United News of Bangladesh

Kenya’s President William Ruto on Wednesday broke his silence over the recent wave of anti-government protests that have left dozens dead, vowing to prevent what he described as “anarchy” disguised as peaceful demonstrations. Addressing the unrest, President Ruto declared “enough is enough” and directed police to take firm action, including shooting looters and arsonists “in the leg,” to protect property and restore order. Kenya has been gripped by unrest in recent weeks following the death of a popular blogger in police custody—a case that sparked widespread anger and renewed accusations of police brutality. Public outrage intensified when a protester was shot at close range by a police officer during a demonstration. Massive rallies took place on June 25, marking one year since large-scale protests against tax hikes. At least 8 dead in Kenya protests against police brutality On Monday, police set up roadblocks across all main routes into Nairobi’s city center, restricting movement to essential workers. Clashes broke out between protesters and police on the outskirts of the capital and in 17 of Kenya’s 47 counties, resulting in 31 deaths and over 100 injuries. Authorities also arrested more than 500 people. According to reports, at least 50 people have been killed during two separate waves of protests over the past two weeks. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday called on the Kenyan government to address the root causes of the public grievances. President Ruto alleged that the protests were politically driven and warned that the destruction of public and private property would not be tolerated. “You can call me any name, but I will ensure peace and stability in Kenya at all costs,” he said, accusing his political opponents of attempting to destabilize his administration through violent means. “Attacking police stations amounts to a declaration of war,” he added. Ruto emphasized that leadership in Kenya is determined through democratic elections—not violence. Meanwhile, civil society organizations have continued to urge restraint by law enforcement during demonstrations. In a recent development, five police officers were charged in connection with the blogger’s death and the shooting of a civilian. Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Langat, who had filed a complaint against the blogger over corruption allegations, has stepped aside pending the outcome of the investigation.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez presented anti-corruption measures in response to the mounting corruption cases involving his Socialist Party, and again said he would not step down from office. Speaking in parliament Wednesday at an extraordinary session about a corruption probe involving a former Socialist Party official, the Spanish leader took responsibility for his poor judgement but repeatedly said he would not step down, calling himself “an honest politician” with “the pride of leading an exemplary party.” “I will not throw in the towel,” Sánchez said. The left-wing Spanish leader spoke about a week after a Supreme Court judge ordered the pretrial detention of Santos Cerdán, a former aide to the prime minister and previously the third-most senior member of the Socialist Party, over allegations that he received kickbacks for public works contracts. On Wednesday, Sánchez presented 15 anti-corruption measures, including bringing more transparency to political and public financing, and working with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development to crack down on graft. Other measures involved blacklisting companies found guilty of corruption, using artificial intelligence to oversee public procurement contracts, and sanctioning political parties involved in graft. The move immediately drew ridicule from opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People’s Party, who urged Sánchez to take responsibility for his party’s actions, report what he knew and call early elections. Malaysian PM warns Southeast Asia that trade war is not ‘passing storm’ “It’s not that it’s the only decent way out,” Feijóo said, “but you have no alternative.” A former Sánchez minister is also ensnared in the corruption investigation involving Cerdán, who has denied the allegations. Facing separate corruption or misconduct probes are the prime minister's former attorney general, brother and wife, all of whom have denied wrongdoing. Sánchez himself has not been accused in any of the cases. Over the weekend, an official that Sánchez had just promoted as part of his Socialist Party’s shake-up resigned over sexual misconduct allegations. The Spanish leader has been in power since 2018 and leads a minority coalition government with leftwing allies. His government has been unable to pass legislation and in recent weeks, its future has looked increasingly uncertain amid the corruption probes.

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.    

Russia launched a record-breaking 728 Shahed and decoy drones along with 13 missiles at Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian air force reported Wednesday, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing war now in its fourth year. The western city of Lutsk, near the borders with Poland and Belarus, was the hardest hit in the wave of attacks, though President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least 10 other regions were also targeted. Lutsk, a key military hub with airfields frequently used by Ukrainian cargo planes and fighter jets, plays a crucial logistical role in receiving foreign military aid before it’s distributed to other parts of Ukraine. Russia has intensified its long-range strikes to disrupt these supply lines. In recent weeks, Moscow has ramped up the scale and complexity of its aerial offensives, increasingly using decoy drones to try and overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. The latest barrage surpasses the previous record set on the night of July 4. These attacks come alongside renewed efforts by Russia’s larger army to break through weakened segments of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) frontline, where Ukrainian troops are under growing pressure. U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was “not happy” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has remained unmoved on his ceasefire and peace demands since Trump took office in January. Trump also said on Monday that the U.S. may need to send additional weapons to Ukraine, following a temporary pause in arms shipments that raised questions about Washington's commitment to Kyiv’s defense. President Zelenskyy described the latest assault as a deliberate signal from the Kremlin amid faltering U.S.-led peace efforts. He called on Ukraine’s international partners to tighten sanctions on Russian oil and penalize those funding Moscow’s war by purchasing its energy exports. “Everyone who wants peace must act,” Zelenskyy urged. During his visit to Italy on Wednesday, the Ukrainian leader was scheduled to meet Pope Leo XIV. Ukrainian officials said two people were injured in the Kyiv region during the overnight strikes, while emergency teams continued to assess the full scale of damage. In response to the assault, Poland scrambled fighter jets and raised its military alert level, according to a post by the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command on social media platform X. Europe’s top court to rule on Russia-Ukraine cases Elsewhere in Europe, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a stark warning on Tuesday, saying Russia could become a serious security threat to the European Union within five years. She called for a rapid boost in defense manufacturing across both Europe and Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s air force, 296 drones and seven missiles were successfully intercepted overnight. An additional 415 drones either crashed or were neutralized via jamming technologies. President Zelenskyy noted growing success in using domestically developed interceptor drones, made specifically to counter Russia’s Shahed drones. He said production is increasing, aided by Western partnerships. Military analysts warn that Russia is ramping up its own drone manufacturing and may soon be capable of launching up to 1,000 drones per night. Ukraine, meanwhile, has expanded its own drone operations, recently conducting long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported Wednesday that its air defenses shot down 86 Ukrainian drones across six regions, including the area around Moscow. As a precaution, flights were temporarily halted at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport and the Kaluga International Airport. In Russia’s border region of Kursk, Governor Alexander Khinshtein said a Ukrainian drone strike on the regional capital just before midnight killed three people and injured seven others, including a five-year-old child.

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.

A Turkish court has ordered a ban on access to Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok, developed by his company xAI, after it allegedly disseminated offensive content targeting Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other prominent figures. The court order, issued on Wednesday, follows reports that Grok posted vulgar remarks about President Erdogan, his late mother, and other personalities in response to user prompts on the X social media platform, according to the pro-government A Haber news channel. Additional media reports stated that the chatbot also made derogatory comments about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. In reaction, members of the public in Ankara sought legal action under Turkey’s internet law, arguing that the chatbot’s responses posed a threat to public order. A criminal court approved the request and instructed the country’s telecommunications authority to enforce the ban. Elon Musk intensifies criticism of Trump’s tax bill as Senate GOP races to pass it The controversy stems from a recent update to Grok, which has been criticized for producing increasingly unfiltered and “politically incorrect” responses. Amid growing criticism, social media platform X issued a statement saying it had acted swiftly to remove the offensive material. “Since being made aware of the content, xAI has taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X,” the company stated. “xAI is training only truth-seeking, and thanks to the millions of users on X, we are able to quickly identify and update the model where training could be improved,” the statement added. Grok’s restriction in Turkey highlights ongoing tensions between AI content regulation and national sensitivities, particularly concerning political figures and historical leaders.

Europe’s highest human rights court is set to issue a ruling Wednesday on cases against Russia concerning its actions during the conflict in Ukraine, including alleged human rights violations throughout the full-scale invasion and the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg will decide on four cases brought by Ukraine and the Netherlands against Russia, marking the first time an international court will assess Russia’s responsibility for the broader Ukraine conflict dating back to 2014. While any decision will carry largely symbolic weight — as the court’s governing body expelled Moscow in 2022 following the full-scale invasion — families of MH17 victims view the ruling as a crucial milestone in their pursuit of justice. “It’s a real step in understanding who was really responsible,” said Thomas Schansman, who lost his 18-year-old son Quinn in the tragedy. The Boeing 777, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down on July 17, 2014, by a Russian-made Buk missile launched from territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatist rebels. All 298 people on board, including 196 Dutch citizens, were killed. In May, the United Nations’ aviation agency officially held Russia responsible for the disaster. The ECHR is a key institution within the Council of Europe, the continent’s premier human rights body. Russia was expelled from the council due to its invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine, but the court can still hear cases against Russia dating from before its expulsion. Russia fires over 100 drones at Ukraine as Kremlin dismisses transport chief after travel chaos Last year, the court ruled in favor of Ukraine and the Netherlands in a jurisdictional challenge, determining there was sufficient evidence to conclude that areas in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatists were “under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation,” given Moscow’s provision of weapons and political and economic support. Wednesday’s ruling will not be the last decision from the ECHR regarding the war. Kyiv has additional cases pending against Russia, and nearly 10,000 individual complaints have been filed against the Kremlin. These decisions are separate from a criminal trial in the Netherlands where two Russians and a Ukrainian rebel were convicted in absentia for multiple murders linked to the MH17 downing. Meanwhile, in 2022, the United Nations’ top court ordered Russia to cease military operations in Ukraine during ongoing proceedings—a directive Russia has ignored. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy formally approved plans to establish a new international court to prosecute senior Russian officials for the full-scale invasion. Schansman, who has also filed a personal case with the ECHR, said he intends to continue seeking justice more than a decade after his son’s death. “The worst thing we could do is stop fighting,” he told The Associated Press. “MH17 is not a case that will disappear for Russia.”

Just weeks ago, President Donald Trump announced plans to begin “phasing out” the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after this hurricane season, aiming to “wean off of FEMA” and “bring it down to the state level.” However, in response to the devastating floods in Texas, Trump and his administration are now emphasizing a fast and robust federal response, aligning more closely with the traditional federal disaster model rather than the dramatic reform the president previously proposed. Trump approved Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s request for a major disaster declaration just one day after submission, activating FEMA resources and unlocking aid for survivors and local governments. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Trump during a presidential Cabinet meeting Tuesday morning that FEMA was quickly deploying funding and resources. “We’re cutting through the paperwork of the old FEMA, streamlining it, much like your vision of how FEMA should operate,” Noem said. Noem noted that the rapid delivery of funds to Texas resembled the “state block grants” model Trump has promoted, which would replace FEMA’s current system of reimbursing states for response and recovery expenses at a cost-share of at least 75%. Former FEMA officials, however, say it remains unclear how this response differs from FEMA’s typical role, which is to support states through coordination and funding. They emphasize that the vigorous federal response underscores the difficulty states would face if FEMA were dismantled. “This is a defining event that can help them realize that a Federal Emergency Management Agency is essential,” said Michael Coen, FEMA chief of staff during the Obama and Biden administrations. “Imagine if an event like this happened a year from now, after FEMA is eliminated. What would the president or secretary (Noem) offer to the governor of Texas if there is no FEMA?” The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA did not immediately respond to questions about Noem’s remarks, including whether FEMA was doing anything different in how it moved money to Texas or why the process resembled a block-grant system. While Noem and Trump emphasize that Texas is leading the response and recovery efforts, this has always been FEMA’s role, said Justin Knighten, the agency's director of external affairs during the Biden administration. “The state is in the lead. FEMA is invited into the state to support,” Knighten explained. He added that even experienced state emergency management offices face disasters that overwhelm their capacity: “When there’s capacity challenges and resource need, that’s where FEMA steps in.” FEMA’s primary responsibilities include coordinating resources from other federal agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, Health and Human Services, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Trump signs tax and spending cut bill at White House The agency also manages first-responder support like nationwide search-and-rescue teams and reimburses their costs. Additionally, FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program and supports survivors through programs offering temporary housing and home repair assistance. Disaster recovery centers have opened to help affected households apply for aid, according to Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. The Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments for infrastructure repair costs. Experts warn that states would struggle to replace FEMA. “It’s true that Texas is very capable, but I think it’s something that people forget that FEMA pays for a lot of state and local emergency capacity,” said Maddie Sloan, director of the disaster recovery and fair housing project at Texas Appleseed. She noted that much of the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s $2 billion budget comes from federal grants. “If a state like Texas asks for federal assistance within two days, the smaller states that are less capable don’t stand a chance,” said Jeremy Edwards, FEMA's deputy director of public affairs during the Biden administration. States would need to establish their own recovery programs and coordinate with multiple federal agencies if given block grants in place of FEMA involvement. “Without FEMA, a governor or a state has to be calling around and have a Rolodex of the whole federal government to call and try and figure out what support they can get,” Coen said. While reforms could improve FEMA’s reimbursement process and support to survivors, experts warn that eliminating the agency risks large gaps in recovery. “We have spent a lot of time encouraging FEMA to be better, but if FEMA goes away, there is no help for individual families,” Sloan said. Trump has deflected questions on what the Texas response means for FEMA’s future. A 12-member review council established by the president to propose FEMA reforms is scheduled to meet for the second time Wednesday. Abbott and Kidd are members of the council. At the first meeting, Abbott described FEMA as “slow and clunky” and called for reforms to “streamline the effort.” He has praised Trump’s rapid disaster declaration in Texas. Though no major reforms have been enacted yet, smaller policy changes could affect Texas’ recovery. This spring, the administration ended FEMA’s practice of door-to-door canvassing to help households enroll for assistance, calling it “wasteful and ineffective.” Many impacted areas in Kerr County and beyond still lack power and accessible roads, complicating aid applications. Abbott’s request for hazard mitigation funding — a program that helps communities rebuild with resilience — is still pending. Trump has not approved any hazard mitigation assistance since February.

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.

As extreme weather events grow more frequent and intense across the United States, experts warn that government preparedness and public awareness are failing to keep pace, putting lives and infrastructure increasingly at risk. Climate scientists and disaster researchers say climate change is turning rare events into regular occurrences, yet many Americans still underestimate the threat. The consequences have been devastating — as seen in this month’s deadly flash floods in central Texas that killed over 100 people, despite the region’s long history of floods. Michael Oppenheimer, a climate scientist at Princeton University, explained how the nature of weather extremes is evolving. “What happens with climate change is that what used to be extreme becomes average, typical, and what used to never occur in a human lifetime or maybe even in a thousand years becomes the new extreme,” he said. “We start to experience things that just basically never happened before.” According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 10-year summer average of its Climate Extreme Index — which tracks hurricanes, droughts, rainfall, and temperature extremes — is now 58% higher than it was in the 1980s. Despite the growing threat, experts argue that both public and institutional responses remain alarmingly inadequate. “There’s plenty of evidence that we sit there and do absolutely nothing while these risks are coming right at us like a moving railroad train and we’re standing in the tracks. And then all of a sudden, bam,” Oppenheimer said. Part of the problem lies in how people perceive disaster risk. Many base their decisions on past experiences, assuming similar outcomes. “That is flash flood alley. We know that floods happen in that region all the time... I’ve already seen normalcy bias statements by people in the regions saying, well, we get flooding all the time,” said Marshall Shepherd, a meteorology professor at the University of Georgia. Experts warn that outdated thinking is leaving people vulnerable, especially as disasters become more severe in previously unaffected regions. “The message needs to be, if you’re used to some degree of nuisance flooding, every so often, look at what happened in Texas and realize that this is a shifting baseline,” said Kim Klockow McClain, a social scientist who studies extreme weather communication. Flash floods kill over 80 in Texas; dozens still missing Psychological denial is another factor. People often believe disasters won’t happen to them — until they do. “It’s sort of a psychological mechanism to protect us that it can’t happen to me,” said Susan Cutter, co-director of the Hazards Vulnerability & Resilience Institute at the University of South Carolina. “Just because I’ve lived through a fire or a flood or a hurricane or a tornado, that does not mean that the next time is going to look like the last time,” added Lori Peek, director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado. As climate threats intensify, aging infrastructure and population growth in vulnerable areas compound the risks. Peek warned that the U.S. is unprepared for the scale of future disasters. “As our population has continued to rise, it’s not only that we have more people in the country, it’s also that we have more people living in particularly hazardous areas like our coastal areas,” she said. Experts also criticized recent government decisions, including staff cuts to key federal agencies under the Trump administration, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Weather Service, NOAA, and the U.S. Geological Survey. These agencies play crucial roles in disaster response and climate research. “We’re destroying the capability we have that we’re going to need more and more in the future,” Oppenheimer warned. Looking ahead, Peek urged a shift in strategy: “This is our future. It’s obvious that we’re living into a future where there are going to be more fires and floods and heat waves.”