Wife of former Malaysian PM back in court

KUALA LUMPUR,  April 10  (NNN-BERNAMA) — Rosmah Mansor, wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, was back in the Sessions Court Wednesday to face a new charge over the solar hybrid project for rural schools in Sarawak. She was charged with accepting gratification of RM5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd for…

Two Sudanese soldiers killed in attack on Khartoum sit-in

KHARTOUM, Sudan, April 9 (NNN-BERNAMA-ANADOLU) — Two army soldiers were killed by gunmen in Sudanese capital Khartoum early Tuesday amid ongoing protests against the regime of President Omar al-Bashir, according to an opposition union of doctors. In a statement, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) said clashes erupted between…

Bernama journalist selected for Khazanah-Wofson Press Fellowship

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) journalist Sakina Mohamed, 39, has been awarded the prestigious Khazanah Wolfson Press Fellowship at Cambridge University, United Kingdom. The Strategic Writing Desk sub-editor will undergo a 10-week programme which will run from April 15 until June 21 at Wolfson College,…

Japan’s lower house approves free preschool education bill

TOKYO, April 9 (NNN-XINHUA) — Japan’s lower house of parliament approved a bill on Tuesday to provide broader childcare support from October as a means to address the nation’s dire demographic crisis, including a declining birth rate. The bill, which the government hopes will clear the upper house before the…

The long agonising wait to Thailand’s official general election results

By Linda Khoo BANGKOK, April 9 (NNN-BERNAMA) — While Thai voters – and election watchers the world over – are waiting with bated breath for the announcement of the 2019 Thai General Election (GE) official results on May 9, certain developments have caused great anxiety for the locals. The Election Commission…

Songkran holiday exodus begins in Bangkok

By Linda Khoo BANGKOK, April 9 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Millions of vehicles are expected to clog up roads and highways in Thailand starting tomorrow as Thais start to head  to their hometowns to celebrate the Songkran festival, Thais’ traditional New Year this weekend. The three-day Songkran festival is from Friday to April 15…

Malaysia exploring KL-SG HSR cost reduction proposals

PUTRAJAYA, April 9 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia is exploring proposals aimed at reducing the cost of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project and will be discussing this further with Singapore before the end of the suspension period on May 31, 2020, says Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The Prime Minister…

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang urges closer China-Europe cooperation for mutual benefit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang walk past the People’s Liberation Army honor guards during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo courtesy of PTI Photo BRUSSELS, April 9 (NNN- Xinhua) — China and Europe stand to benefit from closer…

South Africa rhino poacher killed by elephants, eaten by lions

Picture for illustration purpose only/ Pixal Bay- Free Images JOHANNESBURG – April 9 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) – A suspected rhino poacher was trampled to death by an elephant and his body devoured by lions in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, officials said Monday. South African rangers have recovered the skull of the…

Iraq reopens theatre at Green Zone after 15 years of closure

Al-Mansor Theatre. Photo courtesy of Codelyoko BAGHDAD, April 9 (NNN-XINHUA) — Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Abdul Amir al-Hamdani reopened on Monday the al-Mansour Theatre in the heavily fortified Green Zone in downtown Baghdad after more than 15 years of closure, Xinhua news agency reported. In his speech on behalf…