Australia news live: volcano erupts in Java; Sussan Ley to outline defence priorities

By Martin Farrer · The Guardian World

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru is the highest peak on Java island and its eruption has prompted evacuations. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Indonesia’s Mount Semeru, the highest peak on Java island, erupted yesterday, blanketing several villages with falling ash, prompting evacuations and leading authorities to raise the alert to the highest level, the Associated Press reports. Mount Semeru in East Java province unleashed searing clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, lava and gas that traveled up to 7km down its slopes several times from midday to dusk, while a thick column of hot clouds rose 2km into the air, Indonesia’s Geology Agency said in a statement. Continue reading...