Wildfire Crackdown: President Prabowo Subianto urged stricter rules and harsher sanctions for slash-and-burn offenders, including zero tolerance for individuals and corporations, with calls to stiffen laws and even label arson “ecological terrorism.” Transboundary Haze: Residents across Southeast Asia reported hazardous smoke and health impacts, with haze disrupting daily life and delaying regional response efforts. Maritime Disaster: Indonesian rescuers plan to try to right the capsized Virgo Transport 8 in the Java Sea; 6 died, 108 survived, and 129 remain missing as strong currents block underwater searches. Finance & Markets: Asian stocks leaned higher after the US Fed’s first rate hike in three years, while Indonesia’s own investor mood faces pressure after a surprise finance minister change. Sovereign Investing: China and ASEAN sovereign funds launched the China-ASEAN Joint Investment Council to deepen long-term cross-border investment ties. Digital & Health Tech: Plaud opened a $20m Singapore HQ to expand wearable AI across APAC, while Noul began supplying automated cervical cancer screening tech to Indonesia. Energy & Industry: Samsung E&A unveiled an LNG module package aimed at speeding small-to-mid scale liquefaction projects, as energy costs and global supply pressures stay in focus.