In-depth reporting on Malaysia and the region.
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Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey offers an unexpected meditation on power and hypocrisy in modern geopolitics, reflecting how the US—once the liberal order's champion—increasingly behaves like the lawless force it promised to restrain.
Shell's underlying earnings jumped 70 per cent to US$16.75 billion in the first half of 2024, capitalising on extreme oil market volatility triggered by regional tensions and trading opportunities.
OPEC+ will hold its Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee meeting on Sunday to determine September oil production levels. Seven member states implementing voluntary cuts are expected to raise production targets by 188,000 barrels daily.
The United States has imposed sanctions on 10 Chinese shipping companies and two Iranian insurers, accusing them of circumventing restrictions on Iranian oil exports. The move reflects escalating tensions over Iran trade enforcement.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has cautioned against alleged Israeli false-flag operations in response to a drone attack that ignited two gas vessels at Egypt's Damietta Port on the Mediterranean coast.
Israeli artillery struck Syria's Quneitra province on Thursday, with shells landing near Tal al-Ahmar al-Sharqi. The incident continues a pattern of increased military activity in southern Syria since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Malaysia's unsubsidised fuel prices are climbing by 20 sen per litre from July 30, with RON97 reaching RM4.40 and diesel RM4.62. The increases reflect global crude oil volatility linked to US-Iran tensions and supply risks.
Oil prices tumbled 5% to two-week lows Tuesday as a temporary pause in US-Iran hostilities kindled hopes for negotiations. However, unresolved disputes and ongoing maritime disruptions in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz continue to cloud the outlook.
Audi has significantly lowered its 2024 financial outlook, citing deteriorating market conditions in China and escalating tensions in West Asia. The German carmaker's second-quarter profits fell 21 per cent.
The European Union has decided to freeze its mechanism for adjusting the price cap on Russian oil for 12 months, aiming to prevent Moscow from exploiting market volatility. The move is part of the bloc's 21st sanctions package against Russia.
Malaysia's plan to establish a national petroleum reserve reflects growing concerns over repeated disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping routes, with analysts urging broader regional coordination on energy resilience.
In a combative White House address, President Trump accused China of conducting the largest election data compromise in history and alleged systematic interference in US politics, while simultaneously pressing for stricter voting reforms ahead of midterm elections.
Donald Trump has reportedly proposed FIFA President Gianni Infantino as the next UN secretary-general, according to New York Post sources. The Swiss football chief would need Security Council approval and face competition from other candidates.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof warns that energy security and maritime safety are now inseparable, with distant geopolitical tensions affecting electricity prices, fuel supplies, and trade flows across the region.
Donald Trump abandoned his combative rhetoric towards Spain on Sunday, praising the nation's World Cup triumph just weeks after threatening a complete trade embargo and harsh criticism of Madrid's NATO commitments.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has congratulated Andy Burnham on his appointment as the United Kingdom's new prime minister, highlighting the nations' enduring Strategic Partnership and expressing confidence in deepening cooperation.
Six Israeli military vehicles crossed into Syria's Quneitra province on Saturday, advancing toward the Kudna Dam as drone operations continued overhead. The incursion marks an intensification of Israeli activity since Assad's regime collapsed in December.
Asean's annual foreign ministers meeting opens in Manila with top diplomats from China, Russia, and the United States attending. The gathering comes amid mounting geopolitical pressures and the continuing Myanmar political deadlock.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has denounced fresh US sanctions, accusing Washington of reviving McCarthyism and promoting far-right alliances that threaten global stability amid Cuba's deepening economic crisis.
A senior adviser to Prime Minister Modi has urged India to welcome more Chinese investment and reconsider regional trade arrangements, citing concerns about US reliability and the need for deeper Asian economic integration.
India has prohibited deployment of its seafarers on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz following recent attacks that killed Indian crew members, reflecting heightened geopolitical risks in the critical waterway.
NATO's 32 member states are projected to exceed US$1.8 trillion in combined defence spending by 2026, representing an 11 per cent increase from 2025 estimates, with the United States accounting for more than half the total.
France is positioning Syria as a potential alternative energy corridor to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, according to Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The move reflects broader European efforts to diversify supply chains.
American data analytics company Palantir is pursuing legal action against London's mayor over the blocked £50 million Metropolitan Police contract, claiming the decision inappropriately prioritized political considerations over operational needs.
Southeast Asia's offshore energy sector is poised for robust expansion with greenfield capital expenditure projected to surpass US$100 billion, a 12 per cent increase signalling renewed investor confidence despite lingering geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Malaysia's Defence Ministry says the Norwegian Naval Strike Missile supplier has requested talks over a RM1.06 billion claim from a cancelled Royal Malaysian Navy procurement, but warns against using negotiations as a delay tactic.
The UN nuclear watchdog has flagged mounting concerns over stability at Europe's largest nuclear facility after experiencing its 21st power disconnection since the Ukraine crisis escalated, triggering automatic emergency protocols.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed Malaysia's unwavering commitment to maintaining an independent, non-aligned foreign policy that remains proactive in addressing regional challenges and opportunities.
MARA is redirecting sponsored students from the United States to alternative countries for 2025 and 2026 intakes, citing political and geopolitical uncertainties. The move aims to protect students while maintaining world-class educational standards.
Emerging middle powers including Malaysia, Brazil and India must chart their own strategic course as the post-World War Two international order unravels, experts told the Asia-Pacific Roundtable in Kuala Lumpur.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has sent congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 105th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, emphasising Malaysia's enduring diplomatic bonds and commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.
Mainland Chinese travellers are increasingly choosing Southeast Asian destinations this summer, with Kuala Lumpur and Vietnam seeing double-digit growth, as geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown and practical budget concerns reshape travel preferences.
Tourism Malaysia is reorienting its marketing strategy toward stable markets across ASEAN, East Asia, South Asia, Europe, and Oceania to protect the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign from geopolitical disruptions in West Asia.