United News of Bangladesh

The close relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is bringing the two countries closer to resolving Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program, the U.S. ambassador to Ankara said Wednesday. Ambassador Tom Barrack, who also serves as Trump’s special envoy for Syria, said on social media that the “positive relationship” between the leaders has created a new atmosphere of cooperation, leading to the most productive discussions on the F-35 issue in nearly a decade. Turkey was removed from the F-35 program during Trump’s first term after purchasing the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, raising U.S. concerns that the missile system could compromise F-35 security. Ankara has sought readmission, noting its $1.4 billion investment before being suspended in 2019. The U.S. also imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in 2020. Barrack said discussions continue on Turkey’s desire to rejoin the program while maintaining its S-400 system, with hopes for a breakthrough in the coming months that would satisfy both U.S. security requirements and Turkish interests. While barred from F-35 deliveries, Turkey is strengthening its air force with Eurofighter Typhoons, U.S.-made F-16s, and developing its own KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, expected in 2028. Trump and Erdogan, who met at the White House in September, have maintained a strong personal rapport. Previous U.S. administrations kept Turkey at a distance due to human rights concerns, ties with Russia, and tensions with regional allies. Trump has also viewed Erdogan as a key intermediary on conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.  

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado will not attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo on Wednesday, the Norwegian Nobel Institute said, with her daughter receiving the award on her behalf. Machado, who has not appeared in public for 11 months, was briefly detained last January after participating in a protest in Caracas. Nobel Institute director Kristian Berg Harpviken said the Venezuelan leader was expected in Oslo but “unfortunately, she won’t arrive in time to attend today’s ceremony or other events.” Machado’s spokesperson, Claudia Macero, confirmed she will miss the ceremony but hoped she could join other events scheduled later in the day. Her current location was not disclosed. Several prominent Latin American leaders, including Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, attended the ceremony to show solidarity with Machado. The 58-year-old won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to push for a democratic transition in Venezuela. She had previously won an opposition primary to challenge President Nicolás Maduro in last year’s presidential election, but was barred from running. Her replacement, retired diplomat Edmundo González, later sought asylum in Spain amid a government crackdown. Human rights groups and U.N. officials have repeatedly expressed concern over the situation in Venezuela, citing arrests, disqualifications, and repression of dissent. Nobel officials noted that it is customary for family members to represent laureates unable to attend, citing past winners who were imprisoned, including Narges Mohammadi of Iran in 2023 and Ales Bialiatski of Belarus in 2022. Venezuelan human rights activist Gustavo Tovar-Arroyo said supporters had done their best to bring Machado to Oslo, but warned that such risks are part of challenging a dictatorship.    

A UAE-backed separatist group has taken control of key oil-rich provinces in southern Yemen, threatening to reignite the country’s long-stalled civil war and destabilize the wider Gulf region. The Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized most of Hadramout and Mahra provinces this month, including major oil facilities. The STC, established in 2017 to restore an independent South Yemen, enjoys strong support across the southern half of the country and backing from the UAE. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since 2014, when Iran-aligned Houthi rebels captured the capital, Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile. Saudi Arabia and the UAE later joined the conflict to support the government. The latest clashes pit the STC against Yemeni government forces and their tribal allies, even as both sides are part of the anti-Houthi coalition. The STC’s recent advances, including control of the PetroMasila oil facility and a border crossing with Oman, give it significant leverage in any future negotiations over southern Yemen’s autonomy. Saudi Arabia has sought to calm tensions, sending a delegation to Hadramout and emphasizing that it rejects attempts to create a “fait accompli.” Analysts say the UAE appears to have expanded its influence, while the STC’s actions undermine the fragile political balance among anti-Houthi partners. The escalation comes amid a fragile truce with the Houthis, which had reduced violence since 2022. Observers warn that the takeover could destabilize Yemen further, heighten regional rivalries, and threaten critical trade routes along the Gulf.  

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.