Tuesday, 21 July 2026 Johor Bahru
B Berita Pulse

Malaysia's pulse on breaking news, politics and business.

IM
International Correspondent

Indira Menon

Indira is the International Correspondent at the publication, covering world across Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

804 articles published

World Cup Ticket Chaos: How StubHub's Cancellations Left Fans Stranded

Hundreds of World Cup ticket buyers experienced last-minute cancellations on StubHub during the tournament, receiving refunds instead of promised replacements. The controversy reveals systemic issues with speculative ticketing and resale platform vulnerabilities.

· · 5 min read

Malnutrition Crisis Deepens in Southern Afghanistan as Aid Dries Up

Doctors Without Borders has documented a sharp 30 per cent jump in malnourished children admitted to nutrition centres in southern Afghanistan during the first quarter of 2024, driven by international funding shortfalls and healthcare system collapse.

· · 4 min read

Pope Warns That AI Cannot Be Morally Neutral

Pope Leo XIV has cautioned against viewing artificial intelligence as morally neutral, emphasising that all AI systems embed design choices reflecting specific societal visions and values.

· · 5 min read

Four Sisters Lose Appeal Over Ancestral Land Damage in Pedas

Four sisters have lost their legal appeal against alleged damage to their ancestral land in Pedas. The Court of Appeal determined they could not establish who was responsible for the trespass and drainage works that they claimed triggered erosion on their property.

· · 4 min read

Iran Dismisses US Claims Over Use of Unfrozen Assets

Iran's parliamentary speaker has flatly rejected US claims that unfrozen Iranian assets would be spent on American agricultural goods, signalling continued friction between Tehran and Washington even as negotiations proceed.

· · 4 min read

Indonesia Charges 24 Foreigners in Major Illegal Gold Mining Crackdown

Indonesia has formally charged 24 foreign nationals as criminal suspects in an illegal gold mining operation centred in Maluku's Gunung Botak area. The suspects allegedly constructed mining infrastructure including roads and processing facilities, with half still at large.

· · 4 min read

Oman Pledges Free Transit Through Strait of Hormuz Under New Iran-US Deal

Oman has endorsed the Iran-US memorandum of understanding, affirming its commitment to ensuring transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains free of charges. The agreement, mediated by Pakistan, took effect in mid-June and aims to stabilise the strategically vital waterway.

· · 4 min read

Iran Blocks IAEA Access to Nuclear Sites Ahead of US Talks

Iran has rejected International Atomic Energy Agency inspections at its nuclear sites, insisting such matters will only be addressed within a final agreement framework with Washington following recent military strikes.

· · 4 min read

Malaysia Maintains Close Watch Over Three Elephants at Osaka Zoo

Malaysia's Ministry of Natural Resources is closely supervising three Asian elephants transferred to Japan's Tennoji Zoo in March under a 25-year conservation agreement, with dedicated mahouts providing on-site care and ongoing welfare assessments.

· · 4 min read

ICC Judges Challenge Trump's Sanctions in Federal Court

Three International Criminal Court judges have initiated legal action against the Trump administration in US federal court, challenging sanctions imposed against them as unconstitutional and exceeding presidential authority.

· · 4 min read

Gibran's Student Engagement: Building Profile or Political Theatre?

Indonesia's Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has engaged directly with university students protesting government initiatives, inviting select protesters on official trips. Analysts debate whether this represents genuine policy responsiveness or strategic positioning ahead of 2029 elections.

· · 7 min read

Teenager Held in Ipoh Drug Ring Bust Worth RM120k

Police in Ipoh have arrested three suspects including a 17-year-old as part of a major drug trafficking operation. The bust, conducted in Pengkalan Tiara, resulted in the seizure of ketamine and Erimin 5 pills valued at RM120,050.

· · 3 min read

Beyond Royal Jelly: How Honeybee Workers Engineer a Queen's Destiny

Scientists have discovered that honeybee workers create specially engineered wax chambers with unique physical and chemical properties that are essential for queen development, challenging the long-held belief that royal jelly alone determines a queen's fate.

· · 4 min read

UK Cancels Buckingham Palace Ceremonial Guards Due to Extreme Heat

The UK Household Division has suspended ceremonial guard changes at Buckingham Palace, Windsor and London this week as an exceptional heatwave brings forecasted temperatures of 39 degrees Celsius, prompting authorities to prioritise soldier and public safety.

· · 4 min read

Osaka Brushes Aside Mertens to Advance at Bad Homburg

Naomi Osaka overcame a sluggish opening set to dispatch Belgium's Elise Mertens 6-3, 6-3 at the Bad Homburg grass-court tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals despite battling sweltering conditions in Germany.

· · 4 min read

Stepfather Fined RM25,000 for Molesting Stepdaughter

A retired man has been fined RM25,000 after admitting to five molestation charges against his stepdaughter in Batu Pahat. The offences occurred in multiple locations since August last year.

· · 4 min read

ECB wins parliamentary approval to advance digital euro project

The European Central Bank has secured parliamentary approval to advance its digital euro initiative, an electronic payment system designed to reduce eurozone dependence on American payment providers amid growing transatlantic tensions.

· · 4 min read

Paris Landmarks Close Early as France Gripped by Dangerous Heatwave

Paris's Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum have closed early this week due to an exceptional heatwave sweeping France. Temperatures reached 36°C on Tuesday and are expected to climb to 38°C on Wednesday, prompting authorities to prioritize visitor and staff safety.

· · 3 min read

Masjid Warisan Project in Front of TRX to Proceed as Planned

Malaysia's Religious Affairs Minister has confirmed that the Masjid Warisan project near Tun Razak Exchange will move forward as planned, brushing aside calls for cancellation and reaffirming the role of mosques in fostering social cohesion.

· · 3 min read

Thailand Moves to Fast-Track Deportations of Foreign Criminals

Thailand is overhauling its immigration framework to expedite the removal of foreign offenders, responding to security vulnerabilities exposed by a now-cancelled 60-day visa exemption scheme. The government aims to tighten deportation procedures while maintaining human rights standards.

· · 6 min read

Two couples enter pleas in viral domestic worker abuse case

Two married couples in Johor Baru have claimed trial after being charged in connection with a widely-shared video depicting alleged mistreatment of their domestic workers, facing charges including assault and passport confiscation.

· · 4 min read

SPAN Investigates Drowning Death of Worker at Saujana Water Tower

Malaysia's water regulator SPAN is investigating a fatal accident at Saujana 1 water tower in Kuala Selangor on June 16, where a maintenance worker drowned. Initial findings suggest potential non-compliance with confined-space safety protocols.

· · 3 min read

Three Dead, Five Wounded in Shooting at Philippine High School

A shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Philippines, has left three people dead and five injured. One suspect, described as a child in conflict with the law, has been arrested, while authorities continue searching for a second gunman.

· · 3 min read

Romania's New Prime Minister Presents Cabinet to Parliament

Romania's prime minister-designate Adrian Vestea has formally submitted his government's programme and cabinet composition to parliament, seeking to resolve a period of political uncertainty and restore institutional stability.

· · 4 min read

Senior Prince Group Executive Arrested in Japan for Document Fraud

Tokyo police have arrested Hu Shi, a senior executive of Prince Holding Group, alongside two accomplices for submitting fraudulent address-change documents. The Cambodia-based syndicate faces US and British sanctions for running large-scale scam compounds.

· · 4 min read

Trump's Recalibrated Tariff Strategy Reshapes Global Trade Winners and Losers

President Trump has restructured his tariff strategy following a Supreme Court ruling, creating a new hierarchy of winners and losers among trading partners. Southeast Asian nations face highly variable outcomes, with the Philippines potentially benefiting while Singapore confronts steeper duties.

· · 7 min read

US Navy Refocuses on Indo-Pacific as Iran Tensions Ease

The United States is redirecting naval assets back to the Indo-Pacific after reducing Middle East tensions through a deal with Iran. The redeployment aims to reassure regional allies concerned about Washington's commitment to countering Chinese influence in the region.

· · 5 min read

Khaled Urges Swift Probe Into Hobart Camp Grenade Incident

A senior Malaysian official has demanded that authorities accelerate their investigation into a grenade mishap at Hobart Camp, emphasizing the urgency of establishing facts and ensuring public confidence in military safety protocols.

· · 3 min read

Prince Mateen Bids Farewell to Departing US Ambassador

Brunei's Foreign Minister Prince Abdul Mateen held a farewell audience with departing US Ambassador Caryn McClelland, acknowledging her role in strengthening bilateral ties across defence, trade, and education.

· · 3 min read

Dutch King and Queen Experience World Cup Double-Header in US

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attended back-to-back World Cup matches in the United States on Saturday, watching the Netherlands defeat Sweden 5-1 in Houston before heading to Kansas City for Curaçao's goalless draw with Ecuador.

· · 4 min read

Iran Prioritises Ceasefire and Sanctions Relief in US Talks

Iran has outlined its negotiating priorities with the United States in Switzerland, emphasising the implementation of ceasefire provisions, sanctions relief on oil exports, and the release of frozen assets before moving to final agreement discussions.

· · 4 min read

Iran Open to Written Nuclear Pledge as Talks Progress

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has indicated Tehran's readiness to provide a written commitment renouncing nuclear weapons development, as diplomatic talks with the United States continue following a recent memorandum of understanding.

· · 4 min read

39 Wanted Individuals Arrested in Four-Day Selangor Police Sweep

Malaysian police have arrested 39 wanted individuals across Selangor in a four-day enforcement operation. The roundup included suspects linked to violent crimes, property offences, and terrorism-related matters under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act.

· · 3 min read

US and Iran Begin Technical Talks in Switzerland to Cement Ceasefire

US and Iranian delegations convened in Switzerland on Sunday for technical talks to implement a ceasefire agreement signed Wednesday. The negotiations, mediated by Pakistan, seek to stabilise the region and reopen critical shipping routes amid ongoing Middle East tensions.

· · 4 min read

Vietnamese teen's AI skincare app earns her place at Georgia Tech

A 12th-grader from Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted has been accepted to Georgia Tech's prestigious computer science program, one of America's top five, after developing an AI-powered skincare assistant and demonstrating exceptional academic achievement.

· · 5 min read

Thousands Throng RMAF Open Day Celebrations In Kuantan

The Royal Malaysian Air Force's 68th anniversary open day at Kuantan Air Base attracted thousands of visitors this week, offering rare public access to aircraft displays, aerial demonstrations, and a runway run experience.

· · 5 min read

Penang Hosts HAWANA 2026, Celebrating Media's Role in Nation-Building

Penang has been selected to host the 2026 National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) celebrations, bringing together around 1,000 media practitioners from Malaysia and ASEAN countries to recognise the contributions of journalists and strengthen regional media cooperation.

· · 4 min read

Pegula powers past Sabalenka to reach Berlin final

American Jessica Pegula staged a dominant display to overcome world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the Berlin WTA semi-final, securing her second appearance in the tournament final with a 6-2, 6-7, 6-0 victory.

· · 3 min read

Spanish court orders PM's wife to stand trial, restricts travel

A Spanish court has ordered Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to stand trial on corruption allegations and prohibited her from travelling abroad. The ruling underscores mounting legal pressures on Spain's government.

· · 3 min read

Italy Hits Back After Trump's Reported Jibes at Meloni

Italy has reacted with sharp displeasure after US President Donald Trump reportedly made dismissive remarks about Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, prompting the foreign minister to scrap a planned American visit.

· · 3 min read

Anwar Expresses Sympathy Over Death of Seremban Student

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his condolences to the family of a Form Four female student who passed away at a secondary school in Seremban. The incident has drawn attention to student welfare and school safety.

· · 3 min read

Achraf Hakimi ordered to stand trial on rape charge

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, has been ordered to stand trial on rape allegations by a French appeals court in a significant development for the football world.

· · 3 min read

Asean and Russia Chart Five-Year Cooperation Plan at Kazan Summit

Asean and Russia have pledged to strengthen cooperation across trade, energy, maritime affairs and security, adopting a comprehensive five-year action plan at a commemorative summit in Russia's Kazan city marking 35 years of diplomatic relations.

· · 5 min read

Teacher Among Four Arrested in Besut Drug Den Raid

Authorities in Terengganu have arrested four individuals, including a secondary school teacher, following a police raid on a residential property suspected of operating as an illegal drug distribution point.

· · 3 min read

Nintendo Confirms Third-Party Breach After Hacker Ransom Demand

Nintendo has confirmed a cybersecurity incident involving third-party survey platform TINYpulse, after a hacker group demanded US$2 million for stolen employee data. The gaming giant says its core systems remain secure and no customer information was compromised.

· · 4 min read

STPM Proves Its Worth as Inclusive, Competitive Route to University

High-achieving STPM students from different socioeconomic and educational backgrounds are challenging perceptions about the pathway, citing its affordability, academic rigour, and growing inclusivity as key advantages over alternative routes to university.

· · 5 min read

Trump Breaks with Israel Over Lebanon Campaign, Citing Civilian Casualties

President Trump has publicly criticised Israel's military operations in Lebanon, arguing that destroying entire residential buildings to pursue Hizbollah fighters results in unnecessary civilian deaths. The rebuke marks a rare moment of daylight between Washington and Tel Aviv.

· · 3 min read

Nick Reiner Seeks Access to Trust Funds for Murder Defence

Nick Reiner, accused of killing his parents director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, has petitioned a Los Angeles court to access family trust funds to finance his defence. The 32-year-old argues trustees have wrongfully withheld millions he is entitled to receive.

· · 4 min read

Man held over theft of KTMB cables in Taiping

Authorities in Taiping have arrested a man suspected of stealing approximately 43 metres of cable belonging to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad from a railway section in Perak.

· · 3 min read

Penang Shuts Down 177 Food Premises Over Hygiene Failures

The Penang Health Department has temporarily closed 177 food premises after discovering serious hygiene violations during inspections conducted from January to April. The closures address pest control issues, cleanliness failures, and food poisoning incidents.

· · 4 min read

SJKT Rajaji To Get New RM8 Million School Building In Farlim

A 76-year-old Tamil primary school in George Town will relocate to a new RM8 million facility in Farlim, easing overcrowding that has affected its 100 pupils. The 18-month project is fully funded by corporate sponsorship.

· · 4 min read

Spanish Footballer Rafa Mir Sentenced to 8½ Years for Sexual Assault

Spanish footballer Rafa Mir has been handed an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence by a Valencia court for sexual assault and assault causing injury. The conviction adds to mounting pressure on Spanish sports to address systemic issues surrounding misconduct.

· · 4 min read

Trump Celebrates 80th Birthday with UFC Event at White House

Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday by hosting the Ultimate Fighting Championship on the White House South Lawn, featuring a nearly 100-foot-tall arena and attracting tech titans, military members, and top athletes to the historic venue.

· · 4 min read

Brunei Police Arrest Two Women in Vice Activity Crackdown

Brunei's police force has detained two local women in coordinated raids targeting suspected vice activities across two neighbourhoods in the Brunei-Muara District, as authorities intensify enforcement efforts.

· · 3 min read