Following protests over proposed allowances for politicians and a man’s death, violence erupted across Indonesia. Protesters set fire to multiple parliament buildings, with casualties reported in Makassar. These demonstrations, which began in Jakarta, have spread to numerous cities, leading to arrests and clashes between demonstrators and authorities. Foreign embassies issued warnings, and the Indonesian president canceled a trip abroad to monitor the situation as unrest continues.
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In Banda Aceh, Indonesia, two men were publicly caned after being convicted of violating Islamic law due to hugging and kissing. The men, aged 20 and 21, received 80 lashes each in front of an audience. This punishment is allowed under Aceh’s Shariah law, which permits caning for offenses like homosexuality. Human rights groups have criticized the practice as discriminatory and inhumane, despite local support.
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An Islamic court in Indonesia’s Aceh province sentenced two men to 80 public canings each for engaging in sexual acts, specifically hugging and kissing. The men, aged 20 and 21, were arrested in April after being caught by religious police in a park bathroom. The court, applying Islamic law, determined their actions violated regulations against acts that lead to gay sexual relations. While the prosecutor sought 85 lashes, the judges reduced the sentence due to the men’s cooperation and lack of prior convictions.
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A Brazilian tourist, Juliana Marins, was found dead four days after falling from a cliff on Mount Rinjani, an Indonesian volcano. Despite hearing her screams for help shortly after the fall, extreme terrain and poor weather hampered rescue efforts. Her body was located after descending 600 meters into a ravine, though retrieval was delayed due to continued adverse conditions. The search operation involved 50 people, highlighting the challenging nature of the rescue on the popular, yet dangerous, volcano.
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The Brazilian government and Indonesian rescue agency announced the death of Juliana Marins, a 26-year-old tourist who fell at Mount Rinjani. After days of search and rescue efforts, her body was located deep within the ravine. Adverse weather, challenging terrain, and poor visibility hampered the rescue attempts. Rescuers confirmed her death after reaching her, and her body was scheduled for evacuation.
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Indonesia will send 10,000 tons of rice to Palestine via the Indonesian National Armed Forces, aiming for shipment this month. This aid, funded by Indonesian Aid and facilitated by Bulog, addresses the ongoing food crisis in Gaza stemming from Israel’s blockade. The blockade, imposed in March 2025 despite a January ceasefire, has halted humanitarian aid distribution, sparking international disagreement over alternative aid delivery mechanisms. Preparation for the rice shipment is expected to be finalized within three weeks.
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Amidst Australia’s federal election, Russia’s unsubstantiated claim of a potential military airbase in Indonesia sparked a political debate. Russian Ambassador Sergei Tolchenov’s letter dismissing Australian concerns was labelled propaganda by Prime Minister Albanese, who rejected Russia’s warnings. The opposition accused the government of obfuscation regarding a reported Russian request for base access, while the government maintained that no such base is likely and that Indonesia denies any such agreement. This controversy highlights escalating geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific and differing views on Russia’s influence.
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A Shariah court in Indonesia recently sentenced two men to up to 85 lashes each for engaging in homosexual acts. This harsh punishment highlights the stark reality of how religious law can be wielded to inflict severe physical pain and suffering. The sheer number of lashes—a potential death sentence in itself—speaks volumes about the severity and brutality of the ruling, triggering outrage and condemnation from many who see it as a violation of basic human rights.
The outrage extends beyond the immediate impact on the victims. Many commentators express disgust and incredulity at the idea that anyone would care so deeply about the private lives of others that they’d wish them physical harm, let alone inflict it through a state-sanctioned process.… Continue reading
President Prabowo Subianto announced plans to retire all Indonesian fossil fuel power plants and install over 75 gigawatts of renewable energy within 15 years, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. This ambitious goal, a decade ahead of previous commitments, involves leveraging Indonesia’s substantial geothermal resources and other renewable energy sources. Experts welcome the announcement but emphasize the need for immediate, concrete actions to phase out coal plants and secure necessary investment. Currently, Indonesia heavily relies on coal, emitting significant carbon dioxide, underscoring the scale of the transition required.
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A series of volcanic eruptions on Indonesia’s remote island of Flores has led to the death of at least six people. The eruption at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki spewed ash as high as 2,000 meters into the air, covering surrounding villages and areas in debris and causing several houses, including a convent, to burn down. The country’s disaster management agency raised the danger level for the volcano and expanded the exclusion zone to a seven-kilometer radius. Approximately 10,000 people have been affected by the eruption. This is Indonesia’s second volcanic eruption in as many weeks.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood