30/06/2025

MONDAY | JUNE 30, 2025

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Taiwan vice-president ‘not intimidated’ by unlawful acts

SINGAPORE INCREASES SECURITY POSTURE SINGAPORE: The city state has increased its security posture amid the Iran-Israel conflict, said Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam. “There is a ceasefire, but we don’t know exactly what will happen after this,” he told the media on the sidelines of a community event on Saturday. Shanmugam noted the possibility of attacks on both sides. He said individuals or extremist organisations might want to make a point against Israeli, American or other Western assets. There could also be attacks from the far right. “We have increased our security posture, working off different scenarios, but you know, you can never be absolutely sure.” – Bernama CHINA ISSUES YELLOW ALERT FOR STORMS BEIJING: China’s national observatory issued a yellow alert yesterday, warning of downpours in some regions of the country. Heavy rains and rainstorms are forecast to hit parts of Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, Chongqing, Hubei, Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei and Liaoning, the National Meteorological Centre said. Parts of the Sichuan Basin are expected to experience torrential rains, with precipitation up to 300mm. The centre has advised local authorities to take precautions for heavy rainstorms, and suggested that necessary drainage measures should be taken in urban areas and across farmlands. – Bernama Stampede kills three near Indian temple BHUBANESWAR: A sudden crowd surge at a festival in India’s coastal state of Odisha yesterday triggered a stampede that killed at least three people and injured several others, local government officials said. Thousands of devotees had gathered near Gundicha temple in the city of Puri for celebrations of an annual chariot festival. “There was a sudden surge in the crowd. Nine devotees experienced breathlessness and were taken to hospital. While three died, the others are in stable condition,” said district administrative official Siddharth Swain. Media reported that several other s were injured. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the “tragic incident” occurred due to the “overwhelming rush of devotees”. “I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives,” Majhi posted on X, adding that an investigation was launched. “This negligence is unforgivable. I have directed an immediate investigation into the safety lapses and action will be taken against those responsible.” Deadly stampedes and crowd crushes are common at festivals. Last month, six people were crushed to death in the state of Goa after thousands gathered for a popular fire-walking ritual. And in January, at least 30 people were killed in a crush at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. – AFP

BR I E F S

should immediately explain and publicly apologise,” it said. A senior Taiwan security official briefed on the matter told Reuters the incident was an example of “transnational repression” by China that the European Union is paying close attention to. “This is a problem that everyone should pay attention to,” the official requesting anonymity said, adding many government officials around the world were threatened by China upon visits made by Taiwanese officials or politicians to their countries. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said: “Chinese diplomats have always abided by the laws and regulations of the countries in which they are stationed. “China urges the parties concerned not to be provoked and exploited by separatist forces, and to not make a fuss over nothing, engage in malicious speculation, and interfere with and undermine relations between the two countries.” – Reuters

create conditions to perform a demonstrative kinetic action against a protected person, which however did not go beyond the phase of preparation.” A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, commenting on the matter, denied any

Unlawful activities will not intimidate me from voicing Taiwan’s interests in the international

o Czechs confirm targeting report

community,” Hsiao wrote on X. Her post was linked to the Reuters report on the incident. In a separate post, Hsiao thanked global parliamentarians who have expressed solidarity against “violence and coercion”. “Taiwan will not be isolated by intimidation,” Hsiao wrote. Czech Military Intelligence spokesman said Chinese diplomats in Prague had taken actions that violated diplomatic rules. “This consisted of physically following the vice-president, gathering information on her schedule and attempts to document her meetings with important representatives of the Czech political and public scene,” spokesman Jan Pejsek said in emailed comments to Reuters. “We even recorded an attempt by the Chinese civil secret service to

TAIPEI: Taiwan Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim (pic) said she will not be intimidated by China after Czech military intelligence said Chinese diplomats and secret service followed Hsiao and planned to intimidate her physically when she visited Prague last year. Hsiao visited the Czech Republic in March 2024. Prague does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but has fostered warm relations with the island. Czech media reported last year that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light when following her car. Czech public radio news website irozhlas.cz said on Thursday that the Chinese had also planned to stage a demonstrative car crash. “I had a great visit to Prague and thank the Czech authorities for their hospitality and ensuring my safety.

wrongdoing by Chinese diplomats and also said the Czech Republic had interfered in China’s internal affairs by allowing Hsiao’s visit to go ahead. The Czech Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident at the time but did not comment further on Friday. Taiwan’s China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said the actions “seriously threatened the personal safety of Vice-President Hsiao and her entourage”. “The Mainland Affairs Council today protested and strongly condemned the bad behaviour and demanded that the Chinese side

GAME ON ... Korean performers dressed as Squid Game soldiers marching in a parade through central Seoul on Saturday, followed by a fan event with cast to celebrate the release of the third season of the Netflix hit series. – REUTERSPIC Bombing kills 13 Pakistani soldiers near Afghan border

ISLAMABAD: A suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden car into a Pakistani military convoy on Saturday in a town near the Afghan border, killing at least 13 soldiers. The convoy was attacked in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district, the army said in a statement. “Three civilians including two children and a woman were severely injured,” it said. Fourteen gunmen were killed by the army in an operation launched

next to Afghanistan, has long served as a safe haven for different groups, who operate on both sides of the border. Islamabad says militants run training camps in Afghanistan to launch attacks inside Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies, saying the militancy is Pakistan’s domestic issue. India’s External Affairs Ministry said it rejects a statement by the Pakistan Army seeking to blame India for the attack in Waziristan. – Reuters

large amount of smoke billowing from the scene from a great distance. One resident said that the explosion rattled the windowpanes of nearby houses and caused some roofs to collapse. The Pakistani military said the attack was carried out by militants backed by India, an allegation New Delhi rejected. The attack was executed by an Indian proxy, the statement said. The lawless district, which sits

after the attack in the region, it said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and termed it a “cowardly act”, a statement from his office said. Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir said in a statement any attempt to undermine Pakistan’s internal stability would be met with swift and decisive retribution. “It was huge, a big bang,” a local administrator told Reuters, adding that residents of the town could see a