United News of Bangladesh

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has been suspended from his duties after the court’s oversight body initiated disciplinary proceedings over allegations of sexual misconduct. The decision was announced late Monday by the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, the executive committee of the ICC’s governing body, following a review of findings from a United Nations investigation. Khan, a 56-year-old British barrister, has been accused of sexual misconduct involving a female aide. He has consistently denied the allegations. The Bureau said its decision was based on a report by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), supporting evidence, advice from an ad hoc panel of judicial experts and written submissions. It stressed that the suspension does not predetermine the outcome of the case. The allegations, which first surfaced more than two years ago, prompted an investigation by the UN oversight office. According to a copy of the report seen by The Associated Press, investigators found evidence suggesting Khan engaged in non-consensual sexual contact with the staff member in his office, at his residence and during official travel. However, a three-judge panel appointed to assess the findings concluded that the investigation did not provide sufficiently conclusive evidence. Khan had already stepped aside temporarily in May 2025 while the investigation was underway. The Assembly of States Parties, which represents the ICC’s 125 member countries, will now decide whether Khan can remain in office. A special session is expected to be convened soon, though no date has yet been announced. Only the Assembly has the authority to remove the prosecutor from office. Such a move would require a majority vote in a secret ballot, meaning at least 63 member states would need to support his dismissal. The allegations include claims that Khan transferred the woman from another department into his office and that she frequently accompanied him on official trips. Whistleblower documents cited allegations of inappropriate conduct during foreign travel and at the prosecutor’s office. Khan’s legal team said a formal response would be issued on Tuesday.

Rescue teams continued searching damaged buildings in the southern Philippines on Tuesday to ensure no one remained trapped, a day after one of the country's strongest earthquakes in the last 50 years killed at least 37 people and forced more than 20,000 residents from their homes. Authorities said only four people were officially listed as missing in the provinces near the epicentre of Monday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake. However, the Office of Civil Defense said several collapsed and severely damaged structures still needed to be thoroughly checked for possible survivors and additional casualties. The earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao, the Philippines' second-most populous island. Nearly 500 people were injured, while thousands sought refuge in emergency shelters. Many residents fled their homes fearing a tsunami. Although waves reaching up to 1.4 metres above normal tide levels were recorded in parts of the Philippines, damage was limited. Officials reported that six stilt houses in a coastal village were damaged by tsunami waves. Smaller waves were also observed in Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan. The disaster caused widespread destruction across several provinces. In General Santos, a coastal city known as the country's tuna industry hub, at least 13 people died due to collapsed buildings and falling debris. Another 18 people were killed in Sarangani province, most of them in a landslide that buried homes in the mountainous town of Glan, according to disaster officials. Additional deaths were reported in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island. Initial government assessments showed that around 2,000 houses and 117 government buildings and facilities were damaged. General Santos International Airport remained closed, leading to the cancellation of 63 domestic flights, except those carrying humanitarian aid. Authorities said nearly 6,000 public school buildings in affected provinces must be inspected before classes can resume. The earthquake struck on the first day of the new school term following a two-month summer break, and many of those injured were students attending morning flag-raising ceremonies. Officials have warned that damaged buildings remain at risk of collapse due to strong aftershocks. "We cannot force the immediate reopening of schools because we have to ensure the integrity of the buildings," said Rafaelito Alejandro of the Office of Civil Defense. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the earthquake originated at a depth of 33 kilometres beneath the sea, about 32 kilometres southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province. The quake was triggered by movement along the Cotabato Trench and was the strongest to hit the country since a devastating 8.1-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 1976 that killed about 8,000 people. The Philippines also experienced a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in 1990 that killed more than 1,000 people and caused major destruction in the country's north. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deployed senior government officials to oversee rescue operations, aid distribution and damage assessments of roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The United States said it was coordinating with Philippine authorities and stood ready to assist response efforts. France, Japan and New Zealand also expressed support. The Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone known for intense seismic activity. The country is also hit by around 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone nations.

Iran and Israel have announced a halt to direct attacks against each other following a fresh exchange of fire, while both sides warned of strong retaliation if the fragile ceasefire is violated again. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel was holding fire “at the moment” but stressed that the campaign against Iran and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement was “not finished.” His remarks came hours after Iran’s armed forces announced that they had suspended military operations after delivering what they described as a “painful response” to Israel. Tehran also warned that any new Israeli attacks, including strikes in Lebanon, would trigger “more severe and crushing measures.” The latest escalation began after Iran launched missiles at Israel on Sunday in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Beirut. Israel responded early Monday with air strikes targeting what it described as military facilities inside Iran. US President Donald Trump denied suggestions that Netanyahu had ignored his requests by carrying out the strikes, saying the Israeli operation was already underway when he intervened. The White House confirmed that Trump spoke with Netanyahu regarding the crisis. Trump said he urged restraint, citing ongoing efforts to secure a broader agreement with Iran aimed at preventing the development of nuclear weapons. According to US media reports, Trump also warned Netanyahu that Israel could find itself isolated if it resumed a full-scale conflict with Iran. Despite the ceasefire announcement, hostilities continued into Monday morning. Israeli authorities reported additional Iranian missile launches targeting Jerusalem and central and southern Israel. The Israeli military said it subsequently carried out another wave of strikes, targeting a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr in southwestern Iran, alleging the facility was involved in producing materials used for ballistic missiles. Iranian officials said at least 15 people were injured in the latest Israeli strikes, including 14 in Mahshahr and one in Tehran. Meanwhile, violence continued in Lebanon. The Lebanese Health Ministry said an Israeli strike on the southern city of Tyre killed five people and injured eight others on Monday. Four members of the Red Cross were among those wounded. Hezbollah said it launched rockets at Israeli military vehicles and troops in southern Lebanon earlier in the day. Trump publicly urged both sides to stop military actions, warning that continued attacks could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts. The conflict began on February 28 when Israel and the United States launched a joint military operation against Iran, resulting in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials, according to reports cited in the conflict. The war quickly expanded across the region, with Iran retaliating through missile and drone attacks against Israel and Gulf states hosting US military facilities. The conflict later spread to Lebanon after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in support of Iran. A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has so far failed to end hostilities, with Hezbollah demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. According to figures cited by Iranian and international rights groups, more than 3,400 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict began. Lebanese authorities report over 3,600 deaths from Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Israeli authorities say 20 civilians have been killed in Iranian missile strikes, while dozens of Israeli soldiers and civilians have died during fighting involving Hezbollah. Additional casualties have also been reported across several Gulf countries and among US military personnel stationed in the region. Source: BBC

Retired Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour was sworn in Monday as Canada’s new governor general, becoming the official representative of King Charles III in the country. Arbour, 79, succeeds Mary Simon, who made history in 2021 as Canada’s first Indigenous governor general. The position carries key constitutional responsibilities, although it is largely ceremonial and symbolic. The installation ceremony included the raising of the Governor General’s Flag on Parliament Hill and a performance of “God Save the King” by the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces. Prime Minister Mark Carney selected Arbour, a prominent Francophone jurist with an extensive record in international law, human rights and justice. Throughout her legal career, Arbour served on the Supreme Court of Ontario, the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. In 1996, she was appointed chief prosecutor for the United Nations tribunals investigating crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. During her tenure, she oversaw landmark prosecutions, including the first genocide conviction since the adoption of the 1948 Genocide Convention and the first war crimes indictment of a sitting head of state. Arbour later served as the UN Special Representative for International Migration from 2017 to 2018. In her inaugural address as governor general, Arbour emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence and respect for the rule of law in maintaining a stable and democratic society. She also expressed concern about the growing influence of artificial intelligence, warning that increased reliance on AI could blur the distinction between facts and assumptions and undermine people's ability to control their own future. Arbour highlighted Canada's global significance, noting that the country contains nearly seven percent of the world's land area and 20 percent of its freshwater resources while accounting for only about half of one percent of the global population. She said Canada remains a country that attracts admiration around the world. Ahead of her installation, Arbour met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace last week. Canada remains a constitutional monarchy and a member of the Commonwealth, with the British monarch serving as the country's head of state.

China's exports grew at a faster-than-expected pace in May, increasing 19.4 percent year-on-year despite disruptions linked to the Iran war, according to data released Tuesday by the country's customs authority. The May figure marked an acceleration from April’s 14.1 percent annual growth rate, underscoring the resilience of China's export sector. Analysts attributed the strong performance to continued overseas demand for Chinese automobiles, technology products and artificial intelligence-related goods, including semiconductors. Imports also posted robust growth, rising 27.4 percent in May from a year earlier, compared with a 25.3 percent increase recorded in April. Meanwhile, trade with the United States continued to weaken amid ongoing tariff tensions. China's exports to the U.S. declined 2.7 percent during the January-May period compared with the same period last year, while imports from the U.S. fell 5.5 percent. The decline in bilateral trade extends a trend that began after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed broad tariffs on China and several other major trading partners following his return to office. Despite geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts, China's overall trade performance remained strong during the first five months of the year, supported by growth in high-tech and manufacturing exports.

Clashes between protesters and police intensified in Bolivia on Monday as demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz entered their fifth week, prompting authorities to make dozens of arrests and raising concerns over a possible government crackdown. The unrest escalated in the central city of Cochabamba after Paz signed legislation that could facilitate the declaration of a state of emergency, potentially granting broader powers to security forces to restore order and remove road blockades that have disrupted the country. Protesters hurled stones, sticks and firecrackers at police, who responded with tear gas. Authorities said at least 23 people were detained in Cochabamba, while another 28 arrests were reported in El Alto following unrest linked to fuel shortages. The demonstrations, led by labor unions, peasant organizations and Indigenous groups, have resulted in around 90 road blockades across the country, severely affecting transportation and causing shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies. The protesters have accused Paz of failing to address Bolivia’s economic difficulties and criticized his decision to eliminate fuel subsidies. Many demonstrators say the government has not delivered on promises made during last year’s election campaign. According to Bolivia’s independent public ombudsman, the unrest between May 1 and June 2 left 10 people dead, 37 injured and 365 arrested. The government said seven of the deaths were linked to a lack of medical care due to the blockades, while investigations into all fatalities remain ongoing. Although Paz has repeatedly called for dialogue and urged restraint by security forces, protest leaders have largely rejected negotiations and continue to demand his resignation, just seven months after he took office. Speaking after signing the legislation, Paz said the measure was intended to protect the country from what he described as “narco-terrorism” linked to the protests. He also reiterated his willingness to engage with groups presenting legitimate demands. The new law eases procedures for imposing a state of emergency, though a separate presidential decree would still be required before such measures could take effect. Analysts say the government faces growing pressure to take stronger action as the prolonged protests continue to paralyze large parts of the country, particularly La Paz and the neighboring city of El Alto.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen their long-standing alliance during Xi’s rare visit to Pyongyang, according to state media reports from both countries. The summit marked Xi’s first trip to North Korea in seven years and underscored Beijing’s effort to reinforce its influence over its isolated socialist neighbor amid shifting regional dynamics. Lavish welcome and high-level talks Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted at Pyongyang’s international airport by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. The Chinese leader was later welcomed with a large ceremony in the capital’s main square, featuring military honors, flags, banners and portraits of both leaders. During talks, Xi said China was ready to expand cooperation with North Korea in areas such as trade, agriculture, construction and technology, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV. Kim described relations with China as North Korea’s “most important top-priority strategic work” and praised Xi’s visit as a major sign of support, the Korean Central News Agency reported. Strategic coordination and regional implications Both leaders pledged to strengthen strategic coordination and protect their countries’ sovereignty and security interests. Kim also reaffirmed support for China’s “one-China principle” regarding Taiwan. Analysts say the visit highlights China’s desire to maintain a leading role on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, especially as North Korea has recently deepened military and economic ties with Russia. China remains North Korea’s main economic lifeline and diplomatic backer. The two countries marked 65 years of their mutual defense treaty this year. Nuclear issue left unmentioned Notably, reports from both sides did not mention North Korea’s nuclear program, a departure from Xi’s 2019 visit when Chinese media referred to denuclearization efforts. The omission is likely significant for Kim, who has sought international recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. Ahead of Xi’s visit, Pyongyang reiterated that its nuclear program is non-negotiable and vowed to expand its nuclear capabilities. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that North Korea is producing enough nuclear material annually for an estimated 10 to 20 bombs and is nearing mastery of intercontinental ballistic missile technology. Economic and diplomatic context Observers believe Xi may have offered economic support measures, including food aid and expanded tourism and transport links. Direct flights and passenger train services between the two countries resumed earlier this year after being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting also comes as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in reviving diplomacy with Kim, giving Beijing potential leverage in future negotiations involving Washington and Pyongyang.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation during a summit in Pyongyang on Monday, as Xi made his first visit to North Korea in seven years amid shifting regional dynamics and growing competition with the United States. Xi received an elaborate welcome upon arrival in the North Korean capital, where he and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. A large-scale ceremony later took place in Pyongyang’s main square, featuring military honors, thousands of spectators and displays highlighting the long-standing friendship between the two countries. During their talks, Xi expressed China’s willingness to expand cooperation with North Korea in areas including trade, agriculture, construction and technology, according to Chinese state media. He also stressed the need for stronger strategic coordination and the protection of both countries’ sovereignty and security interests. Kim described Xi’s visit as proof of the enduring strength of ties between the two neighbours and said advancing friendship with China remains a key strategic priority for North Korea. The meeting comes at a time when both countries are navigating separate tensions with Washington. Analysts believe the summit could have broader implications for regional politics as Beijing seeks to reinforce its influence over Pyongyang. Xi’s trip follows recent meetings with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Observers say maintaining strong ties with North Korea could provide China with additional leverage in its dealings with the United States, particularly as Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in reviving diplomacy with Kim. China remains North Korea’s largest economic partner and most important diplomatic ally. Although relations between Pyongyang and Beijing have faced questions in recent years due to North Korea’s growing military and economic cooperation with Russia, experts say Kim still relies heavily on Chinese support. Analysts expect China to provide North Korea with economic assistance, including food and agricultural supplies, and possibly expand tourism and economic cooperation projects. The issue of North Korea’s nuclear programme also remains central to the relationship. Experts suggest Xi is unlikely to publicly pressure Kim on denuclearisation, focusing instead on broader themes of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has continued to expand its nuclear and missile programmes. Last week, Kim unveiled a new facility for producing nuclear materials and pledged to accelerate the growth of the country’s nuclear forces. He has also called for speeding up efforts to develop a nuclear-armed navy. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that North Korea is producing enough nuclear materials each year for an estimated 10 to 20 nuclear weapons and is nearing completion of key intercontinental ballistic missile technologies. Since the collapse of his diplomacy with Trump in 2019, Kim has focused on expanding and modernising North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. While expressing positive memories of his past interactions with Trump, Kim has repeatedly rejected calls for denuclearisation as a condition for renewed negotiations with the United States.

US President Donald Trump has urged Israel and Iran to cease hostilities immediately amid growing concerns that renewed exchanges of fire could undermine efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement. “Israel and Iran must immediately stop ‘shooting,’” Trump wrote in a brief message on his Truth Social platform, reports AL Jazeera . The appeal came as Iran's armed forces announced the suspension of their military operations against Israel, while warning that any future Israeli attacks, particularly in Lebanon, would trigger a much stronger response, according to Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency. In a statement carried by the agency, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the country's armed forces had delivered a “painful response” to Israel following what it described as Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon and Beirut's Dahieh district, allegedly backed by the United States. The statement followed a series of attacks between Israel and Iran that threatened to derail diplomatic efforts aimed at ending a conflict that has weighed heavily on regional stability and the global economy. Israel did not immediately respond to Iran's announcement. However, an Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Israel remained prepared for various scenarios in Iran and was ready to continue operations for as long as necessary. The latest developments have intensified concerns about a possible resurgence of broader regional hostilities despite ongoing international efforts to preserve the fragile ceasefire.

Israel and Iran exchanged missile and air strikes early Monday in their first direct military confrontation since a ceasefire brokered by the United States two months ago, raising concerns that the Middle East could once again slide into a broader conflict. Several hours after the attacks, Iran’s military announced it was suspending offensive operations, while warning that any further Israeli action would trigger a stronger response. The latest escalation threatens to unravel the fragile truce reached in April following a conflict that began on February 28 with coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The war disrupted global markets, pushed up energy costs and contributed to rising prices of essential goods worldwide. Despite the ceasefire, tensions have remained high. Iran has continued to exert influence over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments, while Israel has maintained military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels also entered the fray on Monday, launching attacks toward Israel and renewing threats against Israel-linked vessels in the Red Sea. With peace negotiations showing little progress, the renewed exchanges between Israel and Iran, coupled with Houthi involvement, have heightened fears of a wider regional conflict. US President Donald Trump urged both sides to halt hostilities, posting online that Israel and Iran “must immediately stop shooting.” Shortly afterward, Iran’s military command said it was halting offensive actions but warned that any new “aggression” by Israel or its allies, including in southern Lebanon, would be met with “far more severe” measures. Diplomatic Push to Preserve CeasefireRegional diplomats have intensified efforts to prevent the ceasefire from collapsing. According to two regional officials, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar have urged Washington to pressure Israel to scale back attacks on Iran and Beirut while also encouraging Tehran to cease strikes against Israel. Trump confirmed that discussions aimed at maintaining the ceasefire were continuing but did not provide further details. Fresh Military ExchangesIran launched multiple waves of attacks on Israel on Monday, prompting retaliatory Israeli strikes on targets in central and western Iran. Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj and Tabriz, while authorities temporarily closed airspace around Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport. Iranian news agencies reported that Israeli strikes targeted a petrochemical facility in Mahshahr. The Israeli military later confirmed attacks on sites it said were involved in producing ballistic missile materials and on mobile missile-launching systems. Israel said the operations were carried out in response to Iranian missile attacks. Tehran had previously vowed retaliation after Israeli strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for attacks on two Israeli military installations. Air raid sirens sounded across parts of Israel and neighboring Jordan as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming projectiles. Iran accused Washington of being complicit in the escalation, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei saying Israel would not have acted without US coordination. The White House did not immediately comment on the allegation. Strains Between Trump and NetanyahuAlthough Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu closely coordinated military operations at the start of the conflict, signs of tension between the two leaders have emerged in recent weeks. Analysts suggest Netanyahu faces domestic pressure ahead of upcoming elections and ongoing security concerns along Israel’s northern border, while Trump is eager to reduce international tensions and limit the economic fallout before congressional elections later this year. Houthis Rejoin the ConflictYemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for attacks on Israel and warned that vessels linked to Israel would again be targeted in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The group had launched similar operations during the Gaza conflict, carrying out more than 100 attacks on commercial shipping, disrupting one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. Civilians Prepare for UncertaintyResidents on both sides of the conflict expressed concern that the latest escalation could mark the beginning of another prolonged confrontation. In Tehran, some residents said they expected fighting to continue despite the ceasefire, while in Israel schools remained closed nationwide. Although many businesses stayed open, daily life was disrupted as residents repeatedly sought shelter during missile alerts.