IQI Malaysias Current Economic Environment Attracting Foreign Invest

IQI: Malaysia's Current Economic Environment Attracting Foreign Investors KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- The state of Malaysia's economy, coupled with no undue government intervention in it, has made the country an attractive destination for foreign investors, said International Quality Investments (IQI) chief economist, Shan Saeed. "Looking at the economy from a foreigner's perspective, I believe government intervention (in Malaysia) is unnecessary and this has (actually) maintained confidence among investors. Malaysia will continue to grow and attract investor inflow. "Confidence has become the most important non-variable in the macro economic equation. "When some European banks introduced the zero-interest-rate-policy (ZIRP), it did not help stimulate the economy going forward nor attract investors, and this is not what is happening in Malaysia," he added, at the "Gold as a Safeguard Against the Ringgit's Decline," seminar here today. Naming Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and also Japan as countries that introduced the ZIRP, he said they face a lot of challenges in the current environment and more volatility in the global financial market, with this volatility continuing until 2020. He also said the introduction of the ZIRP was positive for the gold market as investors won't keep theirMONEY in banks. "They will concentrate more on gold, silver and real estate instead," he added. Asked about the ringgit's performance, Shan said the local currency depreciated 17 per cent against US dollar in 2015. "If the downtrend continues this year, it would not be a surprise, as other currencies have also fallen. I expect the ringgit to be at between RM4.40-RM4.50 to the US dollar by year-end. "This is also due to the performance of China's renminbi which will fall to between 10-15 per cent, as well as oil prices. "I foresee oil prices rebounding to between US$50-US$60 per barrel, while TRADING at US$30-US$40 at present," he added. On the Federal Reserve raising interest rates, Shan said this is unlikely and opined that the first hike in December 2015, was based on a "market panic" situation. Meanwhile, earlier in his presentation on gold, he noted that the favoured metal served as a counter balance against the ringgit's depreciation, while helping balance other asset classes. Gold, as a safe-haven investment is expected to continue its uptrend going forward, particularly when the current equity and bond markets are volatile. "Commodities will remain on the radar of investors due to unpredictable government policies, high levels of sovereign and negative policies and quantitative easing, which will keep asset classes in an artificial zone," Shan said. -- BERNAMA

Pineapple cake Essay Example

Pineapple cake Essay Example Pineapple cake Paper Pineapple cake Paper After reading both stories by Anita Desai, I found slightly more humour in Pineapple Cake. Throughout this story the boy named Victor is subjected to bribery from his dominant mother with Pineapple Cake. It appeared that Victor has not got much faith in her promises as she has let him down before, so he as got wise to her promise of Pineapple Cake. Some of his fantasies were quite humorous and vivid, like when they are waiting for a taxi and Victor imagines, Slipping out of her hand and breaking into a toy shop for skates and speeding ahead of the whole caravan to arrive at Greens before the bride. I found the character of Mrs Fernandez quite amusing, as she believed that she was so important, until no taxi was available for her. I can imagine these scenes to be quite funny, especially when poor Victor was knocked against the door by the womens bottom. In comparison, to Pineapple Cake the story called, Games at Twilight, initially concentrates on describes the hot climate and intense heat, and the children playing games outside. I feel that this story is more sad than humorous, has Ravi originally felt proud and victorious, through hiding in the dark, dusty shed. He realised at the end that he did not matter to them as they had forgotten him. I feel that the writer creates a sense of place in the story Games at Twilight, by describing the hot climate and involving the way certain things looked and felt, like The bougainvillea hung around it, purple and magenta, in livid balloons, and the use of metaphor to compare one thing to another to give a more illusive picture of the actual scene, His paws and ears and tail all reached out like dying travellers in search of water, which gives a feeling of exhaustion through the intense heat. Within this story not much emphasis is given that it is actually set in India, only that it is a warm climate and that eucalyptus trees surround the house where parrots sit. The only reference I am able to find that signifies it could possibly be in India is Sari, that mother wore, which is part of a tradition by Indian women. This story could be set somewhere else in the world as no specific description of India is given. In Pineapple Cake, Bombay is mentioned which is the capital of India, and Goa was also mentioned. Within the text she mentions Bombay harbour, which is the gateway to India. A personal account of how Victor saw and imagined Bombay harbour was also given, which stated, A ferry boat ride and a fresh coconut drink for treats, he would have enjoyed the Arab dhows with their muddy sails. This last statement is specific to India where victor reminisced about his father. In Games at Twilight, whilst Ravi was in the shed he also remembered the familiar place, and smells when locked in the linen cupboard.

How Ethnicity Affects Nigerian Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How Ethnicity Affects Nigerian Politics - Essay Example How Ethnicity Affects Nigerian Politics Many communities viewed political power as the sole tool for correcting social and economic evils perpetrated by the colonial government and governments formed after independence. Furthermore, there is a psychological link between specific ethnic tribes and political parties in Africa. This is more so for Nigeria, which has hundreds of ethnic groups, all viewing political machinery as the only way of correcting acts of deprivation and discrimination by the state. From a historical point of view, the current prevalence of ethnic politics in Nigeria was propagated by the British colonial rule as a strategic technique (divide and conquer) to conquer the nation. The British deliberately adopted the divide and conquer technique in order to segregate the tribes of Nigeria further, to prevent them from joining together and fighting against a common enemy. The British rewarded the tribes that collaborated with their direct rule by appointing local chiefs, who had a little autonomy over the region they were situated. However, the autonomy was not complete as they still answered to the British political hierarchy. On the other hand, for those tribes that resisted colonial rule, they were treated harshly and discriminated against, evidenced by the implementation of forced labour, corporal punishment and imposition of very high taxes aimed at impoverishing the locals and forcing them to concede and submit to British rule.

INTRODUCTION TO CIVILIZATION-unit 4, question #3 Essay

INTRODUCTION TO CIVILIZATION-unit 4, question #3 - Essay Example The biggest similarity between the tool-kits of the farmer and hunter-gatherer groups were the materials that they tools were made from. According to Howard Spodek, author of the book entitled The Worlds History, tools were generally made of materials such as stone, wood, and bone(Spodek, 2006). Additionally, both hunter-gatherer and farming civilizations had tools for cutting and scraping specifically as these tools were necessary for every day life, according to Spodek(Spodek, 2006). Lastly, hunter-gatherer and farming communities utilized similar tools for their pottery, which was a big part of their lives in terms of its cultural implications, and its daily usability as storage for food, water, and other supplies(Spodek, 2006). For the most part, however, the tool-kits between these two groups differed greatly. The hunter-gatherer society had tools that were geared toward hunting, fishing, and collecting. Spears, knives, harpoons, and baskets were the primary tools utilized by this type of society(Spodek, 2006). Farming civilizations, on the other hand, had tool-kits which were much more complex because they had much more variety in terms of their daily tasks. Instead of just creating shelter and finding food, farming communities were â€Å"domesticating animals†¦cultivating crops† and also developing culture in the form of â€Å"pottery and weaving and jewelry†(Spodek, 2006). According to Spodek, farming villages had tools such as â€Å"blades, knives, sickles, arrows, daggers†¦mortars and pestles†¦and rudimentary plows and hoes(Spodek, 2006). This toolkit would be considered much more advanced than the hunter-gatherer tool-kits. Hunter-gatherer and farming societies contributed greatly to the success of humanity. Both groups had different goals and different experiences, which influenced the tools they needed on a daily basis. Due to the fact that hunter-gatherer communities began to

TEACHING ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION TO SPANISH SPEAKERS Research Paper - 1

TEACHING ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION TO SPANISH SPEAKERS - Research Paper Example The literature review chapter discussed about the speech sounds, vowels, consonants, speech organs, and production of sounds in a critical manner. The literature review served the purpose of dealing with the research topic in an in-depth manner. It was found that the correct pronunciation is dependent on positioning of tongue and lips and also the movement of air within and outside the mouth and nose. The literature review added great deal of value for the later chapters. The research methodology chapter explained the reason behind selecting the anti-positivism research philosophy and inductive research approach along with the use of questions and graphics for enhancing the pronunciation of students in a well planned manner. This chapter explained the methodology to be used in analysing the major outcomes of the research. The proposed framework chapter explained the framework to be used in enhancing the pronunciation of students. In this regard, Kenilworth’s English Pronunciation Skills as a form of questions along with a number of graphs highlighting the lips and tongue movement, speech organs, and how vowels and consonants are produced and pronounced were used in an illustrative manner. The conclusion and recommendation chapter concluded that enhancing English pronunciation is requires continuous effort along with proper understanding over the production of speech sounds, sound movement, and vowels and consonants production and pronunciation . English has emerged as one of the main languages being spoken in different parts of the world. The global environment seeks people having command over English in terms of communication and exchange of ideas and views. English is a global language that is used for the purpose of communication in countries where it is not a native language. However, with global boundaries shrinking and people exploring different opportunities in different parts of the world,

Definite integral

Definite integral DEFINITE INTEGRAL Integration is an important concept in mathematics which, together with differentiation, forms one of the main operations in calculus. Given a function Æ’ of a real variable x and an interval [a, b] of the real line, the definite integral, is defined informally to be the net signed area of the region in the xy-plane bounded by the graph of Æ’, the x-axis, and the vertical lines x = a and x = b. APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL Definite integrals arent just for area any more Any definite integral may be interpreted as a signed area. Area, volume, arc length, work, mass, fluid pressure, and accumulated financial value are quantities that may be calculated with definite integrals. The most important components of these problems are constructing the correct integral and Interpreting the results.n TWO VIEWS OF DEFINITE INTECRAL When using the definite integral to solve various problems, it is useful to consider two different interpretations: A limit of approximating sums: The definite integral is formally defined as a limit of approximating sums using right sums. Accumulated change in an antiderivative: The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus states where F is any antiderivative of f on [a ; b]. The difference F(b) F(a) represents the accumulated change (or net change) in F over the interval [a; b]. To find the accumulated change in F over [a; b], integrate f, the rate function associated with F, over the interval [a ; b]. WHICH VIEW IS BETTER : SUM OR ANTIDERIVATIVE ? Often we need to decide which view (or interpretation) of the definite integral is the correct one for a given application. It could be that an approximating sum is acceptable or that a precise symbolic antiderivative is more appropriate. If an integral is presented in symbolic form, then antidifferentiation seems reasonable. For data given graphically or in a table, approximating sums are the logical choice. EXPLANATION: TRAPEZOIDAL RULE The trapezoidal rule (also known as the trapezoid rule, or the trapezium rule in British English) is a way to approximately calculate the definite integral The trapezoidal rule works by approximating the region under the graph of the function f(x) as a trapezoid and calculating its area. It follows that To calculate this integral more accurately, one first splits the interval of integration [a,b] into n smaller subintervals, and then applies the trapezoidal rule on each of them. One obtains the composite trapezoidal rule: Illustration of the composite trapezoidal rule (with a non-uniform grid) This can alternatively be written as: Where (one can also use a non-uniform grid). The trapezoidal rule is one of a family of formulas for numerical integration called Newton–Cotes formulas. Simpsons rule is another, often more accurate, member of the same family. Simpsons rule and other like methods can be expected to improve on the trapezoidal rule for functions which are twice continuously differentiable; however for rougher functions the trapezoidal rule is likely to prove preferable. Moreover, the trapezoidal rule tends to become extremely accurate when periodic functions are integrated over their periods, a fact best understood in connection with the Euler–Maclaurin summation formula. For non-periodic functions, however, methods with unequally spaced points such as Gaussian quadrature and Clenshaw–Curtis quadrature are generally far more accurate; Clenshaw–Curtis quadrature can be viewed as a change of variables to express arbitrary integrals in terms of periodic integrals, at which point the trapezoidal rule can be applied accurat ely SIMPSON RULE In numerical analysis, Simpsons rule is a method for numerical integration, the numerical approximation of definite integrals. Specifically, it is the following approximation: Simpsons rule can be derived by approximating the integrand f(x) (in blue) by the quadratic interpolant P(x) (in red). METHODS BASED ON UNDETERMINED COEFFICIENTS NEWTON-COTES METHODS: TRAPEZOIDAL METHOD We have n=1 , x0 =a , x1=b and h=x1-x0. Rn= (1) Using eq 1 ,the rule can be made exact for polynomial of degree upto one.For f(x)=1 and x, we get the system of equations . f(x)= 1: x1- x0 = + or = + f(x) = x: Â ½ ( ) = + ( ) ( ) = + h( 2 + h ) = + ( ) h( 2 + h ) = ( + ) + h = h + h h= , or = From the first equation , we get h = h /2 . The method becomes = [ f( ) + f (] The error constant is given by C = [ ] [ ] = [ 2 ( + 3 h + 3 + ) -2 -3 h -3h( + 2h + ) ] = SIMPSON` S METHOD We have n = 2 , = a , = + h , = + 2h = b , h=(b a )/2 .We write = f( ) + f() + f( ) The rule can be made exact for polynomials of degree upto two . For f(x) = 1, x , , we get the following system of equations. f(x) = 1: = + + , or 2h = + + (2) f(x) = x: ( ) = + + -(3) f(x) = : ( ) = + + (4) From (3) , we get ( ) ( ) = + + h) + + 2h) (2h) (2+ 2h) = ( + + ) + ( + 2 ) h = 2h + ( + 2 ) h 2h = + 2 (5) From (4) , we get [( + 6 h + 12 + 8 ) ] = + ( + 2 h + ) + ( + 4 + 2 h + ) h + ) Or h = + 4 (6) Solving (5) , (6) and (2) , we obtain = , = , The Method is given by .., = [ f() + 4 f() + f () The error constant is given by C = = COMPARISON BETWEEN TRAPEZOIDAL RULE AND SIMPSONS RULE Two widely used rules for approximating areas are the trapezoidal rule and Simpsons rule. To motivate the new methods, we recall that rectangular rules approximated the function by a horizontal line in each interval. It is reasonable to expect that if we approximate the function more accurately inside each interval then a more efficient numerical scheme will follow. This is the idea behind the trapezoidal and Simpsons rules. Here the trapezoidal rule approximates the function by a suitably chosen (not necessarily horizontal) line segment. The function values at the two points in the interval are used in the approximation. While Simpsons rule uses a suitably chosen parabolic shape (see Section 4.6 of the text) and uses the function at three points. The Maple student package has commands trapezoid and simpson that implement these methods. The command syntax is very similar to the rectangular approximations. See the examples below. Note that an even number of subintervals is required for the simpson command and that the default number of subintervals is n=4 for both trapezoid and simpson. > with(student): > trapezoid(x^2,x=0..4); > evalf(trapezoid(x^2,x=0..4)); 22 > evalf(trapezoid(x^2,x=0..4,10)); 21.44000000 > simpson(x^2,x=0..4); > evalf(simpson(x^2,x=0..4)); 21.33333333 > evalf(simpson(x^2,x=0..4,10)); 21.33333333 EXAMPLES OF TRAPEZOIDAL AND SIMPSON`S RULE Ques:Evaluate using trapezoidal and Simpson`s Rule with h=0.05 Sol: x0= 1 , x1= 1.05 , x2= 1.1 , x3= 1.15 , x4= 1.20 , x5=1.25 , x6= 1.3 I(trapezoidal) = = .05/2[ f(1) + 2( f (1.05) + f(1.1) +f(1.15)+ f(1.120) +f (1.25)) +f(1.3)] = 0.326808 = = = I(simpson) = [f(1) + 4 (f (1.05)+ f(1.15) + f(1.25) + 2(f(1.1) + f(1.20) +f(1.3) ] = 0.321485 Ques 2 :Find the approximate value of I= Using (i) trapezoidal rule and ,(ii) Simpson`s rule.Obtain a bound for the error. The exact value of I=ln2=0.693147 correct to six decimal places. Sol: Using the Trapezoidal rule , I= ( 1+ ) = 0.75 Error = 0.75 0.693147 = 0.056853 Using the Simpson`s Rule, I= (1+ + ) = = 0.694444 Error = 0.694444 0.693147 = 0.001297

Americas War on Drugs Essay -- Illicit Drugs

Throughout history, Americans have fought many enemies that threaten the safety of our great Nation and provided aid and resources to our partnering countries in their time of despair. However, the consequences were substantial, countless brave men and women lost their lives defending the freedom of Americans. Today American’s fight a different kind of war; it is a war without a clear enemy or end in sight. Today, America fights a War on Drugs. In the early 1970s, the War on Drugs was still relatively new and drug smuggling continued, going virtually unimpeded through the U.S. northern border (Stout 34). For over 40 years, the War on Drugs (implemented by former President Richard Nixon) had cost the United States an estimated one trillion dollars, for what is believed to be nothing more than an â€Å"objective to stomp out growing social discontent in the country† (Stout 38). However, by this time, the drug demand had increased significantly throughout the United States and many drug smugglers were beginning to create smaller organizations throughout Mexico, breaking all ties with the larger organizations. Furthermore, cash flow from drug sales wasn’t enough and other methods for obtaining quick money were used to subsidize their income, such as; kidding napping for large ransoms, prostitution and auto theft. With criminal activity escalading, President Nixon then created the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 1973 to declare an, â€Å"all-out global war on the drug menace† (Martin 226). Although, drug production and smuggling was an essential way of life for many Hispanics throughout Mexico, the United States continued to provide financial and military aid throughout decades of uncertainty. Additionally, these actions resulted ... ...s." Latin Trade (English) 17.2 (2009): 22. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. Campos, Isaac. "In Search Of Real Reform: Lessons From Mexico's Long History Of Drug Prohibition." NACLA Report On The Americas 44.3 (2011): 14-18. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. Kellner, Tomas, and Francesco Pipitone. "Inside Mexico's Drug War." World Policy Journal 27.1 (2010): 29-37. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. Martin, William. "Texas High Ways." Texas Monthly 37.10 (2009): 148. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. Martin, William. "Texas High Ways." Texas Monthly 37.10 (2009): 148. MAS Ultra School Edition. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. Stout, Robert Joe. "Do The United States And Mexico Really Want The Drug War To Succeed?." Monthly Review: An Independent Socialist Magazine 63.8 (2012): 34. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 18 Apr. 2012.