United News of Bangladesh

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continued large-scale military exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, staging live-fire drills as part of “Justice Mission 2025” to signal its ability to deter external support for the island. Taiwanese authorities said some Chinese rounds landed closer to the island than in previous exercises. The drills disrupted civilian life, with Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration establishing seven temporary “danger zones,” leading to over 150 international and domestic flight delays or cancellations. The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command deployed destroyers, frigates, fighters, and bombers north and south of Taiwan, while ground forces conducted long-range live-fire drills. Command spokesperson Li Xi said the exercises achieved “desired effects.” Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported detecting 130 Chinese aircraft, 14 military ships, eight other official vessels, and a Chinese balloon between Monday and Tuesday. Ninety aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. President Lai Ching-te condemned the drills, pledging Taiwan would act responsibly without provoking conflict. The exercises are part of a broader Chinese strategy to pressure Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory, and to challenge the Democratic Progressive Party’s arms purchases from the U.S. Last week, China imposed sanctions on 20 U.S. defense companies and 10 executives following a $10 billion arms sale to Taipei. Tensions also extended to Japan, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized Tokyo for statements suggesting military involvement if China attacked Taiwan, calling for vigilance against “resurgence of Japanese militarism.” Locally, Taiwan’s fishing communities faced economic losses as the exercises restricted access to fishing zones. Chen Wen-chin of the Keelung District Fishermen’s Association said radio alerts were broadcast hourly to guide fishermen away from dangerous areas. Source: AP 

Australian authorities said Tuesday that the two men accused of killing 15 people at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach acted alone and were not part of a broader terrorist cell. Police confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, traveled to the Philippines on November 1, arriving in Manila before transiting to Davao City, and returned to Sydney on November 29. Early investigations suggest they did not undergo training or logistical preparation for the December 14 attack, with authorities noting the pair “rarely left their hotel” during the visit. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said CCTV footage from the Philippines is under review and initial assessments indicate the men acted independently. “There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell or were directed by others,” she said, adding that the investigation is ongoing and new information may emerge. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the alleged gunmen appeared motivated by Islamic State ideology. Sajid Akram was killed by police during the attack, while Naveed Akram, hospitalized afterward, faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act, and is due in court in April. Source: BBC

Myanmar’s military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claimed a dominant lead in the first phase of the country’s general election, even as the state election commission has yet to announce official results. The initial round, held Sunday in 102 of 330 townships, saw the USDP reportedly secure 88 of 102 contested lower house seats. The party also claimed 85% of seats in regional legislatures. Final nationwide results will be announced after subsequent voting phases on Jan. 11 and Jan. 25. Due to ongoing armed conflicts, 65 townships will not participate in the election. Myanmar’s legislature has 664 seats, with the military constitutionally guaranteed 25% of positions. The USDP’s strong showing positions it to select the next president, who will appoint a Cabinet. More than 4,800 candidates from 57 parties are running, but only six are competing nationally, with the USDP as the dominant contender. Voter turnout has not been disclosed, with opposition groups calling for a boycott and human rights observers describing the polls as neither free nor fair. The first phase saw attacks by anti-military armed groups in 11 townships, injuring at least five people, highlighting persistent violence and instability in the country since the 2021 military takeover.

Thailand’s army on Monday accused Cambodia of violating a newly signed ceasefire agreement, just a day after it came into effect following weeks of deadly border clashes. In a statement, the Royal Thai Army said it detected more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles flying from the Cambodian side on Sunday night. It said the move amounted to provocation and breached measures meant to ease tensions. The ceasefire took effect at noon on Saturday. Under the deal, both sides agreed to freeze troop positions, stop reinforcements and allow displaced civilians in border areas to return home as soon as possible. Thai army officials said Cambodia’s actions were not in line with the agreement and warned that Thailand may reconsider the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July. The army said it would be forced to act if violations and threats to national sovereignty continue. Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn downplayed the issue, describing it as a minor matter involving drone flights observed by both sides along the border, according to AFP. The accusation came hours after China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised the ceasefire as hard-won, while US President Donald Trump welcomed its swift conclusion. Thailand and Cambodia have a long-running border dispute dating back more than a century. Tensions rose earlier this year after incidents near a disputed temple and escalated in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed. Five days of intense fighting later left dozens of soldiers and civilians dead and forced large numbers of people to flee their homes. A ceasefire agreed in July and signed in October collapsed earlier this month after fresh clashes, with both sides blaming each other.   With inputs from BBC

North Korea said on Monday it test-fired long-range strategic cruise missiles into the sea to assess its nuclear deterrence capabilities, days after it revealed apparent progress in building its first nuclear-powered submarine. The missile launches, carried out on Sunday, were the latest in a series of weapons tests ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party congress scheduled for early next year, the first such meeting in five years. The congress is expected to draw close international attention over whether leader Kim Jong Un sets new directions in relations with the United States. The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim expressed “great satisfaction” with the launches, which took place off the country’s west coast. It said Kim described the test as a responsible exercise of North Korea’s right to self-defense and a demonstration of war deterrence against external security threats. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected multiple cruise missile launches from the North’s capital region on Sunday morning and stressed that Seoul remains ready to counter any potential provocation through its alliance with the United States. While United Nations Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from conducting ballistic missile launches, cruise missile tests are not prohibited. However, analysts say such weapons still pose serious threats because they can fly at low altitudes and maneuver to evade radar, making them difficult to intercept. North Korea is believed to view cruise missiles as potential tools to strike US warships and aircraft carriers in a conflict. The launches followed recent tests of new anti-air missiles and the release of images showing a largely completed hull of a nuclear-powered submarine, which Pyongyang has suggested could be armed with nuclear weapons. A nuclear-powered submarine is among several advanced weapons systems Kim has pledged to develop, citing what he calls US-led security threats. Some experts say North Korea’s closer ties with Russia, including providing troops and equipment to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine, may have helped it obtain critical technologies. North Korea has intensified weapons testing since nuclear talks with then US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. However, Kim signaled in September that he could return to dialogue if Washington abandons what he called its fixation on denuclearization, with analysts suggesting Pyongyang sees its expanded nuclear arsenal as leverage in any future negotiations.

Sixteen elderly residents were killed Sunday evening in a fire that broke out at a retirement home in Manado, North Sulawesi Province, police said. Authorities said the blaze, which engulfed the single-story facility while residents were asleep, left 15 survivors who received treatment at two local hospitals. “The on-site team has confirmed 16 fatalities so far,” North Sulawesi police spokesperson Alamsyah Hasibuan said. “Fifteen victims were burned, while one passed away without fire injuries.” Officials said the victims’ bodies were taken to a hospital for identification with family assistance. Firefighters, deploying six trucks, battled the flames for over two hours after neighbors alerted emergency services. Television footage showed bright flames and smoke rising into the night sky, with body bags lined up outside the home. Neighbors reportedly helped evacuate some residents. Initial reports pointed to an electrical fault as the cause, but authorities later confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. The tragic fire highlights concerns over safety standards in elderly care facilities in the region. Source: AP 

The foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia began two days of discussions in China on Sunday as Beijing moves to bolster its role in easing tensions between the two neighbors following the signing of a new ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire aims to end weeks of clashes along the disputed border that have left more than 100 people dead and forced over 500,000 residents in both countries to flee their homes. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and his Cambodian counterpart, Prak Sokhonn, traveled to China’s southwestern Yunnan province for talks facilitated by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China, alongside the United States and Malaysia, has been seeking to mediate the conflict. US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation, claiming the fighting would soon come to an end. Writing on social media from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said both sides would return to peace and praised the leaders involved, while repeating earlier claims that US efforts helped broker the ceasefire, which has faced challenges in holding. According to Thailand’s foreign ministry, the discussions in China are intended to secure the ceasefire’s durability and advance long-term peace. Wang Yi is scheduled to take part in separate bilateral meetings with each delegation as well as a joint trilateral session on Monday. China welcomed the ceasefire, noting that it stabilizes front lines and enables displaced civilians to return home. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing is prepared to continue offering a platform for deeper and more detailed dialogue between Thailand and Cambodia. The agreement includes a 72-hour monitoring period, after which Thailand will return 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during clashes earlier in July — a key demand from Phnom Penh. Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire to stop border clashes Following talks with Wang, Prak Sokhonn expressed strong appreciation for China’s significant role in helping sustain the ceasefire. Beijing also pledged 20 million yuan ($2.8 million) in emergency humanitarian assistance to Cambodia, with the first shipment of food, tents and blankets arriving on Sunday. Sihasak said he hoped the talks would encourage China to support a lasting ceasefire and discourage any renewed hostilities, stressing that Thailand views China as a constructive partner in ensuring long-term stability. Source: AP 

China’s military on Monday announced it would deploy air, naval and missile forces for joint exercises around Taiwan, describing the move as a strong warning to separatist elements and what it termed “external interference.” The announcement followed Beijing’s sharp criticism of recent US arms sales to Taiwan and comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested Japan’s military could become involved if China takes action against the self-governing island. However, the Chinese military statement released on Monday did not directly reference Japan. Relations between China and Taiwan have remained strained since 1949, when the Chinese civil war ended with the Communist Party taking control of the mainland, while Nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan. Since then, Taiwan has operated under its own government, although Beijing continues to claim sovereignty over the island. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command, said the exercises—named “Justice Mission 2025”—would take place in the Taiwan Strait and in surrounding areas to the island’s north, southwest, southeast and east. He said the drills would emphasize joint sea and air patrols, gaining overall control, blockading key ports and conducting deterrence operations beyond the island chain. Japan approves record defense budget amid rising China tensions In a statement posted on the social media platform WeChat, the Eastern Theater Command said the drills were aimed at countering “Taiwan independence” forces and safeguarding China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Last week, Beijing also announced sanctions on 20 US defense companies and 10 executives, following Washington’s approval of major arms sales to Taiwan valued at over $10 billion. If endorsed by the US Congress, the package would mark the largest American weapons deal with Taiwan to date. Source: AP 

Myanmar on Sunday began the first phase of its first general election in five years, organized by the military authorities amid an ongoing nationwide civil conflict. The poll comes nearly four years after the army removed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Critics say the election is intended to give an appearance of legitimacy to continued military rule, noting that Suu Kyi’s party had won a decisive mandate in the 2020 polls before being barred from forming a government. Voting took place at schools, government offices and religious institutions in Yangon, the capital Naypyitaw and other areas. Security was tight, with armed personnel deployed outside polling stations and military patrols visible across major roads. Electronic voting machines were introduced for the first time. Opposition groups argue the election lacks credibility due to restrictions on free expression, widespread repression and the exclusion of key political parties. Many parties declined to participate, while others were dissolved after refusing to comply with new military registration rules. Suu Kyi, now 80, remains imprisoned under sentences totaling 27 years. Myanmar military election faces fear, boycott calls Analysts note that most voters in 2020 supported parties that no longer exist, leaving little real choice. Despite calls by resistance groups to disrupt the process, no major incidents were reported. Western countries continue to impose sanctions on Myanmar’s military leaders, while regional neighbors may view the election as a means to justify ongoing engagement. Voting will be held in three stages, starting Sunday in 102 townships, with later rounds on Jan. 11 and Jan. 25. Results are expected by late January. Source: AP 

Myanmar is set to hold its first election in nearly five years under military rule on Sunday, but the vote is being widely criticised as a sham amid fear, intimidation and ongoing civil war. The election comes after the military seized power in a 2021 coup, dissolving the National League for Democracy and imprisoning its leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Voting will be held in phases over a month, but large parts of the country will not take part due to fighting. In Mandalay, campaigning by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party drew small, unenthusiastic crowds. Many people attended rallies hoping for aid rather than political change, while others avoided speaking to journalists out of fear of repercussions. Authorities have imposed strict laws criminalising criticism of the election, including calls for boycotts. Several activists have already been arrested or given long prison sentences for opposing the vote or sharing protest materials. Residents say fear dominates daily life, with military intelligence officers visibly present at public events. Many voters said they would cast ballots only to avoid trouble, not out of genuine support for the process. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has promoted the election as a step toward legitimacy, despite continued violence and air strikes. The military has regained some territory with support from China and Russia, while China has also backed the election process diplomatically. Casualties from the conflict continue to rise, with tens of thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced since the coup. Voting will not take place in many conflict-hit areas, further limiting participation. Despite public disillusionment, many citizens say they will still go to polling stations out of fear or exhaustion from years of violence. “We will vote,” one woman said, “but not with our hearts.”   With inputs from BBC