United News of Bangladesh

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 24, the 358th day of 2025. There are seven days left in the year. This is Christmas Eve. Today in history: On Dec. 24, 1914, during World War I, impromptu Christmas truces began to take hold along parts of the Western Front, principally between British and German soldiers but also involving French troops. Also on this date: In 1814, the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent, which would end the War of 1812 following ratification by both the British Parliament and the U.S. Senate. In 1851, fire devastated the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., destroying about 35,000 volumes (about two-thirds of the library’s collection). In 1865, several veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club in Pulaski, Tennessee, that was the original version of the Ku Klux Klan. In 1913, 73 people, most of them children, died in a crush of panic after a false cry of “Fire!” during a Christmas party for striking miners and their families at the Italian Hall in Calumet, Michigan. In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush pardoned former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and five others in the Iran-Contra scandal. In 2013, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II granted a posthumous pardon to code-breaker Alan Turing, who was criminally convicted of homosexual behavior in the 1950s. In 2018, a series of explosions ripped through fireworks workshops in Tultepec, a town just north of Mexico City, leaving at least 24 people dead and dozens injured. In 2024, NASA's Parker Solar Probe survived its record-breaking closest approach to the sun, hurtling 3.8 million miles above its fiery surface. Since its 2018 launch, the probe has completed numerous other close fly-bys to observe solar wind and other events. Today’s Birthdays: Immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci is 85. Filmmaker Lee Daniels is 66. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright is 64. Singer Ricky Martin is 54. Novelist and film producer Stephenie Meyer is 52. TV host Ryan Seacrest is 51. Rock singer Louis Tomlinson (One Direction) is 34.

At least two people were killed after a powerful explosion tore through a nursing home near Philadelphia on Tuesday, collapsing part of the building, triggering a major fire and trapping residents inside, authorities said. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said emergency responders rushed into the burning Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Bristol Township despite intense flames, a strong smell of gas and a secondary explosion, rescuing residents and staff. Fire officials said crews remained in “rescue mode” hours later, using search dogs, heavy equipment and sonar technology to locate possible victims. As of Tuesday evening, five people were still unaccounted for, though officials cautioned some may have left with family members. The blast occurred shortly after a utility crew arrived at the facility to investigate reports of a gas odor. While a gas leak is believed to be the cause, Shapiro said the finding remains preliminary. Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito described chaotic rescue efforts, with firefighters pulling residents from windows, stairwells and elevator shafts. Two people were rescued from a collapsed section of the building. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims or confirmed the number of injured. The 174-bed facility, formerly known as Silver Lake Healthcare Center, had recently been cited for safety violations during a state inspection. Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing.  

Guineans are set to vote on Sunday in the country’s first presidential election since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, with analysts widely expecting junta leader Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya to secure victory amid a weakened opposition. Doumbouya, who overthrew longtime president Alpha Condé, is seeking a seven-year term under a new constitution that allows military leaders to run for office and extends the presidential mandate from five to seven years. Critics say the vote is taking place in a tightly controlled political environment that favors the incumbent. About 6.7 million registered voters are expected to cast ballots at around 24,000 polling stations nationwide. Results are anticipated within 48 hours, with a runoff planned if no candidate wins a majority. The regional bloc ECOWAS has deployed election observers. Nine candidates are contesting the race, but Doumbouya faces little-known challenger Yero Baldé, a former education minister. Several prominent opposition figures were either barred on technical grounds or forced into exile, further weakening competition. Rights groups and activists say Guinea has seen growing restrictions since the coup, including the silencing of civil society leaders, censorship of the press and the dissolution of more than 50 political parties last year. Many voters remain skeptical. Political analyst Alioune Tine said the election appears designed to legitimize military rule rather than restore democracy. Some residents in the capital, Conakry, have vowed not to vote, calling the process unfair. Despite criticism, Doumbouya retains support among segments of the population who credit him with infrastructure development and reform efforts. His campaign highlights major projects, including the Simandou iron ore mine, which began production last month and is being promoted as a driver of economic transformation and job creation. With state backing and extensive media coverage, Doumbouya’s campaign has dominated the race, leaving rivals with limited visibility and resources.

The European Union has warned it may take action against what it called “unjustified measures” after the United States barred five European nationals accused of pressuring US technology companies to censor American viewpoints. The warning came Wednesday from the European Commission after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced travel restrictions against the five, whom he described as “radical” activists linked to “weaponized” nongovernmental organisations. Among them is former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, who previously oversaw Europe’s digital and social media regulations. Breton, a former French finance minister, clashed publicly last year with tech billionaire Elon Musk over content moderation and an online interview with Donald Trump ahead of the US election. In a statement, the European Commission strongly condemned the US decision, said it had sought clarification, and stressed it would act “swiftly and decisively” if necessary to protect the EU’s regulatory independence. French President Emmanuel Macron also criticised the move, calling it an attempt to intimidate Europe and undermine its digital sovereignty. Rubio said on social media that European ideologues had long tried to coerce American platforms into suppressing views they oppose, adding that the Trump administration would no longer tolerate what it called “extraterritorial censorship.” The Commission countered that the EU has the sovereign right to regulate its digital market in line with democratic values, insisting its rules ensure fair competition and user safety without discrimination or targeting any country. The visa bans fall under a policy announced in May to restrict entry for foreigners accused of censoring protected speech in the US. The other barred individuals include Imran Ahmed of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, German activists Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg of HateAid, and Clare Melford of the Global Disinformation Index. Breton responded by noting that the EU’s Digital Services Act was approved democratically by all 27 member states, saying censorship “isn’t where you think it is.”

Venezuela’s parliament on Tuesday approved a measure that criminalizes a wide range of activities that disrupt navigation and commerce, including the seizure of oil tankers, in a move seen as a response to U.S. actions against the country. The bill, debated and approved within two days in the National Assembly, follows this month’s U.S. seizures of two tankers carrying Venezuelan oil in international waters, part of President Donald Trump’s four-month campaign to pressure Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. has said the vessels are part of a fleet used by Venezuela to bypass economic sanctions. Although the National Assembly, controlled by Maduro’s party, did not immediately publish the full text, the measure provides fines and prison sentences of up to 20 years for anyone who “promotes, requests, supports, finances or participates in acts of piracy, blockades or other international illegal acts” against commercial entities doing business with Venezuela. The bill, awaiting Maduro’s signature, also directs the executive branch to develop “incentives and mechanisms for economic, commercial and other protections” for national or foreign entities affected by piracy, maritime blockades, or other unlawful acts. Venezuela’s political opposition, including Nobel Peace laureate María Corina Machado, has expressed support for U.S. measures, saying Maduro’s days in power are numbered. Earlier this month, the U.S. Coast Guard seized a Panama-flagged tanker, Centuries, and, with Navy support, another vessel, Skipper, alleging they were transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil. Following the first seizure, Trump announced a “blockade” of Venezuela and demanded the return of assets previously seized from U.S. oil companies. At a U.N. Security Council meeting called by Venezuela, U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz described sanctioned tankers as Maduro’s primary economic lifeline, funding “narco-terrorist activities” and the Cartel de los Soles. Maduro was indicted in 2020 in the U.S. on narcoterrorism charges linked to the cartel, a network of high-ranking Venezuelan officials involved in drug and fuel trafficking. Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador Samuel Moncada accused the U.S. of acting outside international and domestic law, calling the seizures a “military act” aimed at crippling the country’s economy and social cohesion. The move has raised concerns globally over potential violations of international maritime law, with most U.N. member states stressing the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, though a few countries, including Panama and Argentina, have supported U.S. actions.

Hundreds of worshippers gathered Tuesday at Mar Elias Church in Syria to mark Christmas and honor 25 people killed in a June suicide attack, reaffirming their faith amid lingering fears. A small security detail stood guard as congregants held Mass and lit a neon Christmas tree on the church courtyard wall, adorned with photos of the victims. Among those remembered were three men celebrated as heroes for tackling the bomber, potentially saving many lives. The attacker opened fire and detonated an explosive vest inside the Greek Orthodox church on June 22, killing worshippers during Sunday prayers. Brothers Boutros and Gergis Bechara and congregant Milad Haddad confronted the bomber, pushing him away from the main congregation before the explosion. “If it weren’t for the three of them, maybe not one person would remain out of 400 people,” said Imad Haddad, Milad Haddad’s brother. He described attending the Christmas tree lighting as “a message of peace and love” and proof of the congregation’s resilience. Thana al-Masoud, widow of Boutros Bechara, said she takes comfort believing her husband and the others are martyrs. “Our Lord chose them to be saints and to spread His word to all the world,” she said, while acknowledging the pain of their loss. The June attack, blamed on an Islamic State cell, heightened fears among Syria’s Christian minority, which once made up about 10% of the population. Many fled during the 14-year civil war marked by sectarian violence and attacks on religious communities. Despite the trauma, some congregants say their faith has grown stronger. “Our God is present, and He was present in the church,” said Hadi Kindarji, recalling a spiritual experience during the explosion. Mar Elias priest Yohanna Shehadeh acknowledged ongoing fears but said the congregation prays for peace as Christmas approaches.    

Three people, including two police officers, were killed Wednesday in an explosion in Moscow, Russian investigators said, just days after a car bomb killed a senior general nearby. The two traffic police officers were approaching a “suspicious individual” when an explosive device detonated, Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko said. The officers and a bystander standing nearby died from their injuries. Investigators and forensic teams are working at the scene, Petrenko added. The incident occurred in the same area where Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, was killed by a car bomb on Monday morning. Russian investigators have suggested that Ukraine may have been behind Sarvarov’s killing, marking the third targeted death of a senior Russian military officer in just over a year.

Colombia’s government has declared an economic state of emergency, allowing President Gustavo Petro’s administration to impose taxes by decree as the country faces rising debts and the need to fund hospitals and the military. Petro issued the decree late Monday after his administration failed to secure congressional approval for a tax bill that would have raised $4 billion for the 2026 budget, a year of presidential and congressional elections. Public spending under Petro, elected in 2022, has surged beyond levels seen during the pandemic, with the national budget reaching approximately $134 billion in 2025. The decree cites the need for funds to cover fuel subsidies, health insurance payments, and about $700 million in military-related infrastructure to counter drone attacks from rebel groups. The government has not yet published the specific taxes to be imposed. Leaked documents reported by local media indicate plans for new wealth taxes on businesses and individuals, as well as higher sales taxes on alcohol, including rum and wine. Business groups have criticized the decree as authoritarian and a way to bypass Congress. Bruce Mac Master, president of Colombia’s National Association of Industrialists, called it a “flagrant abuse of the rule of law” on social media. Many analysts expect the Constitutional Court to overturn the decree, noting that Colombian law allows a state of economic emergency only in cases of “grave, imminent and unexpected” threats to the economy. Jorge Restrepo, an economics professor at Bogota’s Javeriana University, said it will be difficult for the government to justify the decree. “This was not an unexpected situation … like a war or natural disaster,” he said, referring to the budget deficit. “We knew there was a fiscal crisis brewing since the middle of last year.”  

The U.S. Justice Department has released tens of thousands of new documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the latest and largest tranche of files on the late financier and convicted sex offender. The documents include multiple mentions of President Donald Trump but provide little new information, officials said. Many references to Trump come from news clippings, though one email from a federal prosecutor highlighted that Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet more often than previously reported in the 1990s. Trump and Epstein were friends for years, but the president has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. The Justice Department said some documents contained “untrue and sensationalist claims” about Trump made shortly before the 2020 election. One alleged letter from Epstein to convicted sports doctor Larry Nassar was confirmed as fake. The latest release shows Trump listed on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996, with co-passenger Ghislaine Maxwell on some trips. Other files revealed that Mar-a-Lago was subpoenaed in 2021 for employment records. Trump dismissed the files as a distraction from his administration’s work and criticized the release of photos showing him with Epstein alongside other well-known figures. Other high-profile names in the files include former President Bill Clinton, the late pop star Michael Jackson, singer Diana Ross, and the U.K.’s Prince Andrew. The documents include correspondence suggesting Andrew was in contact with Maxwell, though he denies any wrongdoing. Monday’s release is the largest so far, adding nearly 30,000 pages of news clippings, law enforcement tips, and surveillance videos from Epstein’s New York jail. Many materials were already publicly known. Officials said the staged release aims to protect victims, though some have called for full transparency. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the documents still leave “more questions than answers,” pointing to mentions of 10 potential co-conspirators with few additional details.    

President Donald Trump’s newly appointed envoy to Greenland said Tuesday the U.S. is seeking dialogue with residents of the semi-autonomous Danish territory, and is not aiming to seize or control the strategically important Arctic island. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, speaking publicly for the first time since his appointment, stressed that the administration will not “go in there trying to conquer anybody” or take over another country. Landry’s remarks appeared to contrast with Trump’s repeated statements advocating U.S. control over Greenland for security reasons, including the possibility of military involvement to secure the mineral-rich island. “We should be talking to the Greenlanders directly,” Landry said on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show.” “What are they looking for? What opportunities have they not received? Why haven’t they gotten the protection they deserve?” Trump’s appointment of Landry has again raised concerns in Denmark and across Europe. Danish officials said they would summon the U.S. ambassador to discuss the issue. “National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement Monday. “You cannot annex another country, even under the guise of international security.” Trump had previously called for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland during his presidential transition and early second term. Vice President JD Vance visited a U.S. military base on the island in March, criticizing Denmark for under-investment. The issue resurfaced in August after Danish officials reported covert influence operations in Greenland linked to Trump associates. Danish authorities said the U.S. administration gave no advance notice of Landry’s appointment, and Congress has yet to receive details. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the timing of the move. “Greenland’s sovereignty is not up for debate,” she said. “Denmark is a critical NATO ally that has stood side by side with the U.S.”