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☆ Shabab Al-Ahli set up Al-Nassr clash in Asian Champions League playoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates will face Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for a berth in the group phase of the Asian Champions League next week after the club from Dubai defeated Al-Wehdat 3-0 in a playoff on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr his team mates will host the 2015 Asian Champions League runners-up in Riyadh next Tuesday after second half goals from Azizjon Ganiev, Renan and Munas Dabbur earned Shabab Al-Ahli victory over the Jordanians. Khurshid Giyosov scored the game's only goal two minutes into the second half to set up a clash with Qatari side Al-Arabi. In the eastern side of the draw, Vietnam's Haiphong equalised in the 88th to take their game against Hong Kong Rangers into extra time and they went on to win 4-1 win. The draw for the group phase of the Asian Champions League will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 24 with matches kicking off on Sept. 18.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Azizjon Ganiev, Renan, Munas Dabbur, Luanzinho, Uzbekistan's AGMK, Martin Boakye's, Khurshid Giyosov, Yumemi Kanda, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Yuri Mamute's, Mamute, Martin Lo, Lee, Michael Church, Ken Ferris Organizations: United, Saudi Pro League, Al, Asian Champions League, Dubai, League, Shabab Al, India's, Qatari, Vietnam's, Hong Kong Rangers, Hong Kong Premier League, Incheon United, Urawa Red Diamonds, Bali, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Shabab Al Ahli, United Arab Emirates, Riyadh, Shabab, Sharjah, India's Bashundhara, Iran, Seeb, Oman, Arabi, Haiphong, South Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur

☆ Malaysia court throws out abuse of power charges against former PM Muhyiddin
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysian opposition leader and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin speaks during an interview at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 27, 2023. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File PhotoKUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Reuters) - A Malaysian court on Tuesday threw out charges of abuse of power against opposition leader and former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, describing them as "vague, flawed and unfounded", state news agency Bernama reported. Muhyiddin, who led Malaysia for 17 months between 2020 and 2021, was charged in March with four counts of abuse of power. A Kuala Lumpur high court ruled those charges failed to specify details of the offences allegedly committed, Bernama reported. His lawyer, Hisyam Teh, said he was confident that the other charges would not hold ground based on Tuesday's court decision.

Persons: Muhyiddin Yassin, Hasnoor Hussain, Bernama, Muhyiddin, Muhammad Jamil Hussin, Hisyam Teh, Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, Malaysian, Nasional, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR

☆ Man arrested after Malaysian Airlines plane from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur forced to turn around mid-flight
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Alex Stambaugh | Jake Kwon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A 45-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly disrupted a Malaysian Airlines flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, which was forced to turn around mid-flight and land back in Sydney International Airport on Monday. “The man is expected to be charged later tonight,” according to a spokesman for the Australian Federal Police. “Malaysia Airlines flight MH122 on 14 August 2023 returned to Sydney International Airport due to a disruptive passenger on board. Sydney International Airport said in a statement to CNN that 32 domestic flights, including 16 inbound and 16 outbound, were canceled with other domestic flights experiencing delays of up to 90 minutes. “Currently there are no international flight cancellations,” the airport said.

Persons: “ Organizations: CNN, Malaysian Airlines, Sydney International Airport, Australian Federal Police, Police, Twitter, “ Malaysia Airlines, Sydney International Locations: Sydney, Kuala Lumpur

☆ Australian police charge man over bomb threat on Malaysia Airlines flight
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Malaysia Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport July 21, 2014. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry laid out what he called overwhelming evidence of Russian complicity in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 as international horror deepened over the fate of the victims' remains. REUTERS/File PhotoSYDNEY, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Australian police on Tuesday charged a man after he allegedly claimed to have explosives on board a Malaysia Airlines flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, forcing it to return to Sydney. Flight MH122 left Sydney on Monday afternoon for Malaysia and returned to Sydney about three hours later after the passenger "allegedly became disruptive" during the flight, police said. There were no international flight cancellations.

Persons: John Kerry, MH122, Renju Jose, Stephen Coates Organizations: Malaysia Airlines, Kuala, REUTERS, Australian Federal Police, Malaysia, Police, Sydney Airport, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Canberra

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Malaysians in six states headed to the polls on Saturday in regional elections seen as a major test of support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's nine-month old administration. Perikatan, led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, made significant inroads in the Malay heartlands in the last national election in November 2022. [1/3]A woman casts her ballot paper during a state election at Selayang, Malaysia August 12, 2023. Critics, however, have raised concerns over increasing government scrutiny on online content and growing intolerance against the country's LGBTQ community. Anwar has said LGBTQ rights will not be recognised by his administration.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim's, Pakatan Harapan, Muhyiddin Yassin, Anwar, Hasnoor Hussain, Zainal, Anwar's, Rozanna Latiff, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Perikatan, United Malays National Organisation, REUTERS, Merdeka Centre, Ilham, Reuters, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perikatan Nasional, Malay, Selayang, Malaysia

☆ I gave up my $2,100 apartment in Los Angeles and have been living as a digital nomad for 4 months. There are 4 major lessons I've learned along the way.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Daniel Ferrer traded in the life of a desk worker for life on the road as a digital nomad. I didn't start out intending to be a digital nomad. Throughout my travels, I'm been working full-time as a customer success manager at a software company based in Los Angeles. Here are four life lessons I've learned from my time as a digital nomad. Being a digital nomad made me realize that I'm better off experiencing life than wearing myself down making as much money as I can.

Persons: Daniel Ferrer, Daniel, I'm, I've, Instagram Daniel Ferrer, Pamplona Bull, Daniel Ferrer The, Daniel Ferrer The Pamplona Bull, Oslo Pride Daniel Ferrer, we're, you'll, Ferrero Rocher, Apo, it's, who's Organizations: Service, Social, Oslo Pride, Vogue Locations: Wall, Silicon, Los Angeles, Bangkok, Southeast Asia, Europe, Central, South America, Pamplona, Daniel Ferrer The Pamplona, Kuala Lumpur, Instagram, Norway, Buscalan, Philippines

☆ Malaysia bans Swatch's pride watches as the nation cracks down on LGBTQ+ community.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysia has banned pride-themed Swatch watches. Malaysian officials seized over 160 pride-themed watches from Swatch stores. In May, authorities raided Swatch stores and confiscated more than 160 watches from its Pride Collection. Swatch contested allegations that the watches were harmful, saying they carried a message of peace and love. Anyone found in possession of such Swatch products faces up to three years in jail or a fine of up to 20,000 ringgit ($4,375), it warned.

Organizations: Swatch, Service, Federal Gazette, Ministry Locations: Malaysia, Wall, Silicon, Swiss, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Taipei

☆ Sun bear: World's smallest bear finally has its time in the sun. But is that a good thing?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —The world’s smallest bear is finally having its moment in the sun – thanks to a viral video that sparked a conspiracy theory on Chinese social media. “With all the media attention surrounding the (sun bear videos) we have a good opportunity to further educate ourselves to save this species.”Taronga Zoo is not alone. A sun bear inside at the Vietnam bear rescue centre, in Tam Dao national park, Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, 09 July 2019. Cubs are especially cute and docile and can be easily tamed compared to bigger and more aggressive bears, said bear expert Dave Garshelis, chair of the IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group. Will the viral videos actually help save these amazing bears?

Persons: Angela, ”, Wong Siew Te, Wong, Taronga zookeeper Logan Dudley, “, ” Afiqah Nasir, Bosco Chan, ” Chan, Minh Hoang, Dave Garshelis, Thomas Stamford, Garshelis, Shao Zhenzhen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Sun Bear Conservation Center, Taronga Zoo, Singapore Zoo, World Wildlife Fund, Cubs, IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group, Thomas Stamford Raffles, Singapore Locations: Hong Kong, Hangzhou, China, Sabah, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Sydney, Australia, Vietnam, Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc, British, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore

☆ North Korea denounces US arms aid to Taiwan as 'dangerous' provocation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File PhotoSEOUL, Aug 4 (Reuters) - North Korea on Friday criticised a U.S. weapons aid package to Taiwan, state media reported on Friday, accusing the United States of driving tensions in the region to "another ignition point of war". The United States unveiled an aid package for Taiwan worth up to $345 million on Friday as Congress authorised up to $1 billion worth of weapons for the island as a part of the 2023 budget. Taiwan rejects China's sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met a Chinese delegation in Pyongyang last week and vowed to develop the two countries' relations to a "new high".

Persons: Edgar Su, Kim Jong Un, Soo, hyang Choi, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, REUTERS, United, U.S, Thomson Locations: Korea, North Korean, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, SEOUL, North Korea, U.S, Taiwan, United States, Yong, China, Beijing, Washington, Taipei, Asia, Pacific, Pyongyang

REUTERS/Steve Marcus/File photoAug 2 (Reuters) - Refining rare earths for the green energy transition is hard. "The (rare earths) commissioning process is painstaking, with stops and starts," Jim Litinsky, MP's CEO and largest shareholder, told investors in May. Rare earths magnets turn power into motion and are the essential components in an electric vehicle's motor. Rare earths refining "is not really being addressed even by those who are developing magnet capacity," said Ryan Castilloux, a minerals consultant at Adamas Intelligence. American Rare Earths is working with U.S. government scientists at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory to develop bacteria that could process rare earths.

Persons: Steve Marcus, Lockheed Martin's, Lynas, Jim Litinsky, Kray Luxbacker, they've, Allan Walton, Ryan Castilloux, Castilloux, refines, Dysprosium, Tesla, Melissa Sanderson, Nathan Picarsic, Ernest Scheyder, Eric Onstad, Nick Carey, Melanie Burton, Veronica Brown, Susan Heavey Organizations: REUTERS, Lockheed, International Energy Agency, General Motors, University of, University of Birmingham, Adamas Intelligence, Trump, Reuters, Pentagon, Blue, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Edge, Sweden's, U.S, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Horizon Advisory, Thomson Locations: Pass , California, U.S, China, Apple's, Beijing, Texas, Western Australia, COVID, California, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Kuala Lumpur, United States, San Antonio , Texas, Sweden, South Africa, Karr

☆ Malaysia reverses plan to take legal action against Meta over harmful content
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Rozanna Latiff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Reuters) - Malaysia may not go through with a plan to take legal action against Facebook parent Meta Platforms (META.O) following "positive" engagement with the firm on tackling harmful content on the social media platform, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said in an interview on Friday. "I don't think MCMC needs at this point in time to initiate any legal action. I think this level of cooperation is very positive," he said, adding that the government was considering measures such as fines against social media platforms if they failed to tackle harmful content. Facebook is Malaysia's biggest social media platform, with an estimated 60% of the country's 33 million people having a registered account. The take-downs, he said, were likely to have been made in response to complaints made by ordinary users for violating social media guidelines.

Persons: Fahmi Fadzil, Fahmi, Meta, Anwar Ibrahim's, Rozanna Latiff, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Facebook, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Meta, Malaysian, Digital Nasional Berhad, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Malay

☆ The 1975: Malaysia's LGBTQ community slams Matty Healy's onstage kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But for many in Malaysia’s LGBTQ community, it was quite the opposite. Advocates say Islamic laws have increasingly used to target the Southeast Asian country’s LGBTQ community, with a rise in arrests and punishments ranging from caning to jailing. Participants in a Womens Day March asking for greater rights in gender equality and recognition of the LGBTQ community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 12, 2023. Just last year, Rose had helped organize a Halloween party attended by many members of the LGBTQ community – which was raided by the police, who detained a number of participants, she said. That’s not to say international musicians can’t speak up about LGBTQ rights in Malaysia.

Persons: Matty Healy, Ross MacDonald, Healy’s, Healy, MacDonald, ”, Carmen Rose, “, he’s, Thilaga Sulathireh, Rose, Zahim Mohd, NurPhoto, Sulathireh, That’s, can’t, Talitha Tan, “ Malaysia’s, ” Rose, Selena Gomez Organizations: CNN, ” CNN, Sisters, Womens, Coldplay, Malaysian Islamic Locations: British, Malaysia, Kuala, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian, Indonesia, Taiwan, Jakarta, Taipei, ”, Rose, Asia

☆ UK band The 1975 cancels Indonesia, Taiwan shows after Malaysia LGBT controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 23 (Reuters) - British band The 1975 said on Sunday they have cancelled shows in Taiwan and Muslim-majority Indonesia, a day after Malaysia banned them from performing there after their frontman kissed a bandmate on stage and criticised the country's anti-LGBT laws. "Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, it is impossible to proceed with the scheduled shows," the pop rock group said in a statement, without elaborating. Malaysia's government halted a music festival in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Saturday and barred The 1975 after what it called "disrespectful actions". Homosexuality is a crime in Muslim-majority Malaysia. It was not immediately clear why the band cancelled their July 25 show in Taiwan, which has a proud reputation as a bastion of LGBT rights and liberalism, including allowing same-sex marriage in 2019.

Persons: Matty Healy's, Martin Petty, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Malaysia, Rights, Southeast, Southeast Asia LGBT, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Muslim, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jakarta, Aceh province, Southeast Asia

CNN —A music festival in Malaysia has been canceled after the lead singer of British band The 1975 Matty Healy slammed the country’s anti-LGBTQ laws and kissed a bandmate on stage. The on-stage incident at the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur on Friday night prompted the country’s Ministry of Communications to cancel the rest of the three-day event. Homosexual acts are illegal in Malaysia and punishable by fines and up to 20 years in prison. Healy added that the band considered canceling the show but decided against it to not disappoint the fans. In 2019, Healy kissed a male fan during a concert in Dubai, in defiance of the region’s anti-LGBT laws.

Persons: Matty Healy, Healy, “, ”, you’re, ” Healy, Ross MacDonald, It’s, – Healy Organizations: CNN, country’s Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Communications, Digital, Malaysian Home Affairs Ministry, Nazi, Kanye, Twitter Locations: Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai

☆ Malaysia halts music festival after same-sex kiss by UK band The 1975
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Rozanna Latiff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 1975 have also been banned from performing in Malaysia, said a government committee that oversees filming and performances by foreigners. "I don't see the fucking point ... of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with." Festival organiser Future Sound Asia apologised for the cancellation of the show following Healy's "controversial conduct and remarks". Communications Minister Fahmi said Malaysia was committed to supporting the development of creative industries and freedom of expression. The Jakarta festival's organisers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether the band would play.

Persons: disparages, Fahmi Fadzil, Healy, Ross MacDonald, we've, Regrettably, Fahmi, Matt Healy, Carmen Rose, Anwar Ibrahim's, Rozanna Latiff, Bernadette Christina, William Mallard, Robert Birsel Organizations: Communications, Rights, United Arab Emirates, Sound, Twitter, Malay, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Malaysian, Jakarta, Indonesia

☆ Malaysia telecoms firms complete talks to take up stakes in 5G agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Reuters) - Malaysia said on Friday telecommunications firms CelcomDigi, Maxis, Telekom Malaysia, U Mobile and YTL Communications will take up stakes in state 5G agency Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), following an agreement reached between the firms and the government on equity participation and 5G access. The announcement comes as mobile operators and the government look set to conclude protracted negotiations over Malaysia's 5G rollout plans. Malaysia had in 2021 announced that state-owned DNB would own the full 5G spectrum, with carriers using the infrastructure to provide mobile services. Mobile operators agreed in October last year to take up 70% of DNB's stake to resolve the impasse. Other carriers had signed the deal last year, paving the way for 5G services to be rolled out to customers.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim's, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: CelcomDigi, Maxis, Telekom Malaysia, U Mobile, YTL Communications, Digital Nasional Berhad, Malaysia's, Mobile, Maxis Berhad, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia

☆ Global retailers cash in on Barbie movie craze
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Helen Reid | Thomson Reuters | London-Based Reporter Covering The European Retail Sector Through A Global Lens. Focusing On Companies Including Adidas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Arriana McLymoreJuly 21 (Reuters) - Shoppers are snapping up Barbie hoop earrings, perfume, jumpsuits, and dresses as retailers seek to cash in on Friday's Barbie film release, reigniting the craze for the plastic doll and her hot pink, sequin-adorned universe. Mattel says the Barbie movie is expected to boost global sales of Barbie dolls, which declined last year from record growth during the pandemic. A Gap Barbie hoodie for women was available only in size XXS online, while a pair of Barbie Crocs, priced at $59.99 - $10 more than normal Crocs - was sold out on the Crocs website. Luggage brand Beis had a waiting list for all three sizes of suitcases in a Barbie pink, priced at a premium to its usual colour range. Walmart pitched Barbie dolls in varying skin tones and hairstyles at $45 to collectors.

Persons: browses, Arriana, Friday's, Barbie, Jo Ashdown, Ryan Gosling, Ken, Zara Barbie, hoodie, Barbie Crocs, Barbie toothbrushes, James Zahn, that's, Helen Reid, Savyata Mishra, Siddharth Cavale, Nick Zieminski Organizations: REUTERS, Mattel, WPP, Walmart, Hyatt Hotels, Hilton, Thomson Locations: Zara's Soho, New York City, U.S, Bogota, Colombia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

☆ Malaysia issues license to Musk's Starlink to bring internet services to remote areas
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Reuters) - Malaysia has issued a license to Starlink, the satellite communications service started by Elon Musk, to provide internet services in the country, particularly in remote areas, its communications minister said on Thursday. Minister Fahmi Fadzil said in a Facebook post that Starlink, which is operated by Musk's SpaceX, would begin by providing its services to schools and higher education institutions. The government was also prepared to work with satellite communications firms, including Starlink, to ensure 100 percent internet coverage in populated areas, Fahmi said. Around three percent of populated areas in Malaysia face issues with internet access, due to geographical and infrastructure challenges, he added. The government earlier this year announced that his electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla (TSLA.O) would open an office in Malaysia.

Persons: Elon Musk, Fahmi Fadzil, Fahmi, Anwar Ibrahim, Tesla, Rozanna Latiff, Hasnoor Hussain, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Elon, Musk's SpaceX, Malaysian, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

☆ Asia’s best bars for 2023 announced
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Asia comprises about 30% of the world’s land mass. In addition to ranking the top 50, the 50 Best organization – which also rates restaurants and, soon, hotels – acknowledged “best in destination” prizes for bars that were the highest rated from their country, city or region. It was his first-ever visit to Hong Kong. 50 Best/William ReedAsia’s 50 Best Bars 20231. COA (Hong Kong)2.

Persons: Jay Khan, Ernest Hemingway, Beckaly Franks, Hong Kong's, William Reed, Hong Konger, ”, Franks, “, Rohan Matmary, Trigona’s, Matmary, Singapore’s, Khan, Ajit Gurung, “ We’re, William Reed Asia’s, Aubrey Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Pontiac, Native American, CNN Travel, Bars Academy, BKK Social, Tropic, Sago, Cham, SG, Analogue Initiative, Chamber, Employees, Southside, Hope, Sesame, House Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Asia, Asia, Hong, American, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Tropic City, Taipei, Vesper, Republic, Delhi, Jakarta, Manhattan, Pantja, Manila, Mumbai, Copitas, Bengaluru, Guangzhou, Vender, Taichung, Kyoto

☆ Malaysia charges opposition leader with sedition over remarks on royalty
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Reuters) - Malaysia on Tuesday charged opposition leader Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor with sedition for allegedly insulting the country's revered sultans, state media Bernama reported. Negative remarks about its royalty can be prosecuted under a colonial-era Sedition Act, which has been used against people who criticise the sultans on social media. However, sedition charges against Malaysian politicians have been rare in recent years. Muhammad Sanusi's remarks, according to other media reports, questioned decisions taken by the royalty regarding the formation of government in the federal and state level. If found guilty, he faces up to three years in prison and a maximum penalty of 5,000 ringgit ($1,102.54).

Persons: Muhammad Sanusi Md, Muhammad Sanusi, Anwar Ibrahim's, Muhammad Sanusi's, Martin Petty Organizations: PAS, Malaysian, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Kedah, Thailand

☆ BlackRock made a climate pledge. Then it appointed a Saudi oil executive to its board
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —BlackRock, the world’s biggest asset manager, said Monday it has appointed Amin Nasser, chief executive of oil giant Saudi Aramco, to its board of directors — despite the New York-based firm’s pledge to accelerate investment in climate-friendly companies. Nasser joined the state-run oil giant Saudi Aramco in 1982 as a petroleum engineer, rising up the ranks to become CEO in 2015. Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil producer, with a market capitalization of 7.8 trillion Saudi riyal ($2.1 trillion). But, like other fossil fuel companies, pressure has built on Saudi Aramco to take more drastic action to curb its greenhouse gas emissions. President and CEO of Aramco Amin Nasser attends the Energy Asia conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia June 26, 2023.

Persons: Amin Nasser, —, Bader Alsaad, Larry Fink, Nasser, Hasnoor Hussain, ” Nasser, BlackRock’s, Jeff Sonnenfeld, Nasser “ Organizations: London CNN — BlackRock, Saudi Aramco, New, BlackRock, Arab Fund for Economic, Social, Saudi, —, Energy Asia, World Petroleum Congress, Yale School of Management, CNBC, Aramco, CNN Locations: Saudi, New York, ”, Ukraine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, decarbonize, United States, BlackRock

☆ Swiss watchmaker Swatch sues Malaysia for seizure of Pride watches
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In May, Malaysian authorities confiscated watches from Swatch's 'Pride collection' because of the presence of the letters 'LGBTQ' on the watches, the home minister said. Home ministry officials "illegally" seized 172 watches from 16 outlets, Swatch said in court documents seen by Reuters. The seizure notices served to Swatch described the watches as having elements of or promoting LGBTQ rights and potentially breaching Malaysian law, the company said. Most of the seized watches, which have a combined retail value of 64,795 ringgit ($14,250.05), did not contain the 'LGBTQ' lettering, Swatch said. He has also said LGBT rights will not be recognised by his administration.

Persons: Swatch's, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Rozanna, John Revill, Kanupriya Kapoor, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Swatch, Malaysian, Reuters, Malay Mail, Swatch Group, Malaysia, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Swiss, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian, Zurich

☆ Malaysia's Maxis agrees to use state-run 5G network
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Reuters) - Malaysian mobile operator Maxis Bhd (MXSC.KL) said it will sign an agreement to access the country's state-run 5G network, the last major carrier to get on board a contentious rollout. "(As of today), there is no alternative wholesale network providers undertaking the deployment of 5G infrastructure and network," Maxis said. The company expects to incur operating expenses of about 360 million ringgit ($79.59 million) per year for the access agreement. Signing of the access agreement with DNB is a crucial step to deploy 5G. DNB has defended itself from criticism over pricing, saying it will charge operators less to access its 5G network than their costs for 4G.

Persons: Michael Perry Organizations: Maxis, Nasional Berhad, 4G, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysian, Malaysia

☆ Famed luxury train is returning to Southeast Asia with two new routes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In February 2024, The Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train will launch two seasonal return-trip journeys out of Singapore that take in the landscapes of its northern neighbor, Malaysia. These routes mark the brand’s official return to Southeast Asia after being forced to cease operations during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train's open-air observation carriage. BelmondAccording to Belmond, operator of the train, the 15 signature green- and cream-colored carriages, once a familiar site for train spotters in the region, have been restyled. Travelers familiar with the luxury train’s long-established presence in Southeast Asia might be asking: why isn’t it traveling up through Thailand to Bangkok?

Persons: George Town, Belmond, ” Organizations: CNN, Oriental Express, Oriental, State, Presidential, Travelers, Orient, CNN Travel Locations: Southeast Asia, Singapore, Malaysia, Singapore’s Woodlands, Penang, Langkawi, Taman, Pullman, Kuala Lumpur, Malay Culture, Alor Setar, George, Malaysian, Thailand, Bangkok, Venice, Kanchanaburi, Thailand’s

☆ Malaysian PM Anwar discusses Tesla investment, Starlink with Musk
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday he held a call with billionaire Elon Musk to discuss automaker Tesla's investment in the country and SpaceX's satellite communications service. "I welcome the company's interest and decision to invest in Malaysia, and Elon Musk's willingness to come to Malaysia," Anwar said in a statement. Anwar said Tesla's operations in Malaysia will begin this year. The two also discussed Starlink, the satellite communications service started by Musk and operated by his company SpaceX, Anwar said. Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi and Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim, Elon Musk, Elon Musk's, Anwar, Tesla's, Tesla, Mei Mei Chu, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Malaysian, Musk, SpaceX, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia

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