The Economic Times

The death toll from a Bangkok live music pub fire has risen to thirty-two. Authorities are investigating potential negligence and obstructed emergency exits at the venue. The blaze, which occurred late Sunday, tore through the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub. Combustible stage decorations and crowded conditions likely fueled the extreme heat and smoke. This incident follows a similar deadly nightclub fire in Bangkok in 2009.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard targeted US Fifth Fleet facilities in Bahrain. This action responded to US actions in the Indian Ocean and shipping route controls. The Guard warned that other export routes could also face closure. Bahrain's Interior Ministry confirmed air raid sirens sounded earlier. Residents were urged to remain calm and seek shelter during the alert.

Nasa astronaut Anil Menon and two Russian cosmonauts launched to the International Space Station. The Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft lifted off from Kazakhstan for an eight-month mission. After a three-hour journey, the spacecraft docked with the Prichal module. The trio will join a diverse international crew already aboard the station. This mission marks another step in collaborative space exploration efforts.

President Donald Trump will deliver a national address regarding election security matters. He plans to discuss newly declassified intelligence on U.S. elections. The White House officials view voting machines as having potential vulnerabilities. This address comes as the administration seeks increased federal oversight of elections. Concerns exist about potential interference in upcoming midterm elections.

The government said it had wanted to prevent an Iranian plane from landing in the capital, after failing to convince a Houthi delegation that went to Tehran for the late Iranian supreme leader's funeral to board a Yemenia flight instead.

In a startling revelation, geologists from China have identified an active fault line beneath the Brahmaputra hydropower project, prompting concerns over the dams stability and adjoining infrastructures. This finding challenges previous reassurances from Beijing about the project's safety features. The construction, which commenced last July amid known seismic threats, has now come under scrutiny regarding its engineering soundness and potential environmental impacts.

Germany is funding fifty thousand attack drones for Ukraine. These Shrike FPV drones feature advanced tracking software to autonomously track moving targets in its final phase of attack. This order marks one of the largest drone purchases by a Western government. Other nations like Britain and the United States are also supplying drones. Ukraine continues to rely heavily on unmanned vehicles in the ongoing conflict.

US lawmaker Ro Khanna reported being detained by Israeli settlers armed with American-made rifles. His group was touring a Palestinian village which settlers had previously destroyed. The Israeli military intervened after settlers blocked the road and detained the visitors. Khanna stated this trip solidified his consideration for a presidential run in 2028. This incident highlights growing Democratic divisions over Israeli conduct toward Palestinians.

The attack damaged a non-residential building in one district, while smoke was coming from another and an office building was in flames as a result of the strike, the city military administration said on the Telegram messaging app.

President Donald Trump will not sign a housing affordability bill. He is protesting the Senate's failure to pass a strict voter ID act. The housing measure could still become law without his signature. This action escalates tensions within his own party. It also hinders efforts to address rising housing costs for voters.

The quake was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), GFZ said.

President Trump will fly to Britain using an older Air Force One aircraft. This decision follows scrutiny over a recently unveiled Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar. The new plane, refitted by L3Harris Technologies, has faced questions about its cost and security. Experts expressed concerns about the rapid upgrades and potential security risks of the jet. This interim aircraft serves as a bridge while new planes are significantly delayed.

The Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) have successfully located and identified the wreckage of K2 Airways Cargo B737, which was declared missing last night, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said in a post on X.

The Al Rekayyat, loaded with liquefied natural gas, sent out distress signals seeking assistance after it was hit on its port side, one of the sources said. Another source briefed on the matter said the vessel was at risk of exploding due to a fire in its engine room. The crew were safe and were being evacuated.

US legal experts say it would be highly unusual for a federal court to reject the Department of Justice's request to dismiss the criminal case against Gautam Adani. The DOJ has argued the prosecution was legally flawed, difficult to prove and inconsistent with Trump administration priorities, while experts say judges rarely compel prosecutors to pursue abandoned cases.

Sudan's brutal conflict has claimed over 300 young lives or left them injured in just six months, primarily due to drone attacks, UNICEF reports. The war, raging since April 2023, has devastated regions like Kordofan and Darfur, with civilian infrastructure increasingly targeted. International bodies are voicing grave concerns over escalating violence and potential atrocities, urging protection for civilians and unimpeded humanitarian aid amidst a deepening crisis.

President Trump heads to Turkey to press NATO allies on defense spending pledges. He expects immediate action on the 5% GDP target, a key focus after last year's summit. Despite ongoing disputes, Trump seeks to solidify his influence on the alliance's future, while also planning meetings on Ukraine and Syria. This summit serves as a crucial test of commitment to increased defense contributions.

Taiwan has revived anti-communist patriotic classes for its military graduates after a 25-year hiatus, citing escalating threats from China. The defence ministry emphasized the need for graduates to understand national security dangers and their mission. This move follows a record surge in Chinese naval activity near the island, which Beijing claims as its territory. Officials aim to foster a clear distinction between friends and foes amidst China's assertive military presence.

The Trump administration is aggressively cutting federal red tape, aiming to eliminate 702 regulations by September. This move, unprecedented in its scale, targets environmental reviews, energy standards, and diversity initiatives, projecting $1.5 trillion in economic savings. A key rollback involves repealing the endangerment finding for greenhouse gases, a cornerstone of Obama-Biden climate policies. The administration also plans new rules on immigration and transportation security.

China has voiced concerns over bilateral cooperation that could target third parties, following India and Japan's announcement of landmark initiatives including economic and defense pacts. Beijing emphasized that such partnerships should foster regional understanding and stability, not division. The joint statement also expressed worry over the East and South China Seas, opposing unilateral actions. This comes amid strained Japan-China ties and China's leverage over rare earth minerals.

A Hindu student and temple priest in Bangladesh was allegedly abducted and assaulted for ransom. Subhash Deuri, a law student, was found unconscious after his family received calls demanding money. He was reportedly stripped and blackmailed by unidentified assailants. While his mobile and wallet are missing, police are investigating the incident, with authorities yet to confirm if his faith was a motive.

The European Commission has implemented new quotas to curb duty-free steel imports, aiming to bolster the EU's steel sector and boost capacity utilization. Annual tariff-free imports will be cut by 47% to 18.3 million tonnes, with a hefty 50% duty on out-of-quota steel. Half of these quotas are reserved for free trade partners, with country-specific allocations designed to minimize impact on most allies.

The Supreme Court has taken a significant stand for the Federal Reserve's independence, rejecting President Trump's unusual effort to remove Governor Lisa Cook. The ruling highlights that Fed officials are appointed for set terms and can only be dismissed under specific circumstances, ensuring the central bank remains free from political influence, a critical aspect of its economic responsibilities.

An adviser to Iran's supreme leader has warned Bahrain of severe military action following retaliatory Iranian strikes on a local US base. Concurrently, the US and Iran have agreed to halt counter-strikes and resume critical diplomatic talks in Doha this Tuesday to resolve their maritime dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.

The exchanges underscored the fragility of a Pakistan-brokered agreement aimed at ending the war launched by the United States and Israel in February, which disrupted shipping through the strait and rattled global energy markets.

The World Health Organization said Sunday that over 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded in Europe since June 21 in connection with the record-breaking heatwave roasting much of the continent. And across Europe, more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded since 21 June linked to high temperatures in Europe, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X. Heat stress is often called the 'silent killer' - and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures, he sa

Ukraine intensified its drone attacks on Russia, hitting a major oil refinery in the Krasnodar region and causing at least one fatality. President Zelenskyy stated these strikes target Russia's war resources. Another refinery in Yaroslavl was reportedly targeted, with local authorities closing roads due to drone activity. These actions come as Ukraine aims to cripple Russia's war funding and inflict consequences on its populace.

Pakistan's government has increased the petroleum levy on petrol and diesel, keeping retail prices steady despite falling international oil rates. Consumers will continue paying the same for petrol and diesel, while kerosene prices have been reduced. This move boosts government revenue as global oil prices hit pre-war lows following a US-Iran accord and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Ukraine reported Russian strikes killed two and injured over 20, with significant damage to civilian infrastructure. In retaliation, Ukrainian strikes on Russian-occupied territories and inside Russia resulted in three deaths and dozens injured. President Zelensky highlighted a successful strike on a Volgograd facility producing military equipment, underscoring the escalating conflict.

Iran asserted its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, warning Gulf states against aligning with the U.S. This comes after an attack on a ship near Oman, highlighting the precarious nature of a tentative Iran war ceasefire. Tehran rejected a joint U.S.-Gulf statement challenging its control and toll demands. Meanwhile, oil prices dipped, and Saudi Aramco resumed loadings at its major terminal.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged China to reduce the trade gap and diversify exports during his Beijing visit. He sought support for major projects and industrial upgrades. China expressed willingness to import more Bangladeshi products and invest in emerging sectors.

Afghanistan's Taliban government has banned civil servants from using smartphones in government institutions, effective June 16. Violators face cellphone confiscation and legal punishment. This move has already disrupted official work, with many administrative processes halted. Rights activists warn the ban could further limit access to vital information and communication for Afghans, marking another step in the Taliban's control over public life.

India and South Korea must deepen cooperation in shipbuilding, health, infrastructure, and defence, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated. He also advocated for enhanced capacity and opportunities for the Global South to foster new growth avenues, criticizing the prioritization of a few nations' interests. Jaishankar emphasized the necessity of global cooperation to tackle shared challenges like pandemics and climate change.

Britain, France, and Germany have voiced serious concerns over China's recent maritime activities near Taiwan's east coast. These actions, including coast guard patrols and survey ships, are seen as a threat to regional stability and freedom of navigation. The European nations reiterated their opposition to any forceful changes to the status quo, emphasizing the importance of guaranteed navigational rights and safety for all vessels.

Colombia has elected nationalist lawyer Abelardo De La Espriella as its new president, signaling a significant political shift. Known as The Tiger, he campaigned on a platform of restoring order, reviving the economy with market-friendly policies, and adopting a hardline security approach. De La Espriella, who plans to reduce state size and boost oil production, defeated leftist senator Ivan Cepeda in a close runoff election.

Taiwan's military is commencing a five-day combat readiness drill this week, a significant shift towards realistic war simulations. This move comes as China intensifies its military presence around the island. The exercise aims to enhance rapid transition from peacetime to wartime operations, focusing on joint command, logistics, and battlefield preparation. This announcement follows China's recent deployment of 21 aircraft near Taiwan.