United News of Bangladesh

Families across Gaza spent Tuesday bailing muddy water from their tents as winter storms compounded the misery that has persisted two years into the war. Heavy rain flooded makeshift encampments where more than 2 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering, leaving many standing ankle-deep in water and expressing anger toward both Hamas and Israel despite the ceasefire. “All the tents collapsed,” said Assmaa Fayad of central Gaza, describing how her temporary shelter was destroyed in the downpour. “Where is Hamas? Who is seeing how our children are drowning?” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem blamed conditions on the Israeli blockade, saying on Telegram that global relief efforts “cannot succeed under siege.” Aid groups warn that the winter season will worsen humanitarian conditions already strained by shortages and the destruction of infrastructure. Most displaced people are living in tents or improvised shelters built over rubble, without sewage systems; latrines — often pits dug near tents — overflow when it rains. In Deir al-Balah, among the hardest-hit areas, Reham al-Hilu said her shelter of wood and metal collapsed overnight, injuring her. “The mattresses are flooded. Everything is soaked — the clothes, everything — and my children are soaked too,” she said. The U.N. humanitarian office reported last week that at least 13,000 tents had been damaged by recent storms, wiping out what little belongings many families had left. Aid groups had begun winter preparations in October after the ceasefire, transporting materials such as winter tents into Gaza, but distribution has been slowed by Israeli restrictions on the entry of shelter supplies, the U.N. said. Israel’s COGAT agency said it is working to increase deliveries but did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Despite the constraints, aid organizations distributed more than 3,600 tents, 129,000 tarpaulins and 87,000 blankets earlier this month, according to the U.N. Roads in Deir al-Balah turned into shallow streams, forcing residents to wade through icy water. Some tried to mop up the flooding with pieces of cloth. Although major fighting has paused, Israel continues limited strikes, saying Hamas is violating the ceasefire — accusations the group denies. Meanwhile, most displaced Palestinians remain packed into areas of Gaza not under Israeli control.

The death toll from widespread flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains across Southeast Asia rose on Monday, with one additional fatality reported in Vietnam and five more in Thailand, as tens of thousands remain displaced. In Vietnam, the confirmed death toll has climbed to 91, with 11 people still missing. A week of relentless rainfall has caused severe flooding and landslides across an 800-kilometre (500-mile) stretch of the central region, from Quang Tri to Lam Dong provinces, including the Central Highlands. Dak Lak remains the hardest-hit province, recording 63 deaths, most of them due to drowning. Additional fatalities were reported in Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Danang, Hue, and Quang Tri provinces. With roads washed out in multiple areas, authorities have deployed helicopters to deliver food and relief supplies and to help evacuate stranded residents. After a break in the rain on the weekend, Pham Thu Huyen was one of many hundreds of residents and visitors who helped clean up debris washed ashore in Nha Trang, a popular tourist destination in Khanh Hoa province, known for its white sand beaches. “We've never experienced that much rain and such bad flooding,” the 45-year-old said. Waters have also taken their toll on this year's crops, submerging coffee farms in Dak Lak, Vietnam’s major coffee growing region. Overall, damage so far is estimated to be around $500 million in this round of floods. Some of the waters have now receded but Vietnam's weather agency warned that with rains continuing in some places the risks remain, and said a new tropical depression was forming that could bring worse weather again later in the week. Vietnam is among the world’s most flood-prone countries, with nearly half its population living in high-risk areas. Scientists warn that a warming climate is intensifying storms and rainfall across Southeast Asia, making floods and landslides increasingly destructive and frequent. The current destruction has hit a region already battered earlier this month by floods from record rainfall and the powerful typhoon Kalmaegi. The country was also hit by typhoons in September and October, and the International Organization for Migration announced Monday that South Korea would contribute $1 million to help Vietnam assist displaced people, communities and migrants affected by those. The United Nations agency said that according to preliminary data, Vietnam estimates economic damage of some $1.2 billion from that period, with more than a half million homes damaged and hundreds of thousands of people evacuated and dozens killed. In Thailand, torrential rain in the south of the country caused severe flash flooding over the weekend, affecting nearly 2 million people, officials said. Five were killed and four were injured across six southern provinces, according to regional health officials. Ten southern provinces have been hit with heavy rainfall over the last week, and officials warned Monday that water levels are expected to rise further with the rain expected to continue through Tuesday. The city of Hat Yai, a major economic hub in Songkhla province, was hit with 335 millimeters (more than 13 inches) of rain on Friday, the highest 24-hour figure in 300 years, officials said. From Wednesday through Friday, the city saw 630 millimeters (nearly 25 inches) of rain, complicating evacuation efforts as hundreds of residents and tourists were trapped inside homes and hotels by rising water that forced emergency crews to use lifeboats to transport people along flooded streets. Thailand was already hit with widespread flooding in the north earlier in the year, followed by months of flooding in the central region, which killed more than two dozen people. That flooding also caused widespread damage to farmers fields and crops, and many thousands of homes. Malaysia is also grappling with flooding across several states that is expected to worsen as heavy, persistent rainfall continues. The Social Welfare Department reported Monday that more than 12,500 people across nine states have been evacuated. The worst-hit area is the northeastern state of Kelantan, which accounts for the majority of those displaced. Authorities have opened 86 temporary shelters and have warned that further rainfall is expected. Floods are common in parts of Malaysia during the annual monsoon season, which begins in November and can last until March.

Heavy winter rains struck Gaza’s Muwasi tent camp on Saturday, inundating makeshift shelters and worsening living conditions for displaced residents still reeling from two years of war. Families scrambled to dig trenches to divert water as tarpaulins leaked, soaking personal belongings. Strong winds toppled tents and hampered efforts to protect scarce food and supplies. Bassil Naggar, who recently bought a new tent for $712, said rainwater was still seeping through, leaving puddles inches high. Children played barefoot in the water while some residents sought shelter in partially collapsed buildings. The United Nations reported that Muwasi shelters housed up to 425,000 displaced Palestinians earlier this year, mostly in temporary tents, following Israel’s war with Hamas that displaced much of Gaza’s 2 million population. Aid agencies warned that the humanitarian response, including winter blankets and tarps, remains insufficient. The U.N. Security Council is set to vote Monday on a U.S. proposal for a stabilization force in Gaza, amid opposition from Russia, China, and some Arab countries. Since the war erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s military campaign has killed 69,100 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The conflict continues to complicate efforts to recover the remains of hostages held by Hamas, with 330 Palestinian remains returned so far, only 97 identified due to limited DNA testing capacity.

U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,500 flights over the weekend as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continued to scale back air traffic operations amid the ongoing government shutdown, officials said Saturday. The agency’s reduced capacity order — aimed at coping with unpaid and overworked air traffic controllers — has begun to disrupt some of the country’s busiest airports, deepening the fallout from what has become the nation’s longest federal shutdown. “We all travel. We all have somewhere to be,” said Emmy Holguin, 36, waiting for a Miami-to-Dominican Republic flight. “I’m hoping the government can take care of this.” Analysts warn that if cancellations keep growing into Thanksgiving week, the disruptions could ripple far beyond air travel, squeezing tourism, supply chains, and holiday shipping. Cancellations surge as staffing thins Flight-tracking site FlightAware reported more than 1,500 cancellations Saturday, following over 1,000 on Friday, with another 1,000-plus flights already canceled for Sunday. Major airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, and Newark were hit hardest, with delays spreading along the East Coast due to radar and tower staffing shortages. Drone sighting briefly halts flights at Berlin airport The FAA said the current flight reductions affect about 4% of commercial operations across 40 airports — a figure expected to rise to 10% by Friday if the shutdown drags on. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that deeper cuts could follow. Controllers working without pay Many controllers have gone without pay for nearly a month, forcing some to call in sick or take second jobs. Others are working mandatory six-day weeks with no pay, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). On Saturday, the union said it delivered 1,600 handwritten letters to Congress urging lawmakers to end the shutdown. Travelers stranded and frustrated Although most passengers have been able to rebook, uncertainty remains about future cancellations. “Travel is stressful enough. Then you put these disruptions in place, and it really makes everything more challenging,” said Heather Xu, 46, flying home to Puerto Rico after a cruise. Some travelers canceled plans altogether. Diana Alvear of New Jersey said her family scrapped their trip to California over safety and disruption concerns. While United Airlines refunded the airfare, she said they lost a $700 Airbnb deposit. “This has been costly and disappointing,” Alvear said. “It’s really weighing on our hearts.” Economic ripple effects Experts warned that disruptions could soon hit consumers’ wallets. Nearly half of U.S. air freight travels in passenger plane cargo holds, meaning flight cuts could push up shipping costs and retail prices. Pakistan’s PIA resumes UK flights after five-year ban “This shutdown will impact everything — from business travel to tourism to local tax revenue,” said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group. “It’s a cascading effect.” Patrick Penfield, a supply chain professor at Syracuse University, said the longer the shutdown lasts, “the more likely we are to see the economic pain extend beyond airports and into everyday life.” Source: AP

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rains or thundershowers in three divisions including Chattogram in the next 24 hours commencing 9:00am on Tuesday. “Rain or thundershowers is likely to occur at many places over Chattogram division and at a few places over Barishal and Sylhet divisions,” said a regular bulletin of the Met office. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. Night temperature may rise slightly and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The low-pressure area over East-central Bay and adjoining Myanmar coast persists and is likely to move north-northwestwards along Myanmar-Bangladesh coasts.

A low-pressure area was formed over East-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining Myanmar coast on Sunday and it is likely to move north-northwestwards along Myanmar-Bangladesh coasts, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers is likely to occur at a few places over Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Khulna divisions with moderately heavy falls at places over the country,” said a Met office bulletin. Low pressure area likely to form over eastcentral Bay of Bengal in next 48 hrs: BMD Besides, night temperature may remain nearly unchanged and day temperature may rise slightly over the country.  

China’s long-term effort to challenge the global dominance of Boeing and Airbus with a homegrown commercial jet is facing mounting obstacles, with deliveries of its C919 aircraft expected to fall significantly below targets set for this year. The C919, a single-aisle jet positioned to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, is developed by state-owned manufacturer COMAC. Beijing has held it up as a symbol of technological progress and growing self-reliance, despite the aircraft’s heavy use of Western components. Ongoing trade tensions with the United States are threatening access to crucial parts needed for COMAC’s production plans, a program that has relied on extensive Chinese government funding. “COMAC faces substantial risks in the current unpredictable policy climate, as its supply chain remains exposed to export controls and retaliatory measures between Washington and Beijing,” said Max J. Zenglein, Asia-Pacific senior economist at The Conference Board. Analysts at Bank of America say the C919 program depends on 48 major U.S. suppliers such as GE, Honeywell and Collins Aerospace, along with 26 European and 14 Chinese firms. Trump has signaled potential new export curbs on “critical” software, following China’s tighter restrictions on rare earths. “Existing choke points are increasingly being used as leverage between governments,” Zenglein noted. “This trend is likely to continue as strategic dependencies become political bargaining chips.” The C919 completed its first commercial flight in 2023 and is expected to help meet huge domestic demand for new aircraft over the coming decades, with hopes of eventual international expansion across Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. According to aviation consultancy Cirium, COMAC delivered 13 C919s last year but only seven so far this year, falling behind plans to boost production and supply 30 jets in 2025. At present, only China’s three largest state-owned carriers — Air China, China Eastern and China Southern — are flying around 20 C919s in total. Dan Taylor, head of consulting at IBA, said trade friction has “directly affected” delivery timelines. The U.S. suspension of export licenses for the aircraft’s LEAP-1C engines earlier this year, only reinstated in July, disrupted production plans, he added. Trump vows extra 10% tariff on Canadian imports over Ontario ad dispute The LEAP-1C engines, jointly built by GE Aerospace of the U.S. and France’s Safran, require U.S. export clearance, making the jet highly sensitive to political shifts. “Reliance on Western engines and avionics continues to leave the program vulnerable to policy decisions outside COMAC’s control,” Taylor said. Operational caution has also slowed progress, said Zenglein, noting that quality and safety priorities have contributed to the slower-than-expected production increase. Efforts to replace foreign parts remain complex, and China’s alternative engine, the CJ-1000A, is still undergoing tests, according to IBA. Interest from foreign airlines including AirAsia has yet to translate into global operations due to the absence of U.S. and European certifications, which analysts say may take years. For the C919 to become competitive worldwide, it will require strong economics, a reliable global support network and approvals from major safety regulators, said Richard Aboulafia of AeroDynamic Advisory. China could require 9,570 new commercial aircraft between 2025 and 2044, Airbus forecasts, with single-aisle jets like the C919 making up the bulk of demand. Yet Airbus itself is ramping up its presence in China, adding a second A320 production line in 2026. Trump halts Canada trade talks after Ontario’s anti-tariff ad Analysts say breaking the Boeing-Airbus duopoly will take time. The C919 could expand its footprint within China and begin regional exports by the late 2020s, Taylor said. For now, limited certification and export control uncertainties are expected to continue restraining its international ambitions. Source: AP 

Members of several social organizations lay on the railway tracks in Sylhet on Wednesday in a symbolic protest, demanding the double-lining of the Sylhet-Dhaka railway and the introduction of new trains. The demonstration took place around 3 pm at the South Surma rail gate and was organized by the Sylhet Kalyan Sangstha, Sylhet Division Jubo Kalyan Sangstha, and Sylhet Probashi Kallyan Sangstha. A public gathering followed the protest. Speakers at the gathering highlighted the growing passenger demand for rail travel due to traffic congestion and hardships on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway. They claimed that train tickets have become extremely difficult to obtain, selling out within minutes of release, while black-market prices surge three to four times higher. They accused the railway authorities of silent complicity in such syndicates and stated that Sylhet is being deliberately neglected in railway development. The protesters demanded rapid double-lining of the Sylhet-Dhaka route, addition of new trains, uninterrupted services on Sylhet-Chattogram and Sylhet-Cox’s Bazar routes, resumption of the Sylhet-Chatak route, train upgrades, and extra carriages.  “If there is no improvement in the Sylhet-Dhaka rail service within a month, we will lie in front of railway engines in protest,” Sylhet Kallyan Sangstha President Mohammad Ehsanul Haque said. Leaders and activists from various social and civic organizations joined the demonstration.    

Just 15 minutes before floodwaters surged into her home, Lilia Ramírez fled with only what she could carry. When she returned, the damage was overwhelming — not only had water reached the ceiling of her ground floor, but the flood had left behind black oil streaks on her walls. Poza Rica, an oil-producing town near the Gulf of Mexico, is among the hardest-hit areas by severe flooding that has now claimed 64 lives across five Mexican states. Another 65 people remain missing. Compounding the devastation, oil residue — likely stirred by the flood — has tainted homes, trees, and vehicles in this historically petroleum-rich region. “This has never happened before — the oil staining everything,” Ramírez said, standing in what remained of her home, her once-pink walls now covered in dark streaks. Authorities report around 100,000 homes have been damaged across the region. In response, the Mexican government has deployed 10,000 military personnel, along with civilian emergency responders. Helicopters are delivering food and water to the roughly 200 isolated communities, and evacuating the injured. “We’re still in the emergency phase, and we won’t be cutting back on resources,” President Claudia Sheinbaum assured during her daily press conference on Monday. In Poza Rica, located about 170 miles (275 km) northeast of Mexico City, cleanup efforts are hampered by layers of oily mud and debris covering streets, rooftops, and uprooted vehicles — remnants of the destructive current that tore through the town on Friday. From October 6 to 9, parts of Veracruz state saw an astonishing 24.7 inches (62.7 cm) of rainfall. Ramírez noted that during past floods, state oil company Pemex had intervened to drain oil from nearby areas, but that didn’t happen this time. Roberto Olvera, a neighbor, recalled that a siren from a nearby Pemex site served as a last-minute warning. “It was terrifying — many people in the neighborhood stayed behind, and some didn’t survive,” he said. Pemex, in a short statement to the AP, said it had no reports of an oil spill in the area. President Sheinbaum acknowledged that it may take several more days to reach the most isolated communities. “Numerous flights are still needed to deliver adequate supplies of food and water,” she explained. She also defended the government’s preparedness, arguing that the flooding was harder to predict than a hurricane. “It’s not the same as having days of warning like we do with hurricanes,” she said. Mexico’s Civil Protection agency updated the fatality count as of Monday morning:29 deaths in Veracruz, 21 in Hidalgo, 13 in Puebla, and 1 child in Querétaro, killed in a landslide. The extreme weather was triggered by two tropical systems — Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond — that formed off Mexico’s Pacific coast and have since dissipated.

The death toll from Mexico’s devastating rains climbed to 47 on Sunday as authorities rushed to rescue stranded residents, locate dozens of missing people, and clear widespread flood and landslide damage across multiple states. Days of relentless rainfall have left a trail of destruction, sweeping away cars, homes, and roads, particularly in the country’s eastern and central regions. President Claudia Sheinbaum visited several hard-hit areas and said the government would launch a census of affected families to ensure aid reaches those in need. According to Mexico’s Civil Protection agency, 18 people died in the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz, 16 in Hidalgo, and 12 in Puebla, east of Mexico City. Another child was killed in a landslide in Querétaro. Officials said at least 38 people remain missing across three states, and the toll could rise as rescuers dig through villages buried under mud and debris. Authorities have linked the deadly downpours to two tropical systems — Hurricane Pricilla and Tropical Storm Raymond — that formed off Mexico’s western coast before dissipating. In Veracruz and Puebla, hundreds of soldiers, police, and firefighters were conducting rescue operations, distributing aid, and setting up emergency shelters offering food and medical care. Thousands of residents were still without electricity and clean water. Flash floods in Indonesia kill 15, 10 missing “There are still various communities in Veracruz that remain cut off, but today we were able to establish air bridges to deliver food, water and medical assistance,” Sheinbaum said during her visit to Veracruz. “We know there is a lot of desperation and worry — we’re going to reach everyone.” Between October 6 and 9, parts of Veracruz recorded more than 21 inches (54 centimeters) of rain. In Poza Rica, an oil-producing city about 275 kilometers northeast of Mexico City, residents waded through thick mud as Sheinbaum met them in flooded neighborhoods. Some areas saw water levels rise more than 12 feet when the Cazones River overflowed its banks on Friday. Source: AP