United News of Bangladesh

President Donald Trump attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner on Friday, declaring, “The show must go on,” three months after the original event was disrupted by a shooting. Held at the Waldorf Astoria under heightened security, the scaled-down event brought together about 700 journalists, government officials and guests. Attendees passed through multiple security checks, including ID verification, armed officers and detection dogs, with no red carpet or pre-dinner receptions. WHCA President Weijia Jiang opened the evening by acknowledging the trauma of the April incident and reaffirming the association’s commitment to press freedom. “We are back,” she said. “We will not be intimidated. We refuse to let an act of violence have the final word.” Trump, who had previously hinted he might deliver a combative speech, instead mixed humor with criticism of the media. He joked that the ballroom contained “the largest group of ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ people put together at one time” before sitting through more than an hour of journalism awards, including honors for reporters recognized for investigative coverage of his administration. The dinner also introduced two special awards. One honored Secret Service agent Victor Gonzales, who was injured while protecting attendees during the April shooting, while another recognized the staff of the Washington Hilton, the original venue where the incident occurred. The WHCA said the decision to reschedule the event reflected its commitment to celebrating a free press and ensuring that violence would not overshadow the role of journalism. Despite the event’s return, criticism persisted. Media ethics experts and some journalists argued that the annual dinner creates the appearance of journalists becoming too friendly with the public officials they cover. Others questioned holding the event amid escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the news media. The renewed scrutiny comes as the administration continues to face criticism over actions affecting the press, including legal disputes involving journalists and growing concerns about press freedom. A coalition of media organizations and former journalists urged the WHCA to use the dinner to publicly challenge what they described as efforts to undermine the First Amendment and independent journalism.

The U.S. military said Friday that it fired on another merchant vessel accused of attempting to violate its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran launched attacks targeting U.S. positions around the Persian Gulf. The conflict showed no signs of easing after 13 consecutive nights of strikes. Both countries appeared prepared for further escalation, with U.S. embassies in the Middle East warning Americans that evacuation options could become more limited, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard urged residents of neighboring countries to avoid areas near U.S. military bases. The Saudi-led coalition also reported carrying out strikes on Yemen’s port city of Hodeida in response to attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The Houthis vowed to intensify their operations after weeks of rising tensions. U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said American forces disabled the merchant ship M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly tried four times to breach the blockade despite repeated warnings. According to Hawkins, U.S. forces fired into the vessel’s engine room after the crew ignored commands. The incident marked the second commercial vessel disabled since the blockade was reimposed. Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump met with senior national security officials to review the situation and discuss whether to maintain or escalate military operations, according to an anonymous U.S. official. No decisions from the meeting were immediately announced. Speaking later from the Oval Office, Trump described negotiations with Iran as the most serious so far but said he was “not in a hurry” to end the conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected what he described as U.S. pressure, stating that Iran would not surrender to threats. He also highlighted ongoing consultations with China and Russia. The Strait of Hormuz remained central to the conflict. The article claims Iranian attacks have effectively disrupted traffic through the strategic waterway, causing sharp increases in global energy prices and economic uncertainty. In Iraq, security officials reported that U.S.-led forces intercepted five explosive drones over Irbil, where American military advisers are stationed. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for attacks on the U.S. Udairi base in Kuwait and a watchtower associated with the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, although U.S. Central Command did not confirm those claims. Bahrain and Jordan also reported intercepting Iranian aerial attacks. At the same time, Iranian media said U.S. strikes targeted a Revolutionary Guard naval base in northern Iran, as well as military-related sites on Qeshm Island, in Isfahan province, Khuzestan province, and Fars province. U.S. Central Command stated that the strikes were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and help restore safe passage through regional waterways. Diplomatic efforts continued as an Omani delegation visited Tehran to discuss shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz. The article noted that Iran’s ability to disrupt the strait, along with Houthi attacks on Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea, has strengthened Tehran’s negotiating position. Saudi officials also reported another attack on one of their vessels in the Red Sea, causing minor damage. Houthi media said Saudi airstrikes later targeted telecommunications facilities and Kamaran Island in Yemen, injuring civilians. Saudi Arabia warned it would continue responding to attacks, while Trump threatened severe military action if Houthi assaults on shipping persisted. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another key global shipping route, has also become increasingly vulnerable. Roughly 12% of global trade and about one-quarter of the world’s container traffic normally passes through the waterway. Energy markets remained volatile, with Brent crude trading around $96 per barrel—well above prewar levels—and the U.S. national average gasoline price reaching $4.11 per gallon, according to AAA. The article also highlighted the growing humanitarian impact of the conflict. Iran’s Health Ministry reported 3,434 deaths since the war began. The International Maritime Organization said around 6,000 mariners were stranded aboard approximately 400 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.N. human rights office warned that some crews had been abandoned without adequate food, water, fuel, medical care, electricity, or communication. Despite ongoing diplomatic contacts, including a meeting between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Iran’s Abbas Araghchi, there were no public signs of a breakthrough. Araghchi suggested that additional mediation was unnecessary and argued that the United States must change its position first. The article concludes by stating that the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28 with evolving objectives, including dismantling Iran’s nuclear program and potentially removing its government. It also says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit the United States next week for talks with President Trump.

Ousted Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel on  Friday launched a new political party to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, months after a court removed him as head of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in a decision his supporters described as politically motivated. Ozel and 90 other lawmakers formally resigned from the CHP and registered the New political Party - named the “New Party” with the Interior Ministry. “May it be auspicious for our homeland, our nation, and our party,” Ozel said in a video posted on X after signing his resignation from Turkey’s oldest political party. In May, an appeals court annulled the 2023 CHP congress that elected Ozel as party leader, citing alleged irregularities, and reinstated former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The ruling drew strong criticism from Ozel’s supporters, who view it as part of a broader crackdown on the opposition. Over the past two years, hundreds of CHP mayors and officials have been detained in corruption investigations, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, widely seen as Erdogan’s strongest rival. Imprisoned since March last year, Imamoglu faces cases that could result in decades-long prison terms. It remains unclear whether he will join the New Party. With 91 seats in the 600-member parliament, the New Party is expected to become Turkey’s main opposition, replacing the CHP, which now holds 44 seats after the defections. Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) controls 277 seats. The government maintains that Turkey’s judiciary operates independently of political influence.

UNESCO has added the archaeological site of Sebastia in the occupied West Bank and five historic castles in southern Lebanon to its World Heritage List, despite strong objections from Israel. The decision was taken on Friday during a meeting of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. The committee also placed both sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger, citing the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The move came just days after Israel's Foreign Ministry urged the committee to reject the nominations, accusing those behind the proposals of using cultural heritage for political purposes. Sebastia, located about 10 kilometres northwest of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is widely identified by historians as the ancient city of Samaria, the capital of the biblical Kingdom of Israel. The site contains archaeological remains from the Iron Age, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods. According to UNESCO, both Christian and Islamic traditions identify Sebastia as the burial place of John the Baptist. The Palestinian delegation first nominated Sebastia for World Heritage status in 2012, arguing that the designation would help protect and preserve the site. The nomination said the area, which remains under Israeli control, needs greater conservation despite attracting visitors. The designation comes as Israel moves to take control of large areas of land surrounding Sebastia while facing international pressure to curb violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory. The five castles in Lebanon's Mount Amel region were recognised for their architectural importance. UNESCO said the castles reflect nearly 900 years of military architecture, combining Crusader, Ayyubid, Mamluk and local influences. Adel Naim Daoud Atieh, a member of the Palestinian delegation to UNESCO, said the recognition honours the people of Sebastia, who have protected the site for generations despite occupation, restrictions and repeated efforts to separate them from their cultural heritage. Israel withdrew from UNESCO in 2019, accusing the agency of bias and of failing to recognise the country's historical links to the Holy Land. An Israeli delegate attending the Busan meeting as an observer said politics had undermined UNESCO's credibility and distorted history. Earlier this week, Israel's Foreign Ministry accused the Palestinian delegation of falsely portraying Sebastia as an emergency case. It described the nomination as a political effort to ignore the site's Jewish and Christian history. Israel also opposed the inclusion of Beaufort Castle, one of the five Lebanese castles, claiming that Hezbollah has turned it into a military base by building tunnels beneath the site and launching rockets from the area. UNESCO and the Lebanese embassy in South Korea declined to comment on Israel's allegations. At Friday's meeting, a Lebanese delegate said the castles have been used only for cultural and tourism purposes since Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000. The delegate also accused Israeli media of misrepresenting tourist facilities as military tunnels. Earlier this week, UNESCO also placed the ancient Lebanese city of Tyre on its List of World Heritage in Danger.

Spain declared a national emergency on Friday after fast-moving wildfires forced around 10,000 people to evacuate in the Madrid region, while major fires in southwestern France drove tens of thousands from their homes. "We are experiencing a dramatic situation, not just in several Spanish regions but also in neighboring countries," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X. "My solidarity with all the people who have been affected and been forced to leave their homes," he added. The national emergency allows Spain's Interior Ministry to take charge of coordinating firefighting efforts as several regions battle wildfires intensified by a severe heatwave. Authorities also stepped in to help tackle another major blaze in the central province of Ávila. The Madrid regional government said about 10,000 residents were evacuated from several villages after multiple fires spread out of control late Thursday. "In my 60 years, I have never seen anything like this in my village," Burgohondo Mayor Francisco Martínez told Spain's public broadcaster TVE. "I have never seen fires of this size." Spain's military emergency units, national firefighting teams and water-dropping aircraft have been deployed to support local firefighters. An estimated 1,300 square kilometres of land have burned in Spain so far this year—more than four times the area destroyed during the same period in 2025. Among this year's blazes is Spain's second-largest wildfire on record, which burned around 320 square kilometres in Guadalajara province, north of Madrid. Earlier this month, 13 people died in a wildfire in southern Spain, the country's deadliest in recent memory. Sánchez on Wednesday called for political parties to work together on climate change, saying stronger action is needed to prepare for increasingly severe wildfire seasons. Temperatures are expected to exceed 39 degrees Celsius in parts of Spain, with highs of up to 44 degrees forecast in the southeastern province of Almeria. Tens of thousands evacuated in FranceIn southwestern France, authorities ordered further evacuations on Friday as wildfires continued to spread near the popular Cap Ferret peninsula on the Atlantic coast. Around 40,000 people have fled their homes over the past two days as the fires, which started on Wednesday, burned more than 87 square kilometres. Some residents had to escape by boat. France has requested assistance through the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism. President Emmanuel Macron said additional firefighting support would soon arrive, including two Canadair aircraft from Croatia, two Air Tractor planes from Portugal and Black Hawk helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Southern Europe has experienced several major wildfires this summer as extreme heat continues to affect the region. According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising about twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s. Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves and dry conditions more frequent and severe, increasing the risk of destructive wildfires, particularly across southern and southeastern Europe.

President Donald Trump has announced new double-digit tariffs on imports from dozens of US trading partners as temporary worldwide tariffs introduced earlier this year expired on Friday. The new tariffs, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, will apply to imports from 60 trading partners that account for about 99% of US imports. The Trump administration said the countries had failed to adequately enforce bans on goods produced through forced labour. "The United States has had a forced labour import ban for nearly a century and enforces it strictly. It is time for our trading partners to do the same," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said. The tariffs replace the temporary 10% global import duties that expired at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Those temporary tariffs had been introduced after the US Supreme Court ruled in February that Trump did not have the authority to impose his earlier broad tariffs under emergency powers. To introduce the new measures, the administration is using Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the president to impose tariffs on countries found to have unfair or unreasonable trade practices. Trump also relied on the same law during his first term to impose tariffs on Chinese goods. The administration is also investigating whether 16 countries have overproduced goods in ways that hurt US manufacturers. Those countries account for about 70% of US imports, and additional tariffs could follow once the investigation is completed. Trump argues that higher tariffs will help revive US manufacturing. Last year, he reversed decades of US policy supporting lower tariffs and freer trade by imposing import duties on goods from nearly every country, citing the country's long-running trade deficit as a national emergency. However, the Supreme Court later ruled that the emergency law used for those tariffs did not authorize such measures, forcing the government to refund importers that had already paid the duties. The administration first proposed the new forced labour-related tariffs last month. Since then, some countries have strengthened enforcement measures and qualified for lower tariff rates, according to a senior administration official. For example, India's tariff rate was initially set at 12.5% but has been reduced to 10% after it improved enforcement against forced labour imports, the official said. Some products, including oil, natural gas and fertilizer, are exempt from the new tariffs. Goods that qualify for duty-free treatment under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are also excluded. The move drew criticism from some lawmakers and trading partners. Representative Richard Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, accused the administration of using forced labour as an excuse for its tariff policy. "Forced labour is a serious issue that deserves strong enforcement, not to be used as a justification for questionable tariff policies," he said. Brazil, which faces a 12.5% tariff, called the decision "arbitrary and unjustified" and said it would invoke its reciprocity law, which could lead to retaliatory tariffs on US goods. The Brazilian government also plans to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization. Chile, which also faces a 12.5% tariff, said it has strong labour protections and argued that the US decision was not supported by the evidence presented during the investigation. Under US law, tariffs are paid by American companies importing foreign goods. Those businesses often pass the extra costs on to consumers through higher prices, raising concerns that the new measures could increase living costs ahead of the November midterm elections. Human rights groups said they remain cautious about the administration's motives but acknowledged that import restrictions could help combat forced labour. The International Labour Organization estimates that around 27.6 million people worldwide were trapped in forced labour in 2021. Martina Vandenberg, founder of The Human Trafficking Legal Center, said import bans can be an effective tool against forced labour but warned they should be introduced gradually to give countries time to strengthen enforcement. "Our concern is that import bans may exist only on paper without proper enforcement," she said. Canada said the latest US action was expected. Canada-US Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada shares Washington's goal of preventing goods made through forced labour from entering supply chains and would continue discussions with the United States on the issue. Experts also noted that the threat of new tariffs has already prompted some countries, including India, to strengthen their policies against forced labour, while new European Union rules due next year are expected to increase pressure on global supply chains.

Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Friday, but protesters said their nationwide campaign over alleged exam paper leaks and education reforms will continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. Wangchuk's fast became a symbol of the "Cockroach" protest movement, which began more than a month ago after allegations of leaks in some of India's most competitive entrance examinations. The movement has since grown beyond education issues, attracting students, professionals, families and activists who are also protesting unemployment, government accountability and limited economic opportunities. The demonstrations have become one of the largest and longest-running protest movements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in recent years. Thousands of protesters have continued to take to the streets despite police using tear gas and batons earlier this week to stop marchers trying to reach Parliament. In a post on X, Wangchuk said he ended his fast after meeting two federal ministers. He said the decision followed appeals from dozens of lawmakers and lengthy discussions, as well as concerns about possible violence, but did not provide further details. Despite Wangchuk ending his protest, organisers said demonstrations would continue until the education minister steps down. Protest groups also called for nationwide demonstrations on Friday to show support for students who were injured when police dispersed thousands of marchers heading to Parliament on Monday. "We won't let Sonam sir's sacrifice go in vain," said Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party, which has helped lead the movement. The group's name refers to a comment by India's chief justice comparing some unemployed young people to cockroaches. The protests continued a day after Modi addressed the issue publicly for the first time. He announced that fast-track courts would handle cases involving exam paper leaks and said his government would introduce legislation in Parliament to crack down on such crimes. However, protesters said the announcements did not meet their key demands, including greater government accountability, reforms to the examination system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the alleged paper leaks. Fabeha Sayyed, a 23-year-old protester, said Modi's statement showed the government was finally paying attention to the issue, but questioned why the education minister had not been asked to resign. "If he is truly concerned about the students and the families who lost loved ones, asking one minister to resign should not be difficult," she said.

A replica of the House of the Virgin Mary in the Philippines is drawing Catholic devotees, offering many believers a place of prayer and comfort without having to travel to Turkey. The original House of the Virgin Mary is located in Ephesus, Turkey, where Catholic tradition says Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. Now, a carefully built replica in Alfonso town, about 70 kilometres south of Manila, is welcoming pilgrims from across the Philippines, Asia's largest Catholic nation. "The idea began as a place of refuge," said Father Dennis Paez, who led the project. "This is a place where no questions are asked." The shrine opened in 2024 and has already hosted several Catholic pilgrimages, including celebrations for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel earlier this month. The 67-square-metre building closely matches the original in Turkey, including its size, shape and stone design. According to Catholic tradition, Mary lived in the house after the crucifixion of Jesus until her assumption into heaven. It is believed that the apostle John brought her there to protect her from persecution in Jerusalem. Father Paez said the replica took around 10 months to build. People from different religious backgrounds worked together on the project, something he described as a symbol of the Virgin Mary bringing everyone together. He said the shrine welcomes everyone without judgment. "There is no therapy here. The therapist is our Mother," said Paez, who is also a psychologist working with young people. Deep devotion to Mary in the PhilippinesThe Philippines has a population of about 113 million people, with nearly 80% identifying as Catholic. Devotion to the Virgin Mary is deeply rooted in Filipino religious life. She is widely known as the Blessed Mother, and processions in her honour are held throughout the country. "We are a long-suffering people," Paez said. "Our greatest wealth is our faith, and much of that faith is inspired by the Blessed Mother." Religious historian Michael Delos Reyes said devotion to Mary dates back to the arrival of Spanish missionaries in the 16th century. Over time, many Filipinos have turned to her during times of national hardship. Some believers credit Mary's intercession during the 1986 People Power Revolution that ended Ferdinand Marcos' rule. Others sought hope in her after Typhoon Haiyan devastated parts of the country in 2013. A symbol of comfort and hopeThe phrase "To Jesus through Mary" reflects Mary's important role in Filipino Catholic life. Deirdre de la Cruz, a history and Southeast Asian studies professor at the University of Michigan, said many Filipinos feel a strong connection with Mary because of her caring and motherly image. She noted that images of the Virgin Mary and rosaries are commonly seen in homes, vehicles, churches and public spaces across the country. "As someone who is known to provide comfort, Mary is a familiar figure whom people turn to during difficult times," she said. Visitor Daphne Oseña Paez said her devotion to Mary became much stronger as an adult. A visit to Mexico to see the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a difficult pregnancy deepened her faith. "We don't pray to Mary herself, but Mary intercedes for us," she said. "Whenever I faced hardships, I found comfort in her love as a mother." Bringing a holy place closer to homeInside the replica, donated images of the Virgin Mary line the walls. At its centre stands a statue based on the one in Turkey, along with a relic believed to be from Mary's veil. Many of the Marian images were donated by art collector and cultural advocate Maritess Pineda, who said she had long hoped to find a permanent home for her collection. Rupert Suarez, who had previously visited the original shrine in Turkey with his wife, also joined the project after learning about plans to build the replica. "I usually pray to the Mother," Suarez said. "It is truly a blessing that we now have this replica here." Although the shrine has received little publicity since opening, Father Paez said pilgrims continue to arrive. "I don't think I am the one bringing them," he said. "It is the Blessed Mother inviting them to come."

Canada is set to mark the opening of a major new bridge linking the country with the United States, even as trade tensions with President Donald Trump cast a shadow over the celebrations. Officials gathered in Windsor, Ontario, on Friday ahead of the official opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge to traffic on Monday. The bridge, which crosses the Detroit River, is expected to boost trade between the two countries and provide travelers with an additional border crossing. The event was originally planned as a joint ceremony on the bridge with officials from both Canada and the United States. However, Canada decided against the joint celebration after Trump unexpectedly announced this week a 50% tariff on Canadian goods entering the US. "It's regretful that we're at this point in time with our trade relationship. We're hopeful for better days ahead," Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told Detroit television station WXYZ. The United States is Canada's largest trading partner, with more than 70% of Canadian exports going south of the border. Detroit is also the busiest crossing for commercial truck traffic between the two countries, according to the US Department of Transportation. The new bridge is expected to increase competition by providing an alternative to the privately owned Ambassador Bridge, which has been the only crossing for large commercial trucks between Detroit and Windsor for nearly 100 years. Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield said she had initially been invited to a joint Canada-US ceremony before the plans changed. Calling the bridge important for the region, Sheffield said it would play a vital role in supporting the local economy, while avoiding comments on whether it had become part of the political tensions between the two countries. The bridge is named after legendary Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe, who starred for the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and died in 2016. Construction began in 2018 and took several years to complete, partly due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The six-lane bridge stretches about 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) across the Detroit River and rises 46 metres (151 feet) above the water at its highest point. Pedestrians and cyclists carrying proper identification will be allowed to cross free of charge in the coming weeks. Canada financed the project at an estimated cost of US$6.4 billion. Under a recent agreement, Canada will share part of the bridge's toll revenue with the US government for 15 years. Michigan will also receive a share of the toll income, but only after Canada recovers its construction costs, a process expected to take several decades.

Four people were killed and five others injured in a U.S. missile attack near the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Friday. Earlier Friday, multiple explosions were heard in Ahvaz, Fars News Agency reported. The U.S. military announced the 13th night of strikes Thursday against Iran as clashes escalate over shipping routes. The attacks came after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, potentially widening the Iran war as international oil topped $100 a barrel, reports AP. A short time later, Iranian state media reported explosions along the strait in Qeshm and Bandar Abbas, where two people were reportedly injured, as well as to the northwest near Andimeshk, Omidiyeh and Firuzabad.