United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that while overall US ammunition stockpiles remain sufficient, supplies of some types are under increasing strain. Speaking at the White House Oval Office, Trump said the United States has a “virtually unlimited supply” of some munitions, while others are “a little bit tighter,” without providing details. His remarks came two days after reports said the US military had used nearly 80 percent of interceptors for a key missile defense system during the war with Iran, with commanders warning that ammunition stocks were “dangerously low.” The Atlantic, citing current and former defense officials, reported that supplies of long-range weapons and advanced interceptors, including Patriot and THAAD missiles, had fallen to as low as 20 percent of desired levels. Five months into the war, US public support for the prolonged conflict has weakened. A media poll found Americans who expect greater instability in the Middle East outnumber those expecting more stability by three to one. A Marquette University Law School poll found inflation and cost of living were the top public concerns, followed by the economy and then the Iran conflict. Since January, 56 percent have cited inflation and living costs as a primary or secondary concern. Labor Department data showed inflation rose to 3.3 percent in March, 4.2 percent in May and 3.5 percent in June, above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. Meanwhile, uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz continues to threaten energy security. US crude imports from Saudi Arabia fell to zero in July, the first full month without such imports since 1985. Trump said Thursday that no deal had been finalized to reopen the waterway, but negotiations with Iran were continuing and an agreement could be reached soon. Saudi-based  media, citing senior sources, reported that Iran and Oman had reached an understanding on reopening the Strait for 60 days, pending approval by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Turkish gendarmerie forces detained 104 people suspected of being members or supporters of the Islamic State (IS) in coordinated operations across the country on Friday, the Interior Ministry said. The operations were carried out simultaneously in 30 provinces by provincial gendarmerie commands in coordination with the Gendarmerie General Command’s Counter-Terrorism Department and local prosecutors, the ministry said in a social media statement. The suspects are accused of providing financial support to IS through individuals affiliated with the group and purported aid organizations, spreading its propaganda on social media and being members of the organization, the statement said. Prosecutors have launched investigations into the suspects, it said. Türkiye designated IS as a terrorist organization in 2013 and has since been targeted in several attacks by the group. In response, Ankara has intensified counter-terrorism operations both domestically and abroad.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on Friday signed a defense agreement under which an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all, officials said. The “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” was signed in Mecca during a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Iraq studies new oil pipeline to Turkey, Syria to reduce Hormuz dependence  The agreement between the three Sunni Muslim-majority states brings together oil-rich Saudi Arabia and nuclear power Pakistan as well as Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest army and a rapidly growing defense industry. It would increase cooperation and deterrence at a time of increased regional uncertainty and threats from the war in Iran. Turkish media reported the agreement could facilitate joint military exercises, training, technology transfers and intelligence sharing. A Turkish official described it as “purely defensive,” saying it targets no specific country and could be joined by other regional states. The pact does not replace existing bilateral or multilateral agreements. Defense analyst Abdullah Khan called it a formalization of decades of strategic ties, combining Pakistan’s military expertise, Saudi Arabia’s economic and regional influence, and Turkey’s defense technology. Sharif arrived Thursday for a three-day visit with a delegation including Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, while Erdogan arrived Friday. The leaders were also expected to discuss easing US-Iran tensions, trade, economic ties and wider security cooperation.

A warehouse belonging to Russia's largest online retailer caught fire after Ukrainian long-range drones struck the facility in the Ural Mountains, more than 2,000 kilometers from the countries' border, officials and the company said Friday. Wildberries said its warehouse in Yekaterinburg, Russia's fourth-largest city, was set ablaze in the attack, although most of the goods inside were not damaged. Regional Governor Denis Pasler said three drones struck the warehouse roof. Kremlin representative Artyom Zhoga said about 800 people were evacuated from the facility and no one was injured. Ukraine has increasingly targeted locations deep inside Russia, including in the Urals and western Siberia. Earlier, Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil refinery nearly 2,500 kilometers from the border. Kyiv has made drone technology a key part of its military response to Russia's invasion, with Ukrainian officials saying the country's advances have led to drone cooperation agreements with nine countries. Talks are also underway with 15 more countries. Ukraine pushes ahead with new weaponsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is accelerating work on new military technologies, particularly air defense systems designed to counter Russian ballistic missiles. Ukraine has faced growing pressure from Russian missile attacks amid shortages of US-made Patriot interceptor missiles, which have been used to protect civilian areas. Zelenskyy said a joint European anti-ballistic missile development program is already underway, involving 10 countries. He said Ukraine could produce its own missiles and launchers, while partner countries would supply key components, including radars and sensors. He also said Ukraine is developing its own ballistic missiles for use against Russia, adding that initial tests had shown promising potential. Eastern defenses under pressureMeanwhile, Ukrainian forces are facing continued pressure along the eastern front as Russia seeks to break through after months of limited advances. Ukraine has been evacuating civilians, including children, from Kramatorsk, one of four major cities forming the so-called Fortress Belt in the eastern Donetsk region. The roughly 50-kilometer line of heavily fortified cities has played a key role in preventing Russia from capturing Ukraine's industrial heartland. Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk regional military administration, said more than 800 people, including 91 children, were evacuated from the area in the previous 24 hours. Ukraine has also been using medium-range strike drones to disrupt Russian supply routes and slow the advance of its forces. Nightly drone attacks continueRussia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 203 Ukrainian drones between late Thursday and early Friday. Ukraine's Air Force, meanwhile, said Russia launched 147 long-range attack drones at Ukrainian targets. In the northern Sumy region, a Russian drone hit a busy market Friday morning, injuring 10 people, according to local authorities. Russia also launched glide bombs and other drones against the regional capital, damaging residential buildings, transport facilities and infrastructure, regional administration head Oleh Hryhorov said. Two people were injured in those attacks.

The United States will host the International High-level Forum of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) groundbreaking Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington on August 26-27. The landmark event will bring together ministers, policymakers, regulators and industry leaders from around the world to chart a bold path toward the deployment of safe and secure civil applications for nuclear energy at sea, according to the US Department of State. Nuclear energy holds tremendous promise for transforming commercial shipping, including by enabling faster maritime transport without the need for frequent refueling. Cutting-edge innovations, such as floating nuclear power plants powered by advanced small modular reactors, could provide reliable energy to remote and coastal communities and support industrial breakthroughs in desalination and offshore energy production.   Through ATLAS, the IAEA will bring together the full spectrum of stakeholders, from Member States to industry innovators, to address the legal, regulatory and technical challenges standing between vision and reality. On August 25, the US will host an Industry Day highlighting America’s leading nuclear and maritime innovators and showcasing US leadership at the frontier of civil maritime nuclear technology. The US is ensuring that America’s steadfast commitment to safety, security and nonproliferation shapes the future of ATLAS. ATLAS represents a first-of-its-kind opportunity, whose success will depend on strong and sustained collaboration among IAEA Member States, the International Maritime Organization, port authorities, nuclear and maritime regulators and industry. Together, this global partnership will help usher in a new era of credible, scalable nuclear energy on the high seas and deliver on President Trump’s pledge to revitalize innovation in nuclear technologies and expand access to nuclear power.

A student opened fire at a high school outside Bangkok on Friday, killing at least six people and wounding several others, police said. The shooting took place at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, northwest of the capital, Royal Thai Police spokesperson Trairong Piwpan told The Associated Press. A witness told reporters that students hid inside a classroom as they heard gunshots coming from another building. Police officers later knocked on the door and escorted the students out of the building. About an hour after the shooting, people gathered outside the school, comforting one another, while police and first responders moved around inside the premises. Authorities provided conflicting casualty figures that could not immediately be reconciled. Trairong told broadcaster Channel 3 that the shooter was hospitalized in serious condition and that 15 other people were injured, including two in critical condition. He said three teachers and three students were killed. Health Minister Pattana Promphat said 22 people were injured, nine of them critically. Some of the injuries were caused by falls, and it was not immediately clear how many people were shot. Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee told reporters at the scene that five teachers had died. He also said the shooter had killed his two grandparents at home before going to the school and later died at a hospital. Trairong said the motive was still under investigation. He said the gun was believed to have been taken from a member of the student's family. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed condolences to the victims and said he had instructed relevant officials to provide care and assistance to those affected. In February, a 17-year-old stole a gun from police and opened fire at a public high school in southern Thailand, briefly taking people hostage during a two-hour attack that killed one person and injured two others. In 2023, a 14-year-old boy was accused of carrying out a shooting at a major shopping mall in Bangkok.

A severe heat wave swept across Europe on Thursday, putting all major Italian cities under the highest heat alert while Austria and Slovakia recorded their highest-ever temperatures. Temperatures climbed above 40°C (104°F) in several countries, raising health concerns for millions and putting pressure on power supplies, transport networks and public services. Scientists and officials said increasingly frequent and intense heat waves are linked to a warming climate and are forcing governments to prepare for more extreme weather. Italy issues red alert across all major citiesItaly's Health Ministry placed all 27 cities covered by its heat monitoring system under a red alert Thursday, marking the first time this year that the entire network has simultaneously reached the highest warning level. The alert covers cities from Trieste in the northeast to Palermo in Sicily and indicates a health risk for everyone, not just older people and those with existing health problems. Authorities advised people to avoid direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, stay indoors when possible and drink plenty of water. The heat wave has also led to changes at major tourist sites. The tourism and culture ministries extended evening opening hours at attractions including Rome's Colosseum and Pantheon. Cooling mist fans were installed at Colosseum entrances, while additional medical stations were set up to help visitors cope with the heat. Rome has also opened a free temporary "urban beach" along the Tiber River in the Marconi area. The Tiberis site offers swimming pools, water fountains and shaded spaces, providing residents and children with a place to escape the heat. Austria, Slovakia record highest-ever temperaturesSlovakia recorded a new national temperature record Thursday, with the mercury reaching 42.2°C (108°F) at Dolne Plachtince in the south, according to the Slovak Meteorological Institute. Low water levels in the Danube have also affected the country's biggest hydroelectric power plant in Gabčíkovo. Seven of its eight turbines were shut down, with the plant producing 15% less electricity this year than during the same period last year. The Academy of Sciences said the Danube recorded its lowest July water flow on record. Austria recorded its highest-ever temperature on Wednesday, reaching 41.2°C (106.2°F) in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg near the Slovak border, according to GeoSphere Austria. The country is also experiencing severe drought. Rainfall during the first six months of the year was 27% below the long-term average nationwide, while some eastern areas received only half their normal rainfall. Climatologist Alexander Orlik said some parts of Austria had not seen such dry conditions since 1885. Hungary cuts power use amid droughtHungary's prolonged drought and record-low Danube levels have affected its only nuclear power plant, which depends on river water to cool its reactors. The plant has cut production to around 10% of normal levels, prompting the government to introduce emergency measures to reduce electricity use. Authorities asked industries and households to limit power consumption, particularly between 5pm and 10pm, when demand is highest. Freight trains have also been banned from operating during those hours, while decorative lighting at Budapest landmarks has been switched off. Major companies, including energy firm Mol, pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter and automakers Suzuki, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW, have announced plans to reduce electricity consumption. The government also canceled parliamentary sessions this week as part of efforts to save power. Budapest recorded its hottest night on record Wednesday, with the temperature dropping only to 28°C (82°F). Germany concerned over falling river levelsGermany is increasingly concerned about the effects of drought on transport and industry as water levels in the Rhine and other rivers continue to fall. Transport Minister Steffen Bilger met with affected organizations Thursday and said low river levels were creating serious problems for inland shipping, industries and the wider supply chain. Environmental group BUND called for measures to make rivers more resilient to climate change, including retaining more water in the landscape and reducing water withdrawals during droughts. France remains at high wildfire riskFirefighters continued to monitor the Var region in southeastern France after authorities said a major wildfire was no longer spreading but could flare up again. The fire, which started on July 20, has burned more than 60 square kilometers (23 square miles), making it the largest wildfire recorded in the region in recent decades. Authorities warned that strong winds and extremely dry conditions were keeping the wildfire risk very high across southeastern France. In England, temperatures eased, but the effects of the country's driest July on record remained visible. A grass fire temporarily closed the southern runway at London's Heathrow Airport on Thursday. Balkans battle wildfires and droughtThe heat wave peaked across the Balkans on Thursday, with temperatures approaching 40°C (104°F) as countries struggled with drought and wildfires. Firefighters in Serbia battled several blazes after days of dry weather. One major fire spread through pine forests west of Belgrade, while another broke out near Kraljevo in central Serbia, where difficult terrain hampered firefighting efforts. In neighboring Croatia, tourists in Dubrovnik sought shade and avoided the beaches during the hottest hours as temperatures soared along the Adriatic coast.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that trade negotiations with the United States had turned “nasty” after President Donald Trump derided America’s neighbor and its leadership while threatening to expand tariffs. Carney said Canada remained engaged in the negotiations despite Trump’s comments, describing the talks as a fight to protect Canadian workers and businesses. “This is a tough negotiation,” Carney said in French. “You can say ‘nasty.’ But this is a question of Canadian jobs. It’s a question of the future of Canadian businesses.” Trump criticized Canada during a speech Wednesday in Las Vegas. “Canada’s nasty. They are. They’re nasty,” Trump said. “I love the people, but they’re nasty. Nasty leadership.” Carney said “we are in the middle of a tariff war with the Americans” but laughed when asked about Trump’s description. He said Canadian negotiators were in Washington this week and that he expected further conversations with Trump after speaking with him last week. The United States already has tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and automobiles. Trump has threatened to impose 50% tariffs on more Canadian goods beginning Aug. 19. Tariffs are taxes on imports, which companies can then pass along to consumers in the form of higher prices. The president maintains that the costs created by tariffs will cause manufacturing to relocate to the U.S., though there is little evidence of that in the economic data. Trump’s tariff threats and repeated suggestions that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state have angered many Canadians, prompting many Canadians to cancel trips to the United States. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has argued that Canada and China are the only two countries to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs, citing restrictions on U.S. alcohol sales in some Canadian provinces among his concerns. Canadian officials say their countermeasures were a response to existing U.S. tariffs. The latest comments followed months of escalating tensions. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Carney criticized major powers for using economic coercion against smaller countries, prompting Trump to respond: “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.” Canada is one of the United States’ largest trading partners, and the move threatens to push prices higher at a time when Americans are already frustrated with the high cost of living ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Carney said existing U.S. tariffs on aluminum have contributed to a 58% increase in aluminum prices in the United States. “That’s not a good situation for American companies,” Carney said.

Cameroonian President Paul Biya has been out of the country for two months, fueling concerns over his health and criticism from opposition leaders over what they describe as a growing leadership vacuum in the Central African nation. Biya, 93, the world's oldest serving president, has ruled Cameroon since 1982. He began his eighth term in November after winning a disputed presidential election in October. He left Cameroon on June 7 for what the presidency described as a "brief private stay in Europe," but the trip has become one of his longest overseas absences. The government later confirmed that he is in Switzerland. The veteran leader's health has long been the subject of speculation as he frequently spends extended periods in Europe, particularly in France and Switzerland, while senior ruling party figures and family members oversee day-to-day affairs. Although Cameroon's constitution does not bar the president from remaining abroad for an extended period, the absence of a vice president has prompted opposition figures to argue that the country is effectively operating on "autopilot." Opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who finished second in last year's presidential election and was once a close ally of Biya, said many Cameroonians believe "all is not well" with the president. Speaking from exile in The Gambia, he said Biya's prolonged stay in Switzerland has further undermined his legitimacy and intensified concerns over his continued grip on power. Biya's more than four decades in office have seen mixed results. Cameroon continues to face security challenges from Boko Haram insurgents in the north and separatist groups in the English-speaking western regions, while economic stagnation has left many young people frustrated. Wilson Tamfuh, a professor of public and international law at the University of Dschang, said the country's leadership has suffered as Biya's health appears to have affected his ability to govern. He also criticized repeated Cabinet reshuffles, saying they have largely involved moving the same officials between ministries without meaningful reform. Biya's reelection in 2025 triggered protests that left at least four people dead, highlighting tensions between the country's predominantly young population and its long-serving leader. Earlier this week, Biya reshuffled Cameroon's senior military leadership, replacing commanders in four of the country's five joint military regions and promoting several senior officers. Officials did not explain the changes, although one commander had died and another had retired. Biya assumed office in 1982 after the resignation of Cameroon's first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo. A 2008 constitutional amendment removed presidential term limits, allowing him to remain in power. More than 70% of Cameroon's nearly 30 million people are under the age of 35, meaning Biya has governed longer than most citizens have been alive. If he completes his current term, he will leave office at nearly 100 years of age.

Israeli forces arrested 60 Palestinians, including women and children, during the second day of an ongoing military operation in the Qalandiya refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Prisoner's Society. In a statement, the organisation said those detained were subjected to interrogation as Israeli troops continued raids across the camp. Hamas agrees to disarm under Gaza ceasefire roadmap The group alleged that the operation involved severe beatings, intimidation and the use of restraints as a form of torture. It also claimed that Israeli forces forced residents from their homes and damaged property and personal belongings during the raids. Meanwhile, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said at least 16 Palestinians were injured after being assaulted by Israeli forces during the operation over the past two days. With inputs from Al Jazeera