China: At least 90 dead in coal mine explosion
Today's news: Marco Rubio is in India to mend relations with Modi, with a first stop in Kolkata to visit the Missionaries of Charity. Saudi authorities increase health checks among Hajj pilgrims due to concerns over the Ebola virus. Some 274 people reached the summit of Mount Everest in one day, a new record in Himalayan overtourism. South Korea has become the world's second-largest cosmetics exporter.
CHINA
A gas explosion in a coal mine in China's Shanxi province has caused at least 90 deaths, becoming the country's worst mining disaster in the past decade. The accident occurred last night in the Liushenyu mine, while 247 workers were underground. According to the latest update this morning, most have been evacuated, but nine people are still missing. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered authorities to do everything possible to continue search and rescue operations and has called for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and determine any accountability related to the mine's safety.
INDIA – UNITED STATES
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began an official visit to India today, aimed at boosting relations with the Narendra Modi government, which have been strained over the past year by the Trump administration's tariff policies and India’s war with Pakistan. Rubio began his trip in Kolkata by visiting the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity and praying at the tomb of Mother Teresa. In the coming days, he will also participate in the QUAD foreign ministers' meeting. The group includes India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, and is considered a strategic counterweight to Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.
SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi health authorities have assured that they have put in place rigorous screening systems to protect approximately 1.5 million pilgrims expected for the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, which begins next Monday, 25 May. Security measures have been strengthened following the WHO's international alert regarding Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in addition to concerns about the hantavirus. To this end, Saudi Arabia has intensified health screenings for travellers from several African countries. The Hajj is also taking place amid regional tensions, with Iranian pilgrims expected to attend amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia over the Gulf conflict.
NEPAL
A record 274 people reached the summit of Mount Everest from the Nepali side last Wednesday (20 May), following a delay in the start of the spring season caused by a massive ice floe blocking the ascent route. Climbers took advantage of good weather conditions, beginning their ascent at 3:00 am and continuing for about 11 hours. This new record beats the one set on 22 May 2019, when 223 people reached the summit from the south side. This year, nearly 500 foreigners have been granted permission to climb the mountain, fuelling concerns about overcrowding and safety risks.
SOUTH KOREA
In 2025, South Korea recorded a cosmetics trade surplus of US$ 10.1 billion, exceeding the US$ 10 billion mark for the first time and growing 13.5 per cent over 2024. Exports reached a record US$ 11.4 billion (+11.8 per cent), while imports decreased by 2.3 per cent to US$ 1.29 billion. South Korea thus became the world's second-largest cosmetics exporter, ahead of the United States. France remains in first place with US$ 24.3 billion in exports. The cosmetics sector surplus accounted for 12.9 per cent of Korea's total trade surplus in 2025.
RUSSIA
The Russian National Insurance Company, owned by the Central Bank, is preparing changes to its rules for insurance in cases of terrorism and sabotage. According to Kommersant, companies could lose the ability to insure losses resulting from production disruptions following drone strikes. A plan is currently under discussion whereby insurance would only cover direct property damage, such as damage to buildings or equipment.
BELARUS
Belarusian authorities have denied permission to minister to six more Catholic priests with Polish nationality, who will be expelled from the country. The clergymen are Lech Bahanek, pastor of the parish of St Alexis in Ivanets (Minsk region); Marian Szerszen, dean of Stolbtsy and pastor of the parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Naliboki; Boguslaw Madzeevsky, dean of Myadel and pastor of the Church of St Nicholas in Svir; Pawel Lelit, pastor of St Andrew the Apostle in Narokh; Sobeslaw Tamal, pastor of St Francis in Salihorsk; and Capuchin friar Wojtech Wróblewski, who in recent years served in the parish of St Casimir in Molodekhno.
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12/02/2016 15:14
24/11/2020 10:55
