Burst Jakarta Dam Kills 50

(NEWSER) - A powerful 7.4 earthquake today swayed buildings 125 miles south in Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta and triggered a tsunami alert, reports AP. There were no immediate reports of large waves, but several buildings in the town closest to the epicenter, Tasikmalaya, were damaged. More»

Nine dead in latest burst of seismic activity under Indian Ocean

(NEWSER) - The fourth in a string of violent earthquakes and more than 60 lower-level tremors rattled Indonesia late today, at a magnitude of 6.2. With its epicenter two miles deep in the Indian Ocean, 65 miles west-northwest of Bengkulu, the government issued, then canceled, another tsunami warning. Nine have died in two days of seismic activity, CNN reports. More»

Powerful tremor registers 7.9

(NEWSER) - Indonesia has been hit by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake—triggering widespread tsunami warnings. Buildings swayed in Jakarta, and an official warning has been issued for much of the region surrounding the Indian ocean. 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»