Briefly

THAILAND

Death toll in Bangkok pub fire rises to 32

The death toll from an explosive fire at a Bangkok bar has risen to 32, authorities said on Wednesday. The blaze, one of the deadliest in recent years in Thailand, tore through the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub on Sunday night, rapidly engulfing the venue. The Erawan Emergency Medical Center said 30 people were still being treated in hospitals in the capital, with 15 of those in intensive care units. A total of 44 people have been discharged. Authorities believe the fire was probably sparked by an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner. Police are investigating the possibility of negligence and if emergency exits were obstructed, as the government ordered an urgent inspection of all entertainment venues across the country.

UNITED STATES

Parasitic infections touch record high

Infections from the diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora are surging in the United States, with state-level data suggesting that 2026 is already the country's worst year for reported cases. Nearly 7,000 confirmed or suspected cases of cyclosporiasis — an infection triggered by the microscopic parasite — have been recorded across 34 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The figure surpassed the record US mark of about 4,700 set in 2019. The illness is not usually life-threatening and is typically treated with antibiotics. Health officials have not yet definitively identified what is causing the infections. On Tuesday, federal health officials said there may be different infection patterns in different places.

Writers' union sues to block Paramount deal

The Writers Guild of America filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to block Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Hollywood studio Warner Bros Discovery, saying the deal would jeopardize writers' livelihoods and threaten the health of US entertainment. This latest hurdle comes a day after California and 11 other states launched separate suits to block the merger. Paramount, which argued the combination would increase opportunities for writers, must now deal with a double dose of legal work. The Writers Guild said in its lawsuit that the deal would create fewer competitors and give the larger company "both the incentive and the ability" to lower wages and the number of projects that offer workers employment.

AGENCIES-XINHUA