Malaysian ringgit stronger against US dollar on lower US bond yield

By Harizah Hanim Mohamed KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysian ringgit strengthened against the US dollar at the opening Friday as demand for the latter diminished due to rising United States (US) jobless claims, weaker housing sales and slightly lower US bond yields, which ultimately favoured the ringgit. At…

Thailand confirms first case of monkeypox infection

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, July 22 (NNN-Bernama) — Thailand has confirmed its first case of monkeypox – a 27-year-old Nigerian who travelled from Nigeria to Phuket. Disease Control Department director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said the man had been ill for about a week and admitted to a private…

Droupadi Murmu becomes India’s new president

By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, July 22 (NNN-Bernama) — A woman politician belonging to a poor tribal community in the eastern state of Odisha will be India’s new president. Droupadi Murmu, 64, will become the country’s second-ever female president when she replaces 76-year-old Ram Nath Kovind, whose five-year term ends…

Malaysia, Thailand to set up ‘strong villages’ for border security

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, July 22 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia and Thailand will set up ‘strong villages’ along the border with the aim of strengthening border security cooperation as well as boosting the local population’s socio-economic development. Malaysian Army Chief Gen. Zamrose Mohd Zain said the proposal was brought…

Malaysia’s Langkawi recognised as one of the best islands in Southeast Asia

ALOR SETAR (Malaysia), July 22 (NNN-Bernama) — Langkawi, which consists of a cluster of 99 islands off the coast of Malaysian state of Kedah, has won the ‘Asia Best Awards 2022’ and was recently recognised as one of the Best Islands in Southeast Asia. Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) chief executive officer Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib…

Google launches programme to help Malaysians develop digital skills

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (NNN-Bernama) — Google has launched a new digital training programme, known as “Gemilang”, to help Malaysians develop digital skills and gain access to high-demand jobs.  Google Malaysia managing director Marc Woo said under the programme, 31,000 Google Career Certificate scholarships will be offered through local partners including education institutions, industry…

Malaysia’s USM selected as Osaka University ASEAN campus

GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia), July 21 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysian public university, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), has been selected to join the establishment of the Osaka University (OU) ASEAN Campuses and as a host in Malaysia, as both universities embark on a new level of partnership.  In a statement, USM said both parties have officially affirmed…

Samsung SDI to develop new US$1.57 billion EV battery plant in Malaysia

SEREMBAN (Malaysia), July 21 (NNN-Bernama) — South Korea’s battery and electronic materials manufacturer Samsung SDI Co Ltd, through its unit Samsung SDI Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SDIEM), is developing a RM7 billion (US$1.57 billion) plant in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan state to pioneer the electric vehicle (EV) battery cell industry in the…

ADB: Southeast Asia GDP growth to improve to 5 pct in 2022, 5.2 pct in 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised upwards its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for Southeast Asia slightly to five per cent this year from an earlier projection of 4.9 per cent, and maintains the growth forecast of 5.2 per cent for 2023. In its Asian…

Ukraine to host Second Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (NNN-Bernama) — The Second Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen will be held on Saturday, July 23, under the aegis of the wife of Ukraine president Olena Volodymyrivna Zelenska. The Ukraine Embassy, in a statement to Bernama, said that the event – themed “Ukraine and the world: The Future We (Re)build…