Embraces the status quo

This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on August 1, 2022 - August 07, 2022. - A + A WILL it be third time’s the charm for Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd, which launched yet another unconditional takeover offer for Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd (CCB) on July 14? Jardine’s bid to acquire the rest of the shares in CCB that it does not already own — at an offer price of RM2.70 per share — marks its third attempt at making CCB a fully owned subsidiary. As with the first two exercises, the current offer is expected to fall short, because even though it is higher than the previous offers of RM2.20 per share followed by another at RM2.40, it is still far from the RM4.65 enterprise value (EV) that the main dissenting shareholder Datuk David Goh contends it is worth. In an exclusive interview with The Edge in July last year, Goh said that the underlying value of CCB — one of the largest Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the country — was at … [Read more...] about Suspense over Jardine’s third attempt at CCB privatisation

- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 9): Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd and Microsoft Malaysia will collaborate in empowering startups in Malaysia to scale innovative results at a global level. The collaboration through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Cradle, an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), and Microsoft will provide access to upskilling opportunities and technical guidance for startups to improve capabilities. Besides that, the MOU will also provide startups with access to the Microsoft Mentor Network, along with free access to GitHub Enterprise and productivity boosts with Microsoft 365 and Azure cloud credits of up to US$150,000 (US$1=RM4.45) to build their products. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, who witnessed the signing, said the collaboration would be a catalyst for more active growth and development for startups in Malaysia. “The collaboration between Cradle and … [Read more...] about Cradle, Microsoft Malaysia collaborate to empower startups in Malaysia

Peter Bergen is CNN's national security analyst, a vice president at New America and a professor of practice at Arizona State University. Bergen's new paperback is "The Rise and fall of Osama bin Laden." from which this article is, in part, adapted. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN. (CNN) In 1961, after a CIA-backed invasion of Cuba failed spectacularly, President John F. Kennedy said of the Bay of Pigs fiasco, "Victory has 100 fathers and defeat is an orphan." Peter Bergen Last week, President Joe Biden took a victory lap when he announced that the US had tracked down and killed its most wanted terrorist, al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who was living in a house in Kabul, Afghanistan. Don't expect a similar celebration on August 30, the first anniversary of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, which ended the longest war in American history. Any realistic assessment of that action shows that it … [Read more...] about Opinion: Biden’s Afghanistan exit decision looks even worse a year later

(CNN) Data obtained by CNN from New York's largest health-care provider indicates you're very unlikely to become severely ill with Covid-19 if you're under age 60, up to date on your Covid-19 vaccines and don't have underlying health problems, backing up a government plan expected to be announced this week that will ease up on coronavirus restrictions . If you're young, healthy and vaccinated, "you're going to be in a pretty good place," said Dr. William Schaffner, a vaccine adviser to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "You're going to be well-protected." CDC expected to ease Covid-19 recommendations, including for schools, as soon as this week The data from Northwell Health shows that of the nearly 2,000 people hospitalized there for Covid-19 in May, June and July, about 80% were over 60. Nearly 90% had an underlying health problem such as hypertension or diabetes. Vaccination status was also critically important. … [Read more...] about Under 60, healthy, vaccinated and boosted? ‘You’re in a pretty good place’ with Covid-19

Shark Tank star Aaron Krause -- the energetic inventor and founder of the bestselling sponge Scrub Daddy -- has been releasing new products at a relentless clip this year. First, there was Eraser Daddy , Scrub Daddy's take on the famous eraser material popularized by Mr. Clean. Heat-compressed and dual-sided, Eraser Daddy is designed to last longer. Two months ago, he launched Scour Daddy , which improves upon the typical scouring pad that has remained unchanged for decades. It was quickly picked up by every Walmart in the country. Next up came Screen Daddy , a circular microfiber pad for cleaning your electronic devices that you can conveniently store directly on them. It's currently available in Bed Bath & Beyond as well as Kroger stores. Last month, when Krause debuted Daddy Caddy and Sponge Caddy -- plastic containers for storing Scrub Daddy products -- they completely sold out at Bed Bath & Beyond stores. That's not it. On October … [Read more...] about Want to Invent Best-Selling Products? Innovate Like the Founder of Scrub Daddy

Update: This post has been updated Tuesday morning to reflect changes in Heche’s health status. Actress Anne Heche suffered severe burns in a car accident Saturday and was originally listed in stable condition. Reports now indicate the star’s condition has deteriorated. “At this time Anne is in extreme critical condition. She has a significant pulmonary injury requiring mechanical ventilation and burns that require surgical intervention,” sources close to the actress said, according to Deadline .  “She is in a coma and has not regained consciousness since shortly after the accident.” The actress allegedly slammed her car into an L.A. house that sustained so much damage it is now “uninhabitable,” according to The Guardian . Heche was originally listed in critical condition, then upgraded to stable condition, and is in critical status once again. Her Mini Cooper was barely recognizable after the fiery crash , according to TMZ . Police sources requested a warrant for … [Read more...] about Anne Heche Seriously Injured After Slamming Her Car Into A House In LA

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Ukraine’s suspension of Russian oil to Eastern Europe sent oil prices soaring Tuesday morning, after Russian oil company Transneft announced Ukraine had not received transfer fees for the oil for nearly a week due to Western sanctions, renewing fears of supply shortages. Key Facts Brent Crude Oil shot up 1.13% Tuesday morning, hitting $97.78 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate increased 1.3%, to $92.06, following the announcement from Transneft , Russia’s pipeline monopoly. Transneft wrote in a statement obtained by Reuters that it had paid a transfer fee to Ukraine, but the money was returned because of European Union sanctions against Russia for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine’s decision to halt Russian oil affects the southern leg of the Druzhba pipeline, which feeds Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, according to Transneft. Hungary ’s oil reserves now sit … [Read more...] about Oil Prices Jump As Russian Oil Supplies Halted To Eastern Europe

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin I have always viewed politicians that promise to ban hydraulic fracturing — commonly known as “fracking” — with some level of suspicion. In fact, a year ago as candidates were making these promises I explained Why A Ban On Fracking Will Never Happen . Those promises have always signaled one of three things to me. The Significance of Fracking First, the candidate may not understand the significance of fracking to U.S. oil and gas production. So let’s review that significance. Fracking has actually been around since the late 1940s and has been used extensively to promote higher production rates from oil and gas wells. Fracking involves pumping water, chemicals and typically sand down an oil or gas well under high pressure to break open channels (fractures) in the reservoir rock trapping the deposit. Oil and gas do not travel easily through these shale formations, which is why they need to be fractured. The … [Read more...] about Joe Biden Shifts To A Realistic Fracking Stance

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin There are countless ways for one to connect with a destination. For the gastronome, local flavors are telling of a country’s diverse culinary culture. Art and design enthusiasts will most likely head to museums, architectural landmarks and gallery spaces as a means for enriching the travel experience. Adventure seekers will head to less-beaten paths, all in search of an adrenaline rush. For the beauty and wellness advocate, healing traditions of a region are the biggest draws for packing a bag and hopping on a plane. It was in May of this year when Malaysia finally opened its borders to foreign visitors. It had been over a decade since my last visit to the beautiful Southeast Asian federal country. A full spa tour itinerary was an opportunity to return and get to know the Malay Peninsula better. YTL Hotels’ Spa Village was an irresistible concept that inspired me to finally book my ticket and make room reservations after … [Read more...] about Reconnect With Self Love And The Divine Feminine At Tanjong Jara Resort’s Spa Village

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Established in 1912 by Margaret Anderson, the ultra-luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel has become an infamous establishment synonymous with style, glamour and elegance. It’s no surprise then, that it has hosted everyone from A-listers to the fashion glitterati and royalty alike, and this year, the beloved L.A. landmark celebrates its 110th anniversary. At the helm is General Manager, John Scanlon, and he shares ten things to know about this world-famous, celebrity-adored hotel. Female founder: The Beverly Hills Hotel was opened by Margaret Anderson in 1912, two years before the city of Beverly Hills was established. Margaret owned and operated the hotel for many years, and her motto was “Guests are entitled to the best of everything regardless of cost!” The hotel has recently introduced a variety of activations to celebrate its 110th anniversary. Iconic architecture: Paul Revere Williams, one of the world’s … [Read more...] about 10 Things To Know About The Beverly Hills Hotel