United News of Bangladesh

More than 840,000 people die each year from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks, such as long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment, according to a new global report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). These work-related psychosocial risks are mainly associated with cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders, including suicide. The report also finds that these risks account for nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually, reflecting years of healthy life lost due to illness, disability, or premature death, and are estimated to result in economic losses equivalent to 1.37 per cent of global GDP each year. The report, The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action, highlights the growing impact of how work is designed, organized, and managed on workers' safety and health. It warns that psychosocial risk factors, including long working hours, job insecurity, high demands with low control, and workplace bullying and harassment, can create harmful working environments if not properly addressed. What is the psychosocial working environment? The report introduces the psychosocial working environment as the elements of work and workplace interactions related to how jobs are designed, how work is organized and managed, and the broader policies, practices, and procedures that govern work. These elements, both individually and in combination, affect workers' health and well-being, as well as organizational performance. How the ILO estimated 840,000 deaths The figure of over 840,000 deaths per year was estimated using two key sources of evidence: Global prevalence data: Five major psychosocial risk factors were analyzed, including job strain (high demands/low control), effort–reward imbalance, job insecurity, long working hours, and workplace bullying and harassment. Scientific research: Data linking these risks to serious health conditions like heart disease, stroke, and mental disorders, including suicide. These risk levels were applied to the latest global mortality and health data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Proactive Action Required While many psychosocial risks are not new, major transformations, including digitalization, artificial intelligence, remote work, and new employment arrangements, are reshaping the psychosocial working environment. "Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work," said Manal Azzi, Team Lead on OSH Policy and Systems at the ILO. "Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers' mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organizational performance and sustainable economic development." The report concludes that by addressing these risks proactively, countries and enterprises can create healthier workplaces that benefit both workers and organizations while strengthening productivity and economic resilience.

A Russian drone attack early Monday hit residential areas in Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa, injuring 14 people, including two children, officials said. Local authorities said the drones struck homes and civilian infrastructure in the key Black Sea port, which has been repeatedly targeted since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. At least five of the injured, many suffering from shrapnel wounds, were taken to hospital, according to regional officials. In a separate development, two elderly people were killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Russian-controlled part of Kherson region, according to Moscow-installed authorities. The victims, a man and a woman in their 70s, died in the village of Dnipriany. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched around 1,900 drones, nearly 1,400 guided bombs and about 60 missiles at Ukraine over the past week. He claimed Ukraine is now intercepting more than 90% of incoming drones, thanks to improved military technology. However, he stressed the need for more advanced air defense systems, particularly Patriot missile system, to counter ballistic missile threats. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is sharing its experience in dealing with drone attacks with countries in the Middle East and Gulf region, which are facing similar threats from Iranian drones. On the diplomatic front, Ukraine has received support from its allies. European partners, excluding the United States, are contributing funds to help Kyiv purchase American weapons, while the European Union has approved a major loan package and is planning further sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure using long-range drones and missiles in an effort to weaken Moscow’s economy. A Washington-based research group said Ukrainian forces carried out at least 10 strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities over the past two weeks.

North Korea has opened a memorial museum in Pyongyang to honor its soldiers who died while fighting alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine, as both countries signal plans to deepen cooperation. North Korea and Russia said in April 2025 that their forces had jointly pushed back a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region. While neither side disclosed the exact number of North Korean troops involved, South Korea’s intelligence agency estimated that about 15,000 soldiers were deployed, with around 2,000 killed. North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported that the museum was officially opened on Sunday, marking one year since the end of the Kursk operation. Leader Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony along with senior Russian officials, including State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov. During the event, Kim paid tribute by throwing soil over the remains of a fallen soldier and laying flowers for others whose bodies had already been placed in a mortuary. He later signed a guest book alongside the visiting Russian officials. In his speech, Kim described the fallen troops as a lasting symbol of the Korean people’s bravery and said their sacrifice would support what he called a “victorious march” for both nations. He also praised joint efforts by North Korean and Russian forces in countering what he termed a US-led Western attempt to dominate the region through military action. In a separate meeting with Beloussov, Kim reaffirmed North Korea’s full support for Russia’s efforts to protect its sovereignty and security. Russian state media reported that Moscow is prepared to sign a military cooperation plan with Pyongyang covering the period from 2027 to 2031. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a message read out during the ceremony, said the museum would stand as a symbol of friendship and solidarity between the two countries. He also expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to grow stronger. Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kim has strengthened ties with Moscow by supplying troops and conventional weapons. In return, North Korea is believed to have received economic aid and other support. However, South Korea, the United States and their allies remain concerned that Russia could provide advanced technologies that might boost North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Experts say North Korean troops initially struggled on the battlefield due to limited combat experience and unfamiliar terrain, making them vulnerable to drone and artillery attacks. However, Ukrainian officials believe the troops have since gained valuable experience and played a key role in Russia’s strategy of deploying large numbers of soldiers in the Kursk region.

At least two people have died after tornadoes swept through parts of northern Texas, leaving a trail of destruction and forcing dozens of families from their homes, authorities said. Officials said one person was killed Saturday night in the town of Runaway Bay, where many houses were badly damaged. Wise County Judge J.D. Clark said emergency crews worked through the night to clear debris, reach affected homes and provide medical assistance. “Access has been difficult due to blocked roadways and downed utilities, but crews have continued pushing forward to reach those in need,” Clark said. The storm also struck nearby Springtown, where Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt confirmed a second death south of the city. He said the area suffered “significant damage,” with widespread power outages affecting many residents. According to the National Weather Service, an EF-2 tornado with winds reaching up to 135 mph (217 kph) hit the Runaway Bay area, while an EF-1 tornado with winds of up to 105 mph (169 kph) was reported in Springtown. Meteorologist Patricia Sanchez said the slow-moving storm system passed through the region around 10pm Saturday, moving southeast from near Wichita Falls along the Oklahoma border and passing west of Fort Worth. Runaway Bay lies about 45 miles northwest of Fort Worth, while Springtown is roughly 30 miles from the city. Weather radar also detected a “potentially large and extremely dangerous” tornado near Azle at around 10:14pm Saturday, further raising concerns as the storm moved across the region.

Oil prices rose when the market opened Sunday as traders absorbed the news of the stalled ceasefire talks. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S.-produced light, sweet crude, was selling for $96.50 a barrel Sunday, up 2% since the market closed on Friday. The price was 44% higher than before the start of the Iran war, when oil was selling for about $67 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, was trading at $107.75 per barrel Sunday, up about 3% since Friday and 48% since the war began, when oil was selling for $72 a barrel. Oil prices have risen steadily since the war began and tankers full of crude became stranded in the Persian Gulf, unable to safely transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran 's foreign minister briefly visited Islamabad again on Sunday as Pakistan's political and military leadership scrambled to reignite ceasefire negotiations between Tehran and Washington, but U.S. President Donald Trump said they could talk by phone instead. Abbas Araghchi had left Pakistan’s capital late the previous day, creating confusion around an expected second round of talks there, but he returned before continuing on to Moscow on Sunday, Iranian state media said. He had been in Oman, which previously mediated talks and is on the other side of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The White House last week said it would dispatch envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad to follow up on historic face-to-face talks earlier this month. But shortly after Araghchi's departure Saturday, Trump said he had called off the mission because of a lack of progress with Iran. “If they want, we can talk but we’re not sending people," Trump told Fox News on Sunday. He said earlier on social media: “All they have to do is call!!!” Indirect talks between the two sides were ongoing, two Pakistani officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Trump last week indefinitely extended the ceasefire the U.S. and Iran agreed to on April 7 that has largely halted the fighting that began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28. But a permanent settlement remains elusive in the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken the global economy.  

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake shook part of northern Japan early Monday, but no damage or casualties have been reported. No tsunami advisory was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The quake struck 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of the small town of Sarabetsu on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido at a depth of 81 kilometers (50 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It measured the quake's strength at 6.1 magnitude. A week ago, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake prompted Japan to issue an advisory of a slightly higher risk of a possible megaquake for the nation's northeastern coastal areas.

In an interview Sunday on Fox News Channel, US President Donald Trump said he made that decision rather than send a delegation on a 17-hour flight. “We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us,” Trump said, not indicating when the call would take place. Talks appeared to fall apart on Saturday, with Tehran’s top diplomat leaving Pakistan, and Trump soon afterward saying he had told envoys not to travel to Islamabad. Asked about NATO, Trump said he was “very, very disappointed” in the military alliance, which he has suggested the U.S. may consider leaving after member countries ignored his call to help as Iran effectively shut the the Strait of Hormuz. “We’ve been serving them for many years, spending trillions of dollars, and when we wanted to help they were not there, so we have to remember that,” Trump said.

Iran-backed group Hezbollah on Sunday condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ceasefire remarks, in which he said Hezbollah’s actions are threatening the truce between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah said its shelling of Israeli targets is “a legitimate response” to what it described as Israel’s violations of the ceasefire. The group also criticized Lebanese authorities, saying they “have placed themselves in a dangerous predicament when they chose to be photographed in a disgraceful image alongside representatives of a usurping and illegitimate entity that violates its land and sovereignty and continues killing its people.” The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was extended for three weeks, with U.S. President Donald Trump hosting talks flanked by Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors.

Iran’s near-total internet shutdown has continued for a 58th consecutive day, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks, marking its ninth week and surpassing the 1,368-hour mark. NetBlocks said the widespread disruption began following renewed anti-government protests in early January and intensified after the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran at the end of February. The prolonged restrictions have severely impacted connectivity across the country, limiting access to online services and communication platforms. Tehran FM in Islamabad as US envoys prepare for talks amid dispute The heavily curtailed internet access has also taken a toll on jobs and businesses, with many sectors struggling due to the disruption. Source: Al Jazeera

Residents of Slavutych gathered in the early hours of Sunday to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, lighting candles in a quiet midnight vigil despite the ongoing war with Russia. People slowly filled the city’s central square, placing candles around a large radiation hazard symbol on the ground to remember those who died in the 1986 disaster and the thousands who risked their lives to contain its aftermath. The annual vigil continues even as authorities warn against large gatherings during wartime and curfews remain in place. The April 26, 1986 explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant exposed major safety failures and secrecy in the then Soviet Union. Authorities delayed announcing the disaster for two days, only after radioactive fallout had spread across Europe and raised alarms abroad. Around 600,000 people, known as “liquidators,” were involved in firefighting and cleanup efforts. Dozens died within months from the explosion and radiation sickness, while millions were exposed to harmful radiation. The disaster also forced the long-term evacuation of hundreds of towns and villages across Ukraine and Belarus. Slavutych, located about 50 kilometers from the plant, was built after the disaster to house Chernobyl workers and their families. The city has since faced new hardships, including a brief Russian occupation early in the war and severe winters, with recent power outages forcing some residents to cook outdoors. At the vigil, people of all ages arrived, many bringing flowers like tulips and daffodils. They gathered near a memorial surrounded by Soviet-era apartment blocks and posters honoring locals killed in the ongoing war. Liudmyla Liubyva, 71, attended the ceremony with a friend. She said she used to come with her husband, a former Chernobyl worker who later became disabled due to radiation exposure. She said remembering those who sacrificed their health remains important, but added that the war has brought back fears of nuclear danger. "When the drone struck the arch, it felt like the world could return to 1986," she said, referring to a Russian drone strike in 2025 that damaged the New Safe Confinement structure built over the destroyed reactor. "We all — young and old alike — must protect our land, because it is so vulnerable." The ceremony included soft music and poetry about the disaster played over loudspeakers. Some participants wore white protective suits and face masks, symbolising the liquidators, and stood silently holding candles. Larysa Panova, 67, said she still remembers the day she was forced to leave her hometown of Chernobyl and start a new life in Slavutych. Though she has lived there for years, she said memories of her childhood home remain strong. Before the war, she often visited the area, but access has since been restricted. "I never stop thinking of Chernobyl as my homeland," she said. "You remember your school, your childhood, your youth — everything happened there, in Chernobyl."