United News of Bangladesh

The administration of US President Donald Trump has proposed imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Brazil, accusing the South American country of maintaining trade practices that unfairly disadvantage American businesses despite the United States enjoying a significant trade surplus with Brazil. The proposal, announced Monday, follows an investigation by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which alleged that Brazil has weak anti-corruption enforcement measures and imposes unfair trade barriers, among other concerns. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva strongly criticized the move, saying he received the decision "with indignation." He also blamed the development on political actions by Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who recently visited Washington. Lula suggested that domestic political interests linked to the Bolsonaro family were influencing US policy toward Brazil. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said he and President Trump had held constructive discussions with Lula and other Brazilian officials, but significant differences remained over issues identified in the investigation. Speaking on Tuesday, Lula accused US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of being hostile toward Latin America and claimed he had already informed Trump that Rubio did not have a favorable view of Brazil. The Brazilian government said in a statement that ongoing diplomatic efforts between the two countries, including direct engagement by both presidents, were being undermined by what it described as electoral and family interests connected to the Bolsonaro family. Brazil also warned that it would take all necessary measures to minimize any economic damage if the tariffs are ultimately implemented. The latest proposal comes months after Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, citing concerns over Brazil's prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly attempting to overturn his 2022 election defeat. Relations between Trump and Lula appeared to improve during Lula's visit to the White House in early May. However, tensions resurfaced after the Trump administration designated two Brazilian criminal gangs as terrorist organizations following Flávio Bolsonaro's recent trip to Washington. Lula opposes the designation, which analysts say could strengthen his political rivals. The USTR has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed tariffs for July 6. Trade experts noted that the proposal would exempt more than half of Brazilian exports to the United States, including aircraft and key mineral products. The investigation was launched under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a legal authority frequently used by the United States to address alleged unfair trade practices abroad. Lula also criticized Flávio Bolsonaro and his brother, former lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, accusing them of encouraging foreign interference in Brazilian affairs. He described their actions as harmful to the country's interests. The tariff proposal comes after the US Supreme Court ruled in February that Trump had exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs on trading partners. However, tariffs imposed under Section 301 have generally survived legal challenges, making them a more durable tool for the administration. Lula emphasized that he had personally presented Trump with trade data during their May meeting, showing that the United States enjoys a substantial trade surplus with Brazil. According to USTR figures, US exports to Brazil increased nearly 11% last year to $54.4 billion, while Brazilian exports to the United States fell 5.7% to $39.9 billion, resulting in a US goods trade surplus of more than $14 billion. The imbalance is even greater in services trade. US services exports to Brazil reached $29.6 billion in 2024, roughly four times the value of Brazilian services exports to the United States. Lula dismissed concerns that the tariffs would severely hurt Brazil, saying the country would seek alternative markets if necessary. "If they don't want to buy from us, we will sell to someone else," he said. Brazil's largest trading partner for the past decade has been China.

The U.S. military said it carried out another strike on a boat suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Saturday, killing three men in what was the fourth such operation this week. The latest attack has pushed the total death toll from the campaign to 205. The U.S. Southern Command said the vessel was involved in drug-smuggling activities and was operated by a group designated as a terrorist organization. However, it did not provide any evidence to support the claim. The strike is part of an ongoing military campaign targeting suspected drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific that has been underway for several months. Video released by the military showed a small boat at sea before it was struck and burst into flames. According to U.S. officials, the latest operation followed similar strikes announced earlier this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The campaign began in early September and has now resulted in 205 deaths. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has described Latin American drug cartels as being in armed conflict with the United States, blaming them for the flow of illegal drugs into American communities. The Southern Command said the latest strike was ordered by Francis L. Donovan, the top U.S. military commander overseeing operations in Latin America.

The United States has bombed Iranian radar and drone control facilities after Iran shot down a US MQ-1 Predator drone over the weekend, the US military said Monday. Iran confirmed it carried out retaliatory strikes, while Kuwait reported that its air defence systems intercepted incoming drones and missiles. The back-and-forth attacks underline the fragility of a weeks-long ceasefire in the Iran conflict, which has seen repeated violations despite ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran to extend the truce. Iran has also continued to restrict access through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies as a significant share of the world’s oil and gas once passed through the key waterway. At the same time, violence is spreading across the wider region, with Israel expanding its presence in Lebanon beyond the Litani River and Hezbollah continuing drone attacks into Israeli territory. US says it targeted Iranian military sites US Central Command said it conducted strikes on Saturday and Sunday near Geruk and on Qeshm Island inside Iran. It said the action was taken in response to “aggressive Iranian actions,” including the shooting down of a US MQ-1 drone operating over international waters. According to the statement, US fighter jets destroyed Iranian air defence systems, a ground control station and two attack drones that posed a threat to commercial shipping in the region. No US troops were injured. The MQ-1 Predator drone has largely been replaced in US Air Force service by the MQ-9 Reaper, though the US Army still operates the older model. Kuwait reports interception of aerial threats Kuwait said its air defence forces opened fire early Monday to intercept incoming drones and missiles. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, quoted by state media IRNA, claimed US forces had struck a telecommunications tower. The Guard also said it had launched a counterattack, without providing details, likely referring to the reported strike involving Kuwait. Kuwait hosts US Army Central, the forward headquarters of US forces in the Middle East. Iranian state television later aired footage of missile launches, including one showing a message aimed at the United States and President Donald Trump, stating: “Until the last American soldier leaves the region.” Ceasefire talks under strain The latest attacks come despite continued diplomatic efforts to maintain the ceasefire, particularly discussions over Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Over the weekend, US forces also targeted a Gambia-flagged cargo ship attempting to break a blockade of Iranian ports. Although some ships have managed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, tensions continue to threaten global energy and fertilizer supplies, raising concerns over potential shortages. The Gulf region accounts for around 30% of globally traded chemical fertilizers. US President Donald Trump met advisers on Friday but has not yet decided on extending the ceasefire and reopening the strait. Iran has said no final agreement has been reached. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran was interested in a deal, adding: “It will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us.”

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific of Washington’s continued commitment to regional security, while adopting a more measured tone on China during his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Speaking before world leaders, diplomats and senior defense officials, Hegseth emphasized the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific to US security and economic interests. He said Washington’s goal remains to maintain a stable and favorable balance of power across the region. The remarks marked a contrast to his speech at last year’s forum, where he warned of growing military threats from China and accused Beijing of actively preparing for a potential move against Taiwan. This year’s conference comes shortly after US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. Following the talks, Trump described Xi as a “great leader” and expressed optimism about future relations between the two countries. Reflecting the more conciliatory atmosphere, Hegseth said Trump and Xi had agreed to pursue a constructive and stable relationship based on fairness and mutual respect while safeguarding their respective national interests. Despite the softer rhetoric, Hegseth stressed that the United States remains determined to prevent any single power from dominating the Indo-Pacific. He pointed to concerns over China’s expanding military capabilities and growing regional activities, saying many countries share concerns about preserving the current balance of power. US Senator Tammy Duckworth, attending the conference as part of a congressional delegation, criticized the Trump administration’s approach toward China. She expressed concern that Washington could be weakening its commitments in the Indo-Pacific while aligning too closely with Beijing. Questions have also emerged over US support for Taiwan after Trump described a proposed $14 billion arms package for the self-governed island as a potential bargaining tool in negotiations with China. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. Hegseth reiterated that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged but declined to comment on the future of the arms package, saying any decision would ultimately rest with President Trump. The defense secretary also renewed calls for US allies to increase defense spending, arguing that Washington seeks strong partners rather than nations dependent on American protection. He praised several Asian countries for boosting military investments and suggested some European allies could learn from Asia’s pragmatic approach to security cooperation.

The White House on Wednesday dismissed an Iranian state media report on a framework deal between the United States and Iran as "a complete fabrication." Iranian state television reported earlier a draft of an initial, unofficial framework for a memorandum of understanding with the United States that included a withdrawal of U.S. forces and the lifting of its naval blockade on Iran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said negotiations with Iran over extending the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz are expected to continue for several more days. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday before departing India, Rubio said discussions were ongoing regarding the wording of an initial agreement document following recent US strikes in southern Iran despite the existing ceasefire. “There is still a lot of back-and-forth over specific language in the draft document, so the process could take a few more days,” Rubio said. He stressed that President Donald Trump would not agree to any deal considered unfavorable to the United States. Rubio also highlighted the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying the strategic waterway must remain accessible for global shipping without interference or additional charges imposed by Iran. “The Strait needs to remain open and free for navigation, without any tolls,” he said.

The US military said on Monday that it carried out “self-defence” strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations were “proceeding nicely.” The strikes were done “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” but the military was “using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” Capt. Tim Hawkins, US Central Command spokesman, said in a statement. Further details were not immediately available, including more specifics on the threats from Iran and what this means for negotiations. Earlier, Trump said any agreement to end the Iran war should include a requirement for several additional countries, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered agreements from Trump’s first term aimed at normalising relations with Israel. The proposal came as the emerging Iran deal faced criticism from fellow Republicans who favor a harder line on Iran, and it could add new diplomatic complications to the negotiations. Trump pointed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar as countries that should “immediately” sign on, alongside Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan. Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates became the first countries to join in 2020. He wrote that “after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously sign onto the Abraham Accords.” Trump has long hoped Saudi Arabia would join, but the kingdom has maintained that any normalisation deal requires first establishing a clear path for Palestinian statehood. That’s also key for Pakistan, which is among the countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Islamabad-based analyst Syed Mohammad Ali said Pakistan’s position on Israel remains unchanged despite Trump’s latest proposal. The president said he brought up the Abraham Accords plan with leaders during negotiations on Saturday. He said he would accept “one or two” countries declining to sign, but said most should be willing. Egypt and Jordan already formally recognise Israel and have long-standing peace treaties. Turkey first recognised Israel in 1949. Masood Khan, Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, said it remains to be seen how workable the proposal might be for the countries on Trump’s list. “The invocation of the Abraham Accords at this stage gives an altogether new dimension to the diplomatic and mediatory processes because this issue was not on the agenda,” he said, pointing to the domestic pressure Trump is facing to strike a favourable deal. Still, Khan said, “the diplomatic track is still working, and I believe Pakistan is very much at the centre of it, supported by regional countries.” It remains unclear when or how any deal with Iran might be completed. Trump suggested even Iran could eventually sign on to the accords, if an agreement is reached. The accords are a series of diplomatic, economic and security agreements created with U.S. influence during Trump’s first term, originally between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, followed by Sudan, Morocco, and, more recently, Kazakhstan. They were framed as an effort to promote cooperation among countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and the administration saw them as partly paving the way for full ties with Israel.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, officially began Monday. More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the country, Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba, commander of the Hajj passport forces, said Friday. The faithful have been pouring into the country for the Hajj against the backdrop of a tenuous ceasefire in the Iran war and related regional tensions and uncertainty. Egyptian pilgrim Samya Abdul Moneim said she was grateful to God that she made it to the Hajj, which is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. “I am in a state of blessing and happiness,” she said in Mecca on Sunday. “It’s an indescribable feeling, truly. I mean, thank God, I am in a blessing.” Typically on the first day, many pilgrims in Mecca converge on a vast tent camp in the nearby desert. Ahead of that, pilgrims have been circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in sweltering temperatures. For pilgrims, Hajj can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins. Pilgrims perform the Hajj rituals over several days. Pilgrims brave intense heat Some spend many years hoping and praying to one day perform the Hajj or saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the trip. As they brave the intense heat to perform religious rituals, many pilgrims have been using umbrellas for shade and carrying handheld fans. Volunteers hand out water bottles to help them stay hydrated and large fans spray fine mists of water. On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran on the war, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, has been “largely negotiated” after calls with Israel and other allies in the region. He described it as a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE” that still must be finalized by the United States, Iran and the other countries that participated in the calls. That capped a week in which the U.S. weighed a new round of attacks on Iran.

A man who opened fire near a White House security checkpoint on Saturday was shot dead by U.S. Secret Service officers after they returned fire, authorities said. The incident occurred shortly after 6:00pm local time near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, close to the White House complex. According to the Secret Service, the suspect pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing before officers responded, injuring him critically. He later died at a hospital. Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best. Officials said a bystander was also injured during the shooting, although investigators have not yet confirmed whether the person was struck by bullets fired by the suspect or by officers responding to the attack. No Secret Service personnel were injured, and President Donald Trump, who was inside the White House at the time, was not harmed, the agency said. Court records show Best had previously been arrested in July 2025 after allegedly attempting to enter a White House checkpoint without authorization. Authorities said he ignored officers’ commands, claimed he was “Jesus Christ” and expressed a desire to be arrested. A court later issued a stay-away order against him, followed by a bench warrant over noncompliance. The shooting marked the third gunfire-related incident near Trump in the past month, following separate episodes during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April and another near the Washington Monument earlier this month. FBI Director Kash Patel said FBI personnel were assisting in the investigation. The area around the White House was cordoned off following the incident as investigators collected evidence from the scene.

US federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced criminal charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian planes operated by a Miami-based exile group, in a move that further increases pressure on Cuba’s socialist government under President Donald Trump. The indictment accuses Castro of ordering the destruction of two small aircraft flown by the exile organization Brothers to the Rescue. Castro, who will turn 95 next month, was Cuba’s defense minister at the time. The charges, filed secretly by a grand jury in April, include murder and destruction of an aircraft. Five Cuban military pilots were also charged. “For nearly 30 years, the families of four murdered Americans have waited for justice,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said during a ceremony in Miami marking Cuban Independence Day. “They were unarmed civilians and were flying humanitarian missions for the rescue and protection of people fleeing oppression across the Florida Straits,” he said. Asked how far US authorities would go to bring Castro to the United States, Blanche said: “There was a warrant issued for his arrest. So we expect that he will show up here, by his own will or by another way.” Asked what could happen next in Cuba, Trump said: “We’re going to see.” He added that the United States is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to what he described as a “failing nation.” Analysts said the charges could pose a serious threat, especially after US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January to face drug charges in New York. “He’s going to have to keep his head pretty low from now on,” said Peter Kornbluh, a specialist on US-Cuba relations at the National Security Archive. Although it remains uncertain whether Castro will ever appear in a US courtroom, the murder and conspiracy charges carry the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty if he is convicted. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the indictment, calling it a political stunt intended to “justify the folly of a military aggression against Cuba.” In a social media post, Díaz-Canel accused the United States of distorting the events surrounding the shootdown and ignoring repeated warnings from Cuban officials that they would respond to what he called “dangerous violations” of Cuban airspace by “notorious terrorists.” Among those attending the Miami ceremony was Marlene Alejandre-Triana, whose father, Armando Alejandre Jr., was killed in the incident. She said she had spoken with several federal investigators over the years and considered Castro “one of the main architects of the crime.” “It has been long overdue,” she said while standing before a large photograph of her father. Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Cuba since Maduro’s capture. Following that operation, the White House imposed a blockade that sharply reduced fuel shipments to Cuba, contributing to widespread blackouts, food shortages and a worsening economic crisis. Trump has also intensified calls for regime change after saying earlier this year that he would pursue a “friendly takeover” of Cuba unless its leaders opened the economy to American investment and expelled US adversaries. During Trump’s first term, the United States indicted Maduro on drug trafficking charges and later used those allegations to justify removing him from power and bringing him to New York for trial. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday urged Cubans to demand a free-market economy and new leadership. “In the U.S., we are ready to open a new chapter in the relationship between our people,” Rubio said in a video message in Spanish. “Currently, the only thing standing in the way of a better future are those who control your country.”