United News of Bangladesh

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv overnight Sunday, damaging buildings across the city and injuring at least 10 people, local authorities said. The intense assault shook several areas in central Kyiv, including locations near government offices, residential buildings and schools. Air raid sirens sounded throughout the night as smoke rose over different parts of the city following the strikes. Associated Press journalists in Kyiv reported hearing loud explosions near the city center and government areas. Officials said the attack was still continuing by sunrise, with more missiles and drones expected to hit the capital. According to Kyiv military administration chief Tymur Tkachenko, damage was reported in at least nine districts of the city, including residential buildings. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said a school building in the Shevchenko district was damaged while people were taking shelter inside. Authorities also reported damage to supermarkets and warehouses in different parts of the capital. In the wider Kyiv region, several communities were affected by the attacks, regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia could use its hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, citing intelligence information shared by the United States and Western allies. Ukraine’s Air Force later also warned about a possible launch of the Oreshnik missile, although officials had not confirmed whether it was used in the overnight strikes. Russia first used the Oreshnik missile against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro in November 2024 and later used it again in the western Lviv region in January. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed the missile travels at 10 times the speed of sound and can destroy underground bunkers several floors deep. Putin also said the missile is capable of bypassing missile defense systems and, even with conventional warheads, can cause destruction similar to a nuclear strike.

A Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at an oil terminal in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region overnight, local officials said Saturday, in the latest strike targeting Moscow’s energy infrastructure. Authorities in the port city of Novorossiysk said falling drone debris triggered the blaze at an oil terminal, leaving two people injured. However, they did not name the facility involved. Russia’s Astra news outlet reported that Ukrainian drones hit the Sheskharis oil terminal and depot, a key hub linked to the Transneft pipeline network. Images shared by the outlet showed smoke rising from the area, though the footage could not be independently verified. Ukraine did not immediately comment on the incident. Ukraine has increasingly stepped up drone and missile strikes inside Russia, using domestically developed weapons to hit oil and energy sites that play an important role in financing Moscow’s war effort. Such attacks have become frequent in recent months. Meanwhile, Russian-installed authorities in Ukraine’s occupied Luhansk region said the death toll from a Ukrainian drone strike on a college dormitory in Starobilsk has risen to 11. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday condemned the dormitory strike as a “crime” and ordered the military to prepare retaliation options. He claimed there were no military or security facilities near the building. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council requested by Russia, Ukrainian envoy Andrii Melnyk rejected the allegations, calling them “propaganda” and insisting that Ukraine’s May 22 operations targeted only Russian military infrastructure.

The bodies of four Italian divers who died during a deep cave dive in the Maldives earlier this month were sent back to Italy early Saturday, a Maldivian government spokesperson said. The four divers went missing on May 14 while exploring an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll, about 50 meters below sea level. Their diving instructor’s body was recovered outside the cave shortly after the incident and was previously returned to Italy. Authorities said recovering the remaining bodies was extremely difficult and dangerous. The operation was temporarily halted after a Maldivian military diver, Mohamed Mahudhee, who was part of the rescue mission, died during the effort. Later, three expert cave divers from Finland joined the operation and located the four bodies last week in the deepest section of the cave, around 60 meters underwater. The Maldives normally allows recreational diving only up to 30 meters. Maldives President’s spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef said two separate investigations have been launched — one into the deaths of the five Italian divers and another into the death of military diver Mahudhee. He also said Italian authorities agreed to share the findings if autopsies are carried out on the bodies after their return home. The victims were identified as Monica Montefalcone, an ecology professor at the University of Genoa; her daughter Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti. Government spokesperson Ahmed Shaam said the four bodies were found close together inside the cave. Authorities said the divers had obtained permission for the expedition, but officials were not fully informed about the exact cave location they planned to explore. They also said at least two of the victims were not included in the list of researchers submitted to authorities before the dive.

Authorities in Southern California were scrambling Friday to prevent a possible explosion at a chemical storage tank after a hazardous leak forced nearly 40,000 people to evacuate from several cities in Orange County. Officials said a storage tank containing between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a chemical used in making plastic parts, overheated on Thursday and began releasing dangerous vapors at an aerospace plastics facility in Garden Grove. The leaking tank at GKN Aerospace could crack and spill toxic chemicals onto the ground or even explode, according to Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey. “This thing is going to fail, and we don’t know when,” Covey told reporters. “We are trying our best to stop it or reduce the risk.” Evacuation orders, initially issued for Garden Grove residents, were later expanded to parts of five nearby cities — Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster — after crews failed to stop the leak overnight. GKN Aerospace manufactures parts for commercial and military aircraft. Authorities said no injuries or deaths had been reported. Later on Friday, officials said emergency crews had managed to stabilize the tank’s temperature, giving them more time to work on a solution. Garden Grove, located about 38 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, is home to one of the largest Vietnamese communities in the United States. The city is also less than a mile from Disneyland, although the theme parks were not included in evacuation orders. Residents described scenes of panic and uncertainty after receiving emergency alerts. Danny Pham, who lives a few blocks from the plant, said he was asleep when his roommate woke him early Friday and told him to evacuate immediately. “It was shocking,” Pham said. “I never thought something like this could happen.” He quickly left with only his wallet and passport and later took shelter at a friend’s restaurant in a nearby city. By Friday afternoon, Pham said he still did not know where he would spend the night and worried he might be away from home for several days.   Officials said crews placed sandbags around the area to contain any possible spill and stop the chemical from reaching storm drains, creeks or the ocean. Orange County health officer Dr Regina Chinsio-Kwong warned that the chemical vapor could cause breathing problems, eye irritation, nausea and headaches if exposed to high heat. Authorities said crews had successfully stabilized one damaged tank earlier, but the remaining tank was considered the biggest threat. GKN Aerospace said hazardous materials experts were continuing to assess the situation. “Our priority remains the safety of employees, emergency responders and the surrounding community,” the company said in a statement. Many residents also worried about whether elderly and non-English-speaking people fully understood the evacuation warnings. Kim Yen, a retired resident who lives two blocks from the leak site, said she rushed to her daughter’s home after receiving an emergency alert on her phone Thursday night. She feared some members of the Vietnamese community might ignore the warning because it was issued in English. “This is scary,” she said. When she briefly returned home Friday morning to collect medicines and important documents, she found the neighborhood nearly empty, with police officers going door to door to ensure residents had evacuated. Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein urged residents to follow official instructions. “We understand this is frightening,” she said. “But the evacuation orders are for your safety.” Local Vietnamese television channels later translated official updates and urged residents to remain alert.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on Saturday ahead of a key meeting next week with foreign ministers from India, Australia and Japan under the Indo-Pacific strategic group known as the Quad. The visit marks Rubio’s first official trip to India at a time when Washington is trying to steady ties with New Delhi after relations were strained over tariff policies introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump, which increased duties on several Indian exports. Despite the diplomatic focus, much of Rubio’s four-day visit will include a multi-city tour and a gala reception in New Delhi marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. Speaking ahead of the trip, Rubio described India as a “great ally and partner,” saying both sides are involved in important cooperation and have much work to do together. He arrived in the eastern city of Kolkata early Saturday and is expected to visit the Mother House Kolkata, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa. During the visit, Rubio is also scheduled to travel to Agra and Jaipur, two northern cities known for their historic monuments and palaces. According to U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Rubio will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later Saturday in New Delhi for discussions on trade, technology, defence and Quad cooperation. He is also set to hold bilateral talks with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Sunday. Rubio will join the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday in New Delhi, where the group is expected to discuss regional security concerns, particularly China’s growing military presence in the South China Sea and its maritime claims. Beijing has repeatedly rejected such criticism, saying its military activities are defensive and accusing the Quad of attempting to contain its economic rise. Rubio previously held his first major international engagement with Quad foreign ministers shortly after taking office, underscoring the group’s importance in U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy.

Most immigrants applying for US green cards will now need to leave the country and complete the process at a US embassy or consulate abroad under a newly announced policy. On Friday, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said individuals seeking to adjust their immigration status must use consular processing outside the US "except in extraordinary circumstances". The change, part of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on illegal immigration, removes a pathway that previously allowed some visa holders and visitors to apply for permanent residency while remaining in the country. Opponents argue the previous system helped keep families together while applications — often taking months or years — were processed. The updated policy may also create challenges for immigrants who leave the US to apply and are then unable to return. According to the USCIS memo, people on student, work, or tourist visas will generally need to apply through the Department of State from outside the country. "When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the US illegally after being denied residency," USCIS said, adding that the process would be "fairer and more efficient". The Department of Homeland Security wrote on X: "The era of abusing our nation's immigration system is over." "We're returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation's immigration system properly," USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said. "From now on, an alien who is in the US temporarily and wants a green card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances," he continued. Kahler added that the policy would help the immigration system "to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes" and said temporary visits "should not function as the first step in the green gard process". Officials have not clarified whether pending green card applications will be impacted. A USCIS spokesperson told the BBC that applicants whose cases provide economic benefits or serve the national interest would "likely be able to continue on their current path". "Others may be asked to apply abroad depending on individualised circumstances," the spokesperson added. Green card holders, officially known as lawful permanent residents, are allowed to live and work permanently in the US. The application process can take anywhere from several months to multiple years. According to the Cato Institute’s director of immigration studies, more than one million legal immigrants are currently waiting for approval of adjustment-of-status green card applications. Kahler said shifting more cases to consular offices abroad would allow USCIS to dedicate more resources to other responsibilities, including visas for victims of violent crimes and human trafficking, citizenship applications, and related cases. The agency said the policy aligns with existing immigration laws and court rulings. Immigration officers have been instructed to "consider all relevant factors and information on a case-by-case basis when determining whether an alien warrants this extraordinary form of relief". Michael Valverde, a former senior USCIS official who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, told CBS that the announcement would "disrupt the plans of hundreds of thousands of families and employers annually". "This is a largely unprecedented move that will limit lawful immigration to the US greatly," Valverde said. "People who followed the rules faithfully now face tremendous uncertainty." The Trump administration has also introduced bans or restrictions affecting citizens from nearly 40 countries. Another policy enacted this year temporarily halted immigrant visa issuance for applicants from 75 countries. The US State Department warns that overstaying a visa can result in deportation, denial of future visas, and bans on re-entering the country for up to 10 years.

The satirical “Cockroach Janta Party” movement, which first gained traction in India, has now crossed into Pakistan’s online political space. Inspired by India’s viral Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), several Pakistani social media accounts have emerged using similar themes and branding after the Indian movement exploded online following its launch on May 16. The Indian collective, symbolized by the cockroach — an insect viewed as resilient, difficult to eliminate, and fast-growing — has reportedly gained millions of followers within days. In Pakistan, multiple versions of the movement have appeared, including Cockroach Awami Party, Cockroach Awami League, and Muttahida Cockroach Movement. One account describes itself as, "A political front of the youth, by the youth, for Pakistan". Another bio states, "Jinhein system ne cockroach samjha, hum unhi awaam ki awaaz hain" (We are the voice of those people whom the system considered cockroaches.) These Pakistani pages use logos similar to the Indian version but feature a green-and-white palette, presenting themselves as alternatives to major political parties such as PTI, PML-N, and PPP. Origin of the Cockroach Janta Party India’s Cockroach Janta Party was founded by Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old Boston University student and former political communications strategist for the Aam Aadmi Party. The Indian movement also has its own manifesto and official website, reports NDTV. Unlike the Indian version, the Pakistani adaptations appear to be loosely organized, with several independent creators launching their own interpretations of the concept. The movement began after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant compared certain unemployed youth and activists to “cockroaches” and “parasites” during a Supreme Court hearing. "There are youngsters like cockroaches, they don't get any employment, they don't have any place in profession," Kant said. He later clarified that the comment referred to people entering professions using fake degrees. Although it is not officially registered as a political party, the Cockroach Janta Party has reportedly attracted more than 20 million Instagram followers in under a week.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reassure NATO allies unsettled by President Donald Trump’s sudden policy shifts, but fresh confusion emerged when Trump unexpectedly announced the deployment of 5,000 additional U.S. troops to Poland. The announcement came only hours after Rubio left for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Sweden, surprising officials because Poland had previously been informed it would not receive the deployment. At the meeting, Rubio attempted to calm European concerns over Trump’s unpredictable decisions, emphasizing that the United States remains committed to NATO even as it plans to reduce its military presence in Europe over time. Rubio and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte both stressed that Washington is consulting allies, though some nations felt blindsided by the abrupt announcements. Rubio acknowledged that adjustments to the U.S. troop presence in Europe had been under discussion for some time and were coordinated with allies, even if they caused unease. He said the developments should not have come as a complete surprise. As America’s chief diplomat, Rubio has frequently been tasked with presenting a more measured image of the Trump administration abroad. Earlier this year, he attended the Munich Security Conference and later visited Italy, where he met Italian leaders and Pope Leo XIV following Trump’s criticism of the pontiff. The NATO meeting in Helsingborg also took place amid uncertainty over the Iran conflict, stalled efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and ongoing frustration in Europe over Trump’s criticism of allies and his interest in Greenland, a Danish territory. However, the most attention centered on the sudden reversal regarding Poland and a previous announcement about reducing U.S. troop levels in Germany. Rubio defended the decisions, saying the Germany reduction merely returned troop numbers to levels seen three years ago and was not made hastily. Former U.S. ambassador to Poland Dan Fried criticized the administration’s handling of the situation, describing it as chaotic and poorly managed. While he welcomed the decision to send troops to Poland, he argued that the confusion raised broader concerns about the administration’s commitment to NATO and its ability to manage alliance relations effectively. Rubio declined to provide details about any further military reductions in Europe, including potential cuts under NATO’s defense contingency plans. Although Rubio reiterated his strong support for NATO, he also repeated complaints that some allies had not fully supported the U.S. during the Iran conflict. He specifically criticized countries that denied access to American bases or were reluctant to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, an important global oil route affected by Iran’s actions. Before departing for India, Rubio noted that while nearly all NATO members agree Iran should not obtain nuclear weapons, few countries had actively supported Trump’s efforts to stop Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.        

Taiwan’s government said Friday it has not received any official notice from the United States about a possible delay in a planned $14 billion arms sale, despite comments from a senior U.S. official suggesting some foreign weapons deals are being paused. Taiwanese presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said authorities in Taipei were aware of the reports but had not been informed of any changes to the proposed arms package. The comments came after acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a U.S. Senate committee on Thursday that some foreign military sales were temporarily being delayed to ensure the U.S. military has enough weapons stockpiles for operations linked to the conflict with Iran. “Right now we're doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need,” Cao said during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. He added that foreign military sales would continue when the administration considers it appropriate. The issue gained attention only days after U.S. President Donald Trump questioned whether Washington should continue arms sales to Taiwan, the self-ruled island that China claims as its own territory. Although the United States does not officially recognize Taiwan as a separate country, it remains Taipei’s main security partner and largest arms supplier. The Trump administration approved an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan in December. In January, U.S. lawmakers also approved another proposed $14 billion arms sale, though the deal still requires formal submission to Congress by Trump before it can move ahead. During an interview with Fox News after returning from Beijing last week, Trump described arms sales to Taiwan as “a very good negotiating chip” in dealings with China. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Wednesday said continued U.S. weapons sales are important for maintaining peace and security in the region. Meanwhile, China again warned Washington against supplying weapons to Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing’s opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan remains “clear-cut and resolute.” During Trump’s recent visit to Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly warned that the Taiwan issue is the most sensitive matter in U.S.-China relations and could lead to tensions or conflict if mishandled. Trump later told reporters he wanted to speak with Taiwan’s leader, without directly naming Lai. Any direct talks between Trump and Lai could trigger a strong reaction from Beijing, which considers Lai a separatist figure. Taiwan’s presidential office said Friday there was no further information about any possible conversation between Trump and Lai.

NATO allies and defense officials have expressed confusion after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly announced he would send 5,000 American troops to Poland, just weeks after ordering the withdrawal of the same number of troops from Europe. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the situation was hard to follow and created uncertainty for allies. Speaking at a NATO meeting in Helsingborg, she said it was “confusing” and not easy to manage, as foreign ministers gathered with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Defense officials also admitted they were unsure about the decision. One U.S. official said they had spent two weeks responding to earlier plans to reduce troop levels and still did not fully understand the latest change. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States would send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, pointing to his close ties with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, whom he supported during last year’s election. The move marks a sharp reversal from recent signals from the Trump administration, which had suggested cutting the U.S. military presence in Europe rather than increasing it. Officials within NATO said allies had been taken by surprise, even though Washington had earlier promised better coordination on troop movements. NATO military chief U.S. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich said the alliance would continue working closely with partners to stay aligned on decisions. Some European ministers, including those from the Netherlands and Norway, said they were not alarmed but stressed that any changes should follow a clear and structured process. Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said allies were aware that the U.S. was reviewing its troop posture, and that for now there appeared to be no major change. Earlier this month, the Trump administration had announced plans to reduce its presence in Europe by about 5,000 troops. Around 4,000 troops were also reported to have been removed from planned deployment to Poland, while the transfer of some U.S. missile-trained personnel to Germany was paused. Grynkewich said several hundred troops would be reassigned elsewhere but did not provide details. He also met defense chiefs from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland at NATO headquarters to discuss options. The policy shift comes amid tensions following comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who criticized U.S. strategy on Iran and suggested Washington was being disrespected by Tehran. Trump responded by saying troop cuts could go “far beyond 5,000” and also announced new tariffs on European cars. About 80,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Europe. Under Pentagon rules, at least 76,000 troops and key equipment must remain unless allies are consulted and it is judged to be in U.S. interest to reduce that level. Trump’s latest remarks suggest troop levels may remain largely unchanged, with forces rotating into Poland from Germany expected to continue. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski welcomed the move, saying it would keep American troop presence in Poland at roughly current levels. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also supported continued coordination. He said Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security but stressed that existing consultation processes were working as normal. The meeting in Helsingborg was held to prepare for a planned summit between Trump and NATO leaders in Turkey in July.