United News of Bangladesh

Judges at the International Criminal Court want Hungary to explain why it failed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visited Budapest earlier this month. In a filing released late Wednesday, The Hague-based court initiated non-compliance proceedings against Hungary after the country gave Netanyahu a red carpet welcome despite an ICC arrest warrant for crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza, AP reports. During the visit, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced his country would quit the court, claiming on state radio that the ICC was “no longer an impartial court, not a court of law, but a political court.” The Hungarian leader, regarded by critics as an autocrat and the EU’s most intransigent spoiler in the bloc’s decision-making, defended his decision to not arrest Netanyahu. Myanmar frees around 4,900 prisoners to mark traditional new year “We signed an international treaty, but we never took all the steps that would otherwise have made it enforceable in Hungary,” Orbán said at the time, referring to the fact that Hungary’s parliament never promulgated the court’s statute into Hungarian law. Judges at the ICC have previously dismissed similar arguments. The ICC and other international organizations have criticized Hungary’s defiance of the warrant against Netanyahu. Days before his arrival, the president of the court’s oversight body wrote to the government in Hungary reminding it of its “specific obligation to comply with requests from the court for arrest and surrender.” A spokesperson for the ICC declined to comment on the non-compliance proceedings. Hungary’s decision to leave the ICC, a process that will take at least a year to complete, will make it the sole non-signatory within the 27-member European Union. With 125 current signatory countries, only the Philippines and Burundi have ever withdrawn from the court as Hungary intends. It’s the third time in the past year that the court has investigated one of its member states for failing to arrest suspects. In February, judges asked Italy to explain why the country sent a Libyan man suspected of torture and murder home on an Italian military aircraft rather than handing him over to the court. In October judges reported Mongolia to the court’s oversight organization for failing to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin when he visited the Asian nation. Hungary has until May 23 to submit evidence in its defense.

Singapore dissolved its parliament on Tuesday, officially triggering a general election scheduled for May 3. The long-dominant People’s Action Party (PAP), led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, will aim to solidify its grip on power in the city-state. The PAP, which has ruled since Singapore gained independence in 1965, is widely expected to win again. However, this will be Wong’s first election at the helm since taking over from former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in May last year. Wong hopes to secure a stronger mandate following the party’s disappointing performance in the 2020 elections, where public dissatisfaction dented its support. Wong’s predecessor, Lee, stepped down after 20 years in office, ending the leadership of a political family dynasty that began with Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. Under the elder Lee, Singapore was transformed from a colonial port into a global financial hub. In the 2020 election, held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the PAP retained a supermajority, winning 83 of 93 seats. However, it also faced its most significant electoral challenge yet, as the opposition boosted its presence from six to 10 seats—a record high. The PAP’s share of the popular vote dropped to 61%, near its historical low. To court younger, more critical voters, Wong introduced the “Forward Singapore” initiative—an effort to involve citizens in shaping a more inclusive and forward-looking national vision. The PAP is also expected to introduce over 30 new candidates to renew its lineup. In a recent Facebook post, Wong emphasized the stakes, saying leadership matters during global economic turbulence, especially as the U.S. imposes new tariffs affecting global trade. “The real contest isn’t between political parties, it’s Singapore versus the world,” he wrote. “Our task is to keep Singapore strong, stable, and full of promise.” Despite its economic success, Singapore faces growing challenges such as rising living costs, limited housing affordability, income inequality, and concerns over immigration. Critics also point to the PAP’s firm control over the media, limited free speech, and restrictive laws that target dissent. These issues have chipped away at the party’s longstanding dominance.

Four earthquakes rattled parts of India, Myanmar, and Tajikistan on Sunday morning within the span of an hour, triggering panic across Central and South Asia. From Himalayan towns to Central Asian settlements, residents were seen fleeing buildings as tremors shook the region, underscoring the area’s seismic volatility. The first tremor struck at 9:00 am local time in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, with a magnitude of 3.4, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) confirmed. The quake, which occurred at a shallow depth of 5 kilometres and was centred at latitude 31.49°N and longitude 76.94°E, caused brief alarm. Although minor in scale, the shaking was noticeable enough to send residents rushing outdoors, following a low rumble and sudden jolt. No casualties or structural damage have been reported so far. High winds, sandstorms force Beijing to cancel hundreds of flights Soon after, a more powerful quake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck near Meiktila in central Myanmar, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). This aftershock comes in the wake of the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake on 28 March, which claimed more than 3,600 lives and left thousands injured. Sunday’s tremor was felt in Mandalay and Naypyitaw, with reports of ceiling damage in some homes. Several residents contacted by phone said people fled buildings in panic. However, those interviewed requested anonymity, citing fears of reprisals from the military regime, which tightly controls information. No new casualties have been confirmed. In Tajikistan, two successive quakes further heightened concerns. At 9:54 am, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake—initially estimated at 6.4—struck at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was recorded at 38.86°N, 70.61°E. The tremor prompted evacuations in some schools and commercial establishments in nearby towns due to its intensity. Less than an hour later, at 10:36 am, a 3.9 magnitude quake struck the same region, again at a depth of 10 kilometres. While no injuries or major damage were reported, the back-to-back tremors have raised apprehensions about heightened seismic activity in the area. With inputs from Indian media

Envoys from Iran and the United States arrived Saturday in Oman ahead of the first talks over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. No overall agreement is immediately likely, but the stakes of the negotiations couldn’t be higher for these two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. Trump repeatedly has threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program if a deal isn’t reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed a private jet from Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia, arrived in Oman on Saturday morning. U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff had just met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday there. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry released footage of Tehran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that Araghchi provided Iran’s “stance and key points for the talks to be conveyed to the U.S. side.” IRNA's report suggested the meeting would be held later Saturday. “If there is sufficient will on both sides, we will decide on a timetable. But it is still too early to talk about that,” Araghchi said, in an audio clip published by IRNA. “What is clear now is that the negotiations are indirect, and in our view only on the nuclear issue, and will be conducted with the necessary will to reach an agreement that is on an equal footing and leads to securing the national interests of the Iranian people.” Italy sends rejected migrants to detention centres in Albania Trump and Witkoff both have described the talks as being “direct.” “I think our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is our position today,” Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal before his trip. “That doesn’t mean, by the way, that at the margin we’re not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries.” He added: “Where our red line will be, there can’t be weaponization of your nuclear capability,” While the U.S. side can offer sanctions relief for Iran’s beleaguered economy, it remains unclear just how much Iran will be willing to concede. Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran could only maintain a small stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.67%. Today, Tehran’s stockpile could allow it to build multiple nuclear weapons if it so chooses and it has some material enriched up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. Judging from negotiations since Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the deal in 2018, Iran will likely ask to keep enriching uranium up to at least 20%. One thing it won’t do is give up its program entirely. That makes the proposal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a so-called Libyan solution — “you go in, blow up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision, American execution” — unworkable. Iranians including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have held up what ultimately happened to the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was killed with his own gun by rebels in the country’s 2011 Arab Spring uprising, as a warning about what can happen when you trust the United States.

The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the Trump administration must assist in bringing Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. after he was wrongly deported to El Salvador. The Court rejected an emergency appeal from the administration. Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident and Salvadoran national, had a court order protecting him from deportation due to concerns he could be targeted by gangs in his home country. While the administration alleged that Abrego Garcia was affiliated with the MS-13 gang, his lawyers argued there is no evidence supporting that claim, and he has never been charged or convicted of any crime. EU pauses tariff retaliation for 90 days to align with Trump’s delay Despite admitting the deportation was a mistake, the administration contended it was no longer in a position to reverse the action, even though Abrego Garcia is currently imprisoned in a well-known El Salvador prison.   

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that only through solidarity and coordination can countries maintain world peace and stability, and promote global development and prosperity. Xi made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday. He pointed out that transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the world, with multiple risks and challenges piling up. As the international situation becomes more complex and volatile, it is increasingly important for China and Spain to develop sound and stable relations, Xi said. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain. President Xi said China is ready to work with Spain to build a more strategically resilient and dynamic comprehensive strategic partnership, to better serve the well-being of both peoples, inject impetus into China-EU relations, and make greater contributions to world peace, stability, and development. Xi Jinping quoted the Chinese proverb: “Range far your eye over long vistas.” He stressed that the China-Spain friendship is a wise choice made by the two peoples based on traditional friendship, practical needs, and long-term interests. “Both sides should continue to consolidate the political foundation of mutual support, trust and respect each other, and support each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, especially in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added. China is ready to work with Spain to leverage their mutually beneficial and complementary cooperation advantages, make good use of the economic and technological cooperation mechanisms, tap the potential in areas such as new energy, high-tech manufacturing and smart cities, and produce more outcomes of mutually beneficial cooperation. Both countries should uphold the traditional friendship of mutual understanding and affinity, carry forward the deep bond between the two peoples fostered through the Olympics and panda cooperation, create new signature programmes such as the “Happy Chinese New Year” event, and expand student exchanges to engage more young people in carrying forward the China-Spain friendship. Xi mentioned that both China and Spain are positive supporters of multilateralism and open cooperation. It is important for the two sides to work together to build a just and equitable global governance system, safeguard world peace and security, and promote common development and prosperity, added the Chinese president. Xi Jinping also said that China always sees in the European Union an important pole in a multipolar world. China is a major country that explicitly supports the unity, development, and growth of the EU. In the current context, it is of great practical significance to strengthen the China-EU partnerships of peace, growth, reform, and civilisation. China and the EU should see each other as partners and embrace open cooperation. China would like to celebrate with the EU the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, build on past achievements, and move the relationship toward strategic stability and mutual success, so as to better benefit the peoples of both sides and the international community at large, Xi further added. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was also present at the meeting.    

Myanmar has experienced 112 aftershocks ranging from magnitudes of 2.8 to 7.5 as of Thursday, according to the country's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. The aftershocks followed a devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on March 28. The death toll from the devastating earthquake  has climbed to 3,645, with 5,017 people injured and 148 still missing, according to a statement from the State Administration Council's Information Team.   

President Emmanuel Macron has suggested that France may recognise a Palestinian state "in the coming months." Speaking to France 5 television on Wednesday, Macron said he hoped to formalise the recognition at a United Nations conference on the Israel-Palestine conflict, which France will co-chair with Saudi Arabia in June. “We must move towards recognition, and we will do so in the coming months,” Macron stated. “I’m not doing it to please anyone. I’ll do it because at some point it will be right,” he added. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Palestine’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, welcomed the news, calling it “a step in the right direction in line with safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people and the two-state solution.” However, Israel has opposed any unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned that such a move would only strengthen Hamas. “A ‘unilateral recognition’ of a fictional Palestinian state, by any country, in the reality that we all know, will be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas,” Saar wrote on X. “These kind of actions will not bring peace, security and stability in our region closer – but the opposite: they only push them further away,” he added. At least 60,000 children malnourished in Gaza as Israeli aid blockade continues So far, Palestine has been recognised as a sovereign state by 146 out of 193 UN members, including Armenia, Slovenia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, and several Caribbean nations. Despite this, key Western countries like the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany have yet to grant recognition. Macron believes that recognition of Palestine could lead to a “collective dynamic” in which some Middle Eastern countries might recognise Israel. At present, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen do not recognise Israel. By recognising Palestine, Macron explained, France could take a clearer stance against countries like Iran, which deny Israel’s right to exist, and strengthen its commitment to regional security. On a recent trip to Egypt, Macron held talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, making it clear he was strongly opposed to any displacement or annexation in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. With inputs from AL Jazeera

China again vowed to “fight to the end" Wednesday in an escalating trade war with the US as it announced it would raise tariffs on American goods to 84% from Thursday. Beijing also added an array of countermeasures after US President Donald Trump raised the total tariff on imports from China to 104%, AP reports. Beijing said it was launching an additional suit against the US at the World Trade Organization and placed further restrictions on American companies' trade with Chinese companies. “If the US insists on further escalating its economic and trade restrictions, China has the firm will and abundant means to take necessary countermeasures and fight to the end,” the Ministry of Commerce wrote in a statement introducing its white paper on trade with the US. The government declined to say whether it would negotiate with the White House, as many other countries have started doing. Chinese netizens mock US tariffs on social media On Friday, China announced a 34% tariff on all goods imported from the US, export controls on rare earths minerals, and a slew of other measures in response to Trump's “Liberation Day” tariffs. Trump then added an additional 50% tariff on goods from China, saying negotiations with them were terminated. Wednesday's newest measures include adding 11 American companies to a so-called “unreliable entities” list that would bar Chinese companies from selling them dual-use goods. Among the companies are American Photonics, and SYNEXXUS, both of whom work with the American military. So far, China has not appeared interested in bargaining. “If the US truly wants to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, it should adopt an attitude of equality, respect and mutual benefit,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lin Jian Wednesday.

The roof of the iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, collapsed during a merengue concert, resulting in the deaths of at least 98 people. Rescuers continued their desperate search for survivors in the rubble, more than 24 hours after the incident occurred early on Tuesday. The nightclub, known for hosting popular Monday parties with national and international artists, was filled with attendees, including politicians, athletes, and other guests when the collapse happened. Rescue teams worked tirelessly, carefully listening for any cries for help as they cleared debris. Emergency workers removed large chunks of concrete and used wood planks to lift heavy wreckage, with the sound of drills echoing through the air. On Tuesday evening, emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez reported that rescuers were still hearing sounds from the rubble and were prioritizing three key areas for further search efforts. "We will continue our search without rest," he assured. Among the confirmed dead were a provincial governor, two former Major League Baseball players, and other prominent figures. At least 160 people were injured, including national lawmaker Bray Vargas. Some of the missing include merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the collapse occurred. The incident has left many families anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones. Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son was at the concert, expressed his hope, saying, "We’re holding on only to God." Massiel Cuevas, waiting for her goddaughter Darlenys Batista, was adamant that she would be found alive, stating, "I know she’s in there." President Luis Abinader visited the scene and comforted those waiting for news, expressing hope that more survivors would be found. As search operations continued, the public gathered outside hospitals and the National Institute of Forensic Pathology to identify victims and await updates. At least 13 dead, 70 injured in roof collapse at Dominican Republic discotheque The cause of the collapse is still unknown, and it has not been determined when the building was last inspected. Authorities are focusing on ongoing rescue efforts while investigations into the cause of the tragedy are set to continue.