Latest news with #ShakirHusain
Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
MPOB Expects Palm Oil Exports To Recover In Second Half Of 2025
BUSINESS By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, July 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) expects palm oil exports to recover in the second half of this year due to stronger festival season demand in key markets. 'The demand, particularly from India, is due to the need to replenish stock for the festive season, attractive palm oil pricing and lower import duty on crude vegetable oils,' MPOB director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir told Bernama. Ahmad Parveez was in New Delhi last week to speak at a conference organised by the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA). In the first half of this year, Malaysian exports of palm oil and palm-based products dipped 7.4 per cent to 11.39 million tonnes compared with the January-June period last year, according to MPOB figures. Palm oil exports were recorded at 6.95 million tonnes during the half-year period, representing a drop of 7.7 per cent over the corresponding period in 2024 as demand weakened in India, China, the European Union, Bangladesh and Egypt. Nonetheless, despite a drop in the overall palm oil exports in the first half of 2025, Malaysia saw a growth in volumes to the Philippines, Iran, Kenya and Nigeria. Ahmad Parveez said that although export tonnage had dropped, Malaysia's earnings from palm oil and palm products during the January-June 2025 period surged 9.3 per cent to RM53.43 billion compared with the same period last year. The value of palm oil exports was almost RM34 billion. Malaysian palm oil has gained in geographical reach in recent years.
Barnama
21-07-2025
- General
- Barnama
Foreign Leaders Mourn Bangladesh Military Jet Crash That Claimed At Least 20 Lives
Volunteers rescue an injured girl, after an air force training aircraft crashed into Milestone College campus, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer Firefighters work to remove the wreckage from a building, after an air force training aircraft crashed into Milestone College campus, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, July 21 (Bernama) -- Foreign leaders on Monday expressed shock and sorrow over the deadly crash of a Bangladesh military jet that killed at least 20 people, including schoolchildren, and injured more than 170. India, Pakistan and the Maldives were among the nations that extended their condolences to Bangladesh in the aftermath of the tragedy. bootstrap slideshow The D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation mourned the deaths and expressed its solidarity with Bangladesh. "We stand in solidarity with the government and the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and all those affected by this heartbreaking incident. We also pray for the swift and full recovery of those who were injured," said the Istanbul-headquartered group of which Bangladesh is a member. The Bangladesh Air Force's Chinese-made F-7 BGI fighter aircraft crashed into a building of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara area. Among those who lost their lives was the plane's pilot, Flight Lieutenant Toukir Islam. The aircraft crashed due to a mechanical fault a few minutes after taking off at 1.06 pm local time from the Bangladesh Air Force Base AK Khandaker in Kurmitola as part of a regular training, according to a military statement. "Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of those injured. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X.
Barnama
21-07-2025
- General
- Barnama
At Least 19 Killed As Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crashes Into College Building
Firefighters and army members work next to the wreckage of an air force training aircraft after it crashed into Milestone College campus, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, July 21 (Bernama) -- At least 19 people were killed and more than 100 injured after a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) training aircraft crashed into a college building in Dhaka on Monday. The F-7 jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka's Uttara area around 1.15 pm. bootstrap slideshow The number of injured in the crash was more than 160, most of them students, according to local media reports. "The aircraft had departed from the Bangladesh Air Force Base AK Khandaker in Dhaka at 1:06pm as part of a routine training exercise. Shortly after take-off, the jet encountered a mechanical failure, the exact nature of which will be determined through a formal investigation," the military said in a statement. "This is a moment of profound grief for the nation," Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus said. The government has announced a day of mourning on Tuesday. The dead included many children. Personnel from the Bangladesh Army, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police were on the site working to retrieve the bodies and extinguish the fire.
Barnama
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Barnama
Malaysian Devotional Music Group Makes Impact At Algeria Festival
By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, July 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysian devotional music group Inteam captivated audiences at the 11th Constantine International Chanting Festival in Algeria, bridging cultural and linguistic divides during their debut North African tour. Dressed in traditional Malay attire, the group delivered a soulful performance that stood out among nine foreign ensembles — including those from Oman, Tunisia, Belgium, Jordan, Senegal, Syria, Tanzania, and Bosnia — invited to the prestigious festival held in the historic city of Constantine from June 25 to 30. bootstrap slideshow "Their traditional Malay attire sparked a keen interest and admiration among the international audience. This act of cultural diplomacy added a special touch to their artistic presentation," Malaysian Ambassador to Algeria, Rizany Irwan Muhamad Mazlan, told Bernama on Sunday. Inteam was among the nine foreign groups invited to perform at the chanting festival (Mahrajan Al Inshad Al Duwali) in the northeastern city of Constantine. The event also featured seven Algerian teams and participants from Oman. Inteam described their first tour of North Africa as a journey transcending linguistic, national and cultural boundaries through nasyid, a form of Islamic vocal music. Their participation in the prestigious festival not only strengthens Malaysia's cultural representation abroad, but also opens doors for greater collaboration on future international artistic platforms. "Their presence was a testament to the role of Islamic performing arts in fostering unity and mutual respect across cultures," Rizany said. Youth training workshops and seminars focused on preserving musical heritage and promoting intercultural dialogue were also held during the festival.
Barnama
30-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Japan To Provide Us$1 Billion To Bangladesh In Budget Support, To Upgrade Rail Line
By Shakir Husain NEW DELHI, May 30 (Bernama) -- Japan will offer US$1 billion to Bangladesh in budgetary support and to upgrade a key railway line. The financial package was agreed during Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus's visit to Tokyo, where he held talks on bilateral and regional issues with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday. bootstrap slideshow 'Of the total, Japan will provide US$418 million as a Development Policy Loan for Bangladesh's economic reforms and climate resilience. 'Tokyo will also lend US$641 million for upgradation of Joydevpur-Ishwardi into a dual-gauge double railway track and another US$4.2 million as grants for scholarships," his office said in a statement on Friday. In a joint statement, Ishiba reiterated Japan's support to the Bangladesh interim government in its "nation-building efforts, its reform initiatives, and its endeavour towards a peaceful transition". The two leaders emphasised the need to resolve the Myanmar humanitarian crisis, which has forced more than 1.2 million people of the Rohingya ethnic community to flee to Bangladesh. "Both sides shared the view that a sustainable, safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the displaced persons to Myanmar is the ultimate solution to this crisis for peace and stability across the region. Both sides also recognised the importance of sincere dialogue among all relevant stakeholders to resolve the crisis," the statement stated. Yunus, who arrived in Japan on Wednesday on a four-day visit, engaged with Japanese businesses, prominent figures and organisations.
