United News of Bangladesh

Kazakhstan's pro-government Adilet Party secured a landslide victory in Sunday's parliamentary election, a result expected to further consolidate President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's hold on power in Central Asia's largest country. The party won 71% of the vote, according to preliminary results released Monday by Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission. The Auyl Party came second with 6.26%, while the Nationwide Social Democratic Party, Respublica and Aq Jol also crossed the 5% threshold required to enter parliament. Election observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the election lacked meaningful political competition, noting that all participating parties supported the incumbent president's policies. Around 74% of Kazakhstan's 12.6 million eligible voters cast ballots. Authorities also used unusual measures to encourage participation, including arranging for some voters to reach polling stations by parachutes and hot air balloons. The election was the first to select members of the country's new single-chamber parliament, known as the Kurultai, following a constitutional overhaul initiated by Tokayev. In a referendum in March, around 87% of voters backed merging Kazakhstan's two parliamentary chambers into one. The constitutional changes also gave the president greater authority to appoint key officials, subject to parliamentary approval. Last month, Kazakhstan's Constitutional Court ruled that the amendments effectively reset Tokayev's previous presidential terms, potentially allowing him to seek another seven-year term after his current mandate ends in 2029. Similar constitutional changes have been used in several former Soviet republics, including Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, to alter presidential term limits. Tokayev, 73, has served as president since 2019. A former Soviet official and diplomat who worked at the United Nations, he has sought to maintain balanced relations with Russia and Western countries following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Tokayev has defended the constitutional changes, saying they are necessary to enable faster decision-making amid global changes. The election was held as Kazakhstan faces economic pressures, with inflation reaching 10.2% in February and tax increases contributing to public dissatisfaction. Analysts say the government remains concerned about a repeat of the January 2022 unrest, when fuel-price protests escalated into violence that killed dozens of protesters and police officers. The election also took place amid growing concerns over press freedom. Media groups have urged Tokayev to drop criminal cases against journalists under house arrest and amend laws to better protect freedom of expression. Authorities have opened about 10 criminal cases against independent journalists and prominent bloggers, according to media organizations.

Indonesian authorities have arrested 72 people suspected of starting forest and peatland fires as massive blazes trigger choking haze across central and western Indonesia. The fires, driven by an El Niño pattern and a prolonged dry season, have generated dense smoke crossing into Malaysia, according to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Mohammad Irhamni, director of special crimes at the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency, said the arson suspects are under investigation in 89 fire cases across five Borneo and four Sumatra provinces. He said that investigators are tracing financial records to target the companies financing the illegal clearing, warning that suspects face up to 15 years in prison. On Sunday, over 3,700 hot spots were recorded on Borneo-predominantly in Kalimantan's peatlands where BNPB chief Suharyanto noted blazes often smolder underground—and 1,700 on South Sumatra, reducing visibility to 10 meters. Water-bombing and cloud-seeding operations are underway using 52 helicopters. In Malaysia's Sarawak state, the choking haze triggered "very unhealthy" air quality, forcing the closure of nearly 600 schools and affecting 200,000 students.

Voting began Sunday in Kazakhstan's parliamentary election, which is expected to further consolidate President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's power in the largest country in Central Asia. The ruling pro-presidential Adilet party is widely expected to secure a large majority, while several smaller parties aligned with Tokayev are also likely to win seats in parliament. Tokayev, 73, a former Soviet official and Kazakh diplomat who previously worked at the United Nations, has served as president since 2019. The election is the first to choose members of the country's new single-chamber parliament, known as the Kurultai. Sunday's vote follows a constitutional overhaul launched by Tokayev in March. Some 87% of voters backed a referendum to abolish the two-chamber parliament and replace it with a single chamber. The changes also give the president authority to appoint key officials, subject to parliamentary approval, and restore the position of vice president. Tokayev, who has tried to balance relations with Moscow and the West since Western sanctions were imposed on Russia over its war in Ukraine, has defended the reforms as necessary for faster decision-making amid a rapidly changing global environment. Last month, Kazakhstan's Constitutional Court ruled that the constitutional amendments effectively reset the limit on Tokayev's previous presidential terms, allowing him to potentially seek another seven-year term. The election is taking place amid economic difficulties. Inflation reached 10.2% in February, while tax increases have contributed to growing public dissatisfaction. Analysts say the economic pressure has raised concerns among authorities about a possible repeat of the unrest in January 2022, when protests over fuel prices escalated into deadly violence that killed dozens of protesters and police officers. Tokayev has sought to prevent such unrest by concentrating greater power in his hands. Tokayev described the election as a "truly historic event." "Without a doubt, these elections will be remembered as perhaps the most interesting in our country's history," he said Friday. "Amid unprecedented geopolitical tensions and mounting global challenges, we must firmly and consistently implement our strategy to transform Kazakhstan into a truly developed state." The election is also being held amid growing concerns over restrictions on press freedom. Media organizations have called on Tokayev to drop criminal cases against several journalists under house arrest and amend laws to strengthen press freedom. Authorities have opened about 10 criminal cases against independent journalists and prominent bloggers. The latest case involves independent journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov, host of the YouTube program "Prosto Zhurnalistika," or Simply Journalism. Akhmedyarov told The Associated Press that authorities opened a criminal case against him in August on charges of "disseminating false information" after he published a list of Kazakh citizens fighting in Ukraine. He could face up to seven years in prison. "In the run-up to these parliamentary elections, repression has intensified sharply, with attacks on independent media, cyberattacks, and criminal cases launched against independent journalists and popular bloggers," Akhmedyarov told AP from Almaty. He said the authorities appeared determined to silence media outlets they do not control, including those with which they failed to reach an agreement. Akhmedyarov also said major cities across Kazakhstan were filled with advertisements and posters promoting the pro-presidential Adilet party. "It is not very difficult to predict the outcome of these elections," he said.

A moderate earthquake struck eastern Japan, including the Tokyo metropolitan area, early Sunday, injuring at least 23 people, mostly with minor injuries, officials said. There was no tsunami threat. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.9, with its epicenter in southern Ibaraki prefecture at a depth of about 70 kilometers (42 miles). The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 5.8. Officials in four prefectures reported 23 injuries — nine each in Saitama and Kanagawa, four in Chiba and one in Ibaraki. Most of those injured fell or struck furniture or doors after being startled by the earthquake while sleeping and getting out of bed in panic, officials said. A woman in her 80s suffered a serious hip injury after falling from her bed in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, the Yomiuri newspaper reported. A 23-year-old man told the Asahi newspaper that he felt a strong vertical jolt moments after receiving an earthquake alert while shopping at a discount store in Tokyo's Taito district. He said he became concerned that products might fall from high shelves as the building shook. The earthquake disrupted express train services connecting Tokyo with Narita Airport, as well as some local train services in northeastern areas. However, Shinkansen bullet trains continued operating normally, East Japan Railway Co. said. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had established a task force to assess the extent of any damage. The earthquake triggered emergency alerts on mobile phones and caused significant shaking in Tokyo. NHK public television showed traffic moving normally on roads in nearby cities, including Mito and Saitama. An underground water pipe burst in Tokyo's eastern Koto Ward, sending water onto a roadway, according to NHK footage. The pipe was later repaired and the leak stopped. The Nuclear Regulation Authority said no abnormalities were reported at about a dozen nuclear power plants and other facilities handling nuclear materials. Last month, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island, killing 38 people and injuring 364.

China will promote inclusive sharing to ensure that the benefits of innovation in food security are shared more widely and fairly among Asia-Pacific economies and their people, according to the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration. Liu Huanxin, head of the administration, put forward proposals on food security, a shared concern among Asia-Pacific economies, at the APEC high-level public-private dialogue on food security on Thursday. Stressing the importance of digital empowerment, he said China will promote the large-scale application of innovation across the food supply chain and expand the use of artificial intelligence, digital technologies and smart processing across this sector. He also called for closer cooperation among government departments, businesses, research institutions and international organizations to promote open and mutually beneficial cooperation in food security. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China kept its domestic grain market broadly stable and deepened international cooperation in the food sector, contributing to food security across the Asia-Pacific and beyond, the official noted. Over the next five years, China will continue to enhance its overall food production capacity and strengthen its ability to safeguard national food security, he said. The dialogue, held in the coastal city of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Thursday, drew nearly 150 representatives from government departments, business associations, research institutions and international organizations of APEC economies.    

At least eight people died and nearly 40 others were taken ill over the past 24 hours after they allegedly consumed spurious liquor mixed with methanol in India's western state of Gujarat, confirmed a local official on Friday. The human casualties were reported from the Bhavnagar area of Gujarat. Those taken ill were admitted to a local hospital. Gujarat is one of the dry states in India, where the consumption and sale of liquor is totally banned. Those found in possession of liquor face heavy legal and monetary penalties, even incarceration. However, some locals take the risk of making their own liquor for self-consumption. Such ill practices have led to human casualties in Gujarat before.  

Four railway workers doing weed control on a track in Japan died Thursday after being struck by an express train as it entered a station north of Tokyo, officials said. The accident occurred at Shin-Kanuma Station on the Tobu Nikko Line and involved the Tokyo-bound Spacia express train, according to the Tochigi prefectural police. The victims—three workers and an on-site supervisor—were rushed to a hospital but later pronounced dead, police and operator Tobu Railway Co. confirmed. Six other crew members assigned to spray herbicide, including three on lookout duty, were unharmed. None of the approximately 50 passengers on board the train were injured. Lookouts are required to warn colleagues of approaching trains using flags, whistles, or microphones. Railway officials said it remains unclear why the workers did not leave the tracks, and they are cooperating with investigators. Takao Suzuki, head of Tobu's railway business division, apologized for the fatal accident, promising strict preventive measures. Services resumed later Thursday after a suspension of several hours.

Pakistani authorities on Wednesday petitioned the Supreme Court to review or withdraw an order permitting imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to undergo a medical examination at a private hospital of his choice. The challenge follows a Tuesday court directive to take Khan to Shifa International Hospital for evaluation by a medical board including his personal physician. Islamabad’s chief commissioner argued the order was issued without prior notice and described it as "discriminatory," warning it could disrupt the justice system and "open a floodgate" for other inmates seeking treatment outside prison rules. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated the government remains committed to providing medical care at state facilities according to prison regulations, emphasizing that health issues must stay separate from politics. Khan has previously been treated at government hospitals for an eye condition. Concerns regarding the former premier's health intensified after his family alleged 85% vision loss in his right eye, though authorities claim he has since regained 70% vision. Khan, removed in 2022 and imprisoned since 2023, continues to draw repeated, occasionally violent, protests from supporters demanding his release.

South Korean and U.S. militaries have agreed to shorten their ongoing joint exercises at Washington’s request, South Korean officials said Wednesday, a move that likely reflects President Donald Trump’s efforts to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un but could raise concerns about the allies’ defense readiness. Trump had directed his Pentagon chief to “substantially reduce” the allies’ annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises shortly before they began Monday for an 11-day schedule. Trump cited what he described as a good relationship with Kim and South Korea’s decision not to join the U.S. war against Iran. South Korea’s military said in a statement that the current drills with the United States will end Friday instead of Aug. 27, as originally scheduled. The allies also agreed to scale back some of their joint field training exercises. The military said South Korea and the United States would discuss and implement various measures to meet the objectives of the exercises and maintain combined defense capabilities. Many experts have warned that Trump’s decision could weaken the combined U.S.-South Korean defense posture and eventually undermine their decades-old alliance. Ulchi Freedom Shield is primarily a computer-simulated command post exercise designed to improve the allies’ ability to respond to a potential North Korean attack. The two countries normally conduct a series of field training exercises alongside the command post drills. The exercises, along with a similar drill held in the spring, are a key component of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, which dates back to the 1950-53 Korean War. However, North Korea has long viewed the drills as preparations for an invasion and has responded with provocative missile tests. Just days before this month’s exercises began, North Korea launched two ballistic missiles into the sea. The current drills were reportedly planned in two phases. The first phase, running through Friday, focuses on defensive operations simulating North Korean attacks, while the second phase, originally scheduled through Aug. 27, was intended to practice counteroffensive operations. North Korea is particularly sensitive to exercises involving counteroffensive scenarios. North Korea has not responded directly to Trump’s overture. However, its state-run Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, published a commentary early Wednesday condemning the U.S.-South Korean exercises as “frantic” and “extremely dangerous” and vowing to thwart what it called hostile actions by its rivals. “The dangerous escalation of the war drills staged by the U.S. and its vassal forces is posing a more serious threat to the security rights” of North Korea, the commentary said. It added that North Korea would continue exercising its right to self-defense to “completely neutralize the enemies’ military threat.” Many experts said Kim, emboldened by advances in North Korea’s nuclear program and expanding military cooperation with Russia, is unlikely to respond positively to Trump’s outreach anytime soon unless Washington offers greater concessions. In response to Trump’s previous efforts to reach out, Kim suggested last year that he could return to negotiations only if the United States abandons denuclearization of North Korea as a precondition for diplomacy. Trump and Kim met three times between 2018 and 2019, but their high-level diplomacy eventually collapsed over disagreements surrounding Pyongyang’s demand for extensive sanctions relief in exchange for limited steps toward denuclearization. On Monday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s office expressed hope that the “friendly relationship” between Trump and Kim could lead to “meaningful dialogue” between the two countries and help promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. The statement drew strong criticism from South Korean conservatives, who accused Lee’s government of placing the possible resumption of Trump-Kim diplomacy ahead of security concerns arising from Trump’s decision to scale back the exercises.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered authorities to take imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a private hospital in Islamabad for a medical examination and directed prison officials to restore his regular contact with family members. A three-member bench ordered that Khan be taken to Shifa International Hospital in the capital within the next few days, where he will be examined by a medical board comprising specialists and one of his personal physicians, Faisal Sultan, according to his lawyers and party officials. The court also directed prison authorities to allow Khan to meet his family members once a week and speak by telephone with his sons. Khan’s family and personal doctors have repeatedly raised concerns over his health and their limited access to him. Earlier this year, authorities suspended visits to the prison after receiving intelligence about a possible attack on the facility. The former prime minister had petitioned the Supreme Court months ago seeking his transfer from the high-security Adiala prison in Rawalpindi to a hospital, along with access to his personal doctors, family members and lawyers. Khan’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, said the court issued the order because his client’s health was at risk and access to medical treatment is protected under Pakistan’s Constitution. Raja also urged Khan’s supporters not to gather outside the hospital when he is taken there, saying such gatherings could inconvenience other patients. Khan was taken several times to a government hospital earlier this year for treatment of an eye problem. Concerns over his eyesight intensified in January when his family claimed he had lost about 85% of the vision in his right eye. The government disputed the claim and later said his vision had improved by around 70%. The former international cricket star-turned-politician has been imprisoned since 2023 after being convicted in a corruption case. Khan was removed as prime minister in April 2022 following a parliamentary no-confidence vote. He has alleged that his removal was part of a US-backed conspiracy involving his political opponents and former army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa. Washington, Pakistan’s military and his political rivals have denied the allegations. Despite his imprisonment and multiple legal cases, Khan remains one of Pakistan’s most influential political figures and retains a large popular following.