A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto on Japan's Kyushu Island, prompting Indonesian diplomatic missions to issue safety advisories. The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo has urged all Indonesian citizens in the area to stay calm, monitor official information, and follow evacuation instructions from local authorities. The embassy is coordinating with the consulate in Osaka and local Indonesian community networks to monitor the situation.

A woman in Way Kanan Regency, Lampung, gave birth inside a car while being transported to a community health centre (Puskesmas) after the 12-kilometre journey was reportedly hindered by damaged roads.

The Constitutional Court (MK) is set to deliver its ruling on the judicial review of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme's placement within the 2026 state budget. The decision, scheduled for Thursday, 30 July 2026, follows a series of hearings that began in February. The case challenges the allocation of the MBG programme under the education budget as stipulated in Law Number 17 of 2025.

A Bakri, a member of the House of Representatives from the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction, has died. PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan expressed his condolences and praised Bakri's service to the party and the nation. The party announced the passing on its official social media accounts.

Banten Governor Andra Soni reports that 140 locations across seven cities and regencies are suffering from drought due to an extreme El Niño-induced dry season. The provincial government is coordinating short-term water aid distribution while studying the feasibility of drilling boreholes to secure future water supplies. Kota Tangerang is the only area in the province not currently affected.

The Ministry of Forestry has designated PT GTP as a corporate suspect for allegedly encroaching on the Tanjung Piayu Protected Forest in Batam, Riau Islands. The company is accused of illegally clearing nearly two hectares of land and constructing a road using heavy machinery without permits. Officials emphasised that corporate accountability is crucial for establishing fair and sustainable forest governance.

The newly elected leader of the Indonesian Catholic Students Association (PMKRI), Delvis Rettob, has called for internal unity following a dynamic congress and pledged to reposition the organisation to address national issues. Rettob emphasised plans to strengthen partnerships with central and regional governments, as well as state institutions, to broaden the group's societal contributions. He secured the chairmanship after his sole remaining opponent withdrew before the final round of voting.

The Society of Indonesian Environmental Journalists (SIEJ) has found that indigenous communities are rarely used as primary sources in news coverage of the Customary Law Communities Bill. An analysis of 27 articles revealed that out of 48 source citations, only seven came from indigenous peoples, while members of parliament and civil society organisations dominated the narrative. Legislators responded by affirming the importance of the bill in providing legal certainty and protecting indigenous rights amid ongoing agrarian conflicts.

Police in South Sulawesi have uncovered a case where three children were among 11 people exploited to carry out online fraud from a house in Sidrap Regency. A 26-year-old recruiter has been arrested, while another suspect remains at large. The victims, who also included adults from various regions, were forced to run scams offering goods for sale.

The East Java High Prosecutor's Office has named ED, the Head of the Geology and Groundwater Division at the provincial Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) office, as a fourth suspect in a corruption case involving illegal levies on licensing. ED allegedly ordered a subordinate to collect illicit payments from 217 water use permit applicants, amassing a total of IDR 1.33 billion. The suspect is accused of controlling the management of these funds, requiring his approval for all expenditures, and faces multiple charges under Indonesia's anti-corruption laws.

A member of Indonesia's House of Representatives is urging the government to expedite efforts to free four Indonesian citizens held hostage by Somali pirates since April 2026. The parliamentarian is coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the military to form a task force, while the families of the hostages plead for immediate action and information after a month of silence.

Iran has threatened to block vessels from nations or companies that utilise its frozen assets, following a statement by US President Donald Trump. Trump declared that damages to ships and cargo in the Gulf region would be compensated using Iranian funds held by the United States. The escalating rhetoric heightens tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint for oil and gas shipments.

An academic from Yogyakarta State University has urged the government to focus on improving lecturer welfare and quality before establishing the planned Universitas Republik Indonesia. Pangesti Wiedarti argues that the main challenge facing Indonesian higher education is not a lack of institutions but the need to strengthen human resources. She suggests the new university project should begin with a limited pilot and a transparent academic blueprint.

Academics, legal observers, and student organisations are calling for transparent and professional handling of the alleged corruption case involving former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah. They stress that public trust in law enforcement institutions is at stake, particularly regarding evidence such as cash and gold found at his residence. The groups are urging continuous public oversight to ensure the investigation proceeds independently and fairly.

The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a weather forecast for Wednesday, predicting light rain to thunderstorms in various parts of the country. Pekanbaru and Tanjung Selor are expected to experience rain accompanied by lightning, while light rain is forecast for numerous other cities including Banda Aceh, Medan, and Jayapura. The agency also warned of hazy conditions in Pontianak and Mataram, urging the public to monitor official channels for updates.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has outlined strategies to mitigate the impact of a prolonged dry season in Jakarta, including weather modification operations. The agency emphasised that the creation of artificial rain is situational and depends entirely on the availability of suitable clouds. Ground-based generators have also been installed on tall buildings to help trigger rainfall when conditions are right.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon has emphasised cultural diplomacy as an effective soft power tool to bolster relations between nations amid an increasingly complex global geopolitical landscape. He stated that culture creates space for dialogue, builds trust, and strengthens people-to-people connections as the foundation for sustainable international partnerships. The remarks were made during a Moroccan-Indonesian arts event in Jakarta, which he cited as a tangible example of bridging civilisations through music, poetry, and artistic expression.

The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has clarified that the Hajj and Umrah Implementation Law is not designed to criminalise individuals organising independent umrah trips for family and relatives. The DPR's legal representative stated that the law's provisions specifically target unlicensed Umrah Travel Organisers (PPIU), not private citizens. The Constitutional Court has requested further elaboration from the government on the definition of 'independent' umrah and the role of service providers.

The Indonesian Attorney General's Office has disclosed that a state audit uncovered an estimated Rp10.5 trillion in annual budgetary waste within the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. The revelation emerged during a pretrial hearing for a former deputy head of the National Nutrition Agency who is challenging his suspect status. The prosecution indicated the detailed breakdown of the alleged waste would be presented during the main corruption trial.

Indonesia's Joint Regional Defence Command III has deployed two Air Force attack helicopters to hunt down remnants of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) suspected of killing three indigenous Papuans in Yahukimo Regency. The military commander emphasised that the armed group targets not only migrants and foreign nationals but also native Papuans.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) plans to conduct situational weather modification operations to reduce high temperatures in Jakarta. The operations will involve inducing rain when suitable clouds are present, in collaboration with the Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency. The measure is intended to be taken after extended dry spells, which also contribute to declining air quality in the capital.

President Prabowo Subianto has directed the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to enhance national water security technologies in anticipation of potential droughts caused by the El Nino phenomenon. The instruction was given during a limited meeting on extreme weather, where BRIN presented 13 water technologies, including advanced weather modification and seawater desalination. BRIN is now coordinating with the Ministry of Public Works to accelerate the implementation of these technologies at various locations.

China has refuted suggestions that President Prabowo Subianto's recent criticisms of foreign entities exploiting Indonesia's natural resources were directed at Beijing, emphasising that bilateral investment ties remain mutually beneficial. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that the remarks were not aimed at China and expressed confidence that Jakarta would continue to protect the lawful rights of Chinese companies. The denial comes amid rising resource nationalism in Prabowo's speeches and despite significant Chinese investment flows, which totalled $11.5 billion in the first half of 2026.

Indonesia and Morocco have reinforced their bilateral ties through a cultural performance in Jakarta, highlighting the role of art as a universal language. The event, featuring traditional music, builds on a historical relationship dating back to the 14th-century travels of Moroccan explorer Ibnu Batutah to the Indonesian archipelago. Both nations emphasised their shared values of moderation, tolerance, and the importance of people-to-people connections alongside formal diplomacy.

The Indonesian government is pushing to enact a new Cooperatives Law this year, replacing outdated 1992 legislation to modernise the sector. Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono outlined plans to expand cooperatives into strategic industries, including managing idle oil wells and reviving a cooperative bank. The initiative also involves transforming Ikopin University into a Public Service Agency to develop professional managers for new nationwide village and urban cooperatives.

The Indonesian government is pushing to pass a new Cooperatives Law this year to modernise the sector, with plans to expand cooperatives into strategic industries and potentially revive a cooperative bank. The initiative also includes transforming the Indonesian Institute of Cooperatives into a public service agency to train professional managers for the newly established Red and White Village Cooperatives.

North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution emphasised that food security is a fundamental responsibility of the government at all levels, from the national down to the village. He highlighted the success of President Prabowo's agricultural programmes, particularly in crop absorption, and pledged to collaborate with farming groups like Tani Merdeka. The Tani Merdeka organisation also expressed support for agricultural zoning in the province and announced North Sumatra will host a national farmers' consolidation meeting.

Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK) Indonesia, gjennom Satgas PASTI, har stanset driften av plattformen Snapboost på grunn av mistanke om en uredelig 'Click to Earn'-ordning. Plattformen skal ha lokket brukere med løfter om daglige inntekter og henvisningsbonuser for interaksjoner på sosiale medier. Tiltaket understreker myndighetenes økende innsats for å bekjempe ulovlige finansielle aktiviteter og beskytte forbrukere mot svindel i det digitale rom.

Bank Jatim and Bank NTB Syariah, in collaboration with the Indonesian Zakat Initiative, have provided free eyeglasses to 220 primary and secondary school students across East Java. The corporate social responsibility programme aims to support education by addressing undiagnosed vision problems that hinder learning. The initiative is part of Bank Jatim's 65th-anniversary celebrations and underscores the role of regional development banks in fostering community welfare.

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has called for heightened preparedness ahead of the dry season, warning that the El Niño phenomenon could intensify. He highlighted the need to secure water resources for clean water and irrigation, while also anticipating forest and land fires in vulnerable provinces.

Febrie Adriansyah, the former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, is being held at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detention centre following his arrest for alleged money laundering. His lawyer confirmed he receives no special treatment, sharing standard meals such as fried eggs and rice vermicelli with other detainees. The Attorney General's Office stated the placement at the KPK facility was to ensure transparency and his protection during the investigation.