Rupiah weakness to around Rp 17,667 per USD raises serious worries among investors and Indonesian firms, threatening higher production costs and potential capital flight. Analysts warn it heightens foreign investors' risk premiums and could curb manufacturing expansion unless the government acts.

Two teenage gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego in the United States on Monday, 18 May 2026, killing three men before the pair ended their own lives a few blocks away, according to local police. The attack is being investigated as a suspected hate crime, with police saying details about the suspects’ backgrounds and motives will be released in the coming days. Among the dead was a mosque security guard who police say played a crucial role in preventing a higher death toll; the Islamic Center houses the Al Rashid School for Arabic, Islamic studies, and the Quran.

Immigration and airport police foiled 32 Indonesian citizens suspected of planning an illegal or non-procedural Hajj, detaining them at Terminal 2F of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Some claimed to be taking a six-day tourist package to Hainan, China, but were reportedly using Saudi work visas, prompting heightened scrutiny. The case highlights intensified monitoring during the Hajj season, with suspects facing penalties under the Hajj and Umrah Law and related Indonesian statutes.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin is set to attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12-13 September 2026, confirmed by the Kremlin. The visit would mark his second trip to India within a year, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and expanding bilateral ties. The BRICS bloc, comprising 11 developing economies, focuses on political, economic, and strategic cooperation.

Children's increasing screen time raises concerns about eye health, prompting a shift toward pediatric vision screening that prioritises the child's development and psychological comfort. A pilot programme by Optik Tunggal in Jakarta demonstrates this approach, aiming to normalise eye checks from an early age and establish lifelong healthy habits, while experts emphasise parental involvement and regulatory guidance to protect children in the digital world.

Aice Group is shifting its CSR from standalone donations to a core element of business strategy through Kaluli, a low-calorie, low-sugar ice cream line. The initiative aims to promote healthier consumption while strengthening social impact, backed by investment in cold chain, distribution, and nutrition transparency.

Xpeng International Holding (Hong Kong) Ltd has acquired 90.1% of PT Era Industri Otomotif from PT Sinar Eka Selaras Tbk (ERAL), reducing ERAL's stake in the company from 99.99% to 9.9% and elevating Xpeng's ownership to 90.1%. The move anchors a long-term strategic collaboration to develop Indonesia's electric vehicle ecosystem, with Xpeng's distribution and service for Indonesia continuing via ERAL's subsidiaries. Despite a 2025 revenue rise, ERAL's net profit declined due to higher operating costs as it invests heavily in lifestyle and automotive segments.

Indonesia's state-owned mining holding MIND ID is pursuing strategic cooperation with Kazakhstan's Tau-Ken Sovereign and rival ERG to advance downstream processing and the bauxite-to-aluminum value chain. The discussions cover exploration, processing, R&D, technology exchange, marketing, and potential NDA, aiming to strengthen Indonesia's position in the global mineral supply chain and attract investment, underpinned by strengthened bilateral ties following the Indonesia-EAEU FTA. The move highlights Kazakhstan's rich mineral resources and its role as a gateway for energy and minerals in Central Asia.

Batam's Immigration Office launched the Eazy Passport service across four locations to bring passport processing closer to residents. The service, including weekend operations at malls, processed 295 applications across sites, with extended hours at K-Square Mall. The event also featured free health checks in collaboration with Puskesmas Baloi Permai, reinforcing the unit's commitment to accessible, people-centred public service under the directive 'Imigrasi Untuk Rakyat'.

During a meeting at Nike’s Beaverton headquarters, Jorge Casimiro, Nike’s Vice President and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer, reaffirmed the company’s long-term strategic commitment to Indonesia as a key production base in Southeast Asia. The Indonesian Consulate-General in San Francisco highlighted Indonesia’s stability, skilled labour, and mature manufacturing ecosystem as critical to Nike’s growth, noting more than 300,000 workers across 50 factories on Java. The dialogue also covered Nike’s domestic market growth, female workforce empowerment (around 76% of workers in Nike’s Indonesian partner factories), and the potential development of Central Java as a new capacity hub.