United News of Bangladesh

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has emphasised the importance of strengthening comprehensive and strict Party self-governance by promoting good conduct. He came up with the remarks while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The session took place one day before the anniversary of the founding of the CPC. Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, extended festive greetings to all Party members nationwide, reports Xinhua. He delivered the speech after reviewing briefings and engaging in discussions centered on implementing the Party central authorities' eight-point rules to improve conduct. Xi highlighted that the eight-point rules are a key measure by the Party to practice self-governance in the new era. President Xi calls for ethnic solidarity to build a better life Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xi stated that the CPC Central Committee has maintained strict rules and strong discipline, focusing on correcting undesirable work styles such as unnecessary formalities, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance through education campaigns and rectification measures. These efforts have enhanced Party governance and generated positive momentum for the Party's development and the nation's progress. Xi highlighted that advancing Chinese modernisation is a challenging task within a complex governance environment, making self-reform essential. He emphasised that senior officials must lead by example in practising self-reform, which should be rooted in strengthening Party ideals and convictions. On anti-corruption, Xi underscored the importance of regulating power and resolutely addressing violations of discipline and law. Party conduct and discipline must be turned from strict requirements into concrete actions, allowing ironclad rules to show their "iron teeth," thus sending a clear signal to the entire Party of unwavering strictness and zero tolerance, creating a strong deterrent effect, Xi said. Xi urged officials at all levels to take responsibility for Party self-governance, to face problems directly, thoroughly implement rectifications, curb unhealthy tendencies, and establish mechanisms for sustained sound Party conduct.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on residents of Galai Village in Nyingchi, Xizang Autonomous Region, to uphold ethnic solidarity and work towards creating a happier and more prosperous life. In a reply letter to the villagers—whom he visited in July 2021—Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed his happiness upon learning about the village’s recent progress. He mentioned that the village has undergone significant changes, with villagers’ incomes increasing steadily, reports Xinhua. Xi emphasised the importance of continuing to follow the Party’s policies aimed at developing border areas and improving residents’ livelihoods. He also encouraged the villagers to further protect the natural beauty of the plateau, develop their tourism industry, and contribute to building a prosperous and stable border region. Renowned for its beautiful peach blossoms, Galai Village has achieved notable progress in rural tourism development, boosting the collective economy, and strengthening ethnic unity in recent years.

An explosion followed by a massive fire at a pharmaceutical plant in India’s southern state of Telangana has left at least eight people dead and several others injured, officials confirmed on Monday. The incident occurred at a factory of Sigachi Industries, located in an industrial zone around 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Hyderabad, the state capital, according to G.V. Narayana Rao, Director of Telangana's Fire Services. Firefighters recovered the charred remains of six workers from the site, while two others died from severe burn injuries after being rushed to a hospital. Rao said the explosion took place in the factory's spray dryer unit, which processes raw materials into fine powder used in drug manufacturing. Emergency crews continued clearing debris from the gutted facility to ensure no one else remains trapped. India restricts land-route imports of certain Bangladeshi jute and other products  India is a major player in the global pharmaceutical sector, known for its large-scale production of generic medicines and vaccines. However, industrial accidents, especially those involving chemical processes, remain a frequent concern, highlighting the urgent need for stricter safety measures and regulatory oversight in this crucial industry. Sigachi Industries Limited specializes in active pharmaceutical ingredients, intermediates, and vitamin-mineral blends. The company operates five manufacturing sites across India and has subsidiaries in the United States and the United Arab Emirates, according to its website. 'Prepared to engage' with Dhaka on all matters, but frustrations persist: Indian MEA 

China is planning to invite US President Donald Trump to a military parade scheduled for September 3 in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The United States, meanwhile, has proposed that Chinese President Xi Jinping visit the country during the same month, coinciding with a UN General Assembly meeting in New York, reports Kyodo News. If either plan is realised, it would be the first in-person meeting between the leaders of the world's two largest economies since Trump's return to the White House in January for a nonconsecutive second four-year term. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the parade in Beijing, held to commemorate what China calls its victory in the 1937-1945 War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. A joint celebration of war victory by the leaders of China, Russia and the United States would likely pose a diplomatic challenge for Japan. During their phone talks on June 5, Xi invited Trump to visit China again, for which the US president expressed heartfelt appreciation, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Trump, who last visited in 2017, said he reciprocated the invitation. Beijing Government Service Center: Dedicated to serving the people with excellence Even if Trump himself is eager to travel to China, Beijing believes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, known as a longtime China hawk, and many other senior US officials may oppose the president's attendance at the military parade. Meanwhile, the Chinese government is reluctant to have Xi visit the United States, concerned about a Xi-Trump version of the Oval Office meeting in February where Trump publicly berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It is considering having Premier Li Qiang attend the UN meeting instead. The United Nations marks the 80th anniversary of its founding this year.

The Beijing Government Service Center exemplifies commitment and efficiency in public service. Its dedicated staff and well-organised departments are designed to assist citizens promptly and effectively, ensuring that every individual receives the support they need with utmost care and professionalism. Recently, journalists from 28 countries across the Asia-Pacific and Eurasian regions visited the Beijing Municipal Government Service Center and the 12345 Citizen Hotline Service Center to observe their effective and efficient services provided to both residents and international visitors. Since 2020, Beijing has enhanced its role as a hub for international exchange by launching a multilingual web portal available in nine languages, including English, Korean, Japanese, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, and Portuguese. This user-friendly portal provides a comprehensive range of city services for foreigners and international businesses, covering areas such as payments, transportation, education, daily life, tourism, and business registration.  

A suicide bombing in northwest Pakistan on Saturday killed at least eight soldiers and injured 25 people, including civilians, officials said. The attack targeted a military vehicle in North Waziristan around lunchtime despite a curfew across the tribal district to facilitate the movement of security forces, the intelligence officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the issue with the media. According to AP, the wounded were 15 soldiers and 10 civilians, including children, the officials said. Footage of the blast in Khadi village showed bandaged children lying on the floor near shattered glass and debris. Flash floods sweep tourists in Pakistan, 18 dead The intelligence officials did not disclose the source of the blast and there was no immediate claim of responsibility. However, the Pakistani Taliban and other armed groups operate out of the country’s northwest. Under the curfew, the main roads from Bannu to Miranshah and up to the Afghan border were closed to traffic.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Bangkok on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid escalating political tensions triggered by a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Public anger has been mounting over Paetongtarn’s handling of a recent border clash with Cambodia, which erupted on May 28 in a disputed area and resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The leaked phone call with Hun Sen, who now serves as Cambodia’s Senate president, has become a focal point of the protests and has sparked multiple investigations in Thailand that could potentially unseat Paetongtarn. Criticism of the prime minister centers on her remarks regarding a prominent regional military commander and her apparent attempts to placate Hun Sen in an effort to de-escalate tensions along the border. Thai PM’s leaked conversation with Hun Sen ignites political crisis and public fluster Protesters, waving national flags and holding banners, gathered around Bangkok's Victory Monument, where a large stage was set up. Speakers urged unity and expressed their love for the country, while demonstrators chanted slogans, sang, and danced to patriotic songs. Tatchakorn Srisuwan, a 47-year-old tour guide from Surat Thani province, said he traveled overnight to join the demonstration, condemning Paetongtarn’s leadership. “As a Thai citizen, I’ve never seen a prime minister so weak,” he said. “We don’t want to invade others, but we must stand up for our sovereignty.” The protest saw participation from prominent members of the so-called Yellow Shirts movement, known for their royalist stance and opposition to the Shinawatra family. The group has long been critical of Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is believed to have close ties with Hun Sen. Yellow Shirt protests in the past have been linked to political unrest, including the military coups that ousted Thaksin in 2006 and Paetongtarn’s aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, in 2014.

Flash floods triggered by pre-monsoon rains swept away dozens of tourists in northwest Pakistan on Friday, leaving at least eight dead, as the nationwide death toll from rain-related incidents rose to 18 over the past 24 hours, officials said. Nearly 100 rescuers were deployed to search for missing tourists swept away while picnicking along the Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to Shah Fahad, a spokesman for the provincial emergency service, as reported by AP. Fahad said only three people belonging to an extended family of 16 could be rescued, while the others remain missing. Divers have recovered eight bodies after hours-long efforts, with the search continuing for the remaining victims. Videos circulating on social media showed about a dozen people stranded on a slightly elevated spot in the middle of the Swat River, pleading for help as floodwaters rapidly rose. Fahad urged the public to strictly follow earlier government warnings about potential flash flooding in the Swat River, which flows through the scenic Swat Valley — a popular summer destination for tens of thousands of tourists. Thailand banning cannabis sales without prescription 3yrs after decriminalisation Elsewhere in the country, at least 10 people were killed in rain-related incidents across the eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces over the past 24 hours, according to rescue officials. Weather forecasters predict the rains will continue throughout the week. Pakistan’s annual monsoon season typically runs from July to September. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of tourists swept away by floods in the Swat River. In a statement, he directed authorities to enhance safety measures near rivers and streams. Heavy rainfall has battered parts of Pakistan since earlier this week, blocking highways and damaging homes. However, weather officials expect less rainfall compared to 2022, when climate-induced downpours swelled rivers, submerged a third of the country, and killed 1,739 people.

Thailand is further tightening control of cannabis by banning sales of the plant to those without prescriptions. Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, in a move that boosted Thailand’s tourism and farming, and spawned thousands of shops. But the country has faced public backlash over allegations that under-regulation has made the drug available to children and caused addiction, reports AP. Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin signed an order Monday that bans shops from selling cannabis to customers without a prescription. It also seeks to reclassify cannabis buds as a controlled herb. Phanurat Lukboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said Wednesday that his agency is ready to study and implement the change in regulations. The order will take effect when it is published in the Royal Gazette, although it was unclear when that would happen. The ruling Pheu Thai Party previously promised to criminalize the drug again, but faced strong resistance from its former partner in the coalition government, the Bhumjaithai Party, which supported the decriminalization. Bhumjaithai quit the coalition last week over a leaked phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Somsak told reporters Tuesday that he would like to relist cannabis as a narcotic in the future. The move came after officials last month revealed that cannabis smuggling cases involving tourists had soared in recent months. Thailand to tighten cannabis rules amid rise in smuggling Phanurat said that a study done by his agency last year found the number of people addicted to cannabis had spiked significantly after it was decriminalized. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsab said in a statement Tuesday that the government ordered the Health Ministry to tighten control on sales of cannabis because “many shops opened to sell cannabis both for recreational and medical purposes, allowing easy access for children and general people, which contradicts the government’s purpose to crack down on drugs.” A group of cannabis advocates said Wednesday that the change in regulations was politically motivated. The group said they will rally at the Health Ministry next month to oppose the change and the attempt to make it a criminal offense again to consume or sell cannabis.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said that Ankara supports Donald Trump's mediation efforts, continues push for regional peace and stronger NATO defence ties. Erdogan said that his country welcomes the newly declared ceasefire between Iran and Israel, adding that he expects both sides to “fully comply with my friend (US President Donald) Trump’s call unconditionally”. In remarks following a NATO summit in The Hague, Erdogan confirmed that his country had been involved in intense diplomatic efforts from the onset of the recent military hostilities between Israel and Iran, which he said “posed serious risks to the region”. According to TRT Global, he reiterated Ankara’s belief that “lasting solutions with Iran are only possible through diplomacy and dialogue”, emphasising that “our region is full of examples showing that war and destruction lead to nowhere”. Erdogan said Turkey “hopes the ceasefire will be transformed into lasting calm”, stressing that “everyone needs to shoulder responsibility to achieve peace in the Middle East”. Besides, the Turkish president strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing military assault in Gaza, warning that the humanitarian crisis was spiralling into a catastrophe. Japan deploys SDF planes to Djibouti for possible Mideast evacuation “Palestinians have been targeted for last three years,” Erdogan said. He said Israeli attacks have killed over 56,000 Palestinians so far, “most of them women and children”, adding that “80 per cent of Gaza has been destroyed”. Erdogan said the Israeli government was deliberately blocking aid into the besieged territory. Calling on the international community, the Turkish president said, “Anyone with an iota of conscience cannot remain silent to this. I'd like to call out to everyone who attaches importance to human life to raise their voices against this oppression.” He further warned that Israel's actions were destabilising not just Gaza, but the wider Middle East. "Israel is destabilising the region, and by doing that they're also undermining the security of their own people," Erdogan said.