Purpose must take precedence over profits
I was mesmerised by his transformation in investment philosophy wherein purpose takes precedence over profits. If we care to reflect on the purpose and objectives of DFIs, one of the strategic thrusts is to support the government’s strategic priority areas. When economic outcomes for funding are distorted by unequal asset allocation (collateral), the noble objectives of purpose and values may not be realised. Adopting a heavy weightage on collateral-based lending may be easier from an administrative perspective but would not meet the purpose objective. The purpose of this letter is not to point fingers at anyone.
Source:The Star
May 20, 2021 00:45 UTC
‘Penang govt was duped’
“I wish the Penang state government had done due diligence over the letter. “I told him that if the offer is still valid, I can help the Penang state government with the approval to obtain the vaccines. “I have always given my full and best cooperation to all state governments, including those of Selangor, Sabah, Penang, Negri Sembilan and Sarawak. “(Opposition Leader Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim accused me of blocking state governments and private foundations from acquiring their own vaccines. In the letter produced by the Penang state government, “Yong” claimed he had been in touch with Chang.
Source:The Star
May 20, 2021 00:22 UTC
Returnees from India struggling with 21-day quarantine
JOHOR BARU: Malaysians returning from India feel that the 21-day quarantine period is too stressful and a mental agony, especially when Covid-19 tests show they are negative. Many said they would not have returned home if they had known earlier about the extension of the quarantine from 14 days. M. Chinnappan, 69, who was in India since last year, was hoping to spend time with his grandchildren after 14 days in isolation but was now left disappointed having to serve another week of quarantine. “Why extend our stay at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur for another week?” he said in an interview. I am now stuck in my hotel room.
Source:The Star
May 20, 2021 00:00 UTC
Rain or shine, he delivers
HAVING spent over half a century working in newspaper distribution, 73-year-old Periasamy Sinnasamy has seen the many ups and downs of the industry. Before becoming a newspaper distributor, Periasamy had helped manage a bookstore in Greentown, Ipoh in Perak which is still in business. “But when I joined the distribution industry, my income tripled, ” he recalled, saying that the steady income motivated him to stay on in the industry as a full-time distributor. “I have faced numerous challenges over the years as a distributor, ” said Periasamy, who was the Perak Indian Newspapers Distribution Association (Pinda) treasurer from 1990 to 2010. Periasamy observed too how the increasing use of smartphones had impacted the newspaper print industry, with many readers nowadays getting their news delivered on their digital devices.
Source:The Star
May 19, 2021 23:48 UTC
Daily food waste staggering
PETALING JAYA: Every day, Malaysians produce enough food waste to fill seven Olympic-sized swimming pools, according to the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp). This means that out of the 38,000 tonnes of domestic waste daily, 45% – or 17,000 tonnes – are food waste, out of which around 4,080 tonnes are still edible. Out of the 41%, it estimated that an average of 62.44% were unavoidable food waste while 37.56% were avoidable. “From my previous study in 2015, about 45% of total waste in Malaysia was food waste. “Impose more stringent regulations on other sectors of food waste generators such as the food and beverage industries, hotels, markets, eateries, shopping malls and others.
Source:The Star
May 19, 2021 23:37 UTC
Amazon.com faces five new racial, gender bias lawsuits
(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc was hit on Wednesday with five new lawsuits by women who worked in corporate or warehouse management roles, and accused the online retailer of gender bias, racial bias or both. The women, ages 23 to 64, accused Amazon of favoring men over women in career growth, allowing supervisors to denigrate them, and retaliating after they complained. Two plaintiffs are Black, one is Latina, one is Asian-American and one is white. They filed their lawsuits in federal courts in Arizona, California, Delaware and Amazon's hometown of Seattle. The Wigdor firm has also represented women who accused now-convicted movie producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, and Fox News employees alleging bias or harassment there.
Source:The Star
May 19, 2021 22:52 UTC
For some of Japan's lonely workers, COVID-19 brings a homecoming
Solo assignments have been a regular duty for white collar workers since at least Japan's recovery from wartime devastation, becoming a crucial step in career progression despite their unpopularity among many workers. Solo workers at companies where teleworking has become a norm for all employees are also going home. Researchers at Ritsumeikan University, using census data and government surveys, estimate there may be as many as 1 million solo workers. On average, solo workers get an allowance of 47,000 yen ($432) a month to cover housing costs and a trips homes, according to the labour ministry. Japan's government has largely ignored solo workers in recent labour reforms that focus instead on curbing excessive overtime following several deaths from overwork, known as "karoshi".
Source:The Star
May 19, 2021 22:52 UTC
For some of Japan's lonely workers, Covid-19 brings a homecoming
Solo assignments have been a regular duty for white collar workers since at least Japan's recovery from wartime devastation, becoming a crucial step in career progression despite their unpopularity among many workers. Solo workers at companies where teleworking has become a norm for all employees are also going home. Researchers at Ritsumeikan University, using census data and government surveys, estimate there may be as many as 1 million solo workers. On average, solo workers get an allowance of 47,000 yen ($432) a month to cover housing costs and a trips homes, according to the labour ministry. Japan's government has largely ignored solo workers in recent labour reforms that focus instead on curbing excessive overtime following several deaths from overwork, known as "karoshi".
Source:The Edge Markets
May 19, 2021 22:52 UTC
Opinion: Wikipedia wants me to do what?
I use Wikipedia a lot, and now and then they ask me for money. Are you a quartz-denier?”So what’s safe and dependable on Wikipedia? We all can agree that William the Conqueror existed, and Wikipedia has an exhaustive entry with many fascinating details. I use Wikipedia a lot, and I am always impressed by its astonishing depth and insanely narrow focus. Or I could demand that they use my bequest to make a printed copy of Wikipedia, just in case.
Source:The Star
May 19, 2021 22:52 UTC
Soccer-Allardyce to step down as West Brom manager
WEST BROMWICH, England (Reuters) - Sam Allardyce will step down as West Bromwich Albion manager at the end of the season, the club said after Wednesday's 3-1 home defeat by West Ham United in the Premier League. Allardyce took charge in December after Slaven Bilic was sacked but was unable to save the Midlands club from an immediate return to the Championship. "West Bromwich Albion made me a generous offer to stay at The Hawthorns that shows the commitment of an ambitious club," Allardyce said in a statement. Allardyce took charge with West Brom already in deep trouble, having won only one of their opening 13 games. In April, after back-to-back wins including an incredible 5-2 victory over Chelsea, it seemed that Allardyce might manage a great escape for West Brom.
Source:The Star
May 19, 2021 22:41 UTC
Soccer-Willock scores again to earn Newcastle win over Sheffield United
NEWCASTLE, England (Reuters) - Joe Willock scored in his sixth consecutive Premier League game to give Newcastle United a 1-0 win over relegated Sheffield United in front of 10,000 spectators at St James' Park on Wednesday. Willock, 21, became the youngest player to achieve the feat as Newcastle moved provisionally up to 15th in the standings after their final home game of the season. Jonjo Shelvey also came close to scoring in the first half for Newcastle with a powerful header from point-blank range. There was concern for Newcastle, though, as Willock, Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin were substituted with injuries in the second half. Newcastle play relegated Fulham away on Sunday while the Blades host Burnley.
Source:The Star
May 19, 2021 20:00 UTC
Baseball diplomacy re-emerges in tense U.S.-Cuban relations
Cuban baseball fans have been worried their team might not receive the visas they need to compete in the qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics. But a Reuters witness saw a group of players and officials from the baseball team outside the embassy on Wednesday. Cuba's baseball team won the gold medal at the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996 and Athens in 2004. Cuban officials say the move was politically motivated, designed to contribute to worsening U.S.-Cuban relations. In the Florida tournament, Cuba will face off in Group B against fellow baseball powers Venezuela, Canada and Colombia.
Source:The Star
May 19, 2021 19:13 UTC
Athletics-Kerley underlines his 100m credentials
Despite his satisfying night, however, Kerley said his main focus remained the one-lap event. "The 100 was good and the 200 I can't complain, though I've still got to work on it," he said. "It's not a surprise to me (his fast 100s) as I've been doing 4 x 100s my whole life so it's normal for me." Fellow American Sha’Carri Richardson, fresh from some startling 100m runs on home soil, looked to have plenty in reserve as she won the women's 200m in 22.35 seconds. The pick of the field events was the men's javelin, where Germany’s Johannes Vetter launched his first throw 94.20 metres, the equal-seventh-longest throw in history.
Source:The Star
May 19, 2021 17:42 UTC
Crypto investors fume as world's biggest platforms are disrupted
The world's biggest crypto-trading platforms were hit by disruptions as digital currencies from Bitcoin to Ethereum slid in a collapse that wiped out billions of dollars in market value. NEW YORK/LONDON (May 19): The world's biggest crypto-trading platforms were hit by disruptions as digital currencies from Bitcoin to Ethereum slid in a collapse that wiped out billions of dollars in market value. US regulators have little oversight over crypto trading platforms. Crypto exchanges frequently suffered outages and problems during Bitcoin's historic rally, often leaving investors unable to buy or sell the digital currency for hours at a time. Read also:World's top crypto platforms disrupted as Bitcoin, Ether tumbleBitcoin plunge exceeds 25%, wipes US$500 billion from market value
Source:The Edge Markets
May 19, 2021 15:29 UTC
Tips for starting your own permaculture vegetable garden
Whether you're in the city with a soil-less garden, or in the country with several square meters to cultivate, these tips are for anyone looking to give their vegetable plot a permaculture approach. Study the subject before plantingIt is difficult to start a perma garden without doing at least a minimal amount of research. Joseph Chauffrey is the author of two books on the subject: Mon petit jardin en permaculture (My small permaculture garden) and J'optimise l'espace au potager (How I optimise space in a vegetable garden), published by Terre Vivante. Find your plotIf you have a large garden, you're one of the lucky ones. If you live in a small space, consider vermicomposting.
Source:The Star
May 19, 2021 15:00 UTC