United News of Bangladesh

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the future of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region will be a central issue as negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States hold talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending Russia’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion. The UAE foreign ministry said the talks, which began Friday and continue Saturday, are intended “to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.” The White House described the first day of discussions as productive. Hours before the three-way talks opened, Russian President Vladimir Putin held overnight discussions on a possible settlement with US President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Kremlin reiterated that any peace deal would require Ukraine to withdraw its troops from eastern territories illegally annexed by Russia but not fully controlled. Zelenskyy said after meeting Trump on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland, that while the status of Russian-occupied land in eastern Ukraine remains unresolved, peace proposals are “nearly ready.” He also said he discussed with Trump the idea of establishing a Ukraine-controlled free trade zone in the east, calling it potentially positive for business. Friday marked the first known instance of Trump administration officials meeting simultaneously with representatives from both Ukraine and Russia. Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian delegation was updating him almost hourly. “They are discussing the parameters for ending the war,” Zelenskyy said in a late-night address. “The most important thing is whether Russia is ready to end the war it started.” He cautioned that it was too early to draw conclusions. The Kremlin described the talks as a security working group, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov again calling troop withdrawal from Donbas an “important condition.” Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said a lasting settlement would not be possible without resolving territorial issues, while Russian media reported discussions on buffer zones and control measures. US officials confirmed that Witkoff and Kushner were joined in Abu Dhabi by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and NATO’s top military commander, US Air Force Gen Alexus Grynkewich. Ukraine’s delegation includes senior security and military officials. Earlier in Davos, Zelenskyy met Trump for about an hour, describing the talks as productive. Trump later said both sides want a deal but that territorial boundaries remain the main obstacle. Russia currently controls about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory, though gains have come at high military and economic cost. Ukraine continues to face financial strain, manpower shortages and dependence on Western military support. Zelenskyy also sharply criticised European allies, accusing them of slow decision-making, insufficient defence spending and reluctance to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. “Europe looks lost,” he said, warning that the continent risks repeating the same mistakes unless it takes stronger action.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the first trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States could be a step toward ending the war, as negotiators head to Abu Dhabi. Zelensky said the status of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region will be the key issue at the talks, adding that different outcomes are possible. He said he hopes for a positive result. The meeting is expected to be the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 that all three sides take part in talks linked to a possible settlement. Zelensky said he discussed Donbas with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. He also said the two leaders finalised future US security guarantees for Ukraine if a deal is reached, and talked about additional air defence needs. The talks come after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin met Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow. The Kremlin described that discussion as useful and very frank. Speaking on Air Force One, Trump said he believed both Putin and Zelensky want to make a deal, but said it remains to be seen what happens. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported continued Russian strikes. Emergency services said four people, including a five-year-old boy, were killed in a drone attack in eastern Ukraine. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko again urged residents to consider leaving the city as thousands of buildings remain without heating during freezing temperatures.   With inputs from BBC

During US President Donald Trump’s historic visit to the UAE — the first by a sitting American president in 17 years — the warm reception included a striking showcase of Emirati culture. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan greeted Trump with traditional performances, including a captivating hair dance by young Emirati girls that drew global attention online.  Migrant workers dying on Saudi worksites ahead of World Cup: HRW The rhythmic tossing of hair, known locally as the Naa’shaat, along with the iconic Ayyala dance performed by rows of men, symbolized more than ceremonial flair. According to Ahmed Bel Jafflah, senior presenter and protocol manager at the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding, these dances are deep-rooted expressions of the UAE’s identity. “The Ayyala represents unity, pride, and heritage, forming a vital part of Emirati tradition and now recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage,” Jafflah told Gulf News. “These performances reflect the values and spirit of our society.”  Nvidia to send 18,000 AI chips to Saudi Arabia

Bangladeshi Grand Master Ziaur Rahman and his son Fide Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia's family team emerged unbeaten champions in the family event of the 29th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival held in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Sunday. Also read : Abu Dhabi Chess:GM Ziaur Rahman beat FM Ebrahimi Herab Hamidreza of Iran GM Ziaur Rahman's family team clinched title securing 10 points from six matches with 4 wins and 2 draws. Also read : Youth Chess Olympiad: Bangladesh team earn 8 points after 7th round matches Abucejo family team of the Philippines finished  runners- up and IWM Tejaswini Sagar family team of India became third collecting  9 points each. Also read : Abu Dhabi Chess: GM Ziaur Rahman makes good start beating Armenian IM Denielyan Vaha In all, 70 family teams, each of two players,  participated in the family event.

A Bangladeshi expat has won Dh 35 million in Series 247, the first Big Ticket raffle draw of the New Year, which was held in Abu Dhabi. On December 10, 2022, Mohammed Rayful of Al Ain purchased ticket number 043678, which resulted in his winning the largest grand prize ever. The 39-year-old winner was working at the time, and the draw organizers made several attempts to reach him on the phone but were unsuccessful. Read: Mega Millions Tuesday jackpot surpasses estimated $565M Fortunately, the organizers were able to get in touch with the Al Ain resident and inform him that he had won the jackpot, reports Khaleej Times. Rayful has been purchasing tickets for the past nine years while working as a pick-up driver for a business in Al Ain. His winning ticket was bought online by a group of 20 friends, and the reward money will now be divided among them all. “I have been living in the UAE for the past 12 years. I can hardly believe that I have won. I am very excited and overjoyed.” Read More: Spain dishes out $2.43 billion in bumper Christmas lottery Rayful was unsure when asked what he would do with the money because he has not made any arrangements.

Bangladesh star bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been added to the players' draft of the Abu Dhabi T10 league that will commence in the UAE on November 23.  The left-arm pacer was roped in by Bangla Tigers in the first edition of the event, but he was not allowed to take part in this event by the BCB.  The pacer has been going through a bad patch for a while now. In his last five T20Is, Mustafizur managed to grab only five wickets.  Before Mustafizur, Bangladesh Test and T20 captain Shakib Al Hasan and ODI captain Tamim Iqbal have also been added to the players' draft. Shakib has already signed a contract with Bangla Tigers. Bangladesh batter Aftab Ahmed will coach this team, and cricket analyst and coach Nazmul Abedin Faheem will also work with this team as a consultant. Read: IPL 2022: Delhi’s Mustafizur Rahman eyes to end his wicket drought A total of eight teams will participate in the sixth edition of Abu Dhabi T10.  The Abu Dhabi T10 has been generating huge support for the last few years. The most attractive aspect of this league is it takes only 90 minutes to complete a match. 

Bangladeshi GM Ziaur Rahman and IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman earned 2 points each after the 4th round matches of the 28th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival-Masters held in the UAE city of Abu Dhabi on Friday night. FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia earned 1.5 points and FM Mehdi Hasan Parag earned 1 point.  In the 4th round matches, GM Ziaur Rahman won against WGM P V Nandhidha of India, FM Tahsin drew with WFM Ricken Katharina of Netherland, IM Fahad lost to GM Mendonca Leon Luke of India and FM Parag lost to FM Ibadov Dashgyn of Russia.  A total of 148 players including 43 Grand Masters 7 Women Grand Masters, 34 International Masters, 3 Women International Masters, 36 FIDE Masters and Women FIDE Masters from 31 countries are participating in this event.  Read: 28th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival underway The 5th round games began on  Saturday from  7:00 pm Bangladesh time.  GM Zia  playing against Sanket Chakravarty IM Fahad playing against FM Atakishiyev Elmar of Azerbaijan, FM Tahsin playing against FM Milikow Yoav of Israel and FM Parag playing against FM Jain Kashish Manoj of India in the 5th round matches.

A gas cylinder explosion in Abu Dhabi earlier this week that injured 120 people killed an Indian and a Pakistani national, authorities in those two countries said Thursday. India's External Affairs Ministry said one Indian died and around 100 were injured in the blast Monday in Abu Dhabi’s Khalidiya neighborhood, just a few blocks from the Emirati capital’s beachfront corniche. Also read:UAE's long-ailing leader Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed dies at 73 Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the explosion killed one Pakistani and wounded others. Pakistani diplomats also visited a police station in the capital and said Emirati authorities promised to share more on their investigation. The United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven desert sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, faces seasonal fires brought on by the intense heat that bakes this nation each summer. Temperatures hit 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday. Also read: UAE authorities order arrests over rare riot at soccer match In February, authorities say a similar gas cylinder explosion struck the capital at the height of concerns over attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Indians and Pakistani make up much of the foreign workforce that powers the Emirates.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home past midnight Saturday after her five-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage, which departed from Abu Dhabi International Airport at 5:55 pm (local time) landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:10am. Hasina went to the UAE on March 7 at the invitation of UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the ruler of Dubai. Also read: Continuous democratic process is behind country’s unprecedented development, says Hasina in UAE During this visit, she had a bilateral meeting with the UAE prime minister. Four MoUs were signed between Bangladesh and the UAE to boost bilateral cooperation. Besides, another MoU was signed between the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Dubai International Chamber to establish a Joint Business Council between the two countries. Hasina also visited Expo 2020 Dubai at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) and joined a high-level panel discussion titled 'Redefining the Future of Women' arranged on the occasion of International Women's Day there. She visited Bangladesh Pavilion and UAE Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. Also read: PM clears some important official e-files from abroad The PM attended a civic reception hosted in her honour on the occasion of her visit to the UAE. She also laid the foundation stone of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Building of Bangladesh English Private School and College at Ras Al Khaima. Hasina joined a business forum jointly arranged by business communities of UAE and Bangladesh at the DP World Pavillion of the Expo 2020 Dubai.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday put forward a three-point suggestion for ensuring food security in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening collaboration among countries in the field of agricultural research and education. “To ensure food security in the Asia-Pacific region, I would like to suggest that collaboration among countries of the region in the field of agricultural research and education should be enhanced,” she said. The Prime Minister was addressing as the chief guest in the inaugural ceremony of the 36th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific.  Read:PM clears some important official e-files from abroad She joined the hybrid event virtually from her place of residence in Abu Dhabi. Bangladesh is hosting the regional conference in Dhaka for the first time.  Raising her second suggestion, Hasina said, “Transfer and sharing of cutting-edge technologies like bio-technology, nanotechnology, and robotics in the agricultural sector need to be strengthened among FAO member states in the region.” In the third recommendation, she said, “As modern agriculture needs huge investment, a special fund could be created to finance and support the agri-sector.” The PM said the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the agricultural sector like other sectors. At the initial stage of the pandemic in 2020, the supply chain was disrupted affecting both the producers and consumers, she said.  “However, our timely and effective interventions helped the sector recover fast. We took special measures, including mechanisation, to ensure unhindered food production and supply of agricultural inputs,” she added. Hasina said the Covid-19 pandemic revealed how vulnerable human beings are in the face of such disaster. It has also revealed how the human race by acting together can face such challenges, she added.  “Food security is surely the most pressing issue for people. About 305.7 million people in South Asia still suffer from hunger. We can arrange food for them easily if we all make a sincere effort,” she said. Focusing on Bangladesh’s agriculture sector, the PM said although the relative significance of the agricultural sector in GDP has been diminishing in the country, the absolute contribution did not fall, but rather increased. The agricultural GDP saw a 40 percent increase since 2005-06. Read:PM arrives in Abu Dhabi to begin 5-day official visit Despite the fall in its share, agriculture still remains the main source of employment, providing livelihood to 40 percent of the labour force. Currently about 22.7 million people of which 45pc are women are directly employed in the agricultural sector, she said. Besides, now many agro-processing industries are fully dependent on agriculture for basic raw materials like rice milling, sugar, tea, fruit juice, spices, edible oil, tobacco, jute textiles, cotton textiles, starch and others. Thus, agriculture still remains the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, she added. Hasina said Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in the production of rice, vegetable, fruit, fish, meat, egg and milk production in the last 13 years. It has also become self-sufficient in rice production by producing nearly 38 million metric tons of rice a year, she added. In the world, Bangladesh is ranked 2nd in jute and freshwater fish production, 3rd in rice and vegetable production, and 4th in tea production. Among the 11 Hilsa-producing countries, Bangladesh’s stands first, said Hasina. “These achievements have been possible due to continuous policy support and incentives provided by our government, as well as the efforts of our hard-working farmers,” she said, adding that entrepreneurs have also created a thriving private sector where agriculture is growing and expanding. “Despite these successes, we realise that we’ve to do more to achieve food and nutrition security in the real sense. It’s because these sectors are prone to shocks from nature and climate related abnormalities,” said the PM. Noting that Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries affected by climate change, Hasina said climate change is also a major threat to sustainable agriculture. “So, we’ve been implementing various adaptation and mitigation projects from our Climate Change Trust Fund to offset the impacts.” Mentioning that Bangladesh’s subsistence agriculture has also been transforming into commercial agriculture, she said, “We, therefore, need to put emphasis on diversification of food production through growing high-value food, and processing value-addition to the low-value foods.” “In order to ensure sustainable production, we’re converting to modern agricultural practices like mechanisation, floating agriculture, rooftop farming, hydroponic and aeroponic farming and integrated farming,” Hasina said. The Prime Minister declared the FAO 36th Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific open. Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) QU Dongyu and Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim spoke in the regional conference presided over by Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque.