Day: June 18, 2026

Significant progress made in US-India trade talks

HYDERABAD, JUNE 18 -- India says "significant progress" has been made in efforts to seal a long-awaited trade deal with the United States (US). This was among the issues discussed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump during their meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Evian, France on Wednesday. "The leaders expressed satisfaction at the significant progress made in the negotiations towards an Interim Bilateral Trade Agreement and directed their respective officials to finalize an agreement that is balanced, mutually beneficial and of significant commercial value as soon as possible," said a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. According to the statement, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will visit India next week regarding the matter. Responding to a question about the ongoing trade talks, Trump described Modi as a "tough" negotiator. "We've been going through this process for some time and he's a very tough negotiator, one of the toughest," Trump said, pointing at the Indian leader. The US and India agreed on an interim trade deal in February this year which saw the US reduce tariffs to 18 percent. In 2025, Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on India as well as an additional 25 percent penalty for buying oil from Russia. -- BERNAMA

HYDERABAD, JUNE 18 — India says “significant progress” has been made in efforts to seal a long-awaited trade deal with the United States (US). This was among the issues discussed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump during their meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in […]

UM rises to 56th place, its best position in QS World University Rankings

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 18 -- University of Malaya (UM) has achieved the highest position in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings (WUR) when it rose two places from 58th to 56th in the world. This achievement strengthens UM's position as the best university in Malaysia and places it in the top 3.7 percent of the world's best universities. Among Malaysian institutions, UM ranks first for the indicators of Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Employability Outcomes and Sustainability. Globally, the university ranks 56th, 61st, 184th and 166th for all four indicators, respectively. In addition, the university also achieved strong global rankings in International Research Networks (125th) and International Students (153rd). UM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman described the university's best achievement in the QS WUR as a historic moment that makes the institution proud and significant to the country. "It is the result of a university that chooses discipline over complacency, implementation over rhetoric, and shared determination over mere conventional wisdom," he said. He said the success reflected the strength of an institution that is mission- and values-based, supported by the hard work and commitment of its academics, researchers, students, staff and leadership team. "It proves that when strategic vision is accompanied by clarity, coherence, courage and sustained action, Universiti Malaya not only participates in the global higher education landscape, but also shapes it," he said. Expressing appreciation to all UM staff, Noor Azuan said the achievement was the result of clear planning, institutional alignment, teamwork and consistent focus on critical sectors that shape the future. "It is embodied in the quality of our research and new areas of focus, the aspirations of our students, the dedication of our academics, the professionalism of our staff, as well as the relentless efforts of every faculty, centre, department and team that has carried the UM name with pride and excellence. According to Noor Azuan, UM is driven by continuous efforts in advanced research, digital transformation, sustainability, talent excellence, innovation, industry relevance and global partnerships. He said as the world becomes increasingly shaped by uncertainty, disruption and intense competition, institutions need to become more agile, resilient and bold in implementing reforms. Noor Azuan said the ranking was important because it reflected quality, trust and impact, and the university would continue to strive to achieve higher positions. However, he stressed that UM's broader mission is to lead the nation, elevate human dignity and help shape the future of the world. "We will continue to lead the national responsibility in shaping Malaysia's growth, strengthening the nation's resilience and producing the knowledge, talent and solutions needed by people and the world," he said. UM's overall score for the 2027 edition is 81.2 covering QS's key performance dimensions, namely Research and Discovery, Marketability and Productivity, Sustainability, Learning Experience and Global Engagement. The university recorded a score of 92.8 for Academic Reputation and 93.1 for Employer Reputation in recognition of its academic excellence as well as graduates who are highly employable and industry-ready. Meanwhile, scores of 93.4 for International Research Networks, 93.1 for International Students and 83.7 for International Faculty reflect its growing international profile and extensive global collaborations. The QS World University Rankings 2027 assessed 8,808 institutions worldwide, including 32 from Malaysia. Only 1,504 institutions made it into the final rankings across 106 locations. University of Malaya celebrates its 121st anniversary in 2026. Throughout its proud history, the university has produced many leaders and scholars who have made an impact at the national and global levels. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 18 — University of Malaya (UM) has achieved the highest position in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings (WUR) when it rose two places from 58th to 56th in the world. This achievement strengthens UM’s position as the best university in Malaysia and places it in the top 3.7 percent of […]

PM Anwar, President Putin Discuss Energy Cooperation and Strategic Bilateral Ties

MOSCOW, June 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation across key strategic sectors, particularly energy, technology, trade, and investment. Anwar said the discussions underscored the strong and growing relationship between Malaysia and the Russian Federation, while exploring new avenues for collaboration that would benefit both nations. During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed greetings from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and expressed appreciation for the respect and cordial treatment consistently extended by President Putin towards Malaysia. A major focus of the talks was enhancing cooperation in the energy sector, which Anwar described as a strategic area of mutual interest. He welcomed Russia’s willingness to pursue long-term collaboration in energy development and oil supply, a move that could contribute to Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen national energy security. The leaders also exchanged views on expanding cooperation in emerging technologies, cybersecurity, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), modern agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. In addition, discussions covered initiatives to facilitate greater people-to-people exchanges through visa liberalisation measures, as well as the exploration of mechanisms to expand bilateral trade and investment using local currencies, namely the Malaysian ringgit and Russian ruble. Anwar also acknowledged President Putin’s consistent position on international issues, particularly concerning Gaza and Iran. "The MADANI Government will continue to take strategic and proactive measures to strengthen the country's energy security through international partnerships that can ensure the stability, continuity, and sustainability of energy supplies for the benefit of the people," Anwar said. The meeting reflects Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to deepen engagement with key global partners while advancing economic growth, technological innovation, and long-term energy resilience. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

MOSCOW, June 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation across key strategic sectors, particularly energy, technology, trade, and investment. Anwar said the discussions underscored the strong and growing relationship between Malaysia and the Russian Federation, while exploring new avenues for […]