Indonesia is blanketed by thick smoke from wildfires burning across tens of thousands of hectares of forest and peatland on Borneo, raising health concerns and regional air‑quality alerts. The haze has spread to Malaysia and Singapore, prompting school closures and health warnings.

The fires are largely linked to slash‑and‑burn land‑clearing for palm‑oil plantations, a practice that has persisted for decades. Unusually dry conditions driven by a super El Niño event, expected to peak in September, have accelerated fire spread, with the dry season projected to continue into October.

Health ministry data show emergency‑room visits for respiratory problems have risen to about 5,000 per week since July, compared with 500 earlier in the year. Residents such as Suwadi in Central Kalimantan report visibility reduced to less than five metres and that each breath feels like smoking a cigarette. Some schools have suspended classes, and parents have urged online learning. In Palangka Raya, traffic moved slowly through haze‑filled streets on 20 August 2026. On Tuesday, Kuala Lumpur was recorded as the world’s most polluted city, followed by Jakarta, according to air‑quality monitor IQAir. About 600 schools in Sarawak were closed due to heat and dryness, and Singapore placed the situation on alert. Social media users highlighted fires in Kalimantan, Sumatra, West Papua and Lombok.

Authorities say the El Niño‑driven drought may intensify the blazes, and the dry season is expected to last until November, when rain could extinguish the fires. Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto ordered the revocation of business permits for companies suspected of directing land clearing, and police have arrested 72 individuals accused of deliberately starting fires in Borneo and Sumatra. Forestry ministry data indicate that nearly 94,000 hectares burned nationwide in July alone. Justin Sentian, a climate‑change professor at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, said that prevention must address soil conditions by halting peatland conversion and restoring degraded areas, rather than reacting only after hotspots appear.

Malaysian and Brunei officials have agreed to raise the issue at the Asean forum. In 2015, another El Niño year saw more than 6 million acres burned, producing trans‑boundary haze that again affected Malaysia and Singapore.

The Indonesian government has pledged additional resources, including helicopters and water pumps, to contain the fires. With the dry season expected to continue and no significant rainfall forecast before November, officials warn that the haze may persist, posing ongoing health and environmental challenges.

President Felix Tshisekedi is scheduled to leave office in 2028 under the current Congolese constitution, and a dispute over possible reforms to the term limits is shaping the country's political landscape. The constitution sets a five-year presidential term, renewable once, and prohibits amendment of those limits. In May, Tshisekedi said he would accept a third term if the electorate demanded it, prompting opposition concerns that constitutional change could remove the two-term restriction. In June, Parliament passed a law outlining procedures for a major dysfunction of state institutions occurs. The Constitutional Court approved the law in July but noted reservations about certain provisions. On August 10, Tshisekedi asked the heads of the National Assembly and Senate to reconsider the legislation based on the court's observations, and the Assembly indicated the matter would be placed on its September agenda. The Article 64 coalition, known as C64, opposes any use of the process to extend Tshisekedi's mandate beyond 2028 and announced a nationwide mobilization for September 15, with demonstrations planned in Kinshasa targeting the Palais du Peuple. Earlier, thousands protested in Goma and Bukavu on July 28, and further rallies are expected in Kinshasa. The debate occurs amid an armed conflict in eastern DRC, where the M23 militia and the Alliance Fleuve Congo coalition control Goma and Bukavu. The government accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim Rwanda denies. Tshisekedi warned that ongoing fighting could make the 2028 election impossible. Political analyst Emmanuel Bugama said national interests should outweigh partisan disputes. In Goma, civil society activist Gentil Mulume warned that any extension of Tshisekedi's term would not be recognized in territories under M23 control. In Kinshasa, mobile-credit retailer Kevin Kalala said he lacks sufficient knowledge of the constitution and urged the state to explain the proposed changes. Tshisekedi has called for an inclusive national dialogue involving political parties, civil society and religious groups, and said he will address the nation after the talks are organized. He excluded participants he accuses of supporting Rwanda or the rebellion, and former president Martin Fayulu urged former president Joseph Kabila and AFC leader Corneille Nangaa to join the discussion. The confrontation highlights a broader question of whether Congo's political forces can agree on succession rules when the mandate ends, even as the war in the east continues to challenge the organization of credible elections.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on United States goods effective Tuesday, following a deterioration in trade relations after President Donald Trump urged Canadian leaders to “fall in line” and threatened 50% tariffs on vehicles, auto parts, steel and aluminum.

Canada and the United States share one of the world’s largest trading relationships, with deeply integrated supply chains in autos, energy, agriculture and manufacturing. The dispute intensified after Carney withdrew from negotiations with the Trump administration on Friday, leading Trump to announce the 50% tariff threat on about $20 billion of Canadian goods the next day.

Carney said the United States aims to undermine Canadian industries, describing Washington’s proposals as intended to “destroy” auto, steel and aluminum sectors. He said Canada may pursue targeted retaliation rather than matching U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar, emphasizing protection of workers and businesses.

Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne and three other cabinet ministers are expected to detail support measures for workers affected by the tariffs.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that the escalation could lead to further actions, including reductions in electricity exports and withholding critical minerals, stating that “everything is on the table” if the dispute worsens.

Ford said he opposed the preliminary agreement Carney considered and rejected any condition to restore American liquor to Ontario store shelves, asserting that he would not “buckle over” the issue.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer noted that Canada’s auto production originated from the 1960s Auto Pact, which granted Canada access to the U.S. market to encourage vehicle manufacturing.

Ford dismissed personal attacks from Trump, which referred to Carney as “Governor Carney” and described Ford as “the less charismatic, intelligent, and overall unimpressive brother of the late, great, Rob Ford,” while Trump called on Canadian leaders to “fall in line.”

The situation remains unresolved, with both sides indicating a willingness to escalate or negotiate based on future developments.

The Trump administration plans to revoke up to 200,000 business and tourism visas for individuals who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the United States, according to the Associated Press. If implemented, it would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in U.S. history. The visas, designated as B1 and B2 categories, were issued between 2016 and 2026 and cover short‑term visitors. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the action would target people who entered the country claiming short‑term visitor status before filing asylum applications. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X that using tourist or business visas to enter the United States and then seek asylum undermines immigration law. The administration has increased scrutiny of visa applicants, including requiring detailed social media histories and higher bond fees, and has banned visas for citizens of several countries. In the past 18 months, the State Department has revoked about 175,000 visas for individuals convicted of crimes or for those who have publicly criticized U.S. policies, particularly in the Middle East. Officials said the revocations would not automatically trigger deportation; most asylum seekers would be moved to a different immigration category while their cases proceed. The State Department is expected to announce the plan in the coming weeks, working with the Department of Homeland Security.

Krakow, Poland — Martynka, a helpline and shelter for Ukrainian women and children escaping gender‑based violence, faces funding shortfalls and increasing anti‑Ukrainian sentiment four years after its 2022 founding.

When Russia launched its full‑scale invasion on February 24, 2022, more than 3.5 million Ukrainians sought refuge in Poland. They initially received widespread assistance, including access to jobs and social benefits.

Martynka was founded by Nastya Podorozhnya, a Ukrainian woman living in Poland, to provide a helpline and support services for women at risk of gender‑based violence.

The shelter operates from a two‑bedroom apartment in central Krakow. It has assisted more than 100 women and children. Residents receive counseling, medical care, job placement and housing assistance.

Martynka has logged about 1,800 requests for help and expects the number to rise.

International funding for Ukrainian refugees has declined to about half of identified needs this year, compared with 94 % in 2022, according to the United Nations.

Podorozhnya says donation appeals frequently attract online abuse, with callers noting that the hostility is directed at her nationality.

Polish officials have reduced direct aid, saying many refugees have stabilized, while limiting benefits for single mothers and other vulnerable groups. The ombudsman warned that these changes disproportionately affect the most vulnerable.

Police data show 180 prejudice‑motivated incidents involving Ukrainians by mid‑July, up from 275 in 2025 and 267 in 2024.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the government must combat violence and hatred.

Martynka continues to seek sustainable funding and policy clarity as the war persists and political discourse around Ukrainian refugees becomes more polarized.

A trial of a Libyan man accused of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing has been postponed for a third time, with a new start date set for January, according to court filings. Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988, killing 270 people. The investigation has been conducted jointly by Scottish and U.S. authorities since then. A previous conviction of Abdelbaset al‑Megrahi in 2001 was upheld by appeal courts, while another suspect, Al Amin Khalifah Fhimah, was acquitted. The trial of Abu Agila Mohammad Kheir Al‑Marimi, who has been in U.S. custody since December 2022, was scheduled to begin jury selection in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. New evidence disclosed on August 21 prompted the defense and prosecution to request a postponement, which the judge granted, setting a new start date for January. Al‑Marimi’s lawyers said the material required further review, and the judge noted the potential significance of the evidence. Relatives of the victims expressed disappointment. The trial had previously been delayed in April and again in the spring after requests for additional preparation time. The case remains before the court, and the timing of a final verdict is now expected to extend into the spring.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran attempted to kill one of his sons during a phone interview with the Israeli channel Channel 14. He provided no details about the timing, location or identity of the son.

Netanyahu made the statement after a joint United States‑Israeli strike in Tehran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and four members of his family.

The comment came as his coalition fell behind in opinion polls ahead of the October general election.

He also called for around‑the‑clock protection for former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, who is contesting the prime ministership, saying that without constant security the Iranians could succeed.

Both of Netanyahu’s sons and his wife have been given extended personal protection by Israeli authorities, according to reports.

His elder son, Yair, has spent extended periods in Miami since early 2024, which has attracted criticism over security costs.

Iranian officials have vowed retaliation for the deaths of Khamenei and his family, and Khamenei’s son Mojtaba, now the supreme leader, pledged to avenge his father’s death in a message accompanying his father’s funeral.

The Iranian response has not included any public indication of a plot against Netanyahu’s family.

The situation remains unresolved, with no further information released about the alleged plot.

US Southern Command announced it carried out a strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of two individuals identified as involved in drug trafficking.

The announcement, made Monday, said the target was a low‑profile vessel operating on routes used for drug smuggling. The operation forms part of a series that began in September 2025 under the Trump administration to disrupt drug shipments into the United States.

The strike adds to a cumulative toll of 223 deaths from 67 strikes, which have destroyed 64 speedboats, three low‑profile ships and a semisubmersible craft, according to SouthCom.

General Francis L. Donovan, commander of Southern Command, said the mission seeks to impede narcotics networks and protect the United States.

A video posted on the command’s X account showed the vessel before it was struck by an explosion.

The campaign has continued since its inception, and the administration has sought permission from Panama, Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras to conduct joint operations on their territory.

Guatemala denied reaching an agreement, while Ecuador conducted joint missions in March.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States acted in self‑defense and in accordance with armed conflict laws.

Critics have expressed doubt about evidence that the vessels carried drugs, noting that most fentanyl entering the United States travels overland from Mexico.

The United Nations and several humanitarian organizations have labeled the attacks as extrajudicial killings.

A Pentagon watchdog announced in May that it will examine whether the military adhered to its six‑phase targeting cycle, though the review will not assess the overall legality of the strikes.

An investigation by the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism identified 13 previously unreported victims, many of whom were fishers from impoverished communities with no known involvement in the drug trade.

Search and rescue efforts have resulted in three survivors, while more than 20 attempts have been unsuccessful.

The administration continues to pursue agreements that would expand the scope of the operations into additional Latin American nations, and questions persist regarding the evidentiary support for the strikes and their compliance with international law.

On August 25, Iran indicated it would respond to the United States' recent expansion of sanctions. The US Treasury announced new sanctions targeting entities and individuals linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. Iranian officials said the measures were unacceptable and promised a response, though no specific actions were disclosed. US officials said the sanctions aim to limit Iran's nuclear activities and regional conduct.

Kit Harington has been cast as Gilderoy Lockhart in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter television series, replacing Nicholas Hoult, who was unable to film season two due to scheduling conflicts. The series is set to premiere on Christmas this year on HBO Max and will adapt J.K. Rowling's second novel, The Chamber of Secrets.

The casting marks Harington's third collaboration with HBO, following his work on Game of Thrones and the financial drama The Industry. He previously voiced Lockhart in an Audible audio edition of the series.

Dominic McLaughlin stars as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger. Jon Lithgow portrays Albus Dumbledore and Nick Frost plays Rubeus Hagrid. Mark Mylod, director of several Game of Thrones episodes, will direct installments and serve as executive producer alongside author J.K. Rowling.

HBO confirmed the casting to the BBC, and Deadline reported that Hoult's departure resulted from commitments that conflicted with a revised production schedule. Representatives for Harington and Hoult did not respond to requests for comment. The series is planned to span ten years, covering all seven books.