United News of Bangladesh

More than 840,000 people die each year from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks, such as long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment, according to a new global report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). These work-related psychosocial risks are mainly associated with cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders, including suicide. The report also finds that these risks account for nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually, reflecting years of healthy life lost due to illness, disability, or premature death, and are estimated to result in economic losses equivalent to 1.37 per cent of global GDP each year. The report, The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action, highlights the growing impact of how work is designed, organized, and managed on workers' safety and health. It warns that psychosocial risk factors, including long working hours, job insecurity, high demands with low control, and workplace bullying and harassment, can create harmful working environments if not properly addressed. What is the psychosocial working environment? The report introduces the psychosocial working environment as the elements of work and workplace interactions related to how jobs are designed, how work is organized and managed, and the broader policies, practices, and procedures that govern work. These elements, both individually and in combination, affect workers' health and well-being, as well as organizational performance. How the ILO estimated 840,000 deaths The figure of over 840,000 deaths per year was estimated using two key sources of evidence: Global prevalence data: Five major psychosocial risk factors were analyzed, including job strain (high demands/low control), effort–reward imbalance, job insecurity, long working hours, and workplace bullying and harassment. Scientific research: Data linking these risks to serious health conditions like heart disease, stroke, and mental disorders, including suicide. These risk levels were applied to the latest global mortality and health data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Proactive Action Required While many psychosocial risks are not new, major transformations, including digitalization, artificial intelligence, remote work, and new employment arrangements, are reshaping the psychosocial working environment. "Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work," said Manal Azzi, Team Lead on OSH Policy and Systems at the ILO. "Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers' mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organizational performance and sustainable economic development." The report concludes that by addressing these risks proactively, countries and enterprises can create healthier workplaces that benefit both workers and organizations while strengthening productivity and economic resilience.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said that a lasting resolution to the ongoing crisis would require significant concessions from Iran. Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on maritime security in New York, Barrot said, “There can be no lasting solution to this crisis unless the Iranian regime agrees to major concessions and a radical shift in its stance”, according to AFP. He also held talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi a day earlier. Following the meeting, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the discussions focused on “developments regarding the ceasefire and diplomatic efforts to end the imposed war”. #From Al Jazeera

Satellite imagery has revealed that two vessels seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) last week are currently anchored near Hormuz Island in the Strait of Hormuz. According to images reviewed by BBC Verify, the ships MSC Francesca and Epaminondas were seen at anchor about 8 kilometres from the island. Both vessels reportedly came under fire from IRGC forces last Wednesday and were said to have been damaged. Videos aired by Iranian state media showed IRGC personnel boarding the two ships, although BBC Verify analysis indicates some parts of the footage was filmed after the seizures. IRGC Naval Command said last week both the Greek-owned Epaminondas and the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca were seized after "endangering" maritime security "by operating without the necessary permits and tampering with navigation systems".  #From BBC

Iran’s Foreign Minister has arrived in Russia following visits to Pakistan and Oman, as part of a broader regional tour aimed at easing tensions. The trip comes amid an intensified diplomatic effort to contain growing regional strains. Speaking about his Moscow visit, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it offers an important opportunity to review developments related to the ongoing conflict and to coordinate positions, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency. Iran’s Araghchi on his way to Russia for talks on US-Israel war Araghchi noted that his earlier visit to Islamabad was essential due to Pakistan’s role in mediation efforts. He said the discussions there saw some progress but ultimately failed to meet their objectives because of what he described as “excessive demands” from Washington. During his visit to Oman, the Iranian minister highlighted that both Iran and Oman are coastal states along the Strait of Hormuz and therefore share common interests in the waterway’s stability. He stressed the need to continue expert-level talks to safeguard those interests. The tour underscores Tehran’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with key regional actors as tensions persist. Source: Al Jazeera

A Russian drone attack early Monday hit residential areas in Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa, injuring 14 people, including two children, officials said. Local authorities said the drones struck homes and civilian infrastructure in the key Black Sea port, which has been repeatedly targeted since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. At least five of the injured, many suffering from shrapnel wounds, were taken to hospital, according to regional officials. In a separate development, two elderly people were killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Russian-controlled part of Kherson region, according to Moscow-installed authorities. The victims, a man and a woman in their 70s, died in the village of Dnipriany. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched around 1,900 drones, nearly 1,400 guided bombs and about 60 missiles at Ukraine over the past week. He claimed Ukraine is now intercepting more than 90% of incoming drones, thanks to improved military technology. However, he stressed the need for more advanced air defense systems, particularly Patriot missile system, to counter ballistic missile threats. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is sharing its experience in dealing with drone attacks with countries in the Middle East and Gulf region, which are facing similar threats from Iranian drones. On the diplomatic front, Ukraine has received support from its allies. European partners, excluding the United States, are contributing funds to help Kyiv purchase American weapons, while the European Union has approved a major loan package and is planning further sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure using long-range drones and missiles in an effort to weaken Moscow’s economy. A Washington-based research group said Ukrainian forces carried out at least 10 strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities over the past two weeks.

North Korea has opened a memorial museum in Pyongyang to honor its soldiers who died while fighting alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine, as both countries signal plans to deepen cooperation. North Korea and Russia said in April 2025 that their forces had jointly pushed back a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region. While neither side disclosed the exact number of North Korean troops involved, South Korea’s intelligence agency estimated that about 15,000 soldiers were deployed, with around 2,000 killed. North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported that the museum was officially opened on Sunday, marking one year since the end of the Kursk operation. Leader Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony along with senior Russian officials, including State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov. During the event, Kim paid tribute by throwing soil over the remains of a fallen soldier and laying flowers for others whose bodies had already been placed in a mortuary. He later signed a guest book alongside the visiting Russian officials. In his speech, Kim described the fallen troops as a lasting symbol of the Korean people’s bravery and said their sacrifice would support what he called a “victorious march” for both nations. He also praised joint efforts by North Korean and Russian forces in countering what he termed a US-led Western attempt to dominate the region through military action. In a separate meeting with Beloussov, Kim reaffirmed North Korea’s full support for Russia’s efforts to protect its sovereignty and security. Russian state media reported that Moscow is prepared to sign a military cooperation plan with Pyongyang covering the period from 2027 to 2031. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a message read out during the ceremony, said the museum would stand as a symbol of friendship and solidarity between the two countries. He also expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to grow stronger. Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kim has strengthened ties with Moscow by supplying troops and conventional weapons. In return, North Korea is believed to have received economic aid and other support. However, South Korea, the United States and their allies remain concerned that Russia could provide advanced technologies that might boost North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Experts say North Korean troops initially struggled on the battlefield due to limited combat experience and unfamiliar terrain, making them vulnerable to drone and artillery attacks. However, Ukrainian officials believe the troops have since gained valuable experience and played a key role in Russia’s strategy of deploying large numbers of soldiers in the Kursk region.

At least two people have died after tornadoes swept through parts of northern Texas, leaving a trail of destruction and forcing dozens of families from their homes, authorities said. Officials said one person was killed Saturday night in the town of Runaway Bay, where many houses were badly damaged. Wise County Judge J.D. Clark said emergency crews worked through the night to clear debris, reach affected homes and provide medical assistance. “Access has been difficult due to blocked roadways and downed utilities, but crews have continued pushing forward to reach those in need,” Clark said. The storm also struck nearby Springtown, where Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt confirmed a second death south of the city. He said the area suffered “significant damage,” with widespread power outages affecting many residents. According to the National Weather Service, an EF-2 tornado with winds reaching up to 135 mph (217 kph) hit the Runaway Bay area, while an EF-1 tornado with winds of up to 105 mph (169 kph) was reported in Springtown. Meteorologist Patricia Sanchez said the slow-moving storm system passed through the region around 10pm Saturday, moving southeast from near Wichita Falls along the Oklahoma border and passing west of Fort Worth. Runaway Bay lies about 45 miles northwest of Fort Worth, while Springtown is roughly 30 miles from the city. Weather radar also detected a “potentially large and extremely dangerous” tornado near Azle at around 10:14pm Saturday, further raising concerns as the storm moved across the region.

Oil prices rose when the market opened Sunday as traders absorbed the news of the stalled ceasefire talks. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S.-produced light, sweet crude, was selling for $96.50 a barrel Sunday, up 2% since the market closed on Friday. The price was 44% higher than before the start of the Iran war, when oil was selling for about $67 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, was trading at $107.75 per barrel Sunday, up about 3% since Friday and 48% since the war began, when oil was selling for $72 a barrel. Oil prices have risen steadily since the war began and tankers full of crude became stranded in the Persian Gulf, unable to safely transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran 's foreign minister briefly visited Islamabad again on Sunday as Pakistan's political and military leadership scrambled to reignite ceasefire negotiations between Tehran and Washington, but U.S. President Donald Trump said they could talk by phone instead. Abbas Araghchi had left Pakistan’s capital late the previous day, creating confusion around an expected second round of talks there, but he returned before continuing on to Moscow on Sunday, Iranian state media said. He had been in Oman, which previously mediated talks and is on the other side of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The White House last week said it would dispatch envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad to follow up on historic face-to-face talks earlier this month. But shortly after Araghchi's departure Saturday, Trump said he had called off the mission because of a lack of progress with Iran. “If they want, we can talk but we’re not sending people," Trump told Fox News on Sunday. He said earlier on social media: “All they have to do is call!!!” Indirect talks between the two sides were ongoing, two Pakistani officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Trump last week indefinitely extended the ceasefire the U.S. and Iran agreed to on April 7 that has largely halted the fighting that began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28. But a permanent settlement remains elusive in the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken the global economy.  

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake shook part of northern Japan early Monday, but no damage or casualties have been reported. No tsunami advisory was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The quake struck 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of the small town of Sarabetsu on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido at a depth of 81 kilometers (50 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It measured the quake's strength at 6.1 magnitude. A week ago, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake prompted Japan to issue an advisory of a slightly higher risk of a possible megaquake for the nation's northeastern coastal areas.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles’s state visit to the United States will proceed as scheduled. In a statement issued late Saturday, the palace said the decision was taken following “discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day.” The statement added that the King and Queen are “most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case,” and expressed their anticipation for the visit to begin on Monday, reports BBC. King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to depart for the US on Monday for a four-day state visit. During the visit, the royal couple is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House, along with other official engagements as part of the programme. Buckingham Palace did not provide further details on the agenda but confirmed that preparations for the visit are continuing as planned.