We are all being forced to get used to a brave new post-truth world. A Trump world of fake news. A world where blatant liesfor instance on the size of the crowd in Washington for the presidential inaugurationare 'alternative facts'.

FATHER Carolus made the news last year, when a number of foreigners convicted of drug crimes were executed on Nusa Kambangan Island. Charles Patrick Edward Burrowsa priest known among locals as Romo (Father) Carolushad accompanied the inmates, among others Brazilian Rodrigo Gularte and Nigerian Okwudili Oyatanze, and watched them until the end.

President Joko Widodo's decision to grant Antasari Azhar clemency has raised questions. Convicted over the murder of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, director of Putra Rajawali Banjaran company, Antasari feels he was made a scapegoat during the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Now, President Jokowi has apparently used his prerogative to undermine Yudhoyono, who still wields considerable political influence.

The plan of Constitutional Court Chief Justice Arief Hidayat, 61, to take some days off in his hometown of Semarang three weeks ago, was not to be. When he landed at Ahmad Yani Airport that Thursday morning, he was all set to go teach at the 17 Agustus 1945 University in the city. But a telephone call from Jakarta made him turn around and fly right back to Jakarta. But not before a journalist gave him the shock of his life, when he was asked to comment on a news report that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had arrested one of his judges.

THE government has proposed standardizing Friday prayer khatib (preachers or persons delivering sermons) to the House of Representatives (DPR). The proposal, said Minister for Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, is based on reports about certain preachers who might pose a threat to the unity of the muslim community. "We could use the most moderate standards," said the minister.

Truth has been dethroned. It has become chance. When we become sick to death witnessing polical campaigns that sell themselves agressively to the masses while mobilizing intellectuals considered respected and honest, but still speak full of passion and ignore slander and fake news then 'truth' seems to be tucked away somewhere. If we are lucky, we can find it.

FOR Yeny Sunaria Haning, corn starch is not just good for making porridge or as a thickening agent for food. Mixed with breast milk, maizena or cornstarch becomes a supplementary food ingredient to help babies gain weight. "But the milk and corn starch mixture must be consumed regularly," said Yeny, who is Kupang City's Exemplary Nurse for 2015.

Antasari Azhar says he no longer holds a grudge for the hard times he endured during his seven years in prisont. But Antasari still insists that the police reinvestigate the six-year old case. "I just want the truth," said the former chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Today, only one pump at a fuel station at Jalan Ciater in South Tangerang sells Premium. In the past, the station had three Premium gasoline pumps, but the owner converted two of the three pumps for Pertalite.

IN the past two weeks, we have been honored with various awards. The press and journalistic community's appreciation of our investigative work, creative designs, innovations and for the dedication of our senior staff have truly humbled us and given us joy. We view the awards as reminders to keep striving for quality reporting and to avoid becoming a profit-oriented media outlet that disregards the interests of our readers.

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.