United News of Bangladesh

A massive explosion and fire at the HABAS iron and steel plant in Aliaga, Izmir province on Monday killed six people, injured 13 others-two critically-and left eight workers trapped under rubble, officials said. The governor's office said the blast occurred around noon (0900 GMT) when an overhead crane toppled into a furnace during liquid steel casting. An investigation was launched, while Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay said final casualty figures await debris clearance. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci posted on social media that emergency teams fought the blaze as injured victims were hospitalized. Broadcaster NTV aired images of heavy smoke, while state-run Anadolu agency quoted witnesses Nuri Ali Ulker and Deniz Ulker describing intense shaking resembling an earthquake. The HABAS facility, established in 1987, produces 4.5 million tons of steel annually. The disaster struck Aliaga-a port town famous for shipbreaking facing environmental criticism and EU delisting calls-just as world leaders gathered in Antalya for climate talks.

At least seven people, including a train conductor, were killed and 125 others injured after two passenger trains collided south of Egypt's capital Cairo on Sunday, authorities said. The Health Ministry confirmed the casualties in a statement, adding that more than 70 injured passengers had been released from hospitals after receiving medical treatment. The accident took place in al-Ayyat district of Giza province, around 52 kilometres (32 miles) south of Cairo, when a train bound for the southwestern province of Fayoum crashed into the rear of another train heading towards the southern province of Aswan, according to the Transportation Ministry. The office of the Chief Prosecutor said investigators had arrived at the scene late Sunday to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident. An initial inspection suggested that the Giza-Fayoum train struck the last carriage of the Cairo-Aswan train, which was stationary on the same track and moving in the same direction, officials said. Ayman Gamal, a resident of Kafr Girza village in al-Ayyat, said local residents rushed to the accident site, helped rescue passengers and contacted emergency services. He said he saw ambulances carrying around 80 injured people to nearby hospitals. Some passengers were trapped inside a carriage of the stationary train and were found dead when rescuers pulled them out, he added. Survivors receiving treatment at al-Wasta Central Hospital in Beni Suef province said passengers were left traumatised and struggled to breathe because of dust generated by the collision. Local villagers eventually helped them escape from the wreckage. Farha Gamal, a passenger on the Fayoum-bound train, said she saw several people who appeared to have died, while others desperately tried to find their way out of the damaged carriage. "Some of the other carriages were completely mangled," she said. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said in a social media post that he had ordered an immediate investigation into the accident. The Egyptian Railway Authority said emergency response teams and cranes had been sent to the scene to remove the wreckage and restore normal train services as quickly as possible. Train accidents and derailments remain a recurring problem in Egypt, where the railway network has long faced criticism over poor management and inadequate maintenance. The government has announced several modernisation initiatives in recent years. In September, a train driver and his assistant were injured when two freight trains collided in the same district. Egypt's deadliest railway disaster occurred in 2002, when a fire broke out on an overnight train travelling from Cairo to southern Egypt, killing more than 300 people.

Greek authorities recovered 12 bodies from a migrant boat discovered south of the island of Crete early Monday, while 18 people were rescued by a passing Moroccan-flagged cargo ship, according to the Greek coast guard. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the deceased or the exact circumstances surrounding their deaths. The vessel was located approximately 15 nautical miles (28 kilometres or 18 miles) south of Crete on Monday morning. Meanwhile, two other migrant boats carrying approximately 47 and 40 people were detected heading south of the island. One was spotted by an aircraft operated by the European Union's border agency, Frontex, while the other was identified by a Frontex surveillance drone. All passengers aboard the two vessels were rescued by Frontex personnel and were being transported to a port on Crete's southern coast. Greece remains a major entry point into the European Union for migrants fleeing conflict, poverty and instability in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In recent months, thousands have attempted the dangerous sea journey from North Africa, particularly from Libya to Crete. Others travel from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands across the Aegean Sea, frequently using small, overcrowded and unsafe boats. Last month, 12 people, including an infant, lost their lives after two boats carrying migrants from Turkey to the Greek islands of Lesbos and Samos capsized. In October, Frontex reported that the eastern Mediterranean remained the busiest migration route into the 27-member European Union, despite an overall decline in irregular border crossings. According to the agency, approximately 31,800 crossings were recorded during the first nine months of 2026, representing a 15% decrease compared with the corresponding period last year. The route from Libya to Crete accounted for the largest share of activity, followed by the eastern Aegean islands and the land border between Turkey and Greece.

At least 21 people have died and one person has been rescued after a boat carrying irregular migrants capsized off the coast of Kebemer in northwestern Senegal, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security. In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said search and rescue operations were underway, with relevant authorities deployed to look for possible survivors and provide assistance to the affected families. Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, the ministry conveyed condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of the president and the government. The government also reiterated its commitment to combating migrant smuggling networks, particularly by strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries. It urged people to remain alert to the dangers of irregular migration and reaffirmed its commitment to creating opportunities for young people to become integrated into society. The interior minister is scheduled to visit the affected area on Monday to express the government's sympathy and solidarity with the victims' families and local communities.

Senior media professionals from the Global South have called for closer cooperation at the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing to give their countries a stronger voice in global coverage as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the industry. Co-organized by Xinhua News Agency and the Beijing municipal government, this year's summit runs from Nov. 5 to 9. It has drawn nearly 500 representatives of media outlets, think tanks and government bodies from 112 countries and regions, as well as the United Nations and other international organizations. Initiated in 2009, the World Media Summit has become a major platform for exchange and cooperation among media leaders and professionals across regions and language communities. "What is important about the summit is that it brings media outlets from around the world and gives us a forum to discuss the future of our industry," said Kenedid Ibrahim Houssein, director of publication of La Nation in Djibouti, who is attending the summit for the first time. "We hope to further develop partnership with China on information sharing based on this platform," he added. Ghislain Ruffin Etoughet Nzuet, chairman of the board of directors at Gabon Broadcasting Corporation, said the World Media Summit provides a platform for African countries to tell their own stories and speak for themselves. "Africa has a long tradition and a long history, yet very little is known about us," Nzuet said, adding that cooperation with partners around the world, particularly China, could help bring African perspectives into global discussions. Agnes Kalekye Nguna, managing director and CEO of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, stressed the importance of dialogue among civilizations on an equal footing. She called for more initiatives to expand exchanges and deepen media cooperation between Africa and China, saying a partnership that benefits both sides could inspire similar efforts elsewhere in the Global South and beyond. Under this year's theme, "Media in the Intelligent Age: From Consensus to Action," delegates are also discussing how Global South countries could work together to help their media organizations adapt as AI use expands across the industry. "How do we ensure smaller nations have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of AI?" asked Aminath Namza, chairperson of Public Service Media in the Maldives, during discussions at the summit. She said many AI models are trained on data drawn mainly from societies with a greater digital presence, and therefore may not be able to fully reflect the languages, cultures and realities of smaller nations. "International cooperation must therefore ensure that developing countries and small island states can contribute not only to AI's development, but also to the principles governing it," she said. On Saturday, the 7th World Media Summit released the Global Media Initiative for the Joint Development of AI Application Standards. Launched by Xinhua, the initiative brings together major media outlets and other professional organizations to safeguard the authenticity of information, protect data security, and uphold media ethics, thereby maintaining public trust in the media. Under this initiative, participants plan to work together for about two years to develop a set of standards that address different media uses of AI and are validated by media outlets. Najeh Missaoui, director general and CEO of Tunis Afrique Presse, one of the first participants, regards the initiative as a major step forward. "It takes us from talking about AI to taking joint action and setting rules." "For us at Tunis Afrique Presse, this plan ensures that the Global South will have a hand in shaping the rules for AI, rather than simply consuming technology developed by others," he said. "We hope the initiative will become a practical avenue for cooperation, sharing expertise and building capacity, and media organizations of different sizes and with different resources can apply the standards," said Mohammed Alyami, director general of the Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which is also among the first participants, in an interview with Xinhua. Wong Chun Wai, chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), said that, instead of access to basic AI tools, media organizations need to invest in advanced tools and train staff to use them effectively. He called on Global South countries to work together more closely in the changing media landscape and ensure that media organizations worldwide can share in the benefits of AI. Adopted at the summit on Saturday, the 7th World Media Summit Beijing Consensus calls for joint efforts to advance the transformation and development of the global media industry in the AI era. It commits to advancing the inclusive and responsible application of AI in the media sector so that advances in AI benefit media organizations at all stages of development and in every country. "The future of global communication must be intelligent, but above all, inclusive," said Viasen Soobramoney, CEO of South Africa's Independent Media IOL and the African News Agency, during the summit. Soobramoney called for transparent, accountable and inclusive global AI governance to help prevent the technology from reinforcing inequalities that have long affected many Global South countries. Africa and China could deepen cooperation in AI-assisted translation, multimedia production, journalist training, content verification and the exchange of technical expertise, he said. Abdul Hakim, president director of Indonesia's Antara News Agency, suggested closer cooperation on information sharing and verification, more exchanges on responsible AI use and newsroom innovation, and better coordination in reporting on global challenges. "No country, no community, and no voice should be left behind," he said. "This is why international cooperation matters so much."  

Russia will regard any foreign military units deployed in Ukraine as legitimate targets, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned Saturday, saying such deployments would further escalate the conflict. Commenting on the "Koalicja 26.2" multinational military exercises scheduled for November 9-22 in Ukraine, Zakharova accused Western nations of ignoring Moscow's security concerns. She claimed Britain and France hope to maintain a foothold in Ukraine through multinational forces to confront Russia and inflict a military defeat. Zakharova reiterated that foreign military contingents in Ukraine-whether under a "Coalition of the Willing" or any other grouping-are categorically unacceptable and pose additional security threats to Russia, deepening European NATO members' involvement. She affirmed Moscow would achieve its special military operation's objectives. She said the exercises begin right before Russia-U.S.-Ukraine consultations resume in Abu Dhabi, arguing this shows European countries have no place at the negotiating table. The creation of multinational forces was announced after an August 24, 2026 meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Kyiv.

A gunman opened fire in a crowded market square in Krakow on Saturday afternoon, killing five people and injuring at least 12 others, including police officers. The perpetrator drove into Main Square-a major tourist destination-and fired at random before being shot and wounded in a confrontation with police. Emergency teams, ambulances, and a Polish Medical Air Rescue helicopter rushed to the central square. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X that police are investigating the attack, while President Karol Nawrocki expressed sympathy for the victims and their families. U.S. Ambassador Tom Rose condemned the "savage and murderous attack" that shattered Poland's peace and reaffirmed American solidarity. Mass shootings are uncommon in Poland. Krakow, the country's second-largest city, is situated about 250 kilometers from the capital, Warsaw.

Airstrikes hit homes in al-Shariya village near Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, killing at least 25 people-mostly women and children-and wounding 30 others, a Houthi health spokesman said. Anees Alasbahi, spokesman for the Houthi-run Health Ministry, accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out the strikes in the farming village 15 kilometers northeast of Sanaa, adding that subsequent strikes targeted first responders attempting to pull survivors from the rubble. Footage showed bloodied children and emergency workers carrying victims out as civilians remained buried under destroyed houses. The attack reflects a rapid worsening of Yemen’s civil war after a 2022 truce collapsed over the summer. The Houthis launched fresh offensives along the Red Sea coast and Bab el-Mandeb while targeting Saudi infrastructure, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to resume airstrikes on Houthi-held territory. On Friday, an airstrike on a southern Yemen market killed 30 people, with both sides trading blame. Ground battles have also intensified around encircled Taiz, worsening humanitarian distress in a war that has claimed over 150,000 lives since 2014.

Russian missile strikes hit Ukraine's capital Kyiv early Saturday, injuring at least five people and damaging residential and commercial buildings as the country prepared for fresh peace negotiations with Russia and the United States next week. Representatives from the three countries are scheduled to meet on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, to discuss ways to end the war. The meeting will be the fourth round of negotiations facilitated by the Trump administration, following the previous talks in Geneva in February. Western governments supporting the peace initiative are seeking ways to overcome the deadlock, although key disagreements over territorial boundaries and security arrangements remain unresolved. The overnight Russian strikes also disrupted electricity and water supplies, while traffic was suspended on a bridge over the Dnipro River, authorities said. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said energy facilities in the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions had been damaged, creating serious difficulties for the capital's electricity supply and affecting heating and water services. Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed targeting the Northern Bridge, claiming it was used to transport weapons, military equipment and specialised supplies for Ukrainian forces. The ministry also said its forces struck an industrial facility producing Flamingo missiles, a power station, an electrical substation and a factory manufacturing ammunition, explosives and gunpowder in the wider Kyiv region. An electrical substation in the Zhytomyr region was also targeted. Death toll from aid centre strike rises to 55 Meanwhile, rescue operations continued for the sixth consecutive day in the southern Ukrainian village of Komyshuvakha, where Russian guided bombs struck a former school and a nearby shelter on Monday as residents gathered to collect humanitarian assistance. Emergency services recovered nine additional bodies over the previous 24 hours, raising the death toll to 55 by early Saturday. Dozens of people remain missing. Mykola Krasnov, a 72-year-old resident of the village, said he was still searching for his wife, who went to collect humanitarian aid during the attack. He said he had received no information from rescue workers about her whereabouts, adding that she had neither returned home nor been found among the recovered bodies. Komyshuvakha is located close to the frontline in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian attack kills one in Russia's Belgorod region In Russia, a Ukrainian drone strike killed one person after hitting a private residence in the town of Grayvoron in the Belgorod region, local authorities said Saturday. Russia's Defence Ministry claimed its air defence systems intercepted 411 Ukrainian drones overnight across 10 Russian regions, including Belgorod. It said additional drones were destroyed over Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and the Black and Azov seas. Roman Busargin, governor of Russia's southwestern Saratov region, said a drone attack damaged civilian infrastructure and several residential buildings. Russian media later reported that the Saratov Oil Refinery had been hit, publishing images showing smoke rising over the city. Meanwhile, Andrey Klychkov, governor of the Oryol region, said Ukrainian attacks damaged commercial warehouses and industrial facilities in the regional capital, according to state media. Russian media also reported that a Ukrainian strike triggered a fire at the Proton-Electrotex plant in Oryol, which manufactures components used in military equipment.

Malaysia's attorney-general on Saturday defended his decision to seek court clarification on a royal order permitting jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, dismissing allegations of treason after the palace demanded that the order be enforced. The disagreement has triggered an uncommon public dispute between the royal palace and the government's highest legal authority over the implementation of a royal decree. On Friday, the attorney-general temporarily stopped Najib's transfer from prison to house arrest, citing the need for further legal clarification. The palace responded on Saturday, asserting that King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar's decision to grant Najib house arrest under his royal pardon was unambiguous and must be honoured because all the required conditions had been met. It warned that any attempt to contest the decision would amount to disobeying the king's command. Najib was initially released from prison on Friday after his political party paid a 50 million ringgit ($12.3 million) fine required to implement the house arrest arrangement. However, he was returned to prison several hours later following the attorney-general's intervention. Najib has been serving a prison sentence since August 2022, when Malaysia's highest court upheld his conviction in his first corruption case involving the multibillion-dollar embezzlement of state investment fund 1MDB. In September, the king granted him clemency, reducing his sentence to six years and permitting him to serve the remaining term under house arrest after payment of the court-ordered fine. The arrangement covers only the reduced sentence in the first case. It does not apply to a separate 15-year prison term handed down in December 2025 for corruption and money laundering in another major 1MDB-related case. Najib has appealed that sentence. In a statement on Saturday, the attorney-general's office defended its decision, emphasising that it had no intention of challenging or disregarding the royal pardon. The office said it needed the court to clarify the legal consequences of the High Court's discharge order issued on Friday following payment of the fine. It said the main issue was whether the discharge order indicated that Najib had completed his first sentence or still had time remaining to serve. The distinction would determine when his second prison sentence would take effect. The attorney-general's office maintained that seeking judicial clarification was necessary to ensure the royal decree and existing court decisions were enforced in accordance with the law. It also rejected accusations that its actions amounted to disrespect or treason against the king. "Seeking legal certainty through the courts is a responsible step toward upholding the integrity of the administration of justice," the office said. The dispute is unusual in Malaysia, where the king serves as head of state under a constitutional monarchy, while the elected government administers the country and the judiciary interprets the law.