United News of Bangladesh

India and Canada have announced a series of agreements, including a 10-year civil nuclear energy deal, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney met in Delhi to restore relations that had sharply deteriorated in recent years. The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy, technology, critical minerals, space, defence and education. They also pledged to conclude a long-pending free trade agreement by the end of 2026, as both nations seek to cushion the impact of US trade tariffs and diversify economic partnerships. Relations between the two countries had plunged after former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. India strongly rejected the accusation. The diplomatic fallout led to expulsions of diplomats and suspension of visa services, bringing ties close to a standstill. Since taking office last year, Carney has moved cautiously to repair relations. His government has stated that it does not believe India is currently linked to violent crimes or threats in Canada, though some lawmakers and members of the Sikh diaspora dispute that assessment. Canada’s intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, reiterated recently that its threat assessment regarding foreign interference, including by India, remains unchanged. Foreign Minister Anita Anand clarified that while some officials suggested India had halted interference activities, she would not personally use that wording. However, she defended renewed engagement, saying diplomatic dialogue was necessary to make progress. During their meeting at Hyderabad House in Delhi, Modi described the civil nuclear agreement as a landmark arrangement ensuring long-term uranium supply from Canada. He said the two countries would also collaborate on small modular reactors and advanced nuclear technologies. Modi added that India and Canada would expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, supercomputing, semiconductors and jointly host a renewable energy summit. Carney said Canada is well positioned to meet India’s growing nuclear fuel needs and announced the launch of a strategic energy partnership. He highlighted what he called unprecedented engagement between the two governments over the past year. On trade, Modi said both sides aim to increase bilateral trade to $50 billion and finalise a comprehensive economic partnership agreement soon. Carney expressed hope that negotiations, which have stretched on for more than a decade, could be concluded within the year. Analysts say the renewed outreach reflects shifting geopolitical realities. Canada is looking to broaden trade links beyond the United States, while India seeks to diversify imports and reduce energy dependence on Russia. Public opinion in Canada appears supportive of rebuilding ties. A recent Angus Reid survey found that half of respondents believe it is the right time to restore relations with India, with more Canadians expressing a favourable view of India than of the United States amid ongoing tariff tensions. Earlier in the visit, Carney met India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss advancing a forward-looking partnership. His four-day tour began in Mumbai with meetings aimed at boosting trade and investment, and will continue with stops in Australia and Japan as part of Canada’s broader strategy to expand economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.   With inputs from BBC

The US House Oversight Committee has released more than nine hours of video footage from closed-door depositions of former US president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton regarding their past connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The recordings show both Clintons denying prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and facing pointed questions from Republican lawmakers. One of the most heated exchanges occurred during Hillary Clinton’s testimony when she was informed that a photo taken inside the deposition room had been leaked. She reacted angrily, saying she was “done” if lawmakers were violating agreed rules and suggested they could hold her in contempt if they wished. Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert acknowledged sharing a photo from inside the room but said it was posted before the hearing began. Clinton’s legal team objected strongly, arguing the leak was unacceptable and unprofessional. They noted that Clinton had requested an open hearing that would have allowed public access, but the committee rejected the proposal. Proceedings were briefly paused before resuming. During questioning, Boebert raised “Pizzagate,” a widely debunked conspiracy theory alleging a child abuse ring linked to Clinton associates. Clinton dismissed the claim as “totally made up” and said she could not believe it was being referenced. Her lawyers objected to further questions on the subject. Another Republican lawmaker, Eric Burlison, asked Hillary Clinton about the potential release of government files related to UFOs. She responded that she supported disclosure of any information that could be made public. In his separate deposition, Bill Clinton was asked whether President Donald Trump should be compelled to testify. Clinton replied that it was up to lawmakers but said Trump “did know” Epstein well. Clinton recounted a conversation with Trump in the early 2000s at a fundraiser held at one of Trump’s golf courses. According to Clinton, Trump said he and Epstein had once been friends but fell out over a real estate deal. Clinton said Trump did not suggest any improper conduct during that conversation. In opening remarks, Bill Clinton said he was only a “brief acquaintance” of Epstein and that their association ended years before the financier’s crimes became public. He stated he did not witness any wrongdoing and expressed sympathy for Epstein’s victims. Lawmakers also questioned Clinton about a photo released by the US Justice Department showing him in a hot tub with an unidentified person whose face was redacted. Clinton said he did not recall the photo being taken and believed it was shot in Brunei at the end of an official trip. He said he briefly used the hotel pool at the suggestion of the Sultan of Brunei and denied any sexual activity or knowledge of the other person in the image. Throughout the depositions, both Clintons maintained they had no awareness of Epstein’s criminal activities at the time of their interactions with him.   With inputs from BBC

Israel and the United States pounded Iran on Monday in a campaign that U.S. President Donald Trump said would likely take several weeks. Tehran and its allies hit back against Israel, Gulf states and targets critical to the world’s energy production. The intensity of the attacks, the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the lack of any apparent exit plan set the stage for a prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences. Safe havens in the Mideast like Dubai have seen incoming fire; hundreds of thousands of airline passengers are stranded around the globe; oil prices shot up; and U.S. allies pledged to help stop Iranian missiles and drones. With no sign of the conflict abating anytime soon, Trump said operations are likely to last four to five weeks but that he was prepared “to go far longer than that.” He said U.S. forces were determined to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, wipe out its navy, prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensure that it cannot continue to support allied groups like Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which fired missiles at Israel, drawing retaliatory airstrikes. “This was our last, best chance to strike -- what we’re doing right now -- and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime,” Trump said. Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the U.N., said the conflict would continue “as long as it takes.” An Israeli military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, said Israel is keeping “all options on the table,” including a potential ground invasion of Lebanon. The chaos of the conflict became apparent when the U.S. military said Kuwait had “mistakenly shot down” three American F-15E Strike Eagles while Iran was attacking with aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones. U.S. Central Command said all six pilots ejected safely and are in stable condition. As several airstrikes hit Iran’s capital, Tehran, the top security official Ali Larijani vowed on X: “We will not negotiate with the United States.” The death toll grew on all sides. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said that the U.S.-Israeli operation has killed at least 555 people. In Israel, where several locations were hit by Iranian missiles, 11 people were killed. Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Hezbollah killed dozens of people in Lebanon. Four American troops have been killed, three people were reported killed in the United Arab Emirates, and one each in Kuwait and Bahrain.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that France would allow the temporary deployment of its nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries as part of its new nuclear strategy aimed at strengthening Europe’s independence. Macron said the unprecedented new posture could “provide for the temporary deployment of elements of our strategic air forces to allied countries," but said there would be no sharing of decision-making with any other nation regarding the use of the nuclear weapons. Tehran’s streets eerily empty amid heavy airstrikes Talks about such arrangements have started with Britain, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark, Macron said at a military base at L’Ile Longue in northwestern France that hosts the country’s ballistic missile submarines. Macron’s long-planned speech, scheduled before the most recent outbreak of hostilities in Iran, was aimed at spelling out how French nuclear weapons fit into Europe’s security amid concerns raised on the continent by recurring tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. France also will allow partners to participate in deterrence exercises and allow allies’ non-nuclear forces to participate in France’s nuclear activities, said Macron, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces under the French constitution. In a joint statement, Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed a deeper Franco-German integration in the field of deterrence. “France and Germany have agreed to take first concrete steps beginning this year, including German conventional participation in French nuclear exercises and joint visits to strategic sites as well as development of conventional capabilities with European partners,” they said. Macron also announced that France will increase its number of nuclear warheads from the current level of below 300, but did not give a figure for the increase. It will be the first time France increases its nuclear arsenal since at least 1992. “I have decided to increase the numbers of warheads of our arsenal,” Macron said. “My responsibility is to ensure that our deterrence maintains — and will maintain in the future — its assured destructive power." European leaders have voiced growing doubts about U.S. commitments to help defend Europe under the so-called nuclear umbrella, a policy long intended to ensure that allies — particularly NATO members — would be protected by American nuclear forces in the event of a threat. Macron said that recent changes in U.S. defense strategy amid the emergence of new threats have demonstrated a refocusing of American priorities and have encouraged Europe to take more direct responsibility for its own security. He said Europeans should take their destiny more firmly into their hands. “To be free, one needs to be feared,” Macron said. France is the only nuclear power in the European Unio n, following Britain's exit from the bloc in 2020. “If we had to use our arsenal, no state, however powerful, could shield itself from it, and no state, however vast, would recover from it,” Macron said. Some European nations have already taken up an offer Macron made last year to discuss France’s nuclear deterrence and even associate European partners in nuclear exercises. Last month, Merz said he’d had “initial talks” with Macron on the issue and had publicly theorized about German Air Force planes possibly being used to carry French nuclear bombs. But Macron ruled out any such possibility in Monday's speech. France and Britain also adopted a joint declaration in July that allows both nations' nuclear forces, while independent, to be “coordinated.” The U.K., no longer an EU member but a NATO ally, is the only other European country with a nuclear deterrent. Macron has consistently insisted any decision to use France’s nuclear weapons would remain only in the hands of the French president. Macron added that the evolution of France competitors’ defenses, the emergence of regional powers, the possibility of coordination among adversaries, and the risks linked to proliferation led him to the conclusion that it was essential for France to enhance its nuclear arsenal.

The U.S. military said Monday that three F-15E fighter jets were “mistakenly shot down” by Kuwaiti air defenses during operations responding to Iranian attacks in the region. All six crew members ejected safely and have been recovered in stable condition. The incident occurred as Iran and Iranian-backed militias launched missiles at Israel and Gulf states, reportedly striking the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait. Israel and the U.S. conducted retaliatory strikes on Iran, targeting missile sites, naval assets, and nuclear facilities. The Iranian Red Crescent reported at least 555 deaths in Iran, while Israeli authorities confirmed 11 fatalities and Lebanon’s health ministry reported 31 deaths following airstrikes. In Kuwait, several U.S. warplanes also crashed, though pilots were unharmed. The conflict has spread to regional energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery was targeted by drones, prompting a temporary shutdown, while Oman reported a drone boat attack on a tanker, killing one crew member. Debris from intercepted drones caused injuries at Kuwait’s Ahmadi refinery. Analysts warn these attacks on Gulf oil facilities mark a significant escalation and pose broader economic risks. Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel from Lebanon, triggering Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 31 people and wounded 149, mostly in the south. In Iraq, a pro-Iranian militia targeted U.S. troops with drones in Baghdad and Irbil, and Cyprus reported drone damage at a British airbase. The U.S. has vowed to continue combat operations until objectives are achieved. President Donald Trump promised to “avenge” the deaths of three American troops in Kuwait while warning of further casualties. The World Health Organization urged all parties to protect civilians and medical facilities amid the escalating conflict, as missiles and drones continued to strike cities across Iran, Israel, and the Gulf.

At least 555 people have been killed across Iran in joint US-Israeli attacks targeting 131 counties so far, according to the Iranian Red Crescent as fighting escalates across the Middle East. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, rejected claims in US media he has made a renewed push to resume nuclear negotiations with Washington, saying Tehran has not sought fresh talks. Israel said it is striking at the “heart of Tehran” and has launched attacks on Lebanon after Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets at northern Israel. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least 31 people were killed and 149 others wounded in Israeli air attacks. In the Gulf, Kuwait’s Defence Ministry said several US warplanes crashed inside the country, adding that all crew members survived. US President Donald Trump warned that attacks on Iran would continue until all objectives are achieved and vowed to avenge the deaths of three US soldiers. Meanwhile, a fire broke out at Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery after debris from two intercepted drones fell on the facility, according to the Saudi Defence Ministry. British Foreign Minister Cooper said a drone that struck a UK military base in Cyprus hit the runway. The US embassy in Bahrain warned that “terrorist groups” are intent on attacking US citizens. A security source told Al Jazeera that a joint Israeli-US missile strike targeted sites belonging to the Iran-backed paramilitary group Kataib Hezbollah in Jurf al-Sakhr, south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.  

Verified video footage shows a US fighter jet plunging from the sky and crashing to the ground near Kuwait City, reports BBC. The footage, filmed from the western outskirts of the capital near the Al Jahra area, captures the moment the aircraft falls and impacts the ground. Earlier, the Kuwaiti military said that “several” US fighter planes had crashed in Kuwait, adding that all crew members were unharmed. No further details were immediately provided.  

A survey carried out shortly after the United States and Israel launched a major military operation against Iran suggests that only about a quarter of Americans support the attacks, highlighting weak public approval amid a widening regional conflict. The Reuters–Ipsos poll was conducted from Saturday to Sunday, before President Donald Trump’s administration confirmed that the first US troops had been killed. Results showed that just one in four respondents approved of the US-Israeli strikes. The early findings could influence how the Trump administration and US lawmakers proceed in the coming days, particularly with a difficult midterm election season approaching. On Sunday, Trump vowed to press ahead with what he called a “righteous mission” until “all objectives are achieved”. Referring to the three US service members confirmed killed, he said that “there will likely be more before it ends”. After a US-Israeli strike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump again portrayed Iran as an existential danger, claiming its leaders “have waged war against civilization itself”. The poll indicated that many Americans do not share that view. About 43 percent of respondents said they disapproved of the war, while 29 percent were unsure. Republican support was higher but still mixed, with 55 percent approving, 13 percent opposing and 32 percent undecided. Notably, around 42 percent of Republicans said they would be less likely to support the operation if it resulted in “US troops in the Middle East being killed or injured”. Among Democrats, opposition was overwhelming, with 74 percent disapproving, 7 percent approving and 19 percent unsure. The survey, released Sunday, comes as Republican lawmakers have largely rallied behind Trump’s stance on Iran, despite concerns it contradicts his campaign pledge to end “endless wars” and limit US intervention abroad under an “America First” agenda. Some conservative commentators have warned of political risks. “If this war is a swift, easy, and decisive victory, most of them will get over it,” Blake Neff, a former producer for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, wrote on X. “But if the war is anything else, there will be a lot of anger.” He added that “success can override bad explanations. So we must pray for success.” Speaking to Al Jazeera, Doug Bandow, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, said confirmation of US military deaths “brings home the cost of the war”.“Americans, by a very large margin, don’t want to be tied up in an ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” he said. “The fact that Americans have died suddenly shows this is not just a video game from the standpoint of America.” Beyond the three US personnel killed, at least 201 people have died in Iran, nine in Israel, two in Iraq, three in the United Arab Emirates and one in Kuwait. The conflict has also threatened key trade routes, prompting several companies to suspend shipments. Tehran refuses negotiations; Israeli air strikes kill 31 in Lebanon The poll also found that 45 percent of respondents, including 34 percent of Republicans and 44 percent of independents, would be less likely to back the campaign if fuel prices rose in the US. Democrats are closely watching public opinion as the November midterms approach, with affordability central to their campaign messaging. They have criticised Trump’s military actions, including the US abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, as out of step with his promises. Democratic reactions to the Iran strikes have varied, with some praising the action, others welcoming Khamenei’s death while questioning the justification, and several openly condemning the attacks. On Sunday, multiple Democrats said the deaths of US soldiers highlighted the need for a war powers resolution requiring congressional approval before further military action.“I’m thinking of the brave American soldiers killed today,” Senator Chris Van Hollen wrote on X. “They should still be with us.”“Trump said he would keep us out of war. This is his war of choice.” A vote on the resolution is expected early this week.

US President Donald Trump has warned that additional American casualties are likely as US military operations against Iran continue until all objectives are achieved, amid a rapidly escalating regional conflict. US Central Command earlier confirmed that three US service members have been killed in action, while five others were seriously wounded during the ongoing operations. Trump acknowledged the growing human cost, noting that the campaign would continue despite the risks. Iranian authorities reported that at least 153 people, including children, were killed after a strike hit a school inside Iran. In Israel, medical services said nine people were killed in a missile strike on the city of Beit Shemesh. Iran’s foreign minister said a new national leader could be selected within “a day or two” following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US and Israeli air strikes. The conflict has also spread beyond Iran and Israel. The British Ministry of Defence said a UK Royal Air Force base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was targeted in a suspected drone strike on Sunday night, though no casualties were reported. In Lebanon, residents of Beirut were woken by explosions after Israel launched strikes on Hezbollah targets in response to rocket fire from the Iran-backed group. Hezbollah said it fired missiles and drones at northern Israel in retaliation for Khamenei’s killing, describing its actions as self-defence. Israel accused Hezbollah of acting on Iran’s behalf and warned it would respond forcefully to further attacks. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged all sides to refrain from launching rockets from southern Lebanon, warning that such actions threaten national security and risk further Israeli strikes. Iran has also carried out retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said they intercepted dozens of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, while explosions were reported near key facilities in Dubai, Doha and Manama. The Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the attacks, accusing Iran of violating international law and warning it would take necessary measures to defend member states. Blasts were reported in Tehran as internet access remained restricted, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage. Meanwhile, Iran launched strikes on targets in Iraq, including areas near Erbil’s international airport, which US Central Command said was among the intended targets. The widening conflict has rattled global markets. Oil prices surged when Asian markets opened on Monday, with Brent crude and US benchmark oil jumping by more than 10 percent before easing slightly. Senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are scheduled to brief Congress on the situation on Tuesday as international concern grows over the risk of a prolonged and wider war in the Middle East.   With inputs from BBC

Global leaders have urged restraint and a return to negotiations following military strikes by the United States and Israel that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, raising fears of wider regional conflict. A massive explosion shook Tehran on Sunday morning as the Israeli military said it targeted the “heart” of the city after clearing a path to the capital the previous day. Meanwhile, Iran continued its retaliatory campaign, with Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain reporting interceptions of missile attacks. Oman reported that an oil tanker in the strategic Strait of Hormuz came under attack, and its port at Duqm, used by the U.S. Navy as a logistical hub, was targeted in a drone strike. The sudden death of Khamenei, who had no designated successor, has added to uncertainty over Iran’s future and the potential for broader regional escalation. Top diplomats from the 27 European Union nations convened an emergency meeting Sunday to assess the situation, while the U.N. Security Council met late Saturday. While some countries refrained from direct comment to avoid worsening tensions, others expressed clear positions: Australia and Canada supported the U.S. strikes, while Russia and China criticized them. U.S. President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” and challenge the Islamic regime that has ruled Iran since 1979. Calls for dialogue and de-escalation During the U.N. Security Council session, Secretary-General António Guterres and representatives from several countries called for an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to negotiations to prevent further escalation. “The alternative is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability,” Guterres warned. He condemned both the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes for violating international law and Iran’s retaliatory attacks for breaching the sovereignty of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Regional leaders also called for calm. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash urged Iran to act responsibly and avoid further escalation. The 22-member Arab League criticized Iranian attacks as violations of the sovereignty of nations committed to peace and stability. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Iran’s indiscriminate strikes risk dragging the region into a wider war, calling on the regime to make measured choices. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also urged the U.S. and Iran to return to talks, emphasizing that a negotiated settlement is essential and that the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future. Protests and reactions worldwide Clashes erupted in Pakistan’s Karachi, where at least six people were killed after protesters stormed the U.S. Consulate. In Indian-administered Kashmir, tens of thousands demonstrated against Khamenei’s killing. Members of the Iranian diaspora and supporters staged rallies from New York to Berlin, with some celebrating the end of Khamenei’s rule. In Berlin, demonstrators waved flags of the Iranian monarchy along with German, Israeli, and U.S. flags, while cheering and dancing in the streets. The events highlight the deep regional and global concern over the potential fallout from the strikes and the urgent calls for diplomatic solutions to prevent further conflict.