Myanmar's junta-controlled media on Monday accused an ethnic armed group of killing 25 construction workers in the east of the country after abducting a group of 47 people last month. 
 
The Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) could not be&nbsp;reached&nbsp;for comment on the accusation. The junta spokesman did not answer calls to seek further comment. 
 
Conflicts in Myanmar's borderlands have reignited in several places since the army seized power on February&nbsp;1 and overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 
 
The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper and army controlled Myawaddy Television showed pictures of what appeared to be 25 dead bodies laid in a forest clearing. 
 
They said the men had been working on the Uhu Creek Bridge in the Myawaddy District, near the border with Thailand, and were abducted from the construction site on May 31 in a group that also included 10 children and six women. 
 
The Global New Light of Myanmar said a total of seven bodies were found on June 11, one burnt and the others with hands tied behind their backs. It said the other 18 bodies were found on June 12. 
 
"Officials from the bridge construction site checked the dead bodies with their identities to inform parents and relatives," it said. 
 
Fighting has intensified in eastern Myanmar since the coup and clashes have driven thousands of people from their homes. 
 
The KNDO, which has been fighting for greater autonomy for the Karen people since 1947, is among the ethnic armed groups that have strongly opposed the military takeover. 
 
The junta's forces have killed more than 860 people since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. The junta has said the number is much lower. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar's junta-controlled media on Monday accused an ethnic armed group of killing 25 construction workers in the east of the country after abducting a group of 47 people last month.

Myanmar's junta-controlled media on Monday accused an ethnic armed group of killing 25 construction workers in the east of the country after abducting a group of 47 people last month. The Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) could not be reached for comment on the accusation. The junta spokesman did not answer calls to seek further comment. Conflicts in Myanmar's borderlands have reignited in several places since the army seized power on February 1 and overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper and army controlled Myawaddy Television showed pictures of what appeared to be 25 dead bodies laid in a forest clearing. They said the men had been working on the Uhu Creek Bridge in the Myawaddy District, near the border with Thailand, and were abducted from the construction site on May 31 in a group that also included 10 children and six women. The Global New Light of Myanmar said a total of seven bodies were found on June 11, one burnt and the others with hands tied behind their backs. It said the other 18 bodies were found on June 12. "Officials from the bridge construction site checked the dead bodies with their identities to inform parents and relatives," it said. Fighting has intensified in eastern Myanmar since the coup and clashes have driven thousands of people from their homes. The KNDO, which has been fighting for greater autonomy for the Karen people since 1947, is among the ethnic armed groups that have strongly opposed the military takeover. The junta's forces have killed more than 860 people since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. The junta has said the number is much lower. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar junta media accuse ethnic army of killing 25 workers

Iran has accused France of being a destabilising force in the region after its foreign minister threatened new sanctions against Tehran over its missile programme.

"The Islamic republic has always called for the strengthening of peace and stability in the region," the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement released overnight Friday.

As such Iran "considers the mass sales of sophisticated and offensive weapons by... <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/toxic-substances-found-in-nappies-in-france-government-agency-192222&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjkweTArIvgAhVEso8KHcE-DiYQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1J7LEUap-sSNRHTRqWSxXG">France</a> as a factor in destabilising the balance of the region," the statement said.

It came after French <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-targets-us-national-security-advisor-john-bolton-with-10-year-challenge-calls-him-bully-191334&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjh44SrrIvgAhWLq48KHaCdCr4QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw32_1enKeTq3Oms04jePMkl">Foreign Minister </a>Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday said Paris was ready to impose new sanctions on Tehran if talks on its missile programme and its regional influence fail to make progress.

"We have begun a difficult dialogue with Iran... and unless progress is made we are ready to apply sanctions, firmly, and they know it," Le Drian said.

Le Drian also demanded that Iran change its behaviour in the region, specifically regarding its military presence in Syria.

The Iranian foreign ministry responded saying "Iran's missile programme is not negotiable" and warned that "any new sanction by European countries will lead to a review of our relations with them".

Iran reined in most of its nuclear programme under a landmark 2015 deal with major powers — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States — that lifted sanctions on Iran.

But in May the United States withdrew from the deal and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran.

The EU has been trying to set up a special payment mechanism to maintain trade and business ties with Iran and circumvent the US sanctions.

Tehran has continued to develop its ballistic missile technology but says it has no intention of acquiring atomic weapons and that its missile development programmes are purely defensive.

Iran has accused France of being a destabilising force in the region after its foreign minister threatened new sanctions against Tehran over its missile programme.

Iran has accused France of being a destabilising force in the region after its foreign minister threatened new sanctions against Tehran over its missile programme. "The Islamic republic has always called for the strengthening of peace and stability in the region," the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement released overnight Friday. As such Iran "considers the mass sales of sophisticated and offensive weapons by... France as a factor in destabilising the balance of the region," the statement said. It came after French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday said Paris was ready to impose new sanctions on Tehran if talks on its missile programme and its regional influence fail to make progress. "We have begun a difficult dialogue with Iran... and unless progress is made we are ready to apply sanctions, firmly, and they know it," Le Drian said. Le Drian also demanded that Iran change its behaviour in the region, specifically regarding its military presence in Syria. The Iranian foreign ministry responded saying "Iran's missile programme is not negotiable" and warned that "any new sanction by European countries will lead to a review of our relations with them". Iran reined in most of its nuclear programme under a landmark 2015 deal with major powers — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States — that lifted sanctions on Iran. But in May the United States withdrew from the deal and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran. The EU has been trying to set up a special payment mechanism to maintain trade and business ties with Iran and circumvent the US sanctions. Tehran has continued to develop its ballistic missile technology but says it has no intention of acquiring atomic weapons and that its missile development programmes are purely defensive.

Iran accuses France of 'destabilising' region after French foreign minister threatens sanctions

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