United News of Bangladesh

China on Friday imposed sanctions on 20 U.S. defense-related companies and 10 executives, following last week’s announcement by Washington of a major arms sale to Taiwan. The measures freeze the companies’ assets in China and prohibit the sanctioned individuals and organizations from conducting any business in the country, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The companies targeted include Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, L3Harris Maritime Services, and Boeing’s St. Louis operations. Executives such as Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, are also barred from entering China and have their assets frozen. The U.S. arms package, valued at over $10 billion, would be the largest ever to Taiwan if approved by Congress. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, condemned the sale as a violation of diplomatic agreements and warned that the Taiwan issue is “the first red line” in China–U.S. relations. The ministry urged the U.S. to halt “dangerous moves of arming Taiwan” and warned that violators will “pay the price for the wrongdoing.” Taiwan has become a major flashpoint between the two powers, with China increasing its military presence near the island, including frequent air and naval drills. U.S. federal law obliges Washington to assist Taiwan in its self-defense, a point of growing tension amid broader trade, technology, and human rights disputes between Beijing and Washington. Source: AP

At least eight people were killed and 18 others injured in a bombing at the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Homs during Friday prayers, Syrian authorities reported. State-run Arab News Agency images showed blood-stained carpets, shattered windows, holes in the walls, and fire damage inside the mosque, which is located in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood, predominantly inhabited by the Alawite minority. Preliminary investigations suggest that explosive devices had been planted inside the mosque, according to a security source cited by SANA. Syrian Interior Ministry officials said security forces established a cordon around the site and are searching for the attackers. Local officials condemned the attack, describing it as “a desperate attempt to undermine security and sow chaos among the Syrian people.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to combating terrorism in all forms. Syrian Information Minister added that remnants of the former regime, ISIS militants, and collaborators seek to destabilize the country and threaten civil peace. Neighboring states, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Lebanon, also condemned the bombing. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s support for Syria’s fight against terrorism. The attack comes amid continuing sectarian, ethnic, and political tensions across Syria. Recent clashes between government forces and Kurdish-led fighters in northern Aleppo have prompted temporary school closures and forced civilians to shelter indoors, though a ceasefire was announced later on Monday. Source: AP 

Japan’s Cabinet on Friday approved a record defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for fiscal year 2026, aiming to strengthen its strike-back capability and coastal defense amid growing regional tensions with China. The proposed budget, which begins in April, represents a 9.4% increase from 2025 and is part of Japan’s ongoing five-year plan to double defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described the increase as the minimum required to address “the severest and most complex security environment in the postwar era,” while emphasizing that Japan remains committed to peace. The plan allocates over 970 billion yen ($6.2 billion) to expand “standoff” missile capabilities, including the purchase of Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles with a range of 1,000 kilometers. Japan also plans to deploy unmanned air, sea, and underwater drones for coastal surveillance and defense under a system called “SHIELD,” with initial reliance on imported technology. The budget comes amid heightened tensions over Taiwan and increasing Chinese military activity near Japan, including aircraft carrier drills near southwestern islands. Japan will open a new office to monitor China’s operations in the Pacific. Japan also plans joint development of next-generation fighter jets with Britain and Italy and research on AI-operated drones. If approved by Parliament, the defense budget would make Japan the world’s third-largest military spender after the U.S. and China. Source : AP 

Iranian authorities have seized a foreign oil tanker in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, state media reported Friday. According to Mojtaba Ghahramani, a provincial justice department chief, the tanker was carrying approximately 4 million liters, or 25,000 barrels, of smuggled fuel when it was intercepted by Revolutionary Guard naval forces, the IRNA news agency said. Sixteen foreign crew members were also detained during the operation, which Ghahramani described as a significant “blow” to fuel smugglers. He did not provide details on the vessel’s flag or the crew’s nationalities. Iran has periodically seized oil tankers in the region on similar grounds. Last November, authorities detained another vessel in the Strait of Hormuz over alleged violations, including transporting illicit cargo. The West has accused Iran of past attacks on tankers, including limpet mine incidents in 2019 and a 2021 drone strike on an Israeli-linked oil tanker that killed two European crew members, following the U.S. withdrawal from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal. In April 2024, Iran also seized the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship MSC Aries. Amid long-standing tensions with the West and regional conflicts, including June’s 12-day war with Israel, Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for 20% of global oil trade. The U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet regularly patrols the area to ensure the waterways remain open. Source: AP 

Afghanistan’s historic Ariana Cinema, a cultural landmark that survived decades of war and political upheaval, has been demolished to make way for a new shopping center in downtown Kabul. Demolition work began on Dec 16, and within a week the cinema, which opened in the early 1960s, was completely torn down. The decision has sparked sadness and anger among Afghan artists and film lovers, who see the loss as another blow to the country’s cultural heritage. Afghan film director and actor Amir Shah Talash said the destruction went beyond bricks and cement. He said it symbolized the erasure of Afghanistan’s cinematic history and the struggles of artists who continued their work despite years of conflict and insecurity. The Ariana Cinema was closed after the Taliban returned to power in 2021, when authorities banned most forms of entertainment, including films and music. Cinemas across the country were ordered to shut, and the Afghan Film Administration was dissolved earlier this year. Kabul Municipality later decided to clear the site to build a commercial complex. A municipal spokesman said the area had strong commercial potential and that developing the land would help generate income and improve the city. Opened in 1963, the Ariana reflected a period of modernization under Afghanistan’s former monarchy. It later suffered heavy damage during decades of conflict and was closed under the first Taliban rule in the 1990s. After the Taliban were ousted in 2001, the cinema was rebuilt with French support and reopened in 2004. It became a popular venue for Indian films, Hollywood action movies and locally produced Afghan films during a brief revival of the country’s film industry. For many Afghans and visitors, the Ariana was more than a movie theater. It was a gathering place where people sought relief from daily hardships. Film lovers from neighboring Pakistan also traveled to Kabul to watch Indian movies during periods when such films were restricted at home. Artists say the loss of the Ariana Cinema reflects a wider decline in cultural space under current restrictions. Still, Talash said art cannot be erased completely, adding that while buildings may fall, creativity survives in people’s minds and memories.

US President Donald Trump said the United States carried out airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Nigeria, citing attacks by the militant group that he said had mainly targeted Christians. In a Christmas night post on social media, Trump described the operation as a powerful strike but did not give details about the damage or casualties. A US defense official said the strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigeria and had the approval of the Nigerian government. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the cooperation involved intelligence sharing and strategic coordination in line with international law and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty. Trump said the strikes targeted Islamic State militants who had been killing innocent civilians. Nigerian officials and analysts, however, have said extremist violence in the country affects both Christians and Muslims. Nigeria is battling several armed groups, including factions linked to Islamic State. Security experts said the strikes may have targeted the Lakurawa group, which has expanded its presence in northwestern states such as Sokoto and has carried out deadly attacks on communities and security forces. Trump has repeatedly criticized Nigeria over what he described as the persecution of Christians. Last month, he directed the Pentagon to prepare options for military action in the country. The US has also restricted visas for Nigerians linked to killings of Christians and recently designated Nigeria a country of particular concern under its religious freedom law. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced years of violence driven by extremist attacks, local conflicts, and criminal gangs. The government has said people of different faiths have been victims of such violence. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces were ready to act and praised cooperation from the Nigerian government, adding that the United States would not allow extremist groups to thrive.  

Malaysia’s High Court on Friday convicted former Prime Minister Najib Razak in a major corruption case linked to the multibillion-dollar 1MDB state fund scandal. The court found Najib, 72, guilty of four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving more than $700 million that flowed into his personal bank accounts from the 1MDB fund. His lawyers were expected to make mitigation submissions before sentencing later in the day. Najib denied wrongdoing, claiming the money was a political donation from Saudi Arabia and that he was deceived by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, widely seen as the mastermind of the scandal. The judge rejected that claim, saying evidence clearly showed the funds came from 1MDB and that documents presented to support the Saudi donation story were forged. Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah said Najib could not be portrayed as an unaware victim. He cited witness testimony showing a close link between Najib and Low, describing Low as a key intermediary and facilitator acting on Najib’s behalf in 1MDB-related transactions. The judge said Najib failed to verify the source of the huge sums and continued using the money despite clear warning signs. He also noted that Najib took steps to protect his position, including removing top officials who were investigating the scandal. The verdict marks another milestone in one of the world’s largest financial scandals, which sparked investigations in several countries and shook global markets. Najib, who served as prime minister from 2009 to 2018, is already in prison after being convicted in an earlier 1MDB-linked case. He began serving a 12-year sentence in 2022 for offences involving a former 1MDB unit, becoming Malaysia’s first ex-leader to be jailed. His sentence was later reduced by the Pardons Board. The 1MDB fund was set up soon after Najib took office, with him holding key oversight powers. Investigators have said billions of dollars were looted from the fund and laundered abroad to finance luxury purchases and other expenses. Najib now faces the prospect of a longer stay behind bars, while legal proceedings in other cases linked to the 1MDB scandal continue.  

Southern Yemen separatists on Friday accused Saudi Arabia of launching airstrikes against their forces in the eastern governorate of Hadramout, further raising tensions in the conflict-hit country. The Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates, said the strikes targeted its fighters after clashes in the area. Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the allegation. Amr Al Bidh, a foreign affairs representative of the Council, told The Associated Press that its forces were operating in eastern Hadramout when they came under multiple ambushes by gunmen. He said two fighters were killed and 12 others wounded before the alleged Saudi airstrikes took place. A tribal leader in Hadramout, Faez bin Omar, said the strikes appeared to be a warning for the Council to withdraw its forces from the area. An eyewitness said several military vehicles were destroyed and were believed to belong to forces aligned with the separatists. The Council’s satellite television channel aired video footage it said showed the aftermath of the strikes, with a voice blaming Saudi aircraft for the attack. The accusations came a day after Saudi Arabia urged the Emirati-backed separatists to pull out of areas they recently entered. Earlier this month, the Council moved into Hadramout and Mahra, displacing forces linked to the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces, another member of the coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The developments have increased strain between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, close allies who support different factions in Yemen. The UAE said on Friday it welcomed Saudi efforts to support security and stability in Yemen and reaffirmed its commitment to stability and development in the country. Yemen has been locked in war since 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and forced the internationally recognized government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015, but years of fighting have killed more than 150,000 people and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Renewed fighting in southern Yemen risks further destabilizing the country, while the Houthis continue attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, adding to regional tensions.  

South Korean prosecutors on Friday sought a 10-year prison sentence for ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol in the first criminal case linked to his failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024. Independent counsel Cho Eun-suk asked the Seoul Central District Court to hand down the sentence after the trial concluded on charges that include obstruction of official duties, abuse of power, falsifying official documents and destroying evidence. A verdict could come as early as next month. Yoon’s lawyers rejected the request as excessive and politically motivated, saying there were no legal grounds for such a harsh punishment. The case is the first to wrap up among seven criminal trials Yoon faces. He is also on trial for other allegations, including corruption, influence peddling and rebellion, a serious charge that can carry life imprisonment or the death penalty. The rebellion case is also nearing completion. Yoon’s declaration of martial law sent armed troops onto the streets of Seoul and sparked the country’s most severe political crisis in decades. The move lasted only hours after lawmakers entered the National Assembly and voted to overturn it. Yoon was impeached by the opposition-led parliament in December 2024 and formally removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April. Prosecutors said Yoon blocked efforts to investigate and detain him after his impeachment by staying at his residence for weeks, raising fears of clashes between his security team and law enforcement. They described his actions as an unprecedented obstruction of official duties. Yoon also faces accusations that he bypassed a required full Cabinet meeting before declaring martial law, fabricated documents related to the decree and ordered data deleted from phones used by those involved. He has denied the charges, saying the martial law decree was meant to rally public support against the main opposition Democratic Party, which he accused of blocking his agenda. The independent counsel said a six-month investigation found Yoon had planned for more than a year to impose martial law to sideline political rivals and concentrate power. Other cases against Yoon involve claims that he ordered drone flights over North Korea to raise tensions, committed perjury in his former prime minister’s trial, interfered in an investigation into a marine’s drowning in 2023 and received free opinion polls in exchange for political favors. Yoon has denied wrongdoing in those cases as well.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a meeting with US President Donald Trump will take place in the near future, pointing to progress in talks aimed at ending the almost four-year war with Russia. Writing on X on Friday, Zelenskyy said both sides had agreed on a high-level meeting and stressed that Kyiv was not wasting time. He added that many important decisions could be taken before the New Year. The Ukrainian leader made the remarks a day after saying he had a good conversation with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as Washington steps up diplomatic efforts to push for an end to the war. Trump has been pursuing a diplomatic track, but the talks face major differences between Moscow and Kyiv. Zelenskyy has said Ukraine could consider withdrawing troops from parts of its eastern industrial region as part of a peace plan, if Russia also pulls back and the area becomes a demilitarized zone under international monitoring. Russia, however, has not shown willingness to withdraw from the territories it has occupied. Moscow has instead demanded that Ukraine give up the remaining areas it controls in the Donbas region, a condition Kyiv has rejected. Russia currently holds most of Luhansk and about 70 percent of Donetsk. Fighting continued on the ground. One person was killed and three others injured when a guided aerial bomb hit a house in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, local officials said. Overnight Russian drone attacks left parts of the southern city of Mykolaiv without electricity, while energy and port facilities were damaged in the Black Sea city of Odesa. Ukraine also said it struck a major Russian oil refinery on Thursday using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. The Ukrainian military said the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Russia’s Rostov region was hit, with multiple explosions reported. A firefighter was wounded while putting out the blaze, according to regional authorities. Kyiv says its long-range strikes on Russian refineries are aimed at cutting Moscow’s oil export revenue, while Russia continues attacks on Ukraine’s power system, which Ukrainian officials say are intended to deprive civilians of heat, light and water during winter.