There's an old pair of shoes that became famous, far beyond the thoughts of their unknown maker.

Driving her small car to work every morning, Evie feels quite at home zigzaging through the traffic jam, "just like back in Jakarta," she said, heading towards the prestigious El Colegio de Mexico, which has been her place of work for almost two decades. But for a twist of fate, Evie would have been teaching at a university in Tokyo, Japan, in 1997. Instead, she flew to Mexico City on the other side of the world, and what was to have been a three-year posting turned out to be an indefinite stay. "I fell in love with the place," said Evie, explaining her reason for staying on.

Richard Joost Lino, the current CEO of state-owned Pelindo II, is known for his straight talk and penchant for betting. This is evident in how he faces challenges and opposition, whether from his own employees, his colleagues or even government ministers. Recently, Lino was reported to the police by Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician, Masinton Pasaribu, who is also a former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) official, for allegedly giving a gratuity to State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno.

Anew study claims that with better-targeted conservation laws, there is still time to save the critically endangered Sumatran Rhinoceros. The report is based on an analysis of nearly a 6,000-square kilometer area in Sumatra, making it the most extensive study of the elusive, critically endangered mammal to date.

The simultaneous local and regional elections of chief executives with sole or unopposed candidates will finally be able to take place. The Constitutional Court last week allowed sole or unopposed running mates to take part, thus avoiding any delays or postponements. Hence, the December 9 regional and local elections will take place with three of the localities having sole or unopposed running mates.

Gayus Tambunan has shocked the public three times.

An Open Letter from an Illegal Student

Hana Salomina Hikoyabi is an activist from Papua, who uses her bureaucratic savvy to get things done. She was vice chair of the Papua People's Assembly during the 2006-2011 period and is currently the head of the Regional Development Planning Board for Jayapura Regency. Hana founded the tabloid Suara Perempuan Papua (Voice of Papuan Women), to publicize issues related to violence against women, the need to acknowledge people living with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), for information on access to justice and the conservation of Papua's mega-biodiversity.

The Constitutional Court last Tuesday granted part of the judicial review request regarding single candidacies in Law No. 8/2015 on gubernatorial, regent and mayoral elections. The verdict gave the green light to regions with single-pair candidates to hold regional head elections.

DOZENS of people were beating Salim, savagely, as his 13-year-old child looked on. They struck the 52-year-old man repeatedly, using sticks, wooden blocks and other objects. The child, Dio Eka Saputra, was running back and forth, shouting for help. None of his neighbors came to his father's aid.

OIL
Pertamina Lowers jet fuel Price

A dragonfly plane flies low and slow in the skies over Cilangkap village, Banten, last week. The Dakota Piper PA-28 aircraft is clearly visible from a signpost marked 'International Airport Area, Lebak, Banten.'

One evening at the end of 1952, 17 young Indonesians reached Clark Air Base in the Philippines. In the night, they were transported to Saipan island in the middle of the South Pacific, which has served as a US military base since 1950. "On hand was Central Intelligence Agency [CIA] instructor Gilbert Layton," wrote military intelligence observer Ken Conboy in his book, Intel: Inside Indonesia's Intelligence Service.

This year, Indonesia and India mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. However, the ties between the two nations have existed much longer, predating the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of India. These connections span social, cultural, religious, economic, and trade aspects. But do those close ties of the past have any bearing on the present relationship? Why is there no direct flight between the capitals of the two countries?

Indian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Sandeep Chakravorty, shares his views on this matter at TEMPO TALKS.