JAKARTA, June 3 — Indonesian officials arrested today the former head of the country’s free school meals programme, blighted by mass food poisonings and corruption claims, a day after he was fired.

The much-hyped billion-dollar feeding scheme was the flagship policy of President Prabowo Subianto’s 2024 election campaign.

Prabowo fired Dadan Hindayana, an entomologist who had led the National Nutrition Agency since its inception in August 2024, along with two deputies yesterday. All three were taken into custody in Jakarta today.

They stand accused of “crimes in the management” of the programme, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi of the attorney general’s office told reporters.

Authorities earlier raided the nutrition agency’s office as well as the homes of the three defendants, Syarief said.

The government says the programme has provided meals to more than 61 million people by March, but tens of thousands of people have fallen ill since it was rolled out in January last year.

Critics have called for the scheme to be suspended over hygiene concerns and accusations of corruption.

Last month, anti-graft watchdog Indonesia Corruption Watch filed a complaint against Dadan citing alleged budget irregularities.

Syarief said today that foundations appointed by the three defendants to oversee kitchens were allegedly “used as vehicles for crimes”.

“Those foundations received billions of rupiahs in incentives every day, and those foundations were affiliated, owned by” the suspects, he added.

The trio are also accused of overseeing illicit procurement of electric motorbikes, shoes, tablets and television sets.

If found guilty, they could face life imprisonment.

The free meal scheme had a goal of reaching at least 82.9 million children and pregnant and breastfeeding women — nearly one-third of the country’s population.

More than 20 per cent of children in Indonesia are affected by stunting caused by severe malnutrition.

The programme was among the first budget items to be cut back as Jakarta moved to counter the economic impact of the Middle East war.

Dadan, who just Tuesday attended an official event by Prabowo’s side, told parliament last year the programme was responsible for at least 11,000 poisoning cases, with over 600 people hospitalised.

Prabowo has also acknowledged problems and vowed to discipline anyone found guilty of wrongdoing.

Announcing Dadan’s dismissal yesterday, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said that “throughout the ongoing evaluation process, all programmes of the National Nutrition Agency will continue to run as they should”. — AFP

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A timeless stretch of historic Route 66 comes to life at Bridge No. 18 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. This fine art image captures the character of the brick-paved roadway leading toward a weathered vintage International truck in the new park area. The low perspective emphasizes the texture and history beneath your feet while dramatic skies and classic roadside elements create a nostalgic Americana scene that celebrates the enduring spirit of the Mother Road.

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Bogotá, Colombia – Hard right provocateur Abelardo de la Espriella won a shock victory in the first round of Colombia’s presidential elections Sunday, and will head to a run-off with leftist Iván Cepeda in June. 

The most recent voter intention polls had predicted Cepeda beating de la Espriella in the first round by an average of eight points.

With over 99% of votes counted, de la Espriella leads Cepeda, by nearly three percentage points (43.7% to 40.9%). 

A run-off election will take place on June 21 since no candidate achieved over 50% vote share.

Read more: Candidate guides for the 2026 Colombian elections: Abelardo de la Espriella

Voting closely followed political divisions seen in previous elections — including in 2022 when Gustavo Petro won the presidency, as well as the 2016 plebiscite for a peace agreement with FARC rebels — with voters rural areas impacted by Colombia’s armed conflict voting for Cepeda while voters in the heart of the country (save the capital Bogotá) voting for de la Espriella’s Defensores de la Patria ticket. 

Paloma Valencia, a right-wing senator backed by former President Alvaro Uribe, was considered a favorite to make it to the second round alongside Cepeda as recently as early May, but her campaign ran out of steam in the final weeks and she ended with less than 7% of the vote.

Yann Basset, a political scientist from the University of Rosario in Bogotá told Latin America Reports that he expects Valencia’s supporters will rally around de la Espriella, handing him a victory in the run-off in three weeks’ time.

De la Espriella, who has run a slick, AI-augmented social media campaign, promised to “defeat the tyranny of the left.” 

His proposals include the construction of 10 mega-prisons, a la El Salvador strongman Nayib Bukele, and militarization of the whole territory in order to combat illegal armed groups. 

Read more: Candidate guides for the 2026 Colombian elections: Iván Cepeda

For his part, Cepeda ran on a continuation of Petro’s Historic Pact for Colombia party, including continuing efforts to achieve “Total Peace” with its many armed groups and narrowing the inequality gap in society. 

“Colombia can and should be a just country. A country in which each citizen and every community has effective access to indispensable rights, property and services for a fulfilling life,” Cepeda said on the eve of elections. 

Sunday night, Petro said he would not accept the preliminary count results, and defiant Cepeda supporters at the campaign event in the Tequendama Hotel in Bogotá were heard chanting “No pasarán!” (“They will not pass!”), referring to their right-wing rivals. 

Featured image: Abelardo de la Espriella at a campaign rally in Nariño, Colombia in April 2026.

Image credit: Abelardo de la Espriella on X.

The post Bukele-inspired Abelardo de la Espriella wins first round of Colombia elections appeared first on Latin America Reports.

Sony unveiled the Xperia VIII smartphone this week, boasting photographer-focused upgrades and improvements. American buyers, who are yet again missing out on the latest Xperia, may have felt a little left out. Looking at the phone's new AI Camera Assistant with Xperia Intelligence and its terrible results, perhaps U.S. buyers aren't missing out on much at all.

[Read More]

First, some quick Thunderbean news:

We’re cranking on sending out special sets this week – 8 in total! We’re trying hard to catch up on all of these and have this be the most productive year at Thunderbean. I’m particularly happy with this group of the special sets, and thanks to everyone who has contributed to these since it’s made so many of the real sets move forward. We also have two new ones (and all Lantz and all Columbia set) at the Thunderbean Shop, and will be working to get Rainbow Parades volume 2 out the door soon as well as several other official sets. I’m really enjoying seeing many longer-term projects finally out the door, and I know many of you are super happy about that too!

Now- today’s film!

The loveliest thing about this period in time is that we have good quality versions of so many things that used to be only available in both less-than-great versions and standard def. It still makes you wish that *everything* was already available, but that’s of course asking for too much!

For the things that are still not available in HD, having access to a good 35mm scan often suits the bill.

Christopher Crumpet’s Playmate (1956) is a feast for the eyes in its simplicity and ‘modern’ aesthetic. Directed by brilliant animator Robert Cannon, it’s full of both the design sensibility and beautiful animation you would expect. T. Hee takes credit for story (along with Cannon) as well as design, with the great Jules Engel simply getting a credit for color. It’s nice to see a credit for voice actors Marvin Miller and Marian Richman, who provided voices for the first Christopher Crumpet film as well.

The film starts out with Christopher Crumpet’s father making Christopher return a very blue dog, suggesting Christopher play with an imaginary friend instead. From there, it’s a fun little story featuring incredibly supportive parents, something I think a lot of us would have loved. I was lucky in that my own parents really tried to help me with artistic pursuits the best they could. If you did have supportive parents and they’re still around, show them this little film!

Seeing this 35mm print projected recently was a feast for the eyes, and I’m glad to be able to share that print here. Seeing a high definition version on these really make a difference- you see the textures of the paint, the self ink lines on the cels, the detail of grids and phone cords in one scene- and the beautiful quality of motion.

While I don’t see this as a top cartoon from the studio, I find it pretty enjoyable as a little piece of entertainment- and I applaud UPA for making films like this one for families that could work like an animated storybook.

Have a good week all!

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MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed his rejection of proposals to raise fuel prices despite global supply pressures. He said the government will continue covering costly subsidies — which have ranged from RM3 billion to RM7 billion monthly — through austerity and anti‑corruption measures, not debt. 

Anwar stressed that borrowing would burden future generations. His policy has kept RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre, among the lowest globally. 

Social media users remain divided on Malaysia’s fuel subsidy policy. Many argue the subsidies must continue to shield households from inflationary pressures, seeing them as vital to maintaining affordability. 

Others contend that the country faces deeper structural issues that require urgent attention, suggesting that diverting part of the subsidy funds toward healthcare, education, or infrastructure could yield greater long‑term benefits. 

Some Malaysians believe the government’s insistence on maintaining fuel subsidies is politically motivated, claiming the subsidies are being pushed ahead of upcoming elections in Negeri Sembilan and Johor, suggesting they might be removed sooner if no polls were looming. 

They also questioned why Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim repeatedly highlights the subsidy burden, framing it as though he is offering charity to voters. 

Others are puzzled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his repeated remarks on subsidies. On X, one noted that Anwar constantly emphasises the billions of ringgit spent monthly to maintain fuel subsidies, yet simultaneously rejects raising fuel prices for Malaysians. This contradiction has left many questioning whether the government’s messaging is consistent. 

Comments on social media also highlight frustrations with Malaysia’s public transportation system. One pointed out the irony of the government’s focus on fuel subsidies and private vehicles, even as rising fuel prices strain the nation, and argued that strengthening public transit would be a more effective long‑term solution, reducing reliance on cars and easing future subsidy burdens. 

Social media users appear increasingly fatigued by the constant discourse surrounding Malaysia’s fuel crisis. Some believe the government’s emphasis on subsidies is necessary to counter rapid inflation, while others argue it is merely a tactic to secure electoral support. 

Yet both perspectives highlight frustration that neither approach addresses the country’s deeper structural challenges. 

This article (Malaysian Prime Minister to continue petrol subsidies) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

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Karen Dore Photography

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Gas Malaysia Bhd has deployed the first LOOP system in Asia Pacific, using technology developed by Levidian Nanosystems Ltd to produce graphene and capture carbon from methane.

This breakthrough reinforces Gas Malaysia’s transformation under its GM32 growth strategy, evolving beyond its traditional role as a gas distributor into a provider of high-value solutions and an ecosystem builder in advanced materials.

Developed in collaboration with United Kingdom-based Levidian, the LOOP technology transforms methane into high-quality graphene and hydrogen-rich gas, creating new value from existing gas infrastructure while enabling cleaner and more efficient industrial applications.

Speaking at the launch of the “From Methane to Graphene: Revolutionising Industry with Graphene” initiative here today, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang said the strong collaboration between Malaysia and the UK, as evidenced by the partnership between Gas Malaysia and Levidian, will complement NanoMalaysia Bhd’s (NMB) ongoing efforts and further galvanise the national advanced materials ecosystem.

He said the deployment of Levidian’s LOOP technology in Malaysia, marking its first installation in the Asia Pacific, reflects growing international confidence in the country’s industrial ecosystem.

“The new graphene production technologies, such as Levidian’s LOOP, can complement existing graphene production facilities in Malaysia, thereby increasing national graphene output, strengthening supply

security and supporting broader downstream adoption by Malaysian industries.

“More importantly, such partnerships create opportunities beyond technology deployment alone. They facilitate knowledge exchange capability development, talent enhancement, and collaborative innovation, thereby strengthening Malaysia’s long-term competitiveness,” said Chang.

Also present were Gas Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin, British High Commission Kuala Lumpur Trade and Investment director Richard Colley, and Levidian United Kingdom chief commercial officer Ian Hopkins.

Chang highlighted the role of NMB in advancing the development and commercialisation of graphene-based solutions through the National Graphene Action Plan 2020 (NGAP 2020) and the Graphenovation Programme under the 11th and 12th Malaysia Plans.

He said that through these initiatives, NMB, an agency under his ministry, has brought together industry players, universities and research institutions on a triple-helix platform to stimulate market demand and accelerate the growth of Malaysia’s graphene ecosystem. 

Chang said the ministry also provides further support to NMB to establish the local supply side of graphene through the Strategic Research Fund for the Biomass Innovation Circular Economy Programme (BICEP).

He said that, via BICEP, NMB has been working with a local university on developing local technology to convert palm-based biogas, specifically biomethane, into hydrogen and graphene to support Malaysia’s emerging Hydrogen Economy and National Industrial Master Plan aspirations.

“This effort is important because it demonstrates how Malaysia’s natural and biomass-based resources can be upgraded into higher-value outputs.

“Instead of treating methane merely as a fuel or an emission source, it can be converted through a locally patented hydrogen pyrolysis process, which produces graphene, supporting the development of high-value industrial applications.

“As a byproduct, the technology also enables its conversion into hydrogen. By the same token, if methane from fossil fuel sources is used, the process can be interpreted as a carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) mechanism, thereby supporting the clean energy agenda,” he said.

Chang said this is significant as Malaysia remains the only country in Asean with a national-level graphene programme, positioning the country as a regional frontrunner in graphene application development, industrial adoption and commercialisation.

“To date, these efforts have also contributed to a growing portfolio of graphene-related intellectual property (IP), including 92 IP filings and 16 patents granted, demonstrating Malaysia’s progress in translating graphene research and development into protectable, commercially relevant technologies,” he said. — Bernama