Make room Starbucks and McDonald's. China's Mixue and other brands win fans in Southeast Asia

Andy Donato's cartoon from March 16, 2025, is featured in the article. The video associated with the cartoon failed to load, but viewers can access other videos from the team by refreshing their browser or clicking a provided link. The article encourages readers to engage with the content through the cartoon and related videos. Full Article

Dozens of people are feared dead in a nightclub fire in North Macedonia, with reports indicating as many as 50 may have been killed and many more injured. The blaze broke out at the Pulse club in Kocani during a concert, with the venue still engulfed in flames hours later. The fire started around 03:00, with around 1,500 people said to have been attending the event. Full Article

President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to escalating tariff plans, stating he will not change his mind about imposing reciprocal tariffs on countries with trade barriers, set to take effect on April 2. Despite ongoing stock market sell-offs and criticism from analysts, Trump continued to target countries like Canada and the European Union with new tariff threats in response to retaliatory measures, causing further market instability. However, some countermeasures, such as Ontario's decision to pause...

Kimbirila-Nord, a village in Ivory Coast, received $20 million in U.S. funding to counter extremism, but aid cuts have left locals feeling abandoned. The project provided job training, information-sharing systems, and resources to prevent violence and protect against jihadis. Without continued support, counterterrorism efforts are jeopardized, and U.S. influence in the region may weaken, potentially leading to increased vulnerability to extremist groups. Full Article

An Indiana police officer and his wife were charged with felony child neglect for forcing their six-year-old daughter to stand outside in freezing temperatures holding a threatening sign. The officer, Cody Scott, defended his actions, claiming it was a punishment for the girl's behavior. This was not the first time the girl was forced to hold a sign, with previous incidents involving embarrassing messages. Full Article

Anas Baba, a Palestinian journalist working for NPR, is reporting from Gaza, where international journalists are banned from independent access. The region has been devastated by a conflict between Hamas and Israel, resulting in thousands of casualties and widespread destruction. Gaza's Health Ministry reports over 48,000 people killed by Israeli fire, with more than 90% of homes damaged or destroyed. The situation is dire, with people living in makeshift shelters without basic necessities. Full Article