United News of Bangladesh

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to serve in the position, will leave the Trump administration at the end of the month to spend more time with her young family. Leavitt, 28, described the decision as “bittersweet” in a social media post Wednesday, shortly after President Donald Trump announced that she would step down. She recently returned to the White House podium following the birth of her second child, a daughter named Viviana, in May. She also has a 2-year-old son. “The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary,” Leavitt wrote, explaining her decision to leave the administration and begin a new chapter in her life. Trump did not say who might replace Leavitt in the high-profile position. In his own social media post, he said he understood and respected her decision and suggested she would remain involved in his political orbit. “Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party,” Trump wrote, adding that she would work with him to “conclusively win the Midterm Elections.” Before joining Trump’s 2024 campaign, Leavitt worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump super PAC. She previously ran for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing the general election to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. During Trump’s first term, Leavitt served as an aide in the White House press office. She later became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik. Leavitt held White House press briefings less frequently than some of her recent predecessors. Trump, who often speaks with reporters at White House events and while traveling, frequently sent Leavitt to Fox News and other conservative media outlets to promote his agenda and criticize Democrats and the mainstream media. Trump’s first-term press secretaries included Sean Spicer and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, both of whom were known for frequent clashes with reporters. Stephanie Grisham, another press secretary, never held a formal briefing, while her successor, Kayleigh McEnany, often sharply criticized the news media during appearances in the White House briefing room.

A British comedian wearing a rubbish bin on his head is hoping to turn political satire into votes in what could be one of Britain's most unusual parliamentary elections. Count Binface, who describes himself as an intergalactic space warrior, is among nearly three dozen candidates contesting a special election in Clacton-on-Sea in southeastern England on Thursday. The contest was already being described as unusual after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigned from Parliament and announced that he would seek re-election to address allegations over his finances. Binface quickly announced his candidacy, challenging Farage with his trademark humour. "Game on, Nige," he said after Farage accused the political establishment of targeting him. The major political parties have criticized Farage's decision and decided not to contest the election, leaving Binface with a prominent position as one of his most colorful challengers. Since then, he has been busy giving interviews and promoting his campaign. "I'm the only fresh thing on the menu," Binface told The Associated Press. "You're all sick of these politicians ... but you need something different." Even senior politicians have joined in the jokes. Rachel Reeves, then Britain's Treasury secretary, quipped after accepting Farage's resignation: "If he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won't stop him." Comedian behind the maskBehind the black cape, rubbish bin and science-fiction-style protective gear is Jon Harvey, a middle-aged comedian who prefers to keep his identity separate from his political character. Harvey never appears in public as Binface without the costume and refuses to reveal what is beneath the helmet. Asked by a BBC presenter to remove the headgear, he referred to the "Star Wars" character Darth Vader and joked that nobody would want to see what was underneath. Harvey is a married father of two who grew up in London and studied classics at Oxford University. He has worked as a writer for political comedy programmes including "The Thick of It" and "Have I Got News for You." He has also written books, including Binface's fictional political memoir, "What on Earth? An Alien's Guide to Fixing Britain." From Buckethead to BinfaceHarvey's political career began nearly a decade ago when he ran for Parliament under the name Lord Buckethead against then-Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May. The character became popular, but a copyright dispute over the name forced Harvey to create a new identity. Thus, Count Binface was born. Since then, he has challenged former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, as well as London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Khan defeated Binface twice and joked after his 2024 victory that he was the first politician to beat him in consecutive elections. Binface also contested a parliamentary special election in June but lost to Andy Burnham. Britain has a long tradition of unusual political candidates, and the Clacton ballot includes three candidates from the Monster Raving Loony Party, including Nick the Incredible Flying Brick and Baron von Thunderclap. Tax cuts, hand dryers and unicyclesBinface's campaign platform mixes serious-sounding promises with deliberately absurd ideas. Among his proposals are cutting voters' taxes while raising taxes for everyone else, building an affordable home and nationalizing singer Adele. He also wants to move a hand dryer in the men's bathroom of a pub in Uxbridge, arguing that its current position is too close to the urinals. His campaign takes several indirect jabs at Farage, including a promise that he would not accept multimillion-pound gifts from cryptocurrency billionaires. Binface also wants MPs who resign during their terms to be barred from contesting the immediate by-election that follows. He has promised to spend more time in Clacton than in Washington, a reference to Farage's frequent trips to the United States and his close ties with President Donald Trump. A 'galactic union' with USBinface said he has little interest in dealing directly with Trump, describing the US president as "awful." However, he said he would like to strengthen the relationship between Britain and the United States through what he jokingly called a "galactic union." Despite his campaign, Binface admits he does not expect to win. If he does pull off a surprise victory, however, he may have to leave his famous costume outside the House of Commons because parliamentary rules require MPs to dress appropriately and prohibit costumes. Binface said some MPs have discussed making an exception for him. His manifesto also includes proposals such as price controls on croissants and forcing cyclists who break traffic rules to ride unicycles. For now, Count Binface appears less interested in becoming Britain's next major political figure than in adding a dose of humour to an already unusual election.

Former U.S. President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread to other parts of his body and is causing him significant pain, his son Hunter Biden has said. In an emotional and wide-ranging interview with the BBC broadcast late Friday, Hunter Biden spoke about his 83-year-old father’s health, saying the cancer has metastasized to his bones and beyond. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects,” Hunter Biden said, describing the situation as deeply difficult for the family. Joe Biden, who was the oldest person to serve as president of the United States, faced persistent concerns about his age and health during his four years in office. His administration and advisers also came under criticism over allegations that the extent of his health problems had not been fully disclosed. Those concerns intensified after Biden ended his 2024 reelection campaign following a widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump, who later succeeded him as president. Biden disclosed his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025, less than four months after leaving the White House. Hunter Biden said the diagnosis had been particularly difficult for the family and expressed concern about his father’s condition. “It’s really sad to watch,” he said, adding that he wished his father would complain more about his health because “it’s not good.” Despite his illness, however, Joe Biden continues to speak publicly about issues he considers important, his son said. “He’s still doing his thing,” Hunter Biden said. “He so believes in this country.” The former president is also set to publish a memoir titled “Promise Me, America” following the 2026 midterm elections.

The Pentagon is urging US defense companies to accelerate weapons production to replenish its reduced stockpile of munitions, including weapons used during the ongoing war with Iran. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Saturday that the department is actively working to increase munitions purchases to provide “the weapons our warfighters need at the pace the threat demands.” He confirmed that the Pentagon has taken steps over the past week to significantly speed up the process, but said the effort is part of a broader military modernization drive that began before the five-month-old conflict. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg sent a memo to defense industry leaders on Wednesday giving them no more than 21 days to submit plans to “drive significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities,” according to a memo obtained by The Washington Post. “Years-long development cycles are not acceptable,” Feinberg wrote. “We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now.” The memo comes amid concerns that recent fighting with Iran has further depleted the US military’s already reduced stockpiles of advanced missile interceptors, potentially leaving American troops more vulnerable if hostilities resume, according to a new analysis. Reduced inventories of Patriot and THAAD interceptors could force the US and its Middle Eastern allies to take greater risks in conserving those air-defense systems, according to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based think tank. For instance, US forces could fire fewer interceptors at incoming Iranian drones and missiles, increasing the possibility that some could get through, the analysis said. President Donald Trump has in recent days pushed back against reports of a US munitions shortage. In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, he said the US has “massive amounts” of weapons and added that “large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the U.S. as needed.” Parnell on Saturday confirmed that Feinberg’s memo calling for a rapid increase in weapons production is “real.” He said the initiative “will inform the fiscal year 2028 budget submitted to Congress for funding” and is fully in line with the Pentagon’s ongoing effort to rebuild the US defense industrial base. A defense spending bill remains stalled in Congress, where lawmakers have expressed anger over Trump’s military action against Iran and opposition to the White House request to sharply increase Pentagon spending to $1.5 trillion, from about $900 billion last year. The number of Patriot interceptors fell from 2,330 before the war to 1,030 when the April ceasefire took effect, according to a CSIS estimate released last month. Following the latest fighting, the stockpile is now estimated at between 759 and 827 interceptors, representing a decline of at least 65% from the level before the conflict began. The number of THAAD interceptors declined from 452 before the war to between 232 and 262 at the beginning of the April ceasefire, CSIS said. The US was able to replenish some of its THAAD inventory, bringing the estimated stockpile to between 234 and 278 interceptors. However, the stockpile remains at least 38% below its pre-conflict level.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that while overall US ammunition stockpiles remain sufficient, supplies of some types are under increasing strain. Speaking at the White House Oval Office, Trump said the United States has a “virtually unlimited supply” of some munitions, while others are “a little bit tighter,” without providing details. His remarks came two days after reports said the US military had used nearly 80 percent of interceptors for a key missile defense system during the war with Iran, with commanders warning that ammunition stocks were “dangerously low.” The Atlantic, citing current and former defense officials, reported that supplies of long-range weapons and advanced interceptors, including Patriot and THAAD missiles, had fallen to as low as 20 percent of desired levels. Five months into the war, US public support for the prolonged conflict has weakened. A media poll found Americans who expect greater instability in the Middle East outnumber those expecting more stability by three to one. A Marquette University Law School poll found inflation and cost of living were the top public concerns, followed by the economy and then the Iran conflict. Since January, 56 percent have cited inflation and living costs as a primary or secondary concern. Labor Department data showed inflation rose to 3.3 percent in March, 4.2 percent in May and 3.5 percent in June, above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. Meanwhile, uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz continues to threaten energy security. US crude imports from Saudi Arabia fell to zero in July, the first full month without such imports since 1985. Trump said Thursday that no deal had been finalized to reopen the waterway, but negotiations with Iran were continuing and an agreement could be reached soon. Saudi-based  media, citing senior sources, reported that Iran and Oman had reached an understanding on reopening the Strait for 60 days, pending approval by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

The United States will host the International High-level Forum of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) groundbreaking Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington on August 26-27. The landmark event will bring together ministers, policymakers, regulators and industry leaders from around the world to chart a bold path toward the deployment of safe and secure civil applications for nuclear energy at sea, according to the US Department of State. Nuclear energy holds tremendous promise for transforming commercial shipping, including by enabling faster maritime transport without the need for frequent refueling. Cutting-edge innovations, such as floating nuclear power plants powered by advanced small modular reactors, could provide reliable energy to remote and coastal communities and support industrial breakthroughs in desalination and offshore energy production.   Through ATLAS, the IAEA will bring together the full spectrum of stakeholders, from Member States to industry innovators, to address the legal, regulatory and technical challenges standing between vision and reality. On August 25, the US will host an Industry Day highlighting America’s leading nuclear and maritime innovators and showcasing US leadership at the frontier of civil maritime nuclear technology. The US is ensuring that America’s steadfast commitment to safety, security and nonproliferation shapes the future of ATLAS. ATLAS represents a first-of-its-kind opportunity, whose success will depend on strong and sustained collaboration among IAEA Member States, the International Maritime Organization, port authorities, nuclear and maritime regulators and industry. Together, this global partnership will help usher in a new era of credible, scalable nuclear energy on the high seas and deliver on President Trump’s pledge to revitalize innovation in nuclear technologies and expand access to nuclear power.

Activity at Guatemala’s Fuego volcano, which began Monday morning and prompted widespread evacuations, is gradually declining, authorities said Wednesday. However, the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction, or CONRED, urged people to remain cautious as rainfall from a tropical wave moving from the east could trigger potentially deadly volcanic mudflows known as lahars. CONRED also confirmed that some people evacuated between Monday and Tuesday had voluntarily returned to their homes. “But the eruptive activity continues, and it is recommended to follow the authorities’ instructions regarding preventive evacuation,” the agency said. Around 1,700 people have been evacuated from at least 18 communities on the slopes of Fuego, or the Volcano of Fire, since the eruption began Monday. No deaths or damage have been reported. Live broadcasts of the volcano have shown periods of clear conditions followed by ash emissions. Early Tuesday, the volcano sent lava about 300 meters (984 feet) into the air, prompting red alerts and evacuations, the closure of a highway and the suspension of classes in three departments. Fuego, one of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes, stands 3,768 meters (12,300 feet) high and is classified as a stratovolcano, a tall, cone-shaped volcano formed by layers of hardened lava, ash and rock. It is located between the departments of Escuintla, Chimaltenango and Sacatepéquez in southern and central Guatemala, about 53 kilometers (33 miles) from the capital. An eruption on June 3, 2018, killed hundreds of people, destroyed an entire community and affected up to 1.7 million people. Another eruption last year also prompted preventive evacuations.

A man carrying ammunition and with a gun in his vehicle was arrested Sunday at President Donald Trump’s Los Angeles-area golf course after appearing to monitor security preparations ahead of Trump’s fundraiser there on Tuesday, authorities said. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Jeanine John Taele, 38, took photos and video and had a 16-round magazine with ammunition in his pocket. A search of his pickup truck in the golf course parking lot turned up a loaded 9mm pistol, binoculars and a badge that read “security protection agent.” according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles. Law enforcement searched his home in the nearby city of Downey on Monday and found a rifle and other firearms, magazines and ammunition, body armor and notebooks with “concerning statements," federal authorities said. No details about the statements were released. The sheriff’s department announced the arrest as Trump was preparing to arrive for the Republican National Committee dinner Tuesday at the Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes just south of Los Angeles. “Mr. Taele’s troubling behavior at the President’s public golf course merely days before the President was expected to arrive raised serious red flags for law enforcement,” Patrick Grandy, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office, said in a statement. “There is no room for error, particularly in light of previous attempts on President Trump’s life.” Last year a jury found a man guilty of trying to assassinate Trump at the president’s Florida country club. And while a candidate in 2024, Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by a shooter on a roof at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Ahead of Tuesday’s event, federal agents conducted a security assessment last Friday at the Trump course near Los Angeles. A person later identified as Taele was seen walking throughout the course, wore an earpiece and took photographs and videos of federal agents’ activities, authorities said. Taele drove away but then returned to the course Sunday. He approached federal agents and said he was employed by the State Department and was there for a security detail. Taele said he had a loaded weapon in his vehicle and was arrested after it was searched, according to federal officials. Taele was charged with several felonies including second-degree robbery, receiving a large-capacity magazine and possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun. He was also charged with carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, a misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges Monday and was ordered to stay away from the golf course and not possess weapons. His bail was set at $250,000. It wasn’t clear if Taele had an attorney, and family members could not immediately be reached for comment.

U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal on the Strait of Hormuz could come as early as Wednesday or Thursday, while Iran and Oman inched toward an agreement to reopen the critical waterway and potentially help bring an end to the war.   Trump was asked by reporters traveling with him in California about a report on the Axios news site that an announcement on the Strait of Hormuz could be made on Wednesday.   “It could happen. Tomorrow or the next day,” he said, speaking on Tuesday evening California time, which was already Wednesday morning in the Middle East. “A lot of progress has been made.”   Oil prices eased on hopes of progress for a deal that would allow oil tankers to freely exit the Persian Gulf again and deliver crude around the world. Brent crude, the international standard, slipped by 1.2% to $78.43 per barrel early Wednesday.   The agreement would see routes controlled by Iran and Oman, regional officials tell AP   The possible agreement emerging from talks between Iran and Oman calls for ships to enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exit through a route controlled by Oman, two regional officials told The Associated Press. Service fees would be charged for providing security and preserving the maritime environment, the officials said.   The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations.   The Trump administration has previously ruled out any deal that would give Iran control over the strait, which was an open international waterway before the the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. About one fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas passed through the strait, but shipping through the waterway has been reduced to a trickle at best by Iran’s attacks since the start of the war.   In an exchange with reporters on Monday, the U.S. president reiterated his public opposition to tolls being charged in the strait. “I’m not going to let them charge,” Trump said. “Anybody’s going to charge, we’ll charge.”   The regional officials said negotiations are still underway and that the final agreement could take a different form, with any deal linked to lifting the U.S. blockade on Iran’s ports.   US and Iranian officials say progress is being made   Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tuesday that Tehran’s talks with Oman were focused on “establishing safe inbound and outbound shipping lanes,” routes that “uphold sovereign rights while also addressing the national security considerations of both Iran and Oman.”   “The final results of these negotiations will be announced once concluded,” he added, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.   U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed progress had been made in those talks, “but not finality yet.”   Rubio has previously ruled out any deal that would give Iran control over the strait, saying last month that would create a “very dangerous precedent” for other parts of the world.   U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that “there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict.”   Arab countries seek to broker an end to the war   Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said he also spoke to Trump by phone on Tuesday as the Arab country tries to broker a resolution to the war.   Al Thani’s office said the two discussed ways to bridge the divide “in a way that enhances the prospects of reaching a sustainable diplomatic settlement to the crisis.”   Trump is under mounting pressure to end an unpopular war that has driven up gas prices ahead of midterm elections and drawn down U.S. supplies of some munitions. In recent days, he has again alternately threatened massive strikes and voiced support for diplomatic efforts.   Trump said Monday that the U.S. was in talks with Iran, saying it was Tehran’s “last chance” to reach a deal and avoid another U.S. military escalation.   “The first phase is the opening of the straits. The second phase will be the denuclearization,” Trump said. “And that will take a little while.”   Iran has denied it is negotiating with the U.S., saying the talks are only with Oman.   Ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz and in Red Sea   An Indian-flagged commercial ship sank Tuesday in the Red Sea off Yemen after being struck by an explosive-laden boat, Yemeni and Indian authorities said.   Yemen’s coast guard rescued the crew, which included 13 Indians and a Yemeni.   There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants have repeatedly struck ships traversing the Red Sea near Yemen.   Last month, the Houthis announced they were closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that leads to the Red Sea for Saudi-linked shipping in retaliation for the kingdom’s blockade on Yemen and an attack on the international airport in Yemen’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa.   Earlier Tuesday, a cargo ship reported being “hit by an unknown projectile” while traversing the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center.   The center said the reported strike damaged the vessel at around 2 a.m. local time while it was about 37 kilometers (23 miles) northeast of Al Khasab, a port city in Oman. The British maritime security firm Ambrey said the ship sustained damage.  

The administration of US President Donald Trump has notified Congress of plans to close five smaller American diplomatic missions in Africa, Asia and the Western Hemisphere as part of an effort to streamline overseas operations and reduce costs. According to notifications sent to lawmakers last week, the US State Department intends to shut down the US Embassy in Grenada, the consulates in Nagoya, Japan, and Medan, Indonesia, the American Presence Post in Winnipeg, Canada, and an embassy branch office in Douala, Cameroon. The department estimates the closures will save about $4.4 million annually, according to the notices obtained by The Associated Press. The affected missions are relatively small in terms of staffing. The embassy in St. George's, Grenada, and the consulate in Nagoya each have one US diplomat and five locally employed staff. The Medan consulate has four American personnel and 47 local employees, while the Winnipeg office employs two local staff members. The branch office in Douala has 14 locally hired employees. Earlier this year, the State Department also announced plans to permanently close the US consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, which had served as the closest American diplomatic mission to Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US troops in 2021. The planned closures are part of a broader restructuring of the State Department's global operations. At the same time, Washington is investing in restoring its diplomatic presence in countries where political changes have created new opportunities. The administration is moving ahead with plans to reopen US embassies in Damascus, Syria, and Tripoli, Libya, while the embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, has already resumed operations following the removal of the countries' long-time rulers.