Amid pushback on Indonesia’s BOP role and Iran conflict, Prabowo attempts balancing act
The Straits Times
Jakarta is seeking to position itself as a diplomatic player with its BOP role and its offer to mediate in the conflict between Iran and the US, while ensuring that the Middle East crisis does not spill over into domestic instability. Read more at straitstimes.com.
JAKARTA - Just hours after protesters held up signboards outside the US Embassy in Jakarta on March 3 to demand Indonesia’s withdrawal from the US-led Board of Peace (BOP) initiative, an unusual late-night meeting unfolded at the presidential palace.
In attendance were President Prabowo Subianto, former presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo as well as former vice-presidents and senior political figures.
It will also deliberate on the implementation of a five-year national policy plan. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Financial commitments, such as repayment of credit cards, eat into the bulk of their monthly budget. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The conflict exposes the city to many risks, but some are seeing opportunities too. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The 'unprecedented' freeze on trillions of dollars in financial assistance was instituted in early 2025. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The EU recently struck trade accords with India and a bloc of South American countries. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Mr Dan Caldwell was a former top adviser to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Read more at straitstimes.com.
They allegedly shared images and videos of school shootings in other countries with one another. Read more at straitstimes.com.
CHISINAU, March 16 - A Russian attack on a hydroelectric plant in southern Ukraine triggered an oil spill and polluted water systems in neighbouring Moldova, with supplies cut completely in the country's second-largest city, officials said on Monday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MOSCOW, March 16 - Russian air defence units downed at least 67 Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow on Monday, according to data published by the city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MOSCOW, March 16 - Russia has taken control of 12 settlements in Ukraine in the first two weeks of March as part of advances along the front line in eastern and southern Ukraine, Russian state-run news agencies quoted top general Valery Gerasimov as saying on Monday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The eastern half of the US, including New York, Chicago and Atlanta, has been hit with widespread air travel delays and cancellations. Read more at straitstimes.com.
It could lead to a protracted conflict with devastating humanitarian consequences, the leaders said in a joint statement. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Bhumika Shrestha on March 16 became Nepal’s first transgender woman lawmaker. Read more at straitstimes.com.