United News of Bangladesh

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

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, has called on the international community to support protesters seeking to overthrow Iran’s government, saying the fall of the Islamic Republic is inevitable. Speaking at a news conference in Washington, Pahlavi said the world should help the protesters and urged “surgical” strikes on Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to weaken the authorities and prevent further loss of life. Protests erupted across Iran on Dec 28 over the country’s weak economy and falling currency. The demonstrations later turned into calls for the end of the rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Human rights groups say more than 2,000 protesters have been killed in the crackdown. The Iranian government has described the unrest as riots backed by foreign enemies. Pahlavi said parts of Iran’s security forces have refused to join the crackdown and claimed that foreign militia fighters were brought in to suppress the protests. He vowed to return to Iran and outlined plans for a new constitution based on democracy, individual freedom, and separation of religion and state. He said Iran’s future leadership should be decided by its people. “I am trying to help them liberate themselves,” he said. The protests began after shopkeepers in Tehran went on strike over rising prices and quickly spread nationwide. Demonstrators have chanted slogans against the Supreme Leader and the clerical leadership.   With inputs from BBC

Scores of civilians carrying their belongings arrived in government-held areas in northern Syria on Friday amid fears of a potential Syrian army offensive against Kurdish-led fighters east of Aleppo. Many used side roads after the main highway was blocked at a checkpoint previously controlled by the Kurdish-led and U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), AP journalists reported. The Syrian army had announced late Wednesday that civilians could use a "humanitarian corridor" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, signaling possible plans for an operation against the SDF east of Aleppo. Limited exchanges of fire were reported between the two sides. Men, women, and children arrived in cars and pickup trucks loaded with clothes, mattresses, and other belongings. Local officials guided them to shelters. Some crossed canals by small boats or used a damaged pedestrian bridge to reach government-held areas. Despite the SDF closing the main highway, about 4,000 people managed to reach government-controlled zones via alternative routes, according to Syrian state TV. A U.S. military convoy reached Deir Hafer in the early afternoon, though it was unclear if the personnel would remain. Washington maintains good relations with both sides and has urged calm. Inside Deir Hafer, most shops were closed and residents stayed indoors. Umm Talal, who arrived with her husband and children, said the road appeared safe and her husband planned to return home. Abu Mohammed, coming from Maskana, said SDF fighters had blocked the main highway, forcing people onto side roads. The tensions follow heavy clashes last week in Aleppo, which ended with Kurdish fighters evacuating three northern neighborhoods that were then taken over by government forces. Fighting erupted as talks stalled between Damascus and the SDF over a March agreement for integration of forces and government control of institutions, including border crossings and oil fields in the northeast. U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack said on X that Washington is in close contact with all parties, working to "prevent escalation and return to integration talks between the Syrian government and the SDF." The SDF has long been Washington’s main partner in the fight against ISIS, but Turkey considers it a terrorist group due to its links with Kurdish separatists.

Torrential rains and widespread flooding have claimed more than 100 lives across South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, with authorities warning of more severe weather in southern Africa. In South Africa, at least 19 people have died in the northern Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces after heavy rains last month triggered severe floods. Helicopters evacuated tourists and staff from flooded camps in Kruger National Park, which remains closed due to submerged roads and bridges, the national parks agency said. Mozambique’s Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction reported 103 deaths during an unusually intense rainy season since late last year. Causes included lightning strikes, drowning, infrastructure collapse, and cholera. Central and southern regions have been hardest hit, with more than 200,000 people affected and thousands of homes damaged, the World Food Program said. Zimbabwe has recorded 70 deaths and destruction of over 1,000 homes due to heavy rains since early January, while roads, schools, and bridges have collapsed, the country’s disaster management agency reported. Floods have also affected Madagascar, Malawi, and Zambia. In Madagascar, 11 people have died in floods since late November. The U.S. Famine Early Warning System noted that flooding is ongoing or expected in at least seven southern African countries, possibly linked to the La Niña phenomenon. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited flood-hit areas in Limpopo on Thursday, reporting that one district had received roughly 400 millimeters of rain in under a week. “There are 36 houses that have just been wiped away … everything is gone — roofs, walls, fences,” he said. The South African Weather Service issued a red-level 10 alert for parts of the country Friday, warning of life-threatening floods and infrastructure damage. Helicopters have rescued residents trapped on rooftops or in trees, including border and police officers stranded at a flooded South Africa-Zimbabwe checkpoint. Kruger National Park, covering around 22,000 square kilometers across Limpopo and Mpumalanga, has evacuated roughly 600 tourists and staff to higher ground. No deaths or injuries have been reported there, authorities said. Southern Africa has faced extreme weather in recent years, including cyclones and severe droughts, intensifying food insecurity. In Mozambique, over 70,000 hectares of crops, including rice and corn, have been submerged, affecting thousands of small-scale farmers, the World Food Program said.

A hard-line Iranian cleric leading Friday prayers in Tehran demanded the death penalty for protesters detained during the nationwide unrest and directly threatened U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting the regime’s growing anger following the demonstrations. Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami’s sermon, broadcast by state radio, sparked chants from the congregation including, “Armed hypocrites should be put to death!” Executions and the killing of protesters had been two of the red lines set by Trump for potential military action against Iran. Khatami also provided the first nationwide figures on damage caused during the protests, which began on Dec. 28 over economic hardship and quickly escalated into a challenge to Iran’s theocratic rule. He claimed 350 mosques, 126 prayer halls, 20 other religious sites, and 80 homes of Friday prayer leaders were damaged. He added that 400 hospitals, 106 ambulances, 71 fire department vehicles, and 50 other emergency vehicles were affected. Appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a member of both the Assembly of Experts and Guardian Council, Khatami described the protesters as “Trump’s soldiers” and “the butlers of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” warning of “harsh revenge from the system.” Khatami, known for his hard-line stance, previously upheld a fatwa calling for the death of writer Salman Rushdie and threatened Israel in 2018, saying Iran could “raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground.” He also urged the arrest of anyone supporting the rioters in any way. Since Jan. 8, Iran has restricted internet access and intensified its crackdown, with the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reporting at least 2,677 deaths, though the toll has not been independently verified.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said Thursday she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump at the White House, calling it a recognition of his “unique commitment with our freedom,” even as Trump has questioned her ability to lead Venezuela. Machado, who spent 11 months in hiding in Venezuela before attending the Nobel ceremony in Norway, said the gesture was symbolic. The Nobel Institute clarified that she could not legally transfer the prize. Trump later confirmed on social media that Machado had left the medal for him and called it an honor. The meeting lasted about two and a half hours and included a discussion of Venezuela’s political transition, though Trump provided no firm commitments on elections. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the discussion as “frank and positive” but stressed that it did not change Trump’s view of Machado, citing her lack of broad support within Venezuela. After leaving the White House, Machado greeted supporters outside and later met with a bipartisan group of U.S. senators. She urged progress toward a transition of power and elections, warning that interim President Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former deputy, is “in many ways worse than Maduro.” The White House praised Machado as a “remarkable and brave voice” but maintained a cautious stance. Meanwhile, U.S. forces in the Caribbean seized another Venezuelan oil tanker as part of broader efforts to secure the country’s oil assets following the capture of Maduro and his wife less than two weeks ago. Machado, a longtime critic of Venezuela’s ruling party and co-founder of the NGO Súmate, led opposition efforts against Hugo Chávez and his successor Maduro, facing government reprisals over the years. Her visit to Washington highlights her symbolic role in Venezuela’s political opposition amid ongoing U.S. involvement in the country’s transition.

Taiwan’s premier on Friday praised a new trade agreement with the United States as the “best tariff deal” granted to countries with trade surpluses, while China condemned the accord. The deal reduces U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15% in exchange for $250 billion in new investments in the U.S. tech industry. Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai said the agreement matched tariffs applied to Japan, Korea, and the European Union, and underscored Taiwan’s strategic importance to the U.S. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, criticized the deal, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun saying it opposed agreements carrying sovereign or official connotations with Taiwan. The U.S. Commerce Department said the pact would establish industrial parks in the U.S., boost domestic manufacturing, and drive a reshoring of the semiconductor sector. Taiwanese firms investing in the U.S., including chipmaker TSMC, will benefit from favorable tariff treatment and exemptions. TSMC announced plans to increase capital spending by nearly 40% this year, with $165 billion pledged for U.S. investments and new fabrication plants in Arizona. Cho said tariffs for automotive and wood furniture products are set at 15% with no added fees, and some aerospace components will face no tariffs. The deal requires ratification by Taiwan’s parliament, where opposition lawmakers have raised concerns about potential impacts on the domestic semiconductor industry. Trade analysts noted the timing is significant, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule soon on the legality of Trump-era tariffs, which could affect trade leverage. Taiwan, facing persistent security threats from China, was motivated to strengthen economic and strategic ties with the United States.

At least four people were injured after an explosion rocked a residential street in the centre of the Dutch city of Utrecht on Thursday, according to emergency services. The cause of the blast was not immediately known. The explosion sparked a fire and caused extensive damage to nearby homes, forcing people to flee into surrounding shopping streets. Firefighters rushed to the scene and battled the blaze but were initially unable to enter the damaged buildings due to concerns over structural stability. Emergency services spokesman Sjaak Haasnoot said the four injured were taken to hospital, though the severity of their injuries was not yet confirmed. He added that it remained unclear whether anyone had been killed. 'All options are on the table' in emergency UN meeting, US warns Iran “At this moment, it is very difficult to say how many people may be trapped under the rubble,” Haasnoot said, noting that firefighters could not yet enter the unstable building. Rescue teams were working to determine how they could safely search through the debris to check for possible victims. Residents whose homes were damaged were being temporarily accommodated in a nearby hotel. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma told reporters. “This explosion has had a huge impact on the heart of our city. Everyone is deeply shocked, especially those living in the immediate area,” she said.

Myanmar on Friday denied that its 2017 military campaign against the Rohingya minority amounted to genocide, telling the United Nations’ top court that the operation was a legitimate response to insurgent attacks in Rakhine state. Addressing judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Myanmar’s representative Ko Ko Hlaing said the country was acting against terrorism and rejected allegations that its forces carried out genocidal acts. He argued that Myanmar could not be expected to allow armed groups to operate freely in northern Rakhine. The campaign followed attacks by a Rohingya militant group and led to accusations of mass killings, sexual violence and the burning of villages, forcing more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. About 1.2 million Rohingya now live in overcrowded camps there, facing worsening humanitarian conditions. The case was filed in 2019 by Gambia, which accuses Myanmar of violating the Genocide Convention. Gambian Justice Minister Dawda Jallow said the Rohingya endured decades of persecution that culminated in what he described as genocidal “clearance operations” in 2016 and 2017. Myanmar disputed Gambia’s evidence, including findings by a UN fact-finding mission, saying the claims failed to meet the required burden of proof. Former leader Aung San Suu Kyi defended Myanmar at earlier hearings in 2019 but is now imprisoned following the 2021 military takeover. In 2022, the court rejected Myanmar’s challenge to its jurisdiction, allowing the case to proceed. Separately, the International Criminal Court has sought an arrest warrant for junta chief Min Aung Hlaing over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Rohingya.

Uganda’s presidential election was plagued by widespread delays Thursday in addition to a days-long internet shutdown that has been criticized as an anti-democratic tactic in a country where the president has held office since 1986. Some polling stations remained closed for up to four hours after the scheduled 7 a.m. start time due to “technical challenges," according to the nation's electoral commission, which asked polling officers to use paper registration records to ensure the difficulties did not “disenfranchise any voter.” President Yoweri Museveni, 81, faces seven other candidates, including Robert Kyagulanyi, a musician-turned-politician best known as Bobi Wine, who is calling for political change. The East African country of roughly 45 million people has 21.6 million registered voters. Polls were expected to close at 4 p.m., but voting was extended one hour until 5 p.m. local time. Results are constitutionally required to be announced in 48 hours. In the morning, impatient crowds gathered outside polling stations expressing concerns over the delays. Umaru Mutyaba, a polling agent for a parliamentary candidate, said it was “frustrating” to be waiting outside a station in the capital Kampala. “We can’t be standing here waiting to vote as if we have nothing else to do," he said. Wine, the candidate, alleged electoral fraud, noting that biometric voter identification machines were not working at polling places and claiming that there was “ballot stuffing.” Wine wrote in a post on X that his party's leaders had been arrested. “Many of our polling agents and supervisors abducted, and others chased off polling stations,” the post said. Museveni told journalists he was notified that biometric machines weren't working at some stations and that he supported the electoral body's decision to revert to paper registration records. He did not comment on allegations of fraud. Ssemujju Nganda, a prominent opposition figure and lawmaker seeking reelection in Kira municipality, told The Associated Press he had been waiting in line to vote for three hours. Nganda said the delays likely would lead to apathy and low turnout in urban areas where the opposition has substantial support. "It’s going to be chaos,” he said. Nicholas Sengoba, an independent analyst and newspaper columnist, said delays to the start of voting in urban, opposition areas favored the ruling party. Emmanuel Tusiime, a young man who was among dozens prevented from entering a polling station in Kampala past closing time said the officials had prevented him from participating. “My vote has not been counted, and, as you can see, I am not alone," he said he was left feeling “very disappointed.” Museveni serving Africa's third-longest presidential term Uganda has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of presidential power since independence from British colonial rule six decades ago. Museveni has served the third-longest term of any African leader and is seeking to extend his rule into a fifth decade. The aging president’s authority has become increasingly dependent on the military led by his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Museveni and Wine are reprising their rivalry from the previous election in 2021, when Wine appealed to mostly young people in urban areas. With voter turnout of 59%, Wine secured 35% of the ballots against Museveni’s 58%, the president’s smallest vote share since his first electoral campaign three decades ago. The lead-up to Thursday's election produced concerns about transparency, the possibility of hereditary rule, military interference and possible vote tampering. Uganda's internet was shut down Tuesday by the government communications agency, which cited misinformation, electoral fraud and incitement of violence. The shutdown has affected the public and disrupted critical sectors such as banking. Heavy security deployed There has been heavy security leading up to voting, including military units deployed on the streets this week. Amnesty International said security forces are engaging in a “brutal campaign of repression,” citing a Nov. 28 opposition rally in eastern Uganda where the military blocked exits and opened fire on supporters, killing one person. Museveni urged voters to come out in large numbers during his final rally Tuesday. “You go and vote, anybody who tries to interfere with your freedom will be crushed. I am telling you this. We are ready to put an end to this indiscipline,” he said. The national electoral commission chairperson, Simon Byabakama, urged tolerance among Ugandans as they vote. “Let us keep the peace that we have,” Byabakama said late Wednesday. “Let us be civil. Let us be courteous. Let’s be tolerant. Even if you know that this person does not support (your) candidate, please give him or her room or opportunity to go and exercise his or her constitutional right." Authorities also suspended the activities of several civic groups during the campaign season. That Group, a prominent media watchdog, closed its office Wednesday after the interior ministry alleged in a letter that the group was involved in activities “prejudicial to the security and laws of Uganda.” Veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, remains in prison after he was charged with treason in February 2025.