United News of Bangladesh

Malaysia has expressed full support for the Philippines as the 2026 ASEAN Chair, confident that Manila will lead the bloc effectively and build on the successes of Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the Philippines, guided by the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” has identified 88 achievements across ASEAN’s three pillars – political-security, economy, and socio-cultural. He expressed hope that ASEAN would now begin implementing ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and translate member states’ aspirations into sustainable and inclusive initiatives for regional development. ASEAN will not endorse Myanmar election, says Malaysia Mohamad, attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) Retreat chaired by Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, congratulated Manila on its chairmanship, noting that full support from member states would reinforce ASEAN centrality as a long-term tradition. He said Malaysia would continue efforts to promote sustainable development, inclusivity, and regional cooperation through ASEAN digitalisation, enhanced intra-ASEAN trade, and increased support for small and medium enterprises. “There is a strong sense of continuity between Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship and the Philippines’ 2026 term through shared priorities and successes,” he added. The AMM Retreat also reviewed priorities following the 47th ASEAN Summit and outcomes of the Special Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers on Cambodia and Thailand. Ministers discussed ASEAN’s external relations and regional and international developments, including concerns over Myanmar after recent elections and the situation in Gaza, condemning ongoing Israeli military actions against civilians. Cambodia advises Bangladesh to have sustained engagements with ASEAN Mohamad also held bilateral meetings with counterparts from the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore, discussing issues including the South China Sea, Myanmar, Thailand-Cambodia border disputes, and trade and cooperation with ASEAN Dialogue Partners to strengthen regional ties. 

China executed 11 members of a Myanmar-based family crime syndicate that killed 14 Chinese citizens and ran scam and gambling operations worth more than $1 billion, authorities said. The Wenzhou city Intermediate People's Court announced the execution in a statement Thursday morning. It sentenced the 11 people to death in September. They included Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen, who the court found led the scam and gambling operations, as well as key group members Zhou Weichang, Wu Hongming and Luao Jianzhang. The group filed an appeal that was rejected by the court in November. The family members were detained in November 2023 when Chinese authorities exerted pressure on authorities in the border areas shared with Myanmar to crack down on scams. Scam parks have become an industrial scale business in Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, where a mix of trafficked and willing labor have carried out digital scams on victims around the world. Authorities in the region face growing international pressure from China, the U.S. and other nations to address the proliferation of criminal activity.

A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison on corruption charges, ahead of a closely watched verdict against disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief imposition of martial law last year. The Seoul Central District Court found Kim guilty of accepting gifts from the Unification Church in exchange for business favors. However, the court acquitted her of charges related to stock price manipulation and violations of political funding laws, citing insufficient evidence. The sentence came as a surprise after an independent counsel had sought a 15-year prison term against Kim, accusing her of multiple offenses including bribery and financial misconduct. Kim’s legal team welcomed the partial acquittal but described the prison term for bribery as “relatively high,” saying they would consider whether to appeal. Trump says US will de-escalate Minnesota operation after Pretti killing Kim has been in custody since August, when the court approved her arrest over concerns she could destroy evidence. Days before her detention, she publicly apologized for causing concern but continued to suggest the allegations were exaggerated, portraying herself as a minor figure. The ruling was issued about three weeks before the court is set to announce its verdict on Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces a rebellion charge over his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024. A separate independent counsel has sought the death penalty for Yoon.

Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state in India, has died in a plane crash along with four others, the country’s aviation regulator confirmed. The aircraft, which had departed from Mumbai, crash-landed at the airport in Pawar’s constituency of Baramati, its intended destination, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The cause of the crash has not yet been officially determined. Along with Pawar, two members of his staff and two crew members were killed. Visuals from the site showed the wreckage engulfed in smoke and flames. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), saying he was “saddened” by the news and offered condolences to the bereaved families. He also paid tribute to Pawar in a separate post. Libya’s military chief, 7 others killed in plane crash after takeoff from Turkey Ajit Pawar, the nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar, founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was a senior political figure in Maharashtra. He served multiple terms as deputy chief minister and later established his own party, which was officially recognized as the NCP by India’s Election Commission. His party was part of Maharashtra’s governing alliance alongside Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.   #With inputs from BBC

North Korea on Tuesday fired what are believed to be ballistic missiles toward the sea in an apparent show of force, according to officials in neighboring countries, amid rising tensions with South Korea ahead of a key political gathering in Pyongyang. Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office and Defense Ministry reported the launch of possible ballistic missiles, while South Korea’s Defense Ministry said it detected at least one unidentified projectile launched off North Korea’s eastern coast. Details regarding the range or trajectory of the weapons were not immediately disclosed. The launch followed recent threats from North Korea to retaliate over alleged South Korean surveillance drone flights across the border, reportedly occurring earlier this month and in September. South Korea has denied conducting drone operations during the periods mentioned and said it is investigating whether civilian drones may have been involved. Experts say the drone allegations are likely part of Pyongyang’s efforts to stoke anti-South Korean sentiment ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party congress, expected to be held in late January or February. During the congress, North Korea may formally incorporate leader Kim Jong Un’s declaration of a hostile “two-state” approach toward the Korean Peninsula into the party constitution — a move not seen in the past five years. Earlier this month, North Korea announced test flights of hypersonic missiles, which were reportedly observed by Kim Jong Un, who emphasized strengthening the country’s nuclear deterrence, according to state media. Read More: North Korea claims progress in hypersonic missile program amid regional tensions In December, the North said it had test-fired long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-aircraft missiles, and released images suggesting the construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine. Analysts believe North Korea is showcasing its progress in weapons development ahead of the upcoming party congress.

A Japanese court has ordered North Korea to pay compensation to four people who were persuaded decades ago to move there under a state-backed resettlement scheme. The Tokyo District Court ruled on Monday that Pyongyang should pay 88 million yen, or about $570,000, to the plaintiffs. The court said their rights were violated after they were misled into believing North Korea was a “paradise on Earth”. The plaintiffs told the court they faced harsh living conditions after arriving in North Korea, including forced labour and strict controls on movement. They later managed to escape. The ruling is largely symbolic as North Korea has ignored the case for years and did not respond to court summons. Still, lawyers for the plaintiffs called the verdict historic, saying it marked a rare legal recognition of wrongdoing by Pyongyang. More than 90,000 ethnic Koreans living in Japan moved to North Korea between 1959 and 1984 under the programme. Survivors say promises of free healthcare, education and jobs were not kept. One of the plaintiffs, Eiko Kawasaki, moved to North Korea in 1960 at the age of 17 and escaped in 2003. She is now in her 80s. A lower court had earlier rejected the claims, citing jurisdiction issues and time limits. That decision was overturned after an appeal. Lawyers said enforcing the compensation order would be difficult, but the judgment itself was an important step toward justice.   With inputs from BBC

A passenger ferry carrying more than 350 people sank early Monday off an island in the southern Philippines, leaving at least 15 people dead while hundreds were rescued, officials said. The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island cargo and passenger vessel, was traveling from Zamboanga City to Jolo island in Sulu province with 332 passengers and 27 crew members when it developed technical problems and went down shortly after midnight, according to the coast guard. The ferry sank in calm weather about one nautical mile from the village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province. Many survivors were initially brought ashore there, coast guard commander Romel Dua told the Associated Press. Dua said a coast guard safety officer on board the ferry was able to alert authorities before the vessel sank. The officer survived, prompting an immediate deployment of rescue assets. Coast guard and navy ships, fishing boats, a surveillance aircraft and an air force Black Hawk helicopter joined the search and rescue operation off Basilan, officials said. Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman said dozens of passengers were taken to Isabela City, the provincial capital. He confirmed that two bodies were recovered there. The coast guard said at least 316 people had been rescued as of Monday, with search operations continuing. The cause of the sinking was not immediately known, and an investigation has been ordered. Officials said the ferry had passed inspection before departure and showed no signs of overloading. Maritime accidents are frequent in the Philippines, often blamed on poor vessel maintenance, overcrowding and weak enforcement of safety rules.

Heavy snowfall and rainfall over the last three days have left at least 61 people dead and more than 110 injured across Afghanistan, disaster management officials said on Saturday, as rescue efforts were hampered by blocked roads and isolated villages. According to National Disaster Management Authority spokesman Yousaf Hammad, the extreme weather has fully or partially damaged 458 houses and killed hundreds of livestock in 15 of the country’s 34 provinces. He added that the casualty figures could rise as more information becomes available from affected areas. Afghanistan remains highly exposed to extreme weather, with heavy rain and snow frequently triggering flash floods that claim dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of lives. In 2024 alone, spring floods killed more than 300 people nationwide. The impact of such disasters has been intensified by decades of war, fragile infrastructure, economic hardship, widespread deforestation and the growing effects of climate change. Remote regions are particularly at risk, as many homes are made of mud and provide little protection against severe weather. Read More: Winter storms dump snow and ice across New England Eastern Afghanistan is also still recovering from powerful earthquakes that struck in late August and again in November last year, destroying entire villages and killing more than 2,200 people. People displaced by the earthquakes are especially vulnerable to harsh winter conditions. In December, UNICEF warned that about 270,000 children in quake-affected areas faced a serious risk of life-threatening cold-related illnesses. Earlier this month, the United Nations said Afghanistan is expected to remain one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises in 2026. The UN and its partners have launched a $1.7 billion appeal to provide emergency assistance to nearly 18 million people in need.

At least seven people were killed and 25 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest during a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, police said. The blast occurred at the home of Noor Alam Mehsud, a pro-government community leader in Dera Ismail Khan, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local police chief Adnan Khan. Victims were rushed to a hospital, where some of the wounded were reported in critical condition. The attack struck while guests were dancing to drumbeats during the ceremony. No group has yet claimed responsibility, but suspicion may fall on the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has carried out multiple attacks in the country over recent years. The TTP, allied with but distinct from the Afghan Taliban, has gained strength since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. Many TTP leaders and fighters have reportedly found refuge in Afghanistan since then.

A 22-year-old Afghan woman who was reportedly operating a taekwondo gym for girls has been released after spending 13 days in custody, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s supreme court confirmed. Khadija Ahmadzada was detained for allegedly violating Taliban regulations governing women’s sports facilities, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Women have been barred from sports clubs since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Officials had previously said women’s sports facilities would reopen once a “safe environment” consistent with their interpretation of Islamic law was established. However, as of January 2026, no such facilities have reopened and women remain prohibited from competing. Ahmadzada, who lives near the western Afghan city of Herat, was arrested along with several others after inspectors reported violations at her gym. Authorities accused her of failing to wear what they deemed appropriate hijab, playing music, and allowing men and women to mix in the facility. She was sentenced to 13 days in jail and reportedly had received multiple prior warnings. Read More: Qatar Foundation pledges support for female athletes in Bangladesh The case was later referred to the Taliban’s supreme court, which announced her release on Thursday, January 22. Her current whereabouts remain unclear. Her arrest sparked widespread criticism on social media and drew the attention of Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, who publicly called for her immediate release. Bennett also highlighted the case of Nazira Rashidi, a female journalist detained in late December in the northern city of Kunduz. Taliban officials have denied that Rashidi’s detention is linked to her journalism, according to local media reports. Source: BBC