Latest news with #VEEP
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
CelcomDigi onboards first 100 SMEs, partners to vendor empowerment initiative
KUALA LUMPUR: CelcomDigi Bhd has onboarded nearly 100 Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and exclusive sales partners from over 60 companies into the first cohort of its newly-launched Vendor Empowerment and Excellence Programme (VEEP). The first phase of the programme began with a focus on building ESG fundamentals using the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG) for SMEs in supply chains, in collaboration with Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM). The guide provides participating SMEs with practical tools to integrate responsible practices, as well as to measure and disclose their environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact in line with Bursa Malaysia's expectations for ESG-compliant corporate ecosystems. Delivering the closing address on behalf of CelcomDigi chief executive officer Datuk Idham Nawawi, chief corporate affairs officer Joachim Rajaram said the initiative marks a significant milestone in the company's mission to support local businesses. "SMEs form over 97 per cent of Malaysia's business landscape and are projected to deliver 45 per cent of the country's GDP this year, making them a driving force of our economy." "Supporting their growth is a strategic priority for us as part of our ESG commitment to build a sustainable value chain," said Rajaram. "With Malaysian companies making up over 72 per cent of our value chain, we see a clear opportunity to empower Malaysia's business landscape by starting within our own ecosystem," he added. He noted that VEEP is CelcomDigi's long-term commitment to uplift SMEs through structured support and strategic collaboration. "Today's partnership with CMM lays the groundwork for responsible business practices." "We aim to build a comprehensive programme that supports the growth and sustainability of SMEs, not just through ESG adoption but also via cross-sector collaboration to expand access to business opportunities, funding channels and technological advancements," he said. Rajaram also highlighted the broader goals of the programme which is to help SMEs professionalise their operations, strengthen responsible business practices and ultimately, position themselves to compete in both domestic and global markets.
NDTV
21-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Just Learned...": US Veep JD Vance, Who Met Pope Francis Day Before He Died
New Delhi: US Vice President JD Vance has expressed his grief over the death of Pope Francis. The head of the Catholic Church, the spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion people, and one of the world's most influential people, the Pope died Easter Monday at his residence in the Vatican. At 7.35 am local time (11.05 am India time), Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, confirmed the Holy Father's death. "... this morning, the Bishop of Rome returned to the home of the Father. His life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church," he said. After the Pope's death was announced, tributes poured in immediately from global heads of state, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as celebrities and business leaders. Mr Modi said he was "deeply pained" by the 88-year-old spiritual leader's death and recalled his meeting with him at the G7 Summit in Italy last year. Pope Francis will be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage by millions across the world," he said. Mr Vance - who landed in India Tuesday morning - followed suit at 2.15 pm. The Vice President said he had "just learned of the passing of Pope Francis". "My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday... though he was obviously very ill. But I'll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful." I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I'll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days… — JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025 "May God rest his soul," the VEEP said. JD Vance - a Catholic who has clashed with the pontiff over President Donald Trump's immigration policies - met the Pope 24 hours earlier; he held a private meeting, lasting a few minutes only, Sunday morning, the Vatican said in its short statement. Reports said the two exchanged Easter greetings and the Pope gave Mr Vance gifts, including a red rosary for him, a white rosary for his wife, and chocolate Easter eggs for his children. Trump, Vance At Odds With Pope The pope and Vatican officials have criticised several of the policies of Trump's administration, including his plans to deport millions of migrants from the U.S. and his widespread cuts to foreign aid and domestic welfare programmes. Francis has called the immigration crackdown a "disgrace". Vance, who became Catholic in 2019, has cited medieval-era Catholic teaching to justify the policy. The pope rebutted the theological concept Vance used to defend the crackdown in an unusual open letter to the US Catholic bishops about the Trump administration in February and called Trump's plan a "major crisis" for the United States. Pope Francis Dies, What Next? After the death of a pope, the Vatican enters an interregnum period. This is the time between the Pope's death and the election of a new leader. First the camerlengo (the Vatican's administrator of property and revenues) verifies the death. He does this by calling out his baptismal name three times. If there is no response, he declares the pope dead. The Vatican then informs the world through its official channels that the pope has died. The papal apartment is then locked by the camerlengo; this used to be done to prevent looting. The camerlengo then arranges for the destruction of the Fisherman's Ring and the seal of the Pope. This symbolises the end of his rule. The funeral must be held within six days of a pope's death. The pope is then buried at St Peter's Basilica unless he has requested, as in this case, to be buried elsewhere. A nine-day mourning period follows, after which the process of electing a new pope begins.
Buzz Feed
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
People Can't Believe Trump's $5 Million Gold Card Is Real: "Sometimes I Think This Is All A Bad Dream"
If you weren't aware, Donald Trump is going to offer a $5 million "Trump Gold Card" to people who want to buy permanent residency with green card privileges and a pathway to citizenship. He debuted that card on on Air Force One on Thursday: Trump holding up a gold card with his face on it: For $5 million, this can be yours — Acyn (@Acyn) April 3, 2025 Fox/Acyn/ Yes, as he says, "For $5 million this can be yours." Let's unpack this one. "The USAs transformation into an informercial state is complete," one person commented. "Does it come with a signed Trump bible??" another person asked. Then, there are the jokes! Please God, we need them. We have: "Willy wonka ass presidency." "I like how it's cut and laminated like a library card from the 80s." "VEEP was a documentary." ILkamalite/ "This is like getting a ticket to the chocolate factory, but the factory is actually hell and has no chocolate." And lastly: "Sometimes I think this is all a bad dream." Sooo, will you be purchasing?
