United News of Bangladesh

Greenland’s location above the Arctic Circle makes the world’s largest island a key factor in global security and trade, drawing international attention amid rising tensions and climate change. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in controlling the mineral-rich island, but both Denmark and Greenland’s government have firmly opposed any U.S. takeover, emphasizing that Greenlanders will decide their own future. The island, home to about 56,000 mostly Inuit residents, has been strategically important since World War II, hosting U.S. military bases and guarding North Atlantic shipping lanes. Its rare earth minerals are crucial for electronics, batteries, and other high-tech industries, attracting interest from the U.S. and other Western nations seeking to reduce dependence on China. The U.S. operates the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland for missile defense and space surveillance, while Denmark is strengthening its Arctic military presence with new naval vessels, surveillance drones, and satellites. Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk and the elite Sirius Dog Sled Patrol enforce sovereignty across Greenland. Security concerns in the Arctic have increased with China declaring itself a “near-Arctic state” and Russia expanding its military presence. Experts warn the region could see heightened competition over trade routes, resources, and strategic control, making Greenland central to Arctic security debates.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Monday that a U.S. military takeover of Greenland would effectively end NATO, responding to renewed comments by President Donald Trump suggesting the United States should control the Arctic territory. Frederiksen’s remarks came amid heightened global unease following a U.S. operation over the weekend that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The episode has intensified concerns in Denmark and Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom and a NATO member by extension. “If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops,” Frederiksen told broadcaster TV2. “That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has existed since the end of the Second World War.” Trump has repeatedly raised the idea of U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland since his transition back into office and has refused to rule out the use of force. His latest comment, “let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days”, fueled fears of imminent action. Frederiksen said Trump “should be taken seriously” and stressed that Denmark and Greenland would not accept threats to their sovereignty. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen also rejected comparisons with Venezuela and urged calm. “The situation is not such that the United States can simply conquer Greenland,” he said, adding that Greenland wants cooperation, not confrontation. Trump has criticized Denmark’s security presence on the island, mocking its defenses and claiming Greenland is strategically vital due to alleged Russian and Chinese activity. However, Danish security experts have disputed those claims. Tensions were further inflamed by a social media post from a former Trump administration official depicting Greenland draped in U.S. flag imagery with the caption “SOON.”   Despite the dispute, the U.S. maintains a longstanding military presence at Greenland’s Pituffik Space Base under a 1951 defense agreement, and Denmark remains a close U.S. ally, hosting American forces and purchasing U.S. military equipment, even as critics warn that recent agreements risk eroding Danish sovereignty.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, as his new chief of staff, a move aimed at strengthening security, defense development, and diplomatic efforts amid ongoing peace talks to end Russia’s nearly four-year invasion. Zelenskyy dismissed his previous chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, after anti-corruption officials launched investigations into alleged energy-sector graft. Budanov, 39, said his appointment is “both an honor and a responsibility” at a historic time for Ukraine, focusing on the country’s strategic security. The president also proposed Mykhailo Fedorov, current digital transformation minister, as the new defense minister. Fedorov, 34, is credited with introducing drone technology in the army and several e-government initiatives. Denys Shmyhal, the outgoing minister, will take another government role. Budanov’s former position as intelligence chief will be filled by Foreign Intelligence Service head Oleh Ivashchenko. Budanov, a career military intelligence officer, has led Ukraine’s GUR agency since 2020 and gained prominence during the war with Russia. He has coordinated intelligence and special operations across Russian-occupied areas, targeting command centers, logistics, and energy facilities. Analysts note his experience makes him well-suited to participate in high-level negotiations, including U.S.-backed peace efforts. Meanwhile, fighting continues across Ukraine, with Russian missile and drone strikes reported in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Belgorod, causing injuries and damage, while both sides deny targeting civilians.

Sixteen-year-old Arthur Brodard went to the Le Constellation bar with friends to ring in the New Year. Nearly 48 hours after a devastating fire, his mother still clung to hope that he might be among the six injured people who had yet to be identified following one of Switzerland’s deadliest disasters. These six unidentified victims offered a small glimmer of hope for families searching for loved ones after the fire at the Crans-Montana Alpine ski resort, which claimed 40 lives and injured 119 others, 113 of whom have been formally identified. “I’m searching everywhere. My son’s body must be somewhere,” Laetitia Brodard from Lausanne told reporters. “I need to know where my child is, whether in intensive care or the morgue, so I can be by his side.” The severity of burn injuries has complicated identification for both the deceased and the injured, requiring families to provide DNA samples. In some cases, wallets and IDs were destroyed in the flames. Social media accounts have been filled with photos of missing people, as friends and relatives pleaded for information. Valais regional officials recognized the prolonged anguish. “Our priority is identification so families can begin to grieve,” said Beatrice Pilloud, the region’s attorney general. Regional government head Mathias Reynard added: “We understand the unbearable stress families feel with every passing minute without answers.” Investigators believe the fire was sparked when sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles touched the bar’s ceiling around two hours after midnight on New Year’s Eve. Dozens dead, about 100 injured in Swiss Alps bar fire during New Year “We were trying to evacuate people. Some were collapsing. We did everything we could to save them. People were screaming and running,” said 14-year-old Marc-Antoine Chavanon, recounting his efforts to help. “One friend was burned badly. You can’t imagine the pain I saw.” Most of the injured were teenagers and people in their twenties, police said. Authorities plan to investigate whether the ceiling’s soundproofing materials met safety regulations and whether the candles were allowed, along with other safety measures such as fire extinguishers and escape routes. Prosecutors warned criminal charges could follow if negligence is found. The injured included 71 Swiss, 14 French, 11 Italians, and others from Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland, with 14 nationalities still unconfirmed, said Valais police commander Frédéric Gisler. Among Italy’s missing was promising young golfer Emanuele Galeppini. His family awaits DNA confirmation, though the Italian Golf Federation has announced his death.  

Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old from Paris, said he felt he could no longer breathe as flames and smoke engulfed the Alpine bar where he had been celebrating the New Year with friends and other revelers. He managed to escape shortly after midnight by breaking open a window with a table. While Clavier survived, nearly 40 others did not, including one of his close friends. Police said the fire tore through the crowded Le Constellation bar, injuring about 115 people, many of them critically. Several of Clavier’s friends were still unaccounted for hours after the incident. Authorities said identifying the victims and notifying their families remains a priority. Valais Canton police commander Frédéric Gisler described the local community as “deeply shaken” and confirmed that the exact number of people inside the bar at the time is still unknown. Valais Canton Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said investigators have not yet determined what caused the fire and stressed that there is no indication of an attack. She added that the bar’s maximum capacity will be examined as part of the investigation and that no arrests have been made. Witnesses described chaotic scenes inside the venue. Clavier recalled seeing staff carrying Champagne bottles with sparklers shortly before the fire but did not witness how it started. He lost personal belongings while escaping but said he was grateful to be alive, adding that he remained in shock. Other witnesses told French media that flames may have spread from an open flame, causing the wooden ceiling to collapse. Panic erupted as people attempted to flee through narrow stairways and exits, with some smashing windows to escape. Outside, distraught parents rushed to the scene, fearing their children were trapped inside. Deadly nightclub and bar fires around the world: A tragic history Regional government head Mathias Reynard said a night meant for celebration had turned into a nightmare. The tragedy comes as the resort remains busy with winter tourists, prompting authorities to urge caution to avoid further strain on emergency services. Swiss President Guy Parmelin called for unity and compassion, praising emergency responders who faced scenes of extreme distress and urging the nation to confront the tragedy with courage and solidarity. Source: AP

Russian-installed authorities in Ukraine’s occupied Kherson region said on Thursday that a Ukrainian drone strike killed at least 24 people and injured more than 50 others during New Year celebrations, amid rising tensions despite ongoing peace efforts. According to Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed head of the region, three drones struck a café and hotel in the coastal resort town of Khorly on the Black Sea. He said one of the drones carried an incendiary substance, causing a fire. The claim could not be independently verified, and Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment. Senior Russian officials condemned the alleged attack. Federation Council chair Valentina Matviyenko said the strike reinforced Moscow’s determination to pursue its objectives in the nearly four-year war. The statement comes as Russia accused Ukraine of launching a separate drone attack targeting one of President Vladimir Putin’s official residences earlier this week, a claim Kyiv dismissed as false and aimed at disrupting peace talks. Diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent weeks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a peace agreement was “90% ready,” though key issues such as territory remain unresolved. Meanwhile, US and European officials reported productive discussions on advancing the peace process. Despite talks, drone and missile attacks have continued on both sides, underlining the fragile security situation.

Russian drones struck apartment buildings and power infrastructure in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa overnight, injuring six people, including a toddler and two other children, officials said Wednesday. Four apartment blocks were damaged, and two energy facilities suffered significant harm, according to regional authorities and the DTEK power provider. The attacks come as Russia has intensified strikes on Ukrainian cities and energy systems ahead of the nearly four-year mark of its invasion in February, aiming to disrupt heat and electricity during winter. In his New Year’s address, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence in eventual victory, praising Russian troops as heroes. Meanwhile, Kyiv denied Russian claims of a recent drone attack on Putin’s residence, calling it a fabricated attempt to distract from ongoing peace talks. On the diplomatic front, U.S. and European officials held talks to advance Ukraine’s peace process, including security guarantees and reconstruction plans. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said NATO countries have contributed $4.3 billion to a weapons fund supporting his country, with Romania and Croatia joining the effort.

Britain’s Queen Camilla on Wednesday publicly shared her experience of indecent assault for the first time, highlighting her long-standing campaign against domestic violence. The queen, who has made fighting abuse one of her key causes, recalled being attacked by a man on a train in the 1960s as a teenager. She said she fought back and only spoke about the incident years later after hearing other women share their own experiences. “I thought, well, if I’ve got a tiny soapbox to stand on, I’d like to stand on it,” Camilla told the BBC, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about domestic abuse, which she said remains a taboo topic. Her remarks came during an interview with the surviving family of Louise Hunt and her relatives, who were murdered by Louise’s ex-partner in July 2024. Camilla praised their efforts and others working to combat domestic violence. The assault was previously mentioned in the book Power and the Palace by Valentine Low, which described how Camilla defended herself during the attack and helped have the assailant arrested.

The European Union’s top diplomat on Wednesday rejected Russia’s claims that Ukraine targeted Russian government sites, calling the allegations an attempt to distract attention and derail ongoing peace efforts. Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the claims were unfounded and should not be taken seriously. Writing on social media, she accused Moscow of trying to shift focus from its own actions in the war. She said no one should believe claims made by an aggressor that has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians. Earlier this week, the Kremlin alleged that Ukraine had tried to carry out a drone attack on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residences near Lake Valdai in northwestern Russia. Moscow said it could reconsider its position in peace talks because of the alleged incident. Russian officials and state media later repeated the claim, with some lawmakers using strong language. Russia’s defence ministry also released what it said was evidence, including a map and video footage of a downed drone. However, the footage could not be independently verified. Ukrainian officials dismissed the material as unconvincing. Ukraine’s foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi described the Russian claims as laughable, according to Reuters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also denied the allegation. He said the claim was linked to recent progress in US-led talks aimed at achieving a ceasefire and accused Russia of trying to disrupt positive momentum between Ukraine and its partners. Zelensky warned that the allegation could be used as a pretext for further Russian strikes. While no damage was reported in Kyiv following brief air alerts overnight, several other parts of Ukraine were hit by drones, including the port city of Odesa, where civilians were injured and power supplies were disrupted. Efforts to restart peace negotiations are expected to continue in early January with the involvement of US and European officials, but progress remains uncertain amid rising tensions and continued fighting.   With inputs from BBC

Russian drones targeted apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in southern Ukraine’s Odesa overnight, injuring six people, including a toddler and two other children, officials said Wednesday. Oleh Kiper, head of the regional military administration, said four apartment buildings were damaged in the attacks. Power company DTEK reported significant damage to two of its facilities and noted that 10 electricity substations in Odesa region had been damaged in December alone. Russia has intensified long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities this year, increasingly targeting energy infrastructure to disrupt heat and water supplies during winter. From January to November, over 2,300 Ukrainian civilians were killed and more than 11,000 injured, a 26% rise compared to the same period in 2024, according to the United Nations. Kiper described the Odesa strikes as “further evidence of the enemy’s terror tactics, which deliberately target civilian infrastructure.” Moscow has claimed that Ukraine attempted to attack Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence with 91 long-range drones late Sunday and early Monday, a claim denied by Ukrainian officials. Maj. Gen. Alexander Romanenkov of the Russian air force said the drones launched from Sumy and Chernihiv regions, but independent verification was not possible. The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas dismissed the Russian allegations as a “deliberate distraction” from peace talks. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Romania and Croatia have joined a NATO-backed fund to buy U.S. weapons for Ukraine, bringing the total contributions to $4.3 billion since August. Ukraine’s air force reported that 127 Russian drones were fired overnight, with 101 intercepted, while Russia said 86 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russian territory, the Black Sea, and annexed Crimea. An oil refinery in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region caught fire from a Ukrainian drone strike but was quickly extinguished, local authorities said.