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Malaysiakini
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Tariff-wise, Trump holds the upper hand
YOURSAY | How to fight a strong man wielding a big sword using just a pen knife? COMMENT | Malaysia's pusillanimous foreign policy Koel: A thoughtful and timely article by former attorney-general Tommy Thomas. Handing over US$70 billion when Malaysia's total investments held in the US are US$43 billion? This is madness! Does Malaysia have a coherent foreign policy in these troubled times? We hardly see or hear from Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. It is time to go back to the spirit of the non-aligned movement, and time to actively seek alternative trade partners. The world is seeing the fallout of putting all your eggs in one basket. All you need is one madman to destroy everything. As we see right now, there is no stability to this White House administration. How much of what's happening is about helping that country? How much is the self-interest and greed of a businessperson in the highest office of that country? Nobody seems clear. Not even his aides. In such uncharted territories, smiles and flattery are not going to get us very far. People also need to look at who suffers the worst in these 'tariff wars'. There is a white, supremacist, and racist element to these trade wars that hints at a neocolonial stance. Some of the worst hit are the countries of the Global South, and that is by design. In case your history is weak, what did the colonisers do? Impoverish, extract, and dominate. Of course, in most cases, they will find local collaborators, lackeys to help them in this pursuit. We are probably seeing the first part of this strategy of impoverishing some of the poorest countries in the world. To what end? In case anyone missed it, local media ran an article that highlighted a case in Vietnam of a land grab that might hint at what is also at play with US President Donald Trump's administration. Land used for farming in North Vietnam was suddenly taken away and given to the Trumps for them to build golf resorts. Thousands of Vietnamese farmers were suddenly asked to move out with pitiful amounts of compensation that are hardly sustainable. All part of the tariff talks. Of course, the Vietnamese leaders who struck this deal are not personally affected, and the move will be framed as 'boosting the economy', but at what cost to the Vietnamese farmers? Such is the danger when governments fail to stand up to foreign bullies. Time to think strategically and open our markets to friendly, just, and mature nations and governments. Malaysia's interests, independence, and sovereignty must be safeguarded. The government should not reduce us to the status of a vassal state. Do we have any pundits at the moment to help this government steer through these trade wars? We cannot afford to send children to negotiate with the sharks! For a Better World: Thomas has done his research meticulously by quoting a vast array of published material. But his liberal, anti-Trump ideology can be difficult to observe or distinguish, but it pervades his discussion and analysis. Why blame the world's problems and ills on the US and its present leader, Trump? He won the national popular vote with 49.8 percent while his rival secured 48.3 percent. Respect it, but if Trump transgresses his country's Constitution or laws, he can be sacked/impeached by US Congress members. I agree that the US is a superpower, but so is Russia and, to some extent, China and the European Union. The way Thomas articulates it, it looks like it's Trump's fault for every conceivable bad and controversial issue that arises in human society on this Earth. Do Trump and his ruling elite have such unimaginable power? GP2025: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has always been all talk and namby-pamby in actions. He hides behind 'international diplomacy' so that he need not be tough. He is useless, and the majority know it and want him out of government. Unfortunately, the minorities, whom he has taken for a ride and who don't want to face it, still support him. Anwar is expected to do his job. No amount of criticism is going to help him perform. That's asking too much of someone who can't deliver. The best thing to do now is to support Perikatan Nasional's initiative to remove him from government. HOYOHOYO: Tommy, it's easy to write as a lawyer. Facing the drastic consequences is another thing. Anwar is wise in his response to Trump. A 19 percent tariff on all US-imported goods will lead to exorbitant tariffs on our exports. He had repeatedly warned against retaliation. High tariffs will obliterate the entire exporting industry overnight. The wisdom of inviting Trump to visit Kuala Lumpur is to massage his ego. How to fight a strong man wielding a big sword using just a pen knife? Anwar chooses reality to avoid the consequences that you are not facing in the comfort of your office. Scoop: Slap a 19 percent tariff on US goods? What happens to the tariff on Malaysia? Ask Canada, India, and China. Trump doubled the tariffs on those who imposed reciprocal/retaliatory tariffs. What would happen if Malaysia's tariff rate ended up close to double that of Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia? Almost three times higher than Japan and South Korea? Tommy is a corporate law specialist, not an international trade specialist or economist. Oh, and the piece is way too complimentary of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's foreign policy. Hmmmmmmmm: Tommy, I find your views too simplistic. Regarding our response to US tariffs, it looks like a case of 'damned if I do and damned if I don't'. The problem in this country is that we do not choose the best brains to lead us. If we have the best advisors, then we can be confident that the decisions made by the government are for the best. As it is, we will always wonder if we made the right decisions. I also wonder what the point is with trading with the US if we do not ultimately make a profit. The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Maroc
08-07-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco Takes Part in World Congress on High-Speed Rail
The 12th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail opened on Tuesday in Beijing under the theme "High-Speed Rail: Innovation and Development for a Better Life," with Morocco taking part. Organized by the International Union of Railways (UIC), this flagship event will run through Friday, bringing together more than 3,000 experts and professionals from across the globe to exchange views on the latest technological innovations and future challenges in the field of high-speed rail transport. Morocco, which hosted the previous edition in Marrakech in March 2023, is represented at the congress by a delegation led by Director General of the Moroccan National Railways Office (ONCF), Mohamed Rabie Khlie, accompanied by Director General of the National Agency for Strategic Management of State Holdings (ANGSPE), Abdellatif Zaghnoun. On the sidelines of the congress, Khlie will also take part in the 106th General Assembly of the UIC, where Morocco holds the vice-presidency of the organization as well as the presidency of the Africa Region. Held every two to three years since 1992, the UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail serves as the leading international platform for dialogue among rail industry professionals. The event provides an opportunity to assess global developments in high-speed rail and spotlight the sector's latest technological breakthroughs. This year's edition features a comprehensive program including plenary sessions, round tables, and parallel sessions addressing key topics such as planning, construction, technology, equipment, operational management, and rail safety. According to organizers, the Beijing edition will highlight China's achievements in the sector, notably its high-speed rail network, the largest in the world with over 46,000 kilometers in operation. MAP: 08 July 2025
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Heineken® Japan transforms bars into gaming hubs to connect online communities in person
Aiming to bring gamers together, shut down servers were reactivated to create a unique space in which experiences could be shared and connections built TOKYO, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Monday, March 17 saw Heineken® Japan K.K., which sells and distributes Japan's No.1 imported premium beer, Heineken®, hold a special event for the gaming community at Shot Bar Propaganda in Roppongi. Bringing together gamers, influencers, and game fans, the event saw Heineken® repurpose the bar into a space where the connections of online communities could be extended into the real world. Often, when game servers are shut down, the sense of community that they've built is lost and, as champions of socialization, Heineken® recognized an opportunity to take a venue typically associated with socializing and create a truly unique offering. With multiplayer gaming having long been a powerful way to bond with friends, meet new people, and form lasting friendships, it dispels the stereotype of gamers as isolated individuals. Now, the gap between the digital and physical worlds has been bridged through the use of technology that powers both the beer fridges and game servers, allowing deeper connections to be built and experiences shared. Enjoying Heineken® beers, attendees were treated to a tournament-style Omen of Sorrow game, which featured heated battles, live commentary, and participation from some of the region's top gaming influencers – including winner TAKERA CHANNEL* who went on to comment "I thoroughly enjoyed Heineken®'s unique game event tonight and the opportunity to socialize with many people in a very relaxed atmosphere". Comment from Shin Suda, Marketing Director, Heineken® Japan"Heineken® is delighted to be collaborating with Omen of Sorrow to bring this unique event to Tokyo. With Japan being the world's most creative gaming market, we are proud to have been able to offer something new to our communities. By reviving a multiplayer functions game server, we believe that we have been able to reconstruct a place where friends who share common interests can naturally connect. Games and bars are two of the most important communities where people can connect so blending these worlds felt like a natural setting for socialization." NOTES TO EDITORS About HEINEKEN®:HEINEKEN® is the world's most international beer producer and a leading developer and distributor of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken® brand, the Group offers more than 300 beers, craft beers and ciders for the international and domestic markets. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, moderate sales, and focused cost management, as well as embedding sustainability into our business through Brewing a Better World. HEINEKEN® has a well-balanced business with leadership in both developed and developing markets. With more than 85,000 employees in more than 70 countries, it operates production facilities such as breweries, moltereries, and cider mills. Heineken N.V. and shares of Heineken Holding N.V. are traded on Euronext in Amsterdam. The share price of common stock is coded HEIA NA and HEIO NA in Bloomberg and and by Reuters. You can check it with the code in the HEINEKEN is a subsidiary of Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY) two sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) We have a program. Heineken Official Website: Heineken Official SNS: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Heineken Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
WVU STEAM TAC brings two-day immersion lesson to Philip Barbour High School
PHILIPPI, (WBOY) — WVU's STEAM TAC (Technical Assistance Center) took a trip to Philip Barbour High School Tuesday to give nearly 50 students a hands-on immersion lesson at its Career and Technical Education Center. The lesson was primarily focused around coding and will play out over the course of two days, and officials with the program said that they're excited because 'so much of our work is real-world career-focused.' The lesson was titled 'Coding a Better Path' and gave students a scenario that required them to solve a parking problem. STEAM Specialist Angela McDaniel told 12 News that the students were tasked with coding a tram to be able to travel around the New River Gorge. 'With most of our immersions, we use real-world learning and we try to use West Virginia places. We used Seneca Rocks in another one and this one's the New River Gorge,' McDaniel said. The students were given Intelino brand smart trains to work with, and they used scratch (or block) coding in order to make the trains move along the track using laptops. They were also given access to AI programs to help code the trains to take voice commands such as 'start' and 'stop.' Canaan Valley breaks ground on salamander research project The STEAM TAC will return to the Career and Technical Education Center on Wednesday to conduct the second part of the immersion lesson. McDaniel told 12 News that during this time, the students will talk to the trains more and establish more advanced commands, such as 'pause and 'slow down.' This is the first time that WVU's STEAM TAC has held an immersion lesson at Philip Barbour High School, making it also its first time working with the school's Career and Technical Education teacher Madisen Tallman. STEAM TAC travels all across the state to bring these immersion lessons to students at any middle and/or high school that requests them. McDaniel stated that the immersion lessons are tailored for specific grade levels, and STEAM TAC specifically chooses which ones to do based on West Virginia educational standards. 'So we make sure that we're covering standards that they need covered in their classrooms,' she added. STEAM TAC is available to any school in the Mountain State that serves students from grades 6-12. STEAM TAC specialists will travel to your school to hold an immersion lesson, and you can find more details regarding both middle school and high school immersions on the organization's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
26-01-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
First and deputy First Ministers pause to remember Holocaust
Northern Ireland's First and deputy First Minister have paused to remember the Holocaust. Ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday, Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly attended an event in Belfast to remember millions of victims and survivors. The event at Belfast City Hall also marked the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia and was attended by members of the local Jewish community and representatives of other faith groups and minority ethnic communities. I am honoured to be part of the Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration. As we pause to remember the past, we resolve to shine a light on suffering and injustice wherever it occurs today Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill Around 300 people gathered on Thursday evening for the Regional Commemoration, hosted by The Executive Office in conjunction with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and Belfast City Council. They heard from Holocaust survivor Peter Lantos who was a child in 1944 when, along with his family, he was deported to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. He urged a message of hope that even in the darkest of times people should not lose faith in a better future. Ms O'Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly also spoke at the event. The First Minister said: 'I am honoured to be part of the Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration. As we pause to remember the past, we resolve to shine a light on suffering and injustice wherever it occurs today.' The deputy First Minister said: 'Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us that we must not be complacent in the face of prejudice. 'Sadly, we see the same hate and prejudice that fuelled the evil acts of the Holocaust in too many places today. We must stand united against this.' Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said they were delighted to work again with the Stormont Executive in commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day in this significant anniversary year. 'This year's theme, 'For a Better Future', reminds us that building a world free from hate and intolerance is our responsibility,' she said. 'As we gather in communities across the country, let us remember our duty to honour the victims and survivors by taking action – challenging prejudice and fostering understanding across generations and communities. 'By learning from the horrors of the past, we can create a present where freedom is cherished, protected, and enjoyed by every single person.'
