World News Summary: Economic Protests in Indonesia to the Opening of the 2026 World Cup
In Jakarta, hundreds of students held a large protest to reject the increase in fuel prices (BBM). Although the police tried to divert the demonstration to the DPR building, the students continued to head toward Bundaran HI. They wanted to show the public that the current economic condition is unstable and burdensome for the common people.
The price hike of non-subsidized fuel like Pertamax, which reached 30%, is starting to have a wide impact on society. Many online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers are now forced to switch to Pertalite because of increasingly expensive operational costs. At the same time, the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program in Indonesia is also being criticized. Many observers are calling on the government to conduct a thorough evaluation due to systematic corruption issues and the closure of several nutrition service units.
Issues of legal justice involving members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have also become a serious concern. A military court has handed down prison sentences of under five years for four soldiers who attacked activist Andrie Yunus. However, in North Sumatra, a mother felt deeply disappointed because the TNI soldier who caused her son's death was only sentenced to 10 months in prison. These cases have sparked a debate about the transparency of the legal process in military courts.
From the international political stage, Donald Trump claims that a peace deal to end tensions with Iran is nearly complete. However, the Iranian government immediately denied the claim, calling it mere speculation. Additionally, the United States has also accused the Chinese electric car company, BYD, of having ties to the Chinese military—a charge the company strongly denies.
Meanwhile, the situation in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is heating up due to mass unrest. Hundreds of people engaged in acts of violence targeting immigrant communities following a stabbing incident. Many foreign nationals, especially those who are Black, have become targets of attacks, creating an atmosphere of fear in the city.
News from the sports world brings a bit of excitement with the start of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico. The opening ceremony in Mexico City was colorful, featuring a performance by singer Shakira, although it was briefly marred by protests. For those new to football, a special guide is available to understand the rules and history of the world's most prestigious tournament.