United News of Bangladesh

Clashes between government and Kurdish forces in a contested area in Syria's northern city of Aleppo intensified Thursday after Syrian authorities ordered civilians to evacuate. The authorities opened a corridor for civilian evacuations for a second day and tens of thousands fled. The government of Aleppo province gave residents until 1 p.m. local time to evacuate in coordination with the army. State news agency SANA, citing the army, said the military would begin “targeted operations” against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Achrafieh and Bani Zaid half an hour after that deadline. The military later issued a series of maps with the areas under evacuation order. An Associated Press journalist at the scene heard sporadic sounds of shelling as civilians streamed out of the area Thursday morning. More than 142,000 people have been displaced across the province, according to the Aleppo Central Response Committee. “There’s a large percentage of them with difficult medical issues, elderly people, women, and children,” said Mohammad Ali, operations director with the Syrian Civil Defense in Aleppo. Kurdish forces said at least 12 civilians were killed in the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods, while government officials reported at least nine civilians have been killed in the surrounding government-controlled areas in the fighting that broke out Tuesday. Dozens more on both sides have been wounded. It was not clear how many fighters were killed on each side. Each side has accused the other of deliberately targeting civilian neighborhoods and infrastructure, including ambulance crews and hospitals. Clashes intensified in the afternoon, with continuous exchanges of shelling and drone strikes, and tanks could be seen rolling into the contested neighborhoods. The SDF-affiliated Internal Security Forces said they had “destroyed two armored vehicles and inflicted casualties on the attackers” as they advanced. Aleppo governor Azzam al-Gharib, meanwhile, said Thursday evening that “a large number” of SDF fighters had defected or fled. Late in the evening, as clashes subsided, government forces began to deploy in largely-abandoned neighborhoods where the fighting had taken place. Churches hosting displaced peopleSt. Ephrem Syrian Orthodox Church in Aleppo city was hosting about 100 people who had fled the fighting. Parishioners donated mattresses, blankets and food, priest Adai Maher said. “As soon as the problems started and we heard the sounds (of clashes), we opened our church as a shelter for people who are fleeing their homes," he said. Among them was Georgette Lulu, who said her family is planning to travel to the city of Hasakeh in SDF-controlled northeast Syria when the security situation allows. “There was a lot of bombing and loud noises and a shell landed next to our house,” she said. “I’ve been through these circumstances a lot so I don’t get frightened, but my niece was really afraid so we had to come to the church.” Hassan Nader, a representative of the Ministry of Social Affairs in Aleppo said about 4,000 were staying in shelters in the city while tens of thousands had gone to other areas of the province, and the ministry was working with NGOs to supply them with food, medicine and other necessities. Political impasseThe clashes come amid an impasse in political negotiations between the central state and the SDF. The leadership in Damascus under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa signed a deal in March with the SDF, which controls much of the northeast, for it to merge with the Syrian army by the end of 2025. There have been disagreements on how it would happen. In April, scores of SDF fighters left Sheikh Maqsoud and Achrafieh as part of the deal. Officials from the central government and SDF met again on Sunday in Damascus, but government officials said that no tangible progress had been made. Some of the factions that make up the new Syrian army, formed after the fall of former President Bashar Assad in a rebel offensive in December 2024, were previously Turkey-backed insurgent groups that have a long history of clashing with Kurdish forces. In the city of Qamishli in the Kurdish-controlled northeast, thousands of protesters gathered Thursday, chanting, “SDF, we are with you until death.” Sawsan Khalil, a protester in Qamishli who was displaced from Afrin in Aleppo province in a 2018 Turkish offensive against Kurdish forces there, called for the international community “to feel for the Syrian people who have been killed for no reason” in Aleppo. Izzeddin Gado, co-chair of the Qamishli City Council accused the government forces of “following a foreign and regional agenda from Turkey.” International concernsThe SDF has for years been the main U.S. partner in Syria in fighting against the Islamic State group, but Turkey considers the SDF a terrorist organization because of its association with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which has waged a long-running insurgency in Turkey. A peace process is now underway. Despite the long-running U.S. support for the SDF, the Trump administration in the U.S. has also developed close ties with al-Sharaa’s government and has pushed the Kurds to implement the March deal. A U.S. State Department official said in a statement Thursday that U.S. envoy Tom Barrack was trying to facilitate dialogue between the two sides. Barrack later posted on X, “Just this past week, we stood on the threshold of successfully concluding the March 10, 2025 integration agreement,” a goal that he said remains “eminently achievable.” “Together with our allies and responsible regional partners, we stand ready to facilitate efforts to de-escalate tensions and to afford Syria and its people a renewed opportunity to choose the path of dialogue over division,” he said. Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense said Thursday that the “operation is being carried out entirely by the Syrian Army” while Turkey is “closely monitoring.” “Syria’s security is our security,” the statement said, adding that “Turkey will provide the necessary support should Syria request it.” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the SDF as the “greatest obstacle for peace in Syria.” The United Nations expressed concern at the violence and called for de-escalation.

Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Adelaide International, an Australian Open warm-up event, citing a lack of physical readiness as he continues his build-up to the season’s first Grand Slam. The 38-year-old Serb announced his decision on Monday through social media, saying he is not yet prepared to return to competitive action. Djokovic expressed disappointment at missing the tournament, where he lifted the trophy two years ago and enjoyed strong support from local fans. Addressing supporters in Adelaide, Djokovic said the decision was difficult, adding that he had been looking forward to returning to a venue where he felt “at home” and had created special memories. However, he stressed that his priority is now fully focused on preparing for the Australian Open. Djokovic has not played an official match for nearly two months. His last appearance came on Nov. 8, when he defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti to win the Hellenic Championship final in Athens. Shortly after that victory, he withdrew from the ATP Finals for the second consecutive year, citing a shoulder injury. The former world No. 1 said he expects to arrive in Melbourne soon as he continues his preparation for the Australian Open, which gets underway at Melbourne Park on Jan. 18. Djokovic is the most successful player in the history of the tournament, having won the Australian Open a record 10 times, including his most recent title in 2023. However, he has failed to reach the final in each of the past two editions, exiting at the semifinal stage both times. In 2025, he was forced to retire after one set of his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev due to a torn hamstring. Despite injury setbacks, Djokovic reached the semifinals at all four Grand Slam events last season. He begins the new year ranked No. 4 in the world, behind Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Zverev. His withdrawal from Adelaide follows another significant announcement, made a day earlier, that he is ending his involvement with the Professional Tennis Players Association, the organization he co-founded that has been engaged in legal action against tennis’s governing bodies. Bangladesh refuses to travel to India for World Cup next month

All scheduled Federation Cup and women’s football league matches were suspended on Tuesday following the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed that both Federation Cup fixtures slated for the day were postponed as part of nationwide mourning. The Under-15 National Championship final, scheduled to be held in Noakhali, was also called off. In women’s football, three league matches due to be played at Kamalapur Stadium were suspended, with revised dates to be announced later. BFF vice-president Fahad Rahman said the media all sporting activities for the day had been halted out of respect. He added that it remained uncertain whether matches would resume the following day, as Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayers were expected to be held on Wednesday. Khaleda’s Death: Govt announces 3-day state mourning, general holiday Wednesday Other national sports bodies, including the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), also issued condolence messages. Officials said further decisions on fixtures would depend on the duration of the official mourning period. Khaleda Zia, a two-time prime minister, died on Tuesday morning at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.    

Verona’s ancient Roman Arena is set for a modern renovation, with major upgrades to improve accessibility for people with disabilities ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games. The venue will host the Olympic closing ceremony and the Paralympic opening ceremony. Dating back to the 1st century, the Arena has served many purposes — from staging gladiatorial combat and exotic animal hunts in Roman times to functioning as a Medieval marketplace — and is now best known as the site of a celebrated opera festival. Despite its long history, the massive structure has never been properly adapted for visitors with disabilities or others requiring mobility support. Several temporary safety measures have also remained in place for years without being modernized. The forthcoming Games have created an opportunity to upgrade both accessibility and safety at the Arena — a landmark older than the Colosseum — before it welcomes an expected 11,000 spectators for the Feb. 22 Olympic closing ceremony and nearly 10,000 for the Paralympic opening ceremony on March 6. “This is an ancient monument that is some 2,000 years old, that remains active and hosts audiences,” said architect Giulio Fenyves, whose Milan studio designed the new safety and accessibility features. “The occasion of the Olympics has made it possible to reconsider a series of logistical aspects, including facilitating the entry and exit, precisely because it continues to host major events with thousands of people,” Fenyves said. The facelift is part of a 18 million euro ($21 million) project that improves accessibility for the entire area surrounding the Arena and is being overseen by the governmental company responsible for Olympic infrastructure. The works include making a kilometer-stretch of sidewalks from Verona’s main train station to the Arena safer for wheelchairs or baby strollers by building small curb ramps. Dedicated bike lanes are also being built. Paralympians participating in the Parade of Athletes up Corso Porta Nuova, across Piazza Bra, and into the Arena will find that the route has been significantly upgraded for people who require wheelchairs or have other mobility issues. The work is being coordinated with officials responsible for the preservation of the monument as well as those overseeing accessibility codes to bring the structure more in line with current legislation. The new elements “must be integrated in the most delicate and harmonious way possible to a monument that is both robust and fragile at the same time,” Fenyves said. Inside the Arena, the centerpiece project is a wheelchair-accessible ramp clad with pre-rusted steel and the same Prun stone from the Lessinia hills above Verona that was used by the Romans to build the Arena. The local stone gives the Arena its pinkish-yellow hue and contains fossilized shells — remnants of a prehistoric sea that once covered this region now known for hills and vineyards. The ramp will be removable, but project manager Paolo Zecchinelli said he hopes that it will be retained as a legacy of the Games. Until now, people with wheelchairs or walkers approached from a natural slope leading down from the adjacent Piazza Bra. In addition to the ramp that is meant to blend with the Arena’s original features, the local organizing committee is planning an ad hoc temporary ramp to accommodate not only disabled spectators and athletes, but also the elderly, families with children and anyone needing assistance. The overall project also includes a new railing along the top level of the Arena to replace one built in the 1950s that was meant to be temporary, as well as new handrails at varied heights on internal stairways and at the 72 entrances to the tiered seats. Bathrooms are being renovated by the city, and the infrastructure company is making new ramps to make them more accessible. Work will continue after the Olympics and Paralympics, including the installation of an elevator that will allow people with limited mobility to reach the Arena's uppermost level, either to watch a show or take in a view of the surrounding hills. “A part will remain as a gift to the city, which will help this beautiful monument to be more accessible both to people who tour it and those who attend opera performances and other concerts,” Zecchinelli said.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday congratulated the Bangladesh youth hockey team after lifting the Challenger division of the Youth Hockey World Cup, calling it a source of pride for the nation. In a congratulatory message, Prof Yunus said the players’ success had uplifted the country and reflected their hard work, discipline, team unity and indomitable spirit. He noted that the team’s performance had further strengthened Bangladesh’s presence on the international sporting stage. The Chief Adviser also credited the collective efforts of the players, the dedication of the coaching staff and the support of all concerned for making the triumph possible. Prof Yunus expressed hope that the victory would open a new chapter to flourish the county’s hockey. Maintaining the momentum of progress and excellence, he added, would create greater opportunities for the youth to achieve even bigger successes in the future. Bangladesh secured the Challenger title on Monday in Madurai, India, with a commanding 5–2 victory over Austria in the final. This year, the International Hockey Federation introduced the Challenger division for the classification round involving eight teams eliminated in the group stage of the Youth World Cup.

Iran has announced it will boycott next week’s 2026 World Cup draw in Washington after the U.S. reportedly denied visas to members of its delegation, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. Iranian soccer federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi said the officials faced visa hurdles that extended beyond normal sports considerations. The White House has not commented on the matter. Alavi noted that the federation has contacted FIFA, hoping the organization could help resolve the issue, but FIFA has yet to respond. In June, the Trump administration imposed a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Iran and Haiti, which recently qualified for the World Cup. The ban included exemptions for athletes, coaches, support staff, and immediate family members attending major competitions like the World Cup or Olympics, but it remains unclear whether these exemptions cover attending the World Cup draw on December 5 at the Kennedy Center. Iran’s delegation would likely have been led by soccer federation president Mehdi Taj, a senior figure in Asian football who sits on two FIFA committees overseeing the World Cup. He is also a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation and a member of FIFA panels responsible for competitions and men’s national teams. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will feature a record 48 teams and run from June 11 to July 19.

Bangladesh secured a place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup after defeating Thailand 40-31, guaranteeing a medal in the tournament. The first half saw intense competition, with Bangladesh leading 14-12 at halftime. Thailand pushed hard in the second half, but the spirited Bangladeshi raiders, led by Rupa and Shraboni, maintained control, achieving a comfortable nine-point victory. The win gave Bangladesh six points in Group ‘A’, confirming their top-four position. Earlier, the team had beaten Uganda and Germany but lost to India in the group stage. During the match, Shraboni Mallik sustained an injury in the ninth minute but returned after treatment. Borsha Bishwas delivered crucial raids, including two all-outs, helping Bangladesh extend their lead to 31-18 before sealing the win. Speaking after the match, Borsha said the team had planned to beat Thailand from the group stage and was happy to see their strategy succeed. “Our focus was the Thailand match, and we gave our best. Now, our next target is the final against Chinese Taipei. We will give our maximum effort,” she said. By reaching the semi-finals, Bangladesh has guaranteed a podium finish. The team has also achieved its pre-tournament goal of surpassing their 2012 World Cup performance, where they had finished fifth. The semi-final berths have also been secured by 2012 champions India and runners-up Iran.  

Bangladeshi swimmer Sheikh Jamil Hasan, a third-year student of Political Science at the University of Dhaka, successfully completed the 10-kilometer open water swim at the international “Oceanman Thailand 2025” competition held in Phang Nga province, Thailand. He finished the race in nearly five hours. The event saw participants from 36 countries, with two swimmers representing Bangladesh—Sheikh Jamil Hasan and Pijus Mishra. Competing on an international stage is considered a major achievement for the country. The race took place in the open waters of the Andaman Sea, where strong currents, tides, and natural sea challenges posed additional difficulties for the swimmers. Overcoming these obstacles, Sheikh Jamil completed the 10-kilometer course successfully. The Oceanman series is a globally recognized open water swimming competition that attracts world-class athletes, professional swimmers, and long-distance swimming experts. Although Bangladesh has had limited participation in recent years, young swimmers are beginning to make their mark internationally.

Five people were killed and 12 others injured in a car accident in eastern Myanmar's Shan state on Sunday, an official from the Myanmar Fire Services Department said. The accident occurred at around 1:20 p.m. local time after the car's brakes failed, causing it to plunge into a roadside ditch in Kalaw township, the official said. Of the 17 people on board, two males and three females died, while six males and six females were injured, he said. The car was en route from Taunggyi to Mandalay when the accident took place, the official said. Local fire service personnel and rescue organizations rushed to the scene and transported the deceased and the injured to Kalaw People's Hospital, he added.

For the village children across Bangladesh, December was not just the end of the year; it was the start of an annual period of pure, unadulterated joy. The whole month became electric with a feeling of true holiday freedom, a feeling amplified by the weather itself. The air was thick with the winter fog (kuasha in Bangla) and an intense, joyful spirit of camaraderie. These were, quite simply, the golden days of childhood. The minute December arrived, the village landscape underwent its annual transformation. A cool, beautiful mist began to cloak the mornings, setting a uniquely serene tone for the day. This chill was the first signal of winter, quickly bringing with it the irresistible smell of pithas (sweet rice cakes) a culinary cornerstone of Bengal and spreading a visible warmth of community through every home. Read more: Delicious Winter Pithas in Bangladesh: Where Savory, and Innovation Meets Tradition The Great Village Reunion While the core group of children played together year-round enjoying classics like Cricket and Football December brought a massive expansion to their crew. As the first week of the month saw school exams conclude, the village became a hub for a grand reunion. Relatives, cousins, and friends who had gone away to towns and cities for their studies would return home, turning quiet lanes into bustling playgrounds. Multiple children would converge at various homes, instantly doubling, even tripling, the number of playmates. This influx of fresh faces and high spirits intensified the festive atmosphere, making the simple fun of everyday games feel twice as exciting. The children lived for this time of year, eagerly soaking up the collective energy. Some Popular Bangladeshi Winter Village Games The long break meant days that stretched out forever, perfect for every game imaginable. Beyond the mainstream international sports, the children brought back traditional village games that needed a huge crowd to work properly. While Cricket and Football completely took over the open fields, turning foggy mornings into chaotic, unforgettable matches, the real heart of the playtime was in the indigenous games. These included: Satchara  Satchara (seven tiles) a team game with an equal number of players on both sides, played with seven potsherds or flat stones. The stones are placed one on another. A member of one team (the seekers) throw a ball at a pile in an attempt to knock them over. The seekers try to restore the pile of stones while staying safe from the opposing team's (the hitters’) throws. The hitters' objective is to hit the seekers with the ball before they can reconstruct the stone pile. If the ball touches a seeker, that seeker is out and the team which the seeker came from continues, without the seeker. A seeker can always safeguard themselves by touching an opposite team member before the ball hits the seeker.