United News of Bangladesh

Dense smog shrouded India’s capital on Monday, sending air pollution to its worst levels in weeks, disrupting travel, and forcing authorities to implement strict containment measures. More than 40 flights were cancelled, dozens more delayed, and over 50 trains arriving and departing from New Delhi faced multi-hour delays, officials said. Healthcare experts warned residents to avoid outdoor activities as hospitals reported a surge in patients suffering from breathing difficulties and eye irritation. “New Delhi is like a gas chamber right now. Air purifiers offer limited relief, so the government must come up with long-term solutions,” said Naresh Dang, a physician at Max Healthcare. Delhi’s air quality has remained at the federal government’s “severe” level for the past two days, which can affect healthy individuals’ respiratory systems and seriously harm those with heart or lung conditions. Official readings on Sunday exceeded 450 at multiple monitoring stations, up from 430 on Saturday, marking the highest levels this winter, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Monday’s readings stood at 449. For reference, values below 50 are considered safe. During severe pollution, authorities advise people to stay indoors and wear N95 masks. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are urged to take extra precautions. “I have never seen such pollution before. Last year Delhi was bad, but this year it is worse. I can feel the smoke as I breathe,” said tourist Tiam Patel. To curb pollution, the government has banned construction, restricted diesel generator and vehicle use, and deployed water sprinklers. Schools and offices are allowing students and employees to stay home. Environmentalists, however, warn that these short-term measures are insufficient. New Delhi and its surrounding areas, home to over 30 million people, consistently rank among the world’s most polluted regions. Six of the world’s ten most polluted cities are in India, with New Delhi topping the list for national capitals, according to Switzerland-based IQAir. Pollution spikes each winter due to crop residue burning in nearby states, combined with cooler temperatures that trap smoke from vehicles, construction, and industry. Levels often exceed the World Health Organization’s safe limit by 20 times. “Delhi’s air is unhealthy year-round, even if it appears visibly worse from October to December,” said Vimlendu Jha, an environmentalist. Earlier this month, residents protested against the government’s inaction on air pollution. A Lancet study last year linked long-term exposure to polluted air in India to 1.5 million additional deaths annually. “Air pollution-related deaths are largely uncounted due to the lack of systematic tracking mechanisms,” said Shweta Narayan of the Global Climate and Health Alliance. In October, authorities conducted a controversial cloud-seeding experiment over New Delhi to induce rainfall and clear smog, but the effort failed to produce rain.

President Donald Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit Monday against the BBC, accusing the British broadcaster of defamation and deceptive trade practices over the editing of his January 6, 2021, speech. The 33-page lawsuit claims the BBC broadcast a “false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction” of Trump, intentionally splicing together separate parts of his speech to misrepresent his words. The documentary in question, Trump: A Second Chance? aired just days before the 2024 U.S. presidential election and combined quotes delivered nearly an hour apart into one segment suggesting Trump urged supporters to “fight like hell.” Portions where he called for peaceful demonstration were omitted, the lawsuit says. Trump said the BBC “put terrible words in my mouth” and ignored the “beautiful words” he actually said about patriotism and other topics. The broadcaster apologized last month, calling the edit an “error of judgment,” which led to the resignations of its top executive and head of news. However, the BBC rejected the claim that it had defamed Trump. Legal analysts note challenges in pursuing the case in U.S. courts because the documentary was not broadcast domestically, though the lawsuit cites access via the subscription service BritBox. The BBC, a publicly funded institution over 100 years old, typically faces intense scrutiny for impartiality. It has not immediately commented on the lawsuit.

An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced a senior figure of a prohibited Islamist party to 35 years in prison for inciting violence, more than a year after he openly urged the killing of the country’s then-chief justice, according to court officials and a defence lawyer on Tuesday. The convict, Zaheerul Hassan Shah, is a leader of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan. He was taken into custody last year after a video spread on social media in which he announced a reward of 10 million rupees ($36,000) for anyone who beheaded then-Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Hardline religious groups had strongly criticised Isa after he granted bail to a member of the minority Ahmadi community who was accused in a blasphemy case. The Ahmadi faith, which emerged from Islam, was declared non-Muslim by Pakistan’s parliament in 1974. Members of the community frequently face attacks on their homes and places of worship by Sunni militant groups who view them as heretical. Defence lawyer Maqsood-ul-Haq and court officials said the anti-terrorism court in the eastern city of Lahore delivered the verdict on Monday. The sentencing comes less than two months after the Pakistani government outlawed the TLP following deadly confrontations between the party’s supporters and police during a pro-Gaza demonstration. Since those violent clashes, TLP chief Saad Rizvi has remained unaccounted for. Police claim Rizvi escaped to Pakistan-administered Kashmir amid the unrest, which erupted in early October when he was leading a march from Lahore toward Islamabad, the capital of Punjab province.   

Britain’s MI6 chief, Blaise Metreweli, has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately delaying peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine while testing the West with actions “just below the threshold of war.” Speaking publicly for the first time since taking the helm of Britain’s foreign intelligence service, Metreweli said Putin remains intent on subjugating Ukraine and harassing NATO members. She highlighted Russia’s use of hybrid tactics, including cyberattacks, drone incursions, arson, sabotage, disinformation, and “aggressive activities in our seas, above and below the waves.” “The export of chaos is a feature, not a bug,” she said, warning that Moscow’s destabilizing actions are likely to continue until Putin is forced to change course. Metreweli, the first woman to lead MI6, emphasized the growing importance of technology alongside human intelligence, noting that officers must be “as comfortable with lines of code as we are with human sources.” Her comments coincided with ongoing diplomatic efforts to end nearly four years of conflict, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting U.S. and European leaders. The MI6 chief urged vigilance against Russia’s “gray zone” tactics and stressed that Britain must sharpen its intelligence capabilities while upholding ethical standards. Metreweli’s warning reflects broader Western concerns about hybrid threats from Russia, Iran, and China, with British authorities recently imposing sanctions on Russian media and Chinese tech firms for cyber activities.

At least seven people were killed when a small aircraft crashed while attempting an emergency landing in central Mexico on Monday, according to local authorities. Mexico State Civil Protection Coordinator Adrián Hernández said the crash occurred in San Mateo Atenco, an industrial area about five kilometers from Toluca airport and roughly 50 kilometers west of Mexico City. The aircraft had departed from Acapulco on the Pacific coast. Hernández said the private jet was carrying eight passengers and two crew members. Several hours after the incident, authorities had recovered seven bodies, while search and recovery operations continued. Preliminary information suggests the plane tried to land on a nearby soccer field but instead struck the metal roof of a business facility, triggering a major fire. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. San Mateo Atenco Mayor Ana Muñiz told local media that the resulting blaze forced the evacuation of around 130 people from nearby buildings as a safety precaution. Emergency responders and investigators remained at the scene as officials worked to determine what led to the accident.

Authorities intensified their search Monday for the gunman who killed two students and wounded nine others in a shooting at Brown University, as concerns grew over campus security and how the attacker managed to flee. Police and federal agents went door to door in nearby neighborhoods, checking yards and asking residents for surveillance footage that could help identify the suspect. Investigators released new videos showing a masked man in a dark, two-tone jacket before and after Saturday’s attack, but his face remains obscured. The FBI described the suspect as about 5 feet 8 inches tall with a stocky build and announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The search gained urgency after police acknowledged they had released a person of interest on Sunday, saying evidence no longer supported his involvement. The reversal raised public frustration and questions about whether the shift allowed the real suspect more time to escape. The shooting occurred in an auditorium-style classroom where students were studying for finals. Among those killed was Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore active in campus politics and church life, and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman who had overcome significant childhood health challenges after immigrating from Uzbekistan. As of Sunday, only one of the wounded had been released from the hospital. Several others remained in critical but stable condition, including students from outside Rhode Island. Brown lifted its lockdown, but unease lingered among students, parents and prospective applicants. Some nearby universities and Ivy League schools announced heightened security, particularly around religious events. Investigators said they are still working to trace the suspect’s movements and determine how he entered the classroom, noting limited camera coverage in the area. The attack, which unfolded during finals week, triggered hours of chaos on campus and renewed debate about safety at open university campuses.

Australian authorities on Tuesday said the deadly mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was a terrorist attack influenced by the Islamic State group, confirming long-suspected extremist motives behind one of the country’s worst acts of violence in decades. Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said investigators believe the attack was ideologically driven. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed the assessment, citing evidence recovered from the suspects’ vehicle, including Islamic State flags and other materials. Fifteen people were killed in the attack on Sunday, while 25 others remain hospitalized, 10 in critical condition. Three of the injured are children. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 and were attending a Jewish religious event when gunfire erupted. Police said the suspects were a father and son, aged 50 and 24. The older suspect was shot dead by police, while the younger man was taken into custody and is receiving hospital treatment. Authorities also confirmed the discovery of improvised explosive devices in a vehicle linked to the suspects. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators are examining the pair’s recent trip to the Philippines as part of the ongoing probe. He confirmed the presence of homemade ISIS flags in the seized vehicle. The attack has intensified calls for tighter gun laws, despite Australia already having strict regulations. Albanese and several state leaders pledged further reforms after it emerged that the older suspect legally acquired multiple firearms. The prime minister also visited Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-born shop owner hailed as a hero after he tackled and disarmed one attacker during the chaos. Albanese praised his bravery, saying the nation would not be divided by terror. Lifeguards at Bondi Beach were widely commended for risking their lives to rescue people and provide first aid amid the shooting. In response to the tragedy, thousands of Australians gathered at memorials, while blood donation centers reported record sign-ups, reflecting a nationwide outpouring of grief and solidarity.

Nine African migrants died after being exposed to freezing temperatures near Morocco’s border with Algeria, according to rights groups in the North African country. The Moroccan Association of Human Rights said the bodies of seven men and two women were found in Ras Asfour, a remote mountainous area known for severe winter conditions. The group said the migrants died from extreme cold after their bodies were unable to withstand the temperatures. According to the organisation, one of the deceased was from Guinea, while the others were from different sub-Saharan African countries. Their identities have not been fully established. Morocco’s Interior Ministry did not immediately comment on the incident. Each year, thousands of migrants attempt irregular crossings from North Africa to Europe in search of improved living conditions. From Morocco, some try to enter Spain via the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla by scaling border fences or swimming, while others attempt to reach the Canary Islands through the Atlantic Ocean. Moroccan security forces regularly report intercepting such migration attempts. North Africa continues to serve as a major transit region for migrants seeking entry into southern Europe. Cooperation and security agreements between North African countries and the European Union have strengthened border controls in recent years. Many migrants who fail to cross initially remain in the region for extended periods, working in informal sectors such as construction, agriculture and domestic work, or relying on assistance while waiting for opportunities to attempt sea crossings. The Moroccan Association of Human Rights said six of the bodies were buried last week, while two were retained at the request of relatives. The group said it would continue to monitor the case. Earlier this week, the Moroccan Organization of Human Rights called for measures including more humane border management, the decriminalisation of irregular migration and residence, and the creation of a system to track missing migrants to help prevent similar incidents.  

Israeli military operations inside southern Syria have intensified tensions and raised concerns about a prolonged Israeli presence as forces expand control within and around a buffer zone near the Golan Heights. Last month, Israeli troops carried out a raid in the village of Beit Jin in southwestern Syria, during which 13 residents were killed, according to local accounts. Israel said the operation targeted members of a militant group planning attacks into Israel and that its forces came under fire, wounding six soldiers, before responding with ground fire and air support. Syrian authorities described the incident as a massacre, while residents rejected Israeli claims that militants were operating in the village. The raid was one of several recent Israeli actions in Syria that have increased local opposition and reduced prospects for improved relations between the two countries, despite pressure from the United States to ease tensions. Prospects for limited Israeli-Syrian engagement had emerged late last year after Sunni Islamist-led rebels removed former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a close ally of Iran. Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, has said he does not seek conflict with Israel. Israel, however, has expressed distrust of al-Sharaa due to his past militant affiliations. Israeli forces subsequently moved into the United Nations monitored buffer zone in southern Syria adjacent to the Golan Heights, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed, a step not widely recognised internationally. Israeli troops have established checkpoints, military positions and landing sites, including on Mt Hermon, and have increased patrols and drone surveillance across nearby Syrian areas. Israel has said its presence is temporary and aimed at preventing attacks by militant groups and remnants of pro-Assad forces. It has not provided a timeline for withdrawal, and talks on a bilateral security arrangement have not produced results. Developments in neighboring Lebanon and Gaza have also influenced perceptions in Syria. Israel continues to hold positions in southern Lebanon following a ceasefire with Hezbollah, while maintaining airstrikes and surveillance operations. In Gaza, Israeli plans include buffer zones even after a future withdrawal from parts of the territory. At a regional meeting in Doha earlier this month, al-Sharaa accused Israel of using perceived threats to justify military actions, saying withdrawal to positions held before Assad’s removal was necessary for security on both sides. The interim Syrian government faces multiple internal challenges, including unresolved arrangements with Kurdish-led authorities in the northeast and instability in the southern province of Sweida, where sectarian clashes earlier this year resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths. Israel has portrayed itself as a protector of Syria’s Druze minority and has also sought contacts with Kurdish groups. Analysts say Israel’s approach risks undermining international efforts to support a unified Syrian state. Michael Young of the Carnegie Middle East Center said the strategy contradicts the positions of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and the United States, which favor a stable and consolidated Syrian government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel seeks a demilitarized zone extending from Damascus to the UN buffer zone, including Mt Hermon. While he said agreements with Syria remain possible, he stressed Israel would adhere to its security principles. Israel’s actions have drawn rare public criticism from US President Donald Trump, who has supported al-Sharaa’s efforts to consolidate control. Trump said it was important that Israel maintain dialogue with Syria and avoid steps that could disrupt the country’s recovery. Netanyahu is expected to discuss Syria during a planned visit to Washington later this month. Analysts say Israel is unlikely to withdraw soon, while Syria’s interim government has limited leverage against Israel’s military strength.

The new head of Britain’s foreign intelligence agency MI6 is set to warn that Russia’s efforts to spread instability are reshaping modern conflict and creating complex security challenges for the United Kingdom and its allies. In her first public speech as MI6 chief, Blaise Metreweli is expected to say Britain faces increasingly unpredictable and interconnected threats, with particular focus on what she describes as an aggressive and expansionist Russia. Extracts released by the Foreign Office quote her as saying that the export of chaos is a core feature of Russia’s approach to international engagement and is likely to continue unless President Vladimir Putin changes course. Metreweli, who assumed office at the end of September, is the only publicly named employee of MI6. She succeeded Richard Moore after previously serving as the agency’s director of technology and innovation. In her remarks, she is expected to stress the importance of combining technological expertise with human intelligence to counter hybrid threats. She will say MI6 officers need to be as skilled in computer code as they are in handling human sources, and as fluent in programming languages as they are in spoken ones. Her speech follows a series of warnings from Western defence and security officials about hybrid threats posed by countries including Russia, Iran and China. These threats are said to include cyber operations, espionage and influence campaigns that undermine international stability. Last week, the UK imposed sanctions on several Russian media organisations over alleged information warfare activities and on two Chinese technology companies accused of large-scale cyber operations. Metreweli is the first woman to lead MI6 since the agency was founded in 1909. Britain’s other intelligence agencies have previously been headed by women, including MI5 and the cyber intelligence agency GCHQ. The warning comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, now approaching its fourth year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US envoys in Berlin on Sunday and is scheduled to hold talks with the leaders of Germany, France and Britain. European allies are seeking to maintain support for Kyiv as Washington pushes for a rapid acceptance of a US-brokered peace proposal. Separately, Britain’s Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, is also expected to warn that Putin aims to weaken and ultimately dismantle NATO. In a speech on Monday, Knighton will say the war in Ukraine demonstrates Russia’s readiness to target neighbouring states and civilian populations, posing a threat to the entire NATO alliance, including the UK. He is expected to argue for stronger military capabilities and more resilient national infrastructure in response.