Prince William and Kate attend Games with three children

At least 20 people have been killed after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Flores Island early Saturday, triggering widespread panic, building damage and a series of strong aftershocks. The earthquake struck shortly before 5am local time at a depth of about 15 kilometres, according to Indonesia’s meteorological and geophysics authorities. The relatively shallow depth increased the potential for severe damage across affected areas. Indonesia’s disaster management authorities said several people were injured, with the figures still considered preliminary as rescue teams continue searching damaged buildings and assessing casualties. The strongest aftershocks included a 6.1-magnitude tremor, forcing residents to remain outdoors because of fears that weakened structures could collapse. Dramatic scenes were reported at the port of Maumere, where sections of a terminal building broke apart during the earthquake. A gangway leading to a ferry also collapsed, sending some passengers into the sea as people attempted to escape. East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena said some victims were killed while sleeping after rubble from collapsing structures fell on them. Residents described the earthquake as extremely frightening. People rushed out of their homes and moved towards safer areas, with many heading to higher ground after authorities issued a tsunami warning. The tsunami alert was later lifted about three hours after the earthquake when no significant rise in sea levels was detected. Authorities said around 2,000 people evacuated or moved to safer locations on their own during the warning. Officials reported fatalities in several provinces, including Sikka, Manggarai and East Manggarai. At least two people were seriously injured while 11 others suffered minor injuries. The earthquake also caused extensive structural damage. Initial assessments indicated that dozens of houses had been severely damaged along with healthcare facilities, places of worship, government buildings, an educational institution and a warehouse. Manggarai was identified as one of the worst-affected areas. Rescue and assessment teams are continuing to work in the region, although difficult mountainous terrain could make operations challenging. Authorities have urged residents to remain calm, avoid coastal areas and stay away from buildings that have been damaged or weakened by the earthquake and aftershocks.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs has confirmed that restrictions on bottled water purchases will remain in place as part of efforts to discourage panic buying and ensure supplies remain available for everyone. Under the current rules, shoppers can buy no more than five cartons of bottled water per invoice at central markets and cooperative society branches across the country. The ministry said all cooperative societies are required to enforce the purchase limit without exception. Officials have instructed the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies to make sure every branch follows the directive and prevents customers from making unusually large purchases. Authorities believe the measure will help stop unnecessary stockpiling that could leave other shoppers without access to essential supplies. According to officials, the restriction is purely a precaution and should not be seen as a sign of a shortage. The ministry stressed that bottled water production remains stable and factories continue to operate at full capacity. Regular deliveries are being made to markets and cooperative stores, ensuring that supplies remain sufficient to meet consumer demand. Officials explained that the temporary limit is designed to promote fair distribution and prevent panic buying during the current situation. They said excessive purchasing by a small number of customers can quickly create empty shelves, increase crowding at stores and trigger unnecessary public concern even when supplies remain adequate. The ministry also confirmed that it is closely monitoring the implementation of the policy. Cooperative societies that fail to follow the instructions or violate the regulations could face action from the authorities. Officials urged retailers to strictly apply the purchase limit so that bottled water remains available to all consumers. Residents have been encouraged to buy only the amount they genuinely need and avoid hoarding. The ministry also warned against spreading unverified information or rumors that could create unnecessary fear and encourage panic buying among the public. Officials emphasized that responsible purchasing will help maintain steady supplies and prevent disruption in the market. In a separate development, Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced a new legal framework for e-commerce platforms to improve consumer protection and regulate the country’s rapidly growing online marketplace. The regulations were introduced under Ministerial Resolution No. 109 of 2026 and officially came into force on July 8. They apply to all digital platforms involved in selling, ordering and delivering products within Kuwait. The new rules clearly define the responsibilities of online platforms, merchants, delivery companies and consumers. Officials said the regulations are intended to create a more transparent business environment while encouraging fair competition and supporting future investment in the digital economy. Under the updated framework, companies operating electronic platforms must obtain the required licences and comply with existing laws. They are also required to strengthen cybersecurity measures and protect their digital systems and customer information from cyberattacks, data breaches and misuse. Authorities believe the updated regulations will help build greater public confidence in online shopping while ensuring higher standards of safety and accountability across Kuwait’s expanding e-commerce sector.