☕ The Indonesian Protests

Good morning!

We’re keeping an eye on a scheduled televised announcement from the White House by President Trump at 2pm (local time) - no one knows what exactly will be announced, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said it may be related to defense. We’ll have to wait and see.

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Some headlines from this morning:

• The latest wave of Israeli strikes in Gaza has killed at least 31 people. It follows a weekend of bombardment, which the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed killed a Hamas chief military spokesperson. At least 13 people were killed in Gaza City on Monday, according to health officials. The IDF declared the city a combat zone last week, as it continues preparations for its planned takeover of the strip. The proposal has drawn widespread criticism from global democracies. Meanwhile, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGC) has passed a resolution condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza. Out of its 500 members, 28% took part in the vote and 86% of those who voted supported the resolution. The IAGC ruled Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza “meet the legal definition of genocide” and “constitute war crimes”. The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the resolution “an embarrassment to the legal profession and to any academic standard.”

• The death toll from an earthquake in Afghanistan has surpassed 1,400, according to the United Nations humanitarian agency. The magnitude six quake struck eastern Afghanistan on Monday morning, injuring at least 3,100. Rescue crews are working to find survivors, with ongoing landslides and aftershocks hampering efforts. The Taliban-run Government has called on the international community to provide aid. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the impacts of the earthquake “devastating.” “Our thoughts are with the Afghan people, as well as the Afghan community in Australia,” she said. The Department of Foreign Affairs is now working with the UN and aid groups on the ground “to establish the extent of damage,” as part of relief efforts. 

• At least 1,000 people died in a landslide that destroyed a mountain village in western Sudan, with only one survivor reported from the disaster. The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, which controls the area, said torrential rains wiped out the village of Tarseen in the Darfur region and appealed for international help to recover bodies. Group leader Abdelwahid Mohamed Nur warned that "nearby villagers are overwhelmed with fear" of similar disasters if heavy rains continue. Sudan’s civilians are particularly vulnerable to environmental disasters after being displaced in Sudan's two-year civil war, which has left over half the population facing severe hunger and millions exposed to seasonal flooding.

• Nestlé fired CEO Laurent Freixe on Tuesday after he failed to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate. The dismissal came just one year after Freixe was appointed to lead the world's largest food company, with coffee unit head Philipp Navratil named as his replacement. Chairman Paul Bulcke said the undisclosed relationship violated company conduct policies, calling the firing "a necessary decision" following an internal investigation. The leadership change comes as Nestlé navigates declining consumer spending and potential new trade tariffs that could affect global food companies.

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President Trump will award Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, according to a Truth Social post Monday. The announcement comes as Giuliani faces ongoing legal battles related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

The announcement

Trump announced the decision on social media, calling Giuliani "the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City." The timing follows Giuliani's recent hospitalization after a car accident in New Hampshire, where he suffered a fractured vertebra and multiple injuries when another vehicle struck his car from behind. Giuliani was discharged from the hospital Monday and has not yet responded to Trump's announcement. No ceremony date has been set.

"Rudy never stopped fighting for America," Trump wrote in his announcement. The former president has previously praised Giuliani's loyalty throughout various investigations.

The White House has not announced when the medal ceremony will take place. Trump has indicated he plans to issue the award before the end of his current term.

What is the Medal?

The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes "exceptionally meritorious contributions" to national security, world peace, or other significant endeavors. Past recipients include Muhammad Ali, Dr. Jane Goodall, and former President Joe Biden.

The decision highlights Trump's continued support for allies who backed his election claims, despite many facing legal consequences.

“America’s Mayor”

Giuliani earned the nickname "America's Mayor" for his leadership during the September 11 attacks, when he coordinated rescue efforts and provided steady public communication during the crisis.

But his reputation has been severely damaged by his role as Trump's lawyer challenging the 2020 election results. He faces criminal charges in two states and was ordered to pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers after losing a defamation lawsuit. He's been disbarred in both New York and Washington, D.C.

Critics have questioned awarding the nation's top civilian honor to someone facing multiple legal challenges. Giuliani's legal team declined to comment on the timing.

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Anti-government protests across Indonesia entered their fifth day Tuesday, with at least seven people killed and over 1,200 arrested as demonstrations spread to multiple cities. The unrest began over politician pay raises amid public spending cuts and escalated after police killed a protester. Here's what you need to know.

What’s happening

Demonstrations have erupted in seven cities across five Indonesian islands, with protesters targeting government buildings, police stations, and politicians' homes. The capital Jakarta has seen over $3.3 million in damages, according to Governor Pramono Anung.

President Prabowo Subianto canceled a planned trip to China and promised both concessions and a crackdown. "I have ordered [police and military] to take action as firm as possible," he said in a video address Friday.

How it started

The protests began August 25 when thousands gathered outside parliament after the government announced a "housing allowance" for politicians worth nearly 10 times Indonesia's minimum wage.

The timing sparked outrage because Prabowo, who took office less than a year ago, has imposed austerity measures cutting public spending on education, health, and infrastructure.

"We're protesting corrupt elites," said student group Gejayan Memanggil, which also criticized paramilitary groups operating in the country.

The tipping point

Violence escalated Friday when an elite paramilitary unit's armored truck struck and killed 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan while driving through protesters.

Both Prabowo and the police chief apologized for Kurniawan's death, but the incident transformed localized demonstrations into nationwide unrest.

Casualties

Of the seven confirmed deaths, three occurred when protesters set a council building on fire, one died after being mistakenly targeted by a mob as an intelligence officer, and others died in clashes with police.

More than 700 people have been injured and over 1,200 arrested as security forces attempt to restore order.

Government response

Prabowo has made some concessions, agreeing to cut the controversial housing allowances and travel stipends for politicians. He also announced investigations into Kurniawan's death.

"Trust the government and my leadership," Prabowo said in his video address, while warning protesters about continued illegal actions.

The protests show no signs of slowing despite government promises of reform. Student groups continue organizing demonstrations, and social media shows ongoing clashes between protesters and security forces.

The unrest represents Prabowo's first major domestic crisis since taking office, testing his ability to balance public demands with security concerns.

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