EPF simplifies i-Sinar approval beginning March 8
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18): Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members below the age of 55 who have applied for the i-Sinar withdrawal facility will be given approval beginning March 8. In a statement today, EPF said the approval includes new applications received after that date, subject to their available Account 1 balance. The removal of the i-Sinar withdrawal criteria means that the interim payment of RM1,000 implemented last month will be effectively stopped. It said amendments to the i-Sinar facility as announced on Feb 11, 2021, involves substantial changes to the system, process, and governance required for i-Sinar Online. About RM18.5 billion has been released under the i-Sinar facility since applications opened last December, benefiting 3.3 million members.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 18, 2021 13:07 UTC
Brimming with self-belief, Brady sets up final date with Osaka
The 25-year-old, ranked 24th in the world, reached her maiden Grand Slam final on Thursday when she overpowered Czech Karolina Muchova 6-4 3-6 6-4 in the Australian Open semi-final. "I would say throughout my junior career, all the coaches that I had ... were always telling me I had potential to be a great tennis player," Brady told reporters. I think I have earned the right to be sitting here, to be playing in a final, in a Grand Slam final on Saturday," she said. "I can enjoy the moment and just try to play tennis and not really think too much about it," she said. "We both played a really good semi-final match at the U.S. Open.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 11:15 UTC
SC seeks public help to locate suspect in unlicensed investment adviser investigation
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18): The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Uzir Abdul Samad, also known as Haji Uzir, who is a suspect in the regulator’s investigation into activities of an unlicensed investment adviser. It said Uzir was last known to be working as a Richlist Club Boutique Advisor for Richlist Club Malaysia (PPM-019-14-14042017). “The SC has taken several measures, including placing advertisements and working with relevant authorities to track Uzir,” said the SC. The SC urged members of the public with information on Uzir’s whereabouts or activities to notify the commission by calling 012-3812497 or email to [email protected]. Checks can be done through the SC website via the Public Register of Licence Holders www.sc.com.my/licensed-registered-persons and List of Registered Recognised Market Operators www.sc.com.my/rmo,” it added.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 18, 2021 10:18 UTC
Tokyo 2020 head Hashimoto: deeply regret behavior from 7 years ago
TOKYO (Reuters) - Seiko Hashimoto, just named head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, said on Thursday that she deeply regretted her behavior from seven years ago, when she faced scrutiny over reports she'd made unwanted advances towards a sportsman during the Sochi Olympics. "Both then and now, I deeply regret my behavior," Hashimoto told a news conference after being formally named to the post. (Reporting by Elaine Lies; editing by John Stonestreet)
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 10:07 UTC
Two journalists jailed for two years in Belarus for filming protests
KYIV (Reuters) - A Belarusian court sentenced two Belarusian journalists from Poland-based TV news channel Belsat to two years in prison on Thursday, after authorities arrested them for live filming protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. Katsiaryna Andreyeva, 27, and Darya Chultsova, 23, were detained in an apartment in November from where they had been filming protests taking place over the death of a protester who was killed several days earlier. The journalists were filming protests after the death of 31-year-old Roman Bondarenko, who died in hospital in November after what protesters say was a severe beating by security forces. The Belsat TV channel specializes in news from Belarus and employs mostly Belarusian citizens. (This story corrects to show journalists are Belarusians working for a Poland-based broadcaster)(Writing by Matthias Williams; editing by John Stonestreet)
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 07:57 UTC
Anger mounts as Facebook's Australia news ban sweeps up charities, government pages
But several charities and pages of official health, meteorology and emergency services were also blocked, along with smaller, niche content providers. Foodbank Australia, one of the many charities caught in the crossfire, said Facebook's response was "unacceptable". "CUTE CATS AND CONSPIRACIES"Some organisations posted social media messages directing followers to other platforms including Twitter and Facebook-owned Instagram. Journalist Jelisa Apps said many rural areas and country towns relied on their local paper's Facebook pages as physical copies were stripped back over the years. Other social media platforms were not as widely used, she said.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 07:30 UTC
After Williams falls, Brady flies U.S. flag to reach final
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Jennifer Brady ensured there would be an American in the Australian Open final after Serena Williams' exit by downing Karolina Muchova 6-4 3-6 6-4 in the semi-finals on Thursday. Brady saw four match points slip through her fingers as she served it out nervously but finally celebrated the win when Muchova fired a forehand long. Brady slumped onto the court as a capped crowd cheered, and she was still overcome with the moment in her on-court interview. Finally, on the 18th point of the game, Muchova stumbled with a miscued forehand to hand an elated Brady a shot at her first Grand Slam title. "I'm obviously pretty excited to be in the finals here the Australian Open, it's an incredible achievement," said Brady.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 07:09 UTC
Govt approved RM12.76b of Wage Subsidy Programme applications as of Feb 5, says Tengku Zafrul
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18): The government had approved RM12.76 billion of applications for the Wage Subsidy Programme (WSP) as of Feb 5, 2021, said Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. “As for WSP 2.0 under KITA PRIHATIN, a total of RM770.31 million has been channelled to 65,398 employers to enable them to continue operating and maintain 534,183 employees. Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul said as of Feb 5, a total of 130,871 employees had secured employment through the Hiring Incentive and Training Assistance Programme. Additionally, 133,301 participants had been approved to participate in the Reskilling and Upskilling Programme. Read also:Govt approved RM1.245b under PENJANA SME financing scheme, says Tengku Zafrul
Source:The Edge Markets
February 18, 2021 06:24 UTC
1MDB trial: Trial adjourned as witness is close contact of friend with Covid-19
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial has been adjourned after the High Court was informed that the 10th prosecution witness had come into close contact with a friend who has been tested positive for Covid-19. Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah adjourned the hearing to May 3 after deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib informed the matter when the trial continued after a short break. “My lord, during the break, Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman, the former 1MDB chief executive officer, received a text message from his friend saying that he (the friend) tested positive for Covid-19. “It is not prudent to take the risk and we don’t know if Mohd Hazem is asymptomatic, ” he added. On Feb 10, the trial was adjourned also due to Mohd Hazem having come down with fever and had to undergo Covid-19 testing.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 06:22 UTC
Myanmar govt sites targeted by anti-coup hackers as protesters jam Yangon roads
YANGON: Hackers attacked Myanmar government websites on Feb 18 to protest against the military coup, as the junta pressed on with its attempts to stymie nationwide opposition with internet blockades and troop deployments. A group called Myanmar Hackers disrupted websites including the Central Bank, the Myanmar military’s propaganda page, state-run broadcaster MRTV, the Port Authority, and the Food and Drug Administration. “We are fighting for justice in Myanmar," the group said on its Facebook page. Join the civil disobedience movement." They are accused of using their "popularity and fame" to encourage people to join the civil disobedience movement, MRTV said.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 04:00 UTC
Opinion: How the Internet’s latest obsession went from amusing to a hot mess
I first came to know about the Clubhouse app through social media. I was an outsider – people would take the audio conversations from the then-exclusive app and talk about them on Twitter and Instagram. For those who haven’t had the chance to explore the app, Clubhouse is the trendy new invite-only audio app where participants can move around virtual rooms and discuss different topics like art, pop culture, sports and even stocks. In individual rooms on the app, conversations can be considered stages, and moderators sit at the very top. Listeners who follow the speakers within the app sit right below the speakers and listeners who don't follow the speakers are shown at the very bottom.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 03:30 UTC
Sailing: Challenger Series final to resume this weekend without spectators
(Reuters) - America's Cup organisers said on Thursday the Challenger Series final between Luna Rossa and INEOS Team UK will resume this weekend without spectators as Auckland remains under COVID-19 restrictions. "So with the current impasse, while not agreeing with the Challenger of Record, we want to see the regatta completed on the water." Two courses have been ruled out for the remainder of the series, to mitigate any chance of large public gatherings on the shore. "Whilst INEOS Team UK has not been consulted, we fully respect and will abide by the decision of ACE and will be ready to race as requested," they said in a statement. The America's Cup is due to start on March 6.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 03:00 UTC
Meth lords look inward as pandemic curbs exports
The drug keeps Soonthorn alert while he ferries passengers around the capital’s traffic-snarled boulevards on his motorbike. Meth prices have slumped around Soonthorn’s home in the Khlong Toei slum, where pills are sold for as little as 50 baht (RM6.74) apiece. “Over time, it actually becomes the other way round because they can’t find enough money to buy drugs, ” Shaowpicha said. Former addict Jum, 32, said taking pills gave her the strength to carry heavy sacks of rice all day. “I’m trying to get my life back together, get a proper job, find a permanent address and get my kids back, ” she said.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 01:30 UTC
Insight - Is Warren Buffett a stock buyer or seller?
IT was already pretty safe to say that Warren Buffett wasn’t going to get in on the overzealous GameStop Corp. buying action of late. We can, however, glean a few things from the breadcrumbs he’s left in recent months. At first it seemed like the pandemic created the conditions conducive to a quintessential Buffett market, given that the world’s ninth-richest man is a bargain shopper looking for unloved assets with rebound potential. Berkshire’s own non-dividend-paying stock has risen 8.6% over the past 12 months, trailing the S&P 500’s 18% total return. Berkshire’s top-performing stock picks of the past 12 months are emblematic of the fascinating evolution of its portfolio in recent years.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2021 00:45 UTC
Najib allowed to be present at wife’s trial
“I’m making an application because my client wants to support his wife, ” Shafee said yesterday. Outside the courtroom, Shafee said three deputy public prosecutors from the 1MDB trial had also requested the judge to allow them some time to attend Rosmah’s proceedings. The lawyer said the judge agreed to the request and told the parties that the 1MDB trial would start whenever the proceedings involving Rosmah before Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan concluded. Wan Aizuddin: Can you remind us again what was the reason Geh being appointed signatory despite not being the director of the company? Hazem: I am not sure if the board of directors should approve first in 1MDB GIL.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2021 23:51 UTC