Berita Desk delivers breaking news, politics, business, sports and lifestyle coverage from Malaysia and Southeast Asia — trusted, timely and independent.
Major developments across Southeast Asia this week included Laos mourning a senior assembly leader, Indonesia tightening fuel subsidies, Myanmar recognising its oldest citizens, the Philippines grappling with weather disasters, Singapore cracking down on cyber-fraud, Vietnam attracting US retailers, and Thailand dismissing defence leverage claims.
Zhejiang Province has elevated its typhoon alert to Level III as Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th storm of 2026, moves toward China's eastern coast. Authorities have suspended ferry services and halted offshore work ahead of expected Sunday or Monday landfall.
A deadly fire aboard the KMP Mutiara Sentosa II ferry in East Java has exposed serious gaps in Indonesia's maritime safety system, with investigators questioning whether the operator's safety culture and emergency procedures meet regulatory standards.
Fifteen Indian tourists died when a speedboat overturned near Phu Quoc island in southern Vietnam. The bodies were repatriated to India on Monday as authorities investigate the captain for safety breaches.
A speedboat carrying Indian tourists capsized near Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam on Saturday, claiming 15 lives. The vessel was returning from an island excursion when it overturned approximately 400 metres from shore.
Vietnam's Prime Minister has ordered an urgent investigation into a speedboat accident off Phu Quoc Island that killed 15 Indian tourists. The vessel carrying 36 people capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai, with 21 survivors rescued and authorities mobilising medical resources.
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Bahrain activated air raid sirens Wednesday after the United States conducted strikes against over 80 Iranian targets, escalating regional tensions over attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.