United News of Bangladesh

Five German mountaineers died after being hit by an avalanche in South Tyrol, in northern Italy, rescuers said on Sunday. Three victims — two men and a woman — had already been recovered dead on Saturday, while the bodies of two other missing people, a man and his 17-year-old daughter, were found on Sunday morning. “They had been dragged to the lower part of the gully where the avalanche occurred,” said Alpine rescue spokesman Federico Catania. “Rescue teams are now returning to the valley, also considering the worsening weather conditions at high altitude.” The mountaineers, all Germans, were hit by the avalanche at about 4 p.m. on Saturday while climbing near the Cima Vertana, in the Ortles mountains, at an altitude of more than 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). It is unknown why the climbers were still on their way up at this relatively late hour, rescuers said. According to initial information, the climbers were in three groups and were traveling independently of each other. Two men survived the accident and were taken by helicopter to a hospital in the near city of Bolzano. South Tyrol is a popular region for mountaineering among tourists from Germany. The region’s highest peak is Ortles, which rises to 3,905 meters. Avalanche accidents are a persistent issue in the Italian Alps, with the country registering one of the higher 10-year average annual death tolls among major ski nations. Victims are frequently ski mountaineers or freeriders. Some analysis suggests that the number of accidents has increased in recent years possibly due to more people heading to backcountry areas immediately after fresh snowfall.

More than a century after they were written, messages in a bottle penned by two Australian soldiers in 1916 have been discovered along the country’s south-western coastline. The letters, written just days into their voyage to join the battlefields of France during World War One, carried light-hearted notes. Pte Malcolm Neville told his mother that the food on board was “real good” and that they were “as happy as Larry.” He was later killed in action at the age of 28. The other soldier, 37-year-old Pte William Harley, survived the war and eventually returned home. Earlier this month, local resident Deb Brown and her family found the bottle on Wharton Beach near Esperance, Western Australia, during one of their regular quad bike trips to clean up litter. “We do a lot of cleaning up on our beaches and so would never go past a piece of rubbish. So this little bottle was lying there waiting to be picked up,” Ms Brown told the Associated Press. Though the paper was damp, both notes were still readable. Ms Brown began tracing the soldiers’ families to return the long-lost letters. She found Pte Neville’s great-nephew, Herbie Neville, after searching his name and hometown online, as the soldier had included his mother’s address in the message. Mr Neville told ABC News the experience was “unbelievable” for his family. Pte Harley’s letter, meanwhile, was addressed “to whoever found the bottle” since his mother had passed away years earlier. His granddaughter, Ann Turner, said she and his four other surviving grandchildren were “absolutely stunned” by the discovery. “It really does feel like a miracle and we do very much feel like our grandfather has reached out for us from the grave,” she said. The letter mentioned the bottle had been thrown “somewhere in the Bight,” referring to the Great Australian Bight. According to an oceanography professor quoted by ABC, it may have drifted only a few weeks before washing up at Wharton Beach, where it likely remained buried for over a century. With inputs from BBC

United States President Donald Trump will host Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House on November 10, marking the first visit by a Syrian president to the US capital in over eight decades. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said the visit aims to open a “new chapter” in Syria-US relations. “President Ahmed al-Sharaa will be at the White House at the start of November. This is a historic visit, the first by a Syrian president in more than 80 years. Key issues on the table will include lifting sanctions and forging a strong partnership between the two countries,” he said during a speech in Bahrain on Sunday. According to US news outlet Axios, al-Sharaa is expected to sign an agreement during his visit to join an international US-led alliance against ISIL (ISIS). Al-Sharaa, who took power from Bashar al-Assad in December, has been working to re-establish Syria’s relations with global powers that had largely isolated Damascus under Assad’s rule. He previously met Trump in Saudi Arabia in May, the first such meeting between leaders of the two nations in 25 years. Al-Sharaa also addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. He previously led a Syrian offshoot of al-Qaeda, which later broke away and fought ISIL. Al-Sharaa had been targeted with a $10 million US reward and was imprisoned by US forces in Iraq before joining the Syrian war. The US-led coalition, alongside local partners, eventually expelled ISIL from its last stronghold in Syria in 2019. His planned Washington visit comes as Trump urges Middle East allies to seize the opportunity to build lasting peace following last month’s ceasefire and captives exchange between Israel and Hamas, which aims to end Israel’s two-year war in Gaza. Syria and Israel are also in talks to secure a halt to Israeli airstrikes in Syrian territory and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Syria, according to Damascus. Source: AP

Survivors and aid agencies have reported widespread killings, abuse and disappearances after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized el-Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state, raising fears of a new humanitarian catastrophe. El-Fasher, the last stronghold of the Sudanese army in Darfur, fell to the RSF on Sunday after an 18-month siege. Since then, the United Nations and international aid organisations have warned of mass killings, rape, and other atrocities. Alkheir Ismail, a young man who fled to Tawila, about 50 km from el-Fasher, recounted how RSF fighters stopped a group of 300 people as they tried to escape. Only he survived after being recognised by one of the captors. “There was a young man I studied with in Khartoum University. He told them, ‘Don’t kill him.’ After that, the rest of the youths with me were killed,” he said. Other survivors described being humiliated, beaten, and robbed. Tahani Hassan said RSF fighters assaulted her and threw their clothes on the ground. Fatima Abdulrahim, who fled with her grandchildren after walking five days under harsh conditions, said RSF fighters took all their possessions, and later learned that other girls in the group were raped. Rawaa Abdalla, another survivor, said her father remains missing. RSF head Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo later urged fighters to protect civilians and promised violations would be prosecuted. The RSF claimed to have arrested soldiers accused of abuses, but the UN questioned their commitment to investigating violations. High-level RSF commanders dismissed survivor accounts as “media exaggeration” aimed at covering the army’s defeat. Both the RSF and the Sudanese army have faced repeated war crimes accusations during the conflict, which has killed tens of thousands, displaced around 14 million people, and triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. Widespread famine and outbreaks of cholera and other deadly diseases are also reported. More than 62,000 people fled el-Fasher between Sunday and Wednesday. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said only about 5,000 reached Tawila, with many others believed to have been “killed, blocked, or hunted down” while trying to flee. MSF reported acute malnutrition among nearly all children under five who arrived on October 27. Survivors told aid agencies that RSF fighters separated people by gender, age, or ethnicity, held many for ransom, and in some cases killed those unable to pay. UNFPA confirmed at least 460 people were killed at the el-Fasher maternity hospital on October 29. In North Kordofan, over 36,000 people have fled the Bara locality, captured by the RSF last week. UN officials warned of killings and sexual violence in the area, with the region expected to be the next battleground. Mohammed Elsheikh of the Sudan Doctors Network described the dire conditions of fleeing civilians, citing extreme temperatures and unsafe desert roads. Bara has seen intense fighting, with previous RSF attacks in July killing nearly 300 people, including children and pregnant women. Source: AP

The United States and China have agreed to establish direct military-to-military communication channels, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday, describing bilateral ties as “never better.” Hegseth said he discussed the issue with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, late Saturday on the sidelines of a regional security meeting. The two officials agreed that “peace, stability and good relations are the best path for our two great and strong countries,” Hegseth noted in a post on X. Earlier, Hegseth had urged Southeast Asian nations to strengthen their maritime forces to counter what he described as China’s increasingly “destabilizing” actions in the South China Sea. “China’s sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea contradict their commitments to resolve disputes peacefully,” he said at a meeting with counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday. He added, “We seek peace. We do not seek conflict. But we must ensure that China is not seeking to dominate you or anybody else.” The South China Sea remains one of Asia’s most volatile flashpoints. China claims nearly the entire region, while ASEAN members including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei also assert ownership of coastal areas and features. The Philippines, a key U.S. ally, has frequently clashed with China’s maritime fleet. Manila has repeatedly called for a stronger regional response, but ASEAN has traditionally sought to balance caution with its economic ties to Beijing, the region’s largest trading partner. Hegseth also said he spoke with President Donald Trump, and the two agreed that “the relationship between the U.S. and China has never been better.” Trump’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea earlier this week, Hegseth added, “set the tone for lasting peace and success for the U.S. and China.” Analysts said the contrasting messages — a firm warning at the ASEAN meeting and conciliatory remarks online — reflect Washington’s effort to balance deterrence with diplomacy amid rising tensions with Beijing. “This is damage control. More importantly, it reflects two currents in U.S.-China relations — one viewing China as a threat and another as a potential partner,” said Southeast Asian political analyst Bridget Welsh. At the ASEAN meeting, Hegseth criticized Beijing’s recent declaration of the Scarborough Shoal, seized from the Philippines in 2012, as a “nature reserve,” calling it “yet another attempt to coerce new and expanded territorial and maritime claims at your expense.” He urged ASEAN to finalize a long-delayed Code of Conduct with China to govern behavior in the sea and proposed shared maritime surveillance and rapid-response systems to deter provocation. A “shared maritime domain awareness” network, he said, would ensure that any member facing aggression “is not alone.” Hegseth also welcomed an ASEAN-U.S. maritime exercise planned for December to strengthen regional coordination and uphold freedom of navigation. China has rejected U.S. criticism, accusing Washington of interfering in regional affairs and provoking tensions through its military presence. Chinese officials maintain that their patrols and construction activities are lawful and aimed at securing what they consider Chinese territory. On Saturday, Chinese officials criticized the Philippines for being a “troublemaker” after Manila conducted joint naval and air drills with the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand in the South China Sea. The two-day exercise, which ended Friday, was the 12th such operation the Philippines has carried out with partner nations since last year to protect its claims in the disputed waters. Tian Junli, spokesperson of China’s People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, said the drills “seriously undermined regional peace and stability” and accused the Philippines of being “a saboteur of regional stability.”   Source: AP

The foreign ministers of Germany, Jordan, and the United Kingdom on Saturday called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis after a paramilitary force seized the last major city in Darfur. At the Manama Dialogue security summit in Bahrain, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the situation in el-Fasher as “truly horrifying,” citing mass killings, starvation, and sexual violence against civilians, particularly women and children. She stressed that “no amount of aid can resolve a crisis of this magnitude until the guns fall silent.” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described Sudan’s situation as “absolutely apocalyptic” and directly condemned the violence by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in el-Fasher. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi echoed the concern, saying Sudan has not received the international attention it deserves and calling the crisis “of inhumane proportions.” United Nations officials reported that RSF fighters have killed more than 450 people at a hospital in el-Fasher, with reports of ethnically targeted killings and sexual assaults. While the RSF has denied responsibility, survivor accounts, satellite images, and social media videos indicate widespread violence in the city. The ministers’ statements come amid rising international concern over the conflict in Sudan, which has escalated into one of the largest humanitarian crises of the 21st century. Earlier this week, Bahrain revoked The Associated Press’s accreditation to cover the summit, following a story on the hunger strike of long-detained activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. Al-Khawaja ended the strike after receiving letters from the European Union and Denmark, his daughter Maryam said.  

Foreign ministers from Germany, Jordan, and the United Kingdom on Saturday called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, describing the situation as catastrophic following a paramilitary takeover of the last major city in the Darfur region. United Nations officials have reported that fighters from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked the city of El-Fasher, allegedly killing more than 450 people in a hospital, alongside ethnically targeted killings and sexual assaults. While the RSF denies the hospital killings, survivors, satellite images, and videos circulating on social media indicate widespread violence in the city. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue security summit in Bahrain, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the scale of the humanitarian disaster. “Mass executions, starvation, and the use of rape as a weapon of war are devastating women and children in what is becoming the largest humanitarian crisis of the 21st century,” she said. Cooper emphasized that “no amount of aid can resolve a crisis of this magnitude until the guns fall silent.” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described Sudan’s situation as “absolutely apocalyptic,” while Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi noted that the country has not received adequate international attention. “A humanitarian crisis of inhumane proportions has taken place there. We’ve got to stop that,” he said. Earlier in the week, Bahrain revoked an accreditation for The Associated Press to cover the summit following a review, coinciding with reporting on activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who had begun an open-ended hunger strike over his long detention. Al-Khawaja ended his strike on Friday after receiving letters from the European Union and Denmark, his daughter Maryam al-Khawaja said.   Source: AP

Earlier this year, a video by an Indian travel influencer criticizing the weak power of the Indian passport went viral. He pointed out that while countries like Bhutan and Sri Lanka are welcoming to Indian tourists, getting visas to most Western and European destinations remains difficult. His frustration mirrors the findings of the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on visa-free travel access. India slipped five places this year to the 85th spot out of 199 countries, marking another decline in global mobility. The Indian government has yet to comment on the report. The BBC has reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs for clarification. Countries with smaller economies—such as Rwanda (78th), Ghana (74th), and Azerbaijan (72nd)—rank higher than India, despite India being the world’s fifth-largest economy. Over the past decade, India’s passport ranking has generally stayed in the 80s, even falling to 90th in 2021. This contrasts sharply with Asian nations like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, which have consistently dominated the top positions. Read more: Getting e-passport without police verification in Bangladesh: Documents, fees, and online application process For the second consecutive year, Singapore topped the list, offering visa-free access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189). In comparison, Indian passport holders can visit 57 countries visa-free, sharing the 85th position with Mauritania. A Reflection of Soft Power and Global Influence Passport rankings reflect not only travel convenience but also a nation’s soft power, diplomatic ties, and global reputation. A weak passport means more paperwork, higher visa costs, fewer privileges, and longer approval times. However, despite the drop in rank, the number of countries granting visa-free access to Indian citizens has increased over the years. In 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP came to power, Indians had visa-free access to 52 countries, and the passport ranked 76th. By 2024, that number rose to 62 countries, though India’s rank still slipped to 85th in 2025. Experts say this decline is mainly due to growing global competition. More countries are signing reciprocal visa-free agreements to boost tourism and trade. According to Henley & Partners’ 2025 report, the average number of visa-free destinations worldwide has nearly doubled—from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025. Read more: Digital Nomad Visas in Europe in 2026: Top 10 European Countries China, for instance, has expanded its visa-free access from 50 to 82 countries in the past decade, improving its rank from 94th to 60th. India’s ranking, meanwhile, dropped from 77th in July 2025 to 85th in October, after losing visa-free access to two countries. Beyond Diplomacy: Other Factors at Play Former Indian ambassador Achal Malhotra says that factors such as political stability, security, and openness to foreign citizens also influence a country’s passport strength. For example, the U.S. passport, once among the most powerful, has fallen to 12th place, partly due to its inward-looking foreign policy. Mr Malhotra notes that in the 1970s, Indians could travel visa-free to many Western nations, but that changed after the Khalistan movement in the 1980s, which raised concerns about India’s internal stability. Read more: 7 Most Affordable Countries for Citizenship by Investment in 2026 He adds that high emigration rates and cases of visa overstays have made some nations more cautious about granting Indians visa-free access. Moreover, issues such as passport fraud and slow immigration processes also affect India’s standing. In 2024, Delhi Police arrested 203 individuals for alleged passport and visa fraud. A Path Forward Technological advances like India’s new e-passport, which stores biometric data on a secure chip, could help strengthen document security and streamline border checks. But experts agree that diplomatic outreach and bilateral travel agreements will be crucial for improving the global mobility of Indian citizens—and restoring the strength of the Indian passport on the world stage. Source: BBC Read more: Bangladesh moves up one step in global passport strength index

Saudi Arabia is preparing to shorten the validity period of Umrah visas from three months to one month in a move aimed at better managing the growing influx of pilgrims, according to a report by Al Arabiya.net. Citing official sources, the Saudi news outlet said the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will soon implement the change, reducing the visa’s validity to 30 days from the date of issuance. The new regulation is expected to take effect next week. Since the beginning of the new Umrah season in early June, more than four million Umrah visas have been issued to international pilgrims — a record figure in less than five months. Under the revised rules, a visa will be automatically cancelled 30 days after issuance if the holder fails to enter the Kingdom within that period. However, the adjustment will not impact the duration of stay for those who arrive in Saudi Arabia, as Umrah pilgrims will still be permitted to remain in the country for up to three months. Read more: Bangladesh urges Saudi Arabia to maint 1,000-pilgrim Hajj quota per agency The decision aims to prevent overcrowding in the holy cities of Makkah and Medina during the cooler months, said Ahmed Bajafar, advisor to the National Committee for Umrah and Visit. Although Umrah rituals are performed only in Makkah, many pilgrims also visit Medina to offer prayers at the Prophet Mohammad’s mosque during their trip. Earlier in October, Saudi Arabia tightened Umrah procedures, requiring advance booking of accommodation and verification of transportation arrangements on the Nusuk or Masar platforms upon arrival. The Kingdom has also reiterated that visitors holding any type of visa are eligible to perform Umrah during their stay. With input from Khaleej Times Read more: How to Perform Umrah from Bangladesh?

A new Pentagon directive will sharply restrict the ability of transgender service members — those affected by the Trump administration’s ban — to appeal for continued military service, according to a memo obtained by the Associated Press. Under the Oct. 8 memo from Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata, military separation boards no longer have the final say in whether transgender troops can remain in uniform. Even if a board recommends retention, commanders may now override that decision — a departure from long-standing practice that boards act independently. The move follows President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender individuals from military service, part of a broader rollback of diversity and inclusion initiatives led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who argues such measures undermine readiness. While legal challenges continue, the U.S. Supreme Court in May allowed enforcement of the ban to proceed during litigation. New Hurdles for Transgender TroopsThe memo, which service members reportedly received only last week, also requires transgender personnel to appear before separation boards in the uniforms corresponding to their birth-assigned gender. If they fail to comply, the hearings may continue in their absence, and that absence could be used against them. Advocates say the rule effectively prevents many from attending their own hearings. “It’s essentially setting up a predetermined outcome,” said Emily Starbuck Gerson, spokesperson for SPARTA Pride, a group representing transgender troops and veterans. “Now you’re penalizing someone for not showing up because they can’t wear the wrong uniform.”When asked about the memo, Pentagon assistant press secretary Riley Podleski declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation. A similar directive issued by the Air Force in August required separation boards to recommend discharge for any member diagnosed with gender dysphoria, removing their discretion to retain personnel. Gerson said the new, Pentagon-wide policy mirrors that directive but includes “alarming” new requirements such as the uniform rule. The memo states that if a service member “does not conform to uniform and grooming standards, board proceedings will continue with the Service member in absentia,” and their noncompliance may be considered when deciding on separation. Trans Troops Say Policy Strips Away DignityMany transgender service members say they no longer possess uniforms that match their gender at birth — and being forced to wear them would be degrading. Master Sgt. Logan Ireland, an Air Force veteran with 15 years of service, said being required to don a female uniform would “feel like a betrayal.” “Can I put on a skirt or the female dress uniform? Sure,” he said. “But that’s not who I am. It would be like wearing a costume.”Ireland, currently on administrative leave, said the policy disregards years of service and sacrifice. “It denies us the dignity and respect we were promised,” he said.Gerson added that the new rules contradict the military’s stated commitment to merit-based evaluations, ignoring service members’ accomplishments and contributions. Undermining an Established SystemMilitary separation boards traditionally give service members facing discharge an opportunity to make their case before peers. These quasi-legal proceedings allow them to present evidence, have legal representation, and appeal outcomes to federal court. Pentagon policy has long guaranteed such hearings be “fair and impartial.” In the past, boards have even chosen to retain service members involved in serious incidents — including the commanding officer of the USS McCain, responsible for a deadly 2017 collision, and several Marines who took part in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Priya Rashid, a military attorney who has represented hundreds of troops before such boards, said the new policy undermines fairness and due process. “Service members accused of serious misconduct — even violent offenses — are being given more rights than this group, simply because of their gender dysphoria diagnosis,” Rashid said.Advocates warn that the change represents the most significant rollback of transgender rights in the military since the reinstatement of the ban and could effectively end many trans service members’ careers without a fair hearing.