Two suspected human trafficking agents, 6 illegal immigrants detained

KOTA BHARU, Aug 6 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Two suspected human trafficking agents (tekong darat) along with six illegal immigrants were detained by a team from the Ninth Battalion General Operations Force (GOF9) Strike Force in Kampung Tok Bilal near Machang, early Wednesday morning. GOF9 Commanding Officer Supt Nor Azizan Yusof said the group’s movement…

6.2 magnitude earthquake rocks Vanuatu Islands

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (NNN-BERNAMA) — A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck the Vanuatu Islands at 8.05 pm today. According to a statement from the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the epicentre of the earthquake was located 219 km deep, at a distance of 647 km south of Lata, Solomon…

Beirut blast: Malaysian peacekeeping force ready to provide humanitarian, disaster relief

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6  (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Malaysian Battalion 850-7 (MALBATT 850-7) peacekeeping force is ready to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) if the commitment is required by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) following Tuesday’s explosion incident in Beirut. Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang…

M’sia, S’pore must smoothen SOPs before cross-border travel resumes – Health DG

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia and Singapore need to streamline the standard operating procedures (SOPs) before allowing cross-border travel between the two countries to resume after being halted since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said both countries should have a mutual understanding and discuss…

Malaysians in Lebanon safe – Foreign Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (NNN-BERNAMA) — All Malaysians in Lebanon are reported safe, said Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. He said this was confirmed by the Malaysian Embassy in Beirut in its initial report. At around midnight Malaysian time Tuesday, the Lebanese  capital Beirut  witnessed a fire followed by a massive blast at a warehouse at…

Indian minister seeks review of free trade deal with Asean

NEW DELHI, August 5 (NNN-BERNAMA) — An Indian minister has called for a review of the country’s decade-old free trade deal with ASEAN, arguing that it would help in achieving bigger trade volumes. “The review of the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement is pending,” junior minister for trade Hardeep Singh…

Police seize computers, documents related to Al Jazeera docu following raids on three media premises

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Police searched three separate locations involving Al Jazeera, Astro and UnifiTV here today in connection with investigations into the ‘Locked Up In Malaysia’s Lockdown’ documentary aired by Al Jazeera last month.    Bukit Aman CID director Datuk Huzir Mohamed said police had obtained search warrants from the…

Huge explosions in Lebanon’s capital leave dozens dead, injured: local TV

BEIRUT, Aug 4 (NNN-XINHUA) — The two huge explosions that rocked Lebanon’s capital Beirut on Tuesday left dozens dead and injured, al-Jadeed TV channel reported. The explosions shook buildings all over Beirut and left shattered glass in most areas, according to the local TV channel, reported Xinhua news agency. A…

Asean must work together to curb COVID-19, minimise socio-economic impact – Dr Noor Hisham

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Asean members including Malaysia must work hand-in-hand to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and minimise the socio-economic impact to countries, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. In his Facebook post today, he said as the widespread effect of the pandemic goes beyond borders, by…

Issuance of UNHCR cards will be reviewed – Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The government will review the issuance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card in the country before deciding on any further action, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin. He said studies and considerations on the issue would be submitted to…