Indonesia

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further, with the regional haze posing a threat to one of the country's biggest sporting events, according to Al Jazeera reporting from the region.

The central banks of Hong Kong and Indonesia are expanding cooperation on cross-border QR code payments, aiming to make retail payments between the two economies more seamless. The move supports wider efforts in Asia to link national payment systems, allowing residents and businesses to pay across borders quickly and at lower cost.

PSI, the Pollutant Standards Index, is Singapore's official air-quality measure, and searches for it have surged. A haze update from AsiaOne reports that air quality in central Singapore has turned unhealthy, which fits the pattern of people checking the index to see whether it is safe to go outside, exercise, or send children to school. Singapore experiences seasonal haze, often linked to forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia, so the term typically spikes whenever readings deteriorate.

The search term 'vietnam vs philippines' points to a football matchup between the two national teams, most likely in the FIFA ASEAN Cup. Vietnamese coverage shows Vietnam heading to Indonesia with ambitions to win the title. From the available posts, people appear to be searching ahead of the fixture, but the exact match details, result or kick-off time are not clear from the evidence provided.

Bank Indonesia is calling on small businesses to strengthen their governance standards in order to qualify for loans. The central bank's message is aimed at helping micro, small and medium enterprises become more creditworthy and access financing more easily. The appeal reflects ongoing efforts in Indonesia to broaden financial inclusion and support small business growth through better access to bank credit.