United News of Bangladesh

Japan on Thursday received its first three F-35B stealth fighter jets at the Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities amid rising regional tensions. According to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF), the three jets are part of a planned deployment of four F-35Bs at the base, with the remaining aircraft expected to arrive at a later date. These advanced jets are equipped with short take-off and vertical landing capabilities, allowing them to operate from Japan’s two retrofitted helicopter carriers — the JS Izumo and JS Kaga. Japan’s Defense Ministry has also confirmed plans to deploy four additional F-35Bs to the Nyutabaru base by the end of March 2026. Amid growing concerns over China’s expanding military presence, Japan has accelerated its defense buildup, particularly on remote islands in the southwest region. In a separate incident Thursday, a Japanese F-2A fighter jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the country’s eastern coast during a routine training flight. The pilot managed to eject safely and was rescued, the ASDF said. All training flights of the F-2A have been temporarily suspended pending safety inspections. Meanwhile, construction is underway on a new airstrip on Mageshima Island, about 160 kilometers south of Nyutabaru, which will eventually host F-35B training exercises. However, due to delays in construction, these drills will continue at Nyutabaru until around 2030 — a decision that has sparked protests from local residents concerned over increased aircraft noise. Japan plans to acquire a total of 42 F-35B jets and 105 F-35A variants with conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) capabilities, making it the largest F-35 operator outside the United States. Source: Agency

President Donald Trump on Thursday began enforcing a sweeping wave of higher import tariffs on dozens of countries, even as economic indicators suggest his prolonged trade threats are starting to take a toll on the US economy. From just after midnight, imports from over 60 countries and the European Union are now subject to tariffs of 10% or more. Goods from the EU, Japan and South Korea face 15% tariffs, while products from Taiwan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh are taxed at 20%. Trump is also pressing the EU, Japan, and South Korea to commit hundreds of billions of dollars in investment in the US. “I think the growth is going to be unprecedented,” Trump said on Wednesday, asserting that the US is collecting “hundreds of billions” in tariffs. However, he admitted no exact figure could yet be provided, as “we don’t even know what the final number is.” Despite the economic uncertainty, the Trump administration maintains that the broad tariffs will ultimately provide clarity to businesses, encouraging them to invest and hire as the US pivots toward rebuilding its manufacturing sector. However, recent data suggests otherwise. Analysts warn the economy has already begun to feel the effects of earlier tariffs, rolled out in April. Since then, hiring has slowed, inflationary pressures have grown, and housing markets in key regions have weakened, according to economist John Silvia. India braces for 50% tariffs as Trump announces additional 25% import tax “A less productive economy requires fewer workers,” Silvia noted, adding that rising prices from tariffs also reduce real wages. The long-term impact of the tariffs remains uncertain. Economists caution the damage could unfold gradually, weakening the economy over time. “We all want it to be made for television where it’s this explosion — it’s not like that,” said Georgetown University professor Brad Jensen. “It’s going to be fine sand in the gears and slow things down.” While Trump has promoted the tariffs as a strategy to shrink the trade deficit, a rush to import goods before the deadline pushed the trade gap to $582.7 billion in the first half of 2025—38% higher than the same period last year. Construction spending has fallen by 2.9% year-on-year, and promised factory job growth has yet to materialize. The lead-up to Thursday’s rollout reflected the often chaotic nature of Trump’s trade policy. Trade partners remained uncertain even days before implementation, as prior delays and adjustments added confusion. One July 31 order postponed the tariff start date from August 1 but vaguely stated that new rates would begin “in seven days.” Even White House officials appeared unclear. When asked on Wednesday morning about the start time, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett referred reporters to the US Trade Representative’s Office. Further escalating trade tensions, Trump on Wednesday also announced new 25% tariffs on Indian imports in response to its continued purchases of Russian oil, bringing the total duty on Indian goods to 50%. India’s top exporters’ association warned the move could impact nearly 55% of its shipments to the US and severely disrupt long-standing trade ties. “Absorbing this sudden cost escalation is simply not viable,” said S.C. Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations. Additional tariffs are expected soon on pharmaceutical products and computer chips, with Trump announcing 100% duties on the latter—moves that could push parts of the US economy into what analysts describe as a “state of suspended animation.” Conditions of tariff negotiations with US not for public disclosure: Finance Adviser Trump’s legal authority to impose the tariffs—based on a 1977 economic emergency law—is also under judicial review. A recent federal appeals court hearing could force the administration to seek alternative legal justification if judges rule he overstepped his powers. Critics, including figures from Trump’s own political past, have raised red flags. Former Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan told CNBC, “There’s no rationale for this other than the president wanting to raise tariffs based on his whims.” Despite the economic headwinds, US stock markets have remained strong. The S&P 500 has climbed over 25% since April, bolstered by income tax cuts included in Trump’s July 4 tax and spending package. The White House sees this as a sign of resilience and potential acceleration in economic growth. Still, many Americans remain uncertain about what lies ahead. “There’s one person who can afford to be cavalier about the uncertainty that he’s creating, and that’s Donald Trump,” said Rachel West, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation and former Biden administration labor policy adviser. “The rest of Americans are already paying the price for that uncertainty.” Source: Agency

South Korean investigators on Thursday sought an arrest warrant for Kim Keon Hee, the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, following a day-long interrogation over allegations of bribery, stock manipulation and abuse of political power. The move came as Yoon, for the second time in a week, refused to cooperate with authorities seeking to question him over the charges involving his spouse. According to investigators, the former president resisted prison officials’ efforts for more than an hour before they abandoned the attempt out of concern for potential injury. His detention warrant expires later Thursday. The probe into Kim is one of three high-profile special investigations approved under the administration of newly elected liberal President Lee Jae Myung. These probes target former President Yoon, who was ousted from office in April and re-arrested last month over his controversial imposition of martial law last December. Investigators questioned Kim for approximately seven hours on Wednesday on a range of charges. These include allegations that she and Yoon influenced the selection of conservative party candidates for a 2022 parliamentary by-election, accepted gifts such as a necklace via a fortuneteller allegedly acting on behalf of a Unification Church official, and were involved in manipulating stock prices. The warrant request against Kim includes multiple charges, such as violations of political financing and financial market regulations, and accepting bribes, officials said. While appearing for questioning on Wednesday, Kim made a brief comment to reporters, issuing a vague apology for “causing public concern” but hinted at denying the allegations, describing herself as “someone insignificant.” Yoon is also facing a high-stakes trial on charges of rebellion and other offences. Last Friday, he similarly resisted questioning, reportedly taking off his prison uniform and lying in his cell in his underwear until investigators left. Authorities were less specific about his conduct during Thursday’s confrontation but confirmed he “strongly resisted” again. His legal team accused the investigators of violating his rights, stating he had already declared his intention to remain silent and that the attempts to bring him in were aimed at public humiliation. Yoon’s abrupt imposition of martial law on December 3 during a standoff with liberal lawmakers—whom he accused of undermining the state—sparked widespread political backlash. Critics have suggested his decision may have been driven in part by growing scrutiny over his wife’s alleged misconduct, which hurt his public support and emboldened opposition attacks. While in office, Yoon repeatedly dismissed calls for an investigation into his wife, labelling them politically motivated. After taking office in June through an early presidential election, President Lee Jae Myung approved wide-ranging special investigations into the former president’s actions, including the martial law episode, the allegations against Kim Keon Hee, and the 2023 drowning death of a marine during a flood rescue operation — an incident the liberals claim Yoon’s administration sought to cover up. Source: Agency

More than 100 people remain unaccounted for and at least one person has died following powerful flash floods caused by a cloudburst in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand. The floods swept through Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, sending a torrent of water cascading down from the mountains into Dharali village, submerging roads and buildings along the way. Rescue operations are under way, with around 190 individuals rescued so far, according to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Netanyahu signals possible escalation in Gaza A cloudburst refers to an intense and sudden rainfall in a concentrated area over a short duration, often resulting in flash floods. Access to Dharali has been challenging due to damaged roads and continuous rainfall. Chief Minister Dhami visited the flood-hit area by helicopter on Wednesday and met with affected residents. Uttarkashi, home to Dharali, is among the worst-affected areas as Uttarakhand experiences weeks of relentless rain. The floods hit around 1:30 pm local time on Tuesday (08:00 GMT), swelling the Kheerganga river and unleashing torrents of muddy water down the hills. Dharali, a summer tourist destination located about 2km from Harsil—home to a major Indian army base and an Indo-Tibetan Border Police camp—also reported at least 10 soldiers missing, according to officials. Iran executes two men over espionage for Israel, IS-linked sabotage plot Rescue efforts have been hindered by thick sludge and debris, though helicopters have been deployed to assist. The sludge has partially blocked the Bhagirathi river—known downstream as the sacred Ganges—creating an artificial lake that has submerged large areas, including a government helipad. Officials have warned that failure to drain the water quickly could endanger downstream communities. The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast further heavy rainfall and urged people to avoid areas prone to landslides. Schools have been shut in parts of Uttarakhand as a precaution. Authorities had previously issued multiple rain alerts, warning tourists against traveling to the region. Dharali generally sees fewer visitors during the monsoon season, and locals say the low turnout likely prevented a higher death toll. “A full crowd could have turned the incident into a far worse disaster,” residents warned. 14 Indian fishermen detained for illegal fishing in Bangladeshi waters Situated in the western Himalayas, Uttarakhand is highly susceptible to flash floods and landslides. In 2021, over 200 people died in similar floods caused by a cloudburst. One of the most catastrophic disasters in the region occurred in 2013 when cloudburst-induced flooding and landslides devastated several towns and villages, particularly Kedarnath, a major pilgrimage site. Thousands were swept away and many bodies were never recovered.

Asian stock markets edged mostly higher on Wednesday in subdued trading, following a decline on Wall Street triggered by disappointing U.S. economic data. Investors are closely monitoring corporate earnings reports to gauge the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on businesses. Japanese automakers Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., along with electronics and entertainment giant Sony Corp., are set to release their first-quarter results this week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.6% to close at 40,794.86, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.8% to 8,843.70. South Korea’s Kospi saw little movement, rising less than 0.1% to 3,198.14. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng increased 0.2% to 24,958.75, and China’s Shanghai Composite advanced 0.8% to 3,633.99. U.S. futures rose 0.5%. Global shares edge higher after Wall Street slide on weak US jobs data On Tuesday, the S&P 500 fell 0.5% to 6,299.19, ending a volatile period that saw the index swing between its best and worst daily performances since May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.1% to 44,111.74, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.7% to 20,916.55. A weaker-than-expected report on U.S. service sector activity heightened concerns over the economic impact of tariffs, but also raised hopes for a potential Federal Reserve interest rate cut. Strong corporate profits helped limit losses, keeping the S&P 500 within 1.4% of its record high. Market focus remains on companies delivering strong profits amid concerns that recent gains have made stocks expensive. A possible interest rate cut in September could boost stocks further, though it risks increasing inflation. Following the weaker jobs report last week, Treasury yields fell significantly and have not rebounded. The 10-year Treasury yield declined to 4.19% from 4.22% earlier and 4.39% before the jobs data release. In energy markets, U.S. crude oil rose 57 cents to $65.73 per barrel, while Brent crude gained 64 cents to $68.28 per barrel. The U.S. dollar strengthened slightly against the Japanese yen to 147.66 yen, while the euro slipped to $1.1575.   Sourcer: Agency

Iran on Wednesday executed two men in separate cases, accusing one of spying for Israel and the other of being linked to the Islamic State group, according to state media. Judiciary news outlet Mizanonline identified the alleged spy as Rouzbeh Vadi, who was convicted of passing sensitive information to Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. Authorities claimed Vadi provided intelligence related to an Iranian nuclear scientist killed during Israeli airstrikes in June. The identity of the scientist and details of Vadi’s arrest were not disclosed. The report stated that Vadi had met Mossad agents five times in Vienna, Austria. In June, Israel’s ambassador to France said that Israel’s military campaign had killed at least 14 Iranian physicists and engineers involved in the country’s nuclear program. Iran has now executed seven individuals on espionage charges since the outbreak of hostilities with Israel, raising concerns among rights groups over a potential surge in executions. Separately, Iran executed Mehdi Aghazadeh, accused of being an Islamic State group member involved in sabotage plots. Authorities said he underwent militant training in Syria and Iraq and later infiltrated Iran with a four-member team that was reportedly killed in clashes with Iranian forces. According to Mizanonline, Iran’s Supreme Court upheld both death sentences, stating that due legal procedures were followed.   Source: Agency

Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea’s ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, appeared before a special prosecutor on Wednesday for questioning over allegations of stock manipulation, bribery, and interference in political nominations. The investigation is one of three special prosecutor-led probes approved under the new liberal administration of President Lee Jae Myung, following Yoon’s removal from office in April and his re-arrest last month. Yoon is currently facing trial on charges including rebellion, stemming from his brief and controversial imposition of martial law in December. Kim, who arrived at the prosecutor’s office under heavy police presence, said she would “sincerely cooperate” with the investigation. “I apologize for causing concern to the people, even though I am someone insignificant,” she told reporters before declining to answer specific questions. The allegations against Kim include suspected involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme and the alleged receipt of luxury gifts, including a necklace, via a fortuneteller acting as an intermediary for a Unification Church official seeking business favors. South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol arrested over martial law declaration She and Yoon are also accused of attempting to sway nominations within the conservative People Power Party in 2022, allegedly at the request of Myung Tae-kyun, a pollster and political broker who previously supported Yoon's campaign with free surveys. Yoon, who had rejected prior calls to investigate his wife while in office, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. Last week, he reportedly resisted questioning over his wife by refusing to cooperate with investigators in prison. Authorities said he removed his prison uniform and lay on the floor, prompting them to abandon their attempt to execute the warrant. Talks are ongoing with his legal team to schedule questioning. Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law on December 3 during a standoff with opposition lawmakers was widely criticized and lasted only hours. He was impeached on December 14 after lawmakers managed to override the blockade by armed soldiers, and his removal was finalized by the Constitutional Court in April. SKorea’s parliament votes to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol Following President Lee’s election victory in June, his administration launched three special probes targeting Yoon’s presidency: the martial law incident, corruption allegations involving Kim, and the 2023 drowning death of a marine during a flood rescue, which the current government alleges was covered up by Yoon’s officials. Yoon had been released from prison in March after a court overturned an earlier arrest, but was re-arrested in July after prosecutors argued he posed a risk of destroying evidence.   Source: Agency

The Philippines on Tuesday strongly condemned China’s recent rocket launch after suspected debris from the mission fell close to the western province of Palawan, sparking public alarm and raising concerns over safety risks to residents, ships, and aircraft in the area. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said no injuries or property damage were reported following the incident late Monday. However, he warned that the suspected debris from China’s Long March-12 rocket posed “a clear danger and risk to land areas and to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels operating near the designated drop zones.” “We condemn in no uncertain terms the irresponsible testing done by the People’s Republic of China,” Año said in a statement, adding that the launch caused panic among residents in Puerto Princesa City and surrounding towns who reported hearing loud explosions and seeing a fireball streak across the sky before it exploded and shook the ground. China launches powerful hydrogen generator to cut emissions Chinese authorities have yet to respond to the Philippine official’s statement. According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, the Long March-12 rocket was launched Monday night from a commercial spaceport in Hainan province. The mission, which was China’s 587th using the Long March series, successfully placed a batch of internet satellites into orbit. It remains unclear whether Chinese officials had notified neighbouring countries, including the Philippines, about potential debris from the launch. The Philippine Space Agency said debris was expected to fall within two designated drop zones: approximately 21 nautical miles (39 km) from Puerto Princesa and 18 nautical miles (33 km) from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park—a UNESCO-listed marine sanctuary in the Sulu Sea. “While the debris was not projected to fall on inhabited areas, it still poses risks to vessels, aircraft, and other maritime activities,” the agency warned, explaining that rocket components such as boosters and fairings are often jettisoned during launch and can survive re-entry. Search operations involving aircraft and vessels were launched Tuesday to locate any remnants of the rocket, Año said. He also advised the public not to touch any debris that may be found, citing the possibility of toxic fuel residue.   Source: Agency

Hundreds of people rallied in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, chanting anti-India slogans to mark the sixth anniversary of India’s decision to revoke the region’s semi-autonomous status. The protests come nearly three months after a flare-up between India and Pakistan, which exchanged military fire following a mass shooting in Indian-administered Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of involvement, a claim Islamabad denied. The incident raised fears of escalation before global powers stepped in to ease tensions. Demonstrators condemned the August 5, 2019, move by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to remove Kashmir’s special constitutional status. Protesters called for the restoration of statehood to the region, which remains disputed between the two nuclear-armed neighbors since their independence from Britain in 1947. Kashmir tourism bears the brunt after tourist massacre and India-Pakistan military strikes The main rally in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, was attended by members of civil society and various political groups. Mazhar Saeed Shah, a senior figure in the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, urged the international community to uphold United Nations resolutions and support Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. In Islamabad, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people, describing India’s control of the territory as “illegal occupation.” Meanwhile, in Srinagar — the main city in Indian-administered Kashmir — members of India’s opposition Congress party held a separate rally, demanding the reinstatement of the region’s statehood.   Source: Agency

India and the Philippines on Tuesday announced an upgraded strategic partnership aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, defense, and maritime security. The agreement was made following bilateral talks in New Delhi between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. According to Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the two nations also agreed to enhance collaboration in areas such as space, tourism, culture, and digital technologies. Following the talks, Prime Minister Modi said both countries are committed to promoting peace, security, prosperity, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. President Marcos echoed similar views, saying the strategic partnership would extend beyond bilateral interests. “We want to work with you for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Marcos told Modi. President Marcos is on a five-day visit to India, which began on Monday. The visit comes amid growing defense ties between the two nations. On Sunday, India and the Philippines conducted joint naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea for the first time — a move that drew criticism from China. India has also supplied the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system to the Philippines as part of its expanding defense cooperation..   Source: Agency