Page 2 - Indonesia

Rescuers use heavy machinery at collapsed Indonesian school as hope fades

Indonesian rescue authorities made the tough decision on Thursday to start using heavy machinery to move large sections of a collapsed school, with no more signs of life from beneath the rubble and nearly 60 teenage students still unaccounted for three days after the building caved in. Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Pratikno told reporters on the scene in Sidoarjo that the decision had been made in consultation with the families of those still missing. Five students were rescued Wednesday by workers who tunnelled into the rubble using only hand tools. Pratikno said on Thursday work would proceed with extreme caution even though no more signs of life could be detected. In any case, we will be very, very careful when using the heavy machines, said Pratikno, who only goes by one name as is common in Indonesia. The structure fell on top of hundreds of people on Monday in the prayer hall at the century-old al Khoziny Islamic boarding school

91 students remain buried 2 days after school collapse in Indonesia

At least 91 students remain trapped in concrete rubble almost two days after an Islamic school building collapsed on them, authorities said after reviewing attendance records and reports from anxious families of those missing. More than 300 rescue workers desperately worked to free survivors Wednesday morning, after the structure fell on top of hundreds of people, mostly teen boys, who had been performing afternoon prayers Monday in a prayer hall at a century-old al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java province that was undergoing an unauthorised expansion. At least three students have been confirmed dead and 100 others were injured. The National Disaster Management Agency revised the number of people presumed buried in the rubble to 91 late Tuesday from the previous 38.

1 killed, 83 students injured as school building collapses in Indonesia

A building under construction at an Islamic boarding school in Indonesia collapsed on dozens of praying students Monday, killing at least one student, injuring dozens and burying others in the rubble, officials said. Police, soldiers and rescue workers dug into the debris through the night in attempts to locate at least three additional students believed trapped alive at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in the East Java town of Sidoarjo. Rescuers also said they saw additional bodies, indicating the death toll was likely to rise. The students were performing afternoon prayers in a building that was undergoing an unauthorized expansion when it suddenly collapsed on top of them, provincial police spokesperson Jules Abraham Abast said. One male student was killed and 83 other students were injured and taken to two nearby hospitals, some of them in critical condition, officials said. Most of the victims were male, because female students were praying separately in another part of the

Reliance Power to sell Indonesian subsidiaries to Biotruster for $12 mn

Reliance Power on Monday said it will sell 100 per cent stake in several Indonesian step-down subsidiaries to Singapore-based Biotruster Pte Ltd for around USD 12 million. A share purchase agreement has been signed among Reliance Power Netherlands BV, Reliance Natural Resources (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Biotruster (Singapore) Pte Ltd to this effect. Reliance Power will sell 100 per cent equity shareholding in PT Avaneesh Coal Resources, PT Heramba Coal Resources, PT Sumukha Coal Services, PT Brayan Bintang Tiga Energi, and PT Sriwijaya Bintang Tiga Energi, subject to certain conditions precedent and other customary terms and conditions, the company said in a regulatory filing. Around USD 12 million will be received on the closure of the deal. Reliance Power further noted that the buyer does not belong to the promoter/promoter group/group companies.

Indonesia's military expanding power, raising authoritarian fears

Groundwork was laid in March, when lawmakers approved changes to the 2004 Indonesian Military Law, which broadened the government's ability to appoint serving military officers to civilian positions

'Bali belly' can cost up to ₹5 lakh: How travel insurance can help

Indian tourists in Bali risk costly hospital bills from "Bali belly", with treatment running up to ₹3-5 lakh. Travel insurance offers vital cover

Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hits Indonesia, damages reported; no casualties

A magnitude-6.1 earthquake shook Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua early Friday, causing scattered damage in a coastal town. No casualties were immediately reported. At least two houses and the main bridge in the town of Nabire in Central Papua province collapsed, said Suharyanto, the chief of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. A government office, a church and an airport had minor damage. Overall, the situation is safe and under control, Suharyanto, who like many Indonesians uses a single name, said in a video message. People ran from houses or to higher ground when the quake occurred and telecommunication networks in Nabire and several other towns in the region were cut off, agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said in a statement. The US Geological Survey said the magnitude 6.1 quake was centred 28 kilometres south of Nabire at a depth of 10 kilometres. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency said there was no danger of a tsunami as the earthquake wa

Rising digital terror threats pose new challenges in Southeast Asia

Indonesia and the Philippines remain among some of the most affected by terrorism in the region, along with Myanmar and Thailand, according to the Global Terrorism Index 2025

Gen-Z protesters across Asia challenge old guard, demand lasting reform

These demonstrations also highlight how collective youth action can force governments into retreat

Explained: How housing allowances for MPs set off deadly Indonesia protests

Outrage over Indonesian MPs' housing perks has unleashed deadly protests across the nation, exposing deep anger over corruption, governance and the role of security forces

US to proceed with probe of solar imports from India, Laos and Indonesia

Imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos surged to $1.6 billion last year, up from $289 million in 2022, according to the group

Next round of India-Asean trade pact review talks in October in Jakarta

The next round of review talks for the India-Asean free trade agreement in goods will be held in October this year in Jakarta, an official statement said on Friday. The tenth round of the negotiations concluded here this month (August 10-14). The Commerce Ministry said the Joint Committee focused on advancing the ongoing review of AITIGA (Asean India trade in goods agreement) to enhance its effectiveness, accessibility, and trade facilitation capabilities. ASEAN remains a key trade partner for India, accounting for around 11 per cent of India's global trade. The bilateral trade reached USD 123 billion in 2024-25, reflecting the strong economic ties between the two sides and creating opportunities for enhanced cooperation in the years ahead, it said. "The next AITIGA Joint Committee meeting is scheduled for 6-7 October 2025 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, and will be hosted by Malaysia," it added. In a separate statement, the ministry said the fourth meeting of the

Gaza boycotts batter American fast-food chains in Malaysia, Indonesia

Starbucks, KFC, Pizza Hut, and McDonald's suffer sales slumps as Gaza war boycotts continue across Asia, boosting local and Palestinian brands

Trump slaps 19% tariffs on Philippines, Indonesia; US to face zero duties

US President Donald Trump imposed a 19 per cent tariff on the Philippines after meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the White House. He also lowered the tariffs on Indonesia from 32 per cent

Three killed, 568 survive after Indonesian ferry catches fire at sea

Indonesian rescuers evacuating people from a passenger ferry that caught fire at sea said Monday more than 560 were rescued and three died. The KM Barcelona 5 caught fire around midday Sunday while heading to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, on its regular half-day journey from Melonguane port in Talaud Islands district in the same province, according to First Adm Franky Pasuna Sihombing, chief of the Manado navy base. A coast guard ship, six rescue vessels and several inflatable boats were deployed in the rescue operation, Sihombing said. The crews pulled many people from the sea and took them to nearby islands, and local fishermen also saved some survivors wearing life jackets as they were drifting in the choppy waters. Photos and videos circulated on social media showed terrified passengers, mostly wearing life jackets, jumping into the sea as orange flames and black smoke billowed from the burning vessel. The search and rescue operation was continuing, though the

Indonesian passenger ferry catches fire at sea, killing at least 5 people

A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people caught fire at sea on Sunday off Sulawesi island in Indonesia, killing at least five people, officials said. More than 280 people were rescued and evacuation efforts were ongoing. The KM Barcelona 5 was headed to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, from Talaud, an island district in the province when it caught fire in waters near Talise, said Vice Adm Denih Hendrata, commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command. He said that three navy ships had been deployed, and 284 passengers and crew members had been evacuated so far. The rescue operation included assistance from local fishermen, who saved some survivors wearing life jackets as they were drifting to nearby islands in the choppy waters. Rescuers retrieved five bodies, including a pregnant woman. There were no immediate reports of injuries, and no exact figures of passengers and crew members onboard the ferry. We are still focusing on evacuation efforts, Hendrata said, addin

US Solar firms file trade petition against India over cheap imports

The new anti-dumping and countervailing duty petitions were filed by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, which includes First Solar Inc, Mission Solar Energy and Qcells

Trump hints at trade deal with India, says major announcements on the way

US President Donald Trump hints at new deal with India, possibly with tariffs similar to Indonesia's 19% rate

Rescuers search for 11 missing after speedboat overturns in Indonesia

Indonesian rescuers were searching for 11 people, including three children, still missing Tuesday after a speedboat capsized during a storm the previous day off Indonesia's Mentawai Islands. Seven people, including the two crew members, were rescued and were in stable condition after drifting in the choppy waters for hours, said Lahmudin, who heads the local Disaster Management Agency. The boat capsized in the Sipora Strait after leaving Sikakap, a town in the Mentawai Islands district in West Sumatra province, at midday, said Lahmudin, who like many Indonesians uses a single name. It was bound for the neighbouring town of Tuapejat, a trip of less than two hours. The boat was carrying 16 passengers, mostly local administration officials, and two crew members. The 11 people missing included three children and a local parliamentarian. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident, but survivors said the boat was hit by high waves in a sudden storm, Lahmudin said. A .

Fireworks, warplanes, axes: Here's how France celebrates Bastille Day

Swooping warplanes, axe-carrying warriors, a drone light show over the Eiffel Tower and fireworks in nearly every French town it must be Bastille Day. France is celebrating its biggest holiday Monday with 7,000 people marching, on horseback or riding armoured vehicles along the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees, the most iconic avenue in Paris. And there are plans for partying and pageantry around the country. Why Bastille Day is a big deal Parisians stormed the Bastille fortress and prison on July 14, 1789, a spark for the French Revolution that overthrew the monarchy. In the ensuing two centuries, France saw Napoleon's empire rise and fall, more uprisings and two world wars before settling into today's Fifth Republic, established in 1958. Bastille Day has become a central moment for modern France, celebrating democratic freedoms and national pride, a melange of revolutionary spirit and military prowess. The Paris parade beneath the Arc de Triomphe so impressed visiting US ...