Students’ return to China: China, Malaysia efforts appreciated

BEIJING, Aug 24 (NNN-Bernama) — The Embassy of Malaysia in China has extended its appreciation to the Chinese and Malaysian governments following the latest announcement on the return of Malaysian students to China. Malaysian ambassador to China, Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin said both countries had made continuous efforts to address the…

The pandemic has set back fight against poverty in Asia by at least two years — ADB

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (NNN-Bernama) — The COVID-19 pandemic has set back the fight against poverty in Asia and the Pacific by at least two years, and many people in the region will likely find it harder than before to escape poverty, according to a report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).…

Thailand’s GPO to scale up production of medical grade cannabis

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, Aug 24 (NNN-Bernama) — Thailand’s Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) will scale up plantation of medical grade cannabis that will be used to produce hemp seed oil products. In a statement, the Public Health Ministry said this will include joining hands with 12 community networks…

Malaysia invites China, ASEAN countries to join MyPAIR programme

By Hasnah Jusid BEIJING, Aug 24 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia has invited China and other ASEAN countries to join in the Malaysia Partnerships and Alliances in Research (MyPAIR) programme to carry out scientific-based learning. Higher Education Minister Dr Noraini Ahmad said the programme aimed to jointly develop research interests between funders…

Three Indian military officers sacked over missile misfire into Pakistan

By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, Aug 24 (NNN-Bernama) — The Indian government has sacked three military officers over the missile misfire into Pakistan in March. Their services have been terminated with immediate effect, the Indian Air Force said. An inquiry found that “deviation from the standard operating procedures by three…

Malaysia keen to learn from Thailand evidence-based use of medical cannabis products

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, Aug 24 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia is keen to learn more about cannabis from Thailand, especially on its evidence-based applications and cannabis-related pharmaceutical products for medical uses, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. He also hoped Malaysia and Thailand will continue to exchange technical knowledge and…

Najib first former Malaysian PM jailed for money laundering, power abuse

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (NNN-Bernama) — In what can be considered a first for Malaysia, Najib Razak has become the country’s first former prime minister to be jailed for a criminal offence after the Federal Court upheld his conviction,12-year jail sentence and RM210 million (US$46.8 million) fine on Tuesday. Najib,…

Subsidies ensured inflation rate remained low in Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA (NNN-Malaysia), Aug 21 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s inflation rate could have reached up to 11.4 per cent if the government had not implemented the subsidies, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed. He said measures to ease the people’s financial burden through the provision of subsidies, aid and incentives enabled Malaysia…

Dozens suffer minor injuries in escalator incident at Bangkok’s Skytrain station

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, Aug 21 (NNN-Bernama) — A commuter reaching the top of a crowded escalator at the Surasak Skytrain station in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district is believed to have fallen backwards, prompting a domino effect that left 28 people with minor injuries. In a statement released…

Pakistanis mourn passing of legendary singer Nayyara Noor

NEW DELHI, Aug 21 (NNN-Bernama) — Pakistanis on Sunday mourned the passing away of their legendary singer Nayyara Noor. The popular playback singer, whose career spanned decades, died at the age of 71 in Karachi city after a brief illness, local media reported. Nayyara was born in the northeastern Indian…