Indonesian island and province, a tourist hub
A Malaysian airline pilot has been arrested at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport after arrival from Kuala Lumpur. Authorities say the officer, identified by initials MS (or MSO in some reports), is connected to a haul of more than 70,000 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine found in his luggage. Drug tests indicate impairment during the flight; Malaysia Airlines is conducting an internal review.
Rescuers have saved hundreds as a ferry carrying passengers, vehicles, and motorcycles burns off Lombok. Authorities report rough seas and a spreading blaze; the situation remains fluid with ongoing efforts to account for all aboard.
A Swiss tourist has been convicted for posts about Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence. The Denpasar court has sentenced him to a year in jail for insulting a religious observance. Authorities say the case underscores Bali’s strict respect for local customs during Nyepi.
The UK has established a national day to honour victims and survivors of terrorism. The event recognises those affected, including families and first responders, and signals ongoing support and calls for improved access to compensation and legal assistance. Northern Ireland communities are urging local recognition as well.
Anak Krakatau has erupted since late Friday, producing lava fountains and ash plumes up to 50,000ft and forcing temporary closures at Soekarno‑Hatta and multiple regional airports. Authorities have suspended operations at several airports, delayed or cancelled hundreds of flights and stranded tens to hundreds of thousands of passengers while marine and air exclusion zones remain in place.
Airports serving Jakarta have reopened after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau has moved away. Authorities are conducting inspections and cleaning as flight disruptions affect thousands of passengers across eight airports.
A passenger ferry, the Virgo Transport 8, has lost contact on its route from Surabaya to Banjarmasin. Rescue teams have recovered 107 survivors and six bodies so far; search efforts are ongoing for the remaining people from a manifest listing about 243 on board. Authorities have deployed ships and a helicopter to the vessel's last known position.
A roll-on/roll-off ferry, Virgo Transport 8, has capsized in the Java Sea while travelling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin. Rescuers have recovered 108 survivors and at least nine bodies; more than 120 passengers and crew remain missing. Salvage teams and specialist divers are preparing to right the vessel to allow safer recovery amid strong currents and rough seas.
A 56-year-old man and his two young children were found dead at a Kuta, Bali home after neighbours checked on the family following a call from the wife in Jakarta. Police treat the case as a suspected murder-suicide and are continuing forensic examinations and interviews. The wife remains in shock in Jakarta.
A pair recounts a long-distance romance across the Atlantic, balancing careers and personal growth. The couple navigates separation while pursuing opportunities in Europe and the U.S., showing how distance shifted relationship timing and career decisions.
Investigators have found more than 10 housing units outside regular prison cells at Cibinong Prison in Bogor, near Jakarta, with amenities such as air conditioning, TVs, fridges, sofas and dining areas. A gym and a golf simulator are under construction. Five officials have been suspended as authorities examine whether inmates received special accommodations through bribery.
A fuel shortage on Bali has stretched queues at gas stations into hours, with disruptions blamed on tanker discharge delays. Authorities have ordered civil servants to work from home for three days while schools move online, as deliveries resume and stations extend hours to alleviate shortages.