Latest news with #Bernama-Xinhua
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Indonesia Ramps Up Response To Worsening Forest Fires In Sumatra
JAKARTA, July 24 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Indonesian authorities have been accelerating efforts to tackle forest and land fires, particularly in Riau province and other regions across Sumatra Island in the country's western territories, reported Xinhua. According to the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan, a spike in hotspots was detected in Riau between July 19 and 20, with smoke potentially drifting to neighbouring countries. "The haze from the forest fires is starting to affect neighbouring countries, Malaysia and Singapore. They have expressed their concerns through diplomatic channels," he said during a virtual coordination meeting on wildfire management held in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Wednesday.
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Barnama
6.3-magnitude Earthquake Jolts Indonesia's Gorontalo Province
JAKARTA, July 24 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's Gorontalo province early Thursday, according to the country's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, reported Xinhua. The quake occurred at 3.50 am local time (2050 GMT Wednesday), with its epicentre located eight kilometres on land southeast of Pohuwato Regency at a depth of 132 kilometres. The tremors were also felt in nearby provinces, including North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and East Kalimantan. bootstrap slideshow "No tsunami warning has been issued as the tremor is not expected to generate large waves," said Hendry Ticoalu, secretary of the Gorontalo city disaster management agency. He added that there have been no initial reports of damage or casualties. Indonesia is prone to frequent earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone. The country is home to 127 active volcanoes and experiences intense tectonic activity. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Hong Kong arrests 18 for forged degrees in talent scheme
HONG KONG: The Immigration Department of Hong Kong has arrested 18 individuals for submitting fraudulent academic credentials under the city's Top Talent Pass Scheme. This marks the first time authorities have dismantled a syndicate assisting mainland Chinese applicants with forged documents. The group operated for over a year, processing at least 22 applications with fees reaching HK$2.5 million per case. Total proceeds from the scam are estimated at HK$55 million. Among those detained were five Hong Kong residents, suspected of running the operation, and 13 mainland applicants aged 27 to 47. Hui Chi-kin, an assistant principal immigration officer, revealed that the syndicate targeted social media users discussing relocation to Hong Kong. They offered a 'one-stop service package' that included fake overseas degrees and employment certificates to bypass immigration checks. The department has vowed to intensify scrutiny of applications and conduct random inspections to prevent further fraud. - Bernama-Xinhua
Barnama
a day ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Mexico Arranging "Immediate" Repatriation Of Nationals Held At US Detention Centre
MEXICO CITY, July 23 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Mexico is trying to immediately secure the repatriation of 14 Mexican nationals held at a United States (US) immigration detention centre, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday, reported Xinhua. "So far, 14 Mexicans have been detained, and every effort is being made to ensure their immediate repatriation," the president said during her daily press briefing. The detention centre, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," in the Everglades, the US state of Florida, has made headlines, she said.
The Star
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
China's southern province is on alert as Typhoon Wipha enters South China Sea
HAIKOU, July 19 (Bernama-Xinhua): South China's Hainan and Guangdong provinces were plunged into high alert as Typhoon Wipha entered the South China Sea, bringing strong gales and heavy rains to the two provinces, Xinhua reported. Hainan activated a Level IV emergency response at 9 a.m. Saturday, while Guangdong upgraded its emergency response from Level IV to Level II at 11 a.m. According to the Hainan Meteorological Service, Typhoon Wipha intensified from a tropical storm to a strong tropical storm in the early hours of Saturday. At 8 a.m., its centre was located in the northeastern part of the South China Sea, at approximately 930 kilometres east of Wenchang City of Hainan. The Hainan Meteorological Service estimated that Wipha is advancing northwest at a speed of approximately 20 kilometres per hour while gaining strength. It is approaching the coastal areas stretching from Shenzhen in Guangdong to Wenchang in Hainan, and is likely to make landfall in these areas between Sunday afternoon and nighttime. Due to its impact, from Saturday to July 22, most sea areas and land regions in Hainan will experience rainstorms and strong winds. Additionally, the Qiongzhou Strait between Guangdong and Hainan may face prolonged suspensions of shipping operations from Sunday until July 22. Haikou, the capital city of Hainan, may experience severe waterlogging. Meanwhile, Guangdong is bracing for strong thunderstorms, gales and tidal waves. Additionally, Guangdong has maintained specialised rescue vessels and helicopters, along with high-power tugboats and cleanup vessels on standby. China has a four-tier emergency response system for typhoons, with Level I being the most severe. - Bernama-Xinhua
