Entering the second week of January, a series of international and domestic events unfolded over the past week across various regions of the world.
In Indonesia, on Saturday (17/1), an ATR 42-500 aircraft operated by Indonesia Air Transport was reported to have lost contact while passing over the Leang-Leang area, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, during a flight from Adisutjipto Airport, Yogyakarta, to Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar. The aircraft, carrying 11 people including crew and passengers, was last detected at around 13:17 WITA while approaching Makassar, and its position remained unconfirmed after it passed its scheduled landing time. The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), together with the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and the police, has conducted search operations despite challenges posed by weather and geographical conditions. The government has opened a crisis center, while the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) stated that the cause of the loss of contact remains under investigation.
In the Arctic region, several European countries—including Germany, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland—have deployed military forces to Greenland to assist Denmark in preparing military exercises and strengthening its security presence. This move comes amid European concerns over the possibility of a United States invasion, following statements by Trump describing Greenland as vital to U.S. security and questioning Denmark’s ability to protect its autonomous territory. The Danish government has affirmed plans to increase and permanently station NATO forces in 2026 to safeguard Greenland’s security.
Meanwhile, Iran entered its tenth day of a nationwide internet blackout since 8 January, cutting off internet, telephone, and text messaging services for its 92 million citizens. The government described the measure as a response to security threats. However, reports suggest the shutdown aims to limit protests and international scrutiny. International internet access is not expected to be restored until the end of March. The longest shutdown in Iran’s history has had severe impacts on daily life and economic activity amid ongoing crackdowns on demonstrators.
In Southeast Asia, on Wednesday (14/1), a train operating on the Bangkok–Ubon Ratchathani route derailed in Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, after a crane from a high-speed rail construction project collapsed onto two carriages. As a result, out of 195 passengers, at least 32 people were killed and 66 others injured. The incident caused the train to catch fire and several carriages to overturn. The Thai government called for a comprehensive investigation and compensation for victims, while the contractor, Italian-Thai Development, expressed regret and its willingness to provide assistance.
Transportation disruptions also occurred in Japan on Friday (16/1). A power outage in Tokyo’s rail network caused major disruptions to JR East’s Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines, halting operations for several hours. The outage, which failed to be restored following maintenance work at Tamachi Station, affected approximately 673,000 passengers. Many were forced to evacuate trains stopped between stations, while severe overcrowding occurred at major hubs such as Shinjuku and along the Tokyo–Yokohama connecting lines.
In the development sector, based on an action plan by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Chinese government plans to accelerate agricultural modernization over the next five years through the establishment of pilot zones based on reform and technological innovation. These zones will cover grain industries, smart agriculture, urban agriculture, and dryland farming. The initiative is expected to safeguard national food security and serve as a development model to promote agricultural modernization and rural revitalization in China.
Meanwhile, Australia faced natural disasters after extreme rainfall—reaching up to 186 mm—in eastern Australia, particularly in the southwestern part of Melbourne, caused severe flooding. Within 24 hours, the heavy rain led to the overflow of the Wye River, displaced around 300 people, injured a child, and cut off access along the Great Ocean Road. The government urged residents to remain alert, as the disaster occurred amid an ongoing emergency due to major bushfires in the state of Victoria earlier in January.
Source:
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“Kecelakaan Kereta di Thailand tewaskan 32 Orang.” CNN Indonesia. 18 Januari 2026. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20260118142615-106-1318191/kecelakaan-kereta-di-thailand-tewaskan-32-orang.
Luxiana, Kadek Melda. “Kereta di Tokyo Lumpuh 9 Jam, Ratusan Ribu Penumpang Padati Stasiun.” Detik News. https://news.detik.com/internasional/d-8311048/kereta-di-tokyo-lumpuh-9-jam-ratusan-ribu-penumpang-padati-stasiun.
Madjid, Zahwa. “Warga Dikepung Kebakaran Hutan & Banjir Bandang, 300 Orang Mengungsi!”. CNBC News Indonesia. 16 Januari 2026. https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20260116181728-4-702941/warga-dikepung-kebakaran-hutan-banjir-bandang-300-orang-mengungsi.
Sari, Putri Purnama. “Fakta-fakta Hilangnya Pesawat ATR 42-500 Rute Yogyakarta-makassar.” Metro TV News. 18 Januari 2026. https://www.metrotvnews.com/read/bw6C2ZD2-fakta-fakta-hilangnya-pesawat-atr-42-500-rute-yogyakarta-makassar.
Tidy, joe, dan farshad bayan. “Digital isolation: Will Iran’s internet shutdown become permanent?”. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg5gegrdq3go.
Xinhua, “China umumkan rencana aksi percepatan modernisasi pertanian.” 18 Januari 2026. https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5358166/china-umumkan-rencana-aksi-percepat-modernisasi-pertanian.