United News of Bangladesh

Nineteen people were killed and 16 others injured after two four-story residential buildings collapsed overnight in Morocco’s third-largest city, Fez, authorities said Wednesday. The buildings, home to eight families, fell in one of the city’s older neighborhoods. Rescue teams continue searching for potential survivors, while the surrounding area has been evacuated as a precaution. Officials have not yet determined the cause of the collapse or how many residents remain unaccounted for. Fez, a host city for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, is famous for its historic walled medina, bustling souks, and traditional tanneries. However, much of the city faces deteriorating infrastructure, and building collapses have become a recurring concern. Earlier this year, a similar incident in May killed 10 people in a building that had already been scheduled for evacuation. Experts say enforcement of building codes is often lax, particularly in older, densely populated neighborhoods. Moroccan citizens have previously protested gaps in basic services, criticizing government spending on stadiums while infrastructure, health care, and education remain underfunded. The Fez collapse marks the second deadly building accident in the city this year, highlighting ongoing concerns about urban safety in Morocco.  

Renewed fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border has forced hundreds of thousands of residents to flee their homes, with evacuees describing emotional and rushed escapes. Amnat Meephew, 73, had only moments to gather his clothes before leaving his home just a few kilometers from the border, marking the second mass displacement in four months. “Sometimes when I think about it, I tear up. Why are Thais and Cambodians, who are like siblings, fighting?” he said, his voice breaking. The clashes, which erupted Monday, disrupted a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump after July’s fighting, which left dozens dead on both sides. Thai officials reported around 400,000 evacuees, while Cambodia said more than 127,000 people were displaced. In Thailand’s northeastern Surin province, many residents left preemptively after local leaders issued warnings following a brief skirmish at the border on Sunday. Evacuees took shelter in university halls and tents, with music and volunteer-led activities helping children cope. Health teams monitored their wellbeing. Thidarat Homhual, who fled her home 15 kilometers from the border, recalled leaving her pets behind. “Although no one wants to adjust to living like this, I’ll just go with the flow, otherwise it would be too stressful,” she said from a gymnasium housing over 500 people. Across the border, Cambodian evacuees sought refuge in open fields, using tents or makeshift shelters anchored to trucks. Families huddled around small stoves to cook and keep warm amid dropping temperatures. Loueng Soth, who fled with her seven relatives, described sleeping on the ground and praying for an end to the fighting. Thai Chea, displaced just hundreds of meters from the fighting, said evacuees long for a swift return home. “I want the war to end so that I can go back to my home, do my farming work, and take care of my dogs and chickens,” he said. With no resolution in sight, thousands on both sides continue to endure harsh conditions as the conflict shows little sign of abating.  

Hamas on Tuesday urged the international community to increase pressure on Israel before the group proceeds with the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire. A senior Hamas official said the group wants Israel to reopen a major border crossing, halt lethal attacks, and allow greater humanitarian access to the war-ravaged territory. Israel, meanwhile, says it is prepared to advance to the next, more complex stage of the 20-point ceasefire plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, and is insisting that Hamas first return the remains of the final Israeli hostage still held in Gaza. Husam Badran, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, demanded that all commitments in the ceasefire’s initial phase be fully carried out before any further steps are taken. He accused Israel of continuing to demolish Palestinian homes in areas of Gaza it still controls. According to Palestinian health authorities, Israeli airstrikes and gunfire have killed at least 376 Palestinians since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10. Challenges to the second phaseBadran said the conditions for entering the second phase have not yet been met, signaling a firmer stance from Hamas. However, Hamas has limited bargaining power and may face strong pressure from regional actors such as Qatar and Turkey not to stall the fragile ceasefire. Israel has accused Hamas of breaching the agreement and says its recent strikes are responses to attacks on Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces also acknowledge shooting Palestinians who approached the “Yellow Line,” a loosely defined boundary between Israeli-controlled areas and the rest of Gaza. While Israel maintains that those killed were suspected militants, some victims—among them women and children—appear to have been civilians. Humanitarian shortfallsAid agencies, including the United Nations, warn that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire and that incoming aid is far below agreed-upon levels. The ceasefire arrangement called for at least 600 aid trucks per day, but over the past month the U.N. has recorded only about 120 daily. Commercial truck numbers are unclear. COGAT, the Israeli body overseeing aid entry, claims 600–800 trucks are arriving daily. Still, the U.N. says many goods are unaffordable and essential proteins remain scarce. It also reports that medical supplies have not significantly increased and that some hospitals continue to face acute shortages. Israel announced Wednesday that it would start allowing Gaza-bound aid through a Jordan-Israel border crossing. Border crossings and political plansThe ceasefire plan also requires reopening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt for two-way traffic. Israel says it is ready to let Palestinians exit Gaza through Rafah but not yet to reenter. A U.S.-backed proposal for Gaza’s future has gained traction recently, with negotiations over upcoming ceasefire phases—expected to include Hamas’ disarmament—set to begin soon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that both sides are close to entering the second ceasefire stage, pending Hamas’ return of the remaining hostage’s body. Hamas says widespread destruction from Israeli strikes has hindered their search. Officials also say an international body to administer Gaza may be announced by year’s end. Israel’s two-year military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 70,300 Palestinians—around half of them women and children—according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Although the ministry operates under the Hamas-run government, it is staffed by medical professionals and its data is generally regarded as reliable internationally. The conflict began after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, which killed roughly 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251 hostages. Most hostages or their remains have since been returned through ceasefires or negotiated agreements.

Cambodia has pledged a strong fight against Thailand as renewed clashes along the two nations’ border forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes on Tuesday. The escalation follows a skirmish Sunday that injured two Thai soldiers and disrupted a U.S.-brokered ceasefire from July, which had ended territorial fighting that killed dozens and displaced more than 100,000 civilians. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Cambodia had yet to seek negotiations, adding that military operations would continue to protect sovereignty and public safety. Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen, who remains the de facto leader, said his country had refrained from retaliation Monday but began firing back overnight. “Cambodia wants peace, but is forced to defend its territory,” he said. Both militaries reported attacks on their positions, including artillery, rockets, and drone strikes. Cambodia said the new fighting killed seven civilians and wounded 20, while Thailand reported three soldier deaths. Thai airstrikes along the border continued as defensive operations. Evacuations are underway on both sides. In Thailand, shelters in Surin province host over 3,600 people, with nearly 500 temporary shelters across four provinces accommodating 125,838 individuals. Cambodia has evacuated almost 55,000 people, with numbers rising. The countries share a long history of border disputes, often over territory housing ancient temples. Cambodia accused Thai forces of damaging Ta Krabey temple, while Thailand claimed Cambodian rockets targeted its northeastern province. Independent verification was not possible. Cambodia and Thailand escalate border fighting, tens of thousands flee The July ceasefire, brokered by Malaysia under pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, appears unheeded. Trump said Tuesday he would intervene to stop the renewed fighting. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for both nations to remove heavy weapons, coordinate landmine clearance, and uphold prior agreements. Disputes over prisoners and landmines continue to fuel tension. Thailand holds 18 Cambodian detainees taken when the July truce began, and accuses Cambodia of laying new mines that have injured soldiers. Cambodia counters that the mines are remnants from past conflicts. Source: AP 

Japan is assessing damage and warning residents of possible aftershocks after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck late Monday, causing injuries, minor damage, and a tsunami along the Pacific coast. At least 34 people were injured, one seriously, mostly by falling objects, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The quake occurred around 11:15 p.m. about 80 kilometers off Aomori prefecture, with a depth of 44 kilometers, the U.S. Geological Survey said. A tsunami of up to 70 centimeters hit Kuji port in Iwate prefecture, while other areas experienced waves up to 50 centimeters. Most power outages affecting around 800 homes were restored by Tuesday morning, and Shinkansen trains resumed operation. About 480 residents took shelter at Hachinohe Air Base, and 18 defense helicopters were deployed for assessments. 7.5-magnitude earthquake in northern Japan injures 33 and generates 2-foot tsunami No abnormalities were reported at nuclear facilities, though 450 liters of water spilled at the Rokkasho reprocessing plant’s spent fuel cooling area. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of potential aftershocks and a slightly increased risk of a magnitude 8 quake along the northeast coast. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized prioritizing public safety and urged citizens to remain vigilant. Source: AP 

Hamas on Tuesday warned it will not advance to the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement until Israel faces greater pressure to reopen a key border crossing, halt deadly strikes, and allow more aid into the territory. Husam Badran, a member of Hamas’ political wing, called for “full implementation of all first-phase terms” before moving forward, including ending ongoing demolitions of Palestinian homes in areas still under Israeli control. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least 376 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel has defended its actions as responses to attacks or incursions near its controlled areas, though civilians, including women and children, have also been killed. Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan enters tougher phase with major risks ahead Hamas, with limited leverage, faces pressure from regional powers like Qatar and Turkey to maintain the fragile truce. Israel announced plans to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza via the Jordan-Israel border, while international discussions continue over governance arrangements in the next ceasefire phase. The Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel killed around 1,200 people and left 251 hostages, most of whom have since been returned. Source: AP 

Police patrolled largely deserted streets in Tanzania’s major cities on Tuesday as the government moved to block planned demonstrations against the disputed October election, urging people to stay home for Independence Day. Activists had called for nationwide protests against the ruling party’s victory in the October 29 vote, which sparked three days of unrest that left hundreds dead and saw more than two thousand people detained. Vehicles, polling centers and fuel stations were torched as protesters demanded the cancellation of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s reelection, which officials declared with more than 97 percent of the vote. On Tuesday morning, police trucks and foot patrols were seen across Dar es Salaam, the administrative capital Dodoma and Arusha. Roadblocks were set up near key government offices, including President Hassan’s heavily guarded workplaces in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma. Public transport in Dar es Salaam was halted after bus owners pulled their vehicles from the roads, fearing a repeat of October’s destruction. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba had asked nonessential workers to stay home. Independence Day celebrations were cancelled last month, with the government saying the funds would instead go toward repairing damaged infrastructure. The country’s two main opposition parties were barred from challenging Hassan, who first took office after the 2021 death of President John Magufuli. Leading opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who had called for electoral reforms before the vote, has been jailed since April on treason charges. Human Rights Watch on Monday condemned what it described as a sweeping crackdown on activists, saying at least ten people have been arrested since mid-November over social media posts about the planned protests. Amnesty International urged authorities to allow peaceful assembly and warned against another internet shutdown like the one imposed after the October vote. The UN human rights office appealed on Friday for Tanzanian authorities to avoid force and work to ease tensions. In Kenya, dozens of activists voiced support for Tanzanian protesters and called for an investigation into killings and disappearances during the October unrest. The Tanzanian government has set up a commission to investigate the post-election violence, but its report has not yet been released.  

The first phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is nearing completion after two months marked by delays and disputes, even as the remains of one hostage are believed to still be in Gaza. The process now moves into a far more complex second phase that could shape the region’s future. The 20-point plan put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump and endorsed by the UN Security Council aims to end Hamas’ rule in Gaza, rebuild the territory under international oversight, normalize Israel’s ties with Arab states and potentially open a path toward Palestinian independence. But officials warn that if the process breaks down, Gaza could remain mired in instability for years, with Hamas retaining control of parts of the territory, Israel maintaining an open-ended military presence and civilians trapped in dire conditions reliant on aid. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator, said the deal has reached a critical stage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to travel to Washington this month for talks on the way forward. Trump’s plan includes several high-risk components. One major element is the creation of an International Stabilization Force to secure Gaza and train Palestinian police. While countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan have shown interest, no commitments or deployment timeline have been finalized. A U.S. official says partner nations are meeting this month and expects forces to be deployed in early 2026, though Hamas has said it will oppose any effort to disarm it, and Israel remains wary of relying on foreign troops. Another part of the plan is an international Board of Peace that Trump says he will lead, overseeing a committee of Palestinian technocrats who would run Gaza’s daily affairs. The board has not been formed, though former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is among the names being discussed. The challenge will be creating a body trusted by Israel, Hamas, mediators and aid agencies. Reconstruction is also central to the plan, with Gaza devastated after months of war and most of its two million people displaced. Egypt is preparing to host a donor conference, but the UN estimates rebuilding costs at seventy billion dollars, with no financial framework yet in place. A core requirement is the disarmament of Hamas under international monitoring. Hamas argues it will only consider freezing weapons, not surrendering them, until Israel ends its occupation. Failure to disarm could lead to renewed conflict or clashes with international forces. Palestinians are expected to set up a technocratic committee to administer Gaza, but no names have been announced. Israel’s resistance to involving individuals linked to Hamas or the Palestinian Authority could complicate the process. There are also concerns the committee may have little real power if key decisions rest with the Board of Peace. The ceasefire also envisions a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza except for a buffer area along the border. Israel still controls more than half of the territory, and further withdrawals depend on conditions tied to demilitarization. There is no timeline, and top Israeli military officials have suggested the current dividing line could become a permanent defensive barrier. Another major component is reforming the Palestinian Authority and creating conditions for a “credible pathway” to statehood. Palestinian officials say they have begun reforms, including on corruption and education. Israel opposes Palestinian statehood and any role for the authority in Gaza, which could undermine the plan’s long-term viability. Without progress on these core issues, diplomats warn that support for the ceasefire arrangement could quickly weaken, leaving Gaza’s future uncertain.  

Populist billionaire Andrej Babiš was sworn in on Tuesday as the Czech Republic’s new prime minister, marking a political shift expected to move the country away from supporting Ukraine and oppose key European Union policies, particularly on the environment. Babiš, who previously served as prime minister from 2017 to 2021, said he would defend Czech interests “at home and anywhere in the world” and work to make the country “the best place for life on earth.” President Petr Pavel tasked him with forming a government after his ANO (YES) movement won big in the October election and secured a majority coalition with the anti-migrant Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves group. The coalition partners have agreed on a 16-member Cabinet: ANO will control eight ministries along with the prime minister’s office, the Motorists will take four, and the Freedom party three. Pavel will appoint the full Cabinet on Monday, his office confirmed. Together, the three parties command 108 seats in the 200-seat lower house, pushing the previous pro-Western government of Petr Fiala into opposition. The new coalition is expected to align more closely with Hungary and Slovakia by distancing Prague from Ukraine as Russia’s war nears its fourth year. Members of the alliance are also sharply critical of EU migration and environmental policies. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed Babiš’s return, calling him “an old ally” and saying, “Welcome back on board Andrej!” Babiš, 71, still faces fraud charges tied to EU subsidies. Parliament will need to lift his immunity before a court can proceed. After losing the 2021 parliamentary election, Babiš was defeated by Pavel — a retired general — in the presidential race. Pavel agreed to appoint him as prime minister only after Babiš publicly committed to divesting his major business assets to avoid conflicts of interest. Babiš controls roughly 200 companies through the Agrofert conglomerate. He said an independent trustee will oversee Agrofert under a trust fund structure, with an independent protector supervising the group until his death, after which his descendants will inherit it. He also owns a network of clinics and laboratories, and one of his close ANO allies is in line to become the new health minister.  

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday said the Trump administration’s new national security strategy highlights the need for Europe to become “much more independent” from the United States in security matters. Merz, who leads the European Union’s largest economy, also rejected suggestions that European democracy needs saving from external influence. The U.S. strategy, published Friday, portrays European allies as weak, shows tacit support for far-right parties, and criticizes European free speech and migration policies. European Council President António Costa on Monday warned the U.S. against interference, emphasizing that only Europeans should decide their governments. Merz said he was not surprised by the strategy, noting it reflected the lecture U.S. Vice President JD Vance gave in Munich in February. “Some of it is understandable, but some of it is unacceptable from a European point of view,” he said in Mainz. “That the Americans want to save democracy in Europe now, I don’t see any need for that,” Merz added. “If it needed to be saved, we would manage that alone.” The chancellor said the strategy confirms Europe, and Germany in particular, must increase security independence from the U.S. “This is not a surprise, but it has now been confirmed again. It has been documented,” he said. Merz noted that Vance’s speech earlier this year influenced Germany’s increased defense spending. Since taking office in May, his government has relaxed debt rules to allow higher military investment, building on efforts that began after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Under pressure from Trump, NATO members, including Germany, agreed in June to a significant rise in defense spending targets. Merz stressed the importance of partnerships, saying, “America first is fine, but America alone can’t be in your interest. You need partners in the world too. And one of the partners can be Europe. And if you can’t do anything with Europe, then at least make Germany your partner.”