United News of Bangladesh

President Donald Trump will visit a new immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades on Tuesday, showcasing his border crackdown in the face of humanitarian and environmental concerns. The trip was confirmed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday. “When the president comes tomorrow, he’s going to be able to see,” DeSantis told reporters. He added that “I think by tomorrow, it’ll be ready for business.” The governor, who unsuccessfully challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination last year, said he spoke with Trump over the weekend. He also said the site obtained approval from the Department of Homeland Security. “What’ll happen is you bring bring people in there,” DeSantis said during an unrelated press conference in Wildwood. “They ain’t going anywhere once they’re there, unless you want them to go somewhere, because good luck getting to civilization. So the security is amazing.” The facility has drawn protests over its potential impact on the delicate ecosystem and criticism that Trump is trying to send a cruel message to immigrants. Some Native American leaders have also opposed construction, saying the land is sacred. The detention facility is being built on an isolated airstrip about 50 miles west of Miami, and it could house 5,000 detainees. The surrounding swampland is filled with mosquitos, pythons and alligators. “There’s really nowhere to go. If you’re housed there, if you’re detained there, there’s no way in, no way out,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier told conservative media commentator Benny Johnson. He's described the facility as “Alligator Alcatraz,” a moniker embraced by the Trump administration. DHS posted an image of alligators wearing hats with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's acronym. State officials in Florida are spearheading construction but much of the cost is being covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, which is best known for responding to hurricanes and other natural disasters. Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has emphasised the importance of strengthening comprehensive and strict Party self-governance by promoting good conduct. He came up with the remarks while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The session took place one day before the anniversary of the founding of the CPC. Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, extended festive greetings to all Party members nationwide, reports Xinhua. He delivered the speech after reviewing briefings and engaging in discussions centered on implementing the Party central authorities' eight-point rules to improve conduct. Xi highlighted that the eight-point rules are a key measure by the Party to practice self-governance in the new era. President Xi calls for ethnic solidarity to build a better life Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xi stated that the CPC Central Committee has maintained strict rules and strong discipline, focusing on correcting undesirable work styles such as unnecessary formalities, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance through education campaigns and rectification measures. These efforts have enhanced Party governance and generated positive momentum for the Party's development and the nation's progress. Xi highlighted that advancing Chinese modernisation is a challenging task within a complex governance environment, making self-reform essential. He emphasised that senior officials must lead by example in practising self-reform, which should be rooted in strengthening Party ideals and convictions. On anti-corruption, Xi underscored the importance of regulating power and resolutely addressing violations of discipline and law. Party conduct and discipline must be turned from strict requirements into concrete actions, allowing ironclad rules to show their "iron teeth," thus sending a clear signal to the entire Party of unwavering strictness and zero tolerance, creating a strong deterrent effect, Xi said. Xi urged officials at all levels to take responsibility for Party self-governance, to face problems directly, thoroughly implement rectifications, curb unhealthy tendencies, and establish mechanisms for sustained sound Party conduct.

At least 22 Palestinians were killed and 20 others injured on Monday after Israeli forces opened fire on people near food aid sites in southern and northern Gaza, according to witnesses, hospitals, and the territory’s Health Ministry. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported receiving the bodies of 11 individuals shot while returning from an aid distribution center operated under the Israeli and U.S.-supported Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF). The program, aimed at addressing severe food shortages, has seen over 500 Palestinians killed in incidents during aid distributions in the past month, health officials say. Additionally, 10 more Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike on a U.N. aid warehouse in Gaza City, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Witnesses describe troops firing on civilians The southern Gaza incident occurred roughly 3 kilometers from the GHF aid site in Khan Younis. Witnesses said Israeli forces fired at crowds traveling along one of the few accessible routes to reach the center. “They shot at us without warning,” said Yousef Mahmoud Mokheimar, who sustained a leg injury during the incident. He claimed troops initially fired warning shots before targeting the crowd directly. Mokheimar also reported seeing Israeli forces detain six people, including three children, though their fate remains unknown. Another survivor, Monzer Hisham Ismail, said those returning from the aid hub faced artillery fire. One more person was killed near a GHF center in Rafah, hospital officials added. The Israeli military acknowledged the reports and said it was reviewing the incidents. The army maintains it fires warning shots when individuals approach troops suspiciously, including near aid sites. Israel, backed by the U.S., seeks to replace U.N. and international aid efforts with the GHF system, accusing Hamas of diverting aid for its own use—an allegation the U.N. denies. Israel’s military says it has introduced new measures, including additional routes, fences, and signage, to better organize aid distribution. Israeli settlers attack military base in the West Bank Escalating strikes across northern Gaza In northern Gaza, at least 10 Palestinians were killed when Israeli forces struck a U.N. aid warehouse in Gaza City. It is unclear whether aid was present at the facility during the attack. The Gaza City strike coincided with intensified Israeli bombardment of the city and the Jabaliya refugee camp. Israeli authorities issued sweeping evacuation orders on Sunday and Monday, warning residents of military operations targeting Hamas command centers. Palestinians reported heavy airstrikes overnight, describing the offensive as a “scorched earth” campaign against buildings and infrastructure. “They’re destroying everything left,” said Gaza City resident Mohamed Mahdy, who fled his damaged home early Monday. Israeli airstrikes kill at least 72 in Gaza as ceasefire hopes grow Emergency officials said vast parts of Gaza City and Jabaliya are inaccessible due to the strikes, preventing ambulances from reaching people trapped under rubble. The Israeli military says its operations focus on targeting Hamas militants and command centers, and blames civilian casualties on the group’s use of densely populated areas for military purposes.  

Representatives from dozens of countries convened Monday in Spain for a major United Nations conference aimed at addressing widening global inequalities and generating the trillions of dollars required to close the development gap—without the participation of the United States, once a key contributor. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the four-day Financing for Development summit in Seville, highlighting the difficult context: rising debt, falling investments, dwindling foreign aid, and growing trade barriers. “Development depends on financing, yet right now that engine is faltering,” Guterres warned in his opening remarks. “We have come to Seville to change direction—to fix and accelerate the engine of development so that investment flows at the scale and speed the world needs.” Co-hosted by the U.N. and the Spanish government, the conference is seen as a critical moment to address the estimated $4 trillion annual shortfall in funding needed to tackle poverty, achieve the U.N.’s lagging 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and lift millions out of hardship. Despite ongoing global instability and heightened geopolitical tensions, conference organizers remain hopeful the international community can confront the pressing challenge of ensuring access to food, healthcare, education, and clean water for all. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez echoed that optimism, telling delegates the summit was an opportunity to reject the belief that global rivalry and competition should define humanity’s future. Israeli airstrike on Iran’s Evin Prison raises fears for political prisoners Ambitious Plan to Bridge the Financial Divide Over 70 world leaders and thousands of officials from development banks, international financial bodies, philanthropies, businesses, and civil society groups are attending the Seville gathering, according to the U.N. However, the absence of the United States has cast a shadow over proceedings. Washington withdrew from the summit earlier this month after objecting to a 38-page outcome document that had been under negotiation for months among the U.N.’s 193 member states. Despite U.S. opposition, the other nations endorsed the agreement by consensus, paving the way for its formal adoption in Seville under the name The Seville Commitment (Compromiso de Sevilla). The document outlines urgent reforms to bridge the $4 trillion financing gap, including proposals for countries to ensure tax revenues amount to at least 15% of GDP, a threefold increase in lending from multilateral development banks, and mechanisms to boost private investment in essential areas such as infrastructure. It also emphasizes reforms to help countries manage soaring debt burdens. U.N. trade chief Rebeca Grynspan recently underscored the severity of the crisis, stating that “development is regressing” amid rising global debt. In 2024, 3.3 billion people lived in countries that spent more on debt interest than on health or education—a figure projected to reach 3.4 billion this year. Developing nations are expected to spend $947 billion servicing debts in 2025, up from $847 billion last year. An expert panel appointed by Guterres has put forward 11 recommendations to address the debt crisis, strengthen borrower nations, and promote a fairer global financial system. Israeli settlers attack military base in the West Bank U.S. Pushback on Global Reform Efforts American diplomat Jonathan Shrier explained Washington’s withdrawal, saying while the U.S. remains committed to global cooperation and economic development, the Seville agreement crossed several “red lines.” These included provisions seen as interfering with how international financial institutions are governed, expanding multilateral development bank lending, and granting the U.N. greater influence over global debt frameworks. The U.S. also opposed certain trade, tax, and innovation proposals, including calls for a U.N. framework on international tax cooperation, which conflict with American policy. The U.S., historically the world’s largest foreign aid donor, has scaled back significantly in recent years. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was dismantled and foreign assistance budgets slashed, with Trump calling such spending wasteful. Other Western nations have also reduced international aid contributions. U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed called the U.S. exit from the Seville summit “regrettable,” emphasizing that many of the proposed actions cannot succeed without American involvement. “We will continue engaging with the U.S. after Seville and hope to convince them to play a role in lifting millions out of poverty,” Mohammed said.

Iranian dissident Sayeh Seydal narrowly survived an Israeli missile strike on Tehran’s Evin Prison, stepping out of the clinic just before it was destroyed. The June 23 strike killed at least 71 people, including staff, soldiers, visitors, and nearby residents, according to Iranian authorities. In the aftermath, Seydal and other inmates were moved to overcrowded prisons outside Tehran, known for poor conditions. In a recent phone call to her family, Seydal described her new prison as "a slow death," saying the bombing didn’t kill her—but the conditions might. Activists Sound Alarm Over Crackdown Human rights activists warn that Israel’s air campaign—aimed at Iran’s nuclear capabilities—is worsening internal repression. Families are struggling to learn the whereabouts of political prisoners, particularly those held in solitary or under interrogation at Evin. Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, herself a longtime prisoner, said from Tehran that war undermines civil society and the women’s rights movement. She noted an increased security presence in the capital and warned of shrinking political space. Execution Fears Grow Activists fear a new wave of executions targeting dissidents. After the Iran-Iraq War in 1988, authorities executed around 5,000 political prisoners. Since Israel’s current campaign began, Iran has already executed six prisoners. The judiciary is now fast-tracking a bill that would expand the death penalty for alleged collaboration with foreign enemies. Human rights advocates warn this could lead to show trials and further executions. The Human Rights Activists in Iran group reports nearly 1,300 arrests within 12 days—many over social media posts or alleged espionage. Evin Prison Hit During Visiting Hours Evin, long a symbol of political repression, was struck while families were visiting. Among those injured were activists, lawyers, and protesters detained over the years for speaking out against Iran’s clerical regime and social restrictions. Seydal, a legal scholar jailed since 2023, recounted being knocked down by the blast moments after leaving the clinic. Visiting areas, court offices, and prisoner wards were damaged. Prisoners were quickly moved: at least 65 women were transferred to Qarchak Prison, which Seydal described as filthy and overcrowded. Male inmates were sent to the Grand Tehran Penitentiary, known for holding high-security and criminal detainees. Disappearances and Torture Fears Some political prisoners have vanished. Ali Younesi, a 25-year-old student serving a sentence for alleged threats to national security, disappeared shortly before the attack. His family hasn't heard from him since, raising fears of torture or secret execution. Amnesty International reported that Ahmadreza Djalali, a Swedish-Iranian academic sentenced to death, was moved to an unknown location after the strike. ‘Hope Is Gone’ Activists and relatives abroad, like Mehraveh Khandan, whose parents have both been imprisoned, say the strike shattered their hope for reform or prisoner releases. Her father, Reza Khandan, was recently jailed for protesting Iran’s mandatory dress code for women and is now reportedly held in a bug-infested, overcrowded cell. “The war has destroyed everything activists were building,” she said.

The Israeli military reported that dozens of Israeli settlers stormed a military base in the occupied West Bank on Sunday night, setting fires, damaging military vehicles, spray-painting graffiti, and physically assaulting soldiers. The incident followed a string of violent attacks by settlers in recent days and growing tensions over the arrests of several individuals involved. Earlier in the week, over 100 settlers entered the Palestinian town of Kfar Malik, setting buildings on fire and shooting at residents. According to local official Najeb Rostom, three Palestinians were killed after the Israeli army intervened. Five settlers were arrested. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence, saying that “no civilized country can allow citizens to burn military facilities, damage army property, and attack security forces.” Footage from Israeli media showed young religious settlers—often linked to the extremist “hilltop youth” movement—gathering around the base near Ramallah. Security forces used stun grenades to disperse them. The military released images showing burned equipment used to prevent attacks and maintain security. In a rare rebuke, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his hardline stance and past support of such settlers, denounced the attack, calling it a “red line” and urging strong action. Opposition leader Yair Lapid labeled the rioters as “Jewish terrorists” supported by the current coalition government. Ben-Gvir, a staunch pro-settlement figure, has a history of incitement and links to far-right movements. Though once marginalized in Israeli politics, he has gained prominence alongside a broader rightward shift, which critics say has emboldened violent settler activity. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant pledged to crack down on the violence and reminded settlers that many soldiers are exhausted reservists already under heavy strain. In the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza conflict, Palestinians in the West Bank report increasing Israeli military checkpoints and restrictions, while Israel cites growing security threats from the area. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Today, around 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under military rule, alongside roughly 500,000 Israeli settlers. Most of the international community views these settlements as illegal under international law.  

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on residents of Galai Village in Nyingchi, Xizang Autonomous Region, to uphold ethnic solidarity and work towards creating a happier and more prosperous life. In a reply letter to the villagers—whom he visited in July 2021—Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed his happiness upon learning about the village’s recent progress. He mentioned that the village has undergone significant changes, with villagers’ incomes increasing steadily, reports Xinhua. Xi emphasised the importance of continuing to follow the Party’s policies aimed at developing border areas and improving residents’ livelihoods. He also encouraged the villagers to further protect the natural beauty of the plateau, develop their tourism industry, and contribute to building a prosperous and stable border region. Renowned for its beautiful peach blossoms, Galai Village has achieved notable progress in rural tourism development, boosting the collective economy, and strengthening ethnic unity in recent years.

An explosion followed by a massive fire at a pharmaceutical plant in India’s southern state of Telangana has left at least eight people dead and several others injured, officials confirmed on Monday. The incident occurred at a factory of Sigachi Industries, located in an industrial zone around 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Hyderabad, the state capital, according to G.V. Narayana Rao, Director of Telangana's Fire Services. Firefighters recovered the charred remains of six workers from the site, while two others died from severe burn injuries after being rushed to a hospital. Rao said the explosion took place in the factory's spray dryer unit, which processes raw materials into fine powder used in drug manufacturing. Emergency crews continued clearing debris from the gutted facility to ensure no one else remains trapped. India restricts land-route imports of certain Bangladeshi jute and other products  India is a major player in the global pharmaceutical sector, known for its large-scale production of generic medicines and vaccines. However, industrial accidents, especially those involving chemical processes, remain a frequent concern, highlighting the urgent need for stricter safety measures and regulatory oversight in this crucial industry. Sigachi Industries Limited specializes in active pharmaceutical ingredients, intermediates, and vitamin-mineral blends. The company operates five manufacturing sites across India and has subsidiaries in the United States and the United Arab Emirates, according to its website. 'Prepared to engage' with Dhaka on all matters, but frustrations persist: Indian MEA 

Authorities in northern Idaho lifted a shelter-in-place order Sunday night after discovering the body of a man believed to be behind a sniper ambush that killed two firefighters and wounded another, officials said. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a tactical team found the deceased man near a firearm but did not release his identity or details about the weapon. A news conference is expected later to provide further information. The deadly ambush occurred as firefighters were responding to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain, just north of Coeur d’Alene, around 1:30 p.m. Within 30 minutes, gunfire erupted, turning the scene chaotic. Sheriff Bob Norris said deputies came under active sniper fire for several hours. “We’re dealing with a shooter hiding in the rugged terrain, armed with a high-powered rifle,” Norris said earlier, adding that his deputies were instructed to return fire. First responders made frantic radio calls for assistance: “Everybody’s shot up here... send law enforcement now,” one dispatcher was heard saying. Three victims were transported to Kootenai Health Hospital, where two were pronounced dead and one remains under treatment, hospital spokesperson Kim Anderson said. The injured firefighter’s condition has not been disclosed. 2 dead and at least 3 injured in Las Vegas gym shooting, police say Governor Brad Little condemned the violence, calling it a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” He urged Idahoans to keep the victims and their families in their prayers. The sniper appeared to have exploited the mountainous, wooded terrain, which is popular for hiking and biking. Authorities ordered residents to stay away from the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road area, located about 6.5 kilometers north of downtown Coeur d’Alene. Although the lockdown was lifted following the discovery of the body, the sheriff’s office warned residents to stay alert as the wildfire continued to burn in the area. The FBI also deployed technical teams and tactical support to assist local authorities, Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed. State lawmakers expressed outrage over the attack. “We are horrified by the murder of two firefighters and shocked by this vicious assault on first responders,” Idaho House Republican leaders said in a statement, offering prayers for the victims and their families. Local resident Bruce Deming, whose property borders the mountain trail system, described the confusion when he saw smoke but no firefighting aircraft. He later learned helicopters stayed grounded due to fears of being targeted by gunfire. Deming guided deputies to a trail near his property leading toward the fire and sniper’s suspected location. “I just don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night wondering if someone’s prowling around my place,” he added. 10 killed in shooting at adult education center in Sweden Canfield Mountain, covered in trees and heavy brush, provides direct access to national forest trails. Wildfires are a frequent concern for the region, made worse by the rugged landscape and dry summer conditions. Source: With inputs from agency 

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday urged progress on a ceasefire agreement to end the ongoing Gaza war, though many Palestinians remain skeptical after months of stalled negotiations and continued violence. Meanwhile, Israel issued fresh mass evacuation orders for parts of northern Gaza. An Israeli official confirmed that Ron Dermer, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will travel to Washington this week for ceasefire talks. Plans are also underway for Netanyahu to visit the U.S. in the coming weeks, signaling potential movement toward a deal. Netanyahu was meeting with his security cabinet Sunday evening to discuss ceasefire efforts and military operations, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” Trump wrote on social media early Sunday, expressing optimism after suggesting on Friday that an agreement could be reached within a week. Palestinians wary of latest ceasefire effortsEarlier this year, an eight-week ceasefire was in place as Trump took office, but Israel resumed its military campaign in March after Hamas rejected proposed new terms. “Since the war began, they have kept making promises like this — release the hostages, stop the war,” said Palestinian resident Abdel Hadi Al-Hour. “But the war hasn’t stopped.” Israeli strikes continued Sunday, with an airstrike hitting a house sheltering displaced families in Jabaliya al-Nazla, northern Gaza, killing at least 15 people, including women and children, according to Fares Awad, head of Gaza’s emergency services. The area was covered by the latest Israeli evacuation order. During a visit to Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency, Netanyahu said the Gaza war and Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran have created new opportunities. “First, to bring the hostages home. Of course, we also need to solve the Gaza issue and defeat Hamas — I believe we will succeed in both,” he said. Major obstacle to ceasefire deal remainsNegotiations between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly stalled over one key issue — whether a ceasefire agreement should end the war entirely. Israeli airstrikes kill at least 72 in Gaza as ceasefire hopes grow Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi accused Netanyahu of blocking progress by only agreeing to a limited deal that would release just 10 hostages. Roughly 50 hostages remain in Gaza, though fewer than half are believed to be alive. Netanyahu’s spokesperson Omer Dostri blamed Hamas for obstructing peace efforts but did not directly address Merdawi’s claims. Hamas has proposed freeing all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli military withdrawal and an end to the war. Israel has rejected this, demanding that Hamas surrender, disarm, and go into exile — conditions the group refuses to accept. The Gaza war erupted after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw approximately 250 taken hostage. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 88 more Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 56,500. The ministry, under Hamas control, does not distinguish between militants and civilians but says over half of the casualties are women and children. The war has displaced most of Gaza's population multiple times, devastated urban areas, and left people dependent on aid — which Israel has restricted since the last ceasefire ended. The UN reports fewer than half of Gaza’s hospitals are partially functional, with over 4,000 children requiring medical evacuation abroad. “We are exhausted. We pray the war ends,” said Mahmoud Wadi, a Palestinian resident. Israel orders mass evacuation from northern GazaIsrael’s military issued new evacuation orders for large areas of northern Gaza, including parts of Gaza City and Jabaliya refugee camp, where hundreds of thousands had returned during the earlier ceasefire. Trump suggests Gaza ceasefire could happen within a week Residents were seen loading belongings onto donkey carts as they prepared to flee once again. The military plans to expand operations toward central Gaza City, urging civilians to move south to the Muwasi area, military spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee said. The campaign aims to clear civilians from northern Gaza to allow Israeli forces to target militants more freely, though rights groups warn such actions may constitute forced displacement. Trump criticizes Netanyahu’s trialTrump also renewed his criticism of Netanyahu’s corruption trial, calling it “a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT” and claiming it interferes with ceasefire efforts. In a social media post Saturday, Trump alleged the trial complicates hostage negotiations and called for its cancellation — a rare direct intervention in Israel’s domestic affairs that unsettled some Israelis despite his popularity there. Netanyahu’s trial has faced repeated delays at his request, citing national security concerns. The court postponed two more days of scheduled testimony on Sunday. Source: Agency