General

Globally, mixing vaccines has been more common especially as Covid 19 variants surface. Is this a path that Malaysia should also take? Prof. Dr. Moy Foong Ming, Professor of Epidemiology, Dept of Social and Preventive Medicine, Universiti Malaya weighs in on the argument.

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As Malaysia's vaccination program rolls steadily onwards, volunteers are on the frontlines helping to register people for vaccination, and also assist the administration process at the vaccination centers. But what needs to be done to help volunteers in their selfless duty? How can the government and other organizations encourage and protect our volunteers? On the Breakfast Grille, we speak to Subang Jaya ADUN, YB Michelle Ng, and Mercy Malaysia General Manager of Operations Said Alhudzari about their experience coordinating the volunteer efforts against the pandemic.

Image credit: Ahmad Yusni / EPA-EFE

The government's Jaringan Prihatin program is aimed at helping students study from home though there have been hiccups, not to mention hidden costs like data plans and device sufficiency.

Alexander Wong, Managing Editor, at the tech news portal SoyaCincau.com, discusses.

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In the US, some companies like investment banks are compelling their staff to return to the office. Will this be the same in Asia when vaccination rates inch up or is there an alternative? Paul Cooper, Managing Director of Michael Page Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam tells us.

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Global markets have pulled back following the Fed’s recent signals for a rate hike in 2023. We discuss the reaction with Kingsley Jones of Jevons Global, and also tap his insights on the market impact of the surge in Covid-19 cases and the threat of new variants. Additionally, Kingsley weighs in on the prospects for the Australian economy, which is seeing strong growth in minerals and energy.

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2020 年是疫情爆发元年，也是一场「买书撑大将」在社交媒体平台上；作者与读者圈内掀起反思的危机之年… 在阅读风气实在称不上欣欣向荣的马来西亚——出版业真的熬不下去了吗？

不过，超出预期支持人数一倍之多的热烈反响，总算让大将出版社熬了过来。而且，熬出的是一盅精华四溢的鸡汤。

周大哥说：吃过补品，但愿大将迈进第 22 年不再需要苦撑。在多姿多彩的社交媒体平台上，大将矢志打造爱书、爱读的社群文化；更希望一直在幕后默默耕耘的同仁也能扮演起读书文化的推广者。

更值得一谈的，是大将联袂『人间烟火』打造的線上阅读串流平台——『书满季』。除了新问世的大将出品，那些开始蒙尘的绝版作，也在这个类似付费订阅影音串流平台 Netflix 的阅读平台上，迎来了一次再生。

科技大时代下，惯于手捧温度的纸本读物出版业者，会如何看待电子书、阅读机、線上阅读平台呢？大将的故事，又会如何继续写下一段阅读年华呢？我国的阅读风气究竟吹得盛不盛？

阅读的问题，本期有请大将出版社社长——周若鹏为我们一一解答！

This week, Patrick Teoh takes you on another foot-stomping, hand-clapping ride down memory lane as he blows dust off his vinyl collection to bring you a selection of hit songs from the 60s to 80s.

Clubhouse前阵子的火热，虽然已经降温，但也让人们发现哪怕没有影像，只透过语音，人们也能够热衷的交流。

实际上，在纯粹声音节目进行广告投放已经算是一个成熟的商业模式了，尤其在美国及台湾等地。。美国投资机构Mangrove Capital Partners2019年发布的《语音技术报告》更预测，到2025年，语音经济的规模将达到1万亿美元，超过移动应用经济(mobile app)。

另一边厢，因为Clubhouse的火红，脸书近期就宣布推出被喻为Facebook 版clubhouse的語音直播房間Live Audio Room，以及让用户分享类似于Podcast的Soundbites功能。Podcast始祖的Apple Podcast近期也推出了Podcast订阅制度，探索变现的方法。而Spotify近几年更是砸重金发展Podcast，甚至直接买断了Joe Rogan Podcast节目的播放权。

这一连串行径都显示了科技巨头已经嗅得到声音经济的商机。但这股声音经济是否已经席卷大马？这个月的财今对话，我们有LEAD科技学院创办人刘哲涵博士、电视新闻前主播刘元元、Foo&Chan律师事务所及《就是酱LAW》的陈劭康律师以及BFM财今节目经理Isaac王能杰跟我们一起对话。

In this edition of A Bit Of Culture, we welcome back Vernon Adrian Emuang and BFM producer Julian Yap. Kam begins with his discovery behind the science of dopamine and how it works with regards to supporting his favourite football team. Does this little neurotransmitter change the way we go about our lives? Julian steers the conversation to the magical land, Disneyland. The trio discusses the galore of their experiences with this magical land, and how these experiences are somewhat manufactured to achieve utopia. Lastly, Vernon raises a movement called 'critical race theory' that examines cultural, social and legal issues in relation to race and racism - why is it under attack in the US and discusses if it could be a viable option to adopt the concept here in our country.

Wales have given themselves a great chance of progressing with Italy from Group A. The Swiss still have a chance too. The Dutch are through to the last 16 and Ukraine hope to follow them. We look at the 2nd round of group matches including the clash of the auld enemies, England & Scotland. Also a look at Group F, the Group of Death featuring France, Portugal, Germany & Hungary.