Latest news with #Nizar
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Five escape unhurt as car catches fire in Balik Pulau
BALIK PULAU: A quick decision to exit a smoking vehicle saved five friends from harm when their car caught fire along Jalan Tun Sardon here this afternoon. The group, comprising a man and four women, in their 50s, were traveling in a Toyota Camry when the incident occurred at around 1.10pm. Fire and Rescue operations commander Mohamad Nizar Ibrahim said, according to the driver, he noticed a burning smell while driving but continued on. "Moments later, he saw smoke coming from the engine compartment and immediately instructed his passengers to alight. "As soon as they exited the vehicle, flames erupted from the engine, engulfing over 90 per cent of the car," he said. Firefighters arrived shortly and managed to bring the fire under control before extinguishing it completely by 1.36pm. They then carried out overhaul operations to ensure there were no remaining hazards. Nizar said the driver claimed that they were en route to Balik Pulau when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Pahang dreams of orbit; aims to harness the sun with spaceport, solar farm
KUANTAN: The fate of the proposed Pahang International Spaceport in Nenasi, Pekan now lies in the hands of the Federal Government. State Investment, Industries, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee Chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib said the Pahang government has submitted its proposal to develop the facility, which would be the first international rocket launch site in Southeast Asia. "The Pahang government fully supports the proposal, but the matter is still under review, and the final decision will be made by the Federal Government. "The project requires approval from Mosti(Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation), the National Physical Planning Council, and the National Security Council. Establishing the facility involves environmental, security, and geopolitical considerations, so it must be thoroughly screened by the Federal government before it can proceed," he told reporters at the Pahang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) here today. Earlier, Nizar launched and closed the AI for Productivity Transformation and Speed Grid-Connected Photovoltaic (GCPV) programmes respectively at PSDC in Semambu. He was commenting on the status of the Pahang International Spaceport project, which he had announced during the Pahang State Assembly sitting in April this year. If approved, the facility is expected to be completed within the next three to five years. Meanwhile, Nizar said the Chereh dam in Sungai Lembing is among the sites identified for floating solar farms as part of Pahang's renewable energy initiatives. "We are identifying suitable locations such as dams, lakes, and former mining ponds. The Chereh dam shows potential, and we hope to begin the floating solar farm project within the next two years. "Floating solar farms are crucial for land conservation, as they do not require the use of land that could otherwise be used for agriculture or industry," he said. Nizar said that the Pahang government has introduced various initiatives as part of its commitment to sustainability and achieving the Net Zero 2030 target. "Pahang is working closely with a United Arab Emirates-based company to develop the country's first wind farm, with sites identified in Pekan, Rompin, Kuantan, and Lipis. The total cost is projected at RM800 million. "The Pahang State Development Corporation is currently overseeing five solar energy projects, each involving an investment of RM200 million," he said. On the GCPV programme at PSDC, Nizar said the initiative, sponsored by Yayasan Peneraju, is a valuable effort to enhance specialised skills and increase employability in the green technology sector.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Pahang to set up AI tech zone, says state exco
KUANTAN: The Pahang government will establish a dedicated high technology zone to attract major players in the artificial intelligence industry. State Investment, Industries, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib said the zone, to be located in the state capital here, will offer special incentives through the Invest Pahang platform to encourage high-tech companies to establish operations in the state. "The Pahang high technology zone is specifically aimed for companies in AI, automation and big data. Its exact location in Kuantan will be announced in due course. "This dedicated zone is expected to draw AI companies to this part of the country, apart from the Klang Valley. These companies will become part of the AI ecosystem and contribute to the development of start-ups across Pahang," he said at the Pahang Skills Development Centre here today. Earlier, Nizar launched and closed the AI for Productivity Transformation and Speed Grid-Connected Photovoltaic programme at the centre in Semambu. Present were Yayasan Peneraju chief executive officer Ibrahim Sani and Pahang Skills chairman Datuk Mas'ut Awang Samah. He said the Pahang high technology zone was part of a long-term strategy to drive digital transformation, strengthen the economy and improve public services and quality of life in the state. "AI is no longer optional. It is essential. Today's business environment demands automation, intelligent analytics and the ability to make faster and more accurate decisions. "At the federal level, we already have the National AI Office in place. "Among other initiatives in Pahang, we are also establishing the AI data centre, which will serve as a new digital platform for marketing local agricultural products both domestically and internationally. "The centre is scheduled to begin operations in January next year. "Under the Smart Pahang initiative, Kuantan, Temerloh, Pekan and Bentong have been selected as pilot locations for the Smart City project. This includes the use of smart cameras for traffic and security monitoring, AI-powered solid waste management systems and flood and air quality monitoring using AI technology." Nizar said the state government was committed to expanding AI use in public administration, education, agriculture and tourism.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Red Path review – Tunisian drama tells traumatic story of Islamic State's horrific cruelty
A low cloud of misery and horror settles on this sombre movie from Tunisian writer-director Lotfi Achour, inspired by a brutal event in his country from 2015. A teenage shepherd called Mabrouk Soltani was murdered and beheaded on Mount Mghila in central Tunisia by members of Jund al-Khilafah ('soldiers of the caliphate'), the Tunisian branch of Islamic State, which habitually hides out in that remote, rugged region. They videoed their grotesque homicide, claiming the boy was an army spy and ordered his terrified 14-year-old cousin, who was with him, to carry the severed head back to his village as a brutal 'message' – and this boy obeyed, in a stricken state of trauma that can only be guessed at. This horrifying event was to assume the status of national scandal in Tunisia two years later when the victim's elder brother was also murdered by IS in the same place and on the same pretext. (Four jihadis were convicted in 2019 and another 45 in absentia.) Achour's film centres on the first event, while anticipating the second. Achraf (Ali Helali) goes up the mountain with his older cousin Nizar (Yassine Samouni), who brings his goats there because it is the only place with water for the herd to drink – and because it is beautiful. The nightmarish attack ensues and the village goes into deep shock; the head is kept in a refrigerator and despite the obvious danger of another attack, Nizar's brother grimly resolves to lead a party of volunteers, including Achraf, back up into the mountain to recover the rest of the body so Nizar can be given a proper burial. All the while the heartless and prurient press gather at his home. The tone seems to be balanced between tragic and macabre, and at first it seems as if Achraf will carry the head in the bag back into his community and, in a state of profound shock, might even go into a state of denial about what has happened. That isn't the case – or not exactly. Once the awful truth is disclosed, he has to talk to the girl with whom poor Nizar was hopelessly and unrequitedly in love, and this trauma brings her together with Achraf. He also has hallucinatory encounters and conversations with Nizar, which I think don't entirely work and bring the film close to a kind of emollient fantasy dimension. However the movie is well acted, and honestly attempts to encompass the unbearable grief suffered by the family, although the bizarre element of mystery and the hateful political malice of IS, particularly with the second murder, can't really be represented. Red Path is in cinemas from 20 June.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Time of India
Man killed in drunken brawl at Nedumangad market
Thiruvananthapuram: A 26-year-old man was stabbed to death by his friend during a drunken brawl inside Nedumangad market on Sunday night. Police identified the deceased as Muhammad Hasheer of Azhikode. The accused, Nizar, 28, who lives in a lodge at Nedumangad town, is to police, after work the duo went to a bar at Nedumangad and in an intoxicated state started to quarrel with each other over some financial dealings. Later, they went to the market and the accused stabbed him in the chest using a accused was originally from Mundela, but due to some disputes with his family, he lived near the house of the deceased on rent. They became acquainted during his stay there and became friends. Later, Nizar shifted to the lodge. Both of them were doing welding work police registered a case under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder and began a probe. "Search has been intensified for the accused. The exact motive behind the murder will be known only after taking the accused into custody," said police. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
