The death toll from Indonesia's wildfire smoke reached an estimated 3,560 in September, roughly double August's figure, while about 57.8 million people breathed unhealthy to hazardous air. The crisis has triggered protests in Jakarta and other cities against President Prabowo Subianto's policies, and the government announced prosecutions of companies tied to the fires. Over 4.6 million acres have burned since August, and more than 300,000 Indonesians have sought treatment for acute respiratory problems.
Indonesia
3 stories since 29 October 2026, newest first
31 October 2026
29 October 2026
The United Nations aid chief warns that about 50 million people could face heightened hunger as the current El niño reaches unprecedented strength. Meteorologists describe the phenomenon as potentially the strongest on record, with warmer‑than‑average temperatures forecast across much of the continental United States and reduced rainfall in the Philippines, where drought is expected by February 2027. Flooding in Argentina has already killed two people and displaced over 2,000. Global carbon‑dioxide emissions are set to surge this year, and the Climate Impact Lab projects nearly 485 000 heat‑related deaths this summer, with an additional 373 000 expected in the next six months.
Meta has released Waddle World, an AI-powered virtual pet app, in the Philippines on iOS and Android, according to Engadget and TechCrunch. Users hatch an egg, feed and play with the pet, and write journal entries the pet answers with illustrated doodles. The game first appeared in late September and is listed as free and limited to adults. Meta has not confirmed wider availability, and it is unclear whether the app will reach the US or other markets. Meta also launched an AI fashion app, Style Sketch, in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, The Verge reports.