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Hollande &#39;affair&#39; will overshadow policy shift — Papers – BorneoPost <b>...</b> Berita Sarawak - News 2 Sarawak

Hollande &#39;affair&#39; will overshadow policy shift — Papers – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 11 Jan 2014 08:51 AM PST

PARIS: French newspapers warned yesterday that President Francois Hollande's alleged affair with an actress risked overshadowing his much-anticipated announcement of a new tack in efforts to kindle growth and create jobs.

Whilst largely defending the unmarried Hollande's right to a private life, national and regional dailies admitted the hundreds of journalists at his bi-annual press conference on Tuesday will only have one question in mind.

The French president, who lives with his partner Valerie Trierweiler, has not denied the relationship with 41-year-old actress Julie Gayet but reacted furiously to Friday's publication of the allegation in Closer magazine.

"Having to explain, a few minutes before sketching out his vision for France, instead, what he has in mind for his relationship (with Trierweiler) promises to be a highly interesting performance," the Sud-Ouest newspaper wrote.

Hollande, whose popularity ratings have hit record lows in recent months, had been expected to use the Jan 14 press conference to announce a new strategy aimed at lifting France out of its economic difficulties.

Hollande was due to outline the "responsibility pact" he is offering a disgruntled business community whereby companies would benefit from lower labour taxers in exchange for job creation.

Closer's article, which describes a president travelling through Paris at night on the backseat of a scooter to see his lover, could come and spoil Hollande's new year, papers warned.

Tuesday's press conference was "expected to mark a political resurgence by confirming the social-democratic shift" the president hinted at in his New Year address, L'Est Republicain said in an editorial. — AFP

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Tech worn in your socks… and the rest of the body – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 08 Jan 2014 06:53 PM PST

There's a sensor in a bra, in your socks, on your wrist, attached to your chest, in the ears: wearable tech is spreading all over the body.

The growing use of embedded wearable devices connected to a smartphone is spawning a massive industry geared to fitness, health and other goals, offering potential benefits to everyone from the newborn infant to the infirm elderly.

It was also one of the hottest sectors on display at this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the largest annual showcase of tech-related gear.

"Our vision is that the garment is the next computer," says Davide Vigano, chief executive of Heapsylon, maker of the Sensoria Fitness bra, T-shirt and socks, which connect to a smartphone designed for runners and others who want to monitor their health and improve workouts.

The company, which is participating in CES panels and displaying the products on the sidelines of the giant expo, says its key features are "100 percent textile sensors" woven into fabric to be more comfortable, and combine use of a transmitter on the socks with the chest monitor to more accurately track activity.

"We get a more accurate picture when the socks and bra work together," Vigano said.

And like several new wearables coming on the market, Sensoria includes a "virtual coach" to help boost motivation and improve technique.

The fitness sector is one of the key areas in wearables, led by devices such as the FitBit and Nike Fuel Band.

Smartwatches are another big segment, with offerings from the crowd-funded Pebble, giants such as Samsung and Qualcomm, and others showing their wares in a new "wrist revolution" zone on the showroom floor, in addition to the large health and fitness section.

And several connected eyewear products are being shown, even if Google Glass is absent.

Juniper Research projects that the smart wearable-device market will reach $19 billion by 2018 compared with $1.4 billion in 2013, including segments such as fitness, health and security.

Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich told the CES the chipmaker is making a major push into wearable tech, and showed off some of its products to be released this year including a watch, earbuds which can monitor the wearer's heart rate and a "onesie" for young infants that can allow parents to monitor a baby's breathing, sleeping, temperature and positioning.

"We want to make everything smart. That's what Intel does," he said.

App makers are leveraging smartphone technology for medical purposes, such as monitoring blood pressure, heart rates and glucose levels.

"The whole idea of allowing you to take control of your own health care is one of the great benefits of this technology," Samsung vice president David Lowe told a CES panel on Wednesday.

San Francisco-based Qardio produces wearable heart and blood pressure monitors which allow people to keep an eye on their health on a smartphone or even deliver the data to a doctor.

Qardio's Rosario Iannella said the devices mean he can keep tabs on his elderly mother in Italy.

It also "allows doctors to give better care without spending more time with patients," he told AFP.

But makers of wearable tech need to overcome the "geek factor," or clumsy-looking devices which are unappealing, especially for women.

"The first products on the market are big and bulky and lend themselves to a male techno audience because it's engineering-driven," said Rob Enderle, a consultant and analyst with Enderle Group.

"For women it will have to get smaller and more focused on fashion."

Analyst Jeff Orr at ABI Research said that the first wave of gadgets may not be appealing but "the second and third waves will be more important." And he said any new devices must blend fashion with practicality.

Some of the more fashionable items are showing up at the vast Las Vegas trade show.

One item is the June bracelet from French startup Netatmo, which monitors sun exposure to help users avoid damaging ultraviolet rays, delivering data to a smartphone.

"This allows you to track exposure to the sun in real time, but it looks like a stylish gemstone bracelet," said Netatmo's Emanuelle Thomas.

"It also acts as a personal coach, with recommendations based on your habits. For example, if you are going outside for lunch each day, it might tell you you are spending too much time in the sun."

British-based CSR is introducing Bluetooth wireless-enabled smart jewelry which can create customized colors and brightness to suit a user's mood and also get alerts from a smartphone.

And Hong Kong-based watchmaker Ezio is concentrating on style, while gradually adding apps and connectivity to its devices.

"Most of the smartwatches out there are very techy looking," said Ezio's Terry Linebarger. "We are focusing on the fashion watch, but with smart features."-AFP

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Glomus event to be held in Kuching - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 12:00 PM PST

by Saiful Baharireporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 10, 2014, Friday

KUCHING: The biennial Global Network for Higher Music Education (Glomus) is set to be held in Kuching next year and will the first held outside Africa.

Founded by three Nordic higher education academies of music, which is the Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus/Aalborg of Denmark, Lund University, Malmo Academy for Music in Sweden and Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Findland,

Glomus is an international network and initiative for higher education in global music and related arts.

According to Glomus representative Thomas Winter, the event sets a creative platform for learning through a variety of parts which includes teaching, rehearsing, workshops and lectures.

"Glomus creates a cross cultural exchange opportunity where people of different traditions, cultures and music preference will blend in, which creates the chance to learn and appreciate one another," said Thomas.

He added that after it was held in Tanzania last year, they were approached by a team from UiTM who had invited them to organise the event in Kuching.

"Malaysia is a wonderful country and it is easily an easy choice.

It is a fabulous part of the      world and is a melting pot of various cultures and races," he added.

"We hope that the locals, especially the music fraternity and students, will benefit from this camp as there are always things to learn from other parts of the world," he said.

The 10-day event, scheduled to be held from Jan 9 to 18 at the Sarawak Cultural Village will see participants from over 18 countries such as Finland, Sweden, Denmark, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Egypt, Syria, United States, China and Latin countries.

Also present were other Glomus representative Touvi Martinesen, Keld Hos Bond and Anna Stinna Sinisalo, UiTM Shah Alam Faculty of Music dean Professor Dr Ramona Mohd Tahir and UiTM Sarawak campus rector Prof Datuk Dr Jamil Hamali.

For more information about Glomus, the public are advised to visit www.glomus.net or http:// music.uitm.edu.my.

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&#39;Impian <b>Sarawak</b>&#39; won&#39;t dent BN&#39;s fortress, says Mawan - The Borneo <b>...</b>

Posted: 05 Jan 2014 02:11 PM PST

KUCHING: SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan is unfazed by DAP's plan to implement nine more 'Impian Sarawak' projects in the rural areas, including in his constituency of Pakan.

He said there was nothing to stop the DAP from giving service to the community, including those in Pakan, but he believed their efforts would not be able to erode Barisan Nasional (BN)'s support base.

"DAP can contribute in whatever way they can by giving service to the community, since it is within their rights. If it is good, it is good. If it is bad, it is bad.

"They may score some political points with these projects, but there is a point that they could not go beyond when trying to unseat BN in those seats. There are many BN supporters who are forward thinking and are not easily taken in by promises and cheap talk from the DAP," he said yesterday.

Mawan, who is also Social Development Minister, said this when asked to comment on plans by DAP to launch nine more projects under its `Impian Sarawak' initiative in the first quarter of this year.

The party's state chairman Chong Chieng Jen said the identified projects would be implemented in the state constituencies of Pakan, Kedup, Marudi, Batu Danau, Repok, Tarat, Bawang Assan, Kidurong and Lanang.

The first of these projects would be at Ulu Wak, Pakan, Julau, where a new gravity-feed water system would be erected there to replace the existing one that is failing due to drought and decaying pipes.

'Impian Sarawak' is trumpeted as an initiative by the DAP to provide basic infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity for the rural communities. It forms part of their 'Go Rural' strategy to win the support of rural voters as the party aims to contest in more rural-based seats in the 11th state election.

Since its launching in October last year, three projects had been implemented, namely a gravity-feed water system in Kampung Sait Muk Ayun, Bengoh, upgrading of Rumah Gawai in Serikin, Bau (Tasik Biru) and oil palm seedling supply project to farmers in Sebujok, Ulu Undup, Sri Aman.

Meanwhile, PBB Supreme Council member Martin Ben said the `Impian Sarawak' projects were merely a political agenda of the DAP to penetrate into the rural areas.

He said he was not surprised with the inclusion of Kedup as beneficiary of a new gravity-feed water system since it is widely known that the DAP was eyeing the seat.

"As the elected representative in Kedup, I will not stop the DAP from implementing the project to complement the government in ensuring consistent water supply in Kedup.

"It is nothing new as most of the villages are going to enjoy treated water soon anyway."

He pointed out that Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin had already announced efforts to complete pipe installations clustered under the Mentung Merau/ Mongkos region so that the people there could receive treated water from the recently-expanded Serian water treatment plant at Slabi.

"The new water treatment plant (with 75 million litres daily capacity) is sufficient to cater to the needs of the people in Kedup. A bit more time is needed to ensure the water can be supplied to everyone here.

"The government never neglects the needs of the people, but not all things can be settled immediately. What is certain is that the people, especially those in the rural areas, will eventually get to enjoy the facilities and infrastructures on par with urban areas."

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Aussie PM slams Sydney booze violence - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 09:17 AM PST

SYDNEY: A 'violent binge drinking culture' has turned parts of Sydney into 'almost war zones', Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Friday, condemning a rise in alcohol-fuelled incidents rocking Sydney.

Debate has raged for weeks in Sydney about the prevalence of booze-driven violence as the city enjoys the summer festive season, with several incidents of young men being severely injured after being 'king-hit' on nights out.

Some emergency room doctors have warned that the violence is getting worse and they are being inundated with alcohol-related cases.

"The tragedy is that places that should be entertainment precincts have become, on some occasions, almost war zones because there is just so much alcohol-fuelled violence," said the prime minister, father to three young adult daughters.

Abbott described the 'king-hit' incidents – a single punch which floors an often-unsuspecting victim – as a 'gruesome new development'.

"Gratuitous, unprovoked violence by disturbed individuals who aren't going out looking for a fight the way juiced up youngsters have for generations, they have gone out looking for a victim," he told Network Ten.

"Invariably these disturbed individuals, often with a history of violence, are going out looking for someone who is weak or vulnerable, they are catching them unprepared, sometimes with deadly results, often with catastrophic results."

In a front page splash in Sydney's Daily Telegraph, Abbott wrote that binge-drinking had become prevalent among young people over several decades.

"I'm realistic enough to know that young people won't always be perfect and that making mistakes along the way is a normal part of growing up," he said.

Abbott said alcohol has and always will be part of life in Australia. He said "our challenge is to get the balance right", while putting the onus on state governments to come up with solutions. — AFP

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Embark on strategic collaborations - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 08:56 AM PST

NEW DELHI: India has the world's second largest diasporas amounting to more then 25 million people spread over six continents, but for them to engage successfully with India, they should first embark on strategic collaborations.

"After 12 years of constant engagement, the time is right for all of us to reflect on the importance of this strategic collaboration between India and the Indian Diaspora worldwide," said Special Envoy (Infrastructure) to India and South Asia, Datuk Seri Utama S Samy Vellu.

Indian Diasporas must first establish Economic Frontiers in their respective economies, he said.

"Indian Diaspora cannot operate as individual force anymore but rather as a Strategic Economic Collective Groups which shall be a fraternity that is respected and acknowledged by the respective States," he said.

Only then, will these Indian Diasporas be able to garner resources and the minds to tap the vast potential available in India, he said at the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day), which ended on Thursday.

For example, he said, the Asean based Diasporas could work hand-in-hand to tap the vast potential offered by the region, which grows at a pace of 5.6 per cent.

"These initiatives will lead to Inter Diaspora Partnership to strengthen their regional presence," said Samy Vellu.

Indian Diaspora should also compete strategically by identifying their core competency areas.

"The State- Of –The Art Research and Development that is prominent in the West could be deployed through the Diasporas into India to curb imports of such services," he said.

For instance, he said India's agricultural sector, which is poised to grow at three per cent in 2014, requires new technology and value – chain enhancements.

Indeed, Indian Diasporas with the right and appropriate technologies must be allowed to access, develop and modernize India's agricultural sector.

"Together with access to the agricultural market, Indian Diasporas could play a vital part both in the up-stream and down-stream activities," he opined.

Similarly, India should also open its economy to Indian Diasporas to collaborate in various sectors, such as the White Label Electronic Chips and Semiconductors by allowing them to invest in India.

This is because one of the biggest challenges for the Indian Information and Communication Technology sector is the alarming growth in the import of Semiconductors worth US$7 Billion every year and by 2020, it will hit an all-time high of US$55 Billion.

"Such collaboration will result in a win – win situation for both India and its Diaspora Partners," he said.

As the fourth largest energy consumer, India also faces many challenges when tasked with meeting domestic demand.

The country currently relies on imports to meet the majority of its energy needs.

Coal consumption is the largest source of energy in India, followed by oil and natural gas.

The Renewable Energy, which is the future, could be tapped by the Indian Diasporas.

"India allows 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the renewable energy sector and has put in place policies conducive to attracting foreign companies to the market," said the special envoy. — Bernama

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