Indonesian women volunteers known as the “Power of Mama” are battling some of the country’s worst fires in 11 years. The volunteers are helping fight blazes as wildfires spread across fire-hit areas of Indonesia.

Indonesia: Women-led firefighting group battles to protect forests 

Indigenous and civil society groups in West Kalimantan have sued President Prabowo Subianto's government, accusing it of negligence in handling wildfires ravaging the province. The lawsuit demands a national disaster declaration to unlock emergency funds, arguing local resources are overwhelmed. Nearly 900,000 hectares have burned across Indonesia since January, sending haze as far as the Philippines and forcing Malaysia to declare an emergency in Sarawak. With fire activity historically peaking in September-October, officials warn the worst may still be ahead.


Indonesian groups sue govt over wildfires as haze crosses borders, nearly 900,000 hectares burned 

Search and rescue operations off the Java Sea have been extended for another seven days following the capsizing of the Virgo Transport 8 passenger ferry. Indonesian Navy divers recovered three more bodies from inside the wreckage through a hull window, bringing the confirmed death toll to nine, while 126 passengers remain unaccounted for. As strong waves and severe underwater currents complicate search efforts, authorities and salvage teams have initiated plans to pull and turn the 119-meter vessel upright to allow emergency teams safer access inside the submerged chambers.


Indonesia ferry tragedy: Divers recover three bodies as 126 remain missing

At least six people were killed and 129 remain missing after the Virgo Transport 8 passenger ship capsized in Indonesia’s Java Sea. Rescue crews have saved 108 people, while search operations continue for survivors. The vessel had 243 people on board, including 30 crew members, after departing Surabaya on Saturday.

Indonesia ferry tragedy: Divers deployed to shipwreck to search for missing people 

Singapore’s air quality has deteriorated to unhealthy levels as transboundary smoke haze from forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia drifts across the island. The haze has reduced air quality in parts of Singapore, raising fresh concerns over pollution levels.

Indonesia wildfires drive worsening air qualities in Singapore 

Thick haze has blanketed parts of Indonesia as wildfires continue to burn across Borneo and Sumatra. West Kalimantan, including Pontianak, has been badly affected, with visibility falling below one kilometre in some areas. The fires have been intensified by severe drought and El Niño conditions, triggering a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses. Indonesia has stepped up firefighting efforts as smoke also affects neighbouring countries.


Indonesia wildfires: Over 12.5 million people exposed to poison haze 

Survivors of the Indonesia ferry tragedy have been brought to a temporary medical facility at Trisakti Port for treatment and medical checks. Rescue teams continue to respond as authorities assess the aftermath of the ferry incident and work to account for those affected.


Indonesia ferry tragedy: Survivors brought to temporary medical facility at Trisakti Port

Indonesian search and rescue teams have launched a major operation in the Java Sea after the passenger ship Virgo Transport 8, carrying 243 people, lost contact during severe weather. Sailing from Surabaya, Java to Banjarmasin, Borneo, the vessel went silent around 80 nautical miles off its destination. Nearby vessels and rescue teams managed to evacuate over 100 passengers amid heavy swells, as authorities race against time to locate remaining survivors in stormy seas.


Breaking: Indonesian ferry carrying 243 people loses contact in stormy waters 

Anak Krakatau volcano erupted in Indonesia, sending volcanic ash across parts of western Indonesia and disrupting flights at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

The eruption occurred in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. Indonesia’s geological authorities reported renewed volcanic activity, while no casualties or evacuation orders were reported.

Authorities warned residents and visitors to stay at least three kilometres away from the volcano’s active crater.

Volcanic ash spread across parts of Jakarta, Banten, West Java and Lampung. Satellite imagery identified two major ash clouds, with one plume reaching around 20,000 feet and another rising to approximately 50,000 feet.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport temporarily suspended flight operations following the eruption. The disruption affected around 209 flight movements and approximately 22,800 passengers, with travellers seeking refunds and collecting checked baggage as cancellations mounted.

Indonesia volcano eruption sends ash column towards Jakarta, Banten And West Java

Indonesia’s $12.94 billion free school meals programme has left another 1,700 students and teachers sick across four locations. More than 750 people reportedly suffered diarrhoea and vomiting after eating food from the scheme, while another 950 fell ill across three locations.


Indonesia: Over 1,700 students & teachers sick from free meals 

Indonesia’s $12.94 billion free school meals programme has left another 1,700 students and teachers sick across four locations. More than 750 people reportedly suffered diarrhoea and vomiting after eating food from the scheme, while another 950 fell ill across three locations.

Indonesia: Govt free meals sicken over 1,700 students & teachers 

Thousands of protesters gathered outside Indonesia’s Parliament in Jakarta, demanding tougher anti-corruption laws and the passage of the long-delayed Asset Forfeiture Bill. The demonstrations reflect growing public pressure on lawmakers to strengthen Indonesia’s fight against corruption and recover assets linked to criminal activity.

Indonesia protests: Protesters accuse government of weakening democracy 

Indonesia protests: portesters accuse government of weakening democracy 

As severe wildfires and prolonged drought ravage Indonesia’s Borneo island, a young local hero has captured global attention. Seventeen-year-old student Rudiyansah—affectionately dubbed Indonesia's teenage "Superman"—has been spending his free time after school battling aggressive peatland and forest fires in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan.


Indonesia's teenage 'Superman' fights wildfires in Kalimantan to save home

A 17-year-old Indonesian teenager dressed as Superman has joined volunteer firefighters battling wildfires on Borneo. Rudiyansah, who learned firefighting alongside his father, now grabs a hose and helps tackle the flames in his striking superhero outfit. Nearly 95,000 hectares of land burned across Indonesia in July, amid a worsening wildfire and haze crisis.


Indonesia wildfires: Superman-clad teen helps fight Indonesidan wildfires 

China and Indonesia have agreed to strengthen military ties and expand cooperation in minerals, energy and technology. The two countries also plan collaboration in areas including artificial intelligence, defence, rail transport, satellites and fisheries, as Jakarta balances its relationships with Beijing and Washington.


Beijing, Jakarta expand defence ties, launch new dialogue

Indonesia's Gen Z-led student protests are challenging what demonstrators see as growing political power centralisation. Students have taken to the streets to voice concerns over government policies, democratic institutions and the concentration of political authority.

Indonesian students challenge power centralisation

Indonesia’s earthquake-hit Flores region was struck by a magnitude 5.9 quake on Monday. The tremor comes days after a deadly 7.7 earthquake killed at least 53 people and triggered hundreds of aftershocks.


Indonesia earthquake: New 5.9 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia's Flores

Indonesia’s earthquake-hit Flores region was struck by a magnitude 5.9 quake on Monday. The tremor comes days after a deadly 7.7 earthquake killed at least 53 people and triggered hundreds of aftershocks.

Indonesia earthquake: Rescue operations intensify in Flores 

Indonesia is reeling from a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Flores early Saturday, killing at least 47 people and injuring several others. Hundreds of buildings have reportedly been damaged, while aftershocks continue to rattle the region. Search and rescue operations are underway as authorities assess the scale of the devastation.

Indonesia Quake: Flores earthquake leaves at least 47 dead, rescue efforts underway 

Indonesia urged residents living along parts of Flores island to move to higher ground after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the region and triggered a tsunami warning. At least 20 people are dead. Authorities called for immediate self-evacuation in coastal areas, particularly along the northern coast of Flores and parts of the island's southern region.


Indonesia earthquake: 20 killed, residents rush from homes as quake shakes Nagekeo & Bima 

Israel and Lebanon have shortlisted Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Indonesia as potential contributors to a new international mechanism aimed at verifying Hezbollah's disarmament in southern Lebanon. The list emerged from US-mediated talks in Rome, with these countries possibly providing troops to observe or take part in weapons inspections.


UK, Italy, Switzerland, Indonesia shortlisted to monitor Hezbollah's disarmament

China and Indonesia just completed an unprecedented joint naval exercise in waters east of Taiwan, the first time Beijing has publicly trained with a foreign navy in this politically sensitive zone.


China-Indonesia's first-ever joint naval drill east of Taiwan draws Taipei's anger 

A massive search and rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after a passenger ferry carrying 271 people caught fire while crossing the Java Sea. Authorities say at least five people have died, 225 have been rescued, and 41 remain missing.

The ferry was traveling from Surabaya, East Java, to Makassar, South Sulawesi, when the captain reported flames onboard. Emergency responders, supported by nearby vessels, rushed to evacuate passengers as the ship burned. Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire while rescue teams continue searching for survivors.

Indonesia ferry disaster: Deadly Indonesia ferry blaze sparks major rescue mission

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto revealed that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked whether he would be willing to visit North Korea to help open dialogue. Prabowo said he would accept the request, highlighting Indonesia's balanced diplomatic approach.

Indonesian Prez Prabowo offers mediation in South-North Korea tensions

A man in a village in Indonesia was crushed and swallowed whole by a 23ft-long python. The incident occurred when he was walking back home from a party in the wee hours of July 27. Local media reports state that 35-year-old Hasim Lumbessy was at a bar in North Maluku on the night of July 26 and was passing through a forest en route to the village of Waksakai. At around 3 am, a drunk Hasim was attacked by a large python. It struck Hasim from the undergrowth and bit into his leg.&nbsp;The snake coiled around him, crushing him to such an extent that he died. His family became worried when they did not find him home in the morning. They started searching for him and checked the route through the forest, Sula Islands Police Chief Handres said. They found blood on the ground and his belongings, including a backpack, sling bag and sandals. "The witnesses became concerned and documented the items. They decided to return to the village to inform the other locals. They then conducted a wider search," he said.<h2>Hasim's body was found inside the python</h2>Their worst fears came true when they came across a large snake with a protruding belly, hinting that it had swallowed something large, nearly the size of a grown person. They cut open the python and found Hasim's body inside the reptile. The devastated family took his body back home for the funeral.&nbsp;The incident led the police to issue a warning to locals about the wildlife habitat in the area. "We urge the public to be careful when going to their gardens; if possible, they should go to the forest in pairs rather than alone, to minimise the risk of similar incidents," they said.&nbsp;Last month, an equally large python struck a biker in the same area, while in North Maluku the reptile killed a 44-year-old woman while working on her farm.

A man returning from a party in Indonesia was struck by a massive python, which killed and swallowed him. When the family noticed that he was missing, they started searching for him and came across a python with a distended belly.   

A man in a village in Indonesia was crushed and swallowed whole by a 23ft-long python. The incident occurred when he was walking back home from a party in the wee hours of July 27. Local media reports state that 35-year-old Hasim Lumbessy was at a bar in North Maluku on the night of July 26 and was passing through a forest en route to the village of Waksakai. At around 3 am, a drunk Hasim was attacked by a large python. It struck Hasim from the undergrowth and bit into his leg. The snake coiled around him, crushing him to such an extent that he died. His family became worried when they did not find him home in the morning. They started searching for him and checked the route through the forest, Sula Islands Police Chief Handres said. They found blood on the ground and his belongings, including a backpack, sling bag and sandals. "The witnesses became concerned and documented the items. They decided to return to the village to inform the other locals. They then conducted a wider search," he said. Hasim's body was found inside the python Their worst fears came true when they came across a large snake with a protruding belly, hinting that it had swallowed something large, nearly the size of a grown person. They cut open the python and found Hasim's body inside the reptile. The devastated family took his body back home for the funeral. The incident led the police to issue a warning to locals about the wildlife habitat in the area. "We urge the public to be careful when going to their gardens; if possible, they should go to the forest in pairs rather than alone, to minimise the risk of similar incidents," they said. Last month, an equally large python struck a biker in the same area, while in North Maluku the reptile killed a 44-year-old woman while working on her farm.

A man returning from a party in Indonesia was struck by a massive python, which killed and swallowed him. When the family noticed that he was missing, they started searching for him and came across a python with a distended belly. &nbsp;&nbsp;

23ft python swallows man returning from party in Indonesia; family find body whole inside reptile

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Around the world in 120 seconds

India just made a big move in the Indo-Pacific. India and Indonesia have signed a deal to jointly develop Sabang Port at the northern tip of Sumatra — right at the mouth of the Malacca Strait. Why it matters: 40% of global trade passes through here. With India already building a transshipment hub at Great Nicobar, Sabang gives India a footprint on both sides of this critical chokepoint. For maritime experts, this isn’t just about trade. It’s about security, influence, and having eyes on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.


Sabang port: India’s masterstroke at the mouth of Malacca strait?

#Gravitas An Indian-origin businessman is accused of pretending to be a CIA officer to help push through defence deals worth billions of dollars in Indonesia. 


Indian-origin man poses as 'CIA agent' to secure defence deals

Amid the geopolitical tug-of-war in the Indo-Pacific, India and Indonesia bolstered their comprehensive strategic partnership by signing major defence deals. Indonesia agreed to purchase BrahMos missile system from India and also inked an MoU on air-to-air missile cooperation agreement. Besides this, both sides will explore the modalities of jointly developing the strategic Sabang port, which may give India enhanced access in the Indo-Pacific.


India & Indonesia become military partners & sign BrahMos deal amid Chinese threat in Indo-Pacific

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia has put maritime security, defence cooperation, trade, and strategic partnerships firmly in the spotlight. With the Indo-Pacific becoming increasingly important, discussions are expected to cover issues ranging from the Malacca Strait and regional security to critical minerals and defence collaboration, including potential BrahMos-related cooperation. 

The visit highlights the growing importance of India-Indonesia relations in shaping the future of the region.

PM Modi in Indonesia: PM Modi hails friendship with President Subianto 

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