{
  "id": 2980317,
  "title": "Haze worsens as 16 areas record unhealthy API readings",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/haze-worsens-as-16-areas-record-unhealthy-api-readings",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T08:50:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1517876/haze-worsens-16-areas-record-unhealthy-api-readings"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Air quality monitoring stations in Malaysia recorded higher-than-normal Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, with 16 areas now classified as unhealthy from 10 earlier. Sarawak, particularly Serian, faced the worst impact, with an API of 192 nearing \"very unhealthy\" levels, followed by Kuching (181), Samarahan (173), and others. In Peninsular Malaysia, Selangor's Johan Setia recorded the highest at 162, and Kedah's Sungai Petani and Alor Star also exceeded unhealthy levels. Meteorological Department director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the transboundary haze from neighboring countries and hot, dry weather conditions would continue to worsen air quality until open burning practices in those countries were controlled.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The number of air quality monitoring stations recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings nationwide rose to 16 from 10 recorded earlier this morning.",
  "key_points": [
    "16 Malaysian areas now have unhealthy API readings, up from 10",
    "Sarawak's Serian recorded API of 192, nearing very unhealthy levels",
    "Meteorological Department predicts worsening air quality due to transboundary haze and dry weather"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Haze worsens as 19 areas record unhealthy API readings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/haze-worsens-as-19-areas-record-unhealthy-api-readings",
        "published": "2026-08-24T10:06:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}