Category :

World

ISTANBUL: Spain on Monday confirmed a new case of hantavirus among individuals undergoing preventive quarantine at a hospital in Madrid, Anadolu Agency reported. "The positive case was detected during periodic diagnostic checks carried out on contacts under surveillance," the country's Ministry of Health said in a post on social media platform X. It is the second positive case among 14 Spanish nationals evacuated to Tenerife from the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius. The ship was carrying about 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries. On May 11, the Spanish Health Minister announced that a Spanish passenger on the MV Hondius cruise ship had tested positive for hantavirus shortly after authorities completed the ship's evacuation operation. Authorities on Monday said the individual had been under clinical monitoring and isolation since being admitted to hospital, "in accordance with the protocols set by the Early Warning and Rapid Response System." Following confirmation via PCR testing, the patient was transferred to the High-Level Isolation Unit at Gomez Ulla Hospital, and will continue to be under specialized medical monitoring and strict biosecurity measures. "The patient will continue to be admitted to the hospital under special medical monitoring and biosecurity measures provided for such cases," the ministry said. Health authorities stressed that the detection was made within a control system that had already been activated. "Case detection occurred within the isolation and control system that has been activated, therefore it does not change the risk situation for the general population," the ministry said. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

New cases of hantavirus among individuals quarantined at Madrid hospital

ISTANBUL: Spain on Monday confirmed a new case of hantavirus among individuals undergoing preventive quarantine at a hospital in Madrid, Anadolu Agency reported. “The positive case was detected during periodic .... read more

ISTANBUL: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Monday that efforts to ensure Israel's full withdrawal from Lebanese territory remain a national priority, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported, citing state media. "The path towards a full Israeli withdrawal remains a firm national demand, which the Lebanese state is working to achieve through negotiations," Aoun said in a statement carried by the Lebanese government's National News Agency (NNA). The statement was made as Lebanon commemorated Resistance and Liberation Day, commemorating Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 after 22 years of occupation. Aoun said negotiations with Israel "are not a form of concession or surrender", but rather reflect Lebanon's efforts to assert its sovereign right to protect its territory through the country's military and security institutions. Beirut and Tel Aviv have held three rounds of direct negotiations mediated by the United States since mid-April in an effort to establish a lasting peace settlement. Although the ceasefire came into effect on April 17 and was later extended until early July, Israeli military operations are still ongoing in southern Lebanon. According to Lebanese officials, more than 3,100 people have been killed, more than 9,500 injured and about 1.6 million displaced by Israeli attacks in Lebanon since March 2, as the conflict continues involving Israel and Hezbollah. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

Full Israeli withdrawal remains national priority – Lebanese President

ISTANBUL: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Monday that efforts to ensure Israel’s full withdrawal from Lebanese territory remain a national priority, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported, citing state media. “The .... read more

RIYADH -- Saudi Post (SPL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued commemorative stamps and postcards in conjunction with the 1447H Hajj season, reflecting the importance of postage stamps in highlighting various events including the Hajj pilgrimage. The stamp and postcard are worth 3 Saudi riyals and 5 Saudi riyals respectively, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) . The production aims to document Saudi Arabia's efforts in serving pilgrims, as well as highlighting the continuous development of services and solutions provided throughout the pilgrimage season. The initiative also reflects Saudi Arabia's leading role in managing the public and serving pilgrims in line with the highest operational and humanitarian standards. -- BERNAMA-SPA

Saudi Post issues stamps, commemorative postcards in conjunction with Hajj 1447H

RIYADH — Saudi Post (SPL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued commemorative stamps and postcards in conjunction with the 1447H Hajj season, reflecting the importance .... read more

ISTANBUL -- Omani and Iranian officials held discussions on the principles governing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in line with international law, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported , citing the Omani Foreign Ministry on Sunday. The discussions took place during a meeting in Muscat between Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi, who is visiting the sultanate with a diplomatic and legal delegation. According to the ministry's statement, the meeting was held after Gharibabadi delivered a message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding regional developments and the ongoing Iran-United States (US) negotiations mediated by Pakistan. The ministry said "following the meeting, an expanded session was held between the Omani and Iranian delegations to discuss a set of principles governing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with the rules of international law." The delegations from both countries also "exchanged views and ideas on recent developments and the need to build and develop capabilities" to ensure "the safety of ship movements, trade and supply chains," according to the statement. The statement also said the two sides discussed efforts to restore "freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a safe and sustainable manner." The Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday that a potential memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US includes an end to war on all fronts. including the Israeli attack on Lebanon, as well as Washington's commitment to lift sanctions on Iranian oil during the negotiations. If an agreement is reached, the Strait of Hormuz will not completely return to its pre-war status, but rather the number of ships allowed to pass through it will be restored to pre-war levels within 30 days, Tasnim reported . The report also mentioned that Iran is emphasizing the enforcement of its sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz through various methods, the details of which will be announced later. US President Donald Trump on Saturday said a deal with Iran to end the war was "largely negotiated" and awaiting finalization. The development comes after Pakistani army chief Asim Munir's visit to Tehran, which was his second in recent weeks. A ceasefire in the war, which began on Feb 28, was first brokered by Pakistan on April 8. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

Oman, Iran discuss principles of freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law

ISTANBUL — Omani and Iranian officials held discussions on the principles governing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in line with international law, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported , .... read more

ISTANBUL, May 24 -- The Defence Ministry (Mindef) is evaluating offers from several countries to find the best solution to replace the naval strike missile (NSM) system whose delivery was cancelled by a Norwegian defence company. Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said meetings were also held with several parties during his visit to Türkiye to obtain suitable proposals for consideration by the Royal Malaysian Navy. “So far there are three to four countries (that have submitted offers)... countries that we are confident and believe are sincere and want to help us. “We are holding meetings, especially with the navy, to provide solutions and the navy will certainly conduct evaluations of these four offers before they are brought to the government,” he told Bernama in conjunction with the naming and launch of the first Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 (LMSB2) vessel, Tunku Laksamana Abdul Jalil, which was officiated by Her Majesty, Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia at the Istanbul shipyard. Key matters being assessed include whether replacing the missile system would require major modifications to the structure of the ships that have already been built, he added. “In our considerations, first is our confidence and trust in the offers from certain countries. Second is whether major modifications need to be made to the completed ships, third is the issue of cost and fourth is delivery,” adding that the matter would take a considerable time as it was all interconnected. On follow-up action against Norway, Mohamed Khaled said he had yet to receive any latest developments after a notice of demand was sent to the manufacturer there, adding that he would meet his Norwegian counterpart during the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 in Singapore at the end of this month. “We have informed them that we want to meet the Norwegian Defence Minister. Whether it is beneficial or not, that is fine. At the very least, I can meet him and inform him that we are unhappy with their actions,” he said. Norway’s Foreign Affairs Ministry was reported to have withdrawn several export licences related to certain technologies as part of efforts to tighten the country’s export controls, which affected the NSM procurement agreement between the RMN and KDA that was signed in April 2018 with a contract value of 124 million euros (RM571.9 million) to equip six new Littoral Combat Ships. The missile is capable of carrying out long-range maritime strikes at high subsonic speed with a range exceeding 300 kilometres. -- BERNAMA

Mindef Studying Other Offers To Settle Anti-ship Missile Issue – Mohamed Khaled

ISTANBUL, May 24 — The Defence Ministry (Mindef) is evaluating offers from several countries to find the best solution to replace the naval strike missile (NSM) system whose delivery was .... read more

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- President Donald Trump appeared to signpost Friday that a conclusion to the US-Israeli war against Iran is on the horizon, Anadolu Ajans reported. "We have stopped them. They're not going to ever have a nuclear weapon. They're never going to have a nuclear weapon. And we'll have that over with soon. It'll be over with soon," the US president told his supporters in the state of New York. "You're going to see numbers like you've never seen, both on the upside and also in terms of cost; you're going to see cars go down," he added. Earlier Friday, Iran's semi-official news agency reported that a Qatari delegation is negotiating with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran in a bid to end the war amid Pakistani mediation. The report came after Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran as part of Islamabad's ongoing mediation efforts to end the war. It is the second such trip to Tehran by Munir. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has been in Tehran for the past two days as part of indirect talks between the US and Iran. The flurry of diplomatic activity comes as reports suggest negotiators are closing gaps on an agreement to end the war. Mediation to draw hostilities to a close began when Pakistan secured a ceasefire on April 8, halting the war and later hosting the highest-level talks between the US and Iran since 1979 on April 11-12. Islamabad has intensified its mediation process to secure a second round of direct talks between the two sides. -- BERNAM

Trump Says US-Israeli War On Iran Will ‘Be Over With Soon’

WASHINGTON, May 23 — President Donald Trump appeared to signpost Friday that a conclusion to the US-Israeli war against Iran is on the horizon, Anadolu Ajans reported. “We have stopped .... read more

SEOUL, May 22 -- South Korea is planning to supply some 90,000 rental housing units for young people in the greater Seoul area by 2027, as part of broader efforts to stabilise the housing market and improve living conditions for youths, Yonhap News Agency reported. According to its Finance Minister Koo Yun Cheol, the government is seeking various ways to expand non-apartment housing, which is one of the key pillars of the public housing supply programme. “We plan to supply 90,000 rental units in Seoul and surrounding areas for the next two years, and 66,000 of them will be located in regulated zones,” Koo said during a meeting of ministers related to real estate policy. Koo said non-apartment housing, such as multifamily homes and compact studio units, can be supplied relatively quickly, helping ease housing difficulties faced by young people at a faster pace. The government will also adopt modular housing and other construction methods to shorten construction periods and reduce financial burdens on developers, encouraging earlier project launches, he added. During the meeting, officials also reviewed housing market trends and response measures and discussed plans to crack down on illegal real estate activities. --BERNAMA

South Korea To Supply 90,000 Rental Homes In Greater Seoul Area For Youths By 2027

SEOUL, May 22 — South Korea is planning to supply some 90,000 rental housing units for young people in the greater Seoul area by 2027, as part of broader efforts .... read more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- United States (US) President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he will not sign off on any effort to ease sanctions on Iran until a deal to permanently end the war on Tehran is finalised, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. “I'm not doing any relief until they sign an agreement. When they sign an agreement, we can get that place built up again and have something that's really a good country for the people, but no, we haven't offered anything,” he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews. Trump earlier on Wednesday said negotiations are in their ‘final stages” but insisted he is “in no hurry” to complete them. “I just wonder whether or not they have the good of the people, because some of the things they're doing, to me, mean they don't have the good of the people, and they have to have the good of the people. There's a lot of anger now in Iran, because people are living so badly,” he said. Earlier Wednesday, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran for his second visit to Iran in less than a week, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported. After his arrival, Naqvi met with his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni at the Interior Ministry. Pakistan has played a key role in mediating efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran. Regional tensions boiled over Feb 28 when the US and Israel launched surprise attacks on Iran, prompting Iran to retaliate with barrages of drones and missiles that hit targets across the region as Tehran shuttered the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. Trump later extended the truce indefinitely while maintaining a blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports through the strategic waterway. -- BERNAMA

Trump Says He Will Not Provide Sanctions Relief For Iran Until Deal Complete

WASHINGTON, May 21 — United States (US) President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he will not sign off on any effort to ease sanctions on Iran until a deal to .... read more

BRUSSELS/ISTANBUL, May 21 -- Italy summoned Israel's ambassador to protest the treatment of activists involved in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and demanded the immediate release of nationals still being held, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, Anadolu Ajansi reported. The Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia, summoned Jonathan Peled and conveyed the Italian government's "strong protest" over the matter, according to a statement from the ministry. During the meeting, Guariglia requested the immediate release and swift return to Italy of all Italian citizens still detained. Reiterating Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani's position, Guariglia said the events were "unacceptable", particularly as the individuals involved were unarmed and had no violent intentions. "He also highlighted the gravity of the intervention in international waters and expressed strong outrage at the images released in recent hours," the statement said. The ministry added that Italy reserves the right to consider appropriate political initiatives, including at the European level. Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Tajani criticised the incident. "The images of Israeli (National Security) Minister (Itamar) Ben-Gvir are unacceptable. It is unacceptable that these protesters, including many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment that violates their human dignity," they said in a joint statement. The Italian government said it was taking immediate steps at the highest institutional levels to secure the release of Italian citizens involved in the incident. Rome also demanded an apology over the treatment of activists and what it described as disregard for its explicit requests. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also wrote on the social media platform X that Ben-Gvir's actions do not serve Israel’s interests. "We take pride in other things, Minister. We take pride in having always treated your fellow citizens with respect, and we are not in the habit of arresting people in international waters. Rather, we rescue them when they need help," Crosetto added. The remarks came after a video posted by Ben-Gvir on social media showed detained activists zip-tied and forced to kneel after being detained by Israeli forces in international waters. The Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla said Tuesday that all 50 vessels in its aid convoy had been seized by Israel. -- BERNAMA

Italy Summons Israeli Ambassador Over Treatment Of Gaza-Bound Flotilla Activists, Demands Release Of Citizens

BRUSSELS/ISTANBUL, May 21 — Italy summoned Israel’s ambassador to protest the treatment of activists involved in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and demanded the immediate release of nationals still being held, .... read more

INDONESIA 1. INDONESIA'S PRABOWO NAMES SOES SOLE EXPORTERS FOR KEY COMMODITIES -- ANTARA Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced a new government regulation requiring state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to become sole exporters of several natural resource commodities, including palm oil, coal, and ferroalloys. 2. ASEAN DIGITAL PACT COULD LIFT INDONESIA'S ECONOMY TO US$600 BLN: AIRLANGGA -- ANTARA Indonesia’s digital economy could expand to US$600 billion through the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Wednesday. LAOS 1. VIETNAM-LAO EXPRESSWAY CONSTRUCTION STARTS -- VIENTIANE TIMES Vietnam broke ground on a 60-kilometre expressway costing US$910 million (RM3.6 billion) that connects the Lao border. The corridor will improve overland links to Vietnamese seaports that will expand trade and tourism. 2. PREPARING FOR LDC GRADUATION -- VIENTIANE TIMES Lao is preparing to exit the Least Developed Country (LDC) status by focusing on rural development to improve living standards. Poverty reduction, strengthening governance and combating corruption will be given top priorities. MYANMAR 1. IMPROVING RURAL WOMEN’S ECONOMIC STATUS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The Small-Scale Industries Department will implement the rural family income improvement project in 214 villages. Sewing and food production courses will be conducted to uplift the economic well-being of rural women. 2. SOLAR-POWERED STREETLIGHTS FOR VILLAGES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The government will provide solar streetlights to 41 villages in Shan state. The initiative aims to enhance the socioeconomic status of rural residents and narrow the urban-rural development gap. PHILIPPINES 1. BILL EXTENDING PRC ID VALIDITY TO 5 YEARS APPROVED ON FINAL READING -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY In a major win for millions of Filipino professionals, the House of Representatives on Wednesday night approved on third and final reading a measure extending the validity of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) identification cards from three years to five years, easing renewal burdens and cutting red tape in government transactions. 2. HOUSE OKS KALINGA BILL, EYES FASTER RESPONSE TO FUEL CRISES, INFLATION -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading the Kalinga Act, a proposed national emergency response and resiliency framework that would allow the Marcos administration to move faster against fuel-driven inflation, energy supply risks and shocks that threaten food, transport, livelihood, and essential services. SINGAPORE 1. SINGTEL LOGS 12 PCT RISE IN ANNUAL EARNINGS HELPED BY REGIONAL ASSOCIATES - CNA Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) reported a 12 per cent rise in annual underlying profit on Thursday, driven by strong contributions from India's Bharti Airtel and other regional associates. 2. BABY FOOD FROM IRELAND RECALLED DUE TO POTENTIAL MOULD GROWTH AND SPOILAGE: SFA -- THE STRAITS TIMES A recall for a baby food product from Ireland is ongoing due to potential mould growth and spoilage, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said. THAILAND 1. THAILAND REVEALS 93 COUNTRIES LOSING 60-DAY VISA-FREE ENTRY -- THE NATION Thailand’s Cabinet has approved ending 60-day visa-free entry for 93 countries, with most set to return to 30-day stays. 2. GOVT TO PURGE STATE SECRETS -- BANGKOK POST Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered all state agencies to fully disclose public information and eliminate unnecessary secrecy as part of a nationwide anti-corruption campaign launched in cooperation with the private sector. VIETNAM 1. SMART FISHING PORT AT GIA LAI -- VIETNAMPLUS Gia Lai province will build a smart fishing port at Tam Quan to modernise its seafood industry and improve export standards. The port will deploy digital tools, automation and data analytics to manage fleets and track marine catch. 2. ASIAN HACKATHON ATTRACTS OVER 400 TEAMS -- VIETNAMPLUS The Asian Hackathon for Green Future 2026 has attracted 439 teams, with about 1,440 contestants from 22 countries. The 36-hour in-person hackathon is scheduled from July 2 to 5 at VinUni University in Hanoi. -- BERNAMA

Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: May 21, 2026

INDONESIA 1. INDONESIA’S PRABOWO NAMES SOES SOLE EXPORTERS FOR KEY COMMODITIES — ANTARA Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced a new government regulation requiring state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to become sole exporters .... read more

Latest News

SEPANG: The operation of Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) which connects Shah Alam, Selangor with surrounding areas is expected to begin at the end of this month, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. He said the start date of operations would be announced in two weeks and the project was currently in the final phase of trial operations. "After various tests have been carried out and trial operations have been finalised, we are confident that operations (LRT3) can commence," he told reporters after chairing the 62nd Annual General Meeting of the Road Safety Council here today. Meanwhile, Loke said the Bill (RUU) establishing the Malaysian Transport Safety Board (MTSB) will not be tabled in the Parliament session which begins next week. "MTSB has received Cabinet approval, but we are now discussing with the Public Service Department to look at staffing and so on." "This bill will be brought to the next sitting because at this sitting, there is one bill, namely the amendment to the Road Transport Act, which we are giving priority," he said. Loke said the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has also identified individuals to be appointed to the MTSB, which will be finalized in the near future. In another development, Loke said the MOT would hold discussions with e-hailing operators on the possibility of implementing additional safety measures to protect the safety of their drivers. Among the suggestions raised is the installation of dashboard cameras ( dashcams ) in e-hailing vehicles, but this needs to take into account passenger privacy concerns. "In terms of safety measures, we will discuss further with the operator to see what other actions they can take to protect drivers." "In terms of safety, drivers and passengers are equally important. So we have to ensure a balance between the two," he said. -- BERNAMA

LRT3 expected to start operating by the end of June – Loke

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 15 -- About 7,000 to 8,000 Rohingya were sent to third countries each year through intergovernmental cooperation, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail. However, he said the process has now stalled due to various constraints faced by the countries involved. He said the Rohingya ethnic issue was an international issue stemming from the political and security situation in Myanmar, causing Malaysia to accept their presence on humanitarian grounds. "Malaysia has government-to-government (G2G) cooperation with several countries that allows Rohingya refugees to be temporarily housed before being sent to third countries that need their labor or professional services. "Recently, the process of resettling Rohingyas to third countries has faced several constraints, causing their movement to the country to be halted, thus raising various issues that require the attention of all parties," he told reporters after the launch of the Fight Against Scam: Two Teams, One Goal, here, today. Mohd Khalid said that apart from that, Malaysia also took into account the humanitarian aspect in dealing with the issue, in addition to ensuring that national security continues to be maintained. "Everyone who comes to this country must follow the laws and regulations that have been set. These people are subject to our laws. If they commit an offence, we will take action just like we do against anyone else who comes to our country," he said. He said about 215,000 Rohingya are registered with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) while local authorities also have their records in collaboration with the Immigration Department to facilitate monitoring. "We know where they are and what their jobs are. So if any crime occurs involving them, it will be easy for us to take action when we know their location and so on," he said. Commenting on crime trends involving the community, Mohd Khalid said the involvement of the Rohingya ethnic group in crime was low, with 89 individuals recorded as being involved in criminal cases for the period 2024 to this year, which is 0.02 percent of the overall crime statistics in the country. In this regard, he reminded the public not to make statements that could affect public safety and order, while stressing that enforcement action would be taken against any individual who violates the law regardless of nationality. The media last Saturday reported that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the rate of resettlement to third countries by the UNHCR was too low for refugees, including the Rohingya, which was one of the reasons why the group remained in the midst of local communities for a long time. Meanwhile, Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the state recorded 192 cases involving 300 arrests of Rohingya between 2025 and May 2026 involving violent and property crimes. He said the police always take consistent and continuous enforcement action and are not based on current sentiment. "The police always work closely with strategic agency partners, for example the Immigration Department and Local Authorities (PBT), we work together to exchange information and carry out integrated operations," he said at a press conference by the Selangor Commercial Crime Investigation Department, here, today. Shazeli said last year six integrated operations were carried out throughout the state of Selangor to address the issue. Commenting on the issue of demolition of illegal settlements, he said discussions on the matter were being held with the local authorities involved so that further, more constructive action could be taken in line with legal provisions. – BERNAMA

Deportation of thousands of Rohingya to third countries every year has stopped – IGP

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Communications Minister and Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has welcomed the successful launch of the Dengue-Free Community (KomBeD) Programme and Mega Anti-Aedes Gotong-Royong initiative, describing it as an important step towards strengthening community involvement in dengue prevention and control efforts. The programme, organised by the Lembah Pantai Health Office in collaboration with the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency, was held on Sunday (June 14) and brought together government agencies, strategic partners and local residents in a united effort to combat the spread of dengue fever. The event also featured the National Healthy Malaysia Agenda (ANMS) Roadshow for Lembah Pantai, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle practices and enhancing public awareness of health-related issues within the community. Fahmi said the initiative reflects the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment, while encouraging greater public participation in efforts to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding grounds. "Community engagement remains a key component in the fight against dengue. Through programmes such as KomBeD and the Mega Anti-Aedes Gotong-Royong, residents are empowered to take proactive measures in protecting their neighbourhoods and families from dengue outbreaks," he said. He expressed hope that the programme would serve as a catalyst for building a more aware, proactive and committed community capable of sustaining a cleaner, healthier and dengue-free environment. Fahmi also extended his appreciation to all participating agencies, strategic partners and members of the local community for their cooperation and dedication in ensuring the success of the programme. "The commitment shown by all stakeholders demonstrates that effective public health initiatives require strong collaboration between the government, community leaders and residents. Together, we can create healthier communities and reduce the threat posed by dengue," he added. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB FAHMI FADZIL

Datuk Fahmi Commends Community Participation in Dengue-Free Community Launch and Mega Anti-Aedes Campaign

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today described the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bukit Kiara Permanent Housing Project as a historic milestone that reflects the MADANI Government's commitment to justice, dignity and the welfare of the people. Speaking at the ceremony, Anwar said the project marks the end of a 44-year struggle for residents of Rumah Panjang Bukit Kiara, who have lived in temporary settlements under challenging conditions while awaiting a permanent housing solution. "This is a meaningful and joyous moment, not only for the residents of Rumah Panjang Bukit Kiara, but also proof that an administration guided by MADANI values will always place justice, courtesy and the dignity of the people at the forefront," he said. The Prime Minister noted that the project represents a concrete step towards resolving a long-standing issue that has affected generations of residents and demonstrates the government's determination to ensure citizens receive their rightful access to proper housing. He said the process of addressing the matter required careful consideration and collaboration among various stakeholders to identify the best possible solution while safeguarding the interests of the affected community. Anwar also expressed appreciation to all parties involved in making the project a reality, stressing that the experience underscored the importance of respecting legislative processes and upholding the role of national institutions. "The rights and welfare of those in need must continue to be protected, with justice enjoyed by all citizens regardless of race, religion or background," he said. He added that the government's efforts to uplift the urban poor would remain a priority, in line with its commitment to ensuring that no segment of society is left behind in the nation's development agenda. According to Anwar, development must be inclusive and benefit all levels of society, as true national progress can only be achieved when every citizen is able to participate in and benefit from economic and social advancement. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister also announced a RM1 million grant to assist longhouse residents transitioning into their new homes. The allocation will be used to provide residential maintenance subsidies for a period of three years and will be managed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). He said the initiative forms part of the MADANI Government's ongoing commitment to preserving the welfare and quality of life of residents after they relocate to their new permanent housing units. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

Bukit Kiara Permanent Housing Project Ends 44-Year Wait for Longhouse Residents – PM Anwar

LONDON, 15 June  -- AI is rapidly reshaping the skills employers want most from workers – increasing the emphasis on human skills such as judgement, creativity and leadership – as companies most able to use AI continue to expand hiring faster than their peers, according to PwC's 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, released today.  The Barometer, which analysed more than one billion job ads across six continents, also finds that AI is driving a 'two-track' global labour market in which 'professionalised' roles – in which AI automates routine tasks so human judgement and expertise are emphasized – are growing faster than roles 'democratised' by AI – in which AI makes the role itself easier for non-experts to perform. 'Professionalised' roles (such as radiologists or recruiters) are seeing twice the growth in available jobs and 42% faster salary growth than those categorised as 'democratised' (such as IT service managers or medical secretaries). At the entry level, AI appears to be increasing demand for more 'senior' skills from junior workers. Based on 2.4 million entry-level jobs analysed in the US, entry-level roles most exposed to AI are now seven times more likely to require traditionally senior-level 'human-intensive' skills like leadership, creativity or face-to-face interactions. Job openings for these 'seniorised' entry-level roles have grown 35% since 2019, while other entry-level roles shrank 10%. Joe Atkinson, Global Chief AI Officer, PwC, said: "Across the global economy, we're beginning to see a new divide emerge between different models for talent and value creation. The companies seeing the greatest returns on AI are using it to amplify human expertise, accelerate innovation and create entirely new sources of value. As a result, they are pulling further ahead on productivity and growth than companies that focus primarily on automation." AI is driving a productivity boom – and "super-star" companies most able to use AI are pulling ahead significantly The report finds widening divergence between companies most and least exposed to AI. Companies operating in the most AI-exposed sectors recorded 34% productivity growth in 2025 relative to 2018, compared to 24% for the companies least able to use AI. Within this group, a pronounced "super-star" effect is emerging. The top 20% of the most AI-exposed companies achieved average labour productivity growth of 163% relative to 2018 – nearly five times higher than the most AI-exposed companies overall. Perhaps most surprisingly, headcount growth at the most AI-exposed companies is outpacing growth at the least AI-exposed companies – 52% relative to 36% in 2025, based on 2018 baseline levels. Average wage premium for AI skills hits 62% as AI job postings eclipse broader labour market growth As companies continue to boost productivity with AI, the average wage premium for workers with AI skills continued to surge higher – hitting 62%, up from 57% last year. The wage premium varies by industry: as high as 118% in some sectors, such as consumer markets, and 16% in government and public sector work. Jobs requiring specific AI skills – such as prompt engineering or machine learning – have also soared, growing roughly eight times (69%) as fast as the overall jobs market, at 9%. The number of AI jobs is almost twice as high as 2024, with growth in AI jobs outpacing all jobs since 2015.  Sectors including technology, media and telecommunications (11%) and professional services (6%) sectors saw the highest share in AI job growth – with health at the lowest end (less than 1%) Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader, PwC, said: "The traditional relationship between experience and expertise is changing. AI is removing some of the routine work that once acted as an apprenticeship, while increasing demand for judgement, leadership and adaptability much earlier in careers. Organisations need to rethink how they develop talent if they want people to thrive in this new environment." Notes to Editors About PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer  PwC's 2026 AI Jobs Barometer analysed more than one billion jobs advertisements in 27 countries and territories. The Barometer combines large-scale labour market, company financial and occupational task data to understand how AI is reshaping jobs, skills, wages and productivity across the global economy. Additionally, this year's Barometer includes targeted analysis of entry-level roles, including how the skill requirements of early-career jobs are changing in highly AI-exposed occupations. You can read the full report and learn more about the methodology and key takeaways at www.pwc.com. About PwC  At PwC, we help clients build trust and reinvent so they can turn complexity into competitive advantage. We're a tech-forward, people-empowered network with more than 364,000 people in 136 countries and 137 territories. Across audit and assurance, tax and legal, deals and consulting, we help clients build, accelerate, and sustain momentum. Find out more at www.pwc.com. --  PRNewswire -- Source: PwC

AI reshapes global labour market into two distinct paths, rewarding human skills: PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer