Indonesia quake toll jumps to 268, rescuers hunt for survivors

13 Sept 16:44 Key points summarised by AI

A 5.6-magnitude earthquake on Indonesia's Java island dramatically increased the death toll to 268, with 151 people still missing and over 1,000 injured, primarily in the town of Cianjur.
Rescuers are intensely searching for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings and areas affected by landslides, facing significant challenges due to severed road links and temporary power outages.
Many of the victims were children at school, and survivors are forced to camp outdoors amidst widespread devastation and ongoing aftershocks, as families begin to bury their loved ones.
President Joko Widodo visited the affected area, offering compensation and ordering disaster agencies to mobilize personnel, while geological factors like the region's soft soil are believed to have exacerbated the quake's impact.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Yesterday 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.