United News of Bangladesh

Voters in India’s eastern state of Bihar went to the polls Thursday in a high-stakes local election widely viewed as a crucial test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and the strength of his coalition in one of the country’s most politically influential states. Millions of residents lined up at polling stations across Bihar for the two-phase vote to elect members of its 243-seat legislature. The election comes amid public concerns over unemployment, law and order, and alleged irregularities in the recent revision of electoral rolls. Results are expected on November 14 and are seen as a barometer of whether Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) can maintain its dominance or face growing dissatisfaction over economic and governance issues. Bihar’s political significance Long regarded as a bellwether state, Bihar carries added weight for Modi as he looks to build momentum ahead of the 2029 national elections and key state polls in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Assam over the next two years. The state sends 40 members to India’s lower house of parliament, and a victory for Modi’s alliance would strengthen his coalition, while setbacks could embolden the opposition. “Bihar’s election is not just about alliances but arithmetic,” said New Delhi-based analyst Sidharth Mishra. “If the NDA falters here, it could unsettle the central coalition.” Modi’s party fell short of a majority in last year’s federal vote and has relied on allies such as Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) to form the government. These alliances are also central to the NDA’s prospects in Bihar. Opposition challenges The BJP leads the ruling alliance in Bihar, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United) at the helm. Kumar, 74, has governed the state for nearly two decades, overseeing infrastructure improvements and enhanced law and order. Once an opponent of Modi, he later rejoined the NDA. Analysts warn that a defeat could fracture Kumar’s party and threaten the federal coalition, which depends on 12 of his lawmakers. “This election could affect not just Bihar’s leadership but the stability of Modi’s government,” said political science professor Ravi Ranjan. The NDA faces the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal, allied with Congress, and a new party, Jan Suraaj, formed by Modi’s former poll strategist Prashant Kishor. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the Election Commission’s recent revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls as politically motivated, noting that nearly 10% of the state’s 74 million voters were removed. Opposition parties argue this disenfranchised poor and minority voters, though the commission cited labor migration, newly eligible voters, and unreported deaths as reasons for the changes. Economic concerns Bihar, one of India’s poorest states with an agrarian economy and a population of about 130 million, faces pressing economic challenges. Both the ruling alliance and opposition have promised to create millions of government jobs, though economists question the feasibility given the state’s fragile economy. In September, Modi sought to appeal to women voters by providing cash transfers of 10,000 rupees ($113) each to 7.5 million women under an employment program. Women form a key voting bloc, as many men migrate to metropolitan areas for work. “Bihar’s election highlights the state’s paradox,” said socio-economist Pushpendra Kumar. “While the government claims to have set Bihar on a path to development, the majority of people continue to live in poverty. Welfare measures exist, but the underlying issues—landlessness, low wages, and limited employment—remain largely unaddressed.” Source: AP

Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 114 people and left more than 100 missing in the central Philippines, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a state of national calamity on Thursday. The typhoon, the deadliest to strike the country this year, caused widespread flash floods and devastation, particularly in Cebu province, where 71 deaths and 65 missing were reported. The tropical cyclone moved out of the Philippines on Wednesday, entering the South China Sea, and authorities in Vietnam braced for its arrival. Ho Chi Minh City could face severe flooding as heavy rainfall coincides with high tides along the Saigon River, with parts of the city expecting up to 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain. In the Philippines, nearly 2 million people were affected, and more than 560,000 residents were displaced, including nearly 450,000 moved to emergency shelters. Marcos said the emergency declaration would allow faster disbursement of relief funds and prevent food hoarding and price surges. Typhoon Kalmaegi kills 52 in Philippines, province still reeling from deadly quake The typhoon also caused a Philippine Air Force helicopter to crash in Agusan del Sur, killing six crew members who were on a humanitarian mission. Cebu faced flash floods after one-and-a-half months’ worth of rain fell in a single day, submerging neighborhoods and sweeping away vehicles. Local officials cited river clogging from quarrying and inadequate flood control projects as factors that worsened the disaster. Recovery is complicated as Cebu is still rebuilding from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30, which killed 79 people. Disaster authorities warned that another Pacific cyclone could intensify into a super typhoon and hit northern Philippines next week. Source: AP

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday declared a state of emergency after Typhoon Kalmaegi left at least 114 people dead and hundreds missing across the country’s central provinces — the deadliest natural disaster to hit the nation this year. Most of the deaths resulted from flash floods, while 127 people remain missing, mainly in the central province of Cebu, officials said. The powerful storm exited the Philippine archipelago on Wednesday, moving toward the South China Sea. According to the Office of Civil Defense, the typhoon affected nearly two million people and displaced more than 560,000, including about 450,000 who took refuge in emergency shelters. President Marcos made the “state of national calamity” declaration during a meeting with disaster response officials to assess the aftermath. The order enables faster release of emergency funds and allows the government to curb food hoarding and price manipulation. Authorities warned that another tropical system forming over the Pacific could intensify into a super typhoon and threaten the northern Philippines early next week. Among those killed in the calamity were six Philippine air force personnel who died when their helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday while en route to deliver humanitarian aid to typhoon-affected areas. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Kalmaegi unleashed flash floods and caused rivers to overflow in Cebu, submerging homes and forcing residents to climb onto rooftops to escape rising waters, officials said. At least 71 deaths were reported in Cebu — mostly due to drowning — along with 65 missing and 69 injured. In nearby Negros Occidental province, another 62 people remain unaccounted for. “We did everything we could, but there were unexpected flash floods,” Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro told The Associated Press, adding that years of quarrying and faulty flood control projects may have worsened the situation. Public outrage has grown in recent months over a corruption scandal involving substandard or nonexistent flood control works across the country. Cebu was still reeling from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30 that killed at least 79 people and displaced thousands. Many quake victims housed in fragile tents were moved to sturdier shelters before the typhoon struck, which helped prevent further casualties, the governor said. Meanwhile, the coast guard barred ferries and fishing vessels from sailing due to rough seas, stranding more than 3,500 passengers and cargo drivers at nearly 100 seaports. At least 186 domestic flights were also canceled. The Philippines faces an average of 20 typhoons and storms annually, along with frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.   Source: AP

Japan has deployed troops to the northern prefecture of Akita to help contain a surge in bear attacks that have alarmed residents, officials said Wednesday. Bears have been spotted near schools, train stations, supermarkets, and even hot springs resorts, with attacks reported almost daily, mostly in northern Japan. Since April, over 100 people have been injured and at least 12 killed, according to Environment Ministry data up to October. Under an agreement between the Defense Ministry and Akita prefecture, Self-Defense Force (SDF) soldiers will assist with setting food traps, transporting local hunters, and disposing of dead bears, but will not use firearms, officials said. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Fumitoshi Sato described the situation as urgent, while Akita Governor Kenta Suzuki said authorities were struggling to manage daily attacks due to a lack of manpower. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi emphasized that the SDF’s primary role is national defense, limiting their involvement in the bear response. Akita, home to about 880,000 people, has been hardest hit, with over 50 attacks since May, resulting in at least four deaths. Recent victims include elderly women attacked while farming or foraging and a newspaper delivery man injured in Akita city. Experts note that most attacks occur in residential areas. The rising bear problem is linked to Japan’s aging and declining rural population, abandoned farmland, and food sources such as persimmon and chestnut trees. Authorities have set up a task force to issue warnings, conduct bear surveys, revise hunting rules, and train experts to manage bear populations effectively.  

At least 52 people have been killed and 13 remain missing after Typhoon Kalmaegi triggered massive flooding across the central Philippines, mostly in Cebu province, which is still recovering from a recent deadly earthquake, officials said on Wednesday. Six others died in a separate incident when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday while en route to deliver humanitarian aid to areas ravaged by the storm. The military has yet to disclose the cause of the crash. Kalmaegi was last tracked early Wednesday over the coastal waters of Linapacan in Palawan province, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gusts up to 150 kph. It was expected to move into the South China Sea later in the day. Most of the fatalities were reported in Cebu, where torrential rain caused rivers to overflow and inundated neighborhoods, forcing residents to seek refuge on rooftops. Rescue efforts were delayed until floodwaters receded, according to the Philippine Red Cross. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro told the Associated Press that the flooding may have been worsened by years of quarrying, river siltation, and poor flood control infrastructure. She urged an investigation into corruption in flood management projects that have sparked public anger nationwide. Tropical storm kills seven in the Philippines, thousands displaced Cebu, home to 2.4 million people, has been placed under a state of calamity to expedite relief efforts. The province was still reeling from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on Sept. 30 that killed 79 people and displaced thousands. Elsewhere, a villager drowned in Southern Leyte and another was killed by a falling tree in Bohol province. Ahead of the typhoon’s landfall, more than 387,000 people had been evacuated, while rough seas stranded over 3,500 passengers and led to the cancellation of at least 186 domestic flights. The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons annually, along with frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations. Source: AP 

At least five people were killed and several others injured Tuesday after a passenger train collided with a cargo train in central India, a senior official said. The accident occurred near Bilaspur, around 116 kilometers (72 miles) from Chhattisgarh’s capital, Raipur. Television footage showed the trains after the collision, with rescuers combing through the wreckage for survivors. Sanjay Agarwal, a senior government official, told reporters that the passenger train struck the cargo train from behind, causing some coaches to topple. “Rescue teams are cutting through the train to free passengers trapped inside,” he said. Indian Railways, the network operator, said in a statement that all available resources had been deployed to rescue the victims and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. An inquiry into the cause of the crash has also been launched. Train accidents remain a recurring problem in India, where the extensive rail network faces challenges from aging infrastructure and human error. Over 12 million passengers travel daily on more than 14,000 trains across 64,000 kilometers of track. Despite government efforts to enhance safety, hundreds of accidents occur each year, often linked to outdated signaling or human mistakes. India witnessed one of its deadliest train disasters in 2023, when a collision in the eastern region claimed over 280 lives. Source: AP 

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised South Korea’s plans to increase its military spending, saying Tuesday that the move will enable Seoul to take a larger role in defending itself against North Korean threats. After annual security talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, Hegseth said he was “greatly encouraged” by Seoul’s commitment to modernize its conventional forces. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed an 8.2% rise in defense spending for next year to upgrade weapons systems and reduce reliance on the United States. Hegseth highlighted ongoing defense cooperation, including U.S. warship maintenance in South Korea, and stressed that the alliance is stronger than ever despite regional threats. He reaffirmed that U.S. nuclear deterrence continues to protect South Korea, while Seoul remains committed to non-proliferation. During meetings, Lee emphasized that transferring wartime operational control to South Korea would strengthen national sovereignty and reduce U.S. military burdens on the peninsula. The visit coincided with North Korean artillery tests in western waters, underscoring ongoing regional security challenges.    

Survivors of a powerful earthquake in northern Afghanistan spent Monday night outdoors in freezing temperatures as rescue operations continued and historical sites suffered damage. The 6.3-magnitude quake struck just before 1 a.m. Monday near Khulm in Samangan province, killing 21 and injuring over 800, including 25 seriously, according to Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority. Rain forecast for the region has added to the hardships of those affected. The earthquake damaged significant landmarks, including the famed Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif and the 19th-century Bagh-e Jehan Nama Palace in Khulm. Minarets, walls, and towers were cracked or collapsed, prompting calls for urgent restoration before winter. Locals reported fear after aftershocks, destroyed homes, and lack of proper shelter, sanitation, and basic necessities. Authorities provided tents and relief, while rescue teams continued clearing rubble. The World Health Organization noted damage to several health facilities, including the collapse of Samangan Provincial Hospital’s laboratory, complicating emergency care. Afghanistan’s remote, poverty-stricken regions face ongoing challenges responding to natural disasters, with previous earthquakes in August killing over 2,200 people.  

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday praised South Korea’s decision to raise military spending, saying the move would help the country take a greater role in defending itself from North Korean threats and strengthen the decades-old U.S.-South Korea alliance. Speaking after annual security talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul, Hegseth said he was “greatly encouraged” by South Korea’s commitment to increase defense investments. He said the additional spending would enhance Seoul’s ability to lead its conventional deterrence and defense against Pyongyang. The meeting came as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged parliament to approve an 8.2% increase in next year’s defense budget to modernize weapons systems and reduce reliance on the United States. “We face, as we both acknowledge, a dangerous security environment, but our alliance is stronger than ever,” Hegseth said. He added that both sides agreed to expand cooperation on maintaining and repairing U.S. warships in South Korea, taking advantage of the country’s advanced shipbuilding industry to ensure “our most lethal capabilities remain ready to respond to any crisis.” While reaffirming that the alliance’s main focus remains deterring North Korea, Hegseth said the partners would also consider “regional contingencies” as part of a broader strategy to maintain stability in Asia. The two allies have been discussing ways to integrate U.S. nuclear capabilities with South Korean conventional weapons under a “conventional-nuclear integration” framework. South Korea, which remains under the U.S. “nuclear umbrella,” has repeatedly said it will not seek its own nuclear weapons program. Ahn dismissed speculation about Seoul pursuing nuclear arms or redeploying U.S. tactical nuclear weapons, emphasizing South Korea’s continued commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The talks ended without a joint statement — an uncommon outcome for the annual meeting — but Hegseth said there were “no differences” between the allies, just “a bigger deal which takes a little more time.” The discussions took place amid renewed tensions on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea’s military reported that North Korea fired about 10 artillery rounds into western waters Monday afternoon, shortly before Hegseth arrived for his two-day visit. Similar firings were reported two days earlier, ahead of a summit between President Lee and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Lee urged Beijing to help bring Pyongyang back to talks.

Rescuers in Nepal on Tuesday continued searching through deep snow and ice to recover the bodies of seven climbers killed in a massive avalanche on Mount Yalung Ri, officials said. The avalanche struck the mountain’s base camp at about 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) on Monday morning, trapping climbers and guides beneath heavy snow. Poor weather and blizzards initially hampered rescue efforts, preventing helicopters from reaching the area. Clearer skies on Tuesday allowed a rescue helicopter to land at the site, where teams began digging through snow estimated to be up to six meters (20 feet) deep. At least three bodies were recovered by afternoon, according to Dolkha District Police Chief Gyan Kumar Mahato. Four injured climbers were airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment, including two French nationals hospitalized at Era Hospital. One of the survivors, 54-year-old Isabelle Solange Thaon, said she narrowly escaped death but lost her husband, Christian Manfred, in the avalanche. Speaking from her hospital bed, she described how she and another French climber, Didier Armand, managed to survive by leaping over rocks as the avalanche hit. “We were lucky because we were on the left,” Thaon said. “But Christian was struck by rocks. It was not possible to save him.” She said others were buried under several meters of snow: “They were completely covered. It was impossible to help.” Authorities confirmed that two of the victims were Nepali mountain guides, while the identities of the remaining four climbers have not yet been determined. Mount Yalung Ri, which rises to 5,600 meters (18,370 feet), is popular among novice climbers for its moderate difficulty, but conditions can change rapidly during the Himalayan autumn season.