World News
Deal with US not imminent, Iran says
Iran has said that a final agreement with the United States is “not imminent,” despite reports of progress in ongoing negotiations aimed at easing regional tensions and ending months of conflict in the Middle East. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Tehran and Washington had reached understandings on several major issues, but warned that significant differences still remain between the two sides. The comments came after senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggested that a breakthrough could happen soon. However, Iranian officials accused Washington of sending mixed signals and changing positions during negotiations, making it difficult to finalize a deal quickly. The discussions are believed to involve extending the current ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping, and creating a framework for future talks over Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran has insisted that the current negotiations are focused mainly on ending hostilities and reducing military tensions, not directly on nuclear matters. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the key issues in the talks because it is a vital route for global oil shipments. Continued uncertainty over the waterway has already pushed energy markets into volatility and increased concerns about global supply disruptions. Analysts say any delay in reaching a deal could keep oil prices elevated and prolong instability across the region. US President Donald Trump has also said negotiators should not rush into an agreement, stressing that Washington would only accept a “strong and meaningful” deal. Meanwhile, regional powers including Qatar, Oman and Pakistan continue diplomatic efforts to mediate between Tehran and Washington.
At least 82 killed in Chinese coal mine explosion
A devastating coal mine explosion in northern China has killed at least 82 people, making it one of the country’s deadliest mining disasters in recent years. The blast occurred late Friday at a large underground coal facility in Shanxi province, a region heavily dependent on coal production and mining operations. Rescue teams worked through the night to search for survivors trapped beneath the surface as thick smoke and unstable tunnels hampered emergency efforts. Chinese state media reported that several miners were still missing, while dozens of injured workers were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the explosion, with early reports suggesting that a buildup of gas inside the mine may have triggered the deadly blast. Safety inspectors and government officials have been dispatched to the site as pressure grows over working conditions in China’s mining sector. Witnesses described scenes of panic as families gathered outside the mine waiting for updates about their loved ones. Emergency crews used heavy machinery and ventilation systems in an attempt to clear dangerous gases from the tunnels. Local officials vowed to hold those responsible accountable if safety violations are discovered. China’s mining industry has long faced criticism over inadequate safety standards despite repeated government promises to improve conditions. While accidents have declined in recent years due to tighter regulations, coal mines remain among the country’s most hazardous workplaces. Experts say many smaller or high-output mines continue to prioritize production over worker safety. The tragedy has reignited national debate over industrial safety and oversight in China’s energy sector. Messages of condolence poured in across social media, while President Xi Jinping called for “all-out rescue efforts” and stronger enforcement of mining safety laws to prevent similar disasters in the future.
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Deal with US not imminent, Iran says
Iran has said that a final agreement with the United States is “not imminent,” despite reports of progress in ongoing negotiations aimed at easing regional tensions and ending months of conflict in the Middle East. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Tehran and Washington had reached understandings on several major issues, but warned that significant differences still remain between the two sides. The comments came after senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggested that a breakthrough could happen soon. However, Iranian officials accused Washington of sending mixed signals and changing positions during negotiations, making it difficult to finalize a deal quickly. The discussions are believed to involve extending the current ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping, and creating a framework for future talks over Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran has insisted that the current negotiations are focused mainly on ending hostilities and reducing military tensions, not directly on nuclear matters. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the key issues in the talks because it is a vital route for global oil shipments. Continued uncertainty over the waterway has already pushed energy markets into volatility and increased concerns about global supply disruptions. Analysts say any delay in reaching a deal could keep oil prices elevated and prolong instability across the region. US President Donald Trump has also said negotiators should not rush into an agreement, stressing that Washington would only accept a “strong and meaningful” deal. Meanwhile, regional powers including Qatar, Oman and Pakistan continue diplomatic efforts to mediate between Tehran and Washington.
At least 82 killed in Chinese coal mine explosion
A devastating coal mine explosion in northern China has killed at least 82 people, making it one of the country’s deadliest mining disasters in recent years. The blast occurred late Friday at a large underground coal facility in Shanxi province, a region heavily dependent on coal production and mining operations. Rescue teams worked through the night to search for survivors trapped beneath the surface as thick smoke and unstable tunnels hampered emergency efforts. Chinese state media reported that several miners were still missing, while dozens of injured workers were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the explosion, with early reports suggesting that a buildup of gas inside the mine may have triggered the deadly blast. Safety inspectors and government officials have been dispatched to the site as pressure grows over working conditions in China’s mining sector. Witnesses described scenes of panic as families gathered outside the mine waiting for updates about their loved ones. Emergency crews used heavy machinery and ventilation systems in an attempt to clear dangerous gases from the tunnels. Local officials vowed to hold those responsible accountable if safety violations are discovered. China’s mining industry has long faced criticism over inadequate safety standards despite repeated government promises to improve conditions. While accidents have declined in recent years due to tighter regulations, coal mines remain among the country’s most hazardous workplaces. Experts say many smaller or high-output mines continue to prioritize production over worker safety. The tragedy has reignited national debate over industrial safety and oversight in China’s energy sector. Messages of condolence poured in across social media, while President Xi Jinping called for “all-out rescue efforts” and stronger enforcement of mining safety laws to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Iran steps up claim to control Strait of Hormuz
Iran has intensified its claims of authority over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions across the Middle East and raising fears of prolonged disruption to global oil and shipping markets. Iranian officials and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) now insist that all vessels passing through the narrow waterway must coordinate directly with Iranian naval authorities, signaling a major shift in regional power dynamics. The latest statements from Tehran come as shipping traffic through the strait remains severely reduced amid ongoing conflict and diplomatic deadlock between Iran and the United States. Iran recently claimed it coordinated the safe passage of 26 vessels within 24 hours, arguing that maritime traffic is operating “with permission and in coordination with the IRGC Navy.” The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, carrying nearly 20% of global oil shipments under normal conditions. Iran’s tightening grip has triggered alarm among global energy producers, shipping firms, and Western governments. Analysts warn that Tehran’s attempts to formalize control over the route could set a dangerous precedent for international shipping and freedom of navigation. Iran has also unveiled what it calls a new “area of control” inside the strait, while warning ships that failure to comply with Iranian directives could expose them to missile, drone, or naval threats. Commercial shipping companies remain cautious, with many merchants unwilling to risk transit despite military escort proposals from the United States and its allies. The growing standoff has already fueled volatility in global oil prices and heightened fears of a wider regional confrontation. Diplomatic negotiations aimed at reopening unrestricted traffic through the waterway remain stalled, leaving the future of the Strait of Hormuz uncertain.
Former Cuban president Raúl Castro indicted in US over 1996 fatal downing of two planes
Former Cuban president Raúl Castro has been indicted in the United States over the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft operated by the Miami-based group Brothers to the Rescue, a decades-old incident that killed four people and sharply escalated tensions between Washington and Havana. US federal prosecutors announced that the indictment accuses Castro, who served as Cuba’s defense minister at the time, of involvement in authorizing or overseeing the operation that led Cuban fighter jets to shoot down the planes over international waters. The aircraft belonged to Brothers to the Rescue, an organization that searched for Cuban migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings to the United States. The February 1996 incident caused international outrage after Cuban MiG fighter jets destroyed the unarmed Cessna planes, killing three American citizens and one US resident. The US government long maintained that the planes were in international airspace when they were attacked, while Cuban authorities argued the aircraft had repeatedly violated Cuban airspace. According to US officials, the indictment is part of a broader effort to pursue accountability for acts that resulted in the deaths of American citizens. Legal experts note, however, that the case is largely symbolic because Castro remains in Cuba, where extradition to the United States is highly unlikely. The indictment has already triggered strong political reactions. Cuban officials condemned the move as politically motivated and accused Washington of reviving Cold War-era hostility. Analysts say the development could further strain already fragile relations between the US and Cuba, especially as diplomatic engagement between the two countries has remained limited in recent years. Raúl Castro, now retired from formal political leadership, succeeded his brother Fidel Castro as Cuba’s president in 2008 and remained one of the country’s most influential political figures for more than a decade.
Ebola has tortured us’: Fear grips eastern DR Congo as deadly virus spreads
Fear and anxiety are spreading across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as communities confront another deadly outbreak of Ebola. Health officials report rising infections in several areas, with overwhelmed hospitals and frightened residents struggling to contain the fast-moving virus. Families in affected villages say the outbreak has revived painful memories of previous Ebola crises that devastated the region over the past decade. Residents in eastern Congo describe scenes of panic as health workers in protective suits move through communities tracing contacts and isolating suspected cases. Many people fear visiting clinics, worried they could become infected or separated from loved ones. “Ebola has tortured us,” one local resident said, reflecting the deep emotional and economic toll the disease continues to inflict on already vulnerable communities. Authorities and international aid agencies are intensifying emergency measures, including vaccination campaigns, border screenings, and public awareness drives. However, insecurity caused by armed groups in eastern Congo has complicated response efforts, making it difficult for medical teams to safely reach remote villages. Health experts warn that misinformation and distrust of authorities could further accelerate the spread of the virus if communities avoid treatment centers. The outbreak has also disrupted trade, schools, and daily life across parts of the region. Markets are quieter, travel has slowed, and many families are limiting social gatherings out of fear of infection. Neighboring countries remain on alert as officials monitor possible cross-border transmission. Despite the growing crisis, health authorities stress that Ebola can be contained through rapid testing, vaccination, isolation of patients, and community cooperation. International organizations are continuing to send medical supplies and specialists to support Congo’s response as fears rise that the outbreak could worsen in the coming weeks
At least 100 deaths reported in Ebola outbreak in DR Congo as six Americans exposed
More than 100 people have reportedly died in the latest Ebola outbreak in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising fears of a wider health emergency as officials confirmed that six Americans were exposed to the deadly virus. Health authorities are working urgently to contain the spread of the disease, which has affected several communities already struggling with conflict and weak healthcare infrastructure. According to local officials and international health agencies, the outbreak has rapidly intensified over recent weeks, with hundreds of suspected infections under investigation. Medical teams have been deployed to isolate patients, trace contacts, and distribute vaccines in high-risk areas. The situation has become increasingly concerning due to the movement of people across regional borders and limited access to healthcare facilities in remote villages. The six Americans exposed to Ebola were reportedly working in humanitarian and medical support operations in the affected region. US health authorities are monitoring the individuals closely, though no confirmed infections among them have yet been announced. Exposure does not necessarily mean infection, but strict quarantine and testing protocols are being followed to prevent any potential spread. The Ebola virus causes severe fever, vomiting, bleeding, and organ failure, and can be fatal if not treated quickly. The disease spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials. Previous outbreaks in DR Congo have killed thousands over the past decade, making the country one of the world’s most vulnerable regions for Ebola transmission. International organizations, including the World Health Organization, are supporting emergency response efforts and calling for increased global assistance. Experts warn that rapid containment measures will be critical to stopping the outbreak before it spreads further across Central Africa.
