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The Star
39 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Star
Wong Chun Wai named National Journalism Laureate
Decades of dedication: Wong (centre) and Roz Ariffin (left), representing his late father Rozaid Abdul Rahman, with Zambry during the MPI-PETRONAS Malaysian Journalism Awards 2024 in Kuala Lumpur. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai has been accorded the country's highest media award as a National Journalism Laureate. The Bernama chairman has thus joined a handful of veteran journalists who have been given the honour. Wong, 64, was announced as a recipient at the Malaysian Press Institute 2024 awards here last night. The Star columnist with over 40 years experience joined the newspaper as a junior reporter at its Penang office in 1984 after graduating from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. 'The Star remained my only employer until 2023 but I have continued writing for the newspaper every Sunday,' he said. Wong had also served Star Media Group as its group chief editor and chief executive officer. The award was presented by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir. Wong is the 14th journalist to be chosen for the award. The first was the late Tan Sri Abdul Samad Ismail of Utusan Melayu and New Straits Times in 1988. This was followed by the late Tan Sri Lee Siew Yee (1992) of New Straits Times and writer cum activist, the late Datuk Ishak Muhammad or Pak Sako (1995). Other notables included Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar, Datuk Kadir Jasin, Khalidah Adibah Amin, the late Datuk Ahmad Rejal Arbee, the late Tan Sri Zainuddin Mydin and Datuk CC Liew. Wong has delivered numerous exclusives for The Star including interviews with the late physicist Stephen Hawking, ex-US president Bill Clinton and former Indonesian president Joko Widodo, among others. More recently, he interviewed former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok. In 2003, Wong won the MPI best feature award for his investigative piece on Malaysians undergoing terrorism training in Afghanistan. His other accolades included being the first Malaysian to be elected into the Paris-based World Editors Award as well as being a chairman of the Asia News Network with over 21 media affiliates. 'My advice to fellow journalists is to never stop writing. 'I wish to commend my fellow veterans Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar, Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, Datuk Yong Soo Heong, June Wong, Veera Pandiyan, N. Dorairaj, Datuk Kadir Jasin and Datuk Kuik Cheng Kang, who still write, whether regularly or occasionally.' He has also used digital platforms including Instagram, X and YouTube to express his views. Wong said he was a firm advocate of trained journalists, saying 'we have gone through years of learning, understanding the legal limits and even sensitivities in multiracial Malaysia'. 'More importantly, the established media is accurate and we take responsibility for what we publish,' he said. He said social media has 'allowed everyone to be a so-called journalist but it has also led to unverified and fake news as well as hate content passed off as news'. On his most memorable experience as a reporter, he said: 'To be in Aceh, Indonesia, in 2004 after the tsunami tragically hit the place claiming 200,000 lives.' Wong said it was heart-wrenching to see the tragedy and to understand 'what the massive nauseating smell of death was like'. He also recalled going into Kampung Simunul in Semporna, Sabah, in 2013 shortly after armed Filipino intruders had killed several Malaysian policemen. He recalled walking into the deserted village to find 'fresh human tissues and blood still on the ground'. Wong said journalists had tough jobs but also had ringside seats to watch history unfold. 'It's the best job around – that's my advice to young people.' He is also the author of Penang's History, My Story, which was published by The Star in 2014. Wong dedicated his award to all Malaysian journalists for their contributions as witnesses to the nation's history.


Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Tennis ace Kei Nishikori who was caught cheating on wife with model apologises days after withdrawing from Wimbledon
Kei Nishikori apologised to his wife and two children CLEAN SLATE Tennis ace Kei Nishikori who was caught cheating on wife with model apologises days after withdrawing from Wimbledon Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TENNIS star Kei Nishikori has issued a public apology after reportedly cheating on his wife with a model. Nishikori, 35, has struggled with persistent injury throughout the season and was thus forced to withdraw from both the French Open as well as Wimbledon. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Kei Nishikori issued a public apology after reportedly cheating on his wife with a model 3 Nishikori has been married to wife Mai Yamaguchi since 2020 3 Nishikori has allegedly been having a year-long affair with Azuki Oguchi Just two days after his withdrawal from the Championships the Japanese star addressed matters outside the court regarding his personal life. According to Japanese outlet Shukan Bunshun, the World No61 is alleged to have had a years-long affair with model Azuki Oguchi while being married to wife Mai Yamaguchi. The reported infidelity was uncovered after the former World No4 was photographed visiting Oguchi's apartment last week in Japan. Nishikori issued a "deep" apology to his wife and two children - aged four and one - as well fans, tennis chiefs, sponsors and other related parties. The ex-US Open finalist also stated his plan to focus solely on the sport while being a "responsible member of society". Nishikori said: "I deeply apologise for causing discomfort to everyone who supports me: tennis fans, associations, sponsors, and other related parties, and for their concern and inconvenience due to my dishonest behavior. "Additionally, I deeply regret making my wife and children feel hurt. "Moving forward, in order to fulfil my role as a responsible member of society, I will focus solely on tennis competitions and achieving results. We will do everything possible to regain their trust." Nishikori and Yamaguchi - also known by her nickname Ako Mizuki - married in 2020, which was five years after their relationship started. Shukan Bunshun add the tennis star first met Oguchi in 2022 when they met in Honolulu, Hawaii. He's very lucky' - Tennis star's racket almost flies into Queen's Club spectator in shocking scenes A year later, Oguchi was alleged to have been confronted by her then-boyfriend over the affair. The unnamed partner also spoke to Nishikori after finding out about their relationship, it's been claimed. The outlet adds the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist hired a lawyer in order to mediate and avoid a public scandal. Nishikori's relationship with Oguchi came to an end shortly after but allegedly resumed last year when he told her he "no longer loves his wife" and that they are solely together for the sake of their children.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Cheers? U.S to scrap longstanding guidelines on daily alcohol limits, raising eyebrows and happy hours alike
The United States might be preparing to remove its long-standing recommendation that adults must limit their alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per day, reported Reuters. This expected change in the upcoming US Dietary Guidelines has sparked reactions from public health experts and even those who enjoy an occasional drink, as per the Reuters report. US Could Drop the Daily Drink Limits in New Guidelines As per Reuters' sources, the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected to be released by this month, might include a brief statement encouraging Americans to drink in moderation or limit alcohol intake due to associated health risks, according to the report. However, the expected updated guidelines, developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture, are still under development and subject to change, according to Reuters. While an insider told Reuters that the scientific basis for recommending specific daily limits is limited, the goal is to ensure the guidelines reflect only the most robust evidence, as per the report. According to Reuters's sources, the updated guidelines are expected not to suggest consumers limit alcohol consumption to a specific number of daily servings, but the new alcohol-related recommendation might be limited to a sentence or two, and the existing numbers tied to moderate drinking might still appear in a longer appendix, reported Reuters. ALSO READ: After striking Boeing office in Ukraine, Putin now kills an American in Kyiv—Trump's silence is deafening Live Events Industry Leaders and Experts Weigh In on the Changes Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is a known teetotaler, has not mentioned about alcohol but has emphasised a focus on whole foods in the upcoming Dietary Guidelines, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, a few alcohol executives had feared that changes might be made to tighter recommendations on alcohol intake as authorities like the World Health Organisation have increased their warnings about alcohol's health risks, according to the report. However, an ex-US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, highlighted that alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer and called for warning labels on alcoholic drinks, reported Reuters. A senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Eva Greenthal said pointed out that the more general language expected in the guidelines was "so vague as to be unhelpful," and highlighted that if the change takes place, the message that even moderate drinking can increase risks, especially for breast cancer, would get lost, reported Reuters. According to Reuters, at present, the Dietary Guidelines advise limiting drinking to one serving or less per day for women and two or less for men, which is widely considered a moderate level. Reuters wrote, "Even moderate drinking is linked to some health risks, such as higher risk of breast cancer, though some studies have also found an association with possible health benefits, such as a lower risk of stroke." FAQs What exactly is changing in the US alcohol guidelines? The guidelines may remove specific daily limits on drinks and replace them with a general recommendation to drink in moderation, as per Reuters report. Will people still be advised to drink less? Yes, the guidelines will likely still advise moderation or limiting alcohol due to health risks, but without specific numbers.


Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Trump calls Russia's G8 expulsion ‘big mistake'; Kremlin agrees, dismisses G7 as ‘useless'
US President Donald Trump has reignited debate over Russia's 2014 expulsion from the Group of Eight (G8), calling it a 'big mistake' during the G7 summit in Canada. The Kremlin welcomed his comments, saying it agreed with Trump's assessment but also dismissed the G7 as 'rather useless' in the current global context. Speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the start of the G7 summit, Trump said the war in Ukraine might have been avoided if Russia had remained in the G8. 'The G7 used to be the G8,' Trump told reporters. 'You wouldn't have that war,' Trump said as per The Guradian. 'You know you have your enemy at the table. I don't even consider, he wasn't really an enemy at that time.' He went on to blame former Canadian prime pinister Justin Trudeau and ex-US President Barack Obama for pushing Putin out of the bloc after Russia annexed Crimea. 'Obama didn't want him, and the head of your country didn't want him,' he said, repeatedly naming Trudeau. Trump said he remains skeptical about new sanctions against Russia, noting, 'Sanctions cost us a lot of money. You are talking about billions and billions of dollars.' Despite pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump showed no urgency to act, saying he was still waiting to see 'whether a deal could be reached' with Moscow. The Kremlin responded promptly on Tuesday. 'We agree with President Trump: it was a big mistake then to exclude Russia from the G8 format,' said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. However, he added that the G7 now holds little relevance for Russia. 'Given the declining share of the G7 countries in the global economy… the G7 looks dull and rather useless,' Peskov said. Russia was expelled from the G8 in 2014 over its annexation of Crimea, turning the bloc back into the G7. Trump's comments come just ahead of his meeting with Zelenskyy, who is urging the US to back a tougher stance on Moscow. Trump has spoken with Putin regularly, as recently as Saturday, when he said that the Russian leader had called him to wish him a 'Happy Birthday' and spent more time discussing the Iranian-Israeli conflict.


Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
BlackRock Study: Family Offices are in Risk-Management Mode, Focused on Increasing Diversification and Idiosyncratic Sources of Return
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlackRock today launched its 2025 Global Family Office Survey, which revealed that current geopolitical uncertainty is the most important issue for family offices (84%) and is a critical factor in their capital allocation decisions. The survey results also showed that concern around disruptions to trade and the increasing fragmentation in geopolitics turned overall sentiment negative for the first time since the survey began in 2020. Armando Senra, Head of the Americas Institutional Business for BlackRock, said, 'Family offices, globally, entered 2025 with caution - a stance expected to continue through 2026 - as geopolitical tensions, policy shifts, and market fragmentation weigh on sentiment. With 60% of family offices pessimistic about the global outlook, confidence has been further shaken by new U.S. tariffs. Family offices are now prioritizing diversification, liquidity, and structural reassessment of risk as they build resilience in their investment portfolios.' While there is a pervasive sense that we are witnessing a fundamental rewriting of the rules that have long shaped markets, many family offices are hopeful that the negative implications to the global economy will be limited. Family offices are in risk-management mode, with more than two-thirds (68%) focused on increasing diversification, and nearly half (47%) increasing their use of a variety of sources of return, including illiquid alternatives, ex-US equities, liquid alternatives, and cash. The survey further revealed that: Allocations to private credit and infrastructure are on the rise Alternative assets are more important than ever to family offices, making up 42% of their portfolios, up from 39% in our 2022-2023 survey 1. Looking ahead, private credit and infrastructure are the most-favored alternative assets. Nearly one-third (32%) of family offices intend to increase their allocations to private credit (32%) and infrastructure (30%) in 2025-2026, with allocations to private credit marking the highest figure for any alternative asset class. When it comes to choosing a particular strategy within private credit, respondents have a clear preference for special situations/opportunistic and direct lending. Infrastructure is gaining strong momentum with family offices, with three-quarters (75%) of respondents feeling positive about the prospects for the asset class. Family offices are particularly attracted to infrastructure's ability to generate stable cash flows, its role as a portfolio diversifier and its perceived resilience. Over the following year, respondents intend to increase their infrastructure allocations to both opportunistic (54%) and value-add strategies (51%) driven by a combination of higher return potential, tailwinds and flexibility — qualities that are increasingly important in today's volatile market environment. Lili Forouraghi, Head of Family Office, Healthcare, Endowment and Foundations for BlackRock in the U.S., said, 'The sustained demand and interest in private credit and infrastructure from family offices is a testament to the illiquidity premia and differentiated return opportunity in the current investment landscape. Access to opportunities and the right strategies continue to rise in importance as these asset classes evolve from niche strategies to the cornerstone of client portfolios.' Seeking collaboration and closer partnerships To complement their in-house talent, many family offices are seeking to collaborate with external partners, especially when it comes to private markets. More than half of respondents noted gaps in their internal expertise around reporting (57%), deal-sourcing (63%), and private-market analytics (75%). Around one-quarter (22%) of family offices have used an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) or would consider doing so, and many look to third-party partners for expertise in both investments and technology. Mireille Abujawdeh, Head of Family Offices, Endowments, and Foundations for BlackRock in EMEA, said, 'As family offices navigate increasing complexity across investment strategies, risk management and private markets, they are turning to select partners who can deliver more than just products. They need tailored solutions, data driven insights, deal sourcing and due diligence support, particularly in private markets where over half of respondents recognise gaps in internal expertise." Open to AI, but there are barriers to adoption A strong majority of family offices indicated that they would consider using AI for a variety of tasks from risk management to cash-flow modeling. However, there are technical and organizational barriers to greater adoption. Currently, family offices are far more likely to invest in tech firms building AI solutions (45%), or in investment opportunities that they believe will benefit from the growth in AI (51%), than they are to deploy AI tech internally to improve the investing process (33%). About the BlackRock Family Office Survey BlackRock partnered with Illuminas to conduct a research survey of family offices between 17 March and 19 May 2025, we spoke to 175 single-family offices that collectively oversee assets of more than US $320 billion, via a combination of surveys and a series of in-depth interviews with chief investment officers (CIOs) and key decision-makers at family offices around the world. This material is for distribution to Professional Clients (as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority or MiFID Rules) and qualified investors only and should not be relied upon by any other persons. About BlackRock BlackRock's purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. 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