Vietnam lulus projek kereta api berkelajuan tinggi AS$67 bilion

Vietnam lulus projek kereta api berkelajuan tinggi AS$67 bilion

Bernama

30/11/2024


Projek ini akan membolehkan penumpang melakukan perjalanan dari Hanoi ke Ho Chi Minh City, dengan jarak antara kedua-dua bandar itu melebihi 1,500 kilometer. - Gambar hiasan


HANOI: Badan perundangan tertinggi Vietnam pada Sabtu meluluskan projek kereta api berkelajuan tinggi merentasi negara dengan kos dianggarkan berjumlah AS$67 bilion, lapor Agensi Berita Jerman (dpa).

Projek ini akan membolehkan penumpang melakukan perjalanan dari Hanoi ke Ho Chi Minh City, dengan jarak antara kedua-dua bandar itu melebihi 1,500 kilometer.

Menurut Kementerian Pengangkutan, perjalanan menerusi kereta api baharu yang mampu mencapai kelajuan sehingga 350 kilometer sejam itu akan mengambil masa kira-kira lima jam.

Ia menjadikan perkhidmatan pengangkutan itu alternatif yang kompetitif berbanding penerbangan domestik, bukan sahaja dari segi masa tetapi juga kos.

Menurut rancangan, projek berkelajuan tinggi utara-selatan ini akan melalui 20 bandar dan wilayah.

Pembinaan dijangka bermula pada 2027 dengan fasa pertama melibatkan laluan sepanjang 400 kilometer antara Ho Chi Minh City dan bandar pesisir Nha Trang yang popular dalam kalangan pelancong.

Kereta api ini dijangka mula beroperasi pada 2035.

Menurut kerajaan, sebahagian besar dana untuk projek ini akan diperoleh daripada pembiayaan negara atau pinjaman domestik.

Vietnam turut merancang untuk memulakan kerja-kerja pembinaan laluan rel berkelajuan tinggi yang menghubungkan Hanoi dengan China menjelang 2030.


-- BERNAMA

Pengerusi, CEO Kumpulan Sapura Energy letak jawatan

Pengerusi, CEO Kumpulan Sapura Energy letak jawatan

November 29, 2024

SAPURA Energy



KUALA LUMPUR: Pengerusi Sapura Energy Bhd, Datuk Mohammad Azlan Abdullah dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Kumpulan, Datuk Mohd Anuar Taib akan meletakkan jawatan pada suku keempat tahun kewangan berakhir 31 Januari 2025.

Sapura Energy dalam makluman kepada Bursa Malaysia hari ini berkata Mohammad Azlan akan meletakkan jawatannya sebagai pengerusi kumpulan pada 31 Januari 2025, selepas berkhidmat sejak Mei 2022.

Mohd Anuar pula akan meletakkan jawatannya sebagai CEO kumpulan dan pengarah eksekutif pada 31 Disember 2024, selepas hampir empat tahun memimpin syarikat.

Dalam pada itu, Sapura Energy juga mengumumkan Pengerusi Sementaranya, Shahin Farouque Jammal Ahmad yang akan dilantik semula sebagai pengerusi lembaga manakala CEO SapuraOMV Upstream (SapuraOMV) Muhammad Zamri Jusoh akan mengambil alih jawatan CEO Kumpulan pada 1 Mac 2025.

Shahin Farouque menjadi ahli lembaga pengarah Sapura Energy sejak Disember 2023 dan dilantik sebagai pengerusi sementara pada Jun 2024.

"Beliau kini merupakan Ketua Kumpulan Pelaburan Strategik Permodalan Nasional Bhd dengan pengalaman lebih 20 tahun dalam perbankan pelaburan dan sebelum ini berkhidmat sebagai pengarah eksekutif di bahagian pelaburan Khazanah Nasional Bhd," kata Sapura Energy.

Dalam pada itu, kata Sapura Energy, Muhammad Zamri pula menjadi sebahagian daripada pasukan kepimpinan kumpulan sejak Julai 2019 dan mempunyai lebih 25 tahun pengalaman bersama Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas).

Sementara itu, Sapura Energy berkata Mohammad Azlan selama berkhidmat memainkan peranan penting dalam memudah cara pemulihan dan meningkatkan tadbir urus kumpulan.

"Beliau mengetuai pembentukan dan mengemudi Pasukan Petugas Penstrukturan Semula Lembaga (BRTF) kumpulan yang menyediakan pengawasan dan sokongan kepada pasukan pengurusan dalam melaksanakan Pelan Tetapan Semula Sapura Energy," katanya.

Sapura Energy berkata Mohd Anuar membimbing kumpulan melalui beberapa perubahan penting dan pencapaian utama dalam usaha pemulihan termasuk kemajuan besar dalam pelaksanaan penstrukturan semula hutang.

"Di bawah kepimpinan beliau yang mantap, kumpulan Sapura Energy menunjukkan ketahanan operasi walaupun berdepan cabaran kewangan, mencatatkan pendapatan stabil dan aliran tunai yang bertambah baik," katanya.


– Bernama

Dua beradik maut, seorang cedera insiden tanah runtuh di Kuala Berang

Kabinet setuju hukuman khidmat masyarakat kesalahan buang sampah

122,631 Mangsa Banjir Seluruh Negara

Lelaki Curi Jam Rolex Telah Diberkas

Op Khas Motosikal: 34 Penunggang Positif Dadah, 22,601 Tiada Lesen Memandu

 

Flood: KPKM activates disaster operation room, to assist affected groups

Flood: KPKM activates disaster operation room, to assist affected groups

Bernama

29/11/2024


KPKM said it is always on standby and is ready to mobilise assets to assist in rescue efforts for flood victims if necessary and has obtained permission from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). - BERNAMA/Filepic


PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has activated the KPKM Disaster Operations Room and mobilised operations at all levels to assist farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen affected by floods in several states.

KPKM in a statement today announced that the KPKM Disaster Operations Room at the district and state levels is monitoring the weather conditions, making early announcements to target groups and implementing mitigation plans to reduce losses to the country's agro-food sector when disasters occur.

"The activation of the Disaster Operations Room is in line with the report from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) which predicts the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) on Nov 5, 2024 to March 2025 which expects heavy rain in several states with potential of flooding," said KPKM.

KPKM said it is always on standby and is ready to mobilise assets to assist in rescue efforts for flood victims if necessary and has obtained permission from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).




On Nov 26, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) distributed 60,000 Food Aid Kits for MTL preparations through NADMA.

KPKM also provided post-disaster assistance to affected residents through the Padi Crop Disaster Fund (TBTP) for padi crops and the Agriculture Disaster Fund (TBP) for agro-food activities in an effort to assist farmers, breeders and fishermen who were affected by the disaster and needed immediate assistance.

Meanwhile, the initial report of disaster incidents for the current crop sector cumulatively from Nov 27 to 28 involved 174 farmers with an estimated area of 295.00 hectares of agricultural land and an estimated value of damage of RM837,535, said KPKM.

The public can contact the KPKM Disaster Operations Room at 03-88701663/1664/1491 or email bilikgerakan@kpkm.gov.my for more information.


-- BERNAMA

Banjir: Lebih 100,000 berlindung di PPS, Kelantan catat jumlah tertinggi

Banjir: Lebih 100,000 berlindung di PPS, Kelantan catat jumlah tertinggi

Bernama

29/11/2024

Di Terengganu, Sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri dalam kenyataan memaklumkan bilangan mangsa banjir kini meningkat kepada 24,754 orang malam ini berbanding 22,511 orang petang tadi. - Gambar fail/Bernama


KUALA LUMPUR: Bilangan mangsa di lapan negeri terjejas banjir terus meningkat manakala di Perak tidak berubah dan setakat 8 malam ini, jumlah mangsa berlindung di pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) adalah seramai 106,505 orang.

Di Kelantan, jumlah mangsa banjir mencecah 72,360 orang yang ditempatkan di 261 PPS pada malam ini berbanding 65,993 orang petang tadi.

Menurut Portal Info Bencana Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, daerah Pasir Mas mencatatkan jumlah mangsa tertinggi iaitu 23,680 orang di 58 PPS, diikuti Tumpat (12,888 mangsa, 26 PPS); Kota Bharu (10,095 mangsa, 42 PPS); Kuala Krai (5,606 mangsa, 41 PPS); Tanah Merah (4,727 mangsa, 27 PPS) dan Bachok (3,041 mangsa, 11 PPS).

Turut terkesan Pasir Puteh dengan 7,333 mangsa di 31 PPS, Machang (4,580 mangsa, 21 PPS); Jeli (379 mangsa, tiga PPS) dan Gua Musang (31 mangsa, sebuah PPS).

Portal Jabatan Pengaliran dan Saliran melaporkan beberapa sungai utama di Kelantan mencatatkan bacaan melepasi paras bahaya setakat malam ini, antaranya Sungai Lanas di Jeli dengan bacaan 29.74 meter (m) dan Sungai Kelantan di Tambatan Diraja pada paras 5.53m.

Di Terengganu, Sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri dalam kenyataan memaklumkan bilangan mangsa banjir kini meningkat kepada 24,754 orang malam ini berbanding 22,511 orang petang tadi.

Besut merekodkan seramai 11,842 mangsa yang berlindung di 107 PPS diikuti Setiu (5,141 mangsa, 50 PPS), Hulu Terengganu (4,666 mangsa, 53 PPS), Kemaman (1,455 mangsa, 15 PPS), Dungun (880 mangsa, 21 PPS), Marang (564 mangsa, sembilan PPS) dan Kuala Nerus (206 mangsa, empat PPS).

Dalam pada itu, Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) Terengganu mengeluarkan amaran awal mengenai kenaikan semula aras air, antaranya membabitkan lembangan Sungai Besut; lembangan Sungai Kampung La di Besut dan lembangan Sungai Chalok di Setiu.

Sehubungan itu, kawasan-kawasan rendah dan berhampiran sungai berpotensi kembali dilanda banjir, menurut JPS Terengganu menerusi kenyataan.

Di Kedah, Timbalan Pengarah Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM) Kedah Mejar (PA) Muhammad Suhaimi Mohd Zain berkata setakat 8 malam ini, jumlah mangsa banjir adalah 6,037 orang berbanding 5,701 orang petang tadi, dengan 49 PPS telah beroperasi membabitkan Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Kota Setar, Sik, Pokok Sena dan Kuala Muda.

Di Johor, jumlah mangsa banjir turut merekodkan peningkatan iaitu 305 orang setakat 8 malam ini berbanding 184 orang pada 4 petang tadi dengan enam PPS beroperasi di Segamat dan Tangkak, sementara di MELAKA, jumlah mangsa terus meningkat kepada 167 mangsa pada 8 malam ini daripada 46 keluarga sebelah petang tadi.

Di Selangor, dua PPS di Klang masih beroperasi dengan kenaikan jumlah mangsa yang berlindung di PPS itu seramai 487 orang membabitkan 111 keluarga setakat malam ini, berbanding 312 orang yang melibatkan 77 keluarga petang tadi.

Di Negeri Sembilan, laman sesawang Info Bencana JKM melaporkan mangsa banjir terus meningkat kepada 2,000 orang daripada 544 keluarga yang ditempatkan di 21 PPS membabitkan empat daerah iaitu Kuala Pilah, Tampin, Jempol dan Port Dickson setakat 8 malam ini.

Sementara itu, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun dalam kenyataan berkata pihaknya telah menyelaraskan bantuan untuk seluruh mangsa banjir bersama agensi terlibat selain menasihatkan agar tidak kembali ke rumah selagi belum mendapat makluman pihak berkuasa.

Di Perlis, mangsa banjir meningkat kepada 496 orang daripada 144 keluarga setakat 8 malam ini, berbanding 485 orang daripada 143 keluarga petang tadi dengan kesemua mereka ditempatkan di empat PPS membabitkan daerah Arau, Padang Besar dan Kangar.

Situasi banjir di Perak pula tidak menunjukkan sebarang perubahan sejak 4 petang tadi apabila jumlah mangsa kekal seramai 20 orang melibatkan tujuh keluarga yang ditempatkan di PPS Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Parit Haji Aman, Kerian, setakat 8 malam ini.

Sementara itu, laporan terkini kejadian bencana di seluruh negara yang dikeluarkan oleh Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara malam ini memaklumkan tiga kematian dilaporkan setakat ini dengan dua daripadanya di Kelantan iaitu di Pasir Puteh dan Machang manakala satu lagi di Besut, Terengganu.


-- BERNAMA

Banjir Kelantan: Sembilan balai polis terjejas - Ahmad Zahid

Banjir Kelantan: Sembilan balai polis terjejas - Ahmad Zahid

Bernama

29/11/2024


Keadaan Balai Polis Rantau Panjang yang dinaiki air. - Gambar/ IPD Rantau Panjang


KOTA BAHRU: Tahap keselamatan di Kelantan tidak terkesan dan tetap diutamakan meskipun sembilan balai polis di Pasir Mas dan Tumpat terjejas akibat banjir, kata Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Beliau berkata kesemua pegawai dan anggota polis terlibat telah dipindahkan ke kawasan yang lebih memerlukan khidmat mereka.

"Peranan anggota berkenaan akan digantikan dengan penugasan Pasukan Gerakan Am (PGA) Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) dan pasukan tentera di negeri ini," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas melawat mangsa banjir di Pusat Pemindahan Sementara (PPS) Sekolah Kebangsaan Tapang, di sini, hari ini.

Turut hadir Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.

"Kita juga telah menggerakkan aset antaranya trak-trak tentera dengan kapasiti berat tanpa muatan tiga tan dan lima tan dan kita sedang atur gerak trak yang lebih besar dengan kapasiti tujuh tan.

"Kita turut memobilisasikan aset kendalian PDRM, bomba dan Angkatan Pertahanan Awam malah persatuan nelayan juga telah menawarkan khidmat untuk mengatur gerak bot nelayan bagi kawasan pedalaman," katanya yang tiba di PPS itu pada 4.30 petang.

Beliau berkata bagi kawasan Rantau Panjang yang teruk dilanda banjir tahun ini, perbincangan telah diadakan dengan Ahli Parlimen Tanah Merah Datuk Seri Ikhmal Hisham Abdul Aziz bagi koordinasi aset dan bantuan termasuk oleh sukarelawan.

"Jajahan yang paling ramai mangsa setakat ini ialah Pasir Mas iaitu lokasi terletaknya Rantau Panjang, diikuti Tumpat dan Kota Bharu.

"Nasihat saya selain bersabar, kita memohon kepada Allah agar semua urusan dipermudahkan dan insya-Allah bantuan tetap akan sampai ke kawasan-kawasan yang terpencil sekali pun," katanya.

Ahmad Zahid seterusnya meluangkan masa kira-kira 10 minit melawat 333 mangsa banjir yang ditempatkan di PPS Sekolah Kebangsaan Sering, di sini, hari ini.

Kedatangan beliau disambut mesra penduduk yang kebanyakannya tidak menyangka akan menerima kunjungan pemimpin utama negara itu.

Selain mendengar taklimat ringkas daripada petugas di PPS, Ahmad Zahid yang juga Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Pusat turut beramah mesra dan bertanya khabar beberapa mangsa banjir

Che Meshah Isa, 68, antara yang disapa TPM meluahkan rasa syukur dan gembira dapat bertemu dan beramah mesra dengan beliau.

"Alhamdulillah, TPM sempat singgah di khemah saya bertanyakan khabar tentang kesihatan dan makan minum saya di PPS ini. Biasanya tengok TPM kat televisyen, rasa macam tidak percaya dapat bercakap dan bersemuka dengan beliau hari ini," katanya.


- BERNAMA

Lebih 400 kucing jalanan mungkin mati, pusat jagaan dinaiki air lebih tiga meter

Lebih 400 kucing jalanan mungkin mati, pusat jagaan dinaiki air lebih tiga meter

BERNAMA

29-11- 2024



KOTA BHARU: Pengusaha pusat jagaan kucing di Kampung Kubang Terap, Pasir Mas bimbang dengan keadaan lebih 400 kucing jalanan yang dijaga di pusat itu, selepas beliau bersama petugasnya sudah dua hari tidak dapat menjenguk keadaan kucing berkenaan disebabkan banjir.

Aelyusmida Awang, 27, berkata sudah dua hari beliau dan petugas lain tidak dapat mengunjungi pusat jagaan itu kerana masing-masing turut menjadi mangsa banjir, dan bangunan pusat jagaan itu pula dinaiki air lebih dua meter.

“Dua hari lepas paras air dalam bangunan sudah sampai ke dada. Oleh kerana paras air semakin meningkat dan bimbang keselamatan kucing, kami telah pecahkan sebahagian siling bangunan supaya kucing dapat berlindung di bahagian itu,“ katanya kepada Bernama hari ini.

Beliau berkata mereka tidak dapat memindahkan semua kucing kerana ketika itu paras air naik dengan cepat dan mereka perlu segera keluar dari kawasan itu, namun mereka sempat membekalkan makanan kepada kucing berkenaan, bagaimanapun selepas dua hari makananan itu mungkin sudah habis.

“Kami merancang untuk ke sana hari ini bagi memecahkan bumbung bangunan supaya kucing dapat naik ke tempat lebih tinggi, tetapi dimaklumkan laluan masuk ke pusat jagaan dinaiki air dan hanya boleh dilalui dengan menggunakan bot,“ katanya.

Aelyusmida berkata pusat jagaan kucing itu dibuka pada bulan Februari lepas menempatkan lebih 400 kucing jalanan yang ditangkap pihak berkuasa tempatan sekitar Pasir Mas, dan bagi menjaga kebajikan haiwan itu beliau bersama lima rakannya yang lain memutuskan untuk mewujudkan pusat jagaan berkenaan di atas sebidang tanah wakaf.

“Kita harap ada yang tampil membantu menyelamatkan kucing-kucing ini kerana jika banjir makin serius kemungkinan kucing itu akan dihanyutkan arus, atau mati,“ katanya.

Bekas jurujual didakwa pecah amanah barang kemas lebih RM200,000

Bekas jurujual didakwa pecah amanah barang kemas lebih RM200,000

Bernama

29/11/2024


A. Mitra Tarannia, 21, didakwa melakukan pecah amanah ke atas barang kemas bernilai RM230,264 milik sebuah kedai emas di Jalan Masjid India. - Gambar hiasan



KUALA LUMPUR: Seorang bekas jurujual kedai emas mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen di sini hari ini atas pertuduhan pecah amanah barang kemas bernilai lebih RM200,000.

A. Mitra Tarannia, 21, didakwa melakukan pecah amanah ke atas barang kemas bernilai RM230,264 milik sebuah kedai emas di Jalan Masjid India di sini antara Februari dan Julai lepas.

Wanita itu dituduh mengikut Seksyen 408 Kanun Keseksaan yang memperuntukkan hukuman penjara minimum setahun dan maksimum 14 tahun dan sebat dan boleh didenda, jika sabit kesalahan.

Timbalan Pendakwa Raya M. Saravanan mencadangkan jaminan RM60,000 dengan seorang penjamin serta syarat tambahan tertuduh perlu melapor diri di balai polis berhampiran sebulan sekali sehingga kes selesai dan tidak mengganggu saksi.

Peguam Gursharon Kaur, yang mewakili tertuduh memohon jaminan rendah atas alasan anak guamnya kini bekerja sebagai pekerja stor sebuah kedai serbaneka dan mempunyai tanggungan keluarga.

Hakim Azrul Darus membenarkan tertuduh diikat jamin RM40,000 dengan seorang penjamin serta syarat tambahan perlu melapor diri di balai polis berhampiran sebulan sekali dan menetapkan 8 Jan depan bagi sebutan kes.


-- BERNAMA

Fitnah: Dr Maza saman GISB, tuntut ganti rugi RM10 juta

Fitnah: Dr Maza saman GISB, tuntut ganti rugi RM10 juta

Bernama

29/11/2024


Mohd Asri mendakwa GISB telah menerbitkan pernyataan fitnah terhadap beliau melalui satu hantaran yang dibuat di akaun Facebook rasminya.



KUALA LUMPUR: Mufti Perlis Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin memfailkan saman RM10 juta terhadap GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB) atas dakwaan memfitnahnya dalam satu sidang media pada Ogos lepas.

Ringkasan AI

Saman Fitnah RM10 Juta: Mufti Perlis, Datuk Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, memfailkan saman RM10 juta terhadap GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd atas dakwaan memfitnahnya dalam sidang media dan di media sosial.

Tuntutan Permohonan Maaf: Mohd Asri menuntut GISB untuk memohon maaf secara terbuka dalam tempoh 14 hari dan menerbitkan permohonan maaf tersebut di pelbagai media.

Pemadaman Pernyataan Fitnah: Mohd Asri juga memohon agar GISB memadam semua pernyataan fitnah dari laman sesawang dan media sosial mereka.

Dalam pernyataan tuntutan yang diperoleh media hari ini, Mohd Asri mendakwa defendan pertama (GISB) telah menerbitkan pernyataan fitnah terhadap beliau melalui satu hantaran yang dibuat di akaun Facebook rasmi defendan pertama atas nama "GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd" beserta sebuah poster untuk tontonan umum.

Plaintif mendakwa sidang media yang diadakan pada 29 Ogos lepas antara lain membawa maksud bahawa plaintif telah memfitnah GISB dan menyebarkan pernyataan palsu selain menimbulkan persepsi buruk mengenai syarikat berkenaan.

Selain itu Mohd Asri juga mendakwa defendan pertama telah memfitnahnya dengan menghantar satu notis tuntutan bertarikh 24 Ogos lepas, menuntut beliau mengemukakan permohonan maaf dalam tempoh tujuh hari bagi membersihkan nama GISB.

Plaintif mendakwa notis tuntutan itu antaranya membawa maksud beliau telah menuduh defendan pertama tanpa usul periksa dan membuat dakwaan palsu terhadap GISB.




Beliau berkata hantaran-hantaran fitnah itu telah mengaibkan, menjatuhkan maruah dan imej beliau sebagai seorang mufti, ahli akademik serta pendakwah di Malaysia, dan beliau memohon defendan membayar ganti rugi teruk dan ganti rugi teladan sebanyak RM10 juta, ganti rugi am, kos, faedah di samping ganti rugi lain yang difikirkan sesuai oleh mahkamah.

Mohd Asri juga memohon supaya defendan membuat draf permohonan maaf kepadanya dalam tempoh 14 hari dari tarikh penghakiman dan menerbitkan draf terbabit antaranya dalam akhbar Utusan Malaysia, Sinar Harian, Berita Harian, News Straits Times dan Facebook defendan secara bertulis selama 30 hari.

Beliau turut memohon defendan memadam pernyataan-pernyataan fitnah itu daripada semua laman sesawang dan media sosial termasuk Facebook, Twitter, Blogspot, TikTok dan Instagram di bawah kawalan defendan.

Pada 10 Okt lepas, Mohd Asri menyaman seorang pemilik akaun Facebook atas dakwaan menerbitkan beberapa pernyataan fitnah yang mengaitkannya dengan GISB.


-- BERNAMA

Paus Orca guna teknik buruan baharu bunuh jerung paus, kata saintis

Paus Orca guna teknik buruan baharu bunuh jerung paus, kata saintis

Bernama

29/11/2024


Erick Higuera Rivas menjelaskan, Orca menggunakan teknik pemburuan kerjasama canggih, dengan khusus menyasarkan bahagian pelvik jerung paus. - Gambar Adobe Stock Image


MEXICO CITY: Sekumpulan paus pembunuh atau Orca di perairan Mexico mungkin mengembangkan teknik pemburuan baharu untuk memburu jerung paus, ikan terbesar di dunia, lapor agensi berita Jerman (dpa) berdasarkan kajian yang diterbitkan dalam Frontiers in Marine Science pada Jumaat.

Ahli biologi marin Erick Higuera Rivas, penulis utama kajian itu menjelaskan dalam satu kenyataan, Orca menggunakan teknik pemburuan kerjasama canggih, dengan khusus menyasarkan bahagian pelvik jerung paus.

Taktik ini menyebabkan jerung mengalami pendarahan sekali gus membolehkan orca mendapatkan akses kepada hati jerung yang kaya dengan nutrien, katanya.

Ini merupakan kali pertama serangan seperti itu didokumenkan secara terperinci.

Jerung paus atau Rhincodon typus, boleh membesar sehingga 20 meter panjang dan seberat 34 tan. Ia mampu hidup sehingga 100 tahun.

Menurut yayasan alam sekitar WWF, kulit tebal jerung paus, yang boleh mencapai sehingga 15 sentimeter, berkemungkinan merupakan yang paling tebal antara semua makhluk hidup.

Jerung paus yang lebih muda dan kecil, biasanya sepanjang tiga hingga tujuh meter, sering ditemukan di perairan Mexico dan kadangkala menjadi mangsa orca.

Para penyelidik meneliti empat serangan antara 2018 hingga 2024 di pelbagai lokasi di Teluk California, dengan mengenal pasti orca secara individu melalui sirip dorsal dan parut mereka. Seekor orca yang dinamakan Moctezuma, sempena nama pemerintah Aztec, terlibat dalam tiga daripada serangan itu.


-- BERNAMA

Paus Orca guna teknik buruan baharu bunuh jerung paus, kata saintis

Paus Orca guna teknik buruan baharu bunuh jerung paus, kata saintis

Bernama

29/11/2024


Erick Higuera Rivas menjelaskan, Orca menggunakan teknik pemburuan kerjasama canggih, dengan khusus menyasarkan bahagian pelvik jerung paus. - Gambar Adobe Stock Image


MEXICO CITY: Sekumpulan paus pembunuh atau Orca di perairan Mexico mungkin mengembangkan teknik pemburuan baharu untuk memburu jerung paus, ikan terbesar di dunia, lapor agensi berita Jerman (dpa) berdasarkan kajian yang diterbitkan dalam Frontiers in Marine Science pada Jumaat.

Ahli biologi marin Erick Higuera Rivas, penulis utama kajian itu menjelaskan dalam satu kenyataan, Orca menggunakan teknik pemburuan kerjasama canggih, dengan khusus menyasarkan bahagian pelvik jerung paus.

Taktik ini menyebabkan jerung mengalami pendarahan sekali gus membolehkan orca mendapatkan akses kepada hati jerung yang kaya dengan nutrien, katanya.

Ini merupakan kali pertama serangan seperti itu didokumenkan secara terperinci.

Jerung paus atau Rhincodon typus, boleh membesar sehingga 20 meter panjang dan seberat 34 tan. Ia mampu hidup sehingga 100 tahun.

Menurut yayasan alam sekitar WWF, kulit tebal jerung paus, yang boleh mencapai sehingga 15 sentimeter, berkemungkinan merupakan yang paling tebal antara semua makhluk hidup.

Jerung paus yang lebih muda dan kecil, biasanya sepanjang tiga hingga tujuh meter, sering ditemukan di perairan Mexico dan kadangkala menjadi mangsa orca.

Para penyelidik meneliti empat serangan antara 2018 hingga 2024 di pelbagai lokasi di Teluk California, dengan mengenal pasti orca secara individu melalui sirip dorsal dan parut mereka. Seekor orca yang dinamakan Moctezuma, sempena nama pemerintah Aztec, terlibat dalam tiga daripada serangan itu.


-- BERNAMA

Polis tahan lelaki terlibat kemalangan kereta yang tular di laman sosial

Polis tahan lelaki terlibat kemalangan kereta yang tular di laman sosial

Bernama

29/11/2024


Mohd Naim berkata kedua-dua pemandu terbabit tidak mengalami kecederaan tetapi hanya kerosakan pada kenderaan dan hasil siasatan lanjut pihak polis mendapati tempat kejadian tiada CCTV. - Gambar Bernama



IPOH: Seorang lelaki disyaki terbabit dalam kemalangan melibatkan dua kereta di Taman Sungkai Perdana, Sungkai, yang tular di laman sosial baru-baru ini telah ditahan polis hari ini.

Ketua Polis Daerah Tapah Supt Mohd Naim Asnawi berkata pihaknya menerima laporan polis daripada pengadu iaitu wanita berusia 23 tahun pada kira-kira 3 petang 25 Nov lepas berkaitan kemalangan tersebut.

Beliau berkata siasatan awal mendapati kemalangan berlaku 1.28 tengah hari pada hari yang sama membabitkan kereta jenis Perodua Axia yang dipandu pengadu dan kereta jenis Perodua Aruz dipandu suspek berusia 47 tahun.

"Kemalangan berlaku semasa pengadu memandu dari rumahnya ke sebuah premis di sekitar Taman Sungkai Perdana untuk membeli makanan .

"Apabila sampai di tempat kejadian, kenderaan dipandu lelaki itu tiba-tiba telah masuk ke laluan pengadu dan melanggar bahagian hadapan Perodua Axia," katanya dalam kenyataan malam ini.

Mohd Naim berkata kedua-dua pemandu terbabit tidak mengalami kecederaan tetapi hanya kerosakan pada kenderaan dan hasil siasatan lanjut pihak polis mendapati tempat kejadian tiada kamera litar tertutup (CCTV).

Beliau berkata Bahagian Cawangan Trafik Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Tapah telah mengesan dan membuat tangkapan terhadap suspek di Taman Bernam Jaya, Hulu Bernam, Selangor kira-kira 1 tengah hari tadi.

"Punca kemalangan masih dalam siasatan dan orang ramai dinasihatkan agar tidak membuat sebarang spekulasi berkaitan kejadian tersebut," katanya menambah kes disiasat di bawah Seksyen 42 (1) Akta Pegangkutan Jalan 1987.

Justeru, beliau berkata orang ramai yang mempunyai maklumat mengenai kejadian itu diminta tampil untuk membantu siasatan dengan menghubungi Penolong Pegawai Penyiasat Trafik IPD Tapah Sjn Sadri Omar di talian 016-9266800.


-- BERNAMA

Isu papan tanda: Penguatkuasaan dilaksana untuk pastikan peraturan dipatuhi - Dr Zaliha

Isu papan tanda: Penguatkuasaan dilaksana untuk pastikan peraturan dipatuhi - Dr Zaliha

Bernama

30/11/2024


Dr Zaliha menyeru semua pihak termasuk ahli politik agar menghentikan polemik tindakan penguatkuasaan DBKL. - Foto fail/Facebook/Dr Zaliha


PUTRAJAYA: Tindakan penguatkuasaan terhadap papan tanda premis perniagaan yang tidak menepati undang-undang dibuat bukan atas desakan mana-mana pihak atau individu tetapi atas dasar memastikan peraturan yang berkuat kuasa dipatuhi.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Wilayah Persekutuan) Dr Zaliha Mustafa berkata Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) melalui Undang-Undang Kecil Iklan (Wilayah Persekutuan) 1982, Akta Kerajaan Tempatan 1976 menetapkan penggunaan bahasa kebangsaan perlu diutamakan pada papan tanda premis.

Beliau berkata huruf dan perkataan dalam bahasa kebangsaan hendaklah diberi keutamaan dengan saiz yang lebih besar daripada huruf atau tulisan perkataan dalam bahasa lain.

"Kesemua papan tanda tersebut juga perlu mendapatkan pengesahan visual daripada Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) terlebih dahulu sebagai dokumen wajib untuk memohon kelulusan DBKL," katanya dalam kenyataan pada Jumaat.

Beliau berkata Malaysia mengamalkan prinsip kedaulatan undang-undang iaitu undang-undang dan peraturan yang dikuat kuasa adalah untuk memastikan keadilan serta keharmonian dalam masyarakat terjamin.

"Justeru, semua pihak, tanpa mengira latar belakang perlu mematuhi undang-undang dan peraturan tersebut," katanya.

Dr Zaliha turut menegaskan tindakan penguatkuasaan oleh DBKL dalam pengetahuannya selaku menteri yang bertanggungjawab terhadap Wilayah Persekutuan.

Beliau berkata keputusan ini turut konsisten dengan pendekatan yang telah diambil sejak isu Jalan Silang sebagai 'Mini Dhaka' berbangkit lagi.

Setakat ini, beliau berkata 13 operasi telah dilaksanakan dengan 264 notis dikeluarkan dan 36 premis diambil tindakan berhubung isu papan tanda premis.

Beliau berkata antara kesalahan yang dikenakan tindakan ialah penggunaan papan tanda tidak mendapat permit daripada DBKL atau papan tanda dipaparkan tidak mengikut kelulusan permit yang diberikan.

"Notis juga telah diberikan dalam tempoh yang munasabah kepada pemilik premis untuk mengambil tindakan sebelum penguatkuasaan dibuat.

"Ingin ditegaskan bahawa penguatkuasaan ini adalah tugasan rutin DBKL yang sepatutnya telah dilaksanakan sejak dahulu lagi," katanya.

Sehubungan itu, Dr Zaliha menyeru semua pihak termasuk ahli politik agar menghentikan polemik tindakan penguatkuasaan DBKL.

"Kita mempunyai banyak agenda penting untuk diberi perhatian dan bermain dengan sentimen perkauman seperti ini hanya akan mewujudkan polarisasi yang memecahbelahkan rakyat," katanya.

Menjelang Kepengerusian ASEAN 2025 dan Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2026, beliau mengajak semua pihak bersama-sama mengangkat martabat bahasa kebangsaan sebagai imej negara.

"Kuala Lumpur sebagai pintu masuk utama negara seharusnya mencerminkan identiti nasional yang menonojolkan bahasa kebangsaan kita dengan jelas dan bangga," katanya.

Sebelum ini, sebuah media dalam talian melaporkan Persatuan Restoran Cina Malaysia mendakwa perniagaan mereka menghadapi peningkatan kos operasi berikutan tindakan keras berhubung papan tanda oleh DBKL.


-- BERNAMA

Flood: Youth ties drums to bed to keep ailing father afloat

Flood: Youth ties drums to bed to keep ailing father afloat

Bernama

29/11/2024


Zainab@Halimah Ismail, 77, cares for her husband, Che Noh Che Hassan, 79, who is bedridden on a bed floating with the help of drum barrels to ensure his comfort as their home is flooded in Kampung Chapu. - BERNAMA


KUALA BERANG: A young man in Kampung Chapu here got creative by tying three metal drums to the bottom of his bedridden father's adjustable bed, to provide comfort to the elderly man when their house is flooded.

Zulkifli Che Noh, 37, said the idea to tie the drums using ropes was a suggestion from the villagers after his father Che Noh Che Hassan, 79, was unable to get up or sit up since the beginning of this year due to a neurological disease.

"My father has had neurological disease for 20 years but he has been bedridden for the past 10 years. Before that, he could still sit on a chair for a few minutes. But this year, my father could no longer sit on a chair and could only lie on the bed.

"Previously, when the house was flooded, my father would sit on a chair with a handle and I, along with the villagers, would lift my father with the chair to go up to the attic of the house. So this year, I thought of a way so that we would no longer have to lift my father up to the attic," he said when contacted by Bernama.

The private sector worker said that since last week he had been trying various methods of arranging the drums at the bottom of the bed to enable Che Noh's bed to float on water and easily turn towards the kiblat when his father wanted to pray.

His efforts bore fruit when the bed, which was tied together with three metal drums, was successfully floated even though the water rose into his house up to thigh level on Wednesday afternoon.

He said that because of this, his father no longer needed to be lifted to the attic or moved to the Temporary Relief Centre (PPS) even though the house was flooded.

"All this time, my father usually only stayed in the attic of the house during floods because he was not comfortable staying in the PPS due to his health condition. So my mother (Zainab@Halimah Ismail, 77) and other siblings took turns taking care of my father at home during this flood while other family members are at the PPS," he said.

However, he said that if the flood situation worsens and he is ordered to move to PPS, his family will try their best to persuade and bring his father to PPS.

He added that his home is flooded every year during the monsoon season due to its location near a river and he has also been familiar with the disaster since he was a child.


-- BERNAMA

Floods: No evacuation of victims in Sepang district, JBPM monitoring hotspots

Floods: No evacuation of victims in Sepang district, JBPM monitoring hotspots

Bernama

29/11/2024


KLIA Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief, TpgB II Razif Mohmad Haris said his department received several calls this morning but no evacuations were carried out after an assessment was made. - Bomba



SEPANG: The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) continues to monitor several flood hotspot locations around Dengkil, Sepang and KLIA.

KLIA Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief, TpgB II Razif Mohmad Haris said his department received several calls this morning but no evacuations were carried out after an assessment was made.

"We received a report from Kampung Giching that the water was rising but after the fire department monitored it, there was no need to evacuate because the water was ankle deep.

"The rain has stopped and the water is also starting to subside. This reduces the risk of flooding. However, the fire department will continue to monitor and be on standby for any eventuality," he said when contacted here today.

Meanwhile, the operator of Riverview Homestay in Dengkil, Datuk Ja'apar Mansor said the situation in the area was still safe despite the rising water.

"There are currently no evacuations but it is quite worrying because the water is constantly rising due to continuous rain since yesterday. But the rain has started to ease and everything is being made easier," he said.

The heavy rain since yesterday has caused water to rise in several areas and several roads in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi-Kota Warisan had to be closed.


-- BERNAMA

Unreasonable for Syed Saddiq to claim ignorance over withdrawal of RM1 mil from Armada account

Unreasonable for Syed Saddiq to claim ignorance over withdrawal of RM1 mil from Armada account

Bernama

29/11/2024


Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid says the Muar MP's testimony that he had no knowledge of the storage or use of the funds defied logic. - Astro AWANI/SHAHIR OMAR



KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court found it unreasonable for Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, as a political youth wing leader at the time, to claim ignorance of the withdrawal of RM1 million from the Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) party account.

Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid said the Muar MP's testimony that he had no knowledge of the storage or use of the funds defied logic.

"The court views the accused's actions as Armada chief and trustee of the Armada account in directing the cash withdrawal of RM1 million without the approval of Bersatu's Supreme Council as a breach of trust," he stated in a written judgment dated Nov 28, obtained by the media today.

Furthermore, the judge said there was no evidence presented by the accused to show that funds raised during a dinner event were meant to reimburse his expenditures, instead of being used to fund his election campaign.

"The chronology and relevant dates indicate that the transfer of funds from the Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise (ABBE) account to the accused's personal Maybank account occurred before the election, while the transfer to his Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) account happened a month after the election," the judge added.

Azhar said bank statements submitted did not show any withdrawals that could be considered election campaign expenses.

"Thus, the claim that the accused spent his own money is unsupported by evidence. Without any proof, the assertion that the funds were meant to reimburse his expenditure is baseless," the judge said.

Regarding the sentence of seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and a RM10 million fine imposed on Syed Saddiq, 31, Judge Azhar opined that the punishment was fair and proportionate, considering this was his first offence.

"As a Member of Parliament and a youth icon, the accused should be held to a higher standard and set a positive example for the younger generation while fulfilling his responsibilities as the elected representative for Muar in championing their rights.

"Additionally, the court considered his young age, which leaves ample time for him to recognise and rectify his mistakes, and to learn from this experience," he said.

On Nov 9, 2023, Judge Azhar sentenced Syed Saddiq to seven years in prison, two strokes of the cane, and a RM10 million fine after finding him guilty of four charges related to Armada funds at the end of the defence case.

The court allowed Syed Saddiq's application to stay all sentences pending his appeal, which is scheduled for mention in the Court of Appeal on Jan 16.

Syed Saddiq was charged with abetting the then Armada assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali in criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million of Armada funds at CIMB Bank Berhad, Menara CIMB KL Sentral, Jalan Sentral 2 here, on March 6, 2020.

For the second charge, he was accused of misusing RM120,000 from ABBE's Maybank Islamic Berhad account by instructing Rafiq Hakim to dispose of the funds at Malayan Banking Berhad, Taman Pandan Jaya here, between April 8 and 21, 2018.

Syed Saddiq also faced two money laundering charges for transferring RM50,000 each from his Maybank Islamic Berhad account to his ASB account, funds believed to be proceeds of illegal activities, at a bank in Jalan Persisiran Perling, Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, on June 16 and 19, 2018.


-- BERNAMA

Big tech says Australia "rushed" social media ban for youths under 16

Big tech says Australia "rushed" social media ban for youths under 16

Reuters

29/11/2024


The law forces tech giants from Instagram and Facebook owner Meta to TikTok to stop minors logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million). - UNSPLASH



SYDNEY: Big Tech corporations on Friday hit out at a landmark Australian law that bans youths under the age of 16 from accessing social media, saying the law was "rushed" through parliament.

AI Brief

Australia passed a law banning minors from using platforms like TikTok and Meta, with fines up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance.

Companies like TikTok and Meta warn of unintended consequences, citing unclear enforcement methods and insufficient consultation.

A trial to test enforcement methods begins in January 2024, with the full ban set for November 2025.

Australia approved the social media ban for children late on Thursday. The law forces tech giants from Instagram and Facebook owner Meta to TikTok to stop minors logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million).

TikTok, the hugely popular platform where teen users upload and share videos, said in a statement to Reuters on Friday that it was likely the ban could see young people pushed to darker corners of the internet.

"Moving forward, it's critical that the Australian government works closely with industry to fix issues created by this rushed process. We want to work together to keep teens safe and reduce the unintended consequences of this law for all Australians," it said.

The government had warned Big Tech of its plans for months, and first announced the ban after a parliamentary inquiry earlier this year that heard testimony from parents of children who had self-harmed due to cyber bullying.

Albanese's Labor party, which does not control the Senate, won crucial support from the opposition conservatives for the bill, allowing it to progress quickly.

The bill was introduced into parliament last Thursday and sent to a select committee on Friday where interested parties had 24 hours to make a submission. The legislation was passed on Thursday as part of 31 bills that were pushed through in a chaotic final day of parliament for the year.

Meta criticised the law saying it was a "predetermined process".

"Last week, the parliament’s own committee said the ‘causal link with social media appears unclear,’ with respect to the mental health of young Australians, whereas this week the rushed Senate Committee report pronounced that social media caused harm," it said in a statement in the early hours of Friday.

Snapchat parent Snap SNAP.N said it leaves many questions unanswered.

Australia has been at loggerheads with the mostly U.S.-domiciled tech giants for years. It was the first country to make social media platforms pay media outlets royalties for sharing their content and earlier this year said it plans to threaten them with fines for failing to stamp out scams.

Sunita Bose, managing director of Digital Industry Group, which has most social media companies as members, said no one can confidently explain how the law will work in practice.

"The community and platforms are in the dark about what exactly is required of them," she said.

A trial of methods to enforce it will start in January with the ban to take effect by Nov. 2025.

Flood situation continues to worsen, victims exceed 120,000

Flood situation continues to worsen, victims exceed 120,000

Astro Awani

30/11/2024


The flood situation across the country continues to worsen, with the number of victims in nine states reaching 120,272 people from 36,212 families as of 7.30 a.m. today. File pic by BERNAMA


KUALA LUMPUR : The flood situation across the country continues to worsen, with the number of victims in nine states reaching 120,272 people from 36,212 families as of 7.30 a.m. today.

All flood victims are currently housed in 700 temporary evacuation centers (PPS) nationwide.

According to the InfoBencana portal by the Social Welfare Department (JKM), the majority of victims are recorded in Kelantan, with 80,735 people from 24,961 families sheltered at 279 PPS across 10 districts.

The affected districts in Kelantan are Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai, Bachok, Kota Bharu, Machang, Jeli, and Gua Musang.

In Terengganu, the number of flood victims has also risen to 31,183 from 8,752 families across 324 PPS in eight districts: Setiu, Besut, Hulu Terengganu, Kemaman, Dungun, Kuala Terengganu, Marang, and Kuala Nerus.

Meanwhile, in Kedah, 4,562 victims from 1,434 families are housed in 51 PPS across six districts: Kubang Pasu, Sik, Kota Setar, Padang Terap, Kuala Muda, and Pokok Sena.

The number of victims in Negeri Sembilan now stands at 2,247 people from 632 families across four districts, sheltered in 24 PPS in Tampin, Kuala Pilah, Jempol, and Port Dickson.

In Perlis, 488 victims from 145 families across three districts are taking refuge in four PPS in Arau, Kangar, and Padang Besar.

In Selangor, the number of flood victims is 473 people from 119 families, with two PPS opened in Klang.

In Melaka, the number of victims has risen to 228 people from 61 families, sheltered in six PPS in three districts: Jasin, Alor Gajah, and Melaka Tengah.

The number of victims in Perak remains at 20 people from seven families housed in one PPS in Kerian district.

Meanwhile, in Johor, the number of victims has increased to 336 people from 101 families housed in nine PPS in two districts: Tangkak and Segamat.

Calon SPM terjejas banjir boleh duduki mana-mana pusat peperiksaan - Fadhlina

Calon SPM terjejas banjir boleh duduki mana-mana pusat peperiksaan - Fadhlina

Bernama

29/11/2024


Fadhlina bertanyakan khabar kepada mangsa banjir yang ditempatkan di PPS Sekolah Kebangsaan Demit hari ini. - Gambar Bernama


KOTA BHARU: Calon Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) yang sekolah mereka terjejas akibat banjir boleh menduduki mana-mana pusat peperiksaan yang ditetapkan, kata Menteri Pendidikan Fadhlina Sidek.

Beliau berkata peperiksaan tetap berjalan seperti biasa termasuk di negeri terjejas bencana itu bagi mengelakkan keciciran dalam kalangan calon SPM.

"Kementerian saya telah mempersiapkan pusat-pusat peperiksaan SPM supaya mereka mempunyai keupayaan menerima calon luar dari daerah mereka dalam situasi kecemasan akibat bencana banjir.

"Kalau sesebuah sekolah itu terjejas, mereka boleh mengambil peperiksaan di mana-mana pusat peperiksaan yang lain," katanya kepada pemberita selepas melawat mangsa banjir di Pusat Pemindahan Sementara Sekolah Kebangsaan Demit di sini hari ini.

Fadhlina berkata Kementerian Pendidikan bersedia daripada pelbagai aspek dan telah mengambil langkah drastik memastikan semua calon menduduki peperiksaan SPM sekiranya sekolah mereka terjejas.

Leave for all Cabinet ministers frozen - PM Anwar

Polis terima laporan kejadian kucing dibunuh dengan kejam

Polis terima laporan kejadian kucing dibunuh dengan kejam

Bernama

29/11/2024


Setakat ini dua keterangan telah dirakam dan kes diklasifikasikan di bawah Seksyen 428 Kanun Keseksaan kerana melakukan khianat dan membunuh haiwan.


KUALA LUMPUR: Polis telah menerima laporan mengenai penemuan tiga ekor kucing yang mati dengan keadaan kepalanya berlumuran darah di kediaman pelajar sebuah universiti swasta di Setapak, di sini, semalam.

Ketua Polis Daerah Wangsa Maju ACP Mohamad Lazim Ismail berkata kejadian dipercayai berlaku pada 17 Nov lepas di tangga kawasan kediaman itu, apabila pelajar yang menemukan kucing itu melaporkannya kepada pengawal keselamatan.

"Setakat ini dua keterangan telah dirakam dan kes diklasifikasikan di bawah Seksyen 428 Kanun Keseksaan kerana melakukan khianat dan membunuh haiwan. Kes masih dalam siasatan," katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini.

Pada 17 Nov lepas, tular satu video di media sosial menunjukkan tiga ekor kucing berlumuran darah di bahagian kepala dipercayai telah dibunuh dengan kejam.



-- BERNAMA

Lebih 60 perniagaan, usahawan Bumiputera terima pengiktirafan BBEA 2024

Lebih 60 perniagaan, usahawan Bumiputera terima pengiktirafan BBEA 2024

Bernama

29/11/2024


Platform seperti BBEA mengiktiraf dan memperkasakan usahawan Bumiputera untuk membina keyakinan, kredibiliti, dan rangkaian yang kukuh bersama rakan-rakan industri. - Foto BBEA awards 2024


KUALA LUMPUR: Lebih 60 usahawan dan pemimpin korporat daripada pelbagai industri diberi penghormatan atas sumbangan yang cemerlang dalam inovasi dan pertumbuhan ekonomi menerusi Anugerah Kecemerlangan Perniagaan Bumiputera (BBEA) 2024.

Dalam satu kenyataan, Pengerusi BBEA Datuk Muhamad Iqbal Mohamad menekankan program itu berdiri sebagai sistem sokongan penting untuk keusahawanan Bumiputera.

"Kami membayangkan BBEA sebagai platform yang bukan sahaja meraikan kejayaan perniagaan Bumiputera tetapi juga memperkasakan dan menginspirasi mereka untuk mencapai kejayaan yang lebih tinggi," katanya.

Pada tahun ini, Bank Rakyat dan Media Prima Television Networks menerima Anugerah Kecemerlangan dalam alam sekitar, sosial, dan tadbir urus (ESG) sebagai pengiktirafan terhadap inisiatif cemerlang mereka dalam bidang ESG.

Mohamad Iqbal turut mendedahkan pelancaran BBEA Malaysia Timur 2025 merupakan langkah perluasan program yang bertujuan mengiktiraf komuniti perniagaan di Sabah dan Sarawak.

"Dengan perluasan platform ini, kami berhasrat untuk menghargai pencapaian keusahawanan unik di Malaysia Timur dan mengukuhkan lagi kemakmuran bersama komuniti perniagaan Bumiputera," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof dalam ucaptamanya pada majlis yang berlangsung pada Khamis menekankan peranan penting perniagaan Bumiputera dalam memacu kemakmuran negara.

"Kemakmuran dan kekuatan negara kita tidak dapat dipisahkan daripada sumbangan besar perniagaan Bumiputera.

"Platform seperti BBEA mengiktiraf dan memperkasakan usahawan Bumiputera untuk membina keyakinan, kredibiliti, dan rangkaian yang kukuh bersama rakan-rakan industri," katanya.

Turut hadir ialah Tengku Syarif Temenggong Perlis Datuk Seri Diraja Syed Amir Abidin Jamalullail, Che Puan Temenggong Perlis Datin Seri Diraja Farinawati Datuk Mohd Din, dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif SME Corporation Malaysia, Rizal Nainy.

Pencalonan untuk BBEA 2025 akan dibuka secara rasmi pada 1 Dis 2024 dan akan berakhir dengan majlis gala pada April 2025.



-- BERNAMA

11 penumpang bas ditinggal pemandu semasa Ops Bersepadu

11 penumpang bas ditinggal pemandu semasa Ops Bersepadu

Bernama

29/11/2024


Alat untuk penyalahgunaan dadah dipercayai milik pemandu ditemui ketika pemeriksaan dijalankan terhadap bas berkenaan. - Foto BERNAMA


GOPENG: Sebuah bas ekspres yang menuju ke Pulau Pinang ditinggalkan begitu sahaja oleh pemandunya di Pusat Transformasi Luar Bandar (RTC) Gopeng di sini malam tadi, ketika pihak berkuasa sedang menjalankan Ops Bersepadu ke atas kenderaan perdagangan di kawasan berkenaan.

Bas ekspress itu membawa kira-kira 11 penumpang dari Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) menuju ke Sungai Nibong, Pulau Pinang itu semasa ditinggalkan pemandunya.

Difahamkan pihak berkuasa yang menjalankan pemeriksaan terhadap bas berkenaan menjumpai satu alat untuk penyalahgunaan dadah, dipercayai milik pemandu bas itu.







Pengarah Keselamatan Negeri Perak Mohd Zawawi Zakaria dalam sidang media selepas Ops Bersepadu itu berkata pihak berkuasa sedang mencari pemandu bas berkenaan, dan pemeriksaan lanjut terhadap bas itu masih dijalankan.

Operasi tiga jam bermula pukul 9 malam itu dilaksanakan buat julung kalinya oleh Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN) Negeri Perak dengan kerjasama Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik (JSPT), Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen (IPK) Perak serta beberapa agensi lain.

Ia melibatkan 144 anggota pelbagai agensi, antaranya Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan (AADK), Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ), imigresen, Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Berkomputer (Puspakom), Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup, kastam, Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) serta petugas Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan (PLUS).

Mohd Zawawi berkata Ops Bersepadu itu bertujuan meningkatkan pemantauan yang memberi fokus kepada kenderaan perdagangan di kawasan berkenaan.

Sebanyak 155 kenderaan diperiksa dalam operasi itu, melibatkan 145 lori, enam van serta empat bas, dan sejumlah 61 saman dikeluarkan terhadap kenderaan perdagangan membabitkan pelbagai kesalahan.



-- BERNAMA

Ibu bapa Zayn Rayyan kemuka representasi

Ibu bapa Zayn Rayyan kemuka representasi

Bernama

29/11/2024


Peguam mewakili Zaim Ikhwan (kiri) dan Ismanira (dua, kiri) berkata representasi berkenaan telah difailkan pihaknya pada 19 Nov lepas. - Gambar fail


KUALA LUMPUR: Ibu bapa kepada kanak-kanak autistik Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin yang berdepan pertuduhan mengabaikan kanak-kanak itu dengan cara kemungkinan menyebabkan kecederaan fizikal terhadapnya, telah mengemukakan representasi kepada Jabatan Peguam Negara (AGC) untuk menyemak semula pertuduhan dihadapi mereka.

Peguam Fahmi Abd Moin yang mewakili Zaim Ikhwan Zahari dan Ismanira Abdul Manaf berkata representasi berkenaan telah difailkan pihaknya pada 19 Nov lepas.

"Saya telah hantar representasi pada 19 Nov lepas untuk memohon pihak AGC menyemak semula pertuduhan bagi menarik balik pertuduhan terhadap kedua-dua anak guam saya," katanya ketika dihubungi hari ini.

Pada 18 Sept lepas, Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen Petaling Jaya Syahliza Warnoh menetapkan 6 Dis ini bagi pengurusan kes untuk mengetahui keputusan representasi selepas pembelaan memaklumkan pihaknya akan mengemukakan representasi dalam tempoh terdekat.

Tarikh perbicaraan kes itu telah ditetapkan mahkamah selama 15 hari iaitu bermula 20 hingga 24 Jan 2025 serta 3 hingga 7 Feb dan 17 hingga 21 Feb tahun sama.

Seramai 15 saksi pendakwaan akan dipanggil dalam perbicaraan kes berkenaan.

Pada 13 Jun lepas Zaim Ikhwan dan Ismanira, kedua-duanya berumur 29 tahun mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen di sini atas satu pertuduhan mengabaikan kanak-kanak autistik berusia enam tahun itu dengan cara kemungkinan menyebabkan kecederaan fizikal terhadapnya pada Disember 2023 di sekitar jalan PJU Damansara Damai di sini pada 12 tengah hari, 5 Dis hingga 9.55 malam, 6 Dis.

Pertuduhan dikemukakan mengikut Seksyen 31 (1) (a) Akta Kanak-Kanak 2001 dan boleh dihukum di bawah Seksyen 31 (1) akta sama dibaca bersama Seksyen 34 Kanun Keseksaan yang memperuntukkan hukuman denda maksimum RM50,000 atau penjara tidak lebih 20 tahun atau kedua-duanya, jika sabit kesalahan.

Pada 6 Dis tahun lepas, mayat Zayn Rayyan ditemukan dalam keadaan terbaring di aliran anak sungai berhampiran rumahnya di Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai dekat sini selepas dilaporkan hilang sehari sebelumnya.

Kanak-kanak itu dipercayai dibunuh apabila hasil bedah siasat menemukan kesan kecederaan pada leher serta badannya akibat mempertahankan diri.



-- BERNAMA

Member of prominent Rothschild family found dead after Laurel Canyon house fire, neighbors say

Member of prominent Rothschild family found dead after Laurel Canyon house fire, neighbors say

Los Angeles Times

Fri, November 29

The body of a man, said by neighbors to have been part of the prominent Rothschild family, was found at an L.A. residence that burned Wednesday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)


A man found dead after his Laurel Canyon house was badly damaged in a fire Wednesday afternoon was a member of the prominent Rothschild banking family, neighbors said.

The body discovered at the Lookout Mountain Avenue property was that of William Rothschild, three people told The Times on Thursday. A magazine seen at the property was addressed to "WM DE ROTHSCHILD."

The Rothschilds, a sprawling Jewish family originally from Frankfurt, Germany, long dominated European banking, with its English and French branches playing major roles in finance and politics, most notably during the 18th and 19th centuries. At one point, the Rothschilds were widely considered to have amassed the largest private fortune on Earth.

Today, the family is spread across the globe and maintains interests in financial services, energy, real estate and other sectors, while several of its prominent members have become high society and philanthropic fixtures in London, Paris and beyond. The Rothschild fortune, now divided among many heirs, is said to be worth billions of dollars.

The burned-out residence, described by a real estate listing service as an 825-square-foot, two-bedroom property worth about $1 million, seemingly had little of the opulence befitting a descendant of the world's most powerful bankers. The Hollywood Hills home was bedraggled and sooty a day after the blaze, which, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department, was put out by 45 firefighters in a little more than 30 minutes around 5 p.m.

Video of the conflagration, shared by a neighbor who requested anonymity over privacy concerns, showed flames in several places along the front of the brick and stucco structure, which is perched above street level and accessed by a long set of tiled stairs. As the blaze unfolded, the resident said, she saw "huge flames" and heard "glass shattering" — and watched as another neighbor held a hose and monitored the fire's progress. The woman, who didn't know Rothschild, had quickly called 911.

Another neighbor, Dana Gladstone, said he was at home during the incident but didn't see the fire. Still, he said he heard a woman say, "Oh my God, that's awful!"

"She was probably given the news that he passed," said Gladstone, who has long lived on the street.

Voter registration records show that William A. De Rothschild, listed as 87, has resided at the burned house. Another database shows a 77-year-old man with a similar name owning the property. The deceased man will be formally identified and his cause of death determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

The office did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment. A woman whose name appears in the records for the Lookout Mountain house also did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

The scent of smoke hung in the air Thursday as passersby stopped to take in the scene and neighbors tried to make sense of the incident. Gladstone said Rothschild was in his late 70s and devoted to his dog, an Afghan hound. He was a friendly man who described himself as a graduate of Yale University, Gladstone said.

"The guy was attached to his dog," said Gladstone. "I knew him as Will."

A portion of the home, located near Wonderland Avenue Elementary School and built in 1937, was smoldering Thursday morning, prompting a neighbor to call the authorities. Within minutes, firefighters arrived on the scene and extinguished what one of them said was a decorative piece of wood.

Rothschild, neighbors said, maintained a vintage car collection, storing some at his house and others up the street at another property that was ornamented with busts of great thinkers including Raphael and Michelangelo — and several security cameras. Two people said his holdings included a red Porsche that had once been owned by Michael Jordan.

The basketball superstar has owned several Porsche 911s over the years, including a red one that sold at auction last year for $500,000, according to reports.

The Fire Department said no other injuries were reported. But one neighbor said that Rothschild's dog hadn't been seen since the incident.

Times researcher James Kim contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Manchester United 3-2 Bodø/Glimt | Europa League 24/25 Match Highlights

Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Roma | Europa League 24/25 Match Highlights

 

PERDA giat persiap usahawan kuasai teknologi digital, media sosial

PERDA giat persiap usahawan kuasai teknologi digital, media sosial

Bernama

29/11/2024


Shaik Hussein berkata TikTok umpamanya dilihat antara platform media sosial paling popular ketika ini yang boleh dimanfaatkan untuk mempromosikan produk perniagaan dan perkhidmatan. - Foto fail/BERNAMA


KEPALA BATAS: Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Pulau Pinang (PERDA) giat mempersiapkan usahawan di bawah bimbingan mereka untuk melengkapkan diri dengan penggunaan teknologi selaras perkembangan dunia digital.

Pengerusinya Datuk Shaik Hussein Mydin berkata ia penting bagi membolehkan usahawan mengadaptasi perubahan teknologi seperti kecerdasan buatan (AI) yang membantu memudahkan urusan dan boleh dimanfaatkan dalam perniagaan, sekali gus mewujudkan usahawan berdaya maju.

"Kita melihat AI sebagai masa depan, dan perkembangan teknologi ini membolehkan usahawan berniaga secara dalam talian tanpa perlu memiliki pejabat atau kilang, tetapi boleh menjana pulangan besar sama seperti mereka yang ada semua kelengkapan itu.

"Sebab itu kita mahu melatih usahawan dari sekarang agar mereka bersedia dengan perubahan yang bakal berlaku dalam empat atau lima tahun akan datang. Kita yakin dengan adanya semua teknologi ini usahawan di Pulau Pinang akan lebih berdaya maju," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada Bernama selepas merasmikan Program Himpunan Keusahawanan PERDA 2024 (HIKE PERDA) di Bertam Resort di sini pada Khamis, yang turut dihadiri Pengurus Besar PERDA Datuk Mohd Asri Baharum.

Lebih 200 usahawan menyertai himpunan, yang bertujuan antara lain bagi memantapkan jati diri melalui seminar dan ceramah di samping mendapatkan pangkalan data serta input terkini berkaitan perkembangan perniagaan yang diusahakan.

Shaik Hussein berkata TikTok umpamanya dilihat antara platform media sosial paling popular ketika ini yang boleh dimanfaatkan untuk mempromosikan produk perniagaan dan perkhidmatan, kerana ia bukan sahaja mudah tetapi turut mempunyai pasaran yang luas.

Beliau berkata PERDA mengambil inisiatif dengan melancarkan program baharu yang akan dimulakan pada Januari 2025 iaitu PERDA TikTok Star (PTS) dalam membantu usahawan memasarkan perniagaan mereka secara kreatif dan berkesan.

Menerusi program itu usahawan akan diberi peluang untuk mempromosikan perniagaan mereka di TikTok PERDA, selain turut diberi peluang mencipta kandungan sendiri.

"Program ini akan berjalan sepanjang tahun, dan pada hujung tahun nanti kita akan bagi anugerah kepada usahawan yang dapat paling banyak tontonan, paling banyak keuntungan dan sebagainya. Perinciannya kita akan maklumkan Januari nanti," katanya.

Selain itu, Shaik Hussein memberitahu PERDA turut menyediakan latihan dan kursus secara percuma kepada usahawan untuk menggunakan teknologi terkini bagi mempromosikan perniagaan.

Beliau berkata 1,247 usahawan telah mendapat manfaat melalui inisiatif PERDA pada tahun ini, dan ia dijangka meningkat tahun hadapan menerusi pelaksanaan program PERDA TikTok Star 2025.


-- BERNAMA

Gaza dibom, 26 rakyat Palestin terbunuh

Gaza dibom, 26 rakyat Palestin terbunuh

Astro Awani

29/11/2024


Keadaan ini membangkitkan harapan rakyat Palestin di Gaza untuk perjanjian serupa dengan Hamas, pentadbir wilayah tersebut. - Foto fail/REUTERS


KAHERAH: Serangan udara Israel telah mengorbankan sekurang-kurangnya 26 rakyat Palestin di Semenanjung Gaza pada Khamis, menurut pegawai perubatan.

Serangan itu semakin meningkat di kawasan tengah Gaza, manakala kereta kebal mara lebih jauh ke kawasan utara dan selatan wilayah tersebut.

Tindakan ini berlaku sehari selepas Israel dan Hezbollah, yang disokong Iran, memulakan gencatan senjata di Lubnan.

Keadaan ini membangkitkan harapan rakyat Palestin di Gaza untuk perjanjian serupa dengan Hamas, pentadbir wilayah tersebut.

Kempen ketenteraan Israel bertujuan membasmi pejuang Hamas selepas serangan maut oleh kumpulan itu ke atas Israel Selatan pada 7 Oktober 2023.

Operasi ini telah menyebabkan kemusnahan besar di wilayah yang didiami 2.3 juta penduduk.

Presiden Amerika Syarikat Joe Biden, ketika mengumumkan gencatan senjata di Lubnan pada Selasa, berkata beliau akan memperbaharui usaha untuk mencapai perjanjian serupa di Gaza.

Beliau menggesa Israel dan Hamas merebut peluang untuk menamatkan konflik.

Namun, rundingan untuk mencapai gencatan senjata di Gaza hanya mencatat sedikit kemajuan dan kini tertangguh.

Gencatan senjata di Lubnan, yang melibatkan Israel dan Hezbollah, mula berkuat kuasa sebelum subuh pada Rabu, menghentikan konflik yang telah meningkat mendadak dalam beberapa bulan terakhir.

Australia lulus undang-undang larang kanak-kanak guna media sosial

Australia lulus undang-undang larang kanak-kanak guna media sosial

Bernama

29/11/2024


Undang-undang yang diluluskan oleh Dewan Rakyat Parlimen pada Rabu, turut mencadangkan denda berat sehingga AU$50 juta (AS$32 juta) bagi platform yang gagal mematuhi peraturan itu. - Gambar hiasan



ISTANBUL: Dalam keputusan bersejarah, Senat Australia pada Khamis meluluskan undang-undang yang melarang kanak-kanak dan remaja daripada menggunakan media sosial, menjadikannya negara pertama di dunia mengambil langkah sedemikian.

Undang-undang itu yang diluluskan pada hari terakhir sesi Senat yang sedang berlangsung, berkuat kuasa pada penghujung tahun depan, selepas itu individu berusia 16 tahun ke bawah akan dihalang daripada menggunakan platform seperti TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Reddit dan X.

Kerajaan pimpinan Perdana Menteri, Anthony Albanese mempertahankan langkah itu dengan menyatakan ia adalah "perlu untuk melindungi kesihatan mental dan kesejahteraan mereka."

Bagaimanapun, di bawah undang-undang baharu itu, syarikat media sosial tidak boleh memaksa pengguna untuk memberikan pengenalan rasmi kerajaan, termasuk ID digital, untuk menilai umur mereka, menurut ABC News.

Undang-undang yang diluluskan oleh Dewan Rakyat Parlimen pada Rabu, turut mencadangkan denda berat sehingga AU$50 juta (AS$32 juta) bagi platform yang gagal mematuhi peraturan itu.

Seramai 34 senator mengundi menyokong manakala 19 menentangnya.

Namun, Dewan Perwakilan meluluskan undang-undang ini dengan sokongan 102 undi berbanding hanya 13 Ahli Parlimen yang menentang larangan itu.

Sebelum ini, Albanese berkata, media sosial "menyebabkan kemudaratan sosial."

"Kami mahu kanak-kanak Australia mempunyai zaman kanak-kanak yang sebenar dan kami mahu ibu bapa tahu yang kerajaan di sisi mereka. Ini adalah reformasi penting. Kami tahu sesetengah kanak-kanak akan mencari jalan menggunakannya (media sosial), tetapi kami ingin menghantar mesej kepada syarikat media sosial untuk memperbaiki tindakan mereka," katanya dalam satu kenyataan pada 21 Nov.



- BERNAMA

Putin denies deliberately scaring Merkel with his dog Koni

 

Putin denies deliberately scaring Merkel with his dog Koni

Astro Awani

29/11/2024


The dog walked up to Merkel, who looked clearly uncomfortable sitting next to Putin. - Photo X/Inquebrantable



MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday denied claims that he deliberately used his black labrador, Koni, to scare German Chancellor Angela Merkel during their meeting in 2007.

When asked about the incident, Putin denied that he knew of Merkel's phobia of dogs.

He explained that his intention was only to create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

In her new memoir 'Freedom', Merkel revealed that she once asked an aide to contact Putin's team in 2006 to ensure Koni was not present at their meeting in Moscow, because he was afraid of dogs.

Putin honored the request and gave Merkel a toy dog, joking that the toy wouldn't bite.

However, at the meeting in Sochi the following year, Koni was allowed to roam the meeting room.

The dog walked up to Merkel, who looked clearly uncomfortable sitting next to Putin in front of television cameras and photographers.

Putin stated that he had apologized to Merkel after the incident.

He also stated that if Merkel visits him again, he will not repeat the act.

Cabbie, two passengers met fiery end as NGV taxi catches fire in Merlimau crash

Cabbie, two passengers met fiery end as NGV taxi catches fire in Merlimau crash

Bernama

28/11/2024


According to police, the car burst into flames with all three victims still trapped inside. - JBPM/PDRM



JASIN: A taxi driver and two elderly passengers met a fiery end in a horrific blaze after the NGV-powered taxi caught fire in a crash at Kampung Lanchang along Jalan Jasin in Merlimau here this morning.

Jasin district police chief DSP Ahmad Jamil Radzi said taxi driver S. Subbramaniam, 71, along with passengers Husali Umar, 84, and wife Mastura Said, 63, died at the scene in the mishap that occurred at about 9 am.

"The accident is believed to have occurred when Subbramaniam lost control of the Proton Iswara taxi before it skidded and hit the wall of a bridge.

"The car then burst into flames with all three victims still trapped inside.

"The fire was believed to have ignited from a leak in the natural gas vehicle (NGV) tank installed in the taxi," he said in a statement here today.

Ahmad Jamil said all three charred bodies were taken to Jasin Hospital for autopsy with the case investigated under Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987.


-- BERNAMA

US, China swap detained citizens after years of diplomacy

US, China swap detained citizens after years of diplomacy

Reuters

28/11/2024


China and the US each release three citizens both governments said were wrongfully detained in the other country. - UNSPLASH



WASHINGTON/BEIJING: China and the U.S. have each released three citizens both governments said were wrongfully detained in the other country, concluding years of diplomacy as leaders of both nations work to repair strained ties.

The White House said on Wednesday that China released U.S. citizens Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung, and the U.S. changed its travel advisory for China lowering its risk warning, a move long sought by Beijing that U.S. officials have tied to China's detention of American nationals.

The National Security Council said in a statement the three men's release meant all Americans it deemed wrongfully detained in China had now been released.

"Soon they will return and be reunited with their families for the first time in many years," it said.

Politico, which first reported the release, said a number of Chinese citizens detained in the United States would also be released.

China's embassy in Washington declined to comment. Beijing says such cases are handled according to law.

When asked at a Thursday press briefing, China's foreign ministry said three Chinese citizens who were wrongfully detained by the U.S. government have returned to their motherland safely.

"I want to stress that China firmly opposes U.S. oppression and persecution of Chinese citizens for political purposes," ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

Mao said a Chinese fugitive had also been repatriated from the U.S., showing that "no place can be a permanent safe haven for criminals." She added that the Chinese government would continue to pursue fugitives.

China did not reveal the identities of those released and repatriated.

RETURNING HOME

Kai Li's son, Harrison Li, said in a statement that his father was expected to land at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas late on Wednesday, and thanked Biden administration officials for working on the release.

"They delivered just in time for the holidays," he said, referring to Thanksgiving on Thursday.

Li had been detained in China since 2016 on espionage charges he denied.

Texas-based businessman Mark Swidan was imprisoned for 12 years in China on drug-related charges and in 2019 was given a death sentence with reprieve, despite a lack of evidence.

John Leung was sentenced to life in 2023 and accused of being an American spy.

Senior U.S. officials had raised the issue of the detainees in talks with Chinese counterparts over the years, but families feared their cases were overshadowed by other considerations in the complex and fraught U.S.-China relationship.

A U.S. official said President Joe Biden had pressed for the return of the three when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping this month at a regional summit in Peru.

Biden and Xi have worked to lower tensions in recent months by holding phone calls and meetings aimed at identifying areas they can work on together while still managing national security risks.

In September, China freed U.S. pastor David Lin, who had been in jail since 2006 and was also considered wrongfully detained. U.S. officials declined to confirm reports at the time that a Chinese national was released in exchange for Lin.

Biden's successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has signaled a more hawkish approach, including proposing vast new tariffs on goods from China.

TRAVEL ADVISORY

Biden, whose four-year term ends on Jan. 20, has secured the release of more than 70 Americans detained overseas, in some cases swapping them for prisoners in the United States.

In 2022, China was one of six countries the State Department slapped with a "D" warning to its travel advisory to indicate the risk of U.S. citizens being detained and used as bargaining chips.

U.S. officials said they told Chinese officials that the detention of American citizens had to be addressed before the travel advisory would be changed.

On Wednesday, that warning was removed and the U.S. advice to travelers to mainland China was changed from Level 3, "reconsider travel," to Level 2, "exercise increased caution," although the advisory still warned that U.S. citizens in China "may be subjected to interrogations and detention without fair and transparent treatment under the law."

Mao called the move "conducive".

"We always oppose creating chilling effects and we hope the U.S. will provide more facilitation for the culture and people-to-people exchange between the two countries," she said.

Tycoon Ananda Krishnan’s companies see slight dip in share prices

Tycoon Ananda Krishnan’s companies see slight dip in share prices

Bernama

28/11/2024


Ananda Krishnan established Maxis Communications in 1993, one of the oldest and largest telecommunications companies in Malaysia. - BERNAMA



KUALA LUMPUR: The share prices of Maxis Bhd, Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd and Bumi Armada Bhd saw a modest decline amid a bearish market and the news of the passing of business tycoon Ananda Krishnan earlier today.

Overall, Bursa Malaysia, which is already in cautious mode, remained bearish as it tracked the regional markets, which followed Wall Street's downbeat performance overnight.

Ananda established Maxis Communications in 1993, one of the oldest and largest telecommunications companies in Malaysia.

With a market capitalisation of RM27.81 billion (US$6.29 billion), Maxis ranks as the 16th largest Malaysian company on Bursa Malaysia.

At 3.45 pm, Maxis shares were three sen lower at RM3.53 with 369,200 shares traded.

The counter opened today's trading flat at RM3.56 and was subsequently on a downtrend to hit its day's low at RM3.51.

Shortly after the market opened for the afternoon session, the shares traded between between RM3.51 and RM3.54.

Astro, meanwhile, was half-a-sen lower at 22.5 sen with 3.31 million shares traded.

The counter has been in the red for the whole trading session, so far. It has a market capitalisation of RM1.12 billion.

Bumi Armada, an international offshore energy facilities and services provider, is currently considering a business merger with the offshore segment of shipping giant MISC Bhd.

Bumi Armada saw its shares drop by one sen to 55.5 sen, with 14.3 million shares changing hands.

The counter opened unchanged at 56.6 sen.



-- BERNAMA

266 telco towers still not operational, exceeding nine-month target deadline - Fahmi

266 telco towers still not operational, exceeding nine-month target deadline - Fahmi

Bernama

28/11/2024


Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. - BERNAMA



KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 266 out of 577 telecommunication (telco) towers under Phase 1 of the National Digital Network (JENDELA) initiative have yet to be operational, exceeding the nine-month target deadline, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that among the companies involved is YTL Communications Sdn Bhd, which has failed to complete the 51 telco tower projects awarded to them under JENDELA.

"YTL (performance) is the worst, I apologise for having to mention this, but out of the 51 telco tower projects they received, none of them were completed," he said in reply to Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN-Kuala Kangsar) during Question Time.

Iskandar Dzulkarnain wanted to know the status of the implementation of the telco tower projects under JENDELA and the extent of the actions taken against contractors who failed to complete the projects within the stipulated timeframe.

Other than YTL, Fahmi said other companies awarded the telco tower projects were CelcomDigi with 866 towers, of which 366 are still in progress; Maxis (134 towers, 96 under construction); UMobile (143 towers, 19 under construction); and REDTone (191 towers, 45 under construction).

Fahmi said that contractors would face stern action if the towers were delayed in completion.

He said that penalties that could be imposed under the Notice of Designation to tower builders for failing to complete the towers within the specified time include liquidated damages, forfeiture of the Performance Bond, rejection of claims, and legal action under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

As of Oct 31 this year, Fahmi said 1,385 out of 1,661 towers had been completed, but only 808 towers were operational.

The minister said that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been instructed to monitor any telco towers facing delays in completion.

"At present, the action being considered is to impose liquidated damages on the parties involved.

"MCMC is currently gathering information and evidence of non-compliance to enable action to be taken against contractors who have failed to complete the towers within the specified timeframe," he said.

Meanwhile, to address the issue of internet access in urban and rural areas, Fahmi said that the government, through MCMC, has set a target to provide 100 per cent internet coverage in populated areas by 2025 under the JENDELA initiative.

He said the government, through MCMC, will also provide infrastructure and basic communication services via the Universal Service Provision (USP) Fund for rural and remote areas.

Under JENDELA, Fahmi said 8.88 million premises now have access to fibre optic connectivity, while the median mobile broadband speed is 105.75 Mbps, and broadband coverage in populated areas has reached 98.38 per cent as of Oct 31 this year.


-- BERNAMA

Eight individuals detained on suspicion of being followers of Millah Abraham cult

Eight individuals detained on suspicion of being followers of Millah Abraham cult

Bernama

28/11/2024

Melaka Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman and Melaka Islamic Affairs Council dep. chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman says, authorities seized several items, including books allegedly related to deviant teaching. - BERNAMA



JASIN: Eight individuals comprising three married couples and two men were detained during a midnight raid on a house in the Jasin district on suspicion of being followers of the Millah Abraham sect declared as deviant.

Melaka Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman and Melaka Islamic Affairs Council deputy chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said the suspects, aged between 28 and 71, are retired civil servants, private sector workers, self-employed and housewives.

"The authorities received a public complaint about the spread and practice of the Millah Abraham teachings, which have been declared deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings in Melaka through a fatwa.

"A raid was carried out to inspect and search the house believed to be occupied by Millah Abraham followers, involving 70 personnel of the Melaka Islamic Religious Department and police," he said in a statement here today.

He said the authorities seized several items, including books allegedly related to the deviant teaching, such as 'Ruhul Qudus Eksistensi' and 'Esensi Al-Quran' and electronic devices such as laptops and mobile phones.

Elaborating, Rahmad said during interrogations, some suspects admitted that they had not performed the obligatory daily prayers and Friday prayers for several years.

He said they also admitted that the teachings were conducted online through applications and were actively recruiting new members from their families and friends.

Rahmad said the individuals are suspected of committing an offence under Section 63 of the Syariah Offences Enactment (State of Melaka) 1991 for insulting Islam by defying or violating a gazetted fatwa.

"They are also suspected of committing an offence under Section 60 of the same Enactment, which pertains to promoting deviant teachings, and Section 48 for publishing materials contrary to Islamic law," he said.

He also advised Muslims, especially those in Melaka, to steer away from ideologies or teachings that have been declared deviant and only adhere to the teachings of Islam based on the Ahli Sunnah Wal al-Jamaah principles.

"The public with information regarding deviant teachings in the state should promptly report it to the Melaka Islamic Religious Department," he added.


-- BERNAMA

What you need to know about Adani US bribery indictment

What you need to know about Adani US bribery indictment

Reuters

28/11/2024


Indian billionaire Gautam Adani is charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. - REUTERS/Filepic



BENGALURU: Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's indictment by U.S. authorities for his alleged role in a $265 million bribery scheme has sent shockwaves through his eponymous ports-to-soybeans conglomerate. The Adani Group denies the allegations.

Here is what you need to know.

THE MAJOR U.S. INDICTMENT

Gautam Adani, one of world's richest people, faces his biggest challenge after he was charged along with seven others over alleged bribery related to power supply deals in India, in what U.S. authorities called "The Corrupt Solar Project".

Adani Group, which runs several key infrastructure projects across the globe, says the allegations are baseless and has vowed to seek "all possible legal recourse".

The group's CFO has said the indictment is linked to one Adani Green Energy contract that makes up some 10% of the unit's business.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party has distanced itself from the billionaire amid opposition calls for a probe and allegations that Modi is shielding Adani, charges his ruling party deny.

There is also a growing spotlight on Sagar Adani, a millennial scion of the company who is alleged to have kept track of hundreds of millions of dollars paid to Indian officials in what U.S. authorities described as "bribe notes".

The alleged bribes caught the attention of U.S. authorities when Adani's companies were raising funds from U.S.-based investors in transactions starting in 2021.

DISCLOSURE ISSUES, STOCK ROUT AND FALLOUT

The scandal has also raised concerns about market and public disclosure lapses by Adani Group, with authorities alleging the company issued false statements earlier this year related to its knowledge of the U.S. investigation.

The U.S. indictment has kept Adani Group's debt and equity under pressure, further exacerbated by credit ratings agencies including Fitch and Moody's cutting their outlook for several of the listed companies owned by the conglomerate.

The indictment has had other ramifications across the globe, including some bankers considering pausing fresh lending to the group and oil major TotalEnergies halting any further investments into Adani Group.

Kenya has ordered the cancellation of Adani infrastructure deals worth more than $2.5 billion and a U.S. development agency is 'assessing ramifications' on a Sri Lanka Adani port project it had agreed to finance.

In Bangladesh, a government panel has sought legal help for its investigation of power deals including one with Adani, while in India, a key southern state which figured in the indictment charges, Andhra Pradesh, is considering suspending a power purchase deal with Adani.

WHAT NEXT FOR ADANI, LEGAL OPTIONS

A key question is what next for Gautam Adani? He is charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy.

Adani has not been arrested and his whereabouts are unknown, although he is believed to be in India.

A trial could still be a long way off, even if Adani is extradited or surrenders in the U.S.

If convicted, Adani could face decades in prison as well as monetary penalties, although any sentence would ultimately be up to the judge overseeing the case.

For now, Adani has to answer U.S. SEC allegations within 21 days, a court directive states.