United News of Bangladesh

Yemen’s Houthi rebels said Saturday that an Israeli airstrike in Sanaa killed the prime minister of their rebel-run government, marking the highest-ranking Houthi figure slain in the Israeli-U.S. campaign against the Iran-backed group. According to a statement from the Houthis, Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi was killed in Thursday’s strike in the capital along with several ministers. Others, including senior officials, were wounded, though no details were provided. The Houthis said the strike targeted al-Rahawi and members of his government during a “routine workshop” to review its activities over the past year. The attack took place as the rebels’ Al-Masirah television channel was airing a recorded speech by Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the reclusive leader of the group, who vowed retaliation against Israel while updating supporters on the Gaza conflict. Senior Houthi leaders often gathered to watch his addresses. On Thursday, the Israeli military said it had “precisely struck a Houthi terrorist regime military target” in Sanaa but offered no immediate comment on the reported death of the prime minister. Al-Rahawi, originally from the southern province of Abyan, was once an ally of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. He joined the Houthis after they seized Sanaa and much of northern Yemen in 2014, triggering the country’s protracted civil war. He was appointed prime minister in August 2024. His killing makes him the most senior Houthi official eliminated since the U.S. and Israel launched joint air and naval operations in response to the group’s missile and drone attacks on Israel and on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis have repeatedly claimed their attacks on shipping are meant to pressure Israel and show solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza. Their operations have disrupted global trade along the Red Sea, a vital route for nearly $1 trillion in goods annually. In May, the Trump administration announced an agreement with the Houthis to halt airstrikes in exchange for an end to attacks on commercial shipping. The rebels, however, later clarified that the deal did not prevent them from striking targets they view as aligned with Israel.

Russia launched a mass attack on southern Ukraine, local officials said, two days after a rare airstrike on central Kyiv killed 23 and damaged European Union diplomatic offices as U.S.-led efforts to end Moscow’s three-year war on its neighbor staggered. The assault overnight into Saturday killed at least one civilian and wounded 28 people, including children, in the Zaporizhzhia region, Gov. Ivan Fedorov reported, where a five-storey residential building was struck. Russia launched 537 strike drones and decoys, as well as 45 missiles, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. Ukrainian forces shot down or neutralized 510 drones and decoys, and 38 missiles, the force reported. The Kremlin on Thursday said Russia remained interested in continuing peace talks, despite the air attack on Kyiv that day that was one of the largest and deadliest since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Thursday's strike was one of the few times Russian drones and missiles have penetrated the heart of the Ukrainian capital. Children were among the dead, and search and rescue efforts continued for hours to pull people from the rubble. Hours after the attack, the Trump administration approved a $825 million arms sale to Ukraine that will include extended-range missiles and related equipment to boost its defensive capabilities, as U.S. efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia appear to have stalled.

An enraged mob torched a local parliament building in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province, leaving at least three people dead and five others injured, officials said Saturday. The blaze broke out late Friday in Makassar, the provincial capital. Television footage showed the council building engulfed in flames, turning the night sky a glowing orange. By morning, rescuers had recovered three bodies, while five people were hospitalized with burns or injuries after leaping from the building, said local disaster official Fadli Tahar. The violence spread to other cities. In West Java’s Bandung, protesters also set fire to a regional parliament building, though no casualties were reported. In Surabaya, the country’s second-largest city, demonstrators stormed the regional police headquarters after torching vehicles and tearing down fences. Security forces responded with tear gas and water cannons, as protesters fought back using fireworks and wooden clubs. Foreign embassies in Jakarta — including those of the United States, Australia, and several Southeast Asian nations — have urged their citizens to avoid protests and crowded public areas. Calm returned to much of the capital by Saturday as authorities cleared the wreckage of torched police offices, buses, and cars. The unrest, however, continued elsewhere, following five days of nationwide protests sparked by revelations that all 580 lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) on top of their salaries. The allowance, nearly 10 times Jakarta’s minimum wage, has fueled anger amid rising unemployment, soaring taxes, and mounting living costs. Public fury deepened after the death of 21-year-old ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan, who was reportedly struck and killed by a police armored vehicle while delivering food in Jakarta on Thursday. A video of the incident went viral, sparking outrage against security forces. Witnesses said a police vehicle from the Mobile Brigade sped through a crowd of protesters, ran over Kurniawan, and failed to stop. In Bali, hundreds of ride-hailing drivers and students staged a rare solidarity protest on Saturday, demanding police reform and the release of detainees. Marching toward the regional police headquarters, they clashed with riot police who fired tear gas, while protesters hurled rocks, bottles, and flares. Violent demonstrations also flared across multiple cities on Friday, including Medan, Solo, Yogyakarta, Magelang, Malang, Bengkulu, Pekanbaru, and Manokwari in Papua. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said nearly 950 people were arrested in Jakarta by Thursday alone. Authorities reported that about 25 police officers were hospitalized with serious injuries, though Komnas HAM believes civilian casualties are much higher. Amnesty International condemned the government’s response, accusing it of stifling free expression through excessive force. “No one should lose their lives for exercising their right to protest,” said Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia. “The authorities must immediately and unconditionally release anyone detained solely for exercising their rights.”

Israeli and Palestinian activists in Nazareth staged a rally Friday, wearing stickers resembling the “Press” insignia to emphasize that journalism should not be treated as a crime. The demonstration called for peace in Gaza and an end to the killing of journalists. Hundreds gathered in the northern Israeli town, donning blue-and-white “Press” stickers typically used to identify reporters in conflict zones. Protesters carried portraits of Palestinian journalists slain during the war and held a banner reading: “Don’t assassinate the truth.” Some banged on empty pots to highlight both hunger in Gaza and the silencing of the press. Among the victims remembered was 33-year-old Mariam Dagga, a freelance contributor for The Associated Press. Dagga was killed earlier this week alongside four other reporters and 17 others when Israeli forces struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where many journalists had taken shelter. The hospital strike, according to the Israeli military, was aimed at what it claimed was a Hamas surveillance camera. Officials said journalists were not targeted, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a “mishap.” Mariam, who had been documenting the struggles of displaced Palestinians and the efforts of doctors caring for the wounded and malnourished children, became one of nearly 200 journalists killed since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. The war erupted after a Hamas attack inside Israel left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. In response, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 63,000 people in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry. Her family, still grappling with the loss, shared painful memories. Mariam’s father, Riyad, broke down recalling the moment he learned of her death. “When I heard the news, I couldn’t walk. I collapsed,” he said, holding onto her last photographs. Her sister, Nada, was with her during the attack. She recounted their final exchange: “Mariam was on the stairs filming. She looked at me and smiled. That was our last look.” Mariam’s brother, Mohamed, was the one who carried her body from the stairwell to the hospital’s operations room after the strike. Her final photographs captured the damaged stairwell at Nasser Hospital, moments before she was killed.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday said the audio clip circulated on social media in the name of Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury involving Gono Parishad Odhikar leader Nurul Haque Nur is ‘fake or AI-generated’. The fabricated 25-second audio clip shared from multiple accounts including one named ‘Ismail Chowdhury Samrat’ attempted to show the adviser instructing an anonymous police officer regarding Nur, said a statement of the Home Ministry. The ministry clarified that the voice in the clip does not belong to the adviser but is an artificially generated or distorted version. Anyone familiar with the adviser’s voice can easily understand that it is not his voice, the statement said. The ministry said such false and misleading content misinforms the public, spreads rumours and undermines social order and the rule of law. The Ministry of Home Affairs strongly protests the creation and circulation of such fabricated audio recordings and the responsible people will be brought under strict legal action, it said. The ministry also cautioned against making or spreading any fake audio or content on social media and warned that legal action will be taken against those involved in such activities.

A US federal appeals court ruled on Friday that former President Donald Trump had no legal authority to impose widespread tariffs under emergency powers — a major legal setback for the former president. However, the court left the tariffs in effect for now, giving the administration until mid-October to appeal to the Supreme Court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a lower court’s ruling that Trump overreached under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) when he imposed tariffs on nearly all foreign imports. "It seems unlikely Congress meant to grant the President unlimited authority to impose tariffs," the judges said in a 7-4 decision. Despite the ruling, the tariffs remain active while the legal process continues. Trump vowed to challenge the decision, claiming it would “destroy the United States of America” if not overturned. A White House spokesperson, Kush Desai, maintained that Trump acted legally and expressed confidence in ultimately winning the case. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Schwab, a lawyer representing small businesses harmed by the tariffs, said the ruling confirms that the president cannot impose tariffs without limits, protecting U.S. companies and consumers from “uncertainty and harm.” However, Jake Colvin, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, warned that businesses may not feel immediate relief and called on Congress to reclaim its constitutional role over trade policy. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said he would push for votes to repeal the tariffs whenever possible. What the ruling means for Trump’s trade agendaThe decision complicates Trump’s efforts to reshape U.S. trade policy unilaterally. While other legal avenues exist for imposing import taxes, they come with greater limits and longer timelines. Trump’s unpredictable tariff strategies have unsettled global markets, strained alliances, and raised concerns about inflation and economic slowdown. However, he has also used them to pressure countries like the EU and Japan into accepting trade terms favorable to the U.S. and to generate revenue to help offset his tax cuts. Before the ruling, some legal experts, like Ashley Akers from law firm Holland & Knight, noted that tariffs were a core part of Trump’s trade negotiation strategy — one that could be weakened by the court’s decision. A dissenting opinion from four judges argued that the 1977 law does not violate constitutional limits and does allow the president some authority to act in emergencies. The Justice Department warned in recent court filings that overturning the tariffs could lead to billions in refund claims and a major hit to the federal budget. So far, the U.S. has collected $159 billion in tariff revenue, more than twice the amount collected in the previous year. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused the court of interfering with the president’s foreign policy powers and also vowed to appeal. What tariffs are involved? The ruling focuses on two sets of Trump-imposed tariffs: “Liberation Day” tariffs (April 2): Trump imposed up to 50% tariffs on imports from countries with which the U.S. runs trade deficits, and a 10% baseline tariff on nearly all others. He justified them under a declared national emergency over the U.S. trade deficit. “Trafficking tariffs” (Feb 1): Tariffs placed on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China in response to a claimed national emergency involving the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the U.S.Critics argued that the longstanding U.S. trade deficit — ongoing for 49 years — does not constitute the kind of “extraordinary threat” required to invoke emergency powers under IEEPA. The Court of International Trade had previously ruled in May that the Liberation Day tariffs exceeded Trump’s legal authority. It also rejected the trafficking tariffs, saying they did not directly address the stated emergencies. What’s not affected? The case does not challenge: Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos imposed after a Commerce Department investigation cited national security risks.China-specific tariffs under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, which President Biden has kept in place. What happens next? If the Supreme Court takes up the case and overturns the tariffs, the U.S. could face massive refund demands from importers. Trump may still try to impose tariffs under other legal tools, such as: Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days on countries with big trade surpluses.Section 301, which lets the president retaliate against unfair trade practices — the legal basis for his trade war with China.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked the visas of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other Palestinian officials ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, a decision the Palestinian Authority (PA) has condemned as a breach of international law. A U.S. State Department official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of visa matters, confirmed Friday that the new restrictions target Abbas and other members of the Palestinian Authority. However, Palestinian diplomats stationed at the U.N. were granted exceptions and can continue their duties in New York. This action is part of an ongoing series of measures taken by the Trump administration targeting Palestinian officials. It comes at a time of renewed conflict in Gaza, where Israel has declared the largest city a combat zone. Additionally, the U.S. has suspended a program that previously allowed wounded Palestinian children from Gaza to receive medical care in the U.S., following pressure from conservative voices online. In a statement, the State Department said it is denying some visa applications from Palestinian officials, including those affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)."It is in our national security interest to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not fulfilling their commitments and for obstructing peace efforts," the department said. It also emphasized that both the PLO and PA must reject terrorism and stop promoting it in education in order to be considered credible partners for peace, as required under U.S. law. The Palestinian Authority criticized the move as a violation of the U.S.’s responsibilities as the host country of the United Nations, citing the U.N. Headquarters Agreement and the PA’s status as a U.N. observer state."The Palestinian presidency expressed deep regret and astonishment," the statement said, calling the decision a violation of international norms. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the organization would seek clarification from Washington, noting,"It’s important that all member and observer states are able to be represented." Despite the visa revocations, the U.S. confirmed it would grant waivers to allow Palestinian representatives at the U.N. mission to continue operating in New York under existing host country agreements. The move reflects the administration’s broader policy of tightening entry restrictions and making public examples of controversial visa decisions. In one recent case, a top State Department official publicly posted about revoking visas for British music duo Bob Vylan, who led a chant critical of the Israeli military. Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour said President Abbas had been scheduled to attend and speak at the General Assembly, as he has done for years. He was also expected to participate in a high-level meeting on September 22, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, focused on advancing a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

Israel officially designated Gaza’s largest city as a combat zone on Friday and recovered the bodies of two hostages, marking the beginning of a new phase in its military campaign, which has faced sharp criticism from the international community. As fighting resumed, Gaza's health ministry reported the death toll had risen to 63,025, with 59 more fatalities in the last 24 hours. Despite the renewed military activity, aid groups and religious institutions sheltering civilians in Gaza City said they would not evacuate, standing firm in their commitment to support those still facing hunger and displacement. This development comes after weeks of Israeli plans to expand operations in Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are taking refuge amid widespread famine. The Israeli military has escalated airstrikes on the outskirts of the city in recent days. UN warns Israeli assault on Gaza City would crush hopes of ending war Heavy smoke and loud explosions were visible from southern Israel on Friday morning, underscoring the intensifying military campaign. Israeli authorities claim Gaza City remains a stronghold for Hamas and allege that underground tunnels continue to be used, despite previous raids during the nearly 23-month-long conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel must dismantle Hamas’ presence in Gaza City to prevent future attacks like the one on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war. Though the United Nations and aid organizations have condemned the offensive, residents say the violence has been constant."The massacres never stopped, even during the so-called humanitarian pauses," said local resident Mohamed Aboul Hadi in a message from Gaza City. Meanwhile, displaced families have started setting up makeshift tents in central Gaza, near the Nuseirat refugee camp, citing dire living conditions."We are thrown out like animals — no, worse than animals," said Mohammed Maarouf, who is sheltering with his family of nine. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas but is staffed by medical professionals, over 63,000 people have been killed since the war began. The toll includes 322 deaths due to malnutrition, with 121 of them children. While Israel disputes the figures, it has not released its own count, and the UN continues to regard the ministry’s data as the most reliable available. Escalation Amid Evacuation Warnings Last month, Israel introduced temporary "tactical pauses" in fighting during certain hours to allow humanitarian aid to pass. However, relief organizations reported ongoing difficulties due to blockades, theft, and military restrictions. On Friday, the Israeli military reversed that policy, ramping up operations and mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists."We will escalate our operations until all hostages are returned and Hamas is dismantled," said army spokesperson Avichay Adraee, urging civilians in Gaza City to evacuate south, calling it “inevitable.” Many residents began fleeing again, loading their belongings onto trucks and carts. However, many expressed despair over the lack of safe shelter."There’s no safe place left. We don’t know where to go," said Saddam Yazigi. Despite the renewed bombardment, around 440 people sheltering at the Holy Family Church chose to remain, along with clergy members."When danger comes, we move closer to the walls," said church member Farid Jubran. The U.N. and other NGOs have also chosen to stay in Gaza City. Yet, the Israeli military did not provide prior notice of the resumed daytime fighting, aid groups said. The Norwegian Refugee Council, which coordinates humanitarian efforts, reported being caught off guard. The U.N. warned that medical services may lose up to half their hospital capacity. "We cannot serve two million besieged people in the south," said Zaher al-Wahidi, spokesperson for Gaza’s Health Ministry. This offensive coincides with last week’s declaration of famine in Gaza City by the world’s leading food security agency. An Israeli military source stated they would continue facilitating aid — but did not clarify how that would be done amid the combat. "This will have a devastating impact on already malnourished, displaced, and traumatized civilians," said the U.N.’s humanitarian office. Hostage Remains Recovered Israel also reported the recovery of the remains of two hostages — Ilan Weiss, 55, and another individual who has not yet been publicly identified. Weiss was killed during the October 7 assault on Kibbutz Be’eri. "We will not stop until every hostage, living or dead, is brought home," said Netanyahu. Hamas’ military wing, via spokesperson Abu Obeida, said its fighters were prepared for battle in Gaza City and would try to keep remaining hostages alive, but acknowledged fighting is likely near where hostages are being held. Currently, around 50 of the original 251 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to still be alive, according to Israeli authorities. Roughly 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed in the October 7 attack. Some hostages were released during temporary ceasefires or exchanges. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum — an advocacy group pushing for hostage recovery — renewed its call for a deal. "Time is running out. The government must remain at the negotiation table until every last hostage returns," the group stated.

Japan will deploy its domestically developed long-range missiles a year earlier than planned, the Defense Ministry announced Friday, as it strengthens its strike-back capability amid rising regional security challenges. The first batch of Type-12 anti-ship missiles, with a range of about 1,000 kilometers, will be installed at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto by March 2026, the ministry said. Japan is enhancing its military self-sufficiency to counter China’s growing naval presence and rising tensions from North Korea and Russia. In June, Japan observed two Chinese aircraft carriers operating near its southern islands simultaneously for the first time. The move marks a shift from Japan’s post-World War II self-defense policy. A 2022 security strategy highlighted China as the main threat and called for a closer Japan-U.S. alliance and expanded roles for the Self-Defense Forces. Military spending is set to rise to 2% of GDP by 2027. Japan also plans to deploy U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles this year and expand unmanned air, sea, and underwater drones for coastal surveillance.

Rescuers in Pakistan are racing to evacuate tens of thousands stranded by floods in eastern Punjab province, with many still lacking food and medical care as authorities struggle to deliver aid. The floods began Monday after heavy rains forced sudden water releases from Indian dams on the Sutlej, Chenab and Ravi rivers, the worst deluge in the region in 40 years. Nearly 300,000 people have been evacuated and more than 1 million affected, said Irfan Ali Kathia of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority. At least 20 people have died in Punjab this week, raising the nationwide toll to 820 since late June. Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited flood-hit Narowal district Friday to oversee rescue operations. Officials said around 1,100 relief and medical camps are operating, with more being set up. Floodwaters have inundated villages near Lahore, sparking fears for the city. Authorities breached embankments along the Chenab River to ease pressure, but the National Disaster Management Authority warned rivers remain dangerously high and more rain could worsen the crisis. Displaced families say they urgently need food and medicine. Aid workers report widespread infections, diarrhea, and malaria in submerged villages. Livestock are also falling sick due to lack of fodder and veterinary care. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif pledged compensation for losses to homes, crops, and livestock, saying the priority is saving lives and delivering aid. The disaster highlights Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change. In neighboring India, nearly 100 people have died in flood-hit Kashmir.