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World

China, South Korea, Japan leaders to hold first summit since 2019

China said on Tuesday it had agreed with Japan and South Korea to hold a summit between the three countries' leaders "as early as possible", after a rare meeting between senior diplomats in Seoul. The three-way talks -- attended by deputy and assistant ministers from the three countries -- were seen as an attempt to ease Beijing's concerns over Washington's deepening security ties with Tokyo and Seoul. Beijing described them as a "in-depth discussion on promoting the stable restarting of cooperation". "It was agreed that carrying out cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea is in the common interests of the three p…

(Left-right) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio arrive for a joint news conference following three-way talks at Camp David on August 18, 2023 in Camp David, Maryland.

Politics

Rempang sheds light on Jokowi’s ‘land hungry’ national projects

The recent conflict in Rempang Island, where locals protested being evicted for the development of a new economic zone, shed light on a worrying trend of state repression in stamping out resistance against national strategic projects.

Technology

AI both a risk and opportunity for journalism: study

While 85 percent of respondents had experimented with generative AI such as ChatGPT or Google Bard for tasks including writing summaries and generating headlines, 60 percent said they also had reservations.

Entertainment

Warner Bros delays 'Dune,' 'Lord of the Rings' films due to strike

The decision deals a blow to cinema chains such as AMC Entertainment, Cineplex and Cinemark which are still trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. "Dune" was one of the most anticipated films on the late 2023 schedule.

The Latest

news1 — GAIA and Inspira Roasters deliver coffee education

news2 — Korea Tourism Organization returns with MICE Roadshow to enthusiastic reception

news3 — Bali to use tourist tax for waste management, cultural preservation

news4 — Jokowi flexes political muscle to ensure future of clan

Indonesia

Kaesang takes over PSI leadership days after joining the party

After joining the party only a few days ago, Kaesang Pangarep, the youngest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, is now officially the new chairman of the Indonesia Solidarity Party (PSI).

Prabowo gains support of retired generals

When the Democratic Party, the nation’s largest opposition position party, declared its support for presumptive presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto last week, the Gerindra Party chairman became the one to beat in next year’s election, having put together a ballooning alliance resembling President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s cabinet.

Prolonged dry season leads to more wildfires in national parks

Wildfires have engulfed several more national parks as a prolonged dry season triggered by the climate phenomenon El Nino continues to sweep the southern part of the country.

Listyo orders thorough investigation into cop's death in Kalimantan

National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo has ordered a thorough investigation into the death of police officer Setyo Herlambang, who was found dead last week of a gunshot wound to the chest, with a pistol lying on the ground next to him.

Govt efforts to tackle human trafficking not enough, activists say

Activists and members of humanitarian organizations pointed out government shortcomings in tackling human trafficking during a seminar on Friday night, saying that more needs to be done.

World

Antarctic sea ice hits lowest winter maximum on record: US data

As the southern hemisphere transitions into spring, the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) said in a statement that Antarctic sea ice had only reached a maximum size of 16.96 million square kilometers (6.55 million square miles) this year, on September 10.

China denies reports it obstructed G20 climate discussions

Reports that China obstructed discussions on tackling climate change at Group of 20 (G20) meetings last week in India are "completely inconsistent with the facts", China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

US Abrams tanks to enter Ukraine soond

Ukraine will "soon" receive M1 Abrams tanks from the United States as Kyiv's forces make "steady" progress in a counter-offensive against Moscow's troops, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday. Washington had promised the tanks to Kyiv at the beginning of the year, part of more than $43 billion in security assistance pledged by the United States since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Cough syrup deaths overseas prompts US crackdown on toxic testing

The Food and Drug Administration has reprimanded at least 28 companies this year, saying they failed to prove sufficient testing of ingredients used in over-the-counter drugs and consumer products for the toxins ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG), according to a Reuters analysis of agency import alerts and warning letters to manufacturers.

Philippines removes Chinese barrier at disputed shoal in 'special operation'

The Philippines expressed outrage on Sunday and shared images of Chinese coastguard policing a long, ball-buoy barrier near the Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop 200 km from the Philippines and the site of years of intermittent flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights.

Politics

KPK, AGO dig up old graft cases ahead of 2024 elections

A Law enforcement institutions, especially the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), have recently launched investigations into graft cases dating back years, raising speculation that such moves are politically driven ahead of the 2024 elections.

Ganjar-Prabowo pairing possible, says Puan

Puan Maharani of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) central executive board said on Thursday that it was “a possibility” for presumptive nominee Ganjar Pranowo to be paired with Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto for next year's presidential election.

Registration deadline for presidential candidates moved earlier to late October

The General Elections Commission (KPU) secured on Wednesday endorsements from House of Representatives Commission II overseeing home affairs and the Home Ministry to reschedule the registration window for presidential and vice-presidential candidates from Oct. 19 through Nov. 25 to Oct 19-25.

Ridwan Kamil, AHY taken off Ganjar's VP list: Puan

Puan Maharani, who is also the daughter of party matriarch Megawati Soekanoputri, said that the PDI-P would not pick a vice-presidential candidate from any political party that is not a member of its coalition.

Jokowi denies Prabowo resorted to violence in cabinet meeting

Unconfirmed rumors have been circulating on social media in recent days that Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto resorted to strangling and slapping Deputy Agriculture Minister Harvick Hasnul Qolbi before the limited cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace started.

Business

Govt to keep an eye on oil prices, projected to surge to $100 by year-end

The government will keep a watchful eye on crude oil prices, which are expected to surge by the end of this year. The Finance Ministry says it is prepared to carry out stress testing if needed to anticipate any impact on the state budget, particularly energy subsidies.

BI sticks with inflation forecast despite high rice, oil prices

The central bank has a mandate to keep annual consumer price index (CPI) growth in the range of 2 to 4 percent this year. It estimates that the rate will fall right between those bounds at 3 percent at the end of this year, and that it will drop slightly to 2.8 percent in 2024.

Indonesia to issue regulations on social commerce this week

Ministers have repeatedly said that e-commerce sellers using predatory pricing on social media platforms are threatening offline markets in Indonesia, with some officials specifically citing the video platform TikTok as an example.

Asian markets sink, dollar gains as Fed hints at further rate hike

Asian stocks sank Thursday and the dollar advanced after the Federal Reserve indicated it could hike interest rates again this year and keep them elevated longer than feared as it struggles to bring inflation to heel.

Stocks struggle as oil surge sets stage for hawkish Fed

Brent crude futures eased from 10-month highs overnight but at $94.26 a barrel are up 30 percent in three months thanks to Saudi Arabia and Russia vowing to extend output cuts.

Technology

Governments race to regulate AI tools

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) such as Microsoft-backed OpenAI's ChatGPT are complicating governments' efforts to agree laws governing the use of the technology.

TikTok hits new front with its music streaming service in Indonesia

Social media giant TikTok launched its new subscription-only music streaming service "TikTok Music" in Indonesia, home to its largest user base in Southeast Asia. TikTok Music is differs slightly from Spotify and YouTube, which both allow free access with advertisements.

Indonesia's nascent generative AI sector faces challenges in scaling up

Indonesia possesses the capacity to develop its own generative artificial intelligence (AI) models but it is currently limited to small-scale models, and unless the government is willing to step in, scaling up to more sophisticated models will be out of reach for many firms, never mind catching up with foreign AI developers.

US takes on Google in landmark antitrust trial

Google begins a marathon battle in a federal court on Tuesday to fight accusations from the US government that it acted unlawfully to become the world's preeminent search engine.

Cybersecurity threats decreasing, with AI deployed by both sides

Occurrences of abnormal data traffic, which are used as an indicator of potential network misuse or security attacks, dropped to 976 million last year, well down from the peak of 1.6 billion hit in 2021.

Entertainment

Jimmy Fallon accused of creating 'toxic' workplace

Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC's flagship "Tonight Show," has apologized to staff after employees accused him of creating a "toxic workplace," according to a report in Rolling Stone magazine.

Rolling Stones launch new album 'Hackney Diamonds'

The Rolling Stones announced Hackney Diamonds, their first album of original music for 18 years and first since the death of drummer Charlie Watts, who played on two of the tracks, at the Hackney Empire on Wednesday.

Japan broadcaster to acquire Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli

Hayao Miyazaki's celebrated Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli said Thursday it will be acquired by private broadcaster Nippon TV, citing his old age.

Tony Leung scores a first with ‘Golden Lion’ film honor

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai has won the esteemed “Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement” award at the 80th Venice Film Festival, becoming the first Chinese actor to have ever received the prestigious accolade.

One Piece manga creator had full control over Netflix adaptation

Premiering on the streaming service on Thursday, the eight episodes take place in a fantastical world of vast oceans, islands and pirates, and follow an aspiring young pirate named Luffy (Inaki Godoy) as he searches for a fabled treasure with his crewmates Zoro (Mackenyu) and Nami (Emily Rudd).