Southeast Asian absolute monarchy on Borneo
A mounting body of studies shows climate hazards are increasingly disrupting data centers worldwide, raising costs and threatening reliability. Insurers warn of higher premiums; operators push for water-efficient cooling and location strategies. With heat waves intensifying, a systemic rethink of cooling, water use, and siting is underway.
The Philippines has formally objected to a China Daily AI-generated video that dehumanizes Filipinos and mocks the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling. Manila calls for takedown and warns against propaganda that escalates tensions as regional powers urge adherence to UNCLOS.
The US and Russia remain engaged in diplomatic talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Rubio has described constructive discussions with Lavrov in Manila, emphasizing a possible role for the US in brokering a settlement, while Lavrov reiterates Moscow’s readiness for a political solution. Talks come amid broader regional tensions and Middle East concerns.
Tensions in the South China Sea have intensified as Chinese coast guard vessels clash with Philippine forces near Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines reports dangerous maneuvers and water cannon use by Chinese ships, while China accuses Manila of illegal activities. ASEAN ministers discuss the dispute and aim to advance a code of conduct this year.
A Vietnamese cargo vessel carrying 62 people sank near Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands. Rescue operations are ongoing with Vietnamese, Chinese and Philippine teams coordinating as 44 have been rescued and 18 remain missing.
The United States is expanding its security commitments in Asia as tensions with China in the South China Sea intensify. Washington is signaling resolve through high-level visits and joint drills with allies, while urging regional partners to bolster their own defenses. The Philippines remains a focal point of the steady U.S. push to deter Beijing’s growing assertiveness.
Since early 2026 wildfires have scorched hundreds of thousands of hectares across Indonesia, concentrating on Borneo (Kalimantan). A powerful El Niño and prolonged dry conditions have driven deep-burning peat and forest blazes that have sent hazardous haze into Malaysian Borneo and Singapore, closed schools and prompted arrests and troop, helicopter and cloud‑seeding deployments.
Wildfires across Kalimantan and Sumatra have intensified under El Niño-driven drought, pushing smoke into Malaysia and Brunei. Authorities deploy cloud-seeding, water-bombing aircraft, and ground crews as hotspots rise and air quality deteriorates, threatening health and livelihoods.
A gunman has opened fire outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, wounding a police officer; the suspect has died after hospitalisation. Ontarios SIU and Belleville police have opened investigations and police have increased patrols near places of worship. Separately, Reform synagogues in Jerusalem and other countries have reported repeated vandalism and harassment targeting LGBTQ-friendly and non-Orthodox communities.
Barilla Group has agreed to acquire Goodles, the nutrition-forward mac-and-cheese brand, while keeping its Santa Cruz base and staff intact. The deal awaits regulatory approvals. Gadot is an investor, with her exact role and stake not disclosed. Goodles aims to go global as it enters a new phase of growth.
Philippines’ defense chief has read a note he says came from China during a Seoul forum, accusing China of coercion and challenging UNCLOS. Beijing denies wrongdoing, urging restraint as regional tensions persist. The incident follows a string of coast guard clashes in the South China Sea and comes as Manila signals willingness to reset ties while Beijing pushes a harder line.
A surge in forest and peatland fires across Indonesia’s Borneo and Sumatra has intensified toxic haze, fueling health risks and prompting international firefighting assistance. El Niño-driven drought and centuries of land degradation are driving the crisis, with cross-border air pollution affecting neighboring Malaysia and Singapore.
A collection of articles examines how natural landscapes—bogs, peatlands and woodlands—shape climate resilience. Guardian Country Diary pieces highlight how native habitats slow floods and store water, while a New York Times piece tours bog landscapes around the world. An economist report contrasts regional water scarcity in Uttarakhand with rainfall-driven resilience in the UK.