United News of Bangladesh

Russia’s nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system has officially entered active service in Belarus, the Russian Defense Ministry announced Tuesday, as U.S.-led efforts to broker a resolution to the nearly four-year war in Ukraine reach a critical stage. A ministry video showed mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile vehicles conducting forest maneuvers as part of combat training. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko earlier confirmed the arrival of up to 10 Oreshnik systems in the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin had said the missiles would enter combat duty before year-end, warning that Moscow would pursue further gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies rejected Russia’s peace demands. The announcement coincides with high-profile U.S.-mediated diplomacy. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida over the weekend, describing Kyiv and Moscow as “closer than ever” to a deal, though major disputes remain over troop withdrawals and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Putin previously tested a conventional Oreshnik strike in Ukraine in November 2024. He claims the missile’s multiple warheads reach speeds of up to Mach 10 and are virtually unstoppable, with conventional strikes potentially as devastating as nuclear ones. Moscow has warned the West that the missiles could target nations assisting Ukraine with long-range attacks on Russia. Belarusian authorities said the Oreshnik has a range of up to 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles). Russian media highlighted it could reach a Polish air base in 11 minutes and NATO headquarters in Brussels in 17. The missile’s payload—nuclear or conventional—cannot be verified before impact. The deployment underscores Belarus’ growing military and political dependence on Russia. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya criticized the move, while the country’s history of hosting Russian tactical nuclear weapons and the 2024 revised Russian nuclear doctrine further extend Moscow’s influence. Source: AP 

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

Israel announced Tuesday it will halt operations of more than two dozen humanitarian organizations in Gaza, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), starting Jan. 1, citing their failure to meet new vetting rules. The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said the organizations did not provide sufficient details on staff, funding, and operations. Israel accused some MSF staff of alleged ties to Hamas and other militant groups, claims the group has strongly denied. The ministry noted that about 25 organizations, representing 15% of NGOs operating in Gaza, will not have their permits renewed. International organizations criticized Israel’s rules as arbitrary and warned that they could put aid workers at risk. Tensions have escalated over aid in Gaza since the two-year war ended with a ceasefire on Oct. 10. Israel maintains it is fulfilling aid commitments under the ceasefire, while humanitarian groups say more assistance is urgently needed for the territory’s two million residents. Doctors Without Borders said in 2024 it took allegations of staff involvement in military activities “very seriously” and reiterated it would never knowingly employ individuals engaged in such actions.

European and Canadian leaders met virtually Tuesday to discuss U.S.-led efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine, amid rising tensions over Russian claims, denied by Kyiv, of a drone attack on a residence used by President Vladimir Putin. The talks included European heads of state, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European institution leaders. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that while “peace is on the horizon,” it is not guaranteed. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that transparency is required from all parties, including Russia. The meeting followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s hosting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Florida resort on Sunday, during which Trump said Ukraine and Russia are “closer than ever” to a peace agreement. The Russian allegations involved a reported attack by Ukraine on a lakeside residence in Novgorod’s Dolgie Borody area, 400 kilometers northwest of Moscow. Kyiv called the claims false, and Kremlin officials accused Ukraine of attempting to undermine U.S. peace efforts. Observers warn the accusations could disrupt negotiations. According to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, Moscow has sought to prolong talks to continue its military campaign, avoid pressure from the U.S., and extract concessions on bilateral relations.

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.

President Donald Trump indicated Monday that the U.S. has struck a dock facility along a shore linked to drug trafficking as part of its escalating campaign against Venezuela, though officials provided few details. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the facility was used to load boats accused of carrying drugs destined for the U.S. “There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,” he said. “They load the boats up with drugs, so we hit all the boats and now we hit the area. It’s the implementation area. And that is no longer around.” The move signals a potential expansion of U.S. operations from strikes on drug boats in international waters toward actions closer to shore. The U.S. military conducted another strike Monday in the eastern Pacific, killing two people, and has killed at least 107 individuals in 30 strikes since September. Trump did not confirm whether the dock strike was conducted by the military or CIA, nor its exact location, though he said it was “along the shore.” The administration has previously deployed warships, built up forces in the region, seized oil tankers, and suggested the possibility of future land strikes in Venezuela or elsewhere in South America. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the U.S. actions, asserting the operations aim to remove him from power. The White House has framed the campaign as an effort to disrupt drug trafficking into the United States. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles recently told Vanity Fair that Trump intends to continue strikes on boats until Maduro “cries uncle.”  

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Turkey on Tuesday for high-level talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, days after Israel announced its recognition of Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia. Turkish officials said the discussions would focus on expanding bilateral cooperation, Somalia’s fight against terrorism, efforts to reinforce national unity and key regional developments. Turkey has emerged as one of Somalia’s strongest partners over the past decade, providing military training, backing major infrastructure projects and operating a military base in Mogadishu. Ankara has also sent a seismic research vessel, protected by naval ships, to explore Somalia’s offshore oil and gas potential. Israel’s decision last week to recognize Somaliland — the first country to do so — sparked sharp criticism from Turkey, Somalia and several other nations. Ankara described the move as unlawful and warned it could threaten stability in the Horn of Africa. The motivation behind Israel’s announcement remains unclear. Earlier this year, Turkey mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia following tensions over a deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland. In January 2024, Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland to lease coastal land for a naval base in exchange for recognition, a move Somalia says violates its sovereignty. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia more than 30 years ago but remains largely unrecognized internationally.  

US President Donald Trump on Monday said he hopes to reach the second phase of the Gaza peace plan “very quickly” and warned Hamas of “hell to pay” if it does not disarm soon. Trump made the remarks during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. He said Israel has “lived up to the plan 100%” despite ongoing military actions in Gaza. The Gaza ceasefire, which began in October, envisions a technocratic government in Gaza, disarmament of Hamas, withdrawal of Israeli troops, and reconstruction of the territory. Trump said reconstruction could “begin pretty soon.” Trump also warned Iran that the US could carry out further strikes if the country resumes its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programmes. Iran’s top adviser, Ali Shamkhani, responded that any aggression would receive an “immediate harsh response.” Trump said the focus now is on ensuring Hamas disarms “in a fairly short period of time” so that the peace plan can progress. He stressed that Israel is following the plan and expressed concern mainly about the actions of other parties. The leaders also discussed regional tensions, including Syria and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. Trump said he hopes Israel can maintain peaceful borders with Syria under its new leadership. Since the ceasefire began, at least 414 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military operations in Gaza, while Israel has reported three soldier deaths during the same period.   With inputs from BBC

Russian military losses in the war against Ukraine have been rising at their fastest pace since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, according to an analysis by BBC News Russian, as diplomatic efforts led by the United States intensified this year. Over the past 10 months, the number of confirmed Russian deaths has grown sharply. BBC data show that about 40 percent more obituaries of Russian soldiers were published in 2025 compared with the previous year, coinciding with renewed pressure from US President Donald Trump’s administration to reach a peace deal. The BBC, working with independent outlet Mediazona and volunteers, has so far verified nearly 160,000 names of people killed while fighting on Russia’s side. The figures are based on official reports, media publications, social media posts, and newly identified graves and memorials. However, the real toll is believed to be far higher. Military experts consulted by the BBC estimate that confirmed deaths may represent only 45 to 65 percent of the actual number, suggesting total Russian fatalities could range between 243,000 and 352,000. The BBC noted that obituary data, while preliminary, offer insight into the changing intensity of the conflict. In 2025, daily obituary counts peaked during key moments of Russia-US diplomatic engagement, including direct talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and later discussions around a proposed peace framework. An average of more than 320 obituaries per day were recorded in October and November, about double the daily average in 2024, the analysis said. Observers say the Kremlin has sought to make territorial gains on the battlefield to strengthen its position in negotiations. A senior aide to President Putin recently said Russia’s “recent successes” had positively influenced talks with Washington. The data also show a growing share of casualties among so-called volunteers — civilians who signed military contracts after the invasion began. While only about 15 percent of Russian military deaths were volunteers a year ago, the figure has risen to roughly one in three in 2025. Local authorities across Russia have reportedly intensified recruitment drives, offering large financial incentives and targeting people facing debt or criminal charges, allowing Moscow to offset heavy losses without announcing a new mass mobilisation. Despite the rising death toll, Russian officials say recruitment continues to outpace losses. NATO, however, estimates that tens of thousands of Russian soldiers are being killed each month. Ukraine has also suffered heavy casualties in the war, with both sides continuing to pay a high human cost as fighting drags on and peace efforts remain uncertain.   With inputs from BBC