United News of Bangladesh

China and France committed to strengthening collaboration on major global challenges—including the war in Ukraine—and on trade, as France prepares to assume the presidency of the G7 next year. French President Emmanuel Macron met Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday during a three-day state visit focused on commerce and diplomacy. France Seeks China’s Help on Ukraine Macron hopes to persuade Beijing to play a stronger role in pressuring Russia toward a ceasefire, following renewed diplomatic efforts linked to a U.S.-backed peace initiative. He warned that the international system that has ensured decades of peace is at risk and said cooperation between France and China is now “more essential than ever.” Macron urged China to support a call for at least a temporary halt on strikes targeting critical Ukrainian infrastructure. Xi did not directly address France’s request but reiterated that China “supports all efforts conducive to peace” and favors a settlement acceptable to all parties. China has been one of Russia’s key diplomatic backers since the invasion and has increased trade with Moscow. Xi also pledged $100 million in aid for humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. Calling for stronger political trust, Xi said China and France should support each other on key issues while demonstrating “independence” in their decision-making. Expanding Economic Ties Trade was another major theme of the meeting. Xi announced agreements to boost cooperation in aerospace, aviation, nuclear power, green technology, and artificial intelligence. The two countries signed 12 deals, including partnerships on panda conservation and academic exchanges. The EU continues to face a large trade deficit with China—more than 300 billion euros last year—with China accounting for nearly half of France’s deficit. Recent years have brought a series of trade disputes following EU probes of Chinese electric vehicle subsidies and China’s retaliatory investigations into European products. France secured an exemption for most cognac makers earlier this year. Amid China’s slowing economy, Xi said the country will “open its doors wider,” pledging to expand market access, encourage investment, and promote cooperation with the EU. Concerns Over Bilateral Deals Some analysts say Beijing may use Macron’s visit to strengthen ties with France individually, potentially weakening the EU’s collective stance toward China. Macron and his wife arrived Wednesday and received a formal welcome Thursday at the Great Hall of the People. His schedule includes meetings with top Chinese officials and participation in a Franco-Chinese business forum. The couple will also visit Chengdu, home to China’s main giant panda conservation center, where Yuan Meng—the first panda born in France—is currently living. France recently returned several popular giant pandas after 13 years in the country.

The United States will restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members responsible for mass killings and violence against Christians, the U.S. State Department said Wednesday. “The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement posted on social platform X. The secretary added that the policy would apply to other governments or individuals engaged in violations of religious freedom. The restrictions are in line with a new policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, he said. Attacks in Nigeria have varying motives. There are religiously motivated ones targeting both Christians and Muslims, clashes between farmers and herders over dwindling resources, communal rivalries, secessionist groups, and ethnic clashes. Nigeria’s population of about 220 million people is split almost equally between Christians and Muslims. The West African country has long faced insecurity from various fronts including the Boko Haram extremist group, which seeks to establish its radical interpretation of Islamic law and has also targeted Muslims it deems not Muslim enough. Also, there has been an uptick in the activities of armed gangs in the central part of the country who kidnap locals for ransom. Last month, President Donald Trump said he has ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria following the claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria.

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro is running out of options for a negotiated exit from power after a short call with U.S. President Donald Trump on November 21, sources familiar with the discussion said. During the call, Maduro sought assurances for safe passage out of Venezuela along with full legal amnesty for himself and his family, the lifting of all U.S. sanctions, and the closure of an International Criminal Court case against him. He also requested sanctions relief for more than 100 Venezuelan officials accused by the U.S. of human rights violations, corruption, or drug trafficking, reports Reuters. Maduro proposed that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez oversee an interim government ahead of new elections. However, Trump rejected most of these requests during the less-than-15-minute call, while giving Maduro a one-week window to leave the country with his family. That offer has since expired, prompting Trump to declare Venezuela’s airspace closed. The details of the Friday deadline had not been previously disclosed, though Trump later confirmed the conversation had occurred without elaborating. The discussion came amid growing U.S. pressure on Venezuela, including strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, repeated threats to extend military operations to land, and the designation of the Cartel de los Soles, which the U.S. says includes Maduro, as a foreign terrorist organization. Maduro’s government denies all criminal allegations and accuses the U.S. of seeking regime change to control Venezuela’s natural resources, particularly oil. It remains uncertain whether Maduro can propose a new plan for safe passage. U.S. officials are reportedly weighing options but note significant disagreements and unresolved details. The Trump administration has raised its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, with $25 million each for other top Venezuelan officials, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who face U.S. indictments for alleged drug trafficking. All have denied the charges. Maduro’s government has requested another call with Trump, while he continues to assert loyalty to the Venezuelan people. Observers say that although a negotiated exit is not entirely ruled out, the Venezuelan leader’s options are increasingly narrow as U.S. pressure intensifies.

More than ten years after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared, it remains one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. Despite extensive international search efforts, investigators still do not know what happened to the plane or its 239 people on board. On Wednesday, Malaysia announced that U.S. marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity will restart a seabed search on December 30, renewing hopes of finally locating the missing jet. Earlier searches across the southern Indian Ocean yielded almost nothing, with only a handful of small debris pieces ever found. A massive search in the southern Indian Ocean, where the jet is believed to have gone down, turned up almost nothing. Apart from a few small fragments that washed ashore, no bodies or large wreckage have ever been recovered. Here’s what we know about the deadly aviation tragedy. ‘Good night, Malaysian Three Seven Zero’ The Boeing 777 disappeared from air-traffic radar 39 minutes after departing Kuala Lumpur for Beijing on March 8, 2014. The pilot’s last radio call to Kuala Lumpur — “Good night, Malaysian Three Seven Zero”— was the final communication before the plane crossed into Vietnamese airspace and failed to check in with controllers there. Minutes later, the plane’s transponder, which broadcasts its location, shut down. Military radar showed the jet turn back over the Andaman Sea, and satellite data suggested it continued flying for hours, possibly until fuel exhaustion, before crashing into a remote section of the southern Indian Ocean. Theories about what happened range from hijacking to cabin depressurization or power failure. There was no distress call, ransom demand, evidence of technical failure or severe weather. Malaysian investigators in 2018 cleared the passengers and crew but did not rule out “unlawful interference.” Authorities have said someone deliberately severed communications and diverted the plane. Passengers came from many countries MH370 carried 227 passengers, including five young children, and 12 crew members. Most passengers were Chinese, but there were also citizens from the United States, Indonesia, France, Russia and elsewhere. Among those aboard were two young Iranians traveling on stolen passports, a group of Chinese calligraphy artists, 20 employees of U.S. tech firm Freescale Semiconductor, a stunt double for actor Jet Li and several families with young children. Many families lost multiple members. Largest underwater search in history Search operations began in the South China Sea between Malaysia and Vietnam, then expanded to the Andaman Sea and the southern Indian Ocean. Australia, Malaysia and China coordinated the largest underwater search in history, covering roughly 120,000 square kilometers (46,000 square miles) of seabed off western Australia. Aircraft, vessels equipped with sonar and robotic submarines scoured the ocean for signs of the plane. Signals thought to be from the plane’s black box turned out to be from other sources, and no wreckage was found. The first confirmed debris was a flaperon discovered on Réunion Island in July 2015, with additional fragments later found along the east coast of Africa. The search was suspended in January 2017. In 2018, U.S. marine robotics company Ocean Infinity resumed the hunt under a “no find, no fee” agreement, focusing on areas identified through debris drift studies, but it ended without success. The challenge of locating remains One reason why such an extensive search failed to turn up clues is that no one knows exactly where to look. The Indian Ocean is the world’s third largest, and the search was conducted in a difficult area, where searchers encountered bad weather and average depths of around 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). It’s not common for planes to disappear in the deep sea, but when they do remains can be very hard to locate. Over the past 50 years, dozens of planes have vanished, according to the Aviation Safety Network. US company resumes search Malaysia’s government gave the green light in March for another “no-find, no-fee” contract with Ocean Infinity to resume the seabed search operation at a new 15,000-square-kilometer (5,800-square-mile) site in the ocean. Ocean Infinity will be paid $70 million only if wreckage is discovered. However, the search was suspended in April due to bad weather. The government said Wednesday that Ocean Infinity will resume search intermittently from Dec. 30 for a total of 55 days, in targeted areas believed to have the highest likelihood of finding the missing aircraft. It is unclear if the company has new evidence of the plane’s location. It has said it would utilize new technology and has worked with many experts to analyze data and narrow the search area to the most likely site.

Talks between the United States and Russia on ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine were “constructive” but substantial work remains, a senior adviser to President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday. Yuri Ushakov, a top Kremlin official, spoke after Putin met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, in the Kremlin on Tuesday. The discussions, which lasted five hours, focused on the framework of Trump’s peace plan rather than specific text. Ushakov described the talks as “useful, substantive” but stressed that “a compromise hasn’t been found” on territorial issues, which the Kremlin sees as essential for resolving the conflict. “Some of the American proposals seem acceptable, but others don’t suit us. Work will continue,” Ushakov said. He added that contacts between Moscow and Washington will carry on. The meeting followed U.S. talks with Ukrainian officials in Florida earlier this week. Trump’s plan, released last month, has drawn criticism for appearing to favor Russia, including calls for Ukraine to cede the Donbas region and abandon NATO aspirations. Negotiators said the framework has been revised but did not provide details. Putin accused European allies of obstructing peace efforts by demanding changes “absolutely unacceptable to Russia” and said Europe is responsible for blocking progress. He reiterated that Russia has no plans to attack Europe but warned that Moscow is ready to respond if hostilities arise. European governments, meanwhile, remain concerned that a Russian victory in Ukraine could destabilize the region and threaten other countries. They have provided financial and military support to Kyiv and are pushing to be involved in negotiations to ensure their security interests are considered. U.S. peace efforts rely heavily on Europe to provide funding and security guarantees for a postwar Ukraine, although European officials say they were not consulted on the original plan. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, visiting Ireland, emphasized the need for fair play in negotiations and said progress depends on signals from the U.S. delegation in Moscow. “There is a lot of dialogue, but we need results. Our people are dying every day,” Zelenskyy said, adding he is ready to meet with Trump if talks advance. The Florida talks narrowed Trump’s original 28-point plan to 20 items, with Ukrainian diplomats seeking stronger European involvement in decision-making. Zelenskyy also warned against Russian disinformation campaigns attempting to influence negotiations. Russia claimed on Monday that it captured the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk, but Ukrainian officials denied the report, calling it propaganda. Ukrainian forces are reinforcing logistics routes to supply troops in the area. Ushakov said any potential meeting between Putin and Trump would depend on the progress of ongoing negotiations. Both sides continue to work toward resolving differences, though major disputes over territory and security guarantees remain unresolved.  

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he does not want Somali immigrants in the United States, claiming they depend too much on public assistance and do not contribute to the country. His remarks, directed at an entire immigrant community, are the latest in a series of attacks on the Somali diaspora. Somalis have settled in states such as Minnesota for decades, many arriving as refugees. Trump did not differentiate between U.S. citizens and non-citizens. The comments came days after the administration halted all asylum decisions following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington. The suspect in that case is from Afghanistan, but Trump linked the incident to immigrants from other countries, including Somalia. “They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country,” Trump told reporters at the end of a Cabinet meeting. He added that Somalis should “go back to where they came from” and fix their own country. Trump has repeatedly targeted Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who arrived from Somalia as a child. Last week, he intensified his criticism after a conservative activist, in an article based on unnamed sources, alleged that money stolen from Minnesota programs had gone to al-Shabab, the militant group operating in Somalia. The allegation has not been substantiated. In a social media post last week, Trump vowed to send Somalis “back to where they came from,” calling Minnesota “a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.” On Tuesday, he said Somalis in the U.S. should return to “fix” Somalia. Trump also pledged to end temporary legal protections for Somalis living in Minnesota, though experts questioned whether the White House has the authority to enforce the plan as described. According to a report for Congress in August, only 705 Somalis nationwide are covered by Temporary Protected Status. State officials and immigration advocates criticized Trump’s comments, calling them divisive and legally questionable. Many said the remarks unfairly targeted Minnesota’s Somali community, which is one of the largest in the country. Trump again attacked Rep. Omar, calling her and her supporters “garbage.” Omar responded on social media, saying Trump’s “obsession” with her was “creepy” and that she hoped he would receive the help he needs. Trump also claimed Somali immigrants “do nothing but complain” and are not interested in contributing to the United States. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey rejected Trump’s comments. He said Somali immigrants have strengthened the city by opening businesses, creating jobs, and enriching its cultural identity. “To villainize an entire group is wrong under any circumstances,” Frey said. “The consistency with which Donald Trump does this raises serious questions about constitutional values and violates the moral principles we stand by as Americans.”  

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will arrive in Britain on Wednesday for a state visit celebrating strong bilateral ties while recalling painful moments from World War II. King Charles III will welcome Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, to Windsor Castle for a three-day program filled with traditional pageantry. This is the first official state visit by a German head of state to the UK in 27 years. The visit will include a solemn stop at Coventry Cathedral on Friday to honor the memory of at least 568 people killed during the Nazi bombing of the city on Nov. 14, 1940. The attack leveled or damaged more than half of Coventry’s homes and remains the most intense air raid on a British city during the war. Germany has repeatedly apologized for Nazi-era atrocities. During his own state visit to Germany in 2023, Charles laid a wreath at the ruins of Hamburg’s St. Nikolai Church, commemorating more than 30,000 civilians killed by Allied bombing in 1943. Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine, said the visit comes at a meaningful time for both countries, and weaving these moments of history into the itinerary is important for London and Berlin. State visits in the UK are formally hosted by the king but arranged by the government to strengthen relations with key partners. This visit will include a grand banquet, military honors and displays of royal tradition, including a large Christmas tree in St. George’s Hall. Behind the ceremony is a political purpose. Britain and Germany want to reinforce cooperation as they confront the war in Ukraine and navigate disruptions caused by U.S. President Donald Trump’s America First policies, which have strained long-standing trade and security ties. The trip follows Charles’ successful state visit to Germany in 2023, when he switched between German and English while addressing lawmakers in the Bundestag and emphasized the depth of the relationship. British officials hope the images from Windsor Castle will strengthen public support for the partnership in both countries. Gerhard Dannemann, former head of the Centre for British Studies at Humboldt Universität in Berlin, said the ceremony will be symbolic and memorable. He added that Berlin hopes Steinmeier’s visit will match the positive impact of Charles’ trip to Germany last year.  

Hong Kong will form an independent committee led by a judge to investigate last week’s deadly high-rise fire, Chief Executive John Lee said Tuesday, promising full transparency and major reforms in the city’s construction sector. Lee said the probe must determine what caused the fire and identify failures that allowed it to spread so quickly. Police said more bodies were recovered on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to at least 156. Around 30 people remain missing one week after the blaze. Lee told reporters the investigation must “uncover the truth” and ensure justice for the victims. He said the government is committed to preventing similar tragedies and will push through reforms despite resistance from vested interests. The fire began last Wednesday around scaffolding at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex. It rapidly engulfed seven of the estate’s eight towers, home to over 4,600 residents. Many families have been left homeless, and 40 injured people are still in hospital. Survivors welcomed the decision to set up an independent committee. May Liang, who lost all her belongings, said residents deserve to know exactly what went wrong. At least 15 people have been arrested by police and anti-corruption investigators. Those detained include scaffolding contractors, company executives and an engineering consultant, as authorities examine suspected corruption and negligence tied to a renovation project at the site. Early findings show the fire spread unusually fast because of strong winds and substandard materials used during maintenance work. Authorities said Monday that contractors used low-quality safety netting. Investigators collected 20 samples from the complex, and seven failed safety standards. Lee said some contractors mixed approved materials with substandard ones to deceive inspectors. He pledged a full overhaul of Hong Kong’s building renovation system. Lee declined to comment on media reports that recent arrests were aimed at suppressing criticism of the government. One person was reportedly detained for a petition demanding accountability. Lee said he would not tolerate crimes that try to “exploit the tragedy.” John Burns, an honorary professor at the University of Hong Kong, said the public will expect credible findings. He added that transparency is essential to restore trust in the government. Authorities have moved 2,500 residents into temporary housing, including government flats, hostels and hotels. About 20 people remain in emergency shelters, down from hundreds on the first night.  

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India this week for a summit aimed at strengthening economic, defense and energy cooperation, a trip that will also test New Delhi’s balancing act between Moscow and Washington as the Ukraine war continues. Putin is expected to arrive Thursday and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Both sides said they will review progress in bilateral ties, discuss major issues and sign government and business agreements. India has kept buying discounted Russian oil despite U.S. pressure, arguing that the imports are vital for its 1.4 billion people. Washington says the purchases are helping Moscow fund the war, and U.S. President Donald Trump recently raised tariffs on Indian imports to 50% in response. Putin last visited India in 2021, while Modi traveled to Moscow last year. They also briefly met in China in September during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting. The visit comes as the U.S. pushes a new peace plan for Ukraine. Critics say the proposal initially leaned toward Moscow and was adjusted after talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials. Modi has avoided directly criticizing Russia, instead calling for a peaceful resolution. Analysts say India is unlikely to take on a public mediating role but may work quietly behind the scenes. They believe Modi could urge Putin to consider concerns raised by Ukraine and European nations. Indian officials say the summit is expected to produce agreements focused on trade, maritime cooperation, healthcare, media exchanges and economic facilitation. India wants to increase exports of pharmaceuticals, farm goods and textiles to Russia and is seeking the removal of non-tariff barriers. It is also pushing for long-term fertilizer supplies. Another key area under discussion is a plan to ensure safe and regulated migration of Indian skilled workers to Russia. The United States has intensified pressure on India to scale back Russian oil imports. New sanctions on Russian majors Rosneft and Lukoil add to India’s challenges. Indian officials say the country will avoid buying from companies under sanctions but may continue purchases from others. Analyst Harsh Pant said India will stress that it cannot completely cut off Russian energy supplies, and future imports will depend on market conditions and how sanctions affect Indian buyers. Energy cooperation will be a major theme of the summit. India has invested in Russia’s Far East, and the two nations continue to expand civil nuclear cooperation. Talks are ongoing about local manufacturing linked to the Russia-backed Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu, along with possible joint projects in other countries. On defense, India is expected to push Moscow for faster delivery of two remaining S-400 missile squadrons under a 2018 deal worth about 5.4 billion dollars. Deliveries have been delayed due to supply chain issues linked to the war. India may also explore additional or upgraded S-400 systems, though no announcement is expected. India is also expected to discuss upgrades for its Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets, faster delivery of key military hardware and improved coordination in joint exercises and disaster response. Despite India diversifying its defense imports, Russia remains its biggest arms supplier. Moscow is also trying to promote its Su-57 stealth fighter jet to India, though New Delhi continues to evaluate options from multiple foreign partners.  

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in China on Wednesday for a three-day state visit focused on trade, investment and diplomatic efforts to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Macron aims to seek China’s support in urging Russia toward ending the war. His office said he will push for balanced economic cooperation that promotes sustainable growth for both countries. France wants more Chinese investment and better access for French exports. Officials from both sides are expected to sign agreements in sectors such as energy, food production and aviation. Macron’s office said he will defend fair and reciprocal market access. Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived in Beijing after nightfall and were welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The couple is scheduled to visit the Qianlong Garden in the Forbidden City later on Wednesday. The visit comes as France prepares to host the G7 summit in 2026. China will chair next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which includes major economies including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Russia. The European Union’s trade deficit with China exceeded 300 billion euros last year. China accounts for nearly half of France’s total trade deficit. Both France and the EU see China as a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival. Recent years have seen several trade disputes, including the EU probe into Chinese electric vehicle subsidies and China’s counter-investigations into European brandy, pork and dairy imports. In July, Macron welcomed China’s decision to exempt most cognac makers from its anti-dumping measures. France remains China’s top supplier of wine and spirits. Macron will also raise the Ukraine war in his meeting with President Xi Jinping. This follows Macron’s talks in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this week on possible terms for a ceasefire. A senior French diplomat said Paris wants China to use its influence on Russia to push for a ceasefire and support negotiations that could lead to security guarantees for Ukraine. France also expects China to avoid providing any support that could help Russia continue the conflict. China has said it supports dialogue and negotiation to end the war. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China has played a constructive role since the conflict began. Macron will meet Xi at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday before attending a France-China business forum. He will also meet Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The French presidential couple will travel to Chengdu in Sichuan province later in the visit. On Friday, Macron and Xi will hold talks in Dujiangyan, one of the world’s oldest irrigation sites. Macron will also meet students at Sichuan University. Chengdu is home to China’s giant panda conservation center, where Yuan Meng, the first panda born in France, now lives. France last month returned a pair of giant pandas that had lived in the country for 13 years and produced three cubs.