North Korea official blasts ASEAN for urging denuclearisation

Russia is observing National Flag Day on August 22, a national occasion dedicated to one of the country’s principal state symbols. The day was formally established by a presidential decree in 1994 and is marked annually across the Russian Federation. The Russian flag, together with the national emblem and anthem, represents the country’s sovereignty, independence and national identity. Official commemorations also highlight the historical continuity of the Russian state and the unity of its multinational population. The tricolour has a history stretching back more than three centuries. Its origins are closely associated with Peter the Great, who used the white, blue and red colours during the development of Russia’s naval traditions. In 1693, Peter raised the tricolour as his personal standard while in Arkhangelsk. Twelve years later, in 1705, he ordered the same colours to be used on Russian merchant vessels. Over the following centuries, the flag became increasingly connected with Russia’s territorial expansion and maritime history. Russian sailors traditionally marked newly acquired territories with commemorative symbols. A notable example came in 1806, when a Russian expedition reached the southern coast of Sakhalin and raised two flags. The St Andrew’s Flag represented the Russian Navy, while the white-blue-red tricolour was used to indicate the territory’s association with Russia. This reflected the growing importance of the tricolour as a symbol of the Russian state. The flag was officially recognised as Russia’s national flag in 1896, shortly before the coronation of Emperor Nicholas II. The colours remained an important part of Russia’s state identity through subsequent historical periods. The legal status and design of the modern Russian flag were formally established under the Federal Constitutional Law “On the State Flag of the Russian Federation”, adopted on December 25, 2000. Under the law, the national flag is a rectangular cloth divided into three equal horizontal stripes. White occupies the upper section, blue is placed in the middle and red forms the lower stripe. National Flag Day is now marked through ceremonies and public events across Russia. Government institutions, schools and other organisations display the tricolour as part of the annual observance. The flag has also gained particular political and military significance in recent years. Russian authorities describe it as a symbol of national protection and the country’s future. In areas under Russian control during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian servicemen have raised the tricolour over settlements that Moscow describes as having been “liberated.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly linked the national flag with the country’s historical identity and national unity. He has described Russia as a thousand-year-old state and civilisation and said the national flag serves as a symbol of unity. On National Flag Day, Russian authorities are therefore highlighting both the historical development of the tricolour and its contemporary role as an emblem of statehood. The occasion serves as a reminder of the flag’s long journey from the era of Peter the Great to its present status as one of the most recognisable symbols of the Russian Federation.

JAKARTA: Indonesian rescue teams have evacuated 172 people after a passenger ferry travelling from Bali to Lombok caught fire in the Lombok Strait early Wednesday. Officials said one Indonesian passenger was confirmed dead as rescue crews continued searching the surrounding waters for anyone who may still be missing. The KM Putri Yasmin was sailing from Padangbai port in Bali towards Lembar port in West Nusa Tenggara when the incident occurred. Local rescue authorities said the ferry caught fire at around 4:39am local time. Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the local rescue agency, said emergency teams immediately launched an evacuation operation after receiving information about the incident. Several rescue boats were sent to the area to assist passengers and coordinate with other vessels operating near the ferry. More than 200 personnel were reportedly involved in the rescue effort. Most of those rescued were Indonesian nationals, while one Australian citizen was also among the survivors. The evacuees were transported to ports in Bali and Lombok for further assistance. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the fire. Officials were also investigating whether the ferry may have been carrying more people than officially registered. An official at Padangbai port, Heri Wiyanto, said the vessel’s manifest listed 114 passengers and 17 crew members. The discrepancy between the registered figures and the number of people rescued has raised questions about passenger safety and possible overcrowding. The incident comes less than a month after another ferry accident in Indonesian waters. The KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire off Madura island, killing five people. That vessel was also reportedly carrying more passengers than listed on its official manifest. Indonesia depends heavily on ferries because its thousands of islands are separated by extensive stretches of sea. Ferry services are widely used by residents and tourists because they are generally more accessible and affordable than air travel. However, a series of maritime accidents has repeatedly raised concerns about safety enforcement, passenger capacity and emergency preparedness in the country’s ferry industry. Rescue officials said the search operation would continue as authorities work to establish the full number of people who were aboard the vessel and determine how the fire began.

At least seven people were killed and 15 others injured after a student opened fire at a school near Thailand’s capital Bangkok on Friday. The suspected shooter was among those killed after turning the weapon on himself, according to police. The incident took place at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, northwest of Bangkok. Students rushed out of the school as emergency teams arrived at the scene. Several wounded people were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Teachers and students were reportedly among those killed and injured. A student at the school said he initially mistook the sound of gunfire for firecrackers or someone hitting an object. He later realised that several shots had been fired. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the incident as a terrible tragedy and questioned how such an attack could occur in the country. Emergency responders said they treated several students who had suffered gunshot wounds to their backs, chests and arms. A male teacher was found dead on an upper floor of the school, while a female teacher was also found with serious injuries. Rescue workers attempted to revive the injured teacher before rushing her to hospital, but she could not be saved. Following the shooting, traffic around the school came to a standstill as parents rushed to collect their children. Authorities also moved to provide assistance to students, teachers and affected families. Police identified the attacker as a student. The incident is the second school shooting reported in Thailand this year. Thailand has experienced several deadly shooting incidents in recent years. The country witnessed its deadliest mass killing in 2022, when a former police officer killed 36 people, including 22 children, in a prolonged attack at a childcare centre. Other deadly shootings have also taken place in Bangkok and other parts of the country, raising continued concerns over gun violence and firearm access.