A fire that broke out at a pub in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, early Monday has killed 27 people and injured several others, according to Thai authorities. Officials said the fire started around midnight. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after an extensive response, while emergency crews transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. Videos shared on social media appeared to show flames engulfing the entrance of the pub in northern Bangkok, with patrons fleeing the building as thick black smoke rose into the air. Connect Newsroom has not independently verified the authe

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States could assume responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz and should charge other countries that rely on the strategic waterway for its protection. According to Trump, the financial burden of safeguarding the route should not fall solely on the United States. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime trade routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and natural gas shipments. Tensions between the United States and Iran over security in the waterway have intensified in recent months. Meanwhile, Iran has w

NATO member countries have pledged €70 billion in military assistance for Ukraine following the conclusion of a two-day NATO summit in Ankara, according to a joint declaration issued after the meeting. The alliance said it will increase investment to strengthen the deployment, operation and long-term readiness of its armed forces. The declaration states that NATO plans to expand capabilities in long-range precision strike weapons, air and missile defence systems, drones, advanced technologies and intelligence operations. Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United State

U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Greenland should be under United States control rather than Denmark, renewing remarks he has made previously about the strategically located Arctic territory. Speaking to reporters during the NATO summit in Türkiye while meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Trump said the presence of Chinese and Russian vessels in waters around Greenland is a security concern for the United States. He said Washington would not accept the current situation. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump's comments revive a l

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran will not begin negotiations on a final agreement with the United States if what he described as U.S. threats continue. In a post on social media, Araghchi said Clause 13 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) states that negotiations on a final agreement cannot begin in an atmosphere of threats. He also urged the United States to honour its commitments under the agreement. According to Araghchi, Clause 13 commits both countries to implementing a ceasefire, removing restrictions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, providing sanctions relief and

India and Indonesia have agreed to strengthen their defence partnership, with India confirming it will supply supersonic BrahMos missiles to the Indonesian military following high-level talks in Jakarta on Tuesday. The decision was announced after a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. According to statements issued following the meeting, the two leaders also agreed to enhance maritime security cooperation and strengthen supply chains for critical minerals. In the presence of both leaders, officials from the two countries sign

At least 20 people were killed and more than 100 others injured after violent clashes erupted at a prison in Negombo, north of Sri Lanka's capital, according to local media reports and police. The unrest began Sunday at the prison in Negombo, about 35 kilometres north of Colombo, and continued into Monday. Authorities have not released details on what triggered the violence. According to local television station Hiru, those killed include both inmates and prison officials. The broadcaster also reported that more than 100 people were injured in the incident. Police spokesperson Chandana Herath

At least 40 people were killed and eight others were injured after an overcrowded passenger bus plunged into a rocky ravine in southwestern Pakistan early Friday, according to Balochistan provincial officials. Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, said the bus was travelling through Dana Sar, a remote area near the border of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, when it reportedly lost control and veered off the highway before falling into the ravine. Authorities said the bus was carrying more passengers than its intended capacity. Emergency responders transported i

Rescue crews continued searching through rubble in Ukraine's capital on Friday, a day after a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack that killed dozens of people, according to Kyiv city officials. Friday was observed as a day of mourning in Kyiv, with flags flown at half-mast on government buildings to honour those killed in the attack. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the death toll has risen to about 30 people, while 92 others were injured. He described it as the deadliest Russian attack on the capital so far this year. According to Klitschko, emergency crews remained at the scene for