United News of Bangladesh

Pakistan will take over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) starting Tuesday, overseeing the council’s proceedings throughout July, according to state media reports. This marks a key moment in Pakistan’s ongoing two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, which began in January 2025. Islamabad secured the position with a strong mandate, receiving 182 votes out of 193 during the election. US vetoes UN security council call for immediate Gaza ceasefire The presidency of the UNSC rotates every month among its 15 member states, following the alphabetical order of their names. For July, the responsibility falls to Pakistan, placing it at the helm of one of the UN’s most influential bodies. Source: With inputs from PTI    

Four people have been detained in Istanbul for publishing a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad, which authorities say insults religious values. The arrests follow an investigation launched by Istanbul prosecutors into the alleged "public insult to religious values." The controversial cartoon appeared in the June 26 issue of satirical magazine Leman, referencing the ongoing Israel-Iran tensions and showing the Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Moses shaking hands over a devastated cityscape. The cartoon triggered widespread anger. Videos shared on social media show large crowds demonstrating outside Leman's Istanbul office, with some protesters attempting to enter the building by force. Fahrettin Altun, Türkiye's Communications Director, denounced the publication on social platform X, vowing that those who "shamelessly attack the sacred values of our nation" would face consequences. “This insult to our Prophet, who is the ultimate guide for Muslims, cannot be justified under the guise of press freedom,” Altun stated, calling the cartoon the product of a "sick mentality" that will be brought to justice. DU students protest BJP spokespersons’ derogatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad He urged the public to act with restraint and warned against provocations. Altun also assured that all state institutions are taking appropriate steps to address what he described as "this despicable attack on our faith and values." Additional security has been deployed around the magazine’s premises to prevent any untoward incidents, officials said. Depictions of prophets, including Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Moses — both revered in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism — are strictly prohibited in Islamic tradition. Source: Anadolu 

Dozens of international charities and non-governmental organizations, including Oxfam, Save the Children and Amnesty, called Tuesday for an Israeli and US-backed aid mechanism for Gaza to disband over repeated incidents of chaos and deadly violence against Palestinians heading toward its sites. At least seven Palestinians were killed seeking aid in southern and central Gaza between late Monday and early Tuesday. The deaths came after Israeli forces killed at least 74 people in Gaza earlier Monday with airstrikes that left 30 dead at a seaside cafe and gunfire that left 23 dead as Palestinians tried to get desperately needed food aid, witnesses and health officials said. Next week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington to meeting US President Donald Trump and other administration officials. Netanyahu’s visit comes as Trump has signalled he is ready for Israel and Hamas to wind down the war in Gaza, which is likely to be a focus of their talks. 74 killed in Gaza as Israeli strikes hit cafe, aid seekers shot The war has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says more than half of the dead were women and children. The Hamas attack in October 2023 that sparked the war killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 others hostage. Some 50 hostages remain, many of them thought to be dead.

The outcome of New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary—pitting progressive Zohran Mamdani against former Governor Andrew Cuomo—is expected to be confirmed Tuesday as election officials release the next round of ranked choice vote tallies. Although Mamdani claimed victory on primary night after gaining a significant lead and Cuomo conceded shortly after, final confirmation awaits due to the city’s ranked choice voting system. This method allows voters to rank candidates by preference, with lower-choice votes redistributed until someone surpasses 50%. The Board of Elections will begin its initial tabulations at noon, which could officially secure Mamdani’s win. If confirmed, he would move on to the November general election to face a field that includes incumbent Mayor Eric Adams—and possibly Cuomo again, should he pursue an independent run. At 33, Mamdani—a democratic socialist and state Assembly member—emerged from relative obscurity to run a high-energy campaign based on populist reforms. His rise stunned political observers, especially as Cuomo sought a comeback from the sexual misconduct scandal that forced his 2021 resignation. Even without final results, Mamdani’s performance has made waves nationally. His campaign, focused on easing economic burdens, claims to offer a fresh model for Democrats struggling to counter Donald Trump’s political resurgence. Despite his momentum, many in the Democratic establishment remain cautious. While praising his campaign, some remain hesitant due to his progressive views, including past criticisms of policing, use of the word "genocide" for Israeli actions in Gaza, and his embrace of democratic socialism. If elected, Mamdani would be New York City's first Muslim and first Indian American mayor, and among its youngest leaders. Republicans have already begun targeting Mamdani as a symbol of left-wing extremism. Former President Trump and GOP allies have seized on his candidacy to warn voters about the direction of the Democratic Party. “This is the kind of Democrat Republicans want to run against,” said Grant Reeher, political science professor at Syracuse University, arguing Mamdani offers a stark contrast for national GOP campaigns. Under the city’s ranked choice system, voters can rank up to five candidates. If no candidate gets a majority of first-choice votes, lower-ranked choices are redistributed until someone reaches 50%. Certification of the final result is expected by July 15. In office since 2021, Mamdani has positioned his lack of government experience as an advantage. His platform includes free city buses and child care, rent freezes, and government-run grocery stores, funded by higher taxes on the wealthy. Critics call these plans unrealistic. Cuomo, meanwhile, focused his campaign on his leadership credentials, arguing he was best equipped to stabilize the city. He avoided grassroots campaigning, relying on name recognition and major fundraising, and emphasized fighting antisemitism. Cuomo has not formally withdrawn from the general election and left the door open for an independent run. Mayor Eric Adams, who exited the Democratic primary in April due to a now-dismissed federal bribery case, is running as an independent. Though he largely stepped back from campaigning, Adams resumed his reelection push after Mamdani’s claim of victory, framing the race as a contest between working-class values and privilege.

The death toll from Monday's massive explosion and fire at a pharmaceutical factory in India’s southern state of Telangana has risen to at least 36 while about three dozen were left injured, authorities said Tuesday. The fire department recovered the charred bodies of 34 workers from the accident site in an industrial area about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the state capital Hyderabad, the state’s fire services director GV Narayana Rao told The Associated Press. Two other workers succumbed to burns and were pronounced dead in hospital, Rao said, adding that debris of the gutted pharmaceutical unit of Sigachi Industries was still being removed to find out if any more workers were trapped. Nearly three dozen injured workers were admitted to hospitals, he said. “The whole structure of the factory has collapsed. Fire has been doused, and we hope to finish removing the debris in the next few hours,” Rao said. Sigachi Industries did not disclose what led to the explosion and fire, but said the plant's core manufacturing infrastructure was damaged and facility operations would be halted for 90 days. The plant produces microcrystalline cellulose, a chemical compound commonly used in making drugs, the company said. At least 8 killed in explosion and fire at pharmaceutical factory in India The explosion and subsequent fire was reported on Monday in the factory’s spray dryer unit, which is used to process raw material into fine powder for making drugs, Rao said. The state’s Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha said there were 108 workers inside the factory at the time of the explosion. “As bodies were badly burnt and mutilated, a special medical team has been deployed to conduct DNA tests”, said Narasimha, adding the state government has set up a panel to investigate the cause of the incident. Witnesses said they heard the explosion from a couple of kilometers away from the site. India is home to some of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, playing a pivotal role in the global supply of generic medicines and vaccines. The country’s robust manufacturing and cost-effective production have made it a hub for pharma giants.

Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office pending an investigation over a leaked phone call with a former Cambodian leader. The judges voted unanimously Tuesday to take the petition accusing her of a breach of ethics, and voted 7 to 2 to suspend her from duty. Paetongtarn has faced growing dissatisfaction over her handling of the latest border dispute with Cambodia, involving an armed confrontation on May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed. The leaked phone call while she engaged in diplomacy over the border dispute set off a string of complaints and public protests. Paetongtarn said Monday she would accept and follow the court process although she didn’t want to see her work interrupted. “If you ask me whether I’m worried, I am,” she told reporters. Earlier Tuesday, King Maha Vajiralongkorn had endorsed a Cabinet reshuffle forced when a major party left Paetongtarn's coalition government over the leaked phone call. The reshuffle replaced former Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, which had held several Cabinet positions in her government. Protesters in Bangkok demand Thai prime minister's resignation Paetongtarn also faces investigations over an alleged breach of ethics by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, whose decision could also lead to her removal. Outrage over the call mostly revolved around Paetongtarn’s comments toward an outspoken regional army commander and her perceived attempts to appease Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen to ease tensions at the border. Thousands of conservative, nationalist-leaning protesters rallied in central Bangkok on Saturday to demand Paetongtarn’s resignation.

At least 74 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Monday, as Israeli airstrikes hit a crowded seaside cafe and troops opened fire on residents seeking food aid, according to witnesses and health officials. An Israeli airstrike struck the Al-Baqa Cafe in Gaza City, killing at least 30 people and injuring dozens more, many critically, Fares Awad, head of the Health Ministry’s emergency and ambulance service in northern Gaza, confirmed. Ali Abu Ateila, who was inside the cafe at the time, described the moment of the strike: “Without a warning, all of a sudden, a warplane hit the place, shaking it like an earthquake,” he said. The cafe, one of the few remaining businesses still operating during the nearly 20-month-long war, was a gathering spot for residents seeking internet access and charging points for their phones. Videos circulating on social media showed bloodied bodies on the ground and the wounded being carried away wrapped in blankets. Two other Israeli airstrikes on a street in Gaza City killed 15 people, Shifa Hospital reported. Another airstrike near the town of Zawaida killed six people, according to Al-Aqsa Hospital. In separate incidents, Israeli forces shot and killed at least 11 Palestinians seeking food aid in southern Gaza, according to witnesses, hospital officials, and the Gaza Health Ministry. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said it received the bodies of people shot while returning from an aid distribution site associated with the Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF). The shooting is part of a deadly pattern that has killed more than 500 Palestinians around the controversial aid program over the past month. The latest shootings occurred approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the GHF site in Khan Younis as Palestinians returned along the only accessible route. Many residents are forced to walk long distances to the GHF hubs, hoping to obtain desperately needed food supplies. Nasser Hospital also reported one person killed near a GHF hub in the southern city of Rafah. Another person was killed while waiting for aid near the Netzarim corridor, which separates northern and southern Gaza, according to Al-Awda Hospital. In a separate incident, 10 people were killed at a United Nations aid warehouse in northern Gaza, Gaza's Health Ministry confirmed. Witnesses describe gunfire on civilians Monzer Hisham Ismail, a witness to the Khan Younis shooting, said Israeli troops attacked crowds returning from the GHF hub. “We were targeted by (the Israeli) artillery,” he said. Another witness, Yousef Mahmoud Mokheimar, who was walking with dozens of others, said Israeli troops in tanks and other vehicles approached rapidly. “They fired at us indiscriminately,” he said, adding that he was shot in the leg, while another man was shot trying to rescue him. Mokheimar also said Israeli forces detained six people, including three children. “We don’t know whether they are still alive,” he added. 66 children die from malnutrition in Gaza as Israel’s siege tightens The Israeli military said it is reviewing information about the incidents. It has previously stated that it fires warning shots at individuals who move suspiciously or approach troops, including those collecting aid. Israel and the US have promoted the GHF as an alternative to the UN-coordinated aid system, which they accuse Hamas of exploiting. The UN denies systematic diversion of aid. The Israeli military said new steps have been taken to improve organization at aid sites, including fencing, signage, and additional access routes. Israel maintains that it targets militants and blames civilian casualties on Hamas, accusing the group of operating within civilian areas. Strikes intensify in Gaza city Israeli bombardments escalated across Gaza City and the nearby Jabaliya refugee camp, following widespread evacuation orders issued on Sunday and Monday for much of northern Gaza. Palestinians described intense overnight attacks, calling them a "scorched earth" campaign. Mohamed Mahdy, a Gaza City resident who fled his damaged home Monday morning, said: “They destroy whatever left standing… the sound of bombing hasn’t stopped.” Fares Awad of the emergency services said most of Gaza City and Jabaliya have become inaccessible to ambulances due to ongoing strikes, leaving many trapped under rubble. The Israeli military said civilians were notified of the operations, which targeted Hamas military command and control centers. The ongoing war has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and fighters. The ministry says more than half of those killed were women and children. The conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, which killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and led to 251 hostages being taken. Israel says about 50 hostages remain in captivity, many of them believed to be dead. Source: AP

Israeli airstrikes on Monday targeted a café, a school, and humanitarian aid centers in Gaza, killing at least 95 Palestinians and injuring many others. Among the dead were women, children, and journalist Ismail Abu Hatab. The most lethal strike occurred at Al-Baqa café in northern Gaza City, where 39 people were killed. Witnesses say the area, which had no political or military affiliation, was full of displaced civilians, including children celebrating a birthday. The bombing caused massive destruction and left a crater where the café once stood. Al Jazeera's Hani Mahmoud reported that the attack came without warning, hitting a place considered a haven for displaced families. Elsewhere in Gaza City, Israeli forces also bombed the Yafa school, which had been housing hundreds of displaced Palestinians. Witnesses say they were given just five minutes to evacuate. In central Gaza, Israeli strikes hit the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir el-Balah. Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed chaos as tents sheltering displaced families were damaged. Reporter Tareq Abu Azzoum said this was at least the 10th time Israeli forces targeted that hospital. Gaza’s Government Media Office condemned the attack as a direct threat to the fragile healthcare system. In Khan Younis, southern Gaza, at least 15 more Palestinians were killed while waiting for food at aid distribution centers operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), and 50 others were wounded. Israeli airstrike on Iran’s Evin Prison raises fears for political prisoners These hubs, supported by the U.S. and Israel, have seen nearly 600 deaths since GHF began overseeing aid in late May. The Israeli military admitted civilians were harmed and said it is reviewing its actions. A Haaretz report cited Israeli soldiers claiming they were ordered to shoot civilians at these sites. The attacks happened as Israeli officials traveled to Washington for renewed ceasefire talks, with U.S. officials reportedly pushing for a truce. Qatar, a key mediator, confirmed U.S. interest but warned about the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Talks are also expected to address broader regional issues, including Iran. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s cabinet is reviewing its Gaza strategy. Military officials claim the current operation is nearing its goals, and there may be new opportunities to recover hostages still held by Palestinian groups. Hamas, however, stated that no new ceasefire proposals have been received and reiterated its commitment to ending the suffering of Gazans through negotiations. Source: Al Jazeera

President Donald Trump has directed his top Cabinet officials to review current U.S. policy on Cuba and propose ways to strengthen sanctions within the next 30 days. In a memorandum issued Monday, Trump instructed officials to focus the review on Cuba’s treatment of dissidents, policies targeting opposition voices, and measures to curb financial transactions that “disproportionately benefit the Cuban government, military, intelligence, or security agencies at the expense of the Cuban people.” One significant proposal under consideration is to shut down all US tourism to the island and limit educational tours to groups that are organized and operated solely by American citizens. The move follows Trump’s repeated pledges to roll back the easing of sanctions and other penalties on Cuba introduced under former Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. In his final days in office, Biden had lifted the US designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. According to a fact sheet, Trump’s memorandum “supports the economic embargo of Cuba and opposes calls in the United Nations and other international forums for its termination.” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez swiftly condemned the move, calling it an act of aggression. “The Presidential Memorandum vs #Cuba released today by the US government strengthens the aggression & economic blockade that punishes the whole Cuban people and is the main obstacle to our development,” Rodríguez wrote on X. “It’s a criminal behavior that violates the #HumanRights of an entire nation.” Trump halts trade talks with Canada over digital tax on tech firms The Trump administration has already imposed stricter travel restrictions on Cuba, placing the country among seven nations facing heightened limitations on visitors. It has also revoked temporary legal protections for about 300,000 Cubans, which had shielded them from deportation. Additionally, the administration has announced visa restrictions on Cuban and foreign officials involved in Cuba’s medical missions, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio has labeled “forced labor.” In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio accused the US of trying to discredit the medical missions and criticized the reversal of policies that previously welcomed Cuban migrants. Rubio, whose family emigrated from Cuba in the 1950s before Fidel Castro’s communist revolution, has long advocated for tough US sanctions on the island nation. Source: AP

The US Senate on Monday launched an intense push to finalize President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax breaks and spending cuts package, with Republicans facing internal divisions and protests ahead of Trump’s July 4 deadline to pass the bill. Dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” the 940-page legislation has become the central priority for both the White House and Republican-controlled Congress, though many proposed amendments—mostly from Democrats—are expected to fail in what’s called a vote-a-rama session, as reported by AP. After a weekend of delays, senators gathered Monday for what is likely to be a marathon of votes and negotiations. Behind the scenes, lawmakers relaxed with card games, cigars, and pizza while waiting for progress on the bill, which includes significant tax breaks, spending cuts, and an increase to the debt ceiling by \$5 trillion. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said there is still hope to wrap up votes by midnight, though late Monday that timeline was uncertain. “It’s time to vote,” Thune later declared on the Senate floor, pushing back against Democratic criticism that the package harms working families, noting similar welfare reforms were enacted under former President Bill Clinton. Musk, protests and political fallout Amid the legislative scramble, billionaire Elon Musk fiercely criticized Republicans for backing the bill, calling the GOP the “PORKY PIG PARTY!!” and pledging to help primary members who support it. Musk confirmed on X his support for Rep. Thomas Massie, who voted against the measure, even as Trump allies prepared a super PAC to target Massie in upcoming elections. Musk had previously donated \$250 million to Trump’s campaign but recently said he would spend “a lot less” on politics. Meanwhile, protests erupted at the Capitol. Police arrested 38 people from the group Repairers of the Breach, who were charged with crowding and obstructing. Some GOP senators remained cautious about criticizing Musk. “We should be thankful for the work that he did,” Sen. Jim Justice said, while acknowledging Musk’s “real ego.” Trump to visit new Florida immigration detention facility Democrats target GOP bill, Trump’s crypto interests Democrats introduced amendments to block tax breaks for the wealthy and cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, and rural hospitals, though Republicans rejected most measures. Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowski broke ranks on amendments to protect rural hospitals and food stamp programs. Another Democratic amendment aimed to ban Trump and his family from profiting off cryptocurrency ventures, but Republicans dismissed the proposal. GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis argued such measures would stifle innovation. Trump’s cabinet, immigration and foreign policy moves President Trump directed his cabinet to review US sanctions on Cuba, with a focus on tightening restrictions within 30 days, particularly on remittances and tourism. Trump also plans to visit a new migrant detention center in Florida’s Everglades, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Rep. Byron Donalds. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the facility is ready for operation and is effectively escape-proof due to the surrounding wetlands and wildlife. Separately, Trump signed off on a \$510 million arms sale to Israel, including 7,000 bomb guidance kits, reaffirming US support for Israeli defense. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the White House next week as part of ongoing talks about a ceasefire in Gaza. Further legal, economic and political developments The Trump administration is also facing legal battles over its use of the Alien Enemies Act against Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. The case is pending before the conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and may reach the Supreme Court. In domestic policy, Trump is preparing to impose new tariff rates on several countries, including Japan, after the July 9 expiration of a tariff pause. The Senate is expected to continue the amendment process late into the night, with final votes on the bill possible before July 4, fulfilling Trump’s self-imposed deadline.