United News of Bangladesh

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski arrived for an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, direct from a dentist appointment. The 63-year-old veteran human rights advocate was experiencing a return to daily life after more than four years behind bars in Belarus. He was suddenly released on Saturday. Medical assistance in the penal colony where he served his 10-year sentence was very limited, he said in his first sit-down interview after release. There was only one option of treating dental problems behind bars — pulling teeth out, he said. Bialiatski recalled how in the early hours of Saturday he was in an overcrowded prison cell in the Penal Colony no. 9 in eastern Belarus when suddenly he was ordered to pack his things. Blindfolded, he was driven somewhere: “They put a blindfold over my eyes. I was looking occasionally where we were headed, but only understood that we’re heading toward west.” In Vilnius, he hugged his wife for the first time in years. “When I crossed the border, it was as if I emerged from the bottom of the sea and onto the surface of the water. You have lots of air, sun, and back there you were in a completely different situation — under pressure,” he told the AP. Bialiatski was one of 123 prisoners released by Belarus in exchange for the U.S. lifting sanctions imposed on the Belarusian potash sector, crucial for the country’s economy. A close ally of Russia, Belarus has faced Western isolation and sanctions for years. Its authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko has ruled the nation of 9.5 million with an iron fist for more than three decades, and the country has been repeatedly sanctioned by the West for its crackdown on human rights and for allowing Moscow to use its territory in the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In an effort at a rapprochement with the West, Belarus has released hundreds of prisoners since July 2024. Bialiatski won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 along with the prominent Russian rights group Memorial and Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties. Awarded the prize while in jail awaiting trial, he was later convicted of smuggling and financing actions that violated the public order — charges widely denounced as politically motivated — and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The veteran advocate, who founded Belarus’ oldest and most prominent human rights group, Viasna, was imprisoned at a penal colony in Gorki in a facility notorious for beatings and hard labor. He told AP that he wasn’t beaten behind bars — his status as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, perhaps, protected him from physical violence, he said. But he said he went through much of what all political prisoners in Belarus go through: solitary confinement, arbitrary punishment for minor infractions, not being able to see your loved ones, rarely being able to receive letters. “We can definitely talk about inhumane treatment, about creating conditions that violate your integrity and some kind of human dignity,” he said. Bialiatski is concerned about two of his Viasna colleagues, Marfa Rabkova and Valiantsin Stefanovic, who remain imprisoned, and about all 1,110 political prisoners still behind bars, according to Viasna. “Despite the fact that prisoners are being freed right now, new people regularly end up behind bars. Some kind of schizofrenia is taking place: with one hand, the authorities release Belarusian political prisoners, and with the other they take in more prisoners to trade, to maintain this abnormal situation in Belarus,” he said. The advocate vows to continue to fight for the release of all political prisoners, adding: “There is no point in freeing old ones if you're taking in new ones.” He intends to use his status as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate — of which he learned in prison and couldn't initially believe it — to help Belarusians “who chose freedom.” “This prize was given not to me as a person, but to me as a representative of the Belarusian civil society, of the millions of Belarusians who expressed will and desire for democracy, for freedom, for human rights, for changing this stale situation in Belarus,” he told AP. “And it was a signal to the Belarusian authorities, too, that it's time to change something in the life of the Belarusians.”

A shooting near a Jewish gathering at Bondi Beach on Sunday left 12 people dead and 29 others injured, including two police officers in serious condition, New South Wales authorities said. NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed one of the attackers was killed at the scene and the second is in custody, describing the attack as targeted against the Jewish community, Australian Broadcasting Corp reported. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared the incident a terrorist attack, noting that over 1,000 people had gathered to celebrate Hanukkah when the shooting occurred. Many victims were forced to take cover behind buildings, vehicles, and natural barriers. Authorities said there is no longer an active threat but urged residents to avoid the area as emergency operations continue. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with gunfire striking near women, children, and other beachgoers. One gunman, identified as Narveed Akram from Sydney’s south-west, is under investigation while police conducted raids at his home. Hospitals in Sydney treated multiple victims, several in critical condition. The attack, occurring on the first night of Chanukah, has been condemned by Jewish community leaders and federal politicians as a “terror attack” and “horrifying tragedy.” Authorities continue to investigate and secure the area.

A shooter dressed in black killed at least two people and wounded nine others at Brown University on Saturday afternoon during final exams, authorities said, prompting an extensive police search across the Ivy League campus. University President Christina Paxson said 10 of the shooting victims were students. Another person was injured by fragments from the gunfire. Officers searched academic buildings, backyards and porches late into the night for the suspect, described as a man in dark clothing who may have been wearing a camouflage mask. Security footage showed him leaving the Barus & Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and physics department, though his face was not visible. Authorities believe the shooter used a handgun, but investigators have not determined how he entered the exam room, which requires badge access. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said all resources are being deployed to capture the suspect, while Providence Mayor Brett Smiley maintained a shelter-in-place advisory for residents near campus. Students described harrowing moments of fear and sheltering. Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, ran from the building after hearing gunfire. Others hid under desks or took refuge in nearby businesses. Students were evacuated hours later under police supervision. Nine victims were hospitalized at Rhode Island Hospital, with one in critical condition and six others receiving intensive care. The shooting occurred despite Rhode Island’s strict gun laws, including an assault weapon ban passed last spring that restricts sales and manufacturing starting next July but does not prohibit possession. Former “Survivor” contestant Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate, had left the building minutes before the attack. President Donald Trump expressed condolences, saying he had been briefed and urged prayers for the victims. Authorities continue to search for the suspect, emphasizing public safety and ongoing investigation efforts.

Anti-immigrant rhetoric and tougher migration policies are gaining momentum across Europe as immigration rises on the political agenda and right-wing parties increase their influence, according to an Associated Press report. In the U.K. and several European countries, overt hostility toward immigrants and ethnic minorities has become more visible. Tens of thousands marched in London this year chanting anti-immigrant slogans, while senior politicians made controversial remarks about race and called for deportations of long-term residents born abroad. Right-wing parties advocating mass deportations and portraying immigration as a threat to national identity are polling strongly, including Reform U.K., Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) and France’s National Rally. Analysts say rhetoric once confined to the political fringe is now central to mainstream debate. Experts link the growing polarization to economic stagnation since the 2008 financial crisis, the impact of Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the amplifying role of social media. Immigration has increased over the past decade, driven partly by people fleeing wars in Africa, the Middle East and Ukraine, though asylum-seekers make up a small share of overall migration. Racist language and hate crimes are also rising. Police in England and Wales recorded more than 115,000 hate crimes in the year to March 2025, a 2% increase. Lawmakers and minority politicians report escalating online abuse and threats. Violent anti-immigrant protests have also occurred in Ireland, the Netherlands and the U.K., often targeting housing for asylum-seekers. Mainstream parties, while condemning racism, are adopting tougher migration stances. Britain’s Labour government has announced measures to make permanent settlement harder, while several European states are pushing to ease deportations and weaken migrant protections. Human rights advocates warn this risks normalizing increasingly extreme policies. Some centrist leaders have drawn criticism for echoing far-right language, fueling concerns that divisive rhetoric deepens social fractures. Analysts argue political leaders must consider how their words shape public attitudes, though many fear confrontational language is increasingly seen as electorally effective across Europe.

Multiple women have accused members of a new Russian military unit operating in Mali of rape and other sexual assaults, according to an Associated Press investigation that sheds light on widespread but largely hidden abuses in the country’s protracted conflict. The allegations involve Africa Corps, a Russian force that earlier this year replaced the Wagner mercenary group and is assisting Mali’s military in operations against extremist groups. Refugees who fled to neighboring Mauritania told the AP they survived or witnessed sexual violence, including attempted rape and abductions, allegedly committed by fighters they described as “white men.” Victims and their families spoke anonymously, citing fear of retaliation. One reported victim was a 14-year-old girl treated for a severe infection linked to sexual assault. In other accounts, women described armed men entering homes, undressing them and threatening violence. One mother said she saw her 18-year-old daughter dragged away by armed men and has not seen her since. The U.N. and aid groups say sexual violence has been committed by all sides in Mali’s conflict, including extremist groups such as al-Qaida-linked JNIM. A women’s health clinic in central Mali reported treating 28 women in six months who said they were assaulted by militants. Abuses remain under-reported due to stigma, fear of reprisals and lack of access to medical care. Aid workers warn this silence hinders accountability and deepens trauma among survivors. Similar accusations were previously leveled against Wagner mercenaries. In a 2023 report, the U.N. documented dozens of rapes during a deadly operation in Moura village, after which Mali expelled the U.N. peacekeeping mission, making independent investigations more difficult. As fighting intensifies, more than 150,000 Malians have fled to Mauritania. Aid agencies say many survivors never seek help, despite growing humanitarian needs along the border.

Israel on Saturday said it killed a top Hamas commander in Gaza after an explosive device detonated and wounded two soldiers in the territory's south. Hamas in a statement did not confirm the death of Raed Saad. It said a civilian vehicle had been struck outside Gaza City and asserted it was a violation of the ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10. Saad served as the Hamas official in charge of manufacturing and previously led the militant group's operations division. The Israeli statement described him as one of the architects of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, and said that he had been “engaged in rebuilding the terrorist organization” in a violation of the ceasefire. The Israeli strike west of Gaza City killed four people, according to an Associated Press journalist who saw their bodies arrive at Shifa Hospital. Another three were wounded, according to Al-Awda hospital. Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of truce violations. Israeli airstrikes and shootings in Gaza have killed at least 386 Palestinians since the ceasefire took hold, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel has said recent strikes are in retaliation for militant attacks against its soldiers, and that troops have fired on Palestinians who approached the “Yellow Line” between the Israeli-controlled majority of Gaza and the rest of the territory. Israel has demanded that Palestinian militants return the remains of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, from Gaza and called it a condition of moving to the second and more complicated phase of the ceasefire. That lays out a vision for ending Hamas’ rule and seeing the rebuilding of a demilitarized Gaza under international supervision. The initial Hamas-led 2023 attack on southern Israel killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Almost all hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals. Israel’s two-year campaign in Gaza has killed more than 70,650 Palestinians, roughly half of them women and children, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between militants and civilians in its count. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community. Much of Gaza has been destroyed and most of the population of over 2 million has been displaced. Humanitarian aid entry into the territory continues to be below the level set by ceasefire terms, and Palestinians who lost limbs in the war face a shortage of prosthetic limbs and long delays in medical evacuations.

China has announced an ambitious plan to make childbirth essentially free for parents by 2026 under national insurance guidelines. The move, revealed at a national healthcare security conference on Saturday, is part of a broader strategy to address the country's declining birth rate by reducing the financial burden of having children. 

Eritrea has withdrawn from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), accusing the East African regional bloc of working against its national interests, as the United Nations voiced concern over rising tensions between Eritrea and neighboring Ethiopia. In a statement issued Friday, Eritrea’s foreign ministry said it was leaving IGAD because the organization had “lost its legal mandate and authority,” offered no strategic benefit to member states, and failed to contribute meaningfully to regional stability. Eritrea previously exited the bloc in 2003 before rejoining two years ago. IGAD responded by saying Eritrea had not actively participated in the organization’s activities since its return. IGAD comprises eight countries — Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda — and focuses on cooperation in areas such as trade, transport, agriculture, natural resources and environmental policy. The withdrawal comes amid renewed friction between Eritrea and Ethiopia, with both sides accusing each other of interference. Concerns have grown over the possibility of another conflict despite a peace deal signed 25 years ago. Ethiopia has recently stated its desire to regain access to the Red Sea through Eritrea, which it depended on for trade before Eritrea’s independence in 1993. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s remarks calling the loss of sea access a “mistake” have been viewed by Eritrea as provocative. The United Nations urged both countries to recommit to peace, respect sovereignty and uphold territorial integrity. It cited the 2000 Algiers Agreement, which ended decades of border conflict, calling it a vital framework for maintaining stability. Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of harboring intentions to seize its Red Sea ports, while Ethiopia claims Eritrea is preparing for war and supporting rebel groups within Ethiopia.  

The Philippine Coast Guard said Saturday that three Filipino fishermen were injured after Chinese coast guard vessels used water cannons and aggressive blocking tactics against Philippine fishing boats near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. According to the coast guard, at least 20 Philippine fishing boats were targeted Friday afternoon off Sabina Shoal. Two boats were damaged, while three fishermen sustained injuries during what officials described as a dangerous and unlawful assault. Chinese coast guard personnel operating smaller rubber boats also allegedly cut the anchor lines of several Philippine vessels, exposing them to strong currents and rough seas. Two Philippine coast guard ships were dispatched to assist the fishermen but encountered hazardous maneuvers from Chinese vessels. One Chinese ship reportedly came within about 35 yards of a Philippine coast guard vessel during nighttime operations, spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said during an online briefing. “The Chinese coast guard is now targeting ordinary fishermen and endangering civilian lives,” Tarriela said, condemning the actions. Despite the confrontations, the Philippine Coast Guard said it was able to reach the affected fishermen early Saturday, provide medical assistance to the injured and deliver essential supplies, indicating that tensions later subsided. China has not immediately responded to the latest incident. Beijing has consistently asserted its claims over much of the South China Sea and vowed to defend what it considers its territory, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that rejected China’s expansive claims under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has dismissed that ruling and continues to disregard it. The Philippine Coast Guard urged its Chinese counterpart to respect international norms and prioritize safety at sea, warning against actions that put civilian lives at risk. While the United States has no territorial claims in the South China Sea, it has reiterated that it is obligated under a mutual defense treaty to protect the Philippines if Filipino forces or vessels come under armed attack in the disputed waters. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are also claimants in the long-standing maritime disputes, which remain a major regional flashpoint.

Iran on Saturday introduced a new, higher pricing tier for its heavily subsidized petrol, marking the first such increase since a 2019 hike triggered nationwide protests and a deadly security crackdown. Petrol has long been considered a social entitlement in Iran, but the government is under growing pressure from a weakening rial, high inflation and international sanctions linked to its nuclear program. Despite these strains, officials appear cautious, seeking to avoid public anger after months of economic hardship and a recent brief war with Israel. Under the revised system, motorists will continue to receive 60 liters per month at the lowest subsidized rate of 15,000 rials per liter, with the next 100 liters priced at 30,000 rials. Fuel purchased beyond that quota will now cost 50,000 rials per liter. Even at the new rate, Iranian gasoline remains among the cheapest globally. At gas stations in Tehran, there were no immediate signs of unrest, though some police presence was visible. Many drivers expressed frustration but resignation, saying the government made decisions without public consent. Iran’s vast fuel subsidies place a heavy burden on state finances. The International Energy Agency previously ranked Iran as the world’s second-largest energy subsidizer, estimating oil subsidies at $52 billion in 2022 alone. Economists argue repeated price hikes have failed to resolve budget deficits and instead fueled inflation, currently hovering around 40%. The move revives memories of 2019, when abrupt fuel price increases sparked protests in more than 100 cities. Amnesty International says at least 321 people were killed in the subsequent crackdown. Officials describe the new tier as a step toward curbing excessive fuel consumption and have signaled that prices may be reviewed every three months, raising concerns that further increases could follow.