Two more Hong Kong beaches closed after palm oil spill, bringing total to 13

Two more Hong Kong beaches have been closed due to the regional palm oil spill as environmental officials revealed that 1,000 tonnes of oil fell into the water following a ship collision in the Pearl River estuary last Thursday.

Study: 100,000 Deaths From Indonesia's Haze

Researchers say a thick, smoky haze caused by man-made forest fires in Indonesia is the likely cause of more than 100,000 premature deaths in the country, as well as neighboring Malaysia and Singapore.

Indonesia battling fires; tells neighbors to stop complaining

The Indonesian government said it's working hard to put out the fires that people and companies have set to clear the land and neighboring countries should be more sympathetic.

Philippine Province Under State of Calamity as El Niño Damages 27,000 Hectares of Crops

Local media reported that the government of North Cotabato placed the entire province under a state of calamity as crop damage rose significantly because of the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon, which was aggravated by rat infestation in five towns.

Congo Basin under deforestation threat

The Congo Basin in Africa, the world's second-largest tropical forest, is facing a growing threat of deforestation carried out to clear the way for palm oil plantations.

Indonesia's forest fire kills 10 more people

Forest and agriculture fires in Indonesia killed 10 more people, bringing the total death toll to 17, a government spokesman said here Saturday.

'Worst haze in a decade' blankets S. Thailand

 Dense haze produced by Indonesian forest fires has caused some of the worst pollution levels in southern Thailand for a decade, officials said Thursday, delaying flights in an area popular with tourists.

Russian planes join firefighting effort in Indonesia

Two Russian Beriev Be-200 amphibian aircraft arrived in Indonesia on Wednesday to participate in the international operation to extinguish wildfires on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, Russia’s embassy in Jakarta has said.

Australia to Help Indonesia Battle Forest Fires

Australia is to send a giant water-bombing aircraft and highly trained advisers to help Indonesia combat forest fires that have covered parts of SE Asia in a thick haze.