Key developments: A massive rescue operation saved dozens of orangutans from the raging fires in Indonesia, underscoring the human‑wildlife toll of the region’s worst haze season in years. The blazes have generated a months‑long pollution spell that forced…
Continue reading Dozens of orangutans rescued as Indonesia’s wildfire crisis deepensThe Philippines is rapidly expanding rooftop solar installations as households and businesses scramble for cheaper power amid some of the region’s highest electricity costs, making the country one of the world’s biggest recent buyers of solar panels. This…
Continue reading Philippines solar surge highlights energy crunch across Southeast AsiaKey developments – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met Chinese ambassador Jing Quan in Manila after a July 20 incident in which the Chinese Coast Guard clashed with the Philippine Navy, injuring two Filipino sailors. The ambassador was summoned…
Continue reading Tensions Rise as Philippines Summons Chinese Ambassador Amid South China Sea Clash, While Haze Warrants Regional AlertKey developments: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked to meet Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan after the envoy warned that Beijing could “easily win” a conflict with the Philippines. The comment sparked a diplomatic backlash, with Manila labeling it…
Continue reading Philippines summons Chinese envoy over “easy win” threat as regional haze hits ASEANKey developments – Massive forest fires in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, have created a thick smoke plume that is being tackled with a 1940s‑era technique: spraying dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere to alter weather patterns and…
Continue reading Toxic haze from Indonesian wildfires spreads to Singapore, prompting emergency measures and raising regional security concernsSingapore is weighing the creation of an energy cluster on Tekong Island that could include a third LNG terminal and facilities for electricity imports, a move aimed at bolstering the city‑state’s power security. At the same time, the…
Continue reading Singapore Considers New Energy Hub on Tekong Amid Worsening Haze CrisisIndonesia’s president has ordered the mobilisation of additional resources to combat wildfires, while the government says it will not yet declare a national disaster despite worsening air quality. The move comes as ASEAN prepares to discuss transboundary haze…
Continue reading Indonesia ramps up wildfire response as regional haze worries riseIndonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has ordered extra resources to fight the worsening wildfires that are fueling a regional haze problem, while the government insists it can manage the crisis without declaring a national disaster. Neighboring countries, notably Malaysia,…
Continue reading Latest News for Southeast Asia — October 13, 2026
