United News of Bangladesh

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, amid rising international and domestic pressure to bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza. The meeting comes just days after Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech at the United Nations, rejecting global calls for a ceasefire. As Israel becomes increasingly isolated on the world stage and Netanyahu’s ruling coalition faces instability at home, all eyes are now on how Trump—long a vocal supporter of Netanyahu—will approach the discussion. In a social media post on Sunday, Trump hinted at a breakthrough, writing: “We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!” The two leaders are expected to hold talks in the Oval Office, followed by a joint press conference. Analysts say the meeting could prove pivotal. Professor Eytan Gilboa of Bar-Ilan and Reichman universities described it as one of the most critical moments in the Netanyahu–Trump relationship. “Netanyahu may soon have to choose between maintaining support from Trump or holding his fragile coalition together,” he said, noting that several coalition members oppose ending the war. Researcher Oded Ailam from the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs said Trump is likely to press for a permanent ceasefire, potentially limiting Netanyahu's options. Netanyahu has consistently vowed to continue military operations until Hamas is eliminated. Should Trump apply pressure, Netanyahu may seek to establish “red lines” in any agreement—such as the dismantling of Hamas and the right to resume military operations if hostilities return. The Trump-Netanyahu alliance has endured through major events, including a brief military conflict with Iran earlier this year, in which U.S. bombers struck Iranian nuclear sites. Trump also backed Netanyahu during his ongoing corruption trial, calling it a “witch hunt.” However, tensions have grown. Trump was reportedly frustrated by Israel’s failed operation in Qatar to target Hamas leaders—Qatar being a key U.S. ally and a host of Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Recently, Trump voiced opposition to Israeli annexation of the West Bank, an idea promoted by hardliners in Netanyahu’s government. Michael Doran of the Hudson Institute argued that Trump’s remarks were strategic, allowing Netanyahu to push back against internal pressure while appearing cooperative with Arab allies. Last Friday, Trump told reporters that a Gaza deal was “very close,” though past statements have not always led to concrete outcomes. According to three Arab officials familiar with the U.S. proposal—who spoke anonymously—the plan includes an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages within 48 hours, and a phased Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. The proposal excludes the expulsion of Palestinians, an idea Trump seemed to support earlier this year. The 21-point plan reportedly calls for Hamas to be disarmed and removed from power. Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many serving life sentences. An international security force would take over law enforcement in Gaza, while a technocratic Palestinian committee would manage civilian affairs. Eventually, authority would be handed to a restructured Palestinian Authority—though Netanyahu has publicly rejected any PA role in Gaza’s future. Hamas, informed of the plan by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, has not yet received an official proposal. The group has long refused to disarm, linking its weapons to the goal of achieving an independent Palestinian state. In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu acknowledged the U.S. plan, saying Israel was “working with President Trump’s team ... and I hope we can make it a go.” During his UN speech, Netanyahu praised Trump as a key ally who “understands better than any other leader” the threats faced by both Israel and the United States. However, international support for Israel has plummeted. At a recent UN Security Council session, while many countries condemned Hamas's October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages, they also criticized Israel’s response and called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid. The Gaza Health Ministry, part of Hamas’s administration, says over 66,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict. The figure is considered credible by the UN and independent observers. Over 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, and famine is spreading. Twenty-eight Western-aligned nations, once supportive of Israel, have recently urged it to halt military operations and lift aid restrictions. Ten countries—including the UK, France, Canada, and Australia—recognized Palestinian statehood last week, aiming to revive the stalled peace process. Some Arab states, previously aligned with Israel, have accused it of committing genocide in Gaza. The International Court of Justice is currently reviewing genocide allegations filed by South Africa—claims Israel firmly denies. Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. adviser on Middle East affairs, said the road to peace remains long and uncertain. “The more confident the claims that peace is imminent, the more skeptical I become,” he said.

The Taliban on Sunday freed a U.S. citizen from an Afghan prison, weeks after they said they had reached an agreement with U.S. envoys on a prisoner exchange as part of an effort to normalize relations. The deputy spokesperson for the Taliban Foreign Ministry, Zia Ahmad Takal, identified the man as Amir Amiri. He did not say when Amiri was detained, why, or where. An official with knowledge of the release said Amiri had been detained in Afghanistan since December 2024 and was on his way back to the U.S. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details with the media. Qatar facilitated Amiri's release in the latest diplomatic achievement resulting from its security partnership with the U.S. that has secured the freedom of four other Americans from Taliban detention this year. Qatar, an energy-rich nation on the Arabian Peninsula, also helped in releasing a British couple who were imprisoned for months. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed Amiri's release, saying it marked the administration’s determination, reinforced by the president’s recent executive order, to protect American nationals from wrongful detention abroad. “While this marks an important step forward, additional Americans remain unjustly detained in Afghanistan. President Trump will not rest until all our captive citizens are back home.” Ahmad Habibi, the brother of Mahmood Habibi, a U.S. citizen held by the Taliban for more than three years, said he and his family were grateful to hear the news about Amiri, and they remained hopeful that Mahmood would be brought home as well. Mahmood Habibi, an Afghan-American business owner, worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company and vanished in 2022. The FBI and his family have said they believe he was taken by the Taliban, who have denied holding him. “We are grateful that senior officials at the State Department and National Security Council have repeatedly assured us that any deal they do with the Taliban will be ‘all or nothing’ and they have explicitly assured us that they will not leave my brother behind,” Ahmad Habibi said.

The United Nations has reimposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, further straining the Islamic Republic as its people grapple with soaring food prices, widespread poverty and growing fears about the future. The sanctions, enforced through a mechanism known as “snapback” in Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, will freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms transactions with Tehran and penalize its ballistic missile development, among other measures. Iran’s economy, already battered by inflation and the fallout of June’s 12-day war with Israel, faces even greater hardship. The national currency, the rial, has sunk to a record low, pushing the cost of meat, rice and other essentials beyond the reach of many families. For ordinary Iranians, the struggle is unprecedented. “For as long as I can remember, we’ve been struggling with economic hardship, and every year it’s worse than the last,” said Sina, a father of a 12-year-old boy, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions. “For my generation, it’s always either too late or too early — our dreams are slipping away.” Snapback and nuclear deadlock Snapback sanctions cannot be vetoed by Russia or China at the UN Security Council, making them harder for Tehran to resist. The measure was triggered 30 days ago by France, Germany and the UK, citing Iran’s restrictions on international monitoring of its nuclear program and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Iran further barred the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from accessing its nuclear sites after the June war, when Israeli and US strikes targeted facilities in the country. Tehran continues to hold uranium enriched to 60% purity — close to weapons-grade — sufficient for several atomic bombs if weaponization is pursued. Iran has long claimed its nuclear program is peaceful, though the IAEA and Western powers maintain that Tehran ran an organized weapons program until 2003. The three European nations said they tried to avoid invoking snapback, but Iran has failed to allow IAEA inspectors back or to account for its enriched uranium stockpile. Tehran argues that Europe cannot use the mechanism, pointing to the US withdrawal from the 2015 accord under then-President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the European nations for “an act of decisive global leadership” and said diplomacy remains possible if Tehran agrees to direct talks. However, analysts warn of heightened risks. “Given the knowledge Iran has, given the materials that remain in Iran, that’s a very dangerous assumption,” said Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association. The absence of inspections, she added, could provide grounds for further strikes by the US or Israel. Hunger, inflation and mental health strain The economic toll of the June war has been devastating. Government data showed annual inflation at 34.5% in June, while food prices jumped over 50%. Shoppers report even steeper increases: pinto beans tripled in price in a year, rice rose by as much as 100% for premium varieties, and staples like chicken, butter, cheese and milk saw sharp hikes. “I cannot omit them like fruits and meat from my grocery list because my kids are too young to be deprived,” said Tehran resident Sima Taghavi, a mother of two. The soaring cost of living, combined with fears of renewed conflict, has driven more Iranians to seek psychological help. “The psychological pressure from the 12-day war on the one hand, and runaway inflation and price hikes on the other, has left society exhausted and unmotivated,” said Dr. Sima Ferdowsi, a clinical psychologist at Shahid Beheshti University, in remarks to local media. Surge in executions Amid growing unrest, authorities have intensified repression. Rights groups say Iran is executing prisoners at a pace unseen since 1988, when thousands were put to death at the end of the Iran-Iraq war. The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights and the Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center reported over 1,000 executions so far in 2025, though the actual figure may be higher as not all cases are officially disclosed. Protests in recent years, fueled by economic hardship, demands for women’s rights and calls for political change, have met with harsh crackdowns. Activists fear the latest sanctions and economic strain could accelerate repression further.  

Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Indian woman who spent more than three decades in the United States, has been deported to India, sparking outrage among the Sikh community. Ms. Kaur moved to California in 1991 with her two young sons to escape political unrest in Punjab. She lived and worked in the US while making several unsuccessful attempts to seek asylum. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested her on September 8 after her asylum applications were rejected. She was transferred to a holding facility in Georgia on September 19 and deported to India on September 22 without being able to visit her US home or say proper goodbye to family and friends, according to her lawyer Deepak Ahluwalia. Ahluwalia said Ms. Kaur, who has no criminal record, was treated poorly during detention. “She spent 60-70 hours in a detention cell without a bed, forced to sleep on the floor despite double knee replacements. She was given ice to take her medicines and denied food she could eat,” he said. ICE said in a statement that Ms. Kaur had “exhausted decades of due process” and that an immigration judge had ordered her removal in 2005. ICE added that she had filed multiple appeals, all of which were rejected, and that it was now enforcing US law. Ms. Kaur lived in Hercules, San Francisco Bay Area, and worked for 20 years as a sari-store seamstress while paying taxes. Asylum applicants are allowed to work legally while their claims are processed. After landing in Delhi, she told Times of India, “After living for so long in the US, you are suddenly detained and deported this way; it is better to die than to face this.” Her arrest had triggered protests and anger in the Sikh community in California. The deportation comes amid a broader US crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration, which has targeted both alleged illegal immigrants and others whose appeals were rejected.   Source: BBC

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of the German capital on Saturday in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The demonstrators called for a conclusion to the Israel-Hamas war, shouting slogans like “free, free Palestine,” and they demanded an end to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Around 50,000 people took part in the march through Berlin's downtown area, according to police. About 1,800 law enforcement officers were deployed to monitor the demonstrators. The protesters also called for a halt to German arms exports to Israel and demanded European Union sanctions against Israel, German news agency dpa reported. Last month, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Germany wouldn't authorize any exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice." The country has balked at supporting sanctions against Israel. Germany has been seen as one of Israel’s strongest supporters. It has maintained a strongly pro-Israel stance for decades, largely because of its historical responsibility for the Holocaust, which has shaped its postwar foreign policy around ensuring Israel’s security and combating antisemitism. In a separate protest, about 100 people rallied in favor of Israel and “against all forms of antisemitism,” German public broadcaster RBB reported, adding that there were isolated scuffles, when the two protest groups met. It wasn't immediately clear if the scuffles were between the different protesters or with police trying to separate them. Several thousand people also protested in the western German city of Düsseldorf under the slogan “we will not forget Gaza — freedom for Palestine and all oppressed peoples.” In Geneva, about 6,000 people demonstrated for an end to the war in Gaza, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported. Other European cities have also seen Gaza protests in recent weeks. The war in Gaza was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. In the attack, militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251. There are still 48 hostages remaining in Gaza, of whom Israel believes 20 are still alive. Israel’s retaliatory offensive over the past 23 months has killed more than 65,100 people in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, destroyed vast areas of the Palestinian territory, displaced around 90% of the population and caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with experts saying Gaza City is experiencing famine. The ministry is under the Hamas-run government. U.N. agencies and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. It doesn't say how many of those killed were civilians or combatants.

UNESCO has designated 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries, expanding the global network to 785 sites in 142 countries at a time of mounting threats from climate change and biodiversity loss. The new reserves, announced Saturday in Hangzhou, China, include some of the planet’s most diverse and fragile ecosystems. Unlike strictly protected nature parks, biosphere reserves also encompass inhabited areas where scientists, residents, and governments work together to balance conservation, research and economic activity. Among the latest designations is Indonesia’s Raja Ampat archipelago, home to three-fourths of the world’s coral species along with rainforests and endangered sea turtles. Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Biosphere Reserve includes volcanic peaks, lava fields, wetlands, and more than 70% of the nation’s plant species, while Angola’s Quiçama reserve stretches 206 kilometers along the Atlantic coast, providing habitat for elephants, manatees, sea turtles and over 200 bird species. António Abreu, head of UNESCO’s biosphere program, said biodiversity protection must go hand-in-hand with community needs, noting that local residents have even helped identify new species. In the Philippines, for example, damaged coral reefs were restored through aquaculture initiatives, while in São Tomé and Príncipe, mangrove restoration has protected coastlines and boosted ecotourism. UNESCO says more than 60% of reserves worldwide are already affected by extreme weather linked to climate change, including heatwaves, drought and rising seas. The agency is using satellite monitoring and digitizing historical data to guide management. However, many sites also face human pressures. In Nigeria’s Omo Forest Reserve, habitat loss threatens critically endangered African forest elephants as cocoa farming expands. The U.S., which has 47 biosphere reserves, has announced it will withdraw from UNESCO again in December 2026, following a decision by President Donald Trump’s administration.

Russia has sold military equipment and shared know-how with China that could help Beijing prepare airborne operations against Taiwan, according to an analysis by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) based on leaked Russian documents. The RUSI report, compiled from roughly 800 pages of material—contracts, equipment lists and meeting minutes obtained from the Black Moon hacktivist group—says the files reference deliveries and timelines for high-altitude parachute systems, amphibious assault vehicles and other gear that could be used to insert troops and equipment behind enemy lines. The institute provided some documents to The Associated Press and said they appear authentic; AP was not able to independently verify them. While the documents do not explicitly mention Taiwan, RUSI analysts argue the systems would markedly improve China’s airborne capabilities and could shorten Beijing’s timetable for mounting a large-scale landing operation. High-level U.S. officials have warned that China has been ordered to be prepared for a possible invasion as early as 2027. The papers describe meetings between Chinese and Russian delegations, payment and delivery schedules, and an agreement for training in China. One document dated September 2024 refers to an initial 2021 arrangement and indicates that technical analysis, software adaptation and manufacturing phases have been completed. The package reportedly includes 37 light amphibious assault vehicles, 11 amphibious anti-tank guns, 11 airborne armoured personnel carriers, plus command and observation vehicles—tabled at a total cost of more than $210 million. Beijing, the documents show, sought integration with Chinese communications and ammunition systems. Of particular concern is a Russian system called Dalnolyot, designed for parachute drops from extreme altitudes carrying up to 190 kilograms. RUSI says Beijing requested tests from drops at 8,000 metres, which would allow paratroopers and cargo to glide tens of kilometres and potentially infiltrate territory without crossing hostile airspace. Analysts suggested such capability could support a “stage zero” operation—covertly inserting special forces and equipment before a larger assault. RUSI researchers Oleksandr Danylyuk and Jack Watling noted the greatest value to China may be Russian operational experience—command, control and procedures for airborne landings—rather than the hardware alone. “The Chinese school of airborne landing is very young,” Danylyuk told RUSI, warning Moscow’s assistance could accelerate Beijing’s airborne programme by a decade or more. Russian and Chinese officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Analysts caution that the documents do not prove China has paid for or received the equipment, and the material may be incomplete or altered. The report also reflects lessons from Russia’s own setbacks: Moscow’s parachute units failed to secure a crucial early advantage in Ukraine in 2022 when airborne operations around Kyiv were repelled. Still, RUSI says the gear described in the files would be tailored for an invasion scenario rather than for Russia’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine. Military experts say airborne insertions would likely play a supporting role in any cross-Taiwan operation rather than being the decisive move. Securing air superiority, suppressing Taiwanese defences and establishing a sustained seaborne and air bridge remain the core operational challenges, the report says. One proposed tactic cited by analysts is airdropping armoured vehicles onto open ground—such as golf courses—near ports and airfields to clear corridors for follow-on forces. RUSI concludes that by supplying both equipment and training, Russia could position itself as a reliable defence supplier to China while also raising the geopolitical costs for the West. Some analysts warn Moscow may seek to draw Beijing into a confrontation with Washington over Taiwan, potentially diverting attention from Russia’s war in Ukraine.  

The U.N. Security Council on Friday rejected a last-ditch attempt by Russia and China to block the reimposition of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, setting the stage for punitive measures to take effect this weekend. The move came a day before the deadline for the so-called “snapback” mechanism outlined in Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Britain, France and Germany triggered the process last month after accusing Tehran of failing to comply with the accord. The Russia-China resolution, which sought to give Iran more time to negotiate, fell short of the nine votes required for adoption. The final tally was 4-9, with two abstentions. “We had hoped that European colleagues and the U.S. would opt for diplomacy instead of clumsy blackmail, which only escalates tensions,” Russian Deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told the council. The sanctions, expected to be reinstated Saturday, will freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms sales to Tehran, and restrict development of its ballistic missile program, further straining the country’s struggling economy. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, denounced the move as “unfair, unjust and illegal.” Still, he ruled out withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, saying Iran would not follow the path of North Korea, which abandoned the pact in 2003 before developing nuclear weapons. Iran’s allies China, Russia, Pakistan and Algeria voted in favor of delaying sanctions. But Western powers argued that weeks of negotiations had failed to yield any progress. “This sordid mess did not come about overnight,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said after the vote. “The U.S. betrayed diplomacy, but the E3 have buried it.” European diplomats said Tehran ignored opportunities for compromise during six weeks of talks leading up to the General Assembly. One diplomat told AP earlier this week the discussions produced “no new developments, no new results.” President Pezeshkian, however, accused the U.S. of undermining talks. “One night this week, the Americans were supposed to meet with us and the Europeans, but they never showed up,” he said. He added that U.S. negotiators often backtracked on previously agreed issues, further deepening distrust. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had already cast doubt on prospects for compromise, declaring earlier this month that negotiations with Washington are “a sheer dead end.” European leaders have said they were ready to extend the deadline if Tehran met certain conditions, including direct talks with the U.S., full access for U.N. nuclear inspectors, and disclosure of more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium reported by the IAEA. Iran enriches uranium up to 60% — just a short step from weapons-grade levels — making it the only non-nuclear weapons state doing so. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on Friday that its inspectors remain in Iran, monitoring facilities and conducting inspections. Earlier this month, Iran and the IAEA signed an agreement, mediated by Egypt, to resume cooperation. But Tehran has warned it will end that arrangement if sanctions are reimposed. Despite ongoing inspections, European diplomats said Iran’s limited cooperation falls short of the measures needed to prevent sanctions from being reinstated on Saturday.

The head of a U.S. congressional delegation visiting China on Thursday said significant efforts are needed to resolve ongoing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies, which he said are creating challenges for businesses on both sides of the Pacific. Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington state, said his key observation from the five-day trip was that substantial business activity continues between the U.S. and China despite the trade war. “We have a lot of work to do to resolve these issues, but China, the U.S., and the world can benefit from resolving some of our differences and working better together,” Smith told reporters after a meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. The delegation — Smith, fellow Democrats Reps. Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan, and Republican Rep. Michael Baumgartner — were later seen having coffee in a Shanghai office building lobby following their Chamber meeting. Smith, a member of the House Armed Services Committee along with the other Democrats, reiterated the need for enhanced communication between the U.S. and Chinese militaries. “Two of the largest nuclear powers in the world need to be talking to each other, particularly considering the fact that we do have some disagreements,” he said. The lawmakers arrived in Shanghai Wednesday after three days of meetings with top Chinese officials in Beijing, including Premier Li Qiang, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Defense Minister Dong Jun. Smith said the main goal of the trip was to reopen channels of communication between the two governments. This was the first visit by a U.S. House delegation to China since 2019, following a Senate delegation visit in 2023. U.S. President Donald Trump has recently indicated plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a regional summit in South Korea in late October, followed by a visit to China early next year. Beijing has not officially confirmed the meetings.  

Russia and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to build small nuclear power plants in Iran, as Tehran faces the prospect of renewed international sanctions over its nuclear programme. The agreement was signed Wednesday in Moscow by Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev and Iran’s top nuclear official and Vice President Mohammad Eslami, who described it as a “strategic project.” Earlier this week, Eslami told Iranian state media that Tehran plans to build eight nuclear plants as part of its goal to generate 20 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity by 2040. Iran currently operates only one nuclear facility — the Russian-built Bushehr plant in the south — with a capacity of about 1 gigawatt. The development comes as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) last week voted against permanently lifting sanctions on Iran, setting the stage for their automatic reimposition by September 28 unless a new deal is reached. Russia was among four countries that opposed restoring sanctions. Iran rejected the UNSC move, warning that the resumption of sanctions would “effectively suspend” its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The vote followed a 30-day dispute process triggered in August by the United Kingdom, France and Germany — the E3 — accusing Tehran of breaching its nuclear commitments. The E3 allege Iran has amassed a uranium stockpile more than 40 times above the limit set under the 2015 nuclear accord, which former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018 before reimposing sanctions. Tehran argues it only expanded enrichment after Washington violated the deal. Fresh sanctions would freeze Iranian assets abroad, block arms sales to Tehran, and restrict its ballistic missile programme. While denying any pursuit of nuclear weapons, Iranian leaders insist on their right to peaceful nuclear energy. Addressing the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran “will never seek a nuclear bomb.” A day earlier, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed any direct talks with Washington, calling negotiations with the United States “a sheer dead end.” Tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme have intensified in recent months. In June, Israel launched a 12-day conflict with Iran, during which Israeli and U.S. forces targeted several of Tehran’s nuclear facilities. Source: Agency