Author: Kuning Omar

Romania’s president has condemned Russia’s attacks on ports on the Danube as unacceptable and war crimes. On Wednesday morning, Russia attacked Ukrainian grain ports at Izmail on the River Danube, a short distance from Romania. A grain warehouse, a passenger building and an elevator for loading grain were damaged, the BBC reported. No casualties were reported. The attacks were “unacceptable,” Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on social media. “These are war crimes and they further affect UA’s [Ukraine’s] capacity to transfer their food products towards those in need in the world.” “The world must respond. When civilian ports are targeted, when terrorists deliberately…

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by between four per cent and five per cent in the second half of 2023 (2H 2023) and by 4.5 per cent for the full year, said the Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC). Executive director Lee Heng Guie said consumer demand would continue to be the key driver for the economy in the remaining months of this year, although the robust spending observed last year might not repeat. Nevertheless, he noted that the high base effects in 2H 2022 would challenge the GDP performance in 2H 2023, with inflation risks…

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia needs a stronger infrastructure in place in order to mitigate any future crises that may arise and impacting its people and economy, says World Bank country manager for Malaysia, Yasuhiko Matsuda. Matsuda said while the majority of people suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic, smaller businesses and vulnerable households were impacted more, partly because they had little or no access to government assistance. “One main reason was because of the digital divide. Poorer people had no Internet and so they didn’t have the information they needed to apply for these forms of assistance,” he said. He was speaking…

The biggest maritime vessel of the China Coast Guard (CCG) was recently spotted inside the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to a US maritime security expert. Former US Air Force official and ex-Defence Attaché Ray Powell said on Twitter that China’s “monster ship” was seen together with more than 30 Chinese militia vessels at the Ayungin Shoal — well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, according to a report on “24 Oras Weekend.” GMA Integrated News sought comment from the Department of National Defense, the National Security Council, and the Chinese Embassy, but they have yet to issue statements. In…

Swatch has sued the Malaysian government over authorities’ seizure of watches celebrating LGBTQ pride. In a lawsuit filed with the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, the Swiss watchmaker is seeking compensation and the return of 172 watches seized by officials over their alleged “LGBT elements”. Swatch said in the filing that the seizure of the watches, valued at 64,795 ringgit ($14,232), had no legal basis as well as including items that had no connection to LGBTQ activism. “Without a doubt, the seized watches did not and are not in any way capable of causing any disruption to public order or…

Brussels, Frankfurt (15/7 – 56) Bad habits die badly. Three hundred fifty years of Dutch colonial rule, where expatriate European masters professing noble, selfless public service for the Kingdom of the Netherlands were notoriously corrupt; apart from loading up with as much as they could swindle, shake down or steal, why on Earth would any sane Dutchman be adventurous or foolhardy enough to go out to the Indies? The trip out by sailing ship was long and dangerous. Even sailors were in on the game: their coveralls never had pockets, making it difficult to smuggle spices, in an era when…

Tajikistan, a landlocked country in Central Asia, is blessed with abundant renewable energy resources, particularly hydropower. With over 90% of its electricity generation coming from hydropower, the country has the potential to become a significant player in the renewable energy sector. However, the integration of renewable energy into the national grid has been a challenge due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources and the lack of efficient energy storage solutions. In this context, exploring and implementing energy storage solutions is crucial for Tajikistan’s renewable energy integration and sustainable development. Energy storage solutions play a vital role in the…

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has expressed hope that Malaysia and Saudi Arabia will further enhance and strengthen their bilateral relations and unity of the ummah. His Majesty expressed this hope at the hi-tea ceremony hosted by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Mina yesterday. Also in attendance was the Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah. “In the hour-long ceremony, His Majesty exchanged views with Crown Prince Mohammed on various matters, including the bilateral relations that have been closely and specially established between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia,” according…

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan announced their plan Sunday to move thousands of Pakistani refugees away from border provinces amid sustained allegations the displaced population is the source of growing terrorism in neighboring Pakistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief Taliban spokesman, told VOA by phone that the refugees currently reside in Khost, Kunar and some adjoining Afghan border provinces. “The Islamic Emirate plans to relocate them to far-flung provinces (in Afghanistan) to ensure they don’t have access to the (border) lines nor are they involved in attacks or any other acts of violence that happen in Pakistan,” Mujahid said, using the official…

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — There is absolutely no evidence to link the Philippine government with the claims filed by the Sulu group against Malaysia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “Based on our checks so far, there has been no proof of the Philippine government’s involvement with the claims. I have held two rounds of talks with Philippine President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr, and we are definitely concerned about this matter. But it (claims) did not involve the Philippine government. “The Malaysian government is firm in its stance, and they (the Philippines) know that. Bilateral relations remain good…