United News of Bangladesh

Pope Leo XIV spent much of his first year as pope trying to present himself as a calm pastor focused on unity and peace, but repeated public disagreements with US President Donald Trump often pulled him into global political debates. As Leo marked the first anniversary of his election on Friday, the Vatican was also working to ease tensions with Washington following months of exchanges between the pope and Trump over issues including war, peace and international conflicts. On the eve of the anniversary, Leo met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican in what was seen as an effort to improve relations between the United States and the Holy See. Although both sides later highlighted strong diplomatic ties, the public disagreements pushed the first American pope into a more political spotlight than he appeared comfortable with. Earlier this week, Leo responded sharply after Trump reportedly misrepresented his comments, saying: “If someone wants to criticize me for announcing the Gospel, let him do it with the truth.” Despite the occasional strong response, Leo has largely developed a reputation as a soft-spoken and reserved church leader focused on pastoral work rather than confrontation. The former Robert Prevost, a 70-year-old missionary priest from Chicago, is known for his calm personality, interest in tennis and deep knowledge of the teachings of St. Augustine. Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, whose 12-year papacy often sparked debate and tension, Leo has focused on reducing divisions within the Catholic Church and promoting harmony. Church leaders say he has helped calm tensions between conservative and progressive groups at a time when social media has deepened divisions among Catholics. Cardinal Wilton Gregory said Leo’s biggest challenge is maintaining unity within the church in an increasingly polarized world. “He has to call us to our better angels,” Gregory said. During a recent visit to Africa, Leo tried to avoid escalating the public dispute with Trump, saying his main role was to serve as a pastor and encourage Catholics, not engage in political arguments. The election of an American pope remains historic for many Catholics, as previous church traditions generally avoided choosing a pope from the world’s most powerful political country. Observers say Leo’s American background has also helped many US Catholics connect more closely with the Vatican. Kerry Alys Robinson said hearing the pope speak directly in English without translation has strengthened his message among American Catholics. Some Catholic groups in the United States also say donations and support for church projects have increased since Leo became pope. Ward Fitzgerald said an English-speaking pope has made church messages more relatable, especially for young people and donors. Last week, members of The Papal Foundation attended a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who compared Leo to St. Joseph for his quiet and focused leadership style. Dolan described Leo as a humble and mission-driven leader who remains attentive to God’s plan despite growing global attention.

The U.S. military said it intercepted Iranian attacks Thursday on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and “targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces," highlighting the fragility of the month-old ceasefire between the two countries. U.S. Central Command said in a social media post that U.S. forces intercepted “unprovoked Iranian attacks” and responded with self-defense strikes. The U.S. military said no ships were hit. It said it doesn’t seek escalation but “remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.” President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that the ceasefire was holding despite the violence. “They trifled with us today. We blew them away,” Trump said. Meanwhile, Iranian state media said the country’s armed forces exchanged fire with “the enemy” on Qeshm Island in the strait. It is the largest Iranian island in the Persian Gulf, home to about 150,000 people. It also houses a water desalination plant. Iranian state media also reported loud noises and defensive fire in western Tehran. In southern Iran, explosions were heard near Bandar Abbas, semiofficial Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim said. The reports did not identify the source of the blasts. Earlier in the day, a shipping data company reported that Iran has created a government agency to vet and tax vessels seeking passage through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian effort to formalize control over the channel raised new concerns about international shipping, with hundreds of commercial vessels bottled up in the Persian Gulf and unable to reach the open sea. Still, hope that the two-month conflict could soon be over buoyed international markets.  

Nearly 40 passengers aboard a cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak disembarked earlier at the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena after the first death was reported, Dutch officials said Thursday. According to the Dutch foreign ministry, the group included the wife of a Dutch passenger who died during the voyage. The passengers left the vessel while it was docked at the British overseas territory. The cruise operator had earlier confirmed only that the Dutch woman departed the ship at St. Helena with her husband’s body before traveling onward to South Africa on a commercial flight. The company, however, has not publicly confirmed that additional passengers also left the vessel. Dutch authorities did not specify the current whereabouts of those who disembarked. Officials in South Africa and Europe are now working to trace people who may have come into contact with the passengers after they left the ship. At least three passengers have died in the outbreak, while several others remain ill.  

World stock markets rose on Thursday amid growing optimism that a potential US–Iran agreement could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow oil shipments to resume, while Brent crude prices remained just above the $100 mark. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 surged nearly 6% to a record high, with the index jumping more than 3,300 points to 63,086.00 after trading resumed following the “Golden Week” holiday. The rally was driven largely by strong gains in technology and semiconductor stocks. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.7%, while South Korea’s the kospi climbed 1.4% to another record close. Taiwan’s Taiex also advanced 1.9%, boosted by gains in major chipmaker TSMC. European markets showed mixed trends, with Germany’s DAX edging higher and France’s CAC 40 posting slight gains, while Britain’s FTSE 100 slipped. Investor sentiment improved after reports that Washington and Tehran are nearing a deal that could ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route. The prospect lifted Wall Street on Wednesday, with US stocks posting strong gains and oil prices falling sharply. However, crude oil remained volatile. Brent crude traded around $100 per barrel on Thursday after fluctuating in early Asian trading, reflecting continued uncertainty over supply disruptions linked to the conflict and US military pressure on Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global energy shipments, has been at the centre of tensions amid the ongoing war, which has disrupted tanker movement and contributed to inflationary pressure worldwide. US markets had previously rallied after comments suggesting the waterway could reopen under a potential agreement, while strong corporate earnings from major technology firms also supported investor confidence. Currency markets showed limited movement, with the US dollar trading slightly lower against the Japanese yen and the euro edging higher.  

The United States and Iran appeared to be moving closer Wednesday to an initial agreement to end the war, as U.S. President Trump sought to pressure Tehran with threats of a new wave of bombing if a deal is not reached. Trump posted on social media that the two-month war could soon end and that oil and natural gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could restart. But he said that depends on Iran accepting a reported agreement that the president did not detail. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump wrote. Trump made his latest comments after he suspended a short-lived U.S. effort to force open a safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which major oil and gas supplies, fertilizer and other petroleum products passed before the war. Iran’s effective closure of the strait has sent fuel prices skyrocketing, rattled the global economy and put enormous economic pressure on countries, including major powers such as China. Elsewhere, China’s foreign minister called for a comprehensive ceasefire Wednesday after meeting in Beijing with Iran’s top envoy. Wang Yi said his country was “deeply distressed” by the conflict, which began Feb. 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran. China’s close economic and political ties to Tehran give it a unique position of influence. The Trump administration is pressing China to use that relationship to urge the Islamic Republic to open the strait. Report says Washington closer to a deal with Tehran The White House believes it is near an agreement with Iran on a one-page memorandum to end the war, according to reporting by Axios. There is not an agreement yet, but the provisions include a moratorium on Iranian uranium enrichment, a lifting of U.S. sanctions and the distribution of frozen Iranian funds and opening the strait for ships. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the possible agreement. Trump said in his social media post that it was “perhaps a big assumption” that Iran would agree to the terms being offered by the United States. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” Trump said. A shaky ceasefire between the U.S. and Tehran has largely held since it began April 8. Pakistan hosted in-person talks last month between Iran and a U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, but the talks failed to result in a deal.  

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with more bombing Wednesday if it doesn’t reopen the Strait of Hormuz after a report that an agreement is emerging to end the war. Trump posted on social media that the war with Iran could soon end and oil and natural gas shipments could restart. But that all depends on Iran accepting a reported agreement that the U.S. president did not detail. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump wrote. Trump’s threats came after China’s foreign minister called for a comprehensive ceasefire in the Iran war following a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was visiting Beijing for the first time since the war with the U.S. and Israel started Feb. 28. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday his country was “deeply distressed” by the conflict. China’s close economic and political ties to Tehran give it a unique position of influence. The Trump administration is pressing China to use that relationship to urge the Islamic Republic to open the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said Tuesday that he was pausing his short-lived U.S. effort to guide stranded commercial vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz in hopes that a deal could be finalized. A shaky ceasefire has been largely holding, despite exchanges of fire during the U.S. push to reopen the strait on Monday. Iran’s effective closure of the strait, a vital waterway through which major oil and gas supplies, fertilizer and other petroleum products passed before the war, has sent fuel prices skyrocketing, rattled the global economy and put enormous economic pressure on countries, including major powers like China. The spot price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, fell to around $100 per barrel Wednesday, easing significantly from big price jumps earlier in the week. The prices are still well above the roughly $70 a barrel that crude was selling for before the war began. Trump also due to visit China Araghchi’s visit to China comes ahead of a planned visit by Trump to Beijing for a high-profile summit May 14-15 with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip would be Trump’s first to China during his second term and the first by a U.S. president since Trump visited in 2017. “We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, that a resumption of hostilities is not acceptable, and that it is particularly important to remain committed to dialogue and negotiations,” Wang said, according to a video of the meeting. The Chinese foreign minister said the conflict “has already lasted for more than two months. It has not only caused serious losses to the Iranian people, but also had a severe impact on regional and global peace. China is deeply distressed by this.” In a televised interview with Iran’s state media from Beijing, Araghchi said his visit included discussions of the Strait of Hormuz as well as Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions imposed on Tehran. Iran has attained “an elevated international standing” after the war, having proven its capabilities and strength, Araghchi said. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope that Beijing would reiterate the need for Iran to release its chokehold on the strait, which would deny its main leverage as Trump demands a major rollback of Tehran’s disputed nuclear program. “I hope the Chinese tell him what he needs to be told,” Rubio said during a White House briefing Tuesday. “And that is that what you are doing in the strait is causing you to be globally isolated. You’re the bad guy in this.” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing has made clear that the relevant sides must act “with prudence” and resolve the conflict through dialogue in order to restore peace. He added that China has been actively promoting peace talks and will continue to do so. In a statement published on the ministry’s website about Wang’s meeting with Araghchi, the foreign ministry said China values Iran’s pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons while affirming its “legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.” Trump pauses effort to guide ships out of strait Hundreds of merchant ships remain bottled up in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. said it had opened a safe shipping lane Monday and sunk six small Iranian boats that had threatened commercial ships in the strait. Only two merchant ships are known to have passed through the U.S.-guarded route. But Trump announced he was pausing the effort, dubbed Project Freedom, to see whether an agreement with Tehran on ending the war could be reached. In a social media post Tuesday, Trump said the move was based “on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran.” Pakistan has been mediating between the U.S. and Iran, and had hosted peace talks between the two sides. On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for what he described as a timely announcement of a pause in the effort to guide ships out of the strait. In a post on X, Sharif said Trump’s response to requests from Pakistan and other countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, would help advance regional peace, stability and reconciliation. “Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy,” Sharif said. “We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond.”  

US President Donald Trump has suspended a military mission to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, less than two days after the operation began. He said, however, that a blockade targeting Iranian ports will continue. Trump explained that the decision came after a request from Pakistan, which has been mediating between Washington and Tehran, citing “significant progress” toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran, reports BBC. Iranian state media portrayed the move as a “retreat,” claiming it followed repeated failures by Trump to restore normal shipping through the key maritime route. Just before Trump’s statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the joint US-Israeli campaign in Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, had concluded after meeting its objectives.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf surged again as the United States military launched operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the United Arab Emirates reported renewed attacks attributed to Iran, testing an already fragile ceasefire. The U.S. military said it struck Iranian forces and destroyed six small boats allegedly targeting civilian vessels as part of an effort to secure maritime traffic through the key shipping route. Officials also said two American-flagged commercial ships successfully passed through the strait under a new U.S.-led initiative. In response, UAE authorities said their air defence systems intercepted multiple incoming threats, including missiles and drones. One drone reportedly caused a fire at an oil facility in Fujairah, injuring three foreign workers. British defence sources also reported cargo vessels catching fire near UAE waters. Iran has not directly confirmed the attacks, but Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned both Washington and Abu Dhabi against being drawn back into conflict. Iranian state media separately denied any intention to target UAE facilities, blaming U.S. military operations for escalating tensions. The U.S. Central Command said it had established a secure passage through the strait and claimed Iranian missiles, drones and boats targeting civilian shipping were intercepted or destroyed. Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said U.S. forces neutralised all threats and ensured safe transit for commercial vessels. Former U.S. President Donald Trump defended the operation, calling it part of “Project Freedom,” aimed at restoring navigation through the waterway after months of disruption. Iran has previously restricted movement through the strait, a vital global energy corridor, leading to rising fuel prices and international concern. Tehran has accused the U.S.-led mission of violating the ceasefire that has been in place for several weeks. The UAE strongly condemned the latest incidents, calling them a “dangerous escalation.” Authorities said missile alerts were issued for the first time since the ceasefire began, prompting temporary disruptions, including mid-air diversions of commercial flights. Additional reports from Oman and South Korea indicated separate maritime incidents in the region, including a fire on a cargo vessel near the strait, though no casualties were reported. Iranian military officials have warned that foreign naval forces entering the area could be targeted, further raising risks for commercial shipping companies, many of which remain reluctant to transit the strait despite U.S. assurances. The escalation comes as diplomatic efforts to resolve broader regional tensions remain stalled, with little progress reported in negotiations involving sanctions relief, military withdrawal, and nuclear-related disputes.  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on track to secure control of West Bengal, dealing a major setback to the opposition in a key state election. According to partial results released by the Election Commission of India, the BJP is leading in more than 190 seats in the 294-member state assembly. Final results are expected later Monday A victory would mark a historic gain for the BJP, which has long attempted to unseat the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The party has never governed West Bengal, a politically significant state where Banerjee has been in power since 2011 and has remained a vocal critic of Modi. The election has also drawn criticism from opposition groups, who allege irregularities after millions of voters were reportedly removed from electoral rolls. Voting has taken place in three other states as part of India’s staggered election cycle across its 28 states and eight union territories. A win in West Bengal would strengthen Modi’s political standing midway through his third term, especially after the 2024 national elections forced the BJP to depend on regional allies to form the government. Modi is widely expected to seek a fourth consecutive term in 2029. Meanwhile, India’s opposition continues to struggle with unity and consistency in challenging the BJP’s dominance at the national level. Banerjee, once seen as a leading figure capable of uniting regional parties, could see her influence diminished if defeated, particularly within an already fragmented opposition alliance. In other developments, in Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay appears poised for a major breakthrough, with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party emerging as a strong contender against the ruling DMK. In Kerala, the Congress-led opposition is likely to unseat the ruling communist government, potentially ending one of the last strongholds of leftist rule in the country. The BJP is also expected to retain power in Assam, securing a third consecutive term in the northeastern state.

Health experts suspect a disease carried by rodents, known as hantavirus, is behind an outbreak on a cruise ship that has killed three people and left several others ill. Research shows hantaviruses have existed for centuries, with past outbreaks reported in Asia and Europe. In those regions, the virus has been linked to hemorrhagic fever and kidney failure. In the early 1990s, a new group of hantaviruses was identified in the southwestern United States, causing a serious lung condition now called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The disease drew wider attention last year after Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from a hantavirus infection in New Mexico. The World Health Organization said Sunday that investigations into the cruise ship outbreak are ongoing. These include lab testing, epidemiological studies and genetic sequencing of the virus. Hantavirus mainly spreads through contact with rodents or their urine, saliva and droppings. The risk increases when these materials are disturbed and become airborne, making it easier to inhale the virus. People are often exposed while cleaning enclosed spaces such as homes, cabins or sheds, especially where rodent droppings are present. Although rare, the WHO says the virus can also spread directly from person to person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began monitoring the disease after a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region of the United States. Most cases in the country are reported in western states, particularly New Mexico and Arizona, where human contact with rodents is more common in rural areas. The illness usually begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle pain and headaches. Experts say it can be difficult to distinguish from the flu in the early stages. Symptoms typically appear one to eight weeks after exposure. As the disease worsens, patients may develop chest tightness as fluid builds up in the lungs. Another form of the disease, which affects the kidneys, can develop within one to two weeks after exposure. Fatality rates vary depending on the type of hantavirus. The lung-related form has a death rate of about 35%, while the kidney-related form ranges from 1% to 15%, according to the CDC. There is no specific cure or treatment, but early medical care can improve survival chances. Researchers say many aspects of the disease remain unclear, including why symptoms can be mild in some people but severe in others. Health experts advise reducing contact with rodents and their droppings to lower the risk. When cleaning contaminated areas, they recommend using gloves and disinfectants such as bleach, and avoiding sweeping or vacuuming, which can spread the virus into the air.