Bill Birtles

Jakarta

Jakarta Bureau Chief at ABC News (Australia)

Jakarta bureau chief Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) - Previously Taipei & Beijing. Active on Threads, not here - [email protected]

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Articles

Russia responds to claims it sought access to Indonesian air base

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Stephen Dziedzic |Bill Birtles

Russia has issued its first direct response to claims that it is seeking access to an Indonesian air base, defending its military cooperation with Jakarta while slamming Australia's AUKUS nuclear submarine plan.
Reports Putin is eyeing an Indonesian air base leave Canberra scrambling

1 week ago | radionz.co.nz | Stephen Dziedzic |Bill Birtles

By Stephen Dziedzic and Bill Birtles, ABCAustralian officials are scrambling to confirm whether Russia is pushing to base long-range aircraft in Indonesia, in a move that would send alarm bells ringing in Canberra. The US military website Janes has reported that Moscow has launched an official request to base Russian aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base at Biak Numfor in the Indonesian province of Papua.
Russia seeks military base in Indonesia

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the Government is seeking clarification from Indonesia after reports Russia wants to station aircraft at a military airport in the Indonesian province of Papua. A US military website claims Moscow has lodged an official request with Indonesia to have its "long range" aircraft use the base.
Reports Putin is eyeing an Indonesian air base leave Canberra scrambling

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Stephen Dziedzic |Bill Birtles

By Stephen Dziedzic and Bill Birtles, ABCAustralian officials are scrambling to confirm whether Russia is pushing to base long-range aircraft in Indonesia, in a move that would send alarm bells ringing in Canberra. The US military website Janes has reported that Moscow has launched an official request to base Russian aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base at Biak Numfor in the Indonesian province of Papua.
Why Xi's charm offensive through South-East Asia is annoying Trump

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

China's leader Xi Jinping is pushing for South-East Asian support in countering American tariffs this week, with a three-nation visit that Donald Trump sees as an effort to hurt the United States. Upon arriving in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi to a well-organised group of supporters waving huge flags, the leader of the world's second-largest economy reiterated his core message that "there are no winners in a tariff war".
Myanmar quake response hampered by lack of equipment as international teams arrive

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

The window to find earthquake survivors buried under rubble is closing fast in two South-East Asian cities more than 1,000 kilometres apart, as the death toll from Friday's 7.7-magnitude quake passes 1,700. And as rescuers in Myanmar race against time to find anyone still alive, hopes have been dashed that the earthquake could pause hostilities between the country's military government and rival armed groups, with reports of multiple air strikes.
Death toll rising in Thailand-Myanmar earthquake

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

In Myanmar and Thailand, rescue teams are running out of time to find more survivors from Friday's huge earthquake. So far, more than 1,700 hundred people have been killed.
Indonesia got some treasures back from the Netherlands. Can it protect them?

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

Standing silently, a 2.4 metre tall statue of four-headed Hindu god Brahma could tell an extraordinary story of adventure and intrigue over its seven centuries of existence. It is one of eight Hindu-Buddhist statues of pre-Islamic, Javanese origin taking pride of place in Indonesia's national museum in Jakarta, having been returned to their country of origin by the government of the Netherlands after two centuries abroad.
Estranged wife says former AFL star Rick Olarenshaw operated illegal Bali brothel

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles

The estranged wife of AFL great Rick Olarenshaw has criticised her husband for not being at her trial for illegal prostitution in Bali, and has given a handwritten note to the judges pleading for leniency.
Student protests have erupted in Jakarta as Indonesia's government cut budgets

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Bill Birtles |Hellena Yoranita Souisa

Indonesia's government has slashed travel, stationary and even turned the lights off early for civil servants in a widespread austerity drive, as President Prabowo Subianto's free meal program worsens a squeeze on funds. Tension over the cost-cutting drive exploded onto the streets this week in Jakarta, as thousands of students rallied against the cuts and other policies they say are not "pro-people".