American contestant Jazell Barbie Royale was crowned "Miss International Queen" in Thailand on Friday at a beauty pageant for transgender women, becoming the first person of colour to win the competition since it started in 2004. Contestant Jazell Barbie Royale, a community leader and HIV activist, edged out 19 other candidates from around the world. (Photo: AFP/Jewel SAMAD) Royale buried her face in her hands, spread her arms in victory and welled up with tears when news of the victory was announced in the seaside city of Pattaya. The community leader and HIV activist edged out 19 other candidates from around the world including Brazil, Peru and several Asian countries. She said she hoped her triumph inspired other people of colour around the world who might say "if she can do it, I'm coming to Miss International Queen next year and I'm going to compete". Hailing from Florida, Royale said she wanted to use her newfound platform to educate others about the importance … [Read more...] about American crowned queen in Thai transgender pageant
Crown jewelers
Malaysia power shift hits China infrastructure drive
Malaysia was once a loyal partner in China's globe-spanning infrastructure drive but a new government is now pledging to review Beijing-backed projects, threatening key links in the much-vaunted initiative. Kuala Lumpur's previous regime, led by scandal-mired Najib Razak, had warm ties with China and signed a string of deals for Beijing-funded projects, including a major rail link and a deep-sea port. But the long-ruling coalition was unexpectedly turfed out of power last month by voters disgusted at allegations of corruption and angered at rising living costs. Critics say many agreements lacked transparency, fuelling suspicions they were struck in exchange for help in paying off debts from a financial scandal which ultimately helped bring down Najib's regime. The new government, led by political heavyweight Mahathir Mohamad, has pledged to review Chinese deals seen as dubious, calling into question Malaysia's status as one of Beijing's most cooperative partners in its infrastructure … [Read more...] about Malaysia power shift hits China infrastructure drive
Altaba to pay US$35m penalty for not telling investors of Yahoo hack
US securities regulators on Tuesday (Apr 24) announced that Altaba will pay a US$35 million penalty for not telling them hackers had stolen Yahoo's "crown jewels." Altaba to pay US$35m penalty for not telling investors of Yahoo hack, photo AFP The 2014 breach blamed on Russian hackers affected hundreds of millions of Yahoo accounts, with stolen 'crown jewel' data including usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, birthdates, encrypted passwords, and security questions, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission. While Yahoo discovered the data breach quickly, it remained mum about it until more than two years later when it was being acquired by telecom giant Verizon Communications, the SEC case maintained. "Yahoo?s failure to have controls and procedures in place to assess its cyber-disclosure obligations ended up leaving its investors totally in the dark about a massive data breach," SEC San Francisco regional office director Jina Choi said in a release. "Public … [Read more...] about Altaba to pay US$35m penalty for not telling investors of Yahoo hack
Investors frown at unrealistic listing price of Saigon One Tower
After ten years in the making, the crowning jewel of Saigon's vista, Saigon One Tower will be put on a public auction to resolve at least VND6.11 trillion ($268.22 million) non-performing loans by Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC), putting an end to one of the most anticipated construction projects in Vietnam. Saigon's property pride are being bought off for debt collection To date, myriad market analysts forecasted that a notable number of investors would bid lower than $268.22 million in order to protest the unrealistic listing rate, considering ten years of inactivity due to inefficient investment and postponed development. Within four days, the estimated starting price of the project's total assets shrank from VND7 trillion ($307.3 million) to $268.22 million, which is still frowned upon by investors. Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (Horea), asserted that the listing price was considered "reasonable," yet there are high odds … [Read more...] about Investors frown at unrealistic listing price of Saigon One Tower
Investors frown at discount price of Saigon One Tower
After ten years in the making, the crowning jewel of Saigon's vista, Saigon One Tower will be put on a public auction to resolve at least VND6.11 trillion ($268.22 million) non-performing loans by Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC), putting an end to one of the most anticipated construction projects in Vietnam. Saigon's property pride are being bought off for debt collection To date, myriad market analysts forecasted that a notable number of investors would bid lower than $268.22 million in order to protest the unrealistic listing rate, considering ten years of inactivity due to inefficient investment and postponed development. Within four days, the estimated starting price of the project's total assets shrank from VND7 trillion ($307.3 million) to $268.22 million, which is still frowned upon by investors. Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (Horea), asserted that the listing price was considered "reasonable," yet there are high odds that … [Read more...] about Investors frown at discount price of Saigon One Tower