Indonesia News
Local Government Tries to Turn ‘Sex Mountain’ into a Religious Tourism Site
Mount Kemukus in Sragen, Central Java, has long been known as the “sex mountain”, where people come from all over Indonesia to perform adulterous rituals to honor a local saint. After a string of coverage by foreign media outlets, the local government has shut down the site, where prostitution was also rampant. But the Sragen regent Kusdinar Sukowati is planning to reopen Mount Kemukus, this time as a religious tourism site. —Coconuts
Anti-graft Commission to Auction Confiscated Assets
This week, Indonesia’s anti-graft commission (KPK) will auction off 54 confiscated items from convicted corruptors. The items include a Jaguar, a Jeep Wrangler, jewelry, and smartphones. The annual KPK auction is very popular, because the items will be sold for cheap, possibly below the market price. —Tempo
Videos by VICE
Mount Agung Eruption Will Last for Months, Experts Say
Mount Agung’s small eruption on Tuesday was just the beginning. Locals are anticipating a much bigger follow-up eruption, but it may take months until the volcano reaches that point. “Mount Agung is a ‘closed’ type of volcano, so it can take many months until vulcanian eruption happens,” said one expert. —Tribunnews
No End in Sight For Indonesia’s ‘Virginity Tests’
Indonesia’s military and police forces have refused to abolish its “virginity test” of female applicants, ignoring pressures from Human Rights Watch. The testing includes the “two finger test” to determine whether the female hymen is still intact. Senior military and police officers have said that this practice is intended for “mental health and morality reasons.” —Human Rights Watch
International News
Uber Paid Hackers to Cover Up a Breach That Exposed Data of 57 Million People
Uber paid hackers $100,000 USD to keep quiet about the breach of the personal data of its 57 million drivers and users worldwide in October 2016. Uber did not notify the individuals whose personal data such as names, email addresses, phone numbers and license plate numbers were stolen by those hackers. Chief security officer Joe Sullivan was one of the two employees fired for their decision to conceal this massive global breach. —The Guardian
Zimbabwe Waits for Emmerson Mnangagwa to Step In As New Leader
Zimbabweans celebrated the end of President Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule on Tuesday, and are now waiting for Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was dismissed as vice president to make way for Mugabe’s wife Grace to succeed him, to come back to Harare. Mnangagwa has not been seen in Zimbabwe since his dismissal in November, and is expected to be sworn in this Thursday. —CNN
Philippine Economy Grows Despite Political Instability
Many eyes are on the Philippines’ human rights violation records, but the government hopes the world will shift its attention to the country’s impressive GDP growth. The economy of the Philippines grew 6.9 percent in the third quarter of this year, surpassing expectations, thanks to robust expansions on the country’s industrial and service sectors. —Financial Times
All Female Motorbike Squad is Delhi’s Answer to Crimes Against Women
Delhi police force has created an all female motorcycle squad called Raaftar—meaning”speed”—to combat harassment against women. The specially trained female officers will carry firearms, pepper sprays, body cameras, and stun guns. The squad is hoped to discourage offenders in the city many call India’s “rape capital”. —The Guardian
Everything Else
Cambodia’s Bordertown Sin City Is a Post-Apocalyptic Gambler’s Hell VICE
How and Why Women Become Serial Killers
Broadly talks to author Tori Telfer on how gender norms affect the treatment of female serial killers and why some women become cold-hearted murderers. —Broadly
Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation’ Sold 1.2 Million Copies in a Week, Chaos Reigns
It doesn’t matter if Taylor Swift’s fourth album is her most critically unpopular album in years. Reputation still sold 1.216 million copies in its first week, making it Swift’s fourth million selling week. —Noisey
