KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry has taken immediate steps to revise certain infographics on a Year Three Physical and Health Education textbook as they could be misconstrued. The ministry said in a statment that the infographics on page 67 of the book, published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and supplied to all national and national-type Tamil schools this year, could be misconstrued as blaming the victims of sexual harrasment in relation to “protecting one’s modesty”. “The ministry received feedback about the infographics last night and has taken immediate steps to rectify it. “The ministry decided to improve the content of the book by providing an error in the form of QRCode, which teachers, students and parents can upload on Jan 17 (Thursday),” it said. The statement also explained that the correction, which is in a form a sticker, would also be printed and distributed to all schools, including national-type Tamil schools from Jan 29. … [Read more...] about Education Ministry revises infographics in Year Three book
Mat Sabu denies using armed forces helicopter to campaign in Camerons
KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu (pix) has dismissed an allegation that he used an Armed Forces helicopter to campaign in the Cameron Highlands by-election. The Amanah president told former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to check his facts before making such an allegation. He said the photograph of him standing in front of a helicopter was taken during his official visit to Kem Slim in Cameron Highlands on Jan 9, three days before nomination for the parliamentary by-election. Mohamad said that he drove his own car to Cameron Highlands on nomination day last Saturday. “I am surprised that a former prime minister thinks like any ordinary person when he should have checked his facts. As a former prime minister, we should have respect for him. But if he is just like any other person, then I think it does not matter. It’s sad to see someone of that status not verifying his information,” he told Bernama after appearing on the Ruang Bicara talk show on … [Read more...] about Mat Sabu denies using armed forces helicopter to campaign in Camerons
Fake news message says new Malaysia king’s oath taking is public holiday
A fake message has gone viral on social media and messaging apps claiming that Jan 31 has been declared a public holiday in conjunction with the taking of the oath of office by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. This is not true. There has yet to be an official announcement, The Star reported. The fake message lists Jan 31 as a public holiday, saying it will be the "Agung Inauguration Day", with a link to a Jan 9 story by The Star announcing the date of the swearing-in. The only one who can announce a public holiday for the country is the Chief Secretary to the Government, Dr Ismail Bakar. The Malay Rulers will hold a special meeting to choose the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 24, and on Jan 31, will reconvene to decide on the date for the oath-taking ceremony. The two dates were agreed upon by the six Malay Rulers at a special meeting on Jan 7, convened to accept the resignation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, who had stepped down on Jan 6. In a related development, … [Read more...] about Fake news message says new Malaysia king’s oath taking is public holiday
Euro zone economy faces longer slowdown, not recession: ECB chief
FRANKFURT (REUTERS) - The euro zone's economy is not heading for a recession but still needs support from the European Central Bank as its slowdown could last longer than expected, the head of the ECB, Mario Draghi, said on Tuesday (Jan 15). Investors have pushed back expectations for the ECB's first interest rate hike since 2011 due to slowing growth in the euro zone and the rest of the world, which is driven by weaker activity in China and trade tensions between Beijing and Washington. Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Draghi acknowledged the economy had been disappointing but defended the ECB and himself against criticism from some lawmakers. "It's a slowdown, which is not heading towards a recession but it could be longer than expected before," Draghi said. "The ECB has the tools to address (a potential recession) but our present monetary policy stance is very accommodative already." He repeated the ECB's line that the euro zone still needed the "significant" … [Read more...] about Euro zone economy faces longer slowdown, not recession: ECB chief
How will the no-confidence vote in British PM Theresa May’s government work?
LONDON (REUTERS) - British lawmakers will on Wednesday (Jan 16) vote on whether they have confidence in the government, after Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal suffered a heavy defeat in parliament. Here is how the process, which could ultimately trigger a general election, will work: HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK? The opposition Labour Party, backed by other smaller opposition parties, has put forward a motion which states "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government." Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will open the debate on the motion at around 1300 GMT (9pm Singapore time). May will also speak in the debate and it will last until 1900 GMT. Lawmakers will then vote on the motion at 1900 GMT, with the result due at around 1915 GMT. There are 650 lawmakers in the House of Commons. May's government needs 318 votes to win the vote, as seven members of the Irish nationalist Sinn Fein party do not sit, four speakers do not vote and four lawmakers who help count votes, known … [Read more...] about How will the no-confidence vote in British PM Theresa May’s government work?