Headlines- Thirty people have died in a devastating fire at a pub in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, according to reports on Tuesday.
- Two UAE tankers have been struck in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
- On Monday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that airstrikes on Iran have started for the third night in a row.
- On Monday, the UAE Ministry of Defense announced that two Iranian tankers had attacked two national tankers. One Indian crew member was killed and eight others were injured, including four critically, by cruise missiles in the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters.
- Despite unleashing fresh attacks on Iran and reimposing a blockade of Iranian ports, US President Donald Trump said on Monday that an deal with Tehran to end the Middle East war was still possible.
- IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said in a statement on Monday that Iran will "continue to exercise our sovereignty and management over the Strait of Hormuz."
- A constitutional amendment was passed by the Hungarian parliament to oust Orban ally President Tamas Sulyok.
Year: 2023
One Year Later, Uyghurs Demand Accountability...
Uyghurs marked the one-year anniversary of a deadly fire in Xinjiang’s capital Urumqi with vigils over the weekend, demanding accountability for the tragedy that they say killed as many as 44 people, four times higher than the official death toll of 10.
In Rural Malawi, Digital Program Transforms...
To help students in rural Malawi learn how to use the latest digital technology, the Malawian government has partnered with a mobile service provider and the United Nations children’s organization UNICEF. In order to promote digital learning among students, public schools get equipped with free internet access, tablets, and high-definition smart TVs through the Connect-a-School initiative. But some schools say that a lack of some gadgets presents a challenge.
Oregon Trying to Decriminalize Small Amounts...
Decriminalizing small amounts of hard drugs is one novel approach that a U.S. state in the Pacific Northwest is trying to combat opioid abuse.
Release of Israeli Hostages from Hamas...
On Friday, Hamas released 24 hostages in total, including 13 Israeli nationals, as part of the first round of a coordinated swap between Israel and Hamas. VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to reporter Ricki Rosen in Tel Aviv for more on the status of care they are expected to receive from the Israeli government now that they are freed.
Bangladesh is Poised for an Election...
Bangladesh’s Election Commission set the country on a familiar but gravely uncertain path last week when it announced Jan. 7 as the date for the 12th parliamentary elections.Â
Hundreds of Myanmar Villagers Report Diseases...
Residents in northern Myanmar are contracting diseases from nearby chemical waste, residents told Radio Free Asia. In Kachin state, rare earth mining produces toxic chemicals that end up in water sources, they said.
Christmas Treasures Made from Paper by...
Very few Christians live in Kashmir,but people from the region put their blood and sweat into preparing gifts for Christmas celebrations.With cameraperson Wasim Nabi,Muheet Ul Islam for VOA has more from Srinagar.
In Ukraine, Clearing Mines Could Take...
Mines and explosives in the de-occupied regions of Ukraine pose a threat to people as the Ukrainian forces continue their counteroffensive. Mines have injured over 830 civilians and killed at least 264 since the start of the Russian invasion, according to the Ukrainian authorities. Various entitles are spearheading the ongoing demining efforts.
Myanmar Junta Uses Pregnant Women and...
Nearly 100 civilians were caught in a battle in western Myanmar on Tuesday, locals told Radio Free Asia. As fighting in Rakhine state between the Arakan Army and junta forces continues over the disputed town of Pauktaw, residents report an increase in abductions and injuries across the region. Â
Nanjing Dissident Journalist Sun Lin Dies...
Nanjing dissident journalist Sun Lin, who used the pen name Jie Mu, has died following a raid by state security police on his home last week, Radio Free Asia has learned.