QtrendsA fire at a Bangkok pub kills at least 27 people. The US and Iran resume strikes, raising fears of a broader Middle East conflict and renewed tension over the Strait of Hormuz. Fourteen nations and the EU reaffirm the 2016 ruling against China's South China Sea claims. US Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71 from a sudden illness.
A fire broke out at a pub in Bangkok, killing at least 27 people and injuring 63 others, according to officials. The blaze quickly engulfed the popular nightspot, sending patrons scrambling for exits. Emergency responders rushed to the scene as authorities launched an investigation into the cause. The incident has shocked the Thai capital and raised concerns about fire safety enforcement in entertainment venues.
The United States has launched a new wave of strikes against Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks that threaten to reignite full-scale conflict. Reports indicate both military and civilian targets have been hit, deepening concerns across the region. The escalation comes as a fragile ceasefire appears to be collapsing, with no clear path to de-escalation. China Daily reports the region is on shaky ground as the two sides trade attacks.
Fourteen nations and the European Union have reaffirmed the 2016 Hague arbitration ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea. Beijing has strongly criticized the move, slamming Manila's position and deploring statements by Japan's foreign minister. The diplomatic standoff marks the ninth anniversary of the ruling, with no resolution in sight.
The United States is demanding that Iran publicly declare the Strait of Hormuz open for commercial shipping and pledge to stop attacking vessels. Iran had earlier announced the closure of the vital waterway, through which a significant portion of global oil trade passes. The standoff has escalated alongside broader US-Iran military exchanges, with President Trump rejecting Iran's closure claim. Analysts question the effectiveness of the US approach to securing the strait.
US Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican lawmaker and close ally of President Trump, has died at age 71 after a brief and sudden illness. The medical examiner indicated the likely cause was an aorta rupture. Graham served as a prominent voice in the Senate on foreign policy and national security, and his death marks a significant political moment in Washington.