United News of Bangladesh

Five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed after an AN-32 transport aircraft crashed during a routine training mission in the northeastern Indian state of Assam on Saturday, officials said. The aircraft went down near Jorhat in Assam, the Indian Air Force said in a statement posted on social media platform X. Visuals from the crash site showed debris scattered across a field following the accident. The IAF expressed condolences to the bereaved families and said it stood in solidarity with them during this difficult time. Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the crash, and further details are awaited. The incident comes months after two Indian Air Force pilots were killed in March when a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed during a routine training sortie in Assam.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft crashed and caught fire while landing at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday morning. According to preliminary reports, the aircraft went down within the premises of the airbase during landing, triggering a fire after the crash. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to contain the blaze and assess the situation. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and there was no immediate information on casualties or injuries. The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident and said further details would be shared after an assessment of the situation. An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said authorities were awaiting more information regarding the accident. The Antonov AN-32, a twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, is a key component of the Indian Air Force’s transport fleet. Developed in the former Soviet Union to meet India’s operational requirements, the aircraft is designed for operations in high-altitude and tropical environments. The AN-32 is capable of carrying up to 7.5 tonnes of cargo, around 50 passengers or 42 paratroopers, and is widely used for logistics and supply missions in remote areas. The crash comes months after an IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a routine sortie in March, killing both pilots on board. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat Air Force Station before losing contact with ground control and later crashing in a remote hilly area. Further details on the AN-32 crash are awaited. Source: NDTV

An Indian official says three Indian mariners were killed on board a tanker targeted by the U.S. military over allegedly violating America’s blockade on Iran. Indian Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced the three mariners’ killing on X in the attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello. “Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after two bodies were recovered,” he wrote. It wasn’t clear where the third body was. The U.S. military’s Central Command had accused the Settebello of having “violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran.” It fired into the ship’s engine room to stop it.  

Saudi Arabia has lifted a five-year ban on imports from Lebanon, a move widely seen as a significant step toward restoring relations between Lebanon and Gulf countries and providing a boost to Lebanon’s struggling economy. The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the decision was made at the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and followed what it described as “positive steps taken by the Lebanese state.” Saudi Arabia first banned imports of Lebanese fruits and vegetables in 2021, accusing exporters of using shipments to smuggle drugs into the kingdom. In one high-profile case, Saudi authorities said they seized more than five million Captagon pills hidden inside a consignment of pomegranates from Lebanon. Later that year, Riyadh expanded the restrictions to cover all Lebanese imports after then-Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi criticized the Saudi-led military campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The diplomatic fallout was also linked to Saudi Arabia’s longstanding concerns over the influence of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon. The ban came at a time when Lebanon was already grappling with a severe economic crisis and a sharp depreciation of its national currency. While the Saudi statement did not specify the measures that led to the lifting of the ban, Lebanon has recently announced plans to disarm all non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities have also pledged reforms aimed at strengthening state institutions. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the decision and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed, saying the move would help revive the national economy and support Lebanese producers and exporters. Lebanon’s current government, which took office last year on a reform agenda, has been seeking to strengthen relations with Gulf states. Prior to the outbreak of the latest conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanese officials had been working to attract Gulf tourists back to the country, while several Gulf nations had eased travel restrictions on visits to Lebanon. The latest Saudi decision is expected to improve trade opportunities for Lebanese businesses and further support efforts to rebuild ties between Beirut and Gulf capitals.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed that 13 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, matching casualty figures earlier reported by Afghan authorities. In a statement posted on X on Thursday, UNAMA said it had documented 13 civilian deaths and 10 injuries resulting from airstrikes carried out overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday in the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika. The UN mission said the casualties were mainly children and women and renewed its call for de-escalation, a durable ceasefire, protection of civilians, reopening of border crossings for humanitarian assistance and dialogue to resolve differences between the two neighboring countries. The strikes ended nearly a month of relative calm between Pakistan and Afghanistan, whose border conflict has continued despite repeated international mediation efforts. Pakistan had earlier rejected claims made by Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid that the attacks killed 13 civilians, dismissing the allegations as propaganda. The border between the two countries has remained closed for months, disrupting trade and transport and leaving thousands stranded. Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan has intensified since February, when Afghan forces reportedly carried out retaliatory attacks following Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan. Hundreds of people have been killed in the violence, while multiple rounds of peace talks have failed to secure a lasting truce. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of sheltering militants responsible for attacks inside its territory, particularly members of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Kabul has denied the allegations. At a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the latest airstrikes targeted militant camps and hideouts along the border. He said the operation was launched in response to a series of recent militant attacks inside Pakistan and was based on credible intelligence. According to Andrabi, the strikes specifically targeted hideouts of militants referred to by Pakistan as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” a term used by authorities for the Pakistani Taliban and allied groups. He maintained that the operation was carried out with precision and that Pakistan would continue military actions against militant sanctuaries to protect national security. Asked about the UN report on civilian casualties, Andrabi said the government would review its findings but questioned the methodology used to determine the casualty figures, insisting that the strikes were directed solely at militant targets.

Hong Kong authorities have charged seven people and two companies with offences including manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud in connection with a massive fire that killed 168 people in the city’s deadliest blaze in decades. The fire broke out on November 26, 2025, engulfing seven apartment blocks in Wang Fuk Court in the suburban Tai Po district. The tragedy devastated the tight-knit housing community and left families still waiting for answers months later. In a statement on Wednesday, police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption said the 25 charges also include money laundering, attempting to obstruct justice and tax evasion. The accused were involved in different aspects of a major renovation project at Wang Fuk Court. The two companies charged are Will Power Architects Company, which served as the project consultancy firm, and Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., the main contractor. The seven individuals — identified as Wong Hap-yin, Hau Wa-kin, Ho Kin-yip, Ng Yeuk, Hung Kwok-wai, Chung So-fan and Lin Min — were brought before court on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities said they include company directors and a registered inspector linked to Will Power. Most of the defendants appeared calm in court and confirmed they understood the charges. Earlier in March, police said 38 people had been arrested in connection with the fire on suspicion of offences including manslaughter and fraud, with nine later formally charged. The anti-corruption agency also arrested 23 people on allegations including bribery and conspiracy to defraud. An independent legal committee investigating the disaster previously said nearly all fire safety systems failed on the day of the blaze, largely due to human error.

Afghanistan on Wednesday accused Pakistan of carrying out fresh airstrikes inside its territory, saying the attacks killed at least 13 people, including children, and injured 14 others. Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the strikes targeted the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika. According to Mujahid, those killed included 11 children, one woman and one elderly man. Pakistan did not immediately comment on the allegations. The latest incident comes amid months of escalating tensions and cross-border clashes between the two neighbouring countries. Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have remained strained since late February, when Afghanistan launched attacks across the border in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory. The violence has since claimed hundreds of lives. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of providing safe haven to militants responsible for deadly attacks inside Pakistan, particularly members of the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The TTP is a separate group from the Afghan Taliban but maintains close ties with it. The Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan. Kabul has consistently rejected Pakistan’s allegations of sheltering militants.

Rescue teams continued searching damaged buildings in the southern Philippines on Tuesday to ensure no one remained trapped, a day after one of the country's strongest earthquakes in the last 50 years killed at least 37 people and forced more than 20,000 residents from their homes. Authorities said only four people were officially listed as missing in the provinces near the epicentre of Monday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake. However, the Office of Civil Defense said several collapsed and severely damaged structures still needed to be thoroughly checked for possible survivors and additional casualties. The earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao, the Philippines' second-most populous island. Nearly 500 people were injured, while thousands sought refuge in emergency shelters. Many residents fled their homes fearing a tsunami. Although waves reaching up to 1.4 metres above normal tide levels were recorded in parts of the Philippines, damage was limited. Officials reported that six stilt houses in a coastal village were damaged by tsunami waves. Smaller waves were also observed in Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan. The disaster caused widespread destruction across several provinces. In General Santos, a coastal city known as the country's tuna industry hub, at least 13 people died due to collapsed buildings and falling debris. Another 18 people were killed in Sarangani province, most of them in a landslide that buried homes in the mountainous town of Glan, according to disaster officials. Additional deaths were reported in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island. Initial government assessments showed that around 2,000 houses and 117 government buildings and facilities were damaged. General Santos International Airport remained closed, leading to the cancellation of 63 domestic flights, except those carrying humanitarian aid. Authorities said nearly 6,000 public school buildings in affected provinces must be inspected before classes can resume. The earthquake struck on the first day of the new school term following a two-month summer break, and many of those injured were students attending morning flag-raising ceremonies. Officials have warned that damaged buildings remain at risk of collapse due to strong aftershocks. "We cannot force the immediate reopening of schools because we have to ensure the integrity of the buildings," said Rafaelito Alejandro of the Office of Civil Defense. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the earthquake originated at a depth of 33 kilometres beneath the sea, about 32 kilometres southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province. The quake was triggered by movement along the Cotabato Trench and was the strongest to hit the country since a devastating 8.1-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 1976 that killed about 8,000 people. The Philippines also experienced a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in 1990 that killed more than 1,000 people and caused major destruction in the country's north. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deployed senior government officials to oversee rescue operations, aid distribution and damage assessments of roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The United States said it was coordinating with Philippine authorities and stood ready to assist response efforts. France, Japan and New Zealand also expressed support. The Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone known for intense seismic activity. The country is also hit by around 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone nations.

China's exports grew at a faster-than-expected pace in May, increasing 19.4 percent year-on-year despite disruptions linked to the Iran war, according to data released Tuesday by the country's customs authority. The May figure marked an acceleration from April’s 14.1 percent annual growth rate, underscoring the resilience of China's export sector. Analysts attributed the strong performance to continued overseas demand for Chinese automobiles, technology products and artificial intelligence-related goods, including semiconductors. Imports also posted robust growth, rising 27.4 percent in May from a year earlier, compared with a 25.3 percent increase recorded in April. Meanwhile, trade with the United States continued to weaken amid ongoing tariff tensions. China's exports to the U.S. declined 2.7 percent during the January-May period compared with the same period last year, while imports from the U.S. fell 5.5 percent. The decline in bilateral trade extends a trend that began after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed broad tariffs on China and several other major trading partners following his return to office. Despite geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts, China's overall trade performance remained strong during the first five months of the year, supported by growth in high-tech and manufacturing exports.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen their long-standing alliance during Xi’s rare visit to Pyongyang, according to state media reports from both countries. The summit marked Xi’s first trip to North Korea in seven years and underscored Beijing’s effort to reinforce its influence over its isolated socialist neighbor amid shifting regional dynamics. Lavish welcome and high-level talks Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted at Pyongyang’s international airport by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. The Chinese leader was later welcomed with a large ceremony in the capital’s main square, featuring military honors, flags, banners and portraits of both leaders. During talks, Xi said China was ready to expand cooperation with North Korea in areas such as trade, agriculture, construction and technology, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV. Kim described relations with China as North Korea’s “most important top-priority strategic work” and praised Xi’s visit as a major sign of support, the Korean Central News Agency reported. Strategic coordination and regional implications Both leaders pledged to strengthen strategic coordination and protect their countries’ sovereignty and security interests. Kim also reaffirmed support for China’s “one-China principle” regarding Taiwan. Analysts say the visit highlights China’s desire to maintain a leading role on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, especially as North Korea has recently deepened military and economic ties with Russia. China remains North Korea’s main economic lifeline and diplomatic backer. The two countries marked 65 years of their mutual defense treaty this year. Nuclear issue left unmentioned Notably, reports from both sides did not mention North Korea’s nuclear program, a departure from Xi’s 2019 visit when Chinese media referred to denuclearization efforts. The omission is likely significant for Kim, who has sought international recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. Ahead of Xi’s visit, Pyongyang reiterated that its nuclear program is non-negotiable and vowed to expand its nuclear capabilities. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that North Korea is producing enough nuclear material annually for an estimated 10 to 20 bombs and is nearing mastery of intercontinental ballistic missile technology. Economic and diplomatic context Observers believe Xi may have offered economic support measures, including food aid and expanded tourism and transport links. Direct flights and passenger train services between the two countries resumed earlier this year after being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting also comes as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in reviving diplomacy with Kim, giving Beijing potential leverage in future negotiations involving Washington and Pyongyang.