Wildfire Haze & Power Strain (Philippines): Metro Cebu faced “acutely unhealthy” air quality while the Visayas grid stayed under a Red Alert for hours, with officials linking the haze to Indonesian forest and peat fires and cross-equatorial winds; schools shifted to flexible learning and authorities urged precautions. Indonesia’s Free Meals Crisis: Another wave of suspected food poisoning hit Indonesia’s school feeding program, with more than 800 students and teachers ill in separate incidents across East Java and West Sumatra, adding pressure on the flagship policy. Central Bank Leadership: Destry Damayanti was sworn in as Bank Indonesia’s first female governor, signaling a stability-first approach while coordinating with the government amid global volatility. Indonesia-Russia Economic Push: President Prabowo used the Eastern Economic Forum to invite Russian investment into 138 new energy blocks and to frame Indonesia as a gateway for the EAEU to ASEAN, while also urging Danantara and RDIF to move from ideas to bankable projects. Human Rights & Asset Forfeiture: Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai urged lawmakers to draft the Asset Forfeiture Bill with strict limits and court-based safeguards to protect property rights. Labor Policy: Registration opened for Phase II of Indonesia’s 2026 National Internship Program (MagangHub), targeting 150,000 participants this year with tighter oversight on quality. Food Security Watch: The government said food security remains secure despite El Niño risks, citing rice reserves and ongoing distribution buffers.