United News of Bangladesh

A Pakistan military court on Thursday sentenced former spy chief Lt. Gen. (retd.) Faiz Hameed to 14 years in prison over multiple charges, including political activities, misuse of authority, and violations of the Official Secrets Act, the military said. The Field General Court Martial tried Hameed under the Pakistan Army Act over a 15-month-long process, concluding he was guilty on all four counts. The military statement said Hameed was provided full legal rights, including counsel of his choice, and may appeal the verdict before the relevant forum. Hameed, former director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was widely known as a close associate of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has faced multiple graft and corruption cases since his 2023 arrest. Khan was removed from office in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote and has since criticized the military, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the United States, allegations denied by all parties. Security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali told AP that the ruling followed a thorough investigation giving Hameed ample chance to defend himself. “The decision signals that no officer, retired or active, will be allowed to engage in politics,” he said, noting Hameed’s case serves as a warning to others. Hameed was detained in 2024 after a Supreme Court-ordered probe into the Top City project, a private housing development near Islamabad. Details of the charges were not publicly disclosed before the verdict. The arrest and conviction of such a high-profile retired military officer surprised many in Pakistan, where the army holds substantial influence and detentions of senior officials are uncommon.  

Denmark plans to ban social media access for children under 15, following Australia’s move to restrict use for those under 16, in a bid to protect young people from online risks. The Danish government said last month that it reached an agreement with three coalition and two opposition parties in parliament on the measure, which could become law by mid-2026. Parents may have limited rights to allow children aged 13 and above to use social media, though the ministry has not fully outlined the enforcement details. Many platforms already bar users under 13, and EU rules require safeguards for minors. Yet authorities say restrictions have limited impact: about 98% of Danish children under 13 already have social media profiles, including nearly half under 10. Minister for Digital Affairs Caroline Stage, announcing the plan, said a consultation and multiple parliamentary readings are still needed. “For too long, social media platforms have had free play in children’s lives,” she said. “In the digital world, we don’t have bouncers, and we need that.” The Danish proposal comes amid mixed reactions. Some teenagers fear losing contact with online friends. Fifteen-year-old Ronja Zander said she relies on social media to stay in touch with friends she only knows online. Others, like 14-year-old Chloé Courage Fjelstrup-Matthisen, highlighted exposure to graphic content and cyberbullying. Parents largely support the move. Line Pedersen from Nykøbing said children were given smartphones and social media too early, leaving them unsure of what is normal online. The government plans to use a new “digital evidence” app, expected next spring, displaying age certificates to ensure compliance with age limits. Stage emphasized that political action is needed because social media companies often fail to enforce their own rules. Experts caution that age restrictions may not fully protect children and could affect their democratic rights. Anne Mette Thorhauge, associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, said social media is a key way for young people to connect with society, similar to broadcast media for previous generations. The EU Digital Services Act requires platforms to implement parental controls and age verification, but enforcement remains challenging across member states. Denmark joins several countries following Australia’s lead. Malaysia plans to bar social media for users under 16 from next year, while Norway is considering similar restrictions. China already limits children’s online gaming and smartphone usage.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was set to hold urgent talks on Thursday with leaders and senior officials from around 30 countries backing Kyiv’s push for fair terms to end the war with Russia. Top leaders from Germany, Britain and France were expected to join the virtual meeting of Ukraine’s partners, known as the Coalition of the Willing. Zelenskyy signalled that the consultations were hastily arranged as Kyiv tries to avoid being pressured by U.S. President Donald Trump, who is urging a rapid settlement. European governments are racing to shape the talks, saying their own security depends on the outcome. Trump said Wednesday that he had discussed peace proposals “in pretty strong terms” with European leaders and insisted that Zelenskyy “has to be realistic” about a plan that would see Ukraine give up territory to Russia. He did not provide further detail. Trump’s push to broker a deal has stretched beyond his own deadlines. He initially demanded that Kyiv accept his plan before Thanksgiving, but that and earlier timelines have passed without agreement. Russia, aiming to avoid fresh U.S. sanctions, is also trying to show it is engaging with Trump’s efforts. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow has sent Washington additional proposals on collective security guarantees that Ukraine and Europe say are essential to prevent future attacks. He offered no specifics. The diplomatic rush came as Ukraine carried out one of its largest drone strikes of the nearly four-year war, forcing all four Moscow airports to halt flights for seven hours overnight. Airports in eight other Russian cities also faced restrictions, according to Russia’s civil aviation authority. Russia’s Defense Ministry said air defenses shot down 287 Ukrainian drones across several regions. The strike highlighted Ukraine’s ability to hit deep inside Russia, countering the Kremlin’s argument that the invasion gives Moscow overwhelming leverage. Analysts say Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to appear to be negotiating from a position of strength. But since launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has seized only about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory. European leaders said Wednesday the talks had reached “a critical moment.” Zelenskyy added late Wednesday that Ukraine will coordinate further with European partners next week. EU member states are scheduled to hold a regular summit in Brussels at the end of next week.  

South Korea on Thursday indicted former acting president Choi Sang-mok on charges linked to the brief martial law declared by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol in December 2024, widening the list of senior officials facing legal action over the crisis. Choi is among three top officials who temporarily led the government after Yoon was impeached and removed over the controversial martial law order, which triggered widespread political unrest. Yoon is currently in jail and standing trial on rebellion charges. Dozens of his officials and military commanders have been arrested, indicted or placed under investigation. An independent investigation team led by special counsel Cho Eun-suk charged Choi with dereliction of duty for failing to fully restore the nine-member Constitutional Court while it was reviewing Yoon’s impeachment. Prosecutors say Choi filled two vacant seats but left a third unfilled, citing political gridlock, even though restoring the court could have strengthened the case for Yoon’s removal. The court later unanimously dismissed Yoon in April. Assistant special prosecutor Park Ji-young said another former acting leader, Han Duck-soo, was also indicted Thursday on the same dereliction of duty charge. Han, who earlier faced accusations of helping legitimize Yoon’s martial law order by attempting to push it through a Cabinet Council meeting, has said he opposed the plan. Five others, including Yoon’s justice minister, were indicted on various charges connected to the martial law episode. Prosecutors also brought perjury charges against Choi for testimony given during Han’s trial. The probe into the martial law declaration is one of three independent investigations into Yoon, his wife and their associates. The inquiries were approved by current President Lee Jae Myung after he won a June snap election triggered by Yoon’s removal. In August, Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, was arrested and indicted on financial and political corruption charges. Hak Ja Han, the 82-year-old Unification Church leader, was also arrested for allegedly ordering church officials to bribe a lawmaker close to Yoon. The unfolding scandal has rattled the country’s political landscape, with local media reporting that other influential figures, including those aligned with the Lee administration, may have received money from the church. Amid the growing scrutiny, Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo on Thursday denied bribery allegations but submitted his resignation to avoid putting pressure on the administration. President Lee accepted his resignation later in the day. Earlier this week, Lee urged a full investigation into alleged ties between politicians and a religious group, though he did not mention the Unification Church by name.  

A Myanmar military air strike on a hospital in western Rakhine state killed at least 31 people, an on-site aid worker said Thursday, as the junta intensifies its offensive ahead of elections scheduled for this month. The military has escalated air strikes since seizing power in a 2021 coup that ended a decade of democratic governance, conflict monitors report. Polls are set to begin on December 28, which the junta presents as a path to peace, but rebel groups have vowed to prevent voting in areas under their control. Myanmar frees thousands of political prisoners ahead of election Wai Hun Aung, an aid worker at Mrauk-U General Hospital near the Bangladesh border, said the situation was “terrible,” with 31 confirmed dead and 68 injured, and casualties likely to rise. At least 20 shrouded bodies were seen outside the hospital overnight. A junta spokesperson was not immediately available for comment. Source: Agencies 

Renewed clashes along the Thailand-Cambodia border continued Wednesday, displacing hundreds of thousands as people sought refuge in overcrowded temporary shelters. On the Thai side, outgoing gunfire could still be heard. The violence, rooted in long-standing territorial disputes, followed a skirmish Sunday that injured two Thai soldiers and disrupted a ceasefire brokered in July. U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to call the two leaders Thursday and expressed confidence he could persuade them to halt the fighting. Thailand-Cambodia clashes displace 5 lakh; evacuees recount escape Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to press on, while Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen promised a strong response. The recent clashes have killed over a dozen people, with roughly 400,000 evacuated in Thailand and more than 127,000 in Cambodia. Casualties include five Thai soldiers and nine Cambodian civilians, including a baby. The violence also affected sports, as Cambodia withdrew its team from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand over safety concerns. Both countries have deployed heavy artillery and airstrikes, including rockets and drones, while Thai authorities imposed curfews in border districts. Evacuees expressed deep concern for their families and livestock, hoping the conflict ends soon. Source: AP 

The U.N. human rights chief said Wednesday that his office is facing a $90 million funding shortfall this year and staff cuts would include about 300 posts, or about 15%, over the course of the year. Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, says the Geneva-based office was in “survival mode” at a time when major donors, including Britain, Finland, France and the United States, have lowered their contributions. “Our resources have been slashed along with funding for human rights organizations, including at the grassroots level around the world,” Turk told reporters on Human Rights Day. “We are in survival mode.” “My office has had about $90 million less than we needed this year, which means around 300 jobs have been lost and essential work has had to be cut,” in countries like Colombia, Conga, Myanmar and Tunisia, he said, "at a time when the needs are rising.” The rights office had an approved budget from member states of $246 million this year, but received $67 million less than that, spokeswoman Marta Hurtado Gomez said in an email. Additionally, the office had appealed for extra-budgetary, or voluntary, funding for $500 million, but has received half that. It is expected to have spent $273 million by year’s end, which means a deficit of another $23 million. Many U.N. organizations, including the World Health Organization, the U.N. refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration, have slashed jobs and spending this year because some top donors have not paid their U.N. dues in full or cut back foreign aid. Those other organizations have annual budgets in the billions, and far larger staffs than the rights office. “We are all affected,” Turk said, adding that his office has been "disproportionately affected ... in the sense that if you cut what is already very scarce, and if you cut this even further, then obviously it has a huge impact.” After beginning the year with about 2,000 employees, the rights office has already cut 230 posts this year and is expected to cut between 70 and 80 more by year-end.

European leaders are set to discuss stricter migration policies this week, a move critics say caters to far-right pressure and risks undermining protections for vulnerable migrants.Ministers from the 27 EU member states convened in Brussels to address migrant smuggling, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivering a keynote speech. Meanwhile, the Council of Europe, representing 46 countries from Iceland to Azerbaijan, is debating measures to make deportations easier for treaty signatories.Last year, nine countries—including Denmark, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Poland—attempted to limit the authority of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), arguing that its interpretation of human rights obligations hindered efforts to expel migrants who commit crimes. That effort failed, though support for its principles has grown. The ECHR handles complaints under the European Convention on Human Rights, including many related to migrants and asylum seekers.Centrist and left-leaning parties are increasingly backing tougher migration rules as a way to counter far-right political momentum. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote in an op-ed that their approach targets economic migrants rather than refugees fleeing conflict, framing it as a practical, humane solution rather than political opportunism.Despite unauthorized border crossings into the EU dropping 22% from January to October, migration remains a pressing concern. Frontex recorded 152,000 irregular entries during that period, while most migrants arrive legally, often overstaying visas.The EU has invested billions to curb irregular migration, funding interception programs in Africa and the Middle East, yet member nations also face labor shortages and an aging population, prompting efforts to attract foreign workers legally.Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset emphasized the importance of safeguarding individual rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, warning that the convention’s integrity is inseparable from Europe’s broader direction.The upcoming meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg will signal whether European nations prioritize stricter migration enforcement or maintain a balance between security and human rights protections.

Opponents of Myanmar’s military administration on Wednesday carried out a coordinated silent strike, urging citizens to remain indoors as a symbolic rejection of national elections slated for later this month. The protest took place despite the risk of severe punishment for any action deemed to interfere with the polls. The junta has already filed legal cases against 10 prominent pro-democracy activists who last week held a rare flash-mob demonstration in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. Critics argue that the December 28 election lacks credibility, saying the process is designed to provide a veneer of legitimacy to the military, which toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The General Strike Coordination Body, a leading non-violent resistance organization, called for citizens to observe a “silent strike” on Wednesday. People were asked to remain inside homes, offices or workplaces between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to mark International Human Rights Day. Similar silent protests have periodically taken place since the 2021 takeover. Photos circulating on social media showed unusually quiet streets in Yangon, the country’s commercial hub, and in several other cities. Meanwhile, the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper reported that authorities were seeking the arrest of the 10 activists under provisions of a new election law that impose up to 10 years’ imprisonment for disrupting the electoral process. The activists are accused of distributing anti-election leaflets in a crowded Mandalay market on December 3. Their brief, spontaneous rally drew significant attention because public demonstrations in Mandalay have become nearly impossible under heavy security and routine crackdowns. Many participants made no attempt to conceal their identities as they chanted slogans and scattered flyers. Those charged include well-known activists Tayzar San, Nan Lin and Khant Wai Phyo. They had urged the public to reject the polls, oppose the military’s conscription law and demand the release of political detainees. Tayzar San — a doctor-turned-activist who organized the first major anti-military protest in Mandalay days after the 2021 coup — has been a key figure in the civil resistance. An arrest warrant has been pending against him for years. Speaking to AP following last week’s protest, he said the public’s participation demonstrates that “even after five years, people have not become passive nor surrendered under the repressive mechanisms of the military dictatorship.” Independent Myanmar media, including the Democratic Voice of Burma, reported earlier that authorities had warned shop owners of arrest if they participated in Wednesday’s silent shutdown.  

A Sudanese military cargo aircraft crashed while attempting to land in the country’s east, killing everyone on board, military officials said Wednesday, marking the latest in a series of deadly aviation incidents amid Sudan’s ongoing war. The Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane went down on Tuesday at the Osman Digna Air Base in Port Sudan after suffering a technical malfunction during its landing attempt, according to two officials who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to brief the media. They did not specify the number of crew members on the aircraft. Relatives confirmed that pilot Omran Mirghani was among those killed. His uncle, well-known Sudanese journalist Osman Mirghani, publicly mourned him on social media. The military has not issued an official statement about the crash. Sudan’s aviation safety record has long been poor, and fatal crashes are common. In February, a military plane plummeted into a densely populated neighborhood in Omdurman, killing at least 46 people, including women and children. The latest crash comes as the Sudanese military faces mounting losses in its conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In October, the army lost control of el-Fasher, its final foothold in Darfur, and earlier this week withdrew from the nation’s largest oil processing facility in Kordofan. The RSF has been accused of severe abuses in el-Fasher, including executions, rape and other crimes. U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said Wednesday that investigators believe war crimes — and possibly crimes against humanity — were committed during the group’s takeover of the city. Türk warned that similar atrocities could unfold in Kordofan as RSF attacks escalate, urging an immediate ceasefire. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has killed more than 40,000 people — a figure rights groups say is a major underestimate — and pushed parts of Sudan to the brink of famine.