Extreme weather looms over Indonesia
Floods affected more than 16,700 people in at least 11 areas of Indonesia’s Central Java and East Java last week, of them 280 forced to flee to safer places, the country's National Disaster Mitigation Agency reported.
The flood-hit localities included Salatiga city and parts of Demak, Grobogan, Brebes, Bantul, and Mojokerto districts, the agency said.
Floods and landslides in the Indonesian province of West Sumatra have killed at least 26 people while six have been still missing.

Residents take shelter from flooding in a tent in Koto Sebelas Tarusan district, South Pesisir regency, West Sumatra, March 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of Antara.
The death toll from floods and landslides in West Sumatra province has risen to 32. At least two people have died and hundreds been displaced by severe flooding in several regions of Central Java and East Java.
Two foreign tourists were found dead on Thursday on the Indonesian resort island of Bali after heavy rain triggered a landslide that swept away their villa in Jatiluwih village.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency warned that some areas could experience more extreme weather in the coming days, and the northern coast of Central Java may be hit by tidal floods.
The Semarang city Disaster Management Agency reported 361 disasters nationwide in the first two months of this year, which left 47 people dead, 1.6 million displaced, and more than 13,000 houses damaged
- Read More
Vietnam consumer credit enters new growth cycle
After the decrease in consumer capital demand, negative growth, and peaking bad debts in 2023, Vietnam’s consumer financial market is entering a new growth cycle, backed by positive signs from the macroeconomic environment.
Finance - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 3:19 pm GMT+7
Vietnam property investors seek new opportunities in provincial markets
Real estate investors in Vietnam, both individuals and organizations, are shifting their investments from city centers to suburban regions and neighboring provinces where land remains abundant and significant investments are being made in infrastructure, particularly in transportation.
Real Estate - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 2:00 pm GMT+7
Five Vietnam pilgrimage destinations perfect for spiritual seekers: Booking.com
Booking.com, the world's leading digital travel company, has suggested some destinations in Vietnam for those seeking spiritual enrichment and a chance for reflection and connection, including Ba Den mountain and Bai Dinh pagoda.
Travel - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:59 am GMT+7
Malaysia takes the lead in data center development
Malaysia is making efforts to align with the global trend towards digitalization, which is driving demand for data centers, cloud computing, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Southeast Asia - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:57 am GMT+7
WB sees Thai fiscal risks mounting due to spending surge
Thailand’s pursuit of an expansionary fiscal policy strategy to propel growth faces the risk of rising costs for elderly care, investment and the need to keep public debt level to sustainable levels, according to the World Bank.
Southeast Asia - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:41 am GMT+7
Vietnam mining stocks rally amid global trade tension
Shares of Vietnam’s mining companies have rallied since early this month, fueled by heightened global trade tensions following the start of Donald Trump’s second term as the U.S. president.
Finance - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:36 am GMT+7
Online purchase below VND2 mln may be exempt from Vietnam import tax
The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance has proposed exempting goods purchased through e-commerce platforms worth no more than VND2 million ($78) from import tariff, with an annual purchase limit of VND96 million ($3,781).
Finance - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Malaysia expected to remain magnet for FDI
Malaysia’s foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected to remain robust in the long term, but there could be repercussions in the short term as investors hold back on their investment decisions amid heightened global uncertainties.
Southeast Asia - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 9:01 pm GMT+7
Laos to build $1.9 bln wind power plant to export electricity to Vietnam
The Lao Government and Chitchareune Construction - a Lao builder will jointly build the 1,200 MW Nong wind power plant, with an investment of $1.9 billion, to export electricity to Vietnam.
Energy - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 8:46 pm GMT+7
Malaysia needs more funding for semiconductor sector
Malaysia needs more funding for the implementation of the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) to enhance its competitiveness with neighboring countries, said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Southeast Asia - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 4:31 pm GMT+7
Thailand considers easing rules on income from overseas
Thailand’s government is considering easing personal income tax rules for individuals’ overseas income to encourage the remittance of those funds back into the country, said a senior official.
Southeast Asia - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 4:29 pm GMT+7
Nissan to close factory in Thailand
Japanese automaker Nissan has announced plans to close one of its two automobile factories in Thailand this year, following the collapse of merger talks with Honda.
Southeast Asia - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 4:10 pm GMT+7
Vietcombank leads Vietnamese banks in 2024 pre-tax profit
Vietcombank reported a pre-tax profit of VND42.2 trillion ($1.66 billion) last year, ranking as the most profitable Vietnamese lender, according to the Vietnam Banking Association (VNBA).
Banking - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 4:04 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's leading trade firm Hapro appoints new general director
Hanoi Trade Corporation (Hapro), a leading producer and exporter of agricultural produces in Vietnam, has appointed deputy general director Duong Thi Lam as general director, effective from March 1, 2025.
Companies - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 2:18 pm GMT+7
Private Vietnamese lender DongA Bank renamed Vikki Bank
DongA Bank, a private lender in Vietnam, has changed its name to Vikki Bank, with approval from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV).
Banking - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 10:59 am GMT+7
Korea's SK Group seeks partnerships in LNG-fired power projects in Vietnam
South Korean chaebol SK Group seeks to jointly build LNG-fired power plants in Vietnam and then develop facilities utilizing electricity generated by those power plants.
Energy - Sat, February 15, 2025 | 9:26 am GMT+7