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Rescue teams in eastern Indonesia are preparing to intensify operations after a powerful earthquake killed at least 54 people and damaged hundreds of homes across East Nusa Tenggara. Authorities said the search for people who may still be trapped under collapsed structures would continue on Monday. Rescue officials are also preparing helicopters for aerial surveillance and equipment to remove people from damaged buildings. The earthquake has been followed by nearly 1,600 aftershocks in the affected province, according to local officials. A magnitude 5.6 tremor was also recorded in the region on Monday morning, adding to fears among residents who have been reluctant to return to their homes. The disaster has disrupted Independence Day celebrations across parts of Indonesia. Thousands of residents have been evacuated and many are staying in temporary shelters, tents and other open areas because of concerns about further tremors. Indonesia’s disaster management agency said the earthquake had damaged about 500 houses. Landslides also blocked roads in several areas, including Sikka and Manggarai, making it more difficult for emergency teams to reach affected communities. Survivors have reported shortages of basic necessities, including clean water, food and medical assistance. In one affected village, residents said children had developed diarrhoea because of poor access to safe drinking water. Some injured and vulnerable residents are being treated at makeshift medical facilities. Health authorities are preparing emergency field hospitals and say specialist doctors, including neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons, are needed to treat people suffering from head injuries and broken bones. Authorities are also preparing aircraft to transport food, tents and other relief supplies to communities cut off by damaged roads and landslides. Rescue officials said there were no confirmed reports of missing people at the time of their latest update. However, search teams are continuing to inspect damaged areas to ensure that no survivors remain trapped beneath the rubble. The earthquake has deeply affected local communities, with many residents prioritising safety over the country’s Independence Day celebrations. Some families have moved to higher ground after fearing that further tremors could trigger additional hazards. Indonesia has experienced several major earthquakes in recent years. The latest disaster is being described as the country’s deadliest since a devastating 2022 earthquake in West Java claimed hundreds of lives. With aftershocks continuing and access to some areas still difficult, emergency authorities are focusing on rescue operations, medical treatment and the delivery of essential supplies to affected communities.

A security mystery has emerged after an individual posing as White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles reportedly exchanged text messages with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The communications have raised concerns in both Britain and the United States. Officials are examining how the impersonator was able to establish contact with the British prime minister. According to reports, Burnham received a limited number of messages from the individual while he was campaigning for office. The communication reportedly continued for a short period after he became prime minister. Sources familiar with the matter said the messages were ultimately considered to be of no significant consequence. However, the incident triggered concerns because the impersonator claimed to represent a senior White House official. The matter was serious enough for the British embassy in Washington to raise the issue directly with the White House. British officials initially considered the possibility that the real Susie Wiles’ phone, contact information or communications may have been compromised. Authorities therefore examined whether the incident involved a wider security breach. The identity of the person behind the impersonation remains unclear. The incident has highlighted the growing risks posed by sophisticated impersonation scams. High-profile political figures are increasingly being targeted by individuals who attempt to gain their trust by pretending to be senior officials or influential public figures. Similar incidents have previously involved prominent American politicians and business leaders. In such cases, scammers have used false identities and digital communications to establish contact with their targets. The latest case has attracted particular attention because of the positions held by the people involved. Wiles is a senior figure within the White House, while Burnham is the UK prime minister. Despite the security concerns, there is currently no indication that sensitive information was exchanged during the messages. Sources described the content of the communications as having no significant impact. Downing Street has declined to discuss the specific details of the incident. British officials have maintained that national security matters are not normally discussed publicly. The White House has also declined to comment on the reported communications or the identity of the impersonator. The incident nevertheless raises questions about how the individual obtained access to Burnham and successfully presented themselves as a senior White House official. Officials are expected to examine the communication trail and other available evidence to determine how the impersonation occurred. The case also highlights the challenges faced by governments in verifying digital identities. Text messages and other online communications can make it easier for individuals to impersonate senior officials, particularly when they use convincing names, photographs or other identifying details. For now, the mystery surrounding the impersonator’s identity remains unresolved. Authorities have not publicly identified the person responsible or confirmed whether the incident was part of a broader campaign.

South Korea has called for renewed dialogue between the United States and North Korea after US President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in annual military exercises with Seoul. The South Korean government said it hopes Trump’s relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un can help restart diplomatic engagement between Washington and Pyongyang. President Lee Jae Myung’s office said Seoul was ready to take diplomatic steps to encourage meaningful discussions. The goal, according to the presidential office, is to reduce tensions and promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The statement followed Trump’s decision to scale back US military exercises with South Korea. Trump said his decision was influenced by his relationship with Kim. In a social media statement, Trump argued that the exercises were expensive and could send an inappropriate or hostile message to North Korea. Trump also referred to the situation involving Iran while explaining his decision. He said he had recently asked the South Korean president whether Seoul wanted to participate in efforts concerning the denuclearisation of Iran, but that South Korea had declined. North Korea had not immediately issued a response to Trump’s announcement. Pyongyang has repeatedly criticised joint US-South Korean military exercises. North Korean authorities have previously described the drills as preparations for a potential invasion and warned that they could trigger a strong response. The latest developments come after President Lee proposed direct discussions with North Korea on Saturday. Lee called for both sides to abandon threats and begin talks aimed at formally ending the long-running conflict on the Korean Peninsula. He said discussions between the directly involved parties could also create an opportunity to explore measures aimed at stopping the expansion of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. South Korea has long sought greater diplomatic engagement to reduce military tensions with its northern neighbour. However, negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have remained stalled. Trump and Kim previously held high-level meetings, raising hopes of progress on North Korea’s nuclear programme. Those efforts ultimately failed to produce a lasting agreement. Analysts believe Trump’s latest decision could be intended to create conditions for renewed negotiations. However, they warn that North Korea may demand significant concessions before returning to the negotiating table. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said Trump’s recent comments about Kim indicated a possible willingness to re-engage with North Korea. Easley also cautioned that Pyongyang has been strengthening its military capabilities while benefiting from its relationship with Russia during the war in Ukraine. He warned that reducing US-South Korean military exercises could create challenges for the alliance. It could also affect coordination between the two militaries and slow South Korea’s efforts to assume greater responsibility for its own defence. The professor further argued that a reduction in military preparedness could weaken deterrence against potential conflicts in the wider Asian region. South Korea now faces the challenge of balancing diplomacy with military preparedness. Seoul wants to use the current opening for dialogue while maintaining security cooperation with Washington.