G.E.M Invites Namewee To Sing At Her Concert In Malaysia. Will He Accept The Invitation?

G.E.M Invites Namewee To Sing At Her Concert In Malaysia. Will He Accept The Invitation? - Mandopop fans were thrilled to bits when G.E.M (Tang Tsz Kei) invited Namewee (Wee Meng Chee) to sing at her concert via her Facebook.

“Since we had so much fun singing Stranger In The North at the KTV, why don’t we sing it together again at the Malaysian stop of my Queen Of Hearts concert on Nov 18?” G.E.M wrote and posted the video of her singing with Namewee at the KTV (karaoke joint).

Stranger In The North is the title of Namewee’s duet with Taiwanese-American singer-songwriter Wang Lee Hom, which was released in March.

But, it may take some juggling for Namewee to appear in G.E.M’s show as he is tied up with his work in Taiwan, what with the launch of his protege Joyce Chu’s album and his own Namewee 4896 World Tour which kicks off in Taipei on Nov 25.

However, fans are keeping their fingers crossed for the duet to happen.

If it happens, then the Malaysian leg of G.E.M Queen Of Hearts world tour will be the very first show with a guest performer.

Tickets to the Malaysian leg of the Shanghai-born Hong Kong-based pop diva’s world tour concert are already selling like hotcakes. So, if you are excited to watch the two revisit their KTV duet on the KL stage, then you have to act fast.

G.E.M Queen Of Hearts World Tour 2017 kicked off in April, playing in numerous cities in China and Australia including Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

Her Kuala Lumpur show, organised by IME Productions, will take place on Nov 18 at 8pm at Kuala Lumpur Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. Tickets are priced at RM660, RM560, RM490, RM460, RM360 and RM250 and available from http://www.myticket.asia.

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Farah Splits With Coach Salazer, Moving Back To London

Farah Splits With Coach Salazer, Moving Back To London - Britain's Olympic and world champion Mo Farah has split with long-time coach Alberto Salazar because he wants to move back to London with his family, he said in an interview on Monday.

Farah, who moved to Portland in 2011 to work with distance guru Salazar, said the decision had nothing to do with doping allegations surrounding the coach, which have been denied.

"I'm not leaving the Nike Oregon Project and Alberto Salazar because of the doping allegations," Farah, 34, was quoted as saying by The Sun newspaper's website (www.thesun.co.uk).

"This situation has been going on for over two years, if I was going to leave because of that I would have done."

The Sunday Times reported that Salazar had used prohibited infusions of supplements to improve the performance of his runners, citing what the newspaper said was a leaked United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) report.

But Farah said in Monday's interview: "As I've always said, I am (a) firm believer in clean sport and I strongly believe that anyone who breaks the rules should be punished.

"If Alberto had crossed the line I would be out the door but USADA has not charged him with anything. If I had ever had any reason to doubt Alberto, I would not have stood by him all this time."

Farah, who was born in Somalia and moved to Britain at the age of eight, won 5,000m and 10,000m gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics as well as six world titles at those distances.

He ended his track career this year to concentrate on road running and will now work with Gary Lough, who previously coached his own wife and women's marathon world record holder, Britain's Paula Radcliffe.

"I'm leaving (Salazar and the U.S.) simply because my family and I are moving back to London," said Farah, who won 10,000m gold and then a silver in the 5,000m at the World Athletics Championships in London in the final track race of his career.

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China’s Golden Week And The Great Escape

China’s Golden Week And The Great Escape - China’s Golden Week mobilised 710 million Chinese holidaymakers to make a trip this year, setting new records in rail trips and spending on overseas tour packages.

The statistics are in, following a bumper year for China’s Golden Week, which was prolonged by an eighth day from Oct 1 to Oct 8, as it coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Statistics from the China National Tourism Administration show that travel rose 12% this year, up from 663 million for the first seven days of 2016, reports China Daily.

That compares to 428 million five years ago.

New records were also set for rail travel, with more than 110 million passengers boarding a train over the holidays.

In total, Chinese holidaymakers spent about US$88bil (RM371.18bil) in tourism.

A breakdown of holiday trends provided by Xinhua News revealed that domestic tourism within China doubled, while overseas travel increased 56%.

The numbers also point to an emerging shift away from consumptive travel – the quest for luxury goods – towards personalised and cultural experiences.

Chinese travellers to France, for instance, are choosing villages and museums over traditional tourist sites, while those travelling to the United States are attending shows and basketball games.

Meanwhile, per capita spending on high-quality overseas tour packages also reached a new high, surpassing US$759 (RM3,206).

A report released by Chinese travel company Ctrip, predicted that Thailand would be the top international destination for Chinese travellers during Golden Week, followed by Japan and Singapore.

Conspicuously absent was South Korea, where visits were expected to plunge 70% during Golden Week following the political spat between the two countries and a ban on Chinese tour packages to the neighbouring country.

Before the ban, South Korea was a top destination for Chinese travellers.

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Sad Your Kids Have Left Home? 4 ways To Enjoy Your New Empty Nest

Sad Your Kids Have Left Home? 4 ways To Enjoy Your New Empty Nest - Sending children off to college or into the real world is usually a proud time for parents. But there can also be sadness, especially when it’s the last child to leave home.

Empty nest syndrome isn’t a clinical diagnosis. Instead, it’s a phenomenon in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home.

“It’s common for parents to find letting go to be a painful experience – even though they actively encourage their children to be independent,” says Mayo Clinic Health System family medicine specialist Dr Jessica Sosso.

“Parents might find it difficult to suddenly have no children at home who need their care. They might miss being a part of their children’s daily lives and their constant companionship. Parents with only one child or those who strongly identify with their role as a parent might have a particularly difficult time adjusting.”

Dr Sosso explains that as hard as the change may be, having an empty nest can bring benefits to parents.

Recent studies suggest that an empty nest might reduce work and family conflicts. Having an empty nest also gives parents a new opportunity to reconnect with each other, improve the quality of their marriage and rekindle interests for which they previously might not have had time.

If you’re experiencing feelings of loss due to empty nest syndrome, Dr Sosso suggests these tips:

Accept The Timing

Avoid comparing your child’s timetable to your own experience or expectations. Instead, focus on what you can do to help your child succeed when he or she leaves home.

Keep In Touch

You can continue to be close with your children after they leave home, thanks to phone calls, e-mails, texts, video chats and personal visits.

Seek Support

Lean on loved ones for support. Share your feelings. If you feel depressed, consult your health care provider.

Stay Positive

Think of the extra time and energy you will have to devote to your marriage or personal interests.

“If your last child will soon be leaving home, planning ahead can help keep empty nest syndrome at bay,” says Dr Sosso. “Look for new opportunities in your personal and professional life. Keeping busy or taking on new challenges at work or home can help ease the sense of loss.”

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Asylum Seekers Defy Deadline For Closure Of Papua New Guinea Detention Centre

Asylum Seekers Defy Deadline For Closure Of Papua New Guinea Detention Centre - Hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers were barricading themselves inside a detention centre in Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Tuesday, defying attempts by Australia and PNG authorities to close the facility.

Human rights advocates are warning of a looming humanitarian crisis in the stand-off between detainees of the Manus Island Centre and authorities as the Oct. 31 deadline to close the Australian-funded camp arrived.

Lawyers for some 600 men who are refusing to relocated in three other facilities in PNG, citing concerns about violent reprisals from the local community, were filing a last-minute lawsuit on Tuesday seeking an injunction to prevent the camp's closure and the relocation of the men to a third country.

The Manus centre has been a key plank of Australia's controversial "Sovereign Borders" immigration policy. The country refuses to allow asylum seekers arriving by boat to reach its shores, detaining them in camps in PNG and Nauru in the South Pacific. The United Nations and rights groups have for years cited human rights abuses among detainees in the centres.

PNG officials also posted a notice at the camp early on Tuesday warning the men that electricity and water supplies would be turned off at 5pm local time, while no further food would be delivered to the camp.

Asylum seekers said many men had now run out of food, while others were surviving on supplies that they had stockpiled.

PNG has sent paramilitary services to oversee the closure.

"This is a breach of human rights," McKim told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio. "They remain Australia's responsibility and the U.N. has repeatedly confirmed that."

PNG's High Court ruled last year that the Manus centre, first opened in 2001, was illegal. Closed between 2008 and 2011, the centre reopened in 2012 after a rise in the number of boat arrivals to a peak of 300 in 2013, carrying more than 20,500 people. Two years later, the Australian government announced that boat arrivals had stopped.

PNG Immigration Minister Petrus Thomas warned late on Sunday that Australia will not be allowed to walk away from legal, financial and moral responsibility for the men.

Australia has already said it would spend up to A$250 million (147.68 million pounds) to house the men for the next 12 months. Just under 200 men have already been moved.

The relocation of the men is designed as a temporary measure, allowing the United States time to complete vetting of refugees as part of a refugee swap deal.

The United States has agreed to take up to possibly 1,250 refugees from Australia's two Pacific detention centres, but so far only 25 men from Manus have been resettled. In exchange, Australia said it will resettle Central American refugees.

Australia has said those detainees not resettled in the United States will be allowed to stay in PNG or Nauru. But nearly all have refused invitations to settle permanently in both locations. Thomas said PNG will not force anyone to remain.

The bulk of the detainees come from war-torn countries such as Syria and Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Iran, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

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Malaysian Palm Oil Price Climbs To 1-1/2-Month High

Malaysian Palm Oil Price Climbs To 1-1/2-Month High - Malaysian palm oil futures rose on Monday to their - strongest in a month and a half, tracking gains in rival edible oilseed soy on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT).

A stronger export outlook and weaker-than-expected production growth were other factors supporting the positive sentiment, said traders.

The benchmark palm oil contract for January delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose 0.8 percent to 2,839 ringgit ($670.21) a tonne on Monday evening, a fourth straight session of gains.

It rose to a high of 2,855 ringgit in its early session, the strongest since Sept. 15.

Traded volumes stood at 34,818 lots of 25 tonnes each at the close of trade.

"The market is up on overseas strength... and technical buying," said a futures trader from Kuala Lumpur, referring to soyoil on the CBOT and China's Dalian Commodity Exchange.

Another trader said expectations of rising exports and slowing production growth also underpinned the market.

"Looks like prices will still be supported, with production and exports in focus," he said.

Palm oil shipments from Malaysia is forecast to rise for the full month of October, after seeing gains of over 8 percent between Oct. 1-25 versus the corresponding period in September.

Data from cargo surveyors Intertek Testing Services and Societe Generale de Surveillance for the full month of October is scheduled for release on Tuesday after 0300 GMT.

Production in Malaysia, the world's second largest producer after Indonesia, slightly fell 1.7 percent on-month in September due to fewer working days. Output is expected to rise in October but gains could be lower than forecast.

In other related edible oils, the December soybean oil contract on the CBOT rose by 0.5 percent, while the January soybean oil contract on the Dalian gained 0.4 percent.

Dalian's January palm olein contract rose as much as 0.9 percent. Palm oil's prices are impacted by movements in related oils, as they compete for a share in the global vegetable oils market.

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Stranger Things Season 2: Worth The Wait

Stranger Things Season 2: Worth The Wait - I had been eagerly anticipating the second season of Emmy-nominated Netflix hit Stranger Things because I found the first romp thoroughly exciting, and so when offered a preview, I quickly said yes, even if that meant I had to watch it on my own – these things are very top secret, you see. No spoilers allowed, embargoes, watermarked episodes, the works.

The trailers looked rather scary and I’m pretty darn chicken when it comes to anything remotely horror-fic on screen, but brave it I did.

And I am pleased to say that Season Two has just the right dose of everything (for me, at least) – yes, it’s scary in places, but it is also funny, strange, poignant, heartfelt, mysterious and it will keep you glued to your seat for what’s coming next.

Familiar faces from Season One – David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer and Noah Schnapp – are joined by a bunch of new, pretty cool actors including Sean Astin, Paul Reiser and Sadie Sink. And this sophomore season starts off pretty much a year later.

Quick recap of S1, ICYMI: A young boy (Will Byers) disappears in the small (fictional) town of Hawkins, Indiana, and his mother (Joyce), a police chief (Hopper), and his friends (Mike, Dustin and Lucas) must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back.

Along the way, they befriend a young psychokinetic girl (Eleven) and oh yes, did I forget to mention that supernatural events lurk at every turn? There’s even an Upside Down world.

In S2, the central plot continues to revolve around Hawkins’ hellmouth, but there’s really so much more than just the bizarre goings on in the Upside Down, which for me makes this Duffer Brothers’ creation such great television.

I am quite happy to continue relishing the nostalgia that permeates this series, its tentacles creeping into this new season, and throughout each episode.

I feel like I am watching all my old favourite TV series (The Wonder Years, The X-Files) and movies (Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, ET, Ghostbusters, Terminator) and listening to some really cool classic rock from The Romantics to Scorpions, Duran Duran, Ted Nugent and Devo.

Every nook and cranny has been so lovingly furnished with tiny bits of history, which for me brings back such fond memories.

Some may call it schmaltzy, but I kinda feel “homesick”. And like Will, in S1, a part of me very badly wants to go home, and return to that era. I mean, who wouldn’t want a vinyl collection that includes Jim Croce and Supertramp?

There’s a whole bunch of new Easter eggs to look out for from arcade games (Dragon’s Lair, Dig Dug) and techie gizmos (VHSC and Polaroids), to cars (Chevies and Mustangs), bicycles (BMX and banana bikes) and skateboards, toys (He-Man and the Millennium Falcon) and even candy (it is Halloween after all!).

I can’t imagine what it must be like for folks who actually lived through 1970s-1990s America in a small town like Hawkins because I merely lived their lives vicariously through TV and yet I am so enthralled.

(For the foreshadowing theorists among you, perhaps like S1’s Dungeons And Dragons plot link, there will be more in S2. Here are some purely speculative bites to whet your appetite – in Cinematronics’ game Dragon’s Lair, the protagonist Dirk the Daring is a knight attempting to rescue Princess Daphne from the evil dragon Singe.

Which damsel in distress will need saving this time, or will it be a damsel at all? Also the objective of Namco’s Dig Dug is to eliminate underground-dwelling monsters; anyone remembers how one does that?)

Even the scripted metaphors and similes are retro-laced – for example the cool quotient of being a freak is equated to a simple “Would you rather pick David Bowie or Kenny Rogers” question?

And being trapped between two worlds, as Will so aptly describes it, is like when you’re looking through a Viewmaster and caught between two slides. Or when Chief Hopper says not everyone gets what they want, and he clearly wants a date with Bo Derek.

The frosting on S1’s cake was, of course, Winona Ryder, because how can you get any stranger or more authentically 1980s than with Ryder as one of your kooky titular characters? Well Reiser and Astin (of Aliens and Goonies fame respectively) take care of that.

But leaving the cultural nods aside, I also appreciate the good old drama this season has revived – relationships are explored so subtly that even the more stoic among viewers is likely to inadvertently end up getting a good workout of their heartstrings, heck I even shed a tear or two.

Mother-son, brother-sister, father-daughter, girlfriend-boyfriend, kindred spirits – so many honest insights about relationships are unearthed in fresh ways. Strange, but true.

While twins Matt and Russ Duffer have been quoted as saying this season stands on its own, for those of you who want continuity, I feel you will be more than satisfied with what you get.

And if you think it’s hard for life to just go on after discovering that your best friend/son/brother has returned from a terrifying sojourn in a netherworld, I was pretty shocked that I happily bought their explanation too.

Life, apparently, does go on no matter what hits you.

I don’t want to reveal any of the plot because like a Secret Seven or Five Find-Outers novel, what would be the point if you knew the storyline?

Suffice it to say, there’s much to savour. And for me, S2 is terrific because you know what? The devil is truly in the detail.

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Motor Racing - Hamilton Takes Fourth Title Despite Collision

Motor Racing - Hamilton Takes Fourth Title Despite Collision - An ecstatic Lewis Hamilton became Britain's first four-times Formula One world champion on Sunday after fighting back from last place following an opening-lap collision with arch-rival Sebastian Vettel at the Mexican Grand Prix.

In a race won by 20-year-old Dutch prodigy Max Verstappen, in a Red Bull, the 32-year-old Mercedes driver finished ninth to cement his place as his country's most successful driver of all time.

Vettel, the only man who could have delayed the seemingly inevitable, ended up fourth after starting on pole position and then dropping to 19th following a pitstop to replace a broken front wing.

Hamilton has an unassailable lead of 56 points with two races, worth a total of 50, remaining in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

He had raised both hands to his helmet as he took the chequered flag, with the crowd rising to applaud.

"Lewis has done a superb job all year and deserves to win the title," said Vettel. "Congratulations to him. It is his day."

Sunday's race was both the best and worst of afternoons for the sport's biggest star, who ended up sprinting down the pitlane chased by fans.

A winner nine times this season, including five of the six before Mexico, ninth was his lowest placing of the campaign and he did it despite having a badly damaged car at a track where overtaking is difficult enough anyway.

Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas finished second at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen third.

AGGRESSIVE MOVE

Vettel had needed to be in the top two to have any chance of taking the title fight down to Brazil in two weeks' time but his already slim hopes seemed to have disappeared within seconds of the start.

Verstappen, with nothing to lose and everything to gain from his front row position, seized the lead with an aggressive move through the opening right-left-right corners and the Red Bull bumping wheels with Vettel as he went through.

Hamilton, starting in third place, tried to follow Verstappen but the Ferrari's front wing sliced Hamilton's rear right tyre as they made contact at turn three.

"Did he hit me deliberately?" asked Hamilton over the radio, limping back to the pits and fully aware that Vettel's only real hope of getting back into the reckoning would be if the Briton went out.

"Not sure, Lewis," his race engineer Peter Bonnington said in reply. It looked far from deliberate and stewards swiftly decided that no further investigation of the incident was necessary.

Vettel pitted while Hamilton, who had started the day 66 points clear of his rival, had a longer stop while mechanics inspected his car for further damage.

The incident robbed the crowd of the prospect of a real duel between the two contenders, who will both be four-times champions when next season starts, but they still provided thrills as they fought back.

HIGH FIVE

Hamilton, who had a thrilling wheel-to-wheel tussle with former McLaren team mate Fernando Alonso in the latter stages that could have cost him dear, had hoped to celebrate by spraying the winner's champagne from the top of the podium.

Instead, there was the considerable consolation of being one of only five men -- Germany's Michael Schumacher, Argentina's Juan Manuel Fangio, France's Alain Prost and Vettel -- to win four titles or more since the championship started in 1950.

Prost and Vettel both have four, with the late Fangio on five and Schumacher seven.

Hamilton's tally of titles took him above fellow-Briton Jackie Stewart and also his late Brazilian idol Ayrton Senna in the all-time lists.

"An unusual way to be world champion but you are world champion very simple. Nobody cares how you do it," said Mercedes' non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, himself a triple champion.

"Who cares? It's about the result," said team boss Toto Wolff, when asked how it had felt to see Hamilton lapped by Verstappen. "He was lapped because he was crashed into."

The victory was the third of Verstappen's career and second of the season, cementing the youngster's position as the rising star of the sport.

France's Esteban Ocon was fifth for Force India, with his Mexican team mate Sergio Perez seventh and behind the Williams of Canadian rookie Lance Stroll.

Danish driver Kevin Magnussen was eighth for Haas with Alonso taking the final point.

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Expedia Cancels All Wildlife Tours Following Animal Abuse Reports

Expedia Cancels All Wildlife Tours Following Animal Abuse Reports - Online travel company Expedia will be removing wildlife tours and activities that pose a threat to animal welfare. The move comes amid several investigative reports from animal rights groups in recent years, which have brought to light the abuses many animals suffer when featured as tourist attractions.

Along with removing certain bookable activities that involve interactions with animals, Expedia also announced plans to launch a new “Wildlife Tourism Education Portal”, which will present detailed information on animal-related activities, later this year.

The programme is being developed with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the US Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, Born Free Foundation, the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International.

“As travellers, it is important that we know more about the places we go to, the activities we engage in, and the ways in which we leave lasting impacts on our destinations,” said vice president, Expedia Local Expert Jen O’Twomney, in a statement. “As we help people go places, we want to help them do it thoughtfully and responsibly.”

The portal will feature information about whether or not an activity involves animal interactions, and a direct link on wildlife tourism and animal welfare.

“Our planet’s wildlife is disappearing at a devastating rate as poachers meet consumer demand for exotic wildlife products,” added US Wildlife Trafficking Alliance executive director Sara Walker, in a statement. “With its significant global reach and influence, the travel and tourism industry can make an enormous impact in helping to end the scourge of wildlife trafficking.”

In June, animal welfare group World Animal Protection released a comprehensive report that revealed three-quarters of Asia’s captive elephants are kept in poor or unacceptable conditions. For the investigation, researchers spent two years visiting 220 venues across Asia and found that Thailand was the biggest offender when it comes to abusing elephants.

Riding elephants also topped the group’s 2016 report on the world’s cruellest animal tourist attractions, followed by “tiger selfies”, which became hugely popular. Last year, a Scottish tourist was trampled and gored to death while riding an elephant in Thailand.

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Feeling Sad Your Kids Have Left? Here’s How To Enjoy That Empty Nest

Feeling Sad Your Kids Have Left Here’s How To Enjoy That Empty Nest - Sending children off to college or into the real world is usually a proud time for parents. But there can also be sadness, especially when it’s the last child to leave home.

Empty nest syndrome isn’t a clinical diagnosis. Instead, it’s a phenomenon in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home.

“It’s common for parents to find letting go to be a painful experience – even though they actively encourage their children to be independent,” says Mayo Clinic Health System family medicine specialist Dr Jessica Sosso.

“Parents might find it difficult to suddenly have no children at home who need their care.

“They might miss being a part of their children’s daily lives and their constant companionship. Parents with only one child or those who strongly identify with their role as a parent might have a particularly difficult time adjusting.”

Dr Sosso explains that as hard as the change may be, having an empty nest can bring benefits to parents.

Recent studies suggest that an empty nest might reduce work and family conflicts. Having an empty nest also gives parents a new opportunity to reconnect with each other, improve the quality of their marriage and rekindle interests for which they previously might not have had time.

If you’re experiencing feelings of loss due to empty nest syndrome, Dr Sosso suggests these tips:

Accept the timing – Avoid comparing your child’s timetable to your own experience or expectations. Instead, focus on what you can do to help your child succeed when he or she leaves home.

Keep in touch – You can continue to be close with your children after they leave home, thanks to phone calls, e-mails, texts, video chats and personal visits.

Seek support – Lean on loved ones for support. Share your feelings. If you feel depressed, consult your health care provider.

Stay positive – Think of the extra time and energy you will have to devote to your marriage or personal interests.

“If your last child will soon be leaving home, planning ahead can help keep empty nest syndrome at bay,” says Dr Sosso. “Look for new opportunities in your personal and professional life. Keeping busy or taking on new challenges at work or home can help ease the sense of loss.” – Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service

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Qatar Emir Says Open To Trump-Hosted Talks Over Gulf Crisis - CBS

Qatar Emir Says Open To Trump-Hosted Talks Over Gulf Crisis - CBS - Qatar's ruler said he is ready for U.S.-hosted direct talks aimed at solving the worst diplomatic crisis in the Gulf in years but has yet to hear a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's invitation to the four Arab states boycotting Doha.

Speaking to U.S. broadcaster CBS News, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani said he wanted an end to the dispute, which erupted on June 5 and pits Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt against Qatar.

"Nothing is going to be above our dignity, our sovereignty. But we want it to end. I always say that," he told the "60 Minutes" programme in an interview aired on Sunday. "If they (are) going to walk one metre towards me, I'm willing to walk 10,000 miles towards them," he said.

The four countries have cut diplomatic, transport and trade ties with Qatar, the world's top seller of liquefied natural gas, accusing it of financing terrorism. Doha denies the charges.

Qatar hosts Al Udeid air base, the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East.

Sheikh Tamim said Trump had told him "I will not accept my friends fighting amongst themselves," and that in talks on the sidelines of a United Nations' meeting in September he had made an offer to host talks in the United States.

"I told him straightaway, 'Mr President, we are very ready. I've been asking for dialogue from day one," Sheikh Tamim said, adding that the meeting was supposed to happen very soon and that he had not heard a response from the other countries.

Trump, who has said he would be willing to mediate in the dispute, said in September he had a "very strong feeling" it would be solved "pretty quickly".

Earlier in September, Saudi Arabia suspended any dialogue with Qatar, accusing it of "distorting facts," just after a report of a phone call between the leaders of the two countries suggested a possible breakthrough in the dispute.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone with Qatar's emir on Sept. 8 in the first publicly reported contact between the two leaders since the crisis began.

There has been no further contact reported since then.

In the CBS interview, Sheikh Tamim reiterated that Qatar would not close down the Doha-based Al Jazeera television network, as demanded by the four countries who accuse the broadcaster of bias and interfering in their affairs.

Al Jazeera says it is an independent news service giving a voice to everyone in the region.

Sheikh Tamim also said he feared for the region if any military actions were taken as part of the crisis.

"I'm fearful that if anything happens, if any military act happens, this region will be in chaos," he said.

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Budget 2018 Mildly Positive For Stock Market, Says CIMB Research

Budget 2018 Mildly Positive For Stock Market, Says CIMB Research - CIMB Equities Research views the Budget 2018 proposals to be mildly positive for the stock market.

It said the key surprise was the reduction in personal income tax. This and special payments to civil servants should boost consumption spending.

“Sector winners are construction, property, consumer, F&B and healthcare,” it said.

It maintained its end-2017 KLCI target of 1,790 (based on forward price-to-earnings of 16 times).

“Using the same P/E multiple but rolling forward our valuations, we arrive at an end-2018 KLCI target of 1,920. 

“We continue to favour construction, utilities and small-caps, and our top three picks are Tenaga, Gamuda and Axiata,”  it said.

CIMB Research said the biggest surprise in the 2018 Budget was the reduction in personal income tax.

The income tax rates for individuals with taxable incomes of between RM20,000 and RM70,000 per annum will be lowered by two percentage points. This will raise the disposable income of the individuals by RM300 to RM1,000 per annum. 

“We expect this, along with the special payment of RM1,500 to be given to all civil servants and RM750 to government retirees, to lift consumption spending in Malaysia, which will benefit the retail, consumer, retail-based REITs and F&B 

sectors,” it said.

CIMB Research said the construction sector was a big winner.  The total value of construction projects listed under Budget 2018 is RM210bil, which is significantly higher than the RM99bil in Budget 2017. 

The other positive is that the government targets to complete MRT 3 in 2025, two years earlier than the original target of 2027. 

“Potential beneficiaries in the construction space include Gamuda, IJM Corp, WCT Holdings, Sunway Berhad

image: https://cdn.thestar.com.my/Themes/img/chart.png

 and YTL Corp,” it said.

The research house said the highlights said that the extending end-financing scheme to private developers.

The government announced more affordable housing projects to address the problem of insufficient affordable housing and to improve home ownership. 

On top of this, the special end-financing scheme for PR1MA buyers has now been extended to private developers as well, with the aim of helping first-time home buyers to obtain loans. 

“We believe this and the income tax rate cut will boost sales in the affordable housing segment and benefit developers such as Mah Sing, LBS Bina and SP Setia,” it said.

The other winners include the healthcare sector which benefitted from a 7.1% increase in healthcare budget, which we expect will benefit pharmaceutical players like Pharmaniaga. 

There were other incentives as well to promote medical tourism which should benefit healthcare operators like IHH and KPJ Healthcare

“We also believe that aviation, hotel, F&B, shopping mall and transportation industries will benefit from the government’s initiatives to boost tourism in Malaysia,” it said.

To recap, CIMB Research viewed the 2018 Budget as mildly positive for the market. The personal income tax cuts and special payments to civil servants should boost consumption and benefit consumer companies. 

Contractors should gain from the increase in the value of construction projects. Meanwhile, brewery, tobacco and gaming sectors did not see an increase in taxes. 

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Ed Sheeran’s Kuala Lumpur Show Will Go On As Planned

Ed Sheeran’s Kuala Lumpur Show Will Go On As Planned - Ed Sheeran fans can breathe a sigh of relief – the British singer-songwriter has confirmed that his upcoming shows at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Nov 11 and 12 will not be cancelled.

“A follow-up visit to my doctors today confirmed that I will be good to go from the Singapore shows onwards,” he says in a press statement released on Thursday (Oct 26) by AEG Presents,organiser of the gigs here.

After Singapore, Sheeran is scheduled to perform in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 14 at Axiata Arena (formerly known as Putra Indoor Stadium). The organiser of the concert in Malaysia, PR Worldwide has confirmed that Sheeran’s show will go on as planned.

Sheeran announced on social media last week that he had a bicycle accident, which left him with a broken wrist, elbow and rib, and that he would have to cancel some of his concerts in Asia.

“Osaka, Tokyo and Manila will be rescheduled for April 2018,” he adds in the statement. “My dates in Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong and Jakarta will sadly need to be cancelled as it’s just been impossible to reschedule these for next year.

“I’m really gutted that not all the postponed dates could be rescheduled and I am working hard with my team to try and come back to these places as soon as I can to see all of you. I’m sorry to everyone who has been affected by this.”

The Singapore shows will kick off his Asian and Middle Eastern tour, after which he will also perform in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Mumbai and Dubai.

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Motor Racing-Hartley Under More Pressure With 2018 Seat In Sight

Motor Racing-Hartley Under More Pressure With 2018 Seat In Sight - Brendon Hartley was relaxed about his Formula One debut with Toro Rosso in Texas last weekend but the pressure is rising now it has turned into an extended run with a 2018 race seat up for grabs.

The 27-year-old New Zealander admitted as much as he looked ahead on Thursday to his second race with the Red Bull-owned team.

"I think it's clear that the pressure gets higher," he told reporters. "Expectation was quite low with me coming in. I think everyone from the team understood that it was a very tall ask for me in Austin.

"I'm going to do my best to stay as relaxed as I was in Austin. To be honest, as a driver, a lot of the pressure comes from within so I think it's more about me managing that and just focus on what's important."

Spaniard Carlos Sainz had also departed for Renault, opening up a seat for Russian Daniil Kvyat to return after being dropped for Gasly in Malaysia and Japan.

Red Bull decided after the U.S. Grand Prix that Hartley and Gasly would continue for the rest of the season but Toro Rosso's 2018 lineup remains undecided even if the current pair are favourites.

Hartley, who finished 13th in Austin, said he had been told only on Monday that he was continuing.

Mexico has particular resonance to his compatriots as the circuit where the late Denny Hulme won the championship 50 years ago.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

"I learned a lot in Austin. It was a pretty steep learning curve ... looking forward to putting a lot of the stuff I learned into practice. I'm feeling pretty confident about it.

"I think this weekend I'll have the capacity to play a bit more with the car and understand a bit more. There was a lot to focus on in Austin so they kept it pretty simple for me."

A Le Mans winner and world endurance champion with Porsche, Hartley said he had plenty of experience of handling pressure with a big team geared up for one race above all others.

"These cars are very physical to drive and they should be. I was a bit stiff after the race, the position compared to LMP1 (the top class of endurance racing) is very different so you activate a few different muscles.

"I was pretty happy how I dealt with it but I'm not going to lie, I could feel my neck and a few other parts of the body. That's normal."

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