Latest news with #372
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Gold price drops locally amid global decline
Listen to article Gold prices fell in both international and domestic markets on Tuesday, driven by a notable decline in global bullion rates. According to market reports, the price of gold in the international bullion market dropped by $16 per ounce, settling at $3,320. In response to the global dip, domestic prices in Pakistan also fell. The price of gold per tola declined by Rs1,600, bringing it down to Rs354,700. Similarly, the price of 10 grams of gold decreased by Rs1,372, now standing at Rs304,098. Analysts attribute the decline to global market adjustments and currency fluctuations, with investors awaiting key economic indicators from major economies.
The Star
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Zoey Sham, married to M'sian tycoon, enjoys villa stay in China for RM6K a night
Hong Kong actress Zoey Sham is living the 'Crazy Rich Asian' lifestyle. Photos: Zoey Sham/Instagram, China Press Since marrying Malaysian tycoon Dixon Chin in 2012, Hong Kong actress Zoey Sham has been enjoying a life of luxury. Although the 38-year-old stepped away from the spotlight following her marriage, she continues to share glimpses of her opulent lifestyle on social media. According to China Press , Sham recently went on a trip to Dunhuang, China, and the occasion was nothing short of lavish. In a social media post, the former TVB star revealed that she stayed at a three-storey villa costing around HK$12,000 (RM6,448) per night. The accommodation featured a private courtyard and swimming pool, all set against a scenic desert backdrop. 'The interior feels like you're walking into a gallery, with artworks displayed on the walls … The view of the desert from the rooftop is also beautiful,' she said in a video. To commemorate the trip, Sham even hired a professional photographer to capture glamorous shots of her in the desert, which she later shared on Instagram. Sham made headlines earlier in April after taking her husband and their two sons on a helicopter tour in Australia, which cost HK$10,000 (RM5,372) per person. The actress kickstarted her entertainment career in 2006 and is best known for her role in the 2007 drama Best Selling Secrets .
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Collector rate hike casts shadow over CHB's Sec-53 project
The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) is facing uncertainty over the launch of its long-awaited General Housing Scheme in Sector-53, despite receiving a renewed environmental clearance. A sharp hike in the city's collector rates, which came into effect in April 2025, has pushed property prices up by 35% to 40%, raising concerns about whether the applicants, who had previously shown strong interest, will still be able to afford the project. CHB's decision-making process has been marred by delays, marking the second environmental clearance renewal in just two years. The board recently secured clearance from the environment department after paying a ₹5 lakh fee, following a similar payment of ₹7 lakh in 2024. However, each clearance is valid for just one year, adding pressure on the board to make a final decision. A senior CHB official confirmed that the issue will be taken up at the upcoming board meeting, though the date remains undecided. Rising prices threaten viability In an attempt to gauge public interest, CHB conducted a demand survey between February and March 2025, which saw an overwhelming response from prospective buyers. The survey attracted 7,468 applicants vying for 372 flats in three categories: high-income group (HIG), middle-income group (MIG) and economically weaker section (EWS). The applicants had to deposit ₹10,000 for HIG and MIG flats and ₹5,000 for EWS flats, signalling intent. Despite the strong demand reflected by the survey — nearly 20 applicants for each available unit — the sharp increase in property prices due to the new collector rates has put the future of the project in doubt. The board has even started to refund the collected amount, nearly ₹7.5 crore, from the hopeful applicants due to the uncertainty of the project. Originally, the price for a three-bedroom flat was estimated at ₹1.65 crore, a two-bedroom flat at ₹1.40 crore, and a two-bedroom EWS flat at ₹55 lakh. Under the new collector rates, these prices have skyrocketed to ₹2.29 crore, ₹1.97 crore, and ₹73 lakh, respectively, making the scheme less affordable for many potential buyers. CHB's long struggle to provide affordable housing The steep hike in prices mirrors past challenges faced by CHB in launching affordable housing schemes. In 2018, when the scheme was first proposed, only 178 applications were received for 492 flats, far below expectations. Back then, the high prices — ₹1.8 crore for a three-bedroom flat, ₹1.5 crore for a two-bedroom flat and ₹95 lakh for a one-bedroom flat — resulted in a tepid response, leading to the project being scrapped. Founded in 1976, CHB was established with the primary objective of providing reasonably priced and good quality housing in Chandigarh. Its last successful housing scheme was rolled out in 2016, when 200 two-bedroom flats in Sector-51 were offered for ₹69 lakh each — a far cry from the current prices.
TimesLIVE
15-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Tiny creatures are big business: Smuggled ants worth R4,163 each on black market
While much of the world's attention is focused on the poaching of charismatic megafauna like elephants, pangolins and rhinos, a quieter, less visible crisis is unfolding beneath our feet, one involving some of the smallest animals on the planet — invertebrates. Earlier this year, two Belgian teenagers were apprehended in Kenya with 5,000 ants in their possession. They were given a choice of paying a fine of $7,700 (R139,372) or serving a minimum 12-month prison sentence under Kenya's wildlife conservation laws. Senior lecturer in invertebrate biology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Caswell Munyai said the global trafficking of ants, spiders, scorpions and other invertebrates, or smuggling, is complex and diverse. 'Besides being traded for food, most invertebrates are targeted for their use in traditional medicine. Also there has been a growing demand for trading arthropods targeted for the pet trade,' said Munyai. According to Ant Authority, queen ants can cost between $20 (R362) and $60 (R1,086), depending on species and season. Rare species like the jumper jack or bull ant queens go for up to $230 (R4,163) and $120 (R2 172) respectively. Though common pavement ants might only sell for about $27 (R489), the more exotic species, especially those from the Global South, are a hot commodity on online marketplaces, which is often illegal. 'Some of the most trafficked or well-known invertebrates involved in trading between global markets are those in the phylum mollusca, which includes snails, mussels, octopus and arthropods, such as insects, spiders,' said Munyai. 'For mollusca, they are heavily trafficked due to the high demand for seafood and their shells, which are probably used in jewellery and decorative items.' Munyai said when it comes to arthropods, ants, spiders, stick insects and scorpions are particularly targeted. 'There has been a spike in the past decade or two, particularly involving arthropods being trafficked from countries in the Global South and sold in developed countries.' While the motivations are diverse, some are collected for use in exotic food dishes or traditional medicine while others are sold in pet shops or online and destined for formicariums in homes far removed from their native habitats, he said. Beyond the legal and ethical concerns, the ecological consequences of invertebrate trafficking are immense. 'Despite the obvious impact related to the disruption of the natural balance of the ecosystem where these species occur, the trade has cascading negative effects. It affects food chains, species interactions and even ecosystem service provisioning and functioning,' said Munyai. A recent case that illustrates the problem starkly is that of an attempt to smuggle the African Harvester Ant out of Kenya last month. Munyai said this species plays a critical role in seed dispersal, helping maintain the health of native ecosystems, and that removing such a species disrupts not only plant regeneration but also the food web. 'Spiders and scorpions that are being trafficked out of their native ecosystems have important predatory roles. They help manage pest populations which, if left unmanaged, pose serious problems to agriculture and ecosystems.' Munyai said there can be consequences long after these creatures are sold. 'Some of these, unfortunately, become serious pests (alien invasive species). This happens when the owners or those who initially bought them no longer want them, or when they escape into the wild.' Munyai says enforcement remains patchy. 'On paper, there are good wildlife protection laws here in South Africa and globally. But on the ground, quite a lot is happening unchecked. Most conservation attention still goes to 'charismatic' wildlife. Very few cases are reported for things like ants. That's why the Kenyan case caught so much attention — people were shocked,' Munyai said. Despite comprising 95-97% of all known animal species, invertebrates remain vastly understudied and underfunded in conservation. 'These little things run the world. They are everywhere, from our intestines to our houses, and our fields, playing roles in pollination, pest control and nutrient cycling. Yet very little to nothing is known about the distribution patterns of our invertebrate biodiversity,' said Munyai. According to Munyai, funding for invertebrate research pales in comparison to that for vertebrates. Conservation planning often prioritises larger animals, leaving invertebrates as an afterthought. 'We need more studies on the distribution and ecology of invertebrates. We need to increase public awareness and interest in these animals, which I hope will increase the general concern for their conservation,' said Munyai. The recent spike in attention to the trafficking of invertebrates may be the start of a turning point. But Munyai is cautious. 'This is happening under our noses. If you look at some of our pet shops, you will know. We really need to look into what is leaving through our ports — by sea, land, or air,' he warned. 'By the time we realise this, it may be too late.'
The Sun
22-04-2025
- The Sun
Contraband cigarettes, liquor worth over RM560,000 seized in Miri
KUCHING: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) in Sarawak busted a contraband stash of untaxed cigarettes and hard liquor worth more than RM566,000 during an operation in Miri on Wednesday (April 16). Sarawak Customs director Norizan Yahya said that in the 8.30 am operation, a team of Customs officers from the Land Operations Unit conducted a raid on a container in the Eastwood Valley Industrial Estate area. 'An inspection of the locked container uncovered 700,000 sticks of various brands of white cigarettes without tax stamps, along with 1,536 litres of alcoholic beverages suspected to be contraband,' he said. 'The estimated value of the seized items is RM74,372, while the total duties and taxes involved is RM492,319.20. The overall estimated value of the confiscated goods, including duties and taxes, amounts to RM566,691.20,' he said in a statement today. Norizan added that the syndicate's modus operandi involved using the container as a storage space for cigarettes and alcoholic beverages to evade detection by the authorities. He said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. If found guilty, the offenders could face a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
