Add source Login
US may take more strategic company stakes to counter China policies

US may take more strategic company stakes to counter China policies

WASHINGTON : The Trump administration will tighten control over strategic sectors by taking more equity stakes in key companies to counter China’s economic policies and export restrictions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China’s dramatic new restrictions on rare earth minerals and magnets demonstrates the need for the US to be self-sufficient in critical materials. “So when you are facing a non-market economy like China, then you have to exercise industrial policy,“ Bessent told a CNBC event. Under President Donald Trump, the US has shifted from subsidies to direct stakes in companies including Intel Corp, minerals miner Trilogy Metals and rare earths miner MP Materials. More stakes are possible for sectors important to US national security, including in rare earths, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and steel. In rare earths, the administration will also set price floors and strategic stockpiles. “We’re not going to come in and take stakes in non-strategic industries, but we’ve identified seven industries” to develop domestically, Bessent said. The government had to be very careful not to overreach and to ensure that investments were meeting its strategic goals. Bessent also criticised the practices of some defence contractors, saying the government may have to put more pressure on them to improve performance. “I do think our defence companies are woefully behind in terms of deliveries, so we may have to, as their biggest customer ... prod them to do a little more research, a little fewer stock buybacks, which is really what got Boeing into trouble,“ he said. – Reuters

Parents must monitor children’s online activities firmly, says Wan Azizah

Parents must monitor children’s online activities firmly, says Wan Azizah

PUTRAJAYA : Parents must be firmer and more responsible in monitoring their children’s activities on social media and online gaming platforms according to the Prime Minister’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Dr Wan Azizah emphasised that consistent supervision is crucial to shield the younger generation from the negative influences of the digital world. She expressed shock over recent incidents involving school students including a recorded rape case that was circulated and a murder where a victim was repeatedly stabbed. “From now on please monitor your children especially their online world either in social media or online gaming platforms,“ she said at the launch of the PsyQiQ Plus and certification programmes by Open University Malaysia. Dr Wan Azizah noted that even Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah has voiced concern over the impact of social media on youth. She revealed that her husband Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is committed to taking firm action regarding social media usage among youth. The Ministry of Education is currently reviewing immediate measures to address the situation according to Dr Wan Azizah. Anwar stated yesterday that strict action on school discipline and safety including social media influence will be discussed at the upcoming Cabinet meeting. Last Tuesday a shocking incident occurred at a secondary school in Selangor where a Form Four girl was fatally stabbed by a 14-year-old male student. This follows a series of disturbing school-related incidents including a gang rape case in Melaka involving four Form Five boys and a Form Three girl. Dr Wan Azizah also called for the establishment of more accessible and sustainable psychosocial support services for Malaysians. Citing Ministry of Health data from 2023 she noted that nearly 30% of Malaysian adults experience symptoms of stress anxiety or depression. “We want help channels to be easily accessible right at your fingertips,“ she added regarding mental health support. Dr Wan Azizah believes mental health issues require a more specific approach with specialised skills and certified training from legitimate organisations. Open University Malaysia introduced four new certification programmes at the event covering counselling psychology and Islamic studies. Also launched was PsyQiQ Plus a web-based application developed by OUM to conduct psychometric profiling for students. The event was attended by OUM president and vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Izanee Awang. – Bernama

Venezuela condemns Trump CIA remarks as international law violation

Venezuela condemns Trump CIA remarks as international law violation

CARACAS : Venezuela’s government has formally rejected United States President Donald Trump’s public admission authorising CIA covert operations in the South American nation. The Venezuelan government declared these statements constitute a clear violation of international law and the United Nations charter. It further asserted that American actions aim to legitimise a regime change operation targeting Venezuela’s sovereignty. The government emphasised that the ultimate objective behind these interventions is seizing Venezuela’s substantial oil resources. This diplomatic response follows Trump’s unprecedented public acknowledgement of authorising CIA activities within Venezuelan territory. – Reuters

Dua pegawai bank didakwa terima suapan lebih RM107,000

Dua pegawai bank didakwa terima suapan lebih RM107,000

KUALA LUMPUR: Dua pegawai bank didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen di sini hari ini atas 23 pertuduhan rasuah berjumlah RM107,000 kerana membantu proses pinjaman peribadi melebihi had kelayakan. Tertuduh, Syed Mohd Muhaimin Syed Mohd Mashrof, 42, dan Zayme Zanee Othman, 43, yang kini digantung tugas mengaku tidak bersalah selepas semua pertuduhan terhadap mereka dibacakan secara berasingan ... Read more The post Dua pegawai bank didakwa terima suapan lebih RM107,000 appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

Lafaz talak pertama ketika saya hamil anak sulung – Isteri Nubhan

Lafaz talak pertama ketika saya hamil anak sulung – Isteri Nubhan

PETALING JAYA – “Saya diceraikan kali pertama ketika hamil anak sulung.” Demikian pengakuan isteri kepada penyanyi Nubhan, Dr. Afifah Hidayah Ahmad Tawfek ketika ditanya berkenaan talak yang dilafazkan suaminya pada tahun 2017. Ini susulan wanita yang diwakili peguam syarie, Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader memohon mahkamah mengesahkan dahulu lafaz cerai kali pertama lapan tahun lalu serta ... Read more The post Lafaz talak pertama ketika saya hamil anak sulung – Isteri Nubhan appeared first on Kosmo Digital .

Sivasangari falls to Olivia Weaver in Silicon Valley Open final

Sivasangari falls to Olivia Weaver in Silicon Valley Open final

NATIONAL women’s squash star S. Sivasangari fell short in her bid for the Silicon Valley Open title against American Olivia Weaver in Redwood City, California. The third-seeded Malaysian could not match the precision and pace of the 30-year-old American player who fully capitalised on her home ground advantage. Weaver secured a 12-10, 4-11, 11-4, 11-4 victory over Sivasangari in a match lasting 47 minutes. World number eight Sivasangari paid the price for some costly errors especially in the first and third games of the final. Weaver tightened her grip and dominated the court during the fourth game to secure her win. Sivasangari had previously defeated American Amanda Sobhy and Egypt’s Salma Hany in earlier tournament rounds. Hopes were high that Sivasangari could capture the title from defending champion Weaver after those impressive victories. Weaver ultimately claimed her 11th career title on the Professional Squash Association World Tour with this victory. – Bernama

Padah simbah cat dalam salun, lelaki didenda RM5,000

Padah simbah cat dalam salun, lelaki didenda RM5,000

JOHOR BAHRU - Seorang lelaki didenda RM5,000 setelah mengaku bersalah di Mahkamah Majistret pada Khamis atas pertuduhan melakukan khianat dengan menyimbah cat berwarna merah dalam salun di sebuah pusat beli-belah terkemuka di sini, Sabtu lalu.Tertuduh, Ahmad Abu Bakar, 26, membuat pengakuan berkenaan di hadapan Majistret, A Shaarmini setelah pertuduhan dibacakan terhadapnya oleh jurubahasa mahkamah.Tertuduh didakwa melakukan perbuatan tersebut bersama seorang lagi rakannya yang masih bebas pada jam 11.50 pagi, Sabtu lalu dengan cara membaling plastik berisi cat berwarna merah ke dalam salun berkenaan.Kejadian tersebut telah menyebabkan simbahan cat merah mengenai perabot serta seorang pelanggan yang berada di dalam salun berkenaan.Tertuduh didakwa melakukan kesalahan di bawah Seksyen 427 Kanun Keseksaan iaitu melakukan khianat.Jika sabit kesalahan tertuduh boleh dihukum dengan penjara kurang satu tahun dan tidak melebihi lima tahun atau kedua-duanya.Perbicaraan dikendalikan oleh Timbalan Pendakwaraya Nur Fatihah Mohd Nizam sementara tertuduh tidak diwakili peguam.Mahkamah kemudiannya menetapkan hukuman denda RM5,000 dan 12 bulan penjara jika gagal membayar denda berkenaan kepada tertuduh.