NST Online: Topnews

Angela Merkel tops Forbes' Most Powerful Women list

Posted: 24 Aug 2011 11:14 PM PDT

Angela Merkel tops Forbes' Most Powerful Women list

SINGAPORE: Forbes announced its annual ranking of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel topping this year's list.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton moves into the Numebr 2 spot, followed by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff at Number 3.

Members of the 2011 ranking come from politics, business, media, entertainment and non-profit; their power derives from money and might, but also reach and influence, it said in a statement here today.

They control US$30 trillion collectively and have an average age of 54.

Twenty-nine are chief executive officers, 22 are single, eight are heads of state and 74 are returnees to the list.

"Our list reflects the diverse and dynamic paths to power for women today --whether leading a nation or setting the agenda on critical issues of our time," Moira Forbes, President & Publisher, Forbes Woman said in a statement.

There are 26 newcomers to the list, among them New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson (Number 12), US Presidential Candidate Michele Bachmann (Number 22) and NBC Today Co-Anchor Ann Curry (Numebr 66).

Lady Gaga, at Number 11, is the youngest at age 25. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund isat Number 9, moving into the top ten for the first time. -- BERNAMA

Air your comment on this issue:

Angela Merkel tops Forbes' Most Powerful Women list

Log in with your Facebook account or use the form below to comment.

New Straits Times reserves the right not to publish offensive or abusive comments and those of hate speech, harassment, commercial promos and invasion of privacy. Your IP will be logged and may be used to prevent further submission.The views expressed here are that of the members of the public and unless specifically stated are not those of NST.

Full of Kar1sma

Posted: 24 Aug 2011 05:04 PM PDT

2011/08/25
By Farrah Naz Karim
farrah@nst.com.my

RM1.4b welfare programme will help 500,000 people, says PM

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday launched the RM1.4 billion welfare programme, Kar1sma, for 500,000 people.

He said the poor, elderly, handicapped, single mothers and underprivileged groups would benefit from monthly payouts of between RM100 and RM450.

The programme also set aside RM4.1 million for about 2,000 widows of military personnel and policemen.

Described as a "newly branded welfare programme for the people", Kar1sma will provide skills training for the said groups to improve their lives and instil independence in them.

"We have people who need help. If there are no government intervention programmes like this, they will be sidelined. "This is one of the pillars of Gagasan 1Malaysia in upholding social justice.

These people will not only be helped financially, they will also be given new skills and mindsets to help themselves and contribute to the countr y." Najib said the programmewas initiated under the Government Transformation Programme to ensure these people were not left out of the nation 's growth.

While some countries reduced allocations for pensioners and welfare programmes, he said, Malaysia not only continued to help the needy, but also increased funds for them.

"We will reach out to about 500,000 people. Don't make one-off contributions and go around telling the whole world about it.

"The Barisan Nasional government is committed to helping underprivileged Malaysians on a monthly basis.

"This shows our commitment to the people and that we will uphold social justice." Last year, the government spent RM1.2 billion, through welfare programmes, to help 424,000 people.

The largest group of recipients are senior citizens, who make up 30 per cent.

Present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and representatives of groups who will receive the aid.

Shahrizat said the programme would help the underprivileged break out of their cycle of hardship.

She added that the programme complemented other government initiatives, including health benefits for the needy.

In identifying the recipients, she said the ministry, through its agencies, stressed on the efficiency of application processes, including removing red tape.

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Khamis, 25 Ogos 2011