Cops Probe US Embassy Bomb Threat

(NEWSER) - Indonesian officials are fairly certain the wanted terrorist who masterminded the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings is also responsible for yesterday's attacks in Jakarta, the BBC reports. There are “strong indications” that Noordin Mohamed Top—a financier for al Qaeda-linked terror group Jemaah Islamiah who is thought to have started a splinter organization—organized the bombings, which killed 9 people, including 2 suicide bombers. Authorities say the bombs were identical to those used in Bali. More»

Permit denied after extremists vow to stop 'Satanic' singer

(NEWSER) - Religious fanatics appear to have made the world's biggest Muslim country a no-go for Gaga. Police in Indonesia have refused Lady Gaga a permit for her sold-out Jakarta concert, saying they would be unable to guarantee her safety following threats from an extremist group , reports the Guardian . The chief of the Islamic Defender Front has labeled her a "vulgar singer" spreading "Satanic teaching," and warned that his group was ready to "be thrown to jail and be killed" to prevent her from corrupting Islamic youth. More»

Sukhoi Superjet-100 spotted on side of volcano south of Jakarta

(NEWSER) - The wreckage of a Russian passenger jet that vanished over Indonesia during a demonstration flight yesterday has been located on the side of a volcano south of Jakarta, and rescuers have spotted bodies. Helicopter crews spotted wreckage on a cliff on the side of Mount Salak at an elevation of 5,000 feet. Due to heavy mist and the remoteness of the crash site, the retrieval won't begin until tomorrow, at which time the bodies will be placed in nets and hoisted into a hovering chopper. Soldiers, police, and volunteers continue to traverse the rugged terrain in hopes of locating survivors. Potential buyers and journalists made up the majority of the 45 on board the flight, reports the AP . More»

'We will stop her from setting foot here,' warns Jakarta FPI

(NEWSER) - Conservative Muslims' latest holy war is being waged against Lady Gaga and her Indonesia tour. The extremist Islamic Defenders’ Front (FPI) accuses Gaga of promoting devil worship, and has vowed to mobilize 30,000 protesters to intercept her at the Jakarta airport so she can't perform next month at the the Bung Karno soccer stadium. "We will stop her from setting foot on our land. She had better not dare spread her satanic faith in this country," group chairman Salim Alatas told the New Zealand Herald . "Her style is vulgar, her sexual and indecent clothes will destroy our children's sense of morality. She's very dangerous." More»

It may have crashed or been hijacked: Indonesian officials

(NEWSER) - A Russian Sukhoi SuperJet-100 disappeared during a demonstration flight in Indonesia today, vanishing from radar screens while it was still at high altitudes and failing to land at its appointed time. The plane was last heard from when it requested, and was granted, permission to descend from 10,000 feet to 6,000 feet, Russia Today reports. Indonesian officials say it may have crashed—there's a 6,200-foot-tall mountain in the area—or it may have been hijacked. More»