United News of Bangladesh

The United States and Iran appear to be moving toward a possible agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with US President Donald Trump saying over the weekend that negotiations had been “largely completed.” However, uncertainty remains over when the agreement could be finalized and how its provisions would be implemented. Trump’s remarks followed discussions with Middle Eastern allies, including separate talks with Israel. Information about the negotiations has come from two regional officials and one US official who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks. War Could Come to an EndIran has consistently maintained that any agreement must include a halt to fighting across the region since the conflict began 12 weeks ago with US and Israeli attacks on Iran that killed several senior figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran’s demands also cover Lebanon, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah group has been engaged in clashes with Israel since the early stages of the war. A fragile ceasefire has remained in place since April 7. Ending the conflict would likely ease tensions across the Middle East, where Iranian missile and drone attacks previously targeted Gulf countries and major travel hubs such as the United Arab Emirates. It would also restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for around 20% of global oil and natural gas supplies. Regional officials said the draft agreement includes ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and a pledge not to interfere in the internal affairs of regional states, including Iran. The issue is closely tied to Iran’s support for allied armed groups such as the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza and Shiite militias in Iraq. One regional official said the US wants Israel to retain the right to respond to perceived threats in Lebanon, while Iran opposes that position. A US official said the agreement would preserve Israel’s right to act in self-defense against imminent threats. Gradual Reopening of Strait of HormuzIran’s nuclear activities, missile programme and regional proxy support were cited by the US and Israel as key reasons for launching attacks on Iran. But Iran’s subsequent restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz quickly became a major international concern, leaving hundreds of ships carrying oil, gas and other goods stranded. Under the proposed arrangement, the strait would gradually reopen as the US lifts the blockade on Iranian ports imposed on April 17, according to regional officials. The blockade has significantly affected Iran’s oil exports and economy. The US is also expected to permit limited Iranian oil sales through sanctions waivers. One official familiar with the talks said broader sanctions relief and the release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets would be negotiated during a 60-day process. Iran May Surrender Highly Enriched UraniumIran’s nuclear programme remains at the center of the dispute, particularly concerns that Tehran could eventually develop nuclear weapons. According to regional officials, Iran may agree to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of the deal. One official directly involved in the talks said further discussions during the 60-day period would determine how the material would be handled. Some uranium could be diluted, while the remainder might be transferred to another country, possibly Russia, which has reportedly offered to take custody of it. A US official confirmed that sanctions relief would depend on Iran giving up the uranium stockpile. The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran currently possesses 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which is technically close to weapons-grade level. Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful and says it has the right to nuclear technology. President Masoud Pezeshkian said on state television Sunday that Iran was ready “to assure the world” it is not seeking nuclear weapons. Trump also said on social media that relations with Iran were becoming “more professional and productive,” while reiterating that Tehran must not obtain nuclear weapons. Key Issues Still UnclearSeveral major issues remain absent from current descriptions of the proposed agreement, including the future of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and its missile programme, which Israel has long sought to curb. The possibility of regime change in Tehran — previously discussed by the US and Israel during anti-government protests earlier this year — also appears to be off the table. Likewise, there has been no indication that the agreement would involve the withdrawal of US troops from the region or compensation for war-related damage sought by Iran.

Pope Leo XIV has called for strict global regulation of artificial intelligence, warning that the fast-growing technology must serve humanity and the common good rather than corporate profit. In a major new church document titled “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, the pontiff said AI is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today as it reshapes jobs, warfare, and human life. He strongly criticised what he called a “culture of power” driving the global AI race, especially in developing advanced systems used in remote warfare. He said it is “not permissible” to allow artificial intelligence to make irreversible or lethal decisions, warning that such choices must remain under human control. His comments are likely to deepen debate with the United States administration, which has pushed for lighter regulation of AI development. The pope also warned about the growing concentration of data and technological power in the hands of a few private companies, saying it poses serious risks for children, vulnerable groups and democratic accountability. He called for clear laws, independent oversight and stronger political responsibility to govern AI systems. “It is not enough to invoke ethics in the abstract,” he wrote, stressing that binding legal frameworks are needed and that moral standards cannot be set by a small group of tech leaders. The encyclical was released at a Vatican event attended by representatives from the tech world, including co-founder of Anthropic, as the Holy See continues long-running dialogue with Silicon Valley over the social impact of AI. Experts say the document is likely to become an important reference point in global discussions on AI ethics and regulation, especially as concerns grow about job losses and machines replacing human decision-making. Technology leaders and academics said the pope’s intervention raises deeper questions about humanity’s future in the age of artificial intelligence, as systems become more powerful and widespread. In the text, Pope Leo also warned that AI is contributing to the “normalisation of war” by making violence feel more distant and less human. He called for greater transparency in how AI is used in military operations and urged clearer accountability in decision-making chains for strikes involving automated systems. He further argued that traditional Catholic “just war” theory may no longer be adequate in the era of modern warfare technologies. The document also places AI within the broader tradition of Catholic social teaching, linking it to long-standing concerns about workers’ rights, economic justice and human dignity. The pope signed the encyclical on May 15, marking the anniversary of *Rerum Novarum*, a landmark church text that shaped modern Catholic views on labour and capitalism during the Industrial Revolution. He warned that the pursuit of profit must never come at the cost of jobs, arguing that people must always remain the purpose of economic systems, not their tools. The encyclical also touched on historical issues, including an unprecedented papal acknowledgment and apology for the Holy See’s past role in supporting slavery. Vatican officials did not disclose who contributed to the document, but said it reflects years of discussions between the church and technology leaders.

Rescuers pulled two workers from the rubble of a collapsed nine-story hotel under construction in the northern Philippines early Monday, as the death toll rose to three and 17 others remained missing, officials said. One of the rescued workers was found dead, while emergency workers tried for hours to revive the other inside an ambulance near the huge pile of broken concrete, twisted steel bars and collapsed scaffolding that once formed the building in Angeles City of Pampanga province. Doctors later declared him dead. The two workers had been trapped under heavy concrete slabs and metal bars for hours. Hundreds of rescuers, including firefighters and police, worked through the night to reach them. Regional police chief Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said rescuers even provided water and intravenous medicine to one trapped worker in an effort to keep him alive in the intense summer heat. “He never made it despite all the efforts,” Mendez told AP. The third victim was a Malaysian tourist who was trapped inside a nearby budget hotel damaged by falling debris from the collapse. Another guest was injured but managed to escape, officials said. The unfinished building collapsed with a loud crash before dawn Sunday following a strong thunderstorm. Despite growing fears, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin said rescue operations would continue and authorities were still hoping to find survivors. “My best hope is that we can rescue more people alive,” Lazatin told AP. “We don’t want to give the families of the trapped workers any bad news.” Relatives of the missing workers have been waiting anxiously near the disaster site. Lea Mendoza Casilao, a 47-year-old sardine factory worker, said her boyfriend, a mason working at the site, was among those still trapped. “I’m losing hope because of what I see — slow rescue work,” she said. She had brought a week’s supply of rice and sardines for him at the construction site, but the couple never got the chance to meet over the weekend after the building collapsed. Officials said rescuers were moving carefully because unstable concrete slabs hanging on bent scaffolding could fall at any moment and endanger rescue teams. Authorities said 26 workers either escaped or were rescued from the building, where many workers slept on plywood sheets on the ground floor. Of the 17 still missing, rescuers have located one worker but have not yet been able to pull him out. Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse and possible violations of construction safety rules. Angeles City once hosted one of the largest US Air Force bases outside the United States, helping turn the area into a major commercial and entertainment hub in northern Luzon. The former Clark Air Base, about 80 kilometers north of Manila, closed in the early 1990s and has since been transformed into the Clark Freeport Zone, now a busy industrial and tourism area.

Asian shares mostly rose Monday and oil prices plunged after U.S. President Donald Trump said talks on ending the war with Iran are progressing. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 surged 3.1% in morning trading to 65,321.56. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.4% to 8,692.70. The Shanghai Composite edged up 0.4% to 4,127.53. Trading was closed in South Korea and Hong Kong for holidays marking Buddha’s birthday. Trading will be closed in the U.S. on Monday for Memorial Day. Trump said negotiations with Iran were “proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner.” Meanwhile, regional officials told The Associated Press on Sunday that the United States is close to reaching a deal with Iran that would end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and see Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Reopening the Strait of Hormuz will help decide the direction of oil prices. The closure has prevented oil tankers from exiting the Persian Gulf and delivering crude to customers worldwide. Japan, for instance, imports almost all its oil, most of it through the strait. “Markets are rapidly transitioning from pricing geopolitical fear toward pricing a potential peace dividend as Hormuz reopening expectations pressure oil and the dollar lower,” analyst Stephen Innes said in a commentary. Early Monday, benchmark U.S. crude was down $4.35 at $92.25 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, sank $4.16 to $99.38 a barrel. In currency trading, the U.S. dollar declined to 158.80 Japanese yen from 159.16 yen. The euro cost $1.1641, up from $1.1605. Friday On Wall Street, stocks finished their eighth straight winning week, the best such streak since 2023. That’s even though a survey showed U.S. consumers are feeling even worse about the economy. The S&P 500 added 0.4% and pulled closer to its all-time high set in the middle of last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.2%. Recent earnings reports from U.S. companies that topped analysts’ expectations also helped markets. But worries about inflation have pushed bond yields higher worldwide. The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.56% Friday from 4.57% late Thursday, but it remains well above its 3.97% level from before the war.      

President Donald Trump said Saturday that a deal with Iran on the war, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, has been “largely negotiated” after calls with Israel and other allies in the region. “Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,” Trump said on social media, with no details. He said he had spoken with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, and separately with Israel. He described it as a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE” that still must be finalized by the United States, Iran and the other countries that participated in the calls. It capped a week in which the U.S. weighed a new round of attacks on the Islamic Republic that would break a fragile ceasefire. There was no mention of Iran’s nuclear program and highly enriched uranium, which Iran has sought to discuss later. There was no immediate comment from Iran or Israel. Trump said speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had pressed the U.S. to go to war, went “very well.” There had been growing optimism among officialsEarlier on Saturday, a regional official with direct knowledge of the Pakistan-led mediation efforts said the U.S. and Iran were closing in on a deal to end the war. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss closed-door deliberations, cautioned that “last-minute disputes” could blow up the efforts. This is not the first time in recent weeks that a deal has been described as close. The official said the deal would include an official declaration of the war’s end, with two-month negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. The Strait of Hormuz would be reopened and the U.S. would end its blockade of Iran’s ports.  

Turkish riot police stormed the headquarters of the country’s main opposition Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP) on Sunday, firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse supporters and party officials who had barricaded themselves inside for three days. The raid marked a dramatic escalation in a standoff triggered by an appeals court ruling that annulled the 2023 election of CHP leader Ozgur Ozel and reinstated his predecessor, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.  Clashes erupt in Serbia after mass anti-government rally in Belgrade Footage from local media showed police entering the building through clouds of tear gas as supporters attempted to resist using fire extinguishers. Doors, furniture and windows on the ground floor were damaged during the operation. Ozel, vowed to reclaim the headquarters and later marched with supporters toward Parliament in Ankara. The opposition claims the court decision is politically motivated and aimed at weakening the CHP ahead of future elections. Ozel accused the government of targeting the party after its success in the 2024 municipal elections, where it dealt a major blow to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party. The CHP has faced mounting legal pressure in recent months, while jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu remains Erdogan’s main political rival.

Details of a possible agreement between the United States and Iran are beginning to emerge after US President Donald Trump said negotiations aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East have made major progress. Trump said on Saturday that a deal had been “largely negotiated” following discussions with Israel and several key regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain. He said the final details of the agreement were still under discussion and would be announced soon. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged caution, saying important progress had been made but the negotiations were not yet complete. Speaking during a visit to India, Rubio said he hoped there would be positive developments within hours. He added that one of Trump’s key goals was to remove fears over Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. According to two regional officials familiar with the talks, Iran has agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and is prepared to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of the proposed deal. One official said negotiations are continuing over how Iran’s enriched uranium would be handled during a 60-day process. Some of the uranium could be diluted, while the rest may be transferred to another country, possibly Russia. The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran currently holds around 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity, close to weapons-grade level. The draft agreement could also lead to the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz alongside the lifting of US restrictions on Iranian ports, one official said. Another official said the US may allow Iran to resume oil exports through sanctions waivers. Discussions on easing sanctions and releasing frozen Iranian funds are also expected during the 60-day negotiation period. Officials said the proposed deal also includes efforts to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and commitments by regional countries not to interfere in each other’s domestic affairs. The negotiations come after months of tensions following US and Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, which killed senior Iranian officials and disrupted nuclear talks. Iran later launched attacks on Israel and neighboring countries hosting US military forces, increasing fears across Gulf nations. Although a ceasefire has been in place since April 7, concerns remain over Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments. Meanwhile, Israeli leaders remain concerned about the threat posed by Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group based in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told Trump that Israel would continue acting against security threats, including those linked to Lebanon. According to an Israeli official, Trump insisted that any final agreement must require Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear programme and remove all enriched uranium from the country. Israel’s Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel said the country was currently taking a “wait-and-see” approach regarding the negotiations. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, clashes have continued, with both sides exchanging attacks. Lebanese authorities say more than 3,000 people have been killed in the latest fighting, while Israel says several soldiers and civilians have also died in attacks linked to Hezbollah.

A nine-story building under construction in Angeles City collapsed before dawn on Sunday, leaving at least 21 people missing, according to Philippine authorities. Officials said 24 workers either escaped on their own or were rescued from the wreckage. Rescue teams reported hearing voices beneath the debris, raising hopes that more survivors could still be trapped alive. The incident occurred following a severe thunderstorm that struck the city in Pampanga, north of Manila. More than 100 police officers and emergency responders were deployed to search the unstable rubble, said police Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez. Authorities confirmed there were no immediate reports of fatalities, although several survivors suffered injuries. Most of the 21 missing individuals are believed to be construction workers, according to Francis Pangilinan. Two additional people, including a Malaysian tourist, were hurt after debris from the collapsed structure struck nearby accommodations. Rescue personnel, including firefighters, police, and disaster-response teams, continued combing through the debris using sniffer dogs and manual search efforts. Public Works Secretary Vinzon Dizon said rescuers were proceeding carefully because of the unstable condition of the site. “There are signs of life, and voices can still be heard,” Dizon told reporters, stressing that the top priority was to safely rescue those trapped. Angeles City, once home to one of the largest U.S. Air Force bases outside the United States, developed into a major commercial and entertainment center after the base’s closure in the early 1990s. The former military facility is now known as the Clark Freeport Zone, located around 80 kilometers north of Metro Manila.          

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is holding talks on Sunday with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as both sides work to ease tensions that have pushed relations to their weakest level in more than two decades. Rubio arrived in New Delhi on Saturday on his first official visit to India, at a time when economic and diplomatic ties between Washington and New Delhi have been strained, largely due to tariff policies under US President Donald Trump that increased duties on several Indian exports. His visit comes ahead of a meeting on Tuesday with foreign ministers of India, Japan and Australia under the Quad framework, the Indo-Pacific security partnership. Speaking in New Delhi, Rubio said India remains central to US strategy in the Indo-Pacific, both through the Quad and bilateral relations. India is also marking the 250th anniversary of US independence with a gala reception during Rubio’s four-day visit, which includes travel to multiple cities. However, experts say trust between the two countries has weakened significantly over the past year. Former Indian foreign ministry adviser Ashok Malik said recent US statements on sensitive security and trade issues have contributed to a “trust deficit.” He added that Rubio’s visit would be seen as successful if it helps stabilize ties and prevents further deterioration. Analysts note that while India and the US share strategic interests, their priorities often differ. India’s long-standing ties with Russia and its cautious approach toward closer alignment with Washington have sometimes created friction. Relations between the two countries have deepened over the past two decades, especially due to shared concerns over China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad grouping has frequently raised concerns about China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea, which Beijing rejects, calling the alliance an attempt to contain its rise. Tensions escalated further over the past year following several developments, including disagreements over trade, energy, and regional diplomacy. The US imposed tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s discounted purchases of Russian oil, adding strain to already delicate ties. Observers also point to India’s dissatisfaction with Washington’s engagement with Pakistan during recent regional tensions, as well as US diplomatic moves involving Iran and China.   Senior analyst Praveen Donthi of the International Crisis Group said India-US relations face structural challenges that have become more visible in recent years. He said India’s foreign policy has become more rigid and politically driven, particularly regarding US ties with Pakistan and Washington’s approach to China. Despite current tensions, experts believe New Delhi may adopt a cautious approach, hoping for improved relations after the Trump administration. For now, both sides are expected to focus on managing differences while trying to preserve a long-term strategic partnership built on shared regional interests.

Clashes broke out between protesters and riot police in Serbia’s capital on Saturday evening after a large anti-government rally led by opponents of President Aleksandar Vučić, who has faced growing public anger over his rule. The main rally in central Belgrade passed off peacefully, but tensions flared later when groups of young protesters confronted police. Some demonstrators threw rocks, bottles and flares at riot police, who responded with pepper spray and moved in to disperse the crowd. Authorities said 23 people were detained after the unrest. Police also deployed armored vehicles in parts of central Belgrade to prevent protesters from regrouping. Officials said some of the violent groups appeared to include football hooligans. They blocked streets using overturned trash bins before police moved in to restore order. Earlier in the day, tens of thousands of people filled Belgrade’s central Slavija Square, many carrying banners and wearing T-shirts with the slogan “Students win,” a youth-led movement behind the protest. Large crowds also arrived from other Serbian cities. The demonstration comes amid ongoing political tension in Serbia, where protests have continued for more than a year following anger over a railway station disaster in November 2024 that killed 16 people and triggered allegations of corruption and negligence during renovation work. Opposition groups are demanding early elections, rule of law and accountability for alleged corruption. Prosecutor Bojana Savović told the rally that a country where laws are applied selectively risks becoming “a mafia organization.” Serbia’s state railway company suspended all train services to and from Belgrade during the protest, a move widely seen as an attempt to limit arrivals from other regions. President Vučić, who was travelling to China at the time, said in a social media video that protesters had shown “violent behaviour” and insisted that state institutions were still functioning normally. Police estimated around 34,300 people attended the rally, while organizers said the turnout was significantly higher. Tensions also rose near a camp of Vučić supporters set up close to the presidential building, where clashes first began. The site has been used in previous demonstrations as a protective gathering point for the president’s allies. Human rights concerns over Serbia’s handling of protests have increased in recent months. The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, has raised concerns about police conduct and reports of excessive force against demonstrators and journalists. Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership but continues to maintain close ties with Russia and China. EU officials have warned that democratic backsliding could threaten billions of euros in potential funding. The student-led movement says it plans to challenge Vučić in upcoming elections, which the president has said could be held between September and November this year. Despite the clashes, protesters say the movement reflects growing frustration over corruption, governance and lack of accountability in the country.