SPB Q3 pre-tax profit rises to RM41.8m
KUCHING: Sarawak Plantation Bhd (SPB) has posted higher group pre-tax profit of about RM41.8 million in third quarter ended September 30, 2024 (3Q2024) against RM36.5 million in 3Q2023 despite a sharp drop in group revenue to RM149.1 million from RM172.7 million. Group net profit rose to about RM31.1 million from RM27.1 million in 3Q2023. Estate operation recorded a segment revenue and segment profit of RM71.8 million and RM28 million respectively whereas mill operations registered segment revenue and profit of RM133.9 million and RM6.2 million respectively. “The group’s operating profit before tax was RM73.5 million for the current financial period compared to operating profit before tax of RM67.6 million for the corresponding period of the preceding year. In 9m2024, SPB’s estate operations generated revenue of RM181.8 million and profit of RM61 million whereas the mill operations recorded revenue of RM372.3 million and profit of RM17.2 million.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 24, 2024 23:58 UTC
Investing in IT
His commitment to personally oversee IT sector reforms, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission, signals a recognition of the sector’s potential as a catalyst for growth and skill development. While Pakistan boasts a large and talented population, realising this potential requires creating an ecosystem that nurtures and accelerates IT sector development. Achieving this export target requires robust internet infrastructure, consistent electricity supply, and modern digital banking solutions to facilitate seamless international transactions. Furthermore, dismantling restrictive internet policies and firewalls is essential to fostering a freer, more open digital economy. Without addressing these fundamental issues, the Prime Minister’s vision will remain an ambitious target rather than a tangible reality.
Source:The Nation
November 24, 2024 23:13 UTC
American Airlines expands tech to Curb 'Gate Lice' across 100+ US airports
American Airlines has announced the expansion of its new boarding technology to manage “gate lice”—eager passengers who queue at the gate before their boarding group is called. A message also appears on the screen for airline staff, allowing them to direct overly eager passengers to wait until their boarding group is called. For passengers traveling with a companion in an earlier boarding group, the gate agent can override the alert to permit boarding. Feedback from the trials indicates the system not only reduces pre-boarding congestion but also helps pace the boarding process and provides better insight into the arrival times of connecting flights, according to American Airlines. Major airports such as Austin-Bergstrom International and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International are among those introducing the system to curb gate queue-jumping.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 24, 2024 22:49 UTC
This is not politics
Motorways have been closed, and it has been claimed that the closures are due to repair and maintenance. Motorways have recently been closed, and the official narrative claims these closures are necessary for repair and maintenance work. Wouldn’t it have been better if the government had been honest and stated that the motorways are being closed to prevent the PTI protest? It should have been plainly stated that the politics of anarchy will not be tolerated any longer. Has there ever been a situation in the world where all motorways were simultaneously closed for maintenance?
Source:The Patriot
November 24, 2024 21:04 UTC
Contest of Ideologies
Throughout the GWOT, the USA/ allies implemented several initiatives aimed at countering the ideologies of AQ and ISIS. While considerable focus has been placed on these countries’ military capabilities, including their nuclear ambitions, considerably less attention has been paid to understanding and fighting their ideologies. Therefore, the USA and its allies need to fight both the military capacity as well as the ideologies of strategic adversaries in a synergistic way where both are undermined simultaneously; while remaining extremely careful of increased apocalypticism in our adversaries’ ideologies. Therefore, while fiercely guarding own National Ideology, Pakistan can neither afford to ignore the extremist policies/ ideology of Modi-led BJP in India and pursuance of the Greater India Dream threatening Pakistan and other SAARC countries, nor disregard ideologies of different non-state actors/ terrorist outfits in order to successfully contest them in all dimensions. Any short-circuiting in the suggested steps is prone to make a secure and stable Pakistan a distant dream.
Source:The Nation
November 24, 2024 20:30 UTC
Developing nations blast $300 billion COP29 climate deal as insufficient
Countries at the COP29 summit in Baku adopted a $300 billion a year global finance target on Sunday to help poorer nations cope with impacts of climate change, a deal its intended recipients criticised as woefully insufficient. The deal also lays the groundwork for next year’s climate summit, to be held in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, where countries are meant to map out the next decade of climate action. Securing the climate finance deal was a challenge from the start. Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential election victory this month has raised doubts among some negotiators that the world’s largest economy would pay into any climate finance goal agreed in Baku. Western governments have seen global warming slip down the list of national priorities amid surging geopolitical tensions, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and expanding conflict in the Middle East, and rising inflation.
Source:The Nation
November 24, 2024 19:37 UTC
Migration of young Pakistanis abroad
A combination of pressing challenges that make life in their home country increasingly difficult drives the migration of young Pakistanis seeking better opportunities abroad. Unemployment, underemployment, and low wages are persistent issues, leading many young Pakistanis to feel that they cannot secure a fulfilling career at home. The lack of well-paying, skilled job opportunities forces many to seek better prospects abroad, where the chances of building a stable, rewarding career are greater. The availability of scholarships, work-study programs, and established professional networks in these countries makes them attractive destinations for young Pakistanis. The internet has made the world more interconnected, and many young Pakistanis are leveraging these tools to study abroad, find international jobs, or even start businesses from overseas.
Source:The Patriot
November 24, 2024 19:18 UTC
Protest will not make any big change in the country
This is apparently another attempt to make grounds to release their leader, as otherwise they claimed to continue their ‘peaceful’ protest. The PTI’s members , in their previous protest shows, could not make grounds to compel anyone to bring on negotiation. Political pundits viewed that this protest will not make any big change in the country. But, Pakistan will continue to lurch from one to the next till the release order of the former prime minister. It is hard to assess how much the national exchequer will continue to bear in terms of political unrest in the country.
Source:The Nation
November 24, 2024 18:44 UTC
Balochistan’s literary spirit flourishes
The academy has successfully hosted several vibrant festivals including the Atta Shad Literary Festival, held to commemorate the legendary and revolutionary Baloch poets, Late Atta Shad and Waja Mubarak Qazi, and their literary contributions. “Literary festivals denote a celebration of culture, literature, history and identity,” she says. Talking to the media at the festival, the ex-chief minister, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch commended the efforts of the organisers of the literary festival. The rich legacy of Balochistan’s vibrant art, culture, language, music, literature, and traditions are central to its unique identity. Literary festivals and celebrations not only preserve the essence of the past but also evolve over time, fostering a cultural revival and progress.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 24, 2024 17:43 UTC
Developing nations slam ‘paltry’ $300 billion climate deal
But at protests throughout COP29, developed nations — major economies like the European Union, United States and Japan — were accused of negotiating in bad faith, making a fair deal impossible. In the end — despite repeating that “no deal is better than a bad deal” — developing nations did not stand in the way of an agreement. It falls short of the $390 billion that economists commissioned by the United Nations had deemed a fair share contribution by developed nations. Wealthy nations said it was politically unrealistic to expect more in direct government funding at a time of geopolitical uncertainty and economic belt-tightening. The final deal “encourages” developing countries to make contributions on a voluntary basis, reflecting no change for China, which already provides climate finance on its own terms.
Source:The Nation
November 24, 2024 17:00 UTC
Pakistan and Sri Lanka start strong in T20 Blind Cricket World Cup
LAHORE - Pakistan and claimed victories on the opening day of the 4th T20 Blind Cricket World Cup 2024, organised by Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC). At the Ghani Institute Cricket Ground in DHA, Pakistan convincingly defeated South Africa. Batting first after winning the toss, South Africa posted 129-7 in their 20 overs. In reply, Pakistan chased down the target in just 10.3 overs with two wickets down. Opener Damith Sandaruwan smashed the first century of the World Cup, remaining unbeaten on 100, supported by Maduwantha’s 23 runs.
Source:The Nation
November 24, 2024 16:55 UTC
Pak-Zimbabwe ODI series commences today
Former fast bowler and member national men’s selection committee, Aaqib Javed has been appointed the interim white-ball head coach of the Pakistan team until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at home. Pakistan’s ODI squad, led by Mohammad Rizwan, reached Zimbabwe on Wednesday and had three extensive practice sessions in the lead up to the . PAKISTAN ODI SQUAD: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Shahnawaz Dahani, Saim Ayub, and Tayyab Tahir. ZIMBABWE ODI SQUAD: Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon Mavuta, Clive Madande, Dion Myers, Faraz Akram, Joylord Gumbie, Richard Ngarava, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tinotenda Maposa and Trevor Gwandu. SCHEDULE OF MATCHESNov 24 1st ODI 12.30pmNov 26 2nd ODI 12.30pmNov 28 3rd ODI 12.30pmDec 1 1st T20I 04:00pmDec 3 2nd T20I 04:00pmDec 5 3rd T20I 04:00pm
Source:The Nation
November 24, 2024 16:47 UTC
Developing nations call $300 billion COP29 climate deal ‘an insult’
- Advertisement -UNITED NATIONS, Nov 24 (APP): Countries at the United Nations climate conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, adopted a $300 billion a year global finance target on Sunday to help developing nations cope with impacts of climate change, a deal it’s intended recipients denounced as ‘an insult’, according to the U.N. This summit had been dubbed the climate finance COP, and representatives from all countries were seeking to establish a new, higher climate finance goal. Beyond finance, COP29 built on previous gains in emissions reduction targets, the acceleration of the energy transition, and a long-sought agreement on carbon markets. UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell described the new finance goal agreed at COP29 as an insurance policy for humanity. Striking a different tone, a representative from the delegation of the European Union said the new climate finance goal would simply will bring much, much more private money on the table, and that is what we need.
Source:The Nation
November 24, 2024 16:18 UTC
Rumors at Bama and Colorado and Southern Cal and LSU
flag link military_tech thumb_down thumb_upbobbyb99® Rival Killer [2889] TigerPulse: 100% 33 Posts: 1382 Joined: 2016 Re: Rumors at Bama and Colorado and Southern Cal and LSU 2Nov 24, 2024, 3:04 AM ReplyMy guess is Deion will go to the NFL to try and draft his son higher than he probably will be projected kind of like Lebron did with his son. I don't like it, but heck, Howard did it at Michigan, so I won't be hard on the kid for that. flag link military_tech thumb_down thumb_up2k® Orange Immortal [67609] TigerPulse: 100% 60 Posts: 9218 Joined: 2015 Re: Rumors at Bama and Colorado and Southern Cal and LSU 1Nov 24, 2024, 6:42 AM ReplyNot to mention Wilkins did it at Clemson and drew a penalty and an upset Dabo. 2Nov 24, 2024, 6:13 AM ReplyI don't care what folks say about him, he doesn't draw all that ire upon us. flag link military_tech thumb_down thumb_upReplies: 3 | visibility 2353
Source:The Express Tribune
November 24, 2024 14:32 UTC
Tesla's Cybercab Promises Ride-Sharing Revolution
Tesla's Cybercab Promises Ride-Sharing Revolution Elon Musk unveils plans for fully autonomous robotaxi by 2027 with hopes to disrupt transport marketElon Musk has once again captured the spotlight by rolling out his bold vision for Tesla's upcoming robotaxi initiative, aptly dubbed the Cybercab. During Tesla's recent Investor Day, Musk revealed details about the Cybercab, emphasizing its fully autonomous capabilities. But the allure of Tesla's Cybercab isn't just about technology. Analysts are buzzing about the market impact of Tesla's robotaxi. There's still considerable skepticism about fully autonomous systems, particularly among government officials and the public.
Source:The Express Tribune
November 24, 2024 04:57 UTC