1MDB Trial: JV with PetroSaudi was about ‘friend helping a friend’ – Witness

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (NNN-BERNAMA)  — The High Court here today was told that the joint-venture (JV) between 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and PetroSaudi International Ltd (PSI) was deemed as “a friend helping a friend”. Former chief executive officer of 1MDB, Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, 49, said the matter was…

Dr M: Close attention must be given to income, wealth distribution to cut poverty

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia has made considerable strides in its poverty eradication efforts but problems relating to poverty persist and require policy attention, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He said Malaysia is no longer just grappling with absolute poverty but also with relative poverty, pockets…

Turkey will continue to cooperate with Malaysia on fight against terrorism

By Voon Miaw Ping KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Turkey will continue to cooperate with Malaysia in the latter’s fight against terrorism, including intensifying the sharing of intelligence on Malaysian DAESH operatives in Syria. Turkey’s Ambassador to Malaysia Merve Safa Kavakci said such collaboration is crucial, and it will be an ongoing…

Thailand to observe public holidays in Bangkok, Nonthaburi during ASEAN Summit in November

By Linda Khoo BANGKOK, Oct 15 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Thailand today announced special public holidays on Nov 4 and 5 in Bangkok and Nonthaburi in conjunction with the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings to be held at Impact Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok. As ASEAN chair, Thailand will be welcoming leaders from 10…

M’sian civil servants urged to play their role in clarifying beneficial govt policies to the public

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 15 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia has called on the country’s civil servants who are also its key communicators to be more proactive in providing information, clarification and understanding to the public on current issues to avoid misunderstanding of government programmes and policies. Its deputy secretary-general…

Indian palm oil importers say speculation bad for trade

By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, Oct 15 (NNN-BERNAMA) — India’s leading vegetable oil importers have described media speculation that the government may restrict imports of Malaysian palm oil as bad for trade and sought a clear official stand on the matter. Rumours and unsubstantiated claims published in the media harm…

EU calls on Turkey to address security concerns in Syria through diplomacy

ANKARA, Oct 15 (NNN-ANADOLU) — The European Union said on Monday that Turkey’s security concerns in northeast Syria should be addressed though political and diplomatic means, not through military action.  The EU Council said in a statement that Turkey should cease its anti-terrorist Operation Peace Spring in northeastern Syria and…

‘Operation Peace Spring’ necessary for Turkey’s security – Envoy

By Voon Miaw Ping KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Turkey’s ‘Operation Peace Spring’ in the northeast of Syria is necessary to protect the Turkish border and to eliminate terror threats that can undermine national security, said Turkish Ambassador to Malaysia Merve Safa Kavakci. She asserted that it was also Turkey’s fundamental right to defend…

Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer win 2019 Nobel Economics Prize

STOCKHOLM, Oct 15 (NNN-PTI) — Indian-American Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer jointly won the 2019 Nobel Economics Prize on Monday “for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.” “The research conducted by this year’s Laureates has considerably improved our ability to fight global poverty. In just two decades, their…

Ireland reopens embassy in Tehran

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani (right) meets his Irish counterpart in Belgrade, Serbia. Photo courtesy of IRNA. TEHRAN, Oct 15 (NNN-IRNA) — Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani welcomed the reopening of Ireland’s embassy in Tehran, saying the move will pave the way for better relations between the two countries.  “Reopening…