United News of Bangladesh

An Indonesian passenger aircraft carrying 11 people disappeared from radar on Saturday while approaching a mountainous region between the islands of Java and Sulawesi, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation, officials said. The turboprop ATR 42-500 aircraft operated by Indonesia Air Transport was flying from Yogyakarta to South Sulawesi’s capital when it lost contact with air traffic control, according to Transportation Ministry spokesperson Endah Purnama Sari. The plane was last detected at 1:17 pm local time in the Leang-Leang area of Maros district in South Sulawesi. Rescue authorities have deployed multiple teams supported by air force helicopters, drones and ground units to locate the aircraft. Hope of finding the wreckage grew after hikers on Mount Bulusaraung reported seeing scattered debris bearing markings similar to the airline’s logo, along with small fires still burning in the area. The reports are being verified by rescue teams attempting to reach the remote location, said Maj Gen Bangun Nawoko, commander of South Sulawesi’s Hasanuddin military region. Indonesia plane crash search finds remains, debris at sea Officials said the aircraft disappeared shortly after air traffic controllers instructed the pilot to adjust the plane’s approach path. After the final communication, radio contact was lost and an emergency distress phase was declared. The aircraft was carrying eight crew members and three passengers from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, who were on an airborne maritime surveillance mission, Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono confirmed. Search efforts are being hampered by the steep terrain of Bulusaraung National Park, which spans the Maros and Pangkep districts. Body parts, debris found after Indonesia plane crash Indonesia, an archipelago nation of more than 17,000 islands, depends heavily on air travel to connect remote regions. The country has faced repeated transport accidents in recent years, often blamed on weak safety enforcement.

At least 24 people were killed and 45 others injured in two separate road accidents in Pakistan on Saturday, officials said. The first incident occurred in Sargodha, in eastern Punjab province, when a truck carrying passengers and cargo skidded off the road and plunged into a canal amid heavy fog. Fourteen people died and nine others were injured, according to local police and rescue teams. Hours later, a passenger bus overturned on the Makran Coastal Highway in southwestern Balochistan, killing at least 10 people and injuring 36 others, senior police official Aslam Bangulzai said. The bus was traveling from Karachi to Jiwani. Traffic accidents are frequent in Pakistan, often attributed to reckless driving, poor road conditions, and weak enforcement of traffic laws.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has secured a seventh term in office, winning 71.65% of the vote, according to official results released Saturday. Museveni defeated his youthful challenger, musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who campaigned for change after four decades of Museveni’s rule. Bobi Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, received 24.72% of the votes. Wine is expected to reject the official outcome, denouncing the election as unfair and alleging an internet blackout, heavy military presence, and the abduction of his polling agents. On Friday, he dismissed provisional results as “fake.” The election was also marred by technical issues with biometric voter identification machines, which failed in several urban areas, including opposition strongholds like the capital Kampala. Voting had to proceed using manual voter registers, a move critics say could fuel legal challenges against the official results. Delays plague voting in Uganda's presidential election Museveni, 81, has maintained power over the years by amending the constitution to remove term and age limits, and by sidelining or jailing potential rivals. Observers say the opposition was fragmented, giving Museveni a decisive advantage, while he retained strong control over his party and the armed forces. Security forces were heavily deployed during the campaign. Wine said he faced constant surveillance and harassment, including the use of tear gas against his supporters, and often campaigned wearing a flak jacket and helmet for protection. Reports emerged on Friday that Wine had been detained by the military, but police clarified on Saturday that he was not under arrest, though access to his residence was “controlled” to prevent potential unrest. At least 46 killed in multi-vehicle crash in western Uganda Uganda has not seen a peaceful transfer of presidential power since independence six decades ago. Veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, remains in prison on treason charges filed in February 2025. This election highlights the enduring dominance of Museveni, whose long tenure continues to raise concerns about democratic governance and political freedom in Uganda.

Syrian government forces moved into two northern towns on Saturday after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced their withdrawal in an apparent effort to prevent further clashes. State media said two soldiers were killed and several others injured in the latest violence. The town of Deir Hafer changed control following deadly fighting earlier this month between government troops and the US-backed SDF in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. The clashes ended with Kurdish fighters leaving three neighbourhoods taken over by government forces. An Associated Press reporter saw government tanks, armoured vehicles and pickup trucks mounted with heavy machine guns entering Deir Hafer after bulldozers cleared roadblocks. No SDF fighters were seen on the outskirts of the town. The Syrian military said its forces had taken full control of Deir Hafer, seized the nearby Jarrah air base and were clearing mines and explosives. Troops later moved toward the nearby town of Maskana, where another military convoy was seen entering. However, the SDF said Syrian forces violated an agreement by entering Deir Hafer and Maskana before Kurdish fighters had fully withdrawn, warning that the move created a dangerous situation. In contrast, state news agency SANA accused the SDF of breaking the deal by attacking an army patrol near Maskana, killing two soldiers and wounding others. Over the past two days, more than 11,000 people fled Deir Hafer and Maskana using side roads to reach government-held areas after Damascus announced an offensive to retake the towns. Civilians flee ahead of possible Syrian army attack in Aleppo On Friday night, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said his forces would pull out of contested areas in northern Syria and relocate east of the Euphrates River starting Saturday morning. The easing of tensions followed visits by US military officials to Deir Hafer on Friday, where they held talks with SDF leaders. The United States maintains ties with both sides and has called for calm. Abdi was also due to meet US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack in Irbil, northern Iraq, on Saturday. The SDF’s withdrawal came a day after Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued a decree expanding Kurdish rights, recognising Kurdish as a national language alongside Arabic and declaring the Kurdish Newroz festival an official holiday. Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria said the rights of Kurds should be protected through constitutional guarantees rather than temporary decrees, adding that lasting protection must be written into the country’s future constitution.

US President Donald Trump on Friday publicly thanked Iranian authorities for stopping what he said were planned executions of hundreds of political detainees, a rare gesture that appeared to signal a softening of his earlier warnings toward Tehran. Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump said Iran had called off the execution of more than 800 people. “They canceled the hangings, and I have great respect for that,” he said. Trump echoed the message on social media, claiming that over 800 executions had been scheduled but were no longer going ahead. “Thank you!” he wrote. The remarks followed days of heightened rhetoric in which Trump suggested the United States could take military action if Iran carried out mass executions during widespread protests that have since subsided. His comments on Friday hinted that the likelihood of U.S. military intervention may now be diminishing. While activist groups say the death toll from the protests continues to climb, Trump’s optimistic assessment appeared to contrast with reports of severe repression inside Iran. Still, his statements suggested he was stepping back from earlier suggestions that a U.S. strike was imminent. Trump had earlier promised protesters that “help is on the way,” but when asked Friday whether that remained true, he replied, “We’re going to see.” He also denied that pressure from Arab or Israeli leaders influenced his shift in tone, saying the decision was his own. Trump did not specify who in Iran confirmed that the executions were halted. Meanwhile, demonstrations that began on Dec. 28 over economic hardship and evolved into direct challenges to Iran’s ruling system appear to have ended. Tehran has seen no protests for days, daily life has largely resumed, and authorities have reported no unrest elsewhere, though an internet blackout has continued. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said on Friday that at least 2,797 people have been killed during the unrest, with the figure still rising. In contrast, Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged the United States to follow through on its pledge to support protesters, saying he still believed Trump would keep his word.

Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) has reported the discovery of 7.8 million ounces of additional gold resources across four locations in the Kingdom, strengthening its drive to grow domestic mineral reserves and build a global gold business. The new resources were identified at Mansourah Massarah, Uruq 20/21, Umm As Salam and the newly defined Wadi Al Jaww site. The expansion follows an intensive drilling programme that initially outlined more than nine million ounces before standard annual reporting adjustments. Mansourah Massarah delivered the biggest increase, adding three million ounces year-on-year. Uruq 20/21 and Umm As Salam together contributed 1.67 million ounces, while Wadi Al Jaww delivered a maiden resource of 3.08 million ounces. CEO Bob Wilt said the findings validate Maaden’s long-term strategy. “The results leave no doubt that the company’s long-term strategy is working on the ground. This is exactly why we continue to invest heavily in Saudi Arabia’s gold endowment,” he said. Read more: What Does Gold Carat Mean? Decoding Gold Purity Levels He added that the latest discoveries highlight the scale of Maaden’s exploration pipeline. “The addition of more than seven million ounces through drilling across the four areas demonstrates the scale and ongoing potential of Maaden’s gold portfolio, and it continues to deliver as we advance exploration and mine development. Our assets are growing, and that growth directly supports future cash generation.” Maaden’s 2026 exploration programme is focused on the Central Arabian Gold Region, where drilling has identified new mineralised zones and possible mine extensions. Work is also underway near the historic Mahd gold site to assess opportunities to extend mine life, reports Gulf News. Wilt said the results also support Maaden’s diversification plans. “The results underline the strength of the company’s broader pipeline. These early copper and nickel results show the same signals we saw first in gold and that the Arabian Shield has real scale to continue developing,” he said. “What we’re seeing at Shayban and Jabal Al Wakil points to a much bigger opportunity across the Kingdom and reinforces our ambition to build a strong multi-commodity portfolio alongside our growing gold business.” Read More: Gold price hits record Tk 234,680 per bhori in Bangladesh Maaden’s flagship Mansourah Massarah project now hosts an estimated 116 million tonnes grading 2.8 grams of gold per tonne, equivalent to a total resource of 10.4 million ounces. The company said mineralisation remains open at depth, with further drilling planned through 2026.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday suggested that countries could face tariffs if they do not support U.S. control over Greenland, as a bipartisan Congressional delegation met in Copenhagen to ease tensions over the issue. Trump has repeatedly asserted that the U.S. should have control over Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark, calling any outcome short of U.S. ownership “unacceptable.” Speaking at a White House event on rural health care, Trump said he had previously threatened European allies with tariffs on pharmaceuticals and added, “I may do that for Greenland too… because we need Greenland for national security.” This marks the first time Trump mentioned tariffs as a possible means to assert control over the Arctic territory. Earlier this week, Denmark’s and Greenland’s foreign ministers met in Washington with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, resulting in the formation of a working group, though disagreements between Denmark and the White House remain. Denmark has emphasized that decisions on Greenland are a matter for Denmark and Greenland and announced plans to strengthen its military presence on the island. In Copenhagen, U.S. senators and representatives met with Danish and Greenlandic officials, including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, thanked Denmark for “225 years of being a good and trusted ally” and highlighted discussions on sustaining the relationship. Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the visit underscored the importance of viewing Greenland as an ally rather than an asset, contrasting with the White House’s more confrontational tone. Read More: Donald Trump claims India, Russia have fallen to China Trump has justified his push for U.S. control by citing potential Chinese and Russian interest in Greenland, which contains vast reserves of strategic minerals, and the White House has not ruled out forceful acquisition. Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic politician in the Danish parliament, said the U.S. has been the main source of threats, while Murkowski noted that public opinion strongly opposes U.S. annexation, with about 75% against it. She and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen have introduced bipartisan legislation barring the use of U.S. funds to seize Greenland or any NATO ally’s territory without consent. The debate has sparked concern among Greenlanders. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen affirmed the territory’s allegiance to Denmark, NATO, and the EU. Sara Olsvig, chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, criticized the U.S. stance, saying it shows a troubling view of Indigenous peoples and smaller nations, emphasizing that Greenlanders do not want to be colonized again.

The White House on Friday announced the names of several figures expected to help oversee the next phase in Gaza, as a U.S.-backed Palestinian committee tasked with governing the territory met for the first time in Cairo. The committee’s head, Ali Shaath, a Gaza-born engineer and former Palestinian Authority official, said the group would begin work immediately to improve living conditions. He estimated that reconstruction would take around three years and said the initial focus would be on urgent needs such as housing. “The Palestinian people were waiting for this committee and its work to help save them,” Shaath told Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera News following the meeting. Dhaka yet to decide on sending forces under ISF to Gaza; reiterates conditions U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed the committee’s role in managing Gaza after the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas. Following a ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10, Israeli forces withdrew from parts of the territory, allowing thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to heavily damaged neighborhoods. Significant challenges remain, including the deployment of an international security force to monitor the ceasefire and the complex task of disarming Hamas. Under Trump’s proposal, the technocratic committee would handle Gaza’s daily administration under the supervision of a Trump-led “Board of Peace,” whose full membership has yet to be announced. White House names oversight officialsThe White House said an executive board will be responsible for implementing the Board of Peace’s strategy. Members include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel. Former U.N. Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov will serve as the executive board’s on-the-ground representative, overseeing day-to-day operations. In addition, the administration unveiled the “Gaza Executive Board,” which will coordinate with Mladenov, the Palestinian committee, and an international stabilization force. Witkoff, Kushner, Blair, Rowan, and Mladenov will also serve on this board, joined by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, Emirati minister Reem Al-Hashimy, Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay, and former Dutch deputy prime minister and Middle East expert Sigrid Kaag. Violence in the West Bank and GazaIn the occupied West Bank, mourners gathered Friday for the funeral of a 14-year-old Palestinian boy killed by Israeli forces. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the victim as Mohammad Na’san, saying he was the first child killed by Israeli troops in the West Bank in 2026. Local residents said Israeli forces used stun grenades and tear gas without provocation, while Israel’s military said the operation followed stone-throwing and tire-burning by Palestinians. The killing marked another violent incident in al-Mughayyir, a village east of Ramallah that has become a focal point of tension. Earlier this year, Israeli forces and settlers damaged olive groves and demolished a children’s park while searching for militants. According to U.N. figures, 240 Palestinians — including 55 children — were killed in the West Bank in 2025, while 17 Israelis, including one child, were killed by Palestinians. In Gaza, hospital officials said two children — a 7-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy — were killed Friday in Beit Lahiya near the Yellow Line. Their bodies were taken to al-Shifa Hospital, and further details were not immediately available.

Iran appeared to have slipped back into a tense calm following weeks of unrest that ended in a violent government crackdown. On Friday, a senior conservative cleric called for the execution of detained protesters and openly threatened U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring the anger and anxiety gripping Iran’s leadership. At the same time, Trump adopted a more measured tone, expressing appreciation toward Iranian officials for refraining from executing hundreds of detainees. His comments suggested a possible step back from military action. Trump has previously warned that executions and the killing of peaceful demonstrators would cross U.S. “red lines.” The harsh suppression of protests—reportedly leaving thousands dead—appears to have halted demonstrations that began on Dec. 28 over economic grievances and later evolved into direct challenges to Iran’s ruling system. In Tehran, daily life seemed to return to the surface-level normalcy, with shops open and streets busy, although an internet shutdown that began a week earlier remained in effect. Authorities reported no new unrest elsewhere in the country. “Iran canceled the hanging of more than 800 people,” Trump told reporters in Washington, saying he respected the decision. He did not specify who in Iran had confirmed this information. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported a death toll of 3,090 as of Friday—higher than any previous unrest in Iran in decades and reminiscent of the turmoil surrounding the 1979 revolution. While the figure could not be independently verified by the AP, the organization has historically relied on a credible network of activists inside Iran. The Iranian government has released no official casualty numbers. Hard-line cleric delivers incendiary sermonState radio broadcast a sermon by Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami that drew chants such as “Armed hypocrites should be executed!” from worshippers. Khatami, a member of both the Assembly of Experts and the Guardian Council, labeled protesters as agents of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “soldiers of Trump.” He warned that both Netanyahu and Trump should expect severe retaliation, declaring that “Americans and Zionists should not expect peace.” His remarks came as international efforts sought to ease tensions. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke separately with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, according to the Kremlin. Russia, previously quiet about the protests, has been strained by its prolonged war in Ukraine and recent setbacks involving key allies. Exiled royal urges protests to continueAlthough Trump had earlier promised that “help is on its way,” both protests and the likelihood of U.S. military action appeared to fade. A diplomat told the AP that officials from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar warned Trump that military intervention could destabilize the region and harm the global economy. Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged the U.S. to follow through on its promises. Speaking in Washington, he said he still trusted Trump’s commitment and insisted that Iranians must continue their struggle regardless of foreign intervention. “I will return to Iran,” Pahlavi said, later calling on protesters to resume demonstrations from Saturday through Monday. Despite limited support inside Iran, Pahlavi continues to position himself as a potential transitional leader should the government collapse. Authorities detail damage from unrestKhatami also released the first official estimates of damage caused during the protests, claiming that hundreds of mosques, prayer halls, hospitals, ambulances, and emergency vehicles were damaged, along with dozens of homes belonging to Friday prayer leaders—figures that highlight public anger toward state institutions. While protests inside Iran appear to have subsided, large demonstrations by exiled Iranians and supporters have taken place across Europe. Due to the internet shutdown, some Iranians crossed borders to communicate with the outside world. At Turkey’s Van province border, travelers said they were leaving Iran temporarily to bypass the blackout. “I’ll return once the internet is restored,” said Mehdi, who withheld his last name for security reasons. Exiled crown prince urges world support to topple Iran government Some Turkish citizens also fled the unrest. Mehmet Önder, a Turkish textile businessman, said he heard heavy gunfire while sheltering in Tehran. Based on his military experience, he said the weapons used were machine guns, not light firearms. Adding to regional tensions, a Kurdish separatist group based in Iraq claimed responsibility for recent attacks on Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, saying the strikes were retaliation for Tehran’s violent crackdown and were carried out by its fighters operating inside Iran.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has said she will lead her country “when the right time comes” and expressed confidence that she will one day become Venezuela’s first woman president. Speaking to Fox News, Machado said she believes she has a mission to rebuild Venezuela and turn it into a prosperous nation. “I believe I will be elected when the right time comes as president of Venezuela,” she said. Her remarks came a day after she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump in Washington, calling it a recognition of his support for Venezuela’s freedom. Earlier this month, the United States seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and took him to New York to face drug and weapons charges. However, Trump has not endorsed Machado as Venezuela’s new leader, saying she lacks enough domestic support. Trump has instead engaged with Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who previously served as vice president under Maduro. Machado said she has a mandate from the people and wants to serve her country in the most effective way. During her visit to Washington, she also met US senators at Congress as her supporters chanted “María, presidente” and waved Venezuelan flags. Meanwhile, Rodríguez held talks in Caracas with the CIA director on improving relations between the two countries. She later said Venezuela would face the US through political dialogue and announced oil sector reforms to attract foreign investment.   With inputs from BBC