United News of Bangladesh

The Indian government on Wednesday rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations over recurring examination paper leaks, accusing the Leader of the Opposition of being selective and attempting to derive political benefit from the issue. Union Health Minister and BJP President J P Nadda said Gandhi had highlighted paper leaks during the BJP’s tenure at the Centre but failed to mention similar incidents in states governed by the Congress and its allies. Citing examples from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand, Nadda said examination paper leaks had also occurred in those states, questioning why Gandhi had not raised those cases. “Why are you so selective?” Nadda asked, alleging that the Congress leader was more interested in political gains than in addressing students’ concerns or improving the education system. The exchange came hours after Gandhi claimed that more than 150 examination paper leaks had occurred during the BJP-led government's decade in power, as protests over the NEET examination continued. Nadda reiterated the Centre’s willingness to hold a detailed discussion on the NEET issue in Parliament, saying the government was prepared to allocate as much time as the Opposition required. He said Parliament was the appropriate forum to examine the causes of paper leaks, identify those responsible, review the Centre’s response and discuss measures that all governments could adopt to prevent such incidents in the future. Calling for cooperation across party lines, Nadda urged the Opposition to work with the government to develop a lasting solution that would protect the interests of millions of students across the country. Source: NDTV

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that the United States would strike an Iranian bridge or power plant every time Tehran attacks a vessel in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The warning marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict, which has shown little sign of easing and continues to raise concerns over global energy supplies and economic stability. The prolonged hostilities have already pushed fuel prices higher ahead of the US midterm elections later this year. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, remains largely disrupted due to repeated Iranian attacks on commercial shipping, intensifying tensions in the region. Overnight, US forces launched another round of airstrikes on Iran, while Iranian air defense systems were activated over Tehran. Iran also fired missiles toward a city in Jordan near the Israeli border, prompting security alerts in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled, with both Washington and Tehran increasingly targeting infrastructure to gain strategic advantage. Iran has responded to US strikes by attacking energy facilities and desalination plants that supply drinking water in several Gulf countries. International humanitarian law generally prohibits attacks on civilian infrastructure unless it is being used for military purposes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday condemned such strikes, describing them as "unacceptable."

Firefighters continued battling one of Spain's largest wildfires on Wednesday as an intense heat wave spread across the Mediterranean, raising fears of more devastating blazes. The wildfire in the rural province of Guadalajara has burned more than 32,000 hectares (79,000 acres), making it the second-largest wildfire in Spain's history after last year's 37,000-hectare blaze in the country's northwest. Authorities have evacuated 34 villages, though no deaths or serious injuries have been reported. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the affected area and called for political unity to address climate change, saying rising temperatures and extreme weather are causing increasing destruction. He noted that Spain has already recorded 22 major forest fires this year, with more than 100,000 hectares scorched in the first half of 2026- matching the country's annual average over the past decade. Ecological Transition Minister Sara Aagesen described the Guadalajara wildfire as the largest ever in Castilla-La Mancha and one of the country's biggest in recent history. Regional authorities said firefighters, supported by water-dropping aircraft, have protected homes in all 40 villages within the affected area, most of which lies inside a national park. Officials hope to bring the nearly week-old blaze under control by Friday. The fire comes less than two weeks after another deadly wildfire in southern Spain killed 13 people, including several foreigners. Spain's weather agency warned that the current heat wave could worsen firefighting efforts, with temperatures expected to reach 40°C across much of the country and exceed 42°C in parts of Andalusia.

A youth-led protest movement that began as an online response to a controversial court remark has grown into one of the most significant public challenges to India's ruling government, expanding from demands for education reforms to broader calls for accountability and institutional change. The movement, known as the "Cockroaches," was sparked by widespread anger over alleged leaks of highly competitive entrance examinations for medical colleges and government jobs, which are seen as critical pathways to employment and social mobility for millions of Indians. The protests gained momentum in May after India's Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant, during an unrelated court hearing, reportedly compared some unemployed young people to "cockroaches." The remark triggered a backlash on social media, leading Boston University student Abhijeet Dipke to launch the Cockroach Janta Party, or Cockroach People's Party. Many young people embraced the label as a symbol of resilience, rapidly turning the movement into a social media phenomenon. Supporters shared satirical content criticizing the government over unemployment, limited job opportunities and economic challenges. The campaign moved from online platforms to the streets in June when Dipke returned to India and organized demonstrations in several cities and university campuses. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reforms to the examination system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide following alleged exam paper leaks. Initially drawing only a few hundred participants, the protests have since attracted thousands. The movement gained further attention after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the demonstrations and launched a hunger strike lasting more than three weeks before police transferred him to a hospital. As the campaign has expanded, it has evolved beyond student concerns to reflect wider public frustration over government accountability, unemployment and confidence in institutions, including the education system, political leadership, judiciary and media. The protests have also drawn support from professionals, families and volunteers across the country, many of whom have contributed through donations and social media campaigns rather than traditional political organizations. The Indian government initially dismissed the protesters' demands. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said authorities had addressed the examination controversy by ordering fresh tests and accused demonstrators of acting against national interests. However, the government's stance softened after police used tear gas and batons to disperse protesters attempting to march to Parliament earlier this week. The crackdown triggered public criticism and prompted government representatives to hold talks with protest leaders, although no breakthrough was reported. The movement has also received backing from opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and several rights groups, who describe it as a broader campaign for democratic accountability and the right to peaceful protest. Political observers say the decentralized youth movement presents an unusual challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, particularly as India's large population of young voters could play a decisive role in future elections.

The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has climbed to 999, according to the latest official figures, underscoring the severity of what health authorities have described as the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak on record. Data released by Congo’s Ministry of Health showed that, as of Sunday, the country had recorded 2,473 confirmed and suspected Ebola cases since the outbreak was declared on May 15. Of those, 999 people have died. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments, making containment efforts more challenging. Health officials say the outbreak is spreading at an unprecedented pace. Previous outbreaks, including the 2013-2016 West Africa epidemic that claimed more than 11,000 lives, took around eight months to reach 1,000 deaths. The current outbreak has reached that milestone in a significantly shorter period. Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit and semen. It often causes severe illness and can be fatal. Authorities have expressed concern that about 80 percent of newly reported infections are linked to unknown transmission chains, indicating that the virus is spreading faster than health teams can identify and isolate cases. The outbreak is centred in Ituri province but has also spread to four other provinces, prompting authorities to intensify surveillance and response efforts. Response operations have been hampered by insecurity in some affected areas. Attacks on health facilities and medical teams have forced aid workers to suspend operations in certain locations, while some healthcare workers have staged strikes over unpaid salaries since the outbreak began. Speaking at the Africa Health Summit in Ghana on Tuesday, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya urged stronger international support to contain the outbreak. "If we do not stop this outbreak today, it could become one of the worst Ebola outbreaks the world has ever documented," he warned.

The death toll from the June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 5,346, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on Tuesday. The number of the injured remained at 16,740, while 17,265 people were left homeless, according to an official report posted on X by Rodriguez. Currently, 23,122 people are staying in 107 temporary camps set up in the capital of Caracas and the central states of La Guaira, Miranda and Aragua. Nearly 40,000 individuals were treated in medical facilities, and more than 128,000 families received government assistance, said the report. Since the twin earthquakes of 7.2-magnitude and 7.5-magnitude jolted the South American country more than three weeks ago, authorities have recorded 1,331 aftershocks.

Ukraine pressed ahead with its war effort against Russia on Wednesday under a new military leadership after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy overhauled the country’s top defence command following days of political turmoil. The changes came after Zelenskyy dismissed Commander-in-Chief Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, responding to mounting public pressure and criticism over the military leadership. The reshuffle also saw Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov leave office, marking a significant overhaul of Ukraine’s defence establishment. The leadership changes, announced late Tuesday, followed a week of political tensions that drew attention both at home and abroad, with Russian officials publicly welcoming the developments. Maj Gen Mykhailo Drapatyi, 43, was appointed as the new commander-in-chief. Considered part of a younger generation of Ukrainian military leaders, Drapatyi first gained prominence in 2014 during Russia’s annexation of Crimea and has since built a reputation for his leadership on the battlefield. Zelenskyy said the new military leadership has been tasked with presenting an updated defence strategy that includes continued reform of the army’s corps structure, faster delivery of weapons and drones, stronger air defence capabilities, and a clearer mobilisation plan. The future role of former defence minister Fedorov remains uncertain. The 35-year-old, widely credited with advancing Ukraine’s drone technology, had reportedly been at odds with Syrskyi over military reforms. His dismissal prompted protests in Kyiv and several other cities, where demonstrators demanded his reinstatement and called for Syrskyi’s removal. Following the reshuffle, Zelenskyy said he had offered Fedorov a senior government position aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s technology sector, though it remains unclear whether the former minister has accepted the proposal. Fedorov had earlier indicated that he had received job offers from several international defence technology companies after leaving office. He welcomed Drapatyi’s appointment, describing it as a symbol of change and expressing hope that the new commander would strengthen Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. Before his dismissal, Fedorov had publicly criticised Syrskyi, accusing him of obstructing military reforms and arguing that changes in the army’s leadership were necessary to sustain Ukraine’s resistance against Russia.

The government is set to hold its second meeting in three days with a delegation of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), although, unlike Monday's discussion, the talks will not take place at Union Minister JP Nadda's residence. The venue for the meeting has not yet been announced. Amid mounting protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday that the Centre is prepared for a comprehensive discussion on the issue in Parliament. Government sources dismissed opposition demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, describing them as politically motivated. They maintained that the government acted promptly after the alleged leak came to light. Protests over the controversy entered their third consecutive day on Wednesday. Demonstrations continued despite clashes between protesters and police on Monday, during which authorities said dozens of police personnel were injured. Addressing the issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the toughest possible action against those responsible for the alleged paper leak. Quoting the prime minister after the NDA Parliamentary Party's 'Mangal Milan' meeting, Rijiju said Modi urged alliance partners to remain united in ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament and appealed to opposition parties to cooperate constructively. According to Rijiju, the prime minister said that although political differences are natural, all lawmakers share a collective responsibility to work for the country's future and safeguard the interests of its youth. source: NDTV

Iran launched missiles at Jordan on Wednesday, prompting air raid sirens in the port city of Aqaba, as renewed hostilities across the Middle East continued to overshadow diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring a collapsed interim ceasefire. Jordan's military said it intercepted four Iranian missiles, while two others landed in uninhabited areas without causing reported casualties. Videos recorded from the nearby Israeli city of Eilat showed plumes of smoke rising over Aqaba. The latest attack came after the US military said it had completed its 11th consecutive night of strikes on targets inside Iran. Iranian air defence systems were activated around the capital, Tehran, while the state-run IRNA news agency reported explosions in Bushehr, East Azerbaijan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces. According to the US military, the strikes targeted aircraft hangars and drone storage facilities. On Tuesday, Iran also attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel. Tehran has simultaneously expanded its military operations against US allies in the region, launching attacks on Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. The renewed violence has further complicated diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni visited Pakistan, which has been acting as a mediator, in an attempt to revive negotiations. However, there has been no indication of progress toward a new ceasefire agreement. Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump expressed little optimism about renewed talks, saying Washington had "no interest in meeting." He also indicated that US forces could soon strike areas near one of Iran's principal uranium enrichment sites. Meanwhile, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have intensified regional tensions by announcing a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, threatening global oil shipments and trade routes. With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted, Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on its pipeline to the Red Sea to maintain crude oil exports.

US President Donald Trump has approved a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could eventually allow the kingdom to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear energy programme, according to two people familiar with the decision. The agreement, which has not yet been formally announced, could be made public as early as Wednesday, the sources said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly. Expected to remain in force for 30 years, the agreement would involve US companies in developing Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear sector. It also envisions the possible construction of a uranium enrichment facility in the kingdom after a joint US-Saudi feasibility study. The proposal will be submitted to the US Congress for review, where it is likely to face scrutiny from lawmakers concerned that permitting Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could increase the risk of nuclear proliferation and trigger a regional arms race. Saudi Arabia is a member of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy while monitoring member states to ensure they are not pursuing secret nuclear weapons programmes. However, one of the sources said the agreement is not expected to include the IAEA's Additional Protocol, which provides inspectors with expanded authority to verify that nuclear activities remain exclusively peaceful. The development comes amid heightened regional tensions following military operations by the United States and Israel targeting Iran's nuclear capabilities. Tehran maintains that its uranium enrichment programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes. The White House and Saudi authorities did not immediately comment on the reported agreement. The Wall Street Journal first reported the decision. Both Trump and former President Joe Biden had sought a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that would allow the kingdom to benefit from American nuclear technology. Non-proliferation experts, however, have warned that domestic uranium enrichment could provide Saudi Arabia with the technical foundation for a future weapons programme. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously suggested the kingdom would seek nuclear weapons if Iran were to acquire them. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Saudi Arabia last year and held discussions with Saudi officials on expanding the kingdom's commercial nuclear power sector. The US Department of Energy did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Saudi Arabia has also strengthened security ties with nuclear-armed Pakistan. Analysts note that any future enrichment capability in the kingdom is likely to draw increased international attention given the region's security dynamics. While uranium enrichment alone does not enable a country to build a nuclear weapon, it is considered a critical step in the nuclear fuel cycle and can significantly shorten the path to developing weapons-grade material if a country chooses to do so. The United Arab Emirates, by contrast, built its Barakah nuclear power plant under a so-called "123 agreement" with the United States without pursuing domestic uranium enrichment—a model widely regarded by non-proliferation experts as the international benchmark for civilian nuclear cooperation.