United News of Bangladesh

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on track to secure control of West Bengal, dealing a major setback to the opposition in a key state election. According to partial results released by the Election Commission of India, the BJP is leading in more than 190 seats in the 294-member state assembly. Final results are expected later Monday A victory would mark a historic gain for the BJP, which has long attempted to unseat the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The party has never governed West Bengal, a politically significant state where Banerjee has been in power since 2011 and has remained a vocal critic of Modi. The election has also drawn criticism from opposition groups, who allege irregularities after millions of voters were reportedly removed from electoral rolls. Voting has taken place in three other states as part of India’s staggered election cycle across its 28 states and eight union territories. A win in West Bengal would strengthen Modi’s political standing midway through his third term, especially after the 2024 national elections forced the BJP to depend on regional allies to form the government. Modi is widely expected to seek a fourth consecutive term in 2029. Meanwhile, India’s opposition continues to struggle with unity and consistency in challenging the BJP’s dominance at the national level. Banerjee, once seen as a leading figure capable of uniting regional parties, could see her influence diminished if defeated, particularly within an already fragmented opposition alliance. In other developments, in Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay appears poised for a major breakthrough, with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party emerging as a strong contender against the ruling DMK. In Kerala, the Congress-led opposition is likely to unseat the ruling communist government, potentially ending one of the last strongholds of leftist rule in the country. The BJP is also expected to retain power in Assam, securing a third consecutive term in the northeastern state.

Health experts suspect a disease carried by rodents, known as hantavirus, is behind an outbreak on a cruise ship that has killed three people and left several others ill. Research shows hantaviruses have existed for centuries, with past outbreaks reported in Asia and Europe. In those regions, the virus has been linked to hemorrhagic fever and kidney failure. In the early 1990s, a new group of hantaviruses was identified in the southwestern United States, causing a serious lung condition now called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The disease drew wider attention last year after Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from a hantavirus infection in New Mexico. The World Health Organization said Sunday that investigations into the cruise ship outbreak are ongoing. These include lab testing, epidemiological studies and genetic sequencing of the virus. Hantavirus mainly spreads through contact with rodents or their urine, saliva and droppings. The risk increases when these materials are disturbed and become airborne, making it easier to inhale the virus. People are often exposed while cleaning enclosed spaces such as homes, cabins or sheds, especially where rodent droppings are present. Although rare, the WHO says the virus can also spread directly from person to person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began monitoring the disease after a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region of the United States. Most cases in the country are reported in western states, particularly New Mexico and Arizona, where human contact with rodents is more common in rural areas. The illness usually begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle pain and headaches. Experts say it can be difficult to distinguish from the flu in the early stages. Symptoms typically appear one to eight weeks after exposure. As the disease worsens, patients may develop chest tightness as fluid builds up in the lungs. Another form of the disease, which affects the kidneys, can develop within one to two weeks after exposure. Fatality rates vary depending on the type of hantavirus. The lung-related form has a death rate of about 35%, while the kidney-related form ranges from 1% to 15%, according to the CDC. There is no specific cure or treatment, but early medical care can improve survival chances. Researchers say many aspects of the disease remain unclear, including why symptoms can be mild in some people but severe in others. Health experts advise reducing contact with rodents and their droppings to lower the risk. When cleaning contaminated areas, they recommend using gloves and disinfectants such as bleach, and avoiding sweeping or vacuuming, which can spread the virus into the air.

BJP supporters in West Bengal were seen celebrating as early election trends showed their party leading well ahead of the ruling Trinamool Congress. A video circulating on social media shows BJP workers enjoying and distributing jhal muri, a popular street snack made of spiced puffed rice. The word jhal means spicy or hot, while muri refers to puffed rice in Bengali, reports BBC. In the video, some workers can be heard singing, “Jhal legeche, didir jhal legeche,” loosely translating to “The heat is on, sister is feeling the heat,” in a pointed jibe at Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, who is popularly called “didi” (elder sister). The snack jhal muri had earlier gained political attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen eating it at a roadside stall during an election campaign stop.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief Mamata Banerjee has urged party candidates and counting agents to remain at counting centres, even as early trends suggested a strong lead for the BJP in West Bengal.In a video message to party workers, she tried to keep morale steady and reminded them that the counting process was still in its initial stages. She asked them not to feel discouraged or give up. She also specifically requested that TMC candidates and agents continue staying at the counting venues instead of leaving. Reassuring supporters, she said: "I appeal to everyone that neither TMC candidates nor counting agents should abandon counting centres...We are still ahead in 170 seats, but I request everyone not to lose hope," She further encouraged party workers to stay optimistic, saying they should not “lose hope” and suggesting that the final outcome would only become clear after the later stages of counting.

More than 300 families were forced to leave their homes in the Philippines after heavy ashfall from Mayon volcano over the weekend, authorities said Monday. Officials said the ash emissions were triggered not by a major eruption but by the collapse of accumulated lava on the volcano’s slopes. The material rushed down the southwestern flank in a fast-moving pyroclastic flow—an intense surge of hot rocks, ash and gas—before nightfall on Saturday, according to Teresito Bacolcol, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Although no casualties were reported, ash spread across 87 villages in three towns, taking many residents by surprise and reducing visibility on roads, which disrupted traffic. “The ashfall was extremely dense, and visibility dropped to zero even along the national highway,” said Camalig Mayor Caloy Baldo, whose town sits near the base of the volcano. He added that while some residents initially panicked, authorities urged them to remain calm. The ashfall also damaged vegetable farms and killed several livestock, including four water buffaloes and a cow in Camalig. Cleanup efforts are now underway in the town, which has a population of about 8,000 in Albay province. Bacolcol said conditions around Mayon had since stabilized, but warned that risks remain. Standing at 2,462 meters (8,077 feet), Mayon is known for its near-perfect cone shape and is a major tourist attraction, but it is also the most active among the Philippines’ 24 volcanoes. Authorities raised the alert level to 3 in January following a series of mild eruptions that triggered intermittent rockfalls and hazardous pyroclastic flows. The highest alert level, 5, indicates a dangerous explosive eruption with widespread ashfall and lava flows.  

Midday trends from West Bengal suggest a strong early lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party, intensifying pressure on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress in a crucial state election. Although leads are shifting across counting rounds, the BJP has established a noticeable edge in several major constituencies. In the high-profile Bhabanipur seat, where Banerjee is contesting against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, the race remains closely fought. Similarly, constituencies like Nandigram and other key seats are witnessing intense contests. However, the BJP appears to be extending its influence beyond its traditional strongholds. The party is making notable gains in north Bengal and the tribal-dominated Jangalmahal region, areas where it has gradually strengthened its base in recent years. While the TMC is still holding onto parts of Kolkata and nearby urban regions, the current trajectory—if maintained—could signal the BJP’s biggest electoral breakthrough in Bengal and pose the toughest challenge yet to Banerjee’s leadership since she assumed office in 2011.   Source:BBC

A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Eastern Samar province in central Philippines on Monday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The quake hit at 2:09 pm local time, with its epicentre located at a depth of about 10 kilometres. It was initially measured at 11.76 degrees north latitude and 125.37 degrees east longitude, the agency said. Local media reported that many residents rushed out of their homes and gathered in open areas as a safety measure. However, no deaths or injuries have been reported so far. The Philippines is prone to frequent earthquakes as it lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for intense seismic and volcanic activity.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the United States and Iran to work together to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following a move by US President Donald Trump to have American forces “guide” ships through the key waterway. Speaking at a meeting of European leaders in Armenia, Macron stressed that a joint approach is essential to restore normal shipping through the strait. “What we want above all is a coordinated reopening by the United States and Iran. That is the only solution for reopening the Strait of Hormuz,” Macron said. He also made clear that France would not take part in any military action under unclear circumstances. “We are not going to take part in any military operation in a framework that to me seems unclear,” said the French leader, whose country has been working with Britain to build a coalition aimed at reopening the strait once stability is restored. #From Al Jazeera

Early indications show Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP leading in Assam and West Bengal, with its alliance also on course to form the government again in Puducherry. In West Bengal, sitting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appears to be heading toward an unexpected loss after three consecutive terms in office. Here is a state-wise summary of the trends: West Bengal: The BJP is leading in more than 140 seats, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is ahead in 73 constituencies. The state has 294 assembly seats, with 148 required for a majority. Tamil Nadu: Vijay’s TVK is leading in about 109 seats. The AIADMK is ahead in nearly 63 seats, while the ruling DMK is leading in around 39 constituencies. Tamil Nadu has 234 seats, and 118 are needed to form the government. Assam: The BJP is ahead by a large margin with over 79 seats, while the Congress is leading in around 24 seats. The state has 126 assembly seats, with 64 needed for a majority. Kerala: The Congress-led alliance is leading in over 80 seats, while the CPI(M)-led ruling coalition is ahead in about 46 constituencies. Kerala has 140 seats, and 71 are needed to form the government. Puducherry: The BJP-led alliance is leading in 11 seats, while the Congress-led alliance is ahead in seven. The Union Territory has 33 seats, including three nominated members, with 17 needed for a majority. At the BJP headquarters in Kolkata, celebrations have already started as early trends suggest a possible win in West Bengal. Party workers are seen distributing sweets, and slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” are being raised, reports BBC. However, senior leaders are also urging caution, saying it is still too early to celebrate. Despite this, they remain confident about defeating the TMC and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. West Bengal has long been a challenging state for the BJP. The party emerged as a strong competitor in the 2021 assembly elections but was defeated by the TMC, which secured a two-thirds majority. This time, the BJP has focused its campaign on development, law and order, and identity politics, arguing that the state’s progress requires the same party to be in power both at the state and national levels.

European leaders on Monday said US President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to pull thousands of American troops from Germany came as a surprise, but also reinforces the idea that Europe must take more responsibility for its own security. The Pentagon last week announced plans to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany. However, Trump later told reporters that the reduction would be much larger, saying, “we’re going to cut way down. And we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” without giving further details. The move caught NATO allies off guard. It comes amid rising tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the US-Israeli war on Iran, as well as Trump’s frustration over what he sees as limited European involvement in Middle East conflicts. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre downplayed concerns about the scale of the withdrawal. Speaking in Yerevan, where European leaders are attending a summit, he said Europe is expected to take greater responsibility for its own security. “I wouldn’t exaggerate that because I think we are expecting that Europe is taking more charge of its own security,” he said, adding that the issue should be managed “in a harmonious way inside the framework of NATO.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said troop withdrawal discussions from Europe have been ongoing, but the timing of the announcement was unexpected. “This shows that we really need to strengthen the European pillar in NATO,” she said. Asked whether Trump’s decision was aimed at punishing Merz after his criticism of US handling of Iran negotiations, Kallas said she could not speculate on the US president’s intentions. “I don’t see into the head of President Trump, so he has to explain it himself,” she said. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance is working with Washington to understand the details of the planned changes to US troop deployment in Germany. European allies and Canada have been aware since Trump returned to office that US forces could be reduced in Europe. Some troops were already withdrawn from Romania in October. However, US officials had previously said any changes would be coordinated with NATO to avoid security gaps. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte downplayed the impact of the move, noting some US dissatisfaction with European support for the Iran conflict. France, Spain and the United Kingdom have limited US use of their military bases for operations related to Iran, while Spain has also restricted airspace access. Rutte said European countries had taken note of Washington’s concerns and were acting accordingly. He added that some nations were positioning military assets closer to potential areas of operation, though he gave no details. European officials have also said they would not take part in policing the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, until the conflict ends.