United News of Bangladesh

At least nine people were killed on Wednesday when a section of a bridge collapsed into a river in India’s western state of Gujarat, according to local police cited by the Press Trust of India. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said that multiple vehicles were crossing the bridge at the time of the collapse, which caused several to plunge into the river. At least five individuals have been rescued so far, he confirmed. Death toll rises to 36 in India pharma factory blast The collapse occurred in Vadodara district, an area that has been experiencing heavy rainfall in recent days. Patel noted that the bridge was built in 1985. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, calling the incident “deeply saddening.” India has long faced challenges with infrastructure safety, with incidents involving roads, bridges, and other structures not uncommon. In one of the country’s worst recent infrastructure disasters, a century-old cable suspension bridge in Gujarat collapsed in 2022, sending hundreds into the river and resulting in the deaths of at least 132 people.    

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday warned that global trade is being weaponized, as foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened their annual meeting amid rising fears over impending U.S. trade tariffs. Anwar’s warning came as concerns mount across the 10-nation ASEAN bloc, many of whose economies are heavily reliant on exports. Six member states are among 14 countries facing steep new U.S. tariffs—ranging from 25% to 40%—scheduled to take effect on August 1 unless agreements are reached. Opening the meeting, Anwar said the world is witnessing a time when “power unsettles principle” and economic tools once meant to foster growth are now being used “to pressure, isolate and contain.” Without naming the United States, he urged ASEAN to forge a united response to emerging trade threats. China ready to work with UN to strengthen more just and equitable int'l order: Premier Li “Our cohesion must not end at declarations,” he said, calling on the group to strengthen intra-ASEAN trade, advance regional integration, and reduce strategic dependencies on major external powers. “This is no passing storm. It is the new weather of our time.” U.S. President Donald Trump initially announced the tariff measures in April but delayed them by 90 days for negotiations. On Tuesday, he reintroduced the tariffs, which will apply to 14 countries unless deals are finalized by August. He also warned of even higher tariffs should any country retaliate. So far, Vietnam is the only ASEAN member to have secured a deal, which reduced its tariffs from 46% to 20%. The new tariff rates include 36% for Thailand and Cambodia, 32% for Indonesia, 25% for Malaysia, and 40% for both Laos and Myanmar. Several ASEAN countries have initiated bilateral discussions with Washington and plan to hold a regional summit with the U.S. later this year to adopt a unified approach.Responding to the economic uncertainty, Malaysia’s central bank on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time in five years. Meanwhile, Malaysian Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz stated that while Kuala Lumpur will continue talks with the U.S., it will not agree to any terms that compromise national interest or sovereignty. He referenced American demands concerning government procurement policies, halal certification, medical regulations, and digital tax policies but did not elaborate. “It has to be fair ... if the deal does not benefit Malaysia, we should not have a deal,” he emphasized. Beyond trade tensions, the ASEAN bloc is grappling with internal crises, including the ongoing civil war in Myanmar and a simmering border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. The foreign ministers' meeting in Malaysia will be followed by high-level talks on Thursday and Friday with key external partners including the United States, China, Japan, India, Russia, and the European Union.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to arrive Thursday for his first visit to Asia. His trip follows the cancellation of planned stops in Japan and South Korea last week. Other prominent attendees include Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.Analysts say these upcoming talks will be a critical test of ASEAN’s ability to maintain its independence and uphold a rules-based trade framework amid intensifying global geopolitical rivalry. “ASEAN must be among those who choose to stand for rules, even when others choose retreat,” Anwar said, with officials confirming he will meet Rubio to address the tariff concerns directly. Russia becomes first state to recognise Afghanistan's Taliban government Commentators see Rubio’s presence as a sign of Washington’s renewed engagement with Southeast Asia. Collins Chong Yew Keat, a foreign affairs and security analyst at Universiti Malaya, noted that the U.S. still offers ASEAN significant military and economic advantages but now expects more alignment. “Trump’s administration, while still offering the strongest military deterrence and market access, expects ASEAN to stop exploiting this security umbrella while cozying up economically to China,” he said.

At least nine people have died and 19 others remain missing after monsoon-triggered floods swept away Nepal’s main bridge connecting the country to China, authorities said Wednesday, as rescue efforts continue along the swollen mountain river. Dozens of rescuers have been deployed to the affected area and more are expected to join the operation, police confirmed. The bodies of nine victims have so far been recovered from the river, while 55 people — including four Indian nationals and one Chinese citizen — have been rescued, according to the Rasuwa District Administration Office. Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli flew to the flood-hit region along with top ministers and officials. He had earlier convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday night, instructing all security forces and government agencies to assist in rescue and recovery operations. The flooding on the Bhotekoshi River occurred early Tuesday and destroyed the Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadi, a vital trade link located 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Kathmandu. Monsoon floods wash away Nepal-China bridge, 18 missing Several houses and trucks waiting for customs inspections at the border were swept away by the floodwaters. Among the losses were hundreds of electric vehicles imported from China that had been parked at the border point. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said the 19 missing individuals include 13 Nepali citizens and six Chinese nationals. According to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, cited by state media, the Chinese and eight of the Nepali victims were working on a Chinese-assisted construction project on the Nepali side of the border. The destruction of the Friendship Bridge has brought trade between China and Nepal through this route to a complete halt. Authorities noted that the only alternative now is a significantly longer route — shipping goods from China to India, and then transporting them overland to Nepal. Flooding during Nepal’s annual monsoon season, which typically runs from June to September, frequently causes widespread damage, disrupting transportation and threatening lives and livelihoods across the country.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday said that China is ready to further enhance collaboration with the United Nations to jointly promote a more just and equitable international order. The Premier made the remarks during his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Over the 80 years since its founding, the United Nations has made vital contributions to safeguarding world peace and tranquility while promoting common development, Li said. Cautioning that the world is facing mounting unstable and uncertain factors, Li said that the UN needs to play a better role. China stays committed to multilateralism and win-win cooperation: Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the three major global initiatives, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, are highly consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as they embody China's steadfast commitment and pragmatic approach to support multilateralism and the work of the UN, stressed Li. The more complex the international situation becomes, the more necessary it is to uphold the authority of the UN, said Li, stating that China firmly supports the UN's central role in global governance and stands ready to work with all parties to practice true multilateralism and to better advance the UN's work. As the global security faces grave challenges, China has made extensive efforts to promote dialogue for the political settlement of hotspot issues, and will continue to support the UN in playing its unique role in de-escalating tensions, the premier said. China opposes trade deals that undermine its interests, says Commerce Ministry He mentioned that all parties should prioritize development on the international agenda, work together to enhance global development cooperation, allocate resources first and foremost to key areas such as poverty alleviation, education, employment and capacity building, and revitalize the global development partnership. As a responsible major developing country, China will continue to uphold opening-up, share its opportunities globally, and promote shared development, said Li. He also emphasized China's support for the United Nations as the primary platform to address gaps in global governance in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, polar regions, and outer space. China, EU aim to deepen cooperation on global issues

Monsoon-swollen floodwaters swept away the main bridge linking Nepal with China on Tuesday, leaving 18 people missing and halting a key trade route, according to Nepali authorities. The Bhotekoshi River, swollen by heavy rainfall, destroyed the Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadi, located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Kathmandu. The flood also swept away several houses and trucks that had been parked at the border for customs inspections. Among the damaged property were hundreds of electric vehicles imported from China. Rescue operations were underway, with a Nepali Army helicopter evacuating people stranded by the sudden flooding. Police said that 95 rescuers had already reached the site and additional teams were being mobilized. Monsoon rains and flash floods kill at least 72 in Pakistan According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the 18 missing people include 12 Nepali citizens and six Chinese nationals. The Chinese nationals, along with eight of the Nepalis, were working on a Chinese-assisted construction project on the Nepali side of the border, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal said, as reported by state media. The destruction of the Friendship Bridge has effectively stopped all trade via this route. With the Rasuwagadi checkpoint out of operation, the only viable alternative involves transporting goods from China to India and then overland into Nepal — a longer and more complex process. Nepal’s monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, often brings devastating floods that damage infrastructure and threaten lives, particularly in mountainous and border regions.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito met with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on Tuesday in Ulaanbaatar, underscoring a shared interest in deepening ties between the two democracies in a region long shaped by Russian and Chinese influence. The meeting followed a formal welcoming ceremony in the Mongolian capital on the second day of Naruhito’s weeklong visit — a significant gesture that marks Japan’s growing engagement with the landlocked nation of 3.5 million. Tokyo has prioritized boosting trade with Mongolia, which exports much of its rich resources of coal, copper, and other minerals to China. Later in the day, Emperor Naruhito is scheduled to lay flowers at a cenotaph honoring the thousands of Japanese prisoners of war who were held under harsh conditions in Mongolia during and after World War II. The visit coincides with the 80th anniversary of the war’s end. Historians note that one of the earliest clashes of the global conflict occurred in the summer of 1939 along the Mongolian frontier, where Soviet forces repelled an incursion by Japanese troops in a decisive defeat for Japan. Japan to provide $4.8mn to strengthen Bangladesh's election systems In recent years, Naruhito has made a point of visiting sites associated with some of the most devastating battles and bombings of World War II, including Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Hiroshima. These journeys, he has said, are part of an effort to reflect on the tragedies of war fought in the name of his grandfather, Emperor Hirohito. While the majority of Japanese prisoners of war were sent to Siberia, between 12,000 and 14,000 were detained in Mongolia, which had joined the Soviet Union in its war against Japan by the end of World War II. Following the war, Mongolia remained a tightly controlled Soviet ally, effectively functioning as a militarized buffer state aimed at China. Most of the population continued their traditional nomadic herding lifestyle during this period. Since the collapse of Communist rule in 1989, Mongolia has established a resilient democracy and worked to balance political and economic pressure from neighboring powers with strategic partnerships, including strong ties with the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice on Monday, sending massive columns of volcanic ash and debris soaring into the sky, disrupting flights and covering nearby villages in ash. Authorities reported no casualties from the twin eruptions on Flores Island, where the volcano has been on the highest alert level since June 18. As activity intensified, officials expanded the exclusion zone around the 1,584-meter (5,197-foot) peak to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius. The country’s Geology Agency recorded searing clouds of gas, rocks, and lava cascading nearly 5 kilometers (3 miles) down the volcano's slopes. Drone footage revealed lava filling the crater, indicating significant underground magma movement, which also triggered earthquakes. The first eruption, which occurred shortly after 11 a.m. local time (0305 GMT), produced a towering ash plume reaching up to 18 kilometers (11 miles) — the highest since a deadly eruption in November 2024 that left nine people dead and dozens injured. The volcano had also erupted in March this year. Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki Volcano Erupts, Alert Level Raised "Such a large-scale eruption poses significant dangers, including risks to aviation," said Muhammad Wafid, head of the Geology Agency. He added that authorities are considering expanding the evacuation zone for residents and tourists. A second eruption followed at around 7:30 p.m. (1100 GMT), sending lava and ash clouds up to 13 kilometers (8 miles) into the atmosphere, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation. At least 24 international flights connecting Bali with Australia, Singapore, and South Korea were cancelled, along with several domestic flights, officials at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport confirmed. Despite the disruptions, airport operations remained normal as volcanic ash had not yet entered Bali's airspace. Ashfall from the eruptions blanketed nearby villages, darkening the sky for nearly half an hour. Residents were warned of possible lava floods triggered by heavy rain. Images circulating online showed thick ash clouds forming mushroom-like plumes, while volcanic debris covered rooftops. Some villagers were seen fleeing the area in panic. Experts believe the eruptions were fueled by a buildup of magma pressure within the crater, which initially reduced seismic signals but eventually triggered the powerful blasts. Indonesia, part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, with 120 active volcanoes across the archipelago of over 280 million people. Mount Lewotobi's eruption is considered one of the most significant since Mount Merapi's deadly 2010 eruption, which killed 353 people on Java Island.

At least 72 people have been killed and over 130 injured in Pakistan following ten days of heavy monsoon rains and flash floods, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and local officials said on Monday. The deaths, recorded since June 26, were reported from various parts of the country, including the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eastern Punjab, southern Sindh, and southwestern Balochistan provinces. The NDMA has urged local officials to remain on high alert and advised tourists to avoid visiting flood-affected areas, warning that continued rainfall could block highways and trigger further flash floods. Millions lack safe water months after Pakistan floods Emergency services have been operating at maximum capacity since last month, following an incident in which 17 tourists from the same family were swept away by the Swat River in the northwest. Four of them were rescued, while the bodies of the remaining 13 were later recovered. Videos circulating online showed members of the family stranded on a rooftop, pleading for help. The footage sparked widespread outrage and accusations of a slow response by emergency crews. Authorities have warned that a repeat of the extreme weather seen during the 2022 floods cannot be ruled out. At the time, heavy rains inundated nearly a third of Pakistan, killing 1,737 people.

China's farthest offshore wind power project has achieved its first grid connection, marking a significant step forward in the country's deep-sea renewable energy development, the state-owned China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC) has announced. At 3:12 a.m. Friday, during a critical period for summer electricity demand, the first batch of units from the 800-megawatt offshore wind power project in Dafeng, east China's Jiangsu Province, was successfully connected to the grid as the blades of Unit 9 began to turn, the CTGC confirmed to Xinhua on Sunday. Located northeast of Yancheng City, the Dafeng project consists of four subsites. Subsite H8-1 is the most distant, with its center located 80 kilometers offshore and its outermost point extending to 85.5 kilometers, making it the farthest grid-connected offshore wind power project in China so far. The wind farm comprises 98 wind turbines and three offshore booster stations, with a total installed capacity of 800 megawatts, according to the CTGC. Discussing the major construction challenges, Shi Shuaishuai, the project manager, noted that the site is so far offshore that it takes six to seven hours by boat to reach the construction area one way. "We faced difficulties like large ocean swells, harsh weather conditions, and seabed sediment erosion," he said, adding that the construction team often held on-site meetings to address specific issues as they arose. "We used our self-developed meteorological warning platform to precisely identify optimal weather windows. At peak periods, over 1,000 workers were working simultaneously at sea," Shi added. Liu Yu, another manager of the Dafeng project, said the wind farm is scheduled to achieve full-capacity grid connection by the end of December. It is expected to generate about 2.6 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, which is enough to meet the yearly power needs of approximately 1.1 million households with three members each, Liu added. According to a National Energy Administration (NEA) report released this January, China's newly installed wind power capacity reached 79.82 million kilowatts in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 6 percent. This includes 75.79 million kilowatts from onshore wind and 4.04 million kilowatts from offshore wind. By December 2024, the cumulative wind power grid-connected capacity in China reached 521 million kilowatts, reflecting an 18 percent year-on-year increase, with onshore wind contributing 480 million kilowatts and offshore wind contributing 41.27 million kilowatts, according to the NEA report. Globally, offshore wind energy resources exceed 71 billion kilowatts, with deep-sea areas accounting for over 70 percent. However, less than 0.5 percent has been developed, despite higher potential due to average wind speeds above nine meters per second and greater power generation hours compared to near-shore sites, the CTGC said. The Dafeng project demonstrates the feasibility of deep-sea wind power, the CTGC said, adding that the development not only provides additional green energy to support Jiangsu's economic and social growth but also holds significant importance for China's advancement into deeper offshore wind power.

The first-half 2025 media exchange program by the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) ended on Saturday on an optimistic note, emphasizing renewed shared understanding and strengthened cooperation among participants. The China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) hosted the event. Hosted by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), the event was attended by Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei, CPDA President Wu Hailong and Zhang Jianbo, Director of the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC). A total of 119 journalists from 101 countries, who participated in the four-month program, gathered to mark the conclusion of their intensive journey across China. Addressing the journalists, Wu Hailong, President of the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), said that over the past four months, you have observed and covered many significant events in China. Your reports have helped introduce the world to China’s governance philosophy, diplomatic principles, and its approach to engaging with the international community. During your stay here, you traveled to 18 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Through your cameras and writing, you documented China's diverse regional development and various aspects of Chinese people's lives. I was also fortunate to share some of these unforgettable moments with you. Together, we learned how Inner Mongolia is celebrated as China’s “Dairy Capital” and “China Cloud Valley,” how efforts to combat desertification benefit not only China but the wider region, and how the China-Europe Railway Express enhances global connectivity and supports high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.