Topic: Jakarta

Protesters in Indonesia stormed the homes of politicians following a controversial salary increase for parliament members during a cost-of-living crisis. In Mexico, thousands marched to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, calling on President Sheinbaum to address the 130,000 missing persons linked to drug cartels. These international reports highlight widespread civil unrest and government accountability issues.

Democracy Now! reports that Indonesia's health system is on the verge of catastrophe due to the Delta variant. The hosts mock a reporter's claim that patients were "dead on arrival because of a lack of beds," questioning the logic of the statement.

A first-hand account details the rigorous travel requirements for entering Indonesia, including a five-night forced quarantine and the use of the "e-HAC" health app. The report highlights the "Green Zones" in Bali where local workers are allegedly forced to receive the Chinese Sinovac vaccine to maintain their jobs in the tourism sector.

Dame Jennifer announces upcoming No Agenda meetups in Charleston, South Carolina. Another producer, Rain, provides a "boots on the ground" report regarding the difficulties of traveling through Jakarta to Bali under current health restrictions.

Economists predict that oil prices could drop to $10 a barrel as the global economy enters a recession. The price war began when Russia refused to cut production in response to falling Chinese demand, prompting Saudi Arabia to ramp up its own output to bankrupt competitors. Despite the global glut, gas prices in California remain high due to state legislature actions and taxes.

The Christian governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (known as Ahok), was sentenced to two years in prison for blasphemy. The conviction stemmed from a speech where he quoted a verse from the Quran to criticize political opponents who used religion to sway voters. The case is seen as a significant indicator of growing religious intolerance in Indonesia.

Thousands of taxi drivers in Jakarta, Indonesia, protested against ride-hailing apps like Gojek and Uber, claiming their incomes have dropped by 60%. Gojek has disrupted the market by offering motorcycle taxi rides for as little as $1.15. The hosts discuss the extreme traffic congestion in Jakarta and the "copy-paste culture" of the modern app-based service economy.

A personal anecdote about a trip to Jakarta is used to explain Barack Obama's perceived tendency to renege on political deals. The host suggests Obama's formative years in Indonesia instilled a cultural habit of saying "yes" to avoid confrontation without intending to follow through, as seen in his dealings with John Boehner and Bill Clinton.

Adam Curry deconstructs a speech given by John Kerry in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the Secretary of State attempted to explain the "veracity" of climate science using analogies about gravity and boiling water. Kerry cites Maurice Strong, the co-founder of the Chicago Climate Exchange. The hosts mock Kerry's delivery and his comparison of climate change to a weapon of mass destruction.

Documents from Edward Snowden reveal that the Australian embassy in Jakarta serves as a hub for U.S. signals intelligence. In Washington, Senator Patrick Leahy challenged the NSA's claims of thwarting 54 terrorist attacks, revealing the number was actually closer to one. Leahy criticized the "if we can do it, we should do it" attitude of the intelligence community regarding domestic privacy.

A Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 crashed during a demonstration flight in Indonesia, killing 50 people, including potential buyers. Speculation is raised regarding industrial sabotage, noting Boeing's role as a consultant on the project and the intense competition between global aircraft manufacturers.

A review of recent podcast performance shows a decline in listener donations, leading to a discussion on the show's "C-plus" quality. A donor from Jakarta, Indonesia, sparked a comparison between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, noting the prevalence of high-quality pirated DVDs in the region. An anecdote was shared regarding a former mayor in Kuala Lumpur whose house burned down after he attempted to crack down on the local DVD trade.