Brunei, officially the Sultanate of Brunei (Malay: Negara Brunei Darussalam or برني دارالسلام, Arabic: سلطنة بروناي or برني دارالسلام), is a country located on the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the state of Sarawak, East Malaysia.

History

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The Sultanate of Brunei was very powerful from the 14th through the 16th century. Its realm covered the southern Philippines, Sarawak and Sabah. European influence gradually brought an end to this regional power. Later, there was a brief war with Spain in which Brunei was victorious. The decline of the Bruneian Empire culminated in the 19th century when Brunei lost much of its territory to the White Rajahs of Sarawak, resulting in its current small landmass and separation into two parts.

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BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Philippine autonomy deal scrapped
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:17:14 -0000
The Philippine government pulls out of a controversial autonomy deal with Muslim separatist rebels, following days of fighting.
Leaders threaten to isolate Fiji
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:35:18 -0000
Pacific leaders have threatened to suspend Fiji from a regional forum if it does not press ahead with planned elections.
Gary Glitter returns to Thailand
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:43:26 -0000
Convicted paedophile and former pop star Gary Glitter has returned to Thailand after failing to enter Hong Kong.
Indonesia ex-spy chief on trial
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:16:35 -0000
A former chief of Indonesia's intelligence agency goes on trial for the murder of human rights activist Munir Thalib.
Navy may help ailing Sydney whale
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:15:30 -0000
The Australian military offers to help rescue a starving whale calf separated from its mother off the coast of Sydney.
Japan surplus down as US weakens
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:29:19 -0000
Japan's trade surplus shrank by more than expected in July, as a result of weaker US demand and an increase in oil imports.

NYT > Asia Pacific

Too Old and Frail to Re-educate? Not in China
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:08:18 -0000
Two elderly women were sentenced to a year of labor after seeking to demonstrate in an official Olympic protest area.
Sarkozy Honors the 10 Killed in Afghanistan
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:58:10 -0000
France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy, honored the 10 French soldiers killed in a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan as the political debate about his Afghan policy sharpened.
A Victory Lap in Hong Kong for China’s Gold Medalists
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:49:26 -0000
Moving swiftly to capitalize politically on the success of Chinese athletes at the Olympics, Beijing will send most of China’s gold medalists to Hong Kong next week.

L.A. Times - Asia

Russia to keep soldiers in Georgia
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Moscow plans to set up 18 checkpoints, some in Georgia proper, a Kremlin official says. The plan appears to violate the terms of a cease-fire. Russia plans to establish a long-term presence in Georgia and one of its breakaway republics by adding 18 checkpoints, including at least eight within undisputed Georgian territory outside the pro-Russian enclave of South Ossetia, a ranking Russian military official told reporters Wednesday.
U.S.-Cuba baseball rivalry endures
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
After bearing Japan, 4-2, Team USA advances to the medal round and will play Cuba on Friday. BEIJING -- The Cold War is over, even in sports.
World Briefing
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Pakistan: 5 killed in missile strike / Cameroon: 9 prisoners die in escape bid / Sudan: 12 Darfur rebels sentenced to death / Mexico: Effort to save porpoises / India: Protests continue in Kashmir 5 killed in missile strike in tribal area

UN News Centre - Asia Pacific

Myanmar: UN envoy meets with ministers on third day of visit
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The top United Nations envoy to Myanmar met with the country's planning and health ministers today to discuss ways to tackle the socio-economic conditions in Myanmar on the third day of his five-day trip.
Efforts to curb child exploitation must be stepped up, says UN-backed group
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Further measures are necessary to curb child exploitation across East Asia and the Pacific, despite the recent positive steps taken to tackle the issue in the region, a United Nations-backed gathering said today.
Turtles threatened by development and harmful fishing, warns UN agency
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Marine turtle populations in the Indian Ocean region and South-East Asia are under threat from coastal tourism, and commercial and illegal fishing practices, the United Nations environment agency reported today ahead of a meeting in Bali to sign a conservation agreement.

Asia - Pacific - International Herald Tribune

Two women sentenced to 're-education' in China
By ANDREW JACOBS Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:20:52 -0000
Two elderly women were sentenced to a year of labor after seeking to demonstrate in an official Olympic protest area.
In Beijing, no making heads or tails of a new building
By David Barboza Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:22:43 -0000
A mysterious dragon-shaped building called the Pangu Plaza has Chinese newspapers abuzz with rumors about important guests residing within.
Beijing will use gold medalists in Hong Kong election
By Keith Bradsher Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:39:42 -0000
Chinese officials will send most of their country's gold medalists to Hong Kong next week, before legislative elections here on Sept. 7.
Sarkozy, honoring the French dead, vows to fight on
By STEVEN ERLANGER Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:20:52 -0000
France's president, Nicolas Sarkozy, honored the 10 French soldiers killed in a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan as the political debate about his Afghan policy sharpened.
Hua Guofeng, Mao's successor, dies at 87
By KEITH BRADSHER Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:20:52 -0000
Hua Guofeng was handpicked by Mao Zedong in 1976 to succeed him as Communist Party chairman but was pushed aside by Deng Xiaoping as a prelude to reforms that set off China's economic boom. He died Wednesday at the age of 87.
Opposition party backs Bhutto's widower for president
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:20:52 -0000
A leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement said the party wanted Asif Ali Zardari, who leads the Pakistan People's Party, as president because of his past sacrifices and for his "wisdom and vision."

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