Public execution

Apple Inc. ( AAPL ), the Google division of Alphabet Inc. ( GOOGL , GOOG ), and Microsoft Corporation ( MSFT ) announced, on May 5, 2022, that they are embarking on "a joint effort to make the web more secure and usable for all." Specifically, they are taking leading roles in expanding support for a universal password-free sign-in standard created by the FIDO (Fast ID Online) Alliance and the World Wide Web Consortium. This standard is designed to allow websites and apps to offer consistent, secure, and easy password-free universal sign-ins to consumers across devices and platforms. Also among the 40 companies comprising FIDO's highest, "board level," category level of membership are Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN ) and Facebook parent Meta Platforms, Inc. ( FB ), plus seven leading financial services firms. The impact on future financial results of the aforementioned technology-driven companies is unclear at this point. However, their collaboration promises to speed … [Read more...] about Apple, Alphabet, and Microsoft Push Universal Password-Free Sign-Ins

This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on May 16, 2022 - May 22, 2022. Klang Valley Data Centre in Cyberjaya - A + A WITH 5G and digital services being two key growth areas, Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is actively seeking partners and solutions in the digital space to strengthen its value proposition. And it is not discounting the possibility of acquisitions or joint ventures taking place this year. “That [the need to invest to be better positioned for new growth areas] is partly why we are looking at conserving our cash position,” its managing director and CEO Imri Mokhtar tells The Edge. “We are actively scouting the market [for acquisitions]. As we go into more specific projects, for example, we do need to acquire some of these specialists or boutique technology companies to complement [our portfolio].” Deals being sought include cloud computing, smart workforce, productivity and specialised industry-based solutions to bolster its … [Read more...] about Cover Story: Telekom on the prowl for M&A, JV to grow new digital services unit Credence

Gerhard Schroeder - A + A FRANKFURT (May 26): Gerhard Schroeder has backed off from taking a top role at Russian energy giant Gazprom, dealing a setback to Germany's gas lobby as it seeks to keep the energy lifeline from Russia open. The former German chancellor played a critical role in establishing the energy bond between the countries and defending it over two decades. Earlier this month, following a barrage of criticism, Russia's state-owned oil company Rosneft said Schroeder was stepping down from its board. On Tuesday, shortly after the European Parliament had urged his blacklisting, Schroeder said he would not take a nomination to Gazprom's supervisory board. Germany had also closed Schroeder's taxpayer-funded office amid a public outcry over Russia ties. It marks the end of a controversial career that had seen him forge a friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin underscored Schroeder's importance as a guarantor for a cheap and steady … [Read more...] about Schroeder throws in towel as German industry clings on to Russian gas

Emotions are energy in motion. Without them, we wouldn’t feel compelled to act, create, or move an inch. This is why they are so vital, not just in our personal lives, but also in the workplace. A company’s formal organizational structure is always invisibly overlaid with an informal network of relationships fueled by emotions. advertisement advertisement Studies show us that emotions impact how we perform, lead, make decisions, innovate, and commit to our organizations. Recent research from Wharton management professor Michael Parke indicates that expressing emotions in the workplace among teams results in their enhanced ability to solve problems and generate ideas. Toxic positivity is forcing us to fake it And yet, showing emotions at work, especially the more complicated ones, still seems inconceivable for many managers. Some fear losing face or authority, while others think they’ll be perceived as soft or weak. For many of us, … [Read more...] about Why we need ’emotional diversity’ at work right now

Elon Musk’s audacious bid appears to threaten the stranglehold that left-liberal politicians and intelligentsia have had over both American mainstream and social media for years now. (Illustration by Suneesh K.) It was probably inevitable that Elon Musk’s $44-billion bid to buy social media platform Twitter would turn intensely political. After all, ever since the 2016 US presidential election, the right wing and conservatives have been accusing the company of a leftist/Democratic Party bias. Musk, who calls himself a “free speech absolutist”, too has made it clear several times that he thinks Twitter’s censorship and intervention laws are skewed. Events have moved fast in the month since Musk made his offer of purchase, and he has been facing attacks coming from all directions. Within days of the Twitter board accepting Musk’s offer, the Joe Biden administration announced the creation of a “ Disinformation Governance Board ”. To many people, this did not seem to be a … [Read more...] about What’s US politics got to do with Elon Musk’s $44 billion Twitter offer?

India is one of only 32 countries in the world, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Libya, where marital rape is still not considered a crime. (Illustration: eShe) In another setback for Indian women, the safeguard for a husband against a rape charge by his wife remained intact in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) after a two-judge bench in the Delhi High Court gave a split ruling on May 11, 2022, while hearing a case against marital rape. The bench, comprising Justice Rajiv Shakdher and Justice C. Hari Shankar, gave opposing rulings. The former deemed the law unconstitutional and “steeped in patriarchy and misogyny” whereas the latter felt that removing the law would hurt marriage as an institution. The question arises: what kind of an institution demands subjugation of one partner and allows cruelty and inhumanity by the other? And can such an ‘institution’ be the bedrock of a modern democratic society? “'My body, my right’ is an integral part of the right to personal liberty … [Read more...] about Delhi High Court split ruling: Marital rape still not a crime in India

Billionaire brothers John and Patrick Collison built Stripe into one of the world’s most-hyped, highest valued — and profitable! — startups, worth some $95 billion. Now they must stave off going from disruptor to disrupted. I t’s just before five o’clock, and Stripe Cofounder John Collison is preparing to address his hundreds of Ireland-based employees on the top floor of his headquarters in Dublin’s “Silicon Docks” District. Such regular Friday town halls, which are also simulcast to New York, San Francisco, Singapore and anywhere else its 7,000 employees want to tune in from over Zoom, are an almost sacred tradition at Stripe, the payments company that Collison cofounded with big brother Patrick in 2010. With Patrick away getting married, it’s up to John, 31 and with a dusting of gray hair now topping his boyish face, to field questions. It could get contentious: There’s a social media “kerfuffle” playing out over Twitter this week: Stripe has been accused in a … [Read more...] about The Collison Brothers Built Stripe Into A $95 Billion Unicorn With Eye-Popping Financials. Inside Their Plan To Stay On Top

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The San Francisco Proper Hotel is home to three distinct, upscale dining concepts that make this trendy downtown property not only a culinary destination, but also the perfect place to spend a night out in fashion. Villon , the hotel’s eclectic, visually stunning restaurant located on its bottom floor, recently resumed dinner service with an all-new re-conceptualized menu under the guidance of San Francisco Proper’s Executive Chef Jason Fox. With a focus on tableside experiences and sophistication, the seasonal menu is a masterpiece of elevated, innovative dishes that still remain approachable. The menu showcases Chef Jason Fox’s take on California cuisine with seasonal bounty and local ingredients. Menu starter highlights include beef tartare with Asian pear kimchee; scallop and shrimp roll; octopus with fermented chili pork broth; and artichoke agnolotti with burnt lemon fava beans and black truffle froth. There are … [Read more...] about The Rebirth Of San Francisco Proper Hotel’s Show-Stopping Villon Restaurant

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Earlier this month, in the grounds of the Mandarin Oriental hotel on the picturesque shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, Rolls-Royce revealed its second Boat Tail. Finished in a chameleon-esque paintwork that shifts from near-white to deep bronze depending on how the sun hits it, this is the second of only three to ever exist. Commissioned by a Rolls-Royce client who has worked closely with the company for four years, the car shares its platform and overall look with the first Boat Tail, revealed in 2021, but is otherwise a total one-off – right down to the rose gold cutlery and carbon fiber folding stools that form its al fresco dining set. The car is inspired both by racing yachts of the early 20th century and the Rolls-Royce Phantom II Boattail from 1932, which one contemporary Boat Tail customer also owns. This particular example was commissioned by a loyal Rolls-Royce customer based in the Middle East, and whose … [Read more...] about This Is What It’s Like To Order A One-Of-Three Rolls-Royce Boat Tail

Thailand is to welcome a delegation from oil-rich Saudi Arabia in July which could potentially inject “billions” into the nation’s economy. Board of Trade of Thailand Chairman Sanan Angubolkul yesterday revealed delegations from both the private and public sector of Saudi Arabia are scheduled to visit the kingdom from July 4-7 to discuss trade and investment between the two countries. “This is a good opportunity to build mutual confidence in trade and investment. Thailand has the potential to become a hub in ASEAN for Saudi Arabian trade and investment. The Board of Trade is confident that Thailand is well prepared to serve as ASEAN’s hub after recent roadshows.” In January, Thailand and Saudi Arabia agreed to renew diplomatic relations after three decades when Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha paid an official visit to the Arabic nation and met with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud. Sanan followed that trip in mid-May by leading a business delegation to Saudi Arabia for the … [Read more...] about Saudi deal to inject ‘billions’ into Thai economy