At least 16 people were killed in a fire that broke out at a nursing home in Manado, the capital of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, on Sunday night at 8:36 p.m. local time, according to Xinhua. Police spokesperson Almsiah P. Hasibuan said identification of the victims’ bodies was underway at the North Sulawesi Regional Police Hospital.

Police reported that three fire department units were dispatched immediately after the blaze began, and the fire was brought under control by around 9:30 p.m. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but an investigation has been launched. Manado Fire Service Chief Jimmy Ratinsulu stated that most of the residents were physically weak due to old age and became trapped inside the building when the fire erupted.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the source of the fire and to identify all victims.

At least 16 people were killed when a passenger bus overturned on the highway connecting Jakarta and Yogyakarta early Monday morning, Indonesian authorities confirmed. The accident occurred near a highway interchange when the bus, reportedly traveling at high speed, lost control and collided with the roadside barrier before flipping over.

Budyono, head of the local search and rescue agency, said 34 passengers were evacuated from the wreckage. Fifteen victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while one more died later in hospital. Several injured passengers were taken to hospitals in Semarang for treatment. Preliminary reports suggest that excessive speed may have been a key factor in the crash.

Indonesia frequently experiences deadly road accidents due to poor road conditions, speeding, and lax enforcement of traffic laws. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are reviewing the bus company’s safety record. The government has pledged to strengthen road safety measures ahead of the upcoming holiday travel season.

At least 712 people have been confirmed dead and more than 500 remain missing after devastating floods and landslides struck Indonesia’s Sumatra Island last week, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The disaster has affected around 1.1 million people across three provinces, with North and West Sumatra suffering the worst damage. Communication and transportation links in areas like Tapanuli and Sibolga have been completely severed, hampering rescue and relief operations. Despite government and international aid being sent by air and sea, many remote villages remain cut off, leading to severe shortages of food and clean water. Reports of looting and unrest have emerged as desperate residents struggle to survive. Authorities have deployed police to maintain order and facilitate aid distribution. In response to the communication crisis, technology entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced free Starlink internet services to support emergency connectivity in the affected regions.

The death toll from severe flooding and landslides in Indonesia has climbed to 442, with 402 people still missing, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The disaster, triggered by tropical storm Seniyar, has devastated parts of Sumatra Island, leaving thousands displaced and many areas inaccessible. Relief operations are ongoing, with aid being delivered by air and sea, though poor weather and lack of heavy equipment have slowed progress. Two naval ships have been deployed from Jakarta to deliver supplies to the worst-hit areas, including Sibolga and North Sumatra’s Central Tapanuli district. Across Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Malaysia, monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in at least 600 deaths. Authorities continue to struggle with damaged roads and disrupted communication lines, further complicating rescue and relief operations.

At least 84 people have been killed and dozens remain missing after severe floods and landslides struck Indonesia’s Sumatra island this week. Rescue teams confirmed the toll on Friday, with North Sumatra province reporting 62 deaths and 95 injuries, while West Sumatra recorded 22 deaths and 12 missing persons. The city of Sibolga has been among the hardest hit, with over 30 fatalities. Ongoing heavy rains have hampered rescue operations, cutting off access to several areas. Authorities are focusing on evacuating residents and delivering relief supplies, though poor weather and damaged infrastructure have slowed progress. In Aceh province, about 1,500 people have been displaced and power outages reported after flooding and landslides. Indonesia’s state electricity company is working to restore power after a transmission tower collapse. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying monsoon storms, prolonging rainy seasons, and increasing the frequency of flash floods across the region.

Jakarta has overtaken Dhaka as the world's most populous capital city, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs' latest 'World Urbanization Prospects 2025' report. The Indonesian capital now has an estimated population of around 42 million, while Dhaka follows closely with about 40 million residents. Tokyo ranks third with 33 million people. The report highlights that 45 percent of the global population of 8.2 billion currently lives in urban areas, compared to only 20 percent in 1950 when the world population was 2.5 billion. It also forecasts that by 2050, two-thirds of global population growth will occur in cities. The number of megacities—those with over 10 million residents—has risen sharply from eight in 1975 to a projected 33 by 2025, with 19 located in Asia. Indonesia’s total population now stands at 286 million, making it the world’s fourth most populous country.

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Indonesia’s eastern North Maluku province, specifically in the Halmahera region, according to the country’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG). The quake’s epicenter was located about 10 kilometers beneath the surface. Authorities confirmed that no casualties or property damage have been reported so far. Indonesia, situated along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its tectonic location. The tremor follows a recent 5.7-magnitude earthquake in Bangladesh that killed at least ten people, with several aftershocks recorded the following day. Experts suggest that the recent seismic activities in the region highlight the ongoing vulnerability of countries located within the Pacific and South Asian seismic belts.

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru, the tallest volcano on Java island, erupted on Wednesday, prompting authorities to raise its alert level to the highest. The eruption sent ash plumes soaring up to 5.6 kilometers into the sky and unleashed fast-moving pyroclastic flows reaching seven kilometers from the summit. The country’s volcanology agency has urged residents to stay at least 2.5 kilometers away from the crater due to ongoing risks. Located on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', Mount Semeru stands at 3,676 meters and is among Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. The region, densely populated and prone to seismic activity, faces potential threats to nearby communities, transport routes, and aviation. Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has a long history of eruptions, including a deadly one in 2021 that killed 62 people and buried several villages in ash. Indonesia, with nearly 130 active volcanoes, continues to monitor Semeru closely for further activity.

A devastating school building collapse in Indonesia’s East Java province has left at least 50 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). The collapse occurred as construction workers were adding a new floor to the existing structure without sufficient foundation support. Rescue operations are ongoing, with 18 people still missing. Around 60 percent of the debris has been cleared, though an adjacent building also collapsed, worsening the devastation. Teachers reported that authorities ignored structural warnings before the expansion project began. Emergency crews continue to search for survivors amid fears that the death toll could rise. The government has ordered a full investigation into the incident, focusing on safety violations and negligence in the school’s expansion project.

Sudden flash floods triggered by heavy rains in Bali and East Nusa Tenggara provinces have claimed 14 lives, with at least two people still missing. Rivers overflowed, causing severe flooding, landslides, and damage to over 120 areas. More than 500 residents have been evacuated to schools and mosques. Indonesian authorities, led by President Prabowo Subianto, have deployed hundreds of personnel for search, rescue, and relief operations. Denpasar’s mayor has declared a state of emergency.

Indonesia is in turmoil as mass protests spiral into a nationwide uprising following a controversial decision to increase MPs’ allowances.

For over a week, demonstrations have erupted across the country—women in pink uniforms marched with brooms, protesters torched regional parliament buildings, and violent clashes with police left casualties.

The spark came on August 25 in Jakarta but escalated after a 21-year-old motorcyclist was killed on August 28, run over by a police vehicle during clashes.

Despite apologies from President Prabowo Subianto and the police chief, unrest continues. Protesters say MPs already earn over 100 million rupiah ($6,150) per month—30 times the national average—while ordinary citizens struggle with rising costs. Experts warn the uprising could reshape Indonesia’s political system.

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has canceled his upcoming visit to China due to violent protests that have erupted across several cities, including Jakarta. At least three people have died, and numerous government buildings and police facilities have been set on fire. The unrest began after 21-year-old motorcyclist Affan Kurniawan was killed by a police armored vehicle. President Prabowo will remain in Indonesia to monitor the situation and has ordered an investigation into police conduct, promising accountability for excessive force.

At least three people died and five were injured after protesters set fire to a regional parliament building in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The unrest began in Jakarta earlier this week over lawmakers’ salaries, labor wages, taxes, and anti-corruption measures. Violence escalated after a ride-hailing motorbike driver was killed by a police vehicle. Protests also hit major cities like Bandung and Jakarta, causing looting and infrastructure damage. Analysts call this the biggest political test for President Prabowo Subianto’s government.

Across Indonesia, citizens are protesting to demand lower lawmakers’ salaries, higher labor wages, reduced taxes, and anti-corruption measures. Led by students, the movement has spread to multiple cities since Monday. The death of delivery rider Afan Kurniawan under a police vehicle during a crackdown has fueled anger nationwide. Demonstrators have clashed with police, damaged property, and set vehicles on fire. President Prabowo Subianto called for calm and ordered a full investigation, while civil rights groups condemned the police’s harsh response.

Indonesia is purchasing land in Mecca to develop a dedicated Hajj village for its pilgrims. The plan was agreed upon by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Royal Commission of Mecca has offered eight plots near the city, ranging from 25 to 80 hectares, for the project. The Saudi government will relocate current residents, while Indonesia will focus on land acquisition. The village will provide accommodation and commercial areas to ease the pilgrimage experience for Indonesian Hajj and Umrah visitors.