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Dhaka, May 25 (IANS) India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma has reaffirmed India's willingness to deepen multifaceted engagement with Bangladesh for the mutual benefit and shared prosperity of the people of both countries, the High Commission of India in Bangladesh said on Sunday.

High Commissioner Pranay Verma paid a farewell call on the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, on May 24.

During the meeting, Rahman thanked the High Commissioner for his contributions to bilateral relations and conveyed best wishes for his next assignment.

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was present at the meeting.

Both sides also briefly discussed various potential areas of cooperation driven by the development priorities of the two countries.

Pranay Verma has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, said the Ministry of External Affairs in April.

Following his new appointment, Verma is scheduled to leave Dhaka on May 27.

Former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh.

Trivedi was elected to the Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2019 from the Barrackpore constituency and earlier served multiple terms as a Rajya Sabha member.

Earlier this year, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar met with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Khalilur Rahman, in New Delhi.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Humayun Kabir, was also present at the meeting.

During the meeting, EAM Jaishankar reiterated India's desire to engage constructively with the new Bangladesh government and further strengthen bilateral ties.

The two sides agreed to explore proposals for deepening the partnership through the relevant bilateral mechanisms. Follow-on official meetings are expected to take place at an early date. Both sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs noted.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Rahman also met the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri.

--IANS

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Washington, May 24, (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his administration's ongoing negotiations with Iran, sharply criticising the Obama-era nuclear agreement and asserting that the current talks would prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated under former President Barack Obama was "one of the worst deals ever made by our Country".

“It was a direct path to Iran developing a Nuclear Weapon," the US President wrote.

"Not so with the transaction currently being negotiated with Iran by the Trump Administration -- THE EXACT OPPOSITE, in fact!"

The remarks came after Trump announced that a broad regional understanding involving Iran and several Middle Eastern nations was close to finalisation following calls with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain.

Trump said the current negotiations were moving forward carefully and that his administration was in no hurry to conclude an agreement.

"The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side," he added.

Trump also indicated that pressure on Iran would continue until a formal agreement was completed.

"The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed," he wrote.

"Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes!"

The US President described relations with Tehran as increasingly stable despite years of hostility between the two countries.

"Our relationship with Iran is becoming a much more professional and productive one," he said.

At the same time, Trump reiterated Washington's core demand that Iran must never possess a nuclear weapon.

"They must understand, however, that they cannot develop or procure a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb," he wrote.

Trump also praised the support of regional countries involved in the diplomatic outreach and linked the effort to the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered agreements aimed at normalising relations between Israel and several Arab nations.

"I would like to thank, thus far, all of the countries of the Middle East for their support and cooperation, which will be further enhanced and strengthened by their joining the Nations of the historic Abraham Accords," he said.

Trump even floated the possibility of Iran eventually becoming part of the broader regional arrangement.

"And, who knows, perhaps the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to join, as well!" he wrote.

Earlier, Trump had said an agreement had been "largely negotiated" between the United States, Iran and regional partners.

He also said he had spoken separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that discussions were progressing positively.

--IANS

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Paris, May 24 (IANS) French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine and especially the use of the Oreshnik ballistic missile in the attack.

"France condemns this attack and the use of the Oreshnik ballistic missile, which above all signals a kind of headlong rush and the impasse of Russia's war of aggression," Macron said on X.

He added that "Russian strikes continue to target civilian objectives in Ukraine, as they did again this night", and "Our determination to continue supporting Ukraine, to do everything possible for a just and lasting peace, and to strengthen Europe's security is only reinforced".

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also condemned the Russian attack on targets in Ukraine.

"Last night, Russia launched a massive attack on civilian targets in Ukraine. Once again, the Oreshnik missile system was used. The German government strongly condemns this reckless escalation. Germany remains firmly at Ukraine's side," Merz wrote on X.

Earlier on Sunday, the Russian Defence Ministry listed Oreschnik ballistic missiles as one of the weapons used to target "Ukrainian defence industry, military infrastructure, as well as command posts of the General Command of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, and other command posts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

"No strikes were planned or carried out against the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine," it highlighted.

According to Russia's state-owned Tass news agency, the Oreshnik ballistic missile is a Russian medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile.

"The system deploys dozens of homing warheads that strike the target at a velocity of Mach 10, equivalent to nearly three kilometre per second. The temperature of the impact elements reaches 4,000 degrees Celsius -- nearing the surface temperature of the sun, which is around 5,500-6,000 degrees. Consequently, everything within the explosion's epicentre is reduced to fractions, elementary particles, essentially turning to dust. The missile is capable of destroying even heavily fortified structures and those located at significant depths," according to the Russian President Vladimir Putin's description of the missile in 2024 at a Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) meeting.

"The Oreshnik system, of course, has no equivalents in the world, and I doubt we will see anything comparable in the foreseeable future," Putin said.

–IANS

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New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he loves India and is a big fan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a surprise live video call at an event in Delhi.

Trump made the surprise call to an event marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, where he spoke to the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, and Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State and the acting National Security Advisor. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar also attended the event.

During the call, the US President was heard saying, "I just want to say hello to everybody. I love the Prime Minister. PM Modi is great; he is my friend."

Addressing the Indian people, Trump said, "I just wanna say you are great. We have never been closer to India, and India can count on me and our country 100 per cent. If they need any help, they know where to call. They call right here. We are doing well. We are setting records. We have a record economy, a record stock market."

Further supporting India, the US President added, "Anything India wants, they will get. I am a big, big fan of Prime Minister Modi."

"It's an honour to talk and say hello to Prime Minister Modi and let him know I am a big fan," Trump said before concluding his call.

Trump's remarks came amid Rubio’s four-day visit to India, during which he extended an invitation on behalf of Trump for PM Modi to visit the White House.

The visit by the top US diplomat comes at a significant moment in bilateral ties, as both countries seek to strengthen economic engagement following months of friction over tariffs and trade policies pursued by Washington.

Observers view Rubio's visit to India as an effort to reinforce confidence in the bilateral relationship and push forward negotiations on a comprehensive trade framework.

Addressing a joint media briefing earlier on Sunday with EAM Jaishankar, Rubio expressed optimism about the progress achieved in ongoing negotiations.

"We’ve made tremendous progress, and I think we’re going to wind up with a trade agreement between the US and India that is going to be enduring and beneficial to both sides, while remaining sustainable in a way that addresses the national interests that we have," he said.

--IANS

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Quetta, May 24 (IANS) An incident of enforced disappearance by Pakistani forces has come to light from the Dasht-e-Ballangur area of ​​Kech district, Balochistan province of Pakistan, local media reported.

The missing person has been identified as Imdad, son of Beg Muhammad and a resident of Kiliro-Ballangor, the Balochistan Post reported on Sunday.

According to local sources, Imdad was detained at the Bilingur camp on Saturday and has been missing since then.

His family says they have not been provided with any information about him yet, the report noted.

Sources also said that Imdad's younger brother, Mehran, was also missing after being detained by Pakistani forces from Turbat about three months ago, but he has not been found yet.

Recently, in the same Kech district's Turbat region, an elderly farmer, Sheerdil, was killed by personnel of Pakistan's Frontier Corps (FC), the human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) said.

Citing local sources, the rights body said that on May 21, Sheerdil was struck during the firing and died on the spot.

"The situation in Balochistan continues to worsen, with killings and recovery of bodies being reported from different regions. Families are living through unbearable pain and loss, especially during days that should bring peace and togetherness, while ordinary people remain without protection or justice," the BYC noted.

In another brutal incident, the dead body of 21-year-old driver Muhsin was recovered from the Paroom region in the Panjgur district on May 19, nearly 66 days after he was forcibly disappeared.

According to the BYC, Muhsin was forcibly disappeared on March 16 from the Jeerak crossing point in Paroom.

It is alleged that personnel of FC forcibly disappeared him and later killed him during detention and dumped his body.

The BYC called on international human rights organisations and global bodies to urgently take notice of the worsening human rights situation in Balochistan.

It urged accountability for those responsible, while calling for justice, protection of civilians, and respect for the dignity of affected families.

--IANS

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Quetta, May 24 (IANS) The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on Sunday claimed responsibility for the blast targeting a shuttle of the Jaffar Express in the country's Balochistan province, local media reported.

A statement issued by the BLA's spokesperson, Jayend Baloch, said that the BLA's fidayeen unit "Majeed Brigade" carried out the attack.

According to the statement, the Army personnel who were travelling by the train were targeted, the Balochistan Post reported.

A shuttle of three bogies connected to Jaffar Express, which was transporting Pakistani military personnel from Quetta Cantt to Quetta Railway Station on the occasion of Eid, was targeted by the attack.

According to Haniff Abbasi, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Railways, the explosion took place near Chaman Phatak when the train was on its route after departing from Quetta Cantt.

Three coaches, including the engine, derailed while two bogies were completely overturned, he noted.

"Twenty-seven people were killed, and 131 were injured due to the incident. The death toll might increase as some injured personnel are in critical condition," the report noted.

The BLA also issued another statement revealing the identity of the attacker.

According to the statement, the attack was carried out by 25-year-old Bilal Shahwani, alias Sain, a member and commander of the suicide unit of the Majeed Brigade.

He was a resident of Sariab locality of Shaal area. He joined the Baloch Resistance Movement for Independence in 2020, the statement added.

The BLA spokesperson also mentioned that their successful targeting of the Army personnel who were “secretly” moving from Quetta Cantt to the Jafar Express by shuttle train is a testament to the deep penetration of the BLA's intelligence wing, "Zarab", and the combat skills of Commander Bilal Shahwani.

This decision shows that the Baloch national resistance has now gone beyond the traditional guerrilla method and transformed into a modern military structure where organisational commanders prioritise collective national goals over individual material roles, the spokesperson said.

--IANS

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Seoul, May 24 (IANS) South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday expressed condolences over a deadly gas explosion at a coal mine in China's Shanxi province, voicing hope for a swift recovery from the tragedy.

"I pray for the souls of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident, and express my deep condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families and to the people of China," Lee wrote on the social media platform X.

He also posted the message in Chinese, Yonhap news agency reported.

The South Korean President expressed hope that the situation would be brought swiftly under control through the efforts of the Chinese government and relevant authorities, and wished a speedy recovery to all those who were injured in the explosion.

At least 82 people were killed in the gas explosion that occurred at the Liushenyu coal mine in northern China on Friday, according to media reports.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping over the loss of lives in a mining accident in Shanxi Province.

"Saddened by the loss of lives in a mining accident in China's Shanxi Province. On behalf of the people of India, my condolences to President Xi Jinping and the people of China. May the bereaved families find strength in this tragic hour. Praying for the early and safe recovery of all remaining missing persons," PM Modi wrote on X.

Deadly accidents are common in China's coal mining industry, due to which safety standards have been tightened in recent years, but accidents still occur.

Earlier in 2025, three people were trapped following a coal mine accident in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The accident occurred when part of an underground tunnel collapsed in Zhenping County, in the city of Ankang.

Eight workers were carrying out rectification work at the site when the collapse happened, with five of them managing to escape safely.

--IANS

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Jerusalem, May 24 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he and US President Donald Trump agreed on eliminating nuclear danger from Iran for any final agreement.

"I spoke last night with President Trump about the memorandum of understanding to reopen the Straits of Hormuz and the upcoming negotiations toward a final agreement on Iran's nuclear program," Netanyahu said on social media platform X.

He expressed his appreciation to President Trump for his "unwavering commitment" to Israel's security, including during Operation Roaring Lion and Epic Fury, when American and Israeli forces fought shoulder to shoulder against the Iranian threat.

"President Trump and I agreed that any final agreement with Iran must eliminate the nuclear danger. That means dismantling Iran's nuclear enrichment sites and removing its enriched nuclear material from its territory," Netanyahu highlighted.

He said that President Trump also reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself against threats on every front, including Lebanon.

"The partnership between us and our two countries has been proven on the battlefield and has never been stronger," Netanyahu said, adding that "My policy, like President Trump's, remains unchanged: Iran will not have nuclear weapons."

Meanwhile, earlier on Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that "significant progress" has been made in diplomatic efforts involving the US and Iran, while indicating that "good news" regarding the Strait of Hormuz could emerge in the coming hours.

While addressing a joint press conference in New Delhi with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Rubio said, "I do think perhaps there is the possibility that over the next few hours the world will get some good news, at least with regards to the Straits and with regards to a process that can ultimately leave us where the President (Trump) wants us to be and that is a world that no longer has to be in fear or worry about an Iranian nuclear weapon and so, I do think there's some good news on that front, but not final news on that front. But perhaps a little bit later today, we'll have more to say. But some progress has been made. I don't want to downplay that. But I also want to caveat it by saying we still have some work to do; we will see."

Rubio reiterated Trump's stance that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.

--IANS

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Dhaka, May 24 (IANS) A total of 16 more children have died from measles-like symptoms in Bangladesh in the 24 hours till 8 a.m. on Sunday, raising the death toll since March 15 to 528, local media reported.

With the latest fatalities, Bangladesh reported the second highest single-death death toll for the second straight day, United News of Bangladesh (UNB) reported.

On Saturday, Bangladesh reported 13 fatalities from measles and similar symptoms.

All the 16 new deaths were classified as suspected measles-related, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

With the latest fatalities, the total number of suspected measles-related deaths has increased to 442, while the confirmed deaths stood at 86.

As many as 1,306 suspected measles cases were reported in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours, raising the total number of suspected measles cases to 63,813, according to the DGHS. During the same period, 128 new confirmed measles cases were reported, raising the total number of confirmed infections to 8,622.

Since March 15, 50,558 suspected measles patients have been admitted to hospitals. Among them, 46,214 patients have recovered, UNB reported.

On May 20, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said that it had repeatedly warned the country's earlier interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, both through written communication and meetings with Health Ministry officials, about vaccine shortages that could trigger a major health crisis.

Addressing a press briefing in Dhaka, UNICEF representative to Bangladesh, Rana Flowers, said that the UN agency sent five to six letters to the health authorities on the issue and raised the matter in 10 meetings during the tenure of the interim government, Bangladesh's The Daily Star reported.

"From 2024, we were warning the government that the shortage of vaccines could lead to an outbreak. From 2024 to 2025 into 2026, we sent letters, and we had 10 different meetings signalling this was a problem and that orders for vaccines needed to be given. They could not," she added.

According to Flowers, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban raised concerns over vaccine shortage at a meeting with the Foreign Ministry during his visit to Bangladesh in August last year.

She added that the UN agency would provide evidence to assist the investigation launched by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led government on the measles outbreak.

--IANS

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Beijing, May 24 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping's purge of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has shaken the foundation of China’s military and created a climate of fear that is eroding morale across the ranks, according to a report.

The suspended death sentences given to China's former Defence Ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe marked a watershed moment in the CCP's history. The two former ministers, who were once trusted allies of Xi Jinping, were convicted of bribery and corruption, and action against them showcases how the Chinese President is ready to sacrifice even his closest confidants to consolidate absolute power, according to a report in Nepal-based online portal Hamrakura.

"This campaign, while framed as an anti‑corruption drive, is increasingly seen as a reign of terror designed to instil fear rather than discipline, leaving the PLA weakened and disoriented. The severity of these sentences stunned officers across the military. For decades, generals of such stature had avoided extreme penalties, but Xi’s decision to impose suspended death sentences has created an atmosphere of paranoia," the report said.

"Mid‑level and junior officers now worry that they could be targeted next, regardless of their loyalty or performance. Analysts note that this climate of suspicion is undermining cohesion within the PLA, leaving soldiers hesitant to act decisively and commanders reluctant to take initiative. The purge has effectively dismantled trust between the ranks and leadership, replacing it with fear of reprisal," it added.

Xi Jinping has not only taken action against Li and Wei. In January this year, investigations were launched against Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli, chief of the Joint Staff Department. Although the two officials remain listed in their positions, they have not been seen in public, demonstrating the opaque and unpredictable nature of Xi’s purge.

Zhang was the only general with combat experience, and his removal, along with Liu's disappearance, has left the PLA without seasoned leadership at a time when China is trying to modernise its forces by 2027. The lack of leadership is delaying China's modernisation efforts and weakening its operational readiness.

Earlier in March, a report detailed that the Chinese PLA faces mounting instability in 2026, with probes into services and units linked to the February 26 cases potentially disrupting leadership readiness and war-preparation efforts. It added that the February 26 purge resulted in the dismissal of five former senior officers who once led the PLA Army, Navy, Air Force, and Information Support Force.

Additionally, two operational unit Chinese commanders linked to the 73rd Group Army garrisoned in China’s Fujian Province, directly opposing Taiwan, and three Generals serving in Central Military Commission (CMC)-level organisations, were removed from their posts.

“On February 26, ahead of the important annual Two Sessions meetings, China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) removed 10 People's Liberation Army (PLA) officers from their posts as NPC deputies. Under Chinese political conventions, this development usually indicates serious trouble for the individuals involved," a report in international magazine ‘The Diplomat’ said.

"Although the NPC did not provide reasons for their removal, an analysis of these officers’ backgrounds suggests that their ouster was motivated by connections to previously purged Generals. In other words, earlier purges appear to have started a domino effect within the PLA, triggering the downfall of both active and retired officers," it stated.

According to the report, the rapid expansion of investigations may be undermining PLA operational readiness and heightening concern within the officer corps, with more officers likely to be implicated in connection with the February 26 cases in the months ahead.

"Retired Admiral Shen Jinlong, who served as the Commander of the PLA Navy (PLAN) from 2017 to 2021, was stripped of his NPC position alongside his political commissar, Admiral Qin Shengxiang. Shen was a career naval officer who started out as a squad leader and accumulated substantial operational experience as he rose up the ranks," the report mentioned.

"Qin, by contrast, spent most of his career working at the Central Military Commission (CMC) and was later airdropped into the PLAN political commissar post in 2017. Under the leadership of Shen and Qin, the Chinese navy underwent a major expansion in both fleet size and capabilities. However, their careers coincided with the rise of Zhang Youxia as CMC vice chairman, and Zhang was abruptly purged in late January. These professional ties and personal linkages likely contributed to the removals of Shen and Qin," it stated.

--IANS

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