First Baccarat-branded hotel opens in New York |
- First Baccarat-branded hotel opens in New York
- Rights group: End Syria’s civil war to stop extremism
- Singapore businessmen pay tribute to LKY for island’s global impact
- Shafee: I’m not anti-gay, I have gay colleagues
- Guilty! Ex-tennis star Bob Hewitt charged with raping girls in S. Africa
- New generation Chevrolet Cruze to be made in Mexico
| First Baccarat-branded hotel opens in New York Posted: 23 Mar 2015 05:56 PM PDT
Located opposite the Museum of Modern Art, steps from Fifth Avenue, the Baccarat Hotel & Residences asserts its presence on the streets of Manhattan with a 125-foot (38-metre) wide facade made to resemble corrugated crystal curtains. The opening of the new Baccarat hotel marks a new chapter for the 250-year-old crystal company, which is now pitching itself as a lifestyle brand ― of the decidedly French kind. Built into the telephone handset, for example, is a button marked "Champagne" that will send up a vintage bottle of bubbly for parched guests with luxury palates. Likewise, the minibar is filled with gourmet French treats from Fauchon, and the marble counters in luxury suites are lined with complimentary La Mer skincare products. The Baccarat hotel also features the first Spa de La Mer in the US. A total of 17 cascading chandeliers provide light, drama and opulence to the Parisian-inspired hotel particulier and offset a muted color palette of taupes and greys ― the colours of wealth. Guests are greeted with a spectacular light show upon entry, with a 20-by-25-foot wall composed of 2,000 Baccarat glasses that are backlit by LED lights. Throughout the hotel ― which counts 114 rooms and suites and 60 private residences ― a curated collection of art from the company's own archives lines the walls and fills the rooms. In addition to custom-made furnishings produced by French artists, design details include hand-pleated silk wall coverings, sparkling mica-covered vaulted ceilings, silver-leafed wood paneling, and marble walls and tables. The hotel is also hoping to make New York hotspots of its French restaurant Chevalier, overseen by Michelin-starred chef Shea Gallante, and The Bar at Baccarat, with its 60-foot bar (18-metre) and outdoor terrace overlooking the MoMA. Next year Baccarat plans to open a second property in Rabat, Morocco, followed by additional hotels in Dubai and Doha. ― AFP-Relaxnews  |
| Rights group: End Syria’s civil war to stop extremism Posted: 23 Mar 2015 05:51 PM PDT
"Stopping the violence requires two steps which we cannot achieve alone: an end to (President Bashar) al-Assad regime's barrel bombs and air strikes and negotiations between all Syrian groups and their international backers," 85 groups said in an emotive joint campaign. "We have called the campaign 'Planet Syria' because we sometimes feel as if we are from a different planet," said campaign organiser Oula Ramadan. "Our demands for freedom and democracy are treated by many as if they are completely alien and unrecognisable," she said. "Our peaceful uprising has been turned into the world's war ... We need truly global solidarity to end it." Campaign activists said they felt "abandoned" by an international community preoccupied with extremism rather than the war's daily horrors. "We are deeply frustrated by the lack of support from our friends around the world," said another organiser, Salma Kahale. "It's not complicated ― the vast majority of Syrians don't want dictatorship or extremism," she said. "We want exactly the same as anyone, anywhere: freedom and dignity." Syria's civil war began in March 2011 with peaceful demonstrations, but the protests have been drowned out by a brutal regime crackdown and the barbarity of jihadist organisations like the Islamic State group. The civil society groups attributed the rise in extremism to continuing indiscriminate violence, particularly barrel bomb attacks which Damascus has been widely accused of carrying out on rebel-held areas despite its denials. "With every home they destroy, more people are radicalised, turning their backs on more moderate paths towards justice," they warned. "Extremism grows from the rubble of our ravaged towns and cities, and will only continue to expand unless we act together," they said. "To stop the extremism we have to end the bloodshed in Syria." The signatory groups represent civilians across Syria and include unions, women's collectives and nonviolent activist groups like the Violations Documentation Centre (VDC), the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) and the Kurdish Women's Union. ― AFP |
| Singapore businessmen pay tribute to LKY for island’s global impact Posted: 23 Mar 2015 05:49 PM PDT
The tributes and condolences poured in through social media and statements to the media from local brands, such as Hong Leong Group Singapore, as well as leading multinational companies that have established a presence here, such as Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell and United States bank Citigroup. Apex business chamber Singapore Business Federation (SBF) urged companies here to continue the legacy of Lee, who led the country's transformation from a Third World nation to a vibrant First World city state. "Under his stewardship, Singapore earnt the reputation as a key regional and global centre for businesses, supported by world-class infrastructure and a highly efficient government. With a pro-business environment and a committed highly skilled workforce, many businesses call Singapore home and have progressed with the nation and its people," the SBF said in a statement. Kwek Leng Beng, executive chairman of Hong Leong Group Singapore and a prominent figure in the real-estate scene here, thanked Lee for laying the foundation that created an environment in which businesses can thrive. "Mr Lee played an instrumental role in nurturing corporate Singapore. The private sector and the business community benefited tremendously from his pro-business policies and vision to establish Singapore as a major business hub for Asia. This enabled many of Singapore's homegrown conglomerates, like our group, to thrive locally and globally," Kwek said in a condolence letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Sharing Kwek's sentiments are Shell and Citi, which expressed gratitude to Lee for playing a part in their growth in Singapore and the region. Ms Goh Swee Chen, chairperson of the Shell companies in Singapore, said: "The eldest son of a Shell employee, Mr Lee had a long-standing relationship with Shell. He was instrumental in getting his government of the day to attract multinational companies like Shell to locate their Asian headquarters in Singapore. "At our 120th anniversary celebrations in 2011, he addressed a range of questions at the Shell dialogue, including one on his perspective of life. Over the decades, Shell has benefited from his stewardship." Michael Zink, head of Asean and Citi country officer of Singapore, said: "Singapore is an extraordinary success story of our modern world, much admired beyond its shores because of the vision of Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore will continue to thrive for many years to come because of the strong foundation that he has laid. "Between 2006 and 2008, Citi had the privilege of having Lee as a special adviser to our senior management and its board of directors on strategic and international matters. His astute insights of the world and business landscape were truly unmatched." The Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) said the three economic thrusts — free trade, political stability and internationalisation — championed by Lee since Singapore's early days had been crucial for the survival of the SME community. Quality job opportunities for Singaporeans came alongside economic progress, and Lee had a strong hand in ensuring fair employment practices here, said the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). "Mr Lee Kuan Yew's commitment and resolve in engaging the labour movement and employers as tripartite partners brought about lasting industrial peace in Singapore. This has turned out to be a key national strength for sustainable economic and social progress. Even after he stepped down as Prime Minister, Mr Lee continued to keep watch over the state of labour management relations in Singapore," said Stephen Lee, the immediate past president of the SNEF. Several organisations, such as Business China and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also praised Lee's foresight in fostering stronger Singapore-China relations. "Mr Lee's dedication to Business China over the past eight years has allowed some 50,000 Singaporeans to benefit greatly from his invaluable insights and astute observations of China and the world," said Chua Thian Poh, chairman of Business China, of which Lee was the founding patron. President and chief executive of the US-Asean Business Council, Alexander Feldman, said Lee's support for the council was instrumental in strengthening the bond between Singapore and the US, and it played a key role in the success of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations community. — TODAY |
| Shafee: I’m not anti-gay, I have gay colleagues Posted: 23 Mar 2015 05:43 PM PDT
Defending his role as the lawyer for Negri Sembilan in the appeal against the Court of Appeal's ruling against an anti-crossdressing state Shariah law, Shafee said he took up the case only because he was worried that one day, women might want to lead men in prayers. "If you think that I am anti-gay or anti-homosexual, you're dead wrong. Because three of my favourite relatives are gay," Shafee said in a dialogue session with fellow representatives of the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. "About 40 to 60 per cent of people I dabble with, I engage with in theatre, through my wife's work … are gays. And these are colleagues of mine," he added. Shafee's wife, Sabera Shaik, is an accomplished theatre actor and director. Shafee also sits on Indian classical dance body Sutra Foundation's board of directors, and has produced several theatre and dance shows. The Court of Appeal had in November last year ruled in favour of three Muslim transgenders who were convicted of cross-dressing under the Shariah enactment that punishes Muslim men who wear women's attire with a fine not exceeding RM1,000, or jail of not more than six months, or both. The appellate court also rules Section 66 of the enactment as unconstitutional and void, noting that the provision contravened fundamental liberties, including personal liberty, equality, freedom of movement and freedom of expression. The three-judge panel of Malaysia's second-highest court led by Justice Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Yunus and comprising Datuk Aziah Ali and Datuk Lim Yee Lan had also said the law was discriminatory as it failed to recognise men diagnosed with gender identity disorder. In January, Negri Sembilan was allowed to appeal the case in the Federal Court, with Shafee representing the applicants, which also included the state's Islamic Religious Affairs Department, its director, its chief enforcer, and the state's chief Shariah prosecutor. "The impact of the judgment is this … If that is the interpretation, vis-a-vis the Constitution, the danger would be this, that a Muslim woman can come to the court and say 'why should we allow only men as the imam as a mosque?'" asked Shafee. Traditional Islamic practices require that a female imam can only lead other women in prayers, while a male imam can lead a mixed-gender congregations. Despite that, there has been a growing movement worldwide to reinterpret allegedly patriarchal Islamic teachings, with American progressive Islamic scholar Amina Wadud leading a mixed-gender congregation starting from 2005. |
| Guilty! Ex-tennis star Bob Hewitt charged with raping girls in S. Africa Posted: 23 Mar 2015 05:36 PM PDT
Guilty! Ex-tennis star Bob Hewitt charged with raping girls in S. Africa
Hewitt, 75, had pleaded not guilty to the two charges of rape and one of indecent assault, which were brought against him by three women in 2013. Judge Bert Bam at the South Gauteng High Court outside Johannesburg described the evidence against Hewitt, best known as a doubles star, as "overwhelming", the SAPA news agency reported. At the trial, his victims said that Hewitt assaulted them during private tennis lessons when they were young girls. "Time did not erase the crimes. A guilty person should not go unpunished. The scales of justice tip against the accused," Bam said. One woman testified that Hewitt had told her "rape is enjoyable" as he assaulted her. One of his victims said the former champion raped her in his car before tennis practice in 1982, when she was 12-year-old. Another victim told the court he had touched her inappropriately 34 years ago and forced her to perform a sex act on him when she was 12 and 13. The judge said Hewitt manipulated the young girls and they were intimidated by him. "It is a victory, yes. It has given me a little freedom to move on with my life," said Suellen Sheehan, a victim who spoke out publicly about her experience and who was present in court. "Victory is a hard word to use because I don't think it is a game. "I just hope this gives hope to other victims [so they] can take something from this and be as brave as we were, and confront danger and take their perpetrators to task because ultimately they will be believed," she said. Hewitt won numerous Grand Slam doubles titles during his career in the 1960s and 1970s and was named to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1992. But his name was removed from the hall of fame in 2012, following sexual abuse allegations. Hewitt was born in Dubbo, Australia but has spent much of his life in South Africa. He has been supported throughout the trial by his wife Dalaille. The former champion has also been dogged by allegations of sexual abuse in the United States where he once lived. Rape cases dating back decades are rare in South African courts. A date for sentencing has not been set. ― AFP |
| New generation Chevrolet Cruze to be made in Mexico Posted: 23 Mar 2015 05:34 PM PDT
GM will continue manufacturing the model in Lordstown, Ohio. GM so far has identified only three plants that will make the next-generation Cruze, including in China. A GM spokesman in the United States said the company's assembly plant in Gunsan, South Korea, will continue building the current Cruze model to meet demand in domestic and export markets. However, as part of a new wage deal last summer, GM agreed to build the next-generation Cruze in Korea starting in 2017, according to a GM proposal seen then by Reuters. Automakers are looking to move to Mexico for its low labour costs and access to the US market. Toyota is finalising plans for its first passenger car assembly plant in Mexico, people familiar with the matter previously said. Volkswagen recently announced a US$1 billion investment in its Puebla plant. It is the first time the Cruze will be made in Mexico, a GM spokeswoman in Mexico said, and production will be mainly for the domestic market. The Cruze is currently imported to Mexico from GM's plant in South Korea, she said. In 2014, 7,870 Cruzes were sold in Mexico, down nearly 15 per cent from the year before, according to data from the Mexican Association of Automobile Distributors and the Mexican Automotive Industry Association. GM has encountered tensions with its South Korean workers. In April 2013, then GM CEO Dan Akerson angered union workers in Korea ahead of annual labour talks when he warned the automaker could shift operations from South Korea in the longer term. Union activists in South Korea in the past have threatened "a war" if output was shifted from their plants. The GM spokesman declined to say whether added Cruze production in Mexico meant that the Coahuila plant's capacity would expand or was simply shifting among models it builds. Eleven plants globally make the current Cruze model but some, including a plant in Australia where GM is shutting down assembly operations, will not build the next generation model, he said. — Reuters |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malay Mail Online | All To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
