Mohd Uzir: It is hoped that the economic recovery remains in sight with a better trend amid global uncertainty. (Photo by Zahid Izzani Mohd Said/The Edge) - A + A KUALA LUMPUR (June 29): Economic recovery remains in sight with a better trend as signalled by Malaysia's macroeconomic performance in April 2022 amid global uncertainty, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said more than two years after an unprecedented global health crisis that profoundly altered the world’s socio-economic landscape, nations had started the recovery process with extensive exit strategy activities to boost economic viability and public health. “While the public had started to adjust to endemicity, a new threat comes in the form of supply chain disruptions due to the ongoing geopolitical tension between Russia and Ukraine, uncertain weather conditions, and escalating demand following the easing of health restrictions in … [Read more...] about DOSM: Malaysia’s economic recovery remains in sight amid global uncertainty
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Cabinet forms special task force on jihad against inflation, says Ismail Sabri
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Photo by Zahid Izzani/The Edge filepix) - A + A KUALA LUMPUR (June 29): The Cabinet on Wednesday agreed to form a Special Task Force on Jihad Against Inflation to help Malaysian families face the rising cost of living. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the main role of the special task force is to gather all information from ministries, agencies and the public, and to formulate strategies and coordinate actions to resolve issues relating to inflation, especially in controlling price hikes more efficiently and effectively. “The task force will function like the one which handled the Covid-19 pandemic, and they will have meetings twice a week, namely on Mondays and Thursdays. “A press conference will be held after every meeting to answer all questions on issues raised by the people,” he said in a statement here on Wednesday (June 29). Ismail Sabri said the move was taken following the rising cost … [Read more...] about Cabinet forms special task force on jihad against inflation, says Ismail Sabri
Nazlan’s Maybank role known to Najib, irrelevant to SRC trial, says DPP
Datuk Seri Najib Razak (Photo by Zahid Izzani/The Edge filepix) - A + A KUALA LUMPUR (June 29): The prosecution in the SRC International Sdn Bhd appeal contended that trial judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali's previous roles in Maybank did not pose a conflict of interest in the trial in the High Court. In opposing the bid by Datuk Seri Najib Razak to adduce fresh evidence in the appeal, deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul said Justice Nazlan's involvement in Maybank Group was known in the public domain. As such, Najib, as chairman of the board of advisors of 1MDB, ought to have known about his former engagement with the bank but did not object Nazlan presiding the trial then, Mohd Ashrof said in his affidavit in reply sighted by theedgemarkets.com . In the affidavit, Mohd Ashrof cited numerous news articles in 2018 which reported Justice Nazlan's position at Maybank. He noted that the news articles were in the public domain, even … [Read more...] about Nazlan’s Maybank role known to Najib, irrelevant to SRC trial, says DPP
Fifa sells 1.8 million tickets for Qatar’s World Cup
FILE PHOTO General views of the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar, March 30, 2022. General view inside the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, a venue for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski DOHA—Organisers have sold 1.8 million tickets for this year’s World Cup in Qatar, world football governing body FIFA said Wednesday ahead of the next round of ticket sales that opens on July 5. There is a special category of tickets available only to residents of host nation Qatar and fans in the Gulf Arab state have bought the largest number of tickets, FIFA said. Aside from Qatar, the top countries where fans bought tickets are Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, FIFA said in a press release. FIFA expects to offer a total of 3 million match tickets during the 28-day tournament, which kicks off Nov. 21, a spokesperson said. Qualifications for the World Cup have now concluded and … [Read more...] about Fifa sells 1.8 million tickets for Qatar’s World Cup
Filipinas excited, honored to play at home for AFF Women’s Championship
Filipinas win in friendly in Europe. –PFF PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine women’s football team has spent the last several months training and competing at a high level from one country to another. But for the Filipinas, who are determined for more glory in the upcoming AFF Women’s Championship here, there’s no place like home. “I know I can speak for all of the girls of how exciting it is to be playing in the Philippines. This will be my first time playing in the Philippines and we have family, extended family over here, immediate family and I think it would mean so much more to get to play in front of all our friends, family and supporters,” said Filipinas skipper Tahnai Annis in a presser Wednesday. “Since we’ve been playing all over now and haven’t really got to have that home field advantage, home field crowd and I think everyone is just really excited for that and I think all of the support we will have will really help us through this long tournament,” she … [Read more...] about Filipinas excited, honored to play at home for AFF Women’s Championship
Step into Hong Kong’s last hand-painted porcelain factory
Step into Yuet Tung China Works, Hong Kong’s last remaining hand-painted porcelain factory, and you find yourself surrounded by stacks of dinnerware, each piece painstakingly decorated by hand with vibrant motifs of flowers, fruits and animals. Joseph Tso, the third-generation owner of the factory, and his small team are among the few people in Hong Kong who have mastered the traditional technique of painting "guangcai,” or Canton porcelain. It is a fading art in this modern metropolis, as fewer young people are willing to put in the time and effort required to master the craft or to work at the factory full-time. A staff member works at the Yuet Tung China Works, Hong Kong's last remaining hand-painted porcelain factory. Photo: AP "The business environment in Hong Kong is not suitable for labour-intensive industries,” said Tso. "Hong Kong’s traditional handicraft industry is gradually declining. It will eventually disappear.” Guangcai, which comes from the nearby … [Read more...] about Step into Hong Kong’s last hand-painted porcelain factory
Live updates | Italy sees no NATO military escalation
The Associated Press MADRID (AP) — The Latest on the NATO summit in Madrid: ___ Italian Premier Mario Draghi says plans for an increased U.S. military presence in Europe don’t amount to a military escalation within NATO. Draghi says the increase announced Wednesday by the White House would amount to just 70 additional U.S. troops on Italian soil and an air defense system that had already been planned. But he added at the NATO summit in Madrid: “You have to be ready.” Draghi said overall Italy is committing 10,000 troops to NATO. That includes 2,000 divided among the Italian command of NATO in Bulgaria, its presence in Romania and staffing of air patrols over the Baltics. Another 8,000 are on standby in Italy “if eventually necessary.” ___ — Turkey lifts objections to Sweden, Finland joining NATO ahead of alliance summit — Biden, NATO to beef up force posture amid Russian aggression — Macron says Russia can’t win in Ukraine — The AP Interview: Spanish PM … [Read more...] about Live updates | Italy sees no NATO military escalation
Police conduct analysis on mobile phone capturing Bella’s videos, photographs
Siti Bainun seen at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. (Photo by Shahrin Yahya/The Edge) - A + A KUALA LUMPUR (June 29): A police officer told the Sessions Court here on Wednesday (June 29) that he had conducted an analysis of a mobile phone which captured the photographs and videos of the injuries suffered by the 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome known as Bella. An analyst at the Computer Crime Section, Forensic Laboratory of the Royal Malaysia Police, Insp Yip Chang Ching, 42, said it took him more than three hours to extract the photographs and videos from the mobile phone. The 11th prosecution witness said this during cross-examination by lawyer Nurul Hafidzah Hassan representing the founder of welfare home Rumah Bonda, Siti Bainun Ahd Razali, at the trial before Judge Izralizam Sanusi. The mobile phone belonged to a woman, a volunteer at the welfare home, who is also Siti Bainun’s close friend. In his witness statement, Yip … [Read more...] about Police conduct analysis on mobile phone capturing Bella’s videos, photographs
Licence fee exemption period for tourism operators, tour guides extended till Dec 31
Photo for illustration purpose only - A + A PUTRAJAYA (June 29): The government has agreed to extend the licence fee exemption period for tourism operators and tour guides who applied for renewal from Thursday (June 30) until Dec 31, 2022. Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) in a statement Wednesday (July 29) said the decision was made based on the government's concern towards tourism operators and tour guides who are still affected by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “This initiative is part of the assistance provided by the government to help businesses survive and help companies to rise again, following the Covid-19 pandemic,” said MOTAC. The ministry also said the fee exemption for licence renewal until Dec 31, 2021 involved 3,419 tour companies, totalling RM5.676 million. "With the extension of the initiative, MOTAC hopes that eligible tourism operators and tour guides will take advantage of the opportunity given to apply for renewal within … [Read more...] about Licence fee exemption period for tourism operators, tour guides extended till Dec 31
Giving victims of sexual violence a space to be heard through #bukansalahkamek exhibition
Her perpetrator was a student in her school – a senior – who blackmailed one of her friends to take pictures of her changing in the dormitory. "I was unaware of everything, until K's friends called me. They directed me to a room and continued to interrogate me for everything (sic). They said they found a picture of me, in my underwear. They realised it was me. I found out that it was not only me. K had a folder of photos of naked bodies of his juniors, my own friends, that he sells to his batchmate. I was ashamed. I felt see through. I felt disgusted. Until now. There have been no retributions on K until now, (and) he has a successful life. If only people (knew) how sick in the head he is." This was Marie's testimony, one of about 25 testimonies of women and children who have experienced harassment and abuse that were presented at the #bukansalahkamek (#notmyfault) exhibition organised by Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) at the La Promenade Mall in Kuching, Sarawak, for a … [Read more...] about Giving victims of sexual violence a space to be heard through #bukansalahkamek exhibition