United News of Bangladesh

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on Monday in a diplomatic effort to mediate between Islamabad and New Delhi following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that has sharply raised tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Araghchi is the first foreign dignitary to visit the country since the April 22 assault in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists, mostly Hindus. His visit follows Tehran’s recent offer to help deescalate the crisis. Upon arrival near Islamabad, Araghchi was received by senior Pakistani officials. During his trip, he is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. No further details were provided. Pakistan’s military remains on high alert after Minister Attaullah Tarar warned last week of “credible intelligence” suggesting a possible Indian retaliatory strike. Pakistan has denied any involvement in the Kashmir attack and has proposed an impartial international investigation — an offer India has yet to respond to. Israel to expand military campaign in Gaza, says official Global leaders, including U.S. officials, have urged both countries to act with restraint to prevent further escalation. Kashmir remains a deeply contentious issue, with both India and Pakistan claiming the region in full. The two nations have fought two wars over the Himalayan territory, and their relationship continues to be defined by hostility, mistrust, and disputes over Kashmir. The recent surge in hostilities has already led to tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and the closure of airspace between the two sides.      

Senior members of Israel’s Cabinet were expected to convene Sunday to decide whether to broaden the country’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip, amid preparations for a larger offensive that include summoning thousands of reservists, according to Israeli officials. On the same day, air traffic at Israel’s primary airport was temporarily suspended after a missile fired by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen triggered alerts, police said. The military confirmed a projectile had landed near the airport, though it was unclear whether it was the missile itself or debris from an interceptor launched by Israel’s defense system. The move to intensify operations in Gaza comes over a year and a half into the war, as the humanitarian situation in the enclave grows increasingly dire. In an effort to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a ceasefire on Israel’s terms, the Israeli government halted the flow of goods into Gaza in early March. That decision has contributed to what aid groups say is the territory’s worst humanitarian crisis since the conflict began, affecting its population of 2.3 million. Pakistani Ranger detained by India amid war tensions between countries A temporary truce between Israel and Hamas that had lasted eight weeks collapsed in March. Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, taking control of parts of Gaza and causing heavy casualties. Local health officials report that hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since then. At least six Israeli soldiers have also died during this renewed phase of fighting. One Israeli official said the security Cabinet would meet Sunday evening to vote on escalating the operation, while a military source confirmed that thousands of reserve troops were being called up. Both officials spoke anonymously, as required by protocol. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, speaking to Israeli Army Radio, voiced his support for a broader campaign. “We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory. We must win a total victory,” he said, without offering specifics. The Gaza war has continued to draw regional attacks against Israel, including Sunday's missile strike from Yemen by Houthi rebels, which activated sirens across several regions. Police confirmed debris had landed along Israel’s coast, though it remained unclear whether it came from the original missile or an interceptor. Footage shared by Israeli media showed smoke billowing near the airport, as travelers screamed and scrambled for cover. Authorities did not immediately confirm whether the projectile landed within the airport grounds but said access to the area had been restricted as they assessed the situation.  

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday detained a Pakistani Ranger along the international border in Rajasthan, days after Pakistan Rangers apprehended BSF constable Purnam Kumar Sahu. Sahu, deployed with the 182nd battalion as part of the ‘Kisan Guard’ tasked with protecting farmers near the Ferozepur sector in Punjab, inadvertently crossed the border on April 23 and was taken into custody by Pakistani forces. The identity of the detained Pakistani Ranger has not been disclosed. He is currently held by the BSF’s Rajasthan Frontier. Although India and Pakistan have established protocols to return personnel who cross the border by mistake, Pakistan has refused to release Sahu or provide clarity on his condition, amid escalating tensions. Shortly after the Pakistani Ranger's detention, Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked small arms fire across multiple sectors of the Line of Control (LoC) — including Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor — marking the tenth consecutive night of ceasefire violations. Indian forces responded proportionately, military sources said. This episode is being described as the most extensive ceasefire breach in recent weeks, with widespread Pakistani post involvement. No casualties have been reported so far. Rubio calls India and Pakistan in effort to defuse crisis over Kashmir attack Despite several flag meetings, Pakistan has not committed to Sahu’s release or confirmed his whereabouts. He is believed to be held at a Pakistan Rangers facility near the Lahore-Amritsar corridor. According to BSF officials, Sahu crossed the border unknowingly while resting under a tree near the zero line — a type of incident usually resolved quickly under standard procedures. However, Pakistan’s refusal to cooperate has disrupted the process. Sahu’s pregnant wife, Rajani, travelled from Rishra in West Bengal to Punjab earlier this week, where she met senior officers of her husband's unit in Ferozepur. She was accompanied by their son and other family members. The incident unfolds against a backdrop of heightened hostilities following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. India has blamed Pakistan for supporting the perpetrators, reportedly linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. In retaliation, India has taken several punitive measures — suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border crossing, withdrawing diplomatic staff, banning imports, and halting postal and maritime exchanges with Pakistan. Dozens of tourist resorts in Indian-controlled Kashmir are closed after deadly attack Further straining ties, Pakistan conducted a test launch of its Abdali surface-to-surface missile on Saturday, which Indian officials condemned as a “blatant provocation.” The missile, with a 450 km range, was tested under "Exercise INDUS" to validate technical parameters. Source: With input from NDTV

Singapore's long-ruling People’s Action Party won another landslide in Saturday’s general elections, extending its 66-year unbroken rule in a huge boost for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong who took power a year ago. The Election Department announced the PAP won 82 Parliamentary seats after vote counting ended. The party had earlier won five seats uncontested, giving it 87 out of a total 97 seats. The opposition Workers Party maintained its 10 seats. The PAP's popular vote rose to 65.6%, up from a near-record low of 61% in 2020 polls. Jubilant supporters of the PAP, which had ruled Singapore since 1959, gathered in stadiums waved flags and cheered in celebration. A U.S.-trained economist who is also finance minister, Wong’s appeal for a resounding mandate to steer trade-reliant Singapore through economic troubles following U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes has hit home. The government has lowered its growth forecast and warned of a possible recession. Wong, 52, said he was humbled and grateful for the solid mandate for the PAP. He acknowledged voters' desire to have more alternative voices in government, but said a strong PAP team was needed to tackle challenges ahead. “The results will put Singapore in a better position to face this turbulent world,” he said. Eugene Tan, a law professor at the Singapore Management University, said the opposition's failure to make further inroads after 2020 was a surprise. “Singapore voters played their cards close to their chest. Today, they indicated that their trust is with a party that has delivered over the years,” he said. Singapore's long-ruling party seeks stronger election victory in test for new prime minister Wong succeeded Lee Hsien Loong to become the city-state's fourth leader. Lee stepped down in May 2024 after two decades at the helm but remained in the Cabinet as a senior minister. His retirement as premier ended a family dynasty started by his father, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first leader, who built the former colonial backwater into one of the world’s richest nations during 31 years in office. The PAP is seen as a beacon of stability and prosperity, but tight government control and the rising cost of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities also has led to growing unhappiness, especially among younger voters. Widening income disparity, increasingly unaffordable housing, overcrowding and restrictions on free speech have loosened the PAP’s grip on power. The opposition says giving it a stronger presence in Parliament will allow a more balanced political system and greater accountability. But they face an uphill task, often hamstrung by a lack of resources, fragmented support and a lack of unity. Critics said gerrymandering also gives the PAP an advantage. Pritam Singh, leader of the Workers Party, acknowledged it was a tough contest and vowed to continue the fight for a more balanced Parliament. “The slate is wiped clean, we start work again tomorrow, and we go again,” he said. ‘Bilateral defense and security ties’ The United States government offered its congratulations to Singapore and Wong. In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. and Singapore had shared a “strong and enduring strategic partnership and a commitment to a secure, free, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region" for almost 60 years. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the newly elected government and Prime Minister Wong to strengthen economic growth and our bilateral defense and security ties, which benefit Americans, Singaporeans, and others across the region,” Rubio said. While the Workers Party failed to expand its presence, it had consolidated its support with increased share vote in some areas, said Southeast Asia political analyst Bridget Welsh. Other smaller opposition parties however, failed to make a breakthrough. Singapore calls May 3 general election as Parliament is dissolved Welsh said voters opted for stability amid concerns over global volatility due to sweeping U.S. tariffs. Wong's more approachable leadership in engaging younger voters and efforts to renew PAP by bringing in about a-third of new faces also helped swung votes, she said. “I call this the Wong and Trump effect,” she said. “The issue of economic insecurity really did reinforce his mandate.”

Pakistan carried out a test launch of a ballistic missile on Saturday, escalating tensions with neighboring India following a deadly shooting last month targeting tourists in the contested Kashmir region. The military said the surface-to-surface missile, part of the Abdali Weapon System, has a range of 450 kilometers (around 280 miles). The test was intended to verify the operational readiness of forces and the missile’s technical capabilities, including an upgraded navigation system and improved maneuverability. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the successful test. These missile launches are typically directed toward the Arabian Sea or remote desert regions like southwestern Balochistan—not toward the Indian border. India, which has accused Pakistan of involvement in the April 22 gun attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left several tourists dead—a claim Islamabad has denied—has not responded to the missile launch. Multiple countries send aircraft to help Israel battle widespread wildfire India’s navy conducted its own military exercises on April 27, confirming it had performed anti-ship missile tests to demonstrate its platforms’ readiness for precision strikes. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar recently claimed the country had “credible intelligence” that India was planning to launch an attack soon. Kashmir remains a deeply contested territory, with both nations claiming it in full while controlling different parts.    

Neelum Valley in northern Pakistan attracts some 300,000 tourists each summer who marvel at its natural beauty. But the threat of war with nearby India has emptied its hotels. Gunmen last week killed 26 people in the Indian resort town of Pahalgam, fueling tensions between the nuclear-armed nations after India blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Pakistan denies. Neelum Valley is less than 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the Line of Control, the de facto border that divides the disputed region of Kashmir, making it vulnerable to any military activity. Hotel owner Rafaqat Hussain said Thursday the crisis has hit the tourism industry hard. “Most tourists have left and returned to their cities because there is a risk of war.” Authorities in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir temporarily shuttered dozens of tourist resorts following the attack as a precaution. No such order has come from Pakistani authorities. Bazaars in the Pakistani border town of Chakothi were open for business, although people were concerned. “First of all, our prayer is for peace, as war always affects civilians first,” shop owner Bashir Mughal told The Associated Press, saying he would fight alongside the army in the event of conflict. Pakistan used to help residents to build bunkers near their homes during periods of intense cross-border firing. But the population has grown and some homes lack shelters. “Local casualties could be devastating if war breaks out,” Mughal warned. Saiqa Naseer, also from Chakothi, shuddered at the childhood memories of frequent firing across the border. “Now, as a mother, I find myself facing the same fears,” she said. She remembered Indian shells striking the picturesque valley when the two countries came close to war in 2019. She has a bunker at her home. “If war comes, we will stay here. We won’t run away,” she said.

Singaporeans will vote Saturday in a general election that is set to return to power the city-state's long ruling party, and it will be closely watched as a gauge of public confidence in Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s leadership. The People's Action Party has won every election since the Asian financial hub gained independence in 1965. Wong, who took office last year, hopes to clinch a stronger mandate after the PAP suffered a setback in 2020 polls over voters’ rising discontent with the government. Here’s what to know about the Singapore election. How does the vote work? Singapore holds a general election every five years and voting is compulsory. Its electoral system involves single-member wards along with group representation constituencies (GRCs) where voters pick a team of up to six members rather than individual candidates. The team includes at least one member from a minority ethnic group. The GRCs ensure minority representation in Parliament, but critics say they entrench the PAP and make it harder for the opposition to contest. Ethnic Chinese are the majority in Singapore, while Malays and Indians are in the minority. Singapore calls May 3 general election as Parliament is dissolved Nearly 2.76 million voters are registered to elect 97 members of Parliament, but five seats have already been won uncontested by the PAP after the opposition failed to nominate candidates in a GRC. There are 33 constituencies, comprising 15 single-member wards and 18 GRCs. Voting opens at 8 a.m. (OOOO GMT), runs for 12 hours, and results are expected the same night. What's at stake? The election is the first test for Wong, 52, since he succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, who stepped down last year after two decades at the helm. Lee’s departure marked the end of a family dynasty started by his father, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first leader, who built the former colonial backwater into one of the world’s richest nations during 31 years in office. Known for its clean and effective governance, the PAP is seen as a beacon of stability and prosperity. While it is assured of victory, its support is being chipped away by unhappiness over government control and a high cost of living. Widening income disparity, increasingly unaffordable housing, overcrowding caused by immigration and restrictions on free speech have also loosened the PAP’s grip on power. In 2020 polls, the PAP’s share of popular support slipped to a near-record low of 61%, down from nearly 70% in 2015. The PAP kept 83 out of 93 parliamentary seats, but it ceded more seats to the opposition, which won 10 seats, the most ever. Singapore-India owned company to invest $ 9.24 million at BEPZA Economic Zone The opposition has acknowledged it cannot unseat the PAP but is appealing to voters for a stronger voice in Parliament. Wong, a U.S.-trained economist and former finance minister, warned this would only weaken the government as it navigates economic turbulence following U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff hikes. The government has lowered its growth forecast, and warned of a possible recession. “If the PAP has a weakened mandate, you can be sure there will be people tempted to push us around. It will be harder for us to advance Singapore's interest. But with a clear mandate from you, my team and I can speak up for Singapore confidently,” Wong said while campaigning this week. The PAP has fielded many new faces to refresh the party. Wong offered cash handouts, vouchers and other goodies in this year's national budget, and sought to engage younger voters in developing a more balanced and inclusive Singapore. A strong PAP performance would help seal Wong's leadership and determine whether the one-party dominance in Singapore could endure over the next decade. “The ruling party has portrayed the ongoing tariffs war as a crisis for trade-reliant Singapore,” said Eugene Tan, a law professor at Singapore Management University. “Will voters rally behind the PAP, or will they come to view the political system ... as being robust enough and can accommodate more political diversity and competition?” Who are the PAP's rivals? The Workers Party, led by lawyer Pritam Singh, is the biggest opposition party and the only one with a presence in Parliament. Singh was named as Singapore's first opposition leader after the WP won 10 seats in the 2020 polls. But despite gaining ground over the years, the opposition still struggles with limited resources and talent, and fragmented support. The WP is fielding only 26 candidates in this election. Singh has said even if the WP won all 26 seats, it wouldn't hamper the PAP but lead to a more balanced political system and greater accountability. The remaining seats are contested by nine smaller opposition parties and coalitions, as well as two independent candidates. Bangladesh, Singapore seek transparent, cost-effective worker migration “The WP threat is taken seriously by the PAP and it will be a keener contest than in 2020. It remains to be seen how many more seats it will win. But even an additional seat won will add to the WP’s standing and builds on the momentum to erode the one-party dominant system,” said law professor Tan.

India will include caste details in its next census, in a move likely to have sweeping socio-economic and political ramifications for the world's most populous country. Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw didn’t say when the census would begin when he announced it would include caste information Wednesday. He said the decision demonstrated New Delhi’s commitment to the “values and interests of the society and country.” The count is likely lead to demands to raise the country’s quotas that reserve government jobs, college admissions and elected offices for some categories of castes, especially for a swathe of lower and intermediate castes that are recognized as Other Backward Classes, AP reports. India’s current policy caps quotas at 50%, with 27% reserved for OBCs. Caste is an ancient system of social hierarchy in India and is critical to Indian life and politics. There are hundreds of caste groups based on occupation and economic status across India, particularly among Hindus, but the country has limited, or outdated data on how many people belong to them. China celebrates May Day with travel boom and cultural festivities Successive Indian governments have resisted updating caste data, arguing that it could lead to social unrest. But its supporters say detailed demographic information is necessary to properly implementing India’s many social justice programs. Colonial ruler Britain began an Indian census in 1872 and counted all castes until 1931. However, independent India since 1951 only counted Dalits and Adivasis, who are referred to as scheduled castes and tribes, respectively. Everyone else’s caste was marked as general.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called senior officials in India and Pakistan in an effort to defuse the crisis that followed last week's deadly attack in Kashmir, the State Department said. Rubio urged Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to de-escalate tensions on Wednesday. India has vowed to punish Pakistan after accusing it of backing the attack, which Islamabad denies. The nuclear-armed rivals have since expelled each other's diplomats and citizens, ordered the border shut and closed their airspace to each other. New Delhi has suspended a crucial water-sharing treaty with Islamabad. Soldiers on each side have also exchanged fire along their de facto border, driving tensions between India and Pakistan to their highest point in recent years. The region of Kashmir is split between India and Pakistan and claimed by both in its entirety. The two countries have fought two wars and one limited conflict over the Himalayan territory. U.S. State Department’s Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Rubio in his call with Jaishankar expressed sorrow over last week’s massacre. He also reaffirmed the U.S.’s "commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism,” Bruce said. Jaishankar on Thursday said he discussed the last week’s massacre in Indian-controlled Kashmir’s Pahalgam, in which 26 tourists, mostly Hindu men, were killed, with Rubio, adding that “perpetrators, backers and planners” of the attack “must be brought to justice.” Dozens of tourist resorts in Indian-controlled Kashmir are closed after deadly attack Rubio also spoke to Sharif on Wednesday evening and “emphasized the need for both sides to continue working together for peace and stability in South Asia,” according to a Pakistani statement. It said Sharif rejected the Indian allegations and “urged the U.S. to impress upon India to dial down the rhetoric and act responsibly.” Public anger has swelled in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue the attackers “to the ends of the earth.” A Pakistani minister has said that Pakistan has “credible intelligence” that India is planning to attack it within days. Indian and Pakistani troops have exchange fire over the past six nights, with each side blaming the other for firing first. Tensions persist along India-Pakistan Kashmir border amid cross-border skirmishes The Indian army in a statement on Thursday said it responded to “unprovoked” small arms fire from Pakistan in the Kupwara, Uri and Akhnoor sectors of Indian-controlled Kashmir. The previous day, Pakistan’s state-run media said Indian forces had violated the ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control by initiating fire with heavy weapons on troops in the Mandal sector of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. The incidents could not be independently verified. In the past, each side has accused the other of starting border skirmishes in the Himalayan region.

Operations at the Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) were briefly disrupted late Tuesday night after aviation authorities issued a high alert for undisclosed reasons, official sources confirmed. The alert, issued at 11:48 p.m. local time (1848 GMT) on April 29, remained in effect until 12:21 a.m. (1921 GMT) the following day, halting outbound flights for about 33 minutes. During the shutdown, boarding was suspended for three international flights—PK-233 and PA-210 to Dubai, and PK-287 to Doha—according to sources speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity. While the cause of the alert has not been disclosed, inbound flights continued unaffected and normal operations resumed shortly after the alert was lifted. Pakistan warns of imminent Indian Military Strike amid rising tensions Airport authorities emphasized that standard safety procedures were strictly followed to ensure passenger security. Islamabad International Airport is a major aviation gateway in Pakistan, handling significant domestic and international traffic. The temporary disrupttion caused concern among passengers, but services returned to normal soon after midnight.