Queen Consents to B40, Orang Asli handicrafts being used as Istana Negara souvenirs

KUALA LUMPUR: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, has consented to select handmade products, crafted by B40 women, single mothers and Orang Asli as souvenirs of Istana Negara. Her Majesty expressed this during an audience she granted on Wednesday (Nov 26), where she also viewed a product showcase by the Komuniti Tukang Jahit Malaysia...

German travel agency Dertour records US slump as politics hits demand

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Dertour, Germany's leading provider of tours in North America, has recorded a double-digit percentage slump in bookings to the United States since President Donald Trump took office and does not expect demand to recover, said the firm's Germany head. "Unfortunately, this trend is continuing," said Boris Raoul, CEO of Dertour Germany. "The current political...

Namewee’s bail period extended as police await lab results

KUALA LUMPUR: The bail period for local rapper Wee Meng Chee (pic), better known as Namewee, has been extended for another two weeks. Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus confirmed that the extension was granted at 4pm on Wednesday (Nov 26), covering the period from Nov 27 until Dec 10. "The police are still waiting...

MACC to probe alleged bribery involving Albert Tei, Shamsul Iskandar

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission will investigate claims that businessman Albert Tei bribed Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said both Tei and Shamsul Iskandar will be summoned soon to provide statements. He added that other relevant parties will also be called to assist in gathering evidence. “The public...

Sabah polls: Tanjong Kapor’s BN candidate wants to revive tourism sector in Kudat

KOTA KINABALU: The rejuvenation of Kudat’s tourism sector requires a comprehensive collaboration among stakeholders to create and implement an effective solution, said Barisan Nasional candidate for Tanjong Kapor Kelvin Lee Sip Kim. Lee said that based on feedback from various tour operators, his team has determined five challenges faced by tourists in Kudat - connectivity, frequent...

Govt mobilises 9,800 personnel, 7,000 assets to tackle floods

TAWAU: A total of 9,800 personnel from various government agencies and 7,000 operational assets have been mobilised nationwide as part of preparations to tackle flood disasters, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said the government has also deployed modular steel panel bridges, or Bailey bridges, to address situations where roads are...

Two killed in collision involving three lorries on NSE

MUAR: A lorry driver and his assistant died on the spot following a collision of three lorries along the North-South Expressway near here. Muar OCPD Asst Comm Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the accident occurred at KM129.9 at around 6am on Wednesday (Nov 26). He said the first trailer was on the left lane heading towards Johor...

Dewan Rakyat erupts as MPs clash over corruption claims

KUALA LUMPUR: Tempers flared in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 26) as Opposition MPs accused PKR of corruption, triggering a tense showdown with the Deputy Speaker. The exchange started when Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) criticised the government’s anti-corruption drive, claiming that graft was rampant among those surrounding the Prime Minister. Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim...

Floods subside in Terengganu, all evacuees allowed to return home

  KUALA TERENGGANU: Flooding in Terengganu has fully receded, with all 68 victims from 24 families in Besut allowed to return home on Tuesday (Nov 25). Terengganu Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) director Colonel (PA) Mohd Zul Khairi Shamsuddin said the victims had been housed at the temporary relief centre (PPS) at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Besut. He urged...

NATO scrambles jets after deepest drone breach yet into Romania

BUCHAREST (Reuters) -Romanian and German NATO fighter jets were scrambled on Tuesday near Romania's border with Ukraine to respond to a drone incursion that penetrated deeper than ever into Romanian airspace, in what Bucharest called a Russian provocation. Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu said the NATO pilots came close to shooting down a drone which had repeatedly...