Malaysia’s oil-rich Sarawak heads to polls, forcing Anwar into yet another federal test
Malaysia’s oil-rich Sarawak state will dissolve its assembly on Monday in a test of political strength for a powerful regional coalition whose support has become crucial to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government. Anwar is facing growing pressure following electoral setbacks for his own coalition in Peninsular Malaysia, while over in Borneo, ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) continues to press for greater autonomy and control over the state’s vast oil and gas resources. Sarawak Premier Abang...
Powerful Earthquake in Tibet Kills at Least 16
Dozens were injured and more than 300 homes were toppled by the 7.0-magnitude quake, which sent residents fleeing into the cold night air, state media said.
Rubio’s India Visit Focuses on Energy
He visited Jamnagar, home to the world’s largest oil refinery, which is run by Reliance Industries. The latter plans to build a refinery in Texas.
Why Durga Puja’s Celebration in West Bengal This Year Was Different
The BJP government in the state stripped the festival of its secular-cultural uniqueness to impose religious and ritualistic practices that are anathema to Bengalis.
Indonesian wildfires threaten world’s oldest cave paintings in Sulawesi
The world’s oldest cave paintings on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi are under threat as heat and smoke from the country’s worst wildfires in more than a decade risk accelerating the deterioration of the more than 67,000-year-old works of art, according to researchers. Indonesia is battling its most intense forest and land fires since 2015 as a severe El Nino drives up temperatures and reduces rainfall, leaving its forest and peatland vulnerable to fire. While the islands of Sumatra and...
DeepSeek, MiniMax secure open-source licences days after new China export rules: state media
Chinese artificial intelligence model developers DeepSeek and MiniMax have completed export registration procedures and proceeded with open-source releases and overseas licensing activities, according to Chinese state media, days after Beijing moved to tighten oversight on AI tech transfers. Yuyuan Tantian, an influential social media account affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV, reported on Thursday evening that the two AI companies had completed the required registrations after Beijing...
North Korean silence signals Trump-Kim summit unlikely: US, South Korean officials
US and South Korean officials see the chances fading of a meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year, according to five people with knowledge of the situation. Trump, the only US president to have met a North Korean leader, has been eager to jump-start talks with North Korea, but Pyongyang has shown little interest in diplomacy aimed at containing its nuclear programme. The US has received no response from North Korea on holding a Trump-Kim meeting, and...