United News of Bangladesh

Hong Kong authorities have charged seven people and two companies with offences including manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud in connection with a massive fire that killed 168 people in the city’s deadliest blaze in decades. The fire broke out on November 26, 2025, engulfing seven apartment blocks in Wang Fuk Court in the suburban Tai Po district. The tragedy devastated the tight-knit housing community and left families still waiting for answers months later. In a statement on Wednesday, police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption said the 25 charges also include money laundering, attempting to obstruct justice and tax evasion. The accused were involved in different aspects of a major renovation project at Wang Fuk Court. The two companies charged are Will Power Architects Company, which served as the project consultancy firm, and Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., the main contractor. The seven individuals — identified as Wong Hap-yin, Hau Wa-kin, Ho Kin-yip, Ng Yeuk, Hung Kwok-wai, Chung So-fan and Lin Min — were brought before court on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities said they include company directors and a registered inspector linked to Will Power. Most of the defendants appeared calm in court and confirmed they understood the charges. Earlier in March, police said 38 people had been arrested in connection with the fire on suspicion of offences including manslaughter and fraud, with nine later formally charged. The anti-corruption agency also arrested 23 people on allegations including bribery and conspiracy to defraud. An independent legal committee investigating the disaster previously said nearly all fire safety systems failed on the day of the blaze, largely due to human error.

Afghanistan on Wednesday accused Pakistan of carrying out fresh airstrikes inside its territory, saying the attacks killed at least 13 people, including children, and injured 14 others. Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the strikes targeted the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika. According to Mujahid, those killed included 11 children, one woman and one elderly man. Pakistan did not immediately comment on the allegations. The latest incident comes amid months of escalating tensions and cross-border clashes between the two neighbouring countries. Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have remained strained since late February, when Afghanistan launched attacks across the border in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory. The violence has since claimed hundreds of lives. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of providing safe haven to militants responsible for deadly attacks inside Pakistan, particularly members of the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The TTP is a separate group from the Afghan Taliban but maintains close ties with it. The Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan. Kabul has consistently rejected Pakistan’s allegations of sheltering militants.

Rescue teams continued searching damaged buildings in the southern Philippines on Tuesday to ensure no one remained trapped, a day after one of the country's strongest earthquakes in the last 50 years killed at least 37 people and forced more than 20,000 residents from their homes. Authorities said only four people were officially listed as missing in the provinces near the epicentre of Monday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake. However, the Office of Civil Defense said several collapsed and severely damaged structures still needed to be thoroughly checked for possible survivors and additional casualties. The earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao, the Philippines' second-most populous island. Nearly 500 people were injured, while thousands sought refuge in emergency shelters. Many residents fled their homes fearing a tsunami. Although waves reaching up to 1.4 metres above normal tide levels were recorded in parts of the Philippines, damage was limited. Officials reported that six stilt houses in a coastal village were damaged by tsunami waves. Smaller waves were also observed in Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan. The disaster caused widespread destruction across several provinces. In General Santos, a coastal city known as the country's tuna industry hub, at least 13 people died due to collapsed buildings and falling debris. Another 18 people were killed in Sarangani province, most of them in a landslide that buried homes in the mountainous town of Glan, according to disaster officials. Additional deaths were reported in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island. Initial government assessments showed that around 2,000 houses and 117 government buildings and facilities were damaged. General Santos International Airport remained closed, leading to the cancellation of 63 domestic flights, except those carrying humanitarian aid. Authorities said nearly 6,000 public school buildings in affected provinces must be inspected before classes can resume. The earthquake struck on the first day of the new school term following a two-month summer break, and many of those injured were students attending morning flag-raising ceremonies. Officials have warned that damaged buildings remain at risk of collapse due to strong aftershocks. "We cannot force the immediate reopening of schools because we have to ensure the integrity of the buildings," said Rafaelito Alejandro of the Office of Civil Defense. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the earthquake originated at a depth of 33 kilometres beneath the sea, about 32 kilometres southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province. The quake was triggered by movement along the Cotabato Trench and was the strongest to hit the country since a devastating 8.1-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 1976 that killed about 8,000 people. The Philippines also experienced a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in 1990 that killed more than 1,000 people and caused major destruction in the country's north. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deployed senior government officials to oversee rescue operations, aid distribution and damage assessments of roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The United States said it was coordinating with Philippine authorities and stood ready to assist response efforts. France, Japan and New Zealand also expressed support. The Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone known for intense seismic activity. The country is also hit by around 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone nations.

China's exports grew at a faster-than-expected pace in May, increasing 19.4 percent year-on-year despite disruptions linked to the Iran war, according to data released Tuesday by the country's customs authority. The May figure marked an acceleration from April’s 14.1 percent annual growth rate, underscoring the resilience of China's export sector. Analysts attributed the strong performance to continued overseas demand for Chinese automobiles, technology products and artificial intelligence-related goods, including semiconductors. Imports also posted robust growth, rising 27.4 percent in May from a year earlier, compared with a 25.3 percent increase recorded in April. Meanwhile, trade with the United States continued to weaken amid ongoing tariff tensions. China's exports to the U.S. declined 2.7 percent during the January-May period compared with the same period last year, while imports from the U.S. fell 5.5 percent. The decline in bilateral trade extends a trend that began after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed broad tariffs on China and several other major trading partners following his return to office. Despite geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts, China's overall trade performance remained strong during the first five months of the year, supported by growth in high-tech and manufacturing exports.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen their long-standing alliance during Xi’s rare visit to Pyongyang, according to state media reports from both countries. The summit marked Xi’s first trip to North Korea in seven years and underscored Beijing’s effort to reinforce its influence over its isolated socialist neighbor amid shifting regional dynamics. Lavish welcome and high-level talks Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted at Pyongyang’s international airport by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. The Chinese leader was later welcomed with a large ceremony in the capital’s main square, featuring military honors, flags, banners and portraits of both leaders. During talks, Xi said China was ready to expand cooperation with North Korea in areas such as trade, agriculture, construction and technology, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV. Kim described relations with China as North Korea’s “most important top-priority strategic work” and praised Xi’s visit as a major sign of support, the Korean Central News Agency reported. Strategic coordination and regional implications Both leaders pledged to strengthen strategic coordination and protect their countries’ sovereignty and security interests. Kim also reaffirmed support for China’s “one-China principle” regarding Taiwan. Analysts say the visit highlights China’s desire to maintain a leading role on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, especially as North Korea has recently deepened military and economic ties with Russia. China remains North Korea’s main economic lifeline and diplomatic backer. The two countries marked 65 years of their mutual defense treaty this year. Nuclear issue left unmentioned Notably, reports from both sides did not mention North Korea’s nuclear program, a departure from Xi’s 2019 visit when Chinese media referred to denuclearization efforts. The omission is likely significant for Kim, who has sought international recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. Ahead of Xi’s visit, Pyongyang reiterated that its nuclear program is non-negotiable and vowed to expand its nuclear capabilities. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that North Korea is producing enough nuclear material annually for an estimated 10 to 20 bombs and is nearing mastery of intercontinental ballistic missile technology. Economic and diplomatic context Observers believe Xi may have offered economic support measures, including food aid and expanded tourism and transport links. Direct flights and passenger train services between the two countries resumed earlier this year after being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting also comes as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in reviving diplomacy with Kim, giving Beijing potential leverage in future negotiations involving Washington and Pyongyang.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation during a summit in Pyongyang on Monday, as Xi made his first visit to North Korea in seven years amid shifting regional dynamics and growing competition with the United States. Xi received an elaborate welcome upon arrival in the North Korean capital, where he and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. A large-scale ceremony later took place in Pyongyang’s main square, featuring military honors, thousands of spectators and displays highlighting the long-standing friendship between the two countries. During their talks, Xi expressed China’s willingness to expand cooperation with North Korea in areas including trade, agriculture, construction and technology, according to Chinese state media. He also stressed the need for stronger strategic coordination and the protection of both countries’ sovereignty and security interests. Kim described Xi’s visit as proof of the enduring strength of ties between the two neighbours and said advancing friendship with China remains a key strategic priority for North Korea. The meeting comes at a time when both countries are navigating separate tensions with Washington. Analysts believe the summit could have broader implications for regional politics as Beijing seeks to reinforce its influence over Pyongyang. Xi’s trip follows recent meetings with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Observers say maintaining strong ties with North Korea could provide China with additional leverage in its dealings with the United States, particularly as Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in reviving diplomacy with Kim. China remains North Korea’s largest economic partner and most important diplomatic ally. Although relations between Pyongyang and Beijing have faced questions in recent years due to North Korea’s growing military and economic cooperation with Russia, experts say Kim still relies heavily on Chinese support. Analysts expect China to provide North Korea with economic assistance, including food and agricultural supplies, and possibly expand tourism and economic cooperation projects. The issue of North Korea’s nuclear programme also remains central to the relationship. Experts suggest Xi is unlikely to publicly pressure Kim on denuclearisation, focusing instead on broader themes of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has continued to expand its nuclear and missile programmes. Last week, Kim unveiled a new facility for producing nuclear materials and pledged to accelerate the growth of the country’s nuclear forces. He has also called for speeding up efforts to develop a nuclear-armed navy. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that North Korea is producing enough nuclear materials each year for an estimated 10 to 20 nuclear weapons and is nearing completion of key intercontinental ballistic missile technologies. Since the collapse of his diplomacy with Trump in 2019, Kim has focused on expanding and modernising North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. While expressing positive memories of his past interactions with Trump, Kim has repeatedly rejected calls for denuclearisation as a condition for renewed negotiations with the United States.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake centered at sea shook part of the southern Philippines early Monday, causing damage in a key coastal city, knocking down power and setting off 1-meter (3-foot) tsunami waves along nearby coasts, officials said. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked people to immediately go to higher ground in Philippine areas vulnerable to a tsunami, and Indonesian and Malaysian authorities also issued warnings to their nearby coastal areas. There were no immediate reports of casualties, and it was not clear if people were trapped or injured in the collapse of at least one small building in General Santos, a tuna-processing city of more than 700,000 people that is also a commercial hub in the south. The strongest earthquake to hit the Philippines this year was was centered at sea about 13 kilometers (8 miles) southwest of General Santos and was caused by movement in the Cotabato Trench at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. It struck at 7:37 a.m., the institute's director, Teresito Bacolcol said. “It's a major earthquake and we're expecting damages and we've already some damaged buildings based on videos we've seen,” Bacolcol told The Associated Press. DZRH radio station in Manila reported that the small commercial building where its provincial branch was located partly collapsed and staffers dashed to the ground floor without injuries. It wasn’t clear if other people were trapped in the rubble of the four-story office building due to the quake, which struck before office hours. Debris also fell from other buildings, hitting tricycle taxis parked below. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) were possible on some coasts of the Philippines. Waves up to 1 meter (3 feet) were possible on some coasts of Indonesia and Malaysia. Bacolcol said 1-meter (3-foot) waves were monitored in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani by land-based tsunami watch stations. Smaller waves were monitored in at least one other province, he said. “Please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind,” Marcos told people in quake-hit provinces. “The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” Marcos said and added that disaster-response agencies were on standby to respond. Malaysia’s Meteorological Department issued a tsunami warning for Sabah state on Borneo island. Sabah is just a boat ride away from southern Philippines. An 83-centimeter (2.7-feet) tsunami was measured by a gauge off Indonesia's Sulawesi island. Smaller sea changes were possible in Taiwan, Japan, Papua New Guinea and several island nations and territories in the western Pacific. An advisory for Guam was lifted about two hours after the quake and there was no threat to Hawaii, the PTWC said. Aftershocks up to 6.5 magnitude followed, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It measured the original quake at 55 kilometers (34 miles) deep. Variations in measurements by different agencies are common in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake. The Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, is often hit by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of seismic faults around the ocean. The archipelago is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year.  

A fire at a pig breeding farm killed five people in Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, firefighters said Monday. The blaze broke out at 5:20 p.m. on Sunday and has been extinguished, according to local firefighting and rescue authorities. An investigation into the cause of fire is underway

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit North Korea for the first time in nearly seven years, in a trip that is expected to highlight North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s increasingly active foreign policy and his efforts to strengthen ties with traditional allies. The visit comes as North Korea seeks to balance its growing relationship with Russia while renewing closer cooperation with China, its biggest economic partner and longtime ally. It will be the first meeting between Xi and Kim since the North Korean leader visited Beijing in September 2025 for events marking the anniversary of the end of World War II. Kim looking for economic support Analysts say Kim is likely seeking stronger economic cooperation with China after spending recent years deepening ties with Russia, including sending troops and military supplies to support Moscow's war in Ukraine. While North Korea is believed to be receiving military assistance and other benefits from Russia, experts say Kim needs greater economic support from China if he hopes to improve living standards at home. According to analysts, discussions could include restarting Chinese tourism to North Korea, opening a long-completed bridge over the Yalu River that has never been used, and exploring joint economic projects in border areas shared by North Korea, China and Russia. Observers also note that Kim may see closer ties with China as useful if he eventually decides to reopen diplomacy with the United States. His previous talks with US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 over disagreements on sanctions and North Korea's nuclear programme. North Korea has so far rejected Trump's recent offers to resume talks, insisting that Washington first abandon its demand for denuclearisation as a condition for negotiations. China aims to restore influence For China, the visit offers an opportunity to strengthen its influence over a traditional ally that has recently moved closer to Russia. Experts say Beijing is likely concerned about the growing relationship between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin and may seek to rebalance North Korea's foreign relations through economic incentives and food assistance. Xi's trip is also significant because it marks his first overseas visit of 2026. Analysts say the visit sends a message that China intends to remain a key player in shaping security issues on the Korean Peninsula. Recent developments also suggest China may be taking a more pragmatic approach toward North Korea's nuclear ambitions. During a visit to Pyongyang in April, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Kim, and observers noted that official statements did not mention denuclearisation, a term China has traditionally used when discussing North Korea. Some analysts believe this could indicate that Beijing is increasingly accepting the reality of North Korea's nuclear status while focusing on maintaining stability and countering US influence in the region. A warmer relationship, but limits remain Experts expect Kim to give Xi a grand welcome during the visit, reflecting the importance of relations between the two countries. However, they also say North Korea's leader is now more confident on the international stage and may be less willing to follow China's wishes than in the past. While the visit is expected to strengthen political ties and economic cooperation, analysts believe North Korea will continue pursuing an independent foreign policy aimed at balancing relations with both China and Russia while protecting its own interests.

Police in Pakistan-administered Kashmir arrested dozens of supporters of a banned organization on Saturday ahead of a planned protest march, according to officials and witnesses. The arrests followed the regional government's decision on Friday to outlaw the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), citing concerns over public order and security. The ban comes after weeks of tensions between the group and authorities over a 38-point list of demands, including subsidized wheat and electricity, as well as broader political and economic rights. Officials said that 36 of the demands had already been accepted last year following negotiations involving JAAC representatives, regional authorities and Pakistan’s federal government. Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, the prime minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, said the government remains open to dialogue with JAAC leaders regarding the two remaining unresolved issues. However, JAAC has refused to withdraw its planned protest march scheduled for Tuesday, insisting that all of its demands must be met. According to Rathore, one of the unresolved issues relates to 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees in the region’s legislative assembly. Security has been tightened across Pakistan-administered Kashmir ahead of the planned demonstrations. The Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided between Pakistan and India, with both countries claiming it in full. Since independence from British rule in 1947, the two nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two of their three wars over the disputed territory. The latest tensions come a year after deadly clashes between JAAC supporters and security forces that left several people dead, including police personnel. On Saturday, JAAC alleged that two of its members were injured when police opened fire during an operation. Police rejected the claim, saying officers came under fire from armed individuals who allegedly ignored orders to stop their vehicle during an overnight encounter.