New iPhones have Qualcomm satellite modem, new Apple radio chips
Apple released its iPhone 14 line-up on Friday. Apple said earlier this month that the iPhone 14 models would contain new hardware that makes possible the emergency message service, which Apple planned to turn on with a software update coming in November. iFixit, a San Luis Obispo, California-based firm that disassembles iPhones and other consumer electronics to assess how easily they can be repaired, took apart an iPhone 14 Pro Max model on Friday, revealing a Qualcomm X65 modem chip. In a statement to Reuters on Saturday, Apple said there was additional proprietary hardware and software in the iPhone 14 for the new messaging feature. "iPhone 14 includes custom radio frequency components, and new software designed entirely by Apple, that together enable Emergency SOS via satellite on new iPhone 14 models," Apple said in a statement.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 18, 2022 08:50 UTC
Chubu Electric joins all-Japanese Toshiba buyout consortium
TOKYO (Sept 18): Chubu Electric Power Co said on Sunday it is joining private equity firm Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) in conducting due diligence for a potential buyout of Japanese conglomerate Toshiba Corp.Toshiba, which is exploring going private and other options, has selected Bain Capital, CVC Capital Partners, Brookfield Asset Management, and a consortium involving JIP and state-backed Japan Investment Corp to proceed to a second bidding round. JIP has contacted more than 10 companies including Chubu Electric, Orix Corp, and Central Japan Railway Co (JR Central) to participate in its consortium, the ^Nikkei newspaper reported on Sunday. Toshiba said it does not comment on candidates for the potential buyout. Orix and JR Central did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 18, 2022 08:40 UTC
SPM top scorer rises above online hate
A budding social media influencer with tens of thousands of followers, the 18-year-old is no stranger to dealing with online hate. “For example, some people think I like bragging about my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results when that is not the case. “I have been labelled a show-off and a braggart – names I believe no one enjoys being called,” said the Kolej Mara Banting, Selangor, student who obtained 11A+ in the SPM 2021. “I had a hard time recovering from the remarks because I used to respond to every hate comment I received. “My social media platforms are also my main source of income so I am not going to lose that just because some random people on the Internet decided not to like me,” he asserted.
Source:The Star
September 18, 2022 07:58 UTC
My Say: Purpose and pragmatism in the ESG sphere
Today, ESG has more or less matured to become a formalised programme with published methodologies and requirements. The Harvard Business School (HBS) case study, titled “Sustainable Tea at Unilever”, in particular discusses Unilever’s transformation of its €3.5 billion tea brand, Lipton. Perfection vs pragmatismIn the above examples, each company began with a purpose to do good and saw its initiatives take fruition. In his book, Deep Purpose, he shares the example of Gotham Greens, a fresh food company that builds and operates sustainable greenhouses in cities across America. What is key is for organisations to be clear about their purpose and be pragmatic in creating win-win solutions.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 17, 2022 09:34 UTC
Making the solar industry viable
Later in the month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob introduced a quota of 600MW to cater to those seeking to generate and sell solar energy directly to corporations. The government is also mulling a "solar park" project — similar to the one in Australia — to centralise solar assets in an area with high solar irradiance. However, many details have yet to be ironed out in ensuring a smooth progression of Malaysia's solar industry. The Edge also spoke to Tenaga Nasional Bhd chief new energy officer Mohd Zarihi Mohd Hashim. Get the full story in Sept 19’s issue of The Edge Malaysia.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 16, 2022 22:30 UTC
Aspen sells two units in Beacon Executive Suites for RM1.3 mil in IPT
SINGAPORE: Aspen Vision Builders Sdn Bhd, the subsidiary of SGX-listed Aspen Group, has sold two units in Beacon Executive Suites in Penang, Malaysia, for RM1.3 million (S$410,110). The unit on the 21st floor was sold for RM628,200 after a 10% discount from its sale price of RM698,000. The other unit on the 10th floor was sold for RM693,000 after a 10% discount from its sale price of RM770,000. The units were sold to Vyramid, which is deemed as an interested...(click on link for full story on theedgesingapore.com)
Source:The Edge Markets
September 16, 2022 20:27 UTC
My Say: Maintaining economic sovereignty
World trade and production is increasingly being structured around “global value chains” (GVCs). With economic globalisation comes increased economic integration of the world through trade and capital flows. Thirdly, when large multinational corporations, by virtue of their economic power, can influence the economic and political decisions of nation states. The study of the international political economy shows that it has always needed a framework to define relations between nations, and between economic and political institutions. In the final analysis, while we actively participate in globalisation, we must at the same time ensure that our economic sovereignty is never compromised.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 16, 2022 04:13 UTC
Putin to Xi: Russia values China's 'balanced position' on Ukraine
SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan (Sept 15): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said he understood that Xi Jinping had questions and concerns about the situation in Ukraine but praised China's leader for what he said was a "balanced" position on the conflict. "We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis," Putin told Xi. "We intend to firmly adhere to the principle of 'One China'," Putin said. "We condemn provocations by the United States and their satellites in the Taiwan Strait." At a meeting with Xi and Putin, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh said that he supported the construction of oil and gas pipelines from Russia to China via Mongolia.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 16, 2022 00:57 UTC
Malaysia’s M&E exports hit RM34.4 bil in first seven months of 2022
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 14): Malaysia’s machinery and equipment (M&E) exports reached RM34.4 billion in the first seven months of 2022, an increase of 25.5% from the corresponding period last year, said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). MATRADE deputy chief executive officer (export acceleration) Sharimahton Mat Saleh said M&E is an important industry to Malaysia and the seventh largest export sector, with a value of RM49.9 billion, making up 4% of Malaysia’s total exports in 2021. “Machines and apparatus used principally for manufacturing semiconductors, parts, and accessories are the largest export segment, valued at RM8.8 billion or 17.5% of total M&E exports in 2021. “MATRADE applauds this joint venture between MMT and Future Hover whereby both parties could complement each other strength in producing a more diverse range of high-tech products in Malaysia. “We are confident in our position in making Malaysia the preferred destination for semiconductor exports in the world and we look forward to working closely with MATRADE,” he said.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 15, 2022 05:11 UTC
Rubberex’s shareholders approve test kit maker purchase, diversification into healthcare and name change
In a statement, Rubberex said its shareholders in an extraordinary general meeting held on Wednesday unanimously approved the proposed purchase, as well as its subsequent proposed diversification into the healthcare business and name change to Hextar Healthcare Bhd. He added that the healthcare business is complementary and synergistic to its core glove business, in line with the group’s overall growth strategy of venturing into other income-generated businesses that are profitable and sustainable for the long-term. Meanwhile, Rubberex’s largest shareholder Datuk Eddie Ong Choo Meng commented that as a testament to the group’s commitment to the healthcare sector, it proposed and obtained its shareholders’ approval for a name change to Hextar Healthcare. “This is to better reflect the group’s core business and future undertakings into the broader healthcare sector moving forward. Reszon is principally involved in the manufacturing of innovative vitro diagnostics test kits, Covid-19 rapid test kits and test kits specialising in infectious disease diagnosis and drug abuse screening for medical professionals and clinical diagnostic markets.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 15, 2022 00:21 UTC
My Say: The fight against corruption must continue unabated
As ruling politicians are key to law and order and the fight against corruption, there is no other way but for them to take the lead. In addition, making the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission answerable to parliament instead of the executive — the prime minister and the cabinet — and giving it prosecution powers will strengthen the mechanism to fight corruption. The plan’s objective is to “break the corruption chain” and underscores the government’s commitment to achieving the aspiration of making Malaysia known for her integrity and not corruption. As a foundation to fight corruption, education must play a crucial role too. To win the war, the fight against corruption is a jihad that we must embed in our culture.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 13, 2022 17:37 UTC
No sulphur dioxide found in ABC soy sauce samples, says Health DG
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 12): No samples of soy sauce products in this country, including ABC Sweet Soy Sauce and Sambal Ayam Goreng Sauce, were found to contain sulphur dioxide based on monitoring at all entry points and in local markets from June 2021 to date. Dr Noor Hisham explained that sulphur dioxide is classified as a preservative permitted in certain foods and at certain levels under the Food Regulations 1985, and it is not harmful to humans when used in allowed concentrations. Even so, it could also cause allergic reactions in some individuals who have asthma when inhaled or swallowed, he said, adding that sulphur dioxide content exceeding 10 milligrammes per kilogramme must be declared or labelled. Dr Noor Hisham said the Health Ministry is always aware and concerned about matters that can threaten consumers’ health and advises the public who has any information or concerns about food safety issues to contact the nearest district health office. They can also channel information through the website http://moh.spab.gov.my or the official Facebook page of the Food Safety and Quality Division at www.facebook.com/bkkmhq.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 12, 2022 22:24 UTC
Foreign funds snap seven straight weeks of net inflow into Malaysian equities
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 12): Foreign funds snapped seven consecutive weeks of net inflow into Malaysian equities last week (Sept 5 to 9) after foreign investors net sold RM42.49 million worth of shares listed on Bursa Malaysia, according to MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd on Monday (Sept 12). "The healthy trend of foreign funds into Bursa took a halt after seven consecutive weeks of net inflows. Foreign investors net sold RM42.49 million last week. According to MIDF, foreign investors had last week net sold RM42.49 million worth of shares listed on Bursa after they bought RM1.88 billion and sold RM1.92 billion worth of stocks. Year-to-date, international funds have been net buyers of Malaysian equities for 24 out of the 36 weeks in 2022, with a total net inflow of RM8.11 billion, MIDF said.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 12, 2022 14:08 UTC
Malaysian companies forging sustainability-driven practices
For companies with sizeable environmental footprint, could financial incentives be offered in exchange for less emissions, consumption and waste? “In recent years, we have seen an increasing number of consumers respond positively to brands committed to environmentally-conscious and sustainable practices,” says Santharuban. Key for the company has been adopting the mindset and practices of a less-wasteful circular economy, right across its business operations. Santharuban is well- aware that to get it right, companies and their business partners must adopt a culture of constant vigilance. Finding other companies with similarly broad commitments has been the key to expanding Etika’s journey, Santharuban explains.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 11, 2022 22:06 UTC
DesignWorks: Constructing projects with aesthetics and functionality in mind
Designing buildings that are aesthetically pleasing, functional and gentle on the environment is what Kuee Architecture does to tackle climate change. “We were small in the first few years, but we were very active in pro bono projects then. Along the way, the firm received more commercial commissions and the scale of the projects has been growing. I decided to take up postgraduate studies in University College London after receiving a Building Design Partnership scholarship.”Kuee hopes the firm will be involved in more green and sustainable building projects. In terms of the use of materials, Kuee says low-emissivity glass was incorporated in the façade facing west, where heat gain will be eliminated substantially.
Source:The Edge Markets
September 11, 2022 20:05 UTC