Mathias Hariyadi

The agreement was signed at the Indonesian embassy to the Holy See in Rome, making Indonesia’s official language the 57th language of the Vatican News portal. The result of persistent diplomatic work, revitalised by Pope Francis's visit in 2024, it represents a new opportunity to bring Indonesian traditions to the world.

The 85-year-old entrepreneur had transformed the Djarum cigarette factory he inherited from his father into an economic giant with operations in various sectors, including the country’s leading private bank. A Catholic, he was known for his extremely simple lifestyle. Through his foundation, he always showed great commitment to humanitarian causes.

The tragedy occurred at the Bantargebang site, where the capital's waste is sent. This is due to the country’s failure to address the problem, while the number of dangerous situations is growing. Only 11 per cent of plastic is recycled in Indonesia.

Ulema, parliamentarians, and civil society organizations have asked Indonesian President Prabowo Subiando to leave the international body promoted by Donald Trump for the management of the Gaza crisis. Criticism is also growing over the trade agreement on tariffs signed on February 19.

The first two homes have been delivered to a village in the regency of Central Tapanuli for thousands of families forced to live in temporary shelters for months. A memorandum has been signed between the Catholic Church and local authorities for collaboration in reconstruction after the disaster. The goal: to restore dignity, security and hope.

Sister Fransiska Imakulata was contacted by a woman held captive in a nightclub in Maumere. She and Sikka police freed the victims, who were found without papers. After their release, the women were taken to a safe house run by TRUK-F, an NGO of which the woman religious is president, before they were returned to their families in West Java.

A small Smart Air plane was hit by gunfire after landing on a remote airstrip in Indonesian Papua. The two pilots, wounded while attempting to escape into the forest, died. The incident rekindles concerns over air travel security in the "red zones" of the region’s interior, where armed separatist groups operate.

Indonesia's most important moderate Islamic movement celebrated its centenary. President Prabowo Subianto was present at the event. Nahdlatul Ulama remains committed to peace and interfaith coexistence in the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, built and founded on the principles of compassion and brotherhood.

Prayers, thanksgiving and a traditional kethoprak performance marked the celebrations for the archbishop's half-century of priesthood. A tribute to local culture and a profound reflection on the mission of a pastor. The Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs was also present, along with hundreds of faithful.

The mass of mud and debris struck about thirty homes in Pasirlangu during the night. The disaster was caused by the collapse of a natural dam, raising questions about poor watercourse control measures and violations of land-use planning regulations. In recent days, Prabowo had revoked the forest exploitation licences of 28 companies after floods in northern Sumatra.

Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and an associate are under investigation for the management of additional quotas granted to Indonesia for the 2024 Hajj. They allegedly favoured special pilgrims at the expense of regular ones, causing estimated state losses of $64 million. Assets have been seized and potential illicit flows are under investigation.

A fire ripped through a seven-storey building in the heart of the capital, home to a subsidiary of a Japan-based company that sells and services drones. The fire’s effects were exacerbated by the burning of lithium batteries stored in the building. Nineteen people were rescued from the top floor terrace where they had fled to escape the toxic fumes.