United News of Bangladesh

Brazil is using advanced forensic technology to identify the origin of gold in an effort to curb illegal mining in the Amazon, a major threat to the rainforest, Indigenous communities and the environment. The work is being carried out at the National Institute of Criminalistics in Brasilia, where the federal police have established a specialized "gold lab" to collect and analyze gold samples from across the country. The lab's goal is to determine whether seized gold came from protected areas, such as Indigenous territories or national forests, where mining is prohibited. The process, known as "gold fingerprinting," allows experts to trace the source of gold with a high degree of accuracy. Researchers say each gold deposit contains a unique chemical signature. As gold forms naturally underground or in riverbeds, it absorbs tiny amounts of surrounding elements such as silver and copper, creating a distinct fingerprint. By comparing a seized sample with data stored in the laboratory's database, investigators can determine whether the gold was legally mined or illegally extracted from protected areas. Federal police forensic expert Gustavo Geiser said the technique has been developed since 2019 in partnership with Brazilian universities using advanced technologies including X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy and laser ablation mass spectrometry. If tests confirm that gold was illegally mined, the findings can be used as evidence in criminal investigations and prosecutions. Authorities say illegal mining groups often use fraudulent documents to sell illegally mined gold through legal markets, similar to schemes involving illegally sourced cattle and timber. The problem has intensified as global gold prices have risen, encouraging more illegal mining across the Amazon. According to Amazon Mining Watch, about 496,000 hectares of rainforest have been cleared for mining since 2023, including around 223,000 hectares in the Brazilian Amazon. Brazil's Federal Court of Accounts said last year there was evidence that permits issued to small-scale miners had been misused to disguise gold extracted from protected areas. A separate Greenpeace investigation described a "ghost mine" scheme, in which operators claim gold was produced from licensed mines that show no mining activity, while nearby Indigenous lands display extensive illegal mining operations. Earlier this month, a federal court in the northern state of Pará ordered government agencies, including the Central Bank and the National Mining Agency, to improve gold tracking from mines to markets. Federal prosecutors have also filed a lawsuit seeking stricter oversight of mining permits, arguing that some licences are being used to launder gold mined illegally by criminal groups operating in protected areas. Geiser said the forensic laboratory strengthens criminal investigations while helping improve the credibility of Brazil's gold supply chain by verifying the legal origin of gold entering financial markets. He added that criminal networks are increasingly moving illegally mined gold through neighboring countries such as Venezuela, French Guiana and Suriname. Gold samples from those countries have also been added to the laboratory's growing database. Illegal gold mining remains a major environmental concern in the Amazon. While mining contributes less to deforestation than agriculture, it causes long-lasting environmental damage because miners commonly use mercury to separate gold from other materials. The mercury often ends up in rivers, contaminating water and fish that many Indigenous communities rely on for food. A 2023 study by Brazil's Fiocruz research institute found that more than one-fifth of fish sold in Amazon markets contained mercury levels above World Health Organization safety limits. The study also found that children aged two to four in some areas were exposed to mercury levels up to 31 times higher than recommended. Brazil is a signatory to the UN Minamata Convention on Mercury, which aims to eliminate mercury use in gold mining. This month, Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy published a draft proposal to gradually phase out mercury use in mining. Public consultation on the proposal will continue until Aug. 7. Federal prosecutors have called for Indigenous communities, which are among the most affected by mercury pollution, to be included in the consultation process. Geiser said a complete ban on mercury would not only reduce environmental damage but also make it easier for investigators to identify illegal mining operations.

Brazil national football team secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Haiti national football team on Friday in Philadelphia, eliminating Haiti from the World Cup and boosting Brazil’s chances of advancing from the group stage. Matheus Cunha starred for Brazil with two goals, while Vinícius Júnior contributed a goal and an assist. Haiti, appearing in its first World Cup since 1974, became the first team officially eliminated from the tournament. Making his first start of the competition, Cunha quickly justified his selection after being used only as a substitute in Brazil’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Morocco national football team. The forward opened the scoring by converting a rebound after Vinícius’ effort was saved by goalkeeper Johny Placide. Cunha doubled Brazil’s lead later in the first half with a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner after receiving a precise pass from Vinícius. His two goals energized the large Brazilian contingent among the crowd of more than 68,000 spectators at Lincoln Financial Field. Brazil had an earlier goal from Raphinha ruled out for offside before he was forced off with an injury in the first half. Despite that setback, the South Americans dominated the match. Vinícius added Brazil’s third goal before halftime, effectively sealing the result and keeping alive the team's hopes of winning its first World Cup title since 2002. The atmosphere inside the stadium was vibrant, with Haitian supporters singing traditional chants while Brazilian fans celebrated their nation’s rich football history and paid tribute to legendary football icon Pelé. Brazil will conclude its Group C campaign against Scotland national football team on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida. Meanwhile, star forward Neymar missed his second consecutive match due to an ongoing calf injury.

Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi said his side had laid down an early World Cup marker after a 1-1 draw with Brazil on Saturday, declaring his team was capable of more. Morocco led through Ismael Saibari's early goal and created several problems for the five-time world champion before settling for a point in its Group C opener. "We won't settle for this. I can promise you this is not the end," Ouahbi told a post-match news conference in New Jersey. "The competition is long and you'll have a lot of fun watching us." Ouahbi said his team was determined to improve on its showing in Qatar four years ago, when it became the first African side to reach the World Cup's last four. "I want to go beyond the semifinals, but it was a good match. We got a point. We hoped to have more, but one isn't a bad result and we hope to improve." Morocco controlled the midfield for long stretches of the opening half as Brazil struggled to retain possession in the oppressive heat. Ouahbi said his players displayed the qualities he has sought to instill since replacing Walid Regragui in March. "The message to our fans is that I know they are very proud of us," he said. "Today we showed we're ambitious. We drew, but we showed we wanted to win. We showed that we have a strong personality and we'll continue to do this." Ouahbi also praised 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, whose request to represent Morocco was approved by FIFA last month. Capped at youth level by France, where he was born, Bouaddi was making only his fourth appearance for Morocco but played a key role in neutralizing the influence of Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta. "We already knew what he was capable of," Ouahbi said. "This is why we had many talks with him to choose Morocco. He played well. Everyone is excited about him, but other midfielders were great as well." "Maybe because it was his first [competitive] match at international level. But in terms of experience, he has much more than others. He has experience in the Champions League." Morocco next faces Scotland in Boston on June 19 before meeting Haiti in Atlanta on June 24.  

Brazil has been forced to make a late change to its World Cup squad after right back Wesley was ruled out with a thigh injury less than a week before the team's opening match against Morocco. The Brazilian Football Confederation said on Sunday that Wesley suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh during Brazil’s friendly against Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday. Medical scans later confirmed the injury was serious enough to end his World Cup campaign. "Wesley is a player who is highly valued by the squad and will always remain part of this team striving to win a sixth world title," the confederation said in a statement. Midfielder Éderson, 26, has been called up as Wesley’s replacement and is expected to join the 26-man squad in the United States. Brazil will begin its World Cup group-stage campaign on Saturday at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Meanwhile, concerns remain over the fitness of veteran forward Neymar. The 34-year-old did not travel with the team to Cleveland and is currently sidelined with a calf injury.

Neymar says he feels fully fit and is confident he has done enough to earn a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Brazil’s all-time leading scorer said he had to deal with a lot of “nonsense” criticism while recovering from serious injuries. The Santos FC forward has not played for Brazil since 2023 after suffering injuries and undergoing knee surgery that kept him out of action for a year. Ancelotti, who is expected to announce his World Cup squad on Monday, has said Neymar must be fully fit and performing well to be considered for selection. “Physically, I feel great. I’ve improved with every match,” Neymar told reporters after Santos’ 3-0 loss to Coritiba Foot Ball Club on Sunday. “I gave everything I could. It wasn’t easy,” he said. Neymar said he worked hard in silence while facing criticism over his fitness and lifestyle. “People said many unfair things. I stayed at home, worked hard and suffered because of those comments. But everything has worked out,” he said. “I’ve reached the point I wanted to reach, and I’m happy with what I’ve done so far.” The 34-year-old said he trusts Ancelotti to choose the best 26 players for the tournament. During Sunday’s match, Neymar became visibly upset after he was mistakenly substituted, an incident that came just one day before the squad announcement. Brazil will be aiming to win a record sixth World Cup title. They are drawn in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in the tournament, which will be held in North America from June 11 to July 19. Source: The Straits Times

Colombian pop icon Shakira is set to perform a free concert on Copacabana Beach on Saturday night, with Brazilian authorities expecting around 2 million people to gather at the famous seaside venue. The show comes after similar large-scale performances by Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga last year, both of which drew huge crowds to the beach. Shakira’s concert is part of her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour, named after her 2024 album. Speaking to Brazil’s TV Globo, Shakira said the Copacabana show could be the biggest of her career. She described performing on the beach as a lifelong dream, calling it a “magical place,” and noted that she learned Portuguese before English. Music experts say Shakira’s strong connection with Brazilian fans dates back to the 1990s, when she first performed in the country. Felipe Maia, an ethnomusicologist at Paris Nanterre University, said cultural similarities between Colombia and Brazil helped her build a lasting bond with audiences. He added that Saturday’s concert reflects that long-standing relationship. Fans have already begun arriving early to secure good spots. Vendors lined the beach selling snacks, drinks and even items like toilet paper and sandbags to help people get a better view of the stage, set up near the Copacabana Palace hotel. Street vendor Simone Paula da Cunha, who came a day early to sell drinks, said she also hoped to watch the performance live. Despite being tired, she said she has been a fan of Shakira since her early days. Entertainment on the beach will begin in the afternoon with DJs, while Shakira is expected to take the stage at 9:45 p.m. local time for a performance lasting about two hours. Another DJ will perform afterward to help manage the crowd as they leave. City officials say the free concert is part of efforts to boost Rio’s economy between major festive periods such as Carnival, New Year celebrations and the June Saint John’s Day events. Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said such events help create jobs, generate income and strengthen the city’s identity. He added that the financial return from the concert could be up to 40 times the city’s investment. According to estimates by City Hall and Riotur, the show could generate about 777 million reais, or roughly $155 million, driven by increased spending in hotels, restaurants and shops. Officials also noted a sharp rise in tourist arrivals during similar events in previous years. Data shows visitor numbers grew significantly in early May in 2024 and 2025 compared to 2023. Airbnb said bookings have increased ahead of the concert, with visitors expected from across Brazil, Latin America and cities such as Paris and London. Wanderson Andrade, an architect who traveled from central Brazil for the show, said he had missed the chance to see Shakira last year and was determined not to miss this one. “Today is a dream come true,” he said.

Scientists studying Brazil’s oldest citizens say they may be closer to understanding why some people live far longer than average, with new research pointing to unique genetic and biological factors behind extreme longevity. A new viewpoint published in the journal Genomic Psychiatry highlights findings from an ongoing Brazilian study focusing on centenarians and supercentenarians. While most people live around 70 years, a small number reach 100, and an even rarer group live beyond 110. Researchers say Brazil offers a unique advantage because of its highly diverse population, shaped by Indigenous roots, European colonisation, African ancestry and immigration from many parts of the world. The study includes more than 160 centenarians from across the country, including about 20 supercentenarians. Some participants remained mentally sharp and physically independent even after turning 100. In a few rare cases, long life appeared to run in families, including one family with four women aged between 100 and 110. Scientists believe this diversity may help reveal genetic traits linked to long life that are not visible in studies of more uniform populations. Many of the participants also came from poorer regions with limited access to health care, suggesting that strong biological protection, rather than modern medicine alone, played a major role in their longevity. Researchers also noted that some Brazilian supercentenarians survived Covid-19 before vaccines were available, pointing to particularly strong immune systems. Experts say expanding longevity research to include diverse populations like Brazil’s is essential to better understand ageing and improve health outcomes worldwide.   With inputs from BBC

Bangladesh have climbed three places in the latest FIFA rankings, following a spirited draw against Nepal and a statement victory over regional rivals India. The year-ending rankings, released by FIFA within 24 hours of the close of the men’s international break, kept Spain firmly at the top. Bangladesh played two matches during the November FIFA window. Javier Cabrera’s side began with a 2–2 draw in last Thursday’s friendly against Nepal, before sealing a memorable 1–0 victory over India on Tuesday in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The results propelled Bangladesh to 180th position, a three-step rise from their previous ranking. India, by contrast, slid six places and now sit 142nd after the defeat. Spain, meanwhile, confirmed their place in next year’s World Cup with one win and one draw across two fixtures. Although they dropped a few points, the 2010 world champions remain atop the global standings. Argentina also held their ground, staying second after a 2–0 victory over Angola in their only match this month. There was no movement in the next two spots either, with France retaining third place and England anchored in fourth. Both sides enjoyed flawless campaigns in this month’s World Cup qualifiers, winning two matches each. Brazil had a mixed outing with a 2–0 win over Senegal followed by a 1–1 draw against Tunisia. The five-time world champions nonetheless climbed two places to fifth. Portugal and the Netherlands each slipped one spot, moving down to sixth and seventh respectively. Belgium remain eighth, while Germany and Croatia rose one position each to ninth and tenth. Italy endured another setback, falling three places to 12th. The four-time world champions, absent from the past two World Cups, now face renewed pressure as they look toward the playoffs to keep their 2026 hopes alive.    

Bangladesh called on global leaders at the COP30 climate summit to deliver survival-centered, justice-driven climate finance for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), warning that millions already face irreversible losses from a crisis they did not cause. ​Farida Akhter, Adviser for Fisheries and Livestock and head of the Bangladesh delegation, told a high-level ministerial dialogue on Saturday (November 15) that climate finance for LDCs must be predictable, grant-based, and rooted in justice to match the scale of the devastation in vulnerable nations. ​Speaking on behalf of the LDC Group at the summit in Belém, Brazil, Farida emphasised that the world's poorest communities are already experiencing severe climate impacts, including: ​1. Rising seas and salinity ​2. Coastal erosion ​3. Destructive cyclones ​Farida said Bangladesh’s presence at COP30 was not to repeat "old grievances" but to push for concrete solutions. ​At a briefing later at the Bangladesh Pavilion, Farida highlighted climate-driven threats to the country’s iconic Hilsha fish. Climate protesters march on COP30 in Brazil, demanding action Shifting river patterns and habitat degradation are endangering the species, which is vital to Bangladesh's economy and culture. ​The delegation also pressed for critical policy shifts, including: ​1. Closing gender gaps in climate policy. 2. Recognising and ensuring women’s leadership and full participation in negotiations and national plans. ​Farida also praised the strong presence of youth leadership within the national delegation, crediting young negotiators with bringing "clarity, courage and new energy" to global climate diplomacy. COP30 climate summit opens in Brazil’s Belem to renew global focus on climate action ​As talks intensify, Bangladesh reiterated that the credibility of the global climate process now depends on whether historically responsible nations step up with real commitments and adequate finance under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).

Spain have ended Argentina’s long reign at the top of the FIFA rankings, climbing to the summit after more than a year of stellar performances. Argentina, who held the top spot for a significant period, have now dropped to third place. The latest rankings, released by world football’s governing body FIFA on Thursday, reflect the results of the recent international break. France also moved up one spot to second, while five-time world champions Brazil slipped to sixth. A return to the top This marks Spain’s return to the top of the men’s rankings for the first time since June 2014, when they were the reigning World Cup and two-time European Championship winners. La Roja’s rise was fueled by an impressive start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with dominant victories over Bulgaria (3-0) and Turkey (6-0). France also made a perfect start to their qualifying efforts, defeating Ukraine 2-0 and Iceland 2-1, which helped them leapfrog Argentina. Argentina’s slip and other movers Despite a 3-0 home win against Venezuela, Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Ecuador in their CONMEBOL qualifier proved costly, knocking the reigning world champions down from the top spot. The defeat cost them 15.04 rating points, placing them in third with 1870.32 points, just shy of France’s 1870.92. Spain lead the ranking with 1875.37 points. Other notable movements in the top 10 include England and Portugal. England, despite winning both of their recent qualifiers, remained in fourth. Portugal moved up one spot to fifth after two wins. Brazil’s ranking dropped to sixth following a home win against Chile but a 1-0 away defeat to Bolivia under coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Netherlands and Belgium held firm at seventh and eighth, respectively, while Croatia and Italy each climbed one spot to round out the top 10. Germany, after a 2-0 loss to Slovakia, dropped three places to 12th, while Slovakia surged 10 spots to 42nd. Bangladesh’s position remained unchanged at 184th.