United News of Bangladesh

Namibia marked the mass killings of Indigenous people in the early 20th century by former colonial ruler Germany with its first genocide remembrance day on Wednesday. The day was declared a national holiday last year by the government and was commemorated for the first time with a ceremony in the gardens of the national Parliament in the capital, Windhoek. Between 1904 and 1908, tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people were massacred or forced into concentration camps and starved by German colonial forces under the command of Gen. Lothar von Trotha, in what was then German South West Africa.  Namibia votes potentially electing its first female president Germany formally recognized the atrocities as a genocide in 2021 and agreed to pay Namibia 1.1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) over the course of 30 years to fund various projects. Namibia has rejected that and is pushing for more money and formal reparations for the massacres. “Many people from the two communities were forced into concentration camps where they were starved to death and their skulls were taken to Germany for so-called scientific research," Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at Wednesday's ceremony. “These horrendous acts are now part of our collective history of resistance and resilience.” The killings of Herero and Nama men, women and children have been recognized as the first genocide of the 20th century. Historians say von Trotha, who was sent to German South West Africa to put down an uprising by the Herero people, instructed his troops to wipe out the entire tribe. They say that the majority of the Herero people, about 65,000, were killed as were at least 10,000 Nama. Symbolic candles were lit at Wednesday's remembrance ceremony, which was also attended by leaders and descendants of the Herero and Nama people. Namibia chose May 28 as the day to mark the genocide because it was the date Germany finally gave the order to close down the concentration camps. Germany was the colonial ruler of Namibia from 1884 until 1915, when it gave up the territory to South Africa. Namibia finally gained independence from South Africa in 1990. There have been calls by the affected communities in Namibia for years for the government to declare a remembrance day in honour of those who died.  Horse Therapy Program in Namibia brings joy to children with learning challenges Talks between Germany and Namibia over finding a suitable settlement for Germany's role in the genocide have been going on for a decade. In 2018, Germany also returned more than a dozen skulls and other human remains that were taken from Namibia for pseudo-scientific racial experiments. They had been stored in German hospitals, museums and universities for decades.

The French president met with his Indonesian counterpart on Wednesday as Emmanuel Macron continued his week-long trip to Southeast Asia focused on strengthening regional ties in an increasingly unstable global landscape. Macron and France's first lady Brigitte Macron arrived in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, on Tuesday evening for the second stop in his tour after Vietnam, where Macron signed a deal to sell Hanoi 20 Airbus planes. On arrival, Macron had warm words for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, describing him as a brother and “a great friend of mine.” Military cooperation between Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, and France grew in recent years, starting in 2019 when Subianto became defense minister. He and Macron met last November on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil, where they discussed Indonesia’s plans to buy fighter jets and submarines from France.  French President Macron to make state visit to UK in July Indonesia finalized an order for 42 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets in January 2024, with the first delivery expected in early 2026. The Asian nation also announced the purchase of two French Scorpene Evolved submarines and 13 Thales ground control interception radars. Five of the radar systems are expected to be installed in Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara. Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told reporters after welcoming Macron that the visit is aimed at strengthening "defense cooperation between Indonesia and France,” On Wednesday, Subianto hosted the Macrons in a ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta before the two leaders went in for a bilateral meeting. Afterward, the two presidents oversaw the signing of more than a dozen agreements, including a letter of intent for Indonesia to purchase of strategic weapons systems, especially fighter planes and submarines. The developments "can open a new perspective with new orders for Rafales, Scorpènes, and light frigates, along with consolidated joint exercises,” Macron said at a joint news conference. Subianto said that France is one of Indonesia’s main partners “in the modernization of defense equipment, including in the development of the defense industry through joint production and technology transfer.” The two also discussed global issues, particularly the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Indonesia is seeking to upgrade and modernize its arsenal and strengthen its domestic defense industry. Subianto crisscrossed the globe after becoming defense minister, traveling to China, France, Russia, Turkey and the United States in a bid to acquire new military weapon systems as well as surveillance and territorial defense capabilities.  Macron urges Gaza ceasefire during Cairo visit The Indonesian Air Force currently operates a mix of fighter jets made in various countries, including the United States, Russia and Britain. Some of those aircraft have reached or will soon reach their end-of-life phase and need to be replaced or upgraded. The two countries also signed agreements on trade, investment, energy, critical minerals and forestry. Macron was also to meet with ASEAN's Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and speak at Jakarta State University. On Thursday, Macron and his wife are to visit Borobudur, a 9th century Buddhist temple in the center of Indonesia’s Java island, and a military academy before heading to Singapore, where the French leader will speak at Asia’s top defense conference, the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.

The Trump administration has asked federal agencies to cancel contracts with Harvard University worth about $100 million, intensifying the president’s clash with the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university. The Trump administration asked federal agencies Tuesday to cancel contracts with Harvard University worth about $100 million, intensifying the president’s clash with the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university, AP reports. Donald Trump halts all new student visa interviews The government already has cancelled more than $2.6 billion in federal research grants for the Ivy League school, which has pushed back on the administration’s demands for changes to several of its policies. A letter sent Tuesday from the General Services Administration, which oversees contracting and real estate for the federal government, directed agencies to review contracts with the university and seek alternate arrangements.

Spanish emergency services say four women and three girls died when a small boat carrying migrants capsized while arriving to port at one of Spain’s Canary Islands on Wednesday. Spain's maritime rescue service, which located the boat some 6 miles (9.6 kilmoters) from shore, said the boat tipped over as rescuers started removing minors as it arrived at a dock on the island of El Hierro. Israeli forces raid West Bank foreign exchange shops; one killed, dozens injured The movement of people on the boat caused it to tip and then turn over, dumping the occupants into the water, the service said. Emergency services for the Canary Islands said four women, a teenage girl and two younger girls perished in the accident. One of the girls was found by a rescue diver. Local media reports said the small boat appeared to be packed with over 100 people. Spanish rescuers and members of the Red Cross pulled people out of the water. The Spanish archipelago located off Africa’s western coast has for years been a main route for migrants who risk their lives in dinghies and rubber boats unfit for long journeys in the open sea. Thousands have been known to die on the way to European territory. ASEAN opens summit with Gulf nations and China amid US tariffs threat Nearly 47,000 people who made the crossing last year reached the archipelago, surpassing previous records for a second time. Most were citizens of Mali, Senegal and Morocco, with many boarding boats to Spain from the coast of Mauritania.

A United Nations official confirmed on Wednesday that at least 47 Palestinians were injured—most of them by gunfire—when a large crowd surged into a newly established aid distribution center in Gaza. The facility, supported by both the United States and Israel, has been at the center of growing controversy. Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights Office for the Palestinian territories, told reporters in Geneva that evidence suggests Israeli army fire was responsible for most of the injuries. The incident occurred on Tuesday near Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city. According to eyewitness accounts, including a journalist from the Associated Press, the scene turned chaotic as crowds breached the aid site’s perimeter fences. Gunfire from Israeli tanks and helicopters was reported, along with flares fired from a military aircraft. The aid center was set up just a day earlier by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israeli-backed organization intended to take over the distribution of humanitarian relief in the region. However, major international relief agencies and the United Nations have rejected the new system, warning that it is inadequate for serving Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and could be used as a tool of control by Israel. After nearly three months of Israeli-imposed border closures, Gaza is teetering on the edge of famine, leaving residents desperate for food and essentials. While Israel has argued that the new distribution network is intended to prevent Hamas from diverting aid, it has yet to provide evidence of such diversion on a large scale. UN agencies maintain they already have monitoring mechanisms in place to prevent misuse. GHF reported that it has established four distribution hubs so far, with two currently operational. The aid centers are secured by private contractors and are surrounded by fences and sand berms, giving them a fortified, militarized appearance. GHF stated that its contractors did not open fire during the incident, but temporarily withdrew for safety before resuming operations. Nearby, Israeli military forces are stationed in the Morag corridor, a declared military zone that separates Rafah—now largely depopulated—from the rest of Gaza. The UN and other humanitarian organizations have strongly criticized the GHF-led aid model, arguing that it violates key humanitarian principles. They also warn it could lead to forced displacement, as Palestinians may be compelled to move closer to aid sites or risk starvation—an act that would breach international humanitarian law. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the loss of control at the Rafah aid center, but insisted that the situation was quickly stabilized. He reiterated Israel's broader plan to relocate the entire population of Gaza to what he called a “sterile zone” in the south, while military operations continue elsewhere. Throughout the conflict, international aid agencies have led large-scale efforts to deliver food, medicine, and essential supplies across Gaza. Although Israel claims GHF will eventually replace these networks, only limited aid has been allowed into the territory over the past week for UN distribution.

The United Nations and multiple humanitarian groups have strongly criticized a US- and Israel-supported aid initiative in Gaza, following a deadly incident that occurred during an aid distribution in Rafah. Fatalities at Aid Site Spark Outrage At least three Palestinians were killed and 46 injured when Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd that surged toward an aid point operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Seven others remain missing. The Israeli military claimed its forces had only fired warning shots outside the distribution area and later regained control. GHF denied the reported casualties. UN and Humanitarian Groups Speak Out UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, described images from the distribution site as "heartbreaking" and criticized the GHF for failing to meet internationally accepted standards of impartial and safe aid delivery. “We have a clear, coordinated, and principled system for aid distribution, developed with member state support. What GHF is doing does not align with that,” Dujarric said. Palestinian Officials: ‘Deliberate Massacre’ Gaza’s Government Media Office condemned the incident, accusing Israeli forces of firing on starving civilians misled into thinking they would receive aid. “This was a deliberate massacre and a war crime,” the office stated, adding that the tragedy highlights Israel’s failure to manage the humanitarian disaster it has helped create. Israel and US Defend Initiative Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged a brief disruption at the site but maintained that order was quickly restored. He defended the project as a coordinated effort with the US to distribute food safely and claimed there was no evidence of widespread hunger in Gaza. Meanwhile, the US State Department dismissed criticisms as “style complaints.” Spokesperson Tammy Bruce blamed Hamas for trying to obstruct the aid and insisted the initiative was effectively delivering assistance. “This is working,” she said, citing the delivery of thousands of aid boxes. GHF: ‘Operations Back to Normal’ In a statement, GHF said the demand at the site had overwhelmed its team temporarily, prompting them to fall back to maintain order. The organization claimed it had since resumed normal operations and distributed roughly 8,000 food boxes, enough to provide about 462,000 meals. Critics Say Initiative Militarized, Misguided Refugees International’s Hardin Lang argued the initiative follows a military logic, not a humanitarian one. “Feeding a starving population requires a vast, coordinated effort, including medical and nutritional support — none of which are in place here,” he said. Lang also raised concerns that the effort seems more focused on relocating people into Israeli-designated “safe zones” than addressing their urgent needs. Norwegian Refugee Council: Let Aid Groups Lead Ahmed Bayram of the Norwegian Refugee Council urged the US and Israel to halt the program and let independent humanitarian organizations handle aid delivery. “What we’re witnessing is a tragedy unfolding. This is not how aid is supposed to be given — especially not by the same actors responsible for the destruction in Rafah,” he said. Source: ALJazeera

The Trump administration has implemented a halt on all new student visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates as it considers a policy to mandate social media screening for foreign applicants, officials confirmed to the Associated Press. A cable dated Tuesday, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines upcoming changes to the vetting process. One proposal under consideration would require all international students applying to U.S. schools to undergo social media background checks. “We’ve previously stated that students do not pose a national security risk. Framing them this way is misleading, as they make up only about 6% of total U.S. enrollment,” said Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, in an interview with Newsweek. Newsweek reached out to both the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for further comment. Why It Matters Halting this visa category—which saw over 400,000 issuances in fiscal year 2024—marks a significant development in the Trump administration's immigration policy. It could substantially slow the international student application process and reduce funding for institutions that depend on them. What to Know The State Department cable reads: “Effective immediately, in preparation for broader mandatory social media vetting, consular offices must not add new appointment slots for student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visas until further instructions are issued via separate communication.” USCIS began plans in early March to enhance immigrant social media screening, citing national security reasons. Foreign Secretary discusses student visa backlog with German Ambassador Applicants for green cards or U.S. citizenship from within the country are already required to provide social media details. Expanding this to those seeking to immigrate would impact about 2.5 million individuals annually. The State Department's role includes assessing visa eligibility during embassy or consular interviews. Temporary halts like this often occur when new policies are being introduced, but this action follows months of heightened scrutiny of international students. Authorities have moved to revoke visas of students currently studying in the U.S., particularly those allegedly tied to pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campuses. Rubio has argued that some of these protests were pro-Hamas and against U.S. foreign policy. Recently, the administration attempted to strip Harvard of its right to enroll international students—a move that faced legal pushback and was paused. President Trump later demanded a list of all foreign students at Harvard, criticizing that many of their countries do not contribute financially to their U.S. education. Public Reaction At a Tuesday briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized that the U.S. will continue to use all available tools to assess visa applicants: “That includes students and other categories.” Bangladeshis can now apply for student visa at Romanian embassies in Hanoi and Bangkok Fanta Aw told Newsweek that NAFSA would urge Congress to demand more transparency and warn of the likely impacts on the upcoming academic term. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that halting student visa interviews could jeopardize approximately $44 billion in economic activity and over 370,000 jobs, citing NAFSA figures. “If the U.S. ceases accepting foreign students, the economic fallout could be severe,” he said. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated last week in regard to the Harvard case: “Allowing universities to admit international students is a privilege, not a right, especially when those students help bolster large endowments through higher tuition.” What’s Next A U.S. official speaking anonymously to the AP clarified that the freeze is intended to be temporary and won’t affect individuals who already have scheduled interviews. However, a prolonged pause could disrupt enrollment for summer and fall semesters and hinder the plans of college, boarding school, and exchange students. Many universities, which have increasingly relied on international students paying full tuition to balance shrinking federal research funds, could face financial pressure if enrollments decline. Source: With inputs from Newsweek 

Israeli forces raided multiple foreign exchange businesses across the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, killing one Palestinian and injuring dozens in a widespread military operation that drew strong condemnation from Palestinian groups. The raids targeted exchange shops in several cities, including Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Arrabeh, el-Bireh, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Tubas, reports Al Jazeera. Residents reported that Israeli forces stormed the areas using live ammunition, tear gas, and smoke bombs. In Nablus, troops raided the Al-Khaleej Exchange Company and a nearby gold shop, while in Jenin, Israeli soldiers fired smoke bombs in the city center. Streets were also sealed off in Tubas and Bethlehem. According to the Ministry of Health based in Ramallah, one man was killed and eight others were injured by live fire during the raid in Nablus. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said it treated 20 people for tear gas inhalation and three more for rubber bullet injuries. The operations coincided with Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, where over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, and tens of thousands continue to face starvation under siege conditions. Israeli Army Radio reported that the raids were conducted on suspicions that the exchange shops were linked to “terrorism,” claiming that large sums of money designated for “terrorism infrastructure” in the West Bank were confiscated. Syria's government and Kurds reach agreement on returning families from notorious camp At the Ramallah branch of Al-Khaleej Exchange, Israeli soldiers left a leaflet stating, “Israeli forces are taking action against Al-Khaleej Exchange Company due to its connections with terrorist organisations.” Meanwhile, Hamas denounced the Israeli raids, saying they “constitute a new chapter in the occupation’s open war against the Palestinian people, their lives, their economy, and all the foundations of their steadfastness and perseverance on their land”. “These assaults on economic institutions, accompanied by the looting of large sums of money and the confiscation of property, are an extension of the piracy policies adopted by the [Israeli] occupation government,” the Palestinian group said in a statement, adding that the targeted companies were “operating within the law”. Hamas urged the Palestinian Authority to take measures against the Israeli attacks. Separately, the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement said the raids are “part of the open war against our people, targeting their very existence and cause”. The group also urged the Palestinian Authority to “defend” Palestinians from such attacks and “halt its policy of security coordination” with Israel.

Japan said Tuesday it plans to use some slightly radioactive soil stored near the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant on flower beds outside Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s office to show it is safe to reuse. The soil was removed from across the Fukushima prefecture as part of decontamination work following the 2011 nuclear disaster and has since been in interim storage. Some of it has since reached levels safe enough for reuse, officials say, reports AP. Using the soil at Ishiba's office in Tokyo is aimed at reassuring the public it is safe. The government said that it plans to reuse the soil for flower beds and other purposes within the grounds of government agencies. The plan is based on guidelines set by the Environment Ministry in March and endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Fukushima disaster resulted in large amounts of radioactive materials spewing out from the plant, polluting surrounding areas. Japan is stuck with large volumes of the dirt, chopped trees and other debris collected during intensive decontamination work. It has 14 million cubic meters of dirt and other materials — enough to fill 11 baseball stadiums — stored at a sprawling outdoor facility straddling the towns of Futaba and Okuma, near the Fukushima plant. Famed Sherpa guide climbs Mount Everest for the record 31st time The government is aiming to find disposal sites for the soil by 2045, with officials suggesting low risk material could be used to build roads and in other public works projects across the country. The Environment Ministry said that the soil will be used as foundation material and safely covered with top soil thick enough to keep radiation at negligible levels. But there is much public unease. The government has already been forced to discontinue a plan to experiment using some of the soil in flower beds at several public parks in and around Tokyo following protests. The IAEA is providing assistance with the Fukushima decommissioning process, which requires removing more than 880 tons of melted fuel debris. In 2023 Japan began discharging treated radioactive wastewater from the plant into the sea to reduce the risk of accidental leaks and to make space to build facilities needed for melted fuel removal.

The crescent moon of Dhu Al Hijjah was spotted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (May 27) night. Saudi Arabia announced that Wednesday, May 28, will mark the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah, as the crescent moon was sighted in the Kingdom on Tuesday evening, reports Gulf News. Eid-ul-Adha 2025 will be observed on June 6 (Friday) in Saudi, as it always falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah.