United News of Bangladesh

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone assaults since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, targeting a major oil refinery in Moscow and causing temporary disruptions to flights at several airports in and around the Russian capital, Russian authorities said Thursday. The attack hit the Moscow Oil Refinery, one of the country’s largest fuel-processing facilities and a key supplier to the capital region. Russian media footage showed large fires and thick smoke rising from the site, located about 15 kilometers from the Kremlin. The facility had also been targeted earlier this week. The strike came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he held discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, describing the talks as important and potentially capable of producing meaningful developments. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine also secured additional commitments of support from leaders attending the G7 summit in France, including backing from the United States. Russian officials reported that air defenses intercepted 555 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions, with nearly 200 heading toward Moscow. Temporary flight restrictions were imposed at four airports serving the capital. In the Moscow region, drones and falling debris damaged residential and commercial properties, including private homes, a shopping center, a fitness facility and an industrial site. Authorities said one woman was injured. A residential building in the town of Zhukovsky was evacuated after being struck by a drone. Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian oil infrastructure in an effort to weaken Moscow’s war financing and bring the effects of the conflict closer to the Russian population. The latest attack marked another security setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin, following a recent drone strike on St. Petersburg during a major international economic forum. Speaking on social media, Zelenskyy described the operation as a justified response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and said it was aimed at pressuring Moscow to engage in diplomacy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed that message, saying Russian citizens should question their leadership about ending the war rather than asking why such attacks are occurring. Military analysts and Western officials say Ukraine has recently gained momentum through the expanded use of advanced drone technology, enabling it to strike deep inside Russia and disrupt military supply routes in occupied territories. French President Emmanuel Macron said support for Ukraine remained a key focus of the G7 summit, stressing that continued assistance from Western allies, particularly the United States, was essential for Kyiv's defense and ability to respond to Russian aggression.

The recent Iran war and the resulting spike in global fuel prices have strengthened the European Union’s push to reduce dependence on vulnerable energy routes, especially those passing through the Strait of Hormuz. EU leaders are now exploring alternative trade and energy corridors, including new partnerships with Gulf countries and India, to improve energy security and avoid future disruptions caused by conflict. One of the key proposals under consideration is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which would connect Europe with India through the Middle East via transport, energy and digital infrastructure. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has revived interest in the project, telling G7 leaders that new and more resilient export routes are being developed to diversify supply chains and strengthen Europe’s energy independence. “We are building alternative routes that offer choices,” she said, referring to IMEC as a major example. Although the EU has signed a memorandum of understanding on IMEC, only a few of its 27 member states have formally joined the initiative. However, officials say there is strong political backing behind the scenes. A senior EU diplomat said discussions are now focused on turning the plan into practical projects involving transport links, energy networks and digital connectivity, including possible pipelines and power cables. No official timeline has been announced. The proposed corridor would pass through Israel, which strongly supports the initiative. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously described IMEC as a “revolutionary” project after discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, analysts say the success of the plan may depend on broader regional diplomacy, particularly the normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has said such steps would depend on progress toward Palestinian statehood. The impact of the Iran war has also highlighted Europe’s energy vulnerability. EU officials say the bloc spent an additional €25 billion on oil and gas imports in just the first weeks of the conflict and warned of possible fuel shortages. EU leaders have said they are open to working more closely with Gulf countries to develop new infrastructure that avoids conflict-prone routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. Existing infrastructure, such as Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, which moves oil to the Red Sea, has shown the value of alternative routes, especially during periods of instability. Experts say early projects are likely to focus on oil and gas pipelines due to faster construction timelines, along with upgrades and repairs to energy facilities affected by recent tensions. Future systems may also be designed to carry hydrogen as part of Europe’s green energy transition. Another major project under discussion is the Great Seas Interconnector, a planned undersea electricity cable that would link Europe’s power grid with Cyprus and Israel, and potentially extend toward broader regional networks. Supporters say the project could reduce energy isolation in parts of the Eastern Mediterranean while also contributing to long-term renewable energy goals. The United States has also shown interest in strengthening energy cooperation in the region, particularly between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, as part of wider efforts to develop Eastern Mediterranean energy resources.

Taiwan needs to continue buying US weapons to strengthen its self-defence capabilities as military pressure from China increases, the island’s top envoy in Washington has said, while noting that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. Alexander Yui Tah-ray, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, said Taiwan is focused on boosting its defence spending and military readiness. “We need those arms for defensive purposes,” Yui told The Associated Press in an interview in Washington on Wednesday. “We’re trying to increase our defence expenditure. We try to increase our ability to defend ourselves better and survive times of crisis.” A proposed $14 billion US arms package for Taiwan remains under review, creating uncertainty in Taipei. The issue gained attention after President Donald Trump, following a visit to Beijing in May, said he had discussed the deal in detail with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Trump administration has yet to advance the package, which had previously received approval from senior lawmakers. Trump has described the deal as a potential “very good negotiating chip” in dealings with China. Under US law, Washington is required to provide Taiwan with sufficient defence equipment to deter any aggression from China, which considers the self-governed island part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to achieve unification. China has consistently opposed US arms sales to Taiwan, which has never been governed by Beijing. Yui said Taiwan cannot rely on outside support alone for its security. “This is our responsibility, so we will not wait and depend on the US cavalry to come and save us,” he said, adding that Taiwan is actively purchasing US weapons to strengthen its defence. He said arms purchases must match the level of threat, which he described as “very high,” pointing to near-daily Chinese military activity around the island. China regularly sends warships and military aircraft near Taiwan and has staged large-scale military drills in recent years. Beijing views the island as a core national interest and has warned against support for Taiwanese independence. Yui said there has been no change in Washington’s official position on Taiwan and that Taipei respects the Trump administration’s approach and timing on policy announcements. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said that Washington’s policy on Taiwan remains unchanged and that arms deals are not negotiated with China. He said the proposed package is still under review, partly due to concerns over US weapons stockpiles following recent global commitments. A separate $11 billion arms deal for Taiwan was approved in December, including rocket systems and artillery equipment. Yui, who arrived in Washington in 2023, is now working under the second Trump administration, which has taken a more flexible approach in relations with Beijing compared to earlier tensions. Despite shifting rhetoric, he expressed confidence in US-Taiwan ties, saying what matters most is policy action rather than statements. “The big stick is still there,” he said.

Eleven Iranian ships have sailed through a US naval blockade since Tehran and Washington finalised the text of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday, according to Iran’s state-run Press TV. Citing an informed source, the report said eight of the vessels moved from Iran’s territorial waters into international waters, while three others entered Iranian waters. As previously reported, the MoU includes provisions calling for the United States to end its blockade, while Iran would allow toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz for at least 60 days.  #From Al Jazeera

President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed an initial agreement on Wednesday aimed at ending the war between the two countries, easing sanctions on Tehran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz while broader negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme continue. According to details released by both governments, the agreement requires Iran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and allows the United States to waive certain sanctions, enabling Tehran to resume oil exports freely. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government helped mediate the talks, said in a post on X that the agreement took “immediate effect” after it was signed by leaders of both countries. The accord seeks to bring a permanent end to hostilities and launches a 60-day period of negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme. However, Trump indicated that military action could resume if the process fails. The deal had remained largely secret for days, with US officials declining to reveal details even after saying Trump and Vice President JD Vance had digitally signed it over the weekend. Trump signed a physical copy on Wednesday while attending a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles. “It’s signed,” Trump told reporters as he left the dinner following his participation in the Group of Seven summit in France. Video released by the White House showed Trump signing the document beside Macron before handing it to Secretary of State Marco Rubio as those present applauded. “This was not easy,” Trump said before signing the agreement, according to footage shared by Macron. In Tehran, state-run IRNA reported that President Pezeshkian signed the accord on behalf of Iran and released photographs showing him holding the document bearing both leaders’ signatures. Although the full text has not been officially published, US officials outlined draft provisions to reporters on condition of anonymity, while Iranian state television later released similar details. The agreement would largely restore conditions that existed before the conflict, including ending military operations, resuming nuclear negotiations and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies whose closure triggered a major energy crisis. Under the draft terms, ships will be allowed to pass through the strait without tolls for two months, although future fees are not ruled out. In return, Washington will move to waive some sanctions imposed on Iran, though they will not be immediately removed. The agreement also reaffirms support for Lebanon’s territorial integrity amid Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah. This remains one of the most sensitive elements of the deal, as Iran insists Israeli forces must withdraw from occupied areas of Lebanon, a demand Israel has rejected. The United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28, arguing they were necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump had previously said the war aimed to curb Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes and its support for regional proxy groups, while at times suggesting it could contribute to regime change in Tehran. The interim agreement falls short of many of those objectives, though Trump described it as “very strong.” At the same time, he cautioned that the arrangement could be abandoned if negotiations do not progress. “It’s a memorandum of understanding, and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs,” Trump said. The US decision to immediately permit Iranian oil sales and the prospect of eventually lifting broader sanctions represent significant concessions that go beyond the provisions of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, from which Trump withdrew during his first term. Iran continues to insist that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes. The agreement is expected to face strong opposition in Washington and could be viewed as a setback for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has come under growing criticism at home over the handling of the conflict. Pakistani officials involved in mediation said some benefits for Iran, including the release of frozen assets and the eventual lifting of sanctions, would be implemented gradually and linked to progress in future nuclear talks. However, the immediate sanctions waivers allowing Iran to export oil remove one of Washington’s key sources of leverage during the upcoming negotiations. Iran earned more than $46 billion from oil exports in 2024, with China remaining its largest customer despite sanctions. The agreement also leaves open the possibility of ending all US and UN sanctions against Iran, including measures linked to weapons programmes and human rights concerns. Such a move would go well beyond the scope of the 2015 nuclear accord, which only lifted selected sanctions in exchange for major reductions in Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. In addition, the deal includes plans for at least $300 billion in reconstruction assistance for Iran, though officials said the funding would depend on future progress in negotiations. Vice President Vance has suggested Gulf Arab countries could provide much of that investment, though analysts note that regional governments may be reluctant to do so after suffering damage from Iranian attacks during the conflict. Trump reiterated that the United States would not contribute financially and said other countries would decide independently whether to invest. The agreement is also expected to provide significant relief to the global economy through the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that previously handled around one-fifth of global oil and natural gas trade. The closure of the strait during the conflict contributed to higher global energy prices and increased costs for a wide range of goods. The agreement states that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports will be lifted and that shipping traffic through the strait is expected to return to pre-war levels within 30 days, although it acknowledges that Iranian naval mines may still need to be cleared.

US President Donald Trump has indicated that the planned signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the US-Israeli conflict with Iran could still collapse, despite ongoing preparations for a formal ceremony later this week. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in France on Wednesday, Trump said the outcome remained uncertain, adding that the United States could resume military strikes if Iran failed to comply with expected commitments. “Deals are amazing. I’ve done them all my life,” Trump said during a joint appearance with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “You never know with deals. But you're going to find out pretty soon. I think it will be done.” Trump later suggested that the formal signing, previously expected on Friday, could take place earlier, saying it might happen “tomorrow, maybe the next day.” The proposed MoU is intended to lay the groundwork for ending hostilities between the US, Israel and Iran. Both Washington and Tehran have said the agreement would halt fighting on all fronts, lift the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route. However, officials from both sides have stressed that the agreement would only mark the beginning of a 60-day negotiating process to address broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, its regional alliances and the future governance of the Strait of Hormuz. US officials have maintained that the MoU was digitally signed on Sunday, although they acknowledged that either side could still withdraw before the final ceremonial signing. A senior US official, briefing reporters, said the agreement contains 14 points and includes immediate sanctions waivers for Iran’s energy sector alongside the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the naval blockade. According to the official, the document contains limited commitments regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, largely maintaining the current status quo while reaffirming Tehran’s position that it does not seek nuclear weapons. More contentious issues, including Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and the future of its nuclear activities, would be addressed during the subsequent 60-day negotiations. The MoU also outlines plans for a reconstruction and economic development package worth at least $300 billion, to be developed jointly by the United States and its regional partners to support Iran’s post-war recovery. The agreement further envisages the gradual lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets, although no specific timetable has been disclosed. Asked about the proposed reconstruction fund, Trump said the initiative would proceed only if Iran fulfilled its obligations. “If they’re doing things right,” he said. Trump also distinguished between releasing frozen Iranian assets and providing new financial assistance. “We have taken a lot of their money, and we have their money,” he said. “It’s not our money, it’s their money, and we froze it at a certain point in time. I guess we’re going to have to give it back.” Source: Al Jazeera

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hosted leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kazan, seeking to strengthen economic, trade and strategic cooperation with the regional bloc amid Moscow’s efforts to expand its partnerships in Asia. The two-day summit, marking the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations, is focused on enhancing what Russian officials describe as a strategic partnership between Russia and the 11-member Southeast Asian grouping. According to Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, discussions will cover trade, investment, industrial cooperation and key regional and global issues, while also reviewing progress in Russia-ASEAN relations. In a message to participants at a business forum held alongside the summit, Putin expressed confidence that the gathering would create new opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial trade, investment and industrial cooperation, while fostering closer engagement between business communities. Ushakov said Russia and ASEAN members would reaffirm their commitment to building what he described as a fair and democratic multipolar world order based on international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. He praised the relationship between Russia and ASEAN as a productive, equal and constructive dialogue and noted that Putin would hold a series of bilateral meetings with regional leaders during the summit. The Russian president co-chaired the meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose country currently holds ASEAN’s rotating chairmanship. During talks with Marcos, Putin highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Russia and the Philippines, describing it as mutually beneficial and based on respect for each other’s legitimate interests. Marcos thanked Putin for hosting the summit and invited him to attend the ASEAN Summit scheduled to be held in Manila in November. Putin also met Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on the sidelines of the gathering. Addressing a formal reception later, Putin said Russia and ASEAN countries shared support for a just international order, sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs. He emphasized that each nation follows its own development path without imposing its views on others, calling that diversity a source of strength. Russia remains committed to expanding cooperation with ASEAN members in areas including security, economic development and regional stability, Putin said. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam. While some ASEAN members maintain close ties with the United States, others have significant economic and security relations with China and Russia. Several ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, have either imported Russian crude oil or shown interest in doing so following sharp increases in global energy prices linked to the conflict involving Iran.

More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect last October, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry said on Wednesday that 1,005 people have been killed in Israeli military operations since the truce began, amid continued airstrikes, shelling and gunfire in various parts of the enclave. The latest casualties followed a series of Israeli drone strikes over recent days targeting towns, refugee camps in central Gaza and areas of Gaza City. In the latest incident, an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza killed two Palestinians and injured six others, according to health officials at Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike, saying it targeted a “terrorist,” but provided no further details. Relatives of the victims told hospital authorities that the attack hit a group of people near the beach in the Mawasi tent camp, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering. Israel has maintained that it continues to conduct operations against Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza and has expanded the territory under its control inside the enclave. In a separate statement, the Israeli military said it had killed two militants belonging to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in strikes carried out over the weekend. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Sunday that the overall death toll from the Israel-Hamas war, which began in October 2023, has surpassed 73,000. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties, though its records are generally regarded by international organizations as credible and are maintained by medical professionals.

Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip have killed 1,005 Palestinians since a ceasefire was reached between Israel and the militant group Hamas last October, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday. The enclave has seen near-daily strikes, as well as shelling and gunfire along the boundary that divides Gaza into Israeli and Palestinian-controlled zones. The most recent deaths were recorded after a series of Israeli drone strikes in the past few days on towns and refugee camps in central Gaza and Gaza City. Also Wednesday, an Israeli strike killed two Palestinians and wounded six others in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, health officials at Nasser Hospital said. The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out the strike and said the target was a “terrorist” but did not elaborate. Families at the hospital said the strike targeted a group of people near the beach in the sprawling tent camp of Mawasi, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians live. Israel has said it is continuing to operate against Hamas and allied militants in Gaza and has expanded the amount of territory it controls inside the strip. In a separate statement Wednesday, the Israeli military said that it killed two militants from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in strikes over the weekend. Gaza’s Health Ministry on Sunday said the death toll from the Israel-Hamas war that started in October 2023 had surpassed 73,000 in Gaza. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. It is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.    

The interim agreement between the United States and Iran is expected to open a 60-day window for negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme, but major questions remain over whether the two longtime adversaries can bridge deep differences on the issue that has long dominated their relations. US President Donald Trump has said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was a central reason behind the war launched alongside Israel in February. However, the tentative deal announced by Washington leaves the most contentious nuclear issues to be resolved in future talks. Under the preliminary agreement, Iran is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international oil shipments and will be permitted to resume unrestricted oil exports, according to US and regional officials. The accord, scheduled to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday, also envisages Iran receiving at least $300 billion for post-war reconstruction and includes a US commitment to work toward lifting American and UN sanctions on Tehran if a final nuclear agreement is reached. The framework agreement has triggered skepticism among lawmakers from both major US political parties, pro-Israel groups and Israeli officials, many of whom question whether a comprehensive nuclear deal can be achieved within the proposed timeline. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally and advocate of a hardline policy toward Iran, said the success of any future agreement would depend on Tehran’s willingness to halt uranium enrichment. “What would a good deal look like? No enrichment. And we’ll see if we can get there,” Graham said, while expressing uncertainty over the prospects of reaching a second-stage agreement. Analysts have also questioned whether the Trump administration can sustain the intensive diplomatic effort required for a complex nuclear accord. David Schenker, director of the Arab Politics Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a former senior State Department official, said nuclear negotiations require sustained attention, technical expertise and detailed engagement. He argued that reaching a comprehensive agreement would be challenging even if the interim deal is formally signed. The administration, however, remains confident that the phased structure of the agreement will ensure Iranian compliance. Vice President JD Vance said many technical aspects still need to be negotiated, but stressed that any economic benefits for Iran would depend on concrete actions rather than promises. “Our plan under this deal is that the Iranians are getting a lot of benefits so long as they dismantle that nuclear weapons programme,” Vance said in a podcast interview. He added that the agreement is designed to link incentives such as sanctions relief to measurable steps taken by Tehran. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes and denies seeking nuclear weapons.