Riau Province

Malaysia, Indonesia shut thousands of schools over forest fires haze

Toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires closed thousands of schools across the country and in neighbouring Malaysia amid health concerns.

Surging Indonesia forest fires further stoke global warming fears

Blazes have been raging on Sumatra and Borneo islands with Indonesia deploying water-bombing helicopters and thousands of security forces to tackle them. In recent days, fires sent toxic smog floating over Malaysia triggering a diplomatic row.

Around 200 inmates break out of Indonesian jail

An Indonesian police spokesman says 77 of the inmates, of approximately 200 who had escaped, had been recaptured. The prisoners escaped after tearing down a gate near a mosque in the prison complex after being allowed out of their cells to pray.