United News of Bangladesh

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Myanmar on Saturday morning with tremors also felt in neighboring Thailand. The tremor was recorded at 10:39 am, according to The US Geological Survey (USGS). It said the epicenter was located 267 km west-southwest of Dawei, Myanmar, at a depth of 10 km. Authorities have not reported any casualties or damage so far.

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake shook the Halmahera area in North Maluku Province, eastern Indonesia. According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, the tremor struck at a depth of 10 kilometres. Authorities have not reported any casualties or damage so far. Indonesia, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity due to the convergence of multiple tectonic plates.

A gold pocket watch recovered from the body of one of the Titanic’s wealthiest passengers has sold for a “record-breaking” £1.78 million at an auction in Wiltshire. The 18-carat Jules Jurgensen watch belonged to Isidor Straus, a prominent American businessman, politician and co-owner of Macy’s. Straus and his wife, Ida, were among more than 1,500 passengers who died when the ship struck an iceberg and sank on 14 April 1912 during its voyage from Southampton to New York. Straus’ body was recovered days later, and the timepiece — engraved with his initials — was found among his possessions. The watch, which had remained with the Straus family for generations, was sold on Saturday by Henry Aldridge & Son Auctioneers in Devizes. It had been repaired and restored by Straus’ great-grandson, Kenneth Hollister Straus. The watch had stopped at 02:20 — the time the Titanic disappeared beneath the Atlantic. It is believed to have been a gift from Ida to her husband on his 43rd birthday in 1888, reports BBC. Ida Straus famously refused a place on a lifeboat, choosing to remain with her husband as the ship went down. Her body was never recovered. Other Titanic memorabilia also drew high bids at the auction, including a letter written by Ida Straus on Titanic stationery, which sold for £100,000; a passenger list purchased for £104,000; and a gold medal awarded to the RMS Carpathia crew, which fetched £86,000. The total sales of Titanic items reached £3 million. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said the record price reflects the continued fascination with the Titanic and the enduring legacy of the stories behind its passengers. He described the Strauses as “the ultimate love story,” noting Ida’s refusal to leave her husband of 41 years. Last year, a gold pocket watch given to the captain of the Carpathia — the ship that rescued more than 700 survivors — sold for £1.56 million, setting the previous record.  

President Donald Trump has unveiled a 28-point plan aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept terms heavily favoring Moscow. Trump argues that Zelenskyy “doesn’t have the cards” to continue fighting and must consider a settlement. Trump said Friday that he expects Zelenskyy to respond by next Thursday, emphasizing his desire to achieve peace. However, reports emerged that senators were told by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the plan largely reflects Russian demands rather than U.S. positions, though the State Department and Rubio later insisted it was U.S.-authored. Proposed Ukraine peace deal leaves Kyiv navigating a fragile balance between the U.S. and Russia Zelenskyy faces multiple pressures, including battlefield setbacks, winter energy attacks from Russia, and a corruption scandal involving Ukraine’s nuclear energy sector, which has led to ministerial resignations. Analysts say these factors put him in a vulnerable position. The Trump plan calls for Ukraine to cede the eastern Donbas region, drastically reduce its military, and for Europe to affirm that Ukraine will never join NATO. The proposal also includes cultural concessions that could bolster Russian claims of historical legitimacy. While U.S. officials describe the plan as a starting point for negotiations, experts warn that many provisions undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and public trust. Zelenskyy has not yet spoken with Trump about the plan but is expected to in the coming days. Source: AP

The publisher of Britain’s Daily Mail has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire Telegraph Media Group in a deal valued at 500 million pounds ($654 million), linking two major right-leaning news organizations. Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT) said Saturday the talks aim to finalize the purchase of the Telegraph and its Sunday edition from Abu Dhabi-backed Redbird IMI. The transaction follows concerns over foreign ownership that had previously blocked Redbird IMI’s takeover attempts two years ago. British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said any new acquisition would be reviewed to ensure it serves the public interest and complies with rules on foreign state influence in media ownership. DMGT expects to complete the deal swiftly. “Under this ownership, the Daily Telegraph will become a global brand, just as the Daily Mail has,” said Chairman Jonathan Harmsworth, also known as Lord Rothermere. The Telegraph, a staple of British media since 1855, has been embroiled in ownership disputes since 2023, when the Barclay family lost control amid lender conflicts. A Redbird Capital and Abu Dhabi International Media Investments venture had previously agreed to acquire the paper, prompting debates in the House of Commons over foreign influence on British journalism. At the time, then-Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer emphasized the importance of protecting press freedom from foreign state interference.

European leaders are set to meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday to discuss alternatives to a U.S. plan aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, a proposal Kyiv and its European partners say favors Moscow. Meanwhile, a top Ukrainian delegation is preparing for direct talks with Washington. The 28-point U.S. blueprint, which Kyiv has rejected, calls for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, reduce its military size, and halt its NATO aspirations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the plan could force Ukraine to choose between defending its sovereignty and maintaining vital American support. Kyiv’s delegation, including Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Andrii Yermak and former defense minister Rustem Umerov, will meet U.S. officials in Switzerland to discuss the proposal. Ukrainian authorities said negotiators are authorized to engage directly with Russia. European leaders, stressing the importance of Kyiv’s consultation, cautioned against a rushed peace deal. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Russia repeatedly feigns peace efforts while continuing attacks, citing a recent strike that killed over two dozen civilians in western Ukraine. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the principle “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” while German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for lasting peace that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and includes robust security guarantees. On Saturday, Zelenskyy marked Holodomor Memorial Day, recalling the Soviet-era famine that killed millions of Ukrainians in the 1930s. He said Ukraine would continue defending its homeland against Russian aggression. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone strike targeted a fuel refinery in Russia’s Samara region overnight, killing two and injuring two others, according to local officials. Russian air defenses reportedly shot down 69 Ukrainian drones over Russia and occupied Crimea, temporarily disrupting operations at several airports and cutting power to thousands of households.  

Gunmen stormed a Catholic boarding school in western Nigeria on Friday, abducting more than 200 students and a dozen teachers in the latest wave of kidnappings that has shaken the nation. The attack took place at St. Mary’s School in Papiri, within the Agwara local government area. According to Daniel Atori, spokesperson for the Niger state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), 215 pupils and 12 teachers were seized. CAN said it is working urgently to secure the safe return of those kidnapped. “The children who managed to escape have scattered,” Atori said, quoting Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa, CAN’s Niger chairman. “Some ran back to their homes, while the rest are reportedly being taken into the bush by the attackers.” Niger State Police confirmed that the abductions occurred in the early hours of Friday. Security forces and the military have since been deployed to the area. St. Mary’s, a secondary school for children aged 12 to 17, sits beside a primary school and comprises over 50 classroom and dormitory buildings, near a major road connecting Yelwa and Mokwa. Some families have been hit particularly hard. Dauda Chekula, 62, said four of his grandchildren, aged 7 to 10, were among those abducted. Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora reported that a school security staffer was “badly shot” during the assault. The secretary to the Niger state government noted that the abductions occurred despite prior intelligence about potential threats. “St. Mary’s School reopened without notifying the state government, exposing students and staff to avoidable risks,” the statement read. Residents said only local security personnel were on site at the time, with no official police presence. In response to escalating violence, Nigerian authorities ordered the closure of 47 federal unity colleges, mostly in conflict-prone northern states. These elite government schools, which draw students nationwide, were to be shut immediately, according to a circular from the Federal Ministry of Education. A Broader Pattern of Abductions The attack follows a string of similar incidents. On Monday, gunmen abducted 25 schoolgirls from a high school in Kebbi state, around 170 kilometers from Papiri, though one girl later escaped. In Kwara state, attackers killed two worshippers at a church and kidnapped 38 others, demanding 100 million naira ($69,000) per person. President Bola Tinubu canceled plans to attend the G20 summit in South Africa this weekend in light of the kidnappings. Vice President Kashim Shettima will attend in his place, pledging to use “every instrument of the state” to rescue the abducted children and bring the perpetrators to justice. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Niger and Kebbi states. Analysts say most kidnappers are former herders who have taken up arms against farming communities amid resource disputes. Schools, travelers, and remote villagers are frequent targets, often with ransom as the primary motive. Since the infamous Chibok schoolgirl abductions over a decade ago, at least 1,500 students have been kidnapped in northern Nigeria. While Christians have been among the victims, analysts note that most attacks target Muslims in Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north. Communities Demand Action Residents and analysts attribute the ongoing insecurity to impunity for known criminals and widespread corruption, which limits security forces’ resources while enabling armed gangs. Personal stories underscore the human toll. Lagos-based influencer Eze Gloria Chidinma said her sister escaped by jumping a school fence. She recounted that her mother and older brother were kidnapped last year, forcing the family to pay a large ransom after security forces failed to intervene. “My message to the authorities is to think about people’s lives,” Chidinma said. “Your job is to protect lives and properties. People’s lives should matter to you.” Pastor Yohanna Buru, head of the Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation, called for heightened security around schools in vulnerable areas, warning, “If the government were doing enough, rampant kidnappings would not be happening. It’s as if they don’t care about the future of our children.”

A new American proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine has placed Kyiv in a highly sensitive diplomatic situation — torn between maintaining support from its most critical ally, the United States, and avoiding concessions to Russia, the country that invaded it nearly four years ago. The 28-point plan was drafted jointly by the Trump administration and the Kremlin, without Ukraine’s participation. It incorporates several Russian demands that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has explicitly rejected many times, including surrendering large portions of Ukrainian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the proposal on Friday, saying it “could serve as the foundation of a final peace agreement,” provided the U.S. persuades Ukraine and its European partners to accept it. In his nightly address on Thursday, Zelenskyy adopted a diplomatic tone, saying Ukraine needs a peace that prevents Russia from attacking again. He said Kyiv would consult with both the EU and the U.S. Below are the plan’s major components and the context around them. Territorial concessions THE PROPOSAL:The document claims to affirm Ukraine’s sovereignty but simultaneously calls for Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions to be recognized — even by the United States — as effectively Russian territory. It also states that the front lines in the partially occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions would become fixed borders. Since Russia does not fully control Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukraine would effectively be expected to withdraw from areas where Russian forces haven’t managed to advance. This pullback zone would become a demilitarized buffer internationally recognized as belonging to Russia. The plan also says Russia would give up other occupied areas outside the five regions, possibly referring to parts of Sumy and Kharkiv, though specifics remain unclear. THE CONTEXT:Zelenskyy has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine will never accept the loss of any territory. Oleksandr Merezhko, head of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, noted that the plan contradicts itself — claiming to respect Ukrainian sovereignty while proposing measures that undermine it.He suggested the proposal might be part of Trump’s negotiating style: “Start with something outrageous, then move to something more moderate.” Security guarantees THE PROPOSAL:Ukraine would be required to amend its constitution to permanently renounce NATO membership. NATO, in turn, would formally agree not to admit Ukraine. Ukraine’s armed forces would be capped at 600,000 troops, and NATO countries would be barred from stationing forces in Ukraine — limiting Kyiv’s right to choose its security partners. On the European Union, the plan offers Ukraine temporary preferential access to EU markets while it works to meet reform benchmarks, including anti-corruption measures. The document mentions security guarantees from Western partners but does not specify what form these would take or how the U.S. would ensure Russia would not invade again. THE CONTEXT:Zelenskyy has consistently argued that full NATO membership is the most effective and least costly way to guarantee Ukraine’s safety. Trump has made clear that NATO membership for Ukraine is no longer an option. NATO’s 32 members said last year that Ukraine’s path to joining the alliance is “irreversible,” but some countries — led by the U.S. — have hesitated to move forward during an active war. NATO expansion THE PROPOSAL:Russia would pledge not to attack neighboring countries, while NATO would commit to halting further enlargement. THE CONTEXT:NATO operates by consensus, and the U.S. — while the most influential member — has pulled back under Trump. The alliance is one of the only places where U.S. military policy is subject to negotiation with other states. Accountability for Russian actions THE PROPOSAL:Ukraine would drop all attempts to hold Russia legally responsible for its actions during the war. THE CONTEXT:This would prevent thousands of Ukrainians from pursuing justice or compensation. U.N. experts have determined that Russia’s torture of civilians and prisoners constitutes crimes against humanity. Analyst Volodymyr Fesenko warned that agreeing to the plan would be “disastrous” for Zelenskyy but acknowledged that Kyiv may face intense pressure from Washington. He added that some demands — such as neutrality or granting Russian official-language status — would require constitutional amendments, which only parliament, not Zelenskyy alone, can enact. Fesenko suggested a referendum could be one possible compromise. Russia’s frozen assets THE PROPOSAL:Russia would allow $100 billion of its frozen assets to be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction. THE CONTEXT:Moscow has harshly denounced any attempt to use its frozen assets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned last month that anyone who tries to take or use Russian funds “will be prosecuted” and “held accountable.”

President Donald Trump met Friday with the man who once boasted he would be “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare,” but the encounter turned out to be far more amicable than anticipated. Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appeared warm and cooperative, repeatedly highlighting their shared interest in improving New York City rather than dwelling on their fiery political clashes. Trump — who previously labeled Mamdani a “100% Communist Lunatic” and a “total nut job” — spoke admiringly of the mayor-elect, who had once described Trump’s administration as “authoritarian.” “I think he’s going to surprise some conservative people,” Trump said of the democratic socialist as they stood together in the Oval Office. For both men, the meeting offered political advantages: Mamdani, a relatively little-known state lawmaker until recently, got the chance to meet publicly with the president, while Trump was able to focus attention on affordability issues amid growing pressure to show he’s responding to rising costs. Until now, the two had energized their supporters by attacking each other, and it remains unclear how those backers will respond to the cordial tone of the meeting. “We’re going to be helping him create a strong and very safe New York,” Trump said. “What I appreciated about the president today is that we focused not on our many disagreements but on the mission we share in serving New Yorkers,” Mamdani said. ‘I’ll defend you’ Both men said their conversation centered on housing costs, grocery prices, and utility bills. Each used public frustration with inflation to win office — Mamdani in New York’s mayoral race and Trump in the 2024 presidential election. “Some of his ideas are really the same as mine,” Trump said of Mamdani’s proposals to ease inflation. Trump brushed aside Mamdani’s past criticisms regarding deportation raids and claims that he was governing like a despot. The president said leadership changes people — including himself. At several moments, Trump even stepped in to protect Mamdani. When reporters asked the mayor-elect if he still believed Trump behaved like a fascist, Trump cut in before Mamdani could answer. “That’s OK, you can just say yes,” Trump said. “It’s easier. I don’t mind.” When a reporter asked why Mamdani flew to Washington instead of taking a more climate-friendly mode of travel, Trump again interjected: “I’ll stick up for you.” A meeting centered on affordability Mamdani, who assumes office in January, said he requested the White House meeting to discuss solutions to New York’s affordability crisis. While Trump has previously — and falsely — branded Mamdani a communist and threatened to block federal money from the city, he did not repeat those attacks on Friday. Trump admitted he had considered withholding federal funds if the two failed to “get along,” but said those threats faded during their discussion. “We don’t want that to happen. I don’t think it’s going to happen,” he said. Mamdani’s incoming chief of staff, Elle Bisgaard-Church, later told NY1 that while the two leaders clearly disagree on several issues, they found shared ground on matters like public safety. “We talked about our mutual goal of a safe city where everyone can move around comfortably,” she said. “There have been unfair labels thrown around, but we focused on areas where we can cooperate to make the city more affordable.” Trump overshadowed the mayoral race this year. On the night before the election, he endorsed independent candidate and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and predicted New York had “ZERO chance” of succeeding if Mamdani won. Trump also questioned Mamdani’s citizenship — he was born in Uganda and later became a naturalized American — and threatened to have him arrested if he refused to work with immigration agents. Mamdani defeated Cuomo by portraying him as Trump’s “puppet” and campaigned on being “a mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump and deliver for New Yorkers.” During the primary, he declared, “I am Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.” Yet on Friday, Trump claimed Mamdani “will prove to be one of the best things ever to happen to our great Republican Party.” Trump has repeatedly cast Mamdani as emblematic of the Democratic Party’s direction, especially after Mamdani defeated Cuomo and stirred conflict within the party’s progressive wing. Expected fireworks never materialized Trump has had contentious Oval Office moments in the past — including a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in March and another meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in which he played a controversial video portraying Afrikaners as victims of violent persecution. According to a senior administration official, Trump did not devote much planning to the meeting with Mamdani, though threats of blocking federal funds to New York remain in play. Mamdani said Thursday he wasn’t worried about being publicly embarrassed, calling the meeting an opportunity to make his case despite “many disagreements with the president.” Instead, the two presented a subdued, unusually friendly front. Mamdani, a Queens resident — like Trump — has shown a sharp political edge of his own. In a debate with Cuomo, he called attention to the presence of one of Cuomo’s sexual harassment accusers — a move reminiscent of Trump’s own confrontational campaign tactics. Cuomo denies the allegations. Still, tensions were noticeably absent Friday, and Trump even expressed support for Mamdani’s desire to expand housing. “People would be shocked, but I want the same thing,” Trump said.

Israeli airstrikes on the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis killed five people, according to hospital officials, bringing the number of fatalities over a roughly 12-hour span to 33. Most of those killed were women and children. These strikes are among the most lethal since the U.S.-mediated ceasefire went into effect on Oct. 10. Israel said the latest wave of attacks followed gunfire directed at its forces in Khan Younis on Wednesday. No Israeli troops were killed, and the military said it responded with airstrikes. Four strikes on tents housing displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis on Wednesday night and Thursday morning killed 17 people, including five children and five women, officials at Nasser Hospital reported. In Gaza City, two airstrikes destroyed a building and left 16 people dead—among them seven children and three women—hospital officials at Al-Shifa said. Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Gaza leave dozens dead Hamas condemned the attacks, calling them a “horrific massacre,” and denied firing at Israeli soldiers. Grief across Gaza At Nasser Hospital, large crowds gathered to perform funeral prayers for the victims. Women cried over bodies wrapped in white shrouds. Abir Abu Moustapha lost her three children—ages 1, 11 and 12—and her husband when their tent was struck on Wednesday. She knelt beside their bodies as they were prepared for burial. “My children are gone. What can I possibly say? And my husband, the dearest to me. May God have mercy on them,” she said. “What did my children ever do? Why did they have to die in front of me?” The Israeli military said the strikes were aimed at two Hamas members: a commander in the group’s naval forces and another responsible for overseeing tunnels in the Khan Younis area. Ceasefire under strain Hospital officials said victims came from both sides of the division created by last month’s ceasefire, which split Gaza and placed roughly half of the territory under military control. The escalation followed the U.N. Security Council’s endorsement of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza’s governance and security. The proposal includes an international security force, a transitional governing body, and a pathway toward potential Palestinian statehood. Hamas rejected the plan, arguing that the mandate—particularly the requirement of disarmament—undermines the force’s neutrality and aligns it with Israel. Although Israeli strikes have decreased since the ceasefire began, they have not fully stopped. Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not separate civilian from combatant deaths, reports more than 300 fatalities since the truce started. Both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the agreement, which includes increasing humanitarian aid deliveries and returning hostages—living or dead—to Israel. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 69,000 Palestinians since it began more than two years ago in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 kidnapped. The ministry’s casualty figures are considered credible by the U.N. and many independent experts. Under the Oct. 10 ceasefire, Hamas released the remaining 20 living hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees. It has also returned the bodies of 25 deceased hostages and is expected to hand over three more. Released Israeli hostage alleges sexual abuse An Israeli hostage freed in the ceasefire deal said he was sexually assaulted while being held by Hamas. Guy Gilboa-Dalal told Israel’s Channel 12 that after being allowed to shower, a captor forced him into a room, threw him onto a chair while he was naked, and molested him. “I froze,” he said. “I told him, ‘This is forbidden in Islam.’ But he put a rifle to my head and a knife to my throat and warned me not to tell anyone.” Channel 12 will broadcast the full interview on Saturday. Hamas officials have not yet responded to the allegation. Another released hostage, Rom Braslavski, also reported sexual abuse. Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons after being taken from Gaza during the war have described being stripped to their underwear, beaten by guards, subjected to sexual abuse, restrained for days—sometimes leading to infections and amputations—and denied adequate food and medical treatment.