Malaysia boosts preparedness for Northeast Monsoon season

Malaysia boosts preparedness for Northeast Monsoon season

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has implemented early measures to ensure all relevant agencies are fully prepared for the Northeast Monsoon despite forecasts suggesting milder impact this year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasised that preparedness efforts require comprehensive coordination among all agencies to protect lives, property, and important documents during disasters. He noted that approximately 6,000 major and minor disaster events currently occur across ASEAN as the Northeast Monsoon begins affecting the region’s northern part. Winds from the monsoon are expected to move toward Peninsular Malaysia along with the west coasts of Sarawak and Sabah. Ahmad Zahid made these comments to reporters after officiating the SME Venture @ ASEAN 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre. The Central Disaster Management Committee chairman revealed he personally inspected readiness in Temerloh, Pahang last Monday. The government has implemented an early warning system through the National Disaster Management Agency and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability. This system ensures prompt evacuation of residents before water levels rise during flood situations. For long-term flood management, the government has allocated RM2.2 billion next year to address nationwide flood issues. From this allocation, RM460 million has been designated for NADMA to strengthen disaster management efforts. Ahmad Zahid stressed that implementation effectiveness matters more than the allocated amount. He emphasised that community cooperation and understanding remain crucial since disasters transcend political boundaries. The Deputy Prime Minister urged residents in high-risk or red zone areas to cooperate fully with disaster management authorities. He specifically mentioned cooperation with NADMA and state and district disaster management committees. Such cooperation is essential for mobilising effective rescue and relief operations in affected areas during monsoon season. – Bernama

vivo X300 Pro Hands On: Two Frontiers, One Phone

vivo X300 Pro Hands On: Two Frontiers, One Phone

Following the vivo X300 series launch event, we were loaned a unit of the Pro variant for a day. The whole of said day also involves going around Shanghai and taking in the sights of the city. Which means that this hands on will be a bit more camera-orientated than the usual. That being said, […] The post vivo X300 Pro Hands On: Two Frontiers, One Phone appeared first on Lowyat.NET .

Young footballers urged to emulate Arif Aiman’s achievements

Young footballers urged to emulate Arif Aiman’s achievements

KUALA LUMPUR: Young footballers should emulate and draw inspiration from the achievements of Harimau Malaya ace Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi in their quest to reach the highest level. Football Association of Malaysia acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said the Johor Darul Ta’zim player’s nomination for the Asian Football Confederation Player of the Year award proves local talents can compete on the Asian stage with high discipline and work ethic. He noted this marks the first time a Malaysian player has been nominated for this prestigious award. Mohd Yusoff emphasised that young players must make Arif Aiman their role model to achieve parity with Asia’s best footballers. He stated that Arif Aiman’s success demonstrates that origin or lineage does not determine a player’s ability to represent the national team. The FAM acting president clarified that player quality and performance matter more than heritage in football selection. He observed that many local players possess huge potential but need to improve their discipline, hard work and commitment. Mohd Yusoff hopes Arif Aiman’s historic achievement will inspire young players to reach greater heights in their football careers. Arif Aiman has also won the National Football Awards Most Valuable Player title for four consecutive years. The winner of the 2025 AFC Player of the Year award will be announced tomorrow in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. – Bernama

RM410 juta e-waste dirampas PGA dalam tempoh sembilan bulan

RM410 juta e-waste dirampas PGA dalam tempoh sembilan bulan

KOTA BHARU: Briged Tenggara Pasukan Gerakan Am (PGA) merekodkan rampasan sisa elektronik (e-waste) sebanyak RM410 juta dalam tempoh sembilan bulan tahun ini bermula Januari hingga September lalu. Pemangku Komandernya, Asisten Komisioner Ijid Landu Binju berkata, kenyataan itu melalui Ops Hazard yang dijalankan di Pahang berikutan banyak kilang-kilang yang beroperasi secara haram di negeri tersebut. “Bagaimanapun ... Read more The post RM410 juta e-waste dirampas PGA dalam tempoh sembilan bulan appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

Perak bimbang ribuan peluang pekerjaan diisi warga asing

Perak bimbang ribuan peluang pekerjaan diisi warga asing

IPOH: Kerajaan Perak bimbang lambakan peluang pekerjaan yang dicipta daripada pelbagai aktiviti ekonomi berskala besar di negeri ini hanya akan diisi oleh warga asing. Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad berkata, risiko itu disuarakannya kepada Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dalam mesyuarat Pihak Berkuasa Pelaksanaan Koridor Utara (NCIA) di Putrajaya semalam. Kata beliau, ... Read more The post Perak bimbang ribuan peluang pekerjaan diisi warga asing appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

Trump administration withholds $40.6 million from California over truck rules

Trump administration withholds $40.6 million from California over truck rules

WASHINGTON : The Trump administration said on Wednesday it was withholding $40.6 million from California in federal transportation funding for failing to comply with truck driver English proficiency rules. The U.S. Transportation Department had warned California, Washington state and New Mexico in August that they could lose funding unless they adopt English proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers. “California is the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement,“ U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom said in the state’s response to the Transportation Department, it said its laws, regulations, standards, and orders were either identical to or had the same effect as federal safety requirements, including English language proficiency. “California properly enforces this requirement through its commercial driver’s licensure procedures,“ the spokesperson said, adding those state license holders had a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the national average. The withheld funding was for roadside inspections, traffic enforcement, safety audits of trucking companies, and public education campaigns. U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a series of steps to address concerns about foreign truck drivers who do not speak English, and in August, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was immediately pausing the issuance of all worker visas for commercial truck drivers. Last month, the Transportation Department issued emergency rules to drastically restrict commercial driver licenses to non-U.S. citizens after a fatal crash in Florida and a government audit. In April, Trump signed an executive order directing enforcement of a rule requiring commercial drivers in the U.S. to meet English proficiency standards. While the English-proficiency standard for truckers was already longstanding U.S. law, the order reversed 2016 guidance that inspectors should not place commercial drivers out of service if their only violation was lack of English. FMCSA said in 2023 that about 16% of U.S. truck drivers were born outside the United States. Duffy said last month he was launching a separate enforcement action against California, requiring it to pause issuing some commercial driver licenses to non-U.S. citizens. California has 30 days to comply or the Trump administration will withhold federal highway funds, starting with nearly $160 million in the first year and then doubling. - Reuters

Trump confirms CIA ops in Venezuela, ramps up pressure on Maduro

Trump confirms CIA ops in Venezuela, ramps up pressure on Maduro

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, marking a sharp escalation in U.S. efforts to pressure President Nicolas Maduro’s government. The New York Times first reported the classified directive, citing U.S. officials familiar with the decision, saying the Trump administration’s Venezuela strategy aims to remove Maduro from power. The administration has offered $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and conviction on drug trafficking charges. Trump said he authorized the action because large amounts of drugs were entering the United States from Venezuela, much of it trafficked by sea. “We are looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control,“ Trump said. TRUMP: VENEZUELA ‘FEELING HEAT’ He has repeatedly accused Venezuela of being a hub for trafficking of the deadly drug fentanyl, but U.S. records have shown that Mexico is the main source of fentanyl. Trump was asked by a reporter why he did not have the Coast Guard stop suspected drug trafficking boats, which has been U.S. practice for decades. Trump called such efforts “politically correct” and said they had not worked. Trump declined to answer when asked if the CIA has the authority to execute Maduro, saying, “I think Venezuela is feeling heat.” Trump has ordered a large U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean, and the troops have conducted at least five strikes on vessels the Trump administration has described as involved in drug trafficking, without providing evidence. The campaign is the most recent example of Trump’s efforts to use U.S. military power in new, and often legally contentious, ways, from deploying active-duty U.S. troops in Los Angeles to carrying out counterterrorism strikes against drug trafficking suspects. The Pentagon recently disclosed to Congress that Trump has determined the United States is engaged in “a non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels. TRUMP: VENEZUELA RELEASED PRISONERS INTO U.S. Trump also accused Venezuela of releasing large numbers of prisoners, including individuals from mental health facilities, into the United States, although he did not specify which border they were crossing. Neither Maduro’s Information Ministry nor press representatives for opposition leader Maria Corina Machado immediately responded to requests for comment on Trump’s remarks. The Trump administration has provided scant information about the strikes, frustrating members of Congress, including some of his fellow Republicans. On Wednesday, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the administration moved the U.S. closer to outright conflict. “The American people deserve to know if the Administration is leading the U.S. into another conflict, putting servicemembers at risk or pursuing a regime-change operation,“ she said in a statement. - Reuters