United News of Bangladesh

Lebanon is preparing to introduce its largest amnesty in more than three decades, a move that could lead to the release of thousands of prisoners but has also triggered strong opposition from families of victims and exposed the country’s long-standing sectarian divisions. The draft law, expected to be approved by parliament and signed by the president in the coming weeks, would replace death sentences with reduced prison terms, shorten life sentences and eventually allow the release of convicted militants, drug offenders and thousands of long-term detainees. However, serious crimes including rape, human trafficking, corruption, financing terrorism and premeditated murder would not be covered by the amnesty. Those convicted of killing Lebanese soldiers could also receive reduced sentences. Among those opposed to the measure is Samira Bou Saab, whose son George, a Lebanese army first lieutenant, was killed in clashes with supporters of radical Sunni cleric Ahmed al-Assir in the southern city of Sidon in 2013. Bou Saab said she had hoped to see justice carried out against her son’s killer, who was sentenced to death but could now benefit from the proposed law. She questioned why those convicted of killing soldiers should be allowed to reunite with their families while the families of victims continue to suffer. Meanwhile, al-Assir’s wife, Amal Shamseddine, criticized the draft law from a different perspective, arguing that her husband is innocent and was targeted through a conspiracy involving Hezbollah. She said detainees such as her husband should have been released long ago. The proposed legislation comes as Lebanon struggles with overcrowded prisons. More than 3,000 of the country’s nearly 8,600 detainees could be freed, including inmates who have spent at least 14 years in prison without trial. Families of fallen soldiers have staged protests against the measure, placing dozens of empty military boots outside parliament in Beirut to symbolize their opposition. Lebanon’s last major amnesty was introduced in 1991 following the end of the country’s 1975-1990 civil war, which killed an estimated 150,000 people. The measure was intended to promote national reconciliation after years of conflict involving militias, Palestinian factions, Syria and Israel. The current proposal has once again highlighted Lebanon’s sectarian politics. Sunni lawmakers have pushed for the release of Islamist prisoners, Shiite politicians have advocated amnesty for drug-related offenders, while Christian lawmakers have sought leniency for Lebanese citizens who fled to Israel after Israeli forces withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000. Lawmaker Nabil Badr, a supporter of the bill, said the legislation has become entangled in political bargaining, with different groups seeking benefits for their constituencies. One of those closely watching the debate is Maryam Younnes, who fled to Israel with her family as a child in 2000. She hopes the amnesty will allow her to return to Lebanon, visit her father’s grave and reunite with relatives. However, she said her return would depend on broader political changes, including peace between Lebanon and Israel and the removal of Hezbollah’s weapons. The draft law states that Lebanese citizens returning from Israel would be treated under a 2011 law requiring former members of the Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army to be detained and given a fair trial upon arrival. Despite the political and security challenges, Younnes said she remains hopeful that relations between Lebanon and Israel will eventually improve, allowing her to return home.

Armenia goes to the polls on Sunday in a high-stakes parliamentary election widely seen as a decision on the country’s geopolitical direction, as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan pushes for closer ties with the European Union and the United States despite long-standing links with Russia. Analysts say Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party is still the frontrunner to retain control of parliament. However, several opposition groups campaigning on pro-Russia platforms have turned the vote into a broader contest over Armenia’s international alignment. In the run-up to the election, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials have warned that deeper cooperation with the EU could severely damage Armenia’s economy by disrupting trade with Moscow and its allies. “This is the first time in Armenia’s history where geopolitical orientation has become a decisive issue,” said analyst and former MP Mikayel Zolyan, speaking from Yerevan. “Armenia was long assumed to be within Russia’s sphere of influence. Now that is being questioned.” Strained ties after Karabakh conflict Relations between Yerevan and Moscow deteriorated sharply after Azerbaijan took full control of the Karabakh region in 2023. Armenia had supported ethnic Armenian forces there for decades in a long-running conflict. Armenian officials accused Russian peacekeepers of failing to prevent the Azerbaijani advance. Russia rejected the claim, saying its forces had no mandate to intervene, as it was preoccupied with the war in Ukraine. “The idea of Russia as Armenia’s security guarantor collapsed after the Karabakh war,” said Alexander Iskandaryan, director of the Caucasus Institute in Yerevan. Since then, Pashinyan has taken cautious steps away from Moscow, including joining the International Criminal Court in 2023 and suspending participation in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization in 2024. Armenia has also announced its intention to pursue EU membership and hosted the European Political Community summit in Yerevan in May. A strong electoral mandate for Pashinyan would allow him to continue this Western shift and advance a potential peace deal with Azerbaijan. Western support and incentives Western countries have highlighted potential benefits of closer cooperation. In August, US President Donald Trump hosted Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for an agreement aimed at ending decades of conflict, including plans for a new transit corridor linking Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave. A separate February agreement could allow a US firm to build a new nuclear reactor in Armenia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also pledged EU support for Armenia’s energy sector and growing digital industry. Trump has publicly backed Pashinyan, calling him a “great friend” and praising his leadership in making Armenia “strong, wealthy, and very secure.” Opposition favors closer Russia ties Armenia’s opposition remains largely pro-Russia and critical of normalizing relations with Azerbaijan. Several leaders have called for Pashinyan’s resignation over the loss of Karabakh. A total of 19 political forces, including two blocs and 17 parties, are contesting the election. Pashinyan’s main challenger is the Strong Armenia Party, which advocates closer economic ties with Russia and accuses the prime minister of risking conflict with Moscow. It is led by Armenian-Russian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who is currently on trial over alleged calls to overthrow the government. He denies the charges. Former President Robert Kocharyan also leads the Hayastan bloc, which accuses Pashinyan of damaging ties with Russia. Moscow’s economic pressure Russia, which maintains a military base in Armenia, has warned that a Western pivot could carry serious political and economic consequences. Putin has compared Armenia’s path to Ukraine’s, suggesting EU aspirations could trigger instability. Russian officials have also tightened import rules on Armenian goods, including flowers, wine, cognac, vegetables and dried fruits. Armenia’s membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union has also come under review, with discussions of possible suspension. At a recent meeting in Kazakhstan, Russia and its allies even called for Armenia to hold a referendum on whether it should remain in the bloc or pursue EU membership. Pashinyan has rejected the idea. Government data shows 38% of Armenia’s exports in 2025 went to Eurasian Economic Union countries, mostly Russia, while only 8% went to the EU. In response to Moscow’s measures, the EU announced a 50 million euro support package for Armenia, with von der Leyen accusing Russia of “weaponizing” economic ties. Growing uncertainty and interference concerns Russia’s influence remains strong, particularly through energy supplies and infrastructure control, including discounted gas exports. “Armenia cannot realistically escape Russian influence in the short term,” analyst Zolyan said. Meanwhile, civil society groups have raised concerns about Russian-backed disinformation campaigns ahead of the vote. Moscow denies any interference. Daniel Ionnisyan of the Union of Informed Citizens told the Associated Press that monitoring groups have documented suspected Russian-linked activity, including social media manipulation, cyberattacks, vote buying and pressure on journalists. Similar concerns were raised by a delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which reported evidence of foreign interference aimed at influencing Armenia’s political process. “These hybrid tactics aim not only to shape public opinion but to secure long-term geopolitical leverage over Armenia,” the delegation said.

The UN food agency has warned that the Iran conflict is pushing millions more people into hunger, with rising food and fuel prices worsening conditions in already fragile countries. The World Food Programme (WFP) said new analysis shows an additional 2.5 million people in Somalia, 2.3 million in Afghanistan and 1.3 million in Sri Lanka are now struggling to afford basic food needs. The agency had earlier estimated that up to 45 million more people could fall into food insecurity by the end of June, adding to the 318 million already facing acute hunger worldwide. “We remain by that prognosis,” said Carl Skau, speaking to UN reporters. He said food insecurity is closely tied to energy prices, especially in poorer countries where families already spend most of their income on food. The WFP said in a report released Thursday that the Middle East crisis is creating wider global “spillover effects,” driving up fuel and food costs and disrupting trade routes. It warned that these pressures are likely to worsen in the coming months, even if the situation in the Middle East stabilises The agency also pointed to other hunger hotspots, including Sudan, Gaza, southern Lebanon, Yemen and Haiti. The Rome-based organisation said it has been forced to reduce food assistance in several countries due to funding shortages, and urged donors to increase support urgently, particularly for Somalia and Afghanistan, warning that the humanitarian consequences could be severe if aid does not increase.

The Delhi Police on Saturday morning granted permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar organised by the social media platform “Cockroach Janta Party,” which is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET examination paper leak controversy. The demonstration was called by the online group to seek accountability in the alleged leak case. Its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, arrived in Delhi from the United States on Friday to lead the protest. Police officials reportedly met Dipke at the airport and allowed him to proceed directly to the protest site. Earlier, he had asked supporters to gather at the Parliament Street Police Station to obtain permission, but later redirected them to Jantar Mantar after clearance was granted. Dipke was seen arriving at the airport carrying a copy of BR Ambedkar’s autobiography. Authorities have deployed tight security arrangements in central Delhi, with around 2,000 police personnel stationed at and around the protest venue. A pamphlet distributed by the group at the site said the protest aims to demand accountability, justice, and the resignation of the education minister. It also claimed that an online petition supporting the demand had gathered more than 8 lakh signatures. The “Cockroach Janta Party,” a satirical digital movement launched by Dipke on May 16 following controversy linked to remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, quickly gained widespread attention and amassed a large following on social media platforms. Source:NDTV

At least 49 people have died from dehydration after a truck carrying passengers broke down in the Sahara Desert in northern Niger, leaving them stranded for several days, authorities said. According to officials in Niger’s Agadez region, all of the victims were Nigerien citizens returning home from a religious festival in neighboring Mali when their vehicle stalled more than 80 kilometers west of Assamaka, near the borders with Mali and Algeria. Two survivors managed to walk over 50 kilometers to reach a water source before continuing on to Assamaka, where they alerted local authorities about the incident. A team dispatched by Agadez Regional Governor Gen. Ibra Boulama Issa later confirmed that the truck had been traveling for several days from Talhandek, a town in Mali located about 300 kilometers from the Niger border. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the breakdown or how long the passengers remained stranded. Officials described a grim scene upon arrival, saying dozens of bodies were found beneath and around the immobilized truck. Reports said the passengers, including the driver and assistant, were unable to repair the vehicle and were left without water in extreme desert conditions, where high temperatures and the absence of supply points made survival nearly impossible. Photos released by regional authorities showed scattered belongings and bodies across the desert landscape. The victims were later buried in mass graves at the site in what officials described as a difficult and emotionally exhausting operation.

Iran launched seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), in a further escalation of tensions following a confrontation between U.S. and Iranian forces. The missile launches came only hours after the U.S. military intercepted Iranian attack drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz and carried out strikes on Iranian radar installations, reports Al Jazeera. CENTCOM said preliminary assessments showed that six of the seven missiles were successfully intercepted, while the seventh failed to reach its intended destination. The command also stated that there were no reports of injuries or casualties among U.S. personnel. Additionally, it rejected Iranian claims that the missile attack had damaged the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, describing those assertions as false.

The United Nations food agency has warned that the ongoing war involving Iran is driving millions more people toward severe hunger, largely due to rising energy and food costs linked to the conflict. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that its assessment of three vulnerable countries found that an additional 2.5 million people in Somalia, 2.3 million in Afghanistan, and 1.3 million in Sri Lanka are now struggling to secure enough food to meet their basic needs. Earlier this year, in March, the WFP projected that as many as 45 million more people could face food insecurity by the end of June, adding to the 318 million people worldwide already experiencing inadequate access to food. Speaking to reporters at the United Nations, WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau said the agency continues to stand by that forecast. He explained that food and energy prices are closely connected, and in many of the world's poorest countries, families already spend most of their income on food. As prices increase, they are forced to reduce their food consumption. According to a WFP report released Thursday, the Middle East conflict is causing significant ripple effects beyond the region, including higher food and fuel prices and disruptions to trade. These challenges are particularly harmful in countries that are already vulnerable, where they quickly undermine food security and livelihoods. The agency warned that these pressures are likely to worsen in the months ahead, even if tensions in the Middle East ease. Skau also highlighted other areas facing severe food insecurity, including Sudan, Gaza, southern Lebanon, Yemen, and Haiti. At the same time, the WFP has been forced to scale back assistance programs because of funding shortages. Skau called on donor countries and organizations to increase their support, especially for Somalia and Afghanistan, warning that failure to act could lead to devastating humanitarian consequences.

The U.S. military announced that it intercepted four Iranian drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz on Friday and subsequently carried out strikes against several Iranian coastal radar installations. The actions have heightened concerns about the stability of an already fragile ceasefire as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Tehran. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the drones posed an immediate danger to maritime traffic in the region. In response, U.S. forces targeted radar facilities, including one located on an island in the Strait of Hormuz, to prevent further attacks. The U.S. has been enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports, citing Iran’s interference with shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and natural gas exports. The disruption has contributed to rising energy prices and created political challenges for President Donald Trump and his Republican allies ahead of congressional midterm elections. The incident marks the latest escalation in a series of exchanges between the two sides that have threatened ongoing efforts to preserve and extend the ceasefire. Earlier in the week, Iranian drones reportedly struck Kuwait’s main airport, causing significant damage to a passenger terminal, killing one person, injuring dozens, and temporarily shutting down operations. Despite the renewed tensions, President Trump expressed optimism, telling reporters in Wisconsin that developments involving Iran were progressing positively. He suggested that the situation could be resolved either through an agreement or through stronger measures if necessary. Negotiators from the United States and Iran recently reached a preliminary understanding to extend the ceasefire for another 60 days and resume discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. However, progress has stalled, with Trump seeking additional changes and Iranian officials yet to publicly endorse the arrangement. In an interview with NBC, Trump acknowledged that negotiations were taking time because of Iran’s strong sense of independence and national pride. He added that Tehran would eventually have to accept conditions it had previously resisted. Trump also claimed that Iran still retains roughly 21–22% of its missile stockpile. Meanwhile, the administration has highlighted a separate ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon that was brokered by the United States. However, the Iran-backed Hezbollah group has rejected the deal, and renewed violence has raised doubts about its future. On Friday, Israeli forces carried out strikes across southern Lebanon and issued evacuation orders for nine villages, including one housing many displaced residents. Lebanese state media reported that nine people were killed in six separate locations. The Israeli military also reported that two soldiers were injured, one critically, during clashes with militants in the area. The ongoing conflict in Lebanon presents another obstacle to efforts aimed at ending hostilities involving Iran and restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has insisted that any long-term agreement must also address the situation in Lebanon. Separately, the U.S. military reported boarding a sanctioned oil tanker linked to Iran in the Indian Ocean as part of efforts to limit Iranian oil revenues. Washington also announced additional sanctions targeting individuals, companies, and vessels associated with Iran’s energy sector.

Germany suffered its first-ever defeat in a UN Security Council election on Wednesday, losing to Portugal and Austria in the race for non-permanent seats. Why did Europe's largest economy, which had successfully secured one of the Western European seats on the Security Council every eight years for decades, lose the election this time? Here is what we know. A QUICK DEFEAT Without going through multiple rounds of voting like Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines, Germany, a country that has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council, was knocked out in the first round of the race in the group of Western European and Others. According to the election rules, candidates must secure a two-thirds majority of votes cast to win a seat. In the two-of-three competition, Portugal won 134 votes and Austria 131, both surpassing the required threshold, while Germany was eliminated with 104 votes. In a statement on Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated the successful competitors, emphasizing their close European partnership. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told public broadcaster ARD that the result was a "real disappointment." LATE AND VAGUE Wadephul mainly attributed the defeat to Germany's late entry into the race. He said Austria and Portugal received more votes primarily due to their earlier applications and the resulting commitments from other states. However, experts have also pointed to Germany's controversial diplomatic approaches, apart from its late campaigning, as key reasons for the failure. German magazine Der Spiegel said that many states apparently used the vote to document their displeasure with Germany's foreign policy in recent years, noting that Germany had long dodged whether the U.S. military strikes on Venezuela were a violation of international law. That ambiguity was probably one reason many states declined to back Germany's candidacy in the vote, the report said. Multiple German media outlets also said that Germany's close relationship with Israel may have cost it crucial votes. German broadcaster ZDF said critics have accused the German government of applying "double standards" to international law, particularly regarding its reluctance to explicitly condemn actions by Israel in Gaza, as well as actions by the United States and Israel against Iran. Germany's policy implementation was also questioned. "What was lacking was not ambition, but the ability to translate it into results. This runs through Germany's entire foreign and security policy," said Alexander Wolf, head of the capital office of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The Bundeswehr has not improved as much as promised, and strategic autonomy is discussed far more often than it is put into practice, according to Wolf. VOICES OF SMALLER COUNTRIES A key factor behind the success of the two European countries that outperformed Germany in the election was their commitment to multilateralism. "As a small country, Austria has made it credible to be the voice of small countries," said Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger when talking about the country's election victory. As a permanently neutral country, Austria has been an advocate of multilateralism in a world marked by ongoing conflicts. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said on Wednesday that Austria would steadfastly promote multilateralism in the UN Security Council based on international law and human rights. Regarding Portugal's victory, scholars generally view the election as the result of more than a decade of sustained diplomatic efforts rather than a short-term achievement. Daniel Cardoso, associate professor in the Department of International Relations at the Autonomous University of Lisbon, told local media that Portugal launched its campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council in 2013 and maintained the effort through successive governments of different political orientations. Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said that one of Portugal's greatest strengths is its ability to "build bridges." As a member of both the EU and NATO, while maintaining close ties with the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, Africa, Latin America and Asia, Portugal is widely seen as a country capable of connecting different regions and political perspectives.  

An American journalist who has lived in China since 2010 and worked for several state media organizations there pleaded guilty in a U.S. court Thursday to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, the Justice Department said. Thomas Pauken II is set to be sentenced Sept. 1 in a U.S. District Court and he faces up to 10 years in jail, the department said. He writes under the name Tom McGregor to distance himself from his father with the same name, who was a former chairman of the Texas Republican Party in the 1990s and ran for governor more than a decade ago. It is the latest in a string of cases that the federal government has brought against people suspected of working for the Chinese government without proper disclosure. Eileen Wang, a former mayor of Arcadia, California, agreed in May to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government. She was accused of doing the bidding of Chinese officials, including sharing articles favorable to Beijing. Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governors, was accused of selling her influence to the Chinese government. Sun pleaded not guilty to charges that she failed to register as an agent of a foreign government, conspired with her husband to launder money and helped people commit visa fraud to enter the U.S. illegally. A December trial ended in a mistrial when a federal jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.