Friday, January 24

Month: December 2023

Year in review: 2023’s top CEO mishaps and misadventures
29Dec By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments
Business

Year in review: 2023’s top CEO mishaps and misadventures

Another year, another endless news cycle driven by the world’s top corporate executives, with moments ranging from cringe-worthy to downright bizarre. While some CEOs seemed to relish the spotlight, Elon Musk (picture) chief among them, others were inadvertently thrust into social media’s harsh glare. Here are some of the most high-profile management misadventures: The Muskiest moment Of all the jaw-dropping Musk moments this year, the pinnacle came on stage at the New York Times DealBook Summit when he told advertisers that have stopped spending on X to go “f—” themselves. “Hey Bob, if you’re in the audience” he added, calling out Bob Iger, the CEO of Walt Disney Co. — one company among many that distanced itself after Musk endorsed an antisemitic post in November. Sti...
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Global shares hold gains as rate cuts eyed for New Year
29Dec By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments
Finance

Global shares hold gains as rate cuts eyed for New Year

World shares edged up yesterday as expectations of interest rate cuts stretched a rally in US stocks, while benchmark Treasury yields and the dollar lifted slightly from five-month lows. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.14%, while the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 were little changed. The S&P index has climbed 11.6% this quarter and closed within a whisker of its all-time closing peak, while its price-to-earnings ratio is up by a quarter on the year at 24.0. The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, gained 0.08%. European shares ticked down, but stood near a 23-month high hit two weeks ago and were on course for gains of about 12.5% this year. “Right now, we really do not want to step in front of Santa's gift-laden sle...
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Sarawak’s free tertiary education policy won’t lead to tax increase, says state deputy minister
29Dec By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments
News

Sarawak’s free tertiary education policy won’t lead to tax increase, says state deputy minister

Sarawak’s free tertiary education, which is expected to be implemented by 2026, will not lead to an increase in taxes or cuts in other areas of development, said Sarawak Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee. He said a sound financial model that the state government has implemented over the years, which is evident in the consistent growth of revenue over the last few years, can sustain the policy. “We know that our income (revenues) will increase. The state has recorded a revenue of RM13.1 billion in 2023… our gross domestic product (GDP) is also expected to increase,” he told reporters via a Zoom interview here today. On November 22, Dr Annuar reportedly said that about 25,000 Sarawakian students in the state will benefit fr...
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Fahmi: People have the right to know about RM700m publicity expenses spent by two previous govts
29Dec By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments
News

Fahmi: People have the right to know about RM700m publicity expenses spent by two previous govts

The people have the right to know about the RM700 million expenditure on advertising and publicity spent by the two previous governments, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. Through a post on X yesterday, he said it was a significant expenditure. “The people have the right to know how this RM700 million was spent, whether everything was recorded properly or if there were any legal violations,” he said. The media reported that the federal government spent nearly RM700 million on advertising, promotion, and publicity work to disseminate the government’s agenda from 2020 to 2022. The previous two administrations incurred the expenses to promote the government’s achievements and efforts. — Bernama https://twitter.com/fahmi_fadzil/status/1740319967898407075?ref_src=t...
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Petaling Jaya Dominates as the Most Sought-After Property Hotspot in Malaysia for 2023
29Dec By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments
Business

Petaling Jaya Dominates as the Most Sought-After Property Hotspot in Malaysia for 2023

In a dynamic shift for Malaysia's real estate landscape, Petaling Jaya (PJ) has emerged as the most coveted area among property seekers in 2023, securing the top spot for the second time, previously winning in 2021. The annual list, compiled by iProperty.com.my, reveals interesting trends and newcomers in the top 10 most searched areas. Urban Resurgence: Return to Established Urban Areas The year 2023 witnessed a notable surge in property searches in urban areas, signaling a shift in preferences towards established city living. This change is attributed to the return-to-office policy adopted by many employers and an increasing desire for proximity to workplaces, boosting the appeal of well-connected urban spaces with vibrant amenities. Top 10 Most-Searched Areas in 2023: ...
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Singapore readies sales tax hike as demographic crunch looms
28Dec By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments
News

Singapore readies sales tax hike as demographic crunch looms

Singapore households are bracing for a sales tax hike that takes effect in the new year as the government shores up coffers ahead of an expected surge in social spending in the rapidly ageing city-state in the years ahead. The goods and services tax, which is levied on everything from groceries to diamond rings, will be increased by one percentage point to 9% on Monday, the second phase of a two-stage rate hike. This year the sales tax was raised to 8% from the previous 7%, which has been unchanged for 15 years. The hikes come on top of already rising living costs, prompting opposition lawmakers to call for a delay in the rise. Core inflation in Singapore has moderated to 3.2% in November from a peak of 5.5% in January and February, but remains stubborn with the central bank...
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Malaysia’s total trade for November 2023 amounts to RM231.8b
28Dec By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments
Business

Malaysia’s total trade for November 2023 amounts to RM231.8b

Malaysia’s total trade for November 2023 amounted to RM231.8 billion, with exports and imports recorded at RM122.1 billion and RM109.7 billion, respectively, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). Based on its Export-Import Statistics by State November 2023 report, chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said exports eased by RM7.6 billion (-5.9%) compared with the same month a year ago. “The decrease in exports was attributed to the lower exports in most states, namely Penang (-RM5.4 billion), Selangor (-RM2.4 billion), Sarawak (-RM1.6 billion), Terengganu (-RM869.1 million), Melaka (-RM755.1 million), Labuan (-RM704.8 million), Pahang (-RM308.0 million), Negeri Sembilan (-RM164.2 million), Perlis (-RM29.9 million) and Kuala Lumpur (-RM9.9 million). “Howe...
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Apple resumes sale of watches after Appeals Court lifts US ban
28Dec By Webmaster IKON MalaysiaNo Comments
Innovation/ Technology

Apple resumes sale of watches after Appeals Court lifts US ban

Apple Inc. said it would put its latest smartwatch models back on sale in its US retail stores Wednesday after it won a court ruling in a patent fight, providing a quick reprieve for its $17 billion business. The company said its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 would also resume online sales beginning Thursday by noon Pacific time. The US International Trade Commission had banned the import and sale of the products at Apple’s official channels after it ruled in favor of Masimo Corp., a medical device maker, in a patent infringement case. An appellate court in Washington had issued an interim stay of the ITC’s decision earlier Wednesday while Apple seeks to overturn the decision. “Apple’s teams have worked tirelessly over many years to develop technology that empowers users with...
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