United News of Bangladesh

An Israeli airstrike has targeted the Yahya Abad railway bridge in Kashan, a city in central Iran, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency. Citing the Deputy Governor of Isfahan, the report said the attack resulted in the deaths of two people. The strike followed a prior warning from the Israeli military advising Iranians to avoid train travel for their safety until 9pm local time (17:30 GMT). Source: Al Jazeera

Chulalongkorn University researchers have developed a breakthrough recycling technology that transforms discarded fishing nets into high-value filament for 3D printing, offering a practical solution to marine waste while supporting a circular economy and coastal livelihoods. The project is led by Dr. Nuttapol Risangud of the Petroleum and Petrochemical College , who was inspired by the growing volume of plastic waste along Thailand’s coastlines—particularly abandoned fishing nets, or “ghost nets.” These nets continue to trap marine life long after being discarded and eventually degrade into microplastics that enter the food chain, posing risks to ecosystems and human health. In Thailand, discarded fishing nets are recycled but rarely turned into high-value products. This innovation converts them into usable engineering material. The research team launched a project to recycle nylon from fishing nets into filament suitable for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing . The production process involves several stages: collecting and cleaning the nets, shredding them into flakes, melting and compounding with additives, and finally extruding them into filament with a standard diameter of 1.75 mm. Converting the material into pellets before extrusion allows researchers to better control quality and consistency, addressing the variability of waste sources. The resulting filament can be used in a wide range of applications, from consumer goods to industrial prototyping. The team is particularly exploring its use in automotive components, such as motorcycle parts, which require materials that are both lightweight and durable. Beyond its technical potential, the innovation delivers environmental and socio-economic benefits. The innovation creates demand for recycled nets, encouraging their collection and reducing marine pollution, while enabling fishing communities to increase their income through value-added processing. However, challenges remain, including maintaining consistent material quality, reducing the water demands of cleaning, and building confidence in recycled materials. The team is addressing these through improved formulations, more efficient processes, and close industry collaboration. Currently in its early stages, the initiative aims to scale production, test the market, and eventually transfer knowledge to local communities. If successful, it could serve as a model for sustainable innovation—turning ocean waste into economic opportunity while helping restore marine ecosystems.       

Iran has dismissed US.President Donald Trump’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, making clear it will not do so in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran sees no serious commitment from Washington toward a lasting truce and therefore will not agree to reopen the key shipping route under short-term arrangements. The official also confirmed that Iran has received a ceasefire proposal from Pakistan and is currently reviewing it. However, Tehran emphasized that it will not accept external pressure or imposed deadlines in making its decision. Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the region, with continued violence including recent casualties reported in the Israeli city of Haifa. Source Al Jazeera  

A draft proposal calling for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has been sent to Iran and the United States, according to two Middle Eastern officials who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press. The initiative, put forward by mediators from Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey, aims to create a temporary halt in fighting to allow negotiations toward a lasting ceasefire. The proposal was delivered late Sunday to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, but neither side has issued a response. Meanwhile, violence continued across the region. Iranian state media reported that Maj. Gen. Majid Khademi, intelligence chief of the Revolutionary Guard, was killed in an attack allegedly carried out by the U.S. and Israel. Airstrikes across Iran since Sunday have left more than 25 people dead, while in the Israeli city of Haifa, at least two people were killed and others remain missing following Iranian missile strikes. U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Tehran, warning of major attacks on Iran’s infrastructure if it fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by a set deadline. He has threatened strikes on key facilities, including power plants and bridges. The conflict, which began on February 28 with joint U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, has already resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. It has also disrupted global oil shipments, driven up fuel prices, and raised concerns about violations of international law due to attacks on civilian areas. Despite diplomatic efforts, uncertainty remains over whether the proposed ceasefire will be accepted, as both sides continue military operations and maintain firm positions.  

Israel announced on Monday that it had killed the intelligence chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, as tensions in the region continue to escalate. Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the development, stating that Israeli forces are targeting militant leadership in response to attacks on civilians. He warned that Iran’s leadership is now under constant threat and vowed that Israel would continue pursuing them individually. Katz also claimed that Israeli operations have significantly weakened Iran’s steel and petrochemical sectors, adding that further strikes would aim to damage the country’s infrastructure and reduce its ability to support attacks against Israel. Meanwhile, Israel and the United States launched a series of coordinated strikes across Iran, resulting in more than 25 deaths. Iran retaliated by firing missiles toward Israel and several Gulf countries, heightening fears of a broader regional conflict. Explosions were reported throughout Tehran, with airstrikes causing heavy damage in several areas, including near Azadi Square and the Sharif University of Technology. Among those killed was Maj. Gen. Majid Khademi, identified by Iranian state media as the intelligence chief of the Revolutionary Guard. Iranian missile attacks also struck the northern Israeli city of Haifa, where at least two people were killed in a residential building collapse, and others were reported missing. In response to incoming threats, countries including Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia activated their air defense systems. Ongoing Iranian attacks on energy facilities and control over the Strait of Hormuz—a vital global oil route—have driven up energy prices worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a deadline for Iran to reopen the strait, warning of severe consequences if it fails to comply. He threatened further strikes on Iran’s infrastructure, including power plants, and suggested the country could face devastating setbacks. Diplomatic efforts are underway, with mediators from Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey proposing a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to allow negotiations to end the conflict. However, neither Iran nor the U.S. has formally responded to the proposal. Despite mounting pressure, Iran has shown no indication of easing its control over the waterway, which remains a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Airstrikes across Iran have caused significant casualties and damage, including attacks on residential areas and infrastructure. Since the conflict began, the death toll has climbed into the thousands across multiple countries, with widespread displacement reported, particularly in Lebanon. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing military actions, rising casualties, and uncertain diplomatic prospects.  

The astronauts aboard Artemis II are blazing a trail in the new era of lunar exploration. Following last week’s launch—the first manned lunar mission since 1972—the crew of three Americans and one Canadian is preparing to surpass Apollo 13’s record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth. On Monday, they will swing around the moon on a flyby without landing, then begin their return journey home. The roughly six-hour lunar flyby will offer unprecedented views of the moon’s far side, previously difficult or impossible for the 24 Apollo astronauts to observe. Additionally, the astronauts will witness a total solar eclipse, with the moon obscuring the sun and revealing glimpses of its luminous corona. “We’ll get eyes on the moon, kind of map it out and then continue to go back in force,” said flight director Judd Frieling, emphasizing NASA’s long-term goal of establishing a lunar base equipped with landers, rovers, drones, and habitats. This mission offers a close-up look at Earth’s constant companion, taking lunar exploration to new heights. Apollo 13: The Previous Record Holder for Lunar Distance In 1970, Apollo 13’s astronauts—Commander Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert—never made it to the moon due to an oxygen tank rupture. With their lives in peril, Mission Control rerouted the spacecraft onto a free-return trajectory, using the combined gravity of the Earth and moon to safely guide them home with minimal fuel. The mission, famously dubbed NASA’s greatest “successful failure,” became a testament to ingenuity and survival under pressure. (Contrary to popular belief, the iconic line “Failure is not an option” originated from the 1995 Tom Hanks film, not the actual mission.) Apollo 13 set a record for human distance from Earth at 248,655 miles (400,171 kilometers). Artemis II aims to exceed this by over 4,100 miles (6,600 kilometers) as its crew follows a similar figure-eight path without orbiting or landing on the moon. Christina Koch, one of the astronauts, described the milestone as more than a number—“an important achievement that people can understand and wrap their heads around,” connecting past accomplishments with future lunar exploration. Artemis II Crew Takes Shifts for Prime Lunar Photography During the flyby, the crew will split into pairs to capture detailed lunar images from their windows. At closest approach, they will come within 4,070 miles (6,550 kilometers) of the moon. While the April 1 launch date means less illumination of the far side than other windows might provide, astronauts will still see previously unobserved lunar features, including significant portions of the Orientale Basin. Each astronaut will use both professional-grade cameras and personal devices like iPhones for spontaneous shots. NASA geologist Kelsey Young prepared lunar geography flashcards to help the crew recognize key features. “They’ve practiced for many, many months on visualizations of the moon,” Young said. “Getting their eyes on the real thing will bring the moon a little closer to home for all of us.” Total Solar Eclipse Adds a Rare Celestial Bonus The timing of the Artemis II mission also coincides with a total solar eclipse visible only from space. The astronauts will have a few minutes to observe the sun’s corona—the outermost layer of its atmosphere—while monitoring for any unusual solar activity. Each crew member brought eclipse glasses to protect their eyes during the brief but spectacular event. Communication Blackout Behind the Moon Like Apollo missions before them, Artemis II will experience a nearly hour-long communication blackout when the Orion capsule passes behind the moon. NASA’s Deep Space Network antennas in California, Spain, and Australia won’t have line-of-sight contact, leaving the crew temporarily out of touch. Frieling reassured that physics will guide the spacecraft safely back into communication range, just as it did for Apollo missions decades ago. Returning to Earth: Artemis II’s Homeward Journey After departing the lunar vicinity, Artemis II will take four days to return to Earth, aiming for a Pacific Ocean splashdown near San Diego on April 10, nine days after the Florida launch. On the way back, the astronauts will connect via radio with the crew aboard the International Space Station, marking the first time a moon-bound crew has had colleagues in orbit simultaneously. The discussion will feature two pioneers of NASA’s first all-female spacewalk in 2019: Christina Koch aboard Orion and Jessica Meir on the station. Artemis II not only bridges past and present lunar exploration but also sets the stage for the next generation of human missions beyond Earth    

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck parts of northern and eastern Afghanistan and western Pakistan late Friday, leaving at least eight people dead in Afghanistan, officials said. The tremor, centered in the Hindu Kush about 150 kilometers east of the city of Kunduz, was confirmed by international seismic monitoring agencies. According to Hafizullah Basharat, a spokesman for the Kabul governor, the fatalities occurred when a house collapsed on the outskirts of Kabul, killing eight members of the same family and injuring a child. Kabul lies around 290 kilometers from the epicenter. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were received from areas closer to the quake’s origin, which is located in a remote region where communication delays are common. The earthquake struck at a depth of more than 180 kilometers, allowing it to be felt across a wide area of both countries. In Pakistan, tremors were reported in cities including Islamabad, Peshawar, Chitral, Swat and Shangla, though no casualties or damage were immediately reported. Afghanistan’s Health Ministry said medical teams in Kabul and other provinces had been placed on alert following the quake. The region is known for frequent seismic activity, with devastating earthquakes recorded in recent years. In August last year, a powerful quake killed more than 2,200 people in eastern Afghanistan, while another in November left dozens dead and hundreds injured in the north. Afghanistan’s vulnerability to such disasters is compounded by widespread poverty and fragile infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where homes are often built from mud and wood and lack resilience against strong tremors.  

Bahrain has intensified a sweeping crackdown on dissent as its conflict with Iran deepens, with activists and families accusing authorities of reviving harsh tactics used during the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. The case of Mohamed al-Mousawi, a Shiite Muslim who died in custody last month, has become a flashpoint in the Sunni-ruled, Shiite-majority kingdom, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. Al-Mousawi was detained in March as Bahrain came under missile attacks from Iran. Days later, his family was called to collect his body from a military hospital. Relatives said the 32-year-old, who had previously been imprisoned and was saving to start a business, showed signs of severe abuse, including slash marks, bruising and injuries on the soles of his feet. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said al-Mousawi had been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran — an allegation denied by his family — and dismissed images of his injuries as “inaccurate and misleading.” Authorities said the country is acting to protect national security and rejected claims of sectarian bias. Allegations of torture Al-Mousawi had served around 11 years of a 21-year sentence on charges including arson and belonging to a terrorist cell before being released in 2024 under a royal amnesty. According to relatives and a family friend, he disappeared on March 19 after attending prayers with two others who also remain missing. His body was returned on March 27. Witnesses who saw the body alleged signs of torture, including burns and injuries consistent with whipping. A forensic expert with the New York-based Physicians for Human Rights said the wounds described were consistent with blunt force trauma and possible torture. The Interior Ministry said al-Mousawi had been held by the National Security Agency, whose arrest powers were reinstated in 2017 after being curtailed following the 2011 unrest. A death certificate listed the cause of death as a heart attack, though his family said he had no known preexisting conditions. War heightens tensions Rights groups say al-Mousawi’s death comes amid a broader crackdown targeting Bahrain’s Shiite community since Israel and the US launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28. Authorities have arrested dozens of people during the conflict for filming military activity, participating in protests, expressing support for Iran or allegedly sharing sensitive information. Activists say the measures echo a long-running campaign to suppress dissent that peaked in 2011, when Bahrain’s ruling Al Khalifa family, backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, crushed pro-democracy protests. “It remains to be seen how far the government will go,” said Bahraini activist Maryam al-Khawaja. “What we’re seeing now is more heavy-handed than in recent years.” The government said its actions are a “direct and proportionate response” to Iranian attacks and rejected accusations of sectarian persecution. Security concerns and arrests Since the war began, at least 41 people — including migrant workers — have been detained for sharing images of what authorities described as Iranian attacks or for expressing sympathy for Iran. Some face charges including treason, which can carry life imprisonment or the death penalty. Bahrain says it has been targeted by more than 600 Iranian drone and missile strikes, which have killed at least two people and damaged key infrastructure, including a desalination plant, an oil refinery and an aluminum smelter. Iranian forces have also targeted the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in the country. Videos circulating online show some demonstrators expressing support for Iran and acts of unrest, including arson and attacks on property. Fears of harsher punishment In a separate case, 21-year-old Hussein Fatiil was detained shortly after posting a video from a protest outside the US Embassy, where he and a friend were seen waving a poster of Iran’s supreme leader. His father said the two were taken by plainclothes officers and later charged with multiple offenses, including misuse of social media, inciting hatred and treason. “The charges are extremely serious and exaggerate what happened,” his father said, adding that the protest had been peaceful. He expressed fears that his son could face the harshest penalties, including death.  

Iran shot down two US military planes in separate attacks Friday, with one service member rescued and at least one missing, in a dramatic escalation nearly five weeks after the war began. It was the first time US aircraft have been downed in the conflict and came just two days after President Donald Trump said in a national address that the US has “beaten and completely decimated Iran” and was “going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast.” One fighter jet was shot down in Iran, officials said. A US crew member from that plane was rescued, but a second was missing, and a US military search-and-rescue operation was underway. Neither the White House nor the Pentagon released public information about the downed planes. In a brief telephone interview with NBC News, Trump declined to discuss the search-and-rescue efforts but said what happened would not affect negotiations with Iran. “No, not at all. No, it’s war,” he said. Separately, Iranian state media said a US A-10 attack aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf after being struck by Iranian defense forces. A US official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive military situation said earlier that it was not clear whether the aircraft crashed or was shot down, or whether Iran was involved. Neither the status of the crew nor exactly where it went down was immediately known. Those incidents came as Iran fired on targets across the Middle East on Friday, keeping the pressure on Israel and its Gulf Arab neighbors despite US and Israeli insistence that Iran’s military capabilities have been all but destroyed. Second service member’s status unknown Neither the White House nor the Pentagon released public information about the downed planes. But the Pentagon notified the House Armed Services Committee that the status of a second service member from the fighter jet was not known. In an email from the Pentagon obtained by The Associated Press, meanwhile, the military said it received notification of “an aircraft being shot down” in the Middle East, without providing more details. Iran’s attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and its tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz — through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas transits in peacetime — have roiled stock markets, sent oil prices skyrocketing and threatened to raise the cost of many basic goods, including food. Downed jet could mark a new level of pressure on the US Prior to word of the rescue, social media footage showed American drones, aircraft and helicopters flying over the mountainous region where a TV channel affiliated with Iranian state television had said earlier that at least one pilot bailed out of the fighter jet. An anchor urged residents to hand over any “enemy pilot” to police and promised a reward. It was the first time the US has lost aircraft in Iranian territory during the conflict and could mark a new level of pressure on the US military. Throughout the war, Iran has made a series of claims about shooting down piloted enemy aircraft that turned out not to be true. Friday was the first time Iran went on television urging the public to look for a downed pilot. Iranian state media said in a post on the social platform X that the military shot down a US F-15E Strike Eagle. The aircraft is a variation of the Air Force fighter jet that carries a pilot and a weapons systems officer. Alan Diehl, a former investigator for the Air Force Safety Center, said the Strike Eagle has an emergency locator beacon in a survival kit that can be set to activate automatically or manually. Iran targets a desalination plant and a refinery News about the downed planes came after Iran attacked Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery. The state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corp. said firefighters were working to control several blazes. Kuwait also said an Iranian attack caused “material damage” to a desalination plant. Such plants are responsible for most of the drinking water for Gulf states and have become a major target in the war. Also, sirens sounded in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia said it destroyed several Iranian drones, and Israel reported incoming missiles. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates shut down a gas field after a missile interception reportedly rained debris on it and started a fire. Activists reported strikes around Tehran and the central city of Isfahan, but it was not immediately clear what was hit. In Lebanon, where Israel has launched a ground invasion in its fight with the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militant group, an Israeli drone strike on worshippers leaving Friday prayers near Beirut killed two people, according to the state-run National News Agency. More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began on Feb. 28 with US and Israeli strikes. In a review released Friday, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a US-based group, said it found that civilian casualties were clustered around strikes on security and state-linked sites “rather than indiscriminate bombardment” of urban areas. More than two dozen people have died in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank, 19 have been reported dead in Israel, and 13 US service members have been killed. More than 1,300 people have been killed and more than 1 million displaced in Lebanon. Ten Israeli soldiers have also died there. Iran keeps a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz World leaders, meanwhile, have struggled to end Iran’s stranglehold on the waterway, which has had far-reaching consequences for the global economy and has proved to be its greatest strategic advantage in the war. The UN Security Council was expected to take up the matter Saturday. Trump has vacillated on America’s role in the strait, alternately threatening Iran if it does not open it and telling other nations to “go get your own oil.” On Friday, he said in a post on social media that “with a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE.” Spot prices of Brent crude, the international standard, were around $109, up more than 50% since the start of the war, when Iran began restricting traffic through the strait.

There was little sign Friday of the war in the Mideast winding down as Israel said it faced incoming fire from Iran, Kuwait and Bahrain reported being under attack, and Iran said eight people were killed while celebrating the close of Persian new year near a major bridge hit by a U.S. strike. Tehran continued to demonstrate its ability to strike its neighbors even as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the threat from the country was nearly eliminated and cheered the collapse of the bridge on Thursday, reportedly the tallest in the Middle East. Iran decried the strike on the bridge, which also injured 95 people celebrating Nature Day, when Iranians gather for picnics and other celebrations outdoors on the last day of Nowruz, the Persian new year. “Striking civilian infrastructure only conveys the defeat and moral collapse of an enemy in disarray,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote Thursday in a post on X. Iran’s attacks on Gulf states along with its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted the world’s energy supplies with effects far beyond the Middle East. That has proved to be Iran’s greatest strategic advantage in the war. Britain held a call with nearly three dozen countries about how to reopen the strait once the fighting is over. Trump has insisted the strait can be taken by force — but said it is not up to the U.S. to do that. In an address to the American people Wednesday night, he encouraged countries that depend on oil from Hormuz to “build some delayed courage” and go “take it.” Before the U.S. and Israel started the war on Feb. 28 with strikes on Iran, the waterway was open to traffic and 20% of all traded oil passed through it. Iran continues to strike Israel and Gulf countriesIran responded defiantly to Trump’s speech, in which the American president claimed U.S. military action had been so decisive that “one of the most powerful countries” is “really no longer a threat.” A spokesman for Iran’s military, Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, insisted Thursday that Tehran maintains hidden stockpiles of arms, munitions and production facilities. He said facilities targeted so far by U.S. strikes are “insignificant.” Trump, in his address, said U.S. “core strategic objectives are nearing completion.” Iran state media reported the attack on the B1 bridge, which was still under construction, citing authorities in Alborz province. Trump posted footage on social media showing what he said was the collapse of Iran's biggest bridge and threatening, “Much more to follow.” It was not immediately clear if the footage Trump shared was the B1 bridge. In Lebanon — where Israel has launched a ground invasion against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants — Israeli strikes killed 27 people over 24 hours, the Health Ministry said. More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran during the war, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel. More than two dozen people have died in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank, while 13 U.S. service members have been killed. More than 1,300 people have been killed and more than 1 million displaced in Lebanon. Ten Israeli soldiers have also died there. Nearly three dozen nations talk about securing the Strait of HormuzIranian attacks on about two dozen commercial ships, and the threat of more, have halted nearly all traffic in the waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Since March 1, traffic through the strait has dropped 94% over the same period last year, according to the Lloyds List Intelligence shipping data firm. Two ships are confirmed to have paid a fee, the firm said, while others were allowed through based on agreements with their home governments. Saudi Arabia piped about 1 billion barrels of oil away from the Strait of Hormuz in March, according to maritime data firm Kpler, while Iraq said Thursday that it had started to truck oil across Syria to avoid the strait. The 35 countries that spoke Thursday, including all G7 industrialized democracies except the U.S., as well as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, signed a declaration last month demanding Iran stop blocking the strait. Thursday’s talks were focused on political and diplomatic measures, but British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said military planners from an unspecified number of countries will also plot ways to ensure security once fighting ends, including potential mine-clearing work and “reassurance” for commercial shipping. No country appears willing to try to open the strait by force while the war is raging. French President Emmanuel Macron, while on a visit to South Korea, called a military operation to secure the waterway “unrealistic.” But there is a concern that Iran might limit traffic through the waterway even after U.S. and Israeli attacks cease. Oil prices rise again even as Trump suggests the war could end soonThe conflict is driving up prices for oil and natural gas, roiling stock markets, pushing up the cost of gasoline and threatening to make a range of goods, including food, more expensive. Oil prices remained elevated, however, at $111.54 for a barrel of U.S. crude, having soared following Trump’s address. That's up about 50% from Feb. 28. Though the oil and gas that typically transits the strait is primarily sold to Asian nations, Japan and South Korea were the only two countries from the region joining Thursday's call about the strait. The supply of jet fuel has also been interrupted, with consequences for travel worldwide.