United News of Bangladesh

Frank Caprio, the retired Rhode Island judge celebrated worldwide for his compassionate rulings and viral courtroom videos, has died at the age of 88. According to a statement on his official social media pages, Caprio passed away peacefully after a long and brave fight with pancreatic cancer. Caprio, who presided over the Providence Municipal Court and hosted the popular show Caught in Providence, gained a global following for his empathetic and often humorous courtroom style. His show featured real-life minor infractions—like traffic tickets or noise complaints—handled with kindness, empathy, and occasional levity. It amassed over a billion views across social media platforms. Unlike many hard-nosed TV judges, Caprio was known for his gentle demeanor and willingness to listen. In one memorable clip, he invited children to help him rule on cases involving their parents. In another, he compassionately dismissed $400 in fines for a grieving mother whose son had been killed. Last week, Caprio had shared a personal message on Facebook, revealing he had returned to the hospital and asked for prayers. Caprio also used his platform to spotlight broader issues, including the challenges low-income Americans face when navigating the legal system. In one video, he remarked that nearly 90% of poor Americans must handle legal issues—like healthcare disputes or evictions—without legal assistance. Born and raised in Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood, Caprio came from modest beginnings as the second of three brothers. He served nearly 40 years on the municipal bench before retiring in 2023. His legacy extended well beyond Rhode Island, with fans in countries as far as China praising his fairness and compassion. In one viral clip, Caprio dismissed a red-light violation for a bartender making $3.84 an hour—then used the moment to call out diners who skip out on their bills, urging viewers to show respect to hardworking service staff. Caprio’s family remembered him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. “Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions,” they said. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee praised Caprio as more than just a public servant. “He was a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what justice can look like when it's delivered with humanity,” McKee said. Close friend and business partner Robert Leonard described him as selfless and irreplaceable. “There was nothing he wouldn’t do to help others,” he said. Reflecting on his judicial philosophy in 2017, Caprio said: “Government institutions can work best when guided by kindness, fairness, and compassion. In our divisive world, I hope people see that justice doesn’t have to be harsh to be effective.”

In one of the largest aerial assaults on Ukraine this year, Russia launched a barrage of 574 drones and 40 missiles overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force reported Thursday. The attack focused primarily on western regions, resulting in at least one death and 15 injuries, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha revealed that among the targets was a major U.S.-owned electronics manufacturer in the west of the country, though he did not provide further details. The western regions, distant from the front lines in the east and south, serve as key routes for Western military aid moving into Ukraine. Officials say this was the third largest drone attack and the eighth-largest missile strike in 2025 so far. The strikes occurred amid renewed U.S.-led efforts to negotiate peace after more than three years of war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, criticizing Moscow’s apparent disregard for diplomatic efforts. He urged the international community to respond with increased sanctions and pressure. Zelenskyy noted that one of the cruise missiles struck a U.S. business producing household appliances like coffee machines, calling the attack on a civilian facility "very telling" of Russia’s intentions. Amid escalating violence, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is intensifying consultations with allies regarding potential security guarantees. He mentioned that, following positive signs from the U.S., Ukraine could be ready for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin within 10 days. A potential trilateral meeting involving U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin is under discussion, with possible venues including Switzerland, Austria, or Turkey. Zelenskyy explained that the aim is to finalize a framework for long-term security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5. While over 30 countries have pledged in principle to support Ukraine’s security, progress has stalled due to the U.S. previously withholding a clear stance. Recent signals from Trump indicating support for "Article 5-style" guarantees have reignited momentum. Zelenskyy stated that some countries previously uninvolved in the talks are now showing interest, and that Turkey has offered to help ensure security in the Black Sea region. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any effort to craft security arrangements excluding Russia would be futile. Speaking to Russian media, he insisted Moscow would protect its national interests “firmly and harshly.” Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine's willingness to hold direct talks with Putin but emphasized the need for a strong U.S. response if Russia refuses to engage. Reflecting on his recent Oval Office meeting with Trump and European leaders, Zelenskyy said he tried to counter Moscow’s portrayal of the war. He pointed out inaccuracies in U.S. maps that overestimated Russian territorial control and highlighted the strategic importance of regions like Donbas and Dnipropetrovsk. He stressed that any withdrawal from the east would open pathways to key cities like Kharkiv, making it impossible for Ukraine to pull back without severe consequences. “I believe President Trump understood the reality on the ground,” Zelenskyy concluded.

The leaders of Belarus and Iran signed new agreements Wednesday aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in key areas, including defense, according to both governments. Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Masoud Pezeshkian inked a package of 13 documents in Minsk, the Belarusian capital. Both nations face heavy international sanctions, limiting their trade partners. Pezeshkian said Iran would assist Belarus in “neutralizing” such measures, citing Tehran’s long experience navigating Western economic restrictions. Lukashenko told Pezeshkian that Belarus is “ready to cooperate with you on all issues — from providing your country with food to military-technical cooperation,” describing the Iranian president as a “friend.” The two countries did not provide further details about defense cooperation. Other areas covered by the agreements include industry, tourism, and joint projects in science, technology, and education. Belarus election likely extends Lukashenko's 30-year authoritarian rule Belarus’ wood processing and chemical industries, as well as potash fertilizers, could offer strategic benefits to Iran. The presidents also said they would work toward a strategic partnership treaty. Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has allowed Russian forces to use Belarusian territory for military operations in Ukraine, including the deployment of tactical nuclear missiles. Iran has supplied drones to Russia for use in the war, and Pezeshkian signed a strategic cooperation treaty with Putin in January, though it lacked a mutual defense clause. The Iranian president’s visit to Minsk had been postponed several times due to U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Lukashenko condemned the attacks as “a serious threat to regional and international stability and security,” and expressed support for Iran’s “legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear energy.”   Source: Agency

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas after meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Sugiono, on Wednesday. Both officials described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “unbearable” and emphasized that a negotiated two-state solution remains the only viable path to ending the Israel-Hamas conflict. “The goal for all of us is clear: a two-state solution, which must be negotiated,” Wadephul said. Sugiono, who like many Indonesians goes by a single name, said the talks also covered geopolitical challenges and rising trade barriers. Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, is a longtime supporter of Palestine and does not recognize Israel. Wadephul stressed Germany’s dual role: supporting Israel’s fight against Hamas while urging measures to ease suffering in Gaza. He also highlighted Indonesia and Japan as key economic partners in his five-day trip aimed at promoting free trade, fair competition, and stronger global partnerships. Germany stops military exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza Germany is Indonesia’s main trading partner in Europe, with last year’s trade totaling $6.15 billion, while German investment in Indonesia reached $343 million in 2024. Negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are expected to conclude in 2026, with Germany committing €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion) to Indonesia’s clean energy transition. Wadephul also praised Indonesia’s role in mediating regional conflicts and maintaining stability in Southeast Asia through ASEAN.   Source: Agency

  At least 79 people, including 19 children, were killed in a tragic bus accident in northwestern Afghanistan as they returned from Iran, according to an official statement. Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani confirmed that two others were injured in the crash. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in Herat province, according to Tolo News, citing the official. The bus collided with a truck and a motorcycle, triggering a massive fire that caused many deaths on the spot. Traffic accidents are frequent in Afghanistan due to dangerous road conditions and reckless driving. The victims were among the nearly 1.8 million Afghans recently deported from Iran. Since the beginning of the year, an additional 184,459 Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan, and over 5,000 from Turkey. Almost 10,000 Afghan prisoners have also been repatriated, mainly from Pakistan. In July, the Taliban condemned neighboring countries for the large-scale expulsions of Afghans, criticizing Iran and Pakistan for deporting individuals they deem to be residing illegally. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation estimates that around 6 million Afghan refugees are still living abroad.

Pakistani authorities issued a flood warning on Wednesday for several southern districts as heavy rains threaten to cause further devastation, while rescue teams continue efforts to locate those missing after deadly floods struck the northwest. The alert covers parts of southern Pakistan previously devastated by the 2022 climate-driven floods that claimed thousands of lives. According to the National Emergencies Operation Centre, expected rainfall of up to 100 millimeters (around 4 inches) over the next day could flood highways, disrupt transportation, and damage power and communication lines across Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, and Sukkur in Sindh province. The country’s disaster management agency reported that at least 41 people have died in rain-related incidents over the past 24 hours, with most fatalities occurring in the Gilgit-Baltistan region and in Karachi, where Tuesday's downpours submerged streets and brought daily life to a halt. Schools in the city remain closed. Since June 26, Pakistan has experienced heavier-than-usual monsoon rains, resulting in at least 746 deaths nationwide. Meanwhile, rescue operations continue in the Buner district in the northwest, where nearly 150 people remain unaccounted for after floodwaters carrying mud and large rocks tore through villages, destroying homes and leaving massive debris fields. With assistance from army sniffer dogs, emergency teams are still recovering bodies as families anxiously watch on. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir are expected to visit flood-affected areas in Swat Valley and Buner later on Wednesday. Mohammad Suhail, spokesperson for the emergency services, said the death toll in Buner has risen to 290 as more bodies were retrieved. Relief teams have distributed essential supplies—tents, blankets, utensils, ready-to-eat meals, and clean drinking water—while efforts continue to restore electricity. Most damaged roads in Buner have now reopened. Survivors described terrifying scenes as floodwaters swept in suddenly, carrying massive stones and giving residents little time to escape. Many have criticized the authorities for failing to issue early warnings.  

A key mediator on Tuesday emphasised the urgent need to broker a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after Hamas gave a “positive response” to a proposal put forward by Arab nations. However, Israel has yet to respond, as its military prepares for an expanded offensive targeting some of the most densely populated areas in the territory. The prospect of renewed assaults on Gaza City and other areas sheltering hundreds of thousands of civilians has triggered international concern. Palestinians say there is nowhere left to escape after 22 months of war that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and devastated large parts of the enclave. “They’re talking about a 60-day truce, and after Israel gets its hostages, they’ll strike us again,” said Huda Rishe, who has been displaced four times since the war began. “We’ll return to Gaza City, only to be forced out again. We’ve lost hope.” AP reporters saw some families arriving in central Gaza after fleeing Gaza City. Many Israelis, who rallied in the hundreds of thousands on Sunday, fear the offensive will further endanger the remaining hostages in Gaza. Just 20 of the 50 remaining are thought to be alive. “If this (ceasefire) proposal fails, the crisis will exacerbate,” Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry, told journalists, adding they have yet to hear from Israel on it. US envoy is invited to rejoin the talks Al-Ansari said Hamas had agreed to terms under discussion. He declined to provide details but said the proposal was “almost identical” to one previously advanced by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. That U.S. proposal was for a 60-day ceasefire, during which some of the remaining hostages would be released and the sides would negotiate a lasting ceasefire and the return of the rest. “If we get to a deal, it shouldn’t be expected that it would be instantaneously implemented,” al-Ansari said. “We’re not there yet.” That cautious assessment came a day after the foreign minister of Egypt, the other Arab country mediating the talks, said they were were pushing for a phased deal and noted that Qatar's prime minister had joined the negotiations with Hamas. Witkoff has been invited to rejoin the talks, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told The Associated Press. Witkoff pulled out of negotiations less than a month ago, accusing Hamas of not acting in good faith. It was not clear how Witkoff has responded to the invitation. Abdelatty held a series of phone calls Tuesday with foreign ministers from the United Kingdom, Turkey and the European Union, seeking to put pressure on Israel to accept the ceasefire proposal. “The ball is now in Israel’s court,” Abdelattay said in a statement. An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, said the government's position has not changed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will pause the fighting to facilitate the release of hostages, but that the war will continue until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated and disarmed. 34 Palestinians killed in Gaza Hospitals in Gaza said they had received the bodies of 34 Palestinians killed Tuesday, including women and children, as Israeli strikes continued across the territory. Nasser Hospital said an airstrike killed a mother, father and three children in their tent overnight in Muwasi, a camp for hundreds of thousands of civilians. “An entire family was gone in an instant. What was their fault?” the children’s grandfather, Majed al-Mashwakhi, said, sobbing. Israel’s military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the strikes. Nasser Hospital said nine people were killed while seeking aid in areas where U.N. convoys have been overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds, and where people have been shot and killed while heading to sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or GHF, an Israeli-backed American contractor. Another two people were killed near a GHF site in central Gaza, according to Al-Awda Hospital. GHF said there were no violent incidents at any of its sites on Tuesday. Witnesses, health officials and the U.N. human rights office say Israeli forces have killed hundreds of people seeking aid from GHF sites and U.N. convoys since Israel eased a 2 1/2 month blockade on Gaza in May. The military says it has only fired warning shots at people who approached its forces. The overall Palestinian death toll in the war surpassed 62,000 on Monday, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The ministry does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants, but says women and children make up around half of them. In addition to that toll, other Palestinians have died from malnutrition and starvation, including three reported in the past 24 hours, the ministry said Tuesday. It says 154 adults have died of malnutrition-related causes since late June, when it began counting such deaths, and 112 children have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began. Hamas-led militants started the war when they attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Hamas says it will only free the rest in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Aid groups continue to struggle to deliver supplies to Gaza, where most of the population is displaced, large swaths are in ruins and experts say the “worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out." Israel imposed a full blockade in March, then allowed limited aid to resume two and a half months later. The Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, COGAT, said 370 trucks of aid entered Tuesday — still below the 600 per day that the United Nations and partners say is needed. COGAT said Tuesday that 180 pallets of aid were airdropped into Gaza with help from countries including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and France. The U.N. and partners have called airdrops expensive, inefficient and even dangerous for people on the ground.  

President Donald Trump on Tuesday offered his assurances that U.S. troops would not be sent to help defend Ukraine against Russia after seeming to leave open the possibility the day before. Trump also said in a morning TV interview that Ukraine's hopes of joining NATO and regaining the Crimean Peninsula from Russia are “impossible.” The Republican president, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders held hours of talks at the White House on Monday aimed at bringing an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine. While answering questions from journalists, Trump did not rule out sending U.S. troops to participate in a European-led effort to defend Ukraine as part of security guarantees sought by Zelenskyy. Trump said after his meeting in Alaska last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Putin was open to the idea of security guarantees for Ukraine. But asked Tuesday on Fox News Channel's “Fox & Friends” what assurances he could provide going forward and beyond his term that American troops would not be part of defending Ukraine’s border, Trump said, “Well, you have my assurance, and I’m president.” Trump would have no control over the U.S. military after his term ends in January 2029. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later on Tuesday emphasized that “U.S. boots will not be on the ground” as part of any potential peacekeeping mission. The president also said in the interview that he is optimistic that a deal can be reached to end the Russian invasion, but he underscored that Ukraine will have to set aside its hope of getting back Crimea, which was seized by Russian forces in 2014, and its long-held aspirations of joining the NATO military alliance. “Both of those things are impossible,” Trump said. Putin, as part of any potential deal to pull his forces out of Ukraine, is looking for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as recognition of Crimea as Russian territory. Trump on Monday said that he was arranging for direct talks between Putin and Zelenskyy. But the Kremlin has not yet said whether Putin, who has resisted previous calls by Trump and others for direct negotiations on ending the war, is committed to a face-to-face meeting with the Ukrainian leader. Asked whether Putin has promised Trump that he’ll meet directly with the Ukrainian leader, Leavitt responded affirmatively. “He has,” Leavitt said of Putin. Trump, early on Monday during talks with Zelenskyy and European leaders, said that he was pressing for three-way talks among Zelenskyy, Putin and himself. But after speaking to Putin later in the day, Trump said that he was arranging first for a face-to-face between Zelenskyy and Putin and that three-way talks would follow if necessary. “It was an idea that evolved in the course of the president’s conversations with both President Putin, President Zelensky and the European leaders yesterday,” Leavitt explained. But when discussing a phone call held after the meeting between Trump and the Russian leader, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov gave no indication that either a bilateral or a trilateral meeting with Ukraine had been agreed. Trump said he believed Putin’s course of action would become clear in the coming weeks. “I think Putin is tired of it,” Trump said. “I think they’re all tired of it. But you never know. We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks. That I can tell you.”

President Donald Trump on Tuesday assured that U.S. troops will not be deployed to defend Ukraine against Russia, after appearing to leave the option open the previous day. In a morning TV interview, Trump also said Ukraine’s hopes of joining NATO and regaining Crimea from Russia are “impossible.” On Monday, Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European leaders held hours of talks at the White House on ways to end Russia’s war. During the discussions, Trump did not rule out sending U.S. troops to take part in a European-led security mission sought by Zelenskyy. He had also indicated after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week that Putin was open to security guarantees for Ukraine. Pressed Tuesday on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” about whether he could guarantee that U.S. troops would not be used to defend Ukraine, Trump said: “Well, you have my assurance, and I’m president.” His term ends in January 2029. Later, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that “U.S. boots will not be on the ground” as part of any potential peacekeeping mission. Trump voiced optimism about a possible peace deal but stressed Ukraine would have to give up on NATO membership and its claim to Crimea, seized by Russia in 2014. “Both of those things are impossible,” he said. Putin, for his part, is seeking recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for pulling back his troops. Zelenskyy brings European leaders to press Trump on ending Russia-Ukraine War Trump said Monday he was arranging direct talks between Putin and Zelenskyy, though the Kremlin has not confirmed Putin’s willingness. White House officials later said Putin assured Trump he would meet Zelenskyy directly. Trump added that three-way talks involving himself, Putin, and Zelenskyy could follow if necessary. “I think Putin is tired of it. I think they’re all tired of it,” Trump said. “But you never know. We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks.”   Source: Agency