In this file illustration photo taken on August 10, 2020, the Twitter logo is displayed on a mobile phone in Arlington, Virginia. Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP New Delhi, India — India directed Twitter to locally censor accounts and dozens of posts, including some referencing a report that mentioned the country’s declining internet freedoms, the social media platform confirmed to AFP Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has been accused of stifling criticism, with rights groups sounding the alarm over growing curbs on freedom of speech in the world’s largest democracy. Last year, the government ordered Twitter to take down tweets by the US think-tank Freedom House that had discussed the detention of Indian citizens for questioning government policy on social media, and the use of internet shutdowns to stifle dissent. The tweets were no longer available in India as of this week, along with several accounts representing Pakistan’s government that had been … [Read more...] about India censors social media posts on declining internet freedom
Wheat exporters in india
India asks social media firms to remove reference to ‘Indian variant’ of coronavirus
FILE PHOTO: A medical worker takes care of a patient suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), inside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) hospital, in Greater Noida on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, May 21, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo NEW DELHI — India’s information technology (IT) ministry has written to all social media companies asking them to take down any content that refers to an “Indian variant” of the coronavirus, according to a letter issued on Friday which was seen by Reuters. The World Health Organization said on May 11 that the coronavirus variant B.1.617, first identified in India last year, was being classified as a variant of global concern. The Indian government a day later issued a statement saying media reports using the term “Indian Variant” were without any basis, saying the WHO had classified the variant as just B.1.617. In a letter to social media companies on Friday, the IT … [Read more...] about India asks social media firms to remove reference to ‘Indian variant’ of coronavirus
G7 launches Climate Club in attempt to avoid green trade wars
- A + A BERLIN/BRUSSELS (June 28): Leaders of the world's most advanced economies have agreed to start a Climate Club in which members agree on joint rules and standards in the fight against global warming with the hope that it will avoid spats over green tariffs. The Group of Seven (G7) nations reached a deal on the issue at a three-day summit in Bavaria, Germany that ended on Tuesday. It is a significant achievement for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has made better coordination on climate protection measures a key theme of his G7 presidency. "We note with concern that currently neither global climate ambition nor implementation is sufficient to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement," the final G7 leaders said in a statement. The Climate Club will address that by "accelerating climate action and increasing ambition, with a particular focus on the industry sector". Scholz has argued that the Climate Club would help eliminate a chaotic patchwork of national … [Read more...] about G7 launches Climate Club in attempt to avoid green trade wars
Mukesh Ambani’s son named Reliance Jio chair in succession shift
Akash Ambani (right) and his wife Shloka Mehta - A + A (June 28): Mukesh Ambani’s first-born will succeed him as chairman of the conglomerate’s telecom unit, kickstarting a leadership transition in one of Asia’s wealthiest families. Akash Ambani, who is a non-executive director at India’s No.1 wireless carrier Reliance Jio, was appointed as chairman of the board of directors. Mukesh Ambani resigned from the board of Reliance Jio, the company said in an exchange filing Tuesday. Last year, Ambani said that his kids were taking more responsibilities as part of the leadership shift. He said he could see in his children the same spark and potential of his father Dhirubhai Ambani — Reliance’s founder — for contributing to India’s growth. … [Read more...] about Mukesh Ambani’s son named Reliance Jio chair in succession shift
Malaysia, Australia reaffirm commitment to strengthen strategic partnership
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (right) shakes hands with Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong after holding a press conference at Wisma Putra on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (Bernamapix) - A + A PUTRAJAYA (June 28): Malaysia and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation in multifaceted areas of mutual interest, driven by Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) that both countries will build on. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said he and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong had discussed in depth the various positive growth areas under the CSP. The areas of growth include economy, people-to-people relations, technology as well on stability and security in the region, especially in the post Covid-19 pandemic period and beyond. “We expressed our delight and satisfaction towards the positive growth of our multifaceted cooperation, especially in the post Covid-19 pandemic period. “Malaysia is confident … [Read more...] about Malaysia, Australia reaffirm commitment to strengthen strategic partnership
OPEC revenues rebounded 77% last year as oil demand recovered
- A + A LONDON (June 28): Last year's recovery in oil demand was very kind to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel. The group's export revenue surged by 77% to US$560 billion as global fuel consumption rebounded from the Covid-19 crisis. Prices were also supported as the organisation kept supplies tight — partly at the behest of leader Saudi Arabia, and partly because other nations were unable to raise output. The recovery still left its annual windfall a little short of levels reached in 2019, and considerably below the US$687 billion earned the year before, the OPEC showed in its annual statistical bulletin on Tuesday. This year looks set to surpass those lofty heights. Brent crude futures have averaged just under US$105 a barrel so far, about 46% higher than four years ago. Meanwhile, production is heading towards record levels in Saudi Arabia, which earned US$1 billion a day from oil exports in March. Oil prices have soared about … [Read more...] about OPEC revenues rebounded 77% last year as oil demand recovered
Penang records RM6.3 bil total approved manufacturing investment for Q1 2022
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (The Edge filepix) - A + A BATU KAWAN (June 28): Penang recorded approved manufacturing investments totaling RM6.3 billion in the first quarter of 2022, paving the way for it to be among the country's top contributors in terms of total investment inflow this year, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said. "The state’s commendable performance that continues to punch above our weight is testament to our resilient industrial ecosystem, placing us at the forefront of industrialisation," he said in his speech at the grand opening of Smith & Nephew’s manufacturing facility here on Tuesday (June 28). Chow said Penang garnered a record high of RM76.2 billion in total approved manufacturing investments in 2021, significantly exceeding the state's past performances. "In particular, foreign direct investments (FDIs) contributed 98% of total investment inflows, making Penang the highest recipient of manufacturing FDIs in Malaysia," he … [Read more...] about Penang records RM6.3 bil total approved manufacturing investment for Q1 2022
The number of Netflix bulls is dwindling
- A + A CHICAGO (June 28): In a year that has seen widespread selling of technology stocks and long-time market leaders fall into bear territory, the woes of Netflix Inc stand alone. The video-streaming company has plummeted 69% this year, abandoned by both investors and analysts as back-to-back disappointing quarterly reports raised concerns about user trends in an industry that’s becoming more competitive and losing its pandemic-related tailwinds. The drop is the most of any Nasdaq 100 or S&P 500 component, and much worse than the former index’s 26% decline. The growth outlook has weakened to the point that Netflix has cut hundreds of jobs and changed its tune on two longstanding principles: it is cracking down on password sharing, and will introduce an ad-based subscriber tier to the platform. That’s on top of a backdrop where high inflation has pushed the Federal Reserve to hike rates sharply, sparking recession fuels and fueling a rotation out of tech. … [Read more...] about The number of Netflix bulls is dwindling
G7 agrees to explore cap on Russian oil price — communique
G7 leaders gathering for lunch at the Schloss Elmau hotel in Elmau, Germany on Monday (June 27). The G7 leaders have also agreed to take a more coordinated approach to challenging China's 'market-distorting' practices in global trade. (Photo by Susan Walsh/Pool via Reuters) - A + A SCHLOSS ELMAU (June 28): The Group of Seven (G7) economic powers have agreed to explore imposing a ban on transporting Russian oil that has been sold above a certain price, they said on Tuesday. "We invite all like-minded countries to consider joining us in our actions," the G7 leaders said in the communique. The war in Ukraine and its dramatic economic fallout, in particular soaring food and energy inflation, has dominated this year's summit of the group of rich democracies at a castle resort in the Bavarian Alps. The G7 is looking at price caps as a way to prevent Moscow profiting from its invasion of Ukraine, which has sharply raised energy prices, taking the sting out of Western … [Read more...] about G7 agrees to explore cap on Russian oil price — communique
After 82% jump in 2Q profit, Poh Huat sees signs of demand slowdown in US amid soaring prices
- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (June 28): Poh Huat Resources Holdings Bhd's net profit for the second quarter ended April 30, 2022 (2QFY22) jumped 81.75% to RM23.08 million from RM12.7 million in the same period last year, mainly driven by higher furniture shipments from Malaysia. Quarterly revenue grew 12.57% to RM186.34 million from RM165.53 million, as production activities for both the group's operations in Malaysia and Vietnam continued to do well on the back of sustained orders from its customers in North America. "In particular, our Malaysia operations registered strong growth compared to the previous year's corresponding quarter as we ramped up production to clear order backlogs following the resumption of production after MCO 3.0 (Movement Control Order 3.0). Our Vietnam operations also registered higher shipment, albeit at a more modest level," Poh Huat said. As such, its earnings per share almost doubled to 8.71 sen from 4.79 sen previously, its bourse filing … [Read more...] about After 82% jump in 2Q profit, Poh Huat sees signs of demand slowdown in US amid soaring prices