Thailand has introduced free public transport in Bangkok for a week to tackle severe air pollution. Over 350 schools were closed due to hazardous PM2.5 levels. The government also banned crop stubble burning and implemented work-from-home schemes to improve the city's air quality.
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The chairman and president of Japan's Fuji Television resigned Monday, weeks after a celebrity presenter was accused of sexual assault, causing a public relations storm and the mass exit of advertisers. As pressure mounted, Fuji TV said its president Koichi Minato and chairman Shuji Kanoh were stepping down.
Bangladesh's election commission announced plans for general elections by December following nationwide unrest. Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus agreed to BNP’s demand for early polls, citing law and order concerns. Yunus, in power since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, leads reform efforts, including constitutional changes. Student-led uprisings dismantled Mujib-era symbols, fueling tensions. The UN and EU urged free elections, while BNP questioned the government's neutrality in overseeing... Expand
At least six people have been killed in coordinated attacks targeting bus passengers in southwestern Pakistan. Gunmen identified and shot non-local travelers, and set up checkpoints on major highways. The violence, linked to Baloch separatists who demand greater autonomy, underscores the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his position that birthright citizenship was intended for slaves' descendants, not for everyone. He expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will support his policy. Meanwhile, Republican senators have introduced a bill to restrict automatic citizenship to children with at least one parent who is a US citizen, permanent resident, or military member.
​"I'm not rooting against him," Pennsylvania senator Dem John Fetterman said about his stand about Donald Trump. "If you're rooting against the president, you are rooting against the nation. And I'm not ever going to be where I want a president to fail. So, country first. I know that's become maybe like a cliche, but it happens to be true."
Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, stated that Moscow sees no value in a weak ceasefire that would merely freeze the conflict in Ukraine. Instead, Russia seeks a legally binding peace deal to ensure long-term security for itself and its neighbours, preventing any future violations.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight to help revitalize Hollywood. He aims to restore the industry which has faced significant setbacks due to the pandemic, strikes, and wildfires. Trump's selections, despite their past controversies, reflect his nostalgia for the 1980s and '90s.
The US state department's office managing Afghan resettlement may close by April, affecting 200,000 individuals, including Afghan-American families, veterans, and children. The closure coincides with diplomatic staff reductions and spending cuts. Amidst the Taliban's actions and immigration policy changes, the move risks betraying Afghan allies and abandoning applications already in process.
A UN report highlights that 40% of the global population lacks education in a language they understand, with numbers soaring to 90% in some low- and middle-income countries. UNESCO's report stresses the growing importance of multilingual policies in diverse classrooms. Challenges include inadequate trained teachers and resources, as well as community resistance, causing significant learning disparities.
Prince William has opted for the legal services of Mishcon de Reya, the same firm that represented his mother, Princess Diana, during her divorce, signaling his desire for independence from King Charles' legacy. This move signifies a break from royal tradition and highlights his intention to carve his own path, distinct from his father's.