Malaysia, Indonesia shut thousands of schools over forest fires haze

23 Sept 06:56 Key points summarised by AI

Malaysia and Indonesia ordered thousands of schools to close, affecting over 1.7 million students, due to severe toxic haze from rampant forest fires.
The haze originates from out-of-control blazes in Indonesia's Sumatra and Borneo islands, primarily caused by illegal fires set for plantations.
Air quality plummeted to 'unhealthy' or 'very unhealthy' levels across the region, leading to increased health problems, airport closures, flight disruptions, and heightened diplomatic tensions.
Deemed the worst fires since 2015, the crisis has drawn regional concern, with Singapore also experiencing unhealthy air and its environment minister calling it a 'major setback' in the fight against climate change.

Detained Suu Kyi receives UK royal package: Myanmar govt

Today 03:08 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's detained Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, received a package from Britain's King Charles III, which included two gardening books, a sealed envelope, and diplomatic communication.
The event marked the first release of images of Suu Kyi in two months and saw Myanmar authorities describe her as a "special female prisoner" for the first time.
Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a 2021 military coup that triggered an ongoing civil war, remains under house arrest on charges that rights groups contend are politically motivated.