Mount Kerinci in Indonesia erupts

JAMBI, Indonesia, Aug 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The volcanic mountain of Kerinci in Jambi in the island of Sumatra, Indonesia erupted Wednesday afternoon. According to local media reports the eruption has prompted authorities to advise airlines to avoid the area. Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) head Kasbani said ash and…

M’sian govt awaiting Lynas proposal on waste disposal

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 1 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Malaysian government is still awaiting Lynas Corp’s proposal on dealing with its rare-earth processing waste, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. “We are giving this condition to Lynas that they should have a plan for dealing with the waste. We are waiting for them to tell us how they…

Indonesia deploys thousands of security personnel to fight forest fires

File photo of a hazy day in Kuala Lumpur. The haze has hit several South East Asian cities once again including Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as neighbour Indonesia fights devastating forest fires in Sumatra island and in the province of Kalimantan on Borneo island. Photo courtesy of BERNAMA. JAKARTA, Aug…

Eight dead in shooting at Mexican Caribbean resort

MEXICO CITY, Aug 1 (NNN-XINHUA) — Eight people were killed and two others injured early Wednesday after armed assailants opened fire on their pickup truck on a highway near Bacalar, a tourism resort in Mexico’s southeast state of Quintana Roo, Xinhua news agency reported quoting local authorities. According to the state…

Mahathir denies proposed takeover of highways put on hold

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 1 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today denied that the proposed RM6.2-billion takeover of four highways in the country has been put on hold pending a review. He also refuted a news report saying that the plan was initiated without the approval of the Cabinet.…

Bahrain executed 2 men after confession under torture, says UN

ROME, July 31 (NNN-ANSAMed) — Two young men executed in recent days in Bahrain after being found guilty of terrorism lacked a fair trial and had confessed under torture, the UN has said. Ali Mohamed Hakeem Al-Arab, 25, and Ahmed Isa Al-Malali, 24, were executed despite concerns voiced by the…

Najib’s trial Day 46: Witness admits using own money to regularise Najib’s account

File photo of AmBank’s former relationship manager, Joanna Yu Ging Ping, 48, at the ongoing trial of former Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.Photo courtesy of BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (NNN-BERNAMA) — A former bank officer who handled Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s account in AmBank…

Police recover Indian tycoon’s body after mysterious disappearance

By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, July 31 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The founder of India’s largest coffee chain is dead and his body has been recovered from a river, Indian police said on Wednesday after the businessman went missing on Monday night. V.G. Siddhartha’s body was found in the Netravati River in…

Latest N.K. missile firings underscore discontent over S. Korea-U.S. drills: experts

By Kim Seung-yeon File photo of US soldiers taking part in the annual Best Warrior competition at the Camp Casey US military base in Dongducheon, South Korea. Photo courtesy of Ryu Seung-Il/ZUMA Wire/dpa SEOUL, July 31 (NNN-BERNAMA-YONHAP) — North Korea’s recent missile launches appear to be aimed at displaying discontent…

More than a million haj pilgrims arrive Saudi Arabia

MECCA, Saudi Arabia, July 31 — The Makkah Clock Tower located in front of Masjidil Haram here. Towering at 607 metres, the clock tower is a beautiful sight in the holy city’s night sky with its striking green face. Photo courtesy of BERNAMA. RIYADH, July 31 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The number of pilgrims…