Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts, Grounding Multiple Flights to Bali

A remarkable discovery has stunned the scientific community as researchers from Oxford University captured footage of a species long believed to be extinct, the Zaglossus Attenboroughi, also known as Attenborough's long-beaked echidna, in Indonesia. The species, which is regarded as a "living fossil," dates back 200 million years, coexisting with the dinosaurs, according to Inkl. The footage, which showcases the mammal's unique beak and furry body, marks a significant development as the only previous evidence of the species was a preserved specimen that had been dead for several decades. Dr. James Kempton, a biologist involved in the expedition, expressed the team's excitement, stating, "I was euphoric, the whole team was euphoric," highlighting the thrill of the find occurring on the final day of their research trip. The rediscovery not only emphasizes the need to protect global biodiversity but also holds local cultural significance, as in Papua, the echidna symbolizes the resolution of conflict and the restoration of harmony, reflecting its importance in indigenous traditions.

Jessica Kumala Wongso, known as the "Iced Coffee Killer," has given an exclusive interview to Australian television following her release from Indonesian prison. Wongso served eight years of a 20-year sentence for the premeditated murder of her friend, Wayan Mirna Salihin, who died after consuming a cyanide-laced iced coffee in 2016. Despite her conviction, Wongso has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming at a recent press conference that she has "forgiven everyone who wronged" her, according to ABC Australia. During her trial, prosecutors claimed that Wongso killed Salihin out of jealousy regarding a recent marriage and Salihin's suggestion that she break up with a boyfriend. The chief judge later described the act as "vile and sadistic." Wongso, in her interview, distanced herself from Salihin, stating, “We weren’t close at all,” and expressed confusion over how the incident unfolded, saying, “I think she just took a sip and got really sick.” As a condition of her parole, Wongso is required to remain in Jakarta until 2032.

In a tragic incident related to recent floods in Indonesia, 28-year-old pregnant Munirah was killed by a crocodile while preparing lunch in her stilted home on May 27. At eight months pregnant, she was unable to fend off the attack, which occurred as floodwaters from the Mambulu River pushed dangerous wildlife into human settlements, according to local police chief AKP Supriyadi. Witnesses stated that Munirah's sister, hearing her screams, rushed to help but was too late. Attempting to cling to a tree branch, Munirah was ultimately overpowered by the crocodile and pulled into the river. Villagers searched the area following the attack and located her body half an hour later. This incident brings renewed attention to the increasing risks posed by wildlife encounters during natural disasters in Indonesia. Officials have previously recorded similar occurrences, including another fatal crocodile attack last year. Authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution around rivers and flooded areas to prevent further tragedies. This incident reflects the vulnerabilities faced by communities in flood-prone regions and calls for better wildlife safety measures.