Rediscovered "Living Fossil" Echidna Amazes Scientists in Indonesia

Jessica Kumala Wongso, known as the "Iced Coffee Killer," has given an exclusive interview to Australian television following her release from Indonesian prison. Wongso served eight years of a 20-year sentence for the premeditated murder of her friend, Wayan Mirna Salihin, who died after consuming a cyanide-laced iced coffee in 2016. Despite her conviction, Wongso has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming at a recent press conference that she has "forgiven everyone who wronged" her, according to ABC Australia. During her trial, prosecutors claimed that Wongso killed Salihin out of jealousy regarding a recent marriage and Salihin's suggestion that she break up with a boyfriend. The chief judge later described the act as "vile and sadistic." Wongso, in her interview, distanced herself from Salihin, stating, “We weren’t close at all,” and expressed confusion over how the incident unfolded, saying, “I think she just took a sip and got really sick.” As a condition of her parole, Wongso is required to remain in Jakarta until 2032.

In a tragic incident related to recent floods in Indonesia, 28-year-old pregnant Munirah was killed by a crocodile while preparing lunch in her stilted home on May 27. At eight months pregnant, she was unable to fend off the attack, which occurred as floodwaters from the Mambulu River pushed dangerous wildlife into human settlements, according to local police chief AKP Supriyadi. Witnesses stated that Munirah's sister, hearing her screams, rushed to help but was too late. Attempting to cling to a tree branch, Munirah was ultimately overpowered by the crocodile and pulled into the river. Villagers searched the area following the attack and located her body half an hour later. This incident brings renewed attention to the increasing risks posed by wildlife encounters during natural disasters in Indonesia. Officials have previously recorded similar occurrences, including another fatal crocodile attack last year. Authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution around rivers and flooded areas to prevent further tragedies. This incident reflects the vulnerabilities faced by communities in flood-prone regions and calls for better wildlife safety measures.

A man and woman in Indonesia's Aceh province were publicly flogged 100 times each on Wednesday for engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage, a practice sanctioned under the local implementation of Islamic law, or sharia. The punishment took place in the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, where the couple was lashed in sets of 10 while a crowd observed, as reported by Agence France-Presse. Aceh is known for its stringent application of sharia law, which includes bans on premarital sexual relations. Although Indonesia adopted a law banning sex outside of marriage in 2022, it is set to take effect next year. Banda Aceh Mayor Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal stated that such punishments serve as "moral lessons" for the community and a means for the offenders to seek repentance. Three other individuals were also flogged a total of 49 times for gambling and alcohol consumption. Rights organizations condemned the practice as excessively harsh, yet public support for caning remains strong in Aceh, where it serves as a punishment for various offenses, including adultery and alcohol use.