World

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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Islamabad, May 24 (IANS) Despite Pakistan's efforts in seeking global relevance by turning into a peacemaker in the US-Iran conflict, its domestic economic crisis, internal conflicts surrounding Balochistan. and cross-border skirmishes with India and Afghanistan are among the issues that have consistently concerned the nation, a Bangladeshi media report said.

The critique came after a Pakistani delegation, including Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, visited Iran on Friday to push for an end to the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.

"Keeping Pakistan's economy operational without loans from the IMF has become nearly impossible. Foreign exchange reserves have repeatedly plummeted to levels where even meeting import costs has become a matter of grave concern," Tanjina Aman Tanjum wrote in an editorial in the Dhaka Tribune.

"Fuel shortages, rising electricity tariffs, and soaring prices of daily necessities have rendered the lives of ordinary citizens unbearable. Middle-class families are now compelled to cut back on daily expenses, small businesses are struggling to survive, and a significant segment of the youth is increasingly eager to migrate abroad," it added.

Moreover, TTanjum noted that border skirmishes, terrorism, and conflicts surrounding the Taliban have kept relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in a state of "perpetual instability".

Highlighting the neighbouring country's "conflict-ridden" relationship with India, the editorial stated: "The Kashmir issue, border clashes, and political tensions have consistently kept relations between the two nations on edge. On several occasions, situations have arisen where the spectre of a nuclear conflict loomed large."

Further, the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have repeatedly carried out major attacks on Pakistani soil.

However, the editorial states that Pakistan has its own vested interest in mediating between the US and Iran.

"Should the conflict in the Middle East become protracted, oil prices would inevitably rise - a scenario that would plunge Pakistan's already fragile economy into an even deeper crisis. Furthermore, given Pakistan's large Shia population, instability surrounding Iran could trigger sectarian tensions within the country," Tanjum stressed.

--IANS

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Islamabad, May 24 (IANS) Journalists in Pakistan have urged the Parliament to review all media laws and termed the recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016 "draconian black law, specifically engineered to facilitate the arm-twisting of journalists and the suppression of Pakistan’s media landscape", reports said.

A declaration issued at the conclusion of the National Journalists Convention on “Media Laws, Regulations, and Ethics", organised by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), read: "We demand that the Parliament review all media laws that are contrary to Article 19 of the Constitution," the daily Dawn reported.

Through the declaration, known as the "Islamabad Declaration", the journalists slammed the "violation of the government’s solemn promise that these laws would never be weaponised against the press".

During the event, the journalists voiced concern over continued retrenchments and the deliberate job insecurity created by media owners, especially in the electronic media, where layoffs were made without any justification, resulting in hundreds of media personnel becoming jobless amid record-high inflation, as per the Dawn report.

The journalists condemned the denial of basic employment rights to media personnel, including health insurance, gratuity, and EOBI registration and benefits.

The declaration stated, “The Convention expresses serious concern over the government’s policy of using public advertisements as a tool of financial pressure to dictate editorial content and enforce censorship through informal press advice. Daily Dawn, in particular, is a victim of this policy; it is being denied not only public-sector advertisements but is also facing a situation in which the private corporate sector is being persuaded to withhold advertising."

In April, Islamabad-based media watchdog Freedom Network said that Pakistan's media landscape saw a reduction in space for free expression during the past year due to increasing legal, regulatory, and economic and other pressures.

Titled 'Regulatory Repression of Freedom of Expression – Legal Controls and PECA Undermine Media and Journalism in Pakistan', the report stated that the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) law is the most “consequential instrument” being used to restrict journalists and free speech practitioners in the country.

According to the report, the provisions of PECA law were increasingly being used in 2025 and 2026 to criminalise lawful expression, target dissent, and intimidate journalists, lawyers and political commentators.

Freedom Network released the report to mark World Press Freedom Day, which is observed globally on May 3 each year.

"The weaponisation of PECA has created a climate of fear where journalists are compelled to self-censor to avoid legal repercussions," said Freedom Network Executive Director Iqbal Khattak, while terming it as "one of the most serious threats to media freedom in Pakistan today."

The report has highlighted convictions of human rights lawyers, including Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, as examples of how custodial sentences were being used to deter dissent. Furthermore, dozens of journalists have faced charges under increased provisions of PECA, while defamation cases, regulatory suspensions and internet shutdowns have further affected independent journalism.

The report mentioned that state-led efforts to counter disinformation and hate speech were often used along with increased surveillance and selective enforcement.

"In terms of journalist safety, the report documented at least 129 verified incidents of violations during the review period, which ranged between April 2025 and March 2026. Legal threats and physical violence accounted for nearly two-thirds of these cases. Among these violations are two murders, five cases of threats to murder, 58 legal cases (mostly PECA-invoked), 16 cases of assault, 11 cases of threats to harm and two cases of kidnapping and enforced disappearance," Freedom Network stated.

"Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emerged as the most dangerous regions for journalists, while murders in Sindh and Balochistan underscored the persistent risks. State authorities were suspected as the leading perpetrators, responsible for over 60 per cent of violations, primarily through legal and custodial actions. Non-state actors, including militant groups and criminal networks, also contributed to threats, assaults, and killings," it added.

--IANS

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Moscow, May 24 (IANS) The Russian Defence Ministry on Sunday listed the targets of its attack in Ukraine and the weapons used in the wake of four UAVs targeting the academic building and dormitories of the Starobelsk Professional College in the Luhansk region, leaving several young students dead.

The Ministry said that it used "ballistic missiles, Iskander air-launched ballistic missiles, Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles, and Tsirkon cruise missiles, air-, sea-, and ground-based cruise missiles, and attack unmanned aerial vehicles…" for the attack on Kyiv and the Kyiv region on May 24.

Through these weapons, it targeted “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 the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, and other command posts of the AFU", it said on its official Telegram channel.

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

The attack on Starobelsk college resulted in the death of 21 and left more than 60 injured.

"There are fragments of enemy UAVs here, manufactured by foreign entities. I'm telling journalists here today that I'm appealing to Western powers: 'These drones and components that killed these children are being manufactured with your taxpayers' money," Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said on Commissioner, on Sunday, Tass news agency reported.

"This is a dormitory where students from the teacher training college were staying. Several drone strikes occurred, causing the floors to collapse. Emergency Ministry personnel were working here while searching for the bodies of the victims. The search is over," said Elena Markovskaya, a spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the LPR.

At the time of the impact, there were 86 children aged 14 to 18 there, officials said.

–IANS

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Tehran, May 24 (IANS) Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday said that Iran is ready to assure the world that they are not seeking nuclear weapons, local media reported.

"We are ready to assure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons, Iran is not seeking unrest in the region, it is the Zionist regime that is using every opportunity to keep war and unrest alive," said Pezeshkian, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported.

He noted that the government’s priority is to ensure the livelihoods of people and said that despite the problems, officials are working around the clock to meet people’s needs.

"We announced during the time of our martyred Imam, and we announce now that we are ready to assure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons, we are not seeking unrest in the region. The one seeking to destabilise the region is the Israeli regime, which is pursuing the plan of 'Greater Israel'," Pezeshkian said regarding the recent negotiations between Tehran and the United States, the report noted.

"We and the negotiators will not compromise the country's honour and pride in any way," he highlighted.

Addressing the people of Iran, he thanked them for their savings and asked them to think about efficiency in terms of energy and fuel.

In a meeting with managers of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in Tehran on Sunday, Pezeshkian also said that no decision will be made in Iran outside the framework of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and without the coordination and permission of the Supreme Leader, noted the report.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, while addressing a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, 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.

Rubio also reiterated US President Donald Trump's stance that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.

--IANS

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Ouagadoudou, May 24 (IANS) The central African nation of Burkina Faso has strengthened preventive measures against Ebola virus disease, with health authorities stressing that no cases have been recorded in the country so far.

The Ministry of Health, in a statement, said it has stepped up epidemiological surveillance, particularly at the country's entry points. Meanwhile, all health facilities have been placed on alert to ensure the early detection of any suspected cases.

The ministry also announced enhanced capacities of national laboratories, including the deployment of mobile laboratories to rapidly confirm suspected cases. These measures are accompanied by the preparation of isolation sites and treatment systems, as well as the mobilisation of the Centre for Emergency Health Response Operations, Xinhua news agency reported.

While reaffirming that no Ebola cases have been reported in Burkina Faso, health authorities called on the public to remain vigilant and comply with health guidelines.

Amid the Ebola outbreak in Africa, India on Thursday dispatched the first tranche of urgent medical supplies and protective kits to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a post on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed India's commitment to supporting Africa in responding to the emerging Ebola public health emergency.

"India dispatched the first tranche of urgent medical supplies and protective kits to the Africa CDC today. Committed to support Africa in responding to the emerging Ebola public health emergency," he posted on X.

The government also advised Indian citizens, currently residing in or travelling to Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, to strictly follow public health guidance issued by local authorities and maintain heightened precautions, in light of the reported outbreak of Ebola disease in these countries.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the situation to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

--IANS

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Washington, May 24 (IANS) A massive surveillance system established by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is tracking the real-time locations, interpersonal relationships, and activity histories of foreigners within China, reports said.

The platform, known as the Dynamic Control Platform for Overseas Personnel, tracks the foreign personnel by integrating security cameras, facial recognition, visa records, and mobile app data, the New Tang Dynasty Television reported, citing an analysis by cybersecurity research organisation, NetAskari.

Foreign journalists and other "sensitive individuals" are designated as primary targets for the surveillance.

“Apart from foreign journalists, the platform focuses on specific groups, including citizens of the ‘Five Eyes’ alliance (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States). The system monitors the exact distribution of these citizens within specific Chinese cities, down to the neighbourhood block level,” Mary Man said, writing for the NTD.

The vigilance among foreign visitors has been significantly heightened by the CCP’s pervasive surveillance network.

According to the report, the files maintained by the database included a photo, the country of origin, employer, name in both English and Chinese, date of birth, citizenship, passport number, and Chinese mobile number.

"You can see who knows each other, who are classmates, who are colleagues, if they live in the same neighbourhood, if they live in the same block, if they've been spotted on camera together even," Mary Man wrote, citing Sophia Yan, a correspondent for a UK-based daily, who discovered her own personal profile within this database.

China now has one monitoring device for every two citizens, with a surveillance network exceeding 700 million cameras.

Other than monitoring incomers, the CCP also blocked several independent media from entering the country.

“Multiple American journalists scheduled to cover Trump’s visit were denied visas by the CCP. Among those barred were The Epoch Times White House correspondent Travis Gillmore, NTD Television reporter Mari Otsu, and photojournalist Lei Chen,” noted Man.

Holding 116 media professionals behind bars, China is the world’s biggest jailer of the press, and ranked as third-worst in the World Press Freedom Index, just above North Korea and Eritrea, the report highlighted.

--IANS

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