Maritime Security: Indonesia officially welcomed its first aircraft carrier, the former Italian ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, set to be commissioned next week as KRI Gajah Mada—an upgrade aimed at boosting archipelagic defense and disaster response. Defense & Diplomacy: China’s Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang opened the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, while Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Indonesia’s National Economic Council chief Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in Beijing, underscoring deeper strategic dialogue. Tax & E-Commerce: Indonesia will start collecting income tax from e-commerce sellers on Oct 1—one month earlier than planned—after a finance ministry shake-up that followed delays under the previous minister. Finance Leadership: New finance minister Suahasil Nazara pledged to refund taxpayers who overpaid, responding to earlier refund delays. Fisheries Modernization: The Marine Affairs and Fisheries ministry targets modernizing 950 fishing vessels by 2027, as part of a wider fleet upgrade plan. Environment & Fires: State-led food estate projects in Papua are blamed for wildfire spread, adding pressure as haze and climate risks intensify. Labor Dispute: Another Batam case erupted after a foreign garment firm abandoned 1,025 workers, prompting protests over unpaid wages. Regional Cooperation: Indonesia and Malaysia inked an MoU to advance rural development, focusing on disadvantaged areas.