Jakarta (VNA) – At least nine people died after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Flores Island, Nusa Tenggara province, e𓄧astern Indonesia erupted on November 3.
Local authorities raised the status of the volcano to the highest level – Level 4 and evacuated residents in a 7-km radius area.
The eruption was recorded at 11:57 pm (local time). It spewed explosive plumes of lava, and was followed by heavy rain and thunder.
Volcanic ash and molten rock spewed from the crater fell on residential areas about 4 km away from the crater, burning and damaging people's homes and causing blackout. Seven villages have been affected by the eruption, according to local authorities.
These villages are covered in a thick layer of volcanic ash. Authorities are still collecting data on the number of evacuees and damaged buildings.
Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of high seismic activity atop multiple tectonic plates. The latest event follows a series of eruptions of different volcanoes across the country.
In May, Mount Ibu - a volcano on the remote island of Halmahera caused the evacuation of people from seven villages. In the same month, North Sulawesi's Ruang volcano also erupted and prompted authorities to evacuate more than 12,000 people./.
Taal volcano near the Philippines' capital region has erupted, the country's seismology agency announced on October 2, saying that the alert level remains at the lowest on the scale.
Mount Ibu on Halmahera island in North Maluku province of Indonesia erupted again on June 2, sending a column of ash about 7 kilometres high from the main summit crater.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
