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☆ China is trying to connect Southeast Asia by high-speed rail. Here’s how that’s going
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Imagine jumping on a train in southwestern China, traveling some 2,000 miles and arriving in Singapore – less than 30 hours later. Southeast Asia is the “obvious” choice because of its “proximity to China,” Bowerman adds. “Beijing, I think, ultimately wants to see Southeast Asian countries within its sphere of geopolitical influence. A staff member waits for passengers to board the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train during a week-long public trial phase at the Halim station in Jakarta on September 17, 2023. “In the example of a high-speed railway line between Malaysia and Singapore, Singapore would likely have just one stop – Malaysia would have more,” Wong told CNN.

Persons: China’s, Gary Bowerman, ” Bowerman, ”, Pon Souvannaseng, Peerapon Boonyakiat, Bowerman, Pan Wenbo, Pan, Mei Wei, Wei, “ I’m, Xi Jinping’s, Souvannaseng, Hong Kong –, Hong Kong’s, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Wong Muh Rong, ” Wong Organizations: CNN, Initiative, China Railway, Reuters, East Japan Railway Co, Malaysian, Bentley University, of, Communist Party, Laos Railway, Laos Railway cumulatively, Orient Express, Getty Locations: China, Singapore, Asia, Laos, Kunming, Vientiane –, Indonesia, Jakarta, Bandung, West Java, Thailand, Bangkok, Thai, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Southeast Asia, “ China, Peerapon, Cities, Penang, Malacca, Phuket Old Town, Beijing, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Wat, Siem Reap, ”, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Halim, AFP, “

☆ Indonesia's Likely New President Haunts Father of Missing Activist
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Rights activists say it was inspired by mothers in Argentina, who staged silent protests every Thursday in memory of people who were killed or disappeared during the 1976-1983 military rule there. Other portraits of the young man were hanging on the wall of his drawing room. In the wake of Suharto's resignation, Paian said he and his family visited hospitals and police stations searching for his son. Indonesia's human rights commission completed its report on the incident in 2006, which was submitted to authorities. But no action has been taken on its recommendation to set up a special human rights court to try those suspected in the disappearances in 1997-98.

Persons: Kate Lamb JAKARTA, Indonesia's, Ucok, Prabowo, Prabowo's, Paian, We're, Suharto's, Suharto, Budiman, he's, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Commission Locations: Jakarta, Argentina, West Java

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Dozens of conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia’s capital on Friday, calling for the cancellation of Coldplay’s upcoming concert over the British band’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. Lead singer Chris Martin has been known to wear rainbow colors and wave gay pride flags during performances. The Asian leg of Coldplay's “Music Of The Spheres World Tour” includes a Nov. 15 concert at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno stadium. Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno assured Coldplay fans there would be no disruptions to the concert. ___Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

Persons: Chris Martin, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama —, Coldplay, ”, Hery Susanto, ” Bamukmin, ” Martin, Sandiaga Uno, ” Uno, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber, Peter Harjani, Lady Gaga, Edna Tarigan Organizations: Coldplay, Creative Economy, Indonesian Ulema Council, Entertainment, Boys, Associated Press Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Indonesia’s, Jakarta, “, West Java’s, Bandung, Indonesian, British, Taipei, Malaysian

For the first time, Indonesia accounted for more than 50% of global thermal coal exports during the January to October window, data from Kpler shows, indicating its success in wresting share from rival exporters. Indonesia coal exports by destinationIndia was the second largest buyer of Indonesian coal, grabbing a roughly 20% share of the total (82 million tons). Indonesia vs Australia thermal coal pricesThat compares to an average $184 per ton for the roughly 6,200 kcal/kg coal shipped from Newcastle in Australia. Indonesia coal export price vs Indonesia coal exports to ChinaThe price to ship a ton of coal from Indonesia to China is currently around $8-$10, compared to $14-$15 a ton for the Australia to China voyage, according to Shanghai Shipping Exchange data. And that means Indonesia's full-year coal exports will smash previous records for 2023 as a whole.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Tom Hogue Organizations: Russia, TOP, China, Australia, Indonesia, Shanghai Shipping Exchange, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Cilegon, West Java, Indonesia, LITTLETON , Colorado, South Africa, Colombia, United States, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Australia, LSEG, Newcastle, Mozambique, Russia, Indonesian, Asia

☆ Indonesia says arrests militants suspected of plotting to disrupt election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An armed police officer stands guard following a blast at a district police station, that according to authorities was a suspected suicide bombing, in Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia, December 7, 2022. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsJAKARTA, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Indonesia's counter-terrorism unit has arrested 59 suspected militants including some loyalists of the Islamic State-inspired Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) suspected of planning to disrupt an upcoming election, a unit spokesperson said on Tuesday. Aswin Siregar, spokesperson for the Densus 88 counter-terrorism taskforce, said the JAD militants were suspected of plotting attacks to disrupt Feb. 14 presidential and legislative elections. It relates to their main goal which is to cancel the election," he added without giving any more detail of the suspected plotting. However, security analysts say the militant threat has diminished significantly in recent years, largely because of successful security force operations.

Persons: Willy Kurniawan, Ansharut, Aswin Siregar, Aswin, Ananda Teresia, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Islamic, Islamic State, JI, Thomson Locations: Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, al Qaeda, JAD, United States, Bali

☆ Indonesia launches first bullet train, WHOOSH, funded by China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Part of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative and largely funded by Chinese state-owned firms, the $7.3 billion project opened to the public on Sunday. The train will travel between the capital Jakarta and Bandung in West Java, Indonesia’s second-largest city and a major arts and culture hub. Indonesia's outgoing President Joko Widodo rides the high-speed railway during a test ride in Jakarta. Akbar Nugroho Gumay/APWidodo and Chinese Premier Li Qiang were photographed taking test rides on the new high-speed railway throughout September. The train deal was first signed in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and construction began later that year.

Persons: Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, Dwiyana, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Joko Widodo, Xi Jinping, Akbar Nugroho Gumay, Li Qiang, ” Organizations: CNN —, Kereta, Surabaya –, PT, PT KCIC, Initiative Locations: CNN — Indonesia, Jakarta, Bandung, West Java, Indonesian, Indonesia China, Halim, East Jakarta, Padalarang, West Bandung, Surabaya, East Java Province, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Borobudur, AFP, Indonesia, Southeast, China, Rempang, Indonesia’s Riau

☆ TikTok's Southeast Asia ambitions to take a major hit with Indonesia ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aditya Aji | Afp | Getty ImagesTikTok's Southeast Asian ambitions will take a major hit after Indonesia bans shopping transactions on social media apps, analysts told CNBC. Indonesia has banned e-commerce transactions on social media platforms such as TikTok Shop and Facebook . Even if it can secure a separate license to operate, operating as a standalone app may still be challenging. "Even if it can secure a separate license to operate, operating as a standalone app may still be challenging," said Mittal. New social media rulesOn Saturday, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo called for social media regulations, saying such platforms impact micro-, small- and medium-sized companies and the economy.

Persons: Aditya Aji, Jonathan Woo, Sachin, Sachin Mittal, TikTok, Mittal, Joko Widodo Organizations: Facebook, Afp, Getty, CNBC, Phillip Securities Research, Sachin Mittal DBS Bank, U.S, DBS Bank, BMI, Momentum Works Locations: Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Jakarta, China, Southeast Asia, U.S, Singapore, Montana, India

☆ Indonesia launches sky train in capital, hopes to ease traffic and pollution
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks as he launches the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 28, 2023. The driverless, 41.2 km (25.6 miles) Light Rail Transit (LRT) system connects central Jakarta and its satellites cities in West Java, Bekasi and Depok. People in Greater Jakarta commonly use a 418 km (260 mile) Commuter Line which serve around 1.2 million passengers per day. The president blamed the pollution on excessive road traffic and industries using coal and said nearly 1 million vehicles enter Jakarta each day. "Jakarta is always on the top 10 of list of cities with the worst traffic jams," he said.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Antara, Hafidz Mubarak, Ananda Teresia, Martin Petty Organizations: Rail, REUTERS, Acquire, Rights, Monday, Swiss, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, Greater Jakarta, West Java, Borneo, Nusantara, Southeast

☆ Indonesia arrests militant over alleged plot to attack police division
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Antara Foto/Fakhri Hermansyah/ via REUTERSJAKARTA, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Indonesia's counter-terrorism unit on Tuesday announced the arrest of an alleged Islamic State (IS) loyalist suspected of planning an attack on the headquarters of the police's security division. "We were shocked by the evidence we found," Aswin told a news conference. "The movement of ISIS or supporters of ISIS ... has never stopped even when it's not visible to our eyes that they congregate," he said, referring to the Islamic State. Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, suffered its worst militant attack in 2002 when two nightclubs on the island of Bali were bombed, killing 202 people, mostly foreign tourists. Analysts say the threat of extremist attacks has since diminished significantly and while arrests of suspected extremists do take place, pledges of allegiance to Islamic State have been rare.

Persons: Antara, Aswin Siregar, Aswin, Todd Elliott, Stanley Widianto, Kate Lamb, Martin Petty Organizations: Islamic, REUTERS, ISIS, Concorde Consulting, Thomson Locations: Indonesian, Islamic State, Iraq, Syria, Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, REUTERS JAKARTA, State, Jakarta, Bali

☆ Indonesia delays China-funded rail project's trial run for passengers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An electric Multiple Unit high-speed train is seen during Hot Sliding Test in Tegalluar, Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia, May 19, 2023, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. A free, limited trial run for passengers, initially set for Aug. 18, has been postponed to early September, but no delay is expected to the full operational launch on Oct. 1, KCIC said on Tuesday. Safety checks were ongoing as of last Friday, according to transport ministry official Mohamad Risal Wasal. KCIC said internal trials had gone smoothly but the company was still working with the transport ministry on necessary operational certificates. Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by Gayatri Suroyo, Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antara, Al Farisi, KCIC, Mohamad Risal Wasal, Xi Jinping, Joko Widodo, Stefanno Sulaiman, Gayatri Suroyo, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Initiative, Thomson Locations: Tegalluar, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, JAKARTA, China, Indonesian, Jakarta

☆ Panji Gumilang: Islamic preacher arrested for blasphemy in world's largest Muslim-majority country
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Unlike other Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia, its prayer sessions do not follow gender segregation, angering some religious groups. Police did not specify what Panji had said or done that constituted blasphemy but said they were acting on public complaints. In June, Indonesia’s Islamic Clerical Council said it was investigating Al-Zaytun for “misguided religious practices,” according to CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia. “He is after all, a public figure with millions of supporters… With all this happening, we don’t know what could happen,” he told CNN Indonesia. There is nothing wrong with him (a Muslim cleric) promoting women’s rights – something is terribly wrong with blasphemy laws,” he added.

Persons: Panji Gumilang, Djuhandhani Rahardjo, ” Djuhandhani, ”, Panji, Al, Hendra Effendy, Andreas Harsono, ” Andreas Organizations: CNN, Indonesian National Police, Criminal Investigation Agency, “, Police, Islamic Clerical, CNN Indonesia, Human Rights Watch, Rights Locations: Indonesia, Indramayu, West Java, Jakarta, Aceh, Islam, Chinese

☆ Indonesia's delayed China-funded rail project beset by fresh problems
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Stefanno Sulaiman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] An electric Multiple Unit high-speed train is seen during Hot Sliding Test in Tegalluar, Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia, May 19, 2023, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. China-backed consortium PT KCIC, Mott MacDonald, Umbra, CDB and China's embassy in Jakarta did not respond immediately to requests for comment. PT KCIC was awarded the project in 2015 after lodging a cheaper proposal than a Japanese rival, with completion expected in 2019. The planned 45-minute train ride between Jakarta and Bandung compares with a car journey of two to three hours or the current three-hour rail trip. Locating the stations in central Jakarta and Bandung would have been too costly, ministry official Seto said.

Persons: Antara, Al Farisi, Joko Widodo, Teuku Rezasyah, Mott MacDonald, Mahendra Vijaya, Hario, PwC, Sutanto Soehodho, Seto, Stefanno Sulaiman, Devjyot Ghoshal, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Initiative, Padjadjaran University, Reuters, PT, China Development Bank, CDB, PT KCIC, KCIC, University of Indonesia, Thomson Locations: Tegalluar, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, REUTERS JAKARTA, China, Jakarta, Indonesian, Southeast Asia's, Independence, PwC, CDB, China's

☆ Globalization 2.0 is the shift of power from West to East, Indonesian government official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGlobalization 2.0 is the shift of power from West to East, Indonesian government official saysRidwan Kamil, governor of West Java, discusses the large proportion of emerging economies that are from Asia, including Indonesia.

☆ This fish farmer-turned-entrepreneur runs a profitable start-up. Here are his tips
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Now at 33, Farizy runs Indonesia-based startup eFishery, which developed products such as automatic feeders that help local seafood farmers save costs and improve productivity. Automatic feeders eliminate the problems of manual feeding, which could result in over-feeding or under-feeding. Say no to high cash burnMany startups focus on blistering growth, which usually means a high cash burn rate. When asked about how he runs a successful company, he said: "We don't burn cash unnecessarily." Cash burn refers to a company spending its cash reserves when it is not yet generating profit.

☆ Indonesia's inflation to stay above 5% in first half of 2023, central bank chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The country's inflation has held above 5%, driven by high food prices. Indonesia's inflation will remain above 5% in the first half of 2023 and below 4% in the second half, mainly due to high food prices, central bank governor Perry Warjiyo said on Sunday, warning that the fight to control inflation must continue. "The game is not over, let us together anticipate inflation mainly food inflation," Perry said at an event on Makassar, in South Sulawesi, where he urged local authorities to work with the central government to reduce inflationary pressures. "We must control inflation because it relates to people's prosperity and welfare," he said. "Let's strengthen synergy amongst stakeholders to control inflation."

☆ Indonesia's seafood farming industry faces a 'technology gap' — and startups are raising big bucks to fill it
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

And we are third in aquaculture production after China and India. Aquaculture production and exports by country in 2020 Aquaculture (animals, not including algae) Top producing countries in 2020 Top exporting countries in 2020 1. Aruna, for its part, helps to connect Indonesia's small-scale aquaculture farmers to buyers. Indonesia has the puzzle pieces to become a global leader in aquaculture and seafood production. "Indonesia has the puzzle pieces to become a global leader in aquaculture and seafood production.

☆ Indonesia rattled by 7.6 magnitude quake, tsunami warning lifted
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Indonesia was struck by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday off the Tanimbar islands, prompting panicked residents in the area to flee their homes, although a tsunami warning was lifted after three hours and initial reports indicated limited damage. The Tanimbar islands are a group of about 30 islands in eastern Indonesia's Maluku province. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) recorded the magnitude of the quake as 7.6, after initially reporting it as 7.7. The U.S. Geological Survey also pegged it as a 7.6 magnitude. There were four aftershocks with the strongest recorded at 5.5 magnitude, BMKG said.

☆ The Year in Pictures 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +57 min

Every year, starting in early fall, photo editors at The New York Times begin sifting through the year’s work in an effort to pick out the most startling, most moving, most memorable pictures. But 2022 undoubtedly belongs to the war in Ukraine, a conflict now settling into a worryingly predictable rhythm. Erin Schaff/The New York Times “When you’re standing on the ground, you can’t visualize the scope of the destruction. Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 25. We see the same images over and over, and it’s really hard to make anything different.” Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 26.

☆ Fact Check-2018 footage of Indonesian earthquake shared as if new
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A satellite video showing a shifting landscape during an earthquake is going viral with users suggesting the clip shows recent footage of an earthquake in Indonesia. Users are sharing satellite footage showing a landscape shifting, giving way and pushing away infrastructure as if it is a recent clip of an Indonesian earthquake (here, here, here, here and here). One account wrote here on Nov. 25, 2022: “Satellite video of the Indonesian earthquake. However, the footage shared in these posts shows a 2018 earthquake. Satellite footage showing land giving way during an earthquake in Indonesia is from 2018.

SYDNEY, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Indonesia's release of convicted Bali bomb maker Umar Patek will be a "difficult day" for Australians who lost loved ones and relatives in the attacks, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday. Patek was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012 for his involvement in bombings that ripped through two Bali nightclubs, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians. "I think this going to be a very difficult day for many Australians – all Australians – to hear about the release of Umar Patek," Marles told ABC radio. "I'm particularly thinking right now of the families of those who were killed and injured in the Bali bombings." [1/2] Indonesian militant Umar Patek walks after reading his final defence at the West Jakarta court May 31, 2012.

☆ Magnitude 6.1 quake rattles Indonesia's West Java -agency
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JAKARTA, Dec 8 (Reuters) - A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's West Java province on Thursday, the country's geophysics agency (BMKG) said, prompting residents in areas near the epicentre to flee their homes in panic. The quake, with an epicentre 22 km (13.67 miles) from the city of Sukabumi, had no potential to trigger a tsunami and struck at a depth of 104 km, the agency said. Abdul Muhari, an official at Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency (BNPB), told Reuters there were no reports of damage so far but the agency was still assessing the situation. Last month, a shallow 5.6-magnitude struck the city of Cianjur, also in West Java, killing more than 300 people and causing damage to thousands of homes. In 2004, a 9.1-magnitude quake off Sumatra island in northern Indonesia triggered a tsunami that struck 14 countries, killing 226,000 people.

☆ Indonesia police station blast kills one, injures several
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Policemen stand guard at the site of a blast at a police station in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, December 7, 2022, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Footage from Metro TV showed damage to the police station, with some debris from the building on the ground and smoke rising from the scene. Islamic militants have carried out attacks in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, including at churches, police stations and venues frequented by foreigners. In an efforts to crack down on militants, Indonesia created a tough new anti-terrorism law in recent years after suicide bombings linked to the Islamic State-inspired Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD). Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Editing by Ed Davies and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ So Hot Right Now: 5 Volcano Vacations to Add to Your Bucket List
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Andrew Nelson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

“FIRE OF LOVE,” the Oscar-nominated 2022 documentary about two star-crossed volcanologists, reflects our fascination with the earth’s eruptions. “Working on the film, I visited two volcanoes—Fagradalsfjall on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, and Anak Krakatau, off the coast of West Java,” said Sara Dosa, director and producer of the National Geographic documentary. “We were awestruck by the molten rivers pouring down the mountainside—a seemingly surreal color of orange.”Elsewhere, Kilauea’s fireworks on the Big Island of Hawaii kicked off 2023 and, on screens, Sicily’s Mt. Etna loomed as a backdrop for the sexual shenanigans in “The White Lotus.”

Mount Semeru, which lies around 640 kilometers (400 miles) southeast of the capital Jakarta, began erupting at 2:46 a.m. local time Sunday (2:46 p.m. Pyroclastic flow rolls down the slope of Mount Semeru during an eruption in Lumajang, East Java. Standing at 3,676 meters (12,060 feet), Mount Semeru is the tallest volcano on Java – and one of its most active ones. People take shelter at a community hall in Candipuro village following Mount Semeru's volcanic eruption in Lumajang, East Java on December 4, 2022. Rescue workers monitor the flow of volcanic materials from the eruption of Mount Semeru, in Lumajang, East Java, Indonesia, on December 4, 2022.

CNN —An earthquake of 6.1 magnitude hit Indonesia’s West Java province on Saturday, the country’s geophysics agency BMKG said. According to the BMKG, the epicenter of the earthquake was on land and there is no potential for a tsunami. “In response to the earthquake that happened earlier, once again, remain calm, alert but there is no need to stop your daily activities,” Suharyanto said. It comes after a deadly magnitude-5.6 earthquake shook West Java on November 21, with a final death toll of 334. Suharyanto said 56,320 houses were damaged in that quake, more than a third of them badly.

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