Four people died on Indonesia's Java island fighting the blazes that have sent toxic smoke across southeast Asia, closed schools and fuelled a surge of respiratory complaints, authorities said Friday.
Beijing told the White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia on Friday to visit China "more often", after she said the country lacked "proper toilets" less than a week into her new post.
Thai farmers, fishermen and workers marched through Bangkok Friday as global finance and business leaders gathered for IMF and World Bank meetings, demanding a say in policies shaping their livelihoods.
- 'Under attack' from fragrance, Hanoi prunes its famous blossoms
- In Malaysia, frustration grows over Indonesia haze
Boulevard
The families of children killed in a roof collapse at a school in northwest Pakistan called for "justice" on Friday, the day after more than 30 pupils and a teacher were crushed to death.
October 16, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Indonesian stocks plunged more than 11 percent Friday as index compiler MSCI said it was "no longer appropriate" to maintain the country's emerging-market status, fuelling fears of an exodus of foreign investment.
October 16, 2026
RECENT NEWS
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Thursday to reach baseball's World Series for the first time in 44 years after completing a 4-0 series sweep of the star-studded defending champions.
October 16, 2026
South Korea's military on Friday dismissed Pyongyang's doubts over Seoul's homegrown hypersonic missile launch, as the two Koreas appear to be intensifying an arms race over the high-tech weapons.
October 16, 2026
Five months on from their Europa League final appearance, Freiburg sit atop the Bundesliga table as the most successful period in the Black Forest club's history rumbles on.
October 16, 2026
Sports
There is much debate over who should win the Ballon d'Or this year, but if Lamine Yamal's recent form continues over the season, handing out next year's award would be simple.
October 16, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Reigning champions Flamengo will take a 0-0 scoreline back to the Maracana next week after stifling Estudiantes de La Plata in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final on Thursday.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has vowed to take action against companies found responsible for fires in neighbouring Indonesia that have plunged the region into an air pollution crisis.
Donald Trump is crisscrossing America to drum up votes for Republican candidates facing tough midterm election races, but the US president's rallies are often hijacked by his basking in the adulation of fervent supporters.
A brush fire in the mountains west of Los Angeles prompted evacuation warnings from officials on Thursday, as powerful winds risked spreading the blaze rapidly.
October 16, 2026
Politics
Most Asian markets bounced Friday after the previous day's tech rout fuelled by concerns over the AI boom, with traders also awaiting comments from Federal Reserve boss Kevin Warsh at the IMF's annual gathering.
October 16, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the wartime missive written in code, creating a puzzle that went unsolved for more than 200 years -- until AI cracked it in a matter of hours.
The Asian Cup in January is "on schedule", Saudi Arabian organisers said, after growing fears for the tournament following Houthi attacks on the country.
The spectre of far-right leader Marine Le Pen winning France's presidency with a pledge to go head-to-head with the European Union is already giving Brussels the jitters -- and looming large over Emmanuel Macron's final months in power.
Eduarda Campopiano describes herself as "feminists' worst nightmare" and thanks God for the colonization of Brazil by Portugal, which she credits with saving the country from "cannibalism."
October 16, 2026
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- Fiji to deploy solar-powered Australian military drones at sea
- Trump's new press secretary defends 'lawyer' title
- 'Multiple victims' in Oregon elementary school shooting, police say
- Wallabies coach has 'faith' as All Blacks juggernaut awaits
- 'Multiple victims' in Oregon elementary school shooting: police