Latest news with #WorldBookDay
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
JB team-up for the books
Teo (second from left) receiving a gift from Siew (left) and SUC board of governors chairman Mok Chek Hou during the launch of the reading project. With them is Prof Chuah (third from right). Retailer's outlets in the city raising funds for university college via sale of publications, artworks A LOCAL bookstore chain has started a year-long initiative in Johor Baru to support a tertiary institution's 50th anniversary. The collaboration between Popular Bookstore and Southern University College (SUC) kicked off in conjunction with World Book Day. Since April 1, all Popular outlets in the city have been selling SUC publications and up to 180 titles donated by affiliated authors. Customers have also been offered RM10 sets of five bookmarks featuring scenes from SUC's campus which was established in Skudai in 1990. Sale proceeds have been set aside to fund book purchases and literary activities of the university's Malaysian Chinese Literature Centre (MCLC). SUC president Prof Chuah Joon Huang said the institute was honoured to work with Popular. 'This partnership has allowed us to promote the world of reading, by showcasing SUC's publications, academic programmes and student artworks. 'I extend my gratitude for the sponsorship from the calligraphy and art communities, and the business sector.' Speaking at the opening ceremony for the 13-month cultural event celebrating SUC's 50th anniversary at a Johor Baru mall, Prof Chuah said, 'This is our first large-scale joint cultural event of its kind. 'It is a significant collaboration between our library, MCLC, Faculty of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Art and Design and industry partners.' He hopes this will inspire excellence in the city's art scene and become a model of cross-sector collaboration. 'Let us work hand in hand to enrich the arts scene of Johor Baru and Malaysia.' Comprising cultural performances and book sales until April 30, 2026, the event has been designed to attract public interest. Popular Malaysia general manager (business development) Siew Sheue Liang said, 'At Popular, we believe books are powerful tools for learning and cultural growth. 'In Johor Baru, we have promoted reading by giving back to the community through knowledge and culture.' Siew said Popular was proud to mark SUC's golden jubilee by launching a reading project titled 'Celebrating the Art of Calligraphy and Cultural Heritage – A New Chapter Begins'. He said Popular had raised RM16,100 for SUC and thanked contributors who helped to keep cultural heritage strong in Johor. The opening ceremony also marked the 70th anniversary of Chao Foon literary magazine, the oldest Chinese literary publication in Malaysia and Singapore, and is currently issued bi‑annually by MCLC. Meanwhile, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said she was happy to see publishers and universities teaming up to bring local stories, books and campuses closer to the public. The Kulai MP said the ministry had long promoted reading and aimed to build a stronger reading culture through programmes such as the Madani Malaysia book voucher. She said the programme offered RM50 and RM100 book vouchers to those from primary school to university levels. 'This year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the programme will include 400,000 teachers. 'We are also driving the 2025 Book Loving Nation Voucher Programme through the National Library. 'Under this programme, RM1mil has been allocated to support local publishers,' she said.
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Harry Potter fans brand Emma Watson replacement 'perfect' after clip resurfaces
Arabella Stanton will take over from Emma Watson in the TV adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter books, with a resurfaced clip showing her in action Harry Potter enthusiasts are all echoing the same sentiment after a video of the young actress set to play the new Hermione Granger resurfaced. Arabella Stanton is stepping into Emma Watson's shoes in the television adaptation of JK Rowling's series, alongside Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Joining them will be John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu and Janet McTeer, who will portray Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall, respectively. Meanwhile, Luke Thallon will play Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher Quirinus Quirrell, Nick Frost will embody Hagrid, and Paul Whitehouse will portray Squib caretaker Argus Filch. While some viewers have already threatened to shun the new series due to Rowling's anti-trans views, others are eagerly awaiting further details. Most recently, the actors playing Harry, Hermione and Ron were unveiled, and Arabella's impressive acting career has been thrust into the spotlight. The star portrayed Matilda in the West End musical production, and fans have unearthed a clip from her performance of When I Grow Up, which was broadcast on The One Show in March 2024 to commemorate World Book Day. The clip shows her taking centre stage in a blue pin-striped dress, walking towards the stage down the audience aisle, before her fellow young cast members burst into song on stage. Fans are in a frenzy over Arabella's casting in a new role. A clip of her performance has gone viral, currently boasting over 33,000 views. Admirers are unanimous in their praise, calling her portrayal of Hermione "perfect". One remarked, "From this alone, I can tell she's going to be an amazing Hermione. " Another enthused: "So everyone ran here after learning she's playing Hermione, right? Sorry, not sorry, but I think they're perfect." "I can actually see her as Hermione!! Nice casting," chimed in another fan. A fourth contributed: "Well done, Ms. Granger. 10 points for Gryffindor." "SHE WAS PERFECTLY CAST AS HERMIONE," declared another supporter. One person added: "Cryingggg I'm so happy everyone is accepting her as Hermione. She's perfect." The up-and-coming actress also made waves starring in the 2024 production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express, where she played Control. Last year, Arabella paid homage to her performance as Matilda on an Instagram account run by her parents, recalling: "I started auditioning for Matilda the Musical the week after my 9th birthday and feel so lucky and honoured to have spent the age of 9 being able to play Matilda Wormwood at the Cambridge Theatre, London for the Royal Shakespeare Company (and at Buckingham Palace for an extra special performance at the BBC 500 Words Final)." Expressing her gratitude, she added: "Being able to play the part of Matilda as my West End debut has been incredible .. dreams really can come true!" The Harry Potter TV series will land on HBO in 2026.
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Harry Potter fans say same thing about casting as clip of new Hermione actress resurfaces
Harry Potter fans have all been left saying the same thing after a clip of Arabella Stanton playing the new Hermione Granger resurfaced. Harry Potter enthusiasts are all echoing the same sentiment after a video of the young actress set to portray the new Hermione Granger resurfaced. Arabella Stanton is stepping into Emma Watson's shoes in the television adaptation of JK Rowling's series, alongside Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. The trio will join an impressive cast that includes John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, and Janet McTeer, who will portray Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Minerva McGonagall, respectively. In addition, Luke Thallon will play Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher Quirinus Quirrell, Nick Frost will embody Hagrid, and Paul Whitehouse will play Squib caretaker Argus Filch. While some viewers have already threatened to boycott the new series due to Rowling's controversial views on transgender issues, others are eagerly awaiting further details. Most recently, the actors playing Harry, Hermione and Ron were unveiled, and Arabella's remarkable acting career has come into focus. The star previously portrayed Matilda in the West End musical production, and fans have unearthed a clip from her performance of When I Grow Up, which was broadcast on The One Show in March 2024 to commemorate World Book Day. The clip shows her taking centre stage in a blue pin-striped dress, walking towards the stage through the audience aisle, before her fellow young cast members burst into song on stage. After the performance went viral with over 33,000 views on YouTube, fans unanimously praised Arabella's casting as "perfect". "From this alone, I can tell she's going to be an amazing Hermione," one admirer remarked. "So everyone ran here after learning she's playing Hermione, right? Sorry, not sorry, but I think they're perfect," another fan expressed. "I can actually see her as Hermione!! Nice casting," commented a third viewer. A fourth enthusiast shared: "Well done, Ms. Granger. 10 points for Gryffindor." "SHE WAS PERFECTLY CAST AS HERMIONE," another person exclaimed. "Cryingggg, I'm so happy everyone is accepting her as Hermione. She's perfect," another person added. Arabella also took to the stage in Andrew Lloyd Webber's roller-skating musical Starlight Express in 2024, portraying the character Control. Last year, she reflected on her role as Matilda on an Instagram account managed by her parents, posting: "I started auditioning for Matilda the Musical the week after my 9th birthday and feel so lucky and honoured to have spent the age of 9 being able to play Matilda Wormwood at the Cambridge Theatre, London for the Royal Shakespeare Company (and at Buckingham Palace for an extra special performance at the BBC 500 Words Final). "Being able to play the part of Matilda as my West End debut has been incredible .. dreams really can come true!" The Harry Potter TV series will land on HBO in 2026.
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
New Harry Potter star's little-known TV past and where you've seen them before
HBO has announced the next trio to take on the iconic roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley for the upcoming TV series as one already has an acting past Harry Potter fans have been introduced to the next trio taking over the iconic roles for the TV remake - and one actor has been on screens before. After months of waiting, HBO have confirmed who will be taking on Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The three young actors are Dominic McLaughlin, who will be playing Harry Potter, while Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout will be starring as Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley respectively. Harry Potter's executive producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod said in a statement that they are "delighted" to reveal new stars after an "extraordinary search", which began back in September last year. Based on JK Rowling's hit novels, the TV series will be a faithful adaptation of the books, according to HBO. While the trio have been dubbed as newcomers, many fans have been stunned to find out they have seen Hermione's actress before. Following in the footsteps of Emma Watson, who landed the mega role when she was 11-years-old, Arabella has already had a taste of the small screen. She has featured on both television and in theatre after studying at some of the country's most well respected acting schools. Arabella, who also goes by Bella, began her career at Aldance, a studio in Bracknell that offers dancing classes for children from 18 months to adulthood. She then moved onto the prestigious British Theatre Academy and the Guildford School of Acting. In 2013, Bella landed her first role when she was cast as the star character Matilda in the West End production, Matilda The Musical. The actress was the production's youngest cast member as she took on the six-month acting period in September 2023. She even featured on BBC's The One Show for World Book Day as Matilda. Bella impressed on the stage and helped to land her the part of Control in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 2024 London revival of Starlight Express. Acting isn't Bella's only enjoyment as she plays hockey for her local club and spends time skiing and horse riding. The young star also competes in swimming galas and triathlons and can even play the clarinet. Fans have also noticed Bella has a striking resemblance to Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega. The American actress was a child star in Jane The Virgin and shot to stardom thanks to her Netflix role as Wednesday Addams. Many fans pointed out their similar looks as one said: "Arabella Stanton looks like young Jenna Ortega or is it only me??? Hermoine in HBO's #HarryPotter series." Another added: "Arabella Stanton looks like a young Jenna Ortega." Someone else commented: "Arabella who? That's clearly a young Jenna Ortega." When announcing the trio, Harry Potter's executive producers said: "The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. "We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.'
The Star
21-05-2025
- General
- The Star
University in Brunei marks World Book Day
Students at the World Book Day event. - Photo: UNISSA BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: In support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) declaration of April 23 as World Book Day, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) held a celebration marking the occasion. Deputy Rector of UNISSA Dr Arman Asmad, the guest of honour, launched the event held from May 14 to 15 at a ceremony at the Faculty of Agriculture in Kampong Sinaut, Tutong District. The annual event was jointly organised by the Library, Research and Publication Centre and the Knowledge and Language Advancement Centre, featuring activities to enliven this year's World Book Day celebration. The launching ceremony featured a book discussion on Managing Stress Factors with Islamic Spiritual Methods, presented by the book's author Dr Nur Annisa Sarbini, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance, UNISSA. This year, Assistant Lecturer from the Faculty of Law Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Rajali Aji, and Assistant Lecturer from the Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre, Nor Surilawana Sulaiman, were awarded as the Best Academician Patrons. The Best Student Patron awards were presented to Norhafizah Abdullah Hapidshah, a student from the Faculty of Law Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, and Siti Hadhirah Mohamed Azlan, a student from the Faculty of Agriculture. The event also saw the launch of the Mureeh Reading Corner. Derived from the Arabic word mureeh, meaning comfortable, calm and relaxing, the initiative aims to support mental health by providing a dedicated space in the library for students to unwind, reduce stress and boost productivity through light activities such as reading leisure materials and engaging in therapeutic games. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
