United News of Bangladesh

Israel's Cabinet has unanimously approved a proposal to officially recognize the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide, marking a major policy shift that highlights worsening relations with Turkey. The proposal, approved on Sunday, still requires the approval of Israel's Parliament before becoming official. For decades, Israel avoided formally recognizing the killings as genocide, largely to maintain relations with Turkey, which strongly rejects the term and has campaigned against such recognition worldwide. However, ties between the two countries have steadily worsened, particularly during the conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who presented the proposal to the Cabinet, said the Armenian genocide has long been supported by extensive historical evidence but has faced organized efforts to deny or downplay it. He noted that several Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have previously referred to the events as genocide, though Israel's Parliament has never formally adopted that position. "It is never too late to do the right thing," Saar said, describing the move as both a moral and historical responsibility. According to Saar, 32 countries, including the United States, Syria and Lebanon, have already officially recognized the Armenian genocide. Turkey strongly criticized Israel's decision, calling it politically motivated and accusing Israel of trying to divert attention from allegations over its military campaign in Gaza. In a statement, Turkey's Foreign Ministry said Israel was attempting to hide its own actions against Palestinians and dismissed the recognition effort as an attempt to ignore historical and legal facts. Relations between Israel and Turkey, once close allies, have steadily deteriorated since the rise of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Israel has also faced repeated accusations from the United Nations, Turkey and other international bodies that its military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide. Israel firmly rejects the allegations, saying its military targets Hamas militants rather than civilians and accusing Hamas of using civilians as human shields. The war in Gaza began after Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 73,000 people have been killed in the conflict, about half of them women and children. Israel disputes allegations of genocide and says it is acting in self-defense. Last week, a panel of independent experts appointed by the United Nations accused Israel of deliberately killing children in Gaza and repeated claims that genocide had occurred. Israel rejected the report, calling it false and defamatory.

Turkish security forces have detained more than 200 people in a large-scale operation in the capital Ankara ahead of next month’s NATO summit, targeting individuals suspected of having links to extremist groups, including the Islamic State (IS) group. US President Donald Trump is expected to join leaders of the 32-member military alliance at the NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara. Turkish authorities are preparing extensive security arrangements for the event. Planned measures include restrictions on demonstrations, tighter controls on roads leading to airports, and security cordons around the summit venue and hotels hosting foreign delegations. The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has placed strong emphasis on security, and similar operations are carried out regularly. Last month, authorities detained 324 people across the country over suspected ties to the Islamic State group. According to the Ankara Chief Prosecutor’s Office, prosecutors issued detention warrants for 241 suspects early Tuesday. By later in the day, police and gendarmerie teams had arrested 209 of them during coordinated raids across the capital. Efforts to detain the remaining suspects were continuing. Officials said those detained included 56 suspected members of the Islamic State group and 35 alleged members of the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C), a far-left militant organization known for carrying out armed attacks and assassinations in Turkey. The Islamic State group has been responsible for several deadly attacks in Turkey over the years, including the 2017 New Year’s Eve attack on an Istanbul nightclub that left 39 people dead.

A student opened fire indiscriminately in two classrooms at a school in southeastern Turkey on Wednesday, killing four people and injuring 20 others, an official said. Kahramanmaras provincial governor Mukerrem Unluer said the attacker, who was also killed, arrived at the school armed with weapons belonging to his father, a retired police officer. He was carrying five firearms and seven magazines at the time of the attack. The victims included a teacher and three students, the governor added. The motive behind the shooting was not immediately known. Turkey detains 125 more Islamic State suspects in nationwide raids Earlier, media reports said police and ambulances were dispatched to the school in the Onikisubat district of Kahramanmaras after gunfire was heard on the premises. Video footage from the scene showed at least two people being taken away in ambulances. The incident came a day after another school shooting in nearby Sanliurfa province, where a former student opened fire at a high school, injuring 16 people, most of them students.

Turkish lawmakers on Tuesday began debating a draft law package that seeks to limit children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, making Turkey the latest country to introduce measures aimed at protecting young people from online risks. If passed, the bill would require social media companies to implement age-verification systems, provide parental control tools, and respond quickly to content deemed harmful. The duration of the parliamentary debate remains uncertain. Google now lets users change Gmail addresses President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government says the proposal is designed to safeguard children’s safety and privacy online. “Protecting our children from all kinds of risks, threats and harmful content is our top priority,” said Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, Turkey’s minister for family and social services. The main opposition, Republican People’s Party (CHP), criticized the measure, arguing that children should be protected “not with bans but with rights-based policies.” Under the draft law, platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram would be required to block children under 15 from creating accounts and introduce parental controls. Online game companies must also appoint a local representative to ensure compliance. Penalties could include fines and internet bandwidth reductions imposed by Turkey’s communications watchdog. Turkey has previously restricted online platforms amid political dissent, including last year’s protests supporting jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Similar restrictions for children exist in countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Spain, France, and the UK, reflecting global concern over unregulated social media exposure.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is visiting Turkey on Wednesday to maintain dialogue amid escalating tensions between the two longtime rivals. Mitsotakis, accompanied by senior ministers, will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan under the High-Level Cooperation Council, an initiative aimed at strengthening ties between the NATO allies. The two countries remain at odds over maritime boundaries, Cyprus, and drilling rights in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas. Turkey has also raised concerns over growing defense and energy cooperation between Greece, Israel, and Cyprus, which Ankara sees as a move to curb its influence in the region. Greece and Turkey have narrowly avoided conflict multiple times over the past 50 years. In 2020, a dispute over energy exploration rights brought their warships face-to-face in the Mediterranean. Recently, Greek officials reaffirmed plans to extend their territorial waters in the Aegean from six to 12 nautical miles, a move Turkey’s parliament in 1995 called a “cause of war.” Ankara says the extension would violate its rights and limit its maritime access. The talks in Ankara are expected to focus on a “positive agenda,” including trade, energy, education, and cultural cooperation, with no breakthrough anticipated on disputed issues. Both countries also remain divided over Cyprus, split since 1974 between ethnic Greek and Turkish communities. Turkey has opposed a federal solution for reunification and, along with the Turkish Cypriot administration, backs a two-state approach.

Seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, have agreed to join US President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, according to a joint statement. Israel had earlier confirmed its participation. Trump on Wednesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin had also accepted the invitation, though Moscow later clarified it was still under consideration. The board, initially linked to ending the two-year Israel-Hamas conflict and overseeing Gaza reconstruction, does not specifically mention Palestine in its charter and appears aimed at taking on functions similar to the UN. Saudi Arabia said the Muslim-majority nations – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Qatar – support efforts for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, reconstruction, and what they called a “just and lasting peace”. The body’s charter will take effect once three states formally agree, with member nations holding renewable three-year terms. Contributions of $1 billion will secure permanent seats. Trump will serve as chairman and US representative with authority to appoint executive board members. The White House last week named seven founding Executive Board members, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov. Phase one of the plan involved a ceasefire, partial prisoner exchange, limited Israeli withdrawal, and increased humanitarian aid. Israel says the second phase, including reconstruction and demilitarisation, will proceed only after the return of the last hostages. Humanitarian conditions remain fragile. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 460 Palestinian deaths from Israeli strikes since the ceasefire, while Israel reports three soldiers killed in Palestinian attacks. The board faces challenges, as Hamas has resisted disarming without recognition of a Palestinian state, and Israel has not fully committed to withdrawing from Gaza.   With inputs from BBC

Four people have been detained in Istanbul for publishing a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad, which authorities say insults religious values. The arrests follow an investigation launched by Istanbul prosecutors into the alleged "public insult to religious values." The controversial cartoon appeared in the June 26 issue of satirical magazine Leman, referencing the ongoing Israel-Iran tensions and showing the Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Moses shaking hands over a devastated cityscape. The cartoon triggered widespread anger. Videos shared on social media show large crowds demonstrating outside Leman's Istanbul office, with some protesters attempting to enter the building by force. Fahrettin Altun, Türkiye's Communications Director, denounced the publication on social platform X, vowing that those who "shamelessly attack the sacred values of our nation" would face consequences. “This insult to our Prophet, who is the ultimate guide for Muslims, cannot be justified under the guise of press freedom,” Altun stated, calling the cartoon the product of a "sick mentality" that will be brought to justice. DU students protest BJP spokespersons’ derogatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad He urged the public to act with restraint and warned against provocations. Altun also assured that all state institutions are taking appropriate steps to address what he described as "this despicable attack on our faith and values." Additional security has been deployed around the magazine’s premises to prevent any untoward incidents, officials said. Depictions of prophets, including Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Moses — both revered in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism — are strictly prohibited in Islamic tradition. Source: Anadolu 

What began as social media calls to avoid traveling to Turkey has snowballed into a major diplomatic fallout, with India suspending ties with Turkish businesses and academic institutions following Ankara’s backing of Pakistan in recent India-Pakistan tensions. The flashpoint came after Turkey vocally supported Pakistan following deadly clashes in Kashmir. In response, India has revoked security clearance for Turkish ground-handling company Celebi, effectively banning it from operating at Indian airports. The firm, which operated at hubs like Delhi and Mumbai, denies any wrongdoing and plans to challenge the decision. India’s aviation ministry confirmed the action was driven by national security concerns and widespread public demand. Minister of State for Aviation stated on X that the government acted to “protect national interests.”  Police probe theft of Melania Trump statue in her Slovenian hometown Several top Indian universities, including JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia, have also suspended collaborations with Turkish institutions. Backlash intensified online after reports claimed Turkish drones may have been used by Pakistan against Indian forces. Politicians like Rajeev Chandrasekhar echoed public sentiment, urging citizens not to spend “hard-earned rupees” in countries aiding India’s adversaries. Travel behavior has shifted sharply—bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan have dropped by 60%, and cancellations have surged by 250%, according to MakeMyTrip. Travel agencies are scaling back on trips to these destinations, fearing social media backlash and business losses. In 2024, over 330,000 Indians visited Turkey, a rise from the previous year, though they made up less than 1% of its total foreign tourists. Azerbaijan, with nearly 9% Indian arrivals, may feel a bigger hit.  2 dead and at least 3 injured in Las Vegas gym shooting, police say Despite boycott momentum, no major alternative destinations have seen a noticeable boost yet, with travel sites like Cleartrip reporting stable demand for other options such as Greece.

The number of suspects detained in connection with the deadly hotel fire at a ski resort rose to 14 on Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday. Erdogan also reiterated his commitment to ensuring that anyone who may have caused the blaze by prioritizing profit over safety is brought to justice. The fire, which tore through the 12-story Grand Kartal hotel, in Kartalkaya, in northwestern Bolu province early Tuesday, trapped many of the registered 238 guests inside, leaving 78 people dead and dozens of others injured. It struck at the start of a two-week winter break for schools, and 36 of the victims were children, local media reports said. The tragedy, which saw guests and staff jump out of windows to escape smoke and flame-filled rooms or dangle sheets out of windows to lower themselves out, sent shockwaves across Turkey and sparked widespread calls for accountability into negligence and safety violations. At least 66 dead, 51 injured in Turkey hotel fire “Those who caused our nation this great pain due to mistakes, negligence, irregularities and greed will definitely be held accountable to the courts,” Erdogan said in an address to his governing party’s local congress in the southern city of Malatya. A total of 14 people have been taken into custody as part of the investigation into the fire, including the hotel’s owner, staff members and three people from the Bolu mayor’s office, Erdogan said. His government has traded accusations of blame with the Bolu municipality, which is controlled by Turkey’s main opposition party. Eight of the suspects were scheduled to appear before prosecutors to face possible charges, HaberTurk television said. They include the hotel’s owner and managers, the acting Bolu fire chief, a retired architect and kitchen staff, the station reported. The blaze appeared to have started at the restaurant section on the fourth floor of the wooden-clad hotel and spread quickly to the upper floors, reports said. Witness accounts have pointed to a lack of proper safety systems at the establishment, including fire alarms, sprinklers and adequate emergency exits. Turkey continued to hold funerals for the victims on Friday, including for 6-year-old Dila Inal and her 8-year-old sister, Ela, who were buried in Istanbul along with their 44-year-old mother, Defne Arkadas Inal. Their Georgian nanny, Laura Kurtanidze, who also perished in the fire, would be buried in a ceremony in Georgia.

At least 76 people died, and 51 others were injured when a fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, a popular ski destination in Turkey’s Bolu province, reports AP. The fire started in the restaurant area on the fourth floor and quickly spread upwards. The blaze occurred just before schools were set to begin their winter break, a time when local hotels are fully booked. At least 66 dead, 51 injured in Turkey hotel fire Esra Karakisa and Halime Cetin, friends who were at a nearby hotel, were left in shock as they witnessed people trapped in smoke-filled rooms, crying for help, and some deciding to jump from windows to escape the flames. Cetin, who works at a hotel next door, recalled, "There was no one there to help. They were screaming for firefighters, breaking windows. Some couldn’t stand the smoke or fire and leapt out." Karakisa added, "It was terrifying. We were horrified, especially by the children's screams. We wanted to help, but there was nothing we could do. It was too frightening to watch." Six prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the cause of the fire. The hotel, a wooden structure, had been inspected in 2021 and 2024, and no fire safety concerns were noted. Nine people have been detained for questioning, including the hotel owner. Explosion at in Northwest Turkey leaves 12 dead Flags were lowered to half-staff as Turkey observed a national day of mourning for the victims. As of late Tuesday, only 45 of the 76 bodies had been identified. One of the injured remains in critical condition, and 29 others were treated and discharged. The hotel had 238 registered guests, and the fire was reported at 3:27 a.m., with firefighters arriving at 4:15 a.m. Authorities noted that the hotel’s location on the side of a cliff complicated rescue efforts. Karakisa later helped by providing clothes and water to the survivors, while others tried to assist by setting up mattresses or leaning ladders against the wall for those inside to escape. Syrians line up at Turkish border crossing, awaiting return home Among the rescuers was Baris Salgur, a cleaner at a nearby hotel. He recalled, "People were crying for help, saying, 'We’re burning!' We tried to calm them down, but there was nothing we could do. We couldn’t reach them." Salgur described the heart-wrenching moment when two women jumped from the top floor after the flames reached their room. He also witnessed a man with a baby on the top floor, desperately asking for a mattress to cushion his fall. Sadly, the baby died from smoke inhalation before the fire department arrived to rescue them.