Magnitude 7.1 Quake Devastates Kumamoto

• A magnitude 7.1 quake struck Kumamoto on Kyushu Tuesday afternoon, later revised by USGS to 6.8. It registered a shindo 7, the top of Japan’s scale, and collapsed part of a shopping mall.
• Roughly 300,000 residents were sent to evacuation centers. At least 18 died and 62 were injured.

Chinese and Russian Warships Patrol Off Japan

• PLAN cruiser Anshan and destroyer Kaifeng were seen near Japan on July 25 with a Chinese oiler and a Russian corvette.
• The patrol followed joint air drills that entered South Korea’s ADIZ and the Joint Sea-2026 exercise off Qingdao.

Washington Sanctions Shipping Firms Over Iranian Oil to China

• Eight companies were sanctioned over vessels moving Iranian crude to China and the UAE via Tehran’s shadow fleet.
• Two Iranian firms were also targeted over alleged compulsory maritime insurance charges in the Strait of Hormuz.

Bank Indonesia Governor Resigns Two Years Early

• Perry Warjiyo stepped down on July 27 citing personal reasons. Destry Damayanti was named interim governor as the rupiah and stocks slipped.
• Parliament last month expanded BI’s growth mandate and gave lawmakers binding recommendation power over the central bank.

Bougainville Endorses 2030 Independence Date

• Leaders recommended September 1, 2030 for the declaration of independence. Self-government would begin September 1, 2027.
• The 2019 referendum backed independence 97.7 percent, but PNG’s parliament holds the final decision.

Pacific ICT Ministers Endorse Regional AI Principles

• Ministers meeting in Nadi endorsed AI technology principles, which go to leaders later this year.
• Fiji’s Ioane Naivalurua said the framework centers on safety, ethical governance and Pacific cultural values.

Brazil Recalls Ambassador After Milei’s São Paulo Attacks

• Brazil pulled envoy Júlio Bitelli from Buenos Aires after Milei attacked Lula and the judiciary at Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign launch.
• Governor Axel Kicillof warned Milei was risking exports and jobs, since Brazil is Argentina’s top trading partner.