The continuous incidents of harassment of journalists in Bangladesh have exposed the grim reality of the situation that the South Asian nation is facing under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, according to local media reports.

The world is celebrating World Press Freedom Day 2025, with a theme, 'Reporting in the Brave New World -- The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media'.

The Dhaka-based rights group Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), in its recent data, revealed that a total of 398 incidents of attack and harassment of journalists were reported from August 2024 to March 2025, with 82 incidents reported in February and March.

The data indicated that 40 incidents were reported in March, another 40 in February, and 20 incidents in January.

Meanwhile, on Friday, ASK expressed serious concern over the recent dismissal of three TV journalists, the naming of at least 137 journalists as accused in connection with the July uprising last year, and, additionally, the filing of attempted murder cases against cultural activists.

The menace of illicit trade is causing an annual revenue loss of Rs 3.4 trillion to Pakistan, about 30 per cent of which is due to the exploitation of the Afghan Transit Trade facility. The figures were revealed in the latest report on Illicit Trade Index where Pakistan is ranked at 101 out of 158 countries. The looting revenue loss stands over Rs 751 billion with tobacco trade alone causing loss of Rs 300 billion, every year.

The report titled 'Pakistan's Battle Against Illicit Trade: An Analysis of Challenges and Pathways to Resilience' warned that as many as five sectors are causing massive revenue losses to the national exchequer.

Launched jointly by the Police Research Institute of Market Economy (PRIME) and Transitional Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT), the report details how five sectors - namely tobacco; pharmaceuticals; tyres and lubricants; petrol and diesel; and tea - are causing major revenue losses to the national exchequer due to the consistent presence of illicit trade activities.

"Out of Rs 751 billion revenue losses, illicit tobacco is causing revenue loss of Rs 300 billion, pharmaceuticals Rs 60-65 billion, tyres and lubricants Rs 106 billion, petrol and diesel Rs 270 billion and tea Rs 10 billion on a per annum basis," the report states.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday that it had intercepted two missiles fired from Yemen.

In the latest incident this afternoon, air raid sirens were activated in northern Israel, as the IDF stated that it is examining the outcome of interception efforts targeting a ballistic missile. No injuries or damage have been reported so far.

It follows the IDF's interception of a missile also launched from Yemen early Friday morning. Israel's national emergency service, MDA, said in a statement that there were no reports of casualties, except for a man who was bruised on his way to a shelter, news agency reported.

Special Yoga sessions were held across the globe on Friday, marking the 50-day countdown to the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025.

In Australia's Perth, senior members of Health Support Services performed chair Yoga.

"We marked the 50 Day Countdown to International Day of Yoga 2025 with unwavering energy and unity of HSS Seniors of Perth, demonstrating some chair Yoga. Yoga for One Earth, One Health," the Consulate General of India in Perth posted on X.

In Sri Lanka's Kandy, teachers, principal and more than 50 students from the Kathiresan Central College in Nawalapitiya participated in the yoga session organised by the Assistant High Commission of India.

The Consulate General of India in Hambantota also organised a special yoga session for children at a detention home.

A total of 653 survivors have been rescued by emergency teams following Myanmar's 7.7-magnitude earthquake, the state-owned daily Myanma Alinn reported on Friday.

Both local and international rescue teams carried out search and rescue operations. They were also able to retrieve 779 bodies as of Thursday, the report added.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28. As of May 1, the disaster has claimed 3,835 lives and injured 5,105 people, with 105 others still unaccounted for, news agency reported.

Myanmar has experienced a total of 157 aftershocks following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28.

The aftershocks ranged from magnitude 2.8 to 7.5, the department said.

South Korean Acting President Lee Ju-ho presided over his first Cabinet meeting on Friday and stressed the need to devote efforts to state affairs ahead of the June 3 presidential election.

Lee made the calls during the first Cabinet meeting since he assumed the interim leadership following the resignation of former acting South Korean President Han Duck-soo and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok on Thursday.

Noting the National Assembly's passage of the extra budget Bill the previous day, Lee also said, "This supplementary budget was passed in just 11 days, the fastest in the past 20 years."

"It is now time for the government to fulfill its responsibility," he added.

On Thursday, the National Assembly passed a 13.8 trillion-won ($9.6 billion) extra budget aimed at helping disaster response efforts and revitalising the economy.

Top economic and financial policymakers on Friday vowed to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of the financial markets amid heightened political uncertainties following the resignations of the prime minister and finance minister, the finance ministry said.

The renewed pledge was made during an emergency meeting on macroeconomic and financial issues, chaired by acting Finance Minister Kim Beom-suk and attended by Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong, and the chiefs of the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, reports news agency.

"The officials said it is regrettable that Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok inevitably resigned due to the impeachment motion, especially at a time when uncertainties in the economy and financial markets are high due to the U.S. tariff shocks, and with just one month to go before the launch of a new administration," the ministry said in a release.

Severe weather hit New Zealand on Thursday, leading to a state of emergency being declared in part of the country.

In the South Island, heavy rain has already caused flooding, and people have been evacuated from their homes.

Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced that Christchurch has entered a state of emergency at a press conference on Thursday.

Parts of Canterbury region have recorded between 100 and 180 mm of rain since the start of Wednesday to midday Thursday, some parts have seen more than double a month's amount of rain in that time, said the National weather authority MetService.

A massive wildfire raging through Israel has triggered a national emergency in the nation, forcing the evacuation of thousands and casting dense plumes of smoke over Jerusalem.

Authorities have described the blaze as one of the most severe in the nation's history, erupting on Wednesday -- coinciding with Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers -- and spreading swiftly due to strong winds and parched conditions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sounded the alarm, warning that the fast-advancing fire could reach Jerusalem itself.

"This is a national emergency, not just a local one," he said.

Emphasising the urgency, Netanyahu added, "The priority right now is defending Jerusalem," and called for additional fire engines and the creation of firebreaks.

South Korea's exports gained 3.7 percent from a year earlier in April, marking a third consecutive month of increase, while outbound shipments to the United States dropped sharply on the Donald Trump administration's hefty tariffs, data showed on Thursday.

Outbound shipments came to US$58.2 billion last month, the highest-ever for an April, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Imports dropped 2.7 percent on-year to $53.3 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $4.88 billion, reports news agency.

Exports to the U.S. decreased 6.8 percent on-year to $10.6 billion, leading to a $900 million drop in Seoul's trade surplus with the U.S. from a year earlier.