United News of Bangladesh

President Donald Trump has long been looking for this weekend to be a big one for his presidency. The World Cup returns to the U.S. on Friday for the first time in 32 years after Trump threw himself into winning the bid to co-host the soccer tourney during his first term. He’ll be feted Sunday, his 80th birthday, during a UFC fight night that’s expected to draw thousands to the White House grounds. Hours after the final bout, he’s scheduled to jet off to the G7 summit in the French Alps for talks with several world leaders he’s been beefing with over war and tariffs. But Trump set expectations even higher for the coming days when he announced Thursday that the U.S. and Iran could come to terms this weekend on an agreement that would set the pathway to end the three-month-old war that’s been broadly unpopular with Americans and has rattled global oil markets. He said he plans to dispatch Vice President JD Vance to the signing of the agreement. Trump has said on several occasions in recent weeks that he’s on the cusp of a deal without anything coming to fruition. A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry told state television following Trump’s comments that mediators were active but nothing had been finalized to end the conflict. Still, Trump is claiming this time might be different. The breakthrough comes after he threatened to escalate the conflict with more intense bombardment of Iran and by seizing control of Iran’s oil industry, including capturing Iran’s vital Kharg Island oil facility. The president’s threats followed back-and-forth strikes this week that had rendered a temporary ceasefire agreed to in early April all but meaningless. “They’ve taken a pounding like very few people could take,” Trump said in an Oval Office exchange with reporters as he explained why he was confident that, this time, a deal would come through. “And they want to make the deal a lot more than I do.” Trump offered scant details about the settlement he says is taking shape, but told reporters that he believed the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who is believed to have been wounded on the first day of the war and has not been seen in public since, is ready to sign off on the deal. Trump is billing the deal as “very strong,” though he says it remains “a little conceptual,” and says it would ensure Iran is blocked from ever developing a nuclear weapon. Trump’s heightened threats are aimed at creating an off-ramp With the conflict intensifying over the past week, Trump’s threat to escalate U.S. military action seemed in part aimed at demonstrating to the hawkish flank of his political base that he was willing to play “hardball” with the Iranians if they didn’t come to a deal soon, said Ali Vaez, Iran director at the International Crisis Group. Trump in March warned he would target Iran’s infrastructure and put American troops on Kharg Island before he ultimately backed down, and the two countries agreed to the temporary ceasefire. Almost immediately after raising the idea again on social media Thursday, Trump appeared to back away. He called into a morning show on Fox News Channel and questioned whether Americans had the “stomach” for an option that would require putting U.S. troops in harm’s way. Hours later, Trump announced he had decided to cancel orders for “very hard” strikes on Iran and said a deal was close. Vaez said even as Trump was posting on social media Thursday about escalating strikes, mediators from Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar had been making progress in their talks with Iran. At the same time, Iran also may have reset the equation for Trump with its decision last weekend to attack Israel directly for the first time since the ceasefire after Israeli forces carried out military strikes on Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. With the move, Iran signaled that Israel could no longer bomb Lebanon without facing a meaningful reaction and in the process also raised the cost for the U.S. to follow through on its commitment to help safeguard Israel. “It really does appear to me that Trump wants to bring this to an end, but his real challenge is that he’s looking for a victory lap and an exit ramp and those two things are not necessarily compatible,” Vaez said. Trump expresses frustration with war narrative Trump has been boasting since the early weeks of the conflict that he’d already won the war — much of the Islamic Republic’s leadership has been killed in the bombings and the Iranian navy and air force have been severely degraded. But Iran continues to effectively keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, choking a waterway through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply passed before the war, and has yet to agree to restart negotiations with the U.S. over its concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, the main reason Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave to justify launching the war. But the real problem, Trump grumbled Thursday, was largely a public relations issue. “They could wave the white flag of surrender. They could say: ‘We surrender, we surrender, we’re finished, we’ve had it. The United States is the greatest power, praise be to Allah,’” Trump said on Fox News. “They could say it loud and clear. And the fake news would say it was a great victory for Iran.” Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, a former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Trump has grown impatient with Iran and the renewed strikes and threats on Kharg Island and Iran’s energy sector were intended to get the negotiations back to the “right place.” Polls show that the conflict is largely unpopular with Americans. McCaul said he believes the Iranians want to “try to drag this out as long as they can,” closer to the midterm elections in November, because they see that as being to their benefit. War will be high on agenda at next week’s G7 Deal or no deal, the war will loom large during next week’s talks at the Group of Seven summit in bucolic Évian-les-Bains, France. Trump has frequently criticized some of the group leaders — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — for resisting his calls to aid the U.S. and Israeli war effort. The four leaders have also angered Trump by criticizing how he’s gone about executing the war and his lack of consultation with allies before jumping into a conflict that’s hurt the global economy as oil prices have surged. But Trump said he is optimistic he could have an agreement before his talks with leaders in France. “The strait will officially open as soon as we sign, which could be soon, very soon — maybe over the weekend in Europe,” Trump said.

Hwang In-beom scored a goal and set up another as South Korea rallied to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 in the second match of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday night. After a lackluster first half in which both teams were jeered as they left the field, the Czech Republic took the lead in the 59th minute on a header by captain Ladislav Krejci after a long throw-in into the penalty area. South Korea equalized in the 67th, when Hwang scored after faking a shot with a nifty move to clear two Czech players. He then made the cross from the right flank for Oh Hyeon-gyu's decisive strike in the 80th in a match played in front of hundreds of empty seats at Guadalajara Stadium. Let by star forward Son Heung-min, South Korea controlled possession and outshot the Czechs, who were making their first World Cup appearance since 2006. The Koreans, ranked 25th by FIFA, had most of the significant scoring chances against the 38th-ranked Czechs but failed to capitalize early. The announced attendance was 44,985 at the 45,664-capacity Guadalajara Stadium. Sections in the middle of the stands had many unoccupied seats and there were other empty seats scattered across the stadium. In the other Group A match on Thursday, co-host Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener in Mexico City.

Shakira, Maná, Andrea Bocelli and a surprise appearance by Salma Hayek lit up the World Cup opening ceremony ahead of Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa on Thursday. Shakira performed “Dai Dai,” the tournament's official song, with Burna Boy. The Colombian star had a hit with “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and now seeks to score again. A good World Cup song, Shakira earlier told The Associated Press, “needs to definitely have rhythm. It has to be rhythmic. It has to make people want to dance. And it has to be an anthem as well. It has to make people want to sing along in unison, sing out loud at the top of their lungs.” Shakira has performed at previous World Cups, too: 2006 in Germany, 2010 in South Africa, and 2014 in Brazil. In addition, she will perform at the first halftime show of a World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey with Madonna and BTS. Mexico, the United States and Canada are co-hosting the 48-team tournament. A welcome for all Lila Downs welcomed fans and players in Spanish, English, and the indigenous languages Mixtec and Nahuatl. “People of the world, welcome to Mexico,” said Downs, who wore a white indigenous huipil with a lilac edge. “Mexico welcomes you with smiles from our heart, we are a nation of diversity, heritage and pride in ancestral lands where movement and ritual spirit endure.” Downs, who is a singer-songwriter, was born in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca. Her mother is Mixtec, and her father was American of Scottish descent. But her heart is green, white and red when it comes to the ball. “It’s a great honor for me to represent my beautiful and diverse country,” Downs said in an interview with The AP. “Of course I’m going to root for Mexico’s team, Viva Mexico!” Maná thrills fans Maná electrified the stadium with “Oye Mi Amor” surrounded by pre-Hispanic dancers who moved their head plumes to the rhythm of rock while tens of thousands of fans chanted. The band, founded in 1986, has sold more than 40 million records. Shortly before their performance, they announced that they will be touring in Latin America, including stops in Bogotá, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City. From Iztapalapa to the World Cup The Mexican cumbia group Los Ángeles Azules performed “Por Ella” with Belinda, one of the most danceable songs of FIFA's official World Cup album.  

The opening match of the World Cup delivered a rarity in international soccer: three players sent off with red cards. No World Cup match has had that many players ejected since a 2006 game between Portugal and the Netherlands, when four players received red cards — a World Cup record. The last World Cup in Qatar in 2022 had only four red cards in the entire tournament. On Thursday at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off for South Africa while César Montes was shown a red card for the tournament co-host. It’s the first time three players have been sent off in the opening match of a World Cup – and all three were straight red cards, meaning none of the ejected players were given two yellows. Mexico won the match 2-0. Sithole was red-carded after taking down Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez on the edge of the box at the start of the second half. Things got worse for South Africa when Zwane was sent off following a video review for striking Roberto Alvarado in the face in the 84th minute. Finally, in stoppage time, Montes saw red for bringing down Khuliso Mudau. The red cards mean the three players will be suspended for at least one more match. South Africa’s next match is against the Czech Republic and Mexico next faces South Korea in Guadalajara. The match between Portugal and the Netherlands at the 2006 World Cup in Germany stands out with its four red cards – two for each team. That game in Nuremberg also had 16 yellow cards.

Colombia has started its World Cup preparations in Mexico ahead of its games against Uzbekistan and Congo in Group K. The team arrived in Guadalajara on Wednesday and had its first training session in the host city on Thursday. The session was open to the media and some local residents. Colombia, ranked 14th by FIFA, started its World Cup preparations on home soil and then trained in California before making it to camp in Guadalajara. Colombia plays Uzbekistan next Wednesday in Mexico City. Its second match will be against Congo on June 23 in Guadalajara. Its third game, against Portugal, will be held on June 27 in Miami. Both Guadalajara and Mexico City will present challenges to players because of the altitude. Colombia had its best World Cup result in 2014 in Brazil, when it reached the quarterfinals. It was eliminated in the round of 16 in 2018 in Russia. Colombia did not qualify for the tournament in Qatar in 2022.  

Mexico made an immediate impression on the largest World Cup in history, giving the roaring home crowd at the iconic Azteca Stadium a huge jolt of excitement four years after a major disappointment. Mexico’s players understood the intense pressure and high expectations they were facing on Thursday in the opening match of the first 48-team World Cup tournament. But they embraced their role and got off to a winning start by beating South Africa 2-0 in a match that also produced three red cards. “I made an effort to explain to them what a World Cup and an opening match on home soil meant, but they are young and had to experience it for themselves,” said Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, who played for his team the last time Mexico hosted the tournament in 1986. “I can no longer talk about having played in a home World Cup, because they already know what it’s like.” Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored the goals for Mexico, which is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with Canada and the United States. The Mexicans rebounded from the massive disappointment of being eliminated after the group stage four years ago in Qatar. That followed seven straight trips to the round the 16 — an achievement that became more of a curse for failing to reach the quarterfinals. But there is hope this year. Mexico has reached the quarterfinals twice in its history, and both times it was the host country — in 1970 and 1986. Aguirre was on that team in 1986.  

The biggest FIFA World Cup in history got underway on Thursday as co-host Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s opening match at the iconic Mexico City Stadium, formerly known as Azteca Stadium. Despite ongoing protests and social tensions in the Mexican capital, more than 80,000 spectators attended the match at the renovated venue, which has been upgraded for the 48-team World Cup jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. The stadium made history by becoming the first venue to stage three World Cup opening matches, having previously hosted the tournament curtain-raisers in 1970 and 1986. The match marked Mexico’s eighth appearance in a World Cup opener. The Mexicans had lost five of their previous opening matches and drawn the last two, including a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the 2010 World Cup. South Africa, meanwhile, returned to the World Cup stage for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. Bafana Bafana had also qualified for the 1998 and 2002 editions. Mexico entered the tournament in strong form, carrying an eight-match unbeaten run and having not suffered a defeat since a friendly loss to Paraguay last November. The team is coached by veteran manager Javier Aguirre, 67, who is serving his third spell in charge of the Mexican national side.

The FIFA World Cup kicks off tonight, and although Bangladesh is not among the participating nations, excitement surrounding football’s biggest event has reached fever pitch as always across the country of 170 million people. From bustling cities to remote neighborhoods, conversations revolve around one question: will Brazil, Argentina, France or Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal lift the trophy? Supporters are celebrating the tournament with jerseys, flags, rallies, social media campaigns and countless debates over their favorite teams. Every World Cup transforms the atmosphere in Bangladesh. Rooftops are adorned with colorful flags, tea stalls become venues for passionate arguments, and social media platforms turn into battlegrounds of emotions and football analysis. Four years of anticipation culminate in a few weeks during which millions of Bangladeshis become emotionally invested in the fortunes of teams thousands of miles away. Although Bangladesh has never qualified for the World Cup, football enthusiasts here consider themselves among the tournament's most passionate followers. Farmers, teachers, artists, journalists and professionals from all walks of life rally behind their chosen teams. The passion extends to national sports stars and celebrities as well. When a football rolls on a World Cup pitch somewhere across the globe, its impact resonates in homes throughout Bangladesh. For some, it is the blue-and-white colors of Argentina that stir emotions; for others, it is the magic of Brazil's yellow jersey. Yet the shared sentiment remains the same: the World Cup represents much more than football—it is an emotion. Alongside street processions, giant flags and wall paintings, social media platforms have become major venues for World Cup discussions. Supporters are posting messages supporting their favorite teams and players, sharing predictions and engaging in friendly banter with rival fans. Many are using artificial intelligence tools to create images featuring national flags, football-themed artwork and pictures of public figures wearing their preferred teams’ jerseys. Supporters of Brazil, Argentina, France, Portugal and other nations are engaged in friendly online rivalries, recalling past triumphs while dreaming of future glory. Jersey sales soar The World Cup has also sparked a boom in the sale of football merchandise across Bangladesh. Sports shops, shopping malls, street vendors and online retailers are witnessing increased demand for jerseys, flags, caps, whistles and football accessories. Various Facebook pages and online stores are selling jerseys priced between Tk 400 and Tk 1,000. Popular e-commerce platforms Daraz and Othoba are also reporting strong sales, with jerseys available for between Tk 220 and Tk 1,500 depending on the model and quality. At the capital's Gulistan area and the country's largest sports goods market, Samabaya Twin Tower Market, football jerseys are selling briskly. According to traders, Brazil and Argentina jerseys remain the most popular among customers. Street vendors are selling jerseys at prices ranging from Tk 150 to Tk 1,000, while flags of various sizes are also attracting buyers. Three-foot flags are selling for around Tk 100, five-foot flags for Tk 150-200, and ten-foot flags for Tk 350-600. The scene in some areas resembles a city divided between Brazil and Argentina supporters. Sports merchandise stores at shopping centers including Bashundhara City and Jamuna Future Park are also experiencing strong business. Kalam, a sports goods seller in the Bashundhara City area, said football fans have been crowding stores from morning until closing time. "Compared to normal periods, jersey sales have increased significantly. Depending on whether they are fan edition, player edition or Thai edition jerseys, prices range from around Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500," he said. Every World Cup revives a familiar question among Bangladeshi football fans: when will Bangladesh qualify for the tournament? While football analysts often find the answer straightforward, ordinary supporters remain hopeful. The tournament has expanded from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition. The number of teams, matches, venues and host nations has increased significantly, but Bangladesh remains outside the World Cup picture. Despite not participating, many football observers argue that Bangladesh maintains a unique presence at the World Cup.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday proposed an allocation of Tk2,586 crore for the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal. The proposed allocation is Tk782 crore higher than the revised allocation for FY2025-26, reflecting the government's emphasis on youth development and employment generation. Presenting the budget in Parliament, the finance minister said the Ministry of Youth and Sports has undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at creating employment opportunities for young people. These include training programmes in freelancing, mobile phone servicing, caregiving and foreign language skills to help equip youths with market-oriented competencies and improve their employment prospects at home and abroad. Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury placed the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal with a call for national unity, inclusive development, and continued reform-driven progress, emphasising the collective role of citizens from all walks of life in building a prosperous Bangladesh. This is the first budget of the BNP government after winning the February 2026 election. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury as the Finance Minister delivered his maiden budget speech under the theme ‘Journey Towards a Democratic, Humane and Inclusive Economy’.

Bangladesh have made history at Mirpur on Thursday, securing their first-ever ODI series victory over Australia with a five-wicket win in the rain-affected second match. Following a lengthy weather delay that revised their target via the DLS method, the hosts chased down 192 runs in just 35 overs, sealing the three-match bilateral series with a game to spare. When the play resumed after the rain interruption, Bangladesh's target was adjusted to 192 from 41 overs. The chase began with an early hiccup when opener Tanzid Hasan fell to Xavier Bartlett for a duck in the first over. However, Bangladesh recovered quickly through stable contributions across the top order. Soumya Sarkar and Najmul Hossain Shanto anchored the rebuild, each scoring vital identical scores of 42 to keep the run rate stable. Litton Das chipped in with a brisk 21 off 18 balls before falling to Cameron Green, while Mosaddek Hossain contributed 15 before falling to Adam Zampa, leaving the score at 144 for five. Towhid Hridoy and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz then assumed total control of the chase, forging an unbroken 51-run partnership to guide the hosts home. Hridoy played a measured anchor role to finish unbeaten on 40 from 55 balls, while Miraz provided the finishing fluency, hitting an unbeaten 22 off 22 deliveries. With the crowd sensing a historic achievement, Miraz finished the match in style during the 35th over off Riley Meredith. After Hridoy crunched a boundary in front of square, Miraz sealed the win and the series by hooking a 143 kph short delivery firmly over the fine-leg boundary for six, sparking jubilant celebrations across the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Earlier in the day, Australia’s decision to bat first backfired immediately as they collapsed to an unprecedented zero for three, marking the first time in their international history that three wickets fell without a run on the board. Taskin Ahmed struck early, removing Matthew Short for his third consecutive duck in ODI cricket. In the following over, Mustafizur Rahman compounded the tourists' misery by dismissing both Cooper Connolly and Matt Ranshaw for ducks. Australia’s top-order collapsed further to leave them reeling at 81 for six, threatening a sub-100 total. However, a resilient seventh-wicket partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett steadied the ship, adding 103 runs to push the total toward respectability. Just as Australia reached 187 for eight in 42 overs, a heavy downpour halted play, forcing a premature end to the visitors' innings after a late double-strike from Taskin Ahmed. Mustfizur Rahman was adjudged player of the match after taking three wickets for 27 in seven overs.