United News of Bangladesh

A passenger bus erupted into flames after a motorcycle crashed into it early Friday, killing at least 25 people and injuring several others in southern India, police said. The fire tore through the bus within minutes, trapping dozens of passengers as it sped along a highway near Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh state, senior police official Vikrant Patil said. Some managed to smash open windows and leap to safety with minor injuries while others were charred to death before help could arrive, Patil said. The bus with 44 passengers aboard was traveling between the cities of Hyderabad in Telangana state and Bengaluru in Karnataka state. The accident occurred in Chinnatekuru village near Kurnool, around 210 kilometers (130 miles) south of Hyderabad. The motorcycle rammed into the speeding bus from behind and got stuck, Patil said. It was dragged for some distance, causing sparks that engulfed the bus's fuel tank. “As the smoke started spreading, the driver stopped the bus and tried to put the fire out by using a fire extinguisher, but the fire was so intense he couldn’t control it,” Patil said. Most passengers were asleep at the time of the accident. The bus was gutted and the unidentified bike rider also died, he said. A team of forensic experts was investigating the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh’s highest elected official, N. Chandrababu Naidu, offered their condolences to the bereaved families. The deadly bus fire was the second such accident in India in less than two weeks. A suspected short circuit sparked a fire on a passenger bus in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan early this month, rapidly engulfing the vehicle in flames and killing at least 20 people.

Myanmar’s military has regained key towns captured by ethnic insurgents last year, using relentless air strikes, newly trained recruits, and Chinese-supplied drones, highlighting a decisive shift in the civil war in favor of the junta. Last year, insurgents from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) briefly captured Kyaukme, a strategic town on Asian Highway 14, the main trade route from the Chinese border to central Myanmar. The takeover, following months of fighting, was considered a significant blow to the military junta that seized power in 2021. This month, however, the army recaptured Kyaukme within three weeks. “There is heavy fighting every day in Kyaukme and Hsipaw,” TNLA spokesman Tar Parn La told the BBC. The military has now retaken Hsipaw as well, restoring control over the road to China. The junta’s renewed success is largely attributed to Chinese backing, which has included technical support, funding for the planned December election, and access to advanced weaponry. Beijing’s influence has also pressured ethnic armies along the border to halt resistance operations, with some groups abandoning previously captured towns. Newly recruited conscripts, numbering over 60,000, along with thousands of Chinese-made drones and relentless air strikes using Russian and Chinese aircraft, have shifted the battlefield balance. Analysts say drones have improved strike accuracy, disrupted insurgent operations, and strengthened the military’s air supremacy. Meanwhile, opposition forces remain fragmented. The People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) and ethnic militias continue to resist but suffer from limited coordination, distrust among groups, and restricted access to weaponry due to tighter border controls and Chinese restrictions on dual-use products. While the military has regained towns along key trade routes and areas designated for voting in the upcoming election, insurgents still control significant regions in Rakhine and Chin States. Analysts warn that large-scale political reconciliation remains distant. “The military has destroyed over 100,000 homes in the dry zone alone, leaving deep grievances that will last generations,” said Morgan Michaels, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. China, meanwhile, continues to prioritize stability over the collapse of the Myanmar state, providing backing for the junta while pursuing its strategic and economic interests, including access to the Indian Ocean and energy supplies. However, even Beijing faces limits in ending the ongoing war, as widespread devastation and civilian suffering fuel persistent resistance. Source: BBC

North Korea said Thursday that its latest missile launches successfully tested a new hypersonic system designed to strengthen its nuclear war deterrent, as leader Kim Jong Un continues to expand weapons intended to overcome South Korea’s defenses. The announcement by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) came a day after South Korea’s military detected the North firing multiple missiles from an area south of Pyongyang. The projectiles reportedly flew about 350 kilometers northeast before landing on land. The launches occurred just days before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet in Seoul. In a statement, the U.S. Forces Korea said it was “fully aware” of North Korea’s ballistic launches and its “relentless pursuit of long-range missile capabilities.” It called on Pyongyang to stop “unlawful and destabilizing actions” in violation of U.N. Security Council sanctions, adding that Washington’s commitment to its alliance with Seoul remains “ironclad.” KCNA said the tests involved two hypersonic projectiles that accurately struck a land target in the country’s northern region. It described the new system as strategic — indicating the missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads. While KCNA didn’t name the missile system, Kim earlier this month showcased several new weapons at a military parade, including what appeared to be a short-range ballistic system equipped with hypersonic glide vehicles. In recent years, North Korea has tested various hypersonic systems capable of flying at more than five times the speed of sound. Such missiles are intended to outmaneuver regional defense systems, though experts have questioned whether the North’s weapons consistently reach the claimed speeds. North Korea conducts ballistic missile tests ahead of Trump’s Asia visit Pak Jong Chon, a senior military official who oversaw Wednesday’s launches, hailed the “new cutting-edge weapon system” and said Pyongyang would continue to strengthen its nuclear deterrence and defense capabilities. During the Oct. 10 parade, Kim also unveiled a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) described by state media as the country’s most powerful nuclear weapon, capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Analysts say the North could test the missile in the coming weeks ahead of a major ruling party conference in early 2026, when Kim is expected to announce new policy directions, possibly including his stance toward Washington. Kim has sharply accelerated weapons testing since his high-profile nuclear talks with Trump collapsed in 2019 over disagreements about U.S.-led sanctions. Wednesday’s launches marked the North’s first ballistic missile tests since liberal South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, pledging to restore peace on the peninsula. But Kim has rejected Lee’s offers for dialogue and said he won’t return to talks with the U.S. unless Washington abandons its push for North Korea’s denuclearization.

North Korea carried out its first ballistic missile launches in five months on Wednesday, just days before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to visit South Korea. South Korea’s military reported that multiple short-range ballistic missiles were fired from south of Pyongyang, traveling roughly 350 kilometers (220 miles) toward the northeast. The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff did not provide further details but confirmed that the missiles did not land in the sea. The military emphasized that it remains prepared to respond to any provocations from the North, relying on its strong alliance with the United States. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tokyo is closely coordinating with Washington and Seoul, sharing real-time missile warning data. North Korea has not commented on the launches. Trump is scheduled to begin his Asia trip later this week, visiting Malaysia for a regional summit, followed by Japan, and then South Korea for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. He was expected to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Gyeongju ahead of the summit, though he is unlikely to attend APEC’s main conference from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. Pakistan conducts ballistic missile test amid soaring tensions with India Experts say North Korea may conduct missile tests to assert its status as a nuclear-armed state, a designation that would strengthen its case for U.N. sanctions relief. Wednesday’s launches were Pyongyang’s first since May 8 and the first under South Korean President Lee’s administration. Earlier this month, Kim Jong Un displayed the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile at a military parade, highlighting North Korea’s growing nuclear capabilities and diplomatic ambitions. Source: AP 

Hong Kong reopened the runway Tuesday where a cargo plane crashed into the sea the previous day, though officials said it will remain out of regular use until the wreckage is fully cleared. The Boeing 747, operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines on a flight from Dubai, veered off the runway in the early hours of Monday and collided with a patrol car, sending both into the sea. Two workers in the car were killed, while the four crew members aboard the plane were unharmed. Airport authorities said repairs to the runway and fencing are complete, and initial evidence has been collected. However, the cockpit voice and flight data recorders have not yet been recovered. The runway is now on standby, allowing limited landings but not regular flight operations. Cleanup efforts have been delayed by Tropical Storm Fengshen, with authorities aiming to remove the wreckage within a week, weather permitting. Investigators continue to examine the cause of the crash, with weather and runway conditions reportedly meeting standards. Transport Secretary Mable Chan said an initial investigation report is expected within a month. Monday’s crash was ACT Airlines’ second fatal incident, following a 2017 crash in Kyrgyzstan that killed 39 people.

Myanmar’s military has closed a large-scale online scam center near the Thai border, detaining more than 2,000 people and confiscating dozens of Starlink satellite internet terminals, state media reported Monday. Myanmar has long been a hotspot for cyberscam operations, often targeting victims worldwide through fake romantic relationships and fraudulent investment schemes. These centers frequently recruit foreign workers under false promises of legitimate employment, only to coerce them into illegal activities. The raids come amid international scrutiny, following U.S. and U.K. sanctions against organizers of a major Cambodian cybercrime gang and the indictment of its alleged ringleader in New York. According to the Myanma Alinn newspaper, the military raided KK Park in Myawaddy, Kayin state, beginning in early September, as part of efforts to combat online fraud, illegal gambling, and cross-border cybercrime. The report showed photos of seized Starlink equipment and soldiers during the raid, though the exact timing was unclear. Myanmar town lies in ruins as military and militia clash for control Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun alleged that leaders of the Karen National Union were linked to the scams, though the ethnic group denied involvement. The army found more than 260 unregistered buildings at the site and seized 30 Starlink terminals. The nationalities of the detainees were not disclosed. Starlink, part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, does not have a licensed presence in Myanmar, though hundreds of terminals have been smuggled into the country. Previous crackdowns on cybercrime centers occurred in 2023 and earlier this year, including a February operation that freed thousands of trafficked workers from scam compounds with the help of ethnic armed groups. Source: AP 

Japan’s parliament on Tuesday elected ultraconservative politician Sanae Takaichi as the nation’s first female prime minister, a day after her struggling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) struck a coalition deal with a new right-leaning partner. Takaichi succeeds Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political impasse following the LDP’s crushing defeat in the July elections. Ishiba, who served only one year as prime minister, resigned earlier in the day along with his Cabinet to clear the way for his successor. In the parliamentary vote, Takaichi secured 237 votes—four more than the required majority—defeating Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) leader Yoshiko Noda, who received 149 votes in the lower house. Her appointment was assured after the LDP formed an unexpected alliance with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai), a right-wing group that helped offset the opposition’s lack of unity. However, the new coalition still falls short of a majority in both chambers of parliament, meaning Takaichi will need support from other opposition groups to pass key legislation—posing a potential challenge to her government’s stability. “Political stability is essential right now,” Takaichi said during Monday’s signing ceremony with Japan Innovation Party leader and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. “Without stability, we cannot pursue strong economic or diplomatic policies.” The coalition agreement highlights the shared nationalist and hawkish stances of both parties. It came after the LDP’s breakup with its longtime partner Komeito, a Buddhist-backed centrist party that took a more moderate approach to defense and diplomacy. The split had raised concerns of a possible power shift in Japan’s long-dominant ruling bloc. Later on Tuesday, Takaichi, 64, is expected to announce her Cabinet lineup, which will include several close allies of powerful LDP figure Taro Aso and other supporters from her leadership bid. Yoshimura said his party would not take ministerial posts immediately, pending further confidence in the partnership. Takaichi faces pressing challenges: a major policy speech this week, upcoming talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, and regional summits. She must also address rising prices and unveil new economic stimulus measures by late December to ease public discontent. Despite making history as Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi is not expected to prioritize gender equality or diversity. Known for her conservative views, she supports the imperial family’s male-only succession system, opposes same-sex marriage, and rejects allowing married couples to retain separate surnames. A protégé of slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is expected to continue his policy agenda—strengthening Japan’s military, revitalizing the economy, and pushing for constitutional reform. However, with a fragile political base, analysts say it remains uncertain how much she can accomplish. Komeito’s departure from the coalition was driven by dissatisfaction over the LDP’s handling of slush fund scandals and concern about Takaichi’s revisionist views on Japan’s wartime history. Her regular visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine have also drawn criticism from China and South Korea, which view the shrine as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism. In a recent gesture of restraint, Takaichi sent a religious offering to Yasukuni instead of visiting in person last week, signaling an effort to tone down her hawkish image as she begins her historic premiership.   Source: AP

South Korean authorities are moving to formally arrest 58 of the 64 citizens recently repatriated from Cambodia over alleged involvement in online scam operations, police said Monday. The 64 South Koreans, detained in Cambodia over several months, were flown home on a charter flight Saturday. Upon arrival, they were held while investigators assessed whether they had joined the scam organizations voluntarily or were coerced. Online scams, particularly in Southeast Asia, have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic, victimizing both those forced to work in scam operations and the targets of fraud. Criminal networks reportedly earn billions annually from such schemes. State prosecutors have requested arrest warrants for 58 of the returnees, accused of crimes including romantic scams, fake investment schemes, and voice phishing targeting fellow South Koreans. Courts are expected to rule on the warrants in the coming days. Five individuals have been released, though authorities have not disclosed the reasons. Police said four returnees reported being beaten in Cambodian scam centers against their will. Public concern has grown after a 22-year-old South Korean university student was found dead in Cambodia in August, allegedly tortured after being lured to provide his bank account for scam operations. United Nations and other estimates suggest over 100,000 people are trafficked to scam centers in Cambodia, with large numbers in Myanmar and other countries. South Korean officials estimate about 1,000 of their citizens remain in Cambodian centers and recently imposed travel restrictions on parts of the country while sending a delegation to discuss joint countermeasures. Interpol reports indicate that in the past three years, scam victims have been trafficked from South America, Western Europe, and Eastern Africa to Southeast Asia, with new scam centers emerging in the Middle East, West Africa, and Central America.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping delivered a speech on Monday at the opening of a major Communist Party meeting to endorse a draft plan outlining the country’s goals for the next five years. A short dispatch from the official Xinhua News Agency said Xi “expounded on the Party leadership’s draft proposals” for the next five-year plan for national economic and social development, which will cover 2026-2030. It did not provide any details. The latest plan comes at a time of growing challenges and uncertainty for China, including a persistently sluggish economy, foreign restrictions on its access to the latest technologies and high tariffs imposed on its exports to the United States. A Xinhua editorial said that the plan should focus on “high-quality” development and technological innovation, while also ensuring national security is protected and the benefits of economic growth are spread fairly and more widely. “There will be hardships and obstacles on our way forward, and we may encounter major tests,” the editorial said in discussing economic and national security goals. “We must be prepared to deal with a series of new risks and challenges.” Analysts and investors are watching the meeting to look for clues about how the plan will balance economic and security interests, and to what extent the plan will call for structural changes to boost consumer spending and manage an aging society. This week's four-day meeting brings together about 200 voting members and 170 alternate members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. The body will approve the draft five-year plan, though full details likely won't be released until it is formally approved at the legislature's next annual meeting, expected in March.

Japan is on the verge of making history as Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is set to become the country’s first female prime minister. The 64-year-old is expected to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tuesday’s parliamentary vote, ending a three-month political vacuum following the coalition’s defeat in the July election. Takaichi assumed party leadership amid a major challenge: the moderate Komeito party, which had been in a 26-year-long coalition with the LDP, split over concerns about her ultraconservative stance and the party’s handling of financial scandals. To secure enough votes, she quickly turned to the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai), signing a coalition agreement expected Monday. Analysts say the new alliance is fragile, and governing may require cooperation from opposition parties, making Takaichi’s premiership potentially unstable and short-lived. Her rise breaks a historic gender barrier in a country with low international rankings for gender equality. Yet many women remain unconvinced. Sociologist Chizuko Ueno tweeted that Takaichi’s premiership “doesn’t mean Japanese politics becomes kinder to women,” citing her opposition to same-sex marriage, male-only imperial succession, and the civil law revision allowing married couples separate last names. A protégé of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is expected to follow his economic and security policies. She faces immediate domestic challenges, including rising prices, economic stimulus, and public frustration, alongside pressing diplomatic tests, such as talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and regional summits. Takaichi’s nationalist and hawkish positions — including a stronger military, visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, and revisionist views on wartime history — could strain ties with China and South Korea. Her administration must also manage Japan’s demographic challenges and growing xenophobia, though critics say she has offered little long-term vision. Political observers note that her premiership is shaped by conservative party kingmaker Taro Aso, who retains significant influence over appointments. The coalition’s ideological differences, particularly on fiscal policy, may hinder governance. Analysts suggest that early elections may be necessary to stabilize the government, reflecting a broader shift in Japan toward multiparty politics and coalition governments. Experts warn that Takaichi will need to balance domestic priorities, opposition cooperation, and international diplomacy carefully. “She needs to be realistic,” said political commentator Chiyako Sato, noting that there is “no room for Takaichi to show her true colors” as she navigates the complex political landscape. Source: AP