United News of Bangladesh

Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni held talks in Pakistan on Tuesday as Islamabad intensified efforts to revive the collapsed interim agreement between Iran and the United States, while both sides continued exchanging attacks for a 10th consecutive day. Momeni met Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and was expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan has been urging Washington and Tehran to resume negotiations under the June memorandum of understanding, though no details of the closed-door meeting were released. Iran attacks another tanker in Hormuz as US strikes continue for 10th night Meanwhile, Iran attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel, while the US launched fresh airstrikes targeting Iranian military command centres, missile and drone sites, maritime capabilities and air defence systems. Despite 10 days of US strikes, Tehran has maintained its grip on the strategic waterway, where shipping has nearly halted after the collapse of last month's interim deal. Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for attacks on three ships over two days. The US warned Americans worldwide of possible Iranian-linked attacks, while President Donald Trump vowed retaliation for any American casualties. Iran also launched drones and missiles toward Jordan and Bahrain, though Jordan said all incoming threats were intercepted. Rising tensions have pushed Brent crude close to $90 a barrel and US gasoline prices to about $4 per gallon.

Supporters of India’s youth-driven Cockroach movement on Tuesday vowed to continue their protest in New Delhi, a day after police used tear gas and batons to disperse thousands of demonstrators attempting to march towards Parliament. Hundreds of protesters remained at Jantar Mantar, the capital’s designated protest venue, amid a heavy police presence, saying they would continue their sit-in until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over alleged shortcomings in the country’s examination system. “We will continue our protest,” said Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The clash between protesters and police on Monday marked a major turning point in the CJP’s two-month campaign. What began as a satirical protest has grown into a nationwide youth movement demanding action on issues including exam leaks, unemployment and government accountability. Videos showing police using batons against protesters and removing demonstrators by force spread widely on social media, triggering public anger. Some footage showed young protesters crying and appealing to police not to attack them, while other scenes showed demonstrators standing firm despite baton charges. Delhi Police said around 180 people were injured during the confrontation, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters. Sona Bisht, a 20-year-old student who joined the protest, said the police action had only strengthened her determination. “If the government thinks they can stop Gen Z by doing this, they are mistaken. We are here raising issues about education and our future. We will not leave until our demands are fulfilled,” she said. The government made its first apparent attempt to engage with the protesters after nearly a month of silence, with a senior minister holding discussions with movement representatives on Monday. However, the talks failed to calm tensions as protest leaders said they wanted concrete action rather than assurances. Their demands include the resignation of Pradhan, reforms in the examination system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide following alleged irregularities in recruitment and entrance examinations. Dipke accused the authorities of going back on their commitment, alleging that police launched a baton charge after inviting protesters for talks. Rights organisation Amnesty International criticised the police response, saying the action demonstrated how peaceful dissent was being restricted in India. “The role of authorities is to protect and facilitate peaceful protests, not suppress them,” the organisation said, adding that the right to peaceful assembly is protected under international human rights law and the Indian Constitution. The movement, which has attracted students, professionals and families, represents a significant challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government during its third term. It has revived debate over the government’s handling of public dissent and the use of force against demonstrators. The campaign gained further momentum after prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose three-week hunger strike became a symbol of the protests, was taken to a hospital by police over the weekend. Rabina Kashyap, a 26-year-old professional, said she joined the protest on Tuesday after watching footage of police using tear gas and batons against students. “I have nothing to do with this protest. But this is India, my country, and these are my people. So I will stand with them,” she said.

Israel has been rapidly constructing a large earthen barrier inside the Gaza Strip, according to satellite images, reinforcing its control over more than half of the territory and raising concerns that the temporary military line could become a more permanent boundary. Satellite imagery reviewed by The Associated Press shows that more than 23 kilometres of the barrier have been built in recent months through areas where Palestinian communities were demolished. The structure stretches across much of Gaza, which is about 40 kilometres long and home to more than two million people. The Israeli military confirmed it has built a physical barrier along the so-called "yellow line" — the area where its forces withdrew under the ceasefire agreement reached with Hamas in October. The line was intended to be a temporary military boundary until a broader Israeli withdrawal could take place. However, with the ceasefire process stalled, many Palestinians fear the barrier could eventually become a permanent border dividing the enclave. The Israeli military said it has also established a security zone along the line equipped with surveillance and other technology. It said the barrier is intended to prevent infiltration and protect Israeli troops and nearby Israeli communities but declined to say how far the construction will extend. Construction progressing rapidlySatellite images indicate the barrier is expanding quickly. In southern Gaza, one section of the earthworks grew from about 500 metres to roughly 2.4 kilometres between July 1 and July 15, cutting across the area between the Israeli-controlled ruins of Rafah and the Muwasi area, where many displaced Palestinians are living in tent camps. The longest continuous section of the barrier now stretches nearly 17 kilometres from Khan Younis toward Gaza City. Construction on that section began in February and has continued steadily, with more than one kilometre added between late June and early July. Smaller, disconnected sections have also been built near the heavily damaged town of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. Large areas under Israeli controlMost of Gaza's population is now concentrated west of the yellow line, where many people are living in overcrowded tent camps and relying on humanitarian aid. Satellite images show that on the Israeli-controlled side of the line, many towns, including much of Rafah, have been flattened by bulldozers and explosives. Roads, military bases and other infrastructure have been built in their place. Israel says it is destroying Hamas infrastructure as part of its military operations. The exact route of the yellow line has never been clearly defined. The Israeli military said it is working to mark the boundary more clearly to reduce accidental crossings. Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinians approaching or crossing the area. The military says it targets people suspected of posing a threat, although reports indicate that civilians, including children, have also been killed near the line. Ceasefire remains stalledAccording to Palestinian health officials, more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military operations since the ceasefire began, most in airstrikes and drone attacks. During the same period, militant attacks have killed five Israeli soldiers. On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City killed a couple and their four children, aged between 6 and 13, according to Shifa Hospital. The Israeli military said it had targeted Hamas militants operating in the area. The ceasefire agreement calls for Israel to eventually withdraw its forces to the edges of Gaza, where an international security force would take over. However, implementation has stalled amid continued disagreements between Israel and Hamas. Israel says Hamas has failed to disarm, while Hamas accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire. The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which says women and children account for about half of the fatalities.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday led a protest march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, intensifying pressure on the Centre over alleged leaks of NEET and other examination papers. The demonstration came a day after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led march to Parliament, which ended in clashes between protesters and security personnel. Congress workers assembled outside Kharge's residence at 10, Rajaji Marg before marching towards the Prime Minister's official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, located just over a kilometre away. Monday's protest, attended largely by students and youth, witnessed police and Rapid Action Force personnel using batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The CJP claimed that several demonstrators sustained injuries during the crackdown and reiterated its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the alleged examination paper leaks. The Delhi Police, however, alleged that protesters turned violent, accusing them of pelting stones, damaging police vehicles and engaging in widespread disorder. According to police, 118 personnel, including senior officers, were injured during the unrest. Source: NDTV  

At least 10 workers were killed and more than 18 others are feared trapped after a landslide inside a tunnel under construction triggered a suspected methane gas leak in India's northeastern state of Sikkim, officials said. So far, 12 workers have been rescued, while search and rescue operations are continuing with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other emergency agencies. The incident occurred around 3:09 pm on Monday at the Samardung tunnel in South Sikkim, where Patel Engineering is constructing a section of the Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project. According to the Chief Minister's Office, rescue efforts are ongoing, although the exact number of workers trapped inside the tunnel has yet to be confirmed. Preliminary reports suggest that a landslide inside the tunnel blocked the passage, trapping several workers. Rescue operations have been slowed by a suspected methane gas leak, making it unsafe for emergency personnel to reach the affected area. Alongside the NDRF, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim Police, and the Fire and Emergency Services have been deployed. Authorities have also restricted traffic around the site to support rescue work. Namchi District Collector Anupa Tamling said rescue teams from Siliguri and Pakyong, along with the SDRF, were mobilised immediately after the incident was reported. She said firefighters and police officers tried twice to enter the tunnel without protective equipment but had to retreat because of dangerous conditions. The first NDRF team later evacuated those emergency workers, while a second NDRF team entered the tunnel to continue the rescue operation. Officials said methane levels inside the tunnel initially remained so high that rescuers could not reach the area where the trapped workers are believed to be. Tamling said the exact cause of the landslide is still unknown. According to workers who escaped, they heard a loud blast-like sound inside the tunnel before running to safety. She cautioned that the number of people trapped remains provisional, adding that the administration's top priority is to rescue everyone safely. Sources said several members of the first rescue team suffered dizziness and breathing problems after being exposed to methane gas. They were safely brought out and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Two tourists were injured in a knife attack near the Acropolis, Greece's most visited tourist site, on Tuesday morning, police said. The attacker stabbed a Greek American man and woman near the entrance to the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the historic Acropolis hill. According to police, the woman suffered minor injuries to her leg, while the man was more seriously injured after being stabbed in the arm. Authorities quickly detained the suspect, and both victims were taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment. Police have not yet identified the attacker but said he appeared to be experiencing psychological problems. The motive for the attack is still under investigation. Violent attacks of this nature are uncommon in Greece. In April, an 89-year-old man was arrested after allegedly opening fire with a shotgun at a social security office and a courthouse in central Athens, injuring at least four people in an incident reportedly linked to grievances over social security. The Acropolis, home to the nearly 2,500-year-old Parthenon and several other ancient monuments, is one of Greece's most famous landmarks. Around 4.6 million people visited the site last year.

Hundreds of farmers from Punjab heading towards New Delhi to join a Kisan Mahapanchayat against the proposed India-US trade agreement were stopped by Haryana Police at the Shambhu border on Tuesday. The Shambhu border, a key entry point between Punjab and Haryana, witnessed scenes similar to the February 2024 “Delhi Chalo-2” farmers’ protest, with authorities setting up barricades using concrete blocks, iron spikes and multiple layers of security barriers to prevent the farmers from moving towards the Indian capital. After being denied entry, the protesting farmers turned the border area into a demonstration site, accusing the Haryana and Punjab governments of curbing their democratic right to hold a gathering in Delhi. BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh leader Tezveer Singh alleged that Haryana Police had placed barricades inside Punjab territory and criticised the Punjab government for allegedly remaining inactive instead of opposing the move. While Punjab-based farmer groups were stopped at the border, farmers from Haryana districts, including Ambala and Kurukshetra, continued their journey towards Delhi. The Mahapanchayat was organised under the banner of Desh Bachao Morcha, bringing together farmer organisations from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to demand that the central government withdraw from negotiations on the proposed India-US trade agreement. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said groups including KMSC, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha’s Punjab unit, Azaad Kisan Morcha and BKU Ekta Sangharsh had started their marches from different parts of Punjab before being stopped at Shambhu. Pandher said a joint statement issued by India and the United States in February 2026 included a commitment to negotiate the first phase of a multi-sector bilateral trade agreement by autumn 2026. He argued that the proposed agreement went beyond a traditional trade pact as it could cover areas including agriculture, dairy, industry, digital trade, e-commerce, investment, government procurement, intellectual property rights and services. Farmer leaders expressed concerns that previous US trade positions had sought greater access to India’s agriculture and dairy markets through reduced tariffs and fewer restrictions on products such as soybeans, maize, cotton, ethanol, apples, almonds, dairy items, poultry and fisheries. They warned that allowing subsidised American agricultural and dairy products into the Indian market could severely affect millions of small and marginal farmers who may struggle to compete. The protesters also raised concerns over what they described as a lack of transparency in the trade negotiations, saying important details of the proposed agreement had not been made public. Farmer organisations said India’s dairy sector supports nearly 80 million rural families and warned that any negative impact on the sector would affect producers, small traders, food processors, agro-based industries and micro enterprises. The Desh Bachao Morcha demanded that the government make all documents related to the proposed India-US trade agreement public and avoid signing any deal without detailed consultations with farmers, workers, dairy producers, small businesses and other stakeholders. Source: NDTV  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for the toughest possible action against those responsible for the alleged NEET examination paper leak, saying preventing such incidents is a national responsibility. Speaking after the NDA Parliamentary Party's 'Mangal Milan' meeting on Tuesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju quoted Modi as urging all stakeholders to work together to build a secure and foolproof examination system. According to Rijiju, the Prime Minister also asked NDA allies to remain united in supporting legislative business and urged opposition parties to cooperate in Parliament despite political differences, saying all lawmakers share responsibility for the country's future and the welfare of its youth. Modi's remarks came a day after police used tear gas and batons to stop hundreds of students from marching toward Parliament during protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak. The demonstration was led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical political group that emerged earlier this year. The protesters demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the controversy. NEET, India's nationwide medical entrance examination, is taken by more than two million students each year. The exam was cancelled in May after allegations that the question paper had been leaked before the test. Authorities later held a fresh examination. The controversy was followed by complaints over the online marking system used for examinations taken by nearly two million CBSE high school students, with some alleging incorrect grades and mismatched results. Rijiju said Modi noted that the government acted quickly after reports of the NEET paper leak surfaced, leading to arrests and action against those allegedly involved. He added that the Prime Minister said the re-examination was organised promptly to protect students' academic future. The student protests intensified after activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to hospital on Saturday, ending his 21-day hunger strike in support of the movement. Wangchuk later announced he would continue his fast from the hospital, criticising the authorities' handling of peaceful demonstrators. The CJP said two of its leaders later met Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and submitted a letter outlining their demands after the government initiated contact. Nadda confirmed the meeting, describing it as cordial. The first day of India's Monsoon Session of Parliament was disrupted by opposition protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and other issues, including allegations related to donations for the Ram temple. Source: NDTV

US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a 50 percent tariff on most imports from Canada, accusing the neighbouring country of unfair trade practices involving automobiles, alcoholic beverages and dairy products. The move is expected to heighten trade tensions between the two long-standing allies and could add pressure on prices while further straining bilateral economic relations. A senior US administration official said Canada, along with China, was among the few countries to retaliate against previous US tariffs, prompting the latest action. The official spoke on condition of anonymity while briefing reporters ahead of the announcement. According to the White House, Trump signed three proclamations under Section 338 of the US Trade Act of 1930, authorising the new tariffs. The administration said the 50 percent duties will apply to most Canadian goods, including products that had previously enjoyed tariff-free access under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). However, the tariffs will not apply to energy products, potash, fish and critical minerals. The USMCA, which came into effect in 2020, was not renewed by the United States, leading to a fresh round of trade negotiations that could continue until 2036. The White House said the new tariffs will take effect in 30 days, leaving room for possible negotiations before the measures are implemented. Responding to the announcement, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed his country's commitment to free and fair trade and said Canada remains ready to negotiate with Washington. In a statement, Carney noted that Canada had signed more than 20 new economic and security partnerships and expressed hope that outstanding trade issues with the United States could be resolved through dialogue. He also warned that the trade dispute has increased costs for families, particularly in the United States, and said both countries would benefit from a negotiated solution.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday as part of efforts to secure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon and advance a long-term security arrangement following months of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The meeting will conclude Aoun’s four-day visit to the United States and comes as Lebanon and Israel continue rare direct negotiations under US mediation. Beirut hopes the talks will lead to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas of southern Lebanon they continue to occupy, while also securing international support to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and enable them to assume full control over territories previously influenced by Hezbollah. On June 26, Lebanon and Israel announced a US-backed framework agreement outlining the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The agreement also sets out steps toward a future peace accord between the two neighbours, which have never established formal diplomatic relations and have technically remained at war since Israel's creation in 1948. The US State Department announced on Monday that operations had begun in three villages—Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbieh—designated as part of a pilot zone under the agreement, although no further details were disclosed. The three villages are currently outside Israeli military control, and neither Lebanese nor Israeli authorities immediately commented on the announcement. Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Aoun held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday. Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting the framework agreement and its full implementation, describing the discussions as positive. He said lasting peace in Lebanon would not be possible without resolving the issue of Hezbollah’s armed presence. Rubio said Lebanon’s government must become the country's only legitimate armed authority while also stressing the importance of rebuilding the country's economy and attracting international investment. He noted that security alone would not ensure long-term stability, highlighting the need for economic recovery and stronger state institutions. The Lebanese army has recently increased deployments in several areas expected to fall within the pilot zone, establishing checkpoints and conducting patrols in preparation for the agreement’s implementation. Despite signs of progress in negotiations, Israeli troops remain stationed in parts of southern Lebanon. Israeli officials have indicated that they intend to maintain forces in what they describe as a long-term security zone along the border. Hezbollah has rejected the direct Lebanon-Israel talks mediated by Washington and instead has expressed support for US-Iran negotiations aimed at ending the broader regional conflict, including hostilities in Lebanon. Lebanon’s government, which took office earlier this year on a reform agenda, has pledged to disarm all non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah. The government has accused Hezbollah of drawing Lebanon into renewed conflict with Israel after the group launched rockets toward northern Israel in March following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. At the same time, Beirut has criticised Israel’s subsequent military offensive, which Lebanese authorities say killed more than 4,000 people and displaced around 1.2 million others. Lebanese officials maintain that a complete Israeli withdrawal and increased international support for the country's financially strained military are essential to achieving lasting peace and stability in southern Lebanon.