United News of Bangladesh

In a landmark ruling, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared that countries have a legal obligation to act against climate change and can be held responsible for environmental and human harm caused by their failure to do so. The advisory opinion, delivered in The Hague on Wednesday, affirms that a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a fundamental human right. It marks a major development in international climate law, stating that nations must assess climate risks, regulate polluting industries, and prevent transboundary harm caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The ruling follows a 2023 resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, led by Pacific Island nations and supported by countries like Bangladesh. The move came after sustained global campaigning, particularly by youth and civil society groups. Seychelles keen to boost trade, ties with Bangladesh, says President Ramkalawan Welcoming the decision, Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, said: “This is a turning point for climate justice. Polluters can no longer hide behind vague promises. They must act now or face consequences.” Based in Bangladesh, YouthNet Global is a youth-led climate justice network that played a key role in global advocacy efforts leading to the ICJ opinion. The group called the ruling a reaffirmation of climate justice and generational equity. “Reparations are not charity; they are justice,” added Rahman. “Countries like Bangladesh contribute the least to the crisis but suffer the most. This ruling must lead to accountability and fair compensation.” Though non-binding, the ICJ opinion is expected to influence domestic and international courts and shape future climate negotiations. It also opens the door for claims of compensation from nations harmed by climate impacts. In response, YouthNet Global outlined five key demands: enforceable climate accountability frameworks, debt relief and reparations for frontline nations, a rapid fossil fuel phase-out aligned with the 1.5°C target, protection for climate-displaced communities, and meaningful inclusion of youth, women, and indigenous leaders in climate decisions. Bangladesh, increasingly affected by floods, river erosion, and sea-level rise, has welcomed the ICJ opinion as a vital step toward strengthening global recognition of climate loss and damage.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said they, in this hour of grief, stand with Bangladesh and mourn every life lost and every family devastated in this week's plane crash on a school. "I will be writing to (Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to express Malaysia’s solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Bangladesh," he said in a message posted in his verified Facebook account. Special prayer for victims of airplane crash at Milestone School held in Tokyo Among the victims was Maherin Chowdhury, a teacher who rushed her students to safety and valiantly went back into the smoke and flames to save more, said the Malaysian PM, adding that her immense courage will not be forgotten. "My heart breaks for the people of Bangladesh after learning of the fighter jet crash into a school in Dhaka. Many lives were lost, most of them children. Over a hundred others were injured," the message reads.

A team of burn-specialist doctors and nurses with necessary medical support from India arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday night to treat aircraft crash victims. The specialised team consists of doctors and nurses from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, which are the two top hospitals in India specialising in burns and plastic surgery, an official told UNB. They arrived at 9:30pm on Wednesday.  They will begin their work at a designated hospital treating these patients from Thursday morning, said Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal. Their visit follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance to extend all possible assistance and support to Bangladesh in the wake of the tragedy. They will make an assessment of the condition of patients with recommendation for further treatment and specialised care in India as necessary, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday night. Additional medical teams may also follow depending on their preliminary assessment and treatment, said the MEA. India sending urgent medical support for burn victims in Bangladesh On July 21, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences at the loss of lives in the tragic air crash in Dhaka and had conveyed assurances of support and assistance. Earlier, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka formally wrote to the government of Bangladesh asking for sharing information on any critical medical support that may be needed to be arranged in India for those injured in the tragic incident. The Indian High Commission on Tuesday said it will extend all necessary facilitation. The communication came as a follow up to the message from the Indian prime minister, expressing condolence on the tragic Milestone School plane crash and offering all possible support and assistance. “India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance," Indian Prime Minister Modi said in a message on Monday. "Deeply shocked and saddened at the loss of lives, many of them young students, in a tragic air crash in Dhaka. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families,” he said. Modi said they pray for the swift recovery of those injured.

Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanashyam Bhandari on Wednesday called on Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma and discussed issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, they exchanged views on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including trade, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people contacts. Russian Envoy presents Stenin Award to photographer Suman They underscored the need for close collaboration in areas such as climate change, mountain agenda, disaster management, and sharing of information and data and also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation within regional and sub-regional frameworks.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo organised a special prayer on Wednesday for the victims of the airplane crash at the Milestone School and College in Dhaka. Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Md Daud Ali expressed profound sadness over the incident. He prayed for the forgiveness of the souls of those who died in the accident and for the swift recovery of the injured. Russian Envoy presents Stenin Award to photographer Suman Later, a special prayer was offered for the forgiveness of the souls of the deceased and the speedy recovery of the injured. Prayers were also made for the development, progress, and welfare of Bangladesh, said a media release. Members of the Bangladeshi community in Japan and embassy officials were present at the event.

Fortify Rights on Wednesday said the International Criminal Court (ICC) should investigate war crimes, including abductions, torture, killings and beheadings of Rohingya civilians committed by the Arakan Army (AA), a powerful ethnic resistance force fighting the Myanmar military junta in Rakhine State, Myanmar. A new investigation by Fortify Rights documents how the AA, which currently controls much of Rakhine State, has committed serious violations of the laws of war in ad-hoc detention centres and villages under its control. “The Arakan Army is responsible for widespread abductions, brutal torture and the murder of Rohingya, some of whom were found beheaded, in blatant violation of the laws of war,” said Ejaz Min Khant, Human Rights Specialist at Fortify Rights. It said, “The International Criminal Court has jurisdiction and should investigate and prosecute perpetrators of serious crimes in Rakhine State, including from the Arakan Army.” Funding cuts heighten monsoon risks for Rohingyas in Bangladesh: UNHCR From April to July 2025, Fortify Rights interviewed 39 Rohingya individuals—including eight women—who survived and witnessed AA abuses in 2024 and 2025. Fortify Rights also viewed and analysed photographic and video evidence of AA crimes. “The Arakan Army must end its campaign of torture and killings of Rohingya in detention facilities and villages,” said Ejaz Min Khant, adding, “If the Arakan Army wants to be seen as a legitimate revolutionary armed force, it must respect international law, protect civilians, and be held accountable for the atrocities it has committed.”

Chargé d'Affaires of Russia to Bangladesh Ekaterina Semenova has presented the award to the first prize winner of Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest Mohammed Suman. Suman is a photojournalist based in Chittagong, working at the Daily Kalbela newspaper. He has been a photographer for more than 10 years. It is the second time Mohammed Suman took part in the Andrei Stenin Contest. His first prize winning photograph named ‘Children of Chittagong are playing on piles of dirt’ depicts a group of boys playing cricket on the site of drain renovation works, said the Russian Embassy in Dhaka. Yarlung Zangbo project only for power generation, Beijing informs Dhaka His other photograph titled ‘Praying in the Field’ received Jury Honorable Mention. The main character of the photo is a daily laborer praying amidst sandbags. Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest is an annual contest named after a special photojournalist of Rossiya Segodnya media group, who died in southeastern Ukraine in August 2014. The goal of the contest is to support young photographers aged from 18 to 33 in their pursuit of professional excellence. Every year talented professionals from different countries of the world, including Bangladesh, participate in the competition.

Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan has said his country values its ties with Bangladesh, and both nations have agreed to work together to boost trade, business, and investment in the future. Non-resident High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Seychelles Dr Zokey Ahad presented his credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan in a ceremony at the State House on Tuesday. Both expressed the hope that the two governments would explore new avenues of cooperation for the mutual benefit of their countries in the days to come. The President expressed its solidarity with the people of Bangladesh and conveyed its sincere condolences over the victims of the tragic Bangladesh Air Force aircraft that crashed into a school building in Dhaka. Bangladesh and Nepal keen to boost bilateral trade Dr Ahad replaced Rezina Ahmed who has been accredited since August 6, 2019, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Following the presentation of credentials, the President congratulated and very warmly welcomed Dr Zokey Ahad while accepting the letter of Credence as the non-resident High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Seychelles. The President wished the High Commissioner all the success during his tenure onwards and conveyed his good wishes to the President of Bangladesh and Chief Adviser of the interim government. In reply, the High Commissioner Zokey Ahad conveyed the warm greetings of the Bangladesh President to the President of the Republic of Seychelles. He expressed his gratitude to the government of Seychelles for extending warm welcome and cordial cooperation since his arrival in Seychelles. President Wavel Ramkalawan acknowledged that the development of Bangladesh is conspicuous and said Seychelles may attain their target by sharing the experience of Bangladesh. Qatar keen to boost friendly ties with Bangladesh, says its PM Dr Ahad joined the Bangladesh Mission in Port Louis, Mauritius on 09 June 2024.

A team of burn-specialist doctors and nurses with necessary medical support from India are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka shortly to treat aircraft crash victims, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday night. They will make an assessment of the condition of patients with recommendation for further treatment and specialised care in India as necessary. Additional medical teams may also follow depending on their preliminary assessment and treatment, said the MEA. On July 21, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences at the loss of lives in the tragic air crash in Dhaka and had conveyed assurances of support and assistance. Earlier, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka formally wrote to the government of Bangladesh asking for sharing information on any critical medical support that may be needed to be arranged in India for those injured in the tragic incident. The Indian High Commission on Tuesday said it will extend all necessary facilitation. The communication came as a follow up to the message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing condolence on the tragic Milestone School plane crash and offering all possible support and assistance. BIMSTEC for addressing security challenges that hinder dev aspirations “India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance," Indian Prime Minister Modi said in a message on Monday. "Deeply shocked and saddened at the loss of lives, many of them young students, in a tragic air crash in Dhaka. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families,” he said. Modi said they pray for the swift recovery of those injured.

Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi has expressed their heartfelt condolences for those who lost their lives and their bereaved families who are in deep grief. “I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of many precious lives in the Bangladesh Air Force jet accident in Uttara area of Dhaka,” he said in a message sent to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. Willing to strengthen cooperation for Bangladesh’s better dev: Ambassador Yao “I also pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured,” the message reads. The death toll from the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) aircraft crash rose to 31 on Tuesday, according to the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR).