Myanmar
A powerful earthquake occurred in the capital of Thailand. As a result of the tremors, buildings were shaking, and residents were evacuated. The epicenter was in Myanmar.
Myanmar's military junta set fire to and destroyed St. Patrick's Cathedral in Kachin State. Most of the population, including priests, fled due to fighting with rebels.
On February 12, the world celebrates the World Day of Reproductive Health, the Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, and the Day of Science and Humanism. Each holiday has a special meaning and draws attention to important social issues.
The Polish Trade Inspection banned 22 tons of Ukrainian wheat due to low protein content. The import of 200 tons of rice from Myanmar was also banned due to the presence of pests.
According to Reporters Without Borders, 54 journalists were killed in the line of duty in 2024, one third of them in Gaza. 550 media workers are imprisoned around the world, most of them in China and Myanmar.
The pope called on the international community to reach a ceasefire on all fronts by Christmas. The pontiff prayed for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East and other conflict regions.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is asking for an arrest warrant for General Min Aung Hlaing. He is accused of crimes against humanity against the Rohingya Muslim minority.
Five Russian ships have arrived in Myanmar for joint exercises with the ruling junta's naval forces. The exercises include a port phase in Yangon and live ammunition firing in the Kapali Sea for 5 days.
The FATF international group will decide next week whether to blacklist Russia. Ukraine has stepped up its campaign to downgrade Russia, providing evidence of its cooperation with high-risk countries.
Myanmar reported 293 dead and 89 missing as a result of Typhoon Yagi. The disaster flooded 270,000 hectares of crops and killed more than 100,000 farm animals. The authorities appealed for international assistance.
Pope Francis called on the faithful to pray for Ukraine, Myanmar and Sudan. The pontiff also asked to prevent the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East and to eliminate discrimination in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Russian counterpart Lavrov at the ASEAN summit. This was the day after Wang Yi met with Ukrainian Minister Kuleba in China.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will report to the Security Council that Israel and Hamas violated children's rights during their conflict, potentially leading to their inclusion in the annual list of UN actors accused of crimes against children.
According to a report by Amnesty International, at least 1,153 people were executed worldwide in 2023, up 31% from the previous year, with a sharp increase in Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Today, on May 21, fans of tea traditions, as well as lovers of this tonic drink in many countries around the world, can join the International Tea Day. It is believed that tea began to be cultivated thousands of years ago in eastern India, northern Myanmar, and southwestern China.
Unprecedented heat waves in Asia and Africa have forced governments to close schools, highlighting how climate change threatens the education of millions of children.
Thailand is proposing to introduce a single tourist visa valid in six Southeast Asian countries - Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar - to increase tourism revenues.
Pope Francis called for an end to wars, including in Ukraine, and expressed hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine.
The U. S. Secretary of State has awarded the 2022 International Women's Prize for Courage to 12 women from around the world who have advocated for human rights and gender equality at the risk of their lives.
Ukraine has called on the FATF to blacklist Russia at its upcoming meeting due to Russia's growing financial ties with Iran and North Korea, which threaten global security.
Ukrainian kamikaze drones, which are cheap, easy to operate, and have proven effective against russian troops and equipment, are called the weapon of the future by The Economist.