UN urges torture inquiry after Indonesia police put snake on West Papua boy

Expert panel says incident shows the ‘deeply entrenched discrimination and racism’ faced by Papuans

Indonesian police who used a large snake to terrorise a handcuffed boy is reflective of “a widespread pattern of violence” against indigenous West Papuans, a United Nations panel of experts has said, calling for investigations into numerous cases of violence, unlawful arrest and mistreatment.

Earlier this month a video emerged of Indonesian police interrogating a young boy, in handcuffs and on the floor, while officers wrapped a large snake around him.

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World’s largest bee, missing for 38 years, found in Indonesia

Biologists discover single female Wallace’s giant bee inside a termites’ nest in a tree

As long as an adult thumb, with jaws like a stag beetle and four times larger than a honeybee, Wallace’s giant bee is not exactly inconspicuous.

But after going missing, feared extinct, for 38 years, the world’s largest bee has been rediscovered on the Indonesian islands of the North Moluccas.

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Philippines tops world internet usage index with an average 10 hours a day

South-east Asia has three countries in the top five, while Japan comes in last

South-east Asia is one of the most internet-addicted regions on the planet, with the Philippines topping the global list with an average 10 hours and 2 minutes of screen time every day.

The country was joined in the top five by Thailand and Indonesia, according to findings in a new report on online habits released by HootSuite and We Are Social.

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Indonesia to let UN workers into West Papua as violence continues

UNHCHR wants access after Indonesian military crackdown in response to guerrilla attack

Indonesia has agreed in principle to allow the UN office of the human rights commissioner into West Papua amid continuing violence in the region.

The long-running low-level insurgency violently escalated late last year, after West Papuan guerrillas attacked a construction site in Nduga, killing at least 17 people they claimed were Indonesian military but who Jakarta insists were civilian workers.

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Bali bombings: Indonesia reviews Abu Bakar Bashir’s release after Morrison’s request

PM urges president Joko Widodo to show respect for Australia over the planned early prison release of alleged mastermind

Indonesia’s security minister says the decision to release alleged Bali bombing mastermind Abu Bakar Bashir is being reviewed, hours after Scott Morrison urged president Joko Widodo to show respect for Australia.

The minister, Wiranto, told a hastily called news conference on Monday night that Widodo had asked him to coordinate a review of all aspects of the planned release.

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Vote ‘Dildo for Indonesia’: rivals for president find young voters hard to please

As elections loom, millennials tired of leaders who do not represent them find happiness in spoof social media personalities

With their moustaches, traditional headwear and big campaign promises, Nurhadi and Aldo resemble almost any other politician. But, as Indonesia heads towards a presidential election, looks can be deceiving.

The two presidential candidates are in fact fictional.

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Terrawatch: landslide tsunami lessons from Anak Krakatau

Tsunami warning systems are in place around Indonesia, but they are tailored to earthquake tsunamis

Just over a week ago, the Indonesian volcano Anak Krakatau blew its top, losing about two-thirds of its height.

Most of this 150m cubic metres of rock is thought to have slid into the sea in one go, generating a tsunami that killed more than 400 people. Tsunami warning systems are in place around Indonesia, but they are tailored to earthquake tsunamis, triggering only if an earthquake and large wave are detected.

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The Latest: US commits to ‘security guarantees’ for NKorea

People watch a TV screen showing file footage of U.S. President Donald Trump, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, June 11, 2018. Final prep... .

Police in Phoenix confront armed robbery suspects in house

Trump told Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that it was a "real honor" to... President Donald Trump has thanked the prime minister of Singapore for hosting Tuesday's historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump told Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that it was a "real honor" to be with him.

The Latest: Pompeo offers North Korea security assurances

People watch a TV screen showing file footage of U.S. President Donald Trump, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, June 11, 2018. Final prep... .

From Ice Cube to Black Cube

Trump team sends mixed signals to Europe - National security adviser John Bolton on Sunday carefully doubled down on President Donald Trump's threat that European countries could be sanctioned by the United States if they continue to be involved with Iran. 'This Week' Transcript 5-13-18: President Trump's national security adviser John Bolton - MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC NEWS: Let's talk about that with the president's national security advisor, John Bolton.

How California Could Bust Up the Two-Party System

In wide-open 2020 presidential field, Democrats are road-testing messages - and trying to redefine their party - The future of the Democratic Party has been booking late night TV gigs, waking up for morning drive-time radio and showing up at watering holes in rural counties to try out new material. Joe Biden: the liberal everyman spoiling for a fight with Trump as 2020 looms - The Democratic field is likely to be swollen but the 75-year-old could represent a likable consensus candidate for both wings of the party - Among recent pilgrims to the Arizona ranch of Senator John McCain was Joe Biden.

The Uncommonly Good Obama Portraits

Former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama stand between their portraits at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., February 12, 2018. ve read plenty about the official portraits of Barack Obama, painted by Kehinde Wiley, and Amy Sherald's Michelle Obama.

Indonesia handing over luxury yacht Equanimity to FBI

Indonesian officials prepare to board the luxury yacht 'Equanimity', reportedly worth some 250 million USD and owned by Jho Low, a former unofficial adviser to the Malaysian fund 1MDB, at Benoa Bay in Bali on February 28, 2018 / AFP JAKARTA: A luxury yacht linked to allegations that US$4.5bil was looted from Malaysia's state investment fund 1MDB is being handed over to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation , which is probing the scandal, Indonesian police said Thursday. US and Indonesian authorities last week searched the Cayman Island-registered Equanimity, reportedly worth some US$250mil , which was moored off the Indonesian tourist island of Bali.

Airbus Completes First Flight For Its Commercial Parcel Delivery Drone

Airbus Helicopters' Skyways unmanned air vehicle has successfully completed its first flight demonstration at the National University of Singapore . The drone took off from its dedicated maintenance center and landed on the roof of a specially designed parcel station where a parcel was automatically loaded via a robotic arm.