop culture phenomenon called Charlie’s Angels. Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd reunited to mark...
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Styled in sync
Dressing in sync exudes a type of quiet confidence. Co-ords, or matching separates which are designed to be worn together offer that balance of ease and intention. Whether it’s a sharply cut blazer paired with tailored shorts, a floral silk shirt...
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The ties that bind
THE long-haul stretch – and the jet lag that comes with it – between London and Kuala Lumpur is one multidisciplinary artist Alya Hatta has come to know intimately, a route traced over years of study and, later, the start of her art career in the...
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AI can sway your opinion, even when you know it’s biased
ARTIFICIAL intelligence chatbots like CHATGPT, Claude and Gemini hold the power to massively influence public opinion, new research suggests after demonstrating that people largely accept biased information given to them by an AI – even when warned not...
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Bringing heat the
CHILLI may be ubiquitous in culinary cultures around the world, but did you know that until 1492, this fiery ingredient existed only in the continent of America? So just how did it infiltrate the rest of the world? The humble chilli’s journey around...
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Chasing petals
FROM soft, pastel tones to fiery, vibrant ones – flowers of all colours come to life every spring. The season is well-loved not only for its beautiful blooms but also its crisp, chilly air. Cool weather, but not so cold that it warrants thick getups,...
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Upcycling fora bigger purpose
BUSINESSWOMAN Padmani Suppiah, 54, has long been passionate about sarees. She owned over 200 pieces – sourced from various parts of India – in a wide range of materials, from silk, linen, cotton handloom, tussar silk to chiffon. Over time, she...
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Facing reality
AS the guitarist for pioneering Singaporean rock group Sweet Charity, whose heyday was in the 1970s and 1980s, musician Rosli Mohalim has performed at stadiums and concert venues in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Songs like Kamelia (1980),...
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Stunning sunnies
When you live in a country with year-round sunshine, it’s important to ensure you have protection for your eyes. Check out these trendy shades which serve not just as barriers between your eyes and the sun’s rays, but also style statements. Bvlgari’s...
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Tracing flesh and form
THE human body is immediately familiar, yet it never ceases to spark curiosity, whether in the clinic, the laboratory or the artist’s studio. Throughout history, it has been laid bare in medical theatres and classrooms – labelled, measured, dissected...
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Stressed over subscriptions
In 2022, a certain car brand caught heavy flak for requiring a subscription to activate heated seats in vehicles purchased by customers. Many wondered, “What’s with the need for a subscription when the heated seats are already installed in the...
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Are chefs rewriting the rules?
AT the recent Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards in Hong Kong, a recurring topic of conversation among the continent’s top chefs was the revelations that had come out of Noma. Noma is a Scandinavian restaurant helmed by Rene Redzepi, a Danish chef...
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In time
IF you’ve ever travelled to Italy, you may have visited its capital, Rome, which is also known as the Eternal City. This name comes from the old belief that Rome would last even as other empires rose and fell. Walking through the city today, you will...
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Exploring my favourite subject
THERE are many different subjects we learn in school, and each one is important in its own way. Some children enjoy Maths because they like solving problems and working with numbers. Others like English or Bahasa Malaysia because they learn new...
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