United News of Bangladesh

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday that Moscow would seek to extend its territorial gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin’s demands in ongoing peace talks. Speaking at an annual meeting with senior military officers, Putin said Russia preferred to achieve its objectives through diplomacy but was prepared to pursue them by force if negotiations collapse. “If the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means,” he said. The comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies diplomatic efforts to end nearly four years of war following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Those efforts, however, have faced deep disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv over territory and security guarantees. Putin claimed Russian forces had seized and were holding the strategic initiative across the entire front line. He also warned that Moscow would move to expand a so-called “buffer security zone” along Russia’s border with Ukraine. “Our troops are different now. They are battle-hardened, and there is no other such army in the world,” Putin said, praising Russia’s growing military capabilities. He also highlighted the modernization of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, including the new nuclear-capable intermediate-range Oreshnik ballistic missile, which he said would officially enter combat duty this month. Russia tested a conventionally armed version of the missile in November 2024 against a Ukrainian factory, with Putin later claiming it was impossible to intercept. Ukraine and its Western allies have repeatedly described Russia’s actions as an unprovoked act of aggression and a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. Putin’s remarks followed several rounds of talks this week involving Ukrainian, American and European officials on a U.S.-drafted peace proposal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after meeting U.S. envoys in Berlin that the document could be finalized within days before being presented to the Kremlin. Moscow is demanding international recognition of territories it occupies in four Ukrainian regions, along with Crimea, annexed illegally in 2014. It also insists Ukraine abandon its NATO aspirations and rejects the deployment of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil. Zelenskyy has said Kyiv could consider dropping its NATO bid in exchange for strong Western security guarantees, but he has firmly rejected Russia’s territorial demands.

Sierra Leone has declared the end of an mpox outbreak in the country. The declaration on Tuesday aligns with international health standards, which require a minimum of 42 days without a new confirmed case, Health Minister Austin Demby told a ceremony marking the second anniversary of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA). All 16 districts with reported cases have exceeded the 42-day timeframe, with several areas surpassing 150 days since their last infection. Since the first mpox case was recorded on Jan. 9, Sierra Leone has reported 5,442 confirmed cases, including 60 deaths. Foday Sahr, executive director of the NPHA, said the agency's establishment symbolizes Sierra Leone's commitment to never again facing health emergencies unprepared. The ceremony drew commendations from global health leaders, including Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, and Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who praised Sierra Leone's efforts in effectively addressing public health threats.  

The 15 people killed in Sunday’s deadly shooting at a Hanukkah gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach included a 10 year old child, an 87 year old Holocaust survivor, community volunteers, religious figures and bystanders who tried to stop the attackers, according to information released by families and community groups. Australian authorities have described the attack, carried out by two gunmen during a public celebration, as antisemitic terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group. Among the victims was Matilda, a 10 year old girl whose family asked that her surname not be published. Her teacher described her as gentle and compassionate, saying she was known for seeing kindness in others. Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia Gurman, 61, were also killed. Family members said the couple, married for nearly 35 years, were shot while trying to intervene and stop one of the attackers shortly after the violence began. Eli Schlanger, 41, the assistant rabbi at Chabad Lubavitch of Bondi, was another victim. He helped organise the Hanukkah event and was also known for his work as a prison and hospital chaplain in New South Wales. Schlanger was a father of five. Yaakov Levitan, 39, a rabbi and father of four, was described by the Chabad movement as a key figure in Sydney’s Jewish community, working largely behind the scenes in community service and administration. Marika Pogany, 82, was a longtime volunteer who delivered kosher meals to elderly and vulnerable people. Jewish community organisations said she had spent decades supporting those in need. Dan Elkayam, 27, a French national living in Sydney, was remembered by family and his football club as a talented soccer player and a kind person who was well liked by teammates and friends. Peter Meagher, a retired police officer, was working as a freelance photographer at the event. A rugby club where he volunteered described him as a respected figure who was killed while carrying out his work. Reuven Morrison, 62, was killed while attempting to stop one of the gunmen, according to his family. He had migrated to Australia decades earlier after facing antisemitism in the former Soviet Union. Alex Kleytman, 87, a Holocaust survivor who later settled in Australia, was also among the dead. His wife said he died while trying to protect her during the attack. Another victim, Tibor Weitzen, 78, a grandfather who migrated to Australia in the late 1980s, was remembered by family members as deeply devoted to his children and grandchildren. Authorities continue to investigate the attack as funerals and memorials for the victims begin across Sydney.

The Trump administration on Tuesday expanded US travel restrictions to cover 20 additional countries and the Palestinian Authority, doubling the scope of sweeping limits announced earlier this year on who can travel to or immigrate to the United States. Under the new decision, five more countries have been added to the list facing a full ban on entry to the US, while 15 others will be subject to partial restrictions. People travelling on documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are also now fully barred. The measures are set to take effect on Jan 1. The administration said the move is part of broader efforts to tighten US travel and immigration standards, citing national security, immigration enforcement and foreign policy concerns. Officials pointed to problems such as corruption, unreliable civil documents, high visa overstay rates and refusals by some governments to accept deported nationals. Those exempted from the restrictions include lawful permanent US residents, people who already hold valid visas, diplomats, athletes and others whose entry is deemed to be in the US national interest. In June, President Donald Trump announced a ban on travellers from 12 countries and partial restrictions on seven others, reviving a signature policy from his first term. Countries already under a full ban included Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, while partial restrictions applied to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. The administration said the full ban list has now been expanded to include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. South Sudan had already been subject to significant travel limits. Partial restrictions have been imposed on Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The restrictions apply to both visitors and those seeking to immigrate to the US. The decision follows the arrest of an Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House over the Thanksgiving weekend. In the aftermath, the administration announced a series of new immigration measures, including tougher rules for people from countries already under restrictions. Critics said the expanded ban unfairly targets people based on nationality rather than individual risk. Advocacy groups also warned that the updated policy no longer includes an exemption for Afghans eligible for Special Immigrant Visas, which are granted to those who assisted US forces during the war in Afghanistan. Several governments affected by the new measures said they were seeking clarification from US officials. Dominica said it was treating the issue with urgency, while Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to Washington described the matter as serious. The administration also adjusted earlier restrictions, tightening rules for Laos and Sierra Leone while easing some limits on travellers from Turkmenistan. Other measures announced in June remain unchanged. The new restrictions on Palestinians expand earlier limits that had already made it difficult for holders of Palestinian Authority passports to travel to the US, and now also block them from immigrating. The administration said the decision was based on security concerns, citing the presence of US designated terrorist groups in the West Bank and Gaza and challenges in vetting amid ongoing conflict.  

President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered what he described as a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, sharply escalating pressure on President Nicolás Maduro and tightening restrictions on the country’s oil-dependent economy. Trump announced the move on social media, days after US forces seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast following a military buildup in the region. He alleged that Venezuela was using oil revenue to fund drug trafficking and other crimes and said the US would continue increasing its military presence. In his post, Trump claimed Venezuela was now surrounded by a major US naval force and warned that pressure would intensify until the country returned oil, land and other assets he said had been taken from the United States. Pentagon officials referred questions about the announcement to the White House. Venezuela’s government strongly condemned the order, accusing Trump of violating international law, free trade rules and freedom of navigation. In a statement, Caracas said the US president was making a reckless and serious threat by attempting to impose a naval blockade and was falsely claiming ownership of Venezuela’s natural resources. The government said it would raise the issue at the United Nations. The announcement follows a series of US military strikes on boats in international waters in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific as part of an anti-drug campaign. US officials say the operations have disrupted drug trafficking routes, though they have drawn criticism from lawmakers concerned about civilian deaths and legal boundaries. At least 95 people have been killed in 25 known strikes, according to the Associated Press. The Trump administration has said the campaign aims to stop drugs bound for the United States, but senior officials have also suggested it is intended to weaken Maduro’s grip on power. Trump has previously said the military effort could expand from the sea to land targets. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves and produces about one million barrels per day, with oil serving as the backbone of its economy. Since US oil sanctions were imposed in 2017, the state-owned company PDVSA has relied on a network of unflagged tankers to sell crude on the black market, mainly to China. Smaller volumes go to the US through Chevron and to Cuba, analysts say. It remains unclear how Washington plans to enforce what Trump called a total blockade. However, the US Navy has multiple vessels in the region, including an aircraft carrier, amphibious ships and maritime patrol aircraft, giving it wide surveillance capability over shipping routes. Trump also claimed that the Venezuelan regime had been designated a foreign terrorist organization, though no such designation has been formally announced. Venezuela is not listed by the US as a state sponsor of terrorism. Associated Press reporters in Washington and Caracas contributed to this report.  

Australian police on Wednesday charged a suspected gunman in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder, as Sydney’s Jewish community began holding funerals for victims of what authorities described as a terror attack. Police said Naveed Akram, 24, was formally charged after regaining consciousness in a Sydney hospital, where he had been in a coma since police shot him during Sunday’s attack. His father and alleged accomplice, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed at the scene. The charges include one count of murder for each fatality, one count of committing a terrorist act, about 40 counts of causing grievous harm with intent to murder and one count related to placing an explosive device with intent to cause harm. Police said improvised explosive devices were found in the suspects’ car at the crime scene. Investigators said two attackers killed 15 people and wounded more than 20 others during an antisemitic assault targeting Jews celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. All identified victims were Jewish. The ages of those killed ranged from a 10-year-old girl to an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. As the city mourned, authorities said the attack was believed to be inspired by the Islamic State group. Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the suspects had come to the attention of security agencies in 2019, and investigators were now reviewing what was previously known about them. Police are also examining overseas travel by the suspects, including a trip to the Philippines in November. Philippine authorities confirmed the visit but said there was no recent evidence of foreign militants operating in the country’s south. The first funeral held was for Eli Schlanger, 41, an assistant rabbi at Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi and organiser of the Hanukkah event where the shooting occurred. Heavy police security surrounded funeral services as coronial processes delayed burials. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to take firm action against antisemitism and announced plans to further tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws after it emerged that the older suspect legally owned multiple firearms. Across Australia, people marked the tragedy with vigils, blood donations and silent gatherings at Bondi Beach, while parts of the crime scene remained sealed off as the investigation continued.  

Scenes of sorrow, tears and quiet resolve filled Sydney on Wednesday as funerals began for victims of an antisemitic mass shooting that targeted Jews celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. Hundreds of mourners gathered as Australia confronted the aftermath of one of its deadliest hate-driven attacks in modern history. Two gunmen killed 15 people during Sunday’s Hanukkah celebration, leaving more than 20 others injured. All of the victims identified so far were Jewish, ranging in age from a 10-year-old child to an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. As investigations continue, questions are mounting about security failures, antisemitism and gun control. But for Sydney’s close-knit Jewish community, Wednesday was first a day of mourning. The first funeral honored Eli Schlanger, 41, a father of five and assistant rabbi at Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi, who helped organize the “Chanukah by the Sea” event. Schlanger also served as a chaplain in prisons and hospitals across New South Wales. Speaking through tears, his father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, said his deepest regret was not expressing love and appreciation for Schlanger often enough. Outside the service, heavy police security underscored the gravity of the moment. Other victims included Boris and Sofia Gurman, a couple in their 60s who were shot while trying to stop one of the attackers, and Reuven Morrison, also in his 60s, who was killed while attempting to defend others. The youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda, was remembered by her parents at a vigil, her mother pressing a hand to her chest and saying her daughter’s memory would remain forever. Authorities said the attack was carried out by a father and son inspired by the Islamic State group. The father was killed by police, while the son remains hospitalized and is expected to face charges once deemed fit. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged decisive action to combat antisemitism and further tighten Australia’s gun laws, after it emerged the older suspect legally owned multiple firearms. Across the country, Australians responded with gestures of solidarity — lining up to donate blood, holding moments of silence and gathering at Bondi Beach to mourn. Jewish leaders vowed the annual Hanukkah celebration would return, insisting the attack would not define or diminish their community. Source: AP 

Children with cancer and their families across several countries were exploited in online fundraising scams that raised millions of dollars for treatment but delivered little or none of the money to the intended beneficiaries, a BBC World Service investigation has found. The investigation uncovered at least 15 families who said they received little to nothing from fundraising campaigns created in their children’s names, despite emotionally charged videos being used to solicit donations globally. Nine families linked to what appears to be the same scam network said they received none of the roughly $4 million apparently raised. One of the cases involved Chance Letikva Khalil, a seven-year-old boy from the Philippines who died of cancer a year after appearing in a fundraising video. His mother, Aljin Tabasa, said she was paid a one-time filming fee of $700 but never received any of the $27,000 the campaign appeared to have raised online. According to the BBC, families were often asked to stage highly emotional scenes, including shaving children’s heads, attaching fake medical equipment and forcing children to cry on camera. Parents said they were told the videos would help raise funds for better treatment. The campaigns were found to be professionally produced and widely promoted online, often claiming urgent, life-or-death situations. Many were linked to an organisation called Chance Letikva, registered in Israel and the United States, as well as other similarly named entities.

Sudan has topped a global watchlist of humanitarian crises for the third consecutive year as a devastating war continues to ravage the northeastern African nation, an international aid group said on Tuesday. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) placed Sudan at the top of its annual Emergency Watchlist, which identifies 20 countries facing the risk of worsening humanitarian conditions in 2026. The IRC urged the international community to urgently scale up humanitarian funding, warning that global aid has dropped by about 50 percent this year and that 2025 is on track to become the deadliest year on record for aid workers. The occupied Palestinian territories and South Sudan ranked second and third on the list due to severe humanitarian challenges. Other countries on the watchlist include Ethiopia, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Ukraine, Syria and Yemen. Although the listed countries account for only 12 percent of the world’s population, they represent 89 percent of people in need of humanitarian assistance, with 117 million displaced worldwide, the IRC said. It warned that these countries are expected to host more than half of the world’s extremely poor by 2029, describing the situation as a breakdown of the post World War II international order. The group said many of the conflicts are fueled by struggles for power and profit. In Sudan, it noted that warring parties and their international backers have benefited from the gold trade, with devastating consequences for civilians. David Miliband, president and chief executive officer of the IRC, said the watchlist reflects deep global misery but also serves as a warning, calling on the international community to act before 2026 becomes even more dangerous. The IRC also called for binding global actions, including suspending the use of veto power at the UN Security Council in cases involving mass atrocities. Sudan descended into chaos in April 2023 when tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted into open warfare. The conflict has been marked by mass killings, sexual violence and ethnically motivated attacks, which the United Nations and international rights groups have described as war crimes and crimes against humanity. According to UN figures, more than 40,000 people have been killed, though aid groups say the actual death toll could be far higher. The war has displaced more than 14 million people and triggered widespread disease outbreaks and famine in parts of the country, creating what aid agencies describe as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Both the military and the RSF have been accused of violating international law, with most atrocities attributed to the RSF. The United States has accused the group of committing genocide in the Darfur region. The latest wave of violence was reported in late October after the RSF captured el-Fasher, the military’s last stronghold in Darfur. Witnesses said RSF fighters went door to door, killing civilians and carrying out sexual assaults. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity were committed in the city. Satellite imagery analyzed by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab indicated widespread and systematic killings, including attacks on civilians trying to flee or sheltering in residential neighborhoods. The RSF has not responded to requests for comment on the allegations.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said proposals being negotiated with the United States to end Russia’s nearly four-year war against Ukraine could be finalized within days and then presented to Moscow. Speaking after talks with U.S. officials in Berlin on Monday, Zelenskyy said the draft peace plan was not perfect but workable, although major issues remain unresolved, including the future of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces. U.S.-led diplomatic efforts appear to be gaining momentum, with American officials saying there is agreement with Ukraine and European partners on about 90 percent of the U.S.-authored peace framework. U.S. President Donald Trump said a peace settlement is closer than ever before. Zelenskyy said discussions in Berlin brought negotiators close to an agreement on strong security guarantees for Ukraine. A NATO country official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the proposal is based on Western support to keep Ukraine’s military strong. Under the plan, European countries would lead a multinational force to help secure Ukraine by land, sea and air, while the United States would head a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism with international participation, the official said. However, the focus is now shifting to Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin may oppose parts of the proposal, including postwar security guarantees for Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated on Tuesday that Russia wants a comprehensive peace deal rather than a temporary truce. He said Moscow would not accept solutions that merely give Ukraine time to regroup before continuing the war. Zelenskyy said the land issue remains a key obstacle. He stressed that Ukraine will not recognize Russian control over any part of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, which includes Luhansk and Donetsk. Russian forces do not fully control either region, although Trump has previously suggested Ukraine may have to concede territory. Zelenskyy said the United States is exploring compromise ideas, including the proposal of a free economic zone in the Donbas, but stressed that such a zone would not be under Russian control. Putin is seeking international recognition of Russian control over parts of four Ukrainian regions seized by his forces, as well as Crimea, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014. Zelenskyy warned that if Putin rejects diplomatic efforts, Ukraine will seek stronger Western pressure on Russia, including tougher sanctions and increased military assistance such as enhanced air defense systems and long-range weapons. He said Ukraine and the United States are preparing up to five documents related to the peace framework, with several focused on security arrangements. Zelenskyy described the Berlin talks as positive, saying they demonstrated unity among the United States, Europe and Ukraine.