Malaysia’s DuitNow to link with Singapore’s PayNow
KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) plan to begin a phased linkage of Malaysia’s DuitNow and Singapore’s PayNow real-time payment systems. “Customers will also be able to make retail payments by scanning DuitNow or NETS QR codes displayed at merchants’ storefronts. Following the launch, Bank Negara and MAS will progressively expand the DuitNow-PayNow linkage to incorporate a wider range of features and participants. Bank Negara said the DuitNow-PayNow linkage represented another significant milestone in the history of close ties between Malaysia and Singapore. Bank Negara assistant governor Fraziali Ismail said this initiative would further strengthen the economic ties between Malaysia and Singapore, as well as serve as a key enabler to support post-pandemic economic growth.
Source:The Star
September 28, 2021 00:11 UTC
How I learned to ‘waste’ my time
One took place between 2006 and 2011 when I suffered from a severe mental health issue diagnosed as panic disorder, anxiety disorder and agoraphobia. I learned to appreciate the things my wife said and to tend to her joy of shopping and other activities. I learned to appreciate her patience and her attention to the small things in life that had held no meaning for me before. The second thing I learned to “waste” my time on was to walk and observe the things around me. I learned to suspend the identity of “Tajuddin the professor and public intellectual” and focus on “Tajuddin the nobody”.
Source:The Star
September 28, 2021 00:11 UTC
Headline inflation unlikely to exceed 3%
PETALING JAYA: Headline inflation, which grew by an average of 2.3% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the first eight months, is unlikely to hover above 3% by year-end. Despite cost pressures with the gradual reopening of the economy, analysts and economists said the inflation rate would unlikely go above the 3% mark. Kenanga Research said it has revised its 2021 headline inflation forecast up to 2.3% from 1.8% previously amid the economy’s phased reopening. Headline inflation grew by an average of 2.3% y-o-y in the first eight months of the year. “We foresee inflation rate to be more moderate as the lower-than-expected domestic spending and subdued underlying price pressures would result in lower inflation.
Source:The Star
September 28, 2021 00:00 UTC
Buntong’s bountiful bean sprouts
The city’s supply of bean sprouts comes from Buntong with at least five producers operating in the vicinity. One of them is Khong Pak Leong, 63, who has been growing bean sprouts for 30 years. Khong was initially working for someone at the central market selling bean sprouts, but decided to start growing them himself. “Dine-in restrictions meant that orders from outlets selling the famous “Tauge Ayam” or chicken bean sprouts dropped drastically. “It is best to eat bean sprouts hot and straight out of the kitchen, instead of packing it,” said Khong.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 23:03 UTC
Fed resignations don't blunt calls for broader ethics changes
Fed officials are subject to the same ethics rules as members of Congress and other top government officials. Powell has opened a broad review of Fed ethics rules and at a press conference last week promised change. Asked if he had confidence in Kaplan and Rosengren he replied with a curt "no one is happy." Kaplan said he resigned because his activity "risks becoming a distraction" to the Fed. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat on the committee who has frequently criticized Powell's financial oversight, also has called for tougher Fed ethics rules.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 22:52 UTC
Axiata to sell 5% stake in XL for RM424mil
PETALING JAYA: Axiata Group Bhd ’s unit, Axiata Investments (Indonesia) Sdn Bhd, will dispose of its 5% stake in XL – or 533.41 million shares – to Ferrymount Investments Limited (FIL), Procap Partners Ltd and Tiga Investments Pte Ltd for 1,440,205 million rupiah (RM423.5mil). This is equivalent to 2,700 rupiah or 79 sen per XL share, the group said in a circular to Bursa Malaysia. Axiata held a 66.5% equity stake in XL, which is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, prior to the disposal. The disposal will also see FIL granting Axiata the option to purchase the 5% stake in XL from FIL at 2,700 rupiah per XL share, the announcement said. Axiata said the disposal will provide XL with access to partnerships with Procap and Tiga Investments, which will help place XL in a better operational footing in the near future.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 22:52 UTC
Craving for a better tomorrow
The end of year is when traditionally, many Chinese couples like to hold their wedding banquet. “They have not cancelled their bookings as they still hope to hold a proper wedding dinner once the pandemic is over. “All my staff are fully vaccinated and for now, we just cater to a small number of people for dine-in. Another local popular restaurant, which offers space for up to 600 guests, has also not received any bookings for the year-end. “Now, due to the one-metre physical distancing rule, it will be difficult to cater to large crowds,” said a representative.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 22:30 UTC
Lifting border control under study
PUTRAJAYA: With interstate travel likely to resume by mid-October, the government is also looking at lifting border control, it was announced. “The reopening of the country’s borders was discussed and will be deliberated further by the related ministers this week. High-powered meeting: Muhyiddin is flanked by Azmin (left) and Tengku Zafrul. Also present at the NRC meeting are Khairy (next to Tengku Zafrul) and Dr Noor Hisham. Also present was Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Senior Minister (International Trade and Industry) Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Senior Minister (Education) Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 22:30 UTC
Lowest figures in more than two months
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s Covid-19 figures continued to improve, with the country reporting its lowest daily case number in over two months. Dr Noor Hisham said of the 980 ICU patients, 862 were confirmed Covid-19 cases while the others were suspected cases. Malaysia’s infectivity rate was at an Rt level of 0.92 as at Sunday. Pahang, with an Rt level of 1.02, is the sole state in the country with an Rt level of more than 1.0. An Rt level of less than 1.0 means that the infection spread is shrinking.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 22:18 UTC
Individuals’ rights vs good of the many
This is in stark contrast to some teachers, staff and students who remain stubbornly vaccine-hesitant or wary. Yet, some minority vaccine-hesitant folks will stubbornly continue to argue about their rights to choose what they will do. But, what about the rights of the vast, responsible, majority in our society who sensibly choose to do the right thing to get vaccinated. Historically, when the rights of the individual affected the good of the many, the good of the many would win out. Seat belts, child car seats, speed limits, no smoking in public places are examples of the good of the many superseding the rights of the individual.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 22:18 UTC
Soccer-UEFA nullify proceedings against Super League rebels
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -UEFA have nullified disciplinary action against breakaway Super League clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus after a Madrid court ruled that European football's governing body should not sanction the rebel clubs. UEFA had opened a probe against the three clubs but in June it suspended proceedings after being notified by Swiss authorities of a court order from the commercial court in Madrid obtained by the legal entity European Super League Company SL. Proceedings have continued in a Madrid court to stop UEFA from punishing the clubs who tried to break away from the established European football structures, including UEFA's Champions League. However on Monday, UEFA said that "in view of the pending Court proceedings in Madrid, and to avoid any unnecessary complication... UEFA will not request payment of any of the amounts offered". The Super League argued it would increase revenue for the top soccer clubs in Europe and allow them to distribute more money to the rest of the game.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 21:00 UTC
GLOBAL-MARKETS-Rising Treasury yields hit tech stocks
NEW YORK U.S. government borrowing costs advanced for a sixth week on Monday, hurting tech stocks as investors bet on rising interest rates, while three-year high oil prices ignited the energy sector. U.S. indices were mixed, with the industrials-heavy Dow Jones index outperforming the Nasdaq index of tech stocks . "When yields rise, tech shares tend to underperform." Europe's STOXX 600 index ended lower as declines in tech stocks offset gains in banks and energy, while German shares hit 10-day highs. Gold prices steadied with gains curbed by the stronger dollar and Treasury yields.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 20:15 UTC
Brazil's Vale says 39 workers trapped in Canada mine; rescue underway
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian miner Vale SA said in a statement on Monday that 39 employees had been trapped in its Totten mine in Sudbury, Canada since Sunday. Vale said all those workers would likely be rescued by Monday evening. "We have learned that no one is injured," it added. (Reporting by Carolina Mandl; Editing by Christian Plumb)
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 19:44 UTC
Lebanon's Mikati says he did not discuss Saudi on recent France visit
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Monday he did not discuss Saudi relations during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron last week. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies have traditionally chanelled funds into Lebanon but they have been reluctant to do so during the country's financial crisis as they alarmed by the rise in influence of the Iran-backed armed Hezbollah group. In an interview with local television LBCI, Mikati said there was no planned visit to Saudi Arabia yet but stressed he would strive to improve Lebanese-Arab relations and would not allow for the country to be used as a platform to harm Arab neighbours. "I don't have at the current time a programme to visit Saudi Arabia," Mikati said. In answer to a question on whether France's Macron would open the doors to better relations with Gulf monarchies except Saudi, Mikati said the topic was not discussed and that only bilateral relations were brought up.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 19:41 UTC
Greece set to boost military cooperation with France, Greek PM says
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday that Greece has been in talks with France to boost their defence alliance as Athens seeks to build up its armed forces. After finalising a 2.5 billion euros agreement with long-standing ally France for the purchase of 18 Dassault-made Rafale figther jets last year, Mitsotakis said this month that Greece would buy another six Rafale jets from Paris. France had been also expected to put in proposals to supply new frigates to Athens. Asked if Greece was close to a defence deal with France, Mitsotakis, who is in Paris, told Greek state television: "There will be announcements tomorrow morning". "We're heading towards a substantial deepening of our strategic cooperation between Greece and France," he said.
Source:The Star
September 27, 2021 19:41 UTC