He argued that Indonesia ’s steady growth, which is above 5% annually over the past decade, inflation at around 2%, and a deficit below 3% of GDP, reflects deliberate choices.

“Peace and stability in my country did not happen by chance or by luck; it happened because we chose unity over fragmentation and collaboration over confrontation,” he said.

$1 trillion sovereign wealth bet

A major highlight of his speech was the launch of Danantara Indonesia, a sovereign wealth fund with $1 trillion in assets under management. “Danantara means the energy to power the future of Indonesia, and it is designed to finance and co-finance the industries of the future that will transform our economy,” Prabowo explained.

He pledged to overhaul the country’s vast network of state-owned enterprises to meet the highest international standards, adding that foreign professionals would be allowed to lead firms where necessary to attract “the best brains and the best minds in the world.”

Framing Indonesia as a co-investment partner rather than a passive recipient of capital, he declared: “With Danantara, Indonesia can now stand before you as an equal partner, ready to grow with you and create shared prosperity.”

Social policy as economic strategy

Prabowo described Indonesia’s large-scale social programmes as economic investments rather than political gestures. On the nationwide free nutritious meals programme serving nearly 60 million people daily, he said: “This is not a populist programme. It is a rational productivity programme that strengthens our children, supports our small enterprises and improves the long-term health of our nation.”

The initiative has incorporated more than 61,000 micro, small and medium enterprises into its supply chain. “By strengthening human capital and empowering our small businesses, we are laying the foundation for growth that is inclusive and sustainable,” he said.

On education, he underscored efforts to break generational poverty through new boarding schools and digital upgrades. “I am determined to cut the chain of poverty so that the son of a poor farmer or street vendor will not be condemned to the same fate, but will have equal opportunity to rise,” Prabowo stated.

Rule of law and anti-corruption drive

He also argued that legal certainty is central to investor confidence. “There is no investment climate without the certainty of equitable rule of law, because no serious investor will commit capital in a country where laws are ignored or selectively applied,” he said.

In his first year, the government confiscated millions of hectares of illegal plantations and mines and shut down around 1,000 illegal mining operations. Describing entrenched corruption as “greedonomics,” he said: “We cannot allow the economics of greed and rapacious practices to undermine our democracy , our environment and the future of our children.”

He added a direct warning to corrupt actors: “I challenge anyone who believes that Indonesian officials can be bought to test that assumption under my administration, because they will find that we are serious about clean government.”

Trade, integration and the Global South

Prabowo rejected protectionism and reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to fair trade integration. “We do not pursue trade agreements because they are fashionable, but because we believe fair integration into the global economy is a tool for prosperity and not a threat to sovereignty,” he said.

On Indonesia’s foreign policy posture, he said: “Indonesia chooses peace over chaos, friendship over enmity, and we believe that one thousand friends are too few while one enemy is one too many.”

Indonesia is preparing to host an Ocean Impact Summit in Bali, and Prabowo was confident that Indonesia aims to play a more assertive role from within the Global South.

Watch the full speech here: 

ECOWAS Chairman and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, visited Ghana to pay tribute to eight Ghanaians killed in a military helicopter crash on August 6 in the Ashanti Region. The victims included two ministers of state and six others on official duty. At the Jubilee House in Accra, President Bio signed the condolence book, laid a wreath, and lit a candle in solidarity with President John Mahama and the Ghanaian people. He affirmed Sierra Leone’s support during the national mourning period.

Pope Leo XIV sends condolences after Ghana tragedy

Pope Leo XIV has expressed condolences following the deaths of two ministers, senior officials, and military personnel in the August 6 helicopter crash. In a telegram to the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy Father conveyed sympathy to the bereaved, assuring them of his prayers during this time of loss.

Research praises Ghana’s strong 2025 mid-year performance

IC Research has commended Ghana’s macroeconomic performance in the first half of 2025, citing progress in inflation control, exchange rate stability, interest rates, real GDP growth, and reserves. The leading economic and financial outfit in its review of Ghana’s 2025 Mid-Year Budget noted a sizable fiscal adjustment exceeding targets, improved spending control, and non-accumulation of arrears. Authorities maintained all end-2025 macro-fiscal targets, reflecting optimism for the remainder of the year.

Caretaker ministers appointed after loss of cabinet members

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, as Acting Defence Minister and former Energy Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, as caretaker Minister of Environment, Science and Technology. The appointments follow the deaths of Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed in last week’s Ghana Air Force helicopter crash. The move ensures continuity in governance during the nation's mourning period.

Government targets $1.2 billion investment in garment industry

Ghana aims to attract $1.2 billion in investments to create 150,000 jobs in the garment and textiles industry by 2030. Plans include reviving cotton cultivation on 50,000 hectares to strengthen the local raw material supply. Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Samson Ahi, said the new policy framework will position Ghana as a hub for ethical and sustainable apparel manufacturing.

The Z9 helicopter went down in dense forest in the Ashanti Region. All eight on board, five passengers and three crew members, were killed.

“This gentleman passed away because we are going to perform a national assignment, and this was their untimely death,” said Samson Asaki Awingobit, National Chairman of the People ’s National Convention. “I want the country to use this opportunity to totally eradicate, eliminate galamsey.”

Professor Ransford Gyampo, CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority, expressed disbelief. “Until I see their mortal remains well dressed and placed in their caskets, I’m still thinking that maybe they got lost in the forest.”

The government has declared three days of national mourning. Flags are flying at half-mast across the country.

The full list of the deceased, confirmed by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, includes:

Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence

Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Alhaji Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress

Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate

Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala

Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu

Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

Describing the crash as a “national tragedy,” the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has ordered that all national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the fallen officials.

Meanwhile, the vice president is leading an official delegation to commiserate with the families of the deceased officials.

Earlier in the day, the GAF announced that the Z9 helicopter had gone “off the radar” after departing the capital at “0912 hrs.” The military confirmed that “on board were 3 crew members and 5 passengers.”

Other individuals confirmed dead in the crash include Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former Parliamentary Candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Chief of Staff to the President of Ghana, Julius Debrah, made the official announcement.

According to local sources , the crew members were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The crash occurred at the Milestone School and College located in Uttara, a northern area of the capital. The aircraft involved was an F-7 BGI training jet operated by the Bangladesh Air Force.

According to a statement from the military’s public relations department, “Bangladesh Air Force's F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed in Uttara. The aircraft took off at 13:06 (0706 GMT).”

More than 50 individuals, including children and adults, were admitted to the hospital with burn injuries. A doctor from the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery confirmed the hospitalisations in a briefing to reporters.

Authorities are continuing rescue and recovery efforts at the site.

The body of 19-year-old Sneha Debnath from Tripura was discovered in the Yamuna River near Geeta Colony after she had been missing for six days . As reported by police, she had left a suicide note and was last seen on Signature Bridge. Technical surveillance led to the tracing of her movements, and local eyewitnesses reported her presence on the bridge shortly before her disappearance. A search operation involved the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and raised concerns about non-functional CCTV cameras in the area.

Fuel switch system declared safe by FAA and Boeing

After the fatal Air India Boeing 787-8 crash, both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing have stated that the fuel switch locking systems on their aircraft are safe , as reported by Reuters. Despite an AAIB investigation questioning the reliability of the switches, the FAA issued a notification concluding that no regulatory action is necessary, citing no unsafe condition. ALPA India has requested observer status in the ongoing crash investigation, amidst claims that pilot error is not to blame.

Indian national arrested for cocaine at Kathmandu airport

Nepalese police arrested Abdus Samad Jamal Mansuri, a 49-year-old Indian national from Mumbai, after recovering approximately 3.4 kg of cocaine at Tribhuvan International Airport. Mansuri had arrived in Kathmandu from Azerbaijan on a Qatar Airways flight. The police confirmed his arrest occurred in the airport's arrival parking area, and an investigation is currently underway.

Punjab congress raises alarm over law and order crisis

Following the daylight murder of businessman Sanjay Verma, Congress leaders in Punjab have accused the state government of allowing drug cartels and extortionists to operate with impunity. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's inaction, demanding accountability and immediate government reform to protect business interests. Amid escalating fears among the entrepreneurial community, calls for a high court-monitored investigation into Verma's murder and public discussion about law enforcement efforts have intensified.

"A gust of wind and smoke just entered from the windows into the hall where we were eating. Everybody panicked, first of all, because of the 'boom' of the sound which we heard from the blast, and there was almost zero visibility. We were unable to see who was sitting beside us. So we just ran from there," Mohit said.

A devastating air disaster in India has caused the grief of families mourning the loss of at least 279 lives after a London-bound passenger jet crashed. The victims in Ahmedabad spanned a wide spectrum of society, from a prominent political figure to a teenage tea vendor.

Of the 242 people on board, only one survived: a British national who miraculously emerged from the wreckage of the blazing aircraft on Thursday afternoon. His escape stands as the sole story of survival.

Among the victims was 68-year-old Vijay Rupani, a prominent figure in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party and the former Chief Minister of Gujarat.

What they said

“The tragedy in Ahmedabad is heartbreaking beyond words. My thoughts are with everyone affected”, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his part said, “The scenes of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing are devastating. Boeing also released a statement saying, “We are in contact with Air India and stand ready to support them”.

What they said

An official with the Malawian Coalition for Aviation Reform, speaking anonymously, said, “This is not just about a faulty aircraft. This is about a failed system that allowed this to happen. If the investigations are true, then the blood of Vice President Saulos Chilima and the eight others is on the hands of those who chose to ignore the risks.” Shadreck Namalomba, Publicity Secretary of Malawi's main opposition, the Democratic Progressive Party, told Anadolu Agency , “The report doesn’t satisfy the curiosity of Malawians who want to know the truth. It’s very technical and falls short of quenching our hunger for truth.”

‘I could hear the screams’: Nigerian resident in UK recounts terrifying night during riots

Adewumi Oluwasemilore, a film graduate from Teesside University, shared his harrowing experience during the violent riots that erupted in the United Kingdom, particularly in Middlesbrough, where he is resident. Read more here .

Why Botswana has turned against government over funding for Olympic heroes

Government’s request for donations to reward the country’s Olympic heroes stirred a wave of public outrage across Botswana this week. This controversy has sparked heated debates and raised questions about the government's financial priorities and the nation's economic challenges. Read more here .

This African Innovator's e-lockers are saving Kenyan commuters from robbery, improving deliveries   

From a horrific robbery experience, a genius idea, the first of its kind on the African continent was birthed; smart lockers that provide secure storage solutions for commuters. The product was designed by Kenyan entrepreneur Charles Oduk after he lost his laptop during a rush-hour commute in 2013. Read more here .

Nigerian heritage offers ex-Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina a comeback amid scandal

Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina, a former Top 11 finalist in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant, has been formally invited to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. This invitation comes in the wake of Adetshina's withdrawal from the Miss South Africa competition due to harassment and controversy surrounding her mother's citizenship. Read more here .

Latin America

Brazilian plane spins before crashing, killing all 61 on board

A regional turboprop plane fell into what aviation experts called a flat spin before crashing in a residential neighborhood near Sao Paulo in Brazil on Friday, killing all 61 people on board. Regional carrier Voepass said the plane, bound for Sao Paulo's international airport, took off from Cascavel, in the state of Parana, and crashed at around 1:30 p.m. (1630 GMT) in the town of Vinhedo, some 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo. Read more here .

Venezuelan opposition protests as election dispute drags on

Protests are still rife in Venezuela as political opposition and its supporters gathered in cities around the country on Saturday to demand recognition of what they say is their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez’ resounding victory in a presidential vote nearly three weeks ago. The country's electoral authority, considered by the opposition to be an arm of the ruling party, has said President Nicolas Maduro won his third term in the July 28 contest, with just under 52% of the vote. Read more here .

Argentine prosecutors charge ex-President Fernandez in alleged abuse case, local media says

Argentina's federal prosecutor's office has formally charged ex-President Alberto Fernandez for allegedly causing serious injuries to his ex-partner and former first lady, Fabiola Yanez, local media reported on Wednesday. Read more here .

Migrant repatriation flights from Panama to start this month

U.S. President Joe Biden said in a phone call with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino that US-funded flights would start this month to repatriate migrants illegally crossing into Panama through the Darien jungle, according to a Panama government statement. Read more here . 

Asia

Nationwide protests in India after doctor’s rape and murder

Thousands of people marched through Kolkata, New Delhi, and other cities on Friday demanding justice for a doctor who was raped and murdered. The 31-year-old's body was discovered on August 9 at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, sparking widespread outrage and demonstrations. Read more here .

Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes Thailand's youngest Prime Minister

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the leader of the ruling Thai coalition, Pheu Thai has been elected as Thailand's youngest Prime Minister at the age of 37. This comes after Thailand’s ousted prime minister, Srettha Thavisin was removed from office by the Constitutional Court. Read more here .

Students whitewash Bangladesh after months of deadly unrest

Students, who were at the forefront of the protests that led to the ousting of the 'autocratic premier' Sheikh Hasina, are now channelling their efforts into a new mission of transforming the capital city, Dhaka, through painting. These students, who once filled the streets with their demands for change, are now armed with paintbrushes and buckets of whitewash. Their goal is to erase the politically charged graffiti that marked the height of the recent unrest. Read more here .

Indian amputee becomes first to conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro on crutches

An Indian amputee has made history by becoming the first person to scale Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, using crutches. This climb was part of the Divyangjan Expedition Team's mission under the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), backed by the Ministry of Defence. Read more here .

The Air Dynasty chopper was heading from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, a popular trekking destination when it lost contact three minutes after takeoff. The aircraft crashed in a jungle area on a hillside in Nuwakot district, north of the capital.

Emergency teams were dispatched after locals reported the crash and a fire at the site. Police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki told AFP that all five people aboard died. Nuwakot district officer Ram Krishna Adhikari said the bodies have been recovered, but the cause of the crash is still unknown.

Nepal's aviation industry has long struggled with safety issues, compounded by the country's challenging mountainous terrain. Due to these safety concerns, the European Union has banned Nepali carriers from its airspace.

This crash follows recent aviation incidents in Nepal, including a plane crash in Kathmandu that killed 18 people in July and a helicopter crash in the Everest region in 2023 that resulted in six fatalities. The deadliest recent accident was in January 2023, when a Yeti Airlines flight crashed while landing in Pokhara, killing 72 people.

Two Malaysia Navy helicopters collided mid-air, killing all 10 crew members on board. Video footage shows the moment of impact. The circumstances leading up to the crash are currently unclear. No survivors were found. "All victims were confirmed dead on site and the remains were sent to the [Lumut] Military Hospital for identification," said the Royal Malaysian Navy. It is thought that one of the helicopters, a HOM M503-3 carrying seven passengers, crashed onto a running track.  The other, a Fennec M502-6 transporting the remaining three casualties, crashed into a nearby swimming pool. The incident was reported to the state's fire and rescue service around 09:50 local time (01:50 GMT), the BBC reported.

Year-on-year dip in vehicle sales

Malaysia's new vehicle sales declined by 10% in March 2024 compared to the previous year. The drop was attributed to the end of a sales tax exemption period. However, sales in March were higher than in February, driven by rush deliveries and promotional campaigns. Year-to-date sales were up 5% compared to the previous period. The association expects April sales to be lower due to shortened working months during the festive holidays, local media the Star reports.

100 illegal bases along Malaysia-Thailand border

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has located over 100 illegal bases along the Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan. The bases were probably set up during the hot season, according to Customs Deputy Director-General Datuk Sazali Mohamad. He added that as the river's water level has been lowering, their numbers are anticipated to increase along the border town of Sungai Golok. According to local media Bernama , the bases are used for smuggling and are not under the jurisdiction of the Customs Department. The department has opened 670 investigation papers and made seizures worth RM27.9 million (about $5.8 million) in 2023.

Power theft for crypto mining

In the Sarawak state, northwest coast of Malaysia, power theft for crypto mining has become a major problem. Three covert crypto mining operations were recently uncovered, leading to an estimated monthly loss of 30,000 Ringgit ($6,276) for the utility company. The investigation team seized over 70 cryptocurrency mining servers and devices and found that some operators were illicitly tapping into electricity cables. Those convicted of power theft could face up to 5 years in jail.

Arrests over alleged illegal anchoring

Two ships and 44 seafarers were arrested in Malaysia for alleged illegal anchoring. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency seized a tanker and a cargo ship at separate locations in Johor waters the main river in Johor state, southern Malaysia for not having permits to anchor, according to Bernama . Johor Maritime Director Maritime First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said that The first seizure occurred on a cargo ship in Sierra Leone, while the second involved a tanker in Comoros. He added that Malaysian authorities have arrested 15 Bangladeshis and Indonesians and 29 Indian, Pakistan, and Iranian nationals in the two separate ship seizures. “The captain of both vessels, along with 12 crew members, were taken for further investigation," he told reporters.

The Afghan government announced that 193 Afghan citizens imprisoned in Iran were released from Al-Ghadir prison in Zahedan, a city in the central district of Iran. The prisoners were handed over to the Afghan embassy in Iran. The Taliban administration reported the release of 99 Afghan citizens from Sindh province, Pakistan, while the process of deporting Afghan migrants lacking legal documents continues, local media Khaam Press reported.

$7 million health aid from Japan

Japan has pledged to provide $7 million to Afghanistan in collaboration with the World Health Organization to enhance its capacity to respond to infectious diseases. The budget will be used to support health facilities in Afghanistan, including the Japan-Afghanistan Leprosy Hospital and the National Tuberculosis Hospital in Kabul. Over 76,000 individuals are expected to benefit from the project, local media Pajhwok Afghan News reports.

Plane crash kills 3 former Afghan air force members

Three former Afghan Air Force members who were refugees in the United States were killed in a plane crash after the aircraft they were in collided with power lines in Oregon, USA. The pilot of the plane was Mohammad Hossein Mousavi and the passengers were Mohammad Bashir Safdari, and Ali Jan Firdousi, according to American news network KOIN . The plane was carrying Afghan citizens who worked with the support barrels for Afghans in Beaverton.

$1 billion in trade

The Afghan National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) reported that Afghanistan traded nearly one billion dollars with neighbouring countries in the Asian region in the past month, with $227 million coming from exports, mainly to India, Pakistan, China, Iran, and the UAE. "In the month of Aqrab of the current year (Solar year), $227.1 million worth of exports were made and $681.5 million worth of imports were made. These exports were mostly sent to Pakistan, India and China, while the imports were to Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Iran,” a spokesperson for the NSIA is quoted by Afghan news agency Tolo News .

Distribution of health supplies

Medical officials have reported that $835,000 worth of medical equipment and related items, including ambulances, motorcycles, office cabinets, and laboratory equipment, were distributed to health centres in the Helmand province, the south of Afghanistan with financial support from the Asian Development Bank and UNICEF, Afghan state media Bakhtar News Agency reported.