Seven suspected rebels have been killed in a clash in Nueva Ecija province, north of Manila, the Philippine military said on Thursday.In a report, the military said that the fighting broke out between a band of the New People’s Army rebels and government forces on Wednesday afternoon in Pantabangan town, Xinhua news agency reported.No soldier was killed or wounded in the clash.

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 At least 70 people were injured after a passenger train derailed in Russia’s northwestern Komi region, local media reported, citing authorities.

Nine carriages of the train overturned on Wednesday, resulting in injuries, but no deaths were reported in the accident, reported the RIA news agency, citing Russia’s state railroad company.

Emergency services and medical teams have been sent to the location.

Heavy rain was said to be the possible major cause of the accident, Xinhua news agency reported, citing media reports.

The train carrying over 200 passengers was reportedly on its way from Vorkuta, a mining town near the Arctic Circle, to the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.

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North Korea has successfully conducted a missile test aimed at securing multiple warhead capability, state media reported on Thursday, contradicting South Korea’s assessment that the test is believed to have ended in failure.

During the test conducted on Wednesday, North Korea’s Missile Administration “successfully conducted the separation and guidance control test of individual mobile warheads”, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

North Korea said the test was “aimed at securing the MIRV capability”, referring to multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle technology, which allows a single ballistic missile to deliver multiple warheads to different targets.

The announcement contradicts South Korea’s assessment that the missile exploded in the air, Yonhap news agency reported.

On Wednesday, South Korea said that the missile was launched from an area in or around Pyongyang at around 5:30 a.m. but exploded over the East Sea after flying some 250 km.

However, North Korea said the test “used the first-stage engine of an intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile within a 170-200 kilometre radius”.

The separated mobile warheads were guided correctly to three target coordinates, the KCNA said.

The effectiveness of a decoy separated from the missile was also verified by anti-air radar, it added.

The test was overseen by Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), and Kim Jong-sik, first vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, the KCNA said.

The officials emphasised that enhancing “the MIRV capability is a very important defence technological task and a top priority of the WPK Central Committee,” the KCNA reported, suggesting it might also be a top priority for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Developing MIRV technology was included in North Korea’s five-year development plan, which was unveiled during the eighth congress of the WPK in January 2021.

North Korea claimed that “the test is part of the administration’s normal activities,” the KCNA said.

This is the first time North Korea has publicly disclosed that it conducted a missile test to secure multiple warhead capability.

South Korea, the US and Japan condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

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The number of patients who died from the latest outbreak of West Nile fever in Israel has risen to four, with one new death case, the country’s Ministry of Health has said.The ministry said on Wednesday that it is currently investigating a suspected case where the virus may have caused another patient’s death, Xinhua news agency reported.

The ministry also reported six new cases of infection with the virus, bringing the total number to 48 since the beginning of May. Among them, 36 were hospitalized, with five patients under ventilation.

On Tuesday, Israel’s environmental protection and health ministries reported that mosquitoes infected with the virus were detected at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv.

Following the detection, the Israel Airports Authority conducted extensive pest control in the airport area.

The virus, mainly transmitted through mosquito bites, typically causes flu-like symptoms including headaches, fever, and muscle aches.

However, in about one in 150 cases, it can lead to severe central nervous system illnesses like encephalitis or meningitis, potentially causing paralysis, brain damage, or even death.

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 With Iran set to hold snap polls on Friday to elect the successor to late President Ebrahim Raisi, a three-way race — heading into a run-off — is likely, as per various surveys, though they differ on the positioning of the top three candidates.

Meanwhile, authorities hope for a heavier ‘legitimising’ turnout, given the unprecedented low percentage of voting in the 2021 elections and parliamentary polls earlier this year.

The turnout in the 2021 elections – which Raisi won – was 48.8 per cent – the lowest ever so far since the 1979 revolution. It further declined to around 41 per cent in the two-round Majles election in March and May this year. Part of the disenchantment of voters is over social and economic issues and the prevention of a large number of reformists. Mavericks like former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, barred from the presidential race, also do not pass vetting.

The predictions of the likely turnout, as per the surveys and analyses, depend on the orientation of the pollsters or analysts. While those by emigres, who do not enjoy the best of relations with the present Iranian dispensation, claim a much lower turnout would be recorded this time, those by in-country groups, related to government institutions, are more sanguine, report a slight bump up.

However, they also do not predict any radical breakout.

It was perhaps with this in mind, that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday called for a “maximum” voter turnout in a message to the country’s “enemies”.

“The Islamic Republic has enemies. One thing that helps the Islamic Republic overcome its enemies is the elections. If a good turnout is seen in these elections, then it will make the Islamic Republic proud,” he said in his address at a religious function.

All six approved candidates, pegged as five hardliners/conservatives, of various intensities, and one reformist, are still in the race, unlike some previous instances, when some hardliners withdrew and threw support behind others of their persuasion to prevent vote fragmentation.

The top three contenders are former chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, Majles Speaker and former Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf (both hardliners), and cardiac surgeon Masoud Pezeshkian, who served as a minister in the Khatami regime (reformist).

The other three – Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani, Vice President and Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs head Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, and cleric and former Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi – do not figure much in the calculus.

However, the surveys rate the chances of the top three quite differently, as per reports.

The Iranian Students Polling Agency (ISPA), which is affiliated with the government’s Academic Centre of Education, Research, and Culture, in a survey published on Wednesday last week, has forecast a turnout of over 50 per cent, placing Jalili first, and Pezeshkian second – less than a percentage point ahead of Qalibaf.

However, its update on Monday had Pezeshkian now leading over Jalili, albeit by a small margin, while Qalibaf stayed in third place.

In both, none of the leading candidates was even the 30 per cent mark, indicating a run-off.

Meta, a polling organisation in the Imam Sadeq University in Tehran, in its survey published last week, had forecast just over 50 per cent turnout, with Pezeshkian ahead – but over Qalibaf, while Jalili was in third place.

An update this week had the same positioning but with lower numbers for the candidates. It was also claimed that in a run-off, Qalibaf would beat Pezeshkian, and if the run-off was Qalibaf vs Jalili, the former would triumph then too.

A survey by the “privately-run” Shenaakht, coming out in the middle of the month, predicted well over 50 per cent turnout, and Qalibaf on top and both Pezeshkian and Jalili tied in second place – over 10 percentage points behind.

While for Jalili and Qalibaf, their closeness to Supreme Leader Khamenei and the IRGC background could weigh in their favour with their establishment, sole reformist candidate Pezeshkian, whose presence seems geared at drawing out reformist voters for higher voting, may find the going tough unless there is a massive turnout in his favour.

However, his ethnic background – being an Azeri – could cloud his chances. And then, his recent statements supporting Iran’s return to the nuclear deal and wider outreach to the West drew veiled censure from the Supreme Leader, who was scornful of those believing that “everything good comes from the US.” The other two peg more hopes from BRICS and the SCO.

Pezeshkian also strayed from consensus by expressing support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

But, no matter who wins, any radical change in domestic and foreign policies is unlikely since the President is only the second in command. And then, it is the Supreme Leader who also certifies the winner.

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Armoured vehicles and troops of the Bolivian Armed Forces pulled back from the presidential palace in La Paz on Wednesday evening, hours after an attempted coup.

Bolivian police arrested rebel military commander General Juan Jose Zuniga, who led the failed coup attempt.

Bolivian President Luis Arce condemned the coup attempt and called on citizens to mobilise and defend democracy. He also named a new army commander who ordered troops to withdraw.

Earlier, soldiers marched on Plaza Murillo, a square outside the seat of government, led by General Zuniga, and forced their way into the old government headquarters, Palacio Quemado.

The presence of armed troops generated a strong response from citizens, who gathered in the streets surrounding Plaza Murillo, the epicentre of Bolivia’s political power, to denounce the military move.

Representatives of social organisations in different parts of the country also demonstrated in defence of democracy, joining the President’s call to protect the constitutional order.

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Two people were killed and one military personnel wounded as a result of a new Israeli missile attack that hit several military sites in southern Syria, the Syrian Defence Ministry said. Israel initiated an aerial attack on the southern region of Syria late Wednesday from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, targeting multiple locations, the Ministry said in a statement.
The Syrian air defence managed to intercept some of the missiles, shooting them down in the process, it added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the attack in the Sayyida Zaynab suburb in the southern countryside of Damascus. Also Read – Passenger train derailment in Russia leaves 70 injured The UK-based watchdog group said the Israeli missiles directly targeted the location where vehicles were stationed at the service centre of the Jihad al-Bina Foundation, affiliated with the Lebanese Hezbollah and Iranian militias in the vicinity of the Sayyida Zaynab area. It said ambulances rushed to the targeted site as columns of smoke rose from there. Also Read – N. Korea says successfully conducted multiple warhead missile capability test The Syrian air defence system launched missiles to intercept the Israeli attack, it added. Israel has repeatedly targeted Syrian military sites, especially those believed to be housing pro-Iran militias or weapon storage facilities linked to the Lebanese Hezbollah, a long standing adversary of Israel in the region.

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One was killed and three others were injured inside a vehicle on Interstate 5 in Federal Way in the US state of Washington, according to State Patrol.

State Patrol troopers responded to the scene on northbound I-5 and found four people in a black BMW, Xinhua news agency reported.

The incident took place on Wednesday noon.

The male driver died from being stabbed.

One male passenger was shot multiple times, and another male passenger and a female passenger each had multiple stab injuries.

They were sent to the hospital for treatment, according to State Patrol. AGENCIES

A total of 259 observers from 40 countries and 21 international organisations will monitor Mongolia’s upcoming regular parliamentary elections, as announced by the country’s General Election Commission (GEC) on Wednesday.

Also, 27 journalists from 12 international media outlets will cover the elections of the State Great Khural, the country’s unicameral parliament, the commission said.

Mongolia, with a population of 3.5 million, has scheduled Friday as the date for the State Great Khural elections, reports Xinhua news agency.

The GEC has registered 1,294 candidates from 19 political parties and two coalitions, as well as 42 independents, for the parliamentary elections.

According to the law, the election campaign will be halted 24 hours before polling day.

A total of 2,238,360 Mongolian citizens are expected to cast their votes on the polling day.

In May 2023, the parliament passed amendments to increase the number of legislators from 76 to 126 in the country’s constitution.

Additionally, parliament members will be elected using a mixed electoral system, in which 78 members will be elected by majority representation and 48 by proportional representation. AGENCIES