Indonesia’s vast archipelago is covered with the fingerprints of human history: ancient cave paintings.

But on an island just off Sulawesi, archaeologists have now identified the world’s oldest known example of rock art to date: the outline of a handprint. Using new laser techniques, scientists dated the faded red imprint back to “at least 67,800 years ago”, said the study, published in Nature. That’s about 1,100 years earlier than hand stencils in Spain, previously thought to be the oldest (although that’s disputed).

Crucially, the tip of one finger appears to have been deliberately “narrowed”, researchers say, creating a “claw-like effect” that suggests complexity of thought – and a Homo sapiens artist. The finding adds to growing evidence challenging the “Eurocentric views of ancient intelligence that once dominated archaeology”, said National Geographic.

A window into the past

The handprint was first spotted in Liang Metanduno, a popular cave on the tropical island of Muna, in 2015. Sulawesi has a “rich history” of palaeolithic art, said The Guardian. But the “ancient hand stencil” had “gone unnoticed” among more recent, eye-catching paintings, being “faded and partially obscured”.

“There’s a lot of rock art out there, but it’s really difficult to date,” said project leader Maxime Aubert, an archaeologist at Griffith University in Australia. “When you can date it, it opens up a completely different world. It’s an intimate window into the past, and an intimate window into these people’s minds.”

The stencils were created by “spraying mouthfuls of ochre mixed with water” over a hand pressed flat against the cave wall. When the hand is pulled away, the negative outline is left in the pigment.

Like some other stencils on Sulawesi, the Liang Metanduno imprint has “narrow, pointy fingers”, which the researchers believe was intentional. “Whether they resemble animal claws or more fancifully some human-animal creature that doesn’t exist, we don’t know,” said Adam Brumm, who co-led the fieldwork on Sulawesi. “But there’s some sort of symbolic meaning behind them.”

It’s “a complicated thought”, said Aubert. “They are drawing something that doesn’t really exist.”

A new way of thinking

Cave art is “seen as a key marker of when humans began to think in truly abstract, symbolic ways”, said the BBC. It demonstrates “the kind of imagination that underpins language, religion and science”.

Many archaeologists believed art and abstract thinking “burst suddenly into life in Ice Age Europe and spread from there”. They argued for a mental “big bang” in Europe, because cave paintings, carvings and new tools “all seem to appear together in France and Spain about 40,000 years ago”. As Brumm said: “When I went to university in the mid to late 90s, that’s what we were taught.”

But a “new consensus is being shaped”, said the BBC. A series of discoveries in South Africa and Sulawesi has “overturned the old idea” and suggested “a much deeper and more widespread story of creativity”.

We’re seeing “traits of modern human behaviour, including narrative art”, in Indonesia, said Brumm. That makes the “Eurocentric argument very hard to sustain”.

If you are going to set one New Year’s resolution, make it this: Try new things. If you are down for a second resolution, why not go with spending more time in the great outdoors? Combine both intentions by visiting one of these brand-new hotels opening in 2026 where being in nature is one of the built-in amenities.

Alila Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Nature surrounds Alila Mayakoba, a secluded hotel situated on 60 acres of mangroves and freshwater canals in Riviera Maya. Guests will be able to choose between 182 rooms, suites and villas, including several that have interior gardens and private plunge pools. Expect a focus on wellness and outdoor experiences rooted in local traditions, like sunrise cacao rituals on the beach, temazcal ceremonies led by healers and lagoon-side paddle meditations. (opening in February)

andBeyond Sandibe Under Canvas, Okavango Delta, Botswana

At this intimate and immersive safari camp, guests will be in the middle of the action. Three solar-powered luxury tents, complete with super king beds and showers, sit in the Okavango Delta, where wildlife like lions, leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs roam year-round. Activities will include going on game drives and walking safaris, and with a maximum of six guests at any time, it will feel like you have the whole place to yourself. A nearby sister property, andBeyond Nxabega Under Canvas, is also debuting in early 2026. (opening in March)

Chesa Marchetta, Sils Maria, Switzerland

Chesa Marchetta fits right in with the splendor of the Alps. This 13-room hotel is a renovated 16th-century guesthouse from Artfarm, filled with antiques and decor made from Swiss stone pine, a “fragrant high-altitude wood known for its calming properties,” said The New York Times. Rounding out the property is the restaurant, where “Northern Italian and Swiss specialties” shine, and a “weathered barn turned lounge” offers “elaborate cocktails.” (now open)

Eha, Hiiumaa Island, Estonia

Eha is a wellness retreat like no other. It sits on unspoiled Hiiumaa Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, right where “pine forests meet the Baltic Sea,” said Forbes. Eha’s retreats will be guided by the “energy and rituals” of each season and include Estonian healing traditions and activities like nature immersion, breath-led movement and foraging. The kitchen will “follow the seasons,” with meals showcasing fresh ingredients from the chef’s garden and local growers. (opening in summer)

The Lake Como Edition, Cadenabbia, Italy

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Lombardy at The Lake Como Edition, owned and developed by Omnam Group. The building is a “light-filled” 19th-century palazzo featuring “floor-to-ceiling glass walls” offering “sweeping views of the water,” said Travel and Leisure. Outside, guests will enjoy a floating pool and lake activities (ask the concierge team to set up a sunrise sail), while inside they can experience the Longevity Spa, a “high-tech retreat” with plunge pools, an herbal sauna, Turkish bath and thermal pool with Lake Como views. (opening in March)

Mailena, Loreto, Mexico

Mailena is ready to change the game in Loreto. This adults-only, luxury wellness resort is set inside Loreto Bay National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Galápagos of Mexico. Guests will have the chance to explore gorgeous beaches, canyons and cliffs outside, then relax by Mailena’s pool or in the Wellness and Longevity Center, featuring saunas, sensory deprivation tanks and biohacking suites. (opening in late fall)

Nihi Hospitality Academy Rote, Rote Island, Indonesia

The art of hospitality can be learned and practiced at this one-of-a-kind resort. A training school will be the heart of the property, with students learning the ropes from Nihi Hotels employees and getting hands-on experience with guests. Initially, 21 villas will open on Bo’a Beach, giving guests gorgeous views and easy water access. They will also be able to take advantage of a Beach Club and a selection of ocean-connected adventures curated by staff. (opening in April)

Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort, Thailand

You can only get to Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort by boat, and the destination is well worth the journey. Guests will appreciate the elegant suites and villas, decorated in soothing greens, blues and purples to evoke feelings of calm. The property sits on Laem Tong Beach on the Andaman Sea, and adventure awaits for those who want to spend all day in the clear water kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and paddleboarding. (opening in spring)

The Sunny, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

Find both vitamin D and sea at The Sunny. This 339-room oceanside resort has a private beach for guests and offers easy access to the Newport Fishing Pier, where diners can enjoy a meal above the Atlantic at the Sandbar. The hotel’s concierge will also be happy to set up outdoor excursions, including visits to Everglades National Park, bike rides and picnics in the park. (opening Feb. 4)

Under Canvas Yosemite, California

Experience Yosemite National Park the Under Canvas way. This is the company’s first camp in California and will be set on 80 acres of “pine-dotted forest” near the park’s west entrance, said Afar. Each tent includes West Elm furnishings, a king bed and en suite bathroom, with a select few also having stargazing windows. An Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) stop is across from the camp, giving guests easy access to Yosemite and its “giant sequoias, waterfalls, two remaining glaciers and dizzying granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome.” (opening in April)

White Elephant Aspen, Colorado

White Elephant Aspen will be a hotel for all seasons. The boutique property, the third White Elephant in the U.S., is sure to draw skiers and snowshoers during the winter, cyclists in the spring, white water rafters and fly fishers in the summer, and hikers in the fall. Amenities will include private shuttles to and from the slopes and use of bikes to cycle around town. The 54-room property brings the outside in, with leather, wood and stone details and large windows showcasing mountain views. (opening in 2026)

The ancient funeral tradition of “hanging coffins” in southern China was carried out by ancestors of a minority ethnic group still living in the region today, a new study has found.

The report findings “provide valuable insights into the genetic, cultural, and historical roots of this burial custom”, say the authors of the study, published in the Nature Communications journal.

Auspicious and propitious

For millennia, inhabitants of modern-day Yunnan and Fujian provinces carried their dead high into the mountains and “pegged” wooden coffins into crevices in “exposed cliffs”, said Live Science. It is thought they used wooden scaffolding, rope pulleys or man-made trails to ascend the rocky cliffs.

Hanging coffins are “considered auspicious”, wrote a Yuan dynasty chronicler some time between 1279 and 1368. “The higher they are, the more propitious they are for the dead.” Curiously, “those whose coffins fell to the ground were considered more fortunate”.

The new study examined 11 bodies dating back as far as 2,000 years ago and used genome sequencing to confirm them as ancestors of the Bo people, several thousand of whom are still living in Yunnan province. A branch of the ancient Tai-Kadai-speaking people, who occupied much of southern China before the Han ethnic group became dominant, they were nicknamed “Subjugators of the Sky” and “Sons of the Cliffs” in regional folklore.

Coffin culture

Other specimens gathered for the study suggest that the ancestors of the Bo people once inhabited much of the land that makes up modern-day Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. Genetic analysis of remains from hanging log coffins found at sites in Thailand suggests that the tradition “was spread by men who migrated from southern China into Southeast Asia”, said Phys.org.

But the practice of suspending remains in a cliff face can also be found in other cultures. Hanging coffins are also one of the burial customs of the Kankanaey people of Sagada, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. The coffins are smaller than standard caskets, because the corpses are placed in a foetal position, due to a belief that people should leave the world in the same position as they entered it.

In Indonesia, shaped coffins known as erong, guarded by carved wooden representations of the dead, were placed in high caves and cliffside niches by the Toraja people until the 1960s.

“Experts have long debated the date that humans arrived in Australia,” said LiveScience. Now a study using DNA from both ancient and modern Aboriginal people across Oceania may have finally “settled the debate”.

The study, published last week in Science Advances, looked at an “unprecedentedly large” dataset of nearly 2,500 genomes to determine that humans began to settle northern Australia about 60,000 years ago.

But “even more interestingly”, the study also added to growing evidence that along the way these “early human pioneers likely interbred with archaic humans”, including the species known as “the hobbit”, Homo floresiensis.

Human hobbits

Homo floresiensis “might have been slight in stature”, at just over a metre tall, but its origins have “attracted lengthy debate”, said the Natural History Museum.

At the start of the millennium, most paleoanthropologists believed Homo sapiens was the only human species that had managed to reach Sahul, an ancient landmass that includes modern-day Australia. “It seemed very unlikely that archaic humans had watercraft capable of crossing the ocean.”

But the discovery of Homo floresiensis in 2003 “changed things dramatically”. A team uncovered more than 100 fossils in a cave on “a remote Indonesian island” called Flores, including the partial skeleton of a female: still the most complete Homo floresiensis fossil to date. The adult female was just 1.05 metres tall, earning the species its nickname: the hobbit.

Before the discovery, anthropologists had “assumed that the evolution of the human lineage was defined by bigger and bigger brains”, said anthropology professors Tesla Monson and Andrew Weitz on The Conversation. This, they believed, enabled early modern humans to perform “more complex tasks such as using fire, forging and wielding tools”. The discovery of the hobbits, with their “chimp-sized brain”, forced scientists to throw these theories “out the window”.

So how did they get to Flores?

Stone tools found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi were recently dated between 1.04 million and 1.48 million years old. That makes them “the earliest evidence ever discovered of ancient humans making a sea crossing”, said New Scientist. These could “provide clues” as to how the tiny hobbits made it to nearby Flores.

At least one of the artefacts was a flake that was struck off a larger flake and then trimmed. “This is a very early kind of human intelligence from a species that no longer exists,” said team member Adam Brumm, from Griffith University in Brisbane. “We don’t know what species it was, but this is a human intelligence behind these stone artefacts at the site of Calio.”

Both Flores and Sulawesi were separated from the mainland by “large expanses of sea”, and it is “almost certain that these early hominins weren’t capable of building ocean-going vessels”. The original population might have been washed out to sea by “some sort of freak geological event” such as a tsunami.

But the late archaeologist Mike Morwood, who led the team that originally identified Homo floresiensis, suggested that Sulawesi was “an important place to search for potential ancestors of the hobbits”.

With its jungly karst islands, like dozens of bright green button mushrooms scattered across turquoise seas, Raja Ampat is perhaps the planet’s most photogenic archipelago.

And this “otherworldly” region of eastern Indonesia is also home to what is thought to be the most biodiverse marine system on Earth, said Lorna Parkes in National Geographic Traveller. Roughly 75% of the world’s hard coral species are found here, and these “forests of the ocean” support more than 1,500 fish species, at least 18 mammal species, and six out of the world’s seven species of sea turtle. For snorkellers and divers it is nirvana, and there’s no lovelier way to explore it than aboard a pinisi, a traditional wooden sailing boat. I went on a five-day trip with Rascal Voyages, a company that owns two specially adapted pinisi in which the five cabins are above deck, with wraparound views. (The boats have no sails, as a result.)

Our ship, the Rebel, is comfortable, “all polished woods, big picture windows and comfy palm-print cushions”, with an air- conditioned bar where marine biologists deliver lectures. There’s also a presentation by the charity Sea People, which helps to repair damage to Raja Ampat’s coral reefs caused by warming seas and unsustainable development.

Guests who can confidently control their buoyancy while diving can join in its “coral gardening” work, which involves transplanting tens of thousands of coral fragments from healthy sites. I stuck to snorkelling, but still saw many wonders, from clouds of colourful fish to hawksbill turtles, huge manta rays and even an epaulette, a “walking shark” that crawls over the reef using its fins. Scarcely less heavenly were our trips on land.

While birdwatching in Waisilip Bay, we saw sea eagles and cockatoos, though we missed the dazzling birds of paradise for which the region is known. And at Kali Biru, we floated downstream beneath “an arcade of jungle creepers”, on a river of the bluest water imaginable.

Cabins cost from £1,880 full board; rascalvoyages.com

Every generation has its protest moment. It was 1968 for the Boomers, with their student uprisings and civil-rights protests. It was the 1980s for Gen X, with their anti-apartheid and anti-nuclear movements. In the early 2010s, millennials rose up with Occupy and the Arab Spring. And in 2025, Gen Z took to the streets.

Last week, youth-led protests in Madagascar forced out President Andry Rajoelina out of office. That followed the Gen-Z toppling of rulers in Nepal and Peru, and upheavals in Indonesia, the Philippines, Kenya, Morocco, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

On city streets across Asia, Africa and South America, the “One Piece” pirate flag has become the unofficial symbol of young resistance. “The TikTok generation” is “demanding” political change, said the Financial Times, “and, in some cases”, they’re getting it.

What did the commentators say?

“What connects these youth-led protests is a shared sense that traditional political systems aren’t responsive to their generation’s concerns – whether that’s corruption, climate change or economic inequality,” Sam Nadel, director of Social Change Lab, told The Independent. “Protest then becomes the logical outlet.”

The “immediate trigger” may vary from country to country, said Katrin Bennhold in The New York Times but there are commonalities in the cause. Take Nepal and Madagascar: both have a population with a median age under 30; both have high youth unemployment, and both are countries where “patronage” is “endemic”.

Central to the spread and co-ordination of protests are social media platforms that “defy physical distance and turbocharge a shared language and culture”. Discord, widely used by gamers but largely overlooked by older generations, has been central to circumventing government communications bans.

There’s a “growing cross-border dimension to Gen Z activism”, said the Institute for Economics and Peace. Movements in one country learn and draw inspiration from movements in another. “Shared strategies include decentralised leadership, the rapid circulation of digital content, and the use of cultural symbols.”

Perhaps what’s “most interesting” about the countries “seized by Gen Z protest” is “what they are not”, said Christian Caryl on Foreign Policy. They are not autocracies but democracies – albeit often “illiberal, corrupt or grossly unequal” ones. And most of the young demonstrators want to see their grievances addressed “through a renewal of those democratic institutions, rather than a wholesale rejection of them”. It seems they have “an underlying faith in the possibility of reform”.

What next?

The protestors’ lack of “obvious leaders” is a “strength, making them hydra-headed and harder to suppress”, said the Financial Times. But it’s also a weakness: “without the means to convert legitimate anger into coherent policies”, they are “susceptible to charismatic strongmen offering instant solutions”.

In Nepal and Madagascar, “what drove them, and what has happened since the surprise revolutions unseated two governments” speak to that paradox, said the NYT’s Bennhold. The military has now seized power in Madagascar and, in Nepal, the interim prime minister has “frozen out” the youth-protest voice.

“The young Gen Z revolutionaries have real power. But they don’t have the power to control what they’ve begun, or to ensure that the movements they started actually improve their lives.”

A three-decade-old manga symbol may seem an unlikely rallying cry for disaffected young people in 2025, but the “One Piece” pirate flag has been at the forefront of recent protests against government corruption and repression, from Jakarta to Paris to Kathmandu.

Depicting a skull with hollow cheeks, a broad grin and a straw hat, the flag is “an example of how Gen Z is reshaping the cultural vocabulary of dissent”, said Nuurrianti Jalli, from the School of Media and Strategic Communications at Oklahoma State University, on The Conversation.

What is One Piece?

It is a hugely popular Japanese manga created by artist Eiichiro Oda. First published in 1997, it holds the Guinness World Record for the most copies published in the same comic book series by a single author. It has sold more than 500 million copies and spawned a long-running TV series, live-action films and a reported $20 billion industry that generates hundreds of millions of dollars a year for Bandai Namco, the company behind Pac-Man that owns the merchandising rights.

“One Piece” follows the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates, led by Monkey D. Luffy, who stand up to repressive rulers, fight against slavery, racism and xenophobia, and travel the globe trying to bring down the world government and its navy that rules the seas.

Their flag, the “Jolly Roger”, is “unmistakable” to fans, said Le Monde, and is “one of the most recognisable logos in popular culture”.

Why was it adopted by Gen Z?

It is perhaps no coincidence that the “One Piece” concept “arrived at the birth of Gen Z”, said Jalli on The Conversation. For fans who grew up with the comics, the flag is “not a casual decoration but an emblem of defiance and perseverance”.

The ability of the lead fictional pirate, Luffy, to “stretch beyond physical limits after consuming a magical fruit has become a powerful metaphor for resilience”. Alongside his “unwavering quest for freedom against impossible odds”, he resonates with today's youth who are navigating their way through a political world “marked by corruption, inequality and authoritarian excess”.

Yet, “part of the flag’s effectiveness comes from its ambiguity”. It is not like a “party logo” with a clear, defined identity. It “originates in popular culture, which makes it difficult for governments to suppress without appearing authoritarian”.

Where has it appeared?

Cropping up sporadically at protests over the past couple of years, the symbol went viral over the summer during the “Dark Indonesia” student protests that swept across cities in response to budget cuts and growing military influence in civilian affairs.

As well as the flag itself, graffiti of the image has appeared on walls, on the street and stuck to car windows. Its spread is a “symbol that we love this country, but don't completely agree with its policies”, one Indonesian resident told the BBC. But its use has drawn condemnation from lawmakers, with the deputy house speaker calling it an “attempt to divide the nation”. Another suggested it bordered on treason.

Perhaps because of this, it has quickly become the defining image of youth-led demonstrations across the region, including anti-corruption marches in the Philippines and recent protests that have toppled the government in Nepal.

Most recently, it has been spotted at demonstrations in Slovakia, Rome, New York and Paris. Its meaning has obviously “resonated across borders”, said The Guardian, as “a symbol of defiance and hope for Gen Z protesters”.

Some countries, like Greece and Indonesia, are known for their islands, but for every Santorini and Bali, there is a lesser-known haven like Kastellorizo or Lombok. These quieter islands are as stunning as their famous kin — but without the crowds. Here are eight of the finest.

Isla Robinson Crusoe, Chile

There is no place like Isla Robinson Crusoe. This island is remote, taking two hours to fly there from Santiago. It is covered in "unique flora, two-thirds of which is found nowhere else on Earth," Lonely Planet said, and it is "not uncommon to experience four seasons in one day." There is one town to visit, San Juan Bautista, and ample opportunity to go swimming, diving, hiking and learn about the castaways who inspired Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe."

Kastellorizo, Greece

Kastellorizo sits one mile from the Turkish coast, "where Europe ends and Asia begins," said Condé Nast Traveler. Because of this, the island "packs in a heady cocktail of cultures," with travelers able to visit ancient churches, tombs, monasteries and the Kastellorizo Historical Collection, housed in a mosque. There is "no nightlife to speak of" but plenty of natural beauty, including the Blue Grotto sea cave where you float "inside a dome of liquified blue light."

Lombok, Indonesia

Tranquil Lombok "feels like what Bali was three decades ago," said the Observer. Because it is "relatively undeveloped," visitors can settle in on their "own stretch of beach" and enjoy a day of looking at Lombok's "untouched beauty." Serious hikers should plan on climbing to the top of Mount Rinjani, an active volcano. While the trek is "not for the faint of heart," you will be rewarded with "beautiful panoramas."

Lummi Island, United States

Washington's Lummi Island is a "bucolic" slice of the Puget Sound, where creatives and nature lovers live in harmony, said Afar. Artists "find inspiration in the serenity," offering workshops and putting their wares on display during open studio tours held three times a year. Those who prefer being outside can hop in a kayak and forage for kelp or take a hike through the island's nature preserves.

Mafia Island, Tanzania

Often described as Tanzania's "best-kept secret," Mafia Island is the quintessential tropical destination, with "powdery white sand and diamond-clear waters," said Lonely Planet. Mafia Island Marine Park draws visitors who want to look at pristine mangroves, dive and snorkel by coral reefs and hopefully spot a whale shark (aka the world's biggest fish). You can try to see these "harmless giants" off the shores of Utende, Juani, Kitoni and Bweni beaches.

Sado Island, Japan

Once an isle for political exiles, Sado Island is now known for the annual Earth Celebration music festival, hosted by the Kodo taiko drumming group. It is also home to the Sado Island Gold Mines, one of UNESCO's newest World Heritage Sites. Dating back 400 years to the Edo period, these were "once Japan's largest gold and silver producers," said Afar, and visitors can explore two tunnels with displays on what life was like at the mine and different mining techniques.

Senja, Norway

Senja is the second-largest island in Norway, where "mountains plunge vertically into fjords" and "picturesque" fishing villages dot the coastline, CNN said. Depending on the season, visitors can hike, fish, ski and cycle, with the Northern Lights often appearing between September and April and the midnight sun shining through the summer. For the best views of Senja, hike to the top of Husfjellet mountain and soak up the stunning scenery.

Taveuni, Fiji

They call Taveuni the Garden Island for a reason. This is the "prettiest" of Fiji's isles and an "eco-tourist's wildest dream," said the Sydney Morning Herald, filled with waterfalls, tropical flowers and verdant vegetation. Surfers flock here for the waves, and scuba fans enjoy exploring the soft coral reefs and some of the "best dive sites" in the South Pacific.

A pair of longtime allies, France and Indonesia, are weighing in on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At a press conference on May 28, the leaders of both countries pushed for an end to the war in Gaza via a two-state solution, but their proposal has gotten mixed reactions from the global community.

French President Emmanuel Macron has backed calls for a two-state solution that would recognize both Israel and Palestine. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, has supported a similar stance, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto saying his country will open diplomatic ties with Israel if it recognizes a Palestinian state. But some are worried that the nations' next steps could get complicated.

Macron's shifting stance

While Indonesia and France have both expressed interest in a two-state solution, the latter has been "forced to downgrade expectations" about an upcoming Middle East conference it is hosting with Saudi Arabia, said Politico. The Arab nations "want sanctions not statehood," a European diplomat told the outlet, referring to potential embargoes placed on Israel to end the war. For years, French officials have said Paris was "on the brink of recognizing" Palestinian statehood, but "always cautioning it would only make that move if it advances the peace process."

France, which is "home to Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim communities, would become the first Western heavyweight to recognize a Palestinian state," said Reuters. This could possibly give "greater momentum to a movement hitherto dominated by smaller nations that are generally more critical of Israel." If "France moves, several [European] countries will follow," said Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide to Reuters.

While Macron's "stance has shifted amid Israel's intensified Gaza offensive," said Reuters, Indonesia's view has largely remained the same: pushing for Palestinian state recognition. But Indonesia has now "made the rare pledge of recognizing Israel if it allowed for a Palestinian state," said France24. This could mark a turning point for the two countries' relations, given that Indonesia has "no formal ties with Israel and support for the Palestinian cause runs high there."

Not the 'right thing to do'

Israel has condemned France's and Indonesia's remarks, as the "Israeli government is unequivocally opposed to Palestinian statehood," said The Times of Israel. A Palestinian state would be a "huge prize for terror," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Some lawmakers in the Israeli "opposition have also expressed opposition in recent weeks, though some left-wing politicians have criticized them for it," said the Times.

Israel has also "recently warned some key European nations that any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state could prompt Jerusalem to extend sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria," said the Jewish News Syndicate. The French-Indonesian initiative is not the "right thing to do," said Benny Gantz, the head of Israel's opposition National Unity Party, to the outlet. Israel "must remember the security considerations we have around us, they were there before Oct. 7, and they are definitely there after Oct. 7," he said, referencing the 2023 Hamas terror attack that precipitated the conflict.

Even as France and Indonesia are pushing for an end to the war, both nations have made "efforts to deepen cooperation through joint training and capacity-building for Indonesian troops," said the South China Morning Post, and Indonesia has said it would be willing to send weapons to the Middle East. But while the two nations have both pitched in, "stopping the violence in the Gaza Strip and to a lesser extent, the West Bank, depends on what the United States, Israel's closest ally and largest military backer, decides to do," said Politico.

Switch your approach during your next vacation and focus on the journey, not the destination. Taking your time while traveling from Point A to Point B feels like a reset, a reminder that travel is about enjoying new experiences and seeing the world in a different light. On these five slow-travel trips, forget about getting anywhere fast — you will be making memories while riding trains, sailing on boats and gallivanting on horseback.

Bike through Chile's Colchagua Valley

Red wines reign supreme in the Colchagua Valley of Chile, a "beautiful" region and "excellent spot for cyclists to take a leisurely, scenic ride with stops for vino along the way," Travel and Leisure said. It is "famous" for producing bottles of full-bodied carmenère, cabernet sauvignon and syrah, said Forbes, along with "boutique wineries" offering "immersive experiences."

Plan for a few days on the road, either setting out on your own using a rented bike or joining a tour group. The best starting point is Santa Cruz, and from there head to wineries like Santa Cruz Vineyards, an entirely solar-powered estate where visitors can take a cable car to the top of Chamán Hill for stargazing.

Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland

By the numbers, finishing the Tour du Mont Blanc hike is an impressive accomplishment: You travel 105 miles through three countries, ascending and descending more than 32,800 feet, usually in seven to 10 days. Along the way, you will circle Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps and venture past "sparkling glaciers and Alpine prairies," Lonely Planet said.

Travelers either camp overnight or stop at refuges (mountain huts) reserved in advance. Each refuge has its "own culture and way of working," offering hearty meals and shelter. The most popular time to tackle the tour is in July and August, when the weather is warmer and there are more daylight hours.

Horseback ride around Morocco

Seeing coastal Morocco from the back of a galloping horse is a thrill. On the six-day Pearl of Essaouira itinerary, travelers ride through beaches, dunes and forests, but this is not just about sightseeing. There are also cultural elements, like stopping at a women's collective where argan oil is made, Moroccan dishes served at mealtimes and nights spent in Berber tents.

The tour ends in Essaouira, a port city that boasts a "deep-rooted arts scene" and "legendary surf," National Geographic Traveler UK said. A highlight is the medina filled with galleries, cafés and shops selling "ceramics, ornate wood carvings and jewelry studded with precious stones."

Sail the isles of Indonesia

Gliding by the unspoiled Banda Islands on the Aliikai yacht, hopping on and off to get immersed in the local culture, visit villages and explore white sandy beaches, feels like a dream. This "remote cluster of 10 picturesque islands" has a "palpable and fascinating history," Lonely Planet said, its "multicolored coral gardens offering superlative snorkeling and diving."

The Banda Islands are also known as the Spice Islands, and during the Aliikai's seven-day tour of the region, guests will sample authentic dishes showcasing local flavors. The 135-foot Aliikai is a traditional phinisi-style boat, built by carpenters in South Sulawesi, and has an all Indonesian crew. Passengers have the run of it, and can request everything from massages on the deck to paddleboarding excursions.

Take the Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab

It takes two days for the Rocky Mountaineer to make its way from Denver to Moab, giving travelers ample time to soak up the views of tall canyons, natural archways, rushing rivers and ponderosa pines. The carriages on the Rockies to Red Rocks route are decked out with panoramic roofs, and because the train "only proceeds in daylight," travelers "don't miss any of the ever-changing scenery," The Standard said.

There is an overnight stop in Glenwood Springs, a historic town known for its hot springs, and when the train picks up again the next morning, be prepared for Glenwood Canyon. Carved millions of years ago by the "mighty" Colorado River, this is "one of the most spectacular passes in the country." The Rockies to Red Rocks route runs from April to November.

Think of Java, and chances are that the megacity of Jakarta – the capital of Indonesia – will spring to mind. But for those interested in the island's traditional culture, a smaller city beckons, said Scott Mowbray in The New York Times.

Set in jungled hills 250 miles east of Jakarta, Yogyakarta is close to Java's greatest ancient sites – Borobudur (the world's largest Buddhist temple), and Prambanan (a Hindu temple complex), both dating from the 9th century. But the city is now "a place of intellectual and cultural ferment", with several universities and a vibrant contemporary art scene. And nowhere are Java's "intricate" classical arts – including gamelan music, puppetry and dance – still so lovingly practised.

On arrival, Yogyakarta may seem much like any other hectic Indonesian city, with its "swarms" of scooters and countless warungs, or street food stalls. But you'll notice a "slower, more communal" rhythm in its kampongs, which are "villages within the city" – clusters of homes set amid quiet, winding streets decked with "songbirds in delicate cages, walls and doors of lovely hues, and countless potted plants". And in the heart of it all is the sultan's palace, the Kraton, with its many 18th-century buildings set in leafy grounds. Around the Kraton are other sites – a mosque, bath houses, gardens – all built according to a unique symbolic scheme – "a syncretic mix of animist, Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim beliefs that put Yogya at the centre of the universe". Known as the Cosmological Axis, this area was designated last year as a Unesco World Heritage site.

During my time in the city, I went to museums, art galleries, "barista-style" coffee shops, a classical dance performance based on the Ramayana (an ancient Hindu epic), and a drag show in a batik emporium that was "a joyful blast of pure pop camp".

And I visited Prambanan and Borobudur, climbing to the top of the latter – a giant, stepped pyramid that is almost 400 feet wide and crowned with 72 hollow stupas, each sheltering a statue of the Buddha.

Indonesia has officially joined the Brics group, adding Southeast Asia's largest economy and most populous country to the economic and political bloc founded by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009.

The move bolsters the international alliance, seen as a counterpart to the G7 group, and also marks the latest chapter in Indonesia's bid to become a more influential player on the world stage.

Global leverage

In 2023, the then president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, refused to join Brics, saying the government was still mulling its options and did not want to "rush into it". But Prabowo Subianto, who succeeded him last year, "has no such concerns", said DW.

Indonesia "does not intend to break away from the West either slowly or immediately", M. Habib Abiyan Dzakwan, from the Center for Strategic and International Studies Indonesia think tank, told DW. "In Indonesia's foreign policy DNA, all are friends," he said, and Jakarta "just wants to increase its playing field".

"As a middle power" being a member of Brics offers Indonesia "leverage in the global order", said Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations expert from Padjadjaran University in West Java. And with the US "veering towards unilateralism" under the incoming Trump administration, the move will "bolster" Indonesia's "multilateral credentials", said Alexander Raymond Arifianto, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

Grand ambitions

Two other developments could significantly help the nation's economy and global standing in the years to come. Indonesia now produces nearly half the world’s refined nickel and two-thirds of its mined nickel, said The Economist. As its market share has grown, "so too has the grandeur of its politicians' ambitions", and they plan to build a complete electric vehicle supply chain, something only China has managed so far.

This vision underpins Prabowo's "ambitious target" for Indonesia’s GDP to grow by 8% each year, but Jakarta's hope that nickel is "the ticket to becoming a developed nation by 2045" has created concern, said The Guardian. To boost the nickel industry, Indonesia has "created a loophole" on coal, permitting new coal power plants to power nickel smelters as long as they shut down before 2050, arguing that nickel production is "critical for the green transition".

So "calling the nickel industry a part of the green transition is a joke", said environmental campaigner Muhammad Taufik. Although "it is good that it creates jobs", it "also destroys ecosystems and people's lives". Indonesia is now consuming more coal than ever and setting new highs for carbon dioxide emissions.

A hotel bar is more than just a place to grab a cocktail. It can be a peerless location for people watching, a place to strike up conversations and even a mini-academy where you can learn about the local culture by ordering the region's signature drink. Not every hotel bar tenders its stools the same; at these seven spots, with their impeccable vibes and thoughtful menus, having a good time is all but guaranteed.

BKK Social Club, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River

The BKK Social Club routinely tops "best of" lists, and its lively atmosphere is just one reason why. This "sultry and swish" cocktail bar is in Bangkok, yes, but the bar is an ode to the glamour of Buenos Aires and known for "serving up a killer Negroni flight" and "cocktails with South American flavors," Time Out said. Its signature drink is the Evita, a tangy twist on the classic Negroni, and another winner is the bottled piña colada. These premade offerings are a home run, Food & Wine said, and "work to create a unique five-star hotel bar that ditches pretension in favor of approachability."

Blaue Bar, Hotel Sacher Vienna

For a regal time, head to Blaue Bar. The Hotel Sacher is Vienna's "undisputed grand dame," and you can order a slice of the famous Sacher torte in the bar alongside a cup of tea or "something stronger," The Points Guy said. The crystal chandelier-filled lounge is named after its decor — blue velvet couches, lacquered furnishings, rich brocade walls — and buzzes with a mix of hotel guests, "politicians, movie stars and dignitaries," said Travel and Leisure.

The Coral Room, Bloomsbury Hotel, London

The Coral Room comes alive as the sun sets, with merrymakers pouring in for a cocktail (or two) with friends or Champagne before the theater. The bar is "a tonic for the eyes," Secret London said, "with vibrant colors, parquet flooring, a classic marble-topped bar and other refined features," and the bubbly atmosphere fosters conversations between friends and strangers alike. Consider ordering one of the craft cocktails on the special menu developed in partnership with the West End production of "The Devil Wears Prada." Each, like the Cerulean, is served in a gorgeous glass with its own special flair. A lovely — and strong — concoction made of Silent Pool Gin, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, vermouth and butterfly pea tea, the Cerulean is topped with a tiny edible pink stiletto.

English Bar, Country Club Lima

When in Lima, you must order a tart, herby pisco sour, and the English Bar is known for its especially tasty version. This classic spot "exudes sophistication and glamour," The Points Guy said, and was once the go-to bar for William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway. With its dimmed lighting, every conversation feels intimate, and while you might plan on coming in for only one drink, the space might pull you in for the night.

Hassler Bar, Hotel Hassler Roma

Despite being in one of Rome's most iconic properties, the Hassler Bar feels like your own little secret. The lounge is "dark and broody," Virtuoso said, with leather upholstery and wood everywhere, but is anything but stuffy. Because of the intimate setting, there is a sense of camaraderie among guests, who chat easily while sipping Prosecco, martinis and cappuccinos. Since opening in the 1940s, the bar has attracted big names, and rumor has it that Princess Diana once shared with the general manager that the bar's Bellini was her favorite.

The Pinky Ring, Bellagio Las Vegas

The Pinky Ring keeps the drinks flowing and music going all night long. Equal parts old school Vegas and uptown funk — after all, it was designed by Bruno Mars — Pinky Ring delivers "glam and grandiosity," Las Vegas Weekly said. To enter the space, revelers must first walk down a hallway lined with Mars' many Grammys; once inside, the cozy booths or dance floor beckon. Mars is known to show up with his band for surprise performances, but what happens here, stays here — it is a strict no phone zone, and while this "might sound inconvenient or even sacrificial, it's the best thing that's happened to nightlife."

Rock Bar, Ayana Bali

Getting to the stunning Rock Bar at Ayana Bali is part of the fun. It sits 46 feet above the Indian Ocean, and "guests have to ride a cable car down a cliff face" to reach it, Travel and Leisure said. The payoff is worth it. Not only are the water and sunset views spectacular, but the drinks stun, too. From your perch, bop along to the music "echoing from the DJ booth carved into stone," or just enjoy observing the festivities.

Catherine Garcia was a guest of The Bloomsbury Hotel.

Concrete holiday villas and "slick cafés" have proliferated in Bali in recent years, but large parts of this beautiful Indonesian island are still unspoilt by tourism.

Among the best ways to discover its ancient landscape and traditional culture is to walk the Astungkara Way, said Sarah Reid in National Geographic Traveller. Launched by a Bali-based Canadian teacher in 2021, this 85-mile trail runs from the island's touristy south to its wilder north. The trail's founders have produced maps for self-guided walks, but also run group hikes, which include accommodation with local families and a range of daily activities. Villages on the trail benefit from the income it brings, and profits are used to support regenerative farming practices, which are aimed at profiting both local farmers and Bali's ecosystems. It takes ten days to walk the entire trail, but I limited myself to a three-day, 22-mile section, beginning from the village of Tua, 1,500 feet above sea level. The path meandered at first through a patchwork of "neon-green" rice paddies and fields of flowers, which are grown as temple offerings (nearly nine-tenths of Bali's people are Hindu).

Every so often, we passed a tree wrapped in a sarong, indicating that it is sacred, and at a temple fed by several springs we took part in a melukat, or water purification ceremony, which involved being immersed in water and blessed. We spent the first night at a traditional family compound, a walled "village within a village" where we made the spicy condiment sambal, and tried recreating a traditional performance of gamelan music.

The plant-based meal our hosts prepared for us was superb, as was the food at the farm where we spent our second night. And the scenery was particularly spectacular on the third day, when we hiked through a huge swathe of rainforest, before emerging among the waterfalls and "moss-covered ravines" of the "cool, misty" Tamblingan highlands.

The three-day trip costs £195pp (astungkaraway.com), excluding flights.

A New Zealand pilot held prisoner for more than 19 months by armed insurgents has been freed. 

Phillip Mehrtens was taken hostage in 2023 when he landed a small commercial plane in the remote, "restive" region of Papua, a "resource-rich former Dutch colony" that is part of modern-day Indonesia, said CNN. His captors had "hoped to press New Zealand to lobby Indonesia" to meet their "seemingly impossible demand": Papuan independence.

"Today finally I have been freed. I am very happy that shortly I will be able to go home and meet my family," said Mehrtens on Sunday. 

His release came after months of "critical" diplomatic efforts by Wellington and Jakarta, said the BBC. But it has also renewed scrutiny of the controversial and often violent insurgency movement known as the Free Papua Movement.

The 'Free Papua' movement

Papua, which borders New Guinea, came under Indonesian control in 1969 after a highly controversial referendum. The vote, overseen by the UN, is widely seen as a sham. Ever since, the Free Papua Movement has sought independence from the Indonesian government, which they accuse of "running a police state" of violent repression in the region, said DW. 

In 2022, UN human rights experts demanded humanitarian access to the region because of allegations of "shocking abuses against Indigenous Papuans, including child killings, disappearances, torture and mass displacement of people".

The largely peaceful independence movement is, however, overshadowed by armed insurgents such as the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), Mehrtens' captors. Indonesia has proscribed the TPNPB as a terrorist group, as they have previously taken hostages to "further their cause". 

The battle for independence has grown deadlier as separatist fighters have acquired better weaponry than their traditional bows and arrows. In recent years, they have attacked Indonesian security forces and aircraft that they believe to be carrying supplies to Jakarta.

In August, armed fighters from pro-independence group known as the Free Papua Organisation ambushed a helicopter landing in a remote village. The body of the pilot, 50-year-old Glen Malcolm Conning, was later found by Indonesian police. They maintain that separatist gunmen killed him.

Publicity for the cause

On 7 February 2023, Mehrtens' "life took an unexpected and harrowing turn", said The Guardian.

He was supposed to drop off his five passengers in the "isolated highlands" of West Papua, pick up 15 construction workers and return south. But the plane was "stormed" upon landing, and independence fighters abducted Mehrtens before setting his plane alight. The passengers, who were indigenous Papuans, were released.

Intermittent photos and videos of Mehrtens showing him "surrounded by Papuan fighters brandishing rifles", were released alongside the group's demand for secession from Indonesia. In May 2023, the rebels threatened to kill Mehrtens if their demands for independence talks were not met within two months. 

"We will never release the pilot we are holding hostage unless Indonesia recognises and frees Papua from Indonesian colonialism," said Sebby Sambom, a TPNPB spokesperson.

Then, exactly a year after his capture, the TPNPB suddenly announced that they would free Mehrtens to uphold human rights. It had become clear to the TPNPB that "there wasn't going to be any long-term benefit from keeping him", said Damien Kingsbury, professor at Melbourne's Deakin University and a specialist in West Papuan politics.

"The best they could hope for was to be seen as having a humanitarian side and gaining some publicity for their cause."

What happened

Pope Francis met with fellow religious leaders yesterday at Southeast Asia's largest mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. The pope and the mosque's top cleric, Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, signed a joint declaration urging Catholics and Muslims to encourage their leaders to fight climate change and religious intolerance.

Who said what

The visit to Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, highlighted two pillars of Francis' papacy: the environment and interfaith dialogue. The declaration he and Umar signed at Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque urged "all people of good will to take decisive action" to protect the planet from human-caused climate change and said religion should be used to resolve conflicts, never abused to justify violence.

The "Istiqlal Declaration" was the latest of several joint communiqués Pope Francis has signed with Muslim leaders, including on a historic 2019 trip to the Arabian peninsula and a 2021 visit to Iraq. The Jakarta encounter, "rich with symbolic meaning and personal touches," showed the "personal side" of that Muslim outreach, The Associated Press said, "with Francis and Umar — the aged pope and the youthful imam — showing a clear affinity for one another."

What next?

The pope will leave Indonesia on Friday for Papua New Guinea, the next stop in his "ambitious 12-day journey" through Southeast Asia and Oceania, Reuters said. He is scheduled to return to Rome on Sept. 13.

Russian media have dismissed Paris 2024 as the "Olympics of hell" as political tensions threaten to overshadow the event.

"I thought the Olympic Games were about sport," Russian MP Mariya Butina told the BBC. "No longer," she said, because now it's "about politics, religion, everything".

Yet Moscow has been accused of stoking geopolitical and culture war tensions that boiled over during the last fortnight.

What did the commentators say?

The Paris Games have been "hijacked by culture wars between Russia and the west", said Nathalie Tocci in The Guardian. The "politicisation" began with the opening ceremony's rendition of a feast of Dionysus, which was "immediately confused" with Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper". This caused "a furore among socially conservative groups worldwide" and the artistic director, Thomas Jolly, received death threats.

Then "all hell broke loose" after a viral disinformation campaign about Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's gender identity. The "false" claim that Khelif is a transgender athlete was "echoed by figures as prominent" as Donald Trump, Elon Musk, J.K. Rowling, and "legions of racist and antitransgender trolls on social media", wrote Bilel Nasiri for New Lines Magazine, putting her "unwittingly at the centre of Western culture wars".

But the issue of women's boxing is "part of a much wider Russian-led campaign against the west", said Tocci. Moscow has targeted the Games' organisers because they've "isolated Russia since its invasion of Ukraine". Cast out of the Games "as a pariah", Russia "appears to be hell-bent on hating on the international sporting tournament in Paris", said CNBC.

Russian media outlets, most of which are linked to the Russian state, have "appeared to revel in misfortunes and controversies" that have "sprung up during the competition". Some Moscow media figures have even described the few Russian athletes who have competed in Paris as "traitors", said Euronews.

Elsewhere, Taiwan's government spoke out over an incident at the men's doubles badminton final between players from Taiwan and China – a supporter had her sign reading "Let's go Taiwan" ripped from her hands and torn up. Taiwanese spectators and commentators said the incident brought geopolitics to the fore by highlighting "the tremendous pressure Taiwan has long faced from China", said VOA.

Taiwan is only allowed to participate in the Olympics and other international competitions under the name Chinese Taipei, said The Associated Press, and it cannot fly its own flag or play its national anthem. "Despite that," Taiwanese fans at the badminton final sang the anthem during the medal ceremony, "drawing a huge wave of support online".

Russia's exclusion also "led to speculation" that its agents may have been responsible for a series of railway sabotages that caused significant travel disruption on the opening day of the Games, said Simon Chadwick and Paul Widdop on The Conversation.

But as much as social media has been the forum for lots of cultural and geopolitical tension this summer, it has also "enabled some competitors to have their moment in the spotlight", said Forbes. "Rarely do the 'shooting' stars" of the Games get "much more than a passing mention", but "this certainly wasn't the case this year" as Kim Ye-ji and Yusuf Dikeç made the pistol shooting competitions a viral hit.

What next?

Attention now turns to future events and these are already being discussed in political terms. Describing the Paris opening ceremony as a "disgrace", Trump said that no such thing would be allowed to happen when the 2028 Summer Olympics convene in Los Angeles – "which he no doubt assumes will be under his watch as president", said Tocci.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics could "go up in flames" over geopolitics, said the South China Morning Post, because a "major hurdle" would be its "strained political ties with Israel". Last year, Indonesia was stripped of hosting rights for a major football tournament amid political controversy sparked by "high-level politicians opposing Israel's participation".

You made it to June. Now it is time to celebrate the start of summer somewhere sunny. Maybe a private haven in Indonesia or a charming beach inn on Nantucket Harbor?

Amanwana, Moyo Island, Indonesia 

For a true escape-from-it-all experience, head to Amanwana. This luxury retreat is on pristine Moyo Island in the Flores Sea, and it takes a few flights and a boat ride to get here. What awaits is a stunning resort with 17 air-conditioned guest tents surrounded by wilderness, wildlife and the sea. The snorkeling and scuba is phenomenal, and guests can sign up for experiences like the Whale Shark Excursion, which includes a sunrise cruise to Saleh Bay and the opportunity to swim with sharks. Rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner, mini-bars with snacks and sodas and use of non-motorized watersports equipment.

Casa Prana Resort Hotel, Atitlán, Guatemala

Wake up every morning at Casa Prana to the sounds of birds chirping and the promise of a good day. The serene eight-suite resort is on 10 acres of lush gardens, with expansive views of Lake Atitlán and three volcanoes. To get here, guests have to take either a boat or helicopter, but do not let the relative remoteness fool you. There is a lot to do, from horseback riding to paragliding to hiking up the Volcán San Pedro. For a more relaxing experience, book a massage in the spa, take a yoga class, sit in the herbal steam sauna, play croquet or swim in the heated lap pool.

Grand Hotel Victoria, Menaggio, Italy

At the Grand Hotel Victoria, you can soak in the splendor of Lake Como from your room, the verandas, the gardens, Lago restaurant — just about every corner of the property has a gorgeous view. The hotel recently enhanced the lavish Erre Spa and underwent a careful renovation that modernized the rooms and suites without compromising any of the historic building's charm. The friendly staff is happy to make recommendations on things to do and see in the area, and while out exploring the grounds, take a sneak peak at the new Victoria Beach Club, opening July 1. This is bound to become a Lake Como hot spot, with several pools all just steps from shady gazebos and multiple bars serving cocktails and mocktails.

Our Habitas, Tulum, Mexico

What first stands out about Our Habitas in Tulum is its exquisite location, on the beach between the Caribbean Sea and vibrant jungle. The accommodations are the next draw. Designed to "coexist with nature," each palapa-roofed room was built with "materials that leave no impact on the environment" and include canvas walls, outdoor rain showers and, in some cases, private plunge pools. Our Habitas also takes wellness seriously, and guests can participate in workshops on mindfulness and holistic healing practices, sign up for IV therapy drips and book acupuncture, facials and body treatments in the spa. Our Habitas is an adults-only property.

Roomers Baden-Baden, Germany

For a blissful experience, head to the Black Forest and Baden-Baden, a town known for its restorative thermal waters. The contemporary Roomers Baden-Baden offers 139 comfortable rooms with king-sized beds and Nespresso machines, and if you have environmental allergies, let the hotel know — there are special rooms free of allergens, and air purifiers are also available upon request. The spa is operated in partnership with Dr. Barbara Sturm and has a broad menu, from the Signature Sturmglow facial to the Black Forest Signature package with spruce needle body treatment and full body massage.

White Elephant Nantucket, Massachusetts

The White Elephant Nantucket offers a classic coastal getaway. A Nantucket landmark dating back to the 1920s, it recently underwent a restoration and renovation of its hotel and cottages, with all materials and finishes replaced. The rooms are light and airy, with harbor or garden views, and the larger three-bedroom residences and cottages are great for families (bonus: the hotel gives gifts to kids at check-in). Children's Beach, the Nantucket Whaling Museum and Brant Point Lighthouse are all within walking distance, but you can stay put on the property and still get the Nantucket experience while reading a book on the harborside lawn or enjoying a meal at Brant Point Grill.

If you are looking for beautiful beachside peace and relaxation, the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay is hard to beat. Staff here have a permanent genuine smile and nothing is too big an ask.

If you'd like a golf buggy to pick you up for dinner to shield you from the sun, or desire the inside scoop from the waiter on how a dish is made and whether it is traditional, they are all willing to share stories and inspiration. 

The room

I stayed in a stunning Premier Ocean Villa, meaning I had panoramic views of the ocean whether I was strolling around my private Balinese courtyard heaving with bright red hibiscus flowers among other lush flora and fauna, or doing lengths in my pristine private pool. 

After a day of exploring, it was perfect to linger in my large incredibly comfortable bed, lie in the sun on one of the loungers, or laze on the plush seating inside and out. 

The bathroom exudes luxury from the pearly tiled walls and flooring to the richness of natural wood and a freestanding bath overlooking my garden equipped with an outdoor shower. Bespoke bathroom products are made with essential oils cleverly capturing the magical scents of Bali. 

I couldn't resist leaving the doors open to let nature in via the sounds of birdsong and the ocean waves. Room types vary to accommodate everyone from solo travellers to large families.

Food and drink 

It should not be surprising given the location that fresh seafood and fish, alongside local produce, starred on the menu at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay.

At the Sundara restaurant, foodies can sample everything from grilled lobster tail to chorizo iberico, sorghum and much more. And in my favourite restaurant, the traditional Balinese-inspired Jala, grilled jumbo sweet tiger prawns, ginger torch shallot relish and steamed young papaya coconut salad are just some of the examples of the delights on the menu. One particular highlight is the mouth-watering wok-fried beef with aubergine, sambal and Bali lime leaf. 

Another favourite spot for a light lunch was Alu restaurant, a casual beachside affair serving dishes such as Tasmanian salmon tataki, perfect to pair with a fresh coconut. 

Serving freshly cooked Asian and Western cuisine is Taman Wantilan, a fabulous open-plan kitchen. The pudding buffet here was immense, and I couldn't leave without trying the local classic bubur injin, sweet black rice topped with fresh mango and coconut flesh.

At Telu bar, sustainable cocktails and mocktails make the resort's innovative mixology charitable, with proceeds supporting three local charities.

Excursions 

One of the ways to be entwined with the local culture is to do as they do and visit the fish market to find the freshest fish. 

The chef takes a group of guests to experience the bustling market as he points out the varieties and gives an idea of what locals pay, as well as how they'd cook it. You then return to the resort to watch a cooking demonstration using the just-bought fish. 

You can even go a step further on a half-day excursion with a local fisherman in his boat. 

If you're in the mood for some mixology, Telu Bar offers classes showing you modern recipes as well as ancient local techniques such as arak, or Balinese rice wine, taste-testing as you go, of course. 

Culture vultures can write their name in Aksara, the Balinese script, romantics can go on a sunset cruise, and sports enthusiasts can hike, bike or raft. 

However, my favourite activity was the Bali blessing. Here, I dressed in local attire and received a blessing in a sacred environment with the priest, amid a bounty of traditional flowers. 

The spa

The spa is definitely a highlight at this resort, and travellers will be spoiled for choice when it comes to treatments. 

The first indulgent treatment I had was the two-hour Celestial Light Ritual; where my senses were cocooned in soothing essential oils, relaxing shades of light and colour while I lay on a bed of crushed quartz crystals receiving a massage with what felt like healing hands. Another two-hour treatment was Baru Detox treatment which smothered my body with a deliciously scented oil, followed by the application of natural, toxin-releasing powders, then a Vichy shower via coloured beams of light, followed by a massage. 

I also had a 3D body scan which analyses body composition and posture, a wonderful one-to-one Pilates class – which I was delighted to note incorporated a reformer machine – and additionally a session of cellulite smoothing via Venus Freeze Revolutionary Technology, and a haircut. 

But this wasn't your typical haircut. Instead, I had what is known as an invisible haircut, using a technique created by renowned hairdresser Rossano Ferretti. It removes less hair than conventional cutting, and seamlessly followed the natural rhythm of my hair, leaving a flawless finish. 

The verdict

The joy of flinging open your door to reveal an astoundingly beautiful sunset before a dip in the pool, followed by authentic Balinese food centring on fresh, local ingredients never gets boring. 

With well-thought-out excursions and spa treatments, a stay at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay means you can do as little or as much as you like. And whether you want to stay within the resort or explore the nearby Jimbaran village, you'll feel immersed in island life.

Yasemen Kaner-White was a guest at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. Room rates start at £550 or 11,000,000 Indonesian rupiah (IDR) per night for a one-bedroom garden villa. Rates for a Premier Ocean Villa start at £1,170 or 23,500,000 IDR per night. 

Situated in Ubud, the cultural centre of Bali, the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan is also immersed in nature, being a stone's throw from the alluring Ayung River valley. Enveloped by the sights and sounds of the flourishing forest, you'll feel instantly relaxed as you cross the dramatic drawbridge upon arrival. 

There is a sacred air encasing Sayan, which emits a sense of safety and wellness leaving you feeling renewed in the beating heart of Bali. 

The room

I stayed in one of the beautiful one-bedroom villas at the resort, with my own private garden and a welcoming outdoor daybed to see the adjacent forest, pool and seating area, where the bar and hot beverage-making facilities were kept. It was joyous to sit outside enjoying the delicious hand-baked snacks from seasoned fruit and sweet potato chips to spiced nuts and fresh local fruit such as sumptuous mangosteens, while I listened to the soft ripples of the river. 

The décor of the room, including the impressive and intricately carved Balinese wood bed headboard, as well as the traditional wall-hanging art and objets d'art, embraces the resort's cultural location. A mix of clean-lined white walls with pearly tiled table tops juxtaposed with rich lacquered flooring and local rattan doors and chairs bring a touch of warmth and luxury. 

The resort also boasts other accommodation, ranging from suites to larger villas to suit families.

Food and drink

The food offering was phenomenal and my stand-out meal was the Sokasi Farmer's Brunch. Arriving for lunch, there was a long decorative bench overlooking the river, and the meal kicked off with an incredible coconut ceviche served in a coconut half, followed by a fabulous buffet touting local delicacies and a choice of freshly barbecued protein.

I opted for the gigantic prawns and selected my own fragrant side dishes. Pudding was tasty fried battered banana with a pandan dipping sauce. 

Another memorable meal was the Chef's Table dinner at Sokasi, a seven-course affair showing off Bali's authentic cuisine with a show-stopping demonstration from the chef right before your eyes. I paired mine with a few of the creative cocktails. 

Ayung Terrace serves fantastic fare too. I enjoyed the lobster sekotong, grilled until succulent with chilli, ginger and an aubergine salsa to accompany. The open-plan Jati Bar in the lobby is a popular place to savour mocktails and cocktails featuring local ingredients such as tart tamarind and sweet coconut, while for those that can handle it, the intensely flavoured Balinese arak is on offer. 

Excursions 

Guests are certainly in for a treat with the excursions that can be booked through Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. 

For true immersion into the spiritual side of Bali, book the "Can you keep a secret" excursion. I won't spoil it for you, or reveal the name of the idyllic rice farming village you visit. However, suffice to say you will be taken in style in an eye-catching vintage vehicle to some of the most sacred places in the area. You'll also get to meet locals, learn about their customs, and breathe in what it means to be Balinese. 

A regular occurrence is a chance to sit sipping a cocktail in Jati Bar while enjoying traditional Balinese dance performances. Seeing colourful costumes, impressive make-up and masks, it is very difficult to avoid tapping your fingers and thumbs to the beat – and it may inspire you to book a Balinese dance class yourself. 

Other experiences include an insightful "day in the life of a Balinese farmer" or exploring your creative side with a class in typical Balinese batik painting. Here, you'll draw designs on fabric using hot wax and hand-dye the cloth to create intricate patterns – the type that can often be observed on local attire.

The spa

Retreat to childhood and indulge, as I did, in a Sacred Nap, one of the spa treatments offered in this restorative resort. 

For one hour, you'll recline in a hanging aerial silk hammock near the lull of the Sayan Valley as the therapist rocks you to slumber while she tells you the tale of the life of Buddha. As fascinating as the story is, it won't be a surprise if you doze off, only to wake revitalised.

This beautiful treatment was thought up by resident wellness mentor Ibu Fera, who rocked her baby to sleep with similar stories and songs. Another must-try is the Crystal Reiki massage, combining renowned Reiki with crystal healing and aromatherapy, leaving you feeling grounded. 

The Muladhara Chakra Ceremony lets you in on one of the traditional therapies you could find in a local home, a cleansing Balinese kemenyan smoke ceremony, accompanied by soothing singing bowls and a reassuring deep yet relaxing massage.

The verdict

The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan is an incredible destination. The nourishment of locally inspired food gives the perfect taste of Indonesia and this, coupled with the sensational spa treatments, means that guests are truly spoiled.

Local arts, crafts and detailed temples are all in close enough proximity for easy exploration, providing the opportunity to experience the town's beautiful culture – a must for anyone fortunate enough to stay.

Yasemen Kaner-White was a guest at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. Rates start from $848 (USD) or 12,800,000 IDR per night in a one-bedroom duplex. One-bedroom villa rates start from $1,295 or 19,700,000 IDR per night. 

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The American electoral system can be a complex, labyrinthine process with a dizzying panoply of moving parts at the local, state, and federal levels, but it pales in comparison to the gargantuan enterprise that is Indonesia's sprawling single-day election operation. This year, some 200 million voters registered to elect a new Indonesian president, as well as thousands of other candidates for various regional counsels, local parliaments, and the country's House of Representatives — all spread across the 6,000 some populated islands that make up the world's third-largest democracy. It's a staggeringly intricate process supervised entirely by the Komisi Pemilihan Umum, Indonesia's election commission, which is tasked with everything from "procuring polling station equipment to managing a huge election staff to ensuring the public trusts the integrity and fairness of the vote," said The Conversation. 

While the official results of this week's elections are expected to take several weeks to fully tabulate, former general and Indonesian political fixture Prabowo Subianto wasted little time declaring victory in the three-way presidential race, citing unofficial poll counts that put him well over 50% shortly after polls closed on Wednesday. Although neither of his challengers has conceded, Prabowo — who lost his previous runs for the presidency — pledged to "nurture, protect and defend all the people of Indonesia, regardless of tribe, ethnic group, race and religion and social background" during a victory speech in Jakarta, the nation's capital. 

Decisive as Prabowo's victory may seem, it also represents an ominous turning point for Indonesia, which has enjoyed two decades of relative freedom since ousting longtime dictator Muhammad Suharto in 1998. 

What did the commentators say?

Prabowo is a "wealthy former military man with close ties to the current government" as well as a "controversial figure" due to his relationship with his then-father-in-law Suharto and his regime, said CBS News. He was previously banned from entry into the United States after being accused of "military crimes in places like East Timor" such as allegations that he'd "instigated riots that killed hundreds" in the aftermath of Suharto's ousting, Reuters said. That ban was lifted in 2020. During his time in the military, Prabowo served as "special forces commander in a unit linked to torture and disappearances," but "vehemently denies" any wrongdoing, said The Associated Press. 

For as much as his "image as a strongman has served him well" throughout his career in Indonesian politics, Prabowo's apparent success on Wednesday is in no small part the result of a "social media rebranding campaign featuring his beloved felines, a cherubic AI avatar, and TikTok dances" designed to appeal to younger voters, Time said. 

Cuddly image aside, the freedoms of Indonesia's post-dictator era "could now be under threat" by Prabowo's ascendency to a position he's coveted for decades, The New York Times said. In part, that ascendency is the result of "the implicit support of the popular outgoing president," Joko Widodo, under whom "democratic norms in Indonesia have eroded." He reportedly played a "crucial role in the rehabilitation" of Prabowo's public image. Joko also happens to be the father of Prabowo's running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. 

What next? 

Prabowo has "previously advocated for removing presidential term limits, ending direct presidential elections and curtailing human rights protections," which raises concerns that his presidency could mark a step backward for Indonesia's nascent democracy, Laura Schwartz, intelligence agency Verisk Maplecroft's senior South East Asia analyst, said to CNN. This, in turn, would "dent Indonesia's reputation and its ability to attract foreign investment." Voters also told the network that Prabowo and his connections to Joko could mark a return to undemocratic "dynasty politics."

Prabowo will likely continue "what's been the foreign policy norm" for Indonesia, Ian Wilson, senior lecturer at Murdoch University's Indo-Pacific Research Centre, said to Al Jazeera. In particular, that means maintaining Indonesia's "non-aligned approach to the region," where China and the United States jockey for influence. 

Ultimately, Prabowo likely won't allow his predecessor "to carry too much influence," Verve Research executive director Natalie Sambhi told The New York Times. But, she added, "if Prabowo starts to steer Indonesia in a different direction" from the path Joko had established over his time in office, "what will happen?"

Indonesia’s parliament has approved a new criminal code that bans sex outside of marriage, with a jail term of up to a year as punishment.

The new law “applies equally to locals and to foreigners living in Indonesia, or visiting holiday destinations such as Bali”, said the BBC.

Laws against sex outside of wedlock have also hit the headlines because Qatar, the host of the 2022 football World Cup, has a long-standing ban on sex between unmarried people.

Here are the countries that have legislated against sex outside of marriage.

Qatar

The nation’s “Zina laws” that criminalise unmarried sex are “based on Islamic legal tradition that classifies sex outside of marriage, pregnancy out of wedlock, and adultery as crimes that are punishable by imprisonment of up to one year”, said Read Nigeria Network.

After any sentence is served, the offender can be deported, according to UK government advice.

Saudi Arabia

In the Gulf state, the authorities require four people to have witnessed the actual act of extra-marital penetration. If this requirement is met, flogging is a common punishment.

However, noted Sky News, in 2019 the Saudis allowed foreign men and women to share hotel rooms without proving they are married “in a move away from its traditionally strict social code and in order to grow its tourism industry”.

The Philippines

Adultery is defined as consensual sexual intercourse between a married woman and a man who is not her husband, as well as a man cohabiting with a woman who is not his wife. Both are considered crimes under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, according to the Sexual Rights Initiative.

Iran

The Iranian Islamic penal code stipulates that “the penalty for fornication is flogging, that is 100 strokes of the lash, for unmarried male and female offenders”, according to Article 83, with stoning also on the statute book as a punishment.

However, noted IranWire, since 2013 Iranian judges have been permitted to “replace a sentence of stoning to death” with “execution by hanging at their discretion”.

Afghanistan

Taliban officials are using a manual that prohibits sex outside of marriage – which the penal code adopted by the previous government also prohibited, said Human Rights Watch.

In August 2010, a couple were stoned to death in Kunduz province in northern Afghanistan after being found guilty of adultery, reported The Guardian.

Pakistan

Premarital sex and adultery are crimes under the Hudood Ordinances, which sets a maximum penalty of death for adultery. However, it is believed that imprisonment and corporal punishment have been the most serious punishments imposed for the offence to date.

Sudan

Under the country’s Sharia law, premarital sex and adultery are punishable by stoning the accused to death.

In 2012 Intisar Sharif Abdallah, a mother of one, was found guilty of adultery and sentenced to death by stoning. However, noted Amnesty International, the court of appeal overturned the sentence and she walked free after charges were dropped at her retrial.

Egypt

A married woman who commits adultery can be imprisoned for up to two years, said the Sexual Rights Initiative. Any husband who commits adultery in the marital house can be jailed for up to six months.

In 2017 Doaa Salah, an Egyptian TV presenter, was sentenced to three years in prison for merely discussing premarital sex on TV, reported The Guardian. She was convicted of “outraging public decency” in conservative Egyptian society.

Malaysia

Legislation in Malaysia makes it illegal for unmarried Muslims to meet behind closed doors or engage in premarital sex, under the threat of up to six months in prison.

Sharia laws apply to Muslims, who account for nearly two-thirds of Malaysia’s population, in all personal matters. However, non-Muslims are covered by civil laws and are not subject to Islamic courts.

In 2009, 26 unmarried Muslim couples were arrested in hotel rooms during Operation Valentine. The following year, three Malaysian women were caned for having sex outside marriage, said The Guardian.

Alison Hutton, professor at the University of Newcastle and an expert on crowd safety explains what led to the soccer stampede in Indonesia.

At least 125 soccer fans have died in Indonesia, and more than 300 have been injured, in what is being reported as one of the worst sports stadium tragedies in history.

The disaster happened on Saturday night at the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java. Up to 3,000 fans reportedly streamed onto the pitch following a Premier League game in which Persebaya Surabaya defeated Javanese club Arema 3-2.

Disappointed with the loss, Arema supporters threw bottles and other objects at players and officials before storming the pitch – which eventually led to a deadly stampede. Video footage shows authorities firing tear gas, and armed with batons and shields as they chased fans in an effort to restore order.

I’m an expert on crowd safety, with a specific focus on how to boost safety at large events, including sporting tournaments. Like most tragedies of this nature, the events in Malang appear to tie into a common thread.

What went wrong

News outlets have reported Saturday’s event was filled beyond capacity. According to The Guardian, Indonesia’s chief security minister said 42,000 tickets had been issued for a stadium that holds a maximum of 38,000.

In such a densely packed venue, police’s decision to use tear gas would have only escalated an already confusing and chaotic situation.

Also, the Kanjuruhan stadium only has one exit (which is also the entry). In competitive sporting environments, crowds already have heightened emotions. So it’s not difficult to see how a frenzied crowd rushing through a single exit could lead to death and injury.

These lessons have been learnt previously with the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and the 2010 Love Parade disaster (to name a few) – where a combination of police actions, poor communication, and poor access and egress for patrons has ended in tragedy.

Could this tragedy have been avoided?

Yes – and a few techniques can be used to ensure it does not happen again.

For example, research has shown lighting up a stadium to let the audience know the show is over can help move them out in an orderly fashion. Audiences also like to leave a venue the same way they came in, so all exits should be open, accessible and well-lit.

Beyond this, Indonesia’s football crowds are well-known for their excitability. So the risk of crowds getting out of hand should be managed pre-emptively.

One way to do this would be to separate spectators into different zones – a technique already used in World Cup events. This can reduce tensions in the stadium by reducing the likelihood of fans from different teams encountering each other.

Police can also form a peaceful barrier around the oval towards the end of a game, to signal to the crowd they are there to manage the situation. Importantly, they do not need to be armed. In the UK, “soft policing” is used for crowd management with great success.

And having officers wear baseball caps and hoodies instead of riot gear (as was the case in Malang) has been shown to soften the crowd’s response, and allow police to walk through and break up small skirmishes before they escalate.

The use of tear gas

Soccer’s world governing body FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) specifies in its safety regulations no firearms or “crowd control gas” should be carried or used by stewards or police.

The use of tear gas irritates the eyes and excites the pain receptors, which can lead to panic. In Malang, the use of tear gas in an already emotionally heightened situation created further panic and led to a crush.

Also, while most people sprayed with tear gas recover, there is risk of long-term health consequences for those exposed to large doses and people with preexisting medical conditions.

The use of the gas was a poor decision and likely worsened the situation. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the events “a dark day for all involved in football and a tragedy beyond comprehension”.

Indonesia’s last soccer tragedy?

In 1995, researcher and former UK policeman Alexander Berlonghi argued for the importance of understanding crowds to ensure “competent and effective action” when managing them.

He said without understanding the nuances of a crowd’s behaviour, disastrous mistakes can happen in planning and crowd control. More than two decades later, we are still seeing the same mistakes happening, and leading to a loss of life.

In the aftermath of yet another crowd tragedy, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo said authorities must thoroughly evaluate security at matches, adding that he hoped this would be “the last soccer tragedy in the nation”.

Violence is common at soccer games in the country, with spectators reportedly beating up rivals if they are recognised as a fan from another team.

Moving forward, there should be a focus on developing pre-emptive harm reduction strategies, and ensuring police are adequately trained to handle such events. There is also an urgent need to review the overall soccer culture in Indonesia.

If history is anything to go by, authorities will have to take drastic steps to make sure Saturday’s events are never repeated.

Alison Hutton, Professor, University of Newcastle

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Indonesia is reporting a growing number of Covid-19 deaths among children as young as five, raising concerns over the belief that they face minimal risk from the virus.

The spike in child deaths, which The New York Times (NYT) places at “more than 100 a week this month”, come as the country faces rising infections that have seen it surpass India to become the new “Asian epicentre” of the pandemic.

“Our numbers are the highest in the world”, the head of the Indonesian Pediatric Society, Dr Aman Bhakti Pulungan, told the NYT. “Why are we not giving the best for our children?”

Dangerous misconception?

Experts began warning of an increase in children being admitted to hospital around three weeks ago, with Pulungan telling The Guardian that cases were rising rapidly among minors as the Delta variant triggered a spike in infections across Indonesia.

According to the paper, “the number of weekly infections recorded among under-18s had doubled in less than one month”, with figures provided by Pulungan showing that “between 28 June and 4 July, 11,872 cases were found among children – an increase from 7,329 cases the previous week”.

“Children now make up 12.5% of the country’s confirmed cases”, the NYT reports, while “more than 150 children died from Covid-19 during the week of July 12 alone” with “half the recent deaths involving those younger than five”.

“Until now, children have been the hidden victims of this pandemic,” Dr Yasir Arafat, Asia health adviser to the non-profit group Save the Children, told the paper. “Not any more.”

“Not only are countries like Indonesia seeing record numbers of children dying from the virus, but we’re also seeing an alarming rise in children missing out on routine vaccinations and nutrition services that are critical for their survival, which should ring major alarm bells,” he added.

According to Al Jazeera, “the Covid-19 infection rate for children in Indonesia is also among the highest in the world”, while the country has already recorded “more than 700” child deaths with “half of them under the age of five”.

The majority of the deaths have “occurred in the past month”, The Times of India says, with doctors attributing the sudden spike to vulnerability due to “underlying health conditions”. Indonesia is also struggling with a slow vaccine rollout, with 16.26% of people having received at least one dose, according to Oxford University tracking.

Experts have also posited that some children “could be vulnerable to the virus because of underlying health conditions such as malnutrition, obesity, diabetes and heart disease”, the NYT says. A national “lack of awareness about the need to protect and test children” may also have contributed to rising infections, The Guardian adds.

Whatever the cause of the increase in child hospitalisation and deaths, the country’s hospitals have been “stretched beyond their limit by the recent surge in cases”, the NYT continues, “with patients waiting in hallways and overflow tents for a bed in a ward to open” and few hospitals currently “set up to care for children with Covid”.

“If the children get sick, where are we going to take them?” Pulungan said. “To the emergency room? Emergency wards are overwhelmed with adults. And as you have seen for the past couple of weeks, people have to wait at the emergency room for days. How do we expect children to go through that?”

‘These children should not die’

Pulungan told The Guardian earlier this month that the sudden rise in deaths is being caused because “we forget that children can also suffer from Covid and can die”, adding: “We are now in a really, really bad condition. We can call it a tsunami. The thing is right now there are so many cases.”

He also told the paper that there is no evidence thus far that the Delta variant is more likely to result in hospitalisations or deaths among young children, citing a lack of genome sequencing data.

Alongside the sudden spike in Covid-19 related fatalities, fears are also rising that Indonesian children may also be “at risk from some of the world’s most virulent diseases” due to around “800,000 Indonesian children missing out on routine vaccinations last year due to pandemic service disruptions”, says Al Jazeera.

Jabs to combat diseases including polio, mumps and hepatitis B are usually administered through schools, however, after classrooms closed their doors during the pandemic, “there was a drop in routine immunisation for kids from March to December”, Dr Siska Sinardja, a spokeswoman for the Indonesian Pediatrician Association, told the site.

“The effect of the delay on the immunisation of children will be an increase in infectious diseases. But no data is available on this yet because the Covid rate is still increasing and all the focus is on fighting Covid in Indonesia.”

In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Indonesia was 20.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to Statista, far higher than neighbours such as Thailand which reported an infant mortality rate of 7.7 deaths per 1,000 live births.

“Educating the public and getting more people to comply with health protocols would be a good start in protecting children”, Pulungan told the NYT.

“It all goes back to the adults,” he said. “The adults are the stubborn ones. They refuse to wear a mask. They bring their children to crowded places.”

Indonesia is braced for its worst outbreak of Covid-19 so far after a near vertical increase in infections pushed it beyond India to become the most impacted Asian nation.

The world’s fourth most populous country has recorded more than 40,000 new cases for two days running, prompting officials to warn that the highly infectious Delta variant “is spreading outside the most populous island of Java”, Nikkei Asia reports.

Indonesia now has around 132 cases per million people, compared with India’s 26 as of Sunday, according to Oxford University tracking. The Southeast Asian nation’s per capita death rate is also higher, averaging “three per million people, compared with less than one in the south Asian country”, the news site adds.

‘Brink of disaster’

Indonesia on Tuesday reported 47,899 new infections, a record high, up from 40,427 the previous day. India's cases, meanwhile, dropped to 32,906 from 37,154. The rapid rise in infections is “believed to be underestimated due to poor rates of testing and contact tracing”, The Telegraph reports, but has nonetheless caused “similar hospital bed and oxygen shortages seen in India during its crisis earlier this year”.

Health minister Budi Sadikin told reporters on Tuesday that Covid-19 bed occupancy rates in the nation’s capital, Jakarta, are close to 90%, adding that the government is preparing for an increase of 30% over the next two weeks, as well as accelerating cases in other regions.

Hospitals on Java, the country’s most populated island, have been “deluged in recent weeks, with many people struggling to get treatment and hundreds dying while self-isolating”, Reuters reports.

Meanwhile, “cases and bed occupancy rates also have risen in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan”, the news agency adds, as well as “more remote regions like West Papua, where health facilities are less equipped to handle an outbreak”.

Senior minister Luhut Pandjaitan told a news conference that the country is already experiencing “our worst-case scenario”, adding: “If we’re talking about 60,000 [cases a day] or slightly more than that, we’re okay. We are hoping not for 100,000, but even if we get there, we are preparing for that.”

Experts have predicted that “if the spread continues unabated” it may “push Indonesia’s health care system to the brink of disaster”, CNN says, a similarly grim projection to the ones made about India’s overwhelmed health system in late April.

The island nation is “reaping the costs of not implementing strict lockdowns nor investing enough in efficient contact-tracing systems”, with health minister Sadikin previously telling the broadcaster that authorities had not realised how quickly the virus had been spreading in this latest wave of the strain that has come to dominate global infections.

Vaccine push

The Philippines announced yesterday that it would ban travellers from Indonesia amid the rapid rise in cases, while “the government has scrambled to boost capacity and secure sufficient oxygen supply”, The Telegraph says.

Authorities have also “converted several buildings into isolation facilities”, Reuters reports, as well as deploying “fresh graduate doctors and nurses to treat Covid-19 patients and importing treatment drugs and oxygen”.

The true scale of Indonesia’s outbreak was illustrated by a survey published on Saturday that revealed “almost half the population of Indonesia’s national capital Jakarta may have contracted Covid-19”, The Independent says.

The study conducted by Jakarta’s provincial health office, the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 44.5% of those tested had coronavirus antibodies.

This equates to around 4.7 million of the total 10.6 million people in the Indonesian capital and “is at least 12 times the number of confirmed cases – 382,000 – of Covid-19 reported in Jakarta until that time”, the paper adds.

The islands of Bali and Java have been placed under emergency lockdown, while the government said it is “analysing the situation” to decide whether to “extend the current emergency coronavirus curbs that will expire on July 20”, Reuters says.

A delivery of 3.5 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday as part of the global jab sharing programme Covax. Authorities are now looking to boost the vaccination rollout that has so far seen fewer than 20 per 100 people receive at least one dose, according to Oxford University tracking.

President Joko Widodo yesterday told a press briefing that vaccines are Indonesia’s only “hope to recover from this global health crisis”, adding: “Fair and equal access to vaccines must be guaranteed since we see there is still a wide gap in vaccine access throughout the country.”

People caught not wearing a face mask in Indonesia have been made to dig graves for people who died of Covid-19, as a punishment and deterrent. When eight people were caught flouting rules in Gresik regency, east Java, a local official gave them the novel punishment. “There are only three available grave diggers at the moment, so I thought I might as well put these people to work for them,” he said.

Octogenerian completes Earth circumference walk

An 88-year-old man who has walked 24,900 miles will finish the final mile next month of a distance equivalent to the circumference of the Earth. Brad Hathaway of Massachusetts said his doctor encouraged him to start walking in his mid-50s when he was facing various health issues. “I'm one mile to 24,901 and that's around the Earth at the equator,” Hathaway said.

Seagull dyed blue confuses locals

A “tropical” bird turned out to be a seagull that someone had died electric blue. When the bird was spotted in a car park in Carlisle, the onlookers assumed it was a rare type of bird. However, when RSPCA welfare officers were called, they noticed that its familiar shape. “We just don’t know what happened with this poor bird,” said a spokesman.

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The South Pacific island chain of Bougainville is gearing up for an independence referendum that could see the region break away from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and become the world’s newest nation.

The vote, which will run from 23 November to 7 December, is the culmination of decades of tension between Bougainville and PNG following a bloody civil war in the 1990s.

The Lowy Institute think-tank predicts that 75% of voters will choose independence, driven by a “long-standing sense of separate ethnic identity” and the “perceived failure of the current model of autonomy”, as well as “residual animosity from the war years”.

But having failed to rebuild a self-sustaining economy after the conflict - and with China looking to expand its influence in the Pacific - is the future really bright for Bougainville?

Background

Bougainville is a small group of islands with a total population of around 250,000 that has been part of PNG since gaining independence from Australia in 1975.

The region became what Reuters describes as the “economic powerhouse” of PNG in the years following independence, owing to its abundance of gold and copper. But a dispute over mining rights eventually led to the outbreak in 1988 of a war between Papuan security forces and the separatist Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) that raged on for almost a decade.

A peace agreement signed in 2001 saw Bougainville given greater freedoms, and also contained a provision guaranteeing the region the right to hold a referendum on independence by 2020, with the vote eventually scheduled for 2019.

What’s happening now?

The people of Bougainville will be asked whether they want greater autonomy or full independence - and the majority of the 200,000 people registered to vote are expected to opt for the latter.

To come into effect, the vote outcome has to be ratified by PNG’s parliament, and is expected to be subject to a negotiation process that could take months or even years.

According to the Radio New Zealand site, independence would give Bougainville new powers on issues including industrial relations, foreign aid and investment, international trade and civil aviation, as well as control over “migratory and straddling” fish stocks.

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What does it all mean for PNG?

With Bougainville expected to vote to secede, commentators are warning that PNG needs to tread carefully. Denying the islands their independence could pose a “major security challenge” and the potential for a return to regional instability, The Guardian reports.

The Lowy Institute says that PNG is “ill prepared for military action in Bougainville” should violence break out.

Bougainville expert Thiago Cintra Oppermann warns that PNG made a huge tactical mistake in agreeing to the referendum in the first place.

“PNG government has approached the issue of Bougainvillean independence as if it were to only affect Bougainville,” he writes in an article on the East Asia Forum. But granting that independence would be likely to lead to the “destabilisation of the entire nation state”, as other provinces also push to go it alone.

Independence could have negative repercussions for Bougainville, too. The region is economically dependent on PNG and may struggle to establish all the necessary resources to become an economically viable, self-sustaining nation.

“The larger question is whether Bougainville itself is ready for independence,” says the Lowy Institute. “The short answer is no, but most Bougainvilleans see no alternative to independence, despite the obstacles.”

What about the repercussions further afield?

Along with PNG, three other countries are keeping an especially close eye on the outcome of the vote: China, Australia and Indonesia.

Until recently, Australia was the primary outside investor in developing Pacific Island nations, but has been usurped on a number of fronts by China, which is ploughing money into multiple economies worldwide.

Both nations would be likely to offer financial assistance to a newly independent Bougainville - China in order to increase its reach and Australia to “preserve its role as trusted partner to both Bougainville and PNG”, the Lowy Institute says.

Meanwhile, Indonesia is likely to be concerned by the referendum owing to a violent separatist insurgency in West Papua, which borders PNG.

West Papua has been embroiled in a long-running struggle for independence from Indonesia, and the precedent set by an independent Bougainville could fuel that push for more autonomy.

Indonesia’s finely balanced food chain is being poisoned by the burning of plastic waste shipped from Western countries.

According to a report released this week by IPEN (the International Pollutants Elimination Network), tests on chicken eggs in an East Java village called Tropodo found levels of dioxins that were 70 times those allowed under European safety standards.

The toxic chemicals are “known to cause cancer, birth defects and Parkinson’s disease”, says The New York Times.

A local resident told the BBC that Tropodo was known locally as the “city of smoke”.

According to Indonesia’s statistics agency, imports of potentially deadly plastic waste rose by 141% to 283,000 tonnes in 2018. The waste is “primarily from countries such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, the UK and the US”, says the BBC.

The dramatic increase came after China banned the import of waste to its mainland, prompting Western nations to look for dumping grounds elsewhere.

Although some local companies profit by accepting the shipments, much of the plastic is unwanted, low-grade material. Much of it is burned as fuel for tofu-producing kitchens or to simply get rid of it - but “the smoke and ash produced by the burning plastic has far-reaching and toxic consequences”, says the New York Times.

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The paper adds that things may soon change as legislation halting the overwhelming influx of plastic is slowly being implemented.

Reuters reports that earlier this year, Indonesian customs officers began uncovering imports of scrap mixed with other waste, such as rubber and nappies, and have begun shipping them back to their home countries.

But the problem is not yet fixed. Environmental news site Mongabay reports that between July and August 2019, Indonesia denied entry for 58 containers exported from the US, with Indonesian authorities claiming they repatriated the containers full of waste to the country of origin.

“But only 12 of those containers eventually returned to the US,” the site says. “The rest appeared to have been sent to India, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, the Netherlands, Canada and South Korea between August and October.”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.

1. Larry Elliott in The Guardian

on the curious case of “Lexit”

Don’t be fooled – the EU is no defender of workers’ rights

“In consequence, the only sure way to advance workers’ rights is to elect a government pledged to full employment and collective bargaining. The notion that only Brussels stands in the way of a barrage of deregulation betrays not just a misunderstanding of the way the EU operates but also a deep and irrational pessimism on the left, a belief that the Conservatives will be in power for ever no matter what they do. The left doesn’t need the EU to fight its battles. What it needs is to make the case for better working conditions and win over a public sick of a labour market loaded in favour of employers. With a bit of self-confidence it shouldn’t be that difficult.”

2. Sinan Antoon in Al Jazeera

on decades of despair in Baghdad

A cruel and crucial October in Iraq

“The sense of despair and disappointment the protesters feel and their desire to reclaim Iraq was crystallised in one of their main chants: ‘We want a country.’ These protesters are young Iraqis who came of age in the wake of the Anglo-American invasion of 2003. The invasion toppled Saddam Hussein's regime, but it also dismantled the Iraqi state and its institutions, dictated a flawed constitution, installed a sectarian-based dysfunctional system, and populated it with parties and politicians, many of whom were allies if not pawns of the US, Iran and Saudi Arabia. The so-called political process, mischaracterised as a "democracy" by Western pundits and journalists, has cobbled together a failed state that is incapable of providing the minimum prerequisites for a dignified life for average Iraqis.”

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3. Jamelle Bouie in the New York Times

on the president’s problematic choice of words - and those who refused to condemn them

Donald Trump’s “lynching”

“No, [Lindsey] Graham did not live through this era. But his parents did, and the violence of that period marks the place he calls home. It marks the entire region and state. As a lawmaker who represents that state — who represents families and communities upended by racial terrorism past and present — Graham has a particular responsibility to that history. He owes his constituents a degree of sensitivity, an awareness of the weight of a word like ‘lynching’. Graham has rejected those obligations. Instead, he’s content to affirm President Trump’s endless sense of his own victimhood.”

4. Peter Guest in Wired

on a city succumbing to the waves

The impossible fight to save Jakarta, the sinking megacity

“The city’s new walls have bought it some time, but not much, and possibly not enough. Behind them is an alarming case study in how politicking, greed and vested economic interests can lead to a dangerous inertia – a microcosm of the global failure to address climate change. Whether the city saves itself, or whether it becomes the first megacity lost to environmental catastrophe, will depend on a combination of ground-level social change and engineering works of unprecedented scale to hold back the tide.”

5. Phil CW Chan in the South China Morning Post

on jumping out of the frying pan and into the authoritarian fire

Singapore is no alternative for Hongkongers who want freedom

“Singapore is also not a state party to the United Nations Convention against Torture. Caning is mandatory for unauthorised affixing of a poster on a public wall (our Lennon Walls, for instance, on second conviction), rioting and many other offences. Equality on the basis of sexual orientation, which the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal has found to be a Basic Law requirement, is absent in Singapore; consensual sexual activity between men remains a criminal offence under section 377A of the Penal Code... Contrary to what Singapore's current and former government officials and newspaper editors might like one to think, Singapore is not a peaceful society. It is a controlled society par excellence.”

The Government of Indonesia is preparing to implement a new criminal code that would severely restrict civil liberties, including banning sex outside of marriage.

After spending “decades revising its colonial-era criminal code”, Indonesia’s parliament has published a 628-article draft bill to replace the old legislation, The Guardian reports.

The new penal code will reportedly enforce prison sentences for people who engage in extramarital sex, adultery, have an abortion or insult Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, which is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.

The Daily Mail reports that the move “comes amidst a recent trend towards deeper religious piety and conservative Islamic activism” in Indonesia.

The proposed changes have triggered an outcry from rights campaigners. Andreas Harsono of Human Rights Watch said: “Indonesia’s draft criminal code is disastrous not only for women and religious and gender minorities, but for all Indonesians.

“Lawmakers should remove all the abusive articles before passing the law.”

Reuters reports that the new criminal code is due to be adopted as early as next week, prompting fears that Indonesia is on the brink of becoming a sharia state. So what exactly is happening in Indonesia and what will it mean for its citizens?

Why is the criminal code being changed?

The Indonesian Parliament began proceedings to replace the country’s original criminal code in 1995. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, “much of the current code dates back to the era of Dutch colonialism, pre-World War II”.

Lawmakers told Reuters that the new penal code “was a long overdue expression of Indonesian independence and religiosity”.

Nasir Djamil, a politician from the Prosperous Justice Party, said: “The state must protect citizens from behaviour that is contrary to the supreme precepts of God.”

The current Parliament will finish sitting in a matter of weeks and a vote on the bill is due to take place on 24 September, before the new slate of MPs elected in the 17 April elections take their seats in October.

What is in the new code?

The new criminal code contains a number of extreme measures that have prompted widespread alarm among activists.

The code stipulates that unmarried couples who “live together as a husband and wife” could be jailed for six months or face a large fine, while extramarital sex could result in up to a year in jail. Anyone who promotes contraception to a person aged under 18 could also face a prison term or fine.

Other changes include making it illegal for a woman to terminate her pregnancy - a crime punishable by up to four years in prison - and the criminalisation of criticising a judge, fake news, bestiality and black magic, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. The existing blasphemy law will be expanded, and associating with organisations that follow a Marxist-Leninist ideology could see citizens receive a ten-year prison term.

In addition, the code states that anyone who “attacks the dignity” of the president or vice president may face up to four-and-a-half years in prison.

The nature of arrest and prosecution is also set to change under the new rules. A prosecution will be able to proceed if “a village chief, who heads the lowest tier of government, files a complaint with police, and parents or children of the accused do not object”, Reuters reports.

The inclusion of the new power for village chiefs was warranted because “the victim of adultery is also society”, Teuku Taufiqulhadi, a lawmaker from the NasDem Party, told the news agency.

A similar criminal code is already in place in Aceh province, one of the poorest regions of Indonesia.

And the reaction?

Commentators and campaigners worldwide say the new rules could threaten democracy, set back civil liberties and open up new ways to discriminate against the country’s religious and sexual minorities.

Tim Lindsey, director of the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society, said that “across the board, this is a ratcheting up of conservatism. It’s extremely regressive.”

For a start, gay couples would “automatically be swept up in the crackdown” against sex outside of marriage, because same-sex marriage is already outlawed in Indonesia, The Telegraph says.

Human Rights Watch adds that women are also at risk, as provisions that “effectively censor the dissemination of information about contraception and criminalise some abortions” will “set back women and girls’ rights under international law to make their own choices about having children”.

“The bill’s provisions censoring information about contraception could set back the progress Indonesia has made in recent years to dramatically reduce maternal deaths,” warns the campaign group’s Harsono.

The changes to the code - influenced by traditional Islamic sharia law - also apply to the country’s significant Christian, Hindu and Buddhist minority groups. Member of parliament Teuku Taufiqulhadi this week confirmed that even foreigners visiting Indonesia would be vulnerable to prosecution.

At least six people have been killed and a further 200 injured in mass protests across the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, after the country’s election commission confirmed that President Joko Widodo has won a second term in office.

Final official results from last month’s election shows that Widodo, of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P),secured 55.5% of the vote, compared with 44.5% for his rival, Prabowo Subianto, the commission said on Tuesday.

The Guardian reports that supporters of Prabowo - leader of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) - “clashed with security forces and set fire to a police dormitory and vehicles in the capital” following the announcement, which was made in the early hours in an attempt to minimise the risk of violence.

Dozens of protesters have been detained by security forces.

Prabowo, a retired general who has been accused of human rights abuses, claims that “widespread cheating” occurred during the 17 April election “but has provided no credible evidence to back up his allegations”, Al Jazeera reports.

Nevertheless, his campaign team say they will lodge a formal challenge to the result with the Constitutional Court.

How did the vote unfold?

More than 192 million people were eligible to vote in the presidential and general elections, the BBC reports. The day after they went to the polls, the elections commission warned that owing to the vast number of votes cast, it might take 35 days to complete the official tally of the results, adds the Straits Times.

Widodo and Prabowo had previously fought a bitter presidential election campaign in 2014, when the latter also challenged the result after losing.

This time around, Widodo fought a campaign that highlighted his administration’s “progress in poverty reduction and improving Indonesia’s inadequate infrastructure with new ports, toll roads, airports and mass rapid transit”, says The Daily Telegraph. But he has also drawn criticism for failing to address past human rights abuses and widespread corruption.

Prabowo, meanwhile, has been described as a “Trumpian” figure, according to ABC News. The opposition leader has been accused of cosying up to hard-line Islamic groups in Indonesia, which is the largest Muslim-majority nation on Earth and has struggled in recent years with Isis-linked extremist insurgencies.

He is alleged to have signed a deal to promote a conservative-Islamist agenda if he took power, and is banned from entering the US on the grounds of suspected human rights abuses.

Widodo comfortably led opinion polls going into the election. All the same, when early exit polls also predicted a Widodo victory, Prabowo declared the election fraudulent and proclaimed himself the rightful president of Indonesia.

Why are people protesting?

Announcing the final vote count results this week, the election supervisory agency dismissed claims of electoral fraud, citing a lack of evidence. The finding backs up judgements by independent observers that the election was free and fair.

Challenging the commission’s verdict, a member of Prabowo’s team said: “We won’t give up in the face of this injustice, cheating, lies and these actions against democracy.”

In the run-up to the release of the elections results, authorities had tightened security in anticipation of potential civil unrest and “detained dozens of militant Islamists suspected of planning attacks to create mayhem during demonstrations”, reports Reuters. The elections commission office was also barricaded with razor wire.

The BBC reports that the subsequent protests in Jakarta “started peacefully” but quickly turned violent, with “cars set on fire and firecrackers thrown at police” by “white-robed protesters”.

Local TV crews captured footage of a paramilitary police dormitory being set ablaze, while police were filmed using tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons against protesters.

Following reports that a man had been fatally shot by officers, National Police spokesperson Dedi Prasetyo said: “We are still checking, but I need to reiterate that police officers were not equipped with live bullets.”

What next?

Prabowo has three days to lodge his appeal with the Constitutional Court, which then has a further 14 days to make a decision.

With further unrest expected across the capital, more than 30,000 troops have been deployed, and a number of governments offices, schools, shopping centres and businesses have been closed as a precautionary measure, according to Time magazine.

The magazine adds that social media “will be blocked in parts of the country” to stop the spread of so-called fake news in the wake of the commission announcement.

The Jakarta Post warns that many opposition supporters will “seek any opportunity to avenge Prabowo’s humiliation and they believe he cannot be wrong”.

“Many of them will never accept their idol’s defeat,” the newspaper adds. “They will not hesitate to go to prison just to defend Prabowo.”

An Indonesian island that is home to the Komodo dragon is closing its doors to tourists from next January in a bid to prevent illegal smuggling.

Each year thousands of visitors flock to Komodo Island, in East Nusa Tenggara province, to see the giant lizards, but now the authorities say they will shut off access temporarily as part of a conservation effort. It is unclear how long the closure will last but experts believe the project, which will include planting native vegetation to bolster the specie’s food supply, could take up to a year.

The move follows the arrests last month of five people in connection with smuggling Komodo dragons and other protected species out of Indonesia. The suspects are accused of selling at least 41 Komodo dragons abroad via Facebook, for use in traditional medicine, charging the equivalent of £26,500 for each of the rare creatures.

Komodo dragons are the world’s largest living lizards, measuring in at up to three metres long and weighing up to 90kg (14st 2lb). An estimated 5,000 remain in the wild - around half of them on Komodo Island - putting them on both the endangered and protected animals lists.

The species’ rarity has made them a major attraction for visitors to the region. In 2016, the airport that serves the Komodo National Park’s 29 islands underwent a major upgrade to expand its capacity from 150,000 visitors to 1.5 million.

But the increase in tourists has also led to growing pressure on officials to protect the remaining Komodo dragon population, says Sky News.

The closure was first proposed last year by East Nusa Tenggara governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat, in response to declining numbers both of the giant lizards and the deer they eat.

Part of the problem is that “the predators have allegedly become more docile in recent years, in part because of tourists giving them food”, The Daily Telegraph reports.

“We want Komodo Island to be like the Galapagos Islands... so we need to rehabilitate the flora and fauna,” local tourism agency head Marius Ardu Jelamu told Paris-based news agency AFP.

He added that security measures on the island would be improved during the closure to thwart wildlife smugglers.

The Vietnamese woman accused of killing the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been released from a Malaysian prison.

Malaysian prosecutors had dropped a murder charge against Doan Thi Huong last month, after she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of “causing hurt”.

Following her release from jail on Friday morning, the 30-year-old was taken into immigration custody, before boarding a flight to Hanoi.

Her father, Doan Van Thanh, said he would be in the Vietnamese capital to welcome her home.

“I am so happy now, my whole village is happy now,” he told Reuters.

“We will hold a party on Sunday and anyone can come and join the party. We will slaughter some pigs for the party. My daughter particularly likes fried fish, so we will prepare that too.”

Her release brings “one of the world's highest-profile murder mysteries to an anticlimactic end after two years of twists and turns”, says CNN.

Huong and a second woman, Indonesian Siti Aisyah, were accused of smearing toxic nerve agent VX on Kim Jong Nam’s face as he waited for a flight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 13 February 2017. He died about 20 minutes later.

Kim, 45, had once been in line to inherit the leadership of North Korea from his father, Kim Jong Il, but fell out of favour in the early 2000s. A critic of the regime, he lived in Macau and travelled under a pseudonym.

In August last year, a judge ruled that there was enough evidence to charge Huong and Aisyah over the assassination.

Both women “have always insisted they were innocent”, and say they were tricked into carrying out the killing after being told it was part of a reality TV prank, the BBC reports.

Last month, all charges against Aisyah, 27, were dropped, although she was not formally acquitted.

Malaysian prosecutors did not give a reason for the decision, but the move came after Yasonna Laoly, Indonesia’s minister of law and human rights, urged Malaysia to “reconsider the charges” and take “into account the good relations between our countries”.

An appeal for similar leniency by Huong was rejected and she was expected to face the death penalty.

However, after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of causing hurt by potentially deadly means, a Malaysian court last month sentenced her to three years and four months in jail, reports Sky News.

The sentence included time already served, which meant that under Malaysian prison remission rules, Huong was already eligible for release.

As she now heads home, CNN says that “it is likely no one will ever be convicted of murder for using one of the world's deadliest chemical weapons to stage a brazen assassination in broad daylight”.

“The planners, organisers, and overseers of the assassination of Kim Jong Nam have indeed gotten away with it,” Evans Revere, former acting US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told the US broadcaster.

“No one will be held responsible for this horrific attack in which a weapon of mass destruction was used to kill a human being in an international airport.”

Four North Korean suspects who fled Malaysia on the day of the murder have not been found. The motive behind his assassination is uncertain, but analysts believe Kim Jong Un may have seen his estranged half-brother as a potential threat.

“North Korea has consistently denied involvement in the killing, though United States, South Korean and Malaysian authorities have said it was, in fact, responsible for Kim’s death,” CNN adds.

The Indonesian government has deployed more than 1,000 security personnel and cut internet access to West Papua in a bid to quell the largest unrest seen in the country’s poorest province in years.

Large-scale demonstrations have taken place across Indonesia all week, including in the capital Jakarta, where pro-independence protesters flew the banned Morning Star flag in front of the state palace.

The Guardian reports “the groundswell of anger that has fuelled the demonstrators was sparked by an incident in the Javanese city of Surabaya on the weekend, where nationalist groups goaded Papuan students with racist taunts, calling them ‘monkeys’, ‘pigs’ and ‘dogs’”.

In response, the exiled leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Benny Wenda, said the arrests of the Papuan students in Surabaya had “lit the bonfire of nearly 60 years of racism, discrimination and torture of the people of West Papua by Indonesia”.

As well as deploying troops to the region, Indonesia’s communications ministry announced on Wednesday that internet access would be temporarily blocked in Papua “until the atmosphere of Papua returns to being conducive and normal”.

Indonesia’s government has said throttling the internet in Papua was meant to stop the spread of misinformation, “though critics accuse it of using the tactic to clamp down on dissent” reports CNN.

The news network says “the rapid escalation of the protests underscores the volatility of the region and the tumultuous relationship between roughly four million Papuans and the central Indonesian government”.

The island of New Guinea has long been carved up by competing colonial powers. The eastern half – now Papua New Guinea – was administered by Australia, while the western provinces of Papua and West Papua formed part of the Dutch East Indies.

In 1969, the former Dutch colonies were “incorporated into Indonesia after a widely criticised UN-backed referendum”, Reuters reports. Only 1,000 people from the local Melanesian population were handpicked to vote in what was called the “Act of Free Choice”.

Half a century later, Papuan separatist groups continue to fight for both independence from Indonesia and unification with neighbouring Papua New Guinea.

There is anger at chronic poverty and under-investment by successive governments going back decades. Despite housing the world’s largest gold mine, owned by the US company Freeport McMoRan, and its immense natural wealth, West Papua remains the poorest region in Indonesia.

Tensions have been further stoked by years of allegations against the Indonesian security forces “of widespread rights abuses against Papua’s ethnic Melanesian population including extrajudicial killings of activists and peaceful protestors”, Channel News Asia reports.

In March, three Indonesian soldiers were killed in a violent ambush, believed to have been carried out by West Papua National Liberation Army, as part of mounting tensions over a controversial construction project.

Up to ten insurgents were also killed when “a force of 50 to 70 rebels carrying firearms as well as spears and arrows attacked a group of 25 soldiers in a battle lasting several hours”, The Guardian reported.

It was the latest outbreak of violence linked to the Trans-Papua highway, an ambitious project by the Indonesian government to link West Papua’s port towns to the interior, which is remote and underdeveloped, but rich in timber and palm oil.

The road’s construction is “spurring violent resistance from Papuan separatists who fear it will lead non-Papuans to exploit and destroy the rainforest they rely on”, says The Wall Street Journal.

Rescue workers in Indonesia are racing against time to reach dozens of miners who have been trapped underground for four days after an illegal gold mine collapsed.

The unauthorised pit, in the Bolaang Mongondow area of North Sulawesi province, caved in on Tuesday evening, burying dozens of workers inside. The collapse triggered a landslide, further hampering rescue efforts, the BBC reports.

At least eight miners have been confirmed to have died. A further 27 men have been rescued from the site but many have sustained serious injuries, officials said. One man was pulled out alive but died on the way to hospital.

Hope is now fading for the remaining survivors trapped underground - thought to number at least three dozen - as oxygen levels run low.

Until today, “search teams had been forced to use spades and even bare hands”, amid fears “that a wrong move involving heavy equipment could make the situation worse”, reports Paris-based news network France 24.

But with time running out, officials this morning authorised the use of excavators.

“We were afraid to use it because it might trigger another landslide or send debris tumbling onto the trapped miners,” disaster official Abdul Muin Paputungan told Agence France-Presse.

“But now we’ve got the permission from their family members to use it, despite the risks.”

Yasti Soepredjo, head of the Bolaang Mongondow region, told the BBC that the unauthorised nature of the mine made it difficult to be sure how many people were still trapped inside.

"Based on statements from people who survived, the numbers are inconsistent. Some say there were more than 100 in the mine, some said about 80,” he said. “We are still in the dark when it comes to the actual number.”

“Resource-rich Indonesia has a patchy record on mining safety, particularly small-scale unlicensed mines,” reports Reuters.

Another illegal mine collapse in Sulawesi in December resulted in the deaths of five miners.

An Indonesian woman has died after being savagely mauled by a secret “pet” crocodile.

Deasy Tuwo, 44, disappeared after going to feed Merry, a 700kg crocodile allegedly being kept illegally in a pool at the pearl farm where she worked as a lead laboratory scientist, the BBC reports.

Her “badly mauled body was found by colleagues the following morning”, says the Jakarta Post.

The scientist was “still in the animal's jaws”, says Sky News, and co-workers “struggled to free her remains as it thrashed around”.

Investigators believe the 14ft-long reptile attacked her after she fell into the enclosure, biting off “her arm and most of her abdomen”.

Merry was sedated and removed from the site in a “three-hour operation that involved dozens of people, including conservation officials, the army and police”, says the Jakarta Post. The animal has been transferred to a wildlife rescue centre.

Hendriks Rundengan from the North Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Agency told BBC Indonesian that officials had heard reports of the crocodile being kept illegally, but had been unable to investigate.

“We've come here a few times but the fences are always locked,” he said.

Indonesian police are reportedly attempting to track down a Japanese national who is said to be the owner of the pearl farm and the crocodile.

Crocodile attacks are not uncommon in Indonesia, home to several species of the reptile. In July last year, an angry mob slaughtered almost 300 crocodiles at a farm on island of West Papua after a local man was mauled to death.

They are not hard to find on a map, but chances are you might never have heard of the Indonesian Riau islands.

Sprinkled just south of Singapore and home to the bohemian Orang Laut people, they stretch up to Borneo, straddling the sea routes between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Unless you have a helicopter, the routes into and around the 3,000-strong island archipelago are by sea, making them blissfully quiet - think Bali twenty years ago.

From the UK, the easiest route in is via Singapore, a fascinating destination in its own right that is well worth a stopover. If you’re time poor, though, and eager to get to the islands like The Week Portfolio, 24 hours will do. Forget the advice of guidebooks and head straight to Betel Box Tours at 200 Joo Chiat road. Run by passionate locals with a jaw-dropping amount of knowledge, you’ll be taken on a gastronomic odyssey through technicolour back streets and up soaring sky scrapers as you listen to your guide via a Bluetooth headset.

On your way through the Joo Chiat neighbourhood, you’ll drop in on the Quek family who welcome you with open arms, huge smiles and stacks of steaming popiah skins (52 Joo Chiat Place). Hailing from the Fujian province of China, popiahs are a type of spring roll traditionally filled with crunchy vegetables and a generous helping of chilli.

The dexterous Queks have been making their secret-recipe dough here with long wooden poles “since before World War II” and will gladly show you the ropes. We watched them deftly twirl mounds of dough in mid-air before pressing them onto searing hot pans and peeling away paper-thin skins. All in the same time it took us to devour one - under a minute. A street-side feast not to be missed.

The next day, an hour-long catamaran from Tanah Mera ferry terminal (around £38 return) took us from concrete jungle to steamy primordial idyll. A world away from ultra-clean Singapore, the island of Bintan is a mish-mash of mangrove trees, beautiful temples and picture-perfect beaches.

With a population of less than a quarter of a million people, Bintan is home to numerous cultures, including Malay, Bugis, Chinese and native tribes. There are quite a few hotels dotted along the coastline as well as larger resorts inland, but the jewel in the crown is the private Banyan Tree Spa Bintan – a stunning rainforest hideaway with a 900m-long talcum-white shore.

The rooms

Built in the style of a Balinese fishing village, Banyan Tree’s 72 villas are perched on stilts on the undulating hillside of Tanjong Said Bay amid a tangle of jungle. We arrived at sunset as monkeys leapt across thick vines and a flush of hot pink flooded our villa.

Accommodation options are extensive to say the least. In total there are seven categories, all with traditional Balinese thatched roofs, swing-open wooden doors and postcard-like views through the rainforest of the South China Sea.

We stayed in a Rainforest Seaview Villa, complete with a king-sized four-poster canopied bed, private balcony and outdoor Jacuzzi pool. Thoughtful touches were evident throughout - there’s even an essential oil burner with a bespoke daily fragrance.

For all-out privacy, follow in the footsteps of the A-listers who come here and choose the Oceanview Infinity Pool Villa, a huge 400 square-metre affair at the top of a secluded hill facing the ocean.

The food

There are three restaurants to choose from. Treetops is Banyan’s main restaurant, open all-day with a spectacular buffet breakfast of local fare including Indonesian porridge, Kuih Dadar (crepes with pandan juice and grated coconut) and the usual western staples. At lunch and dinner the menu is predominantly Indonesian. The Nasi Goreng is to die for, as are the six different types of chilli paste on offer.

At Saffron, meanwhile, you’ll need to reserve a table but Banyan’s signature fine-dining Thai restaurant is worth it. Open for dinner only, resident chef Pimswat Pairote uses fresh ingredients from island farmers for an award-winning Thai menu with a twist.

Finally, The Cove is located just above the beach pool, and is the most laidback of the lot. Feast out or in on Mediterranean dishes including smoked salmon linguine, stone crab spaghetti and Australian rack of lamb cooked in garden herbs.

If you’re in the mood for something really special, treat yourself to one of the dining experiences the resort can arrange.

The Fisherman’s Table experience offers seafood dishes such as wok-fried chilli crab, which arrive straight from the nearby mangroves and are served to you in a traditional fisherman’s boat.

Dinner on the Rocks allows you to dine on a huge rock, ocean-side, with your own personal chef and waiter.

One of the culinary treats we opted for was the Kelong Dining Experience, which saw us head out on a handmade “pompong” boat made from reclaimed local wood to a floating Kelong, a traditional stilted fishermen’s abode in the middle of the ocean. Candlelit cocktails and exquisite seafood cooked onboard accompanied by fresh sea breezes followed. Truly magical.

Probably the most impressive of all, however, is the Selamatan Dining option - a traditional Javanese style dinner served on the beach. On the night we went, we sat on cushions at a sand-sunken table by a fire pit and were treated to an evening of Indonesian dance and music. Dishes included Sayur Urab (spicy salad with grated coconut), Daging Mesisit (shredded crispy coriander beef), Nagasaki (steamed banana and rice flour wrapped in banana leaf) and Es Puter, an Indonesian-style coconut milk gelato that, if you order, you will remember for the rest of your life.

The spa

Banyan Tree offers a range of pampering and wellness experiences, but the spa is where it all comes together. Leaning on ancient and modern healing methods from across Asia, it fuses Ayurvedic therapies, massage techniques from the Chinese Shang dynasty, Indonesian palace rituals and Thai treatments. All therapists must undergo rigorous training at the prestigious Banyan Tree Spa Academy Bintan which is even licensed by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education.

The spa has 15 treatment rooms, several of which are equipped with private plunge pools, recessed baths and day beds overlooking the ocean. Try the signature 150-minute Royal Banyan treatment, which includes a muscle-soothing warm herbal pouch massage and jade face massage.

Conservation lab

Set up in 2007, there’s also an on-site Conservation Lab that works with local communities to protect threatened species and delicate ecosystems. Part of the Banyan Tree Global Foundation, the lab has protected more than 2,700 turtle hatchlings so far. We took part in a “baby turtle release” programme and watched with baited breath as our tiny shelled critters struggled gamely across the sand and into the sea for the first time.

If you’re looking for a place to unwind in luxury with no shortage of sun, sand and sea, Banyan Tree Spa is the place to go. There’s plenty to do on the island from scaling the 340-metre Gunung Bintan mountain to exploring the mangrove swamps of Sungei Sebung and quad biking through rainforests. Not only this, but Bintan’s equatorial position ensures a year-round tropical climate, and its proximity to Singapore means you can seamlessly combine a high-octane break with a more meditative one. Plus it’s still relatively unknown, so book now and don’t mention it to anyone, ok?

Rainforest Seaview Villa at Banyan Tree Bintan starts from around £305 a night, on a bed and breakfast basis and inclusive of tax. For bookings visit Banyantree.com.

A female orangutan was shaved, chained up and forced into sexual acts with men twice her size after being stolen as a baby, according to environmental workers.

The traumatised animal, known as Pony, is believed to have been chained up and repeatedly abused at a brothel in Kareng Pangi village, in Indonesian Borneo, for around six years.

“It was horrifying,” Michelle Desilets, director of Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, told The Sun. “She was a sex slave - it was grotesque. She was covered in abscesses, and they put make-up and earrings on her.

“She must have been in so much pain. It was horrible to think about how terrified she must have been.”

Men working at a nearby palm oil farm would pay the equivalent of “a couple of quid” to have sex with the primate, the newspaper reports. She was forced to wear jewellery, and was shaved every other day, which caused her skin to become irritated and infected.

Pony is one of many orangutans illegally traded throughout Asia. The apes are sold for up to £10,000 on the black market and even on social media sites.

Charity boss Desilets told the Daily Mirror that rescuing Pony had been difficult, because of resistance from local people in the village where she was held.

“Pony was a cash cow and she earned that village a lot of money. The whole village was not willing to let her go. They wanted people coming in - in this case, men from the fields - and spending their money,” she explained.

Pony was finally rescued in 2003 and now lives with seven other orangutans at Borneo’s Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre.

Orangutans were once found across Southeast Asia but today are confined to rainforests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. The future of the remaining primate population in the wild is at threat from widespread deforestation as a result of palm oil farming.

Earlier this year, a Christmas TV advert for superstore chain Iceland that depicted a baby orangutan’s forest home being destroyed was banned for being too political. Iceland was the first major UK supermarket to pledge not to use palm oil in its own-brand products.

A woman whose fiance was killed in the Lion Air plane crash has posed for photo portraits in her wedding dress, saying it is what her partner would have wanted.

Intan Syari’s wedding photos, in which the smiling bride wears a white gown and headscarf and holds a bouquet of white roses, look like those of a typical Indonesian bride - but they hide a tragic secret.

Her bridegroom, Rio Nanda Pratama, was one of the 189 passengers who died when Lion Air flight JT610 crashed shortly after take-off from Jakarta on 29 October.

Pratama, a doctor, was returning to the couple’s home city of Pangkalpinang from a medical conference in Jakarta when the plane crashed into the sea, killing all on board.

The pair met as school students and had been together for 13 years before setting 11 November as the date of their nuptials, The Jakarta Post reports.

Before leaving for the conference, Pratama had joked with Syari that if he was delayed and missed the wedding, she should dress up in her gown and send him a photograph.

Syari, who works in the finance department of the hospital where Pratama was employed as a doctor, said she decided to honour the light-hearted comment as a tribute to her fiance, The Straits Times reports.

“There is sadness that I cannot describe, but I have to smile for you,” the 26-year-old wrote in the caption of a photo from the shoot shared on Instagram. “I shall not mourn. I have to stay strong like you always told me.”

As well as the photos of Syari in her wedding dress, other images include close-up of her wedding ring and a group picture featuring one of Pratama’s sisters.

“Even though you were not next to me yesterday your loyal sister accompanied me to carry out your last most beautiful request,” she wrote, adding: “Know that our love for you will not diminish at all, we love you forever.”

The unusual wedding portraits have gone viral in Indonesia, which is reeling from its deadliest aviation disaster since 1997.

Indonesian authorities ended their recovery operation at the Java Sea crash site on Saturday. Almost 200 human remains have been found, with 77 victims’ bodies identified so far.

Indonesian salvage divers have located the second so-called black box from a Lion Air flight that crashed into the Java Sea in October, killing all 189 people on board.

Authorities in Indonesia confirmed on Monday that human remains were also found alongside the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), reports CNN.

The discovery of the CVR is expected to end months of speculation about what happened to Lion Air flight 610 before it went down on 29 October 2018. The two-month-old Boeing 737 MAX 8 plunged into the sea just minutes after taking off from nearby Jakarta.

The box was found buried under eight metres (26ft) of seabed mud in waters about 30 metres (98ft) deep, said Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Agung Nugroho, who added that divers had used a hi-tech “ping locator” to find the device.

“We don’t know what damage there is, it has obvious scratches on it,” Nugroho added.

The full timeline of events leading to the crash are likely to remain unclear until the contents of the CVR have been fully analysed.

But aviation authorities have already filed a preliminary report based on information retrieved from the first of the two recorders found - the flight data recorder (FDR), which stores any instructions sent to the electronic systems on the aircraft. This is separate from the CVR, which records the audio from the flight deck, including the crew’s vocal communications with each other and air traffic control.

The preliminary report revealed that following a number of faulty readings during previous flights, the aircraft’s Angle of Attack (AOA) sensor had been replaced and tested on 27 October, two days before the crash.

On 28 October, the pilot of the aircraft noticed that the AOA sensor was giving erroneous readings once again, prompting the aircraft’s new automatic safety system - the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) - to pitch the nose of the Boeing 737-Max down to correct the perceived fault and thereby avoid putting the plane into a stall.

Data shows that the pilot turned off the “stabiliser trim switches” that were causing the plane to auto-correct its AOA and reported the issue upon landing - although a statement from the aircraft’s manufacturer, Boeing, suggests that the extent to which this was flagged by the pilot as a major fault is unclear.

The flight data recorder from the flight that would crash the following day showed that, again, the AOA had given faulty readings, causing the nose to repeatedly pitch down. However, the stabiliser trim switches were not turned off, leaving the pilots struggling, unsuccessfully, to keep the plane under control.

The analysis of the CVR is expected to reveal what the pilots were saying during those final minutes, and why the safety feature was not turned off. The information is expected to be downloaded from the box by Indonesian authorities today.

In mid-November, two weeks after the crash, a formal complaint was filed by a Florida-based law firm on behalf of the parents of Rio Nanda Pratama, a doctor who was on the flight.

The lawsuit focuses on the MCAS system that may have caused the pilots to become confused, the BBC reports.

The lawsuit says that "under certain conditions [MCAS] can push the nose down unexpectedly and so strongly that the pilot cannot pull it back up in time to avoid a crash”, and that the feature “can be triggered even if pilots are manually flying the aircraft and don't expect flight-control computers to kick in”.

The suit adds: “It is particularly surprising to hear from safety experts and the heads of pilots' unions that Boeing failed to warn its customers and the pilots of its new 737 Max aircraft about this significant change in the flight-control systems.”

Boeing said in a statement that it could not comment on ongoing investigations, but that a safety bulletin had been issued reminding pilots how to handle incorrect data provided by the AOA sensor.

The firm added that it was “confident in the safety of the 737-Max”.

The number of people known to have died in the devastating earthquake that hit Indonesia last week has risen to 1,347, authorities have confirmed.

Rescue workers are still sifting through floodwaters and debris left in the wake of the magnitude 7.5 quake, which struck off the coast of Sulawesi on Friday, sending a tsunami up to six metres high crashing onto the island’s northern shore.

The northeastern city of Palu and the surrounding area has been worst hit, with residents facing a fifth day without adequate supplies of food and clean drinking water, CNN reports.

The BBC says that humanitarian relief convoys are entering the city, escorted by soldiers and police.

Local people described mudflow “rolling in like waves” in the city’s Petobo subdistrict, six miles from the shore.

An official from International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent described the situation on the ground as "nightmarish”. “Thousands of families are in desperate need of food, water, shelter and medical treatment,” the aid organisation warns.

Jan Gelfand, who heads the International Red Cross delegation in Indonesia, told reporters that search and rescue efforts are being hampered by the remote location and the extent of the damage to local infrastructure.

“There’s a large, large need [for aid], and I don't think we've quite seen the worst of things yet,” Gelfand told CNN.

The Jakarta Post reports that as many as 2,000 people may be dead in Palu alone.

Indonesian authorities have announced that the bodies of the dead will be tagged and temporarily interred in a mass grave in the hills above the city, to prevent the outbreak of disease.

The bodies are to be dug up and given individual burials at a later date.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is facing heavy scrutiny in the aftermath of the disaster, The Guardian reports.

The BMGK is “standing by their decision to end the tsunami warning during the first hours of the earthquake”, after it lifted the warning just 34 minutes after the quake struck.

An Indonesian teenager who survived 49 days on the ocean after his wooden hut was pushed out to sea by strong winds has been reunited with his family.

Aldi Novel Adilang, 19, was plucked from the ocean by a cargo ship near the US territory of Guam in the western Pacific Ocean on 31 August.

He had been working as a keeper on a floating fish trap called a rompong, anchored to the seabed around 75 miles off the Indonesian coast, when unusually strong winds broke his mooring ropes on 19 July, sending the wooden hut adrift.

Despite lacking paddles or sails and only equipped with a week’s worth of food, gas and drinking water, the 19-year-old was able to survive for seven weeks lost at sea.

As well as eating fish caught from the ocean, Adilang “drank by sipping water from his clothes that had been wetted by sea water”, said Mirza Nurhidayat, the Indonesian consul-general who oversaw the young man’s return home.

“After he ran out of the cooking gas, he burned the rompong’s wooden fences to make a fire for cooking,” he told The Jakarta Post.

Adilang said that more than ten ships had failed to notice him before the Arpeggio picked up his radio signal.

At times, he considered ending his life by jumping into the ocean, The Guardian reports, but credited his Christian faith for keeping him alive, saying he prayed and read the Bible for comfort during his ordeal.

After a week on board the Arpeggio, Adilang was dropped off at the vessel’s next port of call, in Japan, where he was met by Indonesian consular officials.

Adilang, right, poses with a consulate official after his arrival in Japan

Now reportedly in good health, he has returned to his family’s home near Manado, in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province.

“Aldi’s story is indeed dramatic,” said Nurhidayat. “We are thankful to all - the ship’s captain and the Japanese authorities - that have been very helpful in ensuring Aldi’s return.”

A Buddhist woman has been jailed by an Indonesian court for asking a mosque to turn down the volume of its call to prayer.

Meiliana, a 44-year-old Indonesian of Chinese descent, was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to 18 months in prison by Medan District Court in North Sumatra yesterday.

In July 2016, she reportedly complained to a local mosque in her hometown Tanjung Balai that their adzan, or call to prayer, was “‘too loud’ and it hurt’ her ears”, says The Jakarta Post.

In many Islamic countries, the adzan is broadcast from mosques five times a day over loudspeakers.

The dispute escalated, and ultimately “triggered a mass riot in the area in 2016, when angry mobs burned down and damaged several Buddhist monasteries and temples”, the Jakarta Globe reports. Indonesia is home to around 1.7 million Buddhists, but they represent only a tiny minority of 0.8% in the populous nation.

Amnesty International’s Indonesian branch has described her conviction as “ludicrous”, and called for a higher court to reverse the verdict, which it calls a “flagrant violation” of free speech.

The prosecution “based its case on a fatwa issued by the local chapter of the Council of the Indonesian ulema [Islamic scholars], which had described Meiliana’s behaviour as ‘blasphemous’”, Asia News reports.

However, several high-profile Muslim organisations said the prison sentence was excessively harsh and disputed the court’s interpretation of blasphemy.

The Indonesia-based Nahdlatul Ulama, an independent group representing around 40 million Sunni Muslims, said that complaints about the volume of a mosque’s loudspeakers should not be considered an insult to Islam.

“I don’t think a complaint about the volume of a mosque’s speakers is an expression of hate or hostility towards a certain group or religion,” said Robikin Emhas, head of legal affairs and human rights on the group’s executive board.

He added that local Muslims should consider such complaints “constructive criticism” and be mindful of the concerns of “people with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds”.

Human rights activists claim that blasphemy laws are disproportionately used to target religious minorities.

Institute for Criminal Justice Reform executive director Anggara told the Jakarta Post that Indonesian blasphemy laws “are always used in a context where the defendant is considered to insult the majority religion”.

“Articles on blasphemy have to be formulated very carefully because they are closely tied to the subjective whims of the majority,” he said.

The government is investigating claims that sunken British warships are being plundered for scrap metal.

According to The Times, ten British vessels that sank off the coast of Malaysia and Indonesia during the Second World War have been looted by Chinese barges fitted with cranes. The vessels were designated as war graves for around 1,000 sailors.

The wrecks of four ships lying off Malaysia and Indonesia have been raided, according to the paper. This follows reports that “six further wrecks,” including the battleship HMS Prince of Wales and battlecruiser HMS Repulse, were targeted.

Sky News says that other reports have also blamed pirates from Vietnam and Thailand.

The looting of warships is prohibited by the UN International Salvaging Commission. Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, says he is “very concerned” about the reports.

“We will work closely with the Indonesian and Malaysian governments to investigate these claims,” he said. “A military wreck should remain undisturbed and those who lost their lives on board should be allowed to rest in peace.”

According to the Times, the steel in the wrecks attracts looters because it hasn’t absorbed background radiation from atomic weapons. The looted metal can be used for “sensitive medical instruments”.

The pirates reportedly use explosives to break off sections of the wrecks which they raise, or drop massive anchors on the sections to break them apart.

An Australian diving expert told the Mail on Sunday that the metal haul from each ship could fetch “more than £1m” in the Chinese market. He said there were hundreds more wrecks in the region.

A crackdown on petty crime in Indonesia as the country prepares to host the 2018 Asian Games has coincided with a 64% increase in fatal shootings by police officers, according to Amnesty International.

Research conducted by the human rights group found that Indonesian police officers shot dead 77 people this year.

Deaths peaked last month when 14 people were killed and dozens wounded during what Amnesty described as an “excessive” police operation. The aim was to “clean up” the host cities of Jakarta and Palembang ahead of the Games, which run from 18 August to 2 September.

The shootings follow several directives issued in July by high-ranking police officers. Staff were instructed to take firm action against suspects thought to pose a public threat ahead of the influx of overseas visitors, says The Guardian.

Human rights activists say the directives have been widely interpreted as a carte blanche to suppress suspected criminals by whatever means necessary. This includes extrajudicial killing.

Last month, National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian boasted to reporters that he’d told his officers to “finish off” all networks of pickpockets and bag-snatchers, the ABC reports.

“If [they] fight back, don’t hesitate,” he said.

Usman Hamid, Amnesty International’s Indonesia chief, said that the spike in killings revealed a “clear pattern of unnecessary and excessive use of force by the police”.

He added that the officers involved were shielded by a “constant veil of impunity” for their actions, and demanded that action be taken to properly investigate the deaths.

The brutal crackdown was nowhere to be found in President Joko Widodo’s address to the country’s House of Representatives yesterday.

Applauding the Games as a “golden opportunity” to “amaze the world”, Widodo urged the country to come together to “prove that Indonesia is ready to [lift] Asia’s position in the world”, the Jakarta Post reports.

An Indonesian woman abducted by an elderly shaman at the age of 13 has been rescued by police 15 years later.

On Sunday, police responded to reports of a woman being held captive by an 83-year-old man named Jago in the remote village of Galumpang, in Central Sulawesi province.

Under interrogation, the self-proclaimed healer admitted to knowing the woman’s whereabouts, directing police to a rocky outcrop near the village.

There, they discovered a 28-year-old woman, identified in police reports as ‘HS’, hidden in a narrow gap between the rocks.

She told police that she met Jago when her family brought her to him for treatment at the age of 13, the BBC reports.

Soon after, he lured her away from home and abducted her. For the next 15 years, “she was brought to the man's house at night but during the day was forced to stay in the small prison-like cave” (above).

A local told the Jakarta Post that Jago had convinced his victim that he was possessed by a spirit.

District police commander M. Iqbal Alqudusy said that police “suspected that Jago was holding HS to fulfill his sexual needs”, he said. HS told detectives that the shaman had sexually abused her repeatedly while “possessed”, making her drink an abortifacient potion when she missed a period.

To explain her absence, Jago told the girl’s family that she had gone to Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital city, to look for work. To support this account, he is said to have presented her parents with food parcels purportedly sent by their daughter out of her wages.

The woman’s parents said that they had long ago given up hope of seeing their daughter again. However, the Jakarta Post reports that one member of the family allegedly knew of HS’s ordeal all along - her older sister, who is married to Jago’s son.

It was supposedly this connection which led to HS’s discovery. A village resident told reporters that a neighbour contacted the police after she overheard the woman threaten to reveal her sister’s whereabouts during a row with her husband.

Jago has been charged under sex abuse and child protection laws, the BBC reports.

An angry mob slaughtered almost 300 crocodiles at a farm on the Indonesian island of West Papua after a local man was killed by one of the reptiles.

Shocking images show bloodied crocodile carcasses piled high after the mass slaughter in the coastal town of Sorong on Saturday.

A local woman called Olga told the Jakarta Post that the dead man was factory worker called Sugito who was mauled to death while gathering grass to feed his cows.

“A local resident heard him shouting for help but [...] Sugito was found dead,” she said.

Police said that the man fell into an enclosure belonging to a crocodile farm, the Straits Times reports. The 48-year-old victim “was bitten on the leg and then fatally struck by the tail of one of the crocodiles”.

After the man’s funeral, Sugito’s friends and family first headed to a nearby police station to complain about the farm's location near a residential area.

Police informed the angry crowd that the farm had agreed to pay compensation to the dead man’s family.

“But the mob, which numbered in the ‘hundreds’, was not satisfied”, says the Straits Times, and headed to the crocodile farm armed with knives, machetes and shovels which they used to slaughter some 292 crocs, from 10cm-long babies to 2m-long adults, the authorities said.

Armed with “knives, machetes and shovels”, they stormed the farm and set upon the crocodiles - a protected species in Indonesia.

“The residents used knives to slaughter the crocodiles,” Olga told the Post. “The crocodiles were caught and dragged outside and stabbed to death. It was so horrid to see.”

All 292 creatures at the facility were reportedly killed. Authorities said police were outnumbered and unable to stop the violence.

Basar Manullang, head of West Papua’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency, said that the crocodile farm had a government licence to operate and that the mass slaughter was “obviously against the law”. Authorities are investigating the incident.