Thailand appreciates Malaysia’s efforts towards peace in its southern provinces, says envoy

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Thailand appreciates Malaysia’s role and contributions as a facilitator for the ongoing peace process in the kingdom’s several restive southern border provinces, says its ambassador to Malaysia Narong Sasitorn. “The situation on the southern provinces are complex and the whole process takes time. We…

Former first lady of Malaysia given seven days to check and confirm existence of 44 pieces of jewellery

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The High Court here today ordered the wife of the former Malaysian prime minister, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to check and confirm in seven days the existence of 44 units of jewellery worth US$14.79 million or almost RM60 million in her possession which were allegedly confiscated by…

Apple, Google face criticism for App that lets Saudi men track and restrict women

NEW YORK, Feb 14 (NNN-XINHUA)  — Apple and Google are facing criticism for offering an application that lets men in Saudi Arabia track and restrict women’s movements. The app, called Absher, is listed in Apple’s app store and the Google Play store as a Saudi eServices Mobile Application, offering service that can…

Malaysian Cabinet to decide on tabling proposal to abolish death penalty

ISKANDAR PUTERI (Johor), Feb 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Malaysian Cabinet will make a decision on the tabling in Parliament of the proposal to abolish the death penalty before the Dewan Rakyat (lower house of Parliament) convenes next month, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said Wednesday. He said the decision…

M’sian economy to experience moderate growth this year

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) – The Malaysian economy will continue to experience moderate growth this year, supported mainly by external demand and resilience in private consumption among others, says Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus. She said exports, which rose to RM836.4 billion in 2018 from RM807 billion recorded in…

Leaders of Turkey, Russia, Iran to meet in Syria summit

Photo courtesy Anadolu MOSCOW, RUSSIA, Feb 14 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Russian, Turkish and Iranian presidents will meet Thursday in Russia’s coastal city of Sochi for a summit on Syria. According to a Turkish Presidency statement on Wednesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will depart for Russia from Turkey on Thursday to attend…

Daesh says it attacked Nigerian governor’s convoy, leaving 42 dead

MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA – Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Daesh claimed responsibility on Wednesday for an attack on the convoy of a state governor who was headed to a rally in northeastern Nigeria ahead of Saturday’s presidential election. The group said in a statement on its Aamaq news agency that 42 people…

Namibia confirms 1st outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu, more than 200 penguins killed

WINDHOEK, Feb 14 (NNN- Xinhua) — Namibia’s Agriculture Ministry on Wednesday announced and confirmed the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) in the African country. The ministry said in a statement that the disease was detected in penguins on Halifax Island near Luderitz in the Karas region in…

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa released on bail

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa leaves her office after she was arrested in Manila on February 13, 2019. Photo courtesy Philistar MANILA, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, who was arrested in her Manila office on Wednesday, has been released following what rights advocates had called an act of…

More than 100 child soldiers freed in South Sudan

ANKARA, Feb 13 (NNN-ANADOLU) — More than 100 child soldiers were released Tuesday by armed groups in South Sudan, Anadolu Agency reported, quoting a statement issued by  United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).  The release of 119 child soldiers rose to 3,100 the number of those freed since the start of…