A man and woman were publicly flogged 100 times each in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province on Wednesday after they were found guilty of sex outside marriage by a court operating under strict Islamic law.

Sexual relations between an unmarried couple is outlawed in Aceh, which imposes a version of sharia, the Islamic legal code.

Indonesia banned sex outside of marriage in its latest criminal code in 2022 but that law will not come into force until next year.

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The two were lashed in sets of 10 with a rattan stick as a small crowd watched on at a park in provincial capital Banda Aceh, and the female suspect was lashed by a woman, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.

Three other suspects were caned a combined 49 times for alleged gambling and alcohol consumption.

“Today we are carrying out flogging punishment for perpetrators of adultery, alcohol consumption, and online gambling,” Banda Aceh Mayor Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal told reporters.

“This becomes a moral lesson for the community at large. This flogging punishment becomes a gateway to repentance for them.”

Medical services were on standby for all of those convicted.

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Rights groups have condemned the punishment as draconian.

Yet caning retains strong support among Aceh’s population as a common punishment for a range of offences including gambling, drinking alcohol and adultery.

In February, two men were publicly flogged more than 150 times after being found guilty of sexual relations. Gay sex is outlawed in Aceh.

The region started using religious law after it was granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.
AFP

Elon Musk has criticised a major tax and spending bill backed by President Donald Trump, calling it a “disgusting abomination.”

The legislation, passed by the House of Representatives last month, includes trillions in tax breaks, boosts defence spending, and authorises a significant increase in government borrowing. Analysts estimate it will add about $600 billion to the federal deficit in the next fiscal year.

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk posted on X. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

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Musk’s comments came just one day before he stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a position he held for four months. His departure attracted attention due to his previously close ties with Trump.

A retweet from the X CEO account pushed back against claims of a falling out between the two, stating that Musk’s exit was due to his status as a Special Government Employee, limited to 130 days of service.

“In the coming days, legacy media will try to convince you that President Trump and Elon Musk are no longer friends and that’s why Musk left,” the post read. “What they won’t tell you is that Elon was a Special Government Employee, limited to 130 days of service and that term ends tomorrow.”

Speaking out before his resignation, Musk voiced disappointment with the bill, saying it increases the deficit and undermines the DOGE team’s efforts.

“I think a bill can be big, or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both, in my personal opinion,” he said.

A 59-year-old American actor widely recognised for his work on the animated series, King of the Hill, Jonathan Joss, was shot and killed on Sunday, during a dispute with a neighbour, BBC reported.

According to a statement released by the San Antonio Police Department on Monday, the actor was allegedly shot by 56-year-old Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez. Alvarez has since been arrested and charged with murder.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the circumstances leading to the fatal altercation. The investigation remains ongoing.

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“Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that the Mr Joss’s murder was related to his sexual orientation.

“Investigators handle these allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information.

“Should any new evidence come to light, the suspect will be charged accordingly,” the police said.

Joss was known for his voice role as John Redcorn on King of the Hill and had built a respected career in film and television, particularly for his representation of Native American characters.