King gives great importance to pre-Cabinet meetings, reflecting his care for the country and people

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 22  (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia’s King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today held the 30th pre-Cabinet weekly audience with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad,  which  Istana Negara described as “most meaningful”. Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara,  Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, said in a statement that the audience, at Istana…

Malaysia wants Putin to participate in 2020 APEC Summit

MOSCOW, Nov 22 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia will invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the 2020 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit that the Southeast Asian nation will host, Sputnik news agency quoted Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah as saying on Thursday. “We, of course, will welcome President Putin’s involvement in…

Petronas ramps up efforts to strengthen footprint in India

NEW DELHI, Nov 22 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia’s national oil company, PETRONAS is accelerating efforts to strengthen its business footprint in India by providing more innovative, tailor-made solutions that add value to the country’s energy aspirations. With more than 20 years of strategic partnerships covering six business segments in India, PETRONAS…

Egypt hails appointment of Egyptian minister as head of UN office on drugs, crime

CAIRO, Nov 22 (NNN-XINHUA) — Egypt welcomed the appointment of Egyptian Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Waly as the new executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Xinhua news agency reported, quoting the Egyptian foreign ministry in a statement on Thursday. The Egyptian statement highlighted Waly’s expertise and efficiency “that…

1MDB audit report trial: Witness says she slipped voice recorder into pencil case

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 (NNN-BERNAMA) – A witness in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) final audit report tampering trial today admitted in court to making a voice recording of a meeting linked to the report.  National Audit Department (NAD) audit director Nor Salwani Muhammad, 52, told the High Court here that she had…

Turkey says it never used banned weapons in Syria during Operation Peace Spring

Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar. Photo courtesy of Anadolu Agency. MOSCOW (NNN-SPUTNIK) – Turkey has never used banned weapons during Operation Peace Spring against Kurdish militia and the Daesh terrorist group in northern Syria, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said. “Turkey didn’t use and will not use any ammunition or…

Zahid issued 8 cheques to pay RM65,321 for his credit cards – witness tells court

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The High Court here today heard that Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had issued eight local cheques to pay RM65,321.83 for his credit cards and American Express (AMEX) charge card between Feb 2014 and July 2015. This was revealed by vice-president of Malayan Bank Berhad (Maybank) in…

US to sell naval guns to India in a US$1 bln deal

By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, Nov 21 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The United States will sell naval guns to India in a US$1 billion deal as American military exports witness rapid increase in their bilateral trade. India has sought 13 MK45 naval guns and 3,500 D349 Projectile as part of the purchase…

No black hand from Perak DAP leadership in rape case – Yong

IPOH, Nov 21 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Tronoh assemblyman Paul Yong Choo Kiong said he believed that there was no conspiracy from within the Perak DAP leadership with regard to his rape case. IPOH: File photo of Perak Assemblyman Paul Yong Choo arriving at the Sessions Court here earlier in September with regards…

Sabah Pygmy elephant conservation well underway

By Rohana Nasrah The recent discovery of three Borneo pygmy elephant carcasses in the space of five weeks in Sabah has raised concern over the conservation of this endangered species, found only in this part of the world. This first of a five-part series looks at the efforts by the…