United News of Bangladesh

A baby macaque named Punch has become a major attraction at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo after winning hearts online with his emotional story and adorable videos. Over 100 visitors gathered at the zoo on Friday, taking photos and cheering as the six-month-old cautiously approached other monkeys in the enclosure. Punch went viral on social media after clips showed him clinging to zookeepers and dragging around a stuffed orangutan toy for comfort. Zoo officials said, Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth, possibly due to inexperience or summer heat stress. For young monkeys, bonding with their mothers is essential for safety and emotional stability. Caretakers tried giving him towels, but he formed a strong attachment to the orangutan toy, now affectionately called “Ora-mama.” Visitors from different places came to see the baby macaque in person after following his story online. Many described him as “cute” and “heartwarming,” while others said they felt emotional watching him slowly adjust to life with the troop. According to the zoo, Punch has recently started integrating with other monkeys. He has been seen playfully poking them, getting scolded at times, and gradually learning to socialise. In one video, he runs back to his toy after being dragged but soon returns to play with the others. Other clips show adult monkeys hugging and grooming him a key social behaviour among primates that builds trust and bonding. The zoo urged visitors to support Punch’s efforts to socialise, noting that although he is occasionally scolded, he has shown strong resilience and mental strength. Born in July 2025, Punch initially struggled to fit in as other monkeys ignored or acted aggressively toward him. His bond with the plush toy helped him feel secure until he began forming friendships within the troop. Social media users across the world have flooded the internet with messages of love, saying the once-rejected baby monkey is now adored by millions. With inputs from BBC

All seven people on board an air ambulance were killed when the aircraft crashed in Simaria area of Chatra district, Jharkhand, India, on Monday evening, officials said. The Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd-operated air ambulance was flying from Ranchi to Delhi. It took off at 7:11 pm and lost contact with air traffic control around 7:34 pm over a densely forested area near Bariatu Panchayat. At the time of the crash, residents reported heavy rain, strong winds, lightning, and thunder in the region. The victims included two crew members and five passengers. Among the passengers was Sanjay Kumar, a 41-year-old patient from Latehar district with severe burn injuries, being transferred for urgent treatment. He had been admitted to Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi on February 16 with 65 percent burns. Family members said they chose an air ambulance because his condition was too critical for a road journey. All seven bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem, confirmed Sub-divisional Police Officer Shubham Khandelwal. The victims were identified as Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, Captain Savrajdeep Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, Sachin Kumar Mishra, Archana Devi, and Dhuru Kumar. Authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), said the Beechcraft C90 aircraft (VT-AJV) lost radar and communication contact roughly 20 minutes after takeoff. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to arrive in Chatra for a detailed investigation, and the black box will be examined to determine the cause of the crash. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren expressed grief, while All India Trinamool Congress extended condolences and urged a transparent investigation. Redbird Airways, owned by Akshay Yadav and established in 2018, operates six planes and received permission for non-scheduled flights in 2019.   With inputs from NDTV

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court told judges on Monday that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged death squads to carry out extrajudicial killings using fear and financial rewards. The court in The Hague is holding pretrial hearings for the ex-leader, who is facing three counts of crimes against humanity for deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he oversaw while in office. According to prosecutors, police and hit squad members carried out dozens of murders at Duterte's behest, motivated by the promise of money or to avoid becoming targets themselves. “For some, killing reached the level of a perverse form of competition,” deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said in his opening statement. The charges date from Duterte’s time as mayor of the southern Philippine city of Davao and later as president, and include dozens of killings as part of his so-called war on drugs. The hearing is not a trial, but allows prosecutors to outline their case in court. After weighing the evidence, judges have 60 days to decide whether it is strong enough to merit putting Duterte on trial. Duterte “stands behind his legacy resolutely, and he maintains his innocence absolutely,” lead defense lawyer Nick Kaufman told the three-judge panel. According to Kaufman, the prosecution “cherry-picked” examples of Duterte “bombastic rhetoric," and his client's words were never intended to incite violence. Duterte, 80, was not present in the courtroom, having waived his right to appear. Last month, judges found he was fit to stand trial, after postponing an earlier hearing over concerns about his health. In the Philippines, dozens of activists with relatives of suspects killed in Duterte’s anti-drugs crackdowns held a noisy protest in metropolitan Manila on Monday. More than 100 relatives gathered to watch the pretrial hearings on big TV screens in three venues organized by civic groups in the capital region. “We’re hoping that the ICC, even if it’s thousands of miles away, will finally render justice to all these families,” said Randy delos Santos, a volunteer in a charity shelter which was hosting one event. The 17-year-old nephew of delos Santos was shot and killed by three police officers in a purported drug raid in August 2017. The killing sparked a public outcry. The officers were found guilty of murder in a rare conviction by a Manila court the following year. Duterte supporters criticized the administration of current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Duterte’s political rival, for arresting and surrendering the former leader to a court whose jurisdiction they dispute. Detractors include Duterte's daughter, current Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte who announced last week that she would seek the presidency in the 2028 elections. ICC prosecutors said in February 2018 that they would open a preliminary investigation into the violent drug crackdowns. In a move that human rights activists say was aimed at escaping accountability, Duterte, who was president at the time, announced a month later that the Philippines would leave the court. Judges rejected a request from Duterte’s legal team to throw out the case on the grounds that the court did not have jurisdiction because of the Philippine withdrawal. Countries can’t “abuse” their right to withdraw from the court's foundational Rome Statute “by shielding persons from justice in relation to alleged crimes that are already under consideration,” the September decision says. An appeal of that decision is still pending. Estimates of the death toll during Duterte’s presidential term vary, from the more than 6,000 that the national police have reported to up to 30,000 claimed by human rights groups.

A strong 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck early Monday off Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island, according to the United States Geological Survey. The epicentre was located less than 100 kilometres northeast of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, at a depth of 619.8 kilometres, the agency said. The quake occurred at 12:57am (local time). There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. With inputs from agency

At least nine people were killed and 35 others injured after a passenger bus overturned due to reckless driving in Afghanistan’s western Badghis province on Sunday, local police said. The accident occurred in the unSabzak area along the highway linking Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital, with Herat province, said Sadiqullah Sadeqi, spokesperson for the Badghis provincial police. He said nine passengers, including women and children, died at the scene. Police, with help from local residents, rushed the 35 injured to nearby health facilities for treatment. Pakistan launches border strikes inside Afghanistan; Red Crescent says 18 killed Several of the wounded were reported to be in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could rise, Sadeqi added. Road crashes are common in Afghanistan, often caused by reckless driving, overcrowded roads and poor signage on damaged highways, and they remain a major cause of fatalities in the conflict-affected country.

Pakistan said it carried out early Sunday airstrikes along the border inside Afghanistan, targeting hideouts of Pakistani militants blamed for recent attacks in Pakistan, while the Afghan Red Crescent reported at least 18 people killed. The strikes reportedly hit “various civilian areas” in the eastern Afghan provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika, including a religious madrassa and several homes, according to Afghanistan’s defense ministry. Kabul condemned the attacks as a violation of its airspace and sovereignty. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the strikes killed and wounded dozens, including women and children. The Afghan Red Crescent Society later confirmed 18 deaths and several injuries in Nangarhar. Following the strikes, Afghanistan summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul and lodged a formal protest, warning Islamabad would bear responsibility for any consequences. Villagers in affected areas were seen clearing rubble and preparing funerals. Local elder Habib Ullah said those killed were civilians with no links to militant groups. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the military conducted “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven camps of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates, as well as an affiliate of the Islamic State. He added that Pakistan remains committed to regional stability but prioritises the safety of its citizens. The strikes came hours after a suicide bombing targeted a security convoy in Pakistan’s Bannu district, killing two soldiers. A similar attack in Bajaur last week killed 11 soldiers and a child, with authorities alleging the attacker was an Afghan national. Islamabad has long accused Kabul of allowing TTP militants to operate from Afghan soil, a claim denied by both the Taliban administration and the group itself. Security analysts warned the latest strikes could escalate tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, despite previous ceasefire efforts mediated by regional actors. Relations between the two neighbours have remained strained following deadly border clashes and stalled talks in recent months.

South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating an insurrection through an attempted imposition of martial law, a Seoul court ruled on Thursday. The court found that Yoon sought to undermine the constitution by deploying troops to block the National Assembly and ordering the arrest of politicians on December 3, 2024. Presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon said the former leader’s actions gravely damaged South Korea’s democratic foundations and warranted the heaviest possible punishment short of execution. Prosecutors had demanded the death penalty. South Korea, however, has not carried out executions since 1997, meaning a death sentence would effectively amount to life imprisonment. The brief but dramatic martial law order deepened political polarisation across the country, tensions that were clearly visible during the sentencing. Large crowds of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse ahead of the verdict, some chanting slogans in his favour and later breaking down in tears. At the same time, anti-Yoon protesters called for capital punishment. Yoon showed no visible reaction as the verdict was delivered. His legal team rejected the ruling, arguing it lacked evidentiary basis and accusing the court of following a predetermined outcome. If either side appeals, the case will move to the Supreme Court, potentially delaying a final decision for months. Yoon stunned the nation when he announced martial law in a live television address in December 2024, claiming it was necessary to counter “anti-state” forces sympathetic to North Korea. Investigators later concluded the move was driven largely by domestic political pressure, as the opposition-controlled parliament had rendered him a lame-duck president and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, faced corruption allegations. Lawmakers forced their way into the National Assembly within hours to overturn the order, prompting its swift withdrawal. The episode triggered months of political turmoil, Yoon’s impeachment, and a series of criminal cases against him and senior officials. Former prime minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced last month to 23 years in prison for his role in the plot, while ex-defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, who advised Yoon on the martial law move, received a 30-year sentence. Several other former ministers, intelligence officials and police chiefs have also been jailed in what judges described as an “insurrection from the top”. Security around the court was tight, with around 1,000 police officers deployed and buses forming barricades to control access. Although the court labelled Yoon the leader of the insurrection, judges said there was insufficient evidence to prove he had planned the martial law move a full year in advance. Throughout the trial, Yoon maintained that he had constitutional authority as president to declare martial law and insisted the move was aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and constitutional order. The ruling Democratic Party, which returned to power after Yoon’s removal, criticised the court for stopping short of imposing the death penalty, arguing the verdict fell short of public expectations. Yoon is already serving prison terms for abuse of power and obstruction related to the same events and still faces three additional trials. While several former South Korean presidents have previously been jailed only to receive pardons after a few years, it remains uncertain whether similar clemency would be extended in this case.   With inputs from BBC

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has unveiled the deployment of 50 new launch vehicles for nuclear-capable short-range missiles, highlighting Pyongyang’s expanding military capabilities ahead of a key ruling Workers’ Party congress. State media showed rows of launcher trucks lined up near the April 25th House of Culture, a venue used for previous party congresses. The Korean Central News Agency said the vehicles support 600mm multiple rocket launcher systems, which experts say can function similarly to short-range ballistic missiles due to guided delivery and self-propelled thrust. In a speech, Kim said the launchers feature artificial intelligence and advanced guidance technology designed to carry out a “strategic mission,” implying nuclear capability. He also signalled that the upcoming congress would outline further plans to strengthen the country’s nuclear-armed forces. In a separate statement, Kim’s sister Kim Yo Jong acknowledged a South Korean minister’s apology over alleged drone incursions but warned that Pyongyang would respond forcefully if such incidents recur. She said border surveillance would be tightened against the “enemy” South. Relations between the two Koreas have remained largely frozen since 2019 after nuclear talks between Kim and former U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed over sanctions.  

The personal physician of former Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday that while a team of doctors has reported an “improvement” in Khan’s eyesight, he is unable to independently verify the claim because authorities have not allowed him access to the jailed নেতা. Dr. Aasim Yusuf made the comments in a video posted on X, a day after eye specialists examined Khan at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi. The examination was conducted following directives from the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Pakistani ex-PM Imran Khan left with 15% eyesight in jail, Supreme Court intervenes Yusuf said prison medical staff informed him by phone on Sunday that Khan’s eye condition had improved and outlined the treatment provided since late January, when the former premier underwent a procedure at a hospital in Islamabad after reporting partial vision loss. He said he would have been “extremely happy” to confirm the reported progress but stressed that he had neither seen Khan nor been involved in his care. “Because I have not examined him personally or spoken to him, I cannot confirm or reject the accuracy of what we have been told,” he said. Yusuf also recommended that any further medical care be carried out at a hospital in Islamabad. Separately, cabinet minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on X that a comprehensive medical checkup was conducted inside Adiala prison and that doctors concluded Khan’s eyesight had improved, with no major complications detected. Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan, wife receive 17-year sentence in graft case Concerns over Khan’s vision arose after the government disclosed he had undergone a minor eye procedure. The Supreme Court subsequently directed his lawyer, Salman Safdar, to meet him in prison. Safdar later told the court that Khan had lost about 85% of vision in his right eye, triggering protests by supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in Islamabad and other cities. Some PTI lawmakers and allies have staged a sit-in outside parliament, demanding that Khan be transferred to a hospital. Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since 2023 after being convicted in a corruption case. He was removed from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. The former premier has claimed his ouster was the result of a U.S.-backed conspiracy involving political rivals and the military — allegations denied by Washington, Pakistan’s armed forces and his opponents, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Despite ongoing legal battles, Khan remains a key political figure with significant public support.

At least six people were killed in a collision between a car and a trailer on the National Highway in Pakistan's southern Sindh province on Monday, rescue officials said. The accident occurred in Naushahro Feroze district when a speeding car traveling to the provincial capital Karachi collided with a trailer, a Rescue 1122 official told Xinhua. "The impact was severe and the car was completely destroyed. All six passengers died on the spot," the official said. Rescue teams transported the bodies to a nearby hospital, where all victims were confirmed dead. Police said they are investigating the exact cause of the accident.