Compiled by JUNAID IBRAHIM, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN

       PROFESSIONAL wrestler-turned-actress Nor “Phoenix” Diana is no longer bothered about the criticisms she received about her sports attire, reported Harian Metro.

       Diana, who is touted as the world’s first veiled female wrestler, said the outfits that she wore were in accordance with the guidelines set by the sport.

       “Most of the criticisms dwell on the issue of women with veils or hijab, with some saying that it is unsuitable for a wrestler to wear a hijab.

       “Some people even told me not to wear a headscarf while there were other people criticising me for wearing tight clothes,” she said.

       She said the material for the clothes that she wore to the fights were bought from the United States and was in accordance with international guidelines.

       Diana said she had become more aware of her emotions when it came to such demoralising comments from the public.

       “In the beginning, I would get offended easily and even felt like giving up because it was exhausting to have to face the comments.

       “I have thought of quitting the sport. But now I have become stronger by ignoring negative messages and reading the positive ones instead,” said Diana, who was named in Forbes magazine’s under 30 list in 2020.

       Diana recently starred in a film, Gila Gusti, which tells the story of the life of a professional wrestler.

       > Recent heavy rains in the country have stunted the growth of the popular harumanis mangoes.

       Farmers, reported Utusan Malaysia, said they believe that the mid-April yield would be significantly reduced.

       Mohd Zahir Md Nazir, 32, who owns 100 trees, said he was expecting the harvest this season to only provide him with 900 fruits compared to last year’s 3,000.

       Mohd Zahir, whose farm is located in Jawi Endon, Simpang Empat in Arau, Perlis, said the recent rains were unexpected because the period between January and March was usually sunny and hot.

       He said the flowering harumanis tree should not be exposed to continuous rain because this would affect its growth.

       “It’s still raining this month. The farmers are waiting for the harvest which is supposed to be in April.

       “Last season, my income was around RM12,000. This season, it may be only RM3,000,” said Mohd Zahir.

       The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.