SoftBank Group to explore cooperation with the Malaysian state of Sarawak on AI computing, robotics technology and workforce development.

BERLIN, Oct 8 — German Chancellor MERZ met visiting UK Prime Minister Burnham at the Federal Chancellery. The visit, Burnham’s first official trip to Germany since taking office, coincided with a bilateral friendship treaty formally entering into force. The leaders discussed bilateral relations and foreign, European and economic policy, with an emphasis on security cooperation, economic development and shared challenges facing Europe.

A captain described operational changes to oil and LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz amid Iranian threats: night-only runs, strict equipment limits (no lights or mobile phones, typically only one radar), navigation by the Oman coast and lighthouses, and AIS cutters switched off at departure. Crews — largely from the Philippines and India — are being paid premiums, with some contracts shortened but paying several times normal wages and some owners offering an extra six months’ pay; decks are being reinforced with sandbags to guard against drones or missiles. Shipping executives say the chance of being attacked while transiting under US military surveillance is about 1 in 20; Iran has compiled a blacklist of tankers involved in the trade.