Indonesian forest fires blanket region in toxic smoke; activists sue government

Indonesia is experiencing its most severe wildfire season in over a decade, intensified by El Niño, leading to widespread toxic haze across Southeast Asia. The fires, primarily peat and forest fires in Sumatra and Borneo, have caused at least four confirmed deaths and prompted Indonesia to accept foreign aid. The full extent of health, environmental, and economic impacts remains uncertain, but the crisis is ongoing and likely to persist until seasonal rains.