United News of Bangladesh

President Donald Trump on Monday placed a 25% tax on goods imported from Japan and South Korea, as well as new tariff rates on Malaysia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Laos and Myanmar. Trump provided notice of the tariffs to begin on Aug. 1 by posting letters on Truth Social that were addressed to the leaders of the various countries. The letters warned them to not retaliate by increasing their own import taxes, or else the Trump administration would further increase tariffs. “If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge,” Trump wrote in the letters to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The letters were not the final word from Trump on tariffs, so much as another episode in a global economic drama in which the U.S. president has placed himself at the center. His moves have raised fears that economic growth would slow to a muddle, if not make the U.S. and other nations more vulnerable to a recession. But Trump is confident that tariffs are necessary to bring back domestic manufacturing and fund the tax cuts he signed into law last Friday. Imports from Malaysia would be taxed at 25%, Myanmar at 40%, Laos at 40%, South Africa at 30% and Kazakhstan at 25%. Trump placed the word “only” before revealing the rate in his letters to the foreign leaders, implying that he was being generous with his tariffs. Trade talks have yet to deliver several dealsWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at the daily news briefing that similar letters to approximately five other countries would be issued on Monday. Following a now well-worn pattern, Trump plans to continue sharing the letters sent to his counterparts on social media and then mail them the documents. The letters are not negotiated settlements but Trump's own choice on rates, a sign that the closed-door talks with foreign delegations failed to produce satisfactory results for either side. Leavitt said that Trump was by setting the rates himself creating “tailor-made trade plans for each and every country on this planet and that’s what this administration continues to be focused on.” Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute who formerly worked in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, said the tariff hikes on Japan and South Korea were “unfortunate.” “Both have been close partners on economic security matters and have a lot to offer the United States on priority matters like shipbuilding, semiconductors, critical minerals and energy cooperation,” Cutler said. “Moreover, companies from both countries have made significant manufacturing investments in the U.S. in recent years, bringing high-paying jobs to U.S. workers and benefiting communities all around the country.” Trump still has outstanding differences on trade with the European Union and India, among other trading partners. Tougher talks with China are on a longer time horizon in which imports from that nation are being taxed at 55%. Higher tariffs prompt market worries, more talks aheadThe S&P 500 stock index was down nearly 1% in Monday afternoon trading, while the interest charged on the 10-year U.S. Treasury noted had increased to nearly 4.39%, a figure that could translate into elevated rates for mortgages and auto loans. Trump has declared an economic emergency to unilaterally impose the taxes, suggesting they are remedies for past trade deficits even though many U.S. consumers have come to value autos, electronics and other goods from Japan and South Korea. But it's unclear what he gains strategically against China — another stated reason for the tariffs — by challenging two crucial partners in Asia who could counter China's economic heft. “These tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country,” Trump wrote in both letters. Because the new tariff rates go into effect in roughly three weeks, Trump is setting up a period of possibly tempestuous talks among the U.S. and its trade partners to reach new frameworks. Trump initially sparked hysteria in the financial markets by announcing tariff rates on dozens of countries, including 24% on Japan and 25% on South Korea. In order to calm the markets, Trump unveiled a 90-day negotiating period during which goods from most countries were taxed at a baseline 10%. The 90-day negotiating period technically ends on Wednesday, even as multiple administration officials suggested the three-week period before implementation is akin to overtime for additional talks that could change the rates. Trump plans to sign an executive order on Monday to delay the official tariff increases until Aug. 1, Leavitt said. Administration officials have said Trump is relying on tariff revenues to help offset the tax cuts he signed into law on July 4, a move that could shift a greater share of the federal tax burden onto the middle class and poor as importers would likely pass along much of the cost of the tariffs. Trump has warned major retailers such as Walmart to simply “eat” the higher costs, instead of increasing prices in ways that could intensify inflation. Few deals have materialized so farTrump's team promised 90 deals in 90 days, but his negotiations so far have produced only two trade frameworks. His trade framework with Vietnam was clearly designed to box out China from routing its America-bound goods through that country, by doubling the 20% tariff charged on Vietnamese imports on anything traded transnationally. The quotas in the signed United Kingdom framework would spare that nation from the higher tariff rates being charged on steel, aluminum and autos, still British goods would generally face a 10% tariff. The United States ran a $69.4 billion trade imbalance in goods with Japan in 2024 and a $66 billion imbalance with South Korea, according to the Census Bureau. The trade deficit was $24.9 billion with Malaysia, $1.3 billion with Kazakhstan, $8.9 billion with South Africa, $763 million with Laos, $577 million with Myanmar. The trade deficits are the differences between what the U.S. exports to a country relative to what it imports. According to Trump's letters, autos would be tariffed separately at the standard 25% worldwide, while steel and aluminum imports would be taxed on 50%. This is not the first time that Trump has tangled with Japan and South Korea on trade — and the new tariffs suggest his past deals made during his first term failed to deliver on his administration's own hype. In 2018 during Trump's first term, his administration celebrated a revamped trade agreement with South Korea as a major win. And in 2019, Trump signed a limited agreement with Japan on agricultural products and digital trade that at the time he called a “huge victory for America’s farmers, ranchers and growers.” Trump has also said on social media that countries aligned with the policy goals of BRICS, an organization composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, would face additional tariffs of 10%.

The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on trading partners to quickly make new deals before a Wednesday deadline, with plans for the United States to start sending letters Monday warning countries that higher tariffs could kick in Aug. 1. That furthers the uncertainty for businesses, consumers and America’s trading partners, and questions remain about which countries will be notified, whether anything will change in the days ahead and whether President Donald Trump will once more push off imposing the rates. Trump and his top trade advisers say he could extend the time for dealmaking but they insist the administration is applying maximum pressure on other nations. Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday that Trump would decide when it was time to give up on negotiations. “The United States is always willing to talk to everybody about everything,” Hassett said. “There are deadlines, and there are things that are close, so maybe things will push back past the deadline or maybe they won’t. In the end the president is going to make that judgment.” Stephen Miran, the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, likewise said countries negotiating in good faith and making concessions could “sort of, get the date rolled.” The steeper tariffs that Trump announced April 2 threatened to overhaul the global economy and lead to broader trade wars. A week later, after the financial markets had panicked, his administration suspended for 90 days most of the higher taxes on imports just as they were to take effect. The negotiating window until July 9 has led to announced deals only with the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Trump imposed elevated tariff rates on dozens of nations that run meaningful trade surpluses with the U.S., and a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries in response to what he called an economic emergency. There are separate 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum and a 25% tariff on autos. Since April, few foreign governments have set new trade terms with Washington as the Republican president demanded. Trump told reporters Friday that his administration might be sending out letters as early as Saturday to countries spelling out their tariff rates if they did not reach a deal, but that the U.S. would not start collecting those taxes until Aug. 1. On Sunday, he said he would send out letters starting Monday — “could be 12, could be 15” — to foreign governments reflecting planned tariffs for each. “We’ve made deals also,” Trump told reporters before heading back to the White House from his home in New Jersey. “So we’ll get to have a combination of letters, and some deals have been made.” He and his advisers have declined to say which countries would receive the letters. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent rejected the idea that Aug. 1 was a new deadline and declined to say what might happen Wednesday. “We’ll see,” Bessent said on CNN’s State of the Union. “I’m not going to give away the playbook.” He said the U.S. was “close to several deals,” and predicted several big announcements over the next few days. He gave no details. “I think we’re going to see a lot of deals very quickly,” Bessent said. Later Sunday, Trump vowed to impose more tariffs against the BRICS bloc of developing nations, which had condemned tariffs increases at its summit in Brazil. Trump said in a post on his social media platform that any country aligning itself with what he termed “the Anti-American policies of BRICS” would be levied an added 10% tariff. Trump has announced a deal with Vietnam that would allow U.S. goods to enter the country duty-free, while Vietnamese exports to the U.S. would face a 20% levy. That was a decline from the 46% tax on Vietnamese imports he proposed in April — one of his so-called reciprocal tariffs targeting dozens of countries with which the U.S. runs a trade deficit. Asked if he expected to reach deals with the European Union or India, Trump said Friday that “letters are better for us” because there are so many countries involved. “We have India coming up and with Vietnam, we did it, but much easier to send a letter saying, ’Listen, we know we have a certain deficit, or in some cases a surplus, but not too many. And this is what you’re going to have to pay if you want to do business in the United States.” Canada, however, will not be one of the countries receiving letters, Trump’s ambassador, Pete Hoekstra, said Friday after trade talks between the two countries recently resumed. “Canada is one of our biggest trading partners,” Hoekstra told CTV News in an interview in Ottawa. “We’re going to have a deal that’s articulated.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he wants a new deal in place by July 21 or Canada will increase trade countermeasures. Hoekstra would not commit to a date for a trade agreement and said even with a deal, Canada could still face some tariffs. But “we’re not going to send Canada just a letter,” he said.

Greek authorities have detained over 1,200 migrants on the island of Crete and the nearby islet of Gavdos over the past three days, following a sharp increase in arrivals from Libya. The Greek coast guard reported intercepting multiple boats off Crete's southern coast between Saturday and Monday, prompting regional officials to call for additional support from the government. The spike in arrivals comes as Greece’s Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis visited Libya for talks with both the internationally recognized government and a rival faction, seeking solutions to the escalating migration crisis and ongoing disputes over maritime boundaries. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said patrol operations by the coast guard and navy in the area will likely be strengthened. According to him, around 8,000 migrants have landed on Crete so far this year. “This is a complex and extremely serious situation. Crete and its residents are under immense pressure,” Marinakis said. “We hope diplomatic efforts succeed. If not, we’ll have to implement stricter, large-scale measures to safeguard the country.” Many migrants undertake the dangerous 350-kilometer (220-mile) journey from Libya to Crete in unsafe, makeshift boats, often assembled to survive a single trip or converted from abandoned vessels. The small island of Gavdos, located south of Crete, has been overwhelmed by the influx. Stranded boats and dinghies litter its remote, pebble beaches, some accessible only on foot. On one such beach, a migrant named David from conflict-ridden South Sudan sat with five others, resting as they considered their next steps. He told The Associated Press that smugglers mistreated many passengers during the journey and demanded extra payments. “After you pay, everything is by force. If you speak, they beat you,” David said, describing the overcrowded and dangerous conditions on board. He expressed his hope to stay anywhere in Europe. Australian woman convicted of killing 3 relatives by serving poisonous mushroom meal “We didn’t come to cause problems. We came to save our lives,” he added. “If you stay [back home], you die.” Meanwhile, European Commissioner Magnus Brunner is scheduled to visit Libya this week alongside officials from Greece, Italy, and Malta to urge Libyan authorities to step up efforts to prevent migrant departures to Europe.

Elon Musk has announced the creation of a new political party, the "America Party," following his fallout with President Donald Trump over the administration’s sweeping tax cuts. Musk, who previously maintained close ties with Trump while leading the Department of Government Efficiency, publicly broke ranks after the president signed the controversial tax bill into law on Friday. During the bill’s passage through Congress, Musk had warned that he would launch the America Party if what he called “this insane spending bill” was approved. “We don’t live in a democracy when it comes to bankrupting the country with waste and corruption — it’s a one-party system,” Musk posted Saturday on X, the social media platform he owns. “Today, the America Party is formed to return freedom to the people.” President Trump dismissed Musk's announcement on Sunday while speaking to reporters before returning to Washington from his New Jersey residence. Calling the idea “ridiculous,” Trump emphasized his confidence in the Republican Party's success and criticized third-party efforts. “The Democrats have lost their way, but America has always been a two-party system,” Trump said. “Starting a third party just creates confusion — history shows they never work.” Though new political parties often struggle to gain traction against the Republican and Democratic establishments, Musk’s significant financial resources could shake up the 2026 congressional elections. The billionaire, who contributed at least $250 million to Trump's 2024 campaign, could influence key races if he invests heavily in his new party. Trump signs tax and spending cut bill at White House However, the move may carry risks for Musk, whose business empire depends on government contracts, while shares of Tesla — one of his flagship companies — have already been affected by recent political controversies. It remains unclear whether Musk has formally completed the legal process to establish the America Party. On Sunday, reporters found several new entities registered with the Federal Election Commission containing variations of “America Party,” “DOGE,” or “X,” some listing Musk's name. Throughout Sunday, Musk actively engaged with X users, seeking feedback on the party's direction and hinting at plans to participate in the 2026 midterm elections.  

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice on Monday, sending massive columns of volcanic ash and debris soaring into the sky, disrupting flights and covering nearby villages in ash. Authorities reported no casualties from the twin eruptions on Flores Island, where the volcano has been on the highest alert level since June 18. As activity intensified, officials expanded the exclusion zone around the 1,584-meter (5,197-foot) peak to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius. The country’s Geology Agency recorded searing clouds of gas, rocks, and lava cascading nearly 5 kilometers (3 miles) down the volcano's slopes. Drone footage revealed lava filling the crater, indicating significant underground magma movement, which also triggered earthquakes. The first eruption, which occurred shortly after 11 a.m. local time (0305 GMT), produced a towering ash plume reaching up to 18 kilometers (11 miles) — the highest since a deadly eruption in November 2024 that left nine people dead and dozens injured. The volcano had also erupted in March this year. Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki Volcano Erupts, Alert Level Raised "Such a large-scale eruption poses significant dangers, including risks to aviation," said Muhammad Wafid, head of the Geology Agency. He added that authorities are considering expanding the evacuation zone for residents and tourists. A second eruption followed at around 7:30 p.m. (1100 GMT), sending lava and ash clouds up to 13 kilometers (8 miles) into the atmosphere, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation. At least 24 international flights connecting Bali with Australia, Singapore, and South Korea were cancelled, along with several domestic flights, officials at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport confirmed. Despite the disruptions, airport operations remained normal as volcanic ash had not yet entered Bali's airspace. Ashfall from the eruptions blanketed nearby villages, darkening the sky for nearly half an hour. Residents were warned of possible lava floods triggered by heavy rain. Images circulating online showed thick ash clouds forming mushroom-like plumes, while volcanic debris covered rooftops. Some villagers were seen fleeing the area in panic. Experts believe the eruptions were fueled by a buildup of magma pressure within the crater, which initially reduced seismic signals but eventually triggered the powerful blasts. Indonesia, part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, with 120 active volcanoes across the archipelago of over 280 million people. Mount Lewotobi's eruption is considered one of the most significant since Mount Merapi's deadly 2010 eruption, which killed 353 people on Java Island.

Russia launched over 100 drones targeting civilian areas in Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian officials said on Monday, as the Kremlin dismissed its transport minister following widespread travel disruptions over the weekend caused by fears of Ukrainian drone strikes. At least 10 civilians were killed and 38 others, including three children, were injured in Russian attacks over the past 24 hours, according to Ukrainian authorities. Russia has intensified its aerial assaults on Ukrainian civilian targets in recent weeks, more than three years into the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Monday that Russia had deployed approximately 1,270 drones, 39 missiles, and nearly 1,000 glide bombs against Ukraine over the past week alone. Meanwhile, Russia's military continues its efforts to break through certain sections of the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, where Ukrainian forces remain stretched thin. Amid mounting pressure from Russia’s invasion, limited progress in peace negotiations, and last week's suspension of some promised U.S. weapons deliveries, Ukraine has been pushing for increased military support from the U.S. and European allies. Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that Ukraine had signed new agreements with European partners and a major U.S. defense manufacturer to ramp up drone production, with plans to deliver "hundreds of thousands" more drones this year. Israel strikes Houthis in Yemen; rebels fire missile back “Air defense is the key to protecting lives,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram Monday, noting the importance of producing interceptor drones to counter Russia’s long-range Shahed drones. Drones have also played a crucial role in helping Ukraine offset its manpower shortages along the front line. In the latest Russian drone attacks, one person was killed in Odesa, 27 injured in Kharkiv, and falling debris damaged parts of Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials. In northern Ukraine’s Sumy region, Russian short-range drone strikes killed two people and wounded two more. Sumy has seen a significant Russian military buildup in recent weeks. In the eastern Donetsk region, regional head Vadym Filashkin reported seven deaths and nine injuries, though he did not specify the type of weapons used. Ukraine’s Army Ground Forces command said Russian long-range drone strikes targeted military recruitment centers for the third time in five days, apparently aiming to disrupt troop mobilization. Additional strikes in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia injured at least 17 people, regional officials said. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces intercepted 91 Ukrainian drones across 13 Russian regions, as well as over the Black Sea and Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Transport Minister Roman Starovoyt, according to an official decree published on the Kremlin's website. His deputy, Andrey Nikitin, was appointed acting transport minister. Nikitin previously served as governor of Russia’s Novgorod region. The Kremlin did not provide a reason for Starovoyt’s dismissal, and spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment. The minister’s removal follows a chaotic weekend of mass flight cancellations and delays at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo and St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airports, as well as disruptions at other airports in western and central Russia, all linked to the threat of Ukrainian drone attacks. Thousands of passengers faced lengthy delays as a result.

A ship came under attack Sunday in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen by armed men firing guns and launching rocket-propelled grenades, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, a group overseen by the British military. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas war and recent conflicts involving Iran and the United States. The attack took place approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Hodeida, Yemen, a city controlled by Houthi rebels. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center stated that an armed security team aboard the ship returned fire and described the situation as ongoing. “Authorities are investigating,” the center added. Maritime security firm Ambrey issued a warning saying that a merchant ship was “attacked by eight skiffs while transiting northbound in the Red Sea” and believed the attack was still in progress. The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet referred questions to the U.S. Central Command, which had not immediately responded to requests for comment. Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthis; rebels retaliate with missile fire The Houthi rebels have previously launched missile and drone attacks against commercial and military vessels in the region, describing their actions as efforts to end Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza. Their al-Masirah satellite news channel confirmed the attack but offered no further comments, instead airing a speech by their leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi. Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two ships and killing four sailors. These attacks significantly disrupted the flow of trade through the Red Sea corridor, which typically sees goods worth $1 trillion annually. The Houthis had paused their attacks under a self-imposed ceasefire until mid-March, when the U.S. launched a broad assault against them. The ceasefire ended weeks later, and while the Houthis have not attacked any vessels since, they have continued missile attacks targeting Israel. On Sunday, the group claimed to have launched a missile at Israel, which the Israeli military said was intercepted. Meanwhile, the decade-long war in Yemen between the Houthis and the exiled government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, remains at a stalemate. The Yemeni Coast Guard, loyal to the exiled government, has also engaged in firefights with vessels in the Red Sea. In addition, Somali pirates have operated in the region, typically targeting vessels for robbery or ransom.

Israel carried out airstrikes early Monday targeting ports and facilities under the control of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who responded by launching missiles aimed at Israel. The escalation followed an attack on Sunday on the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Magic Seas in the Red Sea, which caught fire and began taking on water, eventually forcing its crew to abandon the vessel. While the Houthis have not formally claimed responsibility, suspicion quickly fell on the group, especially after a security firm reported that bomb-laden drone boats struck the ship after it was hit with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. Houthi media outlets reported the incident but did not claim it, which is not unusual as the group often delays acknowledging such operations. A renewed wave of Houthi attacks on maritime vessels could once again draw U.S. and Western military involvement in the region, similar to when President Donald Trump ordered large-scale airstrikes against the rebels. The latest ship attack comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with ceasefire negotiations in the Israel-Hamas conflict hanging by a thread and Iran considering resuming nuclear talks following U.S. strikes on its key nuclear facilities during Israel’s conflict with the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is traveling to Washington for talks with Trump. Israel targets ports, seized ship, radar system According to the Israeli military, strikes were carried out on Houthi-controlled ports in Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif, along with the Ras Kanatib power plant. The military released footage showing an F-16 taking off from Israel for the operation, which followed an Israeli warning for the area. “These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are employed to carry out terrorist operations against the state of Israel and its allies,” the Israeli military said. Israel also targeted the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier seized by the Houthis in November 2023 at the onset of their Red Sea attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas war. “Houthi forces installed a radar system on the ship and have been using it to track vessels in the international maritime arena to facilitate further terrorist activities,” the Israeli military stated. The Galaxy Leader, flying the Bahamas flag, is linked to an Israeli billionaire, but no Israeli nationals were aboard. The ship was operated by Japan’s NYK Line. Australian woman convicted of killing 3 relatives by serving poisonous mushroom meal The Houthis confirmed the Israeli strikes but did not provide details on damage. Their military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed Houthi air defenses “effectively confronted” the Israeli assault but provided no supporting evidence. Israel has conducted repeated strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, including a naval attack in June. While both the U.S. and Israel have previously targeted ports in the area — with a U.S. airstrike in April reportedly killing 74 — Israel now appears to be acting independently as Houthi missile fire toward Israel continues. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of more military action if necessary. “What’s true for Iran is true for Yemen,” Katz declared. “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.” In response, the Houthis launched missiles at Israel. The Israeli military reported intercept attempts, but said the missiles appeared to hit their targets, though no casualties were reported. Sirens sounded across the West Bank and the Dead Sea area. Saree later claimed the Houthis used both missiles and drones in the retaliatory strike on Israel. “We are fully prepared for a sustained and prolonged confrontation, to confront hostile warplanes and to counter attempts to break the naval blockade imposed by our armed forces on the enemy,” Saree stated. Attack on Magic Seas forces crew evacuation The attack on the Magic Seas, a bulk carrier en route to Egypt's Suez Canal, occurred approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Hodeida, a port city controlled by the Houthis. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, the ship’s onboard security team initially returned fire after being attacked with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades, but the vessel was later struck by projectiles. Ambrey, a private maritime security firm, reported that drone boats laden with explosives hit the Magic Seas, marking what could be a significant escalation. The firm said two drone boats successfully hit the vessel, while two others were neutralized by security personnel on board. The UK Maritime center confirmed that the ship was taking on water, forcing the crew to abandon it. They were later rescued by a passing vessel. Moammar al-Eryani, information minister for Yemen’s internationally recognized government, blamed the Houthis for the incident, identifying the vessel as the Magic Seas. He said the ship had been broadcasting its armed security status and was traveling north at the time of the attack. “The attack also proves once again that the Houthis are merely a front for an Iranian scheme using Yemen as a platform to undermine regional and global stability, at a time when Tehran continues to arm the militia and provide it with military technology, including missiles, aircraft, drones, and sea mines,” al-Eryani wrote on X. The ship’s owners have not responded to requests for comment. Houthi attacks tied to Israel-Hamas war The Houthis have been targeting commercial and military vessels in the region with missiles and drones, which the group says is in retaliation for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthis attacked over 100 merchant ships, sinking two and killing four sailors. Their campaign severely disrupted trade through the Red Sea, a critical waterway that handles around $1 trillion in goods annually. Although trade volume remains below average, activity in the Red Sea has increased recently. The Houthis had halted their maritime attacks after the U.S. launched a large-scale assault against them in March. That operation ended weeks later, and while the Houthis have refrained from targeting vessels since then, they have continued to sporadically fire missiles at Israel.

An Australian woman, Erin Patterson, was convicted on Monday of murdering three of her estranged husband’s family members by intentionally serving them poisonous mushrooms during a lunch. After six days of deliberation, a jury in Victoria’s Supreme Court delivered the guilty verdicts following a nine-week trial that captivated the nation. Patterson now faces a potential life sentence, with her sentencing hearing yet to be scheduled. Patterson, seated between two guards in the dock, remained expressionless as the jury’s decisions were read, though she blinked rapidly. Three of the four guests at the 2023 lunch hosted at Patterson’s Leongatha home — her parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson — died in the hospital after eating individual beef Wellington pastries containing death cap mushrooms. Patterson was also found guilty of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived the meal. The jury determined the poisoning was deliberate There was no dispute that Patterson served the meal or that the mushrooms caused the deaths. Jurors had to decide whether she knowingly included the deadly fungi and intended to kill her guests. The unanimous verdicts indicated jurors rejected Patterson’s claims that the poisonous mushrooms were unknowingly included, possibly gathered while foraging. Prosecutors did not present a specific motive but pointed to Patterson’s strained relationship with her husband and previous frustrations with his parents. Monsoon rains and flash floods kill at least 72 in Pakistan The case centered on whether Patterson had carefully orchestrated a triple murder or unintentionally killed three loved ones — who were also the only surviving grandparents of her children. Her defense argued there was no reason for her to commit such a crime, highlighting her comfortable lifestyle, recent move to a desirable home, sole custody of her children, and plans to begin nursing and midwifery studies. However, prosecutors portrayed Patterson as having a dual personality — outwardly maintaining good relations with her in-laws, while harboring resentment privately. They noted her relationship with estranged husband Simon Patterson, who declined the invitation to the fatal lunch, had deteriorated in the year leading up to the incident. Every aspect of the fatal meal came under scrutiny While the sequence of events was largely undisputed, Patterson’s intentions were thoroughly examined throughout the lengthy trial, which featured testimony from over 50 witnesses. One key detail was Patterson’s choice to serve individual beef Wellington portions, despite the recipe calling for a single large pastry. Prosecutors argued this allowed her to poison select portions, excluding her own. Patterson, however, claimed she couldn’t source the right ingredients for the full-sized version. Other details were rigorously analyzed, such as Patterson sending her children to a movie before lunch, adding dried mushrooms from her pantry, her lack of severe illness compared to the other diners, and the disposal of a food dehydrator, which she initially denied owning. During her testimony, Patterson admitted lying about never foraging mushrooms or owning a dehydrator, saying she panicked after realizing people had died from the meal. She also explained that she vomited after eating, attributing this to an eating disorder, which, she said, spared her from the others’ severe symptoms. Patterson denied claims that she lied to her guests about having cancer to lure them to her home that day. The case fascinated Australia The shocking case has captivated public and media attention across Australia. Throughout the trial, five different podcasts provided daily analysis, while multiple news outlets ran live blogs covering nearly every moment of the proceedings. Plans for a television drama and documentary about the case are already underway. Well-known Australian crime authors attended the trial regularly. Ahead of the verdict, dozens of people queued outside the courthouse in Morwell, eager to witness the outcome. Media reports said no immediate family members of the victims were present. Photos published earlier showed black privacy screens around Patterson’s home. Reporters from across Australia and abroad gathered outside the courthouse to speak with Patterson’s acquaintances. “I’m saddened, but it is what it is,” said Patterson’s friend, Ali Rose Prior, who wore sunglasses and appeared emotional. When asked about Patterson’s reaction to the verdicts, Prior replied, “I don’t know.” Prior, who attended the entire trial, said Patterson told her, “See you soon,” and confirmed she plans to visit her in prison.

At least 72 people have been killed and over 130 injured in Pakistan following ten days of heavy monsoon rains and flash floods, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and local officials said on Monday. The deaths, recorded since June 26, were reported from various parts of the country, including the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eastern Punjab, southern Sindh, and southwestern Balochistan provinces. The NDMA has urged local officials to remain on high alert and advised tourists to avoid visiting flood-affected areas, warning that continued rainfall could block highways and trigger further flash floods. Millions lack safe water months after Pakistan floods Emergency services have been operating at maximum capacity since last month, following an incident in which 17 tourists from the same family were swept away by the Swat River in the northwest. Four of them were rescued, while the bodies of the remaining 13 were later recovered. Videos circulating online showed members of the family stranded on a rooftop, pleading for help. The footage sparked widespread outrage and accusations of a slow response by emergency crews. Authorities have warned that a repeat of the extreme weather seen during the 2022 floods cannot be ruled out. At the time, heavy rains inundated nearly a third of Pakistan, killing 1,737 people.