United News of Bangladesh

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.

Brazil is hosting a two-day summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, where topics like Israel’s attack on Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs are expected to be addressed cautiously. Analysts say the lack of unity within the expanded BRICS, which doubled its membership last year, could limit its ability to emerge as a powerful alternative in global affairs. They also believe the summit’s moderate agenda reflects an effort to avoid drawing unwanted attention from Trump’s administration. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has placed issues such as artificial intelligence and climate change at the center of the summit, though several key leaders are absent. In his opening speech on Sunday, Lula warned, “We are witnessing the unparalleled collapse of multilateralism,” adding that the meeting is taking place “in the most adverse global scenario” of all four times Brazil has hosted the summit. He called on BRICS nations to promote peace and mediate conflicts. “If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to the BRICS to contribute to its renovation,” Lula said. Notably absent from the summit is China’s President Xi Jinping, marking the first BRICS summit he has missed since taking power in 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also absent but will join via videoconference, avoiding travel due to an international arrest warrant related to the invasion of Ukraine. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Egypt’s Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi are also missing from the gathering in Rio de Janeiro. Three joint statements expected This year’s restrained approach marks a sharp contrast with last year’s summit in Kazan, Russia, where the Kremlin pushed to develop alternatives to U.S.-dominated financial systems to bypass Western sanctions following the Ukraine invasion. A source familiar with the summit’s negotiations said some members are pushing for stronger language regarding Gaza and Israel’s attack on Iran. The source requested anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the talks publicly. “Brazil wants to keep the summit as technical as possible,” said Oliver Stuenkel, a professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation think tank. Observers now expect only a vague final declaration on Russia’s war in Ukraine and other Middle East conflicts. According to Stuenkel, the absence of Putin and Xi, who have advocated for a stronger anti-Western stance, makes it easier for Brazil and India to steer the summit toward non-alignment. A Brazilian government official told The Associated Press that the summit is expected to produce three joint statements and a final declaration, “all of which less bounded by current geopolitical tensions.” The official spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to speak publicly. João Alfredo Nyegray, a geopolitics professor at the Pontifical Catholic University in Parana, noted that the BRICS summit could have presented an alternative to global instability but is unlikely to do so. “The withdrawal of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the uncertainty about representation from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE confirm the difficulty for the BRICS to establish themselves as a cohesive global leadership pole,” Nyegray said. “This moment demands high-level articulation, but we are actually seeing dispersion.” Turkey sends firefighting planes to Syria as raging wildfires devastate border regions Avoiding Trump’s tariffs Brazil, which currently chairs the bloc, has set six strategic priorities: global healthcare cooperation; trade, investment, and finance; climate change; governance for artificial intelligence; peace and security; and institutional development. The country has opted to focus on less controversial areas, such as strengthening trade and health cooperation, especially after Trump’s return to the White House, said Ana Garcia, a professor at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. “Brazil wants the least amount of damage possible and to avoid drawing the attention of the Trump administration to prevent any type of risk to the Brazilian economy,” Garcia explained. While Lula on Sunday called for reforming Western-led global institutions, a central policy for the bloc, Brazil is eager to avoid becoming a target for Trump’s tariffs — a situation it has so far mostly avoided. Trump has warned he would impose 100% tariffs against the bloc if it takes steps to undermine the U.S. dollar. ‘Best opportunity for emerging countries’ Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the BRICS group expanded last year to include Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The bloc also created a new category for 10 “strategic partner” countries, including Belarus, Cuba, and Vietnam. With this rapid expansion, Brazil has placed institutional development on the summit agenda to better integrate new members and improve cohesion. Despite the absence of key leaders, the summit remains important for emerging economies, especially amid the instability fueled by Trump’s tariff policies, said Bruce Scheidl, a researcher at the University of São Paulo’s BRICS study group. “The summit offers the best opportunity for emerging countries to respond, in the sense of seeking alternatives and diversifying their economic partnerships,” Scheidl said. For Lula, the summit provides a temporary respite from domestic political challenges, including falling approval ratings and clashes with Congress. It also gives Brazil the opportunity to advance climate negotiations ahead of COP 30, the United Nations climate conference scheduled for November in Belém, in the heart of the Amazon.

Defending champion Argentina had to put the celebrations on hold for a while after securing a place at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday before kickoff against archrival Brazil. Bolivia’s failure to beat Uruguay meant Argentina had enough cushion in South American qualifying to secure one of the continent’s six direct spots for the 48-team World Cup set to be co-hosted next year by the US, Canada and Mexico. After Bolivia's 0-0 draw with Uruguay at El Alto, Argentina beat Brazil 4-1 in front of 85,000 fans at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium despite the absence of Lionel Messi. Brazil's worst deficit in South American World Cup qualifying history compounded pressure on coach Dorival Júnior, who took over in January of last year. Brazil is in fourth place in South American qualifying with 21 points, 10 behind Argentina but only two behind second-place Ecuador, which was held to a 0-0 draw by Chile. Third-place Uruguay and fifth-place Paraguay also have 21 points, and Colombia is one point behind them in sixth. Seventh-place Venezuela has 15 points after a 1-0 win over 9th-place Peru. AFC Asian Cup: Hamza's Bangladesh dominate India in Shillong but waste chances as game ends goalless Brazil was missing three regular starters — goalkeeper Alisson, defender Gabriel Magalhães and midfielder Bruno Guimarães — and wasn't really competitive from start to finish. It's the first time Argentina has won both matches against Brazil in a World Cup qualifying tournament. The home victory was also Argentina's first against the Brazilians since qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. Argentina has led South American qualifying from the start, with few hiccups and major away wins at Brazil and Uruguay. But coach Lionel Scaloni has not fielded 37-year-old Messi in several games, which still raises doubts on whether the star will play at the World Cup next year. Messi has an injury to his adductor and was not included in Argentina’s squad for the two latest matches. Argentina scored its two first goals in only 12 minutes of play, both thanks to accurate passing and some clumsy Brazilian defending. Julián Alvarez netted the first in the 4th minute after Marquinhos, Murillo and Guilherme Arana failed to reach the ball. The Argentina striker shot between the legs of goalkeeper Bento from close range. Argentina scored again eight minutes later with Enzo Fernández, once again from close range after a low cross by Gonzalo Molina. Brazil got one back via Matheus Cunha in the 26th after a mistake by Cristian Romero, who lost the ball to the Brazilian by the edge of the box. Enzo Fernandez found Alexis Mac Allister bursting into the penalty box unmarked 11 minutes later to make it 3-1 to Argentina. During the break, Brazil sought to get some grip by boosting its presence in the midfield with Joao Gomes and the substitution of Murillo and striker Rodrygo. But it was to no avail, with Giuliano Simeone scoring for Argentina in the 71st minute. “All of us can do better than this. It isn't only about Dorival,” Brazil's captain Marquinhos said. “This is not only the coach's fault, it is the players too. We need to have our heads in the right place. They (Argentina) also had tough times before and they overcame it. We can do it too.”

Neymar faced criticism for skipping a semifinal with Santos after being spotted at Carnival last week. On Sunday, Santos were defeated 2-1 by their long-time rivals Corinthians in the semifinals of the Sao Paulo state championship, with Neymar remaining on the bench for the entire match. The following day, he stated he had a minor injury but did not provide further details. A few days prior, the striker was photographed at Rio de Janeiro’s Sambadrome, the iconic venue for the lavish Carnival parade. Having rejoined his childhood club Santos in January, Neymar attended the Carnival parade just hours after being substituted in the second half of another Sao Paulo state championship match on March 2 due to what appeared to be a left thigh injury. BCL Football: Arambagh KS beat Dhaka Rangers FC 1-0 He had only recently recovered from an ACL tear that had kept him sidelined for over a year. Santos did not disclose any injury concerns regarding Neymar ahead of Sunday’s semifinal. “All I wanted was to be on the pitch and support my teammates in any way possible,” Neymar posted on Instagram. “But last Thursday, I experienced discomfort that kept me from playing. We conducted a test this morning, and I felt it again.” Santos coach Pedro Caixinha explained that, despite the injury, he asked Neymar to stay on the bench. “It was only discomfort, but it prevented him from playing. I requested that he remain with the squad, and he agreed,” Caixinha said at a press conference following his team’s elimination. “He’s a unique player, gifted and full of positive energy. Neymar suffered a lot from not being able to participate in the match.” However, many pundits accused Neymar of not prioritising his career as he attempts to revive it at the Brazilian club following stints at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al-Hilal. “He chose Carnival over the semifinal,” remarked well-known pundit Walter Casagrande Jr. on his social media platforms. “Neymar’s behaviour over the past five or six years has resurfaced. He keeps prioritising pleasure and entertainment over professionalism.” Santos president Marcelo Teixeira told local media that Neymar underwent multiple examinations between Friday and Sunday, all confirming he was unfit to play against Corinthians. “As a precaution, we decided not to field him,” Teixeira stated. “This isn’t about the national team; he simply wasn’t in the right condition to play. He is still in the recovery process, and we must acknowledge that.” Spanish newspaper Marca described Neymar’s week as “his saddest Carnival yet—discarded by Barcelona, left on the bench, and eliminated.” In response to the intense criticism surrounding their star player, Santos later released a video showing an emotional Neymar addressing his teammates in the dressing room before the semifinal. “It is incredibly difficult to be sidelined at moments like this. I am doing my best to stay composed and not show how much sadness I feel,” Neymar said. “If you can, run for me. I wish I could be out there, running for each of you. You have no idea how desperate I feel inside.” Since his return, the 33-year-old forward has scored three goals and provided three assists in seven matches for Santos. His performances were enough to convince Brazil coach Dorival Jr. to recall him for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina. Bangladesh footballers, camping in Saudi Arabia, perform Umrah Neymar is expected to return to action for Santos on March 29, following the international break, in the opening round of the Brazilian league against Vasco da Gama. Santos earned promotion back to the top tier after being relegated in 2023.

The Brazilian government announced on Tuesday its plan to set up a reception centre for migrants deported from the United States, following concerns raised over conditions on a recent deportation flight, reports AP. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva approved the creation of a humanitarian reception post in Confins, a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil’s Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Macaé Evaristo, informed journalists in Brasília. Brazil enacts law restricting smartphone use in schools This decision was made in light of the possibility of further flights following the arrival of the first deportation flight under the new Trump administration, which carried 88 deportees over the weekend. This followed numerous such flights during the Biden administration. According to local media, government officials were troubled by reports that Brazilians remained handcuffed after an unplanned stop in Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon, due to technical issues with the aircraft. A Brazilian military plane subsequently transported the deportees to their final destination, Belo Horizonte, in Minas Gerais, on Saturday afternoon. On the following day, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement requesting explanations from Washington regarding the “degrading treatment” of its citizens during the flight. The statement referenced “the use of handcuffs and chains, the poor condition of the aircraft, including a malfunctioning air conditioning system, among other concerns.” The U.S. Embassy declined to comment, while the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency did not respond to an email request for a statement. It remains unclear whether the 88 deportees were detained during the presidency of Donald Trump, who took office on 20 January, or under his predecessor, Joe Biden. 22 Killed in Collision Between Passenger Bus and Truck in Brazil Over the past three years, nearly four dozen deportation flights have been conducted from the U.S. to Brazil. The Brazilian government has no intention of halting them and held discussions with the American chargé d’affaires on Monday, according to a government official with knowledge of the matter. The individual, who was not authorised to speak publicly, requested anonymity. Brazilian authorities allow the use of handcuffs in exceptional cases, but not indiscriminately, and only following a risk assessment, the official stated. Officials are currently investigating how many deportees were restrained. Reports from passengers indicate that the plane’s air conditioning system malfunctioned, creating extreme heat in the cabin, and that upon landing in Manaus, passengers disembarked through the emergency exit. Regarding the humanitarian centre, Evaristo emphasised its purpose is to “ensure these passengers have access to proper conditions, including water, food, and a suitable temperature, which appears to have been the most harmful issue on the first flight.” “We do not wish to antagonise the American government, but it is crucial that deported Brazilians are treated with dignity,” Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski stated on Monday.

Brazilian Ambassador to Bangladesh Paulo Fernando Dias Feres met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed issues relating to the next national election and bilateral cooperation. The over an hour-long meeting, which began at around 11 am on Tuesday, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obed were also present at the meeting. Briefing reporters about the outcome of the meeting, Khosru said, “We had an in-depth discussion on the current bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Brazil and the various possibilities for strengthening them further.” In response to a question, he said they had also discussed Bangladesh’s forthcoming national election, with Brazil expressing its desire for the election to take place. Khosru said they discussed Brazil’s cooperation in Bangladesh’s agricultural sector, including cattle farming and increasing meat and milk production. “Brazil holds a very strong position in agriculture, and we import many agricultural commodities from Brazil, including sugar,” the BNP leader said. Read: Fakhrul meets UK minister Catherine West He said Bangladesh exports garments and pharmaceutical products to Brazil, but they acknowledged there is potential to further enhance these exports. Khosru mentioned that they had raised the issue of Brazil’s cooperation in improving Bangladesh’s sports sector, particularly football. The meeting also covered expanding cooperation in the cultural sector and promoting cultural exchanges. Khosru said trade between the two countries exceeds $2 billion, with the balance of payments currently in Brazil’s favour. “So, we need to increase exports to Brazil, particularly in garments and pharmaceuticals.” He also urged the Brazilian envoy to lift the existing embargo on the export of Bangladesh’s jute to Brazil. “If we can increase exports of garments, pharmaceuticals, and jute to Brazil, the balance of payments could either be balanced or shift in our favour,” the BNP leader said. Khosru said they encouraged the Brazilian envoy to facilitate increased investment in Bangladesh’s agricultural sector, especially in cattle and milk production. Read more: Fakhrul discusses bilateral issues with Chinese ambassador The BNP leader said Brazil is keen to export red meat to Bangladesh and set up a warehouse here to meet local demand at lower prices. He also said Brazil is eager to transfer technology to help Bangladesh produce meat and milk more cost-effectively.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a law on Monday restricting smartphone use in schools, aligning with a global trend toward such measures, reports AP. Effective February, the law will apply to elementary and high school students across the nation. It establishes guidelines allowing device use only in emergencies, for educational activities, or by students with disabilities requiring them. Where does smartphone use start getting problematic? “We cannot allow humanism to be replaced by algorithms,” Lula said during a private ceremony in Brasilia. He described the law as a recognition of educators' efforts to support children and teenagers. A study by Fundacao Getulio Vargas in May revealed that Brazil has 258 million smartphones, surpassing its population of 203 million. Market research from last year showed Brazilians spend an average of 9 hours and 13 minutes daily on screens, among the highest globally. Education Minister Camilo Santana noted that children’s early exposure to online content complicates parental monitoring, and limiting smartphone use in schools aims to address this challenge. The legislation garnered rare bipartisan support from both Lula’s allies and those of his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. Parents and students largely back the initiative. An October survey by Datafolha found nearly two-thirds of respondents supported banning smartphones in schools, and over three-quarters believed the devices harm more than help children. India to have 1 billion smartphone users by 2026: Deloitte Ricardo Martins Ramos, a 43-year-old father and restaurant owner in Rio de Janeiro, called the restrictions “tough but necessary,” explaining that while smartphones are useful for schoolwork, excessive social use is detrimental. His 13-year-old daughter Isabela agreed, citing classmates’ struggles to concentrate during lessons. However, she highlighted unresolved issues like bullying and harassment. As of 2023, two-thirds of Brazilian schools had some form of smartphone restriction, with 28% enforcing a total ban, according to an August survey by the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee. Several states, including Rio de Janeiro, Maranhão, and Goiás, have enacted local bans, but enforcement remains challenging. Sao Paulo is currently debating extending restrictions to both public and private schools. Gabriele Alexandra Henriques Pinheiro, a 25-year-old beauty professional and mother of a boy with autism spectrum disorder, supports the restrictions but noted adults often set poor examples of smartphone use. She admitted that her own reliance on her device complicates efforts to limit her son’s screen time. Experts and institutions have linked children’s smartphone use to bullying, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and diminished concentration. Other countries have implemented similar restrictions: China limited children’s smartphone use last year, and France has banned the devices in schools for children aged 6 to 15. In the United States, eight states have passed laws or policies to curb smartphone use in classrooms. Meanwhile, more European parents are voicing concerns about the safety and mental health risks associated with smartphone use among children. A UNESCO report published in September revealed that one in four countries has already imposed school restrictions on smartphones. At a U.S. Senate hearing last year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologised to parents of children harmed via social media and highlighted ongoing industry efforts to improve child protection.

A tragic collision between a passenger bus and a truck early Saturday claimed the lives of 22 people on a highway in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, authorities reported. Emergency services from the Minas Gerais fire department responded to the scene and confirmed that 13 other individuals were injured and transported to hospitals near Teofilo Otoni. The bus, which had departed from Sao Paulo, was carrying 45 passengers at the time of the accident. Pakistani health workers' boycotting halts polio vaccination drive in southwest Officials stated that a blown tire caused the bus driver to lose control, leading to the collision with the truck. A separate car carrying three passengers was also involved in the crash, but all its occupants survived, the fire department added. Rescue operations are still underway at the site, with efforts to retrieve additional victims, said Lt. Alonso of the fire department. Governor Romeu Zema announced via X that he had instructed the Minas Gerais government to fully mobilize resources to support the victims and their families. “We are committed to helping families cope with this devastating tragedy, particularly as it occurs so close to Christmas,” Zema said. Gunmen clash in a Libyan city and fires erupt at a nearby oil refinery, officials say According to Brazil's Ministry of Transportation, more than 10,000 people have died in road accidents across the country in 2024. Earlier this year, in September, another deadly accident occurred when a bus carrying the Coritiba Crocodiles football team overturned, resulting in three deaths. The team, based in Curitiba, was en route to Rio de Janeiro for the national American football championship, which was canceled following the tragedy.